JP6016497B2 - Ion generator and electrical equipment - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an ion generator that generates positive ions, negative ions, and electrons for making positive ions neutral atoms.

  Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2006-34957 (Patent Document 1) discloses an ion generation including a ceramic plate that generates positive ions and a needle electrode that generates negative ions and electrons for making positive ions into neutral atoms. An apparatus is disclosed.

  In this ion generator, positive ions generated in the ceramic plate are circulated toward the needle-like electrode by a blowing means or the like, so that the positive ions are neutralized by electrons generated in the needle-like electrode and converted into neutral atoms. . Therefore, nonpolar neutral atoms and negative negative ions can be released to the outside and attached to an object (for example, a substance floating in the air).

JP 2006-34957 A

  As described above, the ion generator disclosed in Patent Document 1 releases neutral atoms and negative ions to the outside and attaches them to an object. However, when the object is negative, negative ions are difficult to adhere to the object due to clone repulsion.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to neutralize the negative polarity of an object and easily attach negative ions to the object.

  An ion generator according to the present invention includes a positive ion generator that generates positive ions, a negative ion generator that generates negative ions and electrons for converting positive ions to neutral atoms, and negative ions and neutrals. In addition to the atoms, there is provided emission means for releasing positive ions to the outside as they are.

  Preferably, the release means operates the positive ion generation unit and stops the negative ion generation unit to release positive ions to the outside, and simultaneously operates the positive ion generation unit and the negative ion generation unit. This is a control device that selectively executes the second control for releasing negative ions and neutral atoms to the outside.

Preferably, the control device periodically executes the first control and the second control.
Preferably, the control device executes the first control until a predetermined period elapses from the start of the start, and periodically executes the first control and the second control after the predetermined period elapses.

  Preferably, the discharge means is provided between the positive ion generation unit and the negative ion generation unit, and the air flow path from the positive ion generation unit to the negative ion generation unit is routed through the vicinity of the negative ion generation unit and the negative ion. It is a partition wall divided into a path that does not pass through the vicinity of the generation unit.

Preferably, the positive ion is H ⁺ (H ₂ O) m (m is an arbitrary natural number). The negative ion is O ₂ ⁻ (H ₂ O) n (n is zero or any natural number).

  An electric apparatus according to another aspect of the present invention includes the above-described ion generator and a blower that generates an air flow from the positive ion generator toward the negative ion generator.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the negative polarity of a target object can be neutralized and it can make it easy to attach a negative ion to a target object.

It is a figure which shows the external appearance of the air cleaner provided with the ion generator. It is a figure which shows the BB cross section of FIG. It is a perspective view (the 1) of an ion generator. It is a figure which shows the internal structure of an ion generator. It is a figure for demonstrating the 1st mode and the 2nd mode. It is FIG. (1) which shows an example of the switching aspect between 1st mode and 2nd mode. It is FIG. (2) which shows an example of the switching aspect between 1st mode and 2nd mode. It is a perspective view (the 2) of an ion generator. It is a figure (the 1) which shows the distribution channel of positive ions typically. It is a perspective view (the 3) of an ion generator. FIG. 3 is a diagram (part 2) schematically showing a distribution path of positive ions.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. Their names and functions are also the same. Therefore, detailed description thereof will not be repeated.
[Embodiment 1]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an external appearance of an air cleaner 1 that is an example of an electrical apparatus including an ion generator according to the present embodiment. In addition to the air purifier, the ion generator according to the present embodiment includes an ion generator, an air conditioner (including a vehicle-mounted one), a ventilator, a refrigerator, a washing machine, a vacuum cleaner, a dryer, and a humidifier. It may be provided in an electric device such as a dehumidifier, a hair dryer, a ceramic fan heater or a fan.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the air cleaner 1 is provided with a first air outlet 2 at the center upper portion as viewed from the front (viewed from the direction of arrow A in FIG. 1). A suction port (see FIG. 2) is provided on the back surface of the air cleaner 1. Inside the air cleaner 1, there are provided a blower and an ion generator (see FIG. 2) that operate by receiving power. During the operation of the air cleaner 1, the air taken in from the suction port by the blower is blown out from the first outlet 2 together with the ions generated by the ion generator.

  FIG. 2 is a view showing a cross section taken along the line BB of the air cleaner 1 of FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the air purifier 1 includes a housing 3, a blower 5, an ion generator 10, and a duct 11.

  The upper surface of the housing 3 is formed to be inclined toward the back side. A second air outlet 4 is provided on the upper surface of the housing 3. Below the center of the back surface of the housing 3, a projecting surface is formed that projects to the back side of the other surface in order to secure a space for disposing the blower 5. The suction port 6 is formed on the projecting surface. Is formed.

  The inlet 6 is provided with a lattice grill 7 made of resin. A mesh-like thin filter 8 is attached to the inside of the grill 7. A fan guard 9 is provided behind the filter 8 (on the blower 5 side) so that foreign matter and a user's finger do not enter the blower 5.

  The blower 5 is provided on the lower side in the housing 3 and sends the air sucked from the suction port 6 into the duct 11. The blower 5 is, for example, a cross flow fan, but is not particularly limited thereto.

  The duct 11 is provided inside the housing 3 along the vertical direction. An opening at the lower end of the duct 11 is provided to face the suction port 6. A blower 5 is provided at the opening at the lower end of the duct 11. The upper end of the duct 11 is connected to each of the first air outlet 2 and the second air outlet 4.

  The ion generator 10 is provided in the center part between the upper end and lower end of the duct 11, as shown to the broken-line frame of FIG. The ion generator 10 includes a rectangular case 12, a positive ion generator 13, and a negative ion generator 14. The positive ion generator 13 and the negative ion generator 14 are provided on any one of the plurality of surfaces of the case 12 (hereinafter referred to as “ion generation surface”). The positive ion generator 13 and the negative ion generator 14 are provided so as to be separated by a predetermined distance. The case 12 is not particularly limited to a rectangular shape as long as the relative positional relationship between the positive ion generator 13 and the negative ion generator 14 can be regulated.

  An opening for attaching the ion generator 10 is formed at the center of the duct 11. The ion generator 10 is attached so as to close the opening of the duct 11. At this time, the ion generator 10 is attached to the duct 11 so that the ion generating surface of the case 12 is integrated with the inner wall surface of the duct 11. When the ion generator 10 is attached to the duct 11, the position of the positive ion generator 13 is located on the windward side of the position of the negative ion generator 14 (upstream of the flow of air flowing in the duct 11. ) Position.

  As shown by the white arrow in FIG. 2, the air sucked from the suction port 6 by the operation of the blower 5 is sent to the lower end of the duct 11 via the blower 5. The air sent to the lower end of the duct 11 flows toward the upper end of the duct 11 together with the ions generated by the ion generator 10 in the duct 11. The air and ions circulated to the upper end of the duct 11 are discharged from the first blower outlet 2 toward the front of the air cleaner 1 and discharged from the second blower outlet 4 toward the diagonally rear of the air cleaner 1. Is done.

As a result of applying a positive voltage to the positive ion generator 13 of the ion generator 10, moisture in the air is ionized by creeping discharge, and H ⁺ (H ₂ O) m (m is a natural number) (hereinafter simply “ Positive ions ”). On the other hand, as a result of applying a negative voltage to the negative ion generator 14, electrons are discharged by discharge, and O ₂ ⁻ (H ₂ O) n (n is zero or a natural number) (hereinafter simply referred to as “negative ions”). Occurs.

  When the blower 5 is activated, positive ions generated in the positive ion generator 13 circulate toward the negative ion generator 14 together with the air flowing in the duct 11. Positive ions flowing toward the negative ion generator 14 are converted into hydrogen atoms (neutral atoms) when combined with electrons generated in the negative ion generator 14. Hydrogen atoms are released from the first air outlet 2 or the second air outlet 4 to the outside of the air cleaner 1 together with the negative ions generated by the negative ion generator 14.

  FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the ion generator 10. In FIG. 3, an arrow X indicates a blowing direction in a state where the ion generator 10 is attached to the duct 11. An arrow Y indicates a direction substantially orthogonal to the blowing direction. In the following description, the direction indicated by the arrow X is also simply referred to as “X direction”, and the direction indicated by the arrow Y is also simply referred to as “Y direction”.

  The positive ion generator 13 is disposed at the windward center on the ion generation surface of the case 12. The positive ion generator 13 includes a first dielectric 15 and a discharge electrode 16. The first dielectric 15 is an insulator such as ceramic formed in a plate shape. The discharge electrode 16 is an electrode that generates positive ions when a positive voltage is applied. For example, the discharge electrode 16 is a printed electrode printed on the upper surface of the first dielectric 15, but is not particularly limited to the printed electrode.

  The discharge electrode 16 is formed, for example, to have a rectangular shape as a whole. In the drawing, the rectangular longitudinal direction of the discharge electrode 16 is parallel to the Y direction, but the rectangular longitudinal direction of the discharge electrode 16 may be parallel to the X direction.

  The discharge electrode 16 includes a plurality of discharge parts 17 having a sharp shape and a conductive part 18 connecting the plurality of discharge parts 17. The shape, number, and arrangement pattern of the discharge site 17 and the conductive site 18 are not particularly limited to those shown in FIG.

  When a positive voltage is applied to the discharge electrode 16, particularly many positive ions are generated at the sharp tips of the plurality of discharge portions 17. Positive ions generated at the discharge site 17 circulate in the X direction together with air.

  The negative ion generation unit 14 is disposed in the central part on the leeward side on the ion generation surface of the case 12. The negative ion generator 14 includes a needle electrode 21 and a protective cover 22. The protective cover 22 suppresses contact of the operator with the needle-like electrode 21 during manufacture or repair of the air cleaner 1. The protective cover 22 has a shape in which a portion located in the X direction with respect to the needle-like electrode 21 is opened. Further, the protective cover 22 has a shape in which a portion facing the tip of the needle electrode 21 is opened.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the internal structure of the ion generator 10. The positive ion generator 13 further includes a second dielectric 19 and an induction electrode 20 in addition to the first dielectric 15 and the discharge electrode 16 described above. The second dielectric 19 is formed in a plate shape having the same size as the first dielectric 15 using an insulator such as ceramic. The induction electrode 20 is, for example, a printed electrode printed on the upper surface of the second dielectric 19, but is not particularly limited to a printed electrode. The induction electrode 20 is connected to a ground level part.

  The negative ion generator 14 further includes a counter electrode 23 in addition to the needle electrode 21. The counter electrode 23 is connected to a ground level part.

  Further, the ion generator 10 includes a control device 30 that controls the voltage applied to the discharge electrode 16 and the needle electrode 21. The control device 30 operates the positive ion generator 13 by applying a positive voltage (for example, a potential of about plus 3 kV with respect to the ground level) to the discharge electrode 16. As a result, positive ions are generated from the positive ion generator 13. The control device 30 operates the negative ion generator 14 by applying a negative voltage (for example, a potential of about minus 3 kV with respect to the ground level) to the needle electrode 21. As a result, electrons and negative ions are generated from the negative ion generator 14.

  In the air cleaner 1 having the above-described configuration, when the positive ion generation unit 13 and the negative ion generation unit 14 are operated simultaneously, neutral atoms and negative ions are released to the outside and an object (for example, in the air) It is possible to adhere to substances that float on the surface. However, when the object is negatively charged, negative ions are difficult to adhere to the object due to clone repulsion.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, as a control mode of the ion generator 10, a mode in which positive ions are released to the outside (hereinafter referred to as “first mode”) and a mode in which neutral atoms and negative ions are released to the outside. (Hereinafter referred to as “second mode”). Then, the control device 30 selectively executes the first mode and the second mode.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the first mode and the second mode. The control device 30 executes the operation by periodically switching between the first mode and the second mode.

  During execution of the first mode, the control device 30 operates the positive ion generation unit 13 and stops the negative ion generation unit 14. Thereby, the positive ions generated in the positive ion generator 13 are released to the outside without being neutralized even if they pass through the vicinity of the negative ion generator 14. This positive ion can electrically neutralize the negatively charged object.

  During execution of the second mode, the control device 30 operates both the positive ion generation unit 13 and the negative ion generation unit 14. Thereby, the positive ions generated in the positive ion generator 13 are neutralized in the vicinity of the negative ion generator 14 to become neutral atoms, and negative ions are generated in the negative ion generator 14. Accordingly, during the second mode, neutral atoms and negative ions are released to the outside. At this time, if the object is negatively charged, negative ions are difficult to adhere to the object. However, in the present embodiment, as described above, the object has a negative polarity during the execution of the first mode. Since it is summed, the clone repulsive force acting between the negative ions and the object is weakened. Therefore, it is possible to easily attach negative ions released during execution of the second mode to the object.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a switching mode between the first mode and the second mode. The control device 30 switches between the first mode and the second mode at a predetermined cycle T1. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, the control device 30 always operates the positive ion generation unit 13 and switches the operation and stop of the negative ion generation unit 14 at a cycle T1. If it does in this way, since a positive ion is discharge | released outside periodically, the negative polarity of a target object can be neutralized periodically.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the first mode in which positive ions are released to the outside and the second mode in which neutral atoms and negative ions are released to the outside are periodically switched. Thereby, since the negative polarity of a target object is neutralized by the positive ion discharge | released during 1st mode, the negative ion discharge | released during 2nd mode can be made to adhere easily to a target object.

Note that the mode of switching between the first mode and the second mode is not limited to the mode shown in FIG. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, after the start of the ion generator 10, the first mode is selected until the initial period T0 (T0> T1) has elapsed, and after the initial period T0 has elapsed, the first mode and the first mode are selected. Switching between the two modes may be performed at a cycle T1. If it does in this way, the negative polarity of a target object can be neutralized intensively in the initial period T0.
[Embodiment 2]
In the above-described first embodiment, the period in which positive ions are released to the outside is secured by performing the control of periodically selecting the first mode.

  On the other hand, in the second embodiment, the air flow path from the positive ion generator 13 to the negative ion generator 14 passes through the air flow path that does not pass through the vicinity of the negative ion generator 14 and the vicinity of the negative ion generator 14. By providing a partition wall that divides the air flow path, neutral atoms, negative ions, and positive ions are simultaneously released to the outside.

  FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an ion generator 10A according to the present embodiment. The ion generator 10A is obtained by adding a partition wall 24 to the ion generator 10 according to the first embodiment. During the operation of the ion generator 10A according to the present embodiment, both the positive ion generator 13 and the negative ion generator 14 are operated. Since other structures, functions, and processes are the same as those in the first embodiment, detailed description thereof will not be repeated here.

  The partition wall 24 is composed of two rectangular flat plates provided on both sides of the air blowing path that passes through the vicinity of the negative ion generator 14. A route passing through the inside of the two flat plates (a route sandwiched between the two flat plates) becomes a blower route passing through the vicinity of the negative ion generator 14, and a route passing through the outside of the two flat plates is the negative ion generator 14. The ventilation path does not pass through the vicinity. The distance between the two flat plates is set to be shorter than the width of the discharge electrode 16 in the Y direction. For this reason, the plurality of discharge sites 17 include those arranged inside the two flat plates and those arranged outside in the Y direction.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram schematically showing a distribution path of positive ions. Most of the positive ions generated at the discharge site 17 disposed outside the two flat plates in the Y direction pass outside the two flat plates and therefore do not pass through the vicinity of the negative ion generator 14. Therefore, it is released to the outside as positive ions without being converted to neutral atoms. This positive ion neutralizes the negative polarity of the object.

  On the other hand, most of the positive ions generated at the discharge site 17 arranged inside the two flat plates in the Y direction pass through the inside of the two flat plates and pass through the vicinity of the negative ion generating portion 14, thereby neutral atoms. Is converted to Therefore, neutral atoms and negative ions are released to the outside from the path passing through the inside of the two flat plates. At this time, since the negative polarity of the object is neutralized by the positive ions released through the outside of the two flat plates, negative ions released through the inside of the two flat plates adhere to the object. Can be made easier.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the partition wall 24 that divides the blowing path into a path that does not pass through the vicinity of the negative ion generator 14 and a path that passes through the vicinity of the negative ion generator 14 is provided. Therefore, neutral atoms, negative ions, and positive ions can be simultaneously released to the outside. Thereby, the negative polarity of a target object can be neutralized with positive ions, and negative ions can be easily attached to the target object.

  In the present embodiment, the case where the partition wall 24 is configured by two rectangular flat plates has been described, but the partition wall is not necessarily limited to such a shape. For example, instead of the ion generator 10A provided with the partition wall 24 shown in FIG. 8, it may be changed to the ion generator 10B provided with the partition wall 25 shown in FIG.

  The partition wall 25 of the ion generator 10 </ b> B shown in FIG. 10 has a tunnel structure that covers the blowing path that passes through the vicinity of the negative ion generator 14. Note that the width of the partition wall 25 in the Y direction increases as it approaches the positive ion generator 13, but is set shorter than the width of the discharge electrode 16 in the Y direction. For this reason, the plurality of discharge portions 17 include those arranged inside the partition wall 25 and those arranged outside in the Y direction.

  Even in this case, as shown in FIG. 11, positive ions passing outside the partition wall 25 do not pass through the vicinity of the negative ion generator 14 and are released to the outside as they are. On the other hand, positive ions passing through the inside of the partition wall 25 pass through the vicinity of the negative ion generation unit 14 and are converted into neutral atoms. Therefore, neutral atoms, negative ions, and positive ions can be simultaneously released to the outside. Thereby, the negative polarity of a target object can be neutralized with positive ions, and negative ions can be easily attached to the target object.

  The embodiment disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Air cleaner, 2 1st blower outlet, 3 Housing, 4 2nd blower outlet, 5 Blower, 6 Suction port, 7 Grill, 8 Filter, 9 Fan guard, 10, 10A, 10B Ion generator, 11 Duct, 12 cases, 13 positive ion generator, 14 negative ion generator, 15 first dielectric, 16 discharge electrode, 17 discharge site, 18 conductive site, 19 second dielectric, 20 induction electrode, 21 needle electrode, 22 protection Cover, 23 Counter electrode, 24, 25 Partition wall, 30 Control device.

Claims (3)

A positive ion generator that generates positive ions;
A negative ion generator that generates negative ions and electrons for converting the positive ions into neutral atoms;
In addition to the negative ions and the neutral atoms, the release means for releasing the positive ions as they are to the outside ,
The discharge means is provided between the positive ion generation unit and the negative ion generation unit, and a path that passes from the positive ion generation unit to the negative ion generation unit through the vicinity of the negative ion generation unit An ion generator, which is a partition wall divided into a path that does not pass through the vicinity of the negative ion generator . When m is an arbitrary natural number, the positive ion is H ⁺ (H ₂ O) m ,
When zero or a natural number and n, the said negative _ions, ^O 2 - is _(H 2 O) n, the ion generating device according to claim 1. The ion generator according to claim 1 or 2 ,
An electric device comprising: a blower that generates a flow of air from the positive ion generator to the negative ion generator.

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