Air purification device

Abstract

To provide an air purification device capable of efficiently purifying air.SOLUTION: An air purification device 10 comprises: a filter unit 12 that includes a photocatalytic filter 50 and is accommodated in a unit housing part 30 inside a housing 22; a light source 14 that irradiates the photocatalytic filter with light; and a blower fan 16 that generates an airflow from an intake port through the unit housing part towards an exhaust port. The photocatalytic filter is formed in a wavy pattern where ridge parts and valley parts extending in a first direction are alternately arranged in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and accommodated in the unit housing part such that the airflow flows in the second direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an air purifying device, and more particularly to an air purifying device that purifies air using, for example, a photocatalyst filter that carries a photocatalyst. [Background technology]

[0002] An example of a conventional air purifier is disclosed in Patent Document 1. The air purifier of Patent Document 1 includes a photocatalytic filter disposed in an air passage and having a photocatalyst, a first irradiation member that irradiates the photocatalytic filter with light that activates the photocatalyst, and a second irradiation member that irradiates the photocatalytic filter with light that activates the photocatalyst. The photocatalytic filter has an air inflow surface formed on one side in the thickness direction of the photocatalytic filter and an air outflow surface formed on the other side in the thickness direction, the first irradiation member is disposed upstream of the air inflow surface, and the second irradiation member is disposed downstream of the air outflow surface so as to face a portion of the air outflow surface different from the portion where the illuminance of the light irradiated by the first irradiation member is the highest. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2021-142138 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the technology of Patent Document 1, the air flow only passes through the photocatalytic filter once in the thickness direction (strictly speaking, it passes through it twice because two photocatalytic filters are installed), and there are few opportunities for the photocatalyst to purify the air, resulting in a problem of poor air purification efficiency.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE It is therefore a primary object of this disclosure to provide a novel air purification device.

[0006] Another object of the present disclosure is to provide an air purifying device that can purify air efficiently. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The first disclosure is an air purifier that purifies air using a photocatalytic filter that carries a photocatalyst, and includes a housing having an intake port and an exhaust port, a filter unit including a photocatalytic filter and housed in a unit housing section within the housing, a light source that irradiates light onto the photocatalytic filter, and a blower fan that generates an airflow from the intake port through the unit housing section toward the exhaust port, wherein the photocatalytic filter is formed in a wavy shape using a mesh filter in which peaks and valleys extending in a first direction are alternately arranged in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and the air purifier is housed in the unit housing section so that the airflow flows in the second direction.

[0008] According to the first disclosure, a mesh filter is used as the photocatalyst filter, so that the airflow passes through the photocatalyst filter easily, and pressure loss is reduced. In addition, the photocatalyst filter is formed in a wavy shape, and air flows in the second direction in which the peaks and valleys are aligned, so that the airflow passes through the photocatalyst filter multiple times in the thickness direction, and the opportunities for air purification by the photocatalyst are increased. Therefore, air can be purified efficiently while reducing pressure loss.

[0009] The second disclosure is dependent on the first disclosure, and the filter unit includes a holding frame that holds a photocatalytic filter.

[0010] The third disclosure is dependent on the second disclosure, and the holding frame has a frame body formed in a rectangular tube shape from a transparent material, which maintains the wavy shape of the photocatalyst filter and regulates the flow direction of the airflow.

[0011] The fourth disclosure is dependent on the third disclosure, and the holding frame has an air flow guiding portion that extends from an opening end on the upstream side in the air flow direction of the frame body and has a flow path area that increases with increasing distance from the frame body.

[0012] The fifth disclosure is dependent on the second disclosure, and the holding frame is constructed by combining a first division body and a second division body with each other, and the photocatalytic filter is sandwiched between the first division body and the second division body to maintain its wavy shape.

[0013] The sixth disclosure is dependent on the fifth disclosure, and the first divided body has end holding portions which engage both ends of the photocatalytic filter in the second direction, and has a first wavy fitting portion which fits into one end of the photocatalytic filter in the first direction, and the second divided body has a second wavy fitting portion which fits into the other end of the photocatalytic filter in the first direction.

[0014] A seventh disclosure is dependent on the first or second disclosure, in which a substrate of the photocatalytic filter is made of metal, and a light source irradiates ultraviolet light onto the photocatalytic filter.

[0015] The eighth disclosure is dependent on the first or second disclosure, and the light source is disposed outside the flow path of the air flow. Effect of the Invention

[0016] According to this disclosure, it is possible to provide an air purifier that can efficiently purify air while reducing pressure loss.

[0017] The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the embodiments with reference to the drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of an air purification device according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of the air purification device. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a filter unit. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the internal structure of the filter unit. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a photocatalytic filter. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic diagram of a mesh structure of a photocatalytic filter. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a first divided body of the support frame. [Figure 8] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a second divided body of the support frame. [Figure 9] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a state in which a photocatalytic filter is attached to a first divided body. [Figure 10] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a photocatalytic filter is attached to the first divided body. [Figure 11] 11A and 11B are diagrams showing a state in which a filter unit is attached to a housing of the air purifying device. [Figure 12] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a filter unit provided in an air purifying device according to a second embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view showing a filter unit according to a second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0019] [First Example] 1 and 2, an air purifying device 10 according to a first embodiment of this disclosure is a device that purifies air using a photocatalytic filter 50 that carries a photocatalyst. As will be described in detail later, the air purifying device 10 passes air taken in from the outside through the photocatalytic filter 50 and irradiates the photocatalytic filter 50 with light, thereby decomposing organic matter (organic compounds) attached to the photocatalytic filter 50 and purifying the air. The configuration of the air purifying device 10 will be specifically described below.

[0020] 1 to 3, the air purifying device 10 includes a filter unit 12 including a photocatalytic filter 50, a light source 14, a blower fan 16, a dust filter 18, an activated carbon filter 20, and a control unit (not shown), which are housed in a housing 22 in a predetermined arrangement. The control unit includes a CPU, a memory, and the like, and controls the operation of each part of the air purifying device 10 (such as the light source 14 and the blower fan 16) based on input operations made to an operation unit including a power button 24, etc.

[0021] The housing 22 is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape extending in the vertical direction. An intake port 26 is provided at the bottom of the housing 22, and an exhaust port 28 is provided at the top of the housing 22. In other words, the housing 22 has the intake port 26 and the exhaust port 28. A unit housing section 30 is provided at the center of the housing 22. The filter unit 12 is housed (attached) in a vertical orientation in the unit housing section 30. The specific configuration of the filter unit 12 will be described later.

[0022] Further, the unit housing section 30 is provided with a unit guide 38 for guiding the attachment and detachment of the filter unit 12, and the filter unit 12 is guided to an attachment position by the unit guide 38. Specifically, a pair of unit guides 38 are provided at the upper end and the lower end of the unit housing section 30 at a predetermined interval in the thickness direction (third direction) of the filter unit 12 and extending in the attachment and detachment direction (first direction) of the filter unit 12. Each of the unit guides 38 is formed with an L-shaped cross section and supports the filter unit 12 so as to be slidable. An opening 38a is formed between the pair of unit guides 38. This opening 38a communicates with an opening 52b of the filter unit 12 described later so as not to obstruct the flow of air by the blower fan 16 when the filter unit 12 is attached to the unit housing section 30.

[0023] The light source 14 includes a substrate 40 and a plurality of LEDs 42 (light-emitting parts) distributed on the surface of the substrate 40, and is provided to face the main surface of the photocatalytic filter 50. In this embodiment, UV-LEDs that irradiate ultraviolet light are used as the LEDs 42 of the light source 14. In addition, in this embodiment, the light source 14 includes a first light source 14a provided to face one main surface of the photocatalytic filter 50, and a second light source 14b provided to face the other main surface of the photocatalytic filter 50. Each of these first light source 14a and second light source 14b is disposed outside the unit storage section 30, that is, outside the flow path of the air flow. That is, the light source 14 is provided on both sides in the thickness direction of the filter unit 12 at a position outside the flow path of the air flow, and can irradiate ultraviolet light (light) from both sides of the photocatalytic filter 50. Each of the first light source 14a and the second light source 14b is provided with a total of 12 LEDs 42, for example, three in the vertical direction and four in the horizontal direction.

[0024] Furthermore, a fan housing section 32 is provided at the top of the housing 22, that is, between the exhaust port 28 and the unit housing section 30 (that is, the filter unit 12). The blower fan 16 is housed in the fan housing section 32. The blower fan 16 generates an upward air flow (airflow) from the intake port 26 through the unit housing section 30 (and thus the photocatalytic filter 50) toward the exhaust port 28. That is, the air taken into the housing 22 from the intake port 26 by the drive of the blower fan 16 flows upward through the unit housing section 30, and is then discharged to the outside of the housing 22 from the exhaust port 28. As the blower fan 16, it is preferable to use a known fan such as an axial fan such as a propeller fan and a centrifugal fan.

[0025] Further, a dust filter housing 34 and an activated carbon filter housing 36 are provided in the lower part of the housing 22, that is, between the intake port 26 and the unit housing 30. The dust filter 18 is housed in the dust filter housing 34 in a horizontal orientation so as to cover the intake port 26. The activated carbon filter 20 is housed in the activated carbon filter housing 36 arranged above the dust filter housing 34 in a horizontal orientation so as to cover the upper part of the dust filter 18. That is, the air taken into the housing 22 from the intake port 26 passes through the dust filter 18 and the activated carbon filter 20 in the thickness direction (that is, passes through the inside of the dust filter 18 and the activated carbon filter 20), and then flows into the unit housing 30. The dust filter 18 is a filter made of a porous body such as a synthetic resin nonwoven fabric, and captures dust particles such as dust and dirt contained in the air. The activated carbon filter 20 is a filter in which activated carbon is supported on a porous base material such as a synthetic resin nonwoven fabric, and the activated carbon adsorbs and removes odorous components such as ammonia and hydrogen sulfide contained in the air.

[0026] Next, the configuration of the filter unit 12 will be described. As shown in Fig. 3 and Fig. 4, the filter unit 12 includes a photocatalytic filter 50 and a holding frame 52 that holds the photocatalytic filter 50. Note that the holding frame 52 is made of a transparent material as described later, so that the photocatalytic filter 50 and other components inside can actually be seen through it, but in Fig. 3 and other figures, the see-through parts are omitted to simplify the drawings.

[0027] As shown in Fig. 5, the photocatalytic filter 50 is a filter in which a photocatalyst (photocatalytic particles) is supported on a substrate formed of metal or synthetic resin. The photocatalyst contained in the photocatalytic filter 50 is excited by irradiation with light such as ultraviolet light to generate active oxygen species, which decompose and purify organic matter contained in the air. As the photocatalyst, known photocatalysts such as titanium oxide and tungsten oxide can be used, and among these, titanium oxide is preferably used.

[0028] The photocatalytic filter 50 is formed in a wave shape (also called a pleated shape or bellows shape) in which the peaks 50a and valleys 50b extending in the first direction are alternately arranged in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. In this embodiment, the photocatalytic filter 50 is formed in a triangular wave shape in which folds 50c are formed at the tips (tops and bottoms) of the peaks 50a and valleys 50b, and the folds 50c are formed to extend in the first direction. In this way, by forming the photocatalytic filter 50 in a wave shape, it is possible to increase the contact area between the photocatalytic filter 50 and the air while suppressing the increase in size of the photocatalytic filter 50. In addition, extensions 50d extending outward are formed at both ends of the photocatalytic filter 50 in the second direction.

[0029] As can be clearly seen from FIG. 6, the base of the photocatalytic filter 50 is formed by a net-like filter (so-called mesh filter) in which wires 50e are arranged in a lattice pattern by crossing vertically and horizontally. Therefore, the photocatalytic filter 50 has a plurality of holes 50f penetrating in the thickness direction. By forming the photocatalytic filter 50 using a net-like filter, air can easily flow (pass) in the thickness direction of the photocatalytic filter 50 during air purification. The material of the base of the photocatalytic filter 50 is not particularly limited, but is preferably made of a metal such as stainless steel. This is because it has excellent durability against ultraviolet rays, and deterioration of the photocatalytic filter 50 can be prevented or reduced even when it is irradiated with ultraviolet rays from the light source 14 as described above.

[0030] Here, the aperture ratio of the photocatalytic filter 50 is preferably 20% or more and 50% or less, more preferably 30% or more and 40% or less. In this embodiment, a stainless steel mesh filter with an aperture ratio of 32% is used as the base of the photocatalytic filter 50. The number of peaks 50a (or valleys 50b) of the photocatalytic filter 50 is preferably 3 to 12, more preferably 5 to 10. In this embodiment, the number of peaks 50a of the photocatalytic filter 50 is 8. That is, the number of inclined pieces forming the peaks and valleys of the photocatalytic filter 50 is 16. By setting the aperture ratio and the number of peaks 50a of the photocatalytic filter 50 within the above range, when airflow is passed in the second direction as described later, high air purification ability can be exhibited while appropriately suppressing pressure loss.

[0031] On the other hand, the holding frame 52 is made of a transparent material such as polycarbonate and acrylic. That is, the holding frame 52 is capable of transmitting ultraviolet rays (light). As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the holding frame 52 has a rectangular cylindrical frame body 52a, and openings 52b are formed at both ends in the vertical direction (second direction). The frame body 52a of the holding frame 52 maintains the wavy shape of the photocatalytic filter 50 and regulates the flow direction of air flowing through the unit housing section 30.

[0032] In this embodiment, the holding frame 52 includes a first divided body 54 and a second divided body 56, which are combined together to form the holding frame 52. The photocatalytic filter 50 is sandwiched between the first divided body 54 and the second divided body 56 to maintain its wavy shape. This will be described in detail below.

[0033] 7, the first divided body 54 includes a first wall portion 60 having a rectangular plate shape and a second wall portion 62 having a rectangular elongated plate shape rising from one end portion in the first direction of the first wall portion 60. The first wall portion 60 and the second wall portion 62 each constitute a side wall of the holding frame 52 (frame main body 52a).

[0034] An end holding portion 64 that locks both ends of the photocatalytic filter 50 in the second direction is formed on the inner surface of both ends of the first wall portion 60 in the second direction. The end holding portion 64 is a protrusion in which a slit 64a extending in the first direction is formed. By inserting the extension portion 50d of the photocatalytic filter 50 into this slit 64a, the photocatalytic filter 50 is prevented from extending in the second direction (kickback), and the wavy shape of the photocatalytic filter 50 is maintained. In addition, a first wavy fitting portion 66 that fits into one end of the photocatalytic filter 50 in the first direction is formed on the inner surface of the second wall portion 62. The first wavy fitting portion 66 has a locking surface 66a formed in a wavy shape (i.e., extending in a wavy shape in the second direction) that extends along the end of the photocatalytic filter 50 in the first direction. This first wavy fitting portion 66 is fitted to one end of the photocatalytic filter 50 (one end of the photocatalytic filter 50 is supported by the locking surface 66a), thereby maintaining the wavy shape of the photocatalytic filter 50.

[0035] Furthermore, on the inner surface of the first wall portion 60, groove-shaped first fold retaining portions 68 are formed at positions corresponding to the folds 50c on the valley portion 50b side of the photocatalytic filter 50, that is, extending in the first direction and arranged at a predetermined interval in the second direction. The folds 50c of the photocatalytic filter 50 are fitted into the first fold retaining portions 68, thereby maintaining the wavy shape of the photocatalytic filter 50. Furthermore, on the inner surface of the second wall portion 62, a protruding stopper portion 70 is formed at a position corresponding to the valley portion 50b (valley portion of the first wavy fitting portion 66) of the photocatalytic filter 50. When the first wavy fitting portion 66 and one end portion of the photocatalytic filter 50 are fitted together, the stopper portion 70 presses the valley portion 50b of the photocatalytic filter 50 from the inside, thereby preventing one end portion of the photocatalytic filter 50 from being fitted out of the first wavy fitting portion 66.

[0036] An L-shaped claw portion 72 is formed at a tip portion (one end portion in the third direction) of the second wall portion 62. Furthermore, a rectangular extension portion in which an insertion hole 74 is formed is formed at the other end portion in the first direction of the first wall portion 60.

[0037] 8, the second divided body 56 includes a third wall portion 80 having a rectangular elongated plate shape and a fourth wall portion 82 having a rectangular plate shape rising from one end in the first direction of the third wall portion 80. The third wall portion 80 and the fourth wall portion 82 each constitute a side wall of the holding frame 52 (frame main body 52a).

[0038] A second wavy fitting portion 84 is formed on the inner surface of the fourth wall portion 82, which is fitted to the other end portion in the first direction of the photocatalytic filter 50. The second wavy fitting portion 84 has a locking surface formed in a wavy shape extending along the end portion in the first direction of the photocatalytic filter 50, similar to the first wavy fitting portion 66, and the wavy shape of the photocatalytic filter 50 is maintained by fitting this second wavy fitting portion 84 to the other end portion of the photocatalytic filter 50.

[0039] Further, on the inner surface of the third wall portion 80, groove-like second fold retaining portions 86 are formed at positions corresponding to the folds 50c on the peak portion 50a side of the photocatalytic filter 50, that is, extending in the first direction and arranged at predetermined intervals in the second direction. The folds 50c of the photocatalytic filter 50 are fitted into the second fold retaining portions 86, thereby maintaining the wavy shape of the photocatalytic filter 50.

[0040] Furthermore, a claw hole 88 for engaging the claw portion 72 of the first divided body 54 is formed at the other end of the third wall portion 80 in the first direction. Furthermore, a rectangular extension portion in which an insertion hole 90 is formed is formed at one end of the fourth wall portion 82 in the third direction.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 9 and FIG. 10, when assembling the filter unit 12, first, the photocatalytic filter 50 is attached to the first divided body 54. At this time, the extension portion 50d of the photocatalytic filter 50 is inserted into the slit 64a of the end holding portion 64 of the first divided body 54, and one end of the photocatalytic filter 50 is fitted into the first wavy fitting portion 66 of the first divided body 54. This appropriately maintains the wavy shape of the photocatalytic filter 50. In addition, the fold 50c on the valley portion 50b side of the photocatalytic filter 50 is fitted into the first fold holding portion 68 of the first divided body 54, and the valley portion 50b of the photocatalytic filter 50 is pressed from the inside by the retaining portion 70 of the first divided body 54. This more appropriately maintains the wavy shape of the photocatalytic filter 50.

[0042] After the photocatalytic filter 50 is attached to the first divided body 54, the second divided body 56 is connected (integrated) so as to cover the first divided body 54 from above, as shown in FIG. 4. That is, as shown in FIG. 3, the claw portion 72 of the first divided body 54 is inserted into the claw hole 88 of the second divided body 56 to be locked. In addition, the bolt 92 is fastened so as to pass through the insertion hole 74 of the first divided body 54 and the insertion hole 90 of the second divided body 56. At this time, the other end of the photocatalytic filter 50 is fitted into the second wavy fitting portion 84 of the second divided body 56, so that the wavy shape of the photocatalytic filter 50 is appropriately maintained. In addition, the fold 50c on the mountain portion 50a side of the photocatalytic filter 50 is fitted into the second fold holding portion 86 of the second divided body 56, so that the wavy shape of the photocatalytic filter 50 is more appropriately maintained.

[0043] Through the above-described assembly work, the filter unit 12 in which the photocatalytic filter 50 is held by the holding frame 52 as shown in FIG. 3 is assembled.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 11, such filter unit 12 can be attached to and detached from unit accommodating portion 30 in the second direction by opening opening / closing cover 22a provided on one side surface of housing 22.

[0045] 2, in this embodiment, the filter unit 12 (photocatalytic filter 50) is accommodated in the unit accommodating section 30 so that the airflow caused by the blower fan 16 flows in the second direction (i.e., the direction in which the peaks 50a and valleys 50b of the photocatalytic filter 50 are aligned). That is, the filter unit 12 is accommodated vertically in the unit accommodating section 30 so that the second direction is the up-down direction, and the airflow caused by the blower fan 16 flows so as to pass through the photocatalytic filter 50 multiple times (16 times in this embodiment) in the thickness direction. In addition, the frame body 52a of the holding frame 52 forms an air passage extending in the second direction.

[0046] In the air purifier 10 as described above, when the power button 24 is turned on, the control unit drives the blower fan 16 and lights the LED 42 of the light source 14 to irradiate ultraviolet light (light). The ultraviolet light irradiated from the LED 42 passes through the frame body 52a of the holding frame 52 formed of a transparent material and is irradiated onto the surface of the photocatalytic filter 50. Meanwhile, the air taken into the housing 22 from the intake port 26 as the blower fan 16 is driven has dust captured by the dust filter 18 and odorous components adsorbed and removed by the activated carbon filter 20. The air that has passed through the dust filter 18 and the activated carbon filter 20 flows into the frame body 52a of the holding frame 52 attached to the unit housing 30 and flows upward inside the frame body 52a while passing through the photocatalytic filter 50 in the thickness direction. When the photocatalytic filter 50 comes into contact with the air, organic matter attached to the photocatalytic filter 50 is decomposed by photocatalytic action, and the air is purified. The clean air purified by the photocatalytic filter 50 is then exhausted to the outside of the housing 22 through the exhaust port 28.

[0047] In this case, a mesh filter is used as the photocatalytic filter 50, and the photocatalytic filter 50 is formed in a corrugated shape, so that air passes through the photocatalytic filter 50 in the thickness direction multiple times (16 times in this embodiment), thereby exhibiting high air purification performance while appropriately suppressing pressure loss. In addition, the first light source 14a and the second light source 14b are used to irradiate light from both sides of the photocatalytic filter 50, so that air can be purified more efficiently. Furthermore, the frame body 52a of the holding frame 52 forms an air passage extending in the second direction and restricts the diffusion of the air flow in the first direction and the third direction, so that the air flow can pass through the photocatalytic filter 50 efficiently.

[0048] As described above, according to the first embodiment, a mesh filter is used as the photocatalytic filter 50, so that the airflow passes through the photocatalytic filter 50 more easily and the pressure loss is reduced compared to using a nonwoven fabric filter. In addition, the photocatalytic filter 50 is formed in a wavy shape, and the air flows in the second direction in which the peaks 50a and valleys 50b are aligned, so that the airflow passes through the photocatalytic filter 50 multiple times in the thickness direction, increasing the opportunities for the photocatalyst to purify the air. Therefore, the air can be efficiently purified while reducing the pressure loss.

[0049] [Second Example] Next, an air purifying device 10 according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 12 and 13. In this second embodiment, the configuration of the holding frame 52 is different from that of the first embodiment described above. Since the other parts are similar, the same reference numbers are used for parts common to the first embodiment described above, and duplicated descriptions will be omitted or simplified.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 12 and FIG. 13, in the second embodiment, the holding frame 52 is formed of a transparent material such as polycarbonate and acrylic. The holding frame 52 has a rectangular cylindrical frame body 52a that maintains the wavy shape of the photocatalytic filter 50 and regulates the flow direction of the air flow. The holding frame 52 also has an air flow guide portion 52c extending from the upstream open end of the frame body 52a in the air flow direction. This air flow guide portion 52c is formed in a truncated pyramidal tube shape whose flow path area increases with distance from the frame body 52a. By providing such an air flow guide portion 52c, the air taken into the housing 22 from the intake port 26 can be more appropriately guided to the photocatalytic filter 50. In this embodiment, the air flow guide portion 52c is also formed on the downstream side of the frame body 52a in the air flow direction. In addition, openings 52b are formed at both ends of the holding frame 52 in the vertical direction (second direction).

[0051] Also in this second embodiment, the holding frame 52 is composed of a first divided body 54 and a second divided body 56. The photocatalytic filter 50 maintains its wavy shape by being sandwiched between the first divided body 54 and the second divided body 56. In this embodiment, the first divided body 54 and the second divided body 56 have the same shape, but upside down.

[0052] Each of the first divided body 54 and the second divided body 56 includes a first wall portion 100 having a rectangular long plate shape and a wavy fitting portion 102 rising from both ends of the first wall portion 100 in the first direction. The wavy fitting portion 102 is formed in a corrugated plate shape having the same shape as the waveform of the photocatalytic filter 50. Each of the first wall portion 100 and the wavy fitting portion 102 constitutes a side wall of the frame main body 52a. Each of the first divided body 54 and the second divided body 56 includes an extension portion 104 extending from both ends (open ends) of the first wall portion 100 and the wavy fitting portion 102 in the second direction. The extension portion 104 constitutes a side wall of the air flow guide portion 52c. In addition, a locking protrusion 106 is formed on one of the extension portions formed at both ends in the second direction of the first division body 54 and the second division body 56, and a protruding piece having a locking hole 108 that engages with the locking protrusion 106 is formed on the other.

[0053] When assembling the filter unit 12, the first divided body 54 and the second divided body 56 are connected (integrated) by engaging the locking protrusions 106 and the locking holes 108 of the first divided body 54 and the second divided body 56 with each other. At this time, both ends of the photocatalytic filter 50 in the first direction are fitted into the wavy fitting parts 102 of the first divided body 54 and the second divided body 56, respectively, and both ends of the photocatalytic filter 50 are sandwiched between the wavy fitting parts 102. As a result, the photocatalytic filter 50 is held by the holding frame 52, and the wavy shape of the photocatalytic filter 50 is appropriately maintained.

[0054] According to the second embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the opportunities for air purification by the photocatalyst are increased, so that the air can be purified efficiently while reducing pressure loss. In addition, since the air flow guide portion 52c is provided, the air taken into the housing 22 can be more appropriately guided to the photocatalyst filter 50, so that the air can be purified more efficiently. Furthermore, since the first divided body 54 and the second divided body 56 have the same shape, the manufacturing cost of the holding frame 52 can be reduced.

[0055] In the above-described embodiments, the light sources 14 are arranged on both sides of the filter unit 12, but the light sources 14 may be arranged on only one side of the filter unit 12. In this case, a reflector may be provided on the side where the light sources 14 are not arranged.

[0056] In addition, in each of the above-described embodiments, the blower fan 16 generates an air flow that flows upward, but the flow direction of the air flow generated by the blower fan 16 can be changed as appropriate. For example, the blower fan 16 may generate an air flow that flows downward. Also, the blower fan 16 may generate an air flow that flows horizontally, and the filter unit 12 may be disposed horizontally so that the air flow flows in the second direction. That is, the arrangement direction of the filter unit 12 may be either vertical or horizontal. Furthermore, the blower fan 16 may be an intake fan provided on the intake port side.

[0057] Furthermore, the above-mentioned configuration of the filter unit 12 is merely an example, and the specific configuration of the photocatalytic filter 50 and the holding frame 52 can be changed as appropriate. For example, when forming the photocatalytic filter 50 in a wavy shape, it can be formed into a sine wave or rectangular wave shape instead of a triangular wave shape. The holding frame 52 does not necessarily have to be formed into a cylindrical shape, and it may be sufficient to only hold both ends of the photocatalytic filter 50 in the first direction. The holding frame 52 does not necessarily have to be formed entirely of a transparent material, and for example, only the frame body 52a can be made transparent, and the air flow guide portion 52c can be made non-transparent. The light source 14 may be one that irradiates visible light instead of ultraviolet light.

[0058] The specific numerical values ​​and part shapes given above are merely examples and can be changed as necessary according to the specifications of the product, etc. Furthermore, the technical features described in each embodiment or each modified example can be combined with each other. [Explanation of symbols]

[0059] 10. Air purifier 12 ... Filter unit 14...Light source 16... Blower fan 22 ... Chassis 26 ... Air intake 28 ... Exhaust port 30 ... Unit storage section 42 ... LED (light emitting part) 50...Photocatalytic filter 52 ... Retaining frame 52a … Frame body 52c ... Air flow guide 54...first division body 56...Second division body 66, 84, 102 …Wave fitting part

Claims

1. An air purifying device that purifies air using a photocatalyst filter that supports a photocatalyst, A housing having an intake port and an exhaust port; a filter unit including the photocatalyst filter and accommodated in a unit accommodating section in the housing; A light source that irradiates the photocatalytic filter with light; and a blower fan that generates an air flow from the intake port through the unit housing portion toward the exhaust port, The photocatalytic filter is formed in a wavy shape using a mesh filter in which peaks and valleys extending in a first direction are alternately arranged in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and the photocatalytic filter is accommodated in the unit accommodation section so that the air flow flows in the second direction. This air purifying device.

2. The air purifying device according to claim 1 , wherein the filter unit includes a holding frame that holds the photocatalyst filter.

3. 3. The air purifying device according to claim 2, wherein the holding frame is made of a transparent material and has a frame body formed into a rectangular tube shape, which maintains the wavy shape of the photocatalytic filter and regulates the flow direction of the airflow.

4. 4. The air purifying device according to claim 3, wherein the holding frame has an air flow guide portion extending from an open end of the frame body on an upstream side in the flow direction of the air flow, the air flow guide portion having a flow passage area increasing with increasing distance from the frame body.

5. the holding frame is configured by combining a first divided body and a second divided body with each other, The air purifying device according to claim 2 , wherein the photocatalytic filter maintains its wavy shape by being sandwiched between the first divided body and the second divided body.

6. The first divided body has end holding portions that lock both ends of the photocatalytic filter in the second direction, and has a first wavy fitting portion that is fitted into one end of the photocatalytic filter in the first direction, 6. The air purifying device according to claim 5, wherein the second divided body has a second wavy fitting portion that is fitted into the other end of the photocatalytic filter in the first direction.

7. The substrate of the photocatalytic filter is made of metal, 3. The air purifying device according to claim 1, wherein the light source irradiates the photocatalytic filter with ultraviolet light.

8. 3. The air purifying device of claim 1, wherein the light source is disposed outside the flow path of the air flow.

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