JP5757894B2 - Charged particle generator - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a charged particle generator in which a charged particle generator is disposed on the upstream side in the ventilation direction of a ventilation path through which air sucked from the outside is blown to a blower outlet, and a charged particle detector is disposed on the downstream side in the ventilation direction.

  In recent years, ion generators that generate ions to clean the air in a living space have been put into practical use. In the ion generator, an ion generator that generates positive ions and negative ions is arranged in a ventilation path through which air sucked from the outside is blown by a blower, and the generated ions are discharged together with air from the outlet. The released ions inactivate airborne particles in the living space such as indoors, killing airborne bacteria (mold fungi, etc.) and denatures odor components. As a result, the air in the living space is purified.

  In Patent Document 1, an ion detector having an open / close cover that covers the ion collection electrode is arranged in the air passage, and when the detection of ions is not performed, the collection electrode of the ion detector is covered with a cover. Ion generation that prevents the ions generated from the ion generator from being collected by the collection electrode and reducing the amount of ions released to the outside and opens the cover that covers the collection electrode during ion detection An apparatus is described.

JP 2011-228075 A

  In the conventional ion generator shown in Patent Document 1, a part of the ions generated from the ion generator at the time of ion detection is discharged outside from the outlet without being collected by the collection electrode of the ion detector. There is a possibility that the detection efficiency of ions may decrease. In addition to the ions, the same problem occurs when detecting charged particles such as charged fine particle water generated for air purification.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a charged particle generator capable of efficiently detecting charged particles such as ions generated by a charged particle generator.

  The charged particle generator according to the present invention includes a ventilation path for ventilating the air blown by the blower to the outlet, and the charged particle generator is disposed on the upstream side in the ventilation direction of the ventilation path, and the downstream side in the ventilation direction. The charged particle generator includes a charged particle detector that detects charged particles generated by the charged particle generator, and includes a cover that opens and closes the outlet, and the cover closes the outlet. The charged particle detector is configured to perform a detection operation.

  In the present invention, with the charged particle detector in which the charged particles generated by the charged particle generator arranged on the upstream side in the ventilation direction of the ventilation path in the state where the air outlet is closed are arranged on the downstream side in the ventilation direction of the ventilation path. Detected. When detecting charged particles in this way, the air outlet that blows air containing charged particles to the outside is closed, so that the charged particles do not flow outside and are positioned between the charged particle generator and the air outlet. A decrease in the amount of charged particles in the ventilation path in the vicinity of the charged particle detector is suppressed, and the detection efficiency of the charged particles by the charged particle detector is increased.

The charged particle generator according to the present invention is characterized in that the blower performs a blowing operation when the charged particle detector performs a detection operation.
In the present invention, since the air blower operates while the air outlet is closed, the charged particles generated by the charged particle generator are forcibly carried to the downstream side in the ventilation direction by the blown air, and the charged particle detection is performed. A further reduction in the amount of charged particles in the vicinity of the vessel is further suppressed, and the detection efficiency of charged particles by the charged particle detector is further increased.

In the charged particle generator according to the present invention, the charged particle detector includes a collecting electrode for collecting the charged particles, and the cover covers the collecting electrode in a state where the outlet is open, In the state which closed the exit, the electrode covering part which exposes the said collection electrode is provided, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.
In the present invention, when air containing charged particles is blown outside with the cover opened at the outlet, the electrode covering portion provided on the cover covers the collection electrode of the charged particle detector. The charged particles are not unnecessarily collected by the collecting electrode, and the charged particles are efficiently discharged to the outside. On the other hand, in a state in which the cover closes the outlet, the electrode covering portion exposes the collecting electrode without covering it, so that the charged particles in the ventilation path are collected and detected by the collecting electrode. In this case, since the electrode covering portion is integral with the cover, the configuration is simplified.

In the charged particle generator according to the present invention, the charged particle detector includes a collecting electrode for collecting the charged particles, and an electrode cover capable of covering the collecting electrode is provided. A cover covers the collecting electrode in a state where the air outlet is opened, and the collecting electrode is exposed in a state where the cover closes the air outlet.
In the present invention, when air containing charged particles is blown outside while the cover is open, the electrode cover covers the collecting electrode of the charged particle detector, so that charged particles in the air blown outside are wasted. Thus, the charged particles are efficiently discharged to the outside without being collected by the collecting electrode. On the other hand, in a state in which the cover closes the air outlet, the electrode cover exposes the collecting electrode without covering it, so that the charged particles in the ventilation path are collected and detected by the collecting electrode.

The charged particle generator according to the present invention is characterized in that the cover includes a blowing direction changing unit capable of changing a blowing direction of the air blown from the blower outlet.
In the present invention, the blow direction changing portion provided in the cover changes the blow direction of the air blown out from the blow outlet when the cover blows out the air containing the charged particles to the outside with the blow outlet opened. The charged particles are released so as not to be biased. In this case, since the blowing direction changing part is integrated with the cover, the configuration is simplified.

The charged particle generator according to the present invention is characterized in that the blowing direction changing unit changes the blowing direction of the air in a state where the collecting electrode is covered.
In the present invention, since the blowing direction changing portion provided in the cover changes the blowing direction of the air blown to the outside with the collecting electrode covered, charged particles in the air even when the blowing direction of the air is changed Is not wastedly collected by the collecting electrode, and the charged particles are efficiently discharged to the outside.

In the charged particle generator according to the present invention, the cover is a semi-cylindrical body having bottom plates at both ends of the peripheral plate, and rotates around a rotation axis parallel to the central axis of the cylinder, so that the peripheral plate and the bottom plate are It is possible to move between a closed position where the air outlet is closed and an open position where the air outlet is released from the closed position.
In the present invention, the cover, which is a semi-cylindrical body, rotates around a rotation axis parallel to the central axis of the cylinder, and the peripheral plate of the semi-cylindrical body and the bottom plates at both ends of the peripheral plate move to a closed position where the air outlet is closed. Moreover, the blower outlet is opened and closed by moving the peripheral plate and the peripheral plate from the closed position to the open position where the blower outlet is opened.

In the charged particle generator according to the present invention, the peripheral plate has an arc portion whose cross section forms an arc centered on the rotation axis, and the collecting electrode is arranged along the movement path of the arc portion. It arrange | positions so that it may oppose the outer surface of.
In the present invention, when the arc portion rotates around the rotation axis in a state where the cover opens the air outlet, the collecting electrode arranged along the moving path of the arc portion faces the outer surface of the arc portion. Since the collecting electrode is shielded by the arc portion, the charged particles cannot be collected. When the arc portion is rotated to a position not facing the collecting electrode, the collecting electrode is not shielded by the arc portion and can collect the charged particles.

In the charged particle generator according to the present invention, the peripheral plate has a flat portion on one end side in the circumferential direction, and the blowing direction changing portion is formed by the flat portion.
In the present invention, as the cover rotates, the surface direction of the flat portion on one end side in the circumferential direction of the peripheral plate changes, so that the air blown out from the blowout port hits the flat portion and the blowing direction is changed.

The charged particle generator according to the present invention is characterized in that the charged particle detector is detected at the start of operation.
In the present invention, since the air outlet is closed at the start of operation, charged particles can be quickly detected by the charged particle detector while the air outlet is closed.

  According to the present invention, when the charged particles are detected, the air outlet for blowing out the air containing the charged particles to the outside is closed, so the vicinity of the charged particle detector located between the charged particle generator and the air outlet There is provided a charged particle generator that can suppress a decrease in the amount of charged particles in the air passage and can efficiently detect charged particles generated by a charged particle generator.

It is front sectional drawing of the ion generator which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is side surface sectional drawing of the ion generator shown in FIG. It is side surface sectional drawing of the ion generator shown in FIG. It is side surface sectional drawing of the ion generator shown in FIG. It is a perspective view of the ion generator installed in the ion generator shown in FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the control structure of an ion generator. It is a time chart which shows ion detection operation.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of a charged particle generator according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings, taking an ion generator for generating ions in the air as an example. FIG. 1 is a front sectional view of an ion generator according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIGS. 2 to 4 are side sectional views of the ion generator, and FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an ion generator installed in the ion generator. FIG.

  The ion generator 1 is provided with a housing 2 having an outer shape such that a rectangular box is vertically set. Inside the housing 2, two vertical ventilation paths 3 </ b> A and 3 </ b> B are provided so as to be arranged in the horizontal direction. Both the air passages 3A and 3B have a substantially rectangular air passage cross section, and the blower 4 is installed below the air passages 3A and 3B. Lower portions of the ventilation paths 3A and 3B are partitioned by a partition wall 7, and a lower portion of the partition wall 7 has two branch portions 7A branched to the left and right. The ventilation passages 3A and 3B are surrounded by the air passage wall 3C at the front, back, side, bottom and the like, except for the partition wall 7.

  A fan motor 4A having a lateral output shaft 4C is disposed between the two branch portions 7A. The output shaft 4C protrudes into the space below the ventilation passages 3A and 3B through a hole provided in each branch portion 7A, and a fan (sirocco fan) 4B is fixed to each protruding output shaft 4C. The blower 4 is configured by the fan motor 4A and the fan 4B.

  The housing 2 is provided with suction ports 5 on the left and right sides of the lower part facing the fan 4B, and a deodorizing and dust collecting filter 6 is installed inside each suction port 5. In addition, a ventilation window is provided in the air passage wall 3 </ b> C facing each suction port 5.

  The housing 2 is provided with two rectangular air outlets 8 whose upper ends of the air passages 3A and 3B communicate with each other on the upper surface, and the upper portions of the air passages 3A and 3B are separated from each other while the air passage width is narrowed to the left and right. Yes. An ion generator 9 is installed in the middle of each ventilation path 3A, 3B to the outlet 8. The ion generator 9 has a horizontally long appearance, and includes a positive ion generator 9A and a negative ion generator 9B on both sides in the longitudinal direction. The ion generator 9 is attached to the rear side of the two air passages 3A and 3B in a sideways posture, and the positive ion generator 9A passes through one opening provided in the air passage wall 3C on the rear side of the air passages 3A and 3B. Facing the path 3A, the negative ion generator 9B faces the other ventilation path 3B. Each of the ion generators 9A and 9B includes a needle-like discharge electrode Pd and an annular induction electrode Yd surrounding the discharge electrode Pd.

By applying a high voltage having an AC waveform or an impulse waveform between the discharge electrode Pd and the induction electrode Yd, a corona discharge is generated and ions are released to the ventilation paths 3A and 3B. When the applied voltage of the discharge electrode Pd is a positive voltage, the ions are combined with moisture in the air to generate positive ions mainly composed of H ⁺ (H ₂ O) m. When the voltage applied to the discharge electrode Pd is a negative voltage, the ions are combined with moisture in the air to generate negative ions mainly composed of O ₂ ⁻ (H ₂ O) n. Here, m and n are arbitrary natural numbers.

And H ⁺ (H ₂ O) m and O ₂ ⁻ (H ₂ O) n aggregate around the surface of airborne bacteria and odorous components in the air and surround them. As shown in the formulas (1) to (3), the active species [.OH] (hydroxyl radical) and H ₂ O ₂ (hydrogen peroxide) are agglomerated on the surface of the microorganism and the like due to the collision. Destroy and smell components. Here, m ′ and n ′ are arbitrary natural numbers. Therefore, sterilization and odor removal in the vicinity of the user can be performed by generating positive ions and negative ions and discharging them from the outlet 8.
H ⁺ (H ₂ O) m + O ₂ ⁻ (H ₂ O) n → OH + 1 / 2.O ₂ + (m + n) H ₂ O (1)
_{^{H + (H 2 O) m}} + H + (H 2 O) m '+ O 2 - (H 2 O) n + O 2 - (H 2 O) n'
→ 2.OH + O ₂ + (m + m ′ + n + n ′) H ₂ O (2)
_{^{H + (H 2 O) m}} + H + (H 2 O) m '+ O 2 - (H 2 O) n + O 2 - (H 2 O) n'
→ H ₂ O ₂ + O ₂ + (m + m ′ + n + n ′) H ₂ O (3)

  In the present embodiment, the ion generator 9 including the positive ion generator 9A that generates positive ions and the negative ion generator 9B that generates negative ions is used. However, the ion generator that generates only negative ions is also used. Alternatively, an ion generator that generates other ions may be used. Moreover, you may switch the polarity of the ion which generate | occur | produces from each ion generation part 9A, 9B of the ion generator 9 for every predetermined time.

  In the portion immediately below the air outlet 8 of each of the air passages 3A and 3B, the air passage width in the front-rear direction is widened upward. Specifically, the front air passage wall 3C1 is a flat surface inclined such that the upper end is located on the front side, and the rear air passage wall 3C2 forms an arc surface whose axis is directed in the left-right direction. The left and right air passage walls 3C are planes facing in the vertical direction.

  An ion sensor 10 is installed on the air passage wall 3C2 on the rear side of the ventilation passage 3B provided with the negative ion generation unit 9B, and negative ions generated by the negative ion generation unit 9B are detected by the ion sensor 10. The ion sensor 10 includes a collecting electrode 10a that is flush with the surface of the air passage wall 3C2. In addition, you may make it detect the positive ion by installing the ion sensor 10 in the ventilation path 3A provided with the positive ion generation part 9A.

  The blower outlet 8 is provided with a cover 11 that rotates around a rotation shaft 11a in the left-right direction. The rotation shaft 11a is provided at the position of the axial center of the arc surface of the rear air passage wall 3C2. The cover 11 is a semi-cylindrical body, is concentric with the arc surface of the rear air passage wall 3C2, and has a radius smaller than the inner diameter of the rear air passage wall 3C2, and a tangent to the edge of the arc portion 11b. It has the plane part 11c connected so that it may face a direction, and the baseplate 11d which covers the both sides of the circular arc part 11b and the plane part 11c. The circular arc portion 11b and the flat surface portion 11c constitute a cylindrical peripheral plate. The arc part 11b, the flat part 11c, and the bottom plate 11d have rectangular edges on the opening side. A cover rotation motor 12 for rotating the cover 11 around the rotation shaft 11a is provided (FIG. 6).

  The width of the opening of the cover 11 is substantially the same as the width of the ventilation passages 3A and 3B immediately below the air outlet 8, and the front and rear width of the opening is substantially the same as the front and rear width of the air passages 3A and 3B immediately below the air outlet 8. is there. As a result, a state in which the arc portion 11b is partially located in the housing 2 and covers the collecting electrode 10a (FIGS. 2 and 3), and a state in which the arc portion 11b is located on the upper side of the housing 2 and closes the outlet 8 (FIG. 1). 4). The rotation angle of the cover 11 can be changed in a state where the arc portion 11b covers the collecting electrode 10a, and the blowing angle can be adjusted from the outlet 8 by the flat portion 11c. In FIG. 2, since the flat portion 11c faces upward from the horizontal, the air is blown upward from the horizontal. However, in FIG. 3, the flat portion 11c is substantially horizontal and tilts forward as compared to FIG. Because it is, it is blown out at a low angle. For example, the cover 11 can be swung between the angle shown in FIG. 2 and the angle shown in FIG. 3, or can be fixed at a certain angle. At the position where the cover 11 closes the air outlet 8, the arc portion 11b is disengaged from the position of the collecting electrode 10a, and the collecting electrode 10a is exposed to the ventilation path 3B.

Next, the ion generation and detection configuration by the ion generator 1 will be described. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a control configuration of the ion generator, and FIG. 7 is a time chart showing an ion detection operation.
A control unit 13 is provided, and a detection signal of the ion sensor 10 is input to the control unit 13. Drive signals for the fan motor 4 </ b> A, the ion generator 9, the cover rotation motor 12, and the display 14 are output from the control unit 13. The indicator 14 is installed on the bottom surface of the housing 2.

  In this invention, the blower outlet 8 is obstruct | occluded by the plane part 11c, and ion is generated from the ion generator 9 in the state which the collection electrode 10a exposed. Negative ions generated from the negative ion generator 9B diffuse into the ventilation path 4B, and the negative ions diffused in the vicinity of the ion sensor 10 are collected and detected by the exposed collection electrode 10a. At this time, the fan motor 4A is driven to rotate the fan 4B to promote the diffusion of negative ions generated from the negative ion generator 9B in the ventilation path 4B, thereby making it easier to detect ions. Hereinafter, ion generation and detection operations will be described in detail.

  The ion generating apparatus 1 ends the operation with the air outlet 8 closed by the cover 11 when the operation is stopped. When the operation of the ion generator 1 is started, the control unit 13 drives the cover rotation motor 12 to open the air outlet 8 and to drive the fan motor 4A. The controller 13 drives the ion generator 9 to generate positive ions from the positive ion generator 9A and negative ions from the negative ion generator 9B. The fan 4B is rotated by driving the fan motor 4A, and external air (indoor air) is sucked from each suction port 5, and the sucked air is odor and dust when passing through the filter 6 for deodorization and dust collection. Purified with no air. The purified air passes through the fan 4B, is discharged to the outer periphery of the fan 4B, flows to the upper side of the ventilation paths 3A, 3B, and is generated by the positive ion generator 9A and the negative ion generator 9B. Is carried by the air flowing upward of the ventilation paths 3A, 3B and blown out from the outlets 8 into the room. The released ions decompose and remove floating fungi and viruses in the air.

  If the ion generator 1 is used for a long period of time, the respective ion generators 9A and 9B (discharge electrodes Pd) are deteriorated or dust is attached, resulting in unstable discharge. When the discharge becomes unstable, the generated ions are reduced and the above effect cannot be obtained. Therefore, the control unit 13 of the ion generator 1 adds up the operation time, and when the total operation time reaches the replacement notice time, for example, 17500 hours, displays on the display unit 14 the display 14 urging replacement of the ion generator 9. Although the operation is continued after that, when the total operation time reaches an exchange time, for example, 19000 hours, the control unit 13 determines that the ion generator 9 has reached the end of its life and stops the operation and displays the exchange. This is notified by the device 14.

  However, depending on the environment in which the ion generator 1 is used, dust, moisture, oil mist, etc. may adhere to the discharge electrode Pd and the ion generator 9 may reach the end of its life before the above time has elapsed. . When the ion generator 9 reaches the end of its life, the amount of ions generated is reduced or ions are not generated.

  Therefore, the control unit 13 detects the generation state of ions. The control unit 13 drives the fan motor 4 </ b> A and also drives the cover rotation motor 12 to close the air outlet 8 using the cover 11. At this time, the ion sensor 10 is exposed to the ventilation path 3B, and ions can be detected. When the control unit 13 drives the ion generator 9 to generate ions, the ion sensor 10 detects the generated ions. The control unit 13 determines whether or not ions are generated based on an input signal from the ion sensor 10. And if the control part 13 determines with no generation | occurrence | production of ion, it will stop a driving | operation and will display on the indicator 14 to replace | exchange the ion generator 9. FIG.

  When executing the ion detection, the control unit 13 turns on the ion generator 9 for a predetermined time and then turns it off for the same time. This on / off is repeated for a preset ion determination time. During this time, the ion sensor 10 detects ions. The output voltage from the ion sensor 10 at this time is shown in FIG. Since ions are generated when the ion generator 9 is on, the output voltage rises and saturates to a constant voltage. When the ion generator 9 is off, no ions are generated, so the output voltage is almost 0V.

  An input value corresponding to the output voltage from the ion sensor 10 is input to the control unit 13. The control unit 13 calculates the difference between the maximum value and the minimum value of the input values detected during the ion determination time, determines whether this difference is equal to or greater than a threshold value, and determines whether or not ions are generated. . The control unit 13 determines that ions are generated when the difference between the maximum value and the minimum value is equal to or greater than the threshold value. When the difference between the maximum value and the minimum value is less than the threshold value, it is determined that no ions are generated. The threshold value is 0.5V. This value is set based on the output voltage from the ion sensor 10 when the ion generator is turned on / off at the number of discharges when the ion concentration is halved with respect to the ion concentration at the standard number of discharges per unit time. Is done.

  The detection of the ion generation state is first performed with the air outlet 8 closed at the start of operation. During operation, the open outlet 8 is closed, and determination is performed at a predetermined timing. When the control unit 13 determines that the generation of ions is not performed a predetermined number of times, the control unit 13 determines again and finally determines whether or not an ion generation error has occurred. If it is determined that an ion generation error has occurred, the operation is stopped.

  In the above-described embodiment, the electrode covering portion that covers the collecting electrode 10a is configured by a part of the cover 11 that opens and closes the air outlet 8 (arc portion 11b), but a dedicated electrode cover is provided separately from the cover 11. You may do it.

  In the above embodiment, the ion generator for generating ions combined with moisture in the air has been described as an example of the charged particle generator according to the present invention. However, the charged particles generated in the present invention are charged fine particle water or the like. Shall also be included. Specifically, charged fine particle water containing a radical component is generated by an electrostatic atomizer. That is, when the discharge electrode provided in the electrostatic atomizer is cooled by a Peltier element, condensed water is generated on the surface of the discharge electrode, and when a negative high voltage is applied to the discharge electrode, charged fine particle water is generated from the condensed water. The In addition, negative ions released into the air together with the charged fine particle water are also generated from the discharge electrode.

  The embodiment disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is intended to include all modifications within the scope of the claims and the scope equivalent to the scope of the claims.

3A Ventilation path 3B Ventilation path 4 Blower 8 Outlet 9A Positive ion generator (charged particle generator)
9B Negative ion generator (charged particle generator)
10 Ion sensor (charged particle detector)
10a Collection electrode 11 Cover 11a Rotating shaft 11b Arc part (circumferential plate, electrode covering part)
11c plane part (circumferential board, blowing direction changing part)
11d Bottom plate

Claims (10)

Provided with a ventilation path for passing the air blown by the blower to the outlet, a charged particle generator is disposed upstream of the ventilation direction of the ventilation path, and the charged particles generated by the charged particle generator on the downstream side of the ventilation direction In a charged particle generator with a charged particle detector for detecting
A cover for opening and closing the air outlet;
The charged particle generator is characterized in that the charged particle detector performs a detection operation in a state where the cover closes the outlet.   The charged particle generator according to claim 1, wherein the blower performs a blowing operation when the charged particle detector performs a detection operation. The charged particle detector includes a collecting electrode for collecting the charged particles,
The said cover is provided with the electrode coating | coated part which covers the said collection electrode in the state which opened the said blower outlet, and exposes the said collection electrode in the state which obstruct | occluded the said blower outlet. 3. The charged particle generator according to 2. The charged particle detector includes a collecting electrode for collecting the charged particles,
An electrode cover capable of covering the collecting electrode is provided,
The electrode cover is configured to cover the collecting electrode in a state where the cover opens the air outlet, and to expose the collecting electrode in a state where the cover closes the air outlet. The charged particle generator according to claim 1 or 2.   The charged particle generator according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the cover includes a blowing direction changing unit capable of changing a blowing direction of air blown from the blower outlet. .   6. The charged particle generator according to claim 5, wherein the blowing direction changing unit changes the blowing direction of the air in a state where the collecting electrode is covered.   The cover is a semi-cylindrical body having a bottom plate at both ends of the peripheral plate, and rotates around a rotation axis parallel to the central axis of the cylinder so that the peripheral plate and the bottom plate block the outlet. The charged particle generator according to any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein the charged particle generator is movable between an open position where the outlet is opened and the air outlet is opened. The peripheral plate has an arc portion whose cross section forms an arc centered on the rotation axis,
The charged particle generator according to claim 7, wherein the collecting electrode is disposed so as to face an outer surface of the arc portion along a moving path of the arc portion. The peripheral plate has a flat portion on one end side in the circumferential direction,
The charged particle generator according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the blowing direction changing portion is formed by the flat portion. The charged particle generator according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the charged particle detector is configured to perform a detection operation at the start of operation.

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