DESC:FORM 2
THE PATENT ACT, 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
THE PATENTS RULES, 2005

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(See section 10, rule 13)

1. TITLE OF THE INVENTION
SYSTEM FOR REUSING HVAC CONDENSATE WATER IN VEHICLES

2. APPLICANT(S)
(a) Name : MAHINDRA & MAHINDRA LIMITED
(b) Nationality : Indian Company registered under the provisions
of the Companies Act, 1956
Address : Mahindra Towers, Worli, Mumbai,
Maharashtra, India- 400 018

3. PREAMBLE OF THE DESCRIPTION
PROVISIONAL
The following specification describes the invention COMPLETE
The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed.

SYSTEM FOR REUSING HVAC CONDENSATE WATER IN VEHICLES

Field of invention
The present invention relates to reuse of HVAC condensate in vehicles and more particularly the present invention relates to a system for reusing the HVAC condensate waste water for various vehicle applications.

Background of the invention
Generally, every vehicle is equipped with the HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) system for controlling cabin temperature. Just like any other HVAC system, the vehicle AC system also tends to produce condensate waste water. However, in most of the vehicles, the condensate water of the AC is drained out from the vehicle.
A Chinese utility Patent CN 203198688 U discloses a system for reusing the waste water condensate. The system uses three pumps for spraying water from main water reservoir to windshield wiping.
Another Chinese utility Patent CN 204026958 U discloses a use of pump for circulation of condensed water for temperature related factor.
However, the Chinese prior art patent references discloses more pumps and complex mechanism to recover the water. Also the prior art patents uses three different tanks, two motor pumps for transferring water from first container to final windshield washing container. Also, the systems mentioned in the prior art patent does not give information about overflow of water, indication of water level status to driver compartment, access to utilization of water from the water barrel.
Accordingly, there exists a need to provide a system for reusing HVAC condensate water in vehicles which is simple, effective to ensure that the maximum amount of condensate waste water is recovered and used for various vehicle applications, and which overcomes drawbacks of the prior art.

Objects of the invention
An object of the present invention is to provide simple and effective system to ensure that the maximum amount of condensate waste water is recovered.
Another object of the present invention is to provide non-complex system for reusing HVAC condensate water in vehicles.

Summary of the invention
The present invention provides a system for reusing HVAC condensate water in vehicles. The vehicles include an HVAC system configured therein for controlling the air quality within a vehicle. The system is configured within the vehicle in connection with the vehicle HVAC system. The system comprises of a water collecting tray, a first tube, a water reservoir, a water level indication means, a water pump and a second tube.
The water collecting tray is positioned below the HVAC system and is connected thereto for receiving and collecting condensate water drained out from the HVAC system. The first tube is positioned downstream of the water collecting tray and is connected thereto using a rubber grommet. The first tube helps in carrying forward the condensate water collected within the water collecting tray. The first tube additionally includes an overflow drain pipe projecting outwards from outer side surface of the first tube for draining out excess quantity of the condensed water. The water reservoir is positioned downstream of the first tube and is connected thereto for receiving the condensate water carried by the first tube. The water reservoir further includes a breather and a non-return valve. The breather is mounted at top surface of the water reservoir for circulation of air. The non-return valve is mounted at junction of the first tube and the water reservoir to allow uni-directional flow of the condensate water from the water collecting tray to the water reservoir through the first tube and prevent backflow of the condensate water therethrough. Further, the non-return valve is adapted for closing a port of the first tube in event of overflow of the condensate water contained within the water reservoir thereby causing the overflow drain pipe (28) to drain out accumulated excess quantity of the condensate water from the first tube. Furthermore, the non-return valve comprises of a float arm having a float ball at one end thereof for detecting level of the condensate water contained within the water reservoir. The non-return valve further includes a locking means for locking the movement of the float arm at any desired position. The water level indication means is configured on the vehicle for displaying to a user the level of the condensate water contained within the water reservoir as detected by the float ball of the non-return valve. The water pump is configured within the water reservoir for drawing the condensate water therefrom and pumping into the second tube to provide a continuous supply of the condensate water to the second tube disposed in fluid communication therewith. The water pump is operated using a power supply connection means connected thereto for supplying power drawn from a battery of the vehicle. The second tube further includes atleast one nozzle configured at one end thereof for spraying the condensate water for washing the windshield of the vehicles. Further, the second tube is capable of being decoupled from coupling thereby allowing connecting an external tube to the water pump for diverting the supply of the condensate water from the water reservoir to any other desired location for washing and cleaning purposes. Thus, the system is simple and cost effective while ensuring that maximum amount of the condensate waste water is recovered and used for various vehicular applications.

Brief description of the figures
The objectives and features of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein,

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the system configured on the vehicle for reusing HVAC condensate water in vehicles, in accordance with the present invention;
Figure 2 shows a detailed view of the water collecting tray attached to the first tube configured with an overflow drain pipe, in accordance with the present invention; and
Figure 3 shows a detailed view of the water reservoir configured with a non-return valve, in accordance with the present invention.

Detailed description of the invention
The foregoing objects of the present invention are accomplished and the problems and shortcomings associated with the prior art, techniques and approaches are overcome by the present invention as described below in the preferred embodiment.
The present invention provides a system for reusing HVAC condensate water in vehicles. The system provides a water circulating system for collecting water drained from the HVAC system and using the same water to windshield wiping and for other activities utilizing non-potable water. The system is simple, effective, and ensures that the maximum amount of condensate waste water is recovered and used for various vehicular applications.
For the better understanding of this invention, reference would now be made to the embodiment illustrated in greater depth in the accompanying figures and description herein below, further, in the following figures, the same reference numerals are used to identify the same components in various views/figures.
Referring now to figure 1, 2 and 3, there is shown a system (100) for reusing HVAC condensate water in vehicles and various components thereof, in accordance with the present invention. The vehicles include an HVAC system (10) configured therein for controlling the air quality within the vehicles. The system (100) is configured within the vehicles in connection with the vehicle HVAC system (10). The system (100) comprises of a water collecting tray (20), a first tube (30), a water reservoir (40), a water level indication means (90), a water pump (50) and a second tube (60). The above mentioned components are operably connected with each other.
The water collecting tray (20) is positioned below the HVAC system (10) for receiving and collecting condensate water drained out from the HVAC system (10).
The first tube (30) is positioned downstream of the water collecting tray (20), as shown in figure 2. In an embodiment, the first tube (30) is operably connected to the water collecting tray (20) by means of a rubber grommet (32). The first tube (30) helps in carrying forward the condensate water collected within the water collecting tray (20). Particularly, the condensate water drained from the HVAC system (10) is captured in the water collecting tray (20) and is drained out to the water reservoir (40). Specifically, the water from the water collecting tray (20) is carried to the water reservoir (40) by means of the first tube (30). In another embodiment, the first tube (30) is configured with an overflow drain pipe (28) projecting outwards from outer side surface of the first tube (30) for draining out excess quantity of the condensed water. The overflow drain pipe (28) drains out into the atmosphere the excess quantity of the condensate water exceeding above the capacity of the water reservoir (40).
The water reservoir (40) is positioned downstream of the first tube (30) and is disposed in fluid communication therewith for receiving the condensate water carried by the first tube (30). The water reservoir (40), as shown in figure 3, is configured with a breather (42) and a non-return valve (80). In an embodiment, the breather (42) is mounted at top surface of the water reservoir (40) to vent out pressure and for circulating air, whereas the non-return valve (80) is mounted at junction of the first tube (30) and the water reservoir (40) to allow uni-directional flow of the condensate water from the water collecting tray (20) to the water reservoir (40) through the first tube (30) and to prevent backflow of the condensate water therethrough. In another embodiment, the non-return valve (80) is adapted for closing a port of the first tube (30) in event of overflow of the condensate water contained within the water reservoir (40) thereby causing the overflow drain pipe (28) to drain out accumulated excess quantity of the condensate water from the first tube (30). Once the water is collected in the water reservoir (40) up to a pre-defined limit, the non-return valve (80) stops receiving additional quantity of the condensate water and the extra quantity of the condensate water flows through the first tube (30) which is drained out to atmosphere from the overflow drain pipe (28) attached thereto. Furthermore, as shown in figure 3, the non-return valve (80) includes a float arm (82) configured with a float ball (82a) at one end thereof for detecting level of the condensate water contained within the water reservoir (40). The non-return valve (80) further includes a locking means (86) for locking the movement of the float arm (82) at any desired position. In an embodiment, the float arm (82) is powered using an electric connection means (84) connected thereto for operation thereof.
The water level indication means (90) is configured on the vehicle for displaying to a user/ driver the level of the condensate water contained within the water reservoir (40) as detected by the float ball (82a) of the non-return valve (80). The water level in the water reservoir (40) is displayed on the water level indication means (90) fitted in a vehicle compartment. Specifically, the water reservoir (40) is equipped with the non-return valve (80) along with the water level indication means (90) which gets operated as the water level goes on increasing. When the water level in the water reservoir (40) reaches a specified limit, the non return valve (80) closes the port of the first tube (30) and stops intake of water to the water reservoir (40) thereby intimating/informing the driver by displaying on the water level indication means (90) that the water reservoir (40) is full. The condensate water then starts getting accumulated back in the first tube (30) and gets released into the atmosphere from the overflow drain pipe (28) of the first tube (30).
The water pump (50) is configured within the water reservoir (40) for drawing the condensate water therefrom and pumping into the second tube (60) to provide a continuous supply of the condensate water to the second tube (60) disposed in fluid communication with the water pump (50). The second tube (60) further includes atleast one nozzle (70) configured at one end thereof for spraying the condensate water for washing windshield of the vehicles. In an embodiment, the water pump (50) is connected to a power supply connection means (52) for drawing power from a battery of the vehicle. Particularly, the water pump (50) is operated using power supplied by the power supply connection means (52) connected thereto. The power supply connection means (52) draws power from the battery of the vehicle.
In an alternate embodiment, the condensate water from the water reservoir (40) can be used for other purposes of minor cleaning or washing. In this case, the second tube (60) can be decoupled from coupling and supply of the condensate water can be diverted from the water reservoir (40) to a required location by connecting an external tube to the water pump (50). This way the waste water can be used for windshield wiping or for any other cleaning or washing purpose.
In another alternate embodiment, the system (100) includes secondary provision for filling water into the water reservoir (40) as per desired quantity. For that purpose, the system (100) additionally comprises of a water filling tube (30A), same as used in conventional windshield washing system. The water filling tube (30A) is configured in fluid communication with the water reservoir (40) for providing an external supply of water for filling the water reservoir (40).
In yet another embodiment, the system (100) protects soap solution in the water reservoir (40) by activating the non return valve (80). The soap solution can be added into the system (100) from the water filling tube (30A).
Accordingly, the system (100) is equipped with lesser components for same activity, and provides direct communication about water quantity to the driver, based on which the driver can plan utilization of the condensate water i.e. for windshield washing or for any other use.

Advantages of the invention
1. The system (100) does not require addition of separate water for wind shield wiping.
2. The system (100) is customer friendly since there is no requirement of adding separate water externally for windshield wiping.
3. The system (100) uses waste water of the HVAC system (10) for wiping purposes, thus consumption of external water is avoided, thereby benefitting the planet by offering water conservation.
4. The system (100) does not require any external energy source for operating as existing available energy sources are used to work this mechanism wherein the open loop system is converted to a closed loop system.
5. The system (100) uses clean condensed water which avoids blocking of windshield nozzle if compared with water having heavy minerals.
6. The system (100) provides good feature for customer as it also gives information about water level to the user sitting inside the vehicle passenger compartment.
7. The system (100) can be used for other non-consumption purpose like vehicle, hand cleaning and the like.
8. The system (100) can be integrated /retrofitted within all existing vehicles equipped with an air-conditioning unit.

The foregoing objects of the invention are accomplished and the problems and shortcomings associated with prior art techniques and approaches are overcome by the present invention described in the present embodiment. Detailed descriptions of the preferred embodiment are provided herein; however, it is to be understood that the present invention may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed system, structure, or matter. The embodiments of the invention as described above and the methods disclosed herein will suggest further modification and alterations to those skilled in the art. Such further modifications and alterations may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. ,CLAIMS:We Claim:

1. A system (100) for reusing HVAC condensate water in vehicles, the vehicles having an HVAC system (10) configured there within, the system (100) comprising of:
a water collecting tray (20) positioned below the HVAC system (10) and disposed in fluid communication therewith for receiving and collecting condensate water drained out from the HVAC system (10);
a first tube (30) positioned downstream of the water collecting tray (20) and operably connected thereto using a rubber grommet (32) for carrying forward the condensate water collected within the water collecting tray (20), the first tube (30) configured with an overflow drain pipe (28) projecting outwards from side surface thereof for draining out excess quantity of the condensed water;
a water reservoir (40) positioned downstream of the first tube (30) and disposed in fluid communication therewith for receiving the condensate water carried by the first tube (30), the water reservoir (40) configured with a breather (42) and a non-return valve (80), the breather (42) mounted at top surface of the water reservoir (40) to vent out pressure, and the non-return valve (80) mounted at junction of the first tube (30) and the water reservoir (40) to allow uni-directional flow of the condensate water from the water collecting tray (20) to the water reservoir (40) through the first tube (30) and prevent backflow of the condensate water therethrough, wherein the non-return valve (80) being adapted to close a port of the first tube (30) in event of overflow of the condensate water contained within the water reservoir (40) thereby causing the overflow drain pipe (28) to drain out accumulated excess quantity of the condensate water from the first tube (30), and wherein the non-return valve (80) further comprises of a float arm (82) configured with a float ball (82a) at one end thereof for detecting level of the condensate water contained within the water reservoir (40), and a locking means (86) for locking the movement of the float arm (82) at any desired position;
a water level indication means (90) configured on the vehicle for displaying to a user the level of the condensate water contained within the water reservoir (40) as detected by the float ball (82a) of the non-return valve (80), and
a water pump (50) configured within the water reservoir (40) for drawing the condensate water therefrom and pumping into a second tube (60) to provide a continuous supply of the condensate water to the second tube (60) disposed in fluid communication therewith, the water pump (50) being operated using a power supply connection means (52) connected thereto for supplying power drawn from a battery of the vehicle,
wherein, the second tube (60) includes atleast one nozzle (70) configured at one end thereof for spraying the condensate water for washing windshield of the vehicles, and
wherein, the second tube (60) is capable of being decoupled from coupling thereby allowing linkage of an external tube to the water pump (50) for diverting the supply of the condensate water from the water reservoir (40) to any other desired location for washing and cleaning purposes thereof.

2. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the float arm (82) is powered using an electric connection means (84) connected thereto for operation thereof.

3. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, additionally comprising of a water filling tube (30A) configured in fluid communication with the water reservoir (40) for providing an external supply of water to the water reservoir (40).

Dated this 28th day of August 2017

Prafulla Wange
(Agent for Applicant)
IN/PA 2058