Rotatable Condensate Guide for Portable AC Overflow Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Movable air conditioners face safety hazards due to delayed discharge of condensed water from the water receiving tray, especially under high humidity conditions, leading to potential overflow and inconvenient operation.
Innovation Solution
A movable air conditioner with a rotatable water guiding member that selectively directs condensed water to either a water tank or a sink, controlled by a detection system to manage water levels and prevent overflow, allowing for timely discharge and reducing operational inconvenience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a water drawing flywheel structure is provided in the water collection groove to consume condensed water, then the performance of the condenser is improved and water overflow-proof time is prolonged, but under high humidity conditions the water collection groove becomes full and cannot receive more condensed water timely
Solution Approach 1:
The water collection system is segmented into two separate collection areas: a first water collection area (water collection groove with flywheel) and a second water collection area (water tank). The water guiding member can switch between directing condensed water to either area, allowing the system to handle higher condensed water generation rates during high humidity conditions while maintaining overflow prevention reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The water guiding member is designed to be movable relative to the water receiving tray, enabling dynamic switching between different water collection paths. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to adapt to varying condensed water generation rates, directing water to the appropriate collection area based on real-time conditions.
2Reliability
If the air conditioner is turned off when the water collection groove is full to prevent overflow, then water overflow is avoided, but the air conditioner cannot be restarted until water is discharged and the operation becomes inconvenient
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the water collection system into two areas, the air conditioner can continue operating during high humidity conditions. When the first collection area is full, the water guiding member switches to direct condensed water to the second collection area (water tank), eliminating the need to shut down the unit and maintaining operational convenience.
Solution Approach 2:
The water guiding member acts as an intermediary that switches between different water collection paths. This intermediary mechanism allows the system to manage water flow dynamically, preventing overflow while maintaining continuous operation and avoiding the inconvenience of frequent shutdowns and manual water disposal.
3Reliability
If the movable air conditioner prototype is pushed to a toilet to pour water when the water collection sink is full, then water can be discharged, but the operation is inconvenient and potential safety hazards are increased
Solution Approach 1:
The water collection system is divided into two areas, with the second area (water tank) designed to be detachably disposed inside the movable air conditioner. This segmentation allows users to easily remove and empty the water tank without moving the entire unit, significantly improving water disposal convenience while maintaining overflow prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
The water tank is extracted as a detachable component from the main unit, allowing independent removal and emptying. This extraction design eliminates the need to move the entire air conditioner to a toilet for water disposal, reducing operational inconvenience and safety hazards while ensuring reliable overflow prevention.
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 solution effectively prevents water overflow and safety hazards by ensuring timely discharge of condensed water, reducing frequent shutdowns and improving user experience by allowing for easy water disposal without needing to unplug and move the unit.
Implementation Method 1
condensed water in the water collection groove is thrown onto fins of a condenser to be evaporated and to be cooled
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
A movable air conditioner and a control method. The movable air conditioner includes a water receiving tray (1) configured to receive condensed water generated by an evaporator (3) of the movable air conditioner, a first water collection area, a second water collection area; a water guiding member (8) configured to selectively guide the condensed water in the water receiving tray (1) to the first water collection area and/or the second water collection area, and a controller configured to control the water guiding member (8) to the guide condensed water in the water receiving tray (1) to the first water collection area, and configured to control the water guiding member (8) to guide the condensed water in the water receiving tray (1) to the second water collection area when a water level of the first water collection area reaches a preset value. In the present disclosure, when one water collection area cannot receive the condensed water, the water guiding member can guide the condensed water to another water collection area, thereby avoiding a problem of a potential safety hazard caused by the condensed water not discharged from the water receiving tray timely.