Climate Control Lamella with Gutter for Condensate Drainage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional climate control systems using air conditioners suffer from discomfort, health risks, and inefficient heat exchange due to airflow, and they lack effective condensate drainage mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A climate control unit and system utilizing a lamella with a top and bottom surface, featuring a gutter for condensate capture oriented towards the bottom, and connected to an inlet and outlet manifold with rotatable couplers for efficient working fluid circulation and condensate drainage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single working fluid supply line is used to temper the lamellae, then the device complexity is reduced, but the temperature distribution on the lamella surface becomes uneven
Solution Approach 1:
The working fluid supply system is segmented into multiple independent supply lines, with each line serving specific lamellae. This segmentation allows independent temperature control for different zones, ensuring uniform temperature distribution across all lamella surfaces while maintaining manageable system complexity through modular architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
Different zones of the lamellae are supplied by dedicated working fluid lines that can be independently controlled to achieve optimal local temperature conditions. This ensures that each region of the lamella surface receives appropriate tempering, preventing uneven temperature distribution that would occur with a single centralized supply line.
2Productivity
If the climate control system is designed for installation on the upper surface of rooms, then the radiant heat transfer efficiency is improved, but the condensate drainage becomes problematic
Solution Approach 1:
The condensate drainage system incorporates inclined planes and gravity-assisted flow paths that utilize the vertical dimension and gravitational force to channel condensate away from the upper-surface-mounted lamellae. This dimensional approach to drainage design resolves the conflict between optimal radiant heat transfer positioning and effective condensate removal.
Solution Approach 2:
Condensate collection trays and drainage channels are introduced as intermediary elements between the lamellae and the room space. These intermediaries capture and redirect condensate formed on the upper-surface-installed lamellae, solving the drainage problem while maintaining the beneficial radiant heat transfer efficiency of the ceiling-mounted configuration.
3Productivity
If conventional air conditioners are used, then the heat exchange capability is sufficient, but discomfort and health risks are caused by airflow
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical airflow-based heat exchange system of conventional air conditioners is replaced with a radiant heat transfer system using thermally active lamellae. This substitution eliminates the harmful mechanical air currents that cause discomfort and spread contaminants, while maintaining effective heat exchange through thermal radiation between the lamellae and occupied surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes phase transition principles in the working fluid within the lamellae to enable efficient heat absorption and release through radiant surfaces. This allows heat exchange to occur through thermal radiation rather than forced air circulation, eliminating discomfort and health risks associated with airflow while preserving heat transfer effectiveness.
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 system achieves improved thermal exchange with reversible operating modes, ensures effective condensate drainage without efficiency loss, and reduces discomfort and health risks associated with airflow, providing controlled temperature and radiant energy flow.
Implementation Method 1
The ends of the chambers (3) are connected to an inlet manifold (5) and an outlet manifold (6)... for heating and cooling of closed or open spaces
Implementation Method 2
a climate control unit and a climate control system to be created, which will serve to heat and cool the space through another type of heat exchange, such as radiant heat transfer, which is based on thermally active surfaces
Implementation Method 3
The climate control system, known from FR937670, is designed for installation to the upper surface of rooms. This climate control system does not provide means for condensate drainage, that may form during the cooling process
Implementation Method 4
having a gutter for condensate capturing, which is oriented towards the bottom of the lamella
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~6
Figure 7~8
AI summary
The climate control unit (1) includes a lamella (2) which has a gutter (4) for condensate capturing. The lamella (2) is hollow and it is divided across its length into chambers (3) for working fluid circulation. The ends of the chambers (3) for passing the working fluid are connected to the inlet manifold (5) and the outlet manifold (6). The inlet manifold (5) has a condensate container (7), which is connected to the gutter (4). The climate control system includes at least one climate control unit (1). Inlet and outlet tubes (17, 18) are connected to the lamella (2) of each climate control unit (1) in the system. The inlet tube (17) is connected to a working fluid supply line (20), and the outlet tube (18) is connected to a working fluid return line (21). A drainage tube (19) is connected to the condensate container (7) of each lamella (2).