Static elimination system, control device, management method, and management program

Abstract

To provide a static elimination system that allows a user to easily and reliably record the static elimination performance of a static eliminator, a control device, a management method, and a management program.SOLUTION: A static elimination system 1 includes a static eliminator 200 that discharges ions to eliminate static electricity from a target object, and a control device 300, and the static elimination system 1 includes an ion generation unit, a measured value acquisition unit 351, and a report output unit 357. The ion generation unit generates ions. The measured value acquisition unit 351 acquires the measured value of the amount of ions. The report output unit 357 outputs a report that displays static elimination information in comparison with the value of the amount of ions in the reference state, using the measured value as the static elimination performance.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a static elimination system, a control device, a management method, and a management program for static elimination of an object to be static-eliminated.

Background Art

[0002] In a manufacturing line of a semiconductor device or a liquid crystal display device, etc., if each component used in manufacturing is charged, foreign matter may adhere to the component, which may reduce the product yield. In order to suppress the reduction in yield caused by each component being charged, a static eliminator is used.

[0003] In the static elimination device (static eliminator) described in Patent Document 1, air containing positive ions and negative ions is jetted from a nozzle toward an object to be static-eliminated. Also, in the static elimination device, the ion balance around the object to be static-eliminated is measured. Based on the measurement result, the amounts of positive ions and negative ions supplied from the nozzle to the object to be static-eliminated are adjusted. Thereby, the electric charges accumulated in the object to be static-eliminated are removed.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] To understand the changes in static eliminator performance over time, parameters indicating static elimination performance are sometimes measured and recorded periodically in accordance with various standards. These parameters generally include ion balance and elimination time, and elimination time can be measured using a charge plate monitor. However, measuring elimination time using a charge plate monitor requires stopping the production line. Furthermore, frequent measurement and recording of elimination time increases the burden on users. Additionally, since falsifying records is relatively easy, the reliability of the created records is not always high.

[0006] The objective of the present invention is to provide a static elimination system, control device, management method, and management program that can easily and reliably record the static elimination performance of a static eliminator. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A static elimination system according to one aspect of the present invention is a static elimination system comprising a static eliminator that releases ions to eliminate static electricity from an object, and a control device, comprising an ion generating unit that generates the ions, a measurement value acquisition unit that acquires a measurement value of the amount of ions, and a report output unit that outputs a report displaying static elimination information comparing the measurement value as the static elimination performance with the value of the amount of ions in a reference state.

[0008] A control device according to another aspect of the present invention is a control device capable of communicating with a static eliminator that discharges ions to eliminate static electricity from an object, and comprises a measurement value acquisition unit that acquires a measurement value of the amount of ions measured, and a report output unit that outputs a report displaying static elimination information comparing the measurement value as the static elimination performance with the value of the amount of ions in a reference state.

[0009] A management method according to yet another aspect of the present invention is a management method performed by a control device that can communicate with a static eliminator that discharges ions to eliminate static electricity from an object, wherein the control device is made to perform a measurement value acquisition step of acquiring a measurement value of the amount of ions measured, and a report output step of outputting a report that displays static elimination information comparing the measurement value as the static elimination performance with the value of the amount of ions in a reference state.

[0010] In yet another aspect of the present invention, the management program is a management program executed by a computer that can communicate with a static eliminator that discharges ions to remove static electricity from an object, and causes the management computer to execute: a measurement value acquisition step of acquiring a measurement value of the amount of ions measured; and a report output step of outputting a report that displays static elimination information comparing the measurement value as the static elimination performance with the value of the amount of ions in a reference state. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the present invention, the static elimination performance of a static eliminator can be recorded easily and with high reliability. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] [Figure 1] This figure illustrates the general configuration and usage examples of a static elimination system according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a block diagram showing a simplified configuration of a static charge detection system. [Figure 3] Figure 1 is a block diagram of the static elimination system used to explain the basic configuration of the ion balance sensor. [Figure 4] Figure 1 is a block diagram of a static elimination system used to explain the basic configuration of the static eliminator. [Figure 5] Figure 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the static eliminator. [Figure 6] Figure 1 is a block diagram of a static elimination system used to explain the basic configuration of the static eliminator. [Figure 7] This figure shows an example of a generated report. [Figure 8]It is a diagram for explaining the timing when periodic report information and clean report information are recorded. [Figure 9] It is a flowchart showing an example of an algorithm for report output processing executed by a static eliminator system. [Figure 10] It is a flowchart showing an example of an algorithm for report output processing executed by a static eliminator system. [Figure 11] It is a flowchart showing an example of an algorithm for report output processing executed by a static eliminator in other implementations. [Figure 12] It is a flowchart showing an example of an algorithm for report output processing executed by a static eliminator in other implementations.

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0013] 1. Outline and Usage Example of the Configuration of the Static Eliminator System Hereinafter, a static eliminator system, a control device, a management method, and a management program according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the outline and usage example of the configuration of a static eliminator system according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the static eliminator system 1 according to the present embodiment mainly includes an ion balance sensor 100, a static eliminator 200, and a control device 300. The static eliminator system 1 may further include a charge detection system 400.

[0014] The static eliminator 200 includes a static eliminator housing 11, and has a configuration in which various high-voltage circuits for generating positive ions and negative ions are accommodated in the static eliminator housing 11. An air outlet 12 is formed in the static eliminator housing 11. A cover 13 may be attached to the static eliminator housing 11 so as to cover the front of a fan 201 described later. In this case, the air outlet 12 is formed in the cover 13. Further, a cover detection sensor for detecting that the cover 13 is attached to the attachment portion of the cover 13 may be provided in the static eliminator housing 11.

[0015] The static eliminator 200 sends out positive ions and negative ions generated inside the static eliminator housing 11 to the outside of the static eliminator 200 through the air outlet 12. In FIG. 1, the flow of the static elimination gas (in this example, air containing positive ions and negative ions) flowing outward from the air outlet 12 of the static eliminator housing 11 is indicated by the arrows if of a plurality of thick dashed-dotted lines. The cover 13 functions as a louver for adjusting the diffusion angle of the static elimination gas. Also, a plurality of types of covers 13 having different diffusion angles of the static elimination gas may be attachable to the static eliminator housing 11. In this case, the type of the cover 13 attached to the static eliminator housing 11 is specified by a cover detection sensor.

[0016] In the following description, the space to which the static elimination gas sent out from the static eliminator 200 is to be supplied, that is, the static elimination target space in which the static elimination of the object 9 is to be performed, is referred to as the target space. In the example of FIG. 1, the static eliminator 200 is provided on an installation surface not shown so that the static elimination gas flows through a target space 3 including a part of the belt conveyor 2. In this case, when a plurality of objects 9 move in the direction of the belt conveyor 2 (see the thick double-dashed line arrow in FIG. 1) due to the operation of the belt conveyor 2, each object 9 is statically eliminated by the static elimination gas when passing through the target space 3.

[0017] A plurality of belt conveyors 2 may be prepared, and a plurality of objects 9 may be sequentially transported by each belt conveyor 2. In this case, the static elimination system 1 may include a plurality of static eliminators 200. In this configuration, the static elimination gas is supplied to the target spaces 3 on the plurality of belt conveyors 2 by the plurality of static eliminators 200. Thereby, the static elimination of each object 9 is performed in the target space 3 on each belt conveyor 2.

[0018] If there is a bias in the ion balance of the target space 3, each object 9 cannot be appropriately statically eliminated. Therefore, in order to detect the ion balance of the target space 3, an ion balance sensor 100 is provided in the target space 3. In the present embodiment, the ion balance of the target space 3 is the degree of electrical polarity bias in the target space 3.

[0019] The ion balance of the target space 3 approaches 0 when, for example, the amount of positive ions and the amount of negative ions contained in the static eliminator flowing from the static eliminator 200 into the target space 3 are equal or nearly equal. On the other hand, the ion balance of the target space 3 deviates from 0 (becomes unbalanced) when, for example, the amount of positive ions and the amount of negative ions contained in the static eliminator flowing from the static eliminator 200 into the target space 3 are different. The ion balance sensor 100 has a conductive detection plate 110A. The ion balance of the target space 3 is detected based on the potential of the detection plate 110A. Details of the structure of the ion balance sensor 100 will be described later.

[0020] The ion balance sensor 100 according to this embodiment, when installed in the target space 3, can detect information about the environment of the target space 3 in addition to the ion balance of the target space 3. Specifically, the ion balance sensor 100 can detect the amount of ions flowing through the target space 3 per unit time (hereinafter referred to as the ion current of the target space 3) as information about the environment of the target space 3. Furthermore, the ion balance sensor 100 can detect the temperature and humidity of the target space 3 as information about the environment of the target space 3.

[0021] The ion balance sensor 100 includes a relay cable CA1. The tip (one end) of the relay cable CA1 extending from the ion balance sensor 100 is connected to the static eliminator 200. The various information detected by the ion balance sensor 100 is transmitted to the static eliminator 200 through the relay cable CA1. In this case, the static eliminator 200 can adjust the generation state of positive ions and negative ions in the static eliminator 200 based on the detection result of the ion balance in the target space 3. As a result, a static eliminator appropriate for eliminating static electricity from multiple target objects 9 is supplied to the target space 3.

[0022] Here, if the air outlet 12 of the static eliminator 200 is directed away from the target space 3, the static eliminator will not flow from the static eliminator 200 into the target space 3. In this case, the ion current will be detected as 0 or close to 0. On the other hand, if the air outlet 12 of the static eliminator 200 is directed towards the target space 3, the static eliminator will flow appropriately from the static eliminator 200 into the target space 3. In this case, the ion current will be detected as a value corresponding to the amount of ions contained in the static eliminator.

[0023] Therefore, in the static eliminator 200, it is possible to determine whether the position and orientation (installation state) of the static eliminator 200 are appropriate based on the detection result of the ion current. Specifically, if the value of the ion current is below a predetermined ion current threshold, it can be determined that the installation state of the static eliminator 200 is inappropriate. Conversely, if the value of the ion current is greater than the ion current threshold, it can be determined that the installation state of the static eliminator 200 is appropriate. By presenting such determination results to the user, the user can easily understand whether or not adjustment of the installation state of the static eliminator 200 is necessary.

[0024] Furthermore, the static eliminator 200 can manage changes in the environmental state of the target space 3 during static elimination of multiple objects 9 by storing the temperature and humidity detection results in memory.

[0025] The static eliminator 200 is connected to the control device 300 via a relay cable CA2. The control device 300 is, for example, a personal computer and includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), ROM (Read-Only Memory), and RAM (Random Access Memory). The control device 300 is connected to a main display unit 310 and a main operation unit 320. The main display unit 310 is composed of an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) panel or an organic EL (Electroluminescent) panel. The operation unit includes a keyboard and a pointing device and is configured to be operable by the user.

[0026] The control device 300 is used, for example, to set various operating conditions for the static eliminator 200 or to monitor the operating status of the static eliminator 200. The multiple operating conditions for the static eliminator 200 include the rotation speed of the fan 201 (Figure 4) of the static eliminator 200 (described later), the output conditions for various signals output from the static eliminator 200 to the control device 300, or conditions for disabling the operation of the operation unit 260 (Figure 4) of the static eliminator 200 (described later). The control device 300 may also be used to monitor the amount of charge detected by the charge detection system 400.

[0027] 2. Configuration of the charge detection system Figure 2 is a block diagram showing a simplified configuration of the charge detection system 400. As shown in Figure 2, the charge detection system 400 includes a charge detection device 410, a plurality of charge detection devices 420, and a communication device 430. Each of the charge detection device 410, the plurality of charge detection devices 420, and the communication device 430 includes a CPU and has communication capabilities.

[0028] A detection head 411 is connected to the charge detection device 410. The detection head 411 is positioned in a space downstream of the target space 3 on one of the belt conveyors 2. The detection head 411 detects the amount of charge in the space where it is positioned, according to the control of the charge detection device 410. The detection head 411 also provides the detected amount of charge to the charge detection device 410. As a result, the charge detection device 410 acquires the amount of charge detected by the detection head 411.

[0029] Multiple detection heads 421 are connected to each of the multiple charge detection devices 420. The multiple detection heads 421 are each positioned in the space downstream of the target space 3 on the remaining multiple belt conveyors 2. Each detection head 421 detects the amount of charge in the space where it is positioned, according to the control of the corresponding charge detection device 420. Each detection head 421 also provides the detected amount of charge to the corresponding charge detection device 420. As a result, each charge detection device 420 obtains the amount of charge detected by the corresponding detection head 421.

[0030] The charge detection device 410 acquires the amount of charge acquired by each charge detection device 420 from each charge detection device 420. The communication device 430 transmits the amount of charge acquired by the charge detection device 410 to the control device 300 via the relay cable CA3 shown in Figure 1 by performing a communication protocol conversion between the charge detection device 410 and the control device 300.

[0031] In this configuration, in a workplace with multiple belt conveyors 2, static electricity is removed from multiple objects 9 in the target space 3 on each belt conveyor 2 by the corresponding static eliminator 200. Furthermore, the amount of charge on the multiple objects 9 being sequentially transported downstream of the target space 3 is detected by either the detection head 411 or one of the multiple detection heads 421. This allows the control device 300 to monitor whether or not the static electricity removal of each object 9 has been performed properly.

[0032] 3. Basic configuration of an ion balance sensor Figure 3 is a block diagram of the static elimination system 1 to illustrate the basic configuration of the ion balance sensor 100 shown in Figure 1. As shown in Figure 3, the ion balance sensor 100 includes a detection plate 110A, an ion detection circuit 110B, a temperature detection element 120, a humidity detection element 130, a sensor indicator light 140, a sensor communication unit 150, a sensor power supply unit 160, and a sensor control unit 190.

[0033] The detection plate 110A is made of a conductive material (e.g., a metallic material) and is positioned to be exposed to the space surrounding the ion balance sensor 100. The ion detection circuit 110B is connected to the detection plate 110A and outputs signals corresponding to the ion balance and ion current of the target space 3 based on the change in potential of the detection plate 110A over time. The specific configuration of the ion detection circuit 110B will be described later.

[0034] The temperature detection element 120 is an element that outputs a signal corresponding to the temperature of the space in which the temperature detection element 120 is located, and is, for example, a thermocouple or a resistance thermometer. The ion balance sensor 100 is configured so that the space in which the temperature detection element 120 is located and the space surrounding the ion balance sensor 100 are in communication, so the temperature detection element 120 outputs a signal corresponding to the temperature of the space surrounding the ion balance sensor 100 (target space 3). The humidity detection element 130 is, for example, a polymer humidity detection element, and outputs a signal corresponding to the humidity of the space surrounding the ion balance sensor 100 (target space 3).

[0035] The sensor indicator light 140 includes, for example, multiple light-emitting diodes that emit light in different colors. The sensor communication unit 150 transmits various signals output from the sensor control unit 190 to the static eliminator 200 via the relay cable CA1. The sensor communication unit 150 also receives various information transmitted from the static eliminator 200 via the relay cable CA1 and provides it to the sensor control unit 190.

[0036] The sensor power supply unit 160 receives power supplied from the static eliminator 200 via the relay cable CA1, converts the received power as appropriate, and supplies it to each component of the ion balance sensor 100.

[0037] The sensor control unit 190 includes a microcomputer and generates various types of information and controls each component. The sensor control unit 190 may also include a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and memory instead of a microcomputer. The microcomputer or memory of the sensor control unit 190 primarily stores programs for detecting the ion balance, ion current, temperature, and humidity of the target space 3, and for exchanging various types of information with the static eliminator 200. In the sensor control unit 190, multiple functional units are realized by the microcomputer or CPU executing the programs stored in the sensor control unit 190.

[0038] The sensor control unit 190 includes, as multiple functional units, a balance information generation unit 191, an ion quantity information generation unit 192, a temperature information generation unit 193, a humidity information generation unit 194, and an indicator light control unit 195. Some or all of these multiple functional units may be implemented by hardware such as electronic circuits.

[0039] The balance information generation unit 191 detects the ion balance of the target space 3 based on the signal output from the ion detection circuit 110B and generates an ion balance signal indicating the detection result. In other words, the balance information generation unit 191 generates an ion balance signal based on the change in potential of the detection plate 110A over time. The generated ion balance signal is output from the sensor control unit 190. A specific example of the ion balance detection method by the balance information generation unit 191 will be described later.

[0040] The ion quantity information generation unit 192 detects the ion current in the target space 3 based on the signal output from the ion detection circuit 110B and generates an ion current signal indicating the detection result. In other words, the ion quantity information generation unit 192 generates an ion current signal based on the change in potential of the detection plate 110A over time. The generated ion current signal is output from the sensor control unit 190. A specific example of the ion current detection method by the ion quantity information generation unit 192 will be described later.

[0041] The temperature information generation unit 193 detects the temperature of the target space 3 based on the signal output from the temperature detection element 120 and generates a temperature signal indicating the detection result. The generated temperature signal is output from the sensor control unit 190. The humidity information generation unit 194 detects the humidity of the target space 3 based on the signal output from the humidity detection element 130 and generates a humidity signal indicating the detection result. The generated humidity signal is output from the sensor control unit 190.

[0042] The indicator light control unit 195 controls the illumination state of the sensor indicator light 140. For example, the indicator light control unit 195 controls the sensor indicator light 140 to emit light in a specific color (e.g., green) when the ion balance and ion current detected by the ion balance sensor 100 meet predetermined tolerance conditions. On the other hand, the indicator light control unit 195 controls the sensor indicator light 140 to emit light in a specific other color (e.g., red) when the ion balance and ion current detected by the ion balance sensor 100 do not meet the above tolerance conditions.

[0043] 4. Basic configuration of a static eliminator Figure 4 is a block diagram of the static elimination system 1 to illustrate the basic configuration of the static eliminator 200 in Figure 1. Figure 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the static eliminator 200 in Figure 4. As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the static eliminator 200 includes a fan 201, a fan drive unit 202, a sensing electrode 203, a positive ion generation unit 211, a positive electrode side high-voltage circuit 212, a negative ion generation unit 221, a negative electrode side high-voltage circuit 222, a static eliminator control unit 230, and an ion information generation unit 240. These components are housed within the static eliminator housing 11.

[0044] In Figure 4, schematic front views of the positive ion generating unit 211 and the negative ion generating unit 221 are shown within the respective nozzles. The positive ion generating unit 211 includes an annular member 211a and a plurality (four in this example) of electrode needles en1. The plurality of electrode needles en1 are provided at equal intervals on the inner circumference of the annular member 211a so as to extend toward the center of the annular member 211a. The negative ion generating unit 221, similar to the positive ion generating unit 211, includes an annular member 221a and a plurality of electrode needles en2. The plurality of electrode needles en2 are provided at equal intervals on the inner circumference of the annular member 221a so as to extend toward the center of the annular member 221a.

[0045] A positive electrode high-voltage circuit 212 is connected to the positive ion generation unit 211. The positive electrode high-voltage circuit 212 includes a resistor and a boost circuit and applies a high voltage to multiple electrode needles en1 of the positive ion generation unit 211 based on the control of the static eliminator control unit 230. This causes corona discharge and generates positive ions. A negative electrode high-voltage circuit 222 is connected to the negative ion generation unit 221. The negative electrode high-voltage circuit 222 includes a resistor and a boost circuit and applies a high voltage to multiple electrode needles en2 of the negative ion generation unit 221 based on the control of the static eliminator control unit 230. This causes corona discharge and generates negative ions.

[0046] The fan 201 is installed inside the static eliminator housing 11 in Figure 1, facing the air outlet 12 and rotatable around a predetermined rotation axis 201a. The fan drive unit 202 includes, for example, a motor and rotates the fan 201 around the rotation axis 201a based on the control of the static eliminator control unit 230.

[0047] The fan 201, the negative ion generating unit 221, and the positive ion generating unit 211 are arranged in this order from the air outlet 12 in Figure 1 in the direction of the rotation axis 201a of the fan 201. The centers of the annular members 211a and 221a of the positive ion generating unit 211 and the negative ion generating unit 221 are located on the rotation axis 201a of the fan 201.

[0048] In the positive ion generation unit 211 and the negative ion generation unit 221, positive ions and negative ions are generated by the operation of the positive electrode side high-voltage circuit 212 and the negative electrode side high-voltage circuit 222, respectively. In this state, the fan 201 rotates. As a result, the static eliminator containing positive and negative ions flows out of the static eliminator 200 through the air outlet 12 of the static eliminator housing 11. In Figure 4, similar to the example in Figure 1, the flow of the static eliminator from the air outlet 12 of the static eliminator housing 11 to the outside of the static eliminator 200 is shown by multiple thick dashed arrows. The sensing electrode 203 is positioned on the flow path of the static eliminator delivered by the fan 201. An ion current caused by the static eliminator flows through the sensing electrode 203.

[0049] The ion information generation unit 240 detects the overall ion balance of positive and negative ions generated in the static eliminator 200 as ion information. This ion information is used by the static eliminator control unit 230 when controlling the positive electrode high-voltage circuit 212 or the negative electrode high-voltage circuit 222. Unlike the ion balance of the target space 3 detected by the ion balance sensor 100, the ion information may include the ion balance of the static eliminator flowing through the air outlet 12 of the static eliminator 200. Furthermore, the ion information may include the ion balance of the target space 3 and the space surrounding the static eliminator 200. Therefore, the ion information is generated based on the detection results, for example, by detecting the ion balance of the static eliminator flowing near the fan 201, and by detecting the ion balance of the target space 3 and the space surrounding the static eliminator 200.

[0050] In this example, as shown in Figure 5, the ion information generation unit 240 includes an internal ion current detection circuit 241 and an external ion current detection circuit 242. The internal ion current detection circuit 241 is connected to the detection electrode 203 and also to the static eliminator housing 11. The internal ion current detection circuit 241 detects the ion current flowing through the detection electrode 203 and the ion current flowing on the surface of the static eliminator housing 11 as the internal ion current. The external ion current detection circuit 242 is connected to the ground electrode, which is maintained at ground potential. The external ion current detection circuit 242 detects the ion current returning from the target space 3 to the static eliminator 200 via ground as the external ion current. By detecting these internal and external ion currents, the amount of ions generated by the positive ion generation unit 211 and the positive electrode side high-voltage circuit 212 is measured.

[0051] The static eliminator control unit 230 includes a CPU and memory or a microcomputer. When the static eliminator 200 is eliminating static electricity from multiple objects 9, the static eliminator control unit 230 controls the fan drive unit 202 so that the fan 201 rotates at a predetermined rotation speed. The static eliminator control unit 230 also controls the positive electrode side high-voltage circuit 212 and the negative electrode side high-voltage circuit 222 so that the ion balance of the static eliminator approaches 0, based on the ion information generated by the ion information generation unit 240. The internal ion current is used to suppress short-term changes in ion balance, and the external ion current is used to suppress long-term changes in ion balance.

[0052] In addition to the above-mentioned components (201, 202, 211, 212, 221, 222, 230, 240), the static eliminator 200 further includes a display unit 250, an operation unit 260, a static eliminator memory unit 270, a temporary memory unit 271, a static eliminator communication unit 280, and a static eliminator power supply unit 290. The display unit 250 and the operation unit 260 are mounted on a part of the static eliminator housing 11 shown in Figure 1. The static eliminator memory unit 270, the temporary memory unit 271, the static eliminator communication unit 280, and the static eliminator power supply unit 290 are housed within the static eliminator housing 11 shown in Figure 1.

[0053] The display unit 250 is composed of an LCD (liquid crystal display) panel or an organic EL (electroluminescent) panel. As shown in Figure 1, the display unit 250 is installed in the static eliminator housing 11 so as to be exposed facing forward of the static eliminator 200, below the air outlet 12 of the static eliminator 200. The display unit 250 displays various setting information and alarms of the static eliminator 200 based on the control of the static eliminator control unit 230.

[0054] As shown in Figure 1, the control unit 260 includes multiple control buttons and is located on the static eliminator housing 11 adjacent to the display unit 250. By operating the control unit 260, the user can make various settings for the static eliminator 200, or display the ion balance detection results from the ion balance sensor 100 on the display unit 250.

[0055] Furthermore, the static eliminator 200 is equipped with an auto-clean function that cleans the multiple electrode needles en1 of the positive ion generating unit 211 and the multiple electrode needles en2 of the negative ion generating unit 221 using a brush (not shown). The user can instruct the static eliminator 200 to execute the auto-clean function by operating the control unit 260. Alternatively, the user can set the timing for executing the auto-clean function by operating the control unit 260. In this case, the auto-clean function will be executed at the set timing. When the auto-clean function is executed, a cleaning signal indicating this is sent to the control device 300.

[0056] The static eliminator communication unit 280 receives signals of various information transmitted from the sensor communication unit 150 (Figure 3) of the ion balance sensor 100 via the relay cable CA1 and provides them to the static eliminator control unit 230. The static eliminator communication unit 280 also receives signals of various information transmitted from the control device 300 via the relay cable CA2 (Figure 1) and provides them to the static eliminator control unit 230. Furthermore, the static eliminator communication unit 280 transmits signals of various information output from the static eliminator control unit 230 to the control device 300 via the relay cable CA2.

[0057] The temporary storage unit 271 is a volatile storage unit, which can be implemented by, for example, RAM. Various types of information are sequentially stored in the temporary storage unit 271 at regular time intervals (0.1 seconds in this example). When all the storage areas of the temporary storage unit 271 are filled with information, the most recently stored information is deleted, and the latest information is stored in the resulting storage area. In this way, the most recently stored information is overwritten by the latest information. Therefore, the temporary storage unit 271 functions as a ring buffer, and information stored in the ring buffer is retained for a certain period of time until it is overwritten by the latest information.

[0058] The static eliminator control unit 230 stores the ion balance of the target space 3 along with time information in the temporary storage unit 271 when the static eliminator communication unit 280 receives an ion balance signal from the ion balance sensor 100. At this time, in addition to the above storage operation, the static eliminator control unit 230 may also control the positive electrode side high-voltage circuit 212 and the negative electrode side high-voltage circuit 222 based on the received ion balance signal so that the ion balance in the target space 3 approaches 0.

[0059] Furthermore, the static eliminator control unit 230 stores the ion current in the target space 3 along with time information in the temporary storage unit 271 when the static eliminator communication unit 280 receives an ion current signal from the ion balance sensor 100. At this time, in addition to the above storage operation, the static eliminator control unit 230 may also display a message on the display unit 250 indicating that the installation state of the static eliminator 200 is not appropriate if the value of the received ion current is below the above ion current threshold.

[0060] Furthermore, the static eliminator control unit 230 stores the temperature and humidity of the target space 3 along with time information in the temporary storage unit 271 when the static eliminator communication unit 280 receives temperature and humidity signals from the ion balance sensor 100. The static eliminator control unit 230 also stores the measured values ​​of ions generated by the ion information generation unit 240 in the temporary storage unit 271. The static eliminator control unit 230 may also store the rotation speed of the fan 201 along with time information in the temporary storage unit 271.

[0061] Furthermore, the results of static elimination differ depending on the diffusion angle of the static eliminator by the cover 13 attached to the static eliminator housing 11 in Figure 1. Therefore, the static eliminator control unit 230 may acquire the type of cover 13 attached to the static eliminator housing 11 during static elimination from the cover detection sensor and store the information indicating the acquisition result along with time information in the temporary storage unit 271. In addition, the static eliminator control unit 230 may evaluate the amount of charge in the target space 3 based on the external current detected by the external ion current detection circuit 242 and store the evaluated amount of charge along with time information in the temporary storage unit 271.

[0062] The static eliminator memory unit 270 is a non-volatile memory unit and consists of memory or a hard disk. The static eliminator control unit 230 samples various information stored in the temporary memory unit 271 and stores it in the static eliminator memory unit 270. In this example, once every hour, only the various information stored in the temporary memory unit 271 at a specific point in time is stored in the static eliminator memory unit 270. This makes it possible to manage the static elimination status of multiple objects 9 based on various information about the environment of the target space 3 stored in the static eliminator memory unit 270, while suppressing an increase in the amount of data stored in the static eliminator memory unit 270.

[0063] Furthermore, the static eliminator memory unit 270 has pre-stored values ​​for the amount of ions generated under a reference state. The reference state is the state of the static eliminator 200 that serves as a standard for evaluating static elimination performance. The reference state may be, for example, the state of the static eliminator 200 at the time of shipment. In addition, the static eliminator memory unit 270 has pre-stored static elimination threshold values ​​for determining the quality of the static elimination information, which will be described later. The various types of information stored in the static eliminator memory unit 270 are provided to the control device 300.

[0064] The static eliminator power supply unit 290 receives power supplied from the commercial power supply through a power cable (not shown), and supplies a portion of the received power to other components of the static eliminator 200. The static eliminator power supply unit 290 also supplies the remaining power received to the sensor power supply unit 160 (Figure 3) of the ion balance sensor 100 through the relay cable CA1. In this example, when the power to the static eliminator 200 is turned on, the static eliminator 200 starts up, and power is supplied to each component of the static eliminator 200. The elapsed time is calculated starting from the point when the static eliminator 200 starts up.

[0065] 5. Basic configuration of the control device Figure 6 is a block diagram of the static elimination system 1 to illustrate the basic configuration of the static eliminator 200 shown in Figure 1. As shown in Figure 6, the control device 300 includes a main communication unit 330, a main memory unit 340, and a main control unit 350. The main communication unit 330 receives various information transmitted from the static eliminator 200 via the relay cable CA2 and provides it to the main control unit 350. The main communication unit 330 also transmits the various operating condition settings received by the control device 300 to the static eliminator 200 via the relay cable CA2.

[0066] The main memory unit 340 includes, for example, a hard disk, ROM, and RAM. The main control unit 350 includes, for example, a CPU. The main memory unit 340 and the main control unit 350 may be implemented by a microcomputer. The main memory unit 340 stores a management program for controlling and managing the static eliminator 200. The management program may be stored on a computer-readable storage medium 341, such as a CD (Compact Disc)-ROM, instead of the main memory unit 340. Alternatively, the management program may be provided in a form stored on the storage medium 341 and installed in the main memory unit 340.

[0067] In the main control unit 350, multiple functional units are realized by a microcomputer or CPU executing a management program. The main control unit 350 includes, as multiple functional units, a measurement value acquisition unit 351, a calculation unit 352, a determination unit 353, an ancillary information acquisition unit 354, an ancillary information reception unit 355, a cleaning signal acquisition unit 356, and a report output unit 357. Some or all of these multiple functional units may be realized by hardware such as electronic circuits.

[0068] The measurement value acquisition unit 351 acquires the measured value of the generated ions from the static eliminator 200. Generally, the static elimination performance of the static eliminator 200 is standardized by the static elimination time and offset voltage. The offset voltage corresponds to the ion balance acquired from the ion balance sensor 100. The static elimination time refers to the time required for the static eliminator 200 to neutralize the charge on a metal plate that holds a charge amount specified in the standard by generating ions.

[0069] Here, the static elimination time is shorter as the amount of ions generated increases. In other words, there is a strong correlation between the static elimination time and the amount of ions generated, and specifically, the static elimination time is roughly inversely proportional to the amount of ions generated. Therefore, in this example, instead of the static elimination time, the measured value of the generated ions obtained by the measurement value acquisition unit 351 is treated as a value indicating the static elimination performance of the static eliminator 200.

[0070] Furthermore, the static elimination time has a strong correlation with the amount of ions that reach the target space 3 per unit time. Since the static elimination time is measured by placing a metal plate that retains a charge in the target space 3, the more ions that reach the target space 3 per unit time, the shorter the time required for the charge on the metal plate to be neutralized. When the user operates the static eliminator 200 with a constant setting, the maintenance of the amount of ions that reach the target space 3 per unit time is confirmed by the maintenance of the amount of ions generated per unit time by the electrode needles en1 and en2, the maintenance of the amount of static eliminator material sent out per unit time by the static eliminator 200, and the arrival of the static eliminator material in the target space 3. Since the static eliminator material is sent out by the rotation of the fan 201, the amount of static eliminator material sent out by the static eliminator 200 decreases as the rotation speed (rotational speed) of the fan 201 decreases, etc. Failure to remove static electricity can occur when an obstruction is placed between the static eliminator 200 and the target space 3, or when the airflow direction of the fan 201 of the static eliminator 200 is directed in a direction different from that of the target space 3. In this embodiment, the static eliminator control unit 230 stores the rotation speed of the fan 201, and the ion balance sensor 100 detects whether or not ions have reached the target space 3, so that the amount of static electricity removed by the static eliminator 200 per unit time is maintained and that the static electricity removed reaches the target space 3.

[0071] In this embodiment, since the ion balance sensor 100 detects the arrival of ions into the target space 3, the amount of generated ions is treated as a value that replaces the static elimination time, assuming that ions arrive in the target space 3 and the fan's rotation speed is maintained. However, if the ion balance sensor 100 detects the amount of ions that arrive in the target space 3, the amount of ions that arrive may be treated as a value that replaces the static elimination time.

[0072] The calculation unit 352 obtains the value of the amount of ions generated in the reference state from the static eliminator 200. The calculation unit 352 also divides the measured value obtained by the measured value acquisition unit 351 by the value of the amount of ions generated in the reference state. As a result, the ratio of the measured value to the value of the amount of ions generated in the reference state is calculated as static elimination information. The calculated static elimination information has a value from 0% to 100%. A value of static elimination information closer to 100% indicates high static elimination performance, and a value of static elimination information closer to 0% indicates low static elimination performance.

[0073] The determination unit 353 obtains a static elimination threshold from the static eliminator 200. The determination unit 353 also determines the quality of the static elimination performance by comparing the value of the static elimination information calculated by the calculation unit 352 with the static elimination threshold. If the value of the static elimination information is greater than the static elimination threshold, the static elimination performance can be determined to be good. On the other hand, if the value of the static elimination information is less than or equal to the static elimination threshold, the static elimination performance can be determined to be poor.

[0074] The ancillary information acquisition unit 354 acquires from the static eliminator 200 some or all of the following ancillary information accompanying the static elimination information: the date and time of measurement of the amount of generated ions, the temperature of the target space 3, the humidity of the target space 3, the ion balance, and some or all of the drive parameters of the static eliminator 200. The drive parameters of the static eliminator 200 include the rotation speed of the fan 201 in Figure 4, and the voltage applied to the positive ion generating unit 211 or the voltage applied to the negative ion generating unit 221. The static elimination information may further include the model number of the ion balance sensor 100, the model number of the static eliminator 200, or various settings of the static eliminator 200. This ancillary information acquired from the static eliminator 200 is basically stored in the static eliminator storage unit 270.

[0075] By acquiring the rotation speed of the fan 201 as supplementary information, it becomes easy to determine whether the amount of static eliminator discharged from the static eliminator 200 remains constant. Therefore, by evaluating this together with the amount of generated ions calculated as static elimination information, it becomes easy to determine whether the amount of ions contained in the static eliminator discharged from the static eliminator 200 is maintained. In addition, the supplementary information acquisition unit 354 may acquire the type of cover 13 attached to the static eliminator 200. Since the cover 13 adjusts the diffusion angle of the static eliminator according to its type, by evaluating this together with the rotation speed of the fan 201 and the amount of generated ions, it becomes easy to determine whether the amount of ions contained in the static eliminator discharged outside the static eliminator 200 is maintained.

[0076] The ancillary information acquisition unit 354 may acquire the detection result from the ion balance sensor 100 as ancillary information. If the detection result is the presence or absence of ions reaching the target space 3 where the ion balance sensor 100 is located, acquiring the detection result from the ion balance sensor 100 makes it easy to determine whether or not ions are reaching the target space 3 from the static eliminator 200. By evaluating the rotation speed of the fan 201 together with the detection result regarding the presence or absence of ions reaching the target space 3, it is easy to determine whether or not the static eliminator, which contains ions and is sent out in a predetermined amount per unit time, is allowing ions to reach the target space 3. Furthermore, by evaluating the amount of ions generated, the rotation speed of the fan 201, and the detection result regarding the presence or absence of ions reaching the target space 3 together, it is easy to determine whether or not the amount of ions reaching the target space 3 per unit time, i.e., a value that has a strong correlation with the static elimination time, is being maintained. Thus, by obtaining supplementary information such as the amount of static eliminator discharged from the static eliminator 200 and whether or not the generated ions reach the target space 3, it becomes more appropriate to use the measured value of generated ions instead of the static elimination time as a value for dealing with static elimination performance.

[0077] Furthermore, if the charge detection system 400 shown in Figure 2 is connected to the control device 300, the supplementary information acquisition unit 354 may acquire the charge amount of the target object 9 from the charge detection system 400 as supplementary information attached to the static discharge information. The acquired charge amount is managed in association with time information.

[0078] The supplementary information receiving unit 355 accepts input of other supplementary information. By operating the main unit operation unit 320, the user can input other supplementary information not included in the above-mentioned supplementary information, i.e., supplementary information not stored in the static eliminator storage unit 270, into the supplementary information receiving unit 355. Examples of other supplementary information include the measurement location of the generated ion amount, the wind speed at the measurement location, the person in charge of measurement, or whether or not condensation occurs at the measurement location, but the embodiment is not limited to these. The user can input any other supplementary information into the supplementary information receiving unit 355. When supplementary information is input into the supplementary information receiving unit 355, the supplementary information acquisition unit 354 acquires the input supplementary information.

[0079] The cleaning signal acquisition unit 356 acquires a cleaning signal from the static eliminator 200 when the auto-clean function of the static eliminator 200 is activated. The report output unit 357 outputs a report showing the static elimination performance of the static eliminator 200. The report is an electronic file in PDF (Portable Document Format) format, for example. The report may also be in other formats such as Excel (registered trademark) format.

[0080] The main memory unit 340 has a predetermined report format stored in it. The report output unit 357 retrieves the report format from the main memory unit 340 and outputs a report by transferring the static elimination information calculated by the calculation unit 352 to the predetermined location in the report format. The output report is stored in the main memory unit 340. The output report can also be displayed on the main unit display unit 310. By checking the report, the user can understand the operating status, static elimination status, and performance status of the static eliminator 200.

[0081] Figure 7 shows an example of an output report. As shown in Figure 7, the report may also display the date and time when the measurement was taken, in addition to the static elimination information. In this case, the user can more easily recognize changes in static elimination performance over time. Also, if an anomaly occurs in the static elimination performance, it becomes easier to identify the time of occurrence. The report may also display the result of the static elimination performance judgment by the judgment unit 353. In this case, the user can easily recognize whether the static elimination performance is good or bad.

[0082] Furthermore, if supplementary information is acquired by the supplementary information receiving unit 355, the acquired supplementary information may also be displayed in the report. In this case, supplementary information associated with static elimination information can be recorded in association with the static elimination information. The report output unit 357 can display the supplementary information in the report by transcribing the supplementary information acquired by the supplementary information receiving unit 355 to a predetermined location in the report format.

[0083] The reports generated by the above process automatically include all relevant information, leaving no room for data tampering. Furthermore, user errors in data transcription are eliminated. Therefore, the generated reports are highly reliable. Additionally, users do not need to manually create reports, thus reducing their workload.

[0084] In the example shown in Figure 7, supplementary information such as the temperature of the target space 3, the humidity of the target space 3, the ion balance, the rotation speed of the fan 201, and the person responsible for the measurement are displayed. By displaying temperature, humidity, ion balance, or the drive parameters of the static eliminator 200 in the report, the static elimination performance can be evaluated more accurately.

[0085] Some pre-prepared report formats may lack areas for transferring certain supplementary information. Even in this case, the user can edit the report format to add areas for the desired supplementary information. This allows the user to display all the desired supplementary information in the report. Furthermore, the edited report format can be saved. The saved report format is stored in the main memory unit 340. Therefore, similar supplementary information can be easily recorded thereafter by using the saved report format.

[0086] The reports output by the report output unit 357 include periodic reports and clean reports. Periodic reports are reports output based on information such as measured values, static elimination information, or static elimination performance judgment results (hereinafter referred to as periodic report information) recorded at predetermined time intervals. By checking the periodic reports, users can recognize changes in static elimination performance over time. The time interval at which periodic report information is recorded is, for example, one hour, but may be set by the user. Furthermore, the timing at which periodic report information is recorded may be determined by absolute time, or by relative time starting from the time the static eliminator 200 is started.

[0087] The clean report is a report output based on information such as measured values, static elimination information, or the result of the static elimination performance determination (hereinafter referred to as clean report information) recorded when the static eliminator 200 is cleaned. The clean report information is recorded in response to the cleaning signal acquisition unit 356 acquiring a cleaning signal. By checking the clean report, the user can recognize the static elimination performance when the static eliminator 200 has been cleaned.

[0088] In the clean report, the static elimination information when the static eliminator 200 is cleaned may be displayed in a way that allows comparison with the static elimination information before and after the cleaning of the static eliminator 200. In this case, the user can easily recognize the change in static elimination performance due to the cleaning of the static eliminator 200 by checking the clean report.

[0089] If the static elimination information before and after cleaning the static eliminator 200 is displayed in a clean report for comparison, it becomes easier to recognize that there has been a change in static elimination performance due to cleaning the static eliminator 200, even if it is only slight. Furthermore, by comparing it with other clean reports, it is possible to check the magnitude of the change in static elimination performance due to cleaning the static eliminator 200. In other words, it is easy to check whether the amount of ions generated by the electrode needle en1 of the positive ion generating unit 211 and the electrode needle en2 of the negative electrode side high-voltage circuit 222 has improved. Here, it is preferable that the amount of ions generated is always constant. Therefore, if the amount of ions generated by the electrode needles en1 and en2 has improved significantly, it is possible that the frequency of cleaning the electrode needles en1 and en2 was insufficient. Thus, by checking the clean report, the user can consider whether the frequency of cleaning the electrode needles en1 and en2 is appropriate.

[0090] Figure 8 illustrates the timing of recording periodic report information and clean report information. In the example in Figure 8, the static eliminator 200 is started at 9:00, cleaned at 10:30, and stopped at 12:30. In this case, at 10:00, one hour after the static eliminator 200 was started at 9:00, the periodic report information for the time period from 9:00 to 10:00 is recorded. At 10:30, clean report information is recorded in response to the cleaning of the static eliminator 200.

[0091] At 11:00, one hour after 10:00, the regular report information for the 10:00-11:00 time slot is recorded. At 12:00, one hour after 11:00, the regular report information for the 11:00-12:00 time slot is recorded. At 12:30, the static eliminator 200 is stopped, and no regular report information or clean report information for the time slot thereafter is recorded.

[0092] In the example shown in Figure 8, clean report information is recorded at 10:30 in response to cleaning being performed at 10:30, but the embodiment is not limited to this. As described above, the clean report may display static elimination information before and after cleaning of the static eliminator 200 in a comparable manner. Here, the static elimination information before cleaning is included in the periodic report information for the time period of 9:00 to 10:00. Therefore, the periodic report information for this time period may be used as the clean report information before cleaning. Similarly, the static elimination information after cleaning is included in the periodic report information for the time period of 11:00 to 12:00. Therefore, the periodic report information for this time period may be used as the clean report information after cleaning.

[0093] 6. Report Output Processing Figures 9 and 10 are flowcharts illustrating an example of the algorithm for the report output processing performed by the static elimination system 1. The report output processing will be explained below using the main control unit 350 in Figure 6 and the flowcharts in Figures 9 and 10.

[0094] First, the supplementary information receiving unit 355 determines whether or not the input of supplementary information has been received (step S1). If the input of supplementary information is not received, the process proceeds to step S3. If the input of supplementary information is received, the supplementary information acquisition unit 354 acquires the supplementary information from step S1 (step S2). The supplementary information acquired in step S2 is supplementary information that is not stored in the static eliminator storage unit 270 of the static eliminator 200 in Figure 4.

[0095] Furthermore, the calculation unit 352 obtains the value of the amount of ions generated in the reference state from the static eliminator 200 (step S3). In addition, the determination unit 353 obtains the static elimination threshold value from the static eliminator 200 (step S4). Steps S1, S2, step S3, and step S4 may be executed in any order, or they may be executed simultaneously.

[0096] After steps S1 to S4 are executed, the report output unit 357 determines whether the current time is the recording time for periodic report information (step S5). If the current time is the recording time for periodic report information, the measurement value acquisition unit 351 acquires the measured value of generated ions from the static eliminator 200 (step S6). The calculation unit 352 calculates static elimination information by dividing the measured value acquired in step S6 by the value of the amount of generated ions in the reference state acquired in step S3 (step S7). The determination unit 353 determines whether the static elimination performance is good or bad by comparing the static elimination threshold acquired in step S4 with the static elimination information calculated in step S7 (step S8).

[0097] Furthermore, the ancillary information acquisition unit 354 acquires ancillary information from the static eliminator 200 (step S9). The ancillary information acquired in step S9 is the ancillary information stored in the static eliminator storage unit 270 of the static eliminator 200 shown in Figure 4. Steps S6 to S8 and step S9 may be executed in any order, or they may be executed simultaneously.

[0098] After steps S6 to S9 are executed, the report output unit 357 records the information acquired in steps S2 and S6 to S9 as periodic report information, associating it with the time (step S10). The report output unit 357 also outputs a periodic report based on the periodic report information recorded in step S10 (step S11). Specifically, the periodic report is output by transferring the measured values ​​acquired in step S6, the static elimination information calculated in step S7, the result of the static elimination performance assessment determined in step S8, and the supplementary information acquired in steps S2 and S9 to a predetermined location in the report format.

[0099] Next, the report output unit 357 determines whether or not it is recording clean report information (step S12). If a cleaning signal is obtained in step S15, which will be described later, that is, if it is determined to be "Yes" in step S15, it is determined that clean report information is being recorded. If clean report information is not being recorded, the process returns to step S5.

[0100] If clean report information is being recorded, the report output unit 357 determines whether or not the clean report information after cleaning has already been obtained (step S13). If step S10 is executed once or more while clean report information is being recorded, the clean report information after cleaning is obtained from the periodic report information after cleaning. If the clean report information after cleaning has not yet been obtained, the process returns to step S5. Note that the clean report information before cleaning has already been obtained from the periodic report information before cleaning.

[0101] If clean report information after cleaning has already been obtained, the report output unit 357 outputs a clean report based on the clean report information recorded in step S20 (described later) and the clean report information before and after cleaning (step S14). Specifically, the clean report is output by transcribing the static elimination information at the time of cleaning (static elimination information calculated in step S17 (described later)) and the static elimination information calculated in step S7 before and after cleaning into predetermined locations on the report format so that they can be compared. In addition, the measured values ​​obtained in step S16, the results of the static elimination performance determined in step S18 (described later), and supplementary information obtained in steps S2 and S19 (described later) are also transcribed into predetermined locations on the clean report. Similarly, various information obtained before and after cleaning is transcribed into predetermined locations on the clean report. After that, the process returns to step S5.

[0102] In step S5, if it is not the time to record periodic report information, the cleaning signal acquisition unit 356 determines whether or not a cleaning signal has been acquired (step S15). If a cleaning signal is not acquired, the process returns to step S5. If a cleaning signal is acquired, the measurement value acquisition unit 351 acquires the measured value of generated ions from the static eliminator 200 (step S16). The calculation unit 352 calculates static elimination information by dividing the measured value acquired in step S16 by the value of the amount of generated ions in the reference state acquired in step S3 (step S17). The determination unit 353 determines whether the static elimination performance is good or bad by comparing the static elimination threshold acquired in step S4 with the static elimination information calculated in step S17 (step S18).

[0103] Furthermore, the ancillary information acquisition unit 354 acquires ancillary information from the static eliminator 200 (step S19). The ancillary information acquired in step S19 is the ancillary information stored in the static eliminator storage unit 270 of the static eliminator 200 shown in Figure 4. Steps S16 to S18 and step S19 may be executed in any order, or they may be executed simultaneously. After steps S16 to S19 are executed, the report output unit 357 records the information acquired in steps S2 and S16 to S19 as clean report information, associated with the time (step S20). After that, the process returns to step S5.

[0104] In the report output process described above, a periodic report is output each time periodic report information is recorded, but the embodiment is not limited to this. It is sufficient that periodic report information is recorded at predetermined time intervals, and a periodic report does not have to be output each time periodic report information is recorded. In other words, a periodic report does not have to be output at predetermined time intervals. A periodic report may be output at any time, or it may be output in response to a user instruction. Furthermore, a periodic report for the entire period in which periodic report information is recorded does not have to be output, and only a periodic report for a period specified by the user may be output.

[0105] Similarly, in the report output process described above, a clean report is output each time cleaning is performed, but the embodiment is not limited to this. It is sufficient that clean report information is recorded each time cleaning is performed, and a clean report does not have to be output each time cleaning is performed. A clean report may be output at any time, or in response to user instructions. Furthermore, a clean report may not be output for all cleaning performed, and only a clean report for the cleaning at a time specified by the user may be output.

[0106] 7. Effects In the static elimination system 1 according to this embodiment, ions are generated by a positive ion generation unit 211 and a negative ion generation unit 221. The amount of ions generated by the positive ion generation unit 211 and the negative ion generation unit 221 is measured by an ion information generation unit 240. The measured value from the ion information generation unit 240 is acquired by a measured value acquisition unit 351. A report displaying static elimination information, comparing the measured value as the static elimination performance with the value of the amount of ions generated in a reference state, is output by a report output unit 357.

[0107] With this configuration, the amount of generated ions can be measured while continuously removing static electricity from the object 9, eliminating the need to stop the production line for the object 9 in order to measure the amount of generated ions. Furthermore, the user does not need to perform tasks such as transcribing measurement results into a report, so even when recording static electricity removal performance frequently, the user's burden does not increase. In addition, since the static electricity removal information is automatically displayed in the report, there is no room for tampering with the records. As a result, the static electricity removal performance of the static eliminator 200 can be recorded easily and with high reliability.

[0108] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the ratio of the measured value to the value of the amount of ions generated in the reference state is calculated by the calculation unit 352 as static elimination information. In this case, the user can more easily recognize the static elimination performance of the static eliminator 200. Here, the value of the amount of ions generated in the reference state is stored in advance in the static eliminator storage unit 270 of the static eliminator 200. In this case, the measured value relative to the value of the amount of ions generated in the reference state can be easily obtained. Therefore, static elimination information can be easily calculated.

[0109] 8. Other Embodiments (1) In the above embodiment, the static elimination time is not measured, but the embodiment is not limited thereto. The static elimination time may be measured when the static eliminator 200 is installed, for example, using a charge plate monitor. Alternatively, the static elimination time measured when the static eliminator 200 is installed may be displayed in the report as supplementary information. Or, the current static elimination time estimated from the static elimination time measured when the static eliminator 200 is installed and the static elimination information may be displayed in the report as supplementary information. In these cases, the user can more intuitively understand the static elimination performance by checking the report.

[0110] (2) In the above embodiment, the ratio of the measured amount of generated ions to the value of the amount of generated ions in the reference state is displayed in the report as static elimination information, but the embodiment is not limited to this. The report only needs to display the measured amount of generated ions in a way that allows comparison with the value of the amount of generated ions in the reference state. Therefore, the report may include both the measured amount of generated ions and the value of the amount of generated ions in the reference state. In this case, the main control unit 350 does not need to include the calculation unit 352.

[0111] (3) In the above embodiment, the static elimination threshold and the value of the amount of ions generated in the reference state are stored in the static eliminator storage unit 270 of the static eliminator 200, but the embodiment is not limited thereto. The static elimination threshold or the value of the amount of ions generated in the reference state may be stored in the main storage unit 340 of the control device 300.

[0112] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the static elimination performance determination result is displayed in the report, but the embodiment is not limited to this. The static elimination performance determination result does not have to be displayed in the report. In this case, the static elimination threshold value does not have to be stored in the static eliminator storage unit 270 or the main storage unit 340.

[0113] (4) In the above embodiment, the time period during which the measured amount of generated ions was obtained is displayed in the report, but the embodiment is not limited to this. The time period during which the measured amount of generated ions was obtained does not have to be displayed in the report.

[0114] (5) In the above embodiment, the measurement value acquisition unit 351 and the ancillary information acquisition unit 354 acquire the measurement value and ancillary information stored in the static eliminator storage unit 270 of the static eliminator 200, respectively, but the embodiment is not limited thereto. The temporary storage unit 271 temporarily stores the measurement value and some ancillary information at shorter time intervals than the static eliminator storage unit 270. Therefore, the measurement value acquisition unit 351 and the ancillary information acquisition unit 354 may acquire the measurement value and ancillary information stored in the temporary storage unit 271, respectively.

[0115] (6) In the above embodiment, the main control unit 350 includes an ancillary information receiving unit 355, but the embodiment is not limited thereto. If only the ancillary information stored in the static eliminator storage unit 270 is displayed in the report, the main control unit 350 does not need to include the ancillary information receiving unit 355.

[0116] Furthermore, while supplementary information is displayed in the report in the above embodiment, the embodiment is not limited to this. Supplementary information does not have to be displayed in the report. In this case, the main control unit 350 does not have to include the supplementary information acquisition unit 354.

[0117] (7) In the above embodiment, the clean report displays static discharge information when the static discharger 200 is cleaned, which can be compared with the static discharge information before and after the cleaning of the static discharger 200. However, the embodiment is not limited to this. The clean report only needs to display static discharge information when the static discharger 200 is cleaned, and it is not necessary to display the static discharge information when the static discharger 200 is cleaned in a way that allows comparison with the static discharge information before and after the cleaning of the static discharger 200. In this case, step S14 of the report output process is executed after step S20. Also, steps S12 and S13 are not executed.

[0118] (8) In the above embodiment, both a periodic report and a clean report are output, but the embodiment is not limited thereto. Either the periodic report or the clean report may not be output. If a clean report is not output, the main control unit 350 may not include the cleaning signal acquisition unit 356. Also, if the report output unit 357 outputs a report in response to a user's request, neither the periodic report nor the clean report may be output.

[0119] (9) In the above embodiment, the ion current of the target space 3 detected by the ion balance sensor 100 is used as supplementary information indicating whether or not generated ions have reached the target space 3, but the embodiment is not limited thereto. Information indicating whether or not the static eliminator from the static eliminator 200 is directed toward the target space 3 may be used as supplementary information indicating whether or not generated ions have reached the target space 3. Therefore, if the static eliminator 200 is equipped with an attitude detection sensor such as a gyro sensor that detects its own attitude, information indicating the detection result by the attitude detection sensor may be used as supplementary information indicating whether or not generated ions have reached the target space 3.

[0120] (10) In the above embodiment, the measured amount of ions generated by the electrode needles en1 and en2 is treated as a value indicating the static elimination performance of the static eliminator 200, but the embodiment is not limited thereto. If the ion balance sensor 100 can measure the amount of ions that reach the target space 3 per unit time, the measured amount of ions that reach per unit time by the ion balance sensor 100 may be treated as a value indicating the static elimination performance of the static eliminator 200.

[0121] In this configuration, the report displays static elimination information by comparing the measured value from the ion balance sensor 100 as the static elimination performance with the value of the amount of ions that reach the base state. The amount of ions that reach the base state is pre-stored in, for example, the static eliminator memory unit 270. If the measured value of the amount of ions that reach the base is treated as a value indicating the static elimination performance of the static eliminator 200, the amount of ions generated by the electrode needles en1 and en2 does not need to be measured. Furthermore, the supplementary information does not need to include the amount of static eliminator discharged from the static eliminator 200, or information for evaluating whether or not generated ions reach the target space 3.

[0122] (11) In the above embodiment, the functional parts of the main control unit 350 are provided in the control device 300, but the embodiment is not limited thereto. Some or all of the functional parts of the main control unit 350 may be provided in the static eliminator 200. In this case, some or all of the functional parts of the main control unit 350 may be realized by the static eliminator control unit 230 of the static eliminator 200.

[0123] For example, the measurement value acquisition unit 351, the calculation unit 352, and the determination unit 353, as well as a part of the report output unit 357, may be provided in the static eliminator 200. In this case, the ancillary information acquisition unit 354, the ancillary information receiving unit 355, and the other part of the report output unit 357 are provided in the control device 300. Furthermore, the cleaning signal acquisition unit 356 is not provided in either the static eliminator 200 or the control device 300.

[0124] Figures 11 and 12 are flowcharts showing examples of report output processing algorithms performed by the static eliminator 200 in other implementations. In the report output processing of Figures 11 and 12, steps S15a and S15b are performed instead of step S15 in Figure 10.

[0125] Specifically, steps S3 to S5 are executed sequentially. If, in step S5, it is time to record periodic report information, steps S6 to S8 and S10 are executed sequentially. After that, the process returns to step S5.

[0126] On the other hand, in step S5, if it is not the time to record periodic report information, the static eliminator control unit 230 determines whether cleaning has been requested (step S15a). If cleaning has not been requested, the process returns to step S5. If cleaning has been requested, the static eliminator control unit 230 performs cleaning by executing the auto-clean function (step S15b). After that, steps S16 to S18 and S20 are executed sequentially. After step S20 is executed, the process returns to step S5.

[0127] Steps S1, S2, S9, S11-S14, and S19 in the report output process shown in Figures 11 and 12 are performed in the control device 300, similar to the report output process shown in Figures 9 and 10. In this configuration, the control device 300 can output a periodic report by acquiring the periodic report information recorded in step S10 from the static eliminator 200. The control device 300 can also output a clean report by acquiring the clean report information recorded in step S20 from the static eliminator 200.

[0128] 9. Correspondence between each component of the claim and each part of the embodiment The following describes examples of the correspondence between each component of the claims and each part of the embodiments, but the present invention is not limited to the following examples. Various other elements having the configuration or function described in the claims can be used as each component of the claims.

[0129] In the above embodiment, object 9 is an example of an object, static eliminator 200 is an example of a static eliminator, control device 300 is an example of a control device or computer, and static elimination system 1 is an example of a static elimination system. Positive ion generating unit 211 and negative ion generating unit 221 are examples of ion generating units, ion information generating unit 240 is an example of a measurement unit, measurement value acquisition unit 351 is an example of a measurement value acquisition unit, and report output unit 357 is an example of a report output unit. Calculation unit 352 is an example of a calculation unit, static eliminator storage unit 270 is an example of a storage unit, determination unit 353 is an example of a determination unit, supplementary information acquisition unit 354 is an example of a supplementary information acquisition unit, supplementary information receiving unit 355 is an example of a supplementary information receiving unit, and ion balance sensor 100 is an example of a sensor.

[0130] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and can be implemented in various forms without departing from its spirit, and can also be implemented by combining some of the configurations of the embodiments described above. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0131] 1...Static elimination system, 2...Belt conveyor, 3...Target space, 9...Target object, 11...Static eliminator housing, 12...Air outlet, 13...Cover, 100...Ion balance sensor, 110A...Detection plate, 110B...Ion detection circuit, 120...Temperature detection element, 130...Humidity detection element, 140...Sensor indicator light, 150...Sensor communication unit, 160...Sensor power supply unit, 190...Sensor control unit, 191...B Lance information generation unit, 192... Ion quantity information generation unit, 193... Temperature information generation unit, 194... Humidity information generation unit, 195... Indicator light control unit, 200... Static eliminator, 201... Fan, 201a... Rotating shaft, 202... Fan drive unit, 203... Detection electrode, 211... Positive ion generation unit, 211a, 221a... Annular member, 212... Positive electrode side high voltage circuit, 221... Negative ion generation unit, 222... Negative electrode side high voltage circuit 230…Static eliminator control unit, 240…Ion information generation unit, 241…Internal ion current detection circuit, 242…External ion current detection circuit, 250…Display unit, 260…Operation unit, 270…Static eliminator memory unit, 271…Temporary memory unit, 280…Static eliminator communication unit, 290…Static eliminator power supply unit, 300…Control device, 310…Main unit display unit, 320…Main unit operation unit, 330…Main communication unit, 340…Main memory unit, 341 ...Storage medium, 350...Main control unit, 351...Measurement value acquisition unit, 352...Calculation unit, 353...Determination unit, 354...Ancillary information acquisition unit, 355...Ancillary information reception unit, 356...Cleaning signal acquisition unit, 357...Report output unit, 400...Charge detection system, 410, 420...Charge detection device, 411, 421...Detection head, 430...Communication device, CA1~CA3...Relay cable, en1, en2...Electrode needle

Claims

1. A static elimination system comprising a static eliminator that releases ions to eliminate static electricity from an object, and a control device, The ion generating unit generates the aforementioned ions, A measurement value acquisition unit that acquires the measured value of ion amount, A static elimination system comprising: a report output unit that outputs a report displaying static elimination information comparing the measured value as static elimination performance with the value of the ion amount in a reference state; and a report output unit that outputs a report displaying static elimination information in which the measured value is used as static elimination performance and compared with the value of the ion amount in a reference state.

2. The static elimination system according to claim 1, further comprising a calculation unit that calculates the ratio of the measured value to the value of the ion amount in the reference state as static elimination information.

3. The system further comprises a storage unit that stores the value of the ion amount in the aforementioned reference state, The static elimination system according to claim 2, wherein the calculation unit calculates the static elimination information based on the value of the amount of ions stored in the storage unit.

4. The static elimination system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the report output unit outputs the report displaying the static elimination information recorded at predetermined time intervals as a periodic report.

5. The static elimination system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the report output unit outputs the report displaying the static elimination information when the ion generating unit has been cleaned as a clean report.

6. The static elimination system according to claim 5, wherein the clean report displays the static elimination information when the ion generating unit is cleaned, in a manner that allows comparison with the static elimination information before and after the ion generating unit is cleaned.

7. The static elimination system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the report further displays the time period during which the measured values ​​were acquired.

8. The system further includes a determination unit for determining the quality of the static elimination performance, The static elimination system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the report further displays the determination result by the determination unit.

9. The system further includes an auxiliary information acquisition unit that acquires auxiliary information associated with the aforementioned static elimination information, The static elimination system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the report further displays the supplementary information acquired by the supplementary information acquisition unit.

10. The static elimination system according to claim 9, wherein the supplementary information includes at least one of temperature, humidity, ion balance, and the drive parameter of the ion generating unit.

11. The system further includes an auxiliary information receiving unit that accepts input of auxiliary information associated with the aforementioned static elimination information, The static elimination system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the report further displays the supplementary information received by the supplementary information receiving unit.

12. The system further includes a measuring unit for measuring the amount of ions generated by the ion generating unit, The measurement value acquisition unit acquires the measurement value from the measurement unit, The static elimination system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the report displays static elimination information comparing the measured value as the static elimination performance with the value of the amount of ions generated in the reference state.

13. The static elimination system according to claim 12, further comprising an auxiliary information acquisition unit that acquires auxiliary information indicating the amount of ions discharged by the ion generating unit.

14. The static elimination system according to claim 12, further comprising an auxiliary information acquisition unit that acquires auxiliary information indicating whether or not the ions generated by the ion generating unit reach the target object.

15. The system further includes a sensor for measuring the amount of ions reaching the object, The measurement value acquisition unit acquires the measurement value from the sensor, The static elimination system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the report displays static elimination information comparing the measured value as the static elimination performance with the value of the amount of ions reached in the reference state.

16. A control device that can communicate with a static eliminator that discharges ions to remove static electricity from an object, A measurement value acquisition unit that acquires a measurement value by measuring the amount of ions, A control device comprising: a report output unit that outputs a report displaying static elimination information, comparing the measured value as static elimination performance with the value of the ion amount in a reference state; and a report output unit that outputs a report displaying static elimination information, in which the measured value is used as static elimination performance and compared with the value of the ion amount in a reference state.

17. There is a management method that is carried out using a control device that can communicate with a static eliminator that emits ions to remove static electricity from an object, A measurement value acquisition step to obtain a measurement value by measuring the amount of ions, A management method that causes a control device to execute a report output step, which outputs a report that displays static discharge information comparing the measured value as static discharge performance with the value of the ion amount in a reference state.

18. A static eliminator that releases ions to remove static electricity from an object, and a management program run on a computer that can communicate with it, A measurement value acquisition step to obtain a measurement value by measuring the amount of ions, A management program that causes a management computer to execute a report output step that outputs a report displaying static elimination information, comparing the measured value as static elimination performance with the value of the ion amount in a reference state.

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