Self-cleaning device for generating ions
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air treatment systems face challenges in maintaining the functionality of ion emitters due to dust and debris accumulation, necessitating improved methods for automatic cleaning.
Innovation Solution
A device with a housing containing electrodes and a cleaning apparatus driven by a motor within the housing, which moves to clean the electrodes, ensuring they remain free of dust and debris.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If ion emitters are used for air treatment, then air treatment functionality is provided, but dust and debris accumulate on the electrodes reducing performance
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning apparatus is automatically actuated by a motor to clean the electrodes without requiring external manual intervention. The system performs self-maintenance by generating its own cleaning action through the motor-driven movement of the cleaning apparatus along the electrodes, removing dust and debris accumulation that would otherwise degrade ion emitter functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning apparatus is designed to move dynamically along the electrodes rather than being stationary. The motor actuates the cleaning apparatus to traverse the length of the electrodes, providing continuous or periodic cleaning action that adapts to the accumulation of dust and debris, thereby maintaining reliable ion emitter functionality over time.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If manual cleaning of electrodes is performed, then dust and debris are removed, but system downtime and maintenance complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-maintenance through the automated cleaning apparatus that is actuated by an integrated motor. This eliminates the need for external manual cleaning operations, reducing maintenance complexity and system downtime while effectively removing dust and debris from the electrodes.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning apparatus acts as an intermediary mechanism between the motor and the electrodes. It transfers the cleaning action from the motor to the electrodes, enabling automated removal of dust and debris without requiring direct manual intervention, thereby reducing maintenance complexity while achieving effective cleaning.
3Extent of automation
If cleaning apparatus is added to the housing, then electrode cleaning is enabled, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning apparatus and motor are integrated within the existing housing structure, merging the cleaning function with the ion generation system. This combination approach enables automatic cleaning capability while minimizing the increase in overall device complexity by sharing the housing and structural components between the ion emission and cleaning functions.
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 maintains the functionality of ion emitters by automatically cleaning them, enhancing the performance and reliability of air treatment systems.
Implementation Method 1
a motor contained within the housing actuates the cleaning apparatus
Implementation Method 2
the cleaning apparatus contacts the electrodes when it moves, cleaning the electrodes
Data Source
AI summary
A device for generating ions that includes a housing with a first portion and a second portion having a cavity therein. A first voltage wire and a second voltage wire are electrically coupled to an ionization module. A first electrode is electrically coupled to the first voltage wire configured to emit ions and a second electrode electrically coupled to the second voltage wire is configured to emit ions. An electrode cleaning apparatus is slidingly disposed within the cavity of the housing configured to contact both the first electrode and the second electrode. The electrode cleaning apparatus is powered by a motor, causing the electrode cleaning apparatus to contact the first electrode and the second electrode for cleaning.