Water Ion Electrode Layout Using Moisture-Release Absorption Body
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional water ion generation devices rely on condensation of water on the discharge electrode, which complicates the design of personal care appliances that require both air heating and local cooling, and often use active cooling units like Peltier elements.
Innovation Solution
A water ion generation device using an absorption body with water absorption 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.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a Peltier cooling unit is used to cool the discharge electrode and promote water condensation, then water supply to the discharge electrode is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the Peltier cooling unit from the device structure. Instead of using active cooling to promote condensation, the patent relies on passive condensation from ambient air moisture, thereby removing the complex cooling subsystem while maintaining water supply functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The discharge electrode performs self-cooling and self-supply of water through passive condensation from ambient air. The electrode structure itself facilitates water accumulation from atmospheric moisture without requiring external active cooling systems, enabling the system to serve itself.
2Quantity of substance
If a Peltier cooling unit is used to cool the discharge electrode, then water condensation is promoted, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The expensive Peltier cooling unit is removed from the design. The patent achieves water condensation passively using ambient air moisture, eliminating the need for costly active cooling components and simplifying manufacturing.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces expensive active cooling components with simple, inexpensive passive condensation structures. The discharge electrode design itself facilitates water accumulation from air moisture without requiring costly auxiliary cooling systems.
3Quantity of substance
If the discharge electrode is cooled to promote water condensation, then water supply is improved, but the appliance requires both heating and cooling functions increasing complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The local cooling function is extracted and removed from the appliance. The patent achieves water condensation without active cooling, allowing the appliance to maintain only heating functionality while still providing water ionization through passive condensation from ambient air.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating element serves dual purposes: it provides the intended heating function and simultaneously creates temperature conditions that promote passive water condensation on the discharge electrode. This eliminates the need for separate cooling functionality.
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
Enables efficient water ionization in personal care appliances by utilizing ambient air moisture during non-operational periods and releasing it during operation, simplifying the design and reducing manufacturing costs by eliminating the need for active cooling.
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
Implementation Method 2
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
Data Source
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).