JP2003311181A - Minus-ion generating apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a minus-ion generating apparatus which can prevent the occurrence of ozone. <P>SOLUTION: A discharge electrode needle (11) to which a negative direct current voltage is applied, a dielectric electrode (12) to which a positive direct current voltage is applied, and an insulating plate (13) are provided. The dielectric electrode (12) is arranged at a side position in the rear of the tip part of the discharge electrode needle (11), and the insulating plate (13) is located between the discharge electrode needle (11) and the dielectric electrode and arranged in the vicinity of the dielectric electrode (12). Since electrons discharged from the discharge electrode needle are blocked off by an insulating material, the insulation resistance between the discharge electrode needle and the dielectric electrode is increased stably to decrease the energy of electrons moving toward a counter electrode. In this way, the occurrence of ozone can be prevented. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a negative ion generator used for an air cleaning device and the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Negative ions have been around since 1930,
Researchers in the fields of hygiene, physiology, pathology, and clinical studies have conducted various animal experiments and clinical investigations, and have recently resolved respiratory diseases, hyperacidity, gastric ulcers, gastric bleeding, and stress. Various pathological effects such as have been confirmed. It is also used to electrically collect dust in the air by charging it.

Therefore, in recent years, an environmental sterilizer (air purifier) equipped with a negative ion generator has been known (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 63-78471, etc.). DC free corona discharge (hereinafter, simply referred to as "corona discharge") is known as one of the mechanisms for generating negative ions. In this specification, negative ions refer to particles in which electrons are attached to molecules (water in the air or the like) and are negatively charged.

A mechanism for generating DC free corona discharge (hereinafter referred to as "corona discharge mechanism") is a rod-shaped or needle-shaped discharge electrode (discharge electrode needle) to which a negative voltage is applied.
And a plate-shaped dielectric electrode to which a positive voltage is applied, are arranged so as to face each other, so that only the region with a strong electric field is locally subject to dielectric breakdown and emits light, and the sharp tip of the discharge electrode needle is provided. Electrons can be emitted from the department ("Ionized gas theory" published by The Institute of Electrical Engineers, page 106, etc.).

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication (Kokai) No. 8-262498 discloses a technique relating to an ionizer for an air cleaner for generating corona discharge to charge fine particles such as dust in inflowing air to be purified in an air cleaner. There is. Particularly, the structure shown in the embodiment of the invention of claim 3 of the same document will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the structure of a conventional ionizer for an air cleaner. A discharge electrode used for an ionizer of an air cleaner, a supporting base material made of a conductive metal material arranged in parallel with an opposite electrode, and a plurality of needle electrode members attached to the supporting base material at predetermined intervals. And the needle electrode member is made of a quenched conductive metal material. Further, according to this configuration, when corona discharge is generated between each tip portion of the needle electrode member and the opposite electrode, the needle electrode member is hard so that the wear is small, compared to the case of the conventional needle electrode structure. The life can be greatly extended. (See paragraphs 9 and 10 of the same document).

[0007]

However, in this structure, electrons emitted from the tip of the discharge electrode (discharge needle) are accelerated by the electric field between the discharge electrode (discharge needle) and the dielectric electrode (opposite electrode), and the surface of the dielectric electrode is accelerated. collide. Therefore, it is considered that protons (ions having a positive charge) are generated from the dielectric electrode due to the energy at the time of this collision.

[0008] Further, there is a concern that the energy of the air molecules, which is generated when considerably accelerated electrons move in the air, changes oxygen molecules in the air into ozone. As is well known, since ozone is a harmful substance to the human body, it is desirable to prevent the generation of ozone when generating negative ions.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a new negative ion generator capable of increasing the generation efficiency of negative ions (electrons) beneficial to the human body and reducing the generation of ozone harmful to the human body.

[0010]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the first negative ion generator according to the present invention has a discharge electrode needle 11 to which a negative DC voltage is applied and a positive DC voltage. A dielectric electrode 12 and an insulating plate 13,
The insulating plate 13 has the discharge electrode needle 11 and the dielectric electrode 1.
It is characterized in that it is arranged between 2 and in the vicinity of the front dielectric electrode 12.

The second negative ion generator according to the present invention has a discharge electrode needle 21 to which a negative DC voltage is applied, a dielectric electrode 22 to which a positive DC voltage is applied, and an insulating coating 23.
And the surface of the dielectric electrode 22 includes the insulating coating 23.
It is characterized by being covered by. The third negative ion generator according to the present invention includes a discharge electrode needle 31 to which a negative DC voltage is applied, a dielectric electrode 32 to which a positive DC voltage is applied, and an insulating coating 34. The surface of the needle 31 is covered with the insulating coating 34. The fourth anion generator according to the present invention is a discharge electrode needle 41 to which a negative DC voltage is applied.
And a dielectric electrode 42 to which a positive DC voltage is applied, and an insulating plate 45. The insulating plate 45 is located between the discharge electrode needle 41 and the dielectric electrode 42 and on the side of the discharge electrode needle 41. It is characterized in that it is arranged in the vicinity.

According to the first to fourth anion generators of the present invention, the electrons jumping out from the discharge electrode needle are blocked by the insulating material, so that the insulation resistance value between the discharge electrode needle and the dielectric electrode is increased. Steadily increases, and the energy at the time of movement of electrons toward the counter electrode decreases.
Thereby, generation of ozone can be largely prevented.

In these cases, the dielectric electrodes (12, 2)
2, 32, 42) are the discharge electrode needles (11, 21, 3)
1, 41) is more preferably placed at a side surface position rearward of the tip end portion, because acceleration of electrons is suppressed and generation of ozone can be prevented.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The purpose of efficiently generating a large amount of negative ions is realized by appropriately utilizing an insulating member without generating ozone.

(First Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a negative ion generator according to the first embodiment of the present invention. This device comprises a discharge electrode needle 11, a cylindrical dielectric electrode 12, and an insulating plate 13. The discharge electrode needle 11 is connected to the negative pole of the DC power source, and the dielectric electrode 12 is connected to the positive pole of the DC power source. Then, electrons are emitted from the tip portion (A portion in FIG. 1) of the discharge electrode needle 11. The feature of this embodiment is that the dielectric electrode 12 is the discharge electrode needle 1.
1 is disposed at the side surface position of the discharge electrode needle behind (the direction of the arrow in FIG. 1 is referred to as the front for convenience) from the front end portion (A portion in FIG. 1), and the discharge electrode needle 11 and the dielectric An insulating plate 13 is provided between the electrodes 12 and near the dielectric electrodes 12.
Is provided. The term "in the vicinity" means that the insulating plate 13 may be in contact with the dielectric electrode 12 or may be arranged with a slight space. Further, it may be arranged in the vicinity of the discharge electrode needle as in the fourth embodiment described later.

In this structure, since the insulating plate 13 is present before the electrons jumping out from the tip of the discharge electrode needle 11 (A in FIG. 1) reach the dielectric electrode 12, the accelerated electrons are air. When moving inside, it becomes difficult to change oxygen in the air to ozone by being blocked by the insulating plate 13.

That is, the insulating plate 13 is for preventing the accelerated electrons from directly colliding with the dielectric electrode 12 and reducing the energy when the electrons move toward the counter electrode. The insulating plate 13 suppresses the generation of ozone. Since a high electric field exists between the discharge electrode needle 11 and the dielectric electrode 12, the insulating plate 13 needs to use a highly insulating member such as ceramic, glass, or fluororesin.

The positional relationship between the discharge electrode needle 11 and the dielectric electrode 12 is as shown in FIG. 1, as shown in FIG.
It is preferable to arrange so that the electrons emitted from the part do not reach the insulating plate 13 directly. In the arrangement shown in FIG. 1, the electrons emitted from the tip of the discharge electrode needle 11 (A in FIG. 2) are less likely to be accelerated and, together with the function of the insulating plate 13, the generation of ozone is further suppressed.

(Second Embodiment) FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a negative ion generator according to the second embodiment of the present invention. This device includes a discharge electrode needle 21 and an insulating coating 2.
3 and a cylindrical dielectric electrode 22 whose surface is covered with 3. The discharge electrode needle 21 is connected to the negative pole of the DC power source, and the dielectric electrode 22 is connected to the positive pole of the DC power source. The tip of the discharge electrode needle 21 (A in FIG.
Part) emits an electron. The feature of this embodiment is that the dielectric electrode 22 is located behind the tip of the discharge electrode needle 21 (A in FIG. 2) (the direction of the arrow in FIG. 2 is referred to as the front for convenience), and the side surface of the discharge electrode needle. In addition to being placed in a position,
The surface of the dielectric electrode 22 is covered with the insulating coating 23.

The insulating coating 23 plays the same role as the insulating plate 13 in the first embodiment, and prevents the electrons from directly colliding with the dielectric electrode 22 by blocking the accelerated electrons so as to face each other. The energy when the electrons move toward the electrode is reduced. In addition, the insulating coating 23 is the dielectric electrode 22.
This is for covering the entire surface of the electrode and stably increasing the insulation resistance value between the electrode and the discharge electrode needle.

Since a high electric field exists between the discharge electrode needle 21 and the dielectric electrode 22, the insulating coating 23 should be made of a highly insulating material such as ceramic, glass or fluororesin.

When the positional relationship between the discharge electrode needle 21 and the dielectric electrode 22 is as shown in FIG. 2, the electrons emitted from the tip of the discharge electrode needle 21 (A in FIG. 2) are less likely to be accelerated,
In combination with the function of the insulating coating 23, the generation of ozone is further suppressed.

In Table 1, the amount of generated negative ions and ozone was actually measured using a negative ion generator having a covered dielectric electrode 22 arranged on the rear side surface of the discharge electrode needle 21 as shown in FIG. The results are shown.

[Table 1]

It can be seen that the amount of negative ions generated increases as the time elapsed after the device is operated increases. Moreover, it was confirmed that no positive ions harmful to the human body were generated at all, and ozone which was also harmful to the human body was hardly generated. It should be noted that ozone is present in an amount of about 0.01 [ppm] even in a normal environment in the air, and the amount of ozone generated by the negative ion generator of this embodiment was at a level of almost zero (generally, ozone concentration Is less than 0.05 [ppm], it is judged that the ozone generation amount is substantially zero).

(Third Embodiment) FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a negative ion generator according to the third embodiment of the present invention. This device comprises a discharge electrode needle 31 covered with an insulating coating 34 and a cylindrical dielectric electrode 32. The discharge electrode needle 31 is connected to the negative pole of the DC power source, and the dielectric electrode 32 is connected to the positive pole of the DC power source. Then, electrons are emitted from the tip portion (A portion in FIG. 3) of the discharge electrode needle 31. The feature of this embodiment is that the dielectric electrode 3
2 is arranged behind the tip of the discharge electrode needle 31 (portion A in FIG. 3) (the direction of the arrow in FIG. 3 is referred to as the front for convenience) at the side surface position of the discharge electrode needle, and the discharge is performed. The point is that the surface of the electrode needle 31 is covered with the insulating coating 34.

The insulating coating 33 covers the entire surface of the discharge electrode needle 31 and is intended to stably increase the insulation resistance value between the discharge electrode needle 31 and the dielectric electrode. Discharge electrode needle 3
Since a high electric field exists between 1 and the dielectric electrode 32, the insulating coating 34 needs to use a highly insulating member such as ceramic, glass, or fluororesin.

When the positional relationship between the discharge electrode needle 31 and the dielectric electrode 32 is as shown in FIG. 3, the electrons emitted from the tip of the discharge electrode needle 31 (portion A in FIG. 3) are less likely to be accelerated,
Together with the function of the insulating coating 33, the generation of ozone is further suppressed.

The dielectric electrode 32 may be further provided with an insulating coating, as shown in the third embodiment.

(Fourth Embodiment) FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a negative ion generator according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. In this device, in addition to the discharge electrode needle 41 and the cylindrical dielectric electrode 42, an insulating plate 45 is provided on the side of the discharge electrode needle. The discharge electrode needle 41 is connected to the negative pole of the DC power source, and the dielectric electrode 42 is connected to the positive pole of the DC power source. Then, electrons are emitted from the tip portion (A portion in FIG. 4) of the discharge electrode needle 41. The feature of this embodiment is that the dielectric electrode 42 is behind the tip of the discharge electrode needle 41 (A in FIG. 4) (the direction of the arrow in FIG. 4 is referred to as the front for convenience), and the side surface of the discharge electrode needle. It is located at a position and an insulating plate 45 is provided in the vicinity of the side of the discharge electrode needle 41. In addition, the vicinity means the insulating plate 45.
Means that it may be in contact with the discharge electrode needle 41 or may be arranged with a little space.

Also in this way, it is possible to prevent the electrons emitted from the discharge electrode needle 41 from directly colliding with the dielectric electrode 42 and prevent the generation of ozone.

When the positional relationship between the discharge electrode needle 41 and the dielectric electrode 42 is as shown in FIG. 4, the electrons emitted from the tip portion (A portion in FIG. 4) of the discharge electrode needle 41 are less likely to be accelerated,
Together with the function of the insulating plate 45, the generation of ozone is further suppressed.

An insulating plate as shown in the first embodiment may be further provided between the dielectric electrode 42 and the discharge electrode needle 41.

[0031]

According to the present invention, the electrons jumping out from the discharge electrode needle are blocked by the insulating material, the insulation resistance value between the discharge electrode needle and the dielectric electrode is stably increased, and the electrons traveling toward the counter electrode are Energy when moving becomes small. Thereby, generation of ozone can be largely prevented.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an environmental sterilizer according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration of an environmental sterilizer according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an environmental sterilizer according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an environmental sterilizer according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration of an ionizer for a conventional air purifier.

[Explanation of symbols]

11 Discharge electrode needle 12 Dielectric electrode 13 Insulation plate 21 Discharge electrode needle 22 Dielectric electrode 23 Insulating film 31 Discharge electrode needle 32 Dielectric electrode 34 Insulating film 41 Discharge electrode needle 42 Dielectric electrode 45 insulating plate 51 Discharge electrode needle 52 Dielectric electrode

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI theme code (reference) B03C 3/41 B03C 3/41 B 3/60 3/60 H01T 19/04 H01T 19/04 23/00 23 / 00

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A discharge electrode needle (11) to which a negative DC voltage is applied and a dielectric electrode (1) to which a positive DC voltage is applied.
2) and an insulating plate (13), and the insulating plate (13)
Is disposed between the discharge electrode needle (11) and the dielectric electrode (12) and in the vicinity of the dielectric electrode (12). 2. A discharge electrode needle (21) to which a negative DC voltage is applied and a dielectric electrode (2) to which a positive DC voltage is applied.
2) and an insulating coating (23), the dielectric electrode (2
A negative ion generator characterized in that the surface of 2) is covered with the insulating coating (23). 3. A discharge electrode needle (31) to which a negative DC voltage is applied and a dielectric electrode (3) to which a positive DC voltage is applied.
2) and an insulating coating (34), wherein the surface of the discharge electrode needle (31) is covered with the insulating coating (34). 4. A discharge electrode needle (41) to which a negative DC voltage is applied and a dielectric electrode (4) to which a positive DC voltage is applied.
2) and an insulating plate (45), the insulating plate (45)
Is disposed between the discharge electrode needle (41) and the dielectric electrode (42) and near the side of the discharge electrode needle (41). 5. The dielectric electrodes (12, 22, 32, 4)
2) is arranged at a side surface position rearward of the tip of the discharge electrode needle (11, 21, 31, 41), according to any one of claims 1 to 4. Negative ion generator.