EP4256909A1

EP4256909A1 - Plasma device

Info

Publication number: EP4256909A1
Application number: EP21815154.6A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Piotr Cyran; Florian Michl; Tobias Wende
Original assignee: BSH Hausgeraete GmbH
Current assignee: BSH Hausgeraete GmbH
Priority date: 2020-12-01
Filing date: 2021-11-16
Publication date: 2023-10-11
Also published as: WO2022117330A1; DE102020215106A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a plasma device (1) for treating surfaces, more particularly surfaces of textiles, the plasma device comprising a housing (4). Furthermore, a spring-loaded plasma source (5) movable between a first end position and a second end position is disposed in the housing (4), which plasma source protrudes beyond the housing (4) in the first end position and is at least partly retracted into the housing (4) in the second end position. The plasma source (5) is guided in a housing opening (10) and on a housing inner part (11) so that smooth movement of the plasma source (5) between its first and second end positions can be ensured.

Description

PLASMA DEVICE

The present invention relates to a plasma device for treating surfaces, in particular textiles, according to the preamble of claim 1.

A generic plasma device with an activation device of a plasma source is known from DE 10 2018 213 143 A1, the plasma source being constructed in such a way that it only generates plasma when a detection means detects an enabled state. The plasma source is arranged in an adjustable manner in the housing and protrudes, under the action of a spring, from a housing opening on the bottom side. When the housing is depressed, the plasma source is activated. The plasma source itself is guided in the opening at the bottom and is preloaded by springs that are operatively connected to a housing cover. By applying a force from above, the plasma source is at least partially moved into the housing and thereby activated.

DE 10 2018 213 144 A1 discloses a user guidance device for a plasma source with at least one electrode for generating a plasma for treating a surface, having a detection means that detects the current speed of movement of the plasma source over the surface to be treated, a comparison means that calculates the current compares movement speed with a predetermined optimal movement speed, an output means that outputs information as to whether the current movement speed agrees with the predetermined optimal movement speed or not. In this way, it should be possible to offer a user guidance device with which a user is guided in an intuitive and simple manner to move the plasma source over a surface at an optimal treatment speed.

DE 10 2011 100 751 A1 discloses a plasma device for inactivating preferably odor-relevant molecules and thus for refreshing surfaces, for example on textiles. The plasma device has a housing as well as an associated plasma source and at least one spacer means which is therefor ensures that a predefined distance is maintained between the plasma source and a surface to be treated, at which distance molecules attached to the surface to be treated can be inactivated by electrons in the plasma.

EP 3 183 993 A1 discloses an epilator for removing body hair, the epilator comprising a body and a plucking cylinder for plucking hair, which can be rotated about an axis of rotation, the plucking cylinder being mounted in or on the body in such a way that it can be moved back and forth with respect to the body between an extended position and a retracted position.

A disadvantage of the plasma device known from the prior art is that the plasma source can become jammed in the bottom opening of the housing when the plasma device is relieved, whereupon it is not deactivated and remains in the activated state. As a result, plasma would be permanently emitted in an undesired manner, as a result of which not only would an energy store of the plasma device be empty comparatively quickly, but damage could also occur to surfaces on which the plasma source is placed when not in use.

The present invention is therefore concerned with the problem of specifying an improved or at least an alternative embodiment for a plasma device of the generic type, which in particular overcomes the disadvantages known from the prior art.

This problem is solved according to the invention by the subject matter of independent claim 1 . Advantageous embodiments are the subject matter of the dependent claims.

The present invention is based on the general idea of ensuring automatic deactivation of a plasma device when it is relieved by a plasma source that is adjustably arranged and spring-loaded in a housing of the plasma device being guided extremely smoothly and thus without tilting. The plasma device according to the invention for treating surfaces, for example for treating textiles, has a housing in which the aforementioned prestressed and between a first end position and a second End position adjustable plasma source is arranged. In the first end position, the plasma source protrudes beyond the housing and is in its non-use state, i.e. in its deactivated state, while in the second end position it is at least partially adjusted into the housing and is therefore in its use state, i.e. a plasma-generating and output state. In order to be able to ensure a particularly smooth adjustment of the plasma source between its first and second end position, the plasma source is guided on the one hand in a housing opening and on the other hand on an inner part of the housing, whereby a smooth translatory adjustment possibility can be created, which also reduces the risk of tilting and thus a Remaining of the plasma source in its activated state, ie in its second end position, reliably excludes. A first bearing point for the plasma source is thus provided by the housing opening or an edge thereof, while a second bearing point is arranged on the inner part of the housing. With the mounting according to the invention via two mounting points, a significant reduction in the risk of tilting and thus the risk of the plasma source not being switched off can be achieved in comparison to the plasma source known from the prior art and mounted only via the housing opening. In addition, with the mounting according to the invention, the plasma source can be easily adjusted in the long term and thus an increase in comfort and an increase in user-friendliness can be created. These advantages come into play in particular in a textile treatment plasma device.

In an advantageous development of the solution according to the invention, the housing inner part is a main circuit board. A main circuit board of this type, on which electronic components of the plasma device are usually arranged, in particular for controlling them, can therefore also take on a bearing point for mounting the plasma source in addition to its actual function as a component carrier. As a result, the main board can experience a functional expansion.

The plasma source is expediently held in a holding frame which has four arms spaced apart from one another. The plasma source itself has an elongated plateau area with an electrode and a ceramic substrate surrounding it, via which plasma can be generated when the plasma device is in use or can be emitted onto the surface to be treated or the textile to be treated. In the holding frame the plasma source itself is arranged, with the holding frame enclosing the plasma source with its elongated plateau surface and thereby running between the plasma source or the plateau surface and an edge of the housing opening. The holding frame also has four arms spaced apart from one another, via which the holding frame and thus indirectly also the plasma source are guided on the inner part of the housing. A holding frame of this type can be designed, for example, as a high-precision and nevertheless cost-effective plastic injection-molded part and can be connected to the plasma source by a simple clip connection.

The inner part of the housing expediently has four openings through which the holding frame extends with its arms. In this case, the holding frame is guided on the housing inner part via its arms guided in the four openings of the housing inner part, so that the openings form the second bearing point and the housing opening forms the first bearing point for the holding frame and thus indirectly also for the plasma source. Due to the fact that the housing inner part is connected to the housing, for example glued, clipped or screwed, there is an operative connection between the housing and the housing inner part and thus between the two bearing points, as a result of which only very small tolerance deviations occur. By reducing possible tolerance deviations, jam-free guiding of the holding frame and thus also of the plasma source between the first and second end positions can be guaranteed.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the solution according to the invention, the housing opening is in the form of a slot and has a width B1, the arms having a spacing B2 in the width direction which is greater than the width B1. This can ensure that the holding frame does not jam in the housing or in the openings of the inner part of the housing even if a force acts laterally or off-centre on the plateau surface of the plasma source, resulting in an extremely robust, smooth-running adjustment option for the holding frame and thus the Plasma source can be provided.

In an advantageous development of the solution according to the invention, the arms are angled, with a first arm section extending in the width direction of the elongated plateau surface and a first arm section extending at right angles thereto into the interior of the housing extending second section. The arms thus protrude from the holding frame in the manner of spider legs, as a result of which the respective second sections of the arms have the greater distance B2 in the width direction compared to the width B1 of the housing opening. Arms angled in this way can be produced comparatively easily with a corresponding plastic injection molding tool.

In an advantageous development of the solution according to the invention, a query device is provided, via which an actual position of the holding frame and thus indirectly also an actual position of the plasma source can be queried. An operating state of the plasma source can thus also be queried indirectly via the actual position of the holding frame, since this is preferably only activated and generates plasma if it is in its second end position. Such a query device can be a simple switch, for example, which is actuated, in particular switched on, when the second end position is reached by an arm of the holding frame or by the holding frame itself. If the plasma device is lifted from the surface to be treated, springs move the plasma source back from the second end position to the first end position via its holding frame, as a result of which the switch and thus the plasma source are switched off.

An opening which interacts with the interrogation device can expediently be provided on at least one second arm section. For example, it is conceivable that the interrogation device is designed in the form of a light barrier, which is not interrupted if the opening of the second arm section does not impede a light beam and in which the light beam is interrupted if the holding frame and thus the plasma source are out of their second End position is adjusted out. Such an optical query device represents a query device that is technically comparatively simple to implement. Alternatively, capacitive switches, ultrasonic sensors or Hall sensors are of course also conceivable, contactless query being generally preferred since this is less susceptible to wear.

Two springs are expediently arranged on the holding frame, each of which has a spring arm which is arranged adjacent to the second arm section and with which the respective spring is supported on the inner part of the housing. Such a spring can, for example, be clamped in the area of a longitudinal side of the holding frame and have the spring arms described above, which allow a restoring force caused by the respective spring to act precisely in the area of the respective associated second arm section, whereby the risk of tilting can be further reduced due to the restoring force acting evenly. Such a spring can be designed, for example, as a spring strip, which is clamped with a middle section on the respective longitudinal side of the holding frame. A force application point can be relocated to the respective arm comparatively easily via angled spring arms in the area of the second arm sections. Such springs are inexpensive and easy to produce in terms of manufacturing technology. A simple installation of the spring on the holding frame and at the same time a reliable holding of the respective springs on the holding frame can be ensured via corresponding grooves, which are produced on the holding frame using a corresponding design of a plastic injection molding tool.

In an advantageous development of the solution according to the invention, the spring force of the springs is greater than 1.1 times, preferably greater than 1.5 times, the weight of the plasma device. This is to reliably ensure that the spring or springs move the plasma device into its first end position when it is parked on the plateau surface and thereby convert the plasma source into its non-use state, ie into a non-plasma-generating state. As a result, self-activation can be reliably ruled out when a plasma device is in its rest position.

A stroke of the plasma source between its first and second end position can be 2.3 mm, for example, with such a stroke being sufficient to ensure reliable deactivation or activation of the plasma source.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the solution according to the invention, a further inner housing part is provided, which is arranged on the side of the inner housing part facing away from the holding frame and which has four blind-hole-like depressions, on which the holding frame can be attached with an associated arm, in particular with a respective second arm section of the respective arm strikes. As a result, pressing the plasma source or the holding frame too deep into the housing and thus, for example, damaging the Plasma device can be reliably excluded. The stop formed by the indentations can also provide a user with haptic feedback regarding reaching the second end position of the plasma source and thus its activated state. When the first end position is reached, the holding frame rests with an outwardly directed edge on an edge of the housing opening, so that the edge of the housing opening here forms the stop for the first end position. The edge is preferably designed in one piece with the holding frame, which is preferably designed as a plastic injection molded part.

Further important features and advantages of the invention result from the dependent claims, from the drawings and from the associated description of the figures with reference to the drawings.

It goes without saying that the features mentioned above and those still to be explained below can be used not only in the combination specified in each case, but also in other combinations or on their own, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings and are explained in more detail in the following description, with the same reference symbols referring to identical or similar or functionally identical components.

They show, in each case schematically,

Fig. 1 is a view obliquely from above of a plasma according to the invention

Contraption,

Fig. 2 is a view obliquely from below of the inventive plasma

Contraption,

3 shows a holding frame for a plasma source of the plasma device according to the invention,

4 shows an exploded view of the plasma device, 5 shows a sectional view through the plasma device with a plasma source in its first end position,

FIG. 6 shows a representation as in FIG. 5, but with a plasma source in its second end position.

According to FIGS. 1 to 6, a plasma device 1 according to the invention for treating surfaces 2, in particular for treating surfaces 2 on textiles 3, has a housing 4 in which a pretensioned, in particular spring-loaded, and between a first end position ( 2 and 5) and a second end position (see FIG. 6) adjustable plasma source 5 is arranged.

To refresh or treat the surfaces 2, the plasma device 1 is usually first activated via a switch 6 and then placed with a plateau surface 7 of the plasma source 5 on the surface 2 to be treated and pressed onto it, whereby the plasma source 5 moves away from its first end position (see. Fig. 5) in its second end position (see. Fig. 6) adjusted. When the second end position is reached, the plasma source 5 is usually also activated, so that it usually does not generate any plasma despite the switch 6 being switched on, unless its plateau surface 7 is placed on the surface 2 to be treated and pressed down.

The plasma source 5 is able to generate non-thermal, i.e. cold, plasma, which has an odor-inactivating and antimicrobial property and at which a temperature describing the distribution of the kinetic energy of the electrons of the plasma, which is also referred to as the electron temperature, is not identical and in particular very much higher than the distribution of the kinetic energy of the temperature described by the plasma comprising ions, in particular atomic ions or molecular ions, which is also referred to as the ion temperature. Plasma is created by supplying sufficient energy to a gas or gas mixture, causing some of the gas's atoms to ionize, i.e. remove electrons from the atomic shell and move as free particles, leaving a positively charged atom. Plasma therefore has ions and electrons that act as move free charge carriers and at the same time are able to damage organic compounds. In the case of such low-pressure plasmas, particularly reactive particles are produced, for example various oxygen or nitrogen species, which have a sufficiently long service life to damage organic compounds in the event of indirect exposure. These particles include, but are not limited to, atomic oxygen, superoxide radicals, ozone, hydroxyl radicals, nitric oxide and nitrogen dioxide. However, these particles not only have a destructive effect on a wide variety of odor components, but also on cell components and are therefore able to damage the cell walls of, for example, bacteria, germs, viruses, fungi or other comparable microorganisms and thereby destroy them. In this case, the plasma is usually generated by means of a high frequency.

The term "surfaces 2 to be treated" can be understood to mean any surfaces 2 made of textile materials, such as natural, plant and animal fibers (cotton, sheep's wool, silk, linen, felt) but also artificial clothing materials such as nylon. The treatment of surfaces 2 made of ceramics, plastic, feathers, leather, glass, wood or metal is also possible with the plasma device 1 according to the invention. By destroying odor molecules, particularly unpleasant odors from butyric acid, sweat, cigarette smoke and the like can be removed and do not have to be masked. To treat the surface 2, the plasma device 1 according to the invention is moved over the surface 2 orthogonally to its longitudinal direction 8, that is to say in the transverse direction 9.

Since the activation of the plasma source 5 and thus the generation of plasma should only take place if the plasma device 1 is placed on the surface 2 to be treated and pressed down so that the plasma source 5 reaches its second end position, it is necessary or desirable that it can be easily and reliably adjusted between its end positions over the long term. This can be impeded, for example, by the plasma source 5 tilting in the housing 4 of the plasma device 1, which could result in the plasma device 1 remaining in its second end position even when removed from the surface 2, thereby generating plasma. According to the invention, the plasma source 5 is therefore guided on the one hand in a housing opening 10 and on the other hand on an inner part 11 of the housing. As a result, the plasma source 5 can be guided or supported in two places, namely on the housing inner part 11 and given at an edge of the housing opening 10, whereby the risk of tilting is reduced and at the same time a long-term reliable and smooth adjustment of the plasma source 5 between its end positions is made possible. In addition, by mounting the plasma source 5 at two mounting points, damage to the same is avoided or the risk of damage to the same is at least reduced.

The housing inner part 11 can be designed as a main circuit board, for example, and can also serve as a carrier for electronic components in addition to the guiding function for the plasma source 5 .

The plasma source 5 can be held or accommodated in a holding frame 12 (cf. in particular FIGS. 3 to 6) which has four arms 13 spaced apart from one another. The housing inner part 11 preferably has four openings 14 through which the holding frame 12 reaches with its arms 13 when the plasma device 1 is mounted and thereby causes the plasma source 5 accommodated in the holding frame 12 to be guided on the housing inner part 11 .

The housing opening 10 is preferably formed like a slot and has a width B1, the arms 13 having a spacing B2 (cf. FIG. 6) in the width direction, ie in the transverse direction 9, which is greater than the width B1. This offers the great advantage that jamming or canting of the plasma source 5 is reliably prevented even if a lateral and eccentric force acts on the plateau surface 7 of the plasma source 5 . The holding frame 12 and/or the housing inner part 11 can preferably be designed as a plastic injection molded part, as a result of which these parts can be produced not only inexpensively but also with high quality.

If you take a closer look at the holding frame 12, you can see that its arms 13 are angled, with a first arm section 15 extending in the width direction, i.e. in the transverse direction 9, and a second arm section 16 extending at right angles thereto into the interior of the housing Arm section 16, the holding frame 12 extends through the respective associated openings 14 in the housing inner part 11. If you consider the second arm sections 16 of the arms 13, you can see that they taper conically up to a free end, which can also reduce the risk of tilting.

Furthermore, in the plasma device 1 according to the invention, a query device 17 can be provided, via which an actual position of the holding frame 12 and thus indirectly also of the plasma source 5 can be queried. Such a query unit 17 can be an electrical switch, for example, but can also enable contactless querying, for which purpose the query device 17 has, for example, a light barrier, a Hall sensor, a capacitive switch or an ultrasonic sensor. In the case of a light barrier, an opening 18 can be provided on the second arm section 16, for example, which causes the light barrier to remain uninterrupted.

In addition, two springs 19 (cf. FIG. 4) can be arranged on the holding frame 12, each of which has a spring arm 20 which is arranged adjacent to the second arm section 16 and with which the respective spring 19 and thus the holding frame 12 are supported on the housing inner part 11 . By assigning such an elastic element, ie spring arm 20 directly to the bearing point, ie the openings 14, a uniform adjustment of the holding frame 12 can be effected. A spring force of the springs 19, in particular on the respective spring arms 20, is preferably greater than 1.1 times, preferably even greater than 1.5 times the weight of the plasma device 1, which can always ensure that the plasma source 5 is moved back from its second end position to its first end position when not in use and is thereby deactivated.

Furthermore, in order to prevent the plasma source 5 from being pressed too far into a housing interior of the plasma device 1, a further housing part 21 can be provided which is arranged on the side of the housing inner part 11 which is remote from the holding frame 12 and which has four blind-hole-like depressions 22, on/in which the holding frame 12 strikes with an associated arm 13 or with a respective second arm section 16 when the second end position is reached. However, such a stop can haptically indicate to a user that the second end position has been reached and thus that the plasma device 1 is ready for operation. The first end position, ie the non-use position of the plasma source 5, is obtained by overlying a collar 23 on a corresponding edge portion

24 of the housing opening 10 causes.

All in all, with the plasma device 1 according to the invention and its plasma source 5 mounted at two bearing points, a smooth and reliable adjustment of the plasma source 5 between its two end positions and thus a reliable, functionally safe operation of the plasma device 1 can be guaranteed.

Reference List

1 plasma device

2 surface

3 textile

4 housing

5 plasma source

6 switches

7 plateau area

8 longitudinal

9 transverse direction

10 case opening

11 Housing inner part

12 holding frames

13 arms

14 openings

15 first arm section

16 second arm section

17 Interrogator

18 opening

19 spring

20 spring arm

21 further inner part of the housing

22 deepening

23 collar

24 edge section

Claims

patent claims

1. Plasma device (1) for treating surfaces (2), with a housing (4), characterized in that a spring-loaded plasma source (5) that can be adjusted between a first end position and a second end position is arranged in the housing (4). which protrudes beyond the housing (4) in the first end position and is at least partially adjusted into the housing (4) in the second end position, the plasma source (5) being located on the one hand in a housing opening (10) and on the other hand on an inner part (11 ) is led.

2. Textile treatment plasma device (1) for treating surfaces (2) of textiles (3), with a housing (4), characterized in that in the housing (4) and a spring-loaded between a first end position and a second A plasma source (5) that can be adjusted in the end position is arranged, which protrudes beyond the housing (4) in the first end position and is at least partially adjusted into the housing (4) in the second end position, the plasma source (5) being located on the one hand in a housing opening (10) and on the other hand is guided on a housing inner part (11).

3. Plasma device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the plasma source (5) is guided in a translationally adjustable manner in the housing opening (10) and on the housing inner part (11).

4. Plasma device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the housing opening (10) or an edge of the housing opening (10) is designed as a first bearing point for the plasma source (5) and a second bearing point on the housing inner part ( 11) is arranged.

5. Plasma device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that an automatic deactivation of the plasma device (1), in particular the plasma source (5), is guaranteed when the plasma device (1) is relieved, wherein the plasma source (5) in the first end position in a deactivated State is and is in the second end position in a state of use.

6. Plasma device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the housing inner part (11) is a main circuit board.

7. Plasma device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the plasma source (5) is held in a holding frame (12) having four spaced-apart arms (13).

8. The plasma device as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that the inner housing part (11) has four openings (14) through which the holding frame (12) reaches at least partially with its arms (13).

9. Plasma device according to claim 8, characterized in that the housing opening (10) is formed like a slot and has a width B1, the arms (13) having a distance B2 in the width direction which is greater than the width B1.

10. Plasma device according to one of Claims 7 to 9, characterized in that the arms (13) are angled, with a first arm section (15) extending in the width direction and a second arm section (16) extending at right angles thereto into the interior of the housing. .

11. Plasma device according to claim 10, characterized in that a query device (17) is provided, via which an actual position of the holding frame (12) can be queried.

12. Plasma device according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that an opening (18) is provided on the second arm section (16) which interacts with the interrogation device (17).

13. Plasma device according to one of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that on the holding frame (12) two springs (19) are arranged, one each - 16 - spring arm (20) arranged adjacent to the second arm section (16), with which the respective spring (19) is supported on the housing inner part (11). Plasma device according to Claim 13, characterized in that a spring force of the springs (19) is greater than 1.1 times, preferably greater than 1.5 times the weight of the plasma device (1). Plasma device according to one of Claims 10 to 14, characterized in that a further inner housing part (21) is provided, which is arranged on the side of the inner housing part (11) facing away from the holding frame (12) and which has four blind hole-like depressions (22). , on which the holding frame (12) strikes with an associated arm (13) when it reaches the second end position.