Ion Generator Conductive Housing Charge Dissipation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air ion generators face issues with charge build-up on surfaces, which repels negative ions, and ion confinement due to lack of a return current path, leading to reduced ion flow and effectiveness over time.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves treating surfaces with conductive materials to create an electrical path for charge dissipation and providing a current return path through electrical grounding or conductive surfaces connected to the ion generator, either through building wiring or conductive features in the environment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If air ion generators are used to produce negative ions, then air cleaning effectiveness is improved, but charge build-up on surfaces occurs which repels negative ions and reduces ion flow over time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful charge build-up from the system by providing a dedicated discharge path through conductive surfaces connected to ground. This allows the accumulated charge to be removed separately from the ion generation process, preventing the repulsion effect that reduces ion flow over time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces conductive surfaces as an intermediary element between the ion generation source and the environment. These surfaces act as charge reservoirs that can safely dissipate accumulated charge to ground, mediating the interaction between the high-voltage ion source and the surrounding air without directly interfering with ion production.
2Productivity
If spaced conductive surfaces are used to generate ions, then negative ion production is achieved, but ion confinement occurs due to lack of return current path
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the housing surfaces serve multiple functions: they act as both structural enclosure and as conductive discharge paths. By integrating the discharge function into the existing housing structure rather than adding separate components, the system achieves charge dissipation without increasing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables the ion generator to self-regulate its electrical charge balance by using its own housing surfaces as the discharge path. The system serves itself by utilizing its structural components for the dual purpose of enclosure and electrical charge management, eliminating the need for external complex electrical path configurations.
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 approach minimizes charge build-up and ion confinement, ensuring a stable and consistent production of negative ions into the desired space by establishing an effective electrical path for ion flow, thereby enhancing the air ionization process.
Implementation Method 1
when the power source is energized, an electrical field with negative ions is generated in the space
Implementation Method 2
an air mover disposed to move air through the space, and a resistive element connected to the second connection and associated with the at least one conductive surface wherein when the power source is energized, an electrical field with negative ions is generated in the space and the negative ions are moved through the opening by the air mover
Implementation Method 3
a resistive element connected to the second connection and associated with the at least one conductive surface wherein when the power source is energized, an electrical field with negative ions is generated in the space and the negative ions are moved through the opening by the air mover with minimal charge build up
Data Source
AI summary
An ion generating device can include a housing with at least one conductive surface and an opening, an anode and a cathode disposed within the housing and having a space between them in fluid communication with the opening, a power source having a negative terminal and a positive terminal with a first connection between the negative terminal and the anode and a second connection between the positive terminal and the cathode, and an air mover disposed to move air through the space.