Atmospheric Plasma Guide Structure for Uniform Elongated Surface Treatment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current plasma technologies for treating elongated objects, such as filaments, face challenges including inhomogeneous surface treatment, sensitivity to gas composition, and the need for high-intensity plasma, which can damage heat-sensitive materials, and lack scalability and environmental friendliness.
Innovation Solution
A method using a plasma process with a guiding structure that surrounds the elongated object with a curved unitary section and an electrode structure integrated with a dielectric body, allowing stable operation at atmospheric pressure, homogeneous plasma treatment, and the ability to treat both outer and inner surfaces, while using non-thermal plasma to deposit polymer coatings and nanomaterials without affecting bulk properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If high-intensity plasma is used to treat the surface of elongated objects, then the surface treatment effectiveness is improved, but the treated material may melt due to excessive heat
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies non-thermal plasma parameters (low temperature, atmospheric pressure) instead of high-intensity thermal plasma, changing the physical state parameters to achieve surface treatment without material melting
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes plasma phase (ionized gas) instead of thermal phase, creating a non-thermal plasma environment that provides reactive species for surface modification without the high temperatures that would cause melting
2Power
If pulsed surface discharge process is used, then plasma is generated between electrodes, but the treatment becomes inhomogeneous due to sequential plasma channel formation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the plasma generation into multiple independent plasma channels that operate simultaneously rather than sequentially, with each channel treating a specific region of the elongated object to ensure uniform coverage
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from one-dimensional sequential plasma channel formation to multi-dimensional simultaneous plasma channel distribution, creating plasma channels across the cross-section of the elongated object to achieve homogeneous treatment
3Manufacturing precision
If wet chemical processing is used for surface treatment, then the surface properties are improved, but the bulk properties of the material are negatively influenced and the process is environmentally detrimental
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces wet chemical processing with plasma processing, substituting chemical reactions with plasma-based physical-chemical reactions that occur only at the surface, eliminating the need for harmful chemicals and water-intensive processes
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses an inert or controlled gas atmosphere for plasma generation instead of liquid chemical baths, creating a clean environment that prevents bulk material contamination and reduces environmental impact
4Device complexity
If plasma channels appear sequentially in pulsed surface discharge, then the discharge is simpler to control, but the treatment time increases and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent maintains continuous plasma generation across multiple simultaneous channels rather than sequential pulsing, ensuring that the useful treatment action continues without interruption across the entire surface of the elongated object
Solution Approach 2:
The patent establishes multiple plasma channels in advance simultaneously rather than forming them sequentially during the process, preparing the treatment environment before the elongated object passes through to maximize treatment efficiency
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The method achieves homogeneous and efficient plasma treatment of elongated objects, suitable for heat-sensitive materials, scalable for high-volume processing, and environmentally friendly, with improved surface properties like hydrophilicity and adhesion without altering bulk material characteristics.
Implementation Method 1
applying potential differences between electrodes of an electrode structure to generate the plasma process
Implementation Method 2
Plasma modification only takes place on the uppermost surface and does not change the bulk properties of the treated material
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for treating an elongated object using a plasma process. The method comprises the steps of providing an elongated object in a planar electrode structure, and applying potential differences between electrodes of an electrode structure to generate the plasma process. Further, the method comprises at least partially surrounding the elongated object by a unitary section of the guiding structure, the electrode structure being associated with the unitary section.