Flexible Electrode Array with Spacer Elements for Plasma Treatment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrode arrangements for dielectrically impeded plasma treatment struggle to maintain the required distance between the surface to be treated and the dielectric layer preventing direct current flow, especially when using highly flexible materials, leading to deformation and reduced effectiveness of plasma treatment on irregularly shaped surfaces.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating spacer elements made of a less flexible material than the dielectric, which are used to partially or completely cover the projections of the structure, ensuring a defined distance and maintaining the necessary rigidity to support effective plasma formation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If highly flexible dielectric materials are used to improve adaptation to irregular surfaces, then the adaptation to the surface is enhanced, but the required distance for plasma formation cannot be maintained due to deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The dielectric is constructed as a composite material system combining a flexible base material with integrated rigid spacer elements. The flexible dielectric material (such as silicone rubber or polyurethane) provides adaptability to irregular body surfaces, while the rigid spacer elements (made from materials like plastic, metal, or ceramic) maintain the required air gap distance for plasma formation. This composite structure resolves the contradiction by allowing the flexible portions to conform to surfaces while the rigid spacers prevent excessive deformation and maintain precise spacing.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the dielectric structure have different mechanical properties tailored to their specific functions. The base dielectric material is made highly flexible for surface adaptation, while localized spacer elements are made rigid for distance maintenance. This local differentiation of material properties allows the dielectric to simultaneously achieve both adaptability and precision in distance maintenance.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the dielectric layer is made highly flexible to conform to irregular surfaces, then surface adaptation improves, but the rigidity required to maintain air space distance is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The dielectric combines flexible base material with rigid spacer elements to achieve both surface conformation and structural rigidity. The flexible material (e.g., silicone rubber with Shore hardness 10-40) allows the dielectric to conform to irregular body surfaces, while the rigid spacer elements (with higher Shore hardness) provide the necessary structural support to maintain the air gap distance without excessive deformation.
Solution Approach 2:
The dielectric is segmented into functionally distinct regions: flexible base material regions for surface adaptation and rigid spacer element regions for distance maintenance. This segmentation allows each region to perform its optimized function without compromising the other.
3Manufacturing precision
If the dielectric is made more rigid to maintain air space distance, then distance stability improves, but the ability to adapt to irregular surfaces is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The dielectric uses a composite structure where rigid spacer elements provide distance stability while the flexible base material enables surface adaptation. The rigid spacers ensure the air gap distance remains stable for effective plasma treatment, while the flexible material allows the overall structure to conform to irregular body surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The dielectric exhibits local quality differentiation where spacer regions have high rigidity for distance stability while the connecting and base regions have high flexibility for surface adaptation. This localized property assignment resolves the contradiction between rigidity and adaptability.
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 allows for the use of highly flexible dielectric materials while maintaining the required distance for effective plasma treatment, enhancing the adaptation of the electrode arrangement to the surface and ensuring stable air spaces for plasma formation.
Implementation Method 1
The at least one electrode of the electrode arrangement can be connected to a high voltage required for plasma generation
Implementation Method 2
an electrode arrangement for a dielectrically impeded plasma treatment of a surface of a body
Data Source
Figure 1a~1c
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
The invention relates to an electrode array for a dielectrically impeded plasma treatment of a surface of a body, comprising at least one flexible flat electrode (1) and one dielectric (2) consisting of a flat flexible first material which protects the electrode (1) from the surface to be treated, with a layer (3) impeding a direct current flow. The dielectric (2) can lie on the surface to be treated, above a structure (4) with projections (7), air spaces (5) being formed between the projections (7) for the creation of the plasma, which have a side open towards the surface to be treated, and a bottom-side closure as a result of the layer (3) impeding the direct current flow. The structure (4) comprises a plurality of spacer elements (6) consisting of a second material that has less flexibility than the first material, and the projections (7) of the structure (4) are partially or completely formed by the spacer elements (6).