Electrostatic precipitator and indoor unit of air conditioner

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electrostatic precipitators in air conditioners face challenges in balancing airflow resistance and dust collection performance, necessitating a design that suppresses airflow resistance while improving dust collection efficiency.

Innovation Solution

The electrostatic precipitator design includes a discharge electrode with protrusions aligned along a wall portion, a counter electrode, and a specific relationship between the distances D1 and D2 to optimize airflow and dust collection, utilizing a honeycomb structure for the counter electrode to maintain airflow resistance and enhance dust collection performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the distance between discharge electrode and counter electrode is reduced to improve dust collection performance, then dust collection efficiency increases, but airflow resistance increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedust collection performanceVSAvoidairflow resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The discharge electrode is divided into multiple segments with protrusions at different positions along the airflow direction. This segmentation allows the electric field to be distributed more evenly, maintaining effective dust collection across a larger volume while preserving airflow passages that reduce resistance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Protrusions are added to the discharge electrode in the direction perpendicular to the airflow, creating a three-dimensional electric field distribution. This dimensional addition increases the effective discharge area and dust collection volume without narrowing the airflow path, thus maintaining low airflow resistance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Productivity

If the discharge area of counter electrode is increased to improve dust collection, then dust collection performance improves, but device complexity and space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedust collection performanceVSAvoidelectrode structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The protrusions on the discharge electrode serve multiple functions: they increase the discharge area, create multiple ionization zones, and guide airflow patterns. This multi-functionality achieves enhanced dust collection without adding separate components, thereby reducing overall device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 design effectively suppresses airflow resistance while improving dust collection performance, allowing for efficient air purification by the electrostatic precipitator in air conditioners.

Implementation Method 1

The discharge electrode is disposed on an upstream side of the air flow to generate corona discharge

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCorona discharge: Corona Discharge

Implementation Method 2

An electrostatic precipitator is a device that charges dust particles in air passing through an air passageway and captures and collects them using electrostatic force

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrostatic force: Electrostatics

Data Source

PatentEP4653094A1Electrostatic precipitator and indoor unit of air conditioner
Publication Date: 2025.11.26 CARRIER JAPAN CORP
  • EP4653094A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4653094A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4653094A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

An electrostatic precipitator (60) includes a discharge electrode (62), a counter electrode (64), and a wall portion (66). The discharge electrode (62) is disposed on an upstream side of the air flow to generate corona discharge. The counter electrode (64) is disposed on a downstream side of the air flow, while opposing the discharge electrode (62), to collect dust contained in the air. The wall portion (66) is disposed between the discharge electrode (62) and the counter electrode (64) and guides the air from the discharge electrode (62) toward the counter electrode (64). The discharge electrode (62) has a plurality of protrusions (62a) aligned along the wall portion (66) and protruding toward the wall portion (66). When the distance between the discharge electrode (62) and the counter electrode (64) is denoted as D1, and the distance between the protrusions (62a) of the discharge electrode (62) and the wall portion (66) is denoted as D2, the relationship, D1 < D2 < 1.5 × D1 is satisfied.