FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0001] The present disclosure relates to air purification, and more particularly, to a negative
ionizer air purifier.
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0002] With the continuous development of global industrialization, the urban environmental
pollution is becoming increasingly serious. Air purification is now becoming an important
issue in today's world faced with the serious situation of air pollution. Currently,
there is a wide variety of air purifiers, which typically include high-efficiency
particulate arrestance (HEPA), activated carbon filtration, low-temperature plasma,
photocatalysis, negative ions or anions, etc. Typically, an anion refers to an oxygen
ion which gains one or more extra electrons and thus has a net negative charge. Anions
can bind with bacteria and dust and kill the bacteria, before they are attracted and
settled down to the earth, such that the bacteria and dust can be removed.
[0003] Referring to FIG. 1, a circuit diagram of a prior art negative ionizer air purifier
is shown. The negative ionizer air purifier 10 includes a power adapter 11, a high-voltage
generator 12, discharge terminals 13 and a positive electrode plate 14. One terminal
of the power adapter 11 may connect to the live wire L of the alternating current
(AC) mains, while the other terminal may connect to the naught wire N. The power adapter
11 may convert an AC voltage input into a low direct current (DC) voltage, such as
a low DC voltage of 12 volts (V). The high-voltage generator 12 may further boost
the low DC voltage outputted from the power adapter 11 to a high DC voltage, such
as a high DC voltage of 6000V. The positive electrode plate 14 is connected to a second
terminal of the high-voltage generator 12. The discharge terminals 13 are connected
to a first terminal of the high-voltage generator 12, and may release electrons outward
when a high DC voltage is applied. In the above negative ionizer air purifier 10,
since a virtual earth is applied to the positive electrode plate 14, an excess of
positive charge may accumulate on the positive electrode plate 14 when the discharge
terminals 13 release electrons outward, due to charge balance. Thus, when the negative
ionizer air purifier 10 has been working for some time, the positive electrode plate
14 may be saturated with positive charge, which may lower the speed of releasing electrons
by the discharge terminals 13, resulting in a substantial decline in the efficiency
of the negative ionizer air purifier 10.
[0004] The prior art negative ionizer air purifier also has the following shortcomings.
[0005] The air near the front of the discharge terminals 13 is static in absence of external
forces. Due to the poor airflow, the electrons released from the discharge terminals
13 cannot be effectively captured by the air beyond a very limited range, which may
also reduce the efficiency of the negative ionizer air purifier.
[0006] In addition, the discharge terminals 13 are encased inside the housing, and the electrons
released by the discharge terminals 13 may decomposite a portion of the carbon dioxide
in the atmosphere into carbon, which may attach to the interior of the housing and
thus may be very difficult to clean. Since carbon has a certain electrical conductivity
and the housing between two discharge terminals 13 is continuous, a short circuit
is prone to occur between them.
[0007] Furthermore, the prior art negative ionizer air purifiers rely solely on the discharge
terminals 13 to release electrons, the concentration of the electrons is relatively
low, such that the concentration of the anions produced is very limited, which may
also accounts for the low efficiency of the negative ionizer air purifiers.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0008] A technical issue to be addressed by the present disclosure is to provide a negative
ionizer air purifier in which the discharge terminals can be effectively electrically
separated from each other such that the short circuit between the discharge terminals
can be avoided.
[0009] To address the above technical issue, a negative ionizer air purifier is provided
and it includes a housing and at least two discharge terminals. The housing may be
defined with at least two receiving holes corresponding to the discharge terminals
each disposed through the corresponding receiving hole, and may be hollowed out at
the periphery of each discharge terminal and at the part between the discharge terminals.
Each discharge terminal may include a discharge fiber bundle, and the hollows may
include arc-shaped hollows formed at the part between the discharge terminals and
annular hollows formed at the respective peripheries of the discharge terminals.
[0010] The arc-shaped hollows may be formed concentrically with the respective discharge
terminals.
[0011] The widths of the arc-shaped hollows may be larger than 2mm, and the arc lengths
of the arc-shaped hollows may be larger than the respective diameters of the receiving
holes.
[0012] The central angles of the arc-shaped hollows may be larger than 30 degrees.
[0013] The housing may include a flat front panel, on which at least two circular recesses
may be formed corresponding to the receiving holes each defined in the center of the
corresponding recess.
[0014] Each discharge terminal may be disposed through the corresponding receiving hole
and protrude from the exterior of the corresponding recess.
[0015] The negative ionizer air purifier may further include a power adapter and a high-voltage
generator. The power adapter may include a first input terminal, a second input terminal
and a third input terminal. The high-voltage generator may include a first output
terminal and a second output terminal. The first input terminal of the power adapter
may connect to the live wire of the alternating current (AC) mains, the second input
terminal may connect to the naught wire of the AC mains, and the third input terminal
may connect to the earth wire of the AC mains. The power adapter may convert an AC
voltage inputted through the first and second input terminals to a low direct current
(DC) voltage and output it to the high-voltage generator, which may further boost
the low DC voltage to a high DC voltage. The first output terminal of the high-voltage
generator may be connected to the discharge terminals, while the second output terminal
may be connected to a reference earth and also to the third input terminal of the
power adapter, wherein the reference earth refers to the housing of the negative ionizer
air purifier .
[0016] To address the above technical issue, a negative ionizer air purifier is further
provided and it includes a housing and at least two discharge terminals. The housing
may be defined with at least two receiving holes corresponding to the discharge terminals
each disposed through the corresponding receiving hole, and may be hollowed out at
the periphery of each discharge terminal and at the part between the discharge terminals.
[0017] Each discharge terminal may include a discharge fiber bundle.
[0018] The hollows may include arc-shaped hollows formed at the part between the discharge
terminals.
[0019] The hollows may include annular hollows formed at the respective peripheries of the
discharge terminal.
[0020] The arc-shaped hollows may be formed concentrically with the respective discharge
terminals.
[0021] The widths of the arc-shaped hollows may be larger than 2mm, and the arc lengths
of the arc-shaped hollows may be larger than the respective diameters of the receiving
holes.
[0022] The central angles of the arc-shaped hollows may be larger than 30 degrees.
[0023] The housing may include a flat front panel, on which at least two circular recesses
may be provided corresponding to the receiving holes each defined in the center of
the corresponding recess.
[0024] Each discharge terminal may be disposed through the corresponding receiving hole
and protrude from the exterior of the corresponding recess.
[0025] The negative ionizer air purifier may further include a power adapter and a high-voltage
generator. The power adapter may include a first input terminal, a second input terminal
and a third input terminal. The high-voltage generator may include a first output
terminal and a second output terminal. The first input terminal of the power adapter
may connect to the live wire of the alternating current (AC) mains, the second input
terminal may connect to the naught wire of the AC mains, and the third input terminal
may connect to the earth wire of the AC mains. The power adapter may convert an AC
voltage inputted from the first and second input terminals to a low direct current
(DC) voltage and output it to the high-voltage generator, which may further boost
the low DC voltage to a high DC voltage. The first output terminal of the high-voltage
generator may be connected to the discharge terminals, while the second output terminal
may be connected to a reference earth and also to the third input terminal of the
power adapter, wherein the reference earth refers to the housing of the negative ionizer
air purifier.
[0026] Advantages of the present disclosure may follow: by forming in the housing the at
least two receiving holes corresponding to the discharge terminals each disposed through
the corresponding receiving hole, and hollowing out the housing at the periphery of
each discharge terminal and at the part between the discharge terminals, the discharge
terminals can be effectively electrically separated, and thus the short circuit caused
by the carbon, produced from the decomposition of the carbon dioxide in the surrounding
air and attached on the surface of the housing, can be avoided.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0027]
FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram of a prior art negative ionizer air purifier.
FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram of a first example negative ionizer air purifier according
to the present disclosure.
FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram of a second example negative ionizer air purifier according
to the present disclosure.
FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram of a third example negative ionizer air purifier according
to the present disclosure.
FIG. 5 is a circuit diagram of a fourth example negative ionizer air purifier according
to the present disclosure.
FIG. 6 shows a schematic diagram of a fifth example negative ionizer air purifier
according to the present disclosure.
FIG. 7 shows a schematic diagram of a sixth example negative ionizer air purifier
according to the present disclosure.
FIG. 8 shows a schematic diagram of a seventh example negative ionizer air purifier
according to the present disclosure.
FIG. 9 shows a schematic diagram of a base of the seventh example negative ionizer
air purifier according to the present disclosure.
FIG. 10 shows a schematic diagram of an eighth example negative ionizer air purifier
according to the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0028] Referring to FIG. 2, a circuit diagram of a first example negative ionizer air purifier
according to the disclosure is shown. The negative ionizer air purifier 20 includes
a power adapter 21, a high-voltage generator 22, discharge terminals 23 and a positive
electrode plate 24. Each discharge terminal 23 may include a discharge fiber bundle.
The power adapter 21 may include a first input terminal, a second input terminal and
a third input terminal. The high-voltage generator 22 may include a first output terminal
and a second output terminal. The first input terminal of the power adapter 21 may
connect to the live wire L of the alternating current (AC) mains, the second input
terminal may connect to the naught wire N of the AC mains, and the third input terminal
may connect to the earth wire E of the AC mains. The power adapter 21 may convert
an AC voltage (e.g., an AC voltage of 220 volts (V)), which is inputted through the
first and second input terminals, into a low direct current (DC) voltage (e.g., a
low DC voltage of 12V), and output the low DC voltage to the high-voltage generator
22.
[0029] The high-voltage generator 22 may further boost the low DC voltage outputted from
the power adapter 21 to a high DC voltage (e.g., a high DC voltage of 6000V) and output
it. The first output terminal of the high-voltage generator 22 may connect to the
discharge terminals, while the second output terminal may connect to a reference earth
via the positive electrode plate 24. The reference earth may be the housing of the
negative ionizer air purifier, and the positive electrode plate 24 may be in contact
with the housing of the negative ionizer air purifier, which thus is becoming a virtual
earth. Thus, the discharge terminals 23 may release electrons outwards when the high
DC voltage is applied. The connecting wire between the first output terminal of the
high-voltage generator 22 and the discharge terminals 23 may be a high-voltage cable.
There may be at least one discharge terminal 23, for example, there are three discharge
terminals 23 in the current embodiment. However, the number of the discharge terminals
23 is not limited to three, and can be, for example, one, two, six, etc. The positive
electrode plate 24 can be a conductor of any shape, typically a metal ring.
[0030] The second output terminal of the high-voltage generator 22 may further connect electrically
to the third input terminal of the power adapter 21 and thus be electrically connected
to the earth wire E of the AC mains. Thus, the virtual earth, to which the second
output terminal of the prior art high-voltage generator 22 connects, can be changed
to an actual earth, through which the positive charge, accumulating on the second
output terminal of the high-voltage generator 22 during the working process of the
negative ionizer air purifier 20, can be conducted away, and the problem that the
speed of releasing electrons by the discharge terminals 23 slows down due to the possible
positive charge saturation on the second output terminal can be addressed, which can
effectively improve the efficiency of releasing electrons by the discharge terminals
23.
[0031] Referring now to FIG. 3, a circuit diagram of a second example negative ionizer air
purifier according to the disclosure is shown. The negative ionizer air purifier 30
includes a power adapter 31, a high-voltage generator 32, discharge terminals 33 and
a positive electrode plate 34. The first input terminal of the power adapter 31 may
connect to the live wire L of the AC mains, the second input terminal may connect
to the naught wire N of the AC mains, and the third input terminal may connect to
the earth wire E of the AC mains. There may be at least two high-voltage generators
in the current embodiment, and a first output terminal of each high-voltage generator
is independently connected to at least one discharge terminal. The negative ionizer
air purifier 30 according to the current embodiment differs from the first example
negative ionizer air purifier 20 in that, the power adapter 31 is provided with a
first connector 311, while the high-voltage generator 32 is provided with a second
connector 321, which can mate with the first connector 311 to achieve the electrical
connection between the power adapter 31 and the high-voltage generator 32 and thus
to further transfer the low DC voltage outputted from the power adapter 31 to the
high-voltage generator 32. One terminal of the first connector 311 may connect electrically
to the third input terminal of the power adapter 31, and one terminal of the second
connector 321 may be connected to a reference earth via the positive electrode plate
34. Thus, when the first connector 311 mates with the second connector 321, the said
terminal of the first connector 311 will be connected electrically to the said terminal
of the second connector 321, such that the positive electrode plate 34 can be electrically
connected to the third input terminal (earth wire E) of the power adapter 31. In this
case, the second output terminal of the high-voltage generator 32 is substantially
connected to an actual earth and thus the efficiency of releasing electrons by the
discharge terminals 33 can be improved.
[0032] The high-voltage generator and the discharge terminals can form more than one subsystem.
Referring now to FIG. 4, a circuit diagram of a third example negative ionizer air
purifier according to the disclosure is shown. Referring also to FIG. 2. The negative
ionizer air purifier 20 includes a high-voltage generator 25 and a high-voltage generator
22, which are connected in parallel. A first output terminal of the high-voltage generator
25 may connect to the discharge terminal 26, while the second output terminal may
connect to a reference earth via the positive electrode plate 24. To improve the efficiency
of releasing electrons, the second output terminal of the high-voltage generator 25
may connect to the third input terminal of the power adapter 21 in order to connect
to the earth wire E of the AC mains. The discharge terminal 23 may release electrons
outwards when a high DC voltage is applied.
[0033] Typically, there would be a power loss at a high-voltage cable connected between
a high-voltage generator and a discharge terminal. The power loss can be calculated
by the equation P=U
2/R, where P refers to the power loss of the high-voltage cable, U refers to the voltage
drop across the high-voltage cable, and R refers to the resistance of the high-voltage
cable. As can be concluded, the longer the high-voltage cable, the larger the resistance
R and the larger the voltage drop, and thus the larger the power loss because of the
extremely high voltage on the high-voltage cable, in which case the efficiency of
the negative ionizer air purifier of releasing electrons would be drastically lowered.
In the negative ionizer air purifier as shown in FIG. 2, the high-voltage generator
22 is connected to multiple discharge terminals 23, which would inevitably require
a comparatively long high-voltage cable to connect to the discharge terminals 23 that
are relatively far away from the high-voltage generator 22, resulting in a low efficiency
of releasing electrons and a low power utilization factor of these discharge terminals
23. In contrast, the negative ionizer air purifier, as shown in FIG. 4, uses a design
of at least two high-voltage generators 22 and 25, either connected to only one discharge
terminal 23 or 26. Thus, the total length of the high-voltage cables can be minimized,
and thus a minimum power loss and a maximum power utilization factor can be achieved.
[0034] In addition, if one high-voltage generator is connected to multiple discharge terminals,
the following problems may occur.
- 1) The high-voltage generator may easily burn out. To meet the power requirements
of multiple discharge terminals, a high-voltage generator with high power would be
required. However, it is not straightforward and practical to find in the market a
high-voltage generator whose rated power is exactly equal to the total power of the
designed number of discharge terminals. Thus, the manufacturers are forced to use
the high-voltage generator whose rated power is even larger than the total power of
the multiple discharge terminals. If, during the working process of the high-power
high-voltage generator, the anions in the air surrounding the discharge terminals
reach the saturation point, then the electrons cannot be emitted but will accumulate
in the high-voltage generator and produce heat, in which case the internal components
or circuits would be burnt out when the heat accumulates to a certain extent. Hence,
even when a single discharge terminal cannot release more electrons due to anion-saturation
or restricted air circulation because of fan breakdown, the high-power high voltage
generator will be vulnerable to burn out. Whereas, according to the current embodiment,
two high-voltage generators 22 and 25 are used each connected to only one discharge
terminal 23 or 26. Thus, it is much easier to find a high-voltage generator with a
smaller and suitable rated power. In addition, the usage of at least two high-voltage
generators with a relatively low rated power can in effect achieve an equivalent efficiency
of releasing electrons with a single high-power high-voltage generator. Furthermore,
since the rated power is comparatively low, the internal components or circuits won't
burn out even when the electrons are not well released.
- 2) It is difficult to find the suitable high-voltage generator, and thus will increase
the design and manufacture difficulty and the cost. In the case only one high-voltage
generator is used in the negative ionizer air purifier, typically a high-voltage generator
with a comparatively high rated power would be required, and the required rated power
may also vary because the number of discharge terminals applied may vary, which thus
will increase the difficulty of obtaining the suitable high-voltage generator, the
difficulty of design and manufacture, and also the cost. Whereas in the current embodiment,
two high-voltage generators 22 and 25 are used each connected to only one discharge
terminal 23 or 26. Thus, it is much easier to find a high-voltage generator with a
smaller and suitable rated power, and different power requirements can also be satisfied
by the addition and subtraction of the number of the same category high-voltage generators,
which can significantly reduce the difficulty of design and manufacture and the cost.
For example, in order to design a 1.2 watts (W) negative ionizer air purifier, a combination
of four 0.3W high-voltage generators can be used. While in order to design a 1.5W
negative ionizer air purifier, a combination of five 0.3W high-voltage generators
can be used. In contrast, if a single high-power high-voltage generator is employed,
the high-voltage generator with power of 1.2W or 1.5W needs be respectively designed.
[0035] Referring now to FIG. 5, a circuit diagram of a fourth example negative ionizer air
purifier according to the disclosure is shown. Referring also to FIG. 3. The negative
ionizer air purifier 30 includes a high-voltage generator 35 and a high-voltage generator
32, which are connected in parallel. The first output terminal of the high-voltage
generator 35 may connect to the discharge terminal 36, while the second output terminal
may connect to the positive electrode plate 34. The high-voltage generator 35 may
be provided with a third connector 351, which can mate with the first connector 311
in order to achieve the electrical connection between the power adapter 31 and the
high-voltage generator 35 and thus to further transfer the low DC voltage outputted
from the power adapter 31 to the high-voltage generator 35. One terminal of the third
connector 351 may be connected to the reference earth via the positive electrode plate
34. Thus, when the first connector 311 mates with the third connector 351, the said
terminal of the first connector 311 will be connected electrically to the said terminal
of the third connector 351, such that the positive electrode plate 34 can be electrically
connected to the third input terminal (earth wire E) of the power adapter 31. In this
case, the positive electrode plate 34 can be substantially connected to the actual
earth and thus the efficiency of releasing electrons by the discharge terminal 36
can be improved. In the negative ionizer air purifier as shown in FIG. 5, either of
the high-voltage generators 35 and 32 is connected to only one discharge terminal
33 or 36. Thus, the total length of the high-voltage cables can be minimized, such
that the power loss of the high-voltage cables can be minimized and the high voltage
generators will not easily burn out. In addition, the requirements for design techniques
can be reduced, and so does the complexity of the production preparation.
[0036] Referring now to FIG. 6, a schematic diagram of a fifth example negative ionizer
air purifier according to the disclosure is shown. The negative ionizer air purifier
40 includes a housing 41. The high-voltage generators and positive electrode plate
mentioned in the above embodiments may be disposed inside the housing 41. While the
power adapter can be disposed inside the housing 41, or it can be disposed outside
the housing 41 and electrically connect to the high-voltage generator(s) inside the
housing 41 by plug-in.
[0037] The housing 41 may be provided with receiving holes 411 and 412, and discharge terminals
431 and 432 may be disposed in the respective receiving holes 411 and 412, and protrude
from the exterior of the housing 41. More specifically, the housing 41 may include
a flat front panel 42, in which two circular recesses 421 and 422 may be defined.
The receiving hole 411 or 412 may be defined respectively in the center of the corresponding
recess 421 or 422. The discharge terminals 431 and 432 may be respectively placed
in the corresponding receiving holes 411 and 412 and protrude from the exterior of
the recesses 421 and 422. The receiving holes 411 and 412 can be of any shape, typically
circular. In the current embodiment, there are two discharge terminals 431 and 432
and two receiving holes 411 and 412, however, there may be any number, typically larger
than 2, of discharge terminals and receiving holes.
[0038] The discharge terminals 431 and 432 may easily absorb dust and the carbon produced
from the decomposition of carbon dioxide in the surrounding air, which may reduce
the efficiency of the negative ionizer air purifier. By configuring the discharge
terminals 431 and 432 to protrude from the exterior of the housing 41, it will be
convenient to clean the discharge terminals periodically. More to the point, the carbon
produced from the decomposition of carbon dioxide would attach to the front panel
42, thus the user needs not clean the interior of the housing which is hard to reach,
such that it would be very convenient for the user to do cleaning and maintenance
for the negative ionizer air purifier.
[0039] Referring now to FIG. 7, a schematic diagram of a sixth example negative ionizer
air purifier according to the disclosure is shown. The negative ionizer air purifier
50 includes a housing 51. The housing 51 may be provided with receiving holes 511
and 512, and discharge terminals 531 and 532 may be disposed in the respective receiving
holes 511 and 512. The negative ionizer air purifier 50 according to the current embodiment
differs from the third example negative ionizer air purifier 40 shown in FIG. 4 in
that, the housing 51 is further hollowed out at the periphery of either discharge
terminal and at the part between the discharge terminals 531 and 532. The hollows
may include annular hollows 551 and 552 and arc-shaped hollows 513 and 514. More specifically,
the annular hollows 551 and 552 may be provided at the respective peripheries of the
discharge terminals 531 and 532, namely the discharge terminals 531 and 532 are located
respectively within the annular hollows 551 and 552. Either of the annular hollows
551 and 552 may be comprised of two substantial semi-annular hollows. The contact
part connecting the ends of the two substantial semi-annular hollows is a portion
of the housing 51. The area of the contact part should be as small as possible, and
typically the width of the contact part is set to be 2mm. Of course, either of the
two annular hollows 551 and 552 can be a full-annular hollow, namely the outer boundary
and inner boundary of either of the annular hollows 551 and 552 are completely separated
by air. The arc-shaped hollows 513 and 514 may be concentrically defined with the
discharge terminals 531 and 532, respectively. The widths of the arc-shaped hollows
513 and 514 are typically larger than 2mm. The central angles of the arc-shaped hollows
513 and 514 are typically larger than 30 degrees, and the arc lengths of the arc-shaped
hollows 513 and 514 are larger than the respective diameters of the receiving holes.
The widths and central angles of the arc-shaped hollows 513 and 514 are not limited
to 2mm and 30 degrees, and can also be any other values. For example, the widths can
be 1mm, 3mm or any other suitable value which can enable the separation by air. Similarly,
the central angles can be 20 degrees, 40 degrees, or any other value which can enable
the separation by air. It should be appreciated that those of skill in the art can
think of hollows of other shapes to be defined in the housing 51, based on actual
requirements. The above hollows can also be applied to other embodiments where the
discharge terminals 531 and 532 do not protrude from the exterior of the housing 51.
[0040] In the negative ionizer air purifiers in which at least two high-voltage generators
are used, there may be a certain potential difference between two discharge terminals.
Without the hollow design of the disclosure, the carbon, produced from the decomposition
of the carbon dioxide in the surrounding air due to the electrons emitted from the
discharge terminals 531 and 532, will attach to the surface of the housing 51 and
thus may cause a short circuit between the two discharge terminals 531 and 532. By
defining the annular hollows 551 and 552 at the respective peripheries of the discharge
terminals and the arc-shaped hollows 513 and 514 between the discharge terminals,
the discharge terminals 531 and 532 can be electrically separated effectively, thus
the short circuit between the discharge terminals 531 and 532 that is caused by the
carbon, produced from the decomposition of carbon dioxide and attached to the surface
of the housing, can be avoided.
[0041] Referring now to FIGS. 8-9, where FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of a seventh example
negative ionizer air purifier according to the disclosure, FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram
of a base of the seventh example negative ionizer air purifier. The negative ionizer
air purifier 60 includes a housing 61. The housing 61 may be provided with receiving
holes 611 and 612, and discharge terminals 631 and 632 may be respectively disposed
through the receiving holes 611 and 612. In addition, the negative ionizer air purifier
60 may further include a fan 64 disposed inside the housing 61. The housing 61 may
be provided with independent airflow passages 613 and 614, such that the airflow produced
by the fan 64 may flow respectively through the passages 613 and 614 and drive the
air near the discharge terminals 631 and 632 to move. More specifically, the housing
61 may include an upper housing 62 and a base 63, which are detachably disposed. The
upper housing 62 may be supported on the base 63 when they are working. The receiving
holes 611 and 612 may be defined in the upper housing 62, specifically, in the flat
front panel 621 of the upper housing 62. The upper housing 62 may further define a
first accommodation space, and the high-voltage generators, the positive electrode
plate and the power adapter mentioned above can be disposed in the first accommodation
space. The airflow passages 613 and 614 may be provided on the base 63, which may
further define a second accommodation space, in which the fan 64 may be set. The base
63 may further be provided with baffle mechanisms to limit the airflow produced by
the fan 64, so as to change the direction of the airflow such that it can flow out
through the passages 613 and 614.
[0042] In the current embodiment, the number of the airflow passages 613 and 614 is the
same as that of the discharge terminals 631 and 632. Either of the discharge terminals
is directly below the corresponding discharge terminal 631 or 632, such that the air
outlets of the passages 613 and 614 will directly face the centers of the discharge
terminals 631 and 632, respectively. However, the number of the passages may not be
the same as that of the discharge terminals, and the specific positions of the passages
can be set based on actual requirements. The speed of the airflow produced by the
fan is adjustable. The greater the voltage at the discharge terminals 631 and 632,
the more the total electrons released from the discharge terminals, and the higher
the concentration of the anions in the surrounding air. Meanwhile, when the voltage
at the discharge terminals 631 and 632 is constant, the larger the number of the discharge
terminals, the more the total electrons released from the discharge terminals, and
the higher the concentration of the anions in the surrounding air. However, when the
concentration of the anions in the surrounding air reaches its saturation point, it
will no longer increase. In this case, by increasing the speed of the airflow produced
by the fan 64, the concentration of the anions in the surrounding air of the discharge
terminals 631 and 632 can be decreased. Hence in one embodiment, the speed of the
airflow produced by the fan 64 is larger than the speed of the saturated anions being
produced in the surrounding air (in other words, the saturation speed).
[0043] Thus, the speed of the airflow surrounding the discharge terminals 631 and 632 can
be accelerated, such that more air, which is not negatively charged, can fill in the
working area in the vicinity of the discharge terminals 631 and 632, and the surrounding
air that is already negatively charged can be driven out as quickly as possible, thus
the efficiency of the negative ionizer air purifier can be significantly improved.
In the prior art, however, the air in the vicinity of the discharge terminals cannot
be easily replaced, in which case however high the voltage at the discharge terminals
is or however large the number of the discharge terminals is, the anion-generation
efficiency will not be increased too much when the ionization of the air within the
working area reaches its saturation point-since the air is not replaced in time and
the working area of multiple discharge terminals may at least partly overlap. Thus,
it would lose the meaning of increasing the number of the discharge terminals and
the voltage or power at the discharge terminals. With the airflow-driven approach
according to the disclosure, the effects of increasing the number and voltage of the
discharge terminals can be truly reflected. In addition, the inventor(s) of the disclosure
found in at least one embodiment that the anion-generation efficiency has little to
do with the magnitude of power, but has much to do with the voltage at the discharge
terminals. Thus, in at least one embodiment, by increasing the voltage at the discharge
terminals and combining the airflow-driven approach, the anion-generation efficiency
can be significantly improved.
[0044] Referring now to FIG. 10, a schematic diagram of an eighth example negative ionizer
air purifier according to the disclosure is shown. The negative ionizer air purifier
70 is provided with two energy rings at the periphery of the discharge terminal 73.
The two energy rings are typically concentric with the discharge terminal 73. The
inner ring is an electron-enhancement ring 74, and the outer ring is an electron-control
ring 75. The electron-enhancement ring 74 can release electrons outward when a changing
electric field is produced by the discharge terminal 73. Specifically, the electron-enhancement
ring 74 is of a suitable piezoelectric ceramic material, which may create a tendency
of volume expansion, due to piezoelectric effect, within the changing electric field
produced by the discharge terminal 73. Whereas the outer electron-control ring 75
is of a non-piezoelectric material, whose shape will not be affected by the electric
field. Thus, the outer electron-control ring 75 can prevent the volume expansion of
the electron-enhancement ring 74. Hence, the electron-enhancement ring 74 will release
electrons under a combination of the pressure from the electron-control ring 75 and
the high electric field. The high electric field may be produced by the voltage fluctuation
at the discharge terminal 73, and can also be produced by the pulse voltage at the
discharge terminal 73. Since energy rings are further added in addition to the discharge
terminals, they can take full advantage of the high electric field produced by the
discharge terminals to release electrons. Therefore, the anion concentration can be
increased and the efficiency of the negative ionizer air purifier 70 can be further
improved.
[0045] In the embodiments described above, a negative ionizer air purifier enabled based
on any two or more embodiments shall all be covered within the protection scope of
the present disclosure.
[0046] In conclusion, advantages of the present disclosure may follow: by providing in the
housing the at least two receiving holes corresponding to the discharge terminals
each disposed in the corresponding receiving hole, and hollowing out the housing at
the periphery of each discharge terminal and at the part between the discharge terminals,
the discharge terminals can be effectively electrically separated from each other,
and thus the short circuit caused by the carbon, produced from the decomposition of
the carbon dioxide in the surrounding air and attached on the surface of the housing,
can be efficiently avoided.
[0047] The above description is merely the embodiments of the disclosure, but is not limiting
the scope of the disclosure. Any equivalent structures or flow transformations made
to the disclosure, or any direct or indirect applications of the disclosure on other
relevant fields, shall all be covered within the protection of the disclosure.
1. A negative ionizer air purifier comprising a housing and at least two discharge terminals,
wherein the housing is defined with at least two receiving holes corresponding to
the discharge terminals each disposed through the corresponding receiving hole, and
hollows are provided at the periphery of each discharge terminal and at the part between
the discharge terminals; each discharge terminal comprises a discharge fiber bundle,
and the hollows comprise arc-shaped hollows provided at the part between the discharge
terminals and annular hollows provided at the respective peripheries of the discharge
terminal.
2. The negative ionizer air purifier according to claim 1, wherein the arc-shaped hollows
are concentrically formed with the respective discharge terminals.
3. The negative ionizer air purifier according to claim 2, wherein the widths of the
arc-shaped hollows are larger than 2mm, and the arc lengths of the arc-shaped hollows
are larger than the respective diameters of the receiving holes.
4. The negative ionizer air purifier according to claim 1, wherein the central angles
of the arc-shaped hollows are larger than 30 degrees.
5. The negative ionizer air purifier according to claim 1, wherein the housing comprises
a flat front panel, on which is provided with at least two circular recesses corresponding
to the receiving holes, each of which is defined in the center of the corresponding
recess.
6. The negative ionizer air purifier according to claim 5, wherein each discharge terminal
is disposed through the corresponding receiving hole and protrudes from the exterior
of the corresponding recess.
7. The negative ionizer air purifier according to claim 1, further comprising a power
adapter and a high-voltage generator, wherein the power adapter comprises a first
input terminal, a second input terminal and a third input terminal, the high-voltage
generator comprises a first output terminal and a second output terminal, wherein
the first input terminal of the power adapter connects to the live wire of the alternating
current (AC) mains, the second input terminal connects to the naught wire of the AC
mains, and the third input terminal connects to the earth wire of the AC mains, wherein
the power adapter converts an AC voltage inputted through its first and second input
terminals into a low direct current (DC) voltage and outputs it to the high-voltage
generator, which further steps up the low DC voltage to a high DC voltage and outputs
it, wherein the first output terminal of the high-voltage generator connects to the
discharge terminals, and the second output terminal connects to a reference earth
and also connects electrically to the third input terminal of the power adapter, wherein
the reference earth is the housing of the negative ionizer air purifier.
8. A negative ionizer air purifier comprising a housing and at least two discharge terminals,
wherein the housing is defined with at least two receiving holes corresponding to
the discharge terminals each disposed through the corresponding receiving hole, and
hollows are provided at the periphery of each discharge terminal and at the part between
the discharge terminals.
9. The negative ionizer air purifier according to claim 8, wherein each discharge terminal
comprises a discharge fiber bundle.
10. The negative ionizer air purifier according to claim 8, wherein the hollows comprise
arc-shaped hollows provided at the part between the discharge terminals.
11. The negative ionizer air purifier according to any one of claims 8-10, wherein the
hollows comprise annular hollows provided at the respective peripheries of the discharge
terminals.
12. The negative ionizer air purifier according to claim 10, wherein the arc-shaped hollows
are concentrically formed with the respective discharge terminals.
13. The negative ionizer air purifier according to claim 12, wherein the widths of the
arc-shaped hollows are larger than 2mm, and the arc lengths of the arc-shaped hollows
are larger than the respective diameters of the receiving holes.
14. The negative ionizer air purifier according to claim 9, wherein the central angles
of the arc-shaped hollows are larger than 30 degrees.
15. The negative ionizer air purifier according to claim 8, wherein the housing comprises
a flat front panel, on which is provided with at least two circular recesses corresponding
to the receiving holes, each of which is defined in the center of the corresponding
recess.
16. The negative ionizer air purifier according to claim 15, wherein each discharge terminal
is disposed through the corresponding receiving hole and protrudes from the exterior
of the corresponding recess.
17. The negative ionizer air purifier according to claim 8, further comprising a power
adapter and a high-voltage generator, wherein the power adapter comprises a first
input terminal, a second input terminal and a third input terminal, the high-voltage
generator comprises a first output terminal and a second output terminal, wherein
the first input terminal of the power adapter connects to the live wire of the alternating
current mains, the second input terminal connects to the naught wire of the AC mains,
and the third input terminal connects to the earth wire of the AC mains, wherein the
power adapter converts an AC voltage inputted through its first and second input terminals
into a low direct current (DC) voltage and outputs it to the high-voltage generator,
which further steps up the low DC voltage to a high DC voltage and outputs it, wherein
the first output terminal of the high-voltage generator connects to the discharge
terminals, and the second output terminal connects to a reference earth and also connects
electrically to the third input terminal of the power adapter, wherein the reference
earth is the housing of the negative ionizer air purifier.