Portable air conditioner device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing portable air coolers do not effectively utilize a coiled tube cooled by ice within an ice chest for air cooling, lacking a comprehensive system to manage condensation and provide efficient cooling in various locations.
Innovation Solution
A portable air conditioner device with an ice chest containing a coiled tube made of thermally conductive material, cooled by ice, and a blower to circulate air through the tube, accompanied by a condensation drain to separate and drain condensed water, enabling effective cooling in enclosed spaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a portable air cooler uses a bucket filled with ice and a blower to blow air through the bucket, then portability and simplicity are improved, but cooling efficiency and condensation management are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The device divides the cooling system into distinct functional components: an ice chest for ice storage, a coiled tube for heat exchange, and a blower for air circulation. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently while maintaining portability.
Solution Approach 2:
The coiled tube acts as an intermediary between the ice and the air to be cooled. By positioning the tube within the ice chest and having air pass through it, the tube efficiently transfers thermal energy from the ice to the air without direct contact between ice and air, improving cooling efficiency.
2Temperature
If a portable air cooler uses an ice chest with a fluid filled radiator, then cooling capability is improved, but device complexity and condensation management are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the cooling function from a complex fluid-filled radiator system and simplifies it by using a coiled tube that can be directly cooled by ice. This removes the need for additional fluid management systems while maintaining effective cooling capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The coiled tube is positioned specifically within the ice chest where it directly contacts the cooling environment. This localized positioning ensures efficient heat transfer from the ice to the air passing through the tube, optimizing cooling capability without requiring a complex system.
3Temperature
If air is blown through a coiled tube cooled by ice, then cooling efficiency is improved, but condensation accumulation worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The invention converts the harmful effect of condensation accumulation into a beneficial drainage system. The condensation drain tube is positioned to receive condensed water from the coiled tube and channel it outside the ice chest, transforming the problem of water accumulation into a manageable drainage function that maintains system efficiency.
4Device complexity
If a portable air cooler lacks a condensation drain system, then device simplicity is improved, but operational duration and reliability are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The condensation drain system operates automatically without requiring user intervention. The drain tube is positioned to receive and channel condensed water outside the ice chest, allowing the system to self-manage condensation and maintain optimal cooling performance over extended periods.
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 device provides efficient cooling in locations without air conditioning by using ice-cooled air circulation, with a condensation management system, allowing extended cooling durations and convenient portability.
Implementation Method 1
a coiled tube positioned within the interior space of the ice chest and the coiled tube is comprised of a thermally conductive material such that the coiled tube can be cooled by the ice
Implementation Method 2
a blower attached to the ice chest and the blower blows air into the coiled tube when the blower is turned on
Implementation Method 3
a condensation drain attached to the coiled tube to receive condensed water from the air blown into the coiled tube
Data Source
AI summary
A portable air conditioner device includes an ice chest for containing ice placed within the ice chest. A coiled tube is positioned within the interior space of the ice chest and the coiled tube is comprised of a thermally conductive material such that the coiled tube can be cooled by the ice. Additionally, the coiled tube has an outlet that extends through the ice chest. A blower is attached to the ice chest and the blower blows air into the coiled tube when the blower is turned on. In this way the coiled tube can cool the air blown into the coiled tube when the ice chest is filled with the ice thereby facilitating the cooled air to escape the outlet of the coiled tube. A condensation drain is attached to the coiled tube to receive condensed water from the air blown into the coiled tube.