Patent ID: 8191805

Claim:
An electrostatic atomizer for use in a space system formed with a mist-receiving space and a cold space having a temperature lower than a temperature of the mist-receiving space by a partition section, comprising: an atomizing electrode adapted to be controlled to electrostatically atomize water attached thereon; a cooler adapted to cool said atomizing electrode so as to allow moisture in air to be frozen onto said atomizing electrode; a melter adapted to melt ice frozen on said atomizing electrode so as to supply water onto said atomizing electrode; a high-voltage applying section adapted to apply a high voltage to said atomizing electrode; and a control section adapted to activate said high-voltage applying section in a state after supplying water onto said atomizing electrode by melting said ice frozen thereon, so as to induce electrostatic atomization of said water, wherein said cooler is operable to cool said atomizing electrode through heat exchange with said cold space so as to allow moisture in air to be frozen onto said atomizing electrode.