Ionization Electrode in Hair Care Appliance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hair care devices with ionization devices are limited by the need for a carrier medium like air flow, restricting design freedom and achieving controlled ion application, and often require large high-voltage sources due to inefficient ion distribution and turbulence.
Innovation Solution
A hair care device with an ionization device featuring a high-voltage source connected to an ionization electrode within an open-ended ionization chamber, allowing ions to escape freely and form a large-volume ion cloud, controlled by a counter-electrode, enabling efficient ion propagation without air flow and using smaller, low-energy high-voltage sources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If an ionization device is placed in an air flow to transport ions to hair, then ions can be delivered to hair, but the design freedom is restricted and the field of application is limited to air-flow generating devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the ionization device from the air flow path, placing it outside the hair dryer's air flow. The ionization electrode is positioned in the housing rather than in the air stream, allowing ion generation independent of air flow while still treating the hair effectively.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary magnetic field generated by a magnet to guide and concentrate ions toward the hair. This magnetic field acts as a mediator between the ionization electrode and the hair, enabling controlled ion delivery without requiring air flow as the transport medium.
2Productivity
If air flow is used as carrier medium for ion transport, then ions reach hair, but turbulence causes inadequate controlled application and ion loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical air flow system with a magnetic field system for ion transport and control. Instead of relying on turbulent air currents to carry ions, a magnetic field generated by a magnet precisely guides and concentrates ions onto the hair, providing reliable and controlled application.
3Ease of manufacture
If ionization tips are connected to high-voltage cable with parallel capacitances and resistances, then electrical connection is established, but voltage at ionization tip drops noticeably
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the ionization electrode from direct connection to the high-voltage cable, eliminating the parallel capacitances and resistances that cause voltage drop. The electrode is connected through a high-value resistor (1-100 MΩ) instead, which minimizes current draw and voltage loss while still providing effective electrical connection for ion generation.
4Use of energy by moving object
If large high-voltage sources are used to compensate for voltage drop, then sufficient voltage is available at ionization tip, but device dimensions and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the problematic parallel capacitances and resistances from the circuit by reconfiguring the electrical connection. By using a high-value series resistor instead of direct parallel connection, the system maintains sufficient voltage at the ionization tip without requiring oversized high-voltage sources, thereby reducing device size and energy consumption.
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 design enhances ion distribution efficiency, expands the device's applicability beyond air-flow dependent tools, and reduces production costs by allowing universal use in various hair care devices without the need for air flow, while maintaining effective ion neutralization and styling capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
at least one ionization device for generating air ionization
Implementation Method 2
ionization device for electrostatic discharge of hair
Implementation Method 3
a high-voltage source which is connected to the ionization device by means of at least one electrical conductor
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The invention relates to a hair-care appliance with at least one ionization device (17) for air-ionizing purposes. A high-voltage source (11) and at least one electric conductor (15) are provided for this purpose, the electric conductor connecting the at least one ionization device (17) to the high-voltage source (11). The free end of the conductor (15) is designed as an ionization electrode (12), which has at least one pointed region (18). The ionization electrode (12) is arranged within an ionization chamber (34; 38) which is designed in a sleeve-like manner and so as to be open on one side.