WO2023079162A2

WO2023079162A2 - Room air purifier

Info

Publication number: WO2023079162A2
Application number: PCT/EP2022/081073
Authority: WO
Inventors: Anton Wolf; Antonia Herbst; Sven Steffmann
Original assignee: Woco Gmbh & Co. Kg
Priority date: 2021-11-08
Filing date: 2022-11-08
Publication date: 2023-05-11
Also published as: WO2023079162A3; DE102021129045A1

Abstract

A room air purifier (1) comprises an electrostatic precipitator (3) with a counter electrode (5) and an emission electrode (7) for separating liquid and/or solid particles from the air to be treated; a liquid conveyor (13) for conveying liquid; a basin (8) having at least one peripheral edge (80) and at least one discharge opening (89) arranged below the peripheral edge (80) in the vertical direction (V), wherein the counter electrode (5) is arranged between the peripheral edge (80) and the discharge opening (89) in the basin (8), wherein the liquid conveyor (13) comprises at least one delivery tube oriented in the peripheral direction of the basin (8), such as a nozzle (61), for feeding the liquid into the basin (8).

Description

room air purifier

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

Generic room air cleaners, also called air treatment devices, are used to prepare, in particular to clean, humidify and/or wash air that is present in closed rooms and/or buildings. The air treatment devices can have numerous areas of application, for example in medical technology or in the healthcare industry, especially in doctor's offices, isolation rooms, sick 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 offices, and/or in mobility, for example for cleaning vehicle interiors, especially in taxis, rental cars or vehicle sharing concepts. For example, the air treatment devices are standing devices and/or small electrical devices that can be placed in buildings or rooms on the floor or on shelves such as tables.

As a rule, room air cleaners are equipped with multi-layer filter systems. A highly effective particle filter is supplemented by additional filters so that the intake air is cleaned and freed from pollutants. Air washers, on the other hand, usually work without additional filters and lead the air through a water bath, where it is cleaned and humidified at the same time. Increasingly high demands are being placed on air treatment. On the one hand, this has to do with tightening legal requirements and the steadily growing health awareness of the population. In particular, the fine dust present in the air, which has solid particles in the pg/m ³ range, has proven to be particularly critical. Particulate matter can also contain bacteria, pollen, viruses, spores, fibers or the like. There are generally two types of air handlers, passive air handlers and active air handlers. With passive air handlers, no additional energy is injected into the system to condition the air. Active air treatment devices are characterized by the fact that additional energy is expended to carry out the air treatment. Known air treatment devices are limited in their effectiveness with regard to air treatment. The passive systems in particular are not capable of effectively separating fine dust particles from the air.

Furthermore, approaches for air treatment devices in which the electro-precipitation technology is used already exist in the prior art. However, such systems have the fundamental disadvantage that dry particles and thus non-aerosols are difficult to collect on a counter-electrode and transport away. After contact with the counter-electrode, fine dust is either carried away by the air flow or “clumps” to form a non-electrically conductive mass on the counter-electrode. On the one hand, the degree of separation is heavily dependent 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 required electrical conductivity.

In order to avoid contamination of the counter-electrode and to ensure safe transport of the separated particles, a liquid is occasionally already used to wet the counter-electrode and wash it around it. For example, EP 1919626 Ai discloses an air cleaner with a counter-electrode wetted with a film of liquid. However, the air purifier according to EP 1919626 Ai depends on it always being balanced so that the counter-electrode can be reliably and evenly wetted. Another disadvantage was identified in that the liquid was turbulent or with a rather high Speed is promoted to the counter-electrode, so that it is difficult to supply the counter-electrode with water in a controlled manner or to adjust the amount of liquid in a controlled manner. This is related in particular to the circulation speed of the pump conveying the liquid.

The object of the present invention is to overcome the disadvantages of the known prior art, in particular to provide a room air cleaner with increased separation efficiency and/or less tendency to become dirty, with the operation of the room air cleaner being independent of its orientation.

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

Thereafter, a room air cleaner for cleaning, humidifying and/or washing air is 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 by means of the room air cleaner 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 cleaner is a small electrical device and/or a stand-alone device that can be set up or removed in buildings or rooms or that 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 cleaner can be designed as an independent device, in particular a stand-alone device, it is also possible to integrate the room air cleaner according to the invention in ventilation systems, extractor hoods or other ventilation systems arranged in a room in a building or in a room in a vehicle. The room air purifier may be able to remove liquid particles, such as fat or oil particles, as well as fine dust and solid particles from the air, even for solid particle concentrations in the pg/m ³ range. In particular, the room air cleaner is able to comply with the fine dust limit values, with a fine dust limit value PMio of 40 pg/m ³ being achievable, for example. Fine dust particles are understood to mean particles with an aerodynamic diameter of 10 μm or smaller. A room air cleaner according to the invention comprises an electrostatic precipitator with a counter electrode and an emission electrode for separating the liquid and/or solid particles from the air to be treated. The emission electrode can be formed, for example, as an array of emission electrodes.

The electrostatic precipitator can be designed as a plasma precipitator. The counter electrode and the emission electrode can be insulated from each other and/or can each be made in one piece. The emission electrode, also known as the discharge electrode, is mainly used to emit negatively charged particles in particular. The counter electrode, also known as the collecting electrode, forms the opposite pole. For example, the space between the emission electrode and the counter-electrode can be referred to as the separation space, in which the solid and/or liquid particles are separated from the air to be treated. During the operation of the electrostatic precipitator, 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 16 kV, in particular in the range from n to 14 kV. In particular, the electrostatic precipitator is operated below the breakdown or flashover voltage. The breakdown voltage, also known as the breakdown voltage, is the voltage that must be exceeded in order for a voltage breakdown to occur through a material or substance, for example an insulator or gas. For example, the principle of charge generation on which the electrostatic precipitator is based can be impact ionization. When the so-called corona onset field strength is exceeded, electrons exit the emission electrode and interact with the surrounding air molecules, resulting in the formation of 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 attached 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 flow enters, the negatively charged charges accumulate on the particles. By acting electrostatic force of the DC voltage field, which is transverse to Flow direction of the air can be oriented through the room air cleaner, the negatively charged particles migrate in the direction of the counter-electrode, where they can release their charge and can 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 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 room air cleaner also includes a liquid conveyor for conveying liquid. In particular, the liquid delivery is provided for wetting the counter-electrode with liquid, in particular from a preferably local liquid reservoir.

During the operation of the room air cleaner, the particles electrically charged by the electrostatic precipitator are attracted by its counter-electrode and can thus be caught and transported away in the liquid wetting on the counter-electrode, which can in particular be designed as a continuously flowing liquid film, in particular while the air flow cleaned by it is carried on separately and finally released back into the environment. The liquid wetting of the counter-electrode also has the advantage that the counter-electrode is cleaned, in particular rinsed, of dirt or deposits by means of the liquid. The liquid is generally a flowable rinsing and/or collector medium, for example water, in particular also 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 reached, such as a wax or the like, an ionic liquid, such as melted or dissolved salts, or highly viscous oils that are mixed with electrically conductive particles, such as copper, for example. For example, the liquid can have a predetermined electrical conductivity, for example a minimum conductivity of at least 0.005 S/m. The room air cleaner includes in particular a preferably local liquid store. The liquid feed is preferably connected to the liquid store. The liquid reservoir can be designed as a local liquid reservoir. By local is meant that the liquid reservoir is part of and/or directly associated with the room air cleaner as opposed to a separate liquid reservoir or supply. For example, the liquid reservoir is arranged below the electrostatic precipitator. The liquid can then be pumped upwards with a pump, for example to the top of the counter-electrode, and then return to the liquid reservoir via the counter-electrode in a structurally simple manner utilizing the weight force. The particles separated by the electrostatic precipitator can be entrained by the liquid, transported to the liquid reservoir and collected there.

The room air separator according to the invention also includes a basin with at least one peripheral edge and at least one drainage opening arranged in the vertical direction below the peripheral edge. It should be understood that the liquid will flow from the peripheral edge to the at least one drain hole due to the action of gravity. In particular, at least the drainage opening is arranged in the middle, preferably at the midpoint, and/or at the bottom, in particular at a low point, in the basin. The at least one drain opening is preferably located at a lowest point in the basin. The peripheral edge, which in particular runs all the way around, preferably realizes the upper end of the basin. The drain opening can preferably be arranged, in particular directly, above the preferably local liquid reservoir. The basin and the liquid reservoir can in particular be matched to one another in such a way that liquid flows out of the basin through its drain opening, in particular directly or guided in a drain line, into the liquid reservoir. The basin and the liquid reservoir are preferably matched to one another in such a way that the liquid flows through the drain opening and optionally a drain line into the liquid reservoir, in particular exclusively under the action of gravity. The peripheral edge delimits the upper end of the basin at least in sections of the circumference or, preferably, over the entire circumference. In the room air cleaner according to the invention, the counter-electrode is arranged in the basin, between the peripheral edge and the drain opening. For example, the basin can be ring-shaped, in particular ring-shaped, with the radial outer edge of the ring being defined by the peripheral edge and the radial inner edge of the ring being defined by a radial central area spanned by the at least one outflow opening or a plurality of outflow openings, and with the counter-electrode also being able to be ring-shaped and extending in the radial direction extends between the ring inner edge and the ring outer edge.

According to the invention, it is provided that the liquid conveyance comprises at least one delivery pipe, such as a nozzle, aligned in the circumferential direction of the basin, preferably tangentially to the basin, for feeding the liquid into the basin. For the purpose of this disclosure, a dispensing tube generally refers to a tube with which the liquid is dispensed into the pool, preferably exclusively in liquid form. The delivery tube can have the same cross-sectional area in sections or over its entire length, can expand or narrow. The liquid emerges at the particularly nozzle-like outlet of the delivery pipe, which can be referred to as a source opening, in order to flow into the basin. In the area of the source opening, the dispensing tube can have a round, in particular circular or oval, cross-sectional area. In particular, the clear width of the source opening is in the range from 0.1 mm to 10 mm, preferably in the range from 0.2 mm to 5 mm, particularly preferably in the range from 0.5 mm to 3 mm. The alignment of the dispensing tube is generally such that the axial extent of the dispensing tube is oriented transversely, in particular perpendicularly, to an (imaginary) radial connecting line from the central drain opening or the center of the central area of the basin to the dispensing opening of the dispensing tube. In the case of a basin that is rotationally symmetrical or at least round, for example oval, in shape, the dispensing tube can be aligned in accordance with a tangent to the round, for example oval, shape. Other pool shapes are conceivable. Preferably, the nozzle oriented in the peripheral direction of the basin is oriented parallel to the peripheral edge or substantially parallel to the peripheral wall. It should be clear that an orientation of the delivery pipe in the circumferential direction of the basin, preferably a tangential orientation, is realized even if the delivery pipe with respect to a radial direction of the preferably round basin deviates slightly from a vertical orientation, for example offset by no more than ±30°, in particular no more than ±15°, preferably no more than ±10°, particularly preferably no more than 5 ^° . This orientation of the delivery tube in relation to the basin imparts a flow velocity in the circumferential direction of the basin to the liquid discharged into the basin. After exiting the dispensing tube, the liquid flows under the action of gravity, preferably in a radial direction with respect to the basin, towards the dispensing opening. In the area of the basin, the liquid discharged from the at least one discharge tube has a twist and/or forms a turbulent flow. The turbulent flow of the liquid in the basin leads to stable wetting of the inside of the basin and the counter-electrode arranged in the basin by the liquid. The liquid film preferably forms a standing wave in the basin at least in sections, preferably over the entire surface, due to the twist and/or the turbulent flow of the liquid. The turbulent flow causes a particularly stable liquid film that is uniform in the circumferential direction. In this way, it can be ensured that the liquid flows smoothly into the downstream drain hole even when the room air cleaner is tilted.

In an exemplary embodiment, the liquid conveyance comprises a plurality of, for example three, four or five, discharge pipes, in particular nozzles, arranged in a uniformly offset manner along the peripheral edge. Alternatively or additionally, the liquid conveyance comprises at least one pair of diametrically opposite delivery tubes, in particular nozzles. Preferably, all of the two or more delivery tubes, particularly nozzles, are oriented in the circumferential direction of the basin, preferably tangentially to the basin. It should be understood that the multiple delivery tubes of the room air cleaner are preferably oriented with the same orientation, either all clockwise or all counterclockwise. The plurality of dispensing tubes, in particular nozzles, can be shaped in the same way. The multiple discharge pipes, in particular discharge openings, preferably have the same radial distance to the drain opening or the central area of the basin. The use of a plurality of delivery pipes, in particular arranged in pairs opposite one another, promotes more uniform wetting of the inside of the tank with the liquid, in particular in the upper region of the tank, near the upper peripheral edge. In this way it can be ensured that the counter-electrode is also surrounded by the liquid in its radially outer area.

According to a further exemplary embodiment, the at least one delivery pipe, in particular the at least one nozzle, is arranged on a feed opening or source opening radially penetrating a wall of the basin. In particular, the supply opening is arranged in a funnel-shaped portion of the basin or on a cylindrical-sleeve-shaped portion of the basin, such as a cylindrical-sleeve-shaped collar which projects vertically at the upper peripheral edge. In an embodiment with a plurality of delivery tubes, each delivery tube can be assigned an individual feed opening. The feed opening preferably implements a recess on the inside of the basin. By using a feed opening, the liquid can be introduced into the basin with a twist and/or as a turbulent flow in such a way that the liquid, following a particularly complete circulating movement, such as a particularly full-circumferential spiral movement, in the basin of the liquid, is directed in the circumferential direction next supply opening or hits the same supply opening again and is entrained by the escaping liquid. A delivery pipe arranged in this way, in particular a nozzle arranged in this way, saves space and allows the area around which the flow flows on the inside of the pool to be maximized, which area can be used for the counter-electrode.

In a further exemplary embodiment, the basin, in particular the counter-electrode, has at least in sections a funnel shape with an acute angle to the horizontal. The acute angle can be less than 45 ^° and in particular in the range from 5 ^° to 30°, to 20° or to 15 ^° . In particular, the basin may be partially funnel-shaped with a slope and partially flat in the radial direction. The pool can have different funnel sections with different inclinations as well as possibly flat sections. For example, the basin can comprise a plurality of different ring sections coaxially surrounding one another in the radial direction, which are at one slope or at different slopes or optionally flat. The basin can, for example, deviate from a rotationally symmetrical shape, have another rotational shape, for example a hemipolyhedral shape, in particular based on a platonic solid, such as an icosahedron or dodecahedron, and/or for example based on a geodesic polyhedron or a Goldberg polyhedra. In other words, the upper peripheral edge forms the highest point of the basin from which the liquid for wetting the counter-electrode flows downwards over the counter-electrode due to the force of weight. Provision can also preferably be made for an outer edge of the counter-electrode to form the highest point of the counter-electrode, from which point the liquid flows downwards over the counter-electrode.

In one embodiment of a room air cleaner, the at least one tube, in particular the at least one nozzle, is arranged in the vertical direction above the counter-electrode. The delivery tube is preferably arranged in the vertical direction at the top of the counter electrode and/or above the top of the counter electrode. It can be preferred that the dispensing tube, in particular the dispensing opening, extends exclusively vertically above the counter-electrode. The at least one dispensing tube, in particular the dispensing opening, is preferably arranged on the radial outer edge of the counter-electrode and/or, preferably, offset outwards from the counter-electrode in the radial direction. The at least one nozzle is preferably placed in the radial direction between the upper peripheral edge of the basin and the counter electrode. In an embodiment with a counter-electrode that does not extend all the way around the dispensing opening or the central area, an offset can be provided in the circumferential direction between the dispensing tube, in particular the dispensing opening, and the counter-electrode. The arrangement of the dispensing tube above the counter-electrode ensures that the liquid flows under the influence of gravity over the counter-electrode and preferably wets the entire surface of the counter-electrode with the liquid film.

In an exemplary embodiment of the room air cleaner, the feed is designed and set up to discharge the liquid into the basin at an exit speed aligned in the circumferential direction, preferably tangentially, to the basin. In particular, the exit velocity is at least xm/s, where x is at least a quarter of the inflow radial distance, the inflow radial distance extending in the radial direction from the center point of the central region and/or the discharge opening to the discharge opening, in particular at least half the inflow radial distance, preferably one time the inflow radial distance. In particular, the exit velocity is no more than ym/s, where y is no more than five times the inflow radial distance, in particular no more than three times the upstream radial distance, preferably no more than twice the upstream radial distance. The feed and the basin are preferably coordinated with one another in such a way that the liquid discharged from the at least one discharge tube, in particular the at least one nozzle, with a preferably constant exit speed, in particular due to the swirl and/or the turbulent flow of the liquid, at least in sections, preferably over the entire surface , forms a standing wave in the basin, which forms the liquid film.

In a development of a room air cleaner, the outlet velocity has a primary, preferably tangential, velocity component directed in the circumferential direction, which is greater than a radial velocity component of the outlet velocity directed in the direction of the outlet opening. In particular, the primary velocity component is at least 3 times as large, preferably at least 5 times as large, particularly preferably at least 10 times as large as the radial velocity component. In addition, the exit velocity may have a vertical velocity component, which may be upwards or downwards, with one, particularly downward, velocity component being less than the primary velocity component. It should be understood that the flow velocity of the liquid in the basin may have an increasingly greater vertical and/or an increasingly greater radial velocity component as the liquid moves from the source opening of the discharge tube towards the outlet opening of the basin.

In an exemplary embodiment of the room air cleaner, the basin has an inside of the basin on which the counter-electrode is arranged. The inside of the basin is preferably formed at least partially, in particular in annular sections, by the counter-electrode. The inside of the basin defines the surface contour along which the liquid flows from the discharge tube, in particular the discharge opening, to the drain opening. The inside of the basin is preferably at least partially covered with the at least one counter-electrode or at least partially formed by the at least one counter-electrode. A surface proportion in the range of 10% to 90%, in particular 30% to 80%, preferably 50% to 75%, of the liquid-carrying basin inside can be covered or realized by the counter-electrode. The part of the surface of the inside of the basin covered or realized by the counter-electrode is preferably a single coherent, preferably ring-shaped and/or coaxial to the pelvis, surface section. It is conceivable that the area portion of the inside of the pool covered or realized by the at least one counter-electrode is formed on several, for example two, three, four or more, spatially separated surface sections on the inside of the pool. The inside of the pool can have at least one non-conductive surface section and at least one conductive surface section covered or formed by the counter-electrode. The cylindrical sleeve-shaped section of the basin is preferably a non-conductive surface section. The funnel-shaped section of the basin can be completely or, preferably, only partially occupied or formed by the counter-electrode. Preferably, at least one non-conductive surface section completely surrounds the counter-electrode in the radial direction. Preferably, the basin has a radial extent that is greater than the radial extent of the emission electrode. The projection surface of the emission electrode in the vertical direction onto the inside of the pool can correspond to the surface section of the counter-electrode, with the counter-electrode preferably being at least as large as the projection surface.

According to a further exemplary embodiment, the basin has a rotational shape. The inside of the basin is preferably rotationally shaped, in particular rotationally symmetrical. Provision can be made for the counter-electrode to be rotationally shaped, in particular rotationally symmetrical, and in particular to define an annular surface which faces the emission electrode and which forms the separation surface. In an exemplary development, there is a rotary annular gap between the upper edge of the housing part assigned to the downstream overflow edge and the downstream overflow edge, which defines a free flow cross section.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the counter-electrode is designed and/or treated in such a way that a continuous film of water is formed on the counter-electrode. The water film can have a thickness in the range from 0.1 mm to 1 mm.

In an exemplary development, a counter-electrode surface facing the emission electrode, which can be referred to as a deposition surface, is mechanically post-treated. The counter-electrode surface can be designed as an annular surface. The counter-electrode surface can be roughened, with a peak-to-valley height in the range from 0.4 μm to 1 μm and/or an average roughness in the range from 1 μm to 5 μm. Alternatively or additionally, the counter-electrode surface with a die Surface tension treated with water reducing treatment and/or chemically treated. In this embodiment, the formation of liquid beads on the counter-electrode or the counter-electrode surface can be prevented, which leads to a more uniform wetting of the counter-electrode or to a more uniform film of water on the counter-electrode.

According to one embodiment, the room air cleaner also comprises an air duct for supplying the air to be treated to the electrostatic precipitator and for continuing the air cleaned by the electrostatic precipitator, in particular counter to the direction of gravity, and a flow machine, such as a fan, arranged downstream of the electrostatic precipitator, for discharging the treated air .

The room air cleaner can in particular comprise a rotary air duct for feeding the air to be treated to a deflection body arranged downstream of the electrostatic precipitator in the center of rotation of the air duct, which is designed to deflect the air treated by the electrostatic precipitator against the direction of gravity.

For example, the air can flow in evenly on all sides of the room air cleaner and be fed to the electrostatic precipitator to clean the air. The cleaned air is then conveyed further in the direction of the center of rotation of the air duct, deflected at the deflection body and fed out of the room air cleaner against the direction of gravity, i.e. upwards. The inventors have found that, especially with a room air cleaner placed on a floor, the air on the side of the room air cleaner contains a particularly large number of particles, i.e. in other words it is particularly heavily contaminated, so that particularly heavily contaminated air flows into the room air cleaner through a lateral air inlet and a particularly large number of particles can be separated from the air. In this way, the entire room air can be cleaned particularly effectively and quickly. The air outlet upwards has the advantage that people who are in the vicinity of the room air cleaner are not blown on by the air escaping from the room air cleaner.

According to an exemplary development, the deflection body is shaped in such a way that the treated air is deflected essentially in the direction of the axis of rotation defined by the center of rotation of the air duct. According to an exemplary development, the housing part has an inner wall adjoining the upper peripheral edge, delimiting the downstream overflow chamber and having a concave shape at least in sections. The housing part can have an edge, in particular an upper edge, which is arranged at a maximum distance of 5 mm from the dispensing tube, in particular the nozzle. The distance between the upper edge and the dispensing tube, in particular the nozzle, can be in the range from 0.2 mm to 3 mm. This ensures that the liquid for wetting the counter-electrode flows into the basin in a controlled manner.

According to a further exemplary development, a housing part has an air-guiding wall adjoining the peripheral edge and facing away from the downstream outflow opening. The air guide wall is shaped in such a way that the air to be cleaned flows around it in a laminar manner. Provision can be made for the air-guiding wall to be curved in such a way, in particular convexly curved in such a way, that the air to be cleaned flows around it in a laminar manner. In other words, the air guide wall serves to prevent turbulence, ie, for example, turbulence, in the air to be cleaned. The air guide wall also serves to separate the air flow and the liquid for wetting the counter-electrode from one another, so that a uniform overflow of the liquid at the downstream overflow edge is not impaired by the air flow flowing past. In this way it can be ensured that the liquid forms a uniform liquid film on the counter-electrode. The air-guiding wall can be opposite the inner wall of the housing part and have the same or a different curvature.

According to a further exemplary development, the deflection body is designed in a rotational manner. Provision can be made for the deflection body to have the shape of a gyroscope. Alternatively or additionally, the deflection body has a deflection surface that is particularly circumferential and at least partially concave, on which the cleaned air is deflected counter to the direction of gravity, ie upwards. The cleaned air can be deflected particularly evenly and reliably by means of a rotating deflection body.

The air duct and/or the flow machine can be set up to suck in air from the environment and/or to draw air in the direction of the electrostatic precipitator support financially. In particular, the air ducting and/or the flow machine are able or intended to suck the air to be treated, in particular building and/or room air, into the room air cleaner and to feed it to the electrostatic precipitator or expose it to the electrostatic precipitator in order to subject the air to be treated to an electrostatic precipitator process to undergo, to separate solid and / or liquid particles from the air to be treated and so to clean the air to be treated. The air duct and/or the flow machine can be designed in such a way that the sucked-in air reaches speeds in the range from 2 m/s to 10 m/s. After passing through the electrostatic precipitator, the electrically charged air can flow, in particular be transported, through the room air cleaner, for example into the center of the room air cleaner, at flow speeds in the range from 0.1 m/s to 0.5 m/s.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, which can be combined with the preceding aspects and exemplary embodiments, a room air cleaner for cleaning, humidifying and/or washing air is provided.

The room air cleaner includes an electrostatic precipitator with a counter electrode and an emission electrode for separating the liquid and/or solid particles from the air to be treated. The emission electrode can be formed, for example, as an array of emission electrodes.

The electrostatic precipitator can be designed as a plasma precipitator. The counter electrode and the emission electrode can be insulated from each other and/or can each be made in one piece. The emission electrode, also known as the discharge electrode, is mainly used to emit negatively charged particles in particular. The counter electrode, also known as the collecting electrode, forms the opposite pole. For example, the space between the emission electrode and the counter-electrode can be referred to as the separation space, in which the solid and/or liquid particles are separated from the air to be treated. During the operation of the electrostatic precipitator, 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 16 kV, in particular in the range from 11 to 14 kV. In particular, the electrostatic precipitator is installed below the breakdown or flashover voltage operated. The breakdown voltage, also known as the breakdown voltage, is the voltage that must be exceeded in order for a voltage breakdown to occur through a material or substance, for example an insulator or gas. For example, the principle of charge generation on which the electrostatic precipitator is based can be impact ionization. When the so-called corona onset field strength is exceeded, electrons exit the emission electrode and interact with the surrounding air molecules, resulting in the formation of 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 attached 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 flow enters, the negatively charged charges accumulate on the particles. Due to the acting electrostatic force of the DC voltage field, which can be oriented transversely to the flow direction of the air through the room air cleaner, the negatively charged particles migrate in the direction of the counter-electrode, where they can release their charge and can 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 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 room air cleaner also includes a liquid feed for feeding liquid towards the counter electrode. In particular, the liquid delivery is provided for wetting the counter-electrode with liquid, in particular from a preferably local liquid reservoir.

According to another aspect of the invention, the liquid delivery system is designed in such a way that part of the liquid on the delivery path from the liquid reservoir to the counter-electrode flows out at an overflow edge in an overflow direction in the direction of the counter-electrode and another part of the liquid flows out across, in particular perpendicularly, to the overflow direction aligned delivery tube, like a nozzle, reaches the counter electrode. For example, according to the further aspect of the invention, the room air cleaner can have a basin designed according to one of the previously described aspects or exemplary embodiments. The features and feature combinations disclosed in this context can be applied in an analogous manner to a room air cleaner designed according to the further aspect of the invention.

In other words, the liquid delivery can be designed in such a way that at least two partial liquid flows are formed, which are divided from a certain point in time along the liquid delivery towards the overflow edge or towards the delivery pipe. The room air cleaner according to the invention therefore combines two different wetting techniques for wetting the counter-electrode and thus combines the resulting advantages. Both wetting techniques have a positive effect on the uniform wetting of the counter-electrode and in particular the formation of a uniform, constant liquid film on the counter-electrode. The two different delivery directions prevent the liquid from being supplied to the counter-electrode exclusively in one direction of flow. The counter-electrode can be flooded particularly effectively as a result of the directions of flow differing from one another. As a result, the room air cleaner according to the invention is also less prone to skewing. Even if the room air cleaner is tilted, it can be more reliably ensured that a reliable film of liquid is applied to the counter-electrode.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the room air cleaner according to the invention, the overflow edge is designed in a rotational manner and the at least one delivery pipe is aligned in the circumferential direction. As a result, the liquid dispensed via the dispensing tube experiences a twist and/or forms a turbulent flow, which in each case has the effect of stable wetting of the counter-electrode.

According to a further exemplary embodiment, the delivery pipe is arranged along the overflow edge in such a way that the overflow edge is divided into two edge sections by the at least one delivery pipe. For example, the overflow edge can be rotationally and/or completely circumferential and can be divided into an open ring structure by the at least one delivery tube. This means that the two edge sections subdivided by the dispensing tube open into one another or can be made in one piece. Furthermore, two, three or four delivery pipes distributed in particular evenly in the circumferential direction can be arranged along the overflow edge, so that the overflow edge is divided into in particular two, three or four edge sections, which can each have the same circumferential extent. For example, in the case of two delivery pipes arranged in the course of the overflow edge, the overflow edge is divided into two edge sections extending essentially by 180°. The at least two delivery tubes can be aligned in the same way in relation to the direction of rotation, so that both fluid flows delivered via the delivery tubes flow in the same circumferential direction along the counter-electrode and/or interact in the formation of a swirl and/or a turbulent flow.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the liquid conveyance has two overflow edges connected in series on the conveying path from the liquid reservoir to the counter-electrode. On the way to the counter-electrode, the liquid therefore first overflows a first overflow edge and then a second overflow edge before it wets the counter-electrode. In other words, a second overflow edge, which is arranged downstream in the liquid conveying direction and via which the counter-electrode is wetted and which can be formed, for example, by an edge of the counter-electrode, is preceded by a further overflow edge. With two overflow edges instead of just one overflow edge, the liquid flows more evenly because turbulence, which is caused, for example, by the circulation speed of the liquid-delivering pump and/or generally by a high delivery speed of the liquid, is better balanced out before the liquid reaches the counter-electrode. The two overflow edges result in a particularly reliable and uniform wetting of the entire counter-electrode. A further advantage of liquid delivery according to the invention is that the amount of liquid for wetting the counter-electrode can be adjusted in a targeted manner. The two overflow edges also enable the counter-electrode to be evenly wetted even if the room air cleaner is not level, for example if it is inclined or arranged in any other orientation.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the liquid conveyance between the liquid reservoir and the counter-electrode has two directions in the liquid conveyance direction overflow chambers connected one behind the other, one overflow edge being assigned to one overflow chamber in each case. For example, the overflow edges can be arranged directly behind the overflow chambers in the liquid conveying direction. In this case, the overflow edges can delimit the overflow chambers downstream.

According to a further exemplary embodiment, the liquid conveyance is designed in such a way that the conveyed liquid first fills an upstream overflow chamber before the liquid overflows at an upstream overflow edge in order to reach a downstream overflow chamber. Alternatively or additionally, the liquid delivery is designed such that the delivered liquid first fills the downstream overflow chamber before the liquid overflows at a downstream overflow edge in order to wet, in particular flood, the counter-electrode. In this embodiment, the upstream overflow chamber can be regarded as a compensating chamber, which serves to calm turbulence occurring in the liquid, which is generated, for example, by the circulation speed of the pump, and to reduce or make the conveying speed of the liquid more uniform. This ensures that the liquid is turbulent-free when it reaches the downstream overflow edge, for example the edge of the counter-electrode. In this way it can be avoided that liquid sprays out at the downstream overflow edge and a particularly uniform and reliable wetting of the counter-electrode can be achieved, in particular even when the room air cleaner is not balanced.

In an exemplary embodiment, the downstream overflow chamber is located above the upstream overflow chamber. Alternatively or additionally, the upstream overflow chamber and the downstream overflow chamber are separated by a partition. In this embodiment, the dividing wall is provided with an opening, in particular a bore, through which the liquid flows from the upstream overflow chamber into the downstream overflow chamber. The hole thus forms the upstream overflow edge. Provision can also be made for the partition wall to have a large number of openings, in particular bores, which can be distributed uniformly over the entire surface of the partition wall. In this embodiment, the liquid first fills the upstream overflow chamber and then flows through the openings in the bulkhead into the downstream overflow chamber located above. In this way, it can be ensured that the liquid flows smoothly into the downstream overflow chamber even when the room air cleaner is tilted.

In a further exemplary embodiment, the room air cleaner also comprises a housing part associated with the downstream overflow edge, in particular the downstream overflow chamber, with an upper edge which is arranged at a maximum distance of 5 mm from the downstream overflow edge. The distance between the upper edge and the downstream overflow edge can be in the range from 0.2 mm to 3 mm. In this embodiment, the upper edge and the downstream overflow edge form a defined gap through which the liquid for wetting the counter-electrode has to flow. The defined gap ensures that the same amount of liquid always flows onto the counter-electrode and that the liquid is evenly distributed over the entire counter-electrode. Even if the room air cleaner is tilted, the liquid cannot flow uncontrolled onto the counter-electrode only on one side of the downstream overflow edge. Alternatively or additionally, the upper edge is arranged at a distance from the downstream overflow edge in such a way that the liquid pressure in the downstream overflow chamber is higher than that in the upstream overflow chamber, in particular of up to 0.3 bar. In this embodiment, provision can be made for the upstream overflow edge to be matched to the gap between the upper edge and the downstream overflow edge in such a way that a corresponding overpressure results. The increased liquid pressure also supports an even wetting of the counter-electrode or an even flow of the liquid over the downstream overflow edge.

According to an exemplary development, the housing part has an inner wall adjoining the upper edge, delimiting the downstream overflow chamber and having a concave shape at least in sections. This ensures that the liquid for wetting the counter-electrode flows in a controlled manner through the gap between the downstream overflow edge and the upper edge.

According to a further exemplary development, the housing part has an overflow chamber which adjoins the upper edge and faces away from the downstream overflow chamber air duct wall. The air guide wall is shaped in such a way that the air to be cleaned flows around it in a laminar manner. Provision can be made for the air-guiding wall to be curved, in particular convexly curved, in such a way that the air to be cleaned flows around it in a laminar manner. In other words, the air guide wall serves to prevent turbulence, ie, for example, turbulence, in the air to be cleaned. The air guide wall also serves to separate the air flow and the liquid for wetting the counter-electrode from one another, so that a uniform overflow of the liquid at the downstream overflow edge is not impaired by the air flow flowing past. In this way it can be ensured that the liquid forms a uniform liquid film on the counter-electrode. The air-guiding wall can be opposite the inner wall of the housing part and have the same or a different curvature.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, which can be combined with the preceding aspects and exemplary embodiments, a method for room air purification is provided.

In the method according to the invention, liquid is conveyed along a conveying path from a liquid reservoir to a counter-electrode of an electrostatic precipitator for separating liquid and/or solid particles from the air to be treated. The liquid is introduced into a basin through a dispensing tube, such as a nozzle, or several dispensing tubes with a preferably tangential orientation in the circumferential direction, so that the liquid flows in the basin with a twist and/or as a turbulent flow over the counter-electrode arranged therein.

Preferred embodiments are specified in the dependent claims.

In the following, further properties, features and advantages of the invention are made clear by means of a description of preferred embodiments of the invention using the accompanying exemplary drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a schematic sectional view from the side of an exemplary embodiment of a room air cleaner according to the invention;

FIG. 2 shows a schematic plan view of the tank of the room air cleaner according to FIG. 1; FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the basin according to FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 shows a schematic, perspective view of a section of a further exemplary embodiment of a room air cleaner according to the invention;

Figure 5 is a schematic perspective view of the embodiment of Figure 4 with a portion of the housing omitted for purposes of illustration; and

6 shows a detail in a sectional view of the embodiment of the room air cleaner according to FIGS. 4 and 5. In the following description of exemplary embodiments, a room air cleaner according to the invention is generally provided with the reference numeral 1. The room air cleaner 1 can fulfill various functions, namely air humidification, air purification, air washing and particle separation, which makes the air purification particularly effective.

For the description of exemplary embodiments based on the figures, it can be assumed that the room air cleaner 1 is a standing device or a small electrical device that is primarily intended to be placed in building rooms, for example on a table or on a shelf to become.

FIG. 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of a room air cleaner 1 according to the invention in a schematic sectional view. The room air cleaner 1 comprises the following main components: An electrostatic precipitator 3 for separating liquid and/or solid particles from the air to be treated with a counter electrode 5 and an emission electrode 7 arranged above it for wetting the counter-electrode 5 with liquid from the liquid reservoir 11. The counter-electrode 5 is arranged in a basin 8. A liquid, such as water, is supplied from the liquid feeder 13 through a plurality of discharge pipes into the pool. The discharge pipes are aligned in the circumferential direction of the basin 8 to supply the liquid.

The room air cleaner 1 is designed essentially in the form of a rotation. The counter-electrode 5 can also be rotationally shaped. In the exemplary embodiment, the emission electrode 7 is an array of emission electrode needles 9 is formed, which is arranged above the basin 8 and the counter-electrode 5 arranged therein.

Furthermore, the room air cleaner 1 comprises an air duct for supplying the air to be treated to the electrostatic precipitator 3 and for conveying the air cleaned by the electrostatic precipitator 3 to a deflection body 17 which is arranged downstream of the electrostatic precipitator 3 in the center of the air cleaner 1 and which directs the cleaned air against the direction of gravity, i.e. upwards, deflects; and a fan 19 for generating the air flow through the room air cleaner 1.

In the embodiment in FIG. 1, the liquid reservoir 11 is arranged below the basin 8 . The counter-electrode 5, the emission electrode 7 and the fan 19 are arranged from bottom to top above the liquid reservoir. The liquid conveyor 13 can be arranged partially or completely inside, below or above the liquid reservoir 11 .

The components are housed in a housing (not shown) which can be composed of several parts. Inside the housing, several different platform parts 69, 71, 73 are provided as supports for individual components of the air cleaner 1. The platform parts 69, 71, 73 can preferably be detached from one another and/or mounted vertically on top of one another. The first housing part 69 formed as a platform part carries the basin 8 and the counter-electrode 5. The emission electrode needles 9 are fastened to a second platform part 71. FIG. The fan 19 is attached to a third platform part 73 . The pool 8 is bounded by a wall 81 which may be integrally molded with the first platform portion 69, for example as an injection molded plastic part.

In the area of the air inlet (which is indicated by the arrow with the reference P) is the first housing part 69, which will be explained later in detail. In the embodiment in FIG. 1, the platform or housing parts 69, 71 and 73 are of rotational design.

The liquid is pumped from the liquid reservoir 11 to an upper peripheral edge 80 of the basin 8 with the aid of a pump 21 via a line 23 connected to the liquid reservoir 11 . The liquid is discharged into the basin through a plurality of discharge openings distributed around the peripheral edge 80, such as the nozzles 61 shown here as an example given. The nozzles 61 are aligned in the circumferential direction of the basin 8 to impart a turbulent flow to the liquid discharged into the basin. The turbulent flow can form a standing wave in the basin. The water film on the counter-electrode 5 preferably has a thickness of at least 0.1 mm and/or no more than 1 mm. The turbulent flow by means of the nozzles 61 can also ensure uniform wetting of the counter-electrode 5 when the room air cleaner 1 is not level, that is, for example, when it is inclined.

FIG. 2 shows a basin with four nozzles 61 on the upper peripheral edge 80. On the peripheral edge 80 of the basin 8, the nozzles 61 are provided on supply openings 6, which penetrate the wall 81. The feed openings 6 are formed in the wall 81 at the transition from the cylindrical-sleeve-shaped section 85 to the funnel-shaped section 83 . In the embodiment shown, the feed openings do not protrude into the interior of the basin 8 . According to an alternative not shown in detail, it can be provided that discharge openings, in particular with nozzles 61, are arranged inside the basin 8, for example protruding into the basin.

The nozzles 61 are arranged above the funnel-shaped area 83 in a collar or cylindrical-sleeve-shaped section 85 of the basin 8 . The nozzles 61 are aligned tangentially to the basin 8 . The orientation of the delivery tube, described herein as nozzle 61, may vary slightly with respect to the axis of rotation from being exactly mathematically tangential with respect to basin 8. The nozzle 61 may be oriented substantially in the horizontal direction H as shown. Alternatively, it is conceivable that the nozzle is aligned with an inclination to the horizontal direction H, preferably inclined downwards in relation to the horizontal direction H. In relation to the tangential to the circumferential direction U, the discharge tube can be aligned with its discharge opening with an inward or outward oblique orientation in the range of ±30°, in particular ±15°, preferably ±10°, particularly preferably ±5°.

The liquid is discharged from the discharge openings of the discharge tubes with an exit velocity v. The outlet speed v is set by means of the pump 21 and the nozzle(s) 61 in such a way that the speed in the circumferential direction predominates. The exit velocity v is so high that the liquid that is discharged is not immediately exclusively in the radial direction R inwards to drain 89 flows. The pump 21, the nozzle 61 and/or the tank 8 are expediently matched to one another in such a way that the outlet velocity v is greater than the downward movement of the liquid caused at the outlet opening 6 as a result of gravity, preferably at least 3 times, 5 times or 10 times - times as big. The pump 21 delivers 1 L/min to 5 L/min, preferably 1.5 L/min, of liquid to the basin 8. The liquid can be delivered at a pressure in the range of 0.1 bar to 0.5 bar.

On the way from the upper peripheral edge 80 of the basin, the liquid flows over the counter-electrode 5 to the drain opening 89. The liquid flows down under the action of gravity in the basin 8 over the counter-electrode 5 and takes up the particles separated by the electrostatic precipitator 3. The liquid with the particles flows out through the drainage opening 89 arranged centrally, in particular in the middle, in the preferably rotationally shaped basin 8 . The drained liquid then flows back into the liquid reservoir 11 via a further line 31 below the drain opening 89. It is clear that instead of the central drain opening 89 shown here, alternatively several drain openings distributed in the area of one or more depressions of the basin 8 could be provided ( not shown in detail).

The basin 8, which is rotationally shaped here as an example, can be divided into an inner, funnel-shaped section 83 of the basin 8 in the radial direction R, which opens into the drain opening 89, and an outer, cylindrical sleeve-shaped section 85 in the radial direction R. The outer boundary in the radial direction R and the upper boundary of the basin 8 in the form of the cylindrical-sleeve-shaped section is preferably formed in one piece and/or in a material unit by the platform part 69 .

The counter-electrode 5 forms, annularly and in sections in the radial direction R, the basin inner side 82 of the basin on which the liquid flows. The counter-electrode 5 can be held on a circumferential radial stop 86 of the first housing part 69, for example.

In the embodiment in FIGS. 2 and 3, a separation surface 53 of the counter-electrode 5 is designed as a rotary annular surface. The separation surface 53 has an acute angle of less than 45 ^° to the horizontal H. The separation surface 53 has a uniform pitch and thickness here. In this embodiment, the counter-electrode 5 forms part of the funnel-shaped section 83 of the basin 8. The Counter-electrode 5 can be implemented as a component inserted into basin 8 or can be back-injected with plastic material that forms a wall 81 of basin 8 .

According to an alternative that is not shown in more detail, the counter-electrode 5 could comprise a plurality of separation surfaces which are distributed in the basin 8, in particular on the inside 82 of the basin. The separating surface or separating surfaces can be designed to cover or form the basin inner side 82 in the circumferential direction U in sections and not over the entire circumference. While in the preferred embodiment illustrated, the basin interior 82 is formed in sections by the separating surface, it should be understood that

The deposition surface 53 can be mechanically treated and preferably has a rough surface with a peak-to-valley height in the range from 0.4 μm to 1 μm and/or an average roughness in the range from 1 μm to 5 μm. Alternatively or additionally, the separation surface 53 can be provided with a treatment that reduces the surface tension of water and/or can be chemically treated. In this way, the formation of liquid beads on the counter-electrode 5 can be prevented, which leads to a more uniform wetting of the counter-electrode 5 or to a constant film of water on the counter-electrode 5 .

FIGS. 2 and 3 show a more detailed view of the basin 8. FIG. 2 shows a plan view of the basin 8. The inside of the basin 82 is annular. The basin 8 is bounded on the outside in the radial direction R by the peripheral edge 80 . The inner circumference of the basin 8 is delimited in the radial direction R by the annular drainage opening 89 . The radial width of the funnel-shaped basin 8 is largely occupied by the separation surface 53 . The separating surface 53 extends in a full circle around the drain opening 89. The radial width of the separating surface 53 measures more than 50%, preferably about 80% to 95%, of the radial width of the inside of the basin 82. The separating surface 53 expands in the radial direction R, preferably inwards and/or outwards, further out than the vertical projection surface of the emission electrode 7.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, an embodiment of the room air cleaner 1 according to the invention is shown in which the overflow technique is combined with the tangential feed technique for wetting the counter-electrode 5 . Figures 4 and 5 differ from each other essentially in that in Figure 5 a housing part 91, which forms an air conveying wall, to direct the air to be cleaned when it enters the room air cleaner 1 in the direction of the electrostatic precipitator 3 or in the center of rotation of the room air cleaner 1 to lead is omitted. Referring to FIG. 6, it can be seen that the air-guiding wall 91 is convexly curved, so that it is ensured that the flow is laminar, ie without turbulence, and that the air can be guided. With further reference to FIG. 6, it can be seen that the air-guiding wall 91 has an upper edge 93 which faces the peripheral edge 80 and is arranged at a distance of in particular at most 5 mm in relation thereto. The upper edge 93 cooperates with the overflow edge 29, which according to the preferred embodiment in Figure 6 is formed in one piece with the peripheral edge 80, so that there is an annular gap that is constant, particularly in the peripheral direction, through which the liquid can reach the counter-electrode 5, specifically under the Provided that an increased liquid pressure of in particular up to 0.3 bar arises.

Referring to Figure 5, in which the air duct wall 91 has been omitted, the wetting of the counter-electrode 5 is indicated by several arrows, with the arrows oriented in the circumferential direction U indicating the tangential wetting via the discharge tubes 61, while the arrows arranged transversely thereto and in particular in the radial direction R the reference symbol Ü indicates wetting by overflowing at the overflow edge 27, 29. As can be seen in Figure 5, the overflow edge 27, 29 oriented in the circumferential direction U is divided into four sections or segments in the circumferential direction U by the total of four discharge pipes 61, with the liquid flowing tangentially to the basin 8 or in Circumferential direction U is issued in relation to the basin 8, while in the intervening sections over the overflow edge 27, 29 overflow in the direction of the overflow direction Ü takes place.

Referring to FIG. 6, the overflow of the liquid on the conveying path from the liquid reservoir 11 to the counter-electrode 5 is explained in more detail. In the manner already described, the liquid is conveyed from the liquid reservoir 11 and finally reaches an upstream overflow chamber 33, which is followed by a downstream overflow chamber 35. This means that initially the upstream overflow chamber 33 fills with liquid until the Liquid at a, arranged at the upper edge of the upstream overflow chamber 33 upstream overflow edge 27 overflows. Via the upstream overflow edge 27, the liquid reaches a downstream overflow chamber 35 arranged above the upstream overflow edge 27. This fills with liquid until the liquid finally flows over a downstream overflow edge 29 arranged at the upper edge of the downstream overflow chamber 35, which according to the preferred Execution is formed in one piece with the peripheral edge 80 flows onto the counter electrode 5 to wet them. Referring again to FIG. 1, the rotational air flow within the room air cleaner 1 is explained below. The air flow through the room air cleaner 1 is generated by a fan 19 in this embodiment. The fan 19 is located at the upper end of the room air cleaner 1, in the direction of air flow downstream of the electrostatic precipitator 3 and the deflection body 17. The fan 19 is attached to the third platform part 73, which can be connected to a, for example, cylindrical housing part that covers the outside of the room air cleaner 1 (not shown in detail). In the illustrated embodiment, the air to be cleaned enters the room air cleaner 1 radially through lateral openings, which is indicated by arrows P.

The first housing part 69 has an air guide wall 59 arranged on the peripheral edge 80 of the basin. The air guide wall 59 is convexly curved, which ensures that the air to be cleaned, which enters the room air cleaner 1 from the side and is then guided in the direction of the center of rotation of the rotary room air cleaner 1 to the electrostatic precipitator 3, flows around it in a laminar manner, i.e. without turbulence. The air to be cleaned is guided via the air guide wall 59 into the separation space between the counter electrode 5 and the emission electrode 7 and is subjected to an electro-deposition process there.

The cleaned air then flows further into the center of rotation of the room air cleaner 1 , where it is deflected by a rotating deflection body 17 . In the embodiment in FIG. 1, the deflection body 17 is arranged in the center of rotation of the room air cleaner 1 . The deflection body 17 has a gyroscope shape with a concave peripheral deflection surface 18 in which openings 16 can be provided. The diameter of the deflection body 17 is greatest at the lower edge of the deflection surface 18, near the outlet opening 89, and decreases towards the top. The tip of the deflection body is rounded. The deflection body 17 is hollow and preferably has a uniform wall thickness. The deflection body 17 rests on the basin 8 . The deflection body 17 is arranged in the center of the funnel-shaped basin 8 coaxially with the line 31 via which the liquid with the particles separated in the electrostatic precipitator 3 is conducted back into the liquid reservoir 11 .

The deflection body 17 is attached to the first platform part 69 in the area of the drain opening 89 . A cylindrical base 87 can be supported on the first platform part 69 and can extend upwards in the vertical direction V for supporting the deflection body 17 . The cylindrical base 87 can surround the drain channel 31 in the radial direction R and be provided with a plurality of openings 37 through which the liquid from the basin 8 can enter the drain line 31 . The openings 37 are arranged in the vertical direction V below the separation surface 53 and below the shielding surface 18 spanned by the deflection body 17 . The openings 16 in the deflection body are arranged above the outflow opening 89 and communicate with the outflow channel 31. The openings 16 can be connected to the liquid container 11 through the outflow channel 31. As shown, the openings 16 can be provided on the upper side 18 of the deflection body 17, or below it.

At the deflection or shielding surface 18 of the deflection body 17, the cleaned air is diverted upwards along the axis of rotation of the room air cleaner 1 against the direction of gravity. After being deflected by the deflection body 17, the cleaned air flows upwards out of the room air cleaner 1 through openings. The air outlet vertically upwards has the advantage that people who are in the vicinity of the room air cleaner 1 are not blown by the air escaping from the room air cleaner 1 and that the cleaned air can be distributed widely in the room.

The features disclosed in the above description, the figures and the claims can be important both individually and in any combination for the implementation of the invention in the various configurations. I. REFERENCE LIST

1 room air purifier

3 electrostatic precipitators

5 counter electrode

7 emission electrode

8 pools

9 emission electrode needle

11 liquid storage

13 fluid delivery

17 deflection body

18 deflection surface

16 opening

19 fan

21 pump

23 line

27.29 overflow edge

33.35 overflow chamber

37 opening

53 separation surface

59 air guide wall

61 nozzle

69,71,73 platform part

80 perimeter margin

81 wall

83 funnel-shaped section

85 cylindrical sleeve-shaped section

87 sockets

89 expiration

91 housing part

93 upper margin

R radial direction

U circumferential direction

Ü Overflow direction

V exit velocity

Claims

EXPECTATIONS

1. Room air purifier (1) comprising:

- An electrostatic precipitator (3) with a counter-electrode (5) and an emission electrode (7) for separating liquid and/or solid particles from the air to be treated;

- A liquid conveyor (13) for conveying liquid;

- a basin (8) with at least one peripheral edge (80) and at least one drainage opening (89) arranged below the peripheral edge (80) in the vertical direction (V), the counter-electrode (5) between the peripheral edge (80) and the drainage opening (89 ) is arranged in the basin (8), characterized in that the liquid conveyor (13) comprises at least one discharge pipe, such as a nozzle (61), aligned in the circumferential direction of the basin (8) for feeding the liquid into the basin (8).

2. Room air cleaner (1) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the liquid feed (13) comprises a plurality of discharge tubes, in particular nozzles (61), arranged in particular evenly offset along the peripheral edge (80) and/or in that the liquid feed (13) comprises at least one A pair of diametrically opposed dispensing tubes, in particular nozzles (61).

3. Room air cleaner (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the at least one delivery tube is attached to a wall (81) of the basin (8), in particular in a funnel-shaped section (83) of the basin (8) or on a cylindrical sleeve-shaped Section (85) of the basin (8), radially penetrating supply opening (6) is arranged.

4. Room air cleaner (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the basin (8), in particular the counter-electrode (5), at least in sections has a funnel shape with an acute angle (a) in particular of less than 45 ^° , in particular in range from 5 ^° to 30°, to 20° or to 15 ^° to the horizontal (H). Room air cleaner (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one delivery tube is arranged in the vertical direction (V) above the counter-electrode (5). Room air cleaner (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the liquid conveyor (13) is designed and set up to convey the liquid at an outlet speed (v) aligned in the circumferential direction of the basin, in particular tangentially to the basin, into the basin (8). to deliver. Room air cleaner (1) according to Claim 4, characterized in that the outlet speed (v) has a speed component directed in the circumferential direction (U), preferably tangential, which is greater than a radial speed component of the outlet speed (v ), in particular at least 3 times as large, preferably at least 5 times as large, particularly preferably at least 10 times as large. Room air cleaner (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the basin (8) has a basin inner side (82) on which the counter-electrode (5) is arranged, with the basin inner side (82) in particular being at least partially surrounded by the counter-electrode (5 ), preferably a counter-electrode surface (53) facing the emission electrode (7). Room air cleaner (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the basin (8) is formed in a rotational shape, in particular an annular surface facing the emission electrode (7) is defined, with the counter-electrode (5) in particular, preferably a the counter-electrode surface (53) facing the emission electrode (7) is formed in a rotational shape. Room air cleaner (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the counter-electrode (5) is made and/or treated in such a way that a continuous film of water, in particular with a thickness in the range from 0.1 mm to 1 mm, is formed of the counter-electrode (5), in particular on a counter-electrode surface (53) facing the emission electrode (7), in particular the counter-electrode surface (53)? mechanically post-treated, in particular roughened, with a peak-to-valley height in the range from 0.4 μm to 1 μm and/or an average roughness in the range from 1 μm to 5 μm, provided with a treatment that reduces the surface tension of water and/ or chemically treated.

11. Room air cleaner (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising:

- An air duct (15) for supplying the air to be treated to the electrostatic precipitator (3) and for continuing the from the electrostatic precipitator (3) cleaned air, in particular against the direction of gravity; and

- a flow machine (19), such as a fan, arranged downstream of the electrostatic precipitator (3) for discharging the treated air.

12. Room air cleaner (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a housing part (69) has an air guide wall (59) adjoining the peripheral edge (80) or formed by the peripheral edge, which is shaped in such a way, in particular curved, preferably convexly curved , is that the air to be cleaned flows around it in a laminar manner.

13. Room air cleaner (1), in particular according to one of the preceding claims, comprising:

- An electrostatic precipitator (3) with a counter-electrode (5) and an emission electrode (7) for separating liquid and/or solid particles from the air to be treated; and

- A liquid conveyor (13) for conveying liquid from a liquid reservoir (11) to the counter-electrode (5); characterized in that the liquid feed (13) is designed in such a way that part of the liquid on the feed path from the liquid reservoir (11) to the counter-electrode (5) flows at an overflow edge (27, 29) in an overflow direction (Ü) in the direction of the counter-electrode (5) and a further portion of the liquid reaches the counter-electrode (5) via a discharge tube, such as a nozzle (61), which is aligned transversely, in particular perpendicularly, to the overflow direction (Ü).

14. room air cleaner (1) according to claim 13, characterized in that the overflow edge (27, 29) is rotationally formed and the at least one delivery tube in the circumferential direction (U) is aligned. Room air cleaner (1) according to Claim 13 or 14, characterized in that the delivery pipe is arranged along the overflow edge (27, 29) in such a way that the overflow edge (27, 29) is divided into two edge sections by the at least one delivery pipe.