Portable Air Conditioner Layout for Condensate Control and Compact Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Integrated type portable air conditioners face challenges with space efficiency, thermal interference, accurate temperature measurement, damage from movement, and condensate scattering, which affect user convenience and component corrosion.
Innovation Solution
The design includes a housing with separate heat exchangers on opposite sides, a blower fan that directs air upward, a partition wall to prevent air mixing, and a water tank with a draw-out mechanism for improved user convenience and condensate management, along with a scattering prevention system to prevent condensate from being scattered by negative pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If heat exchanger, blower fan, and passage are disposed front and rear surfaces to enable cooling and heating, then air conditioning function is improved, but volume increases and space efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a front-rear arrangement to a left-right arrangement of heat exchangers on opposite side surfaces. This dimensional change allows the blower fan to be positioned centrally and efficiently distribute air to both heat exchangers without increasing volume, resolving the contradiction between functional versatility and compact size.
2Volume of moving object
If heat exchangers are disposed close together to improve space efficiency, then volume is reduced, but thermal interference occurs and temperature measurement accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a partition wall as an intermediary structure between the two heat exchangers. This partition wall physically separates the thermal fields of the heat exchangers, preventing thermal interference while allowing the unit to maintain a compact volume. It also provides a mounting surface for the temperature sensor, ensuring accurate measurement away from thermal distortion.
3Ease of operation
If moving wheels are installed at lower portion to enable movement, then ease of operation is improved, but outer appearance is damaged by collision
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies cushioning material to the lower portion of the housing where moving wheels are installed. This beforehand cushioning protects the outer appearance from collision damage while maintaining the movability function, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and protection from harmful factors.
4Volume of moving object
If water tank is disposed at lower portion to improve space efficiency, then volume is reduced, but user convenience deteriorates due to interference when withdrawing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the water tank with a draw-out mechanism that allows dynamic removal from the lower portion. This enables the water tank to be easily withdrawn for water level checking and maintenance without permanent interference, resolving the contradiction between compact volume and ease of operation.
5Productivity
If negative pressure is generated inside housing to improve air circulation, then air flow efficiency is improved, but condensate scatters and causes component corrosion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the negative pressure generated for air circulation to create a suction effect that draws condensate through a drain pipe to a collection container. The harmful scattering of condensate is converted into a beneficial directed flow, eliminating corrosion while maintaining air circulation efficiency.
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 enhances space efficiency, allows accurate temperature measurement, protects the outer appearance during movement, improves user convenience by enabling precise water level detection, and prevents condensate scattering, thus addressing the limitations of integrated type air conditioners.
Implementation Method 1
a first heat exchanger heat-exchanged with external air introduced through a firs side surface of the housing
Implementation Method 2
a second heat exchanger heat-exchanged with external air introduced through a second side surface of the housing
Implementation Method 3
a blower fan configured to generate a negative pressure in the internal space so that the external air is introduced
Implementation Method 4
a partition wall provided between the first guide part and the second guide part to prevent the external air guided to the front part and the rear part of the heat exchange chamber from being mixed with each other
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided is a portable air conditioner. The portable air conditioner includes a housing having an internal space that is divided into an upper space and a lower space defined below the upper space, a heat exchanger provided in the upper space and heat-exchanged with external air introduced from the outside, a blower fan configured to introduce the external air so as to move to the heat exchanger and discharge the heat-exchanged external air upward, a water tank provided to be withdrawal forward in the lower space and configured to collect condensate generated in the heat exchanger, and a water level detection part configured to detect a water level of the water tank. The water tank includes a condensate inflow area which is provided on a front end of the water tank and into which the condensate is introduced, and a water level detection area which is provided on the front end of the water tank and at which the water level is detected. The water level detection area is provided on a top surface of the front end of the water tank and has a height lower than the condensate inflow area to prevent the water level of the water tank from rising up to the condensate inflow area.