JP2014108315A - Microorganism inactivation device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a microorganism inactivation device suppressing emission of ozone and occurrence of abnormal discharge and allowing thinning of the device.SOLUTION: A microorganism inactivation device comprises a first electrode, or high-voltage electrode 30, a second electrode, or counter electrode 40, arranged through a space between the first and second electrodes and a voltage application means of applying a voltage between the first and second electrodes. One or both of the first and second electrodes consist of a conductive electrode 31 coated with a dielectric body 32 and contain a substance having ozone-decomposing action at least in the surface of the dielectric body 32. Microorganisms floating in air passing between the first and second electrodes are inactivated by applying a voltage by the voltage application means to discharge between the first and second electrodes.

Description

  The present invention relates to a microorganism inactivating device that inactivates microorganisms such as bacteria, molds, viruses, and allergic substances floating in the air by using electric discharge.

  Devices that inactivate microorganisms (including fine particles such as living cells) such as bacteria, molds, viruses, and allergic substances floating in the air using discharge are known. In such an apparatus, ozone is generated as a discharge product. However, since ozone is toxic, it is necessary to suppress release into the space where people exist.

  In the electrostatic precipitator described in Patent Document 1, in order to suppress the generation of ozone, the discharge electrode is constituted by a plate-like body in which the plate surface of a conductive thin plate is covered with an insulator, The plate surface is arranged so as to be orthogonal to the air flow direction, and the end surface of the conductive thin plate is opposed to the counter electrode. As a result, there are no protrusions that cause concentrated discharge on the surface of the discharge electrode, and the generation of ozone is suppressed.

  Further, in Patent Document 2, in order to suppress the generation of ozone, a high voltage electrode is covered with a non-conductor such as a resin, an electrostatic field is applied to the high voltage electrode, the non-conductor is polarized, and the non-conductor surface is polarized. A method for removing microorganisms in the air without generating corona discharge by the Coulomb force and the gradient force of the electric charge induced by this is disclosed.

JP-A-4-18944 International Publication WO2007 / 094339

  In the invention of Patent Document 1, a metal portion is exposed at the end face of the discharge electrode facing the counter electrode, and discharge is mainly generated at the exposed metal face. For this reason, when the exposed metal portion of the discharge electrode and the edge portion of the counter electrode are close to each other, there is a problem that abnormal discharge occurs. Furthermore, since the plate surface of the discharge electrode is arranged so as to be orthogonal to the air flow direction, there is a problem that the air flow is blocked and the pressure loss increases.

  In the invention of Patent Document 2, since Coulomb force and gradient force are used to collect fungi, bacteria, viruses, allergic substances, etc. in the air, they cannot be inactivated. In the invention of Patent Document 2, when the collected microorganisms accumulate, the Coulomb force decreases according to the distance from the charged nonconductor, and there is a problem that the scattered microorganisms rescatter without being inactivated. In addition, a high voltage is required to generate static electricity on the nonconductive surface, and an insulating space and a device are required. For this reason, there exists a problem of the enlargement of the apparatus for insulation space ensuring, and cost increase.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and provides a microorganism inactivation device that can suppress the release of ozone, suppress the occurrence of abnormal discharge, and reduce the thickness of the apparatus. The purpose is to do.

  The microorganism inactivation device according to the present invention includes a first electrode, a second electrode disposed between the first electrode via a space, and between the first electrode and the second electrode. A voltage applying means for applying a voltage, wherein one or both of the first electrode and the second electrode is a conductor electrode covered with a dielectric, and at least the surface of the dielectric has an ozonolysis action. And a substance that includes a material that includes the first electrode and the second electrode by applying a voltage by the voltage applying unit and discharging between the first electrode and the second electrode. It inactivates microorganisms floating in the air.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress the release of ozone, suppress the occurrence of abnormal discharge, and reduce the thickness of the apparatus.

It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the microorganisms inactivation device of Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is sectional drawing which cut | disconnected the microorganisms inactivation device shown in FIG. 1 by the plane perpendicular | vertical to the longitudinal direction of a high voltage electrode and a counter electrode. It is sectional drawing which cut | disconnected the high voltage electrode with which the microorganisms inactivation device shown in FIG. 1 and a counter electrode were cut | disconnected by the plane perpendicular | vertical to a longitudinal direction. It is sectional drawing which cut | disconnected the high voltage electrode and counter electrode with which the microorganisms inactivation device of Embodiment 2 of this invention was equipped with the plane perpendicular | vertical to a longitudinal direction. It is sectional drawing which cut | disconnected the microorganisms inactivation device of Embodiment 3 of this invention by the plane perpendicular | vertical to the longitudinal direction of a high voltage electrode and a counter electrode. It is sectional drawing which cut | disconnected the microorganisms inactivation device of Embodiment 4 of this invention by the plane perpendicular | vertical to the longitudinal direction of a high voltage electrode and a counter electrode.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the element which is common in each figure, and the overlapping description is abbreviate | omitted.

Embodiment 1 FIG.
FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a microorganism inactivation device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the microorganism inactivation device 1 of the first embodiment includes an upper case frame 10, a lower case frame 20, a high voltage electrode 30 (first electrode), and a counter electrode 40 (second electrode). Electrode), electrode supporting intermediate parts 50 and 60, and a high voltage power source (not shown) as voltage applying means capable of applying a high voltage to the high voltage electrode 30.

  The upper case frame 10 and the lower case frame 20 function as casings that house components such as the high-voltage electrode 30 and the counter electrode 40. In the upper case frame 10 and the lower case frame 20, a plurality of openings through which air can pass are formed in a lattice shape. The upper case frame 10 is disposed on the leeward side, and the lower case frame 20 is disposed on the leeward side. The upper case frame 10 and the lower case frame 20 are made of, for example, a resin material.

  The counter electrode 40 has a substantially rectangular plate shape. The counter electrode 40 is disposed substantially parallel to the air flow direction. In the present embodiment, five counter electrodes 40 are arranged in parallel to each other at equal intervals. In the present embodiment, these counter electrodes 40 are integrated, and a ground feed terminal 70 is provided. The counter electrode 40 is disposed on the lower case frame 20 and is fixed from above by electrode support intermediate components 50 and 60. The electrode support intermediate parts 50 and 60 are made of, for example, a resin material.

  The high-voltage electrode 30 has an elongated linear shape. The high voltage electrode 30 is disposed in the space between the counter electrodes 40. Both end portions of the high-voltage electrode 30 are connected to the high-voltage power supply terminal 80 via terminal springs 33, respectively. The terminal spring 33 is made of a metal member. The terminal spring 33 is for applying a predetermined tension to the high-voltage electrode 30. That is, the high-voltage electrode 30 is attached to the high-voltage power supply terminal 80 while being pulled in the longitudinal direction by the terminal spring 33.

  The electrode support intermediate parts 50 and 60 are provided with folding support portions 51 and 61 that support the folded portion of the high-voltage electrode 30, respectively. In the present embodiment, the electrode support intermediate component 50 is provided with one folding support portion 51, and the electrode support intermediate component 60 is provided with two folding support portions 61. The high-voltage electrodes 30 are reciprocated twice by the folding support portions 51 and 61 and arranged in four rows. In this way, the high-voltage electrode 30 is disposed so as to pass through the spaces between the counter electrodes 40 formed at four locations by the five counter electrodes 40. The upper case frame 10 and the lower case frame 20 are formed with a plurality of ribs that support the counter electrode 40, and maintain a distance between the counter electrode 40 and the high-voltage electrode 30.

  FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the microorganism inactivation device 1 shown in FIG. 1 cut along a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the high-voltage electrode 30 and the counter electrode 40. In FIG. 2, the upper side is the windward side and the lower side is the leeward side. That is, in FIG. 2, air flows into the microorganism inactivation device 1 from the upper side and flows out from the lower side. As shown in FIG. 2, the high voltage electrode 30 is disposed between the counter electrodes 40. In the microorganism inactivation device 1, since the high-voltage electrode 30 is composed of a linear body, the high-voltage electrode 30 does not block the air flow, so that pressure loss can be reduced. For this reason, microorganisms such as mold, bacteria, viruses, and allergens in the air (including microparticles of biological cells, etc .; the same shall apply hereinafter) without affecting the original function of the device in which the microorganism inactivating device 1 is installed. Can be inactivated.

  In the present embodiment, the counter electrode 40 is disposed so as to be inclined with respect to the surface of the upper case frame 10 and the lower case frame 20 where the openings are formed. For this reason, compared with the case where the counter electrode 40 is disposed perpendicular to the surface of the upper case frame 10 and the lower case frame 20 where the openings are formed, the thickness dimension of the microorganism inactivation device 1 (in FIG. 2) The vertical dimension) can be reduced, that is, the thickness can be reduced.

  FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the high-voltage electrode 30 and the counter electrode 40 included in the microorganism inactivation device 1 shown in FIG. 1 taken along a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. As shown in FIG. 3, the high-voltage electrode 30 has a configuration in which a conductor electrode 31 formed of a conductor is covered with a dielectric 32. In the present embodiment, the conductor electrode 31 is composed of a thin metal wire having a circular cross section. The constituent material of the conductor electrode 31 is preferably, for example, tungsten, copper, nickel, stainless steel, zinc, iron, molybdenum or the like.

  The dielectric 32 covers the surface of the conductor electrode 31 in close contact. The dielectric 32 is made of a substance that has an action of decomposing ozone, that is, a substance that acts as an ozone decomposition catalyst. Examples of the constituent material of the dielectric 32 having such an action include manganese dioxide, nickel oxide, nickel carbonate, copper (I) oxide, copper carbonate, and triiron tetroxide. Is preferred. Further, two or more of these plural substances may be used in combination.

The dielectric 32 preferably has an electrical resistivity (for example, an electrical resistivity at 20 ° C.) of 10 ⁻⁵ to 10 ⁸ Ω · cm. If the electrical resistivity of the dielectric 32 is less than 10 ⁻⁵ Ω · cm, the conductivity of the dielectric 32 may be excessive, and the charge may not be retained. In addition, there are cases where the discharge location becomes obvious and abnormal discharge is likely to occur. On the other hand, when the electrical resistivity of the dielectric 32 exceeds 10 ⁸ Ω · cm, the applied voltage required to generate the discharge current may be excessive.

  When a minute gap is generated between the conductor electrode 31 and the dielectric 32, abnormal discharge occurs and the dielectric 32 is deteriorated. For this reason, the adhesiveness with the dielectric 32 may be improved by increasing the surface roughness of the conductor electrode 31. Further, adhesion to the dielectric 32 may be improved by adding a substance having a small particle diameter to the surface of the conductor electrode 31. Moreover, you may adhere | attach the conductor electrode 31 and the dielectric material 32 via a binder (adhesive). By improving the adhesion between the conductor electrode 31 and the dielectric 32 by any of these methods, the generation of a minute gap between the conductor electrode 31 and the dielectric 32 is suppressed, and the dielectric 32 is deteriorated. Can be reliably suppressed.

  The counter electrode 40 is produced by cutting and bending a metal plate member. As the metal constituting the counter electrode 40, for example, tungsten, copper, nickel, stainless steel, zinc, iron, molybdenum and the like are suitable. Further, the counter electrode 40 may be made of an alloy containing the metal as a main component, or may be made of a metal surface plated with a noble metal such as silver, gold, or platinum.

  In the microorganism inactivating device 1 of the present embodiment, the counter electrode 40 is grounded, and a voltage is applied to the high voltage electrode 30 by a high voltage power source. The voltage applied to the high-voltage electrode 30 by the high-voltage power supply is a voltage that varies with time, and the waveform is preferably a sine wave, a rectangular wave, a pulse wave, or the like. The waveform may be based on 0V or may be multiplied by an offset voltage. Unlike this embodiment, when an electrostatic voltage is applied to the high-voltage electrode 30, charges accumulate on the surface of the dielectric 32, the generation of the discharge current stops, and the effect of inactivating the microorganisms by the discharge product cannot be obtained. There is a case.

  Next, operation | movement of the microorganisms inactivation device 1 of this embodiment is demonstrated. When a high-voltage power supply applies a voltage that varies with time to the grounded counter electrode 40 to the high-voltage electrode 30, a silent discharge is generated between the counter electrode 40 and the high-voltage electrode 30. At this time, since the conductor electrode 31 is covered with the dielectric 32, electric charges are not unevenly distributed on the conductor electrode 31, and the discharge is stabilized. In addition, since the dielectric 32 has a lower electrical resistance than the nonconductor, the discharge is started even when the applied voltage is lower than when the conductor electrode 31 is covered with the nonconductor. Thus, according to this embodiment, since the voltage required for discharge can be lowered, the required insulation distance is shortened, and the microbial inactivation device 1 as a whole can be downsized.

  In addition, since the high voltage electrode 30 is formed by covering the conductor electrode 31 with the dielectric 32 having a lower electrical resistance than the non-conductor, it becomes easier to discharge, so the same as compared with the case where the dielectric 32 is not covered. Even if the interelectrode distance between the counter electrode 40 and the high-voltage electrode 30 is long with respect to the applied voltage, a similar discharge current can be secured. For this reason, in this embodiment, the pressure loss of the airflow which passes the microorganisms inactivation device 1 can be reduced by enlarging the distance between electrodes of the counter electrode 40 and the high voltage electrode 30.

  Further, in this embodiment, by covering the conductor electrode 31 with the dielectric 32, it is possible to reliably suppress abnormal discharge that may occur between the edge portion of the counter electrode 40 and the high-voltage electrode 30. it can. For this reason, the dimension of the width direction of the counter electrode 40 can be shortened. Thereby, since the thickness dimension (vertical dimension in FIG. 2) of the microorganisms inactivation device 1 can be reduced, that is, the thickness can be reduced, the installation space can be reduced and the pressure loss can be further reduced. Can do. In particular, in this embodiment, the entire conductor electrode 31 (the entire circumference) is covered with the dielectric 32. For this reason, generation | occurrence | production of abnormal discharge can be suppressed more reliably.

The silent discharge generated between the counter electrode 40 and the high voltage electrode 30 generates oxygen atoms (O) in the air, and these oxygen atoms are adsorbed by the dielectric 32. When oxygen atoms are further generated, the oxygen atoms and oxygen atoms adsorbed on the dielectric 32 are combined to form stable oxygen molecules (O ₂ ), and the oxygen molecules are released from the dielectric 32. . In addition, ozone (O ₃ ) generated by the discharge is also adsorbed by the dielectric 32, dissociates into oxygen atoms and oxygen molecules, the oxygen molecules are released from the dielectric 32, and the oxygen atoms are bonded to other oxygen atoms. Becomes oxygen molecules and is released from the dielectric 32. In this way, in this embodiment, by providing the high voltage electrode 30 with the coating of the dielectric 32 made of a substance having an ozonolysis action, it is possible to reliably release ozone from the microorganism inactivation device 1 to the outside. Can be suppressed.

  Moreover, in this embodiment, since an applied voltage can be made low as mentioned above, the electron which arises by discharge is not fully accelerated, but the energy distribution which an electron has becomes low. When the energy distribution of electrons becomes low, the dissociation efficiency of oxygen molecules decreases and the generation of oxygen atoms for generating ozone is suppressed. Furthermore, since the electron energy distribution at which ozone departs is lower than that of oxygen molecules, the generated ozone collides with low-energy electrons generated by the discharge to dissociate into oxygen atoms and oxygen molecules. According to the present embodiment, for such reasons, the amount of ozone released can be further reduced.

  Oxygen atoms generated by discharge and adsorbed by the dielectric 32 have unpaired electrons and are a kind of active species. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, microorganisms are generated by oxygen atoms and ozone adsorbed on the surface of the dielectric 32, electrons and oxygen atoms generated in the air, or an electric field formed by the high-voltage electrode 30 and the counter electrode 40. When air passes through the inactivation device 1, microorganisms such as bacteria, molds, viruses, and allergens floating in the air can be efficiently inactivated.

  As described above, according to the microorganism inactivating device 1 of the present embodiment, by forming the high-voltage electrode 30 by covering the conductor electrode 31 with the dielectric 32 made of a substance having an ozonolysis action, Release and abnormal discharge can be suppressed, applied voltage and pressure loss can be reduced, and the microorganism inactivation device 1 can be reduced in size (thinned).

  Note that the entire dielectric 32 may not be formed of a substance having an ozone decomposing action, and only the surface of the dielectric 32 may be formed of a substance having an ozone decomposing action. Even in this case, the same effect as described above can be obtained.

Embodiment 2. FIG.
Next, the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 4. The description will focus on the differences from the first embodiment described above, and the same or corresponding parts will be denoted by the same reference numerals. Is omitted.

  FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the high voltage electrode 30 and the counter electrode 40 included in the microorganism inactivation device 1 according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention, cut along a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. As shown in FIG. 4, in the second embodiment, the counter electrode 40 has a configuration in which a conductor electrode 41 formed of a conductor is covered with a dielectric 42 formed of a substance having an ozone decomposing action. . The configuration other than this point is the same as that of the first embodiment. The constituent material of the conductor electrode 41 is the same as that described for the conductor electrode 31. The constituent material and electrical resistivity of the dielectric 42 are the same as those described for the dielectric 32. Further, the entire dielectric 42 may not be configured with a substance having an ozone decomposing action, and only the surface of the dielectric 42 may be configured with a substance having an ozone decomposing action. Moreover, it is preferable to improve the adhesiveness of the conductor electrode 41 and the dielectric material 42 by the method mentioned above.

  According to the second embodiment, not only the high-voltage electrode 30 but also the counter electrode 40 is provided with the coating of the dielectric 42, which makes it easier to discharge compared to the first embodiment. For this reason, since it is possible to further increase the distance between the counter electrode 40 and the high-voltage electrode 30, it is possible to further reduce the pressure loss of the air flow passing through the microorganism inactivation device 1. Moreover, since abnormal discharge can be suppressed more reliably, the dimension in the width direction of the counter electrode 40 can be further shortened. Thereby, the thickness dimension of the microorganisms inactivation device 1 can be made still smaller.

Further, according to the second embodiment, the silent discharge generated between the counter electrode 40 and the high-voltage electrode 30 generates oxygen atoms (O) in the air, and these oxygen atoms are generated in the dielectrics 32 and 42. Adsorbed. When oxygen atoms are further generated, the oxygen atoms and oxygen atoms adsorbed on the dielectrics 32 and 42 are combined to form stable oxygen molecules (O ₂ ). Is released from. In addition, ozone (O ₃ ) generated by the discharge is also adsorbed by the dielectrics 32 and 42, dissociates into oxygen atoms and oxygen molecules, the oxygen molecules are released from the dielectrics 32 and 42, and the oxygen atoms are different oxygen atoms. To form oxygen molecules, which are released from the dielectrics 32 and 42. As described above, in the second embodiment, ozone is released from the microorganism inactivating device 1 to the outside by providing the dielectric 42 made of a substance having an ozonolysis action also on the counter electrode 40 side. Compared to the first embodiment, it can be more reliably suppressed. In the second embodiment, oxygen atoms and ozone adsorbed on the surfaces of the dielectrics 32 and 42, electrons and oxygen atoms generated in the air, or an electric field formed by the high-voltage electrode 30 and the counter electrode 40, When air passes through the microorganism-inactivating device 1, microorganisms such as bacteria, molds, viruses, and allergic substances floating in the air can be efficiently inactivated. For this reason, compared with Embodiment 1, the microorganisms in air can be inactivated more efficiently.

  In the second embodiment, the configuration in which both the high-voltage electrode 30 and the counter electrode 40 are covered with the dielectrics 32 and 42 has been described. However, in the present invention, only the counter electrode 40 is covered with the dielectric 42. And the high-voltage electrode 30 may be composed of the conductor electrode 31 alone.

Embodiment 3 FIG.
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 5. The description will focus on the differences from the first embodiment described above, and the same or corresponding parts will be denoted by the same reference numerals. Is omitted. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the microorganism inactivation device 1A according to the third embodiment of the present invention cut along a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the high-voltage electrode 30 and the counter electrode 40.

  As shown in FIG. 5, in the microorganism inactivation device 1 </ b> A of the third embodiment, the counter electrode 40 is arranged perpendicular to the surface on which the openings of the upper case frame 10 and the lower case frame 20 are formed. . For this reason, the pressure loss of the airflow passing through the microorganism inactivation device 1A can be further reduced as compared with the first embodiment.

Embodiment 4 FIG.
Next, the fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 6. The description will focus on the differences from the first embodiment described above, and the same or corresponding parts will be denoted by the same reference numerals. Is omitted. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the microorganism inactivation device 1B according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention cut along a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the high-voltage electrode 30 and the counter electrode 40.

  As shown in FIG. 6, in the microorganism inactivation device 1 </ b> B of the fourth embodiment, the inclination angle of the counter electrode 40 is implemented with respect to the surface on which the openings of the upper case frame 10 and the lower case frame 20 are formed. The size is further reduced as compared with the first embodiment. For this reason, compared with Embodiment 1, the thickness dimension (dimension of the up-down direction in FIG. 6) of microorganisms inactivation device 1B can be made still smaller.

  The microorganism inactivation device of the present invention can be mounted in products such as room air conditioners, packaged air conditioners, cleaners, hand dryers, air purifiers, humidifiers, dehumidifiers, and refrigerators.

1, 1A, 1B Microorganism inactivation device, 10 Upper case frame, 20 Lower case frame, 30 High voltage electrode, 31 Conductor electrode, 32, 42 Dielectric, 33 Terminal spring, 40 Counter electrode, 41 Conductor electrode, 50, 60 Electrode Support intermediate part, 51, 61 Folding support part, 70 Ground feed terminal, 80 High voltage feed terminal

Claims (7)

A first electrode;
A second electrode disposed through a space between the first electrode and the first electrode;
Voltage applying means for applying a voltage between the first electrode and the second electrode;
With
One or both of the first electrode and the second electrode is a conductor electrode covered with a dielectric,
A substance having an ozonolysis action is included on at least the surface of the dielectric,
Floating in the air passing between the first electrode and the second electrode by applying a voltage by the voltage applying means and discharging between the first electrode and the second electrode Microbe-inactivating device that inactivates microorganisms   The microbial inactivation device according to claim 1, wherein the dielectric covers the entire conductor electrode.   The microbial inactivation device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the conductor electrode and the dielectric are in close contact with each other through a binder. It said dielectric electrical resistivity ¹⁰ -5 ^{~10 8 Ω} · cm and a claims 1 to 3 microbial inactivation device according to any one of the.   The microorganism inactivation device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the voltage application unit applies a voltage that varies with time.   The said substance is 1 type (s) or 2 or more types in manganese dioxide, nickel oxide, nickel carbonate, copper oxide (I), copper carbonate, and triiron tetroxide. Microbe inactivation device. The first electrode is linear,
The microbial inactivation device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the second electrode has a plate shape.

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