Electrical filter structure
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current air filtration systems struggle to effectively remove both small particles and gaseous impurities simultaneously with low pressure drop, leading to increased energy consumption and ozone production, while existing solutions are costly and complex, and provide limited protection against airborne diseases and pollutants.
Innovation Solution
A mobile, integrated air filtration system using wave-like filters with parallel electrodes equipped with UV light sources and photo-catalytic material like TiO2, combining mechanical filtration with PECO and PCO technologies to create a personal clean air breathing zone, which includes a charging unit with corona brushes and disposable filter bags for efficient gas and particle filtration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional electrostatic precipitators are used to filter small particles, then particle filtration efficiency is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The filter construction is divided into separate functional modules: a reusable housing with charging unit and electrostatic collection sections, and disposable filter elements containing the fiber filter and gas filter materials. This segmentation allows the complex electrostatic components to be manufactured separately and assembled into a simpler final product, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining high particle filtration efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a disposable filter element as an intermediary component that combines both particle filtration (via fiber filter) and gas filtration (via gas filter material) functions. This intermediary element simplifies the overall system by integrating multiple filtration mechanisms into a single replaceable unit, eliminating the need for complex integrated systems.
2Manufacturing precision
If electrostatic collection sections are used to charge particles, then small particle filtration is improved, but ozone production increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent acknowledges that ozone production from electrostatic charging cannot be completely eliminated, but converts this harmful effect into a beneficial one by utilizing the ozone and other oxidizing agents for gas phase oxidation of contaminants. The gas filter material is specifically designed to facilitate this oxidation process, transforming the harmful byproduct into a useful disinfectant and odor eliminant.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the electrostatic collection by using a charging unit that operates at controlled voltage levels and by selecting specific gas filter materials that optimize oxidation while minimizing excessive ozone generation. This parameter optimization reduces harmful ozone production while maintaining effective small particle filtration.
3Manufacturing precision
If gas filter material is added to increase gas filtration capacity, then gas filtering ability is improved, but pressure drop increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a two-stage gas filtration approach: first, a relatively thin layer of gas filter material in the disposable element captures the majority of gas phase contaminants through adsorption and oxidation; second, the electrostatic collection sections provide additional gas phase filtration capacity. This partial action approach achieves effective gas filtration without requiring excessive filter material that would cause high pressure drop.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from relying solely on thick gas filter material (one-dimensional depth) to utilizing the electrostatic collection sections (adding a second dimension of electric field-based filtration). This dimensional change allows gas filtration to occur through multiple mechanisms simultaneously, reducing the need for excessive gas filter material and thereby minimizing pressure drop while maintaining high gas filtering ability.
4Manufacturing precision
If multiple consecutive filtering stages are added to increase gas filtering ability, then gas filtration is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The disposable filter element performs preliminary gas phase filtration and oxidation of contaminants before the air reaches the electrostatic collection sections. This preliminary action removes a significant portion of gas phase pollutants, reducing the workload and energy consumption of subsequent filtration stages while maintaining overall high gas filtering ability.
Solution Approach 2:
The gas filter material in the disposable element utilizes the ozone and oxidizing agents generated by the electrostatic charging process to self-oxidize gas phase contaminants. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for additional energy-intensive active oxidation systems, achieving effective gas filtration through passive chemical reactions that occur naturally within the filter element.
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 system achieves effective filtration of both gaseous and particulate impurities with prolonged photo-catalytic effect, low pressure drop, and reduced ozone production, providing a personal clean air zone that reduces the spread of airborne diseases and pollutants, while being cost-effective and energy-efficient.
Implementation Method 1
a charging unit (10), which charges the particles to be filtered into a first electric potential
Implementation Method 2
electrically conducting electrodes (14, 25) connected to a second electric potential different to the potential of the charged particles
Implementation Method 3
each filter element (15) has at least one designated UV-light source (6) and an electrode (14) or grounding element (31) of photo catalytic material like TiO2
Data Source
AI summary
This publication discloses a filter unit connectable to a mobile communication device including a fan for generating an air flow inside the filter unit, electrodes covered with a photo catalytic material like TiO2 in the air flow, UV-LEDs illuminating the electrodes, and outlet for the air flow directed in direction of user of filter unit.