Air treatment device

Abstract

To provide an air treatment device capable of properly securing air treatment performance.SOLUTION: The air treatment device includes a base assembly, an air treatment unit, and an axial fan. The base assembly includes a housing in which an introduction port and a discharge port are formed, and forms a facing surface that faces the discharge port with a discharge-side space interposed therebetween inside the housing. The air treatment unit performs air treatment in a treatment space between the introduction port and the discharge side space. The axial fan is disposed in the discharge side space with a gap equal to or larger than the 35mm between the axial fan and the facing surface, and the axial fan discharges the sucked air toward the discharge port, so that an air flow from the introduction port toward the discharge port through the processing space and the discharge side space is formed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] FIELD OF THE INVENTION An embodiment of the present invention relates to an air treatment device. [Background technology]

[0002] Air treatment devices are used that introduce air into a housing and perform air treatment such as sterilization on the introduced air. In such air treatment devices, air is introduced into the housing from an external environmental space through an inlet. Then, inside the housing, the introduced air is treated using ultraviolet light, ozone, or the like. The treated air is then discharged to the external environmental space through an outlet. In addition, in the air treatment device, a fan is provided inside the housing, and by operating the fan, an air flow is formed inside the housing from the inlet to the outlet.

[0003] In the air treatment device described above, it is required to ensure appropriate air treatment performance, such as sterilization performance, etc. For example, it is required to prevent air immediately after being discharged into the environmental space through the exhaust port from being introduced into the housing through the inlet port, thereby allowing the treated air to flow appropriately in the environmental space. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-51137 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an air treatment device that can appropriately ensure air treatment performance. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] According to one embodiment, the air treatment device includes a base assembly, an air treatment unit, and an axial fan. The base assembly includes a housing having an air inlet and an air outlet, and an air outlet-side space that opens to the outside through the outlet. The housing also includes a facing surface that faces the outlet across the outlet-side space. The air treatment unit processes the introduced air in a treatment space between the inlet and the outlet-side space within the housing. The axial fan is disposed in the discharge-side space with a gap of 35 mm or more between the facing surface and the axial fan. When the axial fan is activated, it discharges the drawn air toward the outlet, creating an air flow inside the housing that passes through the treatment space and the outlet-side space and flows from the inlet to the outlet. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an air treatment device that can appropriately ensure air treatment performance. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of an air treatment device according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the example air treatment device of FIG. 1, with the top wall of the housing omitted. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the example of the air treatment device of FIG. 1, taken along a cross section perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the height direction. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the example of the air treatment device of FIG. 1, taken along a cross section perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the depth direction. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the inlet frame, the inlet port, and the surrounding structures in the example of the air treatment device of FIG. 1, cut along a cross section perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the depth direction. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the discharge side frame, the discharge port, and the configuration in the vicinity thereof in the example of the air treatment device of FIG. 1, cut along a cross section perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the depth direction. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating a test performed in verification related to the embodiment and the like. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing, in the form of a table, the results of wind speed measurements in tests conducted in verification related to the embodiments and the like. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing a graph of the measurement results of wind speed in a test in verification related to the embodiment and the like. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The air treatment device (1) of this embodiment includes a base assembly (2), an air treatment unit (31), and an axial flow fan (25). The base assembly (2) includes a housing (3) in which an air inlet (17) and an outlet (18) are formed, and an air discharge-side space (16) for the air is open to the outside through the outlet (18). The base assembly (2) also includes an opposing surface (62) inside the housing (3) that faces the outlet (18) with the discharge-side space (16) sandwiched therebetween. The air treatment unit (31) performs air treatment on the introduced air in a treatment space (13) between the inlet (17) and the discharge-side space (16) inside the housing (3). The axial flow fan (25) is disposed in the discharge-side space (16) with a gap of 35 mm or more between it and the opposing surface (62). When the axial flow fan (25) is activated, it draws in air and discharges it toward the discharge port (18). This creates an air flow inside the housing (3) that passes through the treatment space (13) and the discharge-side space (16) from the inlet port (17) toward the discharge port (18). This configuration somewhat suppresses the spread of air discharged from the discharge port (18), effectively preventing air immediately after being discharged through the discharge port (18) into the environmental space (22) from being introduced into the housing 3 through the inlet port (17). This ensures proper air treatment performance of the air treatment device (1).

[0010] In the air treatment device (1) of this embodiment, the axial flow fan (25) is arranged in the discharge side space (16) with a gap of 40 mm or more between the axial flow fan (25) and the opposing surface (62). This configuration further suppresses the spread of air discharged from the discharge port (18), and more effectively prevents air immediately after being discharged through the discharge port (18) into the environmental space (22) from being introduced into the housing 3 through the inlet (17). This improves the air treatment performance of the air treatment device (1).

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of an air treatment device 1 according to an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the air treatment device 1 includes a base assembly 2, which includes a housing 3. The housing 3 forms an exterior of the air treatment device 1. The air treatment device 1 (base assembly 2 and housing 3) has a depth direction (the direction indicated by arrows X1 and X2), a width direction (the direction indicated by arrows Y1 and Y2) that intersects (is perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to) the depth direction, and a height direction (the direction indicated by arrows Z1 and Z2) that intersects (is perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to) both the depth and width directions. Furthermore, in the air treatment device 1, one side in the height direction is the lower side (the arrow Z1 side), and the side opposite the lower side in the height direction is the upper side (the arrow Z2 side). In the following description, the lower side will also be referred to as the "front side" or "front surface side," and the upper side will also be referred to as the "rear side" or "rear surface side."

[0013] The housing 3 includes a bottom wall 5, a top wall 6, and a peripheral wall 7, and the interior of the housing 3 is surrounded by the bottom wall 5, the top wall 6, and the peripheral wall 7. The bottom wall 5 covers the interior of the housing 3 from below in the height direction, and the top wall 6 covers the interior of the housing 3 from above in the height direction. The bottom wall 5 and the top wall 6 are disposed facing each other in the height direction, with the interior of the housing 3 sandwiched between them. The peripheral wall 7 extends in the height direction from the bottom wall 5 to the top wall 6, and covers the interior of the housing 3 from the outer periphery. The peripheral wall 7 covers the interior of the housing 3 from the outer periphery around the entire periphery. The peripheral wall 7 may be a plurality of flat peripheral walls 7 as shown in FIG. 1, or a ring-shaped peripheral wall 7 may be disposed.

[0014] Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the example of the air processing device 1 shown in Fig. 1 with the top wall 6 of the housing 3 omitted. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the example of the air processing device 1 shown in Fig. 1 in a cross section perpendicular or nearly perpendicular to the height direction, and Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the example of the air processing device 1 shown in Fig. 1 installed on a wall portion 23 in a cross section perpendicular or nearly perpendicular to the depth direction. Each of Figs. 2 to 4 shows the internal configuration of the housing 3 of the air processing device 1.

[0015] 2 to 4, a treatment box 10, an inlet frame 11, and a discharge frame 12 are arranged inside the housing 3. In the air treatment device 1, the treatment box 10, the inlet frame 11, and the discharge frame 12, together with the housing 3, form a base assembly 2. Therefore, the base assembly 2 includes the treatment box 10, the inlet frame 11, and the discharge frame 12 in addition to the housing 3.

[0016] 2 to 4, the processing box 10, the introduction side frame 11, and the discharge side frame 12 are each connected to the top wall 6 of the housing 3 from below in the height direction. Inside the housing 3, the processing box 10, the introduction side frame 11, and the discharge side frame 12 are arranged side by side in the width direction. The introduction side frame 11 is adjacent to the processing box 10 from one side in the width direction (the side indicated by the arrow Y1), and the discharge side frame 12 is adjacent to the processing box 10 from the side opposite to the side in the width direction where the introduction side frame 11 is adjacent (the side indicated by the arrow Y2).

[0017] In the example air treatment device 1 shown in Figures 2 to 4, a treatment space 13 covered by the treatment box 10 is formed inside the treatment box 10. In addition, in the air treatment device 1, the introduction side frame 11 is formed in a box shape or a substantially box shape, and an introduction side space 15 covered by the introduction side frame 11 is formed inside the introduction side frame 11. The discharge side frame 12 is formed in a box shape or a substantially box shape, and a discharge side space 16 covered by the discharge side frame 12 is formed inside the discharge side frame 12. Inside the housing 3, the discharge side space 16 communicates with the introduction side space 15 via the treatment space 13. In addition, the introduction side space 15 is adjacent to the treatment space 13 from one side in the width direction (the side of arrow Y1), and the discharge side space 16 is adjacent to the treatment space 13 from the side opposite to the side where the introduction side space 15 is adjacent in the width direction.

[0018] Due to the above-described configuration, in the air treatment device 1, an imaginary boundary surface B1 between the treatment space 13 and the introduction-side space 15 is defined at the boundary between the treatment box 10 and the introduction-side frame 11. In addition, in the air treatment device 1, an imaginary boundary surface B2 between the treatment space 13 and the discharge-side space 16 is defined at the boundary between the treatment box 10 and the discharge-side frame 12. In the example shown in Figures 2 to 4, each of the boundary surfaces B1 and B2 is aligned along the height direction and the depth direction, for example, parallel or approximately parallel to the height direction and the depth direction. Furthermore, each of the boundary surfaces B1 and B2 intersects with the width direction, for example, perpendicular or approximately perpendicular to the width direction.

[0019] 1, 3, 4, etc., two openings, an inlet 17 and an outlet 18, are formed in the bottom wall 5 of the housing 3. The inlet 17 and the outlet 18 each open downward in the height direction so as to penetrate the bottom wall 5 in the thickness direction. The inlet 17 and the outlet 18 are spaced apart from each other in the width direction. In the air treatment device 1, the inlet-side space 15 opens to the outside of the housing 3 through the inlet 17, and the outlet-side space 16 opens to the outside of the housing 3 through the outlet 18. Therefore, inside the housing 3, the inlet 17 communicates with the outlet 18 via the inlet-side space 15, the treatment space 13, and the discharge-side space 16 in this order, and the treatment space 13 is formed between the inlet 17 and the discharge-side space 16.

[0020] Each of the inlet 17 and the outlet 18 defines an opening surface. In the example shown in FIGS. 1, 3, and 4, the opening surfaces of the inlet 17 and the outlet 18 are aligned along the width direction and the depth direction, respectively, and are, for example, parallel or substantially parallel to the width direction and the depth direction, respectively. In this embodiment, the opening surface of the inlet 17 and the opening surface of the outlet 18 are parallel and on the same plane. The opening surfaces of the inlet 17 and the outlet 18 intersect with the height direction, and are, for example, perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the height direction. With this configuration, the opening surfaces of the inlet 17 and the outlet 18 are perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the aforementioned imaginary boundary surfaces B1 and B2, respectively, or are inclined. That is, the opening surfaces of the inlet 17 and the outlet 18 are not parallel to the boundary surfaces B1 and B2, respectively.

[0021] Furthermore, a space 21 is formed inside the housing 3. The space 21 is formed outside the processing box 10 (processing space 13), outside the introduction side frame 11 (introduction side space 15), and outside the discharge side frame 12 (discharge side space 16). The processing space 13 is separated from the space 21 by the processing box 10. Furthermore, the introduction side space 15 is separated from the space 21 by the introduction side frame 11, and the discharge side space 16 is separated from the space 21 by the discharge side frame 12.

[0022] As shown in Figure 4 and other figures, the air processing device 1 is installed on a wall 23, such as a ceiling wall, in an environmental space 22, such as a room. The air processing device 1 is installed on the wall 23 with the inlet 17 and the outlet 18 both opening to the environmental space 22. Therefore, the air processing device 1 installed on the wall 23 can introduce air from the environmental space 22 into the interior of the housing 3 through the inlet 17, and can discharge air from the interior of the housing 3 to the environmental space 22 through the outlet 18. In one example, the air processing device 1 is installed on the ceiling wall, which is the wall 23, with its lower side in the height direction coinciding or approximately coinciding with its lower side in the vertical direction.

[0023] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, an axial fan 25 is disposed in the discharge-side space 16 inside the discharge-side frame 12. The axial fan 25 has a central axis C and includes a fan frame 26 and a fan rotating section 27. When the axial fan 25 is operated, the fan rotating section 27 rotates relative to the fan frame 26 around the central axis C. That is, in the axial fan 25, the fan rotating section 27 can rotate around the central axis C (in the circumferential direction of the axial fan 25).

[0024] The axial fan 25 has an axial direction defined by a central axis C. In the example shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 , the axial fan 25 is disposed in the discharge-side space 16 with the axial direction (central axis C) of the axial fan 25 aligned along the height direction of the base assembly 2 (air processing device 1). The central axis C (axial direction) of the axial fan 25 intersects with the opening plane of the discharge port 18, for example, is perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the opening plane of the discharge port 18. The axial fan 25 is disposed in the discharge-side space 16 with the axial fan 25 facing and adjacent to the discharge port 18 from the inside of the housing 3.

[0025] When the axial fan 25 is operated, the axial fan 25 takes in air from one side in the axial direction and discharges the air to the other side in the axial direction. Here, the side of the axial fan 25 that takes in air in the axial direction is referred to as the intake side, inlet side, primary side, etc., and the side that discharges air in the axial direction is referred to as the discharge side, outlet side, secondary side, etc. When the axial fan 25 is operated, a flow of air is formed that passes through the axial fan 25 from the intake side to the discharge side.

[0026] 3 and 4 , the axial fan 25 is disposed in the discharge-side space 16 with the discharge port 18 located on the discharge side of the axial fan 25. That is, the discharge port 18 faces and is adjacent to the axial fan 25 from the discharge side of the axial fan 25. Because the axial fan 25 is disposed in the discharge-side space 16 in the orientation described above, when the axial fan 25 is operated, the axial fan 25 draws air into the discharge-side space 16 from the side opposite to the side where the discharge port 18 is located and discharges the drawn air toward the discharge port 18.

[0027] In the air treatment device 1, by operating the axial flow fan 25 arranged in the discharge side space 16 as described above, an air flow is formed inside the housing 3, passing through the introduction side space 15, the treatment space 13, and the discharge side space 16 in this order, from the introduction port 17 to the discharge port 18. For example, in the air treatment device 1 installed on the wall portion 23 of the environmental space 22, by operating the axial flow fan 25, air is introduced from the environmental space 22 into the introduction side space 15 through the introduction port 17. Then, inside the housing 3, air flows through the introduction side space 15, the treatment space 13, and the discharge side space 16 in this order, and is discharged from the discharge side space 16 through the discharge port 18 into the environmental space 22.

[0028] Furthermore, in the air treatment device 1, an ultraviolet light source 31 is disposed as an air treatment unit in the treatment space 13. The ultraviolet light source 31 includes a light-emitting element. When the ultraviolet light source 31 is activated, ultraviolet light is emitted from the ultraviolet light source 31. The light-emitting element provided in the ultraviolet light source 31 is, for example, an ultraviolet LED. Instead of a light-emitting element, the ultraviolet light source 31 may be a lamp other than an LED, such as a mercury lamp, a metal halide lamp, a fluorescent ultraviolet lamp, or an excimer lamp. The ultraviolet light source 31 emits ultraviolet light in the treatment space 13, and air treatment is performed in the treatment space 13 of the air treatment device 1 using the ultraviolet light emitted from the ultraviolet light source 31.

[0029] In the example shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the ultraviolet light source 31 mainly emits UV-C (ultraviolet light with a wavelength of 200 nm or more and 280 nm or less). In the treatment space 13, the UV-C light is irradiated onto the air from the ultraviolet light source 31, thereby suppressing the activity of viruses and bacteria contained in the air flowing through the treatment space 13. This results in sterilization of the air in the treatment space 13 as air treatment. The air that has been sterilized by the air treatment is then discharged into the environmental space 22 through the discharge port 18. In the example shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the ultraviolet light source 31 is disposed at the end of the treatment space 13 on the side where the inlet space 15 is located. The ultraviolet light source 31 emits ultraviolet light toward the side where the outlet space 16 is located in the width direction of the air treatment device 1.

[0030] In one example, in addition to the ultraviolet light source 31, a photocatalyst module is arranged as an air treatment unit in the treatment space 13. In the photocatalyst module, a photocatalyst is supported on the surface of a base material. In the photocatalyst module, the base material is formed from ceramics such as aluminum oxide and aluminum nitride, and the photocatalyst supported on the base material is formed from metal oxides such as titanium oxide and tungsten oxide.

[0031] When the ultraviolet light source 31 and the photocatalyst module are arranged in the treatment space 13 as an air treatment unit, the ultraviolet light source 31 emits light with a wavelength that excites the photocatalyst provided in the photocatalyst module, such as UV-A (ultraviolet light with a wavelength of 320 nm or more and 400 nm or less). At least a portion of the ultraviolet light emitted from the ultraviolet light source 31 is incident on the photocatalyst module. When UV-A is incident on the photocatalyst module, active oxygen and OH radicals are generated in the photocatalyst module. The generated active oxygen and OH radicals then decompose viruses, fungi (bacteria), odorous substances, and the like contained in the air flowing through the treatment space 13. In this way, air sterilization, deodorization, and the like are performed as air treatment in the treatment space 13.

[0032] In one example, the ultraviolet light source 31 and the photocatalyst module are disposed in the treatment space 13 as an air treatment unit, and both the aforementioned air sterilization using UV-C and the aforementioned air sterilization and deodorization using UV-A and the photocatalyst module are performed as air treatment in the treatment space 13. When air treatment is performed in the treatment space 13 using ultraviolet light from the ultraviolet light source 31, it is preferable that the treatment box 10 covering the treatment space 13 has a higher reflectivity of light such as ultraviolet light than the introduction side frame 11 covering the introduction side space 15 and the discharge side frame 12 covering the discharge side space 16. It is also preferable that the introduction side frame 11 and the discharge side frame 12 each have a higher absorbency of light such as ultraviolet light than the treatment box 10.

[0033] In one example, instead of or in addition to the air treatment using ultraviolet light described above, air treatment using ozone is performed. In this case, an ozone generator is disposed in the treatment space 13. The ozone generator performs air treatment by mixing ozone with the air flowing through the treatment space 13. The air mixed with ozone is then discharged into the environmental space 22 through the exhaust port 18. In this case, the ozone discharged from inside the housing 3 performs at least one of sterilization and deodorization of the air.

[0034] Note that "sterilization" means inactivating viruses and bacteria (bacteria) present in the air, and terms such as "disinfection," "sterilization," and "sterilization" can be used instead of "sterilization." Therefore, although the term "sterilization" is used in the embodiments, the term "sterilization" can be replaced with "sterilization," "sterilization," and "sterilization."

[0035] As described above, in the embodiment, the air introduced into the housing 3 is treated in the treatment space 13 by an air treatment unit including either the ultraviolet light source 31 or the ozone generator. The treated air in the treatment space 13 is then discharged to the outside of the housing 3 through the exhaust port 18.

[0036] 2 and 3, a terminal block 35, an AC / DC converter 33, a DC / DC converter 32, and a control board 36 are arranged in the space 21 inside the housing 3, i.e., the space 21 formed outside the treatment box 10, the inlet frame 11, and the outlet frame 12. Wiring and the like that supplies AC power from an external power source such as a commercial power source to the air treatment device 1 is connected to the terminal block 35.

[0037] The AC / DC converter 33 converts AC power supplied from an external power source into DC power. In the air treatment device 1, the DC power converted by the AC / DC converter 33 is supplied to the axial fan 25 and the control board 36. This causes the axial fan 25 to operate, and also causes the control circuit and the like of the control board 36 to operate. The control circuit and the like of the control board 36 control the operation of the axial fan 25. In addition, the DC / DC converter 32 transforms the DC power converted by the AC / DC converter 33. In the air treatment device 1, the DC power transformed by the DC / DC converter 32 is supplied to the ultraviolet light source 31. This causes the ultraviolet light source 31 to operate.

[0038] FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the introduction frame 11, the introduction port 17, and the surrounding structure of the example air treatment device 1 of FIG. 1, cut along a cross section perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the depth direction. In the example of FIGS. 3 to 5, etc., the introduction frame 11 includes light-shielding frame portions 41 and 51. The light-shielding frame portion (first light-shielding frame portion) 41 is disposed at the introduction port 17 or at a position adjacent to the introduction port 17 from the inside of the housing 3. The light-shielding frame portion 41 is adjacent to the introduction space 15 from the side where the introduction port 17 is located, i.e., from the lower side in the height direction. Furthermore, the light-shielding frame portion (second light-shielding frame portion) 51 is disposed at the boundary between the introduction space 15 and the treatment space 13. The light-shielding frame portion 51 is adjacent to the introduction space 15 from the width side where the treatment space 13 is located.

[0039] In the air treatment device 1, ultraviolet light is blocked by the light-shielding frames 41, 51. The light-shielding frame 51 blocks ultraviolet light traveling from the treatment space 13 to the introduction space 15. The light-shielding frame 41 also blocks ultraviolet light traveling from the introduction space 15 to the outside of the housing 3 through the introduction port 17. This prevents the ultraviolet light used for air treatment in the treatment space 13 from being emitted to the outside of the housing 3 through the introduction port 17. Note that if only air treatment using ozone is performed in the treatment space 13 and air treatment using ultraviolet light is not performed, the light-shielding frames 41, 51 may not be provided.

[0040] The light-shielding frame 41 includes a plurality of light-shielding pieces (first light-shielding pieces) 42. The light-shielding pieces 42 are aligned along the opening surface of the inlet 17. In the example shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, they are aligned along the width direction of the air treatment device 1. Therefore, the arrangement direction of the light-shielding pieces 42 is along the opening surface of the inlet 17 and coincides or substantially coincides with the width direction of the air treatment device 1. Furthermore, each of the light-shielding pieces 42 has a gap between it and an adjacent light-shielding piece 42, and the plurality of light-shielding pieces 42 are aligned with a gap. In one example, the light-shielding pieces 42 are aligned along the opening surface (width direction) of the inlet 17 at a predetermined pitch, and are arranged at equal or substantially equal intervals. Furthermore, each of the light-shielding pieces 42 extends along the depth direction of the air treatment device 1, extending from one end of the inlet 17 to the other end in the depth direction.

[0041] Each of the multiple light-shielding pieces 42 includes an extended plate portion (first extended plate portion) 43 and a protruding plate portion (first protruding plate portion) 45. In each of the light-shielding pieces 42, the extended plate portion 43 and the protruding plate portion 45 extend along the depth direction of the air treatment device 1, extending from one end of the inlet 17 to the other end in the depth direction. In each of the light-shielding pieces 42, the extended plate portion 43 is along the opening surface of the inlet 17, for example, parallel or approximately parallel to the opening surface of the inlet 17. Therefore, the extended plate portion 43 of each of the light-shielding pieces 42 is along the width direction and depth direction of the air treatment device 1, for example, parallel or approximately parallel to the width direction and depth direction of the air treatment device 1. In addition, in the example shown in Figure 5, in each of the light-shielding pieces 42, the extension plate portion 43 extends from edge position Ea1 to edge position Ea2 along the width direction of the air treatment device 1, toward the side away from the treatment space 13.

[0042] In each of the multiple light-blocking pieces 42, the protruding plate portion 45 protrudes from the extending plate portion 43 toward the entrance space 15. Therefore, in each of the light-blocking pieces 42, the protruding plate portion 45 protrudes from the extending plate portion 43 upward in the height direction of the air processing device 1. In the example of FIG. 5 , in each of the light-blocking pieces 42, the protruding plate portion 45 is connected to the extending plate portion 43 at edge position Ea2 and protrudes from the edge position Ea2 of the extending plate portion 43 toward the entrance space 15. In a cross section perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the depth direction of the air processing device 1, the cross section of each of the light-blocking pieces 42 is L-shaped or substantially L-shaped due to the extending plate portion 43 and the protruding plate portion 45. In one example, in each of the light-blocking pieces 42, the protruding plate portion 45 is connected to the extending plate portion 43 at edge position Ea2, and the protruding plate portion 45 is perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the extending plate portion 43.

[0043] The light-shielding frame 51 includes a plurality of light-shielding pieces (second light-shielding pieces) 52. The light-shielding pieces 52 are aligned along the boundary surface B1 between the treatment space 13 and the entrance space 15. In the example shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the light-shielding pieces 52 are aligned along the height direction of the air treatment device 1. Therefore, the arrangement direction of the light-shielding pieces 52 is aligned along the boundary surface B1 and coincides or substantially coincides with the height direction of the air treatment device 1. Furthermore, each of the light-shielding pieces 52 has a gap between it and an adjacent light-shielding piece 52, and the light-shielding pieces 52 are aligned with a gap. In one example, the light-shielding pieces 52 are aligned along the boundary surface B1 (height direction) at a predetermined pitch, and are arranged at equal or substantially equal intervals. Furthermore, each of the light-shielding pieces 52 extends along the depth direction of the air treatment device 1, extending from one end to the other end in the depth direction at the connection portion (communication portion) between the treatment space 13 and the entrance space 15.

[0044] Each of the multiple light-shielding pieces 52 includes an extended plate portion (second extended plate portion) 53 and a protruding plate portion (second protruding plate portion) 55. In each of the light-shielding pieces 52, the extended plate portion 53 and the protruding plate portion 55 extend along the depth direction of the air treatment device 1, extending from one end to the other in the depth direction at the connection portion between the treatment space 13 and the introduction side space 15. In each of the light-shielding pieces 52, the extended plate portion 53 is along the boundary surface B1, for example, parallel or approximately parallel to the boundary surface B1. Therefore, the extended plate portion 53 of each of the light-shielding pieces 52 is along the height direction and depth direction of the air treatment device 1, for example, parallel or approximately parallel to the height direction and depth direction of the air treatment device 1. 5, in each of the light-shielding pieces 52, the extension plate 53 extends from edge position Eb1 to edge position Eb2 along the height direction of the air treatment device 1 toward the side away from the inlet 17. That is, in each of the light-shielding pieces 52, the extension plate 53 extends from edge position Eb1 to edge position Eb2 toward the upper side in the height direction.

[0045] In each of the multiple light-blocking pieces 52, the protruding plate portion 55 protrudes from the extending plate portion 53 toward the entrance space 15. Therefore, in each of the light-blocking pieces 52, the protruding plate portion 55 protrudes from the extending plate portion 53 on the side opposite to the side on which the treatment space 13 is located in the width direction of the air treatment device 1. In the example of FIG. 5 , in each of the light-blocking pieces 52, the protruding plate portion 55 is connected to the extending plate portion 53 at edge position Eb2 and protrudes from edge position Eb2 of the extending plate portion 53 toward the entrance space 15. In a cross section perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the depth direction of the air treatment device 1, the cross-sectional shape of each of the light-blocking pieces 52 is L-shaped or substantially L-shaped due to the extending plate portion 53 and the protruding plate portion 55. In one example, in each of the light-shielding pieces 52, the protruding plate portion 55 is connected to the extending plate portion 53 at the edge position Eb2, and the protruding plate portion 55 is perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the extending plate portion 53.

[0046] Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing the discharge-side frame 12, the discharge port 18, and the configuration in their vicinity in the example of the air treatment device 1 in Fig. 1, cut along a cross section perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the depth direction. As shown in Figs. 4 and 6, etc., an opposing surface 62 is formed inside the housing 3, facing the discharge port 18 with the discharge-side space 16 sandwiched therebetween. The opposing surface 62 is adjacent to the discharge-side space 16 from above in the height direction. In the example of Figs. 4 and 6, the opposing surface 62 is formed from the discharge-side frame 12. However, in one example, the opposing surface 62 may be formed from the inner surface of the top wall 6 of the housing 3.

[0047] In the discharge-side space 16, the axial fan 25 is disposed between the opposing surface 62 and the discharge port 18 in the height direction. The discharge port 18 is located on the discharge side of the axial fan 25, and the opposing surface 62 is located on the intake side of the axial fan 25. A distance A from the intake-side end face of the axial fan 25 to the opposing surface 62 is greater than a distance from the discharge-side end face of the axial fan 25 to the discharge port 18. Therefore, in the discharge-side space 16, the axial fan 25 is disposed closer to the discharge port 18 than the opposing surface 62. The distance A corresponds to the distance (dimension) in the height direction from the intake-side end face of the axial fan 25 to the opposing surface 62.

[0048] 4 and 6, a support base 61 is installed on the opposing surface 62, and the axial fan 25 is supported by the support base 61. The axial fan 25 is connected to the discharge-side frame 12 via the support base 61, and in the discharge-side space 16, the support base 61 is located between the axial fan 25 and the opposing surface 62 in the height direction. The support base 61 is hollow. Therefore, in the discharge-side space 16, the axial fan 25 is disposed with a gap corresponding to the separation distance A between it and the opposing surface 62.

[0049] In the example shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, the separation distance A between the axial fan 25 and the opposing surface 62 is 35 mm or more. Therefore, in the discharge-side space 16, the axial fan 25 is disposed with a gap of 35 mm or more between the axial fan 25 and the opposing surface 62. Preferably, the separation distance A is 40 mm or more. In this case, the axial fan 25 is disposed in the discharge-side space 16 with a gap of 40 mm or more between the axial fan 25 and the opposing surface 62. From the viewpoint of reducing the height dimension of the air treatment device 1, i.e., from the viewpoint of miniaturizing the air treatment device 1, it is preferable that the separation distance A is not excessively large. For example, it is preferable that the separation distance A is 80 mm or less.

[0050] Here, the following verification was performed as verification related to the embodiments. FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating a test performed in the verification related to the embodiments. FIG. 7 shows a state in which the test was performed, as viewed from vertically above, for example. In the verification, the above-described axial fan 25 was used, and the wind speed was measured at a position away from the axial fan 25 on the discharge side while the axial fan 25 was in operation. In addition, in the verification, an obstacle 71 was placed at a position a distance A away from the axial fan 25 on the intake side, and a gap corresponding to the distance A was formed between the end face of the intake side of the axial fan 25 and the obstacle 71.

[0051] Then, with a gap corresponding to the separation distance A formed between the axial fan 25 and the obstacle 71, the axial fan 25 was operated to draw air into the axial fan 25 from the intake side, i.e., from the side where the obstacle 71 is located (arrow F1). The drawn air was then discharged from the axial fan 25 to the discharge side, i.e., the side opposite the side where the obstacle 71 is located (arrow F2). In the verification, wind speed was measured at three mutually different measurement positions in the discharge-side region of the axial fan 25. Here, if a reference position D is defined where the central axis C passes on the discharge-side end face of the axial fan 25, all three measurement positions where the wind speed was measured are 300 mm away from the reference position D and located on the imaginary line α in FIG. 7 .

[0052] Furthermore, for each of the three measurement positions, a virtual line connecting the reference position D and the measurement position was defined, and the angle of the virtual line with respect to the central axis C was defined as the measurement angle. In the verification, wind speed was measured at three measurement positions on the virtual line α, where the measurement angles were 0°, 30°, and -30°. That is, wind speed was measured at a position 300 mm away from the reference position D at a measurement angle of 0°, a position 300 mm away from the reference position D at a measurement angle of 30°, and a position 300 mm away from the reference position D at a measurement angle of -30°.

[0053] In the verification, the separation distance A between the obstacle 71 and the axial flow fan 25 was changed, and the wind speed was measured under each of a plurality of conditions where the separation distance A was different from one another. In fact, the wind speed was measured at each of the three measurement positions described above when the separation distance A was 25 mm, 30 mm, 35 mm, 40 mm, and 45 mm.

[0054] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing, in a table, the results of wind speed measurements in a test conducted in verification related to the embodiments, and FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing, in a graph, the results of wind speed measurements in a test conducted in verification related to the embodiments. FIG. 8 shows the wind speed at each of three measurement positions for each of the five conditions described above in which the separation distance A differs from one another. In the graph of FIG. 9, the horizontal axis represents the measurement angle and the vertical axis represents the wind speed. FIG. 9 shows the relationship between the measurement angle and the wind speed for each of the five conditions described above in which the separation distance A differs from one another. In FIGS. 8 and 9, the separation distance A is shown in units of "mm," the measurement angle in units of "°," and the wind speed in units of "m / s."

[0055] As shown in Figures 8 and 9, when the separation distance A was 25 mm and 30 mm, the wind speed was higher at measurement positions with measurement angles of 30° and -30° compared to the measurement position with a measurement angle of 0°. When the separation distance A was 35 mm, the wind speed was slightly higher at the measurement position with a measurement angle of 0° compared to the measurement positions with measurement angles of 30° and -30°. When the separation distance A was 40 mm and 45 mm, the wind speed was much higher at the measurement position with a measurement angle of 0° compared to the measurement positions with measurement angles of 30° and -30°, and the wind speed at the measurement position with a measurement angle of 0° was more than twice the wind speed at the measurement positions with measurement angles of 30° and -30°.

[0056] The above verification demonstrated that setting the separation distance A to 35 mm or more suppresses to some extent the flow of discharged air in a direction where the magnitude (absolute value) of the angle with respect to the central axis C increases. That is, setting the separation distance A to 35 mm or more suppresses to some extent the spread of discharged air in the discharge-side region of the axial fan 25. It was also demonstrated that setting the separation distance A to 40 mm or more further suppresses the flow of discharged air in a direction where the magnitude (absolute value) of the angle with respect to the central axis C increases. That is, setting the separation distance A to 40 mm or more further suppresses the spread of discharged air in the discharge-side region of the axial fan 25. The verification also demonstrated that setting the separation distance A to 30 mm or less facilitates the spread of discharged air in the discharge-side region of the axial fan 25, thereby suppressing to some extent the flow of air along the central axis C.

[0057] As described above, in the air treatment device 1 of the embodiment and the like, the axial flow fan 25 discharges the air it draws in toward the discharge port 18 in the discharge-side space 16, and is disposed with a gap of 35 mm or more between it and the opposing surface 62. Because the separation distance A between the axial flow fan 25 and the opposing surface 62 is 35 mm or more, in the air treatment device 1, as shown in the verification and the like described above, the spread of the air discharged from the axial flow fan 25 is suppressed to some extent. This suppresses the spread of the air discharged from the discharge port 18 in the environmental space 22 to some extent. In other words, the flow of the air discharged from the discharge port 18 in a direction in which the magnitude (absolute value) of the inclination angle of the discharge port 18 relative to the opening plane increases is suppressed to some extent.

[0058] By restricting the spread of air discharged from the outlet 18 to a certain extent, it is possible to effectively prevent the air immediately after being discharged into the environmental space 22 through the outlet 18 from being introduced into the housing 3 through the inlet 17. This allows the air that has been treated in the treatment space 13 to flow appropriately in the environmental space 22. Therefore, the air treatment performance of the air treatment device 1, such as sterilization performance, is appropriately ensured.

[0059] Furthermore, in a preferred example of the embodiment, the axial fan 25 is disposed in the discharge-side space 16 with a gap of 40 mm or more between it and the opposing surface 62. As shown in the above-mentioned verification, in the air processing device 1, when the separation distance A between the axial fan 25 and the opposing surface 62 is 40 mm or more, the spread of the air discharged from the axial fan 25 is further suppressed. This further suppresses the spread of the air discharged from the discharge port 18 in the environmental space 22. In other words, the air discharged from the discharge port 18 is further appropriately suppressed from flowing in a direction in which the magnitude (absolute value) of the inclination angle of the discharge port 18 with respect to the opening plane increases.

[0060] Therefore, in the above-described preferred example of the embodiment, it is more effectively prevented that air immediately after being discharged into the environmental space 22 through the exhaust port 18 is introduced into the housing 3 through the inlet port 17. This allows the air that has been treated in the treatment space 13 to flow more appropriately in the environmental space 22. This improves the air treatment performance of the air treatment device 1, such as sterilization performance.

[0061] As shown in the above-mentioned verification, by setting the separation distance A between the axial fan 25 and the opposing surface 62 to 30 mm or less, in the air processing device 1, the air discharged from the axial fan 25 tends to spread, and the flow of the discharged air along the central axis C is suppressed to some extent. Therefore, by setting the separation distance A to 30 mm or less in the air processing device 1, the air discharged from the outlet 18 tends to spread in the environmental space 22, and the flow of the discharged air along a direction perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the opening plane of the outlet 18 is suppressed to some extent. In other words, in the environmental space 22, the flow of air flowing straight or substantially straight from the outlet 18 toward the lower side in the height direction of the air processing device 1 is suppressed to some extent.

[0062] This effectively prevents the air discharged from the outlet 18 from flowing toward people at a high speed even when people are present in the area directly below the air treatment device 1 installed on the wall 23 in the environmental space 22. This effectively prevents people in the area directly below the air treatment device 1 from feeling uncomfortable due to the discharged air.

[0063] According to at least one of these embodiments, the base assembly forms a facing surface inside the housing that faces the exhaust port across the exhaust-side space. The axial fan is disposed in the exhaust-side space with a gap of 35 mm or more between the facing surface and the base assembly. When the axial fan is activated, it discharges the drawn air toward the exhaust port. This provides an air treatment device that can ensure appropriate air treatment performance.

[0064] Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be embodied in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included within the scope and spirit of the invention, and are also included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents as defined in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0065] 1...air treatment device, 2...base assembly, 3...housing, 10...treatment box, 12...exhaust side frame, 13...treatment space, 16...exhaust side space, 17...inlet, 18...exhaust port, 22...environmental space, 25...axial fan, 31...ultraviolet light source, 61...support base, 62...opposing surface, A...separation distance.

Claims

1. a base assembly including a housing in which an air inlet and an air outlet are formed, and an air outlet space is open to the outside through the outlet, the base assembly forming, inside the housing, an opposing surface facing the outlet with the outlet space sandwiched therebetween; an air processing unit that performs air processing on the introduced air in a processing space between the inlet and the discharge side space inside the housing; an axial flow fan that is disposed in the discharge-side space with a gap of 35 mm or more between itself and the opposing surface, and that, when activated, discharges intake air toward the discharge port, thereby forming an air flow inside the housing that passes through the processing space and the discharge-side space from the inlet toward the discharge port; An air treatment device comprising:

2. The air treatment device according to claim 1 , wherein the axial flow fan is disposed in the discharge side space such that the gap between the axial flow fan and the opposing surface is 40 mm or more.

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