Air conditioner and electrostatic precipitator
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Solution Overview
Problem
High concentrations of aerosols in confined spaces pose health risks, and existing air conditioners with electrostatic precipitators lack efficient air charging and design flexibility.
Innovation Solution
An air conditioner design incorporating a housing with a suction panel, a fan, and an electrostatic precipitator featuring a discharge electrode, an upstream electrode, and a downstream electrode to generate and direct ions effectively for aerosol charging, while allowing for increased design and installation freedom.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If ions are generated toward the suction panel to charge aerosols, then air charging efficiency is improved, but ions accumulate on the suction panel reducing effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The upstream electrode acts as an intermediary component between the discharge electrode and the suction panel. It receives ions generated by the discharge electrode and redirects them toward the air intake, preventing direct accumulation on the suction panel while maintaining charging efficiency. The upstream electrode serves as a mediator that transforms the ion flow path to achieve both charging effectiveness and panel protection.
2Ease of manufacture
If the electrostatic precipitator structure is simplified for ease of manufacture, then device complexity is reduced, but air charging efficiency may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The electrostatic precipitator is segmented into distinct functional components: a discharge electrode for ion generation, an upstream electrode for ion redirection, and a downstream electrode for aerosol collection. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall manufacturing simplicity. The modular structure enables easy assembly and maintenance without compromising charging efficiency.
3Shape
If the air conditioner housing is made slim for aesthetic purposes, then product appearance is improved, but space for electrostatic precipitator components is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode arrangements are optimized to utilize three-dimensional space efficiently within the slim housing. The discharge electrode, upstream electrode, and downstream electrode are positioned at different spatial locations and orientations to maximize ion generation and aerosol collection effectiveness without increasing the overall housing thickness. This dimensional optimization allows the electrostatic precipitator to maintain high performance in a compact form factor.
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
Enhances air charging efficiency, prevents ion accumulation on the suction panel, and allows for a slim structure with improved aesthetics and installation options.
Implementation Method 1
a charger configured to charge aerosols in the air through electric discharge
Implementation Method 2
a discharge electrode configured to receive a voltage and to generate ions toward the suction panel
Implementation Method 3
an upstream electrode disposed upstream of the discharge electrode with respect to the first direction, grounded to form an electric field with the discharge electrode
Implementation Method 4
a dust collector composed of a high voltage electrode and a low voltage electrode to collect the aerosols charged by the charger
Data Source
AI summary
An air conditioner including a housing including a suction panel; a fan disposed inside the housing and configured to generate an air flow which is sucked into the housing through the suction panel to flow in a first direction from upstream to downstream, the suction panel being perpendicular to the first direction; and an electrostatic precipitator disposed inside the housing and including a discharge electrode configured to receive a voltage and to generate ions toward the suction panel, and an upstream electrode disposed upstream of the discharge electrode with respect to the first direction, grounded to form an electric field with the discharge electrode, and disposed between the discharge electrode and the suction panel, wherein at least a portion of the ions generated from the discharge electrode are passed through the suction panel so as to charge aerosols in air outside the housing.