Electrostatic Spray Control for High-Voltage Electrode Safety

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing spray machines pose a risk of operators accidentally touching high-voltage electrodes, which can be dangerous.

Innovation Solution

A control method and program that monitor the actuated state of the spray machine's body to control an electrostatic charge device, ensuring the voltage applied to the electrode is managed accordingly, preventing accidental contact.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If an electrostatic charge device applies high voltage to a load including an electrode to charge spray matter, then the spray efficiency and coverage are improved, but the risk of operators accidentally touching the high voltage electrode increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespray efficiencyVSAvoidrisk of electric shock
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The control device disables the electrostatic charge device before the spray machine stops moving, and enables it after the spray machine starts moving again. This preliminary action of disabling/enableing based on motion state prevents operators from accidentally touching high voltage electrodes during maintenance or when the machine is stationary, while maintaining spray efficiency during operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The control device continuously monitors the motion state of the spray machine (moving or stopped) and dynamically adjusts the electrostatic charge device state accordingly. This feedback mechanism ensures that high voltage is only applied when the machine is in motion, eliminating the risk of electric shock to operators while maintaining productive spraying during movement

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If the electrostatic charge device is always enabled to maintain charging capability, then the spray quality is consistently high, but the safety risk to operators is continuously present

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespray quality consistencyVSAvoidoperator safety
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The electrostatic charge device state is made dynamic rather than static. The control device automatically switches between enabled and disabled states based on the real-time motion status of the spray machine. This dynamic control maintains spray quality consistency during operation (when enabled) while ensuring operator safety during stopping/maintenance (when disabled)

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 solution effectively prevents operators from touching high-voltage electrodes by dynamically managing the voltage state based on the machine's actuated state, enhancing safety.

Implementation Method 1

an electrostatic charge device that applies a high voltage to a load, which includes an electrode, thereby to charge a spray matter (chemical solution)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrostatic charge: Electrostatics

Data Source

PatentEP4268593A1Spray machine control method, spray machine control program, and spray machine
Publication Date: 2023.11.01 YANMAR HLDG CO LTD
  • EP4268593A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4268593A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4268593A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

[Problem] To provide a spray machine control method, a spray machine control program, and a spray machine that make it easy to prevent an operator or the like from erroneously touching an electrode to which a high voltage is applied. [Solution] A method of controlling a spray machine provided with a machine body capable of running, a spray nozzle 41 that is supported to the machine body and sprays a liquid spray matter, and an electrostatic charge device 9. The electrostatic charge device 9 applies the voltage VH1 to the load 90 which includes the electrode 91, thereby to electrically charge the spray matter sprayed from the spray nozzle 41. The method has: acquiring an actuated state of the machine body; and controlling, according to the actuated state of the machine body, the electrostatic charge device 9 in a manner to change a state of applying the voltage VH1 to the load 90.