Wire Electrode Ionizer Asymmetric Diameter Ozone Suppression

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ionizers with needle electrodes suffer from performance degradation due to intense electric fields, leading to unbalanced ion generation and excessive ozone production when attempting to increase ion output.

Innovation Solution

A wire electrode type ionizer with a DC or pulse DC system, featuring parallel positive and negative wire electrodes of different diameters, where the negative wire electrode is larger than the positive one, to maintain ionic balance and suppress ozone generation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If high voltage is applied to a needle electrode to increase ion generation amount, then ion generation amount increases, but the electric field becomes so intense that ozone generation is facilitated and electrode deterioration occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveion generation amountVSAvoidozone generation

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The single needle electrode is segmented into multiple wire electrodes (positive and negative wires) arranged in parallel. This segmentation distributes the ion generation across multiple electrodes, reducing the electric field intensity at each individual electrode while maintaining overall ion generation output. The patent specifies using multiple thin wires instead of a single thick needle to achieve this effect.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs asymmetric configuration where the positive and negative wire electrodes have different diameters. The negative wire has a larger diameter than the positive wire, creating asymmetric electric field distribution that balances the ion generation between positive and negative ions. This asymmetric design compensates for the different ion mobility and generation characteristics of positive and negative ions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

2Quantity of substance

If high voltage is applied to a needle electrode to increase ion generation amount, then ion generation amount increases, but the electrode is likely to be deteriorated thus degrading performance for long-term use

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveion generation amountVSAvoidelectrode durability

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The single needle electrode is segmented into multiple wire electrodes (positive and negative wires) arranged in parallel. This segmentation distributes the ion generation across multiple electrodes, reducing the electric field intensity at each individual electrode while maintaining overall ion generation output. The patent specifies using multiple thin wires instead of a single thick needle to achieve this effect.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the geometric parameters of the electrodes from a single thick needle to multiple thin wires with specific diameter ratios. By optimizing the wire diameters (negative wire larger than positive wire) and spacing, the electric field intensity is reduced to below the ozone generation threshold while maintaining sufficient ion generation capability for long-term reliable operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Quantity of substance

If AC voltage is applied to a single wire electrode to generate positive and negative ions alternately, then ion generation occurs, but the ionic balance is disturbed because negative and positive ion generation amounts become different

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveion generationVSAvoidionic balance

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs asymmetric configuration where the positive and negative wire electrodes have different diameters. The negative wire has a larger diameter than the positive wire, creating asymmetric electric field distribution that balances the ion generation between positive and negative ions. This asymmetric design compensates for the different ion mobility and generation characteristics of positive and negative ions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from temporal alternation (AC voltage switching between positive and negative) to spatial parallelism (simultaneous positive and negative wire electrodes). This dimensional change allows both positive and negative ions to be generated simultaneously in different spatial locations, enabling independent optimization of each electrode's parameters to achieve ionic balance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 enhances ion generation while preventing ozone production, thereby extending the maintenance interval and ensuring balanced ion production without increasing voltage.

Implementation Method 1

applying positive and negative high voltages to a discharge electrode to generate a corona discharge

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCorona discharge: Corona Discharge

Data Source

PatentUS8174814B2Wire electrode type ionizer

Publication Date: 2012.05.08 SMC CORP

AI summary

An ionizer includes positive and negative wire electrodes each formed of a conductive wire with a circular cross section. The wire electrodes are arranged in parallel with each other, each having circumferential surfaces serving as a discharge surface on which a corona discharge occurs upon application of positive and negative high voltages for discharging positive and negative ions.