Brush device, electric dust collector, and air purifier

Abstract

To provide a brush device which can prevent a wire electrode constituting an electric discharge brush from falling off and slipping and prevent reduction of electric discharge points, and can prevent deterioration in charge performance (electric discharge performance), an electrical dust collector, and an air cleaner.SOLUTION: A brush device comprises: a plurality of electric discharge brushes 12 which are formed by bundling fibrous wire electrodes; a strip-shaped support substrate 13 having a first plate-like member 40 and a second plate-like member 41 which sandwich the electric discharge brushes 12 from both sides; and joining means 49 which joins the first plate-like member 40 and the second plate-like member 41. The electric discharge brushes 12 are arranged with a space therebetween in a longer direction of the support substrate 13 in such an attitude that tips thereof project from the support substrate 13 along an axial direction of the support substrate 13, and the joining means 49 is arranged adjacent to each electric discharge brush 12.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a brush device that charges particles such as dust in dust-containing air and mist in oil fumes by corona discharge generated by applying a voltage, a brush device of a neutralizer that neutralizes the charged particles, an electrostatic precipitator including the brush device, and an air purifier including the brush device.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a device that charges particles in air by corona discharge has been known.

[0003] For example, in FIG. 4(a) of Patent Document 1, carbon fiber bundles of equal length are arranged at equal intervals between two strip-shaped long metal plates, and claw-shaped protrusions provided at one periphery are bent to fix these metal plates to each other. A corona discharge electrode is disclosed. Further, FIG. 5 of Patent Document 2 discloses a brush-shaped electrode supported by being sandwiched between U-shaped support plates.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, in the invention disclosed in Patent Document 1 described above, the claw-shaped protrusions provided on one metal plate are not provided at all intervals of the carbon fiber bundles. In FIG. 4(a), the claw-shaped protrusions are provided only at two of the six intervals of the carbon fiber bundles. That is, since the claw-shaped protrusions are not provided at the intervals of the four carbon fiber bundles, there is a risk that the carbon fiber bundles at the four intervals where the claw-shaped protrusions are not provided may fall off from the metal plate or deviate from a predetermined position compared to the two carbon fiber bundles provided with the claw-shaped protrusions.

[0006] Further, in the invention disclosed in Patent Document 2 described above, it is structurally difficult to improve and equalize the pull-out strength of all the brushes and prevent the brushes from deviating from a predetermined position.

[0007] Furthermore, in the inventions disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2, when removing dirt adhering to the discharge brush by washing water or air blow (spraying of compressed air) performed during maintenance of the discharge part, the discharge brush bends or twists, so that some of the wire electrodes of the discharge brush enter between the support plates or into the U-shaped gap. As a result, the discharge points of the discharge brush decrease, and there is a risk that the charging performance (discharge performance) and the collection performance (dust collection performance) will deteriorate. Furthermore, if the wire electrode of the discharge brush enters between the support plates, there is also a risk that discharge cannot be performed.

[0008] The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and when performing maintenance or cleaning of the brush device, even if a pressure, a pulling direction, or a compressive direction force by washing water or air blow acts on the discharge brush, the wire electrodes constituting the discharge brush are prevented from falling off from the support substrate or deviating from a predetermined position, and a decrease in discharge points is prevented, and a brush device, an electrostatic precipitator, and an air cleaner capable of preventing a decrease in charging performance (discharge performance) and collection performance (dust collection performance) are provided.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0009] To solve the above problems, the first brush device of the present invention is a brush device that charges particles in the air or discharges charged particles by corona discharge generated by applying a voltage, and includes a plurality of discharge brushes formed by bundling fibrous linear electrodes, a strip-shaped support substrate having a first plate-shaped member and a second plate-shaped member that sandwich the discharge brushes from both sides, and joining means for joining the first plate-shaped member and the second plate-shaped member. The discharge brushes are arranged at intervals in the longitudinal direction of the support substrate in a posture in which their tip portions protrude from the support substrate along the width direction of the support substrate, and the joining means is arranged adjacent to each discharge brush.

[0010] According to the first brush device of the present invention, since the joining means is arranged adjacent to each discharge brush, it is possible to increase the pull-out strength of all the discharge brushes and prevent displacement.

[0011] The second brush device of the present invention is characterized in that the joining means is arranged spaced apart on one side of each discharge brush.

[0012] According to the second brush device of the present invention, it is possible to prevent the discharge brush from being damaged or cut, and to prevent the discharge brush from falling off or being displaced from the support substrate.

[0013] The third brush device of the present invention is characterized in that the joining means is arranged spaced apart and opposed on both sides of the discharge brush.

[0014] According to the third brush device of the present invention, it is possible to further enhance the effect of preventing the discharge brush from being damaged or cut, and from falling off or being displaced from the support substrate.

[0015] The fourth brush device of the present invention is characterized in that the support substrate is formed by being joined so that the fracture surfaces of the first plate-shaped member and the second plate-shaped member face each other.

[0016] According to the fourth brush device of the present invention, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of sparks (abnormal discharges) caused by burrs on the fracture surface.

[0017] The fifth brush device of the present invention is characterized in that the support substrate is formed by caulking the first plate-like member and the second plate-like member.

[0018] According to the fifth brush device of the present invention, the first plate-like member and the second plate-like member can be firmly joined at a relatively low cost.

[0019] In the sixth brush device of the present invention, a convex portion is provided at the location where the discharge brush is arranged on either one of the first plate-like member and the second plate-like member, and an opening that can be fitted into the convex portion is provided on the other plate-like member.

[0020] According to the sixth brush device of the present invention, by providing the convex portion, a step is generated in the mounting height of the discharge brush and the resistance component at the convex portion is added, so that it is possible to make it difficult for the discharge brush to come off and to stably apply a voltage to all the discharge brushes.

[0021] The seventh brush device of the present invention is characterized in that the convex portion is formed in a rectangular shape.

[0022] According to the seventh brush device of the present invention, since all the wire electrodes of the discharge brush can be arranged on the upper surface of the rectangular convex portion, it is possible to make it difficult for the discharge brush to come off.

[0023] The eighth brush device of the present invention includes a clamping body that holds the discharge brush from both sides so that the tip of the discharge brush protrudes, and the clamping body is arranged on the upper surface of the convex portion, and the height of the convex portion is set so that the clamping body does not protrude from the opening when the first plate-like member and the second plate-like member are joined.

[0024] According to the eighth brush device of the present invention, when handling the support substrate, it is possible to avoid damage to the clamping body and the discharge brush held by the clamping body.

[0025] The ninth brush device of the present invention is characterized by including an intrusion prevention means for covering a gap at the width direction side end face of the support substrate formed between the first plate-like member and the second plate-like member that sandwich the discharge brush.

[0026] The tenth brush device of the present invention is characterized in that the intrusion prevention means includes a bent portion formed at the width direction side end of at least one of the first plate-like member and the second plate-like member.

[0027] The eleventh brush device of the present invention is characterized in that a protrusion for filling a gap formed between adjacent bent portions is formed at the width direction side end of at least one of the first plate-like member and the second plate-like member.

[0028] According to the ninth to eleventh brush devices of the present invention, when removing dirt attached to the discharge brush by washing water or air blow (injection of compressed air), even if the discharge brush is bent or deflected, it is possible to prevent a part of the discharge brush from entering the gap between the plate-like members. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a decrease in the discharge points, and thus prevent a decrease in the charging performance (discharge performance) and the collection performance (dust collection performance).

[0029] The twelfth brush device of the present invention includes a first clamping body and a second clamping body that sandwich the discharge brush so that the tip of the discharge brush protrudes. The first clamping body is disposed opposite to the first plate-like member, the second clamping body is disposed opposite to the second plate-like member, and at least one of the first clamping body and the second clamping body has a voltage applied thereto via a conductive adhesive layer.

[0030] According to the twelfth brush device of the present invention, by sandwiching the discharge brush between the first clamping body and the second clamping body, the fixing operation of the discharge brush can be easily performed, and a structure in which the discharge brush is difficult to come off from the support substrate can be realized at a relatively low cost. In addition, since it has a relatively simple structure and is provided with an adhesive layer having conductivity, a voltage can be stably applied to all the discharge brushes.

[0031] The thirteenth brush device of the present invention is characterized in that the discharge brush is formed by bundling 10 to 200 wire electrodes of non-magnetic stainless steel fibers having a diameter of 5 to 25 μm.

[0032] According to the thirteenth brush device of the present invention, since the discharge brush (bundled portion) in which the wire electrodes are formed in a bundle shape is likely to be separated, the discharge performance can be improved. In addition, the fluidity and economy can be enhanced, and the durability (rust resistance) and discharge performance (charging performance) can be improved.

[0033] The electrostatic precipitator of the present invention is an electrostatic precipitator provided with any of the above brush devices, and includes a dust collection unit for collecting particles charged by the brush device and a fan for sucking dust-containing air, the brush device and the dust collection unit are integrally formed, and the brush device, the dust collection unit, and the fan are arranged in series in order from the upstream side in the flow direction of the dust-containing air.

[0034] According to the electrostatic precipitator of the present invention, by arranging the brush device, the dust collection unit, and the fan in series, the height dimension of the electrostatic precipitator can be kept low. In addition, by shortening the longitudinal dimension of the brush device and integrally forming the brush device and the dust collection unit, the longitudinal dimension of the electrostatic precipitator can also be reduced, so that the product can be miniaturized.

[0035] The air purifier of the present invention is an air purifier equipped with any of the above brush devices, comprising an air inlet, an air outlet, a fan, and a dust collection unit. Dust and fine particles contained in the air sucked in from the air inlet by the fan are adsorbed by the dust collection unit after the brush device is charged, and clean air is discharged from the air outlet.

[0036] According to the air purifier of the present invention, particles including dust and fine particles in the air can be surely charged and collected, and the dust collection efficiency can be improved.

Effect of the Invention

[0037] According to the present invention, when performing maintenance or cleaning of the brush device, even if pressure by washing water or air blow or a force in the pulling direction or compression direction acts on the discharge brush, it is possible to prevent the wire electrodes constituting the discharge brush from falling off the support substrate or shifting from a predetermined position, prevent a decrease in the discharge points, and prevent a decrease in the charging performance (discharge performance) and collection performance (dust collection performance). Thus, various excellent effects can be obtained.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0038]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Figure 13

Figure 14

Figure 15

Figure 16a

Figure 16b

Figure 16c

Figure 16d

Figure 16e

[0039] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. [Overall Configuration of Electric Dust Collector] First, with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3, the overall configuration of the electric dust collector according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described. Here, FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the overall configuration of the electric dust collector according to the embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the charged dust collection unit of the electric dust collector according to the embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the electric dust collector according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 1, the electric dust collector 1 according to the present embodiment includes a rectangular parallelepiped main body case 2. An intake port 3 is opened on the upstream side in the air flow direction (the front left side in FIG. 1) of the main body case 2, and an intake duct (not shown) is connected to the intake port 3. Further, an exhaust port 4 is opened on the upper surface of the main body case 2 on the downstream side in the air flow direction (the far right side in FIG. 1).

[0041] Inside the main body case 2, a pre-filter 5, a charged dust collection unit 6, and a fan 7 (see FIG. 3) are arranged in series in order along the air flow direction. Further, a motor (not shown) is attached to the main body case 2 as a drive source for rotating the fan 7. An opening / closing door (not shown) is attached to the front side (the front right side in FIG. 1) of the main body case 2 so as to be openable and closable. In FIG. 1, for the sake of convenience, the opening / closing door is omitted to show the internal state of the electric dust collector 1.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 2, the electrostatic precipitator section 6 is provided inside a frame body 8 that forms the overall framework and has an outer shape that is substantially rectangular parallelepiped, and a charging section 10 and a dust collection section 11 as brush devices are integrally formed and configured.

[0043] The charging section (brush device) 10 includes a plurality of discharge brushes 12, a plurality of support substrates 13 that support the discharge brushes 12, and a plurality of charging ground plates 14 (ground electrodes) arranged in parallel to the support substrates 13 so as to face the support substrates 13. An air flow path is formed between the support substrate 13 and the charging ground plate 14. Details of the charging section (brush device) 10 will be described later.

[0044] The dust collection section 11 is provided on the downstream side in the air flow direction of the support substrate 13 and the charging ground plate 14, and includes a plurality of dust collection plates 15 arranged in parallel in a direction parallel to the support substrate 13 and the charging ground plate 14, and a plurality of dust collection voltage plates 16 arranged in parallel so as to face the dust collection plates 15.

[0045] The frame body 8 includes end plates 17 provided so as to face each other, and ten connecting shafts 18 penetrating horizontally between the end plates 17. Of the ten connecting shafts 18, two connecting shafts 18 support the upper and lower ends of the support substrate 13, another four connecting shafts 18 support the upper, lower, left, and right ends of the dust collection plates 15, and still another four connecting shafts 18 support the upper, lower, left, and right ends of the dust collection voltage plates 16.

[0046] A power supply member 20 is attached to the connecting shaft 18 of the support substrate 13 and the connecting shaft 18 of the dust collecting voltage plate 16. The power supply member 20 of the support substrate 13 is fixed to a stay 19 erected on the end plate 17 via an insulator 29, and the power supply member 20 of the dust collecting voltage plate 16 is fixed to the frame body 8 via an insulator 29. A voltage supply unit 21 (see FIG. 3) of a voltage power supply unit (not shown) is electrically connected to the power supply member 20. By connecting the power supply connection portion 22 of the power supply member 20 and the power supply portion (not shown) of the opening / closing door, a voltage is applied to the support substrate 13 and the dust collecting voltage plate 16. The voltage power supply unit is configured to boost an AC primary power supply with a high-voltage transformer (not shown), then convert the AC current to DC with a voltage doubler unit (not shown) and further boost it to generate a voltage. In this embodiment, the outputs of the voltages applied to the charging unit 10 and the dust collecting unit 11 are separate, but voltages with the same output may be applied.

[0047] As shown in FIG. 3, a control panel 28 having a display unit 23, a setting operation unit 24, an operation / stop switch 25, a safety switch 26, and a reset switch 27 is provided on the opening / closing door. Further, an electric dust collector 1 is provided with a control unit 30 having a storage unit 31 and a CPU 32, and the control unit 30 is connected to the control panel 28 and each device (such as a fan 7 and a voltage supply unit 21) via an interface unit 33.

[0048] [Charging unit (brush device)] Next, with reference to FIGS. 4 to 14, the charging unit (brush device) 10 of the electric dust collector 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail.

[0049] <Discharge brush> As described above, the charging unit (brush device) 10 includes a plurality of discharge brushes 12. Each discharge brush 12 has a bundled portion formed by bundling fibrous wire electrodes into a brush shape. The wire electrodes are formed of non-magnetic stainless steel fibers with a diameter of 14 μm, and the stainless steel used is SUS316, which is excellent in fluidity, economy, and corrosion resistance, and contains 18% Cr, 12% Ni, and added molybdenum (Mo). Note that if the wire electrodes are made of non-magnetic stainless steel, other materials such as SUS304 containing 18% Cr and 8% Ni may be used.

[0050] By forming the wire electrodes of the discharge brush 12 in this way with non-magnetic stainless steel, the wire electrodes are likely to be separated from the bundled portion of the discharge brush 12, and the discharge performance can be improved. If the wire electrodes are formed of ferromagnetic fibers with magnetism, it becomes difficult for the wire electrodes to be separated from the bundled portion of the discharge brush 12. Therefore, the influence due to the electric field interference with the discharge brush 12 is large, and it is difficult to generate corona discharge in a strong electric field.

[0051] The bundled portion of one discharge brush 12 is formed, for example, by bundling about 100 wire electrodes. Note that the discharge brush 12 may be formed by bundling 10 to 200 wire electrodes with a diameter of 5 to 25 μm. By forming the discharge brush 12 in this way, the fluidity and economy can be improved, and at the same time, the durability (difficult to rust) and the discharge performance (charging performance) can be improved.

[0052] Each discharge brush 12 is provided in a state of extending from the support substrate 13 along the width direction of the support substrate 13 toward both the upstream side and the downstream side in the air flow direction. Thereby, compared with the case where the discharge brush 12 is provided on one side of the support substrate 13 in the air flow direction, the number of discharge brushes 12 can be increased, and the locations where corona discharge occurs can be increased. Therefore, particles in the air can be efficiently charged. Note that, as will be described later, the discharge brush 12 may be arranged only on the upstream side in the air flow direction from the support substrate 13, or may be arranged only on the downstream side in the air flow direction from the support substrate 13.

[0053] All the discharge brushes 12 are formed to have substantially the same overall length, and the tips of the respective discharge brushes 12 are substantially aligned. The protruding length of each discharge brush 12 (the length from the edge of the support substrate 13 to the tip of the discharge brush 12) is set to about 5 mm. Note that, since the separable length of the discharge brush 12 is 3 mm or more and the self-supporting length is 7 mm or less, it is preferably set in the range of 3 to 7 mm.

[0054] Also, the respective discharge brushes 12 are intermittently provided at a predetermined pitch along the longitudinal direction of the support substrate 13. The pitch between adjacent discharge brushes 12 is preferably in the range of 5 to 10 mm. Thereby, miniaturization (high-density arrangement) of the device can be realized, and the dust collection performance (collection performance) can be improved.

[0055] The voltage applied to the discharge brush 12 is in the range of 4 to 8 kV (8 kV in this embodiment). A negative voltage is applied to the discharge brush 12 in direct current. By adopting the direct current method, a relatively simple configuration can be achieved compared with other methods (alternating current, pulse). Also, by adopting the negative charging method, more discharge current can flow through the discharge brush 12 in the same space (gap) compared with the positive charging method, and the discharge stability (characteristic of being difficult to have abnormal discharge) can be improved.

[0056] <Clamping body> The plurality of discharge brushes 12 are held by a clamping body 34 so that both tip portions thereof protrude. As shown in FIG. 9(b), the clamping body 34 includes a first clamping body 35 and a second clamping body 36 that clamp the plurality of discharge brushes 12 from both sides. The first clamping body 35 is a metal foil strip made of aluminum tape, and the second clamping body 36 is a conductive double-sided tape and includes an adhesive layer 37. When attaching the clamping body 34 to the support substrate 13, the double-sided tape of the second clamping body 36 is peeled off and adhered to the support substrate 13. In this case, it is sufficient that at least one of the first clamping body 35 and the second clamping body 36 has an adhesive layer 37 having conductivity.

[0057] The clamping body 34 can utilize an aluminum tape type brush that is widely commercially available as a member for the purpose of static elimination. In this case, since it is not necessary to prepare manufacturing equipment or the like that supplies the discharge brush 12 in the manufacturing process, the clamping body 34 can be manufactured more easily and inexpensively, and the initial cost of the clamping body 34 can be reduced. In addition, since the manufacturing process of the discharge brush 12 can be simplified, the manufacturing cost of the discharge brush 12 can also be reduced.

[0058] <Support substrate> As described above, the charged part (brush device) 10 includes a plurality of support substrates 13. In the present embodiment, the support substrates 13 are provided in seven rows in a direction parallel to the air flow direction. The support substrate 13 is formed by joining a base plate 40, which is a first plate-like member, and a pressing plate 41, which is a second plate-like member, and a plurality of discharge brushes 12 held by the clamping body 34 are fixed between the base plate 40 and the pressing plate 41. Both the base plate 40 and the pressing plate 41 are formed of a metal that is slender strip-shaped and has conductivity.

[0059] The base plate 40 is made of aluminum, which is excellent in workability, and has a long shape. The base plate 40 is press-punched so that the side facing the pressing plate 41 becomes a broken surface. By making the broken surface face outward in this way, it is possible to prevent sparks (abnormal discharge) from occurring due to burrs on the broken surface.

[0060] In the base plate 40, a U-shaped groove portion 42 is formed at one end portion (lower end portion) and a semi-circular groove portion 43 is formed at the other end portion (upper end portion) by performing punching with a press. The U-shaped groove portion 42 and the semi-circular groove portion 43 are each formed so as to be engageable with the connecting shaft 18. The connecting shaft 18 engaged with the U-shaped groove portion 42 has grooves that can be engaged with the U-shaped groove portion 42 processed in parallel at equal intervals. A plurality of spacers 44 (see FIG. 2) are provided around the connecting shaft 18 engaged with the semi-circular groove portion 43, and By the pressing force, each support substrate 13 is fixedly held in parallel at equal intervals.

[0061] With such a configuration, when the tightening force of one connecting shaft 18 is weakened and the support substrate 13 is slid, the engagement between the semi-circular groove portion 43 and the connecting shaft 18 is released. Therefore, the support substrate 13 can be easily removed from the dust collecting portion 6 by rotating the support substrate 13 and pulling it away from the connecting shaft 18. Further, by forming one groove portion 42 of the base plate 40 in a U-shape with a groove depth larger than that of the other groove portion 43, the removal and attachment operations of the support substrate 13 can be easily performed when the support substrate 13 needs to be replaced. When the support substrate 13 is attached to the dust collecting portion 6, it can be performed in the reverse procedure of the above-described procedure.

[0062] As well shown in FIGS. 5 and 10(a) to (d), the base plate 40 is provided with a plurality of rectangular first convex portions 45, a plurality of circular second convex portions 46, a plurality of circular concave portions 47 and round holes 48, and a plurality of protrusion portions 50.

[0063] Both the first convex portion 45 and the second convex portion 46 are formed by semi-punching. The first convex portion 45 is formed at a predetermined interval along the center line in the longitudinal direction of the base plate 40. The second convex portion 46 is formed at a predetermined interval in the longitudinal direction on both end sides in the width direction of the base plate 40, and is respectively arranged at positions corresponding to the interval of the first convex portion 45 and at positions corresponding to the outer portions of the first convex portion 45 at both ends in the longitudinal direction. Further, the heights of the first convex portion 45 and the second convex portion 46 are set so that the sandwiching body 34 arranged on the upper surface of the first convex portion 45 does not protrude upward from the support substrate 13 when the base plate 40 and the pressing plate 41 are joined.

[0064] The recess 47 is a center punch for aligning the clamping body 34, and is formed in the outer portions (between the opposing second convex portions 46 at both longitudinal ends) of the first convex portions 45 at both longitudinal ends. Further, the round holes 48 are holes for aligning the base plate 40 and the pressing plate 41, and are formed in the further outer portions of the recesses 47 at both longitudinal ends, respectively, such that the pins of the manufacturing jig can be engaged.

[0065] The protruding portions 50 are formed at predetermined intervals in the longitudinal direction on both end faces on the width direction side of the base plate 40, and are respectively arranged at positions corresponding to the respective first convex portions 45. As a result, groove portions 51 are formed between the respective protruding portions 50 on both end faces on the width direction side of the base plate 40, and the respective groove portions 51 are respectively arranged at positions corresponding to the respective second convex portions 46.

[0066] The pressing plate 41 is made of stainless steel with excellent strength and is in a long shape. As well shown in FIGS. 5, 11(a), and (b), a plurality of rectangular first openings 52, a plurality of circular second openings 53, a plurality of round holes 54, and a plurality of bent portions 55 are formed in the pressing plate 41 by performing punching with a press and bending at the end portions in the width direction.

[0067] The first openings 52 are formed at predetermined intervals along the center line in the longitudinal direction of the pressing plate 41. The first openings 52 are set to have dimensions slightly larger than those of the first convex portions 45 so that the first convex portions 45 of the base plate 40 can be accommodated therein.

[0068] The second openings 53 are formed at predetermined intervals in the longitudinal direction on both end sides in the width direction of the pressing plate 41. The second openings 53 are set to have dimensions slightly larger than those of the second convex portions 46 so that caulking processing with the second convex portions 46 of the base plate 40 can be properly performed and caulking portions 49, which are joining means, can be formed.

[0069] The round hole 54 is a hole for aligning the base plate 40 and the pressing plate 41, and is formed at both longitudinal ends of the pressing plate 41 at positions corresponding to the round holes 48 of the base plate 40, so that the pins of the manufacturing jig can be engaged.

[0070] The bending portions 55 are formed at both end faces on the width direction side of the pressing plate 41 at a predetermined interval in the longitudinal direction. The bending portions 55 are bent toward the opposing base plate 40 side, and are fitted into the groove portions 51 of the base plate 40 when the base plate 40 and the pressing plate 41 are joined, so that the tip portions of the bending portions 55 form the same plane as the non-joining surface of the base plate 40, or slightly retreat from the non-joining surface of the base plate 40 so as not to protrude from the non-joining surface (see Fig. 7).

[0071] By forming the bending portions 55 in this way, bending relief portions 56 are formed between the respective bending portions 55 at both end faces on the width direction side of the pressing plate 41. As shown in Fig. 11(b), the length A of the bending portion 55 is set to a length that does not contact the discharge brush 12, the length B of the bending relief portion 56 is set to be larger than the width dimension of the discharge brush 12, and A > B is set in consideration of the workability of the pressing plate 41.

[0072] As shown in Fig. 8, when the support substrate 13 is cleaned with washing water or air blown (sprayed with compressed air) during maintenance or the like, the wire electrodes of the discharge brush 12 may bend because they are soft. Then, the wire electrodes of the bent discharge brush 12 enter the gap between the base plate 40 and the pressing plate 41, and there is a problem that discharge cannot be performed and the number of discharge points decreases. In practice, a large number of discharge brushes may bend or warp, but since it becomes difficult to understand when a large number of discharge brushes are illustrated, only two upper and lower discharge brushes are simply shown in Fig. 8.

[0073] However, as described above, since the bending portion 55 is formed in the charging portion (brush device) 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention, the above-described problem can be prevented from occurring. Further, the base plate 40 is provided with the protrusion 50 to fill the gap between the bending portions 55 of the pressing plate 41. By this protrusion 50, even during cleaning or air blowing, it is possible to reliably prevent a part of the wire electrodes of the discharge brush 12 from entering the gap (the hatched portion in FIG. 7) between the base plate 40 and the pressing plate 41. Note that the protruding length of the protrusion 50 is preferably set to be substantially equal to the thickness of the bending portion 55.

[0074] Note that the bending portion 55 can be provided on one end face on the width direction side of the base plate 40 and the other face on the width direction side of the pressing plate 41, or can be alternately provided on both end faces on the width direction side of the base plate 40 and the pressing plate 41.

[0075] <Method for Supporting Discharge Brush by Support Substrate> Next, a method for supporting the discharge brush 12 by the support substrate 13 having the above-described configuration will be described with reference to FIGS. 12(a) to (c), FIGS. 13(a) to (d), and FIG. 14. Here, FIG. 12(a) is a plan view showing the base plate 40, FIG. 12(b) is a plan view showing a state in which the sandwiching body 34 holding the discharge brush 12 is adhered on the base plate 40, FIG. 12(c) is a plan view showing a state in which the pressing plate 41 is fixed on the base plate 40 to which the sandwiching body 34 holding the discharge brush 12 is adhered, FIG. 13(a) is a side view showing the base plate 40 and the sandwiching body 34 supporting the discharge brush 12, FIG. 13(b) is a side view showing a state in which the sandwiching body 34 holding the discharge brush 12 is adhered on the base plate 40, FIG. 13(c) is a side view showing the base plate 40 and the pressing plate 41 to which the sandwiching body 34 holding the discharge brush 12 is adhered, FIG. 13(d) is a side view showing a state in which the pressing plate 41 is fixed on the base plate 40 to which the sandwiching body 34 holding the discharge brush 12 is adhered, and FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line X-X of FIG. 13(d).

[0076] First, as shown in FIGS. 12(a) and 13(a), set the base plate 40 in a manufacturing jig (not shown) with the first convex portion 45 and the second convex portion 46 facing upward. At this time, by passing two pins standing on the manufacturing jig through the round holes 48 at both ends of the base plate 40, the base plate 40 is set in a state of being positioned on the manufacturing jig.

[0077] Next, as shown in FIGS. 12(b) and 13(b), peel off the double-sided tape of the second clamping body 36, and use the recess 47 (center punch for alignment) of the base plate 40 to adhere the clamping body 34 holding the discharge brush 12 to a predetermined position on the base plate 40. Note that the steps shown in FIGS. 12(b) and 13(b) may be performed prior to the steps shown in FIGS. 12(a) and 13(a).

[0078] Next, as shown in FIG. 13(c), with the tip of the bent portion 55 facing downward, pass the round hole 54 of the pressing plate 41 through the two pins of the manufacturing jig, and place the pressing plate 41 on the base plate 40 to which the clamping body 34 holding the discharge brush 12 is adhered. Thereby, the first convex portion 45, the second convex portion 46, and the bent portion 55 of the base plate 40 are engaged with the first opening 52, the second opening 53, and the groove portion 51 of the pressing plate 41, respectively.

[0079] Next, as shown in FIGS. 12(c), 13(d), and 14, using a caulking device (not shown), caulk each second convex portion 46 of the base plate 40 and each second opening 53 of the pressing plate 41 to form a plurality of caulked portions 49 which are joining means. By this caulked portion 49, the base plate 40 and the pressing plate 41 are joined, and a plurality of discharge brushes 12 are fixed between the base plate 40 and the pressing plate 41 in a state where the caulked portions 49 are adjacent to and opposed to both sides of the plurality of discharge brushes 12 held by the clamping body 34.

[0080] In addition, in FIG. 14, for the sake of easy viewing, gaps are shown to exist between the upper surface of the clamping portion 12a of the discharge brush 12 and the lower surface of the pressing plate 41 and between the lower surface of the clamping portion 12a of the discharge brush 12 and the upper surface of the base plate 40. However, in reality, since the base plate 40 and the pressing plate 41 are in close contact by caulking, the clamping portion 12a of the discharge brush 12 is clamped between the base plate 40 and the pressing plate 41 with substantially no such gaps. Also, as shown in FIG. 14, since the height of the convex portion 45 is set so that the clamping body 34 does not protrude from the opening 52 of the pressing plate 41 (does not protrude outside the opening), even when the support substrate 13 is being handled, damage to the clamping body 34 and damage to the discharge brush 12 held by the clamping body 34 can be avoided.

[0081] When joining the base plate 40 and the pressing plate 41 in this way, it is preferable that one member of the base plate 40 and the pressing plate 41 is more easily deformed than the other. For example, by increasing the thickness of the base plate 40 to strengthen it while reducing the thickness of the pressing plate 41 to make it more flexible, when joining the base plate 40 and the pressing plate 41, the pressing plate 41 adheres along the base plate 40, thereby minimizing the gap between the base plate 40 and the pressing plate 41.

[0082] Also, in the embodiment of the present invention, the clamping body 34 is installed at a position where it does not interfere with the joining portion (caulking portion 49) of the base plate 40 and the pressing plate 41. When joining the base plate 40 and the pressing plate 41, the clamping body 34 is not caulked together, so there is no risk of joining failure.

[0083] In addition, as methods for joining the base plate 40 and the pressing plate 41, there are various joining methods such as welding (spot welding, etc.), adhesion (ultrasonic adhesion, etc.), screwing, and bonding. However, the caulking joining method as in the embodiment of the present invention is a suitable joining method because it can join firmly at low cost. Also, in the embodiment of the present invention, the shape of the caulking portion 49 is round, but other shapes such as an ellipse, rectangle, square, polygon, etc. may also be acceptable.

[0084] Also, in order to improve the adhesion of the discharge brush 12, it is effective to increase the length of the discharge brush 12 that rides on the first convex portion 45. Therefore, the shape of the first convex portion 45 is preferably rectangular such that the length of riding on it is constant even outside the center, rather than circular where the riding length outside the center becomes shorter.

[0085] [Operation of the Electrostatic Precipitator] Next, with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3 and FIG. 15, the operation of the electrostatic precipitator 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention having the above-described configuration will be described.

[0086] Due to the driving of the fan 7, the dust-containing air that has flowed into the main body case 2 from the intake port 3 is filtered by the pre-filter 5 and then flows into the charging section (brush device) 10.

[0087] In the charging section (brush device) 10, a voltage is applied to the discharge brush 12 via the support substrate 13 and the sandwiching body 34. The dust-containing air passes through the charging area formed between the discharge brush 12 supported by the support substrate 13 and the charging ground plate 14, so that particles such as fine dust or mist and fine viruses in the dust-containing air are uniformly charged.

[0088] The charged particles and fine viruses etc. are then collected by the dust collection plate 15 in the dust collection section 11, filtered to become clean air, and discharged outside the electrostatic precipitator 1 from the exhaust port 4.

[0089] [Modified Example of Charging Section (Brush Device)] Next, with reference to FIGS. 16a to 16e, a modified example of the charging section (brush device) 10 will be described.

[0090] FIG. 16a shows a modified example in which the discharge brush 12 protrudes from one side (the upper side in the drawing) of the support substrate 13 and the ratio of the number of the discharge brushes 12 to the number of caulking portions 49 is 1:1.

[0091] Figure 16b shows a modified example in which the discharge brush 12 protrudes from one side (the upper side in the figure) of the support substrate 13, and the ratio of the number of discharge brushes 12 to the number of caulking portions 49 is 2:1. In the modified examples shown in FIGS. 16a and 16b, a cut discharge brush 12 protruding from one side (the lower side in the figure) of the sandwiching body 34 is used.

[0092] Figure 16c shows a modified example in which the discharge brushes 12 protrude from both sides of the support substrate 13, the discharge brushes 12 and the caulking portions 49 are arranged in a staggered pattern, and the ratio of the number of discharge brushes 12 to the number of caulking portions 49 is 1:1.

[0093] Figure 16d shows a modified example in which the discharge brush 12 protrudes from one side (the upper side in the figure) of the support substrate 13, and the ratio of the number of discharge brushes 12 to the number of caulking portions 49 is 1:1.

[0094] Figure 16e shows a modified example in which the discharge brush 12 protrudes from one side (the upper side in the figure) of the support substrate 13, and the ratio of the number of discharge brushes 12 to the number of caulking portions 49 is 2:1.

[0095] In the modified examples shown in FIGS. 16d and 16e, the discharge brush 12 on one side (the lower side in the figure) does not protrude from the support substrate 13 but protrudes from the sandwiching body 34 and extends to a position corresponding to the caulking portion 49 (it may extend below the caulking portion 49).

[0096] Also, in the modified examples of FIGS. 16d and 16e, the arrangement of the first convex portion 45, the first opening 52, and the caulking portion 49 is arranged on the opposite side compared to the modified examples of FIGS. 16a to 16c. (In the modified examples of FIGS. 16a to 16c, the first opening 52 is arranged at substantially the center in the width direction of the support substrate 13, and in the modified examples of FIGS. 16d and 16e, the caulking portion 49 is arranged at substantially the center in the width direction of the support substrate 13)

[0097] In the above-described embodiments of the present invention, the electric dust collector 1 having the so-called one-stage type charging and dust collecting unit 6 in which the charging unit (brush device) 10 and the dust collecting unit 11 are integrated has been described. Needless to say, the present invention is also applicable to a two-stage type electric dust collector in which the charging unit 10 and the dust collecting unit 11 are separately configured. Further, the present invention can also be used for the charging unit of an air cleaner.

[0098] In addition, in the description of the above-described embodiments of the present invention, various technically preferable limitations may be imposed. However, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to these aspects unless there is a description specifically limiting the present invention. That is, the components in the above-described embodiments of the present invention can be appropriately replaced with existing components, etc., and various variations including combinations with other existing components are possible. The description of the above-described embodiments of the present invention does not limit the content of the invention described in the claims.

Industrial Applicability

[0099] The technology of the present invention is expected to be used in a brush device of a static eliminator for discharging charged particles, and an electric dust collector for sucking and collecting dust and oil mist generated in a processing factory or the like, and is also expected to be used in household and business-use air cleaners.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0100] 1 Electric dust collector 3 Intake port 4 Exhaust port 7 Fan 10 Charging unit (brush device) 11 Dust collecting unit 12 Discharge brush 13 Support substrate 34 Clamping body 37 Adhesive layer 40 Base plate (first plate-like member) 41 Pressing plate (second plate-like member) 45 First convex portion (convex portion) 49 Caulking portion (joining means) 50 projections 52 first opening (opening) 55 bending part (intrusion prevention means)

Claims

1. A brush device for charging particles in the air or discharging charged particles by corona discharge generated by applying a voltage, comprising: a plurality of discharge brushes formed by bundling fibrous linear electrodes; a strip-shaped support substrate having a first plate-like member and a second plate-like member that sandwich the discharge brushes from both sides; joining means for joining the first plate-like member and the second plate-like member; The discharge brushes are arranged at intervals in the longitudinal direction of the support substrate in a posture in which their tip portions protrude from the support substrate along the width direction of the support substrate, The joining means is arranged adjacent to each discharge brush. A brush device characterized by that.

2. The brush device according to claim 1, wherein the joining means is arranged spaced apart on one side of each discharge brush.

3. The brush device according to claim 1, wherein the joining means is arranged spaced apart and opposed on both sides of the discharge brush.

4. The brush device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the support substrate is formed by joining the first plate-like member and the second plate-like member so that the fracture surfaces thereof face each other.

5. The brush device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the support substrate is formed by caulking the first plate-like member and the second plate-like member.

6. In either one of the first plate-like member and the second plate-like member, a convex portion is provided at the location where the discharge brush is arranged, and in the other plate-like member, an opening that can be fitted into the convex portion is provided. A brush device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by that.

7. The brush device according to claim 6, wherein the convex portion is formed in a rectangular shape.

8. The discharge brush includes a clamping body that holds the discharge brush from both sides so that its tip portion protrudes, and the clamping body is arranged on the upper surface of the convex portion. The height of the convex portion is set so that the clamping body does not protrude from the opening when the first plate-like member and the second plate-like member are joined. A brush device according to claim 6 or 7, characterized by that.

9. ​ ​ The brush device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising intrusion prevention means for covering a gap at a widthwise side end face of the support substrate formed between the first plate-like member and the second plate-like member that sandwich the discharge brush.

10. The brush device according to claim 9, wherein the intrusion prevention means includes a bent portion formed at a widthwise side end of at least one of the first plate-like member and the second plate-like member.

11. The brush device according to claim 10, wherein a protrusion for filling a gap formed between adjacent bent portions is formed at a widthwise side end of at least one of the first plate-like member and the second plate-like member.

12. The brush device includes a first clamping body and a second clamping body that clamp the discharge brush from both sides so that a tip portion of the discharge brush protrudes. The first clamping body is disposed to face the first plate-like member, the second clamping body is disposed to face the second plate-like member, and at least one of the first clamping body and the second clamping body has a voltage applied thereto through a conductive adhesive layer. The brush device according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

13. The brush device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the discharge brush is formed by bundling 10 to 200 wire electrodes of non-magnetic stainless steel fibers having a diameter of 5 to 25 μm.

14. In an electrostatic precipitator including the brush device according to any one of claims 1 to 13, a dust collecting portion for collecting particles charged by the brush device; a fan for sucking dust-containing air; The electrostatic precipitator is characterized in that the brush device and the dust collecting portion are integrally formed, and the brush device, the dust collecting portion, and the fan are arranged in series in order from the upstream side in the flow direction of the dust-containing air.

15. In an air purifier including the brush device according to any one of claims 1 to 13, an air inlet, an air outlet, a fan, and a dust collecting portion; The air purifier is characterized in that dust and fine particles contained in the air sucked from the air inlet by the fan are adsorbed by the dust collecting portion after being charged by the brush device, and clean air is discharged from the air outlet.

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