Ozone Generator Electrode Assembly to Prevent Tube Electrode Exfoliation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Ozone generators face issues with heat generation and exfoliation of the voltage applied electrode from the dielectric tube due to contact resistance and thermal expansion coefficient differences, leading to reduced ozone generation efficiency and reliability.

Innovation Solution

A hardened material electrode made from electrically conductive adhesive is used, extending from the voltage applied electrode to the electricity feeding line, with a tip end fixed to the dielectric tube, preventing exfoliation and maintaining low electrical resistance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a conventional ozone generation device with a single electrode structure is used, then the device complexity is low, but the ozone generation efficiency and productivity are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveozone generation efficiencyVSAvoidelectrode structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The electrode structure is segmented into multiple electrodes (first electrode and second electrode) arranged alternately, with each electrode serving as an independent reaction site. This segmentation increases the total active surface area for ozone generation, thereby improving productivity without requiring a single overly complex electrode design

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from a single-plane electrode arrangement to a multi-dimensional alternating electrode structure where electrodes are positioned at different spatial locations. This dimensional arrangement increases the effective reaction volume and surface area available for ozone generation, enhancing productivity while maintaining manageable structural complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of manufacture

If the electrode structure is simplified for ease of manufacture, then the manufacturing precision and reliability of ozone generation are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrode assembly easeVSAvoidozone generation stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The electrode system is divided into separate, standardized electrode units that can be manufactured independently using conventional techniques. Each electrode segment is simple in design, facilitating ease of manufacture, while the collective arrangement of multiple segments ensures reliable and stable ozone generation through increased total active area

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The electrode design employs universal, standardized components that can be manufactured using common fabrication processes. The alternating electrode configuration provides multi-functionality by serving both as individual reaction sites and as a collective system, ensuring reliable performance while maintaining ease of manufacture through component standardization

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Use of energy by moving object

If energy consumption is reduced to lower operating costs, then the ozone generation power and productivity decrease

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperating energy consumptionVSAvoidozone generation output
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The electrical power input is distributed across multiple electrode segments rather than concentrated in a single high-power electrode. This segmentation allows the system to achieve high total ozone generation output through the cumulative effect of multiple lower-power reaction sites, improving productivity without requiring excessive energy consumption at any single point

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines multiple electrode reactions into a unified ozone generation system. By merging the output of several electrodes working in parallel, the system achieves high overall productivity while each individual electrode operates at moderate energy consumption levels, optimizing the balance between energy use and ozone generation output

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Productivity

If the treatment capacity is increased to handle larger water volumes, then the device complexity and space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewater treatment capacityVSAvoiddevice footprint
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The alternating electrode structure utilizes three-dimensional spatial arrangement to increase the effective treatment capacity. By stacking electrodes in alternating positions across multiple dimensions, the system achieves high water treatment capacity within a compact footprint, avoiding the need for proportional increases in device area

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The electrode structure employs a nested or interlaced arrangement where electrodes are positioned within the spatial envelope of the overall device in a space-efficient manner. This nesting approach allows multiple reaction surfaces to occupy overlapping or adjacent spatial regions, maximizing treatment capacity while minimizing the external device footprint

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

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 prevents exfoliation of the voltage applied electrode, ensuring a highly reliable ozone generator with improved ozone generation efficiency and extended lifespan by reducing heat-related issues and maintaining low electrical resistance.

Implementation Method 1

a power supply unit (220) configured to generate a high voltage alternating current

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHigh voltage alternating current:

Implementation Method 2

a treatment tank (200) configured to hold water and generate ozone in the water through electrical discharge

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical discharge:

Data Source

PatentEP3805151B1Ozone generation device
Publication Date: 2024.04.03 MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORP
  • EP3805151B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3805151B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3805151B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An ozone generator includes a main body container (12) which a source gas flows into and an ozonized gas flows out of, an electricity feeding line (14) which transmits an output of an alternating current power source (16) to an inside of the main body container, a grounded metal electrode (11) which is installed on an inside of the main body container and has a through hole (5b), a dielectric tube (1) which has an opened portion at one end and an blocked portion at another end, and is installed in the through hole of the grounded metal electrode, a voltage applied electrode (2) which is formed on an inner surface of the dielectric tube, and has an opening side end (2a), a hardened material electrode (9) which extends from the opening side end of the voltage applied electrode toward an electricity feeding line side, and is made from hardened material of electrically conductive adhesive, and an electricity feeding member (8) which connects the hardened material electrode with the electricity feeding line ; wherein the electricity feeding member includes an tip end (8x) which is fixed to the inner surface of the dielectric tube with the hardened material electrode, and the tip end of this electricity feeding member is disposed at a position which is separated with a space (d) from the opening side end of the voltage applied electrode.