CN211914186U - Air purification apparatus for separating airborne particles from an air stream - Google Patents

Abstract

An air purification device for separating airborne particles from an air flow, the air purification device comprising an ionization unit arranged to create an ionization volume for charging airborne particles present in the air flow; the ionization unit includes an air inlet duct including a tapered cross section, an emitter electrode, and a collector electrode. The collector forms part of a conical cross-section. The emitter electrode comprises at least one corona discharge point, wherein said corona discharge point is directed towards the aperture of the air intake conduit. This enables the generation of a substantially uniform ionization volume when using the air purification apparatus, thereby providing substantially uniform charging of airborne particles in the ionization volume.

Description

Air purification apparatus for separating airborne particles from an air stream

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to the field of air purification. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to an air purification apparatus for separating airborne particles (airborn particles) from an air stream.

Background

In many different technical fields, like for example different types of vehicles or buildings, air filtration systems are used to ensure a desired air quality in a cabin or a building or other enclosed space.

Ionization filtration systems are often used because they provide effective cleaning of airborne particles. The ionization filter system includes an ionizer configured to generate an ionization volume for charging particles in air such that the particles adhere to a filter medium disposed downstream of an air flow path.

Ions can be generated in several ways, but one frequently used arrangement comprises an emitter electrode and a collector electrode, e.g. a corona point surrounded by a collector electrode which can be connected to ground, such that when a high voltage is applied across the emitter electrode and the collector electrode, ions are generated in a volume surrounding the emitter electrode (i.e. the corona point). The volume in which the ions are generated is referred to as the ionization volume, and the emitter and collector electrodes are preferably arranged such that the ionization volume spans the flow path. At least a portion of the particles become charged as they pass through the ionization volume. The charged particles then adhere to the filter media downstream of the airflow path.

When providing an ionization filter system in a vehicle, there are several parameters to consider, such as the need for an ionization volume of sufficient size, i.e. the volume where airborne particles are charged by the ion field, limited space for different systems and components, limited possibilities for the influence of electromagnetic emissions from the ionization filter system to affect other components and to adapt to other devices and arrangements, the addition of other arrangements in the air flow to affect the air flow, etc. Therefore, there is a need for an ionization arrangement that provides a suitable compromise between different limiting parameters.

SUMMERY OF THE UTILITY MODEL

It is an object of the present disclosure to provide an air purification apparatus that seeks to mitigate, alleviate or eliminate one or more of the above-identified deficiencies in the art and disadvantages singly or in any combination.

This object is achieved by the air cleaning device provided by the present disclosure.

An air purification apparatus for separating airborne particles from an air stream is provided. The air purification device comprises an ionization unit arranged to create an ionization volume for charging airborne particles present in an air flow. The ionization unit includes an air inlet duct including a tapered cross section, an emitter electrode, and a collector electrode. The collector forms part of a conical cross-section. The emitter electrode comprises at least one corona discharge point, wherein said corona discharge point is directed towards the aperture of the air intake conduit.

In an embodiment, the collecting electrode is arranged such that the at least one corona discharge point of the emitter electrode is at the same distance from the respective portion of the collecting electrode.

By air flow is meant the air flow through the equipment in use. The air flow may be actively generated in that it is driven by a fan or other such air displacing means, or it may be passive in that it is generated by directing air through a filter while a vehicle comprising such a device is being driven.

Furthermore, the collecting electrode may be arranged such that the at least one corona discharge point of the emitter electrode is at substantially the same distance from a corresponding portion of the collecting electrode.

The corona generated when applying a voltage to the emitter may be either positive or negative. The voltage applied to the emitter electrode may be between-10 kV DC and 10kV DC, more preferably between-7 kV DC and 7kV DC.

The at least one corona discharge point may be, for example, a tip, a carbon brush, to create a point where the electric field density is sufficient to create a corona.

If there is more than one corona discharge point, they may be arranged on a single emission electrode, in which case they are electrically connected to each other.

In an embodiment, the collecting electrode is arranged such that the at least one corona discharge point of the emitter electrode is at substantially the same distance from a corresponding portion of the collecting electrode. This enables the generation of a substantially uniform ionization volume when using the air purification apparatus, thereby providing substantially uniform charging of airborne particles in the ionization volume.

Drawings

The foregoing will be apparent from the following more particular description of example embodiments, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters refer to the same parts throughout the different views. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating example embodiments.

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of an air purification apparatus of the present disclosure.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of an ionization field of an exemplary embodiment of an air purification apparatus of the present disclosure.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of another exemplary embodiment of an air purification apparatus of the present disclosure.

Fig. 4 is a conical axial view of an exemplary embodiment of an air purification apparatus of the present disclosure.

Detailed Description

Aspects of the present disclosure are described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings. The devices disclosed herein may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the aspects set forth herein. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular aspects of the disclosure only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of an air purification apparatus of the present disclosure. When in use, the ionization unit of the air purification device is arranged to create an ionization volume for charging airborne particles present in the air flow. The ionization unit includes an air inlet duct including a tapered cross section, an emitter electrode, and a pair of collector electrodes. Each collector 1a, 1b forms part of a conical cross-section. The emitter electrode comprises at least one corona discharge point 2, which corona discharge point 2 is directed towards the aperture of the air inlet duct.

The at least one corona discharge point 2 may be a pin, a tip, a brush, etc., and is in electrical contact with the emitter electrode. The ionization volume is created by applying a positive or negative voltage to the emitter electrode to generate a corona at one or more corona discharge points 2. The voltage applied to the emitter electrode may be between-10 kV DC and 10kV DC, and more preferably between-7 kV DC and 7kV DC.

In particular, fig. 1 shows a flared air intake duct 3 having walls 1a and 1B, walls 1a and 1B being adapted to direct air towards the ionization unit (directional arrows from a to B) and to act as collecting electrodes.

The inlet duct may present a frustoconical shape when viewed along the central axis, and wherein each inlet wall 1a, 1b comprises a collecting electrode. In such an embodiment, the inlet wall 1a, 1b may present a pair of separate but symmetrically arranged portions. For example, each air intake wall may include a longitudinal surface that is curved relative to the direction of air flow therebetween such that the distance between the walls becomes smaller as the air passes from the exterior to the interior of the device.

In such an embodiment, the emitter electrode is centrally disposed along the central axis and is in the form of a blade, the emitter electrode comprising at least one corona discharge point directed towards the air flow inlet.

The collecting electrode will be provided on the opposite air intake surface and may preferably form at least a part of the air intake surface.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of an ionization field of an exemplary embodiment of an air purification apparatus of the present disclosure. An ionizing field 4 is generated between the corona discharge point 2 and the walls 1a, 1 b.

The air inlet walls 1a, 1b are adapted to guide ambient air into the ionization unit and also serve as collecting electrodes for the corona discharge emitter electrodes. The direction of the air arriving from the ambient air inside the device is shown by the arrows. The ambient air is satisfied by the central discharge point 2 of the emitter electrode.

Fig. 3 shows an air inlet duct comprising a pair of opposite air inlet duct walls 1a, 1 b. The walls 1a, 1b are curved in such a way that the intake cross section narrows when ambient air enters the two ionization cells. Each ionization unit comprises a pair of collecting electrodes 1a, 1b and an emitter electrode having a corona discharge point 2, each emitter electrode may be disposed substantially equidistant between respective portions of the collecting electrodes 1a, 1b and arranged in opposite directions in a housing 6.

In the center of the exemplary embodiment, a fan 5 is shown. A fan 5 draws air into the apparatus and through the ionising unit before any particulate filter. The fan may also be an impeller, and may be arranged before or after the ionization unit and before or after the particulate filter.

In fig. 4, a conical axial view of the air cleaning apparatus is shown. In the center, the corona discharge point 2 is arranged in a central air inlet opening 7. The outer rim 6 defines the outer edges of the air inlet wall 1 and the central air inlet aperture 7 through which central air inlet aperture 7 ambient air is forced towards the filter mechanism.

It will be appreciated that the apparatus according to the present disclosure may not necessarily comprise a particulate filter at the time of manufacture or sale, but it may comprise means for positioning such a particulate filter after the ionization unit in the direction of the airflow during use. Particulate filters are well known in the art and are manufactured and sold separately from air cleaning equipment. However, they may comprise cooperating means for securing the filter in the device. The filter is typically mounted such that air from the optional fan passes through the apparatus and towards and out of the apparatus must pass through the filter. In this way, the air is ionized by the ionization unit and then passes through the particulate filter.

Where the term "filter" is included herein, it is to be understood that the filter may be installed separately and need not be included in the manufactured product.

In the case where the apparatus is for domestic use, the apparatus will also preferably include a fan or impeller. Such fans and impellers are well known in the art and draw air into the apparatus and through the ionizer prior to the filter. The fan or impeller may be positioned before or after the ionizer and before or after the particulate filter.

It should be noted that the word "comprising" does not necessarily exclude the presence of other elements or steps than those listed and the word "a" or "an" preceding an element does not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements. It should also be noted that any reference signs do not limit the scope of the claims, that the example embodiments may be implemented at least partly in both hardware and software, and that several "means", "units" or "devices" may be represented by the same item of hardware.

In the drawings and specification, there have been disclosed exemplary embodiments. However, many variations and modifications may be made to these embodiments. Accordingly, although specific terms are employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation, the scope of the embodiments being defined by the following claims.

Claims (2)

1. An air purification apparatus for separating airborne particles from an air stream, the air purification apparatus comprising:

an ionization unit arranged to create an ionization volume for charging airborne particles present in the air flow, the ionization unit comprising an air intake duct comprising a conical cross section, an emitter electrode and a collector electrode; and is

Wherein the collecting electrode forms part of the conical section and the emitter electrode comprises at least one corona discharge point, wherein the corona discharge point is directed towards the aperture of the air intake duct.

2. Air cleaning device according to claim 1, characterized in that the collecting electrode is arranged such that the at least one corona discharge point of the emitter electrode is at the same distance from the respective portion of the collecting electrode.

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