Air conditioner and air purifier including electrostatic precipitator
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air conditioners and air purifiers face challenges in efficiently removing airborne particulate matter, particularly PM2.5, due to limitations in electrostatic precipitator design, which often result in spark discharge and inefficiencies in ion generation and collection, leading to increased device thickness and cost.
Innovation Solution
An integrated electrostatic precipitator design where charging and dust collection structures are integrated on the same plane, utilizing conductive and non-conductive members, with discharge and collection electrodes arranged parallel to airflow, ensuring stable ion generation and collection without spark discharge.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If discharge electrodes and collection electrodes are arranged in a conventional configuration, then dust collection function is provided, but spark discharge occurs and device thickness increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the charging region and dust collecting region into a single integrated structure where discharge electrodes and collection electrodes are arranged on the same plane. This integration eliminates the need for separate charging and collecting sections, reducing overall device thickness while maintaining reliable discharge operation through optimized electrode spacing and configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a conventional three-dimensional stacked electrode arrangement to a two-dimensional planar configuration. By arranging all electrodes (discharge and collection) on the same plane perpendicular to airflow, the design reduces the third dimension (device thickness) while maintaining effective electrostatic precipitation through optimized in-plane electrode positioning.
2Productivity
If conventional electrostatic precipitator design is used, then dust collection is achieved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated electrode structure combines multiple functions (charging and dust collection) into a single assembly, reducing the total number of components that need to be manufactured and assembled. This merger simplifies the manufacturing process and reduces costs while maintaining dust collection efficiency through the optimized electrode configuration on the same plane.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrode assembly serves multiple functions simultaneously: discharge electrodes generate ions for charging particles, while collection electrodes on the same plane capture charged particles. This multi-functionality within a single integrated structure eliminates the need for separate charging and collecting components, reducing manufacturing complexity and cost.
3Length of stationary object
If integrated electrode design is used, then device thickness is reduced, but electrode arrangement complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs asymmetric electrode arrangement where discharge electrodes and collection electrodes are positioned at specific non-uniform intervals on the same plane. This asymmetric configuration optimizes the electric field distribution for effective particle charging and collection while maintaining a compact thickness, and the regular alternating pattern actually simplifies manufacturing compared to complex symmetric designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrode arrangement features local optimization where specific electrode spacing and positioning are tailored to create optimal electric field conditions in different regions of the airflow path. This local quality approach ensures effective dust collection throughout the device while maintaining overall structural simplicity and reduced thickness.
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 integrated design achieves efficient PM2.5 removal with reduced device thickness and cost, enhancing airflow stability and collection efficiency while maintaining a stable discharge process.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of discharge electrodes and a plurality of ground electrodes alternately arranged, and a plurality of collection electrodes and a plurality of high-voltage electrodes alternately arranged, which are integrated on the same plane
Implementation Method 2
configured to collect the airborne particulate matter charged by the generated ions by using Coulomb force
Data Source
AI summary
An air conditioner having an electrostatic precipitator including a plurality of charging electrodes to generate ions by corona, the charging electrodes including one or more ground electrodes and one or more discharge electrodes, and a plurality of dust collection electrodes configured to collect airborne particulate matter charged by the generated ions by using Coulomb force, the dust collection electrodes including one or more collection electrodes and one or more high-voltage electrodes. The one or more discharge electrodes, the one or more ground electrodes, the one or more high-voltage electrodes, and the one or more collection electrodes are arranged on a same plane so that spaces therebetween extend in a direction parallel to an airflow direction through the air conditioner, and the one or more high-voltage electrodes and the one or more collection electrodes each include a conductive member, and a non-conductive member formed on the conductive member.