DESCRIPTION ELECTROSTATICALLYATOMIZING DEVICE

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention is directed to an electrostatically atomizing device of electrostatically atomizing water into a mist of minute charged water particles of nanometer sizes.

Japanese patent application no. 2006-000826 discloses a conventional electrostatically atomizing device. The conventional electrostatically atomizing device comprises an emitter electrode, an opposed electrode, a high voltage source, and a water supply means. The emitter electrode is provided at its tip with the emitter end. The opposed electrode is disposed in an opposed relation to the emitter electrode. The water supply means is configured to supply water to the emitter electrode. The emitter electrode receives water supplied from the water supply means and then holds the water on the emitter end. The high voltage source is configured to apply voltage between the opposed electrode and the emitter end of the emitter electrode and causes an electrostatically atomizatioπ of the water held on the emitter electrode so as to generate the mist of the charged minute water particles of nanometer sizes. The mist of the charged minute water particles of nanometer sizes has diameters of 3 to several dozen nm. So, the mist of the charged minute water particles of nanometer sizes is capable of widely spreading into a room, is capable of floating over an extended time period, and is capable of penetrate into substances such as walls. In addition, the mist of the charged minute water particles of nanometer sizes includes radicals. So, the mist of the charged minute water particles of nanometer sizes has functions of deodorizing and sterilizing substances. In above mentioned electrostatically atomizing device, one example of the electrostatically atomizing device comprises the water supply means being configured to condense the vapor within surrounding air to the water and supply the water to the emitter electrode. In particular, the electrostatically atomizing device has a Peltier module for cooling the emitter electrode. The Peltier module is defined as the water supply means. The Peltier module is provided with a circuit board of cooling side. The circuit board of cooling side is coupled to a cooling plate which is coupled to a rear end of the emitter

electrode. Therefore, the Peltier module is configured to cool the emitter electrode, so that the emitter electrode condenses the vapor into the water on its surface.

In addition, in above mentioned electrostatically atomizing device, another example of the electrostatically atomizing device comprises a supply tank as the water supply means. The supply tank is connected to the rear end of the emitter electrode so as to supply water to the emitter electrode.

However, in above configuration, because the emitter electrode is connected to the Peltier module by means of the cooling plate, it is necessary for the emitter electrode to electrically insulate from the Peltier module. On the other hand, because the emitter electrode is connected to the Peltier module by means of cooling plate, the water condensed on the emitter electrode flows to the Peltier module. Therefore, the water condensed on the emitter electrode causes the emitter electrode and the Peltier module to short. To prevent the short, it is necessary to provide a resin around the rear end of the emitter electrode for electrically insulating between the emitter electrode and the Peltier module. But, according to downsizing of the electrostatically atomizing device, to electrically insulate the emitter electrode from the Peltier module is difficult. In addition, the electrostatically atomizing device has a large external form because the emitter electrode is connected to the water supply means. Therefore, it is necessary to keep a sufficient space for installing the electrostatically atomizing device. Namely, the space that the electrostatically atomizing device is capable of installing is limited.

DISCLOSURE OFTHE INVENTION

The invention is achieved to solve the above mentioned problem. The object of this invention is to provide an electrostatically atomizing device which has a high degree of freedom of the installation.

The electrostatically atomizing device in accordance with the present invention comprises an emitter electrode, a high voltage source, and a water supply means. The emitter electrode is configured to hold water. The high voltage source is configured to apply a high voltage to said emitter electrode so as to electrostatically atomizing the water supplied to a tip of the emitter electrode. The water supply means has a feed end through which the water is fed to the emitter electrode. The feature of the invention

resides in that the feed end is positioned in a water feeding relation with said emitter electrode by way of a feed path which includes an open space.

In this case, it is possible for the water supply means to be separated from the emitter electrode. Therefore, it is possible to obtain the electrostatically atomizing device which has high degree of freedom of the installation.

It is preferred that the electrostatically atomizing device further comprises a guide. The guide is fixed to the feed end to guide the water toward the emitter electrode. In this case, the water is surely guided to the emitter electrode. It is preferred that the water supply means comprises a Pettier module and a cooling plate. The cooling plate is configured to be cooled by the Peltier module for condensing vapor into the water from within surrounding air. The electrostatically atomizing device further comprises a power supply which is configured to apply voltage to the Peltier module for cooling the cooling plate. The cooling plate is provided with the feed end. In this case, the feed end is spaced from the emitter electrode. In addition, the water on the emitter electrode never flows to the Peltier module. Therefore the Peltier module is electrically insulated from the emitter electrode.

It is preferred that the cooling plate has a tapered lower end which defines the feed end. In this case, the water on the cooling plate is surely dropped to the emitter electrode.

It is preferred that the electrostatically atomizing device further comprises a housing. The emitter electrode and the Peltier module are attached to the housing so that the cooling plate is spaced from the emitter electrode by the open space. It is preferred that the cooling plate has a condensing surface for condensation of the water. The condensing surface is inclined from horizontal plane by a predetermined angle so as to drop the water from said condensing surface through said feed end to said emitter electrode,

In this case, the water condensed on the condensing surface flows along the condensing surface to the feed end. Therefore, it is possible to surely supply water to the emitter electrode by way of the feed path from the feed end.

It is preferred that the electrostatically atomizing device further comprises a guide which is disposed between said feed end and said emitter electrode. The guide is configured to receive the water from the feed end and is configured to drop the water to the emitter electrode. In this case, the water on the condensing surface flows to the guide through the feed end, subsequently flows along the guide, and finally drops to the emitter electrode. Therefore, it is possible to surely supply water to the emitter electrode with using the guide.

It is preferred that the guide is fixed to a lower end of the cooling plate.

In this case, the water on the condensing surface is surely guided to the emitter electrode.

It is preferred that the emitter electrode is elongated to have a emitter end at its one axial end. The emitter electrode is formed in its outer surface with an axial groove which is configured to receives the water which is fed by way of said feed path. The groove extends to the emitter end to supply the water to the emitter end. In this case, the water on the emitter electrode flows along the groove to the emitter end. Therefore, it is possible to surely supply water to the emitter electrode by way of the feed path from the feed end.

It is preferred that the electrostatically atomizing device further includes a reservoir. The reservoir defines a part of the feed path. The reservoir is configured to receive the water through the open space from the water supply means and the reservoir is configured to deliver the water to the emitter electrode.

It is more preferred that the electrostatically atomizing device further includes a guide which is fixed to the feed end to guide the water toward the reservoir.

In this case, the water on the condensing surface drops to the reservoir through the feed end, subsequently flows along the guide, and finally drops to the emitter electrode. Therefore, it is possible to surely supply water to the emitter electrode with using the reservoir.

It is preferred that the emitter electrode is formed to have a porous structure.

In this case, the emitter electrode is configured to hold much of the water. Therefore, it is possible to obtain the emitter electrode which is configured to stably supply the water to the emitter end. It is possible to obtain the electrostatically atomizing device

which is configured to stably generate the mist of the charged minute water particles.

It is also preferred that the reservoir has a porous medium holding a volume of said water.

In this case, the reservoir is configured to supply an appropriate amount of the water to the emitter electrode. Therefore, it is also possible to obtain the electrostatically atomizing device which is configured to stably generate the mist of the charged minute water particles.

It is preferred that the electrostatically atomizing device further comprises a recovery tank. The recovery tank is disposed beneath the emitter electrode. In this case, when the water on the emitter electrode is dripped from the emitter electrode, the water is received by the recovery tank. Therefore, it is possible to obtain the electrostatically atomizing device which is configured to prevent the water from leaking.

According to another feature of the invention, it is preferred that the water supply means comprises a supply tank. The supply tank is configured to hold a volume of the water. The supply tank is provided with a spout. The spout defines the feed end. The electrostatically atomizing device further comprises a recovery tank. The recovery tank is disposed beneath the emitter electrode to recover the water which is dropped from the emitter electrode.

In this case, the spout which defines the feed end is located to be spaced from the emitter electrode. Namely, it is possible to obtain the supply tank which is positioned from the emitter electrode distantly. Therefore, it is possible to obtain the electrostatically atomizing device which has high degree of freedom of the installation.

It is preferred that the recovery tank is coupled to the supply tank by way of a return line. The return line includes a pump which is configured to return the water from the recovery tank to the supply tank.

In this case, the water in the recovery tank is pumped to the supply tank by way of the return line, and then is dropped through the spout again. Therefore, it is possible to obtain the electrostatically atomizing device which is configured to supply the water at a long interval of time. It is preferred that the electrostatically atomizing device further comprise a frame.

The frame has a first catch and a second catch. The first catch is configured to

detachably mount selected one of the supply tank and the recovery tank. The second catch is configured to detachably mount selected one of the supply tank and the recovery tank. The first catch is provided with the feed end in the form of a nozzle which is configured to dispense the water from the supply tank and the recovery tank. Each of the supply tank and the recovery tank is provided with a stop valve which opens only when the supply tank or the recovery tank is mounted to the first catch.

When the supply tank is empty, the emitter electrode is not supplied with the water. However, in this case, each of the supply tank and the recovery tank is configured to be mounted on the first catch, and is configured to dispense the water through the valve. Therefore, it is possible to continuously supply the water to the emitter electrode by replacing the supply tank to the recovery tank. In addition, it is possible to change the supply tank to the recovery tank without stopping the power supply.

It is preferred that the electrostatically atomizing device further comprises an opposed electrode. The opposed electrode is disposed to be spaced from the emitter electrode by a predetermined space. The high voltage source is configured to apply the voltage between the emitter electrode and the opposed electrode.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OFTHE DRAWINGS

Rg. 1 shows a schematic side view of the electrostatically atomizing device in a first embodiment of this invention,

Rg. 2 shows a schematic side view of the electrostatically atomizing device in a first modification of the above, •<*

Fig. 3 shows a schematic side view of the electrostatically atomizing device in a second modification of the above, Fig, 4 shows a schematic side view of the electrostatically atomizing device in a third modification of the above,

Fig. 5 (a) shows a schematic side view of the electrostatically atomizing device in a forth modification of the above,

Fig. 5 (b) shows a schematic front view of the electrostatically atomizing device in a forth modification of the above,

Fig. 6 shows a schematic side view of the electrostatically atomizing device in a second

embodiment of this invention,

Fig. 7 shows a schematic side view of the electrostatically atomizing device in a first modification of the above,

Fig. 8 shows a schematic side view of the electrosatically atomizing device in a second modification of the above,

Fig. 9 shows a front view of a preferred cooling plate for using the first and second embodiment,

Fig. 10 shows a schematic side view of the electrostatically atomizing device in a third embodiment, Fig. 11 shows a schematic side view of the electrostatically atomizing device in a first modification of the above,

Fig. 12 shows a schematic side view of the electrostatically atomizing device in a third embodiment with a pump,

Fig. 13 shows a schematic side view of the electrostatically atomizing device in a second modification of the above,

Fig. 14 (a) shows a side cross-sectional view of a supply tank and a nozzle,

Fig. 14 (b) shows a side cross-sectional view of a supply tank fixed to the nozzle, and

Fig. 15 (a) and (b) shows a side cross-sectional view of a stop valve, and

Fig. 16 shows a schematic side view of the electrostatically atomizing device in the first embodiment in this invention.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUTTHE INVENTION

Now the present invention is explained according to the reference and the attached drawings. In addition, in Fig. 1 to 15, X direction is drawn to direct a direction of gravitational force. Fig.1 shows a schematic side view of an electrostatically atomizing device of a first embodiment of this invention. The electrostatically atomizing device comprises an emitter electrode 100, an opposed electrode 200, a high voltage source 300, a Peltier module 400, a power supply 410, a radiating fin 600, and the cooling plate 500. The

Peltier module is defined as a water supply means. These elements are fixed to the housing which is not shown in the figure.

The emitter electrode 100 is formed into a rod-shape, has a length along the

horizontal direction, and has its tip with emitter end. The emitter electrode is made of metal or ceramics, and has a porous structure. Meanwhile, the emitter electrode is also made of the rod-shaped metal with a felt which is configured to wind the rod-shaped metal.

The opposed electrode 200 is formed into a ring-shape, is disposed in an opposed relation to the emitter end 110 of the emitter electrode. The high voltage source 300 is configured to apply a high voltage between the opposed electrode 200 and the emitter end 110 of the emitter electrode 100.

The Peltier module 400 is disposed over the emitter electrode 100. The Peltier module 400 comprises a circuit board of cooling side, a circuit board of radiating side, and a plurality of thermoelectric conversion elements. The circuit board of the cooling side is made of insulated substrates such as alumina and aluminum nitride. The circuit board of the cooling side has a circuit face which is formed with circuit. The circuit board of the radiating side is made of insulated substrates such as alumina and aluminum nitride. The circuit board of the radiating side has a circuit face which is formed with circuit. The circuit boards of the cooling side and the radiating side are arranged to face its circuit faces. The thermoelectric conversion elements are imposed between the circuit faces of the circuit boards of the cooling side and the radiating side. The thermoelectric conversion elements are capable of using a thermoelectric conversion material such as a Bi - Te type. The thermoelectric conversion element is configured to be energized from the power supply. The circuit board of the cooling side acts as a cooling side of the Peltier module 400. The circuit board of the radiating side acts as a radiating side of the Peltier module 400.

The circuit board of the cooling side is connected to the cooling plate 500. The cooling plate 500 is located on an opposite surface of the circuit face of the circuit board of the cooling side. The cooling plate 500 has a condensing surface located on an opposite side of the surface coupled to the cooling plate 500. The Peltier module 400 is configured to be energized to cool the cooling plate 500 so as to condense vapor into water W from air around the cooling plate 500. The cooling plate 500 is disposed to have a condensing surface which is inclined from horizontal plane so that the cooling plate has a lower end. The lower end of the cooling plate is defined as a feed end 900. The circuit board of the radiating side is coupled to the radiating fin 600 which is located on an opposite side of the

circuit face of the circuit board of the radiating side. The cooling plate 500 and the radiating fin 600 are made of aluminum, copper, and alloy of aluminum and copper. The Peltier module 400 is disposed over the emitter electrode 100 so that the cooling plate 500 is located over the emitter electrode 100. Therefore, the cooling plate 500 is spaced from the emitter electrode 100 by an open space. Namely, the cooling plate 500 is electrically insulated from the emitter electrode 100.

The electrostatically atomizing device drives as follows. After the Peltier module is energized by the power supply 410, the thermoelectric conversion elements of the Peltier module 400 transfer heat from the circuit board of the cooling side to the circuit board of the radiating side. Consequently, the thermoelectric conversion elements of the Peltier module 400 cool the circuit board of the cooling side. When the circuit board of the cooling side is cooled, the cooling plate 500 coupled to the circuit board of the cooling side is cooled. Therefore, the cooling plate 500 condenses the vapor within surrounding the air into the water to the condensing surface 510. The water W on the condensing surface 510 flows toward a lower side, and subsequently reaches to the feed end that is the lower end of the condensing surface 510, and finally drops to the emitter electrode 100 which is located under the cooling plate 500. Namely, the open space 910 between the emitter electrode 100 and the feed end 900 is defined as a part of a feed path.

The emitter electrode 100 is formed into a porous structure. Therefore, capillary action causes the water dropped to the emitter electrode to move to the emitter end 110 of the emitter electrode 100, so that the water is held on the emitter end 110. The high voltage source 300 is configured to apply a high voltage between the emitter electrode 100 and the opposed electrode 200 so that the high electrical field is generated between the emitter electrode 100 and the opposed electrode 200. The high electrical field causes a concentration of the electrical charge at the tip of the water held on the emitter end 110, and then causes the Coulomb force to the tip of the water held on the emitter end 110. As a result, the high electrical field pulls the water held on the emitter end 110 toward the opposed electrode 200, and forms a Taylor cone which is made of the water and which is formed at the tip of the emitter end. Then, the high electrical field causes a high concentration of the electrical charge at the tip of the Taylor cone and causes a high Coulomb force to the tip of the Taylor cone. Then, breakups are caused at the tip of the

Taylor cone. The breakup is so-called Rayleigh Breakup. And finally, according to a Rayleigh breakup caused at the tip of the Taylor cone, a mist of the charged minute water particles of nanometer sizes is generated from the Taylor cone of the water held on the emitter end 110. The mist of the charged minute water particles of nanometer sizes is carried by an ion wind which flows from the emitter electrode 100 to the opposed electrode and is discharged through the opposed electrode 200.

The mist of the charged minute water particles of nanometer sizes has small diameters. Therefore the mist is capable of spreading into a room, is capable of floating in the air over an extended time period, and is capable of adhering to substances in the room. In addition, the mist of the charged minute water particles of nanometer sizes includes radicals. Therefore, the mist of the charged minute water particles of nanometer sizes has deodorizing effect and sterilizing effect. Furthermore, the mist of the charged minute water particles of nanometer sizes has humidification effect for the room and moisturizing effect for skins. In this electrostatically atomizing device, the cooling plate 500 is spaced from the emitter electrode 100 by the open space which acts as a part of the feed path. The cooling plate 500 is located over the emitter electrode 100. Therefore, the water on the condensing surface 510 is dropped to the emitter electrode 100 located at the lower side of the cooling plate 500 through the open space 910. Namely, the water on the emitter electrode never flows into the thermoelectric conversion element. In addition, the condensing surface 510 is inclined from the horizontal plane by a predetermined angle. For details, the condensing surface is inclined at 90 degrees to the horizontal plane. Therefore, the water on the condensing surface 510 never flows to the thermoelectric conversion element of the Peltier module 400. So, it is possible to electrically insulate the emitter electrode 100 from the Peltier module 400. In addition, the cooling plate 500 is spaced from the emitter electrode 100. In other words, it is not necessary to arrange the emitter electrode and the Peltier module proximally. Therefore, in an instrument that the electrostatically atomizing device is incorporated, it is possible to arrange the emitter electrode 100 and the Peltier module 400 distantly. Namely, it is possible to obtain the electrostatically atomizing device which has a high degree of freedom of installation.

Fig.2 shows a first modification of the first embodiment of the electrostatically atomizing device. In this modification, the cooling plate 500 has the condensing surface 510. The cooling plate 500 has an axial direction perpendicular to the condensing surface and is disposed to have the axial direction along the direction of gravitational force. The condensing surface 510 is defined as the feed end 900. The condensing surface 510 is located along a length direction of the emitter electrode 100. In this case, the water on the condensing surface 510 is dropped to the emitter electrode 100 along the length of the emitter electrode 100 through the open space which is defined as a part of the feed path. Therefore, it is possible to obtain the electrostatically atomizing device which is configured to generate the mist of the charged minute water particles within little times of the starting the electrostatically atomizing device.

Fig.3 shows a second modification of the first embodiment of the electrostatically atomizing device in this invention. In this modification, the Peltier module 400 is disposed over the emitter end 110 of the emitter electrode 100 so that the cooling plate 500 is spaced from the emitter end 110 by the open space 910. The cooling plate 500 has the condensing surface 510 inclined at an angle of 90 degrees, in this case, the water on the condensing surface 510 is directly dropped to the emitter end 110 through the feed end 900. Therefore, it is also possible to obtain the electrostatically atomizing device which is configured to generate the mist of the charged minute water particles within little times of the starting the electrostatically atomizing device.

Fig. 16 shows a third modification of the first embodiment of the electrostatically atomizing device in this-invention. In this modification, the Peltier module 400 is disposed over the emitter electrode 100 so that the cooling plate 500 is spaced from the emitter electrode 100 by the open space 910. The cooling plate 500 has the condensing surface which is inclined from the horizontal plane by a predetermined angle. In this case, the water on the condensing surface 510 flows along the condensing surface 510 and is dropped to the emitter electrode 100 through the feed end 900. With this configuration, the cooling plate 500 is configured to surely supply the water to the emitter electrode 100. Namely, it is possible to obtain the electrostatically atomizing device which is configured to surely generate the mist of the charged minute water particles.

Fig .4 shows a fourth modification of the first embodiment of the electrostatically

atomizing device in this invention. In this modification, the emitter electrode 100 is provided at its upper surface with a groove 120 which extend to the emitter end 110 and which is formed along the length direction of the emitter electrode 100. The Peltier module 400 is disposed over the emitter electrode 100 so that the cooling plate 500 is spaced from the emitter electrode iOO by the open space 910. The cooling plate 500 is provided at its lower end with the feed end which is located over the groove 120. In this case, the water condensed on the condensing surface 510 flows along the condensing surface 510 and reaches to the feed end 900. The water reached to the feed end 900 is dropped to the groove 120 through the open space defined as a part of the feed path. The water dropped to the groove 120 flows through the groove and reaches to the emitter end 110, thereby being immediately supplied to the emitter end 110. Therefore, it is possible to obtain the electrostatically atomizing device which is capable of generating the mist of the charged minute water particles at short times after starting an operation of the electrostatically atomizing device. Fig. 5 shows a fifth modification of the first embodiment of the electrostatically atomizing device in this embodiment. In this modification as shown in Hg. 5 (a), the electrostatically atomizing device further comprises a guide 420. The guide 420 is shaped to have a funnel-shape. That is, the guide 42 formed to have a down inclination to drop the water from a lower end. The guide 420 is fixed to the cooling plate 500 to be located at a lower side of the cooling plate 500, thereby being located between the cooling plate 500 and the emitter electrode 100. Fig. 5 (b) shows a front view along the length direction of the emitter electrode of the electrostaticallyatomizing device. In this case, the water on the condensing surface 510 flows to the lower side along the condensing surface 510. The water being reached at the lower end of the condensing surface 510 flows to the guide 420 as shown in Fig. 5 (b), and dropped to the emitter electrode 100. Consequently, it is possible to certainly drop the water on the condensing surface 510 to the emitter electrode 100 with using the guide 420.

In addition, the guide is not limited to be formed to have the funnel-shaped. For example, the guide has a first opening located at one end and a second opening located at the other end. The first opening is formed to have a diameter larger than a diameter of the feed end 900. The first opening is located at the lower side of the feed end 900 to

overlap a whole diameter of the feed end 900. The second opening is configured to drop the water to the emitter electrode 100. Consequently, the guide is configured to certainly guide and drop the water to the emitter electrode 100.

Fig. 6 shows a second embodiment of this invention of the electrostatically

5 atomizing device. In addition, the electrostatically atomizing device is substantially the same as the electrostatically atomizing device of the first embodiment except for the following features. Therefore, the duplicate explanation to common parts and operations will be omitted. Like parts are designated by reference numerals with a suffix letter of "B".

The electrostatically atomizing device in this embodiment comprises the emitter

10 electrode 100B, the opposed electrode 200B, the high voltage source 300B, the Peltier module 400B, the power supply 410B, the radiating fin 600B ₁ the cooling plate 500B, a tube 710B, and a reservoir 700B. These elements are fixed to a housing which is not shown in the figure.

The Peltier module 400B is disposed over the reservoir 700B so that the cooling

15 plate 500B is also located over the reservoir 700B. Therefore, the cooling plate 500B is spaced from the emitter electrode 100B by the open space 910B. Namely, the cooling plate 500B is electrically insulated from the emitter electrode 100B.

The reservoir 700B is formed at its top with an opening 720B. The reservoir 700B is connected to a rear end of the emitter electrode 10OB by the tube 71 OB.

20 The electrostatically atomizing device drives as follows. After the Peltier module is energized by the power supply 410B, the thermoelectric conversion elements of the

— ^„ Peltier module 400B transfer heat from the circuit board of the cooling side to the circuit- board of the radiating side. Consequently, the thermoelectric conversion element of the Peltier module 400B cools the circuit board of the cooling side. When the circuit board of

25 the cooling side is cooled, the cooling plate coupled to the circuit board of the cooling side is cooled. Therefore, the cooling plate 500B condenses vapor within surrounding the air to the water to the condensing surface 510B. The water W on the condensing surface 510B flows toward a lower side, and subsequently reaches to the feed end that is the lower end of the condensing surface 510B. The water at the feed end drops to the

30 reservoir 700B which is located under the cooling plate 500B. Namely, the open space 910B between the emitter electrode 100B and the feed end is defined as a part of a feed

path. The water in the reservoir 700B is supplied to the emitter electrode 10OB by way of the tube 710B. Finally, the electrostatically atomizing device generates the mist of the charged minute water particles according to the electrostatic action explained in the first embodiment. In this electrostatically atomizing device, the cooling plate 500B is spaced from the reservoir 700B by the open space 910B. The cooling plate 500B is located over the reservoir 700B. Therefore, the water on the condensing surface is dropped to the reservoir 700B. Namely, the water on the emitter electrode 100B never flows to the thermoelectric conversion element. In addition, the condensing surface is inclined from the horizontal plane by a predetermined angle. For more details, the condensing surface 510B is inclined at an angle of 90 degrees. Therefore, the water on the condensing surface 510B never flows to the thermoelectric conversion element. Consequently, ft is possible to electrically insulate the Peltier module 400B from the emitter electrode 100B. In addition, the cooling plate 500B is spaced from the emitter electrode by the open space 910B. Therefore, there is no need to dispose the emitter electrode adjacent to the Peltier module. In other words, it is possible to dispose the emitter electrode separately from the Peltier module 400B. Namely, it is possible to obtain the electrostatically atomizing device having a high degree of freedom of the installation.

Fig. 7 shows a first modification of the second embodiment of the electrostatically atomizing device in this invention. In this modification, the reservoir 700B further comprises a porous medium 730B. The porous medium 730B is located inside of the reservoir 700B. The porotjs medium 730B is configured to hold a volume of the water. In this case, the reservoir 700B keeps the water by the porous medium 730B and supply an appropriate amount of the water to the emitter electrode 10OB. Fig. 8 shows a second modification of the second embodiment of the electrostatically atomizing device. In this modification, the reservoir 700B further comprises a guide 740B which is located at the opening 720B. The guide 740B is shaped to a funnel-shape. In this case, the water on the condensing surface 510B reaches to the lower end of the condensing surface 510B, and subsequently is dropped to the guide 740B. The water on the guide 740B certainly flows to the reservoir 700B. Therefore, it is possible to obtain the electrostatically atomizing device which is configured

to surely supply the electrostatically atomizing device to the emitter electrode 100B.

In addition, it is preferable that the cooling plate has a lower end which is formed into taper shape as shown in Rg. 9. The lower end is defined as a feed end 900, 900B.

In this case, the water on the condensing surface flows to the lower end, and subsequently drops to the emitter electrode or the reservoir. Therefore, it is possible to certainly drop the water to the emitter electrode.

Fig. 10 shows a third embodiment of an electrostatically atomizing device in this invention. In addition, the electrostatically atomizing device of the third embodiment is substantially the same as the electrostatically atomizing device of the first embodiment except for the following features. Therefore, the duplicate explanation to common parts and operations will be omitted. Like parts are designated by reference numerals with a suffix letter of "C".

As shown in Fig. 10, the electrostatically atomizing device of this embodiment comprises the emitter electrode 100C ₁ the opposed electrode 200C, the high voltage source 300C, a supply tank 800C, a recovery tank 81 OC, and a frame 830.

The supply tank is disposed over the emitter electrode 100C, thereby being spaced from the emitter electrode by the open space 910C. The supply tank 800C is provided at its bottom with a spout 820C. The spout 820C is configured to drop the water to the emitter electrode 100C. Meanwhile, in Fig. 10, the spout 820C is disposed to drop the water to the emitter end 11 OC. However, it is also possible to dispose the spout 820C to drop the water to a portion other than the emitter end 110C.

The recovery tank 810 is located beneath the ^» «miiter electrode 100C, thereby being configured to recover the water which is excessively supplied to the emitter electrode 100C. The emitter electrode 100C, the opposed electrode 200C, the supply tank, and recovery tank 810C is incorporated into the frame 830. Therefore, the supply tank 800C is disposed over the emitter electrode 100C and is positioned in a water-feeding relation with the emitter electrode by way of a feed path which includes an open space 910C. In addition, the supply tank 800C is spaced from the emitter electrode 100C by the open space 910C, thereby being electrically insulated from the emitter electrode 100C. The opposed electrode 200C is spaced from the emitter end 110C, thereby being disposed in

The electrostatically atomizing device drives as follows. The water in the supply tank 800C is dropped to the lower side through the spout 820C, thereby being supplied to the emitter electrode 100C which is located at the lower side of the spout 820C.

The emitter electrode 100C is ^" formed into a porous structure. Therefore, the capillary action causes the water dropped to the emitter electrode 100C to move to the emitter end 110C of the emitter electrode 100C so that the water is held on the emitter end 110C. The high voltage source 300C is configured to apply a high voltage between the emitter electrode 100C and the opposed electrode 200C, so that the high electrical field is generated between the emitter electrode 100C and the opposed electrode 200C. The high electrical field causes a concentration of the electrical charge at the tip of the water held on the emitter end 110C ₁ and then causes the Coulomb force to the tip of the water held on the emitter end 11 OC. As a result, the high electrical field pulls the water held on the emitter end 110C toward the opposed electrode 200C, and forms a Taylor cone at the tip of the water. Then, the high electrical field causes a high concentration of the electrical charge at the tip of the Taylor cone and causes a high Coulomb force to the tip of the Taylor cone. And finally, according to a Rayleigh breakup caused at the tip of the Taylor cone, a mist of the charged minute water particles of nanometer sizes is generated from the Taylor cone of the water held on the emitter end 110C. The mist of the charged minute water particles of nanometer sizes is carried by an ion wind which flows from the emitter electrode 100C to the opposed electrode and is discharged through the opposed -electrode 200C.

On the other hand, after the water excessively supplied to the emitter electrode 100C to the supply tank 800C, the water held on the emitter electrode 100C is dropped to the lower side. The water dropped from the emitter electrode 100C is recovered by the recovery tank 810C which is located beneath the emitter electrode 100C. The recovery tank 810C is provided with a drain outlet which is not shown in the drawings so that the water in the recovery tank is drained through the drain outlet. In addition, it is also preferred that the recovery tank is configured to evaporate the water. Furthermore, it is also preferred that the recovery tank 810C is configured to be detachably mounted on the frame 830. In this case, it is possible to pour off the water by detaching the recovery tank

.

In addition, as shown in Fig. 12, it is preferred that the supply tank 800C further comprises a pump unit 835C which is configured to send a suitable amount of the water to the emitter electrode 100C.

Fig. 11 shows the first modification of the third embodiment of the electrostatically atomizing device in this invention. In this invention, the electrostatically atomizing device further comprises a return line 840C.

The return line 840C has one end which is connected to a bottom of the recovery tank 810C. The return line 840C has the other end which is located over the supply tank 800C. The return line 840C is provided at its middle portion with a pump 850. The pump 850 is configured to return the water from the recovery tank 810C to the supply tank 800C. In this case, it is possible to return the water from the recovery tank 810C to the supply tank 800C. Therefore, it is possible to supply the water recovered by the recovery tank to the emitter electrode 100C. Consequently, it is possible to obtain the electrostatically atomizing device which is configured to supply the water at a long interval of time.

Fig. 13 and 14 shows a third embodiment of the third embodiment of the electrostatically atomizing device in this invention. As shown in Fig. 13, the electrostatically atomizing device in this modification comprises the emitter electrode 100C, the opposed electrode 200C, the high voltage source 300C, a frame 830, a recovery tank 81 OC, a supply tank 800C ₁ .

As shown in Rg. 1*3rthe frame 830 is provided with a first catch 831 which is located over the emitter electrode 100C. The first catch 831 is configured to hold the supply tank 800C or the recovery tank 810C. The frame 830 is provided with a second catch 832 which is located beneath the emitter electrode 10OC. The second catch 832 is configured to hold the supply tank 800C or the recovery tank 81 OC. The first catch 831 is provided with a nozzle 833C.

Fig. 14 shows a perspective cross section view of the supply tank 800C and the recovery tank 810C. The supply tank 800C and the recovery tank 810C have same elements. The supply tank 800C is provided at its bottom with a spout 820C. The spout 820C is provided with the stop valve 821 C. The stop valve 821 C comprises a rubber ball

the supply tank 800C or the recovery tank 81 OC is mounted to the first catch 831.

The recovery tank 81 OC is formed to have at its bottom with a spout 820C. The spout 820C is provided with a stop valve 821 C. The stop valve 821 C comprises a rubber bail 822C, a ring 823C ₁ and a spring 824C. The stop valve 821 C is configured to open when the supply tank 800C or the recovery tank 81 OC is mounted to the first catch 831.

The nozzle 833C is provided at its inside with a projection 834C which is formed along the axial direction of the nozzle 833C. As shown in Rg. 14 (b), the stop valve 821 C is configured to be opened when the supply tank 800C or the recovery tank 810C is mounted on the first catch 831. Therefore, when the supply tank 800C is mounted on the first catch 831 , the nozzle 833C is configured to flow the water. In addition, when the recovery tank 810C is mounted on the first catch 831, the nozzle 833C is configured to flow the water.

The water dropped from the nozzle 833C is supplied to the emitter electrode 100C. The water supplied to the emitter electrode 100C is electrostatically atomized, thereby becoming the mist of the charged minute water particles. On the other hand, the water excessively supplied to the emitter electrode 100C drops from the emitter electrode and is recovered by the recovery tank 810C.

In this electrostatically atomizing device, ft is possible to mount the recovery tank 810C on the first catch 831 instead of the supply tank 800C. And, it is possible to mount the supply tank 800C on the second catch 832. Therefore, when the water in the supply tank 800C decreases, it is possible to supply the water to the-emitter electrode 100C by replacing the supply tank 800C by the recovery tank 810C. Therefore, the electrostatically atomizing device is capable of continuously generating the mist of the charged minute water particles.

Namely, it is possible to obtain the electrostatically atomizing device which is configured to supply the water continuously to the emitter electrode 100C by replacing the supply tank 800C by the recovery tank 81 OC.

In addition, it is possible to obtain the electrostatically atomizing device which is configured to supply the water at a long interval of time by recycling the water recovered by the recovery tank 81 OC.

800C and the recovery tank 810C are provided with spout 820C. The spout 820C is provided with stop valve 821 C. The stop valve 821 C is configured to open and close by a torsion coil spring 825C and a cap 826C. In this electrostatically atomizing device, it is possible to mount the recovery tank 810C on the first catch instead of the supply tank 800C. Therefore, it is possible to continuously supply the water to the emitter electrode 100C by replacing the supply tank 800C by the recovery tank 810C.

Furthermore, the supply tank 800C is spaced from the emitter electrode 100C by a predetermined space. Therefore, even when the electrostatically atomizing device is in operation, users are able to replenish the water to the supply tank in safety. In addition, it is possible to obtain the electrostatically atomizing device which has the high degree of freedom of installation because the emitter electrode 100C is coupled to the supply tank 800C.

In above embodiments, the opposed electrode 200, 200B, 200C is spaced from the emitter electrode 100C by the predetermined space so that the opposed electrode is disposed in an opposed relation to the emitter electrode 100C. The high voltage source 300C is configured to apply the voltage between the emitter electrode 100C and the opposed electrode 200C. However, the invention is not limited to the above mentioned electrostatically atomizing device having the opposed electrode 200, 200B, 200C. For example, it is possible to provide an earth electrode to a part of the housing. In this case, the high voltage source is configured to apply the voltage between the emitter electrode

- ^» 4θθ© and the earth electrode. With this configuration, it is possible to obtain the electrostatically atomizing device which has the emitter electrode being capable of generating the mist of the charged minute water particles. That is, same effect is able to obtain by only applying the high voltage to the emitter electrode. In this case, an object acts as an opposite pole. Therefore, it is possible to obtain the electrostatically atomizing device which is configured to generate the mist of the charged minute water particles.

In addition, in the first embodiment and the second embodiment, the electrostatically atomizing device comprises the high voltage source for the emitter electrode and the power supply for Peltier module. However, it is also possible to use the high voltage source for applying the voltage to the emitter electrode and the Peltier module.

illustrated embodiments, the present invention should not be limited thereto, and should be interpreted to encompass any combinations of the individual features of the embodiments.