Vehicle Electrostatic Mist Generation Without External Water Supply
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrostatic atomizing apparatuses for vehicles fail to generate nano-sized mist when delivering hot air or dry air, as they require water supply to the discharge electrode, which is not feasible in such conditions.
Innovation Solution
An electrostatic atomizing apparatus with a discharge electrode, an opposite electrode, a cooler to condense moisture, a high voltage power source for atomization, and a mist introducing pipe to deliver the mist into the air duct, allowing for efficient generation and distribution of nano-sized mist without water supply issues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If water is supplied to the discharge electrode to generate nano-sized mist, then the deodorizing and allergen removal effects are improved, but the device cannot operate when delivering hot air or dry air due to lack of moisture
Solution Approach 1:
The discharge electrode cools itself to condense moisture from the air, and the condensed water is then atomized by high voltage discharge. The system uses the air conditioning system's own air flow to provide the moisture source, making the device self-sufficient without external water supply
Solution Approach 2:
The cooler acts as an intermediary that condenses moisture from the air onto the discharge electrode, enabling the atomization process to occur even when no external water is supplied. The air flow itself becomes the source of moisture through the condensation intermediary
2Productivity
If the electrostatic atomizing apparatus is disposed in the air duct to utilize air conditioning system air flow, then the dissemination of nano-sized mist is improved, but water cannot be supplied to the discharge electrode when delivering hot air or dry air
Solution Approach 1:
The discharge electrode generates its own water supply by cooling itself to condense moisture from the passing air. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for external water supply systems while maintaining high mist generation efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The cooler causes moisture in the air to undergo phase transition from gas to liquid by cooling the discharge electrode below the dew point. The condensed liquid water is then atomized back into fine mist through high voltage discharge, utilizing phase transitions to solve the water supply problem
3Reliability
If high voltage is applied to generate nano-sized mist in the air duct, then the deodorizing effect is improved, but noise is generated by the high voltage discharge
Solution Approach 1:
The high voltage discharge and noise-generating components are extracted from the air duct environment and relocated to a separate housing. This isolates the noise source from the passenger compartment while maintaining the deodorizing function through mist generation
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
Enables reliable generation and dissemination of nano-sized mist into the vehicle passenger compartment, effectively removing odors and allergens, regardless of air conditioning system conditions, while minimizing noise and ensuring efficient airflow.
Implementation Method 1
a cooler means that cools the discharge electrode so as to condensate moisture included in the air
Implementation Method 2
a high voltage power source that applies a high voltage between the discharge electrode and the opposite electrode so as to electrostatically atomize the water that has been condensed
Data Source
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AI summary
An electrostatic atomizing apparatus is used in a vehicle having an air conditioning system equipped with an air duct for delivering air into a passenger compartment, comprising a discharge electrode, an opposite electrode opposed to the discharge electrode, a cooler for cooling the discharge electrode, a high voltage power source for applying a high voltage between the discharge electrode and the opposite electrode so as to electrostatically atomize the condensed water deposited on the predetermined portion of the discharge electrode into mist, and a mist introducing pipe that introduces the mist into the air duct.