Ozone Generator Fuse Conductor Volume Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ozone generation devices face challenges with large fuse sizes that hinder the reduction of the device's body container size, leading to decreased glass tube loading density and increased maintenance costs due to short fuse conductor lifetimes, which result in reduced ozone production and increased maintenance needs.
Innovation Solution
A current blocking element with a thin fuse conductor design, where the fuse conductors are connected to plate-shaped fixed electrodes with a high thermal conductivity adhesive, allowing for efficient heat dissipation and mechanical support, thereby suppressing mechanical stress and extending the fuse conductor's lifespan.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional fuse is used in the ozone generation device, then the short circuit protection function is achieved, but the fuse size is large which increases the device body container size and reduces glass tube loading density
Solution Approach 1:
The fuse conductor is designed with non-uniform cross-sectional area, being thinner at the center and thicker at the ends. This local quality variation allows the fuse to provide effective short circuit protection at the critical center region while minimizing the overall volume occupied by the fuse structure in the device body container.
Solution Approach 2:
The fuse conductor is designed as a thin-film structure with reduced cross-sectional area compared to conventional fuses. This thin-film approach maintains the protective function while significantly reducing the volume occupied by the fuse, thereby reducing the device body container size and increasing glass tube loading density.
2Volume of stationary object
If a thin fuse conductor is used to reduce device size, then the device body container size is reduced, but the fuse conductor lifetime is shortened due to increased mechanical stress and heat
Solution Approach 1:
The fuse conductor features non-uniform thickness with thicker regions at the ends and a thinner center region. The thicker end regions provide enhanced mechanical strength and heat dissipation capability where the conductor connects to electrodes, while the thinner center region minimizes volume. This local quality distribution resolves the contradiction between reducing device size and extending fuse conductor lifetime.
Solution Approach 2:
The fuse conductor is designed with increased cross-sectional area at the end regions before the critical failure points. This beforehand cushioning of mechanical stress and thermal load at the connection points prevents premature failure, thereby extending the fuse conductor lifetime while maintaining the overall thin-film structure for compact device size.
3Volume of stationary object
If the fuse conductor cross-sectional area is reduced to minimize volume, then the device size is reduced, but the heat dissipation capability is worsened leading to increased temperature and reduced reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The fuse conductor is designed with non-uniform cross-sectional area, featuring thicker end regions and a thinner center region. The thicker end regions provide enhanced heat dissipation capability at the connection points where heat generation is highest, while the thinner center region minimizes overall volume. This local quality variation resolves the contradiction between minimizing fuse conductor volume and maintaining adequate heat dissipation.
Solution Approach 2:
The cross-sectional area parameter of the fuse conductor is varied along its length rather than being uniform. By changing the cross-sectional area parameter from larger at the ends to smaller at the center, the design achieves optimal balance between heat dissipation (requiring larger area) and volume minimization (requiring smaller area).
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 enables the use of thinner discharge tubes, reduces the device's size, increases ozone generation efficiency, and decreases maintenance costs by enhancing the reliability and longevity of the current blocking element.
Implementation Method 1
the fuse conductors are connected to plate-shaped fixed electrodes with a high thermal conductivity adhesive, allowing for efficient heat dissipation
Implementation Method 2
A fuse conductor generates heat due to a current which flows during normal operation
Implementation Method 3
When a large short circuit current flows, the fuse conductor is melted and evaporated, and as a result, an arc discharge is generated
Implementation Method 4
an arc discharge is generated between a high voltage electrode and a ground metal electrode through the hole
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3
AI summary
An ozone generation device comprises a plurality of discharge tubes in which each discharge tube is constituted by a dielectric tube having a voltage applying electrode inside the dielectric tube and a ground metal electrode which is arranged so as to have a discharge gap between an inner surface of the ground metal electrode and an outer surface of the dielectric tube, and has a configuration in which gas containing oxygen is flown in the discharge gap, by applying an AC voltage from an AC power source to between the voltage applying electrode and the ground metal electrode, and the gas containing oxygen is discharged to be an ozonized gas. In an ozone generation device having the above mentioned configuration, a current blocking element, which has a configuration such that at each side of both ends of a fusing element having a configuration such that a fuse conductor which is melted by overcurrent is connected to both sides of an intermediate conductor, individually, a fixed electrode having plate shape is connected, and a plate surface of each fixed electrode is fixed to a surface of a base of a dielectric by a fixing material, is connected between an AC power source and each voltage applying electrode of a plurality of discharge tubes, individually.