Water discharge device and air conditioning device with same
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing water discharge devices in air conditioning systems for vehicles are prone to blockages due to mud and insect nests, leading to inefficient drainage and potential air leaks, as the open-ended drain hoses are susceptible to external interference and blockages.
Innovation Solution
A water discharge device with a float valve mechanism that blocks the drainage path during non-draining states to prevent air flow and external interference, and automatically opens to drain condensed water when the water level reaches a certain point, using a bullet-form valve member with a cylindrical and hemispherical configuration to ensure effective buoyancy and drainage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the drain hose is left open for drainage, then condensed water can be drained efficiently, but the drainage path becomes susceptible to blockages from mud and insect nests
Solution Approach 1:
The valve member is designed to dynamically switch between open and closed states based on water presence. When condensed water is present, the valve opens to allow drainage; when water is absent, the valve closes to prevent blockages. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by providing both efficient drainage when needed and blockage resistance when the drainage path is idle.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve member automatically responds to the presence or absence of condensed water without external control. The system self-regulates the drainage path opening based on the actual drainage need, eliminating the need for manual intervention while maintaining both drainage efficiency and blockage resistance.
2Productivity
If the drain hose is left open for drainage, then condensed water can be drained, but air flows into the air conditioning device and vehicle passenger compartment
Solution Approach 1:
The valve member dynamically controls the drainage path opening based on condensed water presence. When drainage is needed, the valve opens to allow water flow; when drainage is complete, the valve closes to prevent air flow. This dynamic control ensures that the drainage path is open only when necessary, eliminating harmful air flow into the passenger compartment while maintaining drainage functionality.
3Productivity
If the drain hose is left open for drainage, then condensed water can be drained, but conditioned air flows to the exterior of the vehicle
Solution Approach 1:
The valve member provides dynamic control of the drainage path, opening only when condensed water is present and closing when drainage is complete. This ensures that conditioned air is retained within the vehicle only when the valve is closed, while allowing efficient drainage when the valve is open. The system thus eliminates harmful air loss while maintaining drainage productivity.
4Reliability
If a worker manually checks and cleans the drain hose opened end, then blockages can be removed, but working efficiency is poor due to the need to burrow under the vehicle
Solution Approach 1:
The valve member automatically performs the function of controlling the drainage path without requiring manual intervention. By self-regulating the opening and closing based on water presence, the system eliminates the need for workers to manually check and clean the drain hose, thereby resolving the contradiction between maintaining drainage path reliability and improving maintenance accessibility.
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 prevents blockages and air leaks by maintaining a sealed drainage path during non-draining states and ensures efficient drainage of condensed water, reducing the need for manual intervention and improving working efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a valve member (823) which is displaceable in a housing portion (821) so as to be able to open and close the drainage path (8213), blocks the drainage path (8213) so as to limit movement of air due to dynamic pressure when in a non-draining state other than a draining state in which condensed water is discharged
Implementation Method 2
The opening and closing member (823) blocks the drainage path (8213) so as to limit movement of air due to dynamic pressure when in a non-draining state other than a draining state
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A water discharge device that collects and drains condensed water generated in an air conditioning device (1) includes: a drainage path (24, 224, 8213) along which condensed water is able to be drained in a draining state in which condensed water is expelled; and an opening and closing member (23, 223, 823, 923, 40, 50) that is able to block and open the drainage path. The opening and closing member blocks the drainage path so as to limit movement of air due to dynamic pressure when in a non-draining state other than the draining state. The opening and closing member drains condensed water through the drainage path when in the draining state.