Electrostatic atomization device

Abstract

An electrostatic atomization device having a simple structure and allowing for reduction in size. The electrostatic atomization device has an atomization electrode including a P type Peltier element and an N type Peltier element joined with the P type Peltier element. The atomization electrode is cuspate so as to form a projection with a joined portion of the P type Peltier element and the N type Peltier element. High voltage is applied to the P and N type Peltier elements so that discharging occurs at a distal portion of the atomization electrode, current flows to the P and N type Peltier elements to produce a cooling effect at the joined portion, and condensed water generated by the cooling effect is atomized by the discharging to generate charged fine water droplets.

1 . An electrostatic atomization device comprising:
 an atomization electrode including a P type Peltier element and an N type Peltier element joined with the P type Peltier element, in which the atomization electrode is cuspate so as to form a projection with a joined portion of the P type Peltier element and the N type Peltier element;   wherein high voltage is applied to the P and N type Peltier elements so that discharging occurs at a distal portion of the atomization electrode, current flows to the P and N type Peltier elements to produce a cooling effect at the joined portion, and condensed water generated by the cooling effect is atomized by the discharging to generate charged fine water droplets.   
     
     
         2 . The electrostatic atomization device according to  claim 1 , wherein the atomization electrode includes a discharge member arranged between a joined faced of the P type Peltier element and a joined face of the N type Peltier element. 
     
     
         3 . The electrostatic atomization device according to  claim 1 , wherein the P and N type Peltier elements are symmetrical to each other and shaped to have an arcuate form when joined together. 
     
     
         4 . The electrostatic atomization device according to  claim 1 , wherein a first high voltage is applied to the P type Peltier element and a second high voltage, which differs from the first high voltage, is applied to the N type Peltier element so that discharging occurs at the distal portion of the atomization electrode and current flows to the P and N type Peltier elements to perform a cooling operation. 
     
     
         5 . The electrostatic atomization device according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an opposing electrode facing toward the atomization electrode;   wherein cooling drive voltage is applied to the P and N type Peltier elements so that current flows through the P and N type Peltier elements to perform a cooling operation, and high voltage is applied to the opposing electrode so that a potential difference between the cooling drive voltage and the high voltage causes discharging to occur at the distal portion of the atomization electrode.   
     
     
         6 . The electrostatic atomization device according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an opposing electrode facing toward the atomization electrode.   
     
     
         7 . The electrostatic atomization device according to  claim 6 , wherein a first high voltage is applied to the P type Peltier element and a second high voltage, which differs from the first high voltage, is applied to the N type Peltier element so that a potential difference between the first high voltage and the second high voltage causes current to flow through the P and N type Peltier elements to perform a cooling operation, and a high voltage is applied to the opposing electrode so that a potential difference between the first high voltage and the high voltage causes discharging to occur at the distal portion of the atomization electrode.