JP2005071715A - Ion generating device and air conditioner using this - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an ion generating device in which an excellent air cleaning effect can be obtained by generating an ion of a high concentration and an air conditioner using this. <P>SOLUTION: This ion generating device (17) is constituted such that opposed electrodes (14, 15) interposing a dielectric (13) are provided, and by applying a positive voltage varying in time and a negative voltage varying in time between these electrodes, ions are generated. The maximum value of the rising speed or falling speed of the voltage varying in time is preferably 150 V/msec or more. It is preferable that the waveform of the voltage varying in time is a waveform which overlaps a DC waveform and a waveform varying in time. This ion generating device is suitably applied to an air conditioner (11) which sends out a positive ion and a negative ion in the air. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an ion generator capable of generating high-concentration ions and an air conditioner using the same.

  In recent years, with the emergence of environmental problems and the increase in airtightness of living spaces, there is an increasing demand for a healthy and comfortable life by removing airborne microorganisms harmful to the human body. In response to this demand, air purifiers that remove contaminants with various filters have been developed. These air purifiers employ a method of sucking air in a living space and adsorbing contaminants with a filter.

  However, since maintenance such as replacement of the filter is necessary due to long-term use and the characteristics of the filter are not sufficient, satisfactory performance is not obtained.

  In order to solve this problem, for example, in Patent Document 1, positive ions and negative ions generated by applying an alternating voltage between electrodes facing each other across a dielectric are sent to a living space. A method of disinfecting harmful microorganisms floating in the air by a chemical reaction caused by the ions of is disclosed.

However, the method of Patent Document 1 has a problem that since the concentration of ions to be generated is not sufficiently high, it takes a long time to sterilize harmful microorganisms that are dispersed and float in a particularly large living space.
JP 2002-224211

  An object of the present invention is to solve the above-described problems and provide an ion generator capable of obtaining an excellent air cleaning effect by generating high-concentration ions, and an air conditioner using the ion generator. .

  The ion generator of the present invention is characterized in that electrodes are provided with a dielectric interposed therebetween, and ions are generated by applying a positive voltage or a negative voltage that changes with time between the electrodes.

  When a voltage is applied between two electrodes in a vacuum, a positive charge is stored in the higher potential electrode, and an equal amount of negative charge is stored in the lower potential electrode. When both electrodes are made to face each other, the dielectric is polarized and charges are induced on the surface of the dielectric. The electric field generated by the charge on the dielectric surface acts in a direction to cancel the electric field between the electrodes created by the charge stored in the electrodes.

  On the other hand, when electrodes are provided so as to face each other so that a dielectric is sandwiched in air, air exists in the vicinity of the electrode end face in contact with the space. In the vicinity of the end face of the electrode, air exists between the dielectric and the electrode, and the electric field generated by the electric charge stored in the electrode and the electric field due to the polarization of the dielectric do not work in the direction of canceling each other. Therefore, the greater the polarization of the dielectric, the stronger the electric field in the air near the electrode end face.

The ion generator of the present invention generates discharge plasma by an electric field in the air, and ionizes oxygen and water vapor in the air to generate ions. Here, most of the ions generated by the discharge plasma disappear energetically because they are unstable in energy, but a part of them are combined with water molecules in the air and become stable in energy, resulting in the wind generated by the blower fan. Ride and sent to the living space. Examples of such ions include positive ions H ₃ O ⁺ (H ₂ O) _m (m is 0 or any natural number) formed by clustering water molecules in the air with oxonium ions (H ₃ O ⁺ ). And negative ions O ₂ ⁻ (H ₂ O) _n (n is 0 or any natural number) formed by clustering water molecules in the air with oxygen ions (O ₂ ⁻ ).

  Therefore, if the electric field in the air near the end face of the electrode is kept strong by increasing the polarization of the dielectric, oxygen and water vapor in the air are actively ionized by the discharge plasma, and high-concentration ions are generated. Occur.

  The dielectric constant and thickness of the dielectric are represented by ε and d, respectively, and the absolute value of the voltage applied to the application electrode is represented by V (t) (the voltage magnitude V is a function of time t). The polarization of the body is proportional to the product of (ε−1) / d and V (t). Therefore, the larger the product of (ε−1) / d and V (t), the stronger the electric field is generated in the space near the end face of the application electrode. That is, under the condition where the dielectric is fixed, the polarization can be increased by increasing the magnitude V (t) of the absolute value of the applied voltage.

  However, even if the polarization of the dielectric is simply increased, the electric field in the space is immediately canceled by the charge accumulated on the surface of the dielectric from the surrounding space, so the electric field near the end face of the applied electrode decreases and ions are generated. No longer.

  In order to keep the electric field near the end face of the applied electrode strong, is it necessary to increase the absolute value of the applied voltage so that the polarization of the dielectric increases at a speed that overcomes the effect of charges accumulated on the dielectric surface from the surrounding space? Alternatively, it is necessary to lower the absolute value of the applied voltage at such a speed that a part of the electric charge accumulated on the dielectric surface is left behind from the surrounding space and a strong electric field is generated in the vicinity of the end face of the applied electrode. That is, changing the magnitude of the voltage with time is an effective means for maintaining a strong electric field in the vicinity of the end face of the application electrode.

  As a method of changing the magnitude of the voltage with time, a method of alternately applying a positive voltage and a negative voltage with an AC voltage or the like can be considered. In this case, positive ions are generated by an electric field generated by application of a positive voltage, and negative ions are generated by an electric field generated by application of a negative voltage. Can be sent out. However, since some of the ions generated by applying a positive voltage disappear by application of a negative voltage immediately after that, it is difficult to efficiently supply high-concentration ions to the use space.

  Since the ion generator of the present invention applies a positive voltage or a negative voltage alone, the generated ions are less likely to disappear due to surrounding charges, and high concentration ions can be efficiently supplied to the space. .

  The magnitude and rate of change of the applied voltage in the present invention can be appropriately selected according to the desired ion generation concentration. As the applied voltage is increased, a stronger electric field is generated in the vicinity of the end face of the applied electrode, and the amount of generated ions can be increased. However, it is not preferable for safety to apply a higher voltage than necessary. For example, when the present invention is applied to a home air conditioner, ions having a sufficient concentration can be supplied to the living space with an applied voltage of several kV or less.

  As the applied voltage rise speed or fall speed (hereinafter referred to as “rising / falling speed”) increases, a stronger electric field is generated in the vicinity of the electrode end face, and the amount of generated ions increases. In particular, the maximum value of the rising / falling speed of the applied voltage is preferably 150 V / msec or more. When the voltage is increased or decreased at a speed of 150 V / msec or more, the charge in the dielectric is generated at a speed that sufficiently overcomes the speed at which the charge is accumulated on the dielectric surface, and is sufficient for the speed at which the charge accumulated on the dielectric surface disappears. The charge in the dielectric disappears at the speed of overcoming it.

  The waveform of the applied voltage is not particularly limited. For example, a zigzag wave that linearly increases and decreases the voltage, a triangular wave that linearly increases the voltage and then decreases immediately after a certain interval, linear A trapezoidal wave that repeats the waveform that increases the voltage, keeps it for a certain time and then decreases at regular intervals, a positive waveform that reverses the negative part of the sine wave positively, and makes the positive part of the sine wave negative A time-varying voltage can be applied such as an inverted negative waveform, a positive or negative waveform obtained by superimposing a sine wave and a DC wave, and the like. In the present invention, it is effective in increasing the amount of generated ions that the rate of voltage increase / decrease is large and that a strong electric field that generates discharge plasma for a longer time in the vicinity of the end face of the applied electrode can be maintained. Therefore, the waveform in which the voltage rises / falls linearly is highly efficient in terms of ensuring a long time during which the voltage rises / falls at a certain speed or more, specifically, a zigzag wave, a triangular wave, a trapezoid, Waves and the like are preferably used.

  Among the above, a particularly preferable waveform of the applied voltage includes a waveform obtained by superimposing a DC wave and a waveform in which the voltage linearly rises / falls. In this case, it is possible to ensure a long time during which the voltage rises / falls at a certain speed or more, and the absolute value of the applied voltage can always be kept at a high level, so that ions can be generated at a higher concentration. It is.

  The ion generator of the present invention includes at least two ion generators as described above, and generates positive ions from at least one of the ion generators, and generates negative ions from at least one of the remaining ion generators. It is good also as a structure which generates a positive ion and a negative ion by making it. According to this configuration, not only can positive ions and negative ions be simultaneously delivered to the living space at a high concentration, but also the concentration and ratio of the generated positive ions and negative ions can be freely adjusted.

  The ion generator of the present invention can be applied to an air conditioning apparatus characterized by delivering positive ions and / or negative ions into the air. The air conditioner using the ion generator of the present invention can be used for the purpose of generating ions and obtaining bactericidal action against airborne microorganisms, deodorizing action against malodorous substances, detoxifying action against harmful substances, etc. Specifically, in addition to being used as an air purifier or an air conditioner, it can also be used by being incorporated in a dehumidifier, a humidifier, a petroleum fan heater, a gas fan heater, a ceramic fan heater, a refrigerator, or the like.

  In the ion generator of the present invention, by applying a positive voltage or a negative voltage that changes with time to the application electrode, annihilation due to peripheral charges of the generated ions is avoided, and high-concentration ions are efficiently generated, It can be sent to space.

  The ion generator of this invention is demonstrated referring a figure. FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view showing an example of an air conditioner using the ion generator of the present invention. In the air conditioner 11, on the downstream side of the blower fan 12, an ion generator comprising a flat dielectric 13, a ground electrode 14 and an application electrode 15 that are opposed to each other with the dielectric 13 interposed therebetween, and a voltage application means 16. 17 is provided.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing another example of an air conditioner using the ion generator of the present invention. In the air conditioner 21, two ion generators 27 including a flat dielectric 23, a ground electrode 24, an application electrode 25, and a voltage addition unit 26 are provided on the downstream side of the blower fan 22. One of the two ion generators is a positive ion generator, and the other is a negative ion generator.

  FIG. 1 shows a configuration in which ions are generated from the space near the end face of the application electrode 15, but ions are generated from the space near the end face of the ground electrode 14 by switching the shapes of the ground electrode 14 and the application electrode 15. It is also possible to adopt a configuration that allows

  For example, in the ion generator 17 of FIG. 1, when a voltage is applied to the application electrode 15 by the voltage application means 16 with the ground electrode 14 as the ground potential, the dielectric 13 is polarized, so that an electric field is generated in the space near the end face of the application electrode 15. Will occur. By this electric field, ionization of oxygen, water vapor, etc. in the air occurs, and ions are generated. The generated ions are supplied to the space by the blower fan 12.

  In the ion generator of the present invention, when a positive voltage is applied to the application electrode, a strong electric field is generated in the space near the end face of the application electrode, and high concentrations of positive ions and negative ions are generated. However, since positive charge accumulates from the surrounding space on the surface on the application electrode side of the dielectric, most of the negative ions generated in the space near the end face of the application electrode are attracted to the positive charge and the application electrode. It disappears soon. Therefore, most of the ions sent to the living space on the wind generated by the blower fan are positive ions.

  On the other hand, when a negative voltage is applied to the applied electrode, negative charge accumulates from the surrounding space on the surface of the dielectric on the side of the applied electrode, so that positive ions generated in the space near the end face of the applied electrode Most of them disappear immediately after being attracted to this negative charge or applied electrode. Therefore, most of the ions sent to the living space on the wind generated by the blower fan become negative ions.

  Thus, the positive / negative of the ion to generate | occur | produce can be selected by selecting the positive / negative of an applied voltage. Further, the concentration of ions to be generated can be controlled within a desired range by adjusting the rising / falling speed of the applied voltage and the length of time during which the applied voltage rises / falls.

  As the dielectric incorporated in the ion generator of the present invention, commonly used general dielectrics such as ceramics and glass can be used, and are not particularly limited. Also, the shape of the dielectric is not limited, but a plate-like one is preferably used from the viewpoint of the efficiency of sending ions to the space and the manufacturing cost.

  From the viewpoint of increasing the polarization, it is advantageous to reduce the thickness of the dielectric within a range in which the physical strength can be ensured. For example, when alumina is used, the thickness is preferably 0.5 mm or less.

  Furthermore, the polarization generated with respect to the external electric field is preferably not affected by the history of the external electric field, and a paraelectric material that does not generate spontaneous polarization is particularly preferably used.

  The ground electrode and the application electrode facing each other across the dielectric are formed on the surface of the dielectric by, for example, a metal such as tungsten, gold, silver, platinum, palladium, aluminum, copper, nickel, molybdenum, or a conductive material containing these metals. It can be obtained by physically or chemically forming the film. Since the ion generator of the present invention generates ions from the space near the electrode end face, the electrode on the ion generating side is preferably shaped so that the end face is as long as possible. Specifically, those having a large number of through-holes inside and those having a complex-shaped through-hole are preferably used.

  As the ground electrode, in addition to stainless steel, tungsten, metals such as gold, silver, platinum, palladium, aluminum, copper, nickel, molybdenum, or conductive materials containing these metals can be used. The plate-like stainless steel can be preferably used.

  As the application electrode, it is possible to use, for example, a stainless steel net woven in a mesh shape of a stainless steel wire having a wire diameter of 0.15 mm, and a peripheral edge of a rectangle having a width of 20 mm and a length of 5 mm. By applying the mesh shape, the application electrode has a long end face, and ions are generated from a wide space.

  For example, in FIG. 1, in order to prevent a large current from flowing due to the formation of a highly conductive discharge path between the end faces of the ground electrode 14 and the application electrode 15, the ground electrode 14 and the application electrode 15 are made of a dielectric 13. It is preferable that the periphery of the ground electrode 14 and the application electrode 15 is set back by 5 mm or more from the periphery of the dielectric 13. In this case, it is possible to prevent a large current from flowing between the ground electrode and the application electrode.

  Further, in order to generate a strong electric field in the entire space near the end face of the application electrode 15, the ground electrode 14 is formed larger than the application electrode 15, and the periphery of the application electrode 15 is retreated by 5 mm or more from the periphery of the ground electrode 14. Preferably it is. In this case, ions can be generated from the entire space near the end face of the application electrode.

  The voltage application means of the ion generator of the present invention is not particularly limited, as it can apply a time-varying positive voltage or negative voltage with a desired waveform and can be applied in a generally used configuration. .

  EXAMPLES Hereinafter, although an Example is given and this invention is demonstrated in detail, this invention is not limited to these.

  An ion generator was manufactured, and ions generated under the voltage application conditions of the example and the comparative example were sent to the space by a blower fan, and the ion concentration at the measurement position was measured.

<Manufacture of ion generator>
As a dielectric, a ceramic powder with a longitudinal (air blowing direction) of 95 mm × width of 95 mm × thickness of 5 mm, produced by sintering a mixed ceramic capacitor compound powder “MCC-B30J” manufactured by Kyoritsu Material Co., Ltd., as a ground electrode, A plate-like stainless steel having a length of 75 mm × width of 75 mm × thickness of 0.05 mm, and a stainless steel mesh of length 5 mm × width 20 mm obtained by weaving stainless steel wires having a wire diameter of 0.15 mm in a mesh shape were used as application electrodes. A ground electrode was fixed to one surface of the dielectric using an adhesive tape “AGF-100A” manufactured by Chukoh Chemical Industry Co., Ltd., and an applied electrode was fixed to the other surface of the dielectric. At the time of fixing, the positions of the center lines of the dielectric, the ground electrode, and the applied electrode were aligned in the lateral direction. In the vertical direction, the ends of the dielectric, the ground electrode, and the application electrode that are far from the blower fan have a distance of 10 mm between the ground electrode and the dielectric and a distance of 30 mm between the application electrode and the dielectric. Aligned to. The ion generator was manufactured by the method of connecting each electrode and a voltage application means using the electric wire "5854/7" by an alpha wire company.

<Ion generation>
A voltage was applied to the application electrode under the conditions of Examples and Comparative Examples described later to generate positive ions or negative ions. When generating ions, install a cross flow fan “MF930-BC” manufactured by Oriental Motor Co., Ltd. 15 cm away from the applied voltage, and apply an AC voltage with a frequency of 60 Hz and an effective voltage of 40 V to apply the electrodes The wind was sent so that the wind speed was 4.0 m / sec.

<Measurement of generated ion concentration>
For the measurement of the generated ion concentration, an air ion counter (model number 83-1001B-II) manufactured by Dan Kagaku Co., Ltd. was used. The generated ion concentration was indicated by the concentration (number / cm ³ ) of small ions having a mobility of 1 cm ² / Vsec or more detected at a position 50 cm from the application electrode in the leeward direction of the blower fan.

(Example 1)
A positive voltage changing with time in the waveform shown in FIG. 3 was applied to the application electrode of the ion generator manufactured by the above method, and the concentration of the generated positive ions was measured.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a waveform of an applied voltage according to the first embodiment. After the voltage during the period from the time 0 to _{T R} was increased from 0kV at a constant speed 1.5 kV / _{T R} to 1.5 kV, and 0.15msec maintains the voltage of 1.5 kV. Then, after lowering from 1.5kV voltage over time _{T R} at a constant speed 1.5kV / _{T R} to 0 kV, until the time T, and 0.65msec maintains the voltage of 0 kV. The above was made into 1 period, and it repeated periodically with the frequency of 1 sec / T (unit: Hz).

FIG. 4 is a graph showing the concentration of positive ions generated in Example 1. 4, the vertical axis represents the positive ion concentration (unit: pieces / ^cm 3), the horizontal axis represents voltage rise (fall) time _{T R} (unit: msec) is.

(Example 2)
A negative voltage changing with time in the waveform shown in FIG. 5 was applied to the application electrode of the ion generator manufactured by the above method, and the concentration of the generated negative ions was measured.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a waveform of an applied voltage according to the second embodiment. After the voltage during the period from the time 0 to _{T R} is lowered from 0kV at a constant speed 1.5 kV / _{T R} to -1.5 kV, and 0.15msec maintains the voltage of -1.5 kV. Then, after raising from -1.5kV voltage over time _{T R} at a constant speed 1.5 kV / _{T R} to 0 kV, until the time T, and 0.65msec maintains the voltage of 0 kV. The above was made into 1 period, and it repeated periodically with the frequency of 1 sec / T (unit: Hz).

FIG. 6 is a graph showing the concentration of negative ions generated in Example 2. 6, the vertical axis represents a negative ion concentration (unit: pieces / ^cm 3), the horizontal axis represents voltage rise (fall) time _{T R} (unit: msec) is.

(Example 3)
A positive voltage changing with time in the waveform shown in FIG. 7 was applied to the application electrode of the ion generator manufactured by the above method, and the concentration of the generated positive ions was measured.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a waveform of an applied voltage according to the third embodiment. After the voltage during the period from the time 0 to _{T R} was increased from 1.5kV at a constant speed 1.5kV / _{T R} to 3.0 kV, and 0.15msec maintains the voltage of 3.0 kV. Then, after lowering from 3.0kV voltage over time _{T R} at a constant speed 1.5 kV / _{T R} to 1.5 kV, and the time T, and 0.65msec maintains the voltage of 1.5 kV. The above was made into 1 period, and it repeated periodically with the frequency of 1 sec / T (unit: Hz).

FIG. 8 is a graph showing the concentration of positive ions generated in Example 3. 8, the vertical axis represents the positive ion concentration (unit: pieces / ^cm 3), the horizontal axis represents voltage rise (fall) time _{T R} (unit: msec) is.

Example 4
A negative voltage changing with time in the waveform shown in FIG. 9 was applied to the application electrode of the ion generator manufactured by the above method, and the concentration of the generated negative ions was measured.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a waveform of an applied voltage according to the fourth embodiment. After the voltage during the period from the time 0 to _{T R} is lowered from -1.5kV at a constant speed 1.5 kV / _{T R} to -3.0 kV, and 0.15msec maintains the voltage of -3.0 kV. Then, after raising from -3.0kV voltage over time _{T R} at a constant speed 1.5 kV / _{T R} to -1.5 kV, until time T, a voltage of -1.5 kV 0.65 msec Maintained. The above was made into 1 period, and it repeated periodically with the frequency of 1 sec / T (unit: Hz).

FIG. 10 is a graph showing the concentration of negative ions generated in Example 4. 10, the vertical axis represents a negative ion concentration (unit: pieces / ^cm 3), the horizontal axis represents voltage rise (fall) time _{T R} (unit: msec) is.

(Example 5)
A positive voltage changing with time in the waveform shown in FIG. 11 was applied to the application electrode of the ion generator manufactured by the above method, and the concentration of the generated positive ions was measured.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a waveform of an applied voltage according to the fifth embodiment. After the voltage was increased from 1.5 kV to 3.0 kV at a constant rate of 15 kV / msec from time 0 to time 0.1 msec, the voltage of 3.0 kV was maintained at 0.15 msec. Then, the voltage was lowered from 3.0 kV to 1.5 kV at a constant rate of 15 kV / msec between time 0.25 msec and time 0.35 msec, and then the voltage of 1.5 kV was maintained until time T. This time change was periodically repeated at a frequency of 1 sec / T (unit: Hz).

FIG. 12 is a graph showing the concentration of positive ions generated in Example 5. In FIG. 12, the vertical axis represents the positive ion concentration (unit: number / cm ³ ), and the horizontal axis represents the frequency of the voltage waveform (unit: Hz).

(Example 6)
A negative voltage changing with time in the waveform shown in FIG. 13 was applied to the application electrode of the ion generator manufactured by the above method, and the concentration of the generated negative ions was measured.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a waveform of an applied voltage according to the sixth embodiment. The voltage was lowered from −1.5 kV to −3.0 kV at a constant rate of 15 kV / msec from time 0 to time 0.1 msec, and then the voltage of −3.0 kV was maintained at 0.15 msec. Then, after increasing the voltage from -3.0 kV to -1.5 kV at a constant rate of 15 kV / msec between time 0.25 msec and time 0.35 msec, the voltage of -1.5 kV is maintained until time T. did. This time change was periodically repeated at a frequency of 1 sec / T (unit: Hz).

FIG. 14 is a graph showing the concentration of negative ions generated in Example 6. In FIG. 14, the vertical axis represents the negative ion concentration (unit: number / cm ³ ), and the horizontal axis represents the frequency of the voltage waveform (unit: Hz).

(Example 7)
A positive voltage changing with time in the waveform shown in FIG. 15 was applied to the application electrode of the ion generator manufactured by the above method, and the concentration of the generated positive ions was measured.

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a waveform of an applied voltage according to the seventh embodiment. During the period from the time 0 to the time _{T R,} the voltage from 0kV to _{V MAX} kV, after raising at a constant rate (1 / 1.4) kV / msec , and 0.15msec maintains the voltage of _{V MAX.} After the voltage over time of the time _{T R} is lowered at a constant rate (1 / 1.4) kV / msec from _{V MAX} to 0 kV, and 0.65msec maintains the voltage of 0 kV to time T. This time change was periodically repeated at a frequency of 1 sec / T (unit: Hz).

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing the concentration of positive ions generated in Example 7. In FIG. 16, the vertical axis represents the positive ion concentration (unit: number / cm ³ ), and the horizontal axis represents V _MAX (unit: kV).

(Example 8)
A negative voltage changing with time in the waveform shown in FIG. 17 was applied to the application electrode of the ion generator manufactured by the above method, and the concentration of the generated negative ions was measured.

FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating a waveform of an applied voltage according to the eighth embodiment. During the period from the time 0 to the time _{T R,} the voltage from 0kV to _{-V MAX} kV, after lowered at a constant rate (1 / 1.4) kV / msec , 0.15msec maintain the voltage of _{-V MAX} did. Then, after raising at time _T constant speed voltage over time of the _R from _{-V MAX} to 0kV (1 / 1.4) kV / msec, a voltage of 0 kV to time T maintained 0.65 msec. This time change was periodically repeated at a frequency of 1 sec / T (unit: Hz).

FIG. 18 is a graph showing the concentration of negative ions generated in Example 8. In FIG. 18, the vertical axis represents the negative ion concentration (unit: number / cm ³ ), and the horizontal axis represents V _MAX (unit: kV).

In Example 1, as shown in FIG. 4, rising / lowering speed 1.5 kV / _{T R} of the applied voltage is measured 10,000 / cm ³ or more positive ions 150 V / msec or more. Positive ion concentration increase / lowering speed 1.5 kV / _{T R} increases the applied voltage increases, is 15kV / msec or more was determined to 700,000 / cm ³ or more positive ions.

Also in the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, rising / lowering speed 1.5 kV / _{T R} of the applied voltage is measured 10,000 / cm ³ or more negative ions 150 V / msec or more, increasing the applied voltage / concentration lowering speed 1.5 kV / _{T R} becomes larger when more negative ions is increased.

  In Example 3 and Example 4 in which a voltage having a waveform obtained by superimposing a DC wave and a time-varying waveform was applied, the generated ion concentration was further increased as compared with Examples 1 and 2.

First, in the third embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, rising / lowering speed 1.5 kV / _{T R} of the applied voltage is 150 V / msec or more 100,000 / cm ³ or more, 1,000,000 in 15kV / msec or more Positive ions greater than / cm ³ were measured.

Implemented in the example 4, as shown in FIG. 10, 100,000 in rising / lowering speed 1.5 kV / _{T R} of the applied voltage is 150 V / msec or more / cm ³ or more, 15kV / 100 thousands in msec or more / cm ^Three or more negative ions were measured.

  Further, from the results of Examples 5 and 6, it can be confirmed that as the frequency of the applied voltage waveform increases, the time during which a strong electric field for generating discharge plasma is generated increases, and the generated ion concentration increases.

  Furthermore, from the results of Examples 7 and 8, it can be confirmed that a strong electric field is generated and the generated ion concentration is increased as the applied voltage rises / falls longer.

  From these results, it is possible to generate ions at a high concentration by changing the magnitude of the applied voltage with time, but it is possible to further increase the amount of generated ions by increasing the rising / falling speed of the applied voltage. It turns out that it is possible. In addition, when a voltage with a waveform obtained by superimposing a DC wave and a time-varying waveform is applied, or when the time during which the applied voltage rises / falls is lengthened, the time during which a strong electric field is generated can be secured long. Therefore, it can be confirmed that the generated ion concentration can be further increased.

  It should be understood that the embodiments and examples disclosed herein are illustrative and non-restrictive in every respect. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

  The ion generator of the present invention can generate positive ions or negative ions at a high concentration by changing the magnitude of the positive or negative voltage applied to the electrode with time, and can generate high concentrations of positive ions and / or negative ions. The present invention can be suitably applied to an air conditioner that delivers ions to a space.

It is a schematic sectional drawing which shows an example of the air conditioning apparatus using the ion generator of this invention. It is a schematic sectional drawing which shows another example of the air conditioning apparatus using the ion generator of this invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a waveform of an applied voltage in Example 1. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the concentration of positive ions generated in Example 1. It is a figure which shows the waveform of the applied voltage of Example 2. FIG. It is a figure which shows the density | concentration of the negative ion generate | occur | produced in Example 2. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a waveform of an applied voltage in Example 3. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the concentration of positive ions generated in Example 3. FIG. It is a figure which shows the waveform of the applied voltage of Example 4. FIG. It is a figure which shows the density | concentration of the negative ion which generate | occur | produced in Example 4. FIG. It is a figure which shows the waveform of the applied voltage of Example 5. FIG. It is a figure which shows the density | concentration of the positive ion generate | occur | produced in Example 5. FIG. It is a figure which shows the waveform of the applied voltage of Example 6. FIG. It is a figure which shows the density | concentration of the negative ion generate | occur | produced in Example 6. FIG. It is a figure which shows the waveform of the applied voltage of Example 7. FIG. It is a figure which shows the density | concentration of the positive ion which generate | occur | produced in Example 7. FIG. It is a figure which shows the waveform of the applied voltage of Example 8. FIG. It is a figure which shows the density | concentration of the negative ion generate | occur | produced in Example 8. FIG.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11, 21 Air conditioner, 12, 22 Blower fan, 13, 23 Dielectric, 14, 24 Ground electrode, 15, 25 Application electrode, 16, 26 Voltage application means, 17, 27 Ion generator.

Claims (5)

  An ion generator comprising: an electrode facing each other across a dielectric, and generating ions by applying a positive voltage that changes with time or a negative voltage that changes with time between the electrodes.   The ion generator according to claim 1, wherein the maximum value of the voltage rising speed or the falling speed is 150 V / msec or more.   The ion generator according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the voltage waveform is a waveform obtained by superimposing a DC wave and a time-varying waveform.   At least two ion generators according to any one of claims 1 to 3 are provided, a positive voltage is applied to at least one of the ion generators, and at least one of the remaining ion generators is applied. Is an ion generator that generates both positive ions and negative ions by applying a negative voltage.   An air conditioner comprising the ion generator according to any one of claims 1 to 4 and delivering positive ions and / or negative ions into the air.

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