JP2009125722A - Electrostatic atomizer - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electrostatic atomizer facilitating the proper adjustment of a discharge direction and discharge position in discharging charged liquid particles with a device attached to an object, and capable of effectively diffusing the charged liquid particles toward the outside space. <P>SOLUTION: The electrostatic atomizer includes an atomizing electrode 4 and a liquid supply means for supplying an atomized liquid to the atomizing electrode 4. A high voltage is applied to the atomizing electrode 4 to electrostatically atomize the atomized liquid held on the atomizing electrode 4 to generate charged liquid particles and discharge the liquid toward the outside space. The apparatus has a changing means for allowing change of both or either one of the discharge direction A2 and/or the discharge position of the charged liquid particles. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an electrostatic atomizer that discharges charged fine particle liquid from an atomizing electrode.

  Conventionally, an electrostatic atomizer capable of discharging a charged fine particle liquid toward an external space is known. This electrostatic atomizer comprises an atomizing electrode and a liquid supply means for supplying an atomizing liquid such as water to the atomizing electrode. By applying a high voltage to the atomizing electrode, the fog The atomized liquid held by the atomizing electrode is electrostatically atomized to generate a charged fine particle liquid, and the generated charged fine particle liquid is discharged toward the external space (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

However, in the electrostatic atomizer configured as described above, the direction and position of discharging the charged fine particle liquid toward the external space are constant and cannot be changed. Therefore, when the electrostatic atomizer is attached to an object such as a home appliance and the charged fine particle liquid is to be discharged to the external space, the charged fine particle liquid is efficiently directed toward the target location due to restrictions on the installation location. May be difficult to release. In addition, since the charged fine particle liquid is released only in a certain direction from the fixed position after mounting, adjusting the position where the charged fine particle liquid is to be discharged requires troublesome work such as changing the mounting position itself. There is a problem that it is necessary and a problem that it is difficult to diffuse the charged fine particle liquid in a wide range of the external space.
JP 2006-826 A

  The present invention has been invented in view of the above-mentioned problems, and when discharging the charged fine particle liquid by attaching the apparatus to an object, it is easy to appropriately adjust the discharge direction and the discharge position, and to the outside space. It is an object of the present invention to provide an electrostatic atomizer capable of efficiently diffusing a charged fine particle liquid.

  In order to solve the above problems, the present invention includes the atomizing electrode 4 and a liquid supply means for supplying the atomizing liquid to the atomizing electrode 4, and applying the high voltage to the atomizing electrode 4 In the electrostatic atomizer that electrostatically atomizes the atomized liquid held by the atomizing electrode 4 to generate a charged fine particle liquid and discharges it toward the external space, both the discharge direction A2 and the discharge position of the charged fine particle liquid Or it shall be provided with the variable means which makes one variable freely. By doing so, it is possible to appropriately change the discharge direction A2 and discharge position of the charged fine particle liquid using the variable means after the electrostatic atomizer is installed, and the charged fine particle liquid is set at the target location in the external space. Can be sent efficiently.

  In the electrostatic atomizer having the above-described configuration, the variable means may include a variable mechanism 50 that can change both the position and / or the position of the atomization electrode 4 with respect to the object 40 to which the device is attached. Is preferred. In this way, by making it possible to change the attitude and position of the atomizing electrode 4 itself, it becomes easy to efficiently feed the charged fine particle liquid to the target location in the external space.

  Furthermore, the variable mechanism 50 is preferably a shaft support mechanism 55 that supports the atomizing electrode 4 so as to be rotatable about a predetermined axis with respect to the object 40 to which the apparatus is attached. By doing in this way, the target location which sends in charged fine particle liquid can be changed easily only by rotating the atomization electrode 4 to an axial center.

  The variable mechanism 50 is preferably a slide mechanism 70 that slidably supports the atomizing electrode 4 with respect to the object 40 to which the apparatus is attached. By doing in this way, the target location which sends in charged fine particle liquid can be easily changed only by sliding the atomization electrode 4. FIG.

  It is also preferable to include a drive motor 60 that drives the variable mechanism 50. By doing in this way, the atomization electrode 4 can be easily moved even in a place where it is difficult to touch directly, and the charged fine particle liquid can be released while automatically moving the atomization electrode 4. Thus, the charged fine particle liquid can be diffused over a wide area of the external space.

  In the electrostatic atomizer having the above configuration, as the variable means, an opening 23 through which the charged fine particle liquid discharged from the atomizing electrode 4 passes, and a discharge direction A2 of the charged fine particle liquid connected to the opening 23 are provided. It is also preferable to include a movable discharge section 32 that can change both or one of the discharge positions. In this way, the discharge direction A2 and the discharge position of the charged fine particle liquid can be appropriately changed using the movable discharge unit 32 after the electrostatic atomizer is installed, and the target portion of the external space is charged. It becomes possible to send the fine particle liquid efficiently.

  In the invention according to claim 1, when discharging the charged fine particle liquid by attaching the apparatus to the object, the discharge direction and the discharge position can be appropriately adjusted using the variable means, and the charging can be efficiently performed toward the external space. There is an effect that the fine particle liquid can be diffused.

  In addition to the effect of the invention according to claim 1, the invention according to claim 2 makes it possible to efficiently change the position and position of the atomizing electrode itself so that the charged fine particle liquid can be efficiently applied to the target location in the external space. There is an effect that it becomes easy to send to the camera.

  In addition to the effect of the invention according to claim 2, the invention according to claim 3 can easily change the target location for feeding the charged fine particle liquid simply by rotating the atomizing electrode about the axis. There is an effect.

  In addition to the effect of the invention according to claim 2, the invention according to claim 4 has the effect that the target location for feeding the charged fine particle liquid can be easily changed simply by sliding the atomizing electrode. .

  In addition to the effects of the inventions according to claims 2 to 4, the invention according to claim 5 has an effect that the atomization electrode can be easily moved, and an external space while automatically moving the atomization electrode. The charged fine particle liquid can be diffused over a wide area.

  In addition to the effect of the invention according to claim 1, the invention according to claim 6 appropriately changes the discharge direction and discharge position of the charged fine particle liquid by using the movable discharge portion while the atomizing electrode is fixed. There is an effect that the charged fine particle liquid can be efficiently fed to the target portion of the external space.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described based on embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings. 1 and 2 show a first example of an electrostatic atomizer according to an embodiment of the present invention. The electrostatic atomizer of this example includes an atomizing electrode 4 having a columnar main portion 4a, a ring-shaped counter electrode 6 positioned at a predetermined interval with respect to a tip portion 4b of the atomizing electrode 4, and this A high voltage applying unit 21 that applies a high voltage between the atomizing electrode 4 and the counter electrode 6, and a liquid supply unit that supplies water as an atomizing liquid to the tip 4 b of the atomizing electrode 4. To do. The liquid supply means uses a Peltier unit 1 having a heat radiating part 3 and a cooling part 2, and the atomizing electrode 4 is connected to the heat radiating part 3 side of the Peltier unit 1 so that the liquid can be cooled. Condensed water that becomes a liquefying liquid is generated on the surface of the atomizing electrode 4.

  The Peltier unit 1 is made of an insulating plate 25. A pair of Peltier circuit boards 7 each having a circuit 8 formed on one side thereof are opposed to each other so that the circuits 8 face each other, and a plurality of rows of thermoelectric elements 9 are sandwiched between the two Peltier circuit boards 7 The adjacent thermoelectric elements 9 are electrically connected by the circuits 8 on both sides. When the thermoelectric element 9 is energized through a lead wire (not shown), heat moves from the cooling side Peltier circuit board 7 side in the upper part of the figure toward the heat dissipation side Peltier circuit board 7 side in the figure. ing.

  A cooling insulating plate 10 having high thermal conductivity and high electric resistance is connected to the outside of the insulating plate 25 of the cooling side Peltier circuit board 7, and the outer side of the insulating plate 25 of the Peltier circuit board 7 on the heat dissipation side is connected. Is connected to a heat radiating plate 11 having high thermal conductivity. In this example, the cooling portion 2 is formed by the insulating plate 25 and the cooling insulating plate 10 of the Peltier circuit board 7 on the cooling side, and the heat radiating portion 3 is formed by the insulating plate 25 and the heat radiating plate 11 of the Peltier circuit board 7 on the heat dissipation side. Forming.

  Reference numeral 5 in the figure denotes a storage frame formed in the shape of a cap using an insulating material, and a connecting flange part 12 projects from the opening edge at the lower end in the figure over the entire circumference. . A plurality of fixtures 13 are passed through the flange portion 12 at equal intervals in the circumferential direction, and the flange portion 12 and the heat radiating plate 11 are connected and fixed via the fixing portion 13. A support column 19 extends from the storage frame 5 upward in the figure, and the counter electrode 6 is supported by the support column 19. A communication hole 15 is formed in the center of the top wall 14 of the storage frame 5.

  The atomizing electrode 4 is formed by forming a large-diameter sandwiched portion 4c on the base end side of a cylindrical main portion 4a. The main portion 4a of the atomizing electrode 4 is fitted into the communication hole 15. At the same time, the tip portion 4b side protrudes outside the storage frame body 5, and the sandwiched portion 4c is sandwiched between the cooling insulating plate 10 of the Peltier unit 1 and the top wall 14 of the storage frame body 5, whereby the atomizing electrode 4 is It is pressed to the cooling unit 2 side of the Peltier unit 1 to be in a connected state. Reference numeral 18 in the figure is a sealing resin made of an epoxy resin. Reference numeral 20 in the figure denotes a high-voltage lead wire having one end connected to the atomizing electrode 4 and the other end drawn out of the housing frame 5 and connected to the high voltage application unit 21.

  The electrostatic atomizer having the above-described configuration is housed in a housing 30 schematically shown in the drawing, and is fixed to a target object 40 to which the device is attached using a fixture 31. The housing 30 houses the components such as the atomizing electrode 4, the counter electrode 6, the Peltier unit 1, the high voltage application unit 21, and the like, and the central opening of the counter electrode 6 is formed in the opening 23 formed on the outer surface. Is in communication. Although not shown, the housing 30 is provided with a window for sending fresh outside air around the atomizing electrode 4 and a window for air cooling by applying outside air to the heat radiating portion 3 of the Peltier unit 1. Is provided.

In this example, the charged fine particle liquid is used as a variable means for making the discharge direction A2 and the discharge position of the charged fine particle liquid discharged from the atomizing electrode 4 toward the counter electrode 6 side variable as described later. A pipe-like movable discharge portion 32 bent in an arc shape in a side view is connected to the opening 23 through which the gas passes. Since the movable discharge portion 32 is bent as described above, the charged fine particle liquid is introduced from the introduction direction A1 in which the charged fine particle liquid is introduced into the introduction port 32a at the upstream end and the discharge port 32b at the downstream end. The discharge direction A2, which is the direction discharged toward the external space, is different. Since the upstream end of the movable discharge part 32 is connected to the opening 23 of the housing 30 so as to be rotatable about its central axis, the rotational position of the movable discharge part 32 is changed by 180 degrees, for example. As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the discharge direction A2 and the discharge position (namely, the position of the discharge port 32b) of the charged fine particle liquid are freely changeable. Is energized, the atomization electrode 4 is cooled via the cooling unit 2. And when the air around the atomization electrode 4 is cooled, the water | moisture content in air liquefies by dew condensation etc., and water is produced | generated on the atomization electrode 4 surface. Here, when a high voltage is applied between the atomizing electrode 4 and the counter electrode 6 so that the charge is concentrated so that the tip 4b side of the atomizing electrode 4 becomes a negative electrode by the high voltage application unit 21, the tip 4b. The water held in the tank receives large energy and repeats so-called Rayleigh splitting to generate a large amount of charged fine particle liquid.

  The charged fine particle liquid moves toward the counter electrode 6 positioned opposite to the atomizing electrode 4, passes through the central hole of the counter electrode 6, reaches the opening 23, and is introduced into the movable discharge portion 32 through the introduction port 32 a. Is done. The introduced charged fine particle liquid changes its traveling direction while passing through the bent flow path in the pipe-shaped movable discharge section 32, and is then discharged from the discharge port 32b in the direction of the arrow A2 shown in the drawing.

  According to the electrostatic atomizer having the above-described configuration, the movable discharge unit 32 is mounted after fixing the casing 30 that forms the outer shell of the electrostatic atomizer to an appropriate object 40 such as an electric appliance or various facilities. By rotating, it is possible to change the discharge direction A2 appropriately to the target direction and to change the discharge position. Thereby, the restriction of the mounting position when the apparatus itself is mounted on the object 40 is reduced, and as a result, the apparatus is fixed to the object 40 so that the charged fine particle liquid is efficiently diffused toward the external space. Becomes easy.

  Although not shown, a housing 30 is provided with a motor as a drive source for rotationally driving the movable discharge portion 32 and a power transmission mechanism for transmitting the power of the motor to the movable discharge portion 32. It is also preferable to keep it. According to this, it becomes easy to rotate the movable discharge portion 32, and when the charged fine particle liquid is discharged while the movable discharge portion 32 is automatically rotated, the movable discharge portion 32 is spread over a wider area of the external space. The charged fine particle liquid can be diffused over the entire area.

  In FIG. 3, the electrostatic atomizer of the 2nd example in embodiment of this invention is shown. Since the basic configuration of this example is the same as the configuration of the first example described above, detailed description of the configuration that matches the first example is omitted, and the characteristic configuration of this example that is different from the first example Only is described in detail below.

  The electrostatic atomizer of this example is not provided with the movable discharge portion 32 as in the first example as a variable means for making the discharge direction A2 and discharge position of the charged fine particle liquid variable, but the target to which the device is attached. It is characterized in that it has a variable mechanism 50 that allows the posture and position of the atomizing electrode 4 itself to be variable with respect to the object 40.

  Here, the variable mechanism 50 includes a connecting portion 51 formed in a casing 30 that houses each component such as the atomizing electrode 4, the counter electrode 6, the Peltier unit 1, and the high voltage applying portion 21, and an object to which the device is attached. 40 is a shaft support mechanism 55 including a fixing member 53 fixed to the 40 via a fixing tool 52 and a shaft body 54 that rotatably connects the fixing member 53 and the connecting portion 51. The shaft body 54 has an axis in a direction orthogonal to the axis C of the atomizing electrode 4, and the axis is located at a position that does not intersect with the axis C of the atomizing electrode 4. Provided.

  According to the electrostatic atomizer having the above configuration, after fixing and fixing the fixing member 53 of the electrostatic atomizer to an appropriate object 40, the shaft body 54 (that is, the axis of the shaft body 54) is used as a center. By discharging the atomizing electrode 4 and the counter electrode 6 together with the main body of the apparatus and changing the posture and position thereof, discharge of the charged fine particle liquid discharged to the external space through the opening 23 (this is the discharge port in this example) It is possible to change the direction A2 to the target direction and change the discharge position (that is, the position of the opening 23). Although not shown, the housing 30 is fixed at the position and posture after rotation by appropriate fixing means. Thereby, the restriction of the mounting position when the apparatus itself is mounted on the object 40 is reduced, and as a result, the apparatus is fixed to the object 40 so that the charged fine particle liquid is efficiently diffused toward the external space. Becomes easy.

  In FIG. 4, the electrostatic atomizer of the 3rd example in embodiment of this invention is shown. Since the basic configuration of this example is the same as the configuration of the second example described above, detailed description of the configuration that matches the second example is omitted, and the characteristic configuration of this example that is different from the second example Only is described in detail below.

  The electrostatic atomizer of the present example is characterized in that a variable motor 50 that constitutes a variable means that can change the discharge direction A2 and discharge position of the charged fine particle liquid is provided with a drive motor 60 that drives the variable mechanism 50. have. The shaft support mechanism 55 constituting the variable mechanism 50 of the present example includes a shaft body 54 that is penetrated and fixed to the heat radiating plate 11 that protrudes from the housing 30, and an object that supports both ends of the shaft body 54. It comprises a 40 side shaft support 56 and the drive motor 60. In this example, the shaft body 54 has an axis center in a direction orthogonal to the axis C of the atomizing electrode 4, and the axis is located at a position intersecting with the axis C of the atomizing electrode 4. It is provided to do.

  According to the electrostatic atomizing device having the above-described configuration, the atomizing electrode 4 and the counter electrode 6 are rotated together with the device body around the shaft body 54 (that is, the axis of the shaft body 54) by appropriately driving the drive motor 60. By moving and changing the posture and position, it is possible to change the discharge direction A2 of the charged fine particle liquid discharged to the external space through the opening 23 in a target direction and change the discharge position. Thereby, the restriction of the mounting position when the apparatus itself is mounted on the object 40 is reduced, and as a result, the apparatus is fixed to the object 40 so that the charged fine particle liquid is efficiently diffused toward the external space. Becomes easier.

  It is also preferable to discharge the charged fine particle liquid from the opening 23 of the housing 30 toward the external space while automatically reciprocating the shaft body 54 by the drive motor 60. According to this, the charged fine particle liquid can be diffused over a wider area of the external space.

  In FIG. 5, the electrostatic atomizer of the 4th example in embodiment of this invention is shown. Since the basic configuration of this example is the same as the configuration of the third example described above, detailed description of the configuration that matches the third example is omitted, and the characteristic configuration of this example that is different from the third example Only is described in detail below.

  In the electrostatic atomizer of this example, the shaft body 54 of the shaft support mechanism 55 formed as the variable mechanism 50 has an axis in a direction parallel to the axis C of the atomization electrode 4, and is atomized. It differs from the third example in that the axis 4 is provided so that the axis is located at a distance from the axis C of the electrode 4. In other words, the shaft support mechanism 55 of this example includes a shaft body 54 that is fixed at one end to the heat radiating plate 11 that protrudes from the housing 30, and the other end portion of the shaft body 54 that protrudes from the heat radiating plate 11. And the drive motor 60 fixed to the object 40 side so that the shaft body 54 is provided at a parallel position at a distance from the atomizing electrode 4 as described above.

  According to the electrostatic atomizing device having the above-described configuration, the atomizing electrode 4 and the counter electrode 6 are rotated together with the device body around the shaft body 54 (that is, the axis of the shaft body 54) by appropriately driving the drive motor 60. It is possible to change the position by moving it, and to change the position where the charged fine particle liquid is discharged from the opening 23 toward the external space to the target position. Thereby, it becomes easy to appropriately adjust the discharge position so that the charged fine particle liquid is efficiently diffused toward the external space.

  It is also preferable to discharge the charged fine particle liquid from the opening 23 of the housing 30 toward the external space while automatically reciprocating the shaft body 54 by the drive motor 60. According to this, the charged fine particle liquid can be diffused over a wider area of the external space.

  In FIG. 6, the electrostatic atomizer of the 5th example in embodiment of this invention is shown. Since the basic configuration of this example is the same as the configuration of the fourth example described above, detailed description of the configuration that matches the fourth example is omitted, and the characteristic configuration of this example that is different from the fourth example Only is described in detail below.

  The electrostatic atomizer of this example is a shaft support that rotatably supports the atomizing electrode 4 and the like as in the fifth example about a predetermined axis as a variable mechanism 50 that can change the discharge position of the charged fine particle liquid. It has a feature in that a slide mechanism 70 that slidably supports the atomizing electrode 4 and the like with respect to the object 40 is provided instead of the mechanism 55.

  The slide mechanism 70 is configured to rotate the screw hole 71 penetrating the heat radiating plate 11 formed protruding from the housing 30, the feed screw 72 screwed into the screw hole 71, and the feed screw 72. And a guide motor 73 for guiding the apparatus main body in a predetermined feeding direction. The axial center of the screw hole 71 and the feed screw 72 screwed into the screw hole 71 is formed in a direction orthogonal to the axial center C of the atomizing electrode 4. That is, according to the slide mechanism 70, the charged fine particle liquid is discharged from the device body including the atomizing electrode 4 toward the external space through the opening 23 in the direction of the axis C of the atomizing electrode (that is, through the opening 23). The position of the atomizing electrode 4 can be changed along a direction orthogonal to the emission direction A2). The guide portion 73 includes a ridge portion 74 having a T-shaped cross section provided on the object 40 side, and a groove portion (not shown) on the heat radiating plate 11 side into which the ridge portion 74 is slidably fitted.

  According to the electrostatic atomizer having the above-described configuration, the atomizing electrode 4 and the counter electrode 6 are slid together with the apparatus main body along the protrusion 74 by appropriately driving the drive motor 60, and charged toward the external space. It is possible to change the position of the opening 23 for discharging the fine particle liquid to a target position. Thereby, the discharge position can be appropriately adjusted so that the charged fine particle liquid is efficiently diffused toward the external space.

  It is also preferable to discharge the charged fine particle liquid from the opening 23 of the housing 30 toward the external space while sliding the apparatus body back and forth by the drive motor 60. According to this, the charged fine particle liquid can be diffused over a wider area of the external space.

  In each of the above examples, the counter electrode 6 is provided and a high voltage is applied to the atomizing electrode 4 between the counter electrode 6. However, the atomizing electrode 4 is not provided with the counter electrode 6. The structure which applies a high voltage may be sufficient. In any case, the charged fine particle liquid can be generated by the atomizing electrode 4 and discharged to the external space.

  The variable means may be any means that can change both or one of the discharge direction A2 and the discharge position of the charged fine particle liquid. Furthermore, the configuration of the variable mechanism 50 constituting the variable means may be any as long as the attitude and / or position of the atomizing electrode 4 can be varied.

It is sectional drawing of the electrostatic atomizer of the 1st example in embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing at the time of changing the discharge | release direction of an electrostatic atomizer same as the above. It is sectional drawing of the electrostatic atomizer of the 2nd example in embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing of the electrostatic atomizer of the 3rd example in the embodiment of the present invention. It is sectional drawing of the electrostatic atomizer of the 4th example in the embodiment of the present invention. It is sectional drawing of the electrostatic atomizer of the 5th example in the embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

4 Atomization Electrode 23 Opening 32 Movable Discharge Part 40 Object 50 Variable Mechanism 55 Shaft Support Mechanism 60 Drive Motor 70 Slide Mechanism A2 Release Direction

Claims (6)

  An atomization electrode and a liquid supply means for supplying the atomization liquid to the atomization electrode are provided, and the atomization liquid held by the atomization electrode is electrostatically atomized by applying a high voltage to the atomization electrode. In the electrostatic atomization device that generates the charged fine particle liquid and discharges the charged fine particle liquid toward the external space, the electrostatic atomizer includes variable means that can change both or one of the discharge direction and the discharge position of the charged fine particle liquid. Electrostatic atomizer.   The electrostatic atomizer according to claim 1, wherein the variable means includes a variable mechanism that can vary both or one of the posture and position of the atomizing electrode with respect to an object to which the device is attached. .   The electrostatic atomizer according to claim 2, wherein the variable mechanism is a shaft support mechanism that rotatably supports an atomizing electrode about a predetermined axis with respect to an object to which the device is attached.   The electrostatic atomizer according to claim 2, wherein the variable mechanism is a slide mechanism that slidably supports the atomization electrode with respect to an object to which the device is attached.   The electrostatic atomizer according to any one of claims 2 to 4, further comprising a drive motor that drives the variable mechanism.   The variable means includes an opening for allowing the charged fine particle liquid discharged from the atomizing electrode to pass therethrough, and a movable discharge unit connected to the opening to change both or one of the discharge direction and the discharge position of the charged fine particle liquid. The electrostatic atomizer of Claim 1 characterized by the above-mentioned.

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