# US 2004/0167679 A1 · Vehicular neutralizing apparatus

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- Number: US 2004/0167679 A1
- Document ID: US20040167679A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 10/759,132
- Filed: 2004-01-20
- Published: 2004-08-26
- Earliest claimed: 2003-02-25
- Assignees: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
- Inventors: Michiaki Sasaki; Hiroaki Himeki; Takayuki Fuwa
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20040167679A1

## CPC

- H01T 23/00: Apparatus for generating ions to be introduced into non-enclosed gases, e.g. into the atmosphere
- H01T: SPARK GAPS; OVERVOLTAGE ARRESTERS USING SPARK GAPS; SPARKING PLUGS; CORONA DEVICES; GENERATING IONS TO BE INTRODUCED INTO NON-ENCLOSED GASES (overvoltage protection circuits H02H)

## Abstract

A vehicular neutralization apparatus is provided with an ion generator disposed on at least one of a roof of a vehicle and an area in a vicinity of the roof inside the vehicle to allow ions, generated with the ion generator, to be oriented toward an occupant, in such a manner that static electricity charged to the occupant is neutralized.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A vehicular neutralization apparatus comprising:
an ion generator disposed on at least one of a roof of a vehicle and an area in a vicinity of the roof inside the vehicle to allow ions, generated with the ion generator, to be oriented toward an occupant, thereby neutralizing static electricity charged to the occupant.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The vehicular neutralization apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a controller controlling the ion generator so as to cause the ions generated with the ion generator to be supplied toward the occupant for thereby neutralizing static electricity charged to the occupant.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The vehicular neutralization apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a sensor detecting the occupant getting on and off the vehicle,
wherein the controller controls the ion generator in response to the sensor detecting the occupant getting on and off the vehicle.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The vehicular neutralization apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the sensor includes at least one of a door lock sensor detecting a door lock button of the vehicle being actuated, an external door knob sensor detecting an external door knob of the vehicle being actuated, an internal door knob sensor detecting an internal door knob of the vehicle being actuated, an ignition sensor detecting an ignition of the vehicle being actuated, a speed sensor detecting a vehicle speed, a pressure sensitive sensor detecting whether the occupant rests on a seat, and a parking brake sensor detecting a parking brake of the vehicle being actuated.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The vehicular neutralization apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the ion generator is disposed in at least one of a vicinity of a room lamp mounted to a central area of a ceiling of the vehicle, a vicinity of a map lamp mounted to the ceiling of the vehicle at an area forward of the room lamp, an inside and upper portion of a front pillar of the vehicle, an inside and upper portion of a center pillar of the vehicle, and a vicinity of an assist grip that the occupant grips.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The vehicular neutralization apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the ion generator is disposed in a position inside the vehicle in accordance with a motional posture of the occupant, occurring during getting on and off the vehicle.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The vehicular neutralization apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the ion generator is provided with a positive electrode and a negative electrode supplying positive ions and negative ions.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The vehicular neutralization apparatus according to claim 7, wherein a distal end portion of the positive electrode and a distal end portion of the negative electrode of the ion generator are oriented toward the occupant getting on and off the vehicle.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The vehicular neutralization apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a distance between the positive electrode and the negative electrode of the ion generator lies in a value equal to or greater than 50 mm and equal to or less than 100 mm.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The vehicular neutralization apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the ion generator is operative for a given time interval to emit the ions toward the occupant getting on and off the vehicle.

### Claim 11

A vehicular neutralization apparatus comprising:
ion generating means, disposed on at least one of a roof of a vehicle and an area in a vicinity of the roof inside the vehicle, for generating ions; and
controlling means for controlling the ion generating means to supply the ions, generated by the ion generating means, toward an occupant, thereby neutralizing static electricity charged to the occupant.