Sterilization method, ion generating device, ion generating apparatus, and air conditioning apparatus

Abstract

An ion generating device generates O 2 − (H 2 O) n (where n is a natural number) as negative ions and H + (H 2 O) m (where m is a natural number) as positive ions, and discharges those ions into the air so that airborne germs are killed through an oxidation reaction by hydrogen peroxide H 2 O 2 or radical hydroxyl OH generated through as an active species a chemical reaction between the negative and positive ions. Satisfactory sterilization is achieved when the negative and positive ions are generated in such a way that the concentrations of the negative and positive ions are both 10,000 ion/cc at a distance of 10 cm from the point at which they are generated.

1 . An ion generating device for generating O 2   − (H 2 O)n (where n is a natural number) as negative ions and H + (H 2 O)m (where m is a natural number) as positive ions, the ion generating device being disposed in a body of air and comprising a dielectric, a first electrode, and a second electrode, the first and second electrodes being arranged so as to face each other with the dielectric disposed in between,
 said electrodes being so shaped and so positioned as to generate said positive and negative ions in the air in the vicinity of at least one said electrode in response to an alternating current voltage of sufficient magnitude applied between said first and second electrodes.   
   
   
       2 . An ion generating device for generating O 2   − (H 2 O)n (where n is a natural number) as negative ions and H + (H 2 O)m (where m is a natural number) as positive ions,
 the ion generating device being disposed in a body of air and comprising a dielectric, a first electrode, and a second electrode, the first and second electrodes being arranged so as to face each other with the dielectric disposed in between,   said electrodes being configured and positioned as to generate said ions in the air in the vicinity of at least one electrode in response to an alternating current voltage of a predetermined magnitude, such that concentrations of the negative and positive ions are both 10,000 ions/cc or higher at a distance of 10 cm from a point at which the ions are generated.   
   
   
       3 . An ion generating device for generating O 2   − (H 2 O)n (where n is a natural number) as negative ions and H + (H 2 O)m (where m is a natural number) as positive ions in a body of air said ion generating device comprising an electrode structure so configured and so disposed in the body of air as to generate said ions as airborne entities in that body of air in response to an alternating current voltage of sufficient magnitude applied to said electrode structure. 
   
   
       4 . The ion generating device of  claim 3 , wherein said ions are both present in respective concentrations of 10,000 ions/cc or higher at a distance of 10 cm from a point at which said ions are generated. 
   
   
       5 . The ion generating device of  claim 3 , wherein said ions are both present in respective concentrations of 10,000 ions/cc or higher at a distance of 10 cm from a point at which said ions are generated; and
 wherein the magnitude of said alternating current voltage is 2.0 kVrms or lower.   
   
   
       6 . The ion generating device of  claim 1 ,  2 ,  3 ,  4  or  5 , further comprising:
 an alternating current voltage source connected to supply the requisite alternating current voltage thereof to said ion generating device, and   a blower for transporting said ions into said body of air.   
   
   
       7 . The ion generating device of  claim 1 ,  2 ,  3 ,  4  or  5 , further comprising:
 an alternating current voltage source for applying to said ion generating device an alternating current voltage of such a magnitude as to generate positive and negative ions for sterilizing said body of air in respective concentrations of 10,000 ions/cc or higher at a distance of 10 cm from a point at which said ions are generated while producing 0.1 ppm or less of ozone; and   a blower for transporting said ions into said body of air.   
   
   
       8 . An air conditioning apparatus comprising
 a housing containing the ion generating device of  claim 1 ,  2 ,  3 ,  4  or  5 , said housing being located in said body of air;   an air inlet in said housing;   an air outlet in said housing;   an alternating current voltage source associated with said air conditioning apparatus for applying an alternating current voltage to said ion generating device of such a magnitude as to generate said positive and negative ions; and   a blower in said housing for ingesting air into said housing to entrain said ions and transport said ions through said air outlet into said body of air.   
   
   
       9 . The air conditioning apparatus of  claim 8 , which further comprises an air filter intermediate said inlet and outlet for removing foreign particles from the air flowing therebetween. 
   
   
       10 . The air conditioning apparatus of  claim 8 , which further comprises:
 an air filter intermediate said inlet and outlet for removing foreign particles from the air flowing therebetween; and   a heat exchanger disposed in said air flowing between said inlet and outlet.   
   
   
       11 . The air conditioning apparatus of  claim 8  in which said alternating current voltage source applies to said ion generating device an alternating current voltage of such a magnitude as to generate positive and negative ions for sterilizing said body of air in respective concentrations of 10,000 ions/cc or higher at a distance of 10 cm from a point at which said ions are generated while producing 0.1 ppm or less of ozone. 
   
   
       12 . The air conditioning apparatus of  claim 11 , which further comprises an air filter intermediate said inlet and outlet for removing foreign particles from the air flowing therebetween. 
   
   
       13 . The air conditioning apparatus of  claim 11 , which further comprises:
 an air filter intermediate said inlet and outlet for removing foreign particles from the air flowing therebetween; and   a heat exchanger disposed in said air flowing between said inlet and outlet.