JP2003142228A - Negative ion generating device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a negative ion generating device in which the generating quantity of negative ion can be adjusted in fixed voltage. SOLUTION: The negative ion generating device comprises an air current generating means 4 for generating air current in the air passage, and comprises a discharge electrode 1 and a ground electrode 3 for generating discharge. The ground electrode 3 is constructed capable of moving upward and downward and forward and backward. By moving the ground electrode 2 upward and downward and forward and backward, the discharge generated between the discharge electrode 1 and the ground electrode 2 are changed and the generating quantity of the negative ion can be adjusted.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a negative ion generator for generating negative ions.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been proposed a negative ion generator which gives a user a refreshing feeling, prevents the growth of microorganisms existing in the space, and purifies the air in the space.

In such a negative ion generator,
For example, it is disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 7-153549, and this publication discloses a negative ion generator that adjusts the amount of negative ions generated according to the use environment. In this conventional negative ion generator, first, a DC voltage is applied from the DC power supply to the primary side of the high-frequency oscillation circuit to cause this high-frequency oscillation circuit to self-oscillate and obtain a boosted high-frequency AC voltage on the secondary side. ing. Then, this AC voltage is negatively rectified and amplified by a voltage doubler rectifier circuit, and a high negative DC voltage is applied to the negative discharge electrode to generate only negative ions from this negative discharge electrode. Furthermore, by adjusting the DC voltage input to the high frequency oscillation circuit with a variable resistor, the secondary side voltage of the high frequency transformer is changed,
The amount of negative ions generated is adjusted.

[0004]

The conventional negative ion generator as described above is designed to adjust the amount of negative ions generated by changing the voltage. There are problems that the hardware structure must withstand voltage and that ozone that is harmful to the human body is generated under some conditions. Therefore, it has been desired to adjust the amount of negative ions generated without changing the voltage.

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a negative ion generator capable of adjusting the amount of negative ions generated without changing the voltage.

[0006]

A negative ion generating device according to the present invention is a negative ion generating device for generating negative ions, and a negative ion generating device for generating negative ions. An air flow generating means for generating, a discharge electrode and a ground electrode installed to form an electric field in the air flow path,
It is provided with a power source for applying a predetermined voltage to the discharge electrode and a space resistance varying means capable of changing the space resistance between the discharge electrode and the ground electrode. With such a configuration, it is possible to adjust the amount of negative ions generated by adjusting the space resistance of the electric field generated between the discharge electrode and the ground electrode.

The space resistance varying means may be distance varying means capable of varying the distance between the discharge electrode and the ground electrode. With such a configuration, it is possible to change the discharge between the discharge electrode and the ground electrode.

Further, a plurality of the above-mentioned discharge electrodes are provided,
The space resistance varying means may be an electrode switching means capable of switching a discharge electrode to be energized. With such a configuration, it is possible to selectively change the discharge generated between the discharge electrode and the ground electrode and adjust the amount of negative ion generation.

Further, it is also possible that a plurality of the above-mentioned ground electrodes are provided and the space resistance varying means is an electrode switching means capable of switching the ground electrode to be energized. With such a configuration, it is possible to selectively change the discharge generated between the discharge electrode and the ground electrode and adjust the amount of negative ion generation.

Further, in another anion generator according to the present invention, the space resistance varying means may be an exposed area varying means for varying the exposed area of the ground electrode to the air flow path. With such a configuration, by changing the exposed area of the ground electrode, it is possible to change the discharge generated between the discharge electrode and the ground electrode and adjust the amount of negative ions generated.

Further, the space resistance varying means is an electric field shielding amount varying means comprising an insulator for shielding an electric field between the discharge electrode and the ground electrode, and an insulator moving means for moving the insulator. Also good. With such a configuration, the discharge generated between the discharge electrode and the ground electrode can be changed, and the amount of negative ions generated can be adjusted.

[0012]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The present invention will be described below with reference to a plurality of embodiments of the invention. First Embodiment of the Invention FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a negative ion generator according to the first embodiment. This negative ion generator is provided with a discharge electrode 1, a ground electrode 2, an air flow generating means 3, a two-stage type electrostatic precipitator 4, a power source 5, and a housing 6.

The discharge electrode 1 is provided on the inner wall surface of the housing 6. The discharge electrode 1 is electrically connected to the ground electrode 2 and the power source 5 which are provided at opposite positions.
In addition, the discharge electrode 1 and the ground electrode 2 are separated from each other in advance by a distance of about 9 cm.

The ground electrode 2 is movable as shown in FIG. Although various configurations are included for making the ground electrode 2 movable, for example, the configuration shown in FIG. 1B may be used. As shown in FIG. 1 (b),
It can be moved up and down by a mechanism that meshes with a linear rack provided on one side surface thereof and a pinion, and can be moved back and forth by loosening or tightening a screw structure or the like provided at the tip. . The gear and screw structure may be configured to be rotated by an electric motor or the like, or manually rotated by a holding portion directly connected to the gear. In addition, the screw structure is a pneumatic cylinder,
A telescopic structure such as an electric cylinder may be used.

The air flow generating means 3 is, for example, an air supply fan or the like, and generates an air flow in the air flow path. The air flow generating means 3 may be one that generates an air flow by ion wind.

The two-stage type electrostatic precipitator 4 has a function of removing dust and dirt in the air, and a known dust collector can be applied. In such a two-stage type electrostatic precipitator 6, since a small amount of ozone is generated, an ozone decomposition catalyst is often provided on the downstream side.

The power source 5 is a DC power source or the like, and the negative electrode is connected to the discharge electrode 1. The power source 5 outputs a voltage of about 10 kV, and causes corona discharge between the discharge electrode 1 and the ground electrode 2. The voltage applied to the discharge electrode 2 is determined in consideration of the relationship between the negative ion generation amount and the ozone generation amount. When the output voltage is increased while keeping the distance between the electrodes constant, both the amount of negative ions and the amount of ozone increase, but the amount of negative ions begins to increase first. Therefore, normally, an output voltage that produces a larger amount of negative ions in a region where the amount of ozone does not start to increase is selected.

Next, the operation of the negative ion generator according to the first embodiment will be described. First, the air from which dust, dirt, and the like have been removed by the two-stage type electrostatic precipitator 4 flows downstream in the air flow path by the airflow generating means 3.

At this time, since a negative DC voltage of several kV is applied to the discharge electrode 1 by the power supply 5, an electric field is formed between the discharge electrode 1 and the grounded electrode 2 as shown in FIG. Corona discharge occurs.

The air on the air flow path passes between the discharge electrode 1 and the ground electrode 2 by the air flow generating means 3. Corona discharge occurs between the discharge electrode 1 and the ground electrode 2.
Then, the air in the vicinity of the discharge electrode 1 is negatively ionized due to the attachment of electrons to oxygen molecules and the like due to this discharge. Therefore, the air is discharged to the outside of the apparatus by the airflow generating means 3 in a state of containing negative ions. Further, since the discharge electrode 1 and the ground electrode 2 are arranged at a sufficient distance so that ozone is not generated with respect to the voltage applied between the electrodes, ozone is not included in the air discharged to the outside of the device. Is not included or becomes extremely small.

Further, at this time, as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the discharge is changed by moving the ground electrode 2 back and forth to adjust the distance between the discharge electrode 1 and the ground electrode 2. It is possible. By changing this discharge, the amount of electrons emitted from the discharge electrode 1 can be changed and the amount of negative ions generated can be adjusted. For example, if the distance between the discharge electrode 1 and the ground electrode 2 is increased, the space resistance between the electrodes is increased, the scale of discharge is reduced, the amount of electrons emitted from the discharge electrode 1 is reduced, and negative ions are discharged. The amount of negative ions can be increased by decreasing the distance between the discharge electrode 1 and the ground electrode 2, and by contrast, the amount of negative ions generated can be increased. Alternatively, the amount of negative ions generated can be adjusted according to the size of the used space. Also, FIG.
As shown in (c) and (d), it is also possible to adjust the amount of negative ions generated by moving the ground electrode 2 up and down.

As described above, the negative ion generator according to the first embodiment has the discharge electrode 1 and the ground electrode 2.
By adjusting the separation distance (space resistance) between them, it is possible to change the discharge generated between the discharge electrode 1 and the ground electrode 2 and adjust the amount of negative ions generated. Therefore, it is possible to realize the adjustment of the error of the negative ion generation amount due to the variation of the high voltage output in the negative ion generation device equipped with the high voltage power supply and the adjustment of the negative ion generation amount according to the usage environment without changing the voltage. You can

Embodiment 2 of the Invention In the negative ion generator according to the second embodiment, as shown in FIG.
It is configured similarly to the first embodiment, and in particular, the discharge electrode 1
Can be moved. The moving mechanism of the discharge electrode 1 is
It may be similar to the moving mechanism of the ground electrode 2 shown in the first embodiment. That is, it is possible to move back and forth by the meshing mechanism of the linear rack provided on the bottom surface of the discharge electrode 1 and the pinion, and move up and down by loosening or tightening the screw structure etc. provided on the terminal. It is possible.
The gear and screw structure may be configured to be rotated by an electric motor or the like, or manually rotated by a holding portion directly connected to the gear. Further, the screw structure may be a telescopic structure such as a pneumatic cylinder or an electric cylinder. In addition, the ground electrode 2 has a housing 6
Is fixed in place.

The negative ion generator according to the second embodiment is the same as the negative ion generator according to the first embodiment except that the discharge electrode 1 is movable and the ground electrode 2 is fixed. By moving the discharge electrode 1 instead of the electrode 2, the same effect as that of the first embodiment is achieved.

The negative ion generator according to the second embodiment changes the discharge generated between the discharge electrode 1 and the ground electrode 2 by moving the discharge electrode 1, and the amount of negative ions generated without changing the voltage. Can be adjusted.

Third Embodiment of the Invention In the negative ion generator according to the third embodiment, as shown in FIG.
The discharge electrode 1 and the ground electrode 2 are configured similarly to the first embodiment, and the discharge electrode 1 and the ground electrode 2 can be moved up and down and back and forth by the configuration similar to the first and second embodiments.

The negative ion generator according to the third embodiment is the same as the negative ion generator according to the first embodiment except that the discharge electrode 1 and the ground electrode 2 are movable. By moving the ground electrode 2 and the ground electrode 2, the distance between them is adjusted, and the same effect as that of the first embodiment is obtained.

In the negative ion generator according to the third embodiment, the discharge electrode 1 and the ground electrode 2 are moved to change the discharge generated between the discharge electrode 1 and the ground electrode 2 without changing the voltage. It is possible to adjust the amount of negative ions generated.

Fourth Embodiment of the Invention In the negative ion generator according to the fourth embodiment, as shown in FIG.
The ground electrode 2 having the same structure as that of the first embodiment and including the ground electrode 21 and the ground electrode 22 is provided near the discharge electrode 1 on the upstream side of the air flow path.

The ground electrode 21 and the ground electrode 22 are grounded via the switches 71 and 72, respectively. Power 5
Is a DC power supply or the like, and the negative electrode is connected to the discharge electrode 1. Further, the ground electrode 21 and the ground electrode 22 are configured to disconnect from the power supply 5 by switching the switches 71 and 72 provided on the circuit.
The switches 71 and 72 can be replaced with relays or the like.

Next, the operation of the negative ion generator according to the fourth embodiment will be described. First, the air from which dust, dirt, and the like have been removed by the two-stage type electrostatic precipitator 4 flows downstream in the air flow path by the airflow generating means 3.

At this time, since a negative DC voltage of several kV is applied to the discharge electrode 1 by the power supply 5, an electric field is generated between the discharge electrode 1 and the grounded electrode 2.

The air on the air flow path passes near the discharge electrode 1 and the ground electrode 2 by the air flow generating means 3. A discharge is generated between the discharge electrode 1 and the ground electrode 2. Then, the air in the vicinity of the discharge electrode 1 is negatively ionized due to the attachment of electrons to oxygen molecules and the like due to this discharge. Therefore, the air is discharged to the outside of the apparatus by the airflow generating means 3 in a state of containing negative ions. Since the discharge electrode 1 is applied with a voltage that does not generate ozone, the air discharged to the outside of the device contains no ozone or a very small amount.

Further, at this time, the ground electrode 21 or 2
It is possible to change the discharge by turning ON / OFF the switches 71 and 72 connected to 2 to selectively switch the ground electrode to be energized. That is, by changing the number of ground electrodes or contact electrodes that are energized, the amount of electrons emitted from the discharge electrode 1 can be changed and the amount of negative ions generated can be adjusted. For example, when both the switches 71 and 72 are turned on, the number of ground electrodes increases, the amount of electrons emitted from the discharge electrode 1 increases, and the amount of negative ions generated can be increased. Conversely, switch 71 or 72 to OF
In the F state, the number of ground electrodes is reduced and the amount of negative ions generated can be reduced. Also, turn on either one of the switches 71 or 72,
It is also possible to adjust the distance between the discharge electrode 1 and the ground electrode 2 by setting the other to the OFF state.
Further, when both the switches 71 and 72 are turned off, a so-called electron emission system without a ground electrode is formed, and a discharge is generated from the discharge electrode 1. With this electron emission method, the amount of ozone generated is suppressed. Therefore, by switching the switches 71 and 72, it is possible to adjust the error due to the variation in the high voltage output, or to adjust the amount of negative ions generated according to the size of the used space.

As described above, in the negative ion generator according to the fourth embodiment, the switches 71 and 72 connected to the ground electrode 21 or 22 are turned on / off to turn on or off the number of ground electrodes or the number of ground electrodes. By changing, it is possible to change the discharge generated between the discharge electrode 1 and the ground electrode 2 and adjust the amount of negative ions generated without changing the voltage. Therefore, it is possible to realize the adjustment of the error of the negative ion generation amount due to the variation of the high voltage output in the negative ion generation device equipped with the high voltage power supply, and the adjustment of the negative ion generation amount according to the use environment. Although the ground electrode is switched in this embodiment, a plurality of discharge electrodes may be provided and switched.

The electrode switching means capable of switching the discharge electrode or the ground electrode to be energized has the concept that the electric resistance of the electric circuit can be changed by connecting or disconnecting the circuits in parallel. Since it is the same as the means, it can be called a space resistance varying means.

Embodiment 5 of the Invention In the negative ion generator according to the fifth embodiment, as shown in FIG.
The structure is similar to that of the first embodiment, and the ground electrode 2 is replaced with, for example, a plate-shaped member whose exposed area from the inner wall of the housing 6 can be changed. The ground electrode 2 can be moved up and down, for example, by a mechanism in which a linear rack provided on one side surface thereof and a pinion are engaged with each other. The gear can be rotated by an electric motor or the like, or can be manually rotated by a holding portion or the like directly connected to the gear.

The negative ion generator according to the fifth embodiment is the same as the negative ion generator according to the first embodiment except that the ground electrode 2 can be moved up and down, and the ground electrode 2 is moved. By doing so, the increase / decrease of the exposed area of the ground electrode 2 from the inner wall of the housing 6 is adjusted to change the discharge generated between the discharge electrode 1 and the ground electrode 2, and the same effect as that of the first embodiment is obtained.

With this structure, the same effects as those of the first embodiment of the invention described above can be obtained. Although the structure can be made easier by making the ground electrode 2 to which no voltage is applied movable, the exposed area of the discharge electrode 1 from the housing 6 may be increased or decreased. Since this exposed area changing means is the same as increasing or decreasing the number of ground electrodes to be energized, the exposed area changing means will be referred to as space resistance changing means like the one described in the fourth embodiment. I can do it.

Sixth Embodiment of the Invention In the negative ion generator according to the sixth embodiment, as shown in FIG.
The structure is similar to that of the first embodiment, and the ground electrode 2 is provided on the upstream side of the air flow path of the discharge electrode 1 and in the vicinity thereof. The power supply 5 is a DC power supply or the like, and the negative electrode is connected to the discharge electrode 1.

Further, between the ground electrode 2 and the discharge electrode 1,
An insulating plate 8 is provided. The insulating plate 8 can be moved up and down by a meshing mechanism of a linear rack provided on one side surface of the insulating plate 8 and a pinion, and the increase or decrease of the exposed area from the inner wall of the housing 6 can be adjusted. The gear can be rotated by an electric motor or the like, or can be manually rotated by a holding portion or the like directly connected to the gear. The insulating plate 8 is, for example, rubber or synthetic resin.

Next, the operation of the negative ion generator according to the sixth embodiment will be described. First, the air from which dust, dirt, and the like have been removed by the two-stage type electrostatic precipitator 4 flows downstream in the air flow path by the airflow generating means 3.

At this time, since a negative DC voltage of several kV is applied to the discharge electrode 1 by the power source 5, an electric field is generated between the discharge electrode 1 and the grounded electrode 2.

The air on the air flow path passes near the discharge electrode 1 and the ground electrode 2 by the air flow generating means 3. A discharge is generated between the discharge electrode 1 and the ground electrode 2. Then, the air in the vicinity of the discharge electrode 1 is negatively ionized due to the attachment of electrons to oxygen molecules and the like due to this discharge. Therefore, the air is discharged to the outside of the apparatus by the airflow generating means 3 in a state of containing negative ions. Since the discharge electrode 1 is applied with a voltage that does not generate ozone, the air discharged to the outside of the device contains no ozone or a very small amount.

Further, at this time, the insulating plate 8 is moved up and down to adjust the amount of shielding the electric field generated between the discharge electrode 1 and the ground electrode 2, thereby changing the discharge, and further changing this discharge. It is possible to change the amount of electrons emitted from the discharge electrode 1 and adjust the generation amount of negative ions while suppressing the generation of ozone. For example, when the insulating plate 8 is moved so as to increase the amount of blocking the electric field between the discharge electrode 1 and the ground electrode 2, the discharge is weakened, the amount of electrons emitted from the discharge electrode 1 is decreased, and negative ions are generated. The amount can be reduced. On the contrary, when the insulating plate 8 is moved so that the amount of shielding the electric field between the discharge electrode 1 and the ground electrode 2 is reduced, the discharge is strengthened and the amount of negative ions generated can be increased.

With such a structure, the same effect as that of the first embodiment of the invention described above can be obtained. The electric field shielding amount varying means including the insulator and the insulator moving means can be called the space resistance varying means.

Seventh Embodiment of the Invention As shown in FIG. 8A, the negative ion generator according to the seventh embodiment is configured in the same manner as the third embodiment, and the discharge electrode 1
The negative ion emitter 9 is provided in the air flow path in the vicinity.

The negative ion emitter 9 is made of ceramic, a conductor or a semiconductor, and is charged by being placed in an electric field. Negative ion emitter 9
Is arranged upstream of the discharge electrode 1 and the ground electrode 2 in the air flow path, and is configured so that negative ions generated by charging are discharged by the air flow. Here, the negative ion emitter 9 is provided with an insulator such as rubber or synthetic resin on the outer periphery and has a floating potential, and neither the discharge electrode 1 nor the ground electrode 2 is in a conductive state. However, the negative ion emitter 9 does not mean that the voltage is not completely applied by another configuration, and a weak voltage may be applied.

FIG. 8B shows a configuration example of the negative ion emitter 9. The negative ion emitter 9 is formed by coating titanium oxide or zinc oxide on a substrate having a honeycomb structure made of paper, ceramic or metal, such as aluminum. By adopting the honeycomb structure, a large number of voids are provided along the direction of the air flow, and the air flow passes through the voids. The amount of negative ions can be increased by increasing the gap. The negative ion emitter 9 also serves as an ozone decomposing catalyst provided to decompose ozone generated in the two-stage electrostatic precipitator 4. By also using the gas component remover provided in the above as a negative ion emitter, it is not necessary to install a new negative ion emitter to generate negative ions, so the device can be downsized and pressure loss is also reduced. be able to. In a type of air cleaner that uses a mechanical filter as the dust collector and activated carbon as the gas component removing means, the negative ion emitter 9 is
It may be activated carbon. Negative ion emitter 9
Is provided on the upstream side of the discharge electrode 1 and the ground electrode 2, but may be provided on the downstream side.

Further, in addition to the negative ion emitter 9, it is possible to provide a photocatalyst or the like used together with an ultraviolet (UV) lamp.

Next, the operation of the negative ion generator according to the seventh embodiment will be described. First, the air from which dust, dirt, and the like have been removed by the two-stage type electrostatic precipitator 4 flows downstream in the air flow path by the airflow generating means 3.

At this time, since a negative DC voltage of several kV is applied to the discharge electrode 1 by the power source 5, an electric field is generated between the discharge electrode 1 and the grounded electrode 2 as shown in FIG. This electric field causes lines of electric force as shown in FIG. Then, since this line of electric force passes through the negative ion emitter 9, the negative ion emitter 9 is charged.

The air in the air flow path passes through the air gap of the negative ion emitter 9 by the air flow generating means 3. Since the negative ion emitter 9 is charged and accumulates electric charges, it releases negative ions from the inner surface of the void with the flow of air. Also, since electrons are supplied from the discharge electrode 1,
Negative ions are continuously emitted. Further, since this negative ion emitter 9 is an ozone catalyst, it decomposes ozone generated by the two-stage electrostatic precipitator 4.

The air that has passed through the negative ion emitter 9 passes between the discharge electrode 1 and the ground electrode 2 by the air flow generating means 3. Some discharge is generated between the discharge electrode 1 and the ground electrode 2. Then, the air in the vicinity of the discharge electrode 1 is negatively ionized due to the attachment of electrons to oxygen molecules and the like due to this discharge. Therefore, the air is discharged to the outside of the apparatus by the airflow generating means 3 in a state of containing a larger amount of negative ions. Further, since the discharge electrode 1 and the ground electrode 2 are arranged at a sufficient distance so that ozone is not generated with respect to the applied voltage, the air discharged to the outside of the device does not contain ozone. Or it will be extremely small.

Further, at this time, the discharge can be changed by moving the discharge electrode 1 or the ground electrode 2 up and down and back and forth to adjust the distance between the discharge electrode 1 and the ground electrode 2. By changing the discharge, the amount of electrons emitted from the discharge electrode 1 can be changed, and the amount of negative ions generated can be adjusted without changing the voltage. Therefore, it is possible to adjust the error due to the variation of the high voltage output, or to adjust the amount of negative ions generated according to the size of the used space.

As described above, the negative ion generator according to the seventh embodiment has the discharge electrode 1 and the ground electrode 2.
By adjusting the separation distance between them, it is possible to change the discharge generated between the discharge electrode 1 and the ground electrode 2 and adjust the amount of negative ions generated while suppressing the generation of ozone. Further, since the negative ion emitter 9 is configured to store the electric charge and discharge the negative ions by the air flow, the amount of negative ions generated can be stabilized. Therefore, it is possible to realize the adjustment of the error of the negative ion generation amount due to the variation of the high voltage output in the negative ion generator equipped with the high voltage power supply and the adjustment of the negative ion generation amount according to the use environment, and the negative ion generation amount. Can be stabilized.

In the above example, the discharge electrode and the ground electrode are individually movable or an insulating plate is provided in order to adjust the amount of negative ions generated, but these may be performed simultaneously. . That is, the discharge electrode may be made movable, and the insulating plate 8 may be provided between the discharge electrode and the ground electrode so as to be moved. Optimal adjustment can be realized by arbitrarily combining the above examples.

[0058]

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a negative ion generator capable of adjusting the amount of negative ions generated without changing the voltage.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a negative ion generator according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram when using a negative ion generator according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a negative ion generator according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a negative ion generator according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a negative ion generator according to a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a negative ion generator according to a fifth embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a negative ion generator according to a sixth embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a negative ion generator according to a seventh embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Discharge electrode 2, 21, 22 Grounding electrode 3 Air flow generation means 4 Two-stage type electrostatic precipitator 5 Power supply 6 Housing 71,
72 Switch 8 Insulation plate 9 Negative ion emitter

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued Front Page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification Code FI Theme Coat (Reference) B03C 3/40 B03C 3/40 AC 3/66 3/66 H01T 19/04 H01T 19/04 21/06 21/06 F-term (reference) 4C080 AA05 AA07 AA09 BB05 BB10 CC01 HH05 KK02 KK08 MM02 MM05 MM40 4D054 AA11 AA20 BB04 BB14 BB18 CA20 EA01 EA11

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A negative ion generator for generating negative ions, comprising air flow generation means for generating an air flow in an air flow path, a discharge electrode and a ground electrode installed to form an electric field in the air flow path. A negative ion generating device comprising: a power supply for applying a predetermined voltage to the discharge electrode; and a space resistance variable means capable of changing the space resistance between the discharge electrode and the ground electrode. 2. The negative ion generating device according to claim 1, wherein the space resistance varying means is a distance varying means capable of changing a distance between the discharge electrode and the ground electrode. 3. The negative ion generator according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of the discharge electrodes are provided, and the space resistance varying means is an electrode switching means capable of switching a discharge electrode to be energized. 4. The negative ion generator according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of the ground electrodes are provided, and the space resistance varying means is an electrode switching means capable of switching a ground electrode to be energized. 5. The negative ion generator according to claim 1, wherein the space resistance varying means is an exposed area varying means for varying an exposed area of the ground electrode to the air flow path. 6. The space resistance varying means is an electric field shielding amount varying means including an insulator for shielding an electric field between the discharge electrode and the ground electrode, and an insulator moving means for moving the insulator. The negative ion generator according to claim 1, wherein