Space purification device

Abstract

A space purification device (1000) is provided with a housing (100), a storage unit (200), an air supply unit (230), an opening (280), an air blowing unit (300), and a control unit. The housing (100) has a first suction port, a second suction port, and a discharge port (130). The storage unit (200) stores an aqueous hypochlorous acid solution (270). The air supply unit (230) supplies air sucked from the first suction port to the hypochlorous acid aqueous solution (270) as bubbles (272). The blower unit (300) causes air (410) sucked in from the second suction port to flow through the third air passage (320) and to be blown out from the air supply unit (230). The opening part (280) connects the third air path (320) and the storage part (200) in a communicating manner. The control unit controls the operation of the air supply unit (230) and the blower unit (300).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a space purification device for sterilizing a space. Background Art

[0002] In the past, there has been proposed an air sterilization device based on a gasification filtration method, the purpose of which is to electrolyze tap water to generate electrolyzed water containing hypochlorous acid, and use the electrolyzed water to remove viruses floating in the air, etc. In this air sterilization device, electrolyzed water is supplied to the filter, and indoor air is sent to the filter by a blower fan (for example, see Patent Document 1).

[0003] Prior art literature

[0004] Patent Literature

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2010-29244 Summary of the invention

[0006] In the existing space purification device based on the gasification filtration method, when the concentration of hypochlorous acid water containing gasified sterilizing components and the temperature and humidity of the circulating air are constant, the amount of sterilizing component gas contained in the air blown into the target space is determined according to the air volume of the air supply fan. In other words, there is a problem that the air volume and the amount of sterilizing component gas cannot be adjusted separately.

[0007] The present invention provides a technology for flexibly adjusting the air volume and the amount of sterilizing component gas in a space purification device.

[0008] A space purification device of one embodiment of the present invention comprises: a housing having a first suction port, a second suction port and a blow-out port; a storage portion, which is arranged in the housing and stores an aqueous solution containing a sterilizing component; an air supply portion, which supplies the air sucked in from the first suction port as bubbles to the aqueous solution containing a sterilizing component stored in the storage portion; an air supply portion, which allows the air sucked in from the second suction port to flow in the air path and be sent out from the blow-out port; an opening portion, which connects the air path with the housing portion; and a control portion, which controls the operation of the air supply portion and the air supply portion. By the air supply portion performing the air supply operation, the bubbles floating in the aqueous solution containing the sterilizing component are induced and sucked into the air path from the storage portion through the opening portion as air containing a gas of the sterilizing component, and are sent out from the blow-out port, and the control portion can control the air supply portion and the air supply portion separately.

[0009] It should be noted that any combination of the above-mentioned constituent elements and any form of expression of the present invention converted into a method, an apparatus, a system, a recording medium, a computer program, etc. are applicable as additional modes of the present invention.

[0010] According to the present invention, the air volume and the amount of sterilizing component gas can be flexibly adjusted in the space purification device. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] Figure 1 It is a perspective view showing the structure of the space purification device according to the embodiment.

[0012] Figure 2 It is shown Figure 1 A three-dimensional diagram of the internal structure of a space purification device.

[0013] Figure 3 It is from the front Figure 2 A local enlarged image obtained by observing the space purification device.

[0014] Figure 4 It is shown Figure 1 A block diagram of the functional structure of a space purification device.

[0015] Figure 5 It is shown that the Figure 4 A diagram showing an example of the data structure of a table in a storage unit.

[0016] Figure 6 The first application example is shown in Figure 4 A diagram showing an example of the data structure of a table in a storage unit.

[0017] Figure 7 This is a diagram showing the first application example based on Figure 4 Flowchart of an example of processing steps performed by a space purification device.

[0018] Figure 8 The second application example is shown in Figure 4 A diagram showing an example of the data structure of a table in a storage unit.

[0019] Fig. 9 This is a diagram showing the second application example based on Figure 4 Flowchart of an example of processing steps performed by a space purification device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] Hereinafter, the embodiments will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the following embodiments are examples of specific implementations of the present invention and do not limit the technical scope of the present invention. In addition, the figures described in the embodiments are schematic figures, and the size and thickness ratios of the components in the figures do not necessarily reflect the actual size ratios.

[0021] (Implementation Method)

[0022] Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0023] Figure 1 1 is a perspective view showing the structure of the space purification device 1000 .

[0024] like Figure 1 As shown, an orthogonal coordinate system including an x-axis, a y-axis, and a z-axis is defined. The x-axis and the y-axis are orthogonal to each other. The z-axis is perpendicular to the x-axis and the y-axis and extends in the height direction of the space purification device 1000. The x-axis extends in the depth direction (front-back direction) of the space purification device 1000, and the y-axis extends in the width direction (left-right direction) of the space purification device 1000. In addition, the positive directions of the x-axis, the y-axis, and the z-axis are defined as Figure 1 In the directions of the arrows, the negative direction is defined as the direction opposite to the arrows.

[0025] Here, the positive direction of the x-axis is sometimes referred to as "front" or "front side", the negative direction of the x-axis is sometimes referred to as "back" or "back side", the positive direction of the y-axis is sometimes referred to as "right" or "right side", the negative direction of the y-axis is sometimes referred to as "left" or "left side", the positive direction of the z-axis is sometimes referred to as "upper" or "upper side", and the negative direction of the z-axis is sometimes referred to as "lower" or "lower side". Therefore, it can also be said that the x-axis extends in the front-to-back direction, the y-axis extends in the left-to-right direction, and the z-axis extends in the up-down direction.

[0026] The housing 100 has a rectangular front surface 102 and a rear surface 104, which are respectively arranged on the front and rear sides of the space purification device 1000 and extend on a plane parallel to the yz plane. The housing 100 has a rectangular left side surface 106 and a right side surface 108, which are respectively arranged on the left and right sides of the space purification device 1000 and extend on a plane parallel to the zx plane. The housing 100 has a rectangular top surface 110 and a bottom surface 112, which are respectively arranged on the upper and lower sides of the space purification device 1000 and extend on a plane parallel to the xy plane.

[0027] The housing 100 has a box shape (rectangular parallelepiped shape) surrounded by a front surface 102, a rear surface 104, a left side surface 106, a right side surface 108, a top surface 110, and a bottom surface 112. It should be noted that the front surface 102, the rear surface 104, the left side surface 106, the right side surface 108, the top surface 110, and the bottom surface 112 may not be strictly rectangular.

[0028] A first suction port 120 is disposed at the upper left portion of the front surface 102, a second suction port 122 is disposed at the lower right portion of the front surface 102, and a blow-out port 130 is disposed at the right rear portion of the top surface 110. First intake air 400 is sucked into the housing 100 from the first suction port 120, second intake air 402 is sucked into the housing 100 from the second suction port 122, and blow-out air 440 is blown out of the housing 100 from the blow-out port 130.

[0029] Figure 2 1 is a perspective view showing the internal structure of the space purification device 1000 . Figure 3 is a partial enlarged view of the space purification device 1000, especially from the front Figure 2 An enlarged view obtained by observing the left part of .

[0030] The space purification device 1000 includes a storage unit 200, a first air duct 210, a separator 220, an air supply unit 230, a fixing plate 260, an opening 280, an air supply unit 300, a housing 302, a second air duct 310, and a third air duct 320 in a housing 100. The air supply unit 230 includes a vent pipe 240, an air intake port 242, a solution intake port 244, a motor 246, an air mixing pump 248, and an exhaust port 250.

[0031] The storage unit 200 is provided at the lower left side of the housing 100 and is a container having a hollow box shape (rectangular parallelepiped shape). The storage unit 200 stores a hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 270 as an aqueous solution containing a sterilizing component inside. The hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 270 is an aqueous solution containing hypochlorous acid. The hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 270 has a hydrogen ion concentration (pH) of about 5 to 7, for example, and is generated by diluting a high-concentration hypochlorous acid aqueous solution.

[0032] More specifically, the hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 270 refers to an aqueous solution in which a hypochlorous acid component is dissolved in water as a solute, and its hydrogen ion concentration (pH) is preferably 5 to 13, and particularly preferably 5 to 7. This is because, for the hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 270, if the pH is lower than 5, it is likely to be vaporized as chlorine gas, and if the pH is 5 or higher, the lower the pH, the easier it is to be vaporized as hypochlorous acid gas. As a method for generating the hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 270, the hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 270 with a pH of 5 to 7 can be obtained by electrolysis of saline or by adding carbonic acid or hydrochloric acid of an appropriate concentration to sodium hypochlorite.

[0033] A first air duct 210 is disposed on the upper side of the storage portion 200. Figure 1 The first air inlet 120 is shown in communication, and the first air intake 400 sucked from the first air inlet 120 flows into the first air passage 210. A separator 220 is disposed between the first air passage 210 and the storage portion 200. The separator 220 is a porous member that allows air to flow.

[0034] The air supply unit 230 is disposed in the storage unit 200. The air supply unit 230 has a vent pipe 240 which is a hollow pipe extending in the vertical direction. The air inlet 242 which is the upper end of the vent pipe 240 is disposed above the liquid level 276 of the hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 270.

[0035] A solution inlet 244 is disposed at the lower end of the vent pipe 240, and the solution inlet 244 is disposed so as to be located in the hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 270. The solution inlet 244 and the vent pipe 240 are connected to an air mixing pump 248, and the air mixing pump 248 is connected to a motor 246. The motor 246 and the air mixing pump 248 are fixed to the inside of the storage portion 200 by a plate-shaped fixing plate 260.

[0036] The motor 246 rotates to rotate the air in the first air passage 210, that is, the air 410 (see FIG. 1 ) which is a portion of the first intake air 400 sucked in from the first intake port 120. Figure 3 ) is sucked in from the air suction port 242, and the sucked air is taken into the interior of the air mixing pump 248. In addition, the hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 270 is sucked in from the solution suction port 244 by the rotation of the motor 246, and the hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 270 is taken into the interior of the air mixing pump 248.

[0037] The air mixing pump 248 stirs and mixes the hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 270 and the air 410 inside, and atomizes the air and releases it as bubbles 272 from the discharge port 250 into the hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 270. It can also be said that the air mixing pump 248 atomizes the air to generate bubbles 272 while mixing the hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 270 and the air 410 inside.

[0038] During the stirring and mixing process inside the air mixing pump 248 , the hypochlorous acid gas is contained in the air 410 (bubbles 272 ). The bubbles 272 are air 410 sucked from the outside that has been micronized into bubbles, and the air 410 is sealed in the hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 270 .

[0039] Bubbles 272 float inside storage section 200 while taking hypochlorous acid (and water) contained in hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 270 into internal air 410. Bubbles 272 then float to become bubbles 274, and when bubbles 274 float to liquid surface 276 of hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 270, they burst and disappear.

[0040] The air 412 in the air bubble 274 is mixed with the hypochlorous acid (and water) contained in the air 410 and the air (first intake air 400) in the space above the liquid surface 276 in the storage section 200. The hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 270 has a function of causing the air bubbles 272 and 274 to contain hypochlorous acid (hypochlorous acid gas) in the process that the air bubbles 272 and 274 flow in the liquid in the storage section 200 due to buoyancy.

[0041] The separator 220 mentioned above is arranged on the upper side of the storage part 200. The separator 220 is a porous member that removes water droplets and the like generated by the bursting of the bubbles 274 at the liquid surface 276 in the storage part 200. The separator 220 allows the air 412 containing the hypochlorous acid gas to flow, but removes the water droplets and the like. Thus, the water droplets are prevented from scattering toward the first air duct 210.

[0042] like Figure 2 As shown, in the right part of the housing 100, at the second suction port 122 (refer to Figure 1 ) is provided at a position opposite to the housing 302. The housing 302 is provided with an air supply unit 300. The air supply unit 300 is an air supply fan and is arranged in the center when viewed from the front side of the housing 302.

[0043] The air supply unit 300 allows the second air 402 sucked from the second air inlet 122 to flow through the third air passage 320 and to be blown out from the outlet 130. The opening 280 connects the first air passage 210 on the upper side of the storage unit 200 to the third air passage 320.

[0044] Hereinafter, the flow of air inside the space purification device 1000 having such a structure will be described.

[0045] The motor 246 is rotated to supply a portion of the first intake air 400 sucked from the first intake port 120, air 410, from the air intake port 242 to the air mixing pump 248 through the first air duct 210. The air mixing pump 248 mixes the air 410 and the hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 270 and releases bubbles 272 from the discharge port 250 into the hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 270.

[0046] The bubbles 272 (bubbles 274) float in the hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 270, burst and disappear at the liquid surface 276, and are released as air 412 containing the sterilizing component gas to the upper side of the liquid surface 276. Then, the released air 412 containing the sterilizing component gas is mixed with the first intake air 400 sucked in from the first intake port 120.

[0047] On the other hand, the air supply unit 300 performs an air supply operation, and the second intake air 402 is sucked in from the second intake port 122, and the air 420, 422 flows from the second air passage 310 toward the third air passage 320. In addition, due to the flow of air 422, the first intake air 400 mixed with the air 412 containing the sterilizing component gas is induced to flow from the first air passage 210 toward the opening 280 as shown as air 414.

[0048] exist Figure 2 as well as Figure 3, air 414 guided through opening 280 and sucked into third air passage 320 is shown as guided air 416. In third air passage 320, guided air 416 and air 422 are mixed to form mixed air 430, and mixed air 430 is sent out from outlet 130 as blown air 440.

[0049] As mentioned above, in the existing space purification device based on the gasification filtration method, it is impossible to adjust the air volume of the air sent out and the amount of the sterilizing component gas separately. On the other hand, according to the space purification device 1000 of the present invention, the air volume of the blown air 440 can be adjusted by the action of the air supply unit 300, and the supply amount of the bubble 272, that is, the amount of the sterilizing component gas can be adjusted by the action of the air supply unit 230. Therefore, according to the present invention, the air volume of the air sent out and the amount of the sterilizing component gas can be adjusted separately.

[0050] Figure 4 1 is a block diagram showing the functional structure of the space purification device 1000 .

[0051] The space purification device 1000 includes an operation panel 500 , a control unit 600 , an air supply unit 230 , and a blower unit 300 .

[0052] The control unit 600 includes an input unit 610 , a processing unit 620 , a storage unit 622 , a timing unit 624 , and an output unit 630 .

[0053] It should be noted that the timer unit 624 is not essential, but is an essential function in the first application example and the second application example described later.

[0054] The air supply unit 230 includes a motor 246 .

[0055] The operation panel 500 is an interface for receiving operations from the user, and includes buttons, etc. The operation from the user refers to, for example, power on, power off, or input or selection of an operation mode.

[0056] When the input unit 610 receives the content of the operation performed by the user from the operation panel 500, it outputs the content of the operation performed by the user to the processing unit 620. The processing unit 620 controls the motor 246 of the air supply unit 230 and the air supply unit 300 respectively through the output unit 630 according to the content of the operation performed by the user. For example, the processing unit 620 refers to the table stored in the storage unit 622 to determine the control content corresponding to the content of the operation performed by the user.

[0057] Figure 5 It is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of a table stored in the storage unit 622 .

[0058] In this table, modes "A" to "I" are specified for different combinations of the air volume "strong", "medium" and "weak" of the air supply unit 300 and the supply volume (amount of sterilizing component gas) "large", "medium" and "small" of the air supply unit 230. Figure 5 For example, the mode is “A” when the air volume of the air blowing unit 300 is “strong” and the air supply volume of the air supply unit 230 is “large”.

[0059] When the content of the operation performed by the user displays any mode from mode "A" to mode "I", the processing unit 620 refers to the table to determine the air volume of the air supply unit 300 and the supply volume of the air supply unit 230 corresponding to the mode displayed in the content of the operation performed by the user. For example, when the content of the operation performed by the user displays mode "A", the processing unit 620 determines that the air volume of the air supply unit 300 is "strong" and the supply volume of the air supply unit 230 is "large".

[0060] In addition, for example, in the case of the display mode "B" of the content of the operation performed by the user, the processing unit 620 determines that the air volume of the air supply unit 300 is "strong" and the supply volume of the air supply unit 230 is "medium". In addition, for example, in the case of the display mode "D" of the content of the operation performed by the user, the processing unit 620 determines that the air volume of the air supply unit 300 is "medium" and the supply volume of the air supply unit 230 is "large".

[0061] The processing unit 620 controls the rotation speed of the fan of the air supply unit 300 according to the determined air volume of the air supply unit 300. For example, the processing unit 620 sets the rotation speed of the fan to the fastest when the air volume of the air supply unit 300 is "strong", and sets the rotation speed of the fan to the slowest when the air volume of the air supply unit 300 is "weak". As a result, the control unit 600 can adjust the air volume of the blown air 440 from the blowout port 130 by controlling the air supply unit 300.

[0062] On the other hand, the processing unit 620 controls the rotation speed of the motor 246 according to the determined supply amount of the air supply unit 230. For example, the processing unit 620 sets the rotation speed of the motor 246 to the fastest when the supply amount of the air supply unit 230 is "high", and sets the rotation speed of the motor 246 to the slowest when the supply amount of the air supply unit 230 is "low". The faster the rotation speed of the motor 246, the more the amount of air (air 410 which is a part of the first intake air 400) taken into the air mixing pump 248 from the air intake port 242 increases, so that the stirring at the air mixing pump 248 becomes high speed, and the release amount of the bubbles 272 increases. As a result, the processing unit 620 can adjust the amount of the sterilizing component gas contained in the air 412 by controlling the air supply unit 230.

[0063] In this manner, the control unit 600 can control the air supply unit 230 and the air blowing unit 300 separately.

[0064] It should be noted that the main body of the device, system or method of the present invention has a computer. The computer executes the program to realize the function of the main body of the device, system or method in the present invention. The computer has a processor that acts according to the program as the main hardware structure. The type of processor is not limited as long as it can realize the function by executing the program. The processor is composed of one or more electronic circuits including a semiconductor integrated circuit (IC (Integrated Circuit)) or LSI (Large Scale Integration). Multiple electronic circuits can be integrated into one chip or arranged in multiple chips. Multiple chips can be concentrated in one device or arranged in multiple devices. The program is recorded on a non-temporary recording medium such as a ROM, optical disk or hard disk drive that can be read by the computer. The program can be pre-stored in the recording medium or supplied to the recording medium via a wide area communication network including the Internet.

[0065] Hereinafter, as examples of automatically controlling the air supply unit 230 and the air blowing unit 300 , a first application example and a second application example will be described.

[0066] (First application example)

[0067] First, the first application example is described. In the existing space purification device based on the vaporization filtration method, if the air volume of the air supply unit increases, the amount of moisture evaporated from the vaporization filter increases, and the temperature of the air blown into the target space decreases due to the vaporization heat. This is suitable in the summer when people like to feel cool, but in the winter when people do not like to feel cool, it may give the user of the target space an uncomfortable air flow.

[0068] On the other hand, in the existing space purification device based on the gasification filtration method, when the air volume of the air supply part is reduced in order to suppress the air flow in winter, the amount of sterilizing component released to the target space per constant time is reduced, so the time for releasing the sterilizing component gas of a specified concentration becomes longer. This is particularly undesirable in winter when sterilization is required as a flu countermeasure. Therefore, it is desired to release the sterilizing component gas of a specified concentration to the target space while suppressing the air flow to the user of the target space.

[0069] In view of such a problem, in the first application example, Figure 4As shown, the control unit 600 includes a timing unit 624. The timing unit 624 has a clock function and can measure time. In addition, the timing unit 624 can also measure the date. The timing unit 624 outputs the measured date and time to the processing unit 620. The processing unit 620 determines in which period of a plurality of predefined periods the date and time received from the timing unit 624 is included. These plurality of periods are specified to be mutually non-overlapping. For example, April 1 to September 30 is specified as "summer", and October 1 to March 31 is specified as "winter". It should be noted that the number of the plurality of periods is not limited to the above-mentioned "2", and the lengths of the respective periods may not be equal. Here, as an example, the processing unit 620 determines whether the date and time received from the timing unit 624 is included in any one of the periods "summer" and "winter".

[0070] It should be noted that the control of the first application example can be realized as long as the timekeeping unit 624 can at least measure the date.

[0071] Figure 6 is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of the table stored in the storage unit 622 in the first application example. Figure 5 The period "winter" is associated with the mode "G" (equivalent to Figure 5 The corresponding relationship is established by using the mode "G" of

[0072] Back to Figure 4 , the processing unit 620 refers to Figure 6 In the table, when it is determined that the date and time received from the timing unit 624 is in the period "summer", mode C is selected as the default mode, and when it is determined that it is in the period "winter", mode G is selected as the default mode.

[0073] By performing such control, the processing unit 620 determines "strong" as the air volume of the air supply unit 300 and "low" as the supply amount of the air supply unit 230 in "summer", controls the rotation speed of the fan of the air supply unit 300 according to the determined air volume "strong", and controls the rotation speed of the motor 246 according to the determined supply amount "low".

[0074] In addition, the processing unit 620 determines "weak" as the air volume of the air supply unit 300 and "large" as the supply amount of the air supply unit 230 in "winter", controls the rotation speed of the fan of the air supply unit 300 according to the determined air volume "weak", and controls the rotation speed of the motor 246 according to the determined supply amount "large".

[0075] That is, in "winter", compared with "summer", the air volume from the air supply unit 300 is reduced (weakened) and the supply volume based on the air supply unit 23 is increased. When the air volume and supply volume in "summer" are respectively referred to as the first air volume and the first supply volume, and the air volume and supply volume in winter are respectively referred to as the second air volume and the second supply volume, it can be said that the second air volume is smaller (weaker) than the first air volume, and the second supply volume is greater than the first supply volume. As a result, in "winter", compared with "summer", the air volume from the air outlet 130 is reduced, and on the other hand, the amount of sterilizing component gas contained in the air increases.

[0076] The operation of the space purification device 1000 in the first application example based on the above configuration will be described.

[0077] Figure 7 1 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing procedure performed by the space purification device 1000 in the first application example.

[0078] The processing unit 620 determines whether the date measured by the timekeeping unit 624 is included in the period “summer” ( S10 ).

[0079] When the date measured by the timer 624 is included in the period “summer” ( S10 : YES), the processor 620 executes the mode C ( S12 ) to control the blower 300 and the motor 246 .

[0080] On the other hand, when the date measured by the timer 624 is not included in the period “summer” ( S10 : No), the processor 620 executes the mode G ( S14 ) to control the blower 300 and the motor 246 .

[0081] (Second application example)

[0082] Next, the second application example is described. In the existing space purification device based on the gasification filtration method, the amount of sterilizing component gas contained in the air blown into the target space is increased by increasing the air volume of the air supply unit. In such a gasification filtration method, when the sterilizing component gas is released, the water also evaporates, so if the equipment is continuously operated, the humidity in the target space may rise excessively. Therefore, it is desired to release the air containing the sterilizing component gas in the target space in such a way that the sterilizing component gas in the target space becomes a specified concentration while suppressing the high humidity of the target space.

[0083] Regarding such topics, Figure 4The timing unit 624 has a clock function and can measure time. In particular, the timing unit 624 can measure the time after the start of operation with the timing when the space purification device 1000 starts operating as the starting point. The timing unit 624 outputs the time after the start of operation to the processing unit 620. The processing unit 620 compares the time received from the timing unit 624 with a predetermined threshold. The threshold is, for example, set to 1 minute, 5 minutes, or 10 minutes. For the processing unit 620, if the time received from the timing unit 624 does not pass the threshold, it is determined to be "initial operation", and if the time received from the timing unit 624 passes the threshold, it is determined to be "stable operation period".

[0084] Figure 8 This is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of a table stored in the storage unit 622 in the second application example.

[0085] exist Figure 8 In the table, the period "initial operation" and mode D (equivalent to Figure 5 The corresponding relationship is established between the "operation stability period" and mode F (equivalent to Figure 5 The corresponding relationship is established by using the mode "F" of

[0086] Return to Figure 4 , the processing unit 620 refers to Figure 8 According to the table, when it is determined that the time after the start of operation is the "initial operation period", mode D is selected, and when it is determined that the time after the start of operation is the "stable operation period", mode F is selected.

[0087] By performing such control, the processing unit 620 determines the air volume of the air supply unit 300 as "medium" and the supply amount of the air supply unit 230 as "high" in the "initial stage of operation", controls the rotation speed of the fan of the air supply unit 300 according to the determined air volume "medium", and controls the rotation speed of the motor 246 according to the determined supply amount "high".

[0088] In addition, the processing unit 620 determines the air volume of the air supply unit 300 as "medium" and the supply amount of the air supply unit 230 as "low" in the "stable operation period", controls the rotation speed of the fan of the air supply unit 300 according to the determined air volume "medium", and controls the rotation speed of the motor 246 according to the determined supply amount "low".

[0089] That is, in the "stable operation period", compared with the "initial operation period", the air volume of the air supply unit 300 is maintained while the supply volume based on the air supply unit 230 is reduced. When the supply volume in the "initial operation period" is referred to as the first supply volume and the supply volume in the "stable operation period" is referred to as the second supply volume, it can be said that the second supply volume is less than the first supply volume. As a result, in the "stable operation period", the amount of sterilizing component gas contained in the air can be reduced compared with the "initial operation period". In addition, the processing unit 620 delivers the air volume of the air supply unit 300 at "medium" in both the "initial operation period" and the "stable operation period".

[0090] The operation of the space purification device 1000 according to the second application example having the above-described structure will be described.

[0091] Fig. 9 1 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing procedure performed by the space purification device 1000 in the second application example.

[0092] The processing unit 620 determines whether the time measured by the timing unit 624 is included in the period "initial operation" (S50). If the time measured by the timing unit 624 is included in the "initial operation" (S50: Yes), the processing unit 620 executes mode D (S52) to control the air supply unit 300 and the motor 246.

[0093] On the other hand, when the time measured by the timer 624 is not included in the “initial operation” ( S50 : No), the processor 620 executes the mode F ( S54 ) to control the blower 300 and the motor 246 .

[0094] (Effects, etc.)

[0095] As described above, according to the present embodiment, the control unit 600 controls the operation of the air supply unit 230, thereby adjusting the supply amount of the bubbles 274 to the hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 270, and thus the amount of the sterilizing component gas can be adjusted. In addition, the control unit 600 controls the operation of the air supply unit 300, thereby adjusting the air volume flowing in the air duct, and thus the air volume of the blown air 440 sent from the space purification device 1000 can be adjusted. In addition, the control unit 600 controls the air supply unit 230 and the air supply unit 300 independently, so that the air volume and the amount of the sterilizing component gas can be adjusted independently, so that the air volume and the amount of the sterilizing component gas can be flexibly adjusted in the space purification device 1000.

[0096] In addition, as shown in the first application example, the control unit 600 is capable of switching between a first mode and a second mode different from the first mode, and is capable of making the air volume smaller (weaker) than the first mode and increasing the supply of bubbles in the second mode, thereby being able to flexibly adjust the air volume and the amount of sterilizing component gas in the space purification device 1000.

[0097] In addition, by switching the first mode and the second mode according to the period, for example, in the first mode (for example, mode C) set to the period "summer", the blown air 440 containing the sterilizing component gas blown out from the blow-out outlet 130 by the air supply unit 300 can generate an air flow relative to the users of the target space, and by reducing the supply amount from the air supply unit 230, the sterilizing component gas of a specified concentration can be released into the target space.

[0098] On the other hand, for example, in the second mode (for example, mode G) set to the "winter" period, by making the air containing the sterilizing component gas blown out from the blower outlet 130 by the air supply unit 300 weaker than that in the first mode, the air flow relative to the users of the target space can be suppressed, and by making the supply amount from the air supply unit 230 greater than that in the first mode, the sterilizing component gas of the same specified concentration as in the first mode can be released to the target space.

[0099] In addition, as shown in the second application example, in the "operation stability period" which is a period determined as the time after the operation of the space purification device 1000 is started, the supply amount of bubbles can be made less than that of the "initial operation period". On the other hand, the air volume can be maintained in the initial operation period and the operation stability period, so the air volume and the amount of sterilization component gas can be flexibly adjusted in the space purification device 1000.

[0100] In addition, in the "initial operation", the supply amount of bubbles based on the air supply unit 230 can be increased without increasing the air volume of the air supply unit 300, thereby supplying a large amount of air containing the sterilizing component gas to the target space, so that the sterilizing component gas in the target space can be controlled to reach a predetermined concentration in a short time. In addition, the humidity in the target space can be suppressed from excessively rising, thereby maintaining appropriate humidity.

[0101] (Note)

[0102] An outline of one aspect of the present invention is as follows.

[0103] (Item 1-1)

[0104] A space purification device (1000), wherein:

[0105] The space purification device (1000) comprises:

[0106] A housing (100) having a first suction port (120), a second suction port (122), and a blow-out port (130);

[0107] A storage portion (200) is disposed in the housing (100) and stores an aqueous solution (270) containing a sterilizing component;

[0108] an air supply unit (230) for supplying the air (410) sucked from the first suction port (120) as bubbles (272, 274) to the aqueous solution (270) containing the sterilizing component stored in the storage unit (200);

[0109] an air supply unit (300) configured to cause the air (420) sucked in from the second suction port (122) to flow through the air passage (320) and be delivered from the blow-out port (130);

[0110] an opening portion (280) which connects the air passage (320) and the storage portion (200); and

[0111] a control unit (600) for controlling the operation of the air supply unit (230) and the air supply unit (300);

[0112] By the air supply unit (300) performing an air supply operation, the bubbles (272, 274) floating in the aqueous solution (270) containing the sterilizing component are induced as air (416) containing the sterilizing component from the storage unit (200) through the opening (280) and sucked into the air passage (320), and then discharged from the blowing outlet (130).

[0113] The control unit (600) is capable of controlling the air supply unit (230) and the air supply unit (300) respectively.

[0114] (Item 1-2)

[0115] Based on the space purification device (1000) described in item 1-1,

[0116] The control unit (600) adjusts the amount of the sterilizing component gas contained in the air (416) by controlling the air supply unit (230).

[0117] The control unit (600) adjusts the air volume from the air outlet (130) by controlling the air supply unit (300).

[0118] (Item 2-1)

[0119] A space purification device (1000) comprising:

[0120] A housing (100) having a first suction port (120), a second suction port (122), and a blow-out port (130);

[0121] A storage portion (200) is disposed in the housing (100) and stores an aqueous solution (270) containing a sterilizing component;

[0122] an air supply unit (230) for supplying the air (410) sucked in from the first suction port (120) as bubbles (272, 274) to the aqueous solution (270) containing the sterilizing component stored in the storage unit (200);

[0123] an air supply unit (300) configured to cause the air (420) sucked in from the second suction port (122) to flow through the air passage (320) and be delivered from the blow-out port (130);

[0124] an opening portion (280) which connects the air passage (320) and the storage portion (200); and

[0125] a control unit (600) for controlling the operation of the air supply unit (230) and the air supply unit (300);

[0126] By the air supply unit (300) performing an air supply operation, the bubbles (272, 274) floating in the aqueous solution (270) containing the sterilizing component are induced and sucked into the air passage from the storage unit (200) through the opening (280) as air (416) containing the sterilizing component, and are then discharged from the blow-off port (130).

[0127] The control unit (600) has a first mode and a second mode. In the first mode, the air supply unit (300) supplies air at a first air volume and supplies a first supply amount of the bubbles (272, 274) to the aqueous solution (270) through the air supply unit (230). In the second mode, the air supply unit (300) supplies air at a second air volume that is smaller than the first air volume and supplies a second supply amount of the bubbles (272, 274) that is larger than the first supply amount to the aqueous solution (270) through the air supply unit (230).

[0128] (Item 2-2)

[0129] Based on the space purification device (1000) described in item 2-1,

[0130] In the second mode, compared to the first mode, the control unit (600) controls the air supply unit (300) and the air supply unit (230) in such a manner as to reduce the air volume from the blow-out port (130) and increase the amount of the sterilizing component gas contained in the air.

[0131] (Item 2-3)

[0132] Based on the space purification device (1000) described in item 2-2,

[0133] The control unit (600) includes a timing unit (624) for measuring at least a date.

[0134] The control unit (600) switches between the first mode and the second mode based on the date measured by the timing unit (624).

[0135] (Items 2-4)

[0136] Based on the space purification device (1000) described in item 2-2,

[0137] The control unit (600) determines whether the date belongs to summer or winter based on the date measured by the timekeeping unit (624), executes the first mode when the date belongs to summer, and executes the second mode when the date belongs to winter.

[0138] (Item 3-1)

[0139] A space purification device (1000), wherein:

[0140] The space purification device (1000) comprises:

[0141] A housing (100) having a first suction port (120), a second suction port (122), and a blow-out port (130);

[0142] A storage portion (200) is disposed in the housing (100) and stores an aqueous solution (270) containing a sterilizing component;

[0143] an air supply unit (230) for supplying the air (410) sucked in from the first suction port (120) as bubbles (272, 274) to the aqueous solution (270) containing the sterilizing component stored in the storage unit (200);

[0144] an air supply unit (300) configured to cause the air (420) sucked in from the second suction port (122) to flow through the air passage (320) and be delivered from the blow-out port (130);

[0145] an opening portion (280) which connects the air passage (320) and the storage portion (200); and

[0146] a control unit (600) for controlling the operation of the air supply unit (230) and the air supply unit (300);

[0147] By the air supply unit (300) performing an air supply operation, the bubbles (272, 274) floating in the aqueous solution (270) containing the sterilizing component are induced as air (416) containing the sterilizing component from the storage unit (200) through the opening (280) and sucked into the air passage (320), and then discharged from the blowing outlet (130).

[0148] The control unit (600) supplies a first supply amount of the bubbles (272, 274) to the aqueous solution (270) through the air supply unit (230) at an initial operation stage, and supplies a second supply amount of the bubbles (272, 274) to the aqueous solution (270) through the air supply unit (230) at an operation stabilization stage subsequent to the initial operation stage,

[0149] The control unit (600) controls the air supply unit (300) to maintain the air volume from the air outlet (130) during the initial operation and the stable operation period.

[0150] (Item 3-2)

[0151] Based on the space purification device (1000) described in item 3-1,

[0152] The control unit (600) is capable of causing the air supply unit (300) to supply air at a first air volume and a second air volume.

[0153] The first air volume is smaller than the second air volume,

[0154] The control unit (600) controls the air supply unit (300) to supply air at the first air volume in the initial operation period and the stable operation period.

[0155] (Item 3-3)

[0156] In addition to the space purification device (1000) described in item 3-1 or item 3-2,

[0157] The control unit (600) includes a timing unit (624) for measuring at least the time after the space purification device (1000) starts operating.

[0158] If the time measured by the timing unit (624) has not passed the prescribed time, the control unit (600) determines that it is in the initial stage of operation. If the time measured by the timing unit (624) has passed the prescribed time, the control unit determines that it is in the stable operation period.

[0159] (Item 4)

[0160] Based on the space purification device (1000) described in any one of items 1-1 to 3-3,

[0161] The air supply unit (230) comprises:

[0162] a vent pipe (240) having an air intake port (242) disposed above a liquid surface (276) of the aqueous solution (270);

[0163] a solution suction port (244) disposed at the lower end of the vent pipe (240) and located within the aqueous solution (270);

[0164] an air mixing pump (248), connected to the air inlet (242) and the solution inlet (244), for stirring and mixing the aqueous solution (270) and the air;

[0165] a discharge port (250) that atomizes the air and discharges the air as bubbles into the aqueous solution (270); and

[0166] a motor (246) connected to the air mixing pump (248),

[0167] The control unit (600) controls the rotation of the motor (246), thereby controlling the operation of the air supply unit (230).

[0168] The present disclosure has been described above based on the embodiments. It should be understood by those skilled in the art that the embodiments are illustrative only and that various modifications can be implemented in the combination of each component or each processing flow, and such modifications also belong to the scope of the present invention.

[0169] Industrial Applicability

[0170] The present invention is useful as a space purification device for sterilizing a space using a sterilizing component such as hypochlorous acid. In addition, a known component other than hypochlorous acid can be used as the sterilizing component.

[0171] Description of Reference Numerals

[0172] 100: housing; 102: front surface; 104: rear surface; 106: left side; 108: right side; 110: top surface; 112: bottom surface; 120: first suction port; 122: second suction port; 130: blow-out port; 200: storage portion; 210: first air duct; 220: separator; 230: air supply portion; 240: vent pipe; 242: air suction port; 244: solution suction port; 246: motor; 248: air mixing pump; 250: discharge port; 260: fixing plate; 270: hypochlorous acid aqueous solution; 272, 274: bubbles; 276: liquid surface; 280: opening; 300: air supply portion; 302: housing; 310: second air duct; 320: third air duct; 400: first inhaled air; 402: second inhaled air; 410: air; 412: air; 414: air; 416: induced air; 420: air; 422: air; 430: mixed air; 440: blown air; 500: operation panel; 600: control unit; 610: input unit; 620: processing unit; 622: storage unit; 624: timing unit; 630: output unit; 1000: space purification device.

Claims

1. A space purification device, comprising: A housing having a first suction port, a second suction port, and a blow-out port; A storage part, which is arranged in the housing and stores an aqueous solution containing a sterilizing component; an air supply unit that supplies the air sucked from the first suction port as bubbles to the aqueous solution containing the sterilizing component stored in the storage unit; An air supply unit that allows the air sucked in from the second suction port to flow through the air passage and to be delivered from the blow-out port; an opening portion that connects the air passage to the storage portion; and a control unit for controlling the operation of the air supply unit and the air supply unit, By the air supply unit performing the air supply operation, the bubbles floating in the aqueous solution containing the sterilizing component are induced and sucked into the air passage from the storage unit through the opening as air containing the sterilizing component, and are sent out from the blow-out port. The control unit can control the air supply unit and the air supply unit separately.

2. The space purification device according to claim 1, wherein: The control unit adjusts the amount of the sterilizing component gas contained in the air by controlling the air supply unit. The control unit adjusts the air volume from the air outlet by controlling the air supply unit.

3. The space purification device according to claim 2, wherein: The control unit has a first mode and a second mode. In the first mode, the air supply unit supplies air at a first air volume and supplies a first supply amount of bubbles to the aqueous solution through the air supply unit. In the second mode, the air supply unit supplies air at a second air volume that is smaller than the first air volume and supplies a second supply amount of bubbles that is larger than the first supply amount to the aqueous solution through the air supply unit.

4. The space purification device according to claim 3, wherein: In the second mode, the control unit controls the air supply unit and the air supply unit so as to reduce the air volume from the air outlet and increase the amount of the sterilizing component gas contained in the air, compared with the first mode.

5. The space purification device according to claim 4, wherein: The control unit includes a timing unit for at least measuring a date. The control unit switches between the first mode and the second mode based on the date measured by the timekeeping unit.

6. The space purification device according to claim 5, wherein: The control unit determines whether the date is summer or winter based on the date measured by the timekeeping unit, executes the first mode when the date is summer, and executes the second mode when the date is winter.

7. The space purification device according to claim 2, wherein: The control unit supplies a first supply amount of the bubbles to the aqueous solution through the air supply unit at an initial operation stage, and supplies a second supply amount of the bubbles, which is smaller than the first supply amount, to the aqueous solution through the air supply unit during a stable operation period subsequent to the initial operation stage. The control unit controls the air supply unit to maintain the air volume from the air outlet in the initial operation period and the stable operation period.

8. The space purification device according to claim 7, wherein: The control unit can cause the air supply unit to supply air at a first air volume and a second air volume. The first air volume is smaller than the second air volume, The control unit controls the air supply unit to supply air at the first air volume in the initial operation period and the stable operation period.

9. The space purification device according to claim 7 or 8, wherein: The control unit includes a timing unit for measuring at least the time after the space purification device starts operating. If the time measured by the timing unit has not passed a predetermined time, the control unit determines that the operation is in the initial stage, and if the time measured by the timing unit has passed the predetermined time, the control unit determines that the operation is in the stable stage.

10. The space purification device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein: The air supply unit includes: a vent pipe having an air intake port disposed above a liquid surface of the aqueous solution; a solution suction port, which is arranged at the lower end side of the vent pipe and is located in the aqueous solution; an air mixing pump connected to the air inlet and the solution inlet to stir and mix the aqueous solution with the air; a discharge port for atomizing the air and discharging the air into the aqueous solution as the bubbles; as well as a motor connected to the air mixing pump, The control unit controls the rotation of the motor to thereby control the operation of the air supply unit.

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