JP2007258128A - Ion generating element, manufacturing method of ion generating element, ion generating device, and electric apparatus equipped with above - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an ion generating element capable of obtaining a long life and the stabilization of an electric discharge state. <P>SOLUTION: The ion generating element is equipped with a dielectric substrate 3, a discharge electrode 4 formed on the surface of the dielectric substrate 3, a dielectric electrode 5 formed in the dielectric substrate 3 and arranged nearly in parallel to the discharge electrode 4, and a protection layer 8 formed on the dielectric substrate 3 for covering the discharge electrode 4. The thickness of the protection layer 8 at a discharging part (the tip of a sharp point part) of the discharge electrode 4 is smaller than that of the protection layer 8 at a non-discharging part of the discharge electrode 4 and opposing the dielectric electrode 5. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention provides, for example, an ion generating element that generates both positive and negative ions for sterilizing and removing airborne bacteria in the air and removing harmful substances in the air, a method for manufacturing the ion generating element, an ion generating apparatus, and the same It is related with the electric equipment provided with.

In recent years, ion generating elements that generate both positive ions and negative ions have been developed and put into practical use. For example, in Patent Document 1, in order to improve the discharge startability and reduce the variation in the discharge start voltage, the linear discharge electrode is covered with an insulating film, and a part of the linear discharge electrode is exposed. An electric field device (ion generating element) in which an exposed portion is an electric field concentration portion has been proposed.
JP-A-6-318490 JP 2004-103257 A (FIG. 1)

  In the electric field device (ion generating element) proposed in Patent Document 1, since the linear discharge electrode is covered with an insulating film and a part of the linear discharge electrode is exposed, the linear discharge electrode is exposed. Since the portion becomes an electric field concentration portion and discharge starts from the electric field concentration portion, the discharge startability can be improved and the variation in the discharge start voltage can be reduced. However, since the exposed portion of the linear discharge electrode is not covered with an insulating film, sputtering due to ion bombardment is caused to cause local degradation, resulting in a problem that the life of the linear discharge electrode is shortened.

  A dielectric, a discharge electrode formed on the surface of the dielectric, an induction electrode formed inside the dielectric and disposed substantially parallel to the discharge electrode, and covering the discharge electrode A protective layer formed on the dielectric, and in the ion generating element in which the discharge electrode has a sharpened portion, the protective layer has a constant thickness and continuously covers the discharge electrode. (For example, refer to Patent Document 2), the electric field concentrates and discharges not only at the tip of the sharpened portion which is a discharge location of the discharge electrode but also at a non-discharge location of the discharge electrode and facing the induction electrode. May happen. In addition, the electric field is concentrated in the non-discharged part of the discharge electrode and the part facing the induction electrode, and the discharge occurs, which causes a variation in the discharge state.

  In view of the above-described problems, the present invention provides an ion generating element, a method for manufacturing an ion generating element, an ion generating apparatus, and an electric device including the same that have a long life and can stabilize a discharge state. With the goal.

  In order to achieve the above object, an ion generating element according to the present invention includes a dielectric, a discharge electrode formed on a surface of the dielectric, and an inside or a back surface of the dielectric. An induction electrode disposed substantially in parallel, and a protective layer formed on the dielectric so as to cover the discharge electrode, wherein the thickness of the protective layer at the discharge location of the discharge electrode is The thickness of the protective layer is smaller than the thickness of the protective layer at a portion that is a non-discharge portion and that faces the induction electrode.

  According to such a configuration, since the discharge location of the discharge electrode becomes an electric field concentration portion, it is possible to suppress discharge at a location that is a non-discharge location of the discharge electrode and faces the induction electrode. As a result, the discharge state can be stabilized. In addition, according to such a configuration, the electric field strength at the discharge location of the discharge electrode is increased, and the discharge is started even when the voltage applied between the discharge electrode and the dielectric electrode is small. It is possible to increase power consumption and extend the service life.

  In order to achieve the above object, a method of manufacturing an ion generating element according to the present invention includes a dielectric, a discharge electrode formed on a surface of the dielectric, and an inner or back surface of the dielectric. An induction electrode disposed substantially parallel to the discharge electrode; and a protective layer formed on the dielectric so as to cover the discharge electrode, the thickness of the protective layer at the discharge location of the discharge electrode Is a method for manufacturing an ion generating element that is smaller than the thickness of the protective layer at a portion that is a non-discharged portion of the discharge electrode and faces the induction electrode, and in the step of forming the protective layer, by masking, The thickness of the protective layer at the discharge location of the discharge electrode is made smaller than the thickness of the protective layer at a location where the discharge electrode is a non-discharge location and faces the induction electrode.

  According to such a manufacturing method, the protective layer of the ion generating element having the above configuration can be easily formed.

  In order to achieve the above object, an ion generating element according to the present invention includes a dielectric, a discharge electrode formed on the surface of the dielectric, and an inside or a back surface of the dielectric. An induction electrode disposed substantially parallel to the discharge electrode, and a thickness of a discharge portion of the discharge electrode is larger than a thickness of a non-discharge portion of the discharge electrode and facing the induction electrode Yes.

  According to such a configuration, since the discharge location of the discharge electrode becomes an electric field concentration portion, it is possible to suppress discharge at a location that is a non-discharge location of the discharge electrode and faces the induction electrode. As a result, the discharge state can be stabilized. In addition, according to such a configuration, the electric field strength at the discharge location of the discharge electrode is increased, and the discharge is started even when the voltage applied between the discharge electrode and the dielectric electrode is small. It is possible to increase power consumption and extend the service life.

  In order to achieve the above object, an ion generating apparatus according to the present invention includes a voltage application for applying a voltage between the ion generating element having any one of the above structures, and a discharge electrode and a dielectric electrode provided in the ion generating element. Means.

  In order to achieve the above object, an electric apparatus according to the present invention includes an ion generator having the above-described configuration and a sending unit that sends out ions generated by the ion generator into the air.

  According to the present invention, the electric field strength at the discharge location of the discharge electrode is increased, and the discharge is started even when the voltage applied between the discharge electrode and the dielectric electrode is small. An ion generating element capable of stabilizing the discharge state, a method for manufacturing the ion generating element, an ion generating apparatus, and an electric device including the same can be realized.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. An example of the configuration of an ion generator according to the present invention is shown in FIG. FIG. 1A is a plan view of an ion generator according to the present invention, FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view taken along line XX of the ion generator according to the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the element 1 taken along the line YY.

  The ion generating apparatus according to the present invention shown in FIG. 1 includes an ion generating element 1 and a voltage applying circuit 2. When the voltage application circuit 2 applies a positive and negative alternating high voltage between the discharge electrode and the induction electrode of the ion generating element 1, both positive and negative ions are generated from the ion generating element 1.

  The ion generating element 1 includes a dielectric substrate 3, a discharge electrode 4, an induction electrode 5, electrode contacts 6 and 7, and a protective layer 8. The dielectric substrate 3 includes a lower substrate 3a and an upper substrate 3b stacked in the thickness direction.

  In the present embodiment, alumina is used as a material for the lower substrate 3 a, the upper substrate 3 b, and the protective layer 8. However, the material of the lower substrate 3a, the upper substrate 3b, and the protective layer 8 is not limited to alumina. In this embodiment, tungsten is used as a material for the discharge electrode 4 and the induction electrode 5. However, the material of the discharge electrode 4 and the induction electrode 5 is not limited to tungsten.

  As shown in FIG. 1B, the discharge electrode 4 is connected to an electrode contact 6 that penetrates the lower substrate 3a and the upper substrate 3b, and the induction electrode 5 is connected to an electrode contact 7 that penetrates the lower substrate 3a. In this embodiment, the electrode contact 6 is formed by filling the same material as the discharge electrode 4 into a hole formed at a position corresponding to the formation of the discharge electrode 4, and the electrode contact 7 forms the induction electrode 5. The holes formed at the corresponding positions are filled with the same material as that of the induction electrode 5.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 2, a case where the surface of the dielectric substrate 3, that is, the surface of the upper substrate 3b is continuously covered with the protective layer 8 having a constant thickness (t1: 10 to 15 μm) will be considered. FIG. 5 is a partially enlarged view corresponding to the region 10 in FIG. The thickness t2 of the discharge electrode 4 is 20 μm. In the form of the protective layer 8 as shown in FIG. 2, not only the discharge location of the discharge electrode 4 (for example, the region 11 shown in FIG. 5) but also the non-discharge location of the discharge electrode 4 and the location facing the induction electrode 5. Even in the region 12 (for example, the region 12 shown in FIG. 5), electric field may concentrate and discharge may occur. When the protective layer 8 is configured as shown in FIG. 2, even if a sharp portion is formed on the discharge electrode 4 as shown in FIG. 1, it is a non-discharge portion of the discharge electrode 4 and faces the induction electrode 5. Even at a place (for example, the region 12 shown in FIG. 5), the electric field concentrates and discharge occurs.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the thickness of the protective layer 8 at the discharge portion of the discharge electrode 4 is t1 (t1: 10 to 15 μm), and the protective layer 8 at the non-discharge portion of the discharge electrode 4 is formed. The thickness is set to t3 (t3: 30 to 40 μm). The thickness t2 of the discharge electrode 4 is 20 μm. By forming the protective layer 8 as shown in FIG. 3, the discharge location of the discharge electrode 4 becomes an electric field concentration portion, so that the non-discharge location of the discharge electrode 4 and the location facing the induction electrode 5 Discharge can be suppressed. As a result, the discharge state can be stabilized. Further, by forming the protective layer 8 as shown in FIG. 3, the electric field strength at the discharge location of the discharge electrode 4 is increased, and even if the voltage applied between the discharge electrode 4 and the dielectric electrode 5 is small. Since discharge is started, low power consumption and long life can be achieved.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 1, a sharpened portion is formed in the discharge electrode 4, and the tip of the sharpened portion (region 11 shown in FIG. 5) is used as a discharge location of the discharge electrode 4. The electric field concentration can be further increased.

  Next, an outline of an example of a production method of the ion generating element 1 in which the protective layer 8 has a form as shown in FIG. 3 will be described. First, the induction electrode 5 is formed by pattern-printing a tungsten material on the surface of the lower substrate 3a made of an alumina sheet. Subsequently, the upper substrate 3b made of an alumina sheet is placed so as to cover the induction electrode 5, and the upper substrate 3b is pressure-bonded to the lower substrate 3a. Subsequently, the discharge electrode 4 is formed by pattern printing of a tungsten material on the surface of the upper substrate 3b. Subsequently, an alumina layer is formed by coating so as to cover the entire dielectric substrate 3, and the coating is continued until the thickness of the alumina layer at the discharge location of the discharge electrode 4 reaches t1 (t1: 10 to 15 μm). Thereafter, the alumina layer is masked only at the portion corresponding to the discharge portion of the discharge electrode 4, and further, coating is performed until the thickness of the alumina layer at the non-discharge portion of the discharge electrode 4 becomes t3 (t3: 30 to 40 μm). to continue. And the ion generating element 1 is obtained by sintering the member formed in this way at the temperature of 1400 degreeC-1600 degreeC in a non-oxidizing atmosphere.

  Further, even if the protective layer 8 is not in the form as shown in FIG. 3 and the discharge electrode 4 is in the form as shown in FIG. 4, the discharge portion of the discharge electrode 4 becomes the electric field concentration portion. It is possible to suppress the discharge at the non-discharge part 4 and the part facing the induction electrode 5. As a result, the discharge state can be stabilized. Further, by forming the protective layer 8 as shown in FIG. 4, the electric field strength at the discharge location of the discharge electrode 4 is increased, and even if the voltage applied between the discharge electrode 4 and the dielectric electrode 5 is small. Since discharge is started, low power consumption and long life can be achieved.

  In the discharge electrode 4 having the form shown in FIG. 4, the thickness of the discharge portion is about 20 to 25 μm larger than the thickness t2 (20 μm) of the non-discharge portion. According to such a form of the discharge electrode 4, the thickness of the protective layer 8 at the discharge portion of the discharge electrode 4 is t 1 (t 1: 10 to 15 μm), and the thickness of the protective layer 8 at the non-discharge portion of the discharge electrode 4. Is t3 (t3: 30 to 40 μm).

  The ion generator according to the present invention described above may be mounted on an electrical device such as an air conditioner, a dehumidifier, a humidifier, an air cleaner, a refrigerator, a fan heater, a microwave oven, a washing dryer, a vacuum cleaner, or a sterilizer. . And it is good to equip such an electric equipment with the sending means (for example, ventilation fan) which sends out the ion which generate | occur | produced with the ion generator in the air. In the case of such an electric device, in addition to the original function of the device, ions generated by the mounted ion generator can be released into the air outside the device by the sending means.

These are figures which show one structural example of the ion generator which concerns on this invention. FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view of an ion generating element. These are the fragmentary sectional views of the ion generating element concerning the present invention. These are the fragmentary sectional views of the ion generating element concerning the present invention. FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged top view of the ion generating element.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Ion generating element 2 Voltage application circuit 3 Dielectric board | substrate 4 Discharge electrode 5 Induction electrode 6, 7 Electrode contact 8 Protective layer

Claims (5)

A dielectric,
A discharge electrode formed on the surface of the dielectric;
An induction electrode formed inside or on the back surface of the dielectric and disposed substantially parallel to the discharge electrode;
A protective layer formed on the dielectric so as to cover the discharge electrode;
The ion generating element, wherein a thickness of the protective layer at a discharge location of the discharge electrode is smaller than a thickness of the protective layer at a location where the discharge electrode is a non-discharge location and faces the induction electrode . A dielectric, a discharge electrode formed on the surface of the dielectric, an induction electrode formed inside or on the back of the dielectric and arranged substantially parallel to the discharge electrode, and covering the discharge electrode And a protective layer formed on the dielectric, and the thickness of the protective layer at the discharge location of the discharge electrode is a non-discharge location of the discharge electrode and at a location facing the induction electrode A manufacturing method of an ion generating element smaller than the thickness of the protective layer,
In the step of forming the protective layer, by masking, the thickness of the protective layer at the discharge location of the discharge electrode is changed to the thickness of the protective layer at the non-discharge location of the discharge electrode and facing the induction electrode. The manufacturing method of the ion generating element characterized by making it smaller than this. A dielectric,
A discharge electrode formed on the surface of the dielectric;
An induction electrode formed inside or on the back surface of the dielectric and disposed substantially parallel to the discharge electrode;
An ion generating element, wherein a thickness of a discharge portion of the discharge electrode is larger than a thickness of a non-discharge portion of the discharge electrode and facing the induction electrode. The ion generating element according to claim 1 or 3,
An ion generating apparatus comprising: a voltage applying unit that applies a voltage between a discharge electrode and a dielectric electrode included in the ion generating element.   An electrical apparatus comprising: the ion generator according to claim 4; and a sending unit that sends out ions generated by the ion generator into the air.

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