JP2004358363A - Electrostatic atomizing apparatus and air cleaner using it - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electrostatic atomizing apparatus being capable of promoting electrostatic atomization and carrying mist generated by electrostatic atomization efficiently out of the apparatus through ion wind generated by discharge and allowing easy compacting and an air cleaner using the apparatus. <P>SOLUTION: An atomization section 8 of the apparatus generating atomized mist consists of carrying sections 4A carrying water from a water reservoir 6, an application electrode 2 supporting the carrying sections 4A and applying a high voltage to water in the carrying sections 4A and counter electrodes 3 arranged along the edge of the carrying portion 4A with an interval in an opposed way. The counter electrodes 3 are supported by the upper part of the cage section 10, and the electrode 2 supporting the carrying sections 4A is supported by the inside of the lower part of the cage section 10. Ventilating holes 11 for promotion of atomization are pierced through the peripheral surface of the cage section 10. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an electrostatic atomizer that generates a fine mist by applying a high voltage to water and an air cleaner using the same.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, various types of air purifiers have been provided for collecting and deodorizing dust and odor components generated in the home. Dust removal methods of these air purifiers are roughly divided into fiber filters and the like. There is a mechanical type that uses both, an electric dust collection type, and a type that has both functions.
[0003]
In addition, an air purifier that consists of a blower consisting of a sirocco fan and a clean filter to clean dirt particles and odor components in the air, and blows out the air cleaned by the clean filter from the discharge port. Are known.
[0004]
Further, as another example of the air purifier, there is one in which an atomization generating section is built in the air purifier so that mist fined by an electric field jumps into a room (for example, see Patent Document 1). This mist contains active species and can decompose and remove dust and odors floating in the room.
[0005]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-2002-203657
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the conventional atomization generator has a structure in which the housing supporting the application electrode and the counter electrode is composed of separate components, or has a structure that promotes the amount of atomization using ion wind. There was no. For this reason, there has been a problem that the size of the apparatus has been increased, and that mist generated by electrostatic atomization cannot be transported to the outside of the apparatus.
[0007]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the problems of the above-described conventional example, and has as its object to promote electrostatic atomization and to achieve static by utilizing ion wind generated by electric discharge. An object of the present invention is to provide an electrostatic atomizer and an air purifier using the same, which can efficiently transport mist generated by electro-atomization to the outside of the apparatus and can easily achieve compactness. Another object of the present invention is to provide an electrostatic atomizer which can make the flow of ion wind laminar, which is excellent in safety, and which can further prevent contamination of the atomization generating section, and the use thereof. To provide a clean air purifier.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above problems, the electrostatic atomizer according to the present invention provides a transport unit 4A that transports water from a water reservoir 6, a support unit that supports the transport unit 4A, and applies a high voltage to water in the transport unit 4A. An atomizing generator 8 that generates mist by electrostatic atomization is configured by the application electrode 2 and the counter electrode 3 that is opposed to the tip of the transport unit 4A with a space therebetween. Holding the counter electrode 3 and holding the application electrode 2 supporting the transport unit 4A at the lower inner side, and forming a ventilation hole 11 for promoting atomization on the peripheral surface of the housing 10. I have.
[0009]
With such a configuration, the supply of the ion wind generated by the discharge can be performed not from the counter electrode 3 side but from the application electrode 2 side through the ventilation hole 11, and the flow of the ion wind can be controlled by the counter electrode 3 side. I will be heading to. By utilizing the flow of the ion wind, electrostatic atomization is promoted, the amount of atomization increases, and the mist generated by the electrostatic atomization can be efficiently transported to the outside of the apparatus by the ion wind. In addition, since the application electrode 2 and the counter electrode 3 that support the transport unit 4A are held at two locations above and below the housing unit 10, the housing unit 10 can be composed of one part, and the electrostatic atomization can be made compact. The device 1 can be configured.
[0010]
In addition, it is preferable that the casing 10 is formed in a lattice shape.
[0011]
With this configuration, the flow of the ion wind becomes laminar, that is, it is possible to prevent the reduction of the ion wind due to the turbulent flow. As a result, the mist generated by the electrostatic atomization is efficiently conveyed to the outside of the apparatus. become able to. Further, by setting the pitch d of the grid to a size that does not allow a finger to enter, the electrostatic atomizer 1 can be configured safely.
[0012]
Further, it is preferable that the cross-sectional shape of the lattice of the housing portion 10 be the shape of a rectification path.
[0013]
With such a configuration, the flow of the ion wind can be rectified by the grid, and the mist generated by the electrostatic atomization can be more efficiently and smoothly conveyed to the outside of the apparatus.
[0014]
Further, the air purifier according to the present invention includes the electrostatic atomizer 1, a filter unit 81 for collecting and deodorizing dust and odor in the air, and a blowing unit for sending air to the dust collecting unit. And the electrostatic atomizer 1 is arranged downstream of the filter unit 81.
[0015]
With such a configuration, the mist atomized by the electrostatic atomizer 1 can be efficiently generated, and the air passing near the electrostatic atomizer 1 is filtered by the filter unit 81. Since the air is clean, the contamination of the atomization generating section 8 can be prevented.
[0016]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail based on an example of an embodiment. An electrostatic atomizing device 1 shown in the figure has a water reservoir 6 containing water to be atomized at a lower portion. As shown in FIG. 3, a casing 10 having a cylindrical shape and a ventilation hole 11 opened on the peripheral surface, a counter electrode 3 disposed on the upper part of the casing 10, and a lower part of the casing 10. It is composed of an application electrode 2 that is fitted and performs voltage application to water, a plurality of rod-shaped water absorbing bodies 4 held by the application electrode 2, and an ionization needle 5 also held by the application electrode 2. The water reservoir 6 formed in a cup shape has a protrusion 60 on the outer surface of the upper end opening edge provided on the outer peripheral flange 21 of the application electrode 2 mounted at the lower portion of the housing 10. Attached by engaging bayonet in engagement recess 29 The rod-shaped water absorber 4 has a function as a transport unit 4 </ b> A that transports water from the water reservoir 6. In this example, the rod-shaped water-absorbing body 4 is formed of a porous body, and is preferably a porous ceramic or the like. The water used is tap water, groundwater, electrolyzed water, pH-adjusted water, mineral water, water containing useful ingredients such as vitamin C and amino acids, and water containing aroma oils, fragrances, deodorants, etc. is assumed.
[0017]
The counter electrode 3 and the application electrode 2 are both made of a synthetic resin mixed with a conductive material such as carbon or a metal such as SUS and have conductivity, and are placed on the upper part of the housing 10. The opposing electrode 3 is grounded through a grounding contact plate 71 that comes into contact with the outer surface of the connecting projection 30 formed on the outer peripheral surface. The contact electrode 72 which is fitted into the lower part of the housing part 10 and fixed and held down by the ribs 12 on the inner surface of the housing part 10 also contacts the outer surface of the connecting projection 20 formed on the outer peripheral surface. Is connected to a high-voltage generation source.
[0018]
The rod-shaped water absorber 4 is formed of porous ceramic and has a needle-like upper end, and a plurality of, in the illustrated example, six water absorbers 4 are attached to the application electrode 2. These water absorbers 4 are arranged at equal intervals on a concentric circle centered on an ionization needle 5 disposed at the center of the application electrode 2, and the upper part protrudes upward from the application electrode 2, and the lower part protrudes downward to form the above water. It comes into contact with the water contained in the reservoir 6.
[0019]
In FIG. 3, reference numeral 22 denotes a cylindrical skirt that protrudes downward from the application electrode 2 and surrounds the outside of the plurality of water absorbers 4, and the lower end thereof is located below the lower end of the water absorber 4; The lower end opening is covered with a lattice-like lattice-like protective cover 17. The skirt 22 of the application electrode 2 applies a high voltage to the water by coming into contact with the water contained in the water reservoir 6, and at the same time, the water absorption body 4 formed of ceramic together with the lattice-shaped protective cover 17. It provides protection.
[0020]
Here, when the application electrode 2 is connected to the water reservoir 6, the upper surface opening of the water reservoir 6 is substantially sealed, so that water in the water reservoir 6 can leak even when inclined. In this connection, a slit 23 is provided in a part of the skirt 22 in the circumferential direction over the entire length of the skirt 22 in the vertical direction. The air in the space surrounded by is enclosed to allow the inflow of water into the skirt 22.
[0021]
The counter electrode 3 mounted so as to close the upper opening of the housing 10 has an opening 31 at the center as shown in FIG. 4, and the edge of the opening 31 A plurality of arcs R of the same diameter centered on the needle-shaped portion at the upper end of the water absorbing body 4 are smoothly connected by another arc r. When the counter electrode 3 is grounded and a high voltage source is connected to the application electrode 2, and the water absorbing body 4 is sucking up water by capillary action, the needle-shaped part at the upper end of the water absorbing body 4 is substantially on the side of the application electrode 2. The circular arc R of the counter electrode 3 functions as a substantial electrode at the same time as functioning as a basic electrode. Note that the opening 31 is covered with the lattice-shaped protective cover 16, thereby preventing a finger or the like from coming into contact with the ionization needle 5 or the water absorbing body 4 through the opening 31.
[0022]
Now, as shown in FIG. 5, the water reservoir 6 filled with water is attached, and the water is brought into contact with the skirt 22 of the application electrode 2 and at the same time, the water is absorbed by the water absorber 4 by capillary action. When a negative voltage is applied to the applying electrode 2 by connecting the high voltage generating source to the applying electrode 2 and grounding the applying electrode 3, if the voltage is a high voltage that can cause Rayleigh splitting in water, water absorption The water that has reached the needles at the upper end of the body 4 undergoes Rayleigh splitting and is subjected to electrostatic atomization that causes atomization of a nanometer-sized particle diameter.
[0023]
In the electrostatic atomizer 1, a high negative voltage is also applied to the ionization needle 5 at the same time, and negative ions are generated by corona discharge with the counter electrode 3. At this time, if the distance between the electrodes 2 and 3 is the same, the voltage required for electrostatic atomization is higher than the voltage required for generating negative ions. By making the distance L2 (FIG. 4) from the ionization needle 5 to the counter electrode 3 considerably longer than the distance L1 (FIG. 4) from the shape portion to the counter electrode 3, electrostatic atomization is more likely to occur. . However, if the water in the water reservoir 6 is exhausted and the water held by the water absorber 4 is not atomized, only the generation of the negative ions is continued.
[0024]
As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 6, the casing 10 holding the application electrode 2 and the counter electrode 3 is formed in a cylindrical shape that is opened up and down, and handles 10a are provided on both upper sides. Are mounted, the counter electrode 3 is fitted and held in the upper part of the housing part 10, and the application electrode 2 supporting the transporting part 4A is held in the lower inside. The skirt 22 of the application electrode 2 projects below the housing 10 and reaches near the bottom of the water reservoir 6.
[0025]
A plurality of ventilation holes 11 for promoting atomization are formed on the peripheral surface of the housing 10 at a plurality of locations spaced apart in the circumferential direction. In this example, the peripheral surface of the housing 10 is formed in a lattice shape, and each ventilation hole 11 is located at a position closer to the application electrode 2 than to the counter electrode 3. The ventilation hole 11 functions to flow the ion wind generated by the discharge between the electrodes 2 and 3 toward the counter electrode 3 and to transport the ion wind from the counter electrode 3 side to the outside of the apparatus with atomized mist. The mechanism of the generation of ion wind will be described. When ions in the air generated by corona discharge between the electrodes 2 and 3 are attracted to the counter electrode 3 and move, they collide with neutral air molecules one after another. Gives kinetic energy to the air molecules. As a result, ion wind is generated by the discharge in the direction in which the discharge current flows. Here, since the application electrode 2 is provided below the counter electrode 3, an ion wind is generated upward from the counter electrode 3, and the ventilation holes 11 opened on the peripheral surface of the housing 10. Thereby, the ion wind can move toward the counter electrode 3 side.
[0026]
Thus, in the electrostatic atomizer 1 having the above-described configuration, the ventilation holes 11 for promoting atomization are formed on the peripheral surface of the housing 10 that holds the application electrode 2 supporting the transport unit 4A and the counter electrode 3. Is provided, the supply of the ion wind generated by the discharge can be performed not from the counter electrode 3 side but from the application electrode 2 side through the ventilation hole 11 so that the flow of the ion wind is directed to the counter electrode 3 side. Become. By utilizing the flow of the ion wind, electrostatic atomization is promoted, the amount of atomization increases, and the mist generated by the electrostatic atomization can be efficiently transported to the outside of the apparatus by the ion wind. Furthermore, by using the ion wind that generates almost no noise, a large amount of mist can be released without giving discomfort due to the noise. In addition, the transport unit 4A is supported by the application electrode 2, and the application electrode 2 and the counter electrode 3 are held at two locations above and below the housing unit 10, so that the housing unit 10 can be configured by one component. There is also an advantage that the electrostatic atomizer 1 can be configured compactly.
[0027]
Moreover, since the casing 10 is formed in a lattice shape, the ventilation holes 11 having the same opening area are uniformly arranged in the circumferential direction, and the flow of the ion wind becomes laminar. That is, it is possible to eliminate the problem of the reduction of the ion wind due to the turbulence, and as a result, it is possible to efficiently transport the mist generated by the electrostatic atomization to the outside of the apparatus. Further, by setting the pitch d of the lattice (FIG. 6) to a size that does not allow a finger to enter, the electrostatic atomizer 1 can be configured safely. Furthermore, when the cross-sectional shape of the grid is, for example, a rectifying path shape such as a bellmouth shape, the flow of ion wind can be rectified by the grid, and the mist generated by electrostatic atomization can be more efficiently and smoothly. There is an advantage that it can be transported outside the apparatus.
[0028]
FIGS. 7 and 8 show an air cleaner 7 including the electrostatic atomizer 1 having the above configuration. An air blower including a fan 82 driven by a motor 83 and a wind tunnel 70 is provided. After the air sucked from a suction port 76 on the front surface is filtered by a filter unit 81, the air is discharged to the outside from a blowout port 77. In the air flow path from the suction port 76 to the outlet 77 in the air purifier 7, the electrostatic atomizing device 1 is disposed in the wind tunnel 70 of the blower and at a position near the outlet 77. .
[0029]
Here, a box-shaped housing 91 having an open front surface, a pre-filter 92 that is housed and arranged in the housing 91 to collect relatively large dust, and mechanically collects and deodorizes sucked dust and odor. The filter unit 81 and the electrostatic atomizing device 1 are mainly configured so that the front panel 90 can be opened and closed when the pre-filter 92 and the filter unit 81 are attached and detached and washed.
[0030]
For example, a sirocco fan 82 is used as a blower for sending indoor air into the housing 91, and the blower is disposed in the housing 91 on the downstream side of the filter unit 81.
[0031]
The interior of the housing 91 is roughly divided into a blower section 93 on the rear side of the main body and a filter section 81 on the front side of the main body. Here, the filter portion 81 is stored on the front side of the housing 91, and the pre-filter 92 is stored on the front side. The filter section 81 is detachably attached so that the filter section 81 can be taken out to the front with the front panel 90 removed. A blowout port 77 is provided on the top surface of the housing 91. Therefore, when the sirocco fan 82 rotates, air is sucked in from the suction ports around the front panel 90 and the housing 91, large dust is collected by the pre-filter 92, and dust is collected and deodorized by the filter unit 81. The air collected and deodorized by the filter unit 81 is deodorized by a deodorant (not shown) located downstream of the air, and the purified and deodorized air is discharged upward from the outlet 77 through the sirocco fan 82. Is done.
[0032]
Here, in a state where the electrostatic atomizer 1 having the above configuration is incorporated in the air cleaner 7, as shown in FIG. 1, a high voltage (about -4 to -5 kV) generated by a high voltage source (not shown) is used. ) Is supplied to the application electrode 2 via the connection projection 20 made of a conductive material and the contact plate 72 formed in a leaf spring shape with stainless steel or the like. The ground (GND) side of the high-voltage generation source is electrically connected to the connection protrusion 30 made of a conductive material via a ground contact plate 71 formed of a leaf spring shape using stainless steel or the like. Have been. Then, as described above, the water supplied from the water supply unit 6 to the water storage unit 9 is sucked up by the rod-shaped water absorbing body 4 by capillary action, and a high voltage is applied to the connection projection 20 of the application electrode 2, and When the connection protrusion 30 of the electrode 3 is electrically grounded, the high voltage applied to the connection protrusion 20 is applied to the water sucked up by the rod-shaped water absorber 4, and a discharge phenomenon occurs. Due to the discharge phenomenon, the water in the water reservoir 9 splits into mist containing finely divided active species and scatters into the room. At this time, riding on the wind generated by the blower 93, the miniaturized mist spreads to every corner of the room.
[0033]
In other words, nano-sized mist, which is a mist with a nanometer-sized particle diameter generated by electrostatic atomization, has a high diffusivity from the beginning, but it spreads further by being blown by the air blower, and thus has a better diffusivity. For this reason, the deodorizing function for the odor component in the indoor air due to the active species possessed by the nano-sized mist and the deposit on the indoor wall surface can be effectively used. In particular, in the illustrated example, when the electrostatic atomizing device 1 is disposed in the storage recess 73 provided in a part of the wind tunnel 70, the contact between the contact plates 71, 72 and the connection protrusions 20, 30 is determined. Part of the wind flows into the electrostatic atomizing device 1 through the opening 74 formed in the wall surface of the storage recess 73 and the ventilation hole 11 in the housing portion 10 of the electrostatic atomizing device 1 in order to make it possible. Therefore, atomization is promoted, the amount of atomization increases, and the mist is easily scattered on the wind.
[0034]
Further, although the electrostatic atomizer 1 is arranged in the wind tunnel 70, the air passing near the electrostatic atomizer 1 is clean air filtered by the filter unit 81. The part 8 does not become dirty, and although a part of the wind enters the atomization generating part 8 as described above, it is almost impossible for the electrostatic atomization to hardly occur due to the dirt.
[0035]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, the electrostatic atomization device of the present invention can supply the ion wind generated by the discharge from the application electrode side through the ventilation hole instead of from the counter electrode side, and therefore, utilizes the flow of the ion wind. Electro atomization is promoted, the amount of atomization increases, and mist generated by electrostatic atomization can be efficiently transported to the outside of the apparatus by ion wind. Further, since the housing portion can be constituted by one component, the electrostatic atomizing device can be compactly constituted.
[0036]
In addition, the air purifier of the present invention is capable of efficiently transporting a large amount of mist generated by the above-described electrostatic atomization to the outside of the apparatus by using ion wind, and includes a compact electrostatic atomizer. As a result, the amount of fine mist released from the air purifier can be increased and the air purifier can be made more compact, and the air passing near the electrostatic atomizer is filtered by the filter section. Since the clean air is used, it is possible to prevent contamination of the atomization generating section.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a side view of an electrostatic atomizer according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a plan view of the electrostatic atomizer with the protective cover of the counter electrode removed therefrom.
FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the electrostatic atomizer according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a plan view of the atomization generating unit according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the atomization generating section according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a housing unit of the above.
FIG. 7 is a side sectional view of an air purifier using the above electrostatic atomizer.
FIG. 8 is a front sectional view of the air purifier of the above.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Electrostatic atomizer 2 Applied electrode 3 Counter electrode 4A Transport part 6 Water reservoir part 7 Air cleaner 8 Atomization generating part 10 Housing part 11 Ventilation hole 81 Filter part

Claims (4)

A transport unit that transports water from the water storage unit, an application electrode that supports the transport unit and applies a high voltage to the water of the transport unit, and a counter electrode that is arranged at an end of the transport unit with a gap therebetween, An atomizing generator for generating a mist by electrostatic atomization is configured to hold the counter electrode at an upper portion of the housing portion and to hold an application electrode supporting the transport unit at a lower inner side, and a housing portion An electrostatic atomizer, characterized in that ventilation holes for promoting atomization are perforated on the peripheral surface of the device. The electrostatic atomizer according to claim 1, wherein the housing is formed in a lattice shape. 3. The electrostatic atomizer according to claim 2, wherein a cross-sectional shape of the lattice of the casing is a shape of a rectifying path. The electrostatic atomizing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, a filter unit for collecting and deodorizing dust and odor in air, and a blowing unit for sending air to the dust collecting unit. An air purifier comprising: an electrostatic atomizer disposed downstream of a filter unit.

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