Plastic Ion Generator with Gold-Coated Copper Electrodes

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Solution Overview

Problem

Ion generators using ceramic materials face high manufacturing costs and corrosion concerns due to electrode oxidation.

Innovation Solution

An ion generator design featuring a plastic plate with a copper discharge electrode and a ground electrode, both coated with a gold metal layer, along with a photo catalyst coating, to prevent oxidation and enhance ion generation and sterilization capabilities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If ceramic material is used for the ion generator, then the structural stability is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases and corrosion resistance deteriorates due to electrode oxidation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidcorrosion resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a composite structure combining plastic substrate with metal-coated electrodes. The plastic plate provides structural stability while the gold coating on copper electrodes prevents oxidation, creating a composite material system that resolves the contradiction between structural integrity and corrosion resistance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces expensive ceramic materials with a more economical plastic substrate combined with protective metal coatings. This approach uses cost-effective materials (plastic and gold-coated copper) to achieve the required performance, reducing manufacturing cost while maintaining reliability through the protective coating system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Duration of action of stationary object

If ceramic material is used for the ion generator, then the durability is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovelifespanVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of stationary objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces expensive ceramic materials with a more economical plastic substrate combined with protective metal coatings. This approach uses cost-effective materials (plastic and gold-coated copper) to achieve the required performance, reducing manufacturing cost while maintaining reliability through the protective coating system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a composite structure combining plastic substrate with metal-coated electrodes. The plastic plate provides structural stability while the gold coating on copper electrodes prevents oxidation, creating a composite material system that resolves the contradiction between structural integrity and corrosion resistance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Reliability

If copper discharge electrode is used without metal coating, then the electrical conductivity is improved, but the oxidation resistance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoxidation resistanceVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a composite structure combining plastic substrate with metal-coated electrodes. The plastic plate provides structural stability while the gold coating on copper electrodes prevents oxidation, creating a composite material system that resolves the contradiction between structural integrity and corrosion resistance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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 reduces electrode oxidation, increases the lifespan of the ion generator, and enables effective sterilization and deodorization without a separate UV lamp, while being more cost-effective than ceramic-based designs.

Implementation Method 1

a metal coating layer coated on the copper discharge electrode

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOxidation prevention: Oxidation

Implementation Method 2

a copper discharge electrode formed on a first surface of the plastic plate, the copper discharge electrode having at least one discharge needle

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectIon generation: Ionisation

Implementation Method 3

When the high voltage generator applies a high voltage to the ion generating module, the ion generating module may generate either or both of negative ions and positive ions

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHigh voltage discharge: Corona Discharge

Implementation Method 4

enables effective sterilization and deodorization without a separate UV lamp

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhoto catalysis: Catalysis

Data Source

PatentEP3066728B1Ion generator and method of manufacturing the same
Publication Date: 2020.09.23 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP3066728B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3066728B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5
  • EP3066728B1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

The present invention comprises: a plastic plate; a copper discharge electrode formed on a first surface of the plastic plate, the copper discharge electrode having at least one discharge needle; a ground electrode formed on an opposite surface of the plastic plate; and a metal coating layer coated on the copper discharge electrode. Thus, reduced manufacturing costs and maximized lifespan are possible.