Anion generator

Abstract

The present invention provides an anion generator that can be used by connecting it to a power socket, effectively supplying anions from the tip of the electrode rod, while avoiding the risk of fingers or other objects touching the tip of the electrode rod. [Solution] An anion generator used by connecting to a commercial power socket, comprising: a power plug connected to the power socket; a power supply unit that rectifies the current from the power plug to generate a predetermined voltage; an electrode rod connected to the power supply unit, which discharges from its tip to generate anions; a housing that houses the power supply unit, with one end constituting the power plug and the other end having a seating surface; a cylindrical portion provided protruding from the center of the seating surface, through which the electrode rod is inserted and through which the tip of the electrode rod protrudes from the protruding end face; and a guard attached to the end face of the cylindrical portion to cover the tip of the electrode rod, wherein the guard is cylindrical in shape, has a tip hole on its tip surface and has a plurality of lateral holes on its side surface.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an anion generator. Background Art

[0002] There is an anion generator that is attached to a lamp socket on the ceiling of a room to purify air. Such an anion generator is provided with a cathode electrode exposed to the atmosphere. By applying a high voltage to this electrode, corona discharge is generated in a space near the electrode, and air components around the electrode are ionized to generate anions.

[0003] A discharge space generated around an electrode by corona discharge is divided into a high electric field region which is a high-potential electric field near the electrode, and a low electric field region having a lower potential than the high electric field around the high electric field region. The generated anions move from the high electric field region to the low electric field region to form an ion flow and diffuse into the atmosphere.

[0004] Anions purify the atmosphere, for example, by reacting with positively charged dust and the like in the atmosphere to form aggregates that fall onto a floor or the like. Anions are considered to have an effect of removing bacteria and viruses in the atmosphere. Furthermore, it is believed that taking anions into the body brings about a state similar to taking a forest bath, producing a synergistic effect with music and exercise to soothe the mind and body, promotes metabolism to enhance immunity and natural healing power, alkalizes the body slightly to improve blood flow and prevent lifestyle-related diseases, and removes active oxygen to extend lifespan.

[0005] Patent Document 1 discloses a lighting fixture in which, in order to effectively diffuse negative ions without using power such as a fan, a part of an LED unit or the like is recessed to provide a negative ion outlet, an electrode is fixed to the negative ion outlet at an appropriate size and position specified by the Electrical Appliance and Material Safety Law such that emitted electrons can be released without being electrically neutralized by surrounding materials and no electric shock occurs even if a finger touches the electrode, and the LED unit can be connected as an independent member via a connector.

[0006] However, in the lighting fixture disclosed in Patent Document 1, the electrodes are fixed to the negative ion outlet of the LED unit, and when the LED unit is removed, the electrodes are exposed and there is a risk of touching them with a finger. Furthermore, since the two power supply leads that supply power to the lighting fixture and the LED unit are connected by connectors provided on each, when attaching or detaching the LED unit, the connection and disconnection of the connectors of each power supply lead had to be done without touching the electrodes. For this reason, it was not possible for anyone to easily attach or detach the LED unit. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2012-150968

[0008] Thus, in anion generators that are used by connecting to a power socket, the design did not effectively supply anions from the electrodes while avoiding the risk of fingers or other body parts touching the electrodes. As a result, there was a safety risk if fingers or other body parts touched the electrodes, and the electrodes could become distorted or their positional relationship could change, potentially causing the ions released from the electrodes to be neutralized in various parts of the anion generator, thus preventing the desired air purification effect from being achieved. [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0009] The first objective of this disclosure is to provide an anion generator that can be used by connecting it to a power socket, effectively supplies anions from the tip of the electrode rod, and avoids the risk of fingers or other objects touching the tip of the electrode rod. The second objective is to provide an anion generator in which the light-emitting module can be easily attached to and detached from the main body, can be used together with the light-emitting module, and can also be used as a standalone anion generation function. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] An anion generator according to the first embodiment is an anion generator used by connecting to a commercial power socket, and has a main body comprising: a power plug connected to the power socket; a power supply unit that rectifies the current from the power plug to produce a predetermined voltage; an electrode rod connected to the power supply unit, which discharges from its tip to generate anions; a housing that houses the power supply unit, with one end forming the power plug and the other end having a seating surface; a cylindrical portion that protrudes from the center of the seating surface, through which the electrode rod is inserted and from which the tip of the electrode rod protrudes; and a guard attached to the end face of the cylindrical portion to cover the tip of the electrode rod, wherein the guard is cylindrical in shape, has a tip hole on its tip surface and has a plurality of lateral holes on its side surface.

[0011] According to the first embodiment of the anion generator, it can be connected to a power socket on the ceiling of the room by a power plug, and the tip of the electrode rod protruding from the tip surface of the cylindrical part protruding from the seat surface is covered with a cylindrical guard, so that fingers or other objects do not come into contact with the electrode, and anions are generated by discharging into the air taken in through the lateral holes on the side of the guard and released from the tip surface through the tip holes, so that the anions are not neutralized by the surrounding parts and the air in the room can be effectively normalized.

[0012] The anion generator according to the second embodiment is an anion generator according to the first embodiment, wherein the tip hole of the guard, the cylindrical portion which is cross-shaped with respect to the center of the tip surface, and the plurality of side holes are provided on the side surface at positions corresponding to the cross shape.

[0013] According to the ion generator of the second embodiment, since the multiple lateral holes on the side are provided at positions corresponding to the cross shape of the tip hole on the tip surface, the portion of the tip surface where the tip hole is not formed and the portion of the side surface where the lateral holes are not formed are continuous, and the structure of the guard can be made stronger. As a result, even if a finger or the like touches it, the guard will not deform or otherwise protect the electrode rod.

[0014] An anion generator according to a third embodiment is configured in which a light-emitting module is detachably attached to the anion generator according to the first embodiment, the main body is provided with a pair of connection grooves on the seat surface for attaching the light-emitting module, and has recessed terminals inside the connection grooves that are electrically connected to the power supply unit, the light-emitting module has a light-emitting part on one side and a base portion having a pair of convex terminals protruding from the side opposite to the one side, and the light-emitting module is mechanically and electrically connected by the pair of convex terminals being connected to the pair of recessed terminals on the seat surface.

[0015] According to the third embodiment of the anion generator, the light-emitting module is mechanically and electrically connected to the main body by connecting a pair of convex terminals of the light-emitting module to the concave terminals of a pair of connection grooves of the main body, so that the light-emitting module can be easily attached to the main body.

[0016] The anion generator according to the fourth embodiment is an anion generator according to the third embodiment, wherein the connection groove is an arc shape of a predetermined diameter provided on the circumference of a circle of a predetermined diameter centered on the cylindrical portion, the concave terminal is provided at the first end in the circumferential direction inside the connection groove, opening in a second direction opposite to the first direction, the light-emitting module has a through hole formed in the center of the base through which the cylindrical portion passes, and the pair of convex terminals are provided on the circumference of a circle of the same diameter as the circle centered on the through hole.

[0017] According to the anion generator of the fourth embodiment, the pair of convex terminals of the light-emitting module can be inserted into the pair of connection grooves of the base, and the light-emitting module can be rotated in the first direction, thereby easily connecting the convex terminals of the light-emitting module with the concave terminals inside the connection grooves of the seat surface. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0018] [Figure 1] Figure 1 shows the anion generator as viewed from the front in this disclosure. [Figure 2]FIG. 2 shows a front view of an anion generator in a state where a light emitting module and a main body are separated. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the main body portion 2. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 shows a front view of a guard. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 shows a top view of the guard. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 shows a cross-section of the guard. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 shows a top view of the main body portion. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 shows a bottom view of the light emitting module. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 shows details of a state where the main body portion and the light emitting module are separated as viewed from an oblique direction. MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0019] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 8. FIG. 1 shows a front view of an anion generator 1 according to the present disclosure. FIG. 2 shows a front view of an anion generator in a state where a light emitting module and a main body are separated. FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the main body portion. FIG. 4 shows a front view of a guard. FIG. 5 shows a top view of the guard. FIG. 6 shows a cross-section of the guard. FIG. 7 shows a top view of the main body portion. FIG. 8 shows a bottom view of the light emitting module. In the following description, in the anion generator shown in FIG. 2, the upper side is referred to as "upward direction" and the lower side is referred to as "downward direction"; further, in a circle centered on a cylindrical portion or a through hole shown in FIG. 9, the clockwise direction may be referred to as "first direction" and the counterclockwise direction may be referred to as "second direction".

[0020] <Anion Generator> The anion generator 1 is used by connecting it to a power socket and is configured to have a detachable light-emitting module 3. It is a device that generates and releases anions. The anion generator 1 generates anions by converting the current supplied from the power socket to a predetermined high voltage and discharging it from the electrode rod 12 in the atmosphere, and then releasing it into the atmosphere. The anion generator 1 is also configured to have a detachable light-emitting module 3. When the light-emitting module 3 is attached, power is supplied to the light-emitting module 3 via the power supply unit 11 to cause it to emit light.

[0021] The anion generator 1 comprises a main unit 2 and a light-emitting module 3. The light-emitting module 3 is detachably connected to the main unit 2, and the anion generator 1 can be used as a standalone anion generator even when the light-emitting module 3 is removed from the main unit 2.

[0022] <Main body> The main unit 2 connects to the power socket and supplies negative ions by discharging from the electrode rod 12. When the light-emitting module 3 is connected, the main unit 2 also supplies power to the light-emitting module 3. The main unit 2 comprises a housing 10, a cylindrical part 20, and a power plug 28.

[0023] The housing 10 is cylindrical, with one end face configured as a seating surface 10a and a cylindrical portion 20 protruding from the seating surface 10a, and a power plug 28 on the other end face. The housing 10 also houses a power supply unit 11 inside. The housing 10 and cylindrical portion 20 of the main body 2 are made of an insulating material such as resin and are formed, for example, by injection molding.

[0024] The cylindrical portion 20 supports the electrode rod 12. The cylindrical portion 20 is cylindrical in shape and is provided in the center of the seating surface 10a of the housing 10, protruding from the seating surface 10a to a predetermined height. The cylindrical portion 20 has a through hole 21 that penetrates through it in the axial direction. The inner diameter of the through hole 21 is large enough for the electrode rod 12 to be inserted through it.

[0025] The power plug 28 is a socket that connects to a power socket to receive power. The power plug 28 is roughly frustoconical in shape and is formed on the end of the housing 10 opposite to the seating surface 10a.

[0026] The power socket is a commercial power source, and the power supply is controlled by a power switch located on the wall or elsewhere. The anion generator 1 can be controlled via the power socket by operating the power switch.

[0027] The power plug 28 is screwed into the spiral groove on its side along the spiral projection of the power socket, and connected by bringing the second electrode on the bottom surface into contact with the electrode on the bottom surface of the power socket. The anion generator 1 is electrically and mechanically connected when the power plug 28 is connected to the power socket.

[0028] <Power supply section> The power supply unit 11 supplies electricity to the anion generator 1 and the light-emitting module 3. The power supply unit 11 has a high-voltage circuit 11a and a lighting circuit 11b. The high-voltage circuit 11a is an electrical circuit that supplies electricity from the power plug 28 to the anion supply. The high-voltage circuit 11a converts the alternating current supplied from the power plug 28 into direct current, rectifies it, and then transforms it to obtain a high voltage for the cathode. The lighting circuit 11b is an electrical circuit that causes the light-emitting module 3 to emit light. The lighting circuit 11b transforms the alternating current supplied from the power plug 28 to a predetermined voltage.

[0029] <Electrode rod> The electrode rod 12 discharges in air when a predetermined high voltage is applied to the cathode, generating anions. The electrode rod 12 is provided protruding from the tip of the cylindrical portion 20, and the tip portion 12a of the electrode rod 12 is covered by a guard 22. The electrode rod 12 is connected to the high-voltage circuit 11a of the power supply unit 11 by lead wires. With the electrode rod 12 connected to the power supply unit 11 by lead wires, it is inserted through a through hole 21 inside the cylindrical portion 20, and the tip portion 12a protrudes from the tip of the cylindrical portion 20. The electrode rod 12 is made of, for example, a tungsten rod, and its tip is formed into a pointed shape. The predetermined voltage is, for example, minus 3.8kV, and in this case, the number of anions generated by the electrode rod 12 is approximately 3 million ions / cm³ as a measured value. 3 That is the case.

[0030] <Guard> The guard 22 protects the tip 12a of the electrode rod 12 without obstructing the flow of anions, etc., and prevents fingers or other objects from touching the electrode rod 12. The guard 22 is attached to the upper surface of the cylindrical portion 20. The guard 22 has a bottomed cylindrical shape, and the outer diameter of the cylindrical portion 20 is configured to be the same as the outer diameter of the cylindrical portion 20. The guard 22 has a tip hole 23 on the tip surface, which is the bottom portion of the bottomed cylindrical shape, and four side holes 24 on the side portion, which is the cylindrical portion 20 of the bottomed cylindrical shape. The guard 22 is made of an insulating material such as resin, and is formed by injection molding, for example.

[0031] The guard 22 is composed of four column sections 221, an upper peripheral wall 222, a lower peripheral wall 223, a tip hole 23, and four lateral holes 24, all of which are integrally formed. The column sections 221 extend linearly from the bottom surface to the top surface of the guard 22. In a top view, the column sections 221 are provided at equal intervals at four locations on the same circumference. In a top view, the cross-section of the column section 221 is approximately semicircular, with the arc portion facing the center of the guard 22, and the other portion formed in the same arc shape as the outer circumference of the guard 22, forming part of the outer surface of the guard 22. The upper peripheral wall 222 is a peripheral wall provided to connect the four column sections 221 in an arc shape, and has a predetermined thickness. The outer surface of the upper peripheral wall 222 is provided to form the outer surface of the guard 22. The lower peripheral wall 223 is provided at a predetermined distance from the upper peripheral wall 222. Here, the distance between the upper peripheral wall 222 and the lower peripheral wall 223 is 1 to 3 mm. The lower peripheral wall 223, like the upper peripheral wall 222, is a peripheral wall provided to connect the four column sections 221 in an arc shape, and has a predetermined thickness. The outer surface of the lower peripheral wall 223, like the upper peripheral wall 222, constitutes the outer peripheral surface of the guard 22.

[0032] The tip hole 23 is comprised of the area of ​​the circular tip surface excluding the four columnar portions 221 and the upper peripheral wall 222. In a top view, the cross-section of the columnar portion 221 of the guard 22 is approximately semicircular in shape, with a radius greater than the thickness dimension of the upper peripheral wall 222. The approximately circular arc portion protrudes in the inner diameter direction of the cylindrical portion 20, while the outer diameter side forms part of the outer circumference of the guard 22. In other words, the tip hole 23 has an approximately cross shape in a top view.

[0033] The distance from the top surface of the guard 22 to the tip of the electrode rod 12 is 1 to 3 mm. The inner diameter of the upper peripheral wall 222 is 5 to 8 mm. The spacing between adjacent columnar sections 221, and between diagonally opposite columnar sections 221, is smaller than the inner diameter of the upper peripheral wall 222. Also, the spacing between the upper peripheral wall 222 and the lower peripheral wall 223 is 1 to 3 mm. In other words, the structure is designed so that fingers or other objects cannot enter the guard 22 through the tip hole 23 and the lateral hole 24.

[0034] The lateral holes 24 are provided at four positions on the side surface of the guard 22. The lateral holes 24 are located in the portions of the side surface that are partitioned by two adjacent column portions 221, an upper peripheral wall 222, and a lower peripheral wall 223. The lateral holes 24 are approximately square in shape. The lateral holes 24 are formed in the portions of the side surface where the column portions 221, upper peripheral wall 222, and lower peripheral wall 223 are not formed. That is, the lateral holes 24 and the tip holes 23 are partitioned only by the upper peripheral wall 222. In other words, the multiple lateral holes 24 are each provided at positions in the direction that minimizes the distance to the tip holes 23 on the tip surface.

[0035] <Socket part> The socket section electrically and mechanically connects the light-emitting module 3. The socket section is provided as a pair of connection grooves 25 on the seating surface 10a of the housing 10, and recessed terminals 26 are provided inside the connection grooves 25.

[0036] The pair of connecting grooves 25 are provided on a circle of a predetermined diameter centered on the cylindrical portion 20, and are point-symmetrical with respect to the cylindrical portion 20. The connecting grooves 25 are formed in the shape of an arc along the circle of a predetermined diameter centered on the cylindrical portion 20. The connecting grooves 25 are configured as a two-stage structure that is continuous in the depth direction.

[0037] The first groove 251 is formed to a predetermined depth from the seating surface 10a. The first groove 251 is formed with a predetermined groove width in the shape of an arc along a circle of a predetermined diameter centered on the cylindrical portion 20, and an insertion hole 253 with a diameter larger than the width of the first groove is provided at the end of the second direction CCW in the circumferential direction. The diameter of the insertion hole 253 is greater than or equal to the diameter of the second cylindrical portion 332 of the convex terminal 33 of the light-emitting module 2. The through hole 34a is formed to a depth that penetrates from the seating surface 10a to the second groove. That is, in a plan view, the first groove 251 is an arc shape with a predetermined groove width, and only the portion of the through hole 34a is larger than the groove width.

[0038] A second groove (not shown) is provided below the first groove 251 and is continuous with the first groove 251. The width of the second groove is greater than the width of the first groove 251. The second groove does not need to be divided into groove shapes; it is sufficient that a space wider than the width of the first groove 251 is formed. A concave terminal 26 is provided at the end of the second groove in the first direction CW in the circumferential direction.

[0039] The recessed terminal 26 engages with the convex terminal 33 of the light-emitting module 3 to make an electrical connection. The recessed terminal 26 is a terminal having a concave portion. The recessed terminal 26 is formed by bending a metal plate. The recessed terminal 26 is elastic and can return to its original shape even after being subjected to a certain bending deformation in the thickness direction. The recessed terminal 26 is provided inside the connection groove 25 such that the open portion of the concave shape faces the second direction CCW.

[0040] <Light-emitting module> The light-emitting module 3 is connected to the main body 2 and emits light. The light-emitting module 3 is configured to be detachable from the main body 2. The light-emitting module 3 has a base 34, a light-emitting part 30, and convex terminals 33A and 33B.

[0041] The base portion 34 has a flattened shape, supporting the light-emitting portion 30 on one side and having convex terminals 33A and 33B on the other side. The base portion 34 is cylindrical, with an outer diameter approximately the same as that of the cylindrical housing 10, and its height is lower than the height from the seating surface 10a of the cylindrical portion 20. The base portion 34 also has a through hole 34a in the center through which the cylindrical portion 20 passes. The base portion 34 is made of a resin material which is an insulating material, and is formed, for example, by injection molding.

[0042] The light-emitting unit 30 emits light when powered from the main body 2. The light-emitting unit 30 has a glass bulb 31 and filaments 32A and 32B. The glass bulb 31 is, for example, a glass tube with discharge gas sealed inside, and is formed, for example, into a spiral shape. The filaments 32 are provided at both ends inside the glass bulb 31, and lead wires connected to the filaments 32 are connected to a convex terminal 33 outside the glass bulb 31.

[0043] The convex terminal 33 is a metal terminal that mechanically and electrically connects the light-emitting module 3 to the main body 2. The convex terminal 33 has a two-tiered cylindrical shape. The convex terminal 33 is supported by the base portion 34 and is provided so as to protrude downward from the lower surface of the base portion. The convex terminal 33 is provided at two different positions on a circle of a predetermined diameter centered on the through hole 34a of the base portion 34, in a point-symmetrical manner with respect to the through hole 34a. The two convex terminals 33A and 33B are electrodes for alternating current and are configured as a pair.

[0044] In the two-tiered cylindrical structure of the convex terminal 33, the diameter of the first cylindrical portion 331, as viewed from the base side, corresponds to the groove width dimension of the first groove 251 of the connecting groove 25. Also, the diameter of the second cylindrical portion 332 of the convex terminal 33, as viewed from the base side, is larger than the diameter of the first cylindrical portion 331. Here, the diameter dimension of the second cylindrical portion 332 of the convex terminal 33 is larger than the groove width dimension of the first groove 251 of the connecting groove 25, and smaller than the diameter dimension of the insertion hole 253 of the connecting groove 25.

[0045] <How to attach and detach the light-emitting module> The method for attaching and detaching the light-emitting module 3 will be explained below with reference to Figures 7 and 8. Figure 7 shows the main body 2 as seen from above. Figure 8 shows the light-emitting module 3 as seen from below. Figure 9 shows a detailed view of the main body 2 and the light-emitting module 3 separated, as seen from an oblique angle.

[0046] First, we will explain how to attach the light-emitting module 3 to the main body 2 of the anion generator 1, which is connected to a power socket installed on the ceiling of the room. As described above, the main body 2 has a pair of connection grooves 25 on the seat surface 10a of the housing 10, and each connection groove 25 is equipped with a recessed terminal 26 inside. The housing 10 also has a cylindrical part 20 in the center of the seat surface 10a, and a guard 22 on the upper surface of the cylindrical part 20. On the other hand, the light-emitting module 3 has a pair of convex terminals 33 on the base part 34. The base part 34 also has a through hole 34a in the center. Here, the positional relationship between the pair of connection grooves 25 and the pair of convex terminals 33 corresponds.

[0047] The light-emitting module 3 is brought closer to the main body 2, and the guard 22 and cylindrical portion 20 on the main body 2 side are inserted into the through hole 34a on the light-emitting module 3 side. The tip 12a of the electrode rod 12 is covered by the guard 22. The tip hole 23 and side hole 24 provided in the guard 22 are sized so that fingers or other objects cannot enter.

[0048] Furthermore, the light-emitting module 3 is brought closer to the main body 2, and the pair of convex terminals 33 of the light-emitting module 3 are inserted into the pair of connection grooves 25 on the seat surface 10a of the main body 2. Here, the convex terminals 33 are inserted from the insertion hole provided at the end of the connection groove 25 opposite to the first direction CW in the circumferential direction, up to the second groove in the connection groove 25.

[0049] Subsequently, by rotating the light-emitting module 3 in a first direction CW centered on the through hole 34a, the pair of convex terminals 33A and 33B move within the pair of connecting grooves 25A and 25B. Here, since the diameter of the second cylindrical part of the convex terminal 33 is larger than the groove width of the first groove 251 of the connecting groove 25, the main body 2 and the light-emitting module 3 become locked together. In this state, when the convex terminal 33 is moved to near the end of the first direction CW of the connecting groove 25, the convex terminal 33 comes into contact with the concave terminal 26. As the convex terminal 33 is moved further in the first direction CW, the concave terminal 26 undergoes elastic deformation due to the convex terminal 33, and when it reaches the end of the first direction CW of the connecting groove 25, the convex terminal 33 fits into the concave part of the concave terminal 26, and the elastically deformed concave terminal 26 returns to its original shape. In this way, a pair of convex terminals 33A and 33B of the light-emitting module 3 are connected to a pair of connection grooves 25A and 25B provided on the seat surface 10a of the main body 2. In this way, the light-emitting module 3 is attached to the main body 2 of the anion generator 1.

[0050] Next, the method for detaching the light-emitting module 3 from the main body 2 of the anion generator 1 will be described. The method for detaching the light-emitting module 3 from the main body 2 is the reverse procedure of the method for attaching the light-emitting module 3 to the main body 2 as described above. That is, by rotating the light-emitting module 3 attached to the main body 2 of the anion generator 1 in a second direction CCW around the through hole 34a, the convex terminal 33 in the connection groove 25 moves in the second direction CCW, elastically deforming the concave terminal 26 and disengaging from the concave portion of the concave terminal 26. Then, when the convex terminal 33 moves to the end of the connection groove 25 in the second direction CCW, the light-emitting module 3 is moved away from the main body 2. As a result, the convex terminal 33 is inserted through the insertion hole 253 and disengaged from the connection groove 25, and the through hole 34a of the base 34 passes through the guard 22 and cylindrical part 20 on the main body 2 side. In this way, the light-emitting module 3 can be detached from the main body 2.

[0051] <Release of anions> The release of anions will be explained below with reference to Figures 4 and 5. Figure 4 shows the guard 22 viewed from the front. Figure 5 shows the guard 22 viewed from above. Figure 6 shows a cross-section of the guard 22. As described above, the electrode rod 12 is inserted through the cylindrical portion 20, and the tip 12a of the electrode rod 12 protrudes from the top surface of the cylindrical portion 20. The tip 12a of the electrode rod 12 is covered by the guard 22 on the top surface of the cylindrical portion 20. The guard 22 has a cross-shaped tip hole 23 on its tip surface and four lateral holes 24 on its sides. The cross shape of the tip hole 23 corresponds to the positional relationship of the four lateral holes 24.

[0052] First, when a high negative voltage is applied from the power supply unit 11 to the electrode rod 12, the electrode rod 12 discharges and emits electrons. These electrons combine with oxygen molecules and water molecules in the atmosphere to produce anions. The anions produced are, for example, HO - That is the case.

[0053] Here, the discharge from the electrode rod 12 creates a high-electric-field region near the electrode rod 12, and a low-electric-field region with a lower potential than the high-electric-field region is formed around it, thus creating an ion flow from the high-electric-field region to the low-electric-field region. The anions are carried away from the electrode rod 12 by the ion flow and released into the atmosphere through the tip hole 23.

[0054] <Note> (First aspect) The first embodiment of the anion generator is an anion generator 1 used by connecting to a commercial power socket, and has a main body 2 comprising: a power plug 28 connected to the power socket; a power supply unit 11 that rectifies the current from the power plug 28 to generate a predetermined voltage; an electrode rod 12 connected to the power supply unit 11, which discharges from its tip 12a to generate anions; a housing 10 that houses the power supply unit 11, with one end constituting the power plug 28 and the other end having a seating surface 10a; a cylindrical portion 20 provided protruding from the center of the seating surface 10a, through which the electrode rod 12 is inserted and from which the tip 12a of the electrode rod 12 protrudes; and a guard 22 attached to the end face of the cylindrical portion 20 and covering the tip 12a of the electrode rod 12, wherein the guard 22 is cylindrical in shape and has a tip hole 23 on its tip surface and a plurality of side holes 24 on its side. According to the first embodiment of the anion generator, it can be connected to a power socket on the ceiling of the room by a power plug 28, and the tip 12a of the electrode rod 12 protruding from the end face of the cylindrical part 20 protruding from the seat surface 10a is covered by the guard 22, so that fingers or other objects do not come into contact with the electrode rod 12, and anions are generated by discharge from the tip 12a of the electrode rod 12 and released from the tip hole 23 on the tip surface of the guard 22 and the plurality of lateral holes 24 on the side. In other words, since the generated anions do not accumulate inside the guard 22, the anions are not neutralized in the surrounding area and the room air can be effectively normalized. (Second aspect) In the second embodiment of the anion generator, the tip hole 23 of the guard 22 is cross-shaped with respect to the center of the cylindrical shape of the guard 22, and the plurality of side holes 24 are provided on the side surface at positions corresponding to the cross shape. According to the ion generator of the second embodiment, the multiple lateral holes 23 on the side are provided at positions corresponding to the cross shape of the tip hole 24 on the tip surface, so that the part of the tip surface where the tip hole 24 is not formed and the part of the side where the lateral holes 23 are not formed are continuous, the structure of the guard 22 can be made stronger. As a result, even if a finger or the like touches the guard 22, the guard 22 will not deform or the like will not come into contact with the tip 12a of the electrode rod 12, thus ensuring safety. In addition, the tip 12a of the electrode rod 12 can be protected when attaching or detaching the light-emitting module 3, so that deformation of the tip 12a of the electrode rod 12 can be avoided. As a result, the anion generator 1 can stably supply anions. (Third aspect) The anion generator according to the third embodiment is configured such that the light-emitting module 3 is detachably attached to the anion generator 1 according to the first embodiment, the main body 2 is provided with a pair of connection grooves 25A, 25B for attaching the light-emitting module 3 to the seat surface 10, and has a recessed terminal 26 inside the connection groove 25 that is electrically connected to the power supply unit 11, the light-emitting module 3 has a light-emitting part 30 on one side and a base part 34 on the other side opposite to the one side that has a pair of convex terminals 33A, 33B protruding from the other side, and the light-emitting module 3 is mechanically and electrically connected by the pair of convex terminals 33A, 33B being connected to the pair of recessed terminals 26A, 26B on the seat surface. According to the third embodiment of the anion generator, the light-emitting module 3 is mechanically and electrically connected to the main body 2 by connecting the pair of convex terminals 33A and 33B of the light-emitting module 3 to the concave terminals 26A and 26B in the pair of connection grooves 25A and 25B of the main body 2, so that the light-emitting module 3 can be easily attached to the main body 2. (Fourth aspect) The anion generator according to the fourth embodiment is an anion generator 1 according to the third embodiment, wherein the connection groove 25 is an arc shape provided on the circumference of a circle of a predetermined diameter centered on the cylindrical portion 20, the concave terminal 26 is provided at the end of a first direction CW in the circumferential direction inside the connection groove 25 and opens in a second direction CCW opposite to the first direction CW, the light-emitting module 3 has a through hole 34a formed in the center of the base portion 34 for the cylindrical portion 20 to pass through, and the pair of convex terminals 33A, 33B are provided on the circumference of a circle of the same diameter as the circle centered on the through hole 34a. According to the fourth embodiment of the anion generator, the pair of convex terminals 33A and 33B of the light-emitting module 3 are inserted into the pair of connection grooves 25A and 25B of the base portion 34, and the light-emitting module 3 is rotated in the first direction CW, thereby easily connecting the convex terminal 33 of the light-emitting module 3 to the concave terminal 26 inside the connection groove 25 on the main body portion 10 side. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0055] 1. Anion generator 2 Main body 3 Light-emitting modules 10 cabinets 10a Seat 11 Power supply section 11a High-voltage circuit 11b Lighting circuit 12 Electrode rod 12a Tip 20 Cylinder part 21 Through hole 22 Guard 221 Column section 222 Upper peripheral wall 223 Lower peripheral wall 23 Tip hole 24 Lateral hole 25,25,25B Connection groove 251 First groove 253 insertion hole 26,26A,26B Concave terminal 28 Power plug 30 Light-emitting part 31 glass bulbs 32, 32A, 32B filaments 33,33A,33B Convex terminal 331 The first cylindrical section 332 Second cylindrical section 34. Base 34a through hole CW First Direction CCW Second Direction

Claims

1. An anion generator that is used by connecting to a commercial power socket, The power plug connected to the power socket, A power supply unit that rectifies the current from the power plug to generate a predetermined voltage, An electrode rod connected to the power supply unit, the electrode rod which discharges from its tip and generates negative ions, A housing that houses the power supply unit, with one end forming the power plug and the other end having a seating surface, A cylindrical portion is provided protruding from the center of the seat surface, through which the electrode rod is inserted, and from which the tip of the electrode rod protrudes. The main body comprises a guard attached to the end face of the cylindrical portion and covering the tip of the electrode rod, The guard is configured in a cylindrical shape and has a tip hole on its front surface, as well as multiple lateral holes on its side surface, making it an anion generator.

2. The tip hole of the guard is cross-shaped with the center of the cylindrical shape of the guard as the center, and the plurality of side holes are provided on the side surface at positions corresponding to the cross shape. An anion generator according to claim 1.

3. The light-emitting module is configured to be detachable from the main body. The main body is provided with a pair of connection grooves on the seat surface for attaching the light-emitting module, and has a concave terminal with a concave portion formed inside the connection groove for electrical connection to the power supply unit. The light-emitting module has a light-emitting portion on one side and a base portion on the other side opposite to the one side, which has a pair of convex terminals protruding from the other side. The light-emitting module is mechanically and electrically connected by the pair of convex terminals being connected to the pair of concave terminals on the seating surface. An anion generator according to claim 1.

4. The connecting groove is an arc shape provided on the circumference of a circle of a predetermined diameter centered on the cylindrical portion. The concave terminal is provided at the end in a first direction in the circumferential direction inside the connection groove, opening in a second direction opposite to the first direction. The light-emitting module has a through hole formed in the center of the base portion for the cylindrical portion to pass through, and the pair of convex terminals are arranged on a circumference having the same diameter as the circle centered on the through hole. The anion generator according to claim 3.

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