Patent Description:
The negative ion generating device is a device that generates negative air ions. The device can process an input current to obtain a DC (direct current) negative high voltage current, and then couple the DC negative high voltage current to a release tip made of metal or carbon elements.

The negative ion generating device utilizes the high-voltage direct current at the tip to generate high corona and release a large number of electrons at high speed. Since an existence life of electrons is only nanoseconds, the electrons cannot exist in the air for a long time, and the electrons are immediately captured by the oxygen molecules in the air, thereby generating negative air ions. <CIT> discloses a self-cleaning ion generator device which includes a housing having a bottom portion and a top portion selectively secured to each other, the top portion contains a base portion extending to an outer edge and having an internal side and an external side, a first pair of opposed sidewalls and a second pair of opposed sidewalls extend from the outer edge of the base portion forming a cavity therein. Ion terminals extend from the housing, and a cleaning apparatus for cleaning the two ion terminals is also described. <CIT> discloses a self-cleaning ion generator device which includes a first portion with a base portion that extends to an outer edge and a first pair and a second pair of opposed sidewalls extending upwardly from the outer edge and intersect at corners, forming a cavity therein. A second portion includes a base portion that extends to an outer edge selectively secured to the first portion forming a housing. At least one ion emitting device extending from the housing, and at least one cleaning apparatus for cleaning the at least one ion emitting device. <CIT> discloses an ion generating device which includes discharge electrodes each having a plurality of electrically conductive members which form respective tip surfaces. A longer dimension direction of the tip surfaces is nonparallel to an air sending direction. This allows for efficient release of ions. <CIT> discloses an air cleaner which is configured such that a device attachment section for attaching an ion generator thereto is provided at an air blowing duct. The device attachment section includes: a device attachment hole that projects into the air blowing duct so that positive and negative discharge electrodes intersect with an airflow direction; and a partition part with an upstream end located upstream of the device attachment hole with respect to airflow.

In order to overcome problems existing in the related art, the present invention provide a negative ion generating device and an air purifier.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, a negative ion generating device is provided as defined by claim <NUM>.

Optionally, the conductive fiber brush employs elastic material: the conductive fiber brush is elastically deformed during contact with the cleaning member; and the conductive fiber brush relies on its own elasticity to restore its shape after separation from the cleaning member.

Optionally, the cleaning member include a rotation coupling part, a first cantilever and a second cantilever; the rotation coupling part is arranged at an upper surface of the housing and rotatably coupled to the housing; the first cantilever and the second cantilever are symmetrically arranged at two opposite ends of the rotation coupling part; each of the first cantilever and the second cantilever has a first end coupled to the rotation coupling part and a second end provided with a cleaning part capable of contacting or separating from the conductive fiber brush during rotation.

Optionally, the upper surface of the housing is fixed with a limiting post; the rotation coupling part defines a limiting hole; and the limiting hole is capable of fitting over the limiting post and cooperating with the limiting post to achieve limit of the cleaning part in a rotation state.

Optionally, two limiting holes are provided, two limiting posts are provided; and the two limiting holes are symmetrically arranged at two sides of a center point of the rotation coupling part.

Optionally, the upper surface of the housing has a curvature with a high center and a low edge; each of the first cantilever and the second cantilever has a curved plate shape matching the curvature of the upper surface of the housing; and
Optionally, the cleaning member takes a center of the rotation coupling part as a center of rotation, and is configured to rotate clockwise or counterclockwise under action of the driving mechanism.

Optionally, an axis where a center of the cleaning member is located coincides with an axis where a center of the housing is located.

Optionally, a distance between the axis where the center of the housing is located and a tip of the conductive fiber brush is a first distance; a distance between the axis where the center of the housing is located and the cleaning part is a second distance; and the first distance is greater than the second distance.

Optionally, the negative ion assembly further includes a negative ion circuit board electrically coupled to the conductive fiber brush; and the negative ion circuit board is fixed to a lower surface or an inner cavity of the housing.

Optionally, the circumferential edge of the housing is provided with a protruding rib protruding from the lower surface; the protruding rib defines a brush through hole or a brush groove; and the conductive fiber brush is inserted into the brush through hole or the brush groove.

Optionally, a plurality of brush through holes or brush grooves are provided; a number of the conductive fiber brushes matches with the brush through holes or the brush grooves; the plurality of brush through holes or the plurality of brush grooves are spaced apart in a circumferential direction of the housing; and a plurality of conductive fiber brushes correspond to the plurality of brush through holes or the plurality of brush grooves in arrangement position.

Optionally, the driving mechanism includes a motor having a rotating shaft; a center position of the housing defines a first motor through hole; a center position of the cleaning member defines a second motor through hole, the motor is fixed to the housing; and the rotating shaft passes through the first motor through hole and the motor through hole sequentially to fixedly couple to the cleaning member, to drive the cleaning member to rotate synchronously.

Optionally, the cleaning member defines a through hole or a notch at a position corresponding to the conductive fiber brush.

Optionally, the through hole has a size greater than an outer diameter of the conductive fiber brush.

Optionally, a plurality of through holes are provided, and the plurality of through holes are arranged side by side and spaced apart.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, an air purifier is provided, which includes a negative ion generating device according to any embodiment in the present invention.

Optionally, the air purifier is provided with a fan therein, the fan is rotatable to form a wind path in the air purifier, and the negative ion generating device is arranged in the wind path or outside the wind path.

Optionally, the negative ion generating device is fixed in the air purifier with a screw or snap connection.

The technical solution provided by embodiments of the present invention may have the following beneficial effects: the cleaning member which may rotate freely is arranged on the housing, the cleaning member may sweep over the conductive fiber brush periodically, and the cleaning member can clean up debris adsorbed on the conductive fiber brush, achieving cleaning of the conductive fiber brush, solving a risk of blocking of the conductive fiber brush and improving service life of the conductive fiber brush.

It should be understood that, the forgoing general description and the detailed description hereinafter are only exemplary and explanatory, and cannot limit the present invention.

The accompanying drawings herein are incorporated into the specification and constitute a part of the specification. Theses accompanying drawings illustrate embodiments conform to the present invention and are used to explain the principles of the present invention together with the specification.

<NUM>: negative ion generating device; <NUM>: housing; <NUM>: limiting post; <NUM>: protruding rib; <NUM>: brush through hole; <NUM>: first motor through hole; <NUM>: negative ion assembly; <NUM>: conductive fiber brush; <NUM>: cleaning assembly; <NUM>: driving mechanism; <NUM>: motor; <NUM>: rotating shaft; <NUM>: cleaning member; <NUM>: first cantilever; <NUM>: second cantilever; <NUM>: rotation coupling part; <NUM>: cleaning part; <NUM>: limiting hole; <NUM>: second motor through hole; <NUM>: through hole.

<NUM>: air purifier; <NUM>: first filter cartridge; <NUM>: second filter cartridge; <NUM>: second filter cartridge; <NUM>: fan; <NUM>, <NUM>: air inlet; <NUM>: air outlet; <NUM>: bracket.

Exemplary embodiments will be illustrated in detail herein, and the examples thereof are shown in the accompanying drawings. When the following description refers to the accompanying drawings, unless otherwise specified, the same or similar elements are denoted by the same numerals in the different accompanying drawings. Implementations described in the exemplary embodiments do not represent all implementations consistent with the present invention. On the contrary, they are merely examples of a device and a method consistent with some aspects of the present invention, the scope of which is defined by the claims.

With the rapid development of industry, air quality is facing serious pollution. In daily life, air purifiers attract more and more attention, and an important component of air purifiers is the negative ion generating device.

In the related art, the negative ion generating device uses a high-voltage direct current at the tip to generate high corona, and emits a large number of electrons at a high speed. However, the electrons cannot exist in the air for a long time (the existence life of electrons is only nanoseconds), and the electrons are immediately captured by oxygen molecules in the air, to generate negative air ions.

The negative air ions are combined with soot, dust and particles in the air. Due to the action of gravity, the electrostatically charged soot, dust and particles are settled, which can achieve the purpose of dust removal. Users live and work in an environment with abundant negative air ions, which has good effects, e.g.:.

In the related art, the conductive fiber brush is used as the negative ion generating source, and the conductive fiber brush is easy to manufacture, has a long service life, can improve the negative ion generating efficiency, and can realize improved antibacterial and sterilizing functions by distributing particles within activated carbon fibers and applying voltage to them.

However, the closer it is to the source of negative ions, the higher the concentration of negative ions, and some of the negative ions will actively combine with air pollutants, causing the pollutants to be negatively charged to be condensed and settled or adsorbed on the conductive fiber brush, resulting in blocking of the conductive fiber brush to reduce its generation efficiency of negative ions, thereby reducing its use effect.

In the related art, the negative ion generating device uses a conductive fiber brush as the negative ion generating source, and the conductive fiber brush is easy to manufacture, has a long service life, can improve the negative ion generating efficiency, and has antibacterial and sterilizing functions.

However, the conductive fiber brush is used as the source of negative ions, and the air pollutants around the conductive fiber brush are easily condensed and settled or adsorbed on the conductive fiber brush after being negatively charged, thereby causing the conductive fiber brush to be blocked and reducing the generation efficiency of negative ions by the conductive fiber brush, and reducing the use effect of the conductive fiber brush.

As illustrated in <FIG>, according to a first aspect of embodiments of the present invention, a negative ion generating device <NUM> is provided. The negative ion generating device <NUM> includes a housing <NUM>, a negative ion assembly <NUM>, and a cleaning assembly <NUM>.

The negative ion assembly <NUM> is arranged to the housing <NUM>, the negative ion assembly <NUM> is configured to produce a negative ion, and the negative ion assembly <NUM> includes a conductive fiber brush <NUM>.

Specifically, the conductive fiber brush <NUM> is arranged to the housing <NUM>, and the conductive fiber brush <NUM> extends away from the housing <NUM> in a radial direction of the housing <NUM>.

The cleaning assembly <NUM> is arranged to the housing <NUM>, and the cleaning assembly <NUM> includes a driving mechanism <NUM> and a cleaning member <NUM> coupled to a power output end of the driving mechanism <NUM>. The driving mechanism <NUM> is configured to provide power, the cleaning member <NUM> can move under action of the power provided by the driving mechanism <NUM>, and contact or separate from the conductive fiber brush during movement.

In the present invention, as illustrated in <FIG>, the conductive fiber brush <NUM> is arranged to the housing <NUM>, and in the radial direction of the housing <NUM>, the conductive fiber brush <NUM> gradually extends away from an axis of the housing <NUM>. That is, a tip of the conductive fiber brush <NUM> protrudes from an outer circumferential face of the housing <NUM>. Thus, it facilitates better and more convenient cleaning of the tip of the conductive fiber brush <NUM> by a subsequent cleaning member <NUM>.

It could be understood that the cleaning member <NUM> may sweep over the conductive fiber brush <NUM> to clean the conductive fiber brush <NUM>.

In the present invention, as illustrated in <FIG>, the cleaning member <NUM> is rotatably arranged to the housing <NUM>. In a horizontal direction, the cleaning member <NUM> and the tip of the conductive fiber brush <NUM> are substantially located at the same horizontal position, and the cleaning member <NUM> may rotate freely in a horizontal plane around its axial direction. During rotation of the cleaning member <NUM>, the cleaning member <NUM> may come into contact with the tip of the conductive fiber brush <NUM>.

It could be understood that, in the present invention, the cleaning member <NUM> may come into contact with the tip of the conductive fiber brush <NUM>, and friction occurs between the cleaning member <NUM> and the conductive fiber brush <NUM>, thus, the cleaning member <NUM> may clean up debris on a surface of the conductive fiber brush <NUM>.

The technical solution provided by embodiments of the present invention may have the following beneficial effects: the cleaning member <NUM> which may rotate freely is arranged on the housing <NUM>, the cleaning member <NUM> may sweep over the conductive fiber brush <NUM> periodically, and the cleaning member <NUM> can clean up debris adsorbed on the conductive fiber brush <NUM>, achieving cleaning of the conductive fiber brush <NUM>, solving a risk of blocking of the conductive fiber brush <NUM> and improving service life of the conductive fiber brush <NUM>.

The conductive fiber brush <NUM> is arranged along a circumferential edge of the housing <NUM>; and the cleaning member <NUM> is configured to rotate clockwise and/or counterclockwise around an edge of the housing <NUM> in a horizontal direction under action of the power provided by the driving mechanism <NUM>, and contact and separate from the conductive fiber brush <NUM> during rotation.

Specifically, as illustrated in <FIG>, in the horizontal direction, the tip of the conductive fiber brush <NUM> protrudes from an outer circumferential face of the housing <NUM>, and the cleaning member <NUM> substantially rotates along the outer circumferential face of the housing <NUM>. Thus, the cleaning member may realize cleaning operation of the tip of the conductive fiber brush <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the conductive fiber brush <NUM> employs elastic material, the conductive fiber brush <NUM> is elastically deformed during contact with the cleaning member <NUM>; and the conductive fiber brush <NUM> relies on its own elasticity to restore its shape after separation from the cleaning member <NUM>.

It could be understood that, the conductive fiber brush <NUM> is made of elastic material, and the conductive fiber brush <NUM> may perform elastic deformation, effectively prolonging the service life of the conductive fiber brush <NUM>.

In the present invention, <FIG> is a sectional view of a negative ion generating device illustrated according to an exemplary embodiment. <FIG> is another perspective view of a negative ion generating device illustrated according to an exemplary embodiment.

In some embodiments, as illustrated in <FIG>, the cleaning member <NUM> includes a rotation coupling part <NUM>, a first cantilever <NUM> and a second cantilever <NUM>. The rotation coupling part <NUM> is arranged at an upper surface of the housing <NUM>, and the rotation coupling part <NUM> is rotatably coupled to the housing <NUM>. The first cantilever <NUM> and the second cantilever <NUM> are symmetrically arranged at two opposite ends of the rotation coupling part <NUM>, each of the first cantilever <NUM> and the second cantilever <NUM> has a first end coupled to the rotation coupling part <NUM> and a second end provided with a cleaning part <NUM>, and the cleaning part <NUM> can contact or separate from the conductive fiber brush <NUM> during rotation.

Specifically, in the present invention, the cleaning member <NUM> includes a rotation coupling part <NUM>, a first cantilever <NUM> and a second cantilever <NUM>. The rotation coupling part <NUM> has a substantially disc-shaped structure, and the first cantilever <NUM> and the second cantilever <NUM> are symmetrically arranged at two sides of the rotation coupling part <NUM> with respect to an axis of the rotation coupling part <NUM>.

In the present invention, each of an extending end of the first cantilever <NUM> and an extending end of the second cantilever <NUM> is provided with the cleaning part <NUM>. In the horizontal direction, the cleaning part <NUM> and the tip of the conductive fiber brush <NUM> are substantially located at the same horizontal position, and the cleaning part <NUM> may rotate freely in the horizontal plane around an axial direction of the rotation coupling part <NUM>. During rotation of the cleaning part <NUM>, the cleaning part <NUM> may come into contact with or separate from the tip of the conductive fiber brush <NUM>. Friction occurs between the cleaning part <NUM> and the conductive fiber brush <NUM>, thus, the cleaning part <NUM> may clean up debris on a surface of the conductive fiber brush <NUM>.

In some embodiments, as illustrated in <FIG>, the upper surface of the housing <NUM> is fixed with a limiting post <NUM>; the rotation coupling part <NUM> defines a limiting hole <NUM>; and the limiting hole <NUM> can fit over the limiting post <NUM> and cooperate with the limiting post <NUM> to achieve limit of the cleaning part <NUM> in a rotation state.

It could be understood that, in the present invention, the outer circumferential face of the housing <NUM> is not a regular hemisphere, and the outer circumferential face of the housing <NUM> may be further provided with a coupling member, a fixing member and other components.

Therefore, the cleaning member <NUM> is generally not set to have a circular rotation of <NUM>° on the housing, but is set to have a reciprocating rotation within a certain rotation range.

In the present invention, as illustrated in <FIG>, the cleaning member <NUM> defines a limiting hole <NUM>, and a top of the housing <NUM> is provided with a limiting post <NUM>. During rotation of the cleaning member <NUM>, the limiting post <NUM> is always located in the limiting hole <NUM>. Thus, the rotation range of the cleaning member <NUM> may be defined by setting an arc length of the limiting hole <NUM>.

In the present invention, the cleaning member <NUM> defines the limiting hole <NUM>, the housing <NUM> is provided with the limiting post <NUM>, the rotation range of the cleaning member <NUM> on the housing <NUM> is effectively defined, facilitating prevention of collision of the cleaning member <NUM> with other components on the housing <NUM> (e.g., the outer circumferential face of the housing <NUM> may be further provided with a coupling member and a fixing member), and effectively improving safety and rationality of an overall structure of the negative ion generating device <NUM>.

In some other embodiments, the limiting post <NUM> may also be configured as a bolt. It could be understood that, the top of the housing <NUM> may define a threaded hole, the cleaning member <NUM> is firstly arranged on the housing <NUM>, and then the bolt is fixed in the threaded hole of the housing <NUM>.

A top of the bolt has a cap, and the cap has a diameter greater than a width of the limiting hole <NUM>. Thus, the bolt may be used to prevent the cleaning member <NUM> from separating from the housing <NUM>, effectively improving the safety of the cleaning member <NUM> during rotation.

In some embodiments, as illustrated in <FIG>, two limiting holes <NUM> are provided, two limiting posts <NUM> are provided; and the two limiting holes <NUM> are symmetrically arranged at two sides of a center of the rotation coupling part <NUM>.

It could be understood that, the rotation coupling part <NUM> has a substantially circular plate structure, and the two limiting holes <NUM> are symmetrically arranged at two sides of the center of the rotation coupling part <NUM>, effectively improving the stability of the rotation coupling part <NUM> during the rotation.

In some embodiments, as illustrated in <FIG>, the upper surface of the housing <NUM> has a curvature with a high center and a low edge; each of the first cantilever <NUM> and the second cantilever <NUM> has a curved plate shape matching the curvature of the upper surface of the housing <NUM>; and the limiting hole <NUM> has a curved shape.

<FIG> is still another perspective view of a negative ion generating device illustrated according to an embodiment. <FIG> is a schematic view of the negative ion generating device in <FIG> in a first rotation position. <FIG> is a schematic view of the negative ion generating device in <FIG> in a second rotation position. It could be understood that, as illustrated in <FIG>, the first cantilever <NUM> and the second cantilever <NUM> may rotate around the axis of the housing <NUM>, and thus rotational track of the first cantilever <NUM> and the second cantilever <NUM> is a circular arc. Therefore, the first cantilever <NUM> and the second cantilever <NUM> perform an arc-shaped movement on the housing <NUM>, and the upper surface of the housing <NUM> has the curvature with the high center and the low edge, such that movement process of the first cantilever <NUM> and the second cantilever <NUM> is more convenient and reasonable.

In the present invention, the limiting hole <NUM> has a curved shape, such that the limiting hole <NUM> matches the rotational track of the first cantilever <NUM> and the second cantilever <NUM>.

In some embodiments, as illustrated in <FIG>, the cleaning member <NUM> takes a center of the rotation coupling part <NUM> as a center of rotation, and is configured to rotate clockwise or counterclockwise under action of the driving mechanism <NUM>.

It could be understood that under the action of the driving mechanism <NUM>, the cleaning member <NUM> takes the center of the rotation coupling part <NUM> as the center of rotation, and the cleaning member <NUM> perform reciprocating rotation on the housing <NUM>.

In some embodiments, as illustrated in <FIG>, an axis where a center of the cleaning member <NUM> is located coincides with an axis where a center of the housing is located.

In the present invention, the cleaning member <NUM> is rotatably arranged to the housing <NUM>, and the axis of the cleaning member <NUM> and the axis of the housing <NUM> are located in the same straight line.

In some other embodiments of the present invention, the housing <NUM> may be configured to have a hemispherical shape, the cleaning member <NUM> may have a circular arc shape, the cleaning member <NUM> is arranged on a spherical face of the housing <NUM>, and the axis of the cleaning member <NUM> and the axis of the housing <NUM> are located in the same straight line. Thus, friction of the cleaning member <NUM> and the housing <NUM> during the rotation of the cleaning member <NUM> is effectively reduced, abrasion between the cleaning member <NUM> and the housing <NUM> is reduced, and prolonging of the service life of the cleaning member <NUM> and the housing <NUM> is facilitated.

In the present invention, as illustrated in <FIG>, the housing <NUM> has a substantially hemispherical shape, and therefore, a circumferential area of the housing <NUM> is larger as it is closer to a bottom of the housing <NUM>. The conductive fiber brush <NUM> is arranged at the bottom of the housing <NUM>, facilitating better setting of number and position of the conductive fiber brushes <NUM> and improving utilization efficiency of the housing <NUM>.

In the present invention, as illustrated in <FIG>, the conductive fiber brush <NUM> is arranged at the bottom of the housing <NUM>, and correspondingly, the cleaning part <NUM> is arranged at an end part of the cleaning member <NUM>.

In some embodiments, as illustrated in <FIG>, a distance between the axis where the center of the housing <NUM> is located and a tip of the conductive fiber brush <NUM> is a first distance; a distance between the axis where the center of the housing <NUM> is located and the cleaning part <NUM> is a second distance; and the first distance is greater than the second distance.

Specifically, as illustrated in <FIG>, in the radial direction of the housing <NUM>, the distance between the tip of the conductive fiber brush <NUM> and the axis of the housing <NUM> is greater than the distance between the cleaning part <NUM> and the axis of the housing <NUM>.

In the present invention, in the radial direction of the housing <NUM>, the conductive fiber brush <NUM> gradually extends away from the axis of the housing <NUM>, and there is a first distance between the tip of the conductive fiber brush <NUM> and the axis of the housing <NUM>.

In the present invention, the cleaning part <NUM> may rotate freely around the axis of the housing <NUM>, and thus, relative distance between the cleaning part <NUM> and the axis of the housing <NUM> does not change.

In the present invention, relative distance between the cleaning part <NUM> and the axis of the housing <NUM> is less than the distance between the tip of the conductive fiber brush <NUM> and the axis of the housing <NUM>. That is, a rotational track of the cleaning part <NUM> is located inside a circumferential track surrounding by tips of a plurality of conductive fiber brushes <NUM>. Thus, during the rotation of the cleaning part <NUM>, the cleaning part <NUM> can better contact and rub the tip of the conductive fiber brush <NUM>, facilitating improvement of the cleaning effect of the cleaning part <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the negative ion assembly <NUM> further includes a negative ion circuit board (not illustrated) electrically coupled to the conductive fiber brush <NUM>; and the negative ion circuit board is fixed to a lower surface or an inner cavity of the housing <NUM>.

Specifically, the housing <NUM> defines an inner cavity, the negative ion circuit board is arranged in the inner cavity, and the conductive fiber brush <NUM> is electrically coupled to the negative ion circuit board. Thus, the housing <NUM> may be used to protect the negative ion circuit board. Meanwhile, the housing <NUM> provides good operational environment for the negative ion circuit board, prevents outside dust from adsorbing on the negative ion circuit board, and improves the safety of the negative ion circuit board.

In some embodiments, the circumferential edge of the housing <NUM> is provided with a protruding rib <NUM> protruding from the lower surface; the protruding rib <NUM> defines a brush through hole <NUM> or a brush groove (not illustrated); and the conductive fiber brush <NUM> is inserted into the brush through hole <NUM> or the brush groove.

In the present invention, as illustrated in <FIG>, and <FIG>, the conductive fiber brush <NUM> has at least a portion arranged in the inner cavity of the housing <NUM>. The at least a portion of the conductive fiber brush <NUM> is coupled to the negative ion circuit board, and the negative ion circuit board may transit a Dc negative high voltage current to the conductive fiber brush <NUM>.

In the present invention, as illustrated in <FIG>, and <FIG>, the conductive fiber brush <NUM> has at least another portion passing through the brush through hole <NUM> and extending from the housing <NUM>, and a portion thereof located outside the housing <NUM> is the tip of the conductive fiber brush <NUM>.

In the present invention, a diameter of the brush through hole <NUM> is slightly greater than a diameter of the conductive fiber brush <NUM>. Thus, in the process of the cleaning part <NUM> on the cleaning member <NUM> cleaning the tip of the conductive fiber brush <NUM>, the brush through hole <NUM> facilitates improvement of the stability of the conductive fiber brush <NUM>, and reduces amplitude of left and right shaking.

In some embodiments, as illustrated in <FIG>, a plurality of brush through holes <NUM> or brush grooves are provided. The number of the conductive fiber brushes <NUM> matches with the brush through holes <NUM> or the brush grooves; the plurality of brush through holes <NUM> or the plurality of brush grooves are spaced apart in a circumferential direction of the housing <NUM>; and a plurality of conductive fiber brushes <NUM> correspond to the plurality of brush through holes <NUM> or the plurality of brush grooves in arrangement position.

In the present invention, as illustrated in <FIG>, the housing <NUM> may define a plurality of brush through holes <NUM>, the plurality of brush through holes are spaced apart along the circumferential direction of the housing <NUM>, and each brush through hole <NUM> may be internally provided with one conductive fiber brush <NUM>. Thus, improvement of operational efficiency of the negative ion generating device <NUM> is facilitated.

In the present invention, the plurality of brush through holes <NUM> may be evenly spaced apart in the circumferential direction of the housing <NUM>. In the present invention, the plurality of brush through holes <NUM> may be divided into a plurality of groups, and the plurality of groups of brush through holes <NUM> may be evenly spaced apart in the circumferential direction of the housing <NUM>. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The plurality of brush through holes <NUM> may also be unequally spaced apart.

In the present invention, in a vertical direction, the plurality of brush through holes <NUM> may be divided into a plurality of layers. Thus, space utilization of the housing <NUM> is further improved, arrangement of more conductive fiber brushes <NUM> is facilitated, and operational efficiency of the negative ion generating device <NUM> is further improved.

<FIG> is an exploded view of a negative ion generating device illustrated according to an embodiment. In some embodiments, as illustrated in <FIG>, the driving mechanism <NUM> includes a motor <NUM>, and the motor <NUM> has a rotating shaft <NUM>. A center of the housing <NUM> defines a first motor through hole <NUM>; and a center of the cleaning member <NUM> defines a second motor through hole <NUM>. The motor <NUM> is fixed to the housing <NUM>, the rotating shaft <NUM> passes through the first motor through hole <NUM> and the second motor through hole <NUM> and is fixedly coupled to the cleaning member <NUM>, to drive the cleaning member <NUM> to rotate synchronously.

In the present invention, the driving mechanism <NUM> further includes a motor <NUM> and a rotating shaft <NUM> coupled to each other, the motor <NUM> is arranged in the inner cavity of the housing <NUM>, the rotating shaft <NUM> passes through the housing <NUM>, an axis of the rotating shaft coincides with the axis of the housing <NUM>, and the cleaning member <NUM> is fitted over the rotating shaft <NUM> to rotate with the rotating shaft <NUM>.

Specifically, a center of the housing <NUM> defines a first motor through hole <NUM>; and a center of the cleaning member <NUM> defines a second motor through hole <NUM>. The rotating shaft <NUM> passes through the first motor through hole <NUM> and the second motor through hole <NUM> and is fixedly coupled to the cleaning member <NUM>, to drive the cleaning member <NUM> to rotate synchronously.

In the present invention, as illustrated in <FIG>, the motor <NUM> is arranged in the housing <NUM>. Thus, the housing <NUM> may be used to protect and fix the motor <NUM>, facilitating the stability of the motor <NUM>.

In the present invention, as illustrated in <FIG>, a lower end of the rotating shaft <NUM> is coupled to the motor <NUM>, and the motor <NUM> may drive the rotating shaft <NUM> to rotate freely. The cleaning member <NUM> is arranged on the rotating shaft <NUM>. Thus, the rotating shaft <NUM> may drive the cleaning member <NUM> to rotate around the housing <NUM>, to render the cleaning part <NUM> to clean the tip of the conductive fiber brush <NUM>.

It could be understood that in the present invention, the axis of the housing <NUM>, the axis of the rotating shaft <NUM> and the axis of the cleaning member <NUM> are located in the same straight line.

In some embodiments, the cleaning member <NUM> defines a through hole <NUM> or a notch at a position corresponding to the conductive fiber brush <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the through hole <NUM> has a size greater than an outer diameter of the conductive fiber brush <NUM>.

In the present invention, the cleaning part <NUM> defines the through hole <NUM>, and in the horizontal direction, the through hole <NUM> and the tip of the conductive fiber brush <NUM> are located in the same horizontal plane.

The size of the through hole <NUM> is greater than the outer diameter of the conductive fiber brush <NUM>. Thus, after the tip of the conductive fiber brush <NUM> contacts the through hole <NUM>, the tip of the conductive fiber brush <NUM> may extend into the through hole <NUM>, the through hole <NUM> may have a sufficient contact with the outer circumferential face of the conductive fiber brush <NUM>, facilitating better cleaning of adsorbate on the surface of the conductive fiber brush <NUM> by the through hole <NUM>.

In some other embodiments of the present invention, the cleaning part <NUM> defines a notch (not illustrated), the notch passes through an upper surface and a lower surface of the cleaning member <NUM>, and an opening of the notch is oriented towards an end away from the center of rotation.

It could be understood that, an area of the notch is generally greater than an area of the through hole <NUM>. Thus, the tip of the conductive fiber brush <NUM> may extend into the notch more quickly, facilitating cleaning efficiency and cleaning quality of the cleaning part <NUM>.

In some embodiments, as illustrated in <FIG>, a plurality of through holes <NUM> are provided, and the plurality of through holes <NUM> are arranged at the cleaning part <NUM> side by side.

In the present invention, as illustrated in <FIG>, the cleaning part <NUM> defines a plurality of through holes <NUM> arranged side by side. Thus, the plurality of through holes <NUM> may clean the conductive fiber brush <NUM> sequentially, effectively improving the cleaning efficiency and cleaning effect of the cleaning part <NUM>.

<FIG> is a perspective view of an air purifier illustrated according to an exemplary embodiment.

As illustrated in <FIG>, according to a second aspect of embodiments of the present invention, an air purifier <NUM> is provided, which includes a negative ion generating device <NUM> according to any embodiment in the present invention.

In some embodiments, the negative ion generating device <NUM> is fixed in the air purifier <NUM> with a screw or snap connection.

In the present invention, as illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the housing <NUM> of the negative ion generating device <NUM> may also be provided with a bracket <NUM>. The bracket <NUM> is arranged below the housing <NUM>, and two ends of the cleaning member <NUM> are arranged at two sides of the bracket <NUM>. The cleaning member <NUM> defines the limiting hole <NUM> and the housing <NUM> is provided with the limiting post <NUM> to effectively define the rotation range of the cleaning member <NUM>, such that the cleaning member <NUM> will not collide with the bracket <NUM> during the rotation.

In the present invention, as illustrated in <FIG>, the bracket <NUM> may be provided with a plurality of connection holes, the negative ion generating device <NUM> may be fixed in the air purifier <NUM> by the bracket <NUM>, and the bracket <NUM> facilitates improvement of convenience during mounting and detachment of the negative ion generating device <NUM>.

In some other embodiments, the negative ion generating device <NUM> may also be directly coupled in the air purifier <NUM> through the housing <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the air purifier <NUM> is provided with a fan <NUM>, the fan <NUM> is rotatable to form a wind path in the air purifier <NUM>, and the negative ion generating device <NUM> is arranged in the wind path or outside the wind path.

In the present invention, as illustrated in <FIG>, the air purifier <NUM> is provided with a first filter cartridge <NUM>, a second filter cartridge <NUM>, a third filter cartridge <NUM>, and a fan <NUM>.

A bottom of the air purifier <NUM> defines an air inlet <NUM>, and a top of the air purifier <NUM> defines an air outlet <NUM>.

The first filter cartridge <NUM> is a high efficiency filter cartridge, the second filter cartridge <NUM> is a medium efficiency filter cartridge, and the third filter cartridge <NUM> is a primary filter cartridge.

The fan <NUM> rotates to produce wind pressure, filter cartridges having different purifying efficiency such as the first filter cartridge <NUM>, the second filter cartridge <NUM> and the third <NUM> are arranged at an air inlet side or an air outlet side of the fan <NUM>.

It could be understood that, in the present invention, the arrangement position and number of the first filter cartridge <NUM>, and the second filter cartridge <NUM> and the third filter cartridge <NUM> can be adjusted according to actual needs, and the arrangement type of the first filter cartridge <NUM>, and the second filter cartridge <NUM> and the third filter cartridge <NUM> can be adjusted according to actual needs.

In the present invention, as illustrated in <FIG>, the air outlet <NUM> and the air inlet <NUM> are generally formed by a perforated structural member or a grille, the air inlet <NUM> is generally arranged at a bottom of the air purifier <NUM> or at front, rear, left and right sides, and the arrangement position and size of the air inlet <NUM> may be adjusted according to actual needs.

The negative ion generating device <NUM> is generally arranged in the wind path formed by rotation of the fan <NUM>, the negative ion generating device <NUM> may be arranged in front of or behind the fan <NUM>, and the negative ion generating device <NUM> may also be arranged between the fan <NUM> and the filter cartridges or between filter cartridges.

In the present invention, the negative ion generating device <NUM> may also be arranged between the air inlet <NUM> and the filter cartridges, between the air outlet <NUM> and the filter cartridges, between the air outlet <NUM> and the fan <NUM> or between the air outlet <NUM> and the fan <NUM>.

In some other embodiments, the negative ion generating device <NUM> may also be arranged at a side face outside the wind path.

In the present invention, as illustrated in <FIG>, the negative ion generating device <NUM> is coupled to other apparatuses in the air purifier <NUM> through the bracket <NUM>, and the negative ion generating device <NUM> is fixed in the air purifier <NUM> by a screw or snap connection.

In some other embodiments, the negative ion generating device <NUM> may also be directly provided with a snap or screw hole for connection, such that the negative ion generating device <NUM> is coupled to the other apparatuses in the air purifier <NUM>.

It could be understood that in the present invention, "plurality of" refers to two or more than two, and other quantifiers are similar. The term "and/or", describes the association relationship of the associated objects, and means that there can be three types of relationships. For example, A and/or B, can mean that A exists alone, A and B exist at the same time, and B exists alone. The character "/" generally indicates that the associated objects before and after it are an "or" relationship. The singular form "a", "the" and "this" is also intended to include the plural form, unless other meanings are explicitly expressed in the context.

It should be further understood that, although the terms "first", "second" may be employed to describe various information, this information should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish the information of the same type from each other, and do not indicate special order or importance. In fact, the expressions "first", "second", etc. are completely interchangeable. For example, a first information may be referred to as a second information without departing from the scope of the present invention, and similarly, the second information may also be referred to as the first information.

It could be further understood that terms such as "central," "longitudinal," "transverse," "front," "rear," "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," "outer," should be construed to refer to the orientation as then described or as shown in the drawings under discussion. These relative terms are for convenience of description of the embodiments and simplification of the description and do not require that the indicated or suggested devices or element must be constructed or operated in a particular orientation.

It could be further understood that, unless otherwise specified, "connection" includes a direct connection between the two without other components, and also includes an indirect connection between the two with other elements.

It could be further understood that, although the operations in embodiments of the present invention are described in a specific order in the drawings, it should not be construed as requiring that the operations be performed in the specific order shown or the serial order, or requiring that all operations shown be performed to obtain the desired result.

Other embodiments of the present invention will readily occur to a person skilled in the art upon consideration of the specification and practice of the invention disclosed herein. The present application is intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the present invention that fall within the scope of the claims.

Claim 1:
A negative ion generating device (<NUM>), comprising:
a housing (<NUM>);
a negative ion assembly (<NUM>) disposed in the housing (<NUM>), the negative ion assembly (<NUM>) being configured to produce a negative ion, the negative ion assembly (<NUM>) comprising a conductive fiber brush (<NUM>); and
a cleaning assembly (<NUM>) disposed in the housing (<NUM>), the cleaning assembly (<NUM>) comprising a driving mechanism (<NUM>) and a cleaning member (<NUM>) coupled to a power output end of the driving mechanism (<NUM>), the driving mechanism (<NUM>) being configured to provide power, the cleaning member (<NUM>) being configured to move under action of the power provided by the driving mechanism (<NUM>), and contact or separate from the conductive fiber brush (<NUM>) during movement;
characterized in that:
the conductive fiber brush (<NUM>) is disposed along a circumferential horizontal edge of the housing (<NUM>):
and
the cleaning member (<NUM>) is configured to rotate clockwise or counterclockwise around an edge of the housing (<NUM>) in the
horizontal direction under action of the power provided by the driving mechanism (<NUM>), and contact and separate from the conductive fiber brush (<NUM>) during rotation.