Purification device for purifying air

Abstract

The invention relates to a cleaning device (1) for cleaning air, comprising a filter medium (2) and an electrode assembly (4) of an ionizer device (3) upstream of the filter medium (2), which electrode assembly has an electrode (5) and a counter electrode (6), between which a voltage for corona discharge is applied during operation. An improved and permanent cleaning effect is achieved and the implementation is made simple in that the counter electrode (6) is connected to the filter medium (2) via an electrical conductor (15), a Zener diode (14) being arranged in the conductor (15). The invention also relates to an air-conditioning system (100) and a vehicle (200) having such a cleaning device (1).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a purification device for purifying air, in particular to a purification device for vehicles, and also relates to an air conditioning facility and a vehicle having the purification device. Background Art

[0002] In many applications, it is desirable to purify the air. For this purpose, a purification device with a filter medium is usually used. In order to purify the air, the air flows through the filter medium, wherein the filter medium filters particles such as dust from the air and thus purifies the air.

[0003] It is known to equip purification devices with ionizer devices.

[0004] Such a purification device is known, for example, from EP 3 488 933 A1. The purification device has an ionizer device upstream of the filter medium, the ionizer device having an electrode and a counter electrode. The filter medium is arranged between two further electrodes arranged downstream of the ionizer device. During operation, a voltage of opposite polarity is applied between the electrode of the ionizer device and the counter electrode and the electrode with the filter medium arranged in between. Summary of the invention

[0005] The object of the present invention is to specify an improved or at least different embodiment for a purification device of the type mentioned at the outset and for an air-conditioning system and a vehicle having such a purification device, which is distinguished in particular by a permanent purification effect on the air.

[0006] This object is achieved according to the invention by the subject matter of the independent claim. Advantageous embodiments are the subject matter of the dependent claims.

[0007] The basic idea of ​​the present invention is therefore to generate an electrostatic charge in a filter medium in a purification device having a filter medium and having an ionizer device arranged upstream of the filter medium by electrically connecting the filter medium to a counter electrode of the ionizer device. According to the present invention, it is recognized that the electrical connection of the filter medium to the counter electrode leads to an electrostatic accumulation of charge carriers in the filter medium (hereinafter also referred to as filter charge carriers), which filter charge carriers cooperate with the charge carriers in the air (hereinafter also referred to as air charge carriers) generated by means of the ionizer device (including in particular ionized particles in the air) to improve and lastingly filter particles from the air. In this case, the electrostatic accumulation in the filter medium does not need to be permanent, so that the electrical connection between the filter medium and the counter electrode is only used during the electrostatic accumulation of the filter charge carriers (hereinafter also referred to as reactivation). As a result, a lasting improvement in the purification effect is obtained while simplifying the operation of the purification device. In this case, the establishment of the electrical connection between the filter medium and the counter electrode and the separation of the electrical connection are spontaneous. The reactivation is carried out in a simple and automated manner with the aid of a Zener diode, which is arranged between the filter medium and the counter electrode and which blocks the electrical connection when the counter electrode and the filter medium are at the same potential. Reactivation is therefore triggered when the voltage difference between the counter electrode and the filter medium is greater than the inherent and thus adjustable and definable breakdown voltage of the Zener diode. As a result, reactivation can be carried out in a simplified and reliable manner, wherein the Zener diode simultaneously prevents the voltage applied between the electrode and the filter medium from being higher than the voltage between the electrode and the counter electrode. The latter ensures reliable operation and higher operational safety, wherein voltage breakdown between the electrode and the filter medium and thus damage to the filter medium is simultaneously prevented or at least reduced. In summary, a long-lasting improved cleaning effect is thus achieved while simplifying and ensuring safe operation.

[0008] According to the concept of the present invention, the purification device has a filter medium for filtering particles from the air. Here, the flow path of the air is guided through the filter medium. The purification device also has an ionizer device. The ionizer device includes an electrode assembly, and the flow path is guided through the electrode assembly upstream of the filter medium. The electrode assembly has an electrode with at least one emitter, which has a matching electrode, and in operation, a voltage for corona discharge in the air is applied between the electrode and the matching electrode. The filter medium has at least one conductive section and at least one dielectric section. At least one conductive section of each is also referred to as a conductive section below, and at least one dielectric section of each is also referred to as a static section below. Therefore, the filter medium has at least one conductive section and at least one static section. At least one conductive section and at least one static section follow one after another along the flow path. The electrical conductor electrically connects at least one conductive section of at least one conductive section to the matching electrode. The Zener diode is arranged in the conductor so that when at least one conductive section and the matching electrode are at the same potential, the Zener diode blocks the electrical connection between at least one conductive section and the matching electrode.

[0009] If the Zener diode blocks the electrical connection between the counter electrode and the at least one conducting section, the purification device is operated in an operating mode, also referred to below as normal operating mode.

[0010] If the Zener diode releases the electrical connection between the counter electrode and the at least one conducting section, ie if the counter electrode and the at least one conducting section are electrically connected, the purification device is operated in a further operating mode, also referred to below as reactivation mode.

[0011] In this case, as described above, the change from the normal operating mode to the reactivation mode is determined by the breakdown voltage of the Zener diode (often also referred to as Z voltage) and the potential between the counter electrode and the at least one conducting section.

[0012] The switch between the normal operating mode and the reactivation mode is hereby realized spontaneously and thus automatically by means of a Zener diode, so that a separate switch of the operating mode, ie, for example, an active control, is omitted.

[0013] The filter medium is preferably electrostatically charged beforehand, in particular before the purification device is put into operation for the first time. In the reactivation mode, the charge which may have been reduced during the operation of the purification device, that is to say in particular in the normal operation mode, is at least partially restored. Thus, in the reactivation mode, the previously existing electrostatic charge is at least partially reactivated.

[0014] During operation of the ionizer device, the respective emitter is used to emit electrons. In this case, in the reactivation mode, the electrons can pass from the emitter through the air to the filter medium and thus cause reactivation.

[0015] Preferably, the respective transmitter is configured as a spike or a needle.

[0016] In principle, the filter medium can be of any design as long as it cleans the air by absorbing particles (preferably also odors) and has at least one conducting section and at least one static section.

[0017] For example, at least one of the at least one static section can consist of fibers or comprise fibers.

[0018] For example, at least one of the at least one conducting section may be or comprise activated carbon.

[0019] Preferably, the respective static section and the respective conducting section are constructed as layers in the filter medium. This means that in the filter medium, the respective conducting section is a conductive layer and the respective static section is a dielectric layer. This improves the flow rate and the purification effect.

[0020] The purification device is used to purify the air and can be used for any purpose.

[0021] Purification devices can be used, for example, in air conditioning systems, in particular in so-called “HVAC systems”, the English abbreviation “HVAC” standing for “Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning”.

[0022] The air conditioning system preferably has at least one heat exchanger, through which air flows during operation, so that during operation of the heat exchanger heat is transferred from the air to the heat exchanger, or vice versa.

[0023] The purification device is particularly used for vehicles. In the vehicle, the purification device is preferably used to purify the air to be supplied to the interior of the vehicle. Here, the purification device can be a component of such an air conditioning system.

[0024] A voltage in the kilovolt range is applied between the electrode and the counter-electrode for the corona discharge, for example, between 5 kV and 11 kV, in particular 8 kV.

[0025] Preferably, the purification device has a voltage source, which is used to apply a voltage between the electrode and the counter electrode. Here, the electrode and the counter electrode are respectively electrically connected to one pole of the voltage source.

[0026] In a preferred embodiment, the counter electrode is electrically connected to the at least one conducting section by means of a voltage source. In addition to improving operational safety, this also leads to simple implementation. During operation of the ionizer device, the electrode is connected to a first pole of the voltage source, in particular to the negative pole, and the counter electrode is connected to a second pole of the voltage source, in particular to the counter pole and thus the counter potential. The conductor connects the counter electrode and the at least one conducting section to the second pole and to one another. The Zener diode is arranged in the conductor between the second pole and the at least one conducting section.

[0027] A "pole" in this sense is a pole which is present due to a potential difference which is advantageously provided by means of a voltage source. Thus, a matching pole can also be a grounded pole.

[0028] The order of the at least one conducting section and the at least one static section along the flow path may be arbitrary.

[0029] As a preferred embodiment, at least one of the respective conducting sections is arranged downstream of a static section of at least one static section. This means that at least one static section is arranged along the flow path between each of the at least one conducting section and the electrode assembly. This leads to an improved reactivation capability in the reactivation mode and, in particular, to an improved operational safety due to at least a reduced risk of voltage breakdown between the electrode and the filter medium. Thus, in this way, damage to the filter medium is prevented or at least reduced. As a result, the durability of the filter medium and thus the cleaning effect are improved.

[0030] A preferred embodiment is that a negative corona discharge occurs during operation of the ionizer device. Preferably, a negative corona discharge occurs both in normal operation mode and in reactivation mode. Therefore, the electrode (especially at least one emitter) is of negative polarity, and the matching electrode forms a matching potential.

[0031] Preferably, the duration of the normal operating mode is significantly longer than the duration of the reactivation mode. The Zener diode is designed accordingly, in particular with regard to the breakdown voltage. This can in particular prevent excessive electrostatic charging of the filter medium and thus in particular prevent charge carriers in the air from being repelled from the filter medium. This means that the purification effect is improved in this way.

[0032] Advantageously, the duration of the respective reactivation mode is between 1 minute and 10 minutes. This means that the duration of operation in the reactivation mode is respectively between 1 minute and 10 minutes. For example, the duration of operation in the respective reactivation mode is between 2 minutes and 5 minutes, in particular 5 minutes.

[0033] For example, the Zener diode can be designed such that the operating duration in the normal operating mode is at least ten times longer than the operating duration in the reactivation mode.

[0034] Preferably, the at least one emitter and the filter medium are spaced apart from one another, wherein at least one of the at least one emitter is spaced apart from the filter medium along the flow path by between 0 mm and 30 mm, in particular 7 mm. Preferably, the static section facing the front end of the at least one emitter is spaced apart from the at least one emitter along the flow path by between 0 mm and 30 mm, in particular 7 mm. Thus, an efficient and rapid reactivation is achieved with sufficiently high operational safety in the reactivation mode. Thus, an improved purification effect is achieved in this way with sufficiently high operational safety.

[0035] The emitter can protrude in the direction of the mating electrode or in the direction of the filter medium.

[0036] The electrodes can have rods which are spaced apart from one another transversely to the flow path and from which at least one emitter projects, preferably in the direction of the counter electrode.

[0037] The distance between the rods is advantageously between 20 mm and 60 mm, for example 30 mm.

[0038] In particular, at least two emitters spaced apart from each other transversely to the flow direction and / or transversely to the spacing direction of the rods protrude from the respective rod toward the filter medium and / or toward the counter electrode. The distance between the emitters of the rods is advantageously between 10 mm and 30 mm, for example 20 mm.

[0039] The electrodes, in particular the emitters, such as respective rods, advantageously have a high electrical conductivity and are preferably made of stainless steel.

[0040] In principle, the counter electrode can be designed in any desired manner. The counter electrode preferably has a high electrical conductivity and is made of stainless steel, for example.

[0041] The counter electrode can advantageously be flowed through by air. Thus, the flow path is advantageously guided through the counter electrode. This leads to an improved generation of air charge carriers.

[0042] In a preferred embodiment, the counter electrode has an electrically conductive grid, in particular an electrically conductive grid through which the flow path is guided. This reduces the flow resistance in the purification device. In particular, this allows the purification device to be operated more efficiently and to be constructed more compactly.

[0043] The grid preferably has a mesh width of between 1 mm and 6 mm, for example 3 mm.

[0044] It should be understood that in addition to the purification device, an air conditioning facility and a vehicle having a purification device are also respectively included in the scope of the present invention.

[0045] Further important features and advantages of the invention emerge from the dependent claims, the drawings and from the associated description of the figures with reference to the drawings.

[0046] It is understood that the features mentioned above and yet to be explained below can be used not only in the respectively stated combination but also in other combinations or alone, without departing from the scope of the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0047] Preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawings and are explained in more detail in the following description, wherein the same reference numerals refer to identical or similar or functionally identical components.

[0048] In which respectively schematically:

[0049] Figure 1 A diagram showing a greatly simplified block diagram of a purification device in an air conditioning system of a vehicle;

[0050] Figure 2 A simplified cross-sectional view of a purification device is shown;

[0051] Figure 3 An isometric exploded view of a purification device is shown, wherein electrical connections are shown in a block diagram format;

[0052] Figure 4 A detailed view showing the filter medium of the purification device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0053] As exemplified in Figures 1 to 4 The purification device 1 shown in FIG. 1 is used to purify air. For this purpose, the flow path P of the air is guided through the purification device 1. As can be seen from Figure 1 It is known that the purification device 1 can be used in an air conditioning system 100 and / or a vehicle 200. Here, the vehicle 200 can include the air conditioning system 100. After passing through the purification device 1, the air flows into the interior space 201 of the vehicle 200, so the interior space 201 is arranged downstream of the purification device 1. The air conditioning system 100 has at least one heat exchanger 101, which is used to transfer heat with the air. The flow path P is guided through the heat exchanger 101. Figure 1 In FIG. 1 , a single heat exchanger 101 of the air conditioning system 100 can be seen, which is arranged purely by way of example downstream of the purification device 1 . Of course, the air conditioning system 100 can also have a plurality of heat exchangers 101 . At least one of the at least one heat exchanger 101 is connected to the Figure 1In the loop process 102 indicated in FIG. 1 , during operation of the air conditioning facility 100 , a fluid (eg, a refrigerant or coolant) circulates through the loop process separately from the air fluid.

[0054] Especially from Figure 2 and Figure 3 It can be seen from the figure that the purification device 1 has a filter medium 2 for filtering particles from the air. The flow path P of the air is guided through the filter medium 2. During operation, the air flows through the filter medium 2, wherein the filter medium filters particles, such as dust and fine dust, from the air. Preferably, the filter medium 2 also filters odors from the air. The filter medium 2 is designed accordingly. The filter medium 2 is preferably electrostatically charged in the new state, that is, it has charge carriers (not shown), which are also referred to as filter charge carriers below. The purification device 1 also has an ionizer device 3, which is used to perform corona discharge in the air and is combined to charge and ionize molecules and particles in the air. Therefore, charge carriers will be generated in the air with the help of the ionizer device 3, which are also referred to as air charge carriers below. The ionizer device 3 has an assembly 4 composed of electrodes 5 and 6 for corona discharge, which is also referred to as electrode assembly 4 below. Therefore, the electrode assembly 4 has electrodes 5 and 6 that are polarized differently during operation, and for better distinction, these electrodes are also referred to as electrodes 5 and matching electrodes 6 below. Therefore, during operation, a voltage for corona discharge, for example a voltage of several kV, will be applied between the electrode 5 and the counter electrode 6. The flow path P leads through the electrode assembly 4 upstream of the filter medium 2. The electrode 5 has an emitter 7, which emits electrons during operation of the ionizer device 3. In the embodiment shown, the emitters 7 are each configured as a protrusion 8. Each emitter 7 protrudes, for example, in the direction of the filter medium 2 or in the direction of the counter electrode 6. In the embodiment shown, the electrode 5 and the counter electrode 6 are each made of stainless steel, for example. Figure 4 A detailed view of the filter medium 2 is shown, which shows that the filter medium 2 has at least one electrically conductive section 9 (hereinafter also referred to as conductive section 9 ) and at least one dielectric section 10 (hereinafter also referred to as static section 10 ), which follow one another along the flow path P. Figure 4 , purely by way of example and for the sake of simplicity, it is assumed that the filter medium 2 has a static section 10 and a conducting section 9. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the static section 10 and the conducting section 9 are each designed as a layer 11. In the exemplary embodiment shown, at least one conducting section 9 is respectively arranged downstream of one of the at least one static section 10. In the exemplary embodiment shown, this means that the static section 10 is arranged upstream of the conducting section 9.

[0055] In addition, from Figure 4It can be seen that in the exemplary embodiment shown, the filter medium 2 is a pleated filter medium 2 in which the layer 11 is pleated. The static section 10 is, for example, a fiber 12, i.e., in the exemplary embodiment shown, a layer 11 consisting of fibers 12. The conductive section 9 is, for example, an activated carbon 13, i.e., in the exemplary embodiment shown, a layer 11 consisting of activated carbon 13.

[0056] As described below, it is possible to use the cleaning device 1 to establish and interrupt an electrical connection between the counter electrode 6 and the conducting section 9. Figure 3 1 is realized by the Zener diode 14 pointed out in the figure, which is arranged in the conductor 15. The conduction section 9 and the matching electrode 6 are electrically connected to each other by means of the conductor 15. The Zener diode 14 is arranged in the conductor 15 so that when at least one conduction section and the matching electrode are at the same potential, the Zener diode 14 blocks the electrical connection between the conduction section 9 and the matching electrode. In contrast, when the voltage between the matching electrode 6 and the conduction section 9 exceeds the breakdown voltage (also often referred to as the Zener voltage) of the Zener diode 14, the Zener diode 14 releases the electrical connection. If the Zener diode 14 separates the electrical connection between the conduction section 9 and the matching electrode 6, the purification device 1 will operate in the first operating mode, which is also referred to as the normal operating mode hereinafter. If the Zener diode 14 releases the electrical connection between the conduction section 9 and the matching electrode 6, that is, the conduction section 9 and the matching electrode 6 are electrically connected to each other, the purification device 1 operates in the second operating mode, which is also referred to as the reactivation mode hereinafter. In the reactivation mode, charge carriers, especially electrons emitted from at least one emitter 7, are transferred to the filter medium 2. This causes the electrostatic charge of the filter medium 2 reduced during the operation of the purification device 1 to be accumulated again. At the same time, in the reactivation mode, the potential of the filter medium 2 and the conductive section 9 of the matching electrode 6 and the conductive section 9 is balanced. If the potential is balanced, the Zener diode 14 blocks the electrical connection. Therefore, the purification device 1 is spontaneously transformed to the normal operation mode. If the potential difference between the matching electrode 6 and the conductive section 9 exceeds the Zener voltage, the Zener diode 14 releases the electrical connection, so that the purification device 1 is spontaneously transformed to the reactivation mode. Therefore, the automation and spontaneous conversion between the normal operation mode and the reactivation mode are realized. Therefore, the purification device 1 can be spontaneously, especially alternately operated in the conventional operation mode and the reactivation mode. The operation duration of each reactivation mode is advantageously shorter than 10 minutes, for example, between 1 minute and 10 minutes. The operation duration of each normal operation mode is advantageously significantly longer than the operation duration of each reactivation mode. For example, the operating duration of the normal operating mode is at least ten times the operating duration of the reactivation mode. Therefore, the Zener diode 14 is designed in particular to select a suitable breakdown voltage.

[0057] from Figure 3 It can be seen that in the embodiment shown, the purification device 1 has a voltage source 16, by means of which a voltage is generated between the electrode 5 and the counter electrode 6. In order to provide the voltage, the voltage source 16 has a first pole 17 and a second pole 18. In the embodiment shown, the first pole 17 is the negative pole 19 of the voltage source 16. As in Figure 3 As indicated in the figure, the second pole 18 is the matching pole 20 of the voltage source 16, ie in particular also the grounded pole 21. Therefore, during the operation of the ionizer device 3, both in the normal operating mode and in the reactivation mode, a negative corona discharge occurs in the air. In addition, Figure 3 It can also be seen that in the embodiment shown, the counter electrode 6 is electrically connected to the conducting section 9 by means of a voltage source 16. For this purpose, the conductor 15 electrically connects the second pole 18 to the conducting section 9, and thus also electrically connects the conducting section 9 to the counter electrode 6. Here, the Zener diode 14 is arranged in the conductor 15 between the second pole 18 and the conducting section 9. Therefore, in the normal operating mode, the electrical connection between the conducting section 9 and the second pole 18 is disconnected, so that the electrical connection between the conducting section 9 and the counter electrode 6 is also disconnected. In the reactivation mode, the Zener diode 14 releases the electrical connection between the conducting section 9 and the second pole 18, so that the electrical connection between the conducting section 9 and the counter electrode 6 is also released.

[0058] exist Figure 3 , it can be seen that in the embodiment shown, the electrode 5 has rods 22 spaced apart transversely to the flow path, from which emitters 7 protrude in each case toward the counter-electrode 6. In the embodiment shown, the electrode 5 has five such rods 22 purely by way of example, each of which has six emitters 7. In the embodiment shown, the rods 22 and emitters 7 are designed to be identical purely by way of example. The spacing between successive rods 22 can be between 20 mm and 60 mm, for example 30 mm. The spacing between successive emitters 7 along the respective rod 25 can be between 10 mm and 30 mm, for example 20 mm.

[0059] Especially from Figure 2 It can be seen that the emitters 7 and the filter medium 2 are spaced apart from each other. The distance between at least one of the at least one emitter 7 (preferably the respective emitter 7) and the filter medium 2 (preferably the static section 10) along the flow path P is preferably between 0 mm and 30 mm, for example 7 mm.

[0060] Especially from Figure 3 It can be seen from the figure that in the exemplary embodiment shown, the counter electrode 6 is designed as a grid 23 through which the flow path P is led.

Claims

1. A purification device (1) for purifying air, in particular a purification device for a vehicle (200), the purification device having - a filter medium (2) for filtering particles from the air, a flow path (P) of the air being directed through the filter medium (2), - an ionizer device (3) having an electrode assembly (4), through which the flow path (P) leads upstream of the filter medium (2), - in, The electrode arrangement (4) has an electrode (5) with at least one emitter (7) and a counter electrode (6), between which a voltage is applied during operation for producing a corona discharge in the air. - in, The filter medium (2) has at least one electrically conductive conducting section (9) and at least one dielectric static section (10) following one another along the flow path (P). - an electrical conductor (15) which electrically connects at least one of the at least one conducting section (9) and the counter electrode (6) to one another, - a Zener diode (14) arranged in the conductor (15) such that the Zener diode (14) blocks the electrical connection between the at least one conducting section (9) and the counter electrode (6) when the at least one conducting section (9) and the counter electrode (6) are at the same potential.

2. The purification device according to claim 1, It is characterized in that - the purification device (1) has a voltage source (16) for applying a voltage between the electrode (5) and the counter electrode (6), - during operation of the ionizer device (3), the electrode (5) is connected to a first pole (17), in particular to a negative pole (19), of the voltage source (16), and the counter electrode (6) is connected to a second pole (18), in particular to a positive pole (20), of the voltage source (16), - the conductor (15) connects the counter electrode (6) and the at least one conducting section (9) to the second electrode (18) and to each other, The Zener diode (14) is arranged in the conductor (15) between the second pole (18) and the at least one conducting section (9).

3. The purification device according to claim 1 or 2, It is characterized in that The respective at least one conducting section (9) is arranged downstream of a static section of the at least one static section (10).

4. The purification device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, It is characterized in that In the normal operation mode and the reactivation mode, the electrode (5) is negatively polarized, while the counter electrode (6) forms a counter potential.

5. The purification device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, It is characterized in that The at least one emitter (7) and the filter medium (2) are spaced apart from one another, wherein the distance between at least one of the at least one emitter (7) and the filter medium (2) along the flow path (P) is between 0 mm and 30 mm, in particular 7 mm.

6. The purification device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, It is characterized in that The electrode (5) has rods (22) which are spaced apart from one another transversely to the flow path (P) and from which at least one emitter (7) protrudes in each case.

7. The purification device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, It is characterized in that The counter electrode (6) has an electrically conductive grid (23) or is an electrically conductive grid through which the flow path (P) is passed.

8. The purification device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, It is characterized in that The respective static section (10) and the respective conducting section (9) are designed as a layer (11) in the filter medium (2).

9. An air conditioning installation (100), in particular an air conditioning installation for a vehicle (200), through which a flow path (P) of air is led, the air conditioning installation having - at least one heat exchanger (101) for transferring heat to air, - A purification device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, arranged in the flow path (P).

10. A vehicle (200) having a purification device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, in particular having an air conditioning system (100) according to claim 9.

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