HK1131763A - Electrostatic atomizer - Google Patents

Description

Electrostatic atomization device

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an electrostatic atomization device that generates nanometer-sized charged minute water droplets by an electrostatic atomization phenomenon and supplies the charged minute water droplets to a mist-receiving space.

Background

An electrostatic atomizing device including an atomizing electrode, a counter electrode disposed opposite to the atomizing electrode, and a water feeder for supplying water onto the atomizing electrode has been disclosed in the following patent document 1, in which a high voltage is applied between the atomizing electrode and the counter electrode to atomize water held on the atomizing electrode, thereby generating charged fine water droplets (i.e., nano-scale charged mist droplets) each having a nano-scale range and carrying a large amount of electric charges.

The nano-sized charged water droplets have not only a moisturizing effect but also a deodorizing effect, a sterilizing effect of mold and bacteria, and an effect of suppressing the propagation thereof, based on active species (active species) present therein in a state of being wrapped with water molecules. The nanoscale charged water droplets are as small as the nanoscale, and thus exhibit high floatability in air and high diffusion performance. In addition, the active species exist in the nano-sized charged water droplets in a state of being wrapped with water molecules, thereby having a longer lifetime than the active species existing alone in the form of radicals. Thus, the nano-sized charged water droplets are characterized by being able to uniformly drift in the air over a wide range for a long period of time, thereby having enhanced humidifying effect, deodorizing effect, etc.

In the conventional electrostatic atomizer disclosed in patent document 1, a water feeder for supplying water onto an atomizing electrode includes a water tank filled with water, and a water transport portion for transporting the water stored in the water tank to the atomizing electrode by capillary phenomenon. This type of water supply requires the user to refill the tank periodically. That is, useThe person must spend time and effort to perform a cumbersome water replenishing operation, which causes a problem of poor usability. In addition, in the existing electrostatic atomizer, if water containing impurities such as Ca or Mg, usually tap water, is used as the feed water, the impurities cause a problem that it reacts with CO in the air₂Reacting to form, for example, CaCO at one end of the water-transporting section₃Or precipitation of MgO or the like (i.e., reaction product), and the precipitation may hinder the capillary-based water supply, thereby hindering the generation of nano-scale charged water droplets.

Patent document 2 below proposes a technique for solving the above problem. Specifically, patent document 2 discloses an electrostatic atomization device including a Peltier (Peltier) unit having a cooling portion thermally connected to an atomization electrode to cool the atomization electrode, wherein water is supplied onto the atomization electrode by causing moisture in the air to condense by cooling the atomization electrode using the cooling portion, and a high voltage is applied between the atomization electrode and a counter electrode to electrostatically atomize the water (condensed water) supplied onto the atomization electrode.

The conventional electrostatic atomizing apparatus disclosed in patent document 2 is characterized in that: the need to perform the above-mentioned water replenishing operation can be eliminated and since the water obtained by condensation does not contain impurities, for example, CaCO can be avoided₃Or the formation of precipitates of MgO and the like.

The prior electrostatic atomizing device disclosed in patent document 2 continuously applies a high voltage to the atomizing electrode while continuously supplying water to the atomizing electrode by continuously cooling the atomizing electrode using the cooling portion of the peltier unit to cause condensation of moisture in the air, so that the condensed water supply process and the electrostatic atomizing process are simultaneously concurrent, i.e., occur simultaneously. In such a conventional electrostatic atomizer, if the atomizing electrode is cooled to 0 (zero) ° c or lower, moisture in the air will be frozen and adhere to the atomizing electrode in the form of frozen water (i.e., ice), which cannot be electrostatically atomized even if a high voltage is applied to the atomizing electrode. That is, the existing electrostatic atomization device needs to cool the atomization electrode while avoiding freezing moisture in the air. To meet this requirement, the peltier unit is designed to keep the atomizing electrode from being cooled below 0 ℃. This means that the allowable lower limit of the cooling temperature for the atomizing electrode is a positive value close to 0 ℃.

Therefore, in the case where the mist-receiving space (mist-receiving space) for electrostatically atomizing therein has a low humidity, there arises a problem that even if the atomizing electrode is cooled to a temperature close to 0 ℃, the moisture in the air cannot reach a saturated state, which hinders the generation of the condensed water. Especially in the case where the mist-receiving space has a temperature of 0 ℃ or more but close to 0 ℃, even if the atomizing electrode is cooled to 0 ℃, the temperature difference between the mist-receiving space and the atomizing electrode is small, and thus condensed water is not generated unless the mist-receiving space has a relatively high humidity.

Fig. 10 is a schematic view showing an atomizable zone (aerosol zone) determined by the relationship of the temperature of the mist-receiving space, the humidity of the mist-receiving space, and the set temperature (set temperature) of the atomizing electrode. In fig. 10, the atomization possible region in the conventional electrostatic atomizer is located above the curve of the set temperature of 0 ℃ (i.e., a specific region located on the upper side of the thick curve in fig. 10), and electrostatic atomization occurs only in the specific region. As shown in fig. 10, the conventional electrostatic atomizer has a problem that the environment of electrostatic atomization is largely limited by the temperature/humidity conditions of the mist-receiving space in which electrostatic atomization is performed, so that it is difficult to use the electrostatic atomizer in a low-humidity and/or low-temperature environment, that is, a humidity/temperature environment allowing use of the electrostatic atomizer is limited within a narrow range.

[ patent document 1] Japanese patent No. 3260150

[ patent document 2] Japanese unexamined patent publication No. 2006-68711

Disclosure of Invention

In view of the above-described problems in the prior art, it is an object of the present invention to provide an electrostatic atomization device capable of surely supplying water to an atomization electrode even if a mist-receiving space has a low temperature and/or a low humidity, thereby electrostatically atomizing water stably, and without any limitation on the temperature/humidity condition of the mist-receiving space in which electrostatic atomization is performed.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an electrostatic atomization device including: an atomizing electrode controlled to electrostatically atomize the water attached thereto; a cooling section for cooling the atomizing electrode so that moisture in the air is frozen onto the atomizing electrode; a melting section for melting ice frozen on the atomizing electrode to supply water to the atomizing electrode; a high voltage applying section for applying a high voltage to the atomizing electrode; and a control section for activating the high voltage application section to cause electrostatic atomization of the water in a state after the water is supplied onto the atomizing electrode by melting ice frozen on the atomizing electrode.

In the electrostatic atomizer of the present invention, the cooling section cools the atomizing electrode to 0 (zero) ° c or lower to cause moisture in the air to freeze and adhere to the atomizing electrode in the form of ice, and then the melting section melts the ice frozen and adhering to the atomizing electrode to supply the melted water onto the atomizing electrode. Then, the high voltage applying section applies a high voltage to the atomizing electrode to cause electrostatic atomization of the water supplied onto the atomizing electrode. Thereby, moisture in the air is frozen into ice, and then the ice is melted and provided in the form of water. Therefore, even if the mist-receiving space in which the electrostatic atomization is performed has a low humidity and/or a low temperature, it is ensured that water is supplied onto the atomizing electrode and is electrostatically atomized to stably generate charged fine water droplets.

As described above, the electrostatically atomizing device of the present invention electrostatically atomizes water supplied onto the atomizing electrode in such a manner that moisture in the air of the mist-receiving space is frozen onto the atomizing electrode and then melts ice frozen onto the atomizing electrode. Therefore, even if the mist-receiving space has a low temperature and/or a low humidity, the electrostatic atomization device can surely supply water onto the atomization electrode, thereby electrostatically atomizing the water stably, and there is no limitation on the temperature/humidity condition of the mist-receiving space in which electrostatic atomization is performed. This can effectively expand the aerosolizable region, thereby enabling the use of the electrostatic aerosolization device in a wider range of humidity/temperature environments.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional view of an electrostatic atomization device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of the electrostatically atomizing device shown in fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing an example in which the electrostatic atomizing apparatus shown in fig. 1 is used in a refrigerator.

Fig. 4 is a time chart showing an example of the control operation of the electrostatic atomization device shown in fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is an explanatory view showing the control operation of fig. 4, in which diagrams (a), (B), (C), and (D) show a state after ice is attached to the atomizing electrode of the electrostatic atomizing apparatus shown in fig. 1, a state after ice is melted into water, a state when electrostatic atomization is performed, and a state after electrostatic atomization is finished, respectively.

Fig. 6 is a block diagram showing a control system of the electrostatically atomizing device shown in fig. 1.

Fig. 7 is a schematic view of an electrostatic atomizing apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 8 is a time chart showing the control operation of the electrostatic atomizing device shown in fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is a block diagram showing a control system of the electrostatically atomizing device shown in fig. 7.

Fig. 10 is a diagram showing an aerosolizable area determined by the relationship of the temperature of the mist-receiving space, the humidity of the mist-receiving space and the set temperature of the atomizing electrode.

Detailed Description

The invention will now be explained on the basis of embodiments shown in the drawings.

Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described below with reference to fig. 1 to 6. The electrostatic atomizing device of embodiment 1 is applied to an apparatus a having a mist-receiving space 9 and a cooling space 13, wherein the cooling space 13 is adjacent to the mist-receiving space 9 and is maintained at a temperature lower than that of the mist-receiving space 9. The electrostatic atomization device generates nanometer-scale fine water droplets (i.e., a spray) by electrostatic atomization, and supplies the spray to the spray receiving space 9.

For example, the apparatus a having the mist-receiving space 9 and the cooling space 13 may include a refrigerator and an air conditioner.

In embodiment 1, although the refrigerator a1 is described as an example of the device a having the mist-receiving space 9 and the cooling space 13, the device to which the electrostatic atomizing device of the present invention is suitably applied is not limited to the refrigerator a 1.

Fig. 3 is a schematic view of the internal structure of the refrigerator a 1. In fig. 3, the refrigerator a1 includes a refrigerator cover 20 in which a freezing chamber 21, a vegetable chamber 22, a refrigerating chamber 23, and a cold air passage 24 are provided. In the housing of the refrigerator cover 20, the freezing chamber 21, the vegetable chamber 22, the refrigerating chamber 23, and the cold air passage 24 are partitioned by a partition wall 30. The partition wall 30 is made of a heat insulating material and is provided with a through hole 30b (see fig. 1). In addition, a skin 30a (see fig. 1) formed of a synthetic resin molded article is integrally laminated to the surface of the partition wall 30. Communication holes 27a, 27b, 27c are formed in portions of the cold air passage 24 that are separated from the freezing chamber 21, the vegetable chamber 22, and the refrigerating chamber 23, respectively, to provide fluid communication between the cold air passage 24 and the freezing chamber 21, the vegetable chamber 22, and the refrigerating chamber 23, respectively.

Freezing chamber 21, vegetable chamber 22, and refrigerating chamber 23 each have an opening on the front side (left side in fig. 3) of refrigerator a 1. The front opening of the refrigerating chamber 23 is provided with a door 25a attached thereto by a hinge in a swingable (swing) opening and closing manner. The freezing chamber 21 and the vegetable chamber 22 are provided with drawer type boxes 26a, 26b that are withdrawably inserted, respectively. The drawer-type boxes 26a and 26b are integrally provided with doors 25b and 25c at the respective front ends thereof. Specifically, the drawer-type boxes 26a, 26b, when fully inserted and received into/in the freezing chamber 21 and the vegetable compartment 22, respectively, close the front openings of the freezing chamber 21 and the vegetable compartment 22, respectively, by doors (26a ) formed at the front ends of the drawer-type boxes (26a, 26 b).

The cold air passage 24 is internally provided with a cooling source 28 and a fan 29. The cooling source 29 serves to cool air in the cold air passage 24 (e.g., to about-20 ℃), and the fan 29 serves to supply the cooled air in the cold air passage 24 to the freezing chamber 21, the vegetable chamber 22, and the refrigerating chamber 23 through the respective communication holes 27a, 27b, 27 c. The freezing chamber 21, the vegetable chamber 22, and the refrigerating chamber 23 are all set at a desired temperature by cooling air supplied to the respective interiors. More specifically, the desired temperature of each of the vegetable compartment 22 and the refrigerating compartment 23 is greater than the desired temperature of the freezing compartment 21 (e.g., the desired temperature of the vegetable compartment 22 is set to about 5 ℃). Thus, the communication holes 27b, 27c are each provided to have a smaller opening area than the communication hole 27a in comparison with the freezing compartment 21 to reduce the amount of cooling gas entering the vegetable compartment 22 and the refrigerating compartment 23 from the cooling gas passage, respectively.

Although not shown, the freezing chamber 21, the vegetable chamber 22, and the refrigerating chamber 23 are each provided with a return passage to return gas to an upstream side of the cold air passage 24 with respect to the cooling source 28.

For example, in the above-described refrigerator a1, the vegetable compartment 22 and/or the refrigerating compartment 23 serves as the mist-receiving space 9, the cold air passage 24 adjacent to the vegetable compartment 22 and the refrigerating compartment 23 through the partition wall 30 made of a heat insulating material serves as the cooling space 13 having a temperature lower than that of the mist-receiving space 9 (in fig. 3, the vegetable compartment 22 serves as the mist-receiving space 9). The cooling space 13 in embodiment 1 is a space having a temperature of 0 (zero) ° c or lower. For example, when the cooling space 13 includes the cold air passageway 24 of the refrigerator a1 in embodiment 1, the temperature of the cooling space 13 may be set to about-20 ℃ as described above. The temperature of the cooling space 13 is not limited to this specific value, and may be set to any other suitable value below 0 ℃.

A main unit B of the electrostatic atomizing apparatus (hereinafter referred to as "atomizing apparatus main unit B") is mounted on a surface of a portion of the partition wall 30 that partitions the vegetable compartment 22 (i.e., the mist-receiving space 9) and the cold air path 24 (i.e., the cooling space 13) on the side of the mist-receiving space 9.

The atomizer main unit B includes an atomizing electrode 1, a counter electrode 2, a high voltage applying section 5 for applying a high voltage between the atomizing electrode 1 and the counter electrode 2, a control section 15 for controlling the electrostatic atomizing operation, and an atomizer housing 31 accommodating the above components therein.

The atomizer housing 31 is partitioned into a housing chamber 16a that houses the high voltage application unit 5 and the control unit 15 therein, and a discharge chamber 16 b. The housing chamber 16a, in which the high-voltage applying portion 5 and the control portion 15 are housed, is formed as a closed (i.e., sealed) chamber to prevent foreign matter such as water from entering the interior thereof from the outside. The atomizing electrode 1 and the counter electrode 2 are disposed in the discharge chamber 16 b. The counter electrode 2 is formed of an annular metal plate, and is mounted to a portion of the discharge chamber 16b on the front side of the refrigerator a1 in such a manner as to be disposed inside the discharge chamber 16b and to oppose the mist discharge opening 17 formed in the front wall of the atomizer housing 31. The atomizing electrode 1 is mounted on the rear wall (rear wall) of the discharge chamber 16 b. The atomizing electrode 1 is positioned with the tip portion of its tip end arranged coaxially with the central axis of the central hole of the annular counterelectrode 2. The atomizing electrode 1 and the counter electrode 2 are each electrically connected to the high voltage applying section 5 through a high voltage wire.

The rear end of the atomizing electrode 1 is provided with a heat transfer member 18 made of a material having an excellent thermal conductivity such as metal or the like. The atomizing electrode 1 and the heat transfer member 18 may be integrally formed. Alternatively, the heat transfer member 18 may be formed separately from the atomizing electrode 1 and then fixedly attached to the atomizing electrode 1, or the heat transfer member 18 may be formed separately from the atomizing electrode 1 and then brought into contact with the atomizing electrode 1. In either case, the atomizing electrode 1 and the heat transfer member 18 are provided in a structure that enables heat to be efficiently transferred therebetween.

In the 1 st embodiment shown in fig. 1 and 2, the heat transfer member 18 is made of metal and formed in a columnar shape. The heat transfer member 18 is formed with a recess 18a at its front surface, which has a bottom surface formed with a mounting hole 18 b. The atomizing electrode 1 is formed in a rod shape, and the rear end of the atomizing electrode 1 is fitted into the fitting hole 18 b. In this state, the front end, i.e., the tip, of the atomizing electrode 1 projects forward from the front surface of the heat transfer member 18. That is, in embodiment 1, the atomizing electrode 1 and the heat transfer member 18 are provided as: in addition to the heat exchange performed by the heat conduction occurring by the contact of the inner surface of the mounting hole 18b and the rear end of the atomizing electrode 1 with each other, the heat exchange is efficiently performed therebetween based on the heat exchange performed by the heat radiation between the inner surface of the recess 18a and the outer surface of the atomizing electrode 1 facing each other at a spacing.

The heat transfer member 18 is mounted on the atomizing device housing 31 (as shown in fig. 1 and 2, in embodiment 1, the heat transfer member 18 is mounted to a cap member (cap member)16c forming part of the rear wall of the atomizing device housing 31). The rear wall of the atomizer housing 31 is formed with a hole 19 (as shown in fig. 1 and 2, in embodiment 1, the hole 19 is formed in the cap member 16 c). The heat transfer member 18 is provided to protrude rearward through the hole 19.

The atomizer housing 31 is mounted to a front surface of the partition wall 30 opposite to the spray receiving space 9, such as a vegetable compartment. In this state, the protrusion 18c of the heat transfer member 18 is inserted into the through hole 30b of the partition wall 30 so that the rear end portion of the protrusion 18c is exposed to the cooling space 13.

Thereby, the protruding portion 18c is cooled by the cooling space 13, and therefore the atomizing electrode 1 provided inside the mist-receiving space 9 is cooled by the heat transfer member 18. In this process, it is ensured that the atomizing electrode 1 is cooled to below 0 (zero) ° c. Specifically, it is ensured that moisture in the air around the atomizing electrode 1 (i.e., moisture in the air at more than 0 ℃ in the mist-receiving space 9) is frozen and adheres to the atomizing electrode 1. That is, in embodiment 1, the cooling portion 3 is composed of a combination of the cooling space 13 and the heat transfer member 18 which are kept at 0 (zero) ° c or lower, and the atomizing electrode 1 is cooled to 0 ℃ or lower by the cooling portion 3.

In addition, in embodiment 1, the electric heater 8 is provided adjacent to (e.g., in a manner of surrounding) the atomizing electrode 1 or the heat transfer member 18 to function as the heater 4.

The control section 15 controls the time at which current is supplied to the heater 8 serving as the heater 4, the time period at which current is supplied to the heater 8, the time at which the high-voltage applying section is activated (activated) to apply a high voltage between the atomizing electrode 1 and the counter electrode 2, the time at which the high-voltage applying section is deactivated to stop applying a high voltage, and the like.

In embodiment 1, as shown in the time chart of fig. 4, in a state where the atomizing electrode 1 is continuously cooled by the cooling portion 3, the controller 15 controls the supply of current and the application of high voltage to the heater 8 such that the freezing process is performed without supplying current to the heater 8 and without applying high voltage, the melting process is performed with supplying current to the heater 8 (without applying high voltage) after the freezing process, the electrostatic atomizing process is performed with applying high voltage (and continuing supplying current to the heater 8) after the melting process, and the freezing process, the melting process, and the electrostatic atomizing process are sequentially repeated. In the example shown in fig. 4, the start time of supplying the current to the heater 8, the time period of supplying the current to the heater 8, the time of activating the high-voltage applying portion to apply the high voltage between the atomizing electrode 1 and the counter electrode 2, and the time of deactivating the high-voltage applying portion to stop applying the high voltage are controlled so that the time periods of the freezing process, the melting process, and the electrostatic atomizing process are set to 30 seconds, 20 seconds, and 60 seconds, respectively. The specific time periods of the above-described processes are merely examples, and each time period may be set to an optimum value according to the temperature and humidity of the mist-receiving space 9, the temperature of the atomizing electrode 1, the temperature of the cooling space 13, and other parameters.

According to the above-described sequence, in the freezing process, the heat transfer member 18 is cooled by the cooling space 13, and thereby the atomizing electrode 1 is cooled to a certain target temperature of 0 (zero) ° c or less, and therefore moisture in the air in the mist-receiving space 9 is frozen and adheres to the atomizing electrode 1 in the form of ice I as shown in fig. 5 (a).

As a reaction to the end of the freezing process, that is, immediately after the ice I is attached to the atomizing electrode 1 as shown in fig. 5(a), an electric current is supplied to the heater 8 to start a melting process of melting the ice I frozen on the atomizing electrode into water W, as shown in fig. 5 (B). Then, in response to the end of the melting process, i.e., immediately after the ice I melts into the water W, the electrostatic atomization process is started to apply a high voltage between the atomizing electrode 1 and the counter electrode 2, and the current supply to the heater 8 is continued. Specifically, when the high voltage applying section 5 is activated to apply a high voltage between the atomizing electrode 1 and the counter electrode 2, Coulomb force (Coulomb force) is generated between the counter electrode 2 and the water W supplied to the tip of the atomizing electrode 1 according to the high voltage applied between the atomizing electrode 1 and the counter electrode 2 to form a locally protruding tapered portion (Taylor cone) on the surface of the water W. Due to the formation of the taylor cone, electric charges are concentrated at the tip of the taylor cone to enhance the electric field intensity, thereby increasing the coulomb force generated at the tip of the taylor cone, which in turn accelerates the growth of the taylor cone. When the electric charges are concentrated at the tip of the taylor cone grown in this manner to increase the density of the electric charges, large energy (repulsive force of high-density electric charges) greater than the surface tension of water is applied to the tip of the taylor cone-shaped water, causing repeated breakup/dispersion (rayleigh breakup) of the water, thereby generating a large number of nano-scale charged minute water droplets as shown in fig. 5 (C). As the nano-scale charged fine water droplets are formed, the water W supplied onto the tip of the atomizing electrode 1 will gradually decrease. Then, as shown in fig. 5(D), immediately after the water W is completely consumed, the application of the high voltage and the supply of the current to the heater 8 are stopped to end the electrostatic atomization process. The freezing process is restarted in response to the end of the electrostatic atomization process. Subsequently, a series of processes, i.e., a freezing process for attaching ice, a melting process for supplying water, and an electrostatic atomization process, will be repeated in the above-described sequence and manner.

The charged fine water droplets of nanometer order produced in the above manner are discharged from the mist discharge port 17 formed in the front wall of the atomizer housing 31, through the center hole of the counter electrode 2 into the mist-receiving space 9.

As shown in fig. 6, the electrostatically atomizing device in accordance with embodiment 1 further comprises: a mist-receiving-space temperature detector 10 that detects the temperature of the mist-receiving space 9 for performing electrostatic atomization inside; a humidity detector 11 for detecting humidity of the mist-receiving space 9; an atomizing electrode temperature detector 12 for detecting the temperature of the atomizing electrode 1; and a cooling space temperature detector 14 for detecting the temperature of the cooling space 13. The control unit 15 controls the time for starting the supply of the electric current to the heater 8 serving as the melting unit 4 (the time for starting melting of ice), the time for stopping the supply of the electric current to the melting unit 4, the time for starting the application of the high voltage, and the time for stopping the application of the high voltage, based on the detection data on the temperature and the humidity detected by the detectors 10, 11, 12, and 14.

More specifically, the control section 15 controls the melting section 4 and the high voltage application section 5 based on detection data on the temperature of the mist-receiving space 9 in which electrostatic atomization is performed, the humidity of the mist-receiving space 9, the temperature of the atomizing electrode 1, and the temperature of the cooling space 13 such that: the melting process of melting the ice frozen on the atomizing electrode 1 is started at an optimum time, the electrostatic atomization process is started at an optimum time immediately after the ice is completely melted, and then the electrostatic atomization process is ended at an optimum time immediately after the water on the atomizing electrode 1 is completely consumed by the electrostatic atomization process. This enables the electrostatic atomization process to be performed efficiently without the following undesirable situations: the electrostatic atomization process is carried out in a state where part of the ice is still present without melting; after the ice melting, namely water supply, is completed, and after an worthless waiting time, high voltage is applied; and continuing to apply the high voltage even after the water is completely consumed.

The above embodiment 1 has been described by way of example, in which the mist-receiving space temperature detector 10, the humidity detector 11, the atomizing electrode temperature detector 12, and the cooling space temperature detector 14 are provided, and the controller 15 controls the melting unit 4 and the high voltage applying unit 5 based on the detection data on the temperature and humidity detected by the detectors 10, 11, 12, and 14 so that: the melting process of melting the ice frozen on the atomizing electrode 1 is started at an optimum time, the electrostatic atomization process is started at an optimum time immediately after the ice is completely melted, and then the electrostatic atomization process is ended at an optimum time immediately after the water on the atomizing electrode 1 is completely consumed by the electrostatic atomization process. Alternatively, at least one or more of the mist-receiving space temperature detector 10, the humidity detector 11, the atomizing electrode temperature detector 12, and the cooling space temperature detector 14 may be provided, and the controller 15 controls the melting section 4 and the high-voltage applying section 5 based on detection data of one or more of the detectors so that: the melting process of melting the ice frozen on the atomizing electrode 1 is started at an optimum time, the electrostatic atomization process is started at an optimum time immediately after the ice is completely melted, and then the electrostatic atomization process is ended at an optimum time immediately after the water on the atomizing electrode 1 is completely consumed by the electrostatic atomization process. This also enables the electrostatic atomization process to be performed efficiently without the following undesirable situations: the electrostatic atomization process is carried out in a state where part of the ice is still present without melting;

after the ice melting, namely water supply, is completed, and after an worthless waiting time, high voltage is applied; and continuing to apply the high voltage even after the water is completely consumed.

Hereinafter, embodiment 2 of the present invention will be described with reference to fig. 7 to 9. In embodiment 2, the cooling unit 3 and the melting unit 4 are configured by the peltier unit 7.

The peltier unit 7 includes a pair of upper and lower peltier circuit boards 32, and a thermoelectric device 34. The upper and lower peltier circuit boards 32 are each made by forming a circuit on one surface of an electrically insulating substrate made of a material with high thermal conductivity such as alumina or aluminum nitride. The upper and lower peltier circuit boards 32 are disposed so that the respective circuits are opposed to each other. The thermoelectric device 34 includes a large number of n-type and p-type BiTe-based (BiTe-based) thermoelectric elements 34 which are alternately arranged and sandwiched between the upper and lower peltier circuit boards 32 so that one ends of the adjacent n-type and p-type BiTe-based thermoelectric elements 34 are electrically connected in series through a corresponding one of the opposing circuits, respectively. The peltier unit 7 transfers heat from one peltier circuit board 32 to the other peltier circuit board 32 in reaction to the supply of current to the thermoelectric element 34 through the peltier input lead 33. The upper surface of the upper peltier circuit board 32 is thermally connected to an upper electrical insulating plate 35 made of a material such as alumina or aluminum nitride, which has a high thermal conductivity and a high electrical resistance. In addition, the lower surface of the lower peltier circuit board 32 is thermally connected to a lower electrically insulating plate 36 made of a material such as alumina or aluminum nitride, which has a high thermal conductivity and a high resistance.

The upper peltier circuit board 32 and the upper electrically insulating plate 35 serve as the 1 st heat transfer portion 6, and the lower peltier circuit board 32 and the lower heat transfer plate 36 serve as the 2 nd heat transfer portion 6, in which heat is transferred from one side of the heat transfer portion 6 to the other heat transfer portion 6 through the thermoelectric element 34.

In the 2 nd embodiment, one of the 1 st and 2 nd heat transfer portions 6 (specifically, the 1 st heat transfer portion 6) of the peltier unit 7 is thermally connected to the atomizing electrode 1. Thus, when current is supplied to the peltier unit 7 in the 1 st direction, i.e., the direction in which the 1 st heat transfer part 6 is cooled, the atomizing electrode 1 thermally connected to the 1 st heat transfer part 6 will be cooled to 0 (zero) ° c or less, so that moisture in the air in the mist-receiving space is condensed and adheres to the atomizing electrode 1 in the form of ice I. In this case, the peltier unit 7 functions as the cooling section 3 that cools the atomizing electrode 1 to 0 ℃ or lower.

Differently, when a current is supplied to the peltier unit 7 in the 2 nd direction opposite to the 1 st direction, the 1 st heat transfer portion 6 thermally connected to the atomizing electrode 1 becomes a heat release portion. Thereby, the atomizing electrode 1 will be heated to a temperature greater than 0 ℃ to melt the ice I attached to the atomizing electrode 1, thereby supplying water onto the atomizing electrode 1. In this case, the peltier unit 7 serves as the melting section 4 that melts the ice I adhering to the atomizing electrode 1.

The control unit 15 (see fig. 9) controls: a start time and a time period of an operation of supplying a current to the peltier unit 7 in the 1 st direction to cause the peltier unit 7 to function as the cooling portion 3 to cool the atomizing electrode 1; a start time and a time period of an operation of reversely supplying a current to the peltier unit 7 (i.e., supplying a current to the peltier unit 7 in a 2 nd direction opposite to the 1 st direction) to cause the peltier unit 7 to function as the melting section 4 to melt ice I frozen on the atomizing electrode 1; and a start time and a time period of an operation of activating the high voltage applying portion to apply a high voltage between the atomizing electrode 1 and the counter electrode 2.

Specifically, in embodiment 2, as shown in the time chart shown in fig. 8, the control section 15 controls the current supply and the high voltage application to the peltier unit 7 to sequentially repeat: a freezing process of supplying a current to the peltier unit 7 in the 1 st direction to cool the atomizing electrode 1 to 0 (zero) ° c or lower without high voltage application; a melting process of supplying a current reversely to the peltier unit 7 (i.e., supplying a current to the peltier unit 7 in the 2 nd direction opposite to the 1 st direction) to heat the atomizing electrode 1 (without high voltage application) after the freezing process is ended; and an electrostatic atomization process in which a high voltage is applied (in which the atomization electrode 1 is continuously heated by continuously supplying a current to the peltier unit 7 in the 2 nd direction) after the melting process is ended.

In the example shown in fig. 8, by controlling: the times of the 1 st and 2 nd directions of current supply to the peltier unit 7, the time period of current supply in each process, and the start time and time period of activating the high voltage applying section to apply a high voltage between the atomizing electrode 1 and the counter electrode 2 are switched so that the respective time periods of the freezing process, the melting process, and the electrostatic atomizing process are set to 30 seconds, 20 seconds, and 60 seconds, respectively. The specific time periods of the above-described processes are merely examples, and each time period may be set to an optimum value after considering the temperature and humidity of the mist-receiving space 9, the ideal cooling and heating temperature of the atomizing electrode 1 cooled or heated by the peltier unit 7, and other parameters.

In the above-described control operation shown in fig. 8, during freezing, the atomizing electrode 1 is cooled to below 0 (zero) ° c by the peltier unit 7, and moisture in the air in the mist-receiving space 9 will be frozen and attached to the atomizing electrode in the form of ice I, as shown in fig. 5 (a).

As a reaction to the end of the freezing process, that is, immediately after the ice I adheres to the atomizing electrode 1 as shown in fig. 5(a), the direction of current supply to the peltier unit 7 is reversed to start a melting process of heating the atomizing electrode 1 to melt the ice I frozen on the atomizing electrode 1 into water W as shown in fig. 5 (B). Then, as a reaction to the end of the melting process, that is, immediately after the ice I is melted into the water W, the electrostatic atomization process is started to apply a high voltage between the atomization electrode 1 and the counter electrode 2, and the atomization electrode 1 is continued to be heated by continuously supplying a current in the 2 nd direction to the peltier unit 7. Specifically, when the high voltage applying section 5 is activated to apply a high voltage between the atomizing electrode 1 and the counter electrode 2, coulomb force is generated between the counter electrode 2 and the water W supplied to the tip of the atomizing electrode 1 based on the high voltage applied between the atomizing electrode 1 and the counter electrode 2, thereby forming a locally protruding tapered portion (taylor cone) on the surface of the water W. Due to the formation of the taylor cone, electric charges are concentrated at the tip of the taylor cone to enhance the electric field intensity, thereby increasing the coulomb force generated at the tip of the taylor cone, which in turn accelerates the growth of the taylor cone. When the electric charges are concentrated at the tip of the taylor cone grown in this manner to increase the density of the electric charges, large energy (repulsive force of high-density electric charges) larger than the surface tension of water is applied to the tip of the taylor cone-shaped water, causing repeated crushing/dispersion (rayleigh crushing) of the water as shown in fig. 5(C), thereby generating a large number of nanometer-sized charged fine water droplets. As the nano-scale charged fine water droplets are formed, the water W supplied to the tip of the atomizing electrode 1 will gradually decrease. Then, immediately after the water W is completely consumed as shown in fig. 5(D), the electrostatic atomization process is terminated. At the end of the electrostatic atomization process, the application of the high voltage is stopped, and the current is supplied to the peltier unit 7 in the 1 st direction to restart the freezing process of cooling the atomization electrode 1 to 0 ℃ or less. Subsequently, the above-described series of processes, i.e., the freezing process for the attached ice, the melting process for the water supply, and the electrostatic atomization process, are repeated in the above-described sequence and manner.

The charged fine water droplets of nanometer order produced in the above manner are discharged from the mist discharge port 17 formed in the front wall of the atomizer housing 31 and enter the mist-receiving space 9 through the center hole of the counter electrode 2.

As shown in fig. 9, the electrostatic atomizing device according to embodiment 2 further includes: a mist-receiving-space temperature detector 10 for detecting the temperature of the mist-receiving space 9 in which electrostatic atomization is performed; a humidity detector 11 for detecting humidity of the mist-receiving space 9; and an atomizing electrode temperature detector 12 for detecting the temperature of the atomizing electrode 1. The control unit 15 controls the start time of the melting by the melting unit 4, the start time of the electrostatic atomization by the activation of the high voltage application unit 5, and the stop time of the electrostatic atomization by the deactivation of the high voltage application unit 5 based on the detection data on the temperature and the humidity detected by the detectors 10, 11, and 12.

More specifically, the control section 15 controls, based on detection data on the temperature of the mist-receiving space 9 in which electrostatic atomization is performed, the humidity of the mist-receiving space 9, and the temperature of the atomizing electrode 1: supplying a current to the peltier unit 7 in the 2 nd direction so that the peltier unit 7 functions as the melting section 4 to heat the start time of the atomizing electrode 1; a time when the direction of current supply to the peltier unit 7 is switched to the 1 st direction to restart cooling of the atomizing electrode 1; the time at which electrostatic atomization starts based on the activation of the high-voltage application unit 5; and the time when electrostatic atomization based on the deactivation of the high-voltage application section 5 is stopped. The time period during which the current is supplied can thus be controlled and set to an optimum value that enables ice frozen on the atomizing electrode 1 to be completely melted, so that the electrostatic atomization process can be carried out efficiently without the occurrence of the following undesirable conditions: the electrostatic atomization process is carried out in a state where part of the ice is still present without melting; after the ice melting, namely water supply, is completed, and after an worthless waiting time, high voltage is applied; and continuing to apply the high voltage even after the water is completely consumed.

As described above, the embodiment 2 has been described by way of example, in which the mist-receiving space temperature detector 10, the humidity detector 11, and the atomizing electrode temperature detector 12 are provided, and the controller 15 controls, based on the detection data on the temperature and the humidity detected by the detectors 10, 11, and 12: a start time of supplying a current to the peltier unit 7 in the 2 nd direction to heat the atomizing electrode 1, a time of switching the direction of the current supply to the peltier unit 7 to the 1 st direction to restart cooling the atomizing electrode 1, a time of starting electrostatic atomization based on activation of the high-voltage applying section 5, and a time of stopping electrostatic atomization based on deactivation of the high-voltage applying section 5. Alternatively, at least one or more of the mist-receiving space temperature detector 10, the humidity detector 11, and the atomizing electrode temperature detector 12 may be provided, and the controller 15 controls, based on detection data of one or more of the detectors: a start time of supplying a current to the peltier unit 7 in the 2 nd direction so that the peltier unit 7 functions as the melting section 4 to heat the atomizing electrode 1, a time of switching the direction of current supply to the peltier unit 7 to the 1 st direction to restart cooling of the atomizing electrode 1, a time of starting electrostatic atomization based on activation of the high-voltage application section 5, and a time of stopping electrostatic atomization based on deactivation of the high-voltage application section 5. This also enables the electrostatic atomization process to be performed efficiently without the following undesirable situations: the electrostatic atomization process is carried out in a state where part of the ice is still present without melting; after the ice melting, namely water supply, is completed, and after an worthless waiting time, high voltage is applied; and continuing to apply the high voltage even after the water is completely consumed.

In the above-described embodiment, the nanometer-sized charged water droplets generated and released to the mist-receiving space 9 are as small as nanometer-sized, thereby having floatability and high diffusibility in the air for a long time. Thus, the nano-scale charged water droplets can drift around the corners of the spray receiving space 9 and adhere to the inner walls of the structural members defining the spray receiving space 9 and the objects received in the spray receiving space 9. In addition, the nano-sized charged water droplets include active species having a deodorizing effect, a sterilizing effect of mold and bacteria, and an effect of inhibiting the propagation of mold and bacteria, wherein the active species exist in the nano-sized charged water droplets in a state of being wrapped with water molecules. Thus, when the nano-scale charged water droplets adhere to the inner wall of the structural member defining the mist-receiving space 9 and the objects stored in the mist-receiving space 9, the deodorizing effect, the sterilizing effect of mold and bacteria, and the effect of suppressing the spread thereof will be exhibited. In addition, the active species present in the nano-scale charged water droplets in a state of being encapsulated by water molecules have a longer life span than the active species independently present in the form of radicals, which can enhance diffusion performance, deodorization effect, sterilization effect of mold and bacteria, and effect of suppressing propagation thereof. Of course, the nano-sized charged water droplets also have a humidifying effect of humidifying the object accommodated in the mist-receiving space 9.

In the above embodiment, the cooling section 3 cools the atomizing electrode 1 to 0 (zero) ° c or lower so that moisture in the air freezes and adheres to the atomizing electrode 1 in the form of ice, and then the melting section 4 melts the ice frozen and adhered to the atomizing electrode 1 to supply water onto the atomizing electrode 1. Thus, even if the mist-receiving space 9 in which electrostatic atomization is performed has a low temperature and/or a low humidity, the cooling section 3 can lower the temperature of the atomizing electrode 1 to the saturation temperature of the moisture in the air inside the mist-receiving space 9 (i.e., to any temperature below 0 ℃) to ensure that the moisture in the air inside the mist-receiving space 9 is frozen and adheres to the atomizing electrode 1 in the form of ice I, and then the melting section can melt the ice I adhering to the atomizing electrode 1 and supply water W onto the atomizing electrode 1. This can ensure stable supply of water to the atomizing electrode 1 and electrostatically atomize the water.

In the above embodiment, moisture in the air is frozen, and then the ice is melted and provided in the form of water. That is, in the above embodiment, the set temperature of the atomizing electrode 1, that is, the temperature of the atomizing electrode 1 required for freezing moisture in the air in the mist-receiving space into ice, is 0 ℃ or less. This means that the atomization-possible region in the electrostatic atomizer of the above-described embodiment is determined as the entire region above the curve of a certain set temperature of 0 ℃ or lower in fig. 10. In fig. 10, the aerosolizable area, that is, the range of temperature/humidity environment in which the electrostatic aerosolization device can be used, can be enlarged to a large extent, as compared to the aerosolizable area located above the curve of a certain set temperature greater than 0 ℃ in the existing electrostatic aerosolization device.

For example, when the atomizing electrode 1 is cooled to the set temperature of-5 ℃, the aerosolizable area is determined as the entire area above the-5 ℃ curve in fig. 10. When the atomizing electrode 1 is cooled to the set temperature of-20 c, the aerosolizable area is determined as the entire region above the-20 c curve in fig. 10. When the atomizing electrode 1 is cooled to the set temperature of-25 c, the aerosolizable area is determined as the entire region above the-25 c curve in fig. 10.

Of course, the set temperature of the atomizing electrode 1 may be set to: the moisture in the air in the mist-receiving space 9 can be frozen and attached to the atomizing electrode 1 in the form of ice at any value below 0 c.

As described above, the description has been given of the 1 st and 2 nd embodiments by way of example, in which the heating of the atomizing electrode 1 by the melting section 4 is stopped at the end of the electrostatic atomization process, that is, at the same time when the application of the high voltage is stopped. Alternatively, the heating of the atomizing electrode 1 by the melting section 4 may be stopped at the same time as the start of the electrostatic atomization process, that is, the start of the application of the high voltage, or the heating of the atomizing electrode 1 by the melting section 4 may be stopped at any time between the start of the application of the high voltage and the stop of the application of the high voltage. This can reduce the time period for starting the melting section 4 to contribute to energy saving. In the embodiment using the peltier unit 7, when the control is performed, the supply of the electric current to the peltier unit 7 is stopped for the time period when the heating of the atomizing electrode 1 is stopped, and then the atomizing electrode 1 is restarted while the application of the high voltage is stopped, thereby cooling the atomizing electrode 1.

As described above, an electrostatic atomizing apparatus includes: an atomizing electrode controlled to electrostatically atomize the water attached thereto; a cooling section for cooling the atomizing electrode so that moisture in the air is frozen onto the atomizing electrode; a melting section for melting ice frozen on the atomizing electrode to supply water to the atomizing electrode; a high voltage applying section for applying a high voltage to the atomizing electrode; and a control section for activating the high voltage application section to cause electrostatic atomization of the water in a state after the water is supplied onto the atomizing electrode by melting ice frozen on the atomizing electrode.

In the electrostatic atomizer, the cooling section cools the atomizing electrode to 0 (zero) ° c or less so that moisture in the air is frozen and adheres to the atomizing electrode in the form of ice, and then the melting section melts the ice frozen and adhered to the atomizing electrode to supply the melted water onto the atomizing electrode. Then, the high voltage applying section applies a high voltage to the atomizing electrode to cause electrostatic atomization of the water supplied onto the atomizing electrode. In this way, moisture in the air is frozen into ice, and then the ice is melted and provided in the form of water. Thus, even if the mist-receiving space in which electrostatic atomization is performed has a low humidity and/or a low temperature, it is ensured that water is supplied onto the atomizing electrode and electrostatically atomized to stably generate charged fine water droplets. This enables the aerosolizable zone to be effectively expanded, thereby allowing the electrostatic aerosolization device to be used in a wider range of humidity/temperature environments.

Preferably, in the electrostatic atomizer, the cooling portion and the melting portion may include a peltier unit having two heat transfer portions, one of which functions as a cooling portion and the other of which functions as a heating portion, wherein one of the two heat transfer portions is thermally connected to the atomizing electrode; the peltier unit is supplied with an electric current, the direction of which is switched for selectively cooling and heating the atomizing electrode.

According to this feature, a current is supplied to the peltier unit in the 1 st direction to cool the atomizing electrode below 0 (zero) ° c, so that moisture in the air is frozen and adheres to the atomizing electrode in the form of ice, and then the direction of the current supplied to the peltier unit is switched to the 2 nd direction to heat the atomizing electrode, melt the ice frozen and adhered to the atomizing electrode, and supply water to the atomizing electrode. Therefore, the cooling portion and the melting portion can be realized with a simple structure, i.e., a structure in which the current supplied to the peltier unit is switched between two directions.

Alternatively, the melting section may include an electric heater.

In this case, the ice frozen and attached to the atomizing electrode can be heated by the heater to easily supply water to the atomizing electrode, thereby contributing to simplification of the structure.

Preferably, the electrostatic atomization device may include a mist-receiving-space temperature detector for detecting a temperature of a mist-receiving space in which electrostatic atomization is effected, wherein the control section controls the melting start time based on the melting section, the electrostatic atomization start time based on activation of the high-voltage application section, and the electrostatic atomization stop time based on deactivation of the high-voltage application section, in accordance with data on the mist-receiving-space temperature detected by the mist-receiving-space temperature detector.

According to this feature, the melting section and the high-voltage applying section can be controlled in such a manner that the melting process of melting ice frozen on the atomizing electrode is started at an optimum time and the electrostatic atomization process is started at an optimum time after the ice is completely melted, and then ended at an optimum time after the water on the atomizing electrode is completely consumed by the electrostatic atomization process, depending on the temperature of the mist-receiving space. This enables the electrostatic atomization process to be performed efficiently without the following undesirable situations: the electrostatic atomization process is carried out in a state where part of the ice is still present without melting; after the ice melting, namely water supply, is completed, and after an worthless waiting time, high voltage is applied; and continuing to apply the high voltage even after the water is completely consumed.

Preferably, the electrostatic atomization device may include a mist-receiving space humidity detector for detecting humidity of a mist-receiving space in which electrostatic atomization is achieved, wherein the control section controls the melting start time based on the melting section, the electrostatic atomization start time based on activation of the high-voltage application section, and the electrostatic atomization stop time based on deactivation of the high-voltage application section, according to data on the mist-receiving space humidity detected by the humidity detector.

According to this feature, the melting section and the high-voltage applying section can be controlled in such a manner that the melting process of melting the ice frozen on the atomizing electrode is started at an optimum time and the electrostatic atomization process is started at an optimum time after the ice is completely melted and then ended at an optimum time after the water on the atomizing electrode is completely consumed by the electrostatic atomization process, depending on the humidity of the mist-receiving space. This enables the electrostatic atomization process to be performed efficiently without the following undesirable situations: the electrostatic atomization process is carried out in a state where part of the ice is still present without melting; after the ice melting, namely water supply, is completed, and after an worthless waiting time, high voltage is applied; and continuing to apply the high voltage even after the water is completely consumed.

Preferably, the electrostatic atomization device may include an atomization electrode temperature detector for detecting a temperature of the atomization electrode, wherein the control section controls the melting start time based on the melting section, the electrostatic atomization start time based on activation of the high-voltage application section, and the electrostatic atomization stop time based on deactivation of the high-voltage application section, in accordance with data on the atomization electrode temperature detected by the atomization electrode temperature detector.

According to this feature, the melting section and the high-voltage applying section can be controlled in such a manner that the melting process of melting the ice frozen on the atomizing electrode is started at an optimum time and the electrostatic atomization process is started at an optimum time after the ice is completely melted and then ended at an optimum time after the water on the atomizing electrode is completely consumed by the electrostatic atomization process, depending on the temperature of the atomizing electrode. This enables the electrostatic atomization process to be performed efficiently without the following undesirable situations: the electrostatic atomization process is carried out in a state where part of the ice is still present without melting; after the ice melting, namely water supply, is completed, and after an worthless waiting time, high voltage is applied; and continuing to apply the high voltage even after the water is completely consumed.

Preferably, the electrostatic atomization device may include a cooling space temperature detector for detecting a temperature of a cooling space adjacent to a mist-receiving space in which electrostatic atomization is effected, the cooling space being maintained at a temperature lower than that of the mist-receiving space, wherein the cooling section cools the atomization electrode through heat exchange with the cooling space so that moisture in the air is frozen onto the atomization electrode; the control section controls the melting start time based on the melting section, the electrostatic atomization start time based on activation of the high voltage application section, and the electrostatic atomization stop time based on deactivation of the high voltage application section, in accordance with the data on the cooling space temperature detected by the cooling space temperature detector.

The cooling temperature of the atomizing electrode is changed in accordance with a change in the temperature of the cooling space, thereby changing the amount of ice formed on the atomizing electrode by freezing moisture in the air in the mist-receiving space. Thus, according to this feature, the melting section and the high-voltage applying section can be controlled in such a manner that the melting process of melting the ice frozen on the atomizing electrode is started at an optimum time and the electrostatic atomizing process is started at an optimum time after the ice is completely melted, and then ended at an optimum time after the water on the atomizing electrode is completely consumed by the electrostatic atomizing process, depending on the temperature of the cooling space. This enables the electrostatic atomization process to be performed efficiently without the following undesirable situations: the electrostatic atomization process is carried out in a state where part of the ice is still present without melting; after the ice melting, namely water supply, is completed, and after an worthless waiting time, high voltage is applied; and continuing to apply the high voltage even after the water is completely consumed.

In the present specification, an element or component described in the form of a means for performing a function is not limited to a specific structure, configuration, or arrangement disclosed in the present specification for performing the function, and may include any other suitable structure, configuration, or arrangement, such as a unit, mechanism, or component, capable of performing the function.

Industrial applicability of the invention

In the electrostatic atomizer of the present invention, the cooling section cools the atomizing electrode so that moisture in the air is frozen onto the atomizing electrode, and the melting section melts the ice frozen onto the atomizing electrode to supply water onto the atomizing electrode. Then, the control section activates the high voltage applying section to cause electrostatic atomization of the water in a state after the water is supplied onto the atomizing electrode by melting the ice frozen on the atomizing electrode. Therefore, even if the mist-receiving space has a low temperature and/or a low humidity, it is possible to ensure that water is supplied onto the atomizing electrode and electrostatically atomized without any limitation on the temperature/humidity condition of the mist-receiving space in which electrostatic atomization is performed.

Claims (7)

1. An electrostatic atomizing apparatus, characterized by comprising:

an atomizing electrode controlled to electrostatically atomize the water attached thereto;

a cooling section for cooling the atomizing electrode so that moisture in the air is frozen onto the atomizing electrode;

a melting section for melting ice frozen on the atomizing electrode to supply water to the atomizing electrode;

a high voltage applying section for applying a high voltage to the atomizing electrode; and

a control section for activating the high voltage application section to cause electrostatic atomization of the water in a state after the water is supplied onto the atomizing electrode by melting ice frozen on the atomizing electrode.

2. An electrostatically atomizing device as set forth in claim 1, wherein: the cooling section and the melting section include a peltier unit having two heat transfer sections, one of which functions as a cooling section and the other of which functions as a heating section,

one of the two heat transfer parts is thermally connected to the atomizing electrode;

the peltier unit is supplied with an electric current, the direction of which is switched for selectively cooling and heating the atomizing electrode.

3. An electrostatically atomizing device as set forth in claim 1, wherein: the melting section includes an electric heater.

4. An electrostatically atomizing device as set forth in any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by further comprising: a mist-receiving-space temperature detector for detecting a temperature of a mist receiving space in which electrostatic atomization is effected, wherein,

the control section controls the melting start time based on the melting section, the electrostatic atomization start time based on activation of the high voltage application section, and the electrostatic atomization stop time based on deactivation of the high voltage application section, in accordance with the data on the spray receiving space temperature detected by the spray receiving space temperature detector.

5. The electrostatic atomizing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by further comprising: a mist-receiving space humidity detector for detecting humidity of a mist-receiving space in which electrostatic atomization is effected, wherein,

the control unit controls the melting start time based on the melting unit, the electrostatic atomization start time based on activation of the high-voltage application unit, and the electrostatic atomization stop time based on deactivation of the high-voltage application unit, according to the data on the humidity of the mist-receiving space detected by the humidity detector.

6. The electrostatic atomizing device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by further comprising: an atomizing electrode temperature detector for detecting a temperature of the atomizing electrode, wherein,

the control section controls the melting start time based on the melting section, the electrostatic atomization start time based on activation of the high voltage application section, and the electrostatic atomization stop time based on deactivation of the high voltage application section, in accordance with the data on the atomizing electrode temperature detected by the atomizing electrode temperature detector.

7. An electrostatically atomizing device as set forth in any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by further comprising: a cooling space temperature detector for detecting a temperature of a cooling space adjacent to a mist-receiving space in which electrostatic atomization is effected, the cooling space being maintained at a temperature lower than that of the mist-receiving space, wherein,

the cooling part cools the atomizing electrode through heat exchange with the cooling space so that moisture in the air is frozen onto the atomizing electrode;

the control section controls the melting start time based on the melting section, the electrostatic atomization start time based on activation of the high voltage application section, and the electrostatic atomization stop time based on deactivation of the high voltage application section, in accordance with the data on the cooling space temperature detected by the cooling space temperature detector.