JP6735596B2 - Ion generator, air conditioner equipped with ion generator - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an ion generator that generates ions by electric discharge and an air conditioner including the ion generator.

In recent years, an air conditioner such as an air conditioner equipped with an ion generator that generates ions by electric discharge has appeared (for example, Patent Document 1). Usually, the ions generated from the ion generator are moved by applying the wind from the blower to the electric field generated by the discharge so that the effect is exerted in the intended space (room, etc.). Therefore, it is necessary to arrange the ion generator in the air passage of the air conditioner.

By the way, the ion generator is provided with a protective cover so that a person's hand does not directly touch the electrodes to which a voltage is applied. The protective cover is attached to the wall surface of the circuit board so as to cover the electric field generated in the discharge electrode of the ion generating element provided on the circuit board, as shown in FIG. Forms a basin part in which water flows. In this protective cover, long and narrow crosspieces are formed in the vertical direction (downward from the wall surface of the circuit board) on the upstream side and the downstream side of the wind applied to the electric field, and the wind from the outside is introduced into the basin area, It can be discharged from the section to the outside.

Japanese Patent No. 463085 (registered October 8, 2010)

However, in the conventional ion generator, the wind from the blower is disturbed when passing through the crosspiece of the protective cover, resulting in a turbulent flow. Therefore, there is a problem in that the air blown to the electric field generated by the discharge of the ion generator is lost, and the amount of ions discharged from the protective cover to the outside is reduced.

Moreover, when the wind is allowed to pass through the basin surrounded by the protective cover and the circuit board, due to the characteristics of the fluid, the closer the wall surface of the circuit board is, the worse the flow of the wind becomes, and the wind velocity of the wind hitting the electric field becomes uneven. In particular, when turbulence occurs, the wind velocity of the wind that hits the electric field becomes noticeable. As a result, for example, as shown in FIG. 2B, the wind hitting the electric field is biased away from the wall surface of the circuit board having a slow wind speed, and it is difficult for the wind to hit the entire electric field. The problem arises that the quantity will be small.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to reduce the deviation of the wind speed of the air blow to the electric field and uniformly apply the wind to the entire electric field, so that the protective cover can be applied to the outside. An object of the present invention is to provide an ion generator capable of increasing the amount of ejected ions.

In order to solve the above problems, the ion generator according to one embodiment of the present invention has a circuit board on which a discharge electrode that generates an electric field by voltage application is arranged, and covers the discharge electrode arranged on the circuit board, An opening for passing wind through the electric field, and a protective cover having at least one crosspiece formed in the opening, the protective cover being formed when the protective cover covers the discharge electrode. A rectifying member that regulates the flow of air introduced through the opening in which the crosspiece is formed is provided in a basin portion between the protective cover and the circuit board.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the unevenness of the wind speed of the air blow to the electric field is reduced and the wind is uniformly applied to the entire electric field, whereby the amount of ions discharged from the protective cover to the outside can be increased. Has the effect.

It is a figure for demonstrating the principle of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the comparative example of FIG. (A) is a front view of the indoor unit which concerns on this embodiment, (b) is a right view. 4A and 4B are external perspective views of the indoor unit shown in FIG. 3, in which FIG. 7A is a state in which the blowing direction is upward, and FIG. 4B is a diagram in which the blowing direction is downward. FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB of FIG. 3A, in which FIG. 3A is a state in which the blowing direction is upward and FIG. 3B is a diagram in which the blowing direction is downward. It is an external appearance perspective view of the ion generator mounted in the indoor unit. (A) is a top view of an ion generator, (b) is a front view of an ion generator, (c) is a DD line arrow sectional view of (b). It is an external appearance perspective view which looked at the protective cover with which the ion generator shown in Drawing 6 was equipped from the inside. FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along line CC of FIG. It is a schematic sectional drawing of the ion generator which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a schematic sectional drawing of the ion generator which concerns on Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is a schematic sectional drawing of the ion generator which concerns on Embodiment 4 of this invention. It is a principal part enlarged view of the protective cover which concerns on Embodiment 5 of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the XX line sectional view in the protective cover of FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the YY line sectional view in the protective cover of FIG.

Before describing the embodiments of the present invention, the principle of the present invention will be described.

(Principle of the invention)
1(a) to 1(c) are diagrams schematically showing the flow of wind for ion emission in the ion generator of the present invention.

FIG. 2A is a plan view of the conventional ion generator seen from the protective cover side, and FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG. It is the figure which showed typically.

As described above in the section of [Problems to be Solved by the Invention], in the conventional ion generator, as shown in FIG. 2B, air is blown from the wall surface of the circuit board having a slow wind speed. Bias away from you.

On the other hand, in the present invention, as shown in (a) to (c) of FIG. 1, a rectifying member (first rectifying member) that regulates the flow of wind introduced into the protective cover from the upstream side of the blown air through the crosspiece. By providing the plate, the second rectifying plate), the turbulent flow generated by the protective cover is reduced, and the deviation of the wind speed of the air blow to the electric field is reduced.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1A, in the basin portion surrounded by the protective cover and the circuit board, the protective cover is introduced into the inner side of the upstream fan in the air-blowing direction through the same. A first straightening vane (straightening member) that regulates the flow of wind is formed. The first rectifying plate is arranged such that the plate surface is parallel to the air blowing direction, and the longer the length in the air blowing direction is, the more the rectifying effect is obtained. It is preferable to set the length so that it does not affect. The first rectifying plate is preferably provided up to the wall surface of the circuit board. As a result, turbulent flow near the wall surface of the circuit board, where the wind speed decreases due to the characteristics of the fluid, can be suppressed, so that the decrease in wind speed can be suppressed. Therefore, the first rectifying plate has an effect of suppressing the turbulent flow of the wind that has passed through the crosspiece on the upstream side in the blowing direction and making the velocity distribution of the wind hitting the electric field uniform.

Further, as shown in FIG. 1B, in the basin portion surrounded by the protective cover and the circuit board, the flow of wind introduced through the crosspiece at a position of the protective cover facing the wall surface of the circuit board. A second rectifying plate (rectifying member) for adjusting the above is formed. The second rectifying plate is a rib-shaped member that extends from the cross-piece upstream in the air-blowing direction to the cross-piece downstream in the air-blowing direction at a position facing the wall surface of the circuit board of the protective cover. The higher the height of the second rectifying plate is, the more the rectifying effect is obtained. However, the higher the height of the second rectifying plate is, the closer the electric field approaches and the electric field is affected. Therefore, it is preferable to set the height so that the electric field is not affected. With this second straightening plate, there is an effect that the flow of air can be adjusted from the upstream side to the downstream side in the air blowing direction.

Further, as shown in FIG. 1(c), the first straightening vane shown in FIG. 1(a) and the second straightening vane shown in FIG. 1(b) may be combined. In this case, both the effect of the first rectifying plate and the effect of the second rectifying plate can be exhibited, so that no loss occurs in the air blowing to the electric field, and the wind speed of the air blowing to the electric field is biased. The amount of ions discharged from the protective cover to the outside can be suppressed by reducing the amount of air and applying air to the entire electric field.

In the following embodiments, first, as the best mode embodiment 1, an example in which a first cover plate and a second cover plate are provided on a protective cover as shown in FIG. 1C will be described. Next, a modified example of the first embodiment (another example of the first straightening vane) will be referred to as a second embodiment, and subsequently, as a third embodiment, as shown in FIG. An example in which only the plate is provided will be described, and further an example in which only the second rectifying plate is provided in the protective cover will be described as Embodiment 4 as illustrated in FIG.

[Embodiment 1]
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail. In the present embodiment, an example in which the ion generator of the present invention is installed in an indoor unit of an air conditioner, which is a type of air conditioner, will be described.

(Outline of air conditioner)
FIG. 3A is a front view of the indoor unit, and FIG. 3B is a right side view. 4A and 4B are external perspective views of the indoor unit, where FIG. 4A is a state in which the blowing direction is upward and FIG. 4B is a diagram in which the blowing direction is downward. FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along the line BB of FIG. 3A, in which FIG. 5A shows a state in which the blowing direction is upward, and FIG. 5B is a diagram in a state in which the blowing direction is downward. is there.

As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the indoor unit includes a cabinet 1 having a curved surface from the front surface to the bottom surface. The cabinet 1 includes a heat exchanger 3 and an indoor fan 4, and has a suction port 5 formed on an upper surface and a blowout port 6 formed on a curved surface. Further, the curved surface of the cabinet 1 is provided with a louver 2 that opens and closes the air outlet 6. The louver 2 can be opened up and down as shown in FIGS. 4(a) and 4(b). The mechanism by which the louver 2 opens up and down is known. Note that it is also possible to employ the mechanism of the wind guide panel 20 and the auxiliary louver 30 described in Japanese Patent No. 4603805 (registered October 8, 2010), for example.

As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, an air passage 7 extending from the suction port 5 to the air outlet 6 is formed inside the cabinet 1, and the heat exchanger 3 and the indoor fan 4 are provided in the air passage 7. And are provided. Further, in the air passage 7, an ion generator 101 is detachably arranged near the air outlet 6. As shown in FIG. 4B, the user attaches and detaches the ion generator 101 while the louver 2 is open downward.

Since the ion generator 101 is arranged in the air passage 7, the ion generator 101 discharges the ions generated by the air flow in the air passage 7 from the air outlet 6.

(Outline of ion generator)
FIG. 6 is an external perspective view of the ion generator. 7A is a top view of the ion generator, FIG. 7B is a front view of the ion generator, and FIG. 7C is a sectional view taken along the line DD of FIG. 7B.

The ion generator 101 has a structure in which the circuit board 16 is housed in a protective case formed by a lid 11 and a protective cover 12. The circuit board 16 has an ion generating element 10a for generating positive ions, an ion generating element 10b for generating negative ions, and a high voltage transformer, a high voltage circuit, and a power supply circuit, which are not shown. The protective cover 12 is a cover for guarding the discharge electrodes 13 of the ion generating elements 10a and 10b of the circuit board 16 from being directly touched by the user.

Each of the ion generating elements 10a and 10b has a discharge electrode 13 and a dielectric electrode 14 in order to generate positive ions and negative ions by, for example, corona discharge. Here, the discharge electrodes 13 are arranged apart from each other in a direction substantially orthogonal to the air flow direction. The discharge electrode 13 is a needle electrode.

The discharge electrode 13 included in the ion generating element 10a is a positive side discharge electrode that generates positive ions, and the discharge electrode 13 included in the ion generating element 10b is a negative side discharge electrode that generates negative ions.

Therefore, in the circuit board 16, when a high voltage is applied to the discharge electrodes 13 of the ion generating element 10a and the ion generating element 10b from a high voltage generating circuit (not shown) equipped with a step-up transformer that generates a high voltage, the needles of the discharge electrode 13 are applied. Corona discharge is generated earlier and ions are generated. The generated ions are discharged through the crosspiece 12a which is the opening of the protective cover 12 which houses the ion generating element 10a and the ion generating element 10b.

In order to increase the amount of generated ions, in the ion generator 101 having the above-described configuration, the basin portion formed when the protective cover 12 covers the discharge electrode 13 (surrounded by the protective cover 12 and the circuit board 16). In a region), a rectifying member that regulates the flow of the air introduced through the opening in which the crosspiece 12a is formed is provided. In the present embodiment, an example will be described in which the first cover plate 12b and the second cover plate 12c as the flow adjusting members are formed on the protective cover 12. The rectifying member may be provided on the protective cover 12 or the circuit board 16.

The details of the protective cover 12 will be described below.

(Detailed description of the protective cover)
FIG. 8 is an external perspective view of the protective cover 12 as viewed from the inside. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line CC of FIG. The arrows shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 indicate the direction of the air blown by the blower (not shown) (blast direction).

As shown in FIG. 8, a plurality of crosspieces 12a are formed in the protective cover 12 at the upstream and downstream openings of the airflow direction so that the wind can pass through the crosspiece 12a. The first rectifying plate (rectifying member) 12b is formed, and the second rectifying plate (rectifying member) 12c is formed on the bottom surface along the air blowing direction.

As shown in FIG. 9, the first rectifying plate 12b is provided in the basin portion formed between the protective cover 12 and the circuit board 16 formed inside the crosspiece 12a on the upstream side of the protective cover 12 in the blowing direction. It is a plate-shaped member having parallel surfaces. As a result, the turbulent flow can be reduced more effectively because the first rectifying plate 12b is formed inside the crosspiece 12a on the upstream side in the air blowing direction of the protective cover 12, in which turbulent flow is particularly likely to occur. Becomes

The protective cover 12 covers the discharge electrode 13 as described above in order to prevent the user from directly touching the discharge electrode 13, but strictly speaking, it is preferable to cover the electric field 15 generated by the discharge electrode 13. .. The electric field 15 indicates a region having an electric field intensity generated by the ions to be moved by the blown air. Therefore, in the following description, the protective cover 12 covers the electric field 15.

Further, the first rectifying plate 12b is extended along the crosspiece 12a to the surface where the discharge electrode 13 of the circuit board 16 is arranged. As a result, the first rectifying plate 12b is extended to the surface of the circuit board 16 on which the discharge electrodes 13 are arranged, which makes the flow of wind worse due to the characteristics of the fluid. It is possible to further reduce the deviation in the wind speed of the wind hitting. As a result, the entire electric field 15 is exposed to the wind, and the amount of ions ejected from the protective cover 12 to the outside can be further increased.

By the way, in order to apply the wind to the electric field 15 generated by the voltage application to the discharge electrode 13 more uniformly, it is necessary to form the first rectifying plate 12b as close to the electric field 15 as possible. If the electric field 15 is too close to the electric field 15, the electric field 15 cannot be properly generated. Therefore, the length of the first rectifying plate 12b in the air blowing direction is set to a length that does not affect the electric field 15 generated by the voltage application to the discharge electrode 13. Thereby, the wind can be applied to the electric field 15 more uniformly without affecting the electric field 15. In the present embodiment, the length of the first rectifying plate 12b in the air blowing direction is set so that the distance from the tip of the discharge electrode 13 to the end of the first rectifying plate 12b in the air blowing direction is 10 mm in order to achieve this effect. It is set. However, this distance is appropriately changed according to the magnitude of the electric field 15 and is not limited.

As shown in FIG. 9, the second rectifying plate 12c is a rib-shaped member formed on the surface of the protective cover 12 facing the circuit board 16 and having a surface parallel to the air blowing direction. Accordingly, the wind introduced into the protective cover 12 can be discharged along the rib-shaped second straightening plate 12c having a surface parallel to the air blowing direction, so that the amount of ions discharged from the protective cover 12 can be reduced. You can do a lot.

The second straightening vane 12c extends from the crosspiece 12a forming position on the upstream side of the protective cover 12 in the blowing direction to the crosspiece 12a forming position on the downstream side. The second rectifying plate 12c extends from the crosspiece 12a forming position on the upstream side of the protective cover 12 in the air blowing direction to the crosspiece 12a forming position on the downstream side, so that the wind is generated against the electric field 15 covered by the protective cover 12. Can be efficiently guided. In this way, since the protective cover 12 is formed with the first rectifying plate 12b and the second rectifying plate 12c, the electric field 15 is efficiently blown by the wind and is discharged from the protective cover 12 to the outside. This has the effect of further increasing the amount of ions.

By the way, in order to apply the wind to the electric field more uniformly, it is necessary to form the height of the ribs of the second rectifying plate 12c as close as possible to the electric field 15, but the second rectifying plate 12c approaches the electric field 15. If too much, the electric field 15 cannot be properly generated. Therefore, the height of the rib of the second rectifying plate 12c is set to a height that does not affect the electric field generated by the voltage application to the discharge electrode 13. Thereby, the wind can be applied to the electric field 15 more uniformly without affecting the electric field 15. In the present embodiment, the height of the rib of the second rectifying plate 12c is set so that the distance from the tip of the discharge electrode 13 to the tip of the rib of the second rectifying plate 12c is 10 mm in order to achieve this effect. ing. However, this distance is appropriately changed according to the magnitude of the electric field 15 and is not limited.

Although FIG. 8 shows an example in which the first straightening plate 12b and the second straightening plate 12c are formed on all the crosspieces 12a, the present invention is not limited to this, and the first straightening plate 12b and the second straightening plate 12c may be formed only at necessary portions. Good. For example, the first rectifying plate 12b and the second rectifying plate 12c are formed at locations corresponding to the crosspieces 12a through which the wind hitting the electric field in the blowing direction passes, and the first rectifying plate is formed at locations corresponding to the crosspieces 12a through which the wind not hitting the electric field passes. 12b and the second straightening vane 12c may not be formed.

(effect)
When the protective cover 12 having the above configuration is attached to the circuit board 16, the air blown from the outside of the protective cover 12 is rectified by the first rectifying plate 12b without being disturbed by the crosspiece 12a. Moreover, since the first rectifying plate 12b extends from the lower surface of the protective cover 12 to the wall surface of the circuit board 16, the deviation of the wind speed near the wall surface of the circuit board 16 can be reduced. The first rectifying plate 12b is preferably formed in a size that does not affect the electric field 15. Furthermore, since the flow of the wind can be adjusted from the upstream side to the downstream side in the air blowing direction by the second straightening plate 12c, the wind can be applied to the entire electric field.

Therefore, by using the protective cover 12 having the above configuration, it is possible to suppress the reduction of the amount of ions discharged from the protective cover 12 to the outside. As a result, it is possible to increase the amount of ions discharged from the indoor unit of the air conditioner equipped with the ion generating device 101 according to the present embodiment.

[Embodiment 2]
Another embodiment of the present invention is described below in detail. For convenience of description, members having the same functions as the members described in the above embodiment will be designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

The ion generator according to this embodiment has substantially the same configuration as the ion generator described in the first embodiment. Hereinafter, differences between the ion generator according to this embodiment and the ion generator described in the first embodiment will be described.

(Outline of ion generator)
FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the ion generator 102 according to this embodiment.

The ion generator 102 has almost the same configuration as the ion generator 101 shown in FIG. 9 of the first embodiment, and a first straightening plate 12d is formed instead of the first straightening plate 12b formed on the crosspiece 12a. Different in points.

The first rectifying plate 12d extends along the crosspiece 12a up to the surface on which the discharge electrodes 13 of the circuit board 16 are arranged, similarly to the first rectifying plate 12b. However, the length of the first straightening vane 12d in the blowing direction is set shorter than the length of the first straightening vane 12b in the blowing direction.

As described above, the length of the first straightening vanes 12d in the air blowing direction is set shorter than the length of the first straightening vanes 12b in the blowing direction, so that the straightening effect is higher than that of the first straightening vanes 12b. Although small, it is possible to surely eliminate the influence on the electric field 15.

In the first and second embodiments, an example in which both the first rectifying plate 12b and the second rectifying plate 12c are formed in the protective cover 12 has been described, but the rectifying effect is obtained and the amount of generated ions is larger than in the conventional case. In order to increase the above, as the rectifying member, only the first rectifying plate 12b may be formed on the protective cover 12 or only the second rectifying plate 12c may be formed on the protective cover 12. In the following third embodiment, an example in which only the first rectifying plate 12b is formed on the protective cover 12, and in the fourth embodiment, an example in which only the second rectifying plate 12c is formed in the protective cover 12 will be described.

[Embodiment 3]
Another embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below. For convenience of description, members having the same functions as the members described in the above embodiment will be designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

(Outline of ion generator)
FIG. 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the ion generator 103 according to this embodiment.

The ion generator 103 has almost the same configuration as the ion generator 101 shown in FIG. 9 of the first embodiment, and is different in that the second rectifying plate 12c is not formed. That is, in the ion generator 103, only the first rectifying plate 12b is formed as the rectifying member.

Therefore, similarly to the ion generator 101 according to the first embodiment, the ion generator 103 also has a first rectifying plate 12b inside the crosspiece 12a on the upstream side in the blowing direction of the protective cover 12, in which turbulent flow is particularly likely to occur. The formation of the turbulence makes it possible to reduce turbulence more effectively.

Further, since the first rectifying plate 12b is extended to the wall surface of the circuit board 16 in which the flow of the air deteriorates due to the characteristic of the fluid, the wind velocity of the wind hitting the electric field 15 covered by the protective cover 12 is biased. Can be further reduced. As a result, the entire electric field 15 is exposed to the wind, and the amount of ions ejected from the protective cover 12 to the outside can be further increased.

[Embodiment 4]
Another embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below. For convenience of description, members having the same functions as the members described in the above embodiment will be designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

(Outline of ion generator)
FIG. 12 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the ion generator 104 according to this embodiment.

The ion generator 104 has substantially the same configuration as the ion generator 101 shown in FIG. 9 of the first embodiment, and is different in that the first rectifying plate 12b is not formed. That is, in the ion generator 104, only the second rectifying plate 12c is formed as the rectifying member.

Therefore, also with the ion generator 104, like the ion generator 101 according to the first embodiment, the air introduced into the protective cover 12 is directed to the rib-shaped second straightening plate 12c having a surface parallel to the air blowing direction. Since they can be ejected along the path, the amount of ions ejected from the protective cover 12 can be increased.

The second straightening vane 12c extends from the crosspiece 12a forming position on the upstream side of the protective cover 12 in the blowing direction to the crosspiece 12a forming position on the downstream side. As a result, the second rectifying plate 12c extends from the crosspiece 12a forming position on the upstream side of the protective cover 12 in the air blowing direction to the crosspiece 12a forming position on the downstream side, so that the electric field 15 covered by the protective cover 12 is generated. On the other hand, the wind can be efficiently guided. As a result, the wind is efficiently applied to the electric field 15, and the amount of ions ejected from the protective cover 12 to the outside can be further increased.

In each of the above-described embodiments, the cross-sectional shapes of the first straightening vane 12b and the second straightening vane 12c have been described without any particular limitation, but in the following fifth embodiment, the first straightening vane 12b and the second straightening vane 12c. The cross-sectional shape of will be described.

[Embodiment 5]
Another embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below. For convenience of description, members having the same functions as the members described in the above embodiment will be designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

(Detailed description of the protective cover)
FIG. 13 is an enlarged view of a main part of the protective cover 12 shown in FIG. 8 of the first embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XX of FIG. 13, showing a cross-sectional shape of the first straightening vane 12b as viewed from the upper surface in the air blowing direction (hereinafter referred to as the cross-sectional shape of the first straightening vane 12b). ..

From the viewpoint of suppressing turbulence, the first straightening vane 12b preferably has a configuration that tapers in the blowing direction. Therefore, the cross section of the first straightening vane 12b may have parallel wall surfaces up to the tip and the tip may have a substantially semicircular cross section as shown in, for example, FIG. (B), the cross section may have a triangular shape with the tip in the air blowing direction as the apex, and as shown in (c) in FIG. May have a triangular cross section. Further, FIGS. 14A to 14C show that turbulence suppression is high in this order.

The cross-sectional shape of the first straightening vane 12b is not limited to the shapes shown in (a) to (c) of FIG. 14 and may be other shapes.

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line YY of FIG. 13, showing the cross-sectional shape of the ribs of the second straightening vanes 12c as viewed from the air blowing direction (hereinafter referred to as the cross-sectional shape of the second straightening vanes 12c). ..

From the viewpoint of suppressing turbulence, the second rectifying plate 12c preferably has a configuration that tapers in the direction of the electric field 15 (FIG. 9). Therefore, as shown in (a) of FIG. 15, for example, the cross-sectional shape of the second straightening plate 12c may have parallel wall surfaces up to the tip, and the tip may have a triangular cross section. As shown in b), it may have a triangular cross section with the tip in the air blowing direction as the apex, and as shown in FIG. 15(c), it has parallel wall surfaces up to the tip and the tip has a cross section. It may have a substantially semicircular shape. Further, FIGS. 15A to 15C show that the turbulent flow suppression is high in this order.

The cross-sectional shape of the second straightening vane 12c is not limited to the shapes shown in (a) to (c) of FIG. 15 and may be other shapes.

[Summary]
The ion generator according to the first aspect of the present invention generates a circuit board 16 on which a discharge electrode 13 for generating an electric field is applied, and an electric field 15 generated by voltage application on the discharge electrode 13 on the circuit board 16. A protective cover 12 covering at least a region including the opening for allowing air to pass through the electric field 15 and having at least one crosspiece 12a formed in the opening; and the protective cover 12 includes the discharge electrode. A rectifying member for regulating the flow of wind introduced through the opening formed with the crosspiece 12a in the basin portion between the protective cover 12 and the circuit board 16 formed when the cover 13 is covered ( The first rectifying plate 12b and the second rectifying plate 12c) are provided.

According to the above configuration, the wind introduced into the basin portion between the protective cover and the circuit board, which is formed when the protective cover covers the discharge electrode, through the opening in which the crosspiece is formed. Since the rectifying member that regulates the flow of the air is provided, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of turbulent flow caused by the wind hitting the crosspiece. As a result, the wind velocity of the wind hitting the electric field in the basin is less biased, the wind hits the entire electric field uniformly, and the amount of ions ejected from the protective cover to the outside can be increased. ..

In the ion generator according to the second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the rectifying member is formed inside the crosspiece 12a on the upstream side of the protective cover 12 in the blowing direction, and is parallel to the blowing direction of the basin portion. It may be the plate-shaped first straightening plate 12b having a flat surface.

According to the above configuration, the first rectifying plate is formed inside the crosspiece on the upstream side of the protective cover in the air blowing direction where turbulence is particularly likely to occur, so that the turbulence can be reduced more effectively. It will be possible.

In the ion generator according to the third aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect, the first rectifying plate 12b may be extended along the crosspiece 12a to a surface where the discharge electrode 13 of the circuit board 16 is disposed. ..

According to the above configuration, the first rectifying plate hits the electric field covered with the protective cover because the first rectifying plate extends to the surface where the discharge electrode of the circuit board is arranged, where the flow of the air becomes poor due to the characteristics of the fluid. It is possible to further reduce the deviation in wind speed. As a result, the entire electric field is exposed to the wind, and the amount of ions ejected from the protective cover to the outside can be further increased.

In the ion generator according to aspect 4 of the present invention, in the aspect 3, the length of the first rectifying plate 12b in the air blowing direction is such that the electric field 15 generated by the voltage application to the discharge electrode 13 is not affected. It is preferably set.

In order to apply the wind to the electric field more uniformly, it is necessary to form the first rectifying plate as close as possible to the electric field, but if the first rectifying plate is too close to the electric field, the electric field should be generated appropriately. I can't. Therefore, as in the above configuration, by setting the length of the first rectifying plate in the air blowing direction to a length that does not affect the electric field generated by the voltage application to the discharge electrode, the electric field is not affected, and The wind can be applied to the electric field more uniformly.

In the ion generator according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to fourth aspects, the rectifying member is formed on a surface of the protective cover 12 facing the circuit board 16, and the basin section is provided. It may include a rib-shaped second straightening plate 12c having a surface parallel to the air blowing direction.

According to the above configuration, the wind introduced into the protective cover can be discharged along the rib-shaped second straightening plate having a surface parallel to the blowing direction, so that the amount of ions discharged from the protective cover can be reduced. You can do a lot.

In the ion generator according to the sixth aspect of the present invention, in the fifth aspect, the second rectifying plate 12c extends from a crosspiece 12a forming position on the upstream side of the protective cover 12 to a crosspiece 12a forming position on the downstream side. It is preferably provided.

According to the above configuration, the second rectifying plate extends from the crosspiece forming position on the upstream side of the protective cover in the air blowing direction to the crosspiece forming position on the downstream side, so that the wind is generated against the electric field covered by the protective cover. Can be efficiently guided. As a result, the wind is efficiently applied to the electric field, and the amount of ions ejected from the protective cover to the outside can be further increased.

In the ion generator according to aspect 7 of the present invention, in the aspect 6, the height of the rib of the second rectifying plate 12c is set to a height that does not affect the electric field 15 generated by the voltage application to the discharge electrode 13. It may have been done.

In order to apply the wind to the electric field more uniformly, it is necessary to form the rib height of the second rectifying plate as close as possible to the electric field. However, if the second rectifying plate is too close to the electric field, the electric field is generated. Can't do it properly. Therefore, by setting the height of the ribs of the second rectifying plate to a height that does not affect the electric field generated by the voltage application to the discharge electrode as in the above configuration, the electric field is not affected, and The wind can be applied to the electric field more uniformly.

In the ion generator according to aspect 8 of the present invention, in any one of aspects 1 to 7, the discharge electrode 13 may be a needle electrode.

An air conditioner according to aspect 9 of the present invention is characterized by including the ion generating device according to any one of aspects 1 to 8 above.

According to the above configuration, the generation of ions from the air conditioner can be stabilized, and as a result, the amount of generated ions can be increased.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, but various modifications can be made within the scope of the claims, and embodiments obtained by appropriately combining the technical means disclosed in the different embodiments Is also included in the technical scope of the present invention. Furthermore, a new technical feature can be formed by combining the technical means disclosed in each embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Cabinet 2 Louver 3 Heat exchanger 4 Indoor fan 5 Suction port 6 Air outlet 7 Air passage 10a Ion generating element 10b Ion generating element 11 Lid 12 Protective cover 12a Crosspiece 12b First straightening plate 12c Second straightening plate 12d First straightening plate 13 discharge electrode 14 dielectric electrode 15 electric field 16 circuit board 101 ion generator 102 ion generator 103 ion generator 104 ion generator

Claims (7)

A circuit board on which a discharge electrode for generating an electric field by applying a voltage is arranged;
A protective cover which covers the discharge electrode arranged on the circuit board, has an opening for passing wind through the electric field, and has at least one crosspiece formed in the opening;
Arranges the flow of wind introduced through the opening formed with the crosspiece in the basin portion between the protective cover and the circuit board, which is formed when the protective cover covers the discharge electrode. And a rectifying member,
The rectifying member is
A rib-shaped second straightening plate formed on a surface of the protective cover that faces the circuit board, the rib-shaped second straightening plate having a surface parallel to a blowing direction of the basin portion;
The second rectifying plate is
An ion generator characterized in that it extends from a crosspiece formation position on the upstream side of the protective cover to the crosspiece formation position on the downstream side. The rectifying member is
The plate-shaped first straightening plate having a surface parallel to the air blowing direction of the basin portion, which is formed inside the crosspiece on the upstream side of the protective cover in the air blowing direction, is included. The ion generator described. The first rectifying plate is
The ion generator according to claim 2, wherein the ion generator is extended along the crosspiece to a surface where the discharge electrode of the circuit board is arranged. The ion generator according to claim 3, wherein the length of the first rectifying plate in the air blowing direction is set to a length that does not affect the electric field generated by the voltage application to the discharge electrode. 5. The height of the rib of the second rectifying plate is set to a height that does not affect the electric field generated by the voltage application to the discharge electrode. Ion generator. The discharge electrode, an ion generating apparatus according to any one of claim 1 to 5, characterized in that a needle electrode. An air conditioner characterized by comprising an ion generating apparatus according to any one of claims 1-6.

Images