Discharge Electrode Root Portion Material for Humid Environments

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Solution Overview

Problem

Discharge electrodes made of metal materials experience component elution in humid or salty environments, leading to deteriorated discharge performance due to current flow through unintended paths.

Innovation Solution

A discharge device design featuring a discharge electrode with a root portion made of a material having an ionization tendency lower than hydrogen, such as gold, palladium, or platinum, supported by a substrate and enclosed by an insulator, along with an induction electrode and an insulation tube or water-repellent coating to prevent metal elution and maintain stable discharge.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a metal discharge electrode is used in humid or salty environments, then discharge performance is initially good, but metal component elution occurs leading to deteriorated discharge performance over time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedischarge performance stabilityVSAvoidmetal component elution

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The discharge electrode is divided into two distinct parts: a root portion made of corrosion-resistant material (gold, palladium, platinum, or their alloys) and a discharge tip portion made of metal material (such as stainless steel, tungsten, or nickel alloy). This segmentation allows each part to fulfill its specific function while preventing overall electrode degradation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different materials are applied to different parts of the electrode based on local requirements. The root portion uses materials with high corrosion resistance and low ionization tendency to prevent elution in humid environments, while the discharge tip uses materials optimized for corona discharge generation. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between initial discharge performance and long-term stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Strength

If metal components are eluted into the periphery, then the electrode structure remains intact, but current flows through unintended paths deteriorating discharge performance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrode structural integrityVSAvoidparasitic current flow

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The root portion is pre-formed from corrosion-resistant material before the electrode is assembled and deployed. This preliminary selection of material prevents metal elution before it can occur, thereby preventing parasitic current paths from forming in the first place, while maintaining structural integrity throughout operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If corrosion-resistant materials like gold, palladium, or platinum are used for the entire electrode, then metal elution is suppressed, but manufacturing cost increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresistance to metal elutionVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Corrosion-resistant materials are applied only to the root portion where they are most needed for preventing elution in humid environments, rather than covering the entire electrode. This localized application significantly reduces material costs while maintaining the anti-elution effect where it matters most.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The design uses expensive corrosion-resistant materials only for the root portion that serves as a protective base, while the discharge tip uses cheaper metal materials. This approach treats the root as a long-lasting protective component and the tip as a functional element that can be replaced if needed, optimizing the overall cost-effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

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 design effectively suppresses metal component elution, ensuring stable discharge performance over time in humid or salty environments by preventing ionization and adhesion of eluted components.

Implementation Method 1

An outer peripheral surface of the root portion is made of a material having an ionization tendency lower than that of hydrogen

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectIonization tendency: Ionisation

Implementation Method 2

Corona discharge is generated at a tip of a metal needle to generate ions

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCorona discharge: Corona Discharge

Data Source

PatentUS9985420B2Discharge device

Publication Date: 2018.05.29 SHARP KK

AI summary

A discharge device capable of maintaining a stable discharge performance even in a highly humid environment or an atmospheric environment containing salt includes a discharge electrode discharging when a voltage is applied thereto, a substrate supporting the discharge electrode, an induction electrode arranged apart from the discharge electrode, and an insulator enclosing all of the substrate and the induction electrode. The discharge electrode has a root portion supported by the substrate, a pointed end protruding from a surface of the insulator, and a taper portion tapering from the root portion toward the pointed end. An outer peripheral surface of the root portion is made of a material having an ionization tendency lower than that of hydrogen.