Air Ionization System with Ozone Removal and Modular Replacement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air ionization systems face issues such as insufficient ozone levels for effective air cleaning, lack of configurability, complexity, high costs, and poor serviceability, as well as inadequate modular configurations.
Innovation Solution
The development of air ionization devices and systems that incorporate an ozone dampening catalyst and a modular design, including an ionization tube and a controller for intelligent control and ozone management, allowing for adjustable ionization levels and easy replacement of units, along with alternative ionization tube configurations for improved efficiency and space utilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If ionization levels are increased to improve air cleaning effectiveness, then air sanitization performance is improved, but ozone production increases to unacceptable levels
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies this principle by using the ozone produced during ionization not as a harmful byproduct to be eliminated, but as a useful disinfectant. The system generates ozone through corona discharge and directs it through a reaction chamber where it sanitizes the air stream, converting the harmful side effect into a beneficial cleaning agent that kills bacteria and viruses while maintaining acceptable ozone levels in the output air.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a reaction chamber as an intermediary component between the ionization source and the output air stream. This reaction chamber allows ozone to be generated and then controlled to react with and sanitize contaminants in the air, acting as a mediator that enables high ionization levels while preventing excessive ozone from reaching the output.
2Ease of manufacture
If air ionization systems are designed with fixed configurations, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but configurability and adaptability are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the air ionization system into separate modular components including a power supply module, ionization source module, reaction chamber module, and control module. Each module can be independently manufactured, tested, and assembled, allowing for simplified manufacturing of individual components while enabling flexible configuration of the complete system to meet different application requirements.
3Reliability
If air ionization systems are designed as integrated units, then system reliability is improved, but serviceability and replaceability are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements modular design where critical components such as the ionization source and power supply are separated into replaceable modules. This allows individual modules to be serviced or replaced independently without dismantling the entire system, maintaining reliability through easy replacement of failed components while improving serviceability.
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
These systems achieve enhanced air filtration and sanitization with adjustable ionization levels, reduced ozone production, improved configurability, and easier maintenance, addressing the limitations of previous technologies.
Implementation Method 1
air is ionized by the ionization tube, which usually creates some ozone
Implementation Method 2
generate ionization levels that are insufficient to fully clean and/or sanitize a particular air stream
Implementation Method 3
The ozone dampening catalyst removes at least some of the ozone created by ionizing molecules in the air
Data Source
AI summary
Ionization systems and methods include moving air into contact with one or more ion generators and then past an ozone removal assembly to remove at least some ozone from the air. The air may be moved by a fan and may be filtered before contacting the one or more ion generators. The amount of one or more of the following of the air may be measured: the amount of ions, particulates, temperature, humidity, and other relevant factors. The ionization amount may be adjusted based on one or more of the measured amounts. The one or more ion generators and ozone removal assembly may be constructed as part of a single unit so they can be removed and replaced easily.