JP2011150889A - Ion generating apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

An ion generator that can easily discharge moisture generated inside a case part due to condensation or dust accumulated in an electrode part in the case part to the outside with a simple structure and at low cost.
An ion generating apparatus includes electrode portions (101a, 101b) having a discharge electrode (2) and a counter electrode (induction electrode), and a case portion (102) for accommodating the electrode portion (101) therein. A part of the air F that flows around the ion generator 100 enters the case part 102 due to the water accumulated in the case part 102 due to condensation or the dust that is carried and retained inside the case part 102. Since it is discharged together when exhausted to the outside from the discharge holes 45, 45 formed in the case portion 102, even if the ion generator 100 is stopped due to condensation or dust, the ion generator 100 is It returns to the normal ion generation state at an early stage.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an ion generator applied to environmental equipment such as an air purifier and an air conditioner in order to include ions in clean air to be blown out.

  Conventionally, as an example of an ion generator, the absolute value of the peak value of the voltage obtained by rectifying the impulse voltage in the positive direction and the absolute value of the peak value of the voltage obtained by rectifying the impulse voltage in the negative direction And an impulse voltage generation circuit in which an ion generating element for generating positive ions and an ion generating element for generating negative ions are connected so that the ion generation efficiency is high, An ion generator has been proposed in which the pulse voltage generation circuit, the ion generator, and the electrical device can be reduced in size, and the positive / negative ion balance is good (Patent Document 1).

  In addition, the applicant of the present application has proposed a transformer driving circuit, an ion generating device including a transformer and an ion generating element, and an electric device, in particular, regarding the ion generating device and the electric device. An ion generator generally includes an ion generating element for generating ions, a high voltage transformer for supplying a high voltage to the ion generating element, a high voltage transformer driving circuit for driving the high voltage transformer, and a power source such as a connector. And an input unit.

  The types of ion generating elements are roughly divided into two types, one of which is a metal wire, a metal plate with an acute angle part, a needle-shaped metal, etc. as a discharge electrode, a ground potential metal plate, a grid, etc. Is used as the counter electrode, or the counter electrode is used as the ground and the counter electrode is not particularly disposed. In this type of ion generating element, air serves as an insulator. This ion generating element is a method in which when a high voltage is applied to the electrode, an electric field concentration occurs at the tip of the electrode with a sharp angle, and the air near the tip breaks down and causes a discharge phenomenon. The structure of this ion generating element is shown in FIGS.

  FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view schematically showing a configuration of an ion generator proposed by the applicant. FIG. 6 is a schematic plan view of the ion generator shown in FIG. 5 with the lid removed. 7 and 8 are schematic cross-sectional views taken along lines III-III and IV-IV in FIG.

  Referring to FIGS. 5 to 8, ion generator 50 of the present embodiment includes high-voltage circuit 5 (FIG. 7) and ion generating element 10 that generates at least one of positive ions and negative ions by, for example, corona discharge. A high-voltage transformer 20 that boosts the input voltage and applies the boosted voltage to the ion generating element 10, and a high-voltage transformer drive circuit 30 (FIG. 7) for receiving the input voltage from the outside and driving the high-voltage transformer 20. The power input connector 30b (FIG. 7) and the outer case 40 are provided. The element 30 a is an element constituting the high-voltage transformer drive circuit 30 and is attached to the back surface of the substrate 31.

  The exterior case 40 includes a main body 40a and a lid body 40b. The inside of the main body 40a includes an ion generating element block 40A for arranging the ion generating element 10, a high voltage transformer block 40B for arranging the high voltage transformer 20, and a high voltage transformer driving circuit for arranging the high voltage transformer driving circuit 30. It is partitioned in a plane with the block 40C. Each of the blocks 40A, 40B, and 40C is partitioned by walls 41, 42, and 43 disposed in the main body 40a, for example. The ion generating element 10 is accommodated in the ion generating element block 40A in a state where the constituent elements of the high voltage circuit 5 are attached. The high voltage transformer 20 is accommodated in the high voltage transformer block 40B without being mounted on the substrate. The high-voltage transformer drive circuit 30 and the power input connector 30b are accommodated in the high-voltage transformer drive circuit block 40C while being mounted on the substrate 31. A part of the power input connector 30b is exposed to the outside of the outer case 40, and has a structure in which a power source can be connected to the connector from the outside. Each functional element housed in the main body 40a is appropriately electrically connected and molded as will be described later, and finally a lid 40b is attached so as to close the upper opening of the main body 40a. . The lid 40b is provided with a hole 44 for ion emission.

  The ion generating element 10 includes an induction electrode 1, a discharge electrode 2, and a support substrate 3. The induction electrode 1 is made of an integral metal plate, and has a plurality of (two in the illustrated example) through-holes 1b that open in a circular shape in the top plate portion 1a corresponding to the number of discharge electrodes 2, for example. Yes. This through hole 1 b is an opening for discharging ions generated by corona discharge to the outside of the ion generating element 10. The peripheral portion of the through-hole 1b is a bent portion 1c obtained by bending a metal plate with respect to the top plate portion 1a by a method such as drawing (for example, the bending direction is the lower side in the figure, but the upper side may be bent upward) It is good). Due to the bent portion 1c, the thickness of the peripheral wall portion of the through hole 1b is greater than the thickness of the top plate portion 1a.

The induction electrode 1 has, for example, substrate insertion portions 1d formed by bending a part of a metal plate with respect to the top plate portion 1a at both ends. Substrate insertion portion 1d has a wide support portion 1d ₁ width, and a narrow insert 1d ₂ width. One end of the support portion 1d ₁ is connected to the top plate portion 1a, the other end is connected to the insertion portion 1d _2. The induction electrode 1 may have a substrate support portion 1e in which a part of a metal plate is bent with respect to the top plate portion 1a. The substrate support portion 1e is bent in the same direction (lower side) as the bending direction of the substrate insertion portion 1d. The bending direction of the length of the substrate support portion 1e is bent direction of the support portion 1d ₁ of substrate insertion portion 1d is the length substantially the same.

The discharge electrode 2 has a needle-like tip. Supporting substrate 3 has a through hole 3a for insertion of discharge electrode 2 and a through hole 3b for insertion of insertion portion 1d ₂ of substrate insertion portion 1d. The needle-like discharge electrode 2 is supported by the support substrate 3 in a state of being inserted or press-fitted into the through hole 3 a and penetrating the support substrate 3. Thus, one needle-like end of the discharge electrode 2 protrudes to the front surface side of the support substrate 3, and a lead wire or a wiring pattern is electrically connected to the other end protruding to the back surface side of the support substrate 3 by the solder 4. It is possible to connect to. The insertion portion 1d ₂ of the induction electrode 1 is supported by the support substrate 3 in a state of being inserted into the through hole 3b and penetrating the support substrate 3. A lead wire or a wiring pattern can be electrically connected by solder 4 to the tip of the insertion portion 1 d ₂ protruding to the back surface side of the support substrate 3.

In a state where the induction electrode 1 is supported by the support substrate 3, the stepped portion at the boundary between the support portion 1 d ₁ and the insertion portion 1 d ₂ comes into contact with the surface of the support substrate 3. As a result, the top plate portion 1 a of the induction electrode 1 is supported with a predetermined distance from the support substrate 3. The tip of the substrate support portion 1 e of the induction electrode 1 is in contact with the surface of the support substrate 3 in an auxiliary manner. That is, the induction electrode 1 is positioned in the thickness direction with respect to the support substrate 3 by the substrate insertion portion 1d and the substrate support portion 1e. With the induction electrode 1 supported by the support substrate 3, the discharge electrode 2 has a needle-like tip positioned at the center C of the circular through hole 1b and the thickness of the peripheral portion of the through hole 1b ( It is arranged so as to be located within the range of the bending length of the bent portion 1c. The constituent elements of the high-voltage circuit 5 are attached to the back surface (solder surface) of the support substrate 3.

  The high-voltage transformer 20 is composed of, for example, a winding transformer, and the winding transformer 20 winds a primary winding 21 and a secondary winding 22 having a number of turns of several thousand turns around a bobbin around the iron core. The primary winding 21 and the secondary winding 22 are arranged side by side. The terminals 23 and 23 of the primary winding 21 are arranged at the ends of the winding transformer 20 in the longitudinal direction (the direction in which the primary winding 21 and the secondary winding 22 are adjacent to each other). Both terminals 24, 24 of the secondary winding 22 are arranged on the side of the winding transformer 20. A part of the wall 41 is provided with notches 41a and 41a for allowing the terminals 23 and 23, which are connecting portions, to pass therethrough.

  By the way, such an ion generator is often applied to an air conditioner. In such a case, high-humidity air may flow around the ion generator, and moisture condenses inside the ion generator. That is, condensation may occur. Depending on the mounting posture of the ion generator, condensed water may accumulate inside the device and cause a short circuit between the electrodes. Such a short-circuit phenomenon hinders the generation of ions due to corona discharge. In addition, fine dust carried by the air flowing around the ion generator accumulates inside the case of the ion generator, which also inhibits the generation of ions due to corona discharge.

  9A and 9B are diagrams schematically showing the structure of the ion generating element 10, wherein FIG. 9A shows a plan view and FIG. 9B shows a longitudinal sectional view. When a rod-shaped or needle-shaped discharge electrode (discharge electrode needle) 2 and a plate-shaped induction electrode (counter electrode) 1 are arranged to face each other and a high voltage is applied between the discharge electrode 2 and the counter electrode 1, Only the strong region is locally broken down, and an ionization phenomenon occurs at the pointed tip of the discharge electrode 2 to generate ions. When a negative voltage is applied to the discharge electrode 2, negative ions are generated, and when a positive voltage is applied to the discharge electrode 2, positive ions are generated.

JP 2007-234461 A Japanese Patent No. 4145939

However, in conventional ion generators, no dew condensation measures or dust removal measures are taken. Therefore, if the electrode section is dewed or dust is accumulated, dew condensation is eliminated by blowing air, etc., or cleaning is performed at the maintenance time. As a result, it takes time until the discharge returns to normal (ion release).
Therefore, in an ion generating device including an electrode portion and a case portion that accommodates the electrode portion, there is a problem to be solved in that moisture generated inside the case portion due to condensation or dust accumulated therein is quickly discharged to the outside. is there.
An object of the present invention is to provide an ion generator that can easily discharge moisture generated inside a case part due to condensation or dust accumulated in an electrode part in the case part to the outside with a simple structure and at low cost. It is to be.

  An ion generator according to the present invention includes an electrode portion having a discharge electrode and an induction electrode, and a case portion that accommodates the electrode portion therein, and the case portion includes a discharge that allows the inside to communicate with the outside. It is characterized in that a hole is formed.

  According to the present ion generator, water generated by condensation and accumulated in the case part, or dust that is carried and retained in the case part is part of the air flowing around the ion generator. Since it is discharged together when it is exhausted to the outside through the exhaust hole formed in the case portion, the ion generator returns to the normal ion generation state at an early stage. The discharge hole preferably has an opening in a direction crossing the flow of the airflow, and is easily exhausted to the outside through the opening.

Further, in this ion generator, the electrode part is composed of a positive ion electrode part for generating positive ions and a negative ion electrode part for generating negative ions, and the discharge hole is formed with the positive ion electrode part and the negative ion part. It can form in the side wall near the windward side of the partition wall provided in the said case part in the aspect which partitions off an ion electrode part, and the side wall near the end wall of the leeward side of the said case part. Moreover, in this ion generator, the said electrode part shall consist of a positive ion electrode part which generate | occur | produces a positive ion, and a negative ion electrode part which generate | occur | produces a negative ion, The said positive ion electrode part and the said negative ion electrode part are comprised. A partition wall provided with a gap between the case portion and the side wall may be partitioned to form the discharge hole on the side wall near the leeward end wall of the case portion.
When the electrode part is composed of a positive ion electrode part that generates positive ions and a negative ion electrode part that generates negative ions, when the partition wall that partitions both electrode parts is a complete partition wall, from each electrode part When discharge holes are formed in the side wall in the vicinity of the partition wall and the side wall in the vicinity of the end wall so that discharge is possible, and the partition wall that partitions both electrode parts is a partition wall that leaves a gap between the case part Preferably, it is formed on the side wall near the end wall of the leeward electrode portion.

  Further, in this ion generating apparatus, the case portion includes a top wall in which an ion emission hole is formed, a bottom wall disposed opposite to the top wall, and two connecting the top wall and the bottom wall. The discharge hole is formed in a form having an edge portion whose level is matched to the wall surface of the partition wall or the inner wall surface of the end wall and the inner bottom surface of the bottom wall. can do. By matching the level with the respective wall surfaces of the edge of the discharge hole, the dew condensation water and accumulated dust can be easily discharged out of the discharge hole without hanging on the edge of the discharge hole.

  Moreover, in this ion generator, a nonwoven fabric can be attached to the wall portion where the discharge hole of the case portion is formed. In the case of condensed water, the non-woven fabric absorbs the water that has flowed into the discharge holes, and the absorbed water spreads to the non-woven fabric by capillary action and is exposed to the airflow that flows through the air path to accelerate vaporization and accelerate drying. be able to. The nonwoven fabric has a portion that extends beyond the height of the case portion and the surface on the side of the attachment is directly exposed to the air passage, so that further rapid vaporization of condensed water is promoted.

  According to the ion generator of the present invention, the water generated in the case that is caused by condensation and accumulated in the case part that accommodates the electrode part or the dust that is carried from the outside is formed in the case part by the airflow flowing in the case part. It is discharged outside through the discharge hole. In addition, when a non-woven fabric is attached to the periphery of the case portion, that is, the wall portion where the discharge hole is formed, the non-woven fabric has good water absorption, so the condensed water is absorbed by the non-woven fabric, It evaporates and is quickly discharged to the outside as a gas. Therefore, since the structure of the ion generator is simple, the manufacturing is low-cost, and even in use, when the amount of condensed water or dust staying inside the case portion increases, it is possible to wait for the maintenance time. Since it is naturally discharged to the outside through the discharge hole, the operation cost can be reduced.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of an ion generator according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing another example of the ion generator according to the present invention. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing still another example of the ion generator according to the present invention. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing still another example of the ion generator according to the present invention. FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view showing an example of a conventional ion generator. 6 is a cross-sectional plan view taken just below the lid of the ion generator shown in FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VII-VII of the ion generator shown in FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VIII-VIII of the ion generator shown in FIG. FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing an outline of the electrode portion of the ion generator.

  Embodiments of an ion generator according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of an ion generator according to the present invention. In each embodiment including the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 shown below, the same reference numerals used in FIG. 5 to FIG. 9 are used for the equivalent components and parts of the conventional one shown in FIG. 5 to FIG. Thus, the re-explanation is omitted.

  An ion generating apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 1 includes a case main body 40a and a lid 40b as a top wall in which holes 44 and 44 for ion emission are formed to constitute a case unit 102 that accommodates the electrode unit 101. ing. The main body 40a also includes a bottom wall 40c facing the lid 40b, two side walls 40d and 40d facing each other and connecting the bottom wall 40c and the lid 40b, and two end walls 40e and 40e provided at both ends. have. The electrode portion 101 includes a positive ion electrode portion that generates either positive or negative ions and negative ion electrode portions 101a and 101b, and is accommodated in a case portion 102 that is partitioned by a partition wall 40f. . The partition wall 40f can be fixed to the case portion 102 by adhesion.

  In the illustrated embodiment, discharge holes 45 and 45 are formed in the side wall 40d of the case portion 102 so as to correspond to the two electrode portions 101a and 101b, respectively. That is, in the ion generator 100, the discharge holes 45, 45 are provided on the side wall 40d in the vicinity of the windward side of the partition wall 40f provided in the case portion 102 in a manner of partitioning the positive ion electrode portion and the negative ion electrode portion. It is formed in the vicinity of the end wall 40e on the leeward side of the portion 102. The discharge holes 45 and 45 have a mode in which an opening is opened in a direction crossing the flow of the airflow by the action of the end wall 40e and the partition wall 40f. With such a structure, the flow that has flowed into the apparatus from the air passage through the openings of the discharge holes 45 and 45 is easily exhausted to the outside.

  The ion generator 100 is applied to an air passage such as an air conditioner. A flow of air flowing around the ion generator 100 is indicated by an arrow F, and a part of the air flow F flows into the case portion 102 through an appropriate passage such as a hole formed in the case portion 102, As shown in the figure, the flow F1, F2 flows across the electrode portions 101a, 101b in the case 102 and flows from the discharge holes 45, 45 to the outside of the case 102 due to a synergistic action with the formation positions of the discharge holes 45, 45. .

  Therefore, moisture generated by condensation in the electrode portions 101a and 101b and accumulated in the case portion 102 or dust carried and retained in the case 102 is generated through the discharge holes 45 and 45 together with the flows F1 and F2. It is discharged outside the apparatus 100. Therefore, in the electrode portions 101a and 101b, there is no phenomenon that obstructs corona discharge such as a short circuit between the electrodes due to moisture, and the ion generator 100 can return to a normal ion generation state at an early stage.

  In the ion generator 100, the discharge holes 45 and 45 are formed so that the edge of the hole matches the level of the wall surface of the partition wall 40f or the inner wall surface of the end wall 40e and the inner bottom surface of the bottom wall 40c. Therefore, the edge of the discharge holes 45, 45 has no step or damming between each of these wall surfaces, and condensed water or accumulated dust in the case part 102 is hung on the edges of the discharge holes 45, 45. Without staying, it is quickly discharged out of the discharge holes 45 without resistance.

  FIG. 2 shows another embodiment of the ion generator according to the present invention. In this ion generator 110, the same reference numerals are given to the same components as those in the embodiment shown in FIG. In this embodiment, the partition wall 40g that partitions the positive ion electrode portion and the negative ion electrode portions 101a and 101b is provided between the inner wall surface of the side wall 40d of the case portion 102, leaving gaps 40h and 40i. The partition wall 40g is fixed to the case portion 102 by adhesion. The discharge hole 46 is formed as one discharge hole in the end wall 40 e on the leeward side of the case portion 102. Since the gaps 40h and 40i remain between the partition wall 40g and the case portion 102, when a part of the airflow F flows into the case portion 2, the electrodes become flows F3 and F4 passing through the gaps 40h and 40i. It flows from the part 101a to the electrode part 101b and is discharged out of the ion generator 110 through a single discharge hole 46. The operation of discharging condensed water and accumulated dust is the same as that in the embodiment shown in FIG.

  FIG. 3 shows still another embodiment of the ion generator according to the present invention. In the ion generator 120 shown in FIG. 3, discharge holes 47 and 47 are formed in the side wall 40d of the case portion 102 so that the openings are enlarged corresponding to the respective electrode portions 101a and 101b. In this example, it is not necessary to provide a wall that partitions the electrode portions 101a and 101b. Condensed water and dust generated in the case portion 102 are discharged out of the ion generator 120 through the discharge holes 47 and 47 together with the air flows F5 and F6.

  FIG. 4 shows still another embodiment of the ion generator according to the present invention. The ion generator 140 shown in FIG. 4 is the same as the ion generator 130 shown in FIG. 3 so that the side wall portion 40b of the case portion 102 where the discharge holes 47, 47 are formed covers the discharge holes 47, 47 completely. The nonwoven fabric 48 is attached. In the case of condensed water, the non-woven fabric 48 absorbs water that has flowed into the discharge holes 47 and 47, and the absorbed water spreads to the non-woven fabric 48 by capillary action and is exposed to the airflow F that flows through the air passage to vaporize. Promotes drying. The nonwoven fabric 48 has a portion 48a that extends beyond the height of the case portion 102 and is directly exposed to the air flow F that flows through the air passage on the surface on the side of the attachment, thereby facilitating further rapid vaporization of the condensed water. Is done. Therefore, it is possible to further shorten the time from the stop of the apparatus due to condensation to the return (to enable ion emission). The dried nonwoven fabric 48 can be prepared for the next condensation. The non-woven fabric 48 is preferably a material that is breathable but has no charging property so that the generated ions cannot be absorbed.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100,110,120,130,140 Ion generator 101 Electrode part 101a, 101b Positive ion electrode part and negative ion electrode part 102 Case part 40a Case main body 40b Cover body 40c Bottom wall 40d, 40d Side wall 40e, 40e End wall 40f 40g Partition wall 40h, 40i Clearance 44 Ion release holes 45, 46, 47 Discharge holes 48 Nonwoven fabric 48a Nonwoven fabric portion F, F1, F2, F3, F4 Air flow

Claims (7)

  An electrode portion having a discharge electrode and an induction electrode, and a case portion for accommodating the electrode portion therein, and the case portion is formed with a discharge hole for allowing the inside to communicate with the outside. A featured ion generator.   The electrode portion is composed of a positive ion electrode portion that generates positive ions and a negative ion electrode portion that generates negative ions, and the discharge hole is configured to partition the positive ion electrode portion and the negative ion electrode portion. The ion generator according to claim 1, wherein the ion generator is formed on a side wall in the vicinity of the windward side of the partition wall provided in the case part and a side wall in the vicinity of the end wall on the leeward side of the case part.   The electrode portion includes a positive ion electrode portion that generates positive ions and a negative ion electrode portion that generates negative ions, and the positive ion electrode portion and the negative ion electrode portion are between the side walls of the case portion. The said discharge hole is formed in the side wall vicinity of the end wall of the electrode part of the leeward side of the said case part, and is divided by the partition wall provided leaving a clearance gap to the side of Claim 1 characterized by the above-mentioned. Ion generator.   The case portion includes a top wall in which an ion emission hole is formed, a bottom wall disposed to face the top wall, two side walls and two end walls connecting the top wall and the bottom wall, and The discharge hole is formed in a mode having an edge portion whose levels are matched to the inner wall surface of the partition wall or the inner wall surface of the end wall and the inner bottom surface of the bottom wall. The ion generator as described in any one of Claims 1-3.   The ion generating apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a non-woven fabric having water absorption is attached to a wall portion of the case portion where the discharge hole is formed.   6. The ion generator according to claim 5, wherein the nonwoven fabric is formed of a material that has air permeability but does not have charging property.   The ion generator according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the non-woven fabric has a portion that extends beyond the height of the case portion, and the surface on the attachment side is directly exposed to the air passage.

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