Cold Atmospheric Plasma Activation With Distance-Sensing Actuator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional plasma devices for treating surfaces, such as textiles and clothing, face issues with safety, efficiency, and environmental impact due to high voltage requirements, large size, toxicity, and the need for frequent operation, which can lead to misuse and material damage.
Innovation Solution
A compact, portable plasma device with a technically simple and reliable actuator that activates the plasma source only when within a predetermined distance from the surface to be treated, using sensors and preloaded elements to ensure safe and efficient operation, and includes features like speed and surface property monitoring to prevent damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional plasma devices are operated at high voltage amplitudes for efficient plasma generation, then plasma generation efficiency is improved, but electrical safety risks and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic control of the plasma device through motion sensors that detect the distance between the device and the surface. The plasma is activated only when the device is within a predetermined distance range, creating a dynamic safety mechanism that adapts to operating conditions. This resolves the contradiction by enabling efficient plasma generation only under safe operating conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs feedback mechanisms through motion sensors and microcontrollers that continuously monitor the device-surface distance and control plasma activation accordingly. This feedback loop ensures that high voltage is applied only when safety conditions are met, resolving the contradiction between productivity and safety risks.
2Productivity
If conventional plasma devices are designed with high power for effective treatment, then treatment effectiveness is improved, but device size and portability worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operational parameters by using pulsed plasma activation controlled by motion detection rather than continuous high power operation. This allows the device to maintain treatment effectiveness when needed while reducing overall power consumption and device size for portability.
3Ease of operation
If plasma is activated without distance control, then ease of operation is improved, but material damage and safety hazards increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service safety control where the device automatically detects its own position relative to the surface and controls plasma activation accordingly. The motion sensors and microcontroller create a self-regulating system that prevents material damage without requiring user intervention, maintaining ease of operation while eliminating harmful effects.
4Productivity
If chemical processes like ozone are used to eliminate odors, then odor elimination effectiveness is improved, but toxicity and environmental harm worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses plasma-generated reactive oxygen species and other reactive chemical bonds as strong oxidants to eliminate odor-causing bacteria and molecules. This approach achieves effective odor elimination through accelerated oxidation without introducing toxic substances like ozone, resolving the contradiction between productivity and harmful factors.
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 ensures safe and efficient application of cold atmospheric plasma, reducing emissions and preventing material damage, while being user-friendly and environmentally friendly, allowing for effective odor elimination and surface treatment without the need for frequent operation.
Implementation Method 1
a plasma source (104) for applying a cold atmospheric plasma to a surface to be treated
Implementation Method 2
The plasma device (100) is configured to enable the activation of the plasma source (104) only if a distance between the plasma source (104) and the surface to be treated lies within a predefined distance
Implementation Method 3
the actuator (913) has an adjustable and preloaded actuator element (914) with at least one activation element (915)
Data Source
AI summary
A plasma device applies cold atmospheric plasma to a surface to be treated, in particular to textiles, leather and/or plastic fibers. An actuator activates a plasma source, provided that a distance between the plasma source and the surface to be treated is less than a predetermined distance. The actuator has an adjustable and pre-loaded actuator element with at least one activation element and has a recording apparatus that records the position of the actuator element at least when the distance between the plasma source and the surface to be treated is less than the predetermined distance. The plasma device makes it possible to avoid risks owing to incorrect operation by the client and to avoid emissions, since the plasma source is activated only when the distance from the item to be treated (e.g., clothing to be cleaned) is less than the predetermined threshold distance.