JP7807288B2 - discharge device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a discharge device comprising a discharge unit including a pair of electrodes and a base unit to which the discharge unit is detachably attached. This discharge device can be used in ozone generators (ozonizers) that generate ozone by discharging electricity in the air, and ion generators (ionizers) that generate various ions (negative ions, hydroxyl radicals, etc.).

Patent Document 1, for example, is a prior art document related to this type of discharge device. The ozone sterilization and deodorization device in Patent Document 1 is composed of a base unit (control box) and a discharge unit (output unit) arranged above and below a partition wall. The discharge unit, which includes an ozone generation mechanism, is detachably attached to the base unit, which also includes a power supply unit. The discharge unit includes a pair of electrodes serving as the ozone generation mechanism, a base supporting the electrodes, and pin-shaped terminals extending from each electrode. A pair of left and right terminals protrude outward from the surface of the base. Correspondingly, the base unit is provided with a pair of left and right connectors into which the terminals can be inserted. When the pair of terminals of the discharge unit are inserted into the connectors of the base unit through the partition wall, the discharge unit is attached to the base unit, electrically connecting the pair of electrodes and the power supply unit of the base unit. In this way, the detachable discharge unit from the base unit allows for the replacement of only the discharge unit (ozone generation mechanism), which is relatively susceptible to deterioration, which is more economical than replacing the entire unit.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-73846

In the ozone sterilization and deodorization device described in Patent Document 1, a pair of pin-shaped terminals is provided on the discharge unit, and a pair of connectors is provided on the base unit. Specifically, a pair of identically shaped terminals is arranged symmetrically on the discharge unit, and a pair of identically shaped connectors is arranged symmetrically on the base unit. If the terminals and connectors are identically shaped and arranged symmetrically in this way, it is possible that a user could mistakenly attach the discharge unit in the wrong direction when reattaching it after separating it from the base unit. If the discharge unit is attached in the wrong direction, the positive and negative polarities of the pair of electrodes will be reversed, which could cause the ozone generation mechanism to malfunction. One possible solution to this problem would be to display a message on the surface of the discharge unit to warn the user about the correct orientation when attaching it. However, this would require the user to take the time to check the message, and there is still the risk that the user will overlook the message and attach the discharge unit in the wrong direction.

The present invention aims to provide a user-friendly discharge device that eliminates the need for users to check the orientation of the discharge unit when attaching it to the base, and eliminates the risk of incorrect attachment.

The discharge device according to the present invention comprises an upper discharge section 16 including a pair of first and second electrodes 31 and 32, and a lower base section 15 to which the discharge section 16 is detachably attached. The discharge section 16 is configured to be attachable to the base section 15 in a number of different mounting positions that differ in phase around a vertical axis V extending in the up-down direction. A first current-carrying structure is provided for conducting current from the base section 15 to the first electrode 31, and a second current-carrying structure is provided for conducting current from the base section 15 to the second electrode 32. The first current-carrying structure and/or the second current-carrying structure includes a single normal contact 171/173 provided on one of the discharge section 16 and the base section 15, and multiple selective contacts 172/174 provided on the other. The multiple selective contacts 172, 174 are arranged rotationally symmetrically around the vertical axis V, and in each mounting position of the discharge unit 16, the normal contacts 171, 173 come into contact with one of the selective contacts 172, 174, causing the first current-carrying structure and/or the second current-carrying structure to be in a conducting state.

The first current-carrying structure includes one first normal contact 171 provided on the base portion 15 and multiple first selective contacts 172 provided on the discharge portion 16. Each first selective contact 172 is composed of a conductive spring electrically connected to the first electrode 31. In each mounting position of the discharge portion 16, one of the first selective contacts 172 can be elastically attached to the first normal contact 171 of the base portion 15.

The first current-carrying structure includes one first normal contact 171 provided on the discharge unit 16 and multiple first selective contacts 172 provided on the base unit 15. The first normal contact 171 is composed of a conductive spring electrically connected to the first electrode 31, and in each mounting position of the discharge unit 16, the first normal contact 171 can be configured to elastically adhere to one of the first selective contacts 172 on the base unit 15.

The second current-carrying structure includes one second normal contact 173 provided on the base portion 15 and multiple second selective contacts 174 provided on the discharge portion 16. The second normal contact 173 is composed of a conductive spring, and can be configured so that the second normal contact 173 elastically contacts one of the second selective contacts 174 on the discharge portion 16 in each mounting position of the discharge portion 16.

The second current-carrying structure includes one second normal contact 173 provided on the discharge unit 16 and multiple second selective contacts 174 provided on the base unit 15, each of which is made of a conductive spring, so that in each mounting position of the discharge unit 16, one of the second selective contacts 174 can be elastically attached to the second normal contact 173 of the discharge unit 16.

A configuration can be adopted in which the remaining first selection contacts 172, except for one first selection contact 172 that is in close contact with the first normal contact 171, are surrounded by a first contact protection portion 177 provided on the base portion 15.

A configuration can be adopted in which a first contact protection part 177 consisting of a protrusion provided on the discharge part 16 faces the remaining first selection contacts 172, except for one first selection contact 172 that can receive the first normal contact 171.

A configuration can be adopted in which a second contact protection portion 178 consisting of a protrusion provided on the base portion 15 faces the remaining second selection contacts 174, except for one second selection contact 174 that can receive the second normal contact 173.

A configuration can be adopted in which the remaining second selection contacts 174, except for one second selection contact 174 that is in close contact with the second normal contact 173, are surrounded by a second contact protection part 178 provided in the discharge part 16.

The base case 42, which forms the base of the base portion 15, is formed in a stepped shape with an upper step portion 43 and a lower step portion 44, and the discharge portion 16 can be provided with a downward-facing mounting recess 46 that engages with the upper step portion 43.

A configuration may be adopted in which an attachment/retention means for holding the discharge unit 16 in an attached state is provided between the upper section 43 of the base case 42 and the discharge unit 16.

The first current-carrying structure includes one first normal contact 171 provided on the lower section 44 of the base case 42 of the base section 15 and multiple first selective contacts 172 provided on the discharge section 16. Each first selective contact 172 is composed of a conductive spring electrically connected to the first electrode 31, and in each mounting position of the discharge section 16, one of the first selective contacts 172 can be elastically attached to the first normal contact 171 of the base section 15.

The second current-carrying structure includes one second normal contact 173 provided on the upper section 43 of the base case 42 of the base section 15 and multiple second selective contacts 174 provided on the discharge section 16. The second normal contact 173 is composed of a conductive spring, and can be configured so that the second normal contact 173 elastically contacts one of the second selective contacts 174 on the discharge section 16 in each mounting position of the discharge section 16.

An attachment detection unit 17 can be provided to detect whether or not the discharge unit 16 is attached to the base unit 15.

A magnet 53 is provided in the discharge unit 16, and the attachment detection unit 17 can be configured as a magnetic sensor provided in the base unit 15.

The attachment detection unit 17 is composed of a microswitch provided on the base unit 15, and when the discharge unit 16 is attached to the base unit 15, the discharge unit 16 comes into contact with the passive pin 133 of the microswitch.

The attachment detection unit 17 can be configured as a camera that detects light emitted when the discharge unit 16 discharges.

The attachment detection unit 17 can be configured as a photodiode that detects light emitted when the discharge unit 16 discharges.

The first electrode 31 is formed in a rod shape, and an electrode support structure 64 that covers and supports both ends of the first electrode 31 is provided on the discharge case 34, which serves as the base of the discharge unit 16. A mark 79 consisting of a protrusion can be provided near the electrode support structure 64 on the outer surface of the discharge case 34.

The discharge unit 16 can be configured to have a handle 181 spaced apart from both electrodes 31 and 32.

An operating lever 129 for separating the discharge unit 16 from the base unit 15 is supported on the base unit 15 so that it can swing up and down around a fulcrum 130. One end of the operating lever 129 is provided with an operating part 131 that faces the underside of the discharge unit 16, and the other end is provided with an operating part 132.

A plate-shaped dielectric 33 is disposed between the first electrode 31 and the second electrode 32, and an electrode support structure 64 is provided to support the first electrode 31 so that it can be moved toward and away from the dielectric 33.

A configuration can be adopted in which the first conductive structure is configured to be in a non-conductive state when the first electrode 31 moves away from the dielectric 33.

The first current-carrying structure can include an intermediate terminal 191 provided in the discharge portion 16 and supplied with power from the base portion 15, and an upper current-carrying body 190 that electrically connects the first electrode 31 to the intermediate terminal 191. When the first electrode 31 moves away from the dielectric 33, the upper current-carrying body 190 moves together with the first electrode 31 and moves away from the intermediate terminal 191.

One end of the upper conductive body 190 may contact the intermediate terminal 191 and be housed in a vertical hole 186 provided in the discharge section 16.

When viewed from above, the discharge section 16 can have a configuration in which the vertical hole 186 is spaced apart from the dielectric 33.

The first current-carrying structure may include a first terminal 85 provided on the base portion 15 and a first current-carrying body 87 that electrically connects the first electrode 31 to the first terminal 85, and may be configured such that when the first electrode 31 moves away from the dielectric 33, the first current-carrying body 87 moves together with the first electrode 31 and moves away from the first terminal 85.

The first current-carrying body 87 includes a terminal connection portion 92 that contacts the first terminal 85, the discharge portion 16 is provided with a vertical hole 186 that accommodates the terminal connection portion 92, and an upwardly expanding guide surface 187 is formed at the top of the vertical hole 186.

A plate-shaped dielectric 33 is disposed between the first electrode 31 and the second electrode 32, and the first electrode 31 is formed in a round rod shape and can be configured to rotate around its central axis.

A configuration can be adopted in which the wiping body 168 extends parallel to the first electrode 31 and is positioned in contact with the first electrode 31.

In the discharge device of the present invention, the discharge unit 16, including a pair of electrodes 31 and 32, is configured to be mountable on the base unit 15 in multiple mounting positions with different phases around the vertical axis V. Furthermore, the first current-carrying structure for conducting current to the first electrode 31 and/or the second current-carrying structure for conducting current to the second electrode 32 include a single normal contact 171/173 provided on one of the discharge unit 16 and the base unit 15, and multiple selective contacts 172/174 arranged rotationally symmetrically on the other. In each mounting position of the discharge unit 16, the normal contact 171/173 contacts one of the selective contacts 172/174, thereby establishing a conducting state for the first current-carrying structure and/or the second current-carrying structure. In this way, regardless of the mounting position of the discharge unit 16, the normal contacts 171/173 contact one of the selective contacts 172/174 to conduct current. This allows the user to mount the discharge unit 16 on the base unit 15 without worrying about the orientation of the discharge unit 16. In other words, the present invention eliminates the need for the user to check the orientation of the discharge unit 16 when attaching it, and provides a user-friendly discharge device that eliminates the risk of incorrect attachment.

If the first current-carrying structure includes one first normal contact 171 provided on the base portion 15 and multiple first selective contacts 172 made of conductive springs provided on the discharge portion 16, and one of the first selective contacts 172 elastically contacts the first normal contact 171, the first selective contact 172 to be used (contacted closely to the first normal contact 171) can be switched, suppressing the decrease in elastic force that accompanies use of each first selective contact 172 and improving the overall lifespan of the discharge portion 16, including the first selective contacts 172.

The first current-carrying structure includes one first normal contact 171 made of a conductive spring provided in the discharge portion 16 and multiple first selective contacts 172 provided in the base portion 15, and the first normal contact 171 elastically contacts one of the first selective contacts 172. This allows for switching between the first selective contacts 172 in use (receiving the first normal contact 171), reducing wear associated with use of each first selective contact 172 and improving the overall lifespan of the base portion 15, including the first selective contacts 172.

The second current-carrying structure includes one second normal contact 173 made of a conductive spring provided on the base portion 15 and multiple second selective contacts 174 provided on the discharge portion 16, and the second normal contact 173 elastically contacts one of the second selective contacts 174. This allows for switching between the second selective contacts 174 in use (receiving the second normal contact 173), reducing wear associated with use of each second selective contact 174 and improving the overall lifespan of the discharge portion 16, including the second selective contacts 174.

If the second current-carrying structure includes one second normal contact 173 provided in the discharge section 16 and multiple second selective contacts 174 made of conductive springs provided in the base section 15, and one of the second selective contacts 174 elastically contacts the second normal contact 173, it is possible to switch the second selective contact 174 to be used (to be brought into close contact with the second normal contact 173), thereby suppressing the decrease in elastic force that occurs with use of each second selective contact 174 and improving the overall lifespan of the base section 15, including the second selective contacts 174.

By providing a first contact protection portion 177 on the base portion 15 that surrounds the remaining first selection contacts 172 that are not in use, these first selection contacts 172 can be protected from external forces and prevented from being damaged, such as by deformation.

By providing a first contact protection part 177 in the discharge part 16 that directly faces the remaining first selection contact 172 that is not in use, this first selection contact 172 can be protected from external forces and prevented from being damaged, such as by deformation.

By providing a second contact protection portion 178 on the base portion 15 that directly faces the remaining second selection contacts 174 that are not in use, these second selection contacts 174 can be protected from external forces and prevented from being damaged, such as by deformation.

By providing a second contact protection part 178 in the discharge part 16 that surrounds the remaining second selection contacts 174 that are not in use, these second selection contacts 174 can be protected from external forces and prevented from being damaged, such as by deformation.

The base case 42, which forms the base of the base part 15, is formed in a stepped shape with an upper step part 43 and a lower step part 44. The discharge part 16 is provided with a downward-facing mounting recess 46 that engages with the upper step part 43. When the mounting part 16 is attached to the base part 15, the engagement between the upper step part 43 and the mounting recess 46 prevents horizontal misalignment of the discharge part 16.

By providing an attachment/retention means between the upper section 43 of the base case 42 and the discharge section 16, it is possible to prevent the discharge section 16 from unintentionally separating from the base section 15. Furthermore, compared to when the attachment/retention means is located in the lower section 44, it is less likely that an impact from an external force on the discharge device will reach the attachment/retention means, making it less likely that the discharge section 16 will come off the base section 15.

By providing the first normal contact 171 that constitutes the first current-carrying structure in the lower section 44 of the base case 42, avoiding the upper section 43 of the base case 42 where the mounting and holding means is provided, it is possible to prevent many components from being concentrated in the upper section 43, thereby facilitating the assembly of the base section 15.

By providing the first normal contact 171 that constitutes the first current-carrying structure in the lower section 44 of the base case 42 and the second normal contact 173 that constitutes the second current-carrying structure in the upper section 43 of the same case 42, the two current-carrying structures can be separated vertically and horizontally, preventing the elastic force of the conductive springs contained in the two current-carrying structures from affecting each other, and also reliably preventing short circuits between the current-carrying structures.

By providing an attachment detection unit 17 that detects whether the discharge unit 16 is attached to the base unit 15, it is possible to control the base unit 15 so that it does not supply electricity if the discharge unit 16 is not attached, or to immediately stop supplying electricity after detecting that the discharge unit 16 is not attached, based on the output of the attachment detection unit 17. This prevents unnecessary power consumption caused by continuing to supply electricity to a base unit 15 that does not have the discharge unit 16 attached.

The attachment detection unit 17, which consists of a magnetic sensor mounted on the base unit 15, can determine whether the discharge unit 16 is attached or not before starting to energize the base unit 15, based on whether or not the magnetic field emitted by the magnet 53 mounted on the discharge unit 16 is detected. This completely prevents current from flowing to a base unit 15 that does not have the discharge unit 16 attached, reliably preventing electric shock accidents should a user touch a powered base unit 15.

The attachment detection unit 17, which consists of a microswitch provided on the base unit 15, can determine whether the discharge unit 16 is attached or not before starting to pass electricity to the base unit 15, based on whether the discharge unit 16 is in contact with the passive pin 133. This completely prevents electricity from passing through a base unit 15 that does not have the discharge unit 16 attached, reliably preventing electric shock accidents should a user touch a powered base unit 15.

If the attachment detection unit 17 is configured as a camera that detects the light emitted when the discharge unit 16 discharges, it can be determined whether the discharge unit 16 is attached or not based on the presence or absence of this light emission immediately after starting to pass electricity to the base unit 15. The attachment detection unit 17, which is made up of a camera, can also be used as a means for determining the dirtiness of the discharge unit 16. Generally, the amount of light emitted decreases as the dirt on the discharge unit 16 increases (accumulation of dust, etc.), so the degree of dirtiness of the discharge unit 16 can be determined based on the amount of light emitted. This reduces the production costs of the discharge device compared to when a dirt determination means is provided separately from the attachment detection unit 17.

If the attachment detection unit 17 is configured with a photodiode that detects light emitted when the discharge unit 16 discharges, it is possible to determine whether the discharge unit 16 is attached or not based on the presence or absence of this light emission immediately after starting to pass current through the base unit 15. Furthermore, the attachment detection unit 17 made of a photodiode can also be used as a means for determining the degree of contamination of the discharge unit 16. Generally, the amount of light emitted decreases as the amount of contamination (accumulation of dust, etc.) on the discharge unit 16 increases, so the degree of contamination of the discharge unit 16 can be determined based on the amount of light emitted. This reduces the production costs of the discharge device compared to when a means for determining contamination is provided separately from the attachment detection unit 17.

By providing a marking 79 near the electrode support structure 64 that covers and supports both ends of the first electrode 31, a user attempting to separate the discharge unit 16 from the base unit 15 can recognize the electrode support structure 64 near the marking 79 as a knob. For example, the user can place their thumb on one electrode support structure 64 and their index finger on the other electrode support structure 64, and then grasp the discharge unit 16 with both fingers from both sides and pull it up to separate it from the base unit 15. Using the marking 79 to indicate that the electrode support structure 64 is a knob effectively prevents the user from grasping a part other than the electrode support structure 64 and accidentally touching the first electrode 31, resulting in the transfer of sebum or the like. Furthermore, by making the marking 79 a protrusion, it also functions as an anti-slip device, allowing the user to hold the discharge case 34 securely.

If the discharge unit 16 is equipped with a handle 181 spaced apart from the electrodes 31 and 32, a user attempting to separate the discharge unit 16 from the base unit 15 can grasp this handle 181 and pull up the discharge unit 16 to separate it from the base unit 15. This effectively prevents the user from grasping any part other than the handle 181 when separating the discharge unit 16 and accidentally touching the electrodes 31 and 32, resulting in the transfer of sebum and other substances.

The operating lever 129 for separating the discharge unit 16 is supported by the base unit 15 so that it can swing up and down around a fulcrum 130. By swinging the operating part 132 of the operating lever 129 downward, the user can apply a force in the opposite direction, i.e., an upward force, from the acting part 131 to the discharge unit 16, separating it from the base unit 15. In other words, the discharge unit 16 can be separated from the base unit 15 without touching it, which effectively prevents the user's fingertips from accidentally touching the first electrode 31 and transferring sebum or other substances to it during separation.

If the first electrode 31 can be moved toward and away from the dielectric 33, the first electrode 31 and its surroundings can be cleaned thoroughly with a cleaning brush or the like while the first electrode 31 is separated from the dielectric 33.

By configuring the first current-carrying structure to enter a non-conductive state when the first electrode 31 separates from the dielectric 33, high voltage is not applied to the first electrode 31 during the cleaning process, allowing for safe cleaning.

The first current-carrying structure includes an intermediate terminal 191 provided in the discharge section 16 and supplied with power from the base section 15, and an upper current-carrying body 190 connecting the first electrode 31 to the intermediate terminal 191. When the first electrode 31 moves away from the dielectric 33, the upper current-carrying body 190 moves away from the intermediate terminal 191. This configuration prevents high voltage from being applied to the first electrode 31 during the cleaning process, allowing for safe cleaning.

When one end of the upper current-carrying body 190 is in contact with the intermediate terminal 191 and is housed in the vertical hole 186 provided in the discharge portion 16, during the process of returning the first electrode 31, which has been separated from the dielectric 33 for cleaning or other reasons, to its original position, the circumferential surface of the vertical hole 186 guides the one end of the upper current-carrying body 190 toward the intermediate terminal 191, ensuring contact between the two terminals 190 and 191. Furthermore, by positioning the intermediate terminal 191 deep within the vertical hole 186, the user's fingertips and other objects cannot accidentally come into contact with the intermediate terminal 191, preventing electric shock to the user and protecting the intermediate terminal 191.

When the vertical hole 186 is spaced apart from the dielectric 33 in plan view, the upper current-carrying body 190 is prevented from coming close to the dielectric 33, which would otherwise cause a discharge between the upper current-carrying body 190 and the second electrode 32.

The first current-carrying structure includes a first terminal 85 provided on the base portion 15 and a first current-carrying body 87 that connects the first electrode 31 to the first terminal 85. When the first electrode 31 moves away from the dielectric 33, the first current-carrying body 87 moves away from the first terminal 85. This prevents high voltage from being applied to the first electrode 31 during the cleaning process, allowing for safe cleaning.

By forming an upwardly expanding guide surface 187 at the top of the vertical hole 186 that houses the terminal connection portion 92 of the first current-carrying body 87, the terminal connection portion 92 can be easily guided into the vertical hole 186 when returning the first electrode 31 to its original position after cleaning, etc.

If the rod-shaped first electrode 31 is configured to be rotatable around its central axis, its entire surface can be easily cleaned. Furthermore, even if dirt that cannot be completely removed adheres to part of the surface of the first electrode 31, discharging can be performed without any problems by placing the uncontaminated surface facing the dielectric 33.

By placing the wiping body 168, which extends parallel to the first electrode 31, in contact with the first electrode 31, the user can easily clean the first electrode 31 by simply rotating it, without using tools such as a cleaning brush.

1 is a plan view of a base portion and an inverted discharge portion that constitute the discharge device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional front view schematically showing an ozonizer equipped with the discharge device. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a control system of the ozonizer. FIG. FIG. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a discharge unit and a base unit that constitute the discharge device. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 7. FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional side view of components of the discharge unit. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 7. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the separated discharge portion and base portion taken along line AA in FIG. 7. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC in FIG. 7. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the separated discharge portion and base portion taken along line CC in FIG. 7. FIG. 2 is a plan view of an electrode pair that constitutes a discharge unit. 6 is a time chart illustrating the operation of the discharge device and the notification means based on the detection value of the light detection unit. FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional front view of a discharge device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. This is a cross-sectional view taken along line DD in Figure 16. FIG. 2 is a plan view of an electrode pair that constitutes the discharge unit of the discharge device. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a discharge part and a base part according to a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a discharge part and a base part according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a side view schematically showing a discharge device according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a plan view of the base portion of the discharge device. FIG. 10 is a front view schematically showing a discharge device according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the discharge unit of the discharge device. FIG. 13 is a front view schematically showing a discharge device according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13 is a front view schematically showing a discharge device according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention. 13 is an explanatory diagram of a current-carrying structure of a discharge device according to a ninth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. FIG. 19 is a front view schematically showing a discharge device according to a tenth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 22 is a front view schematically showing a discharge device according to an eleventh embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 23 is a front view schematically showing a discharge device according to a twelfth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 23 is a front view schematically showing a discharge device according to a thirteenth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 23 is a front view schematically showing a discharge device according to a fourteenth embodiment of the present invention.

(First Embodiment) A first embodiment of the discharge device according to the present invention is shown in Figures 1 to 14. The discharge device of this embodiment is built into a desktop ozonizer (ozone generator) and serves to generate ozone by discharging electricity in the air. In this embodiment, the terms front, back, left, right, and top and bottom refer to the crossed arrows shown in Figures 2 and 4 and the indications near each arrow. The same applies to the second and subsequent embodiments.

As shown in Figure 2, the casing 2, which forms the base of the ozonizer 1, consists of a main case 3, which occupies the majority of the casing, and a sub-case 4, which is detachably attached to the top surface of the main case 3. By joining the two cases 3 and 4, a roughly L-shaped air passage 5 is formed within the casing 2. The air passage 5 contains a discharge device 6 that generates ozone by electrical discharge, and a blower fan 7 that releases the generated ozone from the air passage 5. The air passage 5 has an intake port 8 located on the right wall of the main case 3, and the blower fan 7 is positioned facing this intake port 8. The left portion of the top wall of the sub-case 4 forms a slope that slopes downward from right to left, and the air passage 5 has an outlet port 9 on this slope. The blower fan 7 creates a leftward airflow within the air passage 5, from the intake port 8 to the outlet port 9, and releases ozone-containing air from the outlet port 9.

The air passage 5 is divided, from the intake port 8 (upstream side) to the exhaust port 9 (downstream side), into an upstream section 11 formed solely by the main case 3, a midstream section 12 formed by joining the two cases 3 and 4 vertically, and a downstream section 13 formed solely by the sub-case 4. The blower fan 7 is located in the upstream section 11 together with the fan motor 14 that serves as its drive source, and the discharge device 6 is located in the midstream section 12. The discharge device 6 consists of a lower base section 15 and an upper discharge section 16. The base section 15 is fixed to the lower half of the midstream section 12, i.e., the main case 3, and the discharge section 16 is detachably attached to the base section 15. The base section 15 is provided with an attachment detection section 17 (see Figure 3) that detects whether the discharge section 16 is attached. Details of the discharge device 6 will be described later.

The lower half of the midstream section 12 is defined by the main case 3, while the upper half is defined by the sub-case 4. Therefore, when the sub-case 4 is separated from the main case 3, the top surface of the discharge device 6 is exposed, allowing maintenance of the discharge device 6 to be performed. Specifically, for example, the surface of the discharge unit 16 can be cleaned after separating it from the base section 15. A safety switch 18 is provided at the joint surface of the main case 3 where it meets the sub-case 4, which mechanically detects whether the sub-case 4 is joined.

The main case 3 houses a control unit 21 that controls the entire ozonizer 1, and a boost circuit (transformer) 22. The main case 3 is also connected to a power supply unit 23 (see Figure 3), such as a commercial power source, via a power cord, and a power switch 24 for turning the power on is provided on the front (left) surface of the main case 3. The boost circuit 22 boosts the AC voltage, for example, 100 V, supplied from the power supply unit 23 to several kV and applies this high voltage to the discharge device 6. The main case 3 also houses a switching power supply (not shown) that converts the AC voltage supplied from the power supply unit 23 to a DC voltage of a predetermined value (e.g., 5 V, 12 V, 24 V, etc.). This DC voltage serves as a drive source for the ICs in the control unit 21 and the fan motor 14. The boost circuit 22 may also boost the DC voltage output from the switching power supply and apply it to the discharge device 6. The power supply unit 23 may be a power adapter that outputs DC voltage, and in that case the boost circuit 22 also boosts the DC voltage and applies it to the discharge device 6.

When the user turns on the power switch 24, the control unit 21 first checks whether the discharge unit 16 and sub-case 4 are present based on the output of the attachment detection unit 17 and safety switch 18. Once it confirms that the discharge unit 16 is attached to the base unit 15 and that the sub-case 4 is connected to the main case 3, the control unit 21 begins supplying electricity from the power supply unit 23 to the fan motor 14 and the boost circuit 22. When power is supplied to the fan motor 14 and the boost circuit 22, the blower fan 7 and discharge device 6 are driven. This creates an airflow in the air passage 5 from the intake 8 to the outlet 9, and air containing ozone generated around the discharge device 6 is blown out through the outlet 9. Once it confirms that the sub-case 4 or discharge unit 16 has been detached, the control unit 21 immediately cuts off power to the boost circuit 22 and other components. This reliably prevents electric shock accidents that could occur if the user were to touch electrodes 31 and 32 (described below) or terminals 85 and 86 (described below) to which high voltage is being applied from the boost circuit 22.

When starting to energize the fan motor 14 and the boost circuit 22, the control unit 21 may light the notification means 27, which consists of a lamp, for example, in green to notify the user that the ozonizer 1 is operating. Also, if the presence of the discharge unit 16 and sub-case 4 cannot be confirmed, the notification means 27 may light up in red, for example, to notify the user.

A light detection unit 28 is provided near the discharge device 6 in the air duct 5 to detect the blue light emitted by the discharge unit 16 during discharge. Specific examples of the light detection unit 28 include a color sensor or camera that uses a photodiode. The control unit 21 can determine the level of contamination (accumulation of dust, etc.) on the discharge unit 16 based on the amount of blue light detected by the light detection unit 28.

If the detection value (light intensity of blue light) of the light detection unit 28 is below a predetermined value, i.e., if the controller 21 determines that the level of contamination is high, the controller 21 activates the notification unit 27, for example, by illuminating it in yellow, to prompt the user to promptly clean the discharge device 6. At the same time, the controller 21 may increase the voltage applied to the discharge device 6. This suppresses the decrease in ozone generation due to contamination (accumulation of dust, etc.) on the discharge unit 16, allowing for the generation of ozone at a level close to that of an uncontaminated environment. Specifically, for example, the ozonizer 1 and the discharge device 6 may be equipped with multiple boost circuits 22 with different transformation ratios, and the voltage applied to the discharge device 6 may be increased by switching between the boost circuits 22. Alternatively, the duty ratio of the switching elements constituting the boost circuit 22 may be controlled to increase the voltage applied to the discharge device 6. Instead of increasing the voltage of the discharge device 6, the controller 21 may stop powering the discharge device 6 (boost circuit 22) or the fan motor 14. Rather than continuing to operate the discharge device 6 under conditions where there is a risk of insufficient ozone generation, it is possible to avoid unnecessary power consumption by stopping this operation.

As shown in Figure 4, the discharge device 6 is composed of a base portion 15 fixed within the air duct 5 and a discharge portion 16 removably attached to the top of the base portion 15. The detachable discharge portion 16 allows for easy cleaning of the discharge portion 16, which is relatively prone to soiling, while separated from the base portion 15. Furthermore, if the discharge portion 16 malfunctions, only the discharge portion 16 can be replaced, reducing repair costs compared to replacing the entire discharge device 6, including the base portion 15. Another advantage is that workers can easily attach the discharge portion 16 to the base portion 15 on the discharge device 6 or ozonizer 1 production line. The entire discharge portion 16 is rotationally symmetrical, or more precisely, two-fold symmetrical, around a vertical axis V passing through the front-to-back and left-to-right centers of the discharge device 6 (base portion 15 and discharge portion 16). In other words, if the orientation of the discharge unit 16 shown in Figure 4 is defined as the first posture, and the state in which the discharge unit 16 is rotated 180 degrees around the vertical axis V from this first posture is defined as the second posture, the discharge unit 16 can be properly attached to the base unit 15 in either the first posture or the second posture.

The discharge unit 16 is composed of a first electrode 31 and a second electrode 32 that face each other vertically, a dielectric 33 interposed between the electrodes 31 and 32, and a discharge case 34 that supports them. The upper first electrode 31 is formed in a straight rod shape extending laterally and abuts the upper surface of the dielectric 33. The lower second electrode 32 is composed of a film formed on the lower surface of the dielectric 33 by a film-forming method such as sputtering. Each electrode 31 and 32 can be formed from any metal or alloy, such as silver, copper, or stainless steel. In this embodiment, the first electrode 31 and the second electrode 32 are formed from titanium, which has excellent corrosion resistance. The diameter of the rod-shaped first electrode 31 is 1 mm, and the thickness of the film-shaped second electrode 32 is 50 to 150 nm. By using a thin film for the second electrode 32, the discharge unit 16 can be made compact with small vertical dimensions.

The dielectric 33 is made of an insulating material such as glass and is formed into a horizontal rectangular plate that is long from side to side. Specific examples of insulating glass include borosilicate glass and quartz glass. In this embodiment, the thickness of the dielectric 33 is 0.7 mm. The discharge case 34 is made of insulating plastic, and a rectangular discharge opening 35 is formed on its top surface, exposing the first electrode 31 and the dielectric 33 upward.

As shown in Figure 5, the discharge case 34 is composed of a rectangular frame-shaped outer case 37 with openings at the top and bottom, and a rectangular dish-shaped inner case 38 that opens downward. The inner case 38 is fitted inside the outer case 37 from below. The upper opening of the outer case 37 functions as the discharge opening 35, and the lower opening of the outer case 37 is closed by the inner case 38. An engagement structure consisting of a protrusion 39 and a recess 40 is provided on each of the front and rear walls of both cases 37, 38 (see Figure 12). In this embodiment, the protrusions 39 are provided on the outer surfaces of the front and rear walls of the inner case 38, and the recesses 40 are provided on the inner surfaces of the front and rear walls of the outer case 37, but of course this arrangement may be reversed. Engagement structures may also be provided on the left and right walls of both cases 37, 38.

As shown in Figure 6, the base case 42, which forms the base of the base portion 15, is made of insulating plastic, similar to the outer case 37 and inner case 38 of the discharge case 34. It is formed in a rectangular, stepped platform shape, with a relatively small upper section 43 and a large lower section 44 integrated into one unit. The lower section 44 of the base case 42 is fixed to the main case 3 with multiple screws 45. A downward-facing mounting recess 46 is provided inside the inner case 38, receiving the upper section 43 and surrounding it from the front, back, left, and right. A downward-facing engaging protrusion 47 protrudes from the center of the bottom surface of this mounting recess 46. Correspondingly, an upward-facing engaging recess 48 that receives the engaging protrusion 47 is recessed in the center of the top surface of the upper section 43. The engaging protrusion 47 is a flat protrusion with a rectangular cross section, while the engaging recess 48 is a flat, rectangular recess slightly larger than the engaging protrusion 47.

When the discharge unit 16 is attached to the base unit 15 from above, as shown in Figures 7 and 8, the upper step 43 of the base case 42 fits into the inner case 38 of the discharge case 34 from below and engages with the attachment recess 46, and the engaging protrusion 47 engages with the engaging recess 48. This engagement restricts horizontal displacement and rotation of the discharge unit 16 relative to the base unit 15. The planar shape of the engaging protrusion 47 and engaging recess 48 is not limited to rectangular. For example, if they are other non-circular shapes such as polygonal or elliptical, the wall surface of the engaging recess 48 can tightly surround the periphery of the engaging protrusion 47, restricting displacement and rotation of the discharge unit 16. Multiple pairs of engaging protrusions 47 and engaging recesses 48 can also be provided. In this case, displacement and rotation of the discharge unit 16 can be restricted regardless of the planar shape of the engaging protrusions 47 and engaging recesses 48.

When the discharge unit 16 is attached, the horizontal top walls of the inner case 38 and the upper section 43 face each other vertically. Hereinafter, the portion of the top wall of the inner case 38 that faces the upper section 43 (excluding both left and right ends) will be referred to as the upper facing wall 51, and the top wall of the upper section 43 will be referred to as the lower facing wall 52. These facing walls 51 and 52 are provided with attachment/retention means for preventing the discharge unit 16 from unintentionally separating upward from the base section 15 and for maintaining the discharge unit 16 in an attached state. This attachment/retention means consists of a rectangular parallelepiped magnet 53 attached to the upper facing wall 51 of the inner case 38 and a rectangular plate-shaped magnetic body 54 attached to the lower facing wall 52 of the upper section 43.

Specifically, an upper storage recess 55 that opens upward and accommodates the magnet 53 is formed in the center of the upper surface of the upper opposing wall 51, and a lower storage recess 56 that opens downward and accommodates the magnetic body 54 is formed in the center of the lower surface of the lower opposing wall 52. The upper surface of the magnet 53 stored in the upper storage recess 55 is substantially flush with the upper surface of the upper opposing wall 51. The lower storage recess 56 is formed inside a rectangular surrounding frame 57 that protrudes from the lower surface of the lower opposing wall 52. The base end (upper portion) of the surrounding frame 57 is thicker than the tip end (lower portion). The aforementioned attachment detection unit 17, which consists of a magnetic sensor, is fixed to the underside of the magnetic body 54, and the attachment detection unit 17 is stored in the lower storage recess 56 together with the magnetic body 54.

The magnet 53 constituting the attachment and retention means is located on the rear (upper) side of the engaging protrusion 47, sandwiching the upper opposing wall 51 between them. The magnetic material 54 is located on the rear (lower) side of the engaging recess 48, sandwiching the lower opposing wall 52 between them. Therefore, when the engaging protrusion 47 is engaged with the engaging recess 48, the magnet 53 is positioned directly above and close to the magnetic material 54, and the magnetic material 54 is securely attracted to the magnet 53. This attractive force prevents the discharge unit 16 from unintentionally separating upward from the base unit 15. The attachment detection unit 17, located below the magnetic material 54, outputs a signal to the control unit 21 when it detects the magnetic field emitted by the magnet 53. By receiving this signal, the control unit 21 can determine that the discharge unit 16 is attached to the base unit 15. When the magnetic body 54 is placed in the upper section 43 of the base case 42, it is less likely that an impact will reach the magnetic body 54 when the discharge device 6 is subjected to an external force, compared to when it is placed in the lower section 44, making it less likely that the discharge unit 16 will come off the base unit 15.

The magnet 53 housed in the upper storage recess 55 is surrounded on all four sides (front, back, left, and right) by the walls of the upper storage recess 55, thereby restricting horizontal movement and rotation about the vertical axis V. Similarly, the magnetic body 54 housed in the lower storage recess 56 is also surrounded on all four sides (front, back, left, and right) by the walls of the lower storage recess 56, thereby restricting horizontal movement and rotation about the vertical axis V. The planar shape of the magnet 53 and magnetic body 54 is not limited to a rectangle; for example, if they have a non-circular shape such as a polygon or an oval, they can be surrounded by the walls of the storage recesses 55 and 56 to restrict movement and rotation of the magnet 53 and magnetic body 54. Furthermore, contrary to this embodiment, the magnetic body may be disposed in the discharge portion 16 and the magnet in the base portion 15, or magnets may be disposed in both the discharge portion 16 and the base portion 15. However, if a magnet 53 is placed next to the discharge part 16, the discharge part 16 separated from the base part 15 can be attracted and held to a stainless steel sink or the like, which is convenient when drying the discharge part 16 after rinsing it with water.

The second electrode 32 and dielectric 33 are adhesively fixed to the upper surface of the upper opposing wall 51 (and magnet 53) of the inner case 38 via cushion material 58 made of double-sided tape. The cushion material 58 is formed in a rectangular shape that is slightly larger than the dielectric 33, and the second electrode 32 is sandwiched between the dielectric 33 and cushion material 58 from above and below. The peripheral edge of the cushion material 58 elastically deforms and adheres closely to the dielectric 33. As shown in Figure 8, the upper ends of the front and rear walls of the outer case 37 protrude inward toward the rod-shaped first electrode 31, and the underside of this protrusion is formed in a stepped pattern with an upper internal receiving portion 59 that receives the front and rear edges of the dielectric 33 and a lower external receiving portion 60 that receives the front and rear edges of the cushion material 58.

The dielectric 33 is sandwiched from above and below between the outer case 37 (internal receiving portion 59) and the inner case 38 (upper opposing wall 51). The cushion material 58 located between the dielectric 33 and inner case 38 is elastically deformed by being pressed from above by the dielectric 33 and external receiving portion 60 and from below by the inner case 38, absorbing design tolerances such as the thickness of the dielectric 33. The dielectric 33 is positioned in the front-to-rear direction by the vertical wall between the internal receiving portion 59 and external receiving portion 60 of the outer case 37. As shown in Figure 5, the upper part of the outer case 37 is provided with a pair of upper walls 61 that form the left and right edges of the discharge opening 35. The dielectric 33 is positioned in the left-to-right direction by the opposing end faces of these walls 61.

The rod-shaped first electrode 31 is supported by a pair of left and right electrode support structures 64 provided on the discharge case 34. The electrode support structures 64 are composed of upper support portions 65 provided on both the left and right sides of the discharge opening 35 in the outer case 37 and lower support portions 66 protruding from both the left and right ends of the top wall of the inner case 38 (both the left and right sides of the upper opposing wall 51). The upper support portions 65 are formed as tunnel-like bulges extending left and right at the center of the front and rear of each top wall 61 of the outer case 37. An upper semicircular receiving groove 67 is recessed into the inner surface of the upper support portion 65 to receive the upper half of the first electrode 31. The midpoints of each receiving groove 67 are formed with relief recesses 68 to receive the electrode connection portion 90 of the first current-carrying body 87 (described later) (see Figure 7). The outermost left and right ends of each receiving groove 67 (the end closest to the tip of the first electrode 31) are located directly above a lower semicircular receiving portion 69 (see Figure 9) recessed into the tip surface of the lower support portion 66, and these two portions 67, 69 cooperate to hold the first electrode 31 from above and below. An introduction groove 70 (see Figure 9) extending downward and continuing from the receiving groove 67 is recessed into the inner surface of the left and right walls of the outer case 37. When assembling the discharge unit 16, the first electrode 31 can be slid upward along this introduction groove 70 until it is positioned so that it can be received in the receiving groove 67.

When the set of the first electrode 31, dielectric 33, and second electrode 32 is defined as an electrode unit 71 (see Figure 8), the electrode unit 71 is sandwiched from above and below by the outer case 37 and inner case 38 together with the cushion material 58 within the discharge case 34. Specifically, the first electrode 31 constituting the upper part of the electrode unit 71 is supported from above by the upper support portion 65 of the outer case 37, and the second electrode 32 and dielectric 33 constituting the lower part of the electrode unit 71 are supported from below by the upper opposing wall 51 of the inner case 38 via the cushion material 58. The upper opposing wall 51 constitutes a lower support portion 72 that supports the surface of the dielectric 33 facing the second electrode 32, or the lower support portion 72 that supports the second electrode 32 from the back side of the dielectric 33.

When the discharge device 6 is driven, i.e., when it discharges, white dust consisting primarily of nitrates may accumulate on the upper surface of the discharge section 16, particularly on the surfaces of the first electrode 31 and dielectric 33. When ozone is generated, nitrogen, oxygen, and moisture in the air may react to produce nitric acid, which causes the accumulation of nitrates, i.e., dust. This dust interferes with discharge, so it is desirable to remove it regularly. This can be done by washing with water or using a cleaning brush.

The cleaning brush preferably moves left and right, matching the extension direction of the first electrode 31. This allows the bristles of the cleaning brush to move from one end of the first electrode 31 to the other, simultaneously cleaning the surfaces of the first electrode 31 and the dielectric 33. As shown in Figure 4, to smoothly guide the bristles of the cleaning brush onto the surface of the dielectric 33 and smoothly remove the bristles that have captured dust on the surface, the top surface of the outer case 37 of the discharge case 34 has upward grooves 73 adjacent to both the left and right sides of the dielectric 33 (discharge opening 35). The top surface of the dielectric 33 and the bottom surface of the grooves 73 are flush with each other. This prevents dust from getting caught between the dielectric 33 and the grooves 73, allowing it to be easily swept away without leaving any residue.

A pair of protrusions 74 extend parallel to the first electrode 31, with the dielectric 33 (discharge opening 35) between them, on the upper surface of the outer case 37 of the discharge case 34. The side of each protrusion 74 facing the dielectric 33 at the center on the left and right constitutes a central guide surface 75, and the side surfaces continuing on both the left and right sides of the central guide surface 75 constitute end guide surfaces 76 that define the groove 73. In this embodiment, the groove 73 is defined by the protrusions 74 (end guide surfaces 76), the upper wall 61, and the upper support portion 65, and the groove 73 is formed on both the front and rear sides of each of the left and right upper support portions 65.

The central guide surface 75 of each protrusion 74 guides the bristles of the cleaning brush left and right and keeps them on the surface of the dielectric 33, contributing to accurate cleaning of that surface. The left and right end guide surfaces 76 smoothly connect to the central guide surface 75. These guide surfaces 75, 76 allow the bristles of the cleaning brush to be smoothly introduced from one groove 73 onto the surface of the dielectric 33 and then smoothly led out from that surface to the other groove 73. For example, a user can introduce the cleaning brush through the left groove 73, move the brush straight to the right to capture dust, and then sweep it out through the right groove 73. Performing this procedure on both the front and rear sides of the first electrode 31 completes dust removal, i.e., cleaning.

The above cleaning work is performed with the discharge unit 16 separated from the base unit 15. When removing it, the left and right upper support parts 65 function as knobs. To indicate to the user that these upper support parts 65 are knobs, marks 79 consisting of protrusions are provided in the front-to-back centers of the left and right outer surfaces of the discharge case 34 (outer case 37). This allows the user to recognize that the upper support part 65 directly above the marks 79 is the knob. For example, by placing the thumb on one upper support part 65 and the index finger on the other upper support part 65, the user can separate the discharge unit 16 from the base unit 15 by pinching and lifting the discharge unit 16 with both fingers from both sides. The left and right dimensions of the discharge unit 16 (discharge case 34) in this embodiment are approximately 45 mm wide and approximately 16 mm long.

Using the upper support part 65, which protrudes significantly higher than the first electrode 31, as a knob effectively prevents the user from touching the first electrode 31 or the dielectric 33 and getting sebum or the like on them. Indicating that the upper support part 65 is a knob with a mark 79 effectively prevents the user from accidentally touching the first electrode 31 or the dielectric 33 by gripping parts other than the upper support part 65, such as the front or rear walls of the discharge case 34. The mark 79 may be a mark printed on the discharge case 34, but by making it a protrusion, the mark 79 can also function as an anti-slip device, allowing the user to hold the discharge case 34 firmly.

In addition, the tunnel-shaped upper support portion 65 that covers the first electrode 31 from above protrudes farther upward than the first electrode 31. This prevents the first electrode 31 from receiving a direct impact when the discharge portion 16 is dropped upside down, as it strikes the floor or other surface first. This prevents the first electrode 31 from receiving a direct impact. In other words, the upper support portion 65 also serves as a first protective portion 81 that protects the first electrode 31 from impact when dropped. Furthermore, a pair of protrusions 74 provided on the front and rear of the outer case 37 also protrude upward from the first electrode 31 (see Figure 7), although their protrusion dimension is smaller than that of the first protective portion 81 (upper support portion 65). Similar to the first protective portion 81, the protrusions 74 can strike the floor or other surface first when dropped. In other words, the protrusions 74 constitute a second protective portion 82 that protects the first electrode 31 from impact when dropped.

Next, the current-carrying structure for each electrode 31, 32 will be described. As shown in Figure 7, the base portion 15 is provided with a first terminal 85 and a second terminal 86 to which an AC voltage of several kV is supplied from the boost circuit 22. The first electrode 31 is electrically connected to the first terminal 85 via a first current conductor 87, and the second electrode 32 is electrically connected to the second terminal 86 via a second current conductor 88. In other words, the boost circuit 22 applies a high AC voltage to the first electrode 31 and the second electrode 32 via the terminals 85, 86 and current conductors 87, 88. The terminals 85, 86 and current conductors 87, 88 are formed from a metal such as gold-plated stainless steel.

As shown in FIG. 10 , the first current-carrying body 87 is formed by bending a single conductive wire (metal wire) and includes, in order from the top side of the first electrode 31, an electrode connection portion 90, a seaming portion 91, and a terminal connection portion 92. The electrode connection portion 90 is formed in a coil shape with its axis in the left-right direction and is wound so as to closely fit around the circumferential surface of the first electrode 31 (see FIG. 7 ). The seaming portion 91 is formed in an L-shape with vertical and horizontal portions in side view, and biases one end of the electrode connection portion 90, which is continuous with the vertical portion, downward. Pulling one end of the electrode connection portion 90 downward with the seaming portion 91 enhances the tightness of the electrode connection portion 90 against the circumferential surface of the first electrode 31. The seaming portion 91 exhibits spring properties in this way because the horizontal portion of the seaming portion 91 is received by the underside of the top wall 61 of the outer case 37, i.e., the seat portion 94.

The terminal connection portion 92, which is continuous with the lower side of the seaming portion 91, is formed as a compression coil spring with its axis extending vertically. When the discharge unit 16 is attached as shown in Figure 10, the lower end of the terminal connection portion 92 elastically contacts the upper surface of the first terminal 85, electrically connecting the first conductive body 87 to the first terminal 85. At this time, the terminal connection portion 92 is compressed vertically, and its upper end is received by the seat portion 94, similar to the horizontal portion of the seaming portion 91. The lower end of the terminal connection portion 92, i.e., the first contact 95, is formed in an annular shape, and a spring receiving portion 96 that fits into the first contact 95 is formed on the upper surface of the first terminal 85. The spring receiving portion 96 penetrates into and engages with the inside of the first contact 95, restricting misalignment of the terminal connection portion 92 relative to the first terminal 85 and further stabilizing the electrical connection between the terminals 85 and 92.

The first current-carrying body 87, which integrally comprises the electrode connection portion 90, seaming portion 91, and terminal connection portion 92, reduces the number of parts, thereby reducing assembly labor and costs during manufacturing. The compressed terminal connection portion 92 resiliently adheres to the first terminal 85, ensuring a stable and reliable electrical connection between the two 85 and 92. Additionally, it can accommodate design tolerances for the vertical dimensions of the discharge case 34 (outer case 37) and base case 42. Furthermore, the terminal connection portion 92 is spaced horizontally (front-to-back) from the vertical portion of the seaming portion 91 via the horizontal portion of the seaming portion 91. This prevents the downward biasing force acting on the electrode connection portion 90 from the vertical portion of the seaming portion 91 from being counteracted by the repulsive force of the terminal connection portion 92, allowing the electrode connection portion 90 to adhere closely to the circumferential surface of the first electrode 31.

A generally cylindrical storage boss 99 protrudes downward from the underside of the upper wall 61 of the outer case 37, surrounding the seat 94. This boss defines a storage hole 98 for the terminal connection portion 92 of the first current-carrying body 87. The upper half of the terminal connection portion 92 is stored in the storage hole 98, and by surrounding the upper half of the terminal connection portion 92 with the storage boss 99 in this manner, the upper half is protected from external forces, preventing deformation and other damage. A vertical groove is formed in part of the peripheral wall of the storage boss 99, allowing the horizontal portion of the seaming portion 91 to pass through.

The top wall of the inner case 38 is provided with an insertion hole 100 that allows the storage boss 99 and terminal connection portion 92 to pass through. The peripheral surface of the insertion hole 100 closely surrounds the outer peripheral surface of the tip (lower end) of the storage boss 99. In other words, the insertion hole 100 protects the tip of the storage boss 99 from external forces, preventing deformation and other damage. A terminal block 101 protrudes from the upper surface of the lower section 44 of the base case 42 and faces the storage boss 99 when the discharge unit 16 is attached. The terminal block 101 is formed in a rectangular tube shape that opens upward, and the spring bearing portion 96 of the first terminal 85 is located inside it.

11, when the discharge portion 16 is separated from the base portion 15, the first conductive body 87 moves integrally with the discharge portion 16, and the terminal connection portion 92 separates from the first terminal 85, returning from the compressed state to its natural length L1. With respect to this natural length L1, the depth D1 of the storage hole 98 (height of the storage boss 99) is set to a dimension that satisfies the inequality (L1/2 < D1 < L1). When the depth D1 of the storage hole 98 is greater than half the natural length L1 of the terminal connection portion 92, i.e., when the upper majority of the terminal connection portion 92 is stored in the storage hole 98, the storage boss 99 surrounds the central upper and lower portions of the terminal connection portion 92, which is relatively susceptible to buckling, thereby effectively preventing buckling. Furthermore, because the terminal connection portion 92 does not shrink beyond the depth D1 of the storage hole 98 (to become shorter than depth D1), setting this depth D1 to be greater than half the natural length L1 of the terminal connection portion 92 prevents the terminal connection portion 92 from being excessively compressed when the discharge unit 16 is attached, thereby suppressing deterioration of the terminal connection portion 92 and extending the life of the first current-carrying body 87. The lower end of the terminal connection portion 92 at its natural length L1 is positioned higher than the lower end of the discharge case 34. As a result, when the discharge unit 16 separated from the base portion 15 is placed on a table or the like, the terminal connection portion 92 does not touch the table, i.e., is not compressed, suppressing deterioration of the terminal connection portion 92 and extending its life.

As shown in Figures 12 and 13, current is passed from the second terminal 86 to the second electrode 32 via a pair of front and rear second current-carrying bodies 88. Each second current-carrying body 88 is made of a single conductive wire (metal wire) and is formed like a compression coil spring with its axis extending vertically. While the first current-carrying body 87 is connected to the first electrode 31 of the discharge unit 16 and is separable from the first terminal 85 of the base unit 15, this second current-carrying body 88 is connected to the second terminal 86 of the base unit 15 and is separable from the second electrode 32 of the discharge unit 16. The lower end of the second current-carrying body 88 is crimped and fixed to the second terminal 86, thereby supporting the second current-carrying body 88 in a self-supporting state by the second terminal 86. When the discharge unit 16 is attached as shown in Figure 12, each second current-carrying body 88 is compressed vertically, with its upper end elastically contacting the lower surface of the second electrode 32.

Cylindrical storage bosses 105 and 106 protrude upward and downward from the lower opposing wall 52 of the base case 42, defining a storage hole 104 for the second current-carrying body 88. The lower majority of the second current-carrying body 88, excluding its upper end, is housed in the storage hole 104. By surrounding the lower majority of the second current-carrying body 88 with the storage bosses 105 and 106, this majority is protected from external forces, preventing deformation and other damage. The protruding end (lower end) of the lower storage boss 106 abuts the second terminal 86 and surrounds the connection (crimped) portion between the second terminal 86 and the second current-carrying body 88. The protruding end (upper end) of the upper storage boss 105 is in close proximity to, but not in contact with, the underside of the second electrode 32 when the discharge unit 16 is attached to the base unit 15. At this time, the upper end of the second current-carrying body 88 protrudes from the tip of the upper storage boss 105, i.e., the upper opening of the storage hole 104, and comes into close contact with the underside of the second electrode 32.

The upper opposing wall 51 and cushion material 58 of the inner case 38 of the discharge unit 16 are each provided with insertion holes 107 and 108 that allow the upper storage boss 105 to pass through. The inner peripheral surface of each insertion hole 107 and 108 closely surrounds the outer peripheral surface of the upper storage boss 105. These insertion holes 107 and 108 prevent horizontal misalignment of the upper storage boss 105 relative to the second electrode 32, thereby ensuring that the second current-carrying body 88 abuts the appropriate location on the second electrode 32. Furthermore, the outer peripheral surface of the tip of the upper storage boss 105 is tapered, narrowing upward, while the lower portion of the insertion hole 107 in the upper opposing wall 51 that allows its insertion is tapered, widening downward. These tapered surfaces allow the upper storage boss 105 to be easily guided into the insertion hole 107 when attaching the discharge unit 16 to the base unit 15.

As shown in Figure 13, when the discharge portion 16 is separated from the base portion 15, the second current-carrying body 88 separates from the second electrode 32 and returns from its compressed state to its natural length L2. With respect to this natural length L2, the depth D2 of the storage hole 104 is set to a dimension that satisfies the inequality (L2/2 < D2 < L2). When the depth D2 of the storage hole 104 is greater than half the natural length L2 of the second current-carrying body 88, i.e., when the majority of the lower portion of the second current-carrying body 88 is stored in the storage hole 104, the upper and lower central portions of the second current-carrying body 88, which are relatively prone to buckling, are surrounded by the storage hole 104, thereby effectively preventing buckling. Furthermore, because the second current-carrying body 88 will not shrink beyond the depth D2 of the storage hole 104 (to become shorter than depth D2), setting this depth D2 greater than half the natural length L2 of the second current-carrying body 88 prevents the second current-carrying body 88 from being excessively compressed when the discharge unit 16 is installed, thereby suppressing deterioration of the second current-carrying body 88 and extending its lifespan. Furthermore, the height T of the upper storage boss 105 is set to be less than half the depth D2 of the storage hole 104 (T < D2/2). This reduces the amount by which the upper storage boss 105 protrudes from the lower opposing wall 52, effectively preventing deformation or damage to the upper storage boss 105 when subjected to external forces.

The compressed second current-carrying body 88 elastically contacts the second electrode 32, ensuring a stable and reliable electrical connection between the two. Additionally, it is possible to accommodate design tolerances such as the vertical dimensions of the base case 42 and the vertical thickness of the dielectric 33. By supporting the backside (i.e., the top) of the surface of the second electrode 32 that receives the second current-carrying body 88 with the dielectric 33 made of a glass plate, the second electrode 32 can be reinforced and prevented from deformation. Because the dielectric 33 is sufficiently thicker than the second electrode 32, it can firmly reinforce the second electrode 32. The upward elastic force acting on the dielectric 33 from the second current-carrying body 88 via the second electrode 32 is firmly received by the internal receiving portion 59 of the outer case 37.

When the second electrode 32 and the second terminal 86 are electrically connected by a pair of second current-carrying bodies 88, even if a connection failure occurs between one of the second current-carrying bodies 88 and the second electrode 32 or the second terminal 86, current can be passed through the other second current-carrying body 88, improving the reliability of the discharge device 6. The pair of second current-carrying bodies 88 have the same spring constant. This allows the elastic force acting on the second electrode 32 to be uniform, without bias toward either the front or rear, ensuring that both second current-carrying bodies 88 are properly in close contact with the second electrode 32 and stabilizing the electrical connection therebetween. Furthermore, the upward elastic force acting from each second current-carrying body 88 on the second electrode 32 also acts on the first electrode 31 via the dielectric 33. The synergistic effect of this upward elastic force and the elastic force of the seaming portion 91 of the first current-carrying body 87 pulling one end of the electrode connection portion 90 downward further improves the adhesion of the electrode connection portion 90 to the peripheral surface of the first electrode 31.

Of course, the vertical repulsive force exerted by the second current-carrying body 88 and the terminal connection portion 92 of the first current-carrying body 87 in a compressed state is sufficiently smaller than the attractive force between the magnet 53 and magnetic material 54 that make up the aforementioned attachment and retention means, and the discharge portion 16 will not be separated from the base portion 15 by the repulsive force between the second current-carrying body 88 and the terminal connection portion 92 alone. However, because the attractive force of the attachment and retention means is partially offset by the repulsive force between the second current-carrying body 88 and the terminal connection portion 92, the user can separate the discharge portion 16 from the base portion 15 with less force when cleaning the discharge portion 16, for example.

As shown in FIG. 1 , the first terminal 85 (spring receiving portion 96) is located at only one left or right end (here, the left end) of the base portion 15, while the first current conductors 87 are located at both left and right ends of the first electrode 31. Only one of these first current conductors 87 comes into close contact with the first terminal 85 when the discharge unit 16 is attached, contributing to the flow of current from the first terminal 85 to the first electrode 31. Furthermore, a pair of second current conductors 88 are located at only one left or right side (here, the right side) of the base portion 15, while insertion holes 107 and 108 that allow their insertion are located on both left and right sides of the discharge unit 16. Only one of these insertion holes 107 and 108 allows the second current conductor 88 to pass through when the discharge unit 16 is attached, contributing to the flow of current from the second terminal 86 to the second electrode 32.

The placement of the first current-carrying bodies 87 on both the left and right sides of the first electrode 31 and the placement of the insertion holes 107 and 108 on both the left and right sides of the discharge unit 16 is due to the fact that the discharge unit 16 is 2-fold symmetric about the vertical axis V, as mentioned above. When the discharge unit 16 is attached to the base unit 15 in the first position, the left-side first current-carrying body 87 and the right-side insertion holes 107 and 108 perform their functions. When the discharge unit 16 is attached to the base unit 15 in the second position, the right-side first current-carrying body 87 and the left-side insertion holes 107 and 108 perform their functions. In other words, whether the 2-fold symmetric discharge unit 16 is attached to the base unit 15 in the first or second position, the electrodes 31 and 32 are electrically connected to the terminals 85 and 86 via the current-carrying bodies 87 and 88. This results in a user-friendly discharge device 6 in which the user does not need to worry about the orientation of the discharge unit 16 when attaching it.

In addition, no terminal block 101 or similar is provided at the diagonal position of the first terminal 85 (spring receiving portion 96) when viewed from above on the base case 42. Therefore, when the terminal connection portion 92 of one first current conductor 87 is in close contact with the first terminal 85, the terminal connection portion 92 of the other first current conductor 87 is extended to its natural length and faces the upper surface of the lower portion 44 of the base case 42. In other words, by preventing compression of the terminal connection portion 92, its deterioration can be suppressed and its lifespan can be extended. Furthermore, the location where the second electrode 32 is in close contact with the second current conductor 88 differs between the first and second positions of the discharge unit 16. This suppresses wear on the second electrode 32 and extends its lifespan.

The spring bearing portion 96 of the first terminal 85 that receives the first current-carrying body 87 is located in the lower section 44 of the base case 42, while the second current-carrying body 88 extending from the second terminal 86 is located in the upper section 43 of the same case 42. In other words, the pair of terminals 85, 86 and the current-carrying bodies 87, 88 are separately located in the upper and lower sections 43, 44 of the base case 42.

As shown in Figure 14, the second electrode 32 is formed in a rectangular shape that is slightly smaller than the dielectric 33 and is elongated from side to side. A gap 110 is provided in the front-to-back center, i.e., directly below the first electrode 31, extending parallel to the electrode 31. In other words, the second electrode 32 is divided into a front first region 111 and a rear second region 112, separated by the gap 110, and the two regions 111 and 112 are connected only by three bridge portions 113 on the left and right. The bridge portions 113 are located in the left-to-right center and at both ends of the second electrode 32. Each bridge portion 113 is formed (deposited) simultaneously with the first region 111 and second region 112, but may also be formed separately from these regions 111 and 112.

When a high AC voltage is applied to the first electrode 31 and the second electrode 32, a silent discharge (dielectric barrier discharge) occurs between the first electrode 31 and the surface (top surface) of the dielectric 33 covering the second electrode 32, converting some of the oxygen in the surrounding air into ozone. In a plan view, the entire second electrode 32 is positioned inside the periphery of the dielectric 33, which reliably prevents discharge between the electrodes 31 and 32 without passing through the dielectric 33. In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 7 and 8, the periphery of the cushion material 58 is in close contact with the dielectric 33, and the entire periphery of the second electrode 32 is sealed between the dielectric 33 and the cushion material 58. This more reliably prevents discharge between the periphery of the second electrode 32 and the first electrode 31 without passing through the dielectric 33.

To generate this silent discharge over a wider area and increase the amount of ozone generated, a gap 110 is provided at the center of the front and rear of the second electrode 32, i.e., directly below the first electrode 31. The presence of this gap 110 causes the charge on the surface of the dielectric 33 to concentrate more in front of and behind the first electrode 31 (above the first region 111 and second region 112) than directly below it, resulting in discharge occurring over a wider area of the surface of the dielectric 33. Additionally, the gap 110 prevents the discharge from concentrating directly below the first electrode 31, where white dust (nitrates) that interferes with discharge is likely to accumulate. By generating discharges in front of and behind the first electrode 31, where dust accumulation is relatively small, the amount of discharge can be maintained for a relatively long period of time, thereby reducing the need to prompt the user to clean the discharge unit 16.

The width W1 of the first electrode 31 in the front-to-rear direction is 1 mm, which corresponds to its diameter, while the width W2 of the gap 110 in the same direction is set to 2 mm. Setting the width W2 of the gap 110 larger than the width W1 of the first electrode 31 reduces the charge that accumulates directly below the first electrode 31 on the surface of the dielectric 33, allowing the discharge to spread over a wider area. Also, as shown in Figure 13, the height H1 of the first electrode 31 in the vertical direction is 1 mm, which corresponds to its diameter, while the thickness H2 of the dielectric 33 in the vertical direction is set to 0.7 mm. Setting the thickness H2 of the dielectric 33 smaller than the height H1 of the first electrode 31 moves the imaginary line connecting the front and rear edges of the second electrode 32 and the first electrode 31 closer to horizontal than vertical, thereby moving the charge distribution on the surface of the dielectric 33 closer to its front and rear edges, allowing the discharge to spread over a wider area.

As shown in FIG. 14 , one of the pair of front and rear second current-carrying bodies 88 extending from the second terminal 86 is connected to the first region 111 of the second electrode 32, and the other is connected to the second region 112. Therefore, even if the bridge portion 113 is not present and the two regions 111 and 112 are separated, it is possible to supply voltage to each region 111 and 112. However, if one of the second current-carrying bodies 88 deteriorates and a connection failure occurs between the second electrode 32 or the second terminal 86, this creates the disadvantage of only being able to supply voltage to half of the second electrode 32. To avoid this disadvantage, in this embodiment, the first region 111 and the second region 112 are connected by the bridge portion 113. As a result, even if a connection failure occurs in one of the second current-carrying bodies 88, voltage can still be supplied to the entire second electrode 32 via the other second current-carrying body 88.

As shown in FIG. 1 , in the discharge device 6 according to this embodiment, the first current-carrying structure, which conducts current from the base 15 to the first electrode 31, is composed of one first terminal 85 provided on the base 15 and two first current-carrying bodies 87 connected to the first electrode 31. The first terminal 85 constitutes one first normal contact 171 that is used for current conduction regardless of the mounting position (first position or second position) of the discharge unit 16, and the terminal connection portion 92 of each first current-carrying body 87 constitutes a first selective contact 172 that is selectively used for current conduction depending on the mounting position of the discharge unit 16. In other words, in each mounting position of the discharge unit 16, the first normal contact 171 contacts one of the first selective contacts 172, thereby bringing the first current-carrying structure into a conducting state. The two first selective contacts 172 are arranged rotationally symmetrically (dyad-symmetrically) around the vertical axis V.

The second current-carrying structure, which conducts current from the base portion 15 to the second electrode 32, is composed of one second terminal 86 and one set of second current-carrying bodies 88 provided on the base portion 15, and two sets of exposed portions of the second electrode 32 facing the insertion holes 107 and 108. One set of second current-carrying bodies 88 constitutes one second normal contact 173 that is used for current conduction regardless of the mounting position of the discharge unit 16, and each set of exposed portions of the second electrode 32 constitutes a second selective contact 174 that is selectively used for current conduction depending on the mounting position of the discharge unit 16. In other words, in each mounting position of the discharge unit 16, the second normal contact 173 contacts one of the second selective contacts 174, bringing the second current-carrying structure into a conducting state. The two second selective contacts 174 are also arranged rotationally symmetrically (dyad-symmetrically) around the vertical axis V.

In this way, regardless of the installation orientation of the discharge unit 16, the normal contacts 171 and 173 come into contact with either of the selective contacts 172 and 174, and each current-carrying structure is in a conducting state, allowing the user to install the discharge unit 16 on the base unit 15 without worrying about the orientation of the discharge unit 16. In other words, this embodiment eliminates the need for the user to check the orientation of the discharge unit 16 when installing it, and also provides a user-friendly discharge device 6 that eliminates the risk of incorrect installation.

When one of the first selective contacts 172 made of a conductive spring is brought into elastic contact with the first normal contact 171, the first selective contact 172 in use (brought into close contact with the first normal contact 171) can be switched to prevent a decrease in elastic force associated with use of each first selective contact 172, thereby improving the overall lifespan of the discharge unit 16 including the first selective contact 172. Furthermore, when the second normal contact 173 made of a conductive spring is brought into elastic contact with one of the second selective contacts 174, the second selective contact 174 in use (which receives the second normal contact 173) can be switched to prevent wear associated with use of each second selective contact 174, thereby improving the overall lifespan of the discharge unit 16 including the second selective contact 174, i.e., the second electrode 32.

The base case 42, which forms the base of the base unit 15, is formed in a stepped shape with an upper step 43 and a lower step 44. The discharge unit 16 is provided with a downward-facing mounting recess 46 that engages with the upper step 43. When the mounting unit 16 is attached to the base unit 15, the engagement between the upper step 43 and the mounting recess 46 prevents horizontal misalignment of the discharge unit 16. Providing a mounting and retaining means between the upper step 43 of the base case 42 and the discharge unit 16 prevents the discharge unit 16 from unintentionally separating from the base unit 15. Furthermore, compared to when the mounting and retaining means is located on the lower step 44, impacts from external forces exerted on the discharge device 6 are less likely to reach the mounting and retaining means, making the discharge unit 16 less likely to come off the base unit 15.

By providing the first normal contact 171 that constitutes the first current-carrying structure on the lower section 44 of the base case 42, avoiding the upper section 43 of the base case 42 where the mounting and holding means is provided, it is possible to prevent numerous components from being crowded into the upper section 43, thereby facilitating the assembly of the base section 15. By providing the first normal contact 171 that constitutes the first current-carrying structure on the lower section 44 of the base case 42 and the second normal contact 173 that constitutes the second current-carrying structure on the upper section 43 of the same case 42, the two current-carrying structures can be separated vertically and horizontally, preventing the elastic force of the conductive springs contained in the two current-carrying structures from affecting each other and reliably preventing short circuits between the current-carrying structures.

The attachment detection unit 17, which consists of a magnetic sensor mounted on the base unit 15, can determine whether the discharge unit 16 is attached or not before starting to energize the base unit 15, based on whether or not the magnetic field emitted by the magnet 53 mounted on the discharge unit 16 is detected. This completely prevents the passage of electricity to a base unit 15 that does not have the discharge unit 16 attached, preventing unnecessary power consumption and reliably preventing electric shock accidents should a user touch a powered base unit 15.

By providing a marking 79 near the electrode support structure 64 that covers and supports both ends of the first electrode 31, a user attempting to separate the discharge unit 16 from the base unit 15 can recognize the electrode support structure 64 near the marking 79 as a knob. For example, the user can place their thumb on one electrode support structure 64 and their index finger on the other electrode support structure 64, and then grasp the discharge unit 16 with both fingers from both sides and pull it up to separate it from the base unit 15. Using the marking 79 to indicate that the electrode support structure 64 is a knob effectively prevents the user from grasping a part other than the electrode support structure 64 and accidentally touching the first electrode 31, resulting in the transfer of sebum or the like. Furthermore, by making the marking 79 a protrusion, it also functions as an anti-slip device, allowing the user to hold the discharge case 34 securely.

A discharge unit comprising a discharge device 6 having a dielectric 33 disposed between a pair of electrodes 31 and 32, a light detection section 28 that detects light emitted by the discharge device 6 during discharge, and notification means 27 that notifies the detection result by the light detection section 28. The light detection section 28 and the notification means 27 may be separate from the discharge device 6, or may be mounted on the discharge device 6.
The discharge unit, which includes the discharge device 6, the light detector 28, and the notification means 27, can first determine the degree of contamination (accumulation of dust, etc.) on the surface of the dielectric 33 of the discharge device 6 based on the detection value of the light detector 28. Unlike when a user visually determines the degree of contamination, there is no room for user subjectivity, and the degree can be accurately determined. In addition, by providing the notification means 27 that notifies the detection results of the light detector 28, the user can be notified of a decrease in the amount of light emitted by the discharge device 6 during discharge, i.e., the progression of contamination on the surface of the dielectric 33, etc., and can be encouraged to clean the discharge device 6 promptly. This makes it possible to avoid the inconvenience of continuing to operate the discharge device 6 when the surface contamination interferes with discharge and the discharge amount is reduced.

The light detection unit 28 can be configured, for example, by a camera that photographs the discharge device 6. In this case, images taken when the discharge device 6 is normal, i.e., when the contamination of the discharge device 6 is within the allowable range, and images taken when the discharge device 6 is abnormal, i.e., when the contamination of the discharge device 6 exceeds the allowable range, are stored in a storage unit (not shown). Then, each time the camera photographs the discharge device 6, the AI (control unit 21) determines whether the photographed image is classified as normal or abnormal.
The light detection unit 28 can also be configured with a photodiode facing the discharge device 6. The magnitude of the current flowing through the photodiode is approximately proportional to the amount of light received. Therefore, the amount of light emitted during discharge by the discharge device 6, i.e., the degree of contamination on its surface, can be determined based on the current value of the photodiode.
Furthermore, the light detection unit 28 can be configured with a color sensor facing the discharge device 6. A color sensor is a type of photoelectric sensor equipped with a light-emitting element and a light-receiving element, and can detect the amount of light received from each of the three primary colors of light, i.e., red, blue, and green, and determine the color of the object based on that information. Similar to the photodiode described above, the light-receiving element of the color sensor outputs an electrical signal according to the amount of light received, and based on that, it is possible to determine the amount of blue light emitted by the discharge device 6 during discharge, i.e., the degree of contamination on the surface.

A discharge unit characterized in that the light detection section 28 is composed of an element that outputs an electrical signal according to the amount of received light.
If the light detection unit 28 is configured using an element that outputs an electrical signal according to the amount of light received, such as a photodiode or a color sensor, the light detection unit 28 can be configured more inexpensively than if it were configured using a camera or the like.

A discharge unit characterized in that the discharge device (6) comprises a discharge section (16) including a pair of electrodes (31, 32) and a dielectric (33), and a base section (15) to which the discharge section (16) is detachably attached.
If the discharge section 16 of the discharge device 6 is detachable from the base section 15, the discharge section 16, which is relatively prone to getting dirty because it includes a pair of electrodes 31 and 32 and a dielectric 33, can be easily cleaned while separated from the base section 15. Furthermore, if the discharge section 16 breaks down, only the discharge section 16 can be replaced, which is more economical than replacing the entire discharge device 6 including the base section 15.

A discharge unit characterized in that the voltage applied to both electrodes 31 and 32 of the discharge device 6 when the detection value of the optical detection unit 28 falls outside a predetermined normal range is set to be higher than the voltage applied to both electrodes 31 and 32 when the detection value is within the normal range.
If the detection value of the optical detection unit 28 is outside the normal range, i.e., if the surface of the discharge device 6 is heavily soiled, setting the voltage applied to both electrodes 31 and 32 of the discharge device 6 high will suppress the decrease in the discharge amount caused by the soiling and make it possible to maintain a discharge amount close to that when there is little soiling (when the detection value of the optical detection unit 28 is within the normal range).

A discharge unit characterized in that the discharge device is stopped when the detection value of the light detection section is outside a normal range.
If the detection value of the light detection unit 28 is outside the normal range, that is, if the surface of the discharge device 6 is heavily soiled, the discharge device 6 can be stopped. By stopping the discharge device 6 rather than continuing to operate it under conditions where the amount of discharge may be insufficient due to soiling, it is possible to avoid unnecessary power consumption.

As shown in the time chart of FIG. 15 , a first normal range and a second normal range wider than the first normal range are set for the detection value of the light detection unit 28,
When the detection value of the optical detection unit 28 falls outside the first normal range and falls only within the second normal range, the voltage applied to both electrodes 31 and 32 of the discharge device 6 is increased (time t1), and when the detection value also falls outside the second normal range, the discharge device 6 is stopped (time t2).
The voltage when the detection value of the light detection unit 28, i.e., the amount of light received from the discharge device 6, falls only within the second normal range (times t1 to t2), may be constant regardless of the amount of light received, or may increase linearly or stepwise as the amount of light received decreases.
If the detection value of the optical detection unit 28 falls outside the first normal range and falls only within the second normal range, i.e., if the degree of contamination on the surface of the discharge device 6 has increased, increasing the voltage applied to both electrodes 31 and 32 of the discharge device 6 can suppress the decrease in the discharge amount due to the contamination and maintain a discharge amount close to that when the contamination is small (i.e., when the detection value of the optical detection unit 28 is within the first normal range).Furthermore, if the detection value of the optical detection unit 28 also falls outside the second normal range, i.e., if the degree of contamination on the surface of the discharge device 6 has increased to the point where the decrease in the discharge amount cannot be suppressed even by increasing the voltage applied to both electrodes 31 and 32, stopping the discharge device 6 can avoid unnecessary power consumption.

A discharge unit characterized in that a first electrode (31) arranged on the front side of a dielectric (33) is formed in a rod shape, and a second electrode (32) arranged on the back side of the dielectric (33) is formed in a flat shape.
If the first electrode 31 is formed in a rod shape and the second electrode 32 is formed in a flat shape, discharge can be generated between the electrodes 31 and 32 without any problems even if there is a deviation in the relative positions of the electrodes 31 and 32 due to, for example, a design tolerance of the support structure of the electrodes 31 and 32. Therefore, discharge can be performed more stably.

(Second Embodiment) Figures 16 to 18 show a second embodiment of the discharge device according to the present invention, which differs from the first embodiment in that a single second current-carrying body 88 is disposed in the center of the base portion 15 in a plan view. The second electrode 32 is generally formed in a recumbent H-shape, and a bridge portion 113 is provided only in the left-right center of the second electrode 32. The second current-carrying body 88 is composed of an upper current-carrying pin 147 that elastically contacts the underside of the bridge portion 113 of the second electrode 32, a lower current-carrying spring 148 that urges the current-carrying pin 147 upward toward the second electrode 32, and a current-carrying piece 149 that extends substantially horizontally and is continuous with the lower end of the current-carrying spring 148. The tip of the current-carrying piece 149 is connected to the boost circuit 22 via a conductor or the like. As is clear from this embodiment, it is sufficient that at least a portion of the second current-carrying body 88 is elastically deformable in the thickness direction of the second electrode 32, i.e., in the up-down direction.

The current-carrying pin 147 and current-carrying spring 148 are housed in a storage hole 104 that penetrates the center of the base case 42 from top to bottom. The current-carrying pin 147 is guided and slidable along the periphery of the storage hole 104, allowing only vertical movement. The current-carrying pin 147 is cylindrical and made of a metal or other material with excellent conductivity. Its tip (upper end) has a circular horizontal surface that makes surface contact with the underside of the second electrode 32. The current-carrying spring 148 is a compression coil spring with its axis extending vertically, and its upper end is connected to the lower end of the current-carrying pin 147. Bringing the tip of the current-carrying pin 147 into surface contact with the second electrode 32 reduces the contact pressure between the two, suppressing wear on the second electrode 32. This also reduces the likelihood of electrical conductivity failure even when parts of the surfaces of the second electrode 32 or current-carrying pin 147 oxidize over time, allowing the voltage applied to the second electrode 32 to be maintained at a high level.

The base portion 15 includes a bottom cover 145 that fits into the base case 42 from below, and the bottom opening of the storage hole 104 is closed by the bottom cover 145. A circular engagement hole 153 is recessed in the center of the inner surface of the bottom cover 145 to receive the tip (lower end) of the lower storage boss 106, and a cylindrical engagement protrusion 154 protrudes from the center of the bottom surface of this engagement hole 153 and fits inside the tip of the lower storage boss 106. The lower end of the conductive spring 148 is supported by the inner surface (upper surface) of the bottom cover 145, or more precisely, by the tip surface (upper surface) of the engagement protrusion 154. In addition, a vertical groove 155 is formed in the tip of the lower storage boss 106 to allow the conductive piece 149 to pass through. By forming an engagement hole 153 and an engagement protrusion 154 on the inner surface of the bottom cover 145, the engagement protrusion 154 and the engagement hole 153 can be engaged from the inside and outside with the tip of the lower storage boss 106, reliably preventing misalignment of the bottom cover 145. Furthermore, by inserting the engagement protrusion 154 into the tip of the lower storage boss 106, the vertical dimension of the storage hole 104 is reduced accordingly, which allows for the miniaturization of the conductive spring 148 and therefore cost reduction. Note that it is also possible to omit either the engagement hole 153 or the engagement protrusion 154 and provide only the engagement hole 153 or only the engagement protrusion 154 in the center of the inner surface of the bottom cover 145.

The electrode support structure 64 that supports both ends of the first electrode 31 consists only of upper support portions 65 provided on the outer case 37 of the discharge case 34; the lower support portions 66 of the inner case 38 are omitted. Each upper support portion 65 has a vertically long guide hole 151 through which the first electrode 31 is inserted, and the first electrode 31 can move up and down relative to the dielectric 33 along the front and rear sides of the guide hole 151. In the normal state, the first electrode 31 is biased downward by the winding portion 91 of the first current-carrying body 87 and the upper spring 157, and is in close contact with the upper surface of the dielectric 33.

The upper spring 157 is a compression coil spring with its axis aligned vertically and is positioned inside each of the left and right upper support portions 65. A spring recess 158 is provided on the inner surface of the upper support portion 65 to accommodate the upper portion of the upper spring 157. The lower end of the upper spring 157 is pressed against the outer peripheral surface of the electrode connection portion 90 of the first current conductor 87, causing the downward biasing force of the upper spring 157 to act on the first electrode 31 via the electrode connection portion 90. By lifting the first electrode 31 against the biasing forces of the seaming portion 91 and upper spring 157, the area around the lower portion of the first electrode 31 can be cleaned thoroughly with a cleaning brush. When using the upper spring 157 as in this embodiment, the seaming portion 91 may be omitted from the first current conductor 87. However, using both the seaming portion 91 and the upper spring 157 can more reliably bring the first electrode 31 into close contact with the dielectric 33.

The terminal connection portion 92 of the first current-carrying body 87 is formed as a downwardly flared conical coil spring. This allows its lower end to contact the upper surface of the first terminal 85 over several revolutions when the terminal connection portion 92 is compressed vertically. This increases the contact area between the first terminal 85 and the second terminal 85, thereby reducing the electrical resistance between the first terminal 85 and the second terminal 85. The coil spring constituting the terminal connection portion 92 can also be formed into a downwardly flared bell-mouth shape or an hourglass shape that flares both upward and downward. These shapes also achieve the same effects as those described above. The terminal connection portion 92 may also be formed into a barrel shape, with the lower end tapering downward. In this case, the lower end of the terminal connection portion 92 can contact the first terminal 85 over several revolutions, achieving the same effects as those described above. Note that in this embodiment, the spring seat 96 on the upper surface of the first terminal 85 is omitted.

In this embodiment, the attachment and retention means for holding the discharge unit 16 in an attached state is composed of two sets of magnets 53 and magnetic material 54. A pair of left and right engagement protrusions 47 is provided on the inner case 38 of the discharge case 34, and an upper storage recess 55 for accommodating the magnet 53 is formed on the back (upper) side of each engagement protrusion 47, with the upper opposing wall 51 in between. Similarly, a pair of left and right engagement recesses 48 is provided on the base case 42, and a lower storage recess 56 for accommodating the magnetic material 54 is formed on the back (lower) side of each engagement recess 48, with the lower opposing wall 52 in between. The lower opening of the lower storage recess 56 is closed by the bottom cover 145.

The terminal block 101 of the base case 42 is positioned horizontally (to the left) away from the upper stage 43. A circular restricting rib 159 protrudes downward from the underside of the inner case 38 of the discharge unit 16, and a portion of this restricting rib 159 enters between the upper stage 43 and the terminal block 101 when the discharge unit 16 is attached, and abuts against the inner surface of the terminal block 101 (the surface facing the upper stage 43). In addition to the engagement between the engaging protrusions 47 and engaging recesses 48 described above, abutting the restricting rib 159 against the inner surface of the terminal block 101 more reliably restricts horizontal displacement of the discharge unit 16 relative to the base unit 15 and rotation about the vertical axis V.

In this embodiment, the first current-carrying structure, which conducts current from the base portion 15 to the first electrode 31, is composed of one first terminal 85 provided on the base portion 15 and two first current-carrying bodies 87 connected to the first electrode 31. The first terminal 85 constitutes one first normal contact 171 that is used for current conduction regardless of the mounting position (first position or second position) of the discharge portion 16, and the terminal connection portion 92 of each first current-carrying body 87 constitutes a first selective contact 172 that is selectively used for current conduction depending on the mounting position of the discharge portion 16 (see Figure 18). In other words, in each mounting position of the discharge portion 16, the first normal contact 171 contacts one of the first selective contacts 172, and the first current-carrying structure is in a conducting state. The two first selective contacts 172 are arranged rotationally symmetrically (dyad-symmetrically) around the vertical axis V.

On the other hand, the second current-carrying structure, which is responsible for conducting current from the base portion 15 to the second electrode 32, is composed of one second current-carrying body 88 provided on the base portion 15 and one exposed portion of the second electrode 32 that faces an insertion hole 107 provided in the center of the upper opposing wall 51 of the discharge portion 16. The one second current-carrying body 88 and the one exposed portion of the second electrode 32 come into contact with each other regardless of the mounting position of the discharge portion 16, thereby bringing the second current-carrying structure into a conducting state. As the rest of the structure is the same as in the first embodiment, the same components are designated by the same reference numerals and their description will be omitted. This also applies to the following third and subsequent embodiments.

As described above, in this embodiment, each current-carrying structure remains conductive regardless of the mounting position of the discharge unit 16, allowing the user to mount the discharge unit 16 on the base unit 15 without worrying about the orientation of the discharge unit 16. Furthermore, by having one of the first selective contacts 172 made of a conductive spring resiliently contact the first normal contact 171, the first selective contact 172 to be used (brought into close contact with the first normal contact 171) can be switched to prevent a decrease in the elastic force of each first selective contact 172 due to use, thereby improving the overall lifespan of the discharge unit 16, including the first selective contact 172.

(Third Embodiment) Figure 19 shows a third embodiment of the discharge device according to the present invention, which differs from the first embodiment in that the base portion 15 is equipped with contact protection portions 177, 178 that protect the respective selective contacts 172, 174. The first contact protection portion 177 consists of an upwardly opening circular cylinder erected on the upper surface of the lower portion 44 of the base case 42, and is arranged symmetrically with the first terminal 85 or terminal block 101 across the vertical axis V. The second contact protection portion 178 consists of a pair of front and rear cylindrical protrusions erected on the upper surface of the upper portion 43 of the base case 42, and is arranged symmetrically with the second current-carrying body 88 or upper storage boss 105 across the vertical axis V.

When the discharge unit 16 is attached to the base 15, one of the first selective contacts 172 (terminal connection portion 92 of the first current-carrying body 87) is in close contact with the first normal contact 171 (first terminal 85), while the other first selective contact 172 enters the interior of the first contact protection portion 177 and is surrounded and protected by the peripheral wall of the first contact protection portion 177. Furthermore, when the discharge unit 16 is attached to the base 15, one of the second selective contacts 174 (a pair of front and rear exposed portions of the second electrode 32) receives the second normal contact 173 (a pair of front and rear second current-carrying bodies 88), while the other second selective contact 174 is protected by facing directly against the upper wall of the second contact protection portion 178, which enters the insertion hole 107 in the upper opposing wall 51. In the present invention, the phrase "second contact protection portion 178 directly facing second selective contact 174" refers to both a configuration in which the two contacts 174, 178 face each other with a gap between them, and a configuration in which the two contacts 174, 178 abut against each other. By providing contact protection portions 177, 178 that surround or face the remaining selective contacts 172, 174 that are not in use, these selective contacts 172, 174 can be protected from external forces and prevented from deformation or other damage. Note that the second contact protection portion 178 may also cover the lower opening of the insertion hole 107 in the upper opposing wall 51 without entering it.

(Fourth embodiment) Figure 20 shows a fourth embodiment of the discharge device according to the present invention, which differs from the first embodiment in that one first normal contact 171 constituting the first current-carrying structure is provided on the discharge unit 16 and two first selective contacts 172 are provided on the base unit 15. Specifically, the first current-carrying body 87 is provided on only one side (here, the left side) of the first electrode 31, and the terminal connection portion 92 of the first current-carrying body 87 constitutes the first normal contact 171. In addition, two first terminals 85 are provided on the base unit 15, each constituting a first selective contact 172. The two first selective contacts 172 are arranged with rotational symmetry (two-fold symmetry) around the vertical axis V. The first contact protection portion 177 consists of a rectangular prism-shaped protrusion protruding downward from the underside of the inner case 38 of the discharge unit 16 and is arranged symmetrically with the terminal connection portion 92, i.e., the first normal contact 171, across the vertical axis V. When the discharge unit 16 is attached to the base unit 15, one of the first selective contacts 172 receives the first normal contact 171, and the other first selective contact 172 is protected by facing directly against the lower wall of the first contact protection unit 177 that covers the top opening of the terminal block 101. In the present invention, the concept of the first contact protection unit 177 facing directly against the first selective contact 172 includes both a configuration in which the two contacts 172 and 177 face each other with a gap between them, and a configuration in which the two contacts 172 and 177 abut. Note that the first contact protection unit 177 may also extend inside the terminal block 101 and face directly against the top surface of the first selective contact 172 (first terminal 85).

The first current-carrying structure includes one first normal contact 171 made of a conductive spring provided in the discharge section 16 and multiple first selective contacts 172 provided in the base section 15, and the first normal contact 171 elastically contacts one of the first selective contacts 172. This allows for switching between the first selective contacts 172 in use (receiving the first normal contact 171), reducing wear associated with use of each first selective contact 172 and improving the overall lifespan of the base section 15, including the first selective contacts 172. Providing first contact protection sections 177 in the discharge section 16 that directly face the remaining first selective contacts 172 that are not in use protects these first selective contacts 172 from external forces and prevents deformation and other damage.

The discharge unit 16 also incorporates a power receiver 161 below the second electrode 32, with the same potential as the second electrode 32. The power receiver 161 is made of a metal piece that is significantly thicker than the second electrode 32 and is electrically connected to the second electrode 32 by any means. A pair of front and rear insertion holes 107 are provided on one of the left and right sides (here, the right side) of the upper opposing wall 51, exposing the underside of the power receiver 161. The pair of front and rear exposed portions of the power receiver 161 facing the insertion holes 107 constitute a single second regular contact 173. The base unit 15 also has a pair of front and rear second current conductors 88 provided on both the left and right sides of the upper stage portion 43 of the base case 42, and each pair of left and right second current conductors 88 constitutes a second selective contact 174. The two second selective contacts 174 are arranged rotationally symmetrically (dyad-symmetrically) around the vertical axis V. In other words, in this embodiment, one second normal contact 173 constituting the second current-carrying structure is provided in the discharge portion 16, and two second selective contacts 174 are provided in the base portion 15.

The second contact protection portion 178 consists of a pair of bottomed recesses, one at the front and one at the back, that open downward and are provided at the bottom of the discharge portion 16. They are arranged symmetrically with the second normal contact 173 or the insertion hole 107 across the vertical axis V. When the discharge portion 16 is attached to the base portion 15, one of the second selective contacts 174 is in close contact with the second normal contact 173, while the other second selective contact 174 enters the interior of the second contact protection portion 178 and is surrounded and protected by its peripheral wall. The depth of the bottomed recess that constitutes the second contact protection portion 178 is set to be greater than the vertical dimension from the lower end of the insertion hole 107 to the underside of the second normal contact 173 (power receiver 161). Therefore, the second selective contact 174 that enters the second contact protection portion 178 is compressed less than the second selective contact 174 that is in close contact with the second normal contact 173, or is accommodated in the second contact protection portion 178 without being compressed.

When the second current-carrying structure includes one second normal contact 173 provided in the discharge section 16 and multiple second selective contacts 174 made of conductive springs provided in the base section 15, and one of the second selective contacts 174 elastically contacts the second normal contact 173, switching between the second selective contacts 174 in use (contacting the second normal contact 173) can be achieved, suppressing the reduction in elastic force that accompanies use of each second selective contact 174 and improving the overall lifespan of the base section 15, including the second selective contacts 174. Providing a second contact protection section 178 in the discharge section 16 that surrounds the remaining second selective contacts 174 that are not in use can protect the second selective contacts 178 from external forces and prevent deformation and other damage.

(Fifth Embodiment) Figures 21 and 22 show a fifth embodiment of the discharge device according to the present invention, which differs from the first embodiment in that the first normal contact 171 and the second normal contact 173 are provided in the discharge section 16. The second electrode 32 here is formed in the shape of a round bar with the same diameter as the first electrode 31. The two electrodes 31 and 32 are arranged in parallel and face each other vertically with the dielectric 33 between them. The second current conductor 88 has a structure similar to that of the first current conductor 87, and specifically includes a coil-shaped electrode connection portion 90 wound around the circumferential surface of the second electrode 32, a substantially L-shaped winding portion 91 that biases one end of the electrode connection portion 90 downward, and a compression coil spring-shaped terminal connection portion 92 that elastically contacts the upper surface of the second terminal 86.

The first current conductor 87 is provided only at one end of the first electrode 31 and constitutes the first normal contact 171. Similarly, the second current conductor 88 is provided only at one end of the second electrode 32 and constitutes the second normal contact 173. Correspondingly, two first terminals 85 and two second terminals 86 are arranged rotationally symmetrically (two-fold symmetry) around the vertical axis V on the base portion 15. Each first terminal 85 constitutes a first selective contact 172, and each second terminal 86 constitutes a second selective contact 174.

(Sixth embodiment) Figures 23 and 24 show a sixth embodiment of the discharge device according to the present invention, which differs from the first embodiment in that the first normal contact 171 and the second normal contact 173 are provided on the base portion 15. Here, both the first current conductor 87 and the second current conductor 88 are formed in the shape of a compression coil spring with their axes extending in the vertical direction, and the lower end of the first current conductor 87 is fixed to the first terminal 85, and the lower end of the second current conductor 88 is fixed to the second terminal 86. The first current conductor 87 constitutes the first normal contact 171, and the second current conductor 88 constitutes the second normal contact 173.

The first electrode 31 and second electrode 32 of the discharge unit 16 are formed from metal plates having a predetermined thickness. The first electrode 31 is adhesively fixed to the upper surface of the dielectric 33, and the second electrode 32 is adhesively fixed to the lower surface of the dielectric 33 so that they are in close contact with each other. Two through-holes 165 are provided at the top and bottom of the second electrode 32 and dielectric 33 to allow the first current-carrying body 87 to pass through, and the exposed portion of the first electrode 31 facing each through-hole 165 constitutes a first selective contact 172. Second selective contacts 174 that receive the second current-carrying body 88 are also provided at two locations on the lower surface of the second electrode 32. Each pair of first selective contacts 172 and second selective contacts 174 is arranged rotationally symmetrically (dyad-symmetrically) around the vertical axis V.

(Seventh embodiment) Figure 25 shows a seventh embodiment of the discharge device according to the present invention, in which the configuration of the second electrode 32 and second current-carrying body 88 differs from that of the sixth embodiment. The second electrode 32 here is formed in a round bar shape and is in close contact with the underside of the dielectric 33. A second current-carrying body 88 having a structure similar to that of the fifth embodiment is provided at one end (here, the right end) of the second electrode 32, and this second current-carrying body 88 forms the second normal contact 173. Two second terminals 86 forming the second selective contact 174 are arranged on the base portion 15 in rotational symmetry (dyad symmetry) around the vertical axis V.

(Eighth embodiment) Figure 26 shows an eighth embodiment of the discharge device according to the present invention, which differs from the sixth embodiment in that the discharge unit 16 includes a power receiver 161 having the same potential as the first electrode 31. The power receiver 161 is made of a metal piece that is thicker than the first electrode 31 and the second electrode 32 and is electrically connected to the first electrode 31 by any means. The power receivers 161 are arranged on the left and right outer sides of the dielectric 33 with rotational symmetry (two-fold symmetry) around the vertical axis V, and each constitutes a first selective contact 172. In this embodiment, a second current conductor 88 that constitutes a second normal contact 173 is arranged on the discharge unit 16 side. Specifically, the upper end of the second current conductor 88, which has a compression coil spring shape, is fixed to the underside of the second electrode 32. Two second terminals 86 that constitute a second selective contact 174 are arranged on the base unit 15 with rotational symmetry (two-fold symmetry) around the vertical axis V. As is clear from this embodiment and the previous fourth embodiment, in the present invention, the discharge unit 16 can be provided with a power receiver 161 that has the same potential as the electrodes 31 and 32, and this can be used as the regular contacts 171 and 173 or the selective contacts 172 and 174.

(Ninth embodiment) Figure 27 shows a ninth embodiment of the discharge device according to the present invention, which differs from the first embodiment in that the discharge unit 16 is formed with four-fold symmetry around the vertical axis V (excluding parts that are not involved in mounting to the base unit 15, such as electrodes 31 and 32). The discharge unit 16 here can be mounted to the base unit 15 in four different mounting positions, each with a phase difference of 90° around the vertical axis V.

The discharge unit 16 illustrated in (a) has four first selection contacts 172 (terminal connection portions 92 of the first current-carrying bodies 87) electrically connected to the first electrode 31, which are arranged at the four corners of the discharge unit 16 with rotational symmetry (four-fold symmetry) around the vertical axis V. One first terminal 85, i.e., a first normal contact 171, is provided at one corner of the base unit 15. In each mounting position of the discharge unit 16, one of the first selection contacts 172 comes into contact with the first normal contact 171, bringing the first current-carrying structure into a conducting state. The second current-carrying structure is similar to that of the second embodiment, with one second current-carrying body 88 provided at the center of the base unit 15 and one insertion hole 107 at the center of the discharge unit 16 through which the second electrode 32 is exposed.

The base portion 15 illustrated in (b) is provided with four first terminals 85, i.e., first selective contacts 172, which are arranged at the four corners of the base portion 15 with rotational symmetry (four-fold symmetry) around the vertical axis V. One first current-carrying body 87 is electrically connected to the first electrode 31 of the discharge portion 16, and in each mounting position of the discharge portion 16, the terminal connection portion 92, i.e., the first normal contact 171, of the first current-carrying body 87 comes into contact with one of the first selective contacts 172, thereby bringing the first current-carrying structure into a conducting state. Furthermore, the discharge portion 16 in (b) is provided with four second selective contacts 174 formed from the exposed portions of the second electrodes 32, which are arranged with rotational symmetry (four-fold symmetry) around the vertical axis V. The base portion 15 is provided with one second current-carrying body 88, i.e., a second normal contact 173. In each mounting position of the discharge portion 16, the second normal contact 173 comes into contact with one of the second selective contacts 174, and the second current-carrying structure is in a conducting state.

(Tenth Embodiment) Figure 28 shows a tenth embodiment of the discharge device according to the present invention, which differs from the first embodiment in that it includes an operating lever 129 for separating the discharge unit 16 from the base unit 15. The operating lever 129 is supported by the base unit 15 so as to be able to swing up and down around a fulcrum 130 consisting of a horizontal axis. One end of the operating lever 129 is provided with an action unit 131 that faces the underside of the discharge unit 16, and the other end is provided with an operating unit 132. When the operating unit 132 is swung downward, a force in the opposite direction, i.e., an upward force, acts from the action unit 131 on the discharge unit 16. When this force exceeds the adhesive force between the magnet 53 and the magnetic material 54, the discharge unit 16 separates from the base unit 15. By using this operating lever 129, the discharge unit 16 can be separated from the base unit 15 without touching it, thereby reliably preventing fingertips from accidentally touching the first electrode 31 or the dielectric 33 during separation. In addition, by positioning the fulcrum 130 closer to the action part 131 than to the operation part 132, the force required to separate the discharge part 16 can be reduced using the principle of leverage. In other words, by simply pressing down on the operation part 132 with a relatively small force, the user can apply a sufficient force from the action part 131 to the discharge part 16 and separate it from the base part 15.

In this embodiment, the attachment detection unit 17 is composed of a microswitch provided on the base unit 15, with its passive pin 133 positioned to face the underside of the discharge unit 16. In addition, a boost circuit (transformer) 22 is built into the base unit 15. When the discharge unit 16 is attached to the base unit 15 and the passive pin 133 is pressed into the underside of the discharge unit 16, the attachment detection unit 17 outputs a signal to the control unit 21. In the ON state where the control unit 21 receives this signal, it determines that the discharge unit 16 is attached to the base unit 15 and supplies voltage to the boost circuit 22. On the other hand, when the control unit 21 switches to the OFF state where it cannot receive a signal from the attachment detection unit 17, it determines that the discharge unit 16 has been detached from the base unit 15 and immediately interrupts the supply of voltage to the boost circuit 22.

The attachment detection unit 17, which is made up of a microswitch provided on the base unit 15, can determine whether the discharge unit 16 is attached or not before starting to pass current to the base unit 15, based on whether the discharge unit 16 abuts against the passive pin 133. This completely prevents current from passing through the base unit 15 when the discharge unit 16 is not attached, reliably preventing electric shock accidents in the unlikely event that a user were to touch an energized first terminal 85 or second current-carrying body 88. Furthermore, by configuring the attachment detection unit 17 as a microswitch, as in this embodiment, the attachment detection unit 17 can operate properly even when a magnet is placed in place of the magnetic body 54 on the base unit 15.

In addition to being configured with a magnetic sensor or microswitch, the attachment detection unit 17 can also be configured with the aforementioned light detection unit 28, which detects the light emitted by the discharge unit 16 when it discharges. When the attachment detection unit 17 is configured with the light detection unit 28, it is possible to determine whether the discharge unit 16 is attached or not based on the presence or absence of light emitted by the discharge unit 16 immediately after starting to pass electricity to the base unit 15. If the light detection unit 28, which determines the degree of contamination of the discharge unit 16, also serves as the attachment detection unit 17, which detects whether the discharge unit 16 is attached or not, the production costs of the discharge device 6 can be reduced compared to when the two are provided separately.

(Eleventh embodiment) Figure 29 shows an eleventh embodiment of the discharge device according to the present invention, which differs from the first embodiment in that it includes a handle 181 for separating the discharge unit 16 from the base unit 15. The handle 181 is fixed to the upper surface of the outer case 37 of the discharge case 34 and is spaced upward from both electrodes 31 and 32. The user can separate the discharge unit 16 from the base unit 15 by grasping the handle 181 and pulling it up. This embodiment effectively prevents the user from accidentally touching the electrodes 31 and 32 by grasping a part other than the handle 181 during separation, resulting in the adhesion of sebum and the like.

(Twelfth Embodiment) Figure 30 shows a twelfth embodiment of the discharge device according to the present invention, which differs from the first embodiment in that the first electrode 31 can be moved toward and away from the dielectric 33. The discharge unit 16 here comprises an upper case 183 that holds the first electrode 31, and a lower case 184 that holds the second electrode 32 and the dielectric 33. The upper case 183 is connected to the top of the lower case 184 via a swing shaft 185 in the front-to-rear direction, and can swing up and down around the swing shaft 185 between a lower discharge position where the first electrode 31 is in close contact with the upper surface of the dielectric 33, and an upper retracted position where the first electrode 31 is moved upwardly away from the dielectric 33.

The first current-carrying structure is the same as in the fourth embodiment, with one first current-carrying body 87 connected to the first electrode 31 and two first terminals 85 provided on the base portion 15. The lower case 184 also has a vertical hole 186 extending vertically through the lower case 184 to accommodate the terminal connection portion 92 of the first current-carrying body 87. The first current-carrying body 87 moves together with the first electrode 31. When the upper case 183 is in the retracted position, the terminal connection portion 92 (first normal contact 171) exits the vertical hole 186 and separates from the first terminal 85 (first selective contact 172), placing the first current-carrying structure in a non-conductive state. When the upper case 183 is returned from the retracted position to the discharge position, the terminal connection portion 92 enters the vertical hole 186 from above, and eventually its lower end reaches the upper surface of the first terminal 85. An upwardly expanding guide surface 187 is formed at the top of the vertical hole 186 to assist the insertion of the terminal connection portion 92. Because the vertical hole 186 is spaced horizontally (to the left) from the dielectric 33, this prevents the terminal connection portion 92 from coming close to the dielectric 33 and causing a discharge between the terminal connection portion 92 and the second electrode 32. The second current-carrying structure is the same as in the second embodiment, so its description will be omitted.

When the first electrode 31 is removably attached to the dielectric 33, the first electrode 31 and its surroundings can be cleaned thoroughly with a cleaning brush or the like while the first electrode 31 is separated from the dielectric 33. If the first current-carrying body 87 separates from the first terminal 85 and the first current-carrying structure is de-energized when the first electrode 31 separates from the dielectric 33, high voltage is not applied to the first electrode 31 during cleaning, allowing for safe cleaning. If the lower case 184 is formed with a vertical hole 186 that accommodates the terminal connection portion 92, the peripheral surface of the vertical hole 186 can guide the terminal connection portion 92 toward the first terminal 85 during the process of returning the first electrode 31 to its original position after cleaning, ensuring reliable contact between the terminal connection portion 92 and the first terminal 85. Forming an upwardly expanding guide surface 187 at the top of the vertical hole 186 can further facilitate guiding the terminal connection portion 92 into the vertical hole 186. By using the vertical hole 186 as the only path for accessing the first terminal 85 from above, the user's fingertips and other parts of the body can be prevented from accidentally touching the first terminal 85, preventing the user from getting an electric shock and protecting the first terminal 85.

(Thirteenth embodiment) Figure 31 shows a thirteenth embodiment of the discharge device according to the present invention, which differs from the twelfth embodiment in that the upper case 183 is detachably attached to the top of the lower case 184, and in the configuration of the first current conductor 87. Here, the first current conductor 87 is composed of three components, arranged in this order from top to bottom: an upper current conductor 190, an intermediate terminal 191, and a lower current conductor 192. Current can be passed from the first terminal 85 to the first electrode 31 via the lower current conductor 192, the intermediate terminal 191, and the upper current conductor 190, in that order.

Like the first current conductor 87 in each of the above embodiments, the upper current conductor 190 integrally comprises an electrode connection portion, a seaming portion, and a terminal connection portion, and the electrode connection portion is connected to one end of the first electrode 31. The intermediate terminal 191 is made of a metal plate fixed to the vertical middle of the vertical hole 186, and the terminal connection portion of the upper current conductor 190 is elastically attached to its upper surface. The lower current conductor 192 is shaped like a compression coil spring with its axis extending vertically, and constitutes the first normal contact 171. The upper end of the lower current conductor 192 is inseparably connected to the lower surface of the intermediate terminal 191, and the lower end of the lower current conductor 192 is elastically attached to the upper surface of the first terminal 85, i.e., the first selective contact 172.

The upper current-carrying body 190 moves together with the first electrode 31. When the upper case 183 is separated from the lower case 184, the terminal connection portion of the upper current-carrying body 190 comes out of the vertical hole 186 and separates from the intermediate terminal 191, causing the first current-carrying structure to enter a non-conductive state. Also, by separating the discharge portion 16, which is formed by integrating the upper case 183 and lower case 184, from the base portion 15, the lower current-carrying body 192 separates from the first terminal 85, causing the first current-carrying structure to enter a non-conductive state.

If the first electrode 31 can be moved toward and away from the dielectric 33, the first electrode 31 and its surroundings can be cleaned thoroughly with a cleaning brush or the like while the first electrode 31 is separated from the dielectric 33. If the upper conductive body 190 separates from the intermediate terminal 191 and the first conductive structure is in a non-conductive state when the first electrode 31 separates from the dielectric 33, high voltage is not applied to the first electrode 31 during the cleaning, allowing for safe cleaning.

When one end (terminal connection portion) of the upper current-carrying body 190 contacts the intermediate terminal 191 and is housed in the vertical hole 186 provided in the lower case 184 (discharge portion 16), the periphery of the vertical hole 186 guides one end of the upper current-carrying body 190 toward the intermediate terminal 191 during the process of returning the first electrode 31, which has been separated from the dielectric 33 for cleaning or other reasons, ensuring contact between the two. Furthermore, by positioning the intermediate terminal 191 at the back of the vertical hole 186, the user's fingertips and other objects cannot accidentally touch the intermediate terminal 191, thereby preventing electric shock to the user and protecting the intermediate terminal 191. Because the vertical hole 186 is spaced horizontally (to the left) from the dielectric 33, this prevents the one end of the upper current-carrying body 190 from approaching the dielectric 33 and causing a discharge between the second electrode 32 and the dielectric 33.

(Fourteenth Embodiment) Figure 32 shows a fourteenth embodiment of the discharge device according to the present invention. This differs from the first embodiment in that the rod-shaped first electrode 31 is rotatable around its central axis. A rotational operation dial 167 located on the outside of the discharge case 34 is connected to one end of the first electrode 31. The electrode connection portion 90 of the first current conductor 87 is simply wrapped around the first electrode 31 without being fixed thereto. Friction between the electrode connection portion 90 and the first electrode 31 is sufficiently small, so the first current conductor 87 does not rotate along with the first electrode 31. Furthermore, a wiping body 168 extending parallel to the first electrode 31 is positioned in contact with the first electrode 31. This wiping body 168 allows the user to easily clean the first electrode 31 simply by rotating it, without using tools such as a cleaning brush.

If the rod-shaped first electrode 31 is configured to be rotatable around its central axis, its entire surface can be easily cleaned. Furthermore, even if dirt that cannot be completely removed adheres to part of the surface of the first electrode 31, discharging can be performed without any problems by placing the uncontaminated surface facing the dielectric 33.

In the present invention, the first electrode 31 and the second electrode 32 may have any shape. In addition to the rod and film shapes shown in the above embodiments, electrode pairs formed in needle, plate, cylindrical, annular, and other shapes, and appropriate combinations of these shapes, can be used. The discharge device of the present invention can be applied to ozonizers and ionizers, contributing to Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-Being) of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Furthermore, by incorporating the discharge device into devices that emit treated air, such as air conditioners, humidifiers, and air purifiers, the discharged air can be disinfected. Alternatively, by installing the device inside a refrigerator, closet, or toilet, the device can be used to deodorize and disinfect the space. Furthermore, the discharge device can also be applied to ozonated water generators that dissolve ozone in water. The generated ozonated water can be used in washing machines, flush toilets, food and dishwashing, and medical equipment cleaning.

6 Discharge device 15 Base portion 16 Discharge portion 17 Mounting detection portion 31 First electrode 32 Second electrode 33 Dielectric 42 Base case 43 Upper portion 44 Lower portion 46 Mounting recess 53 Magnet 64 Electrode support structure 79 Mark 92 Terminal connection portion 129 Operating lever 130 Fulcrum 131 Action portion 132 Operating portion 133 Passive pin 168 Wiping body 171 First normal contact 172 First selection contact 173 Second normal contact 174 Second selection contact 177 First contact protection portion 178 Second contact protection portion 181 Handle 186 Vertical hole 187 Guide surface 190 Upper conductive body 191 Intermediate terminal V Vertical axis

Claims (29)

A discharge device comprising an upper discharge section (16) including a pair of a first electrode (31) and a second electrode (32), and a lower base section (15) to which the discharge section (16) is detachably attached,
The discharge section (16) is formed so as to be mountable on the base section (15) in a plurality of mounting positions having different phases around a vertical axis (V) extending in the up-down direction,
a first current-carrying structure for conducting current from the base portion (15) to the first electrode (31) and a second current-carrying structure for conducting current from the base portion (15) to the second electrode (32);
the first and second current-carrying structures each include a normal contact (171, 173) provided on one of the discharge portion (16) and the base portion (15), and a plurality of selective contacts (172, 174) provided on the other;
The plurality of selection contacts (172, 174) are arranged rotationally symmetrically around the vertical axis (V),
A discharge device characterized in that, in each mounting position of the discharge section (16), the normal contacts (171, 173) come into contact with either of the selective contacts (172, 174), causing the first current-carrying structure and/or the second current-carrying structure to be in a conducting state. The first current-carrying structure includes one first normal contact (171) provided on the base portion (15) and a plurality of first selective contacts (172) provided on the discharge portion (16),
Each first selection contact (172) is comprised of a conductive spring electrically connected to a first electrode (31);
2. The discharge device according to claim 1, wherein in each mounting position of the discharge portion (16), any one of the first selective contacts (172) elastically contacts the first normal contact (171) of the base portion (15). The first current-carrying structure includes one first normal contact (171) provided in the discharge portion (16) and a plurality of first selective contacts (172) provided in the base portion (15);
The first normal contact (171) is composed of a conductive spring electrically connected to the first electrode (31);
2. The discharge device according to claim 1, wherein the first normal contact (171) elastically contacts any one of the first selective contacts (172) of the base portion (15) in each mounting position of the discharge portion (16). The second current-carrying structure includes one second normal contact (173) provided on the base portion (15) and a plurality of second selective contacts (174) provided on the discharge portion (16),
The second normal contact (173) is made of a conductive spring,
4. A discharge device according to claim 1, wherein the second normal contact (173) is elastically brought into close contact with any one of the second selective contacts (174) of the discharge unit (16) in each mounting position of the discharge unit (16). The second current-carrying structure includes one second normal contact (173) provided in the discharge portion (16) and a plurality of second selective contacts (174) provided in the base portion (15);
Each second selective contact (174) is comprised of a conductive spring;
4. A discharge device according to claim 1, wherein in each mounting position of the discharge unit (16), any of the second selective contacts (174) elastically contacts the second normal contacts (173) of the discharge unit (16). A discharge device as described in claim 2, wherein the remaining first selection contacts (172) except for one first selection contact (172) that is in close contact with the first normal contact (171) are surrounded by a first contact protection portion (177) provided on the base portion (15). A discharge device as described in claim 3, in which a first contact protection portion (177) consisting of a protrusion provided on the discharge portion (16) faces directly opposite the remaining first selection contacts (172) except for one first selection contact (172) that can receive the first normal contact (171). A discharge device as described in claim 4, wherein a second contact protection portion (178) consisting of a protrusion provided on the base portion (15) faces the remaining second selection contacts (174) except for one second selection contact (174) that can receive the second normal contact (173). A discharge device as described in claim 5, wherein the remaining second selective contacts (174) except for one second selective contact (174) in close contact with the second normal contact (173) are surrounded by a second contact protection portion (178) provided in the discharge portion (16). The base case (42) that forms the base of the base part (15) is formed in a stepped shape having an upper step part (43) and a lower step part (44),
2. The discharge device according to claim 1, wherein the discharge portion (16) is provided with a downward mounting recess (46) that engages with the upper step portion (43). A discharge device as described in claim 10, wherein an attachment/retention means for holding the discharge unit (16) in an attached state is provided between the upper portion (43) of the base case (42) and the discharge unit (16). The first current-carrying structure includes one first normal contact (171) provided in the lower portion (44) of the base case (42) of the base portion (15) and a plurality of first selective contacts (172) provided in the discharge portion (16),
Each first selection contact (172) is comprised of a conductive spring electrically connected to a first electrode (31);
12. The discharge device according to claim 11, wherein in each mounting position of the discharge portion (16), any one of the first selective contacts (172) elastically contacts the first normal contact (171) of the base portion (15). The second current-carrying structure includes one second normal contact (173) provided on the upper stage (43) of the base case (42) of the base portion (15) and a plurality of second selective contacts (174) provided on the discharge portion (16),
The second normal contact (173) is made of a conductive spring,
13. The discharge device according to claim 12, wherein the second normal contact (173) elastically contacts any one of the second selective contacts (174) of the discharge unit (16) in each mounting position of the discharge unit (16). The discharge device according to claim 1, further comprising an attachment detection unit (17) that detects whether the discharge unit (16) is attached to the base unit (15). A magnet (53) is provided in the discharge section (16),
15. The discharge device according to claim 14, wherein the attachment detection unit (17) comprises a magnetic sensor provided on the base unit (15). The attachment detection unit (17) is composed of a microswitch provided on the base unit (15),
15. The discharge device according to claim 14, wherein when the discharge part (16) is attached to the base part (15), the discharge part (16) abuts against the passive pin (133) of the microswitch. The discharge device described in claim 14, wherein the attachment detection unit (17) is composed of a camera that detects light emitted when the discharge unit (16) discharges. A discharge device as described in claim 14, wherein the attachment detection unit (17) is composed of a photodiode that detects light emitted when the discharge unit (16) discharges. The first electrode (31) is formed in a rod shape,
An electrode support structure (64) that covers and supports both ends of the first electrode (31) is provided in a discharge case (34) that serves as a base of the discharge section (16),
2. The discharge device according to claim 1, wherein a mark (79) consisting of a protrusion is provided on the outer surface of the discharge case (34) near the electrode support structure (64). A discharge device as described in claim 1, wherein the discharge portion (16) has a handle (181) spaced apart from both electrodes (31, 32). An operating lever (129) for separating the discharge part (16) from the base part (15) is supported by the base part (15) so as to be able to swing up and down around a fulcrum (130),
2. The discharge device according to claim 1, wherein the operating lever (129) has an operating portion (131) at one end facing the underside of the discharge portion (16), and an operating portion (132) at the other end. A plate-shaped dielectric (33) is disposed between the first electrode (31) and the second electrode (32),
2. The discharge device according to claim 1, further comprising an electrode support structure (64) for supporting the first electrode (31) so that the first electrode (31) can be moved toward and away from the dielectric (33). the first current-carrying structure includes an intermediate terminal (191) provided in the discharge portion (16) and supplied with power from the base portion (15), and an upper current-carrying body (190) that electrically connects the first electrode (31) to the intermediate terminal (191);
The discharge device according to claim 22, wherein when the first electrode (31) moves away from the dielectric (33), the upper conductive body (190) moves together with the first electrode (31) and moves away from the intermediate terminal (191), so that the first conductive structure is in a non-conductive state. 24. The discharge device according to claim 23 , wherein one end of the upper conductive body (190) contacts the intermediate terminal (191) and is housed in a vertical hole (186) provided in the discharge portion (16) . The discharge device according to claim 24 , wherein the vertical hole (186) is spaced apart from the dielectric (33) in a plan view of the discharge portion (16) . the first current-carrying structure includes a first terminal (85) provided on the base portion (15) and a first current-carrying body (87) that electrically connects the first electrode (31) to the first terminal (85);
The discharge device according to claim 22, wherein when the first electrode (31) moves away from the dielectric (33), the first current-carrying body (87) moves together with the first electrode (31) and moves away from the first terminal (85), so that the first current-carrying structure is in a non-conductive state . The first current-carrying body (87) includes a terminal connection portion (92) that contacts the first terminal (85),
The discharge part (16) is provided with a vertical hole (186) for accommodating the terminal connection part (92),
27. The discharge device according to claim 26 , wherein an upwardly expanding guide surface (187) is formed at the top of the vertical hole (186) . A plate-shaped dielectric (33) is disposed between the first electrode (31) and the second electrode (32),
2. The discharge device according to claim 1 , wherein the first electrode (31) is formed in a round rod shape and is configured to be rotatable around its central axis . 29. The discharge device according to claim 28 , wherein a wiping body (168) extending parallel to the first electrode (31) is arranged in contact with the first electrode (31) .