JP2012075483A - Ion generator and electric device having the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an ion generator capable of easily and stably generating plus ions over a long period, and an electric device having the same.SOLUTION: The ion generator includes an electrostatic atomization unit 11 for generating a mist of charged microparticles charged to minus, and a plus ion generating unit 21 for generating plus ions. The electrostatic atomization unit 11 generates the mist of charged microparticles charged to minus, by applying a high voltage to a liquid supplied to an atomization electrode 12. The plus ion generating unit 21 generates plus ions by means of a discharge. The ion generator includes a control unit 31 that stops the operation of the plus ion generating unit 21 during operation of the electrostatic atomization unit 11. The electric device includes the ion generator.

Description

  The present invention relates to an ion generating device that generates negatively charged fine particle mist and positive ions, and an electric device including the same.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an electrostatic atomizer that generates a charged fine particle mist that is negatively charged by applying a high voltage to a liquid supplied to an atomizing electrode is known (see Patent Document 1, etc.). The radicals contained in the charged fine particle mist exert effects such as deodorization and sterilization by acting on suspended substances in the air. On the other hand, an ion generator that generates positive ions by discharge is known (see Patent Document 2).

JP 2006-68711 A JP 2007-305417 A

  The positive ions generated by the discharge adhere to, for example, a substance floating in the air, thereby charging the substance positively or canceling the negative charge of the substance. In this way, the electric repulsive force of the charged fine particle mist negatively charged is hardly generated with respect to the substance to which the positive ions are attached. For this reason, it is considered that negatively charged fine particle mist can be efficiently attached to various substances. Therefore, in the case where it is desired to quickly exhibit the functionality of the negatively charged charged fine particle mist with respect to a substance existing in a predetermined space, it is considered preferable to coexist with positive ions. In this respect, an ion generating apparatus including an electrostatic atomizing unit that generates negatively charged charged fine particle mist and a positive ion generating unit that generates positive ions by discharge is effective. By the way, the discharge electrode for generating positive ions is more easily worn than the atomizing electrode for generating negatively charged charged particle mist, and the generation of the positive ions may become unstable due to the progress of the wear. .

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an ion generator that can easily generate positive ions for a long period of time, and an electric apparatus including the same. It is in.

  In order to solve the above problems, an ion generator according to the present invention includes an electrostatic atomization unit that generates a charged fine particle mist that is negatively charged by applying a high voltage to a liquid supplied to an atomization electrode, and discharge. A positive ion generation unit that generates positive ions, and a control unit that stops the operation of the positive ion generation unit during the operation of the electrostatic atomization unit.

The ion generator preferably includes a selection switch for selecting whether or not to start the operation of the positive ion generator.
In this ion generation device, the control unit starts the operation of the positive ion generation unit based on an input signal from a detection sensor that detects floating substances in the air during the operation of the electrostatic atomization unit. Is preferred.

In this ion generator, the suspended substance is preferably at least one selected from dust, allergens, odorous substances, fungi, and viruses.
An electrical apparatus according to the present invention includes the ion generator.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the ion generator which can generate | occur | produce a positive ion stably for a long period of time, and an electric equipment provided with the same are provided.

It is the schematic which shows the ion generator in embodiment.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
As shown in FIG. 1, the ion generator includes an electrostatic atomizer 11 that generates negatively charged charged particle mist and a positive ion generator 21 that generates positive ions.

  The electrostatic atomization unit 11 includes an atomization electrode 12, a Peltier unit 13 that cools the atomization electrode 12, and a first high voltage application unit 14 that applies a high voltage to the atomization electrode 12. The tip of the atomizing electrode 12 is supplied with water condensed by cooling water (water vapor) in the air. When the high voltage is applied to the atomizing electrode 12 by the first high voltage applying unit 14, the water of the atomizing electrode 12 is electrostatically atomized. That is, when an electrostatic force is applied to the water supplied to the tip of the atomizing electrode 12 by applying a high voltage, the water forms a Taylor cone and repeats Rayleigh splitting. In this way, the electrostatic atomizer 11 generates negatively charged charged fine particle mist by electrostatically atomizing water.

  The atomization electrode 12 is comprised from the material which has heat conductivity and electroconductivity, for example, a metal material, and the front-end | tip of the atomization electrode 12 is formed in the spherical shape. Around the atomizing electrode 12, a side wall portion made of an insulating material is erected in a cylindrical shape. A space surrounded by the side wall and in which the atomization electrode 12 is disposed is an atomization space in which water is electrostatically atomized. The side wall portion has an opening for taking in air, so that air is supplied to the atomization space. A counter electrode 15 serving as a ground electrode for the atomizing electrode 12 is provided on the upper portion of the side wall. The counter electrode 15 has an annular shape, and the inside thereof is configured as a discharge portion from which charged fine particle mist is discharged from the atomization space. The ground electrode may be formed by providing an upper wall portion made of an insulating material and having an opening on the side wall portion, and providing a conductive film on the upper wall portion.

  The atomization electrode 12 and the counter electrode 15 are connected to the first high voltage application unit 14. And the electrostatic atomization part 11 act | operates because the high voltage is applied between the atomization electrode 12 and the counter electrode 15 by the 1st high voltage application part 14. FIG.

  The Peltier unit 13 is configured by arranging a plurality of thermoelectric elements between a pair of circuit boards arranged to face each other in the thickness direction. A plurality of thermoelectric elements are electrically connected by such a circuit board. The Peltier unit 13 transfers heat from one circuit board to the other circuit board when energized. In the Peltier unit 13, one circuit board serves as a cooling part, and the other circuit board serves as a heat dissipation part.

The atomizing electrode 12 is provided in the cooling unit via an insulating plate having thermal conductivity. The heat radiating portion is provided with a heat radiating member 16 (heat radiating fin) that promotes heat radiating.
The positive ion generation unit 21 includes a discharge electrode 22 and a second high voltage application unit 23 that applies a high voltage to the discharge electrode 22. When a high voltage is applied to the discharge electrode 22 by the second high voltage application unit 23, positive ions are generated by a discharge such as a corona discharge, for example.

  The discharge electrode 22 is made of a conductive material, such as a metal material, and the tip of the discharge electrode 22 is formed in a needle shape. Around the discharge electrode 22, a side wall portion made of an insulating material is erected in a cylindrical shape. A counter electrode 24 serving as a ground electrode of the discharge electrode 22 is provided on the upper portion of the side wall. The counter electrode 24 has an annular shape, and the inside thereof is configured as an emission part from which positive ions are emitted. The ground electrode may be formed by providing an upper wall portion made of an insulating material and having an opening on the side wall portion, and providing a conductive film on the upper wall portion.

  The discharge electrode 22 and the counter electrode 24 are connected to the second high voltage application unit 23. The positive ion generator 21 is activated by applying a high voltage between the discharge electrode 22 and the counter electrode 24 by the second high voltage application unit 23.

  The ion generator includes a control unit 31 that controls the first high voltage application unit 14 and the second high voltage application unit 23. The control unit 31 stops the operation of the plus ion generation unit 21 by controlling the second high voltage application unit 23 during the operation of the electrostatic atomization unit 11.

  The control unit 31 includes a timer that measures the operating time of the positive ion generation unit 21. The control unit 31 stops the operation of the plus ion generation unit 21 based on the time measured by the timer and a preset time. In addition, the ion generator may be equipped with an input unit that inputs time for operating the positive ion generator 21. Further, the ion generator may be equipped with a switching unit that switches the time for operating the plus ion generation unit 21 to a different time. That is, the control unit 31 may be configured to stop the operation of the plus ion generation unit 21 based on the time set by the input unit or the switching unit and the time measured by the timer.

  When the operation of the plus ion generator 21 is stopped as described above, the operation of the electrostatic atomizer 11 is not stopped and the generation of the charged fine particle mist charged negative is continued. The operation of the electrostatic atomizer 11 is stopped, for example, by operating a main switch (not shown).

  The ion generator of the present embodiment has a first mode in which only the electrostatic atomizer 11 starts to operate, and a second mode in which any operation of the electrostatic atomizer 11 and the plus ion generator 21 starts. A selectable selection switch 32 is provided. The selection switch 32 is connected to the control unit 31 and is selected by the operation of the selection switch 32 as to whether or not to start the operation of the plus ion generation unit 21 in the first mode and the second mode. Then, the control unit 31 controls the electrostatic atomization unit 11 and the plus ion generation unit 21 based on the mode selected by the selection switch 32.

  The ion generator of the present embodiment includes a detection sensor 33 that detects suspended substances in the air. The detection sensor 33 is connected to the control unit 31. And the control part 31 starts the action | operation of the plus ion generation part 21 based on the input signal from the detection sensor 33 during the action | operation of an electrostatic atomization part. For example, the control unit 31 is configured to start the operation of the plus ion generation unit 21 when the detection value of the detection sensor 33 becomes a predetermined value or more.

  The suspended substance detected by the detection sensor 33 is preferably at least one selected from, for example, dust, allergen, odorous substance, fungi, and virus. That is, examples of the detection sensor 33 include a dust sensor, an allergen sensor, an odor sensor, and a biosensor that detects fungi or viruses.

  The ion generator may be equipped with a single detection sensor 33 or may be equipped with a plurality of detection sensors 33. For example, you may comprise so that the action | operation of the plus ion generation part 21 may be started based on the result of having detected the floating substance of a different kind with the some detection sensor 33. FIG.

  In the ion generator configured as described above, the first mode and the second mode are selected by the selection switch 32. In the second mode, since the operation of both the electrostatic atomizer 11 and the positive ion generator 21 is started, negatively charged fine particle mist and positive ions are released into a predetermined space. At this time, the positive ions adhere to a substance floating in a predetermined space or a substance existing on a surface exposed to the space. As a result, the substance present in the space is positively charged or the negative charge is weakened. In this way, the electric repulsive force of the charged fine particle mist negatively charged is hardly generated with respect to the substance to which the positive ions are attached. For this reason, it is considered that negatively charged fine particle mist can be efficiently attached to various substances. As a result, radicals contained in the negatively charged charged fine particle mist efficiently act on various substances.

  Therefore, for example, when it is desired to quickly exhibit the functionality of the negatively charged charged fine particle mist with respect to a substance existing in a predetermined space, it is preferable that the second mode is selected by the selection switch 32. is there.

  In the present embodiment, when the first mode is selected, the operation of the plus ion generator 21 is started based on the detection signal of the detection sensor 33 while the electrostatic atomizer 11 is in operation. Thus, for example, when the amount of suspended solids present in a given space exceeds a given amount, or when a particular suspended matter is detected, the functionality of the negatively charged charged particle mist is positive ion It will be demonstrated promptly by occurrence.

  And the control part 31 stops the action | operation of the plus ion generation part 21 during the action | operation of the electrostatic atomization part 11. FIG. As a result, the time during which the positive ion generator 21 is operating is shorter than the time during which the electrostatic atomizer 11 is operating. For this reason, the progress of wear of the discharge electrode 22 can be suppressed.

  After the operation of the plus ion generation unit 21 is stopped, the control unit 31 starts the operation of the plus ion generation unit 21 based on the input signal from the detection sensor 33. And the control part 31 stops the action | operation of the plus ion generation part 21 again based on the time-measurement time of a timer.

  The above-described ion generator can be mounted on an electric device. Specific examples of the electric device include an air conditioner, an air purifier, a beauty / physical container, a refrigerator, a washing machine, a dryer, a vacuum cleaner, a fan, and a heating appliance. Here, in an air conditioner, an air purifier, a refrigerator, a fan, a heating appliance, or a dryer, for example, when the ion generator is configured to be activated with the start of use of an electric device, the operation is long. It can be continued for hours. For example, even if a manual switch for starting and stopping the operation of the ion generator is provided in the electric device, the operation of the manual switch is complicated, and once the ion generator is stopped, only the charged fine particle mist is present. Even the effect of cannot be obtained. In this respect, since the ion generator of the present embodiment can shorten the operation time of the plus ion generator 21, it is extremely effective to be applied to the electric equipment that is used continuously for a long time as described above. is there.

According to this embodiment described above, the following effects are obtained.
(1) Since the ion generator includes the control unit 31 that stops the operation of the positive ion generation unit 21 during the operation of the electrostatic atomization unit 11, the time during which the positive ion generation unit 21 is operating is This is shorter than the time during which the electrostatic atomizer 11 is operating. Thereby, the progress of wear of the discharge electrode 22 with respect to the atomizing electrode 12 can be suppressed. Therefore, it is possible to provide an ion generator that can easily generate positive ions for a long period of time. In such an ion generator, for example, the life of the atomizing electrode 12 and the life of the discharge electrode 22 can be brought close to each other. As a result, an ion generator having a long life can be provided.

  (2) The ion generator includes a selection switch 32 that selects whether to activate the positive ion generator 21. Thereby, for example, when the odor is felt strongly, the positive ion generation unit 21 can be operated together with the electrostatic atomization unit 11. On the other hand, for example, when the odor is not felt so much, only the electrostatic atomizer 11 can be operated. As described above, the selection switch 32 can avoid the operation of the positive ion generator 21 from being always started when the operation of the ion generator is started. Therefore, it becomes easier to generate positive ions stably in the long term.

  (3) The controller 31 starts the operation of the plus ion generator 21 based on the input signal from the detection sensor 33 during the operation of the electrostatic atomizer 11. When configured in this manner, for example, negatively charged fine particle mist and positive ions are both generated according to the detected amount of suspended matter. Therefore, it is possible to effectively use the ion generation device including the electrostatic atomization unit 11 and the positive ion generation unit 21 while suppressing the progress of wear of the discharge electrode 22. The suspended substance detected by the detection sensor 33 is preferably at least one selected from dust, allergens, odorous substances, fungi, and viruses.

  (4) When the ion generator is mounted on an electric device, an electric device that provides the effect (1) is provided. As an electrical device, for example, an air conditioner, an air cleaner, a refrigerator, a fan, a heating appliance, or a dryer can be used continuously for a long time, and thus the progress of wear of the discharge electrode 22 is suppressed. This is particularly important. Therefore, in such an electrical device, the mounting of the ion generator is extremely effective.

In addition, the said embodiment can also be changed and comprised as follows.
-Although the selection switch 32 and the detection sensor 33 are provided in the ion generator, at least one of the selection switch 32 and the detection sensor 33 may be omitted. In the ion generator in which the selection switch 32 is omitted, the operation of both the electrostatic atomizer 11 and the plus ion generator 21 is started. In addition, in the ion generator in which the detection sensor 33 is omitted, the operation of the positive ion generator 21 is stopped until the second mode is selected by the selection switch 32 after the positive ion generator 21 is stopped by the controller 31. Is done. Even in this case, since the continuous operation of the plus ion generator 21 can be suppressed, the operational effect described in (1) above can be obtained.

  The first mode selected by the selection switch 32 is a positive ion based on an input signal from the detection sensor 33 without starting the operation of the positive ion generator 21 only when the operation of the electrostatic atomizer 11 is started. The operation of the generator 21 is configured to be started. For example, the first mode may be changed to a configuration in which the operation of the positive ion generator 21 is not always started. Further, for example, as the first mode, the following first A mode and first B mode may be selectable. The first A mode is configured such that the operation of the plus ion generator 21 is not started only when the operation of the electrostatic atomizer 11 is started. The first B mode is configured such that the operation of the positive ion generator 21 is not always started.

  The control unit 31 may be configured to stop the operation of the plus ion generation unit 21 based on an input signal from the detection sensor 33. In this case, even if the configuration for stopping the operation of the positive ion generator 21 based on the time measured by the timer is omitted, the effect described in (1) above can be obtained.

  In addition, when the control part 31 has the detection sensor 33 and a timer, priority is given to either the time-measurement time of a timer, or the input signal from the detection sensor 33, and the operation | movement of the plus ion generation part 21 is stopped. It can be configured. That is, the control unit 31 is configured to perform control to forcibly stop the operation of the positive ion generation unit 21 based on the input signal from the detection sensor 33 even before the time measured by the timer reaches a predetermined time. May be. Further, the control unit 31 performs control to forcibly stop the operation of the positive ion generation unit 21 based on the time measured by the timer even before the input signal from the detection sensor 33 reaches a predetermined value. It may be configured.

  The electrostatic atomizer 11 can generate negatively charged charged particle mist by applying a high voltage with the atomizing electrode 12 as a negative voltage and the counter electrode 15 as a ground. For example, negatively charged charged fine particle mist may be generated by applying a high voltage with the atomizing electrode 12 as the ground and the counter electrode 15 as the positive voltage. Further, the positive ion generator 21 can generate positive ions by applying a high voltage with the discharge electrode 22 as a positive voltage and the counter electrode 15 as a ground. For example, positive ions may be generated by applying a high voltage with the discharge electrode 22 as the ground and the counter electrode 24 as a negative voltage.

  By configuring the counter electrode 15 as a positive electrode, the charged fine particle mist generated by the discharge can be further attracted by the counter electrode 15, so that the propulsive force of the charged fine particle mist can be increased. Further, by configuring the counter electrode 24 as a negative electrode, positive ions generated by the discharge can be further attracted by the counter electrode 24, so that the propulsive force of the positive ions can be increased.

  A configuration in which a high voltage is applied to the atomizing electrode 12 and the discharge electrode 22 without providing the counter electrodes 15 and 24 may be adopted. For example, the counter electrodes 15 and 24 may be caused to act on components disposed around the atomization electrode 12 and the discharge electrode 22, such as a charge removal plate, a side wall, and a housing.

  -In the said embodiment, although the water is supplied to the discharge part by cooling the atomization electrode 12 in the cooling part of the Peltier unit 13, so that water may be supplied from the storage tank by providing a storage tank, for example It may be changed. In this case, water may be supplied from the storage tank using the pressure of the pump, or water may be supplied to the tip portion of the atomizing electrode 12 by capillary action.

  In the electrostatic atomization unit 11, the charged fine particle mist is generated by electrostatically atomizing water, but a liquid other than water (for example, lotion, chemical liquid, etc.) is applied to the tip of the atomization electrode 12 It may be supplied to the site. In other words, the electrostatic atomization unit 11 may be changed so as to generate negatively charged charged fine particle mist by electrostatically atomizing a liquid other than water.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... Electrostatic atomization part, 12 ... Atomization electrode, 21 ... Positive ion generation part, 31 ... Control part, 32 ... Selection switch, 33 ... Detection sensor.

Claims (5)

  An electrostatic atomization unit that generates negatively charged charged particle mist by applying a high voltage to the liquid supplied to the atomization electrode, a positive ion generation unit that generates positive ions by discharge, and the electrostatic atomization A control unit that stops the operation of the positive ion generation unit during operation of the unit. In the ion generator according to claim 1,
An ion generator comprising a selection switch for selecting whether or not to start the operation of the positive ion generator. In the ion generator according to claim 1 or 2,
The control unit starts the operation of the positive ion generation unit based on an input signal from a detection sensor that detects floating substances in the air during the operation of the electrostatic atomization unit. .   4. The ion generating apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the suspended substance is at least one selected from dust, allergen, odorous substance, fungi, and virus.   An electrical apparatus comprising the ion generator according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

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