Flexible Electrode Assembly for Low-Power Plasma Air Purification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air treatment technologies for indoor environments are inadequate in effectively removing health-threatening airborne pollutants, such as pathogens, allergens, and volatile organic compounds, often requiring evacuation or relying on single inactivation mechanisms like UV radiation or chemicals, which are not suitable for normal living conditions.
Innovation Solution
A flexible electrode assembly generating low-power electrical discharge plasma is integrated into an air treatment apparatus with a cyclonic geometry, creating a plasma inactivation zone that effectively neutralizes airborne pollutants by extending the path length of air flow, ensuring multiple interactions with the plasma and preventing pollutant buildup.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If chemical inactivation systems (ozone or hydrogen peroxide vaporizers) are used, then airborne pathogens can be inactivated, but indoor space must be evacuated making them unsuitable for normal living conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operational parameters of plasma generation to achieve effective pathogen inactivation at low power densities (less than 1 W/cm²), allowing continuous operation in occupied spaces. By optimizing the electric field strength and plasma discharge characteristics, the system achieves reliable disinfection without requiring evacuation, thus resolving the contradiction between effectiveness and ease of operation.
2Reliability
If UV radiation systems are used for air purification, then pathogens can be inactivated, but the systems rely on single inactivation mechanisms reducing effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple inactivation mechanisms within a single plasma system. The plasma discharge simultaneously generates reactive oxygen species, UV radiation, and direct electrical discharge effects, creating a multi-mechanism inactivation approach. This combination enhances pathogen inactivation effectiveness while maintaining system simplicity, resolving the contradiction between reliability and adaptability.
3Productivity
If high power plasma discharge is used for rapid pathogen inactivation, then inactivation speed increases, but power consumption becomes excessive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by using low power density plasma discharge (less than 1 W/cm²) that is sufficient for effective pathogen inactivation without excessive energy consumption. The system uses just enough electrical discharge to generate the necessary reactive species and UV radiation for disinfection, achieving a balance between inactivation speed and power consumption.
4Stability of the object's composition
If rigid electrode assemblies are used for plasma generation, then structural stability is maintained, but flexibility for different air flow patterns is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs flexible thin film electrodes that can conform to different air flow patterns and apparatus geometries. These flexible electrodes maintain structural integrity while adapting to various configurations, enabling the plasma generation system to work effectively with different air flow patterns and device designs, thus resolving the contradiction between stability and adaptability.
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 solution provides efficient and continuous inactivation of airborne pathogens, allergens, and VOCs, ensuring purified air without the need for evacuation or excessive power consumption, while maintaining a safe and operational environment.
Implementation Method 1
A flexible electrode assembly generating low-power electrical discharge plasma is integrated into an air treatment apparatus
Implementation Method 2
the power source being further configured to operably ensure that power per unit area applied to the electrode assembly is less than 100 mW/cm2, and wherein supply of voltage to the conducting tracks and the conductive layer generates plasma which is discharged from the conducting tracks
Implementation Method 3
an air treatment apparatus with a cyclonic geometry comprising a cylindrical section and a conical section; the apparatus defining an area of generally circular fluid motion
Implementation Method 4
an electrostatic precipitator configured to charge airborne particles in the vicinity of the electrostatic precipitator to provide charged airborne particles
Data Source
AI summary
A flexible electrode assembly for an air treatment device comprising: a flexible dielectric layer forming an insulating sheet; a plurality of conductive tracks on a first side of the insulating sheet; a conductive layer on a second side of the insulating sheet; wherein supply of voltage to the conducting tracks and the conductive layer generates plasma which is discharged from the conducting tracks. In a further aspect, the present invention also provides an air treatment apparatus for removal of health threatening airborne pollutants, which may include pathogens, from an air flow, the air treatment apparatus comprising an apparatus having a generally cyclonic-shaped geometry comprising a cylindrical section and a conical section. The present invention also relates to an air treatment device comprising the flexible electrode assembly.