JP2008027724A - Ion generator and static eliminator - Google Patents

Abstract

An ion generator and a static eliminator are provided that always maintain the same amount of positive and negative ion generation, and that can be reduced in cost and space.
Each of an ion generating element 10 for generating positive ions and an ion generating element 10 for generating negative ions includes a linear discharge electrode 12 having a plurality of fine protrusions, and a linear electrode facing the discharge electrode. And a fine electrode body formed by disposing an induction electrode 13 formed of a dielectric material on the dielectric 11, and between the discharge electrode and the induction electrode of both the ion generating elements. An ion generator configured to generate a positive ion and a negative ion by applying a driving voltage through a secondary circuit, wherein the secondary circuit of the power source is substantially insulated from the ground, and a voltage is applied to the discharge electrode. Is applied to generate ions in a state in which an effective potential difference is ensured with the induction electrode.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an ion generator and a static eliminator.

  For example, in the case of a conventional type static eliminator, a general conventional ion generator / static eliminator applies a high voltage from a high voltage power source to a sharp needle-shaped ion generating electrode to generate a corona discharge. Is ionized. The needle-shaped ion generation electrode needs to generate corona discharge efficiently with the opposite ground electrode, so it is necessary to ensure a certain insulation distance, and to form the ion generation There is a problem that space is limited and there is a limit to the miniaturization of an efficient ion generator and static eliminator.

  In addition, with long-term use, the needle-shaped ion generating electrode is less likely to generate corona discharge due to the accumulation of dust and the like and wear due to physical sputtering, and the ion generation efficiency tends to decrease. Also, the ground electrode that is opposed to the needle-shaped ion generation electrode and is provided to stabilize the discharge also causes accumulation of dust and the like due to electrostatic adsorption due to high voltage and physical sputtering of the ion generation electrode. Contamination progressed and became a factor of reducing the ion generation efficiency.

  Particularly in the static eliminator, it is necessary to keep the positive and negative ion generation amounts the same, and several means have been proposed to solve the change in the ion generation amount due to the above problem (patents). Reference 1 and 2).

  However, in both Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, since a complicated feedback circuit must be provided to control the amount of ion generation, not only the cost is increased, but also space saving is difficult. In addition, there is a case where a difference occurs in the amount of generated ions in long-term use between positive polarity and negative polarity due to wear due to sputtering or accumulation of dust. Therefore, in such control, control that generates more ions works with respect to the polarity in which ion generation is reduced. As a result, the electrodes are further worn out, the amount of dust accumulation increases, and the problem is further accelerated.

As a means for reducing these problems, for example, a technique described in Patent Document 3 has been proposed.
In the method of Patent Document 3, since the circuit configuration is simple, the cost is low and the space can be saved. However, there is no significant difference in the above-described problems in electrode wear and deposition such as dust, and there is a fundamental difference. It is not a solution.

  Therefore, in either case, the user is regularly forced to perform maintenance work to improve the efficiency of ion generation by cleaning or replacing the needle-shaped ion generating electrode tip and further cleaning the ground electrode and its surroundings. It will be. Such maintenance work is cleaning the inside of the structure having a sharpened portion, and is also a part to which a high voltage is applied, so the work is dangerous and troublesome.

Needle-shaped ion generating electrodes are difficult to fundamentally solve in the generation of ions, so it is necessary to devise means for reducing wear due to sputtering, dust and the like.
Therefore, a plate-like ion generating element has been developed as a mechanism that can stably generate ions at a low voltage, in which a discharge electrode and an induction electrode are arranged on a plate-like dielectric instead of a needle-like electrode. (See Patent Documents 4 to 6).

JP 11-135293 A JP2003-68497 Special table 2002-510132 JP 2003-323964 A JP 2003-249327 A JP2002-237368

In the techniques shown in Patent Documents 4 to 6, since efficient ion generation can be performed at a low voltage, wear due to sputtering and accumulation of dust and the like are very small, stable ion generation is possible, and the shape is a plate. Therefore, since the structure does not have a physical sharp portion, the maintainability is very excellent as compared with a needle-shaped ion generating electrode.
Further, as an embodiment emphasizing maintainability, the present inventors have described in [0020] to [0037] of the previously proposed Japanese Patent Application No. 2006-193697 (fan type static eliminator).

  However, its structure is both an advantage and a disadvantage. Since the discharge electrode is arranged on a plate-like surface, the creepage resistance value of the discharge electrode surface is affected by the influence of moisture under condensing and high-humidity environments and when there is deposits such as dust. Since it decreases, the waveform of the applied voltage becomes dull, and as a result, ion generation efficiency decreases.

As a result, not only the ion generation amount is reduced, but there is also a concern that the ion generation amount may be unbalanced when used in a static eliminator.
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to reduce the influence on the amount of ion generation due to a decrease in creepage resistance value on the surface of the discharge electrode by reducing the voltage applied to the discharge electrode as much as possible, and without using a complicated circuit configuration. An object of the present invention is to provide an ion generator and a static eliminator that always maintain the same amount of positive and negative ion generation, and that can be reduced in cost and space.

The present invention for solving the above-described problems has the following configuration.
1. Each of an ion generating element that generates positive ions and an ion generating element that generates negative ions,
A discharge electrode configured using a linear conductive material having a plurality of fine protrusions and an induction electrode configured using a linear dielectric material facing the discharge electrode are disposed on a dielectric. It is configured to have a fine electrode body,
An ion generator configured to generate a positive ion and a negative ion by applying a driving voltage through a secondary circuit between the discharge electrode and the induction electrode of both ion generating elements and generating a discharge based on the potential difference. Because
The ion generator is
The secondary circuit of the power supply is substantially isolated from ground,
An ion generator, characterized in that a voltage is applied to a discharge electrode to generate ions in a state where an effective potential difference is secured with respect to an induction electrode.

2. Since the ion generator has a configuration in which a high-voltage capacitor is mounted between the positive electrode and the negative electrode, the induction electrode is configured to generate ions in a state in which an effective potential difference is secured by biasing a reverse polarity voltage. 2. The ion generator according to 1 above.
3. 3. The ion generator according to 1 or 2 above, wherein a delivery means for delivering the generated ions by an air flow is provided.
4). A static eliminator having a structure in which static elimination is performed by the ion generator according to any one of 1 to 3 above.

According to the invention described in claim 1, the ion generator applies a voltage to the discharge electrode in a state where the secondary circuit of the power source is substantially insulated from the ground, and generates an effective potential difference with the induction electrode. With the configuration in which ions are generated in a secured state, it is possible to provide an ion generator and a static eliminator that are low in voltage, can save space, have little accumulation of dust and the like, and have excellent maintainability.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, the ion generator applies a voltage to the discharge electrode in a state where the secondary circuit of the power source is substantially insulated from the ground, and a potential having a polarity opposite to each polarity is applied. When charged, the induction electrode is equivalent to a state in which the reverse polarity voltage of the discharge electrode is biased, and as a result, the voltage applied to the discharge electrode decreases. A structure in which ions of opposite polarity are biased to the induction electrode and ions are generated in a state in which an effective potential difference is secured between the discharge electrodes, ion generation efficiency is good, ion imbalance is suppressed, and low It is possible to provide an ion generator and a static eliminator that can be reduced in cost and space. In particular, an effect can be expected in terms of reducing the influence on the amount of ions generated due to a decrease in creepage resistance value on the surface of the discharge electrode.

  With a configuration in which the secondary circuit of the power supply is substantially insulated from the ground, the ion balance can be automatically controlled.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, a high-voltage capacitor capable of reducing cost and space can be mounted between the positive electrode and the negative electrode, a voltage is applied to the discharge electrode, and a reverse polarity voltage is biased to the induction electrode. With a configuration that generates ions while ensuring an effective potential difference, even if a failure occurs in either the power supply or the electrode, a high voltage capacitor mounted between the positive and negative electrodes biases the offset and automatically adjusts the ion balance. It becomes possible to adjust to. Therefore, conventionally, it is possible to prevent the ion having the polarity on the defective side from being generated and becoming a charger. In particular, ion generation efficiency that is not easily affected by moisture such as dew condensation is good, and not only ion imbalance is suppressed, but also the influence on the amount of ion generation due to the decrease in creepage resistance on the discharge electrode surface is reduced. In this respect, a particularly remarkable effect is exhibited.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, it is possible to more efficiently deliver ions generated efficiently and in a balanced manner by providing a delivery means for delivering the generated ions by airflow.

  According to the invention shown in claim 4, since the ion generator shown in claims 1 to 3 is used for static elimination, ion generation efficiency is good, ion imbalance is suppressed, and cost reduction and space saving are achieved. Possible neutralization becomes possible.

Hereinafter, the details of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a circuit diagram of an embodiment of an ion generator according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram showing an example of an ion generation element used in the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a projection shape of a discharge electrode. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a plurality of examples of the shape of the induction electrode, FIG. 5 is a graph of voltage waveforms applied to the discharge electrode and the induction electrode in the circuit of FIG. 1, and FIG. 6 is a general voltage application. FIG. 7 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a circuit diagram of another embodiment of the ion generator according to the present invention, and FIG. 8 is a graph showing a voltage waveform of a discharge electrode configured to apply a ground potential (0 V) as a reference. These are perspective views which show one Example of the static elimination apparatus which concerns on this invention.

First, the ion generating element used for the ion generator and static eliminator of this invention is demonstrated based on FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 2, the ion generating element 10 used in the present invention is provided with a dielectric 11, a discharge electrode 12 disposed on the surface of the dielectric 11, and the dielectric 11. An induction electrode 13 that receives the action of the discharge electrode 12 is provided.

  The material of the discharge electrode 12 of the ion generating element 10 used in the present invention is not particularly limited as long as it has conductivity, and examples thereof include stainless steel, tungsten, and conductive ceramics. The discharge electrode 12 is preferably made of a material that does not easily deteriorate or melt due to discharge. If the discharge electrode 12 is formed and protected by covering the discharge electrode 12 with an insulating protective layer such as a surface coating according to the material of the discharge electrode 12 and the intended use, the durability of the discharge electrode 12 can be extended and simultaneously discharged. It is also possible to reduce dust generation from the electrode 12 and simplify maintenance. Examples of the material for the surface coating include a DLC (diamond-like carbon) thin film coating and an epoxy-based insulating material.

  The shape of the discharge electrode 12 is configured using a linear conductive material having a plurality of fine protrusions, and the fine protrusions are preferably 0.01 mm or more and 10 mm or less. The shape of the protrusion is not particularly limited as long as ions can be generated. For example, the shape as shown in FIG. 3A may be used, and other shapes such as a wave shape, a circle shape, and a lattice shape may be used. Good. It has been found that the ion generation efficiency is most affected by the distance between the opposing induction electrode 13 and the fine protrusion of the discharge electrode 12 and the relationship depending on the protrusion shape, as compared with the shape dependence of the discharge electrode 12. The shape is not particularly limited as long as electric field concentration is likely to occur effectively. For example, the shapes shown in FIGS. In addition, (b)-(g) of FIG. 3 is the elements on larger scale.

  The dielectric 11 of the ion generating element 10 used in the present invention has a structure in which the discharge electrode 12 is formed on the surface and the induction electrode 13 is surrounded. The distance between the discharge electrode 12 formed on the surface and the induction electrode 13 formed so as to surround is controlled by the thickness of the dielectric 11, and the thickness is determined by the dielectric constant of the dielectric 11. A range of .01 to 5 mm is preferred. In addition, the shape is not particularly limited as long as it has the above-described structure such as a plate shape, a circular shape, a columnar shape, or a columnar shape. Examples of the material of the dielectric 11 include dielectric materials such as alumina, glass, and mica. At the time of molding, dielectric breakdown due to pinholes or the like of the material can be suppressed by laminating dielectric materials, and the withstand voltage can be improved.

The discharge electrode 12 can be formed on the dielectric 11 by publicly known means, but is preferably formed by ink jet printing, silk printing, or screen printing.
Unlike the conventional needle-shaped ion generation electrode, the discharge electrode 12 has a structure that does not have a physical sharp point, and because it has high ion generation efficiency, it can be driven at a low voltage. Thus, the danger when the ion generating element 10 is touched is reduced.

Further, by controlling the distance between the discharge electrode 12 and the induction electrode 13 by the thickness of the dielectric 11, for example, the distance between the discharge electrode 12 and the induction electrode 13 is made longer than the distance between the discharge electrode 12 and the induction electrode 13. Thus, the amount of ions generated from both can be adjusted.
The induction electrode 13 is formed so as to be surrounded by the dielectric 11, and acts as a common electrode formed facing the discharge electrode 12. The material of the induction electrode 13 is not particularly limited as long as it has conductivity, and examples thereof include stainless steel, tungsten, and conductive ceramics.

  The shape of the induction electrode 13 is not particularly limited as long as it is an electrode structure facing the discharge electrode 12, and for example, various shapes shown in FIGS. 4A to 4D are adopted. be able to.

Next, a preferred embodiment (claim 2) of the ion generator 1 of the present invention will be described based on the circuit diagram shown in FIG.
The ion generator 1 of the present invention has an ion generating element that generates positive ions and an ion generating element that generates negative ions, and a secondary circuit is interposed between the discharge electrode and the induction electrode of both ion generating elements. A driving voltage is applied, and positive ions and negative ions are generated by a discharge generated based on the potential difference.

  As shown in FIG. 1, in the ion generator 1, a secondary circuit 3 (rectifier circuit; positive electrode 3A / negative electrode 3B) of a power source 2 is substantially insulated from the ground, and a high voltage is applied between the positive electrode 3A and the negative electrode 3B. A capacitor 4 is mounted, and a voltage is applied to the discharge electrode 12 of the ion generating element 10, and ions are generated in a state where an effective potential difference is secured by biasing a dielectric electrode 13 with a reverse polarity voltage. In FIG. 1, 5 is a drive circuit, and 6 is a transformer.

By the high voltage capacitor 4 mounted between the positive electrode 3A and the negative electrode 3B, the reverse bias due to capacitive coupling effectively works while maintaining the floating state.
The reverse bias action will be further described. The current flowing through the positive secondary circuits 3A and 3B flows into the positive electrode of the discharge electrode 12, and the potential of the high-voltage capacitor connecting the positive induction electrode 13 is the opposite negative electrode. As a result, the potential of the induction electrode 13 decreases, which is equivalent to a state in which a reverse bias is applied. The negative electrode operates by being charged with a potential having a polarity opposite to that of the positive electrode. Furthermore, since the electric potentials of opposite polarities are charged between the high-voltage capacitors 4, the coupling is strong and the device operates in a state where it is hardly affected by disturbance.

  Unlike the configuration in which a high voltage is generated based on the ground potential (0 V) due to the reverse bias action, a potential that is significantly lower than the ground potential is used as a reference for the positive electrode, and a potential that is significantly higher than the ground potential is used for the negative electrode. In addition, since it is applied to the discharge electrode 12, ions can be substantially generated at a weaker voltage without applying a high voltage as in the case of using the ground potential as a reference.

  As a specific numerical example, as shown in FIG. 5, the voltage applied to the discharge voltage is 1 kV by setting the reference potential to −2.0 kV, which is significantly lower than the ground potential (0 V) at the positive electrode by the reverse bias action. As a result, an effective potential difference (= discharge electrode 12−induction electrode 13) of 3.0 kV can be secured. As a result, it is possible to secure an effective potential difference of 3 kV at which an ion generation amount substantially equivalent to the configuration in which a voltage as strong as 3 kV must be applied to the discharge electrode 12 with reference to the ground potential of 0 V shown in FIG. Become.

  Therefore, it is possible to suppress degradation of the performance due to dirt and moisture on the electrode surface while maintaining the same amount of ion generation as that applied when the ground potential (0 V) is applied as a reference, and to reduce performance of ion balance and static elimination time. It can be significantly suppressed.

  In order to insulate the secondary circuit 3 of the power supply 2 from the ground, for example, a configuration in which the ground wire of the secondary circuit 3 is removed to insulate from the ground potential and float, or the secondary by an insulating material. For example, the circuit 3 may be shielded. A preferable insulating material in the latter embodiment may be any known insulating material, and examples thereof include polytetrafluoroethylene and polycarbonate. Thus, the ion balance can be automatically adjusted by insulating (floating) the secondary circuit 3 of the power supply 2 from the ground potential.

As described above, the preferred embodiment of the ion generator 1 of the present invention has been described with reference to FIG. 1, but the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modes can be adopted within the scope of the present invention.
For example, as shown in FIG. 7, an aspect having the same configuration as the aspect shown in FIG. 1 described above except that no high-voltage capacitor is mounted is also included in the present invention. In this configuration, the same good performance can be obtained except that it is inferior in terms of humidity resistance (initial) as compared with the embodiment in which the high-voltage capacitor shown in FIG. 1 is mounted (see the examples described later).

Next, the static eliminator of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. Regarding the specific configuration of the ion generator of the present invention, the following description of the static eliminator can be referred to.
In addition, as specific embodiments of the static eliminator, the present inventors have described in [0038] to [0066] of the previously proposed Japanese Patent Application No. 2006-193697 (fan type static eliminator).

A static eliminator 7 shown in FIG. 8 includes the ion generator 1 of the present invention that generates ions by the ion generating element 10 described above, and performs static elimination with the generated ions.
The static eliminator 7 is provided with an ion generator 1 having the ion generating element 10 and a propeller fan (not shown for an internal mechanism) which is a sending means for sending out ions generated by the ion generator 1. ing. The power supply unit is not shown. The neutralizer 7 is preferably provided with an adjusting means for adjusting the ion concentration.

  Various configurations such as the size, form, number of ion generating elements 10 to be disposed, propeller fan delivery capability, and the like are appropriately set according to the purpose of use, installation location, and the like. The static eliminator 7 shown in FIG. 5 is classified as a fan type static eliminator that uses a propeller fan as an ion delivery means. The delivery means is not limited to the fan type, and a delivery means such as a publicly known blower used for this type of static eliminator may be adopted, or the delivery means may be configured separately from the main body of the static eliminator 7. May be.

  Since the ion generating element 10 used in the static eliminator 7 of the present invention can be driven at a low voltage as described above, the risk is reduced, so that ions are generated on the front surface or the surface side of the static eliminator 7. It is also possible to adopt a structure in which the element 10 is exposed. By adopting a structure in which the ion generating element 10 is exposed, not only replacement and cleaning at the time of maintenance are easy, but also the structural material that blocks generated ions is reduced, and the ion generation efficiency is further improved.

  The results of evaluating the items shown in Table 1 below for Examples 1 and 2 and Comparative Examples 1 and 2 are shown in Table 1.

  The condition was measured using a charge plate monitor (plate specification = 150 mm, 150 mm, 20 pF) used for the evaluation of the static eliminator. The ion balance and the charge removal time were measured at a distance of 300 mm from the charge plate, and the same fan was used in all the comparative examples in order to exclude the difference in the fan air volume, and the measured value at the maximum wind speed was used. Also, during measurement, considering that there is nothing to block charged objects or ion wind in the vicinity, ion balance measurement records the maximum value for 1 minute after the ion balance stabilizes after turning on the power, and the charge removal time Is the average of three measurements.

Example 1
An ion generator having the circuit shown in FIG. 1 (including an ion generating element 10 having a fine electrode, a structure in which a secondary circuit is insulated from the ground, and a structure in which a voltage is biased by a high-voltage capacitor between positive and negative electrodes) The items shown in Table 1 below were evaluated using a static eliminator using
Example 2
An ion generator having the circuit shown in FIG. 7 (the ion generator 10 having fine electrodes, which is substantially the same as in Example 1 except that no high-voltage capacitor is mounted), and the secondary circuit is grounded. The items shown in Table 1 below were evaluated in the same manner as in Example 1 using the static eliminator using the above.

Comparative Example 1
Example 1 with respect to the items shown in Table 1 below by means of a static eliminator using an ion generator having a circuit having the configuration shown in FIG. 9 (including a needle-like electrode 10A and a configuration in which the secondary circuit is insulated from the ground) Evaluation was performed in the same manner.
Comparative Example 2
Table 1 below shows a static eliminator using an ion generator having a circuit having the configuration shown in FIG. 10 (the ion generator 10 having the same microelectrode as in Example 1 and the secondary circuit is grounded). The items shown in Table 1 were evaluated in the same manner as in Example 1.

  1, 7, 9, and 10, the components denoted by the same reference numerals have substantially the same configuration.

@0001

@ 0001

  As shown in Table 1, it can be seen that the static eliminator according to the present invention can provide good results in any of the items shown in Table 1. In particular, according to the configuration of the first embodiment, a remarkable effect can be expected in terms of overall evaluation.

The schematic block diagram which shows the circuit diagram of one Example of the ion generator which concerns on this invention Configuration diagram showing an example of an ion generating element used in the present invention Explanatory drawing showing multiple examples of protrusion shape of discharge electrode Explanatory diagram showing multiple examples of the shape of the induction electrode Graph showing the voltage waveform applied to the discharge and induction electrodes in the circuit of FIG. The graph which shows the voltage waveform concerning the discharge electrode and induction electrode of the structure applied based on the ground potential (0V) which is a general voltage application system The schematic block diagram which shows the circuit diagram of one Example of the ion generator which concerns on this invention The perspective view which shows one Example of the static elimination apparatus which concerns on this invention The schematic block diagram which shows the circuit diagram of the ion generator used for the static eliminator of the comparative example 1 The schematic block diagram which shows the circuit diagram of the ion generator used for the static eliminator of the comparative example 2

Claims (4)

Each of an ion generating element that generates positive ions and an ion generating element that generates negative ions,
A discharge electrode configured using a linear conductive material having a plurality of fine protrusions and an induction electrode configured using a linear dielectric material facing the discharge electrode are disposed on a dielectric. It is configured to have a fine electrode body,
An ion generator configured to generate a positive ion and a negative ion by applying a driving voltage through a secondary circuit between the discharge electrode and the induction electrode of both ion generating elements and generating a discharge based on the potential difference. Because
The ion generator is
The secondary circuit of the power supply is substantially isolated from ground,
An ion generator, characterized in that a voltage is applied to a discharge electrode to generate ions in a state where an effective potential difference is secured with respect to an induction electrode. Since the ion generator has a configuration in which a high-voltage capacitor is mounted between the positive electrode and the negative electrode, the induction electrode is configured to generate ions in a state in which an effective potential difference is secured by biasing a reverse polarity voltage. The ion generator according to claim 1. The ion generator according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a delivery means for delivering the generated ions by an air flow is provided. A static eliminator having a structure in which static elimination is performed by the ion generator according to claim 1.

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