Flexible Plasma Electrode Design for Curved Air Conditioner Surfaces

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing plasma electrode devices for air conditioners face issues with noise, decreased plasma discharge stability, and difficulty in mounting on curved surfaces due to the use of rigid insulating materials like PVC or ceramic, which also lead to inappropriate ozone generation and reduced flexibility.

Innovation Solution

The plasma electrode device employs a flexible insulating body made of polyimide resin with a discharge electrode and ground electrode formed using microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) processing, allowing for a thin, curved design with a larger discharge area and reduced voltage requirements, and enabling mounting on both flat and curved surfaces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If rigid insulating materials like PVC or ceramic are used, then electrical insulation is ensured, but mounting flexibility on curved surfaces is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical insulationVSAvoidmounting flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces rigid insulating materials with a flexible insulating film that can be bent and conform to curved surfaces while maintaining electrical insulation properties. This flexible film allows the plasma electrode device to be mounted on various surface geometries including curved surfaces of air conditioners, resolving the contradiction between insulation reliability and mounting flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Productivity

If high voltage is applied to generate plasma, then contaminant removal effectiveness is improved, but noise and ozone generation increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontaminant removal effectivenessVSAvoidnoise and ozone generation

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the voltage parameter from high voltage to low voltage operation. By applying low voltage to the plasma electrode device, it generates sufficient plasma for contaminant removal while significantly reducing noise and ozone generation, thus resolving the contradiction between productivity and harmful factors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes ozone generated in controlled amounts as a strong oxidant for contaminant removal. The flexible insulating film and low voltage operation enable controlled ozone generation that effectively removes contaminants while minimizing harmful ozone accumulation and noise, balancing productivity with reduced harmful effects.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #38Strong oxidants (Accelerated oxidation)

3Reliability

If thick insulating materials are used, then electrical insulation is improved, but device thickness and mounting adaptability decrease

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical insulationVSAvoiddevice thickness

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a thin flexible insulating film instead of thick rigid insulating materials. This thin film provides adequate electrical insulation for low voltage operation while being thin enough to allow the device to conform to curved surfaces and be mounted in space-constrained environments, resolving the contradiction between insulation reliability and device thickness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 enhances plasma discharge stability, reduces noise and ozone generation, allows for effective contaminant removal, and provides improved mounting flexibility on air conditioners by generating high-density radicals with lower voltage and maintaining structural integrity on curved surfaces.

Implementation Method 1

a discharge electrode (120) formed in one or a first surface of the insulating body to generate plasma discharge

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPlasma discharge: Plasma

Implementation Method 2

generate a large amount of OH radicals and ozone and removing contaminants using the OH radical and ozone

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectIonization: Ionisation

Implementation Method 3

The insulating body (110) may be formed of a flexible material, and therefore, the insulating body (110) may be bent at a prescribed or predetermined curvature

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFlexibility: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS10492285B2Plasma electrode device, method of manufacturing plasma electrode device, and air conditioner

Publication Date: 2019.11.26 LG ELECTRONICS INC

AI summary

A plasma electrode device, a method of manufacturing plasma electrode device, and an air conditioner are provided. The plasma discharge device may include an insulating body; a discharge electrode formed in a first surface of the insulating body to generate plasma discharge; and a ground electrode formed in a second surface of the insulating body to generate plasma discharge by reacting with the discharge electrode. The discharge electrode may have a prescribed pattern having a plurality of branches, and the insulating body may include a flexible material configured to be curved at a predetermined curvature.