Partial Breakdown Discharge Circuit for Radical Generation Efficiency

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing discharge devices experience a decrease in generation efficiency of active components due to high energy discharges, leading to the disappearance of radicals and reduced ozone production.

Innovation Solution

A voltage application device and discharge device that generate a partial breakdown discharge by forming a discharge path with a first and second dielectric breakdown region between the discharge electrode and counter electrode, using a voltage application circuit to intermittently change the application voltage and maintain a partial breakdown state, thereby enhancing the generation efficiency of active components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If a high energy discharge is applied to generate active components, then the amount of active components increases, but the generation efficiency of active components decreases due to disappearance of radicals

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveamount of active componentsVSAvoidgeneration efficiency of active components

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial breakdown discharge instead of complete breakdown discharge. By controlling the discharge to only partially break down the dielectric medium, the system generates sufficient active components while avoiding the excessive energy that causes radical disappearance. This is achieved by limiting the discharge intensity to a level that creates dielectric breakdown regions without fully ionizing the entire discharge path.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the discharge mode parameter from complete breakdown to partial breakdown. This parameter change fundamentally alters the energy distribution in the discharge, creating a state where active components are generated efficiently without the harmful effects of excessive energy. The voltage application circuit is controlled to maintain the discharge in this specific parameter regime.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Quantity of substance

If complete breakdown discharge is used to generate active components, then radicals are generated, but radicals disappear due to excessive energy and generation efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveamount of radicalsVSAvoidenergy loss due to radical disappearance

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent deliberately uses partial breakdown discharge, which is less intense than complete breakdown discharge. This partial action is sufficient to generate the required radicals but does not create the excessive energy conditions that lead to radical disappearance. The discharge is controlled to affect only the necessary regions without over-ionizing the medium.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Quantity of substance

If high energy discharge is applied to improve active component generation, then more active components are produced, but ozone production increases beyond desired levels

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveamount of active componentsVSAvoidozone production

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the discharge parameter from high energy complete breakdown to lower energy partial breakdown. This parameter change creates a new operating regime where the energy is sufficient to generate active components through dielectric breakdown regions but insufficient to produce excessive ozone. The voltage application circuit maintains this specific parameter range.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 improves the generation efficiency of active components, such as radicals, compared to corona and complete breakdown discharges, while maintaining ozone production at levels similar to corona discharges, and reduces the disappearance of radicals due to excessive energy.

Implementation Method 1

a discharge path that is partially and dielectrically broken between the discharge electrode and the counter electrode... The discharge path includes a first dielectric breakdown region formed around the discharge electrode, and a second dielectric breakdown region formed around the counter electrode

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDielectric breakdown: Avalanche Breakdown

Implementation Method 2

a liquid is supplied to the discharge electrode by a liquid supply unit. Therefore, the liquid is electrostatically atomized by a discharge, and a nanometer-sized charged fine particle liquid containing radicals inside is generated

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrostatic atomization: Electrostatic Discharge

Data Source

PatentUS11786922B2Voltage application device and discharge device

Publication Date: 2023.10.17 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO LTD

AI summary

A voltage application device includes a voltage application circuit. The voltage application circuit applies application voltage between discharge electrode and counter electrode which face each other with a clearance left from each other to generate a discharge. The voltage application device forms discharge path partially and dielectrically broken between discharge electrode and counter electrode when a discharge is generated. Discharge path includes first dielectric breakdown region formed around discharge electrode, and second dielectric breakdown region formed around counter electrode.