FR2888054A1 - ION GENERATING DEVICE - Google Patents

Abstract

The device has a voltage application unit to establish an intense electric field on the level of an emissive end (12) of needles (11). The voltage application unit has a control unit configured for delivering two levels of predetermined voltages between a support plate (2) and conductive coating (5) of a cover plate (3) to produce ions of different natures, where the application unit is shared by switch blocks.

Description

The present invention relates to a device for generating negative ions

in a gaseous environment.

  The invention will find application in particular for maintaining the health of various places, including inside any closed or semi-enclosed space by ion generation, in particular negative ions, in said space.

  The device of the invention is in no way limiting as regards its shape, its dimensions or its support.

  The applicant has already proposed, in document WO-A1-0074188, an ion generator enabling, for example, the production of negative oxygen ions having a plurality of needles with an ion emissive end surrounded by a material sheath. specific composites as well as means for applying a tension between two body parts of each needle.

  The device according to this document gives overall satisfaction and presents a particularly advantageous selection of materials and the specific provisions for the application of the device and its regulation. In the case of this prior document, as for other existing devices, it is necessary to maintain the activity of the ion generator for a long time since it is generally sought to avoid the production of ozone and the others Generated ions are less effective for air treatment.

  Current systems therefore require prolonged operation, which poses other problems, in particular with regard to the production of ozone, peroxidants and at the level of energy consumption and the lifetime of the appliances.

  There is therefore a need to improve the efficiency of ion generators, in particular by proposing systems with a more flexible and flexible operation that can be fully or partially integrated with a system in order to restore the quality of the air. .

  The present invention overcomes this problem and has for this purpose a new negative ion generation device characterized in that it comprises means for controlling the means for applying a voltage between the two parts of the body of the needle capable of delivering at least two predetermined voltage levels. In this way, two different operating zones of the generator are defined. The generator can thus, for example, operate in the presence of persons in the volume of air to be treated at a first regime in which ions that are not harmful to humans are produced and operate in another range for generating more ions. effective but more harmful such as ozone when people are absent from the places to be treated.

  Advantageously, the operating cycles of the ion generating device and the voltage level to be applied to produce the desired ion type are controlled by control means. These control means preferentially cooperate with one or more detection means such as a pollution sensor, a sensor for opening or closing a door, or with a remote control or computerized management of preprogrammed cycles.

  Another aspect of the invention is to provide means capable of collecting the sedimented particles during the generation of the anions so that they can easily be removed by sedimentation with lethal effect by collection, washing or destruction by heat input, etc. . Another aspect of the invention makes it possible to simplify the structure of the ion generation device by proposing a cover plate with two faces made of different materials, so as to have distinct electrical conduction properties and to replace the field plate until then used to create the potential difference between the two body parts of each needle.

  It should be noted that the invention can be applied to the treatment of all volumes, especially in the field of housing by equipment, for example, electrical sockets or switches incorporating in their block one or more needles with emitting end and connected to centralized voltage application means at the electric meter.

  The invention also applies to the treatment of any cabin, for example a passenger compartment, as well as the treatment of any enclosure, such as the refrigerated enclosure of a refrigerator, a freezer or volumes of storage on trucks , trains or stationary or air conditioning systems. These applications are of course non-limiting and the invention will be applicable to the treatment of air of all volumes requiring increased health.

  Other objects and advantages will become apparent from the description which follows, which presents a preferred embodiment of the invention, which is however non-limiting.

  The present invention relates to a device for generating negative ions in a gaseous medium having one or more needles and means for applying a continuous voltage between two parts of the body of the needle. This device is such that it has means for controlling the means for applying a voltage, these control means being configured to deliver at least two predetermined voltage levels so as to produce ions of different natures.

  The invention may be presented according to the alternative embodiments introduced hereinafter: a first voltage level is between 3.5 kV and 5.5 kV and a second voltage level is greater than 5.7 kV, it comprises a third level of inverse sign voltage at the first and second voltage levels, for the generation of positive ions, - the control means are connected to at least one sensor whose state conditions the control of the application means of a voltage, - it comprises a presence sensor in the ion generation zone, - it comprises a pollution sensor, - it comprises a closure sensor for access to the ion generation zone, - it comprises a sensor for receiving a remote control signal, - it comprises a plate for supporting the needles and a cover plate presenting: - for each needle, a sheath surrounding the body of the needle, - an electrically conductive coating on its face in with respect to the support plate; - an electrically insulating facade opposite the conductive coating, the voltage application means being configured to apply a voltage between the support plate and the conductive coating of the cover plate; has a sediment collection plate at the emitting ends of the needles, - the sediment collection plate has a light with respect to each needle and fins projecting from the inside of the collection plate, - the fins are inclined so as to converge at their distal end, - the collection plate is made of metal or plastic material, - the collection plate is disposable, - the collection plate is made of paper or tissue, - it comprises a cover covering the collection plate and provided with openings facing the ends of the needles, - it comprises, for each needle, at least one heating element p Reactor located below the emitting end of the needle to remove the deposited particles, - the heating element or elements are resistive blocks, - the resistive blocks are made of a ceramic-based material, - the heating element (s) are powered by an alternating voltage current of 5500 Hz and a frequency of 75 000 Hz, the control means are configured to control the supply of the heating elements, the needle or hands are incorporated in a switch block or electrical socket, - the means for applying a voltage are remote from the switch or plug block and are connected by wire connection, - the voltage application means are shared by several switch blocks or electrical outlet.

  The accompanying drawings are given by way of examples and are not limiting of the invention in particular on its shapes and dimensions. They represent only one embodiment of the invention and will make it easy to understand.

  Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a device of the invention with an example of external physiognomy.

  Figure 2 shows the example of Figure 1 in exploded view from above. Figure 3 is an exploded view from below.

  Figures 4 and 5 show two embodiments of the needles and means for applying tension on each needle with sediment collection means.

  FIG. 6 shows an example of a circuit incorporated in the voltage application means and FIG. 7 schematizes an application of the invention to switch blocks or electrical outlets for the equipment of living quarters or the like.

  In a manner known per se, and for example presented in publication WOA1-0074188, the device of the invention employs one or more needles 11 having an emitting end 12 of ions when a potential difference is applied between two parts of the body 13 of the needle 11.

  Advantageously, the needle is made of a noble material such as titanium or platinum or an alloy of these two materials.

  Each needle 11 is inserted through its body 13 into a sheath 4 of a material whose electrical resistivity is appropriate and advantageously also about 1012 ohms per meter. In particular, it is possible to use, for cladding, a composite material based on unsaturated polyester reinforced with glass fibers and, optionally, chlorophthalic resin.

  More generally, any dielectric resistivity material of between 104 ohms per meter and 1016 ohms per meter may be used.

  The needle 11 surrounded by its sheath 4 is subjected to the application of a voltage by voltage application means 26 able to establish an intense electric field at the emitting end 12 of the needles 11. A certain level of potential difference, the tip 12 emits electrons able to negatively charge the ambient particles. If a reverse sign voltage is applied, an electron deficiency is produced and positive ions are generated.

  Figures 4 and 5 show an embodiment of the sheath 4 surrounding the needles 11 and the application of a voltage V. This example will be explained in more detail later.

  The voltage V is produced by means of an electrical circuit comprising the components illustrated in FIG. 6, a filter 70 receiving as input a conventional power supply of the mains type with a voltage that can vary from 6 to 380 volts and a frequency of 40. at 60 Hertz. The filter 17 is followed by a control circuit 18 of the power supply and a voltage regulator 19 placed upstream of the transformer 21 at its primary circuit Io. The secondary of the transformer 21 is connected to a voltage multiplier 22 comprising a plurality of voltage multiplication stages.

  This circuit is configured to deliver a voltage V of up to several kilovolts.

  Thus, according to the invention, the voltage V produced comprises a first voltage level advantageously between 3.5 kV and 5.5 kV capable of generating negative air treatment ions and in particular negative oxygen ions (- 02) without producing ozone. This is advantageous especially in case of human presence in the area to be treated.

  The invention also makes it possible to deliver a second voltage level advantageously greater than 5.7 kV so as to generate ions that are more effective but are generally also more harmful to humans, such as ozone.

  Non-limiting relay phases, for example 7 kV, 9 kV and 11 kV can be realized.

  The 7 kV, 9 kV and 11 kV voltages were tested to validate the actual effectiveness on volatile organic compounds, viruses and other risk factors for contamination.

  A control means in the form of an electrical circuit makes it possible to adapt the voltage level so that it is able to apply the voltage at the level of the hands 11.

  Optionally, other voltage levels may be predetermined, in particular with a polarity inversion so as to produce a reverse-sign voltage V to generate positive ions. The generation of positive ions can allow, in a first phase of treatment, to strongly charge the particles in suspension by a positive charge so as to improve the efficiency of the sedimentation of the negative ions produced later.

  The generations of cations can be made by automated cycles to the detection of new polluting elements, micro-dust up to 0. 01 pmm, microbes, viruses and other allergenic phenomena or pollutants such as volatile organic compounds or other phenomena related to passive smoking .

  Several ways to control the establishment of an operating cycle at one of the aforementioned voltage levels.

  In the first place, the device of the invention advantageously comprises a plurality of non-limiting type sensors such as a pollution sensor, an anion sensor, a microporous sensor, micropollutants, odors, etc .; capable of triggering operation under certain conditions of presence of polluting elements. The device may also include a plurality of sensors allowing directly or indirectly to reveal the presence or absence of people in the volume to be treated.

  Thus, in the case of a vehicle interior, a sensor detecting the closing of doors reveals the absence of people in the passenger compartment and trigger operation at very high voltage, for example of the order of 10,000 volts per cycle, for highly efficient ozone production. The sensors in question may also be presence detectors.

  In the case of an application to storage volumes or closed enclosures such as the interior volume of a refrigerator or a storage box, a door closing sensor by simple contact can be used.

  The operating cycles can also be conditioned to the actuation of a manual control of the operator (for example by means of a remote control or a switch) or automated (for example by computer control).

  Hereinafter is described more specifically an embodiment of the ion generating device with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4.

  In these figures, the device comprises a frame 16, for example of electrically insulating plastic material assembled with a base 1 by current fastening means such as screws and defining an internal volume of incorporation of the active elements of the system.

  More specifically, there is reported on the base 1 a support plate 2 on which is mounted a plurality of needles 11 by adopting the CMS technique (surface mounted component) or through mounting according to the integration requirements. The support plate 2 can also receive the circuit elements providing the voltage application means and the control means, however not illustrated.

  The support plate is made of an electrically conductive material lo (for example based on polycarbonate or a flexible support) and cooperates with the base of the body 13 of the needles 11.

  A cover plate 3 is formed without contact but in superposition with the support plate 2. The cover plate 3 comprises at its inner face, facing the support plate 2, a coating 5 of electrically conductive material in electrical continuity with the sheaths 4 surrounding a portion of the body 13 of the needles 11. It is possible to use, for the coating 5, a material equivalent to that mentioned above for the sheaths 4. The coating 5 is connected to the voltage application means 26 so as to create a level V potential difference between the support plate 2 and the coating 5.

  The cover plate 3 is also covered with a front 6 of electrically insulating material.

  It is easily understood that the integration of the coating 5 in the cover plate 3 and the unitary character of the sleeves 4 with this plate 3 provide a great simplification of the manufacture and the structure of the device itself. In particular, editing is greatly simplified.

  The entire device is closed by an electrically insulating cover 14 having a plurality of openings 15 allowing the passage of negative ions generated to the volume of air to be treated. The device may include means for forced circulation of air such as a fan.

  The structure of the cover plate 3 incorporating the coating 5 and carrying the sleeves 4 can be implemented for a conventional ion generator operation with a single predetermined voltage level and therefore separately from the various voltage levels indicated above even if this case remains advantageous.

  FIGS. 2 to 4 show an exemplary embodiment of means for collecting by sedimentation the particles treated by the apparatus.

  Indeed, after the generation of negative ions, the particles tend to fall by simple gravity and dirty all or part of the device, depositing residual dust.

  To remedy this drawback, between the cover plate 3 and the cover 14 is inserted a collection plate 7 having slots 8 for passing the needles 11 so that their emitting end 12 protrudes from the upper surface of the plate 7 The collection plate 7 further comprises fins 9 inclined towards the base of the needles 11 to form preferred receiving surfaces of the sediments. Advantageously, the fins 9 are inclined by 65 relative to the horizontal.

  By forming the collection plate 7 easily removable, for example by simply clipping on the frame 16, can easily disassemble to wash. We will use a collection plate 7 made of plastic or metal material.

  Alternatively, all or part of the collection plate 7 is made of an easily disposable material, including a paper coating, fabrics or other similar consumable material. In this way, as soon as the plate 7 is covered with sediment, it can be interchanged.

  Another possibility of removing the sedimented particles is shown in FIG. 5, in which figure the collection plate 7 has disappeared and gives way to a plurality of heating blocks 10 advantageously made of ceramic material or any other material offering dielectric qualities and similar chemicals.

  Each of the blocks 10 is connected to a power supply able to produce its heating. Each block can for example dissipate a heat output of 10 watts. By way of example, the blocks have a dimension of 1 to 2 mm in thickness, 5 to 10 mm in width and 15 to 20 mm in length. i0

  The heating blocks 10 are placed on either side of each needle 11 and located slightly below the emitting ends 12. In this way, the sediments are collected on the upper surface of the blocks where they can be burned because of the power joule dissipated at blocks 10.

  To simplify the electrical circuit, the supply of the blocks 10 can be coupled to that of the application of voltage on the needles 11. Optionally, the blocks 10 are powered by a high voltage supply equivalent to that used for the needles 11 and realized in high frequency alternating Io current, for example of the order of 75 000 Hz. A DC AC conversion stage is used in parallel for the production of the voltage V. It is understood that the heating blocks 10 may be replaced by other heating elements, without departing from the scope of the invention and in particular by any element with resistive properties capable of dissipating a joule power near the emitting points 12.

  The sediment collection means indicated above, whether it be the collection plate 7 or the heating elements, can be implemented separately from the other characteristics previously described, in particular as regards the production of the cover plate 3 and the formation of a plurality of voltage operating cycles.

  Finally, an example of incorporation into electric sockets or electrical switches of ion generation devices is given below.

  In Figure 7, a pair of switch blocks 23 is shown, each having a switch 24 bistable configuration.

  Each block 23 is furthermore provided with an ion generating device 25 advantageously of small dimension having one or more needles 11 mounted on the support plates 2 and cover 3 indicated previously surmounted by a cover.

  In order to limit the size of the switch blocks 23 and to centralize the control of the operation of the ion generating devices 25, the voltage application means 26 and the control means are deported to a centralized unit which can be incorporated into an electrical box. At this level, the mains supply is injected at a transformer 29 supplying the voltage application means 26 that may be of the design described above with reference to FIG. 6.

  The voltage application means 26 also receive control signals from the control means 27 incorporating, for example, an infrared receiver cooperating with a remote control 28 actuated by the operator.

  The control can also be operated by radiofrequency, laser or optical control.

  The operation of each device 25 can also be conditioned by an action on the switch 24.

  It will be noted that the invention described above can also be incorporated in a vehicle interior ceiling lamp or collective or individual lighting in the field of residential, industrial, agricultural or commercial premises, in a door or any other part of cockpit of cars, trucks, aircraft, ships, spacecraft, hyperbaric chambers.

  The centralized management illustrated in FIG. 7 makes it possible to greatly reduce the implementation cost and only requires an additional wire connection between the voltage application means 26 and each block 23.

  REFERENCES, 1. Base 2. Backing plate 3. Cover plate 4. Sheath 5. Conductive coating 6. Insulating front 7. Collection plate 8. Light 9. Wing 10. Heating block 11. Needle 12. Emitting end 13. Body 14. Hood 15. Openings 16. Chassis 17. Filter 18. Control circuit 19. Voltage regulator 20. Oscillation circuit 21. Transformer 22. Voltage multiplier 23. Switch block 24. Switch 25. Ion generator 26. Means of application of voltage 27. Control means 28. Remote control 29. Input transformer

Claims (24)

  1. Device for generating ions (25) negative in gaseous medium having one or more needles (11) and means for applying a voltage (26) continuously between two parts of the body of the needle (11) characterized in that it has control means (27) for applying a voltage supply means (26), said control means (27) being configured to deliver at least two predetermined voltage levels so as to produce ions of different natures.   2. Device according to claim 1 wherein a first voltage level is between 3.5 kV and 5.5 kV and a second voltage level is greater than 5.7 kV.   3. The device of claim 2 having a third level of inverse sign voltage at the first and second voltage levels for generating positive ions.   4. Device according to claim 1, claim 2 or claim 3 wherein the control means (27) are connected to at least one sensor whose condition conditions the control of the means for applying a voltage (26) .   5. Device according to claim 4 comprising a presence sensor in the ion generation zone.   6. Device according to claim 4 or claim 5 comprising a pollution sensor.   7. Device according to claim 4, claim 5 or claim 6 comprising a closure sensor for access to the ion generation zone.   8. Device according to any one of claims 4 to 7 comprising a sensor for receiving a remote control signal (28).   9. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 8 comprising a support plate (2) needles (11) and a cover plate (3) having: - for each needle (11), a sheath surrounding the body ( 13) of the needle (11), - an electrically conductive coating (5) on its face facing the support plate (2), - an electrically insulating facade (6) opposite the conductive coating ( 5), the voltage applying means (26) being configured to apply a voltage between the support plate (2) and the conductive coating (5) of the cover plate (3).   10. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 9 comprising a collection plate (7) sediment at the emitting ends (12) of the needles (11).   11. Device according to claim 10 wherein the sediment collection plate (7) has a lumen (8) facing each needle (11) and fins (9) projecting from the internal face of the collection plate ( 7).   12. Device according to claim 11 wherein the fins (9) are inclined so as to converge at their distal end.   13. Device according to any one of claims 10 to 12 wherein the collection plate (7) is of metal or plastic material.   14. Device according to any one of claims 10 to 12 wherein the collection plate (7) is disposable.   15. Device according to claim 14 such that the collection plate (7) is paper or fabric.   16. Device according to any one of claims 10 to 15 comprising a cover (14) covering the collection plate (7) and having openings (15) facing the end of the needles (11).   17. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 16 comprising, for each needle (11), at least one peripheral heating element located below the emitting end (12) of the needle (11) to remove particles filed.   18. Device according to claim 17 wherein the one or more heating elements are resistive blocks.   19. Device according to claim 18 wherein the resistive blocks are made of a ceramic-based material.   20. Apparatus according to any one of claims 17 to 19 wherein the one or more heating elements are powered by a voltage alternating current of 5500 V and frequency of 75 000 Hz.   21. Device according to any one of claims 17 to 20 wherein the control means (27) are configured to control the supply of the heating elements.   22. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 21 wherein Io or the needles (11) are incorporated in a switch block (23) or electrical outlet.   23. Device according to claim 22 wherein the means for applying a voltage (26) are remote from the switch block (23) or electrical outlet and are connected by wire connection.   24. Device according to claim 23 wherein the means for applying a voltage (26) are shared by several switch blocks (23) or electrical outlet.