Ion generator

Abstract

To provide an ion generator that can miniaturize a size in an intersection direction.SOLUTION: An ion generator includes: a fan for generating an air flow; a housing including an air outlet which is open toward a first direction and from which an air flow blows out, and accommodating the fan; and an ion generating part for generating an ion. The ion generating part is disposed while being offset in a second direction intersecting the first direction relative to an air channel between the fan and the air outlet.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an ion generating device. [Background technology]

[0002] In the ion generating device, a blower is provided in an air passage connecting an inlet and an outlet. The air passage is curved between the outlet and the blower. This curved portion extends in the front-to-rear direction of the ion generating device. The ion generating portion is also provided in the curved portion (see Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-91645 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The air outlet opens toward the front of the ion generator (specifically, diagonally upward toward the front). The ion generating unit is located behind the air outlet on the ventilation path. That is, the ion generating unit is disposed at a position overlapping the air outlet in a direction intersecting the opening. Therefore, there is a problem with the ion generating device in that it is difficult to reduce the size in the intersecting direction.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide an ion generating device that can be reduced in size in the crossing direction. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] An ion generating device according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a fan that generates an airflow, a housing that houses the fan and has an outlet that opens toward a first direction and through which the airflow blows out, and an ion generating unit that generates ions. The ion generating unit is positioned offset in a second direction that intersects with the first direction with respect to an air passage between the fan and the outlet. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide an ion generating device that can be reduced in size in a first direction. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is an external perspective view of an ion generating device 100 according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] 2 is a view of ion generating device 100 shown in FIG. 1 with outer wall 26 removed, viewed from above and diagonally forward right. [Figure 3] 3 is a cross-sectional view of ion generating device 100 taken along line III-III in FIG. 1, viewed from one side in the third direction Z1. [Figure 4] 1 is a perspective view showing an ion generating device 100 with a first fan 11, a second fan 12, and an ion generating section 3 removed. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a first fan 11 and a second fan 12. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a first filter 41 and a second filter 42. [Figure 7] 1 is a schematic diagram showing a first example of a use case of the ion generating device 100. FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a second example of a use case of the ion generating device 100. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is an external perspective view of an ion generating device 500 according to a second embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a view of ion generating device 500 shown in FIG. 9 with outer wall 66 removed, viewed from above and diagonally forward right. [Figure 11]10 is a cross-sectional view of ion generating device 500 taken along line XI-XI in FIG. 9, viewed from one side Z1 in the third direction. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Ion generating devices according to embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are designated by the same reference numerals, and repeated description will be avoided.

[0010] In the following, to facilitate understanding of the present invention, some drawings show a first direction X, a second direction Y, and a third direction Z that intersect with each other. In each embodiment, the term "intersect" means that lines, surfaces, or a line and a surface intersect with each other at a right angle, or that lines, surfaces, or a line and a surface intersect with each other at a non-right angle within a small difference range. The small difference is a concept that includes tolerance and error.

[0011] The first direction X is made up of one first direction X1 and the other first direction X2. The other first direction X2 is opposite to the one first direction X1. In each embodiment, the first direction X is a direction that intersects with the air outlets L11, L61. In particular, the one first direction X1 is the direction in which the air outlets L11, L61 open.

[0012] The second direction Y is made up of one second direction Y1 and another second direction Y2. The other second direction Y2 is opposite to the one second direction Y1. In this embodiment, the one second direction Y1 is the direction in which the outer walls 24, 64 are located relative to the outer walls 25, 65.

[0013] The third direction Z is made up of one third direction Z1 and the other third direction Z2. The other third direction Z2 is opposite to the one third direction Z1. In the embodiment, the one third direction Z1 is the direction in which the outer walls 26, 66 are located relative to the outer walls 21, 61.

[0014] [First embodiment] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the ion generating device 100 includes a fan 11, a housing 2, and an ion generating unit 3.

[0015] The fan 11 generates an airflow. The housing 2 has an air outlet L11. The air outlet L11 opens toward one side of the first direction X1. An airflow is blown out from the air outlet L11 as shown by arrow A14 (see FIG. 3). The housing 2 also houses the fan 11. The ion generating unit 3 generates ions. The ion generating unit 3 is further positioned offset in the second direction Y with respect to the air path between the fan 11 and the air outlet L11 (see arrow A13 in FIG. 3). Therefore, it is possible to provide an ion generating device 100 that can be reduced in size in the first direction X.

[0016] In the first embodiment, the ion generating unit 3 is housed in a space S1 that is different from the air passage, and is positioned offset in the second direction Y with respect to the air outlet L11.

[0017] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the housing 2 further houses an ion generation unit 3. For ease of explanation, hereinafter, the space S1 will also be referred to as a "first space S1." The ion generation unit 3 is disposed in the first space S1. The housing 2 further has an ion discharge port L21. The ion discharge port L21 connects the first space S1 with an external space S2 of the housing 2. The air outlet L11 and the ion discharge port L21 are formed so as to be offset from each other in the second direction Y. Therefore, it is possible to provide an ion generator 100 whose size in the first direction X can be reduced compared to a case in which the air outlet L11 and the ion discharge port L21 are not offset from each other in the second direction Y.

[0018] 2 to 4, the housing 2 further has a partition wall 27 that separates the first space S1 and the second space S21 from each other. A fan 11 is disposed in the second space S21 of the housing 2. Therefore, the ions generated in the ion generation unit 3 are rectified by the partition wall 27 and efficiently discharged from the ion discharge port L21 to the external space S2.

[0019] 1 to 3, the fan 11 and the ion generating unit 3 are arranged side by side in the second direction Y. Therefore, it is possible to provide an ion generating device 100 that can be made smaller in size in the first direction X compared to when the fan 11 and the ion generating unit 3 are not arranged side by side in the second direction Y (particularly when the fan 11 and the ion generating unit 3 are arranged side by side in the first direction X). In the first embodiment, the fan 11 and the ion generating unit 3 are housed in the same housing 2. However, this is not a limitation, and the fan 11 and the ion generating unit 3 may be housed in separate housings.

[0020] Hereinafter, the air outlet L11 will also be referred to as a "first air outlet L11." As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 4, the housing 2 further has a second air outlet L12. The second air outlet L12 is formed away from the first air outlet L11 in the second direction Y. The ion generation unit 3 is disposed between the first air outlet L11 and the second air outlet L12 in the second direction Y. As a result, ions generated in the ion generation unit 3 are discharged from the ion discharge port L21 in one side of the first direction X1.

[0021] Hereinafter, fan 11 will also be referred to as "first fan 11." As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, ion generating device 100 further includes second fan 12. Unlike first fan 11, second fan 12 generates an airflow that is blown out from second outlet L12. This allows the amount of air blown out from ion generating device 100 to be increased compared to when the first fan and second fan are not provided.

[0022] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the ion generating unit 3 includes a positive electrode 31 and a negative electrode 32. The positive electrode 31 generates positive ions. The negative electrode 32 generates negative ions. The positive electrode 31 and the negative electrode 32 are arranged side by side in the second direction Y. The positive electrode 31 and the negative electrode 32 improve the ability to remove bacteria or mold.

[0023] Ion generating device 100 will be described in further detail below with reference to FIGS.

[0024] FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing first fan 11 and second fan 12. In the first embodiment, first fan 11 and second fan 12 are sirocco fans with the same specifications, as shown in FIG. 5. By using the same specifications, the manufacturing costs of ion generating device 100 can be reduced. Specifically, first fan 11 and second fan 12 each have a housing 111, an impeller (not shown), and a motor (not shown). Housing 111 has a generally rectangular parallelepiped shape. Housing 111 also has an air inlet 112 and an air outlet 113, and houses the impeller and the motor. In first fan 11 and second fan 12, the impeller rotates by power generated by the motor. As a result, as shown by arrows A21 and A22, air is taken into housing 111 through air inlet 112 and blown out through air outlet 113.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 1, the housing 2 has a generally rectangular parallelepiped shape and has thin plate-like outer walls 21 to 26.

[0026] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the outer wall 21 has a substantially rectangular plate shape extending in the first direction X and the second direction Y.

[0027] 1 and 4, the outer wall 22 is a plate-like member extending in one third direction Z1 from an end of the outer wall 21 on the one first direction X1 side. The outer wall 22 has a substantially rectangular outer shape extending in both the second direction Y and the third direction Z.

[0028] Hereinafter, an imaginary plane that passes through the center of the outer wall 22 in the second direction Y and is parallel to the first direction X and the third direction Z will be referred to as a "vertical center plane F11" (see FIGS. 1 and 3).

[0029] 1 and 2, two ion exhaust ports L21 are formed in the outer wall 22 at positions that are approximately symmetrical to each other with respect to the vertical center plane F11. The two ion exhaust ports L21 have the same approximately rectangular shape in a plan view from the first direction X. The two ion exhaust ports L21 are aligned in the second direction Y near an end of the outer wall 22 on one side in the third direction Z1. The two ion exhaust ports L21 are connected via an opening L23 at a position near the end on one side in the third direction Z1.

[0030] One of the ion exhaust ports L21 is located on one side X1 in the first direction as viewed from the positive electrode 31. The other of the ion exhaust ports L21 is located on one side X1 in the first direction as viewed from the negative electrode 32. This arrangement makes it easier for positive ions and negative ions generated in the positive electrode 31 and the negative electrode 32 to be exhausted to the external space S2 from the two ion exhaust ports L21.

[0031] The two ion exhaust ports L21 do not have to be positioned approximately symmetrically with respect to the vertical center plane F11. The two ion exhaust ports L21 do not have to be connected via the opening L23. Furthermore, the planar shape of each ion exhaust port L21 does not have to be approximately rectangular.

[0032] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the outer wall 22 further has two openings L22 formed at positions approximately symmetrical to each other with respect to the vertical center plane F11. The two openings L22 have the same approximately rectangular shape in a plan view from the first direction X. The two openings L22 are aligned in the second direction Y at positions near the end of the outer wall 22 on one side of the third direction Z1. Two ion exhaust ports L21 are located between the two openings L22. The opening on the one side of the second direction Y1 of the two openings L22 is continuous with the opening on the other side of the second direction Y1 of the two ion exhaust ports L21 on the same side of the second direction Y1. Similarly, the opening L22 on the other side of the second direction Y2 is continuous with the opening L21 on the same side of the second direction Y2.

[0033] 4, the outer wall 23 extends in one third direction Z1 from the end of the outer wall 21 on the other first direction X2 side. The outer wall 23 has a substantially rectangular plate shape extending in the second direction Y and the third direction Z.

[0034] The outer wall 24 extends in one third direction Z1 from an end of the outer wall 21 on the one second direction Y1 side. The outer wall 24 extends in the first direction X and the third direction Z between the ends of the outer walls 22, 23 on the one second direction Y1 side. The outer wall 24 is in the shape of a substantially rectangular plate.

[0035] A plurality of openings L24 are formed in the outer wall 24. In the first embodiment, the plurality of openings L24 are arranged in the first direction X and the third direction Z. The plurality of openings L24 function as air inlets L24 (see FIGS. 2 to 4). In FIGS. 2 and 4, a single opening is denoted by the reference symbol "L24."

[0036] The outer wall 25 may have a shape that is approximately symmetrical to the outer wall 24 with respect to the vertical center plane F11. Therefore, the outer wall 25 has a plurality of openings L25. The plurality of openings L25 function as air inlets L25.

[0037] The outer wall 26 extends in the first direction X and the second direction Y inside each end of the outer walls 22 to 25 on the one side in the third direction Z1. The outer wall 26 may be configured to be detachable from the outer walls 22 to 25 (see FIG. 2).

[0038] No air inlet is formed in outer walls 21, 23, 26. Therefore, outer walls 21, 23, 26 can be used as installation surfaces. The size of outer walls 21, 23, 26 is larger than the size of outer walls 24, 25. Therefore, when outer walls 21, 23, 26 are used as installation surfaces, the posture of ion generating device 100 is stable.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 4, the housing 2 further includes partition walls 28, 29, and 210 to 212 in addition to the partition wall 27.

[0040] 3 and 4, the partition wall 27 is provided at the same position in the second direction Y as the end of the ion exhaust port L21 on the other side of the second direction Y2 on the one side of the second direction Y1. The partition wall 27 is a substantially rectangular plate extending in the first direction X and the third direction Z inside the outer walls 21 to 23, 26. The end of the partition wall 27 on the one side of the first direction X1 is set back in the other side of the first direction X2 from the outer wall 22. The end of the partition wall 27 on the other side of the first direction X2 is connected to the outer wall 23. Both ends of the partition wall 27 in the third direction Z are connected to the outer walls 21, 26.

[0041] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 , the partition wall 28 is provided at approximately the same position in the second direction Y as the end of the opening L22 on the other side of the second direction Y2. The partition wall 28 is a generally rectangular plate extending in the first direction X and the third direction Z inside the outer walls 21 to 23, 26. The end of the partition wall 28 on the one side of the first direction X1 is provided at approximately the same position as the end of the partition wall 27 on the same side of the first direction X1. Therefore, the end of the partition wall 28 on the one side of the first direction X1 is recessed in the other side of the first direction X2 from the outer wall 22. The end of the partition wall 28 on the other side of the first direction X2 is connected to the outer wall 23. Both ends of the partition wall 28 in the third direction Z are connected to the outer walls 21, 26.

[0042] An opening L26 is formed in the partition wall 28 at a position closer to the outer wall 21 than the outer wall 26. In detail, the opening L26 is formed along the outer wall 21 (see FIG. 4). The opening L26 faces some of the openings L25 in the second direction Y.

[0043] The partition wall 29 has a generally rectangular plate shape that extends in each of the second direction Y and the third direction Z between the outer walls 21, 26 and the ends of the partition walls 27, 28 on the one side in the first direction X1. A first air outlet L11 is formed in the partition wall 29 at a position closer to the outer wall 26 than the outer wall 21 (see FIG. 4). In detail, the first air outlet L11 is formed along the outer wall 26 as shown in FIG. 1. The first air outlet L11 is located between the opening L22 on the other side in the second direction Y2 and the air outlet 113 of the first fan 11 in the first direction X and is continuous with them.

[0044] As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the outer walls 21, 23, and 26 and the partition walls 27 to 29 define a second space S21. The first fan 11 is housed in the second space S21 so as to satisfy the following conditions (a) to (c). The condition (a) is that the air inlet 112 of the first fan 11 communicates with the opening L26 of the partition wall 28. More specifically, the condition (a) is that the housing 111 and the air inlet 112 of the first fan 11 are positioned farther away from the outer wall 21 in one side of the third direction Z1 (see FIG. 2). The condition (b) is that the air outlet 113 of the first fan 11 faces the first air outlet L11 of the partition wall 29 (see FIG. 2). The condition (c) is that the airflow generated by the first fan 11 is blown out from the first air outlet L11 toward the vertical center plane F11.

[0045] With the above configuration, an air passage P1 (see FIG. 3) through which air flows is formed in the housing 2. That is, the housing 2 has an air passage P1. The air passage P1 is generally indicated by arrows A11, A12, and A13 (see FIG. 3).

[0046] By arranging first fan 11 in second space S21 in accordance with conditions (a) to (c), when the impeller of first fan 11 rotates, air from external space S2 is taken into air passage P1 through air inlet L25 as shown by arrow A11, as shown in FIG. 3. Next, as shown by arrow A12, the air is taken into housing 111 from air inlet 112 of first fan 11. Thereafter, as shown by arrow A13, the air passes through air outlet 113 of first fan 11 and is blown out from air outlet L11 of housing 2 to the outside of first fan 11. Thereafter, as shown by arrow A14, the air is blown out from first air outlet L11.

[0047] As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the partition wall 210 may have a shape that is approximately symmetrical to the partition wall 27 with respect to the vertical center plane F11.

[0048] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 , the partition wall 211 is provided at approximately the same position in the second direction Y as the end of the opening L22 on the one side in the second direction Y1 of the second direction Y1. The partition wall 211 has a generally rectangular plate shape that extends in the first direction X and the third direction Z inside the outer walls 21 to 23, 26. In detail, the end of the partition wall 211 on the one side in the first direction X1 is at approximately the same position as the end of the partition wall 210 on the one side in the first direction X1. Therefore, the end of the partition wall 211 on the one side in the first direction X1 is set back in the other side in the first direction X2 from the outer wall 22. The end of the partition wall 211 on the other side in the first direction X2 is connected to the outer wall 23. Both ends of the partition wall 211 in the third direction Z are connected to the outer walls 21, 26.

[0049] 2 and 4, an opening L27 is formed in the partition wall 211 at a position closer to the outer wall 26 than to the outer wall 21. In detail, the opening L27 is formed along the outer wall 26 (see FIGS. 1 and 3). The opening L27 faces some of the openings L24 in the second direction Y.

[0050] The partition wall 212 has a generally rectangular plate shape that extends in each of the second direction Y and the third direction Z between the outer walls 21, 26 and the ends of the partition walls 210, 211 on the one side in the first direction X1. A second air outlet L12 is formed in the partition wall 212 at a position closer to the outer wall 21 than the outer wall 26. The second air outlet L12 is formed along the outer wall 21. As shown in FIG. 1 , the second air outlet L12 is located between the opening L22 on the one side in the second direction Y1 and the air outlet 113 of the second fan 12 in the first direction X and is continuous with them.

[0051] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the outer walls 21, 23, and 26 and the partition walls 210 to 212 define a third space S22 for accommodating the second fan 12. The second fan 12 is disposed in the third space S22 so as to satisfy the following conditions (d) to (f). The condition (d) is that the air inlet 112 of the second fan 12 communicates with the opening L27 of the partition wall 211. More specifically, the condition (d) is that the housing 111 and the air inlet 112 of the second fan 12 are positioned farther away in the other third direction Z2 than the outer wall 26 (see particularly FIG. 2). The condition (e) is that the air outlet 113 of the second fan 12 faces the second air outlet L12 of the partition wall 212 (see particularly FIGS. 1 and 2). Condition (f) is that the airflow generated by the second fan 12 is blown out from the second air outlet L12 toward the vertical center plane F11 (see arrows A33 and A34 in FIG. 1).

[0052] By arranging the second fan 12 in the third space S22 according to conditions (d) to (f), when the impeller of the second fan 12 rotates, as shown in FIG. 3, air from the external space S2 is taken into the air passage P2 through the air inlet L24 and then blown out from the first air outlet L11 via the second fan 12 (see arrows A31 to A34).

[0053] Due to conditions (c) and (f), the airflows generated by the first fan 11 and the second fan 12 are each blown out toward the longitudinal center plane F11. Therefore, due to the Coanda effect, positive ions and negative ions in the first space S1 are more likely to be released into the external space S2.

[0054] As shown in FIG. 4, the outer walls 21 to 23, 26 and the partition walls 27 to 29, 210 define a first space S1 for accommodating the ion generation unit 3 (see FIG. 1). The ion generation unit 3 is disposed in the first space S1 so as to satisfy the following conditions (g) and (h) (see FIG. 2). The condition (g) is that the positive electrode 31 and the negative electrode 32 are positioned closer to the ion discharge port L21 than the outer wall 23 in the first direction X. The condition (h) is that the positive electrode 31 and the negative electrode 32 are positioned closer to the partition walls 29, 212 than the outer wall 23 in the first direction X. This arrangement, together with the airflows from the first air outlet L11 and the second air outlet L12, facilitates the release of positive ions and negative ions from the ion generation unit 3 through the ion discharge port L21 (see FIG. 3).

[0055] 1 to 3, the ion generation unit 3 is located between the air outlets L11 and L12 in the second direction Y. Therefore, when airflow is blown out from the air outlets L11 and L12, the Coanda effect creates negative pressure on the side of the ion exhaust port L21 in the first direction X1. As a result, positive ions and negative ions from the ion generation unit 3 are more likely to be released from the ion exhaust port L21 in the first direction X1 (see FIG. 3).

[0056] 6 is a perspective view showing first filter 41 and second filter 42. As shown in FIG. 6, ion generating device 100 further includes first filter 41 and second filter 42. First filter 41 and second filter 42 are porous bodies having breathability, and capture foreign matter (e.g., dust) contained in the air sucked in through intake ports L25, L24. This prevents foreign matter from being drawn into first fan 11 and second fan 12.

[0057] Specifically, the first filter 41 is located between the outer wall 25 and the partition wall 28 in the second direction Y. The second filter 42 is located between the outer wall 24 and the partition wall 211 in the second direction Y. The first filter 41 and the second filter 42 are each located inside the outer walls 21 to 23, 26.

[0058] In order to support the first filter 41 and the second filter 42, the housing 2 is provided with guides 213 and 214.

[0059] 7 and 8 are schematic diagrams showing a first example and a second example of use cases of ion generating device 100, respectively.

[0060] 1 to 4, in ion generating device 100, ion generating unit 3 is disposed in space S1, which is different from airflow path P1, and is shifted in second direction Y with respect to air outlets L11 and L12. Therefore, housing 2 has a shape that is short in first direction X and long in second direction Y. As a result, as shown in FIG. 7, by appropriately selecting the size of housing 2, ion generating device 100 can be used while placed on desktop 300. Specifically, user 301 places ion generating device 100 on desktop 300 at a position relatively far from user 301. Furthermore, air outlets L11 and L12 are directed toward face 302 of user 301.

[0061] 8, ion generating device 100 can also be installed on the upper end of partition 310. In this case, air outlets L11 and L12 are also directed toward face 302 of user 301. In the use cases of FIGS. 7 and 8, ion generating device 100 does not get in the way of user 301.

[0062] [Second embodiment] As shown in FIGS. 9 to 11, ion generating device 500 includes fan 51, housing 6, and ion generating unit .

[0063] The fan 51 generates an airflow. The housing 6 has an air outlet L61. In the second embodiment, there are multiple air outlets L61. In FIGS. 9 to 11, one of the multiple air outlets L61 is indicated by a reference symbol and an arrow. The air outlet L61 opens toward one side of the first direction X1. An airflow is blown out from the air outlet L61 as shown by arrow A64 (see FIG. 11). The housing 6 also houses the fan 51. The ion generation unit 7 generates ions. The ion generation unit 7 is further positioned offset in the second direction Y with respect to an air passage P21 (see arrow A63 in FIG. 11) between the fan 51 and the air outlet L61. Therefore, it is possible to provide an ion generator 500 whose size in the first direction X can be reduced.

[0064] In the second embodiment, the ion generation unit 7 is housed in a space S51 different from the air passage P21, and is positioned offset in the second direction Y with respect to the air outlet L61. The air passage P21 is formed on the other side of the second direction Y2 of the surface F51 (see FIG. 11). The surface F51 is an imaginary surface that is parallel to both the third direction Z and the first direction X and is located between the fan 51 and the ion generation unit 7 in the second direction Y.

[0065] The housing 6 further houses the ion generation unit 7. For ease of explanation, hereinafter, the space S51 will also be referred to as the "first space S51." The ion generation unit 7 is disposed in the first space S51. The housing 6 further has an ion discharge port L71. The ion discharge port L71 connects the first space S51 with an external space S52 of the housing 6. The air outlet L61 and the ion discharge port L71 are formed to be offset from each other in the second direction Y. Therefore, it is possible to provide an ion generator 500 that can be made smaller in size in the first direction X than when the air outlet L61 and the ion discharge port L71 are not offset from each other in the second direction Y. The ion discharge port L71 is formed on one side Y1 of the second direction relative to the air outlet L61.

[0066] The fan 51 and the ion generation unit 7 are arranged side by side in the second direction Y. Therefore, it is possible to provide an ion generating device 500 that can be made smaller in size in the first direction X compared to when the two are not arranged side by side in the second direction Y (particularly when the two are arranged side by side in the first direction X). In the second embodiment, the fan 51 and the ion generation unit 7 are housed in the same housing 6. However, this is not a limitation, and the fan 51 and the ion generation unit 7 may be housed in separate housings.

[0067] Hereinafter, the air outlet L61 will also be referred to as a "first air outlet L61." As shown in FIGS. 9 to 11, the housing 6 further has a second air outlet L62. The second air outlet L62 is formed away from the first air outlet L61 in the second direction Y. The ion generation unit 7 is disposed between the first air outlet L61 and the second air outlet L62 in the second direction Y. As a result, ions generated in the ion generation unit 3 are discharged from the ion discharge port L71 in one side of the first direction X1.

[0068] Hereinafter, fan 51 will also be referred to as "first fan 51." As shown in FIGS. 9 to 11, ion generating device 500 further includes second fan 52. Unlike first fan 51, second fan 52 generates an airflow that is blown out from second air outlet L62. This allows the amount of air blown out from ion generating device 500 to be increased compared to when the first fan and second fan are not provided.

[0069] The ion generating unit 7 includes a positive electrode 71 and a negative electrode 72. The positive electrode 71 and the negative electrode 72 are similar to the positive electrode 31 and the negative electrode 32, and are arranged side by side in the second direction Y.

[0070] Ion generating device 500 will be described in further detail below with reference to FIGS.

[0071] In the second embodiment, the first fan 51 and the second fan 52 are axial fans with the same specifications. Specifically, each of the first fan 51 and the second fan 52 includes a housing 511, an impeller 514, and a motor (not shown). The housing 511 has a generally rectangular parallelepiped shape. The housing 511 also includes an air inlet 512 and an air outlet 513, and houses the impeller 514 and the motor. In the first fan 51 and the second fan 52, the impeller 514 rotates by power generated by the motor. As a result, in the first fan 51, as shown in FIG. 11 , air is taken into the housing 511 through the air inlet 512 (see arrow A62) and blown out from the air outlet 513 (see arrows A63 and A64). In second fan 52, air is taken into housing 511 through intake port 512 (see arrow A72), and air is blown out through outlet port 513 (see arrows A73 and A74).

[0072] The housing 6 has a roughly rectangular parallelepiped shape and has thin, plate-like outer walls 61 to 66. The outer walls 61 to 66 are similar to the outer walls 21 to 26, and therefore a brief description of each will be given.

[0073] On the outer wall 61, the first fan 51, the ion generating unit 7, and the second fan 52 are arranged in this order from the other second direction Y2 toward the one second direction Y1 (see FIGS. 10 and 11).

[0074] An ion discharge port L71 is formed in a portion of the outer wall 62 on the one side of the first direction X1 of the ion generation unit 7. A first air outlet L61 is formed in a portion of the outer wall 62 closer to the other side of the second direction Y2 than the ion discharge port L71 and closer to the first fan 51 in the one side of the first direction X1. A second air outlet L62 is formed in a portion of the outer wall 62 closer to the other side of the second direction Y1 than the ion discharge port L71 and closer to the second fan 52 in the one side of the first direction X1. In the second embodiment, the first air outlet L61 is adjacent to the ion discharge port L71 on the other side of the second direction Y2. The second air outlet L62 is adjacent to the ion discharge port L71 on the other side of the second direction Y1. The first air outlet L61 may be continuous with the ion discharge port L71 on the other side of the second direction Y2. The second air outlet L62 may be continuous with the ion discharge port L71 on the other side of the second direction Y1.

[0075] A plurality of openings L63 are formed in the outer wall 63 in a portion closer to the other side of the first direction X2 than the first fan 51. In the second embodiment, the plurality of openings L63 are arranged in the second direction Y and the third direction Z. The plurality of openings L63 function as air inlets L63. Note that in FIGS. 9 to 11, a single opening is denoted by the reference symbol "L63."

[0076] A plurality of openings L64 are formed in the outer wall 63 in a portion closer to the other side of the first direction X2 than the second fan 52. In the second embodiment, the plurality of openings L64 are arranged in the second direction Y and the third direction Z. The plurality of openings L64 function as air inlets L64. Note that in FIGS. 9 to 11, a single opening is denoted by the reference symbol "L64."

[0077] When the impeller 514 of the first fan 51 rotates, as shown in FIG. 11 , air from the external space S2 is taken into the housing 6 through the air inlet L63, as indicated by the arrow A62. The air inside the housing 6 is taken into the housing 511 through the air inlet 512 of the first fan 51. Then, as indicated by the arrow A63, the air is blown out into the air passage P21 through the air outlet 513 of the first fan 51. Then, the air is blown out into the external space S52 from the air outlet L61 of the housing 6. Similarly, by operation of the second fan 52, air from the external space S2 is taken into the housing 6 through the air inlet L64, as indicated by the arrow A72. The air inside the housing 6 is taken into the housing 511 through the air inlet 512 of the second fan 52. Then, as indicated by the arrow A73, the air is blown out from the air outlet 513 of the second fan 52 and then blown out into the external space S52 from the air outlet L62 of the housing 6.

[0078] When the airflows generated by the first fan 51 and the second fan 52 are blown out from the outlets L61 and L62, respectively, the positive ions and negative ions in the first space S51 are easily released into the external space S52 due to the Coanda effect.

[0079] Furthermore, the drawings mainly show each component in a schematic manner to facilitate understanding of the present disclosure, and the thickness, length, number, spacing, etc. of each component shown in the drawings may differ from the actual configuration due to the convenience of creating the drawings. Furthermore, the configuration of each component shown in each of the above embodiments is merely an example and is not particularly limited, and it goes without saying that various modifications are possible within a scope that does not substantially deviate from the effects of the present disclosure.

[0080] (1) In the first embodiment, the airflow generated by the first fan 11 is blown out from the first air outlet L11, and the airflow generated by the second fan 12 is blown out from the second air outlet L12. However, this is not limiting, and an air path may be formed in the housing 2 so that the airflow generated by one fan is blown out from each of the air outlets L11 and L12.

[0081] (2) In the first embodiment, the air outlets L11, L12 are formed on both sides of the ion generating unit 3. However, this is not limiting, and the ion generating device 100 may be configured as follows. That is, the ion generating unit 3 is disposed inside a ring-shaped or partially ring-shaped housing 2. A large number of air outlets are formed in the housing 2 so as to surround the ion generating unit 3.

[0082] (3) In the first embodiment, the first fan 11 and the second fan 12 are sirocco fans. However, this is not limiting, and the first fan 11 and the second fan 12 may be axial fans or centrifugal fans. In the second embodiment, the first fan 51 and the second fan 52 may be fans other than axial fans.

[0083] (4) In the first embodiment, the first fan 11 and the second fan 12 have the same specifications. However, this is not limiting, and the first fan 11 and the second fan 12 may have different specifications. This also applies to the first fan 51 and the second fan 52 of the second embodiment.

[0084] (5) In the first embodiment, the first fan 11 was disposed in the second space S21 in accordance with condition (c). The second fan 12 was disposed in the third space S22 in accordance with condition (f). However, this is not limiting, and the first fan 11 may blow out from the first outlet L11 an airflow that moves away from the vertical center plane F11 in the second direction Y2 as the first fan 11 becomes farther from the housing 2 in one side of the first direction X1. The second fan 12 may blow out from the second outlet L12 an airflow that moves away from the vertical center plane F11 in one side of the second direction Y1 as the first fan 11 becomes farther from the housing 2 in one side of the first direction X1. In other words, the direction of the airflow blown out from the first outlet L11 and the second outlet L12 may be determined appropriately depending on the design specifications and design concept of the ion generating device 100.

[0085] (6) In the first embodiment, air inlet 112 and air outlet 113 (see FIGS. 2 and 3) did not directly face external space S2 of ion generating device 100. However, this is not limiting, and at least one of first fan 11 and second fan 12 may be attached to housing 2 so that air inlet 112 and air outlet 113 directly face external space S2. Similarly, in the second embodiment, at least one of first fan 51 and second fan 52 may be attached to housing 6 so that air inlet 512 and air outlet 513 (see FIGS. 10 and 11) directly face external space S52. [Industrial Applicability]

[0086] The ion generating device according to the present disclosure has industrial applicability. [Explanation of symbols]

[0087] 100,500: Ion generator 11,51: First Fan 12,52: Second Fan 2,6: Housing 3, 7: Ion generating unit 31,71: Positive electrode 32,72 :Negative electrode 27~29: Bulkhead 210~212: Bulkhead L11,L61: First outlet L12,L62:Second outlet L21, L71: Ion outlet S1, S51: First space S2, S52: External space S21:Second space X: first direction Y:Second direction

Claims

1. A fan that generates airflow, a housing that houses the fan and has an air outlet that opens toward a first direction and through which the airflow blows out; an ion generating unit that generates ions; Equipped with The ion generating device, wherein the ion generating unit is disposed so as to be shifted in a second direction intersecting with the first direction with respect to an air passage between the fan and the air outlet.

2. the housing further houses the ion generation unit and has an ion outlet that connects a first space in which the ion generation unit is disposed to an external space of the housing, The ion generating device according to claim 1 , wherein the air outlet and the ion outlet are formed to be shifted from each other in the second direction.

3. The ion generating device according to claim 2 , wherein the housing further includes a partition wall separating the first space from a second space in which the fan is disposed.

4. The ion generating device according to claim 1 , wherein the fan and the ion generating unit are arranged side by side in the second direction.

5. The housing further includes a second air outlet formed apart from the first air outlet in the second direction, The ion generating device according to claim 1 , wherein the ion generating section is disposed between the first air outlet and the second air outlet in the second direction.

6. The ion generating device according to claim 5 , further comprising a second fan that is different from the first fan and generates an air current to be blown out from the second outlet.

7. The ion generating unit is a positive electrode that generates positive ions; A negative electrode that generates negative ions Equipped with The ion generating device according to claim 1 , wherein the positive electrode and the negative electrode are arranged side by side in the second direction.

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