JP2012033129A - Minus ion generator having usb hub - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent a problem of standby current and defective operation of an overload when a minus ion generator is fixedly connected with a USB hub, as well as to increase its weight for stability.SOLUTION: This minus ion generator is increased in weight by integrating a USB hub 3 and a minus ion generator 4, and can cut the standby current during non-use by distributing an input power supply from a personal computer body into circuits each having an independent ON/OFF switch and operating the ON/OFF switch. It can be connected with an AC adaptor 19 as needed.

Description

  This patent relates to a negative ion generator operated by a USB connection from a personal computer.

  The positive ion concentration tends to increase under the usage environment of personal computers. As the positive ion concentration increases, stress and physical fatigue are likely to accumulate, and a negative ion generator is introduced as a countermeasure. At first it was operated with a commercial power supply, but in recent years it is easy to see what can be powered from a personal computer via USB connection.

  These USB connections take 5V, 500 mA of power from a USB port of a personal computer under a system environment such as USB 2.0. Thus, although the negative ion generator connected via USB looks like a USB device using a USB interface, in reality, two 5V power supply lines (VBUS) out of four signal lines supplied from a host device, that is, a personal computer. Most use only. There are several types of USB connection methods.

  For example, the negative ion generator body has a small stick shape, and one end is a USB connector so that it can be plugged directly into the USB port of the personal computer. Some emit ions into the air. In other words, it is similar to a USB flash memory and can be said to be directly integrated.

  Also, there is a type in which the negative ion generator body is placed on the desk and obtains power through the USB cable from the USB port of the personal computer. This is a system in which the negative ion generator is activated and stopped as the personal computer is turned on and off.

  As described in the conventional technology, the advantage of requiring a USB-connected negative ion generator power supply to the USB port of a personal computer is that it does not need to be connected to a commercial power outlet that is often used by peripheral devices, and the personal computer is turned on and off The switch was not necessary for the negative ion generator because of the operation. However, the personal computer itself normally has about 2 to 4 USB ports, and these are often occupied by devices that are fixedly connected with priority, such as a keyboard, mouse, printer, external HDD, and WEB camera. Today, however, the number of USB compatible devices has greatly increased, and various USB hubs have been used to connect them simultaneously. The USB port between a USB device that is not always connected, such as a digital camera or USB flash memory, and a device that is always fixedly connected, such as a USB-connected negative ion generator, even under such circumstances where a USB hub is used Usage becomes a problem. In addition, since the USB hub is basically a so-called saddle wiring, operation failure or the like occurs when a plurality of USB devices that consume a large amount of current are connected. Specifically, USB hubs may not work properly when connected to USB hubs in an overload condition where the power consumption exceeds 2.5 W, or due to a voltage drop caused by that, for example, in an environment where the voltage is lower than 4.4V. Come. Moreover, the fact that the USB hub itself is a device and standby current always flows is also a problem from the viewpoint of energy saving. And most USB hubs are too small and light and move around, and tend to clutter the desktop when multiple devices are connected.

  In order to solve such a problem, according to the present invention, if the USB hub is built in the housing of the negative ion generator, stability due to a certain size and weight can be obtained, and the connector can be easily inserted and removed. . In terms of circuitry, if the USB hub module and the negative ion generator module have independent ON / OFF switches, for example, the standby current of the USB hub can be cut, and overload can be indicated. If an LED indicator is provided, malfunction of the USB device can be prevented and it is easy to use. In addition, if there is an auxiliary power supply route such as an AC adapter, the number of USB ports can be increased, and a USB device connection with high power consumption can also be supported.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of a negative ion generator having a USB hub according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a front view of an embodiment of claim 1. In the basic layout in which the USB hub 3 is built in the lower part of the housing 2 of the negative ion generator 1, the negative ion generator 4 is accommodated in the upper part of the housing 2, and the negative ion emission hole 6 is opened. The size of the hole is set to a safe dimension so as not to touch the ionization needle 5 even if a finger touches it. A plurality of USB ports 12 are exposed at the bottom of the housing 2 so that the connectors can be inserted and removed from the front, but some of them may be on the back or side. Although the USB cable 15 is connected to the personal computer, the installation location of the USB cable 15 may be on the side of the housing 2 or behind. On the front surface of the housing 2, a USB hub ON / OFF switch 11, a negative ion generator ON / OFF switch 8, and an LED indicator 9 are disposed between the USB port 15 and the negative ion emission hole 6. The USB hub ON / OFF switch 11 and the negative ion generator ON / OFF switch 8 are of a light emission type for energization confirmation. The housing 2 itself may be ABS resin injection molding, and the bottom may be provided with anti-slip measures, such as rubber feet.

  FIG. 2 is a plan view of the first and second embodiments. In this figure, the AC adapter connection terminal portion 10 on the back of the housing that could not be seen in FIG. The housing 2 itself has a semicircular back surface, but may have any shape as long as a stable feeling can be obtained. Although the front panel of the housing 2 appears to be removed in this figure, other shapes may be used.

  FIG. 3 is a front view of the second embodiment. The housing 2 of the negative ion generator 4 also has a structure in which the USB hub 3 is built in the lower part, and has an ionization dust collecting plate 7 having a circular hole in the center so as to be positioned opposite to the ionization needle 5 and air. This type also has a cleaning function. This type is characterized in that negative ions 16 are ejected as an ionic wind. Then, positively ionized dust and gas components in the air such as cigarette smoke adhere to the ionized dust collecting plate 7 due to the electrostatic dust collecting action. Although the number of the negative ion generators 4 is two in the drawing, it may be one. The negative ion discharge hole 6 is provided with a guard so that the finger is not directly in contact with the ionized dust collecting plate 7, but may be the same as the concept of FIG.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation mode of two systems of negative ion generators having a USB hub. When the power of the personal computer is turned on, a current flows to the 5V power line 21 through the USB port of the personal computer. However, since each of these two systems has a single ON / OFF switch, it can be selectively energized. Only the 5V power line is connected to the negative ion generation module 13. However, the 5V power supply line 21 and the signal line 20 are connected to the USB hub module 14. In this circuit, even if the personal computer is turned on, it does not work if each switch is turned off, and the negative ion generating module 13 that is to be fixed and operated is always turned on, and the USB hub module can be used at any time. The standby current can be saved if the switch 14 is always OFF.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the embodiment of claim 1 and the embodiment of claim 3 in a circuit form. Although the AC adapter 19 cannot be attached in the first embodiment, the AC adapter 19 is connected in FIG. The AC adapter 19 will be described as an auxiliary power source that can be connected. When the AC adapter 19 is not provided, the 5V power supply line 21 divided into two systems is always checked for voltage detection. In other words, the power received by a USB connection from a personal computer in a USB 2.0 environment is limited to 5 V and 500 mA. Therefore, if this overload is applied to the entire circuit, malfunctions may occur in the downstream devices of the two systems. Because there is. When an overload is applied and the voltage drops to about 2.5 W or 4.4 V, the LED indicator 9 is turned off to give attention. There may be a buzzer at the same time. In such a case, the device connected to the downstream USB port 12 is moved to another USB connection system, or when such an overload always occurs, the AC adapter 19 may be used as an auxiliary. Further, a noise filter is provided in the path of the negative ion generation module 13 to prevent line noise to the personal computer body.

  FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the embodiment of claim 2 and the embodiment of claim 3 in a circuit form. Although the AC adapter 19 is not connected in the embodiment of claim 1, the AC adapter 19 is also connected in FIG. Basically, it is not greatly different from the one described in the description of FIG. 5, but the embodiment of claim 2 is an ionization dust collecting plate 7 having a circular hole in the center so as to be positioned opposite to the ionization needle 5. This type has both an air cleaning function and two electrodes having a ground electrode. Since the ionized dust collecting plate 7 needs to be cleaned, a structure that can be easily attached and detached is preferable.

The invention's effect

  As described above, the negative ion generator having a USB hub has an effect of obtaining a certain level of volume and weight by being combined and obtaining a stable and good feeling of use. In addition, since each power supply route to each device has an independent ON / OFF switch, it can be selectively energized according to each usage situation, and has an energy saving effect of cutting standby current. The connection of the AC adapter realizes a stable USB hub function with sufficient power.

  Since this patent is configured as described above, it is useful for improving the use environment of a personal computer, and has high utility value as a personal computer peripheral device.

  It is a front view of the negative ion generator which has a USB hub of Claim 1.   It is a top view of the negative ion generator which has a USB hub of Claim 1 and 2.   It is a front view of the negative ion generator which has a USB hub of Claim 2.   It is a flowchart figure of the operation | movement aspect of the negative ion generator which has a USB hub of Claim 1 and 2.   It is a block diagram of the negative ion generator which has a USB hub which shows the Example of Claim 1 and 3 in circuit.   It is a negative ion generator block diagram which has a USB hub which shows the Example of Claim 2 and 3 in circuit.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Negative ion generator 2 which has USB hub 3 Housing 3 USB hub 4 Negative ion generator 5 Ionization needle 6 Negative ion discharge hole 7 Ionization dust collecting plate 8 Negative ion generator ON / OFF switch 9 LED indicator 10 AC adapter connection terminal part 11 USB hub ON / OFF switch 12 USB port 13 Negative ion generator module 14 USB hub module 15 USB cable 16 Negative ion 17 Positive ion 18 Ozone 19 AC adapter 20 Signal line 21 5V power supply line 22 High pressure generator

Claims (3)

  In a composite device that incorporates a USB hub in the negative ion generator housing, the 5V power supply (VBUS) from the PC body is distributed in parallel to each device, but one of them goes to the negative ion generation module via the ON / OFF switch. The other is designed to be directed to the USB hub module via a separate ON / OFF switch, so it can be operated simultaneously or independently, and the LED when the power consumption of the USB device connected to the USB port is above the rating. An anion generator with a USB hub that indicates overload by flashing an indicator.   2. A negative ion generator having a USB hub according to claim 1, wherein the negative ion generator has an ionization dust collecting plate positioned opposite to the ionization needle and also has an air cleaning function.   3. A negative ion generator having a USB hub according to claim 1 and 2, wherein an AC adapter connection terminal part is provided in a part of the housing so as to be compatible with a USB device with high power consumption or to be able to add a port.

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