Electrostatic Atomizing Device Leader Discharge Radical Generation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional electrostatic atomizing devices face challenges in increasing the generation of radicals while keeping ozone production minimal.

Innovation Solution

The device employs a configuration that generates a large instantaneous electric current through dielectric breakdown, leading to a higher energy discharge known as leader discharge, which increases radical production while maintaining ozone levels similar to corona discharge, and incorporates a limiting resistor to manage electric current peaks and prevent instability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If corona discharge is used to generate radicals, then radicals are produced, but ozone is also generated as a harmful byproduct

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveamount of radicalsVSAvoidozone production
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the discharge mode from corona discharge to leader discharge by adjusting voltage and current parameters. Leader discharge operates at higher voltage with different current characteristics, enabling radical generation through a different mechanism that produces fewer ozone molecules per radical generated.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the corona discharge mechanism with a leader discharge mechanism. This substitution fundamentally changes the discharge physics from a distributed corona field to a concentrated leader channel, altering the chemical reaction pathways and reducing ozone formation while maintaining radical production.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Quantity of substance

If a large instantaneous electric current is generated through dielectric breakdown, then radical generation increases, but electric current peaks may cause instability and noise

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveamount of radicalsVSAvoiddischarge stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates feedback control through current detection and voltage adjustment. The control unit monitors the instantaneous current during leader discharge and dynamically adjusts the voltage to maintain stable operation, preventing excessive current peaks that would cause discharge instability and electrical noise.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs dynamic control of discharge parameters, adjusting voltage and current in real-time during operation. This dynamic approach allows the system to adapt to changing conditions, maintaining optimal discharge stability while maximizing radical generation through controlled leader discharge events.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 effectively increases radical generation while keeping ozone production constant and minimizing NOx and electric noise, providing a stable discharge process.

Implementation Method 1

a large instantaneous electric current flows through a discharge path created by dielectric breakdown

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDielectric breakdown:

Implementation Method 2

the configuration makes it possible to generate a larger amount of radicals than an amount of radicals generated by corona discharge

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLeader discharge:

Implementation Method 3

a limiting resistor 6 is disposed in a middle of a current path 5

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical resistance: Electrical Resistance

Implementation Method 4

an electrostatic atomizing device that generates a charged microparticle liquid by electrostatically atomizing a liquid held on a discharge electrode

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrostatic atomization:

Data Source

PatentEP3278880B1Electrostatic atomizing device
Publication Date: 2020.03.18 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO LTD
  • EP3278880B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3278880B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP3278880B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An electrostatic atomizing device of the present disclosure includes a discharge electrode (1), a counter electrode (4), a liquid supplying unit (3), a current path (5), a voltage applicator (2), and a limiting resistor (6). The limiting resistor is disposed on a first current path or a second current path included in the current path. The first current path electrically connects the voltage applicator and the counter electrode (4), and the second current path electrically connects the voltage applicator (2)and the discharge electrode (1). This makes it possible to increase an amount of generated radicals while keeping an increase of ozone small. In addition, an electric current peak of an instantaneous electric current can be kept small.