Plasma Actuator Notched Edge for Active Oxygen Sterilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing active oxygen sterilization methods, such as those using UV light and ozone, face limitations in effectively reaching and maintaining active oxygen levels on the surface of objects due to ozone's high absorbance of UV light and the instability of active oxygen species, leading to sterilization performance comparable to conventional ozone methods rather than leveraging the higher sterilization capability of active oxygen.
Innovation Solution
An active oxygen supply device comprising a plasma actuator and an ozone decomposing device, where the plasma actuator generates a dielectric barrier discharge to produce ozone, which is then decomposed into active oxygen, enhancing its distribution and stability through a housing with a notched edge portion to increase flow rates and reach surfaces more efficiently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If UV light and ozone are used for sterilization, then sterilization capability is improved, but active oxygen cannot reach shadow portions and sterilization performance is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a plasma actuator as an intermediary device that generates active oxygen through dielectric barrier discharge. This active oxygen then acts as a mediator to sterilize shadow portions that UV light cannot reach, while ozone serves as another intermediary to enhance the overall sterilization capability. The combination of these intermediaries resolves the limitation of UV light coverage.
2Quantity of substance
If ozone is used to generate active oxygen through UV irradiation, then active oxygen is produced, but ozone absorbs UV light strongly reducing transmission and active oxygen stability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the sterilization process into distinct functional components: a plasma actuator for generating active oxygen through dielectric barrier discharge, and an ozone supply device for providing ozone. This segmentation allows each component to perform its function optimally without the negative interaction of ozone absorbing UV light, thereby maintaining active oxygen stability while ensuring sufficient generation.
3Device complexity
If conventional sterilization methods are used, then simplicity is maintained, but sterilization performance on all surfaces including shadow portions is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple sterilization mechanisms into a single integrated device: the plasma actuator for active oxygen generation, the ozone supply device for ozone provision, and the housing structure with specific flow path design. This combination achieves comprehensive sterilization performance on all surfaces while maintaining operational simplicity through unified device architecture.
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 reliably supplies active oxygen to surfaces, improving treatment efficiency by maintaining active oxygen in a stable state and effectively sterilizing surfaces that conventional methods may miss, thereby enhancing the sterilization capability beyond traditional ozone-based methods.
Implementation Method 1
the plasma actuator generates a dielectric barrier discharge directed from the first electrode to the second electrode
Implementation Method 2
a UV light source that irradiates the induced flow containing the ozone with UV light to generate the active oxygen in the induced flow
Implementation Method 3
a heating device that heats the induced flow containing the ozone to generate the active oxygen in the induced flow
Data Source
AI summary
This active oxygen supply device is provided with a plasma actuator and an ozone decomposition device both arranged in a housing having at least one opening, in which the plasma actuator includes a first electrode, a dielectric body and a second electrode which are stacked in this order, the first electrode is an exposed electrode and blows out an ozone-containing induction flow in a first direction, the ozone decomposition device decomposes the ozone contained in the induction flow to generate active oxygen, the induction flow is converted to an induction flow containing the active oxygen, the edge part of the first electrode has a notched part having a shape enabling the increase in the flow rate of the induction flow, and the ozone decomposition device is at least one device selected from the group consisting of an ultraviolet light source and a heating device.