Plasma device

Abstract

The invention relates to a plasma device (1) for treating surfaces, in particular in textiles. For easy handling, a somewhat elongated and one-handed housing (4) is provided, in which a plasma source (5) is arranged, which has a platform surface (7) with at least one electrode, which extends along the longitudinal direction (6) of the housing (4), through which electrode plasma can be output onto the surface to be treated, wherein the mass center of gravity M and the geometric center G have a spacing A of less than 20 mm.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a plasma device for treating surfaces, particularly textiles. Background Technology

[0002] A plasma device of the type described above is known from DE 10 2011 100 751 A1, which is used to inactivate molecules, preferably odor-related, and thereby for refurbishing surfaces, such as textiles. The plasma device has a housing, a distributed plasma source, and at least one spacer device such that a predetermined distance is maintained between the plasma source and the surface to be treated, for which molecules accumulated on the surface to be treated can be inactivated by electrons of the plasma.

[0003] Plasma devices with a circular shell, such as those described in DE 10 2018 213144 A1, DE It is known from 10 2018 213143 A1 and DE 20 2018 006360 U1.

[0004] However, rapid cleaning of surfaces, such as textiles, cannot always be achieved by washing or rinsing. Therefore, plasma devices are used, for example, which are particularly effective at inactivating bacteria, germs, viruses, spores, fungi, and odor molecules.

[0005] A portable sterilization and disinfection machine is known from CN 205 814 739 U, which has a housing, an energy storage device arranged in the housing, and a transformer. The output voltage of the energy storage device is amplified here and configured by the transformer so that ozone and negative ions can be generated by high-voltage discharge under the amplified voltage output by the transformer.

[0006] CN 108 771 767 A discloses a cleaning device for cleaning clothes, which has a housing containing a receiving chamber for receiving a blower. A separator is also provided in the receiving chamber to separate the air inlet area from the cleaning area. The aforementioned areas are arranged vertically, overlapping each other, in the operating state. This cleaning device can be used to remove or wash clothes that need to be treated from a smoke chamber.

[0007] The drawbacks of devices known from the prior art are often that, especially during prolonged use, these devices are heavy and uncomfortable to hold in the user's hand, or thereby impair operational comfort. Summary of the Invention

[0008] Therefore, the problem addressed by the present invention is to describe an improved embodiment or at least an alternative embodiment for plasma devices of the aforementioned type, which in particular overcomes the disadvantages known from the prior art.

[0009] According to the invention, this problem is solved by the subject matter of independent claim 1. Advantageous embodiments are the subject matter of the dependent claims.

[0010] This invention is based on the general concept of constructing a plasma device for surface treatment, particularly for refurbishing textiles, and specifically as a plasma device for textile treatment, which can be operated with one hand and is designed for comfortable long-term single-handed use. This is achieved by pre-defining a specific ratio between the center of mass M and the geometric center G, that is, between the center of mass and the center of volume. The plasma device according to the invention has a slightly elongated, one-handed operable housing that can be easily and shape-locked by the user's hand. A plasma source is arranged within the housing, having a platform extending along the longitudinal direction of the housing. This platform has at least one electrode, for example a slightly raised electrode, surrounded by a ceramic substrate through which plasma can be generated and output to the surface to be treated, such as the textile to be refurbished. According to the invention, the center of mass M and the geometric center G now have a distance A of less than 20 mm. The handheld plasma device, through the limited distance A according to the invention between the center of mass M and the geometric center G—that is, between the center of mass M and the volume center of mass—can be easily moved, rotated, lifted, and tilted because only a very small torque occurs during tilting, rotation, etc. Furthermore, the arrangement of the center of mass M according to the invention supports the user's pressing motion of the hand in the activation direction. Here, the slightly elongated housing has a substantially elliptical shape in cross-section and thus best matches the palm of the hand. To ensure equally comfortable operation for both right-handed and left-handed users, the plasma device according to the invention, or its housing, can be symmetrically configured about the longitudinal or transverse central plane. Moreover, through the maximum distance A of less than 20 mm, predetermined according to the invention between the center of mass M and the geometric center G, an extremely comfortable ergonomic structure of the plasma device can be achieved, thereby realizing the simple and comfortable operability of the plasma device.

[0011] In addition to the three states of matter—solid, liquid, and gas—plasma is also known as the fourth state of matter. If sufficient energy, such as electrical energy, is added to a gas or gas mixture, some atoms in the gas are ionized; that is, electrons are removed from their atomic shells and move as free particles, leaving behind positively charged atoms. If the gas consists of a sufficiently high proportion of free ions and electrons, this state of matter is also called plasma. Therefore, plasma is a substance composed of partially charged components, ions, and electrons that move as free charge carriers.

[0012] Non-thermal plasma, also known as cold plasma, can be specifically used to eliminate odors and certain hydrocarbons. Furthermore, non-thermal plasma is used in medical techniques, such as in treating poorly healing or intractable wounds using so-called plasma rods, by leveraging the antibacterial properties of "cold plasma."

[0013] The antibacterial effect of plasma is due to heat, dryness, shear stress, UV radiation, free radicals, and electric charge. For cold plasmas, such as those used in the plasma apparatus according to the invention, heat plays a secondary role because these plasmas operate at room temperature. Reactive particles, such as different types of oxygen or nitrogen, are generated in particular in such low-pressure plasmas, possessing sufficiently long lifetimes to damage organic compounds upon indirect exposure. These particles include, in particular, atomic oxygen, superoxide radicals, ozone, hydroxyl radicals, nitric oxide, and nitrogen dioxide. These particles exhibit destructive effects on various odor components and cellular components. If odor components, typically composed of carbon compounds, and the cell walls of bacteria, germs, viruses, fungi, or other similar microorganisms are directly exposed to plasma, they become negatively charged due to bombardment by electrons present in the plasma. This results in mechanical stress exceeding tensile strength due to electrostatic repulsion, damaging odor molecules or cell walls. However, not only mechanical stress caused by electric charge can damage cell walls, but also various further electrostatic interactions and electrolysis, such as disturbances to the charge balance of odor molecules or cell walls due to changes in cell wall permeability, can also damage cell walls. The mechanism used to inactivate microorganisms also involves the generation of highly energy-rich ions. Plasma can be generated using high frequencies. Low-pressure plasma is therefore particularly well-suited for inactivating odors on textiles or common household surfaces, thus achieving odor inactivation.

[0014] The surface to be treated can be a textile material made of natural, plant-based, or animal fibers, such as cotton, wool, silk, linen, felt, or synthetic fibers, such as nylon. Furthermore, the concept of "surface" can also refer to materials and articles made of ceramics, plastics, feathers, leather, glass, wood, or metal.

[0015] The odor-related molecules that can be neutralized using the plasma device according to the invention can be butyric acid, sweat, lingering cigarette smoke, or generally, odors that may be perceived as unpleasant. The plasma device is based on the principle of actively eliminating odors rather than masking unpleasant odors, for example, with perfume. The plasma device according to the invention can also destroy molecules that are not related to odors, such as allergens, protein molecules, prions, etc.

[0016] In an advantageous improvement to the solution according to the invention, the center of mass M and the geometric center G have a distance A of less than 10 mm, particularly less than 5 mm. This allows the center of mass M and the geometric center G to increasingly come closer together, thereby requiring less and less force for lifting, rotating, and tilting, and thus enabling increasingly comfortable use of the plasma device according to the invention. Ideally, the plasma device according to the invention provides that the center of mass M and the geometric center G are identical. This ensures particularly ergonomic and comfortable use of the plasma device.

[0017] Preferably, the geometrical longitudinal axis of the plasma device intersects a first circular surface having a radius R1 ≤ 5 mm, wherein the center of mass M forms the center of this first circular surface. This ensures reliable movement of the plasma device and reliable activation of the plasma source, even when the plasma device is pressed eccentrically onto the surface to be treated. Therefore, in this embodiment, reliable activation of the plasma source can be ensured even for various placement angles or pressing angles, thereby enabling reliable treatment of the surface to be treated, especially textiles, and particularly refurbishment.

[0018] In another advantageous embodiment of the solution according to the invention, the geometric horizontal axis of the plasma device intersects a second circular surface having a radius R2 ≤ 5 mm, wherein the center of mass M forms the center of this second circular surface. As a supplementary or alternative, it can be specified that the geometric vertical axis of the plasma device intersects a third circular surface having a radius R3 ≤ 5 mm, wherein the center of mass M forms the center of this third circular surface. Even with such limitations on the radius of the third or second circular surface surrounding the geometric vertical or geometric horizontal axis, it can be ensured that the plasma source can be reliably activated when the plasma device is pressed eccentrically onto the surface to be treated, for example, onto the textile to be treated. Ideally, the longitudinal, horizontal, and vertical axes of the plasma device intersect here with a radius R2 ≤ 5 mm. kThe plasma device is positioned such that spheres of ≤5 mm in diameter intersect, with the center of mass M of the plasma device located at the center of the spheres. This allows the user to move, particularly tilt, deflect, or roll, the handheld plasma device with minimal effort. Specifically, this means that only a small torque needs to be applied when moving the plasma device in space, making it easy to guide the plasma device according to the invention over surfaces to be treated, such as hard-to-reach areas of textiles, or under a person's shoulder.

[0019] Preferably, the plasma device is configured symmetrically about at least a longitudinal axis, a transverse axis, or a vertical axis. This provides a significant advantage: the plasma device can be easily grasped through its housing and is easy to manipulate, especially in terms of movement.

[0020] Suitablely, a switch is provided for turning the plasma device according to the invention on and off, wherein the center of mass M and the switch are arranged offset relative to the geometric center. The arrangement of the center of mass M according to the invention allows the user to easily and intuitively grasp the plasma device, wherein the center of mass M is preferably located in the palm of the hand and the switch can be easily operated with the index finger. Furthermore, this arrangement of the center of mass M and the radially opposed switch allows not only left-handed operation but also right-handed operation of the plasma device according to the invention and, overall, easy and comfortable one-handed operation / use.

[0021] Preferably, the plasma source is spring-loaded and protrudes beyond the housing of the plasma device when not in use. This spring loading of the plasma source allows for close guidance of the platform surface during cleaning, thereby preventing excessive ozone generation through the plasma source. The spring-loaded platform surface also results in isolating the emitted plasma from oxygen in the air, thus ensuring sufficient oxygen for ozone generation without the aforementioned excessive ozone production and related disadvantages. Especially when applied to surfaces to be treated, such as textiles, the disadvantages of excessive ozone production include discoloration or fading of the surface and the risk of respiratory irritation.

[0022] Other important features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the dependent claims, the drawings, and the accompanying description with reference to the drawings.

[0023] It goes without saying that the features mentioned above and explained below can be used not only in combinations described separately, but also in other combinations or individually, without departing from the scope of the invention. Attached Figure Description

[0024] Preferred embodiments of the present invention are shown in the accompanying drawings and explained in more detail in the following description, wherein the same reference numerals refer to the same or similar or functionally identical components.

[0025] The following are schematic illustrations of each: Figure 1 A longitudinal sectional view of the plasma device according to the invention is shown; Figure 2 A top view of the plasma device according to the invention is shown. Figure 3 A cross-sectional view of the plasma device is shown in the user's hand in an unused position. Figure 4 As shown Figure 3 The same illustration, but in the usage position. Figure 5 A top view of the plasma apparatus according to the invention during use is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0026] according to Figures 1 to 5 According to the present invention, a plasma device 1 for treating surface 2, especially for treating textiles 3 (see...) Figure 4 The plasma device 1 according to the invention has a slightly elongated shell 4, which is elliptical in cross-section. A plasma source 5 is arranged within this shell, having a platform surface 7 extending along the longitudinal direction 6 of the shell 4 and bearing at least one electrode 8 through which plasma can be applied to the surface 2 to be treated. To enable the most comfortable and convenient operation or use possible, the center of mass M and the geometric center G are specified to have a distance A of less than 20 mm. More preferably, the distance A between the center of mass M and the geometric center G is less than 10 mm, and particularly less than 5 mm.

[0027] The center of mass M refers to a point on the body, in this case, plasma device 1, where the entire mass can be considered concentrated. The body remains balanced when supported by the center of mass M. The geometric center G here corresponds to the center of mass of the body, which is made of a homogeneous material, i.e., has the same density everywhere. Different arrangements of the various components, or different density ratios, as shown in the current plasma device 1, may cause the center of mass M and the geometric center G, often also referred to as the volume center of mass, to be different. However, in order to ensure the most comfortable possible manipulation of the plasma device 1, it is desirable to arrange the center of mass M and the geometric center G as closely as possible to each other, ideally where the geometric center G and the center of mass M are identical.

[0028] Furthermore, the center of mass M of the plasma device 1 should be located as centrally as possible within the rotation axis of the user's forearm. Here, the gravity axis 9 of the plasma device 1 should be as close as possible to the palm and, furthermore, perpendicular to the rotation axis of the forearm when the arm is extended.

[0029] In order to arrange the geometric center G and the center of mass M relative to each other with the smallest possible distance A, the various components of the plasma device 1, such as the accumulator 10, the mainboard 11, the plasma source 5, the switch 12, and the holding frame 13 for the plasma source 5, must be arranged accordingly or adapted in terms of their weight.

[0030] The housing 4 typically has an upper housing component 14 and a lower housing component 15, which are connected to each other, for example, by a clip connection. The lower housing component 15 has an opening on its bottom side through which the plasma source 5 extends outward from the housing 4.

[0031] By arranging the center of mass M and the geometric center G as closely as possible, skewness of the movable plasma source 5 can be prevented even when the plasma device 1 is pressed eccentrically. The small distance A between the center of mass M and the geometric center G also allows for easy manipulation of the plasma device 1 in terms of movement on the surface 2 to be processed, thereby enabling its use with minimal force consumption. Furthermore, the plasma device 1 can be twisted, tilted, flipped, rolled, etc., without requiring large applied torque, thus allowing for easy manipulation of the aforementioned movements of the plasma device even in inaccessible locations, such as on the body or under the shoulder.

[0032] Furthermore, the plasma source 5 can be spring-loaded and in a non-use state (see...). Figure 3 ) protrudes downwards beyond the housing 4 and in the usage state (see Figure 4 The plasma is at least partially pressed into the housing 5 and thus rests against the surface 2 to be treated in a platform-like manner. This ensures uniform surface contact during the movement of the plasma device 1, preventing the plasma emitted from the plasma source 5 from contacting ambient air and thus generating less ozone, which could cause discoloration or fading of the surface 2, such as textiles, upon prolonged exposure. This also reduces the risk of respiratory irritation.

[0033] In an advantageous improvement of the solution according to the invention, the geometric longitudinal axis 16 intersects a first circular surface 17 having a radius R1 ≤ 5 mm, wherein the center of mass M forms the center of the first circular surface 17. The first circular surface 17 is hereby determined according to... Figure 1 Orthogonal to the plane of the figure and according to Figure 3 Extend in the plane of the drawing. According to Figure 1 Here, the gravity axis 9, like the geometric longitudinal axis 16, extends horizontally in the plane of the figure, wherein the center of mass M is located on the gravity axis 9, while the geometric center G is located on the geometric longitudinal axis 16. Figure 2 In the figure, the geometric vertical axis 16 and the gravity axis 9 are arranged sequentially, i.e., coincidentally, in the plane of the drawing. Figure 3 In the figure, not only the gravity axis 9 but also the geometric vertical axis 16 extend orthogonally to the plane of the figure, while the geometric horizontal axis 18 and the geometric vertical axis 20 extend in the plane of the figure.

[0034] If we observe further... Figure 1 and 4 It can be seen that the geometric horizontal axis 18 of the plasma device 1 intersects with a second circular surface 19 having a radius R2 ≤ 5 mm, wherein the center of mass M is the center of the second circular surface 19. The second circular surface 19 is hereby determined according to... Figure 4 Extend perpendicular to the plane of the diagram and in Figure 1 The center is located in the plane of the diagram.

[0035] In another advantageous embodiment of the solution according to the invention, the geometric vertical axis 20 containing the geometric center G intersects with a third circular surface 21 having a radius R3 ≤ 5 mm, wherein the center of mass M represents the center of the third circular surface 21. Here, the third circular surface 21 is based on... Figure 1 , 3 And 4 extend horizontally in the plane of the diagram and according to Figure 2 Extend in the plane of the diagram.

[0036] In a particularly preferred embodiment of the plasma device 1 according to the invention, the geometric longitudinal axis 16, the geometric transverse axis 18, and the geometric vertical axis 20 can be coupled with a radius R. K Spheres with a diameter of <5 mm intersect, wherein the center of mass M forms the center of the sphere. This sphere is supported by various circular surfaces 17, 19, and 21.

[0037] The close or identical arrangement of the center of mass and geometric center G allows for relatively easy torsion, rolling, pitching, and tilting of the plasma device 1 without significant torque, thereby enabling comfortable operation and use of the plasma device 1 according to the invention. Furthermore, the plasma device 1 can be configured symmetrically, particularly rotationally symmetrically, about at least the geometric longitudinal axis 16, the geometric transverse axis 18, or the geometric vertical axis 20, thus allowing for easy tactile gripping and easy manipulation.

[0038] Furthermore, it can be specified that the switch 12 for turning the plasma device 1 on and off and the center of mass M are arranged offset relative to the geometric center G. The switch 12 can, for example, be oriented towards the center of mass M, S. The offset arrangement of the switch 12 allows the plasma device 1 to be easily activated or deactivated by the user's index finger, thereby achieving intuitive use.

[0039] In summary, the plasma device 1 according to the invention and the preferred identical arrangement of the geometric center G and the center of mass M enable easier and less strenuous use of the plasma device, thereby achieving a significant improvement in comfort during use.

[0040] according to Figure 1 , 3 4, the geometric longitudinal axis 16 and the geometric transverse axis 18 are respectively arranged at a distance A relative to the center of mass M, wherein these axes can of course also pass through the center of mass M.

[0041] List of reference numerals in the attached diagram: 1 Plasma Device 2 Surface 3. Textiles 4 housings 5 plasma sources 6. Longitudinal direction 7 platform surfaces 8 electrodes 9 gravity axes 10 accumulators 11 motherboard 12 switches 13. Maintain the frame 14 Components on the housing 15 Lower Housing Components 16 Geometric vertical axis 17 First Circular Surface 18 Geometric Horizontal Axis 19 Second Circular Surface 20 Geometric vertical axis 21 Third circular surface

Claims

1. A plasma device (1) for treating the surface (2) of a textile (3), characterized in that, The plasma device (1) has a slightly elongated housing (4) that can be operated with one hand, in which a plasma source (5) is arranged. The plasma source has a platform surface (7) with at least one electrode (8) extending along the longitudinal direction (6) of the housing (4). The electrode can generate plasma and output it to the surface (2) to be processed. The center of mass M of the plasma device (1) and the geometric center G of the plasma device (1) have a distance A of less than 20 mm.

2. The plasma device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The plasma device has a shell (4) that is elliptical in cross-section.

3. The plasma device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The elliptical cross-section of the housing (4) is such that it matches the palm of the hand, allowing the housing (4) to be gripped in a locking manner by the user's hand shape.

4. The plasma device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The retaining frame (13) for the plasma source (5) is arranged accordingly and / or adapted in terms of its weight.

5. The plasma device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The center of mass M and the geometric center G have a distance A of less than 10 mm.

6. The plasma device according to claim 5, characterized in that, The center of mass M and the geometric center G have a distance A of less than 5 mm.

7. The plasma device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The mass center M and the geometric center G are the same.

8. The plasma device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The plasma source (5) is spring-loaded and protrudes beyond the housing (4) in the non-use state of the plasma device (1) and is at least partially pressed into the housing (4) in the use state.

9. The plasma device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The geometric longitudinal axis (16) of the plasma device (1) intersects with a first circular surface (17) having a radius R1≤5.0 mm, wherein the center of mass M forms the center of the first circular surface (17).

10. The plasma device according to claim 9, characterized in that, The geometric horizontal axis (18) of the plasma device (1) intersects with a second circular surface (19) having a radius R2≤5.0 mm, wherein the center of mass M forms the center of the second circular surface (19).

11. The plasma device according to claim 10, characterized in that, The geometric vertical axis (20) of the plasma device (1) intersects with a third circular surface (21) having a radius R3≤5.0 mm, wherein the center of mass M forms the center of the third circular surface (21).

12. The plasma device according to claim 11, characterized in that, The geometric longitudinal axis (16), geometric transverse axis (18), and geometric vertical axis (20) of the plasma device (1) are aligned with a radius R. K Spheres ≤5.0 mm intersect, wherein the center of mass M forms the center of the sphere.

13. The plasma device according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that, The plasma device (1) is constructed symmetrically around at least the geometric longitudinal axis (16), the geometric transverse axis (18), or the geometric vertical axis (20).

14. The plasma device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, A switch (12) is provided for turning the plasma device (1) on and off, wherein the center of mass M and the switch (12) are arranged offset relative to the geometric center G.

15. A plasma device (1) for treating the surface (2) of a textile (3), characterized in that, The plasma device (1) has a slightly elongated housing (4) that can be operated with one hand. The housing has an upper housing component (14) and a lower housing component (15). A plasma source (5) is arranged in the housing. The plasma source has a platform surface (7) with at least one electrode (8) extending along the longitudinal direction (6) of the housing (4). The electrode can generate plasma and output it to the surface (2) to be processed. The center of mass M and the geometric center G of the plasma device (1) are separated from each other by a distance A less than 20 mm. The center of mass M and the geometric center G are separated from each other in the direction of the upper housing component (14).

16. The plasma device according to claim 15, characterized in that, The plasma source (5) is spring-loaded and protrudes beyond the housing (4) in the non-use state of the plasma device (1) and is at least partially pressed into the housing (4) in the use state.

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