JP2012066219A - Electrostatic atomizing device - Google Patents

Abstract

An electrostatic atomizer capable of stably generating charged fine particle water even in a low humidity environment is provided.
An atomization block, a high voltage application unit, and a control unit generate condensed water on the surface of the discharge electrode by cooling the discharge electrode, and the condensed water held by the discharge electrode is generated. The charged fine particle water M is generated by being atomized by the discharge part 13a of the discharge electrode 13. The atomization block 2, the high voltage application unit 3, and the control unit 4 are covered with a cover 1 having an intake port 1d for taking in external air and an discharge port 1c for discharging charged fine particle water M. The electrostatic atomizer includes the water vapor separation membrane 6 that separates the water vapor contained in the air taken in from the intake port 1d, and supplies the water vapor separated by the water vapor separation membrane 6 toward the discharge unit 13a. .
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an electrostatic atomizer that generates charged fine particle water by an electrostatic atomization phenomenon.

  Conventionally, for example, as described in Patent Document 1, by cooling the discharge electrode, condensed water is generated on the surface of the discharge electrode, and the condensed water held in the discharge electrode is atomized at the discharge portion of the discharge electrode. There is an electrostatic atomizer that generates weakly acidic and charged charged water particles. Since this charged fine particle water contributes to moisture retention of skin and hair, deodorization of space and objects, and the like, various effects can be obtained by mounting the electrostatic atomizer on various products.

JP 2007-117970 A

  However, in a low humidity environment, it becomes difficult to generate condensed water on the surface of the discharge electrode due to cooling of the discharge electrode, so it takes time to generate charged fine particle water or generate charged fine particle water. There was a problem that could not be.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide an electrostatic atomizer that can stably generate charged fine particle water even in a low humidity environment.

  In order to solve the above problems, the electrostatic atomizer of the present invention generates condensed water on the surface of the discharge electrode by cooling the discharge electrode, and the condensed water held in the discharge electrode is supplied to the discharge electrode. An electrostatic atomizing unit that atomizes the discharge unit to generate charged fine particle water, an intake port that takes in external air, and a discharge port that discharges the charged fine particle water and covers the electrostatic atomizing unit A water vapor separation device that separates water vapor contained in the air taken in from the air intake port or air taken in from the air intake port. The separated water vapor is supplied to the discharge part.

  In this electrostatic atomizer, it is preferable that the electrostatic atomizer is provided with an electrical connection part that is energized when the electrostatic atomization part is driven, and the air dehumidified by the water vapor separation membrane is supplied toward the electrical connection part.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the electrostatic atomizer which can generate | occur | produce charged fine particle water stably also in a low humidity environment can be provided.

The schematic block diagram of an electrostatic atomizer. The schematic block diagram of an atomization block. (A) is the schematic block diagram of the electrostatic atomizer of another form, (b) is the schematic which looked at the electrostatic atomizer of another form from the side.

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
As shown in FIG. 1, the electrostatic atomizer includes a cover 1, an atomization block 2 housed in the cover 1, a high voltage application unit 3, a control unit 4, a blower fan 5, and a water vapor separation membrane 6. And. The atomization block 2, the high voltage application unit 3, and the control unit 4 constitute an electrostatic atomization unit that generates charged fine particle water M.

  The cover 1 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped box shape. A plate-like first partition wall 1 a and a second partition wall 1 b that partition the internal space of the cover 1 are formed in the cover 1 so as to be separated from each other. The first partition wall 1a and the second partition wall 1b define an internal space of the cover 1 to form a pressurizing chamber R1, a heat radiating chamber R2, and a storage chamber R3. And the said high voltage application part 3 and the control part 4 are arrange | positioned in storage chamber R3. The high voltage application unit 3 is electrically connected to the control unit 4 and its drive is controlled by the control unit 4. In addition, the control unit 4 is supplied with power from a power source 7 provided outside the cover 1.

  The outer periphery of the atomizing block 2 is covered with the cover 1 by being assembled to the cover 1 so as to straddle the pressurizing chamber R1 and the heat radiation chamber R2. As shown in FIG. 2, the support frame 11 constituting the atomization block 2 is formed using an insulating resin material such as PBT resin, polycarbonate resin, PPS resin, and the like, and is formed by a substantially cylindrical tube portion 11a. The subject is configured. An annular fixed flange portion 11b that protrudes to the outer peripheral side is integrally formed at the base end portion (lower end portion in FIG. 2) of the cylindrical portion 11a. In addition, a partition wall 11c that divides the internal space of the support frame 11 into an atomization space S1 and a sealed space S2 is integrally formed on the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder portion 11a, and a central portion in the radial direction of the partition wall 11c. A communication hole 11d for communicating the atomization space S1 and the sealed space S2 is formed. Furthermore, an air inflow hole 11e that connects the atomization space S1 and the outer space of the cylinder part 11a is formed in a part of the cylinder part 11a that surrounds the outer periphery of the atomization space S1. The air inflow hole 11e is formed in a portion of the cylindrical portion 11a facing the upstream side of a later-described discharge passage 31 (see FIG. 1), and opens to the upstream side of the discharge passage 31. Further, a ring-shaped counter electrode 12 is integrally provided on the distal end surface (upper end surface in FIG. 2) of the cylindrical portion 11a by insert molding or the like. The opening at the center of the counter electrode 12 is a mist discharge port 12a. The counter electrode 12 is electrically connected to the high voltage application unit 3 via a lead wire L1.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the support frame 11 has a cylindrical portion 11a disposed in the pressurizing chamber R1, and a fixed flange portion 11b together with the first partition wall 1a in the pressurizing chamber R1 and the heat radiating chamber R2. Are arranged inside the cover 1 so as to partition the. Further, the cover 1 is formed with a discharge port 1c that communicates the atomization space S1 and the outside of the cover 1 at a portion facing the front end surface of the support frame 11 (that is, a portion facing the counter electrode 12). .

  As shown in FIG. 2, a conductive metal discharge electrode 13 is disposed inside the cylindrical portion 11 a. The discharge electrode 13 has a substantially columnar shape extending along the axial direction of the cylindrical portion 11a, and the tip side portion of the discharge electrode 13 has a conical shape whose diameter is reduced toward the tip. In addition, the discharge electrode 13 has a spherical discharge portion 13a at the distal end portion, and an annular flange portion 13b that extends radially outward at the proximal end portion.

  And the discharge electrode 13 is arrange | positioned inside the cylinder part 11a in the state which penetrated the communication hole 11d of the said partition 11c so that the discharge part 13a of the front-end | tip part may be arrange | positioned in the atomization space S1. Further, the flange portion 13b of the discharge electrode 13 is disposed in the sealed space S2 and is in contact with the outer peripheral portion of the communication hole 11d in the partition wall 11c. A space is provided between the discharge electrode 13 arranged in this way and the counter electrode 12 provided on the tip surface of the cylindrical portion 11a. The discharge electrode 13 is connected to a high voltage application plate 14 for applying a high voltage. The high voltage applying plate 14 extends to the outside of the cylindrical portion 11a and is connected to the high voltage applying portion 3 through a lead wire L2.

  A cooling insulating plate 15 is accommodated in the sealed space S <b> 2 so as to come into contact with the base end surface of the discharge electrode 13. The cooling insulating plate 15 is formed of alumina, aluminum nitride or the like having high thermal conductivity and high electric resistance.

  Further, a Peltier module 16 is disposed in the sealed space S2 such that a cooling insulating plate 15 is interposed between the discharge electrode 13 and the sealed space S2. The Peltier module 16 is configured by arranging a plurality of BiTe-based thermoelectric elements 19 between a pair of circuit boards 17 and 18 that are arranged to face each other in the thickness direction. The circuit boards 17 and 18 are printed boards in which a circuit is formed on an insulating plate having high thermal conductivity (for example, alumina, aluminum nitride, etc.), and the circuits are respectively disposed on the surfaces of the pair of circuit boards 17 and 18 facing each other. Is formed. In addition, a plurality of thermoelectric elements 19 are electrically connected by this circuit. Further, the thermoelectric element 19 is connected to the control unit 4 (see FIG. 1) via a Peltier input lead L3. The control unit 4 controls energization to the thermoelectric element 19 via the Peltier input lead L3. When such a Peltier module 16 is energized to the plurality of thermoelectric elements 19 via the Peltier input lead L3, the circuit board 17 is brought into contact with the cooling insulating plate 15 and the other circuit board. Heat is moved toward 18.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the fixing flange portion 11b of the support frame 11 is fixed to a heat radiating member 21 disposed in the heat radiating chamber R2. Therefore, the proximal end opening of the cylinder portion 11 a is closed by the heat radiating member 21. The heat radiating member 21 is formed of alumina, aluminum nitride, or the like having high thermal conductivity, and the circuit board 18 that is not in contact with the cooling insulating plate 15 among the pair of circuit boards 17 and 18 (FIG. 1). At the lower circuit board 18). The heat radiating member 21 efficiently releases heat transferred from the circuit board 17 on the discharge electrode 13 side to the circuit board 18 on the heat radiating member 21 side to the outside air by energizing the thermoelectric element 19 (see FIG. 2). belongs to.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the space between the communication hole 11 d of the partition wall 11 c and the discharge electrode 13 is sealed by a sealing member 22, and the sealed space S <b> 2 is formed by the sealing member 22 and the heat dissipation member 21. It is kept sealed.

  In the atomization block 2 configured as described above, when heat is transferred from the circuit board 17 on the discharge electrode 13 side to the circuit board 18 on the heat radiating member 21 side by energization of the thermoelectric element 19, Thus, the discharge electrode 13 is cooled via the cooling insulating plate 15. Then, the air around the discharge electrode 13 is cooled, moisture in the air is condensed, and condensed water is generated on the surface of the discharge electrode 13. A high voltage is applied between the discharge electrode 13 and the counter electrode 12 so that the discharge electrode 13 becomes a negative electrode and the electric charge is concentrated in a state where the condensed water is held on the surface of the discharge portion 13a of the discharge electrode 13 in particular. A high voltage is applied by the application unit 3. Then, the dew condensation water held in the discharge part 13a is pulled up to the counter electrode 12 side by electrostatic force to form a shape called a Taylor cone. The condensed water held in the discharge unit 13a receives a large amount of energy and repeatedly undergoes Rayleigh splitting to generate a large amount of charged fine particle water M. The generated charged fine particle water M is supplied to the mist discharge port of the counter electrode 12. It is discharged out of the atomization space S1 through 12a.

  As shown in FIG. 1, an air inlet 1 d and an air outlet 1 e facing each other are formed on the wall surface of the cover 1 corresponding to the heat radiation chamber R <b> 2. Furthermore, an inflow hole 1f that connects the heat radiation chamber R2 and the pressurization chamber R1 is formed in a portion of the first partition wall 1a that is near the intake port 1d. Moreover, the ventilation port 1g which connects the thermal radiation chamber R2 and pressurization chamber R1 is formed in the site | part used as the vicinity of the exhaust port 1e in the 1st partition wall 1a.

  Further, a blower fan 5 including a motor fan is provided inside the cover 1 so as to be adjacent to the intake port 1d. The blower fan 5 is electrically connected to the control unit 4 and controlled by the control unit 4. Further, inside the cover 1, air taken into the cover 1 from the air inlet 1 d by the blower fan 5 is discharged to the pressurizing chamber R 1, and a cooling passage 32 passes through the heat radiating chamber R 2. A diverting part 1h is formed to divide into two. The discharge flow path 31 enters the heat radiation chamber R2 from the intake port 1d, then enters the pressurizing chamber R1 from the inflow hole 1f, and further enters the atomization space S1 from the air inflow hole 11e to enter the mist discharge port 12a and This is a flow path that passes through the discharge port 1 c and reaches the outside of the cover 1. On the other hand, the cooling flow path 32 is a flow path that enters the heat radiation chamber R2 from the intake port 1d and then passes through the heat radiation chamber R2 to reach the outside of the cover 1 from the exhaust port 1e.

  The second partition wall 1b is formed with an introduction hole 1m communicating with the heat radiation chamber R2 and the storage chamber R3 at a position near the blower fan 5 and downstream of the blower fan 5. ing. Furthermore, the second partition wall 1b is formed with a discharge hole 1n that allows the heat radiation chamber R2 and the storage chamber R3 to communicate with each other at a position near the exhaust port 1e.

  A water vapor separation membrane 6 is disposed in the discharge flow path 31. The water vapor separation membrane 6 is a well-known membrane that has the property of allowing water vapor to permeate more easily than oxygen / nitrogen, although it can also transmit oxygen and nitrogen in the air. Therefore, the water vapor separation membrane 6 separates the water vapor contained in the air passing through the water vapor separation membrane 6 to the downstream side of the water vapor separation membrane 6. The water vapor separation membrane 6 is disposed at a position upstream of the discharge part 13a and downstream of the flow dividing part 1h in the discharge flow path 31 so as to be orthogonal to the traveling direction of the air flowing through the discharge flow path 31. ing. Further, in the discharge flow path 31, only the air on the upstream side of the water vapor separation membrane 6 is supplied toward the connecting portion 41 between the counter electrode 12 and the lead wire L <b> 1. Furthermore, in the discharge flow path 31, the Peltier input lead wire L <b> 3 is connected to the control unit 4 after being drawn toward the upstream side of the water vapor separation membrane 6.

  In the electrostatic atomizer configured as described above, when the blower fan 5 is driven by the control unit 4, the air outside the cover 1 is taken into the cover 1 from the air inlet 1 d. And the air which flows through the discharge flow path 31 among the air taken in the inside of the cover 1 flows through the water vapor separation membrane 6 after flowing into the pressurizing chamber R1 from the inflow hole 1f. The air that has taken off the water vapor separation membrane 6 flows into the atomization space S1 from the air inflow hole 11e of the support frame 11, and is discharged along with the charged fine particle water M generated in the atomization space S1 by the atomization block 2. 1c is discharged to the outside of the cover 1. On the other hand, the air flowing through the cooling flow path 32 out of the air taken into the cover 1 from the air inlet 1d by driving the blower fan 5 passes through the heat radiating chamber R2 while cooling the heat radiating member 21, and passes through the air outlet 1e. The air is exhausted outside the cover 1.

  Here, since the water vapor separation membrane 6 separates the water vapor in the air to the downstream side of the water vapor separation membrane 6, the humidified air flows downstream of the water vapor separation membrane 6 in the discharge channel 31. Become. Therefore, the water vapor separated by the water vapor separation membrane 6 is disposed in the atomization space S1 that constitutes the discharge flow path 31 in the space where the discharge part 13a where the discharge for generating the charged fine particle water M is performed is arranged. In other words, humidified air is supplied. And if the discharge electrode 13 in which the discharge part 13a is arrange | positioned in the atomization space S1 into which the humidified air flowed in is cooled by the effect | action of the Peltier module 16, dew condensation water will be produced | generated easily on the surface of the discharge electrode 13. .

  Further, the air upstream of the water vapor separation membrane 6 in the discharge flow path 31 is relatively dehumidified and dried. In the discharge channel 31, the dehumidified air upstream of the water vapor separation membrane 6 is supplied toward the connection portion 41 between the counter electrode 12 and the lead wire L 1 and the Peltier input lead wire L 3. Further, a part of the dehumidified air on the upstream side of the water vapor separation membrane 6 flows into the pressurizing chamber R1 from the air blowing port 1g through the heat radiating chamber R2, as indicated by an arrow α, and the high voltage application plate. 14 and the lead wire L2 are supplied to the connecting portion 42. Furthermore, a part of the dehumidified air on the upstream side of the water vapor separation membrane 6 flows into the accommodation chamber R3 from the introduction hole 1m through the heat radiating chamber R2, as indicated by an arrow β. The air flowing into the storage chamber R3 passes through the storage chamber R3 while cooling the control unit 4 and the high voltage application unit 3, and is then discharged to the outside of the cover 1 through the discharge hole 1n and the exhaust port 1e. .

  The connecting portion 41 between the counter electrode 12 and the lead wire L1, the Peltier input lead wire L3, the connecting portion 42 between the high voltage applying plate 14 and the lead wire L2, the high voltage applying portion 3 and the control portion 4 are charged. This corresponds to the electrical connection portion that is energized when the particulate water M is generated.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the following operational effects can be achieved.
(1) Since the water vapor separated by the water vapor separation membrane 6 is supplied to the discharge part 13a, the periphery of the discharge part 13a is humidified. Therefore, even when the electrostatic atomizer is used in a low-humidity environment, when the discharge electrode 13 is cooled, condensed water is easily generated on the surface of the discharge electrode 13. As a result, the charged fine particle water M can be stably generated even in a low humidity environment.

  (2) Generally, the connecting portion 41 between the counter electrode 12 and the lead wire L1, the Peltier input lead wire L3, the connecting portion 42 between the high voltage applying plate 14 and the lead wire L2, the high voltage applying portion 3 and the control portion 4 Is susceptible to deterioration in a high humidity environment. In the electrostatic atomizer of this embodiment, the air dehumidified by the water vapor separation membrane 6 is connected to the connecting portion 41 between the counter electrode 12 and the lead wire L1, the Peltier input lead wire L3, the high voltage application plate 14 and the lead wire L2. To the connection part 42, the high voltage application part 3 and the control part 4. Accordingly, the humidity around the connection portion 41 between the counter electrode 12 and the lead wire L1, the Peltier input lead wire L3, the connection portion 42 between the high voltage application plate 14 and the lead wire L2, the high voltage application portion 3 and the control portion 4 is as follows. It is suppressed that it becomes high. As a result, the deterioration of the connecting portion 41 between the counter electrode 12 and the lead wire L1, the Peltier input lead wire L3, the connecting portion 42 between the high voltage applying plate 14 and the lead wire L2, the high voltage applying portion 3 and the control portion 4 is suppressed. can do.

  (3) Conventionally, in an electrostatic atomizer that cools a discharge electrode with a Peltier module having a plurality of thermoelectric elements, in order to generate condensed water on the surface of the discharge electrode even in an environment with some humidity Needed to supply high power to the Peltier module. And it was difficult to mount the electrostatic atomizer which requires high electric power in apparatuses, such as a portable apparatus by which the action | operation with low electric power is calculated | required. On the other hand, the electrostatic atomizer of this embodiment is easy to produce dew condensation water on the surface of the discharge electrode 13 when the discharge electrode 13 is cooled by humidifying the air around the discharge part 13a. Therefore, the amount of power supplied to the plurality of thermoelectric elements 19 can be reduced. Therefore, since the electrostatic atomizer of this embodiment can be operated with low power, it can be mounted on a portable device or the like.

(4) The water vapor separation membrane 6 is disposed upstream of the discharge part 13a. Therefore, the humidified air on the downstream side of the water vapor separation membrane 6 can be easily supplied to the discharge part 13a.
(5) A part of the dehumidified air on the upstream side of the water vapor separation membrane 6 flows into the storage chamber R3 from the introduction hole 1m and passes through the storage chamber R3. Therefore, it is possible to cool the high voltage application unit 3 and the control unit 4 while suppressing the humidity in the storage chamber R3 from increasing.

In addition, you may change embodiment of this invention as follows.
-As shown in Drawing 3 (a) and Drawing 3 (b), you may provide channel 51 which guides the dehumidified air of the upper stream side of water vapor separation membrane 6 in storage room R3. FIG. 3B is a view of the electrostatic atomizer shown in FIG. 3A viewed from the right side, and shows only the vicinity of the blower fan 5. The flow path 51 extends from the position on the upstream side of the water vapor separation membrane 6 in the pressurizing chamber R1 to the accommodation chamber R3 through the heat radiation chamber R2. Further, the flow path 51 has a cylindrical shape. The dehumidified air on the upstream side of the water vapor separation membrane 6 is supplied into the storage chamber R3 through the flow path 51 as indicated by an arrow γ. This makes it easier to guide the air dehumidified by the water vapor separation membrane 6 into the storage chamber R3, so that the high voltage application unit 3 and the control unit 4 can be cooled more efficiently, and the high voltage application unit 3 and the deterioration of the control unit 4 can be further suppressed.

  ・ Water vapor separation toward the connecting portion 41 between the counter electrode 12 and the lead wire L1, the Peltier input lead wire L3, the connecting portion 42 between the high voltage applying plate 14 and the lead wire L2, the high voltage applying portion 3 and the control portion 4. The air dehumidified by the membrane 6 does not necessarily have to be supplied.

  -The arrangement position of the water vapor | steam separation membrane 6 is not restricted to the arrangement position of the said embodiment. The water vapor separation membrane 6 may be disposed at a position where the humidified air on the downstream side of the water vapor separation membrane 6 can be supplied to the discharge unit 13 a with respect to the cover 1. For example, the water vapor separation membrane 6 may be disposed at a position on the upstream side of the blower fan 5 such as the intake port 1d. When the water vapor separation membrane 6 is provided at the intake port 1d, the water vapor separation membrane 6 separates the water vapor contained in the air taken in from the air intake port 1d to the downstream side of the water vapor separation membrane 6. Even if it does in this way, there exists an effect similar to (1) of the said embodiment.

-The shape of the cover 1 is not restricted to the shape of the said embodiment. The cover 1 may have a shape that covers at least a part of the atomization block 2.
In the above embodiment, the atomization block 2 is formed such that a high voltage is applied between the discharge electrode 13 and the counter electrode 12 disposed to face the discharge electrode 13. However, the atomization block 2 may be configured not to include the counter electrode 12 and to apply a high voltage to the discharge electrode 13. Further, the counter electrode 12 may be made to play the role of the component 1 of the atomization block 2 disposed around the discharge electrode 13 such as the charge removing plate and the support frame 11 or the cover 1.

The technical idea that can be grasped from the above embodiment and each of the above modifications will be described below.
(A) The electrostatic atomizer according to claim 1 or claim 2 further comprising a heat exchanging unit that has a plurality of thermoelectric elements and cools the discharge electrodes by energizing the thermoelectric elements. An electrostatic atomizer.

  (B) In the electrostatic atomizer according to any one of claims 1, 2, and (a), the water vapor separation membrane is disposed upstream of the discharge part. Electrostatic atomizing device characterized.

  (C) The electrostatic atomizer according to any one of (1), (2), (a) and (b), wherein a high voltage is applied to the discharge electrode inside the cover. And a flow path for guiding dehumidified air upstream of the water vapor separation membrane to the storage chamber. The storage chamber stores at least one of the high voltage application unit and the control unit that controls driving of the high voltage application unit. The electrostatic atomizer characterized by these.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Cover, 1c ... Discharge port, 1d ... Intake port, 2 ... Atomization block which comprises electrostatic atomization part, 3 ... High voltage application part as an electrical connection part which comprises electrostatic atomization part, 4 ... Control unit as an electrical connection unit constituting the electrostatic atomization unit, 6 ... water vapor separation membrane, 13 ... discharge electrode, 13a ... discharge unit, 41 ... connection unit as electrical connection unit, 42 ... connection as electrical connection unit Part, L3 ... Peltier input lead wire as an electrical connection part, M ... charged fine particle water.

Claims (2)

Electrostatic atomization in which condensed water is generated on the surface of the discharge electrode by cooling the discharge electrode, and the condensed water held in the discharge electrode is atomized at the discharge part of the discharge electrode to generate charged fine particle water. An electrostatic atomizer comprising: a portion, an intake port for taking in external air, and a cover that covers the electrostatic atomization unit and has a discharge port for discharging the charged fine particle water,
A water vapor separation membrane that separates water vapor contained in the air taken in from the air intake port or air taken in from the air intake port, and supplies the water vapor separated by the water vapor separation membrane toward the discharge unit An electrostatic atomizer. In the electrostatic atomizer of Claim 1,
Comprising an electrical connection portion that is energized when the electrostatic atomizer is driven;
An electrostatic atomizer characterized in that the air dehumidified by the water vapor separation membrane is supplied toward the electrical connection part.

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