Negative ion generating device and air purifier

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Solution Overview

Problem

The conductive fiber brush in negative ion generating devices becomes blocked due to air pollutants being condensed and adsorbed, reducing the generation efficiency of negative ions and the device's effectiveness.

Innovation Solution

A negative ion generating device with a cleaning assembly that includes a rotating cleaning member and a conductive fiber brush, where the cleaning member can freely rotate and contact the conductive fiber brush to remove debris, preventing blockage and extending the brush's service life.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the conductive fiber brush operates continuously to generate negative ions, then the productivity is improved, but the brush becomes blocked due to adsorbed air pollutants, reducing reliability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenegative ion generation efficiencyVSAvoidbrush blockage resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The cleaning member is designed to automatically clean the conductive fiber brush without external intervention. The cleaning member rotates to contact and sweep the brush surface, removing adsorbed pollutants autonomously, allowing the system to maintain its own performance without manual maintenance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The cleaning member rotates periodically to contact and clean the conductive fiber brush at regular intervals. This periodic cleaning action prevents cumulative blockage while maintaining continuous negative ion generation, resolving the contradiction between continuous operation and blockage prevention

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

2Reliability

If a cleaning member is added to prevent brush blockage, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebrush blockage resistanceVSAvoidcleaning assembly structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cleaning function is merged with the existing housing structure. The cleaning member is integrated into the housing rather than being a separate external component, and the housing itself provides structural support for the cleaning mechanism, reducing overall device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The housing serves multiple functions: it contains the negative ion generation components and simultaneously provides the structural framework for the cleaning mechanism. The cleaning member both cleans the brush and rotates within the housing structure, achieving multi-functionality that reduces the need for additional dedicated components

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 cleaning mechanism effectively prevents blockage of the conductive fiber brush, enhancing the device's efficiency and longevity by periodically cleaning the brush, thus maintaining high negative ion generation performance.

Implementation Method 1

The negative ion generating device utilizes the high-voltage direct current at the tip to generate high corona and release a large number of electrons at high speed

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCorona discharge: Corona Discharge

Implementation Method 2

the electrons are immediately captured by the oxygen molecules in the air, thereby generating negative air ions

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectron capture by oxygen molecules: Ionisation

Implementation Method 3

the cleaning member can freely rotate and contact the conductive fiber brush to remove debris

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical friction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP4270690B1Negative ion generating device and air purifier
Publication Date: 2024.11.13 BEIJING XIAOMI MOBILE SOFTWARE CO LTD
  • EP4270690B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4270690B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4270690B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The present invention relates to a negative ion generating device (100) and an air purifier (200). The negative ion generating device (100) includes a housing (10), a negative ion assembly (20), and a cleaning assembly (30). The negative ion assembly (20) is arranged to the housing (10), and the negative ion assembly (20) includes a conductive fiber brush (21). The cleaning assembly (30) is arranged to the housing (10), the cleaning assembly (30) includes a driving mechanism (31) and a cleaning member (32), and the cleaning member (32) can move under action of the power provided by the driving mechanism (31), and contact or separate from the conductive fiber brush (21) during movement.