CN107925225B

CN107925225B - Ion generating device and electrical equipment

Info

Publication number: CN107925225B
Application number: CN201680012941.4A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 西田弘; 世古口美德
Original assignee: Sharp Corp
Current assignee: Sharp Corp
Priority date: 2015-08-05
Filing date: 2016-02-12
Publication date: 2020-01-24
Anticipated expiration: 2036-02-12
Also published as: JP2017033884A; WO2017022256A1; CN107925225A; JP6591823B2

Abstract

An ion generation device (1) is provided with: a substrate (14) for an ion generating element; at least one discharge electrode (21, 22) having a distal end portion (31, 32) and a proximal end portion (33, 34) each having a plurality of linear conductors (25, 26); and at least one protective plate (51, 52) that is provided adjacent to the discharge electrodes (21, 22) so as to protrude from the ion generating element substrate (14) beyond the distal end portions (31, 32) of the discharge electrodes (21, 22).

Description

Ion generating device and electrical equipment

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an ion generating device and an electric apparatus including the ion generating device.

Background

Conventionally, ion generators have been used for the purpose of purifying, sterilizing, deodorizing, and the like indoor air.

Generally, an ion generating apparatus includes a discharge electrode that generates ions by electric discharge. In the ion generating device, ions are generated by generating corona discharge between the leading end of a discharge electrode to which a high voltage is applied and an induction electrode, for example.

As a discharge electrode for generating ions by applying a high voltage in this manner, a brush-shaped discharge electrode in which root portions of a plurality of fibrous conductors are bundled is known.

For example, patent document 1 discloses a brush-shaped discharge electrode in which a metal tube is fixed to one end of a carbon fiber bundle by pressure welding while a part of the carbon fiber bundle is extended by a predetermined length from the other end of the metal tube.

Documents of the prior art

Patent document

Patent document 1 Japanese laid-open patent publication No. 2003-229232 (published 8/15/2003) "

Disclosure of Invention

Technical problem to be solved by the invention

When a high voltage is applied to such a brush-shaped discharge electrode, the conductors on the unbundled side, which are the tip side of the conductors, are electrically repelled from each other and spread apart. Therefore, in the case of using such a brush-shaped discharge electrode, the amount of ion generation increases when the same voltage is applied, compared to the case of using a needle-shaped discharge electrode, for example. As a result, favorable ion emission can be performed.

However, such a brush-shaped discharge electrode has a problem that it is easily deformed by using a fibrous, that is, linear, conductor. For example, if the ion generating apparatus using such a brush-shaped discharge electrode is inverted in the manufacturing process or the like and the discharge electrode is in contact with a base or the like, there is a problem that the brush-shaped portion is crushed.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an ion generating device capable of protecting a linear conductor when the ion generating device using a discharge electrode formed by bundling the conductor is turned upside down, and an electric apparatus including the ion generating device.

Means for solving the problems

In order to solve the above problem, an ion generating apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention includes: a substrate; at least one discharge electrode that is held on the substrate so as to protrude from the surface of the substrate, has a distal end portion provided with a plurality of linear conductors, and a proximal end portion to which the plurality of conductors are attached, and generates ions by discharge; and at least one protruding member provided adjacent to the discharge electrode so as to protrude from the substrate beyond a tip of the discharge electrode.

In order to solve the above problem, an electrical apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention includes the ion generating device.

Effects of the invention

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an ion generating device that uses a discharge electrode formed by bundling linear conductors and can protect the conductors when the conductors are inverted, and an electric apparatus including the ion generating device.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of an ion generating device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a front view, a plan view, and a side view showing a schematic configuration of an ion generating apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 3 is a front view showing a schematic configuration of the discharge electrode and the protective plate shown in fig. 1 and 2.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of an ion generating device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 5 is a front view, a plan view, and a side view showing a schematic configuration of an ion generating apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 6 is a plan view showing an example of the internal configuration of an electric appliance according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail. For convenience of explanation, members having the same functions as those of the members shown in the embodiments are given the same reference numerals, and explanations thereof are appropriately omitted.

[ first embodiment ]

First, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to fig. 1 to 3.

Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of an ion generating device according to the present embodiment, and fig. 2 is a front view, a plan view, and a side view showing the schematic configuration of the ion generating device.

As shown in fig. 1 and 2, the ion generating device 1 of the present embodiment includes a rectangular case 10 (housing), a transformer drive circuit substrate 12, a high-voltage transformer 13, an ion generating element substrate 14, a lid 15,

discharge electrodes

21 and 22, and protective plates 51 and 52 (protruding members).

The case 10 is box-shaped with its front and top surfaces open, and is made of insulating resin. An external connection board 11 is attached to the front of the case 10. In the case 10, a transformer drive circuit substrate 12, a high-voltage transformer 13, and an ion generating element substrate 14 are housed from the front. A lid 15 is provided on the upper surface of the case 10 so as to cover the external connection substrate 11, the transformer drive circuit substrate 12, and the high-voltage transformer 13.

A plurality of (for example, 6) connection terminals 16 are provided on the surface of the external connection substrate 11. The plurality of connection terminals 16 are each formed by a conductive film formed on the surface of the external connection substrate 11, and are formed by, for example, printing, plating, sputtering, CVD (Chemical Vapor Deposition), or the like. The conductive film is formed of, for example, copper (Cu), aluminum (Al), gold (Au), or an alloy thereof, and has a film thickness of several tens of micrometers (μm) (for example, a film thickness of 35 μm). Each connection terminal 16 is disposed so as to be exposed to the outside of the case 10 in a state where the external connection substrate 11 is supported by the case 10.

The transformer drive circuit substrate 12 is provided with a high-voltage transformer drive circuit. The high-voltage transformer driving circuit is used to drive the high-voltage transformer 13 with an input voltage from the outside.

The high-voltage transformer 13 is driven by the high-voltage transformer drive circuit to increase the input voltage. The ion generating element is disposed on the ion generating element substrate 14. The ion generating element generates at least one of positive ions and negative ions by applying a voltage raised by the high-voltage transformer 13.

The ion generating element includes

discharge electrodes

21 and 22 and annular

inductive electrodes

23 and 24. The discharge electrode 21 is attached to one side of the ion generating element substrate 14, and the inductive electrode 23 is formed around the attachment position of the discharge electrode 21. The discharge electrode 22 is attached to the other side of the ion generating element substrate 14, and the inductive electrode 24 is formed around the attachment position of the discharge electrode 22.

The inductive electrode 23 is an electrode for forming an electric field with the discharge electrode 21, and the inductive electrode 24 is an electrode for forming an electric field with the discharge electrode 22. The discharge electrode 21 is an electrode for generating negative ions with the inductive electrode 23, and the discharge electrode 22 is an electrode for generating positive ions with the inductive electrode 24. The

inductive electrodes

23 and 24 are grounded.

As shown in fig. 2, the surface of the ion generating element substrate 14 is covered with an insulating sealing material 41. The insulating sealing material 41 is coated on the ion generating element substrate 14 to a position corresponding to the surface of the lid 15 so as to be substantially flush with the surface of the lid 15, for example. As the insulating sealing material 41, for example, an insulating material such as epoxy resin or urethane resin is used.

The

discharge electrodes

21 and 22 are provided perpendicularly from the surface of the ion generating element substrate 14, and protrude from the surface of the insulating sealing material 41.

The discharge electrode 21 is a brush-shaped discharge electrode including a tip portion 31 and a base portion 33, the tip portion 31 having a plurality of linear conductors 25 and being formed in a brush shape, and the base portion 33 having the plurality of conductors 25 attached thereto. The discharge electrode 22 is a brush-shaped discharge electrode including a distal end portion 32 and a proximal end portion 34, the distal end portion 32 having a plurality of linear conductors 26 and being formed in a brush shape, and the proximal end portion 34 having the plurality of conductors 26 attached thereto.

The

distal end portions

31 and 32 are portions from the

proximal end portions

33 and 34 to the foremost portions, specifically, portions from the distal ends 25a and 26a of the conductors 25 and 26 bundled in a brush shape to the connection ends (contact ends) with the

proximal end portions

33 and 34 in the conductors 25 and 26. The linear form includes a filament form, a fiber form, and a wire form.

The distal ends 31, 32 of the

discharge electrodes

21, 22 are formed of a conductive material such as metal, carbon fiber, conductive resin, or the like. Each of the plurality of conductors 25, 26 in the

distal end portions

31, 32 has an outer diameter of 5 μm or more and 30 μm or less. By setting the outer diameters of the conductors 25, 26 to 5 μm or more, the mechanical strength of the conductors 25, 26 can be ensured, and the electrical wear of the conductors 25, 26 can be suppressed. Further, by setting the outer diameters of the conductors 25 and 26 to 30 μm or less, the conductors 25 and 26 can be formed to be bent like hairs, and the conductors 25 and 26 are easily loosened and swung.

The conductors 25 and 26 may be carbon fibers having an outer diameter of 7 μm, or may be SUS (stainless steel) conductive fibers having an outer diameter of 12 μm or 25 μm.

The base end 33 of the discharge electrode 21 includes: a metal plate-like mounting portion 33a for mounting the discharge electrode 21 on the ion generating element substrate 14; and a binding portion 33b that binds the plurality of conductors 25 in the tip portion 31 at the connection end. Similarly, the base end portion 34 of the discharge electrode 22 includes: a metal plate-like mounting portion 34a for mounting the discharge electrode 22 to the ion generating element substrate 14; and a binding portion 34b for binding the plurality of electric conductors 26 in the tip portion 32 at the connection end.

Next, the length of the distal end portion 31 of the discharge electrode 21 will be described with reference to fig. 3.

Fig. 3 is a front view showing a schematic configuration of the discharge electrode 21 and the protective plate 51 shown in fig. 1 and 2, and shows a state in which the shape of the distal end portion 31 of the discharge electrode 21 changes in accordance with a voltage applied to the discharge electrode 21 (and between the inductive electrodes 23). The same applies to the discharge electrode 22, although not shown.

L1 shown in fig. 3 indicates the length of the distal end portion 31 of the discharge electrode 21, that is, the length (protruding length) of the plurality of linear conductors 25 protruding from the proximal end portion 33. L2 shown in fig. 3 indicates the length (protruding length) by which the proximal end 33 of the discharge electrode 21 protrudes (is exposed) from the lid 15, i.e., the insulating sealing member 41.

Fig. 3 (a) shows a state where no voltage is applied to the discharge electrode 21. At this time, the distal ends of the plurality of linear conductors 25 are closed at the distal end portion 31 of the discharge electrode 21.

Fig. 3 (b) shows a state where a high-voltage pulse is applied to the discharge electrode 21. At this time, in the tip portion 31 of the discharge electrode 21, since the plurality of conductors 25 are respectively homopolar and electrically repel each other, the conductors 25 are bent, and as a result, the brush-shaped tip is opened.

On the other hand, positive ions are generated at the tip of the conductor 25, and as described above, the plurality of conductors 25 have a brush-like shape with open tips, and thus the area of the region where positive ions are generated increases. Therefore, the discharge electrode 21 of the present embodiment has a larger ion generation amount when the same voltage is applied than the needle-shaped discharge electrode.

Fig. 3 (c) shows a state where a pulse of a high voltage is further applied to the discharge electrode 21. At this time, the tip end 31 of the discharge electrode 21 has a shape in which the brush-like tip end is further opened because the electrical repulsive force between the plurality of conductors 25 is increased. Therefore, the ion generation amount further increases.

However, the plurality of conductors 25 of the discharge electrode 21 are electrically attracted by the opposite induction electrode 23. Therefore, one or more of the conductors 25 may be greatly bent on the side of the inductive electrode 23.

In contrast, in the present embodiment, the length L1 of the conductor 25 is shorter than the length L2 of the base end 33. Therefore, even if the conductor 25 is electrically attracted to the inductive electrode 23 and bent or a mechanical force such as a human touch acts on the conductor 25 and bends, the conductor 25 does not contact the insulating sealing material 41. Therefore, the following problems can be reliably avoided: abnormal discharge, current leakage, and the like occur in the contact portion where the conductor 25 and the insulating sealing material 41 are in contact with each other, and the amount of generated ions is reduced or made zero; abnormal discharge, current leakage, and the like occur in the transformer drive circuit substrate 12, the high-voltage transformer 13, and the ion generating element substrate 14 in the case 10, and damage occurs; and the noise value of the ion generating apparatus 1 rises.

The length of the

distal end portions

31 and 32 of the discharge electrode 21 (the protruding length L1 of the conductors 25 and 26) is not particularly limited as long as it is set smaller than the protruding length L2 of the

proximal end portions

33 and 34 as described above. However, if the lengths of the

distal end portions

31 and 32 are too short, the conductors 25 and 26 are difficult to bend, so that the scattering and oscillation of the conductors 25 and 26 are small, and the effect of the brush-shaped discharge electrode cannot be sufficiently obtained. Further, if the length of the

distal end portions

31 and 32 is increased, the size of the ion generating apparatus 1 becomes larger. Therefore, the length of the

distal end portions

31, 32 is preferably 3mm or more. The length of the distal ends 31, 32 may be 5mm or more. It is desirable that the length L2 of the

base end portions

33, 34 is 5 times or less the length of the tip end portions 31, 32 (the length L1 of the conductors 25, 26).

Next, the

protection plates

51, 52 will be explained below with reference to fig. 1 to 3.

The ion generating apparatus 1 is not always mounted on a mounting table (not shown) in the state shown in fig. 1 and 2 during the period from the time of manufacture to the time of installation in various electrical devices. For example, it is possible to place the table in a state where the table is inverted. In this case, when the ion generating apparatus 1 is turned upside down in the manufacturing process or the like, the

discharge electrodes

21 and 22 may contact with a base body (base) such as the mounting table, and the brush portion may be crushed or damaged (deformed).

Therefore, in the present embodiment, the

protective plates

51 and 52 for protecting the

discharge electrodes

21 and 22 are provided so as to protrude adjacent to the

discharge electrodes

21 and 22, respectively.

In the present embodiment, the ion generating element substrate 14 having the

discharge electrodes

21 and 22 protruding therefrom is provided at one end of the rear portion of the upper surface of the rectangular case 10.

The ion generating element substrate 14 has a rectangular shape, and the

discharge electrodes

21 and 22 are arranged along the longitudinal direction of the ion generating element substrate 14. In the ion generating element substrate 14, a long side 14a, which is a side parallel to the arrangement direction of the

discharge electrodes

21 and 22, is provided so as to face the side 10a parallel to the side 10a at the rear of the case 10.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, the

protective plates

51 and 52 are provided to protrude from both side end portions of the rear portion of the upper surface of the case 10 so as to be adjacent to the

discharge electrodes

21 and 22, respectively.

The

protective plates

51 and 52 are arranged in parallel with the

discharge electrodes

21 and 22 in between in the longitudinal direction of the ion generating element substrate 14 (i.e., in the direction parallel to the longitudinal side 14a of the ion generating element substrate 14) which is the arrangement direction of the

discharge electrodes

21 and 22.

The maximum height of the

protective plates

51, 52 is larger than the height of the

discharge electrodes

21, 22, and the

protective plates

51, 52 are provided on the insulating sealing material 41, or on the upper portion of the lid 15, or are provided so as to protrude perpendicularly to the surface of the ion generating element substrate 14, more than the

tip portions

31, 32 of the

discharge electrodes

21, 22, by integral molding.

Accordingly, even when the ion generating apparatus 1 is, for example, turned upside down, the

discharge electrodes

21 and 22 can be prevented from coming into direct contact with an object outside the stage plasma generating apparatus 1, and damage or the like due to the contact can be prevented.

Here, the height of the

protection plates

51 and 52 indicates the length in the vertical direction, that is, the height from the surface of the insulating sealant 41 to the upper surface of the protection plate 51 and the height from the surface of the insulating sealant 41 to the upper surface of the protection plate 52.

The height of the

protective plates

51 and 52 is not particularly limited as long as the protective plates protrude from the surface of the ion generating element substrate 14 beyond the distal ends 31 and 32 of the

discharge electrodes

21 and 22.

However, if the height of the

protective plates

51 and 52 is increased, the size of the ion generating apparatus 1 increases accordingly. Therefore, the height of the

protective plates

51 and 52 is desirably formed to such a degree that, for example, when the ion generating apparatus 1 is turned upside down, the

discharge electrodes

21 and 22 do not come into direct contact with an object outside the stage plasma generating apparatus 1. For example, it is desirable that the height from the surface of the insulating sealing material 41 to the upper surfaces of the

protection plates

51 and 52 is formed to be slightly larger than the height from the surface of the insulating sealing material 41 to the tips of the tips 31 and 32 (that is, the maximum value of the height from the surface of the insulating sealing material 41 to the tips 25a and 26a of the conductors 25 and 26) of the

discharge electrodes

21 and 22.

The

protective plates

51, 52 are spaced apart from the

discharge electrodes

21, 22 so that the distance between the

discharge electrodes

21, 22 and the

protective plates

51, 52 is longer than the length of the distal ends 31, 32 of the

discharge electrodes

21, 22.

Therefore, as shown in fig. 3 (b) and (c), the conductors 25 or the conductors 26 repel each other and the

distal end portions

31 and 32 are spread apart, so that the conductors 25 and 26 do not directly contact the

protection plates

51 and 52 regardless of the angle at which the conductors 25 and 26 are inclined, and occurrence of electric leakage can be prevented.

The

protective plates

51, 52 are each formed in a plate shape in which, when the

discharge electrodes

21, 22 are viewed through the protective plates 51, 52 (that is, when the ion generating device 1 is viewed from a direction parallel to the side 10a of the case 10), the portions of the

protective plates

51, 52 that face the distal ends 31, 32 of the

discharge electrodes

21, 22 are cut open. Therefore, the protective plate 51 has an opening 51a that exposes the distal end portion 31, and is formed to face the discharge electrode 21. On the other hand, the protective plate 52 has an opening 52a formed therein to expose the distal end portion 32, facing the discharge electrode 22.

By forming the

openings

51a and 52a in the

protective plates

51 and 52 in this manner, the

protective plates

51 and 52 do not hinder the discharge of ions from the

discharge electrodes

21 and 22, and thus, favorable ion discharge can be performed.

In the present embodiment, the plate-

like mounting portions

33a and 34a are mounted on the ion generating element substrate 14 such that the normal direction of the plate surface is the front-rear direction. The conductors 25 and 26 are likely to be inclined in the direction in which the thickness of the metal plate-like mounting

portions

33a and 34a is small, and are less likely to be inclined in the direction in which the thickness of the metal plate-like mounting

portions

33a and 34a is large. Therefore, the

discharge electrodes

21 and 22 are likely to be inclined in the front-rear direction and are less likely to be inclined in the left-right direction. Therefore, the

protective plates

51 and 52 provided in the left-right direction of the

discharge electrodes

21 and 22 do not come close to the conductors 25 and 26 of the

discharge electrodes

21 and 22, and leakage of electricity can be effectively prevented.

In other words, it is desirable that the plate-

like mounting portions

33a and 34a of the

discharge electrodes

21 and 22 be mounted on the ion generating element substrate 14 so that the

protective plates

51 and 52 are not present in the normal direction of the plate surface from the mounting

portions

33a and 34 a.

(modification example)

In the present embodiment, the case where the

protective plates

51 and 52 are arranged in parallel with the

discharge electrodes

21 and 22 interposed therebetween in the longitudinal direction of the ion generating element substrate 14 is described as an example, but the present embodiment is not limited thereto.

In the case where the ion generating device 1 is, for example, turned upside down, only one protection plate may be provided as long as the protection plate is formed at a position and height that can prevent the conductors 25, 26 from coming into direct contact with an object outside the ion generating device 1.

In the present embodiment, the ion generating element substrate 14 is provided at the rear portion of the housing 10 as an example, but the ion generating element substrate 14 may be provided at the front portion or the center portion of the housing 10.

In the present embodiment, the

inductive electrodes

23 and 24 are used, but positive ions and negative ions can be generated from the

discharge electrodes

21 and 22 even if the

inductive electrodes

23 and 24 are omitted. However, the

induction electrodes

23 and 24 are desirable because the electric field strength in the

discharge electrodes

21 and 22 is larger and the amount of ions generated is larger.

[ second embodiment ]

Another embodiment of the present invention will be described mainly with reference to fig. 4 and 5. In this embodiment, a difference from the first embodiment will be described.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of an ion generating device according to the present embodiment, and fig. 5 is a front view, a plan view, and a side view showing the schematic configuration of the ion generating device.

The ion generating device 2 of the present embodiment has the same configuration as the ion generating device 1 of the first embodiment except for the following: instead of the

protective plates

51, 52, protective plates 61, 62 (protruding members) for protecting the

discharge electrodes

21, 22 are provided in parallel with the

discharge electrodes

21, 22 in a direction perpendicular to the arrangement direction of the

discharge electrodes

21, 22, that is, in the short side direction of the substrate 14 for ion generating element (that is, in a direction parallel to the short side 14b of the substrate 14 for ion generating element), and the mounting

portions

33a, 33b of the

discharge electrodes

21, 22 are easily inclined in different directions; instead of the external connection board 11, a recess 90 is provided on the side surface of the case 10, and a plurality of connection terminals 91 are provided in the recess 90.

The maximum height of the

protective plates

61 and 62 is larger than the height of the

discharge electrodes

21 and 22, and the

protective plates

61 and 62 are provided so as to protrude from the surface of the ion generating element substrate 14 more than the

distal end portions

31 and 32 of the

discharge electrodes

21 and 22, and vertically protrude from the insulating sealing material 41, or from the upper portion of the lid body 15, or by integral molding.

Thus, in the present embodiment, even when the ion generating apparatus 2 is, for example, turned upside down, the

discharge electrodes

21 and 22 can be prevented from coming into direct contact with an object outside the stage plasma generating apparatus 2, and damage or the like due to the contact can be prevented.

Here, the height of the

protection plates

61 and 62 is a length in the vertical direction, that is, a height from the surface of the insulating sealant 41 to the upper surface of the protection plate 61 and a height from the surface of the insulating sealant 41 to the upper surface of the protection plate 62. The upper surfaces of the

protective plates

61 and 62 are specifically upper surfaces of

beam portions

71 and 81 described later.

In the present embodiment, the height of the

protective plates

61 and 62 is not particularly limited as long as the

protective plates

51 and 52 are formed so as to protrude from the surface of the ion generating element substrate 14 beyond the

distal end portions

31 and 32 of the

discharge electrodes

21 and 22.

However, if the height of the

protective plates

61 and 62 is increased, the size of the ion generating apparatus 2 increases accordingly. Therefore, it is desirable that the height of the

protective plates

61 and 62 is set to such a height that, for example, when the ion generating apparatus 2 is turned upside down, the

discharge electrodes

21 and 22 do not come into direct contact with an object outside the stage plasma generating apparatus 2. For example, it is desirable that the height from the surface of the insulating sealing material 41 to the upper surfaces of the

protective plates

61 and 62 is formed to be slightly larger than the height from the surface of the insulating sealing material 41 to the tips of the tips 31 and 32 (that is, the maximum value of the height from the surface of the insulating sealing material 41 to the tips 25a and 26a of the conductors 25 and 26) of the

discharge electrodes

21 and 22.

The

protective plates

61, 62 are disposed to face each other with a distance between the

discharge electrodes

21, 22 and the

protective plates

61, 62 being longer than the length of the

distal end portions

31, 32 of the

discharge electrodes

21, 22.

That is, the distance between the adjacent

protective plates

61 and 62 is set to be 2 times or more the length of the distal ends 31 and 32 of the

discharge electrodes

21 and 22. Therefore, in the present embodiment, as shown in fig. 3 (b) and (c), the conductors 25 or the conductors 26 repel each other and the

distal end portions

protection plates

61 and 62 regardless of the angle at which the conductors 25 and 26 are inclined, and occurrence of electric leakage can be prevented.

Further, for example, in the conductors 25 and 26 in fig. 4 and 5, since the amount of discharge is reduced by dust or the like adhering to the conductors due to static electricity caused by discharge, the user may remove the ion generating device 1 mounted on the electric apparatus and perform cleaning for removing dust or the like from the conductors 25 and 26. Here, the upper limit is not particularly limited as long as the distance between the

protective plates

61 and 62 is 2 times or more the length of the distal ends 31 and 32 of the

discharge electrodes

21 and 22, but it is desirable to set the distance at which the user's fingers do not come into contact with the conductors 25 and 26. This prevents the user's fingers from coming into contact with the conductors 25 and 26.

The

protective plates

61, 62 are formed in a spectacle shape, respectively. Specifically, the protective plate 61 includes: the beam portion 71 is formed of a horizontal plate parallel to the surface of the ion generating element substrate 14,

support portions

72 and 73 as support posts for supporting both ends of the beam portion 71, and a support portion 74 as a support post for supporting the center portion of the beam portion 71.

Openings are formed between the

support portions

72, 74 and between the

support portions

74, 73 adjacent to each other. Therefore, the protective plate 61 is provided with two

openings

61a and 61 b.

Similarly, the protective plate 62 includes: the beam portion 81 is formed of a horizontal plate parallel to the surface of the ion generating element substrate 14,

support portions

82 and 83 as support posts for supporting both ends of the beam portion 81, and a support portion 84 as a support post for supporting the center portion of the beam portion 81.

Openings are formed between the supporting

portions

82, 84 and between the supporting

portions

84, 83 adjacent to each other. Therefore, the protective plate 62 is provided with two

openings

62a and 62 b.

The

support portions

72 and 73 are provided to protrude from both ends of the ion generating element substrate 14 in the longitudinal direction so as to face each other. The support portion 74 is provided to protrude from the center of the ion generating element substrate 14 in the longitudinal direction so as to face the

support portions

72 and 73.

Similarly, the

support portions

82 and 83 are provided to protrude from the longitudinal ends of the ion generating element substrate 14 so as to face each other. The support portion 84 is provided to protrude from the center of the ion generating element substrate 14 in the longitudinal direction, so as to face the

support portions

82 and 83.

Thus, the

beam portions

71 and 81 are provided so as to extend from one end portion to the other end portion in the longitudinal direction of the ion generating element substrate 14 in parallel with the long side 14a of the ion generating element substrate 14.

When the

discharge electrodes

21 and 22 are viewed through the protective plates 61 and 62 (that is, when the ion generating device 2 is viewed from a direction parallel to the side 10a of the case 10), the discharge electrode 21 is exposed from the

openings

62a and 61b, and the discharge electrode 22 is exposed from the

openings

62b and 61 a.

These

openings

61a, 61b, 62a, 62b function as, for example, air vents through which gas that transports ions generated in the

discharge electrodes

21, 22 of the ion generating device 2 passes.

In the example shown in fig. 4 and 5, the

protective plates

61 and 62 are formed at such a height that the distal ends of the distal ends 31 and 32 of the discharge electrodes 21 and 22 (i.e., the distal ends of the conductors 25 and 26) are hidden by the

beam portions

71 and 81.

However, the height of the protective plates 61 and 62 (i.e., the height from the surface of the insulating sealing material 41 to the upper surfaces of the beam portions 71 and 81) may be set higher than the height from the surface of the insulating sealing material 41 to the tips 25a and 26a of the conductors 25 and 26, and the entire discharge electrode 21 may be exposed through the

openings

62a and 61b and the entire discharge electrode 22 may be exposed through the

openings

62b and 61 a.

According to the present embodiment, by exposing at least a part of the discharge electrode 21 through the

openings

62a and 61b and exposing at least a part of the discharge electrode 22 through the

openings

62b and 61a as described above, it is possible to perform favorable ion emission without preventing the emission of ions from the

discharge electrodes

21 and 22 from being hindered by the

protective plates

61 and 62.

Further, the

openings

61a, 61b, 62a, 62b have a size such that a finger does not come into contact with the conductors 25, 26, thereby preventing the finger from coming into contact with the conductors 25, 26.

In the present embodiment, the plate-

like mounting portions

33a and 34a are mounted on the ion generating element substrate 14 such that the normal direction of the plate surface is the left-right direction. As described above, the conductors 25 and 26 are likely to be inclined in the direction in which the thickness of the metal plate-like mounting

portions

33a and 34a is large. Therefore, the

discharge electrodes

21 and 22 are likely to be inclined in the left-right direction and unlikely to be inclined in the front-rear direction. Therefore, the

protective plates

61 and 62 provided in the front-rear direction of the

discharge electrodes

21 and 22 do not come close to the conductors 25 and 26 of the

discharge electrodes

21 and 22, and leakage of electricity can be effectively prevented.

In other words, it is desirable that the plate-

like mounting portions

33a and 34a of the

discharge electrodes

21 and 22 be mounted on the ion generating element substrate 14 so that the

protective plates

61 and 62 are not present in the normal direction of the plate surface from the mounting

portions

33a and 34 a.

Therefore, as shown in fig. 4 and 5, by disposing the

protective plates

61 and 62 adjacent to the

discharge electrodes

21 and 22 in the direction parallel to the short side 14b of the ion generating element substrate 14, the conductors 25 and 26 do not come close to the

protective plates

61 and 62, and leakage of electricity can be effectively prevented.

Although the description is omitted, it goes without saying that the present embodiment can be modified in the same manner as the first embodiment.

[ third embodiment ]

Another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to fig. 6. In this embodiment, an electric device including an ion generating device will be described.

Fig. 6 is a plan view showing an example of the internal configuration of the electric appliance of the present embodiment.

Hereinafter, a case where the ion generating apparatus 1 is used as an ion generating apparatus will be described as an example, and the same applies to a case where the ion generating apparatus 2 is used as an ion generating apparatus.

As shown in fig. 6, the following example is shown: in the electric apparatus 100, the ion generating device 1 is mounted on a part of a fan housing 101 forming a duct 102, which is a passage for guiding ions generated in the ion generating device 1 to the outside.

Therefore, the air blowing path 102 includes: an ion generating apparatus 1, and an air blowing device 103 for blowing out a gas for transporting ions generated in the ion generating apparatus 1. The ion generating device 1 is disposed downstream of the air blowing device 103 in the air blowing direction.

The blower 103 may be a Sirocco fan (Sirocco fan), a cross flow fan (cross flow fan), or another fan.

The ion generating device 1 may be integrally incorporated in the electric apparatus 100, or may be provided detachably from the electric apparatus 100. By providing the ion generating device 1 in a manner detachable from the electric apparatus 100, the ion generating device 1 can be replaced or cleaned, and maintenance of the electric apparatus 100 is facilitated.

The electric appliance 100 is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, an ion generator, an air conditioner, a dehumidifier, a humidifier, an air cleaner, a fan heater, or other devices. The electric apparatus 100 may be used in a home or a vehicle. The electric apparatus 100 is suitable for use in, for example, conditioning air in a home room, a room of a building, a ward of a hospital, a vehicle room of an automobile, a cabin of an airplane, a cabin of a ship, or the like.

(modification example)

In the present embodiment, the case where the electric appliance 100 includes the air blowing device 103 has been described as an example, but the air blowing device 103 is not necessarily required. For example, the ions generated in the ion generating device 1 by the thermal convection can be discharged to the outside.

[ conclusion ]

An ion generating apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention includes: a substrate; at least one discharge electrode that is held on the substrate so as to protrude from the surface of the substrate, has a distal end portion provided with a plurality of linear conductors, and a proximal end portion on which the plurality of conductors are mounted, and generates ions by discharge; and at least one protruding member provided adjacent to the discharge electrode so as to protrude from the substrate beyond a tip of the discharge electrode.

According to the above configuration, in the ion generating device, the protruding member protruding from the substrate beyond the tip end of the conductor is provided adjacent to the discharge electrode, so that even when the ion generating device is inverted in, for example, a manufacturing process, the protruding member can come into contact with an object outside the ion generating device (i.e., an object other than the device) such as a base before the conductor comes into contact with the object. Therefore, according to the above configuration, the conductor can be prevented from directly contacting the object, or an impact when the conductor contacts the object can be alleviated. As a result, the conductor can be prevented from being deformed by contact with the object.

In the ion generating device according to the second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, it is desirable that the protruding member is disposed so as to prevent the conductive body from coming into contact with an object outside the ion generating device when the ion generating device is inverted.

According to the above configuration, the conductor can be prevented from coming into direct contact with the object.

In the ion generating device according to the third aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect or the second aspect, it is desirable that a distance between the discharge electrode and the projecting member is longer than a length of a portion of the conductor projecting from the base end portion (a length from the conductor-side end portion of the base end portion to the tip end of the conductor).

Even if the protruding member is an insulating member, if the conductor and the protruding member are in contact with each other, an electrically conductive path may be formed between the conductor and the protruding member, and thus favorable ion emission may not be performed.

Therefore, with the above configuration, the conductor does not contact the protruding member, and leakage of electricity can be prevented.

In the ion generating device according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to third aspects, it is preferable that the plurality of discharge electrodes are provided, and the protruding member is provided so as to be spaced apart from the discharge electrodes in a direction in which the plurality of discharge electrodes are arranged or in a direction orthogonal to the direction.

According to the above configuration, the protruding member is provided in the direction in which the plurality of discharge electrodes are arranged or in the direction orthogonal to the direction with respect to the discharge electrodes, whereby the conductor can be protected more reliably.

In the ion generating device according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to fourth aspects, it is desirable that the protruding member be provided with an opening portion that exposes the discharge electrode when the discharge electrode is viewed through the protruding member, the opening portion having a size such that a finger does not come into contact with the conductor.

The opening functions as, for example, a vent through which a gas that transports ions generated in the discharge electrode of the ion generating apparatus passes. Therefore, according to the above configuration, by providing the opening in the protruding member, it is possible to perform good ion emission without being hindered by the protruding member, and it is possible to prevent a finger from coming into contact with the conductor.

In the ion generating device according to the sixth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to fifth aspects, it is desirable that the proximal end portion has: a bundling unit configured to bundle the plurality of electric conductors; and a metal plate-like mounting portion that mounts the distal end portion including the plurality of conductors bundled by the bundling portion to the substrate; the protruding member is provided in a direction in which the thickness of the metal plate-shaped mounting portion is thick, but not provided in a direction in which the thickness of the metal plate-shaped mounting portion is thin.

According to the above configuration, the conductor is likely to be inclined in a direction in which the thickness of the metal plate-like mounting portion is small, and is less likely to be inclined in a direction in which the thickness of the metal plate-like mounting portion is large.

Therefore, if the above configuration is adopted, the conductor does not come close to the protruding member, and leakage of electricity can be effectively prevented.

The electric appliance of the seventh aspect of the present invention includes the ion generating device of any one of the first to sixth aspects.

According to the above configuration, the ion generating device is provided, and the amount of generated ions is increased when the same voltage is applied, as compared with the case of using a needle-shaped discharge electrode, and thus, favorable ion emission can be performed, and even when the ion generating device is inverted in, for example, a manufacturing process, the conductor can be prevented from being deformed by contact with an object outside the ion generating device such as a base, and thus, an electric device with high yield can be provided.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope shown in the claims, and embodiments obtained by appropriately combining technical means disclosed in different embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention. Further, by combining the technical means disclosed in the respective embodiments, new technical features can be formed.

Description of the symbols

1. 2 ion generating device

10 case body

Side 10a

11 substrate for external connection

12 substrate for transformer driving circuit

13 high-voltage transformer

14 base plate (base plate) for ion generating element

14a long side

14b short side

15 cover body

16 connecting terminal

21. 22 discharge electrode

23. 24 induction electrode

25. 26 electric conductor

25a, 26a front end

31. 32 front end portion

33. 34 base end portion

33a, 34a mounting part

33b, 34b bundling part

41 insulating sealing material

51. 52, 61, 62 protective plate (protruding component)

51a, 52a, 61b, 62a, 62b opening

71. 81 Beam section

72. 73, 74, 82, 83, 84 support parts

90 recess

91 connecting terminal

100 electric appliance

101 fan casing

102 air supply path

103 blower

Claims

1. An ion generating apparatus, comprising:

a substrate;

at least one discharge electrode held on the substrate so as to protrude from a surface of the substrate, having a distal end portion provided with a plurality of linear conductors and a proximal end portion to which the plurality of conductors are attached, and generating ions by discharge, wherein the proximal end portion has: a bundling unit configured to bundle the plurality of electric conductors; and a metal plate-like mounting portion that mounts the distal end portion including the plurality of conductors bundled by the bundling portion to the substrate; and

at least one protruding member provided adjacent to the discharge electrode so as to protrude from the substrate beyond a tip portion of the discharge electrode,

the metal plate-like mounting portion is mounted on the substrate such that the protruding member is not present in a normal direction of a plate surface of the metal plate-like mounting portion.

2. The ion generating apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

the protruding member is configured to prevent the conductive body from coming into contact with an object outside the ion generating device when the ion generating device is inverted.

3. The ion generation apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein:

the distance between the discharge electrode and the protruding member is longer than the length of a portion of the conductor protruding from the base end portion.

4. The ion generating apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

the discharge electrodes are provided in plural, and the projecting members are provided at intervals in a direction in which the discharge electrodes are arranged or in a direction orthogonal to the direction with respect to the discharge electrodes.

5. An electric appliance characterized by comprising the ion generating device according to claim 1.