Piezoelectric Plasma Device Segmentation and Pulsed Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for generating non-thermal atmospheric pressure plasma often have limited service life due to damage from irritating gases like ozone, and they lack effective safety measures for user protection.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising a first housing for a piezoelectric transformer and a second housing for a drive circuit, where the control circuit applies input voltage to the transformer in a pulsed mode to limit ozone generation, and the housings are spatially separated to minimize gas exchange and protect the control circuit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the piezoelectric transformer and drive circuit are integrated in the same housing, then the device structure is simpler, but the control circuit is damaged by irritating gases like ozone, reducing service life
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into two separate housings: the first housing contains the piezoelectric transformer and generates plasma, while the second housing contains the drive circuit and control elements. This spatial segmentation prevents irritating gases like ozone generated in the first housing from damaging the control circuit in the second housing, thereby extending service life while maintaining relatively simple device structure.
2Productivity
If the piezoelectric transformer operates continuously, then productivity is higher, but ozone generation increases to harmful levels
Solution Approach 1:
The timing circuit controls the piezoelectric transformer to operate in pulsed mode, applying input voltage for a predefined period and then pausing for a predefined interval. This periodic operation allows plasma generation productivity while limiting ozone accumulation to harmless levels during the pause intervals, preventing harmful ozone buildup.
3Device complexity
If the control circuit is placed in the first housing with the piezoelectric transformer, then device complexity is reduced, but the control circuit is exposed to high-intensity electric fields and irritating gases
Solution Approach 1:
The control circuit is extracted from the first housing and placed in a separate second housing. This extraction removes the control circuit from the harmful environment of high-intensity electric fields and irritating gases generated by the piezoelectric transformer, protecting sensitive electronic components while maintaining manageable device complexity through modular housing design.
4Productivity
If plasma generation is operated without pause intervals, then productivity is maximized, but user safety is compromised due to high concentration of irritating gases
Solution Approach 1:
The timing circuit implements mandatory pause intervals during which the piezoelectric transformer stops generating plasma. These periodic pauses allow irritating gases to dissipate, reducing their concentration to safe levels for user exposure while maintaining acceptable productivity through continuous cyclic operation. The pause intervals serve both safety and ozone limitation functions.
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 device achieves a long service life by preventing damage from irritating gases and enhances user safety by isolating the control circuit from harmful gases and electric fields, allowing for safe operation in various environments.
Implementation Method 1
The non-thermal atmospheric pressure plasma will be generated using a piezoelectric transformer
Implementation Method 2
In the output region of the piezoelectric transformer, high-intensity electric fields can be generated during plasma generation
Implementation Method 3
The control circuit has a timing circuit that applies the input voltage to the piezoelectric transformer for a predefined period of time and that does not apply any input voltage to the piezoelectric transformer during a predefined pause interval
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~7
AI summary
The invention relates to a device for producing a non-thermal atmospheric pressure plasma, having a first housing (11), in which a piezoelectric transformer (1) is arranged, and a second housing (15), in which a control circuit (14) is arranged, which is designed to apply an input voltage to the piezoelectric transformer (1). According to a further aspect, the invention relates to an active space, which comprises the device and a dense gas volume or a non-dense gas volume.