JP4099207B1 - Electron emission electrode and ion generator - Google Patents

Abstract

In an electron emission electrode that emits electrons when a voltage is applied, electron emission performance is further improved.
A plurality of conductors 31 or carbon fibers 41 are provided in an electron emission electrode including an electrode portion made of a conductor (conductor 31 or carbon fiber 41) that emits electrons when a voltage having a predetermined magnitude is applied. Bundle. By applying a voltage through the common terminal 35 connected to the electrode part, electrons are emitted from each of the conductor 31 or the carbon fiber 41, and the amount of emitted electrons can be earned as a whole. Many electrons can be emitted. In addition, since more electrons can be emitted, the voltage applied to the electrode can be suppressed, and energy saving can be achieved. Furthermore, since the amount of emitted electrons can be shared by the conductor 31 or the carbon fiber 41, consumption of the individual conductor 31 or the carbon fiber 41 can be suppressed.
[Selection] Figure 3

Description

  The present invention relates to an electron emission electrode that emits electrons when a voltage is applied, and an ion generation apparatus using the electron emission electrode.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, for example, a spark plug in an internal combustion engine includes a center electrode that emits electrons and a ground electrode that is provided in a pair with the center electrode. When a high voltage is applied between the center electrode and the ground electrode, the insulation state between the center electrode and the ground electrode is broken, causing a discharge phenomenon in which current flows between the two and an electric spark is generated. Reaction heat is generated by the energy of this electric spark, and a flame nucleus is formed. If the exothermic action of the flame kernel becomes greater than the extinguishing action of the electrode (the center electrode or the ground electrode absorbs heat to try to extinguish the flame), the air-fuel mixture is ignited to cause an explosion phenomenon.

  By the way, in a spark plug, for example, it is known that more electrons are emitted from a portion of the center electrode where an edge is formed (hereinafter referred to as an edge portion). The center electrode is consumed from a place where it is easily discharged. Specifically, at the time of discharge, the center electrode emits electrons in exchange for the exchange of cations. For this reason, dissolution and transpiration of the electrode material always occurs on the surface of the center electrode. Further, the center electrode becomes high temperature due to discharge or an explosion phenomenon of the air-fuel mixture, and is oxidized and consumed.

  In this way, the center electrode is gradually consumed and its edge portion is rounded. When the edge disappears, it becomes difficult to emit electrons. That is, the discharge phenomenon is less likely to occur and the ignitability is reduced. In order to maintain ignitability, it is necessary to increase the applied voltage.

In order to improve such a point, a spark plug is considered in which, for example, a groove is provided in the center electrode so that more edge portions appear on the center electrode (see, for example, Patent Document 1). This is intended to increase the number of edge portions so that electrons are easily emitted, or to distribute the consumption of the edge portions to increase the life.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 05-082235

  By the way, in recent years, for example, in vehicles, demands for energy saving and higher power are increasing. Also, a spark plug that can obtain a more reliable ignition action with smaller electric power is desired.

  If a groove is provided in the center electrode as in a conventional spark plug, it will surely be easy for electrons to be emitted (high power), and the applied voltage can be suppressed to the extent that electrons are likely to be emitted ( Energy saving). In addition, the lifespan is improved, leading to resource saving. However, the effect does not necessarily satisfy the increasing demand in recent years, and further improvement has been desired.

  The present invention has been made in view of these points, and an object thereof is to further improve the electron emission performance in an electron emission electrode that emits electrons when a voltage is applied thereto.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 is an electron emission electrode including an electrode portion made of a conductor that emits electrons when a voltage having a predetermined magnitude is applied. parts are those respectively are bundled into a rod with huddled plurality of conductors having an elongated shape, the conductor of the plurality book, a side opposite to emit electrons to the side where a voltage is applied The electron emission electrode is characterized in that one end of each side is gathered and bundled so as to form a mortar shape between the one end .

Therefore, by voltage to the electrode unit (high voltage) is applied, and the voltage is applied to each of the plurality of conductors, electrons from respective conductors of the plurality of comes to be released. Therefore, as compared with the case where the electrode portion is made of one conductor, under the conditions in which the size of the same applied voltage, the electrode portion is composed of a plurality of conductor as the electron-emitting electrode of the present claim 1 In this case, the amount of emitted electrons is further increased.

Further, similarly as compared with the case where the electrode portion is made of one conductor, if an attempt to equalize the amount of emitted electrons, the electrode portion is composed of a plurality of conductor as the electron-emitting electrode of the present claim 1 However, the voltage applied to the electrode part can be reduced. This is because electrons are emitted from each of the plurality of conductors, so that the amount of emitted electrons can be earned as a whole. Therefore, power consumption can be suppressed, which is advantageous.

Further, in a case to ensure the amount of emitted electrons by a predetermined amount, to become as emission in each of the plurality of conductors are shared, it is possible to reduce the drain on the respective conductor. For this reason, the lifetime of the electron emission electrode can be extended.

In addition, the electrode portion is formed in a rod shape by bundling a plurality of conductors, and according to this, it is possible to prevent the emission of electrons from diffusing and to provide an easy-to-use electron emission electrode. be able to.

In addition, the plurality of conductors are bundled so that one end of the plurality of conductors forms a mortar shape to form an electrode part, but when the mortar shape is viewed as a whole, an edge is formed at the edge of the mortar shape. Appears. In this case, electrons are more easily emitted from the edge. As is well known, electrons are likely to be emitted from the edge in the conductor. That is, among the conductors forming the electrode portion, electrons are more likely to be emitted from the conductor constituting the mortar-shaped edge portion. And the part where the electrons are likely to be emitted is easy to wear, but the edge part of the mortar shape is consumed first, so that the shape of the electrode part that emits the electrons (tip) is finally from the mortar shape. Transition to a planar shape. In the case of a planar shape, electrons are emitted from each conductor almost uniformly. That is, by forming an edge (a mortar-shaped edge), electrons are easily emitted, and even when the conductor is consumed to some extent, the electron emission property does not deteriorate.

In this way, by forming a portion where electrons are emitted in the electrode portion in a mortar shape, good electron emission performance can be obtained for a longer time.

Next, the invention according to claim 2 is an electron emission electrode comprising an electrode portion made of a conductor that emits electrons when a voltage of a predetermined magnitude is applied, each electrode portion being elongated. A plurality of conductors having a shape are gathered together and bundled in a rod shape, and the plurality of conductors are opposite to the side to which voltage is applied and one end on the side from which electrons are emitted is closer to each other. The electron-emitting electrode is characterized by being bundled so as to form a mountain shape in which the central portion of the set is raised at one end thereof.

In the electron emission electrode according to the second aspect, electrons are likely to be emitted from the apex of the mountain shape in the portion where the electrons are emitted in the electrode portion. Then, after that, the shape is shifted from the mountain shape to the planar shape by being consumed from the vicinity of the apex. According to this, like the first aspect, good electron emission performance can be obtained for a longer time.

Next, the electron emission electrode according to claims 1 and 2 can be used specifically as in claim 3.

An electron emission electrode according to claim 3 is the electron emission electrode according to claims 1 and 2, wherein a spark plug for igniting an air-fuel mixture supplied to a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine generates a spark discharge for ignition. It is used as an electron emission source provided for the purpose.

As described above, according to the electron emission electrodes of claims 1 and 2, more electrons are emitted. For this reason, if such an electron emission electrode is used as an electron emission source (specifically, a center electrode) in the spark plug, spark discharge is more easily generated, and the ignitability can be improved. In addition, since more electrons are emitted, the applied voltage can be suppressed accordingly, and power consumption in the vehicle can be suppressed. Therefore, it is possible to meet the demand for energy saving that has become more prominent in recent years. In addition, it is advantageous in that the lifetime of the electron emission source (center electrode) can be extended, and the frequency of maintenance and replacement of the spark plug can be suppressed.

A fourth aspect of the present invention is an ion generating apparatus comprising an electron emission source and having a function of charging at least a substance in the air to a negative charge with electrons emitted from the electron emission source. In particular, the electron emission electrode according to any one of claims 1 and 2 is provided as an electron emission source.

The electron emission electrode according to claim 1 or 2, which can further increase the amount of emitted electrons, and negatively charges substances in the air with electrons emitted from an electron emission source, that is, ions that generate negative ions. If it is used as the electron emission source of the generator, it becomes possible to generate more negative ions with the ion generator, which is preferable.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described.
FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an ignition system 1 for an engine including a spark plug 11 to which the present invention is applied.

  In FIG. 1, a signal is generated when a magnet 3 attached to an engine rotation shaft (rotor) 2 passes over a sensor 4 provided in the vicinity of the rotor 2 as the rotor 2 rotates. The signal is input to the switching circuit 6 of the ignition device 5.

  The switching circuit 6 controls on / off of the transistor 7 based on a signal from the sensor 4. The transistor 7 turns on / off the energization from the battery 8 to the coil 9. Although not shown, the coil 9 has a primary circuit and a secondary circuit. When the transistor 7 is turned on, 12V of the battery 8 is applied to the primary circuit of the coil 9. When a voltage is applied to the primary circuit of the coil 9, a voltage is generated in the secondary circuit due to electromagnetic induction. This voltage is boosted to, for example, several hundred to several thousand volts.

  The distributor 10 switches the connection between the coil 9 and the spark plug 11 for each cylinder. The connection is switched by the distributor 10, and a high voltage generated in the coil 9 (secondary circuit) is applied to the spark plug 11 of each cylinder. Then, a spark discharge is generated in the spark plug 11, and the mixture in the cylinder in which the spark plug 11 is disposed is ignited, resulting in an explosion phenomenon. Note that the ignition system 1 shown in FIG. 1 only represents a basic configuration. For example, an ignition system that includes a booster circuit and a capacitor in addition to the configuration of FIG. 1, charges the capacitor with a voltage boosted by the booster circuit, and causes a current charged in the capacitor to flow through the coil 9, so that ignition is performed. is there.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of the spark plug 11.
The spark plug 11 includes a terminal 13 for connecting a high-tension cord (not shown) for passing a high-voltage current from the ignition device 5, a center electrode 17 for causing a discharge phenomenon, and a stem for connecting the terminal 13. 25, the housing 19 for mounting the spark plug 11 to the engine, the terminal 13 to the stem 25 to the center electrode 17 and the housing 19 are insulated to prevent the high voltage from escaping outside the center electrode 17. The insulator 15, the ring 27 for bringing the insulator 15 and the housing 19 into close contact, the gasket 23 for bringing the housing 19 into close contact with the engine, and the center electrode 17 and the discharge gap g are arranged to face each other. And a ground electrode 21.

  The upper part of the insulator 15, specifically, the part close to the ground electrode 21 will protrude into the combustion chamber of the engine. For this reason, the insulator 15 is made of high-purity alumina which is excellent in heat resistance, mechanical strength, dielectric strength in a high temperature range, thermal conductivity, and the like.

The stem 25 is made of, for example, a steel material, and allows a high-voltage current from the terminal 13 to flow to the center electrode 17 without loss.
A grounded electrode is provided at the lower portion of the housing 19 so that current can escape through the engine body. A gap is provided between the housing 19 and the center electrode 17.

  FIG. 2B is an enlarged view of the tip portion of the center electrode 17. Electrons are emitted from the end face 17 a of the center electrode 17, particularly the edge 17 b, toward the ground electrode 21. As a result, flame nuclei are formed in the discharge gap g, and the energy of the flame nuclei is extinguished by the center electrode 17 and the ground electrode 21 (the center electrode 17 or the ground electrode 21 absorbs heat to cause the flame. When the energy becomes larger than the energy of the action to extinguish), a spark is generated and the air-fuel mixture supplied into the cylinder of the engine is ignited.

Next, FIG. 3 is a specific configuration diagram of the center electrode 17 of the present invention.
First, FIG. 3A is a diagram illustrating an example in which the center electrode 17 is configured by three conductors 31.

  Each of the conductors 31 is obtained by processing a steel bar into a thin shape and applying gold plating. The conductors 31 are bundled by an insulator (for example, a rubber material) 33 and are fixed to each other. Note that one end side (not shown) of the conductor 31 opposite to the tip 31a is caulked (or crimped to each other). And each conductor 31 is connected with the connection part 35 which consists of steel materials via the crimped part (or part mutually crimped | bonded). The connecting portion 35 is connected to the terminal 13 by the stem 25 in FIG.

As a result, the high-voltage current from the ignition device 5 flows through the terminal 13 to the stem 25 to the connection portion 35 to the conductor 31, and electrons are emitted from the conductor 31.
Here, FIG. 4 schematically shows how electrons are emitted.

  As shown in FIG. 4A, more electrons are emitted from the edge portion of the conductor constituting the center electrode 17, and the emitted electrons collide with the ground electrode 21. In addition, cations collide with the center electrode 17 in exchange for emitted electrons.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 4B, when the center electrode 17 is composed of three conductors 31 as shown in FIG. 3A, more electrons are generated from the edge portions of the respective conductors 31. To be released. The same is true regardless of the number of conductors 31. For example, even if the center electrode 17 is composed of thousands of conductors (carbon fibers 41) as shown in FIG. 3B described later, electrons are emitted from the edge portions of the respective conductors (carbon fibers 41). The

Next, FIG. 3B shows another configuration of the center electrode 17 of the present invention.
The central electrode 17 in FIG. 3B is configured by bundling a plurality of ultrafine carbon fibers 41. The carbon fibers 41 are bundled by the insulator 33 and fixed to each other as in FIG. Further, one end side (not shown) of the carbon fiber 41 opposite to the tip 41a is crimped (or crimped to each other), and the carbon fibers 41 are respectively crimped portions (or crimped to each other). It is connected with the connection part 35 via a part).

FIG.3 (c) is an enlarged view of the front-end | tip part of the center electrode 17 of FIG.3 (b).
As shown in FIG. 3C, each of the carbon fibers 41 has a columnar shape, and a plurality of the carbon fibers 41 are bundled so as to form a columnar shape as a whole. In this example, about 8,000 carbon fibers 41 are bundled. Moreover, in the example of FIG.3 (b), (c), it is made for the front-end | tip 41a of the carbon fiber 41 to comprise one plane. Moreover, the tip 41a of each carbon fiber 41 forms a plane.

  Here, FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a measurement system 100 for examining the amount of emitted electrons when the center electrode 17 of the present embodiment is used. 5 is intended to indirectly measure the amount of electrons emitted by measuring the number of negative ions generated by the emitted electrons.

  The air ion counter 110 is a device that detects the number of air ions. What was used in this experiment can detect both negatively charged ions (negative ions) and positively charged ions (positive ions). The measurement range is 10 to 1236000 pieces / cc, and the measurement resolution is 10 pieces / cc.

  The electron generator 120 operates with a voltage of 12 V supplied from the DC power supply 130 and emits electrons. In this experiment, the electron generator 120 was used by using the center electrode 17 (FIGS. 3A and 3B) as a terminal for emitting electrons. For comparison, the measurement was also made for the case where the terminal from which electrons are emitted consists of a single conductor (the same one as the conductor 31 was used). Note that the magnitudes of voltages applied to the terminals are the same.

  In such a measurement system 100, the electrons emitted from the center electrode 17 collide with a substance in the air, and thereby ions (negative ions) are generated. The air ion counter 110 detects the number of negative ions.

  FIG. 6 is a graph showing a measurement result when the number of negative ions is measured using the measurement system 100. In the graph of FIG. 6, the vertical axis represents the number of ions that can be detected (measured number), and the horizontal axis represents the number of conductors 31 or carbon fibers 41.

  In the graph of FIG. 6, the normal time is a time when electrons are not generated by the electron generator 120. That is, of the measured numbers, the measured number at the normal time is the number of ions detected by the air ion counter 110 when electrons are not generated by the electron generator 120.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the number of ions measured in the normal state was about 15,000. In addition, the number of electrons that can be measured when the number of conductors at the tip that emits electrons in the electron generator 120 is one (accurately the number of ions, but hereinafter also referred to as the number of electrons) is 1 It was about 5,000 pieces. The reason why the difference between the two is not so large is considered to be due to the influence of measurement error. In any case, it was found that the amount of emitted electrons does not increase dramatically when there is only one conductor.

  Next, the number of electrons that can be measured when the number of conductors at the tip of the electron generator 120 that emits electrons is three (in this case, the center electrode 17 shown in FIG. 3A is used) is 50,000. It was a little less. Compared with the case of one, the amount of emitted electrons was greatly increased.

  Further, when the electron generator 120 has about 8,000 leading-edge conductors that emit electrons (in this case, the center electrode 17 shown in FIG. 3B is used), the measurement range of the air ion counter 110 is exceeded. Electrons were emitted and could not be measured. The amount of emitted electrons has increased dramatically.

  Thus, according to the center electrode 17 of this embodiment, more electrons are emitted. For this reason, in the spark plug 11 provided with the center electrode 17, the emission amount (or emission density) of electrons from the center electrode 17 to the ground electrode 21 is improved, and the ignitability is improved.

  Further, since the electron emission amount (or emission density) is improved, the voltage applied to the center electrode 17 can be suppressed accordingly. For example, even if the voltage applied to the center electrode 17 is suppressed, the amount of emitted electrons is ensured and the ignitability can be maintained. Furthermore, since the electron emission amount is shared by each of the plurality of conductors 31 or the plurality of carbon fibers 41 constituting the center electrode 17, it is possible to suppress the individual consumption of the conductor 31 or the carbon fibers 41. That is, the consumption of the center electrode 17 can be suppressed and the life of the spark plug 11 can be extended.

The above embodiment smell Te, conductor 31 or crimped (crimped) plurality (three), or carbon fibers 41 of the caulking was that (crimped) plurality (several thousands) of the electrode portion Equivalent to.

FIG. 7 is a drawing showing the tip portion of the center electrode 17 of a modification. Here, in particular, a modification of the center electrode 17 composed of several thousand carbon fibers 41 in FIG. 3B will be described.
In Fig.7 (a), the carbon fiber 41 is bundled so that the tip 41a of the carbon fiber 41 may form a mortar shape.

  When the mortar shape is viewed as a whole, an edge appears at the edge portion (outer peripheral portion). Then, according to such a center electrode 17, electrons are emitted from the carbon fibers 41 arranged on the outer side of the carbon fibers 41, that is, from the carbon fibers 41 constituting the mortar-shaped edge. It becomes easy to be done. On the other hand, the carbon fiber 41 on the outer side is more worn out.

In this case, the mortar shape of the tip portion of the center electrode 17 gradually approaches a planar shape as the outer carbon fibers 41 are further consumed.
When the shape of the tip portion of the center electrode 17 becomes a planar shape, electrons are emitted uniformly as a whole.

  For this reason, according to the center electrode 17 of FIG. 7A, the amount of emitted electrons is suitably maintained for a longer time. Specifically, first, electrons are likely to be emitted from the edge of the mortar shape, and even when the carbon fiber 41 constituting the edge is consumed, the shape of the tip portion of the center electrode 17 becomes a planar shape, Electrons are emitted uniformly from the entire tip portion of the electrode 17. Therefore, if the center electrode 17 as shown in FIG. 7A is used as a spark plug, it is possible to provide a spark plug that can suitably perform ignition for a longer time.

Next, in FIG.7 (b), the carbon fiber 41 is bundled so that a mountain shape may be formed in each front-end | tip 41a. Specifically, it is a mountain shape in which the central part of the set rises.
If such a center electrode 17 is used for the spark plug 11, since the peak portion of the mountain shape is closer to the ground electrode 21, among the carbon fibers 41, more electrons are emitted from the carbon fiber 41 forming the peak shape of the mountain shape. It becomes easy to be done. On the other hand, the consumption of the carbon fiber 41 forming the peak portion of the mountain shape becomes severe.

In this case, the carbon fiber 41 forming the peak portion of the mountain shape is further consumed, so that the mountain shape of the tip portion of the center electrode 17 gradually approaches a planar shape.
When the shape of the tip portion of the center electrode 17 becomes a planar shape, electrons are emitted uniformly as a whole.

  For this reason, according to the center electrode 17 of FIG.7 (b), the discharge | release amount of an electron is maintained suitably for a long time. Specifically, first, electrons are likely to be emitted from the apex portion of the mountain shape, and even when the carbon fiber 41 constituting the apex portion is consumed, the shape of the tip portion of the center electrode 17 becomes a planar shape, Electrons are emitted uniformly from the entire tip of the center electrode 17. Therefore, if the center electrode 17 as shown in FIG. 7B is used as a spark plug, it is possible to provide a spark plug capable of performing ignition suitably for a longer time.

  As mentioned above, although one Embodiment of this invention was described, the center electrode 17 of this invention can be used also for the negative ion production | generation apparatus which produces | generates a mines ion, for example. The negative ion generation device generates negative ions by discharging electrons and withstanding a substance in the air to a negative charge. In such an anion generator, it is preferable to use the center electrode 17 of the present invention as an electron emission source because more electrons are emitted.

In addition, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can take various forms within the technical scope of the present invention.
For example, in the above-described embodiment, an example in which the center electrode 17 to which the present invention is applied is used for the spark plug 11 is described. However, the example is an example, and the center electrode 17 to which the present invention is applied is an electron. Needless to say, the electrode may be used in any manner.

  In the above embodiment, in FIG. 3A, the number of conductors 31 may be two, or four or more. In FIG. 3B, the number of conductors 31 is about 8,000, but 8,000 or more may be provided, or may be 8,000 or less.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the conductor 31 or the carbon fiber 41 was bundled, the example which comprises the electrode (for example, center electrode 17) which discharge | releases an electron was described. The individual shapes may be any shape and may be gathered together in any way. As an example, a plurality of cylindrical conductors are repeatedly inserted into a cylindrical conductor by repeatedly inserting the same cylindrically configured conductor so that the outer diameter is smaller than the inner diameter of the conductor. The center electrode 17 may be configured as described above.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although each end surface of the conductor 31 or the carbon fiber 41 is a plane, the shape of the end surface of each of the conductor 31 or the carbon fiber 41 is, for example, a mortar shape. It may be formed or may have a mountain shape.

  A groove may be provided on each end face of the conductor 31 or the carbon fiber 41. Furthermore, the shape of the groove may be any shape. For example, a groove having a V-shaped cross section or a U-shaped groove may be considered. It is also conceivable to provide a plurality of grooves.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, in FIG. 7, although it has comprised so that each of the front-end | tip 41a of the carbon fiber 41 may form a mortar shape or a mountain shape as a whole, the shape may be what kind of thing. . For example, the groove may be formed as a whole. Furthermore, the shape of the groove may be any shape. For example, the groove may have a V-shaped cross section or a U-shaped cross section.

1 is a schematic view of an ignition system 1 for igniting an engine. It is a block diagram of the ignition plug 11 in an ignition system. 2 is a configuration diagram of a center electrode 17 in a spark plug 11. FIG. It is a figure which represents discharge | release of an electron typically. 1 is a schematic diagram of a measurement system 100 that measures the amount of emitted electrons. 4 is a graph of measurement results obtained by the measurement system 100. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a modification of the center electrode 17.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... Spark plug 13 ... Terminal 15 ... Insulator 17 ... Center electrode 19 ... Housing 21 ... Ground electrode 23 ... Gasket 25 ... Stem 27 ... Ring 31 ... Conductor 33 ... Insulator 35 ... Connection part 41 ... Carbon fiber 100 ... Measurement system 110 ... Air ion counter 120 ... Electron generator 130 ... DC power supply

Claims (4)

An electron emission electrode comprising an electrode portion made of a conductor that emits electrons when a voltage of a predetermined magnitude is applied,
The electrode unit is for each are bundled into a rod with huddled said conductors a plurality of having an elongated shape, the conductor of the plurality book, to the side where a voltage is applied to a side opposite to the electron An electron emission electrode characterized in that one end on the side from which light is emitted gathers together and is bundled so that a mortar shape is formed between the one end . An electron emission electrode comprising an electrode portion made of a conductor that emits electrons when a voltage of a predetermined magnitude is applied ,
The electrode portion is a member in which a plurality of conductors each having an elongated shape are gathered and bundled in a rod shape, and the plurality of conductors are opposite to the side to which a voltage is applied, and An electron emission electrode characterized in that one end on the side from which light is emitted gathers together and is bundled so as to form a mountain shape in which the central portion of the assembly rises at one end . The electron emission electrode according to claim 1 or 2,
The electron emission electrode is characterized in that a spark plug for igniting an air-fuel mixture supplied to a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine is used as an electron emission source provided for generating a spark discharge for ignition. Electron emission electrode. An ion generation apparatus comprising an electron emission source and having a function of charging at least a substance in the air to a negative charge with electrons emitted from the electron emission source,
  An ion generation apparatus comprising the electron emission electrode according to claim 1 as the electron emission source.

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