Abstract:
A cleaning mechanism for a wire electrode of an air purifier device includes a base, a post having a first end attached to the base and a second end accessible from a location external the housing, a cleaning plate assembly attached to the base, wherein the cleaning plate assembly frictionally contacts the wire electrode when moved relative to the wire electrode. The cleaning plate assembly is movable within the housing when the second end of the post is moved from a resting configuration to a cleaning configuration.

Description:
FIELD OF INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention relates generally to electrostatic air conditioning devices and more particularly to a mechanism for cleaning the wire electrodes in such devices.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     Electrostatic air cleaners use electric energy to generate electrostatic forces which create air flow without the use of a fan or other moving parts. Electrostatic forces also enable the air cleaner to collect airborne contaminants such as dust, smoke, oil mist, pollen, pet dander and other small debris particles from the air circulated in dwellings, workplaces, and other structures. Generally, known electrostatic air cleaners utilize two arrays of electrodes excited by high-voltage. In a known design, the first electrode array comprises wire or rod-shaped electrodes (hereinafter “wire electrodes”), while the second electrode array comprises plate electrodes. A high-voltage generator creates an electrical charge between the first and second electrode arrays.  
         [0003]     The particulate matter enters the region of the first electrode array and is charged before entering the region of the second electrode array, where it is removed from the air stream. Specifically, due to the high-voltage charge at the wire electrodes, free electrons are stripped off of atoms and molecules in the surrounding air. These electrons migrate to the positively charged wire electrodes, where they are collected. The removal of free electrons leaves the stripped atoms and molecules positively charged, which are repelled from the positively charged wire electrodes and attracted to the negatively charged plate electrodes. The addition of the electrons from the negatively charged plate electrodes also produces negative air ions that are propelled from the trailing edge of the plate electrodes. Thus, the ionic forces exerted on atoms and molecules create a silent movement of air through the air cleaner.  
         [0004]     Because collected and adhered debris greatly reduces a wire electrode&#39;s efficiency and effectiveness, the debris must be periodically removed. In the past, the cleaning of the wire electrodes of the electrostatic air cleaners has been difficult because of the close spacing of the electrode arrays and the high voltages applied to the closely spaced, oppositely charged arrays. Care must be exercised to see that the electrode assemblies are cleaned effectively and are not electrically shorted together or to a ground. For this reason, some devices require periodic shut-down and disassembly so that the wire electrodes can be removed for washing. Other devices are rappers or shakers which strike or vibrate the wire electrode assemblies to loosen collected debris and cause it to fall from the electrode assemblies.  
         [0005]     Another known method of cleaning the wire electrodes is to thread the wire electrode through a bead. The bead is dimensioned to remain in frictional contact with the wire electrode and remove debris as it travels the length of the electrode. To cause the bead to travel along the length of electrode, the air cleaner is rotated and gravity causes the bead to travel from an initial position along the electrode and frictionally remove contaminates from the outer surface of the electrode. The air cleaner is then returned to its original position and the bead returns to its initial position along the electrode. To maintain the efficiency of the air cleaner, the air cleaner may need to be rotated multiple times to further clean the electrode.  
         [0006]     A disadvantage of this type of cleaning is that the air cleaner could be heavy and bulky, and it may be inconvenient for users to lift and rotate a heavy and bulky air cleaner. Furthermore, in the process of lifting and rotating the air cleaner, the user could drop the cleaner and cause damage to the device. Also, when a user lifts and rotates the air cleaner, the debris that is removed from the electrode is likely to contaminate the user.  
         [0007]     It is therefore desirable to provide a cleaning mechanism for a wire electrode assembly that is convenient, easy to use and does not require the lifting or rotating of a heavy, bulky air cleaner apparatus.  
       SUMMARY OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0008]     A cleaning mechanism for a wire electrode of an air purifier device includes a base, a post having a first end attached to the base and a second end accessible from a location external the housing, a cleaning plate assembly attached to the base, wherein the cleaning plate assembly frictionally contacts the wire electrode when moved relative to the wire electrode. The cleaning plate assembly is movable within the housing when the second end of the post is moved from a resting configuration to a cleaning configuration. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS  
       [0009]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of an air purifier device with the cleaning mechanism of the present invention;  
         [0010]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the cleaning mechanism of the present invention;  
         [0011]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the cleaning mechanism of the present invention as installed on a wire electrode array;  
         [0012]      FIG. 4  is an exploded view of a preferred embodiment of the cleaning plate assembly of the present invention;  
         [0013]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a first plate of the cleaning plate assembly;  
         [0014]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a guide rib of an air cleaner in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and  
         [0015]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the cleaning mechanism knob as installed in an air cleaner of the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0016]      FIG. 1  depicts a preferred embodiment of the cleaning mechanism  10  of the present invention as installed in an air purifier apparatus  100 . The air purifier apparatus  100  includes a base  102 , a pedestal  104  and a housing  106 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , the housing  106  is wedge-shaped and has a plurality of side surfaces  108 . Vents  110  are provided on the side surfaces  108  to facilitate the circulation of an air stream through the air purifier apparatus  100 . It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to a wedge-shaped housing; rather, it is envisioned that the air purifier housing can be of any shape, including, oval, circular, rectangular or any other shape.  
         [0017]     The cleaning mechanism  10  of the present invention is preferably accessible from the outside of the air purifier apparatus  100 . Specifically, the upper surface  112  of the housing  106  defines an aperture  114  therein through which extends the post  12  of a preferred embodiment of the cleaning mechanism  10 . As discussed in greater detail below, to clean the wire electrodes of the air purifier apparatus  100 , the cleaning mechanism  10  of the present invention is moved up and down in a plunging fashion. To actuate the cleaning mechanism  10 , the user preferably grasps the control knob  14  and lifts the knob  14  away from the upper surface  112  of the housing  106 , thereby withdrawing the post  12  from the housing  106 , and then pushing the post  12  back into the housing  106  and returning the knob  14  to its original position on the upper surface  112  of the housing  106 . For ease of reference, the movement of the cleaning mechanism  10  described herein is referred to as a plunging movement. Although control knob  14  is described as extending out of the upper surface  112  of the housing  106 , it is envisioned that control knob  14  can be configured to extend from any surface of the housing  106 . By way of example, the housing  106  can include a slot (not shown) on a side surface  108  thereof and the control knob  14  can extend through the slot on the side surface  108  of the housing  106 .  
         [0018]     As shown in  FIG. 2 , a preferred embodiment of the cleaning mechanism  10  of the present invention includes a post  12 , a control knob  14 , a base  16 , guide members  18  and a cleaning plate assembly  20 . Post  12  is attached to a control knob  14  at its first end  22  and to the base  16  at its second end  24 . The base  16  is dimensioned to carry the post  12  and the cleaning plate assembly  20 . To guide the motion of the cleaning mechanism through the housing  106 , guide members  18  extend from the base  16 , as further described below.  
         [0019]     The cleaning plate assembly  20  preferably defines a plurality of receiving ports  26  therein, each dimensioned to receive a wire electrode.  FIG. 3  depicts a preferred embodiment of the cleaning mechanism  10  of the present invention as installed on the wire electrodes  116  of the air purifier apparatus  100 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , each wire electrode  116  is received in a receiving port  26  of the cleaning plate assembly  20 . The cleaning plate assembly  20  is carried on the base  16  in such a manner as to not interfere with the passing of the wire electrodes  116  through the receiving ports  26  of the cleaning plate assembly  20 . The receiving ports  26  are dimensioned to frictionally maintain contact with the wire electrodes  116  as the cleaning mechanism  10  is moved up and down along a length of the electrode array. As the cleaning mechanism  10  is actuated, the cleaning plate assembly  20  scrapes the particulates off the wire electrode  116 .  
         [0020]     The cleaning plate assembly of the present invention is preferably configured for use with all of the wire electrodes of the electrode array. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 3 , the electrode array consists of three wire electrodes  116 . As such, the cleaning plate assembly  20  has three receiving ports  26 , each for receiving one wire electrode  116  of the electrode array. The wire electrodes  116 , in  FIG. 3 , are shown in a collinear relationship. It is envisioned that the cleaning plate  20  of the present invention can be adapted to accommodate wire electrodes that are not collinear. Furthermore, it is within the scope of the present invention to adapt the cleaning mechanism to accommodate less that all of the wire electrodes in an electrode array. Specifically, the cleaning mechanism  20  can be adapted for use with one or more wire electrodes, and more preferably, with at least two wire electrodes.  
         [0021]     In a preferred embodiment of the invention, as shown in  FIG. 4 , the cleaning plate assembly  20  includes a first plate  30  and a second plate  32 . The first and second plates  30 ,  32  are interlockable to form the cleaning plate assembly  20 . Corresponding engagement members  34  are provided to interlock the first and second plates  30 ,  32  to each other. In one embodiment of the invention, the corresponding engagement members  34  are a locking post  36  integrally attached to and extending from a surface of the first or second plate. The locking post  36  friction fits into a corresponding hole  38  on the other plate. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 4 , each of the first and second plates  30 ,  32  include a locking post  36  and corresponding hole  38  so that the plates can be interlocked at two positions. The engagement members  34  are not limited to those described herein but can include any known device that can engage the first plate  30  with the second plate  32  to form the cleaning plate assembly  20 .  
         [0022]     In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a thin flexible sheet  40 , preferably of Mylar or Kapton type material, is positioned between the first plate  30  and the second plate  32  to enhance the cleaning capacity of the cleaning plate assembly  20 . The sheet  40  preferably has high voltage breakdown, high dielectric constant, can withstand high temperature, and is flexible. A slit  42  is cut in the sheet for each wire electrode  116  such that each wire electrode fits into a slit  42  in the sheet. Friction between the inner slit edge surrounding each wire scrapes off any debris coating on the wire electrode. The sheet  40  also defines apertures  44  therein, positioned to allow the engagement members  34  to pass therethrough.  
         [0023]     The first plate  30  defines one or more channels  46  therein and the second plate  32  defines one or more channels  48  therein. The first plate  30 , second plate  32  and sheet  40  are sandwiched together such that a channel  46  of the first plate  30 , a channel  48  of the second plate  32 , and a slit  42  of the sheet  40  align with each other. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the channels  46 ,  48  and slit  42  together form a receiving port  26  for a wire electrode. In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the sheet  40  can be eliminated, in which case, the channels  46 ,  48  collectively would form a receiving port for a wire electrode.  
         [0024]     A preferred embodiment of the invention, as shown in  FIG. 5 , the channels  46  in the first plate  30  are non-linear in form. Second plate  32  preferably is identical to the first plate  30  and has the shape channels as those shown in  FIG. 5 . A non-linear channel is better able to retain the wire electrode therein, whereas the wire electrode can more easily slip out of a linear channel. Therefore, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, channels  46  and  48  are non-linear.  
         [0025]     As shown in  FIG. 5 , the non-linear channels can include a bend  50 , a u-shaped curve  52 , any other non-linear shape or a combination of any of the above. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, each channel includes an entrance  54  and an end  56 . To install the wire electrode on a cleaning plate, the wire electrode is inserted through the entrance  54  of the channel, past at least one bend or u-shaped curve, and is preferably positioned at the end  56  of the channel. The channel end  56  is shaped to frictionally engage the wire electrode, thus cleaning debris off of the electrode as the cleaning plate is moved relative to the wire electrode.  
         [0026]     To facilitate the movement of the cleaning plate assembly  26  inside the housing  106 , the housing  106  defines a guide rib  60 , as shown in  FIG. 6 . Guide rib  60  is shaped to engage the guide member  18  (shown in  FIG. 2 ). In a preferred embodiment of the invention, two guide ribs  60  are provided, one for each of the guide members  18  shown in  FIG. 2 . The engagement of the guide members  18  with the guide ribs  60  assists in ensuring that the cleaning plate assembly  26  moves in a steady, controlled manner with respect to the housing  106 . Furthermore, the guide ribs  60  limit the lateral movement of cleaning plate assembly  26  within the housing. Thus, users will be prevented from damaging the wire electrodes by placing excessive lateral forces thereon.  
         [0027]     In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the guide rib  60  is a vertical protrusion extending from the inner surface of the housing  106 . In addition to guiding the movement of the cleaning plate assembly  26 , the guide rib  60  can be configured to provide structural support for the vents  110 . Specifically, the guide rib  60  can be attached to the vents  110  such that it will provide additional support to maintain the structural integrity of the housing  106 , and the vents  110  specifically, when forces are exerted on the housing  106 .  
         [0028]     The guide member  18  is shaped to receive the guide rib  60  therein. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2 , the guide members  18  have a rectangular shape to receive a rectangular-shaped guide rib. The invention is not limited to the shape shown herein; rather, the guide ribs  60  and guide members  18  can have any shape as long as the guide rib  60  can engage the guide member  18 .  
         [0029]      FIG. 7  depicts a preferred embodiment of the cleaning mechanism  10  at its initial, at rest position. In the initial position, the top surface  62  of the control knob  14  is preferably substantially flush with the upper surface  112  of the housing  106 . To assist the user in grasping the control knob  14  and lifting it for cleaning, a gap  64  is defined in the housing  106  directly adjacent the control knob  14 . To lift the control knob  14 , the user can use the gap to position one or more finger under the control knob  14 . The control knob  14  is then lifted, pulling the post  12  out of the housing  106 , thereby moving the cleaning plate assembly  26  up. The cleaning plate assembly  26  scrapes debris off of the wire electrodes as it moves relative to the electrodes. The cleaning mechanism can be moved up and down several times, in a plunging movement, until the wire electrodes have been cleaned to satisfaction. When finished, the control knob is returned to its rest position, as shown in  FIG. 7 .  
         [0030]     Many modifications and other embodiments of the invention set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which the invention pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.