Electrostatic Atomizer Curved Tip Electrode Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional electrostatic atomizers experience a start-up period with lower spray content at the beginning of atomization due to inadequate electric field formation, which is influenced by factors beyond voltage, such as electrode design parameters, leading to instability and inefficiencies.

Innovation Solution

The electrostatic atomizer incorporates a second electrode with a tip shape having a curvature radius of 0.025 mm to 0.25 mm, allowing for controlled current and voltage application to establish a stable electric field, preventing the start-up period and ensuring consistent atomization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If a sharp tip shape is used for the second electrode to strengthen the electric field, then ionized air generation is improved, but a start-up period occurs with lower spray content

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectric field strengthVSAvoidspray content
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The second electrode tip is designed with a specific curvature radius (0.025-0.25mm) rather than a sharp point. This curved geometry distributes the electric field more evenly, preventing the start-up period while maintaining sufficient ionized air generation capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Stability of the object's composition

If voltage is directly adjusted to control electric field strength, then atomization stability is improved, but the method becomes ineffective when multiple parameters influence the electric field

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveatomization stabilityVSAvoidcontrol complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of directly adjusting voltage, the invention changes the geometric parameter (curvature radius) of the second electrode tip. This physical parameter modification creates a more stable electric field distribution that is less sensitive to other varying parameters, simplifying the overall control system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Power

If the second electrode tip curvature radius is reduced to strengthen the electric field, then ionized air generation is improved, but spray content at the beginning of atomization decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectric field strengthVSAvoidspray content
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The curvature radius is optimized to a specific range (0.025-0.25mm) rather than minimized. This optimal parameter value balances the electric field strength needed for ionized air generation with the spray content required for stable atomization from the beginning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

This configuration stabilizes the atomization process, enabling a higher initial spray content and prolonged liquid atomization with a simple device configuration and operation, while preventing spray-back and maintaining efficient ionized air generation.

Implementation Method 1

an electrostatic atomizer which atomizes and sprays a liquid by Electro Hydrodynamics (EHD)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectro hydrodynamics: Electrohydrodynamics

Implementation Method 2

The second electrode ionizes and negatively charges air in the vicinity of the second electrode

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectIonization: Ionisation

Data Source

PatentEP2946839B1Electrostatic atomizer
Publication Date: 2019.12.11 SUMITOMO CHEM CO LTD
  • EP2946839B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2946839B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2946839B1 patent drawingFigure 4(a)~4(c)

AI summary

An electrostatic atomizer (100) includes: a spray electrode (1); a reference electrode (2); a current control section (24) for controlling a value of a current flowing through the reference electrode (2); and a voltage application section (22) for applying a voltage across the spray electrode (1) and the reference electrode (2), based on the value of the current controlled by the current control section (24), the reference electrode (2) having a tip whose shape has a specific curvature radius.