Bypass Airflow Air Cleaner for Stable Plasma Electrode Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Air cleaners with multiple cleaning stages face reduced efficiency due to contaminants adhering to plasma discharge electrodes, leading to inhibited plasma generation and ineffective cleaning, especially when the electrode is positioned downstream to avoid contamination.
Innovation Solution
An air cleaner design with a first cleaning portion using a filter and a second cleaning portion featuring an electrode and ground plate, where a blower creates a bypass air flow that reverses air direction to prevent contaminants from reaching the plasma discharge electrode, stabilizing the cleaning function and enhancing the effectiveness of both cleaning stages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the plasma discharge electrode is disposed on the downstream side of multiple cleaning stages to avoid contamination, then the electrode is protected from contaminant adhesion, but the air cleaner cannot perform plasma discharge cleaning on upstream contaminated air
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the air flow path into two separate paths: a first flow path for uncleaned air that bypasses the plasma electrode, and a second flow path for cleaned air that passes through the plasma electrode. This segmentation allows each path to serve its specific function without contamination interference, resolving the contradiction between electrode protection and cleaning coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a blower as an intermediary device that actively manages air flow distribution between the first and second flow paths. The blower creates positive pressure to drive air through the appropriate path, enabling the system to dynamically control which air streams contact the plasma electrode, thus protecting it while maintaining comprehensive cleaning capability.
2Productivity
If the plasma discharge electrode is exposed to contaminated air for cleaning purposes, then cleaning coverage is maximized, but contaminants accumulate on the electrode and inhibit plasma generation
Solution Approach 1:
The air flow is segmented into two distinct paths: one path allows contaminated air to pass through cleaning stages without contacting the plasma electrode, while another path directs cleaned air through the plasma electrode for final treatment. This segmentation prevents contaminant accumulation on the electrode while maintaining comprehensive cleaning coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary cleaning through the first cleaning portion with filter means before air reaches the plasma discharge electrode. This preliminary action removes bulk contaminants in advance, protecting the electrode from direct exposure to harmful substances while still enabling effective plasma discharge cleaning in the second stage.
3Reliability
If a bypass air flow path is introduced to protect the plasma electrode, then electrode stability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The blower serves multiple functions: it drives air through the first flow path, creates positive pressure in the downstream connecting space, and controls the distribution of air between the first and second flow paths. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional dedicated components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while achieving electrode protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the functions of air circulation and flow path control into a single blower component. The blower simultaneously manages the first flow path for uncleaned air and the second flow path for cleaned air, consolidating what could have been separate complex systems into one integrated component, thus minimizing added complexity.
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
This design stabilizes the air cleaner's function by preventing contaminant accumulation on the plasma discharge electrode, ensuring effective cleaning and maintaining the efficiency of both cleaning stages, even in the presence of airborne contaminants.
Implementation Method 1
a blower (31) disposed in a position in the first flow path between the first cleaning means and the downstream side connecting space, and at which position the blower (31) makes both the vicinity of the blowout opening and the vicinity of one end of the second flow path facing to the downstream side connecting space into a positive pressure as a result of the blower (31) being driven to rotate
Implementation Method 2
generates active species of high-speed electrons, ions and hydroxy radicals whose reaction activity is regarded as high and sends these to the adsorption portion to perform cleaning
Implementation Method 3
a second cleaning means (63) disposed in the second flow path and having an electrode (70) and a ground plate (73)
Implementation Method 4
a first cleaning portion (40) disposed in the first flow path and having a filter means (41a) that passes therethrough from an upstream side to a downstream side
Data Source
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AI summary
To provide an air cleaner which, even when the air cleaner employs a cleaning function for which there is the potential for the exhibition efficiency of the function to be reduced by contaminants in the air, is capable of stabilizing the exhibition of that function. A body portion (2) includes suction openings (13, 14) and a blowout opening (12). A main air flow path interconnects the suction openings (13, 14) and the blowout opening (12). An air cleaning unit (40) is disposed on the main air flow path and cleans the air that passes therethrough. A bypass air flow path bypasses a space on the suction openings side of the air cleaning unit (40) and a space on the blowout opening side of the air cleaning unit (40) in the main air flow path. A streamer discharge unit (63) is disposed in the bypass air flow path and generates active species. A blowing fan (31) is disposed inside the body portion (2) and is driven to rotate, whereby the blowing fan forms a main air flow (F1) that leads from the suction openings (13, 14) to the blowout opening (12) in the main air flow path and a bypass air flow (F2) that leads from a space on the blowout opening (12) side to a space on the suction openings (13, 14) side in the bypass air flow path.