Cleaning system based on electrostatic electrode
By combining electrostatic electrodes and a protective layer, dirt is automatically removed using the effect of an electric field. This solves the problems of existing cleaning equipment, such as large footprint, limited applicability, and short lifespan, and achieves a low-cost, widely applicable cleaning effect.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202511262067.7
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2024-10-08
- Filing Date
- 2025-09-04
- Publication Date
- 2025-12-12
AI Technical Summary
Existing cleaning equipment occupies a large area, has limited applicability, and a short lifespan, resulting in high costs and impracticality for cleaning surfaces such as solar panels, building glass, and car windows.
The cleaning system employs an electrostatic electrode-based approach. By combining electrostatic electrodes and a protective layer, it utilizes an electric field to detach dirt from the surface and achieves automatic dirt removal through automatic charge property switching.
It achieves a low-cost, widely applicable, and long-lasting cleaning solution that avoids mechanical movement and dependence on water sources, reducing the impact on the objects being cleaned.
Smart Images
Figure CN121103774A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This invention relates to the field of cleaning, and more particularly to physical cleaning systems. Background Technology
[0002] During use, solar panels are prone to accumulating dust, bird droppings, leaves, and other contaminants. These contaminants not only reduce the power generation efficiency of the solar panels but can also cause localized increases in resistance. Increased localized resistance increases the risk of the solar panels burning out, and in severe cases, can cause the entire solar panel to burn out.
[0003] While existing technologies exist for cleaning solar panels, these methods rely on robotic vacuum cleaners for a sweeping-like cleaning process. This presents several problems: 1. These cleaning devices require a large footprint, making them unsuitable for some locations; 2. Their applicability is limited, requiring the solar panels to be arranged in rows, not randomly; 3. The lifespan of these devices is limited. While solar panels typically last 20-40 years, cleaning devices generally have a lifespan of less than 5 years, resulting in high maintenance costs. Therefore, a low-cost, widely applicable, and long-lasting cleaning solution is needed.
[0004] In addition, glass facades of buildings and car windows are prone to accumulating dust, bird droppings, leaves, and other dirt. Summary of the Invention
[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide a cleaning system based on electrostatic electrodes to solve at least one of the above-mentioned technical problems.
[0006] The technical problem solved by this invention can be achieved by the following technical solutions:
[0007] A cleaning system based on electrostatic electrodes is characterized by comprising a protective layer, with an electrostatic electrode arranged below the protective layer, the electrostatic electrode being connected to an electrostatic generator.
[0008] The electrostatic generator is connected to the electrostatic electrode via an automatic switching mechanism that automatically switches the charge properties of the electrostatic electrode.
[0009] The protective layer is attached to the surface of the object being cleaned, and the protective layer is set at an angle relative to the horizontal plane;
[0010] One of the electrodes of the electrostatic generator is connected to the electrostatic electrode via an automatic switching mechanism, so that the electrostatic electrode is charged with a certain charge.
[0011] The electric field of the electrostatic electrode induces an electrostatic charge in the dirt outside the protective layer, causing the dirt to carry a charge or become polarized.
[0012] An automatic switching mechanism switches the electrostatic generator to another electrode, which is then charged with a different charge.
[0013] The electric field of the modified electrostatic electrode induces an electric field with the dirt outside the protective layer, causing the dirt (dust, sand, feces, leaves, etc.) to be repelled by the electric field, thus generating a force to detach from the protective layer.
[0014] Due to the tilting effect of the protective layer, the dirt that has detached from the protective layer moves downward under the action of gravity;
[0015] The automatic switching mechanism automatically switches the charge properties of the electrostatic electrodes, causing the dirt to vibrate. During the vibration, the dirt is then removed by gravity.
[0016] This invention does not employ physical cleaning methods like sweeping on the protective layer, and there are no moving mechanical parts on the protective layer. This results in a longer service life, and the cleaning process does not affect the normal use of the object being cleaned.
[0017] This invention does not employ a rinsing method for cleaning the protective layer, which is advantageous for environments with limited water supply. Attached Figure Description
[0018] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the layer structure of the present invention in use;
[0019] Figure 2 This is a perspective structural diagram of the present invention. Detailed Implementation
[0020] To make the technical means, creative features, objectives and effects of this invention easier to understand, the invention will be further described below with reference to specific illustrations.
[0021] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 The cleaning system based on electrostatic electrodes includes a protective layer 1, with an electrostatic electrode 2 disposed below the protective layer 1 and connected to an electrostatic generator. The protective layer 1 is attached to the surface of the object 3 being cleaned, and is inclined relative to the horizontal plane. Preferably, the angle between the plane of the protective layer 1 and the horizontal plane is greater than 20 degrees. The thickness of the protective layer 1 is less than 2 mm. The thickness of the protective layer 1 is preferably 0.01 mm to 1 mm. This thickness is beneficial for manufacturing and processing, and also facilitates the generation of a good electric field arrangement when the electrostatic voltage is not too high.
[0022] The electrostatic generator is connected to the electrostatic electrode 2 via an automatic switching mechanism that automatically switches the charge properties of the electrostatic electrode 2. One electrode of the electrostatic generator is connected to the electrostatic electrode 2 via the automatic switching mechanism, causing the electrostatic electrode 2 to be charged with one type of charge. The electric field of the electrostatic electrode 2 induces an electric field with the dirt outside the protective layer 1, causing the dirt to carry a charge or become polarized. The automatic switching mechanism then switches the connection, connecting the other electrode of the electrostatic generator to the electrostatic electrode 2, causing the electrostatic electrode 2 to be charged with another type of charge. The electric field of the altered electrostatic electrode 2 induces an electric field with the dirt outside the protective layer 1, causing the dirt (dust, sand, feces, leaves, etc.) to be repelled by the electric field, thus generating a force that causes it to detach from the protective layer 1. Under the tilting action of the protective layer 1, the dirt detached from the protective layer 1 moves downward under the action of gravity. The automatic switching mechanism, through the automatic switching of the charge properties of the electrostatic electrode 2, causes the dirt to vibrate, and during the vibration, it is subjected to the action of gravity, thereby being removed.
[0023] This invention does not employ physical cleaning methods such as sweeping on the protective layer 1, and there are no moving mechanical parts on the protective layer 1. This results in a longer service life, and the cleaning process does not affect the normal use of the object 3 being cleaned.
[0024] The present invention does not employ a rinsing method for cleaning the protective layer 1, which has a greater advantage in environments with insufficient water supply.
[0025] Protective layer 1 is made of transparent glass. Glass has advantages such as a smooth surface, corrosion resistance, and aging resistance. This makes it easier for dirt to be peeled off and slide down after being repelled by the electric field.
[0026] The protective layer 1 is made of enamel material. Enamel material has advantages such as a smooth surface, corrosion resistance, and aging resistance. This makes it easier for dirt to be peeled off and slide down after being repelled by the electric field.
[0027] Protective layer 1 uses a transparent insulating coating. This facilitates reduced thickness, simplifies the manufacturing process, lowers costs, and ensures the integration of protective layer 1 with the object being cleaned 3. The insulating coating can be a spray-formed enamel layer or a plastic layer.
[0028] The electrostatic electrode 2 is disposed on the object being cleaned 3, and upward-facing conductive pointed protrusions are arranged on the electrostatic electrode 2 to form a pointed discharge structure, thereby giving it a stronger electric field.
[0029] The insulating coating covers the electrostatic electrode 2, but the pointed tip is exposed. This serves both a protective function, making the surface smooth, and allows the tip discharge to directly act on the dirt.
[0030] The electrostatic generator is a device that uses a high-voltage booster to generate DC high voltage, and then generates static electricity through the DC high voltage.
[0031] Automatic switching mechanisms can be mechanical switching mechanisms.
[0032] The mechanical switching structure includes an electric motor and a brush system. The brush system has a commutator and at least one brush that mates with the commutator, and also includes a slip ring mechanism. The electric motor drives the commutator, which includes at least two mutually insulated commutator segments. At least one brush is connected to at least one electrostatic electrode 2. The slip ring mechanism includes at least two mutually insulated conductive rings, each connected to one of the two commutator segments. The two conductive rings are connected to the two electrodes of the electrostatic generator via relatively sliding components. This structure is suitable for situations where the voltage generated by the electrostatic generator is very high, making it difficult to replace the electrodes electronically.
[0033] The two electrodes of the electrostatic generator are electrically connected to two conductive rings via a relatively sliding component (which may be a brush structure). The two conductive rings are respectively connected to two commutator segments, so that the two commutator segments remain connected to the two electrodes of the electrostatic generator during rotation. During the rotation of the commutator segments, different commutator segments contact a brush, so that a brush introduces charges of different polarities to different electrodes of the electrostatic generator at different times, thereby completing the polarity switching of the electrostatic electrode 2 at different times.
[0034] Below the protective layer 1, at least four electrostatic electrodes 2 are arranged in an electrode array; at least two adjacent electrostatic electrodes 2 are arranged vertically; two electrodes of different polarities of the electrostatic generating device are respectively connected to the two vertically arranged electrostatic electrodes 2 through an automatic switching mechanism.
[0035] The electric motor drives the commutator, which includes at least two mutually insulated commutator segments and at least two brushes; the two brushes are respectively connected to two adjacent electrostatic electrodes 2, thereby achieving synchronous switching of the polarity of two adjacent electrostatic electrodes 2.
[0036] The electrostatic electrode 2 is disposed at at least one position below the protective layer 1 and above the surface of the object 3 being cleaned.
[0037] Electrostatic electrode 2 uses a sheet-like electrode, enabling large-area uniform cleaning.
[0038] The electrostatic electrode 2 uses strip-shaped electrodes, which are arranged to achieve wave-like cleaning and avoid excessive obstruction of the object being cleaned 3.
[0039] The electrostatic electrode 2 is a transparent electrode. This allows for more flexible arrangement of the electrostatic electrodes 2 without excessively obstructing the object being cleaned 3.
[0040] Electrostatic electrode 2 is a transparent electrode made of aluminum vapor-deposited. It has many advantages such as low cost, simple production, long life and oxidation resistance.
[0041] Specific Implementation Example 1, refer to Figure 2 :
[0042] A recessed hole is provided below the protective layer 1, and a part of the electrostatic electrode 2 is located in the recessed hole 5, forming a tip discharge structure with the tip pointing upwards in the recessed hole 5.
[0043] The recessed hole 5 has an upward-pointing tip, and the electrostatic electrode 2 has a conductive thin film layer 4. The thin film layer 4 is attached to the recessed hole to form a tip discharge structure.
[0044] The generation method is as follows:
[0045] (1) A protective layer 1 is manufactured such that a recessed hole 5 is located below the protective layer 1 and the recessed hole 5 has an upward pointed tip. Recessed holes are arranged below the protective layer 1 to form a recessed hole array.
[0046] (2) An aluminum film layer is vapor-deposited under the protective layer 1 to form an aluminum film layer, and a portion of the aluminum film layer is embedded and attached to the recessed hole to form a tip discharge structure, thus forming an electrostatic electrode 2 with a tip discharge structure.
[0047] The above-described method can produce a monolithic aluminum film electrode with a tip discharge structure.
[0048] It may also include another step (3).
[0049] Step (3) partially removes the aluminum film layer generated in step (2) by chemical or physical means, and the remaining aluminum film layer forms an electrode array. Specific Implementation Example 2:
[0051] A conductive pointed protrusion is provided above the object being cleaned 3;
[0052] The electrostatic electrode 2 is connected to the pointed protrusion, forming a tip discharge structure with the tip pointing upwards.
[0053] The generation method is as follows:
[0054] (1) An electrostatic electrode 2 is generated on the object being cleaned 3;
[0055] (2) Conductive pointed protrusions are fixedly arranged on the electrostatic electrode 2;
[0056] (3) Apply an insulating coating as protective layer 1. The insulating coating can be a spray-formed glaze layer or a plastic layer.
[0057] It may also include another step (4).
[0058] Step (4) polishes the insulating coating generated in step (3) to expose the pointed tip of the protrusion, but keep it smooth.
[0059] The pointed protrusion can be a transparent, conductive pointed protrusion.
[0060] One approach is to first create glass protrusions, and then vapor-deposit metal onto the glass protrusions to form conductive, pointed protrusions. Specific Implementation Example 3
[0062] The object being cleaned, 3, uses a solar panel, which is covered by a protective layer, 1. The electrostatic electrode, 2, is located at a position above the solar panel and below the protective layer, 1.
[0063] The electrostatic electrode 2 is a transparent aluminum film electrode.
[0064] The solar panel selected is a solar panel with a transparent glass plate, the thickness of which is greater than 0.8cm and less than 2cm.
[0065] This allows sunlight to travel a certain distance within the transparent glass plate, preventing the positive projection shadows of the aluminum film electrodes from affecting the uniformity of power generation in the solar cell film. It also reduces internal resistance and improves power generation performance.
[0066] A conductive pointed protrusion is provided above the solar panel; the electrostatic electrode 2 is connected to the pointed protrusion to form a pointed discharge structure with the tip pointing upward.
[0067] Protective layer 1 is made by coating an insulating layer, which may be at least one of a transparent enamel layer or a silica layer. The insulating layer is polished to expose the tips of the pointed protrusions while maintaining a smooth surface. The pointed protrusions may be transparent and conductive. Alternatively, glass protrusions may be formed first, and then metal may be vapor-deposited onto the glass protrusions to form conductive pointed protrusions. Specific Implementation Example 4
[0069] The object being cleaned, 3, has a glass exterior wall, and the outer side of the glass exterior wall is covered with a protective layer 1. The electrostatic electrode 2 is generated at one of the locations outside the glass exterior wall and below the protective layer 1.
[0070] The electrostatic electrode 2 is a transparent aluminum film electrode.
[0071] Conductive pointed protrusions are provided on the outside (top) of the glass exterior wall; electrostatic electrode 2 is connected to the pointed protrusions to form a pointed discharge structure with the tip pointing upwards.
[0072] The protective layer 1 is coated with an insulating coating, which is made of at least one of a transparent enamel layer and a silica layer; the insulating coating is polished to expose the pointed tip of the protrusion, but remains smooth. Specific Implementation Example 5
[0074] The object being cleaned, 3, is the paint surface of a car, and the outer side of the paint surface is covered with a protective layer 1. The electrostatic electrode 2 is generated at one location outside the paint surface of the car and below the protective layer 1.
[0075] Conductive pointed protrusions are provided on the outside (top) of the car paint surface; electrostatic electrode 2 is connected to the pointed protrusions to form a pointed discharge structure with the tip pointing upwards.
[0076] The protective layer 1 is coated with an insulating coating, which is made of at least one of a transparent plastic layer, an enamel layer, and a silica layer; the insulating coating is polished to expose the pointed tip of the protrusion, but it remains smooth.
[0077] Yes, you can use the glass of the exterior wall or car window as protective layer 1. Alternatively, you can use window film as protective layer 1.
[0078] Notes: 1. The electrostatic electrode of the present invention may not have a pointed protrusion, i.e., it adopts a non-point discharge structure. 2. The electrostatic electrode of the present invention may also be a conductive wire, conductive strip, or conductive sheet. The conductive wire, conductive strip, or conductive sheet can form a pointed protrusion through regular folds. In this case, the protective layer may have a groove with an opening facing the object 3 being cleaned, and the electrostatic electrode is embedded in the groove. Preferably, the depth of the groove is greater than the height of the fold of the pointed protrusion. In this way, the electrostatic electrode is not exposed outside the groove, which can avoid interference caused by the conductive or charged object being cleaned. 3. The electrostatic electrode may also be embedded in the protective layer, in which case the protective layer is preferably a plastic protective layer. During production, the electrostatic electrode is first produced, then the electrostatic electrode is placed in a mold, and then molten plastic is poured into the mold. After the molten liquid solidifies, a protective layer with an embedded electrostatic electrode is obtained.
[0079] The foregoing has shown and described the basic principles, main features, and advantages of the present invention. Those skilled in the art should understand that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. The embodiments and descriptions in the specification are merely illustrative of the principles of the invention. Various changes and modifications can be made to the invention without departing from its spirit and scope, and all such changes and modifications fall within the scope of the present invention as claimed. The scope of protection of this invention is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.
Claims
1. A cleaning system based on electrostatic electrodes, comprising a protective layer, with an electrostatic electrode arranged below the protective layer, the electrostatic electrode being connected to an electrostatic generator; The protective layer is attached to the surface of the object being cleaned, and the protective layer is set at an angle relative to the horizontal plane; The angle between the plane containing the protective layer and the horizontal plane is greater than 20 degrees; The electrostatic generator is connected to the electrostatic electrode via an automatic switching mechanism that automatically switches the charge properties of the electrostatic electrode. One of the electrodes of the electrostatic generator is connected to the electrostatic electrode via an automatic switching mechanism, so that the electrostatic electrode is charged with a certain charge. The electric field of the electrostatic electrode induces an electrostatic charge in the dirt outside the protective layer, causing the dirt to carry a charge or become polarized. An automatic switching mechanism switches the electrostatic generator to another electrode, which is then charged with a different charge. The electric field of the modified electrostatic electrode induces an electric field with the dirt outside the protective layer, causing the dirt to be repelled by the electric field and thus generating a force to detach from the protective layer. Due to the tilting effect of the protective layer, the dirt that has detached from the protective layer moves downward under the action of gravity; The automatic switching mechanism automatically switches the charge properties of the electrostatic electrodes, causing the dirt to vibrate. During the vibration, the dirt is then removed by gravity.
2. The cleaning system based on electrostatic electrodes according to claim 1, characterized in that, The protective layer can be made of transparent glass, enamel, transparent insulating coating, or spray-applied enamel or plastic.
3. The cleaning system based on electrostatic electrodes according to claim 1, characterized in that, The electrostatic electrode is disposed on the object being cleaned, and upward-facing conductive pointed protrusions are arranged on the electrostatic electrode to form a pointed discharge structure.
4. The cleaning system based on electrostatic electrodes according to claim 1, characterized in that, The electrostatic generator is a device that uses a high-voltage booster to generate DC high voltage, and then generates static electricity through the DC high voltage.
5. The cleaning system based on electrostatic electrodes according to claim 1, characterized in that, The automatic switching mechanism employs a mechanical switching mechanism, which includes a motor and a brush system. The brush system has a commutator and at least one brush that is assembled with the commutator, and also includes a slip ring mechanism. The motor drives the commutator, which includes at least two mutually insulated commutator segments. At least one brush is connected to at least one electrostatic electrode. The slip ring mechanism includes at least two mutually insulated conductive rings, which are respectively connected to two commutator segments. The two conductive rings are respectively connected to two electrodes of the electrostatic generator through relatively sliding components.
6. The cleaning system based on electrostatic electrodes according to claim 5, characterized in that, The two electrodes of the electrostatic generator are electrically connected to two conductive rings through relatively sliding components; the two conductive rings are respectively connected to two commutator segments, so that the two commutator segments remain connected to the two electrodes of the electrostatic generator during rotation; during the rotation of the commutator segments, different commutator segments contact a brush, so that a brush introduces charges of different polarities to different electrodes of the electrostatic generator at different times, thereby completing the polarity switching of the electrostatic electrodes at different times.
7. The cleaning system based on electrostatic electrodes according to claim 5, characterized in that, At least four electrostatic electrodes are arranged in an electrode array below the protective layer; At least two adjacent electrostatic electrodes are arranged vertically. The two electrodes of different polarities of the electrostatic generator are connected to two electrostatic electrodes arranged vertically through an automatic switching mechanism. The electric motor drives the commutator, which includes at least two mutually insulated commutator segments and at least two brushes; Two brushes are connected to two adjacent electrostatic electrodes respectively, so as to realize the synchronous switching of the polarity of the two adjacent electrostatic electrodes.
8. The cleaning system based on electrostatic electrodes according to claim 1, characterized in that, The electrostatic electrode is located at at least one position below the protective layer and above the surface of the object being cleaned.
9. The cleaning system based on electrostatic electrodes according to claim 1, characterized in that, The electrostatic electrode is at least one of sheet electrode or strip electrode.
10. The mechanical switching structure according to claim 5, characterized in that: The two electrodes of the electrostatic generator are electrically connected to two conductive rings through relatively sliding components; the two conductive rings are respectively connected to two commutator segments, so that the two commutator segments remain connected to the two electrodes of the electrostatic generator during rotation; during the rotation of the commutator segments, different commutator segments contact a brush, so that a brush introduces charges of different polarities to different electrodes of the electrostatic generator at different times, thereby completing the polarity switching of the electrostatic electrodes at different times.