Ion generator and air conditioning apparatus

An ion generator comprising:

• a first generator for generating positive ions and negative ions;
• a second generator for generating a relatively small amount of positive ions and a relatively large amount of negative ions;
• a switch unit for selectively switching to either of the first generator and the second generator;
• and
• one of a timer and a detector for detecting an external environment,
• whereby either of the first generator and the second generator to which the switch unit switches is operated, and
• wherein the switch unit switches based on one of a time measured by the timer and a value detected by the detector.

An ion generator comprising:

• a first generator for generating positive ions and negative ions;
• a second generator for generating a relatively small amount of positive ions and a relatively large amount of negative ions;
• a switch unit for selectively switching to either of the first generator and the second generator;
• and
• an indicator for indicating an operational state,
• whereby either of the first generator and the second generator to which the switch unit switches is operated, and
• wherein, when one of the first generator and the second generator is in operation, the indicator indicates operational state thereof by a corresponding color.

An ion generator comprising:

• a first generator for generating positive ions and negative ions;
• a second generator for generating a relatively small amount of positive ions and a relatively large amount of negative ions;
• a switch unit for selectively switching to either of the first generator and the second generator;
• and
• a timer,
• whereby either of the first generator and the second generator to which the switch unit switches is operated, and
• wherein the switch unit switches to the first generator for a predetermined time which is measured from start of operation by the timer.

An air conditioning apparatus comprising:

• a changing unit for changing air conditions;
• and
• an ion generator, the ion generator comprising:
• a first generator for generating substantially equal amounts of positive ions and negative ions;
• a second generator for generating a relatively small amount of positive ions and a relatively large amount of negative ions;
• and
• a switch unit for selectively switching to either of the first generator and the second generator, whereby negative ions and positive ions generated by the ion generator are dispersed into the air changed by the changing unit, and either of the first generator and the second generator to which the switch unit switches is operated,
• wherein the first generator and the second generator comprise a dielectric body, a pair of electrodes facing each other with the dielectric body therebetween, and an applying unit for applying an alternating voltage across the pair of electrodes,
• the applying unit applies an alternating voltage across the pair of electrodes to generate negative ions and positive ions, and
• the switch unit includes a diode having an anode side connected to one of the pair of electrodes, which is not a voltage supply side electrode,
• and a cathode side to which a common fixed electric potential is applied, and a switch connected to both terminals of the diode.

An air conditioning apparatus comprising:

• a changing unit for changing air conditions;
• and
• an ion generator, the ion generator comprising:
• a first generator for generating substantially equal amounts of positive ions and negative ions;
• a second generator for generating a relatively small amount of positive ions;
• and a relatively large amount of negative ions;
• a switch unit for selectively switching to either of the first generator and the second generator, whereby negative ions and positive ions generated by the ion generator are dispersed into the air changed by the changing unit, and either of the first generator and the second generator to which the switch unit switches is operated;
• and
• one of a timer and a detector for detecting an external environment,
• wherein the switch unit switches based on one of a time measured by the timer and a value detected by the detector.

An air conditioning apparatus comprising:

• a changing unit for changing air conditions;
• and
• an ion generator, the ion generator comprising:
• a first generator for generating substantially equal amounts of positive ions and negative ions;
• a second generator for generating a relatively small amount of positive ions;
• and a relatively large amount of negative ions;
• a switch unit for selectively switching to either of the first generator and the second generator, whereby negative ions and positive ions generated by the ion generator are dispersed into the air changed by the changing unit, and either of the first generator and the second generator to which the switch unit switches is operated;
• and
• an indicator for indicating an operational state,
• wherein, when one of the first generator and the second generator is in operation, the indicator indicates operational state thereof by a corresponding color.

An air conditioning apparatus comprising:

• a changing unit for changing air conditions;
• and
• an ion generator, the ion generator comprising:
• a first generator for generating substantially equal amounts of positive ions and negative ions;
• a second generator for generating a relatively small amount of positive ions;
• and a relatively large amount of negative ions;
• a switch unit for selectively switching to either of the first generator and the second generator, whereby negative ions and positive ions generated by the ion generator are dispersed into the air changed by the changing unit, and either of the first generator and the second generator to which the switch unit switches is operated;
• and
• a timer,
• wherein the switch unit switches to the first generator for a predetermined time which is measured from start of operation by the timer.