Photocatalyst unit and method for manufacturing the photocatalyst unit

Abstract

The photocatalytic unit provided by this invention can efficiently irradiate the photocatalyst with ultraviolet light to enhance the fluid purification effect produced by the photocatalyst. At the same time, the photocatalytic unit composed of the photocatalytic filter and the light irradiation part can be made thin and miniaturized. The design of the flow path structure is also highly flexible. Moreover, it is not necessary to increase the amount of light or the number of light irradiation parts to achieve a sufficient purification effect as a whole. The photocatalyst carrier in the photocatalyst unit of the present invention is an impeller in the form of a blower or a cross-flow fan, or an impeller of a blower or a cross-flow fan. The impeller (4) has a pair of connecting plates (42, 43) that are connected to each blade (41) at both ends in the direction of its axis (40). Between each blade (41) and the connecting plates (42, 43), a portion of the end of each blade protrudes through a through groove formed on the connecting plate. The protrusion is bent in a direction that is intersecting the axis and parallel to the surface of the blade, and is fixed in a state where it is pressed against the opening edge of the through groove of the connecting plate.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a photocatalytic unit for purifying fluids such as air using photocatalysis, and a method for manufacturing the photocatalytic unit. Prior Technology

[0002] Previously, technical solutions for air purifiers with an air purification structure that utilizes photocatalysis to decompose viruses and other substances have been proposed (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2). These conventional structures for purifying air using photocatalysis consist of: attaching a photocatalyst such as titanium oxide to one side of a plate-shaped substrate (filter substrate) having numerous air passage holes extending through its thickness direction to form a photocatalytic filter; and arranging a plurality of ultraviolet lamps at intervals on the photocatalyst adsorption and retention surface facing the photocatalyst filter to form a photocatalytic unit; supplying air to this photocatalytic unit from one side of the plate towards the thickness direction of the filter substrate, allowing air to flow through the air passage holes of the filter substrate, the photocatalyst layer, and the gaps between the plurality of ultraviolet lamps. During the air passage through the photocatalyst layer, the photocatalyst, excited by ultraviolet light, decomposes and removes harmful substances in the air.

[0003] This air purification structure using a conventional photocatalytic unit arranges the photocatalytic filter and the ultraviolet lamp facing each other along the thickness of the filter substrate. Therefore, the photocatalytic unit becomes quite thick, limiting its potential for thinning and miniaturization. Furthermore, because the structure involves airflow between the ultraviolet lamps, there are limitations to increasing the number of ultraviolet lamps that create air resistance; similarly, there are limitations to increasing the amount and efficiency of ultraviolet radiation on the photocatalytic filter. For example, even if the photocatalyst is attached to the deep inner surface of the air passage holes in the plate-like substrate, it is difficult to efficiently deliver ultraviolet radiation to that deep surface.

[0004] In contrast, another air purification structure has been proposed (see Patent Document 3). This structure consists of a plurality of plate-shaped portions with photocatalysts attached to both sides, arranged facing each other with gaps between adjacent plate-shaped portions to form a photocatalytic filter that uses these gaps as airflow paths. An ultraviolet irradiation unit is positioned opposite at least one end face of the plate-shaped portion (the end face where air flows into the gap and the end face where air flows out of the gap), and at a predetermined distance from this end face. Air is drawn in from a side approximately parallel to the end face between the ultraviolet irradiation unit and the end face of each plate-shaped portion, forming either an air supply path that supplies air to the airflow path formed by the gaps between the plate-shaped portions, or an air exhaust path that discharges air from the airflow path to a side approximately parallel to the end face.

[0005] This air purification structure positions the ultraviolet irradiation unit at a predetermined distance from the air inlet or outlet end faces of the plate-shaped portions of the photocatalytic filter. Between the ultraviolet irradiation unit and the end faces of the plate-shaped portions, an air supply path is formed to draw in air from a side approximately parallel to the end face, or an air exhaust path is formed to exhaust air to a side approximately parallel to the aforementioned end face. Air is not supplied or exhausted through the gaps in the ultraviolet lamps. Therefore, the design freedom of the ultraviolet irradiation unit can be significantly increased, and ultraviolet light can be more efficiently irradiated onto the photocatalyst of each plate-shaped portion. As a result, the air purification effect produced by the photocatalyst can be significantly improved easily.

[0006] However, this air purification structure supplies or exhausts air in an L-shape from the side between the ultraviolet irradiation unit and the photocatalytic filter. Therefore, the air supply / exhaust pattern (flow path) is limited, and the entire photocatalytic unit inevitably tends to be large. Furthermore, if one does not want to use this L-shaped flow path and instead wants the fluid to pass in a straight line through the thickness direction of the filter substrate, the aforementioned structure cannot be used. Therefore, there is a problem of limited flow path construction.

[0007] Furthermore, the applicant has previously proposed a photocatalyst-based fluid purification structure that can be thinned and miniaturized, and offers a high degree of design freedom in its flow path configuration (see Patent Document 4). That is, the previously proposed technical solution for a photocatalyst-based fluid purification structure possesses: The photocatalytic filter is composed of a wave-shaped component that alternately forms a plurality of mountain and valley sections, with fluid passage holes formed on one or both of the top of the mountain section and the bottom of the valley section for fluid to pass through, and photocatalyst is attached to both sides; The light irradiation unit is disposed on one or both of the ends of the aforementioned mountain and valley extending in the direction of the aforementioned photocatalytic filter, and irradiates ultraviolet or visible light toward the inward direction of the aforementioned mountain and valley; A fluid supply path is provided on one of the two sides of the aforementioned photocatalytic filter to supply fluid toward that side; A fluid discharge path, located on the opposite side of the aforementioned photocatalytic filter (both sides), is used to discharge fluid supplied from the aforementioned fluid supply path and flowing out from the opposite side through the aforementioned fluid passage; and The dust collection filter is installed inside one or both of the aforementioned fluid supply path and the aforementioned fluid discharge path, and is configured to face one or the other of the aforementioned sides.

[0008] According to this fluid purification structure, the light irradiation unit is not located opposite the filter surface as in conventional technology, but is located on one or both ends of the direction in which the mountain and valley of the photocatalytic filter extend. From that position, ultraviolet or visible light is irradiated inward in the direction of the extension of the aforementioned mountain and valley. Therefore, the fluid can flow in a straight line in the thickness direction of the filter without being obstructed by the light irradiation unit. This not only increases the freedom of flow path design, but also makes the photocatalytic unit composed of the filter and the light irradiation unit significantly thinner and more compact (miniaturized).

[0009] However, as mentioned above, since the light is irradiated inward from the ends of the mountain and valley sections of the photocatalytic filter in order to achieve the desired filter effect, if the length of the mountain and valley sections is increased to enlarge the area of ​​the photocatalytic filter, the light will not be able to reach the interior sufficiently. In particular, the light reaching the mountain / valley section furthest from the light irradiation section is insufficient, and the amount of light irradiation section must be increased or the number of light irradiation sections must be increased, which will lead to technical challenges such as increased cost and heat generation. [Previous Technical Documents] [Patent Literature]

[0010] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Utility Model Registration No. 3150894 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2011-114894 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2017-148484 [Patent Document 4] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2021-7676 Summary of the Invention

[0011] [The problem the invention aims to solve]

[0012] Therefore, in view of the aforementioned situation, the technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a photocatalytic unit that can efficiently irradiate the photocatalyst with ultraviolet light to enhance the fluid purification effect produced by the photocatalyst, while also making the photocatalytic unit composed of a photocatalytic filter and a light irradiation part thin and miniaturized, with a high degree of freedom in the design of the flow path structure, and without increasing the amount of light or the number of light irradiation parts, a sufficient purification effect can be obtained as a whole. [Technical means to solve the problem]

[0013] In view of the aforementioned situation, the inventors, through continuous efforts and review, have come up with an innovative solution: instead of using a conventional photocatalytic filter composed of a fixed corrugated plate with mountain and valley sections, they have instead installed an impeller whose multiple blades with attached photocatalysts rotate due to pressure from a fluid or driven by a motor. By irradiating light onto the outer periphery of the rotating blades of this impeller, light can be sequentially and evenly irradiated onto the surface of the blades. In this way, only a few light-irradiated sections are needed to efficiently and evenly supply light to the photocatalyst adsorption and holding section, without increasing the amount of light or the number of light-irradiated sections, thus achieving a sufficient purification effect overall. Furthermore, the inventors have designed a rotating body with excellent rigidity that will not cause problems even when rotating at high speeds, thus completing this invention.

[0014] In other words, this invention includes the following inventions. (1) A photocatalyst unit, comprising: A photocatalytic filter has a fluid passage for fluid to pass through, and within the fluid passage are: a photocatalytic carrier, the surface of which in contact with the fluid having a photocatalyst attached; and The light irradiation unit, which is located inside the aforementioned photocatalyst filter, is used to irradiate ultraviolet or visible light onto the surface of the aforementioned photocatalyst carrier to which the photocatalyst is attached. The aforementioned photocatalyst carrier is composed of: an impeller in the form of a blower or crossflow fan, having a plurality of metal blades with the aforementioned photocatalyst attached to its surface, and these plurality of blades rotating around a common axis under pressure from the fluid passing through the aforementioned fluid passage; or an impeller of a blower or crossflow fan driven by a motor and rotating around a common axis. The aforementioned impeller is provided with a pair of connecting plates that connect to each blade at both ends in the aforementioned axial direction. A portion of the end of each blade protrudes through a through groove formed in the connecting plate, and this protrusion is bent in a direction intersecting the aforementioned axial direction and parallel to the blade surface, thus fixing it in a state where it is pressed against the opening edge of the through groove in the connecting plate. The aforementioned light irradiation section is configured to irradiate the rotating blades of the impeller with the aforementioned light from a predetermined position located on the outer periphery of the blades of the impeller.

[0015] (2) A photocatalyst unit as described in (1) above, wherein the aforementioned photocatalyst is also attached to each surface of the aforementioned pair of connecting plates constituting the aforementioned impeller.

[0016] (3) A photocatalytic unit as described in (1) or (2) above, wherein the photocatalytic filter is provided with: a metal rectifier plate disposed on the outer periphery of the impeller along the outer periphery direction and forming a fluid flow path therebetween the impeller; and an outer cover plate fixed to the two ends of the rectifier plate in the axial direction above and below, which is configured to clamp the rectifier plate from above and below; The aforementioned rectifier plate and each outer cover plate are connected by a portion of the end of the rectifier plate passing through the through groove formed in the outer cover plate and protruding out. The protruding portion is bent in a direction that intersects the aforementioned axial direction and is parallel to the surface of the rectifier plate, and is fixed in a state that is pressed against the opening edge of the through groove of the outer cover plate.

[0017] (4) A photocatalytic unit as described in (3) above, wherein the aforementioned light irradiation part is disposed on the outer side of the aforementioned rectifier plate, and irradiates the aforementioned light towards the axis of the aforementioned impeller inside through a light-projecting perforation formed in the rectifier plate.

[0018] (5) A photocatalyst unit as described in any one of (1) to (4) above, wherein the aforementioned rectifier plate exists between two points on a straight line connecting the center point of the opening surface of the fluid outlet in the outer peripheral direction of the aforementioned blade and the center point of the opening surface of the inner side of the aforementioned perforation for light projection formed in the aforementioned rectifier plate, so that light irradiated from the aforementioned perforation to the inner side will not be directly irradiated from the aforementioned fluid outlet.

[0019] (6) A method for manufacturing a photocatalyst unit, used to manufacture a unit having: A photocatalytic filter has a fluid passage for fluid to pass through, and within the fluid passage are: a photocatalytic carrier, the surface of which in contact with the fluid having a photocatalyst attached; and The light irradiation unit is located inside the aforementioned photocatalyst filter and is used to irradiate ultraviolet or visible light onto the surface of the aforementioned photocatalyst carrier to which the aforementioned photocatalyst is attached. The photocatalytic unit, in which, The aforementioned photocatalyst carrier is composed of: a plurality of metal blades having the aforementioned photocatalyst attached to their surface, and these plurality of blades being an impeller in the form of a blower or a crossflow fan that rotates around a common axis under pressure from the fluid passing through the aforementioned fluid passage; or an impeller of a blower or crossflow fan that rotates around a common axis driven by a motor. The aforementioned impeller is equipped with a pair of connecting plates that connect to each blade at both ends in the axial direction of each blade. Each blade is connected to the aforementioned connecting plate by having a portion of its end protruding through a through groove formed on the connecting plate. This protrusion is then bent and deformed in a direction intersecting the aforementioned axial direction and parallel to the blade surface using a riveting process, and fixed to the opening edge of the through groove in the connecting plate. The aforementioned light irradiation section is configured to irradiate the rotating blades of the impeller with the aforementioned light from a predetermined position located on the outer periphery of the blades of the impeller.

[0020] (7) A method for manufacturing a photocatalyst unit as described above (7), wherein the overall surface of the impeller, which is composed of the aforementioned blades and a pair of connecting plates, is roughened by a surface roughening process including etching, and the aforementioned photocatalyst is adsorbed and held on the roughened surface.

[0021] (8) A method for manufacturing a photocatalyst unit as described in (7) above, wherein, after the aforementioned surface roughening, the area where the aforementioned riveting process is used for fixing is subjected to a riveting process again.

[0022] (9) A method for manufacturing a photocatalytic unit as described in any one of (6) to (8) above, wherein the aforementioned photocatalytic filter comprises: a metal rectifier plate disposed along the outer periphery of the aforementioned impeller and forming a fluid flow path therebetween the impeller; and an outer cover plate fixed to the two ends of the rectifier plate in the axial direction above, which is configured to clamp the rectifier plate from above and below. The aforementioned rectifier plate and each outer cover plate are connected by a portion of the end of the rectifier plate passing through the through groove formed in the outer cover plate and protruding out. The protrusion is bent and deformed in a direction that intersects the aforementioned axial direction and is parallel to the surface of the rectifier plate by riveting, and then fixed to the opening edge of the through groove of the outer cover plate. [Effects of the Invention]

[0023] According to the above-described configuration, the invention of this application irradiates a plurality of blades with attached photocatalysts by means of an ultraviolet or visible light source located on the outer periphery of the blades. The photocatalyst, adsorbed and retained on the filter surface, can efficiently decompose and remove harmful substances and odorous components from the fluid. Furthermore, the fact that the light irradiation unit is located on the outer periphery of the blades allows for unobstructed fluid flow, increasing the flexibility in flow path design. It also allows for a significant reduction in the thickness and compactness (miniaturization) of the photocatalyst unit composed of the filter and the light irradiation unit.

[0024] Furthermore, according to the present invention, light from the light irradiation section can be sequentially and uniformly irradiated onto the surface of the rotating blade. Only a small number of light irradiation sections are needed to efficiently and uniformly supply light to the photocatalyst adsorption and holding section, without increasing the light intensity or the number of light irradiation sections. Sufficient purification effect can be achieved overall, avoiding increased costs and suppressing heat generation from the light irradiation section, thus solving the heat generation problem. The light irradiation section irradiates light from a predetermined position on the outer periphery towards the shaft of the impeller, therefore, light can be efficiently irradiated onto both sides of the blade.

[0025] Furthermore, the aforementioned impeller system is equipped with a pair of metal connecting plates that connect to each blade at both ends in the aforementioned axial direction. Each blade protrudes through a through groove formed on the connecting plate, and this protrusion is fixed in a manner that is bent and pressed against the opening edge of the through groove in a direction intersecting the aforementioned axial direction and parallel to the blade surface. In this fixing structure, the part bent and pressed against the opening edge of the through groove is bent to be parallel to the plate surface. Therefore, it is not easily loosened due to stress release or other factors, maintaining excellent connection strength. Even under wind pressure, the blade can be maintained in a stable posture without tipping over. Thus, the impeller retains its original design value of excellent rotational balance, allowing for higher rotational speeds and achieving superior purification effects.

[0026] Furthermore, although this fixing structure that uses crimping to fix the blade can be efficiently achieved using riveting, as will be explained later, this fixing structure can still maintain its strength by bending the part parallel to the plate surface and then performing a second riveting process. Therefore, after the first riveting process (pre-riveting process), the surface is etched or otherwise treated to allow the photocatalyst to be adsorbed and retained on the blade surface, which may cause the originally fixed part to loosen. However, as long as the second riveting process is performed after the basic treatment, the strength can be maintained.

[0027] Here, if the aforementioned photocatalyst is also attached to each surface of the pair of connecting plates that constitute the aforementioned impeller, not only can the purification effect be improved, but also, if a second riveting process is performed as described above, the entire impeller, including the connecting plates, can be efficiently subjected to basic treatments such as etching and the adsorption and retention of photocatalyst.

[0028] Furthermore, the aforementioned photocatalytic filter may include: a metal rectifier plate located on the outer periphery of the impeller along the outer circumferential direction, forming a fluid flow path between the rectifier plate and the impeller; and outer cover plates fixed to the two ends of the rectifier plate along the aforementioned axial direction, configured to clamp the rectifier plate from above and below; between the rectifier plate and each outer cover plate, a portion of the end of the rectifier plate protrudes through a through groove formed in the outer cover plate, and this protrusion faces a direction intersecting the aforementioned axial direction and is perpendicular to the rectifier plate. If the plate is bent in a direction parallel to the surface and fixed to the opening edge of the through groove of the outer cover plate, the same fixing structure is used for the rectifier plate used to form the fluid flow path as for fixing the blades to the connecting plate. Therefore, it is not easy to loosen, and it can maintain excellent connection strength that can resist wind pressure. Even under wind pressure, it can maintain a stable posture, thus maintaining dimensional accuracy. The gap between the rectifier plate and the impeller can be reduced to the minimum required, so as to achieve thinning and compactness (miniaturization).

[0029] Furthermore, if the aforementioned light irradiation unit is located outside the aforementioned rectifier plate, and illuminates the aforementioned light towards the axis of the aforementioned impeller inside through the light-projecting perforations formed in the rectifier plate, the light irradiation unit will not obstruct the flow of fluid inside the rectifier plate, thus reducing pressure loss and preventing deterioration caused by dust or other factors adhering to the light irradiation unit due to its placement within the fluid flow. Moreover, this light irradiation unit can also be constructed independently of the housing structure composed of the rectifier plate and the outer cover plate. Therefore, compared to the case where the light irradiation unit is located inside the rectifier plate, the wiring of the light irradiation unit is easier to handle, and the manufacturing and assembly operations are simplified.

[0030] Furthermore, if the aforementioned rectifier plate exists between two points on a straight line connecting the center point of the opening surface of the fluid outlet in the outer circumferential direction of the aforementioned blade and the center point of the opening surface of the inner side of the aforementioned perforation for light projection formed in the aforementioned rectifier plate, so that the light irradiated inward from the aforementioned perforation will not be directly irradiated out from the aforementioned fluid outlet, then harmful ultraviolet rays can be more reliably prevented from leaking out from the fluid outlet.

[0031] In particular, if the aforementioned photocatalyst carrier is in the form of a blower or a blower impeller, and the aforementioned fluid passage has a fluid inlet section that introduces the fluid from one side along the aforementioned axis or from a direction orthogonal to the axis, and a fluid outlet section that exits the fluid from the other side along the aforementioned axis or towards a direction orthogonal to the axis, by irradiating the rotating blades with light from the light irradiation section, the fluid passing through the fluid passage comes into contact with the photocatalyst adsorbed and held on the surface of the blades. The photocatalytic effect of the photocatalyst can then be used to efficiently decompose and remove harmful substances and odorous components from the fluid. Furthermore, because the flow direction of the fluid through the fluid passage changes towards the aforementioned orthogonal direction, or the fluid temporarily stagnates between the rotating blades, the contact opportunity between the fluid and the surface of the blades with the photocatalyst attached is increased, thereby enhancing the aforementioned catalytic effect. Also, as described above, since the fluid outlet section is located in a direction orthogonal to the fluid inlet section, various design variations can be increased.

[0032] Furthermore, if the aforementioned photocatalyst carrier is a crossflow fan or a crossflow fan impeller, and the fluid passage has a fluid inlet portion that introduces the fluid from a direction orthogonal to the aforementioned axis, and a fluid outlet portion that exits the fluid from a position different from the fluid inlet portion and from the aforementioned axis, then the photocatalytic effect can be used to efficiently decompose and remove harmful substances and odorous components in the fluid. Moreover, the fluid can remain temporarily between the rotating blades for a longer time than in a blower or blower configuration, thus increasing the contact opportunity between the fluid and the surface of the blades with the photocatalyst attached, thereby enhancing the catalytic effect. Furthermore, the axial dimension of the blades can be freely set, allowing the fluid passage to be set larger in the axial direction, enabling the efficient setting of a larger flow path and easily reducing flow resistance.

[0033] Furthermore, according to the manufacturing method where a portion of the end of each blade protrudes through a through groove formed in the connecting plate and is fixed to the opening edge of the through groove of the connecting plate by riveting, since this riveting process involves bending the blade in a direction parallel to the blade surface and intersecting the aforementioned axial direction, the strength can be maintained even after two riveting processes. Therefore, even if the fixed part of the blade becomes loose after the first riveting process (pre-riveting process) is performed, the strength can be maintained by performing a second riveting process.

[0034] Generally, etching reduces the thickness of the plate, causing the riveted parts to loosen. Therefore, this basic etching process is unsuitable for the riveting method of pressing components together. However, according to the present invention, because the fixing structure is designed to allow for a second riveting process, unlike the usual case, the riveting method can still be used even after the aforementioned basic treatment. Furthermore, because this riveting process can be used for fixing, the number of blades used to adsorb and retain the photocatalyst can be easily increased, maximizing the surface area of ​​the photocatalyst exposed to ultraviolet light to improve the purification effect. Therefore, even with a minimized photocatalyst unit, satisfactory decomposition performance can be ensured.

[0035] The method of manufacturing a photocatalyst by roughening the surface of the impeller, which is composed of the aforementioned blades and a pair of connecting plates, by using a surface roughening process including etching, and then allowing the roughened surface to adsorb and retain the aforementioned photocatalyst, can efficiently perform the adsorption and retention process of the photocatalyst.

[0036] Here, after the aforementioned surface roughening treatment, if the area fixed by the aforementioned riveting process is riveted again, the strength can be maintained. This invention, which allows for such re-riveting, can also efficiently perform photocatalyst adsorption and retention treatment, as described above. [Simple Explanation of the Diagram]

[0037] [Figure 1] is a perspective view of a photocatalyst unit according to a representative embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] is an exploded perspective view of the same photocatalytic unit. [Figure 3] is a partially omitted perspective view of the same photocatalytic unit. [Figure 4] is a perspective view showing the photocatalytic filter inside the same photocatalytic unit. [Figure 5A] is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the same photocatalytic unit. [Figure 5B] is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the same photocatalytic unit. [Figure 5C] is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of an important part of the same photocatalytic unit. [Figure 6] is a cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of the same photocatalytic unit. [Figure 7(a)] is a perspective view showing the impeller (photocatalyst carrier) inside the same photocatalytic filter; [Figure 7(b)] is a perspective view showing the arrangement of the blades of the same impeller. [Figure 8] is an explanatory diagram showing the manufacturing steps of the same impeller. [Figure 9A] is an explanatory diagram showing the manufacturing steps of the same impeller. [Figure 9B] is an explanatory diagram showing the manufacturing steps of the same impeller. [Figure 9C] is an explanatory diagram showing the manufacturing steps of the same impeller. [Figure 9D] is an explanatory diagram showing the manufacturing steps of the same impeller. [Figure 10A] is a perspective view showing a partially cut-off section of a modified example of the photocatalyst unit of the present invention. [Fig. 10B] is a longitudinal section view of the same modified example. [Figure 11] is a perspective view showing the internal structure of another variation of the photocatalyst unit of the present invention. [Figure 12] is a perspective view of a photocatalytic filter showing another variation of the photocatalytic unit of the present invention. [Figure 13] is a cross-sectional view of the same photocatalytic filter. [Figure 14] is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the same photocatalytic filter. [Figure 15] is a perspective view showing the internal structure of another variation of the photocatalyst unit of the present invention. [Figure 16] is a cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of the same modified example. [Figure 17] is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of the same modified example. [Figure 18] is an explanatory diagram of the important parts of the same variant example. [Figure 19A] is an explanatory diagram showing the riveting process between the motor housing and the shaft. [Figure 19B] is an explanatory diagram showing the riveting process between the motor housing and the shaft. [Figure 20] is an explanatory diagram showing the usage mode. [Figure 21] is an explanatory diagram showing other usage forms. [Figure 22] is an illustration showing another usage mode. Implementation

[0038] Secondly, the implementation of the photocatalyst unit of the present invention will be illustrated with figures.

[0039] The photocatalytic unit 1 of a representative embodiment of the present invention, as shown in Figures 1 to 5C, comprises, inside a housing 8 having a fluid inlet 11 and an outlet 12, a photocatalytic filter 2 having a photocatalytic carrier (impeller 4) with photocatalyst attached to the surface through which the fluid passes, and a light irradiation unit 3 that irradiates the surface of the photocatalytic carrier with the aforementioned photocatalyst attached with ultraviolet or visible light. By irradiating the surface of the photocatalytic carrier (impeller 4) with the photocatalyst attached with ultraviolet or visible light from the light irradiation unit 3, the photocatalyst is used to efficiently decompose and remove harmful substances and malodorous components in the fluid.

[0040] The photocatalytic filter 2 includes a fluid passage 10 for fluid to pass through, and a photocatalytic carrier (impeller 4) with photocatalyst attached to a surface in contact with the fluid within the fluid passage 10. Furthermore, a light irradiation section 3 is located on the outer periphery of a plurality of blades 41 with attached photocatalyst inside the photocatalytic filter 2, and is used to irradiate the plurality of blades 41 with ultraviolet or visible light from the light irradiation section 3.

[0041] The light from the light irradiation section 3 is sequentially and evenly irradiated onto the surface of the rotating blade 41. Therefore, only a small number of light irradiation sections 3 are needed to supply light evenly and efficiently to the photocatalyst adsorption and holding section. There is no need to increase the amount of light or the number of light irradiation sections 3. The overall purification effect can be obtained, which can avoid increasing costs. It can also suppress the heat generated by the light irradiation section and solve the heat generation problem.

[0042] The fluid being processed is equivalent to various gases and liquids, primarily air and water. Furthermore, the photocatalyst and the ultraviolet or visible light used to irradiate it can be made from a wide variety of materials capable of producing photocatalytic effects. Photocatalysts can include ultraviolet-excited photocatalysts such as titanium dioxide, and visible-light-excited photocatalysts with tungsten trioxide as the main component. While the method for adsorbing and retaining the photocatalyst (forming a photocatalyst layer) is not particularly limited, the relatively inexpensive immersion slurry permeation method is preferred. Other techniques such as immersion permeation, vacuum permeation, and sol-gel methods can also be used.

[0043] The light irradiation unit 3 can be a light source that uses electricity supplied from a power source (not shown) to irradiate light, for example, an LED substrate with LED elements, but is not limited to this. In conventional photocatalytic filters, the number of irradiation units used to irradiate the surface of the photocatalytic carrier must be the number required to simultaneously irradiate the entire surface, depending on its size. However, in this invention, as described above, because the photocatalytic carrier formed by the impeller 4 rotates, light from the light irradiation unit 3 sequentially irradiates the surfaces of the blade 41 and shaft 40 whenever the blade 41 and shaft 40 approach the location of the light irradiation unit 3. Therefore, by providing only one or two light irradiation units 3, light can be uniformly irradiated onto the entire surface of the blade 41.

[0044] The photocatalyst carrier (impeller 4) in this embodiment is composed of a plurality of metal blades 41 with the aforementioned photocatalyst attached to their surface, and these plurality of blades 41 are a blower impeller 4 that is driven by a motor 5 and rotates around a common axis 40.

[0045] More specifically, as shown in Figures 7(a) and 7(b), the impeller 4 has a pair of connecting plates 42 and 43. These connecting plates 42 and 43 are respectively connected to the two ends of each blade 41 in the axial direction. Between each blade 41 and the aforementioned connecting plates 42 and 43, a portion of the end of each blade 41 (the upper end 41a and the lower end 41b in the vertical direction in the figure) protrudes through the through grooves 42c and 43c formed on the connecting plates 42 and 43. The protrusion (the protrusions 411 and 412 of the upper end 41a; the protrusions 413 and 414 of the lower end 41b) is bent and deformed in a direction that intersects the aforementioned axial direction and is parallel to the surface of the blade. The protrusion is then fixed in a state where it is pressed against the opening edge of the through grooves 42c and 43c of the connecting plates 42 and 43.

[0046] The fixing structure of the blade 41 to the connecting plates 42 and 43, formed by the bending deformation to create a pressing part (protrusions 411-414), is bent in a direction parallel to the plate surface. Therefore, it is not easy to loosen due to stress release or other reasons, and can maintain excellent connection strength. Thus, even if the rotation speed is increased to enhance wind pressure, the blade will not tilt and can maintain a stable posture, maintaining the excellent rotational balance of the original design value. This allows the impeller 4 to rotate at a higher speed to achieve excellent purification effect.

[0047] This fixing structure between each blade 41 and the connecting plates 42 and 43 can be achieved by, for example, as shown in Figures 8 and 9A and 9B, by having a portion of the ends 41a and 41b of each blade 41 protrude through the through grooves 42c and 43c formed on the connecting plates, and by using a riveting process with a support (not shown) and a pressure punch 90 and 91, bending and deforming the protrusions 411, 412, 413, and 414 in a direction intersecting the aforementioned axial direction and parallel to the blade surface, thereby fixing them to the opening edge of the through grooves 42c and 43c of the connecting plates 42 and 43.

[0048] While it's possible to adhere the photocatalyst to the blade 41 while it's still a separate component before fixing it to the connecting plates 42 and 43, this can lead to photocatalyst detachment and quality degradation during the fixing process. Therefore, it's preferable to fix the blade 41 first and then adhere the photocatalyst. In this way, after fixing the blade 41, the entire impeller 4 surface, including the connecting plates 42 and 43, can be coated with the photocatalyst. However, it's best to roughen the surface using a surface roughening process, including etching, before adhering the photocatalyst to the roughened surface.

[0049] During this surface roughening process, there is a possibility that the fixing portion of the blade 41 and the connecting plates 42 and 43 may become thinner due to the etching process, leading to loosening. However, in the fixing structure of the blade 41 and the connecting plates 42 and 43 described above in this invention, the portion that is bent parallel to the plate surface can still ensure strength even after a second riveting process. Therefore, after performing the first riveting process (pre-riveting process) as shown in Figures 8 and 9A to 9B, as shown in Figure 9C, the entire surface of the impeller 4 composed of the blade 41 and the connecting plates 42 and 43 is subjected to a basic treatment to facilitate the adsorption and retention of the photocatalyst and a treatment to adsorb and retain the photocatalyst 21. Then, as shown in Figure 9D, a second riveting process is performed, thereby achieving a fixing structure that can maintain strength.

[0050] The blade 41 can be made of aluminum, stainless steel, titanium, or other various metals. The shaft 40 and connecting plates 42 and 43 are also preferably made of these materials, but are not limited to them.

[0051] The motor 5, which drives the impeller 4, is installed on the inner side of the connecting plate 42 at the center of the impeller 4. Specifically, as shown in Figures 5A and 5C, the shaft 50 constituting the shaft 40 is rotatably supported in the bearing housing 53 by bearings 55A and 55B. A cylindrical stator 54 is provided on the outer circumferential surface of the bearing housing 53. At the front end 50a of the shaft 50 that protrudes from the bearing housing 53, a rotor 51 is provided, consisting of a circular plate-shaped cover 510 fixed on the shaft 50 and a cylindrical tube 511 extending from its outer circumference to the base end. A cylindrical magnet 52 is installed on the inner circumferential surface of the aforementioned tube 511 of the rotor 51.

[0052] The cover 510 of the rotor 51 is fixed to the inner side of the connecting plate 42 of the impeller 4 as described above. Furthermore, the bearing housing 53, as shown in FIG. 4, is fixed to the outer cover plate 72 (described later) by means of the support 56 on the base end side. With this configuration, the shaft 50, rotor 51, and impeller 4 can rotate relative to the non-rotating bearing housing 53 and stator 54 fixed to the outer cover plate 72 side.

[0053] Here, the method of fixing the aforementioned shaft 50 of the motor 5 to the rotor 51 on which the impeller 4 is mounted is preferably the riveting method proposed by the applicant in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2007-283404. Specifically, as shown in FIG19A, the rotor 51 is first placed on the lower support 94, which is used to support from below: a thick-walled portion 51a having an insertion hole for the shaft 50 to pass through, and located around the mounting hole 51b at the center of the cover portion 510 of the rotor 51. The shaft 50 is inserted into the mounting hole 51b of the rotor 51 and the insertion hole of the lower support 94 with the outer peripheral groove 50c side facing upward, so that the thick-walled portion 51a and the outer peripheral groove 50c face each other.

[0054] The outer peripheral groove 50c is formed near the end of the shaft 50, and the shaft 50 is positioned by the lower support 94 so that its outer peripheral groove 50c faces the thick-walled portion 51a of the rotor 51. In this embodiment, although the thick-walled portion 51a formed by flange machining is set in an upward orientation, it could also be set in a downward orientation.

[0055] Then, for the positioned shaft 50 and rotor 51, the pressure punch 92 presses downward through the spacer 93 that abuts against the thick-walled portion 51a from above. Due to the compression and stamping process, the thick-walled portion 51a plastically deforms towards the center of the mounting hole, thereby biting into the gap in the outer peripheral groove 50c of the shaft 50 opposite to it. The final shape is as shown in FIG19B. The plastically deformed thick-walled portion 51a fills the interior of the outer peripheral groove 50c, and the shaft 50 and rotor 51 are assembled into a firm integrated state.

[0056] According to this riveting and fixing method, the rotor 51 can be assembled onto the shaft 50 with high precision in a coaxial manner, and no vibration is generated even when rotating at high speed, thus maintaining quietness. In addition, although the thick-walled portion 51a is formed by using flange machining to make the hole edge face one direction, it can of course be machined into other shapes.

[0057] As shown in Figures 10A and 10B, by making the motor 5 thinner, the impeller 4 and the photocatalyst unit 1 can also be made thinner. Using the riveting and fixing method described above, the rotor 51 can be securely and precisely fixed to the front end 50a of the shaft 50 near the front end. Furthermore, this thinning can be achieved by reducing the spacing between the bearings 55A and 55B. The gap between the impeller 4 and the outer connecting plates 42 and 43 can also be made very small. This is because, in addition to the stable fixing structure obtained by the riveting and fixing method of the motor 5 described above, the fixing structures of the blade 41 and the connecting plates 42 and 43, and the fixing structures of the rectifier plate 6 and the outer cover plates 71 and 72 are made into the fixing structures described later.

[0058] Although the impeller 4 in this embodiment is constructed as a blower impeller 4, it can also be constructed as a crossflow fan impeller, and the crossflow fan impeller is driven to rotate by a separately provided drive motor.

[0059] The photocatalytic filter 2 of this embodiment, as shown in Figures 2-6, includes, in addition to the photocatalytic carrier (i.e., the impeller 4) and the motor 5, a rectifier plate 6 extending outward in the peripheral direction from the outer periphery of the impeller 4 and forming a fluid flow path 10 between the plate and the impeller 4, and two outer cover plates 71 and 72 fixed to the two ends of the rectifier plate 6 in the axial direction, respectively, arranged as if clamping the rectifier plate 6 from above and below. The interrupted opening of the rectifier plate 6 functions as a discharge outlet 20 for discharging fluid, and as shown in Figure 4, a supply hole 720 is provided in the center of one of the outer cover plates 72 to supply fluid in the axial direction through the gap between each blade 41 of the impeller 4. The support portion 56 of the motor 5, which rotates the impeller 4, extends through the supply hole 720 to the outer surface of the outer cover plate 72 and is fixed to the outer surface.

[0060] The fixing structure of the rectifier plate 6 to each of the outer cover plates 71 and 72 is the same as the fixing structure of each blade 41 constituting the impeller 4 and the aforementioned connecting plates 42 and 43. Specifically, a portion of the end of the rectifier plate 6 (the upper end 6a and the lower end 6b in the vertical direction in the figure) protrudes through the through grooves 71c and 72c formed on the outer cover plates 71 and 72, and the protrusion (the protrusion 61 of the upper end 6a and the protrusion 62 of the lower end 6b) is bent and deformed in a direction that intersects the aforementioned axial direction and is parallel to the surface of the rectifier plate 6, and is fixed in a state that is pressed against the opening edge of the through grooves 71c and 72c of the outer cover plates 71 and 72.

[0061] The fixing structure of this rectifier plate 6 to the outer cover plates 71 and 72 can be achieved by using the same riveting process as the riveting process of the impeller 4 described above (but since there is no adsorption and retention of photocatalyst, a second riveting process is not required). This is achieved by bending and deforming the protrusions 61 and 62 in a direction intersecting the axial direction and parallel to the surface of the rectifier plate 6, thus fixing them to the opening edge of the through grooves 71c and 72c of the outer cover plates 71 and 72. In this way, similar to the impeller 4, the assembly between the rectifier plate 6 and the outer cover plates 71 and 72 is rigid, can withstand wind pressure, maintains precision, and can be manufactured to be thin and compact (minimizing the gap between it and the impeller).

[0062] The light irradiation section 3, used to irradiate light onto this photocatalytic filter 2, is positioned outside the rectifier plate 6, as shown in Figures 2, 3, and 6. It is configured to irradiate the light through light-projecting perforations 60 formed on the rectifier plate 6 towards the axis 40 of the impeller 4 located inside. This prevents the light irradiation section 3 from obstructing the airflow within the fluid passage 10, reducing pressure loss, preventing deterioration due to dust, and simplifying assembly. In this embodiment, the light-emitting element is assembled inside the perforations 60, but this is not a limitation.

[0063] Furthermore, regarding the configuration of the light irradiation unit 3, as shown in FIG. 6, the rectifier plate 6 exists in the area between two points on a straight line L1 connecting the center point 120 of the opening surface of the fluid outlet 12 and the center point 600 of the inner opening surface of the aforementioned light-projecting perforation 60 formed in the rectifier plate 6. The light rays irradiated inward from the perforation 60 are blocked by the rectifier plate 6 and do not leak directly from the fluid outlet 12 to the outside. In addition, the presence of the blades 41 of this blower (or crossflow fan) of the present invention also has the effect of preventing light from the light irradiation unit 3 from leaking to the outside.

[0064] The illumination direction of the light irradiation section 3 can be from the aforementioned predetermined position toward the shaft portion 40 of the impeller 4, but it can also be toward an inclined direction away from the shaft portion 40. It can also be from an upward or downward direction. However, as mentioned above, if it is desired to uniformly irradiate the entire surface of the blade 41—in other words, to uniformly irradiate both the upper surface of the blade 41 on the upstream side of the fluid flow direction and the lower surface of the blade 41 on the downstream side of the fluid flow direction—it is preferable to irradiate the light in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the shaft portion 40.

[0065] The inner circumferential surface of the rectifier plate 6, which faces the impeller 4, can also serve as a metal reflective component for reflecting light. The reflective surface can be constructed by: directly using a metal material, a metal material that has been mirror-finished, a surface with a mirror film applied to the inner circumferential surface, or a surface coated with a reflective material.

[0066] As shown in Figures 1, 2, 3, and 5A-5C, the housing 8 is composed of: a split housing 80 and 81 that houses the photocatalytic filter 2 in a manner resembling an upper and lower half-section; a first outer cover plate 83 provided on the upper surface of the upper split housing 81, which houses and controls the operation of the control board 19 that supplies power to the light irradiation unit 3 and the motor 5 disposed on the upper surface; and a second outer cover plate 82 provided across the entire lower surface of the split housing 80, covering the fluid inlet 800 formed in the center of the bottom plate of the lower split housing 80. An opening 82d facing the gap between this outer cover plate 82 and the split housing 80 serves as a fluid inlet 11. This outer cover plate 82 is used to prevent light from the light irradiation unit 3 from leaking to the outside through the fluid inlet 800.

[0067] At the positions corresponding to the outlet 20 of the photocatalytic filter 2 on the side boundary portions of the split housings 80 and 81, notches 80d and 81d are formed respectively. On the inner side of the opening formed by these notches, a cylindrical outlet member 84 extending from the outlet 20 to form a fluid outlet 12 is installed.

[0068] Furthermore, besides placing the first outer cover plate 83, which houses the control board 19, on the upper surface of the upper segmentation housing 81 as in this embodiment, it is also possible to make the segmentation housings 80 and 81 relatively long on the sides, as shown in FIG11, and to place the control board, etc., side by side next to the photocatalytic filter 2. In this way, the first outer cover plate can be omitted, making the photocatalytic unit thinner overall.

[0069] Furthermore, for the outlet member 84 constituting the outlet 12, it is also appropriate to change the direction of the fluid it discharges, or to add accessories such as hoses for connecting to transport the fluid elsewhere. Figures 20(a) and 20(b) show examples of accessories 85A for setting a spray nozzle being detachably added to the outlet member 84. According to this example, the purified fluid can be sprayed from, for example, the photocatalyst unit 1 placed in the front pocket of clothing toward the face above using the accessory 85A.

[0070] Figure 21 shows an example of a detachable accessory 85B that can bend 90 degrees to discharge the fluid exiting the discharge member 84. According to this example, the purified fluid flowing laterally from the photocatalyst unit 1, which is lying horizontally on a table or similar surface, can be discharged towards the face facing upwards.

[0071] Figure 22 shows an example in which a fitting 85C can be detachably installed to install a hose 86, allowing fluid from the outlet member 84 to be supplied into the hose 86. According to this example, purified fluid can be delivered via the hose 86 to, for example, a tubular discharge section 14 with a discharge hole 15 provided in a face mask 13 or a face mask.

[0072] The above embodiments are examples of making a fan in which the impeller 4 is rotated by the motor 5. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The motor 5 can also be omitted, and the impeller can be made in the form of a blower or a cross-flow fan, which is rotated around a common axis by the pressure of the fluid flowing through the fluid passage 10.

[0073] For example, the examples shown in Figures 12 to 14 are examples of photocatalytic filters 2D manufactured with impeller 4D in the form of a blower. Except for omitting the motor 5, the other parts are basically the same as the photocatalytic filters 2 in Figures 1 to 9D above. The same component symbols are marked for the same components, and their descriptions are omitted.

[0074] In this embodiment of the photocatalytic filter 2D, the function is achieved by using a fluid passage 10, which is forcibly circulated by an electric fan 7 or similar device installed in the ventilation duct for building ventilation. Furthermore, it can also function even if the fan used to flow the fluid into the housing is installed separately. Of course, it can also function in a naturally circulated environment. It is preferable that the housing adopt a different structure than the housing 8 in Figures 1 to 9D described above; in other words, it is preferable that it adopts a structure that allows fluid to be easily introduced from the outside, or that a separate fan is installed to flow the fluid into the interior.

[0075] The examples shown in Figures 15-18 are examples of photocatalytic filters 2E comprising a cross-flow fan-shaped impeller 4E and a photocatalytic unit 1E containing the photocatalytic filter 2E. In these examples, the motor that drives the impeller 4E is omitted; instead, an electric fan 17 is installed upstream of the fluid passage 10 inside the housing 8E, which also serves as a rectifier (near the inlet 11 in this example) to circulate the fluid. The impeller 4E, subjected to the pressure generated by this electric fan 17, rotates like a windmill.

[0076] The impellers 4E are arranged in two parallel rows, and the light irradiation units 3 are arranged in three locations along the rotation direction for each impeller 4E. Furthermore, the blades 41E are longer in the axial direction, therefore, a plurality of light irradiation units 3 are arranged at intervals along the axial direction.

[0077] The blades 41E of the impeller 4E constituting this embodiment are also provided with connecting plates 42 and 43 at both ends in the axial direction, similar to those in the embodiments described above. Their fixing structure is also the same as shown in FIG18, and is the same as that in the embodiments described above. Therefore, although its description is omitted, a very strong fixing structure formed by riveting is adopted. As for other configurations, they are basically the same as those of the photocatalytic filter 2 in FIGS. 1 to 9D. Therefore, the same component symbols are used for the same components, and their descriptions are omitted.

[0078] While the above description pertains to various embodiments of the present invention, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. Various other forms may be implemented without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, in each embodiment, the flow direction of the fluid may be set to the opposite direction.

[0079] 1,1E: Photocatalytic unit 2,2D,2E: Photocatalytic Filters 3:Light irradiation part 4,4D,4E: Impeller 5: Motor 6: Rectifier board 6a: Upper end 6b: Lower end 8,8E: Housing 10: Fluid flows through the road 11: Inlet Port 12: Outlet 13: Face mask 14: Discharge section 15: Discharge port 17: Electric Fan 19: Control board 20: Discharge outlet 21: Photocatalyst 40: Axis 41,41E: Blades 41a, 41b: Ends 42, 43: Connecting plates 42c, 43c: Through trench 50: Shaft 50a: Front end 50c: peripheral groove 51: Rotor 51a: Thick-walled section 51b: Mounting hole 52: Magnet 53: Bearing housing 54: Stator 55A, 55B: Bearings 56: Support section 60: Perforation 61, 62: Protrusions 71, 72: Outer cover plate 71c, 72c: Through-ditch 80, 81: Segmented casing 80d, 81d: Gap trench 82, 83: Outer cover plate 82d: Opening 84: Export Components 85B: Accessories 85C: Accessories 86: Hose 90, 91: Pressurized punch 92: Pressurized punch 93: Spacing jig 94: Support 120: Center point 411, 412, 413, 414: Protrusions 510: Cover 511: Cylinder section 600: Center point 720: Supply Hole 800: Placement Entry

Claims

1. A photocatalytic unit comprising: a photocatalytic filter having a fluid passage for fluid to pass through, and within the fluid passage comprising: a photocatalytic carrier having a photocatalyst attached to a surface in contact with the fluid; and a light irradiation unit disposed inside the photocatalytic filter for irradiating ultraviolet or visible light toward the photocatalytic carrier surface with the photocatalyst attached, wherein... The aforementioned photocatalyst carrier is composed of: an impeller in the form of a blower or a crossflow fan, having a plurality of metal blades with the aforementioned photocatalyst attached to their surface, and these plurality of blades rotating around a common axis under pressure from fluid passing through the aforementioned fluid passage; or an impeller of a blower or crossflow fan that rotates around a common axis driven by a motor. The aforementioned impeller is provided with: a pair of connecting plates that are connected to each blade at both ends in the aforementioned axial direction. Between each blade and the aforementioned connecting plate, a portion of the end of each blade protrudes through a through groove formed in the aforementioned connecting plate, and the protrusion is bent in a direction intersecting the aforementioned axial direction and parallel to the surface of the blade, and fixed in a state pressed against the opening edge of the through groove of the connecting plate. The aforementioned light irradiation unit is configured to irradiate the aforementioned light onto the rotating blades of the impeller from a predetermined position located on the outer periphery of the blades of the aforementioned impeller.

2. The photocatalyst unit as described in claim 1, wherein, The aforementioned photocatalyst is also attached to each surface of the pair of connecting plates that make up the aforementioned impeller.

3. The photocatalyst unit as described in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein, The aforementioned photocatalytic filter comprises: a metal rectifier plate located on the outer periphery of the aforementioned impeller and arranged along the outer periphery direction, forming a fluid flow path between the rectifier plate and the aforementioned impeller; and outer cover plates respectively fixed to the two ends of the rectifier plate in the aforementioned axial direction, which are arranged as if clamping the rectifier plate from above and below; between the aforementioned rectifier plate and each outer cover plate, a portion of the end of the rectifier plate protrudes through a through groove formed in the outer cover plate, and the protrusion is bent in a direction intersecting the aforementioned axial direction and parallel to the surface of the rectifier plate, and is fixed in a state of pressing against the opening edge of the through groove of the outer cover plate.

4. The photocatalyst unit as described in claim 3, wherein, The aforementioned light irradiation section is located outside the aforementioned rectifier plate, and irradiates the aforementioned light towards the axis of the aforementioned impeller inside through the light-projecting perforations formed in the rectifier plate.

5. The photocatalyst unit as described in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein, The aforementioned rectifier plate exists between two points on a straight line connecting the center point of the opening surface of the fluid outlet in the outer circumferential direction of the aforementioned blade and the center point of the opening surface of the inner side of the aforementioned perforation for projection formed on the aforementioned rectifier plate, so that light irradiating inward from the aforementioned perforation will not be directly irradiated out from the aforementioned fluid outlet.

6. A method for manufacturing a photocatalytic unit, comprising: a photocatalytic filter having a fluid passage for fluid passage, and within the fluid passage comprising: a photocatalytic carrier having a photocatalyst attached to a surface in contact with the fluid; and a light irradiation unit disposed inside the photocatalytic filter for irradiating ultraviolet or visible light toward the photocatalyst-attached surface of the photocatalytic carrier; wherein... The aforementioned photocatalyst carrier comprises: a plurality of metal blades with the aforementioned photocatalyst attached to their surface, and these blades being an impeller in the form of a blower or crossflow fan that rotates around a common axis under pressure from fluid passing through the aforementioned fluid passage; or an impeller of a blower or crossflow fan that rotates around a common axis driven by a motor. The impeller is provided with a pair of connecting plates that connect to each blade at both ends in the aforementioned axial direction. Between each blade and the connecting plates, a portion of the end of each blade protrudes through a through groove formed on the connecting plates. This protrusion is bent and deformed in a direction intersecting the aforementioned axial direction and parallel to the blade surface by riveting, and then fixed to the opening edge of the through groove of the connecting plates. The aforementioned light irradiation section is configured to irradiate the rotating blades of the impeller with the aforementioned light from a predetermined position located on the outer periphery of the blades of the impeller.

7. A method for manufacturing a photocatalyst unit as described in claim 6, wherein, The impeller, which consists of the aforementioned blades and a pair of connecting plates, is roughened by a surface roughening process including etching, and then the aforementioned photocatalyst is attached to the roughened surface.

8. A method for manufacturing a photocatalyst unit as described in claim 7, wherein, After the aforementioned surface roughening, the areas that are fixed using the aforementioned riveting process are riveted again.

9. A method for manufacturing a photocatalytic unit as described in any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein, The aforementioned photocatalytic filter comprises: a metal rectifier plate located on the outer periphery of the aforementioned impeller along the outer periphery direction, forming a fluid flow path between the rectifier plate and the aforementioned impeller; and outer cover plates respectively fixed to the two ends of the rectifier plate in the aforementioned axial direction, which are configured to appear to clamp the rectifier plate from above and below. Between the aforementioned rectifier plate and each outer cover plate, a portion of the end of the rectifier plate protrudes through a through groove formed in the outer cover plate. The protrusion is bent and deformed in a direction intersecting the aforementioned axial direction and parallel to the surface of the rectifier plate by riveting, and then fixed to the opening edge of the through groove of the outer cover plate.

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