JP7010968B2 - Ion generator and air conditioner - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an ion generator and an air conditioner including an ion generator.

In recent years, air conditioners such as air conditioners equipped with an ion generator that generates ions by electric discharge have appeared. Normally, the ions generated from the ion generator move the ions by applying the wind from the blower to the electric field generated by the electric discharge so as to exert its effect in the intended space (living room, etc.). Therefore, it is necessary to arrange the ion generator in the air passage of the air conditioner.

However, when the ion generator maintains a state of continuous energization, that is, a voltage ON (for example, (a) in FIG. 7), the electrode that generates ions becomes heavily consumed, which causes a problem of shortening the product life.

Therefore, in the ion generator disclosed in Patent Document 1, the consumption of the electrode that generates ions is reduced by performing intermittent energization (for example, (b) in FIG. 7) provided with a voltage OFF period instead of continuous energization. I am trying.

Japanese Patent Publication "Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2010-55958 (published on March 11, 2010)"

However, in the conventional intermittent energization, as shown in FIG. 7B, the voltage ON period is shorter than that in the continuous energization, but it is continuous to some extent. Therefore, the ions generated in the voltage ON period are offset by the sequentially generated ions, and the ions remaining without being offset are not sufficiently diffused in the voltage OFF period and are generated by the ions generated in the next voltage ON period. Will be offset. Therefore, even in the intermittent energization shown in FIG. 7B, there arises a problem that the reduction in the amount of ion generation cannot be sufficiently suppressed.

One aspect of the present invention is to realize an ion generator capable of sufficiently suppressing a reduction in the amount of ion generated.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the ion generator according to one aspect of the present invention has an ion generator that generates ions by applying a voltage of a voltage ON level and a voltage applied to the ion generator. The voltage control circuit includes a voltage control circuit for controlling ON / OFF, and the voltage control circuit has a voltage OFF period indicating a continuous period of voltage OFF levels longer than a voltage ON period indicating a continuous period of voltage ON levels. It is characterized in that the voltage ON period is set to a momentary period during which the amount of ion cancellation within the voltage ON period is reduced .
The ion generator according to another embodiment includes an ion generator that generates ions by applying a voltage of a voltage ON level, a voltage control circuit that controls ON / OFF of the voltage applied to the ion generator, and a voltage control circuit. The voltage control circuit includes a wind direction changing unit that changes the direction of the wind that blows the wind to the ions generated by the ion generator, and the voltage control circuit sets the voltage OFF period indicating the continuous period of the voltage OFF level to the voltage ON level. Is controlled to be longer than the voltage ON period indicating a continuous period, and is characterized in that the ratio occupied by the voltage ON period in a certain period is set according to the wind direction changed by the wind direction changing unit. ..

According to one aspect of the present invention, the reduction of the amount of ion generation can be sufficiently suppressed.

It is a schematic block diagram of the ion generator which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. (A) is a front view of an indoor unit of an air conditioner equipped with the ion generator shown in FIG. 1, and (b) is a right side view. 2 is an external perspective view of the indoor unit shown in FIG. 2, in which FIG. 2A shows a state in which the blowing direction is directed upward, and FIG. 2B is a diagram showing a state in which the blowing direction is directed downward. 2A is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB in FIG. 2, where FIG. 2A shows a state in which the blowing direction is directed upward, and FIG. 2B is a diagram showing a state in which the blowing direction is directed downward. It is an external perspective view of the ion generator shown in FIG. 1. It is a graph which shows the timing of voltage ON / OFF in the ion generator which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a graph which shows the timing of voltage ON / OFF in an ion generator as a comparative example. It is a figure which shows the relationship between the fan rotation speed and the voltage OFF period in the ion generator which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the voltage OFF period obtained by the fan rotation speed and the range ratio. It is a graph which shows an example of the setting pattern of the voltage OFF period in the ion generator which concerns on Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is a graph which shows an example of the setting pattern of the voltage OFF period in the ion generator which concerns on Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is a graph which shows an example of the setting pattern of the voltage OFF period in the ion generator which concerns on Embodiment 3 of this invention.

[Embodiment 1]
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail as follows. In this embodiment, an example in which the ion generator of the present invention is mounted in an indoor unit of an air conditioner, which is a kind of air conditioner, will be described. However, the ion generator of the present invention may be mounted not only on an air conditioner but also on other electronic devices.

(Overview of air conditioner)
FIG. 2A is a front view of the indoor unit, and FIG. 2B is a right side view. 3A and 3B are external perspective views of the indoor unit, in which FIG. 3A shows a state in which the blowing direction is directed upward, and FIG. 3B is a diagram showing a state in which the blowing direction is directed downward. 4A and 4B are cross-sectional views taken along the line BB in FIG. 2A, where FIG. 4A shows a state in which the blowing direction is directed upward, and FIG. 4B is a diagram showing a state in which the blowing direction is directed downward. be.

As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the indoor unit 100 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, a suction port 5 is formed on the upper surface thereof, and an outlet 6 is formed on the curved surface. Further, a louver (wind direction changing portion) 2 for opening and closing the air outlet 6 is provided on the curved surface of the cabinet 1. The louver 2 can be opened up and down as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B. The mechanism by which the louver 2 opens up and down is known. It can also be realized by adopting, for example, the mechanism of the air guide panel 20 and the auxiliary louver 30 described in Japanese Patent No. 4603085 (registered on October 8, 2010).

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

Since the ion generator 101 is arranged in the air passage 7, the ions generated by the air blown in the air passage 7 are discharged from the air outlet 6.

(Overview of ion generator)
FIG. 5 is an external perspective view of the ion generator.

The ion generator 101 has a structure in which the circuit board 24 is housed in a protective case formed by a lid 21 and a protective cover 22. The circuit board 24 includes an ion generating element 11a for generating positive ions, an ion generating element 11b for generating negative ions, and a high voltage transformer, a high voltage circuit, a power supply circuit, and the like (not shown). The protective cover 22 is a cover for guarding the discharge electrodes 23 of the ion generating elements 11a and 11b of the circuit board 24 so that the user does not directly touch them.

Each of the ion generating elements 11a and 11b has a discharge electrode 23 and a dielectric electrode (not shown) in order to generate positive ions and negative ions by, for example, corona discharge. Here, the discharge electrodes 23 are arranged apart from each other in a direction substantially orthogonal to the air flow direction. The discharge electrode 23 is a needle electrode.

The discharge electrode 23 included in the ion generating element 11a is a positive discharge electrode that generates positive ions, and the discharge electrode 23 possessed by the ion generating element 11b is a negative discharge electrode that generates negative ions.

Therefore, in the circuit board 24, when a high voltage is applied to the discharge electrode 23 of the ion generation element 11a and the ion generation element 11b from a high voltage generation circuit (not shown) provided with a step-up transformer that generates a high voltage, the needle of the discharge electrode 23 Corona discharge occurs first, and ions are generated. The generated ions are discharged through the crosspiece 22a, which is the opening of the protective cover 22 that houses the ion generating element 11a and the ion generating element 11b.

In order to increase the amount of these ions generated, in the ion generator 101 having the above configuration, the basin portion (protected cover 22 and the circuit board 24) formed when the protective cover 22 covers the discharge electrode 23 is surrounded. The wind introduced through the opening in which the crosspiece 22a is formed flows through the region).

(Details of ion generator)
FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an indoor unit 100 including the ion generator 101 of the present embodiment. In the block diagram shown in FIG. 1, only the configuration necessary for the present invention is described, and other configurations are omitted, but it is assumed that the indoor unit 100 naturally has a configuration. ..

As shown in FIG. 1, the ion generator 101 includes a control circuit 10 and an ion generator 11 (corresponding to the ion generators 11a and 11b shown in FIG. 5).

The control circuit 10 includes a voltage control circuit 10a that controls ON / OFF of the voltage applied to the ion generator 11 and a drive control circuit 10b that controls the drive of the fan drive motor 12 that drives the indoor fan 4 (fan). Includes. An ion detection circuit 13 for detecting the concentration of ions is further connected to the drive control circuit 10b.

(Voltage ON / OFF control)
FIG. 6 is a graph showing the timing of voltage ON in the ion generator 101.

FIG. 7 is a graph showing a comparative example with respect to the timing of voltage ON shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 7A, in the case of continuous energization in which the voltage ON level is continuous, ions are continuously generated in the ion generator 11, so that the ions already generated by the newly generated ions are generated. It is offset and, as a result, the amount of ions generated is reduced.

As shown in FIG. 7 (b), in the case of intermittent energization in which the voltage ON period indicating the continuous period of the voltage ON level and the voltage OFF period indicating the continuous period of the voltage OFF level alternate with each other, the ion generator. Since the period in which ions are continuously generated and the period in which ions are not generated alternate in No. 11, the amount of ions canceled out is smaller than in the case of continuous energization shown in FIG. 7 (a). .. However, among the ions generated in the voltage ON period, the ions remaining without being offset are canceled by the ions generated in the next voltage ON period without being sufficiently diffused in the voltage OFF period, so that the amount of ion generation can be reduced. It cannot be sufficiently suppressed.

Therefore, in the ion generator 101, the voltage control circuit 10a controls the voltage ON / OFF so that the voltage OFF period is longer than the voltage ON period on the premise that intermittent energization is performed. By controlling the voltage ON / OFF in this way, among the ions generated in the voltage ON period, the remaining ions that are not offset are diffused in the voltage OFF period and then enter the next voltage ON period. It is possible to suppress the reduction of the amount of ions generated.

As described above, if the voltage OFF period is made longer than the voltage ON period, the reduction in the amount of ion generation can be suppressed, but the voltage ON period is sufficiently short, for example, instantaneously as shown in FIG. By doing so, it is possible to reduce the amount of ion cancellation during the voltage ON period, and as a result, it is possible to further suppress the reduction of the amount of ion generation. If the voltage OFF period is longer than a preset period, the above effect can be achieved. The preset period may be a voltage OFF period having a length that allows the ions generated in the voltage ON period to be sufficiently diffused by the next voltage ON period. In this embodiment, the voltage OFF period is 4 ms and the voltage ON period is 0.5 ms. However, the values of the voltage OFF period and the voltage ON period are not limited to the above values.

Further, the appropriate value of the voltage OFF period is set in consideration of the wind speed (rotational speed of the fan, etc.) of the wind applied to the ions generated by the ion generator 11. A description of setting an appropriate value for the voltage OFF period in consideration of the wind speed will be described in the second embodiment described later.

(effect)
According to the above configuration, when the voltage OFF period is controlled to be longer than the voltage ON period by the voltage control circuit 10a, the ions generated in the voltage ON period remain without being offset. The ions remaining without being offset are sufficiently diffused by the voltage OFF period, and the ratio of being offset by the ions generated in the next voltage ON period can be reduced.

As a result, the rate at which the generated ions are canceled out is reduced, so that the reduction in the amount of generated ions can be sufficiently suppressed.

Therefore, it is possible to solve the problem that the ions are not sufficiently diffused due to the short voltage OFF period applied to the ion generator 11.

Moreover, since the voltage ON period is instantaneous at 0.5 ms, it is possible to delay the deterioration of the electrode that generates ions in the ion generator 11. That is, the life of the ion generator 11 can be extended.

Further, by setting the voltage ON time instantaneously, the amount of ion cancellation during continuous operation can be alleviated, and the amount of ion generation can be reduced and wear can be improved.

Further, with respect to guaranteeing the effect and efficacy assuming deterioration over time within the same elapsed time, the deterioration of the ion generator 11 is reduced and the long-term efficacy and efficacy are improved.

Further, since the voltage ON period is instantaneous, the operating time of the ion generator 11 can be shortened, so that the noise caused by the ion generator 11 can be reduced.

[Embodiment 2]
Other embodiments of the present invention will be described below. For convenience of explanation, the same reference numerals are given to the members having the same functions as the members described in the above-described embodiment, and the description thereof will not be repeated.

The indoor unit 100 of the air conditioner according to the present embodiment has the same configuration as that of the first embodiment, and the difference is how to set the voltage OFF period applied to the electrodes of the ion generator 11. Here, the voltage OFF period is set by the voltage control circuit 10a shown in FIG. 1 according to the speed of the wind applied to the ions generated by the ion generator 11. That is, the ratio occupied by the voltage ON period within a certain period (voltage ON ratio) is changed according to the wind speed.

The increase / decrease in the wind speed of the wind applied to the ions can be realized by adjusting the rotation speed of the indoor fan 4. The indoor fan 4 is driven by the fan drive motor 12, and the fan drive motor 12 is driven and controlled by the drive control circuit 10b. The drive control circuit 10b may control the drive of the fan drive motor 12 according to the ion concentration detected by the ion detection circuit 13. For example, when the ion concentration is lower than a preset value, the fan drive motor 12 is controlled so as to increase the rotation speed of the indoor fan 4 in order to increase the amount of ions discharged into the room, and the ion concentration is set in advance. When the value is higher than the set value, the fan drive motor 12 is controlled so as to reduce the rotation speed of the indoor fan 4 in order to suppress the amount of ions discharged into the room.

For example, when the rotation speed of the indoor fan 4 increases, the wind speed increases and the amount of ions discharged into the room increases, so that the amount of ions canceling out decreases. Therefore, in this case, the ratio of voltage ON is increased. On the other hand, when the rotation speed of the indoor fan 4 decreases, the wind speed decreases and the amount of ions discharged into the room decreases, so that the amount of ion cancellation increases. Therefore, in this case, the ratio of voltage ON is lowered. As a result, the reduction of the amount of ion generation can be appropriately suppressed by setting an appropriate voltage ON ratio according to the wind speed.

As described above, the voltage control circuit 10a controls the voltage ON ratio for each wind speed so that the reduction in the amount of ion generation can be suppressed from the rotation speed of the indoor fan 4 acquired from the drive control circuit 10b. .. Specifically, the voltage control circuit 10a adjusts the ratio of the voltage ON to the ion generator 11 based on the information of the rotation speed of the indoor fan 4 obtained from the drive control circuit 10b.

In the present embodiment, the voltage control circuit 10a has the rate of change of the rotation speed (600 to 1500 rpm) of the indoor fan 4 obtained from the drive control circuit 10b and the voltage OFF period (minimum value to maximum value) with respect to the ion generator 11. ) Is linked.

(Linkage between the rate of change in the rotation speed of the indoor fan 4 and the rate of change in the voltage OFF period)
FIG. 8A is a table showing the relationship between the wind speed and the amount of ions, and FIG. 8B is a table showing the relationship between the actual fan rotation speed, the range difference, and the range ratio. FIG. 9 is a table showing the relationship between the fan rotation speed, the range ratio, and the voltage OFF period.

As shown in FIG. 8A, when the fan rotation speed (rotational speed of the indoor fan 4) is 600 to 1500 rpm and the voltage OFF period (OFF time) is 7 ms to 3 ms, the difference in fan rotation speed is 900 rpm. The difference in OFF time is 4 ms.

Here, when the indoor fan 4 is blowing air at a rotation speed of 1000 rpm, as shown in FIG. 8B, the difference from the minimum value (MIN) of 600 rpm is +400 rpm, and the difference of the fan rotation speed is 900 rpm. , About 44% (400/900 = 0.44) is the range ratio.

When this range ratio is also reflected in the OFF time shown in FIG. 9, the difference is 1.78 ms because it is 44% with respect to the difference of 4 ms in the OFF time. Therefore, the OFF time when the rotation speed of the indoor fan 4 is 1000 rpm is 7 ms-1.78 ms = 5.22 ms.

As described above, the OFF time corresponding to the rotation speed of the indoor fan 4 is obtained.

(effect)
According to the above configuration, the ions generated in the ion generator 11 are difficult to be offset. When the wind speed is high, the ratio of the voltage ON is increased to increase the amount of ions generated, and the ions generated in the ion generator 11 are offset. By reducing the ratio of voltage ON when it is easy to reduce the amount of ions generated, it is possible to efficiently suppress the reduction of the amount of ions generated due to the cancellation of ions.

Normally, if the ratio of voltage ON is increased, the noise generated when ions are generated becomes louder and anxious. However, as described above, when the wind speed is high, that is, when the rotation speed of the indoor fan 4 is high, the ratio of the voltage ON is increased, so that the noise caused by the rotation of the indoor fan 4 is the sound caused by the generation of ions. Is confused and doesn't bother me. Moreover, when the wind speed is slow, that is, when the rotation speed of the indoor fan 4 is low, the ON ratio of the voltage is lowered, so that the sound caused by the generation of ions is also small, so this sound is not bothersome.

[Modification example]
As a method of not worrying about the sound caused by the ion generation by the ion generator 11, the ion generation sound is set by setting the OFF time having a range of ± from the base based on a certain OFF time. There is a way to disperse. As described above, since the sounds caused by the generation of ions are not at regular intervals but are scattered, the sounds are less likely to be noticed.

[Embodiment 3]
Other embodiments of the present invention will be described below. For convenience of explanation, the same reference numerals are given to the members having the same functions as the members described in the above-described embodiment, and the description thereof will not be repeated.

In the second embodiment, an example in which the voltage OFF period is set according to the speed of the wind applied to the ions generated by the ion generator 11 has been described. However, in the present embodiment, the rotation speeds of the indoor fan 4 are set to a plurality of rotation speeds. An example of using a voltage OFF period setting pattern prepared in advance corresponding to each range by dividing into ranges will be described.

(Setting the voltage OFF period)
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a pattern of a voltage OFF period when the fan rotation speed is 600 rpm to 899 rpm.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a pattern of the voltage OFF period when the fan rotation speed is 900 rpm to 1199 rpm.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a pattern of the voltage OFF period when the fan rotation speed is 1200 rpm to 1500 rpm.

In the present embodiment, when the rotation speed of the indoor fan 4 is 600 to 1500 rpm, it is divided into three patterns as described above. It is assumed that the patterns of FIGS. 10 to 12 are stored in a memory (not shown) in the ion generator 101 and read out as needed by the voltage control circuit 10a.

That is, when the voltage control circuit 10a receives information indicating the rotation speed of the indoor fan 4 from the drive control circuit 10b, the voltage control circuit 10a identifies the current rotation speed of the indoor fan 4 from the received information, and the voltage corresponding to the rotation speed. The OFF period setting pattern is selected from the patterns shown in FIGS. 10 to 12.

For example, the voltage control circuit 10a is set to the voltage OFF period of the pattern shown in FIG. 10 when the rotation speed of the indoor fan 4 is within 600 rpm to 899 rpm, and the pattern shown in FIG. 11 when the rotation speed is within 900 rpm to 1199 rpm. If it is within 1200 rpm to 1500 rpm, it is set to the voltage OFF period of the pattern shown in FIG.

As described above, by roughly classifying the voltage OFF period setting patterns and preparing them in advance, it is easier to set the voltage OFF period than when the voltage OFF period is sequentially obtained from the rotation speed of the indoor fan 4. Can be set.

[Embodiment 4]
Other embodiments of the present invention will be described below. For convenience of explanation, the same reference numerals are given to the members having the same functions as the members described in the above-described embodiment, and the description thereof will not be repeated.

In the first and second embodiments, an example in which the voltage OFF period applied to the ion generator 11 is set according to the wind speed has been described, but in the present embodiment, the voltage OFF period is set according to the wind direction. Will be explained.

In the present embodiment, the setting of the voltage OFF period applied to the ion generator 11 is changed each time the wind direction of the indoor fan 4 changes. Specifically, the direction (wind direction) of the wind applied to the ion generator 101 is changed by changing the position of the louver 2 shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B. Then, the voltage control circuit 10a sets the ratio (voltage OFF period) occupied by the voltage ON period in a certain period according to the changed wind direction. In this case, as shown in FIG. 4A, if the wind direction is upward, the wind speed in the vicinity of the ion generator 101 is high, and the ions generated by the ion generator 101 are difficult to cancel, so that the voltage is turned off. If the period is set short and the wind direction is downward as shown in FIG. 4B, the wind speed in the vicinity of the ion generator 101 is low, so that the ions generated by the ion generator 101 are likely to be offset. Therefore, set the voltage OFF period longer.

[Modification example]
It is preferable to set the voltage OFF period in consideration of the wind speed as in the second and third embodiments in addition to the wind direction. This makes it possible to set the optimum voltage OFF period for the ion generator 101.

[Example of implementation by software]
The control block (particularly, the control circuit 10) of the ion generator 101 may be realized by a logic circuit (hardware) formed in an integrated circuit (IC chip) or the like, or may be realized by software.

In the latter case, the ion generator 101 includes a computer that executes instructions of a program that is software that realizes each function. This computer includes, for example, at least one processor (control device) and at least one computer-readable recording medium in which the program is stored. Then, in the computer, the processor reads the program from the recording medium and executes the program, thereby achieving the object of the present invention. As the processor, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) can be used. As the recording medium, a "non-temporary tangible medium", for example, a ROM (Read Only Memory) or the like, a tape, a disk, a card, a semiconductor memory, a programmable logic circuit, or the like can be used. Further, a RAM (Random Access Memory) for expanding the above program may be further provided. Further, the program may be supplied to the computer via any transmission medium (communication network, broadcast wave, etc.) capable of transmitting the program. It should be noted that one aspect of the present invention can also be realized in the form of a data signal embedded in a carrier wave, in which the above program is embodied by electronic transmission.

〔summary〕
The ion generator according to the first aspect of the present invention includes an ion generator 11 that generates ions when a voltage of a voltage ON level is applied, and a voltage that controls ON / OFF of the voltage applied to the ion generator 11. A control circuit 10a is provided, and the voltage control circuit 10a controls a voltage OFF period indicating a continuous period of voltage OFF levels to be longer than a voltage ON period indicating a continuous period of voltage ON levels. It is characterized by.

According to the above configuration, the voltage OFF period is controlled to be longer than the voltage ON period by the voltage control circuit, so that the ions generated in the voltage ON period remain without being offset. The remaining ions are sufficiently diffused by the voltage OFF period, and the rate of being canceled by the ions generated in the next voltage ON period can be reduced.

As a result, the rate at which the generated ions are canceled out is reduced, so that the reduction in the amount of generated ions can be sufficiently suppressed.

Moreover, since the voltage OFF period is longer than the voltage ON period, the period for stopping the generation of ions by the ion generator is also longer, and as a result, the ions are used for the same period as the continuously energized ion generator. Deterioration of the generator is reduced, and the life can be extended.

In the ion generator according to the second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the voltage control circuit 10a may set the voltage OFF period longer than the preset period.

According to the above configuration, the voltage OFF period is set longer than the preset period, so that the ions remaining without being offset can be sufficiently diffused.

In the ion generator according to the third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect, the voltage control circuit 10a may set the voltage ON period to a period during which the ions do not cancel each other within the voltage ON period. good.

According to the above configuration, since there is no ion cancellation within the voltage ON period, it is possible to sufficiently suppress the reduction of the ion generation amount in the ion generator. The above period is preferably 0.5 ms when the voltage OFF period is 4 ms, but is not limited to this value.

The ion generator according to the fourth aspect of the present invention includes a fan (indoor fan 4) that blows wind against the ions generated by the ion generator 11 and an ion concentration in any one of the first to third aspects. The voltage is further provided with an ion detection circuit 13 for detecting the above voltage and a drive control circuit 10b for controlling the rotation speed of the fan (indoor fan 4) according to the ion concentration detected by the ion detection circuit 13. The control circuit 10a may set the ratio occupied by the voltage ON period in a certain period according to the rotation speed of the fan (indoor fan 4) acquired from the drive control circuit 10b.

According to the above configuration, the voltage ON period according to the wind speed can be set by setting the ratio occupied by the voltage ON period in a certain period according to the rotation speed of the fan.

This makes it possible to appropriately adjust the amount of ions generated according to the wind speed of the wind applied to the ions generated in the ion generator.

In the ion generator according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, in the fourth aspect, when the voltage control circuit 10a has a fan (indoor fan 4) rotation speed acquired from the drive control circuit 10b higher than a preset value. May be controlled so that the ratio of the voltage ON period is increased and the ratio of the voltage ON period is decreased when the acquired rotation speed of the fan (indoor fan 4) is less than a preset value.

According to the above configuration, since the appropriate voltage ON ratio can be set according to the wind speed, the reduction of the ion generation amount can be appropriately suppressed.

In any one of the above aspects 1 to 3, the ion generator according to the sixth aspect of the present invention is a wind direction changing unit (louver 2) that changes the direction of the wind that blows the wind to the ions generated by the ion generator 11. ), And the voltage control circuit 10a may set the ratio occupied by the voltage ON period in a certain period according to the wind direction changed by the wind direction changing unit (louver 2).

According to the above configuration, the voltage ON period according to the wind speed can be set by setting the ratio occupied by the voltage ON period in a certain period according to the direction of the wind blowing on the ions.

This makes it possible to appropriately adjust the amount of ions generated according to the wind speed of the wind applied to the ions generated in the ion generator.

The air conditioner according to the seventh aspect of the present invention is characterized by including the ion generator according to any one of the above aspects 1 to 6.

The ion generator according to each aspect of the present invention may be realized by a computer. In this case, the ion generator can be made into a computer by operating the computer as each part (software element) provided in the ion generator. The control program of the ion generator and the computer-readable recording medium on which the control program is recorded are also included in the scope of the present invention.

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

2 Louver (wind direction change part)
4 Indoor fan (fan)
10 Control circuit 10a Voltage control circuit 10b Drive control circuit 11 Ion generator 11a Ion generator 11b Ion generator 12 Fan drive motor 13 Ion detection circuit 22 Protective cover 23 Discharge electrode 24 Circuit board 100 Indoor unit 101 Ion generator

Claims (8)

An ion generator that generates ions when a voltage of the voltage ON level is applied,
It is equipped with a voltage control circuit that controls ON / OFF of the voltage applied to the ion generator.
The above voltage control circuit
The voltage OFF period indicating the continuous period of the voltage OFF level is controlled to be longer than the voltage ON period indicating the continuous period of the voltage ON level, and the voltage ON period is set to the ion within the voltage ON period. An ion generator characterized by setting a momentary period to reduce the amount of offsetting . The above voltage control circuit
The ion generator according to claim 1, wherein the voltage OFF period is set longer than a preset period. The above voltage control circuit
Intermittent energization is performed in which the voltage ON period and the voltage OFF period alternate with each other.
The ion generation according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the voltage ON period occurs between two voltage OFF periods so as to form the apex of a triangular wave that turns on a voltage applied to the ion generator. Device. A fan that blows wind against the ions generated by the above ion generator,
An ion detection circuit that detects the ion concentration and
Further, a drive control circuit for controlling the rotation speed of the fan according to the ion concentration detected by the ion detection circuit is provided.
The above voltage control circuit
The ion generator according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the ratio occupied by the voltage ON period in a certain period is set according to the rotation speed of the fan acquired from the drive control circuit. The above voltage control circuit
When the rotation speed of the fan acquired from the drive control circuit is higher than the preset value, the ratio of the voltage ON period is increased, and when the rotation speed of the acquired fan is lower than the preset value, the ratio is increased. The ion generator according to claim 4, wherein the ratio of the voltage ON period is controlled to be small. It is further equipped with a wind direction changing part that changes the direction of the wind that blows the wind to the ions generated by the above ion generator.
The above voltage control circuit
The ion generator according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the ratio occupied by the voltage ON period in a certain period is set according to the wind direction changed by the wind direction changing unit. An ion generator that generates ions when a voltage of the voltage ON level is applied,
A voltage control circuit that controls ON / OFF of the voltage applied to the ion generator, and
It is equipped with a wind direction changing unit that changes the direction of the wind that blows the wind to the ions generated by the above ion generator.
The above voltage control circuit
The voltage OFF period indicating a continuous period of the voltage OFF level is controlled to be longer than the voltage ON period indicating a continuous period of the voltage ON level, and is constant according to the wind direction changed by the wind direction changing unit. An ion generator, characterized in that the ratio occupied by the voltage ON period in the period is set. An air conditioner comprising the ion generator according to any one of claims 1 to 7 .

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