JP2008037373A - Electrostatic atomization device for vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To create a state that odor is removed or an allergen is inactivated when a user gets in and drive a vehicle. <P>SOLUTION: This electrostatic atomization device is provided with a discharge electrode 11 and an opposed electrode 12 opposed thereto with a high voltage applied therebetween, a moisture supply means 13 supplying moisture to the discharge electrode 12, a discharge opening 17 discharging mist generated by the electrostatic atomization of the moisture through high-voltage application on the discharge electrode into a vehicle compartment, and a control means controlling the electrostatic atomization operation by the high-voltage application. The device is connected to the power source V of the vehicle without the intermediary of an ignition key switch SW, and the control means controls the electrostatic atomization operation corresponding to the output of a sensor S detecting air quality such as an odor sensor or an allergen sensor, and the detection output of the capacity of a battery which is the vehicle power source. Even if the ignition key switch is turned off, the device is activated to discharges nano-size mist M into the vehicle compartment corresponding to the output of the sensor and the detection output of the battery capacity. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an electrostatic atomizer for a vehicle.

  In the case of a vehicle such as a passenger car, there is a problem that a smell such as cigarette is trapped in the passenger compartment because the passenger compartment is a sealed space. For this reason, various types of filtration-type air purification apparatuses are provided, but it is impossible to remove odorous components adhering to the wall surface of the passenger compartment.

  Here, an electrostatic atomizer that atomizes water to generate nanometer-sized charged fine particle water (nano-size mist) has attracted attention. Since the nano-size mist generated by this electrostatic atomizer contains radicals such as superoxide radicals and hydroxy radicals, in addition to the deodorizing effect, it also has the effect of suppressing viruses and fungi, the effect of inactivating allele substances, etc. Therefore, if the nano-size mist is sent out into the passenger compartment, not only the odorous components in the air in the passenger compartment, but also the odorous components adhering to the walls and sheets in the passenger compartment can be deodorized. It also suppresses allergens such as pollen, etc., which are attached to seats, floor carpets, cushions, etc., and pollen that are brought into the passenger compartment and attached to the clothes of passengers when doors are opened and closed outdoors. be able to. For this purpose, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2006-151046 (Patent Document 1) discloses an electrostatic fog for a vehicle that discharges nano-size mist into the vehicle interior by placing the nano-size mist on the wind output from the air conditioner provided in the vehicle. A device has been proposed.

  Here, the conventional air purification device provided in the vehicle inserts a key into the ignition key switch to turn on the switch (including the accessory switch) from the viewpoint of preventing the consumption of the battery as the power source for the vehicle. Accordingly, power is supplied, and in practice, the air is purified only when the engine is started.

  On the other hand, the user feels the strongest smell in the vehicle when the door of the vehicle is opened or when the air conditioner installed in the vehicle is operated. When getting in, allergens in the passenger compartment are active. However, this point cannot be dealt with in an electrostatic atomizer that is operable when the ignition key switch is turned on, as in the air purification device.

Further, when a person is sitting on the sheet, the nano-sized mist M cannot touch the odor that has soaked into the sheet or the allergen that has entered the sheet, so there is no opportunity for deodorization or inactivation of these.
JP 2006-151046 A

  The present invention has been invented in view of the above-described conventional problems, and can be used for a vehicle in which deodorization and allergen inactivation can be achieved when a user gets into the vehicle to drive. An object of the present invention is to provide an electrostatic atomizer.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, an electrostatic atomizer according to the present invention includes a discharge electrode, a counter electrode facing the discharge electrode and a high voltage applied between the discharge electrode, and water supplying moisture to the discharge electrode. A supply means, a discharge port for discharging the mist generated by electrostatic atomization of the moisture by applying a high voltage to the discharge electrode, and a control means for controlling the electrostatic atomization operation by applying the high voltage; An electrostatic atomizer for a vehicle having a sensor output of a sensor for detecting air quality, such as an odor sensor or an allergen sensor, which is connected to a vehicle power supply without an ignition key switch. And the electrostatic atomization operation is controlled according to the detection output of the battery capacity that is the vehicle power supply. Even when the ignition key switch is OFF, the nano-size mist M is released into the vehicle interior by operating in accordance with the sensor output and the battery capacity detection output.

  The control means preferably performs an electrostatic atomization operation regardless of the sensor output when the vehicle engine is operating.

  Even when the ignition key switch is off, the present invention operates in response to the sensor output and the detection output of the battery capacity to release the nano-size mist M into the passenger compartment, so that the vehicle is not in use. If the sensor detects odors or allergens, electrostatic atomization is initiated to deodorize and inactivate allergens, so that the next time the vehicle user enters the car and starts driving, the odors It is possible to achieve a state where the removal of allergens and the inactivation of allergens are performed, and the vehicle can be used in a comfortable space. In addition, since the detection output of the battery capacity is also observed, the electrostatic atomization operation can be stopped when the battery capacity is reduced to prevent the battery from being consumed.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described based on an embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings. FIG. 2 shows an atomization unit portion of an electrostatic atomizer 1 that generates nanometer-size charged fine particle water (nanosize mist). A ring-shaped counter electrode 12 that is disposed at the tip opening of a cylindrical body 16 made of an insulating material surrounding the discharge electrode 11 and faces the discharge electrode 11, and water in the air by cooling the discharge electrode 11. It comprises a cooling means 13 for condensation on the discharge electrode 11 and a high-voltage power supply unit 15 for applying a high voltage between the discharge electrode 11 and the counter electrode 12, which is composed of a Peltier element and is arranged on the cooling side. The cooling means 13 to which the discharge electrode 11 is thermally connected is provided with heat radiation fins 14 on the heat radiation side.

  In addition, the electrostatic atomizer 1 includes a motor fan (not shown) that sends cooling air to the radiating fins 14, and a part of the air sent from the motor fan is opened on the side surface of the cylindrical body 16. From the discharge port 17, which is the front end opening of the cylindrical body 16.

  In this electrostatic atomizer 1, the cooling means 13 cools the discharge electrode 11 to condense moisture in the air to generate condensed water on the discharge electrode 11. Therefore, the cooling means 13 is used as the discharge electrode. A water supply means for supplying water to the water is configured. In a state where the condensed water is attached to the discharge electrode 11, if a high voltage is applied between the electrodes 11 and 12, the condensed water collects at the tip of the discharge electrode 11 and discharges between the counter electrode 12. As a result, Rayleigh splitting is repeated to form a nano-sized mist M, which is discharged from the discharge port 17 by the wind generated by the motor fan. The electrostatic atomizer 1 includes a discharge voltage detection circuit and a discharge current detection circuit, and adjusts the amount of condensed water generated by adjusting the cooling degree of the cooling means 13 based on the detected discharge voltage and discharge current. The control circuit which performs is provided, the appropriate amount of dew condensation water is always ensured on the discharge electrode 11, and generation | occurrence | production of the nanosize mist M is reliably performed without being influenced by temperature and humidity.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the electrostatic atomizer 1 configured in this way is installed in the vicinity of a ceiling of a vehicle compartment of an automobile, or in the vicinity of a blowout port in an air conditioner, and is emitted from a discharge port 17. Mist M is supplied into the passenger compartment to deodorize and inactivate allergens.

  Here, the control circuit that controls the operation of the electrostatic atomizer 1 is connected to the in-vehicle control circuit C that controls the operation of each part of the vehicle so that various signals can be received from the in-vehicle control circuit. Sensors that detect the air quality such as odor sensors and allergen sensors installed in the passenger compartment in response to a signal indicating that when the ignition key switch SW is on (when the ignition key switch SW is on) Perform according to the output of S.

  However, as shown in FIG. 1, the electrostatic atomizer 1 can be supplied with power from a battery V as a vehicle power supply without passing through an ignition key switch SW in the vehicle. The electrostatic atomization operation is possible even when the switch SW is off. Reference numeral 6 in FIG. 1 denotes an in-vehicle device.

  When the ignition key switch SW is OFF, the electrostatic atomizer 1 detects the odor detection output or the allergen detection from the sensor S such as the odor sensor or the allergen detection sensor arranged in the passenger compartment as shown in FIG. When the output is output, the electrostatic atomization operation is started. Even if there is no person in the passenger compartment, if odors or allergens are detected, nano-size mist M is generated by electrostatic atomization, and deodorization and allergen inactivation are performed. If no odors or allergens are detected, the electrostatic atomization operation is stopped and current consumption is suppressed.

  Moreover, the voltage detection part 7 which detects the voltage of the battery V which is a vehicle power supply is provided, and when the detected voltage value becomes below the threshold value T, the electrostatic atomizer 1 is irrespective of the output of the sensor S. The electrostatic atomization operation is stopped to prevent the battery V from being consumed. The threshold value T is a voltage value that is equal to or higher than the voltage value required for the next engine start.

  While the engine is operating, as shown in FIG. 5, the electrostatic atomizer 1 may be always operated regardless of the output of the sensor S. Since electricity is generated while the engine is operating, there is no concern about the voltage drop of the battery V, and since the nano-sized mist M does not adversely affect the human body, the electrostatic atomization operation is always performed. This is because a higher effect can be obtained with respect to deodorization and inactivation of allergens.

  Note that the electrostatic atomization operation when the ignition key switch SW is off may be limited by a timer such that the maximum operation time is within one hour, for example. If one hour has passed after the ignition key switch SW is turned off, the electrostatic atomization operation is not started even if the sensor S detects the deterioration of the air quality. In cold regions, it is preferable to reduce battery consumption as much as possible, but this can be dealt with.

It is a block circuit diagram of an example of an embodiment of the invention. It is sectional drawing of an electrostatic atomization unit part same as the above. It is a schematic sectional drawing which shows a vehicle-mounted state same as the above. It is a time chart which shows operation | movement same as the above. It is a time chart which shows other operation | movement same as the above.

Explanation of symbols

1 Electrostatic Atomizer 7 Voltage Detector V Battery S Sensor SW Ignition Key Switch

Claims (2)

  A discharge electrode, a counter electrode opposed to the discharge electrode, and a high voltage applied between the discharge electrode, a water supply means for supplying water to the discharge electrode, and an electrostatic mist of the water by applying a high voltage to the discharge electrode An electrostatic atomization device for a vehicle comprising a discharge port for discharging the mist generated by the conversion into the vehicle interior and a control means for controlling the electrostatic atomization operation by the application of the high voltage. The control means is connected via a key switch, and the control means detects the electrostatic fog according to the output of a sensor for detecting air quality such as an odor sensor or an allergen sensor, and the detection output of the battery capacity as a vehicle power source. The electrostatic atomizer for vehicles characterized by controlling an operation.   2. The electrostatic atomizer for vehicles according to claim 1, wherein the control means performs an electrostatic atomization operation regardless of the sensor output when the engine of the vehicle is operating.

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