JP2005028325A - Electrostatic atomizing apparatus provided with negative ion generating function and air conditioner provided with the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To use components in common for an electrostatic atomization and a negative ion generation and to properly carry out either of the electrostatic atomization or the negative ion generation. <P>SOLUTION: The electrostatic atomizing apparatus is provided with: an impressing electrode 41 for impressing voltage to a water holding part; a grounded counter electrode 42; a water absorption body 4 which is in contact with water and in which a needle like atomization part at its topend is composed to the counter electrode to electrostatically atomize water sucked up from the water holding part: an ionization needle 49 connected to the impressing electrode to generate the negative ion by corona discharge between the impressing electrode and the counter electrode; and a high voltage circuit for supplying high voltage among the impressing electrode, the ionization needle and the counter electrode. In the high voltage circuit, the electric energy supplied to the impressing electrode and the ionization needle is changed in accordance with the water supply condition to the water absorption body. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an electrostatic atomizer having a function of generating negative ions and an air conditioner including the electrostatic atomizer.

  As an atomizer that generates mist, there is an electrostatic atomizer as 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 generating 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.

Also, negative ion generators that generate negative ions are well known. In this method, negative ions are generated by applying a high-voltage negative voltage to an ionization needle that is a needle-like electrode facing the counter electrode to cause corona discharge.
Japanese Patent No. 3260150

  Here, in addition to the needle-like atomization portion of the water absorbent connected to the application electrode, the ionization needle is also opposed to the counter electrode in the electrostatic atomizer, the counter electrode is grounded, and the application electrode and the ionization needle are negative. Thus, an electrostatic atomizer having a function of generating negative ions can be obtained with a small number of parts.

  However, since the voltage required for electrostatic atomization is higher than the voltage necessary for generating negative ions, a higher voltage than that for generating negative ions is supplied when electrostatic atomization is performed. Must-have. If a voltage higher than necessary is applied between the ionization needle and the counter electrode, ozone is generated.

  Here, the generation of electrostatic atomization and the generation of negative ions can be selected with a switch, and the voltage may be changed in accordance with this selection operation, but it is used for electrostatic atomization. As described above, the water absorption body sucks up the water in the water tank by capillary action and guides it to the needle-shaped atomization section at the tip. Therefore, immediately after replenishing the water tank with water, Even if a high voltage for electrostatic atomization is supplied and water is not sufficiently sucked up by the water absorbing body at this point, the electrostatic atomization function does not work and it faces the ionization needle. High voltage more than necessary is supplied between the electrodes and ozone is generated.

  Moreover, the same situation is caused when the water in the water tank runs out and the water held by the water absorbing body runs out.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and it is possible to appropriately perform any operation of electrostatic atomization and generation of negative ions while sharing parts for electrostatic atomization and generation of negative ions. It is an object of the present invention to provide an electrostatic atomizer with a negative ion generation function that can be performed and an air conditioner including the same.

  An electrostatic atomizer with a negative ion generating function according to the present invention includes an application electrode that applies a negative voltage to a water holding unit, a grounded counter electrode, and a tip of the counter electrode that is in contact with the water. Ionization that generates negative ions by corona discharge between the water-absorbing body that electrostatically atomizes the water sucked up from the water holding section with the needle-shaped atomizing section facing each other and the application electrode. A high voltage circuit that supplies a high voltage between the needle, the application electrode and the ionization needle and the counter electrode, and the high voltage circuit is applied to the application electrode and the ionization needle in accordance with the state of water supply to the water absorber. It is characterized in that the electric energy to be supplied is changed, and electric energy suitable for generating negative ions is supplied in a situation where electrostatic atomization cannot be performed due to water.

  The high voltage circuit keeps the electric energy low for a predetermined time with respect to the on operation of the electrostatic atomization function, and then sets the value necessary for electrostatic atomization or water used for electrostatic atomization. What changes the said electrical energy according to the output of the detection means which detects presence or absence can be used suitably.

  And the air conditioner which concerns on this invention has the characteristics in having the electrostatic atomizer of any one of Claims 1-3 as a mist generating means for humidification.

  In the electrostatic atomizer with a negative ion generation function in the present invention, since electric energy suitable for negative ion generation is supplied in a situation where water does not reach the water absorbing body, generation of ozone may be caused. There is nothing wrong.

  In addition, the air conditioner according to the present invention has a function of generating negative ions and a function of generating mist by electrostatic atomization, and both these functions work appropriately.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described based on an embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings. FIG. 2 to FIG. 4 show an example of an electrostatic atomizer 31 and FIG. 5 to FIG. 1 shows an air conditioner (humidifier) 1 provided as mist generating means.

  The electrostatic atomizer 31 is a plurality of rod-shaped members made of a porous body, and a water absorbing body 40 that conveys water from the proximal end side to the distal end side by a capillary phenomenon, holds the water absorbing body 40, and An application electrode 41 that applies a voltage to the water carried by the water absorbent body 40, a counter electrode 42 that faces the tip of the plurality of water absorbent bodies 40, and between the application electrode 41 and the counter electrode 42 A high-voltage circuit (not shown) for applying a high voltage, and a cylindrical member that holds the application electrode 41, the counter electrode 42, and the water absorber 40 inside, and the mist outlet 18 is opened in front of the tip of the water absorber 40. And a housing portion 43 that is allowed to be disposed.

  In the electroatomizer 31, when a high voltage is applied to the application electrode 41 by a high voltage circuit in a state where water is held in the water absorbent body 40, the water held in the water absorbent body 40 contains water at the tip of the water absorbent body 40. An electrostatic atomization phenomenon occurs due to a high-voltage electric field generated between the needle-like atomization portion and the counter electrode 42. That is, the water retained in the water absorbing body 40 is discharged toward the counter electrode 42 as a highly charged mist and is discharged to the outside from the mist discharge port 18. 2 is an ionization needle, which is held by the application electrode 41 in the same manner as the water absorbing body 40. When a high voltage is applied through the application electrode 41, negative ions are generated by corona discharge between the counter electrode 42 and the ionization needle. Is generated.

  The internal space of the housing portion 43 includes a dew space 45 that is a portion on the proximal end side of the water absorber 40 (that is, a peripheral portion on the upstream side of the water absorber 40) across the application electrode 41, and a distal end side of the water absorber 40. And the atomization space 46 which is a portion (that is, a downstream peripheral portion of the water absorber 40). A steam introduction pipe 47 that communicates with the dew condensation space 45 extends outwardly from the casing 43, and the tip of the steam introduction pipe 47 is connected to the steam generation section 44, so that the steam generation section The steam generated from 44 is supplied into the dew condensation space 45 through the steam introduction pipe 47. The dew condensation space 45 is a recirculation space 50 in which the steam supplied into the dew condensation space 45 is cooled and condensed while returning to water, and the water obtained here is the water absorption body 40. It is supplied to the base end side.

  Further, in this example, in the dew condensation space 45 of the housing portion 43, the water absorbing body 39 that has water retention and can cause capillary action is brought into contact with the proximal end portion (that is, the upstream portion) of the water absorbing body 40. The water obtained by the condensation of steam in the dew condensation space 45 is efficiently supplied to the water absorber 40 by the capillary phenomenon of the water absorber 39.

  In addition, the casing 43 is provided with a ventilation connection port 48 that opens the atomization space 46 to the outside so as to open on the side of the water absorber 40. Further, a blower unit 29 for sending air into the housing unit 43 via the ventilation connection port 48 is provided outside the housing unit 43, and the ventilation port 29 is connected to the housing unit 43 from the ventilation unit 29. 2 is formed, the air introduced through the ventilation connection port 48 is absorbed by water as shown by the arrow in FIG. It is sent to the front end of the body 40 and discharged from the mist discharge port 18. The highly charged mist generated by electrostatic atomization can be diffused from the mist discharge port 18 to the outside by being carried on the air flow.

  In the air passage 38, a shielding plate 37 is provided between the passage connection port 48 and the water absorber 40, so that the air sent from the air blower 29 bypasses the water absorber 40 and bypasses the water absorber 40. Since the water is fed forward of the front end portion of 40, the outflow of water from the water absorbing body 40 due to natural evaporation is prevented.

  Next, the structure of the air conditioner 1 provided with the electrostatic atomizer 31 as humidifying mist generating means will be described in detail. The housing 20 of the air conditioner 1 is provided with a water level panel 24 and an operation unit 23 on the front side, and a retractable handle 25 is connected to both side surfaces, and an air purification filter on the back side. A filter case with built-in is provided. Inside the air conditioner 1, the chassis 4 is connected to the housing 20.

  A hook fixing ring 7 holding the hook 6 on the lower side is screwed to the chassis 4 with a packing 5 interposed, and a heater 19 is disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the hook 6. The pot 6 and the heater 19 serve as a steam generation section 44. In the steam generation section 44, water stored in the pot 6 is heated and evaporated by energizing the heater 19, and steam having a particle size of several μm or more is obtained. It is supposed to be generated.

  A water supply tank 8 is detachably mounted on the upper side of the steam generation unit 44, and the water supply tank 8 is connected to the water supply tank 8 below the water supply tank 8 in a state where the water supply tank 8 is mounted at a predetermined position. In addition, a water storage part (not shown) is supported by the chassis 4. The water storage section and the hook 6 are connected to each other by a communication pipe 10, and the water filled in the water supply tank 8 is once stored in the water storage section 9 and then supplied into the pot 6 through the communication pipe 10.

  Above the steam generating portion 44, a steam guide tube 14 having a lower opening is held in a state where it is erected on the chassis 4. A connection port 14a is opened on the upper side surface of the steam guide tube 14, and one end 16a side of a cylindrical discharge pipe 16 having both ends opened is connected to the connection port 14a. The other end 16b side of the discharge pipe 16 protrudes from the front of the housing 20 to the outside, and the opening on the other end 16b side that protrudes to the outside opens in the front direction of the air conditioner 1. It has become.

  Thus, the steam generated by the steam generating unit 44 is a second mist discharge port provided in front of the air conditioner 1 via the steam supply path 22 including the steam guide tube 14 and the discharge pipe 16. 15 is discharged in the front direction as a mist for humidification.

  The discharge pipe 16 is installed substantially horizontally, and in the middle of the flow path of the discharge pipe 16, a blower pipe 17 supported by the chassis 4 is penetrated from below to above. On the side surface of the penetration portion 17 a located in the discharge pipe 16 of the blower pipe 17, a blower port 11 that opens in a slit shape toward the second mist discharge port 15 side is provided. In 17b, the air blowing port 12 is opened upward. In addition, an air passage 13 for connecting the air blowing pipe 17 and the filter case is connected to a portion below the penetrating portion 17 a of the air blowing pipe 17. Since the motor fan 2 that blows air is connected, the air sucked from the filter case is purified by the air purifying filter by operating the motor fan 2, and then the air passage 13 and the air pipe 17. The air is discharged from both sides of the air outlet 11 and the air outlet 12.

  Here, since the electrostatic atomizer 31 described above is installed above the discharge pipe 16 so that the upper end portion 17b of the blower pipe 17 is inserted into the ventilation connection port 48 of the housing portion 43, A part of the air sent by the motor fan 2 is introduced into the housing part 43 through the air blowing port 12 side of the upper end part 17 b of the air blowing pipe 17, and forward of the front end part of the water absorbing body 40 through the air blowing path 38. The mist is discharged from the mist discharge port 18. Thus, in the air conditioner 1 of the present example, the motor fan 2 is a blower unit 29 that sends air into the cylindrical body 43 of the electrostatic atomizer 31. Since the electrostatic atomizer 31 is installed with the front end portion where the mist discharge port 18 of the housing portion 43 is opened protruding slightly from the housing 20, the air discharged from the mist discharge port 18. Is discharged to the outside of the air conditioner 1. Further, the air discharged from the blower port 11 side passes through the discharge pipe 16 and is discharged to the outside from the second mist discharge port 15.

  Further, the electrostatic atomizer 31 is installed above the discharge pipe 16, and the lower end opening of the steam introduction pipe 47 of the housing portion 43 is inserted into the discharge pipe 16. Therefore, a part of the steam generated by the steam generating unit 44 is supplied into the condensation space 45 through the steam introduction pipe 47.

  In the air conditioner 1 having the above configuration, when the steam generation unit 44 and the electrostatic atomizer 31 are operated in a state where the water supply tank 8 is filled with water (the blowing unit 29 is in a non-operating state), The water supplied from the water supply tank 8 to the steam generator 44 is heated and evaporated to generate steam having a particle size of several μm or more, and this steam is passed through the steam supply path 22 (that is, the steam guide cylinder 14 and the discharge pipe 16). From the second mist discharge port 15 provided in the front of the air conditioner 1, the mist for humidification is discharged in the front direction. At the same time, in the electrostatic atomizer 31, a part of the steam generated in the steam generation section 44 is introduced from the middle of the steam supply path 22 through the steam introduction pipe 47, and this steam is introduced into the housing section 43. Based on the water obtained by agglomeration in the dew condensation space 45, a mist having a high charge and a particle size of 1 to several tens of nanometers is generated by the above-described electrostatic atomization phenomenon, so that It discharges in the front direction from the provided mist discharge port 18.

  Since the mist generated from the electrostatic atomizer 31 of the air conditioner 1 of this example has a particle size of 1 to several tens of nanometers, the mist travels far away in the indoor circulating airflow, and the stratum corneum surface of the human body Water is sufficiently supplied to the back of the gap. In addition, since it is highly charged, it has excellent adhesion performance to the skin. In addition, in the air conditioner 1 of this example, a part of the steam generated from the steam generating unit 44 is also directly discharged to the outside as a humidifying mist, so that the entire room is raised to a desired humidity in a short time. Easy to maintain and maintain. That is, the air conditioner 1 of the present example directly exposes a part of the steam generated from the steam generating unit 44 as a relatively large diameter mist having a particle diameter of several μm or more, thereby causing the skin and throat of the human body to be exposed. On the other hand, after supplying water to near saturation in a short time, the particle size generated by the electrostatic atomizer 31 based on the water obtained by condensing a part of the steam generated from the steam generation unit 44 is 1 By exposing a highly charged mist having a relatively small diameter of ˜several tens of nanometers, the amount of moisture in the human skin and throat can be further increased.

  Next, in the air conditioner 1, a case where the air blowing unit 29 (that is, the motor fan 2) is operated together with the operation of the steam generating unit 44 and the electrostatic atomizer 31 will be described. In this case, as described above, the air that has been sucked and purified from the filter case is discharged from both sides of the blower port 11 and the blower port 12 of the blower pipe 17, and the air discharged from the blower port 11 passes through the discharge pipe 16. Passed through and discharged from the second mist discharge port 15 to the outside, and air discharged from the blower port 12 is sent into the housing 43 of the electrostatic atomizer 31 and discharged from the mist discharge port 18 to the outside. Is done. Then, the air flow discharged from the second mist discharge port 15 to the outside by the operation of the blower unit 29 strongly attracts the mist discharged from the second mist discharge port 15 toward the outside, and The flow of air discharged from the mist discharge port 18 to the outside by the blower unit 29 strongly attracts the mist discharged from the mist discharge port 18 outward.

  By the way, as described above, it takes time for the water absorbing body 40 to suck up the water and spread the water to the needle-shaped atomizing portion at the tip, and as described above, the electrostatic atomizing device 31 is provided. Since the air conditioner 1 uses the steam generated by the heat evaporation in the steam generating unit 44 for supplying water to the electrostatic atomizer 31, the switch that activates the electrostatic atomization function is turned on. However, it takes a considerable time (for example, about 15 minutes) until the electrostatic atomization is actually performed. Therefore, a high voltage necessary for electrostatic atomization immediately after the switch for electrostatic atomization is turned on. Is applied to the application electrode 41, not only is the electrostatic atomization not performed, but a voltage that is too high for negative ion generation is applied between the ionization needle 49 and the counter electrode 42 to generate ozone. It will be.

  For this reason, as shown in FIG. 1, even if the switch for electrostatic atomization is turned on, the application electrode 41 is used until the time required for the water for atomization to reach the water absorber 40 elapses. The supply voltage is suppressed to the voltage V1 suitable for generating negative ions, and when the time has elapsed, the high voltage V2 suitable for electrostatic atomization is supplied to the application electrode 41 and the water supply tank 8 is supplied. Alternatively, if the water detection means provided in the steam generation unit 44 (or the moisture sensor provided in the electrostatic atomizer 1) does not detect water, the voltage supplied to the application electrode 41 is again reduced to the negative ion generation voltage V1. I try to lower it.

  That is, when the mist can be generated by electrostatic atomization, the voltage V2 for electrostatic atomization is supplied to the application electrode 41. When the mist cannot be generated by electrostatic atomization, the voltage V1 for generating negative ions is used. Is supplied to the application electrode 41 to generate negative ions by corona discharge between the ionization needle 49 and the counter electrode 42. Therefore, both the generation of electrostatic atomization and the generation of negative ions can be appropriately performed.

  Instead of using the steam generated by the steam generating unit 44 as water for electrostatic atomization, water is sucked up from the water tank containing the water for electrostatic atomization by the water absorber 40 and atomized. Of course, the present invention can be applied to what is performed.

It is a flowchart which shows the outline of an operation | movement of an example of embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of an electrostatic atomizer same as the above. It is a perspective view same as the above. (a) is a plan view, (b) is a front view, and (c) is a side view. The humidification apparatus provided with the electrostatic atomizer same as the above is shown, (a) is a perspective view, (b) is a top view. It is the sectional view on the AA line of FIG.5 (b). FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Air conditioner 31 Electrostatic atomizer 40 Water absorbing body 41 Applied electrode 42 Counter electrode 44 Steam generating part 45 Condensation space

Claims (4)

  An application electrode that applies a negative voltage to the water holding part, a grounded counter electrode, and the water-sucking part that is in contact with the water and that has a needle-like atomizing part at the tip facing the counter electrode and sucked up from the water holding part A water absorber for electrostatic atomization of water, an ionization needle connected to the application electrode and generating negative ions by corona discharge between the counter electrode, and a high voltage between the application electrode and the ionization needle and the counter electrode. A high voltage circuit for supplying a voltage, and the high voltage circuit changes electrical energy supplied to the application electrode and the ionization needle in accordance with the state of water supply to the water absorber. Electrostatic atomizer with ion generation function.   2. The high-voltage circuit is characterized in that the electric energy is kept low for a predetermined time with respect to an ON operation of the electrostatic atomization function, and thereafter is set to a value necessary for electrostatic atomization. The electrostatic atomizer with the negative ion generation function of description.   2. The static electricity with negative ion generating function according to claim 1, wherein the high voltage circuit changes the electric energy in accordance with an output of a detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of water used for electrostatic atomization. Electric atomizer.   An air conditioner comprising the electrostatic atomizer according to any one of claims 1 to 3 as mist generating means for humidification.

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