Hypochlorous acid emission device

Abstract

To grasp an emission amount of hypochlorous acid.SOLUTION: A hypochlorous acid emission device includes a storage tank that stores hypochlorous acid water and emission means that emits hypochlorous acid from the storage tank into a space, the hypochlorous acid emission device comprising, as a main control device 250, a state information acquisition unit 261 that acquires state information including at least one of an operating state of the emission means, a state of the space, and a state of the hypochlorous acid water, a concentration information acquisition unit 262 that acquires concentration information indicating a concentration of the hypochlorous acid water, and an emission amount calculation unit 263 that calculates an emission amount of hypochlorous acid into the space based on the concentration information and the state information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a hypochlorous acid releasing device that releases hypochlorous acid into space. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 describes a so-called ultraviolet absorption measurement technique that measures the concentration of hypochlorous acid water based on the attenuation of absorption of ultraviolet light by hypochlorous acid ions.

[0003] Furthermore, Patent Document 2 describes a so-called polarographic measurement technique that measures the concentration of hypochlorous acid water based on the electrochemical reduction current of hypochlorous acid. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-343080 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-7508 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Conventional technology can measure the concentration of hypochlorous acid water, but it is not possible to obtain information about the amount of hypochlorous acid released into the air.

[0006] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and provides a hypochlorous acid release device that can acquire information regarding the amount of hypochlorous acid released into the air from hypochlorous acid water. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A hypochlorous acid release device according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a hypochlorous acid release device comprising a storage tank for storing hypochlorous acid water and a release means for releasing hypochlorous acid from the storage tank into a space, and comprising: a status information acquisition unit for acquiring status information which is information including at least one of the operating status of the release means, the status of the space, and the status of the hypochlorous acid water; a concentration information acquisition unit for acquiring concentration information which indicates the concentration of the hypochlorous acid water; and a release amount calculation unit for calculating the amount of hypochlorous acid to be released into the space based on the concentration information and the status information. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to grasp the amount of hypochlorous acid released into the air from hypochlorous acid water. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a simplified side view of a hypochlorous acid release device. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the main control device. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the measurement control device. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a graph showing the relationship between the hypochlorous acid concentration and the conductivity of hypochlorous acid water during the generation of hypochlorous acid. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a graph showing the relationship between the cumulative difference in electrical conductivity and the concentration of hypochlorous acid during hypochlorous acid generation. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a graph showing the relationship between the hypochlorous acid concentration and the conductivity of hypochlorous acid water during hypochlorous acid decay. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a graph showing the relationship between the cumulative difference in conductivity and the hypochlorous acid concentration during hypochlorous acid decay. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the operation of the hypochlorous acid release device. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a main control device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 10]FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of the hypochlorous acid release device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing another example of the functional configuration of the main control device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a hypochlorous acid release device according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the following embodiment is an example to explain the present disclosure and is not intended to limit the present disclosure. For example, the shapes, structures, materials, components, relative positional relationships, connection states, numerical values, mathematical formulas, the contents of each step in the method, and the order of each step shown in the following embodiments are examples and may include content not described below. In addition, geometric expressions such as parallel and orthogonal may be used, but these expressions do not indicate mathematical rigor and include substantially acceptable errors, deviations, etc. In addition, expressions such as simultaneous and identical also include a substantially acceptable range.

[0011] The drawings are schematic diagrams in which emphasis, omission, or adjustment of proportions is appropriately made to explain the present disclosure, and differ from the actual shapes, positional relationships, and proportions. The X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis shown in the drawings represent Cartesian coordinates arbitrarily set for the purpose of illustrating the drawings. In other words, the Z-axis is not necessarily an axis along the vertical direction, and the X-axis and Y-axis are not necessarily located within a horizontal plane.

[0012] In addition, multiple inventions may be collectively described below as one embodiment, and some of the content described below may be described as optional components related to the present disclosure.

[0013] Furthermore, the flowchart is an example, and even if the process flow is different, such as the order of processes being different, multiple processes being integrated, or one process being separated, it is included in the embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0014] (Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 is a simplified side view of a hypochlorous acid release device 200 according to this embodiment. The hypochlorous acid release device 200 is a device that releases hypochlorous acid from hypochlorous acid water in a storage tank 210 into a space to sterilize the space. In this embodiment, the hypochlorous acid release device 200 also has the function of deodorizing the space by introducing odors and the like into the hypochlorous acid water along with the air in the space. The space is intended to be a closed space such as an indoor space of a building. Specific examples of the space include a living space in an ordinary home or an indoor space in a hospital or nursing home. The space does not have to be completely closed and may be connected to the outdoors. The space may be not only a space inside a building, but also a space inside a moving object such as a train or automobile.

[0015] Hypochlorous acid water has disinfecting and deodorizing effects. Specifically, hypochlorous acid water has an oxidizing effect, and disinfects by decomposing airborne bacteria in the air and bacteria attached to objects through oxidation. Hypochlorous acid water also deodorizes by oxidizing odors absorbed into the hypochlorous acid water. Note that the term "disinfection" is used for convenience in this specification and claims, and includes the meaning of "sterilization" and the like. Furthermore, "bacteria" is described as including viruses, mold, and the like.

[0016] 1, the hypochlorous acid release device 200 includes a storage tank 210, a release means 240, and a main control device 250. In this embodiment, the hypochlorous acid release device 200 includes a supply device 230 and a hypochlorous acid concentration measuring device 100, and can generate hypochlorous acid by operating the supply device 230 for a predetermined period of time (during generation), and releases the hypochlorous acid into the space by the release means 240 (during decay).

[0017] The storage tank 210 is a container for storing hypochlorous acid water. The method for supplying hypochlorous acid water into the storage tank 210 is not limited. For example, hypochlorous acid water generated outside the storage tank 210 may be supplied to the storage tank 210. In the case of the present embodiment, water and salt are supplied into the storage tank 210, and hypochlorous acid water is generated in the storage tank 210 by electrolysis. Electrolysis by the supply device 230 will be described later.

[0018] The release means 240 is a device that releases hypochlorous acid into space from the storage tank 210 in which the hypochlorous acid water is stored. In this embodiment, the release means 240 also functions as an aeration device that introduces air (including odors) from the space into the hypochlorous acid water in the storage tank 210. The type of release means 240 is not limited. For example, a method can be exemplified in which ultrasonic waves are applied to the hypochlorous acid water to release microparticles of hypochlorous acid water into space. In this embodiment, the release means 240 includes a conveying member 241 that lifts the hypochlorous acid water above the liquid surface of the hypochlorous acid water, and a blower 242 that blows air onto at least one of the conveying member 241 and the liquid surface of the hypochlorous acid water.

[0019] The transport member 241 is a cylindrical member that can hold hypochlorous acid water in an impregnated state and is rotated around the tube axis (left and right in FIG. 1) by a motor (not shown). The transport member 241 is arranged with part of its periphery immersed in the hypochlorous acid water stored in the storage tank 210. As the transport member 241 rotates, parts of its periphery are gradually lifted from the liquid surface, thereby lifting the hypochlorous acid water above the liquid surface. The hypochlorous acid is released into the air by passing air through the hypochlorous acid water that has been lifted above the liquid surface using the blower 242. The hypochlorous acid diffused in the air comes into contact with bacteria (including viruses, mold, etc.), thereby sterilizing the space (including inactivating viruses, mold, etc.).

[0020] In addition, air dissolves in the hypochlorous acid water lifted by the release means 240 along with odors such as ammonia. In addition, when air blown by the blower 242 directly hits the hypochlorous acid water, the air may dissolve along with the odor. When the odor dissolves in the hypochlorous acid water in the storage tank 210, the odor is broken down by the hypochlorous acid, and the odor in the space is deodorized. Note that bacteria sent into the hypochlorous acid water along with the air are also sterilized by the hypochlorous acid.

[0021] The discharge means 240 is controlled by a discharge means control device (not shown). For example, the discharge means control device can change at least one of the number of rotations per unit time of the conveying member 241 and the number of rotations per unit time (wind strength) of the blower 242.

[0022] 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of main control device 250. Main control device 250 includes a processor, and as processing units realized by causing the processor to execute a program, includes status information acquisition unit 261, concentration information acquisition unit 262, and release amount calculation unit 263. In the present embodiment, main control device 250 includes as processing units amount information acquisition unit 264, reduction amount calculation unit 265, deodorization amount calculation unit 266, notification unit 267, and supply control unit 268.

[0023] The state information acquisition unit 261 acquires state information that is information including at least one of the operating state of the release means 240, the state of the space, and the state of the hypochlorous acid water.

[0024] The operating state of the releasing means 240 includes wind information indicating the force of the wind blown by the blower 242 of the releasing means 240 onto the hypochlorous acid water or the like lifted by the conveying member 241. A specific example of the wind information is the number of rotations per unit time of the motor provided in the blower 242. The operating state of the releasing means 240 may also include the number of rotations per unit time of the conveying member 241.

[0025] The state of the space is information indicating the state of the space in which the hypochlorous acid releasing device 200 is installed. Specifically, the state of the space can be exemplified by at least one of temperature information indicating the temperature of the space and humidity information indicating the humidity of the space. In the case of this embodiment, the hypochlorous acid releasing device 200 is equipped with a room temperature sensor 271 and a humidity sensor 272, and the state information acquisition unit 261 acquires temperature information and humidity information from the room temperature sensor 271 and the humidity sensor 272, respectively. In addition, the state of the space may also include odor concentration indicating the concentration of odor in the space.

[0026] The state of the hypochlorous acid water includes pH information of the hypochlorous acid water in the storage tank 210. The pH information of the hypochlorous acid water may be obtained by, for example, determining the pH based on a sample of the hypochlorous acid water obtained from the storage tank 210 and inputting the obtained result, so that the state information acquisition unit 261 acquires the pH information. Alternatively, the hypochlorous acid release device 200 may be equipped with a pH measuring device, and the state information acquisition unit 261 may acquire the pH information from the pH measuring device.

[0027] The concentration information acquiring unit 262 acquires concentration information indicating the concentration of hypochlorous acid water. The source from which the concentration information acquiring unit 262 acquires the concentration information is not limited. For example, the concentration information acquiring unit 262 may acquire concentration information measured by ultraviolet absorption measurement technology, polarographic measurement technology, or the like. In the present embodiment, the concentration information acquiring unit 262 acquires the concentration information from the hypochlorous acid concentration measuring device 100.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 1, the hypochlorous acid concentration measuring device 100 is a device that measures the concentration of hypochlorous acid stored in a storage tank 210, and includes a measuring means 110 and a measurement control device 120.

[0029] The measuring means 110 is a device that measures conductivity information that indicates the conductivity of the hypochlorous acid water stored in the storage tank 210, and includes a pair of measuring electrodes 111 and an application measuring device 112.

[0030] The measurement electrodes 111 are a pair of conductive members spaced apart in the hypochlorous acid solution stored in the storage tank 210. The shape of the measurement electrodes 111 is not particularly limited, but in this embodiment, they are rectangular plates (strips) and smaller than the electrolysis electrode 220. The pair of measurement electrodes 111 are arranged so that their respective main surfaces face each other. The material of the measurement electrodes 111 is not particularly limited as long as it is a conductive material. The material of the measurement electrodes 111 is not particularly limited, but a corrosion-resistant conductive material is preferred. Specific examples of the material for the measurement electrodes 111 include titanium, titanium alloys, and stainless steel. These materials can be easily processed into the measurement electrodes 111, reducing manufacturing costs. Although the measurement means 110 includes the measurement electrode 111 separate from the electrolysis electrode 220, the electrolysis electrode 220 may also be used as the measurement electrode 111.

[0031] The application / measurement device 112 includes an AC power supply that applies a predetermined AC voltage between the pair of measurement electrodes 111. The application / measurement device 112 measures the liquid resistance between the pair of measurement electrodes 111 as conductivity information. The frequency of the AC voltage that the application / measurement device 112 applies between the pair of measurement electrodes 111 is preferably selected from the range of 1 kHz or higher and 100 kHz or lower. By applying an AC voltage in this relatively high frequency range, the liquid resistance value of the hypochlorous acid water, which is the liquid in the storage tank 210, can be measured without an imaginary term when deriving the liquid resistance value using the AC impedance method. While the application / measurement device 112 includes an AC power supply that applies an AC voltage, the application / measurement device 112 may also include an AC power supply that applies an AC current. In this case, the measurement control device 120 may control the AC current.

[0032] 3 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the measurement control device 120. The measurement control device 120 includes a processor, and as processing units realized by causing the processor to execute a program, includes a measurement information acquisition unit 121, a conversion information acquisition unit 122, and a concentration derivation unit 123. In this embodiment, the measurement control device 120 includes a correction information acquisition unit 126.

[0033] The measurement information acquiring unit 121 acquires the conductivity information from the measuring means 110. The conductivity information acquired from the measuring means 110 is not particularly limited, and may be the conductivity (electrical conductivity) of the hypochlorous acid water, or information from which the conductivity can be derived by calculation. For example, the conductivity information may be the liquid resistance value of the hypochlorous acid water. The measurement information acquiring unit 121 may acquire the liquid resistance value measured by the measurement control device 120 using an AC impedance method, and derive the conductivity by calculating the reciprocal of the acquired liquid resistance value.

[0034] The conversion information acquisition unit 122 acquires conversion information indicating the relationship between hypochlorous acid concentration and electrical conductivity information. When hypochlorous acid is generated from hypochlorous acid water by electrolysis of saltwater, the hypochlorous acid concentration and the electrical conductivity of the water are inversely proportional to each other, as shown in FIG. 4. FIG. 4 is a graph showing the relationship between hypochlorous acid concentration and the electrical conductivity of hypochlorous acid water, and n in FIG. 4 is an integer indicating the number of electrolysis cycles. Specific values ​​of hypochlorous acid concentration and electrical conductivity are omitted. From the above, conversion information at the time of generation showing the relationship between hypochlorous acid concentration and electrical conductivity, as shown in the graph in FIG. 5, can be derived. The conversion information at the time of generation may be expressed as a function or may be stored as digital data such as a table (map). The number of electrolysis cycles for generating hypochlorous acid may be divided into multiple cycles as shown in FIG. 4, because the initial generation of hypochlorous acid requires a hypochlorous acid concentration to be increased from zero to a predetermined hypochlorous acid concentration. In the case where hypochlorous acid in hypochlorous acid water is reduced by sterilization or deodorization described below after hypochlorous acid generation, additional electrolysis is required to replenish the amount of reduced hypochlorous acid, so it may be performed in one electrolysis.

[0035] In this embodiment, the conversion information acquisition unit 122 acquires a function or table stored in the storage device 102 of the measurement control device 120 as conversion information at the time of generation. Note that Fig. 5 shows the conversion information at the time of generation of hypochlorous acid. The vertical axis of the graph shown in Fig. 5 represents the difference in electrical conductivity.

[0036] Furthermore, when hypochlorous acid in hypochlorous acid water decays due to sterilization or deodorization, the hypochlorous acid concentration and the water conductivity are inversely proportional, as shown in FIG. 6. FIG. 6 is a graph showing the relationship between hypochlorous acid concentration and the conductivity of hypochlorous acid water, and m in FIG. 6 is an integer indicating the number of sterilization / deodorization cycles in a given period of time. Specific values ​​for hypochlorous acid concentration and conductivity are omitted. From the above, conversion information showing the relationship between hypochlorous acid concentration and conductivity during decay can be derived, as shown in the graph in FIG. 7. The conversion information may be expressed as a function or stored as digital data such as a table (map).

[0037] In this embodiment, the conversion information acquisition unit 122 also acquires conversion information at the time of decay from a function or table stored in the storage device 102 included in the measurement control device 120. Note that Fig. 7 shows conversion information at the time of decay of hypochlorous acid. The vertical axis of the graph shown in Fig. 7 represents the difference in conductivity.

[0038] The concentration derivation unit 123 derives concentration information indicating the hypochlorous acid concentration based on the conductivity information acquired from the measurement means 110 and the conversion information acquired by the conversion information acquisition unit 122. The concentration derivation unit 123 outputs the derived hypochlorous acid concentration to the main control device 250. Here, the hypochlorous acid concentration means the total concentration of hypochlorous acid and hypochlorite ions.

[0039] For example, the concentration deriving unit 123 derives the difference between two pieces of electrical conductivity information measured before and after one electrolysis run performed for a predetermined time and at a predetermined voltage. The concentration deriving unit 123 derives concentration information indicating the hypochlorous acid concentration from the accumulation of the differences in electrical conductivity based on the conversion information shown in Fig. 5. The derived concentration information is output to the main control device 250 and acquired by the concentration information acquiring unit 262 (see Fig. 2).

[0040] The release amount calculation unit 263 calculates the amount of hypochlorous acid released into the space based on the concentration information acquired by the concentration information acquisition unit 262 and the state information acquired by the state information acquisition unit 261. The method for calculating the release amount is not limited, but in this embodiment, it is calculated based on the following formula 1.

[0041] Emission amount = concentration information * f (state information) Equation 1 (* indicates multiplication. f(state information) is a function that takes as a parameter at least one of the pieces of information included in the state information.)

[0042] It has been found that the release amount can be accurately calculated by including the operating state of the release means 240 in the state information as a parameter of f (state information). In particular, it is believed that wind information indicating the force of the wind blown onto the hypochlorous acid water by the blower 242 contributes to accurate calculation of the release amount. It has also been found that the accuracy of the release amount can be improved by making f (state information) a polynomial with the operating state of the release means 240 and other information included in the state information as parameters.

[0043] When the operating state of the release means 240 in the state information is included in the parameter f (state information), the greater the airflow rate of the wind information, the greater the value of f (state information). Furthermore, when temperature information, which is information indicating the state of the space in the state information, is included in the parameter f (state information), the higher the temperature, the greater the value of f (state information). Furthermore, when humidity information, which is information indicating the state of the space in the state information, is included in the parameter f (state information), the lower the humidity, the greater the value of f (state information). Furthermore, when pH information, which is information indicating the state of the hypochlorous acid water in the state information, is included in the parameter f (state information), the lower the pH, the greater the value of f (state information). By including more state information in the parameter f (state information), the accuracy of calculating the release amount can be improved.

[0044] The quantity information acquisition unit 264 acquires quantity information indicating the amount of hypochlorous acid water in the storage tank 210. The source from which the quantity information is acquired is not limited, but in the present embodiment, the quantity information acquisition unit 264 acquires the quantity information based on information from a water level sensor 280 provided in the storage tank 210.

[0045] The reduction amount calculation unit 265 calculates the reduced amount of hypochlorous acid, which is the amount of hypochlorous acid reduced in the hypochlorous acid water, based on the concentration information acquired by the concentration information acquisition unit 262 and the amount information acquired by the amount information acquisition unit 264. For example, the reduction amount calculation unit 265 stores the amount of hypochlorous acid obtained by multiplying the concentration information acquired multiple times by the concentration information acquisition unit 262 by the amount information at the time the concentration information was acquired, over time, and calculates the reduced amount of hypochlorous acid from the difference between the amounts of hypochlorous acid acquired at different times. Note that the reduced amount of hypochlorous acid calculated by the reduction amount calculation unit 265 includes the amount of hypochlorous acid released into the space by the release means 240 (which contributed to sterilizing the space) and the amount of hypochlorous acid used to decompose odors in the storage tank 210 (which contributed to deodorization).

[0046] The deodorization amount calculation unit 266 calculates the deodorization amount based on the amount of hypochlorous acid used to deodorize the space in the hypochlorous acid water in the storage tank 210, the decreased amount of hypochlorous acid calculated by the decreased amount calculation unit 265, and the released amount calculated by the released amount calculation unit 263. The method for calculating the deodorization amount is not limited, but in this embodiment, it is calculated based on the following formula 2.

[0047] Deodorization amount = Reduced amount of hypochlorous acid - Release amount... Formula 2 (- indicates subtraction.)

[0048] Notification unit 267 notifies release amount information regarding the release amount calculated by release amount calculation unit 263. In the present embodiment, notification unit 267 also notifies deodorization amount information regarding the deodorization amount calculated by deodorization amount calculation unit 266. The notification method of notification unit 267 is not limited, and notification may be made by a change in color, pattern, text, or the like using a display device including an indicator. Notification may also be made by sound using a speaker or the like. Notification may also be made by outputting at least one of the release amount information and the deodorization amount information to a terminal device via communication or the like.

[0049] The supply device 230 shown in FIG. 1 is a device that supplies hypochlorous acid to the storage tank 210. The method by which the supply device 230 supplies hypochlorous acid to the storage tank 210 is not limited. For example, hypochlorous acid may be supplied to the storage tank 210 by supplying hypochlorous acid water from a container in which hypochlorous acid water of a predetermined concentration is sealed. Alternatively, an electrolytic cell separate from the storage tank 210 may be provided, and hypochlorous acid water obtained by electrolyzing water in which salt is dissolved in the electrolytic cell may be supplied to the storage tank 210. The amount of hypochlorous acid water supplied to the storage tank 210 may be controlled using a flow meter or the like. In this embodiment, the supply device 230 is provided in the storage tank 210, and uses a pair of electrolysis electrodes 220 to electrolyze chlorine-containing water in the storage tank 210 to supply hypochlorous acid.

[0050] The electrolysis electrodes 220 are a pair of conductive components inserted into the chlorine-containing water stored in the storage tank 210. The shape of the electrolysis electrodes 220 is not particularly limited, but in this embodiment, they are rectangular plates (strips). The pair of electrolysis electrodes 220 are arranged so that their respective principal surfaces (the surfaces with the largest areas) face each other. The material of the electrolysis electrodes 220 is not particularly limited as long as it is a conductive material. For example, the electrolysis electrodes 220 may be configured such that a catalyst layer is coated on the surface of a conductive substrate. Examples of the conductive substrate include simple metals such as titanium, iron, copper, niobium, and tantalum, or alloys thereof. Considering ease of processing during manufacturing and manufacturing costs, titanium or a titanium alloy is preferred as the material for the conductive substrate. Examples of the catalyst layer include catalysts containing platinum or iridium. Other compounds contained in the catalyst layer may be in any metallic state, such as metals, alloys, or metal oxides, including, for example, lead, gold, nickel, copper, silver, iron, palladium, ruthenium, rhodium, and carbon.

[0051] The power supply device 231 is a DC power supply device that applies a predetermined DC voltage between the pair of electrolytic electrodes 220. Under the control of the main control device 250, the power supply device 231 selects whether or not to apply a voltage to the pair of electrolytic electrodes 220, that is, whether or not to turn on or off the application of a voltage to the pair of electrolytic electrodes 220.

[0052] 2 controls the supply device 230 based on the release amount calculated by the release amount calculation unit 263. The supply control unit 268 controls the power supply device 231 of the supply device 230 to perform electrolysis multiple times for a predetermined period of time at predetermined timings after water and salt are poured into the empty storage tank 210 until the next time the storage tank 210 is emptied. The predetermined timings may be, for example, at predetermined intervals or at the timing when the release amount calculation unit 263 calculates the release amount.

[0053] For example, when the release amount is greater than the release threshold, the supply control unit 268 may increase at least one of the electrolysis time and the electrolysis frequency in order to increase the amount of hypochlorous acid supplied to the storage tank 210. Furthermore, when the release amount is greater than the release threshold, the supply control unit 268 may increase at least one of the applied voltage and the current supplied by the power supply device 231 in order to increase the amount of hypochlorous acid supplied to the storage tank 210.

[0054] Next, the operation of the hypochlorous acid release device 200 will be described. Figure 8 is a flowchart showing the operation of the hypochlorous acid release device 200. First, in the present embodiment, the main control device 250 included in the supply device 230 confirms the full water state by supplying saltwater until the conveying member 241 is immersed up to a predetermined position based on quantity information from the water level sensor 280 installed in the storage tank 210 (S101). After confirming that the storage tank is full, the main control device 250 operates the power supply device 231 under the conditions for the initial hypochlorous acid water generation, and generates and supplies the predetermined hypochlorous acid water using the pair of electrolytic electrodes 220 (S102).

[0055] After the supply device 230 supplies a predetermined amount of hypochlorous acid water, the release means 240 is operated to sterilize and deodorize the space (S103). After a predetermined time has passed, the measurement control device 120 measures the concentration of hypochlorous acid water in the storage tank 210 (S104). The main control device 250 acquires status information from the status information acquisition unit 261, concentration information from the concentration information acquisition unit 262, and amount information from the amount information acquisition unit 264 (S105). The release amount calculation unit 263 calculates the release amount based on the various information acquired in S105 (S106). The reduction amount calculation unit 265 calculates the reduced amount of hypochlorous acid, which is the amount of hypochlorous acid reduced in the hypochlorous acid water, based on the various information acquired in S105 (S107). The deodorization amount calculation unit 266 calculates the deodorization amount based on the various information acquired in S105 to S107 (S108). The notification unit 267 notifies the user of the amount of bacteria that can be eliminated in the space and the amount of odor that can be decomposed and deodorized depending on the operating state of the hypochlorous acid release device 200, based on the received release amount information or deodorization amount information (S109).

[0056] After the series of processes (S103 to S109) are completed, if the release amount exceeds the release threshold (S110, Yes), the supply control unit 268 determines that the sterilization of the space related to the release amount is possible to a predetermined extent or more, and repeats sterilization and deodorization for a predetermined period of time. If the release amount is less than the release threshold (S110, No), the release means control device sets the release conditions and electrolysis conditions to change or maintain the balance between the release amount and the deodorization amount based on the calculated release amount and deodorization amount (S111). For example, if the sterilization amount of the space is insufficient, the release conditions are changed to release more hypochlorous acid into the space. In other words, if the release amount is large, control is performed to increase the amount of hypochlorous acid in the storage tank 210. For example, to increase the amount of hypochlorous acid, at least one of the electrolysis time and frequency by the electrolysis electrode 220, the applied voltage by the power supply device 231, and the current is increased. This improves the sterilization effect of the space.

[0057] Furthermore, if there is a strong odor in the space, the release conditions are changed to supply a large amount of odor to the hypochlorous acid water in the storage tank 210. In other words, if the deodorization amount is large, the rotation speed per unit time of the blower 242 is increased. This enhances the deodorization effect of the space. In addition, to increase the amount of hypochlorous acid in the storage tank 210 (to suppress a decrease in the amount of hypochlorous acid in the storage tank 210), at least one of the electrolysis time by the electrolysis electrode 220, the electrolysis frequency, the applied voltage by the power supply device 231, and the current flowing through the power supply device 231 may be increased. If an end signal is received while these processes are being executed, in this embodiment, the operation of the hypochlorous acid release device 200 is terminated after sterilization and deodorization of the space for a predetermined time. The end operation of the hypochlorous acid release device 200 is an example and is not limited thereto.

[0058] (Embodiment 2) As the second embodiment, an embodiment of a hypochlorous acid release device 200 capable of estimating the spatial concentration of hypochlorous acid will be described. Note that the same reference numerals will be used to designate parts (portions) having the same action, function, shape, mechanism, and structure as those in the first embodiment, and the description thereof may be omitted. In addition, the following description will focus on the differences from the first embodiment, and the description of the same contents may be omitted.

[0059] 9 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of main control device 250 according to embodiment 2. In this embodiment, main control device 250 further includes an attained concentration derivation unit 291 and a spatial concentration derivation unit 292 as processing units realized by causing a processor to execute a program.

[0060] The attained concentration deriving unit 291 derives the attained concentration, which is the attainable concentration of hypochlorous acid in the space where the hypochlorous acid release device 200 is installed, based on the concentration information acquired by the concentration information acquiring unit 262 from the hypochlorous acid concentration measuring device 100. For example, the attained concentration can be calculated based on the following formula 3.

[0061] Achieved concentration = concentration information *k1...Equation 3 k1 is a coefficient determined by experiment based on the pH information of the hypochlorous acid water, which is one piece of state information, and the water temperature of the hypochlorous acid water in the storage tank 210, which is also one piece of state information. For example, k1 can be calculated based on the following formula 4.

[0062] k1 = HClO ratio * vapor-liquid equilibrium ratio Equation 4 The HClO ratio is the proportion of HClO in the concentration information (the combined concentration of HClO and ClO ions) and depends on the pH of the hypochlorous acid water. Specifically, the HClO ratio can be calculated using the following formula 5.

[0063] HClO ratio = 1 / (1+10^(pH-7.5376))...Equation 5 (^ indicates exponentiation, / indicates division, and 7.5376 is the divergence multiplier)

[0064] The gas-liquid equilibrium ratio is the ratio of the HClO concentration in the storage tank 210 to the spatial concentration of HClO when the concentration of hypochlorous acid in the space is saturated (attained concentration). This can be considered to be the same as the relative humidity in the space being stabilized under a predetermined temperature condition. As a specific value, the gas-liquid equilibrium ratio can be exemplified as 0.01.

[0065] The space concentration deriving unit 292 derives the space concentration, which is the concentration of hypochlorous acid in space, based on the amount of released hypochlorous acid and the reached concentration derived by the reached concentration deriving unit 291. The space concentration can be derived based on the following formula 6.

[0066] Spatial concentration = achieved concentration - concentration information * f (state information) / k2 Equation 6 k2 is a coefficient determined by the volatilization efficiency of hypochlorous acid based on wind information indicating the force of the wind blown by the blower 242 of the release means 240. The smaller the wind information, the higher the volatilization efficiency. Also, the larger the wind information, the higher the value of wind information * volatilization efficiency, but the value of wind information * volatilization efficiency saturates at a certain level. Note that the volatilization efficiency is also affected by the water temperature of the hypochlorous acid water in the storage tank 210.

[0067] The above formula 6 is derived based on the following formula 7.

[0068] (attained concentration - spatial concentration) * k2 = concentration information * f (state information) Equation 7 The left side is the amount of hypochlorous acid released, and the right side is the amount of release estimated from the concentration information. This is based on the following findings by the inventors. As hypochlorous acid is released, water evaporates and the absolute humidity of the space increases. Therefore, the concentration of hypochlorous acid in the space is positively correlated with the increase in absolute humidity of the space. Furthermore, the amount of hypochlorous acid released decreases as the concentration of hypochlorous acid in the space increases. For these reasons, when the absolute humidity decreases (high temperature, low humidity, etc.), f (state information) becomes larger and the amount of hypochlorous acid released increases.

[0069] In this embodiment, the supply control unit 268 controls the supply device 230 based on the spatial concentration derived by the spatial concentration derivation unit 292. For example, when the spatial concentration is lower than the spatial concentration threshold, the supply control unit 268 may increase at least one of the electrolysis time and the electrolysis frequency in order to increase the amount of hypochlorous acid supplied to the storage tank 210. Furthermore, when the spatial concentration is lower than the spatial concentration threshold, the supply control unit 268 may increase at least one of the applied voltage and the current supplied by the power supply device 231 in order to increase the amount of hypochlorous acid supplied to the storage tank 210.

[0070] Furthermore, since the concentration information *k1 determines the ultimate concentration for the concentration information in the storage tank 210, the hypochlorous acid concentration in the space can be controlled by adjusting the hypochlorous acid water concentration in the storage tank 210 so that it reaches the desired hypochlorous acid concentration in the space. Furthermore, when the hypochlorous acid concentration in the space is determined as the sterilization effect CT value by user settings, feedback control may be performed so that the concentration information in the storage tank 210 determined from the determined hypochlorous acid concentration in the space is constant. When the user settings are changed, the hypochlorous acid water concentration in the storage tank 210 is controlled by controlling the supply of the hypochlorous acid water concentration and water volume supplied to the storage tank 210. Accordingly, the hypochlorous acid concentration in the space is also controlled.

[0071] Furthermore, when the state information acquisition unit 261 acquires, based on the odor sensor 275, an odor concentration in the space that is deodorizable by hypochlorous acid water and is less than the odor threshold as state information, the spatial concentration derivation unit 292 may derive the spatial concentration as the released amount of hypochlorous acid, using the decreased amount of hypochlorous acid calculated by the decrease amount calculation unit 265. In this case, the spatial concentration can be derived based on the following formula 8.

[0072] Spatial concentration = Achieved concentration - Decreased amount of hypochlorous acid *k3 / k2...Equation 8 k3 is a coefficient determined by the amount of hypochlorous acid water in the storage tank 210.

[0073] In the present embodiment, the notification unit 267 may notify the spatial concentration derived by the spatial concentration derivation unit 292.

[0074] Next, the operation of the hypochlorous acid release device 200 according to this embodiment will be described. Figure 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of the hypochlorous acid release device 200 according to embodiment 2. Note that the same processes as those in embodiment 1 are given the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0075] The processes in steps S101-S105 are the same as those in the first embodiment. Main control device 250 acquires status information from status information acquisition unit 261, concentration information from concentration information acquisition unit 262, and quantity information from quantity information acquisition unit 264 (S105). Space concentration derivation unit 292 determines whether the odor concentration, which is one piece of status information, is equal to or lower than the odor threshold (S201). If the odor concentration is equal to or lower than the odor threshold (Yes in S201), attained concentration derivation unit 291 derives the attained concentration, which is the attainable concentration of hypochlorous acid in the space, based on the concentration information (S202). Next, the decreased amount of hypochlorous acid calculated by decrease amount calculation unit 265 (S107) is set as the release amount of hypochlorous acid, and space concentration derivation unit 292 derives the space concentration, which is the concentration of hypochlorous acid in the space, based on the release amount of hypochlorous acid and the attained concentration (S203).

[0076] On the other hand, if the odor concentration is greater than the odor threshold (S201, No), the attained concentration deriving unit 291 derives the attained concentration, which is the attainable concentration of hypochlorous acid in the space, based on the concentration information (S202). Next, the release amount calculating unit 263 calculates the release amount of hypochlorous acid (S106), and the decrease amount calculating unit 265 calculates the decreased amount of hypochlorous acid (S107). The space concentration deriving unit 292 derives the space concentration, which is the concentration of hypochlorous acid in the space, based on the release amount of hypochlorous acid and the attained concentration (S203).

[0077] If the spatial concentration is equal to or greater than the spatial concentration threshold (S204, Yes), the supply control unit 268 determines that the sterilization of the space is possible to a predetermined degree or more, and repeats sterilization and deodorization for a predetermined time.If the spatial concentration is less than the spatial concentration threshold (S204, No), the supply control unit 268 causes the release means control device to set the release conditions and electrolysis conditions so that the spatial concentration increases (S111).

[0078] It should be noted that the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments. For example, the present disclosure may be embodied in another embodiment realized by any combination of the components described in this specification or by excluding some of the components. Furthermore, the present disclosure also includes modifications obtained by applying various modifications to the above-described embodiments that would occur to a person skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure, i.e., the meaning of the wording of the claims.

[0079] For example, implementing a program corresponding to each process executed by main control device 250 also falls within the scope of the present disclosure. Of course, implementing a recording medium on which the program is recorded also falls within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0080] In addition, although the hypochlorous acid concentration is derived using the difference in the liquid resistance value (electrical conductivity) in the above description, the hypochlorous acid concentration may be derived from the liquid resistance value (electrical conductivity) without using the difference.

[0081] Furthermore, although the main control device 250 and the measurement control device 120 have been described as separate entities, they may be integrated into one unit. In other words, each processing unit of the main control device 250 and each processing unit of the measurement control device 120 may be realized by having a single processor execute a program.

[0082] Furthermore, the conversion information, correction information, etc. may not be stored in the storage device 102 of the measurement control device 120, but may be acquired via communication over a network or the like.

[0083] Moreover, the hypochlorous acid releasing device 200 may not be provided with the odor sensor 275 and may acquire the odor concentration from an external device such as an air conditioner. Moreover, the hypochlorous acid releasing device 200 may acquire odor information (odor concentration) input by the user to an input device or the like.

[0084] Furthermore, main control device 250 may include emission amount calculation section 263 and deodorization amount calculation section 266 as shown in FIG.

[0085] (summary) The hypochlorous acid release device 200 of the first embodiment is a hypochlorous acid release device 200 comprising a storage tank 210 for storing hypochlorous acid water, and a release means 240 for releasing hypochlorous acid from the storage tank 210 into a space, and is provided with a status information acquisition unit 261 for acquiring status information which is information including at least one of the operating status of the release means 240, the status of the space, and the status of the hypochlorous acid water, a concentration information acquisition unit 262 for acquiring concentration information indicating the concentration of the hypochlorous acid water, and a release amount calculation unit 263 for calculating the amount of hypochlorous acid released into the space based on the concentration information and the status information.

[0086] According to the first aspect, it is possible to accurately grasp the amount of released hypochlorous acid that can contribute to sterilization of the space.

[0087] The hypochlorous acid release device 200 of the second embodiment includes the first embodiment, and the status information includes at least one of wind information indicating the force of the wind blown by the release means 240 onto the hypochlorous acid water, temperature information indicating the temperature of the space, humidity information indicating the humidity of the space, and pH information indicating the pH of the hypochlorous acid water.

[0088] According to the second aspect, by using these state information to calculate the release amount, it is possible to improve the accuracy of the calculated release amount.

[0089] The hypochlorous acid release device 200 of the third embodiment includes the first embodiment or the second embodiment, and is provided with a supply device 230 that supplies hypochlorous acid to the storage tank 210, and a supply control unit 268 that controls the supply device 230 based on the calculated release amount.

[0090] According to the third aspect, hypochlorous acid can be supplied to the storage tank 210 in accordance with the release amount, and sterilization of the space can be stably carried out.

[0091] The hypochlorous acid release device 200 of the fourth embodiment includes any of the first to third embodiments, and is equipped with a quantity information acquisition unit 264 that acquires quantity information indicating the amount of hypochlorous acid water in the storage tank 210, a reduction amount calculation unit 265 that calculates a reduced hypochlorous acid amount, which is the amount of hypochlorous acid reduced in the hypochlorous acid water, based on the concentration information and the quantity information, and a deodorization amount calculation unit 266 that calculates the amount of hypochlorous acid used in the hypochlorous acid water to deodorize the space as a deodorization amount based on the reduced hypochlorous acid amount calculated by the reduction amount calculation unit 265 and the release amount.

[0092] According to the fourth aspect, it is possible to grasp the amount of hypochlorous acid used for deodorization in hypochlorous acid water, which makes it possible to quantitatively grasp the amount of odor in a space, that is, the odor in the space.

[0093] In addition, by comparing the amount of deodorization with the amount of release, if the amount of deodorization is large, it becomes possible to appropriately control the hypochlorous acid release device 200, such as by increasing the air volume of the blower 242 to improve the sterilization strength of the space.

[0094] The hypochlorous acid release device 200 of the fifth aspect includes any of the first to fourth aspects, and is provided with a notification unit 267 that notifies release amount information regarding the release amount.

[0095] According to the fifth aspect, the status of the space sterilization being performed by the hypochlorous acid release device 200 can be notified to the user or the like.

[0096] The hypochlorous acid release device 200 of the sixth aspect includes any of the first to fifth aspects, and is equipped with an attainment concentration derivation unit 291 that derives an attainment concentration, which is the concentration that hypochlorous acid can reach in space, based on concentration information, and a space concentration derivation unit 292 that derives a space concentration, which is the concentration of hypochlorous acid in space, based on the release amount of hypochlorous acid and the attainment concentration.

[0097] According to the sixth aspect, the spatial concentration of hypochlorous acid that can contribute to sterilization of the space can be accurately determined without using a dedicated hypochlorous acid gas measuring device. Therefore, it is possible to accurately determine the sterilization effect in the space for a long period of time at low cost without having to consider the deterioration of the dedicated sensor.

[0098] The hypochlorous acid release device 200 of the seventh embodiment includes the sixth embodiment and is provided with a supply device 230 that supplies hypochlorous acid to the storage tank 210, and a supply control unit 268 that controls the supply device 230 based on the derived spatial concentration.

[0099] According to the seventh aspect, hypochlorous acid can be supplied to the storage tank 210 in accordance with the spatial concentration, and sterilization of the space can be stably carried out.

[0100] The hypochlorous acid release device 200 of the eighth aspect includes the sixth aspect or the seventh aspect, and is equipped with a quantity information acquisition unit 264 that acquires quantity information indicating the amount of hypochlorous acid water in the storage tank 210, and a reduction amount calculation unit 265 that calculates a reduced hypochlorous acid amount, which is the amount of hypochlorous acid reduced in hypochlorous acid water, based on the concentration information and the quantity information. When the status information acquisition unit 261 acquires, as status information, an odor concentration in a space that can be deodorized by hypochlorous acid water and is less than the odor threshold, the spatial concentration derivation unit 292 derives the spatial concentration from the reduced hypochlorous acid amount as the release amount of hypochlorous acid.

[0101] In the method of calculating the release amount using concentration information * f (status information), when the initial absolute humidity in the space is high, the release of hypochlorous acid proceeds smoothly, but water evaporation is difficult to occur. Therefore, the f (status information) based on the change information of absolute humidity is greatly affected by the value of the initial absolute humidity, so although it is not affected by the deodorization amount, the accuracy of the release amount itself may be deteriorated depending on the state of the space. The inventor has found a problem. According to the eighth aspect, the space concentration can be derived by using the decreased amount of hypochlorous acid as the release amount of hypochlorous acid, so it is possible to accurately calculate the space concentration without being affected by the above problem. In addition, according to the eighth aspect, the space concentration can be grasped without deriving the reached concentration, and the number of processes by the computer can be reduced. [Industrial Applicability]

[0102] The hypochlorous acid release device according to the present disclosure can be used, for example, as an air purification device. [Explanation of symbols]

[0103] 100 Hypochlorous acid concentration measuring device 102 Storage device 110 Measurement means 111 Measuring electrode 112 Applied measurement device 120 Measurement control device 121 Measurement information acquisition section 122 Conversion information acquisition unit 123 Concentration derivation section 126 Correction information acquisition unit 200 Hypochlorous Acid Release Device 210 Reservoir 220 Electrolytic electrode 230 Feeding device 231 Power Supply 240 Means of release 241 Transporting member 242 Blower 250 Main Control Unit 261 Status Information Acquisition Unit 262 Concentration information acquisition unit 263 Emission Calculation Unit 264 Quantity information acquisition part 265 Decrease amount calculation section 266 Deodorization amount calculation unit 267 Information Department 268 Supply control section 271 Room Temperature Sensor 272 Humidity Sensor 273 pH sensor 274 Water temperature sensor 275 Odor Sensor 280 Water Level Sensor 291 Achieved concentration derivation section 292 Spatial concentration derivation part

Claims

1. A hypochlorous acid release device comprising: a storage tank for storing hypochlorous acid water; and a release means for releasing hypochlorous acid from the storage tank into space. A status information acquisition unit that acquires status information that includes at least one of the operating status of the release means, the status of the space, and the status of the hypochlorous acid water; A concentration information acquisition unit that acquires concentration information indicating the concentration of the hypochlorous acid water; A release amount calculation unit that calculates the release amount of hypochlorous acid into the space based on the concentration information and the state information; A hypochlorous acid releasing device comprising:

2. The status information includes at least one of wind information indicating the force of the wind blown onto the hypochlorous acid water by the release means, temperature information indicating the temperature of the space, humidity information indicating the humidity of the space, and pH information indicating the pH of the hypochlorous acid water. The hypochlorous acid release device according to claim 1.

3. A supply device that supplies hypochlorous acid to the storage tank; a supply control unit that controls the supply device based on the calculated release amount; The hypochlorous acid release device according to claim 1 or 2, comprising:

4. A quantity information acquisition unit that acquires quantity information indicating the amount of hypochlorous acid water in the storage tank; A reduction amount calculation unit that calculates a reduced amount of hypochlorous acid, which is the amount of hypochlorous acid reduced in the hypochlorous acid water, based on the concentration information and the amount information; A deodorization amount calculation unit calculates the amount of hypochlorous acid used in the hypochlorous acid water to deodorize the space based on the reduced amount of hypochlorous acid calculated by the reduced amount calculation unit and the released amount; The hypochlorous acid release device according to claim 1 or 2, comprising:

5. a notification unit that notifies release amount information regarding the release amount; The hypochlorous acid release device according to claim 1.

6. An attainment concentration deriving unit that derives an attainment concentration, which is a reachable concentration of hypochlorous acid in the space, based on the concentration information; A space concentration deriving unit that derives a space concentration, which is the concentration of hypochlorous acid in the space, based on the release amount of hypochlorous acid and the reached concentration; The hypochlorous acid releasing device according to claim 1, comprising:

7. A supply device that supplies hypochlorous acid to the storage tank; a supply control unit that controls the supply device based on the derived spatial concentration; The hypochlorous acid releasing device according to claim 6, comprising:

8. A quantity information acquisition unit that acquires quantity information indicating the amount of hypochlorous acid water in the storage tank; A reduction amount calculation unit that calculates a reduced amount of hypochlorous acid, which is the amount of hypochlorous acid reduced in the hypochlorous acid water, based on the concentration information and the amount information, The state information acquisition unit When the odor concentration in the space that can be deodorized by hypochlorous acid water and is less than the odor threshold is acquired as the status information, The spatial concentration derivation unit The reduced amount of hypochlorous acid is used to derive the spatial concentration as the amount of released hypochlorous acid. The hypochlorous acid release device according to claim 6.

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