JP2008104982A - Electrostatic atomization apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent decreasing the quantity of charged particulate water scattered to the outside of an apparatus while suppressing the release of ozone to the outside of the apparatus. <P>SOLUTION: In the electrostatic atomization apparatus 3, charged particulate water is formed by applying high voltage to a discharge electrode 1, a counter electrode 2 arranged in front of the discharge electrode 1 and water supplied to the discharge electrode 1 to be electrostatically atomized and is scattered forward. A cylindrical flow passage part 4 is arranged in front of the counter electrode 2 and the center line of the cylindrical flow passage part 4 is matched to the center line of the discharge electrode 1 and the center line of the counter electrode 2. An ozone retaining part 5 for retaining ozone generated on the discharge electrode 1 is provided at least in the inner surface part of the cylindrical flow passage part 4. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an electrostatic atomizer for generating nanometer-sized charged fine particle water containing active species (radicals).

  Conventionally, an electrostatic atomizer that generates nanometer-sized charged fine particle water containing active species is known. This electrostatic atomizer is a nanometer containing active species by electrostatic atomization by applying a high voltage to a discharge electrode, a counter electrode arranged in front of the discharge electrode, and water supplied to the discharge electrode. Generate charged particle water of a size and scatter the charged particle water forward with ion wind to deodorize deposits such as room air and wall surface, inactivate allergen substances such as mites and pollen, or Moisturizes people's skin and hair.

  However, in the electrostatic atomizer as described above, ozone is generated when generating nanometer-sized charged fine particle water containing active species. General ozone generation is

It is represented by However, e represents an electron, O. represents an oxygen radical, and M ₁ represents O., O ₂ or O ₃ .

  Ozone has an adverse effect on the human body when its concentration is high, and the indoor ozone concentration is set to be 0.06 ppm or less of the environmental standard value. Dilute by is not a fundamental solution, and the ozone concentration may be 0.02 ppm or more when used for a long time, which may cause discomfort. It is necessary to prevent ozone generated during generation from flying outside from the electrostatic atomizer.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-133620 is known as a technique that takes such problems into consideration. In the conventional example shown in Patent Document 1, the counter electrode is arranged in front of the discharge electrode so that the center lines substantially coincide with each other, and further, the front of the counter electrode is orthogonal to the flight direction of the charged fine particle water by the ion wind. A substrate in which an ozone decomposition catalyst is attached to the surface of a substrate formed in a honeycomb shape, punching metal shape, or wire mesh shape, and ozone generated during generation of charged fine particle water is formed in a honeycomb shape, punching metal shape, or wire mesh shape. The surface of the material is decomposed by an ozone decomposition catalyst. However, since there is a substrate in which an ozone decomposition catalyst is attached to the surface formed in a honeycomb shape, punching metal shape or wire mesh shape so as to be orthogonal to the flying direction of the charged fine particle water by the ion wind in front of the counter electrode, The charged fine particle water flying by the air passes through a large number of holes in the honeycomb shape, punching metal shape or wire mesh shape and flies out of the device, and a part of the charged fine particle water flying by the ion wind is in the honeycomb shape or punching shape. The amount of charged fine particle water that adheres to the metal or wire mesh base material and flies out of the device through a large number of holes is reduced. As a result, the deodorizing effect by charged fine particle water, mites, pollen, etc. There arises a new problem that the inactivation effect of allergen substances or the effect of moisturizing human skin and hair decreases.
JP 2006-198502 A

  The present invention was invented in view of the above-described conventional problems, and while preventing ozone from being released outside the apparatus, at the same time, the amount of charged fine particle water scattered outside the apparatus is not reduced. It is an object of the present invention to provide an electrostatic atomizer that can be used.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, an electrostatic atomizer according to the present invention disposes a discharge electrode 1 and a counter electrode 2 having a circular opening at a central portion so that the center lines substantially coincide with each other. In the electrostatic atomizer 3 in which a high voltage is applied to the water supplied to the electrode 1 to produce electrostatic atomized water to generate charged fine particle water and to disperse the charged fine particle water through the opening at the center of the counter electrode. The cylindrical passage portion 4 is disposed so as to face the counter electrode 1 on the side opposite to the discharge electrode 1 of the counter electrode 2 so that the center lines substantially coincide with each other, and at least on the inner surface portion of the cylindrical passage portion 4 An ozone securing part 5 for securing ozone generated in the discharge electrode 1 is provided.

  Ozone is generated when a high voltage is applied to the water supplied to the discharge electrode 1 to form electrostatically atomized water to generate nanometer-sized charged fine particle water containing active species (radicals). Here, since the charged fine particle water is charged (for example, negatively charged), it passes through the center of the circular opening at the center of the counter electrode 2 from the discharge electrode 1 side by the ion wind generated by the discharge, Although it flies outside the apparatus along the center line of the cylindrical passage portion 4, it is floating in the tubular passage portion 4 without flying by ion wind because ozone is not charged. When the floating ozone reaches and adheres to the ozone securing portion 5 on the inner surface of the passage portion 4, the ozone is secured and does not go out of the apparatus. Therefore, the generated charged fine particle water smoothly passes through the cylindrical passage portion 4 by the ionic wind and flies out of the device, so that the charged fine particle water containing active species (radicals) is removed from the device. On the other hand, ozone does not decrease, while ozone can suppress the amount released outside the device.

  Moreover, it is preferable to provide the ozone securing section 5 with a catalyst section 6 for decomposing ozone.

  By setting it as such a structure, the ozone ensured by the ozone securing part 5 is decomposed | disassembled and made harmless by the catalyst part 6. FIG.

  Moreover, it is preferable that the wall part of the cylindrical channel | path part 4 crosses the cylindrical channel | path part 4, and becomes a honeycomb structure opened to the inside and outside of the cylindrical channel | path part 4. FIG.

  With such a configuration, the area for securing ozone increases and the amount of ozone secured increases. As a result, the amount of ozone released outside the apparatus can be further suppressed.

  Further, it is preferable that the ozone securing portion 5 is detachably provided in the cylindrical passage portion 4.

  By setting it as such a structure, replacement | exchange of the ozone securing part 5 becomes easy.

  Moreover, it is preferable to be charged with the same polarity as the charged fine particle water generated by the ozone securing part 5.

  With such a configuration, the charged fine particle water flying by the ionic wind is prevented from adhering to the ozone securing portion 5 on the inner surface of the cylindrical passage portion 4 and discharged to the outside of the device. The amount increases.

  Moreover, it is preferable that the ozone securing unit 5 is provided with a heater unit 7 for thermally decomposing ozone.

  By setting it as such a structure, decomposition | disassembly of ozone by the catalyst part 6 can be performed more effectively.

  Further, it is preferable that a silencer structure is formed in the tubular passage portion 4.

  With such a configuration, it is possible to mute the sound generated by the discharge.

  In the present invention, as described above, the cylindrical passage portion is disposed in front of the counter electrode, and the center line of the discharge electrode, the center line of the counter electrode, and the center line of the cylindrical passage portion are substantially matched. Since the ozone securing part for securing the ozone generated at the discharge electrode is provided at least on the inner surface of the cylindrical passage part, the apparatus for charged fine particle water while suppressing the release of ozone to the outside of the apparatus As a result, the deodorizing effect by charged fine particle water, the inactivation effect of allergen substances such as mites and pollen, and the human skin can be prevented while preventing the harmful effects of ozone on the human body. The effect of moisturizing hair and hair can be fully demonstrated.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described based on embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings.

  The electrostatic atomizer 3 includes a discharge electrode 1, a counter electrode 2 provided in front of the discharge electrode 1, and a high voltage application unit 8 for applying a high voltage between the discharge electrode 1 and the counter electrode 2. The main body of the apparatus is configured by providing water supply means 9 for supplying water to the tip of the discharge electrode 1, and in the present invention, at least the inner surface portion secures ozone in front of the counter electrode 2. An electrostatic atomizer 3 is configured by providing a cylindrical passage portion 4 that becomes the portion 5.

  As the water supply means 9 in the electrostatic atomizer 3, as shown in FIG. 1, the water W stored in the water tank portion 9 a is supplied to the distal end portion of the discharge electrode 1 by water transport means such as capillary action. As shown in FIG. 2, the discharge electrode 1 is cooled by a cooling means such as a Peltier element 9b, moisture in the air is condensed on the tip of the discharge electrode 1 and supplied as condensed water. The invention can be applied to any example.

  In the example shown in FIG. 1, the discharge electrode 1 has a rod-like shape with a pointed or rounded tip made of a porous material such as a porous ceramic or a member having pores. The water W in the water tank portion 9a is supplied to the tip of 1.

  In the example shown in FIG. 2, a rod-shaped discharge electrode 1 having a pointed or rounded tip made of a material having good thermal conductivity is connected to the cooling portion 9c side of the Peltier element 9b, and the discharge electrode 1 is cooled. By doing so, moisture in the air is supplied.

  In any of the above examples, the counter electrode 2 is disposed in front of the rod-shaped discharge electrode 1 so that the center line of the counter electrode 2 substantially coincides with the center line of the discharge electrode 1. Further, a cylindrical passage portion 4 is disposed in front of the counter electrode 2, and the center line of the cylindrical passage portion 4 substantially coincides with the center line of the discharge electrode 1 and the center line of the counter electrode 2. ing.

  An ozone securing portion 5 for securing ozone generated at the discharge electrode 1 is provided at least on the inner surface of the cylindrical passage portion 4.

  The discharge electrode 1, the counter electrode 2, the main body provided with the high voltage application unit 8, and the water supply means 9, and the cylindrical passage portion 4 are housed in an apparatus housing (not shown), and the cylindrical passage portion 4 The tip opening faces a discharge port provided in the apparatus housing.

  In the electrostatic atomizer 3 having the above-described configuration, the water is supplied to the distal end portion of the discharge electrode 1 so that the high voltage applying unit 8 causes the distal end side of the discharge electrode 1 to be a negative electrode and the electric charge is concentrated. When a high voltage of about 5 kV is applied between the discharge electrode 1 and the counter electrode 2, the water supplied to the tip of the discharge electrode 1 is charged, the Coulomb force acts on the charged water, and the liquid level of the water Locally swells into a cone shape (Taylor cone), the charge concentrates at the tip of the cone-shaped water, the charge density becomes high, and the water breaks up and repels by the repulsive force of the high-density charge. Electrostatic atomization is repeated by repeating scattering (Rayleigh splitting) to generate a large amount of nanometer-sized charged fine particle water containing active species (radicals). At the same time, ozone is generated.

  When a high voltage is applied between the discharge electrode 1 and the counter electrode 2 as described above, electric lines of force from the discharge electrode 1 to the counter electrode 2 are generated, and along the center line of the counter electrode 2 from the discharge electrode 1. Ion wind is generated. Here, since the nanometer-size charged fine particle water is charged, the center line of the counter electrode 2 from the tip of the discharge electrode 1 and the cylindrical passage portion 4 in which the center line substantially coincides with the ion wind. It flies along the center line and flies out of the apparatus from the opening at the front end of the cylindrical passage portion 4.

  On the other hand, ozone generated simultaneously with the generation of nanometer-sized charged fine particle water is not charged, so it does not fly by ion wind and floats, so it floats in the cylindrical passage portion 4. When the floating ozone reaches and adheres to the ozone securing portion 5 on the inner surface of the passage portion 4, ozone is secured in the ozone securing portion 5 and does not go out of the apparatus. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the amount of ozone released from the opening of the end of the tubular passage portion 4 to the outside of the apparatus while floating in the tubular passage portion 4. In this case, if an adsorbent is provided in the ozone securing part 5 in order to make the adhesion to the ozone securing part 5 more certain, ozone can be secured more reliably.

  In the present invention, while the amount of generated ozone released outside the apparatus is reduced, the generated nanometer-size charged fine particle water is generally formed into a cylindrical passage portion by an ionic wind along the center line of the tubular passage portion 4. By smoothly passing through 4 and flying out of the apparatus, the discharge amount of nanometer-sized charged fine particle water containing active species (radicals) to the outside of the apparatus can be prevented from decreasing. As a result, the deodorizing effect of nanometer-sized charged fine particle water containing active species, the inactivating effect of allergen substances such as mites and pollen, and moisturizing human skin and hair while preventing the adverse effects of ozone on the human body. The effect to give can fully be exhibited.

  FIG. 3 shows another embodiment of the present invention. In the embodiment of FIG. 3, the ozone securing unit 5 is provided with a catalyst unit 6 for decomposing ozone. As a material of the ozone catalyst for forming the catalyst part 6 for decomposing ozone, platinum (Pt), gold (Au), palladium (Pd), silver (Ag), rhodium (Rh), iridium (Ir), osmium Examples thereof include noble metals such as (Os) and base metals such as iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni), cobalt (Co), and chromium (Cr), but are not particularly limited. In providing the ozone securing part 5 with the catalyst part 6 for decomposing ozone, the ozone securing part 5 itself is formed from the above-mentioned ozone catalyst material, or the ozone securing part 5 is provided with the above-mentioned ozone catalyst material. Or attach.

  The decomposition of ozone by the catalyst unit 6

  Or

  Or

It is represented by M ₂ represents a catalyst for decomposing ozone.

  By providing the ozone securing unit 5 with the catalyst unit 6 for decomposing ozone as described above, the ozone secured in the ozone securing unit 5 can be detoxified by decomposing ozone by the catalyst unit 6.

  FIG. 4 shows a honeycomb structure in which the wall portion of the tubular passage portion 4 intersects the center line of the tubular passage portion 4 and opens to the inside and outside of the tubular passage portion 4 (that is, the opening direction of the honeycomb is the passage portion). In the example shown in FIG.

  In this embodiment, not only the inner surface portion of the passage portion 4 but also the inner surface portion of the honeycomb becomes the ozone securing portion 5 for securing the ozone by adhering floating ozone, and the area of the ozone securing portion 5 is increased. The amount of ozone secured increases. Therefore, in this embodiment, the amount of ozone released to the outside of the apparatus can be further suppressed.

  Further, in the case where the wall portion of the tubular passage portion 4 is an ozone securing portion 5 having a honeycomb structure, the ozone securing portion 5 is formed by a catalyst portion 6 for decomposing ozone or ozone. In the case where the catalyst portion 6 is provided by attaching the catalyst material to the securing portion 5, the catalyst area for decomposing ozone is increased, and ozone can be further effectively decomposed.

  FIG. 5 shows an example in which a cylindrical ozone securing portion 5 is detachably fitted to the inner surface portion of the cylindrical passage portion 4. In this case, the detachable cylindrical ozone securing part 5 may be provided with the catalyst part 6 for decomposing ozone as described above, and the detachable cylindrical ozone securing part. 5 may have a honeycomb structure wall portion intersecting the central axis of the tubular passage portion 4, or the honeycomb structure may be provided with the catalyst portion 6.

  In this way, the ozone securing part 5 can be easily replaced by detachably providing the cylindrical ozone securing part 5 in the tubular passage part 4. In this case, if the end of the ozone securing portion 5 in the axial direction is slightly protruded from the end of the passage portion 4 in the axial direction, the ozone securing portion 5 can be easily removed.

  FIG. 6 shows still another embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, in the embodiment described above, in which the ozone securing unit 5 is provided with the catalyst unit 6 for decomposing ozone, the ozone securing unit 5 is provided with a heater unit 7 for thermally decomposing ozone. is there. In this embodiment, the catalyst part 6 can be heated by the heater part 7, and the decomposition efficiency of ozone by a catalyst can be improved.

  In addition, although illustration is abbreviate | omitted, in each said embodiment, you may charge to the same polarity as the charged fine particle water which the ozone securing part 5 generate | occur | produces. Thus, by charging the ozone securing part 5 to the same polarity as the charged fine particle water, for example, when the charged fine particle water is negatively charged, the ozone securing part 5 is negatively charged, so that the above-described ion wind Even if the charged fine particle water flying along the central axis of the cylindrical passage portion 4 tries to adhere to the ozone securing portion 5, it is charged with the same polarity so that it does not repel and adheres reliably, and the ion wind As a result of flying, the charged fine particle water is released outside the apparatus.

  FIG. 7 shows still another embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, a silencing structure is formed in the tubular passage portion 4 in each of the above-described embodiments. In forming the silencing structure, for example, the silencing structure 11 is made by surrounding the silencing member 11 made of foamed synthetic resin around the outer periphery of the tubular passage portion 4. Thereby, the sound generated by the discharge can be silenced by the silencer member 11.

  Although not shown, an ultraviolet irradiation unit for irradiating the ozone securing unit 5 with ultraviolet rays to extinguish ozone may be provided.

  In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 to 7, the water supply means 9 is an example in which the water W stored in the water tank portion 9a is supplied to the tip of the discharge electrode 1 by water transport means such as capillary action. 3 to 7, in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 to 7, the discharge electrode 1 is cooled by a cooling means such as a Peltier element 9b, and moisture in the air is applied to the tip of the discharge electrode 1 as in FIG. Of course, it may be condensed and supplied as condensed water.

It is a schematic block diagram of one Embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic block diagram of other embodiment same as the above. It is a schematic block diagram of other embodiment same as the above. It is a schematic block diagram of other embodiment same as the above. It is a schematic block diagram of other embodiment same as the above. It is a schematic block diagram of other embodiment same as the above. It is a schematic block diagram of other embodiment same as the above.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Discharge electrode 2 Counter electrode 3 Electrostatic atomizer 4 Passage part 5 Ozone ensuring part 6 Catalyst part 7 Heater part

Claims (7)

  Discharge electrode and counter electrode having a circular opening at the center are arranged opposite to each other so that the center line substantially coincides, and a high voltage is applied to the water supplied to the discharge electrode to form electrostatic atomization and charge fine particles In an electrostatic atomizer that generates water and scatters charged fine particle water through the opening in the central portion of the counter electrode, a cylindrical passage portion that faces the counter electrode on the side opposite to the discharge electrode of the counter electrode And an ozone securing portion for securing ozone generated at the discharge electrode on at least the inner surface of the cylindrical passage portion. apparatus.   2. The electrostatic atomizer according to claim 1, wherein a catalyst part for decomposing ozone is provided in the ozone securing part.   3. The static structure according to claim 1, wherein the tubular passage portion has a honeycomb structure in which a wall portion of the tubular passage portion intersects the tubular passage portion and opens to the inside and outside of the tubular passage portion. Electric atomizer.   The electrostatic atomizer according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein an ozone securing portion is detachably provided in a cylindrical passage portion.   The electrostatic atomizer according to claim 1, wherein the electrostatic atomizer is charged with the same polarity as the charged fine particle water generated by the ozone securing unit.   The electrostatic atomizer according to claim 2, wherein a heater part for thermally decomposing ozone is installed in the ozone securing part.   The electrostatic atomizer according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein a silencer structure is formed in the cylindrical passage portion.

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