JP2012093032A - Mist generator - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a mist generator capable of detecting aqueous solution remaining quantity without being influenced by the water quality of the aqueous solution.SOLUTION: The mist generator has a water storing tank, an applying section for applying voltage by an electrode group, a detection section for detecting the voltage, and a control section for controlling the applying section and the detection section. The detection section has an electroconductive member detecting the voltage via liquid stored in the water storing tank. Further, the mist generator stores relative information showing a plurality of relations of the voltages detected by the electroconductive member and the liquid contact face of the electroconductive member every different electroconductivities in a recording medium. The control section calculates the electroconductivity of the liquid stored in the water storing tank using the electrode group. Further, the control section determines the above relation corresponding to the calculated electroconductivity from the relative information and calculates a liquid contacting area of the electroconductive member corresponding to the voltage detected by the electroconductive member using the above determined relation.

Description

  The present invention relates to a mist generator mounted on a vehicle or the like for spraying, and more particularly to a mist generator for detecting a remaining amount of an aqueous solution in a tank using an electrode.

  In recent years, mist generators having various forms and features have been developed. For example, a mist generator for a moving body that cleans air in a vehicle by generating mist (= mist) from a liquid such as water or electrolyzed water and spraying the liquid is put into practical use.

  In relation to the above, Patent Document 1 discloses a portable spray device (= mist generator). This spraying device is provided with a liquid storage means for storing a humidifying liquid and a liquid supply means for supplying the stored liquid upward. Moreover, it is provided in the upper part in a housing, The mist production | generation means which receives supply from a liquid supply means and produces mist from a liquid is provided.

  In addition, the spray device includes an opening for passing the mist generated by the mist generating means above the mist generating means. In addition, a lid is provided at the upper end of the housing so as to be rotatable between an on position and an off position, and a discharge port communicated with the opening when the lid is pivoted to the on position. Thereby, mist is discharged through the opening and the discharge port.

JP 2009-168328 A

  However, in the mist generator as disclosed in Patent Document 1, drought of the aqueous solution in the water tank can be detected, but a detailed residual amount of the aqueous solution cannot be measured. If measurement was to be made, for example, it was necessary to install a large number of electrodes for detecting the water level, or to install a dedicated sensor for detecting the water level separately. However, these lead to an increase in the number of parts, thereby increasing the size and cost of the apparatus. As a result, there is a problem that it becomes difficult to mount the mist generator on the moving body.

  In order to solve this problem, a technique for measuring the water level of an aqueous solution using one drought electrode provided in the aqueous solution tank has been proposed. In this technique, an electrode for applying a voltage to the inside of the aqueous solution tank and a drought electrode for detecting this voltage through the aqueous solution are provided. The drought electrode is provided so that the lower end thereof is at a position higher by a predetermined distance from the bottom of the aqueous solution tank. That is, when the aqueous solution decreases, the drought is detected by the lower end of the drought electrode not contacting the aqueous solution.

  Further, the difference in detection voltage caused by the difference in the vertical length of the aqueous solution contact surface of the drought electrode (hereinafter referred to as “water depth”) is measured in advance. Based on this difference, the remaining amount of the aqueous solution in the aqueous solution tank is determined. Usually, the detection voltage increases as the water depth increases. The relationship between the water depth and the detection voltage is almost directly proportional.

  FIG. 9 shows a result of measuring the voltage while applying a voltage of 24 V to the electrode plate provided in the aqueous solution tank and changing the water depth of the experimental drought electrode. FIG. 10 is a graph of this result. In this experimental result, the rate of change in the detection voltage due to the difference in water depth was about 0.33 V per 10 mm on average.

  Thus, if the relationship between the water depth and the detection voltage is known in advance, it is possible to measure the water depth, that is, the remaining amount of the aqueous solution based on the detection voltage. However, the relationship between the water depth and the detection voltage is affected by the water quality of the aqueous solution. This is because the conductivity of the aqueous solution changes if the water quality changes. For this reason, there is a problem that the relationship between the water depth and the detection voltage is not always constant.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and is a mist generator that measures the remaining amount of an aqueous solution in an aqueous solution tank with a drought electrode, and the remaining amount of the aqueous solution can be measured without being affected by the change in water quality of the aqueous solution. It is to provide a mist generator that can be measured.

  In order to achieve the above object, a mist generator of the present invention includes a water storage tank for storing a liquid therein, an electrode group composed of a plurality of electrodes, an application unit for applying a voltage to the electrode group, and a voltage detection In the mist generator comprising a detection unit that performs control and the control unit that controls the application unit and the detection unit, the detection unit stores the voltage applied to the electrode group by the application unit in the water storage tank. A conductive member that detects through the liquid, the control unit calculates the conductivity of the liquid stored in the water storage tank using the electrode group, the area of the liquid contact surface of the conductive member, The calculation is based on the conductivity and the voltage detected by the conductive member.

  According to this configuration, the mist generator of the present invention includes a water storage tank, an application unit that applies a voltage using an electrode group, and a detection unit that detects the voltage. Moreover, the control part which controls an application part and a detection part is provided. The detection unit includes a conductive member that detects the voltage applied by the application unit via the liquid stored in the water storage tank. A control part calculates the electrical conductivity of the liquid stored in the water storage tank using an electrode group. Then, the area of the liquid contact surface of the conductive member is calculated based on the conductivity and the detection voltage.

  In order to achieve the above object, the mist generator of the present invention includes relationship information which is information indicating a plurality of relationships between the voltage detected by the conductive member and the area according to the conductivity value. The control unit calculates the area corresponding to the voltage detected by the conductive member using the calculated conductivity and the relationship information.

  According to this configuration, the mist generator of the present invention provides the relationship information, which is information indicating a plurality of relationships between the voltage detected by the conductive member and the liquid contact surface of the conductive member for each different conductivity, a recording medium, etc. To record. The control unit determines the relationship corresponding to the calculated conductivity from the relationship information, and calculates the liquid contact area of the conductive member corresponding to the voltage detected by the conductive member using the determined relationship.

  In order to achieve the above object, the control unit provided in the mist generator of the present invention detects a resistance between the electrodes in the electrode group, and detects the detected resistance and the electrode group to the conductive member. The conductivity is calculated based on a distance and an area of the conductive member.

  According to this configuration, the control unit detects the resistance between the electrodes of the electrode group, and calculates the conductivity based on the detected resistance, the distance from the electrode group to the conductive member, and the area of the conductive member.

  In order to achieve the above object, the conductive member provided in the mist generator of the present invention is a plate-like member provided in the vertical direction inside the water storage tank, and the relation information is detected by the conductive member. Information indicating a plurality of relationships between the measured voltage and the vertical length of the liquid contact surface of the conductive member according to the value of the conductivity, and the control unit includes the calculated conductivity and the relationship information Is used to calculate the length corresponding to the voltage detected by the conductive member.

  According to this configuration, the conductive member is a plate-like member provided in the vertical direction inside the water storage tank. The relationship information includes information indicating the relationship between the voltage detected by the conductive member and the vertical length of the liquid contact surface of the conductive member for each of a plurality of electrical conductivities. A control part discriminate | determines the said relationship corresponding to the calculated electrical conductivity from this relationship information, and calculates the vertical direction length corresponding to the voltage detected by the electrically-conductive member using the determined said relationship.

  In order to achieve the above object, the mist generator of the present invention includes an atomization unit that atomizes a liquid, and a flow path for conveying the liquid stored in the water storage tank to the atomization unit. And a pressurizing unit that pressurizes the liquid stored in the water storage tank and urges the liquid to reach the atomizing unit via the transport unit. The control unit is characterized in that when the length falls below a predetermined threshold, the drought is notified or the driving of the pressurizing unit is stopped.

  According to this configuration, the mist generator is stored in the water storage tank, the atomization unit that atomizes the liquid, the transport unit that forms the flow path for transporting the liquid stored in the water storage tank to the atomization unit, and the water storage tank. And a pressurizing unit that pressurizes the liquid being used. When the vertical length of the liquid contact surface of the conductive member falls below a predetermined threshold, the control unit performs drought notification or stops driving the pressurizing unit.

  Further, in order to achieve the above object, the atomization unit provided in the mist generator of the present invention includes an ultrasonic vibrator, atomizes a liquid using the ultrasonic vibrator, and is disposed above the water storage tank. The conveying unit forms the flow path vertically upward, and the pressurizing unit sends air from the outside of the water storage tank to the inside of the water storage tank to thereby adjust the air pressure in the water storage tank. By increasing the pressure, the liquid stored in the water storage tank is pressurized, and the liquid is pushed up through the transport unit and transported to the atomization unit.

  According to this configuration, the atomizing unit includes the ultrasonic vibrator, and atomizes the liquid using the ultrasonic vibrator. Moreover, the atomization part is provided above the water storage tank. The transport unit forms a flow path vertically upward. The pressurizing unit sends air from the outside to the inside of the water storage tank to increase the air pressure in the water storage tank, thereby pressurizing and pushing up the liquid and transporting it to the atomizing unit.

  According to the present invention, the measurement error of the water depth caused by the water quality is corrected using the conductivity between the electrodes. For this reason, it is possible to perform water depth measurement with higher accuracy and practical use. This also allows the user to easily determine the replenishment timing of the aqueous solution, thereby improving convenience. Further, since no additional parts are required, it is advantageous in terms of size saving and cost saving.

It is the upper side figure and sectional side view which show the structure of the mist generator of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the structure of the atomization part of the mist generator of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the electric circuit structure of the mist generator of this invention. It is a cross-sectional side view which shows the internal structure at the time of the non-drought of the mist generator of this invention. It is a cross-sectional side view which shows the internal structure at the time of drought of the mist generator of this invention. It is the table figure which showed the relationship between detection voltage and water depth. It is the graph which showed the relationship between a detection voltage and water depth. It is the circuit diagram which showed a part of circuit structure of the mist generator of this invention. It is a table figure which shows the result of the voltage detection experiment of the mist generator of this invention. It is a graph which shows the result of the voltage detection experiment of the mist generator of this invention.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In addition, embodiment shown here is an example and this invention is not limited to embodiment shown here.
<1. Internal configuration>
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an internal configuration of a mist generator 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The mist generator 100 is a device for generating and spraying mist on the inside of the vehicle 10 in which the mist generator 100 is mounted. The mist generator 100 has a structure that can be attached to and detached from the vehicle 10. Each part of the mist generator 100 is formed, for example, as a plastic molded product unless otherwise specified.

  FIG. 1A is a top view of the mist generator 100 as viewed from above. FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional side view of the mist generator 100 as viewed from the side. The mist generator 100 operates using a rechargeable battery (not shown) or the like as a power source, and has a cylindrical shape with a diameter of about 10 cm and a height of about 20 cm. In FIG. 1B, the downward direction in the figure indicates the lower direction of the mist generator 100.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the mist generator 100 includes a discharge plate 101 (= atomization unit), an ultrasonic vibrator 102 (= atomization unit), an aqueous solution tank 103 (= water storage tank), a water conduit 104 (= conveyance unit). ), A pneumatic delivery device 105 (= pressurizing unit), an electrolytic electrode 106 (= electrode group), a drought electrode 107 (= conductive member), and a control board 200.

  The discharge plate 101 is a plate-like member in which a fine hole is provided in the center for discharging mist. The ultrasonic vibrator 102 is a disk-shaped member that is pushed up through the water conduit 104 and mists the aqueous solution that has reached the lower side of the discharge plate 101 by a vibrating operation.

  Then, the mist-like aqueous solution, that is, the mist is sprayed to the outside of the mist generator 100 through the discharge plate 101. This achieves the main purpose of the mist generator 100 that generates and discharges mist to the outside.

  The aqueous solution tank 103 stores the aqueous solution used by the ultrasonic transducer 102 for generating mist. The water guide pipe 104 is fixed to the housing of the mist generator 100 as a substantially tubular member extending in the vertical direction (vertical direction). The upper end and the lower end of the water conduit 104 are opened, and the aqueous solution entering from the lower end of the water conduit 104 flows through the inside and can exit from the upper end.

  The lower end of the water conduit 104 is designed to protrude into the aqueous solution tank 103. On the other hand, a discharge plate 101 and an ultrasonic transducer 102 are disposed in the vicinity of the upper end of the water conduit 104. Thereby, the water conduit 104 forms a flow path of the aqueous solution so as to go from the inside of the aqueous solution tank 103 toward the discharge plate 101 and the ultrasonic vibrator 102.

  Note that the lower end of the water conduit 104 is set to be separated from the bottom of the aqueous solution tank 103 by a predetermined distance. As the shape of the water conduit 104, a substantially tubular shape is suitable as described above, but various shapes can be adopted as long as the flow path of the aqueous solution is formed.

  The air pressure delivery device 105 has an air suction port and an air outlet, and performs an operation of blowing out air sucked from the air inlet (hereinafter, referred to as “air blowing operation”). The pneumatic delivery device 105 is installed such that the suction port is opened to the outside (in the atmosphere) of the mist generator 100. Further, the air outlet is installed so as to face the lower part of the mist generator 100.

  When the air pressure increases due to the blowing operation, the aqueous solution in the aqueous solution tank 103 is pressurized. As the water pressure of the aqueous solution increases, the aqueous solution in the aqueous solution tank 103 is pushed up inside the water conduit 104. As described above, the aqueous solution in the aqueous solution tank 103 is urged to reach the vicinity of the ultrasonic transducer 102 by being pressurized, and is continuously supplied to the ultrasonic transducer 102. As a result, mist is generated.

  Note that the air existing in the water conduit 104 is discharged to the outside of the mist generator 100 by a ventilation filter (not shown). The ventilation filter has a structure including a water blocking film that allows air to pass but does not allow aqueous solution to pass. Thereby, when the aqueous solution in the aqueous solution tank 103 is pushed up by the air blowing operation, air present in the water conduit 104 or the like is prevented from obstructing the pushing up of the aqueous solution. Further, the water stop film prevents the aqueous solution from leaking out of the mist generator 100.

  The electrolytic electrode 106 is an electrode group for generating electrolyzed water, and is configured to include a pair of electrode plates of an anode electrode and a cathode electrode. When a voltage is applied to the pair of electrode plates, the aqueous solution in the aqueous solution tank 103 is electrolyzed. Thereby, the electrolyzed water containing hypochlorous acid, active oxygen, etc. which have a bactericidal action and a deodorizing action is produced | generated.

  The electrode plate included in the electrolytic electrode 106 is formed, for example, by coating platinum on a titanium or ruthenium-based material and coating iridium on the outside thereof. Further, a voltage is applied to the electrode plate using, for example, a lead wire. Note that the polarity of the anode electrode and the cathode electrode is changed every predetermined time, and the polarity is changed to generate electrolyzed water.

  The drought electrode 107 detects the voltage applied to the electrolytic electrode 106 via the aqueous solution in the aqueous solution tank 103. Then, the detection result is transmitted to the microcomputer 201. Thereby, the liquid level of the aqueous solution is detected. The drought electrode 107 is provided such that the lower end thereof is located above the bottom of the aqueous solution tank 103 by a predetermined distance (height T in the drawing). That is, the drought electrode 107 comes into contact with the aqueous solution from the water level at which the aqueous solution tank 103 is full to the water level at which the driving of the mist generator 100 is stopped.

  When the water level falls below this height T, the drought electrode 107 cannot detect the voltage. Thereby, drought in the aqueous solution tank 103 is detected. As a material of the drought electrode 107, for example, a metal such as stainless steel having a constant surface area from the tip to the base is used.

  The control board 200 is a board including a control circuit that controls each part of the mist generator 100, a microcomputer, or the like. The control board 200 is housed in a space provided in the housing of the mist generator 100 (above the aqueous solution tank 103 in the example of FIG. 1).

The control board 200 is connected to the ultrasonic vibrator 102, the electrolytic electrode 106, the drought electrode 107, and the like by lead wires or the like. The control board 200 includes at least a microcomputer 201 (= control unit), a vibrator drive circuit 202 (= atomization unit), a pneumatic delivery device drive circuit 203 (= pressurization unit), and an electrode drive circuit 204 (shown in FIG. 3). = Applying section). Details of each part will be described later.
<2. About the structure of ultrasonic transducers>
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration around the ultrasonic transducer 102 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2A shows a state in which the ultrasonic transducer 102 is viewed obliquely from above. FIG. 2B shows a cross-sectional view when a plane including the line segment AA ′ is taken as a cross-section (however, a portion such as the control board 200 is not a cross-sectional view).

  As shown in FIG. 2, the ultrasonic transducer 102 has a donut shape (the cross section is substantially rectangular), and is bonded to the upper surface of the discharge plate 101 whose outer edge is circular. The discharge plate 101 is a substantially plate-like member made of, for example, stainless steel, and a mesh portion 101a is provided in a predetermined region at the center (a part of a region surrounded by the ultrasonic transducer 102).

The mesh portion 101a is formed in a mesh shape provided with a large number of micropores having a size enough to allow mist to pass through. The ultrasonic vibrator 102 is made of piezoelectric ceramic. When a predetermined voltage is applied between the electrode film formed on the surface of the ultrasonic transducer 102 and the emission plate 101 by the control substrate 200 installed in the housing, high-frequency (ultrasonic) vibration is generated. As a result, the aqueous solution is atomized to generate mist.
<3. Control board configuration>
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control board 200 and the configuration of members connected to the control board 200 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 3, the control board 200 includes a microcomputer 201, a vibrator driving circuit 202, an air pressure delivery device driving circuit 203, and an electrode driving circuit 204. In addition to the members illustrated in FIG. 1, a start switch 301 and a power supply unit 302 exist as members connected to the control board 200.

  The microcomputer 201 organically controls the driving of each member of the mist generator 100 and controls the generation of mist in an integrated manner. Further, the microcomputer 201 has a function of performing drive control on the vibrator drive circuit 202 to the electrode drive circuit 204 and voltage control on the power supply unit 302. Further, the microcomputer 201 determines whether or not drought has occurred in the aqueous solution tank 103 by monitoring whether or not the drought electrode 107 detects a voltage. Based on the determination result, the electrode driving circuit 204 described later is controlled.

  The vibrator driving circuit 202 is a circuit that selectively performs execution / non-execution of the driving voltage to the ultrasonic vibrator 102. The vibrator driving circuit 202 has a function of adjusting the amount of mist generated by changing the magnitude of the driving voltage to be applied.

  The air pressure delivery device drive circuit 203 is a circuit that selectively performs application / non-execution of the drive voltage to the air pressure delivery device 105. The air pressure delivery device drive circuit 203 has a function of adjusting the amount of air pressure generated by the air pressure delivery device 105 by changing the magnitude of the applied drive voltage.

  The electrode drive circuit 204 is a circuit that selectively performs execution / non-application of the drive voltage to the electrolytic electrode 106. The electrode driving circuit 204 has a function as a switching circuit for changing the polarity of the electrode plate included in the electrolytic electrode 106. That is, the circuits are switched so that the pair of electrode plates becomes an electrolytic electrode composed of a positive electrode and a cathode electrode.

  The start switch 301 is a limit switch for switching ON / OFF of the operating state of the mist generator 100. However, even when the start switch is OFF, the start switch 301 allows a minute current to flow to the microcomputer 201. Thereby, the microcomputer 201 can maintain the standby state.

  The power supply unit 302 is supplied with electric power from an external power supply (not shown), performs DC / AC conversion and the like, and supplies a power supply voltage to each unit of the mist generator 100. The power supply unit 302 includes, for example, a connection terminal (not shown) for connecting a power cord for receiving power supply from an external power supply.

Alternatively, the power supply unit 302 may be configured such that the mist generator 100 can be driven while being disconnected from the external power supply by using a dry battery or a secondary battery as a power supply. As the secondary battery, for example, a rechargeable alkaline battery or a lithium ion battery can be used.
<4. About drought detection processing>
Next, the drought detection process which the microcomputer 201 implements is demonstrated using FIG.4 and FIG.5. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional side view of the mist generator 100 as viewed from the side, showing a state where drought has not occurred. FIG. 5 shows a state where drought has occurred as a result of mist generation.

  In the state of FIG. 4, when the power supply unit 302 is activated by the activation switch 301, the microcomputer 201 controls the vibrator driving circuit 202 and the air pressure delivery device driving circuit 203. Thereby, the mist generation process is started. In addition, the electrode drive circuit 204 is controlled to drive the electrolytic electrode 106, and a voltage detection process for detecting the voltage applied to the electrolytic electrode 106 by the drought electrode 107 via the aqueous solution is started.

  In this state, the microcomputer 201 uses the drought electrode 107 to determine whether or not drought has occurred in the aqueous solution tank 103. Specifically, for example, when the drought electrode 107 cannot detect the voltage, it is considered that drought has occurred.

  In other words, the aqueous solution in the aqueous solution tank 103 is reduced by the air blowing operation, the water level of the aqueous solution becomes lower than the lower end of the drought electrode 107, and the drought electrode 107 is not in contact with the aqueous solution (FIG. 5).

  Further, the microcomputer 201 calculates the water depth based on the detected change in voltage while the drought electrode 107 is in contact with the aqueous solution, and determines the remaining amount of the aqueous solution. This utilizes the fact that the detection voltage changes according to the water depth of the drought electrode 107. As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the drought electrode 107 has a characteristic that the detection voltage decreases as the water depth decreases.

  FIG. 9 shows the result of measuring the voltage while applying a voltage of 24 V to the electrolytic electrode 106 and changing the water depth of the experimental drought electrode 107. Note that the above experimental values are merely examples.

  FIG. 10 is a graph of the above results. As a result of four measurements, the voltage increased as the water depth increased. Further, as shown in FIG. 10, the relationship between the water depth and the voltage is a substantially linear relationship, that is, a directly proportional relationship.

  In this experimental result, the rate of change in voltage due to the difference in water depth was about 0.33 V per 10 mm on average. In the second and fourth experiments in FIG. 9, the distance between the electrolytic electrode 106 and the experimental drought electrode 107 was measured at a different distance from the first and third. When the distance from the electrolytic electrode 106 to which a voltage is applied changes, the magnitude of the detected voltage also changes. However, as shown in FIG. 10, there is no significant change in the proportionality constant.

  The mist generator records information (= relation information) indicating the correlation between the detected voltage and the water depth based on the above experimental results on a recording medium or the like provided on the control board 200. The microcomputer 201 determines the remaining amount of the aqueous solution by referring to this information.

  However, the above experiment is based on the premise that the water quality of the aqueous solution is the same. When the water quality of the aqueous solution used is different, the voltage measured at the same water depth is different. For example, even if there is a slight difference in chlorine concentration, the measured voltage varies.

6 and 7 show the results of conducting an energization experiment using a plurality of aqueous solutions having different water qualities while fixing the distance between the electrolytic electrode 106 and the experimental drought electrode 107. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, if the water quality changes, the proportional relationship between the detected voltage and the water depth also differs. As a result of the experiment, normally, the higher the conductivity, the greater the detection voltage corresponding to a predetermined water depth. For this reason, in order to correct the measurement error due to this difference in water quality, the following correction processing is performed.
<5. Correction process>
First, as a premise, the mist generator 100 includes an electrode plate (hereinafter referred to as “electrode plate 106 a”) to which a voltage is applied among a plurality of electrode plates included in the electrolytic electrode 106 when a voltage is applied to the electrolytic electrode 106. The voltage is measured with the opposite electrode plate (hereinafter referred to as “electrode plate 106b”), and the water quality abnormality is detected. Thereby, water quality abnormalities, such as a chlorine concentration being too deep, are detected, for example.

  At this time, the approximate conductivity of the aqueous solution in the aqueous solution tank 103 is calculated from the voltage measured by the electrolytic plate 106b. FIG. 8 is a circuit diagram showing a circuit configuration for calculating the conductivity. In the figure, Va, Vb, V1, and V2 indicate voltages, Ia and Ib indicate currents, and Ra and Rb indicate resistances. Moreover, the switch in the figure is closed to facilitate the flow of the electrolyzed water generation current when the conductivity is not measured.

From the circuit configuration of FIG. 8, the resistance R1 between the electrode plate 106a and the electrode plate 106b is calculated by the following equation.
R1 = Ia / V1 = (Va / Ra) / V1
Further, the conductivity σ is calculated by the following formula.
σ = 1 / Electric resistivity = 1 / (R1 × A / L)
In the above formula, A is the area of the electrode plate 106a and the electrode plate 106b, and L is the distance between the electrode plate 106a and the electrode plate 106b. The area of the electrode plate 106a and the area of the electrode plate 106b are the same.

  The microcomputer 201 corrects the voltage difference measured due to the drought electrode 107, that is, the voltage difference caused by the water quality, based on the conductivity σ obtained above. For example, when the calculated conductivity σ exceeds a predetermined range, the water depth is calculated from the detected voltage using the proportional relationship of “high conductivity” shown in FIG. Further, when the conductivity σ is within a predetermined range, the water depth is calculated from the detected voltage using a proportional relationship of “medium conductivity”. Further, when the conductivity σ falls below a predetermined range, the water depth is calculated from the detected voltage using a proportional relationship of “low conductivity”.

  It is assumed that information indicating the proportional relationship for each conductivity is investigated in advance and recorded on a recording medium or the like provided on the control board 200. The microcomputer 201 determines the remaining amount of the aqueous solution corresponding to the detected conductivity by referring to this information.

  Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 7, the error may be corrected using a characteristic that the detection voltage corresponding to a predetermined water depth increases as the conductivity increases. In the case of this embodiment, first, the water depth corresponding to the detected voltage is calculated using a predetermined proportional relationship (for example, the proportional relationship of “medium conductivity” in FIG. 7). Next, the corrected water depth is calculated by multiplying the water depth by a correction value corresponding to the magnitude of the calculated conductivity σ. This corrected water depth is used for drought detection as the actual water depth.

  Note that the above-described calculation process of the conductivity σ and the calculation of the corrected water depth are desirably performed periodically according to a predetermined period. Thereby, even if the electrical conductivity σ is changed due to a decrease in the aqueous solution due to mist generation, exchange of the aqueous solution, or the like, it is possible to more appropriately correct the error.

According to the present embodiment described above, the measurement error due to the difference in water quality or the like is corrected using the conductivity measured by the electrolytic electrode 106. For this reason, it is possible to perform water depth measurement with higher accuracy and practical use. This also allows the user to easily determine the replenishment timing of the aqueous solution, thereby improving convenience. Further, since no additional parts are required, this is advantageous in terms of size and cost.
[Other embodiments]
The present invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiments and examples. However, the present invention is not necessarily limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the technical idea. be able to.

  Therefore, the present invention can also be applied to the following embodiments.

  (A) In the above-described embodiment, the in-vehicle mist generator 100 is described as an example of a device that implements the configuration of the present invention. However, the embodiment may be implemented in other mist generators. For example, the present invention may be implemented in a mist generator that is mounted on a passenger aircraft, a ship, or the like. Moreover, the form which implements this invention may be sufficient in the portable mist generator to carry and use.

  (B) In the above-described embodiment, the pneumatic delivery device 105 is used as a pressurizing device that pressurizes the aqueous solution stored in the aqueous solution tank 103. However, the aqueous solution may be pressurized by a device other than this. For example, the aqueous solution in the aqueous solution tank 103 may be pressurized by gradually deforming the aqueous solution tank 103 and reducing the space in the aqueous solution tank 103.

  (C) In the above embodiment, a description has been given by taking a substantially tubular member extending in the vertical direction in the housing of the mist generator 100 as an example of the water conduit 104, but a configuration having a shape or composition other than this is also used. Good. For example, the water conduit 104 may have a streamline shape, and a flow path of the aqueous solution may be formed via the outside of the housing. Alternatively, for example, the water conduit 104 and the housing of the mist generator may be integrally formed. Further, a water absorbing rod may be provided instead of the water conduit 104 so that the aqueous solution is transported using suction by capillary action.

  (D) In the above embodiment, the notification process for performing notification based on the measured water depth is not particularly specified. For example, the mist generator 100 includes a notification device such as a lamp, and according to the measured water depth. It is also possible to perform a notification process such as changing the lighting color of the lamp.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Vehicle 100 Mist generator 101 Release plate 102 Ultrasonic vibrator (Atomization part)
103 Aqueous solution tank (water storage tank)
104 Water conduit (conveyance unit)
105 Pneumatic delivery device (pressure unit)
106 Electrolytic electrode (applying part, electrode group)
107 Drought electrode (detector, conductive member)
200 Control board 201 Microcomputer (control unit)
202 Vibrator drive circuit (atomization unit)
203 Pneumatic delivery device drive circuit (pressure unit)
204 Electrode drive circuit (application unit)

Claims (6)

A water storage tank for storing liquid inside,
An electrode unit including a plurality of electrodes, and an application unit configured to apply a voltage to the electrode group;
A detector for detecting voltage;
In a mist generator comprising a control unit that controls the application unit and the detection unit,
The detection unit includes a conductive member that detects a voltage applied to the electrode group by the application unit via a liquid stored in the water storage tank,
The control unit calculates the electrical conductivity of the liquid stored in the water storage tank using the electrode group, and determines the area of the liquid contact surface of the conductive member as a voltage detected by the conductivity and the conductive member. A mist generator that is calculated based on The mist generator includes relationship information that is information indicating a plurality of relationships between the voltage detected by the conductive member and the area according to the conductivity value,
The said control part calculates the said area corresponding to the voltage detected by the said electrically-conductive member using the calculated said conductivity and the said relationship information. The mist generator of Claim 1 characterized by these. The control unit detects a resistance between the electrodes in the electrode group, and determines the conductivity based on the detected resistance, a distance from the electrode group to the conductive member, and an area of the conductive member. The mist generator according to claim 2, wherein the mist generator is calculated. The conductive member is a plate-like member provided in the vertical direction inside the water storage tank,
The relation information includes information indicating a plurality of relations between a voltage detected by the conductive member and a vertical length of a liquid contact surface of the conductive member according to the value of the conductivity,
The said control part calculates the said length corresponding to the voltage detected by the said electrically-conductive member using the calculated said electrical conductivity and the said relationship information. The mist generator of Claim 3 characterized by the above-mentioned. . The mist generator includes an atomization unit that atomizes a liquid, a transport unit that forms part of a flow path for transporting the liquid stored in the water storage tank to the atomization unit, and the water storage tank. A pressurizing unit that pressurizes the liquid stored in the tank to urge the liquid to reach the atomizing unit via the transport unit;
5. The mist generator according to claim 4, wherein when the length falls below a predetermined threshold, the controller performs drought notification or stops driving the pressurizing unit. The atomization unit includes an ultrasonic vibrator, atomizes a liquid using the ultrasonic vibrator, and is provided above the water storage tank,
The transport unit forms the flow path vertically upward,
The pressurizing unit pressurizes the liquid stored in the water storage tank by sending air from the outside of the water storage tank to the inside of the water storage tank to increase the air pressure in the water storage tank, The mist generator according to claim 5, wherein the mist generator is pushed up via a conveying unit and conveyed to the atomizing unit.

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