JP2016058151A - Ion generator - Google Patents

Abstract

An ion generator capable of stably generating ions is provided. In the ion generator 16, a voltage is applied between the needle-like discharge electrode 22a and the counter electrode facing the discharge electrode 22a to face the needle-like discharge electrode 22b and the discharge electrode 22b. Ions are generated by applying a voltage between the opposing electrodes. The two irradiation parts 25a and 25b irradiate the discharge electrodes 22a and 22b with infrared rays to warm the discharge electrodes 22a and 22b. [Selection] Figure 3

Description

  The present invention relates to an ion generator that generates ions by applying a voltage between a needle-like discharge electrode and a counter electrode facing the discharge electrode.

  Currently, an ion generator (see, for example, Patent Document 1) that generates ions is mounted on many electric devices such as an air conditioner, an air purifier, a refrigerator, and a vacuum cleaner. The ion generator described in Patent Document 1 includes a needle-like discharge electrode and a counter electrode facing the discharge electrode, and generates ions by applying a voltage between the discharge electrode and the counter electrode. It is configured.

The generated ions are released into an installation space or an internal space of the electric device, and cause a reaction by adhering to fungi such as airborne bacteria or mold bacteria or viruses existing in the space from which the ions are released. By the hydroxyl radical (.OH) and hydrogen peroxide (H ₂ O ₂ ) generated at that time, fungi such as floating bacteria or mold are sterilized, and the virus is inactivated.

JP2013-243001A

  When the ion generator described in Patent Document 1 is mounted on an air conditioner, the ion generator is usually disposed in the vicinity of a blowout port from which cold air or hot air is blown. In this case, since the temperature of the ion generator changes drastically, condensation may occur and water droplets may adhere to the discharge electrode. The intensity of the electric field generated between the discharge electrode and the counter electrode is not so great as to blow off water droplets attached to the discharge electrode. For this reason, when a water droplet adheres to a discharge electrode, there exists a problem that discharge from a discharge electrode to a counter electrode is inhibited and ion is not generated stably.

  This problem is alleviated by using a plate-like discharge electrode and attaching a resistor to the plate surface of the discharge electrode. In this configuration, it is possible to cause the resistor to generate heat by flowing a current through the resistor and to keep the discharge electrode warm, and to prevent the occurrence of condensation on the discharge electrode. However, this configuration cannot be applied to an ion generator using a needle-like discharge electrode.

  When a plate-like discharge electrode is used, the electric field does not concentrate on one point in the discharge electrode. For this reason, the amount of ions generated from the plate-like discharge electrode is larger than the amount of ions generated from the needle-like discharge electrode where the electric field is concentrated at the tip when the same voltage is applied between the discharge electrode and the counter electrode. The fungus sterilization and virus inactivation are not effective. Therefore, it is necessary to use an ion generator including a needle-like discharge electrode and a counter electrode facing the discharge electrode.

  Conventionally, there is an ion generator that includes a needle-like discharge electrode and an annular counter electrode that surrounds the axis of the discharge electrode. In this ion generator, the counter electrode may have a corner. When a corner is formed in the counter electrode, the electric field generated by the voltage application between the discharge electrode and the counter electrode is concentrated on the corner of the counter electrode, and the electric field is not uniformly formed over the entire counter electrode, so that ions are stably There is a problem that does not occur.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide an ion generator capable of stably generating ions.

  An ion generator according to the present invention is an ion generator that generates ions by applying a voltage between a needle-like discharge electrode and a counter electrode facing the discharge electrode, and the discharge electrode is irradiated with infrared rays. An irradiating unit is provided.

  In the ion generator according to the present invention, the irradiation unit is a resistor, and the infrared ray is irradiated from the resistor to the discharge electrode by passing a current through the resistor. Features.

  The ion generator which concerns on this invention is comprised so that the said irradiation part may irradiate a far infrared ray.

  An ion generator according to the present invention is an ion generator that generates ions by applying a voltage between a needle-like discharge electrode provided on a plate surface of a substrate and a counter electrode facing the discharge electrode. The counter electrode is constituted by a single conductive wire, the single conductive wire has a surrounding portion surrounding the axis of the discharge electrode, and one end of the single conductive wire is connected to the substrate. Features.

  An ion generator according to the present invention is provided on a plate surface of a substrate, and has N needle electrodes (N: an integer of 2 or more) and N counter electrodes facing each of the N discharge electrodes. In the ion generator that generates ions by applying a voltage between the electrode and the electrode, the N counter electrodes are configured by one conductor, and the one conductor is connected to each of the N discharge electrodes. There are N surrounding parts surrounding the shaft and N-1 connecting parts connecting two of the N surrounding parts, and both ends of the one conductor are connected to the substrate separately. It is characterized by being.

  According to the present invention, ions can be generated stably.

1 is an external perspective view of an air conditioner that functions as an ion generator according to Embodiment 1. FIG. It is sectional drawing of an air conditioner. It is a perspective view of an ion generator. It is a top view of an ion generator. It is sectional drawing by the AA line in FIG. It is sectional drawing by the BB line in FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the principal part structure of the control system of an air conditioner. It is a flowchart which shows the ion generation process which a control part performs. It is a flowchart which shows the ion generation process which a control part performs. It is a block diagram which shows the principal part structure of the control system of the air conditioner which functions as an ion generator which concerns on Embodiment 2. FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the ion generation process which a control part performs. It is a flowchart which shows the ion generation process which a control part performs. 6 is a cross-sectional view of an ion generator according to Embodiment 3. FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows schematically the relationship between a discharge electrode and a counter electrode. It is sectional drawing of the ion generator which concerns on Embodiment 4. FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows schematically the relationship between a discharge electrode and a counter electrode.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings illustrating embodiments thereof.
(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of an air conditioner that functions as an ion generator according to Embodiment 1, and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the air conditioner. The air conditioner 1 is installed in a room. The air conditioner 1 includes an outer box 10 having a hollow rectangular parallelepiped shape. A suction port 11 for sucking air from the outside is provided on one surface of the outer box 10, and a blowout port 12 is provided on the other surface of the outer box 10. ing. A lid 13 is provided at the outlet 12 so as to be freely opened and closed. The air outlet 12 is closed when the lid 13 is closed, and the air outlet 12 is opened when the lid 13 is opened.

  A blower 14 is accommodated in the outer box 10, and a heat exchanger 15 is disposed between the suction port 11 and the blower 14. The blower 14 wakes up with the lid 13 open. When the blower 14 wakes up, as shown by the arrow in FIG. 2, external air is sucked from the suction port 11, and the sucked air is blown from the blower port 12. At this time, the air sucked from the suction port 11 passes through the heat exchanger 15.

  The heat exchanger 15 is connected to a compressor 15a (see FIG. 7) and an expansion valve (not shown). Each of the compressor 15a and the expansion valve is further connected to a heat exchanger in the outdoor unit provided outside the room in which the air conditioner 1 is installed. The refrigerant circulates through the expansion valve, the heat exchanger 15 in the air conditioner 1, the compressor 15a, and the heat exchanger in the outdoor unit. The compressor compresses the refrigerant, and the expansion valve depressurizes the refrigerant. The circulation direction in which the refrigerant circulates is switched by a switching valve 15b (see FIG. 7).

  When cooling is performed by the air conditioner 1, the switching valve 15b is configured so that the refrigerant circulates in the order of the expansion valve, the heat exchanger 15 in the air conditioner 1, the compressor 15a, and the heat exchanger in the outdoor unit. The circulation direction is switched by. The liquid refrigerant decompressed by the expansion valve takes heat of the air sucked from the suction port 11 in the heat exchanger 15 and evaporates. At this time, the air sucked from the suction port 11 is cooled.

The evaporated gaseous refrigerant is compressed by the compressor 15a and becomes a high temperature and a high pressure. After that, the refrigerant takes heat away from the outdoor air and condenses in the heat exchanger in the outdoor unit. The condensed liquid refrigerant is decompressed again by the expansion valve.
The air cooled by the evaporation of the refrigerant is blown out from the outlet 12 by the wind generated by the blower 14.

  When heating is performed by the air conditioner 1, the switching valve 15b is configured so that the refrigerant circulates in the order of the compressor 15a, the heat exchanger 15 in the air conditioner 1, the expansion valve, and the heat exchanger in the outdoor unit. The circulation direction is switched by. The high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant compressed by the compressor 15a is in a gaseous state. In the heat exchanger 15, the gaseous refrigerant takes heat away from the air sucked from the suction port 11 and condenses. At this time, the air sucked from the suction port 11 is warmed.

The condensed liquid refrigerant is decompressed by the expansion valve. Thereafter, the refrigerant takes heat from the outdoor air and evaporates in the heat exchanger in the outdoor unit. The evaporated gaseous refrigerant is compressed again by the compressor 15a.
The air heated by the condensation of the refrigerant is blown out from the outlet 12 by the wind generated by the blower 14.

  An ion generator 16 is disposed near the outlet 12 in the outer box 10, and a part of the air sucked from the inlet 11 and passed through the heat exchanger 15 is ionized as shown by arrows in FIG. 2. Pass through generator 16. The ion generator 16 generates ions, and the generated ions are released from the air outlet 12 to the outside of the air conditioner 1 by the wind generated by the blower 14. Thus, the air conditioner 1 functions as an ion generator.

  FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the ion generator 16, and FIG. 4 is a plan view of the ion generator 16. The ion generator 16 has a storage box 20 having a hollow rectangular parallelepiped shape, and two insertion holes 21 a and 21 b are arranged in parallel on one surface of the storage box 20 along one side of the one surface. The ion generator 16 has two discharge electrodes 22a and 22b having a needle shape. The two discharge electrodes 22a and 22b are inserted through the two insertion holes 21a and 21b, respectively.

  Each of the two discharge electrodes 22a and 22b protrudes outward approximately the same length from the surface of the storage box 20 provided with the insertion holes 21a and 21b. The two insertion holes 21a and 21b have a circular cross section, and the two discharge electrodes 22a and 22b are positioned at substantially the centers of the insertion holes 21a and 21b, respectively.

  The ion generator 16 has a cover 23 that covers the two discharge electrodes 22 a and 22 b protruding from the storage box 20. The cover 23 has two support plates 23a and 23b. Each of the two support plates 23a and 23b is erected separately from each other in the projecting direction of the discharge electrodes 22a and 22b from the end portions of the two surfaces of the storage box 20 that face each other in the direction in which the insertion holes 21a and 21b are arranged side by side. . The cover 23 has a cover plate 23c that is spanned between the support plates 23a and 23b and supported by the support plates 23a and 23b. The cover plate 23c is separated from the tips of the discharge electrodes 22a and 22b by an appropriate length, and is substantially parallel to the surface of the storage box 20 where the insertion holes 21a and 21b are provided.

  The cover plate 23c is provided with through holes 24a and 24b at positions facing the tips of the two discharge electrodes 22a and 22b. Each of the two through holes 24a and 24b is a circular hole substantially concentric with the insertion holes 21a and 21b, and has a larger diameter than the insertion holes 21a and 21b.

The ion generator 16 further includes two irradiation units 25a and 25b having a rectangular plate shape. Each of the two irradiation parts 25a and 25b is arranged in a state of being overlapped inside the support plates 23a and 23b of the cover 23. The plate surfaces of the two irradiation parts 25a and 25b face each other. Each of the two irradiation units 25a and 25b irradiates the two discharge electrodes 22a and 22b with far infrared rays from the plate surface.
The ion generator 16 is disposed in the vicinity of the outlet 12 such that the air flow direction when the blower 14 is waked up is orthogonal to the juxtaposed direction of the two discharge electrodes 22a and 22b. The air flowing by the wind of the blower 14 passes inside the cover 23.

  FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. The storage box 20 includes a box body 20 a having an opening 26 on one surface, and a lid 20 b that covers the opening 26. The two insertion holes 21a and 21b described above are provided in the lid 20b.

The lid 20b has a surrounding portion that surrounds the insertion hole 21a. A first printed circuit board 27 whose plate surface faces the insertion hole 21 a is provided in the storage box 20. The discharge electrode 22 a inserted through the insertion hole 21 a is erected vertically from the plate surface of the first printed circuit board 27. Similarly, the lid body 20b has a surrounding portion surrounding the insertion hole 21b, and the plate surface of the first printed circuit board 27 faces the insertion hole 21b. The discharge electrode 22 b inserted through the insertion hole 21 b is erected vertically from the plate surface of the first printed circuit board 27.
A second printed circuit board 28 facing the first printed circuit board 27 is provided between one surface of the lid 20 b provided with the two insertion holes 21 a and 21 b and the first printed circuit board 27.

  6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. The second printed circuit board 28 surrounds the outside of the surrounding portion of the lid 20b that surrounds the two insertion holes 21a and 21b. The ion generator 16 has two counter electrodes 29 a and 29 b that form a ring on the plate surface of the second printed circuit board 28. The counter electrode 29a surrounds the shaft of the discharge electrode 22a from the outside of the enclosure portion of the lid 20b surrounding the insertion hole 21a, and the counter electrode 29b discharges the discharge electrode 22b from the outside of the enclosure portion of the lid 20b surrounding the insertion hole 21b. Surrounds the axis. The counter electrode 29a faces the circumferential surface of the discharge electrode 22a, and the counter electrode 29b faces the circumferential surface of the discharge electrode 22b.

  As shown in FIG. 5, a circuit board 30 electrically connected to the first printed board 27 and the second printed board 28 is housed in the box body 20 a of the containing box 20. The first printed circuit board 27 and the circuit board 30 are molded with a resin 31 filled in the box body 20a.

  In the ion generator 16 configured as described above, two discharge electrodes 22a and 22b are applied by applying a voltage between the discharge electrode 22a and the counter electrode 29a and between the discharge electrode 22b and the counter electrode 29b. Ions (positive ions and negative ions) are generated. The generated ions are released from the air outlet 12 to the outside of the air conditioner 1 by the wind generated by the blower 14.

  FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of the control system of the air conditioner 1. The circuit board 30 of the ion generator 16 is provided with a drive circuit 32, and the drive circuit 32 applies a voltage between the discharge electrode 22a and the counter electrode 29a and between the discharge electrode 22b and the counter electrode 29b.

  The potentials of the two counter electrodes 29a and 29b are common potentials. The drive circuit 32 applies a voltage between the discharge electrode 22a and the counter electrode 29a by applying a potential higher than the common potential to the discharge electrode 22a. Thereby, discharge is performed. The drive circuit 32 applies a voltage between the discharge electrode 22b and the counter electrode 29b by applying a potential lower than the common potential to the discharge electrode 22b. Thereby, discharge is performed. The drive circuit 32 generates positive ions from one of the discharge electrodes 22a and 22b and applies negative ions from the other by applying a voltage as described above.

  The air conditioner 1 further includes a DC power supply 40. Each of the two irradiation units 25a and 25b is connected to the positive electrode of the DC power supply 40 via the switch circuit 33 provided on the circuit board 30, and the negative electrode of the DC power supply 40 and each of the two irradiation units 25a and 25b are Furthermore, it is grounded. When the switch circuit 33 is on, a current flows from the DC power supply 40 to the two irradiation units 25a and 25b via the switch circuit 33. When the switch circuit 33 is off, the DC power supply 40 passes through the switch circuit 33. No current flows through the two irradiation units 25a and 25b.

  The DC voltage output from the DC power supply 40 is obtained, for example, by rectifying an AC voltage input from the outside of the air conditioner 1 into a DC voltage and smoothing the rectified DC voltage. In this case, the DC power supply 40 includes a rectifier circuit that rectifies an AC voltage, a smoothing circuit that smoothes the DC voltage, and the like.

Each of the two irradiation parts 25a and 25b is a resistor. By passing a current through the irradiation unit 25a, the irradiation unit 25a generates heat, and far infrared rays are irradiated from the irradiation unit 25a toward the two discharge electrodes 22a and 22b. Similarly, when an electric current is passed through the irradiation unit 25b, the irradiation unit 25b generates heat, and far infrared rays are emitted from the irradiation unit 25b toward the two discharge electrodes 22a and 22b.
Therefore, the discharge electrodes 22a and 22b can be easily warmed by passing a current through the irradiation sections 25a and 25b. Depending on whether the temperature of the irradiation units 25a and 25b is high or low, the wavelength of infrared rays emitted from the irradiation units 25a and 25b is short / long. Therefore, since the irradiation units 25a and 25b irradiate far infrared rays, the temperature of the irradiation units 25a and 25b may be low. In other words, it is possible to irradiate the far-infrared rays to the irradiation units 25a and 25b with a small amount of power.

  The air conditioner 1 further includes a control device 17 and an opening / closing motor 18 that opens and closes the lid 13. The control device 17 is connected to the blower 14, the compressor 15 a, the switching valve 15 b, the drive circuit 32 and switch circuit 33 of the ion generator 16, and the open / close motor 18, which are connected to the control device 17. Operate according to the instructions.

  The air conditioner 1 further includes a reception unit 19, which receives a cooling instruction for instructing cooling of the room of the air conditioner 1, a heating instruction for instructing heating of the room, and ion generation for instructing ion generation An instruction is received from a user, for example. Furthermore, the reception unit 19 also receives a cooling stop instruction for stopping cooling, a heating stop instruction for stopping heating, and an ion generation stop instruction for stopping ion generation, for example, from a user. The receiving unit 19 notifies the control device 17 of the received instruction.

  The control device 17 includes an input unit 50, an output unit 51, a storage unit 52, a timer 53, and a control unit 54, which are connected to a bus 55. The input unit 50 is connected to the receiving unit 19 in addition to the bus 55, and the output unit 51 is connected to the blower 14, the compressor 15 a, the switching valve 15 b, the drive circuit 32 for the ion generator 16, and the bus 55. The switch circuit 33 and the open / close motor 18 are connected.

The input unit 50 notifies the control unit 54 of the instruction received by the receiving unit 19.
The output unit 51 gives an instruction from the control unit 54 to the blower 14, the compressor 15 a, the switching valve 15 b, the drive circuit 32 and the switch circuit 33 of the ion generator 16, and the opening / closing motor 18.

The storage unit 52 is a nonvolatile memory. The storage unit 52 stores various numerical information necessary when the air conditioner 1 performs cooling, heating, and ion generation.
The timer 53 starts and ends timing in accordance with instructions from the control unit 54. The time measured by the timer 53 is read from the timer 53 by the control unit 54. The timer 53 further sets the time measurement time to zero according to the instruction of the control unit 54.

  The control unit 54 gives instructions from the output unit 51 to the blower 14, the compressor 15 a, the switching valve 15 b, the drive circuit 32 and the switch circuit 33 of the ion generator 16, and the opening / closing motor 18. To control the operation.

  The control unit 54 performs a cooling process when the receiving unit 19 receives a cooling instruction. In the cooling process, the control unit 54 causes the opening / closing motor 18 to open the lid 13 and then causes the blower 14 to generate wind. Thereby, air is sucked in from the suction port 11, and the sucked air is blown out from the blowout port 12. As described above, in a state where the blower 14 is circulating air, the control unit 54 instructs the switching valve 15b so that the refrigerant is an expansion valve, the heat exchanger 15 in the air conditioner 1, the compressor 15a, And a circulation direction is switched so that it may flow in order of the heat exchanger in an outdoor unit, and a refrigerant | coolant is compressed by the compressor 15a. Thereby, in the heat exchanger 15, the air suck | inhaled from the suction inlet 11 is cooled as mentioned above, and it blows off from the blower outlet 12 from the cooled air. In this way, the cooling process is executed.

  The control unit 54 performs a heating process when the receiving unit 19 receives a heating instruction. In the heating process, the control unit 54 controls the operation of the opening / closing motor 18 and the blower 14 and circulates air, as in the cooling process. With the blower 14 circulating air, the control unit 54 instructs the switching valve 15b so that the refrigerant is in the compressor 15a, the heat exchanger 15 in the air conditioner 1, the expansion valve, and the outdoor unit. The circulation direction is switched so as to flow in the order of the heat exchanger, and the refrigerant is compressed by the compressor 15a. Thereby, in the heat exchanger 15, the air suck | inhaled from the suction inlet 11 is warmed as mentioned above, and the warmed air is blown off from the blower outlet 12. FIG. In this way, the heating process is executed.

The control unit 54 stops cooling when the reception unit 19 receives a cooling stop instruction, and stops heating when the reception unit 19 receives a heating stop instruction. In the cooling and heating stop processes, the control unit 54 stops the operation of the blower 14 and the compressor 15a, and then closes the lid 13 on the opening / closing motor 18.
The control unit 54 stops only the operation of the compressor 15a when performing the ion generation processing for generating ions in the ion generator 16 when the reception unit 19 receives the cooling stop instruction or the heating stop instruction. Let That is, the control unit 54 causes the blower 14 to continue the wind, and does not cause the opening / closing motor 18 to close the lid 13.

The control unit 54 performs ion generation processing when the reception unit 19 receives an ion generation instruction. The controller 54 can also perform the ion generation process alone, or can perform the ion generation process in parallel with the cooling process or the heating process.
Note that the control unit 54 may perform the ion generation process when, for example, the amount of ions detected by an ion detector (not shown) is less than a certain amount.

8 and 9 are flowcharts showing the ion generation processing executed by the control unit 54. First, the control unit 54 turns on the switch circuit 33 to cause each of the two irradiation units 25a and 25b to start irradiation with far infrared rays (step S1). As described above, when the switch circuit 33 is turned on, current flows from the DC power supply 40 to the two irradiation units 25a and 25b via the switch circuit 33, and the two irradiation units 25a and 25b each transmit far infrared rays. Irradiate. After executing Step S1, the control unit 54 causes the opening / closing motor 18 to open the lid 13 (Step S2).
When the cooling process or the heating process is performed and the lid 13 has already been opened, the control unit 54 does not execute Step S2 and moves the process to Step S3.

The control part 54 makes the air blower 14 start a wind after performing step S2 (step S3).
Even in this case, when the cooling process or the heating process is performed and the air blower 14 has already been raised, the control unit 54 moves the process to step S4 without executing step S3.

  After executing step S3, the control unit 54 starts generating ions by applying a voltage between the discharge electrode 22a and the counter electrode 29a and between the discharge electrode 22b and the counter electrode 29b by the operation of the drive circuit 32. (Step S4). As described above, by applying a voltage between the discharge electrode 22a and the counter electrode 29a and between the discharge electrode 22b and the counter electrode 29b, ions (positive ions and negative ions) are generated from the two discharge electrodes 22a and 22b. To do. The generated ions are released from the outlet 12 to the outside of the air conditioner 1 by the wind generated by the blower 14. The released ions sterilize fungi such as airborne bacteria or mold fungi in a room where the air conditioner 1 is installed, and inactivate viruses.

  Here, the amount of ions released from the outlet 12 is increased / decreased according to the magnitude of the amount of wind generated by the blower 14. Due to the wind generated by the blower 14, some of the ions generated from the discharge electrodes 22a and 22b are released from the outlet 12, and most of the ions generated from the discharge electrodes 22a and 22b disappear due to recombination. For this reason, the larger the amount of wind generated by the blower 14, the more ions are released from the outlet 12 without disappearing.

  After executing step S4, the control unit 54 causes the timer 53 to start measuring time (step S5). Next, the control unit 54 instructs the blower 14 to adjust the amount of wind generated by the blower 14 to be small, thereby reducing the amount of ions released from the air outlet 12 to the outside of the air conditioner 1. Adjust (step S6).

Next, the controller 54 determines whether or not ion generation should be stopped (step S7). In step S <b> 7, the control unit 54 determines that ion generation should be stopped when the reception unit 19 receives an ion generation stop instruction.
For example, the control unit 54 may determine that ion generation should be stopped when the amount of ions detected by an ion detector (not shown) is a certain amount or more.

  When it is determined that the ion generation should not be stopped (S7: NO), the controller 54 determines whether or not the time measured by the timer 53 is equal to or longer than a predetermined first time (step S8). ). The first time is stored in advance in the storage unit 52 and is, for example, 12 hours. When it is determined that the measured time is less than the first time (S8: NO), the control unit 54 returns the process to step S7. A small amount of ions continues to be discharged from the outlet 12 until the controller 54 determines that the generation of ions should be stopped or until the timed time reaches the first time or longer.

When it is determined that the measured time is equal to or longer than the first time (S8: YES), the control unit 54 sets the measured time being counted by the timer 53 to zero (step S9). In step S9, the timer 53 has not finished timing, so the timer 53 continues to count even after executing step S9.
After executing step S <b> 9, the control unit 54 instructs the blower 14 to adjust the amount of wind generated by the blower 14 to be large, and thereby the ions released from the air outlet 12 to the outside of the air conditioner 1. The amount is adjusted to a large amount (step S10).

Thereafter, the control unit 54 determines whether or not ion generation should be stopped, similarly to step S7 (step S11). When it is determined that the ion generation should not be stopped (S11: NO), the controller 54 determines whether or not the time measured by the timer 53 is equal to or longer than a predetermined second time (step S12). ). The second time is stored in advance in the storage unit 52 and is, for example, 12 hours. The second time may be different from the first time.
When it is determined that the measured time is less than the second time (S12: NO), the control unit 54 returns the process to step S11. A large amount of ions continues to be released from the outlet 12 until the control unit 54 determines that the ion generation should be stopped or until the timed time reaches the second time or longer.

When it is determined that the measured time is equal to or longer than the second time (S12: YES), the control unit 54 returns the process to step S6 and again adjusts the amount of ions released from the outlet 12 to a small amount.
In the air conditioner 1, the state in which the amount of ions released to the outside of the air conditioner 1 is large and the ions released to the outside of the air conditioner 1 until the control unit 54 determines that ion generation should be stopped. The state with a small amount of is repeated alternately.

Therefore, for example, in the case where ions are continuously released into a room where the air conditioner 1 is installed for 24 hours, the air conditioner 1 can be used as an ion generator as described below.
First, in the time zone when a person is present in the room, the amount of ions released from the outlet 12 is reduced to suppress the increase of fungi and viruses present in the room, and the noise of the blower 14 is reduced. To do. In the time zone when no person is present in the room, the amount of ions released from the outlet 12 is increased so as to actively sterilize fungi and inactivate viruses.

  When it is determined that the ion generation should be stopped (S7: YES or S11: YES), the control unit 54 causes the timer 53 to finish measuring time (step S13). Next, the control unit 54 causes the drive circuit 32 to stop the voltage application between the discharge electrode 22a and the counter electrode 29a and the voltage application between the discharge electrode 22b and the counter electrode 29b, thereby terminating the ion generation ( Step S14).

Thereafter, the control unit 54 causes the blower 14 to finish raising the wind (step S15), and causes the opening / closing motor 18 to close the lid 13 (step S16).
In addition, the control part 54 moves a process to step S17, without performing step S15 and S16, when performing the cooling process or the heating process.

  After executing Step S16, the control unit 54 turns off the switch circuit 33, thereby terminating the far-infrared irradiation in each of the two irradiation units 25a and 25b (Step S17). After executing step S17, the control unit 54 ends the ion generation process.

  In the ion generator 16 configured as described above, the discharge electrodes 22a and 22b are kept warmed by the irradiation of the far infrared rays of the irradiation units 25a and 25b while the control unit 54 performs the ion generation process. Further, it is possible to prevent dew condensation from occurring in the discharge electrodes 22a and 22b. In this case, since water droplets do not adhere to the discharge electrodes 22a and 22b, ions are stably generated from the ion generator 16.

(Embodiment 2)
In the ion generation process in the first embodiment, the elapsed time between the state in which the amount of ions released to the outside of the air conditioner 1 is large and the state in which the amount of ions released to the outside of the air conditioner 1 is small. It is switched according to. However, a state where the amount of ions released to the outside of the air conditioner 1 is large and a state where the amount of ions released to the outside of the air conditioner 1 is small may be switched according to time.
In the following, the differences between the second embodiment and the first embodiment will be described. Since the other configuration except the configuration to be described later is the same as that of the first embodiment, the same reference numerals are given and the description thereof is omitted.

  FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the main configuration of the control system of the air conditioner 1 that functions as the ion generating apparatus according to the second embodiment. The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in the configuration of the control device 17. The control device 17 in the second embodiment has a clock unit 60 instead of the timer 53. The clock unit 60 is connected to the bus 55. The time indicated by the clock unit 60 is read by the control unit 54.

  As in the first embodiment, the control unit 54 in the second embodiment performs a cooling process, a heating process, and a cooling process and a heating stop process. The control unit 54 in the second embodiment further performs ion generation processing, but the ion processing performed by the control unit 54 in the second embodiment is different from that in the first embodiment.

  11 and 12 are flowcharts showing ion generation processing executed by the control unit 54. Steps S21 to S24, S26, S27, S29, S30, and S32 to S35 performed by the control unit 54 in the second embodiment are steps S1 to S4 performed by the control unit 54 in the first embodiment in the ion generation processing. , S10, S7, S6, S11, and S14 to S17, detailed description thereof is omitted.

  After executing step S24, the control unit 54 in the second embodiment determines whether or not the time indicated by the clock unit 60 indicates a time between the first time and the second time (step S25). The first time and the second time are, for example, 7:00 and 23:00. Each of the first time and the second time is stored in advance in the storage unit 52. When it is determined that the time indicated by the clock unit is between the first time and the second time (S25: YES), the control unit 54 sequentially executes steps S26 and S27.

  When it is determined that the ion generation should not be stopped (S27: NO), the controller 54 determines whether or not the time indicated by the clock unit 60 has passed the second time (step S28). When it is determined that the time indicated by the clock unit 60 has not passed the second time, that is, the clock unit 60 indicates a time between the first time and the second time (S28: NO) ), The process returns to step S27. A large amount of ions continues to be discharged from the outlet 12 until the control unit 54 determines that the ion generation should be stopped or until the time indicated by the clock unit 60 passes the second time.

  When it is determined that the time indicated by the clock unit 60 does not indicate the time between the first time and the second time (S25: NO), or the time indicated by the clock unit 60 indicates the second time. When it determines with having passed (S28: YES), step S29, S30 is performed sequentially.

  When it is determined that the ion generation should not be stopped (S30: NO), the controller 54 determines whether or not the time indicated by the clock unit 60 has passed the first time (step S31). When it is determined that the time indicated by the clock unit 60 has not passed the first time, that is, the clock unit 60 indicates a time between the second time and the first time (S31: NO) ), The process returns to step S30. A small amount of ions continues to be released from the outlet 12 until the control unit 54 determines that the ion generation should be stopped or until the time indicated by the clock unit 60 passes the first time.

When it is determined that the time indicated by the clock unit 60 has passed the first time (S31: YES), the control unit 54 returns the process to step S26 and again adjusts the amount of ions released from the outlet 12 to a large amount again. To do.
In the air conditioner 1 according to the second embodiment, the state in which the amount of ions released to the outside of the air conditioner 1 is large and the outside of the air conditioner 1 is determined until the control unit 54 determines that ion generation should be stopped. The state where the amount of ions released is small is repeated alternately.

  In the room in which the air conditioner 1 according to the second embodiment is installed, a person is absent from the first time to the second time, for example, from 7:00 to 23:00, and from the second time to the first time, for example, In a room where a person is present from 23:00 to 7:00, the air conditioner 1 functions more effectively as an ion generator. In a time zone in which a person is present in the room, a small amount of ions are blown out from the blowout opening 12, and an increase in fungi and viruses existing in the room is suppressed, and the noise of the blower 14 is small. In a time zone when no person is present in the room, a large amount of ions are blown out from the blowout opening 12 to positively sterilize fungi and inactivate viruses.

  When it is determined that the ion generation should be stopped (S27: YES or S30: YES), the control unit 54 executes Step S32. After executing step S35, the controller 54 ends the ion generation process.

  Other configurations than those described above are the same as those in the first embodiment. For this reason, the air conditioner 1 and the ion generator 16 in Embodiment 2 have the same effects as in Embodiment 1.

  In the first and second embodiments, each of the counter electrodes 29a and 29b only needs to face the discharge electrodes 22a and 22b. Therefore, the shape of each of the counter electrodes 29a and 29b is not limited to an annular shape.

(Embodiment 3)
In the first embodiment, the counter electrodes 29 a and 29 b surrounding the discharge electrodes 22 a and 22 b are formed on the plate surface of the second printed circuit board 28. However, a counter electrode surrounding each of the discharge electrodes 22 a and 22 b may be formed on the first printed board 27.
In the following, the differences between the third embodiment and the first embodiment will be described. Since the other configuration except the configuration to be described later is the same as that of the first embodiment, the same reference numerals are given and the description thereof is omitted.

  FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the ion generator 16 according to Embodiment 3, and FIG. 14 is an explanatory view schematically showing the relationship between the discharge electrodes 22a and 22b and the counter electrode. The appearance of the ion generator 16 according to Embodiment 3 is the same as that of Embodiment 1, and FIG. 13 corresponds to FIG. The ion generator 16 according to Embodiment 3 has two conductors 7a and 7b instead of the second printed circuit board 28 and the counter electrodes 29a and 29b. The counter electrode facing the discharge electrode 22a is constituted by a single conductor 7a, and the counter electrode opposing the discharge electrode 22b is constituted by a single conductor 7b.

  The conducting wire 7a has an annular surrounding portion 70a surrounding the axis of the discharge electrode 22a, in other words, outside the surrounding portion of the lid 20b surrounding the insertion hole 21a. The surrounding portion 70a is circular in plan view, and the axis of the discharge electrode 22a passes through the approximate center of the surrounding portion 70a. The conducting wire 7 a further includes a connection portion 71 a that connects the surrounding portion 70 a and the first printed circuit board 27. The connection portion 71 a is arranged so as to be perpendicular to the plate surface of the first printed circuit board 27. In the conductive wire 7a configured as described above, one end is connected to the first printed circuit board 27, and the surrounding portion 70a faces the peripheral surface of the discharge electrode 22a.

  By connecting one end of one conductive wire to the plate surface of the first printed circuit board 27, bending the single conductive wire at a position away from the plate surface of the first printed circuit board 27, and circulating around the axis of the discharge electrode 22a A counter electrode is formed.

  The conducting wire 7b is configured similarly to the conducting wire 7a. Therefore, the conducting wire 7b also has a surrounding portion 70b and a connecting portion 71b. In the description of the conductive wire 7a described above, the conductive wire 7b will be described by replacing the insertion hole 21a, the discharge electrode 22a, the surrounding portion 70a, and the connection portion 71a with the insertion hole 21b, the discharge electrode 22b, the surrounding portion 70b, and the connection portion 71b. be able to.

  One end face of each of the conducting wires 7a and 7b is located in the surrounding portions 70a and 70b. The conducting wires 7a and 7b function as counter electrodes facing the discharge electrodes 22a and 22b, respectively.

  In the ion generator 16 in the third embodiment configured as described above, the counter electrode facing the discharge electrode 22a (or the discharge electrode 22b) is configured by one conductive wire 7a (or the conductive wire 7b). The angle at which the electric field concentrates in the counter electrode can be reduced. Thereby, ions (positive ions and negative ions) are stably generated from the discharge electrodes 22a and 22b. The counter electrode facing each of the discharge electrodes 22a and 22b is easily and inexpensively manufactured with a single conducting wire.

Other configurations than those described above are the same as those in the first embodiment. Therefore, the ion generator 16 in the third embodiment includes the needle-like discharge electrodes 22a and 22b provided on the plate surface of the first printed circuit board 27, and the counter electrode facing the discharge electrodes 22a and 22b. The drive circuit 32 provided on the circuit board 30 applies a voltage between the discharge electrode 22a and the counter electrode facing the discharge electrode 22a and between the discharge electrode 22b and the counter electrode facing the discharge electrode 22b. Generate ions.
The air conditioner 1 and the ion generator 16 in Embodiment 3 have the same effects as those in Embodiment 1.

  In the third embodiment, the surrounding portion 70a (or the surrounding portion 70b) is formed by making one lead wire around the axis of the discharge electrode 22a (or the discharge electrode 22b). However, for the surrounding portion 70a (or the surrounding portion 70b), it is sufficient that one conductive wire surrounds the axis of the discharge electrode 22a (or the discharge electrode 22b). For this reason, the surrounding portion 70a (or the surrounding portion 70b) is formed by, for example, 0.8, 1.5, or 2 turns around the axis of the discharge electrode 22a (or the discharge electrode 22b). May be.

The conducting wire 7a (or conducting wire 7b) may have two connecting portions 71a (or connecting portions 71b) that connect the surrounding portion 70a (or surrounding portion 70b) and the first printed circuit board 27. In this case, the end surface of the conducting wire 7a (or conducting wire 7b) can be positioned on the plate surface of the first printed circuit board 27, and the ion generator 16 can generate ions more stably.
Furthermore, the control unit 54 in the third embodiment may perform the ion generation process of the first embodiment or the ion generation process of the second embodiment.

  In the first to third embodiments, the number of each of the discharge electrode and the counter electrode is not limited to 2, and may be 1 or 3 or more. Even in this case, each of the air conditioner 1 and the ion generator 16 has the same effects as those shown in the first to third embodiments.

(Embodiment 4)
In the third embodiment, the counter electrode that surrounds the discharge electrode 22a is constituted by one conductive wire 7a, and the counter electrode that surrounds the discharge electrode 22b is constituted by one conductive wire 7b. However, the two opposing electrodes surrounding each of the two discharge electrodes 22a and 22b may be configured by a single conducting wire.
Hereinafter, the differences between the fourth embodiment and the third embodiment will be described. Since the other configuration except the configuration to be described later is the same as that of the third embodiment, the same reference numerals are given and the description thereof is omitted.

  FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the ion generator 16 according to Embodiment 4, and FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing the relationship between the discharge electrodes 22a and 22b and the counter electrode. The appearance of the ion generator 16 in the fourth embodiment is the same as that in the third embodiment, that is, the first embodiment, and FIG. 15 corresponds to FIG. The ion generator 16 in the fourth embodiment has one conductor 8 instead of the conductors 7a and 7b. The two opposing electrodes that face the two discharge electrodes 22a and 22b are each constituted by a single conducting wire 8.

  One conductor 8 has an annular surrounding portion 80 that surrounds the outer portion of the lid 20b surrounding the insertion hole 21a, in other words, the shaft of the discharge electrode 22a. The conducting wire 8 further has an annular surrounding portion 81. The surrounding portion 81 surrounds the outside of the surrounding portion of the lid 20b surrounding the insertion hole 21b, that is, the axis of the discharge electrode 22b, like the surrounding portion 80. ing. The two surrounding portions 80 and 81 each have a circular shape in plan view, the axis of the discharge electrode 22 a passes through the approximate center of the surrounding portion 80, and the axis of the discharge electrode 22 b passes through the approximate center of the surround portion 81.

  The conducting wire 8 further has a connecting portion 82 and two connecting portions 83 and 84. The connecting portion 82 connects the two surrounding portions 80 and 81. The connecting portion 83 connects the surrounding portion 80 and the first printed circuit board 27, and the connecting portion 84 connects the surrounding portion 81 and the first printed circuit board 27. The two connection portions 83 and 84 are arranged so as to be perpendicular to the plate surface of the first printed circuit board 27. In the single conductor 8 configured as described above, both ends are connected to the first printed circuit board 27, the surrounding portion 80 faces the peripheral surface of the discharge electrode 22a, and the surrounding portion 81 is the discharge electrode 22b. It faces the peripheral surface. The conducting wire 8 functions as a counter electrode that faces the two discharge electrodes 22a and 22b.

  One end of one conducting wire is connected to the plate surface of the first printed circuit board 27, the one conducting wire is bent at a position away from the plate surface of the first printed circuit board 27, and is wound around the axis of the discharge electrode 22a. Thereafter, one conductor is circulated around the axis of the discharge electrode 22b, bent at a position away from the plate surface of the first printed circuit board 27, and the other end of the one conductor is connected to the plate surface of the first printed circuit board 27. To do. Thereby, two counter electrodes are formed.

  In the ion generator 16 according to the fourth embodiment configured as described above, the two counter electrodes that are opposed to the two discharge electrodes 22a and 22b are configured by one conductive wire 8, and thus the two counter electrodes The angle at which the electric field concentrates can be reduced. Thereby, ions (positive ions and negative ions) are stably generated from the discharge electrodes 22a and 22b. In addition, since the two end faces of one conductor 8 are not located in the surrounding portion 80 or the surrounding portion 81, ions are generated more stably. The two counter electrodes facing the discharge electrodes 22a and 22b are manufactured at low cost and easily by the single conducting wire 8.

Other configurations than those described above are the same as those in the third embodiment, that is, the first embodiment. Therefore, the ion generator 16 in the fourth embodiment includes two needle-like discharge electrodes 22a and 22b provided on the plate surface of the first printed circuit board 27, and two electrodes facing the two discharge electrodes 22a and 22b, respectively. A counter electrode. The drive circuit 32 provided on the circuit board 30 applies a voltage between the discharge electrode 22a and the counter electrode facing the discharge electrode 22a and between the discharge electrode 22b and the counter electrode facing the discharge electrode 22b. Generate ions.
The air conditioner 1 and the ion generator 16 in the fourth embodiment have the same effects as the third embodiment, that is, the first embodiment.

  In the fourth embodiment, the number of discharge electrodes and counter electrodes is not limited to 2, but may be 3 or more. When the number of discharge electrodes and counter electrodes is K (K: an integer equal to or greater than 3), the K counter electrodes are constituted by one conductor 8, and the conductor 8 surrounds the axis of each of the K discharge electrodes. There are K surrounding parts. The conducting wire 8 further has K-1 connecting portions, and each of the K-1 connecting portions connects two of the K surrounding portions. Two connection portions are connected to each of the K-2 go portions, and a connection portion is connected to each of the two go portions.

  Even when the K counter electrodes are configured as described above, the angle at which the electric field concentrates can be reduced, and the end face of the conductor 8 is not located in the K surrounding portions, so that the ions are not It occurs more stably. The conductive wire 8 is formed by rotating one conductive wire around the axis of each of the K discharge electrodes in the formation of the conductive wire 8 described in the fourth embodiment.

  Note that the control unit 54 in the fourth embodiment may perform any of the ion generation processes in the first and second embodiments, as in the third embodiment.

In the first to fourth embodiments, the period during which the irradiation units 25a and 25b irradiate far-infrared radiation is not limited to the period during which ions are generated. Irradiation units 25a and 25b have control unit 54 turn on switch circuit 33 regardless of whether cooling is being performed, whether heating is being performed, or whether ions are being generated. In this case, the irradiation units 25a and 25b may be continuously irradiated with far infrared rays. Further, for example, the ion generator 16 includes a temperature detection unit that detects the temperature around the discharge electrodes 22a and 22b, and the control unit 54 is configured so that the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit is less than a certain temperature. The irradiation units 25a and 25b may be irradiated with far infrared rays.
Even in such a case, since the discharge electrodes 22a and 22b are kept warm, it is possible to prevent condensation from occurring on the discharge electrodes 22a and 22b, and ions are stably generated.

  Moreover, the irradiation parts 25a and 25b are not limited to resistors, but may be elements that can irradiate far-infrared rays to the discharge electrodes. Furthermore, the infrared rays irradiated by the irradiation units 25a and 25b are not limited to far infrared rays but may be other infrared rays. The number of irradiation units that emit infrared rays to the discharge electrode is not limited to 2, and may be 1 or 3 or more. The position where the irradiation unit is arranged is not limited to the vicinity of the support plates 23b and 23c of the cover 23. For example, a plate-shaped irradiation unit that irradiates infrared rays from both sides is used, and the peripheral surfaces of the discharge electrodes 22a and 22b are the irradiation units. You may arrange | position between discharge electrode 22a, 22b so that one surface and the other surface may be opposed.

  The configuration for adjusting the amount of ions emitted from the outlet 12 of the air conditioner 1 is not limited to the configuration for adjusting the amount of ions according to the amount of wind generated by the blower 14, and for example, between the discharge electrode and the counter electrode. The configuration may be such that the amount of ions is adjusted according to the applied voltage high / low. Depending on whether the voltage applied between the discharge electrode and the counter electrode is high or low, the amount of ions emitted from the outlet 12 is large / small. Furthermore, the ion generation process is not limited to a process of alternately repeating a state where the amount of ions released from the outlet 12 is large and a state where the amount of ions released from the outlet 12 is small. The process which always discharge | releases the quantity of ion from the blowing outlet 12 may be sufficient. Even in this case, since the discharge electrode is heated by the irradiation unit, it is possible to prevent water droplets from adhering to the discharge electrode, and ions are stably generated.

  The ion generator according to the present invention applies ions between a needle-like discharge electrode (22a, 22b) and a counter electrode (29a, 29b) facing the discharge electrode (22a, 22b). In the ion generator (16) for generating the light, the discharge electrodes (22a, 22b) are provided with irradiation units (25a, 25b) for irradiating infrared rays.

  In the present invention, the discharge electrodes (22a, 22b) have a needle shape, and the counter electrodes (29a, 29b) face the discharge electrodes (22a, 22b). Ions are generated by applying a voltage between the discharge electrode (22a, 22b) and the counter electrode (29a, 29b). Since infrared rays are irradiated to the discharge electrodes (22a, 22b), the discharge electrodes (22a, 22b) are warmed. By irradiating the discharge electrodes (22a, 22b) with infrared rays, for example, when the discharge electrodes (22a, 22b) are kept warm, it is possible to prevent condensation from occurring in the discharge electrodes (22a, 22b). Occurs stably.

  In the ion generator according to the present invention, the irradiation unit (25a, 25b) is a resistor, and the infrared rays are irradiated from the resistor to the discharge electrodes (22a, 22b) by passing a current through the resistor. It is comprised so that it may be carried out.

  In the present invention, by passing a current through the resistor, infrared light is irradiated from the resistor to the discharge electrodes (22a, 22b), and the discharge electrodes (22a, 22b) are easily warmed.

  The ion generator which concerns on this invention is comprised so that the said irradiation parts (25a, 25b) may irradiate a far infrared ray.

  In this invention, far infrared rays are irradiated in infrared rays. When irradiating infrared rays by passing a current through the resistor, the wavelength of the infrared rays emitted from the resistor becomes short / long depending on the temperature of the resistor. For this reason, far infrared rays are irradiated at a low temperature, that is, with a small amount of power.

  The ion generator according to the present invention has a voltage between a needle-like discharge electrode (22a, 22b) provided on the plate surface of the substrate (27) and a counter electrode facing the discharge electrode (22a, 22b). In the ion generator (16) that generates ions by applying, the counter electrode is constituted by one conducting wire (7 a, 7 b), and the one conducting wire (7 a, 7 b) is the discharge electrode (22 a). , 22b) surrounding the shaft (70a, 70b), and one end of the one conducting wire (7a, 7b) is connected to the substrate (27).

In the present invention, the discharge electrodes (22a, 22b) have a needle shape and are provided on the plate surface of the substrate (27). The counter electrode is composed of one conductive wire (7a, 7b). One conducting wire (7a, 7b) has surrounding portions (70a, 70b) surrounding the shafts of the discharge electrodes (22a, 22b), and one end of each conducting wire (7a, 7b) is on the substrate (27). Connected. The surrounding portions (70a, 70b) of the counter electrode are opposed to the discharge electrodes (22a, 22b). Ions are generated by applying a voltage between the discharge electrodes (22a, 22b) and the counter electrode thus configured.
As described above, since the counter electrode is composed of one conducting wire (7a, 7b), the angle at which the electric field concentrates is reduced when a voltage is applied between the discharge electrode (22a, 22b) and the counter electrode. It becomes possible. Thereby, ions are generated stably.

  The ion generator according to the present invention is provided on the plate surface of the substrate (27), and has N (N: integer greater than or equal to 2) discharge electrodes (22a, 22b) having a needle shape, and the N discharge electrodes. (22a, 22b) In an ion generator (16) for generating ions by applying a voltage between N counter electrodes opposed to each other, the N counter electrodes are each a single conductor (8). The one lead wire (8) includes N surrounding portions (80, 81) surrounding the respective axes of the N discharge electrodes (22a, 22b), and the N surrounding portions ( 80, 81) and N-1 connecting portions (82) for connecting two of them, and both ends of the one conducting wire (8) are individually connected to the substrate (27). It is characterized by.

  In the present invention, each of the N (N: integer greater than or equal to 2) discharge electrodes (22a, 22b) has a needle shape and is provided on the plate surface of the substrate (27). N counter electrodes are constituted by one conducting wire (8). One conducting wire (8) is provided with N surrounding portions (80, 81) surrounding the shafts of the N discharge electrodes (22a, 22b), and the N surrounding portions (80, 81) are provided. 81) is opposed to each of the N discharge electrodes (22a, 22b). The N−1 connecting portions (82) connect two of the N surrounding portions (80, 81). Therefore, two connection parts (82) are connected to N-2 of the N surrounding parts (80, 81), and one connection part (82) is connected to the remaining two parts. is there. Both ends of one conducting wire (8) are connected to the substrate (27) separately. Ions are generated by applying a voltage between the N discharge electrodes (22a, 22b) thus configured and the N counter electrodes.

  For this reason, it is possible to reduce the angle at which the electric field concentrates when ions are generated, and ions are stably generated. Further, since the two end faces of one conductor (8) are not located in the surrounding portion (80, 81), ions are generated more stably.

  An ion generator according to the present invention includes the above-described ion generator (16) and a blower (14) that generates a wind that discharges ions generated by the ion generator (16) to the outside. To do.

  In the present invention, the ions generated by the ion generator (16) are released to the outside by the wind of the blower (14). The released ions sterilize fungi such as airborne bacteria or fungi and inactivate viruses.

  The ion generator according to the present invention is characterized in that the state where the amount of ions released to the outside is large and the state where the amount of ions is small are alternately repeated.

  In the present invention, a state where the amount of ions released to the outside is large and a state where the amount of ions is small are alternately repeated. For example, when the device (1) is placed in a room, a large amount of ions are released in a time zone when the person is not in the room, so that sterilization of fungi such as airborne bacteria or mold fungi and inactivation of viruses. Proactively, release a small amount of ions during the time when the person is in the room to suppress the increase of fungi and viruses.

  The ion generator according to the present invention is characterized in that the amount of the ions is adjusted to be large / small by adjusting the amount of wind generated by the blower (14) to be large / small. To do.

  In the present invention, among the ions generated by voltage application between the discharge electrodes (22a, 22b) and the counter electrode (29a, 29b), the amount of ions released to the outside depends on the wind generated by the blower (14). Depending on the air volume of the air, it will be more or less. Therefore, when the device (1) is arranged in a room, the amount of wind generated by the blower is reduced in the time zone in which a person is present, the amount of sound generated from the blower (14) is reduced, and floating bacteria or Suppresses the increase of fungi such as mold and viruses. Also, during times when people are not in the room, the air flow generated by the blower (14) is increased to release a large amount of ions into the room, so that fungi can be sterilized and viruses can be inactivated. Do.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Air conditioner 14 Blower 16 Ion generator 22a, 22b Discharge electrode 25a, 25b Irradiation part 27 1st printed circuit board 29a, 29b Counter electrode 7a, 7b, 8 Conductor 70a, 70b, 80, 81 Surrounding part 82 Connection part

Claims (5)

In an ion generator that generates ions by applying a voltage between a needle-like discharge electrode and a counter electrode facing the discharge electrode,
An ion generator comprising: an irradiation unit that irradiates the discharge electrode with infrared rays. The irradiation part is a resistor,
The ion generator according to claim 1, wherein the ion generator is configured to irradiate the discharge electrode with the infrared light by passing a current through the resistor. The ion generator according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the irradiation unit is configured to irradiate far infrared rays. In an ion generator that generates ions by applying a voltage between a needle-like discharge electrode provided on a plate surface of a substrate and a counter electrode facing the discharge electrode,
The counter electrode is constituted by one conductive wire,
The one conducting wire has a surrounding portion surrounding the axis of the discharge electrode,
One end of the one conducting wire is connected to the substrate. A voltage is applied between N (N: integer greater than or equal to 2) discharge electrodes provided on the plate surface of the substrate and N counter electrodes facing each of the N discharge electrodes. In an ion generator that generates ions by
The N counter electrodes are constituted by one conductive wire,
The one conductor is
N surrounding portions surrounding the axis of each of the N discharge electrodes;
N-1 connecting portions connecting two of the N surrounding portions, and
The ion generator is characterized in that both ends of the one conducting wire are individually connected to the substrate.

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