Air Purification Device

Abstract

The present invention discloses an air purification device for separating particles from an air flow. The air purification device comprises an emitter electrode and a filter medium, and the filter medium can absorb at least a portion of the particles in the air. The filter medium contains a conductive material. In addition, the emitter electrode and the filter medium containing the conductive material are arranged to generate an ionization field for causing the particles in the air flow to be charged.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of air purification. More specifically, the present invention relates to an air purification device for separating particulate matter from an air flow. Background Art

[0002] In many different application scenarios, such as in different types of vehicles or buildings, air purification devices are used to ensure the required air quality in the vehicle cabin or inside buildings or other enclosed spaces.

[0003] Ionization filtration systems are widely used because they can effectively clean particles in the air. Ionization filtration systems include an ionizer (or ionization unit) that generates an ionization field for charging particles in the air, and the charged particles can be more easily captured by a filter medium arranged downstream of the air flow path.

[0004] Ions can be generated in many ways, but a typical application includes an emitter electrode and a collector electrode, such as a pointed emitter electrode surrounded by a groundable annular collector electrode. When a high voltage is applied between the emitter electrode and the collector electrode, ions are generated in the surrounding space around the emitter electrode, that is, a tip discharge occurs. The space where ions are generated is called an ionization field, and the emitter electrode and the collector electrode are preferably arranged so that the air flow can flow through the ionization field. When the air flows and passes through the ionization field, at least a portion of the particles therein will be charged. The charged particles can then be more easily captured by a filter medium arranged downstream of the air flow path.

[0005] When placing an ionization filter system in a vehicle or building, there are several parameters to consider, such as the need for a sufficiently large ionization field, i.e., space through which the particles in the air can be charged, the fact that different systems and components may be limited in size or have other constraints in shape, the electromagnetic radiation from the ionization filter system may affect other components, and the possibility of adding additional devices may be limited, adding additional devices in the air flow may affect the flow of air, etc. Therefore, it is necessary to optimize the different limiting parameters that affect the ionization filter system. Summary of the invention

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide an air purification device which seeks to mitigate or eliminate one or more of the above-mentioned drawbacks and disadvantages in the art, either alone or in any combination.

[0007] This object is achieved by an air cleaning device according to the independent claim.

[0008] In one aspect, an air purification device for separating airborne particles from an air flow is provided. The air purification device comprises an emitting unit, the emitting unit comprising an emitting electrode and a filter medium, the filter medium being capable of absorbing at least a portion of the particles in the air. The filter medium contains a conductive material. In addition, the emitting electrode and the filter medium containing the conductive material are arranged to generate an ionization field for causing the particles in the air flow to be charged.

[0009] In the prior art air purification device including an ionization unit and a filter medium, the ionization unit and the filter medium are usually separated by a certain distance. However, when the ionization unit and the filter medium are arranged adjacent to each other, a sufficiently large ionization field can still be generated, and the particles in the air passing therethrough can be charged. Compared with an air purification device without any ionization unit, the filtering effect of the air purification device can be enhanced to a certain extent. The inventors also recognize that by providing a filter medium containing a conductive material, the collector of the ionization unit can be integrated with the filter medium.

[0010] By providing such a filter medium containing a conductive material and using the filter medium as a collector, the air filter device can achieve the same overall dimensions as a separate filter medium used in a filter device without an ionization unit, but the air purification device can remove particulate matter from the air more effectively than the separate filter medium. In addition, a more uniform distribution of the ionization field across the entire filter medium surface will be achieved.

[0011] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a filter medium comprising an electrically conductive material is arranged to act as one or more current collectors via the electrically conductive material.

[0012] The terms "ionization cell" and "ion generator" are used herein to refer to the combination of an emitter electrode and a collector electrode (or a sending electrode and a receiving electrode).

[0013] The filter medium adsorbing at least a portion of the charged particles in the air means that at least a portion of the charged particles are captured and retained in the filter medium so that they do not pass through the filter medium and appear in the downstream air flow.

[0014] As mentioned above, the term "filter medium" refers to a manufactured product for filtration made of natural or synthetic materials with a porous structure that is permeable to gas and will capture at least a portion of the particles in the air even if the filter medium and / or the particles in the air are not charged.

[0015] Airflow refers to the flow of air through the air filter device when in use. Airflow can be actively generated by being driven by a fan or other such air displacement device, or it can be passively generated by being driven by the vehicle including such device during operation. At the same time, airflow can also be driven by the vehicle's air conditioning system.

[0016] There are many ways to achieve adding conductive materials to filter media. However, the filter media with added conductive materials should preferably be such that the additional airflow pressure drop caused by the conductive materials should be as low as possible.

[0017] In an embodiment, the conductive material may form an integral body with the filter medium, such as an activated carbon filter layer, etc. The conductive material may also be added as a conductive particle medium, such as by spraying or otherwise providing conductive particles on the surface within the filter medium. Another alternative is to add a mesh conductive material, such as a metal mesh, on the surface of the filter medium or between filter medium layers.

[0018] As described above, the filter medium containing the conductive material is connected to the ground of the circuit or another potential different from the potential of the emitter electrode.

[0019] The filter media according to the present disclosure may include multiple layers, including an adsorption layer that can adsorb particulate contaminants passing therethrough.

[0020] It may also include a conductive layer, i.e. a conductive material layer. The conductive material layer, such as an activated carbon layer, is configured to be connected to ground or other potentials different from the emission electrode potential so as to establish the required ionization field together with the emission electrode of the ion generator, so that the suspended particles present in the airflow are charged. The activated carbon conductive layer can be further designed to protect people, such as drivers and passengers of vehicles, from harmful and unpleasant gases.

[0021] These layers may also include an anti-allergen layer to protect against airborne allergens.

[0022] By connecting the filter medium containing the conductive material to the ground or another potential different from the potential of the transmitting electrode, the air particles loaded with electric charge in the ionization field generated by the air purification device will be more likely to be captured by the filter medium. In addition, once the charged particles are captured by the filter medium, the charge on the charged particles will be neutralized. Therefore, the risk of the filter medium being polarized by the charged particles and thus not attracting or even repelling the charged particles is avoided.

[0023] As mentioned above, the distance between the emitter electrode and the filter medium containing the conductive material is 10-100 mm. More preferably, the distance between the emitter electrode and the filter medium containing the conductive material is within 12-30 mm.

[0024] The preferred distance refers to the shortest distance between the filter medium containing the conductive material and the emitter electrode.

[0025] In an embodiment, the arrangement of the emitting electrode and the filter medium containing the conductive material makes it possible for the ionization field formed to be distributed in the upstream wind direction of the filter medium when the air purification device is in use. This allows the particles in the air flow to first pass through the ionization field located upstream of the filter medium and be charged, and then pass through the filter medium, so that at least a portion of the charged particles can be captured by the filter medium. Therefore, the emitting electrode can be arranged close to the filter medium containing the conductive material, so that the combination of the emitting unit and the filter medium can achieve the total distance from the top of the emitting unit to the bottom of the filter medium as small as possible, while keeping the distance from the top to the bottom of the filter medium as large as possible, that is, the thickness of the filter medium is as thick as possible.

[0026] In an embodiment, the emitting electrode comprises one or more corona discharge points, wherein at least one of the corona discharge points is directed away from the filter medium, that is, toward the upstream air inlet direction.

[0027] By directing at least a portion of the one or more corona discharge points in the upstream wind direction, the air purification device generates an ionization field in the upstream wind direction of the filter medium when in use. This allows the particles in the air flow to first pass through the ionization field upstream of the filter medium and be charged, and then pass through the filter medium, so that at least a portion of the charged particles are captured by the filter medium.

[0028] The high voltage applied to the emitter electrode may be positive or negative. The voltage applied to the emitter electrode may be between -10 and 10 kV DC, more preferably between -7 and 7 kV DC.

[0029] The corona discharge point pointing in the air inlet direction upstream of the filter medium includes not only the corona discharge point perpendicular to the filter medium, but also alternative arrangements with smaller angles, such as 45°, which can also generate an ionization field in the air inlet direction upstream of the filter medium, that is, when the air purification device is in use, the air flow will first pass through the ionization field located upstream of the filter medium.

[0030] In an embodiment, the emitting electrode includes a plurality of corona discharge points. By providing a plurality of corona discharge points, when the air purification device is in use, a similar ionization field sufficient to charge the particles in the air can be achieved by applying a lower voltage to the plurality of corona discharge points, as in an air purification device having only one corona discharge point but applying a higher voltage. The plurality of corona discharge points can be points where a plurality of tips, carbon brushes, etc. can generate a sufficiently large electric field strength to generate a corona discharge.

[0031] A plurality of corona discharge points may be arranged on a single emitter electrode, in which case they are electrically connected to each other. However, a plurality of corona discharge points may also be electrically separated from each other, but they work together to generate an ionization field in use. For example, there may be a pair of emitter electrodes that are electrically separated from each other, but each emitter electrode includes a plurality of corona discharge points. In such an embodiment, the corona discharge points on the separated emitter electrodes may point in the same direction or in substantially opposite directions.

[0032] Similarly, a filter medium comprising a conductive material may form a single grounded collector for the corona discharge, but may also be divided into multiple collectors.

[0033] In an embodiment, the filter medium containing the conductive material is arranged so that the distances between the multiple corona discharge points of the emitter electrode and the respective parts of the filter medium containing the conductive material are substantially the same. This enables a substantially uniform ionization field to be generated when the air purification device is used, so that the particles in the air can be uniformly charged in the ionization field.

[0034] In a further embodiment, the emitting electrode is an elongated structure and the plurality of corona discharge points are distributed along the length of the emitting electrode, the collecting electrode is also an elongated structure, and the emitting electrode and the collecting electrode are arranged substantially in parallel. This enables a substantially uniform ionization field to be generated when the air purification device is used, so that the particles in the air can be uniformly charged in the ionization field.

[0035] In an embodiment, the emitting electrode is a flat and elongated structure, which is arranged so that it is flattened in a plane substantially parallel to the air flow. When the air purification device is in use, the emitting electrode is flattened in a plane substantially parallel to the air flow, which can reduce the influence of the emitting electrode on the air flow. The emitting electrode may include one or more corona discharge points, and at least one subset of the one or more corona discharge points may be arranged on the edge of the emitting electrode, so that at least one subset of the plurality of corona discharge points is directed to the upstream air inlet direction of the filter medium.

[0036] In an embodiment, the air purification device comprises two or more emitting units comprising emitting electrodes.

[0037] In an embodiment, the emitting unit further comprises an emitting electrode bracket for mounting and fixing the emitting electrode and ensuring electrical isolation between the emitting electrode and the filter medium containing the conductive material.

[0038] In a further embodiment, the firing unit is flexibly connected to the filter medium so as to allow the filter medium to deform when the firing unit is connected to the filter medium.

[0039] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, an air purification device is configured to operate by supplying power to an emitter electrode and a filter medium comprising a conductive material so as to generate an ionization field for electrostatically charging suspended particulate matter in an air flow.

[0040] As described above, the air purification device further includes a power source, a first connector connecting the power source to the emitter electrode, and a second connector connecting the power source to the filter medium containing the conductive material.

[0041] In an embodiment, the second connector connecting the power supply to the filter medium containing the conductive material can be a fastener for fastening the housing containing the power supply to the wall of a box or frame in which the filter medium containing the conductive material is arranged. When the air purification device is in use, the fastener can be electrically connected to ground or to another potential different from the potential provided to the emitter electrode. When the air purification device is in use, the fastener can also be electrically connected to the conductive material of the filter medium.

[0042] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a second connector that connects a power source to a filter medium containing a conductive material may include a fastener member configured to provide a connection to a conductive wall portion of a box or frame, wherein the conductive wall portion is configured to contact the conductive material of the filter medium, thereby connecting the filter medium containing the conductive material to electrical ground or other potentials different from the potential provided to the transmitting electrode when the air purification device is used. The grounding fastener member may have a clamp structure for easily connecting to the conductive wall portion, thereby facilitating connecting the filter medium containing the conductive material to electrical ground through the conductive wall portion connected to the conductive layer of the filter medium. When the air purification device is in use, the fastener with the clamp structure can be connected to the housing wall of the power source and then electrically connected to the filter medium containing the conductive material.

[0043] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a second connector that connects a power source to a filter medium containing a conductive material may include a needle member configured to provide a connection to the conductive material of the filter medium, thereby grounding the filter medium containing the conductive material. The grounded needle member may thus be configured to connect the filter medium containing the conductive material to an electrical ground.

[0044] In the embodiment, the frame or box is a rectangular or square shape with one corner cut off to form a triangular shell 52, so that the shape after being combined with the filter medium with the edges cut off is still a complete rectangular or square shape. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0045] The above contents will become more clearly apparent from the following more detailed description of exemplary embodiments, in which like reference numerals represent like components in different drawings. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, but emphasis is placed on illustrating exemplary embodiments.

[0046] Figure 1a -c is a simplified cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the air purification device of the present disclosure.

[0047] Figure 2 is a perspective view of a first type of emitter electrode that may be used in an embodiment of the air purification device of the present disclosure.

[0048] Figure 3 is a perspective view of a second type of emitter electrode that may be used in an embodiment of the air purification device of the present disclosure.

[0049] Figure 4a -d are example configurations and details of an air purification device according to the present disclosure.

[0050] Figure 5 is an example configuration of an air purification device according to the present disclosure.

[0051] Figure 6 is a simplified cross-sectional view of an electrical grounding device 160 for an air purification device according to the first aspect of the present disclosure.

[0052] Figure 7 is a simplified cross-sectional view of an electrical grounding device of an air purification device according to the second aspect of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0053] Various aspects of the present disclosure will be described more fully below with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the apparatus disclosed herein may be implemented in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to only the aspects set forth herein.

[0054] Like reference numerals in the drawings refer to like elements throughout.

[0055] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular aspects of the present disclosure and is not intended to be limiting of the invention.As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0056] Figure 1a -c is a simplified cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the air purification device of the present disclosure.

[0057] Figure 1a1 is a simplified cross-sectional view of an embodiment of an air purification device 10 of the present disclosure. The air purification device 10 includes an emission unit 12, which includes an emission electrode 14 and an emission electrode support 16. One or more corona discharge points 20 are arranged on the emission electrode 14 of the present embodiment, and the corona discharge point is electrically connected to the emission electrode. The air purification device 10 also includes a filter medium 22 containing a conductive material. The emission electrode 14 and the filter medium 22 containing a conductive material are arranged to charge the particles present in the air flow 18 when the air purification device 10 is in use. This is achieved by applying a positive voltage or a negative voltage to one or more corona discharge points 20 to generate a corona discharge. The voltage applied to the emission electrode 14 can be between -10 and 10kV DC, more preferably between -7 and 7kV DC. The filter medium 22 containing a conductive material can be connected to the ground or other potentials different from the potential of the emission electrode 14, for example. The filter medium 22 containing a conductive material is further arranged to capture charged particles in at least a portion of the air flow 18. The emission unit 12 including the emission electrode 14 and the filter medium 22 containing the conductive material are arranged adjacent to each other, wherein the emission electrode support 16 isolates the emission electrode 14 from the filter medium 22 containing the conductive material. They are further preferably arranged so that the emission electrode 14 and the filter medium 22 containing the conductive material are 10-100 mm apart, more preferably arranged at a distance of 12-30 mm. The distance is measured from the part of the emission electrode 14 closest to the filter medium 22 containing the conductive material. The distance minimizes the risk of arcing between the emission electrode 14 and the filter medium 22 containing the conductive material. The filter medium 22 is arranged after the emission unit in the air flow 18.

[0058] There are many ways to obtain the filter medium 22 containing the conductive material. However, the filter medium containing the conductive material should preferably be such that the additional airflow pressure drop caused by the conductive material should be as low as possible.

[0059] The conductive material can form an integral part with the filter medium, such as an activated carbon filter layer, etc. The conductive material can also be added as a conductive particle medium, such as by spraying or other means to provide conductive particles on the surface of the filter medium. Another alternative is to add a mesh conductive material, such as a metal mesh, on the surface of the filter medium or between filter medium layers.

[0060] In the air purification device 10, the emission unit 12 including the emission electrode 14 and the filter medium 22 containing the conductive material are preferably arranged to reduce the total distance from the top of the emission unit 12 to the bottom of the filter medium. However, at least a portion of the emission unit 12 may be arranged in a recess in the filter medium 22. For example, at least a portion of the emission unit 12 may be arranged in a recess in the filter medium 22 containing the conductive material to reduce its total effective height.

[0061] One or more corona discharge points 20 should be directed to the upstream air inlet direction of the filter medium 22, so that the purification device can generate an ionization field in the upstream direction of the filter medium 22 through which the air flows when in use. The corona discharge point 20 directed to the upstream air inlet direction of the filter medium 22 includes not only corona discharge points perpendicular to the filter medium 22, but also alternative arrangements with a smaller angle, such as 45°, which can also generate an ionization field in the air inlet direction upstream of the filter medium 22, that is, when the air purification device is in use, the air flow will first pass through the ionization field located upstream of the filter medium.

[0062] One or more corona discharge points 20 may be, for example, Figure 1a The multiple tips shown may also be carbon brushes or other devices that can generate a sufficiently large electric field strength and produce corona discharge.

[0063] Figure 1b yes Figure 1a A simplified cross-sectional view of an embodiment of an air purification device 10 in FIG. 1 schematically illustrates an ionization volume V according to one aspect of the present disclosure.

[0064] exist Figure 1b In FIG. 1 , a power source P according to one aspect of the present disclosure is schematically shown. The air purification device 10 thus comprises a power source P.

[0065] The power source includes or is operable to connect the power source to the emitter electrode 14 and to connect the power source to the filter medium 22 containing the conductive material.

[0066] The emitter electrode 14 and the filter medium 22 containing the conductive material are arranged to electrostatically charge the particles present in the air flow 18 when the air purification device 10 is in operation. The emitter electrode 14 and the filter medium 22 containing the conductive material are arranged to generate the ionization volume V for charging the particles present in the air flow 18.

[0067] This is accomplished by applying a positive or negative voltage to the emitter electrode 14 to generate a corona discharge at one or more corona discharge points 20. The voltage applied to the emitter electrode 14 may be between -10 and 10 kV DC, more preferably between -7 and 7 kV DC, such as Figure 1bAs shown. Figure 1b In the embodiment, the voltage applied to the transmitting electrode is -7 kV. The voltage is applied to the transmitting electrode 14 via the first connector C1. The filter medium 22 comprising the conductive material is Figure 1b The example shown is connected to electrical ground G.

[0068] Figure 1a and 1b An air purification device 10 according to the present disclosure is schematically shown, which has a single emitter configuration. According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a single emitter configuration may refer to an air purification device provided with a single emitter unit 12. According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a single emitter configuration may refer to an air purification device provided with a single emitter electrode 14. Therefore, as Figure 1b As shown, a single ionization volume V is created for electrostatically charging the particles present in the air flow 18 .

[0069] Figure 1c An air purification device 110 with a dual emitter configuration according to the present disclosure is schematically shown. According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the dual emitter configuration may refer to the air purification device being provided with a dual emitter unit 12. According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the dual emitter configuration may refer to the air purification device being provided with a dual emitter electrode 14. Figure 1c As shown, double ionization volumes V1 and V2 are created for electrostatically charging the particles present in the air flow 18 .

[0070] like Figure 1c The air purification device 110 shown according to the present disclosure includes a dual emission unit 12, namely a first emission unit 12 and a second emission unit 12. The corresponding emission unit 12 includes an emission electrode 14 and an emission electrode bracket 16. Therefore, the first emission unit includes a first emission electrode and a first emission electrode bracket, and the second emission unit includes a second emission electrode and a second emission electrode bracket. One or more corona discharge points 20 are provided on the first emission electrode 14 and the second emission electrode 14 of this embodiment to electrically contact the emission electrode. The air purification device 110 also includes a filter medium 22, which contains a conductive material.

[0071] Here, the first emitting electrode 14 and the filter medium 22 containing conductive material are arranged to generate a first ionization volume V1 for electrostatically charging particulate matter present in the air flow 18, and the second emitting electrode 14 and the filter medium 22 containing conductive material are arranged to generate a second ionization volume V2 for electrostatically charging particulate matter present in the air flow 18.

[0072] By providing a dual emitter configuration with first and second emitter electrodes 14, a dual ionization volume is created to promote the generation of more ions, thereby promoting more particles present in the air flow to be charged. The arrangement with the filter medium 22 containing conductive material facilitates this dual emitter configuration.

[0073] An air purification device according to the present disclosure may include any suitable number of emission units.

[0074] Figure 2 is a perspective view of a first type of emitter electrode 14 that may be used in an embodiment of the air purification device of the present disclosure, such as Figure 1a -b disclosed in the air purification device 10 and Figure 1c The air purification device 110 disclosed in the invention. The emitting electrode 14 includes a plurality of corona discharge points 20. The plurality of corona discharge points are arranged in the same direction in the air purification device and point to the air inlet direction upstream of the filter medium. However, it is envisaged that in an embodiment, at least one or more of the plurality of corona discharge points 20 may point to another direction.

[0075] The plurality of corona discharge points 20 may be as follows Figure 2 The multiple tips shown can also be carbon brushes or other devices that can generate a sufficiently large electric field strength and produce corona discharge.

[0076] As Figure 2 As an alternative to the vertical emitter electrode 14 and corona discharge point 20 disclosed in the prior art, the emitter electrode 14 may be horizontal and the corona discharge point 20 may be bent upward from the edge of the horizontal metal sheet at an angle of, for example, 45 to 70°.

[0077] Figure 3 FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a second type of emitter electrode 34 that can be used in an embodiment of the air purification device of the present disclosure, such as the air purification device 10 disclosed in FIG. The emitter electrode 34 is cylindrical and can be made using, for example, copper wire.

[0078] Figure 4ais an example configuration of an air purification device 40 according to the present disclosure. The emission unit 42 of the air purification device 40 includes an emission electrode 44 and an emission electrode holder 46 and a filter medium 22 containing a conductive material. The emission electrode holder 46 is used to fix the emission electrode 44 and isolate the emission electrode 44 from the filter medium 22 containing a conductive material. The emission electrode holder 46 is made of a non-conductive material, such as a non-conductive plastic. A plurality of corona discharge points are arranged on the emission electrode 44 and are electrically connected to the emission electrode 44. The filter medium 22 containing a conductive material is arranged in a frame or box 50. The air purification device 40 also includes a housing 52, which contains a power supply (not shown in the figure) and other electronic devices (not shown in the figure) for operating the air purification device 40. The emission electrode 44 and the filter medium 22 containing a conductive material are used to charge particulate matter in the air flow when the air purification device 40 is in use. This is achieved by applying a positive voltage or a negative voltage to the emission electrode 44 to generate a corona discharge at a plurality of corona discharge points of the emission electrode 44. The voltage is supplied by a power supply (not shown in the figure) in the housing 52 through an electrical connector, such as Figure 4a The voltage applied to the emitter electrode 44 may be between -10 and 10 kV DC, more preferably between -7 and 7 kV DC.

[0079] The filter medium 22 containing conductive material can be electrically connected to, for example, ground or an opposite potential relative to the emitter electrode 44, so that a potential difference is generated between the emitter electrode 44 and the filter medium 22 containing conductive material. The filter medium 22 containing conductive material is further arranged to be able to capture at least a portion of the charged particles in the air flow. The emitter unit 42 including the emitter electrode 44 and the filter medium 22 containing conductive material are arranged adjacent to each other, wherein the emitter electrode support 46 isolates the emitter electrode 44 from the filter medium 22 containing conductive material. They are further preferably arranged so that the emitter electrode 44 and the filter medium 22 containing conductive material are separated by a distance within 10 to 100 mm, and more preferably within a distance within 12 to 30 mm. The distance is measured from a portion of the emitter electrode 44 closest to the filter medium 22 containing conductive material. The distance minimizes the risk of arcing between the emitter electrode 44 and the filter medium 22 containing conductive material.

[0080] The air purification device 40 can be designed so that the frame or box 50 has the same size and shape as the standard filter medium usually placed in the filter bin of the vehicle. Therefore, the air purification device 40 can replace the standard filter medium in the standard filter bin without any modification to the filter bin. In use, the airflow passes over the emitter electrode 44 and toward the filter medium 22, that is, first passes through the ionization field generated by the emitter electrode 44 and the filter medium 22 containing conductive material, and then passes through the filter medium 22. By adjusting the emitter electrode 44, the corona discharge point 20 and the filter medium 22 containing conductive material, the ionization field generated can be located upstream of the filter bin and merged into a part of the ventilation system. Through this design, the time and distance that the particles in the air flow travel in the ionization field can be extended to increase the proportion of particles loaded with electric charge, thereby increasing the number of particles captured by the filter medium and removed from the air flow, so that on the vehicle equipped with this air purification device, the downstream space of the filter medium no longer contains these particles.

[0081] In use, the air purification device 40 is arranged so that the emission unit 42 including the emission electrode 44 and the filter medium 22 containing the conductive material are adjacent to each other. More specifically, the emission electrode 44 and the filter medium 22 are arranged to minimize the total height from the top of the emission unit 42 to the bottom of the filter medium 22.

[0082] although Figure 4a An air purification device 40 is shown to include one emitting unit 42, which includes one emitting electrode 44, but it should be understood that the air purification device 40 can be provided with two or more emitting units 42 including emitting electrodes 44. The number of emitting units 42 and their arrangement depends on the size of the ionization field to be formed, and in some cases, a trade-off needs to be made between achieving a sufficiently large ionization field and minimizing the pressure drop of the airflow passing through the air purification device 40.

[0083] Figure 4b yes Figure 4a The first detail of the air purification device 40 of FIG. 4 shows a portion of a filter medium 22 containing a conductive material and a portion of an emission unit 42 including an emission electrode 44 and an emission electrode holder 46. Corona discharge points 20 are arranged on the emission electrode 44, facing away from the filter medium 22 containing a conductive material. Between each corona discharge point 20, a protrusion 56 on the emission electrode holder 46 is arranged. The protrusion 56 is made of a non-conductive material, such as a non-conductive plastic. This protrusion 56 protects the person operating the air purification device 40, for example, when installing it, to prevent the operator from touching the corona discharge point 20, which is very sharp and may stab the operator, and the tip itself may also be bent or become less sharp and affect the product performance.

[0084] The emission unit 42 also includes an auxiliary connector 58. The auxiliary connector 58 is connected to the filter medium 22 containing conductive material. The auxiliary connector 58 is preferably mounted on the emission electrode bracket 46 and can move, so that when the filter medium 22 is deformed to a certain extent, such as bending and deforming along the folds of the filter material, the auxiliary connector 58 can move appropriately relative to the emission electrode bracket 46 with the deformation to ensure that the emission electrode bracket 46 can still be reliably connected to the filter medium 22. The auxiliary connectors 58 are preferably arranged so that they allow them to be freely positioned on the filter material without being too concerned about their relative position to the folds on the filter medium 22, so that they can be easily and safely installed on the filter medium. The auxiliary connectors 58 should be further arranged to ensure that the emission unit 42 is positioned substantially perpendicular to the folds on the filter medium. This can preferably ensure a lower airflow pressure drop and a higher utilization rate of the filter area. Figure 4b As shown, the accessory connector 58 can be mounted on the rod 60 of the emitter electrode holder 46 to achieve sliding. If the accessory connector 58 is clamped on a certain fold of the filter medium 22, when the filter medium 22 is deformed due to bending along a certain fold, the accessory connector 58 can slide along the rod 60 to adapt to the deformation of the fold. In addition, since the accessory connector 58 can slide along the rod 60, it is possible to align each accessory connector 58 with a certain fold position on the filter medium 22, so that the accessory connector 58 can be easily and firmly clamped on the filter medium 22. In order to enable the position of the accessory connector 58 to be adjusted in this way, the length of the rod 60 should be greater than the distance between two folds of the filter medium 22.

[0085] The emitter electrode 44 can, for example, be composed of a metal sheet parallel to the filter medium 22, with the corona discharge point 20 on one edge of the metal sheet and bent upward away from the filter medium 22. This can effectively reduce the manufacturing cost of the emitter electrode. In addition, when mounted on the emitter electrode support, the emitter electrode 44 can be bent together with the filter medium 22 to achieve the desired direction of the corona discharge point 20 relative to the filter medium. The flat metal sheet parallel to the filter medium 22 also allows the height of the overall design combination of the emitter unit 42 and the filter medium 22 containing the conductive material to be as low as possible. In addition, since the direction of the corona discharge points 20 is away from the filter medium, they can be made very short, which can further reduce the overall design height.

[0086] Figure 4c yes Figure 4aThe second detail of the air cleaning device 40 is shown in FIG. The housing 52 contains a power source (not shown) and other electronic components (not shown) for operating the air cleaning device, which are connected to the side wall of the frame or box 50 by fasteners 62. When the air cleaning device is in use, the fasteners 62 are electrically connected to the ground or to another voltage with a different potential from the voltage provided to the emitter electrode. When the air cleaning device is in use, the fasteners 62 are further electrically connected to the conductive material of the filter medium 22.

[0087] like Figure 4a As can be seen in the figure, the frame or box 50 has a rectangular shape with one corner cut off, and the shell 52 has a triangular shape suitable for fastening to the shell wall, so that the shell 52 and the frame or box 50 still have a complete rectangular shape after being combined. Although the shell 52 has a triangular shape, the shell 52 and the frame or box 50 can also have other shapes. The use of a triangular shape is selected only to simplify the manufacturing process of the filter medium.

[0088] Figure 4d The housing 52 and fastener 62 are shown when removed from a frame or box. The fastener 62 is a metal product in the shape of a clip that can be clamped to the chamfered side wall of the frame or box. The fastener 62 includes a first flat portion connected to the horizontal wall of the housing 52 and a second portion parallel to the first portion, the second portion including a hook 64 with an optional curled tip. The hook 64 with the optional curled tip is arranged to be easily slid into a mounting bag on the chamfered edge of the filter medium to be electrically connected to the conductive material in the filter medium. The conductive material in the filter medium can be, for example, a carbon filter layer including activated carbon, a conductive material or a conductive mesh disposed on the surface of the filter medium.

[0089] Also on the housing 52 is a protrusion 66 including a hole 68. The hole 68 allows the power cord and / or light guide to pass through the interior of the frame or box 50 and / or the housing 52. The protrusion 66 can be part of a fastener for fastening and positioning the housing 52 and / or the entire frame or box 50 and ensuring airtightness.

[0090] Figure 5It is an example configuration of an air purification device 140 according to the present disclosure. The air purification device 140 is a dual-emitter configuration having a first and a second emitting unit 142. The respective emitting unit 142 of the air purification device 140 includes an emitting electrode 144 and an emitting electrode holder 146 and a filter medium 22 containing a conductive material. The first emitting unit 142 includes an emitting electrode 144 and an emitting electrode holder 146, and the second emitting unit 142 includes an emitting electrode 144 and an emitting electrode holder 146. The first and second emitting electrode holders 146 are arranged to hold the first and second emitting electrodes 144, and isolate the first emitting electrode 144 and the second emitting electrode 144 from the filter medium 22 containing a conductive material. By providing a dual-emitter configuration having a first and a second emitting electrode in this way, a dual ionization field volume is generated to promote the generation of more ions, thereby promoting more particulate matter present in the airflow to be charged. The arrangement of the filter medium containing a conductive material is conducive to this dual-emitter configuration.

[0091] The first and second emitter electrode supports 146 are made of a non-conductive material, such as a non-conductive plastic. The first and second emitter electrodes 144 have a plurality of corona discharge points arranged thereon, in electrical contact with the emitter electrodes 144. The respective emitter electrodes 144 may include the plurality of corona discharge points. The filter medium 22 comprising a conductive material is arranged in a frame or housing 150. The air purification device 140 further comprises a housing 152, which comprises a power source and further electronic components for operating the air purification device 140. The first and second emitter electrodes 144 and the filter medium 22 comprising a conductive material are arranged to electrostatically load particulate matter present in the air flow when the air purification device 140 is in use. This is accomplished by applying a positive or negative voltage to the respective emitter electrodes 144 to generate corona at the plurality of corona discharge points of the first and second emitter electrodes 144. The voltage is supplied by a power source in the housing 152 via an electrical connector, such as Figure 5 The voltage applied to the first and second emitting electrodes 144 may be between -10 and 10 kV DC, more preferably between -7 and 7 kV DC. An electrical connector, such as cable 154, for providing voltage to the first and second emitting units 142 may include a cable portion 154a connected to the first emitting unit 142 and thus to the first emitting electrode 144. The first and second emitting units 142 may be connected according to one aspect of the present disclosure via an electrical connector, such as Figure 5The cable 154 shown, wherein the cable 154 may include a cable portion 154b connecting the first and second emitting units 142. Here, voltage is applied to the first emitting unit 142 and thus to the first emitting electrode 144 via the portion 154a of the cable 154, and then voltage is applied to the second emitting unit 142 via the portion 154b of the cable 154.

[0092] The filter medium 22 comprising conductive material may be connected, for example, to electrical ground or to an opposite voltage relative to the emitter electrode 144 so that a potential difference is created between the emitter electrode 144 and the filter medium 22 comprising conductive material. The filter medium 22 comprising conductive material is further arranged to absorb at least a portion of the charged particulate matter in the air flow.

[0093] The first transmitting unit 142 including the first transmitting electrode 144 and the filter medium 22 containing the conductive material are arranged adjacent to each other, wherein the first transmitting electrode support 146 isolates the transmitting electrode 144 from the filter medium 22 containing the conductive material. The second transmitting unit 142 including the second transmitting electrode 144 and the filter medium 22 containing the conductive material are arranged adjacent to each other, and the second transmitting electrode support 146 isolates the transmitting electrode 144 from the filter medium 22 containing the conductive material. The first transmitting electrode 144 is further arranged relative to the filter medium 22 so that the first transmitting electrode 144 and the filter medium 22 containing the conductive material are at a distance within 10-100 mm, and more preferably are arranged at a distance within 12-30 mm. The second transmitting electrode 144 is further arranged relative to the filter medium 22 so that the second transmitting electrode 144 and the filter medium 22 containing the conductive material are at a distance within 10-100 mm, and more preferably are arranged at a distance within 12-30 mm. The distance is measured from a portion of the corresponding transmitting electrode 144 that is closest to the filter medium 22 containing the conductive material. This distance is adapted, for example, such that the risk of arcing between the emitter electrode 144 and the filter medium 22 containing the electrically conductive material is minimized.

[0094] According to one aspect, the first and second emitting units 142 can have substantially the same shape and configuration. According to one aspect, the first and second emitting units 142 can have an elongated shape, wherein a plurality of corona discharge points are arranged centrally along the length of the elongated emitting unit. The first emitting unit 142 and the second emitting unit 142 having an elongated shape are configured according to one aspect of the present disclosure to be at a distance from the filter medium 22 and substantially parallel to each other, i.e., configured to extend substantially parallel and at a distance from each other. The first emitting unit 142 and the second emitting unit 142 having an elongated shape are configured according to one aspect of the present disclosure to be arranged in connection with the filter medium 22 at a distance from each other so as to optimize the adjacent ionization field for electrostatically loading particulate matter present in the flowing air.

[0095] The air cleaning device 140 can be designed so that the frame or box 150 has the same size and shape as the standard filter medium usually placed in the filter bin of the vehicle. Therefore, the air cleaning device 140 can replace the standard filter medium without any modification to the actual filter bin. In use, the air flow flows into and blows toward the filter medium 22 from above the emitter electrode 144, that is, first through the ionization field generated by the emitter electrode 144 and the filter medium 22 containing the conductive material, and then through the filter medium 22. The ionization field generated can make it in the ventilation system and located upstream of the filter bin. This can be achieved by adjusting the first and second emitter electrodes 144 and their relative positions to each other, as well as the corona discharge tip and the filter medium 22 containing the conductive material. Through such adjustments, the time and distance that the particles in the air flow travel in the ionization field can be extended to increase the percentage of charged particles. In a vehicle, for example, provided with an air cleaning device 140, this can increase the number of particles adsorbed on the filter medium 22 and removed so that they will not enter the compartment after the filter bin.

[0096] In use, the air purification device 140 is arranged so that the first emission unit 142 and the second emission unit 142 including the first emission electrode 144 and the second emission electrode 144 and the filter medium 22 containing the conductive material are arranged adjacent to each other. More specifically, the first emission electrode 144 is arranged relative to the filter medium 22 to reduce the total distance from the top of the first emission unit 142 to the bottom of the filter medium 22, and the second emission electrode 144 is arranged relative to the filter medium 22 to reduce the total distance from the top of the second emission unit 142 to the bottom of the filter medium 22.

[0097] although Figure 5The air purification device 140 is shown to include two emission units 142, each emission unit 142 includes an emission electrode 144, but it should be understood that the air purification device 140 may be provided with only one emission unit, for example, Figure 4a As shown, or more than two transmitting units including transmitting electrodes. The number of transmitting units and their arrangement depends on the ionization field to be formed, and in some cases, a trade-off needs to be made between obtaining the largest possible ionization field and minimizing the airflow pressure drop through the air purification device.

[0098] On the first and second emitter electrodes 144, the corona discharge points in the form of tips can be arranged to face away from the filter medium 22 containing the conductive material. Between each tip, a protrusion of non-conductive material can be arranged on the first and second emitter electrode brackets 146 to protect the operator operating the air purification device 140 from being injured by the sharp tips.

[0099] The transmitting unit 142 also includes an accessory connector 158. The accessory connector 158 can be connected to the filter medium 22 containing the conductive material. The accessory connector 158 can be as follows: Figure 5 The accessory connector 158 may be configured as an arc and may be arranged to be connected to the end of the transmitting electrode bracket 146 of the corresponding transmitting unit 142. Figure 5 The side of the emitter electrode holder 146 shown in the figure is arranged to be connected to the side of the emitter electrode holder 146 of the corresponding emitter unit 142, so that the accessory connector 158 for the first emitter electrode holder 146 and the accessory connector 158 for the second emitter electrode holder 146 are opposite. The accessory connectors 158 can be configured to keep the first and second emitter electrode holders 146 connected to the filter medium 22, while being movable relative to the emitter electrode holder 146 to accommodate deformation of the filter medium 22. The accessory connectors 158 are preferably arranged to allow them to be freely positioned on the filter medium regardless of the relative position between the pleats of the filter medium 22, so that their installation on the filter is simple and secure.

[0100] A housing 152 including a power source and other electronic equipment for operating the air cleaning device may be connected to the wall of the frame or box 150 by fasteners. When the air cleaning device 140 is in use, the fasteners may be electrically connected to an electrical ground or a voltage different from the voltage provided to the first and second emitter electrodes. The fasteners may also be electrically connected to the conductive material of the filter medium 22 when the air cleaning device is in use.

[0101] The power connector C is connected to a power source of the housing 152 , via a power cord for example, and is configured to provide a low voltage power input, wherein the power source is configured to provide a high voltage output, which is provided to the emitter electrode 144 .

[0102] The air cleaning device 140 may include an electrical grounding device 160 for providing an electrical connection between the housing 152 and the conductive material of the filter medium 22 when the air cleaning device is in use, the housing 152 including a power source and additional electronic components. According to one aspect, the electrical grounding device 160 may be an electrical grounding configuration configured to provide a ground connection to the conductive material of the filter medium 22 when the air cleaning device is in use. The electrical grounding device 160 may also be configured to connect the housing to a side wall portion of the frame or box 150. The electrical grounding device may include a fastener member configured to connect the housing to the side wall portion of the frame or box 150. According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the electrical grounding device 160 may be as follows Figure 6 Described electrical grounding device 160. The electrical grounding device 160 may include a grounded fastener member configured to provide a connection with a conductive wall portion of the frame or box 150, wherein the conductive wall portion is configured to contact a conductive layer, such as a conductive material, so as to connect the filter medium including the conductive material to an electrical ground.

[0103] like Figure 5 As shown, the box or frame 150 has a rectangular shape with a cut corner, and the shell 152 has a triangular shape, which is suitable for being fixed to the side wall of the shell 152 at the cut corner, so that the shell 152 and the box or frame 150 after the combination have a complete rectangular shape. Although the shell 152 has a triangular shape, the shell 152 and the box or frame 150 can also have other shapes as long as they have a complete rectangular shape after assembly. The box or frame 150 with a cut corner and the triangular shell 152 are selected to simplify the manufacturing process of the filter.

[0104] Figure 6 is a simplified cross-sectional view of an electrical grounding device 160 for an air purification device according to the first aspect of the present disclosure.

[0105] The electrical grounding device 160 is configured to provide a ground connection to the conductive material 22A of the filter medium 22 when the air purification device is in use. The electrical grounding device 160 is configured to provide an electrical connection between the power supply of the air purification device and the conductive material 22A of the filter medium, so that the filter medium 22 having the conductive material 22A is connected to the electrical ground when the air purification device is in operation. The electrical grounding device 160 is configured to connect the grounding device providing the electrical ground G to the side wall W containing the conductive material of the air purification device according to the present disclosure to provide grounding.

[0106] The electrical grounding device 160 may include a grounding fastener member 162, which is configured to connect the electrical ground G to the conductive material layer of the frame and side wall W of the air purification device according to the present disclosure. The fastener member 162 includes a conductive material and can be, for example, a conductive metal plate to facilitate connecting the conductive material 22A of the filter medium 22 to the electrical ground G. According to this example, the fastener member 162 has a clip structure that is arranged to provide a clamping function on a portion of the frame side wall W containing the conductive material to facilitate electrical connection therebetween. The conductive material of the frame side wall W and the side wall W portion of the electrical grounding device 160 is configured to have a surface contact with the conductive material layer 22A of the filter medium 22 to facilitate the conductive material layer 22A of the filter medium 22 to be electrically connected to the electrical ground G.

[0107] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the air cleaning device can therefore include an electrical grounding device 160, which includes a grounding fastener member 162, which is configured to provide a connection with a conductive sidewall portion W of the air cleaning device, wherein the conductive sidewall portion is configured to contact the conductive material 22A, i.e., the conductive layer of the filter medium, so as to connect the filter medium 22 including the conductive material 22A to the electrical ground. The grounding fastener member 162 is therefore configured to connect the filter medium 22 including the conductive material 22A to the electrical ground through the conductive sidewall portion W connected to the conductive layer 22A of the filter medium.

[0108] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the air purification device includes a first connector configured to connect a power source to an emitter electrode, and a second connector configured to connect a power source to a filter medium containing a conductive material, wherein the second connector includes the fastener member 162 according to this embodiment.

[0109] Thus, effective grounding of the filter medium 22 can be promoted. A simplified cross-sectional view of the electrical grounding device 160 can be shown in the above reference. Figure 5 The simplified cross-sectional view AA shown in Figure 6 Shown in.

[0110] Figure 7 is a simplified cross-sectional view of an electrical grounding device 260 of an air purification device according to the second aspect of the present disclosure.

[0111] The electrical grounding device 260 is configured to provide a ground connection for the conductive material 22A of the filter medium 22 when the air purification device is in use. The electrical grounding device 260 is configured to connect the power supply of the air purification device to the conductive material 22A of the filter medium so as to connect the filter medium 22 and the conductive material 22A to electrical ground when the air purification device is in operation.

[0112] The electrical grounding device 260 includes a grounding needle member 262 that is configured to connect to and provide electrical contact with the conductive material 22A of the filter medium 22, thereby providing grounding of the filter member 22. The filter medium 22 can have a rolled or wavy configuration, wherein the needle member 262 can be inserted and passed through the pleated portion of the filter medium 22, such that the length of the needle member 262 should be greater than the width of one pleat of the filter medium.

[0113] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the air purification device can therefore include an electrical grounding device 260, which includes a grounding needle member 262, which is configured to provide a connection with the conductive layer 22A of the filter medium 22 so as to connect the filter medium 22 including the conductive material 22A to the electrical ground. The grounding needle member 262 is therefore configured to connect the filter medium 22 including the conductive material 22A to the electrical ground.

[0114] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the air purification device includes a first connector configured to connect a power source to an emitting electrode, and a second connector configured to connect a power source to a filter medium containing a conductive material. According to this embodiment, the second connector includes the needle-shaped member 262.

[0115] By utilizing the grounded needle member 262 in this manner, effective grounding of the filter medium 22 is facilitated.

[0116] It should be noted that the word "comprising" does not necessarily exclude the presence of other elements or steps than those listed, and the word "a" or "an" preceding an element does not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements. It should also be noted that any figure signs do not limit the scope of the claims, that example embodiments may be implemented at least in part by hardware and software, and that several "means", "units" or "devices" may be represented by the same hardware item.

[0117] In the drawings and specification, exemplary embodiments have been disclosed.

[0118] However, various changes and modifications to these embodiments are still possible. Therefore, although specific terms are used, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation, and the scope of the embodiments is defined by the following claims.

Claims

1. An air purification device for separating suspended particulate matter from an air flow, the air purification device comprising: A transmitting unit including a transmitting electrode; and A filter medium for capturing at least a portion of particulate matter in an air stream, wherein the filter medium comprises a conductive material, wherein the emitter electrode and the filter medium comprising the conductive material are arranged to generate an ionization field for electrostatically loading suspended particulate matter present in the air flow, the emitter electrode and the filter medium being arranged at a distance within 10-100 mm, the distance being measured from the side of the emitter electrode closest to the filter medium; The emitter electrode comprises one or more corona discharge points; the one or more corona discharge points are directed away from the filter medium, ie the sharp points face away from the filter medium.

2. The air purification device according to claim 1, wherein: The conductive material is one of activated carbon, conductive granular medium and conductive mesh.

3. The air purification device according to claim 1, wherein: The filter medium including the conductive material is connected to an electrical ground.

4. The air purification device according to claim 1, wherein: The emitter electrode and the filter medium are arranged at a distance within 12-30 mm.

5. The air purification device according to claim 1, wherein: The emitter electrode is an elongated structure, and the plurality of corona discharge points are distributed along the length of the emitter electrode.

6. The air purification device according to claim 1, wherein: The emitting unit further includes an emitting electrode support for holding the emitting electrode and for electrically isolating the emitting electrode from a filter medium containing the conductive material.

7. The air purification device according to claim 1, wherein: The firing unit is flexibly connected to the filter medium to allow the filter medium to deform when the firing unit is connected to the filter medium.

8. The air purification device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising: power supply, connecting a power source to the first connector of the emitter electrode; and A power source is connected to the second connector of the filter medium containing the conductive material.

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