JP2008037371A - Electrostatic atomization device for vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To create a state that odor is removed or an allergen is inactivated when a user gets in and drive a vehicle. <P>SOLUTION: This electrostatic atomization device is provided with a discharge electrode 11 and an opposed electrode 12 opposed thereto with a high voltage applied therebetween, a moisture supply means 13 supplying moisture to the discharge electrode 12, a discharge opening 17 discharging mist generated by the electrostatic atomization of the moisture by high-voltage application on the discharge electrode into the vehicle compartment, and a control means controlling the electrostatic atomization operation through the high-voltage application. The device is connected to the power source V of the vehicle without the intermediary of an ignition key switch SW, and starts the electrostatic atomization operation based on a signal indicating the intention of the use of the vehicle by the vehicle user. The electrostatic atomization operation is started before the startup of an engine. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an electrostatic atomizer for a vehicle.

  In the case of a vehicle such as a passenger car, there is a problem that a smell such as cigarette is trapped in the passenger compartment because the passenger compartment is a sealed space. For this reason, various types of filtration-type air purification apparatuses are provided, but it is impossible to remove odorous components adhering to the wall surface of the passenger compartment.

  Here, an electrostatic atomizer that atomizes water to generate nanometer-sized charged fine particle water (nano-size mist) has attracted attention. Since the nano-size mist generated by this electrostatic atomizer contains radicals such as superoxide radicals and hydroxy radicals, in addition to the deodorizing effect, it also has the effect of suppressing viruses and fungi, the effect of inactivating allele substances, etc. Therefore, if the nano-size mist is sent out into the passenger compartment, not only the odorous components in the air in the passenger compartment, but also the odorous components adhering to the walls and sheets in the passenger compartment can be deodorized. In addition, it suppresses allergens such as pollen mites adhering to seats, floor carpets, cushions, etc., and pollen etc. brought into the passenger compartment and brought into the passenger compartment as the door is opened and closed outdoors. be able to. For this purpose, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2006-151046 (Patent Document 1) discloses an electrostatic fog for a vehicle that discharges nano-size mist into the vehicle interior by placing the nano-size mist on the wind output from the air conditioner provided in the vehicle. A device has been proposed.

  Here, the conventional air purification device provided in the vehicle inserts a key into the ignition key switch to turn on the switch (including the accessory switch) from the viewpoint of preventing the consumption of the battery as the power source for the vehicle. Accordingly, power is supplied, and in practice, the air is purified only when the engine is started.

  On the other hand, the user feels the strongest smell in the vehicle when the door of the vehicle is opened or when the air conditioner installed in the vehicle is operated. When getting in, allergens in the passenger compartment are active. However, this point cannot be dealt with in an electrostatic atomizer that is operable when the ignition key switch is turned on, as in the air purification device.

Further, when a person is sitting on the sheet, the nano-sized mist M cannot touch the odor that has soaked into the sheet or the allergen that has entered the sheet, so there is no opportunity to deodorize or inactivate them.
JP 2006-151046 A

  The present invention has been invented in view of the above-described conventional problems, and can be used for a vehicle in which deodorization and allergen inactivation can be achieved when a user gets into the vehicle to drive. An object of the present invention is to provide an electrostatic atomizer.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, an electrostatic atomizer according to the present invention includes a discharge electrode, a counter electrode facing the discharge electrode and a high voltage applied between the discharge electrode, and water supplying moisture to the discharge electrode. A supply means, a discharge port for discharging the mist generated by electrostatic atomization of the moisture by applying a high voltage to the discharge electrode, and a control means for controlling the electrostatic atomization operation by applying the high voltage; An electrostatic atomization device for a vehicle having the above-described electrostatic atomization operation based on a signal that the vehicle user intends to use the vehicle is connected to the vehicle power supply without going through an ignition key switch. It has a feature in that it starts. The electrostatic atomization operation is started before the engine is started.

  Signals that the vehicle user intends to use the vehicle include a door opening / closing signal or door unlock signal of the vehicle, a human detection signal output by a detection device for human detection arranged in the passenger compartment, and a key to the ignition key switch In particular, a signal from a wireless communication means for remote keyless entry can be preferably used.

  In the present invention, the electrostatic atomization operation is started before the engine is started because the vehicle user starts the electrostatic atomization operation based on a signal to use the vehicle. Therefore, when the vehicle user gets into the vehicle and starts driving, the odor can be removed and the allergen can be inactivated, and the vehicle can be used in a comfortable space.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described based on an embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings. FIG. 2 shows an atomization unit portion of an electrostatic atomizer 1 that generates nanometer-size charged fine particle water (nanosize mist). A ring-shaped counter electrode 12 that is disposed at the tip opening of a cylindrical body 16 made of an insulating material surrounding the discharge electrode 11 and faces the discharge electrode 11, and water in the air by cooling the discharge electrode 11. It comprises a cooling means 13 for condensation on the discharge electrode 11 and a high-voltage power supply unit 15 for applying a high voltage between the discharge electrode 11 and the counter electrode 12, which is composed of a Peltier element and is arranged on the cooling side. The cooling means 13 to which the discharge electrode 11 is thermally connected is provided with heat radiation fins 14 on the heat radiation side.

  In addition, the electrostatic atomizer 1 includes a motor fan (not shown) that sends cooling air to the radiating fins 14, and a part of the air sent from the motor fan is opened on the side surface of the cylindrical body 16. From the discharge port 17, which is the front end opening of the cylindrical body 16.

  In this electrostatic atomizer 1, the cooling means 13 cools the discharge electrode 11 to condense moisture in the air to generate condensed water on the discharge electrode 11. Therefore, the cooling means 13 is used as the discharge electrode. A water supply means for supplying water to the water is configured. In a state where the condensed water is attached to the discharge electrode 11, if a high voltage is applied between the electrodes 11 and 12, the condensed water collects at the tip of the discharge electrode 11 and discharges between the counter electrode 12. As a result, Rayleigh splitting is repeated to form a nano-sized mist M, which is discharged from the discharge port 17 by the wind generated by the motor fan. The electrostatic atomizer 1 includes a discharge voltage detection circuit and a discharge current detection circuit, and adjusts the amount of condensed water generated by adjusting the cooling degree of the cooling means 13 based on the detected discharge voltage and discharge current. The control circuit which performs is provided, the appropriate amount of dew condensation water is always ensured on the discharge electrode 11, and generation | occurrence | production of the nanosize mist M is reliably performed without being influenced by temperature and humidity.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the electrostatic atomizer 1 configured in this way is installed in the vicinity of a ceiling of a vehicle compartment of an automobile, or in the vicinity of a blowout port in an air conditioner, and is emitted from a discharge port 17. Mist M is supplied into the passenger compartment to deodorize and inactivate allergens.

  Here, the control circuit that controls the operation of the electrostatic atomizer 1 is connected to the in-vehicle control circuit C that controls the operation of each part of the vehicle so that various signals can be received from the in-vehicle control circuit. When the ignition key switch SW is on (when the ignition key switch SW is on), a signal indicating that is received and the electrostatic atomization operation is always performed or according to the output of the odor sensor or allergen sensor installed in the passenger compartment Do.

  However, as shown in FIG. 1, the electrostatic atomizer 1 can be supplied with power from a battery V as a vehicle power supply without passing through an ignition key switch SW in the vehicle. The electrostatic atomization operation is possible even when the switch SW is off. Reference numeral 6 in FIG. 1 denotes an in-vehicle device.

  When the ignition key switch SW is off, the electrostatic atomizer 1 starts the electrostatic atomization operation when the next signal is sent from the in-vehicle control circuit. That is, the door lock release signal indicating that the door lock of the door (especially the door of the driver's seat) in the vehicle is released, or the door open switch 51 of the wireless communication means 5 in the remote keyless entry system shown in FIG. 4 is operated. If a signal for instructing to release the door lock is sent, the electrostatic atomization operation, that is, securing the condensed water by cooling the discharge electrode 11 with the cooling means 13 and applying a high pressure The generation of nano-sized mist M by discharging is started.

  The electrostatic atomization operation when the engine is not started is preferably stopped after a predetermined time t in order to avoid the consumption of the battery V, and the voltage of the battery V is lower than the predetermined voltage. It is desirable not to start the electrostatic atomization operation when it is lowered. Further, it is desirable that the electrostatic atomization operation started in a state where the engine is not started is continued for the predetermined time t even when the door is locked again as shown in FIG.

  When the electrostatic atomization operation is started by releasing the door lock, the nano-size mist M is generated by the electrostatic atomization until the vehicle user sits in the driver's seat, and wireless transmission particularly in the remote keyless entry system. When the electrostatic atomization operation is started in response to a signal for instructing the door lock release from the machine 5, it takes some time for the user to open the door and sit in the driver's seat. Deodorization and allergen inactivation by the nano-size mist M can be performed.

  In addition to starting the electrostatic atomization operation by releasing the door lock, a detection device H for detecting whether or not there is a person in the vehicle interior and in the vicinity of the vehicle is arranged, and when a human detection signal output from the detection device H is input, The electromisting operation may be started. As this detection device H, a device using far infrared rays can be suitably used, and a device that can detect a person who tries to open the door from the outside of the vehicle is preferable. FIG. 6 (a) shows a detection device H arranged in the front center part of the passenger compartment so that it can detect whether there is a person in both the driver's seat and the passenger seat. Indicates that a person standing outside the door on the driver's seat (right door) can be detected by turning the detection range HA to the right. As for the operation after the human detection signal is input and the electrostatic atomization operation is started, the electrostatic atomization operation is stopped when the engine is not started within a predetermined time, as in the above embodiment. ing.

  As the detection device H for detecting a person, a device that can detect a person who wants to open the door of the vehicle from the outside of the vehicle or a person who opens the door and sits in the driver's seat as described above is most preferable. An electrostatic atomization operation may be started by detecting that a person is seated using a weight sensor arranged under the driver's seat).

  In addition, a switch for detecting whether or not a key is inserted into the ignition key switch SW may be provided, and the electrostatic atomization operation may be started when this switch is turned on.

  As a sensor for obtaining a signal that triggers the electrostatic atomizer 1 to start the electrostatic atomization operation, in addition to the above examples, a vibration sensor that detects opening and closing of the door and seating on the seat, and opening and closing of the door A sound pressure sensor that detects noise outside the vehicle is sometimes used.

  However, if deodorizing and allergen inactivation by nano-size mist M is performed before the user opens the door and gets into the car, the user will not be bothered by odors and allergens when opening the door. Since the nano-sized mist M can be brought into contact with the seat on which the person sits, it is possible to secure time from the start of the electrostatic atomization operation until the door is opened, that is, wireless communication for remote keyless entry It is very preferable to start the electrostatic atomization operation based on the signal from the means 5. In this case, not only the electrostatic atomization operation is started by a door lock release command signal from the wireless communication means 5, but also the electrostatic atomization operation switch 53 is provided in the wireless communication means 5 as shown in FIG. It is preferable that the electrostatic atomization operation is performed for a predetermined time even when the electrostatic atomization operation switch is pressed. Deodorization and allergen inactivation by the nano-sized mist M can be performed not only when starting driving but also when leaving the vehicle. In FIG. 4, 52 is a door closing switch for outputting a door lock command signal.

It is a block circuit diagram of an example of an embodiment of the invention. It is sectional drawing of an electrostatic atomization unit part same as the above. It is a schematic sectional drawing which shows a vehicle-mounted state same as the above. It is a block circuit diagram in the example of a remote keyless entry same as the above. It is a time chart which shows operation | movement same as the above. (a) (b) is explanatory drawing about arrangement | positioning of the human detection apparatus in another example.

Explanation of symbols

1 Electrostatic atomizer V Battery SW Ignition key switch

Claims (5)

  A discharge electrode, a counter electrode opposed to the discharge electrode, and a high voltage applied between the discharge electrode, a water supply means for supplying water to the discharge electrode, and an electrostatic mist of the water by applying a high voltage to the discharge electrode An electrostatic atomization device for a vehicle comprising a discharge port for discharging the mist generated by the conversion into the vehicle interior and a control means for controlling the electrostatic atomization operation by the application of the high voltage. An electrostatic atomizing device for a vehicle which is connected without passing through a key switch and which starts the electrostatic atomizing operation based on a signal that a vehicle user intends to use the vehicle. .   2. The electrostatic atomizer for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the electrostatic atomization operation is started based on a door opening / closing signal or a door lock release signal of the vehicle.   2. The electrostatic atomizing device for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the electrostatic atomizing operation is started based on a human detection signal output from a detection device for human detection arranged in the passenger compartment.   2. The electrostatic atomizing device for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the electrostatic atomizing operation is started based on a detection signal for inserting a key into the ignition key switch.   3. The vehicle electrostatic atomizer according to claim 1, wherein the electrostatic atomization operation is started based on a signal from a wireless communication means for remote keyless entry.

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