JPH09180893A - Static eliminating method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a static eliminating method in which an object body can be statically eliminated speedily and at a high efficiency without restriction to the shape of the body or the charge state. SOLUTION: Between an object body 11 arranged in a non-contact state with at least an ion resistive electrode 41 between the ion resistive electrode 41 and an ion absorptive electrode 81 which are arranged opposite to each other and which are provided with potential difference and the ion resistive electrode 41, positive polarity ion and/or negative polarity ion supplied from a positive polarity ion and/or negative polarity ion generation means 21 are/is moved in a direction from the ion resistive electrode 41 and the ion absorptive electrode 81 by means of said potential difference and is brought into contact with the surface of the body 11, thereby the charge of on the body 11 is neutralized.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a static elimination method. According to the present invention, for example, static electricity is removed from an electrostatically charged object in a manufacturing process or a transportation process of a film, a sheet or a molded body made of various fiber materials, a ceramic material or a plastic material, a powder or granular material, or a fibrous body. can do.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a method of removing static electricity from an electrostatically charged object, positive or negative ions generated by direct current corona discharge or alternating current corona discharge are
As described in Japanese Patent Publication No. 62-26160, a method of supplying electricity to the surface of the charged body to electrically neutralize and remove it by an electric field formed by static electricity on the surface of the charged body or an air flow. A method of electrically neutralizing and removing by electrically attracting and inducing positive or negative ions generated by creeping discharge to the surface of a charged body by an electric field formed by static electricity on the surface of the charged body, and electrically conductive fibrous material Generally, a method of bringing a woven or non-woven fabric containing, or the like, into or out of contact with a charged body, and a method of generating steam to suppress the generation of static electricity itself have been generally known.

However, in the above-mentioned conventional method in which the positive ions or negative ions generated by the DC corona discharge or the AC corona discharge are supplied to the surface of the charged body by the air flow to electrically neutralize and remove the electric charge, a sufficient amount is obtained. Since it is difficult to attract the ions to the surface of the charged body, there is a drawback that a satisfactory charge removal capability cannot be obtained. Further, when supplying the ions to the charged body by using the electric field formed by the static electricity on the surface of the charged body, the static electricity on the surface of the charged body decreases as the static elimination process progresses.
There is a drawback that the electric field formed by the static electricity on the surface of the charged body becomes small, and the charge removal speed from the charged state at a certain stage becomes extremely small. If the charged body is a thin film and is charged with different polarities on the front surface and the back surface,
Alternatively, when a positively charged region and a negatively charged region are mixed on one surface of the charged body, the electric field formed by static electricity on the surface of the charged body is small. Therefore, there is a drawback that the attraction of ions is weakened and the charge cannot be effectively removed. Further, in order to increase the influence of the electric field formed by the static electricity on the surface of the charged body with respect to the supplied ions, it is necessary to reduce the distance between the ion generating means and the charged body. In the case of an object to be processed having a shape, it is difficult to uniformly remove the charge, and the charge removal efficiency is reduced. Further, in the AC corona discharge, since the commercial frequency is usually used, there is a drawback that the amount of generated ions is low.

Further, the above-mentioned conventional method in which positive or negative ions generated by creeping discharge are attracted and induced to the surface of the charged body by an electric field formed by static electricity on the surface of the charged body to electrically neutralize and eliminate the charge. Since the method uses a relatively high frequency of 1 KHz or higher, the amount of generated ions is abundant. However, since an electric field formed by static electricity on the surface of the charged body is used as a means for attracting / inducing ions to the charged body, there are the same drawbacks as the above method. Further, if the discharge electrode of the creeping discharge device is brought very close to the charged body, there is a risk that the surface characteristics of the charged body are unnecessarily modified by the chemical action of the discharge plasma.

Further, in the above-mentioned conventional method in which a woven cloth or a non-woven fabric containing a conductive fibrous material is brought close to or in contact with a charged body, a woven cloth or a non-woven cloth containing a conductive fibrous body is brought close to a charged body. Then, the electric field generated by the charged body concentrates the electric charge inside the conductive fibrous material in the tip region near the charged body, and corona discharge occurs between the tip region and the charged body, resulting in electrical discharge. Neutralize and neutralize. When bringing a woven or non-woven fabric containing a conductive fibrous material into contact with a charged body,
A non-contact static elimination process (that is, the corona discharge generated between the tip portion region of a woven or non-woven fabric containing a conductive fibrous material and a charged body) that occurs before contact, and a conductive fiber from the charged body due to contact It is considered that the charge is removed by the charge transfer to the particulate matter. However, this method is limited in the shape of the charged body that can be applied because it is necessary to approach or contact it, and it is difficult to completely eliminate the charge over the entire area of the charged body. Furthermore, there is a drawback that the surface of the charged body may be damaged when brought into contact.

[0006] Further, in the above-mentioned conventional method for suppressing the generation of static electricity itself by generating steam, when there is a possibility of being adversely affected by steam, for example, in the manufacturing or carrying process of a product made of a hydrophilic material. Since it cannot be used, it has the drawback of limiting access.

[0007]

Therefore, the object of the present invention is not limited by the shape or the charged state of the object to be removed, and it is possible to remove the object to be removed rapidly and efficiently.
Moreover, it is an object of the present invention to provide a method for eliminating static electricity that does not damage or modify the surface of the object to be neutralized by the static elimination treatment.

[0008]

According to the present invention, the above-mentioned object is to provide at least the ion-repellent electrode between the ion-repellent electrode and the ion-attractive electrode which are arranged opposite to each other and are provided with a potential difference. Between the charge-removed object placed in a non-contact state and the ion-repellent electrode, the positive-ion and / or the positive-ion supplied from the negative-ion generating means.
Alternatively, negative ions are moved from the ion-repellent electrode toward the ion-attracting electrode by the potential difference and brought into contact with the surface of the body to be neutralized, thereby neutralizing the charge of the body to be neutralized. It can be achieved by a characteristic static elimination method.

In the present specification, the "object to be discharged" is not particularly limited as long as it is an object in which at least a part of the surface is charged by positive charges and / or negative charges, and therefore, the charged state ( An object to be processed that includes surface regions having different polarities and / or degrees of charge), an object to be processed in which both surfaces have a single polarity and the front surface and the back surface are charged to different polarities, The object to be processed has a single polarity and the front surface and the back surface are charged to the same polarity, and a positively charged area and a negatively charged area coexist on one surface. The object to be processed is included. As the charge-removed body, for example, a film, a sheet, a plate-like body, a columnar body, or a spherical body made of various fiber materials, ceramic materials, or plastic materials, or any molded body, or a granular material,
Alternatively, an object that is electrostatically charged in the manufacturing process or the transportation process of the fibrous body can be used.

[0010]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The positive ion and / or negative ion generating means which can be used in the present invention is a positive ion and / or negative ion which can be used for neutralizing and removing the charge on the object to be discharged. Or, it is not particularly limited as long as it is a means capable of generating negative ions and supplying it to the object to be neutralized, for example, AC creeping discharge element, ionizer element, DC corona type ion generating element, or AC corona type ion generating element. Etc. can be used, abundant ion generation amount,
Moreover, in that a stable discharge can be easily generated,
It is preferable to use an AC creeping discharge element.

The basic principle of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is one embodiment of the present invention in which one positive ion and / or negative ion generating means is used and an AC creeping discharge element is used as the ion generating means.
In the present invention, in order to move the positive ion and / or the negative ion supplied from the ion generating means from the ion repulsive electrode toward the ion attractive electrode, the ion repulsive electrode and the ion attractive electrode are moved. It is necessary to form a potential difference between the ion repulsive electrode and the ion repellent electrode to form an electric field (hereinafter, may be referred to as a static elimination electric field). The voltage applied to form the static elimination field is
First, the case of DC voltage is explained, and then,
A case where the voltage applied to form the static elimination electric field is an AC voltage will be described.

As shown in FIG. 1, an AC creeping discharge element 21
And the flat-plate counter electrode 81 are arranged so as to face each other with a predetermined space therebetween. The AC creeping discharge element 21 includes the dielectric 3
It has a structure in which the discharge electrode 41 is carried on one surface of one and the induction electrode 51 is carried on the other surface. The AC surface discharge element 21 and the flat plate-shaped counter electrode 81 are arranged so that the surface carrying the discharge electrode 41 faces the flat plate-shaped counter electrode 81. The discharge electrode 41 and the induction electrode 51 are connected to the AC power supply 61. The discharge electrode 41 is connected to the DC power source 71, and the flat plate-shaped counter electrode 81 is grounded. The DC power supply 71 is also connected to the induction electrode 51 via the AC power supply 61.
Generally, the AC power supply 61 comprises an AC generator and a transformer, and the DC power supply 71 can be connected from the secondary side ground terminal of the transformer. In addition, for example, the DC power supply 7
By providing a capacitor or the like in the mechanism of No. 1, it is possible to prevent the AC wave from directly entering the DC power supply and prevent the risk of short circuit.

When a static elimination electric field is formed by applying a DC voltage, at least one of the discharge electrode 41 acting as an ion repulsive electrode or the flat plate-shaped counter electrode 81 acting as an ion attracting electrode is used as a DC power source. Instead of connecting the discharge electrode 41 to the DC power supply 71 and grounding the flat plate counter electrode 81, the flat plate counter electrode 81 may be connected to the DC power supply and the discharge electrode 41 may be grounded. Alternatively, both the discharge electrode 41 and the flat plate-shaped counter electrode 81 may be connected to different DC power supplies. In addition, when a direct current voltage is separately applied to both the discharge electrode 41 and the flat plate-shaped counter electrode 81, it is necessary to apply different voltages.

AC creeping discharge element 21 and flat counter electrode 81
The object to be discharged 11 is arranged between and. At this time, the charge-removed body 11 is arranged so as not to be in contact with at least the AC creeping discharge element 21. A surface of the object to be discharged 11 on which the charge is removed (hereinafter, may be referred to as a charge removal target surface) 12
Is arranged so as to face the AC creeping discharge element 21. When an AC high voltage is applied from the AC power supply 61, ionization occurs from the discharge electrode 41 along the discharge electrode supporting surface side of the dielectric surface, and a positive polarity ion and a negative polarity ion are generated by creeping discharge, and an AC creeping discharge element. Both ions are provided between the target 21 and the object 11 to be discharged. At the same time, when a DC voltage V having a potential opposite to the surface potential of the surface 12 to be neutralized is applied from the DC power source 71 to the discharge electrode 41, a DC electric field is generated between the AC creeping discharge element 21 and the flat counter electrode 81. That is, a static elimination electric field is formed. The DC voltage is also applied to the induction electrode 51 at the same time.

In this way, when the static elimination electric field is formed between the AC surface discharge element 21 and the flat plate counter electrode 81, the flat plate counter electrode 81 acts as an ion attracting electrode and the discharge electrode of the AC surface discharge element 21. 41 acts as an ion-repellent electrode. For example, when the surface 12 to be discharged of the body 11 to be discharged is charged with negative charges and a positive voltage V is applied to the discharge electrode 41 of the AC surface discharge element 21,
Among the positive and negative ions generated on the dielectric surface of the AC creeping discharge element 21, only the positive ions are selectively attracted to the grounded flat counter electrode 81, and the positive ions are moved toward the flat electrode 81. It moves and comes into contact with the charge-removed body 11 disposed in the middle thereof, and neutralizes the negative charge on the surface 12 to be discharged of the charge-removed body 11. Reverse polarity ions (for example, positive polarity ions) of an amount substantially equal to the total amount of charges (for example, total negative charge amount) on the surface 12 to be discharged of the charge-removed object 11 before the static elimination process.
Is supplied from the AC creeping discharge element 21 to the object 11 to be discharged, the charge removal on the surface 12 to be discharged of the object 11 to be discharged is completed.

When a static elimination electric field is formed by applying a direct current voltage, if the ion supply is continued as it is even after the static elimination on the surface of the object to be neutralized 11 is completed, normally,
The surface 12 to be discharged of the body 11 to be discharged is charged with a charge having a polarity opposite to that of the charge before the charge-eliminating process. Therefore, for example, by performing a pilot test or the like in advance, conditions for completing the static elimination of the static elimination target surface 12 of the static elimination target 11 (for example, the amount of creeping discharge, the electric field intensity applied to form the static elimination electric field, or It is preferable to grasp the application time and the like and perform the static elimination processing according to the conditions.

The high-frequency AC voltage applied by the AC power supply 61 to generate a creeping discharge is not particularly limited, but is preferably 0.2 KVp-p or higher, more preferably 1 KVp-p or higher (KVp-p). Indicates the voltage difference from the maximum value peak to the minimum value AC voltage). The upper limit of the AC voltage is not particularly limited as long as it does not damage the dielectric of the creeping discharge element. The frequency is not particularly limited, but preferably 0.1 to 100K
Hz, more preferably 1 to 50 KHz. When the voltage is less than 0.2 KVp-p, discharge does not substantially occur, and when the frequency is less than 0.1 KHz, an extremely large voltage is required for discharge, and when it exceeds 100 KHz, the dielectric body becomes overheated due to dielectric heating. There is a problem that it may be destroyed.

A discharge electrode 41 as an ion repulsive electrode,
The direct-current potential difference applied between the flat plate-shaped counter electrode 81 as an ion-attracting electrode is also not particularly limited as long as it is within a range in which the desired static elimination effect is obtained by ion movement and dielectric breakdown does not occur. There is not, but as the electric field strength,
Preferably 100 V / cm or more, more preferably 500
It is V / cm or more. If it is less than 100 V / cm, a substantial amount of ion movement per unit time becomes small, so that a sufficient charge eliminating effect may not be obtained.

A known element can be used as the AC creeping discharge element used in the present invention. For example, plate-shaped or sheet-shaped glass, ceramic, plastic, or the like can be used as the dielectric. The thickness of the dielectric is not particularly limited, but if it is too thick, a very high voltage is required to discharge it, and if it is too thin, the mechanical strength decreases and dielectric breakdown easily occurs. Is preferred. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, as the discharge electrode 41 of the AC creeping discharge element 21, a conductive paint is applied to the surface of a plastic film or the like, or a grid electrode or a mesh electrode is formed by a metal layer or a conductive resin layer. Suitable are a grid-shaped electrode or a mesh-shaped electrode formed of a conductive metal such as aluminum or copper.

It is desirable that the discharge electrode 41 has a structure having an opening so that the dielectric 31 is exposed on the surface from below the discharge electrode 41. The induction electrode 51 is also not particularly limited, but a conductive film is applied to the surface of a plastic film or the like, a flat plate electrode or a net-like electrode is formed by a metal layer or a conductive resin layer, or aluminum or copper. A flat plate electrode, a net-shaped electrode, or the like formed of a conductive metal or the like is suitable. In the AC creeping discharge element, the length of the dielectric is preferably longer than the length of the discharge electrode and the inducing electrode so that direct discharge does not occur between the discharge electrode and the inducing electrode at the end of the AC creeping discharge element. When the length of the dielectric cannot be made sufficiently long, it is preferable to insulate the end face of the induction electrode or the entire induction electrode with a dielectric such as a ceramic film or a polymer compound film. Further, it is preferable to cover the discharge electrode with a dielectric film such as a ceramic film or a polymer compound film, because it is possible to prevent the discharge electrode from being consumed by creeping discharge.

The voltage applied to form the static elimination electric field may be a DC voltage as described above, or an AC voltage may be used. When a static elimination electric field is formed by applying an AC voltage, instead of connecting the discharge electrode 41 of the AC surface discharge element 21 shown in FIG. 1 to the DC power source 71 and grounding the flat counter electrode 81, for example, ,
One of the discharge electrode 41 and the flat plate-shaped counter electrode 81 is connected to an AC power supply for forming a static elimination electric field and the other one is grounded, or an AC power supply for forming a static elimination electric field is connected to both the discharge electrode and the flat plate-shaped counter electrode. To do. However, in the latter case, it is necessary to shift the phase of the AC voltage applied to the discharge electrode from the phase of the AC voltage applied to the flat counter electrode, and these phases are set to 1
It is preferable to shift by 80 ° or a degree close thereto. Hereinafter, description will be given based on the case where the discharge electrode 41 is connected to an AC power supply for forming a static elimination electric field and the flat plate-shaped counter electrode 81 is grounded.

When an AC high voltage is applied from the AC power supply 61, ionization occurs from the discharge electrode 41 along the discharge electrode supporting surface side of the dielectric surface, and both positive and negative ions are generated to generate a creeping discharge. Occurs. Simultaneously with this, when an AC voltage is applied to the discharge electrode 41 from the AC power supply for forming a static elimination electric field, a static elimination electric field is formed between the AC creeping discharge element 21 and the flat counter electrode 81. The alternating voltage is also applied to the induction electrode 51 at the same time. When a static elimination electric field is formed between the AC surface discharge element 21 and the flat plate counter electrode 81, the flat plate counter electrode 81 acts as an ion attracting electrode, and the discharge electrode 41 of the AC surface discharge element 21 is ion repulsive. Acts as an electrode. When the discharge electrode 41 of the AC surface discharge element 21 is in a positive potential state, only the positive ion of the positive and negative ions generated on the dielectric surface of the AC surface discharge element 21 is grounded. The flat counter electrode 81 is selectively sucked, moves toward the flat electrode 81, and comes into contact with the charge-removed body 11 disposed on the way. When the discharge electrode 41 of the AC creeping discharge element 21 is changed from the positive potential state to the negative potential state, among the positive and negative ions generated on the dielectric surface of the AC creeping discharge element 21. Only the negative ions are selectively attracted to the grounded flat plate counter electrode 81, move toward the flat plate electrode 81, and come into contact with the charge-removed body 11 disposed on the way. That is, according to the cycle of the AC voltage, both the positive and negative ions generated on the dielectric surface of the AC creeping discharge element 21 alternately move in the direction of the plate electrode 81 and are arranged in the middle thereof. By contacting the object to be removed 11 existing therein, the negative charge and / or the positive charge on the surface 12 to be removed of the object to be removed 11 is neutralized.

When the voltage applied to form the static elimination electric field is an AC voltage, both the positive and negative ions generated on the dielectric surface of the AC creeping discharge element are alternately discharged. Because it comes in contact with the surface of the body for static elimination,
It is not only the object to be discharged whose surface is charged in a single polarity, but also the object to be discharged in which a positively charged region and a negatively charged region coexist on one surface. However, it is possible to eliminate static electricity. In addition, it is not necessary to know in advance the polarity of charges on the surface of static elimination treatment. When the voltage applied to form the static elimination electric field is an AC voltage,
Even when the static elimination process is performed excessively, both the positive and negative ions are alternately supplied,
The surface of the object to be neutralized to be neutralized is not newly charged. Therefore, it is not necessary to know in advance the conditions (for example, the applied voltage or the application time) at which the surface of the object to be neutralized of the object to be neutralized is completed. Even if the object to be neutralized is not uniform, the surface of the object to be neutralized can be neutralized.

Even when an AC voltage is used as the voltage applied to form the static elimination electric field, when the static elimination processing time is short and the number of cycles in the static elimination processing time is small (for example, the static elimination processing time is 1 Seconds, frequency is 1H
z)), it may not be possible to sufficiently supply both the positive and negative ions.
The charge removal may be incomplete or charged with a charge having a polarity opposite to the charge before the charge removal process. When the static elimination processing time is short, the frequency is preferably such that the AC cycle is repeated at least 10 times or more, preferably 100 times or more within the static elimination processing time. By using such a frequency, both positive and negative ions,
It can be sufficiently supplied to the object to be discharged. Further, when the static elimination processing time is short, it is preferable to increase the amount of creeping discharge, and it is preferable to increase the electric field strength within a range where dielectric breakdown does not occur. This is because the amount of ions per unit time that reaches the body to be neutralized increases.

In order to form a static elimination electric field, the discharge electrode 41
Alternatively, the AC voltage applied to the flat plate-shaped counter electrode 81 is not particularly limited as long as it is within a range in which a desired static elimination effect is obtained by ion movement and dielectric breakdown does not occur. Preferably 100 V / c
m or more, more preferably 500 V / cm or more. 1
If it is less than 00 V / cm, the substantial amount of ion movement per unit time becomes small, and a sufficient charge eliminating effect cannot be obtained. The frequency of the AC voltage applied to the discharge electrode 41 or the flat-plate counter electrode 81 to form the static elimination electric field is not particularly limited, but the time for static elimination and the distance between the discharge electrode and the object to be neutralized are not limited. It is preferable to set it in consideration, preferably 5-1000 Hz, and more preferably 20 Hz.
~ 500 Hz. If the frequency is less than 5 Hz, recharging may occur if the static elimination time is short.
This is because if the frequency exceeds 00 Hz, the ions may not be efficiently supplied to the surface of the static elimination target.

In order to form a static elimination electric field, the discharge electrode 41
Alternatively, as the AC voltage applied to the flat-plate counter electrode 81, for example, a sine wave, a triangular wave, a rectangular wave, or the like can be used, and a rectangular wave can be used because the peak electric field intensity can be maintained for a long time. preferable. Suitable conditions for creeping discharge generation AC voltage used when applying an AC voltage to form a static elimination electric field, or AC creeping discharge elements, etc., the same conditions as when applying the DC voltage to form a static elimination electric field And devices can be used.

FIG. 1 shows a mode in which the body 11 to be neutralized is arranged in a non-contact state with the flat plate counter electrode 81. In the state where the surface 13 opposite to the surface to be neutralized is in contact with the flat plate counter electrode 81. The charge-removed body 11 can be arranged. FIG. 3 shows a typical example thereof, in which the object to be discharged is a sheet-like continuous body. As shown in FIG. 3, the flat plate surface discharge element 21 and the columnar counter electrode 82 are arranged so as to face each other. The surface supporting the discharge electrode 41 has a cylindrical counter electrode 82.
The AC creeping discharge element 21 is arranged so as to face with.
The columnar counter electrode 82 may be one that can rotate itself with the center axis of the column as the axis of rotation, or one that is fixed without rotating.
It is preferable that the electrode is capable of rotating itself with the central axis of the cylinder as the axis of rotation, in that the surface of the body 11 to be removed is less likely to be damaged when moving. The discharge electrode 41 and the induction electrode 51 of the surface discharge element 21 are connected to the AC power supply 6
Connect to 1. The discharge electrode 41 is connected to the DC power supply 71, and the cylindrical counter electrode 82 is grounded. In addition, the DC power source 71 is
The induction electrode 51 is also connected via the AC power supply 61. Generally, the AC power supply 61 comprises an AC generator and a transformer, and the DC power supply 71 can be connected from the secondary side ground terminal of the transformer. Further, for example, a capacitor or the like may be provided in the mechanism of the DC power supply 71 to prevent an AC wave from directly entering the DC power supply and prevent a danger such as a short circuit.

When a static elimination electric field is formed by applying a DC voltage, at least one of the discharge electrode 41 acting as an ion repulsive electrode or the cylindrical counter electrode 82 acting as an ion attracting electrode is used as a DC power source. Instead of connecting the discharge electrode 41 to the DC power supply 71 and grounding the columnar counter electrode 82, the columnar counter electrode 82 may be connected to the DC power supply and the discharge electrode 41 may be grounded. Alternatively, both the discharge electrode 41 and the columnar counter electrode 82 may be connected to different DC power supplies. When applying a DC voltage to both the discharge electrode 41 and the columnar counter electrode 82 separately, it is necessary to apply different voltages.

The object to be discharged 11 is transferred between the flat surface creeping discharge element 21 and the cylindrical counter electrode 82 by a transfer means (for example, a pair of delivery rollers: not shown) provided upstream of the cylindrical counter electrode 82. Is continuously supplied at a predetermined speed in the direction indicated by the arrow A, and passes between the plate-shaped surface discharge element 21 and the columnar counter electrode 82 while being in contact with the columnar counter electrode 82. The charge-removed body 11 that has passed between the plate-shaped creeping discharge element 21 and the columnar counter electrode 82 is transferred by the transfer means (for example, a pair of delivery rollers: not shown) provided downstream of the columnar counter electrode 82. It is continuously transferred at a predetermined speed.

The object to be discharged 11 is a flat surface creeping discharge element 21.
When passing between the column and the counter electrode 82, the AC power source 6
When an AC high voltage is applied from No. 1, ionization occurs from the discharge electrode 41 along the discharge electrode supporting surface side of the dielectric surface, and positive ions and negative ions are generated by creeping discharge, and both ions are generated. It is supplied between the planar creeping discharge element 21 and the body 11 to be discharged. At the same time, when a DC voltage V0 having a potential opposite to the surface potential of the surface 12 to be neutralized is applied from the DC power source 71 to the discharge electrode 41, the AC creeping discharge element 21 and the columnar counter electrode 82 are separated from each other. A direct-current electric field, that is, a static elimination electric field is formed at. The DC voltage is also applied to the induction electrode 51 at the same time. When a static elimination electric field is formed between the AC surface discharge element 21 and the columnar counter electrode 82, the columnar counter electrode 82 acts as an ion attracting electrode, and the discharge electrode 41 of the flat plate surface discharge element 21 repels ions. Acts as a sex electrode. For example, the surface 12 to be discharged of the object to be discharged 11
Is charged with negative charges, and when a positive voltage V0 is applied to the discharge electrode 41 of the AC creeping discharge element 21, positive ions and a negative electrode generated on the dielectric surface of the AC creeping discharge element 21. Among the positive ions, only the positive ions are selectively attracted to the grounded counter electrode 82, move toward the columnar electrode 82, and contact the object to be neutralized 11 disposed in the middle thereof. Then, the negative charges on the surface 12 to be discharged of the object to be discharged 11 are neutralized.

Since the electricity-removed body 11 is continuously transferred at a predetermined speed, the surface-untreated electricity-removed body is continuously supplied between the flat surface creeping discharge element 21 and the cylindrical counter electrode 82. On the other hand, the surface-removed body to be discharged is continuously delivered from between the flat surface creeping discharge element 21 and the columnar counter electrode 82, and both surfaces of the body 11 to be discharged are discharged. The static elimination process can be continuously performed. In addition, when the static elimination electric field is formed by applying a DC voltage, if the ion supply is continued as it is even after the static elimination on the surface of the static elimination target 11 is completed, the static elimination target surface 1 of the static elimination target 11 is usually generated.
2 is charged with a charge having a polarity opposite to that of the charge before the static elimination process.
Therefore, for example, by performing a pilot test or the like, the conditions for completing the static elimination on the static elimination target surface 12 of the static elimination target 11 (for example, the amount of creeping discharge, the electric field intensity applied to form the static elimination electric field, the application It is preferable to grasp the time, the transportation speed of the object to be neutralized, etc., and perform the static elimination processing according to the conditions.

The surface opposite to the surface to be neutralized (that is,
In a mode of the present invention in which the object to be neutralized 11 is arranged in a state where the counter electrode contact surface 16) is in contact with the columnar counter electrode 82, a case where the voltage applied to form the static elimination electric field is a DC voltage Although the present invention has been described with reference to FIG. 3, as the voltage applied to form the static elimination electric field,
Alternating voltage may be used. When a static elimination electric field is formed by applying an AC voltage, the discharge electrode 41 of the AC surface discharge element 21 shown in FIG. 3 is connected to the DC power source 71, and instead of grounding the cylindrical counter electrode 82, discharge is performed. Electrode 4
Either one of the 1 or the cylindrical counter electrode 82 is connected to the AC power supply for forming the static elimination electric field and the other one is grounded, or the AC power supply for forming the static elimination electric field is connected to both the discharge electrode and the flat counter electrode. However, in the latter case, it is necessary to deviate the phase of the AC voltage applied to the discharge electrode from the phase of the AC voltage applied to the flat counter electrode, and to deviate these phases by 180 ° or a degree close thereto. Is preferred.

The present invention can also be implemented by using a pair of AC creeping discharge elements that are arranged to face each other. FIG. 4 shows a typical mode in which two flat plate AC surface discharge elements are used. The case where the voltage applied to form the static elimination electric field is a DC voltage will be described first, and then the case where the voltage applied to form the static elimination electric field is an AC voltage will be described. As shown in FIG. 4, the AC creeping discharge elements 21, 22 are arranged so as to face each other with a predetermined space therebetween. The AC creeping discharge element 2 is so arranged that the surface carrying the discharge electrode 41 faces the surface carrying the discharge electrode 42.
1 and 22 are arranged. Discharge electrodes 41 and 42 and induction electrode 5
1, 52 are connected to AC power sources 61, 62, respectively. The discharge electrodes 41 and 42 are connected to the DC power supplies 71 and 72, respectively. Further, the DC power supplies 71 and 72 are the AC power supply 6
The induction electrodes 51, 52 are also connected via 1, 62, respectively. Generally, the AC power supplies 61 and 62 are composed of an AC generator and a transformer, and the DC power supplies 71 and 72 can be connected from the secondary side ground terminal of the transformer. Further, for example, a capacitor or the like may be provided in the mechanism of the DC power supplies 71 and 72 to prevent AC waves from directly entering the DC power supply, and to prevent a danger such as a short circuit.

When a static elimination electric field is formed by applying a DC voltage, a potential difference may be formed between the respective discharge electrodes, so that at least one of the discharge electrode 41 and the discharge electrode 42 should be connected to a DC power source. Good. Therefore, the discharge electrode 4
Instead of connecting 1, 42 to the DC power supplies 71, 72 respectively, only one discharge electrode may be connected to the DC power supply and the remaining discharge electrodes may be grounded. When the discharge electrodes 41 and 42 are connected to the DC power supplies 71 and 72, respectively, it is necessary to apply different potential voltages. AC creeping discharge element 2
Between the Nos. 1 and 22, the charge-removed body 11 is arranged in a non-contact state with the AC creeping discharge elements 21 and 22. The surface 14 to be discharged of the object 11 to be discharged is the discharge electrode 41 of the AC creeping discharge element 21.
The surface 15 opposite to the surface carrying the electric field, and the other surface 15 to be neutralized of the object 11 to be neutralized is the AC creeping discharge element 22.
The charge-removed body 11 is arranged so as to face the surface carrying the discharge electrode 42. When an AC high voltage is applied from the AC power sources 61 and 62, ionization occurs from the discharge electrodes 41 and 42 along the discharge electrode supporting surface side of the dielectric surface, and both positive and negative ions are generated and creeping surface is generated. Electric discharge occurs.

At the same time, DC voltages V1 and V2 of different potentials are applied from the DC power sources 71 and 72 to the discharge electrodes 41 and 42.
Is applied, a DC electric field, that is, a static elimination electric field is formed between the AC creeping discharge elements 21 and 22. Each DC voltage is also applied to the induction electrodes 51 and 52 at the same time. For example, a positive voltage V1 is applied to the discharge electrode 41 of the AC surface discharge element 21.
And a negative voltage V2 is applied to the discharge electrode 42 of the AC creeping discharge element 22.
The AC waveforms at 1 and 22 are shown in FIG. That is, the AC creeping discharge element 21 has a ground potential (0 V: x in FIG. 5).
Since a DC positive potential V1 (a in FIG. 5) is applied to the DC voltage V, the AC wave (b in FIG. 5) of the inducing electrode 51 is a DC component V.
The pressure is increased by 1 and the potential of the discharge electrode 41 also becomes V1. on the other hand,
Since the DC negative potential V2 (c in FIG. 5) is applied to the earth potential (0 V: x in FIG. 5) to the AC creeping discharge element 22, the AC wave (d in FIG. 5) of the induction electrode 52 is generated. Only the DC component V2 is stepped down, and the potential of the discharge electrode 42 also becomes V2.

In this way, when a static elimination electric field is formed between the AC surface discharge elements 21 and 22, the discharge electrodes 41 and 42 act as an ion attracting electrode and an ion repelling electrode, respectively. For example, in the case where the surface 14 to be discharged of the object to be discharged 11 is charged with negative charges and the surface 15 to be discharged from the object to be discharged 11 is charged with positive charges, the discharge electrode of the AC creeping discharge element 21 is discharged. When a positive voltage V1 is applied to 41 and a negative voltage V2 is applied to the discharge electrode 42 of the AC surface discharge element 22, positive and negative ions generated on the dielectric surface of the AC surface discharge element 21 are generated. Among them, only the positive ions selectively move from the discharge electrode 41 acting as the ion repulsive electrode to the discharge electrode 42 acting as the ion attracting electrode, and the charge-removed body 11 disposed in the middle thereof is discharged. To neutralize the negative charge on the surface 14 to be discharged of the charge-removed body 11.

On the other hand, of the positive and negative ions generated on the dielectric surface of the AC surface discharge element 22, only the negative ion acts as the ion repulsive electrode 4.
2 selectively moves in the direction of the discharge electrode 41 that acts as an ion-attracting electrode and contacts the charge-removed body 11 disposed in the middle thereof, and the positive charge of the charge-removed target surface 15 of the charge-removed body 11 is removed. Neutralize. An amount of each reverse polarity ion (for example, positive polarity ion) substantially equal to each total charge amount (for example, total negative charge amount) of each charge removal target surface 14 and 15 of the charge-removed object 11 before the charge removal process is performed. When the charge is discharged from the AC creeping discharge elements 21 and 22 to the charge-removed body 11, the charge-removal of the charge-removed target surfaces 14 and 15 of the charge-removed body 11 is completed. Thus, the charge-removed body 11 is simultaneously treated with the positive ions from one side and the negative-ion from the other side, and the charge-removed body 11 is
It is neutralized and discharged.

When a charge-eliminating electric field is formed by applying a DC voltage, the shape of the charge-removed body 11 blocks movement of ions supplied from the AC creeping discharge element 21 or 22 to the charge-eliminating target surface. In the case of a shape (for example, a film or sheet shape), if the ion supply is continued as it is even after the charge removal of the surface of the charge-removed object 11 is completed, the charge removal target surface of the charge-removed object 11 is usually before the charge removal processing. It is charged with a charge of the opposite polarity to that of. Therefore, for example, by performing a pilot test or the like, the conditions for completing the static elimination on the surface to be neutralized of the static eliminator 11 (for example, the amount of creeping discharge, the electric field intensity applied to form the static elimination electric field, or the application) It is preferable to grasp the time) and perform the static elimination processing according to the conditions.

On the other hand, in the case where the shape of the object to be neutralized 11 is, for example, a sparse aggregate of powder particles or fibrous materials, the positive and negative ions supplied from each AC creeping discharge element are Since the aggregates do not block the movement and the positive and negative ions collide with each other to be neutralized, recharging does not substantially occur even if the charge removal treatment is continued for a long time. Therefore, when removing electricity from powders or fibrous substances, it is not necessary to know the polarity of the surface charge of the surface to be removed in advance. In particular, a method of applying a DC voltage to form a static elimination electric field is particularly suitable.

Next, the case where the voltage applied to form the static elimination electric field is an AC voltage will be described with reference to FIG. In the case of forming a charge eliminating electric field by applying an AC voltage, the AC creeping discharge element 2 shown in FIG.
Instead of connecting the discharge electrodes 41 and 42 of Nos. 1 and 22 to the DC power supplies 71 and 72, respectively, one of the discharge electrodes 41 and 42 is connected to the AC power supply for forming the static elimination electric field and the other one is grounded or discharged. An AC power supply for forming a static elimination electric field is connected to both the electrode and the flat counter electrode. However, in the latter case, it is necessary to deviate the phase of the AC voltage applied to the discharge electrode from the phase of the AC voltage applied to the flat counter electrode, and to deviate these phases by 180 ° or a degree close thereto. Is preferred. Hereinafter, description will be given based on the case where the discharge electrode 41 is connected to an AC power supply for forming a charge eliminating electric field and the discharge electrode 42 is grounded.

When an AC high voltage is applied from the AC power sources 61 and 62, ionization occurs from the discharge electrodes 41 and 42 along the discharge electrode supporting surface side of the dielectric surface, and both positive and negative ions are generated. As a result, creeping discharge is generated. Simultaneously with this, when an AC voltage is applied to the discharge electrode 41 from the AC power source for forming a static elimination field, a static elimination electric field is formed between the discharge electrodes 41 and 22. The alternating voltage is also applied to the induction electrode 51 at the same time. AC creeping discharge elements 21,2
When the static elimination electric field is formed between the two, the discharge electrodes 41, 42
Act as an ion-withdrawing electrode and an ion-repelling electrode, respectively. When the discharge electrode 41 of the AC surface discharge element 21 is in a positive potential state, among the positive and negative ions generated on the dielectric surface of the AC surface discharge element 21,
Only the positive ions move selectively from the discharge electrode 41, which acts as an ion repulsive electrode to the positive ions, to the discharge electrode 42, which acts as an ion attracting electrode, and are arranged in the middle. The surface of the object to be neutralized 11 that is to be neutralized contacts the surface 14 to be neutralized. On the other hand, at this time, at the same time, of the positive and negative ions generated on the dielectric surface of the AC surface discharge element 22, only the negative ion acts as an ion repulsive electrode for the negative ion. From 42, it selectively moves in the direction of the discharge electrode 41 that acts as an ion-attracting electrode, and comes into contact with the surface 15 to be discharged of the body 11 to be discharged, which is disposed in the middle thereof.

When the discharge electrode 41 of the AC surface discharge element 21 changes from the positive potential state to the negative potential state,
Of the positive and negative ions generated on the dielectric surface of the AC creeping discharge element 21, only the negative ions are ion-attracting from the discharge electrode 41 that acts as an ion repulsive electrode for the negative ions. It selectively moves in the direction of the discharge electrode 42 acting as an electrode, and comes into contact with the surface 14 to be discharged of the body 11 to be discharged which is arranged in the middle of the discharge electrode 42. on the other hand,
At the same time, of the positive and negative ions generated on the dielectric surface of the AC creeping discharge element 22, only the positive ion is discharged from the discharge electrode 42 that acts as an ion repulsive electrode for the positive ion. , Selectively moves in the direction of the discharge electrode 41 acting as an ion-attracting electrode, and comes into contact with the surface 15 to be discharged of the charge-removed body 11 disposed in the middle of the discharge electrode 41.

That is, in accordance with the cycle of the AC voltage, both the positive and negative ions generated on the dielectric surface of the AC creeping discharge element 21 alternately move toward the discharge electrode 42 and are arranged in the middle thereof. Both the positive ions and the negative ions that are in contact with the surface 14 to be discharged of the body 11 to be discharged and at the same time that the positive and negative ions generated on the dielectric surface of the AC creeping discharge element 22 are alternately directed in the direction of the discharge electrode 41. Surface 1 of the charge-removed object 11 that has been moved to
By contacting with 5, it is possible to neutralize the negative charge and / or the positive charge on both surfaces of the charge-removed object 11 to be discharged. Therefore, in the present invention, by using a pair of AC creeping discharge elements arranged to face each other, it is possible to eliminate both surfaces of the charge eliminator simultaneously without contacting the AC creeping discharge element and the charge eliminator. Therefore, the shape of the body to be neutralized is not limited, and for example, both surfaces of the non-planar body to be neutralized can be simultaneously neutralized.

Even in a mode in which two AC creeping discharge elements are used, when the voltage applied to form the static elimination electric field is an AC voltage, positive ions generated on the dielectric surface of the AC creeping discharge element are generated. Since both the negative and negative ions alternately contact the surface of the object to be neutralized, the surface charge is not only the object to be charged having a single polarity, but also the positively charged region. It is possible to eliminate static electricity even if the substance to be discharged has a negatively charged region coexisting on one surface. In addition, it is not necessary to know in advance the polarity of charges on the surface of static elimination treatment. When the voltage applied to form the static elimination electric field is an AC voltage, both positive and negative ions are alternately supplied even when the static elimination process is excessively performed. Therefore, the surface of the object to be neutralized of the object to be neutralized is not newly charged. Therefore, it is not necessary to know in advance the conditions (for example, the applied voltage or the application time) at which the surface of the object to be neutralized of the object to be neutralized is completed. Even if the object to be neutralized is not uniform, the surface of the object to be neutralized can be neutralized.

Means for disposing an object to be discharged in the middle of a pair of AC surface discharge elements in a non-contact state with each AC surface discharge element is to substantially prevent the action of ions on the object to be discharged. It is not particularly limited as long as it is a means that can be arranged in the static elimination space without the static elimination target, for example, in the case where the static elimination target is a continuous body such as a sheet-like, on both sides of the static elimination space. Supporting means such as rolls may be installed, and the members to be neutralized may be placed between the rolls so as to pass through the static elimination space. In addition, if the static charge-removing objects are independent one by one like a molded product, pass the carrier consisting of mesh etc., place the charge-removing target on it, and place it so that it passes through the static-free space. Good.

The AC creeping discharge element can have any of various shapes other than the flat element as shown in FIG. 4, for example. For example, a pair of AC creeping discharge elements 2 having an arcuate cross section
By carrying out the present invention by using Nos. 1 and 22, it is possible to efficiently process an object to be discharged having an arc-shaped cross section. Further, as shown in FIG. 6, a pair of cylindrical AC creeping discharge elements 2
It is also possible to efficiently process a cylindrical body to be neutralized by using 1 and 22. That is, the cylindrical AC surface discharge element 21 having a large diameter and the cylindrical AC surface discharge element 2 having a small diameter
2 are arranged concentrically with a predetermined space. Each of the AC creeping discharge elements 21, 22 has a dielectric body 31, 32, respectively.
It has a structure in which the discharge electrodes 41 and 42 are carried on one surface and the induction electrodes 51 and 52 are carried on the other surface, and two alternating currents are applied so that the surfaces carrying the discharge electrodes 41 and 42 face each other. The creeping discharge elements 21, 22 are arranged. The discharge electrodes 41, 42 and the induction electrodes 51, 52 are connected to an AC power supply (not shown) for generating a creeping discharge, respectively, similarly to the aspect shown in FIG. 4, and the discharge electrodes 41, 42 are further connected, respectively. Connect to a DC power source or AC power supply (not shown) for forming a static elimination field (substantially the induction electrodes 51, 52 are also connected to the DC power source or AC power source for forming a static elimination field via the AC power source for generating a creeping discharge) ). In addition, in the present invention, since it is possible to perform processing without being limited by the shape of the charge-eliminated object, it is possible to process the cylindrical charge-eliminated object even if an AC creeping discharge element having a shape other than the cylindrical shape is used. .

The present invention can also be carried out by using an ionizer element as a means for generating positive ions and / or negative ions, and a typical embodiment thereof is shown in FIG. In this embodiment, two ionizer elements 24, 25
Are spaced apart from each other by a predetermined space. Each of the ionizer elements 24, 25 comprises a DC corona discharge electrode 84a, 85a composed of a wire electrode, a needle electrode, etc., earth electrodes 84b, 85b, and guide plates 84c, 85c for sending generated ions into the charging space. , The discharge electrodes 84a and 85a are DC high-voltage power supplies 74a and 75a, respectively.
(However, 74a and 75a have opposite polarities), and the ground electrodes 84b and 85b are respectively connected to ground. 2
The two ionizer elements 24 and 25 ionize the reaction gas (for example, air) supplied from the direction indicated by the arrow B by applying a DC high voltage to generate positive ions and negative ions. , Is emitted from the guide plates 84c and 85c in the direction indicated by the arrow C, and is supplied between the ion transfer electrode 44 and the ion transfer electrode 45.

On the other hand, the ion transfer electrodes 44 and 45 are connected to the DC power sources 74a and 75a, respectively, and 84a and 8a, respectively.
Since the potential polarity is the same as that of 5a, the ion transfer electrode 4
Reference numerals 4 and 45 serve as an ion-withdrawing electrode and an ion-repelling electrode, respectively. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, the ion transfer electrode 44 is emitted from the ionizer element 24.
The positive ions supplied between the ion-discharging target 11 and the charge-removed body 11 move from the ion-moving electrode 44 that functions as an ion-repelling electrode to the ion-moving electrode 4 that functions as an ion-attracting electrode.
It moves in the direction of 5, and comes into contact with the charge-removed body 11 disposed in the middle thereof, and the charge-removed body is discharged. On the other hand, the negative ions emitted from the ionizer element 25 and supplied between the ion transfer electrode 45 and the object to be discharged 11 act as the ion attracting electrode from the ion transfer electrode 45 acting as the ion repulsive electrode. It moves in the direction of the ion-moving electrode 44, and comes into contact with the charge-removed body 11 disposed in the middle thereof, and the charge-removed body is discharged. In this way, the charge removal target 11
Are simultaneously treated with positive ions from one side and negative ions from the other side, and the charge-removed body 11 is eliminated.

Although FIG. 7 shows a mode in which the discharge electrode of the ionizer element and the ion transfer electrode are connected to the same DC power source, each of these electrodes can be separately connected to a different power source. For example, the discharge electrode of each ionizer element may be connected to an AC power supply, and the ion transfer electrode may be connected to a DC power supply. In this case, the positive and negative ions generated in each ionizer element move toward the one ion moving electrode in accordance with the potential difference of the direct current applied from the direct current power source. The negative ions move toward the other ion moving electrode, and the charge-eliminated object can be discharged during the movement. Or,
It is also possible to connect the discharge electrode of each ionizer element to an AC power supply and connect both of the ion transfer electrodes to the AC power supply, or connect one to the AC power supply and ground the other.
In this case, the positive ions and the negative ions generated in each ionizer element are the positive ions and the negative ions which are alternately ionized in accordance with the change in the polarity due to the AC power source connected to the ion transfer electrode. It is possible to move toward the moving electrode, and to neutralize the object to be neutralized during the movement. However, when both of the ion transfer electrodes are connected to an AC power supply, the phases of the power supplies need to be shifted, and it is preferable to shift these phases by 180 ° or a degree close thereto.

The present invention can also be implemented by using a DC corona type ion generating element as the positive ion and / or negative ion generating means, and a typical embodiment thereof is shown in FIG. In this embodiment, two DC corona type ion generating elements 26 and 27 are arranged so as to face each other with a predetermined space therebetween. Each DC corona type ion generating element 26, 27 comprises a counter electrode 86a, 87a and a discharge electrode 86b, 87b, respectively, and the counter electrodes 86a, 87a are DC power sources 76a, 77a (provided that 76a and 77a, respectively).
a is in reverse polarity), and the discharge electrodes 86b, 87b are in communication with DC power sources 76b, 77b (provided that 76b and 77b have opposite polarities). The DC corona type ion generating elements 26 and 27 shown in FIG. 8 have five counter electrodes 86a,
87a and four discharge electrodes 86b, 87b,
The number of electrodes can be changed according to the environment or purpose of use. The counter electrodes 86a, 87a and the discharge electrode 86
b and 87b are not particularly limited as long as they have a shape capable of causing corona discharge. For example, as shown in FIG.
A rod-shaped electrode is used as the counter electrode, a linear electrode is used as the discharge electrode,
Alternatively, a needle electrode or the like can be used.

In the DC corona type ion generating element 26, the counter electrodes 86 are respectively supplied from the DC power supplies 76a and 76b.
DC voltages V11 and V12 having the same polarity and different potentials are applied to a and the discharge electrode 86b. Voltage V1
When the potential difference between 1 and V12 is larger than the electric field strength at which corona discharge occurs and the absolute value of the voltage V12 is larger than the absolute value of the voltage V11, the polarity of the voltage applied by the DC power supplies 76a and 76b is the same. Ion is the counter electrode 86
It is generated between a and the discharge electrode 86b. At the same time,
Also in the DC corona type ion generating element 27, a DC voltage having a polarity opposite to the voltage polarity applied by the DC power supplies 76a and 76b from the DC power supplies 77a and 77b to the counter electrode 87a and the discharge electrode 87b, respectively, and having a different potential. Applying V13 and V14, the potential difference between the voltages V13 and V14 is larger than the electric field strength at which corona discharge occurs,
When the absolute value of the voltage V14 is larger than the absolute value of the voltage V13, the counter electrode 8 of the DC corona ion generating element 26 is
Ions having the opposite polarity to the ions generated between 6a and the discharge electrode 86b are generated between the counter electrode 87a and the discharge electrode 87b.

For example, a negative voltage V11 is applied to the DC power supply 76a communicating with the counter electrode 86a, and a negative voltage V12 is applied to the DC power supply 76b communicating with the discharge electrode 86b, so that the negative voltage V
The absolute value of 12 is made larger than the absolute value of the negative voltage V11,
The potential difference between the voltage V11 and the voltage V12 is set to be larger than the electric field strength at which corona discharge occurs. Meanwhile, at the same time,
A positive voltage V is applied to the DC power supply 77a communicating with the counter electrode 87a.
13 is applied to the DC power supply 77b communicating with the discharge electrode 87b to make the positive voltage V14 larger than the positive voltage V13, and the potential difference between the voltage V13 and the voltage V14 is an electric field causing corona discharge. Set so that it is greater than the strength. Thus, negative ions are generated between the counter electrode 86a and the discharge electrode 86b of the DC corona type ion generating element 26, and the positive polarity is generated between the counter electrode 87a and the discharge electrode 87b of the DC corona type ion generating element 27. Ions are generated.

At the same time, since a DC electric field (static elimination field) is formed between the DC corona type ion generating element 26 and the DC corona type ion generating element 27, the counter electrode 87a, the discharge electrode 87b and the counter electrode 86a are formed. And discharge electrode 86b
Act as an ion-withdrawing electrode and an ion-repelling electrode, respectively. For example, the voltages V11 to V1 illustrated above
When 4 is applied, the negative ions generated in the DC corona-type ion generating element 26 from the counter electrode 86a and the discharge electrode 86b which act as the ion repulsive electrode to the counter electrode 87a and the discharge electrode which act as the ion attracting electrode. It moves in the direction of 87b and comes into contact with the charge-removed body 11 disposed in the middle thereof to charge the charge-removed body. On the other hand, the positive ions generated in the DC corona type ion generating element 27 are discharged from the counter electrode 87a and the discharge electrode 87b which act as the ion repulsive electrode,
It moves in the direction of the counter electrode 86a and the discharge electrode 86b which act as an ion-attracting electrode, contacts the neutralized body 11 disposed in the middle thereof, and neutralizes the neutralized body. In this way, the charge-removed body 11 is simultaneously treated with the negative ion from one side and the positive-ion ion from the other side, and the charge-removed body 11 is discharged.

Also in this method, as described above in the embodiment in which a pair of facing creeping discharge elements are used as the positive ion and / or negative ion generating means, as the object to be discharged, for example, powder There is no problem when using a granular material or a fibrous material, but for example, when using a film- or sheet-shaped charge-removed object, if the charge-removal time is set too long, it may be charged in the opposite polarity, and therefore the charge-removed object is previously charged. It is preferable to understand the conditions for completing the static elimination on the surface of the static eliminator to be subjected to static elimination, and perform the static elimination treatment according to the conditions.
The distance between the counter electrode and the discharge electrode capable of causing DC corona discharge is preferably about 1 mm to 20 mm, and the potential difference between them depends on the electrode shape or distance, but is about 0.1 KV.
-20 KV is preferred. Further, one DC corona type ion generating element 26 and the other DC corona type ion generating element 2
The potential difference with respect to 7 is not particularly limited, but is preferably 1 KV or more. If the potential difference is less than 1 KV, a substantial ion supply amount becomes small, and a sufficient static elimination effect cannot be obtained. The upper limit of this potential difference is not particularly limited as long as it does not cause dielectric breakdown.

The present invention can also be carried out by using alternating current corona type ion generating elements as the first ion generating means and the second ion generating means, and a typical mode thereof is shown in FIG. In this mode, two AC corona type ion generating elements 28 and 29 are arranged to face each other with a predetermined space therebetween. Each AC corona type ion generator 2
Reference numerals 8 and 29 include induction electrodes 88a and 89a and discharge electrodes 88b and 89b, respectively. The induction electrodes 88a and 89a and discharge electrodes 88b and 89b are AC power sources 68 and 69, respectively.
Has been contacted. In this embodiment, each induction electrode 88
a and 89a are connected to DC power supplies 78 and 79, respectively, and the DC power supplies 78 and 79 are also connected to AC power supplies 68 and 69. Generally, the AC power supplies 68 and 69 are composed of an AC generator and a transformer, and the DC power supplies 78 and 79 can be connected from the secondary side ground terminal of the transformer. The AC corona type ion generating elements 28 and 29 shown in FIG. 9 each have five inducing electrodes 88a and 89a and four discharge electrodes 88b and 89b, but the number of electrodes is changed according to the environment or purpose of use. can do. The induction electrodes 88a and 89a are, for example, as shown in FIG. 9, the dielectric 3 made of glass, ceramic, plastic, or the like.
It is preferable to coat with 8,39. This is because spark discharge can be prevented and stable corona discharge can be performed.

Two AC corona type ion generating elements 28,
29, in a non-contact state with those elements, the object to be discharged 1
1 is arranged and when an AC high voltage is applied from the AC power supplies 68 and 69, the discharge electrodes 88b and 89b and the induction electrodes 88a and 89
Both positive and negative ions are generated between a and a. At this time, if DC voltages V21 and V22 of different potentials are simultaneously applied from the DC power supplies 78 and 79, DC voltage is applied between the AC corona type ion generating elements 28 and 29 as in the case of the AC creeping discharge element described above. Field (static elimination field)
Is formed. AC corona type ion generating elements 28, 29
When a static elimination electric field is formed between the induction electrode 88a and the discharge electrode 88b, the induction electrode 89a and the discharge electrode 89b,
They act as an ion-withdrawing electrode and an ion-repelling electrode, respectively. For example, when a positive voltage V22 is applied to the DC power supply 79, only the negative ions out of the positive ions and the negative ions generated in the AC corona type ion generating element 28,
It moves from the inducing electrode 88a and the discharge electrode 88b acting as the ion repulsive electrode to the inducing electrode 89a and the discharge electrode 89b acting as the ion attracting electrode, and comes into contact with the charge-removed body 11 disposed in the middle thereof. , Removes electricity from the object to be removed. On the other hand, of the positive and negative ions generated in the AC corona type ion generating element 29, only the positive ion acts as an ion-repulsive electrode 89a.
Also, it moves from the discharge electrode 89b toward the induction electrode 88a and the discharge electrode 88b which act as an ion-attracting electrode, and contacts the charge-removed body 11 disposed in the middle thereof to discharge the charge-removed body. In this manner, the charge-removed body 11 is simultaneously treated with the positive ions from one side and the negative-ion from the other side, and the charge-removed body 11 is discharged.

The high frequency AC voltage applied to generate the AC corona discharge by the AC power source is not particularly limited, but is preferably about 0.1 KVp-p to 50K.
Vp-p (KVp-p indicates the voltage difference from the maximum value peak to the minimum value peak of the AC voltage), and the frequency is not particularly limited, but preferably 0.1 to 100.
KHz. When the voltage is less than 0.1 KVp-p, the discharge does not substantially occur, and when the frequency is less than 0.1 KHz, an extremely large voltage is required for the discharge.
If the frequency exceeds 0 KHz, there is a problem that the dielectric material may be overheated due to dielectric heating and may be destroyed. The distance between the induction electrode and the discharge electrode capable of causing AC corona discharge is preferably about 0.1 mm to 10 mm.

The potential difference between the AC corona type ion generating element 28 and the AC corona type ion generating element 29, that is, the voltage difference (V ₂ -V ₁ ) applied to the DC power supplies 78 and 79 is in a range where dielectric breakdown does not occur. As long as it is not particularly limited, it is preferably 0.5 KV or more, more preferably 1 KV or more. When the potential difference becomes less than 0.5 KV,
Since the substantial ion supply amount becomes small, a sufficient static elimination effect cannot be obtained. In the above method, an AC voltage may be applied instead of the DC voltage as a means for forming the static elimination electric field. For example, instead of the DC power supplies 78 and 79, one can be an AC power supply and the other can be grounded, or both can be AC power supplies. When both are replaced with AC power supplies, it is necessary to shift the phases of the power supplies, and it is preferable to shift these phases by 180 ° or a degree close to this. In this case, since both the positive and negative ions are alternately emitted and discharged according to the AC cycle, the charges are not recharged without knowing the conditions for completing the discharge in advance.

In addition to the above combinations shown in FIGS. 4, 7, 8 and 9, the present invention provides an AC creeping discharge element,
An ionizer element, a direct current corona type ion generating element and an alternating current corona type ion generating element can be used in any combination. Therefore, a combination of an AC creeping discharge element and an ionizer element, a combination of an AC creeping discharge element and a DC corona type ion generating element, a combination of an AC creeping discharge element and an AC corona type ion generating element, an ionizer element and a DC corona type ion It can also be carried out by a combination with a generating element, a combination of an ionizer element and an AC corona type ion generating element, or a combination of a DC corona type ion generating element and an AC corona type ion generating element. In the method of the present invention, the object to be discharged can be brought into contact with the ion-attracting electrode, but is not brought into contact with the ion generating means or the ion-repelling electrode. Therefore, when a single ion generating means is used, it is possible to bring the charge-removed object into contact with the ion-attracting electrode, but when using a pair of ion generating means, the charge-removed object is applied to the ion-attracting electrode. There is no contact.

In the method of the present invention, a pair of ion generating means (particularly a creeping discharge element, a direct current corona type ion generating element or an alternating current corona type ion generating element) disposed opposite to each other is used to remove both surfaces of the object to be discharged. When removing the electricity at the same time,
The position of the body to be neutralized is between a pair of ion generating means (particularly a creeping discharge element, a direct current corona type ion generating element or an alternating current corona type ion generating element) which are arranged facing each other, and between the ion generating means. There is no particular limitation as long as most of the surface of the object to be discharged of the object to be discharged is included in the formed charge removing electric field and does not come into contact with the respective ion generating means. For example, as shown in FIG. 10, the creeping discharge elements 21 and 22 may be arranged so that the surfaces carrying the discharge electrodes 41 and 42 face the surfaces 14 and 15 to be discharged of the body 11 to be discharged. it can. This mode is suitable when the surfaces 14 and 15 to be discharged of the object to be discharged 11 are charged with charges of different polarities. Moreover, since the distance between the creeping discharge elements can be reduced, the applied voltage for forming the static elimination electric field can be reduced. However, in this aspect, there is no problem when the charge eliminating electric field is formed by an alternating current, but when it is formed by a direct current, it is necessary to know the charge polarity of the surface of the charge eliminating target in advance.

Further, for example, as shown in FIG. 11, the creeping discharge element 2 is so arranged that the surfaces carrying the discharge electrodes 41, 42 are orthogonal to the charge-eliminating surfaces 14, 15 of the body 11 to be discharged.
1, 22 can be arranged. In this mode, even when the DC voltage is used as the voltage applied to form the static elimination electric field and the static neutralization process is excessively performed, the electric charge before the static elimination process and the polarity opposite to that of the mode shown in FIG. It is difficult to be charged again due to the electric charge, and the charge can be removed without any problem without knowing the charge characteristics of the charge removal target surface in advance. Note that FIG.
And FIG. 11 is an explanatory view schematically showing the positional relationship between the creeping discharge element and the body to be neutralized, so that, for example, the power source, the means for arranging the body to be neutralized, etc. are not shown.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to Examples, but these do not limit the scope of the present invention. Example 1 A polyester film (length = 25 cm, width = 15 cm, thickness = 50 μm) placed on a grounded copper plate (length = 30 cm, width = 25 cm, thickness = 1 mm) was +2000 V by corona discharge. The surface potential of This copper plate is used as the counter electrode, and 98 above the polyester film.
The creeping discharge element was arranged such that the surface supporting the discharge electrode faces the polyester film with a space of mm. Heat-resistant glass (length = 2
Lattice-shaped stainless steel plate (length = 25.7 cm, width = 18.2 cm, thickness = 0.20) as a discharge electrode on one surface of 9.5 cm, width = 21 cm, thickness = 1.2 mm.
04 mm, grid width = 2 mm, grid spacing = 8 mm), and a stainless steel plate (length = 25.7 cm, width = 18.2 c) as an induction electrode on the other surface of the glass.
m, thickness = 0.04 mm) was used. AC high voltage (23.9 KHz, between the discharge electrode and the induction electrode,
5 KVp-p) was applied to generate a creeping discharge. At the same time, the discharge electrode is set to a DC voltage (-2KV or -5K).
V) or a rectangular wave AC voltage (5 Hz / 5 KVp-p or 5 Hz / 9 KVp-p), and the polyester film was subjected to static elimination treatment. The surface potential of the polyester film was measured by a surface potential meter (Trek Co., Ltd .: Model 344).

The relationship between the static elimination time and the surface potential of the polyester film is shown in FIG. As a comparative example, FIG. 12 also shows the result when only a creeping discharge was generated by applying an AC high voltage without biasing the discharge electrode. The symbols shown in FIG. 12 are as follows: ● Comparative example, ○: AC voltage 5 Hz / 5 KVp
-P and □ represent the results when the AC voltage was 5 Hz / 9 KVp-p, Δ represents the DC voltage-2 KV, and ⋄ represents the DC voltage-5 KV. When the discharge electrode was biased, the static elimination time was shorter as the electric field strength was higher, regardless of whether the discharge voltage was a DC voltage or an AC voltage. It was also found that in the case of direct current, there is an optimum static elimination time, and if the static elimination process is continued beyond that time, it will be charged to the opposite polarity to the charge before the static elimination process. In the comparative example, almost no static electricity was removed as compared with the present invention.

Example 2 Polyester film (length = 25 cm, width = 15 c
m, thickness = 50 μm), -2000 V on one surface (hereinafter referred to as negatively charged surface), and +2000 on the other surface (hereinafter referred to as positively charged surface).
A surface potential of V was applied. The two creeping discharge elements used in Example 1 are arranged such that the surfaces carrying the discharge electrodes face each other, are parallel to the creeping discharge elements, and are equidistant from each creeping discharge element. (98m
m), the polyester film was installed by fixing both ends with a pair of acrylic holders equipped with a stand. An AC high voltage (23.9) is applied between the discharge electrode and the induction electrode of each creeping discharge element.
KHz, 5 KVp-p) was applied to generate each creeping discharge. At the same time, the discharge electrode of the surface discharge element facing the positively charged surface of the polyester film is set to a DC voltage (-10 KV) or a rectangular wave AC voltage (5 Hz / 1).
Biasing was performed with 0 KVp-p), and the discharge electrode of the other surface discharge element was grounded, and the static elimination treatment of the polyester film was performed. As a comparative example, the former discharge electrode was not biased, and both discharge electrodes were grounded together and an AC high voltage was applied to generate a creeping discharge. The surface potential of the polyester film was measured by the same method as in Example 1. When the discharge electrode of the creeping discharge element facing the positive charging surface was biased with a DC voltage of -10 KV, the same results as in the case of the DC voltage of -5 KV of Example 1 were shown. Moreover, when the discharge electrode of the surface discharge element facing the positive charging surface was biased with an AC voltage of 5 Hz / 10 KVp-p, the same results as in the case of the AC voltage of 5 Hz / 5 KVp-p of Example 1 were shown. In addition, the comparative example is the first embodiment.
As in the comparative example, almost no charge was removed.

[0065]

As described above, in the present invention, the means for causing the discharge and the means for forming the static elimination electric field act substantially independently of each other. Can be used to neutralize the object to be neutralized,
The charge removal speed or the charge removal efficiency can be controlled arbitrarily.
Further, since it is not necessary to bring the ion generating means, the ion repulsive electrode, or the ion attracting electrode close to the object to be discharged,
The present invention is not limited by the shape of the object to be discharged. Also,
Since the ions are supplied to the object to be removed by using the electric field formed by applying a voltage from the outside, there is no limitation due to the charged state of the object to be removed. Further, there is no possibility of damaging or modifying the surface of the body to be neutralized by the static elimination treatment.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an AC creeping discharge element that can be used in the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing one embodiment of the present invention using a pair of flat plate AC surface discharge elements.

5 is a graph showing an AC waveform obtained when AC and DC voltages are applied using the apparatus of FIG.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing one embodiment of the present invention using a pair of cylindrical AC surface discharge elements.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing one embodiment of the present invention using a pair of ionizers.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing one embodiment of the present invention using a pair of DC corona type ion generating elements.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing an embodiment of the present invention using a pair of AC corona type ion generating elements.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing another aspect of the present invention using a pair of flat plate AC creeping discharge elements.

FIG. 11 is a sectional view schematically showing still another aspect of the present invention using a pair of flat plate AC surface discharge elements.

FIG. 12 is a graph showing the result of static elimination treatment of a polyester film, which was carried out in Example 1.

[Explanation of symbols]

11..Electrified body to be removed; 21, 22..AC creeping discharge element;
24, 25..Ionizer; 26,27..DC corona type ion generating element; 28,29..AC corona type ion generating element; 31, 32,38,39 ..
1, 42, 86b, 87b, 88b, 89b ··· discharge electrode; 44, 45 · · ion transfer electrode; 51, 52, 8
8a, 89a ... Inducing electrode; 61, 62, 68, 69.
・ AC power supply; 71, 72, 74a, 75a, 76a, 7
6b, 77a, 77b, 78, 79 ... DC power supply; 81
..Flat counter electrode; 82 .. Cylindrical counter electrode; 84a, 8
5a ... Corona discharge electrode; 84b, 85b ... Earth electrode;
84c, 85c ... Guide plate; 86a, 87a ... Counter electrode.

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. An object to be neutralized, which is disposed between the ion-repelling electrode and the ion-withdrawing electrode, which are arranged to face each other and have a potential difference, in at least a non-contact state with the ion-repelling electrode, and the ion. Positive ion and / or negative ion supplied from the positive ion and / or negative ion generating means between the repulsive electrode and the ion repulsive electrode from the ion repulsive electrode due to the potential difference. A static elimination method, characterized in that the charge of the static elimination target is neutralized by moving the static elimination target in contact with the surface of the static elimination target. 2. An AC voltage is applied to each induction electrode of the opposing first and second AC creeping discharge elements to cause an AC creeping discharge on each discharge electrode side, and a positive electrode is applied to each discharge electrode side. Positive ions or negative ions are generated by applying a voltage to the discharge electrode of at least one of the AC surface discharge elements by generating a positive ion and a negative ion. Using the discharge electrode of the creeping discharge element as a repulsive electrode and the discharge electrode of the second AC creeping discharge element as an attracting electrode, only ions of the polarity are selectively extracted from the surface of the first AC creeping discharge element. A potential difference that can be created is provided between the respective discharge electrodes, and for the ions having the opposite polarity to the ions, the discharge electrode of the second AC creeping discharge element is used as the repulsive electrode and the first AC creeping discharge element is used. of The discharge electrode is used as an attracting electrode, and a potential difference capable of selectively extracting only ions of the polarity from the surface of the second AC creeping discharge element is provided between the discharge electrodes; the pair of AC creeping discharges facing each other. Between the elements,
The static eliminator according to claim 1, wherein the static eliminator is arranged without making contact with those AC creeping discharge elements.