Flexible Plasma Casing for Free-Form Body Decontamination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for decontaminating free-form bodies like fruits, vegetables, and eggs are inefficient and costly, with chemical processes posing health risks and plasma-based methods causing odor and taste impairments, while existing plasma devices face issues with instability and short service life due to deformation during treatment.
Innovation Solution
A device with a casing having a low modulus of elasticity, allowing flexible adaptation to three-dimensional shapes, combined with electrodes that can be loosely attached to minimize stress and maintain close proximity to the object, enabling efficient plasma generation with reduced dead volumes and lower operational costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a rigid casing device is used to maintain structural stability, then device reliability is improved, but adaptability to three-dimensional free-form bodies deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a flexible casing device made of elastomeric material that can conform to three-dimensional free-form bodies while maintaining structural integrity. The flexible casing allows the device to adapt to various object shapes (eggs, fruits, vegetables) without compromising reliability, resolving the contradiction between rigidity and adaptability.
2Reliability
If electrodes are firmly attached to the casing device, then electrical connection reliability is improved, but stress concentration during deformation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs different attachment strategies for different electrodes: the first electrode is firmly attached to the flexible casing for reliable electrical connection, while the second electrode is loosely attached to minimize stress concentration during casing deformation. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between connection reliability and stress resistance.
3Reliability
If chemical decontamination processes are used, then decontamination effectiveness is improved, but health safety deteriorates due to carcinogenicity risks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces chemical decontamination processes with a plasma-based physical treatment system. The plasma device generates reactive species through electrical discharge in a controlled atmosphere, achieving effective decontamination without introducing carcinogenic chemicals, thus resolving the contradiction between effectiveness and safety.
4Reliability
If plasma treatment is applied to achieve high germ reduction rates, then decontamination effectiveness is improved, but odor and taste impairments occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent carefully controls plasma generation parameters including gas composition, power input, and treatment duration to achieve effective germ reduction while minimizing the formation of compounds that cause odor and taste impairments. By optimizing these parameters, the system resolves the contradiction between decontamination effectiveness and quality preservation.
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 solution allows for gentle, reliable, and cost-effective plasma treatment of free-form bodies over a long service life, reducing germ contamination and maintaining food quality without the drawbacks of chemical or unstable plasma methods.
Implementation Method 1
a plasma can be generated in the receiving space of the casing device when an electrical potential difference is applied to the electrodes
Implementation Method 2
WO 2009/019156 A2 describes a method and several devices for plasma-assisted dry cleaning, activation, coating, modification and biological decontamination of surfaces using an atmospheric pressure plasma generated under dielectrically hindered discharge
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a device, a system, and a method for treating an object, in particular one or more free-form bodies, with plasma. The device serves to treat an object (1) with plasma (2) and comprises a shell (10) with which a substantially gas-tight receiving chamber (15) is formed or can be formed, in which an object (1) to be treated can be received. Furthermore, the device comprises a first electrode (20) and a second electrode (21), wherein the two electrodes (20, 21) are arranged with respect to the shell (10) such that, when an electrical potential difference is applied to the electrodes (20, 21), a plasma (2) can be generated in the receiving chamber (15) of the shell (10). A wall (13) of the shell (10) forming the receiving chamber (15) of the shell (10) has, at least in certain regions, a modulus of elasticity Ew <10 kN/mm².Furthermore, the device has a housing (30) with which a housing interior (33) is formed or can be formed, wherein the shell device (10) is arranged in the housing interior (33).