WO2014058027A1

WO2014058027A1 - Ion generating element and ion generating apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2014058027A1
Application number: PCT/JP2013/077635
Authority: WO
Inventors: 世古口　美徳
Original assignee: シャープ株式会社
Priority date: 2012-10-11
Filing date: 2013-10-10
Publication date: 2014-04-17
Also published as: JP2014078415A

Abstract

A first needle-like electrode (2) is supported by a frame body (1), and has a first leading end portion (2a) that is positioned in a through hole (1a). A second needle-like electrode (3) is supported by the frame body (1), and is positioned on an extension line (A-A) in the direction in which the first needle-like electrode (2) extends, said second needle-like electrode having a second leading end portion (3a) that faces the first leading end portion (2a) in the through hole (1a) by being spaced apart from the first leading end portion. The first and second needle-like electrodes (2, 3) are configured such that the needle-like electrodes generate ions by generating electric discharge between the first and second needle-like electrodes (2, 3), and the first and second needle-like electrodes (2, 3) are disposed along the center line (A-A) of the through hole (1a).

Description

Ion generator and ion generator

The present invention relates to an ion generation element and an ion generation apparatus, and more particularly to an ion generation element and an ion generation apparatus that generate ions by discharge.

In an ion generating element using a discharge phenomenon, it is known that a sharp portion of an electrode for generating discharge is consumed due to discharge. With respect to the consumption of the electrode, it is possible to reduce the consumption of the electrode by appropriately selecting the shape, material, discharge intensity and the like of the electrode. Thus, it is considered possible to configure the electrode so that it can withstand actual use.

For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-210311 (see Patent Document 1) is a technique that takes into account the wear due to discharge. The ion generator disclosed in this publication has a needle electrode to which a high voltage is applied, and a ground electrode having leg portions located on both sides in the radial direction of the needle electrode. It is described in the above publication that this configuration stabilizes the amount of ion generation because the wire diameter of the needle electrode does not change with time.

JP 2006-210311 A

However, even in the ion generator described in the above publication, the tip of the needle electrode may be consumed by discharge, and in that case, the ion generation performance may be affected. When this ion generating element is incorporated in an electric device and used, there is no way for the user to confirm the situation. For this reason, it is difficult to estimate how long the ion generation performance is maintained, and the control is difficult.

Also, the above publication does not discuss the uniform distribution of ions in the air path.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and its object is to easily control the duration of ion generation and improve the uniformity of ion distribution in the air path. It is providing a generating element and an ion generator.

The ion generating element of the present invention includes a support, a first needle electrode, and a second needle electrode. The support portion has an opening that forms at least a part of the air passage. The 1st acicular electrode has the 1st front-end | tip part which is supported by the support part and is located in an opening part. The second needle-like electrode is supported by the support portion, is located on an extension line in the direction in which the first needle-like electrode extends, and has a second tip portion facing away from the first tip portion within the opening. Have. The first and second acicular electrodes are configured to generate ions by generating a discharge between the first and second acicular electrodes, and the first and second acicular electrodes are open. It is arranged along the center line of the part.

According to the ion generating element of the present invention, the second needle-like electrode is disposed on the extension line of the first needle-like electrode, and the first tip portion and the second needle-like electrode of the first needle-like electrode are arranged. Are opposed to each other at a distance from each other. As a result, both the first and second needle-shaped electrodes are consumed due to the discharge generated between the first and second needle-shaped electrodes, and the distance between the first and second tip portions is increased and discharged. Is configured to stop. By setting it as such a structure, the period in which ion generation performance is maintained can be easily controlled by adjusting the space | interval of the 1st and 2nd front-end | tip part, etc.

Also, since the first and second needle-like electrodes are arranged along the center line of the opening, it is easy to make the ion distribution uniform with respect to the air path. In addition, since the first and second needle-like electrodes are arranged along the center line of the opening, the ions are more ionized than when the first and second needle-like electrodes are arranged away from the center line. Becomes difficult to be taken into the wall surface of the air passage.

In the above ion generating element, the diameter of the first needle electrode is larger than the diameter of the second needle electrode. Thereby, it is possible to suppress discharge from the outer peripheral portion other than the first tip portion of the first needle-like electrode having a large diameter.

In the above ion generating element, the first and second needle-shaped electrodes are consumed by the discharge generated between the first and second needle-shaped electrodes, so that the distance between the first and second tip portions is increased. The discharge is stopped. Thereby, the period in which the ion generation performance is maintained can be easily controlled by adjusting the distance between the first and second tip portions.

In the above ion generating element, the diameter of the first needle electrode is 0.1 mm or more and 0.4 mm or less. Thereby, the balance between the time required for the consumption of the first needle electrode and the influence on the ion generation performance can be improved.

An ion generating apparatus according to the present invention includes any one of the above-described ion generating elements, a detection unit for detecting the presence or absence of discharge generated in the ion generation element, and an electrode in response to a result of determining that there is no discharge in the detection unit. And a display unit for displaying replacement.

According to the ion generation apparatus of the present invention, since the ion generation element is provided, it is easy to control the period during which the ion generation performance is maintained, and the uniformity of the ion distribution in the air path is improved. An ion generator that can be made to be obtained can be obtained. Moreover, since the display of electrode replacement appears on the display unit, the user can replace the electrode at an appropriate time.

In other words, it is possible to realize a structure in which the discharge performance is maintained until a certain time and the discharge stops thereafter, and if the end of the discharge is detected, the user is notified of the electrode replacement, and a good performance is always obtained. You can use it.

As described above, according to the present invention, an ion generating element and an ion generating apparatus that can easily control the period during which ion generation performance is maintained and can improve the uniformity of ion distribution in the air path. Can be obtained.

It is a top view which shows roughly the structure of the ion generating element in one embodiment of this invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view seen from the direction of arrows II-II in FIG. It is a top view which shows roughly the structure of the modification of the ion generating element in one embodiment of this invention. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view seen from the direction of arrows IV-IV in FIG. 3. It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of the ion generator which has an ion generating element which concerns on one embodiment of this invention. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view seen from the direction of arrows VI-VI in FIG. 5. It is sectional drawing seen from the VII-VII line arrow direction of FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the external appearance of the ion generating element which concerns on the ion generator of FIG. It is a top view which shows the external appearance of the ion generating element which concerns on the ion generator of FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of the ion generating element which concerns on the ion generator of FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the state which attaches / detaches an ion generating element to a 1st duct and a 2nd duct in the ion generator of FIG. It is a circuit diagram which shows the structure of the power supply circuit contained in the ion generator of FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the mode of the connection of the ion sensor, control part, and display part which are included in the ion generator of FIG. It is a flowchart which displays electrode replacement | exchange according to the output from the ion sensor contained in the ion generator of FIG. It is a top view which shows the structure of the ion generator which concerns on a reference example. It is a top view which shows the structure of the ion generator which concerns on a comparative example. It is a top view which shows the structure of the ion generation part which concerns on a comparative example. It is the figure which looked at the ion generating part of FIG. 17 from arrow XVIII. It is a graph which shows the density | concentration distribution of the positive ion measured in the position 250 mm away from the electrode above the 1st duct and the 2nd duct in the reference example. It is a graph which shows the density | concentration distribution of the positive ion measured in the position 1 m away from the electrode above the 1st duct and the 2nd duct in a reference example. It is a graph which shows the density | concentration distribution of the negative ion measured in the position 250 mm away from the electrode above the 1st duct and the 2nd duct in the reference example. It is a graph which shows the density | concentration distribution of the negative ion measured in the position 1 m away from the electrode above the 1st duct and the 2nd duct in a reference example. It is a graph which shows the density | concentration distribution of the positive ion measured in the position 250 mm away from the electrode above the duct in the comparative example. It is a graph which shows the density | concentration distribution of the positive ion measured in the position 1 m away from the electrode above the duct in the comparative example. It is a graph which shows the density | concentration distribution of the negative ion measured in the position 250 mm away from the electrode above the duct in the comparative example. It is a graph which shows the density | concentration distribution of the negative ion measured in the position 1 m away from the electrode above the duct in the comparative example. It is a figure which shows the electric field vector in the ion generating element of FIG.

First, the configuration of an ion generating element according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, ion generating element 10 of the present embodiment mainly includes frame body (supporting portion) 1, first needle-like electrode 2, and second needle-like electrode 3. Have. The frame body 1 is formed with a through hole (opening) 1a at the center thereof. This through hole 1a constitutes at least a part of the air passage.

The first needle-like electrode 2 is supported by the frame 1 and has a distal end portion 2a located in the through hole 1a. The 2nd acicular electrode 3 has the front-end | tip part 3a supported by the frame 1 and located in the through-hole 1a.

The second needle-like electrode 3 is located on an extension line in the extending direction of the first needle-like electrode 2 (one-dot chain line AA in the figure) and extends along the extension line AA. The tip portion 3a of the second needle electrode 3 is opposed to the first tip portion 2a of the first needle electrode 2 in the through hole 1a.

The first and second needle-

like electrodes

2 and 3 are configured to generate ions by generating a discharge between the first and second needle-

like electrodes

2 and 3. Both the first and second needle-

like electrodes

2 and 3 are arranged along the center line AA of the through hole 1a. That is, the center line AA of the through hole 1a and the extension line AA of the first and second needle electrodes are the same straight line.

The center line AA of the through hole 1a is a bisector that bisects the through hole 1a when the through hole 1a is viewed from directly above the through direction of the through hole 1a as shown in FIG. . Therefore, by the center line AA, the left side portion of the frame body 1 in FIG. 1 is equally divided into the dimension L1 portion, and the right side portion of the frame body 1 in FIG. 1 is equally divided into the dimension L2 portion. Yes. When the total length of the left side portion of the frame 1 is the same as the total length of the right side portion, the dimension L1 is equal to the dimension L2. The total length of the left side portion of the frame body 1 and the total length of the right side portion are preferably the same, but may be different from each other.

The first and second needle-

like electrodes

2 and 3 extend to the

tip portions

2a and 3a while maintaining substantially the same diameters D1 and D2, and have a cylindrical shape with a minute diameter. For this reason, each of the front-end |

tip parts

2a and 3a does not have the shape where the front-end | tip sharpened. In addition, each of the front-end |

tip parts

2a and 3a may have the shape where the front-end | tip sharpened. In this case, the sharpened tip is consumed by the discharge, and gradually changes to a cylindrical shape with a small diameter.

One of the first and second

acicular electrodes

2 and 3 is a discharge electrode to which a positive or negative high voltage is applied, for example, and the other is an induction electrode to which a zero potential is applied, for example.

The distance (distance between electrodes) D between the tip 2a of the first needle electrode 2 and the tip 3a of the second needle electrode 3 is preferably 15 mm or more and 200 mm or less. As will be described later, the interelectrode distance D is particularly preferably 80 mm. Moreover, it is preferable that each of the diameter of the 1st and 2nd

acicular electrodes

2 and 3 is 0.1 mm or more and 0.4 mm or less.

The diameter D1 of the first needle electrode 2 and the diameter D2 of the second needle electrode 3 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 are the same. However, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the diameter D1 of the first needle-like electrode 2 and the diameter D2 of the second needle-like electrode 3 may be different from each other. For example, the diameter D1 of the first needle electrode 2 may be larger than the diameter D2 of the second needle electrode 3.

In addition, since the structure of the other than the above of the ion generating element 10 shown in FIG.3 and FIG.4 is substantially the same as the structure of the ion generating element 10 shown in FIG.1 and FIG.2, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected about the same element, The description will not be repeated.

Next, the configuration of the ion generating apparatus 100 using the ion generating element 10 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, ion generation apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment includes ion generation element 10, ion sensor (detection unit) 101, housing 110, and first and

second ducts

117 and 118. And the blowing

cylinders

113 and 114 and the air blowing mechanism (the

impellers

40 and 41 and the motor 30).

The casing 110 has an upper casing 111 and a lower casing 112 that are combined with each other, and has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The upper housing 111 and the lower housing 112 are engaged with each other by a snap fit member and are detachably combined.

The upper casing 111 has two fitting holes in the upper part. The blowing cylinder 113 is detachably fitted in one of the two fitting holes. The blowing cylinder 114 is detachably fitted into the other fitting hole of the two fitting holes. The blowing

cylinders

113 and 114 have a tapered outer shape in the longitudinal section.

The upper end of the blowing cylinder 113 is the outlet 113a. A protective net 115 is arranged so as to cover the lower end of the blowing cylinder 113. The upper end of the blowout cylinder 114 is the blowout outlet 114a. A protective net 116 is arranged so as to cover the lower end of the blowing cylinder 114. The

protective nets

115 and 116 are provided to prevent foreign objects such as fingers from being inserted from the outside.

The lower housing 112 has two

suction ports

112a and 112b on the side. An impeller 40 is disposed in the lower housing 112 so as to face one of the suction ports 112a. An impeller 41 is disposed in the lower housing 112 so as to face the other suction port 112b.

The

impellers

40 and 41 are multi-blade impellers having a plurality of blades whose rotational center side is displaced in the rotation direction with respect to the outer edge. In other words, the

impellers

40 and 41 are cylindrical sirocco impellers. The

impellers

40 and 41 have a bearing plate at one end. A shaft hole is provided in the center of the bearing plate. The output shaft of the motor 30 is attached to this shaft hole.

The

impellers

40 and 41 have through holes on the surfaces facing the

suction ports

112a and 112b. The

impellers

40 and 41 are configured so that a gas such as air sucked from the through hole into the central cavity is discharged from between the blades of the outer peripheral portion. The

impellers

40 and 41 and the motor 30 constitute a blower mechanism.

In order to distribute separately the gas discharged from the impeller 40 and the gas discharged from the impeller 41, the ion generator 100 has two flow paths.

Of the two flow paths, the first flow path is a flow path of the gas sucked from the suction port 112a and released from the impeller 40, and is constituted by the first duct 117. That is, the first duct 117 constitutes a first flow path through which a part of the gas blown by the blower mechanism flows.

The upper part of the first duct 117 has a cylindrical outer shape that is rectangular in plan view and extends in the vertical direction. The lower portion of the first duct 117 has a cylindrical outer shape that is substantially circular in a side view and surrounds the periphery of the impeller 40 along the outer shape of the impeller 40.

The first duct 117 has an opening facing the lower end of the blowing cylinder 113 at the upper end. A protection net 115 is attached to the upper end of the first duct 117 so as to close the opening. The opening at the upper end of the first duct 117 is completely covered by the protective net 115.

Of the two flow paths, the second flow path is a flow path for the gas sucked from the suction port 112b and discharged from the impeller 41, and is constituted by the second duct 118. That is, the 2nd duct 118 comprises the 2nd flow path through which the remainder of the gas ventilated by the ventilation mechanism distribute | circulates. The second duct 118 is located adjacent to the first duct 117.

The upper part of the second duct 118 has a cylindrical outer shape that is rectangular in plan view and extends in the vertical direction. The lower part of the second duct 118 has a cylindrical outer shape that is substantially circular in a side view so as to surround the periphery of the impeller 41 along the outer shape of the impeller 41.

The second duct 118 has an opening at the upper end facing the lower end of the blowing cylinder 114. A protection net 116 is attached to the upper end of the second duct 118 so as to close the opening. The opening at the upper end of the second duct 118 is completely covered by the protective net 116.

The ion generator 100 has the ion generating element 10 that is detachably attached to the first duct 117 and the second duct 118. Ion generation element 10 includes, for example, positive ion generation unit 120 and negative ion generation unit 130.

7 to 10, the ion generating element 10 mainly has a frame (supporting portion) 1, a first needle electrode 2, and a second needle electrode 3. Two through holes (openings) 1a are formed in the frame 1. Each of the two through holes 1a constitutes at least a part of the air passage. One of the two through holes 1a corresponds to the positive ion generator 120, and the other corresponds to the negative ion generator 130.

In each of the positive ion generator 120 and the negative ion generator 130, the first needle-like electrode 2 has a tip 2a that is supported by the frame 1 and located in the through hole 1a. The 2nd acicular electrode 3 has the front-end | tip part 3a supported by the frame 1 and located in the through-hole 1a.

As described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the second needle-like electrode 3 is located on an extension line in the extending direction of the first needle-like electrode 2 and extends along the extension line. The tip portion 3a of the second needle electrode 3 is opposed to the first tip portion 2a of the first needle electrode 2 in the through hole 1a.

The first and second needle-

like electrodes

2 and 3. Both the first and second needle-

like electrodes

2 and 3 are arranged along the center line of the through hole 1a.

Each first needle electrode 2 is arranged so that the extension line of the first needle electrode 2 in the positive ion generator 120 and the extension line of the first needle electrode 2 in the negative ion generator 130 are parallel to each other. Has been.

In the ion generating element 10, the through-hole 1a of the rectangular parallelepiped positive ion generator 120 and the through-hole 1a of the rectangular parallelepiped negative ion generator 130 are arranged in parallel. A predetermined gap 1 b is provided between the through hole 1 a of the positive ion generator 120 and the through hole 1 a of the negative ion generator 130. The skeleton of the ion generating element 10 is composed of a frame 1 made of a resin molded product.

Referring mainly to FIG. 7 and FIG. 10, the first needle electrode 2 of the positive ion generator 120 is provided so as to penetrate the first electrode substrate 141. The distal end portion 2a of the first needle-like electrode 2 protruding to the one main surface side of the first electrode substrate 141 passes through the frame body 1 and is located in the opening 1a. The base portion of the first needle electrode 2 protruding to the other main surface side of the first electrode substrate 141 is electrically connected to the first connector 184 provided on the other main surface of the first electrode substrate 141. It is connected. The first electrode substrate 141 and the first connector 184 are accommodated in the cavity at the other end of the frame body 1.

The first needle electrode 2 of the negative ion generator 130 is provided so as to penetrate the second electrode substrate 171. The distal end portion 2a of the first needle-like electrode 2 protruding to one main surface side of the second electrode substrate 171 passes through the frame body 1 and is located in the opening 1a. The base portion of the first needle electrode 2 protruding to the other main surface side of the second electrode substrate 171 is electrically connected to the second connector 187 provided on the other main surface of the second electrode substrate 171. It is connected. The second electrode substrate 171 and the second connector 187 are accommodated in the cavity at the other end of the frame 1.

Each of the second needle-like electrode 3 of the positive ion generator 120 and the second needle-like electrode 3 of the negative ion generator 130 is provided so as to penetrate the third electrode substrate 151. A conductive pattern (not shown) is provided on the main surface of the third electrode substrate 151. In the present embodiment, the second needle electrode 3 of the positive ion generator 120 and the second needle electrode 3 of the negative ion generator 130 are connected to each other by a conductive pattern and have the same potential. Yes. The conductive pattern is electrically connected to the third connector 152 provided on the main surface of the third electrode substrate 151.

The third electrode substrate 151 and the third connector 152 are accommodated in a cavity at one end of the frame 1. The tip of the third connector 152 faces the gap 1 b provided in the frame body 1.

Referring to FIG. 6, the power supply circuit unit 11 and the control unit 12 are provided in the upper casing 111 on the sides of the first duct 117 and the second duct 118.

The control unit 12 includes a control board and a power supply unit (not shown). As shown in FIG. 6, the power supply unit is connected to an AC (alternating current) cord 90 that is pulled out from the lower portion of the lower housing 112 and connected to a commercial power supply, and can supply an alternating current. The control unit 12 is fixed to the first duct 117 and the second duct 118.

The power supply circuit unit 11 is electrically connected to the ion generating element 10, thereby applying a positive voltage to the first needle electrode 2 of the positive ion generating unit 120 and the first ion generating unit 130. A negative voltage can be applied to the needle electrode 2. The power supply circuit unit 11 can apply a zero potential to each second needle electrode 3 of each of the positive ion generator 120 and the negative ion generator 130. Accordingly, the first needle-like electrodes 2 of each of the positive ion generator 120 and the negative ion generator 130 correspond to the discharge electrodes, and the second needle-like of each of the positive ion generator 120 and the negative ion generator 130. The electrode 3 corresponds to an induction electrode.

Specifically, referring to FIG. 7, power supply circuit unit 11 has a first terminal 11 a connected to first connector 184 and a second terminal 11 b connected to second connector 187. . A positive voltage can be applied from the power supply circuit unit 11 to the first needle electrode 2 of the positive ion generator 120 via the first terminal 11 a and the first connector 184. A negative voltage can be applied from the power supply circuit unit 11 to the second needle electrode 2 of the negative ion generator 130 via the second terminal 11b and the second connector 187.

The power supply circuit unit 11 has a third terminal 153 connected to the secondary winding of the step-up transformer 17 (FIG. 12). The third terminal 153 is electrically connected to the third connector 152 by a conducting wire 185.

The first connector 184 and the first terminal 11a, the second connector 187 and the second terminal 11b, and the third connector 152 and the third terminal 153 are detachably connected to each other. Thereby, the ion generating element 10 is detachably attached to the first duct 117 and the second duct 118.

Referring to FIG. 11, ion generating element 10 can be attached to and detached from first duct 117 and second duct 118 in a state where upper casing 111 is detached from lower casing 112.

A first opening 117 a for attaching and detaching the ion generating element 10 is provided in the upper wall portion of the first duct 117. In addition, an opening 117b for attaching / detaching the ion generating element 10 is provided in a position facing the first opening 117a in the upper wall portion of the first duct 117.

Similarly, a second opening (not shown) for attaching and detaching the ion generating element 10 is provided in the upper wall portion of the second duct 118 so as to extend continuously from the first opening 117a. In addition, an opening for attaching and detaching the ion generating element 10 is provided in the upper wall portion of the second duct 118 at a position facing the second opening.

The ion generating element 10 can be attached to and detached from the first duct 117 and the second duct 118 by moving the ion generating element 10 in the direction indicated by the arrow 60 with respect to the first duct 117 and the second duct 118. .

Referring to FIG. 6, in a state where ion generation element 10 is attached to first duct 117 and second duct 118, negative ion generation unit 130 is inserted through first opening 117 a, and negative ion generation unit 130 The first and second needle-

like electrodes

2 and 3 are located away from each other at both ends in the cross section of the first flow path. The first and second

acicular electrodes

2 and 3 of the negative ion generator 130 do not necessarily have to be located at both ends in the cross section of the first flow path, and are at least located in the first flow path. Just do it.

The positive ion generator 120 is inserted through the second opening, and the first and second needle-

like electrodes

2 and 3 of the positive ion generator 120 are positioned away from each other at both ends of the cross section of the second flow path. is doing. The first and second

acicular electrodes

2 and 3 of the positive ion generator 120 do not necessarily have to be located at both ends in the cross section of the second flow path, and are at least located in the second flow path. Just do it.

Thus, by attaching the ion generating element 10 to the first duct 117 and the second duct 118, the positive ion generating part 120 and the negative ion generating part 130 can be arranged in separate flow paths. In addition, a part of the first flow path can be configured by the through hole 1 a of the negative ion generation unit 130. Similarly, a part of the second flow path can be constituted by the through-hole 1a of the positive ion generator 120.

Referring to FIG. 11, power supply circuit unit 11 is detachably connected by being moved in the direction indicated by arrow 70 with respect to control unit 12. That is, the power supply circuit unit 11 is detachably attached to the first duct 117 and the second duct 118. Specifically, each of the power supply circuit unit 11 and the control unit 12 has a terminal portion that is detachably engaged with each other.

As described above, a power supply circuit is configured by connecting the ion generating element 10, the power supply circuit unit 11, and the control unit 12 to each other.

Next, the configuration of a power supply circuit configured by connecting the ion generating element 10, the power supply circuit unit 11, and the control unit 12 to each other will be described with reference to FIG.

Referring to FIG. 12, the power supply circuit unit 11 has a step-up transformer 17. Further, the power supply circuit unit 11 has a power supply circuit connected between the primary side of the step-up transformer 17 and the power supply unit of the control unit 12.

A diode 18 and a diode 19 are connected in parallel to the secondary side of the step-up transformer 17. From the secondary side of the step-up transformer 17, a step-up AC voltage obtained by boosting the commercial AC voltage is output from the diode 18 and the diode 19.

The cathode terminal of the diode 18 is electrically connected to the first needle electrode 2 of the positive ion generator 120. As a result, the positive voltage of the step-up AC voltage output from the secondary side of the step-up transformer 17 can be applied to the first needle electrode 2 of the positive ion generator 120.

The anode terminal of the diode 19 is electrically connected to the first needle electrode 2 of the negative ion generator 130. As a result, a negative voltage of the step-up AC voltage output from the secondary side of the step-up transformer 17 can be applied to the first needle electrode 2 of the negative ion generator 130.

A voltage on the secondary side of the step-up transformer 17 can be applied to each second needle electrode 3 of each of the positive ion generator 120 and the negative ion generator 130. When a high voltage is applied from the power supply unit of the control unit 12, corona discharge occurs between the first and second needle-

like electrodes

2 and 3 of the positive ion generation unit 120, and positive ions are generated. Further, corona discharge occurs between the first and second needle-

like electrodes

2 and 3 of the negative ion generator 130 to generate negative ions.

The potential difference between the first and second

acicular electrodes

2 and 3 of the positive ion generator 120 and between the first and second

acicular electrodes

2 and 3 of the negative ion generator 130 is 3 kV or more and 10 kV or less. It is preferable that When the potential difference is smaller than 3 kV, corona discharge is difficult to occur and ions cannot be generated sufficiently. When the potential difference is greater than 10 kV, there is a high possibility that arc discharge will occur, and the ion generator 100 may fail.

In the present embodiment, the potential of the second needle electrode 3 of each of the positive ion generator 120 and the negative ion generator 130 is set to zero. Here, the zero potential means that the second needle-like electrode 3 of each of the positive ion generator and the negative ion generator is grounded, or the second needle of each of the positive ion generator 120 and the negative ion generator 130. Potential obtained by electrically floating the electrode 3, and includes 0V and the vicinity of 0V.

In the present embodiment, as described above, the second needle-like electrodes 3 of the positive ion generation unit 120 and the negative ion generation unit 130 are connected by the third connector 152, the third terminal 153, and the conducting wire 185. The potential is 0. Thereby, the electric potential of the 1st induction electrode 150 and the 2nd induction electrode 160 can be stabilized, and the discharge in the positive ion generation part 120 and the negative ion generation part 130 can be stabilized.

With the above configuration, the release of positive ions and the release of negative ions are performed alternately every half cycle of the boosted AC voltage. Although an AC power supply is used in this embodiment, a DC power supply may be used.

In the ion generator 100, by configuring the first flow path as described above, the gas sucked from the suction port 112a as shown by the arrow 210 in FIG. 5 is blown by the blowing mechanism as shown by the arrow 210a. As a result, the air flows upward through the first flow path, passes through the negative ion generator 130, and is blown out from the outlet 113a as indicated by an arrow 210b. As a result, the negative ions generated between the first and second needle-

like electrodes

2 and 3 of the negative ion generator are released from the air outlet 113a by a part of the gas blown by the blower mechanism.

Further, by configuring the second flow path as described above, the gas sucked from the suction port 112b as shown by the arrow 220 in FIG. 5 is blown by the blower mechanism as shown by the arrow 220a and the second flow path. It rises inside, passes through the positive ion generator 120, and is blown out from the outlet 114a as indicated by an arrow 220b. As a result, positive ions generated between the first and second needle-

like electrodes

2 and 3 of the positive ion generator are released from the outlet 114a by the remaining part of the gas blown by the blower mechanism.

Next, a configuration for electrode exchange display by the ion sensor (detection unit) 101 and a control operation thereof will be described with reference to FIGS.

Referring to FIG. 5, ion sensor 101 is arranged on the downstream side of each of positive ion generator 120 and negative ion generator 130, between positive ion generator 120 and air outlet 114 a, and negative ions. It arrange | positions between the generating part 130 and the blower outlet 113a. The ion sensor 101 is installed on the wall surfaces of the first and second ducts. The ion sensor 101 is for detecting the presence or absence of discharge generated in the ion generation element 10 (positive ion generation unit 120, negative ion generation unit 130).

Referring to FIG. 13, a control unit 102 is electrically connected to the ion sensor 101, and a display unit 103 is electrically connected to the control unit 102. The control unit 102 determines whether or not there is a discharge from the detection result of the ion sensor 101 and outputs a signal based on the determination result. Specifically, when the output of the ion sensor 101 is equal to or lower than a predetermined value, the control unit 102 reduces the amount of generated ions to be lower than a specified value (this state is expressed as “discharge stopped”). Judge.

The display unit 103 is for displaying an electrode exchange in response to a result determined by the control unit 102 that there is no discharge. The display unit 103 is disposed outside the housing 110 so as to be in contact with the user's eyes, and includes, for example, a blinkable lamp.

Referring to FIG. 14, in the control operation, first, the ion sensor 101 detects the presence or absence of a discharge generated in the ion generation element 10 (positive ion generation unit 120, negative ion generation unit 130) (step S1). A detection signal from the ion sensor 101 is input to the control unit 102. Based on the detection signal of the ion sensor 101, the control unit 102 determines whether or not the ion generating element 10 (positive ion generating unit 120, negative ion generating unit 130) has been discharged (step S2).

If the controller 102 determines that a discharge has occurred, the determination by the controller 102 based on the detection signal from the ion sensor 101 (step S2) is continued. If the control unit 102 determines that there is no discharge, the display unit 103 displays electrode replacement based on the signal output from the control unit 102 (step S3). Specifically, the lamp (not shown) of the display unit 103 is blinked to prompt the user to replace the electrode unit. In this way, display of electrode replacement on the display unit 103 is performed.

Next, the effect of this Embodiment is demonstrated.
First, in the present embodiment, the second needle-like electrode 3 is disposed on the extended line of the first needle-like electrode 2, and the first tip portion 2a of the first needle-like electrode 2 and the second needle The second tip 3a of the electrode 3 is opposed to each other. Thus, both the first and second needle-

like electrodes

2 and 3 are consumed by the discharge generated between the first and second needle-

like electrodes

2 and 3, so that the first and second tip portions 2 a are consumed. The distance 3a is increased to stop the discharge. By setting it as such a structure, the duration of ion generation can be easily controlled by adjusting the space | interval etc. of the 1st and 2nd front-end |

tip parts

2a and 3a.

Further, since each of the first and second needle-

like electrodes

2 and 3 is arranged along the center line AA of the through hole 1a, it is easy to make the ion distribution uniform with respect to the air path. Further, since the first and second needle-

like electrodes

2 and 3 are disposed along the center line AA of the through hole 1a, the first and second needle-

like electrodes

2 and 3 are arranged along the center line AA. The phenomenon that ions collide with the airway wall surface and disappear is more difficult than in the case where they are arranged away from each other.

Further, both the first and

second needle electrodes

2 and 3 have a needle shape. For this reason, compared with the case where an electrode is formed in plate shape or ring shape, a strong electric field can be concentrated between electrodes which oppose. Therefore, the distance D between the first needle-like electrode 2 and the second needle-like electrode 3 can be increased while suppressing an increase in the applied voltage necessary for the discharge. Thereby, compared with the case where the distance D between the first acicular electrode 2 and the second acicular electrode 3 is small, ions generated in the vicinity of the first acicular electrode 2 (for example, the discharge electrode) are reduced. It can be made hard to be absorbed by the 2nd acicular electrode 3 side (for example, induction electrode side). Specifically, since the distance D between the first acicular electrode 2 and the second acicular electrode 3 is large, ions generated in the vicinity of the first acicular electrode 2 enter the second acicular electrode 3. Before being absorbed, the ions can be carried by the wind passing between the electrodes. As a result, ions can be generated efficiently.

If the tip of each of the first and second needle-

like electrodes

2 and 3 is needle-like, the size (diameter) of the tip changes as the needle-like tip of the electrode due to discharge wears out and discharges. Is not stable. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, each of the first and second needle-

like electrodes

2 and 3 has a needle-like shape (for example, a cylindrical shape having a fine diameter). For this reason, since the size (diameter) of the tip does not change even if the tip of the electrode is consumed by the discharge, the discharge can be stabilized.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the diameter D1 of the first needle-like electrode 2 is larger than the diameter D2 of the second needle-like electrode 3. For this reason, the discharge from outer peripheral parts other than the 1st front-end | tip part 2a of the 1st acicular electrode 2 with a large diameter can be suppressed.

Further, the diameter of the first needle electrode 2 is 0.1 mm or more and 0.4 mm or less. Thereby, the balance between the time required for the consumption of the first needle-like electrode 2 and the influence on the performance of ion generation can be improved.

Further, the distance D between the first needle-like electrode 2 and the second needle-like electrode 3 is preferably 15 mm or more and 200 mm or less. When the interelectrode distance D is less than 15 mm, arc discharge is likely to occur, and ozone gas may be generated at a high concentration. Further, since the electrodes are located close to each other, the proportion of ions generated in the vicinity of the first acicular electrode 2 is absorbed by the second acicular electrode 3 is increased. That is, the ion generation efficiency decreases. When the distance between the electrodes is larger than 200 mm, corona discharge is not generated between the first needle-like electrode 2 and the second needle-like electrode 3 but between another object existing near the electrode and the electrode. It tends to occur. For example, corona discharge may occur between the inner wall of the frame 1 that exists near the second needle-like electrode 3 and the first needle-like electrode 2, and the ion generation efficiency may be reduced.

According to the ion generating apparatus 100 of the present embodiment, since the display of electrode replacement can be displayed on the display unit 103 based on the result of detecting discharge by the ion sensor 101, the user can replace the electrode at an appropriate time. It can be performed. That is, according to the ion generating apparatus 100 of the present embodiment, it is possible to realize a structure in which the discharge performance is maintained for a certain time and the discharge stops thereafter, and if the end of the discharge is detected, the electrode is provided to the user. Can be used in a state where good performance is always obtained.

Further, by discharging positive ions and negative ions through separate flow paths, neutralization or recombination of positive ions and negative ions in the flow paths is suppressed, and the first duct 117 and the second duct are suppressed. The number of ions that disappear in the duct 118 can be reduced.

Therefore, it is possible to supply a sufficient number of positive ions and negative ions to a position away from the ion generator 100 and to mix the positive ions and negative ions in a wide range of space with high density. When positive ions are H ⁺ (H ₂ O) _m (m is an arbitrary natural number) and negative ions are O ₂ ⁻ (H ₂ O) _n (n is an arbitrary natural number), positive ions and negative ions are It attaches to the surface of airborne bacteria to generate active species such as hydrogen peroxide (H ₂ O ₂ ) or hydroxyl radical (.OH), and a bactericidal effect can be obtained by its action.

By releasing positive ions and negative ions into the air in this way, effects such as decomposition of fungi or viruses floating in the air, removal of odors, and dust collection can be obtained.

In the ion generator 100, when the discharge electrode deteriorates with the passage of time of use, the ion generating element 10 can be removed from the power supply circuit unit 11 and easily replaced. Further, when the power supply circuit unit 11 is deteriorated, the power supply circuit unit 11 can be removed from the control unit 12 and easily replaced.

Hereinafter, Experimental Example 1 in which the concentration distributions of ions emitted from the ion generator of the comparative example and the ion generator of the reference example are compared will be described.

(Experimental example 1)
As shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, air was blown into the common duct 900 having a flow path having a length of 604 mm and a width of 34 mm on the electrode by a cross flow fan (not shown) at a flow rate of 5 m / sec.

As shown in FIG. 15, in the reference example, an interval of 20 mm is placed between the first duct 217 having a flow path having a length of 103 mm and a width of 34 mm in the upper center of the common duct 900 and the first duct 217. The second duct 218 having a flow path having a length of 103 mm and a width of 34 mm was provided. The distance between the outer wall of the first duct 217 and the outer wall of the second duct 218 that are positioned opposite to each other and facing each other was 245 mm.

The first needle-like electrode 240 protruding 11.5 mm from the inner wall of the first duct 217 opposite to the second duct 218 side was provided. A second needle-like electrode 250 projecting 11.5 mm was provided so as to face the first needle-like electrode 240 from the inner wall of the first duct 217 on the second duct 218 side. The distance between the tip of the first needle electrode 240 and the tip of the second needle electrode 250 was 80 mm.

The first needle-like electrode 270 protruding 11.5 mm from the inner wall of the second duct 218 opposite to the first duct 217 side was provided. A second needle electrode 260 protruding 11.5 mm was provided so as to face the first needle electrode 270 from the inner wall of the second duct 218 on the first duct 217 side. The distance between the tip of the first needle electrode 270 and the tip of the second needle electrode 260 was 80 mm.

In order to bring the conditions closer to those of the ion generator 800 of the comparative example shown in FIGS. 16 to 18, the first needle electrode 240 and the second needle electrode 250 in the first duct 217 are connected as shown in FIG. The first duct 217 is positioned so as to be biased to one side in the path direction (width direction). Specifically, the central axes of the first acicular electrode 240 and the second acicular electrode 250 are positioned at a position 8 mm from one end in the path direction between the one end and the other end of the first duct 217. Thus, the first acicular electrode 240 and the second acicular electrode 250 were arranged.

Similarly, the first needle-like electrode 270 and the second needle-like electrode 260 in the second duct 218 were positioned so as to be biased toward one side in the path direction (width direction) of the second duct 218. Specifically, the central axes of the first needle-like electrode 270 and the second needle-like electrode 260 are located at a position 8 mm from one end in the path direction between the one end and the other end of the second duct 218. Thus, the first acicular electrode 270 and the second acicular electrode 260 were arranged.

16 to 18, in the comparative example, a duct 910 having a channel having a length of 235.5 mm and a width of 34 mm is provided at the upper center of the common duct 900. Air was blown into the common duct 900 at a flow rate of 5 m / sec on the electrode by a cross flow fan (not shown). The ion generating part 800 was arranged on the inner wall on one side in the width direction of the duct 910.

The ion generation unit 800 includes a first needle electrode 810 and a second needle electrode 820 that protrude from the power supply circuit unit 850 (FIG. 18). The first and second needle-

like electrodes

810 and 820 are located in parallel with a space therebetween. In addition, the ion generator 800 has a predetermined distance from the tip of the first needle electrode 810 and the tip of the second needle electrode 820 and the annular first induction electrode 830 facing the tip of the first needle electrode 810. And an annular second induction electrode 840 facing each other.

The ion generator 800 is arranged so that the tips of the first needle electrode 810 and the second needle electrode 820 are in contact with the flow path in the duct 910.

The power supply circuit unit 850 applies a positive high voltage to the first needle electrode 810 and a negative high voltage to the second needle electrode 820, so that the first induction electrode 830 and the second induction electrode 840 are applied. Was fixed to the ground potential, positive ions were generated from the vicinity of the tip of the first needle electrode 810 and negative ions were generated from the vicinity of the tip of the second needle electrode 820.

FIG. 19 is a graph showing the positive ion concentration distribution measured at a position 250 mm away from the electrode above the first duct 217 and the second duct 218 in the reference example shown in FIG. FIG. 20 is a graph showing the concentration distribution of positive ions measured at a position 1 m away from the electrode above the first duct 217 and the second duct 218 in the reference example.

FIG. 21 is a graph showing the negative ion concentration distribution measured at a position 250 mm away from the electrode above the first duct 217 and the second duct 218 in the reference example shown in FIG. FIG. 22 is a graph showing the negative ion concentration distribution measured at a position 1 m away from the electrode above the first duct 217 and the second duct 218 in the reference example.

FIG. 23 is a graph showing the concentration distribution of positive ions measured at a position 250 mm away from the electrode above the duct 910 in the comparative example shown in FIGS. FIG. 24 is a graph showing the concentration distribution of positive ions measured at a position 1 m away from the electrode above the duct 910 in the comparative example.

FIG. 25 is a graph showing the concentration distribution of negative ions measured at a position 250 mm away from the electrode above the duct 910 in the comparative example shown in FIGS. FIG. 26 is a graph showing the concentration distribution of negative ions measured at a position 1 m away from the electrode above the duct 910 in the comparative example.

19 to 26, the vertical axis represents the duct width direction coordinate, the horizontal axis represents the duct length direction coordinate, and the normalized ion concentration is represented by contour lines. The center position of the flow path in the common duct 900 is set to 0 on the coordinate axis.

As shown in FIG. 19, a high concentration region of positive ions exists on the first needle electrode 240 side on the first duct 217 at a position 250 mm away from the electrode in the reference example. As shown in FIG. 21, a high concentration region of negative ions is present on the first needle electrode 270 side on the second duct 218 at a position 250 mm away from the electrode in the reference example. Therefore, most of the positive ions and the negative ions are located away from each other immediately after the release, and the bond annihilation of the positive ions and the negative ions is suppressed.

As shown in FIG. 20, positive ions are diffused radially from substantially the center of the common duct 900 at a position 1 m away from the electrode in the reference example. As shown in FIG. 22, negative ions are diffused radially from substantially the center of the common duct 900 at a position 1 m away from the electrode in the reference example. Therefore, positive ions and negative ions are mixed in a wide area of the released space.

Thus, in the reference example, it was confirmed that a sufficient number of positive ions and negative ions could be supplied to a position away from the ion generator.

As shown in FIG. 23, in the comparative example, at a position 250 mm away from the electrode, positive ions are diffused radially from the vicinity of the inner wall on one side in the width direction and at the approximate center in the length direction of the duct 910. Yes. As shown in FIG. 25, at a position 250 mm away from the electrode in the comparative example, negative ions are diffused radially from the center of the longitudinal direction of the duct 910 and from the vicinity of the inner wall on one side in the width direction. Yes. Therefore, immediately after release, many of the positive ions and negative ions are bonded to each other and disappear.

As shown in FIG. 24, positive ions are diffused radially from substantially the center of the duct 910 at a position 1 m away from the electrode in the comparative example. As shown in FIG. 26, in the comparative example, at a position 1 m away from the electrode, negative ions are diffused radially from substantially the center of the duct 910. Therefore, positive ions and negative ions are mixed in the released space. However, the concentration of released positive ions and negative ions was lower than that of the reference example, and the range of released positive ions and negative ions was also narrower than that of the reference example.

In the case of this comparative example, there is room for further improvement of effects such as decomposition of fungi or viruses floating in the air, removal of odors, dust collection, etc. by combining positive ions and negative ions.

Hereinafter, Experimental Example 2 in which the amount of ions released from the ion generator of the above comparative example and the ion generator of the reference example is compared will be described.

(Experimental example 2)
Using the ion generator of the comparative example (FIG. 15) and the ion generators of the reference examples (FIGS. 16 to 18) used in Experimental Example 1, the amount of ions at a position 500 mm from the electrode was compared. The amount of ions was measured at a total of 35 points in a lattice shape of 5 points at 25 mm intervals in the width direction of the common duct 900 and 7 points at 50 mm intervals in the length direction.

Table 1 below summarizes the maximum value of the positive ion amount, the maximum value of the negative ion amount, and the integrated value of the ion amount at the 35 measurement points among the 35 measurement points in the comparative example and the reference example. is there.

As shown in Table 1, the maximum value of the positive ion amount in the comparative example was 4.2 nA, the maximum value of the negative ion amount was 3.9 nA, and the integrated value of the ion amount at 35 measurement points was 39.9 nA.

The maximum positive ion amount in the reference example is 5.4 nA, 129% of the comparative example, the maximum negative ion amount is 5.1 nA, 131% of the comparative example, and the integrated value of the ion amount at 35 measurement points is 94.1 nA. It was 236% of the comparative example.

From the above experimental results, it was confirmed that the ion generator of the reference example was able to supply more positive ions and negative ions than the ion generator of the comparative example. Moreover, it was confirmed that many ions can be supplied by setting the distance between electrodes to 80 mm.

(Experimental example 3)
As shown in FIG. 1, the electric field vector generated in the through hole 1 a when the first and second needle-

like electrodes

2 and 3 are arranged along the center line of the through hole 1 a of the frame 1 was examined. As conditions used for this electric field simulation, the length, width, and height of the through-hole 1a are 50 mm, 30 mm, and 30 mm, respectively, and the diameter (φ) of each of the first and second needle electrodes is 0.4 mm. The length of each of the first and second acicular electrodes was 11.75 mm. As a result, a result as shown in FIG. 27 was obtained.

As shown in FIG. 27, it was found that the electric field was distributed almost line-symmetrically in each space of the through hole divided into two equal parts by the extension lines of the first and second needle-

like electrodes

2 and 3. . Therefore, by arranging the first and second needle-

like electrodes

2 and 3 along the center line of the through hole 1a of the frame body 1, the distribution of ions with respect to the air path can be more improved than when the first and second needle-

like electrodes

2 and 3 are arranged away from each other. It was found that it was easy to make uniform, and it was difficult for ions to collide with the airway wall surface.

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

The present invention can be widely applied to a high voltage generation circuit, an ion generation device including an ion generation element, a portable electric device, a battery-driven ion generation device, and the like.

1 frame, 1a through-hole, 1b gap, 2nd needle-like electrode, 2a first tip, 3nd needle-like electrode, 3a second tip, 10 ion generating element, 11 power circuit unit , 11a 1st terminal, 11b 2nd terminal, 12,102 control unit, 18, 19 diode, 17 step-up transformer, 30 motor, 40, 41 impeller, 90 cord, 100 ion generator, 101 ion sensor, 103 display unit , 110 housing, 111 upper housing, 112 lower housing, 112a, 112b inlet, 113, 114 outlet cylinder, 113a, 114a outlet, 115, 116 protective net, 117 first duct, 117a first opening, 117b opening , 118 second duct, 120 positive ion generator, 130 negative ion generator, 141 first Polar substrate, 150, 830, first induction electrode, 151, third electrode substrate, 152, third connector, 153, third terminal, 160,840, second induction electrode, 171, second electrode substrate, 184, first connector, 185 conductor, 187 Second connector, 800 ion generator, 850 power circuit, 900 common duct, 910 duct.

Claims

A support part having an opening part constituting at least a part of the air path;
A first acicular electrode supported by the support and having a first tip located within the opening;
A second end portion that is supported by the support portion, is positioned on an extension line in the extending direction of the first needle-like electrode, and has a second tip portion that faces away from the first tip portion within the opening. With a needle-like electrode,
The first and second acicular electrodes are configured to generate an electric discharge between the first and second acicular electrodes to generate ions, and the first and second acicular electrodes An ion generating element, wherein the electrode is disposed along the center line of the opening.
The ion generating element according to claim 1, wherein a diameter of the first acicular electrode is larger than a diameter of the second acicular electrode.
The first and second needle-like electrodes are consumed by the discharge generated between the first and second needle-like electrodes, and the distance between the first and second tip portions is increased to stop the discharge. The ion generating element according to claim 1, wherein the ion generating element is configured to.
The ion generating element according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a diameter of the first needle electrode is 0.1 mm or more and 0.4 mm or less.
The ion generating element according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
A detection unit for detecting the presence or absence of a discharge generated in the ion generating element;
An ion generator comprising: a display unit that displays a result of electrode replacement in response to a result of determining that there is no discharge in the detection unit.