Indoor AC Unit Layout for Condensate Control in Compact Housing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air-conditioning apparatuses face challenges in reducing the size of the indoor unit while maintaining energy consumption performance and preventing dew condensation water from dripping or flying off into the living space, as the inclination of the heat exchanger affects airflow and water drainage.
Innovation Solution
The indoor unit is designed with a partitioned housing that includes a fan with a rotating shaft, a heat exchanger upstream of the fan, and a drain receiver, featuring a first space with an opening for airflow and a second space without openings, where a first water receiving device is positioned higher than the drain receiver to manage dew condensation water effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the heat exchanger is inclined to extend over the fan to reduce housing size, then the housing size is reduced, but dew condensation water flies off into the living space
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is divided into a first space with an opening and a second space without openings, partitioned in the axial direction of the fan rotating shaft. This segmentation allows different water management strategies in different regions, preventing water from reaching the opening while maintaining compact design
Solution Approach 2:
A first water receiving device is introduced as an intermediary component positioned between the heat exchanger and the opening. This device intercepts dew condensation water before it can fly off into the living space, while still allowing the heat exchanger to be inclined for compact housing
2Object-generated harmful factors
If the inclination angle of the heat exchanger is decreased to prevent water from flying off, then water management is improved, but the heat transfer area is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the housing into first and second spaces, the invention allows the heat exchanger to maintain a larger inclination angle and greater heat transfer area in the first space, while the second space provides a controlled environment that prevents water from reaching the opening
3Volume of moving object
If the heat exchanger is provided close to the outer peripheral surface of the fan to reduce size, then housing size is reduced, but water drips or flies off from the airflow outlet
Solution Approach 1:
The first water receiving device acts as an intermediary barrier positioned in the space between the fan and heat exchanger in the first space. It intercepts water droplets carried by airflow before they can reach the airflow outlet, enabling the heat exchanger to be positioned close to the fan for compact design
4Object-generated harmful factors
If the first water receiving device is positioned higher than the drain receiver, then water management is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The first water receiving device is positioned at a higher location than the drain receiver specifically in the first space where the opening is provided. This localized positioning addresses water management needs in the critical region while maintaining simpler configuration in the second space
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 configuration reduces the occurrence of water dripping or flying off into the living space, allowing for a high-density arrangement of components and improved energy consumption performance by directing airflow and managing water drainage efficiently.
Implementation Method 1
a first water receiving device is provided at a higher position than the drain receiver
Implementation Method 2
a heat exchanger that is provided in the housing and upstream of the fan in an air passage
Implementation Method 3
the inertial force of airflow act on dew condensation water generated on fins
Data Source
AI summary
An indoor unit of an air-conditioning apparatus includes a fan, a heat exchanger, and a drain receiver. The interior of the housing is partitioned into a first space and a second space in an axial direction of the rotating shaft of the fan. In the first space, a first opening is provided to allow air to flow out toward a region located outward of the fan in the first space in a radial direction of the fan. In the second space, no opening is provided and a region located outward of the fan in the second space is closed in the radial direction of the fan. In at least part of a space between the fan in the first space and the heat exchanger, a first water receiving device is provided at a higher position than the drain receiver.