Space purifier

Abstract

To provide a space purifier that can suppress the generation of slime and biofilms at least in a drainage tray inside the device.SOLUTION: A hypochlorous acid water supply unit 16 supplies hypochlorous acid water from a hypochlorous acid water generation unit 14 to a mixing tank 21. A water supply unit 17 supplies water to the mixing tank 21. An atomization unit 13 atomizes the mixed water of the hypochlorous acid water and water stored in the mixing tank 21 and releases it into the air. A drain unit 15 receives drainage from the mixing tank 21 in a drainage tray 25 and discharges it outside of the drainage tray 25. A control unit manages the execution of a cleaning mode using the hypochlorous acid water generated by the hypochlorous acid water generation unit 14 to clean and disinfect at least the drain unit 15.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a space purification device, and more particularly to a space purification device that vaporizes water containing hypochlorous acid water. [Background technology]

[0002] Some space purification devices purify a target space by vaporizing water containing fine water particles of a chemical agent, such as hypochlorous acid water, into the space to disinfect the space. One such space purification device electrolyzes salt water in an electrolytic cell to generate hypochlorous acid water, mixes water with the hypochlorous acid water supplied from the electrolytic cell in a mixing tank (also called a centrifugal crushing tank), and then atomizes the mixed water and releases it into the air (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The mixed water remaining in the mixing tank is drained into a drainage tray (drain pan) provided below the mixing tank and then discharged to the outside by a drainage pump provided in the drainage tray. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 2022-146945 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Due to the characteristics of the drainage pump, such conventional space purification devices are unable to discharge all of the wastewater in the drainage tray to the outside, and residual water remains in the drainage tray. This residual water may contain organic matter, bacteria, and mold from the air sucked in from the space where the space purification device is installed, resulting in the risk of slime and biofilm caused by these organic matter, bacteria, and mold forming in the drainage tray.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above problems, and provides a space purification device that can suppress the generation of slime and biofilm at least in the drainage tray inside the device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] To achieve this object, an air purification device according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a hypochlorous acid water generator, a hypochlorous acid water supply unit, a water supply unit, a micronization unit, a drainage unit, and a control unit. The hypochlorous acid water generator generates hypochlorous acid water. The hypochlorous acid water supply unit supplies hypochlorous acid water from the hypochlorous acid water generator to a mixing tank. The water supply unit supplies water to the mixing tank. The micronization unit micronizes a mixture of hypochlorous acid water and water stored in the mixing tank and releases the micronized water into the air. The drainage unit receives drainage water from the mixing tank in a drainage tray and discharges it to the outside from the drainage tray. The control unit controls the execution of a cleaning mode in which the hypochlorous acid water generated in the hypochlorous acid water generator is used to clean and sterilize at least the drainage unit.

[0007] Any combination of the above components and conversion of the expressions of the present disclosure into methods, devices, systems, etc. are also valid aspects of the present disclosure. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of slime and biofilm at least in the drainage tray inside the device. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a space purification system including a space purification device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] FIG. 3 is a water circuit diagram showing the flow of water inside the housing of the spatial purification device. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a micronization unit and its surrounding area that constitute the space purification device. [Figure 4]10 is a flowchart showing a cleaning mode process executed by a control unit of the spatial purification device. [Figure 5] 10 is a timing chart showing the time flow of the control of the control unit in detail in the cleaning mode. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that each of the embodiments described below represents a preferred specific example of the present disclosure. Therefore, the numerical values, shapes, materials, and components, as well as the arrangement and connection of the components, shown in the following embodiments are merely examples and are not intended to limit the present disclosure. Therefore, among the components in the following embodiments, components that are not recited in the independent claims that represent the highest concept of the present disclosure will be described as optional components. Furthermore, in each drawing, substantially identical components are assigned the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations will be omitted or simplified.

[0011] First, an overview of a space purification system 100, which is an example of use of a space purification device 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of the space purification system 100.

[0012] The space purification system 100 is a system that sterilizes and deodorizes an indoor space 62 that is the target of purification. When circulating air in the indoor space 62, the space purification system 100 performs cooling (dehumidification) or heating treatment on the air (return air (RA)) 8a from the indoor space 62 as needed. In addition, the space purification system 100 impregnates the air (RA) 8a with air purification components along with atomized water. The space purification system 100 purifies the indoor space 62, i.e., sterilizes and deodorizes, by supplying air (supplied air (SA)) 9 that has been impregnated with the air purification components to the indoor space 62.

[0013] The space purification system 100 includes a space purification device 10, an air conditioner 50, an outdoor unit 60, an operating device 70, an intake duct 64, and an outlet duct 67.

[0014] The air conditioning device 50 is, for example, a four-way cassette air conditioner embedded in the ceiling or the like of the indoor space 62, and is capable of performing at least one of cooling (dehumidifying) and heating on the air (RA) 8a from the indoor space 62. The air conditioning device 50 includes a main body 51 located above the ceiling, and a decorative panel 52 arranged on the indoor space 62 side of the main body 51.

[0015] The decorative panel 52 has an indoor intake port 53 located in its center that draws in air (RA) 8a from the indoor space 62, and four air outlets 54 located around the periphery that send out air 8c in four directions.

[0016] However, two of the four air outlets 54 are closed so as not to blow out air. Therefore, in Figure 1, the closed air outlets 54 are not shown, and only one air outlet 54 is shown. The air conditioning device 50 is also provided with an air outlet 55 on the side surface of the main body 51. Note that all four air outlets 54 of the decorative panel 52 may be configured to blow out air, or all four air outlets 54 may be closed so as not to blow out air.

[0017] The air conditioner 50 performs air conditioning control (cooling (dehumidifying) or heating) on air (RA) 8a drawn in from the indoor space 62 through the indoor air inlet 53. The air conditioner 50 sends out a portion of the temperature-controlled air (AC) 8b from the air outlet 55 to the space purification device 10, and sends out the remaining air 8c from two air outlets 54 to the indoor space 62.

[0018] An outdoor unit 60 is connected to the air conditioning device 50. The outdoor unit 60 is an outdoor unit installed in an outdoor space. The outdoor unit 60 has a general configuration, so a detailed description will be omitted.

[0019] The space purification device 10 is a main component of the space purification system 100, and is a device that generates hypochlorous acid water as an air purification component, mixes water with hypochlorous acid water, and atomizes the mixed water by centrifugal crushing to release the atomized particles into the air. The space purification device 10 according to this embodiment also executes a cleaning mode at predetermined time intervals (e.g., 24 hours) to clean and disinfect the inside of the device and suppress the generation of slime and biofilm inside the device.

[0020] Here, the configuration of the space purification device 10 will be described with reference to Figures 2 and 3 in addition to Figure 1. Figure 2 is a water circuit diagram showing the flow of water inside the housing 1 of the space purification device 10. Figure 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the miniaturization unit 13 and its surrounding area that constitute the space purification device 10.

[0021] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the space purification device 10 has a housing 1, and inside the housing 1, a filter 11, a blower 12, a micronization unit 13, a hypochlorous acid water generator 14, a drainage unit 15, a hypochlorous acid water supply unit 16, a water supply unit 17, and a control unit 18.

[0022] The housing 1 forms the outer shell of the space purification device 10. As shown in Fig. 1, an inlet 2 is arranged on one side of the housing 1, and an outlet 3 is arranged on the other side of the housing 1 (the side opposite to the one side of the housing 1).

[0023] The air inlet 2 is an intake port that takes in air (AC) 8b from the air conditioner 50, i.e., a portion of the temperature-controlled air that has been temperature-controlled by the air conditioner 50 from air (RA) 8a drawn in from the indoor space 62, into the housing 1 of the space purification device 10. The air inlet 2 is in communication with the air outlet 55 of the air conditioner 50 via an intake duct 64. The temperature-controlled air blown out from the air outlet 55 passes through the intake duct 64 and is taken into the housing 1 from the air inlet 2 as air (AC) 8b.

[0024] The air outlet 3 is an outlet for discharging the air (SA) 9 that has circulated inside the housing 1 of the space purification device 10 into the indoor space 62. The air (SA) 9 contains hypochlorous acid water that has been atomized and released by the space purification device 10.

[0025] The air outlet 3 is in communication with an indoor air outlet 68 provided on the ceiling or the like of the indoor space 62 via an outlet-side duct 67. As a result, the air (SA) 9 containing hypochlorous acid water discharged from the air outlet 3 passes through the outlet-side duct 67 and is blown out from the indoor air outlet 68 toward the indoor space 62.

[0026] The blow-out duct 67 has an inner wall made of a low-reactivity material that is poorly reactive with hypochlorous acid water. The low-reactivity material is, for example, a polyolefin-based material. The polyolefin-based material includes, for example, at least one of polyethylene and polypropylene.

[0027] As shown in Fig. 1, a purification air duct 5 is formed inside the housing 1. The purification air duct 5 is an air duct for circulating air (AC) 8b taken into the housing 1 from the intake port 2 toward the outlet 3 inside the housing 1, and allowing the air (AC) 8b to contain atomized hypochlorous acid water. The purification air duct 5 has a filter 11, a blower 12, and an atomization unit 13 arranged in this order from upstream to downstream. Note that the hypochlorous acid water generator 14, drainage unit 15, hypochlorous acid water supply unit 16, water supply unit 17, and control unit 18 are arranged outside the purification air duct 5 inside the housing 1.

[0028] The filter 11 is an air filter, and for example, a HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filter is used. The filter 11 removes dirt, dust, and the like from the air (AC) 8b taken into the housing 1 from the air inlet 2, and outputs purified air.

[0029] The blower 12 is composed of a blower fan. The blower 12 draws in a portion (air (AC) 8b) of the air (RA) 8a in the indoor space 62 to be purified through the inlet 2 and blows it to the atomization unit 13 described below, and blows out the air (SA) 9 into the indoor space 62 from which the mixed water atomized by the atomization unit 13 has been released. The air (RA) 8a taken into the housing 1 through the inlet 2 by the blower 12 is transported to the outlet 3 along the purification air duct 5.

[0030] The blower 12 transports air in the cleaning air duct 5 at a predetermined volume by rotating blades arranged radially about an axis. The rotation speed of the blades of the blower 12 is controlled in response to an output signal from the control unit 18, and air is transported in the cleaning air duct 5 at a volume corresponding to the rotation speed. The blower 12 can select the volume of air from three modes, for example, "weak," "medium," and "strong." Note that the volume of air is not limited to these three modes and may be controlled more precisely.

[0031] The atomization unit 13 is a main component of the space purification device 10 and is a unit for humidifying the air transported through the purification air duct 5. During this humidification, the atomization unit 13 imparts hypochlorous acid water as an air purification component along with atomized water to the air. That is, the atomization unit 13 atomizes the mixed water obtained by mixing water and hypochlorous acid water in the mixing tank 21 using a centrifugal crushing method, and releases the water containing the atomized hypochlorous acid water into the air transported through the purification air duct 5. The hypochlorous acid water atomized by the atomization unit 13 is included in the air (SA) 9 in a state where the liquid component has evaporated, and is blown out from the air outlet 3 through the blow-out side duct 67 and into the indoor space 62 from the indoor air outlet 68.

[0032] The configuration of the atomization unit 13 will now be described with reference to Fig. 3. The atomization unit 13 has a cylindrical collision wall 24 that is open at the top and bottom, and a cylindrical water lifting pipe 22 that rotates to suck up (pump) water inside the collision wall 24. In the atomization unit 13, a purification air duct 5 is formed between the collision wall 24 and the water lifting pipe 22, and air taken in from the suction port 2 is transported from the upper opening of the cylindrical collision wall 24 to the lower opening. Air sent out from the lower opening of the collision wall 24 is transported to the outlet 3 through the purification air duct 5.

[0033] The rise pipe 22 has an inverted cone-shaped hollow structure, and is provided with a rise port at the bottom, and a rotating shaft 22c arranged vertically is fixed to the center of the top surface of the inverted cone at the top. The rotating shaft 22c is connected to a motor 23 provided vertically above the rise pipe 22, so that the rotational motion of the motor 23 is transmitted to the rise pipe 22 via the rotating shaft 22c, causing the rise pipe 22 to rotate.

[0034] The riser pipe 22 is provided with a plurality of rotating plates 22b formed to protrude outward from the outer surface of the riser pipe 22. The plurality of rotating plates 22b are formed at predetermined intervals in the axial direction of the rotation shaft 22c and to protrude outward from the outer surface of the riser pipe 22. Because the rotating plates 22b rotate together with the riser pipe 22, they preferably have a horizontal disk shape coaxial with the rotation shaft 22c. The number of rotating plates 22b is set appropriately according to the target performance and the dimensions of the riser pipe 22.

[0035] An opening 22a penetrating the wall surface of the water rise pipe 22 is provided in the wall surface of the water rise pipe 22. The opening 22a is provided at a position communicating with a rotating plate 22b formed so as to protrude outward from the outer surface of the water rise pipe 22.

[0036] Below the micronization section 13, vertically below the lifting pipe 22, there is provided a mixing tank (centrifugal crushing tank) 21 formed in a mortar shape for storing water pumped by the lifting pipe 22. The mixing tank 21 stores mixed water obtained by mixing water and hypochlorous acid water at a predetermined ratio. As a result, the mixed water containing hypochlorous acid water is pumped by the lifting pipe 22. The mixing tank 21 is deep enough to immerse a part of the lower part of the lifting pipe 22. This depth can be designed according to the required amount of water to be pumped.

[0037] Here, the operating principle of atomization of water (a mixture of water and hypochlorous acid water) in atomization unit 13 will be described. When rotating shaft 22c is rotated by driving motor 23, and when lifting pipe 22 rotates accordingly, the centrifugal force generated by the rotation causes the mixed water stored in mixing tank 21 to be sucked up by lifting pipe 22. Because lifting pipe 22 has an inverted cone-shaped hollow structure, the mixed water sucked up by the rotation is pumped up along the inner wall of lifting pipe 22. The pumped mixed water is then released in the centrifugal direction from opening 22a of lifting pipe 22 along rotating plate 22b and scattered as water droplets.

[0038] The water droplets scattered from the rotating plate 22b fly in the space surrounded by the collision wall 24, collide with the collision wall 24, and are broken up and atomized. Meanwhile, the air transported through the cleaning air duct 5 moves from the upper opening of the collision wall 24 into the interior of the collision wall 24, and moves from the lower opening to the outside of the collision wall 24 while carrying water droplets broken up (atomized) by the collision wall 24. In this way, the atomization unit 13 humidifies the air (AC) 8b taken in from the suction port 2 and imparts hypochlorous acid water, an air purification component, to the air (AC), and can blow out the humidified air (SA) 9 containing the hypochlorous acid water from the outlet 3. The above is the operating principle of water atomization in the atomization unit 13.

[0039] A circular drain outlet 21a is provided at the lowest position on the bowl-shaped bottom of the mixing tank 21. Water is stopped from flowing through the drain outlet 21a and drained by the rotation of a water lift pipe 22.

[0040] Specifically, when the rise pipe 22 rotates, the centrifugal force of the rotation generates a vortex in the mixed water in the mixing tank 21 inside the rise pipe 22. The rise pipe 22 exposes the bottom of the mixing tank 21 at the center of the vortex generated by the rotation, forming a space near the drain outlet 21a. As a result, by rotating the rise pipe 22, it is possible to prevent the water in the mixing tank 21 from being discharged from the drain outlet 21a.

[0041] On the other hand, when the rotation of the lifting pipe 22 is stopped, the space around the drain outlet 21a disappears and the mixed water in the mixing tank 21 flows into the drain outlet 21a. This allows the micronization unit 13 to drain the mixed water in the mixing tank 21 from the drain outlet 21a.

[0042] In this way, without using a drain valve, the micro-fining section 13 can prevent (stop water flow) the mixed water in the mixing tank 21 from being drained from the drain outlet 21a by rotating the lifting pipe 22, and can drain the mixed water in the mixing tank 21 from the drain outlet 21a by stopping the rotation of the lifting pipe 22.

[0043] In addition, the bottom surface of mixing tank 21 is formed in a cone shape facing drain outlet 21a. This makes it easier for centrifugal force to be applied to the water stored in mixing tank 21 when lifting pipe 22 rotates, making it easier to generate a vortex in the water in mixing tank 21 inside lifting pipe 22 and allowing the generated vortex to continue to exist stably. Furthermore, when the rotation of lifting pipe 22 is stopped, the water stored in mixing tank 21 can be reliably drained from drain outlet 21a.

[0044] A drain valve may be provided at the drain outlet 21a. In this case, by closing the drain valve, the micronization unit 13 can prevent the mixed water in the mixing tank 21 from being drained from the drain outlet 21a even when the rotation of the lift pipe 22 is stopped. In other words, water can be stored in the mixing tank 21 with the lift pipe 22 stopped. Furthermore, by opening the drain valve, the micronization unit 13 can drain the mixed water in the mixing tank 21 from the drain outlet 21a. The opening and closing of the drain valve is controlled by an output signal from the control unit 18.

[0045] The hypochlorous acid water generator 14 generates hypochlorous acid water by electrolyzing salt water, and includes an electrolytic cell 27, a pair of electrodes 27a, a salt water tank 28, and a salt water transfer pump 29, as shown in FIG.

[0046] The brine tank 28 stores brine (aqueous sodium chloride solution) and supplies the brine to the electrolytic cell 27 via a brine transport pump 29 in response to an output signal from the control unit 18 .

[0047] The electrolytic bath 27 is a bath that stores the saltwater to be electrolyzed, which is supplied from the saltwater tank 28. A general device is used for the electrolytic bath 27, and therefore a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0048] Tap water from a water supply pipe such as a tap is also supplied to electrolytic cell 27 from water supply unit 17 via third electromagnetic valve 34 in response to an output signal from control unit 18. In electrolytic cell 27, the supplied tap water and salt water are mixed, and salt water of a predetermined concentration is stored.

[0049] Instead of the brine tank 28, a salt tablet feeder may be provided that feeds salt tablets into the electrolytic cell 27 in response to an output signal from the control unit 18. In this case, in the electrolytic cell 27, a predetermined amount of salt tablets is fed into the water supplied via the third solenoid valve 34, thereby generating and storing brine of a predetermined concentration.

[0050] Electrode 27a is disposed in electrolytic bath 27, and generates hypochlorous acid water of a predetermined concentration by electrolyzing salt water by passing current through it in response to an output signal from control unit 18. That is, electrolytic bath 27 generates hypochlorous acid water by electrolyzing a chloride aqueous solution (e.g., salt water) as an electrolyte between the pair of electrodes 27a.

[0051] The electrolyte is not particularly limited as long as it is capable of generating hypochlorous acid water and contains even a small amount of chloride ions, and examples thereof include aqueous solutions in which sodium chloride, calcium chloride, magnesium chloride, etc. are dissolved as solutes. Hydrochloric acid is also acceptable. In this embodiment, an aqueous chloride solution (salt water) in which sodium chloride is added to water is used as the electrolyte.

[0052] The space purification device 10 of this embodiment allows the sterilization and deodorization strength of the indoor space 62 to be set to one of four levels: "weak," "medium," "strong," and "intensive mode." The user sets the sterilization and deodorization strength by operating the operating device 70 (see FIG. 1). The space purification device 10 increases the concentration of hypochlorous acid water contained in the air (SA) 9 blown into the indoor space 62 in the following order of sterilization and deodorization strength: "weak," "medium," "strong," and "intensive mode." This increases the sterilization and deodorization strength of the indoor space 62 in this order. The "intensive mode" releases highly concentrated hypochlorous acid water into the indoor space 62 for a short period of time, sterilizing and deodorizing the indoor space 62 with the highly concentrated hypochlorous acid water in a short period of time.

[0053] The control unit 18 controls the concentration of the hypochlorous acid water generated in the electrolytic bath 27 according to the sterilization / deodorization intensity set by the operating device 70. That is, when the sterilization / deodorization intensity is "weak," the control unit 18 sets the concentration of the hypochlorous acid water generated in the electrolytic bath 27 to a first concentration. When the sterilization / deodorization intensity is "medium," the control unit 18 sets the concentration of the hypochlorous acid water generated in the electrolytic bath 27 to a second concentration, which is higher than the first concentration. When the sterilization / deodorization intensity is "strong," the control unit 18 sets the concentration of the hypochlorous acid water generated in the electrolytic bath 27 to a third concentration, which is higher than the second concentration. Furthermore, when the sterilization / deodorization intensity is "intensive mode," the control unit 18 sets the concentration of the hypochlorous acid water generated in the electrolytic bath 27 to a fourth concentration, which is higher than the third concentration.

[0054] In this way, hypochlorous acid water of different concentrations is generated in the electrolytic cell 27 according to the sterilization / deodorization strength set by the user, and this is supplied to the atomization unit 13. As a result, regardless of the set sterilization / deodorization strength, the hypochlorous acid water supplied to the atomization unit 13 is mixed with the same amount of water, so that the mixed water containing hypochlorous acid water of different concentrations can be atomized in the atomization unit 13 and released into the air (SA) 9.

[0055] The hypochlorous acid water supply unit 16 supplies hypochlorous acid water from the electrolytic bath 27 to the mixing bath 21 of the micronization unit 13, and is composed of a hypochlorous acid water transfer pump and a hypochlorous acid water feed pipe. The hypochlorous acid water transfer pump sends hypochlorous acid water from the electrolytic bath 27 to the hypochlorous acid water feed pipe in response to an output signal from the control unit 18. The hypochlorous acid water feed pipe is connected between the hypochlorous acid water transfer pump and the mixing bath 21, and feeds hypochlorous acid water toward the mixing bath 21.

[0056] Water supply unit 17 supplies tap water (water) from a water supply pipe such as a tap to mixing tank 21 or electrolytic tank 27 in response to an output signal from control unit 18. Water supply unit 17 has a water supply pipe connection port 30, a strainer 31, a first solenoid valve 32, a second solenoid valve 33, and a third solenoid valve 34, which are connected by a water supply pipe.

[0057] The water supply pipe connection port 30 is a component that connects the water supply pipe to the water supply pipe, and water supplied from the water supply pipe is sent to the water supply pipe. The strainer 31 is a component that separates and removes foreign matter and debris from the water supplied from the water supply pipe. The water from which foreign matter and debris have been removed by the strainer 31 is sent to the first solenoid valve 32.

[0058] The first solenoid valve 32 controls whether or not to send water supplied through the strainer 31 to the second solenoid valve 33 and the third solenoid valve 34, in response to an output signal from the control unit 18. While the space purification device 10 is operating in humidification only, in humidification and sterilization / deodorization mode, or in cleaning mode in which the inside of the device is cleaned and sterilized, the control unit 18 opens the first solenoid valve 32 and controls the second solenoid valve 33 and the third solenoid valve 34 to send water.

[0059] The second solenoid valve 33 controls whether or not to deliver the water delivered from the first solenoid valve 32 to the mixing tank 21, in response to an output signal from the control unit 18. The control unit 18 controls the second solenoid valve 33 to be opened (to deliver water) while keeping the first solenoid valve 32 open (to deliver water), thereby enabling the water (tap water) supplied from the water supply pipe to be supplied to the mixing tank 21.

[0060] The third solenoid valve 34 controls whether or not to send the water sent from the first solenoid valve 32 to the electrolytic cell 27, in response to an output signal from the control unit 18. The control unit 18 controls the third solenoid valve 34 to be open (to send water) while the first solenoid valve 32 is open (to send water), thereby making it possible to supply water (tap water) supplied from the water supply pipe to the electrolytic cell 27.

[0061] The drainage unit 15, which discharges water from the mixing tank 21 etc. to the outside of the space purification device 10, has a drainage tray 25 and a drainage pump 26. As shown in Fig. 2, the drainage tray 25 is disposed vertically below the atomization unit 13, the hypochlorous acid water generation unit 14 (electrolytic tank 27, brine tank 28), the hypochlorous acid water supply unit 16, and the water supply unit 17, and receives water that falls from these. The water in the mixing tank 21 that is discharged from the drainage outlet 21a provided in the mixing tank 21 of the atomization unit 13 is received by this drainage tray 25.

[0062] In response to an output signal from the control unit 18, the drainage pump 26 pumps up the water in the drainage tray 25 and discharges it outside the space purification device 10, for example, when the water level in the drainage tray 25 reaches a predetermined value or when a predetermined period of time has passed.

[0063] The control unit 18 shown in Fig. 1 controls the operation of the space purification system 100. Based on the output signal from the control unit 18, the air conditioning device 50 performs at least one of cooling (dehumidifying) and heating on the air (RA) 8a from the indoor space 62. Based on the output signal from the control unit 18, the space purification device 10 atomizes a mixture of water and hypochlorous acid water, releases the atomized mixture into air (AC) 8b, which is part of the air (RA) 8a from the indoor space 62, and blows it into the indoor space 62. Based on the output signal from the control unit 18, the space purification device 10 also executes a cleaning mode every 24 hours.

[0064] The operation device 70 is an input interface that accepts settings related to the operation of the space purification system 100 through user operations, and is connected to the control unit 18 by wire or wirelessly.

[0065] The operating device 70 receives, for example, settings related to air conditioning, such as the target temperature and target humidity of the indoor space 62, and the air conditioning operation mode (such as "cooling," "heating," "dehumidification," and "off"), and transmits the set target temperature value, target humidity value, and air conditioning operation mode information to the control unit 18. The control unit 18 controls the operation of the air conditioner 50 based on the air conditioning-related setting information transmitted from the operating device 70.

[0066] The operating device 70 also accepts settings related to space purification, such as the space purification operation mode ("humidification only," "humidification + sterilization and deodorization," "off," etc.) and the sterilization and deodorization strength ("weak," "medium," "strong," "intensive mode"). The operating device 70 transmits the set space purification operation mode information and sterilization and deodorization strength information to the control unit 18. The control unit 18 controls the operation of the space purification device 10 based on the space purification-related setting information transmitted from the operating device 70.

[0067] Next, the space purification operation of the space purification device 10 will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0068] When the space purification operation mode is set to "humidification + sterilization and deodorization" using the operation device 70, the control unit 18 first operates the air blower 12. As a result, air (AC) 8b, which is part of the air (RA) 8a in the indoor space 62 and has been cooled (dehumidified) or heated by the air conditioner 50, is taken into the housing 1 and transported through the purification air duct 5.

[0069] Next, the control unit 18 determines whether hypochlorous acid water of a concentration corresponding to the sterilization / deodorization strength ("weak," "medium," "strong," or "intensive mode") set on the operating device 70 is stored in the electrolytic cell 27 of the hypochlorous acid water generation unit 14.

[0070] If hypochlorous acid water of a concentration corresponding to the sterilization and deodorization strength is not stored in the electrolytic bath 27, the control unit 18 temporarily drains the hypochlorous acid water stored in the electrolytic bath 27. Then, the control unit 18 newly generates hypochlorous acid water of a concentration corresponding to the sterilization and deodorization strength in the hypochlorous acid water generator 14 and stores it in the electrolytic bath 27.

[0071] The hypochlorous acid water is discharged from the electrolytic bath 27 by operating the hypochlorous acid water transfer pump of the hypochlorous acid water supply unit 16 and the drain pump 26 of the drain unit 15 while the rotation of the lift pipe 22 of the atomization unit 13 is stopped. That is, the hypochlorous acid water from the electrolytic bath 27 is transferred to the mixing tank 21 of the atomization unit 13 by the operation of the hypochlorous acid water transfer pump. When the lift pipe 22 of the atomization unit 13 is stopped, the hypochlorous acid water transferred to the mixing tank 21 is drained directly from the drain outlet 21a of the mixing tank 21 into the drain tray 25 of the drain unit 15. The hypochlorous acid water drained into the drain tray 25 is discharged to the outside by the drain pump 26.

[0072] When hypochlorous acid water of a concentration corresponding to the sterilization and deodorization strength is stored in the electrolytic bath 27, the control unit 18 drives the motor 23 to rotate the water lift pipe 22, and then supplies the hypochlorous acid water and water to the mixing bath 21. That is, the control unit 18 controls the water supply unit 17 to supply a predetermined amount of water to the mixing bath 21. The control unit 18 also drives the hypochlorous acid water transfer pump of the hypochlorous acid water supply unit 16 to supply the hypochlorous acid water stored in the electrolytic bath 27 to the mixing bath 21.

[0073] In the mixing tank 21, the rotation of the water lift pipe 22 prevents the supplied water and hypochlorous acid water from being discharged from the drain outlet 21a (water stoppage), and the rotation of the water lift pipe 22 stirs the water and hypochlorous acid water to produce mixed water. Furthermore, the rotation of the water lift pipe 22 causes the mixed water in the mixing tank 21 to be finely divided by the pumping, scattering, and crushing as described above.

[0074] The atomized mixed water is released into air (AC) 8b (i.e., air (RA) 8a in the indoor space 62, which is part of the temperature-controlled air whose temperature is adjusted by the air conditioner 50) taken into the housing 1 by the blower 12. Then, air (SA) 9 containing the atomized mixed water (hypochlorous acid water) is blown out into the indoor space 62.

[0075] When the control unit 18 supplies the hypochlorous acid water stored in the electrolytic bath 27 to the mixing bath 21, it controls the hypochlorous acid water generator 14 to generate and store hypochlorous acid water at a concentration according to the air conditioning operation mode again in the electrolytic bath 27. When the control unit 18 detects that the level of the mixed water in the mixing bath 21 has dropped below a predetermined level, it controls the water supply unit 17 to supply water to the mixing bath 21 and the hypochlorous acid water supply unit 16 to supply hypochlorous acid water to the mixing bath 21.

[0076] When the space purification operation mode is set to "OFF" using the operating device 70, the control unit 18 stops the motor 23 to stop the rotation of the lift pipe 22 and operates the drain pump 26 of the drain unit 15. As a result, the mixed water remaining in the mixing tank 21 is drained into the drain tray 25 of the drain unit 15 and is then discharged from the drain tray 25 to the outside by the drain pump 26.

[0077] Furthermore, when the space purification operation mode is set to "humidification only" via the operating device 70, the control unit 18 first operates the air blower 12, drives the motor 23 to rotate the water pumping pipe 22, and then controls the water supply unit 17 to supply water to the mixing tank 21. As a result, the atomization unit 13 pumps, scatters, and crushes the water stored in the mixing tank 21 to atomize it, and releases the atomized water into the air (AC) 8b taken into the housing 1 by the air blower 12. The air (SA) 9 containing the atomized water is then blown out into the indoor space 62, thereby performing humidification.

[0078] Next, the operation of the cleaning mode in the space purification device 10 will be described with reference to Fig. 4 and Fig. 5. Fig. 4 is a flowchart showing the cleaning mode process executed by the control unit 18. Fig. 5 is a timing chart showing the time flow of the control of the control unit 18 in the cleaning mode in detail.

[0079] The timing chart in FIG. 5 shows the time flow of control by the control unit 18 when the electrolytic bath 27 stores hypochlorous acid water with an appropriate concentration for cleaning when the cleaning mode is started. In the timing chart in FIG. 5, time elapses from left to right in the upper row and then from left to right in the lower row. However, in FIG. 5, due to space limitations, the left and right unit lengths do not indicate the passage of a fixed length of time. For ease of viewing, the relationship between the left and right unit lengths and the elapsed time is variable. For example, when comparing the first predetermined period 82 and the second predetermined period 83 described below, the left and right unit lengths on the page of FIG. 5 are longer for the first predetermined period 82, but the elapsed time is longer for the second predetermined period 83.

[0080] The cleaning mode process is a process executed as part of the main process that is repeatedly executed by the control unit 18 while the power is on. As shown in Fig. 4, when the control unit 18 executes the cleaning mode process, it first determines whether a predetermined time (24 hours in the flowchart shown in Fig. 4) has elapsed since the previous cleaning and sterilization of the inside of the device in the cleaning mode (S11). As a result, if it is determined that the predetermined time has not elapsed since the previous cleaning and sterilization of the inside of the device in the cleaning mode (S11: No), the control unit 18 ends the cleaning mode process and returns to the main process.

[0081] On the other hand, if it is determined in S11 that a predetermined time or more has passed since the previous cleaning and sterilization of the inside of the device in the cleaning mode (S11: Yes), the process in S12 to S20 is carried out to execute the cleaning mode and clean and sterilize the inside of the device. This allows the space purification device 10 to execute the cleaning mode at predetermined time intervals.

[0082] The cleaning mode is executed every predetermined time regardless of whether the space purification device 10 is operating in normal operation, i.e., in either "humidification only" operation or "humidification + sterilization and deodorization" operation. If a predetermined time or more has passed since the previous execution of the cleaning mode while the space purification device 10 is operating in normal operation, the control unit 18 temporarily stops the normal operation of the space purification device 10 and executes the cleaning mode.

[0083] The predetermined time used for the determination in S11 may be any time, and may be changed as needed by the user operating the operation device 70.

[0084] When the cleaning mode is executed, the control unit 18 first drains water from the mixing tank 21 (S12). As shown in Fig. 5, the drainage from the mixing tank 21 is performed by stopping the motor 23 (rotation speed 0 ppm) and stopping the rotation of the lifting pipe 22, and then operating (turning on) the drain pump 26 of the drain unit 15.

[0085] The control unit 18 also stops (turns off) the hypochlorous acid water transfer pump (the transfer pump of the electrolytic cell in FIG. 5; the same applies below) of the hypochlorous acid water supply unit 16, and closes the second solenoid valve 33 of the water supply unit 17 to stop the supply of hypochlorous acid water and water to the mixing tank 21. The second solenoid valve 33 is kept closed at all times while the control unit 18 is executing the cleaning mode. As a result, water is not supplied from the water supply unit 17 to the mixing tank 21 during the cleaning mode.

[0086] In the process of S12, by stopping the pumping pipe 22, the mixed water stored in the mixing tank 21 is drained from the drain outlet 21a to the drain tray 25 of the drain section 15, and then discharged from the drain tray 25 to the outside by the drain pump 26.

[0087] Control unit 18 controls the drainage of mixing tank 21 only for mixing tank drainage period 81, which is a period during which the drainage can be completely completed. For example, mixing tank drainage period 81 is the time it takes to complete drainage when drainage is started when mixing tank 21 is full of water. Control unit 18 stops (turns off) the operation of drainage pump 26 after mixing tank drainage period 81 has elapsed, and ends the drainage control of mixing tank 21.

[0088] As shown in FIG. 4, the control unit 18 next determines whether hypochlorous acid water is stored in the electrolytic bath 27 of the hypochlorous acid water generator 14 (S13). As a result, if it is determined that hypochlorous acid water is not stored in the electrolytic bath 27 (S13: No), the control unit 18 proceeds to the process of S16 and controls the hypochlorous acid water generator 14 to generate and store hypochlorous acid water in the electrolytic bath 27. The concentration of the hypochlorous acid water generated at this time is set to a third concentration, which is the concentration of hypochlorous acid water generated in the electrolytic bath 27 when the sterilization / deodorization strength is set to "strong." This allows the micronization unit 13 and the drainage unit 15 to be cleaned and sterilized using hypochlorous acid water of a high concentration. However, the concentration of hypochlorous acid water generated in the process of S16 may also be a first concentration or a second concentration, which are the concentrations of hypochlorous acid water generated in the electrolytic bath 27 when the sterilization / deodorization strength is set to "weak" or "medium."

[0089] On the other hand, if it is determined in S13 that hypochlorous acid water is stored in electrolytic bath 27 (S13: No), then control unit 18 determines whether the concentration of hypochlorous acid water stored in electrolytic bath 27 is higher than a first threshold value (S14). The first threshold value is set to a value that is equal to or higher than a third concentration, which is the concentration of hypochlorous acid water generated in electrolytic bath 27 when the sterilization / deodorization intensity is set to "strong," and is lower than a fourth concentration, which is the concentration when the sterilization / deodorization intensity is set to "intensive mode."

[0090] If hypochlorous acid water with a concentration exceeding the appropriate range is released into the air, the occupants of the indoor space 62 may feel uncomfortable with the high concentration of hypochlorous acid water. The first threshold value is a value set to prevent hypochlorous acid water with a concentration higher than the first threshold value from being released into the air.

[0091] If the determination result in S14 indicates that the concentration of the hypochlorous acid water stored in the electrolytic bath 27 is higher than the first threshold (S14: Yes), the control unit 18 temporarily drains the hypochlorous acid water stored in the electrolytic bath 27 (S15). Then, the control unit 18 proceeds to the process of S16 described above and controls the hypochlorous acid water generator 14 to generate hypochlorous acid water of a third concentration (which may be the first concentration or the second concentration) and store it in the electrolytic bath 27 (S16). This allows the space purification device 10 to keep the concentration of hypochlorous acid water used to clean the inside of the device in the cleaning mode at or below the first threshold. Therefore, the space purification device 10 can reduce discomfort felt by the occupant during the cleaning mode.

[0092] The detailed control of the discharge of hypochlorous acid water from the electrolytic cell 27 is the same as that described in the description of the operation when the space purification operation mode is set to "humidification + sterilization and deodorization," and therefore will not be described here. The detailed control of the production of hypochlorous acid water will be described later in the process of S17 with reference to FIG. 5.

[0093] When the process of S16 is completed, hypochlorous acid water of the third concentration (or the first concentration or the second concentration) is stored in electrolytic bath 27. Furthermore, even when the result of the determination process of S14 is that the concentration of hypochlorous acid water stored in electrolytic bath 27 is determined to be equal to or lower than the first threshold value (S14: No), hypochlorous acid water of any one of the first to third concentrations is stored in electrolytic bath 27. In other words, when the process of S16 is completed or when a negative determination is made in the determination of S14 (S14: No), hypochlorous acid water of a concentration appropriate for release into the air is stored in electrolytic bath 27.

[0094] Therefore, after the process of S16, or if it is determined as a result of the determination in S14 that the concentration of the hypochlorous acid water stored in the electrolytic bath 27 is equal to or lower than the first threshold value (S14: Yes), the control unit 18 executes the processes from S17 onwards. In the processes from S17 onwards, the inside of the device is cleaned and sterilized using the hypochlorous acid water of the appropriate concentration stored in the electrolytic bath 27.

[0095] In the process of S17, the control unit 18 controls the supply of hypochlorous acid water from the electrolytic tank 27 to the mixing tank 21 to clean and sterilize the micronization unit 13, including the mixing tank 21. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, the control unit 18 drives the motor 23 to rotate the pumping pipe 22. The motor 23 preferably rotates at a rotation speed of 1000 ppm or more to ensure the micronization of the hypochlorous acid water. The control unit 18 then drives the hypochlorous acid water transfer pump of the hypochlorous acid water supply unit 16. By driving the hypochlorous acid water transfer pump, the hypochlorous acid water stored in the electrolytic tank 27 is drained from the electrolytic tank 27 and supplied to the mixing tank 21. Note that if cleaning of the mixing tank 21 is not required, the motor 23 is turned off to perform the process of S18, which will be described later, and the hypochlorous acid water can be drained from the mixing tank 21 to the drain tray 25.

[0096] Since the mixing tank 21 is sealed off by the rotation of the water lift pipe 22, the hypochlorous acid water supplied to the mixing tank 21 is stored in the mixing tank 21 without being discharged from the drain outlet 21a.

[0097] As described above, during the cleaning mode, the water supply unit 17 is controlled so that water is not supplied, and therefore the hypochlorous acid water supplied from the electrolytic cell 27 is stored in the mixing tank 21 at the same concentration without being mixed with water.

[0098] The hypochlorous acid water stored in the mixing tank 21 is stirred and crushed by the rotation of the lifting pipe 22. This allows the space purification device 10 to distribute hypochlorous acid water at a concentration that ensures sterilization throughout the entire atomization section 13. Therefore, the space purification device 10 can use this hypochlorous acid water to clean and sterilize organic matter, bacteria, and mold that have been captured in the residual water in the atomization section 13, including the mixing tank 21.

[0099] The control unit 18 rotates the lift pipe 22 continuously for a first predetermined period 82 after starting its rotation. As a result, hypochlorous acid water is retained in the mixing tank 21 for the first predetermined period 82, thereby ensuring cleaning and sterilization of the mixing tank 21. Furthermore, stirring and crushing of the hypochlorous acid water stored in the mixing tank 21 by rotating the lift pipe 22 is continuously performed for the first predetermined period 82 after starting the supply of hypochlorous acid water from the electrolytic tank 27 to the mixing tank 21. Therefore, the space purification device 10 can sufficiently distribute hypochlorous acid water throughout the entire atomization unit 13, including the mixing tank 21, ensuring cleaning and sterilization of the atomization unit 13. The first predetermined period 82 is a time determined by experiment, and its length may be determined based on the rotation speed of the motor 23, the capacity of the mixing tank 21, the concentration of hypochlorous acid water, and the like.

[0100] Furthermore, the control unit 18 controls the air volume of the blower unit 12 to "weak" in synchronization with the start of rotation of the water pumping pipe 22. By setting the air volume of the blower unit 12 to "weak," it is possible to prevent the crushed hypochlorous acid water from being blown out from inside the space purification device 10 into the indoor space 62. In other words, it is possible to prevent the hypochlorous acid water used to clean the inside of the device from being reduced more than necessary. Furthermore, the space purification device 10 can prevent a large amount of highly concentrated hypochlorous acid water from being blown out into the indoor space 62.

[0101] In the process of S17, after supplying hypochlorous acid water from the electrolytic cell 27 to the mixing cell 21, the control unit 18 controls the hypochlorous acid water generating unit 14 to generate new hypochlorous acid water in the electrolytic cell 27 in parallel with cleaning and sterilizing the inside of the device.

[0102] That is, after stopping the hypochlorous acid water transfer pump, the control unit 18 opens the third solenoid valve 34 to supply water to the electrolytic cell 27, and also drives (turns on) the salt water transfer pump 29 to supply salt water from the salt water tank 28 to the electrolytic cell 27. At this time, the control unit 18 drives the salt water transfer pump 29 to supply salt water in an amount corresponding to the concentration so that the concentration of the salt water corresponds to the sterilization and deodorization strength set by the user. Then, when the water level in the electrolytic cell 27 becomes full, the control unit 18 closes the third water supply valve to stop the supply of water.

[0103] Next, the control unit 18 energizes the electrode 27a for a predetermined time to electrolyze the salt water, thereby producing hypochlorous acid water. The electrolysis time is controlled to the time required to produce hypochlorous acid water with a concentration corresponding to the sterilization and deodorization strength set by the user.

[0104] In this way, in the cleaning mode, the space purification device 10 generates hypochlorous acid water to be used for purifying the indoor space 62 in parallel with cleaning and sterilizing the inside of the device. As a result, even if the space purification device 10 starts operating in the cleaning mode during the "humidification + sterilization + deodorization" operation, the "humidification + sterilization + deodorization" operation can be resumed immediately after the purification mode ends without requiring time to generate new hypochlorous acid water. Note that the generation of this hypochlorous acid water may be performed at any time during the cleaning mode, not just during the period of cleaning and sterilizing the micronization unit 13, as long as it is after the supply of hypochlorous acid water from the electrolytic cell 27 to the mixing cell 21.

[0105] As shown in FIG. 4, upon completing the process of S17, the control unit 18 then drains the hypochlorous acid water stored in the mixing tank 21 (S18). Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, the control unit 18 stops the rotation of the motor 23 (rotation speed 0 ppm), thereby stopping the rotation of the water pumping pipe 22. This releases the water supply from the mixing tank 21, and the hypochlorous acid water in the mixing tank 21 is drained from the drain outlet 21a into the drain unit 15. The drained hypochlorous acid water is received in the drain tray 25. At this time, the control unit 18 keeps the drain pump 26 stopped (off). Therefore, the hypochlorous acid water drained into the drain tray 25 is stored in the drain tray 25. The control unit 18 continues the drainage process of the hypochlorous acid water from the mixing tank 21 in S18 for a mixing tank drainage period 81, which is the time during which the hypochlorous acid water can be completely drained from the mixing tank 21.

[0106] Next, the control unit 18 controls the cleaning and sterilization of the drain tray 25 and the drying of the micronization unit 13 to be performed in parallel (S19), as shown in Fig. 4. The cleaning and sterilization of the drain tray 25 is performed by keeping the drain pump 26 stopped (off) for a second predetermined period 83 after the process of S19 starts, as shown in Fig. 5. This allows the hypochlorous acid water to be held in the drain tray 25 for at least the second predetermined period 83 after the drainage of the mixing tank 21 is completed.

[0107] In the space purification device 10, the drain tray 25 receives the hypochlorous acid wastewater discharged from the mixing tank 21, and the hypochlorous acid water cleans and sterilizes organic matter, bacteria, and mold that have been trapped in the residual water in the drain tray 25. Furthermore, since the hypochlorous acid water is retained in the drain tray 25 without being discharged to the outside for the second predetermined period 83, the drain tray 25 can be reliably cleaned and sterilized.

[0108] Furthermore, the control unit 18 dries the micro-atomization unit 13 by setting the airflow rate of the air blower 12 to "medium." By having the air blower 12 blow air (RA) 8a from the indoor space 62 to the micro-atomization unit 13 and transporting it through the purification air duct 5 at a predetermined airflow rate, the space purification device 10 can blow air to dry the micro-atomization unit 13, including the mixing tank 21, which is part of the purification air duct 5. This allows the space purification device 10 to evaporate the moisture inside the micro-atomization unit 13, thereby further suppressing the growth of bacteria and mold in the micro-atomization unit 13.

[0109] Furthermore, when starting to dry the micro-refining unit 13, the control unit 18 rotates the motor 23 at a low speed for about one minute, thereby scattering and removing moisture adhering to the water lifting pipe 22 by centrifugal force. This ensures that the water lifting pipe 22, which has a complex shape, can be dried reliably, and the growth of bacteria and mold in the water lifting pipe 22 can also be reliably suppressed.

[0110] Furthermore, in the process of S19, the cleaning and sterilization of the drain tray 25 and the drying of the micronization section 13 are carried out in parallel, so that the space purification device 10 can shorten the time required for the cleaning mode.

[0111] When the control unit 18 has finished cleaning and sterilizing the drain tray 25 with hypochlorous acid water for the second predetermined period 83, it drains the hypochlorous acid water stored in the drain tray 25 (S20), as shown in Fig. 4. Then, when the draining of the hypochlorous acid water from the drain tray 25 is completed, the control unit 18 ends the cleaning mode process and returns to the main process.

[0112] 5, the hypochlorous acid water stored in the drain tray 25 is drained by keeping the drain pump 26 driven (on) for a drain tray drain period 84, which is the time required to completely drain the hypochlorous acid water from the drain tray 25. The length of the mixing tank drain period 81 may be freely determined based on the capacity of the drain tray 25.

[0113] If the control unit 18 was in normal operation ("humidification only" operation or "humidification + sterilization and deodorization" operation) before the start of the cleaning mode processing, when the cleaning processing ends and the control unit 18 returns to the main processing, it will resume normal operation before the start of the cleaning mode processing.

[0114] The above-described space purification device 10 according to the present embodiment provides the following effects.

[0115] (1) When the space purification device 10 performs the "humidification + sterilization and deodorization" operation, the mixing tank 21 stores a mixture of hypochlorous acid water generated by the hypochlorous acid water generator 14 and supplied by the hypochlorous acid water supply unit 16, and water supplied by the water supply unit 17. The mixed water stored in the mixing tank 21 is atomized by the atomization unit 13 and released into the air. This allows the hypochlorous acid water to sterilize and deodorize the space. The wastewater from the mixing tank 21 is received in the drainage tray 25 of the drainage unit 15 and is discharged from the drainage tray 25 to the outside by the drainage pump 26. On the other hand, when the space purification device 10 performs the cleaning mode, the control unit 18 controls the atomization unit 13 and the drainage unit 15 to clean and sterilize the hypochlorous acid water generated by the hypochlorous acid water generator 14. As a result, the space purification device 10 can use hypochlorous acid water to clean and disinfect organic matter, bacteria, and mold that have been absorbed from the indoor space 62 into the micronization unit 13 including the mixing tank 21 and the residual water in the drainage unit 15. Therefore, the space purification device 10 can suppress the generation of slime and biofilm inside the device.

[0116] (2) When the space purification device 10 executes the cleaning mode, under the control of the control unit 18, hypochlorous acid water is supplied from the hypochlorous acid water generator 14 to the mixing tank 21 by the hypochlorous acid water supply unit 16, and then the hypochlorous acid water is held in the mixing tank 21 for a first predetermined period. This allows the space purification device 10 to reliably clean and disinfect the mixing tank 21.

[0117] (3) The atomization unit 13 provided in the space purification device 10 has a water pumping pipe 22 that uses centrifugal force to suck up the mixed water stored in the mixing tank 21 and scatter it in the centrifugal direction. When the space purification device 10 performs the "humidification + sterilization and deodorization" operation, the mixed water scattered by the water pumping pipe 22 is crushed by colliding with the surrounding wall, thereby atomizing the mixed water. Furthermore, when the space purification device 10 cleans and disinfects the atomization unit 13 in the cleaning mode, the control unit 18 agitates and crushes the hypochlorous acid water stored in the mixing tank 21 using the water pumping pipe 22. This allows the space purification device 10 to sufficiently distribute hypochlorous acid water throughout the entire atomization unit 13, thereby ensuring that the atomization unit 13 can be cleaned and disinfected.

[0118] (4) When the space purification device 10 executes the cleaning mode, the control unit 18 controls the hypochlorous acid water stored in the mixing tank 21 to clean and disinfect the micronization unit 13, and drains it toward the drainage unit 15. This allows the space purification device 10 to clean and disinfect the drainage unit 15 with the hypochlorous acid water drained toward the drainage unit 15.

[0119] (5) When cleaning and sterilizing the drainage unit 15, the space purification device 10 controls the control unit 18 to retain the hypochlorous acid water in the drainage tray 25 for a second predetermined period without being discharged to the outside. This allows the space purification device 10 to reliably clean and sterilize the drainage tray 25.

[0120] (6) When the space purification device 10 is operating in the "humidification + sterilization and deodorization" mode, the air blower 12 blows air (RA) 8a drawn in from the indoor space 62 to the atomization unit 13, and the air (SA) 9 released from the atomization unit 13 after atomization of the mixed water is blown out into the indoor space 62. When the space purification device 10 is operating in the cleaning mode, the control unit 18 controls the atomization unit 13 to clean and sterilize it with hypochlorous acid water, and then the air blower 12 blows air from the indoor space 62 to the atomization unit 13 at a predetermined air volume. This air blowing allows the space purification device 10 to evaporate and dry the moisture inside the atomization unit 13, thereby further suppressing the growth of bacteria and mold in the atomization unit 13.

[0121] (7) When the space purification device 10 executes the cleaning mode, the control unit 18 controls the hypochlorous acid water used for cleaning and sterilizing the atomization unit 13. After the hypochlorous acid water used for cleaning and sterilizing the atomization unit 13 is drained from the mixing tank 21 to the drainage unit 15, the following control is performed in parallel. That is, in parallel with the cleaning and sterilization of the drainage unit 15 using the drained hypochlorous acid water, the air (RA) 8a in the indoor space 62 is blown by the air blower 12 at a predetermined air volume to the atomization unit 13. This allows the space purification device 10 to clean and sterilize the drainage unit 15 and dry the atomization unit 13 in parallel, thereby shortening the time required to execute the cleaning mode.

[0122] (8) When the space purification device 10 starts to execute the cleaning mode, the concentration of hypochlorous acid water present in the hypochlorous acid water generator 14 (electrolytic bath 27) is determined under the control of the control unit 18. If the concentration of hypochlorous acid water is higher than the first threshold (fourth concentration), the hypochlorous acid water present in the hypochlorous acid water generator 14 is drained, and hypochlorous acid water having a concentration equal to or lower than the first threshold (any of the first to third concentrations) is generated by the hypochlorous acid water generator. This allows the space purification device 10 to reduce discomfort felt by the occupants during the cleaning mode.

[0123] (9) The space purification device 10 executes the cleaning mode at predetermined time intervals under the control of the control unit 18, so that cleaning and disinfecting of the inside of the device can be performed continuously even when the “humidification + sterilization and deodorization” operation is stopped.

[0124] Although the present disclosure has been described above based on the embodiments, the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiments, and it is easily understood that various improvements and modifications are possible within the scope of the present disclosure. For example, each embodiment, including the modifications described below, may be modified by adding or replacing a part or parts of the configuration of another embodiment with the other embodiment. Furthermore, the numerical values given in each embodiment are merely examples, and other numerical values may naturally be adopted.

[0125] In the above embodiment, the space purification device 10 is described as being incorporated into the space purification system 100 together with the air conditioning device 50. However, this is not necessarily limited to this. The present disclosure is applicable to a space purification device 10 incorporated into another system in combination with any other device. Furthermore, the present disclosure is also applicable to a space purification device 10 used alone. When the space purification device 10 is used alone, the air inlet 2 may be connected to an indoor air inlet provided on the ceiling or the like of the indoor space 62 via an air inlet duct 64. Furthermore, the space purification device 10 may be configured to draw air directly from the indoor space 62 without using a duct, as in the air conditioning device 50, and to blow air containing the mixed water atomized by the atomization unit 13 directly into the indoor space 62. In other words, the air inlet 2 of the space purification device 10 may be configured to correspond to the indoor air inlet 53 of the air conditioning device 50, and the air outlet 3 of the space purification device 10 may be configured to correspond to the air outlet 54 of the air conditioning device 50. [Industrial Applicability]

[0126] The space purification device according to the present disclosure atomizes hypochlorous acid water and releases it into the air, and is useful as a device for sterilizing or deodorizing the air in a target space. [Explanation of symbols]

[0127] 1 chassis 2 Intake port 3 Air outlet 5 Purifying Airway 8a Air (RA) 8b Air (AC) 8c Air 9. Air (SA) 10 Space Purification Device 11 Filters 12 Blower 13 Miniaturization section 14 Hypochlorous acid water generator 15 Drainage section 16 Hypochlorous Acid Water Supply Unit 17 Water supply section 18 Control Unit 21 Mixing tank 21a Drain port 22 Lifting pipe 22a opening 22b Rotating plate 22c Rotation axis 23 Motor 24 Collision Wall 25 Drainage tray 26 Drainage pump 27 Electrolytic cell 27a electrode 28 Brine Tank 29 Brine Transfer Pump 30 Water supply pipe connection port 31 Strainer 32 First solenoid valve 33 Second solenoid valve 34 Third solenoid valve 50 Air conditioning equipment 51 Main body 52 Decorative Panel 53 Indoor air intake 54 Air outlet 55 Air outlet 60 Outdoor unit 62 Indoor Space 64 Intake duct 67 Outlet duct 68 Indoor air outlet 70 Operating device 81 Mixing tank drainage period 82 First prescribed period 83 Second prescribed period 84 Drainage tray drainage period 100 Space Purification System

Claims

1. A hypochlorous acid water generating unit that generates hypochlorous acid water; A hypochlorous acid water supply unit that supplies the hypochlorous acid water from the hypochlorous acid water generation unit to a mixing tank; a water supply unit that supplies water to the mixing tank; A micronization unit that micronizes the mixed water of hypochlorous acid water and water stored in the mixing tank and releases it into the air; a drainage section that receives drainage water from the mixing tank in a drainage tray and discharges the water from the drainage tray to the outside; A space purification device comprising: a control unit that controls execution of a cleaning mode in which at least the drainage unit is cleaned and sterilized using the hypochlorous acid water generated in the hypochlorous acid water generation unit.

2. When the control unit executes the cleaning mode, the control unit controls the hypochlorous acid water supply unit to supply the hypochlorous acid water from the hypochlorous acid water generation unit to the mixing tank, and then controls the hypochlorous acid water to be retained in the mixing tank for a first predetermined period. The space purification device according to claim 1, wherein the micronization unit is cleaned and sterilized.

3. The atomization unit has a lifting pipe that uses centrifugal force to suck up the mixed water stored in the mixing tank and scatters it in a centrifugal direction, and causes the mixed water scattered by the lifting pipe to collide with a wall portion provided around the unit and break down, thereby atomizing the mixed water. The space purification device according to claim 2, wherein the control unit controls the pumping pipe to agitate and crush the hypochlorous acid water stored in the mixing tank when cleaning and sterilizing the micronization unit.

4. When the control unit executes the cleaning mode, the control unit controls the hypochlorous acid water supply unit to drain the hypochlorous acid water supplied from the hypochlorous acid water generation unit to the mixing tank toward the drainage unit, and uses the drained hypochlorous acid water to clean and disinfect the drainage unit. The space purification device according to claim 1.

5. The space purification device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls the hypochlorous acid water to be retained in the drainage tray for a second predetermined period without being discharged to the outside when cleaning and sterilizing the drainage section.

6. A blower unit is provided for sucking air from a space to be purified and blowing it to the atomization unit, and blowing the air into which the mixed water atomized by the atomization unit is released into the space, 3. The space purification device according to claim 2, wherein when the cleaning mode is executed, the control unit cleans and sterilizes the micronization unit with the hypochlorous acid water, and then controls the blower to blow air from the space to the micronization unit at a predetermined air volume.

7. When the control unit executes the cleaning mode, the control unit controls the hypochlorous acid water used for cleaning and sterilizing the micronization unit to be drained from the mixing tank to the drainage unit, and then, in parallel with the cleaning and sterilization of the drainage unit using the drained hypochlorous acid water, the air in the space is controlled so that it is blown into the micronization unit at a predetermined air volume by the air blowing unit. The space purification device described in claim 6.

8. When the control unit starts the cleaning mode, it determines the concentration of hypochlorous acid water present in the hypochlorous acid water generation unit, and if the concentration is higher than the first threshold value, it drains the hypochlorous acid water present in the hypochlorous acid water generation unit. The space purification device according to claim 1, wherein the hypochlorous acid water generation unit is controlled to generate new hypochlorous acid water having a concentration equal to or lower than the first threshold value.

9. The space purification device according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit controls the cleaning mode to be executed at predetermined time intervals.

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