Water Ion Electrode With Absorption Body for Cooling-Free Ionization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional water ion generation devices rely on condensation of water on the discharge electrode, which requires active cooling and contradicts the need for both air heating and local cooling in personal care appliances, making them challenging to design and costly to manufacture.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a water absorption body with a material that absorbs water at temperatures below its threshold and releases it above, allowing for water ionization by a pin-shaped discharge electrode when the appliance is in use, eliminating the need for active cooling units like Peltier elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a Peltier cooling element is used to cool the discharge electrode and promote water condensation, then water supply to the discharge electrode is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the Peltier cooling element from the system. Instead of using active cooling to promote water condensation, the patent uses a hydrophilic coating on the discharge electrode that passively absorbs water from the air through capillary action and humidity-dependent adsorption, thereby simplifying the device structure while maintaining water supply functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The discharge electrode with hydrophilic coating serves itself by automatically absorbing water from the surrounding air through its hygroscopic properties. The coating material naturally regulates water absorption and release based on ambient humidity levels, eliminating the need for external cooling units or active water supply mechanisms.
2Quantity of substance
If active cooling is used to cool the discharge electrode, then water condensation is promoted, but ease of manufacture deteriorates due to additional cooling components
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the active cooling subsystem (Peltier element, heat sink, fan) from the manufacturing process. The simplified discharge electrode structure with hydrophilic coating can be manufactured using standard electrode fabrication techniques followed by coating application, significantly reducing manufacturing complexity and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the operational parameters from active cooling (temperature-controlled condensation) to passive humidity-based water absorption. The hydrophilic coating's water uptake is driven by ambient humidity levels rather than controlled cooling, allowing the system to adapt to varying environmental conditions without additional manufacturing complexity.
3Reliability
If cooling units are integrated into personal care appliances for water ionization, then water ion generation is enabled, but device complexity increases conflicting with heating functionality
Solution Approach 1:
The discharge electrode with hydrophilic coating serves multiple functions: it generates water ions through high voltage discharge and simultaneously acts as a humidity sensor and water reservoir. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate cooling units, allowing seamless integration of water ionization into personal care appliances that also perform heating functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The hydrophilic coating on the discharge electrode automatically regulates water supply based on ambient humidity conditions, enabling the water ionization function to self-adjust without requiring additional control systems or cooling mechanisms. This self-regulating behavior simplifies the overall appliance architecture while maintaining reliable ion generation.
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 solution enables efficient water ionization in personal care appliances by using ambient temperature water absorption during non-use periods and releasing it during operation, aligning with heating functionality, thus simplifying design and reducing manufacturing costs.
Implementation Method 1
at least one absorption body (14, 15) comprising water absorption material that is configured to absorb water from the air at temperatures below an absorption threshold and to release water to the air at temperatures above the absorption threshold
Implementation Method 2
at least one absorption body (14, 15) comprising water absorption material that is configured to absorb water from the air at temperatures below an absorption threshold and to release water to the air at temperatures above the absorption threshold
Implementation Method 3
an electrode arrangement (11) configured to perform an ionizing action on water in the air for generating water ions, the electrode arrangement including a discharge electrode (12) and an electric circuit configured to apply a high voltage to the discharge electrode (12)
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~6
AI summary
:In the context of water ion generation, it is advantageous to apply water absorption material that is configured to absorb water from the air at temperatures below an absorption threshold and to release water to the air at temperatures above the absorption threshold. In view thereof, a water ion generation device (10) is provided that comprises at least one absorption body (14) comprising such material, and that further comprises an electrode arrangement (11) configured to perform an ionizing action on water in the air for generating water ions, the electrode arrangement (11) including a discharge electrode (12) and an electric circuit configured to apply a high voltage to the discharge electrode (12), wherein the discharge electrode (12) is generally shaped like a pin and the absorption body (14) is arranged in the vicinity of a tip portion (12a) of the discharge electrode (12).