Electrostatic Atomization Device for Produce Wax Removal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional cleaning devices are ineffective in removing wax and other hydrophobic substances from produce surfaces, requiring manual effort and are not suitable for household use due to their size and need for special chemicals.

Innovation Solution

An electrostatic atomization device generates electrostatically charged atomized water droplets, which are applied to the produce to increase hydrophilicity, allowing for easy removal of wax and other substances through simple washing without the need for special chemicals or large devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional cleaning devices are used to remove wax from produce surfaces, then cleaning capability is improved, but device size becomes large and requires special chemicals

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning capabilityVSAvoiddevice size

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces conventional mechanical cleaning systems with an electrostatic atomization system. Instead of using large mechanical cleaning devices, the invention uses an electrostatic atomization electrode that generates charged water droplets to clean produce surfaces, thereby reducing device size while maintaining cleaning effectiveness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical-chemical parameters of water by applying high voltage to generate electrostatically charged atomized water droplets. This parameter change enables the water to effectively remove hydrophobic substances like wax without requiring special cleaning chemicals

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Device complexity

If manual rubbing is used to remove wax from produce, then no special device is needed, but time consumption and labor burden increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice simplicityVSAvoidtime consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The electrostatic atomization device enables self-service cleaning where the charged water droplets automatically adhere to and remove wax from produce surfaces through electrostatic attraction, eliminating the need for manual rubbing while reducing time consumption

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses electrostatically charged atomized water droplets (a form of hydraulic system) to automatically clean produce surfaces, replacing manual mechanical rubbing with an automated fluid-based cleaning process that reduces labor burden and time consumption

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

3Ease of operation

If electrostatically charged atomized water droplets are supplied onto collected matter, then hydrophilicity is increased and collected matter is easily removed, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of washingVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes phase transition of water into fine atomized droplets through electrostatic atomization. This phase transition creates a large surface area of charged water droplets that effectively increase hydrophilicity of collected matter while consuming minimal energy compared to conventional heating or chemical treatment methods

Inventive Principle:

Principle #36Phase transitions

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the electrical parameter of water by applying high voltage to create electrostatically charged atomized droplets. This parameter change enables easy removal of collected matter through enhanced hydrophilicity while maintaining low energy consumption by avoiding thermal or chemical processes

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

The electrostatic atomization device effectively increases the hydrophilicity of wax and other substances, enabling their easy removal through water washing, reducing manual effort and eliminating the need for special chemicals or large equipment, making it suitable for household use.

Implementation Method 1

an atomization electrode which generates electrostatically charged atomized water droplets to increase the hydrophilicity

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrostatic atomization: Electrostatics

Implementation Method 2

A voltage application member applies voltage to the water supplied to the atomization electrode

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrostatic charging: Electrostatic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP2321061B1Electrostatic atomization device and hydrophilic treatment device including the same

Publication Date: 2014.08.20 PANASONIC HOLDINGS CORP

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AI summary

An electrostatic atomization device (A) for increasing hydrophilicity of collected matter (15) that has low hydrophilicity and is attached to a surface of a processing subject (1). The device includes an atomization electrode (6), which generates electrostatically charged atomized water droplets to increase the hydrophilicity, a water supply member (8), which supplies water to the atomization electrode (6), and a voltage application member (9), which applies voltage to the water supplied to the atomization electrode (6).