Air purification device

Abstract

To provide a technology that suppresses a decrease of a hypochlorite concentration of a water storage section, in an air purification device that generates hypochlorite water by electrolyzing salt water with an electrode.SOLUTION: In order to achieve this objective, the present invention is equipped with a water storage section 13, an electrolysis unit 17 that generates electrolyzed water by electrolyzing the water in the water storage section 13, and an electrolysis control unit 154 which, upon detecting by a drainage detection unit 126 that the water in the water storage section 13 has been drained and new water has been stored, immediately implements a scale removal mode 161 to remove scale adhering to the surface of the electrodes of the electrolysis unit 17. Following the scale removal mode 161, an electrolyzed water generation mode 160 is executed, making it easier to remove scale from the electrode surfaces and preventing a decrease in chlorine generation efficiency.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 12

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an air purifying device used for sterilizing private rooms and the like. [Background technology]

[0002] The air purifier generates an aqueous solution containing hypochlorous acid (e.g., hypochlorous acid water) by electrolyzing water in a reservoir containing sodium chloride, and releases hypochlorous acid gas together with air into the target space (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2018-121827 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In an air purifier, the scale concentration in the water storage section increases due to repeated water evaporation that occurs simultaneously with the supply of tap water and the release of hypochlorous acid gas. The increase in scale concentration leads to scale adhesion in the electrolysis unit. If scale components adhere to the electrolysis unit, the efficiency of hypochlorous acid generation at the electrodes decreases, so the concentration of hypochlorous acid in the water storage section also decreases, and the sterilization performance of the air purifier decreases.

[0005] Therefore, the present disclosure is intended to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, and aims to provide a technology for suppressing a decrease in hypochlorous acid concentration. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, an air purifying device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes a water storage section that stores water, an electrolysis unit that electrolyzes the water in the water storage section, an air-liquid contact section that brings the electrolyzed water generated by electrolysis by the electrolysis unit into contact with air entering through an air intake, an air blower that blows out the air obtained in the air-liquid contact section from an outlet, a drainage detection section that detects when water in the water storage section has been drained and new water has been stored, and an electrolysis control section that controls the current value, current flow time, and current direction to the electrolysis unit, and the electrolysis control section has an electrolyzed water generation mode that generates electrolyzed water and a scale removal mode, and the scale removal mode is performed immediately after the drainage detection section detects that water in the water storage section has been drained and new water has been stored, and then the electrolyzed water generation mode is performed.

[0007] Any combination of the above components, and conversion of the present disclosure into a method, device, system, recording medium, computer program, etc. are also valid aspects of the present disclosure. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present disclosure, the decrease in the efficiency of hypochlorous acid generation can be suppressed by dissolving the scale components adhering to the electrode unit and peeling them off from the electrode. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of an air purifying device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the air purifying device of FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the air purifying device of FIG. [Figure 4] 2 is a perspective view of a water storage section, a filter frame, a filter, a water tank, and an electrolysis unit of the air purifier of FIG. 1. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of a filter frame and a filter of the air purifying device of FIG. 1. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the air purifying device of FIG. [Figure 7] 2 is a perspective view of an automatic salt dispenser of the air purifying device of FIG. 1. [Figure 8] 2 is a cross-sectional perspective view of an automatic salt dispenser of the air purifying device of FIG. 1. [Figure 9] 4(a) and (b) are diagrams for explaining the decrease in concentration of hypochlorous acid. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the air purification device of FIG. [Figure 11] 11(a) to 11(c) are diagrams illustrating an example of electrolysis control by the control unit in FIG. [Figure 12] 11(a) to 11(c) are diagrams illustrating an example of electrolysis control by the control unit in FIG. [Figure 13] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of electrolysis control by the control unit in FIG. [Figure 14] 11(a)-(b) are diagrams illustrating an example of electrolysis control by the control unit in FIG. 10. [Figure 15] 11(a)-(b) are diagrams illustrating an example of electrolysis control by the control unit in FIG. 10. [Figure 16] 2 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the air purifier of FIG. 1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Hereinafter, the embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the following embodiment is an example of the present disclosure, and does not limit the technical scope of the present disclosure. In addition, each figure described in the embodiment is a schematic diagram, and the ratio of the size and thickness of each component in each figure does not necessarily reflect the actual dimensional ratio. Below, this embodiment will be described in the order of (1) basic configuration, (2) cause of decrease in hypochlorous acid concentration, and (3) electrolysis control. (1) Basic configuration Figures 1 and 2 are perspective views of the air purifier 1. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the air purifier 1. Figure 4 is a perspective view of the water storage section 13, filter frame 15, filter 14, water tank 12, and electrolysis unit 17 of the air purifier 1.

[0011] As shown in Fig. 1 to Fig. 4, the air purifying device 1 includes a main body case 4 in the shape of a vertically long box having an air intake 2 and an air outlet 3, an air purifying filter 5, an air-liquid contact section 6 (air purifying section), an air blowing section 7, and an automatic salt dispenser 8 (tablet dispenser mechanism). The air purifying filter 5, the air-liquid contact section 6 (air purifying section), the air blowing section 7, and the automatic salt dispenser 8 (tablet dispenser mechanism) are disposed within the main body case 4. Within the main body case 4, the air purifying filter 5 is disposed on the front side of the main body case 4, the air blowing section 7 is disposed on the rear side of the main body case 4, and the air-liquid contact section 6 is disposed between the air purifying filter 5 and the air blowing section 7.

[0012] The air intake 2 is located on the left and right side surfaces of the main body case 4, and the air outlet 3 is located on the top surface of the main body case 4. The air outlet 3 has a plurality of louvers 3a that rotate in the vertical direction. In Figs. 1, 2, and 3, the air outlet 3 is in a state where the louvers 3a are closed. The air purifying filter 5 has a structure that captures fine particles and removes them from the airflow. The air purifying filter 5 has a vertically long shape and is made of a filter material folded in a bellows shape, and is provided on the downwind side of the air duct of the air intake 2.

[0013] The gas-liquid contact section 6 retains water and promotes gas-liquid contact between the air to be humidified and the water, and is provided on the downwind side of the air passage of the air cleaning filter 5. The gas-liquid contact section 6 has a water tank 12, a water storage section 13 (water tank), a filter 14, a filter frame 15, a rotating member 16, and an electrolysis unit 17. There is an openable door 4a on the side of the main body case 4, and when the door 4a is opened, the water tank 12 and the water storage section 13 appear.

[0014] The water tank 12 is attached to the end of the water storage section 13, and water is stored in the water tank 12. The water is supplied from the water tank 12 to the water storage section 13 by a valve mechanism, so that the water level in the water storage section 13 is kept substantially constant. Water may be supplied from a pipe.

[0015] Water storage section 13 is shaped like a generally long horizontal box with an open top, stores water supplied from water tank 12, and is detachably provided at the bottom of main body case 4. Water storage section 13 has a plurality of first support plates (not shown) and second support plates 18 that are shaped like generally long vertical plates extending upward. An upper portion of the first support plate has a first bearing (not shown) that rotatably supports filter frame 15, and an upper portion of second support plate 18 has a second bearing 20 that rotatably supports filter frame 15.

[0016] Fig. 5 is an exploded view of the filter frame 15 and filter 14 of the air purifier 1. As shown in Figs. 3 to 5, filter 14 is disk-shaped, with a portion of its periphery periodically immersed in the water in the tank, and draws up water by utilizing capillary action. The water drawn up by capillary action is held by the connecting threads of filter 14, and humidification is achieved by air passing through them. Filter 14 is held within filter frame 15.

[0017] The filter frame 15 has a filter outer frame 21 and a filter inner frame 22. The filter outer frame 21 has a circular shallow dish shape, and has a plurality of openings 23 on its bottom surface. The filter outer frame 21 has a first shaft 24 protruding outwardly from the center of its bottom surface. The diameter of the filter outer frame 21 is slightly larger than the diameter of the filter inner frame 22. The filter inner frame 22 has a circular shallow dish shape, and has a plurality of openings 25 on its bottom surface. The filter inner frame 22 has a second shaft 26 protruding outwardly from the center of its bottom surface.

[0018] The filter 14 is disposed between the filter outer frame 21 and the filter inner frame 22, and the filter inner frame 22 is configured to fit within the filter outer frame 21. In this state, the second shaft 26 of the filter inner frame 22 and the first shaft 24 of the filter outer frame 21 each protrude outward. The filter frame 15 is rotatably supported by the first bearing provided on the first support plate of the water storage section 13 and the second bearing 20 provided on the second support plate 18 by the first shaft 24 of the filter outer frame 21 and the second shaft 26 of the filter inner frame 22. The first shaft 24 of the filter outer frame 21 and the second shaft 26 of the filter inner frame 22 extend in the front-rear direction of the main body case 4 (the air blowing direction of the filter frame 15). The filter 14 and the filter frame 15 are configured to rotate in the up-down direction by the rotating member 16. The first shaft 24 of the filter outer frame 21 of the filter frame 15 is attached to the first bearing, and the second shaft 26 of the filter inner frame 22 is attached to the second bearing 20 so that a portion of the periphery of the filter 14 is immersed in the water in the water storage section 13.

[0019] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the air purifier 1. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the automatic salt injection unit 8 of the air purifier 1. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the automatic salt injection unit 8 of the air purifier 1. As shown in FIG. 6, FIG. 7, and FIG. 8, the automatic salt injection unit 8 is installed above the water storage unit 13, and includes a tablet injection case 40, a tablet injection member 41 provided in the tablet injection case 40, and a tablet injection cover 42 provided detachably on the upper part of the tablet injection case 40. When the tablet injection cover 42 is removed from the tablet injection case 40 and an electrolysis promotion tablet 43 is placed in the tablet injection case 40, the tablet injection member 41 rotates, and the electrolysis promotion tablet 43 automatically falls from an opening 44 on the bottom surface of the tablet injection case 40 through a space surrounded by a partition plate and a groove of the water tank 12 described later into the water storage unit 13. For example, sodium chloride can be used for the electrolysis promotion tablet 43.

[0020] The electrolysis unit 17 immerses the first and second electrode plates in the water of the water storage section 13, applies a current to the first and second electrodes, and electrochemically processes the water in the water storage section 13 containing electrolysis promotion tablets 43 (described later) that are added by the automatic salt addition section 8, to generate hypochlorous acid. An example of an electrolysis promotion solvent is sodium chloride, and the electrolysis unit 17 electrochemically decomposes an aqueous sodium chloride solution to generate active oxygen species (e.g. For example, it generates electrolytic water containing hypochlorous acid.

[0021] Here, the active oxygen species refers to oxygen molecules having higher oxidation activity than normal oxygen and related substances. For example, the active oxygen species includes not only so-called active oxygen in the narrow sense, such as superoxide anion, singlet oxygen, hydroxyl radical, or hydrogen peroxide, but also so-called active oxygen in the broad sense, such as ozone, hypochlorous acid (hypohalous acid), etc. In addition, in this embodiment, the generation of electrolytic water containing active oxygen species (hypochlorous acid in this case) may be expressed as generating active oxygen species (hypochlorous acid in this case).

[0022] 3, blower 7 is provided in the center of main body case 4, and includes motor 27, fan 28 rotated by motor 27, and scroll-shaped casing 29 surrounding them. Casing 29 is provided with discharge port 30 and suction port 31. Discharge port 30 is provided on the top surface side of casing 29 in main body case 4. In addition, suction port 31 is provided on the front surface side of casing 29 in main body case 4.

[0023] Motor 27 has a rotating shaft 32, which extends horizontally from the front side to the rear side of main body case 4. Fan 28 is a sirocco fan, and is fixed to rotating shaft 32 extending from motor 27. When rotating shaft 32 of motor 27 rotates, fan 28 also rotates, and air sucked in from air intake 2 of main body case 4 is blown to air outlet 3 via first air passage 33 or second air passage 34 inside main body case 4.

[0024] The first air passage 33 is an air passage that is connected from the intake 2 to the outlet 3 through the air purifying filter 5, the filter 14, and the blower 7. First, when the fan 28 of the blower 7 rotates, air outside the main body case 4 is sucked in through the intake 2 and blown into the first air passage 33. The air blown into the first air passage 33 passes through the air purifying filter 5, which collects dust and the like, turning it into clean air. Next, the clean air passes through the filter 14 holding electrolytic water containing hypochlorous acid, turns into further clean air, and is blown out of the main body case 4 from the outlet 3 via the blower 7.

[0025] The second air passage 34 is an air passage that sequentially communicates from the air intake 2 to the air outlet 3 via the air purifying filter 5 and the air blower 7. First, when the fan 28 of the air blower 7 rotates, air outside the main body case 4 is sucked in through the air intake 2 and passes through the air purifying filter 5, and dust and the like are captured by the air purifying filter 5, becoming clean air. Next, the clean air bypasses the filter frame 15 and the filter 14, passes outside the filter frame 15, and is blown out of the main body case 4 from the air outlet 3 via the air blower 7.

[0026] As configured above, the air purifier 1 comprises a main case 4 having an air intake 2 and an air outlet 3, a water storage section 13 for storing water provided within the main case 4, a water tank 12 for supplying water to the water storage section 13, an automatic salt dosing section 8 for putting electrolysis promotion tablets 43 (sodium chloride) into the water storage section 13, an electrolysis unit 17 for electrolyzing the water in the water storage section 13 into which sodium chloride has been put by the automatic salt dosing section 8, a gas-liquid contact section 6 for bringing the electrolyzed water generated by electrolysis by the electrolysis unit 17 into contact with the air entering from the air intake 2, and an air blowing section 7 for blowing the air obtained in the gas-liquid contact section 6 from the air outlet 3.

[0027] (2) Causes of decrease in hypochlorous acid concentration 9(a)-(b) are diagrams for explaining the decrease in concentration of hypochlorous acid. FIGS. 9(a)-(b) are simplified diagrams of the water storage section 13 and electrolysis unit 17 described above. The electrolysis unit 17 includes a first electrode plate 50 and a second electrode plate 52. As described above, the production efficiency of hypochlorous acid depends on the amount of scale (Ca, Mg, Si) contained in the water stored in the water storage section 13. The concentration of hypochlorous acid increases, and decreases due to the adhesion of scale components to the electrode plate surface. In addition, the hypochlorous acid concentration also decreases due to a decrease in the efficiency of hypochlorous acid production.

[0028] Scale is made up of minerals such as magnesium, calcium, and silicon.

[0029] In the case of calcium, calcium carbonate precipitates on the surface of the electrode plate as the water near the cathode side (second electrode plate 52 in FIG. 9(a)) becomes alkaline. When the surface of the electrode plate is covered with scale, the electrode surface area becomes smaller, and the efficiency of generating hypochlorous acid decreases. The amount of scale precipitates increases as the scale concentration in the water storage section 13 increases, and the scale concentration increases by supplying tap water to the water storage section 13. By switching the direction of current flow, i.e., by polarity reversal, the cathode and anode are switched, and the surface of the electrode plate changes from alkaline to acidic (second electrode plate 52 in FIG. 9(b)), some scale such as calcium carbonate dissolves, and the efficiency of generating hypochlorous acid recovers somewhat, but not all scale components dissolve, and the efficiency of generating hypochlorous acid decreases with the use of the electrode plate.

[0030] It is known that silicon is easily precipitated in neutral conditions and its dissolution concentration increases in alkaline conditions. For this reason, in addition to polarity reversal, the amount of silicon deposited can be suppressed by adjusting the current flow time, and the efficiency of hypochlorous acid generation can be restored by dissolving the silicon.

[0031] In either case, the scale dissolves when the scale concentration in the water in the water reservoir 13 is low.

[0032] (3) Control of hypochlorous acid production Here, we will explain (3-1) the configuration for control, (3-2) automatic salt addition control and drainage control, and (3-3) electrolysis control in that order. (3-1) Control configuration 10 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the air purifier 1. The air purifier 1 includes an air-liquid contactor 6, a blower 7, an automatic salt feeder 8, an electrolysis unit 17, a controller 100, an operation switch 110, a water volume detector 124, a drainage detector 126, a display 130, and a memory 140. The controller 100 also includes an electrolysis controller 154, an automatic salt feeder controller 156, and a drainage controller 158.

[0033] The operation switch 110 is disposed, for example, on the surface of the main body case 4 (FIG. 1), and is a switch for receiving operation of the air purifier 1 from the user. When the operation switch 110 is pressed down, the operation switch 110 instructs the control unit 100 to operate the air purifier 1. When the water volume detection unit 124 detects that there is a sufficient amount of water for operation, it notifies the control unit 100 that there is a sufficient amount of water. The drainage detection unit 126 detects that the water storage unit 13 has been drained. When the drainage detection unit 126 detects drainage, it notifies the control unit 100 that it has detected drainage. The water volume detection unit 124 and the drainage detection unit 126 may use known technology, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted here.

[0034] The display unit 130 is, for example, a display panel arranged on the surface of the main body case 4 (FIG. 1) that is capable of displaying letters or numbers, and displays letters or numbers in response to instructions from the control unit 100. The control unit 100 is arranged inside the air purifier 1, and controls the operation of the air purifier 1. For example, the control unit 100 changes the control of the electrolysis unit 17 depending on the timing of sodium chloride addition in the automatic salt addition unit 8, the electrolysis strength setting, the air volume, and the result of drainage detection in the drainage detection unit. The control by the control unit 100 will be described below.

[0035] (3-2) Drainage control and automatic salt injection control When the operation time "T1" is exceeded, the drainage control unit 158 ​​executes control to prompt the drainage of the water storage unit 13. One example of the control to prompt the drainage of the water storage unit 13 is to display a message prompting the drainage on the display unit 130. When the user confirms the message prompting the drainage displayed on the display unit 130, the user removes the water storage unit 13 from the air purifier 1, drains the water in the water storage unit 13, and attaches the water storage unit 13 to the air purifier 1. This drainage operation is detected by the drainage detection unit 126.

[0036] When the drainage detection unit 126 detects drainage and the water volume detection unit 124 detects that water has been supplied up to a certain volume, the automatic salt injection control unit 156 operates the automatic salt injection unit 8 to inject electrolysis promotion tablets 43 (sodium chloride) into the water storage unit 13. In addition, when the operation time "T2" is exceeded, the automatic salt injection unit 8 is also operated in a similar manner to control the water storage unit 13 to ensure a certain concentration of chloride ions. Here, T2 is a time shorter than T1. For example, T1 is 168 hours, and T2 is half that, 84 hours.

[0037] (3-3) Electrolysis control The electrolysis control unit 154 of the present invention receives information on water supply and drainage from the water volume detection unit 124 and the drainage detection unit 126, and executes an electrolyzed water generation mode 160 or a scale removal mode 161.

[0038] 11(a)-(c) show an example of electrolysis control in the electrolytic water generation mode by the control unit 100. FIG. 11(a) shows the control content of the electrolytic water generation mode 160 by the electrolysis control unit 154.

[0039] The electrolysis strength setting specifies the concentration of hypochlorous acid in the water storage section 13, and a "low" electrolysis strength setting indicates a lower concentration of hypochlorous acid than a "high" electrolysis strength setting, and has lower sterilization and deodorization capabilities.

[0040] The airflow setting specifies the amount of airflow when the air purifier 1 is operated, i.e., the amount of airflow produced by the movement of the blower unit 7. The "weak" airflow setting is used when the amount of hypochlorous acid required is small, such as when the room in which the unit is operated is small or not very dirty, while the "strong" airflow setting is used when the amount of hypochlorous acid required is large, such as when the room is large. The "weak" airflow setting indicates a lower airflow than the "strong" airflow setting.

[0041] When the electrolysis strength setting is "high" and the airflow rate is "weak," the electrolysis control unit 154 sets the current value to "500 mA," the ON time to "3 min," and the OFF time to "17 min." Such control is shown in FIG. 11(b). As shown in FIG. 11(b), for example, after the ON time and the OFF time are repeated five times, the control is repeated in combination with a polarity reversal control that switches the current flow direction.

[0042] 11(c) shows the concentration of hypochlorous acid in the water storage section 13. The concentration of hypochlorous acid in the water storage section 13 is maintained within a certain range by repeating the process in which the concentration of hypochlorous acid increases during ON time and decreases during OFF time.

[0043] The feature of this embodiment is that immediately after the drainage detection unit 126 detects that the water in the water storage unit 13 has been drained and the water volume detection unit 124 detects that new water has been stored, the scale removal mode 161 is executed, and then the electrolytic water generation mode 160 is executed. As a result, the scale removal mode 161 is executed at a timing when the scale concentration is low immediately after water is supplied, which makes it easier for the dissolution of scale components (Si, etc.) attached to the electrode surface to proceed, and the generation efficiency is restored.

[0044] The scale removal mode may be performed multiple times. After performing the scale removal mode 161 multiple times, the electrolytic water generation mode 160 is performed. When the operation switch 110 is pressed and there is a period of time during which it is not necessary to perform the electrolytic water generation mode 160 for driving the gas-liquid contact unit 6 and the blower unit 7 to blow out clean air, performing the scale removal mode 161 multiple times makes it possible to remove more of the scale components adhering to the electrode surface, thereby achieving the effect of more recovery of generation efficiency.

[0045] 12(a)-(c) show an example of electrolysis control by the control unit 100. The electrolysis control unit 154 has a current-on state in which current is supplied to the electrolysis unit 17 for a predetermined time, a current-off state in which current is not supplied to the electrolysis unit for a predetermined time, and a polarity switching state in which the direction of current supply to the electrolysis unit 17 is switched. In the scale removal mode, control is repeated in which current-on and current-off are alternately performed once or multiple times, followed by polarity switching. In the electrolyzed water generation mode, control is repeated in which current-on and current-off are alternately performed once or multiple times, followed by polarity switching. The scale removal mode 161 is characterized in that the current ON time is longer than the current ON time of the electrolyzed water generation mode 160, and the current value of the scale removal mode 161 is lower than the current value of the electrolyzed water generation mode 160. For example, in the scale removal mode 161, the electrolysis control unit 154 sets the current value to "30 mA", the ON time to "30 min", and the OFF time to "1 min".

[0046] As described in (2), by exposing the electrode to acidity through polarity reversal control that switches the current direction, Ca and Mg scales are easily dissolved by polarity reversal control during electrolytic water generation mode 160, but Si scales are difficult to dissolve and tend to remain. Here, during current flow, OH- ions are generated at the cathode electrode by electrolysis of water, and the pH gradually rises around the cathode electrode, so that the ON time is long and the OFF time is short, and the surface of the cathode electrode is exposed to alkalinity for a long time. Conversely, the anode side becomes acidic. When the pH of Si scale reaches 9.6 or higher, the proportion of H4SiO4- present in the solution increases and it becomes easier to dissolve, so during scale removal mode 161, Si scales are also easily removed from the electrode surface, which has the effect of promoting recovery of generation efficiency.

[0047] The scale removal mode 161 is characterized by having a smaller current value than the electrolytic water generation mode 160. Even if the operation switch 110 is pressed and there is no need to blow out clean air by driving the gas-liquid contact unit 6 and the blower unit 7, the scale removal mode 161 can be operated for a long time without excessively increasing the concentration of hypochlorous acid in the water storage unit 13 due to the small current value, and the removal of Si scale from the electrode surface is promoted, which has the effect of promoting the recovery of generation efficiency. It is also known that a high current value causes the electrode to dissolve and shortens the electrode life, but by lowering the current value, it becomes possible to execute the scale removal mode 161 without worrying about the electrode life.

[0048] FIG. 13 shows an example of electrolysis control in scale removal mode 161 by control unit 100. It is characterized by having a plurality of control conditions with different current values ​​according to the air volume caused by the movement of blower unit 7. By being able to change the amount of hypochlorous acid generated according to the air volume, it is possible to increase the hypochlorous acid concentration in water storage unit 13 to a required concentration even during scale removal mode 161. This not only restores the generation efficiency of the electrodes, but also ensures the hypochlorous acid concentration in water storage unit 13, making it possible to continue generating clean air.

[0049] Also, for the electrolysis control in the example (FIGS. 12(a)-(c)), the OFF time of the scale removal mode 161 may not be present. The electrolysis control unit 154 has a current-on state in which current is passed through the electrolysis unit 17 for a predetermined time, a current-off state in which current is not passed through the electrolysis unit 17 for a predetermined time, and a polarity switch state in which the direction of current flow to the electrolysis unit 17 is changed. The scale removal mode 161 alternates between current-on and polarity switch state. The electrolyzed water generation mode 160 repeats control in which current-on and current-off are alternately performed once or a plurality of times, followed by polarity switch state. The current-on time of the scale removal mode 161 is longer than the current-on time of the electrolyzed water generation mode 160. The current value in the scale removal mode 161 is lower than the current value in the electrolyzed water generation mode 160. The scale removal mode 161 is a mode intended to remove scale attached to the electrode surface, and the electrolyzed water generation mode 160 has an OFF time to stabilize the hypochlorous acid concentration in the water storage unit 13, but since the current value is lower than that in the electrolyzed water generation mode 160, there is no need to worry about the hypochlorous acid concentration in the water storage unit 13 rising excessively even without the OFF time. By eliminating the OFF time, the time in the scale removal mode 161 can be shortened, and therefore it becomes possible to transition to the electrolyzed water generation mode 160 sooner.

[0050] In addition, the OFF time may be removed from the example of electrolysis control shown in Fig. 13. By eliminating the OFF time, the time in scale removal mode 161 can be shortened, and therefore it becomes possible to transition to electrolyzed water generation mode 160 earlier. Scale removal mode 161 has a plurality of control conditions with different current values ​​according to the movement of blower unit 7. By being able to change the amount of hypochlorous acid generated according to the air volume, the concentration of hypochlorous acid in water storage unit 13 can be increased to a required concentration even during scale removal mode 161.

[0051] 14(a) and 14(b) show an example of electrolysis control by the control unit 100. The electrolysis control unit 154 has a first current-on state for energizing the electrolysis unit 17 for a first predetermined time, a second current-on state for energizing the electrolysis unit 17 for a second predetermined time, a current-off state for not energizing the electrolysis unit 17 for a predetermined time, and a polarity switch for switching the direction of current to the electrolysis unit 17. The first predetermined time of the first current-on state is shorter than the second predetermined time of the second current-on state, and the current value of the first current-on state is higher than the current value of the second current-on state. In the scale removal mode 161, the polarity is switched after the first current-on state and the second current-on state are alternately performed once or multiple times. In the electrolytic water generation mode 160, the polarity is switched after the first current-on state and the current-off state are alternately performed once or multiple times. In the scale removal mode 161, a control for switching the polarity is repeated. The scale removal mode 161 has a plurality of control conditions with different current values ​​according to the movement of the blower 7.

[0052] For example, when the electrolysis strength setting is "high" and the air volume is "weak", the electrolysis control unit 154, immediately after detecting drainage, performs a scale removal mode 161 in which the first ON time is "3 min" at the first current value "500 mA", and then the second ON time is "17 min" at the second current value "50 mA" multiple times, and then reverses the polarity and moves in the opposite direction, and then performs an electrolyzed water generation mode 160 in which the first ON time is "3 min" at the first current value "500 mA", and then stops the current supply for an OFF time of "17 min". In other words, the scale removal mode 161 is characterized by passing a low current during the OFF time of the electrolyzed water generation mode. As a result, regardless of the operating air volume and electrolysis strength, the hypochlorous acid concentration in the water storage unit 13 is controlled to be constant, and by continuing to pass a low current during the scale removal mode 161, the electrode surface can be kept alkaline, and the scale on the electrode surface can be removed, and the hypochlorous acid generation efficiency can be restored.

[0053] 15(a) and 15(b) show an example of electrolysis control by the control unit 100. The electrolysis control unit 154 has a first current-on state for energizing the electrolysis unit 17 for a first predetermined time, a second current-on state for energizing the electrolysis unit 17 for a second predetermined time, a current-off state for not energizing the electrolysis unit 17 for a predetermined time, and a polarity switch state for switching the direction of current to the electrolysis unit 17. The first predetermined time of the first current-on state is shorter than the second predetermined time of the second current-on state, and the current value of the first current-on state is higher than the current value of the second current-on state. In the scale removal mode 161, after the first current-on state, the second current-on state and the polarity switch are alternately performed once or multiple times. In the electrolyzed water generation mode 160, the control of the first current-on state and the current-off state are alternately performed once or multiple times, and then the polarity switch is repeated. The scale removal mode has multiple control conditions with different current values ​​depending on the movement of the blower.

[0054] For example, when the electrolysis intensity setting is “high” and the air volume is “weak”, the electrolysis control unit 154 sets the scale removal mode 161 and the first current value “500 mA” immediately after detecting drainage. After the first ON time of "3 min" is operated at "50 mA", the second ON time of "17 min" is performed at the second current value "50 mA", and then the polarity is reversed, and after the first ON time of "3 min" is operated at the first current value "500 mA" in the reverse direction, the second ON time of "17 min" is performed at the second current value "50 mA". This control is performed once or multiple times. After that, the electrolytic water generation mode 160 is characterized in that the operation of the first ON time of "3 min" is operated at the first current value "500 mA", and then the OFF time of "17 min" is stopped. In other words, the scale removal mode 161 passes a low current during the OFF time of the electrolytic water generation mode. As a result, the number of polarity reversals in the scale removal mode 161 increases compared to FIG. 14, and the amount of peeling of Ca scale and Mg scale, which are easily peeled off from the electrode surface by polarity reversal, increases. In addition, there is an increased opportunity for the Si scale attached to the Ca and Mg scale to peel off. This has the effect of further restoring the efficiency of chlorine generation.

[0055] The scale removal mode is characterized in that the scale removal mode 161 is performed multiple times during the period until the drainage control unit 158 ​​determines that drainage has occurred. In other words, the scale removal mode 161 and the electrolytic water generation mode 160 are repeated multiple times. As a result, in the second and subsequent scale removal modes 161, the amount of scale that can be removed decreases compared to immediately after drainage, but the increased opportunity for scale to enter allows more scale adhering to the electrode surface to be removed. This has the effect of restoring the efficiency of chlorine generation.

[0056] The subject of the device, system, or method in the present disclosure includes a computer. The computer executes a program to realize the function of the subject of the device, system, or method in the present disclosure. The computer includes a processor that operates according to a program as a main hardware configuration. The type of the processor does not matter 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) or an LSI (Large Scale Integration). The multiple electronic circuits may be integrated into one chip or may be provided on multiple chips. The multiple chips may be integrated into one device or may be provided on multiple devices. The program is recorded on a non-transitory recording medium such as a computer-readable ROM, an optical disk, or a hard disk drive. The program may be stored in the recording medium in advance, or may be supplied to the recording medium via a wide area communication network including the Internet.

[0057] The operation of the air purifier 1 configured as above will be described. FIG. 16 is a flow chart showing the processing procedure by the air purifier 1. When the power supply of the air purifier 1 is turned on (S10), the drainage detection unit 126 detects the presence or absence of drainage. When drainage is detected (Y of S31), water is supplied to the water storage unit 13 (S12). When the water volume detection unit 124 detects that water has entered the water storage unit 13 (Y of S32), salt is added (S24), and the scale removal mode 160 (S33) is executed. Thereafter, while the main body operation time after the drainage detection unit 126 detects drainage is less than T1 (Y of S35) and the main body operation time is less than T2 (Y of S35), the electrolytic water generation mode 161 (S36) is executed and the process returns to step 34. When the main body operation time is equal to or greater than T1, salt is added (S24), the T1 time is reset, and the process returns to step 34. If the operation time is equal to or longer than T2, the drain control unit 158 ​​displays on the display unit 130 that drainage is required, and the process returns to step 31. When drainage is detected, the T2 time is reset, and the drainage display is erased from the display unit 130.

[0058] According to this embodiment, when drainage is detected and the water storage section 13 is filled with water with a low scale concentration, the scale components attached to the electrode surface can be efficiently removed and the efficiency of chlorine generation by the electrode can be restored by switching to the scale removal mode 161. This makes it possible to suppress the decrease in the hypochlorous acid concentration in the water storage section 13.

[0059] The present disclosure has been described above based on the embodiments, but the present disclosure is in no way limited to the above-described embodiments, and it can be easily inferred that various improvements and modifications are possible within the scope that does not deviate from the spirit of the present disclosure. [Industrial Applicability]

[0060] The air purifier of the present invention controls electrolysis under electrolysis conditions aimed at removing scale that adheres to the electrode surface when the scale concentration is low, thereby removing scale that has adhered to the electrode surface and suppressing a decrease in chlorine generation efficiency, thereby providing an air purifier that suppresses a decrease in the hypochlorous acid concentration in the water storage section.

[0061] Therefore, it is expected that the device will be used as an air purifier for disinfecting and deodorizing in homes, offices, and public spaces. [Explanation of symbols]

[0062] 1. Air Purifier 2 Air Intake 3 Air outlet 3a Louver 4 Main unit case 4a Door 5. Air Purifier Filter 6 Gas-liquid contact area 7 Blower section 8 Automatic salt dispenser 12 Water tank 13 Water storage section 14 Filters 15 Filter Frame 16 Rotating members 17 Electrolysis Unit 18 Second support plate 20 No. 2 bearing 21 Filter Outer Frame 22 Filter inner frame 23 Aperture 24 1st axis 25 Aperture 26 2nd axis 27 Motor 28 Fans 29 Casing 30 outlet 31 Intake port 32 Rotation axis 33 1st wind path 34 2nd wind path 40 Tablet Case 41 Tablet inserting member 42 Tablet dispenser cover 43 Electrolysis Accelerator Tablets 44 Aperture 50 1st electrode plate 52 Second electrode plate 100 Control section 110 Operation switch 124 Water level detector 126 Drainage detector 130 Display section 140 Storage section 154 Electrolysis control unit 156 Automatic salt injection control unit 158 Drainage control section 160 Electrolyzed water generation mode 161 Descaling mode

Claims

1. A removable water storage section that stores water; an electrolysis unit that electrolyzes the water in the water storage unit; a gas-liquid contact section that brings the electrolytic water generated by electrolysis in the electrolysis unit into contact with air entering through an air intake; a blower section that blows out the air obtained in the gas-liquid contact section from a blowing outlet; A drainage detection unit that detects when the water in the water storage unit is drained and new water is stored; an electrolysis control unit that controls a current value, a current application time, and a current application direction to the electrolysis unit; The electrolysis control unit has an electrolytic water generation mode for generating electrolytic water and a scale removal mode for removing scale, The air purifying device is characterized in that the electrolysis control unit executes the scale removal mode immediately after the drainage detection unit detects that the water in the water storage unit has been drained and new water has been stored, and executes the electrolytic water generation mode after the scale removal mode.

2. The air purifying device according to claim 1 , wherein the electrolysis control unit performs the electrolyzed water generation mode after performing the scale removal mode a plurality of times.

3. The electrolysis control unit is energizing the electrolysis unit for a predetermined period of time; and a power-off step of not powering the electrolysis unit for a predetermined period of time; and polarity switching for switching a direction of current flow to the electrolysis unit, The scale removal mode includes: repeating the control of switching the polarity after alternately turning on and off the power supply once or a plurality of times; The electrolytic water generation mode is The polarity is switched after the energization is turned on and the energization is turned off alternately once or a plurality of times.

3. The air purifier according to claim 1, wherein the ON time of the current in the scale removal mode is longer than the ON time of the current in the electrolytic water generation mode, and the current value in the scale removal mode is lower than the current value in the electrolytic water generation mode.

4. The scale removal mode includes:

4. The air purifying device according to claim 3, further comprising a plurality of control conditions having different current values ​​according to the movement of the air blowing section.

5. The electrolysis control unit is energizing the electrolysis unit for a predetermined period of time; and a power-off step of not powering the electrolysis unit for a predetermined period of time; and polarity switching for switching a direction of current flow to the electrolysis unit, The scale removal mode includes: The energization and the polarity switching are alternately performed, The electrolytic water generation mode is The polarity is switched after the energization is turned on and the energization is turned off alternately once or a plurality of times.

3. The air purifier according to claim 1, wherein the power-on time in the scale removal mode is longer than the power-on time in the electrolytic water generation mode, and the current value in the scale removal mode is lower than the current value in the electrolytic water generation mode.

6. The scale removal mode includes:

6. The air purifying device according to claim 5, further comprising a plurality of control conditions having different current values ​​according to the movement of the blower.

7. The electrolysis control unit is a first current-on state in which current is applied to the electrolysis unit for a first predetermined time; a second current-on state in which current is applied to the electrolysis unit for a second predetermined time; a power-off step of not powering the electrolysis unit for a predetermined period of time; and polarity switching for switching a direction of current flow to the electrolysis unit, the first predetermined time period during which the first power supply is on is shorter than the second predetermined time period during which the second power supply is on; a current value of the first energized-on state is higher than a current value of the second energized-on state; The scale removal mode includes: The polarity is switched after the first energization and the second energization are alternately performed once or a plurality of times, The electrolytic water generation mode is 3. The air purifying device according to claim 1, wherein the polarity switching is performed after the first power-on and the power-off are alternately performed once or a plurality of times.

8. The scale removal mode includes:

8. The air purifying device according to claim 7, further comprising a plurality of control conditions each having a different current value depending on the movement of the blower.

9. The electrolysis control unit is a first current-on state in which current is applied to the electrolysis unit for a first predetermined time; a second current-on state in which current is applied to the electrolysis unit for a second predetermined time; a power-off step of not powering the electrolysis unit for a predetermined period of time; and polarity switching for switching a direction of current flow to the electrolysis unit, the first predetermined time period during which the first power supply is on is shorter than the second predetermined time period during which the second power supply is on; a current value of the first energized-on state is higher than a current value of the second energized-on state; The scale removal mode includes: After the first energization is turned on, the second energization is turned on and the polarity is switched alternately once or a plurality of times; The electrolytic water generation mode is 3. The air purifying device according to claim 1, wherein the polarity switching is performed after the first power-on and the power-off are alternately performed once or a plurality of times.

10. The scale removal mode includes:

10. The air purifying device according to claim 9, further comprising a plurality of control conditions having different current values ​​according to the movement of the blower.

11. The scale removal mode includes:

10. The air purifying device according to claim 1, wherein the drain control unit performs draining of the water storage unit a plurality of times during a period until the drain control unit determines whether to drain the water storage unit.

Images