JP5560835B2 - Mist generator - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a mist generator that is mounted on a vehicle or the like and performs spraying, and more particularly to a mist generator that generates and sprays mist from electrolyzed water using an electrolytic electrode.

  In recent years, mist generators having various forms and features have been developed. For example, a mist generator for a moving body that generates mist (= mist) from a liquid such as water or electrolyzed water and sprays it to clean the air in the vehicle has been put to practical use.

  Moreover, the mist generator which produces | generates electrolyzed water using an electrolytic electrode and produces | generates mist from electrolyzed water is put into practical use. This type of mist generator includes an electrolytic electrode and a drought electrode for detecting the water level of the aqueous solution inside the aqueous solution tank.

  The drought electrode is provided such that its lower end is positioned higher than the bottom of the aqueous solution tank by a predetermined distance and higher than the lower end of the electrolytic electrode. That is, when the aqueous solution decreases, the lower end of the drought electrode does not contact the aqueous solution before the lower end of the electrolytic electrode.

  Thereby, when the aqueous solution decreases, drought is detected while the electrolytic electrode is immersed in the aqueous solution. Therefore, before the electrolytic electrode does not come into contact with the aqueous solution, the operation can be stopped to protect the electrode.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a portable spray device (= mist generator). This spraying device is provided with a liquid storage means for storing a humidifying liquid and a liquid supply means for supplying the stored liquid upward. Moreover, it is provided in the upper part in a housing, The mist production | generation means which receives supply from a liquid supply means and produces mist from a liquid is provided.

  In addition, the spray device includes an opening for passing the mist generated by the mist generating means above the mist generating means. In addition, a lid is provided at the upper end of the housing so as to be rotatable between an on position and an off position, and a discharge port communicating with the opening when the lid is pivoted to the on position. Thereby, mist is discharged through the opening and the discharge port.

JP 2009-168328 A

  However, the conventional mist generator stops operating when the electrolytic electrode is immersed in the aqueous solution and detects the drought, so that the entire aqueous solution stored in the aqueous solution tank cannot be used up. In particular, in a small mist generator as shown in Patent Document 1, there is a limit to the capacity of the aqueous solution tank due to restrictions on the size of the entire apparatus. Therefore, water needs to be replenished frequently, causing the user to feel troublesome.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and is a mist generator that generates mist from electrolyzed water using an electrolytic electrode, and more efficiently uses an aqueous solution stored in an aqueous solution tank. Therefore, it is providing the mist generator which can reduce the frequency which replenishes aqueous solution.

In order to achieve the above object, the mist generator of the present invention includes a water storage tank that stores liquid therein, an atomization unit that atomizes liquid, and the liquid stored in the water storage tank to the atomization unit. Stored in the water storage tank, a transport unit that forms part of a flow path for transport, an electrolysis unit that electrolyzes liquid to generate electrolyzed water, an electrolysis control unit that controls the electrolysis unit, and the water storage tank In a mist generator comprising a drought detection unit that detects a voltage applied to the liquid in contact with the liquid, and a main control unit that controls the atomization unit and the electrolysis control unit, the electrolysis control unit includes: A first operation mode in which a predetermined voltage is applied to an electrode included in the electrolysis unit, and the voltage is detected by the drought detection unit; and a voltage is applied to one electrode included in the electrolysis unit, the one electrode The voltage is detected by the electrode of the electrolysis unit except for A second operation mode, wherein the main control unit controls the electrolysis control unit to operate in the first operation mode when the drought detection unit detects a voltage, and the drought detection unit When no voltage is detected, the electrolysis control unit is controlled to operate in the second operation mode, and the lower end of the electrode included in the electrolysis unit is above a predetermined distance from the bottom surface of the water storage tank. In addition, the electrolysis unit is provided at a position where the lower end is below the lower end of the drought detection unit, and the electrolysis unit detects a voltage when the water level of the liquid falls below the lower end of the electrolysis unit. The main control unit that has detected this instructs the electrolysis control unit to stop the second operation mode, the main control unit stops driving the atomization unit after a predetermined time, A drought occurs in the water storage tank Which comprises carrying out the drought detection notification indicating that.

According to this configuration, the mist generator of the present invention includes a water storage tank, an atomization unit that atomizes the liquid, and a conveyance unit that forms a flow path for conveying the liquid to the atomization unit. Moreover, the electrolysis part which electrolyzes a liquid and produces | generates electrolyzed water and the electrolysis control part which controls an electrolysis part are provided. In addition, a drought detection unit that detects a voltage applied to the liquid by contacting the liquid stored in the water storage tank, and a main control unit that controls the atomization unit and the electrolysis control unit are provided. The electrolysis control unit includes a first operation mode in which a predetermined voltage is applied to the electrodes included in the electrolysis unit to perform an electrolysis operation, and the drought detection unit detects this voltage. Further, a second operation mode is provided in which a voltage is applied to one electrode included in the electrolysis section, and this voltage is detected by the other electrode via the liquid in the water storage tank. The main control unit controls the electrolysis control unit to operate in the first operation mode when the drought detection unit detects a voltage. Further, when the drought detection unit does not detect the voltage, the electrolysis control unit is controlled to operate in the second operation mode. Thereby, after drought is detected by the drought detection unit, the electrolysis unit is used as an electrode for drought detection. An electrolysis unit is provided at a position where the lower end of the electrode included in the electrolysis unit is above a predetermined distance from the bottom surface of the water storage tank and the lower end is below the lower end of the drought detection unit, and the liquid level is lowered. When the electrolysis unit falls below the lower end of the electrolysis unit, the electrolysis unit no longer detects the voltage, and the main control unit detecting this instructs the electrolysis control unit to stop the second operation mode, and the main control unit After the lapse, the driving of the atomizing unit is stopped, and a drought detection notification indicating that drought has occurred in the water storage tank is performed. Thereby, even after the liquid in the water storage tank falls below a predetermined amount, it is possible to generate mist using the liquid remaining in the transport unit. Thereby, the frequency of liquid replenishment can be reduced and the convenience of the user can be improved.

  In order to achieve the above object, the mist generator of the present invention pressurizes the liquid stored in the water storage tank so that the liquid reaches the atomization section via the transport section. A pressurizing unit that biases the main control unit in the second operation mode when the voltage is not detected by the electrodes of the electrolysis unit except the one electrode. Control is made to stop the driving of the atomizing section.

  According to this configuration, the mist generator of the present invention includes the pressurizing unit that conveys the liquid to the atomizing unit by pressurizing the liquid stored in the water storage tank. In the second operation mode described above, the main control unit controls to stop driving the pressurizing unit or the atomizing unit when no voltage is detected by another electrode.

  In order to achieve the above object, in the mist generator of the present invention, the pressurizing unit sends air from the outside of the water storage tank to the inside of the water storage tank to increase the air pressure in the water storage tank. The liquid in the water storage tank is pressurized.

  According to this configuration, the pressurizing unit sends air from the outside of the water storage tank to the inside of the water storage tank. Then, by increasing the air pressure in the water storage tank, the liquid in the water storage tank is pressurized and conveyed to the atomization unit.

  In order to achieve the above object, the transport unit provided in the mist generator of the present invention absorbs the liquid stored in the water storage part from one end and discharges the liquid from one end opposite to the one end. It is characterized by including.

  According to this structure, the conveyance part contains the water absorption stick. The water absorption rod absorbs the liquid stored in the water storage part from one end, conveys the liquid inside by capillary action, and discharges the liquid from the opposite end.

  In order to achieve the above object, the mist generator included in the mist generator of the present invention includes an ultrasonic vibrator and is provided above the water storage tank, and the transport unit is vertically upward. It is characterized by forming a flow path.

  According to this configuration, the atomizing section performs atomization of the liquid using the ultrasonic vibrator and is provided above the water storage tank. Further, the transport unit forms the flow path vertically upward. For this reason, the liquid in the water storage tank is sucked up and transported to the vicinity of the ultrasonic transducer.

According to the present invention, when the liquid stored in the water storage tank falls below the lower end of the drought detection unit, the electrolysis operation of the electrolysis unit is stopped and drought detection is performed using a plurality of electrodes included in the electrolysis unit. Do. For this reason, compared with the case where drought is detected using only the drought detection unit, more liquid in the water storage tank can be used. Thereby, the frequency of replenishment of the liquid with respect to a water storage tank can be reduced, and a user's convenience improvement can be aimed at. Moreover, since it is not necessary to add a new member, it is advantageous in terms of cost saving and size saving. Also, when the liquid level drops and falls below the lower end of the electrolysis unit, the electrolysis unit will not detect the voltage, and the main control unit that detects this will instruct the electrolysis control unit to stop the second operation mode. The main control unit stops driving the atomizing unit after a predetermined time has elapsed, and implements a drought detection notification indicating that drought has occurred in the water storage tank. Thereby, even after the liquid in the water storage tank falls below a predetermined amount, it is possible to generate mist using the liquid remaining in the transport unit. Thereby, the frequency of liquid replenishment can be reduced and the convenience of the user can be improved.

It is the upper side figure and cross-sectional side view which show the structure of the mist generator of 1st embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the structure of the atomization part of the mist generator of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the electric circuit structure of 1st embodiment of this invention. It is a cross-sectional side view which shows the internal structure at the time of the pneumatic pressure generation of 1st embodiment of this invention. It is a cross-sectional side view which shows the internal structure at the time of the liquid reduction of 1st embodiment of this invention. It is the upper side figure and cross-sectional side view which show the structure of the mist generator of 2nd embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the electric circuit structure of 2nd embodiment of this invention.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In addition, embodiment shown here is an example and this invention is not limited to embodiment shown here.
[Embodiment 1]
<1-1. Internal configuration>
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an internal configuration of a mist generator 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The mist generator 100 is a device for generating and spraying mist on the inside of the vehicle 10 in which the mist generator 100 is mounted. The mist generator 100 has a structure that can be attached to and detached from the vehicle 10. Each part of the mist generator 100 is formed, for example, as a plastic molded product unless otherwise specified.

  FIG. 1A is a top view of the mist generator 100 as viewed from above. FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional side view of the mist generator 100 as viewed from the side. The mist generator 100 operates using a rechargeable battery (not shown) or the like as a power source, and has a cylindrical shape with a diameter of about 10 cm and a height of about 20 cm. In FIG. 1B, the downward direction in the figure indicates the lower direction of the mist generator 100.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the mist generator 100 includes a discharge plate 101 (= atomization unit), an ultrasonic vibrator 102 (= atomization unit), an aqueous solution tank 103 (= water storage tank), a water conduit 104 (= conveyance unit). ), A pneumatic delivery device 105 (= pressurizing unit), an electrolytic electrode 106 (= electrolytic unit), a drought electrode 107 (= drought detection unit), and a control board 200.

  The discharge plate 101 is a plate-like member in which a fine hole is provided in the center for discharging mist. The ultrasonic vibrator 102 is a disk-shaped member that mists the aqueous solution that has been sucked up by the water guide tube 104 and has reached the lower side of the discharge plate 101 by a vibrating operation.

  Then, the mist-like aqueous solution, that is, the mist is sprayed to the outside of the mist generator 100 through the discharge plate 101. This achieves the main purpose of the mist generator 100 that generates and discharges mist to the outside.

  The aqueous solution tank 103 stores the aqueous solution used by the ultrasonic transducer 102 for generating mist. The water guide pipe 104 is fixed to the housing of the mist generator 100 as a substantially tubular member extending in the vertical direction (vertical direction). The upper end and the lower end of the water conduit 104 are opened, and the aqueous solution entering from the lower end of the water conduit 104 flows through the inside and can exit from the upper end.

  The lower end of the water conduit 104 is designed to protrude into the aqueous solution tank 103. On the other hand, a discharge plate 101 and an ultrasonic transducer 102 are disposed in the vicinity of the upper end of the water conduit 104. Thereby, the water conduit 104 forms a flow path of the aqueous solution so as to go from the inside of the aqueous solution tank 103 toward the discharge plate 101 and the ultrasonic vibrator 102.

  Note that the lower end of the water conduit 104 is set to be separated from the bottom of the aqueous solution tank 103 by a predetermined distance. As the shape of the water conduit 104, a substantially tubular shape is suitable as described above, but various shapes can be adopted as long as the flow path of the aqueous solution is formed.

  The air pressure delivery device 105 has an air suction port and an air outlet, and performs an operation of blowing out air sucked from the air inlet (hereinafter, referred to as “air blowing operation”). The pneumatic delivery device 105 is installed such that the suction port is opened to the outside (in the atmosphere) of the mist generator 100. Further, the air outlet is installed so as to face the lower part of the mist generator 100.

  The electrolytic electrode 106 is an electrode group for generating electrolyzed water, and is configured to include a pair of electrode plates of an anode electrode and a cathode electrode. When a voltage is applied to the pair of electrode plates, the aqueous solution in the aqueous solution tank 103 is electrolyzed. Thereby, the electrolyzed water containing hypochlorous acid, active oxygen, etc. which have a bactericidal action and a deodorizing action is produced | generated.

  The electrode plate included in the electrolytic electrode 106 is formed, for example, by coating platinum on a titanium or ruthenium-based material and coating iridium on the outside thereof. Further, a voltage is applied to the electrode plate using, for example, a lead wire. Note that the polarity of the anode electrode and the cathode electrode is changed every predetermined time, and the polarity is changed to generate electrolyzed water.

  The drought electrode 107 is an electrode that detects the voltage applied by the electrolytic electrode 106 via the aqueous solution in the aqueous solution tank 103. The drought electrode 107 is provided such that the lower end thereof is located above the bottom of the aqueous solution tank 103 by a predetermined distance (height T in the drawing).

  For this reason, when the water level falls below this height T, the drought electrode 107 cannot detect the voltage. Thereby, drought in the aqueous solution tank 103 is detected. In addition, about the specific member which comprises the drought electrode 107, since it is the same as that of the electrolysis electrode 106, description is abbreviate | omitted.

  The control board 200 is a board including a control circuit that controls each part of the mist generator 100, a microcomputer, or the like. The control board 200 is housed in a space provided in the housing of the mist generator 100 (above the water supply tank 103 in the example of FIG. 1).

The control board 200 is connected to the ultrasonic vibrator 102, the electrolytic electrode 106, the drought electrode 107, and the like by lead wires or the like. The control board 200 includes at least a microcomputer 201 (= main control unit), a vibrator drive circuit 202 (= atomization unit), a pneumatic delivery device drive circuit 203 (= pressurization unit), and an electrode drive circuit 204 shown in FIG. (= Electrolysis control unit). Details of each part will be described later.
<1-2. About the structure of ultrasonic transducers>
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration around the ultrasonic transducer 102 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2A shows a state in which the ultrasonic transducer 102 is viewed obliquely from above. FIG. 2B shows a cross-sectional view when a plane including the line segment AA ′ is taken as a cross-section (however, a portion such as the control board 200 is not a cross-sectional view).

  As shown in FIG. 2, the ultrasonic transducer 102 has a donut shape (the cross section is substantially rectangular), and is bonded to the upper surface of the discharge plate 101 whose outer edge is circular. The discharge plate 101 is a substantially plate-like member made of, for example, stainless steel, and a mesh portion 101a is provided in a predetermined region at the center (a part of a region surrounded by the ultrasonic transducer 102).

The mesh portion 101a is formed in a mesh shape provided with a large number of micropores having a size enough to allow mist to pass through. The ultrasonic vibrator 102 is made of piezoelectric ceramic. When a predetermined voltage is applied between the electrode film formed on the surface of the ultrasonic transducer 102 and the emission plate 101 by the control substrate 200 installed in the housing, high-frequency (ultrasonic) vibration is generated. As a result, the aqueous solution is atomized to generate mist.
<1-3. Control board configuration>
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control board 200 and the configuration of members connected to the control board 200 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 3, the control board 200 includes a microcomputer 201, a vibrator driving circuit 202, an air pressure delivery device driving circuit 203, and an electrode driving circuit 204. In addition to the members illustrated in FIG. 1, a start switch 301 and a power supply unit 302 exist as members connected to the control board 200.

  The microcomputer 201 organically controls the driving of each member of the mist generator 100 and controls the generation of mist in an integrated manner. Further, the microcomputer 201 has a function of performing drive control on the vibrator drive circuit 202 to the electrode drive circuit 204 and voltage control on the power supply unit 302. Further, the microcomputer 201 determines whether or not drought has occurred in the aqueous solution tank 103 by monitoring whether or not the drought electrode 107 detects a voltage. Based on the determination result, the electrode driving circuit 204 described later is controlled.

  The vibrator driving circuit 202 is a circuit that selectively performs execution / non-execution of the driving voltage to the ultrasonic vibrator 102. The vibrator driving circuit 202 has a function of adjusting the amount of mist generated by changing the magnitude of the driving voltage to be applied.

  The air pressure delivery device drive circuit 203 is a circuit that selectively performs application / non-execution of the drive voltage to the air pressure delivery device 105. The air pressure delivery device drive circuit 203 has a function of adjusting the amount of air pressure generated by the air pressure delivery device 105 by changing the magnitude of the applied drive voltage.

  The electrode drive circuit 204 is a circuit that selectively performs execution / non-application of the drive voltage to the electrolytic electrode 106. The electrode driving circuit 204 has a function as a switching circuit for changing the polarity of the electrode plate included in the electrolytic electrode 106. That is, the circuits are switched so that the pair of electrode plates becomes an electrolytic electrode composed of a positive electrode and a cathode electrode.

  The electrode drive circuit 204 has two operation modes, a first operation mode and a second operation mode. These two operation modes are switched by an instruction from the microcomputer 201. The first operation mode is an operation mode for the purpose of determining the water level of the aqueous solution using the drought electrode 107. The second operation mode is an operation mode for the purpose of determining the water level of the aqueous solution using the electrolytic electrode 106.

  In the first operation mode, the electrode drive circuit 204 instructs the electrolytic electrode 106 to perform an electrolytic operation. Thereby, the production | generation of electrolyzed water is performed. In the state in which the first operation mode is being performed, the microcomputer 201 detects drought using the drought electrode 107. When drought is detected by the drought electrode 107, that is, when the drought electrode 107 no longer detects the voltage applied by the electrolytic electrode 106, the microcomputer 201 causes the electrode drive circuit 204 to shift to the second operation mode. Control.

  In the second operation mode, the electrode drive circuit 204 instructs the electrolytic electrode 106 to stop the electrolysis operation for electrode protection. In addition, a voltage is intermittently applied so that a weak current flows through one of the electrode plates included in the electrolytic electrode 106 (= one electrode).

  And the voltage applied to the aqueous solution is detected by monitoring this weak current using the other electrode plate (= other electrode). When the aqueous solution is not in contact with the electrolytic electrode 106, the other electrode plate cannot detect the voltage, so that it can be considered that the water level of the aqueous solution is lower than the lower end of the electrolytic electrode 106. As described above, in the second operation mode, the electrolysis electrode 106 is used as the second drought detection unit by checking the conduction between the two electrode plates included in the electrolysis electrode 106.

  The start switch 301 is a limit switch for switching ON / OFF of the operating state of the mist generator 100. However, even when the start switch is OFF, the start switch 301 allows a minute current to flow to the microcomputer 201. Thereby, the microcomputer 201 can maintain the standby state.

  The power supply unit 302 is supplied with electric power from an external power supply (not shown), performs DC / AC conversion and the like, and supplies a power supply voltage to each unit of the mist generator 100. The power supply unit 302 includes, for example, a connection terminal (not shown) for connecting a power cord for receiving power supply from an external power supply.

Alternatively, the power supply unit 302 may be configured such that the mist generator 100 can be driven while being disconnected from the external power supply by using a dry battery or a secondary battery as a power supply. As the secondary battery, for example, a rechargeable alkaline battery or a lithium ion battery can be used.
<1-4. About drought detection processing>
Next, the drought detection process which the microcomputer 201 which concerns on 1st embodiment of this invention implements is demonstrated using FIG.4 and FIG.5. FIG. 4 is a sectional side view of the mist generator 100 as viewed from the side, and shows a state immediately after the air blowing operation is started. FIG. 5 shows a state in which the aqueous solution is transported to the vicinity of the ultrasonic vibrator 102 by the air blowing operation, and the aqueous solution stored in the aqueous solution tank 103 is decreased.

  When the power source is activated by the activation switch 301, the microcomputer 201 controls the air pressure delivery device 105 to perform a blowing operation for applying pressure to the aqueous solution tank 103. Thus, the aqueous solution is sucked up from the aqueous solution tank 103 by the water conduit 104 using the air pressure generated by the air pressure delivery device 105 (gray portion of the water conduit 104 in FIG. 4).

  In the state where the air pressure delivery device 105 is not performing the air blowing operation, the pressure of the air existing in the aqueous solution tank 103 and the air existing in the water conduit 104 is substantially equal to the atmospheric pressure. Therefore, in this state, the aqueous solution in the aqueous solution tank 103 is not supplied to the ultrasonic vibrator 102 installed at a position higher than the water surface.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the air pressure delivery device 105 performs a blowing operation to send air from the outside to the air layer of the aqueous solution tank 103 (arrow α1 in the figure). As a result, the air pressure in the aqueous solution tank 103 is increased by the amount of the pressure P (pressure newly added by the blowing operation) to the atmospheric pressure. The air pressure in the aqueous solution tank 103 is maintained in this state while the air blowing operation is continued.

  In FIG. 4, since the air pressure has just been generated, the sucked aqueous solution has not reached the upper end of the water conduit 104, that is, the vicinity of the ultrasonic transducer 102. When the air pressure delivery device 105 is controlled and the air pressure is increased in this state, the aqueous solution in the aqueous solution tank 103 is pressurized.

  As the water pressure of the aqueous solution increases, the aqueous solution in the aqueous solution tank 103 is pushed up inside the water conduit 104 (arrow α2 in the figure). As a result, the state shown in FIG. 5 is obtained, and mist β is generated.

  In FIG. 5, the aqueous solution reaches the vicinity of the ultrasonic transducer 102 via the upper end portion of the conduit 104 due to the increased air pressure. Note that the air existing in the water conduit 104 is discharged to the outside of the mist generator 100 by a ventilation filter (not shown). The ventilation filter has a structure including a water blocking film that allows air to pass but does not allow an aqueous solution to pass.

  Thereby, when the aqueous solution in the aqueous solution tank 103 is pushed up by the air blowing operation, air present in the water conduit 104 or the like is prevented from obstructing the pushing up of the aqueous solution. Further, the water stop film prevents the aqueous solution from leaking out of the mist generator 100.

  As described above, the aqueous solution in the aqueous solution tank 103 is urged to reach the vicinity of the ultrasonic transducer 102 by being pressurized, and is continuously supplied to the ultrasonic transducer 102. As a result, the water level of the aqueous solution stored in the aqueous solution tank 103 decreases. When pressurization is started, the microcomputer 201 monitors the water level of the aqueous solution based on the presence or absence of a voltage detected by the drought electrode 107.

  When the aqueous solution tank 103 is reduced by the blowing operation and the water level of the aqueous solution becomes lower than the lower end of the drought electrode 107 (FIG. 5), the drought electrode 107 does not detect the voltage. As a result, the microcomputer 201 instructs the electrode drive circuit 204 to shift from the first operation mode to the second operation mode. Thereafter, the electrolytic electrode 106 is used to monitor the water level of the aqueous solution.

  When the water level of the aqueous solution further decreases and falls below the lower end of the electrolytic electrode 106, one of the electrode plates included in the electrolytic electrode 106 does not detect the voltage. The microcomputer 201 that has detected this instructs the vibrator driving circuit 202 to the electrode driving circuit 204 to stop driving the ultrasonic vibrator 102, the pneumatic delivery device 105, and the electrolytic electrode 106. Thereby, the air blowing operation and the mist generation are stopped.

  Further, the microcomputer 201 performs a drought detection notification indicating that drought has occurred in the aqueous solution tank 103. Specifically, for example, a drought detection notification is performed by turning on a drought notification lamp (not shown) provided in the housing of the mist generator 100. Alternatively, a display device such as a liquid crystal panel may be provided in the housing, and a drought detection notification may be performed by displaying a predetermined image on the display device.

  It should be noted that, even after the drought notification is performed, it is possible to continue the drought detection by the electrolytic electrode 106 within a predetermined time, assuming that the user replenishes the aqueous solution tank 103 with the aqueous solution. In this case, the aqueous solution is replenished, and the drought electrode 107 shifts to the first operation mode by detecting the voltage. Alternatively, the aqueous solution is replenished and the electrolytic electrode 106 detects the voltage, but the drought electrode 107 does not detect the voltage, so that the operation mode is shifted to the second operation mode.

  According to the present embodiment described above, when the aqueous solution in the aqueous solution tank 103 decreases, drought is detected using the electrolytic electrode 106 instead of the drought electrode 107. For this reason, compared with the case where drought is detected using only the drought electrode 107, more aqueous solution in the aqueous solution tank 103 can be used. Thereby, the frequency of replenishment of aqueous solution can be reduced and the convenience of a user can be improved. Moreover, since it is not necessary to add a new member, it is advantageous in terms of cost saving and size saving.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, when the aqueous solution in the aqueous solution tank 103 decreases and the electrolytic electrode 106 is not in contact with the aqueous solution, the driving of the ultrasonic vibrator 102 and the pneumatic delivery device 105 is stopped. Thereby, it is possible to prevent unnecessary power from being consumed in a state where drought has occurred.

  Even after the electrolysis electrode 106 stops the electrolysis operation, mist generation is performed as long as the electrolysis electrode 106 detects the aqueous solution. Some degree of electrolysis has been performed immediately before the electrode 106 stops the electrolysis operation. For this reason, the sterilization effect of the mist produced | generated after the electrolysis operation | movement of the electrolytic electrode 106 is stopped does not fall extremely.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[Embodiment 2]
<2-1. Internal configuration>
FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing an internal configuration of the mist generator 100 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The mist generator 100 of the present embodiment includes a water absorption rod 108 (= conveyance unit) instead of the water conduit 104 of the first embodiment. Further, the pneumatic delivery device 105 of the first embodiment is not provided.

  FIG. 6A is a top view of the mist generator 100 as viewed from above. FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional side view of the mist generator 100 as viewed from the side. In FIG. 6B, the downward direction in the drawing indicates the lower direction of the mist generator 100.

  The mist generator 100 of the present embodiment sucks up the aqueous solution from the aqueous solution tank 103 by the water absorption rod 108. The discharge plate 101 and the ultrasonic vibrator 102 are in contact with the upper surface of the water absorption rod 108. In the state before water supply, the water absorption rod 108 is dry.

  When water is supplied from a water supply port (not shown), the bottom of the water absorption rod 108 is submerged. The water absorption rod 108 absorbs the aqueous solution from the bottom and sucks up the aqueous solution by capillary action. The side surface of the water absorbing rod 108 is processed with a plastic material or the like so that the aqueous solution can be taken in and out only on the upper surface and the bottom surface (= one end).

Accordingly, the aqueous solution stored in the aqueous solution tank 103 is supplied to the upper portion of the water absorbing rod 108, that is, in the vicinity of the ultrasonic transducer 102 by the capillary function by contacting the bottom surface of the water absorbing rod 108. The aqueous solution that has reached the upper surface of the water absorption rod 108 is made mist by the ultrasonic vibrator 102, and discharged and sprayed through the discharge plate 101.
<2-2. About the structure of ultrasonic transducers>
Since it is the same content as Embodiment 1, description is abbreviate | omitted here.
<2-3. Control board configuration>
FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the control board 200 and the configuration of members connected to the control board 200 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 7, the control board 200 of the present embodiment does not include the pneumatic delivery device 105 and the pneumatic delivery device drive circuit 203 of the first embodiment. Since other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted.
<2-4. About drought detection processing>
Next, the drought detection process which the microcomputer 201 which concerns on 2nd embodiment of this invention implements is demonstrated using FIG.

  When the power source is activated by the activation switch 301, the microcomputer 201 instructs the transducer driving circuit 202 to start driving the ultrasonic transducer 102. In addition, the microcomputer 201 monitors the water level of the aqueous solution based on the presence or absence of a voltage detected by the drought electrode 107.

  When the aqueous solution reaches the vicinity of the ultrasonic vibrator 102 by the water absorption rod 108, the water level of the aqueous solution stored in the aqueous solution tank 103 decreases. As a result, the water level of the aqueous solution becomes lower than the lower end of the drought electrode 107, and the drought electrode 107 does not detect the voltage. The microcomputer 201 that has detected this instructs the electrode drive circuit 204 to shift from the first operation mode to the second operation mode.

  When the water level of the aqueous solution further decreases and falls below the lower end of the electrolytic electrode 106, one of the electrode plates included in the electrolytic electrode 106 does not detect the voltage. The microcomputer 201 that has detected this instructs the electrode drive circuit 204 to stop the drought detection operation by the electrolytic electrode 106. However, the ultrasonic transducer 102 is continuously driven for a predetermined time.

  After a predetermined time has elapsed, the microcomputer 201 instructs the transducer drive circuit 202 to stop driving the ultrasonic transducer 102. In addition, a drought detection notification indicating that drought has occurred in the aqueous solution tank 103 is performed.

According to the present embodiment described above, when the aqueous solution in the aqueous solution tank 103 is reduced and the electrolytic electrode 106 is not in contact with the aqueous solution, the ultrasonic transducer 102 is not in contact with the aqueous solution. Stop driving and notify of drought. Thereby, even after the aqueous solution in the aqueous solution tank 103 falls below a predetermined amount, it is possible to generate mist using the aqueous solution remaining on the water absorption rod 108. Thereby, the frequency of replenishment of aqueous solution can be reduced and the convenience of a user can be improved.
[Other embodiments]
The present invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiments and examples. However, the present invention is not necessarily limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the technical idea. be able to.

  Therefore, the present invention can also be applied to the following embodiments.

  (A) In the above-described embodiment, the in-vehicle mist generator 100 is described as an example of a device that implements the configuration of the present invention. However, the embodiment may be implemented in other mist generators. For example, the present invention may be implemented in a mist generator that is mounted on a passenger aircraft, a ship, or the like. Moreover, the form which implements this invention may be sufficient in the portable mist generator to carry and use.

  (B) In the first embodiment, the pneumatic delivery device 105 is used as a pressurizing device for pressurizing the aqueous solution stored in the aqueous solution tank 103. However, the aqueous solution may be pressurized by other methods. For example, the aqueous solution in the aqueous solution tank 103 may be pressurized by gradually deforming the aqueous solution tank 103 and reducing the space in the aqueous solution tank 103.

  (C) In the first embodiment, the mechanism for preventing the aqueous solution transported to the vicinity of the ultrasonic vibrator 102 from flowing back to the aqueous solution tank 103 when the pneumatic delivery device 105 is stopped is particularly specified. However, the backflow of the aqueous solution may be prevented by providing a member such as an on-off valve or a filter in a part of the flow path.

  (D) In the above embodiment, as the water guide tube 104 or the water absorption rod 108, a substantially tubular or rod-like member extending in the vertical direction in the housing of the mist generator 100 is described as an example, but other shapes are used. Alternatively, a composition may be used. For example, the water conduit 104 or the water absorption rod 108 may have a streamline shape, and a flow path of the aqueous solution may be formed via the outside of the housing. Further, for example, the water guide pipe 104 or the water absorption rod 108 and the housing of the mist generator may be integrally formed.

  (E) In the above embodiment, the electrode drive circuit 204 is configured to operate in a plurality of operation modes, and the microcomputer 201 performs only the switching control. However, the microcomputer 201 executes the operation contents of the plurality of operation modes. The content of the control instruction from the microcomputer 201 to the electrode drive circuit 204 may be changed as needed according to the drought detection situation.

10 vehicle 100 mist generator 101 discharge plate (atomization part)
102 Ultrasonic vibrator (Atomization part)
103 Aqueous solution tank (water storage tank)
104 Water conduit (conveyance unit)
105 Pneumatic delivery device (pressure unit)
106 Electrolytic electrode (electrolytic part)
107 Drought electrode (drought detection unit)
108 Water absorption rod (conveyance unit)
200 Control board 201 Microcomputer (main control unit)
202 Vibrator drive circuit (atomization unit)
203 Pneumatic delivery device drive circuit (pressure unit)
204 Electrode drive circuit (electrolysis control unit)

Claims (5)

A water storage tank for storing liquid inside,
An atomizing section for atomizing a liquid;
A transport unit that forms part of a flow path for transporting the liquid stored in the water storage tank to the atomization unit;
An electrolysis unit for electrolyzing a liquid to generate electrolyzed water;
An electrolysis control unit for controlling the electrolysis unit;
A drought detection unit for detecting a voltage applied to the liquid in contact with the liquid stored in the water storage tank;
In a mist generator comprising a main control unit that controls the atomization unit and the electrolysis control unit,
The electrolysis control unit applies a predetermined voltage to an electrode included in the electrolysis unit, detects a voltage by the drought detection unit, and applies a voltage to one electrode included in the electrolysis unit. And a second operation mode in which the voltage is detected by an electrode of the electrolysis unit excluding the one electrode, and
The main control unit controls the electrolysis control unit to operate in the first operation mode when the drought detection unit detects a voltage, and when the drought detection unit does not detect the voltage. ,
Controlling the electrolysis control unit to operate in the second operation mode ;
The electrolysis unit is provided at a position where the lower end of the electrode included in the electrolysis unit is above a predetermined distance from the bottom surface of the water storage tank, and the lower end is below the lower end of the drought detection unit,
When the water level of the liquid decreases and falls below the lower end of the electrolysis unit, the electrolysis unit no longer detects voltage, and the main control unit that detects this stops the second operation mode. The mist generator is characterized in that the main control unit stops driving of the atomizing unit after a predetermined time has elapsed, and performs a drought detection notification indicating that drought has occurred in the water storage tank . The mist generator includes a pressurization unit that pressurizes the liquid stored in the water storage tank to urge the liquid to reach the atomization unit via the transport unit,
The main control unit controls to stop driving the pressurizing unit or the atomizing unit when the voltage is not detected by the electrodes of the electrolysis unit except the one electrode in the second operation mode. The mist generator according to claim 1. The said pressurization part pressurizes the liquid in the said storage tank by sending air into the inside of the said storage tank from the outside of the said storage tank, and increasing the air pressure in the said storage tank. The mist generator described in 1. 2. The mist generator according to claim 1, wherein the transport unit includes a water absorption rod that absorbs the liquid stored in the water storage unit from one end and discharges the liquid from one end opposite to the one end. The atomizing section includes an ultrasonic vibrator and is provided above the water storage tank,
The mist generator according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , wherein the transport unit forms the flow path vertically upward.