U.S. patent application number 13/394020 was filed with the patent office on 2012-07-12 for discharge device with electromagnetic shield.
This patent application is currently assigned to PANASONIC CORPORATION. Invention is credited to Atsushi Isaka, Kenji Obata, Hidesato Uegaki.
Application Number | 20120175440 13/394020 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43499871 |
Filed Date | 2012-07-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120175440 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Uegaki; Hidesato ; et
al. |
July 12, 2012 |
DISCHARGE DEVICE WITH ELECTROMAGNETIC SHIELD
Abstract
A discharge device comprises: a discharge electrode; an
electrically insulating portion including an atomization room
accommodating the discharge electrode; a water supplier configured
to supply water to a surface of the discharge electrode; a high
voltage supply configured to apply a high voltage to the discharge
electrode to atomize the supplied water as charged water fine
particles from a tip portion of the discharge electrode; and an
electromagnetic shield provided at least around the atomization
room, the electromagnetic shield having an opening to discharge the
charged water fine particles.
Inventors: |
Uegaki; Hidesato; (Hikone,
JP) ; Obata; Kenji; (Hikone, JP) ; Isaka;
Atsushi; (Hikone, JP) |
Assignee: |
PANASONIC CORPORATION
Osaka
JP
|
Family ID: |
43499871 |
Appl. No.: |
13/394020 |
Filed: |
September 22, 2010 |
PCT Filed: |
September 22, 2010 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/JP2010/005738 |
371 Date: |
March 23, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
239/690 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H05K 9/0049 20130101;
B05B 5/057 20130101; B05B 5/0255 20130101; B05B 5/001 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
239/690 |
International
Class: |
F23D 11/32 20060101
F23D011/32 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 25, 2009 |
JP |
2009-221617 |
Claims
1-3. (canceled)
4. A discharge device comprising: a discharge electrode; an
electrically insulating portion including an atomization room
accommodating the discharge electrode; a water supplier configured
to supply water to a surface of the discharge electrode; a high
voltage supply configured to apply a high voltage to the discharge
electrode to atomize the supplied water as charged water fine
particles from a tip portion of the discharge electrode; and an
electromagnetic shield having an opening to discharge the charged
water fine particles, the electromagnetic shield being configured
to surround the electrically insulating portion, the water supplier
and the high voltage supply, wherein the electrically insulating
portion is provided on an inner surface of the electromagnetic
shield.
5. The discharge device according to claim 4, wherein the
electromagnetic shield is an electrically conductive case.
6. The discharge device according to claim 4, wherein the
electrically insulating portion is an electrically insulating case
further accommodating the water supplier and the high voltage
supply, and the electromagnetic shield is formed as a conductive
layer covering an outer surface of the electrically insulating
portion.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a discharge device.
Especially, the present invention relates to a discharge device
generating a discharge by applying a high voltage to a discharge
electrode and preventing from affects of the discharge to
peripheral electronic devices.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] In recent years, a discharge device for atomizing water to
produce charged water fine particles has attracted attention. The
charged water fine particles are sometimes called as fine water
droplets or nano-sized mist, and the typical sizes thereof are a
few to tens of nanometers. A patent document 1 discloses such
discharge device as conventional one.
[0003] The foregoing discharge device has electronic circuits for
atomizing a liquid (i.e. water) from a tip of a needle-like
electrode as a discharging portion. The circuits include a high
voltage generator, a control circuit and the like.
CITATION LIST
Patent Literature
[0004] The Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No.
2006-122759
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
Technical Problem
[0005] So far, there is a technique in which condensed water is
generated by cooling the air to reduce steps for supplying water to
be condensed, and a high voltage is applied to the condensed water
for atomization of the condensed water. However, discharges in the
atomization radiate noises toward the outside, and the noises may
cause malfunctions of peripheral devices. This may be a
problem.
[0006] The present invention has been made with consideration of
the above situation, and the object is to provide a discharge
device capable of preventing a discharge electrode to be applied in
a high voltage from being a radiation source of noises which causes
negative effects on peripheral devices, and more preferably, being
capable of preventing from malfunction thereof due to peripheral
noises such as static electricity, electromagnetic wave and the
like from the outside.
Solution to Problem
[0007] An aspect of the present invention is a discharge device
comprising: a discharge electrode; an electrically insulating
portion including an atomization room accommodating the discharge
electrode; a water supplier configured to supply water to a surface
of the discharge electrode; a high voltage supply configured to
apply a high voltage to the discharge electrode to atomize the
supplied water as charged water fine particles from a tip portion
of the discharge electrode; and an electromagnetic shield provided
at least around the atomization room, the electromagnetic shield
having an opening to discharge the charged water fine
particles.
[0008] The electromagnetic shield may be an electrically conductive
case accommodating the atomization room, the water supplier and the
high voltage supply.
[0009] The electrically insulating portion may be an electrically
insulating case further accommodating the water supplier and the
high voltage supply. In this case, the electromagnetic shield may
be formed as a conductive layer covering an outer surface of the
electrically insulating portion.
Advantageous Effects of Invention
[0010] According to the discharge device having the above
configuration, the electromagnetic shield can prevent the discharge
electrode from being a radiation source of noises to the outside.
The discharge device further can prevent the discharge device from
being affected by noises from the outside.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[FIG. 1]
[0011] FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing a configuration of a
discharge device according to an embodiment of the present
invention.
[FIG. 2]
[0012] FIG. 2 is a transverse sectional view around a discharge
electrode of the discharge device.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0013] An embodiment according to the present invention is
described hereinafter with reference to figures.
[0014] FIG. 1 shows a discharge device 1 according to the
embodiment of the present invention. The discharge device 1 is
configured to produce charged water fine particles M. As described
above, the charged water fine particles M are sometimes called as
fine water droplets or nano-sized mist, and the typical sizes of
the charged water fine particles M are a few to tens of
nanometers.
[0015] As shown in FIG. 2, the discharge device 1 has: a
discharging unit 11 and an electromagnetic shield 7 provided around
the discharging unit 11. The discharging unit 11 includes: a
discharge electrode 2; a water condensation device 4 including a
cooling part 4b and a heat-radiation part 4c; and a high voltage
supply 5. The cooling part 4b cools the discharge electrode 2 to
condense moisture of the air onto a surface of the discharge
electrode 2. The heat-radiation part 4c radiates heat which is
generated while cooling the discharge electrode 2. The high voltage
supply 5 supplies a high voltage to the discharge electrode 2 to
atomize the condensed water on a tip portion 2a of the discharge
electrode 2. In the present embodiment, the high voltage supply 5
applies a negative high voltage to the discharge electrode 2.
[0016] The tip portion 2a of the discharge electrode 2 forms into a
needle or the like. In other words, the tip portion 2a forms into a
tapered wire, and serves as a discharged portion at which
discharges are likely to occur.
[0017] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the water condensation
device 4 has a Peltier device 4a. The cooling part 4b is provided
so as to thermally connect between a cold side of the Peltier
device 4a and the discharge electrode 2. The heat-radiation part 4c
is provided so as to thermally connect between a hot side of the
Peltier device 4a and a radiation fin 9.
[0018] The discharge device 1 has a motor fan (not shown)
generating wind to cool the radiation fin 9. The wind from the
motor fan is discharged from an outlet 6 which is an end opening
portion of the electromagnetic shield 7. In FIG. 2, the reference
number 20 indicates a frame with openings, which surrounds the
discharge electrode 2. The frame 20 is made of an insulating
material. The reference number 21 indicates a ring-shaped electrode
disposed so as to face to the discharge electrode 2. The
ring-shaped electrode 21 is grounded. Meanwhile, the frame 20 and
the ring-shaped electrode 21 may be omitted.
[0019] The discharging unit 11 further includes: a cooling
controller sending the water condensation device 4 a command for
cooling and the like; and a controller (control circuit) 10 (see
FIG. 1) to control the high voltage supply 5. In the present
embodiment, the cooling controller of the discharging unit 11
supplies a power as the cooling command to the Peltier device 4a,
and thereby cools the cooling part 4b. As the result, the discharge
electrode 2 is cooled, and moisture of the air is condensed thereon
as the condensed water. Therefore, the cooling part 4b functions as
a means for supplying water to the discharge electrode 2. The
controller 10 of the discharging unit 11 controls the high voltage
supply 5 to apply a high voltage to the discharge electrode 2, and
generates a high electric field between the discharge electrode 2
and the corresponding electrode 21 while the condensed water
adheres on the discharge electrode 2. While applying the high
voltage, the condensed water adhered on the tip portion 2a is
atomized. Specifically, the condensed water is collected to the tip
portion 2a of the discharge electrode 2, and a discharge between
the discharge electrode 2 and the corresponding electrode 21
repeats Rayleigh fission of the condensed water, thus the condensed
water becomes charged water fine particles M. Thereafter, the
charged water fine particles M are blown by the motor fan, and thus
discharged from the outlet 6. The controller 10 controls the amount
of condensed water to be generated depending on degree of cooling
by the cooling part 4b. Specifically, the controller 10 maintains
the adequate amount of the condensed water to securely generate the
charged water fine particles M without being affected by
temperature and humidity around it.
[0020] The charged water fine particles M as described above
include radicals such as superoxide radicals, hydroxy radicals.
Therefore, they have deodorizing effect, growth-inhibitory effect
against viruses, bacteria and fungus, allergen inactivating effect
and the like. Accordingly, when the charged water fine particles M
are distributed in a room, they can deodorize air, walls, sheets
and the like therein. In addition, they can suppress or inactivate
allergens such as mite carcasses clinging to a fabric (e.g. a
sheet, carpet, cushion and the like), pollens brought into the room
from the outside, and the like.
[0021] As shown in FIG. 1, the electromagnetic shield 7 according
to the embodiment forms into a tube case having an opening portion
at an end thereof. On the opening portion, the outlet 6 is mounted.
The charged water fine particles M are discharged from the outlet
6. The atomization room 3 accommodating the discharge electrode 2
is provided in the electromagnetic shield 7 on a side close to the
outlet 6, and the water condensation device 4 and controller 10 are
provided in the electromagnetic shield 7 behind the atomization
room 3. The atomization room 3 is formed as an entire or a part of
an electrically insulating portion explained later.
[0022] The electromagnetic shield 7 prevents the discharge
electrode 2 from being a radiation source of noises. In the resent
embodiment, the electromagnetic shield 7 is an electrically
conductive case, which is made of metal, for example. The
electromagnetic shield 7 is grounded via a ground wire 8. An
electrically insulating portion 15 is made of an insulating
material such as a resin or the like. The electrically insulating
portion 15 covers at least a part of inner surface of the
electromagnetic shield 7, the part surrounding the discharge
electrode 2. Specifically, the electrically insulating portion 15
at least functions as the atomization room 3 surrounding the
discharge electrode 2. Meanwhile, the electrically insulating
portion 15 may be entirely formed on the inner surface of the
electromagnetic shield 7.
[0023] Instead of the forgoing configuration, the electromagnetic
shield may be formed as a conductive layer (conductive film)
covering an outer surface of the electrically insulating portion
15. In this case, the electrically insulating portion 15 is formed
into a case which serves as the atomization room 3 and accommodates
the discharge unit 11, and the conductive layer is formed by
plating a metal on the outer surface of the insulating portion 15
so as to surround (cover) at least the circumference of the
atomization room 3 which is a part of the electrically insulating
portion 15. The conductive layer is grounded via the ground wire 8.
Meanwhile, the conductive layer may be entirely formed on the outer
surface of the electrically insulating portion 15.
[0024] The outlet 6 communicating with the opening side of the
atomization room 3 is composed of a resin mold 16 having a tubular
shape. The resin mold 16 prevents the charged water fine particles
M from adhering on an inner surface of the outlet 6. In the present
embodiment, the resin mold 16 is separately made from the
electromagnetic shield 7 and the electrically insulating portion
15, and mounted on these. The resin mold 16 may be formed
integrally with the electromagnetic shield and the electrically
insulating portion 15. When the electromagnetic shield 7 is formed
into a metal case, electrically insulating is processed
continuously from the inner surfaces of the electromagnetic shield
7 to the inner surface of the outlet 6 of the resin mold 16.
[0025] The electromagnetic shield 7 is grounded by the ground wire
8, and thus can prevent the discharge electrode 2 from being a
source of radiation noise. Even when a high voltage is applied to
the discharge electrode 2 and a noise is radiated therefrom, the
noise is transmitted and grounded through the ground wire 8.
Therefore, it is possible to prevent peripheral devices, computers
and the like from malfunctioning due to the noise.
[0026] Further, the electrically insulating portion 15, which
function as the atomization room 3, is formed on the inner surface
of the electromagnetic shield 7. Therefore no discharge is occurred
between the discharge electrode 2 and the electromagnetic shield 7,
and thereby it is possible to increase the generation efficiency of
the charged water fine particles M.
[0027] In addition, peripheral noises from the outside due to a
peripheral static electricity and electromagnetic wave are shielded
by the electromagnetic shield 7. Therefore, it is possible to
prevent the discharging unit 11 accommodated in the electromagnetic
shield 7 from malfunctioning thereof due to the peripheral
noises.
[0028] Since the electromagnetic shield 7 is configured as a case
accommodating the discharge unit 11 or is formed as conductive
layer on the case, the structure of the discharge device 1 having a
function to reduce radiation noises becomes simple.
[0029] In the present embodiment, the outlet 6 from which the
charged water fine particles M is resin-molded. Therefore, the
inner surface of the outlet 6 serves as an electrically insulating
portion, thus can prevent the charged water fine particles M from
adhering thereon, and can increase the discharge efficiency of the
charged water fine particles M.
[0030] In the present embodiment, the water condensation device 4
is shown as a means for supplying water to the discharge electrode
2. However, the means may be configured by a bar-shaped conveying
portion which supplies water to a tip portion thereof and also
functions as the forgoing discharge electrode. In this case, the
bar-shaped conveying portion has a capillary, groove or the like
which soaks up water from a water tank and supplies the water to
the tip portion of the bar-shaped conveying portion.
* * * * *