Electrostatic Atomizer Surface Electrode Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional electrostatic atomization devices require multiple hollow needle electrodes to generate a large number of fine particles, leading to increased manufacturing and maintenance costs, especially when high particle generation rates are needed.

Innovation Solution

The use of a surface electrode with a two-dimensionally expanded front surface coated with a solution in a thin film form, along with a counter electrode generating a predetermined electric field, allows for efficient generation of fine particles from multiple points on the surface electrode, reducing the need for multiple needle electrodes and lowering costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If multiple hollow needle electrodes are provided to generate a large number of fine particles, then the particle generation rate is improved, but the manufacturing cost and maintenance cost increase excessively

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveparticle generation rateVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple needle electrode functions into a single surface electrode with a two-dimensionally expanded front surface. This surface electrode can coat the solution uniformly across its entire surface and generate fine particles from multiple points simultaneously, eliminating the need for multiple separate needle electrodes while maintaining high particle generation rate.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from a one-dimensional needle electrode structure to a two-dimensional surface electrode structure. The surface electrode's two-dimensionally expanded front surface allows the solution to be coated across a larger area, enabling simultaneous particle generation from multiple points and significantly increasing productivity without proportionally increasing component count.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Productivity

If multiple hollow needle electrodes are provided to generate a large number of fine particles, then the particle generation rate is improved, but the maintenance cost increases excessively

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveparticle generation rateVSAvoidmaintenance cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The surface electrode's two-dimensionally expanded front surface acts as a distributed array of particle generation points, effectively copying the functionality of multiple needle electrodes across a continuous surface. This allows the system to maintain high particle generation capability while using a single, easier-to-maintain component instead of multiple fragile needle electrodes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Ease of manufacture

If a surface electrode with two-dimensionally expanded front surface is used, then the manufacturing cost is reduced, but the electric field distribution uniformity may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoidelectric field distribution uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by creating a two-dimensionally expanded front surface that uniformly coats the solution across its entire area. This localized expansion ensures that the electric field is distributed uniformly across all active regions of the surface electrode, maintaining precision in particle generation while keeping the overall structure simple and cost-effective.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 approach enables the generation of more fine particles per unit time while reducing manufacturing and maintenance costs, as well as optimizing the ratio of solute to solvent in the generated particles for separation applications.

Implementation Method 1

a counter electrode for generating a predetermined electric field between the counter electrode and the surface electrode

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectric field: Electric Field

Implementation Method 2

The solution siphoned up through the needle electrode due to a capillary phenomenon is finely divided by the electric field between the needle electrode and the counter electrode so that the solution is atomized

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrostatic atomization: Electrostatics

Implementation Method 3

the front surface of the surface electrode is coated with a solution to be atomized in a thin film form

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThin film formation: Thin Films

Implementation Method 4

The solution siphoned up through the needle electrode due to a capillary phenomenon

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapillary action: Capillary Action

Data Source

PatentUS10105719B2Electrostatic atomizer, mist generation method

Publication Date: 2018.10.23 NANOMIST TECHNOLOGIES CO LTD

AI summary

Provided is an electrostatic atomizing device which performs atomization at low cost. An electrostatic atomizing device (M4) is installed in an atomization chamber (10) of a separation apparatus. The electrostatic atomizing device (M4) includes a plate-like inclined surface electrode (101) and a plate-like counter electrode (102) parallel to the surface electrode (101). A solution is diffused by diffusers (108) onto an upper end of the surface electrode (101). The solution flows down along a front surface of the surface electrode (101) while being spread in a thin film form, and is atomized by an electric field between the surface electrode (101) and the counter electrode (102).