Home Plasma Sterilizer Electrode Segmentation and Catalytic Gas Removal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional plasma sterilizers face issues with electrode degradation due to excessive energy concentration, leading to high heat generation and reduced sterilization efficiency, while existing methods like high-temperature steam and UV sterilization pose risks or inefficiencies.

Innovation Solution

A home plasma sterilizer design featuring multiple plasma electrode modules with dielectric substrates, a catalytic filter for harmful gas removal, and a power control unit that distributes power sequentially to prevent overheating and ensure continuous plasma generation, using a catalyst composition of 18-26 mol% copper oxide and 74-82 mol% manganese dioxide.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If high-voltage current is successively applied to a single plasma generation electrode to increase sterilization effect, then sterilization performance is improved, but excessive energy concentrates on the electrode causing high heat generation and accelerated chemical reactions that degrade the electrode

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesterilization effectVSAvoidelectrode lifespan

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The single plasma generation electrode is divided into multiple plasma generation electrodes (at least two). Each electrode receives high-voltage current in alternating cycles, distributing the energy load across multiple electrodes. This segmentation prevents excessive energy concentration on any single electrode, reducing heat generation and chemical reaction damage while maintaining continuous plasma generation for effective sterilization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

High-voltage current is applied to the plasma generation electrodes in periodic alternating cycles rather than continuously to a single electrode. This periodic action allows each electrode to experience plasma generation followed by a rest period during which it can cool down and recover, preventing cumulative heat damage and extending electrode lifespan while maintaining overall sterilization effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

2Productivity

If high-temperature steam sterilization is used, then sterilization effectiveness is improved, but risk of user burns increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesterilization effectivenessVSAvoiduser burn risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The mechanical thermal sterilization method (high-temperature steam) is replaced with a plasma-based sterilization method. Plasma generation electrodes produce plasma that sterilizes household items through chemical reactions and ionization rather than high temperature. This substitution maintains sterilization effectiveness while eliminating the burn risk associated with high-temperature steam, making the sterilizer safer for home use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of operation

If ultraviolet ray sterilization is used, then simplicity of operation is improved, but dead zones are generated reducing sterilization effect and extending sterilization time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimplicity of operationVSAvoidsterilization effect

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

Ultraviolet ray sterilization is replaced with plasma generation sterilization. The plasma generation electrodes produce plasma that can penetrate and sterilize items more uniformly without creating dead zones. This substitution maintains ease of operation while significantly improving sterilization effectiveness by eliminating the limitations of UV ray penetration and shadowing effects.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

This design extends the lifespan of the sterilizer, enhances sterilization performance, and allows for effective removal of harmful gases at a lower cost, with improved ozone decomposition rates.

Implementation Method 1

plasma electrode modules configured to generate plasma in order to sterilize a household item

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPlasma: Plasma

Implementation Method 2

a catalytic filter that is intended to remove harmful gas inside the sterilization chamber

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCatalysis: Catalysis

Data Source

PatentUS11344642B2Home plasma sterilizer

Publication Date: 2022.05.31 APROKOREA INC

AI summary

The following disclosure relates to a home plasma sterilizer that sterilizes household items in a home by using plasma. According to an embodiment, there is provided a home plasma sterilizer including: a plurality of plasma electrode modules configured to generate plasma in order to sterilize a sterilization target object inside a sterilization chamber; a harmful gas removal unit configured to communicate with the sterilization chamber, and provided with a catalytic filter that is intended to remove harmful gas inside the sterilization chamber; a power supply unit configured to supply power to the plasma electrode modules; and a control unit configured to control the supply of power by the power supply unit; wherein the control unit performs control so that the plurality of plasma electrode modules is sequentially supplied with power at predetermined cycles but the supply of power is continuous as a whole.