 |
Description  |
|
|
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
(a) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an air-purifying apparatus for collecting
dust particles and the like floating in the air, and particularly to an
air-purifying apparatus of the electrostatic fiber-layer dust filter type,
wherein a fiber-layer filter formed by a dielectric material is clamped
between electrode plates with high voltage applied thereto, dielectric
polarization is thereby generated in the fiber-layer filter so as to
absorb dust particles.
(b) Description of the Prior Art
Various techiques have been devised as techniques for collecting dust
particles floating in the air. For instance, there is a method whereby
dust particles is collected by catching the dust particles by filter means
such as a net, fibers, and activated charcoal used for ventilating and
air-conditioning equipment (refer to U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,828,530, 3,902,877,
4,272,261, etc.); However, it has not been possible to collect such fine
particles as smoke. As a method for improving this point, a method was
devised whereby dust particles are absorbed forcibly. As one example,
there is a method of collecting dust particles electrostatically, which is
widely adopted as an air cleaner for vehicles in recent years (for
instance, refer to U.S. Pat. No. 3,108,865). This is a method whereby dust
particles contained in the sucked air is charged with electricity by means
of a corona discharge, and then the electrified dust particles are
collected by a porous metal filter. According to this method, a conductor
has been used as a filter, and a foamed metal has been used since it is
necessary to make the filter thick. However, although dust particles
adhered to the inner fine pores of the foamed metal can be removed to some
extent by cleaning, it is not possible to clean them completely.
Furthermore, although the life of the filter is long, the filter has been
inconvenient to use. In addition, there is an air-purifying apparatus
using electret fiber-layer filter. This air-purifying apparatus does not
require a high-voltage device since the filter maintains electric
polarization, but it is not possible to reuse it by cleaning it.
As a method of collecting dust for obviating the drawbacks of the
aforementioned dust collecting methods, there is a method using an
electrostatic fiber-layer dust-collecting filter, disclosed in the
Japanese utility Model Publication No. 26039/1972 and the Japanese Patent
Publication No. 41709/1976. In this method, a fiber-layer filter formed by
a dielectric material is clamped between electrode plates with a high
voltage applied thereto to generate dielectric polarization in the
fiber-layer filter, thereby absorbing dust particles. This method has
advantages in that the filter can be washed by a washing machine or the
like and can be used repeatedly, and, at the same time, a reduction in the
dust-collecting performance is small since a high voltage is applied even
if dust particles are adhered to it.
In an air-purifying apparatus using the electrostatic fiber-layer
dust-collecting filter system, the construction is such that a filter is
provided midway in the air channel, so that it is necessary to provide a
door for removing the filter, and it has been necessary to disassemble the
air-purifying apparatus when conducting maintainance and inspection. This
has also been true with the case of the U.S. Pat. No. 4,272,261, which was
earlier cited as an example using a filter consisting of a net, fibers,
etc.
In the case of the U.S. Pat. No. 3,828,530, however, the main filter is
provided not midway in the air channel but along the outlet port. However,
the filter is secured to the body, with the result that it has not been
possible to easily effect the removal of the body and hence its
maintenance and inspection.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is an air-purifying apparatus comprising: a main body
having an intake portion and an outlet portion; a blowing means disposed
in the main body and adapted to induce the ambient air through the intake
portion and to forward the air to the outlet portion; and a high-voltage
generating means mounted in the main body; wherein the intake portion
includes an intake grille, first and second net-shaped electrode plates
disposed along the inner side of the intake grille and opposing each other
with a large potential difference developed therebetween by the
high-voltage generating means, the first net-shaped electrode plate being
remoter from the intake grille than the second net-shaped electrode plate,
and an air-permeable filter made of a dielectric material disposed between
the first and second electrode plates, and wherein at least the intake
grille and the second net-shaped electrode plate being detachable from the
main body.
In brief, since the electric dust-collecting plate (device) is mounted in a
particular shape and detachably on the body together with the intake
grille, the present invention facilitates the removal and installation of
the filter disposed on the electric dust-collecting device, and, at the
same time, facilitates the maintenance and inspection of the inside of the
body of the air-purifying apparatus.
Furthermore, it is possible to provide an ion generating means inside the
body, and it is thereby possible to expect a rise in the dust-collecting
efficiency.
The air-purifying apparatus relating to the invention can be constructed
with a very small size thanks to the characteristics of the aforementioned
arrangement, and is suitable for use as an air-purifying apparatus for
automobiles.
These and other advantages and objects of the air-purifying apparatus will
be apparent from the accompanying description taken in conjunction with
the attached drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIGS. 1 to 27, inclusive, show a first embodiment of the invention, in
which
FIG. 1 is a front perspective view;
FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view with an intake grille removed;
FIG. 4 is a perspective view with an electric dust-collecting device
removed;
FIG. 5 is a perpective view with a second net-shaped electrode plate
removed;
FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the intake grille;
FIG. 7 is a plan view of a short-circuit bar and a safety switch portion;
FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VIII--VIII of FIG. 7;
FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line IX--IX of FIG. 8;
FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line X--X of FIG. 8;
FIG. 11 is a plan view of a lower case, partly in section;
FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XII--XII of FIG. 11;
FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XIII--XIII of FIG.
11;
FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XIV--XIV of FIG. 11;
FIG. 15 is a perspective view of an ion-generating device;
FIG. 16 is an exploded perspective view;
FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view of the operating part;
FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XVIII--XVIII of FIG.
17;
FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XIX--XIX of FIG. 17;
FIGS. 20 and 21 are cross-sectional views of the ion generating device;
FIG. 22 is a sectional perspective view of the ion generating device;
FIG. 23 is a perspective view of an opposing ionizing electrode;
FIG. 24 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the basic principles of the
ion generating device;
FIG. 25 is a chart of characteristics of the ion generating device shown in
FIG. 24;
FIG. 26 is a mock circuit diagram; and
FIG. 27 is a circuit diagram.
FIGS. 28 to 34, inclusive, show a second embodiment of the invention, in
which
FIG. 28 is a perspective view;
FIG. 29 is a plan view of the lower case, partly in section;
FIG. 30 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XXX--XXX of FIG. 29;
FIG. 31 is a plan view of a fragrance-discharging device;
FIG. 32 is a perspective view of the ion generating device; and
FIGS. 33 and 34 are cross-sectional views illustrating the operating
condition of the ion generating device.
FIGS. 35 to 38, inclusive, show a third embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 35 is a sectional perspective view of the ion-generating device;
FIG. 36 is a perspective view of the ionization opposing electrode;
FIG. 37 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the basic principles of the
ion generating device; and
FIG. 38 is a chart on the characteristics of the ion generating device
shown in FIG. 37.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Now, description will be made of a first embodiment of the invention with
reference to FIGS. 1 to 27.
Referring to FIGS. 11 to 12, which give details in particular, an
air-purifying apparatus 1 includes the following: a body 4 having an upper
case 2 and a lower case 3 formed into upper and lower sections; an air
outlet grille 6 installed at an outlet port 5 formed on the front surface
of the body 4; an electric dust-collecting device 8 installed at an intake
port 7 formed in the area extending from the upper surface to the rear
surface of the body 4; a blower 9 formed inside the body 4; an ion
generating device 10 formed in an outlet ventilating channel of the blower
9; a high-voltage generating device 11 supplying a high voltage to the
electric dust-collecting device 8 and ion-generating device 10; a
fragrance-discharging device 12 formed in the body 4; and a controlling
part 13 for controlling the blower 9, the high-voltage generating device
11, the ion-generating device 10, and the fragrance-discharging device 12.
The upper case 2, the lower case 3, and the air outlet grille 6 are formed
by synthetic resin of an insulating material. The air outlet gri11 6
comprises an installing part 14 for the controlling part 13 in its central
portion, and grate-shaped ventilation parts 15, 15 on its both sides. The
air outlet grille 6 is retained by a supporting part formed in the upper
case 2 and the lower case 3, and, at the same time, is clamped between the
upper case 2 and the lower case 3. The upper case 2 and the lower case 3
are connected by a screw (not shown) screwed in from the lower case 3 to
the upper case 2.
The blower 9 is comprised of an electric motor 21 with a rotary shaft 20
projecting from both ends thereof, fan blades 22 installed on the rotary
shaft 20, and an upper casing 23 and a lower casing 24 formed into the
sections of the upper case 2 and the lower case 3. In the embodiment of
the invention, a sirocco fan is used as the fan blades 22, but the blades
should not be restricted to it, and various other fans such as an axial
fan and tangential fan may be adopted. The upper casing 23 and the lower
casing 24 are formed in accordance with the function and dimensions of the
fan blades 22. Since a sirocco fan is used in the embodiment , the upper
casing 23 and the lower casing 24 are formed substantially in the shape of
a snail with intake ports 25, 25 formed on both of the sides thereof
(refer to FIG. 15). Between the lower casings 24, 24 in the lower case 3
is formed a supporting portion 26 (refer to FIG. 20) for fitting and
holding a side portion of the electric motor 21. A plurality of bosses 27
project from the vicinity of the supporting portion 26, as shown in FIG.
5. An installing plate 29 is secured to each boss 27 by means of a screw
28. As the installing plate 29 is secured to the bosses 27, the installing
plate 29 presses and holds the other side of the electric motor 21, and
secures the supporting portion 26 as well as the electric motor 21 onto
the lower case 3. Since the installing plate 29 is formed substantially in
a T shape, the installing plate 29 forms an extended portion 30 extending
to the inner surface of the upper case 2 and a corner section of the upper
casing 23. The extended portion 30 forms an electric cord retaining part
31 by a notch and a pin, which retains an electric cord 32 which wiring is
provided to the electric motor 21, the controlling part 13, and the like.
Accordingly, this arrangement makes it possible to reduce the number of
retaining parts for electric cords, formed in the upper case 2 and the
lower case 3, thereby simplifying the construction.
As the electric motor 21, an induction motor, a synchronous motor, a
commutator motor or the like can be used, but a shading-type induction
motor is used in the embodiment of the invention. In the embodiment, in
order to simplify the electric circuit of the air-purifying apparatus 1,
the secondary winding 34 of the transformer of a
current-feeder-and-rectifier circuit 33 to the high-voltage generating
circuit 11 is, as shown in FIGS. 26 and 27, wound into the stator of the
electric motor 21, and the stator winding of the electric motor 21 is also
used as the primary winding of the transformer, as shown in FIGS. 26 and
27. A center governor tap 36 is pulled out from the stator winding 35, and
the connection of the tap of the electric motor 21 to the switch 37 of the
controlling part 13 enables the stopping, as well as low-speed and
high-speed operation of the electric motor 21. A safety switch 38 is
connected in series in the circuit between the electric motor 21 and the
switch 37. The safety switch 38 is switched on and off by the mounting or
dismounting of the electric dust-collecting device 8. In the embodiment, a
switch generally called a microswitch is used as the safety switch 38.
The high-voltage generating device 11 includes the
current-feeder-and-rectifier circuit 33, a stabilizing quadrature
converting circuit 40 connected to the primary winding of a boosting
transformer 39, and a voltage-doubling circuit 41 connected to the
secondary winding of the boosting transformer 39. The switching over of
the operation of the electric motor 21 generates a change in the voltage
generated in the current-feeder-and-rectifier circuit 33, but since the
voltage change is corrected by the stabilizing quadrature converting
circuit 40, the voltage outputted by the voltage-doubling circuit 41 is
stabilized. The high voltage outputted by the voltage-doubling circuit 41
is supplied to the electric dust-collecting device 8 and the
ion-generating device 10.
As shown in FIG. 14, the fragrance-discharging device 12 comprises a
container 42 formed in the lower case 3 and having an opening at the lower
surface thereof, detachable cover 43 for closing the opening, a fragrance
discharging port 44 formed on the container 42 on the inner-surface side
of the body, and a shutter 45 for opening, closing and adjusting the
fragrance discharging port 44. The shutter 45 is operated by an operating
knob 46 of the controlling part 13, and the operating knob 46 and the
shutter 45 are connected by means of an interlinking lever 47. In the
embodiment, the shutter 45 is rotatably fixed to a pivotaly supporting
part 48 formed on the upper surface of the container 42 inside the body. A
fragrance material 49 is housed in the container 42 after removing the
cover 43. As the fragrance material 49, a subliming type is used, and the
fragrance is discharged through the fragrance-discharging port 44 and
blown into a room from the air outlet grille 6 by means of the blower 9.
Referring to FIG. 8, at the rear of the lower case 3 are formed the
following: an installation boss 52 for a feeding bar 51 for connecting a
first net-shaped electrode plate 50 of the electric dust-collecting device
8 negative electrode of the high-voltage generating device 11 (refer to
FIG. 26); a fixing part 56 of an installation plate 55 which pivotally
supports a short-circuit bar 54 serving as a feeding bar for connecting a
second net-shaped electrode plate 53 (refer to FIG. 12) of the electric
dust-collecting device 8 to the grounded positive electrode of the
high-voltage generating device 11 and, at the same time, connecting the
first net-shaped electrode plate 50 to the positive electrode when the
electric dust collecting device 8 is removed; and a supporting part 57 for
clamping the safety switch 38 between the supporting part 57 and the
installation plate 55. The installation plate 55 is formed by a conductive
material and formed substantially in a U shape. The fixing part 56 is
formed as a boss for screwing in a fixing screw 58, and is formed between
ribs 59, 59. The installation plate 55 is placed in a manner of straddling
the ribs 59 and is then, together with the electric cord wired from the
positive electrode of the high-voltage generating device 11, mounted on
the fixing part 56 by means of the screw 58. The installation plate 55 is
constituted by a pivotally supporting part 60 for pivotally supporting the
short-circuit bar 54 and a retainer 62 having a projection 61 for being
inserted into the installation hole of the safety switch 38. An insulating
plate 63 is interposed between the safety switch 38 and the retainer 62,
and the safety switch 38 is clamped by the supporting part 57 and the
retainer 62. The short-circuit 54 is urged by a spring 64 in the direction
of contacting the feeding bar 51.
In the embodiment, the short circuit plate 54 also serves as the feeding
bar for the second net-shaped electrode plate 53, but should not be
restricted as such and may be provided separately. Furthermore, the
short-circuit bar 54 per se is a conductor, and short-circuit is effected
through the short-circuit bar 54, but it is possible to form the
short-circuit bar 54 by an insulator and to operate a short-circuit switch
or a short-circuit armature by means of a short-circuit bar.
Referring to FIGS. 12 and 26, the electric dust-collecting device 8
comprises the first net-shaped electrode plate 50, the second net-shaped
electrode plate 53, a dielectric material-made air-permeable filter 70
clamped between both electrode plates 50 and 53, a deodorant filter 71
constituted by activated charcoal or the like, and a grate-shaped intake
grille 72. The first net-shaped electrode plate 50, the second net-shaped
electrode plate 53, and the intake grille 72 are formed substantially in
an L shape. The air-permeable filter 70 and the deodorant filter 71 are
flexible and bend substantially in an L shape as they are clamped. The
air-permeable filter 70 suffices if it is formed by a dielectric material,
and may use, in concrete terms, fibers of such a synthetic resin as
polyester or nylon, nonflammable fibers such as glass fibers using
asbestos or the like, and fibers with such an inorganic dielectric
material as magnesium fluoride, zinc sulfide, or the like adhered thereto.
The air-permeable filter 70 is formed by fibers, and its peripheral
portion 73 is secured to prevent fraying at the time when it is cleaned by
a washing machine or the like (refer to FIG. 4). There are various
securing methods, such as the one by means of high-frequency heating,
softening and compression, and the one using a clamping body made of a
dielectric material. In the embodiment, vertically and horizontally
securing lines 73' and 73" are formed in a checkered pattern to prevent
the inclination of the fibers to one side of the air-permeable filter 70
(refer to FIG. 4). The deodorant filter 71 is formed by making a material
having a deodorant effect, e.g., activated charcoal, into a sheet shape.
In the embodiment, the deodorant filter 71 is formed by applying an active
material to expanded polyurethane to make a sheet, and then wrapping the
sheet in a nonconductive air-permeable material. An engaging retainer 74
for retaining one end of the second net-shaped electrode plate 53 is
formed on the inner surface of the front side and on the upper side of the
intake grille 72. Appropriate places of the peripheral portion of the
second net-shaped electrode plate 53 are secured to the intake grille 72
by means of a screw 75, as shown in FIG. 6. At the lower end portion of
the intake grille 72, a pressing projection 91 for operating the safety
switch 38 by pressing the same is formed integrally therewith. At the same
time, a conductive material-made operating projection 76 for pressing the
short-circuit bar 54 suspended and secured by the screw 75 securing the
second net-shaped electrode plate 53 is formed (refer to FIGS. 7, 8 and
26). At the upper-surface-side front-end portion and the lower-end portion
of the intake grille 72, engaging parts 79 and 80 (refer to FIG. 4) for
engaging retainers 77 and 78 formed onto the body 4 (refer to FIG. 5) are
formed. A finger-engaging part 81 is formed on the lower-end rear surface
adjacent to the engaging part 80 formed at the lower end portion of the
intake grille 72.
In the upper case 2 is formed a mounting portion 82, into which the lower
end of the electric dust-collecting device for covering the safety switch
38, the short-circuit bar 54 and the feeding bar 51 are brought into
contact, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, on the inner surface of the suction
port 7 where the electric dust-collecting device 8 in the upper case 2 is
mounted, the following are formed, as shown in FIG. 5: a receiving part 83
for mounting and supporting the peripheral edge of the first net-shaped
electrode plate 50; an engaging retainer 84 for retaining the front edge
portion of the first net-shaped electrode plate 50; a boss 86 for screwing
in a screw 85 for securing the vicinity of the bend of the first
net-shaped electrode plate 50; a step portion 87 for mounting and
supporting the peripheral portion of the intake grill 72; and the engaging
retainer 77. On the mounting portion 82 are formed the following: a groove
88 into which the lower end of the first net-shaped electrode plate 50 is
fitted; an insertion portion 89 where the feeding bar 51 formed in the
groove 88, as shown in FIG. 8, is exposed; a supporting portion 90 for
preventing the lower ends of both the air-permeable filter 70 in FIG. 3
and the deodorant filter 71 from moving upward; the engaging retainer 78;
an insertion portion 92 into which the pressing projection 91 is inserted;
and an insertion portion 93 into which the operating projection 76 is
inserted. As shown in FIG. 8, the insertion portion 92 is formed opposing
the safety switch 38, and the insertion portion 93 opposing the
short-circuit bar 54. As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the first net-shaped
electrode plate 50, when inserted into the groove 88, comes into contact
with the feeding bar 51 exposed at the insertion portion 89, is connected
to the negative electrode of the high-voltage generating device 11 to be
charged negatively. A bending-preventing projection 94 (refer to FIG. 5)
coming into contact with the intermediate portion of the first net-shaped
electrode plate 50 is formed on top of the upper casing 23 in the upper
case 2. By removing the intake grille 72, the safety switch 38 is turned
off, and the operation of the air-purifying apparatus 1 is stopped. At the
same time, the short-circuiting bar 54 is brought into contact with the
feeding bar 51, discharging the potential built up in the first net-shaped
electrode plate 50. Accordingly, an accident of electrification does not
occur even if the intake grille 72 is removed to clean air-permeable
filter 70 and the deodorant filter 71 without stopping the air-purifying
apparatus 1. The contacting of the short-circuiting bar 54 to the feeding
bar 51 is effected after the safety switch 38 is turned off.
Referring to FIGS. 16, 22 and 23, the ion-generating device 10 is
constituted by a substantially U-shaped ionization opposing electrode 100,
a needle-shaped ionization electrode 101, and a means of hampering the
concentration of the electric field of the needle-shaped ionization
electrode 101. In the embodiment, hampering of the concentration of the
electric field, is carried out by bringing ionization electrode 101 in and
out of the upper casing 23. The needle-shaped ionization electrode 101 is
embedded in a columnar body 103 forming a collar 102 at the end thereof,
and the columnar body 103 is inserted into a cylindrical hole 104 formed
on the upper casing 23 for installing the columnar body 103 (refer to FIG.
20). The operation of entrance and withdrawal of the columnar body 103 is
effected by an operating body 108 where pivots 107, 107, supported
pivotally by a bearing hole 105 and a bearing groove 106 both formed on
one upper surface side of the upper casing 23, project therefrom. The
operating body 108 clamps the columnar body 103 in a manner of engaging a
bifurcating portion 109 formed at one end thereof with the collar 102, and
rotatably operates by pressing the other end of the operating body 108 by
means of a knob 110 of the operating part 13. The bearing groove 106 is
covered and blocked by an installation member 113 secured to a boss 111
projecting from the casing 23 by means of a screw 112. A fitting hole 115,
into which a locating pin 114 projecting from the upper casing 23, is
formed at the installation member 113. At the installation member 113, a
locating portion 117 of a terminal bar 116 for feeding electricity to the
needle-shaped ionization electrode 101 is formed. The terminal bar 116 is
secured to the upper casing 23 together with the the installation member
113 by means of the screw 112. The terminal bar 116, being in the secured
state, contacts and pushes downward the needle-shaped ionization electrode
101 by means of its resilient force. The returning force of the operating
body 108 is obtained by the terminal bar 116. One end of the terminal bar
116 rises upward, projects upward above the bending-preventing projection
94, and presses the first net-shaped electrode plate 50 by means of its
resilient force. The bearing hole 105 and the bearing groove 106 are also
formed on the other upper surface side of the upper casing 23, in such a
way that the upper case 2 is also commonly used in a second embodiment,
which will be described later. The ionization opposing electrode 100 is
fitted on the inner surface of the upper casing 23, forms an escape
portion 118 for receiving the cylindrical hole portion 104, and is, at the
same time, secured by a screw 119. A tongue-shaped feeding portion 120 is
formed at one lower end of the ionization opposing electrode 100. The
feeding portion 120 projects outside the casing 23 through a knotched
insertion portion 121 provided at the lower edge of the upper casing 23.
The feeding portion 120 is connected to the positive electrode (group) of
the high-voltage generating device 11.
Referring to FIGS. 24 and 25, description of the operating principle of the
ion-generating device 10 will be made hereinunder.
When a high voltage is applied to the needle-shaped ionization electrode
101 and the ionization opposing electrode 100, a corona discharge occurs
between the two electrodes 101 and 100, and negative ions are produced at
that juncture. A corona discharge occurs on the basis of the function
between the radius of curvature of the end of the needle-shaped ionization
electrode 101 on the one hand, and the length of a gap between the two
electrodes 101 and 100 on the other. When a high voltage is applied, an
electric field concentrates at the tip of the needle-shaped ionization
electrode 101, and ionization occurs in that vicinity. As the
needle-shaped ionization electrode 101 is negative, ions are discharged
from the ionization region and heads toward the ionization opposing
electrode 100. At that juncture, electrons are adhered to gaseous
particles and form negative ions. The negative ions are blown out together
with an air flow (A). Since the needle-shaped ionization electrode 101 is
adapted to move freely into and out of the cylindrical hole 104, it is
possible to control and stop the amount of ions generated, without turning
off the high-voltage generating device. The needle-shaped ionization
electrode 101 in a discharging state is pulled into the cylindrical hole
portion 104. At this juncture, the inner surface of the cylindrical hole
portion 104 is positively charged by dielectric polarization, but is
neutralized by electrons generated in the vicinity of the needle-shaped
ionization electrode 101, thereby negatively electrifying the inner
surface of the cylindrical hole portion 104. With the negative
electrification of the inner surface of the cylindrical hole portion 104,
a change occurs to the function for causing a corona discharge to occur,
i.e., between the radius of curvature and a gap length, the concentration
of the electric field is hampered, and corona discharge weakens and stops.
FIG. 25 is a graph showing the relationship between the amount of ions
generated and the amount of pulling out from the position of maximum
insertion (the distance D.sub.1 of movement of the needle-shaped
ionization electrode 101) under conditions that the high voltage applied
is 6.3 kV, the gap length between the two electrodes 101 and 100 is 32 mm,
and the distance from the lower end of the cylindrical hole portion 104 to
the position d of the maximum insertion is 8 mm. As can be understood from
the graph, by varying the distance of movement of the needle-shaped
ionization electrode 101, i.e., the distance between the two electrodes
101 and 100, it is possible to adjust the amount of ions contained in the
air sent from the air outlet 5.
By mechanically effecting the stopping and moving of the ion-generating
device 10 and the adjustment of the amount of ions, it is possible to use
in common the electric dust-collecting device 8 and the
high-voltage-generating device 11.
The electric dust-collecting device 8 is detachably formed in a manner of
blocking the intake port 7 of the body 4, and the body 4 is opened wide by
removing the electric dust-collecting device 8. Since the electric
dust-collecting device 8 has the same function as that of a bottom plate
or a rear plate installed on a conventional electric appliance, this
arrangement facilitates the maintenance and inspection of the high-voltage
generating device 11, the ventilation device 9, and the like installed
inside the body 4. Furthermore, since the the electric dust-collecting
device 8 also serves as the side wall of the body 4, it is possible to
readily install and remove the electric dust-collecting device 8. In
addition, the state of dust collected can be confirmed visually, offering
convenience in using the air-purifying apparatus 1, and, at the same time,
the air-purifying apparatus 1 can be formed compactly. To cite an example
for your reference, the external dimensions of the air-purifying apparatus
1 may be 300 (width) .times.200 (depth) .times.146 (height) mm, and the
air-purifying apparatus 1 can be suitably used in a 3.times.3 m room.
In FIG. 5, a partition plate 24' is formed in the portion opposing the
ventilation portion 15 of the air outlet grille 6, except for the air
outlet portion of the upper and lower casings 23, 24 of the body 4. The
partition plate 24' opposing the right-hand ventilation portion 15 of the
air outlet grille 6 is detachably formed in such a way that the body 2 can
be used in common in the second embodiment, which will be described later.
Now, description will be made of the second embodiment with reference to
FIGS. 28 to 34.
According to the second embodiment, the operating portion is formed on the
right-hand side, the function of the embodiment being the same as that of
the first embodiment. Each part is indicated by the same appellations and
reference numerals, and description is omitted. With respect to the second
embodiment, description will be made of only such portions whose structure
differs from that of the first embodiment.
The installation part 14 where the operating part 13 is installed is formed
on the right-hand portion of the air outlet grille 6. The body 4 is used
in common as that in the first embodiment, the partition plate 24' is
removed, and a partition plate is provided at the portion opposing the
operating part. Referring to FIGS. 32 and 33, the operating body 108 for
operating the needle-shaped ionization electrode 101 is formed in such a
shape as it has plane symmetry via-a-vis the operating body of the first
embodiment, and is pivotally supported by the bearing hole 105 and the
bearing groove 106 formed on the other side of the upper surface of the
upper casing 23. The shutter 45 of the fragrance-discharging device 12 is
directly operated by the operating knob 46.
Description will now be made of a third embodiment with reference to FIGS.
35 to 38.
According to the third embodiment, the structure of the ion-generating
device is changed from that of the other embodiments. Incidentally, the
same structural portions as those of the other embodiments are indicated
by the same appellations and reference numerals, and, at the same time,
the drawings are omitted and only essential parts are described. The
needle-shaped ionization electrode 101 is inserted into the cylindrical
hole portion 104 of the upper casing 23. The ionization opposing electrode
100 opposing the needle-shaped ionization electrode 101 is secured to the
lower casing 24 by means of a screw 121. An ion-generation-regulating
member 122 is located between the needle-shaped ionization electrode 101
and the ionization opposing electrode 100, and the regulating member 122
is caused to contact or move away from the needle-shaped ionization
electrode 101 by means of the operating knob 46 of the operating part 13.
The regulating member 122 is formed by a dielectric material.
The operating principle of the ion-generating device 10 will now be
described with reference to FIG. 37.
The gap length between the needle-shaped ionization electorde 101 and the
ionization opposing electrode 100 is set at a dimension at which a corona
discharge occurs. If the regulating member 122 is brought too close to the
needle-shaped ionization electrode 101, dielectric polarization occurs,
the opposing side is electrified positively, and electrons from the
needle-shaped ionization electrode 101 is absorbed. With the absorption of
the electrons, the positive charge of the regulating member 122 is
neutralized, while the regulating member 122 is electrified negatively.
With the negative electrification of the regulating member 122, the
movement of the electrons toward the ionization opposing electrode 100 is
dispersed, while, at the same time, affecting the ionized region formed in
the vicinity of the needle-shaped ionization electrode 101, which, in
turn, hampers the concentration of the electric field of the needle-shaped
ionization electrode 101. As a result, a corona discharge weakens and
stops. FIG. 38 is a graph showing the relationship between amount of ions
generated and the distance between the the needle-shaped ionization
electrode 101 and the regulating member 122 (the distance D.sub.2 between
the needle-shaped ionization electrode 101 and the regulating member 122).
under conditions that the applied voltage is 6.3 kV, the gap length
between the two electrodes 101 and 100 is 32 mm, and the length d of the
needle-shaped ionization electrode 101 projecting from the cylindrical
hole 104 is 8 mm.
In the case of the respective embodiments mentioned above, it is possible
to enlarge the dust-collecting area as compared with an air purifying
machine having an electric dust-collecting device on one side thereof,
since the electric dust-collecting device 8 is formed substantially in an
L shape, forming a wall portion extending from the upper surface to the
rear surface of the body 4. In FIG. 12, for instance, when dust particles
adhere to the air-permeable filter 70 and the deodorant filter 71 and
these filters contain moisture, electric discharge occurs between the
first net-shaped electrode plate 50 and the second net-shaped electrode
plate 53. Hence, the first net-shaped electrode plate 50 is coated with
resin to prevent the discharge from occurring.
The ion-generating device 10 and the fragrance-discharging device 12 that
are built in the air purifying apparatus 1 are such devices that provide
additional functions, and therefore are not particularly required. The
ion-generating device 10, which ionizes the air to be blown off, has a
function of electrifying dust floating in a room, and has the function of
enhancing the dust-collecting efficiency of the electric dust-collecting
device 8.
Although the present invention has been described with reference to the
first, second and third embodiments, they are only some embodiments, and
various modifications are possible without departing the scope and spirit
of the invention if the constitutent requirements described in the claims
are met.
As described above, the air-purifying apparatus relating to the present
invention has advantages in that, since the intake port of the body is
covered with a detachably mounted electric dust-collecting device, an
extra space is not required on the intake side of the electric
dust-collecting device, the overall air-purifying apparatus can be formed
conpactly, the mounting and dismounting of the electric dust-collecting
device can be facilitated, and the inspection and the maintenance of the
body can be effected with ease.
* * * * *
|
|
 |
|
 |
Description |
|
