Counter Electrode Layout for Stable Liquid Discharge Paths

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electric discharge devices struggle to efficiently generate active ingredients such as charged microparticle liquids containing OH radicals, O2 radicals, negative ions, positive ions, and ozone, as they often result in decreased generation efficiency due to unstable discharge paths and inefficient energy utilization.

Innovation Solution

The device incorporates a columnar discharge electrode and a counter electrode with a peripheral and projecting electrode part, where the projecting electrode part protrudes into an opening on the counter electrode, concentrating the electric field for high-energy discharge and intermittently forming discharge paths, while suppressing mechanical vibration of the liquid to maintain efficient atomization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a simple needle-shaped counter electrode is used, then the device structure is simple, but the discharge path stability is poor and generation efficiency of active ingredients is low

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecounter electrode structureVSAvoidgeneration efficiency of active ingredients
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The counter electrode is divided into multiple functional parts: a needle-shaped electrode part for stable discharge initiation, and a peripheral electrode part with opening portions for discharge path stabilization. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function optimally, resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and generation efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the counter electrode are given different properties: the needle-shaped part provides localized high electric field concentration for discharge initiation, while the peripheral parts with opening portions provide structured pathways for stable discharge propagation. This local differentiation improves generation efficiency without significantly complicating the overall structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Power

If high voltage is applied continuously, then the discharge energy is high, but the mechanical vibration of liquid increases and atomization efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedischarge energyVSAvoidatomization efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The discharge is applied in periodic pulses rather than continuously. This periodic action allows the liquid to be atomized efficiently during discharge phases while having time to settle between pulses, reducing excessive mechanical vibration and maintaining high atomization efficiency even at high discharge energies.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

3Quantity of substance

If the discharge path is extended, then more liquid can be processed, but the discharge stability decreases and energy utilization becomes inefficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveliquid processing capacityVSAvoiddischarge stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The counter electrode structure extends in multiple spatial dimensions with peripheral parts arranged around the needle-shaped central part. This three-dimensional configuration allows discharge to occur along multiple parallel paths simultaneously, increasing liquid processing capacity while maintaining discharge stability through distributed electrode geometry.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 enhances the generation efficiency of active ingredients by stabilizing discharge paths and increasing the frequency of discharge, leading to improved production of charged microparticle liquids with enhanced energy utilization.

Implementation Method 1

discharge that intermittently generates a discharge path having dielectric breakdown so as to extend from the discharge electrode to the periphery

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDielectric breakdown:

Implementation Method 2

generate discharge by applying an application voltage between the discharge electrode and the counter electrode

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectric discharge:

Implementation Method 3

discharge further developed from corona discharge

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCorona discharge: Corona Discharge

Implementation Method 4

concentrating the electric field for high-energy discharge

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectric field concentration: Electric Field

Implementation Method 5

charged microparticle liquids containing OH radicals, O2 radicals, negative ions, positive ions, and ozone

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectIonization: Ionisation

Implementation Method 6

charged microparticle liquids containing OH radicals, O2 radicals, negative ions, positive ions, and ozone

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOzone generation: Ozone

Data Source

PatentEP4037116B1Electric discharge device and electrode device
Publication Date: 2026.01.28 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO LTD
  • EP4037116B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP4037116B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4037116B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An electric discharge device according to the present disclosure includes a discharge electrode, a counter electrode, a voltage application circuit, and a liquid supply unit. The discharge electrode is a columnar electrode. The counter electrode faces the discharge electrode. The voltage application circuit applies an application voltage between the discharge electrode and the counter electrode. The liquid supply unit supplies liquid to the discharge electrode. The liquid extends and contracts along a central axis of the discharge electrode by discharge. The counter electrode includes a peripheral electrode part and a projecting electrode part. In a direction along the central axis of the discharge electrode, a tip of the liquid in a state in which the liquid extends is located at the same position as an outer peripheral edge of the peripheral electrode part or located closer to the discharge electrode than the outer peripheral edge.