Air Purifier Ion Cloud Sterilization to Prevent Filter Biofilm Growth
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Solution Overview
Problem
Air purifiers capture microorganisms in their filters, leading to rapid growth and biofilm formation when not in use, which reduces filter lifespan and poses health hazards.
Innovation Solution
An air purifier with an ioniser that generates an ion cloud to sterilize internal surfaces and filter media, using a corona discharge tip and receiving electrode to create an ion cloud between the tip and ground electrode, and an optional exterior ioniser to aggregate dust particles, combined with controlled air flow speeds to prevent microorganism growth.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If air purifier operates in idle mode to conserve energy, then energy consumption is reduced, but microorganisms grow rapidly on filter media
Solution Approach 1:
The ionizer is activated before the filter media becomes contaminated with microorganisms, creating an ion cloud that sterilizes the filter surface in advance. This preliminary sterilization action prevents microorganism growth during subsequent idle periods when energy consumption would otherwise be high.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the idle mode, which would normally allow microorganism growth, into an opportunity by using the ionizer to create a protective ion cloud on the filter media. The harmful idle period becomes beneficial when combined with ionization for sterilization.
2Reliability
If ionizer is activated continuously to prevent microorganism growth, then sterilization effectiveness is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ionizer is activated periodically rather than continuously, specifically during periods when microorganism growth is likely to occur or after the purifier has been idle. This periodic activation maintains sterilization effectiveness while significantly reducing overall energy consumption compared to continuous operation.
3Productivity
If filter media captures microorganisms efficiently, then air purification performance is improved, but filter lifespan is reduced due to biofilm formation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the captured microorganisms, which would normally form harmful biofilms, into charged particles through ionization. These charged particles are then attracted to and removed by the ion-receiving electrode, transforming a harmful byproduct into a removable substance and extending filter lifespan.
Solution Approach 2:
The ion cloud acts as an intermediary mechanism between the filter media and microorganisms. By charging the microorganisms through ionization, the system creates a new pathway for their removal via electrostatic attraction to the receiving electrode, preventing biofilm formation on the filter.
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
Effectively prevents microorganism growth and viability on internal surfaces and filters, reducing health risks and extending filter lifespan by using ionisation and low air speed to sterilize surfaces, even when the purifier is in idle mode.
Implementation Method 1
An air purifier with an ioniser that generates an ion cloud to sterilize internal surfaces and filter media, using a corona discharge tip and receiving electrode to create an ion cloud between the tip and ground electrode
Implementation Method 2
an ionizing assembly that operates to charge particulate material in an air flow passing through the purifier. The charged particulate material is attracted to and retained by a filter element disposed downstream of the ionization assembly and having an electrical charge opposite to the charged particulate material
Implementation Method 3
The charged particulate material is attracted to and retained by a filter element disposed downstream of the ionization assembly and having an electrical charge opposite to the charged particulate material
Data Source
AI summary
A method for sterilising an internal surface of an air purifier or filter media in an air purifier by subjecting said internal surface or filter media to an ion cloud.