DESCRIPTION

OZONE AND ION GENERATING DEVICE FOR GENERATING OZONE AND IONIC WIND, AND AIR CONDITIONER INCLUDING THE SAME
Technical Field

The present invention relates to an ozone and ion generating device for generating ozone and ionic wind and to an air conditioner including the same.

Background Art
Conventional air conditioners have a configuration in which air suction ports on a front face and a top face of a body of an indoor unit and air blower ports on a bottom face thereof are formed, in which an air filter, a heat exchanger, and a blower fan are housed inside the body, in which air sucked through the suction ports by the blower fan is subjected to dust removal by the air filter and subsequent heat exchange by the heat exchanger and is thereafter blown out through the blower ports. Accordingly, dirt and dust floating in air is sucked together with the indoor air into the indoor unit, and the dirt and dust are prone to be deposited on inside wall surfaces of the indoor unit and the blower fan, the heat exchanger and the like that are provided therein. There is a problem in that microorganisms such as bacteria, mold and the like contained in the deposited dirt and dust are prone to propagate. After stoppage of a cooling operation, in particular, a problem is caused in that such microorganisms are made proner to propagate because evaporation in the indoor unit of condensate water condensed in the heat exchanger results in increase in humidity in the indoor unit. For coping with such problems, an air conditioner has been proposed that has an ozone generating device provided in an indoor unit and that is configured so as to suppress propagation of microorganisms by sterilizing effect of ozone (see Patent Literature 1).

Patent Literature
Patent Literature 1: JP H06-272888
A Disclosure of Invention
Problems to be solved by the Invention

The conventional air conditioner has had a problem in that ozone produced in the indoor unit simply remains in vicinity of the ozone generating device and does not sufficiently diffuse into the indoor unit. Therefore, propagation of bacteria, mold and the like can be prevented only in vicinity of the ozone generating device and that is insufficient for sterilization and prevention of the propagation of bacteria, mold and the like in the whole inside of the indoor unit. In particular, the air filter, having collected dirt and dust, is ordinarily placed on a top face of the indoor unit, and thus the propagation of bacteria, mold and the like collected together with the dirt and dust on the air filter cannot sufficiently be prevented because it is practically impossible to fill the indoor unit to the air filter with ozone having a greater specific gravity than air.Though it is conceivable to diffuse the ozone by rotation of a blower fan, that results in a defect in that the ozone produced in the indoor unit diffuses into the room to such an extent that a density of ozone required in the indoor unit cannot be ensured. In addition, operation noises occur from the blower fan even when the air conditioner is not in operation and those are not desirable to users.
Therefore, it is an object of the invention to solve the problems and to provide an ozone and ion generating device capable of sufficiently preventing propagation of bacteria, mold and the like by sterilization effected by diffusing a sufficient quantity of ozone and to provide an air conditioner including the same.

Means to Solving the Issue
In order to solve the conventional problems, the air conditioner of the invention includes a body including a suction port and a blower port, a heat exchanger and a blower fan that are provided in an air path extending from the suction port to the blower port, and an ozone and ion generating device that is placed in the body and that generates ozone and ionic wind by electric discharge, and has a configuration in which the ozone and ion generating device is placed in the body so that the ionic wind generated by the ozone and ion generating device is forwarded from a side of the blower port toward a side of the suction port in the air path and in which inside of the body is cleaned up by being filled with the ozone by the ionic wind.
In order to solve the conventional problems, the ozone and ion generating device of the invention generates ozone and negative ions by generating corona discharge between a discharge electrode and a counter electrode, in which the discharge electrode is a needle electrode, the counter electrode is an electrode in shape of an arc resulting from removal of a portion from a cylindrical shape having a center on an axial center of the needle electrode, and the discharge electrode is arranged such that its needle tip on an axial center of the counter electrode projects through an end face of the counter electrode.

Effect of the Invention
The air conditioner having the ozone and ion generating device of the invention is capable of sufficiently preventing the propagation of bacteria, mold and the like by the sterilization effected by diffusing a sufficient quantity of ozone with use of the ozone and ion generating device.
The ozone and ion generating device of the invention is capable of increasing a quantity of emission of the ions, controlling a quantity of the generated ozone, and facilitating the diffusion of the ozone with utilization of the generated ionic wind.

Brief Description of Drawings
Fig. 1 is a cross sectional view of an air conditioner in accordance with an embodiment 1 of the invention;

Fig. 2A is a schematic section of an ozone and ion generating device in accordance with the embodiment 1 of the invention;

Fig. 2B is a schematic representation as seen looking from a direction of an arrow S1 in Fig. 2A;

Fig. 3A is a schematic section of an ozone and ion generating device in accordance with the embodiment 1 of the invention;

Fig. 3B is a schematic representation as seen looking from a direction of an arrow S2 in Fig. 3A;

Fig. 4 is a front view of the air conditioner in accordance with the embodiment 1 of the invention;

Fig. 5 is a plan view of the air conditioner in accordance with the embodiment 1 of the invention, as seen looking from above;

Fig. 6 is a front view of the air conditioner in accordance with the embodiment 1 of the invention;

Fig. 7 is a plan view of the air conditioner in accordance with the embodiment 1 of the invention, as seen looking from above;

Fig. 8 is a schematic representation of an ozone and ion generating device in accordance with an embodiment 2 of the invention;

Fig. 9 is a downward view of an arc-shaped cylinder electrode in accordance with the embodiment 2 of the invention;

Fig. 10 is a development in plan of one arc-shaped cylinder electrode in accordance with the embodiment 2 of the invention;

Fig. 11 is a downward view of one arc-shaped cylinder electrode in accordance with the embodiment 2 of the invention;

Fig. 12 is a representation of a relation between (small) currents and quantities of generated ozone in the embodiment 2 of the invention;

Fig. 13 is a representation of a relation between (large) currents and the quantities of generated ozone in the embodiment 2 of the invention;

Fig. 14 is a representation of a relation between applied voltages and current values in the embodiment 2 of the invention;

Fig. 15 is a representation of relations between protrusion lengths, quantities of generated negative ions, and the current values in the embodiment 2 of the invention;

Fig. 16 is a representation of relations between angles of arc, the protrusion lengths, the quantities of generated negative ions, and the current values in the embodiment 2 of the invention;

Fig. 17 is a representation of relations between diameters of cylinder, the protrusion lengths, the quantities of generated negative ions, and the current values in the embodiment 2 of the invention;

Fig. 18 is a representation of a relation between the angles of arc and concentrations of ozone in vicinity of the generating device in the embodiment 2 of the invention;

Fig. 19 is a schematic cross sectional view of an indoor unit of an air conditioner in accordance with an embodiment 3 of the invention;

Fig. 20A is a plan view of an ozone and ion generating device integrated in the air conditioner in accordance with the embodiment 3 of the invention;

Fig. 20B is a side view of the ozone and ion generating device;

Fig. 21 is a front view of the indoor unit of the air conditioner in which the ozone and ion generating device is placed in generally center part of an air passage on blow-out side, in accordance with the embodiment 3 of the invention; and

Fig. 22 is a front view of the indoor unit of the air conditioner in which the ozone and ion generating device is placed in an end part of the air passage on blow-out side, in accordance with the embodiment 3 of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

A first invention is an air conditioner comprising:
A body including a suction port and a blower port,
a heat exchanger and a blower fan that are provided in an air path extending from the suction port to the blower port, and an ozone and ion generating device that is placed in the body and that generates ozone and ionic wind by electric discharge, wherein the ozone and ion generating device is placed in the body so that the ionic wind generated by the ozone and ion generating device is forwarded in the air path from a side where the blower port is located toward a side where the suction port is located, and wherein inside of the body is cleaned up by being filled with the ozone by the ionic wind. The ozone and ion generating device is configured so as to generate ozone by oxidizing oxygen molecules in air and making them ozone molecules (03) by the electric discharge and so as to simultaneously generate positive ions or negative ions by the electric discharge, which ions are thereby emitted as the ionic wind into the air, so that the generated ozone can be diffused by the ionic wind and can be filled into the whole inside of the body. The ozone can uniformly be diffused throughout the inside of the body by the arrangement that makes the ionic wind flow toward the inside of the body. By resultant sterilizing effect of the ozone, parts and components in the body of the indoor unit are sterilized and propagation of microorganisms such as mold in the body is suppressed. By deodorizing effect of the ozone, furthermore, deodorization against odors having sticking in members in the body can effectively be performed, so that the odors can be prevented from being blown out in air blown from the blower port when an operation of the air conditioner is started.

A second invention is the air conditioner of the first invention, further comprising an air filter provided on the suction port, wherein bacteria elimination from the air filter and the inside of the body is effected by the ozone filled into the body with use of the ionic wind generated by the ozone and ion generating device.

Propagation of bacteria, mold and the like collected together with dirt and dust on the air filter can sufficiently be prevented by sterilization effected by the ozone filled up to the air filter.

A third invention is the air conditioner of the second invention, wherein the suction port, the blower port and the ozone and ion generating device are placed on upper part of the body, on lower part thereof and in vicinity of the blower port, respectively, so that the ionic wind is made to flow upward With the placement that makes the ionic wind flow upward, the ozone is diffused in a direction from the blower port toward the top part and thus the ozone having a greater specific gravity than air can be filled up to vicinity of the air filter. Therefore, the sterilization of inside of the indoor unit including the air filter can effectively be performed.

A forth invention is the air conditioner of the second invention, further comprising a louver for closing and opening the blower port, and a control unit for controlling the ozone and ion generating device and closure and opening of the louver, wherein the control unit activates the ozone and ion generating device while causing the louver to close the blower port.

This brings the inside of the indoor unit into a hermetic state or a generally hermetic state, so that the inside of the indoor unit can efficiently be filled with the ozone.

A fifth invention is the air conditioner of the second invention, wherein the control unit performs a clean operation by activating the ozone and ion generating device while a refrigeration cycle of the air conditioner is stopped.

Though an environment in which bacteria, mold and the like are prone to propagate is brought about after stoppage of a cooling operation because evaporation in the indoor unit of condensate water condensed in the heat exchanger results in increase in humidity in the indoor unit, the activation of the ozone and ion generating device after the stoppage of the cooling operation, i.e., during the suspension of the refrigeration cycle makes it possible to achieve sterilization against the bacteria, mold and the like in the indoor unit and to suppress propagation thereof.

A sixth invention is the air conditioner of the second invention, wherein the ozone and ion generating device is composed of a discharge electrode and a counter electrode, and wherein the counter electrode surrounds outer periphery of the discharge electrode in a predetermined range.

The ionic wind having such an air velocity as gives a sense of volume of air can be generated by application of a high voltage between the discharge electrode and the counter electrode that are placed so as to face each other. Such a configuration of the counter electrode surrounding the specified range in the outer periphery of the discharge electrode makes it possible to diffuse and spread directions of travel of the ionic wind and to thereby fill the inside of the indoor unit with the ozone effectively and uniformly.

A seventh invention is the air conditioner of the sixth invention, wherein a discharge part of the discharge electrode is placed so as to protrude upward from the counter electrode.

Thus a quantity of ions such as negative ions that are captured by the counter electrode can be reduced and a quantity of ions that are emitted into the air can be increased. This makes it possible to increase an air quantity of the ionic wind, to quickly diffuse the ozone into the inside of the indoor unit, and to more effectively fill the ozone up to the air filter.

An eighth invention is the air conditioner of any one of the first invention through the seventh invention, wherein the ozone and ion generating device comprises a high-voltage generating device for applying a direct-current voltage between the discharge electrode and the counter electrode, wherein the direct-current voltage the high-voltage generating device applies is in a range not less than -3 kV and not more than -10 kV, and wherein a current flowing between the electrodes is more than 1 UA and less than 30 UA.

This makes it possible to attain increase in quantity of generated ions with intensity in the electric discharge, increase in the quantity of emission of ions with decrease in the quantity of ions that are captured by the counter electrode, and increase in quantity of generated ozone, to increase both the quantities of the ions and the generated ozone, and to more reliably fill the ozone up to the air filter.

A ninth invention is the air conditioner of the first invention, wherein the air conditioner has a function of dust collecting operation in which ions are emitted into an indoor space in an operation of the air conditioner and a function of inside cleaning operation in which the inside of the body is filled with the ozone after stoppage of the operation of the air conditioner, wherein

the air path comprises an air passage on suction side that communicates with the suction port, and an air passage on blow-out side that communicates with the blower port, wherein the ozone and ion generating device is placed in the air passage on blow-out side or in vicinity thereof, wherein the ozone and ion generating device comprises a discharge part including a discharge electrode and a counter electrode, wherein the discharge part is placed so as to protrude into the air passage on blow-out side so that at least the counter electrode is in an interior position in the air passage on blow-out side relative to the discharge electrode, wherein the dust collecting operation is performed in the operation of the air conditioner by emission of the ions, generated into the air passage on blow-out side by the ozone and ion generating device, through the blower port into a room, and wherein

the inside cleaning operation is performed after stoppage of the operation of the air conditioner by passage of the ionic wind, generated by the ozone and ion generating device, through the air passage on blow-out side toward the air passage on suction side.

With such placement of the ozone and ion generating device in the air passage on blower port side or in vicinity thereof, plenty of the generated ions can be emitted into the indoor space without being absorbed by the heat exchanger and the like. This is suitable for the emission of the ions into the indoor space because of largeness in both the air flow and velocity of air passing through the air passage on blower port side during operation. In the inside cleaning operation, ions generated by the ozone and ion generating device are made to flow by the ionic wind through the air passage on blow-out side toward the suction port, and thus ozone can reliably be diffused into the indoor unit. Accordingly, bacteria, viruses, mold, dust, pollen and the like that float in the indoor space can be electrified and can actively be taken into the indoor unit. Furthermore, the bacteria, viruses, and mold that have been taken in can be annihilated by the ozone filled into the indoor unit and thus propagation thereof can be suppressed. In addition, the invention, which does not have to include driving parts for the diffusion, has properties of calmness and operation noises that are so slight that the noises are not worrying even at bedtime.

A tenth invention is the air conditioner of the ninth invention, wherein the discharge electrode is a needle electrode, wherein the counter electrode is an electrode in shape of an arc resulting from removal of a portion from a cylindrical shape having a center on an axial center of the needle

electrode, and wherein the discharge electrode is placed in a position on an axial center of the counter electrode in which a needle tip of the discharge electrode protrudes from an end face of the counter electrode.

This increases the quantity of emission of ions and thus ensures the stable quantity of emission of ions without great influence of magnitude of the air flow and the velocity of air passing through the air passage on blow-out side even under windless conditions. With use of the counter electrode that is in shape of the arc resulting from the removal of the portion from the cylindrical shape having the center on the axial center of the needle electrode, an electrode surface that is placed at a uniform distance can be formed thereon, and the quantity of emission of ions can be increased by generation of ozone by stable intense electric discharge and presence of the removed surface. Thus bacteria, viruses, mold, dust, pollen and the like that float in the indoor space can be electrified and can actively be taken into the indoor unit. Furthermore, the bacteria, viruses, and mold that have been taken in can be annihilated by the ozone filled into the indoor unit and the propagation thereof can be suppressed.
An eleventh invention is the air conditioner of the ninth invention or the tenth invention, wherein the ozone and ion generating device is placed substantially in a center part of the air passage on blow-out side, wherein the counter electrode is the electrode in the shape of the arc resulting from the removal of the portion from the cylindrical shape having the center on the axial center of the needle electrode, and wherein a center of the shape of the arc resides on upwind side with respect to a direction of air flow.

When the function of dust collecting operation is activated, in this configuration, almost the whole counter electrode resides on the upwind side of the discharge electrode, and the air flow from the blower fan suppresses neutralization of the generated ions on the counter electrode, so that more ions are emitted into the indoor space. During the activation of the function of inside cleaning, the placement of the ozone and ion generating device in the generally center part of the air passage on blow-out side facilitates the diffusion of ozone throughout the inside of the indoor unit, and the ozone spreads from the center over the inside of the indoor unit because the ionic wind is generated from the axial center of the needle electrode toward the counter electrode. Thus bacteria, viruses, mold, dust, pollen and the like that float in the indoor space can be electrified and can actively be taken into the indoor unit. Furthermore, the bacteria, viruses, and mold that have been taken in can be annihilated by the ozone filled into the indoor unit and the propagation thereof can be suppressed.

A twelfth invention is the air conditioner of the ninth invention or the tenth invention, wherein the ozone and ion generating device is placed in an end part of the air passage on blow-out side, wherein the counter electrode is the electrode in the shape of the arc resulting from the removal of the portion from the cylindrical shape having the center on the axial center of the needle electrode, and wherein the center of the shape of the arc is at an angle between 0 degree and 90 degrees with a center direction on upwind side with respect to air flow.
When the function of dust collecting operation is activated, in this configuration, almost the whole counter electrode resides on the upwind side of the discharge electrode, and the air flow from the blower fan suppresses the neutralization of the generated ions on the counter electrode, so that more ions are emitted into the indoor space. During the activation of the function of inside cleaning, the ozone and ion generating device that is placed in the end part of the air passage on blow-out side resists being a resistance against air flow in an operation of the air conditioner, and decrease in projected area of the counter electrode from front side results in decrease in the resistance against air flow. In such a configuration in which the center of the shape of the arc is positioned at an angle between 0 degree and 90 degrees with the center direction on the upwind side with respect to air flow, the ozone diffuses throughout the inside of the indoor unit because the ionic wind is generated from the axial center of the needle electrode toward the counter electrode. Thus bacteria, viruses, mold, dust, pollen and the like that float in the indoor space can be electrified and can actively be taken into the indoor unit. Furthermore, the bacteria, viruses, and mold that have been taken in can be annihilated by the ozone filled into the indoor unit and the propagation thereof can be suppressed.

A thirteenth is an ozone and ion generating device, which generates ozone and negative ions by generating corona discharge between a discharge electrode and a counter electrode, wherein: the discharge electrode is a needle electrode, the counter electrode is an electrode in shape of an arc resulting from removal of a portion from a cylindrical shape having a center on an axial center of the needle electrode (the counter electrode has an arc shape which corresponds to a partially-lacking cylindrical shape taking a shaft center of the needle electrode as a center), and the discharge electrode is arranged such that its needle tip on an axial center of the counter electrode projects through an end face of the counter electrode. ,

With use of the counter electrode in the shape of the arc resulting from the removal of the portion from the cylindrical shape having the center on the axial center of the needle electrode and the discharge electrode having the needle tip protruding from the end face of the counter electrode, absence of the counter electrode ahead of the needle tip, i.e., in a chief direction in which the negative ions are emitted leads to increase in the quantity of emission of the negative ions and increase in the quantity of ozone and may facilitate the diffusion of generated ozone with utilization of the ionic wind.

A fourteenth invention is the ozone and ion generating device of the thirteenth invention, wherein the counter electrode is a cylindrical electrode in shape of the arc having a center on the axial center of the needle electrode, and wherein the arc has an angle not less than 90 degrees and not more than 270 degrees.

The arc having the angle not less than 90 degrees and not more than 270 degrees makes it possible to generate the ionic wind having broad directivity so as to facilitate the diffusion of generated ozone, and prevents accumulation of highly concentrated ozone in vicinity of the ozone and negative ion generating device so as to suppress deterioration in safety and of peripheral members.

A fifteenth invention is the ozone and ion generating device of the thirteenth invention, wherein the counter electrode is a cylindrical electrode in shape of the arc having a center on the axial center of the needle electrode and has upper corners of left and right end parts cut into shape of fans.
Stable electric discharge can be attained by smoothing for sites having the sharpest angle on the arc-shaped cylindrical electrode.

A sixteenth invention is the ozone and ion generating device of the first invention, wherein the counter electrode is a cylindrical electrode in shape of the arc having a center on the axial center of the needle electrode and has left and right end parts folded outward.

Stable electric discharge can be attained by such a configuration in which the sites having the sharpest angle on the arc-shaped cylindrical electrode are placed farther from the needle tip than other arc-shaped parts.

A seventeenth invention is the ozone and ion generating device of any of the thirteenth invention through the sixteenth invention, further comprising a high-voltage generating device for applying a direct-current voltage between the discharge electrode and the counter electrode, wherein the direct-current voltage the high-voltage generating device applies is in a range not less than -3 kV and not more than -10 kV, and wherein a current flowing between the electrodes is more than 1 UA and less than 30 UA.

This makes it possible to attain increase in the quantity of generated negative ions with intensity in the electric discharge, increase in the quantity of emission of negative ions with decrease in the quantity of negative ions that are captured by the counter electrode, and control over the quantity of generated ozone and to increase both the quantities of the ions and the generated ozone.Hereinbelow, embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The invention is not limited by the embodiments.
(Embodiment 1)

Fig. 1 is a cross sectional view of an air conditioner having an ozone and ion generating device in accordance with an embodiment 1 of the invention. Prior to description on the air conditioner, the ozone and ion generating device 8 of the embodiment 1 will initially be described.

The ozone and ion generating device 8 is composed of a discharge electrode and a counter electrode, and application of a negative potential to the discharge electrode causes corona discharge at an extremity of the discharge electrode and emission of electrons from the extremity of the discharge electrode toward an inside surface of the counter electrode. A flow of the emitted electrons collides with molecules of gas while being accelerated by a high electric field and gives kinetic energy to the molecules of gas, which make an electron-induced wind of air and form an air flow. Then a portion of the electrons are trapped by outer shells of bonding orbitals of the gas molecules and thus make negative ion molecules charged negatively. Therefore, the electron-induced wind forms an air flow of ionic wind containing the negative ion molecules. Thus the ionic wind produced by the application of the direct-current potential to the discharge electrode and the counter electrode forms the air flow blown out from the discharge electrode through between the discharge electrode and the counter electrode, so that the ionic wind containing the negative ion molecules can be emitted in directions from the discharge electrode toward the counter electrode.

Though the ozone and ion generating device 8 is configured so as to generate ozone and ionic wind by the electric discharge and configured in the embodiment 1 so as to generate the ionic wind by the corona discharge resulting from the application of a high voltage between the discharge electrode and the counter electrode that face each other, a method of the generation is not particularly limited to that of the corona discharge and various generating methods may be employed.

As an example of the ozone and ion generating device 8, for instance, such a configuration as shown in Figs. 2A and 2B may be employed. Fig. 2A is a schematic section of the ozone and ion generating device 8, and Fig. 2B is a schematic representation thereof as seen looking from a direction of an arrow S1 in Fig. 2A.

As shown in Fig. 2A, the ozone and ion generating device 8 has a configuration in which the counter electrode 31 shaped like a rectangular plate and the needle-like discharge electrode 32 are placed so as to parallel each other with a specified space between, and the counter electrode 31 and the discharge electrode 32 are connected to a high-voltage generating device 34 through lead wires 33. Thus the ionic wind produced by the application of the negative potential to the discharge electrode 32 by the high-voltage generating device 34 forms the air flow blown out from the discharge electrode 32 through between the discharge electrode 32 and the counter electrode 31, as shown in Fig. 2B, and the ionic wind containing the negative ion molecules is emitted in the directions from the discharge electrode 32 toward the counter electrode 31.

That is, the counter electrode 31 shaped like a plate makes the ionic wind the air flow generated in shape of a fan extending from the discharge electrode 32 toward an overall length of the counter electrode 31, so that ozone generated simultaneously with the ionic wind by the ozone and ion generating device 8 can be diffused, in shape of a fan extending from the ozone and ion generating device as a center, by the ionic wind as soon as the ozone is generated.

As another example of the ozone and ion generating device 8, such a configuration as shown in Figs. 3A and 3B may be employed. Fig. 3A is a schematic section of the ozone and ion generating device 8, and Fig. 3B is a schematic representation thereof as seen looking from a direction of an arrow S2 in Fig. 3A.

As shown in Fig. 3A, the ozone and ion generating device is configured so that an counter electrode 41 is shaped like a cylinder, so that a needle-like discharge electrode 42 is placed at center of the cylinder, and so that the counter electrode 41 surrounds outer periphery of the discharge electrode 42. Ionic wind produced by application of a negative potential to the discharge electrode 42 by the high-voltage generating device 34 forms an air flow blown out from the discharge electrode 42 through between the discharge electrode 42 and the counter electrode 41, as shown in Fig. 3B, and the ionic wind containing negative ion molecules is emitted in directions from the discharge electrode 42 toward the counter electrode 41. That is, the counter electrode 41 shaped like a cylinder makes the ionic wind the air flow generated in shape of a circle having a center on the discharge electrode 42, so that ozone generated simultaneously with the ionic wind by the ozone and ion generating device 8 can be diffused, in shape of the circle having the center on the ozone and ion generating device 8, by the ionic wind as soon as the ozone is generated.

Subsequently, a general configuration of the air conditioner of the embodiment 1 will be described in reference to Fig. 1.

In a body 1 of an indoor unit of the air conditioner, as shown in Fig. 1, a suction port 2 is formed from a front face to a top face thereof and a blower port 3 is formed on bottom part thereof. In an air path connecting the suction port 2 and the blower port 3 are provided an air filter 4 for eliminating coarse dirt and dust in air, a blower fan 5 connected to a fan motor (not shown), and a heat exchanger 6.

The air sucked through the suction port 2 of the body 1 undergoes heat exchange so as to be cooled or heated, by being passed through the heat exchanger 6. After that, the air is forwarded through the blower port 3 into indoor environment by the blower fan 5 that is an indoor blower circuit, regulated so as to attain specified air conditions, regulated by a louver 7 so as to follow a specified direction, and thereafter blown out. Then the dirt and dust in the air sucked into the body 1 are collected by the air filter 4.

The air filter 4 is intended for collecting the dirt and dust contained in the sucked indoor air, is provided so as to cover suction side of the heat exchanger 6, and is cleaned up by ozone the ozone and ion generating device 8 generates.

In the ozone and ion generating device 8, as described above, the discharge electrode is placed upstream of ionic wind that is to be generated and the counter electrode is placed downstream thereof. Accordingly, directions of air flow of the ionic wind can desirably and freely be set by a position where the ozone and ion generating device 8 is mounted and placed in the indoor unit.

In the embodiment 1, the ozone and ion generating device 8 is placed on underside in the blower port 3. The ozone and ion generating device 8 is capable of fulfilling similar sterilizing effect wherever it is placed in vicinity of the suction port 2 or the blower fan 5, for instance, in the body 1, whereas the ozone and ion generating device 8 is desired to be placed in vicinity of the blower port 3 in order not to deteriorate blow performance of the air conditioner. This configuration ensures a long distance from the blower fan 5 thereto and suppresses the deterioration in the blow performance.

The ozone and ion generating device 8 may be placed in any positions on the underside in the blower port 3, i.e., may be placed at center, on either of left and right ends or the like on the underside in the blower port 3, and is not especially limited in site of the placement by the embodiment 1. The ozone and ion generating device 8 is placed on the underside in the blower port 3, the discharge electrode of the ozone and ion generating device 8 is placed on a side facing the blower port 3, and the counter electrode thereof is placed on a side facing a back face of the body. With such a configuration, the ionic wind flows toward the inside of the body 1, ozone generated simultaneously with the ionic wind is diffused toward the inside of the body 1 by air flow of the ionic wind, and the ozone flows through the blower fan 5, the heat exchanger 6, and the air filter 4 in order of mention so as to be filled thereinto. Accordingly, the overall inside of the body 1 can be filled with the ozone.
With the placement of the ozone and ion generating device 8 that directs the flow of the ionic wind upward (toward the air filter 4), the ozone is diffused in a direction toward the top part by the ionic wind and thus the ozone having the greater specific gravity than air can be filled up to vicinity of the air filter 4 even though the ozone and ion generating device 8 is placed in the blower port 3. Therefore, sterilization of the inside of the body 1 including the air filter 4 can effectively be performed.

Subsequently, operations of the air conditioner in accordance with the embodiment 1 will be described. An operation in a refrigeration cycle of the air conditioner is stopped, the blower port 3 is blocked with the louver 7 by a control unit 9, the ozone and ion generating device 8 is activated, and a clean operation is started. The generation of the ionic wind and ozone is started by the activation of the ozone and ion generating device 8 and the application of the negative potential to the discharge electrode by the high-voltage generating device (not shown). The ozone is diffused into the inside of the body 1 by the ionic wind and the sterilization of the inside of the body 1 is effected by the ozone.

The blockade of the blower port with the louver 7 brings the inside of the body 1 into a hermetic state or a generally hermetic state, so that the inside of the body 1 can efficiently be filled with the ozone. Accordingly, the sterilization against microorganisms in the body 1 can effectively be performed and propagation of the microorganisms can be suppressed. After the clean operation is performed for a specified period of time, the ozone and ion generating device 8 is stopped so that the clean operation is finished. After stoppage of a cooling operation, an environment is bring about in which bacteria, mold and the like are prone to propagate, because evaporation in the body 1 of condensate water condensed in the heat exchanger 6 results in increase in humidity in the body 1. Therefore, it is particularly desirable to perform a clean operation after the stoppage of a cooling operation.
(Example 1)

Fig. 4 is a front view of the air conditioner in which the ozone and ion generating device 8 shown in Fig. 2A is placed in right end part of the blower port 3, and Fig. 5 is a plan view of the air conditioner as seen looking from above. Herein below, operations and functions of the air conditioner will be described, and the same configurations as the aforementioned are designated by the same reference characters, with detailed description thereon omitted.

As shown in Fig. 2B, the ionic wind containing the negative ion molecules is emitted in the directions from the discharge electrode 32 toward the counter electrode 31, by the application of the negative potential to the discharge electrode 32 by the high-voltage generating device 34. By the ozone and ion generating device 8 configured as described above, a certain degree of directivity can be given to the ionic wind generated by the ozone and ion generating device 8 so that useless diffusion of the ionic wind can be suppressed and so that the air flow with a sense of adequate volume of air can be obtained.

Though it is desirable to place the ozone and ion generating device 8 in an end part of the blower port 3 in order to prevent the deterioration in the blow performance of the air conditioner, a problem is caused in that ozone is not filled to opposite end part of the blower port 3 and to an end part of the air filter 4 in an upward diagonal direction, provided the ozone and ion generating device 8 is placed in the end part of the blower port 3. Therefore, the ozone and ion generating device 8 is provided in the right end part of the blower port 3 as shown in Fig. 5 so that the ionic wind flows in the diagonal direction, and the ozone can consequently be diffused throughout the inside of the body 1 to the opposite end part thereof by the ionic wind with the sense of volume of air.
By the placement of the ozone and ion generating device 8 that directs the flow of the ionic wind upward, additionally, it is made possible to quickly fill the ozone, having the greater specific gravity than air, up to the vicinity of the air filter 4. In the example 1, therefore, the sterilization and deodorization in the inside of the body 1 including the air filter can effectively be performed without the deterioration in the blow performance of the air conditioner. In the embodiment, adequate directivity of the ionic wind and an adequate quantity of generated ozone were ensured by setting of a width of the counter electrode 31 on the order of 5 to 10 mm.

By a configuration of a discharge part, i.e., an extremity part of the discharge electrode 32 that protrudes farther than an end part of the counter electrode 31, a quantity of ions that are captured by the counter electrode 31 can be reduced and a quantity of ions that are emitted into the air can be increased. This males it possible to increase an air quantity of the ionic wind, to quickly diffuse the ozone into the inside of the body 1, and to more effectively fill the ozone up to the air filter 4.
(Example 2)

Fig. 6 is a front view of the air conditioner in which the ozone and ion generating device 8 shown in Fig. 3A is placed in center part of the blower port 3, and Fig. 7 is a plan view of the air conditioner as seen looking from above.

The placement of the ozone and ion generating device 8 at the center on the underside in the blower port 3 as shown in Fig. 7 makes it possible to uniformly diffuse the ozone from center to periphery of the body 1 and to uniformly fill the ozone into the body 1. By a configuration of a discharge part, i.e., an extremity part of the discharge electrode 42 that protrudes farther than an end part of the counter electrode 41, a quantity of ions that are captured by the counter electrode 41 can be reduced and a quantity of ions that are emitted into the air can be increased. This makes it possible to increase an air quantity of the ionic wind, to quickly diffuse the ozone into the inside of the body 1, and to more effectively fill the ozone up to the air filter 4. Thus the sterilization against microorganisms in the body 1 can effectively be performed and the propagation of the microorganisms can effectively be suppressed.

(Embodiment 2)

For an embodiment 2 of the invention, an ozone and ion generating device 108 will be described that is the aforementioned ozone and ion generating device 8 restricted to a particular configuration.

Fig. 8 is a schematic representation of the ozone and ion generating device 108 in accordance with the embodiment 2. In the ozone and ion generating device 108, a negative high voltage is applied by a high-voltage generating device 104 between a discharge electrode 102 and a counter electrode 101, so that ozone and negative ions are generated by consequent generation of corona discharge.

The counter electrode 101 has an arc-like shape as shown in Fig. 9. The discharge electrode 102 is placed in a position on an axial center (shaft center) of the counter electrode 101 in which a needle tip of the discharge electrode 102 protrudes (protrudes upward in the drawing) from an end face of the counter electrode 101.
The counter electrode 101 having the arc-like shape makes it possible to attain uniform discharge on the counter electrode 101 that is distant equally in general from the discharge electrode 102 and that has the arc-like shape and to thereby attain efficient discharge. As shown in Fig. 10, additionally, fan-like cutting work on upper corners at both ends of the electrode that has the shape of an arc-like cylinder removes sharp surfaces of closest parts thereof and ensures stable electric discharge. As shown in Fig. 11, outward folding of left and right ends thereof makes the sharp surfaces of the closest parts far from the needle tip of the discharge electrode 102 and ensures the stable electric discharge.

As material of the counter electrode 101, there can be enumerated stainless steel, nickel, aluminium, copper, tungsten, and the like, whereas stainless steel is for general purposes and is desirable in terms of machin ability. A plate thickness thereof has only to be not less than 0.3 mm and not more than 2 mm. The thickness smaller than 0.3 mm causes problems of decrease in strength and tendency toward deformation of the shape in manufacturing processes and the like. The thickness greater than 1 mm results in difficulty in machining.

As material of the discharge electrode 102, there can be enumerated stainless steel, nickel, aluminium, copper, tungsten, and the like, whereas stainless steel is for general purposes and is desirable in terms of machin ability. The discharge electrode 102 has a shape including a sharp point, and the quantity of generated ozone decreases with increase in the sharpness. A diameter of the discharge electrode 102 has only to be not less than 0.3 mm and not more than 1 mm. The diameter smaller than 0.3 mm results in difficulty in making a difference from that of the point. The diameter greater than 1 mm results in difficulty in machining.

In the high-voltage generating device 104 that applies the negative high voltage between the counter electrode 101 and the discharge electrode 102, as shown in Fig. 12, a current that is made to flow between the counter electrode 101 and the discharge electrode 102 is a direct current, and flow of the current not less than 1 uA leads to the quantity of generated ozone not less than 25 ug/h, resulting in increase in a concentration of ozone to around 30 ppb in a 40L hermetic container, for instance. Ozone of around 30 ppb is on a level that just allows a smell thereof to be barely sensed and is of a concentration that can be used with great ease. As shown in Fig. 13, flow of the current not more than 30 uA leads to the quantity of generated ozone on the order of 400 ug/h, resulting in the concentration of ozone on the order of 100 ppb in a 200L hermetic container, for instance. Accumulation of ozone not less than 100 ppb and exposure thereto for a long period may bring about an influence on human body, and therefore the concentration is preferably not more than 100 ppb. That is, the current that is made to flow between the counter electrode 101 and the discharge electrode 102 is preferably not less than 1 uA and not more than 30 uA.

Fig. 14 shows a relation between applied voltages and current values in use of the ozone and ion generating device 108 having a diameter of the cylinder of 15 mm, the angle of the arc of 180 degrees, and a protrusion length 106 of the needle tip of the discharge electrode 102 of 10 mm. As shown in the drawing, it is observed that the current value rises and the corona discharge starts to occur when the voltage is on the order of -3 kV. The current value increases with increase in the applied voltage. Increase in the applied voltage to -10 kV, however, provokes requirement for a sufficient clearance and a sufficient creepage distance for safe design. This is inappropriate because the ozone and ion generating device 108 is thereby increased in size. Increase in the applied voltage is not preferable because the increase in the voltage causes apprehension about short circuit between the electrodes. In the embodiment of the invention, more preferably, the applied voltage is not more than -8 kV because the short circuit between the electrodes was observed when the applied voltage was -10 kV with use of some shapes of the electrodes.

Thus the high-voltage generating device 104 is capable of generating the current and the applied voltage and capable of maintaining safety. There is preferably provided a protection circuit for attaining current limitation and/or the like.

Fig. 15 shows relations between the protrusion lengths 106, quantities of generated negative ions, and the current values in use of the ozone and ion generating device 108 having the diameter of the cylinder of 15 mm, the angle of the arc of 180 degrees, and the applied voltage of -6 kV. On condition that the protrusion length 106 of the needle tip of the discharge electrode 102 is negative, i.e., on condition that the discharge electrode 102 is in a lower position than the counter electrode 101, the quantity of negative ions is small. As the protrusion length 106 of the needle tip of the discharge electrode 102 becomes positive after becoming zero, i.e., as the discharge electrode 102 protrudes to a higher position than the counter electrode 101 in the drawing, the quantity of negative ions increases and the current value remarkably decreases. This is because increase in a closest-part distance 107 from the needle tip of the discharge electrode 102 weakens the electric discharge and makes the negative ions prone to be emitted. Therefore, the protrusion length 106 is preferably greater than zero. Though details will be described later, even the protrusion length 106 of 13 mm results in the current of 5 uA flowing between the counter electrode 101 and the discharge electrode 102, as shown in Figs. 16 and 17, and thereby ensures a sufficient quantity of generated ozone. That is, the quantity of generated ozone as well as the quantity of generated ions can be ensured, so that the ions and ozone can be made compatible on a practical level.

Fig. 16 shows relations between the angles of the arc, the protrusion lengths 106, the quantities of generated negative ions, and the current values in use of the ozone and ion generating device 108 having the diameter of the cylinder of 15 mm and the applied voltage of -8 kV. An influence of the angle of the arc on the quantity of emission of negative ions can be decreased by setting of the sufficient protrusion length 106. The greater the angle of the arc is, the larger the current value is, hence the compatibility with the quantity of emission of negative ions can be attained by control over the angle of the arc for achievement of the current value not less than 1 uA and not more than 30 uA.

Fig. 17 shows relations between the diameters 105 of the cylinder, the protrusion lengths 106, the quantities of generated negative ions, and the current values in use of the ozone and ion generating device 108 having the applied voltage of -8 kV. An influence of the diameter 105 of the cylinder on the quantity of emission of negative ions can be decreased by setting of the sufficient protrusion length 106. The smaller the diameter 105 of the cylinder is, the larger the current value is, hence the compatibility with the quantity of emission of negative ions can be attained by control over the diameter 105 of the cylinder for achievement of the current value not less than 1 uA and not more than 30 uA. The diameter 105 of the cylinder, however, is required to be not less than 10 mm and not more than 30 mm because a small inside diameter thereof increases fear of short circuit and because too large inside diameter results in weak electric discharge. It is another significant reason that the diameter greater than 30 mm causes increase in size of the ozone and ion generating device 108 and thereby narrows a variety of use.

A width of the cylinder (vertical width in the drawing) has only to be not less than 0.3 mm and not more than 5 mm. The width smaller than 0.3 mm decreases the strength. On condition that the width is greater than 5 mm, the generated negative ions are captured by the counter electrode 101, so that the quantity of emission of negative ions is decreased. This tendency is decreased with increase in the protrusion length of the needle tip.

The closest-part distance 107 represents a distance between the tip of the discharge electrode 102 and the counter electrode 101. Setting of the closest-part distance 107 at a small value results in increase in intensity of the electric discharge and increase in the current value between the electrodes, while setting thereof at a large value results in decrease in the current value between the electrodes.

Fig. 18 shows a relation between the angles of the arc of the counter electrode of the ozone and ion generating device 108 and the concentrations of ozone in vicinity of the generating device that is placed in a 40L container which is non-hermetic but can be a wind break. The current that is made to flow between the counter electrode 101 and the discharge electrode 102 is set at 5 uA. The concentration of ozone filled into a 40L hermetic container is increased to around 150 ppb. In the ozone and ion generating device 108 having the angle of the arc of not less than 90 degrees and not more than 270 degrees, however, the concentration does not exceed 100 ppb in vicinity of the generating device and the ozone is satisfactorily diffused. That is, the angle of the arc is preferably not less than 90 degrees and not more than 270 degrees in order to facilitate the diffusion of the ozone.

Lead wires 103 shown in Fig. 8 are coated with resin and, particularly, the lead wire 103 for the discharge electrode is preferably such a pressure-resistant lead wire as is coated with fluororesin, silicone resin or the like so as to resist high voltage.
(Embodiment 3)

For an embodiment 3 of the invention, an air conditioner in which the ozone and ion generating device 108 in accordance with the embodiment 2 is used will be described.

Fig. 19 is a schematic cross sectional view of an indoor unit of the air conditioner in accordance with the embodiment 3. The indoor unit 210 is generally composed of the suction port 2, the blower port 3, the blower fan 5, the heat exchanger 6, an air passage 211 on suction port side, an air passage 212 on blower port side, and the ozone and ion generating device 108. The suction port 2, the blower port 3, the air passage 211 on suction port side, and the air passage 212 on blower port side are formed with the body 1.

Initially, ordinary operations of the air conditioner will be described. With rotation of the blower fan 5, air is taken from an indoor space through the suction port 2 into the air passage 211 on suction port side. The taken air is cooled in a cooling operation or heated in a heating operation by the heat exchanger 6, passed through the air passage 212 on blower port side, and supplied through the blower port 3 into the indoor space.

Subsequently, a function of dust collecting operation will be described. For the function of dust collecting operation, air is taken by the rotation of the blower fan 5 from the indoor space through the suction port 2 into the air passage 211 on suction port side and is cooled in the cooling operation or heated in the heating operation by the heat exchanger 6. With simultaneous energization for the ozone and ion generating device 108, ions are generated by the ozone and ion generating device 108 and supplied through the blower port 3 into the indoor space. On this occasion, increase in number of rotations of the blower fan 5 leads to increase in air flow and air velocity, suppresses neutralization of the ions generated by the ozone and ion generating device, and results in increase in emission of the ions into the indoor space. When the function of dust collecting operation is strongly demanded, therefore, the operation with increased number of rotations of the blower fan 5 is effective in terms of increase in the quantity of emission of the ions and increase in a quantity of indoor air taken into the indoor unit 210.

In the function of dust collecting operation, the dust collecting operation can be performed only with air blow by the blower fan 5 without activation of the heat exchanger 6.

Subsequently, a function of inside cleaning operation will be described. This operation is performed after completion of an ordinary operation, after a combined operation of an ordinary operation and the function of dust collecting operation or after a single operation of the function of dust collecting operation. The operation is performed by activation of the ozone and ion generating device 108, and ozone generated by the ozone and ion generating device 108 flows from the ozone and ion generating device 108 through the air passage 212 on blower port side and is diffused into the inside of the indoor unit 210 by ionic wind blowing toward the suction port 2. That is, the diffusion can be attained without activation of the blower fan 5, so that the inside cleaning operation can be performed without occurrence of driving noises from the fan.

The ozone and ion generating device 108 is placed on underside in the air passage 212 on blower port side in Fig. 19, whereas the device can be placed in top face part of the air passage 212 on blower port side or side face part of the air passage 212 on blower port side.

As described with reference to Fig. 8 and the like in the description on the embodiment 2, the ozone and ion generating device 108 used in the embodiment 3 is suitable because the device is capable of increasing the quantity of emission of ions even on windless conditions and capable of stably emitting the ions into the indoor space without being greatly influenced by the air flow and air velocity, by virtue of the placement of the discharge electrode 102 in the position on the axial center of the counter electrode 101 in which the needle tip of the discharge electrode 102 protrudes (protrudes upward in the drawing) from the end face of the counter electrode 101.

The ionic wind is intensely emitted from the discharge electrode 102 toward the counter electrode 101. Increase in the angle of the arc of the counter electrode 101 results in increase in a spread of the ionic wind and, inversely, decrease in the angle of the arc of the counter electrode 101 results in decrease in the spread of the ionic wind. Provided that the counter electrode 101 is placed above the discharge electrode 102, the ionic wind is directed upward toward the counter electrode 101. In order to generate the ionic wind directed toward the suction port 2, accordingly, it is suitable to tilt the needle tip of the discharge electrode 102 in a direction toward the blower fan 5.

The high voltage the high-voltage generating device 104 applies between the counter electrode 101 and the discharge electrode 102 is a positive or negative direct-current voltage. The negative direct-current voltage is more desirable because ozone can more easily be produced by application of the negative direct-current voltage than by application of the positive direct-current voltage and because the quantity of emission of the ions into the room and the quantity of generated ozone can more easily be controlled. Though pulses or alternating current can be used, the direct current is preferable because the ionic wind can continuously be generated thereby.

Figs. 20A and 20B show the ozone and ion generating device 108 integrated in the air conditioner in accordance with the embodiment 3 of the invention, Fig. 20A is a plan view of the ozone and ion generating device as seen looking from above, and Fig. 20B is a side view of the ozone and ion generating device as seen looking from a lateral side.

An arc center direction 232 is inclined with respect to an upwind direction 231 at an angle 233 the center of the arc makes with the upwind direction. In the indoor unit of the air conditioner having the ozone and ion generating device 108 placed in center part of the air passage 212 on blower port side in general as shown in Fig. 21, the upwind direction 231 is made generally the same as the arc center direction 232, so that almost the whole counter electrode 101 resides on the windward side of the discharge electrode 102 when the function of dust collecting operation is activated. This is preferable because air flow from the blower fan suppresses neutralization of the generated ions on the counter electrode and causes more ions to be emitted into the indoor space.

Furthermore, this is suitable for diffusing ozone throughout the inside of the indoor unit during the activation of the function of inside cleaning operation because the ionic wind is generated from the axial center of the needle electrode toward the counter electrode and spreads the ozone from the center over the inside of the indoor unit.

In the indoor unit of the air conditioner having the ozone and ion generating device 108 placed in an end part of the air passage 212 on blower port side as shown in Fig. 22, the angle 233 the center of the arc makes with the upwind direction is set between zero degree and 90 degrees, so that almost the whole counter electrode 101 resides on the windward side of the discharge electrode 102 when the function of dust collecting operation is activated. This is preferable because the air flow from the blower fan suppresses the neutralization of the generated ions on the counter electrode and causes more ions to be emitted into the indoor space.

Furthermore, this is suitable for diffusing ozone throughout the inside of the indoor unit during the activation of the function of inside cleaning operation because the ionic wind is generated from the axial center of the needle electrode toward the counter electrode and spreads the ozone from the end part over the inside of the indoor unit.

The ozone and ion generating device 108 is placed in the right end part as seen looking from the front side in Fig. 22, whereas the device can be placed in the left end part and the arc center direction 232 is then set in a symmetrical position with respect to the upwind direction 231. Though the one ozone and ion generating device 108 is placed in the end part on one side in Fig. 22, each of both the end parts can be provided with one device 108 and the angle 233 the center of the arc makes with the upwind direction therein is made smaller than that with the placement on only one side.

The ionic wind is intensely emitted from the discharge electrode 102 toward the counter electrode 101. Increase in the angle 234 of the arc of the counter electrode 101 results in increase in the spread of the ionic wind and dispersion thereof, inversely, decrease in the angle 234 of the arc of the counter electrode 101 results in decrease in the spread of the ionic wind and local concentration thereof. Therefore, the angle 234 of the arc is preferably between 90 degrees and 270 degrees.

The counter electrode 101 is protruded from a blower port air passage surface 235 while being positioned on inner side in the blower port relative to the discharge electrode 102, and thus the ionic wind flows toward the suction port along the blower port air passage surface 235 without being interrupted inside the blower port air passage surface 235.

It is to be noted that, by properly combining the arbitrary embodiments of the aforementioned various embodiments, the effects possessed by them can be produced.

With use of a configuration in which the direct-current voltage the high-voltage generating device 104 applies is in a range not less than -3 kV and not more than -10 kV and in which the current flowing between the electrodes is more than 1 UA and less than 30 UA as described for the embodiment 2, the ozone and ion generating device can be provided that is capable of generating ozone which can attain the sterilization against microorganisms deposited on the air filter while generating ionic wind which can make the ozone, having the greater specific gravity than air, flow up to the vicinity of the air filter 4 and that can be put to practical use.

The ozone and ion generating device of the invention and the air conditioner using the same are capable of generating ozone and ionic wind and effectively attaining sterilization and deodorization, as described above, and thus can be applied to purposes of household electrical appliances and the like other than air conditioner.
REFERENCE SIGNS LIST
1 body
2 suction port
3 blower port
4 air filter
5 blower fan
6 heat exchanger
7 louver
8 ozone and ion generating device
9 control unit

31 counter electrode
32 discharge electrode
33 lead wire
34 high-voltage generating device

41 counter electrode
42 discharge electrode

101 counter electrode
102 discharge electrode
103 lead wire
104 high-voltage generating device
105 diameter of cylinder
106 protrusion length

107 closest-part distance
108 ozone and ion generating device 121 angle of arc

210 indoor unit
211 air passage on suction port side
212 air passage on blower port side

231 upwind direction
232 arc center direction
233 angle
234 angle of arc
235 blower port air passage surface

CLAIMS

1. An ozone and ion generating device, which generates ozone and negative ions by generating corona discharge between a discharge electrode and a counter electrode, wherein: the discharge electrode is a needle electrode, the counter electrode is an electrode in shape of an arc resulting from removal of a portion from a cylindrical shape having a center on an axial center of the needle electrode, and the discharge electrode is arranged such that its needle tip on an axial center of the counter electrode projects through an end face of the counter electrode.

2. The ozone and ion generating device as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the counter electrode is a cylindrical electrode in shape of the arc having a center on the axial center of the needle electrode, and wherein the arc has an angle not less than 90 degrees and not more than 270 degrees.

3. The ozone and ion generating device as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the counter electrode is a cylindrical electrode in shape of the arc having a center on the axial center of the needle electrode and has upper corners of left and right end parts cut into shape of fans.

4. The ozone and ion generating device as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the counter electrode is a cylindrical electrode in shape of the arc having a center on the axial center of the needle electrode and has left and right end parts folded outward.

5. The ozone and ion generating device as claimed in any one of Claims 1 through 4, further comprising a high-voltage generating device for applying a direct-current voltage between the discharge electrode and the counter electrode, wherein the direct-current voltage the high-voltage generating device applies is in a range not less than -3 kV and not more than -10 kV, and wherein a current flowing between the electrodes is more than 1 uA and less than 30 uA.

6. An air conditioner comprising: a body including a suction port and a blower port ,a heat exchanger and a blower fan that are provided in an air path extending from the suction port to the blower port, and an ozone and ion generating device that is placed in the body and that generates ozone and ionic wind by electric discharge, where in the ozone and ion generating device is placed in the body so that the ionic wind generated by the ozone and ion generating device is forwarded in the air path from a side where the blower port is located toward a side where the suction port is located, and wherein inside of the body is cleaned up by being filled with the ozone by the ionic wind.

7. The air conditioner as claimed in Claim 6, further comprising an airfilter provided on the suction port, whereinbacteria elimination from the air filter and the inside of the body is effected by the ozone filled into the body with use of the ionic wind generated by the ozone and ion generating device.

8. The air conditioner as claimed in Claim 7, wherein the suction port, the blower port and the ozone and ion generating device are placed on upper part of the body, on lower part thereof and in vicinity of the blower port, respectively, so that the ionic wind is made to flow upward.

9. The air conditioner as claimed in Claim 7, further comprising a louver for closing and opening the blower port, and a control unit for controlling the ozone and ion generating device and closure and opening of the louver, wherein the control unit activates the ozone and ion generating device while causing the louver to close the blower port.

10. The air conditioner as claimed in Claim 7, wherein the control unit performs a clean operation by activating the ozone and ion generating device while a refrigeration cycle of the air conditioner is stopped.

11. The air conditioner as claimed in Claim 7, wherein the ozone and ion generating device is composed of a discharge electrode and a counter electrode, and wherein the counter electrode surrounds outer periphery of the discharge electrode in a predetermined range.

12. The air conditioner as claimed in Claim 11, wherein a discharge part of the discharge electrode is placed so as to protrude upward from the counter electrode.

13. The air conditioner as claimed in any one of Claims 6 through 12, wherein the ozone and ion generating device comprises a high-voltage generating device for applying a direct-current voltage between the discharge electrode and the counter electrode, wherein the direct-current voltage the high-voltage generating device applies is in a range not less than -3 kV and not more than -10 kV, and wherein a current flowing between the electrodes is more than 1 uA and less than 30 uA.

14. The air conditioner as claimed in Claim 6, wherein the air conditioner has a function of dust collecting operation in which ions are emitted into an indoor space in an operation of the air conditioner and a function of inside cleaning operation in which the inside of the body is filled with the ozone after stoppage of the operation of the air conditioner, wherein the air path comprises an air passage on suction side that communicates with the suction port, and an air passage on blow-out side that communicates with the blower port, wherein the ozone and ion generating device is placed in the air passage on blow-out side or in vicinity thereof, wherein the ozone and ion generating device comprises a discharge part including a discharge electrode and a counter electrode, wherein the discharge part is placed so as to protrude into the air passage on blow-out side so that at least the counter electrode is in an interior position in the air passage on blow¬ out side relative to the discharge electrode, wherein the dust collecting operation is performed in the operation of the air conditioner by emission of the ions, generated into the air passage on blow ¬out side by the ozone and ion generating device, through the blower port into a room, and wherein the inside cleaning operation is performed after stoppage of the operation of the air conditioner by passage of the ionic wind, generated by the ozone and ion generating device, through the air passage on blow-out side toward the air passage on suction side.

15. The air conditioner as claimed in Claim 14, wherein the discharge electrode is a needle electrode, wherein the counter electrode is an electrode in shape of an arc resulting from removal of a portion from a cylindrical shape having a center on an axial center of the needle electrode, and wherein the discharge electrode is placed in a position on an axial center of the counter electrode in which a needle tip of the discharge electrode protrudes from an end face of the counter electrode.

16. The air conditioner as claimed in Claim 14 or 15, wherein the ozone and ion generating device is placed substantially in a center part of the air passage on blow-out side, wherein the counter electrode is the electrode in the shape of the arc resulting from the removal of the portion from the cylindrical shape having the center on the axial center of the needle electrode, and wherein a center of the shape of the arc resides on upwind side with respect to a direction of air flow.

17. The air conditioner as claimed in Claim 14 or 15, wherein the ozone and ion generating device is placed in an end part of the air passage on blow-out side, wherein the counter electrode is the electrode in the shape of the arc resulting from the removal of the portion from the cylindrical shape having the center on the axial center of the needle electrode, and wherein the center of the shape of the arc is at an angle between 0 degree and 90 degrees with a center direction on upwind side with respect to airflow.