Vehicle Static Eliminator Using Triboelectric Charge Neutralization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle static eliminators require complex configurations and specialized materials, making them difficult to install in vehicles owned by users, and they often fail to effectively neutralize both positive and negative static electricity.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle static eliminator with a first zero potential member made of natural fibers and a negative charge member made of resin, which frictionally slides to generate and neutralize positive static electricity, and optionally includes a second zero potential member or antistatic resin to prevent negative static electricity discharge.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a ground wire and specialized charge members are used to neutralize static electricity, then static electricity elimination effectiveness is improved, but device complexity and installation difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestatic electricity elimination effectivenessVSAvoidconfiguration complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the ground wire connection requirement from the static eliminator system, allowing the negative charge member to generate and retain negative static electricity without needing to discharge to ground. This eliminates the complex grounding infrastructure while maintaining the core neutralization function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a dielectric member as an intermediary between the negative charge member and the vehicle body. This dielectric mediator allows the negative static electricity to neutralize positive static electricity on the vehicle body without requiring direct electrical connection or grounding, simplifying the overall system configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If specialized charge members are used to neutralize static electricity, then static electricity elimination effectiveness is improved, but ease of manufacture and material availability worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestatic electricity elimination effectivenessVSAvoidmaterial availability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the dielectric member serve multiple functions: it acts as an electrical insulator to prevent charge leakage, serves as a structural support for the negative charge member, and facilitates the neutralization process. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for specialized components, using only common materials available in ordinary vehicles.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the material parameters from specialized charge members requiring specific electrical properties to common materials where the dielectric properties of ordinary insulators (like plastic or rubber components already present in vehicles) are sufficient for the application, making manufacturing much easier and materials more available.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If only positive static electricity neutralization is implemented, then positive charge elimination is improved, but negative static electricity discharge control worsens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositive static electricity neutralizationVSAvoidnegative static electricity discharge

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the potentially harmful negative static electricity that accumulates on the negative charge member into a beneficial neutralizing agent. The accumulated negative charge is deliberately used to counterbalance positive static electricity on the vehicle body, transforming what could be a harmful discharge into a useful neutralization mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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 configuration allows for simple installation and effective neutralization of static electricity on vehicle bodies using common materials, reducing the impact of positive static electricity on vehicle systems and preventing negative static electricity discharge, thus ensuring the vehicle's operational integrity.

Implementation Method 1

a negative charge member that is layered on the first zero potential member so as to frictionally slide with respect to the first zero potential member and is charged with negative static electricity generated by sliding friction with the first zero potential member

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTriboelectric effect: Triboelectric Effect

Implementation Method 2

This configuration makes it possible to cause dielectric polarization of the first zero potential member and neutralize and eliminate negative static electricity charged on the negative charge member by using positive static electricity charged on the metal interior member

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDielectric polarization: Polarisation

Data Source

PatentUS20240260163A1Vehicle static eliminator and vehicle equipped with the same

Publication Date: 2024.08.01 TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK

AI summary

A vehicle static eliminator comprises a flannel fabric that indirectly contacts a back frame mounted on a vehicle body and has zero triboelectric potential, and a PTFE sheet that is layered on the flannel fabric so as to frictionally slide with the flannel fabric and charged with negative static electricity generated by sliding friction with the flannel fabric, to thereby neutralize and eliminate positive static electricity charged on the vehicle body.