Balanced bipolar ionizer based on unbalanced high-voltage output
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bipolar ionizers often produce ozone concentrations exceeding safety limits due to variations in transformer voltages and continuous operation, leading to reduced ionization efficacy and increased energy consumption.
Innovation Solution
A balanced bipolar ionizer with a high-voltage output ratio less than 80% and a bipolar ion concentration ratio greater than 80%, utilizing a signal conditioning element and step-up transformer to generate consistent ion concentrations across a range of voltages, and incorporating features like input voltage feedback and microprocessor control to adjust frequency and duty cycle, ensuring ozone concentrations remain below safety limits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If known bipolar ionizers operate at transformer voltages from 24 to 30 VAC, then ionization output increases, but ozone concentrations exceed safety limits
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the electrical parameters by operating at frequencies above 50 Hz (specifically 60 Hz or higher) rather than the standard 50-60 Hz range, and by using pulse-width modulation to control the duty cycle of the high voltage output. This parameter change allows the system to maintain effective ionization output while reducing ozone generation to below detectable levels, even across varying transformer voltages from 24 to 30 VAC.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic control through microprocessor-based PWM (pulse-width modulation) that continuously adjusts the duty cycle and frequency of the high voltage output based on feedback from voltage sensing circuits. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to maintain optimal ionization performance while adapting to voltage variations and preventing ozone exceedance, rather than operating at fixed parameters.
2Reliability
If bipolar ionizers are operated continuously to maintain ion concentration, then ionization efficacy is maintained, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic pulsed operation instead of continuous operation by using PWM control to switch the high voltage output on and off in controlled cycles. The duty cycle is adjusted to deliver ionization bursts that maintain effective ion concentrations in the air while allowing periods of reduced operation, thereby significantly reducing energy consumption compared to continuous operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates feedback control through voltage sensing circuits that monitor the transformer output voltage and provide feedback to the microprocessor. This feedback enables the system to adjust the PWM duty cycle and frequency in real-time to maintain consistent ionization performance across varying voltage conditions without requiring continuous maximum-power operation, thus reducing energy consumption while maintaining reliability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If bipolar ionizers are designed to operate at varying transformer voltages (24-30 VAC), then adaptability improves, but ozone control becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses dynamic PWM control with microprocessor-based adjustment that continuously monitors the input voltage level and adapts the high voltage output parameters accordingly. When voltage varies from 24 to 30 VAC, the system dynamically adjusts the duty cycle and frequency to maintain safe ozone levels while preserving ionization effectiveness, rather than being fixed at a single operating point.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes operational parameters by operating at frequencies above 50 Hz and using PWM duty cycle variation to decouple the relationship between input voltage and ozone output. This allows the system to accept a wide voltage range (24-30 VAC) and through parameter adjustment, consistently maintain ozone concentrations below safety limits regardless of the specific input voltage level.
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 achieves zero or near-zero ozone concentrations, maintaining high ionization efficacy while reducing energy consumption and ensuring compliance with safety standards across varying transformer voltages.
Implementation Method 1
a step-up transformer to receive the excitation signal from the signal conditioning element and provide a step-up transformer output voltage
Implementation Method 2
a positive voltage multiplier to receive the step-up transformer output voltage and provide a positive high-voltage DC output to a positive-ion electrode to generate a positive-ion concentration, and a negative voltage multiplier to receive the step-up transformer output voltage and provide a negative high-voltage DC output to a negative-ion electrode to generate a negative-ion concentration
Implementation Method 3
Bipolar ionizers may also be installed on a fan motor or a fan blade or inside an air duct or on the inlet of a fan of an air cleaner. Known bipolar ionizers are used to produce high concentrations of positive and negative ions
Implementation Method 4
Bipolar ionizers are used to produce high concentrations of positive and negative ions which attach to particles in a volume of air or particles in an airflow volume causing said particles to become positively or negatively charged and combine with other particles which become larger and heavier
Implementation Method 5
Bipolar ionization also breaks down hydrocarbon chains in harmful Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) into harmless compounds such as oxygen, nitrogen, water vapor, and carbon dioxide
Data Source
AI summary
A balanced bipolar ionizer that generates zero or nearly-zero ozone concentration by providing a bipolar ion concentration ratio greater than 80 percent based on a high-voltage output ratio less than 80 percent over a range of electric signal inputs. A signal-conditioning element provides an excitation signal to a step-up transformer which provides an output voltage to a positive and a negative voltage multiplier which provide a positive high-voltage output greater than an absolute value of a negative high-voltage output or vice versa. The high-voltage output ratio is equal to a minimum of an absolute value of a negative and positive high-voltage output divided by a maximum of the absolute value of the negative and positive high-voltage output. The bipolar ion-concentration ratio is equal to a minimum of an absolute value of a negative-ion and positive-ion concentration divided by a maximum of the absolute value of the negative-ion and positive-ion concentration.