Air conditioner and air cleaner having electric dust collecting device

Abstract

The disclosed air conditioner comprises an electric dust collecting device that removes floating particulates in the air before discharging the air to an air conditioning space. The electric dust collecting device comprises a charging unit and a dust collecting unit. The charging unit includes a plurality of charging electrodes and auxiliary electrodes. The plurality of charging electrodes include a discharge electrode and a ground electrode, and generate ions by corona discharge to charge the floating particulates. The auxiliary electrode is disposed on the upstream side of the discharge electrode on the basis of a ventilation direction, which is an air flow direction, and is connected to a ground potential to discharge the ion current diffused to the upstream side of the discharge electrode. The dust collecting unit collects by a Coulomb force the floating particulates charged by the ions.

Description

Air conditioners and air purifiers equipped with electrostatic precipitators

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an air conditioner and an air purifier having an electrostatic precipitator.

[0002] Air conditioners and the like are equipped with an electrostatic precipitator to remove dust in the air. The electrostatic precipitator includes a charging unit that charges airborne particulate matter by corona discharge and a dust collecting unit that captures the charged airborne particulate matter using electrostatic force. For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-345199 discloses an ionizer comprising a discharging unit for discharging ions toward an object to be de-charged (an object to be de-charged), a capturing unit for capturing ions emitted from the discharging unit, and the capturing unit including a capturing unit for capturing ions and a capturing control unit for adjusting the amount of ions captured by the capturing unit. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2023-030053 discloses an electronic device used in the vicinity of an object to be de-charged. The disclosed electronic device includes an electrical component, a wiring unit for transmitting power from a high-voltage power source to the electrical component, a case for accommodating the electrical component and the wiring unit, and a cover unit for covering at least a portion of the electrical component. Electronic devices have a surface resistivity of 10 4 Ω / sq. or more than 10 11 A composition of less than Ω / sq. and a surface resistivity of the case of 10 4 Ω / sq. or more than 10 11 It can have at least one of the configurations less than or equal to Ω / sq.

[0003] An air conditioner according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes an indoor heat exchanger for performing heat exchange with air drawn in from an air-conditioned space; and an electrostatic precipitator for removing airborne particulate matter before discharging the air into the air-conditioned space.

[0004] An air purifier according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes an electrostatic precipitator that removes airborne particulate matter before discharging the inhaled air into an air purification space.

[0005] The above-described electrostatic precipitator includes a charging unit and a dust collecting unit. The charging unit has a plurality of charging electrodes and auxiliary electrodes. The plurality of charging electrodes include a discharge electrode and a ground electrode, and generate ions by corona discharge to charge floating particulates. The auxiliary electrode is arranged upstream of the discharge electrode based on the ventilation direction, which is the air flow direction, and is connected to a ground potential to discharge an ion current that has diffused to the upstream of the discharge electrode. The dust collecting unit collects floating particulates charged by the ions by Coulomb force.

[0006] FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing the overall configuration of an electric dust collector according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0007] FIG. 2a is a schematic diagram of the charging unit and the dust collecting unit of an electric dust collector according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0008] FIG. 2b is a schematic diagram of an auxiliary electrode according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0009] FIG. 3 is a drawing showing the operation of an electric precipitator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0010] Fig. 4a is a drawing showing an example of a method for measuring the surface potential of an electrostatic precipitator.

[0011] Figure 4b is a drawing showing an example of a method for measuring the amount of ions in an electrostatic precipitator.

[0012] Fig. 5 is a graph showing the results of surface potential measurement of an auxiliary electrode or prefilter using the surface potential measurement method illustrated in Fig. 4a.

[0013] Figure 6a is a graph showing the results of ion amount measurement when an auxiliary electrode is not placed.

[0014] Figure 6b is a graph showing the results of ion amount measurement when an auxiliary electrode is placed.

[0015] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of an electric dust collector according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0016] Figure 8a is a drawing showing the results of surface potential measurement in the case of “only white alumite mesh (10 μm)”.

[0017] Figure 8b is a drawing showing the results of surface potential measurement in the case of “only white alumite mesh (20 μm)”.

[0018] FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating performance in terms of a clean area when a white alumite mesh is used as an auxiliary electrode of an electrostatic precipitator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0019] FIG. 10 is a drawing showing an electrode configuration when a hard alumite rod is used as an auxiliary electrode of an electrostatic precipitator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0020] Figure 11a is a drawing showing the results of surface potential measurement in the case of “only hard alumite rod (20 μm)”.

[0021] Figure 11b is a diagram showing the results of surface potential measurement in the case of “hard alumite rod (20 μm) and prefilter”.

[0022] FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating performance in terms of a clean area when a hard alumite rod is used as an auxiliary electrode of an electrostatic precipitator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0023] Figure 13 is a schematic diagram of one embodiment of an air conditioner according to the present disclosure.

[0024] Figure 14 is a schematic diagram of one embodiment of an air purifier.

[0025] It should be understood that the various embodiments and terms used in this document are not intended to limit the technical features described in this document to specific embodiments, but rather to include various modifications, equivalents, or substitutes of the embodiments.

[0026] In connection with the description of the drawings, similar reference numerals may be used for similar or related components.

[0027] The singular form of a noun corresponding to an item may include one or more of said items, unless the relevant context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0028] In this document, each of the phrases "A or B", "at least one of A and B", "at least one of A or B", "A, B, or C", "at least one of A, B, and C", and "at least one of A, B, or C" may include any one of the items listed together in that phrase, or all possible combinations thereof.

[0029] The term "and / or" includes any combination of a plurality of related described elements or any one of a plurality of related described elements.

[0030] Terms such as "first," "second," or "first" or "second" may be used simply to distinguish one component from another and do not qualify the components in any other respect (e.g., importance or order).

[0031] When a component (e.g., a first component) is referred to as being "coupled" or "connected" to another component (e.g., a second component), with or without the terms "functionally" or "communicatively," it means that the component can be connected to the other component directly (e.g., wired), wirelessly, or through a third component.

[0032] The terms "include" or "have" are intended to specify the presence of a feature, number, step, operation, component, part or combination thereof described in this document, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts or combinations thereof.

[0033] When a component is said to be “connected,” “coupled,” “supported,” or “in contact with” another component, this includes not only cases where the components are directly connected, coupled, supported, or in contact, but also cases where the components are indirectly connected, coupled, supported, or in contact through a third component.

[0034] When we say that a component is "on" another component, this includes not only cases where the component is in contact with the other component, but also cases where there is another component between the two components.

[0035] An air conditioner according to various embodiments is a device that performs functions such as air purification, ventilation, humidity control, cooling or heating in an air-conditioned space (hereinafter referred to as “indoor”), and means a device equipped with at least one of these functions.

[0036] In one embodiment, an air conditioner may include a heat pump device to perform a cooling function or a heating function. The heat pump device may include a refrigeration cycle in which a refrigerant circulates along a compressor, a first heat exchanger, an expansion device, and a second heat exchanger. All components of the heat pump device may be housed in a single housing forming the exterior of the air conditioner, such as a window air conditioner or a portable air conditioner. On the other hand, some components of the heat pump device may be housed separately in multiple housings forming a single air conditioner, such as a wall-mounted air conditioner, a standing air conditioner, or a system air conditioner.

[0037] An air conditioner including a plurality of housings may include at least one outdoor unit installed outdoors and at least one indoor unit installed indoors. For example, the air conditioner may be configured such that one outdoor unit and one indoor unit are connected via a refrigerant pipe. For example, the air conditioner may be configured such that one outdoor unit is connected to two or more indoor units via refrigerant pipes. For example, the air conditioner may be configured such that two or more outdoor units and two or more indoor units are connected via a plurality of refrigerant pipes.

[0038] The outdoor unit can be electrically connected to the indoor unit. For example, information (or commands) for controlling the air conditioner can be input through an input interface provided on either the outdoor or indoor unit, and the outdoor and indoor units can operate simultaneously or sequentially in response to user input.

[0039] The air conditioner may include an outdoor heat exchanger provided in the outdoor unit, an indoor heat exchanger provided in the indoor unit, and a refrigerant pipe connecting the outdoor heat exchanger and the indoor heat exchanger.

[0040] An outdoor heat exchanger can utilize a phase change (e.g., evaporation or condensation) of the refrigerant to exchange heat between the refrigerant and the outdoor air. For example, while the refrigerant condenses in the outdoor heat exchanger, it releases heat to the outdoor air, and while the refrigerant flowing in the outdoor heat exchanger evaporates, it absorbs heat from the outdoor air.

[0041] Indoor units are installed indoors. For example, indoor units can be categorized into ceiling-mounted, stand-alone, and wall-mounted types depending on their placement. For example, ceiling-mounted indoor units can be categorized into four-way, one-way, and duct-type indoor units depending on how air is discharged.

[0042] Similarly, an indoor heat exchanger can utilize the phase change of the refrigerant (e.g., evaporation or condensation) to exchange heat between the refrigerant and indoor air. For example, while the refrigerant evaporates in the indoor unit, the refrigerant can absorb heat from the indoor air. The cooled indoor air can then be blown through the cooled indoor heat exchanger, thereby cooling the room. Furthermore, while the refrigerant condenses in the indoor heat exchanger, the refrigerant can release heat to the indoor air. By blowing the heated indoor air through the high-temperature indoor heat exchanger, the room can be heated.

[0043] That is, the air conditioner performs a cooling or heating function through a phase change process of the refrigerant circulating between the outdoor heat exchanger and the indoor heat exchanger. To circulate the refrigerant, the air conditioner may include a compressor that compresses the refrigerant. The compressor can suck in refrigerant gas through the suction port and compress the refrigerant gas. The compressor can discharge the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant gas through the discharge port. The compressor may be placed inside the outdoor unit.

[0044] The refrigerant may circulate through the refrigerant pipe in the order of a compressor, an outdoor heat exchanger, an expansion device, and an indoor heat exchanger, or in the order of a compressor, an indoor heat exchanger, an expansion device, and an outdoor heat exchanger.

[0045] For example, if an air conditioner has one outdoor unit and one indoor unit directly connected through a refrigerant pipe, the refrigerant may be arranged to circulate between one outdoor unit and one indoor unit through the refrigerant pipe.

[0046] For example, in an air conditioner, if one outdoor unit is connected to two or more indoor units via refrigerant pipes, the refrigerant may flow to multiple indoor units via multiple refrigerant pipes branching from the outdoor unit. The refrigerant discharged from the multiple indoor units may be combined and circulated to the outdoor unit. For example, multiple indoor units may be directly connected in parallel to a single outdoor unit via separate refrigerant pipes.

[0047] Multiple indoor units can operate independently, each according to a user-defined operating mode. That is, some indoor units can operate in cooling mode, while others can operate in heating mode. In this case, the refrigerant can be selectively introduced into each indoor unit at either high or low pressure along a designated circulation path via a flow-through valve, described later, and then discharged to the outdoor unit for circulation.

[0048] For example, when an air conditioner has two or more outdoor units and two or more indoor units connected through multiple refrigerant pipes, the refrigerant discharged from the multiple outdoor units may merge and flow through a single refrigerant pipe, then branch off again at some point and flow into multiple indoor units.

[0049] Multiple outdoor units may all be operated, or at least some may not be operated, depending on the operating load of the multiple indoor units. In this case, the refrigerant may be introduced into the outdoor unit, which is selectively operated, through a flow switching valve and circulated there. The air conditioner may include an expansion device to reduce the pressure of the refrigerant flowing into the heat exchanger. For example, the expansion device may be located within the indoor unit, the outdoor unit, or both.

[0050] An expansion device can, for example, utilize a throttling effect to lower the temperature and pressure of the refrigerant. The expansion device may include an orifice capable of reducing the cross-sectional area of ​​the flow path. Refrigerant passing through the orifice may experience a decrease in temperature and pressure.

[0051] The expansion device may be implemented as, for example, an electronic expansion valve capable of controlling the opening ratio (the ratio of the cross-sectional area of ​​the valve's flow path when partially open to the cross-sectional area of ​​the valve's flow path when fully open). Depending on the opening ratio of the electronic expansion valve, the amount of refrigerant passing through the expansion device can be controlled.

[0052] The air conditioner may further include a flow diverter valve positioned along the refrigerant circulation path. The flow diverter valve may include, for example, a four-way valve. The flow diverter valve may determine the refrigerant circulation path depending on the indoor unit's operating mode (e.g., cooling operation or heating operation). The flow diverter valve may be connected to the discharge port of the compressor.

[0053] The air conditioner may include an accumulator. The accumulator may be connected to the suction port of the compressor. The accumulator may receive low-temperature, low-pressure refrigerant vaporized in an indoor heat exchanger or an outdoor heat exchanger.

[0054] The accumulator can separate the refrigerant liquid from the refrigerant gas when a refrigerant mixture of refrigerant liquid and refrigerant gas is introduced, and provide the refrigerant gas from which the refrigerant liquid has been separated to the compressor.

[0055] An outdoor fan may be installed near the outdoor heat exchanger. The outdoor fan may blow outdoor air to the outdoor heat exchanger to promote heat exchange between the refrigerant and the outdoor air.

[0056] The outdoor unit of the air conditioner may include at least one sensor. For example, the sensor of the outdoor unit may be provided as an environmental sensor. The outdoor unit sensor may be positioned at any location inside or outside the outdoor unit. For example, the outdoor unit sensor may include a temperature sensor for detecting the air temperature around the outdoor unit, a humidity sensor for detecting the air humidity around the outdoor unit, a refrigerant temperature sensor for detecting the refrigerant temperature of a refrigerant pipe passing through the outdoor unit, or a refrigerant pressure sensor for detecting the refrigerant pressure of a refrigerant pipe passing through the outdoor unit.

[0057] An outdoor unit of an air conditioner may include an outdoor unit communication unit. The outdoor unit communication unit may be configured to receive a control signal from a control unit of an indoor unit of the air conditioner, which will be described later. The outdoor unit may control the operation of a compressor, an outdoor heat exchanger, an expansion device, a flow switching valve, an accumulator, or an outdoor fan based on the control signal received through the outdoor unit communication unit. The outdoor unit may transmit a sensing value detected by an outdoor unit sensor to the control unit of the indoor unit through the outdoor unit communication unit.

[0058] The indoor unit of the air conditioner may include a housing, a blower for circulating air into or out of the housing, and an indoor heat exchanger for exchanging heat with air flowing into the interior of the housing.

[0059] The housing may include an intake port through which indoor air may be drawn into the interior of the housing.

[0060] The indoor unit of the air conditioner may include a filter that is provided to filter foreign substances in the air that flows into the housing through the intake port.

[0061] The housing may include an exhaust port. Air flowing within the housing may be discharged to the exterior of the housing through the exhaust port.

[0062] The housing of the indoor unit may be provided with an airflow guide that guides the direction of air discharged through the exhaust port. For example, the airflow guide may include blades positioned above the exhaust port. For example, the airflow guide may include an auxiliary fan for controlling the exhaust airflow. However, the airflow guide is not limited thereto and may be omitted.

[0063] An indoor heat exchanger and a blower may be provided inside the housing of the indoor unit, which are arranged on a path connecting the intake and exhaust ports.

[0064] Blowers may include indoor fans and fan motors. For example, indoor fans may include axial fans, diffusion fans, crossflow fans, and centrifugal fans.

[0065] An indoor heat exchanger may be positioned between the blower and the exhaust, or between the intake and the blower. The indoor heat exchanger may absorb heat from air drawn in through the intake or transfer heat to the air drawn in through the intake. The indoor heat exchanger may include heat exchange tubes through which refrigerant flows, and heat exchange fins in contact with the heat exchange tubes to increase the heat transfer surface area.

[0066] The indoor unit of the air conditioner may include a drain tray positioned below the indoor heat exchanger to collect condensate generated in the indoor heat exchanger. The condensate collected in the drain tray may be drained to the outside through a drain hose. The drain tray may be provided to support the indoor heat exchanger.

[0067] The indoor unit of the air conditioner may include an input interface. The input interface may include any type of user input means, including buttons, switches, a touch screen, and / or a touch pad. The user can directly input setting data (e.g., desired indoor temperature, operating mode settings for cooling / heating / dehumidification / air purification, outlet selection settings, and / or air flow settings) through the input interface.

[0068] The input interface may also be connected to an external input device. For example, the input interface may be electrically connected to a wired remote controller. The wired remote controller may be installed at a specific location in an indoor space (e.g., a portion of a wall). A user may input configuration data regarding the operation of the air conditioner by operating the wired remote controller. Electrical signals corresponding to the configuration data obtained through the wired remote controller may be transmitted to the input interface. In addition, the input interface may include an infrared sensor. A user may remotely input configuration data regarding the operation of the air conditioner using a wireless remote controller. The configuration data input through the wireless remote controller may be transmitted to the input interface as an infrared signal.

[0069] Additionally, the input interface may include a microphone. A user's voice command may be acquired through the microphone. The microphone may convert the user's voice command into an electrical signal and transmit the converted electrical signal to an indoor unit control unit. The indoor unit control unit may control components of the air conditioner to execute a function corresponding to the user's voice command. Setting data acquired through the input interface (e.g., desired indoor temperature, operation mode settings for cooling / heating / dehumidification / air purification, outlet selection settings, and / or air volume settings) may be transmitted to the indoor unit control unit, which will be described later. In one example, the setting data acquired through the input interface may be transmitted externally, i.e., to an outdoor unit or a server, through an indoor unit communication unit, which will be described later.

[0070] The indoor unit of the air conditioner may include a power module. The power module may be connected to an external power source to supply power to the components of the indoor unit.

[0071] An indoor unit of an air conditioner may include an indoor unit sensor. The indoor unit sensor may be an environmental sensor positioned in a space inside or outside the housing. For example, the indoor unit sensor may include one or more temperature sensors and / or humidity sensors positioned in a predetermined space inside or outside the housing of the indoor unit. For example, the indoor unit sensor may include a refrigerant temperature sensor for detecting a refrigerant temperature of a refrigerant pipe passing through the indoor unit. For example, the indoor unit sensor may include respective refrigerant temperature sensors for detecting the inlet, middle, and / or outlet temperatures of the refrigerant pipe passing through the indoor heat exchanger.

[0072] For example, each environmental information detected by an indoor unit sensor can be transmitted to the indoor unit control unit described later or transmitted externally through the indoor unit communication unit described later.

[0073] The indoor unit of the air conditioner may include an indoor unit communication unit. The indoor unit communication unit may include at least one of a short-range communication module and a long-range communication module. The indoor unit communication unit may include at least one antenna for wireless communication with other devices. The outdoor unit may include an outdoor unit communication unit. The outdoor unit communication unit may also include at least one of a short-range communication module and a long-range communication module.

[0074] The short-range wireless communication module may include, but is not limited to, a Bluetooth communication module, a BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) communication module, a near field communication module, a WLAN (Wi-Fi) communication module, a Zigbee communication module, an infrared (IrDA, infrared Data Association) communication module, a WFD (Wi-Fi Direct) communication module, an UWB (ultrawideband) communication module, an Ant+ communication module, a microwave (μWave) communication module, etc.

[0075] The long-distance communication module may include a communication module that performs various types of long-distance communication and may include a mobile communication unit. The mobile communication unit transmits and receives wireless signals with at least one of a base station, an external terminal, and a server on a mobile communication network.

[0076] The indoor unit communication unit can communicate with external devices such as servers, mobile devices, and other home appliances through a nearby access point (AP). The access point (AP) can connect a local area network (LAN) to which the air conditioner or user device is connected to a wide area network (WAN) to which the server is connected. The air conditioner or user device can be connected to the server through the wide area network (WAN). The indoor unit of the air conditioner may include an indoor unit control unit that controls components of the indoor unit, including a blower, etc. The outdoor unit of the air conditioner may include an outdoor unit control unit that controls components of the outdoor unit, including a compressor, etc. The indoor unit control unit can communicate with the outdoor unit control unit through the indoor unit communication unit and the outdoor unit communication unit. The outdoor unit communication unit can transmit control signals generated by the outdoor unit control unit to the indoor unit communication unit, or transmit control signals transmitted from the indoor unit communication unit to the outdoor unit control unit. In other words, the outdoor unit and the indoor unit can communicate bidirectionally. The outdoor unit and the indoor unit can transmit and receive various signals generated during the operation of the air conditioner.

[0077] The outdoor unit control unit can be electrically connected to components of the outdoor unit and can control the operation of each component. For example, the outdoor unit control unit can adjust the frequency of the compressor and control the flow switching valve to change the circulation direction of the refrigerant. The outdoor unit control unit can adjust the rotation speed of the outdoor fan. In addition, the outdoor unit control unit can generate a control signal to adjust the opening degree of the expansion valve. Under the control of the outdoor unit control unit, the refrigerant can circulate along a refrigerant circulation circuit including the compressor, the flow switching valve, the outdoor heat exchanger, the expansion valve, and the indoor heat exchanger.

[0078] The various temperature sensors included in the outdoor and indoor units can transmit electrical signals corresponding to the detected temperatures to the outdoor unit control unit and / or the indoor unit control unit. For example, the humidity sensors included in the outdoor and indoor units can transmit electrical signals corresponding to the detected humidity to the outdoor unit control unit and / or the indoor unit control unit.

[0079] The indoor unit control unit can obtain user input from a user device, including a mobile device, via the indoor unit communication unit, and can obtain user input directly through the input interface or via a remote controller. The indoor unit control unit can control components of the indoor unit, including a blower, in response to the received user input. The indoor unit control unit can transmit information regarding the received user input to the outdoor unit control unit of the outdoor unit.

[0080] The outdoor unit control unit can control the components of the outdoor unit, including the compressor, based on information regarding user input received from the indoor unit. For example, when a control signal corresponding to a user input for selecting an operation mode, such as cooling operation, heating operation, ventilation operation, defrosting operation, or dehumidification operation, is received from the indoor unit, the outdoor unit control unit can control the components of the outdoor unit so that the air conditioner performs an operation corresponding to the selected operation mode.

[0081] The outdoor unit control unit and the indoor unit control unit may each include a processor and a memory. The indoor unit control unit may include at least one first processor and at least one first memory, and the outdoor unit control unit may include at least one second processor and at least one second memory.

[0082] The memory can store / remember various information necessary for the operation of the air conditioner. The memory can store instructions, applications, data, and / or programs necessary for the operation of the air conditioner. For example, the memory can store various programs for cooling, heating, dehumidifying, and / or defrosting operations of the air conditioner. The memory can include volatile memory, such as Static Random Access Memory (S-RAM) and Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM), for temporarily storing data. In addition, the memory can include nonvolatile memory, such as Read Only Memory (ROM), Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory (EPROM), and Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory (EEPROM), for storing data for a long period of time.

[0083] The processor can generate control signals for controlling the operation of the air conditioner based on instructions, applications, data, and / or programs stored in memory. The processor, as hardware, may include logic circuits and arithmetic circuits. The processor can process data according to programs and / or instructions provided from the memory and generate control signals based on the processing results. The memory and the processor may be implemented as a single control circuit or as multiple circuits.

[0084] An indoor unit of an air conditioner may include an output interface. The output interface is electrically connected to the indoor unit control unit and can output information related to the operation of the air conditioner under the control of the indoor unit control unit. For example, information such as an operating mode selected by a user input, wind direction, wind volume, and temperature may be output. Additionally, the output interface may output sensing information obtained from an indoor unit sensor or an outdoor unit sensor, as well as warning / error messages.

[0085] The output interface may include a display and a speaker. The speaker, as an audio device, can output various sounds. The display may display information input by the user or information provided to the user using various graphic elements. For example, operation information of an air conditioner may be displayed as at least an image or text. The display may also include an indicator that provides specific information. The display may include a liquid crystal display panel (LCD), a light emitting diode panel (LED), an organic light emitting diode panel (OLED), a micro LED panel, and / or a plurality of LEDs.

[0086] An air conditioner may be equipped with a dust collector to remove airborne particulate matter before discharging the air into an air-conditioned space, such as an indoor space. Furthermore, an air purifier is a device that draws in polluted air from an air-conditioned space, such as an indoor space, purifies it, and then discharges it back into the indoor space. An air purifier may be equipped with various purification devices. The purification device may include a dust collector to remove airborne particulate matter before discharging it into the indoor space.

[0087] An electrostatic precipitator is an environmentally friendly dust collector that charges airborne particulate matter using a corona discharge or other method to collect dust. The electrostatic precipitator includes a charging unit that charges airborne particulate matter through discharge, and a dust collecting unit that captures the charged particles using Coulomb force. In order to improve the charging efficiency of the charging unit located upstream of the dust collecting unit, two charging methods, diffusion charging and electric field charging, are introduced, allowing the charged particles to be diffused over a wide space. However, the surrounding pre-filters and grills may be charged up by the diffused charged particles, which may destabilize the charging performance of the charging unit. Furthermore, a wide ion diffusion space is required upstream of the discharge electrode to suppress the charging of surrounding components such as the pre-filter and grill.

[0088] The present disclosure provides an electrostatic precipitator capable of stabilizing charging performance without degrading it within a limited space inside an air conditioner, air purifier, etc., and an air conditioner and air purifier equipped with the same. The present disclosure also provides an electrostatic precipitator capable of suppressing charging of surrounding components without requiring a large ion diffusion space, and an air conditioner and air purifier equipped with the same. However, the technical problems to be achieved in the present disclosure are not limited to the technical problems mentioned above, and other technical problems not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art to which the present disclosure pertains from the description below.

[0089] Hereinafter, embodiments of an electrostatic precipitator according to the present disclosure, and an air conditioner and air purifier employing the same, will be described in detail so that those skilled in the art can easily implement the present invention. However, the present invention may be implemented in various different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein. In addition, in the drawings, parts unrelated to the description are omitted for clarity of description, and similar reference numerals are used throughout the specification to indicate similar parts.

[0090] Figure 13 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of an air conditioner according to the present disclosure. The air conditioner draws air from an air-conditioned space (e.g., a room), adjusts the temperature of the drawn air, and then discharges the air back into the air-conditioned space.

[0091] Referring to FIG. 13, the air conditioner may include an indoor heat exchanger (201), a compressor (202), an outdoor heat exchanger (203), and an expansion device (204). The indoor heat exchanger (201), the compressor (202), the outdoor heat exchanger (203), and the expansion device (204) may be connected by refrigerant pipes.

[0092] An outdoor heat exchanger (203) is installed in the outdoor unit and can perform heat exchange between the refrigerant and the outdoor air by utilizing a phase change (e.g., evaporation or condensation) of the refrigerant. For example, while the refrigerant condenses in the outdoor heat exchanger (203), the refrigerant releases heat to the outdoor air, and while the refrigerant flowing in the outdoor heat exchanger (203) evaporates, the refrigerant can absorb heat from the outdoor air.

[0093] The indoor heat exchanger (201) performs heat exchange with air drawn in from the air-conditioned space. The indoor heat exchanger (201) is installed in the indoor unit and can perform heat exchange between the refrigerant and indoor air by utilizing a phase change of the refrigerant (e.g., evaporation or condensation). For example, while the refrigerant evaporates in the indoor heat exchanger (201), the refrigerant can absorb heat from the indoor air, and by blowing the cooled indoor air while passing through the indoor heat exchanger (201), the indoor space can be cooled. In addition, while the refrigerant condenses in the indoor heat exchanger (201), the refrigerant can release heat to the indoor air, and by blowing the heated indoor air while passing through the indoor heat exchanger (201), the indoor space can be heated.

[0094] The compressor (202) compresses the refrigerant gas between the indoor heat exchanger (201) and the outdoor heat exchanger (203). The expansion device (204) reduces the pressure of the refrigerant between the indoor heat exchanger (201) and the outdoor heat exchanger (203). During cooling, the refrigerant circulates in the order of the compressor (202), the outdoor heat exchanger (203), the expansion device (204), and the indoor heat exchanger (201), with the outdoor heat exchanger (203) functioning as a condenser and the indoor heat exchanger (201) functioning as an evaporator. During heating, the refrigerant circulates in the order of the compressor (202), the indoor heat exchanger (201), the expansion device (204), and the outdoor heat exchanger (203) functioning as an evaporator and the indoor heat exchanger (201) functioning as a condenser.

[0095] An air conditioner may be equipped with an electrostatic precipitator (1) that removes airborne particulate matter (e.g., dust, etc.) before discharging air drawn from an air-conditioned space into an air-conditioned space (e.g., indoors). The electrostatic precipitator (1) will be described in detail below. The electrostatic precipitator (1) may be arranged between an air intake and an air exhaust of the air conditioner.

[0096] An air purifier is a device that draws in polluted air, purifies it, and discharges it. Fig. 14 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of an air purifier. Referring to Fig. 14, the air purifier may include a housing (301). The housing (301) forms an air flow path. The housing (301) may function as a duct, for example. An air intake port (302) and an air outlet port (303) are provided in the housing (301). Air is drawn into the housing (301) through the air intake port (302) and discharged from the housing (301) through the air outlet port (303).

[0097] An electrostatic precipitator (1) is placed inside the housing (301). The electrostatic precipitator (1) removes airborne particulate matter (e.g., dust, etc.) before discharging the sucked air from the housing (301) to the air purification space. The electrostatic precipitator (1) will be described in detail below. The electrostatic precipitator (1) may be placed between the air intake port (302) and the air exhaust port (303) of the air purifier.

[0098] Although the air intake port (302) is illustrated as being provided on the front side of the housing (301) in FIG. 14, it is not limited thereto, and the air intake port (302) may also be provided on the upper surface, side surface, etc. of the housing (301). In addition, although the air outlet port (303) is illustrated as being provided on the upper surface of the housing (301) in FIG. 14, it is not limited thereto, and for example, the air outlet port (303) may be provided across the upper surface and the rear surface of the housing (301). Although not illustrated in the drawing, the air purifier may further include a blower (not illustrated) that generates air flow.

[0099] The control unit (304) controls the operation of the air purifier. The control unit (304) may include a processor and a memory. The memory may store / remember various information necessary for the operation of the air purifier. The processor may generate a control signal for controlling the operation of the air purifier based on data and / or programs stored in the memory. The memory and the processor may be implemented as a single control circuit or as multiple circuits. For example, the control unit (304) may include an operation control circuit for controlling the operation of the air purifier, a user interface including an input unit for receiving user input and an output unit for displaying a control status, a motor control circuit for controlling a blower, a power control module, etc.

[0100] Although not depicted in the drawing, the air purifier may include one or more functional filters. Functional filters may include, for example, a deodorizing filter that removes odors, VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds), and a biofilter that removes biological substances such as viruses and bacteria.

[0101] FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing the entire configuration of an electric dust collector (1) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to FIG. 1, the electric dust collector (1) is provided with a charging unit (10) and a dust collecting unit (20). A fan (40) forms an air flow passing through the charging unit (10) and the dust collecting unit (20). The charging unit (10), the dust collecting unit (20), and the fan (40) may be housed in a case (50). The electric dust collector (1) may be provided with a high-voltage power supply (60) that supplies high voltage to the charging unit (10) and the dust collecting unit (20). In FIG. 1, the case (50) is illustrated with a broken line so that the charging unit (10) and the dust collecting unit (20) installed inside the case (50) are visible.

[0102] The electrostatic precipitator (1) is a two-stage electrostatic precipitator in which the functions of the charging unit (10) and the dust collecting unit (20) are separated. The charging unit (10) and the dust collecting unit (20) may be in the form of detachable modules. The arrow mark (AFD) indicates the direction of flow (ventilation direction) of the air to be treated. The fan (40) forms the flow of air current passing through the electrostatic precipitator (1). For example, the fan (40) may be installed on the downstream side, i.e., the leeward side, of the dust collecting unit (20) based on the ventilation direction (AFD).

[0103] The charging unit (10) is a charging device that charges airborne particulate matter. The charging unit (10) is provided with a plurality of charging electrodes and an auxiliary electrode (13). The plurality of charging electrodes generate ions by corona discharge to charge airborne particulate matter. The plurality of charging electrodes are provided with a plurality of discharge electrodes (11) and a ground electrode (12). The auxiliary electrode (13) is arranged upstream of the discharge electrode (11) based on the direction of air flow and discharges an ion current that has diffused to the upstream side of the discharge electrode (11). The charging unit (10) may further include a power supply member (14) for supplying a high voltage supplied from a high voltage power source (60) to the plurality of discharge electrodes (11). The discharge electrode (11), the ground electrode (12), and the auxiliary electrode (13) will be described in detail later.

[0104] The dust collector (20) is a dust collecting device that collects floating fine particles charged by the charging unit (10) by the Clon force. As an example, the dust collector (20) is disposed downstream of the charging unit (10) with respect to the ventilation direction (AFD). The dust collector (20) may be provided with alternately stacked high-voltage electrodes (21) and collecting electrodes (22). The high-voltage electrode (21) may be a plate-shaped electrode member whose surface is covered with a film of an insulating material. The collecting electrode (22) faces the high-voltage electrode (21). The collecting electrode (22) may be a plate-shaped electrode member having conductivity. The dust collector (20) may also include a dust collecting film. Hereinafter, a dust collector (20) provided with a dust collecting film will be described as an example.

[0105] In the case (50), an inlet (51) is provided on the upstream (windward) side of the charging unit (10) with respect to the ventilation direction (ADF), and an outlet (52) is provided on the downstream (windward) side of the dust collection unit (20). A mesh, a net, a grid, or the like may be installed on the inlet (51). The mesh, etc. installed on the inlet (51) may have a structure that can prevent a user from contacting the charging unit (10) and has a small air flow resistance. A pre-filter that suppresses the intrusion of large particles may be installed on the inlet (51). The case (50) may be formed of, for example, a resin material such as ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene copolymer).

[0106] A fan (40) can be installed at the outlet (52) of the case (50). Air enters the case (50) through the inlet (51) on the charging section (10) side of the case (50), passes through the charging section (10) and the dust collecting section (20), and is discharged from the case (50) through the outlet (52).

[0107] A high voltage power source (60) applies a high voltage of direct current (DC) between the discharge electrode (11) and the ground electrode (12), thereby generating an electric discharge, i.e., a corona discharge, between the discharge electrode (11) and the ground electrode (12). The ions generated by the corona discharge attach to the floating particles, thereby electrifying the floating particles. In other words, the floating particles become charged. The high voltage power source (60) that applies a high voltage between the discharge electrode (11) and the ground electrode (12) may be a part of the charging unit (10).

[0108] The high voltage power supply (60) also applies a high direct current (DC) voltage between the high voltage electrode (21) and the collecting electrode (22). The floating particles charged in the charging unit (10) are attached to the surface of the collecting electrode (22) by electrostatic force, i.e., Coulomb force. As a result, the floating particles are collected in the electrostatic precipitator (1). The high voltage power supply (60) that applies the high voltage between the high voltage electrode (21) and the collecting electrode (22) may be a part of the dust collecting unit (20).

[0109] FIG. 2A is a schematic configuration diagram of a charging unit (10) and a dust collecting unit (20) of an electric dust collector (1) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2A is a cross-sectional view of the charging unit (10) and the dust collecting unit (20) of FIG. 1 when viewed from a point (V). Referring to FIG. 2A, the charging unit (10) includes a plurality of charging electrodes including a discharge electrode (11) and a ground electrode (12), and an auxiliary electrode (13). The dust collecting unit (20) may include a dust collecting film (200).

[0110] The discharge electrode (11) is an electrode that generates ions by corona discharge to charge airborne particulate matter. A high voltage is applied to the discharge electrode (11). The discharge electrode (11) may include at least one of a wire-shaped conductive member, a needle-shaped conductive member, a saw-toothed conductive member, or a plurality of fiber-shaped conductive members.

[0111] The ground electrode (12) is an electrode that faces the discharge electrode (11) and is used to define a ground potential in a charging region, and is maintained at the ground potential. The ground electrode (12) may include at least one of a flat conductive member or a rod-shaped conductive member.

[0112] The auxiliary electrode (13) may be arranged on the upstream side of the discharge electrode (11) with respect to the ventilation direction (AFD), which is the direction of air flow, so as to face a direction approximately perpendicular to the ventilation direction (AFD). The auxiliary electrode (13) is an electrode for discharging ion current that has spread to the upwind side region of the discharge electrode (11). The auxiliary electrode (13) may have a structure that is immediately attenuated even if it is charged by ions generated by corona discharge. Accordingly, ions generated by corona discharge may not be discharged to the upstream side of the auxiliary electrode (13) with respect to the ventilation direction (AFD).

[0113] The auxiliary electrode (13) may include a mesh-shaped electrode. The auxiliary electrode (13) may include a plurality of rod-shaped electrodes. The mesh-shaped electrode is an example of a flat electrode having a plurality of openings.

[0114] Fig. 2b shows one embodiment of an auxiliary electrode (13). Fig. 2b exemplarily illustrates one of a plurality of rod-shaped electrodes forming the auxiliary electrode (13). Referring to Fig. 2b, the auxiliary electrode (13) may have a main region (13a) including an insulating material, and an end region (13b) including a conductive material and connected to a ground potential. The main region (13a) is a region through which air flow passes, and the end region (13b) is an edge region of the auxiliary electrode (13) and is connected to the main region (13a). In one embodiment, the main region (13a) may be formed of an insulating material, and the end region (13b) may be formed of a conductive material. In one embodiment, the auxiliary electrode (13) may be formed of a conductive material. In this case, the main region (13a) may be surface-treated with an insulating material, and the end region (13b) may be a region in which the conductive material is exposed.

[0115] For example, the end region (13b) of a mesh-shaped electrode or a plurality of rod-shaped electrodes may be formed of a conductive material, and the main region (13a), which is the remaining region excluding the end region (13b), may be formed of an insulating material. For example, the mesh-shaped electrode or a plurality of rod-shaped electrodes may be formed entirely of a conductive material, and the main region (13a), which is the remaining region excluding the end region (13b), may be surface-treated with an insulating material.

[0116] The insulating material may be formed of a static-dissipative material. A static-dissipative material is a material that is difficult to charge and, even if charged, can be relatively quickly dissipated. A static-dissipative material does not cause a violent static discharge when a charged object comes into contact with it. The surface resistivity of a static-dissipative material is, for example, 10 4 ∼10 12[Ω / sq.] may be present. The electrostatic dissipative material may include, for example, at least one of alumite-treated aluminum (hereinafter referred to as "alumite"), zirconia, cationic polymers, semiconductive silicone rubber, extruded foamed polyethylene, and cross-linked polyethylene. The electrostatic dissipative material may have a porous surface. Typically, alumite has such a porous surface. Experiments have shown that alumite is mostly uncharged. This is presumed to be due to the porous structure of alumite. Alumite has a two-layer structure of a barrier layer and a porous film layer formed by a reaction occurring at the interface between an electrolyte and an aluminum base. The micropores of the porous film layer are usually sealed but not completely blocked, so that charges escape through the micropores and charge does not accumulate on the surface.

[0117] Although a pre-filter (30) that suppresses the intrusion of large particles is illustrated in Fig. 2a, the pre-filter (30) is not a component of the charging unit (10) and the dust collecting unit (20). Therefore, it can be seen that the auxiliary electrode (13) is positioned at the uppermost point in the ventilation direction (AFD) within the charging unit (10).

[0118] FIG. 3 is a drawing showing the operation of an electrostatic precipitator (1) according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to FIG. 3, in the charging unit (10) of the electrostatic precipitator (1) according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, ions are generated by corona discharge between the discharge electrode (11) and the ground electrode (12), and airborne particulate matter (P) to be treated are charged by the electric field and diffusion. The charged particulate matter (CP), which is the charged airborne particulate matter, flows downstream in the ion diffusion space (S) by the fountain flow indicated by the arrow (FF). The ions that flow from the ion diffusion space (S) toward the auxiliary electrode (13) flow to the ground by the auxiliary electrode (13). Therefore, the ions do not diffuse upstream of the auxiliary electrode (13), and charging of the prefilter (30) or other objects by the ions can be suppressed.

[0119] In order to explain the effect by the auxiliary electrode (13), the results of measuring the surface potential and ion amount of the electrostatic precipitator (1) will be described. Fig. 4a is a drawing showing an example of a method for measuring the surface potential of the electrostatic precipitator, and Fig. 4b is a drawing showing an example of a method for measuring the ion amount of the electrostatic precipitator. Referring to Figs. 4a and 4b, the charging unit (10) is provided with a discharge electrode (11) and a ground electrode (12) as charging electrodes, and the dust collecting unit (20) is provided with a dust collecting film (200). The electrostatic precipitator (1) has a two-stage structure in which the charging unit (10) is arranged upstream with respect to the ventilation direction (AFD) and the dust collecting unit (20) is arranged downstream of the charging unit (10). The auxiliary electrode (13) is arranged at a position 20 mm upstream from the charging electrode of the charging unit (10) with respect to the ventilation direction (AFD). As an auxiliary electrode (13), the thickness is 10 μm and the surface resistivity is 10 9 ∼10 11An alumite mesh (130) of [Ω / sq.] is used. A prefilter (30) is placed upstream of the auxiliary electrode (13). As shown in Fig. 4a, the surface potential is measured while moving an electrostatic meter (70) in a direction perpendicular to the ventilation direction (AFD) at a position 25 mm upstream from the prefilter (30). As shown in Fig. 4b, the amount of ions is measured using an ion amount meter (80) at the upstream side of the electrostatic precipitator (1).

[0120] FIG. 5 is a graph showing the results of measuring the surface potential of the auxiliary electrode (13) or the pre-filter (30) by the method illustrated in FIG. 4a. In FIG. 5, “only alumite mesh present” indicates the surface potential (charge voltage) of the alumite mesh (130) measured using an electrostatic meter (70) in a state where the pre-filter (30) is separated. “with pre-filter and alumite mesh present” indicates the surface potential (charge voltage) of the pre-filter (30) measured using an electrostatic meter (70) in a state where the pre-filter (30) and the alumite mesh (130) are placed. In FIG. 5, the horizontal axis represents the discharge current. As illustrated in FIG. 5, when the auxiliary electrode (13) is placed, it can be seen that the charge voltage is maintained low even if the discharge current value increases, regardless of the presence or absence of the pre-filter (30).

[0121] Fig. 6a is a graph showing the results of measuring the amount of ions using an ion amount meter (80) in a state where an alumite mesh (130) is not installed. Fig. 6b is a graph showing the results of measuring the amount of ions using an ion amount meter (80) in a state where an alumite mesh (130) is installed. The ion amount measurement is performed at a certain distance away from the alumite mesh (130) or the pre-filter (30), as shown in Fig. 4b. In the graphs of Figs. 6a and 6b, the horizontal axis represents the discharge current.

[0122] First, referring to Fig. 6a, in the case of "no pre-filter," the amount of ions is very large on the upstream side of the electrostatic precipitator (1) regardless of the discharge current value. In the case of "with pre-filter," the amount of ions is small when the discharge current value is low, but the amount of ions increases as the discharge current value increases.

[0123] Next, referring to Fig. 6b, “without prefilter and alumite mesh” is the same as “without prefilter” in Fig. 6a. In the cases of “with only alumite mesh” and “with prefilter and alumite mesh,” regardless of the presence or absence of the prefilter (30), even if the discharge current value increases, the amount of ions is very small on the upstream side of the electrostatic precipitator (1).

[0124] From FIG. 6a and FIG. 6b, it can be seen that when the auxiliary electrode (13) is installed, the amount of ion emission to the outside of the electrostatic precipitator (1) is significantly suppressed compared to when only the prefilter (30) is installed.

[0125] Fig. 7 is a schematic configuration diagram of an electric dust collector (1) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to Fig. 7, the charging unit (10) is provided with a discharge electrode (11) and a ground electrode (12) as charging electrodes. The dust collecting unit (20) is provided with a dust collecting film (200). The electric dust collector (1) has a single-stage structure in which the charging electrode of the charging unit (10) and the dust collecting unit (20) are arranged at approximately the same position based on the ventilation direction (AFD). A white alumite mesh (131) having a thickness of 10 μm or 20 μm is arranged as an auxiliary electrode (13) at a position 20 mm upstream from the charging electrode of the charging unit (10). A prefilter (30) is arranged upstream of the white alumite mesh (131).

[0126] The influence of the thickness of the auxiliary electrode (13) in the electrostatic precipitator (1) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure illustrated in FIG. 7 on the performance of the electrostatic precipitator (1) will be described. First, the surface potential is measured by the measurement method illustrated in FIG. 4A. Hereinafter, the case where the prefilter (30) is installed and the white alumite mesh (131) is not installed is referred to as “prefilter only.” The cases where the prefilter (30) is not installed and the white alumite mesh (131) having a thickness of 10 μm and 20 μm is installed, respectively, are referred to as “white alumite mesh (10 μm) only” and “white alumite mesh (20 μm) only,” respectively.

[0127] Fig. 8a is a drawing showing the results of surface potential measurement in the case of "only white alumite mesh (10 μm) present." Referring to Fig. 8a, the surface potential of a white alumite mesh (131) is shown, measured at a position 25 mm upstream from a 10 μm thick white alumite mesh (131) using an electrostatic meter (70) in a state where the prefilter (30) is separated from the electrostatic precipitator (1) illustrated in Fig. 7. The discharge voltage is -6 kV.

[0128] Fig. 8b is a drawing showing the measurement results of the surface potential in the case of "only white alumite mesh (20 μm) present." Referring to Fig. 8b, the surface potential of the white alumite mesh (131) is shown, measured from a position 25 mm upstream from the 20 μm thick white alumite mesh (131) using an electrostatic meter (70) in a state where the prefilter (30) is separated from the electrostatic precipitator (1) illustrated in Fig. 7. The discharge voltage is -6 kV.

[0129] FIGS. 8A and 8B show the results of measuring the surface potential for each region by dividing the surface of the white alumite mesh (131) into nine regions, three vertical and three horizontal. In FIGS. 8A and 8B, the horizontal direction corresponds to the longitudinal direction orthogonal to the ventilation direction (AFD) of the white alumite mesh (131) illustrated in FIG. 7. In FIGS. 8A and 8B, the vertical direction corresponds to the direction orthogonal to both the longitudinal direction and the ventilation direction (AFD) of the white alumite mesh (131) illustrated in FIG. 7, that is, the direction perpendicular to the ground surface of FIG. 7. From FIGS. 8A and 8B, it can be seen that the surface potential of the white alumite mesh (131) is significantly lowered. In particular, the surface potential of the white alumite mesh (131) having a thickness of 20 μm is lower than that of the white alumite mesh (131) having a thickness of 10 μm.

[0130] Fig. 9 is a diagram showing the performance of a clean area by an electric dust collector (1) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. In Fig. 9, specific performance means the ratio of the clean area in each case to the clean area of ​​a single unit as 100%.

[0131] Referring to Fig. 9, in the case of "only a pre-filter", the specific performance becomes less than 14.5%, which makes the performance in terms of clean area very poor. In addition, in the case of "only a white alumite mesh (10 μm)", since the surface potential of the white alumite mesh (131) is very low as shown in Fig. 8a, the specific performance also becomes about 71.0%, which makes the performance in terms of clean area significantly better than in the case of "only a pre-filter". In the case of "only a white alumite mesh (20 μm)", since the surface potential of the white alumite mesh (131) is very low as shown in Fig. 8b, the specific performance also becomes 72.5%, which makes the performance significantly better than in the case of "only a pre-filter".

[0132] Fig. 10 is a schematic configuration diagram of an electric dust collector (1) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to Fig. 10, a charging unit (10) is provided with a discharge electrode (11) and a ground electrode (12) as charging electrodes. A dust collecting unit (20) is provided with a dust collecting film (200). The charging electrode of the charging unit (10) and the dust collecting unit (20) have a single-stage structure as illustrated in Fig. 7. A hard alumite rod (132) having a thickness of 20 μm is arranged as an auxiliary electrode (13) at a position 20 mm upstream from the charging electrode of the charging unit (10) based on the ventilation direction (AFD). A prefilter (30) is arranged upstream of the hard alumite rod (132).

[0133] The influence of the use of a hard alumite rod (132) as an auxiliary electrode (13) in an electrostatic precipitator (1) according to an embodiment of the present disclosure illustrated in FIG. 10 on the performance of the electrostatic precipitator (1) is described. First, the surface potential is measured by the measurement method illustrated in FIG. 4A. Hereinafter, the case where a prefilter (30) is installed and a hard alumite rod (132) is not installed is referred to as “only a prefilter”. The case where a hard alumite rod (132) is installed without a prefilter (30) is referred to as “only a hard alumite rod (20 μm)”. The case where both a prefilter (30) and a hard alumite rod (132) are installed is referred to as “with a hard alumite rod (20 μm) and a prefilter”.

[0134] Fig. 11a is a drawing showing the results of surface potential measurement in the case of "only a hard alumite rod (20 μm)". Referring to Fig. 11a, the surface potential of a hard alumite rod (132) is shown, measured at a position 25 mm upstream from the hard alumite rod (132) using an electrostatic meter (70) in a state where the prefilter (30) is separated from the electrostatic precipitator (1) illustrated in Fig. 10. The discharge voltage is -6 kV.

[0135] Fig. 11b is a drawing showing the results of surface potential measurement in the case of "hard alumite rod (20 μm) and prefilter". Referring to Fig. 11b, the surface potential of the prefilter (30) measured at a position 25 mm upstream from the prefilter (30) based on the ventilation direction (AFD) using an electrostatic meter (70) in the electrostatic precipitator (1) illustrated in Fig. 10 is shown. The discharge voltage is -6 kV.

[0136] FIGS. 11A and 11B show the results of measuring surface potentials for each area by dividing the area where the hard alumite rods (132) are arranged into 10 regions, 2 vertical and 5 horizontal. In FIGS. 11A and 11B, the horizontal direction corresponds to the direction orthogonal to the ventilation direction (AFD) in FIG. 10 (i.e., the arrangement direction of the plurality of hard alumite rods (132)). In FIGS. 11A and 11B, the vertical direction corresponds to the direction orthogonal to both the ventilation direction (AFD) and the arrangement direction of the plurality of hard alumite rods (132), i.e., the direction perpendicular to the ground in FIG. 10. From FIGS. 11A and 11B, it can be seen that the surface potential of the hard alumite rods (132) or the prefilter (30) is greatly reduced.

[0137] Fig. 12 is a diagram showing the performance of a clean area by an electric dust collector (1) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. In Fig. 12, specific performance means the ratio of the clean area in each case to the clean area of ​​a single unit as 100%.

[0138] Referring to Fig. 12, in the case of "only a pre-filter", the specific performance becomes less than 21.4%, which makes the performance in terms of clean area very poor. In addition, in the case of "only a hard alumite rod (20 μm)", since the surface potential of the hard alumite rod (132) is very low as shown in Fig. 11a, the specific performance also becomes 109.0%, which makes the performance in terms of clean area significantly better than in the case of "only a pre-filter". In addition, in the case of "both a hard alumite rod (20 μm) and a pre-filter", since the surface potential of the pre-filter (30) is very low as shown in Fig. 11b, the specific performance also becomes 98.9%, which makes the performance in terms of clean area significantly better than in the case of "only a pre-filter".

[0139] As described above, in the electrostatic precipitator (1) according to the present disclosure, a high voltage is applied between the discharge electrode (11) and the ground electrode (12) to generate a discharge, and airborne particulate matter is charged by ions generated by the discharge. An auxiliary electrode (13) is disposed in the ion diffusion space to suppress charging. Generally, in order to suppress charging of a target object, it is necessary to provide a wide ion diffusion space, but according to the present disclosure, charging can be suppressed even with a narrow ion diffusion space without expanding the ion diffusion space. In addition, since the auxiliary electrode (13) is responsible for discharging charges, leakage of ions out of the ion diffusion space can be reduced or prevented. By surface-treating the auxiliary electrode (13) with an insulating material, spark discharge between the discharge electrode (11) and the auxiliary electrode (13) can be reduced or prevented.

[0140] An air conditioner according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes an indoor heat exchanger for performing heat exchange with air drawn in from an air-conditioned space; and an electrostatic precipitator for removing airborne particulate matter from the air before discharging the air into the air-conditioned space. The electrostatic precipitator includes a charging unit and a dust collecting unit. The charging unit includes a plurality of charging electrodes and auxiliary electrodes. The plurality of charging electrodes include a discharge electrode and a ground electrode, and generate ions by corona discharge to charge airborne particulate matter. The auxiliary electrode is disposed upstream of the discharge electrode with respect to the ventilation direction, which is the air flow direction, and is connected to a ground potential to discharge an ion current that has diffused to the upstream of the discharge electrode. The dust collecting unit collects airborne particulate matter charged by the ions by Coulomb force.

[0141] Ions generated in the charging section and diffuse upstream can be discharged through a grounded auxiliary electrode. Since ions do not diffuse beyond the auxiliary electrode, charging of surrounding components, such as the prefilter, can be prevented without increasing the size of the ion diffusion space, thereby stabilizing the charging performance of the charging section.

[0142] As an example, the auxiliary electrode may include an electrostatic dissipative material.

[0143] As an example, the auxiliary electrode may include a main region comprising an insulating member and an end region comprising a conductive member and connected to a ground potential, wherein the insulating member may include an electrostatic dissipative material.

[0144] Electrostatic dissipative materials are not easily charged, and even if charged, they can dissipate the charge relatively quickly. Therefore, the charged charge does not accumulate on the surface of the auxiliary electrode and can be easily discharged. Furthermore, electrostatic dissipative materials do not cause violent electrostatic discharges when contacted by a charged object.

[0145] As an example, the electrostatic dissipative material may have a porous surface structure. Charges may escape through the micropores of the porous surface, thereby preventing charge accumulation on the surface.

[0146] As an example, the surface resistivity of the electrostatic dissipative material is 10 4 ∼10 12 It can be [Ω / sq.].

[0147] As an example, the electrostatic dissipative material may include at least one of alumite, zirconia, a cationic polymer, a semiconducting silicone rubber, extruded foamed polyethylene, or cross-linked polyethylene.

[0148] As an example, the auxiliary electrode may include either a flat electrode having a plurality of openings or a plurality of rod-shaped electrodes.

[0149] As an example, the ground electrode may include either a flat member or a rod-shaped member.

[0150] As an example, the discharge electrode may include any one of a needle-shaped conductive member, a saw-toothed conductive member, and a plurality of fiber-shaped conductive members.

[0151] As an example, the dust collector may be placed downstream of the charging unit based on the ventilation direction.

[0152] As an example, the dust collector may be positioned at approximately the same position as the charging unit based on the ventilation direction.

[0153] An air purifier according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes an electrostatic precipitator for removing airborne particulate matter before discharging sucked air into an air purification space. The electrostatic precipitator includes a charging unit and a dust collecting unit. The charging unit includes a plurality of charging electrodes and an auxiliary electrode. The plurality of charging electrodes include a discharge electrode and a ground electrode, and generate ions by corona discharge to charge airborne particulate matter. The auxiliary electrode is disposed upstream of the discharge electrode with respect to the ventilation direction, which is the air flow direction, and is connected to a ground potential to discharge an ion current that has diffused to the upstream of the discharge electrode. The dust collecting unit collects airborne particulate matter charged by the ions by Coulomb force.

[0154] As an example, the auxiliary electrode may include a main region comprising an insulating member and an end region comprising a conductive member and connected to a ground potential. The insulating member may include the electrostatic dissipative material.

[0155] As an example, the electrostatic dissipative material may have a surface with a porous structure.

[0156] As an example, the auxiliary electrode may include either a flat electrode having a plurality of openings or a plurality of rod-shaped electrodes.

[0157] An electrostatic precipitator according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a charging unit and a dust collecting unit. The charging unit includes a plurality of charging electrodes and auxiliary electrodes. The plurality of charging electrodes include a discharge electrode and a ground electrode, and generate ions by corona discharge to charge floating particulates. The auxiliary electrode is arranged upstream of the discharge electrode with respect to the ventilation direction, which is the air flow direction, and is connected to a ground potential to discharge an ion current that has diffused to the upstream of the discharge electrode. The dust collecting unit collects floating particulates charged by the ions by Coulomb force.

[0158] As an example, the auxiliary electrode may include an electrostatic dissipative material.

[0159] As an example, the auxiliary electrode may include a main region comprising an insulating member and an end region comprising a conductive member and connected to a ground potential. The insulating member may include the electrostatic dissipative material.

[0160] As an example, the electrostatic dissipative material may have a surface with a porous structure.

[0161] As an example, the electrostatic dissipative material may include at least one of alumite, zirconia, a cationic polymer, a semiconducting silicone rubber, extruded foamed polyethylene, or cross-linked polyethylene.

[0162] The technical effects to be achieved in this document are not limited to the technical effects mentioned above, and other technical effects not mentioned can be clearly understood by a person having ordinary skill in the technical field to which the present disclosure pertains from the description of this document.

[0163] As described above, although the air conditioner, air purifier, and electrostatic precipitator of the present disclosure have been described by limited embodiments and drawings, the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit thereof.

Claims

1. An indoor heat exchanger (201) that performs heat exchange with air sucked in from an air conditioning space; It includes an electrostatic precipitator (1) for removing floating particulate matter in the air before discharging the air into the air conditioning space; The above electric precipitator, A charging unit (10) including a discharge electrode (11) and a ground electrode (12), and a plurality of charging electrodes that generate ions by corona discharge to charge the floating particulate matter, and an auxiliary electrode (13) that is positioned upstream of the discharge electrode based on the airflow direction (AFD), which is the airflow direction, and is connected to a ground potential to discharge ion current that has spread to the upstream of the discharge electrode; An air conditioner including a dust collecting unit (20) that collects floating particulate matter charged by the above ions by the Coulomb force.

2. In paragraph 1, The above auxiliary electrode is an air conditioner including an electrostatic dissipative material.

3. In paragraph 1, The above auxiliary electrode includes a main region (13a) including an insulating member and an end region (13b) including a conductive member and connected to a ground potential. An air conditioner wherein the insulating member comprises an electrostatic dissipative material.

4. In paragraph 2 or 3, The above electrostatic dissipative material is an air conditioner having a porous structured surface.

5. In any one of paragraphs 2 to 4, The surface resistivity of the above electrostatic dissipative material is 10 4 ∼10 12 Air conditioner with [Ω / sq.] 6. In any one of paragraphs 2 to 5, An air conditioner wherein the electrostatic dissipative material comprises at least one of alumite, zirconia, cationic polymer, semiconductive silicone rubber, extruded foamed polyethylene, or cross-linked polyethylene.

7. In any one of paragraphs 1 to 6, An air conditioner wherein the auxiliary electrode comprises one of a flat electrode having a plurality of openings and a plurality of rod-shaped electrodes.

8. In any one of paragraphs 1 to 7, An air conditioner wherein the ground electrode comprises either a flat member or a rod-shaped member.

9. In any one of paragraphs 1 to 8, An air conditioner in which the above discharge electrode comprises any one of a needle-shaped conductive member, a saw-toothed conductive member, and a plurality of fiber-shaped conductive members.

10. In any one of paragraphs 1 to 9, An air conditioner in which the dust collection unit is positioned downstream of the main body based on the ventilation direction.

11. In any one of paragraphs 1 to 9, An air conditioner in which the above dust collection unit is positioned at approximately the same position as the charging unit based on the ventilation direction.

12. Includes an electrostatic precipitator (1) that removes airborne particulate matter before discharging the inhaled air into an air purification space; The above electric precipitator, A charging unit (10) including a discharge electrode (11) and a ground electrode (12), and a plurality of charging electrodes that generate ions by corona discharge to charge the floating particulate matter, and an auxiliary electrode (13) that is positioned upstream of the discharge electrode based on the airflow direction (AFD), which is the airflow direction, and is connected to a ground potential to discharge ion current that has spread to the upstream of the discharge electrode; An air purifier including a dust collecting unit (20) that collects floating particulate matter charged by the above ions by the Coulomb force.

13. In paragraph 12, The above auxiliary electrode includes a main region (13a) including an insulating member and an end region (13b) including a conductive member and connected to a ground potential. An air purifier wherein the insulating member comprises an electrostatic dissipative material.

14. In paragraph 12, The above electrostatic dissipative material is an air purifier having a porous structured surface.

15. In any one of paragraphs 12 to 14, An air purifier wherein the auxiliary electrode comprises one of a flat electrode having a plurality of openings and a plurality of rod-shaped electrodes.

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