JP7271307B2 - Ion generator and electrical equipment - Google Patents

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to an ion generator and an electric device equipped with the ion generator.

An example of the ion generator is disclosed in Patent Document 1. The ion generator creates an electric field between a first discharge electrode for releasing positive ions and a second discharge electrode for releasing negative ions, and between the first discharge electrode and the second discharge electrode, respectively. and an induction electrode for forming.

JP 2017-216182 A

In the ion generator disclosed in Patent Document 1, the substrate on which the first discharge electrode and the second discharge electrode are formed and the substrate on which the induction electrode is formed are different from each other. Score increases. Also, the substrate on which the first discharge electrode and the second discharge electrode are formed and the substrate on which the induction electrode is formed are arranged at different heights. As a result, there arises a problem that the size of the device increases and the cost increases.

An object of one aspect of the present invention is to realize a compact and low-cost ion generator or the like.

In order to solve the above problems, an ion generator according to an aspect of the present invention is connected to one terminal of a high-voltage transformer element that boosts an input voltage and a terminal on the secondary side of the high-voltage transformer element. a plurality of discharge electrodes, wherein ions are generated by discharge between the other terminal of the secondary side terminals of the high-voltage transformer element and the discharge electrode, and at least one of the plurality of discharge electrodes is arranged on the opposite side of the other discharge electrode with respect to the axis of the coil provided in the high-voltage transformer element, and the other terminal is formed directly on the high-voltage transformer element as a part of the high-voltage transformer element. ing.

According to the ion generator according to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to reduce the size and cost of the device.

3 is a diagram showing a specific example of the configuration of the ion generator according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an outline of a circuit configuration of an ion generator according to Embodiment 1; FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of a structure of the ion generator which concerns on Embodiment 2. FIG. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a hair dryer according to Embodiment 3;

[Embodiment 1]
An embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an outline of the circuit configuration of the ion generator 1 according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the ion generator 1 includes a transformer 11 (high voltage transformer element), diodes 12a and 12b, and discharge electrodes 13a and 13b. The discharge electrodes 13a and 13b will be described later with reference to FIG.

The transformer 11 is driven by a drive circuit (not shown) to boost the input voltage. Diodes 12a and 12b are connected in parallel and in opposite directions between transformer 11 and discharge electrodes 13a and 13b. Specifically, the anode of diode 12 a and the cathode of diode 12 b are connected to transformer 11 . A cathode of the diode 12a is connected to the discharge electrode 13a. The anode of diode 12b is connected to discharge electrode 13b.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a specific example of the configuration of the ion generator 1. As shown in FIG. In FIG. 1, the primary side of the transformer 11 is not numbered, and the description thereof is omitted. The ion generator 1 includes a substrate 14 in addition to each component shown in FIG. The board 14 is a circuit board on which a pattern 14a for connecting the terminals 111 of the transformer 11 and the discharge electrodes 13a and 13b is formed. Diodes 12a and 12b are provided in the middle of pattern 14a.

As shown in FIG. 1, the transformer 11 has a terminal 111 (one terminal), a terminal 112 (the other terminal), and a coil 113 on the secondary side. Coil 113 is a coil formed of a conductive wire. In the ion generator 1 , the discharge electrodes 13 a and 13 b are arranged on different sides with respect to the axis C of the coil 113 .

The terminals 111 and 112 are rod-shaped conductors projecting from the transformer 11 on both sides of the axis C. As shown in FIG. Terminals 111 and 112 are formed directly on transformer 11 as part of transformer 11 . That is, the terminals 111 and 112 are not members, such as the discharge electrodes 13a and 13b, which are connected to the transformer 11 in the manufacturing process of the ion generator 1, but are part of the transformer 11 in the manufacturing process of the transformer 11 as an element. is configured as Specifically, for example, when forming the bobbin portion of the coil 113, a metal material to be the terminals 111 and 112 is placed in advance in a mold for the bobbin portion, and insert molding is performed. After that, the secondary side of the transformer 11 is formed by forming a coil 113 on the obtained bobbin. However, the terminal 111 does not necessarily have to be formed directly on the transformer 11 .

Terminal 111 has a first end 111a and a second end 111b. The first end 111 a and the second end 111 b are positioned on different sides of the axis C of the coil 113 . Terminal 112 also has a third end 112a and a fourth end 112b. The third end 112 a and the fourth end 112 b are positioned on different sides of the axis C of the coil 113 .

The first end 111a is a portion to which one end of the conductor forming the coil 113 is connected. The second end portion 111b is a portion to which the discharge electrodes 13a and 13b are connected via the pattern 14a. The third end 112a is a portion to which the other end of the conductor forming the coil 113 is connected. No other element is connected to the fourth end 112b.

Since the conductor wire forming the coil 113 is thin, if the discharge electrodes 13a and 13b are connected to the portion where the conductor wire is connected to the terminal 111, the conductor wire may be damaged during the connection process. In the transformer 11, the conductive wire is connected to the first end portion 111a and the discharge electrodes 13a and 13b are connected to the second end portion 111b, thereby reducing the risk of damage to the conductive wire during the connection process. .

Discharge electrodes 13 a and 13 b are electrodes that discharge between terminals 112 . As shown in FIG. 1, the discharge electrodes 13a and 13b are arranged near the third end 112a and the fourth end 112b, respectively. The discharge electrodes 13a and 13b are, for example, brush electrodes, needle electrodes or plane electrodes. The discharge electrodes 13a and 13b protrude from the substrate 14 when the discharge electrodes 13a and 13b are brush electrodes or needle electrodes.

In the ion generator 1, discharge occurs between the discharge electrode 13a and the third end 112a and between the discharge electrode 13b and the fourth end 112b. That is, the ion generator 1 generates ions by electric discharge between the terminal 112 and the discharge electrodes 13a and 13b.

As described above, the terminals 112 are formed directly on the transformer 11 as part of the transformer 11 . For this reason, according to the ion generator 1, the number of parts can be reduced compared with the conventional ion generator provided with the induction electrode for producing discharge between discharge electrodes. Therefore, according to the ion generator 1, it is possible to realize an ion generator that is smaller and less expensive than conventional ion generators.

In addition, the number of the discharge electrodes which the ion generator 1 has should just be plural, and is not limited to two. In the ion generator 1, at least one of the discharge electrodes should be arranged on the opposite side of the axis C of the coil 113 from the other discharge electrodes regardless of the number of discharge electrodes. Thereby, the discharge electrodes can be arranged at positions close to both ends of the terminal 112 .

Moreover, the terminal 112 may have a plurality of portions facing each of the plurality of discharge electrodes. Thereby, the ion generator 1 can discharge between each of the plurality of discharge electrodes and the terminal 112 without providing an induction electrode connected to the transformer 11 .

Moreover, in the example described above, the terminal 112 was a rod-shaped member. However, the shape of the terminal 112 is such that the third end 112a and the fourth end 112b and the discharge electrodes 13a and 13b face each other at an appropriate distance. It may be changed as appropriate according to the positional relationship.

[Embodiment 2]
Other embodiments of the invention are described below. For convenience of description, members having the same functions as those of the members described in the above embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will not be repeated.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the ion generator 2 according to this embodiment. The ion generator 2 differs from the ion generator 1 in that it includes a transformer 21 (high-voltage transformer element) instead of the transformer 11 . The transformer 21 differs from the transformer 11 in that it has a terminal 212 (the other terminal) instead of the terminal 112 . Terminal 212 differs from terminal 112 in that curved portions 212a and 212b are provided instead of third end 112a and fourth end 112b.

The curved portions 212 a and 212 b are arcuate portions provided at both ends of the terminal 212 . The curved portion 212a is formed, for example, in an arc shape that is a part of a circle centered on the discharge electrode 13a. Similarly, the curved portion 212b is formed in an arc shape that is a part of a circle centered on the discharge electrode 13b. Curved portions 212 a and 212 b are positioned on different sides of axis C of coil 113 , similar to third end 112 a and fourth end 112 b of terminal 112 .

Terminal 212 faces discharge electrodes 13a and 13b over the entire curved portions 212a and 212b, respectively. That is, terminal 212 has an arcuate portion facing discharge electrodes 13a and 13b. Therefore, according to the terminal 212, compared with the terminal 112, the area of the terminal 212 where discharge occurs between the discharge electrodes 13a and 13b becomes larger. Therefore, according to the ion generator 2, compared with the ion generator 1, it can discharge stably.

In the example shown in FIG. 3, each of the curved portions 212a and 212b has an arc shape with a central angle of 180°. However, the arc shape of the curved portions 212a and 212b may have a central angle of, for example, 90° or 270°. Also, the arc-shaped central angles of the curved portions 212a and 212b may have different values.

Also, the terminal 112 does not necessarily have both curved portions 212a and 212b, and may have only one of them. Even if the terminal 112 has only one of the curved portions 212a and 212b, discharge cannot occur between the curved portion 212a or 212b and the discharge electrodes 13a and 13b facing the curved portion 212a or 212b. It can be done stably. However, it is more preferable for the terminal 112 to have both curved portions 212a and 212b, because it is possible to stably discharge with both the discharge electrodes 13a and 13b.

Also, one or both of curved portions 212a and 212b may not necessarily be formed in an arc shape that is a part of a circle centered on discharge electrode 13a or 13b. Furthermore, one or both of curved portions 212a and 212b do not necessarily have to be arcuate. Even in these cases, compared to the case where each of the discharge electrodes 13a or 13b faces the third end portion 112a and the fourth end portion 112b only at one point, such as the terminal 112, Discharge can be stably performed.

[Embodiment 3]
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a hair dryer 90 (electrical device) according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 4, the hair dryer 90 has a main body 91 and a heater 92 . Moreover, the hair dryer 90 is provided with the ion generator 1 . The main body 91 has a substantially cylindrical shape. The heater 92 and the ion generator 1 are arranged inside the main body 91 .

The hair dryer 90 heats air sucked from a suction port 93 provided on one side of a cylindrical main body 91 with a heater 92 to generate ions with the ion generator 1 , and then the air is provided on the other side of the main body 91 . It blows out from the blow-out port 94 to the outside. In the hair dryer 90 , the ion generator 1 is arranged between the heater 92 and the outlet 94 . Note that the hair dryer 90 may include the ion generator 2 instead of the ion generator 1 .

In general, an ion generator having a plurality of discharge electrodes is arranged so that the plurality of discharge electrodes are arranged in parallel with respect to the direction in which wind flows in an electrical device. As described above, in the ion generator 1 , the discharge electrodes 13 a and 13 b are positioned on opposite sides of the axis C of the coil 113 . Therefore, in the hair dryer 90, the ion generator 1 is arranged such that the axial direction of the coil 113 is aligned with the direction of air flow.

The size of the ion generator 1 in the axial direction of the coil 113 is larger than the size in the direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the coil 113 . In the hair dryer 90, by arranging the ion generator 1 as described above, the area occupied by the ion generator 1 in the air flow path can be reduced. Moreover, as described in the first embodiment, the ion generator 1 does not include an induction electrode, and thus is configured to be smaller and less expensive than conventional ion generators. Accordingly, the hair dryer 90 also includes the ion generator 1, and is configured to be smaller and less expensive than conventional hair dryers.

Note that the electric device according to the present embodiment is not limited to a hair dryer. Other examples of electrical appliances according to the present embodiment include hair irons, air conditioners, air cleaners, vacuum cleaners, refrigerators, and washing machines. By including the ion generator 1 or 2 in such electrical equipment as well, the electrical equipment can be made smaller and less expensive than electrical equipment equipped with conventional ion generators. Also, the ion generator 1 or 2 can be installed in electrical equipment that could not be equipped with conventional ion generators due to size restrictions.

〔summary〕
An ion generator according to aspect 1 of the present invention includes a high-voltage transformer element that boosts an input voltage, and a plurality of discharge electrodes connected to one terminal of the secondary-side terminals of the high-voltage transformer element, generating ions by discharge between the discharge electrode and the other terminal of the secondary side of the high-voltage transformer element, wherein at least one of the plurality of discharge electrodes is a coil included in the high-voltage transformer element; is arranged on the side opposite to the other discharge electrodes with respect to the axis of .

According to the above configuration, in the ion generator, at least one discharge electrode is arranged on both sides of the axis of the coil. Therefore, the discharge electrodes can be arranged at positions close to respective terminals of the high-voltage transformer element projecting on both sides of the coil shaft and on the side opposite to the side to which the discharge electrodes are connected.

In the ion generator according to aspect 2 of the present invention, in the above aspect 1, the other terminal may be directly formed on the high voltage transformer element as part of the high voltage transformer element.

According to the above configuration, the ion generator generates ions by discharging between the other terminal, which is a part of the high-voltage transformer element, and the discharge electrode connected to one terminal of the high-voltage transformer element. Therefore, the ion generator does not need an induction electrode for discharge. Therefore, the number of parts of the ion generator can be reduced, and a compact and low-cost ion generator can be realized.

In the ion generator according to aspect 3 of the present invention, in aspect 1 or 2, the other terminal may have a plurality of portions facing each of the plurality of discharge electrodes.

According to the above configuration, discharge can occur between each of the plurality of discharge electrodes and the terminal of the high-voltage transformer element.

In any one of the said aspects 1-3, the ion generator which concerns on aspect 4 of this invention may have an arc-shaped part facing the said discharge electrode in said other terminal.

According to the above configuration, the other terminal comes closest to the discharge electrode at a plurality of positions. Therefore, compared to the case where the other terminal is closest to the discharge electrode only at one point, the discharge can be stably performed.

An electrical device according to aspect 5 of the present invention includes the ion generator according to any one of aspects 1 to 4 above.

According to the above configuration, it is possible to reduce the size and cost of the electrical equipment by providing the small and low-cost ion generator.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, but can be modified in various ways within the scope of the claims, and can be obtained by appropriately combining technical means disclosed in different embodiments. is also included in the technical scope of the present invention. Furthermore, new technical features can be formed by combining the technical means disclosed in each embodiment.

1, 2 ion generator 11, 21 transformer (high voltage transformer element)
111 terminal (one terminal)
112 terminal (other terminal)
13a, 13b discharge electrode 112a third end (portion)
112b fourth end (portion)

Claims (4)

a high-voltage transformer element that boosts the input voltage;
a plurality of discharge electrodes connected to one of the terminals on the secondary side of the high-voltage transformer element,
generating ions by a discharge between the other terminal of the secondary side terminals of the high-voltage transformer element and the discharge electrode;
at least one of the plurality of discharge electrodes is arranged on the opposite side to the other discharge electrodes with respect to the axis of the coil provided in the high-voltage transformer element ;
The ion generator , wherein the other terminal is formed directly on the high-voltage transformer element as part of the high-voltage transformer element . 2. The ion generator according to claim 1 , wherein said other terminal has a plurality of portions facing each of said plurality of discharge electrodes. 3. The ion generator according to claim 1 , wherein said other terminal has an arcuate portion facing said discharge electrode. An electric device comprising the ion generator according to any one of claims 1 to 3 .

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