Automotive AC Ionizer Drainage Rib Against Electrode Shorting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional air conditioning systems for automotive vehicles experience electric shorts and discharge noise due to moisture condensation around discharge electrodes, leading to spark generation between the first and second discharge electrodes.

Innovation Solution

Incorporation of a water drainage rib or isolation baffle to drain condensed moisture away from the discharge electrodes, preventing the formation of a water film and thus avoiding electric shorts and discharge noise.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If the ionizer is installed in the air conditioning system to generate ions for sterilization and deodorization, then the cleanliness and comfort of the vehicle room environment is improved, but moisture condensation around the discharge electrodes causes electric short and discharge noise

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebacteria and mold in evaporatorVSAvoidelectric short between discharge electrodes

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the discharge electrode structure into separate first and second discharge electrodes with protection pipes, isolating them to prevent moisture-induced electric short while maintaining ion generation functionality for sterilization and deodorization

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an air blowing device as an intermediary element that blows air to prevent moisture condensation around the discharge electrodes, thereby preventing electric short without affecting the ion generation process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If the discharge electrodes are positioned close to each other for efficient ion generation, then the ion emission effectiveness is improved, but the risk of electric short due to moisture condensation increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveion generation efficiencyVSAvoidmoisture condensation around electrodes

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the moisture management function from the electrode structure by introducing a separate air blowing device that actively removes condensed moisture from around the discharge electrodes, allowing close positioning for efficient ion generation while preventing electric short

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary action by using the air blowing device to prevent moisture condensation before it can cause electric short between the closely positioned discharge electrodes, maintaining both ion generation efficiency and electrical safety

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution effectively prevents electric shorts and discharge noise, enhancing driving comfort by ensuring reliable operation of the air conditioning system.

Implementation Method 1

The first and second discharge electrodes 46 and 48 are designed to generate negative ions and positive ions by irradiating high voltage pulses into the air flowing through the internal passageway 16

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHigh voltage pulse irradiation: Electric Field

Implementation Method 2

a water drainage rib for draining the moisture condensed in and around the first and second discharge electrodes to prevent the electric short between the first and second discharge electrodes

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravity-driven drainage: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentUS20080251236A1Air Conditioning System for Automotive Vehicles

Publication Date: 2008.10.16 HANON SYST CO LTD

AI summary

An air conditioning system for automotive vehicles includes an air conditioning case having an internal passageway and an ionizer for emitting positive ions and negative ions into the internal passageway of the air conditioning case. The ionizer includes a main body and first and second discharge electrodes extending from the main body into the internal passageway in a spaced-apart relationship with each other. The air conditioning system further includes an electric short preventing arrangement for preventing moisture positioned in and around the first and second discharge electrodes from causing electric short between the first and second discharge electrodes. The electric short preventing arrangement comprises a water drainage rib for draining the moisture condensed in and around the first and second discharge electrodes to prevent the electric short between the first and second discharge electrodes.