JP2004031145A - Negative ion generator - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a negative ion generator capable of maintaining a generated amount of negative ions at the best state. <P>SOLUTION: The negative ion generator generating negative ions by applying a high voltage to an electrode is provided with an acicular electrode B2 emitting free electrons for mainly producing ions, and a plurality of electrodes A1 and C3 controlling magnetic field strength around the acicular electrode and increasing/suppressing the generated amount of negative ions. Respectively different voltages are applied to each electrode. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a negative ion generator mounted on a hairdressing appliance such as a dryer or an air conditioner / air purifier, and particularly to an electrode configuration thereof.
[0002]
[Prior art]
A conventional negative ion generator has a needle-shaped electrode for applying a high voltage, and a pair of a cylindrical or plate-shaped low-voltage-side electrode, and a high voltage applied to the needle-shaped electrode is connected. A high voltage generated by applying a peak current switched by a thyristor or the like to a transformer is used.
[0003]
However, the high voltage value and the amount of generated negative ions are not necessarily correlated. If the voltage applied to the needle electrode is increased to increase the amount of generated negative ions, the voltage is generated and increased by the discharge of the needle electrode end. There is a risk that the amount of ozone will be excessive and adversely affect the human body.
[0004]
For this reason, the applied voltage cannot be increased unnecessarily, and is actually limited by the electrode structure, and it is necessary to apply a specific voltage value that maximizes the amount of negative ions generated while suppressing the generation of ozone. However, it is difficult to maintain the amount of generated negative ions in the best condition due to structural variations or deterioration of the electrodes or variations in the applied voltage.
[0005]
Negative ions are generated when electrons are released from the surface of the electrode due to a high voltage applied to the electrode and are adsorbed on nearby moisture or gas molecules. However, when the amount of negative ions increases and stays on the electrode surface, the electric field on the electrode surface is reduced, and the release of electrons from the electrode becomes difficult to occur. As a result, the generation of negative ions is hindered.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In the related art, in order to eliminate the stagnation of negative ions on the electrode surface and promote generation thereof, for example, the switching cycle is increased, and a change in the electric field is applied to the ion molecules around the electrode to promote the movement of the ion molecules, or a fan is used. To diffuse the negative ions on the electrode surface.
[0007]
However, the former has a limitation that the moving speed of the negative ions does not follow when the frequency is increased, and the latter requires additional components such as a large fan, which results in an increase in size and cost of the apparatus.
[0008]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an efficient negative ion generator capable of solving the above-mentioned drawbacks of the prior art and maintaining the amount of generated negative ions at an optimum state.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, a first means of the present invention is a negative ion generator for generating negative ions by applying a high voltage to an electrode, wherein the needle mainly emits free electrons for generating ions. A plurality of electrodes, in addition to the shape-like electrodes, which control the electric field strength around the needle-like electrodes to increase / suppress the amount of generated negative ions, and apply different voltages to the respective electrodes. .
[0010]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, at least one of the plurality of other electrodes of the needle electrode is covered with a dielectric material such as glass. .
[0011]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the needle-shaped electrode is disposed at a substantially middle position in the axial direction inside the tubular insulator and at a substantially center position of the tubular insulator. The low-voltage side electrode is located on one opening side of the tubular insulator, and a high voltage is applied on the other opening side of the tubular insulator than on the needle electrode. A voltage-side electrode is provided.
[0012]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the third aspect, a third electrode is arranged near the needle electrode, and a potential difference between the needle electrode and the third electrode can be adjusted. It is characterized by the following.
[0013]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a negative ion generator according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
[0014]
The front opening of the tubular insulator 4 serves as an outlet 6 for negative ions, and the rear opening serves as an air intake 7. An annular low-voltage electrode A1 grounded near the outflow port 6 is held inside the cylindrical insulator 4, and is provided at a substantially intermediate position in the axial direction of the cylindrical insulator 4 for free generation of negative ions. A needle electrode B2 that emits electrons is held, and an annular electrode C3 to which a higher voltage is applied is held behind the needle electrode B2. The needle-shaped electrode B2 is held at the center position of the tubular insulator 4 by the electrode holding insulator 5.
[0015]
The low-voltage side electrode A1, the needle electrode B2, and the annular electrode C3 are made of, for example, a metal such as stainless steel, and the cylindrical insulator 4 and the electrode holding insulator 5 are made of, for example, polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) or phenol resin. Of synthetic resin.
[0016]
Here, the high voltage indicates a potential in the negative direction with respect to the ground potential, and specifically, is about -4 kV to -6 kV. The electrodes A1, B2, and C3 are arranged at a distance (for example, about 3 mm to 6 mm) so as not to be discharged even when a predetermined voltage (for example, about -4 kV to -6 kV) is applied.
[0017]
The annular low voltage side electrode A1 functions as an electrode for guiding negative ion molecules in the direction of the negative ion outlet 6, but may have a surface covered with a dielectric such as glass to prevent absorption of ion molecules. .
[0018]
FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view showing the state, in which an annular low-voltage side electrode A1 is held by a tubular insulator 4, and a dielectric 12 made of a tubular or sheet-like glass is installed inside the tubular low-voltage electrode A1. The surface of the ring-shaped low voltage side electrode A1 is covered with the dielectric 12. The surface of the ring-shaped electrode C3 may be covered with the dielectric 12 similarly to the electrode A1.
[0019]
As shown in FIG. 1, a high voltage pulse generating circuit is connected to the needle electrode B2, and a negative high voltage is intermittently applied by the operation of the circuit. Free electrons are emitted from the tip of the needle electrode by the high voltage of negative polarity applied to the needle electrode B2, and combine with surrounding molecules to generate negative ions around the electrode.
[0020]
The generated negative ions move from the periphery of the needle electrode B2 by the action of the electric field formed between the ring-shaped low-voltage side electrode A1 and the ring electrode C3. Since no stagnation occurs and the electric field at the tip of the needle-shaped electrode B2 does not relax, free electrons are easily emitted from the surface of the needle-shaped electrode B2, and the generation of negative ions is performed smoothly.
[0021]
Further, since the device has a tubular structure and the negative ions are accelerated by the electric field between the annular low-voltage side electrode A1 and the annular electrode C3, the moving speed increases, and the air blowing inside the tubular insulator 4 is increased. This has the effect of increasing the action, diffusing the negative ions far, and increasing the incorporation of air and water molecules as the material of the negative ions.
[0022]
Further, even for relatively heavy molecules such as ozone, the movement of negative ions is promoted by the electric field between the annular low-voltage side electrode A1 and the annular electrode C3 inside the cylindrical insulator 4, and oxidation of the needle-like electrode B2 is prevented. Prevention, and the life of the device can be extended.
[0023]
FIG. 3 is a voltage waveform diagram of each part in the negative ion generator shown in FIG. At the moment when the diode D is turned on, the potential between the needle-shaped electrode B2 and the ring-shaped electrode C3 becomes equal. However, even after the diode D is turned off, the ring-shaped electrode C3 is maintained at a constant voltage. A constant electric field is maintained between A1 and the annular electrode C3 to promote movement of negative ions around the needle electrode B2.
[0024]
FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of a negative ion generator according to the second embodiment of the present invention. This negative ion generator is provided with an electrode D8 as a third electrode in addition to the configuration of the negative ion generator according to the first embodiment.
[0025]
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the shape of the electrode D8. The electrode D8 may have a ring-shaped electrode shape as shown in FIG. 5A or a substantially semicircular electrode shape as shown in FIG. In any case, the needle electrode B2 is disposed at the center position of the electrode D8.
[0026]
In this negative ion generator, the amount of negative ions generated can be adjusted by changing the potential difference between the needle electrode B2 and the electrode D8 and controlling the electric field around the needle electrode B2.
[0027]
In this embodiment, when the resistance value of the variable resistor 9 is changed to bring the electrode D8 closer to the maximum voltage of the needle electrode B2, the electric field intensity at the tip of the needle electrode B2 is reduced, and the emission of free electrons is suppressed. When the amount of generated negative ions decreases, and when the electrode D8 approaches the minimum voltage of the needle electrode B2, the electric field intensity at the tip of the needle electrode B2 is not affected by the electrode D8 and emits free electrons. , The amount of negative ions can be increased.
[0028]
When applying a voltage to the electrode D8, the voltage applied to the needle-shaped electrode B2 is not divided and used as in this embodiment, but the same applies even when a voltage is separately supplied from a high voltage generating circuit. Control is possible. In FIG. 4, reference numeral 10 denotes a negative pulse high voltage power supply, and 11 denotes a negative high voltage power supply.
[0029]
FIG. 6 is a voltage waveform diagram of each part in the minus ion generator shown in FIG.
[0030]
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The negative ion generator according to the present invention is applicable to various fields such as hairdressing and beauty equipment such as a dryer, an air conditioner, an air purifier, a humidifier, a refrigerator, and a deodorizing device for kitchen garbage.
[0031]
【The invention's effect】
According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a negative ion generator for generating negative ions by applying a high voltage to the electrodes. A plurality of electrodes that control the electric field intensity around the needle-like electrode to increase / suppress the amount of negative ions generated, apply different voltages to each electrode, move ion molecules from the needle-like electrode surface, and release free electrons. Or by accumulating ionic molecules around the needle electrode to suppress the emission of free electrons, the amount of negative ions generated can be controlled.
[0032]
In the second means of the present invention, by covering the surface of the electrode with a dielectric, absorption of ionic molecules of the electrode is prevented, and the amount of generated negative ions is increased.
[0033]
In the third means of the present invention, since the negative ions are accelerated by the electric field between the low voltage side electrode and the high voltage side electrode using the cylindrical insulator, the moving speed is increased, and the inside of the cylindrical insulator is increased. The air blowing action is increased, and the negative ions are diffused farther, and the intake of air and water molecules, which are the material of the negative ions, is increased. Furthermore, even for relatively heavy molecules such as ozone, the movement of negative ions is promoted by the electric field between the low-voltage side electrode and the high-voltage side electrode inside the cylindrical insulator, preventing oxidation of the needle-shaped electrode, Life can be extended.
[0034]
The fourth means of the present invention has such a feature that the control of the amount of generation of negative ions is optional by adjusting the potential difference between the needle electrode and the third electrode.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a negative ion generator according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged sectional view showing a state where an electrode surface is covered with a dielectric.
FIG. 3 is a voltage waveform diagram of each part in the negative ion generator according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of a negative ion generator according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a view showing a shape of a third electrode used in the negative ion generator.
FIG. 6 is a voltage waveform diagram of each part in the negative ion generator according to the second embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 electrode A
2 Needle electrode B
3 electrode C
Reference Signs List 4 cylindrical insulator 5 electrode holding insulator 6 negative ion outlet 7 air intake 8 electrode D
9 Variable resistor 10 Minus pulse high voltage power supply 11 Minus high voltage power supply 12 Dielectric

Claims (4)

In a negative ion generator that generates negative ions by applying a high voltage to the electrodes, the electric field strength around the needle electrodes is controlled in addition to the needle electrodes that mainly emit free electrons for ion generation. A plurality of electrodes for increasing / suppressing the amount of generation of negative ions, and applying different voltages to the respective electrodes. 2. The negative ion generator according to claim 1, wherein a surface of at least one of the plurality of electrodes other than the needle electrode is covered with a dielectric. 2. The negative ion generator according to claim 1, wherein the needle-shaped electrode is disposed substantially at an intermediate position in the axial direction inside the cylindrical insulator and substantially at a center position of the cylindrical insulator, and is more cylindrical than the needle-shaped electrode. A low-voltage side electrode is located on one opening side of the insulator, and a high-voltage side electrode to which a higher voltage is applied than the needle electrode is applied to the other opening side of the tubular insulator than the needle electrode. A negative ion generator characterized by being arranged. The negative ion generator according to claim 3, wherein a third electrode is arranged near the needle electrode, and a potential difference between the needle electrode and the third electrode is adjustable. Negative ion generator.

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