JP2005028323A - Electrostatic atomizing apparatus and air conditioner provided with the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable a user to appropriately know the need of water replenishment, the maintenance time of a water feeding part or the like. <P>SOLUTION: This electrostatic atomizing apparatus is provided with: a water holding part for holding water to be atomized; an impressing electrode 2 for impressing voltage to the water; a water absorption body 4 which is in contact with the water and provided with an atomizing part on one end; and a counter electrode 3 facing the atomizing part of the water absorption body 4, thus atomizing the water in the atomizing part of the water absorption body 4. The electrostatic atomizing apparatus is further provided with a detection means for detecting the existence of the water and the atomized quantity of the water and an information means for carrying out the information action based on the detected result. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an electrostatic atomizer that atomizes liquid (water) and an air conditioner equipped with the electrostatic atomizer.

As an atomizing apparatus that atomizes water and generates mist, there is an electrostatic atomizing apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 3260150 (Patent Document 1). This includes a water tank containing water, a water absorbing body that sucks water in the water tank by capillary action and leads it to a needle-shaped atomizing portion at the tip, a counter electrode that faces the needle-shaped atomizing portion of the water absorbing body, It consists of a high-voltage circuit that applies a voltage to the water in the tank or the water held by the water absorber through the applied electrode, and is present in the needle-like atomization part of the water absorber that becomes the discharge point between the counter electrode The mist is generated by causing Rayleigh splitting in the water to be atomized and atomizing.
Japanese Patent No. 3260150

  In such an electrostatic atomizer, mist cannot be generated if there is no water in the water tank. Therefore, it is usually possible to make the water tank transparent and confirm the presence or absence of water in the water tank from the outside. I am doing so.

  However, if it is not possible to make the presence or absence of water visible from the outside due to the product configuration, it is not possible to confirm the presence or absence of water from the outside, except to check the inside by opening the lid etc. There wasn't.

  Moreover, in the electrostatic atomizer, when the above water-absorbing body is used, the ability to transport water decreases due to clogging or the like, and accordingly, the amount of atomization per unit time (the amount of mist generated) ) Will also decrease, but for the user, this decrease in atomization amount cannot be clearly understood, and it continues to be used while the atomization amount is reduced, or the atomization amount decreases. In spite of this, wasteful operations such as cleaning the water absorbing body may occur.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and the purpose of the present invention is to provide an electrostatic atomizer capable of appropriately knowing the necessity of replenishing water, the maintenance timing of the water supply section, and the like. It is in providing the air conditioner provided with this.

  An electrostatic atomizer according to the present invention includes a water holding unit that holds water for atomization, an application electrode that applies a voltage to the water, and an atomization unit at one end that is in contact with the water. In an electrostatic atomization device that includes a water absorption body and a counter electrode facing the atomization portion of the water absorption body, and electrostatically atomizes water in the atomization portion of the water absorption body. Or it has the characteristic in having a detection means which detects the amount of atomization, and a reporting means which performs reporting operation based on the detection result. The notification operation is performed by detecting the presence or absence of water or detecting the amount of atomization.

  The detection means monitors the output of a high voltage circuit that supplies a high voltage to the application electrode and the counter electrode, or monitors the input current of a high voltage circuit that supplies a high voltage to the application electrode and the counter electrode. Things can be used.

  The notification means may be a notification that prompts water supply or a notification that indicates the necessity of maintenance. You may alert | report the generation | occurrence | production state of electrostatic atomization.

  It is also preferable to include a detecting means for detecting environmental conditions such as ambient temperature and humidity, and a compensating means for performing compensation according to the detection result of the detecting means.

  And the air conditioner which concerns on this invention has the characteristics in having the electrostatic atomizer of any one of Claims 1-7.

  In the electrostatic atomizer according to the present invention, in order to detect the presence or absence of water and the amount of atomization and to notify this, when the water has run out or the amount of atomization has decreased, this is notified. Even in the case where the presence or absence of water cannot be determined from the outside, this does not cause a problem in use.

  And in the air conditioner which concerns on this invention, it can generate the mist by electrostatic atomization, and also knows the presence or absence of the water required for electrostatic atomization, and the amount of atomization exactly. Can do.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail based on an example of the embodiment. The electrostatic atomizer 1 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 has a negative ion generation function in addition to the electrostatic atomization function. A holder 10 having a cylindrical shape and ventilation holes 12 on the peripheral surface; a counter electrode 3 disposed on the upper part of the holder 10; and an application electrode 2 that is fitted to the lower part of the holder 10 and applies a voltage to water. It is composed of a plurality of rod-shaped water absorbent bodies 4 held by the application electrode 2, an ionization needle 5 also held by the application electrode 2, and a water tank 6 containing water to be atomized. The water tank 6 which is formed in a cup shape and constitutes the water holding portion is provided on the outer peripheral flange portion 21 of the application electrode 2 in which the protrusion 60 on the outer surface of the upper end opening edge is attached to the lower portion of the holder 10. Engaging recess It is attached by bayonet engagement to 29.

  Both the counter electrode 3 and the application electrode 2 are made of a synthetic resin mixed with a conductive material such as carbon or a metal such as SUS, and are electrically conductive. As shown in FIG. 4, the electrode 3 is grounded through a ground contact plate 71 that contacts the outer surface of the connecting projection 30 formed on the outer peripheral surface thereof. The applied electrode 2 which is fitted and fixed in the lower part of the holder 10 and is pressed and fixed by the rib 11 on the inner surface of the holder 10 is also high through a contact plate 72 which contacts the outer surface of the connecting projection 20 formed on the outer peripheral surface. Connected to voltage source.

  The rod-shaped water absorbing body 4 is formed of a porous ceramic and has a needle-like atomizing portion whose upper end is pointed like a needle, and a plurality of water absorbing bodies 4 in the illustrated example are applied to the application electrode 2. Is attached. These water absorbing bodies 4 are arranged at equal intervals on a concentric circle centered on an ionization needle 5 disposed in the center of the application electrode 2, the upper part projects upward from the application electrode 2, and the lower part projects downward and the water Contact with water contained in the tank 6.

  In the figure, reference numeral 22 denotes a cylindrical skirt projecting downward from the application electrode 2 and surrounds the outside of the plurality of water absorbent bodies 4, and the lower ends thereof are located below the lower ends of the water absorbent bodies 4. The opening is covered with a lattice-like protective cover 17. The skirt 22 in the application electrode 2 applies a high voltage to the water by making contact with the water contained in the water tank 6, and at the same time, protects the water absorbing body 4 formed of ceramic together with the lattice-shaped protective cover 17. I do.

  Here, when the water tank 6 is connected, the application electrode 2 substantially seals the upper surface opening of the water tank 6 so that the water in the water tank 6 does not leak even when tilted. Therefore, a slit 23 extending in the vertical direction of the skirt 22 is provided in a part of the skirt 22 in the circumferential direction, and the skirt 22 is surrounded by the slit 23 when the water tank 6 filled with water is mounted. The air in the space is evacuated to allow the inflow of water into the skirt 22.

  The counter electrode 3 mounted so as to close the upper surface opening of the holder 10 has an opening 31 in the center as shown in FIG. 3, and the edge of the opening 31 when viewed from above, the plurality of water absorptions. A plurality of arcs R having the same diameter centered on the needle-like portion at the upper end of the body 4 are smoothly connected by other arcs r. When the counter electrode 3 is grounded and a high voltage generating source is connected to the application electrode 2 and the water absorber 4 is sucking up water by capillary action, the needle-like atomization portion at the upper end of the water absorber 4 is on the side of the application electrode 2 At the same time, the arc R of the counter electrode 3 functions as a substantial electrode. Note that the opening 31 is covered with the lattice-shaped protective cover 16, thereby preventing fingers and the like from coming into contact with the ionization needle 5 and the water absorbent 4 through the opening 31.

  Now, a water tank 6 containing water is attached, and water is brought into contact with the skirt 22 of the application electrode 2. At the same time, the water absorption body 4 is sucked up by capillary action, and the counter electrode 3 is grounded and the application electrode. When a high voltage generating source is connected to 2 and a negative voltage is applied to the application electrode 2, if this voltage is a high voltage that can cause Rayleigh splitting in water, a needle-like mist on the upper end of the water absorber 4 The water that has reached the vaporizing section is subjected to electrostatic atomization that causes Rayleigh splitting and atomization of nanometer-sized particles.

  In the electrostatic atomizer 1, a negative voltage is simultaneously applied to the ionization needle 5 held by the application electrode 2, and negative ions are generated by corona discharge with the counter electrode 3. At this time, if the distance between the electrodes is the same, the voltage required for electrostatic atomization is higher than the voltage required for generating negative ions. Electrostatic atomization is more likely to occur by making the distance L2 from the ionization needle 5 to the counter electrode 3 considerably longer than the distance L1 to the counter electrode 3. However, if the water in the water tank 6 disappears and the water held by the water absorbing body 4 is not atomized, only the negative ions are continuously generated.

  5 and 6 show an air conditioner (air purifier) 7 provided with the electrostatic atomizer 1. A fan composed of a fan 82 driven by the motor 83 and a wind tunnel 70 is provided, and the air sucked from the suction port 76 on the front surface is filtered by the filter unit 81 and then discharged to the outside from the blowing port 77. Of the air flow path from the suction port 76 to the blowout port 77 in the air cleaner 7, the electrostatic atomizer 1 is disposed in the wind tunnel 70 of the blower and in the vicinity of the blowout port 77. ing.

  Nano-size mist, which is a mist of nanometer-size particle diameter generated by electrostatic atomization, is originally highly diffusive, but it is more diffusible because it spreads on the air blown by the blower. Therefore, the deodorizing function for the odor components in the indoor air and the deposits on the indoor wall surface due to the active species possessed by the nano-size mist can be effectively utilized. In particular, in the example shown in the figure, when the electrostatic atomizer 1 is disposed in the housing recess 73 provided in a part of the wind tunnel 70, the contact between the contact plates 71 and 72 and the connecting projections 20 and 30 is prevented. A part of the inside of the electrostatic atomizing device 1 is opened through an opening 74 (see FIG. 4) opened on the wall surface of the storage recess 73 and the ventilation hole 12 in the holder 10 of the electrostatic atomizing device 1 to make it possible. Since the wind flows in, the atomization is promoted to increase the amount of atomization, and the mist is easily scattered on the wind.

  In addition, although the electrostatic atomizer 1 is arranged in the wind tunnel 70, the air passing through the vicinity of the electrostatic atomizer 1 is clean air filtered by the filter unit 81. The sizing apparatus 1 is not soiled, and a part of the wind enters the electrostatic filtration device 1 as described above, but the electrostatic atomization hardly occurs due to the soiling.

  In the air conditioner described above, the electrostatic atomizer 1 is disposed inside the rear side, so that even if a window is provided around the water tank 6 in the housing of the air conditioner, the water tank 6 It is difficult to visually recognize the presence or absence of water inside. For this purpose, a sensor that can detect the presence or absence of water to be used for electrostatic atomization is provided here, and a lamp L (which lights up when it is determined that water has run out from the output of this sensor and promotes replenishment of water) 14).

  As described above, various sensors can be used as will be described later. In FIG. 3, a bulging portion 61 bulging outward is provided on the outer surface of the lower end of the water tank 6, and the bulging portion 61 is in the vicinity of the bulging portion 61. What detects the presence or absence of the water of the output part 60 with the optical sensor S1 which has a light-receiving / emitting part is shown.

  As shown in FIG. 7, in addition to the optical sensor S1, the detection of whether water remains in the water tank 6 is detected by an electrical sensor S2 using a pair of electrodes that are in contact with the water in the water tank 6. You may carry out by the float switch etc. which turn on / off according to the water level of the water in the water tank 6. FIG.

  When the electrical sensor S2 is used, the application of high voltage for generating electrostatic atomization is stopped every predetermined time, and the electrical impedance between the electrodes is measured during the stop time. Judgment is made. In determining whether water is present or not, it is preferable not to make a determination based on a comparison with a required threshold value, but to make a determination by looking at a relative change because a difference in water characteristics can be absorbed.

  Instead of directly detecting the presence or absence of water in the water tank 6, the presence or absence of water may be determined by monitoring the discharge current. FIG. 8 shows an example of this case. In the figure, VC is a constant voltage circuit, HV is a high voltage application circuit for applying a high voltage to the electrostatic atomization unit comprising the application electrode 2 and the counter electrode 3, S3 is a current detection unit for detecting a discharge current, and A is a current. An amplifying unit C that amplifies the output of the detecting unit C is a control circuit that controls the high voltage circuit HV and the water supply lamp L.

  When water is put into the water tank 6 and the electrostatic atomizer 1 is operated, as shown by the solid line A in FIG. 9, the discharge current (output current) is increased as the water absorber 4 sucks up the water and starts atomization. Gradually increases and the water absorption body 4 sufficiently retains water, the output current becomes stable, and when the water runs out, the output current gradually decreases. Accordingly, when the output current detected by the current detection unit S3 falls below the predetermined threshold value La, it is determined that water has run out, and the water supply lamp L is turned on.

  Even if the power is turned on immediately after the water tank 6 is replenished with water and set, the water absorbing body 4 does not suck up the water, and therefore the output current does not reach the threshold value La. Immediately after the power is turned on, the water replenishment lamp L is not turned on based on the determination of the presence or absence of water, but is performed when a predetermined time (for example, 30 minutes) has elapsed. FIG. 1 shows a flow of an example of this control. The reason for making the determination after repeating the water detection input a plurality of times is to increase the accuracy. The “electrostatic atomization occurrence display” in the figure is performed by turning on the display lamp LE shown in FIG.

  When determining the presence or absence of water from the discharge current, it is possible to detect the deterioration of the water absorbing body 4. That is, if the water absorbing body 4 deteriorates due to clogging or the like and the water holding power decreases and the amount of atomization per unit time also decreases, the discharge current (output current) of FIG. Since the maximum value also decreases, it is used by turning on the lamp LM shown in FIG. 14 when the output current does not exceed the maintenance threshold even though atomization is continuously performed. Inform the person that care is needed.

  Although the threshold value La and the threshold value Lb are different from each other, the threshold values La and Lb may be the same value.

  It is also possible to determine the time for water supply and maintenance based on the discharge voltage instead of the discharge current. This is because if the amount of water held by the water absorber 4 changes, the load impedance when a high voltage is applied changes, and the output voltage of the high voltage circuit HV changes accordingly. A block circuit diagram in this case is shown in FIG. 10, and a time chart of the output voltage is shown in FIG. In the figure, C indicates the initial state, and D indicates the case where it has deteriorated. Since the output voltage detected by the voltage detector S4 decreases with an increase in the amount of atomization, the judgment regarding water supply and maintenance is made by comparison with the threshold value Lc for water supply and the threshold value Ld for maintenance. I do. Even in this case, both the threshold values Lc and Ld may be the same value.

  By the way, since the output current is a minute current on the order of microamperes, a considerable amplification factor is required, which may cause a problem in noise resistance. Since the output voltage is a high voltage, it may be affected by noise due to the discharge of the electrostatic atomizer.

  For this purpose, as shown in FIG. 12, the input current to the high voltage circuit H may be detected by the current detection unit S5. Since this input current changes in correlation with the output current of the high voltage circuit H, it is possible to make a determination regarding water supply and maintenance by the same determination as that shown in FIG.

  In addition, since the water absorption body 4 has a different vaporization amount depending on the temperature and absorbs moisture depending on the humidity, the output current (or output voltage or input current) also fluctuates due to this influence. From this point, as shown in FIG. 13, an environment detector SS that measures an environmental condition such as temperature and humidity is provided, and compensation is performed by changing the threshold value according to the temperature and humidity. Is preferred.

  FIG. 14 shows an operation display panel section in the air conditioner. In the figure, L11 is an air volume display lamp section, L12 is a setting state display section of a cut-off timer, L13 is an operation state display lamp of the sensor Sa that detects odor, dust and allergen, and L14 displays the detection result by the sensor according to the level. The display unit 15 is a lamp for informing the filter effect timing, and L16 is a reset switch.

It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of an example of embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing same as the above. It is a top view of the state which removed the lattice-like cover same as the above. It is sectional drawing same as the above. It is a longitudinal section of an example of an air harmony machine concerning the present invention. It is a cross-sectional view same as the above. It is sectional drawing of another example. It is a block circuit diagram same as the above. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing same as the above. It is a block circuit diagram of another example. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing same as the above. It is a block circuit diagram of another example. It is a block circuit diagram of another example. It is a front view of the display panel of the said air conditioner.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Electrostatic atomizer 2 Applied electrode 3 Counter electrode 4 Water absorbing body 6 Water tank

Claims (8)

  A water holding part for holding water for atomization; an application electrode for applying a voltage to the water; a water absorber that is in contact with the water and provided with an atomizing part at one end; A detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of water and the amount of atomization in an electrostatic atomization device comprising a counter electrode facing the atomization unit and electrostatically atomizing water in the atomization unit of the water absorbent An electrostatic atomizer comprising a notification means for performing a notification operation based on the detection result.   2. The electrostatic atomizer according to claim 1, wherein the detection means monitors an output of a high voltage circuit that supplies a high voltage to the application electrode and the counter electrode.   2. The electrostatic atomizer according to claim 1, wherein the detecting means monitors an input current of a high voltage circuit that supplies a high voltage to the application electrode and the counter electrode.   The electrostatic atomizer according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the notification means performs notification for urging water supply.   The electrostatic atomizer according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the notification means notifies the necessity of maintenance.   The electrostatic atomizer according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the notification means performs notification of an occurrence state of electrostatic atomization.   7. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a detecting unit that detects an environmental condition such as an ambient temperature and humidity, and a compensating unit that performs compensation according to a detection result of the detecting unit. Electrostatic atomizer.   An air conditioner comprising the electrostatic atomizer according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

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