Electrostatic Air Cleaner Layout for Quiet Particle Capture

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing air cleaners fail to completely remove airborne pollutants and produce noise due to incomplete control of air contaminant dispersion and electro-kinetic air movement without fan use.

Innovation Solution

An air cleaner design incorporating a rear filter, an ionizer grid with a high voltage power supply emitting positively charged ions, a collector grid at ground potential, and a front filter, with features like non-arc tracking materials and modular components to minimize noise and enhance contaminant capture, including optional fans for increased airflow.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If electro-kinetic air movement without fans is used, then noise is reduced, but air movement control and contaminant removal completeness deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovenoiseVSAvoidcontaminant removal completeness

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The air cleaner is divided into multiple functional sections: ionization section with ionizer grid, collection section with collector grid, and filtration section with front and rear filters. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally - the electro-kinetic section moves air quietly while the filtration sections ensure complete contaminant removal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary filtration system (front and rear filters) that works in conjunction with the electro-kinetic air movement system. The filters serve as intermediaries to capture contaminants that the electro-kinetic system moves through the device, ensuring complete removal while maintaining quiet operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If conventional air cleaners are used, then some contaminants are removed, but complete control of contaminant dispersion is achieved poorly and noise is produced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontaminant removal effectivenessVSAvoidnoise

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the traditional mechanical fan-based air movement system with an electro-kinetic system using ionizer and collector grids. This substitution eliminates mechanical moving parts that generate noise while maintaining effective air movement through electrostatic forces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of manufacture

If sharp and jagged edges are present on grids, then manufacturing is easier, but coronal discharge and audible noise increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegrid fabricationVSAvoidcoronal discharge and noise

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent specifies that the ionizer and collector grids should have rounded or curved edges rather than sharp or jagged edges. This curvature reduces coronal discharge and audible noise while still allowing for practical manufacturing through techniques like bending metal strips or using pre-formed grid components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

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 removes 100% of airborne particles and reduces noise by utilizing electrostatic charges for air movement and filtration, with modular components for easy maintenance and ozone removal catalysts to comply with environmental standards.

Implementation Method 1

an ionizer grid coupled to a high voltage power supply, which receives air from the rear air filter and emits positively charged ions that apply an electrostatic charge to the air

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrostatic charge: Electrostatics

Implementation Method 2

a collector grid coupled to ground, which attracts the electrostatically charged air

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectIon movement: Ion Repulsion/Attraction

Implementation Method 3

the electrostatic charge applied to the air causes the air to move through the air cleaner in the direction of the collector grid

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectro-kinetic air movement: Electrostatics

Implementation Method 4

a front filter, which receives the air from the collector grid and collects contaminants suspended therein

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Data Source

PatentUS10518272B2Air cleaner

Publication Date: 2019.12.31 CURRENT WAYS

AI summary

An air cleaner includes a rear filter receiving air from the outer environment, an ionizer grid connected to a high voltage power supply and having wires extending between opposite sides of a frame such to emit positively charged ions and apply an electrostatic charge on the air received from the rear filter; a collector grid connected to ground and having wires extending between opposite sides of a frame, the combination of the ionizer and collector grids causing the air to move toward the collector grid; a front filter collecting contaminants suspended in the air received from the collector grid; and an apparatus frame housing the rear filter, the ionizer and collector grids, and the front filter, wherein the frames of the ionizer and collector grids are suspended within the apparatus frame with isolating members made of a non-arc tracking material, such to minimize coronal discharge and reduce audible noise.