PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an ion generating method which allows the simplification of an ion generator while sufficient amounts of positive and negative ions can be generated, and to provide an ion generator and an air cleaner to which the method is applied.SOLUTION: The ion generating method comprises the steps of: generating positive or negative ions by means of discharge between a first discharge electrode 1 and an induction electrode 2 which is caused by applying a positive or negative voltage to the first discharge electrode 1 and generating ions charged oppositely to that generated at the first discharge electrode 1 by means of discharge between the first discharge electrode 1 and a second discharge electrode 4 which is caused by applying a voltage with polarity opposite to the first discharge electrode 1 to the second discharge electrode disposed outside the induction electrode.COPYRIGHT: (C)2013,JPO&INPIT【課題】 十分な量の正イオンおよび負イオンを発生させつつ、イオン発生装置の簡素化が可能なイオン発生方法および、この方法を用いたイオン発生装置および空気清浄装置を実現する。【解決手段】 第1の放電電極1に正もしくは負の電圧を印加し、誘導電極2との間で放電を生じさせることで正イオンもしくは負イオンを発生させる工程と、誘導電極の外部に配置する第2の放電電極4に第1の放電電極1とは逆極性の電圧を印加し、第1の放電電極1との間で放電を生じさせることで第1の放電電極1とは逆極性のイオンを発生させる工程を含むことを特徴とする。【選択図】 図1
