Drone Air Cleaner With Electrostatic Dust Collection in Flight
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional air cleaners face limitations in dust collection rate due to dependence on propeller speed and path, with large dust collectors affecting propulsion and control, and requiring high voltage insulation which complicates airflow and control.
Innovation Solution
An air cleaner with a drone equipped with multiple propellers for air intake and exhaust, featuring a cylindrical dust collection electrode and an electric discharge electrode for high-voltage application, positioned to maximize air ionization and dust collection, allowing efficient dust collection across a wide space with improved airflow and reduced weight.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a large dust collector is used to increase dust collection volume, then dust collection capability is improved, but propulsion performance and control stability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The dust collection system is segmented into multiple independent dust collectors (first dust collector with intake port, second dust collector with exhaust port) rather than using a single large dust collector. This segmentation allows the air cleaner to collect dust from different airflow paths simultaneously while maintaining lighter individual components that do not significantly affect propulsion performance.
2Productivity
If high voltage is applied to electrically charge dust particles, then dust collection efficiency is improved, but insulation requirements increase device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The dust collection electrodes are mounted on the propeller blades which serve as intermediaries. The propeller blades naturally insulate the high-voltage electrodes from the conductive drone body and airflow path, eliminating the need for additional insulation structures. The propeller blades act as both the mounting substrate and the insulating barrier.
3Duration of action of moving object
If the air cleaner remains stationary to maximize dust collection, then dust collection time is improved, but dust collection rate per unit time decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The air cleaner maintains continuous dust collection action during flight by mounting dust collection electrodes on all propeller blades. As the propellers rotate during normal flight operations, they continuously generate airflow through the dust collectors and charge dust particles, enabling dust collection to occur continuously without requiring the air cleaner to remain stationary.
4Volume of stationary object
If multiple dust collectors are added to increase air intake volume, then dust collection capability is improved, but device weight and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The propeller blades serve multiple functions: they provide propulsion by generating lift and thrust, and simultaneously serve as mounting substrates for dust collection electrodes. This multi-functionality allows the system to incorporate dust collection capability without adding separate dedicated structures, thereby minimizing additional weight and 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
The solution enhances dust collection capability by ionizing a large volume of air, improving dust collection efficiency and maintaining the air cleaner's stability and ease of maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
an electric discharge electrode disposed in an approximately central site of the dust collection electrode for application of a high voltage between the dust collection electrode and the electric discharge electrode such that electric discharge occurs at a tip end portion of the electric discharge electrode to electrically charge and collect dust particles
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of propellers that take in air from above and exhaust air below are disposed around a main body unit having a control unit that controls flying operations, and floats by propulsion of the plurality of propellers
Implementation Method 3
electric discharge occurs at a tip end portion of the electric discharge electrode to electrically charge and collect dust particles in the air that have flowed into the dust collection electrode
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
Provided is an air cleaner that can take a large amount of air in a large space into a dust collector with good efficiency while being lightweight and having easy maintenance. An air cleaner 1-1 is provided with a drone 2 and a dust collector 4. The drone 2 has a main body unit 20 and propellers 21 - 24 attached to the tips of frames 25 - 28. The dust collector 4 has electric discharge electrodes 41 - 44 and a dust collection electrode 45. The electric discharge electrodes 41 - 44 are connected to a booster unit 33 within a central chamber 40. The booster unit 33 is electrically connected to a control unit 30 in the main body unit 20. Electric discharge is formed between the dust collection electrode 45 and the electric discharge electrodes 41 - 44, and dust particles in the air are charged and collected by the dust collection electrode 45.