Ion generating devices and electrical equipment

Abstract

To realize a compact and low-cost ion generation device.SOLUTION: An ion generation device (1) includes a transformer element (11) that boosts an input voltage, a discharge electrode (13a, 13b) connected to one of secondary side terminals (111) of the transformer element, and a substrate (14) on which the discharge electrode is provided, and a wire (20) that is connected to the other terminal (112) of the secondary side terminals of the transformer element and at least partly separated from a board.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an ion generating device and an electrical device including the ion generating device. [Background technology]

[0002] An example of an ion generating device is disclosed in Patent Document 1. The ion generating device includes a first discharge electrode for emitting positive ions, a second discharge electrode for emitting negative ions, and an induction electrode for forming an electric field between the first discharge electrode and the second discharge electrode. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2017-216182 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the ion generating device disclosed in Patent Document 1, the substrate on which the first and second discharge electrodes are formed is different from the substrate on which the induction electrode is formed, so the number of parts constituting the device increases, which results in problems of an increase in the size of the device and an increase in costs.

[0005] An object of one aspect of the present invention is to provide a small-sized, low-cost ion generating device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, an ion generating device according to one aspect of the present invention includes a transformer element that boosts an input voltage, a discharge electrode connected to one of the secondary terminals of the transformer element, a substrate on which the discharge electrode is provided, and a linear conductor that is connected to the other of the secondary terminals of the transformer element and at least a portion of which is separated from the substrate, and generates ions by discharging between the discharge electrode and the linear conductor, and on the side of the substrate where the tip of the discharge electrode is located, At least a part or the whole of the linear conductor is sealed between the discharge electrode and the linear conductor facing the discharge electrode. The resin is further included. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to one aspect of the present invention, a small-sized, low-cost ion generating device can be realized. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing a specific example of the configuration of an ion generating device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 1 is a diagram showing an outline of a circuit configuration of an ion generating device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the shape of a wire according to the second embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the shape of a wire according to the second embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the shape of a wire according to the second embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a wire according to a third embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a wire according to a third embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of an electrical device according to a fourth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] [Embodiment 1] Hereinafter, one embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail.

[0010] [Circuit configuration of ion generating device 1] Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an outline of a circuit configuration of ion generating device 1 according to embodiment 1. As shown in Fig. 2, ion generating device 1 includes transformer element 11 (high voltage transformer element), diodes 12a and 12b, and discharge electrodes 13a and 13b. Discharge electrodes 13a and 13b will be described later with reference to Fig. 1.

[0011] The transformer element 11 is driven by a drive circuit (not shown) to step up the input voltage.

[0012] Diodes 12a and 12b are connected in parallel and in opposite directions between transformer element 11 and discharge electrodes 13a and 13b. Specifically, the anode of diode 12a and the cathode of diode 12b are connected to transformer element 11. The cathode of diode 12a is connected to discharge electrode 13a. The anode of diode 12b is connected to discharge electrode 13b.

[0013] [Configuration of ion generating device 1] Fig. 1 is a diagram showing a specific example of the configuration of ion generating device 1 according to embodiment 1. In Fig. 1, the primary side of transformer element 11 is not labeled with a reference symbol, and a description thereof will be omitted. Ion generating device 1 further includes a substrate 14, a housing 15, and a wire (linear conductor) 20 in addition to the components shown in Fig. 2.

[0014] 1, discharge electrodes 13a and 13b are provided on substrate 14. Substrate 14 is a circuit board on which pattern 14a is formed, which connects terminal 111 of transformer element 11 to discharge electrodes 13a and 13b. Diodes 12a and 12b are provided in the middle of pattern 14a.

[0015] Transformer element 11 has, on the secondary side, terminal 111 (one terminal), terminal 112 (the other terminal), and coil 113. Terminals 111 and 112 are rod-shaped conductors protruding from transformer element 11 on both sides of axis C of coil 113 (the +X direction side and the -X direction side in FIG. 1).

[0016] The terminal 111 has a first end 111a and a second end 111b. The terminal 112 has a third end 112a and a fourth end 112b. The first end 111a and the second end 111b are located on different sides of the axis C. The third end 112a and the fourth end 112b are located on different sides of the axis C.

[0017] The first end 111a is a portion to which one end of the conductor that forms the coil 113 is connected. The second end 111b is a portion to which the discharge electrodes 13a and 13b are connected via the above-mentioned pattern 14a. The third end 112a is a portion to which the other end of the conductor that forms the coil 113 is connected. The fourth end 112b is a portion to which one end of the wire 20 is connected.

[0018] Since the conductor forming the coil 113 is thin, if the discharge electrodes 13a and 13b and the wire 20 are connected to the portion where the conductor is connected to the terminal 111, there is a risk that the conductor will be damaged in the connection process. In the transformer element 11, the conductor is connected to the first end 111a and the third end 112a. Furthermore, the discharge electrodes 13a and 13b are connected to the second end 111b, and the wire 20 is connected to the fourth end 112b. This reduces the risk that the conductor will be damaged in the connection process.

[0019] Coil 113 is a coil formed of a conductive wire. In ion generating device 1, discharge electrodes 13a and 13b are disposed on different sides of coil 113 with respect to axis C.

[0020] The wire 20 is a linear conductor made of metal. However, the wire 20 is not limited to metal as long as it is an electrically conductive material, and may be, for example, carbon fiber. The wire 20 is bendable. This improves the degree of freedom in arranging the wire 20 in the ion generating device 1. The wire 20 may be formed, for example, by bending a cylindrical wire. When the wire 20 is cylindrical, its cross section is circular. The wire 20 may be formed into a wire shape by cutting a metal plate, for example. In this case, the cross section of the wire 20 is rectangular.

[0021] The wire 20 is formed to face the discharge electrodes 13a and 13b. Specifically, the wire 20 has a region of a line segment that is parallel to the line segment connecting the discharge electrodes 13a and 13b and is longer than the line segment on both sides of the center of the line segment. At least a part of the wire 20 is separated from the substrate 14. In other words, at least a part of the wire 20 is not in contact with the substrate 14. In further other words, at least a part of the wire 20 is floating above the substrate 14. In the present embodiment 1, the entire wire 20 is separated from (floating) the substrate 14. The discharge electrodes 13a and 13b are located on the outside of the wire 20.

[0022] The discharge electrodes 13a and 13b are electrodes that perform discharge between themselves and the wire 20. The discharge electrodes 13a and 13b are connected to one terminal 111 of the secondary side terminals of the transformer element 11. The discharge electrodes 13a and 13b are needle electrodes in the first embodiment. The discharge electrodes 13a and 13b protrude in the -Z direction from the substrate 14. Positive ions are generated by applying a positive voltage to the discharge electrode 13a, and negative ions are generated by applying a negative voltage to the discharge electrode 13b. However, the discharge electrodes 13a and 13b may be brush electrodes or surface electrodes. The number of discharge electrodes that the ion generating device 1 has is not limited to two.

[0023] Housing 15 accommodates transformer element 11, diodes 12a and 12b, discharge electrodes 13a and 13b, substrate 14, and wire 20 therein. Housing 15 is filled with epoxy resin (not shown). This allows ions to be generated stably. Housing 15 does not necessarily need to be filled with epoxy resin. However, from the viewpoint of improving the stability of discharge, it is preferable that housing 15 be filled with epoxy resin.

[0024] In this embodiment, the entire wire 20 is sealed with epoxy resin. However, the entire wire 20 does not have to be sealed with epoxy resin. In other words, it is sufficient that at least a part of the wire 20 is sealed with epoxy resin. This can reduce the possibility of abnormal discharge due to dust, moisture, etc. occurring between the discharge electrodes 13a and 13b and the wire 20 facing the discharge electrodes 13a and 13b.

[0025] At least the ends of the discharge electrodes 13a and 13b on the +Z direction side, i.e., the ends soldered to the substrate 14, are preferably sealed with epoxy resin. This reduces the possibility of an air layer being formed around the ends, and reduces the possibility of abnormal discharge from the discharge electrodes 13a and 13b.

[0026] The inner wall of the housing 15 is provided with two protrusions 16 that protrude into the housing 15. However, the protrusions 16 may be provided in one location, or three or more locations. The protrusions 16 are for locking the wire 20. By locking the wire 20 to the protrusions 16, the shape of the wire 20 can be stabilized at a stage before the inside of the housing 15 is filled with resin.

[0027] In the ion generating device 1, ions are generated by discharge between the discharge electrodes 13a and 13b and the wire 20 facing these discharge electrodes 13a and 13b. By using the wire 20 as an induction electrode, a substrate for the induction electrode is not required, and the device can be made smaller and less expensive without compromising ion generating performance.

[0028] [Embodiment 2] Other embodiments of the present invention will be described below. For ease of explanation, the same reference numerals are given to members having the same functions as those described in the above embodiment, and the description thereof will not be repeated.

[0029] Fig. 3 is a diagram showing the shapes of the wire 30 and the wire 40 according to embodiment 2. As shown in Fig. 3, both the wires 30 and 40 have arc-shaped portions 31a and 31b.

[0030] The arc-shaped portions 31a and 31b are formed to face the discharge electrodes 13a and 13b, respectively. Specifically, the arc-shaped portions 31a and 31b have an arc shape centered on the discharge electrodes 13a and 13b, respectively. The wires 30 and 40 are closest to the discharge electrodes 13a and 13b at the arc-shaped portions 31a and 31b.

[0031] In the ion generator 1 including the wire 30 or 40, the area where the discharge electrodes 13a and 13b are closest to the wire 30 or 40 is larger than that in the ion generator 1 including the wire 20. Therefore, in the ion generator 1 including the wire 30 or 40, more stable discharge can be performed.

[0032] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the shapes of wires 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 110, and 120 according to the second embodiment.

[0033] 4, wire 50 and wire 60 have arc-shaped portions 31a and 31b, similar to wire 40. However, wires 50 and 60 differ from wire 40 in the shape of the portion between arc-shaped portions 31a and 31b.

[0034] As shown in Fig. 4, the wires 70 and 80 have portions 32a and 32b consisting of multiple line segments instead of the arc-shaped portions 31a and 31b of the wires 50 and 60. In the example shown in Fig. 4, the multiple line segments constituting the portions 32a and 32b consisting of multiple line segments are perpendicular to each other, but this is not limited to this. In the wires 70 and 80, the portions 32a and 32b consisting of multiple line segments face the discharge electrodes 13a and 13b from three directions. Therefore, the wires 70 and 80 are closest to the discharge electrodes 13a and 13b at three points in the portions 32a and 32b consisting of multiple line segments.

[0035] As shown in Fig. 4, the wire 90 and the wire 100 have portions 33a and 33b consisting of a plurality of line segments. In the example shown in Fig. 4, the plurality of line segments constituting the portions 33a and 33b consisting of a plurality of line segments are perpendicular to each other, but this is not limited thereto. In the wire 90 and the wire 100, the portions 33a and 33b consisting of a plurality of line segments face the discharge electrodes 13a and 13b from two directions, respectively. Therefore, the wires 90 and 100 are closest to the discharge electrodes 13a and 13b at two points in the portions 32a and 32b consisting of a plurality of line segments.

[0036] 4, the wire 110 and the wire 120 have portions 34a and 34b that approach the respective discharge electrodes 13a and 13b multiple times. In the wire 110 and the wire 120, the portions 34a and 34b that approach the respective discharge electrodes 13a and 13b multiple times face the respective discharge electrodes 13a and 13b. Therefore, the wires 110 and 120 come closest to the discharge electrodes 13a and 13b at multiple points in the portions 34a and 34b, which are made up of multiple line segments.

[0037] Fig. 5 is a diagram showing the shape of wire 130 according to embodiment 2. As shown in Fig. 5, wire 130 has arc-shaped portions 35a and 35b instead of arc-shaped portions 31a and 31b of wire 30 or wire 40. Arc-shaped portions 35a and 35b are formed so that coil 113 and discharge electrodes 13a and 13b are located on the same side of wire 130. Similarly to arc-shaped portions 31a and 31b, arc-shaped portions 35a and 35b are formed so as to face discharge electrodes 13a and 13b, respectively.

[0038] Ion generator 1 including such wires 50 to 120 can perform stable discharge, similar to ion generator 1 including wire 30 or 40. However, the shape of the wire according to this embodiment is not limited to those shown in Figs. 3 to 5.

[0039] [Embodiment 3] Further embodiments of the present invention are described below.

[0040] Fig. 6 is a diagram showing a wire 140 which is an example of the wire according to the third embodiment. As shown in Fig. 6, the wire 140 has a bent portion 36. Furthermore, the wire 140 may have a shape similar to that of the wire 20, etc., in a portion omitted in Fig. 6. In the example shown in Fig. 6, the bent portion 36 is formed by bending the wire 140 so as to be closer to the substrate 14 (see Fig. 1) than other portions of the wire 140. However, the bent portion 36 may also be formed by bending the wire 140 so as to be farther from the substrate 14 than other portions of the wire 140.

[0041] In the ion generator 1 including the wire 140, the wire 140 can be extended, for example, in a direction from the fourth end 112b toward the second end 111b. In this case, as shown in Fig. 6, by forming a bent portion 36 in the vicinity of the second end 111b, the wire 140 can be extended while avoiding the second end 111b. Therefore, the ion generator 1 including the wire 140 has a higher degree of freedom in design than the ion generator 1 including the wire 20 or the like.

[0042] Fig. 7 is a diagram showing a wire 150 which is another example of the wire according to embodiment 3. As shown in Fig. 7, the wire 150 has a bent portion 37. The bent portion 37 is formed by bending the wire 150 so as to contact the substrate 14. Therefore, the wire 150 contacts the substrate 14 at least at one point.

[0043] In ion generating device 1 including wire 150, when wire 150 is installed, a part of bent portion 37 is brought into contact with substrate 14, thereby facilitating positioning of wire 150 relative to substrate 14.

[0044] [Embodiment 4] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a hair dryer 160 (electrical device) according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 8, the hair dryer 160 includes a main body 161 and a heater 162. The hair dryer 160 also includes an ion generator 1. Thus, by using the wire 20 as an induction electrode in the hair dryer 160 as well, a substrate for the induction electrode is not required, and the device can be made smaller and less expensive without degrading the ion generation performance. The main body 161 has a substantially cylindrical shape. The heater 162 and the ion generator 1 are disposed inside the main body 161.

[0045] Hair dryer 160 heats air drawn in from intake port 163 provided on one side of cylindrical main body 161 with heater 162, generates ions with ion generator 1, and then blows the air out from outlet 164 provided on the other side of main body 161. In hair dryer 160, ion generator 1 is disposed between heater 162 and outlet 164.

[0046] The electric device according to the present embodiment is not limited to a hair dryer. Other examples of the electric device according to the present embodiment include hair irons, toothbrushes, facial massagers, air conditioners, air purifiers, vacuum cleaners, refrigerators, and washing machines. The ion generating device 1 described above is particularly suitable for use in items for which miniaturization is highly desired, such as hair irons and toothbrushes. By providing such electric devices with the ion generating device 1, the electric devices can be made smaller and less expensive than electric devices equipped with conventional ion generating devices. The ion generating device 1 can also be installed in electric devices that could not be equipped with conventional ion generating devices due to their size.

[0047] 〔summary〕 The ion generating device according to aspect 1 of the present invention comprises a transformer element which boosts an input voltage, a discharge electrode connected to one of the secondary terminals of the transformer element, a substrate on which the discharge electrode is provided, and a linear conductor which is connected to the other of the secondary terminals of the transformer element and at least a portion of which is separated from the substrate, and which generates ions by discharging between the discharge electrode and the linear conductor.

[0048] According to the above configuration, the ion generating device generates ions by discharging between the discharge electrode and the linear conductor facing the discharge electrode. By using the linear conductor as the induction electrode, a substrate for the induction electrode is not required, and it is possible to reduce the size and cost of the ion generating device without compromising the ion generating performance.

[0049] A second aspect of the present invention is directed to an ion generating device in accordance with the first aspect, wherein the linear conductor has an arc-shaped portion that faces the discharge electrode.

[0050] According to the above configuration, the area where the discharge electrode and the arc-shaped portion facing the discharge electrode are closest to each other can be increased, and therefore, in an ion generating device including a linear conductor having an arc-shaped portion, more stable discharge can be achieved.

[0051] The ion generating device according to aspect 3 of the present invention is the same as in aspect 1 or 2 above, and further includes a housing that houses the transformer element, the discharge electrode, the substrate, and the linear conductor, wherein the housing is filled with resin and at least a portion of the linear conductor is sealed in the resin.

[0052] According to the above configuration, it is possible to reduce the possibility of abnormal discharge occurring due to dust, moisture, or the like between the discharge electrode and the wire facing the discharge electrode.

[0053] The ion generating device according to aspect 4 of the present invention is the same as in aspect 1 or 2 above, and further includes a housing that houses the transformer element, the discharge electrode, the substrate, and the linear conductor, and may be provided with a protrusion for engaging the linear conductor.

[0054] According to the above configuration, the wire is locked to the protrusion, so that the wire can be stabilized when sealed with resin.

[0055] A fifth aspect of the present invention relates to an ion generating device according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein the linear conductor may be in contact with the substrate at least at one point.

[0056] According to the above configuration, the linear conductor is in contact with the substrate at least at one point, which makes it easy to position the linear conductor relative to the substrate.

[0057] An electric device according to a sixth aspect of the present invention may include the ion generating device according to any one of the first to fifth aspects.

[0058] According to the above configuration, by including an ion generating device according to any one of the aspects of the present invention, it is possible to realize miniaturization and cost reduction in electrical equipment.

[0059] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims. The technical scope of the present invention also includes embodiments obtained by appropriately combining the technical means disclosed in the different embodiments. Furthermore, new technical features can be formed by combining the technical means disclosed in the respective embodiments. [Explanation of symbols]

[0060] 1 Ion generator 11 Transformer element 13a, 13b discharge electrode 14 Substrate 15. Cabinet 16 Protrusion 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 110, 120, 130, 140, 150 Wire (linear conductor) 31a, 31b Arc-shaped portion 111 Terminal (one terminal) 112 Terminal (other terminal) 160 Hair dryer (electrical appliance)

Claims

1. A transformer element that boosts the input voltage; A discharge electrode connected to one of the secondary terminals of the transformer element; A substrate on which the discharge electrodes are provided; a linear conductor connected to the other of the secondary terminals of the transformer element, at least a portion of which is separated from the substrate; ions are generated by discharging between the discharge electrode and the linear conductor; An ion generating device further comprising a resin that seals at least a portion or all of the linear conductor between the discharge electrode and the linear conductor facing the discharge electrode on the side of the substrate where the tip of the discharge electrode is located.

2. The ion generating device according to claim 1 , wherein the linear conductor has an arc-shaped portion facing the discharge electrode.

3. a housing that houses the transformer element, the discharge electrode, the substrate, and the linear conductor; 3. The ion generating device according to claim 1, wherein an inner wall of the housing is provided with a protrusion for engaging the linear conductor.

4. The ion generating device according to claim 1 , wherein the linear conductor is in contact with the substrate at least at one point.

5. An electrical appliance comprising the ion generating device according to claim 1 .

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