JP2003175096A - Ion generator and air conditioner device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an ion generator which changes-over an operation mode to the mode for generating a number of minus ions when a relaxing effect is needed but to the mode for generating plus ions and minus ions in nearly same quantity when a sanitizing/sterilizing effect is required. <P>SOLUTION: The ion generator includes minus ion generating means (S12, 14 and 16) and plus ion generating means (S12, 14 and 16). The both of the plus and minus ions are generated (S14) when operation is started (S4). When the air seems to be contaminated and the operation is started (S4), the device is operated in the operation mode for generating the plus and minus ions by nearly same quantity, which makes the sanitizing/sterilizing effect active. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ion generator for generating ions in the air and an air conditioner equipped with the same. Air conditioners, dehumidifiers, humidifiers, air purifiers, fan heaters, etc. are examples of those that correspond to the air conditioning device here, and are mainly used in the interior of a house, a room in a building, a hospital room, a vehicle interior. It is used in airplanes and ships.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, in a closed room such as an office or a conference room with little ventilation, if there are many people, carbon dioxide emitted by breathing, air smoke such as cigarette smoke and dust will increase. . Therefore, negative ions, which have the effect of relaxing people, decrease from the air.
Particularly, cigarette smoke may cause a large amount of negative ions to be lost, and the amount may be reduced to about 1/2 to 1/5 of the usual amount. Therefore, in order to replenish negative ions in the air, various ion generators have been proposed and installed in an air cleaner or the like.

On the other hand, in recent years, there has been an increasing demand for sterilization / sterilization, but an ion generator that generates only negative ions cannot positively remove airborne bacteria. Therefore, the applicant of the present invention has put an air purifier equipped with an ion generator that generates positive ions and negative ions into practical use.

[0004]

[Patent Document 1] German Patent Application Publication No. 2412693

[Patent Document 2] US Pat. No. 4,210,949

[Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 49-129493

[Patent Document 4] JP-A-54-040369

[Patent Document 5] Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 8-217512

[Patent Document 6] Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-058290

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
We have earnestly studied how to remove airborne bacteria.
As a result, positive and negative ions are generated
I found that I was good. H as a positive ion⁺ (H
₂ O)_n And O as a negative ion₂ ^- (H ₂ O)
_m When and are generated, they chemically react to form active species.
Hydrogen peroxide (H ₂ O₂ ) And hydroxyl radical / OH
Either or both are generated, and these active species cause floating in the air.
The migrating bacteria are removed.

However, positive ions are said to give stress to humans. For this reason, when positive ions and negative ions are generated, the effect of the negative ions for relaxing humans is reduced. Therefore, it is necessary to switch the operation mode according to the purpose of use. In other words, when you want to get a relaxing effect, the operation mode that generates many negative ions,
Further, when it is desired to obtain a sterilizing / sterilizing effect, the operating mode is switched to the operating mode in which the positive ion and the negative ion are generated in substantially the same amount by the user's selection, or automatically according to the surrounding environment. There has been a demand for an ion generator capable of performing the above.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and when a relaxing effect is desired,
In the operation mode that generates a lot of negative ions,
When you want to get the sterilization / sterilization effect, please set the operation mode to generate approximately the same amount of positive and negative ions.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an ion generator that can be switched. Another object of the present invention is to provide an air conditioner including the ion generating device according to the present invention.

[0008]

An ion generator according to the present invention is an ion generator equipped with a means for generating negative ions and a means for generating positive ions. It is characterized in that it is designed to generate both positive ions.

This ion generator is provided with means for generating negative ions and means for generating positive ions, and is configured to generate both negative ions and positive ions at the start of operation. ,
Disinfect /
It is possible to realize an ion generating device capable of operating in an operation mode in which positive ions and negative ions can be generated in substantially the same amount of ion, which is capable of obtaining a sterilizing effect.

Further, the ion generating apparatus according to the present invention is characterized in that the negative ions and the positive ions have substantially the same amount of ions.

In this ion generator, the negative ions and the positive ions are configured to have substantially the same amount of ions, so that a sterilizing / sterilizing effect can be obtained at the start of operation when it is considered that the air is contaminated. It is possible to realize an ion generator capable of operating in an operation mode in which positive ions and negative ions can be generated in substantially the same amount.

Further, the ion generator according to the present invention further comprises a timer, and after the timer has generated both negative ions and positive ions for a predetermined period of time from the start of the operation, negative ions are generated. Is switched to an operating state in which more than positive ions or only negative ions are generated.

In this ion generator, after generating both negative ions and positive ions for a predetermined time from the start of operation by the time measuring means, an operation in which more negative ions are generated than positive ions or only negative ions are generated It is configured to switch to the state. As a result, it is possible to set the operation mode in which the amount of positive ions and the amount of negative ions are approximately equal to each other, which is capable of obtaining the sterilization / sterilization effect for a predetermined time from the start of operation when the air seems to be contaminated. After a predetermined time, depending on the degree of contamination of air, it is possible to set the operation mode in which negative ions and positive ions are generated in substantially the same amount and the operation mode in which a large number of negative ions are generated.

Further, in the ion generator according to the present invention, the means for generating the negative ions and the means for generating the positive ions are composed of a dielectric, a pair of electrodes sandwiching the dielectric and facing each other, and the pair of electrodes. Means for applying an AC voltage between the electrodes, and the means is adapted to generate anion and a plus ion by applying an AC voltage between the pair of electrodes.

In this ion generator, the means for generating negative ions and the means for generating positive ions have a pair of electrodes facing each other with a dielectric material sandwiched therebetween, and a means for applying an alternating current between the pair of electrodes. It is configured to generate negative ions and positive ions by applying a voltage. As a result, at the time of operation start that seems to be contaminated with air, it is possible to obtain a sterilizing / sterilizing effect, and it is possible to operate in an operation mode in which positive and negative ions are generated in substantially the same amount. A generator can be realized.

The ion generator according to the present invention is further characterized by further comprising means for displaying an operating state in which the negative ions and the positive ions are generated in substantially the same amount.

Since this ion generator is further provided with a means for displaying an operating state in which the amount of negative ions and the amount of positive ions are generated in substantially the same amount, the sterilization / It is possible to operate in an operation mode that can generate a sterilizing effect and generate approximately the same amount of positive ions and negative ions, and the user can confirm that they are operating in that operation mode. An ion generator can be realized.

Further, the air conditioner according to the present invention comprises means for changing the state of the air and the ion generator according to any one of claims 1 to 5, and the ion generator generates the ion. It is characterized in that the negative ions and the positive ions are diffused in the air changed by the means.

In this air conditioner, negative ions and positive ions generated by the ion generating device according to the present invention are diffused in the air changed by the changing means, and therefore, the ion generating device according to the present invention is provided. An air conditioner can be realized.

The air conditioner according to the present invention further comprises a blower for forcibly moving the air, and the ion generator is designed to start operation when the blower starts driving. It is characterized by

In this air conditioner, the blower forcibly moves the air, and the ion generator is configured to start operation when the blower starts driving, so that the air is contaminated. It is possible to realize an air conditioner capable of operating in an operation mode in which positive and negative ions are generated in substantially the same amount, which is capable of obtaining a sterilizing / sterilizing effect at the start of operation that seems to occur. .

Further, the air conditioner according to the present invention further comprises a detecting means for detecting the degree of contamination of the air, and depending on the degree of contamination detected by the detecting means, the negative ion and the positive ion are generated in substantially the same amount. It is characterized in that it is designed to switch between an operating state in which the number of negative ions is larger than that of positive ions, or an operating state in which only negative ions are generated.

In this air conditioner, depending on the degree of contamination of the air detected by the detecting means, an operating state in which negative ions and positive ions are generated in substantially the same amount and more negative ions than positive ions, or only negative ions are generated. It is configured to switch between the operating state to be generated. With this, when a relaxing effect is desired, an operation mode in which a large amount of negative ions is generated is desired, and when a sterilizing / sterilizing effect is desired, and when air is contaminated, positive ions and negative ions are generated in substantially the same amount. It is possible to realize an air conditioner that can be switched to each operation mode.

Further, in the air conditioner according to the present invention, the detecting means includes one or both of a means for detecting the amount of dust in the air and a means for detecting the amount of odor in the air. To do.

In this air conditioner, the detecting means includes one or both of a means for detecting the amount of dust in the air and a means for detecting the amount of odor in the air. Air control that can be switched to an operation mode that generates a large number of ions, and when you want to obtain a sterilization / sterilization effect and when air is contaminated, the operation mode that generates approximately the same amount of positive and negative ions The device can be realized.

The air conditioner according to the present invention is an air conditioner comprising means for generating negative ions, means for generating positive ions, time measuring means, and detecting means for detecting the degree of air pollution. Therefore, the predetermined amount of time counting from the start of operation of the time measuring means, the negative ions and the positive ions are generated substantially the same amount of ions, after the time measuring means measures the predetermined time, the degree of contamination detected by the detecting means In accordance with the above, it is characterized in that the operating state in which the negative ions and the positive ions are generated in substantially the same amount and the operating state in which the number of the negative ions is larger than that of the positive ions or only the negative ions are generated.

In this air conditioner, means for generating negative ions, means for generating positive ions,
It is provided with a clocking means and a detecting means for detecting the degree of air pollution. A predetermined time that the timekeeping means measures from the start of operation,
Negative ions and positive ions are generated in substantially the same amount, and after the time measuring means has measured a predetermined time from the start of operation, depending on the degree of contamination detected by the detecting means, the amount of negative ions and positive ions is almost the same. The operating state to generate and the operating state to generate more negative ions or more negative ions are switched.

As a result, at the start of the operation when the air is considered to be contaminated, it is possible to obtain a sterilizing / sterilizing effect and to operate in an operation mode in which approximately the same amount of positive and negative ions are generated. When you want to obtain a relaxing effect, you can use the operation mode that generates a lot of negative ions, and you want to get a sterilizing / sterilizing effect. When the air is contaminated, the positive and negative ions are generated in approximately the same amount. It is possible to realize an air conditioner that can switch to different operating modes.

[0029]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of an ion generator and an air conditioner according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings showing the same. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an embodiment of an ion generator and an air conditioner according to the present invention. This air conditioner is an air purifier, and a control unit 33 including a microcomputer or the like is supplied with power from a power supply circuit 46, and an EEPROM (Electric) is used.
ally-Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory) According to the program stored in the circuit 39, the key input circuit 4
2, each of the fan motor drive circuit 47, the ion generator 1, the lamp circuit 48, and the oscillation circuit 50 based on the signals provided from the reception circuit 43, the dust sensor circuit 44, the odor sensor circuit 45, and the sensitivity switching circuit 38. Give a control signal to.

The key input circuit 42 is provided with keys, which will be described later, and outputs a signal according to a user's key operation to the control unit 33.
Give to. The receiving circuit 43 receives an infrared signal from a transmitting circuit of the remote controller 41 described later. The fan motor drive circuit 47 is supplied with power from the power outlet through the noise prevention circuit 40, and performs PWM control so that the fan motor 56 rotates at a predetermined rotation speed based on the control signal supplied from the control unit 33. The fan motor 56 rotates the fan 56a (blower).

The dust sensor circuit 44 (means for detecting the amount of dust) includes a light reflection type photointerrupter including a light emitting element and a light receiving element optically coupled to the light emitting element. When the amount of dust in the air is large, the amount of light reflected by the dust increases and the amount of light received by the light receiving element increases, which increases the output voltage of the light receiving element. Dust sensor circuit 44
Operates only when the fan motor 56 is being driven.

The odor sensor circuit 45 (means for detecting the amount of odor) includes an odor sensor made of a metal oxide semiconductor. The odor sensor detects odors such as cigarettes and daily odors by utilizing the fact that the resistance value changes when a gas component is adsorbed on the surface of the metal oxide semiconductor. The odor sensor circuit 45 always operates when the fan motor 56 is operating, and also intermittently operates while the fan motor 56 is stopped.

The ion generator 1 is controlled by the control unit 33, is supplied with power from the power supply circuit 46, and is supplied with a high voltage AC circuit from the high voltage drive circuit 49 which outputs a high AC voltage. , And an ion generating element 10 for generating ions. The power supply circuit 46 is supplied with power from a power outlet through the noise prevention circuit 40.

The lamp circuit 48 includes lamps described later, and under the control of the control unit 33, the lamps are individually controlled to be turned on. The oscillator circuit 50 generates an electronic sound according to a control signal from the control unit 33. The control unit 33
In addition, it is connected to a timer circuit 37 (time measuring means) and clocks the time when necessary.

FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram showing a configuration example of the noise prevention circuit 40, the power supply circuit 46, the high voltage drive circuit 49 and the ion generating element 10 described above. In the noise prevention circuit 40, a varistor 32 and a capacitor C3 are connected in parallel to a commercial AC power supply 30 supplied through a power outlet (not shown). The two terminals of the commercial AC power supply 30 are respectively connected to one of the terminals of the common mode choke coil 29 composed of two choke coils and an iron core, and the other terminals of the common mode choke coil 29 are connected to both terminals of the capacitor C4. Respectively connected to.

One terminal of the capacitor C4 is connected to one input terminal of the diode bridge DB of the power supply circuit 46, and the other terminal is connected to the other input terminal of the diode bridge DB via a fuse. . One output terminal of the diode bridge DB is connected to the control unit 33, and the other output terminal is connected to one terminal of the capacitor C4 through the resistors R7 and R6 and is also connected to the control unit 33. DC power is supplied to the control unit 33 from the output terminal of the diode bridge DB.

One terminal of the capacitor C4 is also connected to one terminal of the SSR35 (Solid-State Relay) of the high voltage drive circuit 49, and the other terminal of the SSR35 is connected to the anode of the diode D3 through the resistor R1. ing. The control terminal of the SSR 35 is turned on / off from the control unit 33.
Controlled off. The cathode of the diode D3 is connected to one terminal of the primary winding 31p of the switching transformer 31, and the cathode of the diode D2 and the positive terminal of the capacitor C2 are connected to one terminal of the primary winding 31p. There is.

Primary winding 31 of switching transformer 31
The other terminal of p is connected to the anode of the diode D2, the cathode of the diode D4, and the silicon-controlled rectifier SCR.
The anode of is connected. Silicon controlled rectifier S
A resistor R3 is connected between the cathode and the gate of CR, and one terminal of the capacitor C1, the anode of the diode D1, the one terminal of the resistor R2, the anode of the diode D4 and the negative terminal of the capacitor C2 are also connected to the cathode. Are connected respectively. The other terminal of the resistor R2 is connected to the anode of the diode D3. The resistors R1 and R2 described above divide the commercial AC power supply 30 and apply an appropriate voltage to the capacitor C2. The diodes D2 and 4 are for backflow prevention.

The gate of the silicon controlled rectifying element SCR is also connected to the other terminal of the capacitor C1 and one terminal of the resistor R5 through the resistor R4, and the other terminal of the resistor R5 is connected to the cathode of the diode D1. Has been done. The cathode of the diode D1 is connected to one terminal of the relay contact ry and also via a fuse to form a capacitor C.
4 is connected to the other terminal and is grounded. The other terminal of the relay contact ry is a diode D5.
Is connected to the cathode of, and the anode of the diode D5 is
It is connected to one terminal of the secondary winding 31 s of the switching transformer 31 and the surface electrode 13 of the ion generating element 10.

Secondary winding 31 of switching transformer 31
The other terminal of s is the internal electrode 12 of the ion generating element 10.
It is connected to the. The ion generating element 10 includes a dielectric 11
And a pair of electrodes (an internal electrode 12 and a surface electrode 13) that face each other with the dielectric 11 sandwiched therebetween. Relay contact ry
The relay coil RY is connected to the diode D6 in parallel and is controlled to be turned on / off by the control unit 33.

In the noise prevention circuit 40, the power supply circuit 46, the high voltage drive circuit 49 and the ion generating element 10 having the above-mentioned configuration, the ON / OFF state of the relay contact ry is controlled based on the signal sent from the control section 33. From the control unit 33 to SS
When R35 is turned on, an AC voltage is applied between the nodes A and B, and the capacitor C2 is charged in the section where the voltages at the nodes A and B are B <A (silicon controlled rectifying element SCR).
Is off).

Next, when a voltage equal to or higher than the trigger voltage is applied between the gate and the cathode of the silicon controlled rectifying element SCR in the section where the AC voltage is inverted (B> A), the silicon controlled rectifying element SCR is turned on. When the silicon controlled rectifier SCR is turned on, the capacitor C2 is discharged and the capacitor C2
→ primary winding 31p of switching transformer 31 → silicon controlled rectifying element SCR → current flows through diode D1,
A voltage is generated in the secondary winding 31s of the switching transformer 31. That is, the high voltage supplied to the ion generator 1 is applied.

Since the internal electrode 12 and the surface electrode 13 of the ion generating element 10 are a pseudo capacitive load and a resistive load, they serve as an equivalent LCR oscillating circuit and correspond to the energy charged in the primary side capacitor C2. The vibration stops after the secondary energy is also released and consumed. The above-mentioned high voltage drive circuit 49 for applying to the ion generating element 10.
The output voltage waveform is a free vibration waveform of the attenuation type. By applying the voltage having this waveform, ozone generation is suppressed and negative ions and positive ions are generated.

Further, the control unit 33 can stop the operation of the ion generator 1 by turning off the SSR 35 based on the key operation in the key input circuit 42. Further, the control unit 33 controls the on / off state of the relay contact ry based on the key operation in the key input circuit 42. When the relay contact ry is off, a sinusoidal voltage is applied between the internal electrode 12 and the surface electrode 13. At this time, the ion generator 1 generates positive and negative ions in the same amount from the air.
This removes airborne bacteria.

On the other hand, when the relay contact ry is in the ON state, the diode D5 cuts off the current in one direction, so that the potential of the surface electrode 13 shifts in the negative direction as seen from the potential of the node B. Therefore, the ratio of positive ions is small and the number of negative ions is large. Therefore, when the relay contact ry is in the ON state, the ion generating device 1 generates negative ions and slight positive ions from the air, and generates ions having a generation ratio of negative ions and positive ions of, for example, about 9: 1. . Thereby, a relaxing effect can be obtained. At this time, the ion generator 1 may generate only negative ions.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a structural example of the ion generating element 10. 4 is a vertical sectional view of the ion generating element 10 in the long side direction, and FIG. 5 is a vertical sectional view of the ion generating element 10 in the short side direction. The ion generating element 10 includes a surface electrode 13 provided on the upper surface of a plate-shaped dielectric 11.
And a surface electrode contact 15 (FIG. 4) provided on the lower surface of the dielectric 11 for supplying power to the surface electrode 13 and an upper surface provided on the upper surface of the dielectric 11 that is electrically connected to the surface electrode 13. The internal electrode 12 (FIG. 4) embedded in parallel with the surface electrode 13 between the conductive portion 16 and the upper dielectric body 11a and the lower dielectric body 11b that form the dielectric body 11 and the internal electrode 12 are formed. And inner electrode contacts 14 (FIG. 4) provided on the lower surface of the dielectric 11 for supplying electric power.
The surface (upper surface) of the upper dielectric 11a provided with the surface electrode 13 is coated with an alumina coating layer 11c to insulate the surface electrode 13.

More specifically, each part will be described.
The material of, as the organic substance, a material excellent in oxidation resistance is suitable, and for example, a resin such as polyimide or glass epoxy can be used, and as the inorganic substance, high-purity alumina, crystallized glass, forsterite or Ceramics such as steatite can be used. In consideration of corrosion resistance, an inorganic type is preferable, and in consideration of easiness of forming and easiness of electrode structure described later, it is preferable to form using a ceramic. Further, since it is desirable that the insulation resistance between the surface electrode 13 and the internal electrode 12 is uniform, it is more preferable that the density variation within the material is small and the insulation rate of the dielectric 11 is uniform.

The shape of the dielectric 11 may be another shape such as a disk shape, an elliptical plate shape or a polygonal plate shape, and may be a cylindrical shape. Considering productivity, As shown in FIG. 3, it is preferable to have a plate shape (this plate shape includes both a disk shape and a rectangular parallelepiped shape).

The surface electrode 13 can be used without particular limitation as long as it has conductivity, but it is required that it does not cause deformation such as melting due to discharge. The surface electrode 13 is formed integrally with the dielectric 11 on the upper surface of the dielectric 11, and has a depth from the surface (dielectric 1
It is preferable that the surface electrode 13 is provided on the inner electrode 12 side of the upper surface of 1) or the thickness (when the surface electrode 13 is provided so as to project from the upper surface of the dielectric 11) is uniform. The shape of the surface electrode 13 may be any shape such as a surface shape, a grid shape, and a linear shape, but if the shape is such that electric field concentration is likely to occur, the surface electrode 13 is applied between the surface electrode 13 and the internal electrode 12. Since the discharge can be performed even when the applied voltage is low, it is desirable to use a shape such as a grid shape or a linear shape in which electric field concentration easily occurs.

As with the surface electrode 13, the internal electrode 12 can be used without particular limitation as long as it has conductivity. Further, since it is desirable that the insulation resistance between the surface electrode 13 and the internal electrode 12 be uniform, it is desirable that the internal electrode 12 be parallel to the surface electrode 13. Therefore, it is preferable that the dielectric 11 is arranged inside the dielectric 11 so as to face the surface electrode 13 in parallel, and the distance between the surface electrode 13 and the internal electrode 12 (hereinafter, referred to as an inter-electrode distance) is constant. Is. As a result, the discharge state between the surface electrode 13 and the internal electrode 12 becomes stable, and positive ions and negative ions can be generated favorably.

Therefore, when the dielectric 11 is plate-shaped, when the surface electrode 13 is provided in a plane, it is desirable that the internal electrode 12 is provided in a plane parallel to the surface electrode 13.
When the dielectric 11 is provided in a cylindrical shape, the interelectrode distance can be made constant by providing the surface electrode 13 on the outer peripheral surface of the cylinder and providing the internal electrode 12 in an axial shape.

The surface electrode contact 15 (FIG. 4) is the surface electrode 1
3 is a contact that conducts, and one end of a copper wire aluminum wire or the like is connected to this contact, and the other end of this lead wire is connected to a contact of another structure to conduct the other structure to the surface electrode 13. Let
Since the surface electrode contact 15 is easy to connect to the lead wire,
The dielectric 11 may be provided on any surface, but since it has the same potential as the surface electrode 13, the distance between the internal electrode 12 and the surface electrode contact 15 may be larger than the interelectrode distance. Desirably, a stable discharge state can be obtained by configuring as shown in FIG.

The internal electrode contact 14 (FIG. 4) is the internal electrode 1
2 is a contact that conducts with 2, and one end of a lead wire made of copper wire aluminum wire or the like is connected to this contact, and the other end of this lead wire is connected to a contact of another configuration, and another configuration and internal electrode 1
2 and 2 are conducted. The internal electrode contact 14 may be provided on any surface of the dielectric 11 for ease of connection with the lead wire, but since it has the same potential as the internal electrode 12, the surface electrode 13 and the internal electrode contact 14 It is desirable that the distance between and is larger than the distance between the electrodes, and a stable discharge state can be obtained by configuring as shown in FIG.

Further, the surface electrode contact 15 and the internal electrode contact 1
The distance from the electrode 4 is also larger than the distance between the electrodes. Further, the surface electrode contact 15 and the internal electrode contact 14
Are both provided on the surface (lower surface) opposite to the surface (upper surface) on which the surface electrode 13 is provided, on the upper surface provided with the surface electrode 13 where positive and negative ions are generated,
No wiring such as lead wires is placed. Therefore, when air is blown to the upper surface provided with the surface electrode 13 by separately providing a blower or the like, it is preferable that the air flow is not disturbed by the lead wire. In addition, such an effect is obtained by the surface electrode contact 15 and the internal electrode contact 1.
It is possible to obtain 4 similarly by providing 4 at a position other than the upper surface.

The above-mentioned other structure means a voltage applying means (not shown) or a ground, and as an example of the connection, both the surface electrode 13 and the internal electrode 12 are connected to the voltage applying means. Voltage is applied by connecting the surface electrode 13 to the ground to make it a ground potential, and when the internal electrode 12 is connected to the voltage applying means, and when the surface electrode 13 is connected to the voltage applying means and the internal electrode 12 is grounded. It may be connected to ground potential. Among the examples of the other configurations described above, the surface electrode 13 is connected to the ground to set it to the ground potential, and the internal electrode 1
When 2 is connected to the voltage applying means, a high voltage is not applied to the exposed electrode, and therefore it is safe even when touched by a hand, which is preferable.

Further, when the number of the ion generating elements 10 is one, in order to generate positive ions and negative ions, the surface electrode 13 and the internal electrode 12 by the voltage applying means are used.
The applied voltage between and is required to be an alternating voltage. This alternating voltage is a sinusoidal alternating voltage (hereinafter referred to as a sinusoidal alternating voltage, which is generally used in commercial power sources. Not limited to AC voltage), a rectangular wave alternating voltage may be applied, or an alternating voltage having another waveform may be applied. The ion generating element 10 is housed in the housing as shown in the perspective view of FIG. 6 as the ion generating device 1 together with the high voltage drive circuit 49.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory view for explaining the structure of the air cleaner which is the air conditioner according to the present invention. The air purifier 71 has a substantially square shape when viewed from the front, and a front plate 72 of the air purifier 71 having a substantially square shape, a substantially square lattice-shaped filter holder 75, and a substantially square filter 74 are arranged from the front side.
It is incorporated in the front surface of the main body 73 of the air purifier 71.
An operation unit 78 is provided on the upper surface of the main body 73 of the air purifier 71 and receives an operation from the remote controller 41.

As shown in the rear perspective view of FIG. 8, the main body 73 of the air purifier 71 has a front side and a rear side of the main body front portion 8.
1 and a rear portion 82 of the main body, and has a structure in which a front plate 72 is provided so as to cover the front portion 81 of the main body. The front portion 81 of the main body is provided with a filter 74 as shown in FIG. A storage portion 84 that is a recess for storing is provided. As shown in FIG. 8, a grip 76 is provided on the upper portion of the main body rear portion 82.

The front plate 72, as shown in the side view of FIG.
The front part 81 of the main body is fixed to the front part 81 of the body with a certain space, and is slightly curved to the left and right, and a plurality of holes 79 (FIG. 7) are formed in the central part for sucking indoor air. Has been done. The indoor air is also sucked through the side inlets 88 on the upper, lower, left and right sides of the space between the front plate 72 and the front portion 81 of the main body. Filter 7 incorporated in the air cleaner 71
Reference numeral 4 is composed of a deodorizing filter 89 and a dust collecting filter 90. As shown in FIG. 7, the deodorizing filter 89 and the dust collecting filter 90 are arranged in this order from the front side. , Is fixed by a filter presser 75, and is detachably attached.

As shown in the front view of FIG. 10, the rear portion 82 of the main body is formed with radial holes 85 through which the indoor air passing through the filter 74 passes. Further, a concave housing portion for mounting the fan motor 56 (FIG. 1) is provided on the back side in the central portion of the radial hole 85, and the standing wall of the fan casing 86 is provided in the peripheral portion thereof. An air outlet 77 (FIG. 8) having an opening at the top and having slit holes 87 arranged in the center is formed. Further, the ion generator 1 is arranged in the middle of the standing wall of the fan casing 86 around the fan on the front side of the air outlet 77.

The deodorizing filter 89 is formed by heat-bonding rectangular polyester non-woven fabric into a plurality of bags and uniformly storing activated carbon and the like in the bags. Acetaldehyde and ammonia, which are odorous components in the air, are contained in the bags. Adsorb acetic acid, etc. The dust collection filter 90 can use, for example, a product name Tremicron, and after the filter material impregnated with the aggregate is folded and the antibacterial sheet is thermocompression bonded to the upper and lower sides, the frame filter is inserted. The material is welded and collects dust and dirt in the air.

With this filter 74, the deodorizing filter 89 adsorbs odor components in the air such as acetaldehyde, ammonia and acetic acid, and then the dust collecting filter 90 absorbs fine dust and dirt. Are collected, so that the air that has passed through the filter 74 becomes air that does not contain odor or dust. The components to be adsorbed by the deodorizing filter 89 may include activated carbon and / or zeolide as a main component, and activated carbon fibers, silica gel, aluminum hydroxide, and sepiolite may also be contained.

FIG. 11 is a plan view showing the operating portion 78 provided on the upper surface of the main body 73 of the air purifier 71. The operation unit 78 is provided with keys of the key input circuit 42 (FIG. 1). As the keys, the "drive on / off" key 42
c, "operation switching" key 42b and "off timer" key 42
a. The operation unit 78 is also provided with detection ports for the odor sensor circuit 45 and the dust sensor circuit 44.

The operation circuit 78 also includes a lamp circuit 48.
Lamps (Fig. 1) are provided. As the lamps, "power" lamp 48n, "automatic operation" lamp 48
m, "silent operation" lamp 48e, "pollen operation" lamp 4
8k, "cigarette operation" lamp 48j, "weak air volume operation" lamp 48f, "medium air volume operation" lamp 48g, "strong air volume operation" lamp 48h, "rapid operation" lamp 48i, "1 hour" lamp 48b, "2 hours" A lamp 48c, a "4 hours" lamp 48d, a "cluster" lamp 48p, a "cluster switching" lamp 48s (display means), and a sensor sensitivity lamp 38a are provided. Further, a "dust" lamp 48r for displaying the amount of dust detected by the dust sensor circuit 44 and a "odor" lamp 48q for displaying the amount of odor detected by the odor sensor circuit 45 are provided.
The “cluster switching” lamp 48s is provided with two-color light emitting diodes and changes its color according to the operating state of the ion generator 1.

FIG. 12 is a plan view showing the structure of the remote controller 41. The remote controller 41 is
"Run on / off" key 41c and "off timer" key 41a
In addition, "cluster ON / OFF" key 41p, "cluster switching" key 41pa, "automatic operation" key 41m, "rapid operation" key 41i, "pollen operation" key 41k, "manual (air volume) operation" key 41f , "Quiet driving" key 41e,
It is provided with a "tobacco driving" key 41j and a transmitting section 41b for transmitting an infrared signal.

The operations of the ion generator 1 and the air purifier 71 having such a configuration will be described below. Control unit 33
Starts the operation in the "automatic operation mode" when the "operation on / off" key 42c is operated. "Automatic operation mode"
Then, the dust sensor circuit 44 and the odor sensor circuit 45
The number of rotations of the fan motor 56 is varied according to the amount of dust and odor detected by (the "silent operation mode", "weak air volume weak operation mode", "medium air volume operation mode", "air volume strong operation mode" described later). "Or" quick operation mode ").

At this time, the "automatic operation" lamp 48m of the lamp group is turned on, and the ion generator 1 also starts operating.
When the "run on / off" key 42c of the key group is operated during operation, the fan motor 56 is stopped, the operation of the ion generator 1 is stopped, and the "automatic operation" lamp 48 of the lamp group is stopped.
m turns off.

Each time the "operation switching" key 42b of the key group is operated, the operation mode changes from "automatic operation mode" to "silent operation mode" to "weak air volume operation mode" to "medium air volume operation mode" to "air volume strong". "Operation mode" → "Rapid operation mode" →
"Tobacco operation mode" → "Pollen operation mode" → "Automatic operation mode" is switched, and the lamps in the lamp group that accompany it are also "automatic operation" lamp 48m → "silent operation"
Lamp 48e → "Weak air volume operation" lamp 48f → "Air volume medium operation" lamp 48g → "Air volume strong operation" lamp 48h →
"Rapid driving" lamp 48i → "Cigarette driving" lamp 48
j → "Pollen driving" lamp 48k → "Automatic driving" lamp 4
Switch to 8m.

The remote controller 41 is provided with keys corresponding to the "automatic operation mode", "quiet operation mode", "cigarette operation mode" and "pollen operation mode". Switching between the "medium air volume operation mode", "strong air volume operation mode", and "quick operation mode" is performed by operating the "manual (air volume) operation" key 41f.

In the "silent operation mode", the fan motor 5
6 is controlled so that the rotation speed is 300 rpm. In this case, since the sound generated from the air purifier 71 is small, it is suitable for driving at night or the like. In the "weak air volume operation mode", the controller 33 determines that the rotation speed of the fan motor 56 is 550 rpm
In the "air volume operation mode", the rotation speed of the fan motor 56 is 750 rpm, and in the "air volume strong operation mode", the rotation speed of the fan motor 56 is 950 rpm.
Each controls the fan motor 56.

In the "rapid operation mode", the control unit 33 further determines that the rotation speed of the fan motor 56 is 1100 rpm.
Control to become. In this case, since the flow rate of air passing through the filter 74 increases, it is suitable for quickly removing air pollution. In the "cigarette operation mode",
After operating for a predetermined time in the "strong air volume operation mode",
Operate in "automatic operation mode". In this case, it is suitable for removing tobacco smoke and odor.

In the "pollen operation mode", after the operation in the "strong air volume operation mode" is performed for a predetermined time, the "weak air volume operation mode" and the "strong air volume operation mode" are switched at predetermined intervals to repeat the operation. . In this case, it is suitable for removing pollen. Key group or remote controller 41 during operation
When the "OFF timer" keys 42a, 41a provided on the control panel are operated, the operation can be automatically stopped after the set time. Each time the "off timer" keys 42a and 41a are operated, the set time is switched to "1 hour" → "2 hours" → "4 hours" → "cancel timer" → "1 hour",
As a result, in the lamp group, the “one hour” lamp 48
b → “2 hours” lamp 48c → “4 hours” lamp 48d
->None->"1hour" lamp 48b lights in this order.

When the "off timer" key 41a provided on the remote controller 41 is operated, the oscillation circuit 50 (FIG. 1) produces a number of electronic sounds according to the set time. In addition, when the ion generator 1 is operating,
When the "off timer" key 41a is operated, the air purifier 7
In conjunction with 1, the ion generator 1 also stops the operation after the set time.

When the "cluster ON / OFF" key 41p is operated while the ion generator 1 is stopped, the SSR 35 is turned on, and the ion generator 1 starts its operation.
The "cluster" lamp 48p lights up. When the "cluster ON / OFF" key 41p is operated while the ion generator 1 is in operation, the SSR 35 is turned off, and the ion generator 1 stops operating. Since the control signal to the SSR 35 and the PWM control signal to the fan motor drive circuit 47 are independent of each other, the on / off state of the ion generator 1 should be controlled regardless of the on / off state of the fan motor 56. Can be done.

The operation of the air cleaner 71 in the automatic operation mode will be described in detail below with reference to the flowchart of FIG. When the "Driving ON / OFF" key 42c of the operating unit 78 is operated, the control unit 33 starts the driving in the "automatic driving mode" and causes the timer circuit 37 to count (clock) time (S2). At this time, the fan 56a is rotated by the fan motor 56, air is sucked into the machine through the suction port 79 and the side suction port 88 of the front plate 72, and the deodorizing filter 89 adsorbs and removes the odorous component from the sucked air. The dust filter 90 removes small dust. The air from which dust and odor have been removed by the filter 74 is discharged to the outside of the machine from the air outlet 77 by the fan.

In the ion generator 1, the AC voltage is applied from the start of the operation of the air cleaner 71, and in the "automatic operation mode", the SSR 35 of the high voltage drive circuit 49 is on. The control unit 33 waits until the time counted by the timer circuit 37 reaches a predetermined time (set value) (S4),
The relay contact ry of the high-voltage drive circuit 49 is turned off, and the ion generator 1 is operated to alternately generate positive and negative ions (using a sinusoidal voltage) in the first operation mode (S14). .

After the time counted by the timer circuit 37 reaches a predetermined time (S4), the control section 33 constantly detects the contamination state of the indoor air by the dust sensor circuit 44 and the odor sensor circuit 45 ( Measurement) (S6). The control unit 33 drives the high voltage when the values detected by both or any of the sensor circuits (S6) are larger than the preset values (S8, 10), that is, when the indoor air is dirty. The relay contact ry of the circuit 49 is turned off, and the ion generator 1 is operated to generate positive and negative ions in the first operation mode alternately (by a sinusoidal voltage) to generate substantially the same amount of ions (S16).

Further, when the values detected by any of the sensor circuits (S6) are smaller than the preset values (S8, 10), that is, when the indoor air is clean, the control unit 33 High voltage drive circuit 49 by control signal
The relay contact ry of is turned on to operate the ion generator 1 to generate ions having a higher generation ratio of negative ions than positive ions in the second operation mode (S1).
2). At this time, operation may be performed in which only negative ions are generated.

Therefore, the control unit 33 sets the ion generator 1 to the first operation mode when the predetermined time has not passed from the start of operation and when the indoor air is contaminated with dust and / or odor. To generate an approximately equal amount of negative ions and positive ions and release them into the room. As a result, suspended bacteria are removed from the indoor air by the action of the negative ions and the positive ions. According to an experimental example by the inventor of the present application, the size of the chamber and the fan 56
Although it depends on the rotation speed of a, etc., the removal rate of bacteria in the indoor air was 86% after 2 hours from the start of operation, 93% after 4 hours, and 99% after 20 hours.

The control unit 33 continues the operation, and when the values detected by any of the sensor circuits are smaller than the respective preset values, that is, when the indoor air is clean,
The ion generator 1 is operated in the second operation mode to generate ions having a higher generation ratio of negative ions than positive ions and release them into the room. As a result, it is possible to obtain air in which the presence ratio of negative ions is higher than that of positive ions, and it is possible to obtain a relaxing effect that calms the mind.

Further, the user selects the cluster switching key 41p.
By operating a, the operation mode can be arbitrarily selected to the first operation mode or the second operation mode. With this, it is possible to select from the operation of increasing the generation rate of negative ions and the operation of alternately generating the same amount of negative ions and positive ions, depending on the indoor air condition and the user's situation. Air can be cleaned and comfortable air can be obtained.

The lighting color of the "cluster switch" lamp 48s (display means) of the operating section 78 is blue in the first operation mode and green in the second operation mode. By changing the, the driving state can be visually identified and the usability is improved.
In the above-described embodiment, the air purifier 71 has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this, and is applicable to air conditioners, dehumidifiers, humidifiers, fan heaters, and other air conditioning devices. Can also be applied.

[0083]

According to the ion generator of the present invention,
To realize an ion generator capable of obtaining a sterilizing / sterilizing effect at the start of operation regardless of the degree of air pollution and capable of operating in an operation mode in which positive and negative ions are generated in substantially the same amount. You can

Further, according to the ion generator of the present invention, the positive and negative ions, which can obtain the sterilization / sterilization effect for a predetermined time from the start of operation regardless of the degree of air pollution, are omitted. It is possible to set the operation mode to generate the same amount of ions, and after a predetermined time, depending on the degree of pollution of the air, an operation mode in which negative ions and positive ions are generated in substantially the same amount, and a mode in which many negative ions are generated. Can be realized.

Further, according to the ion generator of the present invention, it is possible to obtain the sterilization / sterilization effect at the start of operation regardless of the degree of air pollution, and the positive and negative ions have substantially the same amount of ions. It is possible to realize an ion generator that can be operated in the operation mode in which it is generated and the user can confirm that it is operating in that operation mode. In addition, even in a room where the air is always clean and there is no opportunity to drive in the operation mode, the user can confirm that the operation mode operates normally.

Further, according to the air conditioner of the present invention, it is possible to realize the air conditioner provided with the ion generating device of the present invention.

Further, according to the air conditioner of the present invention, it is possible to obtain the sterilization / sterilization effect at the start of operation regardless of the degree of air pollution, and the positive and negative ions have substantially the same amount of ions. It is possible to realize an air conditioner that can be operated in a generated operation mode.

Further, according to the air conditioner of the present invention, when a relaxing effect is desired, the operation mode in which a large amount of negative ions is generated is used, and when air for which a sterilizing / sterilizing effect is desired is contaminated, a positive mode is set. In the operation mode that generates approximately the same amount of ions as ions and negative ions,
It is possible to realize an air conditioner that can be switched.

Further, according to the air conditioner of the present invention, it is possible to obtain a sterilizing / sterilizing effect at the start of operation regardless of the degree of air pollution, and the positive and negative ions have substantially the same amount of ions. If you want to get a relaxing effect while operating in a generating mode, you can use a mode that generates a large amount of negative ions, and you want to obtain a sterilizing / sterilizing effect. It is possible to realize an air conditioner capable of switching to an operation mode in which ions are generated in substantially the same amount as each other.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an embodiment of an ion generator and an air conditioner according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram showing a configuration example of a noise prevention circuit, a power supply circuit, a high voltage drive circuit, and an ion generating element.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a configuration example of an ion generating element.

FIG. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the ion generating element in the long side direction.

FIG. 5 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the ion generating element in the short side direction.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing an appearance of an ion generating element.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a configuration of an air purifier that is an air conditioner according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a rear perspective view showing the appearance of the main body of the air purifier.

FIG. 9 is a side view showing the outer appearance of the main body of the air purifier.

FIG. 10 is a front view showing a rear portion of the main body of the air purifier.

FIG. 11 is a plan view showing an operation unit provided on the upper surface of the air purifier.

FIG. 12 is a plan view showing the configuration of a remote controller.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the operation of the air cleaner in the automatic operation mode.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Ion Generator 10 Ion Generating Element (Means for Generating Negative Ions, Means for Generating Positive Ions) 11 Dielectric 12 Internal Electrode 13 Surface Electrode 31 Switching Transformer 33 Control Unit 35 SSR (Solid-State Relay) 37 Timer Circuit ( 41) Remote controller 41c "Run ON / OFF" key 42 Key input circuit 44 Dust sensor circuit (means for detecting dust amount) 45 Odor sensor circuit (means for detecting odor amount) 47 Fan motor drive circuit 48 Lamp circuit 48s “Cluster switching” lamp (means for displaying) 49 High-voltage drive circuit 56 Fan motor 56a Fan (blower) 71 Air purifier (air conditioner) 74 Filter 77 Air outlet 78 Operating part ry Relay contact

Continued front page    (72) Inventor Mamoru Morikawa             22-22 Nagaikecho, Abeno-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka             Inside the company F-term (reference) 3L051 BC10                 4C080 AA09 BB02 BB05 CC01 QQ17                       QQ20

Claims (12)

[Claims] 1. An ion generator comprising a means for generating negative ions and a means for generating positive ions, wherein both negative and positive ions are generated at the start of operation. Characteristic ion generator. 2. The ion generator according to claim 1, wherein the negative ions and the positive ions have substantially the same amount of ions. 3. Further comprising a clocking means, and after the clocking means has generated both negative ions and positive ions for a predetermined time from the start of the operation, more negative ions are added than positive ions, or negative ions are added. The ion generator according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the ion generator is configured to switch to an operating state in which only the ion is generated. 4. An ion generator comprising a means for generating negative ions and a means for generating positive ions, comprising a time measuring means, wherein the time measuring means measures negative ions for a predetermined time from the start of operation. And an ion generator, which is configured to generate approximately the same amount of positive ions. 5. An ion generator comprising a means for generating negative ions and a means for generating positive ions, comprising a time measuring means and a detecting means for detecting the degree of contamination of air. A predetermined time that is measured from the start of operation,
After the negative ion and the positive ion are generated in substantially the same amount, and the time measuring means measures the predetermined time, the negative ion and the positive ion are generated in substantially the same amount according to the degree of contamination detected by the detection means. Operating conditions,
An ion generator characterized in that it is designed to switch between an operating state in which more negative ions are generated than positive ions or only negative ions are generated. 6. The means for generating negative ions and the means for generating positive ions apply a dielectric material, a pair of electrodes sandwiching the dielectric material to face each other, and an alternating voltage is applied between the pair of electrodes. 6. An ion generator according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising: means for generating negative ions and positive ions by applying an alternating voltage between the pair of electrodes. 7. The ion generator according to claim 2, further comprising means for displaying an operating state in which negative ions and positive ions are generated in substantially the same amount. 8. An ion generating device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, comprising means for changing the state of the air, wherein the negative and positive ions generated by the ion generating device are generated by the means. The air conditioner is characterized in that the air is diffused in the changed air. 9. The air conditioner according to claim 8, further comprising a blower for forcibly moving the air, wherein the ion generator is configured to start operation when the blower starts driving. 10. A detection means for detecting the degree of pollution of air is further provided, and an operating state in which negative ions and positive ions are generated in substantially the same amount in accordance with the degree of pollution detected by the detection means, and negative ions are positive. The air conditioner according to claim 9, wherein the air conditioner is configured to switch between an operating state in which more ions are generated or only negative ions are generated. 11. The air conditioner according to claim 10, wherein the detection unit includes one or both of a unit for detecting the amount of dust in the air and a unit for detecting the amount of odor in the air. 12. A means for generating negative ions,
A means for generating positive ions, a time measuring means, and an air conditioning device comprising a detecting means for detecting the degree of contamination of air, wherein the time measuring means measures a predetermined time from the start of operation, negative ions and positive ions. Generate approximately the same amount of ions,
After the time counting means measures the predetermined time, depending on the degree of contamination detected by the detection means, an operating state in which negative ions and positive ions are generated in substantially the same amount of ions, and more negative ions than positive ions, or An air conditioner characterized in that it is designed to switch between operating states in which only negative ions are generated.