Photocatalytic air cleaner and method for clarifying air

Abstract

To provide a photocatalytic air cleaner and a method for clarifying air, each enabling improvement of efficiency of clarification of air performed by a photocatalyst filter.SOLUTION: A photocatalytic air cleaner 100 comprises a purifier main body 101 and an operation box 150. The purifier main body 101 is equipped with a box-shaped housing 102. Inside the housing 102, there is a blower 107 for introducing air into the housing 102, a photocatalyst support body 131 that has a photocatalyst for clarifying the introduced air, and a light source 120a that emits light to activate the catalytic action on the photocatalyst support body 131. The photocatalyst support body 131 is elastically supported within the housing 102 by elastic supports 141, 142, 143, and 144. Each of the elastic supports 141 to 144 is made of a sheet body composed of foamed resin. The operation box 150 is equipped with an operation switch 152 to activate the blower 107 and the light source 120a, and an operating lamp 153 to indicate the operating status.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a photocatalytic air purifier that purifies air using a photocatalyst and a method for purifying air.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there has been a photocatalytic air purifier that decomposes organic substances in the air or kills bacteria by a photocatalytic action obtained by irradiating a photocatalyst such as titanium oxide with light such as ultraviolet light. For example, Patent Document 1 below discloses a fluid treatment apparatus as a photocatalytic air purifier in which a blower device is attached to a frame that fixedly holds a photocatalytic filter and a light source composed of a light-emitting diode that irradiates the photocatalyst with light.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

[0004] However, in the photocatalytic air purifier described in Patent Document 1 above, improvement in the air purification efficiency by the photocatalytic filter is always required.

[0005] The present invention has been made to address the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a photocatalytic air purifier and a method for purifying air that can improve the air purification efficiency by a photocatalytic filter.

Summary of the Invention

[0006] To achieve the above object, a feature of the present invention is a photocatalytic air purifier having a photocatalyst for purifying air and a light source for irradiating light that causes a catalytic action on the photocatalyst inside a housing, wherein the photocatalyst is elastically supported inside the housing.

[0007] According to this, in the photocatalytic air purifier, since the photocatalyst is elastically supported inside the housing, the opportunity for air to contact the photocatalyst increases, and the air purification efficiency can be improved.

[0008] Another feature of the present invention is that in the photocatalytic air purifier, further, a blower for sending air to the photocatalyst side or sucking air from the photocatalyst side is provided.

[0009] According to this, in the photocatalytic air purifier, since a blower for sending air to the photocatalyst side or sucking air from the photocatalyst side is provided, the opportunity for air to contact the photocatalyst increases due to the operation of the blower itself or the air flow by the blower, and the air purification efficiency can be improved.

[0010] Another feature of the present invention is that in the photocatalytic air purifier, further, a photocatalyst unit for supporting the photocatalyst and attached inside the housing is provided, and the photocatalyst is elastically supported with respect to the photocatalyst unit.

[0011] According to this, in the photocatalytic air purifier, since the photocatalyst is elastically supported with respect to the photocatalyst unit, the photocatalyst can be attached to the housing via the photocatalyst unit, and the manufacturability and maintainability of the photocatalytic air purifier can be improved.

[0012] Another feature of the present invention is that in the photocatalytic air purifier, the photocatalyst unit is detachable from the housing.

[0013] According to this, in the photocatalytic air purifier, since the photocatalyst unit is configured to be detachable from the housing, the manufacturability and maintainability of the photocatalytic air purifier can be improved.

[0014] Another feature of the present invention is that in the photocatalytic air purifier, at least a part of the outer peripheral portion of the photocatalyst is directly or indirectly supported by the housing via an elastomer or rubber.

[0015] According to this, in the photocatalytic air purifier, since at least a part of the outer peripheral portion of the photocatalyst is directly or indirectly supported by the housing via an elastomer or rubber, the photocatalyst can be easily elastically supported.

[0016] In addition, the present invention can be implemented not only as an invention of a photocatalytic air purifier but also as an invention of a method for purifying air.

[0017] Specifically, the method for purifying air is a method for purifying air in a photocatalytic air purifier having a photocatalyst for purifying air in a housing and a light source for irradiating light that causes a catalytic action on the same photocatalyst, wherein the photocatalyst is elastically supported in the housing, and the air is purified in a state where the photocatalyst is vibrated. According to this method for purifying air, the same operational effects as those of the invention of the photocatalytic air purifier can be expected.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0018]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0019] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a photocatalytic air purifier and an air purification method according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an outline of the external configuration of a photocatalytic air purifier (hereinafter simply referred to as an "air purifier") 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Further, FIG. 2 is a side view showing a state in which the side surface 102c is removed in order to show the outline of the internal configuration of the air purifier 100 shown in FIG. 1.

[0020] (Configuration of Air Purifier 100) This air purifier 100 is a device that decomposes organic substances (including odor components) contained in the air or kills bacteria (including viruses) by photocatalytic action to remove, deodorize, or sterilize allergenic substances. This air purifier 100 mainly includes a cleaner main body 101 and an operation box 150.

[0021] The cleaner main body 101 is a device that sucks in air, purifies it, and then exhausts it. This cleaner main body 101 includes a housing 102.

[0022] The housing 102 is mainly a component that houses a blower 107, a light source substrate 120, and a photocatalytic unit 130 respectively, and is formed by forming a plate material made of metal (for example, made of aluminum, etc.) or resin (for example, made of polypropylene, etc.) into a box shape with a hollow inside. In the present embodiment, the housing 102 is formed by forming a metal plate into a rectangular parallelepiped shape. In this case, the housing 102 is configured such that four side surfaces 102a, 102b, 102c, and 102d extending parallel to the longitudinal direction can be individually removed. Intake ports 103 and exhaust ports 106 are formed at both end surfaces in the longitudinal direction of this housing 102 respectively.

[0023] Here, the longitudinal direction of the housing 102 is defined as the X-axis direction, the width direction orthogonal to this X-axis direction is defined as the Y-axis direction, and the vertical direction in the drawing orthogonal to these X-axis and Y-axis directions is defined as the Z-axis direction.

[0024] The intake port 103 is an opening for introducing outside air, which is the air outside the housing 102, into the housing 102. In the present embodiment, the intake port 103 is formed by opening substantially the entire surface of one of the two side surfaces in the longitudinal direction of the rectangular parallelepiped-shaped housing 102. A filter 104 is provided at this intake port 103 via a filter support plate 105a and a pressing body 105b.

[0025] The filter 104 is a component for filtering dust or dirt contained in the air introduced from the intake port 103, and is composed of a porous body made of resin (for example, polyurethane). In the present embodiment, the filter 104 is formed in a sheet shape that is rectangular when viewed from the front and has a size that covers the intake port 103.

[0026] The filter support plate 105a is a component for supporting the sheet-shaped filter 104, and is composed of a flat metal plate having a plurality of through holes and is attached to the edge portion of the intake port 103 of the housing 102. The pressing body 105b is a component for elastically pressing the filter 104 against the filter support plate 105a, and is detachably attached to the edge portion of the intake port 103 by alternately crossing two V-shaped bent metal wires.

[0027] The exhaust port 106 is an opening for exhausting the air introduced into the housing 102 through the intake port 103 to the outside of the housing 102. In the present embodiment, the exhaust port 106 is formed with two rectangular openings on the other side surface (the side surface opposite to the intake port 103) of the two side surfaces in the longitudinal direction of the rectangular parallelepiped-shaped housing 102. A blower 107 is provided at each of these exhaust ports 106.

[0028] The blower 107 is a device for sucking outside air into the housing 102 through the intake port 103 and sending the air sucked into the housing 102 outside the housing 102 through a photocatalyst. In the present embodiment, the blower 107 is composed of two electric fans and is attached to the inner surfaces of the two exhaust ports 106. A mesh guard 107a for preventing foreign matter from entering the blower 107 is provided on the outer surface of the blower 107. Inside the housing 102, an air passage forming body 110 is formed.

[0029] The air passage forming body 110 constitutes a flow passage R for guiding the air taken into the housing 102 through the intake port 103 to the exhaust port 106, and is a component for holding the light source substrate 120 and the photocatalyst unit 130 respectively. It is formed by assembling plate materials made of metal (for example, aluminum) or resin (for example, polypropylene) in an orifice shape. More specifically, the air passage forming body 110 is configured to include an upper half body 111, a lower half body 115, and a connecting body 119 respectively. In this case, since the upper half body 111 and the lower half body 115 are formed symmetrically up and down, the upper half body 111 will be described as the center and the lower half body 115 will be supplemented and described as appropriate.

[0030] The upper half body 111 is formed in a shape in which both ends of a plate material made of metal (for example, aluminum) are bent respectively, and extends over the entire width direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the housing 102. The upper half body 111 mainly includes a windward plate 112, a clamping base 113, and a leeward plate 114.

[0031] The upstream plate 112 is a plate-like portion for guiding the air introduced from the intake port 103 toward the central portion of the housing 102, and is composed of an inclined surface that slopes downward from the upper inner wall surface in the drawing in the housing 102 toward the central portion side. Therefore, the upstream plate 116 of the lower half body 115 is also composed of an inclined surface that slopes upward from the lower inner wall surface in the drawing in the housing 102 toward the central portion side, similar to the upstream plate 112. As a result, the flow path R is formed to become narrower (with a smaller cross-sectional area) from the intake port 103 side toward the clamping bases 113 and 117 side.

[0032] The clamping base 113 is a portion that holds both ends of the photocatalyst unit 130 together with the clamping base 117 of the lower half body 115, and is formed in a plate shape parallel to the X - Y plane shown in the drawing. In this case, the clamping base 113 is supported at a position spaced downward in the drawing from the inner wall surface of the housing 102 facing the clamping base 113 (the upper inner wall surface in the drawing) via a cylindrical support boss 113a.

[0033] Therefore, the clamping base 117 in the lower half body 115 is similarly supported at a position spaced upward in the drawing from the inner wall surface of the housing 102 facing the clamping base 117 (the lower inner wall surface in the drawing) via a cylindrical support boss 117a. As a result, the flow path R extends toward the downstream plate 114 side while maintaining a constant cross-sectional area narrowed by the upstream plates 112 and 116. Also, the distance in the Z-axis direction shown in the drawing between the clamping base 113 and the clamping base 117 is set to a distance that can hold the photocatalyst unit 130 therebetween. Unit holders 121 and 122 are respectively provided on these clamping bases 113 and 117. Further, the clamping base 113 and the clamping base 117 are connected to each other by a connecting body 119.

[0034] The leeward plate 114 is a plate-shaped part for guiding the air flowing between the clamping base 113 and the clamping base 117 toward the blower 107, and is composed of an inclined surface that slopes upward from the central part side in the housing 102 toward the upper side in the drawing. Therefore, the leeward plate 118 of the lower half body 115 is also composed of an inclined surface that slopes downward from the central part side in the housing 102 toward the central part side from the inner wall surface on the lower side in the drawing, similar to the leeward plate 114. Thus, the flow path R is formed so as to widen (with a large cross-sectional area) from the clamping base 113, 117 side toward the blower 107 side.

[0035] The connector 119 is a component for connecting the upper half body 111 and the lower half body 115 to each other via the clamping bases 113, 117 and holding the light source substrate 120, and is composed of a plate material made of metal (for example, aluminum, etc.) or resin (for example, polypropylene, etc.). More specifically, the connector 119 has both ends of the plate material bent respectively to form a U-shaped cross-sectional shape, and is connected to the inner surfaces where the clamping base 113 and the clamping base 117 face each other.

[0036] In this case, the connector 119 has a plurality of openings (not shown) for ensuring the air flowability in the flow path R, and is formed in a lattice shape when viewed from the front. A plurality (four in this embodiment) of these connectors 119 are provided at equal intervals in the longitudinal direction of the housing 102 in the space between the clamping base 113 and the clamping base 117. The light source substrate 120 is attached to each of these connectors 119.

[0037] The light source substrate 120 is a device that emits light (ultraviolet or visible light) for causing a photocatalytic action on the photocatalyst, and is configured to include a plurality of light sources 120a on a printed circuit board. In the present embodiment, the light source substrate 120 is configured to include a plurality of light sources 120a each formed of an LED that emits blue visible light. This light source substrate 120 is attached to a lattice portion adjacent to an opening of a surface of the connecting body 119 facing the photocatalytic unit 130. That is, the light source substrate 120 is provided on each of the upwind side and the downwind side of the flow path R with respect to one photocatalytic unit 130.

[0038] The unit holders 121 and 122 are components for holding the photocatalytic unit 130, and are formed in a groove shape in which a plate material made of metal (for example, aluminum, etc.) or resin (for example, polypropylene, etc.) is formed in a U-shaped cross-sectional shape. These unit holders 121 and 122 are attached so as to extend in the width direction (Y-axis direction in the drawing) of the housing 102 in a state of facing each other on the opposing surfaces of the clamping base 113 and the clamping base 117 that face each other.

[0039] That is, the unit holders 121 and 122 are a set of unit holders 121 and 122 that face each other and hold one photocatalytic unit 130. In this case, the unit holders 121 and 122 are formed so that the photocatalytic unit 130 slides easily in the groove. In the present embodiment, three sets of these unit holders 121 and 122 are provided along the longitudinal direction of the housing 102.

[0040] As shown in FIGS. 3 to 6 respectively, the photocatalytic unit 130 is a component that holds the photocatalyst carrier 131 and is detachably fitted into the housing 102. This photocatalytic unit 130 is mainly configured to include a photocatalyst carrier 131, first clamping bodies 132 and 133, second clamping bodies 134 and 135, closing bodies 136 and 137, and elastic support bodies 141, 142, 143, 144, 145, and 146.

[0041] The photocatalyst carrier 131 is a component on which a photocatalyst is supported. Specifically, the photocatalyst carrier 131 is formed by applying titanium oxide that exhibits photocatalytic action to a ceramic material (for example, alumina), a resin material (for example, silicone resin), a metal material (for example, aluminum material), or an activated carbon sheet. In the present embodiment, the photocatalyst carrier 131 is formed by applying titanium oxide to a thin honeycomb plate made of activated carbon corrugate having a square shape in plan view. That is, the photocatalyst carrier 131 is configured such that air flows in the plate surface direction. This photocatalyst carrier 131 corresponds to the photocatalyst according to the present invention.

[0042] The first clamping members 132 and 133 are components for sandwiching and holding the photocatalyst carrier 131, and are formed in a groove shape in which a plate material made of metal (for example, made of aluminum) or resin (for example, made of polypropylene) has a U-shaped cross section. In the present embodiment, the first clamping members 132 and 133 are formed with a groove width that allows two photocatalyst carriers 131 stacked on each other to be inserted. Further, the first clamping members 132 and 133 are formed to have a length that allows three photocatalyst carriers 131 arranged on the same plane and two second clamping members 134 and 135 to be inserted. Through holes are formed in these first clamping members 132 and 133 at both end portions thereof through which screws 132a and 133a penetrate respectively.

[0043] The second clamping members 134 and 135 are components for sandwiching and holding the photocatalyst carrier 131 from a direction orthogonal to the first clamping members 132 and 133, and are configured by bending a plate material made of metal (for example, made of aluminum) or resin (for example, made of polypropylene) so as to have a U-shaped cross section. In the present embodiment, the second clamping members 134 and 135 are formed to have substantially the same thickness as the thickness of two photocatalyst carriers 131 stacked on each other. Further, the second clamping members 134 and 135 are formed to have substantially the same length as one side of the photocatalyst carrier 131. Female screw holes 134a and 135a into which the screws 132a and 133a are respectively screwed are formed in the bent pieces of these second clamping members 134 and 135.

[0044] The blocking bodies 136 and 137 are components for preventing air from flowing through the inner spaces of the second clamping bodies 134 and 135, and are formed in a groove shape by bending a plate material made of metal (for example, aluminum, etc.) or resin (for example, polypropylene, etc.) so that the cross-sectional shape is U-shaped. In the present embodiment, the blocking bodies 136 and 137 are formed to have a width and length that fit into the inner spaces of the second clamping bodies 134 and 135.

[0045] The elastic supports 141, 142, 143, and 144 are components for elastically supporting the photocatalyst carrier 131 within the photocatalyst unit 130, and are composed of an elastomer material (for example, foamed urethane resin) or a rubber material. In the present embodiment, the elastic supports 141 to 144 are formed by forming an EPDM sponge (ethylene propylene rubber sponge) having elasticity into a sheet shape.

[0046] Among these elastic supports 141 to 144, the elastic supports 141 and 142 are respectively attached to two sides of the photocatalyst carrier 131 that are sandwiched between the first clamping bodies 132 and 133 among the four sides of the photocatalyst carrier 131 via double-sided tape or an adhesive. Also, the elastic supports 143 and 144 are respectively attached to the second clamping bodies 134 and 135 that sandwich the remaining two sides of the photocatalyst carrier 131 among the four sides via double-sided tape or an adhesive. That is, the elastic supports 141 to 144 are disposed between the photocatalyst carrier 131 and the first clamping bodies 132 and 133 and the second clamping bodies 134 and 135.

[0047] The elastic supports 145 and 146 are components for elastically supporting the photocatalyst unit 130 within the unit holders 121 and 122, and are composed of an elastomer material (for example, foamed urethane resin) or a rubber material. In the present embodiment, the elastic supports 145 and 146 are formed by forming the same EPDM sponge (ethylene propylene rubber sponge) as the elastic supports 141 to 144 into a sheet shape.

[0048] These elastic supports 145 and 146 are attached to the outer surfaces of the closing bodies 136 and 137 via double-sided tape or an adhesive. That is, the elastic supports 145 and 146 are disposed between the photocatalyst unit 130 and the side surfaces 102c and 102d. Thereby, excessive rattling of the photocatalyst unit 130 in the unit holders 121 and 122 can be suppressed.

[0049] This photocatalyst unit 130 has the elastic supports 141 and 142 attached thereto in a state where three of the two superposed photocatalyst carriers 131 are arranged side by side on the same plane, and is sandwiched between the first clamping bodies 132 and 133 and between the second clamping bodies 134 and 135. In this case, elastic supports 143 and 144 are respectively attached to the second clamping bodies 134 and 135, and closing bodies 136 and 137 are respectively fitted into the inner spaces.

[0050] Further, the first clamping bodies 132 and 133 and the second clamping bodies 134 and 135 are connected to each other via screws 132a and 133a. That is, in the present embodiment, the photocatalyst unit 130 is integrated by holding the outer peripheries of the six photocatalyst carriers 131 arranged in a 2×3 manner between the first clamping bodies 132 and 133 and the second clamping bodies 134 and 135 via the elastic supports 141 to 144.

[0051] Note that the two superposed photocatalyst carriers 131 are superposed so that the through-holes through which air passes are arranged alternately so as not to be in the same position. However, the two superposed photocatalyst carriers 131 can also be superposed so that the through-holes through which air passes are arranged in the same position.

[0052] The operation box 150 is a device for controlling the operation of the cleaner main body 101. Specifically, the operation box 150 is configured to include an operator 152 and an operation lamp 153 in a housing 151 formed in a box shape from a metal material (for example, an aluminum material) or a resin material (for example, a polypropylene material).

[0053] The operation unit 152 is a switch component for the user of this air purifier 100 to start or stop the operation of the blower 107 and the light source 120a. Also, the operation lamp 153 is a display device that lights up or goes out to indicate the operation state of the blower 107 and the light source 120a to the user. Further, this operation box 150 has a power supply unit that receives power from an external power supply source (for example, a household 100V power supply) via a power cord (not shown) and supplies power to the blower 107 and the light source 120a respectively. Also, this operation box 150 is electrically connected to the purifier main body 101 by a cable (not shown).

[0054] Note that the purifier main body 101 and the operation box 150 may be connected wirelessly instead of by wire. In this case, the purifier main body 101 may be configured to have a power supply unit independently of the operation box 150 and receive power supply from an external power supply source. Also, the air purifier 100 may have the purifier main body 101 and the operation box 150 integrated together.

[0055] (Operation of the air purifier 100) Next, the operation of the air purifier 100 configured as described above will be explained. The user of the air purifier 100 installs the air purifier 100 in a place where the air needs to be purified. As the installation location of the air purifier 100, it can be installed inside a building or a closed space such as a house, an office, a public facility, a school, a hospital, a vehicle, a restaurant, a commercial facility, an animal or plant breeding facility, an agricultural house, a food storage. In this case, the purifier main body 101 can be directly or indirectly attached to the floor surface, the wall surface or the ceiling surface, and can also be arranged in a non-fixed state on the floor surface, on a desk or on a shelf. Note that the air purifier 100 is preferably installed indoors, but can also be installed outdoors.

[0056] The user starts the operation of the cleaner main body 101 by operating the operator 152 of the operation box 150. When the operator 152 is operated, the cleaner main body 101 starts the operations of the blower 107 and the light source 120a respectively. Thereby, the cleaner main body 101 allows the blower 107 to introduce outside air into the housing 102 through the intake port 103, and the light source 120a emits visible light toward the photocatalyst carrier 131.

[0057] The air introduced into the housing 102 through the intake port 103 flows toward the exhaust port 106 along the flow passage R formed inside the air passage forming body 110 (see the broken-line arrow in FIG. 2). Specifically, the air in the flow passage R is guided to the region between the sandwiching base 113 and the sandwiching base 117 while increasing the flow velocity by the upwind plates 112 and 116 and passes through the inside of the photocatalyst carrier 131. In this case, the photocatalyst carrier 131 is irradiated with visible light from the light source 120a of the light source substrate 120 to exhibit a photocatalytic action.

[0058] Thereby, the photocatalyst carrier 131 purifies the air passing through the inside of the photocatalyst carrier 131 by a photocatalytic action. In this case, the photocatalyst carrier 131 is elastically supported by the elastic supports 141 to 144 in the photocatalyst unit 130. For this reason, the photocatalyst carrier 131 vibrates in the photocatalyst unit 130 due to the vibration caused by the operation of the blower 107 or the air flow blown onto the photocatalyst carrier 131. Thereby, the contact opportunity between the photocatalyst carrier 131 and the air passing through the inside of the photocatalyst carrier 131 increases, and the purification efficiency improves.

[0059] The air purified by passing through the three photocatalyst units 130 is exhausted outside the housing 102 through the blower 107 and the exhaust port 106 while the flow velocity is reduced by the downwind plates 114 and 118. Thereby, the air in the space where the air cleaner 100 is installed is purified.

[0060] When the user finishes using the air purifier 100, the user can stop the operation of the main body 101 of the cleaner by operating the operator 152 of the operation box 150. When the operator 152 is operated, the main body 101 of the cleaner stops the operations of the blower 107 and the light source 120a respectively. Thereby, the user can finish the purification of the air by the air purifier 100.

[0061] In addition, the user can perform the replacement work of the photocatalyst unit 130. Specifically, the user can remove the side surface 102c and / or the side surface 102d in the housing 102, and then slide and displace the photocatalyst unit 130 along the unit holders 121 and 122 to take it out. Therefore, the user can replace the photocatalyst unit 130 by inserting a new photocatalyst unit 130 into the unit holders 121 and 122. Then, the user can finish the replacement work of the photocatalyst unit 130 by attaching the side surface 102c and / or the side surface 102d to the housing 102 again.

[0062] Note that the user can also finish the replacement work of the photocatalyst unit 130 by attaching the side surface 102c and / or the side surface 102d to the housing 102 again without inserting a new photocatalyst unit 130 into the unit holders 121 and 122 from which the photocatalyst unit 130 has been removed. According to this, the user can reduce the air purification ability of the air purifier 100. That is, the user can adjust the air purification ability of the air purifier 100 according to the number of photocatalyst units 130 set in the three sets of unit holders 121 and 122.

[0063] As can be understood from the above operation description, according to the above embodiment, in the air purifier 100, since the photocatalyst carrier 131 provided with the photocatalyst is elastically supported in the housing 102, the opportunity for air to contact the photocatalyst increases, and the air purification efficiency can be improved.

[0064] Furthermore, in practicing the present invention, it is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible without departing from the object of the present invention.

[0065] For example, in the above-described embodiment, the air purifier 100 is configured to include three photocatalyst units 130. However, the number of photocatalyst units 130 included in the air purifier 100 is appropriately set according to the specification for purifying air, and it can be configured to include at least one photocatalyst unit 130. Therefore, the air purifier 100 may be configured to include one unit holder 121, 122 and one photocatalyst unit 130, or may be configured to include a plurality of unit holders 121, 122 and one or a plurality of photocatalyst units 130.

[0066] Also, in the above-described embodiment, the photocatalyst unit 130 is configured to include six photocatalyst carriers 131. However, the photocatalyst unit 130 may be configured to include at least one photocatalyst carrier 131.

[0067] Also, in the above-described embodiment, the air purifier 100 is configured to include the photocatalyst carrier 131 in the housing 102 via the photocatalyst unit 130. However, the air purifier 100 can also directly fix or detachably attach the photocatalyst carrier 131 in the housing 102 without passing through the photocatalyst unit 130. In this case, the photocatalyst carrier 131 is attached to the housing 102 via elastic supports 141 to 144.

[0068] Also, in the above-described embodiment, the air purifier 100 is configured to be detachable from the housing 102 with respect to the photocatalyst unit 130. However, the air purifier 100 can also be configured in a fixed state in which the photocatalyst unit 130 is non-detachable from the housing 102.

[0069] Further, in the above-described embodiment, the air purifier 100 is configured such that the photocatalyst carrier 131 is disposed in a direction orthogonal to the direction in which air flows in the housing 102. However, the air purifier 100 can also be configured such that the photocatalyst carrier 131 is disposed in a direction that intersects or is parallel to the direction in which air flows in the housing 102, other than being orthogonal thereto.

[0070] Further, in the above-described embodiment, the air purifier 100 is configured to include a blower 107 in the housing 102. However, the air purifier 100 can also be configured to include a blower 107 outside the housing 102 and to blow air into the housing 102. Further, the air purifier 100 can also be configured to omit the blower 107 and to allow natural air flow to bring air into contact with the photocatalyst carrier 131.

[0071] Further, in the above-described embodiment, the elastic supports 141 to 142 are configured such that common elastic supports 141 to 142 are disposed for two photocatalyst carriers 131 that are stacked on each other. However, the elastic supports 141 to 142 can also be configured such that separate and independent elastic supports 141 to 142 are disposed for each of the two photocatalyst carriers 131 that are stacked on each other.

[0072] Further, in the above-described embodiment, the elastic supports 141 to 144 are configured such that the elastic supports 141 and 142 are attached to the photocatalyst carrier 131 and the elastic supports 143 and 144 are attached to the second clamping members 134 and 135. However, the elastic supports 141 to 144 can also be configured such that the elastic supports 141 and 142 are attached to the first clamping members 132 and 133 and the elastic supports 143 and 144 are attached to the photocatalyst carrier 131. Further, all of the elastic supports 141 to 144 may be attached to the photocatalyst carrier 131, or they may be attached to the first clamping members 132 and 133 or the second clamping members 134 and 135 without being attached to the photocatalyst carrier 131. Further, the elastic supports 141 to 144 only need to contact at least a part of the outer peripheral portion of the photocatalyst carrier 131, and do not necessarily need to contact the entire circumference of the outer peripheral portion.

[0073] In the above embodiment, the elastic supports 141 to 144 are respectively arranged between the photocatalyst carrier 131, the first clamping members 132 and 133, and the second clamping members 134 and 135. However, since the elastic supports 141 to 144 only need to elastically support the photocatalyst carrier 131, they do not necessarily have to be in contact with the photocatalyst carrier 131. For example, the elastic supports 141 to 144 can also be arranged between the housing 102 and the photocatalyst unit 130 by being attached to the outer peripheral portion of the photocatalyst unit 130 like the elastic supports 145 and 146.

[0074] In the above embodiment, the elastic supports 141 to 144 are made of a foamed resin material with continuous bubbles. Thereby, the elastic supports 141 to 144 can effectively vibrate the photocatalyst carrier 131. However, the elastic supports 141 to 144 may be made of a foamed resin material with closed cells, or may be made of an elastic body without bubbles. Also, the elastic supports 141 to 144 can be made of a coil spring or a leaf spring.

[0075] In the above embodiment, the air purifier 100 arranges the light source substrate 120 on both sides of the photocatalyst unit 130 and irradiates the photocatalyst unit 130 with light from both sides. However, the air purifier 100 can also be configured to irradiate light from one side of the two sides of the photocatalyst unit 130.

[0076] In addition, the air purifier 100 is configured such that the light source substrates 120 are arranged on both sides of the photocatalyst unit 130, and light is irradiated onto the photocatalyst unit 130 from both sides, as a result of which light is also irradiated onto the intake port 103 and the exhaust port 106. Thus, since light leaks to the outside from the intake port 103 and the exhaust port 106 of the air purifier 100, the operating status of the air purifier 100 can be easily confirmed. However, the air purifier 100 can also be configured such that light does not leak to the outside from the intake port 103 and the exhaust port 106. Further, since the light source 120a only needs to emit light that can cause the photocatalyst to exhibit a photocatalytic action, it is natural that it may be configured to irradiate light other than visible light (for example, ultraviolet rays) according to the photocatalyst.

[0077] Also, in the above embodiment, the air passage former 110 is configured to reduce the cross-sectional area of the flow passage R by including the upstream plates 112 and 116 and increase the cross-sectional area of the flow passage R by including the downstream plates 114 and 118. However, the air passage former 110 can also be configured such that the cross-sectional area is formed to be constant between the intake port 103 and the exhaust port 106.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0078] R... Flow passage, 100... Air purifier, 101... Cleaner main body, 102... Housing, 102a, 102b, 102c, 102d... Sides, 103... Intake port, 104... Filter, 105a... Filter support plate, 105b... Pressing body, 106... Exhaust port, 107... Blower, 107a... Guard, 110... Air passage former, 111... Upper half body, 112... Upstream plate, 113... Clamping base, 113a... Support boss, 114... Downstream plate, 115... Lower half body, 116... Upstream plate, 117... Clamping base, 117a... Support boss, 118... Downstream plate, 119... Connecting body, 120... Light source substrate, 120a... Light source, 121, 122... Unit holders, 130…Photocatalyst unit, 131…Photocatalyst carrier, 132, 133…First clamping body, 132a, 133a…Screws, 134, 135…Second clamping body, 134a, 135a…Female screw holes, 136, 137…Blocking bodies 141, 142, 143, 144, 145, 146…Elastic support bodies 150…Operation box, 151…Housing, 152…Operating element, 153…Actuation lamp

Claims

1. A photocatalytic air purifier having a photocatalyst for purifying air in a housing and a light source for irradiating light that causes a catalytic action on the same photocatalyst, wherein the photocatalyst, is elastically supported in the housing, characterized in that it is a photocatalytic air purifier.

2. In the photocatalytic air purifier according to Claim 1, further, it is characterized in that it comprises a blower for sending air to the photocatalyst side or sucking air from the photocatalyst side.

3. In the photocatalytic air purifier according to Claim 1, further, it comprises a photocatalyst unit for supporting the photocatalyst and attaching it in the housing, wherein the photocatalyst, is elastically supported with respect to the photocatalyst unit, characterized in that it is a photocatalytic air purifier.

4. In the photocatalytic air purifier according to Claim 3, wherein the photocatalyst unit, is detachable from the housing, characterized in that it is a photocatalytic air purifier.

5. In the photocatalytic air purifier according to Claim 1, wherein the photocatalyst, at least a part of the outer peripheral portion of the same photocatalyst is directly or indirectly supported by the housing via an elastomer or rubber, characterized in that it is a photocatalytic air purifier.

6. A method for purifying air in a photocatalytic air purifier having a photocatalyst for purifying air in a housing and a light source for irradiating light that causes a catalytic action on the same photocatalyst, wherein the photocatalyst is elastically supported in the housing, and the air is purified in a state where the photocatalyst is vibrated, characterized in that it is a method for purifying air.

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