JP4349261B2 - Electrostatic atomizer - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an electrostatic atomizer for electrostatic atomizing a liquid to a nanometer size.

  For example, Patent Document 1 is known as an electrostatic atomizer. In the conventional example shown in Patent Document 1, the transport unit is formed of a porous body, and the water in the liquid reservoir is transported by a capillary phenomenon in the transport unit configured of the porous body. It is designed to be atomized electrostatically.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the principle of electrostatic atomization. In the figure, 1 is a liquid reservoir for storing a liquid W such as water, 2 is a transport unit made of a porous material, and 11 is a tip of the transport unit 2. An atomizing portion formed of a pointed portion to be formed, 3 is a counter electrode, 4 is an application electrode, 5 is a voltage application unit for applying a high voltage between the application electrode 4 and the counter electrode 3, and the voltage application unit 5 By applying a high voltage between the application electrode 4 and the counter electrode 3, the liquid W transported to the upper end of the transport unit 2 is electrostatically atomized to generate ion mist.

  The mechanism of generation of nanometer-size ion mist by the electrostatic atomizer 6 is similar to that of water supplied to the atomization unit 11 of the transport unit 2 by the voltage applied between the transport unit 2 and the counter electrode 3. The liquid W is charged, a Coulomb force acts on the charged liquid W, and the liquid level of the liquid W supplied to the atomization unit 11 rises in a cone shape with a locally sharp tip (Taylor cone T). When this Coulomb force exceeds the surface tension of the liquid W, the liquid W is split and scattered (Rayleigh split), and nanometer-sized ion mist is generated.

  In this electrostatic atomizer 6, when the amount of the liquid W supplied to the atomization unit 11 is sufficiently large, the height of the sharp shape (Taylor cone T) due to the liquid W of the atomization unit 11 increases. The distance between the tip of the Taylor cone T and the counter electrode 3 is shortened, the discharge current is increased, and the amount of electrostatic atomization is large. On the other hand, when the amount of the liquid W supplied to the atomizing unit 11 is small, the height of the sharp shape (Taylor cone T) due to the liquid W in the atomizing unit 11 decreases, and the tip of the Taylor cone T and the counter electrode 3 are reduced. The distance between and becomes longer, the discharge current decreases, and the amount of electrostatic atomization also decreases. Further, when the amount of the liquid W supplied to the atomizing unit 11 is further reduced to a predetermined amount or less, the sharp shape (Taylor cone T) due to the liquid W in the atomizing unit 11 becomes very small and is discharged in the liquid W. Without electrostatic atomization.

  In such a conventional electrostatic atomizer 6, the transport unit 2 is formed of a porous body, that is, a member having a large number of minute spaces inside and communicating with them through a smaller gap. Therefore, the capability (transport amount per unit time) of transporting the liquid W sucked up from one end (lower end) of the transport unit 2 to the atomizing unit 11 at the tip (upper end) is not sufficient. In this case, the liquid W is transported. In order to ensure the capability to perform, it is necessary to increase the number of the conveyance parts 2 or enlarge the conveyance part 2, and the electrostatic atomizer 6 is increased in size and cost.

Examples of the liquid W used for electrostatic atomization include tap water, electrolyzed water, pH-adjusted water, mineral water, water containing useful components such as vitamin C / amino acid, aroma oil, fragrance, etc. Water containing deodorant is used. When these liquids W containing mineral components such as Ca and Na are used, water is pulled up to the atomization unit 11 by the capillary action in the transport unit 2 made of a porous body, and CO ₂ in the outside air is turned into water. It reacts with the carbonate ions that are dissolved to produce products such as CaCO ₃ , NaHCO _3, and CaSO ₃ in the liquid W of the atomizing section 11. At this time, the amount of the liquid W supplied to the atomizing section 11 is If the concentration is not sufficient, the concentration of the product becomes higher than the saturated dissolution concentration, the individual components are deposited and adhered, clogging the porous body constituting the conveying section 2, and the conveying ability is further reduced. was there.

  Moreover, in this electrostatic atomizer 6, since discharge is performed between the counter electrode 3 and the atomization part 11, the liquid W (here water) is electrolyzed and takes acidity or alkalinity. When the amount of the liquid W to be applied is not sufficient, the concentration of acid or alkali is increased, and the atomizing portion 11 itself is worn or deteriorated.

Moreover, when the remaining amount of the liquid W in the liquid reservoir 1 decreases and the water level becomes low, the water head difference between the liquid level and the atomizing unit 11 increases, and the mist of the transport unit 2 that sucks up the liquid W by capillary action. The amount of the liquid W transported to the control unit 11 is reduced, and the height of the sharp shape (Taylor cone T) due to the liquid W is reduced, and as a result, the distance between the tip of the Taylor cone T and the counter electrode 3 as described above. The distance becomes longer, the discharge current decreases, and the amount of electrostatic atomization decreases.
Japanese Patent No. 3260150

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and the object of the present invention is to improve the conveying ability to the atomizing unit without increasing the number of conveying units or increasing the number of units, and It is an object of the present invention to provide an electrostatic atomizer capable of supplying a sufficient amount of liquid to the atomization section without increasing the size.

In order to solve the above-described problem, in the invention according to claim 1, the main body unit includes a liquid reservoir portion 1 for storing the liquid W for atomization, and an application electrode 4 for applying a voltage to the liquid W. one end of the said liquid reservoir 1 of the Togasaki part pointed the other end with contacts to the liquid W is the other end and from the one end Ri Do atomizing unit 11 the atomization unit 11 Togasaki portion , A counter electrode 3 facing the atomizing unit 11 of the transport unit 2, and a voltage applying unit that applies a high voltage between the transport unit 2 and the counter electrode 3. In the electrostatic atomizer 6 that electrostatically atomizes the liquid W sucked from the liquid reservoir 1 by the transport unit 2 in the atomizer 11, an angle adjusting device that changes the angle of the main unit is provided. It is characterized by comprising. The angle adjustment device can reduce the water head difference from the liquid level to the atomizing unit 11 even when the remaining amount is low, and can maintain the predetermined water head difference. The transport unit 2 sucks up the liquid W by capillary action. Since the transport amount of the liquid W to the atomization unit 11 can be made constant and the electrostatic atomization amount can be stabilized , a sufficient amount of the liquid W can be supplied to the atomization unit 11 without increasing the size of the apparatus. As a result, a sufficient amount of electrostatic atomization can be secured, and products such as CaCO ₃ , NaHCO _3, and CaSO _{3 in} the liquid W of the atomization unit 11 are deposited at a high concentration and deposited on the atomization unit 11. It is possible to prevent the atomization part 11 itself from being worn or deteriorated due to adhesion or high concentration of acid or alkali in the liquid W of the atomization part 11.

  The invention of claim 2 is characterized in that, in the invention of claim 1, a height maintaining means for maintaining a constant height from the liquid surface of the liquid reservoir 1 to the atomizing section 11 is provided. Is. With such a configuration, even when the remaining amount of the liquid W in the liquid reservoir 1 decreases and the water level becomes low, the height from the liquid level to the atomizing unit 11 is made constant by the height maintaining means. A sufficient amount of liquid W can be supplied to the atomizing unit 11 without being increased in the water head difference between the liquid level and the tip of the conveying unit 2 and reducing the amount of the liquid W conveyed to the atomizing unit 11. It becomes possible to supply the liquid W.

  The invention of claim 3 is characterized in that, in the invention of claim 2, a water level detecting means for detecting the water level of the liquid reservoir 1 is provided. By adopting such a configuration, it is possible to detect the water level (that is, the height of the liquid level of the liquid reservoir 1), and accordingly, from the liquid level to the atomizing unit 11 by the height maintaining means. The height can be reliably maintained.

In the present invention, the angle adjustment device can maintain the predetermined water head difference by reducing the water head difference from the liquid surface to the atomizing portion even when the remaining amount is low, and the liquid can be reduced by capillary action. Since the amount of liquid transported to the atomization unit of the transport unit to be sucked can be made constant and the amount of electrostatic atomization stabilized, it is possible to supply a sufficient amount of liquid to the atomization unit without increasing the size of the device Thus, a sufficient amount of electrostatic atomization can be secured, generation of ozone can be prevented and useless discharge current can be suppressed, and further, CaCO ₃ , NaHCO ₃ , CaSO _3, etc. in the liquid of the atomization part Prevents the product from depositing and adhering to the atomizing part at a high concentration or causing the acid or alkali in the liquid in the atomizing part to become a high concentration and causing the wear and deterioration of the atomizing part itself. be able to.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described based on embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration diagram of an electrostatic atomizer 6 of the present invention, and FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the electrostatic atomizer 6 includes a liquid reservoir portion 1 composed of a tank containing a liquid W (water in this embodiment, hereinafter referred to as water), and a lower end that is a liquid. A rod-shaped transport unit 2 made of porous ceramic immersed in water placed in the reservoir 1, a holding electrode made of an insulator, an application electrode 4 for holding the transport unit 2 and applying a voltage to water The counter electrode 3 that is held by the unit 8 and has a counter part facing the tip part (an atomizing part 11 to be described later) of the transport unit 2, and between the application electrode 4 and the counter electrode 3, The counter electrode 3 and the application electrode 4 are both made of a synthetic resin mixed with a conductive material such as carbon or a metal such as SUS.

  The conveyance part 2 is comprised with the rod-shaped porous ceramic, Comprising: The upper end of the conveyance part 2 is pointed, and this pointed part becomes the atomization part 11. FIG. Furthermore, in the present invention, a hole 2a having a substantially circular cross section extending from the lower end surface to the tip of the atomizing section 11 is formed in the center of the transport section 2 so as to penetrate vertically. A substantially straight hole 2a having a diameter of about 0.05 to 0.7 mm is formed at a substantially central portion in the horizontal cross section. The conveying unit 2 is immersed in the liquid W of the liquid reservoir 1 with the end on the side where the atomizing unit 11 is not provided as the lower end, and the counter electrode 3 with the end on the side where the atomizing unit 11 is provided as the upper end. It arrange | positions so that it may oppose, and the liquid W is conveyed from the lower end to the atomization part 11 of an upper end by the capillary phenomenon in the micro space which has many inside the said hole 2a and porous material. Thereby, the conveyance capability of the liquid W improves compared with what does not form the hole 2a in the conveyance part 2 which consists of a conventional porous material. A part (outer peripheral part) of the transport unit 2 is configured to be covered with a conductive material 50 such as non-permeable Pt, SUS, or C. In addition, as the conveyance part 2, the hole 2a is formed in what is not a porous material like the porous ceramic of this embodiment, and the liquid W is conveyed to the atomization part 11 only by this hole 2a. May be.

  The transport unit 2 is provided by fitting an application electrode 4 attached to an upper opening of a tank constituting the liquid storage unit 1, and an upper part of the transport unit 2 projects upward from the application electrode 4, and a lower part Protrudes downward from the application electrode 4 and comes into contact with the water stored in the liquid reservoir 1.

  A cylindrical skirt 9 protrudes downward from the application electrode 4 attached to the upper opening of the liquid reservoir 1 and surrounds the outside of the transport unit 2, and its lower end is the transport unit 2. It is located below the lower end. The skirt 9 in the application electrode 4 is adapted to protect the transport unit 2 at the same time as applying a high voltage to the water by contacting the water stored in the liquid reservoir 1.

  A lower part of a cylindrical holding part 8 made of an insulator is attached to the upper part of the liquid reservoir part 1, and the counter electrode 3 is disposed so as to close the upper end opening of the holding part 8. It arrange | positions so that the front-end | tip (namely, upper end part of the conveyance part 2) of the conveyance direction of the part 2 may be opposed. An opening 12 is provided in the center of the counter electrode 3. The counter electrode 3 is grounded, the voltage application unit 5 is connected to the application electrode 4 to apply a high voltage, and the transport unit 2 having the holes 2a sucks up water contained in the liquid storage unit 1 by capillary action. At that time, the atomizing section 11 at the upper end of the transport section 2 functions as a substantial electrode on the application electrode 4 side.

  As described above, the liquid W is transported to the atomizing section 11 side at the upper end portion by the capillary phenomenon as described above.

  When a high voltage is applied between the application electrode 4 and the counter electrode 3 by the voltage application unit 5, the atomization unit 11 at the tip of the transport unit 2 becomes a substantial electrode, and the transport unit 2 and the counter electrode 3 The liquid W that has reached the atomizing section 11 is charged by the voltage applied between them, the Coulomb force acts on the charged liquid W, and the liquid level of the liquid W rises into a cone with a locally pointed tip (Taylor cone T ). If the voltage applied at this time exceeds the surface tension of the liquid W and is a high voltage that can cause splitting and scattering (Rayleigh splitting), the liquid W that has reached the upper end of the transport unit 2 has a Taylor cone T shape. Then, electrostatic atomization is performed in which Rayleigh splitting occurs and nanometer-sized ion mist is generated.

  The nanometer-size ion mist generated in this way is a nanometer-size ion mist with active species (hydroxy radicals, superoxide, etc.). By releasing this into the room, only deodorization of indoor air can be achieved. Therefore, it is possible to remove the odor adhering to the indoor wall surface.

  By the way, in such an electrostatic atomizer 6, when the amount of the liquid W supplied to the atomization unit 11 is sufficiently large, the height of the sharp shape (Taylor cone T) due to the liquid W of the atomization unit 11 is high. Increases, the distance between the tip of the Taylor cone T and the counter electrode 3 is shortened, the discharge current is increased, and the amount of electrostatic atomization is large (see FIG. 3). On the other hand, when the amount of the liquid W supplied to the atomizing unit 11 is small, the height of the sharp shape (Taylor cone T) due to the liquid W in the atomizing unit 11 decreases, and the tip of the Taylor cone T and the counter electrode 3 are reduced. The distance between and becomes longer, the discharge current decreases, and the amount of electrostatic atomization also decreases. Further, when the amount of the liquid W supplied to the atomizing unit 11 is further reduced to a predetermined amount or less, the sharp shape (Taylor cone T) due to the liquid W in the atomizing unit 11 becomes very small and is discharged in the liquid W. Without generating electrostatic atomization, ozone is generated.

Therefore, in the present invention, as described above, the hole 2a extending from one end (lower end) to the pointed portion of the atomizing section 11 at the other end (upper end) is provided in the transport unit 2 without increasing the size of the apparatus. A sufficient amount of liquid W can be supplied to the atomizing unit 11, a sufficient amount of electrostatic atomization can be secured, generation of ozone can be prevented, and a wasteful discharge current can be suppressed. It is possible to prevent a product such as CaCO ₃ , NaHCO _3, or CaSO ₃ from being generated at a high concentration in the liquid W of the part 11 and deposited and deposited on the atomizing part 11. Furthermore, even if the liquid W (water) is electrolyzed when the discharge is performed between the counter electrode 3 and the atomizing unit 11, the amount of the supplied liquid W is sufficient, so that the acid or alkali has a high concentration. Thus, the atomization part 11 itself can be prevented from being worn out or deteriorated.

Further, by providing the outer peripheral portion of the transport unit 2 with a non-permeable conductive material 50 such as Pt, SUS, or C, the electrical resistance between the voltage application unit 5 and the transport unit 2 or the transport unit It is possible to suppress the voltage drop by reducing the electric resistance of 2 itself and to suppress the potential difference between the lower end portion of the transport unit 2 and the atomizing unit 11 at the upper end to a voltage lower than the voltage at which electrolysis occurs so that pH separation does not occur. It is possible to suppress the generation of acid and alkali to suppress wear and deterioration of the atomizing unit 11, and the liquid W in the conveying unit 2 is in contact with the outside air only in the hole 2a portion of the atomizing unit 11. Thus, the contact area with the outside air is reduced, the loss of the liquid W due to natural evaporation is reduced, atomization can be performed efficiently, and the supply cycle of the liquid W can be lengthened to reduce maintenance. Furthermore, by reducing the contact area with the outside air, CO ₂ in the outside air reacts with carbonate ions formed by dissolving in water, and products such as CaCO ₃ , NaHCO _3, and CaSO ₃ are generated in the atomization section 11. Can be suppressed.

  The shape of the hole 2a is not limited to a substantially circular cross section, and any shape can be used as long as it has the same function, and the shape of the tip of the atomizing portion 11 also has the same function. Any shape is acceptable.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, in order to maintain the atomization amount of the nano-sized mist generated by applying a high voltage even when the water level of the liquid reservoir 1 changes, the liquid level of the liquid reservoir 1 is maintained. Height maintaining means for maintaining the height up to the atomizing section 11 constant and water level detecting means for detecting a change in the water level are provided. As a means of constant height,
That is, the transport of the liquid W to the atomization unit 11 by the transport unit 2 is performed by the capillary phenomenon as described above, but the remaining amount of the liquid W in the liquid reservoir 1 is reduced as shown in FIG. When the water level becomes low, the water head difference between the liquid level and the tip of the transport unit 2 increases, and the transport amount of the liquid W to the atomization unit 11 of the transport unit 2 that sucks up the liquid W by capillary action decreases. End up. When the transport amount to the atomization unit 11 is large (that is, the remaining amount of the liquid W is high and the water level is high), the height of the sharp shape (Taylor cone T) due to the liquid W becomes high and faces the tip of the Taylor cone T. When the distance to the electrode 3 is shortened, the discharge current is increased, and the amount of electrostatic atomization is large, but the transport amount to the atomization unit 11 is small (that is, the remaining amount of the liquid W is low and the water level is low), The height of the sharp shape (Taylor cone T) due to the liquid W is reduced, the distance between the tip of the Taylor cone T and the counter electrode 3 is increased, the discharge current is reduced, and the amount of electrostatic atomization is also reduced. Therefore, in the present invention, even when the water level of the liquid reservoir 1 changes as described above, the atomization amount of the nano-sized ion mist generated by applying a high voltage does not change due to the change of the water level of the liquid reservoir 1. In order to maintain the height, means for maintaining the height is provided.

  Although not shown, the height maintaining means includes a control section and a water supply section, and automatically supplies the liquid W to the liquid reservoir 1 based on the water level detected by the water level detection means. As the water level detection means, there is one that detects the water level by measuring the discharge current and the ozone concentration. In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the float 30 and the magnet interlocking switch 31 are provided. It is. This is because a float 30 provided with a magnet that floats on the liquid W is movably fitted on the outside of the transport unit 2, and when the water level drops below the discharge region where discharge is possible, the float 30 provided with the magnet descends and floats. The magnet interlocking switch 31 provided on the bottom lower surface of the liquid reservoir 1 is operated by 30 magnets, thereby detecting the water level by detecting the remaining amount of the liquid W in the liquid reservoir 1. is there. Since the float 30 and the magnet interlocking switch 31 are provided as described above, there is no need to separately provide a member for holding the float 30, and the transport unit 2 can be used as the holding unit 8. The apparatus 6 can be downsized.

  Thereby, the water level of the liquid W in the liquid reservoir 1 is detected by the water level detection means, and based on this, the liquid W is automatically supplied by the height maintaining means, from the liquid level of the liquid reservoir 1 to the atomization section 11. Is kept constant.

  Next, another embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. In the present embodiment, the main body unit of the electrostatic atomizer 6 including the liquid reservoir 1, the transport unit 2, the application electrode 4, the holding unit 8, the counter electrode 3, and the voltage application unit 5 as the height maintaining unit. An angle adjusting device (not shown) for changing the angle is provided. The angle adjusting device includes a fixed portion, a rotating portion that rotates with respect to the fixed portion, and a drive unit and a control unit that include a motor or the like for driving the rotating unit. The main unit is attached to the control unit, and the control unit rotates the rotating unit with respect to the fixed unit by a driving unit such as a motor. By the angle adjusting device, the transport unit 2 is rotated so as to form an angle θ of 10 ° to 60 ° from the horizontal direction so that the atomizing unit 11 is on the upper side. Thereby, even if the remaining amount decreases, the water head difference from the liquid surface to the atomizing unit 11 can be reduced to maintain the predetermined water head difference, and the atomization of the transport unit 2 that sucks up the liquid W by capillary action The amount of liquid W transported to the section 11 can be made constant and the electrostatic atomization amount can be stabilized. Moreover, it is possible to create a flow of wind to the atomization unit 11 and place it on the wind for stable electrostatic atomization.

  FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 show an example in which the electrostatic atomizer 6 having the above-described configuration is housed in the air purification device 20. The air purification device 20 includes an air purification unit 21 and an electrostatic atomizer 6. The air purification unit 21 is provided in a suction port 22 for sucking room air, a discharge port 23 for discharging filtered air into the room, and an air passage 26 extending from the suction port 22 to the discharge port 23. It is equipped with a filter 24 such as a nonwoven fabric or activated carbon and a fan 25. It sucks indoor air from the suction port 22, filters it through the filter 24, and discharges it as clean air from the discharge port 23 into the room. The so-called filter 24 (filtering method) is used to remove dust and the like floating in the room. The electrostatic atomizer 6 incorporated in the air purification device 20 has the above-described configuration, and the electrostatic atomizer 6 is disposed downstream of the portion of the air passage 26 where the filter 24 is provided. In addition, nanometer-sized ion mist generated in the electrostatic atomizer 6 on the air flow cleaned by the filter 24 is discharged into the room from the discharge port 23 to deodorize the room. Here, since the cleaned air passes through the electrostatic atomizer 6, indoor dust or the like does not adhere to the portion to which the voltage of the electrostatic atomizer 6 is applied, and the dust adheres. This prevents electrostatic atomization from occurring easily.

It is a schematic block diagram of the electrostatic atomizer of this invention. (A) is a longitudinal cross-sectional view same as the above, (b) is a cross-sectional view same as the above. The relationship between the discharge current and the water level of the liquid in the liquid reservoir when the voltage is applied (the remaining amount of liquid in the liquid reservoir), the water head difference between the liquid level in the liquid reservoir and the tip of the transport unit, and It is a graph. It is a schematic block diagram of an example of the electrostatic atomizer of other embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic block diagram of the other example of the electrostatic atomizer of other embodiment of this invention. It is side surface sectional drawing of the air purification apparatus carrying an electrostatic atomizer same as the above. It is front sectional drawing of the air purification apparatus carrying an electrostatic atomizer same as the above. It is a schematic block diagram which shows a prior art example.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Liquid storage part 11 Atomization part 2 Conveyance part 2a Hole 3 Counter electrode 4 Application electrode 5 Voltage application part W Liquid

Claims (3)

In the main unit, a liquid reservoir for storing a liquid to be atomized, an application electrode for applying a voltage to the liquid, one end is in contact with the liquid in the liquid reservoir, and the other end is sharp. a counter electrode tip portion faces the transporting section provided with a hole leading to Togasaki portion serving as the atomization unit of the other end and from the one end Ri Do atomizing unit, the atomization unit of the transport unit, in high voltage and a voltage applying unit for applying a static atomizing device for electrostatic atomization in the atomization unit a liquid transport section is sucked up from the liquid reservoir between the transport unit and the counter electrode, the body An electrostatic atomizer comprising an angle adjusting device for changing an angle of a unit.   2. The electrostatic atomizer according to claim 1, further comprising a height maintaining means for maintaining a constant height from the liquid level of the liquid reservoir to the atomizing portion.   3. The electrostatic atomizer according to claim 2, further comprising a water level detecting means for detecting the water level of the liquid reservoir.

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