ELECTROSTATIC ATOMIZER, INSPECTION METHOD, AND COMPUTER READABLE INFORMATION RECORDING MEDIUM (as amended)

An electrostatic atomizer which includes a first electrode and a second electrode and sprays a liquid from a tip of the first electrode by applying a high voltage between the first electrode and the second electrode,

• the electrostatic atomizer comprising:
• a high voltage generating section for applying a high voltage between the first electrode and the second electrode;
• a signal generating section for generating a PWM signal (Pulse Width Modulation signal) for controlling the high voltage generating section so that an electric current at the second electrode is retained within a certain range;
• an identifying section for identifying an electric current consumption of the high voltage generating section on the basis of an on-time of the PWM signal during a certain time in accordance with a relational formula in which an on-time of the PWM signal during a certain time and an electric current consumption of the high voltage generating section are associated with each other;
• and
• a reporting section for causing a report to be sent out of the electrostatic atomizer in a case where the electric current consumption of the high voltage generating section identified by the identifying section is larger than a value specified in advance, the report reporting that the electric current consumption of the high voltage generating section identified by the identifying section is larger than the value specified in advance.

A method for inspecting an electrostatic atomizer including a first electrode and a second electrode and spraying a liquid from a tip of the first electrode by applying a high voltage between the first electrode and the second electrode,

• the electrostatic atomizer comprising:
• a high voltage generating section for applying a high voltage between the first electrode and the second electrode,
• the method comprising the steps of:
• (a) generating a PWM signal (Pulse Width Modulation signal) for controlling the high voltage generating section so that an electric current at the second electrode is retained within a certain range;
• (b) identifying an on-time of the PWM signal during a certain time;
• and
• (c) causing a report to be sent out of the electrostatic atomizer in a case where the on-time identified in the step (b) is larger than a certain value, the report reporting that the on-time identified in the step (b) is larger than the certain value.

A computer-readable information recording non-transitory medium in which an inspection program is recorded, the inspection program is a program for inspecting an electrostatic atomizer including a first electrode and a second electrode and spraying a liquid from a tip of the first electrode by applying a high voltage between the first electrode and the second electrode,

• the electrostatic atomizer comprising:
• a high voltage generating section for applying a high voltage between the first electrode and the second electrode,
• the program causing a computer to carrying out the following steps:
• (a) generating a PWM signal (Pulse Width Modulation signal) for controlling the high voltage generating section so that an electric current at the second electrode is retained within a certain range;
• (b) identifying an on-time of the PWM signal during a certain time;
• and
• (c) causing a report to be sent out of the electrostatic atomizer in a case where the on-time identified in the step (b) is larger than a certain value, the report reporting that the on-time identified in the step (b) is larger than the certain value.