Ionizer Cleaning Mechanism for Dust-Free Electrode Maintenance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ionizers that use corona discharge for static electricity neutralization face issues with dust accumulation on discharge electrodes, leading to reduced ion generation efficiency and potential contamination of the environment or target workpieces during cleaning, as the cleaning process can scatter dust particles and disrupt air flow.
Innovation Solution
An ionizer design with a detachable cleaning mechanism that allows for cleaning of discharge electrodes without interrupting air flow, where the cleaning member is moved to a retraction position when the electrode support frames are attached, preventing dust scattering and maintaining air flow efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a cleaning member is provided inside the air-blow hole to clean discharge electrodes, then the discharge electrodes can be cleaned, but the movable member and cleaning member shut off or disturb the air flow, decreasing air-blowing efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The ionizer is divided into a cleaning unit (discharge electrode support frame with cleaning member) and an air-blowing unit (fan and air-blow hole). The cleaning unit can be detached from the air-blowing unit, allowing cleaning operations to be performed separately without interfering with air flow. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by enabling both cleaning capability and air-blowing efficiency to function independently.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning member is extracted from the air-blow hole and placed on a detachable support frame. When cleaning is needed, the support frame is detached and the cleaning member is used outside the air-blow hole, eliminating the obstruction to air flow. This extraction allows the cleaning function to be performed without compromising air-blowing efficiency.
2Ease of operation
If cleaning is performed inside the air-blow hole, then discharge electrodes can be cleaned, but ion recombination occurs due to mixture of positive and negative ions caused by air disturbance
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning function is segmented from the ion generation zone. The cleaning member is mounted on a detachable support frame that can be removed from the air-blow hole, allowing cleaning to be performed in a separate location. This prevents air disturbance in the ion generation zone and avoids ion recombination, maintaining ion generation efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The detachable support frame acts as an intermediary that enables cleaning operations without directly interfering with the air-blow hole. By providing a separate mounting structure for the cleaning member, it allows cleaning accessibility while preventing the cleaning mechanism from obstructing air flow and causing ion recombination.
3Ease of operation
If cleaning member is placed inside air-blow hole, then cleaning can be performed, but dust particles swept off are scattered by air flow, causing contamination of environment or workpieces
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning operation is extracted from the enclosed air-blow hole and performed outside it using the detachable support frame. This allows dust particles to be collected and contained during cleaning without being scattered by the air flow inside the air-blow hole, preventing contamination of the environment or workpieces while maintaining cleaning convenience.
Solution Approach 2:
The air flow that would normally scatter dust particles during cleaning is converted into a benefit by performing cleaning outside the air-blow hole. The same air flow system that could cause harm (dust scattering) is instead used to maintain a clean environment during operation, while cleaning is performed in a separate location where dust can be contained.
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 effectively prevents dust scattering and maintains air flow efficiency, ensuring cleaner discharge electrodes and improved ion delivery to workpieces without contaminating the environment or target workpieces.
Implementation Method 1
Through the application of a positive high voltage to the positive discharge electrodes and the application of a negative high voltage to the negative discharge electrodes, corona discharge is generated at the discharging part of each of the discharge electrodes, which is the front-end part thereof. Positive ions and negative ions are generated due to the corona discharge.
Implementation Method 2
The generated positive and negative ions are blown on a workpiece, which is the target of diselectrification, with the use of a flow of destaticizing air.
Data Source
AI summary
Discharge electrodes for generating ion and a member for cleaning the discharge electrodes are mounted on an electrode support frame, which is detachably attached to the case of an ionizer. When the electrode support frame is attached to the case, the cleaning member occupies a retraction position where the cleaning member does not shut off or disturb air that is supplied from a fan. Upon the detachment of the electrode support frame from the case, the cleaning member becomes moveable. Then, the cleaning member is moved while being brought into contact with the discharging parts of the discharge electrodes one after another. As a result, the cleaning member sweeps dust or other particles off the discharging parts thereof.