Multi-Sectional Linear Ionizing Bar for Flat Panel Display Neutralization
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional static neutralization systems for the Flat Panel Display (FPD) industry face challenges including high costs, inefficient charge neutralization, contamination of ionizers, and unacceptably long discharge times due to complex designs and high maintenance requirements, particularly with wire emitters prone to sagging and vibration.
Innovation Solution
A multi-sectional linear ionizing bar design featuring an axis-defining linear ion emitter with a reference electrode and a gas manifold that delivers ionized gas tangentially to the ion cloud, reducing gas flow into the plasma region and minimizing wire vibration, along with detachable ionization cells and spring tensioning contacts for reduced maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional bar type ionization cells with multiple emitter points are used, then charge neutralization can be achieved, but the system cost and maintenance complexity increase due to multiple connectors and complicated air delivery systems
Solution Approach 1:
The ionization cell is divided into multiple detachable sections, each with its own emitter and air delivery components. This segmentation allows independent maintenance and replacement of individual sections without shutting down the entire system, reducing maintenance complexity while maintaining charge neutralization effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The manifold design provides universal air delivery to multiple emitters through a single integrated structure. The manifold can be configured to serve different emitter arrangements and patterns, reducing the need for custom-designed air delivery systems for each specific application.
2Device complexity
If wire emitters are used in linear ionizers, then a simpler design is achieved, but wire sagging and vibration problems occur requiring intermediate supports
Solution Approach 1:
The wire emitter is pre-tensioned using spring-loaded tensioning mechanisms before operation. This preliminary tensioning action compensates for thermal expansion and mechanical stress during operation, maintaining wire position stability without requiring intermediate supports.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a single long wire emitter that is prone to sagging, the design uses multiple shorter wire segments arranged in parallel. Each segment is independently tensioned and positioned, achieving the same ionization effect while eliminating sagging and vibration problems.
3Speed
If high velocity air streams are used to blow ions off linear wire emitters, then ion delivery speed increases, but wire vibration and contamination are accelerated
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful effect of high velocity air directly impacting the wire emitter is eliminated by extracting the air flow path from the wire vicinity. The design positions air inlets and outlets to create flow paths that do not intersect with the wire emitter, removing the source of vibration and contamination while maintaining ion delivery speed through optimized electrode geometry.
Solution Approach 2:
Electric field lines are used as an intermediary mechanism to transfer ions from the emitter to the target object without requiring direct high velocity air flow. The enhanced electric field configuration accelerates ions through the discharge region, achieving fast ion delivery without the mechanical disturbance caused by high velocity air streams.
4Reliability
If multiple emitter points are used in traditional ionization cells, then charge neutralization coverage is improved, but cleaning and maintenance costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The ionization cell is divided into multiple detachable sections, each containing one or more emitters. Individual sections can be quickly removed and cleaned or replaced without affecting other sections, dramatically improving maintenance accessibility while maintaining comprehensive charge neutralization coverage through the distributed emitter arrangement.
Solution Approach 2:
The design allows emitters to be easily replaced rather than cleaned, as each emitter is a relatively simple component. Worn or contaminated emitters can be quickly swapped out for new ones, reducing maintenance time and cost while ensuring consistent charge neutralization performance across all emitter points.
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 charge neutralization efficiency, reduces maintenance costs, and minimizes contamination, providing a more reliable and cost-effective solution for FPD applications by directing a bipolar ionized stream efficiently and reducing wire vibration and contamination.
Implementation Method 1
at least one ionization cell with at least one ion emitter for establishing an ion cloud in response to the application of an ionizing voltage thereto
Implementation Method 2
a reference electrode for presenting an electric field within the ion cloud in response to receipt of a non-ionizing voltage being applied to the reference electrode, the electric field inducing ions to leave the ion cloud
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
A multi-sectional linear ionizing bar (10) with at least four elements is disclosed. First, disclosed bars may include at least one ionization cell (16) with at least one axis-defining linear ion emitter (20) for establishing an ion cloud (22) along the length thereof. Second, disclosed bars (10) may include at least one reference electrode (32a, 32b). Third, disclosed bars (10) may include a manifold (24) for receiving gas or air from a source and for delivering same past the linear emitter(s) (20) such that substantially none of the gas/air flows into the ion cloud (22). Fourth, disclosed bars (10) may include means (20a, 20b) for receiving the ionizing voltage and for delivering same to the linear emitter(s) (20) to thereby establish the ion cloud (22). In this way, disclosed ionizing bars (10) may transport ions from the plasma region toward a charge neutralization target without inducing substantial vibration of the linear emitter (20)and without substantial contaminants from the gas/air flow reaching the linear emitter (20).