Cylindrical Electrostatic Air Purifier with Rinsable Filter Stages
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional air purifiers face efficiency decline as filters and collecting units become dirty, with difficult cleaning of the collecting unit and frequent replacement needs of HEPA filters.
Innovation Solution
An improved air purifying system with a programmable design featuring a series of filters, including a pre-filter, activated carbon filter, and electrostatic filter, along with a cylindrical electrostatic filter that can be easily rinsed, and a control panel for operational modes, alerts, and automatic on/off functions to enhance efficiency and maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If HEPA filters are used to achieve high filtration efficiency (99.97% of particles), then filtration performance is improved, but filter replacement frequency increases and maintenance complexity worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The filtration system is divided into multiple independent filter stages (pre-filter, electrostatic filter, HEPA filter) that can be cleaned and maintained separately. The electrostatic filter section can be rinsed and reused, extending the overall system lifespan and reducing replacement frequency while maintaining high filtration efficiency through the staged approach.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an electrostatic field parameter to enhance particle capture before the HEPA filter. By charging particles electrically, the system improves filtration efficiency at earlier stages, reducing the load on the HEPA filter and extending its service life, thereby reducing replacement frequency.
2Reliability
If electrostatic filters are used to charge and collect particles, then filtration efficiency is improved, but cleaning difficulty of the collecting unit worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The electrostatic filter is segmented into a reusable charging section and a collectible particle section. The housing design allows the particle-collecting components to be easily removed and rinsed separately from the electrostatic charging elements, making maintenance simple while preserving filtration efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a water rinsing system to clean the electrostatic filter collecting unit. By using hydraulic flow to flush away collected particles, the cleaning process becomes simple and effective, resolving the cleaning difficulty while maintaining filtration efficiency.
3Reliability
If multiple filter types are combined to improve filtration performance, then air purification effectiveness is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The air purification system is divided into distinct functional modules (pre-filter section, electrostatic filter section, HEPA filter section) arranged in series. Each module handles specific particle sizes and types, achieving high air purification effectiveness while keeping the overall structure organized and manageable through clear segmentation.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrostatic filter section serves multiple functions: it charges particles for enhanced capture, collects particles before the HEPA filter, and can be rinsed for maintenance. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, managing device complexity while maintaining high purification effectiveness.
4Productivity
If filters are allowed to operate until efficiency decreases, then operational continuity is improved, but air purification effectiveness worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The system includes monitoring mechanisms that detect when filters approach the end of their effective service life. This feedback triggers alerts or automatic shutdowns, ensuring air purification effectiveness is maintained while allowing maximum operational continuity by preventing premature replacements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary cleaning of the electrostatic filter sections through rinsing before the HEPA filter becomes saturated. This preliminary maintenance action restores efficiency and extends operational continuity without requiring full system shutdown or filter replacement.
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 maintains high efficiency by alerting for filter cleaning or replacement, automatically adjusting fan speed based on air quality, and ensuring continuous operation with reduced filter maintenance needs, providing effective air purification with customizable settings.
Implementation Method 1
The ionizer 104 functions to charge smaller particles electrically to have a positive polarity. This is done by corona discharge between a discharge electrode 104b and ground electrodes 104a positioned on both sides of the discharge electrode 104b.
Implementation Method 2
When the positively charged particles flow between the horizontal partitions 106a of the electrostatic filter 106, the particles are adsorbed and collected on the negatively charged horizontal partitions by electrostatic attraction.
Data Source
AI summary
An air purifying system having two series of specific filters vertically arranged around a central, cylindrical electrostatic filter to facilitate removal of particles from the air. Removable filters include a pre-filter, an activated carbon filter and a cold catalyst filter, in addition to the electrostatic cylindrical filter. Additional filters or alternate filters may be used, so long as there is no negative impact on the system efficiency and effectiveness.