DE202021004100U1 - ion generating element - Google Patents

Abstract

Flat electrode for an ion-generating element, the flat electrode (4) comprising ring-shaped electrode structures (7,10,20) and a metal oxide layer (23) being arranged inside at least some of the ring-shaped electrode structures (20).

Description

The present invention relates to a flat electrode for an ion generating element which can effectively prevent generation of ozone when ions are generated, and an ion generating element, an ionization device for treating an air flow and a ventilation system each having such a flat electrode.

Usually, in a closed space that is ventilated less frequently, such as an office or conference room, air pollutants expelled through the breath, cigarette smoke and dust accumulate. Air purification devices are known which treat and/or remove, for example, indoors by ionizing air and thus generating electrically charged air components, particles, fine dust, viruses, mold and/or spores and providing an air flow enriched with ions.

A high ion content, in particular of negative oxygen ions, is also associated with positive properties that are intended to increase a person's well-being. Among other things, negative oxygen ions should improve the natural defenses, neutralize odors, minimize the risk of allergic reactions, increase the ability to concentrate and have a positive effect on stress resistance.

However, when charged ions, which can lead to the formation of radicals from other components of the air, are generated by appropriate ionization devices, highly reactive ozone is usually always produced. In particular, ozone is formed when there is a high-energy discharge in the room (impact ionization). Due to their oxidizing effect, however, ozone molecules are toxic to humans if a value of 0.2 mg/m ³ is exceeded. Even with a lower ozone intake, this is often associated with severe temporal headaches.

From the pamphlet EP 0 634 205 A1 there is known an ozone decomposing catalyst composed of a net-shaped support coated with a noble metal for use as an unheated ozone decomposing catalyst.

From the pamphlet DE 196 51 402 A1 an ionization apparatus for generating active oxygen ions in the air is known, consisting of one or more ionization apparatuses and a transformer generating high voltage and a sensor unit acting on an electrical control unit, the ionization apparatuses consisting of two or more electrically conductive, flat structures which are connected by a dielectric are separated from each other. Control electronics can be designed in such a way that all ionization devices are operated when the air is very polluted or there is a large amount of air, and only one or no ionization devices are operated when the air is clean, in order to avoid excessive ion production and/or the risk of ozonation.

From the pamphlet DE 602 07 725 T2 discloses an air conditioner having an ion generator, the ion generator having an ion generating element, and the ion generating element including a dielectric body, an internal electrode formed inside the dielectric body, and a surface electrode formed on a surface of the dielectric body. Here, the surface electrode is formed in a lattice pattern having lattice squares, each lattice square having a pointed portion.

From the pamphlet EP 0 208 169 B1 discloses an electrostatic high-voltage electrode for ionizing the air with a large number of needle-shaped, non-cast individual electrodes, each with a tip, which are arranged in several rows of the same design, wherein all the individual electrodes are of the same design, run parallel to one another and their tips lie in one plane , and wherein the individual electrodes of each row are opposite the spaces between the individual electrodes of the respective adjacent row, the individual electrodes are at least half their free length apart and the free length of the electrodes is related to their diameter at least 50:1.

The object of embodiments of the invention is to specify a flat electrode for an ion-generating element which generates as little ozone as possible during operation.

This problem is solved by the subject matter of the independent claims. Further advantageous developments are the subject matter of the dependent claims.

According to one embodiment of the invention, this object is achieved by a flat electrode for an ion-generating element, the flat electrode comprising ring-shaped electrode structures.

Flat electrodes are understood to be electrodes that are spatially flat, that is to say have a low height. Such flat electrodes are used, for example, in ion-generating elements.

Ion-generating elements are also used to generate ionized air components, in particular by means of ionization voltage or high voltage. The ion-generating element uses a high voltage in a range from 1.5 kV to 15 kV, for example. In this case, the ion-generating element can be connected in particular to a high-voltage generation unit, such as a transformer, a piezoelectric transformer, a flyback converter and/or a high-voltage cascade. An electrical discharge of the ionization voltage into the surrounding air takes place at an ion emitter of the ion-generating element, in particular a flat electrode, and thus an ionization of the air components. The ions can be generated, for example, by corona discharge and/or field emission into the immediate air environment.

The fact that the flat electrode comprises ring-shaped electrode structures also means that the flat electrode is formed from individual, connected circular electrode structures which have no edges or points, the individual circular electrode structures preferably having the shape of concentric ring cross-sections.

Such a flat electrode has the advantage that, compared to conventional flat electrodes for ion-generating elements, for example flat electrodes formed by net or grid-like electrode structures, it has a lower field strength and thus impact ionization is avoided and less ozone is formed. The density of electric field lines and thus also the electric field strength is usually greatest at the tips of electrical conductors or electrodes that are under high voltage. A glow discharge occurs just below the breakdown voltage, which is so strong that the bond between oxygen molecules is broken and ozone is formed. Since the electrode according to the invention is formed from individual, connected, circular electrode structures which have no edges or points, such high-energy discharges and the formation of ozone associated therewith can be effectively avoided. Furthermore, this also results in less electrode erosion, so that the service life of the flat electrode is increased.

In one embodiment, the ring-shaped electrode structures are also formed from an electrode material that actively splits ozone catalytically.

A catalytically active material accelerates a chemical reaction, in particular a catalysis, without being consumed in the process.

Because the flat electrode is formed from an electrode material that actively splits ozone catalytically, ozone created during the generation of ions can be split and broken down without the electrode material being used up and the service life of the flat electrode being reduced.

In particular, the ring-shaped electrode structures can be formed from platinum or palladium. By choosing platinum or palladium as the electrode material, a high catalytic effect is achieved even at low temperatures.

In addition, a metal oxide layer can be arranged inside at least some of the ring-shaped electrode structures.

Inside the ring-shaped electrode structures means that the metal oxide layer is in each case arranged within a region surrounded by and delimited by the corresponding ring-shaped electrode structure.

Metal oxides, in particular transition metal oxides, such as manganese oxide, iron oxide, cobalt oxide, copper oxide, or nickel oxide are also known as catalytically active materials in the decomposition or splitting of ozone and are used in pure form or as a mixture as a catalytically active component in catalysts, for example in the form of bulk material -Supported catalysts used to decompose ozone. Overall, the splitting and decomposition of ozone formed during the generation of ions can thus be optimized even further.

The ring-shaped electrode structures can also each be at least partially covered by a dielectric cover in such a way that plasma is formed mainly in the interior of the ring-shaped electrode structures.

A dielectric cover is understood to mean a dielectric barrier which spatially limits the discharge and the generation of ions during operation. Typical materials for such a dielectric barrier are glass, quartz, ceramics or enamel. Plastics such as Teflon or silicone can also be used.

Inside the ring-shaped electrode structures also means that the dielectric cover is arranged in such a way that the plasma is mainly, ie essentially related For the most part, this occurs within an area that is surrounded and delimited by the corresponding electrode structure, i.e. ions are mainly generated within this area and at least the majority of the ion generation takes place in this area.

This has the advantage that the plasma generated is in direct contact with the electrode and thus with the catalytically active electrode material, and possibly also with the metal oxide arranged inside the electron structures. As a result, the splitting and decomposition of ozone formed during the generation of ions can in turn be optimized even further.

A further embodiment of the invention also specifies an ion-generating element for generating ions by means of an ionization voltage, which element has a flat electrode as described above and a ground electrode.

The ground electrode is a grounded electrode. If a high voltage is applied to the flat electrode, an electric field is generated at the other end of the earthed ground electrode. This results in the creation of a plasma discharge and the ionization of molecules in the air, which can produce positive and negative ions.

Such an ion-generating element has the advantage that it has a flat electrode, which has a lower field strength compared to conventional flat electrodes for ion-generating elements, for example flat electrodes, which are formed by net or grid-like electrode structures and thus impact ionization is avoided and less ozone is formed becomes. The density of electric field lines and thus also the electric field strength is usually greatest at the tips of electrical conductors or electrodes that are under high voltage. A glow discharge occurs just below the breakdown voltage, which is so strong that the bond between oxygen molecules is broken and ozone is formed. Since the electrode according to the invention is formed from individual, connected, circular electrode structures which have no edges or points, such discharges and the formation of ozone associated therewith can be effectively avoided. Furthermore, this also results in less electrode erosion, so that the service life of the flat electrode is increased.

In this case, the ground electrode can be of linear design.

The fact that the ground electrode is linear means that the ground electrode is not solid as a block-shaped electrode but is linear and has a meandering structure, for example.

This has the advantage that the capacity and thus also the electric field at the two electrodes is reduced. This in turn can prevent high-energy discharges from occurring and thus reduce the formation of ozone.

Furthermore, the ground electrode may be formed of a resistance alloy.

In this context, resistance alloys are understood to mean alloys of two or more metals which have a relatively high specific electrical resistance, have a low tendency to oxidize and convert electrical energy into heat. The resistance alloy can be, for example, a silver-palladium alloy such as Ag ₃ Pd or Ag ₆ Pd.

As a result, a heating effect can be realized and the formation of ozone can be further reduced, especially since the formation of ozone or the formation of ozone is inversely related to the existing temperature.

A further embodiment of the invention also specifies an ionization device for treating an air flow, the ionization device having a supply air connection for feeding an air flow into the ionization device, an ion-generating element as described above for ionizing air components of the air flow by means of an ionization voltage, and a return air connection for returning the treated air flow from the ionization device.

Such an ionization device has the advantage that it has a flat electrode which has a lower field strength compared to conventional flat electrodes for ion-generating elements, for example flat electrodes which are formed by net-like or lattice-like electrode structures, and thus impact ionization is avoided and less ozone is formed . The density of electric field lines and thus also the electric field strength is usually greatest at the tips of electrical conductors or electrodes that are under high voltage. It comes close below the breakdown voltage to a glow discharge, which is so strong that the bond between oxygen molecules is broken and ozone is formed. Since the electrode according to the invention is formed from individual, connected, circular electrode structures which have no edges or points, such discharges and the formation of ozone associated therewith can be effectively avoided. Furthermore, this also results in less electrode erosion, so that the service life of the flat electrode is increased.

A further embodiment of the invention also specifies a ventilation system which has an ionization device as described above.

Such a ventilation system has the advantage that it has a flat electrode, which has a lower field strength compared to conventional flat electrodes for ion-generating elements, for example flat electrodes, which are formed by net or lattice-shaped electrode structures and thus impact ionization is avoided and less ozone is formed . The density of electric field lines and thus also the electric field strength is usually greatest at the tips of electrical conductors or electrodes that are under high voltage. A glow discharge occurs just below the breakdown voltage, which is so strong that the bond between oxygen molecules is broken and ozone is formed. Since the electrode according to the invention is formed from individual, connected, circular electrode structures which have no edges or points, such discharges and the formation of ozone associated therewith can be effectively avoided. Furthermore, this also results in less electrode erosion, so that the service life of the flat electrode is increased.

The ventilation system can be, for example, a ventilation system for a closed room, a vehicle, or for a cabin of an airplane.

In summary, it can be stated that the present invention provides a flat electrode for an ion-generating element, with which the formation of ozone can be effectively avoided when ions are generated.

This is realized here by a special geometric configuration of the flat electrode, with the flat electrode comprising ring-shaped electrode structures.

The effect of avoiding the formation of ozone can also be further enhanced by using special materials and/or catalytic substances or actively catalytic materials.

• 1 zeigt eine schematisch perspektivische Ansicht eines ionengenerierenden Elements gemäß Ausführungsformen der Erfindung;
• 2 zeigt eine Draufsicht auf eine Oberseite des ionengenerierenden Elements gemäß 1;
• 3 zeigt eine Draufsicht auf eine Masseelektrode des ionengenerierenden Elements gemäß 1;
• 4 zeigt eine Draufsicht auf eine ringförmige Elektrodenstruktur gemäß einer ersten Ausführungsform;
• 5 zeigt eine Draufsicht auf eine ringförmige Elektrodenstruktur gemäß einer zweiten Ausführungsform.

The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying figures.

• 1 shows a schematic perspective view of an ion generating element according to embodiments of the invention;
• 2 FIG. 12 shows a top view of an upper side of the ion-generating element according to FIG 1 ;
• 3 FIG. 12 is a plan view of a ground electrode of the ion generating element of FIG 1 ;
• 4 shows a plan view of an annular electrode structure according to a first embodiment;
• 5 shows a plan view of an annular electrode structure according to a second embodiment.

1 FIG. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of an ion-generating element 1 according to embodiments of the invention.

According to the embodiments of 1 the ion-generating element 1 has an ion-generating element, which is according to the embodiments of 1 is a flat electrode 4 arranged on a top side 2 of the ion-generating element 1 and in particular on a surface of a dielectric body 3, for example a ceramic dielectric. The flat electrode 4 is connected via an insulated electrical conductor 5, for example a cable with an in 1 not shown, power supply connected. Furthermore, the flat electrode 4 can also be equipped with an in 1 not shown, control and regulation unit and one, in 1 not shown be connected data interface.

Furthermore, the ion-generating element according to the embodiments of 1 one in the dielectric body 3, in 1 ground electrode, not shown, which is connected to a ground potential via corresponding connections 6 and is thus grounded.

If a high voltage is applied to the flat electrode 4, an electric field is generated at the other end of the grounded ground electrode. This results in the creation of a plasma discharge and the ionization of water molecules in the air, which can create positive and negative ions.

However, when charged ions are generated, which can lead to the formation of radicals from other components of the air, highly reactive ozone is usually also produced. In particular, ozone is formed when there is a high-energy discharge in the room (impact ionization). Due to their oxidizing effect, however, ozone molecules are toxic to humans if a value of 0.2 mg/m ³ is exceeded. Even with a lower ozone intake, this is often associated with severe temporal headaches.

As 1 shows, the flat electrode 3 comprises ring-shaped electrode structures 7 or this 3 is formed from connected, ring-shaped electrode structures 7 .

Such a flat electrode 3 has the advantage that it has a lower field strength compared to conventional flat electrodes for ion-generating elements, for example flat electrodes which are formed by net or grid-like electrode structures, and thus impact ionization is avoided and less ozone is also formed. The density of electric field lines and thus also the electric field strength is usually greatest at the tips of electrical conductors or electrodes that are under high voltage. A glow discharge occurs just below the breakdown voltage, which is so strong that the bond between oxygen molecules is broken and ozone is formed. Since the electrode according to the invention is formed from individual, connected, circular electrode structures which have no edges or points, such high-energy discharges and the formation of ozone associated therewith can be effectively avoided. Furthermore, this also results in less electrode erosion, so that the service life of the flat electrode is increased.

The ion-generating element 1 can also, in 1 be downstream not shown catalytic mechanical components, such as activated carbon or a corresponding metal mesh.

2 FIG. 12 shows a top view of the ion generating element according to FIG 1 . Components and parts with the same function or construction as in 1 have the same reference numbers and are not discussed separately.

As in particular in 2 can be seen, the flat electrode 4 is formed by connected, ring-shaped electrode structures 7 .

According to the embodiments of 2 the ring-shaped electrode structures 6 are formed from an electrode material which actively splits ozone catalytically.

In particular, the ring-shaped structures 7 are preferably formed from platinum or palladium with a layer thickness of between 5 μm and 14 μm.

3 FIG. 12 shows a plan view of a ground electrode 8 of the ion generating element 1 according to FIG 1 . Components and parts with the same function or construction as in 1 have the same reference numbers and are not discussed separately.

As 3 shows, a further electrode, in particular a ground electrode 8 , is embedded in the dielectric body 3 of the ion-generating element 1 .

As can be seen, the ground electrode 8 is in the form of a line, in particular a meandering shape.

According to the embodiments of 3 , the ground electrode 8 is also formed from a resistance alloy and in particular from a silver-palladium alloy such as Ag ₃ PD or Ag ₆ PD with a layer thickness between 8 μm and 17 μm.

4 FIG. 1 shows a plan view of an annular electrode structure 10 according to a first embodiment.

The flat electrode according to the invention thus comprises ring-shaped electrode structures, with a ring-shaped electrode structure 10 in 4 is shown.

According to the first embodiment, the ring-shaped electrode structure 10 is formed in the form of a concentric ring cross-section.

As 4 further shows, a dielectric cover 11 is applied to the ring-shaped electrode structure 10 or the ring-shaped electrode structure 10 is covered by a dielectric cover 11 in such a way that plasma is mainly formed in the interior of the ring-shaped electrode structure 10 during operation.

In particular, the entire outer area 12 of the ring-shaped electrode structure 10 is covered with the dielectric cover 11 or the dielectric barrier.

Typical materials for such a dielectric cover 11 are glass, quartz, ceramics or enamel. Also plastics, for example Teflon or silicone can be used, with the dielectric covering 11 preferably having a layer thickness of between 9 μm and 20 μm.

5 12 shows a plan view of an annular electrode structure 20 according to a second embodiment.

According to the second embodiment, the ring-shaped electrode structure 20 is in turn formed in the form of a concentric ring cross-section.

Also, the ring-shaped electrode structure 20 is in turn covered by a dielectric cover 21 in such a way that plasma is formed mainly inside the ring-shaped electrode structure 20 .

In contrast to the one in 4 The first embodiment shown is inside the ring-shaped electrode structure 20 according to FIG 5 A metal oxide layer 23 is arranged in the second embodiment shown, that is to say in a region 22 which is surrounded by the ring-shaped electrode structure 20 or is delimited by this 20 . The metal oxide can be, in particular, a transition metal oxide such as manganese oxide, iron oxide, cobalt oxide, copper oxide or nickel oxide. Such metal oxides are also known as catalytically active materials in the decomposition or splitting of ozone and are used in pure form or as a mixture as a catalytically active component in catalysts, for example in the form of bulk material supported catalysts for the decomposition of ozone. Overall, the splitting and decomposition of ozone formed during the generation of ions can thus be optimized even further.

reference list

1

ion generating element

2

top

3

dielectric body

4

flat electrode

5

electrical conductor

6

connection

7

ring-shaped electrode structure

8th

ground electrode

10

electrode structure

11

dielectric cover

12

outer area

20

ring-shaped electrode structure

21

dielectric cover

22

area

23

metal oxide layer

QUOTES INCLUDED IN DESCRIPTION

This list of documents cited 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.

Patent Literature Cited

• EP 0634205 A1 [0005]
• DE 19651402 A1 [0006]
• DE 60207725 T2 [0007]
• EP 0208169 B1 [0008]

Claims (9)

Flat electrode for an ion-generating element, the flat electrode (4) comprising ring-shaped electrode structures (7,10,20) and a metal oxide layer (23) being arranged inside at least some of the ring-shaped electrode structures (20). flat electrode claim 1 , wherein the ring-shaped electrode structures (7,10,20) are formed from an electrode material which actively splits ozone catalytically. flat electrode claim 2 , wherein the ring-shaped electrode structures (7,10,20) are formed from platinum or palladium. Flat electrode according to one of claims 2 until 3 , wherein the ring-shaped electrode structures (10,20) are each covered by a dielectric cover (11,21) in such a way that plasma is formed mainly inside the ring-shaped electrode structures (10,20) respectively. Ion-generating element for generating ions by means of an ionization voltage, the ion-generating element (1) having a flat electrode (4) according to one of Claims 1 until 4 and a ground electrode (8). ion generating element claim 5 , wherein the ground electrode (8) is linear. ion generating element claim 5 or 6 , wherein the ground electrode (8) is formed of a resistance alloy. Ionization device for treating an air flow, the ionization device having a supply air connection for supplying an air flow into the ionization device, an ion-generating element (1) according to one of Claims 5 until 6 for ionizing air components of the air flow by means of an ionization voltage and a return air connection for returning the treated air flow from the ionization device. Ventilation system, which has an ionization device claim 8 having.

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