Maintenance-free static eliminator

Abstract

A static eliminator comprises at least one discharge needle for generating ions to eliminate static charge. A first hollow cylinder includes at least one opening for ions generated by the discharge needle to be emitted outside and provided with brushes for cleaning the discharge needle. A second hollow cylinder is provided with the discharge needle and rotatably disposed inside the first hollow cylinder. A discharge needle rotating mechanism is provided for causing to rotate the second hollow cylinder around the axis thereof to clean the discharge needle by wiping the discharge needle with the brushes.

1 - 10 . (canceled) 
   
   
       11 . A static eliminator which comprises:
 at least one discharge needle for generating ions to eliminate static charge,   a box type of housing provided with said discharge needle inside of said housing and openings for emitting outside ions generated from said discharge needle,   a brush driver attached to said housing for swinging brushes to wipe the dust attached to the discharge needle by the brushes, and   a first fan with a filter for sucking air in from outside the box through the openings and discharging clean air after removing the floating dust wiped away from said discharge needle by the brushes.   
   
   
       12 . A static eliminator according to  claim 11  which comprises a second fan with a filter for sucking air in the housing from the outside and sending clean air toward the discharge needle after removing the dust. 
   
   
       13 . A static eliminator according to  claim 11  which comprises a suction and air blow fan with a filter in which the direction of air blow is changed over so that clean air is sucked in the housing from the outside and is sent toward the discharge needles after removing the dust at the time of static elimination and the air is sucked in from the outside and is discharged outside the box after removing the floating dust wiped away from the discharge needles by the brushes at the time of cleaning. 
   
   
       14 . A static eliminator according to  claim 13  in which said change over of the direction of air blow is made by changing over passage of air within the housing. 
   
   
       15 . A static eliminator according to  claim 13  in which said change over of the direction of air blow is made by changing over the orientation of said suction and air blow fan within the housing. 
   
   
       16 . A static eliminator according to  claim 11  in which the cleaning of said discharge needles is carried out in accordance with one mode of the group consisting of: a predetermined program, external order, and indication of dust sensor for the discharge needle. 
   
   
       17 . (canceled) 
   
   
       18 . A static eliminator according to  claim 16  in which said predetermined program comprises:
 means for calculating a cleaning date on the basis of periodic data for cleaning the discharge needles,   means for comparing a calendar date and the date calculated by said calculating means to determine the cleaning date,   means for comparing the time data and clock time to determine the commencement of cleaning when the cleaning date comes, and   means for carrying out the cleaning by actuating the cleaning means in accordance with the indication of commencement, the indication from the external indication or the indication of dust sensor.