Fume Hood Condensate Lock Layout for Faster Exhaust-Air Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing condensate barriers for fume extraction devices are inefficient in removing collected condensate through exhaust air, leading to slower evaporation and the need for larger condensate collection volumes, and their connections with air ducts are not tight, allowing condensate to run down the outer wall.
Innovation Solution
A condensate barrier design where the collecting pan is connected to the condensate line on the side facing the clear flow cross-section, allowing condensate from the drip tray to be removed by exhaust air, with a chamfered connection section to guide condensate flow and simplify assembly, potentially eliminating the need for a separate drip pan and reducing the number of components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the collecting pan is arranged outside the flow channel, then condensate can be collected from the outer wall, but condensate removal efficiency is reduced and device volume increases
Solution Approach 1:
The collecting pan is nested within the flow channel interior, allowing condensate collected from the outer wall to be removed by exhaust air flowing through the channel. This nested arrangement enables efficient condensate removal while maintaining a compact structure, as the collecting pan utilizes the existing flow channel space rather than requiring additional external volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention utilizes the exhaust air flow (pneumatic system) to remove condensate from the collecting pan. The exhaust air flowing through the flow channel directly contacts and removes condensate, replacing the need for separate drainage systems and improving removal efficiency while maintaining compact dimensions.
2Reliability
If the connection between air duct and condensate barrier is made tight, then condensate leakage is prevented, but assembly complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The air duct connection utilizes a flexible hose that is pushed onto the connecting section and secured by a hose clamp. This flexible connection approach provides sufficient sealability to prevent condensate leakage while maintaining ease of assembly, as the flexible hose can accommodate minor dimensional variations and does not require precision fitting or special assembly tools.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection design allows for self-service assembly using standard components (hose and hose clamp) that can be easily installed by typical personnel without specialized skills or tools. The hose clamp provides reliable sealing through simple tightening, eliminating the need for complex sealing mechanisms or expert assembly procedures.
3Quantity of substance
If the collecting pan volume is increased, then condensate storage capacity is improved, but device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The exhaust air flow continuously removes condensate from the collecting pan, enabling the pan to maintain a compact size while effectively handling condensate loads. The pneumatic removal mechanism eliminates the need for large storage volumes, as condensate is promptly evacuated rather than accumulated, simplifying the overall device structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The continuous flow of exhaust air through the flow channel provides ongoing condensate removal from the collecting pan. This continuous action allows the collecting pan to be designed with smaller volume, as condensate is constantly being removed rather than requiring large storage capacity to handle peak loads.
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
This design enhances condensate removal efficiency, allows for a more compact structure, and simplifies the assembly and geometry of the condensate barrier, enabling effective integration with fume extraction devices and air ducts, while potentially eliminating the need for a separate drip pan.
Implementation Method 1
the removal of this condensate in the known condensate barrier by evaporation takes place much more slowly
Implementation Method 2
the condensate line connection is designed in such a way that the condensate gets from the collecting pan into the collection tray by gravity
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
The lock has a condensate collecting section comprising a collecting tray (12.4) for accommodating condensate (16), which flows to an inner wall of the lock. The collecting section is fluidically coupled to a fume cupboard device, and a drain tray (12.3) and the collecting tray are arranged outside of a thin flow cross section (18.1) at the collecting section. The drain tray is in condensate conducting connection (14) with a side of the collecting section, where the side faces the flow cross section of the lock.