Filter system for filtering a flow, extractor hood comprising such filter, and method for filtering air

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional air filter systems, both passive and active, face issues with varying performance due to maintenance dependency and energy consumption, with active filters producing ozone continuously and requiring additional energy.

Innovation Solution

A filter system combining an electrostatic filter with a plasma filter, where the electrostatic filter uses a direct voltage and glass fibre material to trap contaminants, and the plasma filter generates ozone radicals for additional cleaning, controlled by sensors and a controller to optimize energy use and reduce ozone production.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If active filters (plasma filter) are used to generate ozone for air cleaning, then air cleaning effectiveness is improved, but energy consumption increases and continuous ozone production occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair cleaning effectivenessVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The plasma filter is controlled to operate periodically rather than continuously. The controller activates the plasma filter based on sensor detection of contamination levels, creating a periodic action that maintains air cleaning effectiveness while reducing energy consumption and minimizing continuous ozone production.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

A sensor detects contamination levels in the air flow and provides feedback to the controller, which adjusts plasma filter operation accordingly. This feedback mechanism ensures air cleaning effectiveness is maintained only when needed, reducing unnecessary energy consumption and ozone production.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Device complexity

If conventional passive filters are used for air filtering, then结构简单性 is maintained, but performance varies strongly depending on maintenance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefilter structure simplicityVSAvoidfiltering performance consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The electrostatic filter automatically eliminates contaminations trapped in the glass fibre material through electric discharge. This self-service mechanism maintains consistent filtering performance without requiring manual maintenance or replacement of the glass fibre filter, resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and performance consistency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The filter combines glass fibre material with electrostatic discharge capability to create a composite filtering system. The glass fibre provides physical filtration while the electrostatic component provides self-cleaning, maintaining both structural simplicity and reliable consistent performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Reliability

If glass fibre material is used in electrostatic filter, then filtering of contaminations is improved, but contamination trapping in glass fibre requires additional cleaning

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontamination trapping effectivenessVSAvoidfilter maintenance requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The electrostatic filter automatically eliminates contaminations trapped in the glass fibre material through electric discharge. This self-service mechanism maintains consistent filtering performance without requiring manual maintenance or replacement of the glass fibre filter, resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and performance consistency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The electric discharge that could potentially damage the glass fibre is instead used beneficially to eliminate trapped contaminations. This converts a potential harmful effect into a useful self-cleaning function, improving contamination trapping effectiveness while eliminating maintenance requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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 combination achieves effective air cleaning with reduced energy consumption and maintenance needs, eliminating the need for carbon filters, providing consistent performance and lower costs while minimizing ozone production.

Implementation Method 1

The electrostatic filter preferably realizes a direct voltage of for instance 5 kV which is transmitted to a screen/gaze. Gaze includes screens, grids and similar elements. A first gaze or screen acts as a first electrode and a second gaze or screen acts as a second electrode. The electrodes are separated, preferably using a filling material to fill the gap between the two electrodes.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrostatic field: Electric Field

Implementation Method 2

Providing a plasma filter, with the plasma filter being capable of functioning as an ozone generator, achieves an additional air cleaning. The plasma filter generates ozone and/or radicals that react with contaminations, such as odours, in the indrawn air.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPlasma: Plasma

Implementation Method 3

The glass fibre material cooperates with the electrostatic filter such that an electric discharge eliminates the contaminations trapped in the glass fibre material.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrostatic discharge: Electrostatic Discharge

Data Source

PatentEP3532776B1Filter system for filtering a flow, extractor hood comprising such filter, and method for filtering air
Publication Date: 2020.12.23 PLASMAMADE BV
  • EP3532776B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP3532776B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2C
  • EP3532776B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3C

AI summary

The present invention relates to a filter system, extractor hood provided therewith and method for filtering air. The filter system comprises: - a filter housing having a suction opening for inlet of an indrawn flow and an outlet for outlet of a filtered flow; an electrostatic filter configured for electrostatic filtering of the indrawn flow, with the electrostatic filter comprising a first gaze acting as a first electrode and a second gaze acting as a second electrode that is placed at a distance of the first gaze, and a filing material provided between the first and second gazes; a plasma filter configured for generating ozone and providing the ozone to the indrawn flow; a sensor for measuring characteristics of the indrawn airflow and capable of generating measurement input; and - a controller operatively connected to the sensor, wherein the controller comprises an ozone activator configured to activate the plasma filter in response to the measurement input.