Air treatment equipment

Abstract

To provide an air treatment device that suppresses the fall of light sources. [Solution] The air treatment apparatus according to the embodiment comprises a housing, a processing box, a light source, a fan, and a cover member. The housing has a first housing opening and a second housing opening. The processing box comprises a top plate, a bottom plate, and two side plates. The top plate and bottom plate face each other in the height direction of the housing, with the processing space inside the processing box in between. Each of the two side plates connects the top plate and the bottom plate and faces each other in the depth direction of the housing, with the processing space in between. The processing space communicates with the first housing opening at one end in the width direction of the housing and with the second housing opening at the other end in the width direction. The light source is mounted on the top plate and irradiates ultraviolet light into the processing space. At least a part of the cover member is positioned in the processing space closer to the bottom plate than the light source, and closer to the top plate than the bottom plate.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to an air treatment device.

Background Art

[0002] An air treatment device that introduces air into a housing and performs air treatment such as sterilization on the introduced air is used. In such an air treatment device, air is introduced from an external environmental space into the housing through an inlet. Then, by irradiating ultraviolet light from an ultraviolet light source (light source) provided inside the housing, air treatment is performed on the introduced air. And the air on which the air treatment has been performed is discharged to the external environmental space through an exhaust port.

[0003] Among the air treatment devices as described above, there are those installed on the ceiling of a space where people are present. And in such a ceiling-mounted air treatment device, it is needless to say that the main body does not fall from the ceiling, and suppression of the fall of components inside the main body (for example, an ultraviolet light source, a fan, etc.) during construction, etc. is required.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an air treatment device that suppresses the fall of an ultraviolet light source.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The air processing apparatus according to this embodiment comprises a housing, a processing box, a light source, a fan, and a cover member. The housing has a first housing opening and a second housing opening. The processing box comprises a top plate, a bottom plate, and two side plates. The top plate and bottom plate face each other in the height direction of the housing, with the processing space inside the processing box in between. Each of the two side plates connects the top plate and the bottom plate and faces each other in the depth direction of the housing, with the processing space in between. The processing space communicates with the first housing opening at one end in the width direction of the housing and with the second housing opening at the other end in the width direction. The processing box is installed inside the housing. The light source is attached to the top plate and irradiates ultraviolet light into the processing space. The fan is located inside the housing and, when operated, forms an airflow between the first housing opening and the second housing opening that passes through the processing space. At least a portion of the cover member is positioned in the processing space on the bottom plate side relative to the light source, and on the top plate side relative to the bottom plate. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an air treatment device that suppresses the fall of ultraviolet light sources. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing an example of an air treatment apparatus according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a perspective view showing an example of the air treatment device shown in Figure 1, with the top wall of the enclosure omitted. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of an example air treatment device shown in Figure 1, taken in a cross-section perpendicular or nearly perpendicular to the height direction. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the air treatment device shown in Figure 1 installed on a wall, with the view taken in a section perpendicular or nearly perpendicular to the depth direction. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the light-shielding module, the inlet, and their vicinity in the air treatment apparatus of the example shown in Figure 1, cut in a cross-section perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the depth direction. [Figure 6]Figure 6 is a perspective view showing an example of the air treatment apparatus shown in Figure 1, cut in a cross-section perpendicular or nearly perpendicular to the width direction. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the processing box and its vicinity in the air processing apparatus of the example shown in Figure 1, cut in a cross-section perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the width direction. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the cover member in the air treatment apparatus shown in Figure 1. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] The air treatment device (1) of the embodiment comprises a housing (3), a processing box (10), a light source (31), a fan (25), and a cover member (81). The housing (3) has a first housing opening (17) and a second housing opening (18). The processing box (10) comprises a top plate (61) and a bottom plate (62), and two side plates (63, 68). The top plate (61) and the bottom plate (62) face each other in the height direction of the housing (3) with the processing space (13) inside the processing box (10) in between. Each of the two side plates (63, 68) connects the top plate (61) and the bottom plate (62) and faces each other in the depth direction of the housing (3) with the processing space (13) in between. The processing space (13) communicates with the first housing opening (17) at one end in the width direction of the housing (3) and with the second housing opening (18) at the other end in the width direction. The processing box (10) is provided inside the housing (3). The light source (31) is mounted on the top plate (61) and irradiates ultraviolet light into the processing space (13). The fan (25) is positioned inside the housing (3) and, when operated, forms an airflow between the first housing opening (17) and the second housing opening (18) that passes through the processing space (13). At least a portion of the cover member (81) is positioned in the processing space (13) on the bottom plate (62) side of the light source (31) and on the top plate (61) side of the bottom plate (62). This prevents the light source (31) from falling.

[0010] In the air treatment device (1) of this embodiment, the cover member (81) comprises a bridging portion (84), a first protruding plate portion (83), and a second protruding plate portion (87). The bridging portion (84) is bridged between two side plates (63, 68) of the treatment box (10). The first protruding plate portion (83) is provided on one end side of the bridging portion (84). The second protruding plate portion (87) is provided on the other end side of the bridging portion (84). The cover member (81) is attached to the housing (3) on the side of the first protruding plate portion (83). The cover member (81) engages with one of the two side plates (63) on the side of the second protruding plate portion (87). This allows the cover member (81) to be attached to the housing (3) even if the treatment box (10) is located on one end side inside the housing (3).

[0011] In the air treatment device (1) of the embodiment, of the two side plates (63, 68) of the processing box (10), one that engages with the second protruding plate portion (87) is designated as the first side plate (63), and the other side plate, separate from the first side plate (63), is designated as the second side plate (68). In this case, the distance from the first side plate (63) to the portion of the housing (3) facing the first side plate (63) is shorter than the distance from the second side plate (68) to the portion of the housing (3) facing the second side plate (68).

[0012] The air treatment device (1) of the embodiment further includes a restricting member (91) that protrudes from the inner surface of the housing (3) and contacts the cover member (81). As a result, even if the cover member (81) rotates with the mounting portion (82) of the cover member (81) as the pivot axis, the rotation of the cover member (81) is restricted by the restricting member (91).

[0013] In the air treatment device (1) of this embodiment, the restricting member (91) is a connecting member that connects the housing (3) and the processing box (10). This allows the restricting member (91) to have two functions: restricting the rotation of the cover member (81) and connecting the housing (3) and the processing box (10).

[0014] The embodiments and other details will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0015] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing an example of an air treatment apparatus 1 according to an embodiment. As shown in Figure 1, the air treatment apparatus 1 comprises a base assembly 2, and the base assembly 2 comprises a housing 3. In the air treatment apparatus 1, the housing 3 forms the exterior. In the air treatment apparatus 1 (base assembly 2 and housing 3), the depth direction of the housing 3 (directions indicated by arrows X1 and X2), the width direction of the housing 3 that intersects (orthogonal or approximately orthogonal to) the depth direction of the housing 3 (directions indicated by arrows Y1 and Y2), and the height direction of the housing 3 that intersects (orthogonal or approximately orthogonal to) both the depth direction and the width direction of the housing 3 (directions indicated by arrows Z1 and Z2) are defined. In addition, in the air treatment apparatus 1, one side of the housing 3 in the depth direction becomes the first side (arrow X1 side), and the opposite side of the first side becomes the second side (arrow X2 side). Furthermore, in the air treatment device 1, one side of the housing 3 in the height direction is the lower side (arrow Z1 side), and the side opposite the lower side in the height direction of the housing 3 is the upper side (arrow Z2 side). In the following explanation, the lower side will also be referred to as the "front side" or "surface side," and the upper side will also be referred to as the "back side" or "back side."

[0016] The enclosure 3 comprises a bottom wall 5, a top wall 6, and a peripheral wall 7, and the interior of the enclosure 3 is enclosed by the bottom wall 5, the top wall 6, and the peripheral wall 7. The bottom wall 5 covers the interior of the enclosure 3 from below in the height direction, and the top wall 6 covers the interior of the enclosure 3 from above in the height direction. The bottom wall 5 and the top wall 6 are positioned opposite each other in the height direction of the enclosure 3, with the interior of the enclosure 3 in between. The peripheral wall 7 extends along the height direction of the enclosure 3 from the bottom wall 5 to the top wall 6 and covers the interior of the enclosure 3 from the outer periphery. The peripheral wall 7 covers the interior of the enclosure 3 from the outer periphery along its entire circumference. The peripheral wall 7 may consist of multiple flat peripheral walls 7 as shown in Figure 1, or it may consist of a ring-shaped peripheral wall 7. If the peripheral wall 7 is ring-shaped, the enclosure 3 will have a cylindrical shape.

[0017] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the air treatment device 1 of an example in FIG. 1 with the top wall 6 of the housing 3 omitted. Further, FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the air treatment device 1 of an example in FIG. 1 in a cross-section orthogonal or substantially orthogonal to the height direction of the housing 3, and FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the air treatment device 1 of an example in FIG. 1 installed on the wall portion 23 and in a cross-section orthogonal or substantially orthogonal to the depth direction of the housing 3. In each of FIGS. 2 to 4, the internal configuration of the housing 3 of the air treatment device 1 is shown.

[0018] As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, inside the housing 3, a processing box 10, a light shielding module 11, and a fan module 12 are arranged. In the air treatment device 1, the processing box 10, the light shielding module 11, and the fan module 12 together with the housing 3 form a base assembly 2. Therefore, the base assembly 2 includes the processing box 10, the light shielding module 11, and the fan module 12 in addition to the housing 3.

[0019] In an example of FIGS. 2 to 4, each of the processing box 10, the light shielding module 11, and the fan module 12 is connected from the lower side in the height direction of the housing 3 to the top wall 6 of the housing 3. Also, inside the housing 3, the processing box 10, the light shielding module 11, and the fan module 12 are arranged side by side in the width direction of the housing 3. The light shielding module 11 is adjacent to the processing box 10 from one side (arrow Y1 side) in the width direction of the housing 3, and the fan module 12 is adjacent to the processing box 10 from the side opposite to the side (arrow Y2 side) where the light shielding module 11 in the width direction of the housing 3 is adjacent. The processing box 10 is arranged at a portion on the first side (arrow X1 side) inside the housing 3.

[0020] In the example air treatment apparatus 1 shown in Figures 2 to 4, a processing space 13 is formed inside the processing box 10 and covered by the processing box 10. In the air treatment apparatus 1, the light-shielding module 11 is formed in the shape of a box or a roughly box shape, and a space 15 is formed inside the light-shielding module 11 and covered by the light-shielding module 11. The fan module 12 is formed in the shape of a box or a roughly box shape, and a fan-side space 16 is formed inside the fan module 12 and covered by the fan module 12. Inside the housing 3, the fan-side space 16 communicates with space 15 via the processing space 13. Space 15 is adjacent to the processing space 13 from one side in the width direction of the housing 3 (arrow Y1 side), and the fan-side space 16 is adjacent to the processing space 13 from the opposite side in the width direction of the housing 3 from the side adjacent to space 15.

[0021] Due to the configuration described above, in the air processing device 1, a virtual first boundary surface B1 between the processing space 13 and the space 15 is defined at the boundary position between the processing box 10 and the light-shielding module 11. In addition, in the air processing device 1, a virtual second boundary surface B2 between the processing space 13 and the fan-side space 16 is defined at the boundary position between the processing box 10 and the fan module 12. In the example shown in Figures 2 to 4, each of the first boundary surfaces B1 and B2 is aligned with the height direction and depth direction of the housing 3, respectively, for example, parallel or approximately parallel to the height direction and depth direction of the housing 3. Furthermore, each of the first boundary surfaces B1 and B2 intersects with the width direction of the housing 3, for example, perpendicular or approximately perpendicular to the width direction of the housing 3.

[0022] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 1, 3, and 4, two openings, a first housing opening 17 and a second housing opening 18, are formed in the bottom wall 5 of the housing 3. Each of the first housing opening 17 and the second housing opening 18 opens downward in the height direction of the housing 3, penetrating the bottom wall 5 in the thickness direction. The first housing opening 17 and the second housing opening 18 are also spaced apart from each other in the width direction of the housing 3. In the air treatment device 1, for example, space 15 opens to the outside of the housing 3 through the first housing opening 17, and fan-side space 16 opens to the outside of the housing 3 through the second housing opening 18. In this case, inside the housing 3, the first housing opening 17 communicates with the second housing opening 18 via space 15, processing space 13, and fan-side space 16 in that order, and processing space 13 is formed between the first housing opening 17 and the fan-side space 16.

[0023] In each of the first housing opening 17 and the second housing opening 18, an opening surface is defined. In the example shown in Figures 1, 3, and 4, the opening surfaces of the first housing opening 17 and the second housing opening 18 are aligned with the width direction and depth direction of the housing 3, respectively, for example, being parallel or substantially parallel to the width direction and depth direction of the housing 3. In this embodiment, the opening surface of the first housing opening 17 and the opening surface of the second housing opening 18 are parallel and coplanar. The opening surfaces of the first housing opening 17 and the second housing opening 18 intersect with the height direction of the housing 3, for example, being perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the height direction of the housing 3. Due to this configuration, the opening surfaces of the first housing opening 17 and the second housing opening 18 are perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to, or inclined to, respectively, the aforementioned hypothetical first boundary surfaces B1 and B2. In other words, the opening surfaces of the first housing opening 17 and the second housing opening 18 are not parallel to the first boundary surfaces B1 and B2, respectively.

[0024] Furthermore, a space 21 is formed inside the enclosure 3. Space 21 is formed outside the processing box 10 (processing space 13), outside the light-shielding module 11 (space 15), and outside the fan module 12 (fan-side space 16). The processing space 13 is partitioned from space 21 by the processing box 10. Space 15 is partitioned from space 21 by the light-shielding module 11, and the fan-side space 16 is partitioned from space 21 by the fan module 12. Space 21 may be divided into multiple spaces by plate members or the like.

[0025] As shown in Figure 4, the air treatment device 1 is installed in an environmental space 22 such as a room, on a wall portion 23 such as a ceiling or side wall. The air treatment device 1 is installed on the wall portion 23 such that the first housing opening 17 and the second housing opening 18 each open to the environmental space 22. In one example, the air treatment device 1 is installed on the ceiling wall portion 23 such that the lower side in the height direction of the housing 3 coincides with or approximately coincides with the lower vertical side.

[0026] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, a fan 25 is arranged in the fan-side space 16 inside the fan module 12. The fan 25 operates under the control of a control circuit, which will be described later. In one example, the fan 25 is an axial flow fan. However, it is not limited to this, and the fan 25 may be a centrifugal fan, a sirocco fan, or other types of fans.

[0027] In the air treatment device 1 installed on the wall section 23, air from the ambient space 22 is introduced into the interior of the housing 3 through an inlet when the fan 25 operates, and discharged back into the ambient space 22 through an exhaust port. For example, if the fan 25 is an exhaust fan, the first housing opening 17 corresponds to the inlet, and the second housing opening 18 corresponds to the exhaust port. When the exhaust fan operates, air from the ambient space 22 is introduced into space 15 through the first housing opening 17. The air introduced into space 15 passes through the light-shielding virtual surface B1 and heads towards the processing space 13. An ultraviolet light source 31 (light source) 31 capable of emitting ultraviolet light is placed in the processing space 13, and the air in the processing space 13 is treated by the ultraviolet light emitted from the ultraviolet light source 31. The treated air passes through the fan-side virtual surface B2 and heads towards the fan-side space 16. The air in the fan-side space 16 is discharged to the environmental space 22, etc., through the second housing opening 18. Note that the fan 25 is not limited to an exhaust fan, but may also be an intake fan. In this case, the second housing opening 18 corresponds to the inlet, and the first housing opening 17 corresponds to the exhaust port. The air in the environmental space 22, etc., is introduced into the fan-side space 16 through the first housing opening 17 by the operation of the intake fan, and passes sequentially through the second interface surface B2, the processing space 13, and the light-shielding virtual surface B1, towards space 15. Then, it is discharged from space 15 to the environmental space 22, etc., through the second housing opening 18.

[0028] Furthermore, in the example air treatment device 1 shown in Figures 2 and 3, a terminal block, an AC / DC converter, a DC / DC converter, and a control board are arranged in the space 21 inside the housing 3, that is, the space 21 formed outside the processing box 10, the light-shielding module 11, and the fan module 12. In the air treatment device 1, DC power converted by the AC / DC converter is supplied to the fan 25 and the control board. As a result, the fan 25 operates, and the control circuit of the control board also operates. The control circuit of the control board controls the operation of the fan 25, etc. Also, DC power transformed by the DC / DC converter is supplied to the ultraviolet light source 31, causing the ultraviolet light source 31 to operate.

[0029] Figure 5 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the light-shielding module 11, the first housing opening 17, and their vicinity in an example air treatment device 1 of Figure 1, cut in a cross section perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the depth direction of the housing 3. In examples such as Figures 3 to 5, the light-shielding module 11 includes light-shielding frame portions 41 and 51. The light-shielding frame portion (first light-shielding frame portion) 41 is positioned at the first housing opening 17, or adjacent to the first housing opening 17 from the inside side of the housing 3. The light-shielding frame portion 41 is adjacent to the space 15 from the side where the first housing opening 17 is located, that is, from the lower side in the height direction of the housing 3. The light-shielding frame portion (second light-shielding frame portion) 51 is positioned at the boundary between the space 15 and the processing space 13. The light-shielding frame portion 51 is adjacent to the space 15 from the side where the processing space 13 is located in the width direction of the housing 3.

[0030] In the air treatment device 1, ultraviolet light is blocked by the light-shielding frame sections 41 and 51. The light-shielding frame section 51 blocks ultraviolet light traveling from the processing space 13 to the space 15 and the first housing opening 17. The light-shielding frame section 41 blocks ultraviolet light traveling from the space 15 through the first housing opening 17 to the outside of the housing 3. As a result, the light-shielding frame sections 41 and 51 prevent ultraviolet light used for air treatment in the processing space 13 from being emitted to the outside of the housing 3 through the first housing opening 17.

[0031] The light-shielding frame portion 41 comprises a plurality of light-shielding pieces (first light-shielding pieces) 42. The plurality of light-shielding pieces 42 are arranged along the opening surface of the first housing opening 17, and in the example shown in Figures 3 to 5, they are arranged along the width direction of the housing 3 of the air treatment device 1. Therefore, the arrangement direction of the plurality of light-shielding pieces 42 is along the opening surface of the first housing opening 17 and coincides with or substantially coincides with the width direction of the housing 3 of the air treatment device 1. In addition, each of the light-shielding pieces 42 has a gap between it and adjacent light-shielding pieces 42, and the plurality of light-shielding pieces 42 are arranged with gaps between them. In one example, the plurality of light-shielding pieces 42 are arranged at a predetermined pitch along the opening surface of the first housing opening 17 (width direction of the housing 3) and are arranged at equal or substantially equal intervals. In addition, each of the light-shielding pieces 42 extends along the depth direction of the housing 3 of the air treatment device 1, extending from one end to the other of the first housing opening 17 in the depth direction of the housing 3.

[0032] Each of the multiple light-shielding pieces 42 comprises 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 housing 3 of the air treatment device 1, extending from one end to the other of the first housing opening 17 in the depth direction of the housing 3. In each of the light-shielding pieces 42, the extended plate portion 43 is parallel or substantially parallel to the opening surface of the first housing opening 17, for example. Therefore, each extended plate portion 43 of the light-shielding piece 42 is parallel or substantially parallel to the width direction and depth direction of the housing 3 of the air treatment device 1, for example.

[0033] In each of the multiple light-shielding pieces 42, the protruding plate portion 45 protrudes from the extended plate portion 43 toward the space 15. Therefore, in each of the light-shielding pieces 42, the protruding plate portion 45 protrudes from the extended plate portion 43 toward the upper side in the height direction of the housing 3 of the air treatment device 1. Then, in a cross section perpendicular or nearly perpendicular to the depth direction of the housing 3 of the air treatment device 1, the cross-sectional shape of each light-shielding piece 42 is L-shaped or nearly L-shaped due to the extended plate portion 43 and the protruding plate portion 45.

[0034] The light-shielding frame portion 51 comprises a plurality of light-shielding pieces (second light-shielding pieces) 52. The plurality of light-shielding pieces 52 are arranged along the first interface B1 between the processing space 13 and the space 15, and in the example shown in Figures 3 to 5, they are arranged along the height direction of the housing 3 of the air treatment device 1. Therefore, the arrangement direction of the plurality of light-shielding pieces 52 is along the first interface B1 and coincides with or substantially coincides with the height direction of the housing 3 of the air treatment device 1. In addition, each of the light-shielding pieces 52 has a gap between it and adjacent light-shielding pieces 52, and the plurality of light-shielding pieces 52 are arranged with gaps between them. In one example, the plurality of light-shielding pieces 52 are arranged along the first interface B1 (height direction of the housing 3) 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 housing 3 of the air treatment device 1, and extends from one end to the other in the depth direction of the housing 3 at the connection portion (communication portion) between the processing space 13 and the space 15.

[0035] Each of the multiple light-shielding pieces 52 comprises 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 each extend along the depth direction of the housing 3 of the air treatment device 1, and extend from one end to the other in the depth direction of the housing 3 at the connection portion between the processing space 13 and the space 15. In each of the light-shielding pieces 52, the extended plate portion 53 is along the first boundary surface B1, for example, parallel or substantially parallel to the first boundary surface B1. Therefore, each extended plate portion 53 of the light-shielding piece 52 is along the height direction and depth direction of the housing 3 of the air treatment device 1, for example, parallel or substantially parallel to the height direction and depth direction of the housing 3 of the air treatment device 1.

[0036] In each of the multiple light-shielding pieces 52, the protruding plate portion 55 protrudes from the extended plate portion 53 toward the space 15. Therefore, in each of the light-shielding pieces 52, the protruding plate portion 55 protrudes from the extended plate portion 53 toward the side opposite to the side where the processing space 13 in the width direction of the housing 3 of the air treatment device 1 is located. Then, in a cross section perpendicular or nearly perpendicular to the depth direction of the housing 3 of the air treatment device 1, the cross-sectional shape of each light-shielding piece 52 becomes L-shaped or nearly L-shaped due to the extended plate portion 53 and the protruding plate portion 55.

[0037] Figure 6 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the processing box 10 and its vicinity in an example air treatment device 1 of Figure 1, cut in a cross section perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the width direction of the housing 3. As shown in Figures 4 and 6, the processing box 10 comprises a top plate 61, a bottom plate 62, a first side plate 63, and a second side plate 68. The top plate 61 covers the processing space 13 from the upper side in the height direction of the housing 3. The bottom plate 62 covers the processing space 13 from the lower side in the height direction of the housing 3. That is, the top plate 61 and the bottom plate 62 face each other in the height direction of the housing 3, with the processing space 13 in between. The first side plate 63 covers the processing space 13 from the first side in the width direction of the housing 3. The second side plate 68 covers the processing space 13 from the second side in the width direction of the housing 3. The first side plate 63 and the second side plate 68 each connect the top plate 61 and the bottom plate 62, and face each other in the depth direction of the housing 3 with the processing space 13 in between. The processing space 13 communicates with the first housing opening 17 at one end in the width direction of the housing 3, and with the second housing opening 18 at the other end in the width direction. The bottom plate 62 has a configuration that includes a plate member whose main surface is perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the height direction of the housing 3, and a columnar member that is positioned on the plate member from the upper side in the height direction of the housing 3 and extends in the width direction of the housing 3.

[0038] Figure 7 is a perspective view of the air treatment apparatus 1, an example of the one shown in Figure 1, showing the processing box 10 and its vicinity, cut in a cross-section perpendicular or nearly perpendicular to the width direction of the housing 3. Note that in Figure 7, the light-shielding frame portion 51 and the cover member 81, which will be described later, are omitted.

[0039] The first side plate 63 extends along the width direction of the housing 3 from the light-shielding frame portion 51 to the second boundary surface B2 so as to be parallel to and the same dimensions as the second side plate 68, which will be described later, and also extends along the height direction of the housing 3 from the top plate 61 to the bottom plate 62. However, the portion of the first side plate 63 on the side where the light-shielding frame portion 51 is located extends along the height direction of the housing 3 from the top plate 61 to a position between the top plate 61 and the bottom plate 62. In other words, the portion of the first side plate 63 on the side where the light-shielding frame portion 51 is located does not extend to the bottom plate 62, and there is a gap between it and the bottom plate 62.

[0040] As a result, as shown in Figure 7, a first opening 67 is formed in the area enclosed by the bottom plate 62, the first side plate 63, and the light-shielding frame portion 51 by the aforementioned gap. The processing space 13 opens to the outside of the processing box 10 through the first opening 67 if the first opening 67 is not blocked. In the positional relationship of the example shown in Figure 7, the upper end of the first opening 67 is positioned below the lower end of the ultraviolet light source 31 in the height direction of the housing 3.

[0041] As shown in Figure 4, the second side plate 68 extends along the width direction of the housing 3 from the light-shielding frame portion 51 to the second boundary surface B2, and also extends along the height direction of the housing 3 from the top plate 61 to the bottom plate 62. However, the portion of the second side plate 68 on the side where the light-shielding frame portion 51 is located extends along the height direction of the housing 3 from the top plate 61 to a position between the top plate 61 and the bottom plate 62. In other words, the portion of the second side plate 68 on the side where the light-shielding frame portion 51 is located does not extend to the bottom plate 62, and there is a gap between it and the bottom plate 62.

[0042] As a result, as shown in Figures 4, 6, or 7, a second opening 72 is formed in the area enclosed by the bottom plate 62, the second side plate 68, and the light-shielding frame portion 51 by the aforementioned gap. The processing space 13 opens to the outside of the processing box 10 through the second opening 72 if the second opening 72 is not blocked. In the positional relationship of the example shown in Figure 7, the upper end of the second opening 72 is positioned below the lower end of the ultraviolet light source 31 in the height direction of the housing 3.

[0043] In the air treatment apparatus 1, an ultraviolet light source 31 is placed in the processing space 13. In this embodiment, the ultraviolet light source 31 is attached to the top plate 61 via a connecting member, as shown in Figure 6, etc. The ultraviolet light source 31 is equipped with a light-emitting element. By operating the ultraviolet light source 31, 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. Alternatively, instead of a light-emitting element, lamps other than LEDs, such as mercury lamps, metal halide lamps, fluorescent ultraviolet lamps, and excimer lamps, may be used as the ultraviolet light source 31. The ultraviolet light source 31 emits ultraviolet light in the processing space 13, and air treatment is performed in the processing space 13 of the air treatment apparatus 1 using the ultraviolet light emitted from the ultraviolet light source 31.

[0044] In the example shown in Figures 3, 4, and 6, the ultraviolet light source 31 primarily emits UV-C (ultraviolet light with a wavelength of 200 nm or more and 280 nm or less). When UV-C is irradiated onto the air in the processing space 13 from the ultraviolet light source 31, the activity of viruses and bacteria contained in the air flowing through the processing space 13 is suppressed. As a result, air sterilization is performed in the processing space 13 as part of the air treatment. The sterilized air is then discharged into the environmental space 22 through the second housing opening 18. In the example shown in Figures 3, 4, and 6, the ultraviolet light source 31 is positioned at the end of the processing space 13 on the side where space 15 is located. The ultraviolet light source 31 emits ultraviolet light toward the side where the fan-side space 16 is located in the width direction of the housing 3 of the air treatment device 1.

[0045] In one example, a photocatalyst module is arranged in the processing space 13 as an air processing unit, in addition to the ultraviolet light source 31. 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.

[0046] When the ultraviolet light source 31 and the photocatalyst module are arranged in the processing space 13 as an air processing unit, the ultraviolet light source 31 emits light of a wavelength that excites the photocatalyst 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, reactive oxygen species and OH radicals are generated in the photocatalyst module. The generated reactive oxygen species and OH radicals then decompose viruses, bacteria, and odor-causing substances contained in the air flowing through the processing space 13. As a result, air sterilization and deodorization are performed as air processing in the processing space 13.

[0047] In one example, the ultraviolet light source 31 and the photocatalyst module are arranged in the processing space 13 as an air processing 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 in the processing space 13 as air processing. When air processing is performed in the processing space 13 using ultraviolet light from the ultraviolet light source 31, it is preferable that the processing box 10 and the cover member 81 have higher reflectivity of ultraviolet light and other light than the light-shielding module 11 and the fan module 12, respectively. Furthermore, it is preferable that the light-shielding module 11 and the fan module 12 have higher light-absorbing properties than the processing box 10.

[0048] Furthermore, "disinfection" refers to the inactivation of viruses and bacteria present in the air, and terms such as "sterilization," "disinfection," and "sterilization" can be used instead of "disinfection." For this reason, although the term "disinfection" is used in this embodiment, it can be replaced with "sterilization," "disinfection," and "sterilization."

[0049] As described above, in the embodiments, an air treatment unit including an ultraviolet light source 31 performs air treatment on the air introduced into the housing 3 in the treatment space 13. The air treated in the treatment space 13 is then discharged to the outside of the housing 3 through the exhaust port.

[0050] In the air treatment apparatus 1, the cover member 81 is positioned in the processing space 13 and space 21. Figure 8 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the cover member 81 in the air treatment apparatus 1 of an example shown in Figure 1. As shown in Figures 6 and 8, the cover member 81 includes a mounting portion 82, a first protruding plate portion 83, a bridging portion 84, an extended plate portion 86, and a second protruding plate portion 87. The cover member 81 may also be called an LED unit cover.

[0051] As shown in Figure 6, the mounting portion 82 is attached to the top wall 6 in the space 21. At this time, the plate-shaped main surface of the mounting portion 82 is aligned with the width direction and depth direction of the housing 3.

[0052] The first protruding plate portion 83 is provided on one end of the bridging portion 84 and protrudes from the bridging portion 84. When the mounting portion 82 is attached to the top wall 6, for example, the main surface is aligned with the width direction of the housing 3, and the mounting portion 82 extends from the second end toward the bottom wall 5 along the height direction of the housing 3.

[0053] When the mounting portion 82 is attached to the top wall 6, the main surface of the bridging portion 84 is aligned with the width direction of the housing 3, and extends along the depth direction of the housing 3 from the bottom wall 5 side end of the first protruding plate portion 83 to the space 88 between the peripheral wall 7 and the first side plate 63. At this time, the bridging portion 84 is bridged between the first side plate 63 and the second side plate 68. The bridging portion 84 passes through the first opening 67 and the second opening 72, traversing the processing space 13 from the first side to the second side. The bridging portion 84 is also positioned between the ultraviolet light source 31 and the bottom plate 62, and is positioned opposite and separated from the height direction of the housing 3 with respect to both the ultraviolet light source 31 and the bottom plate 62. That is, in the processing space 13, the bridging portion 84 is positioned closer to the bottom plate 62 than the ultraviolet light source 31, and closer to the top plate 61 than the bottom plate 62. The first side portion of the bridging section 84 is adjacent to the first side plate 63 from the lower side in the height direction of the housing 3. The second side portion of the bridging section 84 is adjacent to the second side plate 68 from the lower side in the height direction of the housing 3.

[0054] When the mounting portion 82 of the extension plate portion 86 is attached to the top wall 6, the main surface of the extension plate portion 86 is aligned with the depth direction of the housing 3, and the extension portion extends from the end of the bridging portion 84 on the fan module 12 side toward the bottom plate 62 side toward the height direction of the housing 3.

[0055] The second protruding plate portion 87 is provided on the other end side of the bridging portion 84 and protrudes from the bridging portion 84. When the mounting portion 82 is attached to the top wall 6, in the space 88, the main surface extends along the width direction of the housing 3, and also extends along the height direction of the housing 3 from the first end of the bridging portion 84 toward the top wall 6.

[0056] As shown in Figure 6, the cover member 81 is attached to the housing 3 on the side of the first protruding plate portion 83. The cover member 81 also engages with the first side plate 63 on the side of the second protruding plate portion 87. Specifically, the cover member 81 engages with the processing box 10 when the bridging portion 84 is inserted into the first opening 67. That is, the first end portion 84a of the bridging portion 84 engages with the processing box 10.

[0057] In enclosure 3, the distance from the first side plate 63 to the portion of the peripheral wall 7 facing the first side plate 63 is shorter than the distance from the second side plate 68 to the portion of the peripheral wall 7 facing the second side plate 68.

[0058] The air treatment device 1 is equipped with at least one stud bolt 91. At least one stud bolt 91 is positioned protruding from the bottom wall 5 and, in one example, is welded to the bottom wall 5. In the example shown in Figures 4, 5, and 6, two stud bolts 91 are positioned apart from each other in the depth direction of the housing 3 on the side where the space 15 of the housing 3 is located. One of the two stud bolts 91 is positioned on the first side and the other stud bolt 91 is positioned on the second side. At least one stud bolt 91 penetrates from the bottom wall 5 through the bottom plate 62 in the thickness direction. At least one stud bolt 91 is a connecting member that connects the bottom wall 5 of the housing 3 and the bottom plate 62 of the treatment box 10.

[0059] Furthermore, at least one stud bolt 91 that penetrates the bottom plate 62 in the thickness direction protrudes into the processing space 13, as shown in Figure 6. The protruding end 92 of at least one stud bolt 91 in the height direction of the housing 3 faces or contacts the bridging portion 84. At least one stud bolt 91 may extend along the height direction of the housing 3 to the height where the bridging portion 84 is located, and the protruding end 92 of at least one stud bolt 91 may support the bridging portion 84. The stud bolt 91 restricts the rotation of the cover member 81. The stud bolt 91 is an example of a restricting member.

[0060] As described above, according to the first embodiment, the air treatment device 1 includes a cover member 81. In the air treatment device 1, in the treatment space 13, at least a part of the cover member 81, the cross-linking portion 84, is positioned on the bottom plate 62 side of the ultraviolet light source 31 and on the top plate 61 side of the bottom plate 62. Therefore, an air treatment device 1 that suppresses the fall of the ultraviolet light source 31 can be provided. To add to this, during construction, installation, or maintenance of the air treatment device 1, workers may remove the bottom wall 5 and bottom plate 62 from the housing 3 and work with the treatment space 13 open to the environmental space 22. At this time, at least a part of the cover member 81 is positioned between the ultraviolet light source 31 and the environmental space 22, so the fall of the ultraviolet light source 31 can be suppressed. Furthermore, when the bottom wall 5 and bottom plate 62 are attached to the housing 3, the fall of the ultraviolet light source 31 can be suppressed more firmly.

[0061] Furthermore, according to the embodiment, the cover member 81, specifically the bridging portion 84, is bridged between the first side plate 63 and the second side plate 68 (two side plates) of the processing box 10. The cover member 81 is attached to the housing 3 on the side of the first protruding plate portion 83 and engages with the first side plate 63 on the side of the second protruding plate portion 87. Therefore, even if the processing box 10 is located at one end inside the housing 3, the cover member 81 can be attached to the housing 3.

[0062] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the cover member 81 is provided with a second protruding plate portion 87. The engagement between the cover member 81 and the processing box 10 is strengthened when the second protruding plate portion 87 comes into contact with the first side plate 63.

[0063] Furthermore, according to the embodiment, the air treatment device 1 further includes a stud bolt 91 (restricting member) that protrudes from the inner surface of the housing 3 and contacts the cover member 81. As a result, in addition to the effects described above, when the bridging portion 84 moves in the height direction of the housing 3 due to the rotation of the cover member 81 with the portion of the mounting portion 82 of the cover member 81 attached to the top wall 6 as the pivot axis, the bridging portion 84 contacts the stud bolt 91. Therefore, the rotation of the cover member 81 is restricted. Also, even in a configuration where the stud bolt 91 supports the bridging portion 84, the rotation of the cover member 81 is suppressed.

[0064] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the stud bolt 91 is a connecting member that connects the housing 3 and the processing box 10. This allows the stud bolt 91 to have two functions: a function to restrict the rotation of the cover member 81 and a function to connect the housing 3 and the processing box 10.

[0065] In one example, air treatment is performed using ultraviolet light irradiated from an ultraviolet light source 31 and ozone. In this case, an ozone generator is placed 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 second housing opening 18. In this case, at least one of the following is performed: sterilization and deodorization of the air by the ozone discharged from inside the housing 3.

[0066] While several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be carried out in a variety of other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their variations are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, as well as in the claims of the invention and its equivalents. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0067] 1...Air treatment device, 3...Housing, 10...Processing box, 13...Processing space, 17...First housing opening, 18...Second housing opening, 25...Fan, 31...Ultraviolet light source, 61...Top plate, 62...Bottom plate, 63...First side plate, 68...Second side plate, 81...Cover member, 83...First protruding plate section, 84...Bridge section, 87...Second protruding plate section, 91...Stud bolt, 92...Protruding end.

Claims

1. A housing in which a first housing opening and a second housing opening are formed; The enclosure comprises a top plate and a bottom plate facing each other in the height direction, with the internal processing space in between, and two side plates connecting the top plate and the bottom plate, and facing each other in the depth direction of the enclosure, intersecting the height direction with the processing space in between, the processing space is in communication with the first enclosure opening at one end in the width direction of the enclosure, which intersects the height direction and the depth direction, and is in communication with the second enclosure opening at the other end in the width direction, and is provided inside the enclosure; A light source attached to the top plate and irradiating ultraviolet light in the processing space; A fan is positioned inside the housing and, when operated, forms an airflow between the first housing opening and the second housing opening, passing through the processing space; In the processing space, a cover member is positioned such that at least a portion of it is on the bottom plate side of the light source and on the top plate side of the bottom plate; An air treatment device equipped with the following features.

2. The cover member is A bridging portion that is bridged between the two side plates of the processing box; A first protruding plate portion provided on one end of the aforementioned bridging portion; A second protruding plate portion provided on the other end side of the aforementioned bridging portion; Equipped with, The cover member is attached to the housing on the side of the first protruding plate portion and engages with one of the two side plates on the side of the second protruding plate portion. The air treatment apparatus according to claim 1.

3. The air processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein, of the two side plates of the processing box, one that engages with the second protruding plate portion is designated as the first side plate, and the other side plate, separate from the first side plate, the distance from the first side plate to the portion of the housing facing the first side plate is shorter than the distance from the second side plate to the portion of the housing facing the second side plate.

4. The air apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a regulating member that protrudes from the inner surface of the housing and contacts the cover member.

5. The air treatment apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the regulating member is a connecting member that connects the housing and the processing box.

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