JP2011025192A - Electrostatic atomization device and electrostatic atomization method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To achieve an electrostatic atomization device and an electrostatic atomization method capable of preventing the relaxation of the electric field occurring between an atomization electrode and a counter electrode. <P>SOLUTION: The electrostatic atomization device includes: an atomization electrode 1; and a group of counter electrodes 2 comprising a plurality of counter electrodes 21 to 23, each of which has an opening, and which are arranged in the direction detaching from the atomization electrode 1 and face the atomization electrode 1. In the electrostatic atomization device, when a voltage is applied between the atomization electrode 1 and the group of counter electrodes 2, charged fine particles 30 are formed by the electrostatic atomization of the water supplied to the atomization electrode 1, and the charged fine particles 30 are released to the outside via the opening. A voltage is applied to each of the plurality of counter electrodes 21 to 23 in such a manner that the potential difference between the atomization electrode 1 becomes larger as the counter electrodes 21 to 23 become farther away from the atomization electrode 1. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an electrostatic atomization apparatus and an electrostatic atomization method for generating charged fine particles by utilizing an electrostatic atomization phenomenon.

  Conventionally, a water reservoir, a transport body made of a porous body that transports water in the water reservoir, a counter electrode arranged to face the transport body, and a mist that applies a voltage to the water from the transport body There is known an electrostatic atomizing device that includes an atomizing electrode and a voltage applying unit that applies a high voltage between the atomizing electrode and the counter electrode, and crushes water and releases it into the air (for example, a patent) Reference 1 and Patent Reference 2).

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing a main part of a conventional electrostatic atomizer.
In FIG. 9, the electrostatic atomizer includes an atomizing electrode 51, a counter electrode 52 provided to face the atomizing electrode 51, and a high voltage that applies a high voltage between the atomizing electrode 51 and the counter electrode 52. A power supply 53, a casing 54 that supports the atomizing electrode 51 and the counter electrode 52, and water supply means (not shown) for supplying water to the atomizing electrode 51 are provided. The counter electrode 52 has an opening and is grounded. Here, by applying a high voltage between the atomizing electrode 51 and the counter electrode 52 by the high voltage power source 53, the water supplied to the atomizing electrode 51 is electrostatically atomized, and the generated charged fine particles 55 are generated. Is emitted from the opening of the counter electrode 52.

  The charged fine particles (charged mist, ions or charged particles) generated by the electrostatic atomizer as described above have a particle diameter of about 1 to 100 nm, which is smaller than the size of a human keratinocyte. It penetrates and exhibits a high moisturizing effect and has a function of making the surface hydrophilic. In addition, charged fine particles charged by a high voltage are likely to approach an object or a person having a potential difference. Furthermore, since the nanometer-sized charged fine particle active species exists so as to be encapsulated in water molecules, the charged fine particle has a deodorizing action and a sterilizing action, has a long life as an ion, and floats in space for a long time. can do.

JP 2004-351276 A JP 2006-35171 A

However, the prior art has the following problems.
In the conventional electrostatic atomizer, as shown in FIG. 9, the generated charged fine particles are discharged at a wide angle, and a part of the discharged charged fine particles is disposed on the downstream side of the opening. By colliding and adhering to the body (collision or the like), the casing is charged to the same potential as the atomizing electrode. Further, in the conventional electrostatic atomizer, a part of the generated charged fine particles stays between the atomization electrode and the counter electrode without being discharged from the opening. In addition, it is conceivable to increase the straightness of the charged fine particles by reducing the opening and reducing the acceleration direction of the charged fine particles as much as possible. However, when the opening is reduced, the charged fine particles disappear due to collision with the counter electrode or the like. The number increases.

  When the casing is charged to the same potential as the atomizing electrode, or when a part of the charged fine particles stays between the atomizing electrode and the counter electrode or collides with the counter electrode, the atomization electrode and the counter electrode And the potential difference becomes smaller. Here, when the potential difference between the atomizing electrode and the counter electrode is reduced, the electric field generated between the atomizing electrode and the counter electrode is relaxed, and the electrostatic atomization cannot be performed because the electric field is lower than the breakdown electric field. In order to generate the discharge, there is a problem that a high voltage needs to be applied to the atomizing electrode.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an electrostatic atomization device and an electrostatic atomization that can prevent relaxation of an electric field generated between an atomization electrode and a counter electrode. The purpose is to obtain a method.

  An electrostatic atomizer according to the present invention has an atomizing electrode and an opening, each of which is a counter electrode group including a plurality of counter electrodes arranged in a direction facing the atomizing electrode and away from the atomizing electrode And, when a voltage is applied between the atomizing electrode and the counter electrode group, the water supplied to the atomizing electrode is electrostatically atomized to generate charged fine particles, and the charged fine particles are discharged through the opening. An electrostatic atomizer that discharges to the outside, and each of the plurality of counter electrodes is applied with a voltage so that the counter electrode farther from the atomization electrode has a larger potential difference from the atomization electrode. .

  Further, the electrostatic atomization method according to the present invention has an atomization electrode and an opening, and is opposed to the atomization electrode and is formed of a plurality of counter electrodes arranged in a direction away from the atomization electrode. An electrode group, and when a voltage is applied between the atomizing electrode and the counter electrode group, the water supplied to the atomizing electrode is electrostatically atomized to generate charged fine particles and charged through the opening. An electrostatic atomization method in an electrostatic atomizer that discharges fine particles to the outside. For each of a plurality of counter electrodes, the counter electrode farther from the atomization electrode has a larger potential difference from the atomization electrode. Thus, a voltage application step for applying a voltage is provided.

According to the electrostatic atomization apparatus or the electrostatic atomization method according to the present invention, the counter electrode group is composed of a plurality of counter electrodes, and each of the plurality of counter electrodes is separated from the atomization electrode, A voltage is applied so that the potential difference with the atomizing electrode is increased. As a result, the charged fine particles are accelerated and released, so that the charged fine particles collide with the casing of the electrostatic atomizer or stay between the atomizing electrode and the counter electrode group without being discharged from the opening. It is suppressed.
Therefore, it is possible to obtain an electrostatic atomization device and an electrostatic atomization method that can prevent the relaxation of the electric field generated between the atomization electrode and the counter electrode group.

It is a perspective view which shows the electrostatic atomizer which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the principal part of the electrostatic atomizer which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a partial cross section figure which shows the principal part of the electrostatic atomizer which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a partial cross section figure which shows the principal part of the electrostatic atomizer which concerns on Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the surface by the side of the atomization electrode in the counter electrode which has several opening part shown in FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the surface on the opposite side to the atomization electrode in the counter electrode which has several opening part shown in FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the principal part of the electrostatic atomizer which concerns on Embodiment 4 of this invention. It is a partial cross section figure which shows the principal part of the electrostatic atomizer which concerns on Embodiment 5 of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the principal part of the conventional electrostatic atomizer.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the electrostatic atomizer of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts will be described with the same reference numerals.
In each of the following embodiments, the case where the counter electrode group is composed of two or three counter electrodes is described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and there are a plurality of counter electrode groups. What is necessary is just to be comprised from the counter electrode of 1 sheet.

Embodiment 1 FIG.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an electrostatic atomizer according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. Moreover, FIG. 2 is sectional drawing which shows the principal part of the electrostatic atomizer which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention.
1 and 2, the electrostatic atomizer includes an atomizing electrode 1, a counter electrode group 2, a high voltage power source 3, a bias power source 4, a resistor 5, a water storage tank 6, a water conduit 7, and a housing 8. Yes. The atomization electrode 1 and the counter electrode group 2 are supported by the housing 8.

The high voltage power supply 3 applies a DC high voltage within a range of, for example, −10 to −1 kV or +1 to +10 kV to the atomizing electrode 1. Further, the water conduit 7 introduces the water stored in the water storage tank 6 to the tip of the atomization electrode 1 through the surface or inside of the water conduit 7.
The atomizing electrode 1 is electrostatically atomized with water supplied from the water storage tank 6 and the water conduit 7 when a voltage is applied from the high-voltage power supply 3, and charged fine particles (charged mist, particles having ions or charges). 30 is generated.

The counter electrode group 2 includes a plurality of counter electrodes 21 to 23 arranged in a direction facing the atomizing electrode 1 and away from the atomizing electrode 1. Each of the counter electrodes 21 to 23 has an opening that discharges to the outside through the generated charged fine particles 30. The counter electrodes 21 to 23 may be integrally formed with the electrodes insulated from each other.
The bias power supply 4 applies a DC voltage having the same polarity as that of the atomizing electrode 1 to the counter electrode 21 closest to the atomizing electrode 1, for example, within a range of −1000 to −1 V or 1 to 1000 V. The counter electrodes 21 to 23 are electrically connected to each other via a resistor (high-precision resistor) 5 within a range of 1 to 10 ⁶ Ω.
That is, a voltage is applied to each of the counter electrodes 21 to 23 such that a potential difference from the atomizing electrode 1 increases as the counter electrode is farther from the atomizing electrode 1.

Hereinafter, the operation of the electrostatic atomizer according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
First, a voltage is applied by the high voltage power source 3 and the bias power source 4 so that a predetermined potential difference is generated between the atomizing electrode 1 and the counter electrode group 2, thereby supplying the tip of the atomizing electrode 1. A Coulomb force acts between the water and the counter electrode group 2, and the liquid level of the water rises locally and deforms into a conical shape called a tailor cone.

  When the tailor cone is formed, electric charges concentrate on the tip of the tailor cone, the electric field strength increases, and the Coulomb force acting on the tailor cone increases, thereby further growing the tailor cone. In this way, when the tailor cone grows and the charge concentrates on the tip of the tailor cone and the charge density becomes high, the water at the tip of the tailor cone gives a large amount of energy (the repulsive force of the dense charge). In response to the surface tension, the particles are repeatedly split and scattered (Rayleigh splitting) to generate charged fine particles 30 having a particle diameter of 1 to 100 nm. The charged fine particles 30 continue to have a charge, adhere to an object having the opposite polarity, and disappear when the charge is neutralized.

Here, as described above, the counter electrode group 2 includes a plurality of counter electrodes 21 to 23, and each of the counter electrodes 21 to 23 is separated from the atomizing electrode 1 as the counter electrode is separated from the atomizing electrode 1. A voltage is applied so as to increase the potential difference.
Further, if the charged fine particles 30 generated by the atomizing electrode 1 have an n-valent charge and have a mass m, the force F acting on the charged fine particles 30 is expressed by the following formula (1).

F = neE _x (1)

In the formula (1), e is the charge 1.6 × ¹⁰ -19 C, _{E x} having electron shows the electric field strength between the electrodes. When the magnitude of the acceleration generated by the force F is a, the following equation (2) is established.

ma = neE _x (2)

In the formula (2), the electric field strength E _x between each electrode, as a function of the inter-electrode voltage (potential difference) V and the inter-electrode distance d, so is represented by E x _{= V} / d, acceleration a, the following It can be expressed by equation (3).

    a = neV / md (3)

  From formulas (1) to (3), it can be seen that the counter electrode farther from the atomizing electrode 1 has a larger force acting on the charged fine particles 30 and the acceleration of the charged fine particles 30 passing through the opening is increased. That is, the charged fine particles 30 generated by the atomizing electrode 1 and passing through the opening of the counter electrode 21 are attracted to the counter electrode 22 with a larger force, and further accelerated and released. Further, the charged fine particles 30 that have passed through the opening of the counter electrode 22 are attracted to the counter electrode 23 with a larger force, further accelerated, and released to the outside with high straightness.

  The charged fine particles 30 are split according to the moving distance, and the mass m becomes small. However, since the amount of charge held at the same time decreases at this time, the charged fine particles 30 change greatly in acceleration according to the moving distance. Without going on, it will proceed while accelerating at a substantially constant acceleration.

As described above, according to the first embodiment, the counter electrode group includes a plurality of counter electrodes, and each of the plurality of counter electrodes is separated from the atomization electrode by a potential difference from the atomization electrode. A voltage is applied so as to increase.
As a result, the charged fine particles generated by the atomizing electrode are accelerated and released to the outside with high straightness, so that the charged fine particles do not spread and collide with the casing of the electrostatic atomizer. Or staying between the atomizing electrode and the counter electrode group without being released from the opening.
Therefore, it is possible to prevent the potential difference between the atomizing electrode and the counter electrode group from being reduced, and as a result, it is possible to prevent relaxation of the electric field generated between the atomizing electrode and the counter electrode group.
Further, by preventing the relaxation of the electric field generated between the atomizing electrode and the counter electrode group, a constant amount of charged fine particles can be generated continuously, and the applied voltage can be kept low. Only the charged fine particles can be generated without generating active particles such as.

In the first embodiment, it has been described that a DC voltage having the same polarity as that of the atomizing electrode 1 is applied to the counter electrode 21 closest to the atomizing electrode 1. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the counter electrode 21 closest to the atomizing electrode 1 is grounded, and the counter electrode 22 and the counter electrode 23 furthest away from the atomizing electrode 1 are opposite in direct current to the atomizing electrode 1. A voltage may be applied.
Further, a DC voltage is applied to each of the atomizing electrode 1 and the counter electrodes 21 to 23 in ascending order when the atomizing electrode 1 is a negative electrode, and in descending order when the atomizing electrode 1 is a positive electrode, and the counter electrode is connected via a resistor. May be connected to each other.
Furthermore, instead of connecting the counter electrodes to each other via a resistor, a power source is connected to each of the counter electrodes 21 to 23, and the potential difference from the atomizing electrode 1 is larger as the counter electrode is farther from the atomizing electrode 1. A voltage may be applied so that
In these cases, the same effect as in the first embodiment can be obtained.
In these cases, the voltage to be applied can be adjusted by changing the upstream voltage or the resistance value of the resistor.

Moreover, in the said Embodiment 1, the atomization electrode 1 may be a porous thing with electroconductivity, and may be a thin hollow needle-like thing.
Moreover, the water supplied to the atomization electrode 1 from the water storage tank 6 may be transported by any method among gravity drop, capillary action, and pressure transport by taking in a pump or external air.
Further, without providing the water storage tank 6, water obtained by cooling the air or water obtained by condensing by compression may be supplied to the atomizing electrode 1.
Furthermore, water may be condensed directly on the electrode surface or inside the electrode by applying wet air or cooled air to the atomizing electrode 1.
In these cases, the same effect as in the first embodiment can be obtained.
These replacements can be similarly applied to the following embodiments.

Embodiment 2. FIG.
In the first embodiment, the atomization is performed by applying a voltage to each of the plurality of counter electrodes 21 to 23 such that the counter electrode farther from the atomization electrode has a larger potential difference from the atomization electrode. It has been explained that the charged fine particles generated by the electrode are accelerated and released to the outside with high straightness.

  However, the charged fine particles go straight in the direction emitted from the counter electrode group 2 when the potential of the object existing outside is uniform, and when the same polarity as the charged fine particles exists outside. The process proceeds while avoiding an object having the potential, and when an electric potential different from that of the charged fine particles exists outside, the process proceeds toward the object having the potential. Thus, the discharge direction of the charged fine particles changes according to the external potential state.

Therefore, when there is a desired discharge direction of charged fine particles, it is desirable to discharge the charged fine particles in the discharge direction.
Therefore, in the second embodiment, a process for changing the discharge direction of the charged fine particles to a desired direction will be described.

FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a main part of the electrostatic atomizer according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.
In FIG. 3, in addition to the electrostatic atomizer shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, this electrostatic atomizer is a first deflection that faces the charged fine particles 30 emitted from the counter electrode group 2 in the vertical direction. A first deflection bias power source (emission direction adjusting means) 11 for applying a voltage to the second deflection electrode 10 and the first deflection electrode 9 which are opposed to each other with the charged fine particles 30 emitted from the electrode 9 and the counter electrode group 2 in the horizontal direction. And a second deflection bias power source (emission direction adjusting means) 12 for applying a voltage to the second deflection electrode 10.
In FIG. 3, for the sake of simplicity, the counter electrode group 2 includes two counter electrodes 21 and 22. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment, and thus description thereof is omitted.

Hereinafter, the operation of the electrostatic atomizer according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. Note that the description of the same operation as in the first embodiment is omitted.
First, charged fine particles 30 that are accelerated and have high straightness are emitted from the counter electrode group 2.
Subsequently, the first deflection bias power source 11 adjusts the voltage applied to the first deflection electrode 9 according to the desired emission direction of the charged fine particles 30, thereby adjusting the vertical emission direction of the charged fine particles 30. Is done.
Next, the second deflection bias power source 12 adjusts the voltage applied to the second deflection electrode 10 according to the desired emission direction of the charged fine particles 30, thereby adjusting the horizontal emission direction of the charged fine particles 30. The

As described above, according to the second embodiment, the emission direction adjusting unit releases the charged fine particles emitted from the counter electrode group by applying a voltage to the deflection electrodes facing each other with the charged fine particles to be emitted interposed therebetween. Adjust the direction.
Therefore, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained, and the discharge direction of the charged fine particles can be changed to a desired direction.

Embodiment 3 FIG.
In the second embodiment, it has been described that the discharge direction of the charged fine particles is adjusted by adjusting the voltage applied to the deflection electrodes facing each other with the charged fine particles interposed therebetween. However, the present invention is not limited to this. By providing a plurality of openings in the counter electrode, selecting an opening according to a desired discharge direction of the charged fine particles from the plurality of openings, and passing the charged fine particles through the selected opening. The discharge direction of the charged fine particles may be adjusted.

FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a main part of an electrostatic atomizer according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention.
4, this electrostatic atomizer includes a counter electrode 24 and a changeover switch (release direction adjusting means) 13 instead of the counter electrodes 22 and 23 shown in FIGS.
The counter electrode 24 is the counter electrode farthest from the atomizing electrode 1, but is not necessarily one sheet, and the counter electrode having the same configuration is separated from the counter electrode farthest from the atomizing electrode 1. A plurality of sheets may be provided continuously.

FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram illustrating a surface (surface) on the atomizing electrode 1 side of the counter electrode 24 illustrated in FIG. 4. FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram illustrating a surface (back surface) opposite to the atomizing electrode 1 in the counter electrode 24 illustrated in FIG. 4.
5 and 6, the counter electrode 24 is formed in an insulating plate 31 having a thickness of about 1 to 10 mm so as to penetrate a plurality of openings. In addition, a conductive layer is provided around the perforated opening, and an opening electrode 32 is formed respectively. On the back surface of the counter electrode 24, a plurality of conductive wirings 34 connected to the respective opening electrodes 32 in a one-to-one manner are formed. The other end of each wiring 34 is provided on one side of the counter electrode 24 and is connected to a switch terminal 35 in a switch connection portion 33 that realizes connection with the changeover switch 13.

In addition, the wiring 34 should just be a raw material which has electroconductivity, such as a wire or a paint. Further, as shown in FIG. 6, it is not necessary to form the wiring 34 on the surface of the insulating plate 31. If each opening electrode 32 and the switch terminal 35 are electrically connected, the wiring 34 is sandwiched between the insulating plates. The structure etc. which may be sufficient may be sufficient.
Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment, and thus description thereof is omitted.

Hereinafter, the operation of the electrostatic atomizer according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. Note that the description of the same operation as in the first embodiment is omitted.
First, charged fine particles 30 are released from the counter electrode 21.
Subsequently, the changeover switch 13 selects the opening electrode 32 corresponding to the desired discharge direction of the charged fine particles 30 from the plurality of opening electrodes 32, and passes the charged fine particles 30 through the selected opening electrode 32. The direction of discharge is adjusted.
At this time, the charged fine particles 30 that have passed through the opening of the counter electrode 21 are attracted to the counter electrode 24 with a greater force, further accelerated, and released.

As described above, according to the third embodiment, the discharge direction adjusting unit selects an opening corresponding to a desired discharge direction of charged fine particles from a plurality of openings, and passes the charged fine particles through the selected opening. Thus, the discharge direction of the charged fine particles is adjusted.
Therefore, the same effect as in the first and second embodiments can be obtained.

Embodiment 4 FIG.
In the third embodiment, by providing a plurality of openings in the counter electrode, selecting an opening according to the desired discharge direction of the charged fine particles from the plurality of openings, and passing the charged fine particles through the selected opening, It has been explained that the discharge direction of the charged fine particles is adjusted. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the counter electrode farthest from the atomizing electrode is provided so as to be displaceable with respect to the casing, and the counter electrode is displaced according to the desired discharge direction of the charged fine particles, thereby The discharge direction may be adjusted.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a main part of an electrostatic atomizer according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention.
In FIG. 7, this electrostatic atomizer replaces the counter electrode 23 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and the counter electrode 25 provided to be displaceable with respect to the housing 8, and the counter electrode 25 are displaced. Displacement adjusting means (discharge direction adjusting means).
The counter electrode 25 is the counter electrode farthest from the atomizing electrode 1. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment, and thus description thereof is omitted.

Hereinafter, the operation of the electrostatic atomizer according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. Note that the description of the same operation as in the first embodiment is omitted.
First, the charged fine particles 30 that are accelerated and have high straightness are emitted from the counter electrode 22.
Subsequently, the displacement adjusting means displaces the counter electrode 25 in accordance with the desired discharge direction of the charged fine particles 30, thereby adjusting the discharge direction of the charged fine particles 30.

As described above, according to the fourth embodiment, the discharge direction adjusting means is charged by displacing the counter electrode provided to be displaceable with respect to the casing in accordance with the desired discharge direction of the charged fine particles. Adjust the emission direction of the fine particles.
Therefore, the same effect as in the first and second embodiments can be obtained.

Embodiment 5 FIG.
In the second to fourth embodiments, the process for changing the discharge direction of the charged fine particles to the desired direction has been described. However, the desired discharge direction of the charged fine particles is changed to an air conditioner or an air cleaner on which the electrostatic atomizer is mounted. You may set according to the detection result by the sensor which detects the wind direction information from and the surrounding state of an electrostatic atomizer.
Therefore, in the fifth embodiment, processing for changing the discharge direction of the charged fine particles based on the wind direction information and the surrounding state will be described.

FIG. 8 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a main part of an electrostatic atomizer according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention.
In FIG. 8, in addition to the electrostatic atomizer shown in FIG. 4, this electrostatic atomizer is a control device (control means) 40 that controls the operation of the changeover switch 13, and a human sense that is a state detection means. A sensor 41, a temperature / humidity sensor 42, an obstacle sensor 43, a surface potential sensor 44, and a dust sensor 45 are provided.
Other configurations are the same as those of the third embodiment, and thus description thereof is omitted.
Moreover, although the electrostatic atomizer which concerns on this Embodiment 5 was set as the structure which added the control means and the state detection means to the electrostatic atomizer which concerns on Embodiment 3, it concerns on Embodiment 2,4. It is good also as a structure which added the control means and the state detection means to the electrostatic atomizer.

Hereinafter, the function of the electrostatic atomizer according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
The controller 40 receives wind direction information from an air conditioner (air conditioner) or an air purifier (air conditioner) on which the electrostatic atomizer is mounted. Here, the air conditioner or the air purifier is blowing with a fan, but the blowing direction is changed by changing the direction of a wind direction plate such as a flap. That is, the air conditioner or the air purifier outputs the direction of the flap to the control device 40 as the wind direction information.

  The human sensor 41 detects a person existing around the electrostatic atomizer and outputs the detection result to the controller 40. The temperature / humidity sensor 42 detects the temperature and humidity around the electrostatic atomizer and outputs the detection result to the controller 40. The obstacle sensor 43 detects an obstacle present around the electrostatic atomizer and outputs the detection result to the control device 40. The surface potential sensor 44 detects the surface potential of an object existing around the electrostatic atomizer and outputs the detection result to the control device 40. The dust sensor 45 detects dust existing around the electrostatic atomizer and outputs the detection result to the control device 40.

The control device 40 controls the operation of the changeover switch 13 based on the wind direction information from the air conditioner or the air cleaner and the detection results from various sensors, and changes the discharge direction of the charged fine particles 30.
Specifically, the control device 40 controls the operation of the changeover switch 13 based on the wind direction information so that the wind direction of the air conditioner or the air cleaner matches the discharge direction of the charged fine particles 30. As a result, the charged fine particles 30 can be transported far by being put on the air blown from the air conditioner or the air purifier.

  Further, the control device 40 controls the operation of the changeover switch 13 based on the detection result from the human sensor 41 so that the charged fine particles 30 are released in the direction where there is a person or in the direction where there is no person. Thereby, the charged fine particles 30 can be discharged according to a person who likes or does not like the wind.

  Further, the control device 40 controls the operation of the changeover switch 13 based on the detection result from the temperature / humidity sensor 42 so that the charged fine particles 30 are released in the direction of lower humidity. Thereby, a comfortable space can be maintained. Note that the charged fine particles 30 may be released when the humidity around the electrostatic atomizer becomes lower than a predetermined humidity.

  Further, the control device 40 controls the operation of the changeover switch 13 based on the detection result from the obstacle sensor 43 so that the charged fine particles 30 are released in a direction in which no obstacle exists. As a result, it is possible to prevent the charged fine particles 30 from colliding with an obstacle and disappear, and the life of the charged fine particles 30 can be increased.

  Further, the control device 40 switches based on the detection result from the surface potential sensor 44 so that the charged fine particles 30 are emitted in a direction to avoid charged materials of the same polarity or to collide with charged materials of opposite polarity. The operation of the switch 13 is controlled. As a result, it is possible to prevent the charged fine particles 30 from colliding with a charged material of the same polarity and to extinguish the life of the charged fine particles 30. Further, the charged particles can be electrically neutralized by causing the charged fine particles 30 to collide with a charged material having a reverse polarity.

  Further, the control device 40 controls the operation of the changeover switch 13 based on the detection result from the dust sensor 45 so that the charged fine particles 30 are released in the direction of colliding with dust. Thereby, it is possible to condense the dust and remove the dust from the space. Note that the condensed dust may be caught by a filter or a dust collector provided in the air conditioner or the air purifier during the stay.

As described above, according to the fifth embodiment, the control unit determines the discharge direction of the charged fine particles by the discharge direction adjusting unit based on the wind direction information input from the air conditioner on which the electrostatic atomizer is mounted. Controls the adjustment operation.
For this reason, the charged fine particles can be transported far by being put on the air blown from the air conditioner.

The control unit controls the adjustment operation of the discharge direction of the charged fine particles by the discharge direction adjusting unit based on the surrounding state detected by the state detection unit.
Therefore, a comfortable space can be maintained.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Atomization electrode, 2 Opposite electrode group, 8 Case, 9 1st deflection electrode, 10 2nd deflection electrode, 11 1st deflection bias power supply (emission direction adjustment means), 12 2nd deflection bias power supply (emission direction adjustment means) ), 13 changeover switch (release direction adjusting means), 21-25 counter electrode, 30 charged fine particles, 32 aperture electrode, 40 control device (control means), 41 human sensor (state detection means), 42 temperature / humidity sensor (state) Detection means), 43 Obstacle sensor (state detection means), 44 Surface potential sensor (state detection means), 45 Dust sensor (state detection means).

Claims (12)

An atomizing electrode, and a counter electrode group comprising a plurality of counter electrodes, each having an opening, facing the atomizing electrode and arranged in a direction away from the atomizing electrode, and the atomizing electrode When a voltage is applied between the counter electrode group and the counter electrode group, water supplied to the atomizing electrode is electrostatically atomized to generate charged fine particles, and the charged fine particles are discharged to the outside through the opening. An electrostatic atomizer,
A voltage is applied to each of the plurality of counter electrodes such that a potential difference from the atomization electrode increases as the counter electrode is distant from the atomization electrode. A deflecting electrode provided on the opposite side of the counter electrode group from the atomizing electrode and facing the charged fine particles to be emitted;
A discharge direction adjusting means for adjusting a discharge direction of the charged fine particles by applying a voltage to the deflection electrode;
The electrostatic atomizer according to claim 1, further comprising: Of the plurality of counter electrodes, at least the counter electrode farthest from the atomization electrode has a plurality of openings,
A discharge direction adjusting unit that adjusts a discharge direction of the charged fine particles by selecting an opening corresponding to a desired discharge direction of the charged fine particles from the plurality of openings and passing the charged fine particles through the selected opening. The electrostatic atomizer according to claim 1, further comprising: Of the plurality of counter electrodes, the counter electrode farthest from the atomizing electrode is provided so as to be displaceable with respect to a housing that supports the counter electrode group.
Discharge direction adjusting means for adjusting the discharge direction of the charged fine particles by displacing the counter electrode farthest from the atomizing electrode in accordance with a desired discharge direction of the charged fine particles. The electrostatic atomizer of Claim 1. Control means for controlling an adjustment operation of the discharge direction of the charged fine particles by the discharge direction adjusting means based on wind direction information input from an air conditioner on which the electrostatic atomizer is mounted. The electrostatic atomizer according to any one of claims 2 to 4. State detection means for detecting the surrounding state;
Control means for controlling the adjustment operation of the discharge direction of the charged fine particles by the discharge direction adjusting means based on the detected surrounding state;
The electrostatic atomizer according to any one of claims 2 to 5, further comprising: An atomizing electrode, and a counter electrode group comprising a plurality of counter electrodes, each having an opening, facing the atomizing electrode and arranged in a direction away from the atomizing electrode, and the atomizing electrode When a voltage is applied between the counter electrode group and the counter electrode group, water supplied to the atomizing electrode is electrostatically atomized to generate charged fine particles, and the charged fine particles are discharged to the outside through the opening. An electrostatic atomization method in an electrostatic atomizer,
A voltage applying step is provided for applying a voltage to each of the plurality of counter electrodes so that a potential difference between the counter electrode and the atomization electrode increases as the counter electrode is distant from the atomization electrode. Electric atomization method. The electrostatic atomizer further includes a deflecting electrode provided on the opposite side of the counter electrode group from the atomizing electrode and facing the charged fine particles to be emitted,
The electrostatic atomization method according to claim 7, further comprising a discharge direction adjusting step of adjusting a discharge direction of the charged fine particles by applying a voltage to the deflection electrode. Of the plurality of counter electrodes, at least the counter electrode farthest from the atomization electrode has a plurality of openings,
A discharge direction adjusting step of selecting an opening according to a desired discharge direction of the charged fine particles from the plurality of openings and adjusting the discharge direction of the charged fine particles by passing the charged fine particles through the selected opening. The electrostatic atomization method according to claim 7, further comprising: Of the plurality of counter electrodes, the counter electrode farthest from the atomizing electrode is provided so as to be displaceable with respect to a housing that supports the counter electrode group.
A discharge direction adjusting step of adjusting a discharge direction of the charged fine particles by displacing a counter electrode farthest from the atomizing electrode in accordance with a desired discharge direction of the charged fine particles; The electrostatic atomization method according to claim 7. The method further comprises a control step of controlling adjustment processing of the discharge direction of the charged fine particles by the discharge direction adjustment step based on wind direction information input from an air conditioner on which the electrostatic atomizer is mounted. The electrostatic atomization method according to any one of claims 8 to 10. A state detection step for detecting surrounding conditions;
A control step of controlling a discharge direction adjustment process of the charged fine particles by the discharge direction adjustment step based on the detected surrounding state;
The electrostatic atomization method according to any one of claims 8 to 11, further comprising:

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