Air cleaner

Abstract

To provide an air cleaner capable of appropriately controlling dust collection performance while suppressing reduction in user's comfort due to noise of a blower fan.SOLUTION: An air cleaner includes: a body case 1 having a suction port 2 and blowout port 3; a blowing fan 4 introducing air to the blowout port 3 from the suction port 2; a filter 6 eliminating fine particles from the air sucked from the suction port 2; an illuminance sensor 7 detecting an illuminance value showing brightness of a prescribed space; a vibration sensor 9 detecting a vibration value showing a vibration magnitude; a vibration value correcting part 10 deriving a vibration correction value as a value after correcting the vibration value on the basis of the vibration value detected by the vibration sensor 9 and an air quantity of the blowing fan 4; an air quantity deciding part 14 deciding the air quantity of the blowing fan 4 on the basis of the vibration correction value derived by the vibration value correcting part 10 when the illuminance value detected by the illuminance sensor 7 is a threshold value or more; and an air quantity control part 11 controlling the air quantity of the blowing fan 4 according to the air quantity decided by the air quantity deciding part 14.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an air purification device. [Background technology]

[0002] BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, air purifying devices have been known that include a dust collecting section for removing dust and the like from air drawn in through an air inlet (for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-266391 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Increasing the airflow rate of an air purifier's blower fan can be considered to improve dust collection capabilities. However, increasing the fan's airflow rate increases the noise generated by the fan, potentially reducing the comfort of users near the air purifier. To address this issue, for example, a noise sensor could be provided in the air purifier, increasing the fan's airflow rate as the noise level measured by the noise sensor increases. In other words, increasing the fan's airflow rate as ambient noise increases reduces the likelihood of the fan's noise reaching the user, potentially reducing the likelihood of the user becoming uncomfortable due to the fan's noise. However, in this case, the fan's airflow rate may increase even when there is no activity that would cause dust to circulate in the air, such as when the volume of a television is turned up or people are talking loudly, potentially increasing the fan's noise level and increasing the user's discomfort. In other words, the user may find it difficult to hear the television or the other person's conversation, potentially increasing their discomfort. Furthermore, increasing the fan's airflow rate even when there is no need to increase the dust collection capacity may result in unnecessary increases in dust collection capacity.

[0005] The present disclosure is therefore intended to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide an air purifying device that can appropriately control dust collection capacity while suppressing a decrease in user comfort due to noise from the blower fan. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] To achieve this object, the air purifying device of the present disclosure comprises a main body case having an intake port for drawing in air from a specified space and an outlet port for blowing air into the specified space, a blower fan that guides air from the intake port to the outlet port, a filter that removes particulates from the air drawn in from the intake port, an illuminance sensor that detects an illuminance value that indicates the brightness of the specified space, a vibration sensor that detects a vibration value that indicates the magnitude of vibration, a vibration value correction unit that derives a vibration correction value, which is a value obtained after correcting the vibration value, based on the vibration value detected by the vibration sensor and the air volume of the blower fan, an air volume determination unit that determines the air volume of the blower fan based on the vibration correction value derived by the vibration value correction unit if the illuminance value detected by the illuminance sensor is equal to or greater than a threshold value, and an air volume control unit that controls the air volume of the blower fan at the air volume determined by the air volume determination unit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide an air purifying device that can appropriately control dust collection capacity while suppressing a decrease in user comfort due to noise from a blower fan. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a side cross-sectional view of an air purifying device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic functional block diagram of a control unit and its peripheral units according to the present embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the data structure of a first table according to the present embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the data structure of a second table according to the present embodiment. [Figure 5] 4 is a flowchart showing control in a control unit according to the present embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the embodiments shown below are merely examples for embodying the technical ideas of the present disclosure, and the present disclosure is not limited to the following. In particular, the materials, shapes, components, arrangements and relative arrangements of the components described in the embodiments are merely examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure to those alone. Furthermore, in each drawing, substantially identical components are assigned the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations are omitted or simplified. Furthermore, the dimensions of the components in each drawing are enlarged or reduced as appropriate to facilitate understanding. Furthermore, in each drawing, some components that are not important for explaining the embodiments are omitted.

[0010] (Embodiment) First, an air purifying device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a side cross-sectional view of the air purifying device. The air purifying device according to this embodiment is independently installed in a predetermined space and purifies the air in the predetermined space.

[0011] As shown in FIG. 1, the air purifying device includes a main body case 1.

[0012] The main body case 1 is a substantially box-shaped box body, and includes an air inlet 2, an air outlet 3, a blower fan 4, a filter 6, an illuminance sensor 7, a vibration sensor 9, and a control unit 8.

[0013] The air inlet 2 is provided on the rear side of the main body case 1 and is an opening for drawing air from a predetermined space inside the main body case 1.

[0014] The air outlet 3 is provided on the upper surface side of the main body case 1, and is an opening for blowing out the air taken into the main body case 1 through the air inlet 2 into a predetermined space.

[0015] The blower fan 4 generates an airflow 5 for guiding air from the inlet 2 to the outlet 3. Specifically, as the blower fan 4 rotates, air is sucked into the main body case 1 through the inlet 2, and the sucked air is blown out of the main body case 1 through the outlet 3. The amount of air blown by the rotation of the blower fan 4 is controlled by the control unit 8.

[0016] The filter 6 removes fine particles such as dust from the air drawn in through the air inlet 2. An example of the filter 6 is a HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air filter).

[0017] The illuminance sensor 7 detects an illuminance value (brightness information) indicating the brightness of a predetermined space. In the present embodiment, as an example, the illuminance sensor 7 is provided on the top surface of the main body case 1. The illuminance value of the predetermined space detected by the illuminance sensor 7 is sent to the control unit 8 via wired or wireless communication. Note that in the present embodiment, as an example, the illuminance sensor 7 is provided on the top surface of the main body case 1, but the installation location is not limited to the top surface of the main body case 1 as long as the illuminance value of the predetermined space can be detected. For example, the illuminance sensor 7 may be provided within the predetermined space, and may be provided on a wall surface within the predetermined space, for example. In other words, the illuminance sensor 7 does not need to be provided on the main body case 1, and the illuminance value of the predetermined space detected by an illuminance sensor 7 not provided on the main body case 1 may be sent to the control unit 8.

[0018] The vibration sensor 9 detects a vibration value indicating the magnitude of vibration. For example, an acceleration sensor is used as the vibration sensor 9. In this embodiment, as an example, the vibration sensor 9 is provided inside the main body case 1 (on the bottom side of the main body case 1). The vibration value detected by the vibration sensor 9 is sent to the control unit 8 via wired communication or wireless communication. The vibration sensor 9 may be installed within a predetermined space, such as on a wall of the predetermined space. Also, a displacement sensor may be used as the vibration sensor 9. In other words, although there are physical quantities such as acceleration and displacement for detecting a vibration value by the vibration sensor 9, any quantity capable of detecting a vibration value will do.

[0019] The control unit 8 controls the air purifying device, and the details of the control will be described later.

[0020] Next, each function of the control unit 8 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a schematic functional block diagram of the control unit 8 and its peripheral parts. The control unit 8 controls the air volume of the blower fan 4.

[0021] In this embodiment, the control unit 8 includes an illuminance value acquisition unit 12, a vibration value acquisition unit 15, a vibration value correction unit 10, an air volume determination unit 14, and an air volume control unit 11.

[0022] The illuminance value acquisition unit 12 acquires the illuminance value of the predetermined space detected by the illuminance sensor 7. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the brighter the predetermined space is, the greater the illuminance value detected by the illuminance sensor 7 will be.

[0023] The vibration value acquisition unit 15 acquires the vibration value detected by the vibration sensor 9. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the greater the vibration, the greater the vibration value detected by the vibration sensor 9.

[0024] The vibration value correcting unit 10 derives a vibration correction value, which is a value obtained after correcting the vibration value, based on the vibration value detected by the vibration sensor 9 and the air volume of the blower fan 4. The air volume of the blower fan 4 is controlled by an air volume control unit 11. In other words, the vibration value correcting unit 10 derives the vibration correction value based on the vibration value acquired by the vibration value acquiring unit 15 and the current air volume of the blower fan 4 controlled by the air volume control unit 11.

[0025] The vibration sensor 9 detects vibrations generated by human activity within the specified space and vehicle traffic outside the specified space, and also detects vibrations generated by the rotation of the blower fan 4. In other words, although it is desired to use the vibration sensor 9 to accurately detect the magnitude of vibration in the specified space (the magnitude of vibration in the specified space excluding the influence of the operation of the air purifier), due to the vibrations generated by the rotation of the blower fan 4, it is not possible to accurately detect the magnitude of vibration in the specified space (the magnitude of vibration in the specified space excluding the influence of the operation of the air purifier) ​​even if the vibration value detected by the vibration sensor 9 is used as is.

[0026] Therefore, in order to accurately detect the magnitude of vibration in a given space excluding the influence of the operation of the air purifier, the vibration value correction unit 10 corrects the vibration value detected by the vibration sensor 9 based on the air volume of the blower fan 4. The corrected vibration value becomes the vibration correction value.

[0027] The correction method will be explained using a specific example. The vibration value correction unit 10 (control unit 8) stores a first table. For example, a memory is used to store the first table. The first table associates the air volume (also called air volume or air volume level) of the blower fan 4 with the correction amount (amount of reduction) corresponding to each air volume. The first table will be explained with reference to FIG. 3. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the data structure of the first table stored in the vibration value correction unit 10, and is an example of the first table.

[0028] The first table stores predetermined air volumes (air volume levels) and correction amounts corresponding to the predetermined air volumes. The correction amounts are measured in advance by experiment, and the predetermined air volumes and the correction amounts corresponding to the predetermined air volumes are stored in the first table as measurement results. In other words, the correction amount is the increased vibration value detected by the vibration sensor 9 when the blower fan 4 blows air at a predetermined air volume, and the correction amount is measured in advance by experiment.

[0029] In this embodiment, as an example, if the air volume is at air volume level 1, the correction amount is A1. Also, if the air volume is at air volume level 2, the correction amount is A2. Also, if the air volume is at air volume level 3, the correction amount is A3. Also, if the air volume is at air volume level 4, the correction amount is A4. Also, if the air volume is at air volume level 5, the correction amount is A5. When the magnitude of the air volume is air volume level 1 < air volume level 2 < air volume level 3 < air volume level 4 < air volume level 5, the correction amounts are A1 < A2 < A3 < A4 < A5. That is, the larger the air volume of the blower fan 4, the larger the correction amount. This is because the larger the air volume of the blower fan 4, the greater the vibration associated with the rotation of the blower fan 4, and as a result, the vibration value detected by the vibration sensor 9 becomes larger. That is, when the magnitude of the vibration of the predetermined space generated by the activities of people within the predetermined space, the running of vehicles outside the predetermined space, etc. is the same, the larger the air volume of the blower fan 4, the greater the vibration generated by the blower fan 4, and as a result, the vibration value detected by the vibration sensor 9 becomes larger.

[0030] By accurately removing the vibration generated by such a blower fan 4, it is possible to accurately detect the magnitude of the vibration of the predetermined space excluding the influence of the operation of the air purifying device.

[0031] Specifically, first, the vibration value correction unit 10 acquires the current air volume of the blower fan 4 controlled by the air volume control unit 11. Then, the vibration value correction unit 10 acquires the correction amount based on the air volume level, which is the current air volume of the blower fan 4, and the first table. The vibration value correction unit 10 derives a vibration correction value by subtracting the correction amount from the vibration value detected by the vibration sensor 9. At this time, the larger the air volume of the blower fan 4, the larger the correction amount. That is, the vibration value correction unit 10 more significantly corrects the vibration value detected by the vibration sensor 9 as the air volume of the blower fan 4 increases. Thereby, it is possible to accurately detect the magnitude of the vibration of the predetermined space excluding the influence of the operation of the air purifying device. In this embodiment, as an example, five airflow levels, namely airflow level 1, airflow level 2, airflow level 3, airflow level 4, and airflow level 5, are described as multiple airflow levels that can be controlled by the blower fan 4, but this is merely an example and there may be more or less than five.

[0032] If the illuminance value detected by the illuminance sensor 7 is less than the threshold, the air volume determination unit 14 determines the air volume of the blower fan 4 to be equal to or less than the predetermined air volume. In other words, if the illuminance value acquired by the illuminance value acquisition unit 12 is less than the threshold, the air volume determination unit 14 determines the air volume of the blower fan 4 to be equal to or less than the predetermined air volume. The threshold is stored, for example, in a memory or the like of the control unit 8. The threshold is used to determine whether or not a user is sleeping in the predetermined space. The threshold is, for example, a value determined in advance through experiments or the like, and can be set arbitrarily. If the user is sleeping, the lights in the predetermined space are turned off, and the illuminance value detected by the illuminance sensor 7 becomes less than the threshold.

[0033] The threshold value may be used to determine whether or not a user is present in a predetermined space. The threshold value may be, for example, a value determined in advance through experiments or the like, and may be set arbitrarily. When a user is absent from a predetermined space, the lights in the predetermined space are turned off, and the illuminance value detected by the illuminance sensor 7 becomes less than the threshold value.

[0034] For example, if the illuminance value detected by the illuminance sensor 7 is less than the threshold value, the air volume determination unit 14 determines the air volume of the blower fan 4 to be equal to or less than air volume level 1. This reduces the noise caused by the blower fan 4 while the user is sleeping, allowing the user to sleep comfortably. In addition, when the user is absent, the power consumption caused by the operation of the blower fan 4 is reduced. This makes it possible to reduce unnecessary power consumption.

[0035] If the illuminance value detected by the illuminance sensor 7 is equal to or greater than the threshold, the air volume determination unit 14 determines the air volume of the blower fan 4 based on the vibration correction value derived by the vibration value correction unit 10. In other words, if the illuminance value acquired by the illuminance value acquisition unit 12 is equal to or greater than the threshold, the air volume determination unit 14 determines the air volume of the blower fan 4 based on the vibration correction value derived by the vibration value correction unit 10. For example, when the user is not sleeping, the lights in the specified space are not turned off, and the illuminance value detected by the illuminance sensor 7 is equal to or greater than the threshold. Furthermore, even if the lights in the specified space are not turned off, if a user is present in the specified space and the curtains are open during the day, the illuminance value detected by the illuminance sensor 7 is also equal to or greater than the threshold. That is, when the user is not asleep but is active, the illuminance value detected by the illuminance sensor 7 is likely to be equal to or greater than the threshold value.

[0036] When such a user is active, it is not necessary to set the airflow rate of the blower fan 4 to a predetermined airflow rate or less. This is because, when the user is active, some noise from the blower fan 4 is less bothersome than when the user is asleep. However, even when the user is active, if the noise from the blower fan 4 is too loud, problems will arise in terms of user comfort, such as being unable to hear the television they are watching or the voice of someone talking.

[0037] Therefore, if the illuminance value detected by the illuminance sensor 7 is equal to or greater than the threshold, the air volume determination unit 14 determines the air volume of the blower fan 4 based on the vibration correction value derived by the vibration value correction unit 10. Specifically, if the illuminance value detected by the illuminance sensor 7 is equal to or greater than the threshold, the air volume determination unit 14 increases the air volume of the blower fan 4 as the vibration correction value derived by the vibration value correction unit 10 increases. In other words, when the specified space is bright, the air volume of the blower fan 4 increases as the vibration of the specified space (the magnitude of vibration in the specified space excluding the influence of the operation of the air purifier) ​​increases. This is because, if the vibration of the specified space (the magnitude of vibration in the specified space excluding the influence of the operation of the air purifier) ​​is large, there is little possibility that noise from the blower fan 4 will cause a problem in user comfort, even if the air volume of the blower fan 4 is large.

[0038] The determination method of the air volume determination unit 14 will be described using a specific example. The air volume determination unit 14 (control unit 8) stores a second table. For storing the second table, for example, a memory is used. The second table associates a vibration correction value with an air volume (air volume level) corresponding to each vibration correction value. The second table will be described with reference to FIG. 4. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the data structure of the second table stored in the air volume determination unit 14, and is an example of the second table.

[0039] The second table stores a predetermined air volume corresponding to a vibration correction value within a predetermined range. When the predetermined space is a vibration correction value within a predetermined range, the maximum air volume that causes no problem in user comfort is measured in advance by experiment. As a measurement result, a vibration correction value within a predetermined range and a predetermined air volume (the maximum air volume that causes no problem in user comfort) corresponding to the vibration correction value within the predetermined range are stored in the second table. That is, the maximum air volume that causes no problem in user comfort even when the blower fan 4 blows air at a predetermined air volume is measured in advance by experiment.

[0040] In this embodiment, as an example, if the vibration correction value is less than B1, the air volume level is 1. Also, if the vibration correction value is greater than or equal to B1 and less than B2, the air volume level is 2. Also, if the vibration correction value is greater than or equal to B2 and less than B3, the air volume level is 3. Also, if the vibration correction value is greater than or equal to B3 and less than B4, the air volume level is 4. Also, if the vibration correction value is greater than or equal to B4, the air volume level is 5.

[0041] When the vibration correction values are B1 < B2 < B3 < B4, the magnitude of the air volume is air volume level 1 < air volume level 2 < air volume level 3 < air volume level 4 < air volume level 5. That is, the larger the vibration correction value, the larger the air volume of the blower fan 4. This is because the larger the vibration correction value, the less the user has a problem with comfort even when the air volume of the blower fan 4 increases (the noise generated by the blower fan 4 is not a concern).

[0042] An example of a case where the magnitude of vibration in a specified space, excluding the influence of the operation of the air purifier, is large is when the amount of human activity in the specified space is large. When the amount of human activity is large, the user will not experience any comfort issues even if the air volume of the blower fan 4 is large (the noise generated by the blower fan 4 is not an issue). Furthermore, when the amount of human activity in the specified space is large, the large amount of activity may cause a large amount of fine particles, such as dust, to float in the specified space. The air volume determination unit 14 determines a larger air volume for the blower fan 4 as the vibration correction value increases. In other words, the larger the magnitude of vibration in the specified space, excluding the influence of the operation of the air purifier, the larger the air volume for the blower fan 4 is determined to be. This allows for efficient removal of fine particles, such as dust, floating in the specified space.

[0043] Another example of a case in which the magnitude of vibration in the specified space, excluding the influence of the air purifier operation, is when there is a lot of vehicle traffic outside the specified space. This creates a loud noise in the specified space, and the user does not experience any discomfort even with a high airflow rate from the blower fan 4 (the noise generated by the blower fan 4 is not an issue). Furthermore, when there is a lot of vehicle traffic outside the specified space, the traffic outside the specified space causes a lot of fine particles, such as dust, to float outside the specified space. These fine particles may enter the specified space through gaps in the building or through ventilation. In this case, the airflow rate determination unit 14 determines a larger airflow rate for the blower fan 4 as the vibration correction value increases. In other words, the larger the magnitude of vibration in the specified space, excluding the influence of the air purifier operation, the larger the airflow rate for the blower fan 4. This allows for efficient removal of the fine particles that have entered the specified space.

[0044] Specifically, first, airflow determination unit 14 acquires an illuminance value from illuminance value acquisition unit 12. Then, airflow determination unit 14 acquires a vibration correction value from vibration value correction unit 10. If the illuminance value detected by illuminance sensor 7 is equal to or greater than a threshold value, airflow determination unit 14 determines the airflow of blower fan 4 based on the vibration correction value acquired from vibration value correction unit 10 and the second table. At this time, the larger the vibration correction value, the larger the airflow of blower fan 4. In other words, airflow determination unit 14 determines the airflow of blower fan 4 to be larger as the vibration correction value increases. In this embodiment, as an example, five ranges of vibration correction values ​​are listed: less than B1, B1 or greater but less than B2, B2 or greater but less than B3, B3 or greater but less than B4, and B4 or greater. Corresponding airflow levels that can be controlled by blower fan 4 are listed: airflow level 1, airflow level 2, airflow level 3, airflow level 4, and airflow level 5. However, these are merely examples, and the number of levels may be greater or less than five.

[0045] In this way, the air volume determination unit 14 determines the air volume to operate based on the vibration correction value and the illuminance value. When the illuminance value is less than the threshold, the air volume determination unit 14 determines the air volume of the blower fan 4 to be equal to or less than a predetermined air volume regardless of the vibration correction value, and when the illuminance value is equal to or greater than the threshold, the air volume determination unit 14 determines the air volume of the blower fan 4 based on the vibration correction value. Setting the air volume of the blower fan 4 to be equal to or less than a predetermined air volume regardless of the vibration correction value is also referred to as determining operation in the nighttime operation mode.

[0046] Air volume control unit 11 controls the air volume of blower fan 4 at the air volume determined by air volume determination unit 14. Note that air volume control unit 11 stores in advance in a memory or the like the initial air volume at which the air purifying device starts operation, and controls the air volume of blower fan 4 to the initial air volume when the air purifying device starts operation. The initial air volume is, for example, air volume level 3. Air volume control unit 11 performs constant air volume control to set the air volume of blower fan 4 to the air volume determined by air volume determination unit 14, but constant air volume control is a well-known technique and will not be described in detail here.

[0047] Here, the control content will be explained. The air purifier starts operation, and air volume control unit 11 controls the air volume of blower fan 4 to an initial air volume. Thereafter, if the illuminance value detected by illuminance sensor 7 is equal to or greater than a threshold value, air volume determination unit 14 determines the air volume of blower fan 4 based on the vibration correction value. Here, the air volume of blower fan 4 determined by air volume determination unit 14 is set as the post-change air volume, and the air volume of blower fan 4 before being changed to the post-change air volume is set as the pre-change air volume.

[0048] When the air volume control unit 11 changes the air volume of the blower fan 4 to the changed air volume, the vibration value corrector 10 derives a new vibration correction value based on the changed air volume and the vibration value that has changed due to the changed air volume. The derivation method is the same, and the vibration value corrector 10 uses the changed air volume, the new vibration value that has changed due to operation of the blower fan 4 at the changed air volume, and the first table. Specifically, the vibration value corrector 10 obtains a new correction amount based on the air volume level that is the changed air volume and the first table. The vibration value corrector 10 derives a new vibration correction value by subtracting the new correction amount from the new vibration value that has changed due to the changed air volume of the blower fan 4. At this time, the correction amount increases as the changed air volume increases. In other words, the vibration value corrector 10 reduces the vibration value detected by the vibration sensor 9 as the air volume of the blower fan 4 increases.

[0049] In this way, by changing the air volume to the changed value and accurately removing the amount of new vibration generated by the blower fan 4, it is possible to always accurately detect the magnitude of vibration in a specified space excluding the influence of the operation of the air purifier.

[0050] Based on the new vibration correction value, the air volume determination unit 14 determines a new air volume for the blower fan 4. That is, the air volume determination unit 14 acquires the new vibration correction value from the vibration value correction unit 10, and if the illuminance value is equal to or greater than the threshold value, determines a new air volume for the blower fan 4 based on the new vibration correction value acquired from the vibration value correction unit 10 and the second table.

[0051] In this way, if the illuminance value detected by the illuminance sensor 7 is equal to or greater than the threshold value, the control unit 8 repeatedly executes the processes of obtaining the vibration value, correcting the vibration value, and determining the air volume.

[0052] Each functional block of the control unit 8 can be realized as hardware by elements or mechanical devices such as a computer CPU (Central Processing Unit), or as software by a computer program, but here it is a functional block realized by the cooperation of these. Therefore, these functional blocks can be realized in various forms by combining hardware and software.

[0053] The operation of the air purifying device configured as described above will now be described. Figure 5 is a flowchart showing the control of the control unit 8 according to this embodiment. In the flowchart, numbers are assigned starting with the initial letter S. For example, S1 indicates a processing step. However, the magnitude of the numerical value indicating the processing step does not affect the processing order.

[0054] First, the illuminance value acquisition unit 12 acquires the illuminance value detected by the illuminance sensor 7. The air volume determination unit 14 determines whether the illuminance value is equal to or greater than a threshold value (S1).

[0055] If the illuminance value acquired by the illuminance value acquisition unit 12 is less than the threshold value, the air volume determination unit 14 determines the operation in the night operation mode, that is, the air volume determination unit 14 determines the air volume of the blower fan 4 to be equal to or less than the predetermined air volume, and the air volume control unit 11 controls the air volume of the blower fan 4 at the determined air volume (No in S1 → S6). Then, the process returns to step S1 again.

[0056] Furthermore, if the illuminance value acquired by the illuminance value acquisition unit 12 is equal to or greater than the threshold value, the vibration value acquisition unit 15 acquires the vibration value detected by the vibration sensor 9 (Yes in S1 → S2).

[0057] The vibration value correcting unit 10 also acquires the current air volume of the blower fan 4 from the air volume control unit 11. Then, the vibration value correcting unit 10 derives a vibration correction value based on the acquired vibration value and the acquired air volume of the blower fan 4 (S3). The vibration value correcting unit 10 derives the vibration correction value by subtracting the vibration value (correction amount) caused by the blower fan 4 from the vibration value acquired by the vibration value acquisition unit 15 from the vibration sensor 9. This makes it possible to accurately grasp the vibration value in a specified space.

[0058] Next, the air volume determination unit 14 determines the air volume of the blower fan 4 based on the vibration correction value derived by the vibration value correction unit (S4). The air volume control unit 11 controls the air volume of the blower fan 4 at the air volume determined by the air volume determination unit 14 (S5). As a result, the air volume level increases as the vibration in the specified space increases, allowing operation at an appropriate air volume.

[0059] Then, the process returns to step S1. That is, if the illuminance value is equal to or greater than the threshold, the control unit 8 repeatedly acquires a vibration value, derives a compensated vibration value, determines an air volume, and controls the air volume at the determined air volume. When controlling the air volume of the blower fan 4 at the air volume determined by the air volume determination unit 14 in step S5, if the air volume of the blower fan 4 is changed before and after step S5, the vibration value of the blower fan 4 changes in accordance with the change in the air volume of the blower fan 4. This changes the calculated value used to derive the vibration compensation value, which is the magnitude of vibration in a specified space excluding the influence of the operation of the air purifier. That is, the vibration amount of the blower fan 4 changes in accordance with the change in the air volume, and therefore the compensation amount to be subtracted changes. By repeatedly acquiring a vibration value, deriving a compensated vibration value, determining an air volume, and controlling the air volume at the determined air volume, the control unit 8 can accurately derive the vibration compensation value, which is the magnitude of vibration in a specified space excluding the influence of the operation of the air purifier, even if the vibration value of the blower fan 4 changes in accordance with the change in the air volume of the blower fan 4.

[0060] In this way, the present disclosure makes it possible to appropriately control the dust collection capacity while suppressing a decrease in user comfort due to noise from the blower fan 4. A large vibration correction value means that vibration in a specified space is large, and therefore there is a high possibility that dust and other particles are floating in the specified space. In response to this, the control unit 8 increases the airflow rate of the blower fan 4 as the vibration correction value increases, thereby increasing the dust collection capacity in response to situations where dust and other particles are floating in the air, and enabling efficient collection of dust and other particles floating in the air.

[0061] Here, a comparative example will be described. In the comparative example, the air purifier is equipped with a noise sensor, and if the noise level measured by the noise sensor is high, the airflow rate of the blower fan is increased. In this case, when the volume of the television or people talking is loud, the airflow rate of the blower fan increases even though there is no activity that would cause dust to fly in the air, and the noise from the blower fan may increase the user's discomfort. In other words, the user may feel uncomfortable because it becomes difficult to hear the television or what the other person is saying. Furthermore, the airflow rate of the blower fan may increase even though there is no need to increase the dust collection capacity, resulting in a needless increase in the dust collection capacity.

[0062] However, according to the present disclosure, when the volume of the television or people talking is loud but there is no activity that would cause dust to fly in the air, the vibration correction value remains unchanged, and the airflow of the blower fan does not increase. In other words, there is no increase in noise from the blower fan, and the user's discomfort is not increased. In other words, it is possible to prevent the user from feeling uncomfortable due to difficulty hearing the television or what the other person is saying.

[0063] In this way, in a situation where the amount of dust in a given space increases or dust is floating in the air, it is possible to appropriately control the dust collection capacity while suppressing a decrease in user comfort due to noise from the blower fan 4. In other words, it is possible to efficiently collect dust while suppressing a decrease in user comfort.

[0064] The present invention has been described above based on the embodiments, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and it can be easily inferred that various improvements and modifications are possible within the scope of the present invention.

[0065] (Summary of the Disclosure) The air purifying device according to the present disclosure comprises a main body case having an intake port for drawing in air from a specified space and an outlet port for blowing air into the specified space, a blower fan for directing air from the intake port to the outlet port, a filter for removing particulates from the air drawn in through the intake port, an illuminance sensor for detecting an illuminance value indicating the brightness of the specified space, a vibration sensor for detecting a vibration value indicating the magnitude of vibration, a vibration value correction unit for deriving a vibration correction value which is a value obtained after correcting the vibration value based on the vibration value detected by the vibration sensor and the air volume of the blower fan, an air volume determination unit for determining the air volume of the blower fan based on the vibration correction value derived by the vibration value correction unit if the illuminance value detected by the illuminance sensor is equal to or greater than a threshold value, and an air volume control unit for controlling the air volume of the blower fan at the air volume determined by the air volume determination unit.

[0066] This makes it possible to appropriately control the dust collection capacity while suppressing a decrease in user comfort due to noise from the blower fan.

[0067] The vibration value correcting unit may correct the vibration value detected by the vibration sensor to a smaller value as the air volume of the blower fan increases.

[0068] As a result, the vibration value detected by the vibration sensor is corrected to be smaller as the air volume of the blower fan increases, and the magnitude of vibration in a specified space can be grasped with high accuracy.

[0069] The vibration value correcting unit may derive the vibration correction value by subtracting a correction amount from the vibration value detected by the vibration sensor, and the correction amount may be increased as the air volume of the blower fan increases.

[0070] As a result, the larger the air volume of the blower fan, the larger the correction amount that is subtracted from the vibration value detected by the vibration sensor, and the magnitude of vibration in a predetermined space can be grasped with high accuracy.

[0071] Furthermore, if the illuminance value detected by the illuminance sensor is equal to or greater than a threshold value, the air volume determination unit may increase the air volume of the blower fan as the vibration correction value corrected by the vibration value correction unit increases.

[0072] As a result, the greater the vibration value in the specified space, the greater the airflow of the blower fan, allowing for more efficient collection of dust, etc. Furthermore, even when the airflow of the blower fan increases, the noise of the blower fan is less likely to reach the user, making it possible to efficiently collect dust, etc. while minimizing any decrease in user comfort.

[0073] Furthermore, when the air volume control unit changes the air volume of the blower fan, the vibration value correction unit derives a new vibration correction value based on the changed air volume of the blower fan and the vibration value that has fluctuated due to the changed air volume of the blower fan, and the air volume determination unit may determine the air volume of the blower fan based on the new vibration correction value.

[0074] This makes it possible to appropriately respond to fluctuations in vibration value that accompany changes in the airflow rate of the blower fan, and to appropriately control the airflow rate of the blower fan in accordance with changes in vibration value.

[0075] Furthermore, the air volume determination unit may determine the air volume of the blower fan to be equal to or less than a predetermined air volume if the illuminance value is less than a threshold value.

[0076] This allows the noise from the blower fan to be reduced without being affected by the magnitude of vibrations when the user is away or asleep, thereby preventing a decrease in user comfort. [Industrial Applicability]

[0077] The present disclosure is useful as an air purifying device or the like. [Explanation of symbols]

[0078] 1 Main unit case 2 Intake port 3 Air outlet 4. Blower fan 5. Airflow 6 Filters 7. Illuminance sensor 8 Control Unit 9. Vibration Sensor 10 Vibration value correction unit 11 Air volume control unit 12 Illuminance value acquisition unit 14 Air volume determination unit 15 Vibration value acquisition unit

Claims

1. a main body case having an intake port for drawing in air from a predetermined space and an outlet port for blowing air into the predetermined space; a blower fan that guides air from the air inlet to the air outlet; a filter for removing particulates from the air drawn in through the air inlet; an illuminance sensor that detects an illuminance value indicating the brightness of the predetermined space; a vibration sensor that detects a vibration value indicating the magnitude of the vibration; a vibration value correcting unit that derives a vibration corrected value, which is a value obtained by correcting the vibration value, based on the vibration value detected by the vibration sensor and the air volume of the blower fan; an air volume determination unit that determines the air volume of the blower fan based on the vibration correction value derived by the vibration value correction unit if the illuminance value detected by the illuminance sensor is equal to or greater than a threshold value; and an air volume control unit that controls the air volume of the blower fan at the air volume determined by the air volume determination unit.

2. The vibration value correction unit The air purifying device according to claim 1 , wherein the vibration value detected by the vibration sensor is corrected to be smaller as the air volume of the blower fan increases.

3. The vibration value correction unit deriving the vibration correction value by subtracting a correction amount from the vibration value detected by the vibration sensor; The air purifying device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the correction amount is increased as the air volume of the blower fan increases.

4. The air volume determination unit 2. The air purifying device according to claim 1, wherein, when the illuminance value detected by the illuminance sensor is equal to or greater than a threshold value, the air volume of the blower fan is increased as the vibration correction value corrected by the vibration value corrector increases.

5. When the air volume control unit changes the air volume of the blower fan, The vibration value correction unit deriving a new vibration correction value based on the changed air volume of the blower fan and the vibration value that has fluctuated due to the changed air volume of the blower fan; The air volume determination unit is The air purifying device according to claim 1 , wherein the air volume of the blower fan is determined based on the new vibration correction value.

6. The air volume determination unit The air purifying device according to claim 1 , wherein if the illuminance value is less than the threshold value, the air volume of the blower fan is determined to be equal to or less than a predetermined air volume.

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