Electrostatic atomizer for use in a motor vehicle

Abstract

An electrostatic atomizer includes a discharge electrode; a high-voltage applying unit for applying a high voltage to the discharge electrode; a water supply unit for supplying water to the discharge electrode; an outlet through which charged water particles and ozone generated by electrostatic atomization during application of the high voltage to the discharge electrode are fed into a vehicle room; a distance measuring unit for measuring the distance between the outlet and a human body; and a control unit for controlling the high-voltage applying unit and the water supply unit to thereby control a discharge current of the discharge electrode. The control unit changes the discharge current in response to a detection signal of the distance measuring unit to make the discharge current supplied when the human body exits closer to the outlet smaller than when the human body exits far away from the outlet.

1 . An electrostatic atomizer installed in a vehicle, comprising:
 a discharge electrode;   a high-voltage applying unit for applying a high voltage to the discharge electrode;   a water supply unit for supplying water to the discharge electrode;   an outlet through which charged water particles and ozone generated by electrostatic atomization during application of the high voltage to the discharge electrode are fed into a vehicle room;   a distance measuring unit for measuring the distance between the outlet and a human body to generate a detection signal; and   a control unit for controlling the high-voltage applying unit and the water supply unit to thereby control a discharge current of the discharge electrode,   wherein the control unit is configured to change the discharge current step by step or continuously in response to the detection signal of the distance measuring unit and to make the value of the discharge current supplied when the human body exits closer to the outlet smaller than the value of the discharge current supplied when the human body exits far away from the outlet.   
     
     
         2 . An electrostatic atomizer installed in a vehicle, comprising:
 a discharge electrode;   a high-voltage applying unit for applying a high voltage to the discharge electrode;   a water supply unit for supplying water to the discharge electrode;   an outlet through which charged water particles and ozone generated by electrostatic atomization during application of the high voltage to the discharge electrode are fed into a vehicle room;   an in-vehicle illumination device for illuminating the interior of the vehicle;   an operation switch for on/off controlling the in-vehicle illumination device and generating on/off signals; and   a control unit for controlling the high-voltage applying unit and the water supply unit to thereby control a discharge current of the discharge electrode,   wherein the control unit is configured to change the discharge current in response to the on/off signals of the operation switch and to make the value of the discharge current supplied when the operation switch is turned on smaller than the value of the discharge current supplied when the operation switch remains turned off.