Photocatalyst module

Abstract

To provide a photocatalyst module capable of reducing a manufacturing cost, being miniaturized, being thinned, saving power, and reducing noise.SOLUTION: A photocatalytic module of the present invention includes a housing having at least one inlet and at least one outlet, a light source disposed inside the housing, and a photocatalytic member disposed inside the housing, wherein the light source and the photocatalytic member are provided so that light from the light source is irradiated on the photocatalytic member, the light source part has a light source and a heat radiation part provided so as to radiate heat generated by the light source, and the light source part, the intake port and the exhaust port are provided so that a flow of gas from the intake port to the exhaust port is generated by the heat radiated from the heat radiation part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a photocatalytic module. [Background technology]

[0002] There is known a device that uses photocatalytic activity to remove organic matter such as odorous substances from the air (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In such a device, for example, a fan is used to ventilate air through a photocatalytic filter, thereby removing organic matter from the air. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-126227 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Conventional devices are equipped with a fan to supply air to the photocatalyst. This requires a power supply to supply power to the light source that irradiates the photocatalyst with light, and a power supply to drive the fan, making it difficult to make the device smaller and thinner. In addition, the fan generates noise, so the installation location must be considered. The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and provides a photocatalytic module that can reduce manufacturing costs, be made smaller, be made thinner, be more energy-efficient, and reduce noise. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The present invention provides a photocatalyst module comprising: a housing having at least one air intake port and at least one exhaust port; a light source unit arranged inside the housing; and a photocatalyst unit arranged inside the housing, wherein the light source unit and the photocatalyst unit are arranged so that light from the light source unit is irradiated onto the photocatalyst unit, the light source unit has a light source and a heat dissipation unit arranged to dissipate heat generated by the light source, and the light source unit, the air intake port, and the exhaust port are arranged so that heat dissipated from the heat dissipation unit generates a gas flow from the air intake port to the exhaust port. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] According to the present invention, a gas flow from the intake port to the exhaust port can be generated by heat radiated from the heat dissipation section of the light source section. This gas flow can be used to supply gas to the photocatalyst section without a fan, and organic substances such as odorous substances contained in the gas can be removed. Therefore, the photocatalyst module of the present invention does not need to be equipped with a fan, and it is possible to reduce manufacturing costs, make it smaller, thinner, save power, and reduce noise. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a photocatalytic module according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a photocatalytic module according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a photocatalytic module according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a photocatalytic module according to one embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The photocatalyst module of the present invention comprises a housing having at least one air intake port and at least one exhaust port, a light source unit arranged inside the housing, and a photocatalyst unit arranged inside the housing, wherein the light source unit and the photocatalyst unit are arranged so that light from the light source unit is irradiated onto the photocatalyst unit, the light source unit has a light source and a heat dissipation unit arranged to dissipate heat generated by the light source, and the light source unit, the air intake port, and the exhaust port are arranged so that heat dissipated from the heat dissipation unit causes a gas flow from the air intake port to the exhaust port.

[0009] Preferably, the air intake is disposed in a lower part of the housing, the air exhaust is disposed in an upper part of the housing, and the light source is disposed in the lower part of the housing. The photocatalyst portion preferably has a carrier sheet and a photocatalyst supported or fixed on the carrier sheet. The photocatalyst section is preferably arranged so that gas flowing from the intake port to the exhaust port flows along the photocatalyst section. Preferably, the photocatalyst portion is provided so as to form a flow path through which gas flows from the intake port to the exhaust port, and the flow path is a flow path that is wide at the bottom and narrow at the top.

[0010] The photocatalyst module of the present invention preferably includes a light guide portion. The light source section, the light guide section, and the photocatalyst section are preferably arranged so that light from the light source section is irradiated onto the photocatalyst section via the light guide section. When the light guide section is a light guide plate, it is preferable that the light guide plate is arranged opposite the photocatalyst section, and it is preferable that the light source section, the air intake port, and the air exhaust port are arranged so that a gas flow occurs between the light guide plate and the photocatalyst section. When the light guiding section is a light guiding rod, it is preferable that the photocatalyst section is arranged around the light guiding rod, and it is preferable that the light source section, the air intake port and the air exhaust port are arranged so that a gas flow occurs between the light guiding rod and the photocatalyst section.

[0011] Preferably, the air intake includes a first air intake and a second air intake, the first air intake being configured so that it can be closed by a first cover portion, and the second air intake being configured so that it can be closed by a second cover portion. Preferably, the exhaust port includes a first exhaust port and a second exhaust port, the first exhaust port being configured so that it can be closed by a third lid portion, and the second exhaust port being configured so that it can be closed by a fourth lid portion.

[0012] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The configurations shown in the drawings and the following description are examples, and the scope of the present invention is not limited to those shown in the drawings and the following description.

[0013] 1 to 4 are schematic cross-sectional views of the photocatalyst module of this embodiment. The photocatalyst module 20 of this embodiment comprises a housing 2 having at least one air intake 5, 5a, 5b and at least one exhaust 6, 6a, 6b, 6c, a light source unit 3 arranged inside the housing 2, and a photocatalyst unit 4 arranged inside the housing 2, wherein the light source unit 3 and the photocatalyst unit 4 are arranged so that light from the light source unit 3 is irradiated onto the photocatalyst unit 4, the light source unit 3 has a light source and a heat dissipation unit arranged to dissipate heat generated by the light source, and the light source unit 3, the air intakes 5, 5a, 5b and the exhaust vents 6, 6a to 6c are arranged so that heat dissipated from the heat dissipation unit generates a gas flow from the air intakes 5, 5a, 5b to the exhaust vents 6, 6a to 6c.

[0014] The photocatalyst module 20 is a device that removes organic substances such as odorous substances from gas by utilizing photocatalytic activity. The photocatalyst module 20 may be an air purifier, a deodorizer, or a sterilizer. The housing 2 houses the light source unit 3 and the photocatalyst unit 4. The housing 2 may also house a light guide unit 7. The housing 2 also has air intakes 5, 5a, and 5b and air exhausts 6, 6a, 6b, and 6c.

[0015] The air intakes 5, 5a, and 5b are holes through which gas (e.g., air) flows from the outside of the housing 2 into the inside of the housing 2. The housing 2 may have one air intake 5 or multiple air intakes 5a and 5b. For example, the housing 2 included in the photocatalyst module 20 shown in FIG. 1 has one air intake 5, and the housing 2 included in the photocatalyst module 20 shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 4 has two air intakes 5a and 5b. The exhaust ports 6, 6a, 6b, and 6c are holes through which gas (e.g., air) is exhausted from inside the housing 2 to outside the housing 2. The housing 2 may have one exhaust port 6 or multiple exhaust ports 6a, 6b, and 6c. For example, the housing 2 included in the photocatalyst module 20 shown in FIGS. 1, 3, and 4 has one exhaust port 6, and the housing 2 included in the photocatalyst module 20 shown in FIG. 2 has three exhaust ports 6a, 6b, and 6c.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 2, the housing 2 may have multiple air intakes 5a and 5b, which may be configured to be closable with lids 8a and 8b. The housing 2 may also have multiple exhaust ports 6a, 6b, and 6c, which may be configured to be closable with lids 8c, 8d, and 8e. This allows some of the air intakes 5a and 5b or some of the exhaust ports 6a, 6b, and 6c to be closable with lids, thereby changing the airflow inside the housing 2. Furthermore, the positions of the air intakes 5a and 5b and the exhaust ports 6a, 6b, and 6c can be changed to suit the space in which the photocatalytic module 20 is installed, enabling organic matter, such as odorous substances, present in this space to be efficiently removed using the photocatalytic activity of the photocatalyst unit 4.

[0017] The light source unit 3 is a part including a light source and is disposed inside the housing 2. The light source unit 3 may be a light source device. The light source unit 3 is, for example, an LED lamp, a fluorescent lamp, an incandescent lamp, a halogen lamp, or a xenon lamp. The light source unit 3 has a light source (for example, a light emitting diode) and a heat dissipation unit provided to dissipate heat generated by the light source. The light source unit 3 may also dissipate heat from a part other than the heat dissipation unit. The light source unit 3 and the photocatalyst unit 4 are arranged so that light from the light source unit 3 is irradiated onto the photocatalyst unit 4. This allows organic substances such as odorous substances in gas to be removed by the photocatalytic activity of the photocatalyst unit 4. Furthermore, the light emitted by the light source unit 3 may be irradiated onto the photocatalyst unit 4 via the light guiding unit 7. For example, the light source unit 3 and the photocatalyst unit 4 can be arranged as in the photocatalyst module 20 shown in FIGS. 1 to 4. In FIGS. 1 to 4, the direction of the light emitted from the light source unit 3 is indicated by a dotted arrow. Furthermore, by irradiating the light emitted from the light source unit 3 onto the photocatalyst unit 4 via the light guiding unit 7, the light emitted from the light source unit 3 arranged at the lower part inside the housing 2 can be efficiently irradiated onto the photocatalyst unit 4 arranged at the middle or upper part inside the housing 2.

[0018] The light guiding section 7 is a section that guides light emitted from the light source section 3 so that it is irradiated onto the photocatalyst section 4. The light guiding section 7 can be disposed inside the housing 2. The material of the light guiding section 7 is, for example, acrylic resin, polycarbonate, glass, polystyrene, etc. The shape of the light guiding section 7 may be a plate (light guiding plate) or a rod (light guiding rod). The light guiding section 7 may have an uneven pattern that reflects or scatters light propagating inside the light guiding section 7. This allows the light propagating inside the light guiding section 7 to be emitted to the outside via the uneven pattern. The light emitted from the light guiding section 7 is irradiated onto the photocatalyst section 4. The light source unit 3 and the light guide unit 7 can be provided so that the light emitted from the light source unit 3 enters the light guide unit 7. This allows the light emitted from the light source unit 3 to propagate inside the light guide unit 7.

[0019] When the light guide unit 7 is a light guide plate, it is preferable that the light guide plate is disposed so as to face the photocatalyst unit 4. This allows the light emitted from the light source unit 3 to be irradiated onto the entire photocatalyst unit 4 via the light guide plate, thereby generating photocatalytic activity throughout the photocatalyst unit 4. Furthermore, the probability that gas flowing from the intake ports 5, 5a, 5b to the exhaust ports 6, 6a to 6c will come into contact with the photocatalyst unit 4 can be increased, and organic substances such as odorous substances in the gas can be efficiently removed using photocatalytic activity. The light guide unit 7 (light guide plate) can be disposed, for example, as in the photocatalyst module 20 of FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0020] When the light guiding unit 7 is a light guiding rod, the photocatalyst unit 4 is preferably arranged around the light guiding rod. This allows the light emitted from the light source unit 3 to be irradiated onto the entire photocatalyst unit 4 via the light guiding rod, thereby generating photocatalytic activity throughout the photocatalyst unit 4. This also increases the probability that gas flowing from the intake ports 5, 5a, and 5b to the exhaust ports 6, 6a to 6c will come into contact with the photocatalyst unit 4, allowing organic substances such as odorous substances in the gas to be efficiently removed using photocatalytic activity. For example, the photocatalyst unit 4 can be cylindrical, and the light guiding rod can be arranged inside the cylindrical photocatalyst unit 4. The photocatalyst unit 4 can be arranged, for example, as in the photocatalyst module 20 shown in FIG. 4.

[0021] The light source unit 3, the intake ports 5, 5a, 5b, and the exhaust ports 6, 6a, 6b, 6c are arranged so that heat radiated from the heat dissipation section of the light source unit 3 generates a flow of gas (e.g., air) from the intake ports 5, 5a, 5b to the exhaust ports 6, 6a, 6b, 6c. The heat radiated from the heat dissipation section can raise the temperature of the gas near the heat dissipation section. The heated gas expands, decreasing its density. This makes the gas lighter and generates an ascending air current inside the housing 2. The light source unit 3, the intake ports 5, 5a, 5b, and the exhaust ports 6, 6a, 6b, 6c can be arranged so that this ascending air current generates a gas flow from the intake ports 5, 5a, 5b to the exhaust ports 6, 6a, 6b, 6c. This allows gas outside the housing 2 to pass through the interior of the housing 2 without a fan. Furthermore, since the gas can be brought into contact with the photocatalyst section 4 inside the housing 2, it is possible to use photocatalytic activity to remove organic substances such as odorous substances contained in the gas passing through the inside of the housing 2. Therefore, it is possible to remove organic substances such as odorous substances present in the space in which the photocatalyst module 20 is installed.

[0022] For example, as in the photocatalyst module 20 shown in Figures 1 to 4, the intake ports 5, 5a, and 5b can be arranged in the lower part of the housing 2, the exhaust ports 6, 6a, 6b, and 6c can be arranged in the upper part of the housing 2, and the light source unit 3 can be arranged in the lower part of the housing. This makes it possible to generate an ascending air current inside the housing 2, and to generate a gas flow from the intake ports 5, 5a, and 5b to the exhaust ports 6, 6a, 6b, and 6c (chimney effect). In Figures 1 to 4, the gas flow is indicated by dashed arrows.

[0023] The photocatalyst unit 4 is a portion containing a photocatalyst (e.g., photocatalyst particles). Examples of the photocatalyst include tungsten oxide and titanium oxide. The photocatalyst may also have co-catalyst particles such as platinum group metal particles (e.g., particles of Pt, Pd, Rh, Ru, Os, and Ir) on its surface. The photocatalyst can generate photocatalytic activity by receiving light emitted from the light source unit 3, and this photocatalytic activity can remove organic substances such as odorous substances in the gas flowing inside the housing 2.

[0024] The photocatalyst unit 4 can have a carrier sheet and a photocatalyst (e.g., photocatalyst particles) supported or fixed on the carrier sheet. This increases the probability that the gas flowing inside the housing 2 will come into contact with the photocatalyst, and organic substances such as odorous substances in the gas can be efficiently removed using photocatalytic activity. The carrier sheet can be, for example, paper, nonwoven fabric, or woven fabric. The light guiding section 7 and the photocatalyst section 4 can be arranged so that light emitted from the light guiding section 7 is irradiated onto the photocatalyst section 4. This makes it possible to efficiently irradiate the photocatalyst with light, thereby increasing the photocatalytic activity of the photocatalyst section 4.

[0025] The photocatalyst unit 4 is preferably arranged so that gas flowing from the intake ports 5, 5a, and 5b to the exhaust ports 6, 6a to 6c flows along the photocatalyst unit 4. This increases the probability that gas flowing inside the housing 2 will come into contact with the photocatalyst unit 4, allowing organic substances such as odorous substances contained in the gas to be efficiently removed by photocatalytic activity. Furthermore, an increase in the resistance of the gas flowing from the intake ports 5, 5a, and 5b to the exhaust ports 6, 6a to 6c can be suppressed, and heat radiated from the heat radiator can generate an airflow from the intake ports 5, 5a, and 5b to the exhaust ports 6, 6a to 6c. For example, the photocatalyst unit 4 can be arranged as in the photocatalyst module 20 shown in FIGS. 1 to 4.

[0026] Preferably, the photocatalyst unit 4 is provided so as to form a flow path for gas flowing from the intake ports 5, 5a, and 5b to the exhaust ports 6, 6a to 6c, the flow path being wide at the bottom and narrow at the top. This increases the probability that gas flowing inside the housing 2 will come into contact with the photocatalyst unit 4, allowing organic matter, such as odorous substances, contained in the gas to be efficiently removed using photocatalytic activity. Furthermore, heat radiated from the heat dissipation unit of the light source unit 3 tends to generate an ascending air current, facilitating the flow of gas from the intake ports 5, 5a, and 5b to the exhaust ports 6, 6a to 6c. For example, the photocatalyst unit 4 can be arranged as in the photocatalyst module 20 shown in FIG. 3.

[0027] When the light guide unit 7 is a light guide plate and the light guide plate is arranged to face the photocatalyst unit 4, the light source unit 3, air intakes 5, 5a, 5b, and exhaust ports 6, 6a to 6c are preferably arranged so that a gas flow occurs between the light guide plate and the photocatalyst unit 4. This increases the probability that the gas flowing inside the housing 2 will come into contact with the photocatalyst unit 4, and organic substances such as odorous substances contained in the gas can be efficiently removed using photocatalytic activity. The light source unit 3, air intakes 5, 5a, 5b, and exhaust ports 6, 6a to 6c can be arranged, for example, as in the photocatalyst module 20 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0028] When the light guiding unit 7 is a light guiding rod and the photocatalyst unit 4 is arranged around the light guiding rod, the light source unit 3, air intakes 5, 5a, 5b, and exhaust ports 6, 6a to 6c are preferably arranged so that a gas flow occurs between the light guiding rod and the photocatalyst unit 4. This increases the probability that the gas flowing inside the housing 2 will come into contact with the photocatalyst unit 4, and organic substances such as odorous substances contained in the gas can be efficiently removed using photocatalytic activity. The light source unit 3, air intakes 5, 5a, 5b, and exhaust ports 6, 6a to 6c can be arranged, for example, as in the photocatalyst module 20 shown in FIG. 4. [Explanation of symbols]

[0029] 2: Housing 3: Light source unit 4: Photocatalyst unit 5, 5a, 5b: Intake port 6, 6a, 6b, 6c: Exhaust port 7: Light guide unit 8a, 8b, 8c, 8d, 8e: Lid unit 20: Photocatalyst module

Claims

1. The present invention provides a heat pump that includes a housing having at least one air intake port and at least one air exhaust port, a light source unit disposed inside the housing, and a photocatalyst unit disposed inside the housing, the light source unit and the photocatalyst unit are provided so that light from the light source unit is irradiated onto the photocatalyst unit; the light source unit includes a light source and a heat dissipation unit provided to dissipate heat generated by the light source, A photocatalytic module characterized in that the light source unit, the air intake port, and the exhaust port are arranged so that heat radiated from the heat dissipation unit generates a flow of gas from the air intake port to the exhaust port.

2. the intake port is disposed in a lower portion of the housing; the exhaust port is disposed in an upper portion of the housing, The photocatalyst module according to claim 1 , wherein the light source unit is disposed in a lower portion of the housing.

3. 3. The photocatalyst module according to claim 1, wherein the photocatalyst portion comprises a carrier sheet and a photocatalyst supported or fixed on the carrier sheet.

4. The photocatalyst module according to claim 3 , wherein the photocatalyst section is disposed so that gas flowing from the intake port to the exhaust port flows along the photocatalyst section.

5. the photocatalyst portion is provided to form a flow path through which gas flows from the intake port to the exhaust port, The photocatalyst module according to claim 3 , wherein the flow path is a flow path that is wide at the bottom and narrow at the top.

6. Further comprising a light guide portion, The photocatalyst module according to claim 3 , wherein the light source section, the light guide section, and the photocatalyst section are arranged so that light from the light source section is irradiated onto the photocatalyst section via the light guide section.

7. the light guide portion is a light guide plate, the light guide plate is disposed so as to face the photocatalyst portion, The photocatalyst module according to claim 6 , wherein the light source section, the air intake port, and the air exhaust port are provided so as to generate a gas flow between the light guide plate and the photocatalyst section.

8. The light guiding portion is a light guiding rod, The photocatalyst portion is disposed around the light guide rod, The photocatalyst module according to claim 6, wherein the light source unit, the intake port, and the exhaust port are provided so as to generate a gas flow between the light guiding rod and the photocatalyst unit.

9. the air intake includes a first air intake and a second air intake; the first air intake port is provided so as to be able to be closed by the first cover portion, The photocatalyst module according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the second air intake is provided so as to be able to be closed by the second lid portion.

10. the exhaust port includes a first exhaust port and a second exhaust port, the first exhaust port is provided so as to be able to be closed by the third lid portion, 3. The photocatalyst module according to claim 1, wherein the second exhaust port is provided so as to be able to be closed by the fourth lid portion.

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