Multi-Piece Drain Pan Design for Portable Dehumidifier Water Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current dehumidification systems are inefficient in reducing humidity levels in structures, particularly in fire and flood restoration applications, where they fail to effectively remove water and often cause noise and high energy consumption.
Innovation Solution
A portable dehumidification system with a multi-piece drain pan and advanced control scheme, featuring a top piece with raised ribs to prevent air from passing under the evaporator, a mesh strainer to filter condensed water, and a control method that adjusts fan speed based on humidity levels to reduce noise and energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If air passes under the evaporator, then air circulation is improved, but condensed water is lost and dehumidification efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The drain pan is divided into a top piece and a bottom piece with an enclosed wall between them. The top piece includes bottom panels with raised ribs that segment the space beneath the evaporator, preventing air from passing under while allowing condensed water to drain through the enclosed wall into the bottom piece.
Solution Approach 2:
The enclosed wall acts as an intermediary structure that blocks air flow under the evaporator while permitting water drainage. It serves as a mediator between the need for air circulation and the need to retain condensed water, allowing water to pass through while blocking air.
2Productivity
If fan speed is increased to improve dehumidification rate, then humidity removal speed increases, but noise and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The control scheme dynamically adjusts fan speed based on real-time humidity sensor readings. The system transitions between low speed mode (when humidity is below threshold) and high speed mode (when humidity exceeds threshold), optimizing the balance between dehumidification efficiency and noise/energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses a humidity sensor to continuously monitor ambient humidity levels and provides feedback to the control circuit. Based on this feedback, the control circuit adjusts fan speed accordingly, creating a closed-loop control system that responds to actual humidity conditions rather than operating at fixed speed.
3Ease of manufacture
If a single-piece drain pan is used, then manufacturing is simpler, but the pan cannot effectively support components and manage water drainage
Solution Approach 1:
The drain pan is segmented into a top piece for water collection and drainage, and a bottom piece for component support. The top piece includes bottom panels with raised ribs and an enclosed wall, while the bottom piece has a central chamber and back shelf. This segmentation allows each piece to be optimized for its specific function while being manufactured separately and assembled together.
Solution Approach 2:
The multi-piece drain pan design provides multiple functions: the top piece collects and drains condensed water, the bottom piece supports the evaporator and condenser, the raised ribs prevent air leakage, and the enclosed wall directs water flow. Each component serves multiple purposes, increasing overall system reliability.
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 a more compact and efficient dehumidification process by retaining condensed water effectively, reducing noise and energy use, while maintaining high dehumidification efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
water condensed from the evaporator
Implementation Method 2
The fan is configured to generate an airflow that flows into the cabinet through the airflow inlet and out of the cabinet through the airflow outlet
Data Source
AI summary
A dehumidification system includes an evaporator, a condenser positioned proximate to the evaporator, and a drain pan. The drain pan is disposed at least partially below the evaporator and the condenser. The drain pan includes a top piece and a bottom piece disposed at least partially below the top piece. The top piece includes a drainage opening, and is configured to collect water condensed from the evaporator and drain the condensed water to the bottom piece via the drainage opening. The bottom piece includes an enclosed wall, and the condensed water drained from the top piece is directed into an area of the bottom piece that is at least partially surrounded by the enclosed wall.