Fleece-Wrapped Climate Control Pipe for Continuous Condensation Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing anti-fogging and anti-condensation coatings for air-conditioning bodies fail to operate continuously in extremely warm and humid environments, leading to condensation issues and reduced performance due to high dew point temperatures and low surface temperatures of the air-conditioning medium, which results in droplet formation and potential delamination.
Innovation Solution
A non-woven polyester fleece with low water absorption capacity is applied full-surface to air-conditioning bodies, allowing condensate to form as a wafer-thin film that evaporates quickly, preventing droplet formation and ensuring continuous operation without thermal insulation loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If anti-condensation coatings and paint applications are applied thickly to prevent condensation, then condensation prevention is improved, but thermal insulation loss increases and delamination risk occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a thin film anti-condensation coating instead of thick paint applications. This thin film prevents condensation while minimizing thermal insulation loss and avoiding delamination issues associated with thick coatings.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the surface energy parameters of the coating to achieve anti-condensation effect. By adjusting the contact angle and surface properties, the coating prevents water droplet formation without requiring thick application, thus maintaining thermal performance.
2Reliability
If anti-condensation coatings are applied to maintain performance in humid environments, then condensation prevention is improved, but coating delamination occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The thin film coating is more flexible and adheres better to the substrate compared to thick paint applications. This reduces the risk of delamination while maintaining condensation prevention functionality in humid environments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite coating materials that combine adhesion promoters with anti-condensation agents. This composite structure enhances bonding to the substrate, preventing delamination while maintaining condensation resistance.
3Productivity
If surface temperature is reduced to increase air-conditioning performance, then cooling efficiency is improved, but condensation formation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the surface properties of the air-conditioning body through anti-condensation coating. This allows the surface temperature to be reduced for better cooling performance while the modified surface parameters prevent condensation formation even at lower temperatures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful effect of low surface temperature (which causes condensation) into a benefit by applying a coating that changes surface properties. The low temperature is maintained for cooling efficiency, while the coating prevents the harmful condensation effect.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides a reliable anti-fogging effect for at least 20 hours, maintaining air-conditioning performance by increasing the surface area for condensate evaporation, preventing droplet formation, and ensuring uninterrupted operation even in extreme conditions.
Implementation Method 1
allowing condensate to form as a wafer-thin film that evaporates quickly, preventing droplet formation
Implementation Method 2
If humid air comes into contact with a solid surface whose temperature is below the air temperature, condensation can be observed when the temperature of the solid surface is also below the dew point temperature
Data Source
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Figure 3~4
AI summary
Claimed is a climate control hollow body e.g. a pipe through which a cold fluid passes. The climate control body is wrapped in a fleece textile jacket that minimises condensation. The climate control body is a pipe, a rolled and bonded panel or a heat exchanger panel. The fleece material is of a kind with little or no propensity to absorb water e.g. polyester, and is bonded to the climate control body by a suitable adhesive e.g. epoxy resin, polyurethane, acrylate or silicon. Further claimed is the use of the climate control body with fleece jacket.