Ion generator

Abstract

Provided is an ion generator having an ion generation module in which a discharge needle unit is housed in a housing, the discharge needle can be replaced more safely and easily, and the ion generation module is formed by arranging a plurality of discharge parts in a row on a main body, the discharge parts surrounding the discharge needle with a plurality of protective walls. The ion generator is provided with: an ion generation module that generates ions by applying a voltage to a plurality of discharge needles; a cable electrically connected to the discharge needles; and a controller that controls the supply of voltage to the cable. The ion generation module is provided with a discharge needle unit formed by arranging a plurality of discharge parts in a row on a discharge surface of a main body, the plurality of discharge parts are formed by surrounding discharge needles by a plurality of protective walls, and a housing for housing the discharge needle unit, the housing being provided with openings for exposing the plurality of discharge parts. All of the discharge parts are arranged in the housing compared with the opening part, and the ion generation module is detachably connected with the controller through a cable.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to an ion generator, which applies voltage to a discharge needle through a cable connected to an ion generation module with a discharge needle, and generates corona discharge from the discharge needle to generate ions. Background Art

[0002] Ion generators have been known in the past in various forms: a voltage is applied to a discharge needle through a cable connected to an ion generating module having a discharge needle, thereby generating corona discharge from the discharge needle to generate ions. In this conventional ion generating module, as described in Patent Document 1, a plurality of discharge needles are arranged in a row with intervals on a discharge surface, each of the discharge needles is surrounded by a plurality of protective walls, and the surroundings of the discharge needles are covered by a cover.

[0003] However, in such a conventional ion generating module, the discharge needle and the plurality of protective walls surrounding it protrude from the opening provided on the cover. Therefore, there is a risk that the operator's hand may come into contact with the front end of the discharge needle. In addition, one discharge needle and the plurality of protective walls surrounding it in the conventional ion generating module are formed as a unit, and this unit is detachably provided relative to the ion generating module. Therefore, when replacing a plurality of discharge needles, it is necessary to manually detach the entire unit including the replaced discharge needle relative to the ion generating module.

[0004]

Prior technical literature

[0005] [Patent Literature]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2012-221762 Utility Model Content

[0007] Issues to be Solved by Utility Models

[0008] Therefore, the technical problem of the present invention is to provide an ion generator that generates ions by applying voltage to the discharge needles through cables connected to an ion generating module having discharge needles, and that can replace the discharge needles more safely and easily.

[0009] Means to solve the problem

[0010] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the ion generator of the utility model is provided with an ion generating module for generating ions by applying voltage to multiple discharge needles to generate corona discharge; a cable electrically connected to the multiple discharge needles; and a power supply for supplying voltage to the cable, characterized in that the ion generating module has a discharge needle unit and a shell, the discharge needle unit extends in the long axis direction, and is formed by arranging multiple discharge parts in a row on the discharge surface of the main body; the discharge part is formed by surrounding one of the above-mentioned discharge needles with multiple protective walls; the shell accommodates at least one of the above-mentioned discharge needle units and extends in the above-mentioned long axis direction, an opening is provided on the above-mentioned shell, the opening extends in the above-mentioned long axis direction, so that the above-mentioned multiple discharge parts of the above-mentioned discharge needle unit are exposed, and at least the front end of the above-mentioned discharge needle of the above-mentioned discharge part is arranged in the above-mentioned shell compared with the above-mentioned opening, and the above-mentioned ion generating module is detachably connected to the above-mentioned power supply through the above-mentioned cable.

[0011] In this case, it is preferable that the said cable is connected to the said ion generation module so that attachment or detachment is possible.

[0012] In addition, it is preferable that the entirety of the discharge portion including the plurality of protection walls is arranged inside the housing relative to the opening.

[0013] In addition, it is preferred that the plurality of protective walls in the discharge section are arranged around the discharge needle with gaps, and are vertically arranged on the discharge surface along the axial direction of the discharge needle, and the protective walls have the same cross-sectional shape in the axial direction. In addition, it is preferred that the plurality of protective walls are vertically arranged on the discharge surface at equal angles on the same circumference around the discharge needle. Furthermore, it is preferred that at least six of the plurality of protective walls in the discharge section are vertically arranged on the discharge surface.

[0014] In addition, it is preferable that the plurality of protection walls in the discharge section be vertically provided so as to form a pair of the gaps on the long axis, and the pair of gaps in each of the plurality of discharge sections be arranged in a row on the long axis.

[0015] In addition, preferably, in the above-mentioned discharge section, a reinforcing wall is provided between the base ends of the two adjacent protective walls, the reinforcing wall is provided upright from the above-mentioned discharge surface to connect the two protective walls to each other, and the front end of the above-mentioned reinforcing wall is arranged at a position lower than the front end of the above-mentioned discharge needle.

[0016] Furthermore, it is preferable that the plurality of protection walls in the discharge portion be formed integrally with the main body.

[0017] Furthermore, in the ion generating module, preferably, a pair of cover members defining both end portions of the opening are provided at both end portions of the opening of the casing in the longitudinal direction.

[0018] [Effects of the utility model]

[0019] As described above, according to the present invention, an ion generator can be provided that includes an ion generating module in which a plurality of discharge needles arranged in a row are surrounded by a plurality of protective walls. When replacing the discharge needles, there is no risk of fingertips coming into contact with the front ends of the discharge needles, and the discharge needle replacement operation is easy. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of an ion generator according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 2 This is a perspective view of the ion generating module connected with cables, viewed diagonally from below.

[0022] Figure 3 This is a perspective view for explaining a state where a cable is removed from the ion generating module.

[0023] Figure 4 This is a rear view of the ion generator module with the cables connected.

[0024] Figure 5 is equivalent to Figure 4 A cross-sectional view of the ion generating module viewed from the VV direction.

[0025] Figure 6 is equivalent to Figure 4 A sectional perspective view of the ion generating module viewed from the VV direction.

[0026] Figure 7 This is a partially enlarged rear view of the ion generating module.

[0027] Figure 8 This is a partially exploded perspective view of the ion generating module with connected cables.

[0028] Fig. 9 is equivalent to Figure 4 A cross-sectional view of the ion generating module viewed along the IX-IX direction.

[0029] Fig.10 yes Fig. 9 A partial enlarged cross-sectional view of the ion generating module.

[0030] Fig.11 This is a perspective view of the connection portion to which the cable is connected. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] Methods for implementing the utility model

[0032] An embodiment of the ion generator of the present invention is described below. The ion generator of this embodiment is used to remove static electricity from workpieces that are charged by static electricity during the processing of various workpieces such as semiconductor wafers and liquid crystal glass. Figure 1 As shown, there is a plurality of discharge needles 5 (refer to Figure 4 ) An ion generating module 3 that applies voltage to generate corona discharge to generate ions; a cable 60 electrically connected to a plurality of discharge needles 5; and a controller 70 that controls the voltage output to the cable 60.

[0033] The controller 70 includes a power supply circuit and an AC high voltage circuit that controls the voltage supplied from the power supply circuit to output, and is configured to output the voltage from the lower end of the controller 70. The cable 60, such as Figure 1 to Figure 3 As shown, a connector 61 is provided at the base end in the longitudinal direction, and the cable 60 is connected to the controller 70 through the connector 61. The front end of the cable 60 is electrically and detachably connected to the connection cover member 50 provided at the base end in the longitudinal direction of the ion generating module 3. In addition, when the front end of the cable 60 is inserted into the connection cover member 50, the front end of the cable 60 is prevented from being pulled out of the connection cover member 50 by inserting the pin 65 relative to the connection cover member 50. The details of the connection cover member 50 will be described later.

[0034] Ion generating module 3, such as Figure 4 to Figure 7 As shown, it has a discharge needle unit 18, a shell 30 and a connecting cover member 50. The discharge needle unit 18 is formed by arranging a plurality of discharge portions 13 formed by surrounding a discharge needle 5 with a plurality of protective walls 7a~10b on a discharge surface 16 of a main body 15 extending slenderly in a row in the axis L1 direction. The shell 30 accommodates the discharge needle unit 18, and the connecting cover member 50 is connected to a cable 60 for supplying voltage to the discharge needle 5.

[0035] The ion generating module 3 is a rod-shaped structure elongated along the axis L1, and has a plurality of main bodies 15. In the present embodiment, the main body 15 is made of an insulating material and is formed into a rectangular parallelepiped extending along the axis L1, and two main bodies 15 are arranged in series along the axis L1. In addition, for the convenience of explanation, there is a case where the length direction of the main body 15 is recorded as the "left-right direction", the width direction of the main body 15 is recorded as the "front-back direction", and the direction orthogonal to the left-right direction and the front-back direction is recorded as the "up-down direction".

[0036] The main body 15 has a lower surface 17 extending along the axis L1 at its lower end, and a discharge surface 16 extending in a strip shape along the axis L1 is provided inside the lower surface 17 in the front-back direction. A plurality of insertion holes 19 arranged at intervals along the axis L1 are provided in the central portion of the discharge surface 16 in the front-back direction, and discharge needles 5 extending in the up-down direction (axis L2 direction) are inserted into the insertion holes 19. The discharge needles 5 are made of metal material, and are inserted into the insertion holes 19 in a state where the front ends thereof protrude from the discharge surface 16 of the main body 15.

[0037] A plurality of protective walls 7a to 10b are provided around each of the discharge needles 5. In the present embodiment, eight protective walls 7a to 10b are provided upright from the discharge surface 16. Moreover, the eight protective walls 7a to 10b are provided upright from the discharge surface 16 at equal angle intervals on the same circumference around the discharge needle 5, and extend along the axis L2 direction. Furthermore, a plurality of discharge sections 13 formed by surrounding one discharge needle 5 with eight protective walls 7a to 10b are arranged on the discharge surface 16 of the main body 15 in the axis L1 direction. In the discharge section 13, the protective walls 7a to 10b protrude from the front end of the discharge needle 5.

[0038] In the discharge section 13, each of the protection walls 7a to 10b has the same cross-sectional shape in the direction of the axis L2. In the present embodiment, the protection walls 7a to 10b include protection walls 7a, 7b, 8a, and 8b having a triangular cross section and protection walls 9a, 9b, 10a, and 10b having a trapezoidal cross section. In addition, the gaps 21 between the adjacent protection walls among the protection walls 7a to 10b have a rectangular cross section or a trapezoidal cross section.

[0039] In addition, the plurality of protective walls 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b in the discharge section 13 are arranged upright so as to form a pair of gaps 21 on the axis L1. That is, the gaps 21 between the protective walls 7a, 7b and the gaps 21 between the protective walls 8a, 8b are formed in a row on the axis L1. Furthermore, the pair of gaps 21 in each of the plurality of discharge sections 13 is arranged in a row on the axis L1.

[0040] In addition, the inner surfaces of the pair of protective walls 7a, 7b and the pair of protective walls 8a, 8b having triangular cross sections are inclined outward in the circumferential direction toward the outside of the axis L1 direction. Therefore, the gaps 21 between the pair of protective walls 7a, 7b and the protective walls 8a, 8b expand as they go outward in the axis L1 direction. The brush 23 described later is inserted into these gaps 21 to clean the front end of the discharge needle 5.

[0041] A reinforcing wall 24 is provided between the base ends of two adjacent protective walls among the plurality of protective walls 7a to 8b in the discharge section 13. The reinforcing wall 24 is provided upright from the discharge surface 16 to connect the protective walls. The reinforcing wall 24 further increases the rigidity of the plurality of protective walls 7a to 8b provided upright from the discharge surface 16.

[0042] In addition, the front ends of these reinforcing walls 24 are arranged at a position lower than the front ends of the discharge needles 5. In the present embodiment, the front ends of the reinforcing walls 24 are arranged at a position slightly lower than the front ends of the discharge needles 5. Therefore, when the discharge needles 5 are cleaned by the brush 23, the brush 23 can be attached to the front ends of the discharge needles 5. In addition, in the present embodiment, the plurality of protective walls 7a to 8b in the discharge section 13 are formed integrally with the main body 15.

[0043] However, an insertion recess 25 is provided in the main body 15 above the insertion hole 19 . The insertion recess 25 opens in the upper surface 22 of the main body and communicates with the insertion hole 19 .

[0044] In addition, a plurality of protrusions 26 extending along the axis L1 are provided on the side surfaces and the top surface of the main body 15 on both sides in the front-rear direction. The main body 15 is accommodated in an accommodation space 33 formed in the housing 30 when these protrusions 26 are engaged with a plurality of grooves 31 extending along the axis L1 on the inner surface of the housing 30.

[0045] The housing 30 has a pair of side plates 30a, 30b and a top plate 30c. The pair of side plates 30a, 30b extend in the direction of the axis L1, are hollow inside, extend slenderly, and are arranged facing each other in the front-back direction. The top plate 30c connects the upper parts of these side plates 30a, 30b to each other. In the present embodiment, the housing 30 is formed into a rectangular parallelepiped extending in the direction of the axis L1, and inside it, a receiving space portion 33 having a rectangular cross-section is formed by these side plates 30a, 30b and the top plate 30c. At the lower end of the housing 30, an opening portion 34 extending between the two ends of the housing 30 in the direction of the axis L1 is provided to open downward, and the opening portion 34 is connected to the receiving space portion 33. In the present embodiment, the opening portion 34 is formed into a rectangular shape extending in the direction of the axis L.

[0046] The first side end opening 37 is opened at the base end portion on the right side of the housing 30 in the direction of the axis L, and the second side end opening 38 is opened at the front end portion on the left side of the housing 30 in the direction of the axis L. The connecting cover member 50 that defines the end portion on the right side of the opening 34 in the direction of the axis L is inserted into the first side end opening 37, and the closing cover member 35 that defines the end portion on the left side of the opening 34 in the direction of the axis L is inserted into the second side end opening 38. The first and second side end openings 37 and 38 are closed by these connecting cover members 50 and closing cover members 35. The details of the connecting cover member 50 and the closing cover member 35 will be described later.

[0047] In the housing space 33 of the housing 30, two discharge needle units 18 are housed in a row in the direction of the axis L1, with the plurality of discharge sections 13 facing the opening 34. Therefore, the plurality of discharge sections 13 are exposed through the opening 34. In the present embodiment, the entirety of the discharge section 13 including the plurality of protection walls 7a to 10b is disposed in the housing 30 relative to the opening 34. In addition, at least the tip of the discharge needle 5 of the discharge section 13 may be disposed in the housing 30 relative to the opening 34.

[0048] Next, the connection cover member 50 for supplying voltage to the discharge needle 5 and the conductive member 40 electrically connected thereto are described with reference to FIG. Figure 5 , Figure 7 to Figure 11 The conductive member 40 is formed of a metal material and has a plurality of connecting plate portions 41 connected to the respective base ends of the plurality of discharge needles 5; and a connecting shaft portion 42 (see FIG. 4 ) extending elongatedly along the longitudinal direction of the main body 15 by connecting the connecting plate portions 41 to each other. Figure 8 In the present embodiment, the discharge needle 5 is attached to the connection plate portion 41 and the connection shaft portion 42 .

[0049] The connecting plate portion 41 is inserted into the insertion recess 25 in a state where its lower end is in contact with the bottom surface of the insertion recess 25. Moreover, the connecting shaft portion 42 is arranged in the upper end of the insertion recess 25 along the length direction of the main body 15. In the present embodiment, two conductive members 40 are arranged in a row and connected in the length direction of the main body 15. A cylindrical connected terminal 43 is provided on the conductive member 40 arranged on the base end side (right side) in the length direction among these conductive members 40. The connected terminal 43 extends from the base end side end of the above-mentioned conductive member 40 to electrically connect the connecting terminal 62 of the cable 60. This connected terminal 43 is inserted into the extension portion 52 of the connecting cover member 50 installed at the base end portion (right side end) in the length direction of the housing 30.

[0050] The connecting cover member 50 includes a connecting portion body 51 into which the connecting terminal 62 of the cable 60 is detachably inserted, and an extending portion 52 extending from the inner side of the left end of the connecting portion body 51 to position and hold the connecting terminal 43. In the present embodiment, the connecting terminal 62 of the cable 60 is a cylindrical rod-shaped member.

[0051] An insertion hole 53 for inserting the front end of the cable 60 is provided on the right side end surface of the connecting portion body 51, and the insertion hole 53 passes through the connecting portion body 51. On the inner side of the left side end surface 51a of the connecting portion body 51, as shown in FIG. Fig. 9 and Fig.11 As shown, the extension portion 52 extends along the axis L1 direction. The extension portion 52 has a barrel portion 52a formed on its base end side; and an insertion portion 52b extending from the front end portion of the barrel portion 52a and inserted into the connected terminal 43. A connecting hole portion 54 extending along the axis L1 direction is provided in the barrel portion 52a. The connecting hole portion 54 is coaxially arranged with the insertion hole portion 53 and is connected to the insertion hole portion 53. A reduced diameter hole portion 55 having a smaller diameter than the connecting hole portion 54 is provided at the front end portion of the barrel portion 52a. The connecting terminal 62 inserted through this reduced diameter hole portion 55 is inserted into the connected terminal 43 and electrically connected to the connected terminal 43. An inner surface 52d facing the left side in the direction of the axis L is formed at the front end portion of the barrel portion 52a.

[0052] Therefore, when a voltage supplied from the controller 70 is applied to the conductive member 40 through the cable 60 , corona discharge can be generated from each of the plurality of discharge needles 5 to generate ions.

[0053] In addition, when the connecting terminal 62 is electrically connected to the connected terminal 43, the connecting terminal 62 can be pulled out from the connected terminal 43 by pulling out the cable 60 from the insertion hole portion 53 of the connecting cover member 50, and the front end portion of the cable 60 can be pulled out from the insertion hole portion 53, so that the cable 60 is separated from the connecting cover member 50.

[0054] The insertion portion 52b is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape extending along the axis L1 direction, and extends from the radial inner side of the front end portion of the barrel portion 52a along the axis L1 direction. An insertion hole portion 52c extending along the axis L1 direction is formed inside the insertion portion 52b, and the insertion hole portion 52c is open at the upper part and both ends in the axis L1 direction. The connected terminal 43 is inserted into the insertion hole portion 52c in a state where the connected terminal 43 contacts its bottom surface. A protrusion 52e protrudes from the bottom surface of the front end side of the insertion portion 52b, and an inner surface 52f facing the left side in the axis L1 direction is formed on the protrusion 52e.

[0055] Therefore, when the connection cover member 50 is inserted into the first side end opening 37 of the base end of the housing 30, the left side end surface 51a of the connection portion body 51 abuts against the base end of the housing 30, that is, the base end of the pair of side plates 30a, 30b and the top plate 30c of the housing 30, and the extension portion 52 is inserted into the accommodating space 33. Therefore, the left side end surface 51a and the inner surfaces 52d, 52f of the cylinder 52a and the protrusion 52e are combined to close the first side end opening 37. In the present embodiment, the connection cover member 50 is connected to the base end of the housing 30 via the spacer 58 disposed between the connection cover member 50 and the base end of the housing 30.

[0056] The closing cover member 35, such as Figure 4 As shown in FIG. 1 , the housing 30 includes a plate portion 35a that abuts against the front end of the housing 30, and an insertion portion 35b that protrudes from the right end of the plate portion 35a and is inserted into the housing space portion 33 of the housing 30. The plate portion 35a has a quadrilateral shape that is the same as the cross-sectional shape of the housing 30, and the insertion portion 35b has a shape that is the same as the cross-sectional shape of the housing space portion 33 of the main body 15. Therefore, when the insertion portion 35b is inserted into the second side end opening 38 of the housing 30, the inner surface 35c of the plate portion 35a abuts against the front end of the housing 30, and the insertion portion 35b is inserted into the housing space portion 33, thereby blocking the second side end opening 38 of the housing 30. Therefore, the housing 30 is formed into a box shape with only the opening 34 opened, because both ends in the long axis direction are closed by the connecting cover member 50 and the closing cover member 35.

[0057] In addition, when the sealing cover member 35 is inserted into the second side end opening 38 of the housing 30, the left side end of the main body 15 abuts against the front end (right side end) of the insertion portion 35b thereof, so that the main body 15 can be positioned relative to the housing 30 on the left side of the axis L1 direction. In the present embodiment, a spacer 39 is provided between the sealing cover member 35 and the front end of the housing 30, and the sealing cover member 35 is inserted into the front end of the housing 30 via the spacer 39. In addition, by engaging the plurality of protrusions 26 of the main body 15 with the plurality of grooves 31 in the housing 30, the main body 15 can be positioned relative to the housing 30 in the up-down and front-back directions.

[0058] However, at the front end of the cable 60, a ground plate 63 electrically connected to the ground wire in the cable 60 is provided protruding from the outside of the cable 60. On the other hand, a ground terminal 56 electrically connected to the ground plate 63 of the cable 60 is provided on the connection cover member 50. The ground terminal 56 is provided so as to span between the connection cover member 50 and the extension portion 52. In the present embodiment, the base end side of the ground terminal 56 is arranged in the connection cover member 50, and the front end side of the ground terminal 56 extends along the two side surfaces of the extension portion 52 in the front-rear direction through the upper surface of the extension portion 52. That is, the front end of the ground terminal 56 is arranged on both sides of the extension portion 52.

[0059] The ground plate 63 is electrically connected by being fastened to the base end of the ground terminal 56 by a fastening member such as a bolt 64 when the front end of the cable 60 is inserted into the connection cover member 50. A rod-shaped conductor 57 is electrically connected to one of the two front ends of the ground terminal 56. The conductor 57 extends along the side surface of the extension portion 52 and the side surface of the discharge needle unit 18, and further extends to the front end of the housing 30 through the gap 36 formed between the housing 30 and the main body 15.

[0060] Next, the case where ions d are generated from the ion generating module 3 of the ion generator 1 will be described. Figure 1 and Figure 4 As shown, the controller 70 and the ion generating module 3 are electrically connected through the cable 60. Moreover, by outputting a voltage from the controller 70 and applying a voltage to the plurality of discharge needles 5 of the ion generating module 3 through the cable 60, it is possible to generate ions by generating a corona discharge from each discharge needle 5. In addition, a portion of the charge generated by the corona discharge phenomenon of the discharge needle 5 flows to the ground through the housing 30. Therefore, the danger of the housing 30 being charged can be prevented.

[0061] Here, a case where at least one of the plurality of discharge needles 5 provided on the ion generating module 3 fails will be described. The plurality of protective walls 7a to 10b surrounding the discharge needle 5 of the present embodiment are formed integrally with the main body 15, and the discharge needle 5 is formed integrally with the conductive member 40 and inserted into the main body 15. Therefore, the discharge unit 13 composed of the failed discharge needle 5 and the plurality of protective walls 7a to 10b surrounding it cannot be removed from the main body 15 for replacement.

[0062] However, in the present embodiment, since the cable 60 is detachably configured relative to the ion generating module 3, when at least one of the plurality of discharge sections 13 fails, the cable 60 can be removed from the ion generating module 3 and replaced. Therefore, in the ion generator 1 of the present embodiment, it is not necessary to remove the failed discharge needle 5 from the main body 15 and insert a new discharge needle 5 into the main body 15. In addition, when there are a plurality of failed discharge needles 5, it is not necessary to carry out all the installation and removal operations of these failed discharge needles 5. Furthermore, since the discharge section 13 of the present embodiment is entirely arranged inside the opening 34 of the housing 30, there is no danger of the operator's hand coming into contact with the discharge needle 5. Therefore, it is possible to provide an ion generator 1 having an ion generating module 3 in which the discharge needle 5 can be replaced more safely and easily.

[0063] In addition, when corona discharge is generated from the discharge needle 5, if an adhering object is attached to the front end of the discharge needle 5, there is a risk that the static elimination performance of the discharge needle 5 will be reduced. However, the gaps 21 between the plurality of protective walls 7a, 7b, 8a, and 8b of the plurality of discharge parts 13 in the present embodiment are arranged in a row on the axis L1. Figure 7 As shown, by inserting the brush 23 into the gaps 21 between the plurality of protection walls 7a, 7b, 8a, and 8b along the axis L1 direction, it is possible to easily remove the adhering matter adhering to the tip of the discharge needle 5.

[0064]

Explanation of symbols

[0065] 1: Ion Generator

[0066] 3: Ion generation module

[0067] 5: Discharge needle

[0068] 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b: Protective wall

[0069] 13: Discharge unit

[0070] 15: Main Body

[0071] 16: Discharge surface

[0072] 18: Discharge needle unit

[0073] 21: Gap

[0074] 24: Strengthen the wall

[0075] 30: Shell

[0076] 34: Opening

[0077] 35: Closing cover member (cover member)

[0078] 50: Connecting cover member (cover member)

[0079] 60: Cable

[0080] 70: Controller (power supply).

Claims

1. An ion generator comprising an ion generating module for generating ions by applying voltage to a plurality of discharge needles to generate corona discharge; a cable electrically connected to the plurality of discharge needles; and a power supply for supplying voltage to the cable, characterized in that: The ion generating module comprises a discharge needle unit and a shell. The discharge needle unit extends in the long axis direction and is formed by arranging a plurality of discharge parts in a row on the discharge surface of the main body. The discharge part is formed by a plurality of protective walls surrounding one of the discharge needles. The shell accommodates at least one of the discharge needle units and extends in the long axis direction. The housing is provided with an opening, the opening extending in the long axis direction to expose the plurality of discharge parts of the discharge needle unit. At least the tip of the discharge needle of the discharge unit is arranged in the housing relative to the opening. The ion generating module is detachably connected to the power source via the cable.

2. The ion generator according to claim 1, characterized in that: The cable is detachably connected to the ion generating module.

3. The ion generator according to claim 1, characterized in that: The entirety of the discharge portion including the plurality of protection walls is arranged in the housing relative to the opening.

4. The ion generator according to claim 1, characterized in that: The plurality of protective walls in the discharge section are arranged around the discharge needle with gaps therebetween and are vertically arranged on the discharge surface along the axial direction of the discharge needle. The protection wall has the same cross-sectional shape in the axial direction.

5. The ion generator according to claim 4, characterized in that: The plurality of protection walls are vertically arranged on the discharge surface at equal angular intervals on the same circumference around the discharge needle.

6. The ion generator according to claim 4, characterized in that: The plurality of protection walls in the discharge portion are provided in a standing manner on the discharge surface in a number of at least six.

7. The ion generator according to claim 4, characterized in that: The plurality of protective walls in the discharge section are vertically arranged so as to form a pair of the gaps on the long axis. The pair of gaps in each of the plurality of discharge sections is arranged in a row on the major axis.

8. The ion generator according to claim 7, characterized in that: In the discharge portion, a reinforcing wall is provided between base ends of two adjacent protective walls, the reinforcing wall being provided upright from the discharge surface to connect the two protective walls to each other. The front end of the reinforcing wall is arranged at a position lower than the front end of the discharge needle.

9. The ion generator according to claim 1, characterized in that: The plurality of protection walls in the discharge portion are formed integrally with the main body.

10. The ion generator according to claim 1, characterized in that: In the ion generation module, a pair of cover members defining both end portions of the opening are provided at both end portions of the opening in the casing in the longitudinal direction.

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