Ion generators and electronic equipment

Abstract

Increase the amount of ions generated. [Solution] The ion generator (1) comprises an induction electrode (9), discharge electrodes (5,6) that generate a discharge due to the potential difference between them and the induction electrode (9), and an insulating resin (10) that covers the induction electrode (9). The discharge electrodes (5,6) have exposed portions (5b,6b) that are exposed to the outside. The induction electrode (9) is positioned on the tip side of the exposed portions (5b,6b) rather than the base end.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an ion generator and the like.

Background Art

[0002] An ion generator generates ions by high-voltage discharge occurring between a discharge electrode and an induction electrode, for example, as disclosed in Patent Document 1. The amount of ions generated depends on the intensity of the electric field formed between the discharge electrode and the induction electrode, and the higher the electric field intensity, the more ions can be obtained.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In an ion generator, it has been required to generate more ions.

[0005] One aspect of the present invention aims to increase the amount of ions generated.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To solve the above problems, an ion generator according to one aspect of the present invention includes an induction electrode, a discharge electrode that generates discharge due to a potential difference with the induction electrode, and an insulator that covers the induction electrode. The discharge electrode has an exposed portion that is exposed to the outside, and the induction electrode is disposed on the tip side rather than the base end of the exposed portion.

Effects of the Invention

[0007] According to one aspect of the present invention, the amount of ions generated can be increased.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a plan view showing the configuration of an ion generator according to Embodiment 1 of the invention. [Figure 2] This is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in Figure 1. [Figure 3] This is a perspective view showing the configuration of the ion generator described above. [Figure 4] This is a circuit diagram showing the circuit configuration of the ion generator described above. [Figure 5] This figure shows the state in which an electric field is generated between the discharge electrode and the induction electrode in the comparative ion generator. [Figure 6] This figure shows the state in which an electric field is generated between the discharge electrode and the induction electrode in the ion generator according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 7] This is a front view showing the configuration of an ion generator according to a modified example of Embodiment 1. [Figure 8] This is a plan view showing the schematic configuration of an air purifier according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] [Embodiment 1] <Configuration of the ion generator> One embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below.

[0010] Figure 1 is a plan view showing the configuration of the ion generator 1 according to Embodiment 1. Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in Figure 1. Figure 3 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the ion generator 1.

[0011] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the ion generator 1 comprises a housing 2, a discharge electrode substrate 3, an induction electrode substrate 4, a discharge electrode 5 (first discharge electrode), a discharge electrode 6 (second discharge electrode), surface electrodes 7 and 8, an induction electrode 9, an insulating resin 10 (insulator), and capacitors 11 and 12.

[0012] The housing 2 is formed in a box shape from an insulating resin. The housing 2 has a rectangular shape in plan view as shown in Figure 1. The housing 2 has a main body portion 21 and a lid portion 22. The main body portion 21 has a base portion 21a and a protruding portion 21b.

[0013] The base portion 21a has two end faces, which are visible in the plan view shown in Figure 1, on both ends of the base portion 21a. The inside of the base portion 21a is formed as a cavity. Discharge electrodes 5 and 6, which will be described later, pass through these end faces. The discharge electrodes 5 and 6 are positioned near one of the long sides of the rectangle in the main body portion 21. A terminal block 21c is positioned near the other long side of the rectangle at the end face where the discharge electrodes 6 are located. The side of the base portion 21a opposite to the end faces is completely open.

[0014] The protrusion 21b is provided between the two end faces of the base portion 21a. The protrusion 21b is formed to protrude from the end faces of the base portion 21a. The protrusion 21b has a thickness that is approximately the same as the length of the exposed portions 5b and 6b of the discharge electrodes 5 and 6 that are exposed from the housing 2, which will be described later. The inside of the protrusion 21b is formed as a cavity.

[0015] The lid portion 22 is a plate-shaped member that closes the opening in the open part of the base portion 21a. The lid portion 22 has a plurality of through holes 22a. The through holes 22a are used as injection ports for injecting resin material for forming the insulating resin 10 (described later) into the housing 2 when the lid portion 22 is closing the opening in the base portion 21a, and are also used as exhaust ports for releasing air from inside the housing 2 into which the resin material has been injected.

[0016] The discharge electrode substrate 3 and the induction electrode substrate 4 are rectangular circuit boards. The discharge electrode substrate 3 is positioned inside the base portion 21a described above, at a predetermined distance from the lid portion 22. The induction electrode substrate 4 is positioned inside the convex portion 21b described above, at a predetermined distance from the discharge electrode substrate 3. The discharge electrode substrate 3 and the induction electrode substrate 4 are formed from a resin such as epoxy.

[0017] At both ends of the discharge electrode substrate 3, discharge electrodes 5 and 6 are mounted. The discharge electrodes 5 and 6 are needle-shaped electrodes with sharp tips. The discharge electrodes 5 and 6 are not limited to needle-shaped electrodes, and may be electrodes with brush-shaped tips.

[0018] The discharge electrodes 5 and 6 are fixed to the discharge electrode substrate 3 so as to penetrate the discharge electrode substrate 3. The discharge electrodes 5 and 6 have built-in portions 5a and 6a and exposed portions 5b and 6b. The built-in portions 5a and 6a are composed of a portion penetrating the base portion 21a and a portion disposed inside the base portion 21a. The exposed portions 5b and 6b are portions that are exposed to the outside from the above-described end surface in the base portion 21a, including their respective tips, that is, to the outside of the ion generator 1. The discharge electrode 5 generates positive ions with the induction electrode 9 described later. The discharge electrode 6 generates negative ions with the induction electrode 9.

[0019] The surface electrodes 7 and 8 are electrodes formed in a plate shape (planar shape) so as to be connected to the entire circumference of the discharge electrodes 5 and 6 around the discharge electrodes 5 and 6 on the discharge electrode substrate 3 and extend to the side of the induction electrode substrate 4. The surface electrode 7 is formed, for example, of a copper foil integrally with a first wiring pattern (not shown) on the surface of the discharge electrode substrate 3 facing one end side of the induction electrode substrate 4. The surface electrode 8 is formed, for example, of a copper foil integrally with a second wiring pattern (not shown) on the surface of the discharge electrode substrate 3 facing the other end side of the induction electrode substrate 4.

[0020] The first wiring pattern is provided for connecting the surface electrode 7 to a diode 13 (see FIG. 4) described later. The second wiring pattern is provided for connecting the surface electrode 8 to a diode 14 (see FIG. 4) described later.

[0021] Furthermore, the surface electrodes 7 and 8 do not necessarily have to be formed around the discharge electrodes 5 and 6, as long as they each have a portion facing a part of the induction electrode 9, as will be described later. Specifically, the surface electrodes 7 and 8 may be formed on the discharge electrode substrate 3 at a position away from the discharge electrodes 5 and 6, as long as they are electrically connected to the discharge electrodes 5 and 6, respectively. When the surface electrodes 7 and 8 are formed on the discharge electrode substrate 3 at a position away from the discharge electrodes 5 and 6, they are connected to the discharge electrodes 5 and 6 by the first wiring pattern and the second wiring pattern, respectively.

[0022] The induction electrode 9 is formed on the surface of the induction electrode substrate 4 facing the discharge electrode substrate 3. A portion of the induction electrode 9 is formed in a region facing a portion of the surface electrodes 7 and 8. The induction electrode 9 is formed in a plate-like (surface-like) form, for example, of copper foil, integrally with a third wiring pattern (not shown) formed on the induction electrode substrate 4. The third wiring pattern is provided to connect the induction electrode 9 to the secondary terminal of the transformer 15 (see Figure 4), which will be described later.

[0023] The induction electrode 9 is an electrode that also serves as an electrode for capacitors 11 and 12, which will be described later. The induction electrode 9 is electrically connected to the secondary terminal of the transformer 15, and a potential difference is generated between the induction electrode 9 and the discharge electrodes 5 and 6, which are electrically connected to the primary terminal of the transformer 15. This potential difference causes the discharge electrodes 5 and 6 to discharge. As will be described later, the induction electrode 9 is placed inside the housing 2, which is filled with insulating resin 10, and is covered by the insulating resin 10. The induction electrode 9 is positioned on the tip side (upper side in Figure 2) of the base end of the discharge electrodes 5 and 6. Preferably, the induction electrode 9 is positioned in a range R from the base end of the exposed portion 5b and 6b to a position P in the direction in which the discharge electrodes 5 and 6 extend, at a distance 2D that is twice the distance D from the base end to the tip of the respective exposed portion 5b and 6b of the discharge electrodes 5 and 6.

[0024] The insulating resin 10 is filled inside the housing 2. As a result, the insulating resin 10 fills the space between the surface electrodes 7 and 8 and the induction electrode 9. Epoxy resin, urethane resin, etc., are used as the resin material for forming the insulating resin 10. The insulating resin 10 electrically insulates the discharge electrode substrate 3 and the induction electrode substrate 4. Furthermore, the insulating resin 10 prevents dust and other debris from adhering to the discharge electrode substrate 3 and the induction electrode substrate 4. The insulating resin 10 is formed when the resin material is injected into the housing 2 as described above and then hardens.

[0025] Capacitor 11 is formed by a surface electrode 7, an induction electrode 9, and an insulating resin 10 interposed between the surface electrode 7 and the induction electrode 9. Capacitor 12 is formed by a surface electrode 8, an induction electrode 9, and an insulating resin 10 interposed between the surface electrode 8 and the induction electrode 9. In capacitors 11 and 12, the insulating resin 10 functions as a dielectric.

[0026] The capacitance C of capacitors 11 and 12 is expressed by the following formula, where S is the area of ​​the overlapping region between the surface electrodes 7 and 8 and the induction electrode 9. The overlapping region is the area where the surface electrodes 7 and 8 and the induction electrode 9 overlap in a direction perpendicular to both the discharge electrode substrate 3 and the induction electrode substrate 4. In the following formula, ε is the dielectric constant of the insulating resin 10, and d is the distance between the surface electrodes 7 and 8 and the induction electrode 9.

[0027] C = ε(S / d) The capacitance C of capacitors 11 and 12 can be adjusted by adjusting at least one of the area S, dielectric constant ε, and distance d.

[0028] Next, we will explain the circuit configuration of ion generator 1. Figure 4 is a circuit diagram showing the circuit configuration of ion generator 1.

[0029] As shown in Figure 4, the ion generator 1 further comprises diodes 13 and 14, a transformer 15, and a drive circuit 16.

[0030] The anode of diode 13 and the cathode of diode 14 are connected to one terminal of the secondary coil (high voltage side) of the transformer 15. The cathode of diode 13 is connected to the surface electrode 7, which also serves as one electrode of capacitor 11, via the first wiring pattern described above formed on the discharge electrode substrate 3. The anode of diode 14 is connected to the surface electrode 8, which also serves as one electrode of capacitor 12, and the discharge electrode 6, via the second wiring pattern described above formed on the discharge electrode substrate 3.

[0031] Diode 13 rectifies the high AC voltage output from transformer 15 and applies a positive voltage to discharge electrode 5. Diode 14 rectifies the high AC voltage output from transformer 15 and applies a negative voltage to discharge electrode 6.

[0032] The inductive electrode 9, which forms the other electrode of capacitors 11 and 12, is connected to the other terminal of the secondary coil in the transformer 15 via the third wiring pattern described above, which is formed on the inductive electrode substrate 4.

[0033] The drive circuit 16 converts the input DC voltage into an AC voltage of a predetermined frequency, and drives the transformer 15 by applying the converted AC voltage to the primary coil of the transformer 15.

[0034] <Effects of ion generators> Figure 5 shows the state in which an electric field is generated between the discharge electrodes 5 and 6 and the induction electrode 9 in the comparative example ion generator 101. Figure 6 shows the state in which an electric field is generated between the discharge electrodes 5 and 6 and the induction electrode 9 in the ion generator 1.

[0035] As shown in Figure 5, the ion generator 101 according to the comparative example has a housing 102 that does not include a portion like the protrusion 21b in the housing 2 of the ion generator 1. The housing 102 is composed of a main body portion 1021 and a lid portion 1022. The discharge electrodes 5 and 6 are arranged in the main body portion 1021 at the same interval as the discharge electrodes 5 and 6 of the ion generator 1. The induction electrode 9 is arranged inside the housing 102 between the respective internal portions 5a and 6a of the discharge electrodes 5 and 6.

[0036] In the ion generator 101 configured in this way, positive ions are generated by the electric field between the tip of the discharge electrode 5 and the induction electrode 9, and negative ions are generated by the electric field between the tip of the discharge electrode 6 and the induction electrode 9. Furthermore, in the ion generator 101, there are no obstacles between the exposed portions 5b and 6b of the discharge electrodes 5 and 6, respectively. Therefore, the positive and negative ions generated as described above tend to combine between the exposed portions 5b and 6b. Consequently, the amount of ions generated tends to decrease.

[0037] As shown in Figure 6, in the ion generator 1 configured as described above, positive ions are generated by the electric field between the tip of the discharge electrode 5 and the induction electrode 9, and negative ions are generated by the electric field between the tip of the discharge electrode 6 and the induction electrode 9. In the ion generator 1, the induction electrode 9 is located inside the protrusion 21b and is closer to the tips of the discharge electrodes 5 and 6 than the induction electrode 9 in the ion generator 101.

[0038] This makes it possible to increase the strength of the electric field generated between the discharge electrodes 5 and 6 and the induction electrode 9 compared to the strength of the electric field generated in the ion generator 101. Therefore, the amount of ions generated can be increased. Moreover, in the ion generator 1, the protrusion 21b acts as an obstacle, making it difficult for positive and negative ions to combine between the exposed parts 5b and 6b. Also, since the induction electrode 9 is covered with insulating resin 10, positive and negative ions are less likely to be absorbed by the induction electrode 9. Consequently, the ion generator 1 can increase the amount of ions released based on the generated positive and negative ions compared to the ion generator 101.

[0039] In the ion generator 1, capacitors 11 and 12 are formed by surface electrodes 7 and 8, an induction electrode 9, and an insulating resin 10 interposed between the surface electrodes 7 and 8 and the induction electrode 9, respectively. This eliminates the need for capacitors, which are high-voltage components. Therefore, the area required for mounting these capacitors on the discharge electrode substrate 3 or induction electrode substrate 4 can be reduced. Consequently, the size of the discharge electrode substrate 3 or induction electrode substrate 4 can be reduced. Thus, miniaturization of the ion generator 1 becomes possible.

[0040] Furthermore, capacitors 11 and 12 are constructed using existing components such as the discharge electrode substrate 3, the induction electrode substrate 4, and the insulating resin 10. Therefore, the ion generator 1 can be manufactured inexpensively. Moreover, the capacitance of capacitors 11 and 12 can be easily adjusted by adjusting at least one of the following: the overlapping area of ​​the patterns of the surface electrodes 7 and 8 and the induction electrode 9, the spacing between the electrodes, and the dielectric constant of the insulating resin 10.

[0041] Furthermore, because the ion generator 1 is equipped with high-voltage capacitors 11 and 12, the high-frequency output pulse of the transformer 15 gradually decreases while maintaining a high voltage without oscillating (vibrating) due to the capacitors 11 and 12. This extends the period during which an electric field is generated between the discharge electrodes 5 and 6 and the induction electrode 9. Therefore, the ion generation efficiency is improved.

[0042] Furthermore, at least one of the discharge electrode substrate 3 and the induction electrode substrate 4 may be configured to function as a dielectric for capacitors 11 and 12, similar to the insulating resin 10. Specifically, at least one of the arrangement positions of the discharge electrode substrate 3 and the surface electrodes 7 and 8, and the arrangement position of the induction electrode substrate 4 and the induction electrode 9, is reversed from the arrangement position shown in Figure 2. As a result, at least one of the discharge electrode substrate 3 and the induction electrode substrate 4 is added as a dielectric for capacitors 11 and 12. Therefore, the capacitance of capacitors 11 and 12 can be adjusted by appropriately changing the thickness and dielectric constant of at least one of the discharge electrode substrate 3 and the induction electrode substrate 4 that has been added as a dielectric for capacitors 11 and 12.

[0043] Furthermore, the induction electrode 9 does not have to be positioned between the exposed portions 5b and 6b of the discharge electrodes 5 and 6. Specifically, the induction electrode 9 may be positioned inside a protrusion located on the side of the exposed portions 5b and 6b that is closer to one of them and further away from the other, or inside a protrusion located on the side of the exposed portions 5b and 6b that is closer to the other and further away from the other. Alternatively, the induction electrode 9 may be positioned inside both of these protrusions.

[0044] When the induction electrode 9 is arranged in this manner, one or the other of the discharge electrodes 5 and 6 is separated from the other or one of them, respectively. Therefore, it is not possible to increase the electric field strength between the distant discharge electrodes, but it is possible to increase the electric field strength between the close discharge electrodes. Consequently, the overall amount of ions generated can be increased.

[0045] In the example described above, the induction electrode 9 is located inside a protrusion 21b formed to protrude from the surface through which the discharge electrodes 5 and 6 penetrate the housing 2. However, the location of the induction electrode 9 is not limited to inside the protrusion 21b. For example, the induction electrode 9 may be located inside an insulator provided at a distance from the surface through which the discharge electrodes 5 and 6 penetrate the housing 2, on the tip side of the discharge electrodes 5 and 6.

[0046] [Variation] Next, a modified example of this embodiment will be described. Figure 7 is a front view showing the configuration of the ion generator 1A according to a modified example of Embodiment 1.

[0047] As shown in Figure 7, the ion generator 1A is configured the same as the ion generator 1, except that it is equipped with discharge electrodes 5A and 6A instead of discharge electrodes 5 and 6.

[0048] Discharge electrodes 5A and 6A are formed to be longer than discharge electrodes 5 and 6, respectively.

[0049] In the ion generator 1A configured in this way, the induction electrode 9 is positioned inside the protrusion 21b of the housing 2. This allows the induction electrode 9 to be positioned closer to the tips of the discharge electrodes 5A and 6A than if it were positioned inside the base portion 21a of the housing 2, thereby increasing the electric field strength between the discharge electrodes 5A and 6A and the induction electrode 9.

[0050] [Embodiment 2] Embodiment 2 of the present invention will be described below. For the sake of convenience, components having the same function as those described in Embodiment 1 will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and their descriptions will be omitted.

[0051] Figure 8 is a plan view showing the schematic configuration of the air purifier 200 according to Embodiment 2.

[0052] As shown in Figure 8, the air purifier 200 (electronic device) comprises an ion generator 201 and a blower 202. The ion generator 201 is either the ion generator 1 or ion generator 1A in Embodiment 1.

[0053] The blower 202 generates an airflow in the direction indicated by the arrows in Figure 8 in order to deliver the ions generated by the ion generator 201.

[0054] In this embodiment, an example in which the ion generator 201 is mounted on an air purifier 200 has been described. The ion generator 201 may also be mounted on other electronic devices such as air conditioners, blowers, vacuum cleaners, refrigerators, deodorizers, futon dryers, humidifiers, dehumidifiers, cooking appliances, and hair dryers.

[0055] 〔summary〕 An ion generator according to embodiment 1 of the present invention comprises an induction electrode, a discharge electrode that generates a discharge due to a potential difference between itself and the induction electrode, and an insulator covering the induction electrode, wherein the discharge electrode has an exposed portion that is exposed to the outside, and the induction electrode is positioned on the tip side of the exposed portion rather than the base end.

[0056] In the ion generator according to embodiment 2 of the present invention, in embodiment 1, the induction electrode is arranged in a range from the base end to a position away from the direction in which the discharge electrode extends, at a distance of twice the distance from the base end to the tip of the exposed portion.

[0057] With the above configuration, the induction electrode can be brought closer to the tip of the discharge electrode. This increases the strength of the electric field formed between the tip of the discharge electrode and the induction electrode. Therefore, the amount of ions generated can be increased. In addition, since the induction electrode is covered with an insulator, the absorption of generated ions by the induction electrode can be suppressed. This increases the amount of ions released.

[0058] An ion generator according to embodiment 3 of the present invention, in embodiment 1 or 2 above, the discharge electrode includes a first discharge electrode that generates positive ions due to a potential difference with respect to the induction electrode, and a second discharge electrode that generates negative ions due to a potential difference with respect to the induction electrode, wherein the induction electrode is positioned between the exposed portion of the first discharge electrode and the exposed portion of the second discharge electrode.

[0059] In the above configuration, the induction electrode acts as an obstacle between the exposed portions of the first discharge electrode and the second discharge electrode. Therefore, it becomes difficult for the positive ions generated between the first discharge electrode and the induction electrode to combine with the negative ions generated between the second discharge electrode and the induction electrode.

[0060] An ion generator according to embodiment 4 of the present invention further comprises a surface electrode connected to the discharge electrode in embodiment 1, the induction electrode is formed in a planar shape, the surface electrode and the induction electrode are arranged to face each other in at least a portion, the insulator is further filled between the surface electrode and the induction electrode, and a capacitor is formed by the surface electrode, the induction electrode and the insulator interposed between the surface electrode and the induction electrode.

[0061] In the above configuration, a capacitor is formed by using an insulator as a dielectric material, consisting of a surface electrode, an inductive electrode, and the insulator. Therefore, a separate capacitor component is unnecessary. Moreover, unlike capacitor components, surface electrodes and inductive electrodes have fewer constraints on their mounting position on the substrate. Therefore, surface electrodes and inductive electrodes can be placed in unused areas on the substrate. Consequently, it becomes unnecessary to reserve an area on the substrate for mounting capacitor components, and the substrate area can be reduced.

[0062] The electronic device according to aspect 5 of the present invention includes the ion generator described in aspect 1 or 2 above.

[0063] This provides the same effects as the ion generators described in embodiments 1 to 4.

[0064] [Additional Notes] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims. Furthermore, embodiments obtained by appropriately combining the technical means disclosed in each embodiment are also included in the technical scope of the present invention. Moreover, new technical features can be formed by combining the technical means disclosed in each embodiment. [Explanation of symbols]

[0065] 1.1A Ion Generator 2 cabinets 5 Discharge electrode (first discharge electrode) 5b Exposed part 6 Discharge electrode (second discharge electrode) 6b Exposed part 7,8 plane electrode 9 Induction electrode (second electrode) 10. Insulating resin (insulating material) 11,12 Capacitors 200 Air purifiers (electronic devices)

Claims

1. Inductor electrode and, A discharge electrode that generates a discharge due to the potential difference between it and the induction electrode, The induction electrode is covered by an insulator, The discharge electrode has an exposed portion that is exposed to the outside, The induction electrode is positioned on the tip side of the exposed portion, in the ion generator.

2. The ion generator according to claim 1, wherein the induction electrode is arranged in a range from the base end to a position away from the direction in which the discharge electrode extends, at a distance of twice the distance from the base end to the tip of the exposed portion.

3. The discharge electrode includes a first discharge electrode that generates positive ions due to the potential difference between it and the induction electrode, and a second discharge electrode that generates negative ions due to the potential difference between it and the induction electrode. The ion generator according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the induction electrode is disposed between the exposed portion of the first discharge electrode and the exposed portion of the second discharge electrode.

4. The discharge electrode is further connected to a surface electrode, The induction electrode is formed in a planar shape, The surface electrode and the induction electrode are arranged to face each other in at least a portion of the area. The aforementioned insulator is further filled between the surface electrode and the induction electrode. The ion generator according to claim 1, wherein a capacitor is formed by the surface electrode, the induction electrode, and the insulator interposed between the surface electrode and the induction electrode.

5. An electronic device comprising an ion generator according to claim 1 or 2.

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