JP2004159753A - Ion generator - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an ion generator which can automatically heat an ion generation element 2 according to a surrounding environmental temperature. <P>SOLUTION: A heating means 3 which heats the ion generation element 2 by heating according to the quantity of an energized current, a power source 4 which sends an electric current to the heating means 3, and a resistor 5 are provided. The resistor 5 shows a positive characteristic that, while a resistance value increases as the surrounding temperature rises, the resistance value reduces as the surrounding temperature falls and is prepared in series to the heating means 3. The calorific value of the heating means 3 reduces because a quantity of the current flowing through the heating means 3 is reduced by an increase in the resistance value of the resistor 5 if the surrounding temperature rises. On the other hand, the calorific value of the heating means 3 increases because the current capacity flowing through the heating means 3 is increased by a decrease in the resistance value of the resistor 5 if the surrounding temperature falls. Therefore, by providing the resistor 5, the calorific value of the heating means 3 can be modulated according to the surrounding temperature. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an ion generating apparatus provided with an ion generating element for generating both positive and negative ions for sterilizing and removing airborne bacteria in the air and removing harmful substances in the air, for example.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, an ozone generator that generates ozone by corona discharge has been proposed (for example, see Patent Documents 1 to 3). For example, FIG. 5 shows a schematic configuration of an ozone generator described in Patent Document 1.
[0003]
This ozone generator includes a dielectric substrate 1 on which dielectric substrates 101a and 101b are bonded. A discharge electrode 102 is provided on the surface of the dielectric substrate 101b, and the discharge electrode 102 is protected by an Al ₂ O ₃ layer 103. A pair of electrodes 104 facing the discharge electrode 102 is provided between the dielectric substrate 101b and the dielectric substrate 101a. The electrodes 104 are connected to an AC power supply 108 via a conductor 105, a terminal 106, and a lead 107 in a through hole formed in the dielectric substrate 101a. A chip resistor 110 is provided on the back surface of the dielectric substrate 101a (the surface opposite to the surface on which the electrode 104 is formed).
[0004]
In this ozone generator, the electric field generated between the electrodes 104 and 104 concentrates on the discharge electrode 102, and a large potential difference is generated between the discharge electrode 102 and the dielectric substrate 101. Corona discharge is generated by this potential difference, and oxygen atoms are excited by this corona discharge to generate ozone.
[0005]
At this time, since the ozone generator is provided with the chip resistor 110, the heat generated from the chip resistor 110 suppresses dew condensation when the humidity rises and suppresses a decrease in the amount of ozone generated. I have.
[0006]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Utility Model Registration No. 2523369 (Registration date; October 22, 1996)
[Patent Document 2]
Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 5-69125 [Patent Document 3]
JP-A-1-330003
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, since the amount of saturated water vapor is different between the high-temperature environment and the low-temperature environment, the humidity is generally low in the high-temperature environment and high in the low-temperature environment. Therefore, condensation due to an increase in humidity is likely to occur in a low-temperature environment such as during a cooling operation.
[0008]
However, in the above-described conventional configuration, energization to the chip resistor 110 is performed in a low-temperature environment where dew condensation easily occurs, while energization to the chip resistor 110 is stopped in a high-temperature environment. It is necessary to manually switch energization to the chip resistor 110 depending on the environmental temperature. For this reason, it has become troublesome for the user of the ozone generator.
[0009]
Such a problem is caused by the formation of an induction electrode inside the dielectric, the formation of a discharge electrode on the surface of the dielectric, and the use of an ion generation element provided with an ion generation element that generates both positive and negative ions by corona discharge near the discharge electrode. This also occurs in the device.
[0010]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an ion generator capable of automatically heating an element according to a surrounding environmental temperature.
[0011]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
According to the configuration of the ion generator of the present invention, the positive-characteristic resistor is provided in series with the heater that is energized by the power supply. As a result, when the ambient temperature increases, the amount of current flowing through the heating element decreases due to an increase in the resistance value of the resistor, so that the amount of heat generated by the heating element decreases. On the other hand, when the ambient temperature decreases, the amount of current flowing through the heating element increases due to a decrease in the resistance value of the resistor, so that the amount of heat generated by the heating element increases.
[0012]
Further, according to another configuration of the ion generator of the present invention, the control means adjusts the resistance value of the variable resistor provided in series with the heating element energized by the power supply means based on the ambient temperature. Thus, when the ambient temperature increases, the resistance value of the variable resistor increases, and the amount of electricity supplied to the heating element decreases, so that the heating value of the heating element decreases. On the other hand, when the ambient temperature decreases, the amount of electricity supplied to the heating element increases due to a decrease in the resistance value of the variable resistor, so that the heating value of the heating element increases.
[0013]
Note that the detection of the ambient temperature is performed by, for example, a detection unit such as a temperature sensor. This detection unit may be provided in the device or provided outside the device (for example, in a room where the device is installed). You may be. The control unit performs control for adjusting the resistance value of the variable resistor based on the temperature detected by the detection unit.
[0014]
As described above, in any of the above-described configurations, by providing the resistor or the variable resistor in series with the heater, the amount of heat generated by the heater can be automatically adjusted in accordance with the surrounding environmental temperature. Therefore, unlike the related art, it is not necessary for the user of the device to manually switch the energization of the heating element manually according to the environmental temperature. In addition, when the heat generation is required particularly in a low temperature environment, the heat generation amount of the heating body is increased while the heat generation amount of the heating body can be suppressed in a high temperature environment, so that unnecessary power consumption of the apparatus can be eliminated. .
[0015]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[Embodiment 1]
One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the ion generator 1 according to the present embodiment.
[0016]
The ion generator 1 is applicable to various electric devices. Examples of such electric devices include an air conditioner, an air conditioner (air conditioner), a dehumidifier, a humidifier, an air purifier, a refrigerator, a fan heater, a microwave oven, a washer / dryer, a vacuum cleaner, and a sterilizer. Is mentioned. In addition, the electric device is mainly disposed in a house, a room in a building, a hospital room or an operating room, a car, an airplane, a ship, a warehouse, a refrigerator, and the like. Hereinafter, the ion generator 1 will be specifically described.
[0017]
The ion generator 1 according to the present embodiment includes an ion generating element 2, a heating element 3, a power supply 4 (power supply means), and a resistor 5.
[0018]
As shown in FIG. 2, the ion generating element 2 includes a dielectric 11, an induction electrode 12 formed inside the dielectric 11, and a discharge disposed on the surface of the dielectric 11 so as to face the induction electrode 12. It has an electrode 13 and a potential difference generator (not shown) for giving a potential difference between the induction electrode 12 and the discharge electrode 13. The surface of the discharge electrode 13 is covered with a coating layer (not shown). When a potential difference is given between the discharge electrode 13 and the induction electrode 12 of the ion generating element 2 by the potential difference generating section, a corona discharge occurs near the discharge electrode 13 based on the potential difference, whereby both positive and negative ions are generated. Generated and released into the air.
[0019]
The heating element 3 heats the ion generating element 2 by generating heat according to the amount of current supplied by the power supply 4. In the present embodiment, the heating element 3 is formed of, for example, a heating resistor, and is provided on the surface of the dielectric 11 of the ion generating element 2 opposite to the surface on which the discharge electrode 13 is formed. Thereby, the heat generated in the heating element 3 is efficiently transmitted to the ion generating element 2, and the ion generating element 2 is reliably heated. Note that, in FIG. 1, in order to clarify the configuration of the ion generator 1 of the present invention, the heating element 3 is merely shown separated from the ion generating element 2.
[0020]
The power supply 4 supplies power to the heating element 3. In the present embodiment, the power supply 4 is provided in parallel with the heating element 3, and supplies a current to the heating element 3 and the resistor 5. The power supply 4 not only supplies power to the heating element 3 but also supplies a drive voltage (drive current) to the ion generating element 2. That is, the power supply 4 also serves as the above-described potential difference generator of the ion generating element 2. Thereby, the heating of the heating element 3 and the driving of the ion generating element 2 can be performed by one power supply means, so that the configuration of the apparatus is simplified as compared with the case where the corresponding power supply means is provided. be able to. The power supply 4 is composed of, for example, a DC power supply. By outputting positive and negative voltages to the ion generating element 2 alternately, both positive and negative ions are generated from the ion generating element 2.
[0021]
The resistor 5 is provided in series with the heater 3, and the resistance value of the resistor 5 itself changes according to the surrounding environmental temperature and humidity, thereby changing the amount of electricity supplied to the heater 3 and heating the resistor 5. Adjust the calorific value of the body 3. Here, FIG. 3 shows the relationship between the ambient environmental temperature and the resistance value of the resistor 5, and the resistor 5 is formed of a thermistor having a positive characteristic as shown in FIG. That is, the resistor 5 has a characteristic that the resistance value increases as the ambient temperature increases, while the resistance value decreases as the ambient temperature decreases. As described above, the resistance value of the resistor 5 continuously changes in accordance with a change in the surrounding environmental temperature, and in particular, sharply changes at an arbitrarily selected temperature.
[0022]
In the above-described configuration, when the heating element 3 is energized by the power source 4, the heating element 3 generates heat, thereby heating the ion generating element 2. Due to such heating of the ion generating element 2, dew condensation on the surface of the ion generating element 2 is suppressed, and the amount of ions generated in the ion generating element 2 is stabilized.
[0023]
At this time, when the surrounding environmental temperature rises, the resistance value increases due to the characteristics of the resistor 5 described above. Therefore, the amount of electricity supplied from the power supply 4 to the heater 3 provided in series with the resistor 5 is reduced. Decrease. Therefore, in this case, the calorific value of the heating element 3 is reduced. On the other hand, when the surrounding environmental temperature decreases, the resistance value of the resistor 5 decreases conversely due to the above characteristics, so that the amount of electricity supplied from the power supply 4 to the heater 3 increases. Will increase.
[0024]
As described above, by providing the resistor 5 having a positive characteristic in series with the heating element 3, the amount of electricity supplied to the heating element 3 is automatically adjusted according to the surrounding environmental temperature, and the amount of heat generated by the heating element 3 is reduced. Can be adjusted automatically. Therefore, since it is not necessary for the user of the apparatus to manually switch on and off the energization of the heating element 3 one by one according to the environmental temperature, the user does not have to be troubled when using the apparatus.
[0025]
In addition, by providing the resistor 5 having the positive characteristic, the amount of heat generated by the heating element 3 is increased when the heat is required particularly in a low temperature environment, while the amount of heat generated by the heating element 3 is suppressed in a high temperature environment. Therefore, unnecessary heating of the heating element 3 can be suppressed as much as possible, and unnecessary power consumption of the apparatus can be eliminated.
[0026]
In general, the positive resistor 5 has a large variation in quality among products. However, as in the present embodiment, a heating element (heating element 3) and a heating value adjusting element (resistor 5) are used. The configuration provided separately provides an advantage that the quality variation of the resistor 5 can be easily dealt with by replacing the resistor 5 with the existing heating element 3 being effectively used.
[0027]
In addition, the back surface of the ion generating element 2 is usually molded in many cases, and may be affected by heat generated from inside the ion generating element 2 (for example, a potential difference generating section). However, if the heater 3 and the resistor 5 are separated from each other, the resistor 5 can be freely arranged. Therefore, by arranging the resistor 5 outside the ion generating element 2 as in the present embodiment, the detection of the ambient temperature can be performed without being affected by the heat generated from the ion generating element 2. It is possible to do it accurately.
[0028]
[Embodiment 2]
The following will describe another embodiment of the present invention with reference to the drawings. The same components as those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the ion generator 1 ′ according to the present embodiment.
[0029]
The ion generator 1 ′ according to the first embodiment is the same as the first embodiment except that a variable resistor 6 is provided instead of the resistor 5 (see FIG. 1), and a sensor 7 (detection unit) and a control unit 8 (control unit) are further provided. The configuration is completely the same as that of the ion generator 1 of FIG.
[0030]
The variable resistor 6 can change the resistance value. The sensor 7 detects ambient temperature or humidity. In the present embodiment, the sensor 7 is provided in the ion generator 1 ', but may be provided outside the apparatus (for example, in a room where the ion generator 1' is installed).
[0031]
The control section 8 adjusts the resistance value of the variable resistor 6 based on the temperature and humidity detected by the sensor 7. Specifically, the control unit 8 performs control to increase the resistance value of the variable resistor 6 according to a rise in ambient temperature or a decrease in humidity, while reducing the resistance value of the variable resistor 6 according to a decrease in ambient temperature or a rise in humidity. Do. That is, the control unit 8 continuously changes the resistance value of the variable resistor 6 with the change of the surrounding environmental temperature and the environmental humidity.
[0032]
In the above configuration, when the controller 8 determines that the surrounding environmental temperature has increased or the humidity has decreased based on the detection result of the sensor 7, the controller 8 increases the resistance value of the variable resistor 6. In this case, the amount of electricity supplied from the power supply 4 to the heating element 3 provided in series with the variable resistor 6 decreases, so that the amount of heat generated by the heating element 3 decreases. On the other hand, when the control unit 8 determines that the surrounding environmental temperature has decreased or the humidity has increased based on the detection result of the sensor 7, the control unit 8 decreases the resistance value of the variable resistor 6. In this case, the amount of electricity supplied from the power supply 4 to the heating element 3 increases, so that the amount of heat generated by the heating element 3 increases.
[0033]
As described above, the variable resistor 6 is provided in series with the heating element 3, and the control unit 8 changes the resistance value of the variable resistor 6 according to the surrounding environmental temperature and humidity, thereby providing the surrounding environmental temperature and the like. The amount of electricity supplied to the heating element 3 is automatically adjusted in accordance with the humidity, so that the amount of heat generated by the heating element 3 can be automatically adjusted. As a result, the first embodiment has the advantage that the user of the apparatus does not need to switch energization to the heating element 3 according to the environmental temperature and humidity, and that unnecessary power consumption of the apparatus can be eliminated. The same effect as described above can be obtained.
[0034]
In addition, the ion generator of this embodiment can also be expressed as follows. That is, the ion generator emits ions into the air, generates heat according to the amount of current supplied, heats the ion generating element, and energizes the heater. An ion generator including a power supply unit, a variable resistor capable of changing a resistance value, a detection unit that detects ambient humidity, and a resistance value of the variable resistor based on the ambient humidity. Control means for adjusting, wherein the control means increases the resistance value of the variable resistor as the humidity decreases, and decreases the resistance value of the variable resistor as the humidity increases.
[0035]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, by providing a resistor or a variable resistor in series with the heater, the amount of heat generated by the heater can be automatically adjusted according to the surrounding environmental temperature and humidity. Therefore, unlike the related art, it is not necessary for the user of the apparatus to manually switch the energization of the heating body manually according to the environmental temperature or the like. Further, when heat generation is required particularly in a low temperature environment, the calorific value of the heater is increased, while in a high temperature environment, the calorific value of the heater can be suppressed, so that unnecessary power consumption of the apparatus can be eliminated. This has the effect.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of an ion generator according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing a schematic configuration of an ion generating element of the ion generating device.
FIG. 3 is a graph showing a relationship between a surrounding environmental temperature and a resistance value of a resistor.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of an ion generator according to another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of a conventional ozone generator.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Ion generator 2 Ion generating element 3 Heating body 4 Power supply (power supply means)
5 Resistor 6 Variable resistor 8 Control unit (control means)

Claims (3)

An ion generating element that emits ions into the air,
A heating element that heats the ion generating element by generating heat in accordance with the amount of current supplied;
Power supply means for energizing the heating element,
The resistance value increases as the surrounding temperature increases, and further includes a positive characteristic resistor whose resistance value decreases as the surrounding temperature decreases,
The said resistor is provided in series with the said heating body, The ion generator characterized by the above-mentioned. An ion generating element that emits ions into the air,
A heating element that heats the ion generating element by generating heat in accordance with the amount of current supplied;
Power supply means for energizing the heating element,
A variable resistor that can change the resistance value,
Control means for adjusting a resistance value of the variable resistor based on an ambient temperature,
The ion generator according to claim 1, wherein the control means increases the resistance value of the variable resistor as the temperature increases, and decreases the resistance value of the variable resistor as the temperature decreases. The ion generator according to claim 1, wherein the power supply unit also serves to supply a drive voltage to the ion generating element.

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