ELECTROSTATIC ATOMIZER, AND METHOD FOR ELECTROSTATICALLY ATOMIZING BY USE OF THE SAME

摘要

An object of the present invention is to provide an electrostatic atomizer variable in arrangement and configuration while being low in cost and uncomplicated. An electrostatic atomizer includes a spray site, a spray electrode (1) electrically connectable to the spray site, a reference electrode (2), and a power supply (4) for applying a voltage between the spray electrode (1) and the reference electrode (2). The reference electrode (2) is arranged such that when a voltage is applied between the spray electrode (1) and the reference electrode (2), matter to be electrostatically atomized is atomized from the spray site. The power supply (4) monitors an electrical property of the spray site, and adjusts the voltage to be applied between the spray electrode (1) and the reference electrode (2) according to a monitored electrical property of the spray site and a predetermined characteristic. The spray electrode (1) and the reference electrode (2) are arranged such that an electrical charge of the matter to be atomized from the spray site is counterbalanced by production of at least equal amount of opposite electrical charge at the reference electrode (2).