JP5774936B2 - Ion delivery device and electrical apparatus equipped with the same - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an ion delivery device for delivering ions and an electrical apparatus including the same.

  Conventionally, an ion delivery device that delivers ions is known. The ion delivery device includes an air passage, and an ion generator and a blower fan are arranged in the air passage. Ions released into the air passage by the ion generator are sent to a desired position by driving the blower fan. Thereby, the disinfection effect by sending out negative ions and positive ions can be obtained.

  Patent Document 1 discloses an ion sensor that detects ions. The ion sensor has a collecting electrode made of a metal plate that collects ions, and is arranged downstream of the ion generator. Part of the ions generated by the ion generator and flowing through the air passage are collected by the collection electrode. Thereby, the amount of ions is detected, and the replacement time and cleaning time of the ion generator are detected.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-87204 (page 3 to page 7, FIG. 1)

  The ion delivery device stops the blower fan and drives the ion generator to fill the air passage with ions, so that the air passage can be sterilized. However, according to the ion delivery device provided with the conventional ion sensor, the ion sensor is disposed downstream of the ion generation device, so that the ions generated by the ion generation device can be accurately detected when the blower fan is stopped. There was a problem that could not be.

  It is an object of the present invention to provide an ion delivery device including an ion sensor that can accurately detect ions and an electric device using the ion delivery device.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an air passage having an air inlet and an air outlet and provided with a blower fan, an ion generator for generating and releasing ions into the air passage, and an ion And an ion sensor that detects ions emitted from the ion generator, and sends out air containing ions from the air outlet. It is formed to extend in the air flow direction, and is arranged on a cross section passing through the ion generator perpendicular to the air flow direction.

  According to this configuration, when the ion generator and the blower fan are driven, ions released into the air passage are sent out from the air passage. Thereby, the disinfection effect of the user's living space and the vicinity of the user can be obtained. When the blower fan is stopped and the ion generator is driven, the air passage is filled with ions and the air passage is sterilized.

  The ion sensor is installed on the peripheral wall or the like of the air passage, and the collection electrode is arranged on a cross section perpendicular to the air flow direction and passing through the ion generator. As a result, a part of the ions floating around the ion generator when the blower fan is stopped are collected by the collection electrode, and the ions are detected. Further, the collection electrode is formed to extend in the air flow direction, and a part of the ions flowing downstream from the ion generator when the blower fan is driven is collected by the collection electrode, and the ions are detected. The ion generator replacement time, cleaning time, and the like are detected by detection of ions by the ion sensor.

  According to the present invention, in the ion delivery device configured as described above, the ion generation device and the collection electrode are disposed on the peripheral wall of the air passage so as not to face each other. According to this configuration, the collection electrode is placed closer to the ion generation device than the position facing the ion generation device, and ions can be detected more accurately.

  According to the present invention, in the ion delivery device having the above configuration, the ion generation device includes an electrode that generates ions by corona discharge. According to this configuration, ions are released by corona discharge from the electrode of the ion generator. When the ion generation amount of the ion generator decreases due to foreign matter adhering to the electrode due to discharge, the cleaning time is detected by the ion sensor.

  Further, the present invention is characterized in that, in the ion delivery device configured as described above, when the amount of ions generated decreases below a predetermined value based on the detection result of the ion sensor, notification is made to prompt the cleaning of the electrodes.

  According to the present invention, in the ion delivery device configured as described above, the amount of ions generated is displayed based on a detection result of the ion sensor.

  In addition, an electrical apparatus of the present invention is characterized by including the ion delivery device having the above-described configuration.

  According to the present invention, the collecting electrode of the ion sensor is formed to extend in the air flow direction and is arranged on a cross section passing through the ion generator perpendicular to the air flow direction, so that when the blower fan is stopped and driven Ions generated by the ion generator can be accurately detected by the ion sensor.

The side view which shows the stand type air conditioner provided with the ion sending apparatus of embodiment of this invention The front view which shows the ventilation part of the air conditioner of embodiment of this invention. Side surface sectional drawing which shows the ventilation part of the air conditioner of embodiment of this invention The top view which shows the ion generator of the air conditioner of embodiment of this invention Sectional drawing perpendicular | vertical to the airflow direction which shows the ion sending apparatus of the air conditioner of embodiment of this invention Sectional drawing parallel to the airflow direction which shows the density | concentration distribution of the ion at the time of the ventilation fan stop of the ion sending apparatus of the air conditioner of embodiment of this invention Sectional drawing parallel to the airflow direction which shows the density | concentration distribution of the ion at the time of the ventilation fan drive of the ion sending apparatus of the air conditioner of embodiment of this invention

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a side view showing a stand-type air conditioner according to an embodiment. The air conditioner 1 includes a support part 4, a support pipe 3 and a blower part 2.

  The air blower 2 has a housing 2a having an inlet 5 and an air outlet 6 open, and an ion delivery device 40 (see FIG. 3) is arranged on the top of the housing 2a. As will be described in detail later, the ion delivery device 40 includes a cylindrical air passage 14 having a suction port 5 and an air outlet 6 at both ends, as well as an ion generation device 7, a blower fan 8, and an ion sensor 41 (see FIG. 5). )have. The ion generator 7 is arrange | positioned at the suction inlet 5 side in the housing | casing 2a, and the ventilation fan 8 is arrange | positioned at the blower outlet 6 side.

  Further, as will be described later, a light source 9 (see FIG. 2) is disposed on the outlet surface 2b having the outlet 6. A circuit board 10 for driving the ion generator 7, the blower fan 8, and the light source 9 is provided on the side of the support pipe 3 where the blower fan 8 is provided in the housing 2 a.

  A power cord 11 is led out to the circuit board 10, and an AC adapter 12 and a power plug 13 are provided at one end of the power cord 11. Power is supplied from a commercial AC power supply via the power plug 13, AC adapter 12, and power cord 11, and power is supplied to the ion generator 7, the blower fan 8, and the light source 9 disposed in the blower unit 2.

  The support pipe 3 is a hollow flexible member and supports the air blowing part 2 provided at one end thereof. The inside of the support pipe 3 communicates with the inside of the housing 2a of the blower unit 2, and the power cord 11 extending from the circuit board 10 is inserted. The power cord 11 is exposed to the outside through a connecting portion 21 provided on the other end side of the support pipe 3, and an AC adapter 12 and a power plug 13 are provided at the tip thereof. The connection part 21 is fitted on the upper surface of the support part 4.

  The support part 4 is provided in the edge part on the opposite side to the end in which the ventilation part 2 of the support pipe 3 was provided. For example, when the air conditioner 1 is placed on a desk, the support unit 4 supports the air blowing unit 2 and the support pipe 3 in an upright state.

  2 and 3 show a front view and a vertical sectional side view of the air blowing unit 2. In addition, the white arrow A drawn in FIG. 3 shows the flow direction of air, and the solid arrow B shows the discharge | release direction of ion. The suction port 5 is provided on the back side of the air blowing unit 2, and the air outlet 6 is provided on the front side of the air blowing unit 2. The suction port 5 and the air outlet 6 are each provided with a plurality of small holes for communicating the inside and the outside of the housing 2a. An air filter 15 for collecting dust is disposed immediately inside the air inlet 14 of the air passage 14.

  The blower fan 8 is an axial fan and is provided in the air passage 14. The blower fan 8 is provided with an intake port (not shown) that opens in the axial direction of the housing facing the suction port 5, and an exhaust port (not shown) that opens on the opposite side of the axial direction with respect to the intake port blows. It is arranged to face the outlet 6. As a result, when the blower fan 8 is driven, as shown by the arrow A, the external air sucked from the suction port 5 flows into the air passage 14 and is directed from the blower outlet 6 toward the front side of the blower unit 2. Blown out.

  The ion generator 7 is disposed adjacent to the air passage 14 and upstream of the blower fan 8 in the air flow direction. The ion generator 7 is packaged with an electrode used for discharge for discharging ions and other electronic components housed in a housing. And the ion generator 7 is accommodated so that attachment or detachment with respect to the accommodating part (not shown) formed adjacent to the air path 14 is possible.

  FIG. 4 shows a plan view of the ion generator 7. The ion generator 7 has a pair of ion generators 7e and 7f. The ion generation part 7e has the acicular discharge electrode 7a and the cyclic | annular counter electrode 7c facing the discharge electrode 7a. The ion generation part 7f has the acicular discharge electrode 7b and the cyclic | annular counter electrode 7d facing the discharge electrode 7b.

  A voltage having an AC waveform or an impulse waveform is applied between the discharge electrode 7a and the counter electrode 7c and between the discharge electrode 7b and the counter electrode 7d of the ion generator 7. As a result, the discharge electrodes 7a and 7b undergo corona discharge, and ions are generated from the ion generators 7e and 7f. Ions generated by the ion generator 7 are released into the air passage 14 as indicated by an arrow B (see FIG. 3).

A positive voltage is applied between the discharge electrode 7a and the counter electrode 7c, and the ions combine with moisture in the air to generate positive ions mainly composed of H ⁺ (H ₂ O) m. A negative voltage is applied between the discharge electrode 7b and the counter electrode 7d, and the ions combine 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. H ⁺ (H ₂ O) m and O ₂ ⁻ (H ₂ O) n aggregate on the surface of airborne bacteria and odorous components and surround them.

Then, as shown in the formulas (1) to (3), active species [· OH] (hydroxyl radical) and H ₂ O ₂ (hydrogen peroxide) are aggregated and formed on the surface of a microorganism or the like by collision. Destroy airborne bacteria and odorous 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 6.

_{^{H + (H 2 O) m}} + O 2 - (H 2 O) n → · OH + 1 / 2O 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 this embodiment, positive ions and negative ions are generated by the ion generator 7. However, only negative ions may be generated.

 In the present invention, the ion includes charged fine particle water. At this time, the ion generator 7 is composed of an electrostatic atomizer, and charged fine particle water containing a radical component is generated by the electrostatic atomizer. That is, condensation water is generated on the surface of the discharge electrode by cooling the discharge electrode provided in the electrostatic atomizer by the Peltier element. Next, when a negative high voltage is applied to the discharge electrode, charged fine particle water is generated from the dew condensation water. In addition, negative ions released into the air together with the charged fine particle water are also generated from the discharge electrode.

  FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross section perpendicular to the air flow in the air passage 14. The discharge electrodes 7a and 7b of the ion generator 7 are arranged side by side in a direction perpendicular to the airflow direction (arrow A, see FIG. 3). An ion sensor 41 is disposed on the peripheral wall of the air passage 14. The ion sensor 41 has a collecting electrode 41 b (see FIG. 5) facing the air passage 14, and is arranged at a non-facing position where the collecting electrode 41 b does not face the ion generator 7.

  FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross section parallel to the air flow in the air passage 14. In the ion sensor 41, a collecting electrode 41b is formed on a substrate 41a by a conductor pattern. The collecting electrode 41b may be formed of a metal plate. The collection electrode 41b extends in the air flow direction and is formed in a band shape. The collecting electrode 41b may be divided into the air flow direction and extended in the air flow direction. The collection electrode 41b is disposed on a cross section that is perpendicular to the air flow direction of the air passage 14 and passes through the ion generation portions 7e and 7f of the ion generation device 7.

  The concentration of ions generated by the ion generator 7 is distributed concentrically with respect to the tips of the discharge electrodes 7a and 7b as shown by a broken line C in FIGS. 5 and 6 when the blower fan 8 is stopped. Thereby, ions can be collected by the collection electrode 41b arranged on the cross section perpendicular to the discharge electrodes 7a and 7b, and the ion sensor 41 can accurately detect the ions when the blower fan 8 is stopped.

  FIG. 7 shows the ion concentration distribution when the blower fan 8 is driven. Ions generated in the ion generator 7 are caused to flow downstream by the airflow flowing in the direction of arrow A by driving the blower fan 8. As a result, the concentration of ions is distributed to the downstream side with respect to the discharge electrodes 7a and 7b as indicated by the broken line C '. At this time, ions can be collected by the collecting electrode 41b formed extending in the air flow direction, and the ions when the blower fan 8 is driven can be accurately detected by the ion sensor 41.

  2 and 3, the circuit board 10 is mounted with a control circuit of the air conditioner 1. A light source 9 and an operation unit 16 are provided on the surface of the circuit board 10 on the front side of the blower unit 2. Both the light source 9 and the operation unit 16 are disposed on the blowing surface 2 b of the blower unit 2. A display unit 17 is provided on the surface of the circuit board 10 on the back side of the blower unit 2.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the light source 9 includes, for example, three LEDs 9 a and is provided on the outlet surface 2 b in the vicinity of the outlet 6. The light source 9 emits light in the same direction as the air blowing direction from the outlet 6.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the operation unit 16 includes, for example, a slide switch 16a, and is provided on the support pipe 3 side with respect to the light source 9 of the blowout surface 2b. By sliding the slide switch 16a in the operation unit 16, a power-off state by “off”, an ion emission operation state by “ion”, an ion emission by “ion + illumination”, and an operation state of illumination on are selected. be able to. Although not shown, a maintenance mode is provided in which the ion generator 7 is driven by a predetermined operation and the blower fan 8 is stopped.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the display unit 17 includes, for example, three LEDs 17 a, and is provided on the back side of the blower unit 2 and on the opposite side of the light source 9 and the operation unit 16. Each of the three LEDs 17a is turned on to display the operation states of the blower fan 8, the ion generator 7, and the light source 9, that is, the power-on state.

  The circuit board 10 is provided with a battery 18 made of, for example, a button type battery. A light source 9 is electrically connected to the battery 18. That is, the blower fan 8 and the ion generator 7 are electrically connected only to the power plug 13 and the light source 9 is electrically connected to the power plug 13 and the battery 18 via the operation unit 16 and a control circuit (not shown). ing. Thereby, the air conditioner 1 can perform illumination by the light source 9 at the time of a power failure.

  In the air conditioner 1 having the above configuration, the support pipe 3 is bent, and the air blowing unit 2 is disposed at a desired position such as the vicinity of the user's face. When the slide switch 16a of the operation unit 16 is switched from “OFF” to “ION”, the blower fan 8 and the ion generator 7 are driven. Thereby, ion is sent out to the vicinity of a user's face etc., and sterilization and deodorization of a user's vicinity can be performed.

  When the slide switch 16a is switched to “ion + illumination”, the light source 9, the blower fan 8, and the ion generator 7 are driven. Accordingly, it is possible to perform sterilization and deodorization in the vicinity of the user, and perform desk lighting in the vicinity of the user.

  In addition, when the maintenance mode is executed, the ion generator 7 is driven. Thereby, ion fills in the air passage 14, and it can disinfect and deodorize in the air passage 14.

  Ions generated by the ion generator 7 are detected by an ion sensor 41. When the amount of ions detected by the ion sensor 41 decreases below a predetermined value, the display unit 17 notifies, for example, by blinking. Thereby, when the ion generation amount of the ion generator 7 is reduced by the foreign matter adhering to the discharge electrodes 7a and 7b due to corona discharge, cleaning of the discharge electrodes 7a and 7b and replacement of the ion generator 7 are promoted.

  According to the present embodiment, the collection electrode 41b of the ion sensor 41 is formed to extend in the air flow direction, and is disposed on a cross section perpendicular to the air flow direction and passing through the ion generators 7e and 7f of the ion generator 7. The Thereby, the ions generated by the ion generator 7 when the blower fan 8 is stopped and driven can be accurately detected by the ion sensor 41.

  In addition, if the collection electrode 41b is formed in a wide area of the air passage 14, for example, in a rectangular shape, ions collected by the collection electrode 41b increase and ions sent from the outlet 6 decrease. For this reason, the collection electrode 41b is formed to extend in the airflow distribution direction by a belt shape or the like, thereby suppressing a decrease in ions delivered from the outlet 6.

  In addition, since the ion generator 7 and the collection electrode 41b are disposed on the peripheral wall of the air passage 14 so as not to face each other, the ion generation apparatus 7 and the collection electrode 41b are disposed closer to each other than when facing each other. . Therefore, ions generated by the ion generator 7 can be detected more accurately.

  Moreover, since the ion generator 7 has electrodes (7a, 7b) that generate ions by corona discharge, it is possible to accurately detect the ion generation amount of the electrode to which foreign matter adheres by corona discharge. Therefore, the cleaning time and replacement time of the ion generator 7 can be easily detected.

  Further, since the display unit 17 notifies the display unit 17 when the amount of ions generated decreases below a predetermined value based on the detection result of the ion sensor 41, a desired amount of ions can be obtained by cleaning the ion generator 7. Can be sent out.

  The display unit 17 may be formed of a liquid crystal panel or the like, and the amount of ions generated detected by the ion sensor 41 may be displayed by a numerical value or the like. Thereby, the user can grasp the cleaning time and replacement time of the ion generator 7 in more detail, and the convenience of the ion delivery device 40 can be improved.

  In this embodiment, you may form so that the support part 4 may be clamped to the top plate, bed frame, etc. of a desk.

  Moreover, although the ion delivery apparatus 40 is mounted in the stand type air conditioner 1, you may mount in another electric equipment. For example, the ion delivery device 40 may be mounted on an air conditioner installed on an indoor floor or wall such as an air conditioner, humidifier, dehumidifier, warm air fan, electric fan, air purifier, etc. The ion delivery device 40 may be mounted in a refrigerator or the like.

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention can be used for an ion delivery device that delivers ions, and can be used for an air conditioner, a vacuum cleaner, a refrigerator, and the like.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Air conditioner 2 Air blower 2a Housing | casing 2b Outlet surface 3 Support pipe 4 Support part 5 Suction port 6 Air outlet 7 Ion generator 7a, 7b Discharge electrode 7c, 7d Counter electrode 8 Blower fan 9 Light source 11 Power cord 13 Power plug DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 14 Air passage 16 Operation part 17 Display part 18 Battery 40 Ion delivery apparatus 41 Ion sensor 41a Board | substrate 41b Collection electrode

Claims (6)

An air passage having an air suction port and an air outlet, and an air passage in which a blower fan is disposed; an ion generation unit that generates and discharges ions into the air passage; and a collection electrode that collects ions and a ion sensor for detecting ions emitted from the ion generating unit, the ion discharge device for delivering from the outlet air containing ions,
The collection electrode is formed in a strip shape extending in the upstream and downstream sides of the air flow with respect to a cross section perpendicular to the air flow direction and passing through the ion generation unit, and the ion generation unit and the collection electrode are formed in the air passage. An ion delivery device arranged on a peripheral wall . The ion delivery device according to claim 1, wherein the ion generation unit and the collection electrode are disposed so as not to face each other. 2. The state in which ions are generated by the ion generation unit and the blower fan is driven, and the state in which ions are generated by the ion generation unit and the blower fan is stopped can be selected. Item 3. The ion delivery device according to Item 2. The ion collection device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the collection electrode is formed of a conductor pattern or a metal plate . The ion generation unit has an electrode that generates ions by corona discharge, and performs notification that prompts cleaning of the electrode when the generation amount of ions is reduced below a predetermined value based on a detection result of the ion sensor. The ion delivery device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the ion delivery device is characterized.   An electrical apparatus comprising the ion delivery device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

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