Mini-Split Cleaning Bib With Gravity Drain for Spill Containment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for cleaning mini-split air conditioning units are cumbersome, lack effective fluid collection mechanisms, and pose risks of spillage and damage to surrounding objects and personnel, particularly when cleaning high-mounted units.

Innovation Solution

A conical, flexible plastic bib with an integral drain and adjustable cord system that securely attaches to the air handler assembly, using side brackets and a deflector plate to direct cleaning fluids and debris to a floor drain or collection container, ensuring stability and protection against splashing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a wash bag is attached to an air conditioning unit using a strong elastic band, then the bag can be secured to the unit, but the bag cannot effectively collect fluids due to lack of outlet and the weight must be borne by the operator

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid collection effectivenessVSAvoidoperator burden

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The drain outlet is extracted from the bag structure and connected to a separate drain hose that leads to a collection container. This allows fluids to be removed from the bag system, eliminating weight accumulation and enabling continuous operation without operator burden.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

A drain hose acts as an intermediary between the bag and the collection container, transferring fluids automatically through gravity flow. This intermediary component resolves the contradiction by providing a passive fluid transfer mechanism that doesn't require operator intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If cleaning is performed on high-mounted air conditioning units, then the units can be effectively cleaned, but spillage risk increases and manual support becomes necessary

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning accessibilityVSAvoidspillage risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses gravity to automatically drain fluids from the bag through the hose to the collection container below. This self-service drainage mechanism eliminates the need for manual support or intervention, allowing safe cleaning of high-mounted units without spillage risk.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The drain hose creates a continuous gravitational pathway from the elevated bag position to the collection container, maintaining fluid flow potential throughout the system. This equipotential arrangement ensures automatic drainage regardless of the bag's height on the wall-mounted unit.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #12Equipotentiality

3Quantity of substance

If a collection bag is used without a drain outlet, then all fluids can be captured in the bag, but the bag volume is limited and fluids must be manually emptied

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid capture capacityVSAvoidfluid disposal procedure

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The fluid collection system is segmented into two functional parts: the bag for capture and the drain hose for disposal. This segmentation allows the bag to focus on maximum fluid capture while the separate drain system handles disposal, eliminating the need for manual emptying and enabling continuous operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Productivity

If cleaning operations are performed near valuable objects and furniture, then the heat exchanger can be cleaned, but damage and contamination risks increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning effectivenessVSAvoidcontamination risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system converts the potentially harmful effect of cleaning fluids and debris into a beneficial controlled flow path. By providing a dedicated drain hose that directs all fluids away from the cleaning area, the system ensures that cleaning effectiveness is maintained while contamination risk to surrounding objects is eliminated.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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

Facilitates safe and efficient collection and disposal of cleaning fluids and debris without manual support, protecting nearby objects and allowing for effective cleaning of high-mounted units without risk of spillage or damage.

Implementation Method 1

a conical, flexible plastic bib with an integral drain and adjustable cord system that securely attaches to the air handler assembly, using side brackets and a deflector plate to direct cleaning fluids and debris to a floor drain or collection container

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentUS9259769B1Apparatus and method for collection and disposal of cleaning waste-water and debris from air conditioners

Publication Date: 2016.02.16 DIVERSITECH

AI summary

Apparatus for collecting waste cleaning fluid and debris resulting from a cleaning operation of a wall-mounted air handler assembly of a mini-split air conditioner. The apparatus is installed by placing and supporting a funnel-shaped collection bib under the air handler assembly by means of device-mounting brackets and a deflector plate inserted between the air handler assembly and the wall, the bib being held open by an arcuate rib attached to the mounting brackets and by a supporting cord passing through the rib, brackets, and bib hem and being cinched against the device.