JP2009152125A - Ion generating device and air-conditioner - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an ion generating device in which the number of water molecules surrounding positive ions and negative ions can be increased by a small amount of water, and to provide an air-conditioner. <P>SOLUTION: In the ion generating device 20, a counter electrode 2 generates the ions by a discharge phenomenon between a needle-like electrode 1. A humidifying filter 4 can absorb moisture and can discharge the absorbed moisture by evaporation. The ion generating device 20 can supply the moisture discharged from the humidifying filter 4 to a space between the needle-like electrode 1 and the counter electrode 2 without exposing it to the outside space of the ion generating device 20. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an ion generator and an air conditioner mounted on an air conditioner such as an air purifier that takes in indoor air and cleans it.

  Conventional air cleaners are disclosed in, for example, Patent Document 1, Patent Document 2, and the like. The air cleaner disclosed by patent document 1 is equipped with the suction inlet in the front surface, and is equipped with the blower outlet in the back surface. A blower is arranged inside the air cleaner, and a filter for collecting dust is provided between the blower and the suction port. In addition, an ion generator that emits positive ions and negative ions is provided in the vicinity of the outlet.

  When the air blower is driven, the indoor air taken in from the suction port is removed from the dust by the filter, and is sent out from the outlet including ions released from the ion generator. Positive and negative ions sterilize indoor airborne bacteria.

  Moreover, the air cleaner disclosed by patent document 2 is a blower which takes in air from an inlet port and sends it out to a blower outlet, a humidification part which humidifies the air taken in from the inlet port, and an ion generator which discharge | releases ion And. In this air purifier, after water molecules generated in the humidifying unit are mixed with ions generated by the ion generator, air containing ions mixed with moisture is discharged from the outlet.

The air taken in from the intake port by driving the blower includes ions mixed with moisture by the humidifier and the ion generator and is sent out from the outlet. Positive ions and negative ions are surrounded by water molecules, become large particles, circulate in the room, and surround and destroy floating bacteria in the room. In addition, positive ions and negative ions protected by water molecules penetrate into fibers such as curtains and surround and destroy odor components in the fibers.
JP 2002-102327 A JP 2006-43005 A

  The above-described humidifier-added air purifier is a product having both a function of purifying air and a function of humidifying indoor air to prevent indoor drying. However, in order to humidify the entire room, an appropriate amount of humidification is required. For this reason, the standard size of the water tank is 3L or 4L, and it is necessary to supply about 3 kg or 4 kg of water by weight. In this way, there is a problem that the amount of water for filling is large and the water supply tank filled with water becomes heavy, so that the work of supplying water to the tank is troublesome.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide an ion generator and an air conditioner that can increase the number of water molecules surrounding positive ions and negative ions with a small amount of water. .

  The ion generator of the present invention is an ion generator that generates ions by a discharge phenomenon, and includes an acicular electrode, a counter electrode, and a humidifying unit. The counter electrode is for generating ions by a discharge phenomenon between the counter electrode. The humidifying part absorbs moisture and can release the absorbed moisture by evaporation. The ion generator is configured to be able to supply moisture released from the humidifier to the space between the needle electrode and the counter electrode without exposing it to the external space of the ion generator.

  According to the ion generator of the present invention, the moisture released from the humidifying unit can be supplied to the space between the needle electrode and the counter electrode without exposing it to the external space of the ion generator. For this reason, before the moisture from this humidification part reaches the space between the needle electrode and the counter electrode, it is exposed to the air blown outside the ion generator and enters the space between the needle electrode and the counter electrode. There is no loss of supply. Therefore, since the moisture from the humidifying part can be efficiently supplied to the space between the needle electrode and the counter electrode, the number of water molecules surrounding positive ions and negative ions can be increased with a small amount of water.

  Preferably, the ion generator further includes a case that surrounds the humidifying portion, and the case has an opening that opens toward a space between the needle electrode and the counter electrode.

  With this opening, it is possible to supply moisture evaporated from the humidifying unit to the space between the needle electrode and the counter electrode without exposing it to the external space of the ion generator.

  The air conditioner of the present invention includes the above-described ion generator and a blower unit for sending at least one of positive ions and negative ions generated by the ion generator on a blown airflow.

  According to the air conditioner of the present invention, the ions generated by the ion generator can be sent on the airflow by the blower, so that the ions can be released outside the air conditioner.

  Preferably in the above air conditioner, the air conditioner further includes a humidity sensor, a water amount sensor, a notification unit, and a control unit. The humidity sensor is attached to the ion generator. The water amount sensor is for detecting the amount of water in the case. An alerting | reporting part is for alerting | reporting the water supply to a case outside. When the humidity measured by the humidity sensor is higher than the reference humidity, the control unit needs no water supply to the case even if the water volume in the case detected by the water volume sensor is less than the reference water volume. To notify the outside.

  Thus, when the humidity of the indoor air is sufficiently high, there is no need to bother the vicinity of the ion generator. For this reason, in such a case, it is possible to save the user the trouble of water supply to the case by performing control so as to notify that water supply to the case is unnecessary even when the amount of water in the case decreases. .

  As described above, according to the present invention, the moisture released from the humidifying unit can be supplied to the space between the needle electrode and the counter electrode without being exposed to the external space of the ion generator, Moisture from the humidifier can be efficiently supplied to the space between the needle electrode and the counter electrode, and the number of water molecules surrounding positive ions and negative ions can be increased with a small amount of water.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a partially broken exploded perspective view schematically showing a partially broken structure of an ion generator according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the ion generator of FIG. 1 as viewed from the front, and FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the ion generator of FIG. 1 as viewed from the top.

  1 to 3, an ion generator 20 generates ions by a discharge phenomenon, and includes an acicular electrode 1, a counter electrode 2, an electrode substrate 3, and a humidifying filter (humidifying unit). 4, a mold 6, a connector 7, a positive / negative separation wall 8, a humidifying filter case 10, an electrode part case 11, and a case lid 12.

  The needle-like electrode 1 has a needle-like tip and is supported by the electrode substrate 3 in a state of penetrating the electrode substrate 3 by being inserted or press-fitted into the through hole of the electrode substrate 3. As a result, one end of the needle-like electrode 1 protrudes to the front surface side of the electrode substrate 3, and a lead wire or a wiring pattern is electrically connected to the other end protruding to the back surface side of the electrode substrate 3 by soldering. Can be connected. In the present embodiment, for example, two needle-like electrodes 1 are supported by the electrode substrate 3, and one of the two needle-like electrodes 1 is, for example, an electrode for generating positive ions, and the other is, for example, negative. It is for generating ions.

  A positive / negative separation wall 8 is arranged between the needle electrode 1 for generating positive ions and the needle electrode 1 for generating negative ions so as to partition the space in which the needle electrodes 1 are arranged. Has been. The positive / negative separation wall 8 is supported by the electrode substrate 3.

  A high voltage generation circuit (not shown) for applying a high voltage to the needle electrode 1 is disposed on the back side of the electrode substrate 3 and is covered with a mold 6. The mold 6 is made of an insulating material such as epoxy, and the high voltage generating circuit is waterproofed by being covered with the mold 6. A connector 7 is provided so as to be exposed to the outside of the mold 6, and the connector 7 is configured so that the high voltage generation circuit can be supplied with power from the outside of the ion generator 20.

  Above the needle electrode 1, a counter electrode 2 for generating ions by a discharge phenomenon with the needle electrode 1 is disposed. The counter electrode 2 has a number of through holes 2 a corresponding to the number of needle-like electrodes 1. The through hole 2a is an opening for discharging ions generated by a discharge phenomenon to the outside of the ion generator 20. In the present embodiment, the number of through holes 2a is, for example, two, and the planar shape of through hole 2a is, for example, a circle.

  A case lid 12 is disposed on the counter electrode 2. The case lid 12 is formed with a number of ion emission holes 12a corresponding to the number of the through holes 2a. Thereby, ions generated by a discharge phenomenon between the needle-like electrode 1 and the counter electrode 2 are released to the outside of the ion generator 20 through the hole 12a.

  In order to prevent an electric shock, the ion emission hole 12a is set to have a diameter smaller than the diameter of the through hole 2a of the counter electrode 2 so that the counter electrode 2 which is a current-carrying part is not directly touched by a hand. Moreover, since one of the two needle-like electrodes 1 generates positive ions and the other counter electrode 2 generates negative ions as described above, one hole 12a has a positive ion generating portion. The other hole 12a becomes a negative ion generation part.

The electrode substrate 3 and the mold 6 are disposed inside the electrode case 11.
The humidifying filter case 10 has a U-shape when seen in a plan view, and is configured such that the electrode case 11 can be fitted into a concave portion at the center of the U-shape. That is, the humidifying filter case 10 and the electrode part case 11 can be integrated by fitting the electrode part case 11 into the humidifying filter case 10, and the humidifying filter case 10 can be detached from the electrode part case 11 and separated. .

  In a state where the electrode case 11 is fitted in the humidifying filter case 10, the humidifying filter case 10 surrounds three sides of the electrode case 11. Thus, the three sides of the needle-like electrode 1 are surrounded by the humidifying filter case 10.

  The humidifying filter case 10 is a dedicated case for the humidifying filter that matches the shape of the humidifying filter 4 so that the humidifying filter 4 can be accommodated therein. The bottom of the portion of the humidifying filter case 10 where the humidifying filter 4 is disposed is configured to be able to store water as a water supply tray 5. The water supply tray 5 may be configured to be able to supply water directly, or a water supply tank is arranged at a location different from the water supply tray, and water is introduced from the water supply tank to the water supply tray. Also good.

  The humidifying filter 4 is made of a hygroscopic material having water absorbency, and is formed in a folding screen that is bent in a zigzag in the front-rear direction as shown in the perspective view of FIG. Thereby, the humidification filter 4 is comprised so that the water in the water supply tray 5 of the humidification filter case 10 can be sucked up and water-retained. The humidifying filter 4 is configured by bonding a plurality of filters with an adhesive 9 with a predetermined gap therebetween.

  The humidifying filter 4 absorbs the water stored in the water supply tray to be in a state containing moisture, and evaporates the absorbed water to thereby add moisture to the air and humidify it.

  In a state where the humidifying filter 4 is housed inside the humidifying filter case 10, the surroundings of the humidifying filter 4 are surrounded by the humidifying filter case 10. In particular, the top surface portion 4 a of the humidifying filter 4 is covered with a humidifying filter case 10. Thus, the humidification filter case 10 is comprised so that the humidification filter 4 may not be directly exposed to the ventilation inside an air conditioner.

  Further, when the electrode case 11 is fitted in the humidifying filter case 10, the humidifying filter case 10 has an opening 10 c that opens toward the space between the needle electrode 1 and the counter electrode 2. As a result, the water evaporated from the humidifying filter 4 can be supplied to the space between the needle electrode 1 and the counter electrode 2 through the opening 10c, and the surrounding space of the needle electrode 1 can be humidified. Is possible. That is, the humidifying filter 4 is arranged so that moisture can be supplied to the space between the needle electrode 1 and the counter electrode 2 through a path (opening 10 c) sealed with respect to the external space of the ion generator 20. Thereby, it is comprised so that the water | moisture content evaporated from the humidification filter 4 can be supplied to the space between the acicular electrode 1 and the counter electrode 2, without exposing to the space outside the ion generator 20. FIG. .

  In the ion generator 20, the space between the needle electrode 1 and the counter electrode 2 communicates with the external space of the ion generator 20 only through the through hole 2 a provided in the case lid 12. .

  Moreover, since the humidification filter 4 can be accommodated in the humidification filter case 10 from the opening 10c and can be taken out of the humidification filter case 10, the humidification filter 4 can be replaced.

  Referring mainly to FIG. 2, the humidity sensor 13 measures the humidity in or near the space between the needle electrode 1 and the counter electrode 2, and is attached to the humidifying filter case 10 or the electrode part case 11. It has been. The arrangement position of the humidity sensor 13 is not particularly limited as long as it can measure the humidity in or near the space between the needle electrode 1 and the counter electrode 2.

  Next, the configuration and operation of an air cleaner will be described as an example of an air conditioner using the above ion generator.

  FIG. 5 is a perspective view schematically showing a configuration of an air cleaner using the ion generator shown in FIGS. 1 to 3. FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the air cleaner showing an ion generator arranged in the air cleaner shown in FIG.

  With reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, the air cleaner 30 has a front panel 31 and a main body 32. A blow-out port 33 is provided at the upper rear part of the main body 32, and clean air containing ions is supplied into the room from the blow-out port 33. An air intake is formed at the center of the main body 32. The air taken in from the air intake port on the front surface of the air cleaner 30 is cleaned by passing through a filter (not shown). The purified air is supplied to the outside through the blower outlet 35 through the fan casing 35.

  The ion generator 20 shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 is attached to a part of the fan casing 35 that forms a passage path for the purified air. As an example of the arrangement of the ion generator 20, positions such as a position P1 and a position P2 that are relatively far from the outlet 33 in the air passage path are conceivable.

  The ion generator 20 is disposed so that ions can be released from the hole 12a serving as the ion generator into the air flow. Thus, by allowing the air to pass through the ion generator 12a of the ion generator 20, the air purifier 30 can have an ion generating function for supplying ions to the outside together with clean air from the outlet 33. .

  Moreover, in the ion generator 20, the lower part 4b of the humidification filter 4 is immersed in the water stored in the water supply tray. Thereby, the humidification filter 4 will be in the state which absorbed water and contained the water | moisture content, the water | moisture content which absorbed the water is evaporated, and moisture is included in air and humidified. This humidified air is supplied to the space between the needle-like electrode 1 and the counter electrode 2 through the opening 10c, whereby the surrounding space of the needle-like electrode 1 is humidified.

In the ion generator 20, for example, discharge occurs between the needle electrode 1 and the counter electrode 2 to generate positive ions and negative ions. Here, the positive ion is a cluster ion in which a plurality of water molecules are attached around a hydrogen ion (H ⁺ ), and is represented as H ⁺ (H ₂ O) _m (m is an arbitrary natural number). Negative ions are cluster ions in which a plurality of water molecules are attached around oxygen ions (O ₂ ⁻ ), and are expressed as O ₂ ⁻ (H ₂ O) _n (n is an arbitrary natural number).

  Air containing ions mixed with such moisture is sent on an air current by a blower (air passage route), so that ions can be released outside the apparatus.

Thus, clean air is supplied into the room, and positive ions and negative ions are surrounded by water molecules and circulate in the room as large particles. In the case of releasing both positive ions and negative ions, H ⁺ (H ₂ O) _m (m is an arbitrary natural number) in the air and O ₂ ⁻ (H ₂ O) _n (where n is an arbitrary natural number) is generated in an approximately equivalent amount so that both ions surround the mold fungus and virus floating in the air, and the hydroxyl radicals of the active species generated at that time Due to the action of (.OH), it is possible to remove floating fungi and the like.

  Further, since positive ions and negative ions protected by water molecules can suppress the decrease of ions due to collision, they penetrate into fibers such as curtains and surround and efficiently destroy odor components in the fibers.

  Next, the structure and operation | movement which control alerting | reporting based on the information of a humidity sensor and a water quantity sensor in the air cleaner 30 of this Embodiment are demonstrated.

  FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration for controlling notification based on information on the humidity sensor and the water amount sensor of the water absorption tray in the ion generator of FIG. Referring to FIG. 7, a water amount sensor 41 for detecting the amount of water in the water supply tray 5 at the bottom of the humidifying filter case 10 is provided. The water amount sensor 41 and the humidity sensor 13 are connected to the control unit 42, and the control unit 42 is connected to the notification unit 43 so that the notification unit 43 can be controlled. This notification unit 43 is for notifying the necessity / unnecessity of water supply to the water supply tray to the outside of the air purifier 30.

  Thereby, for example, when the water amount sensor 41 detects that the amount of water in the water supply tray is equal to or less than a reference value (for example, the water supply tray is empty or close to it), the signal is sent to the control unit 42, A signal is sent from the control unit 42 to the notification unit 43 to notify that the water supply into the water supply tray is necessary. Thereby, the notification unit 43 is controlled to notify the outside of the air purifier 30 that water supply into the water supply tray is necessary.

  For example, when the water amount sensor 41 detects that the amount of water in the water supply tray exceeds the reference value, the signal is sent to the control unit 42, and the control unit 42 notifies the notification unit 43 to the water supply tray. A signal is sent to notify that no water supply is required. Thereby, the notification unit 43 is controlled to notify the outside of the air cleaner 30 that water supply into the water supply tray is unnecessary.

  Here, when the humidity of the indoor air is sufficiently high (for example, relative humidity of 70% or more), the humidity in the fan casing 35 in which the ion generator 20 is disposed also increases. There is no need to humidify. Therefore, when the humidity sensor 13 detects that the humidity of the indoor air is sufficiently high, the control unit 42 notifies the notification unit 43 even if the water amount sensor 41 detects that the amount of water in the water supply tray is below the reference value. A signal notifying that water supply into the water supply tray is unnecessary is sent. Thereby, when the humidity of the indoor air is sufficiently high, even if the amount of water in the water supply tray is below the reference value, the notification unit 43 informs the outside of the air cleaner 30 that water supply to the water supply tray is unnecessary. To be notified.

  In the above, the notification that water supply is unnecessary includes a state in which it is not notified that water supply is required.

Next, the effect of this Embodiment is demonstrated.
If the moisture from the humidifying filter 4 is exposed to air blown outside the ion generator 20 before reaching the space between the needle-like electrode 1 and the counter electrode 2, the moisture is ion generator 20 May blow out to the outside of the air purifier 30 and may not be supplied to the space between the needle electrode 1 and the counter electrode 2. In this case, even if moisture reaches the space between the needle electrode 1 and the counter electrode 2, the amount of moisture supplied to the space may be reduced.

  On the other hand, according to the ion generator of the present embodiment, the space between the needle electrode 1 and the counter electrode 2 is humidified through a path (opening 10c) sealed with respect to the external space of the ion generator 20. Moisture from the filter 4 can be supplied. Thereby, the water evaporated from the humidification filter 4 can be supplied to the space between the needle electrode 1 and the counter electrode 2 without exposing the moisture to the space outside the ion generator 20. For this reason, moisture from the humidifying filter 4 can be efficiently supplied to the space between the needle electrode 1 and the counter electrode 2, and the number of water molecules surrounding positive ions and negative ions can be increased with a small amount of water. Can do. Therefore, the amount of water in the water supply tray 5 can be reduced, and the labor for supplying water to the water supply tray 5 can be reduced.

  Further, in the present embodiment, it is only necessary to humidify the space between the needle electrode 1 and the counter electrode 2 of the ion generator 20 rather than humidifying the entire indoor space. Can be reduced.

For example, the volume of the humidifying filter 4 is about 300 to 500 cm ^3, and the amount of water that can be supplied to the water supply tray 5 is about 1/3 of 100 to 170 cm ³ . Further, the overall size of the ion generator 20 is set to, for example, about 130 × 70 × 60 mm. When the size of each part is the above size, the vicinity of the needle-like electrode 1 can be made into a high humidity space (relative humidity of 80% or more) by natural evaporation of moisture from the humidifying filter 4. Moreover, since it is natural evaporation, if the amount of water to be evaporated is approximately 20 cm ³ / day, it is not necessary to supply water to the water supply tray for about 5 to 8 days.

  Further, since the high humidity space between the needle electrode 1 and the counter electrode 2 is not directly exposed to the air blown in the air cleaner 30, the space can be kept at high humidity. Since positive ions and negative ions are generated by the discharge phenomenon in the high humidity environment, the number of water molecules added around the ions can be increased. Thereby, positive ions and negative ions protected by water molecules can be sent into the room together with normal dry air sent out from the air blowing path of the air purifier 30. These positive ions and negative ions protected by water molecules can suppress the decrease of ions due to collision.

  In addition, since positive ions and negative ions are surrounded by water molecules, the disappearance of ions due to the collision between positive ions and negative ions can be reduced. In addition, since the positive and negative ions are surrounded by water molecules, the particle size becomes large, so that the degree of collision between ions and floating bacteria such as fungi and viruses in the air increases. For this reason, indoor floating microbe can be removed rapidly.

  Moreover, since the space between the needle electrode 1 and the counter electrode 2 only needs to be humidified, the humidifying force of the humidifying filter 4 may be small. Thereby, since the humidification filter 4 can be reduced in size, even if the humidification filter 4 is arrange | positioned inside the ion generator 20, the whole size of the ion generator 20 can be kept small.

  In addition, by controlling the notification unit 43 by the control unit 42 as described above, if the humidity sensor 13 detects that the humidity of the indoor air is sufficiently high and the humidity in the fan casing 35 is high, water is supplied to the water supply tray. Since there is no need for water supply even if there is no water, it is possible to further reduce the user's trouble of water supply.

  When both positive ions and negative ions are generated, one side of the two needle-like electrodes 1 is a positive ion emission electrode and the other is a negative ion emission electrode. In this case, positive ions and negative ions may be mixed and neutralized. However, since the positive / negative separation wall 8 is provided between the needle-like electrode 1 that emits positive ions and the needle-like electrode 1 that emits negative ions, such neutralization can be prevented.

  Further, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, it is preferable that the needle-like tip of the needle-like electrode 1 is disposed so as to be recessed inside the ion generator 20 with a distance S from the counter electrode 2. If the needle-like tip of the needle-like electrode 1 protrudes from the through hole 2a of the counter electrode 2 to the external space side of the ion generator 20, the needle-like tip of the needle-like electrode 1 is the air purifier 30. There is a risk of direct exposure to the internal airflow. In this case, since it is difficult to keep the periphery of the needle electrode 1 at high humidity, it becomes impossible to efficiently surround positive ions and negative ions with water molecules with a small amount of water.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2, if the needle-like tip of the needle-like electrode 1 is disposed in the interior of the ion generator 20 with a distance S from the counter electrode 2, It is possible to prevent the needle-shaped tip from being directly exposed to the air inside the air purifier 30. Thereby, the circumference | surroundings of the needle-shaped tip of the needle-like electrode 1 can be kept at high humidity, and thereby positive ions and negative ions can be efficiently surrounded by water molecules with a small amount of water.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, it is preferable that the needle electrode 1 and the counter electrode 2 are arranged as far apart as possible, and the counter electrode 2 is arranged in contact with the case lid 12. . This will be described below.

  FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing a state of an electric field when the needle-like electrode and the counter electrode are arranged close to each other and the counter electrode is arranged away from the case lid. Referring to FIG. 8, when needle-like electrode 1 and counter electrode 2 are arranged close to each other and counter electrode 2 is arranged away from case lid 12, discharge occurs, but ions pass to the air blowing path. It does not reach and ions are not released to the outside.

  On the other hand, FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing a state of an electric field when the needle electrode and the counter electrode are arranged as far as possible and the counter electrode is arranged near the case lid. Referring to FIG. 9, when needle electrode 1 and counter electrode 2 are arranged as far as possible and counter electrode 2 is arranged in contact with case lid 12, the electric field extends toward counter electrode 2. The ions move along the electric field, whereby the ions jump out into the blowing path and are sent to the outside together with the blowing.

  From the above, the needle-like tip of the needle-like electrode 1 is disposed deeper inside the ion generator 20 than the counter electrode 2, thereby increasing the distance between the needle-like tip of the needle-like electrode 1 and the counter electrode 2. As well as ensuring that the counter electrode 2 is close to the case lid 12, positive ions and negative ions can be efficiently surrounded by water molecules with a small amount of water, and ions can be discharged well to the outside. Become.

  In the present embodiment, an air purifier has been described as an example of an air conditioner. However, the present invention is not limited to this and can be applied to the entire air conditioner.

  The embodiment disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention can be applied particularly advantageously to an ion generator and an air conditioner mounted on an air conditioner such as an air purifier that takes in indoor air and cleans it.

1 is a partially broken exploded perspective view schematically showing a partially broken structure of an ion generator in an embodiment of the present invention. It is sectional drawing which looked at the ion generator of FIG. 1 from the front direction. It is sectional drawing which looked at the ion generator of FIG. 1 from the top | upper surface direction. It is a perspective view which shows roughly the structure of the humidification filter used for the ion generator of FIG. It is a perspective view which shows roughly the structure of the air cleaner using the ion generator shown in FIGS. 1-3. It is an exploded view of the air cleaner which shows a mode that the ion generator was arrange | positioned to the air cleaner shown in FIG. It is a schematic diagram which shows the structure which controls alerting | reporting to the ion generator of FIG. 2 based on the information of a humidity sensor and the water quantity sensor of a water absorption tray. It is a schematic diagram which shows the mode of an electric field when a needle electrode and a counter electrode are arrange | positioned near, and a counter electrode is arrange | positioned away from the cover body for cases. It is a schematic diagram which shows the mode of an electric field when a needle-like electrode and a counter electrode are arranged as far as possible from each other and the counter electrode is arranged in contact with the case lid.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Needle electrode, 2 Counter electrode, 2a Through-hole, 3 Electrode board, 4 Humidification filter, 5 Water supply tray, 6 Mold, 7 Connector, 8 Positive / negative separation wall, 9 Adhesive, 10 Humidification filter case, 10c Opening, 11 electrode Part case, 12 case lid, 12a hole, 13 humidity sensor, 20 ion generator, 30 air purifier, 31 front panel, 32 main body, 33 outlet, 35 fan casing, 41 water sensor, 42 control unit, 43 Notification unit.

Claims (4)

An ion generator that generates ions by a discharge phenomenon,
A needle electrode;
A counter electrode for generating ions by a discharge phenomenon with the needle-shaped electrode;
A humidifying part that absorbs moisture and can release the absorbed moisture by evaporation;
An ion generator configured to supply moisture released from the humidifying unit to a space between the needle electrode and the counter electrode without exposing the moisture to the external space of the ion generator. A case surrounding the humidifying unit;
The ion generator according to claim 1, wherein the case has an opening opened toward a space between the needle electrode and the counter electrode. The ion generator according to claim 1 or 2,
An air conditioner comprising: a blower for sending at least one of positive ions and negative ions generated in the ion generator on a blown airflow. A humidity sensor attached to the ion generator;
A water amount sensor for detecting the amount of water in the case;
An informing unit for informing the outside of the water supply to the case;
When the humidity measured by the humidity sensor is higher than the reference humidity, even if the amount of water in the case detected by the water amount sensor is smaller than the reference amount of water, the notification unit does not need to supply water to the case. The air conditioner of Claim 3 further provided with the control part which controls so that this may be notified outside.

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