JP2016219363A - Ion generating device and electric equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an ion generating device capable of preventing a decrease in an amount of ions due to secular change by simple control and configuration, and to provide electric equipment.SOLUTION: There is provided an ion generating device, comprising: a voltage source; a step-up transformer; a first switching element coupled to a primary winding of the step-up transformer and having a first breakover voltage; a second switching element coupled to the primary winding of the step-up transformer in parallel with the first switching element and having a second voltage higher than the first breakover voltage; a switching circuit which couples any of the first and second switching elements to the voltage source; a high-voltage control circuit; a discharge element; and a control unit which controls the switching circuit so as to switch the switching element coupled to the voltage source from the first switching element to the second switching element when determining that prescribed conditions are satisfied.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an ion generator and an electrical device.

  Many ion generators using the discharge phenomenon have been put into practical use. The ion generator has, for example, a discharge electrode needle and a counter electrode. Corona discharge is generated by applying a high AC voltage between the discharge electrode needle and the counter electrode. Corona discharge generates positive and negative ions.

  So far, ion generators in which the AC voltage application conditions are variable have been proposed. For example, patent document 1 (Unexamined-Japanese-Patent No. 2012-248398) discloses the ion generator which increases the applied voltage for generating ion with progress of use time.

  In the ion generator as described above, charged dust may adhere to the needle tip of the discharge electrode. When dust accumulates on the needle tip, corona discharge is less likely to occur. For this reason, in an environment where deposits are generated, the amount of ions may decrease with the passage of time of use. In order to solve such a problem, the apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1 increases the applied voltage with the passage of time.

  Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-147445 discloses an apparatus that switches a duty ratio of a voltage applied to a discharge element. Thereby, the apparatus switches the generation of ions and ozone. In the invention according to Patent Document 2, the resistance of the pulse oscillation circuit in the drive circuit for the applied voltage is a variable resistance. This variable resistor is used as a duty ratio switching means.

JP 2012-248398 A JP 2006-147445 A

  In the invention according to Patent Document 1, voltage control is required for each discharge cycle by the discharge element. Specifically, the control unit monitors the potential of the capacitor for applying a voltage to the step-up transformer. When the potential of the capacitor reaches a desired charging potential, the control unit closes the switch circuit between the primary coil and the capacitor, and applies the potential charged in the capacitor to the primary coil. Therefore, the control unit monitors the potential of the capacitor and opens / closes the switch every charge / discharge cycle. This cycle is repeated about several hundred times per second, for example. For this reason, the frequency of monitoring the potential of the capacitor increases. Therefore, it is desirable to solve the same problem with simpler control and configuration.

  The invention according to Patent Document 2 increases the duty ratio of the voltage applied to the primary coil, that is, the ratio of time for applying the voltage in one cycle. However, the applied voltage value itself is a fixed value. Therefore, it is considered that the effect of recovering the amount of ions reduced by the needle tip deposit cannot be expected greatly.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an ion generator that prevents a decrease in the amount of ions due to secular change and a simple control and configuration. It is to provide electrical equipment.

  In one aspect of the present invention, a voltage source, a step-up transformer having a primary winding and a secondary winding, and a first breakover voltage coupled to the primary winding of the step-up transformer. A switching element, a second switching element coupled to the primary winding of the step-up transformer in parallel with the first switching element and having a voltage higher than a first breakover voltage; A switching circuit for selectively switching one of the second switching elements to couple to the voltage source, a high voltage control circuit coupled to the secondary winding, and a discharge coupled to the high voltage control circuit And determining that a predetermined condition is satisfied, the switching circuit couples the switching element coupled to the voltage source from the first switching element to the second switching element. A control unit for controlling the switching circuit, the ion generating device comprising a are provided to switch.

  Preferably, the ion generation device further includes an ion detection unit that detects an ion amount, and the control unit satisfies the predetermined condition when an ion amount detected by the ion detection unit becomes a predetermined value or less. Judge that it was done.

  Preferably, the control unit counts the usage time of the ion generator, and determines that the predetermined condition is satisfied when the usage time becomes a predetermined value or more.

  More preferably, the ion generation device further includes a humidity detection unit that detects humidity in the air, and the control unit is configured to provide moisture over a usage time of the ion generation device based on the humidity detected by the humidity detection unit. An integrated value of the quantity is calculated, and it is determined that the predetermined condition is satisfied when the integrated value is equal to or greater than a predetermined value.

  In another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electric device comprising any one of the above ion generators and a sending means for sending the ions into the air.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an ion generator and an electric device that suppress a decrease in the amount of ions due to secular change with a simple control and configuration.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the ion generator 100 of Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the relationship between the charging voltage to the capacitor | condenser 103 contained in the ion generator 100 of Embodiment 1 of this invention, and use time. It is a figure which shows the structure of the ion generator 300 of Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the ion generator 400 of Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the calculation flow of the integrated value of the moisture content by the control part of Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the ion generator 600 of Embodiment 4 of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the electric equipment 700 containing the ion generator which concerns on embodiment of this invention.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. In the following, the same or corresponding parts in the drawings are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will not be repeated in principle.

[Embodiment 1]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an ion generator 100 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1, ion generator 100 includes a step-up transformer 3 and a voltage source 2. Step-up transformer 3 includes a primary winding 105a and a secondary winding 105b. The voltage source 2 generates a basic voltage for generating a voltage applied to the ion generator 5.

  First switching element 114 a and second switching element 114 b are coupled to primary winding 105 a of step-up transformer 3. As shown in FIG. 1, the switching elements are arranged in parallel with each other with respect to the primary winding 105a. Each of the first switching element 114a and the second switching element 114b is an element that enters a conducting state when the voltage at one end is equal to or higher than a predetermined conduction threshold (breakover voltage) than the voltage at the other end. The conduction threshold value of the first switching element 114a is lower than the conduction threshold value of the second switching element 114b. The first switching element 114 a or the second switching element 114 b is coupled to the switching circuit 115.

  In the present embodiment, Sidac (registered trademark), which is a gateless two-terminal thyristor, is applied to the first switching element 114a and the second switching element 114b. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the first switching element 114a and the second switching element 114b are elements having a threshold voltage for conducting, such as a gated thyristor and a triac, and are turned on according to the voltage between both terminals. Any switching element that switches non-conduction may be used. The switching element may be either a unidirectional element or a bidirectional element.

  One end of the switching circuit 115 is selectively coupled to either the first or second switching element (114a, 114b). The other end of the switching circuit 115 is connected to the voltage source 2. The switching circuit 115 couples the primary winding 105a to the voltage source 2 via the first or second switching element (114a, 114b).

  The voltage source 2 generates a basic voltage. The voltage source 2 includes a charging circuit 113. Charging circuit 113 includes a capacitor 103. Capacitor 103 is coupled in parallel with primary winding 105 a of step-up transformer 3. The voltage charged in the capacitor becomes a basic voltage applied to the step-up transformer 3. Nodes N1 and N2 at both ends of the charging circuit are coupled to terminals 1a and 1b of power supply input unit 1, respectively.

  The control unit 6 controls the switching circuit 115. The control unit 6 may be a microcomputer, for example. The controller 6 may be included in the ion generator 100. Alternatively, the control unit 6 may be included in an electronic circuit different from the ion generator 100.

The ion generator 100 further includes a high voltage control circuit 4 and an ion generator 5.
The high voltage control circuit 4 controls the high voltage generated in the secondary winding 105b of the step-up transformer 105. The high voltage control circuit 4 applies the high voltage to the ion generator 5.

  Ion generator 5 includes discharge electrode needle 106 and dielectric electrodes 107a and 107b. When discharge electrode needle 106 receives the boosted voltage from high voltage control circuit 4, a large potential difference is generated between dielectric electrodes 107 a and 107 b and discharge electrode needle 106. Due to this potential difference, corona discharge occurs and ions are generated.

  The ion detector 107 detects the amount of generated ions. In the present embodiment, the ion detector 107 is included in the ion generator 100. Alternatively, the ion detector 107 may be included in an electronic circuit different from the ion generator 100. In this case, the ion detector 107 is arranged in the vicinity of the ion generator 100.

Hereinafter, the operation of the ion generator 100 of Embodiment 1 will be described.
A voltage is applied between the terminals 1 a and 1 b of the power input unit 1. Terminal 1b is grounded, for example. The capacitor 103 in the charging circuit 113 is charged by the voltage from the power input unit 1.

  The switching circuit 115 is connected to the first switching element 114a. Immediately after the start of charging, the potential difference between the electrodes of the capacitor 103 is lower than the breakover voltage of the first switching element 114a, so the first switching element 114a is in an open state. Thereby, electric charge is charged and held on the capacitor 103 (charging operation).

  When the capacitor 103 is sufficiently charged, the potential reaches the breakover voltage of the first switching element 114a. At this time, the first switching element 114a is switched to a conductive state. That is, the first switching element 114a is closed. The same voltage as the potential difference of the capacitor 103 is applied to the primary winding 105 a of the step-up transformer 3. The electric charge stored in the capacitor 103 is discharged through the primary winding 105a of the step-up transformer 3 (discharge operation).

  The first switching element 114a is a Sidac, and once in a conductive state, the first switching element 114a maintains the conductive state until the current passing through the element becomes a certain value or less even when the voltage applied thereafter falls below the breakover voltage. Therefore, the discharging operation of the capacitor 103 is continued. When the current passing through the first switching element 114a becomes a certain value or less, the first switching element 114a is again switched to the non-conductive state, and the capacitor 103 is charged. The charging / discharging operation described above is repeated alternately.

  The potential charged in the capacitor 103 is applied to the primary winding 105 b of the step-up transformer 3. A voltage corresponding to the winding ratio is generated in the secondary winding 105b. As a result, a high voltage is generated across the secondary winding 105b.

  Then, a high voltage is applied between the discharge electrode needle 106 and the dielectric electrodes 107 a and 107 b via the high voltage control circuit 4. Between the discharge electrode needle 106 and the dielectric electrodes 107a and 107b, only a region having a strong electric field is locally broken down. Then, ions are generated by the ionization phenomenon at the tip of the discharge electrode needle 106.

  The ion detector 107 detects the amount of ions. The ion detection unit 107 sends a detection value of the ion amount to the control unit 6.

  The control unit 6 refers to a predetermined ion amount stored in advance in the storage unit 8 and determines whether or not the detection value of the ion amount received from the ion detection unit 107 is equal to or less than the predetermined ion amount. When determining that the detected value is equal to or less than the predetermined ion amount, the control unit 6 sends a switching signal to the switching circuit 115.

  The switching circuit 115 switches the element connected to the capacitor 103 from the first switching element 114a to the second switching element 114b in accordance with a signal from the control unit 6.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the relationship between the charging voltage to capacitor 103 and the usage time included in ion generator 100 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 2, when switching circuit 115 is coupled to first switching element 114a, potential V (t) of capacitor 103 rises to breakover voltage V1 of first switching element 114a, and thereafter To descend. For example, the potential V (t) changes with a period of several milliseconds. At time ts, the switching circuit 115 is coupled with the second switching element. Thereafter, the potential to the capacitor 103 increases to the breakover voltage V2 of the second switching element, and then decreases. As described above, the breakover voltage of the second switching element 114b is higher than that of the first switching element 114a. Therefore, after switching, it is understood that the potential V (t) of the capacitor 103 becomes higher as described above than the potential V (t) of the capacitor 103 when coupled to the first switching element.

  As described above, in the ion generator according to the present embodiment, control unit 6 determines that a predetermined condition is satisfied when the detected value of the ion amount is equal to or less than a predetermined value. When determining that the predetermined condition is satisfied, the control unit 6 switches the connection of the switching circuit 115 from the first switching element 114a to the second switching element 115b. Thereby, the charging potential to the capacitor 103 is increased. The voltage applied to the primary winding 105a and the secondary winding 105b is also higher than before switching. Therefore, the ion generator according to the present embodiment can generate more ions than before switching.

  In the present embodiment, the first switching element 114a and the second switching element 114b become conductive when a voltage higher than the conduction threshold is applied. Further, when the magnitude of the current passing through falls below a predetermined value, a non-conduction state is established. That is, switching of the switching element between conduction and non-conduction is performed by the switching element itself. The controller 6 controls switching between the first switching element 114a and the second switching element 114b. Therefore, the ion generator according to the present embodiment can increase the amount of ions reduced due to the accumulation of deposits on the needle tip with a simple control means and configuration.

  In addition to the configuration described above, ion generator 100 according to Embodiment 1 may further include a user input unit. When receiving the user input from the user input unit, the control unit 6 may control the switching circuit 115 to couple the switching circuit 115 to different switching elements. For example, the user removes the deposit and gives an instruction to the input unit. The control unit 6 controls the switching circuit 115 so as to couple with a switching element having a lower breakover voltage. Thereafter, a lower voltage is applied to the discharge electrode needle 106 again. This leads to extending the life of the discharge electrode needle.

  1 includes two switching elements, the number of switching elements is not necessarily limited to two. The ion generator may have three or more switching elements. When it is determined that the predetermined condition is satisfied again in a state where the switching circuit 115 is connected to a certain switching element (for example, the second switching element), the control unit 6 switches the switching element (for example, the first switching element having the next largest breakover voltage). 3) and the switching circuit 115 may be switched so that the capacitor 103 is connected. Thereby, the decreased amount of ions can be increased again.

[Embodiment 2]
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration of an ion generator 300 according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 3, ion generating apparatus 300 according to Embodiment 2 includes a timer unit 6 a instead of ion detecting unit 107. The timer unit 6a is included in the control unit 6. The timer unit 6a counts the usage time of the ion generator 300. Since the structure of the other part of ion generator 300 is the same as that of the corresponding part of ion generator 100, detailed description will not be repeated hereinafter.

  The control unit 6 counts the usage time of the ion generator by the timer unit 6a. When the usage time exceeds a predetermined value, the control unit 6 sends a switching signal to the switching circuit 115. The connection of the switching circuit 115 is switched from the first switching element 114a to the second switching element 114b. As a result, the amount of ions increases as in the above-described embodiment.

  In the present embodiment, the control unit determines that a predetermined condition is satisfied when the count value of the usage time is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. A predetermined value can be obtained by estimating in advance the usage time when a desired ion amount cannot be obtained under an ideal environment. According to the present embodiment, it is possible to recover the ion amount that has decreased due to aging at an appropriate timing without directly detecting the ion amount.

[Embodiment 3]
Silicon contained in moisture in the air may also adhere to the needle tip and make it difficult to generate corona discharge. For example, various products such as shampoos, hair styling products, and cosmetics contain silicon, and when these products are used, silicon released into the air may adhere to the needle tip. Therefore, the amount of ions generated from the ion generator can be reduced. It is also conceivable that dust is contained in the moisture. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the ion amount is recovered again in the ion generator in which the ion amount is reduced by moisture contained in the air.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration of an ion generator 400 according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 4, ion generation apparatus 400 according to Embodiment 3 includes a humidity detection unit 407 instead of ion detection unit 107. Similar to the case of the ion detector 107, the humidity detector 407 may be included in a separate electronic circuit from the ion generator 400. In this case, the humidity detector 407 is disposed in the vicinity of the ion generator 400. Since other parts of ion generator 400 are the same as the corresponding parts of ion generator 100, detailed description will not be repeated hereinafter.

  In the ion generator 400, the humidity detector 407 detects the humidity in the air. The humidity detection unit sends the detection value to the control unit 6.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a calculation flow of the integrated value of the moisture amount by the control unit according to the third embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 5, control unit 6 receives a moisture content detection value from the humidity detection unit in step 502. In step 504, the control unit 6 calculates a detection value of the amount of moisture attached to the discharge electrode needle unit over the usage time. For example, the control unit 6 may perform a calculation such as adding the value at the previous calculation time after multiplying the received humidity detection value and the detection unit time. In step 506, the control unit 6 refers to an integrated value of a predetermined moisture amount stored in advance in the storage unit 8. Subsequently, the control unit 6 determines whether or not the integrated value of the moisture amount calculated in Step 504 is equal to or greater than the integrated value of the predetermined moisture amount. When the control unit 6 determines that the value is equal to or greater than the integrated value of the predetermined moisture content, the control unit 6 sends a switching signal to the switching circuit 115 in step 508. In other cases, the processing from step 502 is repeated again.

  As described above, the control unit 6 determines that a predetermined condition is satisfied when the integrated value of the moisture amount is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. The switching circuit 115 switches the connection of the capacitor 103 from the first switching element 114a to the second switching element 114b. For this reason, the voltage applied to the ion generator is boosted, and the amount of ions increases.

  According to the present embodiment, it is possible to increase again the amount of ions that has decreased due to the deposition of silicon contained in moisture in the air by adhering to the tip of the needle.

[Embodiment 4]
When particulate matter floating in the air adheres to the needle tip, the amount of ions decreases. An example of the particulate material is PM2.5, which is a particle having a particle diameter of approximately 2.5 μm or less. In the present embodiment, an ion generator that prevents aging of the amount of ions due to particulate matter is disclosed.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a configuration of the ion generator 600 according to the fourth embodiment. Referring to FIG. 6, ion generator 600 according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention includes a particulate matter detection unit 607 instead of humidity detection unit 407. As in the case of the humidity detector 407, the particulate matter detector 607 may be included in an electronic circuit different from the ion generator 600. In this case, the particulate matter detection unit 607 is disposed in the vicinity of the ion generator 600. Since other parts of ion generator 600 are the same as the corresponding parts of ion generator 400, detailed description will not be repeated hereinafter.

  The control unit 6 receives the number of particles detected by the particulate matter detection unit 607 from the particulate matter detection unit 607. The controller 6 calculates an integrated value of the number of particles attached to the discharge electrode needle over the usage time. The control unit 6 refers to a predetermined number of particles stored in advance in the storage unit 8. When it is determined that the calculated integrated value of the number of particles is equal to or greater than the predetermined number of particles referred to, the control unit 6 sends a switching signal to the switching circuit 115. In other cases, the number of particles is received again from the particulate matter detection unit 607, and the integrated value of the number of particles is referred to.

  As described above, the control unit 6 determines that a predetermined condition is satisfied if the integrated value of the number of particles attached to the discharge electrode needle unit over the usage time is equal to or greater than the number of particles stored in the storage unit 8 in advance. . The switching circuit 115 switches the connection of the capacitor 103 from the first switching element 114a to the second switching element 114b. For this reason, the voltage applied to the ion generator is boosted, and the amount of ions increases.

  According to the present embodiment, it is possible to recover the ion amount of the ion generator that has decreased due to particulate matter in the air adhering to the discharge electrode needle.

  In the present embodiment, the applied voltage is switched based on the detection value of the particulate matter detection unit. Note that the particulate matter is not necessarily limited to PM2.5. For example, the ion generator 600 may detect other types of particulate matter such as PM10 and perform similar switching control.

[Embodiment 5]
FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining an electric device 700 including an ion generator according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 7, electric device 700 includes ion generator 100 in FIG. 1 and blower fan 701.

  When the electric device 700 drives the blower fan 701, ions generated by the ion generator 5 can be sent out of the main body. And it can inactivate mold and fungi in the air by the action of ions and suppress their growth. Examples of the electric equipment include a bathroom dryer, a hair dryer, a dehumidifier, a humidifier, an air cleaner, a refrigerator, a fan heater, a microwave oven, a washing dryer, a vacuum cleaner, a sterilizer, and a fan.

  Here, the form in which the electric device 700 includes the ion generator 100 has been described. Not only this but the electric equipment 700 can also contain either the ion generator 100, the ion generator 300, the ion generator 400, the ion generator 600, or these arbitrary combinations.

  As mentioned above, although each embodiment of the ion generator using the discharge electrode needle has been described using each drawing, the embodiment of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment.

  For example, the ion generation apparatus according to the present embodiment includes an ion generation apparatus 100, an ion generation apparatus 300, an ion generation apparatus 400, and an ion generation including any combination of one or more of the ion generation apparatuses 600. The same applies to the device. The control unit 6 may control to switch the switching circuit 115 by determining that the predetermined condition is satisfied when any one of the predetermined conditions described in the above embodiments is satisfied.

  Moreover, the ion generator which concerns on this Embodiment is applicable similarly to the ion generator by creeping discharge. Furthermore, the ion generator according to the present embodiment can be similarly applied to an ion generator in which ions are discharged from the discharge electrode needle into the atmosphere without including a dielectric electrode.

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

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Power supply input part, 1a, 1b terminal, 2 voltage source, 3 step-up transformer, 4 high voltage control circuit, 5 ion generation part, 6 control part, 6a timer part, 8 memory | storage part, 100,300,400,600 ion generation Device 103 capacitor 105a primary winding 105b secondary winding 106 discharge electrode needle 107 ion detector 107a 107b dielectric electrode 113 charging circuit 114a first switching element 114b second switching element 115 switching circuit, 407 humidity detection unit, 607 particulate matter detection unit, 700 electrical equipment, 701 blower fan.

Claims (5)

A voltage source;
A step-up transformer having a primary winding and a secondary winding;
A first switching element having a first breakover voltage coupled to the primary winding of the step-up transformer;
A second switching element coupled in parallel with the first switching element to the primary winding of the step-up transformer and having a second breakover voltage higher than the first breakover voltage;
A switching circuit that selectively switches one of the first and second switching elements to couple to the voltage source;
A high voltage control circuit coupled to the secondary winding;
A discharge element coupled to the high voltage control circuit;
When it is determined that a predetermined condition is satisfied, the control unit controls the switching circuit so that the switching circuit switches the switching element coupled to the voltage source from the first switching element to the second switching element. And an ion generator. The ion generator further includes an ion detector that detects the amount of ions,
The ion generation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit determines that the predetermined condition is satisfied when an ion amount detected by the ion detection unit becomes a predetermined value or less.   The ion generation device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit counts a usage time of the ion generation device, and determines that the predetermined condition is satisfied when the usage time becomes a predetermined value or more. The ion generator further includes a humidity detection unit that detects humidity in the air,
The control unit calculates an integrated value of the amount of water over the usage time of the ion generator based on the humidity detected by the humidity detecting unit, and the predetermined condition is satisfied when the integrated value is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. The ion generator according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the ion generator is determined to have been. The ion generator according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
An electric device comprising: a sending unit that sends ions generated by the ion generating device into the air.

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