WO2011021708A1

WO2011021708A1 - Blower including discharge device

Info

Publication number: WO2011021708A1
Application number: PCT/JP2010/064130
Authority: WO
Inventors: Shinjirou Seto; Akihide Sugawa
Original assignee: Panasonic Electric Works Co., Ltd.
Priority date: 2009-08-18
Filing date: 2010-08-17
Publication date: 2011-02-24
Also published as: TW201115084A; JP2011038747A

Abstract

A blower that releases and suspends charged fine water droplets or ions generated by a discharge device into an air flow blown out of an outlet while preventing the air flow from being reversed in a duct toward the discharge device. The blower is also reduced in overall size without a conduit for the charged fine water droplets or ions extending greatly outward from the duct. The blower has a duct (7) including an inlet (4), an outlet (5), and a fan (6). An inner bulging barrier (8) formed integrally with the duct projects into the duct from part of a duct wall (9). The inner bulging barrier has a distal end located near the duct outlet. A conduit (10) that opens near the outlet of the duct is formed in the inner bulging barrier, and the charged fine water droplets or ions is released into the conduit.

Description

DESCRIPTION

BLOWER INCLUDING DISCHARGE DEVICE TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a blower including a discharge device, which functions as an electrostatic atomization device that performs electrostatic atomization to generate charged fine water droplets or an ion generation device that generates ions.

BACKGROUND ART In the prior art, charged fine water droplets of a nanometer size, generated by an electrostatic atomization device, are suspended in a flow of air current blown out of a blower outlet of a vehicle air conditioner and released into the interior, or passenger compartment, of a vehicle such as an automobile. Such fine water droplets may also be released inside a room of a building.

The nanometer size charged fine water droplets released indoors includes radicals such as super oxide radicals or hydroxyl radicals. Such charged fine water droplets has a deodorizing effect and removes odor components from the walls, seats, dashboard, curtains, and the like in a passenger compartment or room. In addition, charged fine water droplets have a deactivating effect on allergens, such as pollen that may be caught in the clothes of a person entering the passenger compartment or room. Charged fine water droplets also have a moisturizing effect and

moisturize a person's skin and hair. An electrostatic atomization device may be arranged in a duct of a blower, for example, so that charged fine water droplets generated by the electrostatic atomization device in the duct are suspended in the flow of air produced by the blower and released into a passenger compartment or room. In this case, however, due to the arrangement of the

electrostatic atomization device in the duct, when

generating charged fine water droplets with the

electrostatic atomization device, the temperature, humidity, and the like of the air flowing through the duct hinder stable generation of the charged fine water droplets.

Further, it is difficult to install the electrostatic atomization device. Moreover, it is difficult to carry out maintenance and inspections on the electrostatic atomization device .

To solve such problems, the electrostatic atomization device may be arranged outside the duct, and the charged fine water droplets generated outside the duct may be released into the duct of the blower. However, when the blower is activated, a current constantly flows through the duct, and the duct is often in a positive pressure state. When the duct is in a positive pressure state, the flow of air in the duct is reversed toward the electrostatic

atomization device. Thus, the charged fine water droplets cannot be released into the duct. Accordingly, the charged fine water droplets cannot be released into the duct except at certain portions where the pressure is negative in the duct.

Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2008-37247 discusses an intake pipe that draws in charged fine water droplets from an electrostatic atomization device located outside a duct. The intake pipe extends into the duct through a hole formed in the wall of the duct. Further, the intake pipe has an open distal end arranged near the outlet of the duct. This structure prevents a reversed flow of air toward the electrostatic atomization device that would be produced by a pressure difference.

However, the intake pipe of Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2008-37247 must be inserted into the hole of the duct, and the distal end of the inserted intake pipe must be guided to a position near the outlet of the duct. In this case, the intake pipe, which diagonally traverses the interior of the duct, may lower the blowing capacity of the blower (output capacity) . Further, insertion of the guide pipe into the duct is burdensome. Moreover, a hole must be formed directly in the duct for insertion of the guide pipe. Unless the hole is properly sealed, the air flowing through the duct may leak out of the hole and lower the capacity of the blower.

Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2007-163109 describes another prior art example of a device that

arranges an electrostatic atomization device outside a duct and connects an intake pipe to the electrostatic atomization device. The intake pipe is arranged outside the duct and does not enter the duct. The intake pipe has an open distal end arranged near an outlet of the duct. In this structure, the entire intake pipe is arranged outside the duct. This enlarges the bulk of the device at the portion including the duct and the intake pipe and increases the overall size of the blower. When installed, for example, in a vehicle such as an automobile, such a large blower will be subject to many restrictions.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a blower that suspends charged fine water droplets or ions generated by a discharge device in the flow of air discharged from an outlet while preventing the flow of air in the duct from being reversed toward the discharge device without forming a hole directly in the portion of the duct through which the air flows. In addition, overall size of the blower is reduced without a conduit, through which the charged fine water droplets or ions flow, extending greatly outward from the duct.

One aspect of the present invention is a blower

including a discharge device that is an electrostatic atomization device for generating charged fine water

droplets by performing electrostatic atomization or an ion generation device for generating ions. The blower is provided with a duct including an inlet arranged at an upstream end, an outlet arranged at a downstream end, and a fan. An inner bulging barrier is formed integrally with a wall of the duct and projects into the duct from part of the wall of the duct. The inner bulging barrier extends along the duct and has a distal end located near the outlet of the duct. A conduit that opens near the outlet of the duct is formed in the inner bulging barrier, and the charged fine water droplets or ions generated by the discharge device is released into the conduit.

Preferably, the inner bulging barrier forms a cavity therein that is in communication with the distal end of the inner bulging barrier, and the cavity forms the conduit for the charged fine water droplets and ions.

Preferably, an outer depressed barrier is formed in an outer surface of the duct as a depression depressed along the inner bulging barrier and defining an outer surface of the inner bulging barrier. Further, a tube is arranged in the outer depressed barrier, with the tube including the conduit therein.

Preferably, the inner bulging barrier includes a portion that forms at least one corner of the duct in a cross- section perpendicular to a direction in which air flows. Preferably, a movable louver faces toward the outlet of the duct and a distal end of the conduit that opens near the outlet. The movable louver includes an opening communicable with the distal end of the conduit even when a portion of the movable louver facing toward the distal end of the conduit is closed.

Preferably, the duct includes a connection port formed in an outer surface of the duct at a position along a longitudinal direction of the inner bulging barrier.

Preferably, the duct includes a plurality of connection ports formed in an outer surface of the duct along a

longitudinal direction of the inner bulging barrier. Preferably, the duct includes a plurality of thin portions that are thinner than the wall of the duct and formed in an outer surface of the duct along a longitudinal direction of the inner bulging barrier. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional diagram showing a blower including a discharge device according to one embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional diagram showing another blower including an ion generation device (electrostatic atomization device) arranged at a different position;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing the electrostatic atomization device used in the blower;

Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the main body of the electrostatic atomization device used in the blower;

Fig. 5 is a partial perspective view showing one example of a duct including an inner bulging barrier;

Fig. 6 is a partial perspective view showing another example of a duct including an inner bulging barrier;

Fig. 7 is a partial perspective view showing a further example of a duct including an inner bulging barrier;

Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional diagram showing a blower according to another embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional diagram showing another blower including an ion generation device (electrostatic atomization device) arranged at a different position;

Fig. 10 is a partial perspective view showing the blower of Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional diagram showing a blower according to a further embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 12 (a) is a perspective view showing movable louvers arranged in a blower according to the present invention;

Fig. 12 (b) is a perspective view showing a movable louver including an outlet opening in the blower of Fig.

12 (a); Fig. 13 (a) is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which charged fine water droplets are released from the open movable louvers; and

Fig. 13 (b) is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which charged fine water droplets are released from the closed movable louvers.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Embodiments according to the present invention will now be described with reference to the attached drawings.

The drawings show a blower 3 according to the present invention embodied in an air conditioner 3a for a vehicle such as an automobile. The blower 3 includes an

electrostatic atomization device 1, which serves as a discharge device 2.

The air conditioner 3a includes a duct 7, a fan 6, and a heat exchanger 19. The duct 7 has an upstream end defining an inlet 4, which draws in air from outside or inside a passenger compartment 18 of the automobile, and a blower outlet 5, from which the drawn in and air-conditioned air is discharged into the passenger compartment 18. The fan 6 is arranged in the duct 7. The heat exchanger 19 is used to perform air-conditioning.

The heat exchanger 19 arranged in the air conditioner 3a performs air-conditioning by cooling and humidifying the air delivered by the fan 6. An evaporator and a heater, for example, may be used as the heat exchanger 19.

The duct 7 has walls 9. An inner bulging barrier 8, which is formed integrally with one of the walls 9, projects into the duct 7 from part of the wall 9. The inner bulging barrier 8 extends in the longitudinal direction of the duct 7 (in the direction in which air flows) and has a distal end located near the blower outlet 5 of the duct 7.

In the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the embodiment shown in Fig. 5, the embodiment shown in Fig. 5, and the embodiment shown in Fig. 7, a cavity 11 is formed in the inner bulging barrier 8 along the longitudinal direction of the inner bulging barrier 8. The cavity 11 forms a conduit 10. The conduit 10 has an open distal end, which is located at the distal end face of the inner bulging barrier 8, and a closed basal end. The cavity 11 is not in communication with the portion of the duct 7 through which air flows.

The inner bulging barrier 8 projecting into the duct 7 from part of one of the walls 9 may have any shape. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 5, the inner bulging barrier 8 projects into the duct 7 from a laterally middle portion of one of the walls 9, which forms one side of the duct 7. In this case, gaps 20 are formed by the two side surfaces of the inner bulging barrier 8 and the walls opposed to the side surfaces. The gaps 20 may divide the air flow at the two sides of the inner bulging barrier 8 and thereby cause disturbance in the air flow at the blower outlet 5. In contrast, the inner bulging barrier 8 shown in Figs. 6 and 7 includes a portion forming a corner of the duct 7 in a cross-section perpendicular to the direction air flows. This structure is further preferable since the inner bulging barrier 8 does not divide the air flow, and

disturbance in the air current is suppressed at the blower 64130 outlet 5. It is obvious that the duct 7 and the inner

bulging barrier 8 may have any cross-sectional shape and are not limited to the cross-sectional shapes of the examples discussed above.

Referring to Fig. 3, the electrostatic atomization

device 1 is arranged outside the duct 7 and coupled as an externally attached device to the duct 7 or another member forming the duct 7.

The electrostatic atomization device 1 has an outer shell formed by a housing 21. Referring to Fig. 4, an

electrostatic atomization device body 22 is arranged in the housing 21. The electrostatic atomization device body 22 includes a discharge electrode 23, an electrostatic

atomization chamber 30, a water supply means 25, and a high voltage application means 26. The discharge electrode 23 is cylindrical and has a tapered end. The electrostatic

atomization chamber 30 accommodates the discharge electrode 23. The water supply means 25 supplies water to the distal portion of the discharge electrode 23. The high voltage application means 26 applies high voltage to the water

supplied to the discharge electrode 23 and performs

electrostatic atomization to generate charged fine water droplets. In the embodiments shown in the attached drawings, the water supply means 25 cools the moisture suspended in air with a cooling means such as a Peltier unit 27 to

generate condensed water and supply water to the discharge electrode 23. Accordingly, the cooling means forms the water supply means 25, which supplies water to the discharge electrode 23.

In the embodiments shown in the attached drawings, the interior of a main body case 28 is divided by a partition 29. The Peltier unit 27, which is the water supply means 25, is arranged in the main body case 28 at one side of the partition 29. The other side of the partition 29 defines the electrostatic atomization chamber 30 in the main body case 28.

The Peltier unit 27 includes two Peltier circuit boards. Each Peltier circuit board is an insulative plate formed from alumina or aluminum nitride, which have superior thermal conductivity. Circuits are formed on one side of each Peltier circuit board, with the circuits of the two Peltier circuit boards facing toward each other. A plurality of BiTe thermoelectric elements is held between the two Peltier circuit boards, and the two Peltier circuit boards electrically connect adjacent ones of the thermoelectric elements. Current activating the thermoelectric elements is supplied through a Peltier input lead line to transfer heat from one Peltier circuit board to the other Peltier circuit board. A cooling unit 31 is connected to the outer side of one of the Peltier circuit boards, and a heat dissipation unit 32 is connected to the outer side of the other one of the Peltier circuit boards. In Fig. 4, the heat dissipation unit 32 is shown as heat dissipation fins.

The discharge electrode 23 has a basal end connected to the cooling unit 31 of the Peltier unit 27. The discharge electrode 23 is inserted through a hole formed in the partition 29 of the main body case 28 so as to project into the electrostatic atomization chamber 30.

In the embodiment shown in Fig. 4, an annular opposing electrode 33 is arranged on the open distal end of the 30

11

tubular main body case 28.

A wall extending around the electrostatic atomization chamber 30 of the main body case 28 includes a plurality of openings arranged along the circumferential direction.

The housing 21 includes a release port 36, from which the fine charged fine water droplets generated by the

electrostatic atomization device body 22 are released. In Fig. 3, the release port 36 is tubular and has a basal end that is in communication with the electrostatic atomization chamber 30 through a distal portion of the main body case 28 (in Fig. 4, a central opening 35 in the opposing electrode 33) .

As described above, the electrostatic atomization device 1 is arranged outside the duct 7 and coupled to the duct 7 or another member forming the duct 7. A connection port 40 is formed integrally with the duct 7 so as to be arranged between the electrostatic atomization device 1 and the

cavity 11 of the inner bulging barrier 8. The tubular

release port 36 of the electrostatic atomization device 1 is connected to the connection port 40. The connection port 40 is formed integrally with the outer surface of the duct 7 in correspondence with the

cavity 11 of the inner bulging barrier 8. Thus, although the connection port 40 is formed in the outer surface of the duct 1, a hole is not formed in the portion of the duct 7 through which air flows. Thus, air does not leak out of the walls 9 of the duct 7.

The connection port 40 may be formed at any position in the outer surface of the duct 7 in correspondence with longitudinal direction of the inner bulging barrier 8 as long as it faces toward the cavity 11 of the inner bulging barrier 8. This allows for the connection port 40 to be connected to the release port 36 near the electrostatic atomization device 1, which is arranged outside the duct 7. Figs. 1 and 2 show examples of where the electrostatic atomization device 1 may be arranged outside the duct 7 along the longitudinal direction of the duct 7.

In the embodiment shown in Fig. 6, a plurality of thin portions 41 are formed integrally with the duct 7 in the outer surface of the duct 7 in correspondence with the cavity 11 of the inner bulging barrier 8 along the

longitudinal direction of the inner bulging barrier 8. The thin portions 41 are thinner than the wall 9. The connection port 40 is formed in one of the thin portions 41, which are arranged along the longitudinal direction. In this

embodiment, since the connection port 40 is formed in one of the thin portions 41, the connection port 40 may easily be formed at any location along the longitudinal direction for connection with the release port 36 of the discharge device 2. The thin portion 41 in which the connection port 40 is formed may be formed continuously with or non-continuously with the circumference of the connection port 40.

In the embodiment shown in Fig. 7, a plurality of connection ports 40 are formed integrally with the duct 7 in the outer surface of the duct 7 in correspondence with the cavity 11 of the inner bulging barrier 8 along the

longitudinal direction of the inner bulging barrier 8. One 30

13

of the connection ports 40 is selected to connect the

tubular release port 36 of the electrostatic atomization device 1. The other connection ports 40 are closed by caps 42. This example also allows for the connection port 40 to be formed at any location along the longitudinal direction for connection with the release port 36 of the discharge device 2.

When the air conditioner 3a is activated, the fan 6 operates to draw air into the duct 7 from outside or inside the passenger compartment 18. The heat exchanger 19

regulates the air to the set temperature, and the air flows out of the duct 7 from the blower outlet 5 and into the passenger compartment 18.

During activation of the air conditioner 3a, operation of the electrostatic atomization device 1 activates the

Peltier unit 27 and cools the cooling unit 31. This cools the discharge electrode 23 and condenses the moisture in the air to supply the distal portion of the discharge electrode 23 with water (condensed water) . When the discharge

electrode 23 is supplied with water in such a manner, high voltage is applied to the water supplied to the distal

portion of the discharge electrode 23. The high voltage locally and conically raises the liquid surface of the water supplied to the distal portion of the discharge electrode 23 and forms a Taylor cone. When the Taylor cone is formed, electric charge is concentrated at the distal end of the

Taylor cone. This increases the electric field density at the distal end of the Taylor cone such that the Taylor cone further grows. In this manner, when the Taylor cone grows and the electric charge concentration at the distal end of the Taylor cone becomes high, a large energy (i.e., the 064130

14

repulsive force of the high concentration charge) acts on the distal portion of the Taylor cone. As a result, the

Taylor cone overcomes the surface tension and repeats

breaking and scattering (Rayleigh breakup) . This generates a large amount of charged fine water droplets, which are

negatively charged and are of nanometer size.

The charged fine water droplets generated by the

electrostatic atomization device 1 pass through the release port 36 and enter the cavity 11 that forms the conduit 10 in the inner bulging barrier 8, which is formed integrally with the duct 7. The charged fine water droplets are then sent out of a distal conduit outlet 14. The conduit outlet 14, which is arranged at the distal end of the conduit 10, is located near the blower outlet 5 of the duct 7. In the illustrated embodiments, the distal end of the inner bulging barrier 8 extends to the distal end of the duct 7, and the conduit outlet 14 at the distal end of the inner bulging barrier 8 is adjacent to the blower outlet 5 at the distal end of the duct 7. Accordingly, the charged fine water droplets are not released into the duct 7. The charged fine water droplets, which are shown by the broken line arrow in Figs. 1 and 2, become suspended in the air blown out from the blower outlet of the duct 7, which is shown by the solid line arrows in Figs. 1 and 2, when

entering the passenger compartment 18. In this case, the conduit outlet 14 at the distal end of the conduit 10 is located near the blower outlet 5. The fan 6 forcibly

produces a flow of air that keeps the duct 7 in a positive pressure state. Accordingly, a reversed flow of air directed toward the electrostatic atomization device 1 is not

produced in the duct 7. Further, the charged fine water 010/064130

15

droplets are drawn out of the conduit outlet 14 by the flow of air blown out of the blower outlet 5 and delivered to the passenger compartment 18 by the air flow. In this manner, the charged fine water droplets

generated by the electrostatic atomization device 1 are released from the conduit outlet 14 via the conduit 10 and suspended in the flow of air blown out of the blower outlet 5 without using a fan that smoothly delivers the charged fine water droplets to the conduit outlet 14.

It is obvious that a fan may be arranged in the

electrostatic atomization device 1 to produce a flow of the generated charged fine water droplets in the conduit 10 and outward from the conduit outlet 14. In this case, the

drawing force of the flow of air blown out of the blower outlet 5 and the flow produced by the fan in the

electrostatic atomization device 1 would have a synergetic effect that sends out the charged fine water droplets from the conduit outlet 14 and smoothly suspends the charged fine water droplets in the flow of air blown out of the blower outlet 5.

The nanometer size charged fine water droplets released into the passenger compartment 18 floats in the passenger compartment 18 and are caught on the walls, seat dashboard, and curtains in the passenger compartment 18. The charged fine water droplets are also caught in the clothes and hair of a vehicle occupant in the passenger compartment.

The nanometer size charged fine water droplets

(nanomist) generated by atomizing water include radicals such as superoxide radicals and hydroxyl radicals. Such JP2010/064Ϊ30

16

charged fine water droplets has a deodorizing effect and removes odor components from the walls, seats, dashboard, curtains, a vehicle occupant's clothes, and the like in the passenger compartment 18. In addition, the charged fine water droplets have a deactivating effect on allergens such as pollen that may be caught in the clothes of a vehicle occupant entering the passenger compartment. Charged fine water droplets also have an antiseptic effect, a

sterilization effect, and a moisturizing effect, which

moisturizes the vehicle occupant's skin and hair. Further, the charged fine water droplets are of nanometer size and small. This allows for the charged fine water droplets to float to every corner of the passenger compartment and enter fibers or the like in which the charged fine water droplets function to deodorize and sterilize such locations and

deactivate allergens at such locations .

Figs. 8 to 10 show another embodiment according to the present invention. The present embodiment is similar to the above-discussed embodiments in that an inner bulging barrier 8, which is formed integrally with a wall 9 of the duct 7, projects into the duct 7 from part of the wall 9. Further, the inner bulging barrier 8 extends in the longitudinal direction of the duct 7 (in the direction in which the air current flows) and has a distal end located near the blower outlet 5 of the duct 7. The present embodiment differs from the above-discussed embodiments in that an outer depressed barrier 12, which is a depression extending along the inner bulging barrier 8, is formed in the outer surface of the duct 7. A tube 13 is received in the outer depressed barrier 12. A conduit 10 extends through the tube 13.

In the embodiment shown in Figs. 8 to 10, the tube 13 is 010/064130

17

a hose. The tube 13 has a basal end, which is connected to the tubular release port 36 of the electrostatic atomization device, and a distal end, which forms a conduit outlet 14.

The tube 13 is fitted into the outer depressed barrier 12 so that the distal end of the tube 13 is located at the distal end of the outer depressed barrier 12. The tube 13 is fitted into the outer depressed barrier 12 by setting the length of the tube 13 in accordance with the position of the

electrostatic atomization device 1 relative to the duct 7.

This allows for the electrostatic atomization device 1 to be arranged at any position in the longitudinal direction of the duct 7 outside the duct 7.

In a state in which the tube 13 is fitted into the outer depressed barrier 12, the tube 13, which includes the

conduit 10, does not project out of the outer surface of the duct 7 or projects only partially from the other surface of the duct 7. This reduces the size of the entire blower 3. The tube 13 is not restricted to a hose of which the distal end is connected to the release port 36 of the

electrostatic atomization device 1 as described above. For example, as shown in Fig. 11, a tube discrete from the duct 7 may be fitted into the outer depressed barrier 12. A connection port 43 may be formed on the tube at any position in the longitudinal direction of the tube for connection with the tubular release port 36 of the electrostatic

atomization device 1. The advantages obtained when operating the air

conditioner 3a and the electrostatic atomization device 1 are the same as the advantages of the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 to 4. Such advantages will thus not be discussed 010/064130

18

below .

In the present embodiment, the outer surface of the duct 7 is depressed to form the outer depressed barrier 12. This facilitates the processing of the duct 7 and simplifies the structure of the duct 7.

It should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be embodied in many other specific forms without departing from the scope of the invention.

Particularly, it should be understood that the present

invention may be embodied in the following forms.

In each of the above-discussed embodiments, the conduit outlet 14 at the distal end of the conduit 10 and the blower outlet 5 at the distal end of the duct 7 are arranged at the same position with respect to the longitudinal direction of the duct 7. However, the conduit outlet 14 at the distal end of the conduit 10 may be located slightly toward the rear from the blower outlet 5 at the distal end of the duct 7.

Alternatively, the conduit outlet 14 at the distal end of the conduit 10 may be located slightly toward the front from the blower outlet 5 at the distal end of the duct 7. In each of the above-discussed embodiments, as shown in Figs. 12 and 13, movable louvers 15 may be arranged in front of the blower outlet 5 of the duct 7 and the conduit outlet 14 at the distal end of the conduit 10 that opens near the blower outlet 5. Pins extending from opposite sides of each movable louver 15 are attached to the duct 7 so that the movable louver 15 is pivotal about the pins. Movement of the movable louvers 15 changes the air flow direction. 30

19

The movable louver 15 that faces toward the conduit outlet 14 has an outlet opening 16 formed in correspondence with the conduit outlet 14. Thus, the conduit outlet 14 is communicable with the outlet opening 16 even when the

movable louvers 15 are closed. The outlet opening 16 may be provided in one of the movable louvers 15 or in more than one of the movable louvers 15.

In this structure, as shown in Fig. 13 (a) , when the movable louvers 15 are open and the charged fine water

droplets sent out of the conduit outlet 14 are suspended in the flow of air blown (discharged) out of the blower outlet 5 and released into the passenger compartment 18, the

charged fine water droplets are released in the direction set by the movable louvers 15. When the movable louvers 15 are closed, as shown in Fig. 13 (b) , the charged fine water droplets sent out of the conduit outlet 14 are released through the opposing outlet opening 16 into the passenger compartment 18.

Accordingly, when there is more than one blower outlet 5 like in an automobile and the movable louvers 15 for one blower outlet 5 is open while the movable louvers 15 for another blower outlet 5 is closed, the charged fine water droplets sent out of the conduit outlet 14 corresponding to the closed blower outlet 5 are released through the outlet opening 16 into the passenger compartment 18.

Further, when the air conditioner 3a, which is the

blower 3, stops operating and only the electrostatic

atomization device 1 is operating, the charged fine water droplets sent out of the conduit outlet 14 are released through the outlet opening 16 into the passenger compartment 064130

20

18 without interference from movable louvers 15.

In each of the above-discussed embodiments, the

electrostatic atomization device 1 is described as an

example of the discharge device 2. However, the discharge device 2 may be an ion generation device.

In this case, high voltage is applied to a discharge electrode 23 of the ion generation device to generate

positive or negative ions. The ions are released from a release port 36 of the ion generation device, travels

through a conduit 10, and are suspended in the flow of air blown out of the blower outlet 5 in the same manner as the above-discussed embodiments.

In each of the above-discussed examples, the

electrostatic atomization device 1 or ion generation device, which serves as the discharge device 2, is arranged in the passenger compartment of a vehicle. However, the arrangement of the discharge device 2 is not limited to a vehicle. For example, the discharge device may be arranged in a room of a building or any other area for releasing the charged fine water droplets or ions. In each of the above-discussed examples, the air

conditioner 3a, which serves as the blower 3, is for use in a vehicle such as an automobile. However, the blower 3 may also be a central-heating type air conditioner that controls air conditioning of an entire building or any other type of air conditioner.

The blower 3 is not limited to the air conditioner 3a that includes the heat exchanger 19. For example, the heat exchanger 19 may be eliminated from the blower 3.

The present examples and embodiments are to be

considered as illustrative and not restrictive, and the invention is not to be limited to the details given herein, but may be modified within the scope and equivalence of the appended claims.

Claims

T/JP2010/064J30 22 CLAIMS

1. A blower including a discharge device that is an electrostatic atomization device for generating charged fine water droplets by performing electrostatic atomization or an ion generation device for generating ions, the blower

comprising:

a duct including an inlet arranged at an upstream end, an outlet arranged at a downstream end, and a fan; and

an inner bulging barrier formed integrally with a wall of the duct and projecting into the duct from part of the wall of the duct, the inner bulging barrier extending along the duct and having a distal end located near the outlet of the duct, wherein a conduit that opens near the outlet of the duct is formed in the inner bulging barrier, and the charged fine water droplets or ions generated by the

discharge device is released into the conduit.

2. The blower according to claim 1, wherein the inner bulging barrier forms a cavity therein that is in

communication with the distal end of the inner bulging

barrier, and the cavity forms the conduit for the charged fine water droplets and ions.

3. The blower according to claim 1, further comprising: an outer depressed barrier formed in an outer surface of the duct as a depression depressed along the inner bulging barrier and defining an outer surface of the inner bulging barrier; and

a tube arranged in the outer depressed barrier, with the tube including the conduit therein.

4. The blower according to claim 1, wherein the inner bulging barrier includes a portion that forms at least one corner of the duct in a cross-section perpendicular to a direction in which air flows.

5. The blower according to claim 1, further comprising: a movable louver facing toward the outlet of the duct and a distal end of the conduit that opens near the outlet, wherein the movable louver includes an opening communicable with the distal end of the conduit even when a portion of the movable louver facing toward the distal end of the conduit is closed.

6. The blower according to claim 1, wherein the duct includes a connection port formed in an outer surface of the duct at a position along a longitudinal direction of the inner bulging barrier.

7. The blower according to claim 1, wherein the duct includes a plurality of connection ports formed in an outer surface of the duct along a longitudinal direction of the inner bulging barrier.

8. The blower according to claim 1, wherein the duct includes a plurality of thin portions that are thinner than the wall of the duct and formed in an outer surface of the duct along a longitudinal direction of the inner bulging barrier.