Shield for HVAC drain pan
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing condensate drain pans in HVAC systems are disrupted by air flow, which impedes the effective flow of condensate towards discharge openings, leading to reduced operational efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A condensate drain pan with a shield that extends across the flow path, featuring notches or cutouts to allow condensate flow while blocking or reducing the impact of air flow, thereby maintaining uninterrupted condensate direction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a shield is placed in the flow path to block air flow disruption, then condensate flow efficiency is improved, but the shield may obstruct condensate flow if not properly designed
Solution Approach 1:
The shield is segmented with notches or cutouts that divide the continuous barrier into discrete sections. This segmentation allows the shield to block disruptive air flow while maintaining condensate flow paths through the notches, resolving the contradiction between providing air flow protection and ensuring condensate flow efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The shield has different properties in different locations: solid portions block air flow disruption while notched portions allow condensate flow. This local differentiation of function within the shield structure enables it to simultaneously protect against air flow issues while maintaining effective condensate drainage.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the shield extends across the entire trough, then air flow disruption is maximally reduced, but condensate flow path is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The continuous shield structure is segmented with notches or cutouts that create localized openings. These segments allow condensate to pass through while the remaining solid portions continue to block air flow disruption, resolving the contradiction between maximizing air flow protection and maintaining condensate flow rate.
Solution Approach 2:
The notched shield acts as an intermediary structure between the air flow and condensate flow paths. It mediates the interaction by selectively blocking harmful air flow while permitting necessary condensate flow through the notches, thus resolving the contradiction between reducing air flow disruption and maintaining condensate productivity.
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 shield mitigates air flow disruption, ensuring efficient condensate flow and effective removal from the HVAC system, enhancing operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a shield disposed within the trough and having a body extending across the trough, and a notch formed in the shield and positioned in the flow path to enable flow of the condensate along the flow path and through the notch
Implementation Method 2
A condensate drain pan with a shield that extends across the flow path, featuring notches or cutouts to allow condensate flow while blocking or reducing the impact of air flow, thereby maintaining uninterrupted condensate direction
Data Source
AI summary
A drain pan for a heating, ventilation, and/or air conditioning (HVAC) system includes a trough defining a flow path and configured to direct condensate along the flow path, a shield disposed within the trough and having a body extending across the trough, and a notch formed in the shield and positioned in the flow path to enable flow of the condensate along the flow path and through the notch.