DE102022125024A1 - Room air purifier - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a room air purifier comprising at least one air duct with a longitudinal extent in the direction of flow of the air, a width extent transverse to the direction of flow of the air and a height extent transverse to the width and longitudinal extent, the height extent being smaller than the width extent; and an electrical separator with an arrangement arranged in the air duct and consisting of a counter electrode and an emission electrode arranged at a distance from the counter electrode in the direction of the height extension with an array of emission electrode needles for separating liquid and / or solid particles from the air to be treated, the array being at least has two rows of at least two emission electrode needles arranged at a distance from one another in the direction of flow.

Description

The present invention relates to a device, namely a room air purifier, and a method for treating, in particular humidifying, cleaning and/or washing, air, such as an air humidifier, an air purifier, an air washer or the like.

Commonly referred to as room air purifiers, they serve to process, in particular to clean, humidify and/or wash, air that is present in closed rooms, cabins and/or buildings. The room air purifiers can have numerous areas of application, for example in medical technology or in the healthcare industry, especially in doctor's offices, isolation rooms, hospital rooms, intensive care units or clean rooms, in private households, especially in bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens or children's rooms, in public or industrial buildings, such as museums, theaters , government buildings or office spaces, and/or in mobility, for example for vehicle cabin air treatment, especially in motor vehicles, such as taxis, rental cars or sharing concept vehicles. Room air purifiers can be implemented as free-standing devices and/or small electrical appliances, which can be placed on the floor in buildings or rooms or on shelves such as tables. Room air purifiers can alternatively be arranged on a building wall or ceiling, for example in the area of an opening and/or connected to a ventilation system. Room air purifiers in the field of mobility can be integrated into a vehicle, such as a passenger car, in particular into the vehicle's air conditioning system.

Room air purifiers are usually equipped with multi-layer filter systems. A highly effective suspended matter filter is supplemented by additional filters so that the sucked-in room air is cleaned and freed from pollutants. Air washers, on the other hand, usually work without additional filters and pass the air through a water bath, where it is cleaned and humidified at the same time.

The demands placed on air treatment are increasing. This is due to increasingly strict legal requirements and the population's ever-growing health awareness. The fine dust present in the air, which contains solid particles in the µg/m ³ range, has proven to be particularly critical. Fine dust can also contain bacteria, pollen, viruses, spores, fibers or similar. There are generally two types of air purifiers, namely passive air purifiers and active air purifiers. With passive air purifiers, no additional energy is introduced into the system to treat the air. Active air purifiers are characterized by the fact that additional energy is used to carry out the air treatment. Known air purifiers are limited in their effectiveness with regard to air treatment. Passive systems in particular are not able to effectively separate fine dust particles from the air.

In the state of the art there are already approaches for room air purifiers in which electrostatic separation technology is used. However, such systems have the fundamental disadvantage that dry particles and thus non-aerosols are difficult to collect and transport away on a counter electrode. Fine dust is either carried away again by the air flow after contact with the counter electrode or “clumps” into a non-electrically conductive mass on the counter electrode. On the one hand, the degree of separation depends heavily on the aerodynamics of the air flow, and on the other hand, the function of the counter electrode suffers due to the reduction in its necessary electrical conductivity.

In order to avoid contamination of the counter electrode and to ensure safe removal of the deposited particles, water is occasionally used to wet the counter electrode and to flush it. However, generic air purifiers rely on them always being level so that the counter electrode can be wetted reliably and evenly. A further disadvantage was identified in that the water is conveyed to the counter electrode in a restless manner or at a very high speed, so that it is difficult to supply the counter electrode with water in a controlled manner or to adjust the amount of water in a controlled manner. This is particularly related to the circulation speed of the pump that delivers the water.

The DE 10 2020 112 573 A1 describes a generic room air purifier in which the counterelectrode is realized by a central, rotation-shaped flushing body, which is continuously flushed with water via a liquid conveyor. The air to be cleaned is sucked in all around, ie 360°, and directed towards the flushing body, where it is strongly deflected. The problem identified with such room air purifiers is that due to the rotationally symmetrical shape and the central funnel-like deflection by means of the flushing body, strong accelerations and therefore very high speeds occur in the center of rotation. The 360° suction and central merging of the air to be cleaned combined with the fact that there is no predetermined If there is no flow guide channel, this leads to strong turbulence. Overall, it has been shown that the separation efficiency is impaired because it is more difficult to capture the generated ions and thus filter the separated particles out of the air flow. In this respect, the feasibility limit was an air mass flow rate of 250 m ³ /h.

A non-rotationally symmetrical air intake is, for example, from the EP 2 208 539 A1 known. The air to be treated is introduced into the cleaner housing via opposite air inlets, fed to electrical charging units, finally merged in the center of the housing and diverted towards air treatment units before the air is released back into the environment. The cleaner is in accordance with the EP 2 208 539 A1 the air is no longer sucked in 360°. However, it has proven to be disadvantageous with the cleaner that, on the one hand, the air can spread more or less unguided because there is no defined air duct structure. This can result in the air to be treated not making its way through the cleaner as desired. Furthermore, the opposing air flows mix in the center of the housing, which leads to turbulence, which ultimately has a negative effect on the separation efficiency, so that the air mass throughput is severely limited.

It is the object of the present invention to overcome the disadvantages of the known prior art, in particular to provide a room air purifier with increased volume throughput, in particular while maintaining a simple structure of the room air cleaner.

This task is solved by the features of the independent claims.

A room air purifier for cleaning, humidifying and/or washing air is then provided. The air can, for example, be provided with solid and/or liquid particles, in particular impurities, which can be at least partially separated from the air using the room air purifier according to the invention. The air is in particular air that is present in closed rooms and/or buildings, such as room air, and with which people can come into direct contact. For example, the room air purifier is a small electrical appliance and/or a free-standing device which can be placed or set up in buildings or rooms or which can be integrated into room and/or building ventilation, such as vehicle interior ventilation. In addition to the possibility that the room air purifier can be designed as an independent device, in particular a free-standing device, it is also possible to integrate the room air purifier according to the invention into ventilation systems, extractor hoods or other ventilation systems arranged in a room of a building or a room of a vehicle. The room air purifier can be able to remove liquid particles, such as grease or oil particles, as well as fine dust solid particles from the air, even for solid particle concentrations in the µg/m ³ range. In particular, the room air purifier is able to comply with the fine dust limit values, for example a fine dust limit value PM10 of 40 µg/m ³ can be achieved. Fine dust particles are particles with an aerodynamic diameter of 10 µm or smaller.

The room air cleaner according to the invention comprises at least one air duct with a longitudinal extension in the direction of flow of the air, which can be oriented essentially parallel to the inflow direction of the air to be treated into the room air cleaner, a width extension transverse to the flow direction of the air and a height extension transverse to the width and longitudinal extension. The height extent is smaller than the width extent. The air duct can be delimited by a circumferentially closed channel or wall structure, which can be designed to guide the air to be treated in the direction of the channel extension. The resulting flat and wide flow cross-section of the air duct has proven to be particularly advantageous with regard to the desired requirements with regard to a high air mass flow rate as well as with regard to the avoidance of turbulence and turbulence during the air flow. Thanks to the flat but wide air duct geometry, this can be scaled or dimensioned as desired, so that the required high air mass flow rates of up to 500 m ³ /h can be achieved without causing turbulence or turbulence. The wide, flat air duct structure also has the advantage that the so-called end needle effect has as little impact as possible in the area of the electrical separator, since there is a very large number of central emission electrode needles, each of which has adjacent emission electrode needles. The emission electrode needles arranged in the array at a column or row end have fewer emission electrode needle neighbors, so that the mutual influence of the emission electrode needles is weakened in the emission electrode needles near the ends and therefore sets a different electric field there than is present in the central region of the array.

A room air cleaner according to the invention comprises an electrical separator with an arrangement arranged in the air duct of a counter electrode and an emission electrode arranged at a distance from the counter electrode in the direction of the height extension for separating the liquid and / or solid particles from the air to be treated. The emission electrode comprises, for example, an array of emission electrode needles. The electrostatic precipitator can generate ozone by separating solid and/or liquid particles from the air to be cleaned and, in particular, eliminating unpleasant odors. In an exemplary embodiment, the emission electrode and the counter electrode can define between them a space called a separation space, through which the air flows and in which the particles contained in the air can be electrically charged. This means that the emission electrode and the counter electrode are arranged at a distance from one another transversely to the flow direction of the air and/or are arranged next to one another in the air flow direction, in particular at the same flow height, in particular the emission electrode and the counter electrode on boundary walls of the air guide which are opposite one another transversely to the flow direction are arranged. The electrical separator can be designed as a plasma separator. The counter electrode and the emission electrode can be insulated from each other and/or each made in one piece. The emission electrode, also called spray electrode, essentially serves to emit negatively charged particles in particular. The counter electrode, also called the precipitation electrode, forms the opposite pole. For example, the space between the emission electrode and the counter electrode can be referred to as a separation space in which the solid and/or liquid particles are separated from the air to be treated. During operation of the electrical separator, a high electrical voltage is applied between the emission electrode and the counter electrode, so that a high voltage field is generated between the emission electrode and the counter electrode. For example, the high voltage is in the range from 8 to 22 kV, in particular in the range from 10 to 20 kV or 11 to 14 kV. In particular, the electrical separator is operated below the breakdown or flashover voltage. The breakdown voltage, also known as the flashover voltage, is the voltage that must be exceeded for a voltage breakdown to occur through a material or substance, for example an insulator or gas. For example, the principle of charge generation underlying the electrostatic precipitator can be impact ionization. When the so-called corona field strength is exceeded, electrons emerge from the emission electrode and interact with the surrounding air molecules, which forms a so-called negative corona. Free electrons present in the air are strongly accelerated in the electrostatic field of the corona, so that a gas discharge can occur. When the free electrons hit air molecules, further electrons can be split off or attach to the air molecules. The negative charges then move towards the neutrally charged counter electrode. The counter electrode can, for example, be grounded and/or at ground potential. When a particle-charged gas stream enters, the negatively charged charges attach to the particles. Due to the acting electrostatic force of the DC field, which can be oriented transversely to the direction of flow of air through the room air purifier, the negatively charged particles migrate towards the counter electrode, where they can release their charge and be removed from the counter electrode. In this way, the particles can be separated from the air flow. The present invention also covers embodiments in which a positive corona or a positively charged charge is generated instead of the negative corona or negatively charged charges. To avoid repetition, the description of the invention is limited to the implementation of the negative charge situation. The electrical separator can be designed in such a way that the emission electrode and the counter electrode are arranged such that electric field lines run on average along a field direction that is perpendicular to a flow direction in which the room air flows past the counter electrode and in particular the emission electrode.

According to one aspect according to the invention, the array has at least two rows of at least two emission electrode needles arranged at a distance from one another in the direction of flow, arranged one behind the other in the flow direction. The emission electrode needles are oriented towards the counter electrode. For example, the counterelectrode has a flat extension and the emission electrode needles are oriented transversely, in particular perpendicularly, to the flat extension of the counterelectrode. Preferably, the emission electrode needles are oriented such that the electric field lines are aligned essentially perpendicular to the flow direction of the air to be treated.

In an exemplary embodiment of the room air purifier according to the invention, a distance between the emission electrode needles and the counter electrode is at most 30 mm, in particular at most 25 mm or at most 20 mm. The needles can be oriented with respect to the counter electrode in such a way that the shortest distance is in the direction the longitudinal extent of the emission electrode needles. The free space created by the distance between the emission electrode needle and the counter electrode, which can also be referred to as a deposition space, can be free of structures or components that influence the air flow. For example, the air guidance through the air duct can be set up so that the air to be treated flows past the emission electrode needles between the emission electrode needle and the counter electrode, with essentially no air on this side of the emission electrode needles in the area of a shaft carrying the emission electrode needles and / or an air duct structure which the emission electrode needles are arranged flows past.

In an exemplary embodiment of the room air purifier according to the invention, the counter electrode is formed at least in sections by a bottom wall of the air duct. This arrangement or design of the counter electrode as part or structure of the air duct further improves a basic idea underlying the present inventions of avoiding deflection of the air into a center of rotation, as a result of which the air is accelerated greatly, which leads to turbulence.

In a further exemplary embodiment of the room air purifier according to the invention, the ratio of the width extent of the air duct to the height extent of the air duct is at least 5:1, in particular at least 10:1, 15:1 or at least 20:1. If the desired minimum distance between the counter electrode and the emission electrode needles is maintained, the volume flow rate can be adjusted and in particular increased by scaling the air duct, particularly in the width direction, in particular without the effect of the coordination of the emission electrode needles and the counter electrode being lost.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, which can be combined with the preceding aspects and exemplary embodiments, a room air purifier is provided for cleaning, humidifying and/or washing air. The room air purifier can be designed according to one of the aspects described above or according to one of the exemplary embodiments described above. The air can, for example, be provided with solid and/or liquid particles, in particular contaminants, which can be at least partially separated from the air by means of the room air purifier according to the invention. The air is in particular air which is present in closed rooms and/or buildings, such as room air, and with which people can come into direct contact. For example, the room air purifier is a small electrical appliance and/or a free-standing appliance which can be set up or placed in buildings or in rooms or which can be integrated into a room and/or building ventilation system, such as a vehicle interior ventilation system. In addition to the possibility that the room air purifier can be designed as a stand-alone device, in particular a free-standing device, it is also possible to integrate the room air purifier according to the invention into ventilation systems, extractor hoods or other ventilation systems arranged in a room in a building or a room in a vehicle. The room air purifier can be able to free the air of liquid particles, such as fat or oil particles, as well as fine dust solid particles, even for solid particle concentrations in the µg/m ³ range. In particular, the room air purifier is able to comply with the fine dust limit values, whereby, for example, a fine dust limit value PM10 of 40 µg/m ³ can be achieved. Fine dust particles are understood to be particles with an aerodynamic diameter of 10 µm or smaller.

The room air purifier includes several separate air ducts. The air ducts can be flowed through by air to be treated independently of one another and can, for example, be designed in the same way. The longitudinal extent can be in the flow direction of the air, which can be oriented essentially parallel to the inflow direction of the air to be treated into the room air purifier. The height extension can be smaller than the width extension. The air duct can be delimited by a circumferentially closed channel or wall structure, which can be designed to guide the air to be treated in the direction of the duct extension. The resulting flat and wide flow cross-section of the air duct has proven to be particularly advantageous with regard to the desired requirements with regard to a high air mass flow rate as well as with regard to the avoidance of turbulence and turbulence during the air flow.

Furthermore, the room air cleaner comprises an electrical separator with an arrangement arranged in each air duct consisting of a counter electrode and an emission electrode arranged at a distance from the counter electrode, in particular with an array of emission electrode needles for separating liquid or solid particles from the air to be converted. The electrostatic precipitator can generate solid and/or liquid particles from the material to generate ozone Separate harmful air and, in particular, eliminate unpleasant odors. In an exemplary embodiment, the emission electrode and the counter electrode can define between them a space called a separation space, through which the air flows and in which the particles contained in the air can be electrically charged. This means that the emission electrode and the counter electrode are arranged at a distance from one another transversely to the flow direction of the air and/or are arranged next to one another in the air flow direction, in particular at the same flow height, in particular the emission electrode and the counter electrode on boundary walls of the air guide which are opposite one another transversely to the flow direction are arranged. The electrical separator can be designed as a plasma separator. The counter electrode and the emission electrode can be insulated from each other and/or each made in one piece. The emission electrode, also called spray electrode, essentially serves to emit negatively charged particles in particular. The counter electrode, also called the precipitation electrode, forms the opposite pole. For example, the space between the emission electrode and the counter electrode can be referred to as a separation space in which the solid and/or liquid particles are separated from the air to be treated. During operation of the electrical separator, a high electrical voltage is applied between the emission electrode and the counter electrode, so that a high voltage field is generated between the emission electrode and the counter electrode. For example, the high voltage is in the range from 8 to 22 kV, in particular in the range from 10 to 20 kV or 11 to 14 kV. In particular, the electrical separator is operated below the breakdown or flashover voltage. The breakdown voltage, also known as the flashover voltage, is the voltage that must be exceeded for a voltage breakdown to occur through a material or substance, for example an insulator or gas. For example, the principle of charge generation underlying the electrostatic precipitator can be impact ionization. When the so-called corona field strength is exceeded, electrons emerge from the emission electrode and interact with the surrounding air molecules, which forms a so-called negative corona. Free electrons present in the air are strongly accelerated in the electrostatic field of the corona, so that a gas discharge can occur. When the free electrons hit air molecules, further electrons can be split off or attach to the air molecules. The negative charges then move towards the neutrally charged counter electrode. The counter electrode can, for example, be grounded and/or at ground potential. When a particle-charged gas stream enters, the negatively charged charges attach to the particles. Due to the acting electrostatic force of the DC field, which can be oriented transversely to the direction of flow of air through the room air purifier, the negatively charged particles migrate towards the counter electrode, where they can release their charge and be removed from the counter electrode. In this way, the particles can be separated from the air flow. The present invention also covers embodiments in which a positive corona or a positively charged charge is generated instead of the negative corona or negatively charged charges. To avoid repetition, the description of the invention is limited to the implementation of the negative charge situation. The electrical separator can be designed in such a way that the emission electrode and the counter electrode are arranged such that electric field lines run on average along a field direction that is perpendicular to a flow direction in which the room air flows past the counter electrode and in particular the emission electrode.

The room air purifier further comprises a deflection body arranged downstream of the electrical separator, on which the air to be treated is deflected by at least 45°. The deflection body can be arranged in the air ducts, integrated into them or arranged downstream of the air ducts in such a way that the air to be treated or treated is guided from the plurality of air ducts to the deflection body. The deflection body is designed to deflect the air by at least 45° with respect to the inflow direction and/or the flow direction in the air duct determined by the respective air ducts, in particular by at least 60°, 75° or 90°.

According to the further aspect of the present invention, the flow cross section of the air ducts does not decrease starting from the electrical separator at least up to the deflection body. In other words, the flow cross section of the air ducts can be designed to be essentially constant, which promotes air flow guidance, since the air mass no longer accelerates and the length of the counter electrode can therefore be increased in a simple manner, thereby reducing the time or the path in which / in which an electrodeposition of the particles from the air to be treated can take place is enlarged.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the room air purifier according to the invention, the air duct(s) has the air duct(s). a substantially rectangular or oval flow cross section. These cross-sectional shapes have proven to be particularly good for the preferred embodiment of a flat but wide flow cross-section. Furthermore, with such an air duct geometry, the electrical separator can be advantageously integrated, so that there is an arrangement of counter electrode and emission electrode needles that is favorable for the separation.

According to a further exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the air duct/air ducts can be opened and closed. It is therefore possible to adjust the desired air mass throughput adaptively by opening and closing or switching on and off individual of the several air ducts, for example depending on various parameters, such as the size of the room, the number of people arranged in it or also depending on parameters detected by sensors, which indicate air pollution. In particular, the multiple air ducts can be opened and closed separately, i.e. independently of one another. Furthermore, it is also provided that the air ducts can be set to any open position with any flow cross section between the completely open position, in which the maximum flow cross section is released, and the closed position, in which the flow cross section is completely closed.

According to a further exemplary embodiment of the room air purifier according to the invention, the room air cleaner has a switching mechanism assigned to an air duct with a valve member that can be adjusted in particular mechanically, pneumatically or electrically for opening and closing the respective air duct. A valve member can be, for example, a valve flap or the like. Furthermore, the switching mechanism can be coupled to a central control unit, which controls the switching mechanism in order to operate the valve member.

According to a further exemplary embodiment of the present invention, at least two, in particular three or four, air ducts are stacked on top of each other. For example, the plurality of air ducts are designed identically and/or have an identical channel course, in particular starting from a channel entrance, at which the air enters the room air purifier, up to the deflection body. The at least two air ducts can be stacked on top of each other in such a way that channel inlets of the at least two air ducts are arranged such that a resulting air duct inlet cross-sectional area is twice as large as a channel inlet cross-sectional area of each of the channels. Such designs have the advantage that the constant air speed according to the invention can be achieved per air duct, especially in the area of the electrical separator, which is favored by the flat and wide air duct, and the high air mass throughput can be achieved and the air mass throughput can be scaled up by stacking several air ducts on top of each other is possible in a simple manner without foregoing the optimized air flow within the air duct.

In a further exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the air ducts are designed such that the respective separate air flows can be supplied independently of one another to a catalyst arranged downstream of the deflection body. The catalyst reduces the ozone concentration in the treated air through a catalytic process or a catalytic reaction and thus reduces the health risk of the room air purifier according to the invention. The catalytic effect of the catalyst splits the ozone generated, resulting in oxygen molecules that are harmless to health. In this respect, a particularly easy-to-produce room air purifier with reduced health risk and improved separation efficiency is provided, which is characterized in particular by a space-saving, flexible and/or cost-effective property.

The flow cross section of the air duct or the air ducts can expand by at least 50% downstream of the deflection body and upstream of the catalytic converter. For example, the flow cross-sectional area can be adapted to a free, flowable inflow area of the catalytic converter facing the air duct in order to be able to achieve the largest possible and most uniform flow on the catalytic converter.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, which can be combined with the preceding aspects and exemplary embodiments, a room air purifier for humidifying, cleaning and/or washing air is provided. The room air purifier can be designed according to one of the previously described aspects or according to one of the previously described exemplary embodiments. The air can, for example, be provided with solid and/or liquid particles, in particular impurities, which can be at least partially separated from the air using the room air purifier according to the invention. The air is in particular air that is in closed rooms and/or buildings, like indoor air, and with which people can come into direct contact. For example, the room air purifier is a small electrical appliance and/or a floor-standing device which can be placed or set up in buildings or rooms or which can be integrated into room and/or building ventilation, such as vehicle interior ventilation. In addition to the possibility that the room air purifier can be designed as an independent device, in particular a free-standing device, it is also possible to integrate the room air purifier according to the invention into ventilation systems, extractor hoods or other ventilation systems arranged in a room of a building or a room of a vehicle. The room air purifier can be able to remove liquid particles, such as grease or oil particles, as well as fine dust solid particles from the air, even for solid particle concentrations in the µg/m ³ range. In particular, the room air purifier is able to comply with the fine dust limit values, for example a fine dust limit value PM10 of 40 µg/m ³ can be achieved. Fine dust particles are particles with an aerodynamic diameter of 10 µm or smaller.

A room air cleaner according to the invention comprises an electrical separator with an arrangement arranged in the air duct of a counter electrode and an emission electrode arranged at a distance from the counter electrode in the direction of the height extension for separating the liquid and / or solid particles from the air to be treated. The emission electrode comprises, for example, an array of emission electrode needles. The electrostatic precipitator can generate ozone by separating solid and/or liquid particles from the air to be cleaned and, in particular, eliminating unpleasant odors. In an exemplary embodiment, the emission electrode and the counter electrode can define between them a space called a separation space, through which the air flows and in which the particles contained in the air can be electrically charged. This means that the emission electrode and the counter electrode are arranged at a distance from one another transversely to the flow direction of the air and/or are arranged next to one another in the air flow direction, in particular at the same flow height, in particular the emission electrode and the counter electrode on boundary walls of the air guide which are opposite one another transversely to the flow direction are arranged. The electrical separator can be designed as a plasma separator. The counter electrode and the emission electrode can be insulated from each other and/or each made in one piece. The emission electrode, also called spray electrode, essentially serves to emit negatively charged particles in particular. The counter electrode, also called the precipitation electrode, forms the opposite pole. For example, the space between the emission electrode and the counter electrode can be referred to as a separation space in which the solid and/or liquid particles are separated from the air to be treated. During operation of the electrical separator, a high electrical voltage is applied between the emission electrode and the counter electrode, so that a high voltage field is generated between the emission electrode and the counter electrode. For example, the high voltage is in the range from 8 to 22 kV, in particular in the range from 10 to 20 kV or 11 to 14 kV. In particular, the electrical separator is operated below the breakdown or flashover voltage. The breakdown voltage, also known as the flashover voltage, is the voltage that must be exceeded for a voltage breakdown to occur through a material or substance, for example an insulator or gas. For example, the principle of charge generation underlying the electrostatic precipitator can be impact ionization. When the so-called corona field strength is exceeded, electrons emerge from the emission electrode and interact with the surrounding air molecules, which forms a so-called negative corona. Free electrons present in the air are strongly accelerated in the electrostatic field of the corona, so that a gas discharge can occur. When the free electrons hit air molecules, further electrons can be split off or attach to the air molecules. The negative charges then move towards the neutrally charged counter electrode. The counter electrode can, for example, be grounded and/or at ground potential. When a particle-charged gas stream enters, the negatively charged charges attach to the particles. Due to the acting electrostatic force of the DC field, which can be oriented transversely to the direction of flow of air through the room air purifier, the negatively charged particles migrate towards the counter electrode, where they can release their charge and be removed from the counter electrode. In this way, the particles can be separated from the air flow. The present invention also covers embodiments in which a positive corona or a positively charged charge is generated instead of the negative corona or negatively charged charges. To avoid repetition, the description of the invention is limited to the implementation of the negative charge situation. The electrical separator can be designed in such a way that the emission electrode and the counter electrode are arranged in such a way that electric field lines run on average along a field direction that is lower is right to a flow direction in which the room air flows past the counter electrode and in particular the emission electrode.

According to the further aspect of the invention, a length of a separation channel section of the air duct defining a separation distance in the flow direction of the air downstream of the emission electrode is at least 10 cm and/or at least 50%, in particular at least 100%, 150% or at least 200%, of a minimum distance between the counter electrode and the emission electrode. The pronounced length of the separation channel cross-section promotes the separation efficiency of the room air purifier, since the path or the time along which/in which the charged particles can separate from the air flow is increased. Due to the increased length of the counter electrode also downstream of the emission electrode, charged particles can continue to be reliably attracted to the counter electrode due to their electrical charge and thus separated onto the air flow.

According to an exemplary development, the separation channel section comprises an air duct wall which is at a voltage potential V _K and is assigned to the counter electrode of the electrical separator in such a way that a high-voltage electric field can be built up between the counter electrode and the air duct wall in order to move the electrically charged particles downstream of the electrical separator in the direction of To redirect counter electrode. The advantage of the arrangement is, among other things, that the electric field for accelerating the charged particles is extended in the direction of the counter electrode, which can increase the effectiveness of the room air purifier. The arrangement can be understood to mean that a capacitor with the dielectric air is formed downstream of the electrostatic precipitator, which builds up a defined, static electric field following the electrostatic precipitator, in particular its plasma field. In other words, the capacitor forms a kind of amplifier or booster for the deflection of the charged particles towards the counter electrode by means of the Coulomb force, which has already been initiated in the plasma field of the electrostatic precipitator. The air guide wall can basically extend in the direction of the air flow direction in a similar way to the counter electrode in order to form or delimit the separation channel section together with the counter electrode, through which the air to be cleaned can flow through without obstacles. Because the counter electrode of the electrical separator is structurally also part of the downstream capacitor, the effectiveness of the room air purifier can be increased in a structurally simple manner. It is possible, for example, to operate the electrical separator and the capacitor using a common electrical high-voltage source. The counter electrode can be grounded globally, i.e. for the electrical separator and the capacitor. The capacitor can be designed in such a way that no free, new charge carriers are imitated there, but rather it serves exclusively to apply a force resulting from the electric field (Coulomb force) to the charged particles contained in the air flow in order to create an additional attractive force Direction of the counter electrode to generate its deposition.

In a further exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the separation channel section length is at least 200%, in particular at least 250%, 300%, 350% or at least 400%, of the length of the emission electrode, in particular a distance between an upstream and a downstream emission electrode needle, in the direction of air flow. In the direction of air flow, the array of emission electrode needles contains those that are flowed to first, i.e. are closer to the channel entrance (upstream), and those that are flowed to later and are therefore facing away from the channel entrance (downstream).

In a further exemplary embodiment of the room air purifier according to the invention, the separation channel section has a substantially constant flow cross section. In this case, the flow cross-section of the separation channel section cannot decrease, starting from the electrical separator, at least up to a deflection body arranged downstream of the electrical separator. This makes it possible to achieve the desired constant air speed in the separation area, which leads to improved separation efficiency of the room air purifier, in particular because turbulence and turbulence in the air flow can be avoided.

In an exemplary further development, the room air purifier comprises a liquid reservoir and a device for wetting the counter electrode with liquid from the liquid reservoir. The electrical separator and the liquid wetting device can be coordinated with one another in such a way that particles charged by the electrical separator can get into the liquid wetting the counter electrode, in particular into a liquid film formed on the counter electrode. The liquid wetting device can be intended to wet the counter electrode with liquid alone or together with the mist generator. The liquid wetting device can be used, for example, as a nozzle or Be designed as an atomizer. In an exemplary development, the liquid wetting device is/are set up to form an at least temporarily moving, in particular continuously flowing liquid film on the counter electrode. It can be provided that the liquid film has a film thickness in the range of 0.1 mm to 3 mm. In an exemplary development, the electrical separator and the liquid wetting device are coordinated with one another in such a way that particles charged by the electrical separator enter the liquid wetting the counter electrode, in particular into the liquid film formed on the counter electrode. The particles electrically charged by the electrical separator are attracted to its counter electrode and can thus be caught in the liquid wetting and taken along and transported away by the liquid wetting, in particular the liquid film, in particular while the air flow cleaned from it is carried on separately and finally released back into the environment becomes. The liquid wetting of the counter electrode also has the advantage that the counter electrode is cleaned of dirt or deposits, in particular rinsed, by means of the liquid. For example, the liquid wetting device can have operating states, such as an off state or a predetermined deactivated operating state, in which the counter electrode is not wetted. The liquid is generally a flowable rinsing and/or collector medium, for example water, especially rainwater, a hygroscopic collecting material, such as sodium hydroxide dissolved in a liquid, a gel which is heated to a certain temperature, for example, so that a liquid state of aggregation is achieved, such as a wax or the like, an ionic liquid, such as melted or dissolved salts, or even highly viscous oils that are mixed with electrically conductive particles, such as copper, for example. For example, the liquid may have a predetermined minimum electrical conductivity, for example at least 0.005 S/m. When the counter electrode is wetted with water, the advantage is that the wetting can be generated particularly easily by the liquid wetting device and the mist generator together. In a further exemplary development, the room air purifier can have a local liquid storage. By local it is meant that the liquid storage is part of the room air purifier and/or is directly assigned to it, in contrast to a separate liquid storage or a separate liquid supply. For example, the liquid storage is arranged below the electrical separator and/or below the liquid wetting device. The liquid storage can serve to supply the liquid wetting device and/or the mist generator with liquid or water. On the one hand, this results in a compact structure of the room air purifier, and on the other hand, the liquid can get back into the liquid storage in a structurally simple manner using the weight. In a further exemplary embodiment of the device according to the invention, the liquid reservoir is integrated into a liquid circuit in such a way that the liquid, which may have been mixed with particles, can return to the liquid reservoir after the counter electrode has been wetted. The separated particles can be carried along by the liquid and transported to the liquid storage and collected there. Known electrical precipitators generally have the disadvantage that they become clogged with the separated particles, i.e. become contaminated, so that the separation effect of the electrical precipitator is reduced. The wetting liquid prevents the separated particles from accumulating and depositing on components of the electrostatic precipitator and removes the particles in a targeted manner, namely into the liquid storage.

According to a further exemplary embodiment of the room air purifier according to the invention, the counter electrode has a collecting trough, which extends in particular transversely to the flow direction and/or in the width direction, for collecting and discharging the liquid and/or a guide edge which extends in particular transversely to the flow direction and/or in the width direction, which for Separating and / or peeling off the liquid from the air flow is set up. For example, the leading edge is arranged in relation to the collecting trough in such a way that the liquid separated or separated from the air flow by means of the leading edge reaches the collecting trough, in particular can drip or flow away from it. By means of the arrangement and the interaction of the collecting trough and the guide edge, it can be avoided that the liquid loaded with the separated particles is carried away by the air stream flowing along the counter electrode and thus returns to the air stream.

According to a further exemplary development of the room air purifier according to the invention, the counter electrode downstream of the collecting trough is electrically conductive, in particular metallic, and is designed to neutralize the ions generated during the electrodeposition. This can prevent ions from being released from the room air purifier into the environment.

In a further exemplary development of the room air purifier according to the invention, the liquid wetting device is further configured to wet, in particular to rinse, the counter electrode downstream of the collecting channel with the liquid. For this purpose, for example, fluid applicators such as nozzles, mist generators or the like can be provided and arranged in particular in the air duct so that liquid can be applied to the area of the counter electrode downstream of the collecting channel.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, which can be combined with the preceding aspects and exemplary embodiments, a room air purifier for cleaning, humidifying and/or washing air is provided. The room air purifier can be designed according to one of the previously described aspects or according to one of the previously described exemplary embodiments. The air can, for example, be provided with solid and/or liquid particles, in particular impurities, which can be at least partially separated from the air using the room air purifier according to the invention. The air is in particular air that is present in closed rooms and/or buildings, such as room air, and with which people can come into direct contact. For example, the room air purifier is a small electrical appliance and/or a free-standing device which can be placed or set up in buildings or rooms or which can be integrated into room and/or building ventilation, such as vehicle interior ventilation. In addition to the possibility that the room air purifier can be designed as an independent device, in particular a free-standing device, it is also possible to integrate the room air purifier according to the invention into ventilation systems, extractor hoods or other ventilation systems arranged in a room of a building or a room of a vehicle. The room air purifier can be able to remove liquid particles, such as grease or oil particles, as well as fine dust solid particles from the air, even for solid particle concentrations in the µg/m ³ range. In particular, the room air purifier is able to comply with the fine dust limit values, for example a fine dust limit value PM10 of 40 µg/m ³ can be achieved. Fine dust particles are particles with an aerodynamic diameter of 10 µm or smaller.

The room air cleaner according to the invention comprises at least one air duct with a longitudinal extension in the direction of flow of the air, which can be oriented essentially parallel to the inflow direction of the air to be treated into the room air cleaner, a width extension transverse to the flow direction of the air and a height extension transverse to the width and longitudinal extension. The height extent is smaller than the width extent. The air duct can be delimited by a circumferentially closed channel or wall structure, which can be designed to guide the air to be treated in the direction of the channel extension. The resulting flat and wide flow cross-section of the air duct has proven to be particularly advantageous with regard to the desired requirements with regard to a high air mass flow rate as well as with regard to the avoidance of turbulence and turbulence during the air flow. Thanks to the flat but wide air duct geometry, this can be scaled or dimensioned as desired, so that the required high air mass flow rates of up to 500 m ³ /h can be achieved without causing turbulence or turbulence. The wide, flat air duct structure also has the advantage that the so-called end needle effect has as little impact as possible in the area of the electrical separator, since there is a very large number of central emission electrode needles, each of which has adjacent emission electrode needles. The emission electrode needles arranged in the array at a column or row end have fewer emission electrode needle neighbors, so that the mutual influence of the emission electrode needles is weakened in the emission electrode needles near the ends and therefore sets a different electric field there than is present in the central region of the array.

A room air cleaner according to the invention comprises an electrical separator with an arrangement arranged in the air duct of a counter electrode and an emission electrode arranged at a distance from the counter electrode in the direction of the height extension for separating the liquid and / or solid particles from the air to be treated. The emission electrode comprises, for example, an array of emission electrode needles. The electrostatic precipitator can generate ozone by separating solid and/or liquid particles from the air to be cleaned and, in particular, eliminating unpleasant odors. In an exemplary embodiment, the emission electrode and the counter electrode can define between them a space called a separation space, through which the air flows and in which the particles contained in the air can be electrically charged. This means that the emission electrode and the counterelectrode are arranged at a distance from one another transversely to the flow direction of the air and/or are arranged next to one another in the air flow direction, in particular at the same flow height, in particular In particular, the emission electrode and the counterelectrode are arranged on boundary walls of the air duct that are opposite one another transversely to the flow direction. The electrical separator can be designed as a plasma separator. The counter electrode and the emission electrode can be insulated from each other and/or each made in one piece. The emission electrode, also called spray electrode, essentially serves to emit negatively charged particles in particular. The counter electrode, also called the precipitation electrode, forms the opposite pole. For example, the space between the emission electrode and the counter electrode can be referred to as a separation space in which the solid and/or liquid particles are separated from the air to be treated. During operation of the electrical separator, a high electrical voltage is applied between the emission electrode and the counter electrode, so that a high voltage field is generated between the emission electrode and the counter electrode. For example, the high voltage is in the range from 8 to 22 kV, in particular in the range from 10 to 20 kV or 11 to 14 kV. In particular, the electrical separator is operated below the breakdown or flashover voltage. The breakdown voltage, also known as the flashover voltage, is the voltage that must be exceeded for a voltage breakdown to occur through a material or substance, for example an insulator or gas. For example, the principle of charge generation underlying the electrostatic precipitator can be impact ionization. When the so-called corona field strength is exceeded, electrons emerge from the emission electrode and interact with the surrounding air molecules, which forms a so-called negative corona. Free electrons present in the air are strongly accelerated in the electrostatic field of the corona, so that a gas discharge can occur. When the free electrons hit air molecules, further electrons can be split off or attach to the air molecules. The negative charges then move towards the neutrally charged counter electrode. The counter electrode can, for example, be grounded and/or at ground potential. When a particle-charged gas stream enters, the negatively charged charges attach to the particles. Due to the acting electrostatic force of the DC field, which can be oriented transversely to the direction of flow of air through the room air purifier, the negatively charged particles migrate towards the counter electrode, where they can release their charge and be removed from the counter electrode. In this way, the particles can be separated from the air flow. The present invention also covers embodiments in which a positive corona or a positively charged charge is generated instead of the negative corona or negatively charged charges. To avoid repetition, the description of the invention is limited to the implementation of the negative charge situation. The electrical separator can be designed in such a way that the emission electrode and the counter electrode are arranged such that electric field lines run on average along a field direction that is perpendicular to a flow direction in which the room air flows past the counter electrode and in particular the emission electrode.

According to the further aspect of the invention, the flow cross section, or the channel course, of the air duct is essentially constant starting from the electrical separator at least up to the deflection body. As a result, accelerations of the air flow to be converted can be avoided and a constant air speed can be generated, particularly in the deposition area of the counter electrode, where the charged particles are to be attracted to the counter electrode and thereby separated from the air flow.

In a further exemplary embodiment of the room air cleaner according to the invention, the room air cleaner has an air conversion device arranged downstream of the deflection body, such as a catalytic converter or a fan, to which air flows from the deflection body. A width of the air duct in the width direction transverse to the flow direction of the air essentially corresponds to a free inflow width of the air treatment device. This ensures that the air treatment device is flowed evenly and/or over a large area, which means that back pressures can be avoided and uniform use of the respective air treatment devices is ensured.

Preferred embodiments are given in the subclaims.

• 1 eine perspektivische Teilansicht einer beispielhaften Ausführung eines erfindungsgemäßen Raumluftreinigers;
• 2 eine perspektivische Ansicht eines Teils einer weiteren beispielhaften Ausführung eines erfindungsgemäßen Raumluftreinigers;
• 3 der Teil des Raumluftreinigers gemäß 2 in Seitenansicht;
• 4 eine Seitenansicht einer alternativen Ausführung zu 2 beziehungsweise 3;
• 5 eine Schnitt-Seitenansicht einer weiteren beispielhaften Ausführung eines erfindungsgemäßen Raumluftreinigers;
• 6 ein Ausschnitt aus 5 in Seitenansicht;
• 7 der Ausschnitt gemäß 6 in perspektivischer Ansicht;
• 8 eine alternative Ausführung zu dem Ausschnitt gemäß den 6 und 7;
• 9 eine perspektivische Ansicht eines Teils einer weiteren beispielhaften Ausführung eines erfindungsgemäßen Raumluftreinigers;
• 10 der Teil aus 7 in der Draufsicht;
• 11 eine Draufsicht zu 10;
• 12 eine schematische Prinzipskizze zu einer beispielhaften Ausführung zum Verschließen und Öffnen eines Luftführungskanals eines erfindungsgemäßen Raumluftreinigers; und

Further properties, features and advantages of the invention will become clear below by describing preferred embodiments of the invention with reference to the accompanying exemplary drawings, in which:

• 1 a partial perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a room air purifier according to the invention;
• 2 a perspective view of a part of a further exemplary embodiment of a room air purifier according to the invention;
• 3 the part of the room air purifier according to 2 in side view;
• 4 a side view of an alternative version 2 respectively 3;
• 5 a sectional side view of a further exemplary embodiment of a room air purifier according to the invention;
• 6 a section 5 in side view;
• 7 the cutout accordingly 6 in perspective view;
• 8th an alternative version to the cutout according to 6 and 7 ;
• 9 a perspective view of a part of a further exemplary embodiment of a room air purifier according to the invention;
• 10 the part 7 in top view;
• 11 a top view 10 ;
• 12 a schematic principle sketch of an exemplary embodiment for closing and opening an air duct of a room air purifier according to the invention; and

In the following description of exemplary embodiments, a room air purifier according to the invention is generally provided with reference number 1. Room air purifier 1 can, depending on the operating state or through simple structural extensions, fulfill various functions, namely air humidification, air purification, air washing and particle separation, which makes air purification particularly effective. For the description of exemplary embodiments using the 1 to 12 For example, it can be assumed that the room air purifier 1 is a free-standing device or a small electrical device, which is primarily intended to be placed in building rooms, for example on a table, on a shelf or on the floor.

In 1 a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a room air purifier 1 according to the invention is shown to illustrate its functionality. The room air purifier 1 according to 1 essentially has as its main components: a housing 3; an air duct 7; an electrical separator 9; a deflection body 5; an exemplary air treatment device 6 designed as a catalyst; and a fan 13 arranged downstream of the air treatment device 6.

The housing 3 off 1 is, for example, designed to be open at the top and otherwise comprises a base 12 and a circumferential side wall 13. All components of the room air purifier 1 according to the invention are accommodated or accommodated within the housing 3. The housing 3 further comprises a lower housing part 4, in which further, in particular optional, components can be accommodated, such as a device for wetting the electrical separator 9 and / or the air duct 7 with a liquid from a liquid storage and a conveying device for conveying the liquid from the Liquid storage towards the electrical separator 9 and/or the air duct 7.

The air duct 7 comprises an air inlet 11 through which the air to be treated can enter the interior of the air duct 7 to be exposed to the electrostatic precipitator 7. In the direction of flow, the air then passes along a separation duct section 12 arranged downstream of the electrostatic precipitator 7 to the deflection body 5 and finally into the air treatment device 6, before the treated air can then leave the room air purifier 1 by means of the fan 13 in the direction of the environment via air outlets 15, 17 in the area of the upper housing end (reference number 20).

The general function of the air treatment is as follows: Air, in particular ambient air from a building room or, for example, from a vehicle interior, enters the room air purifier 1 via the air duct 7. The inflowing air is indicated by the arrow with the reference number 19.

The electrical separator 9 comprises an arrangement of a counter electrode 17 and an opposite emission electrode 19 ( 2 , 3 ), which can have an array of emission electrode needles 21, which are oriented transversely to the flow direction of the air to be treated in the direction of the counter electrode 17. For example, the electric field lines are oriented essentially perpendicular to the flow direction of the air in the area of the electrical separator 9, with the air to be treated essentially flowing past the emission electrode needles 19 and the counter electrode 17. In the area of the electrical separator 9, an electrical charge occurs on the particles present in the air stream loaded with particles, which as a result of their electrostatic charge are attracted to the counter electrode 17 and are thus separated from the air stream to be treated or treated.

In the exemplary embodiment according to the figures, the air duct 7 has a substantially rectangular channel cross-section with a longitudinal extension 1 in the direction of flow of the air, a width extension b transverse to the direction of flow of the air and a height extension h transverse to the width and height extension (l × w × h). on. Due to the constant channel cross-section This avoids unwanted accelerations, changes in speed and thus turbulence and turbulence in the air flow, which has a positive effect on the separation efficiency of the room air purifier. Another significant advantage of the room air purifier according to the invention is the extended separation distance, which is achieved in that the air duct 7 can extend essentially over the entire width of the room air cleaner 1. The particles charged in the area of the electrical separator 9 can reach the counter electrode 17 essentially along the entire longitudinal extent of the air duct 7 and can thereby be separated from the air flow. Furthermore, the advantageous flat, wide channel geometry can be seen from the exemplary embodiments according to the figures, in which the height extension h is significantly smaller than the width extension b of the air duct 7. This means that, on the one hand, a high air mass throughput can be achieved and, on the other hand, the desired maximum distance A maximum of 30 cm must be maintained between the emission electrode needles and the counter electrode, which is important for the separation efficiency.

According to the 2 and 3 the counter electrode 17 formed by a base of the air duct 7 has a collecting channel 23 extending transversely to the direction of air flow, in particular in the width direction b, for collecting and removing liquid and separated particles. The collecting channel 23 has proven to be advantageous in particular when the room air purifier 1 has a device for wetting the counter electrode 17 with liquid and optionally a liquid reservoir for storing the liquid used. The fact that the electrostatic precipitator 9 and the liquid wetting direction can be coordinated with one another in such a way that the particles charged by the electrostatic precipitator 9 can get into the liquid wetting the counter electrode 17, which is intended to rinse the counter electrode 17 or to clean it of the separated particles and any particles that may accumulate therein, allows the degree of separation to be further increased. It has been found that under certain circumstances the air flow flowing past the wetting liquid or the counter electrode 17 can tend to entrain particles that have already been separated, so that they return to the actually cleaned air flow. In addition, in particular in the area of the collecting channel 23, there can be a guide edge 25 that extends in particular transversely to the flow direction, preferably in the width direction b, which can be arranged in relation to the collecting channel 23 in such a way that the liquid separated from the air flow by means of the guide edge 25 reaches the collecting channel 23. In other words, the particularly sharp guide edge 23 splits or separates the air flow from the particle-laden liquid flow, in particular by utilizing gravity.

The deflection body 5 is arranged downstream of the collecting trough 23 and the leading edge 25. For example, as it is in the 2 and 3 As can be seen, the air duct base opens downstream of the collecting trough 23 into the deflection body 5, which is intended to deflect the air to be treated or treated by at least 45 ° with respect to the inflow direction and / or the flow direction of the air upstream of the collecting trough 23 in order to target the treated air downstream treatment steps and finally transported back out of the room air purifier 1. For example, the counter electrode 17 can also be formed downstream of the collecting trough 23 and can be designed to be electrically conductive in order to have a further separation effect and/or to neutralize generated ions. This can be achieved, for example, via electrical conductivity or a metallic guide surface 27. In the area of the deflection body 5, the channel cross section widens particularly continuously and assumes a significantly enlarged free channel cross section. According to the exemplary figures, the channel cross-section widens in such a way that the free flow cross-section essentially corresponds to a free inflow surface 29 of the catalytic converter 6 facing the air flow in order to flow against it as evenly and over a large area as possible. Downstream of the catalytic converter 6, the air duct 7 can have a guide structure 31 which tapers in a particularly funnel-like cross section and is intended to direct the treated air flow specifically to a fan which is in the 2 and 3 For example, a roller fan is to be supplied. Downstream of the roller fan 15, the treated air leaves the air duct 7 via an air outlet 33 into the interior of the housing 3 of the room air purifier 1 and finally into the environment (reference number 20).

The deflection body 5 has a particularly concavely curved air guide surface in sections, which is designed in such a way that the air is guided to the catalytic converter 6 as laminarly and uniformly as possible.

Referring to 4 an alternative version of the air flow within the room air purifier 1 is shown. At the in 4 In the embodiment shown, which can be colloquially referred to as a double-decker air duct, the room air purifier 1 has two stacked, ins special identically designed air ducts 7, each with an electrical separator 9 and a collecting trough 23 with a guide edge 25. This makes it possible to generate twice the air mass throughput and the air mass throughput of the room air purifier 1 can be scaled in a simple manner, depending on the requirements and use on or for the room air purifier 1 to achieve a desired performance. Downstream of the guide edge 25 and the collecting trough 23 of the overhead air duct 7, as was also the case in the previous embodiments, the counter electrode 17 is in any case placed a certain distance in front and in particular concavely curved in order to deflect the air to a certain extent by means of a blade-like guide element 37, whose surface 27 facing the air flow can also be designed to be electrically conductive. Downstream of the guide element 37, partial streams guided via the two separate air ducts 7 flow into one another at an opening 35 and reach the catalytic converter 6 together. However, it is also possible to supply the partial flow to the catalytic converter 6 independently of one another, i.e. unmixed.

Referring to the 5 to 7 A further exemplary embodiment of a room air purifier 1 according to the invention is described. The basic principle of air treatment as well as the basic structure and the presence of the individual components differs essentially from the previous statements in that instead of a one-sided air intake via a housing side wall 13 in the embodiment according to 5 to 7 the air can enter the room air purifier 1 from two opposite side walls 13. The room air purifier 1 includes two identical air treatment paths. The air ducts 7, each defining an air treatment path, are aligned with one another in such a way that they direct the air into the center of the room air purifier towards a common deflection body 5, downstream of which the two partial flows are brought together by the deflection body 5 and fed to a catalyst which is in turn arranged downstream, as it is was described with reference to the previous exemplary embodiments. As is the case in the exemplary embodiment according to 5 to 7 is shown, the deflection body 5 extends directly to the inflow surface 29 with its ramp end 39, so that the two partial flows reach the catalyst essentially separately from one another, or can be arranged at a certain distance from the inflow surface, so that the two partial flows are still mixed upstream of the catalyst 6 can occur.

The room air purifier 1 according to the 5 to 7 is constructed symmetrically with respect to a central axis M. Air can flow into the room air purifier from two opposite sides and is treated on two appropriately designed air treatment paths and finally released into the environment via the structures already described (reference number 22). From a synopsis in particular of 5 and 1 It can be seen that the room air purifier 1 according to the 5 to 7 compared to the air purifier 1 according to the 1 to 4 Losses with regard to the separation distance, i.e. the length in the longitudinal direction 1 of the separation channel section 12, have to be accepted, since the two separate air ducts meet in the center, but in favor of a doubled air mass throughput compared to the embodiment 1 . Incidentally, the separate air ducts 7 according to 5 to 7 be designed analogously to the air duct 7 according to the previous statements.

The 8th and 9 show as before 4 Alternative versions of the room air purifier according to the 4 to 7 , in which a double-decker ( 8th ) or triple decker ( 9 ) Version is shown to scale the air mass flow. The separate air ducts 7, which are arranged one above the other, with two opposite air ducts in accordance with the design according to 4 to 7 meet each other in the area of the deflection body 5, each carry partial air flows and treat the air guided therein and finally feed it to the catalytic converter 6 arranged downstream by means of the deflection body 5. In the execution according to the 8th and 9 the deflection body 5 has a Christmas tree-like, nested air guide surface structure, which are designed and aligned in such a way that two partial air flows flow into one another downstream of one of the guide plates 37. Out of 9 It can be seen in particular that a free flow cross section resulting between the guide plates 37 expands towards the catalytic converter 6 in order to give the total air mass flow, which is increasing due to the increasing number of partial flows, space to spread.

In the 10 and 11 Further exemplary versions of air duct systems inside the room air purifier 1 are shown. As before with the alternative version according to 5 to 7 the room air purifier 1, 10 to 11 four opposite air ducts 7, each in pairs, so that the air to be treated can enter the housing 3 of the room air purifier 1 essentially all the way around. The individual air ducts 7 are arranged in a cross shape relative to one another and open into a common, central catalyst 6 and are finally transported back into the environment by means of an axial fan 15. It is clear that in the 10 to 11 The embodiment shown can also be designed as a double-decker and triple-decker version in accordance with the previously shown alternative in order to further increase the air mass throughput.

In 12 a schematic principle sketch of two air ducts 7 arranged one above the other is shown, each of which is equipped with a switching mechanism 41, which can be coupled to a control mechanism 43 in order to be able to open and close each air duct 7 separately. At the in 12 In the embodiment shown, the upper air duct is open so that air can enter it (reference number 45); the lower, essentially identical air duct 7 is closed, so that no air can enter the room air purifier 1 via it. The switching mechanism has, for example, a valve member 47 that can be adjusted mechanically, pneumatically or electrically, according to 12 is designed as a valve flap.

The features disclosed in the above description, the figures and the claims can be important both individually and in any combination for the realization of the invention in the various embodiments.

Reference symbol list

1

Room air purifier

3

Housing

4

Housing part

5

Deflector body

6

catalyst

7

Air duct

9

Electrostatic separator

11

Air intake

12

separation channel section

13

Side wall

15

Fan

17

Counter electrode

19

Incoming air

20

Emission electrode

21

Emission electrode needle

22

Escaping air

23

collecting channel

25

leading edge

27

Air guide surface

29

Flow surface

31

Canal section

33

Air leakage

35

mouth

37

Air flow guide element

39

Ramp end

41

switching mechanism

43

Control mechanism

45

Airflow

47

Valve member

M

Central axis

l

Longitudinal extension direction

b

Width direction

H

Altitude direction

QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of documents listed by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 102020112573 A1 [0007]
• EP 2208539 A1 [0008]

Claims (19)

Room air purifier (1) comprising: - at least one air duct (7) with a longitudinal extent in the direction of flow of the air, a width extent transverse to the direction of flow of the air and a height extent transverse to the width and longitudinal extent, the height extent being smaller than the width extent; and - an electrical separator (9) with an arrangement arranged in the air duct (7) consisting of a counter electrode (17) and an emission electrode arranged at a distance from the counter electrode (17) in the direction of the height extension with an array of emission electrode needles (21) for separating liquid and/or solid particles from the air to be treated, the array having at least two rows of at least two emission electrode needles (21) arranged one behind the other in the direction of flow and arranged at a distance from one another in the width extension. Room air cleaner (1). Claim 1 , wherein a distance between the emission electrode needles (21) and the counter electrode (17) is at most 30 mm, in particular at most 25 mm or at most 20 mm. Room air cleaner (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the counter electrode (17) is formed at least in sections by a bottom wall of the air duct. Room air cleaner (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the ratio of the width extension of the air duct to the height extension of the air duct is at least 5:1, in particular at least 10:1, 15:1 or at least 20:1. Room air cleaner (1), in particular according to one of the preceding claims, comprising: - several separate air ducts; - an electrical separator (9) with an arrangement of a counter electrode (17) arranged in each air duct (7) and an emission electrode arranged at a distance from the counter electrode (17), in particular with an array of emission electrode needles (21) for separating liquid and/or or solid particles from the air to be treated; and - a deflection body (5) arranged downstream of the electrical separator (9), on which the air to be treated is deflected by at least 45°; characterized in that the flow cross section of the air ducts (7) does not decrease starting from the electrical separator (9) at least up to the deflection body (5). Room air purifier (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the air guide channel(s) (7) have/have a substantially rectangular or oval flow cross-section. Room air purifier (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the air duct(s) (7) can be opened and closed. Room air cleaner (1). Claim 7 , characterized by a switching mechanism (41) assigned to an air duct (7) with a valve member that can be adjusted in particular mechanically, pneumatically or electrically, such as a valve flap, for opening and closing the respective air duct. Room air purifier (1) according to one of the Claims 5 until 8th , characterized in that at least two, in particular three or four, air guide channels (7) are stacked on top of one another. Room air cleaner (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the air ducts (7) are designed such that the respective separate air streams are supplied independently of one another to a catalyst arranged downstream of the deflection body (5), in particular downstream of the deflection body (5 )s and upstream of the catalytic converter, the flow cross section of the air ducts (7) widens by at least 50%. Room air cleaner (1), in particular according to one of the preceding claims, comprising: - at least one air duct; and - an electrical separator (9) with an arrangement arranged in the air duct (7) consisting of a counter electrode (17) and an emission electrode arranged at a distance from the counter electrode (17), in particular with an array of emission electrode needles (21) for separating liquid and/or or solid particles from the air to be treated; characterized in that a length of a separation channel section (12) of the air guide channel defining a separation distance in the flow direction of the air downstream of the emission electrode is at least 10 cm and / or at least 50%, in particular at least 100%, 150% or at least 200%, of a minimum distance between the counter electrode ( 17) and emission electrode is. Air purifier (1) by Claim 11 , characterized in that the separation channel section length is at least 200%, in particular at least 250%, 300%, 350% or at least 400%, of the length of the emission electrode, in particular in particular a distance from an upstream to a downstream emission electrode needle, in the flow direction of the air. Air purifier (1) by Claim 11 or 12 , characterized in that the separation channel section has a substantially constant flow cross-section, wherein in particular the flow cross-section of the separation channel section (12) starting from the electrostatic precipitator (9) does not decrease at least as far as a deflection body (5) arranged downstream of the electrostatic precipitator (9). Room air cleaner (1) according to one of the preceding claims, further characterized by a liquid storage and a device for wetting the counter electrode (17) with liquid from the liquid storage, in particular the electrical separator (9) and the liquid wetting device being coordinated with one another in such a way that from the electrical separator (9) charged particles get into the liquid wetting the counter electrode (17), in particular into a liquid film formed on the counter electrode (17). Room air cleaner (1). Claim 14 , characterized in that the counter electrode (17) has a collecting channel, which extends in particular transversely to the flow direction, for collecting and discharging the liquid and / or a guide edge which extends in particular transversely to the flow direction and which is set up to separate the liquid from the air flow, in particular the leading edge is arranged in relation to the collecting trough in such a way that the liquid separated from the air flow by means of the leading edge reaches the collecting trough. Room air cleaner (1). Claim 15 , characterized in that the counter electrode (17) downstream of the collecting trough is designed to be electrically conductive, in particular metallic, and is designed to neutralize the ions generated during the electrodeposition. Room air cleaner (1). Claim 16 , characterized in that the liquid wetting device is further set up to wet, in particular to rinse, the counter electrode (17) downstream of the collecting trough with the liquid. Room air cleaner (1), in particular according to one of the preceding claims, comprising: - at least one air duct; - an electrical separator (9) with an arrangement arranged in the air duct (7) consisting of a counter electrode (17) and an emission electrode arranged at a distance from the counter electrode (17), in particular with an array of emission electrode needles (21) for separating liquid and / or solid particles from the air to be treated; and - a deflection body (5) arranged downstream of the electrical separator (9), on which the air to be treated is deflected by at least 45°; characterized in that the flow cross section of the air duct is essentially constant starting from the electrical separator (9) at least up to the deflection body (5). Room air cleaner (1) according to one of the preceding claims, further characterized by an air treatment device arranged downstream of the deflection body (5), such as a catalytic converter or a fan, to which air flows from the deflection body (5), with a width of the air duct in the width direction transverse to the flow direction of the air essentially corresponds to a free flow width of the air treatment device.

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