Air Purifier

Abstract

To provide an air purification device which includes a generation tank for generating, from salt-containing water, water with sterilizing and deodorizing effects, and a sterilizing and deodorizing unit for performing sterilization and deodorization, and which is cost effective and capable of delivering water stably in an amount from the generation tank to the sterilization and deodorization unit.SOLUTION: There is provided an air purification device comprising: a second pump 43 that is immersed in water in an electrolytic bath 32 and pumps up a non-fixed amount of water per unit time; a supply tank 45 of a predetermined volume into which the water pumped up by the second pump 43 flows; and a drop opening 48 which is an opening provided in a bottom surface of the supply tank 45. Water that has passed through the drop opening 48 stays in a sterilization section 26, and a control unit 9 causes the second pump 43 to operate during a predetermined period of time A. The predetermined period of tine A is longer than time from when the water in the electrolytic bath 32 starts to be transported to the supply tank 45 by the second pump 43 until the water in the supply tank 45 begins to overflow.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 12

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an air purifier that generates water with sterilizing and deodorizing effects from salt-containing water in a generation tank and performs sterilization and deodorization using the generated sterilizing and deodorizing water. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventional air purifiers are equipped with a generation tank in which an electrolysis unit equipped with electrodes that electrochemically treat water is installed, a sterilization and deodorization section that performs sterilization and deodorization using water with sterilizing and deodorizing effects generated in the generation tank, and a water delivery mechanism that delivers water from the generation tank to the sterilization and deodorization section. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2002-35096 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In such conventional air purifiers, a generation tank in which an electrolysis unit equipped with electrodes for electrochemically treating water is disposed, and a sterilization and deodorization section that performs sterilization and deodorization using the sterilization and deodorization water generated in the generation tank are provided in separate locations, and when the sterilization and deodorization water generated in the generation tank is sent to the sterilization and deodorization section, a water supply mechanism equipped with a quantitative pump that pumps up a fixed amount of water is used. In such air purifiers, the sterilization and deodorization performance is determined by the total amount of the sterilization and deodorization components contained in the water, and it is very important to manage the concentration and water volume. However, many quantitative pumps are complex and equipped with multiple electric parts, which increases the cost of the product. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] In order to achieve this object, the present invention provides a water supply system that includes a water supply tank for generating and storing water having sterilizing and deodorizing effects within a main body case, a sterilizing and deodorizing section for sterilizing and deodorizing the air using the sterilizing and deodorizing water, a water supply mechanism for supplying the sterilizing and deodorizing water from the water supply tank to the sterilizing and deodorizing section, and a control section for controlling the operation of the water supply mechanism. The water supply mechanism includes a non-fixed-rate pump that is immersed in the water in the water supply tank and that pumps up a non-fixed amount of water per unit time, and a non-fixed-rate pump. The non-fixed-volume pump has a transport waterway that transports water pumped by the non-fixed-volume pump to the supply tank, a supply tank of a predetermined volume into which the water pumped by the non-fixed-volume pump flows, and a drop opening that is an opening provided on the bottom surface of the supply tank, and the water that passes through the drop opening accumulates in the sterilization and deodorization unit, and the control unit operates the non-fixed-volume pump for a predetermined time A, and the predetermined time A is longer than the time from when the non-fixed-volume pump starts to transport water in the production tank to the supply tank until the water overflows from the supply tank. In order to reduce variation in the total amount of water transported by the non-fixed-rate pump from the generation tank to the sterilization and deodorization unit, during the predetermined time A, the time from when the water in the supply tank overflows due to transport by the non-fixed-rate pump to when the non-fixed-rate pump is stopped is longer than the time from when the operation of the non-fixed-rate pump is started to when the water in the supply tank overflows. The present invention is characterized by the above, and thereby achieves the intended purpose. Effect of the Invention

[0006] As described above, the present invention suppresses variation in the water supply rate of a water supply mechanism that uses a non-fixed-volume pump that pumps up a non-fixed amount of water, and makes it possible to supply a stable amount of water with sterilizing and deodorizing effects to the sterilization and deodorization section, thereby providing a low-cost air purification device. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an air purifying device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the air purifying device with the door open. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of the air purifying device. [Figure 4] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a water storage section of the air purifier. [Diagram 5] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the internal structure of the air purifying device. [Figure 6] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a water storage section of the air purifier. [Figure 7]FIG. 2 is a plan view of the water storage section of the air purifier; [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the water storage section of the air purifier; [Figure 9] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a water supply means of the air purifying device. [Figure 10] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an electrolytic cell of the air purifying device. [Figure 11] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an electrolytic cell of the air purifying device. [Figure 12] 3 is a cross-sectional view of the electrolytic cell of the air purifier. [Figure 13] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the electrolytic cell of the air purifier. [Figure 14] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a tablet injection mechanism of the air purifier; [Figure 15] FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing the inside of a tablet insertion case of the tablet insertion mechanism of the air purifying device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] (Embodiment 1) Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 are perspective views of an air purifier according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 1 is a view of the air purifier as viewed from the front side. Fig. 2 is a view of the air purifier with the door open and the water storage unit removed as viewed from the front side. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the air purifier according to the first embodiment as viewed from the side.

[0009] The detailed configuration of the air purifier will be described below. As shown in Fig. 1, the air purifier of this embodiment has a roughly box-shaped main body case 1, and both sides of the main body case 1 have roughly rectangular air intakes 2. The front of the main body case 1 has an openable door 3, and when the door 3 is opened, part of an air purification unit 7 inside the main body case 1, which will be described later, can be removed. The top surface of the main body case 1 has an openable air outlet 4.

[0010] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, main body case 1 contains therein a partition plate 5, a blower 6, an air purification unit 7, an air passage 8, and a control unit 9. The control unit in this embodiment corresponds to the "control unit" in the claims.

[0011] Blower 6 blows air, that is, it draws air into the main body case from air intake 2 and blows the drawn air out from air outlet 4. Blower 6 is provided in the center of main body case 1 and includes motor section 10, fan section 11 rotated by motor section 10, and casing section 12 surrounding them.

[0012] Fan section 11 is a sirocco fan fixed to motor shaft 13 extending horizontally from motor section 10, which is fixed to casing section 12. Casing section 12 has an outlet 14 on the top surface side of main body case 1 of casing section 12, and an inlet 15 on the back surface side of main body case 1 of casing section 12.

[0013] Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the water storage container of the air purifier of embodiment 1 placed inside the main body case. Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the internal structure of the air purifier of embodiment 1 with some of the components removed. Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the water storage part of the air purifier of embodiment 1.

[0014] As shown in Figures 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6, air purification unit 7 is a device that stores water from a water supply means in an electrolytic cell, adds electrolysis promoting tablets to the water in the electrolytic cell using a tablet addition mechanism, electrolyzes the water to produce water containing hypochlorous acid, which has disinfecting and deodorizing effects, and brings the water containing hypochlorous acid into contact with air sucked into the main body case from an air intake by a blower, and sprays it from an air outlet.

[0015] The air purification unit 7 includes a water storage section 16, an electrolysis section 17, a first transport section 18, a second transport section 19, and a third transport section 20. The second transport section in this embodiment corresponds to the "water supply mechanism" in the claims.

[0016] The water storage unit 16 stores water and sterilizes it. The water storage unit 16 has a water storage container 21, a water supply means 22, and a gas-liquid contact means 23.

[0017] Fig. 7 is a plan view of a water storage unit of the air purifier of embodiment 1. Fig. 8 is a plan view showing the internal structure of the water storage unit of the air purifier of embodiment 1 with some of the components removed.

[0018] As shown in Figures 4, 6, 7 and 8, the water storage container 21 is disposed in the lower part of the main body case 1, has a box shape with an open top, is structured to store water, and has a partition wall 24, a water supply compartment 25, and a sterilization compartment 26. The sterilization compartment in this embodiment corresponds to the "sterilization and deodorization section" in the claims.

[0019] 4, partition wall 24 is a plate that separates the front side (outside air passage 8) of main body case 1 from the rear side (air passage 8) of main body case 1 in water storage container 21, and extends upward from the bottom surface of water storage container 21, with its upper end being located above the upper end of water storage container 21. Also, a portion of the surface of the upper end of partition wall 24 is in surface contact with the wall surface of partition plate 5, thereby separating the front side (outside air passage 8) of main body case 1 from the rear side (air passage 8) of main body case 1 so that air does not flow in or out of each other.

[0020] The water supply compartment 25 is roughly bowl-shaped and is a compartment for storing water supplied from the water supply means 22. When the water storage container 21 is placed at the bottom of the main body case 1, it is located toward the front of the main body case 1 relative to the partition wall 24 and has a structure capable of holding the water supply means 22. The bottom has a cylindrical protrusion 27 at a position for holding the water supply means 22.

[0021] The sterilization section 26 is roughly bowl-shaped and is a section in which sterilization and deodorization are carried out using water containing hypochlorous acid produced in an electrolytic cell described below. The sterilization section 26 is provided across the front and rear sides of the partition 24 and is connected to the partition 24 by an opening (not shown) provided below the water level.

[0022] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the water supply means of the air purification device according to the first embodiment.

[0023] 2 and 9, the water supply means 22 is installed in the water supply section 25, has a structure that allows it to be attached and detached to the water supply section 25, and automatically supplies water to maintain a constant water level in the water supply section 25. The water supply means 22 has a tank 28 that is a hollow shape for storing water, and a handle 28a provided on the upper part of the tank 28, which is integrated with the tank 28, and is attached and detached to and from the water supply section 25 while holding the handle 28a.

[0024] When the tank 28 is attached to the water supply section 25, it has a circular tank opening (not shown) in the center of the bottom surface, and this tank opening is cylindrical in shape with its central axis extending vertically, and is structured so that it can be sealed by a removable cap 29 attached to the outer periphery of the tank opening.

[0025] The cap 29 has a cylindrical shape with its central axis extending vertically, and has a cylindrical cap opening 29a that opens vertically at the center of the bottom surface when attached to the water storage container 21, and the cap opening 29a is equipped with a water faucet 29b for opening and closing the lid opening.

[0026] Faucet 29b comprises a cylindrical shaft (not shown), an on-off valve (not shown) provided on one side of the shaft to block cap opening 29a, a coil spring (not shown) arranged to pass the shaft through its center, and a spring stop portion (not shown) provided on the other side of the shaft.

[0027] When the tank 28 is installed in the water supply section 25, the spring stopper part comes into contact with the protrusion 27 of the water supply section 25, and this spring stopper part moves upward while compressing the spring. Accordingly, the opening and closing valve also moves upward, and the opening and closing valve moves away from the cap opening 29a of the cap 29, so that the water in the tank 28 flows into the water supply section 25 from the cap opening 29a of the cap 29. Here, when the water in the water supply section 25 accumulates up to the bottom end of the cap opening 29a, air does not enter the tank 28 from the bottom end of the cap opening 29a, so that the water in the tank 28 does not flow into the water supply section 25. In other words, when the water in the water supply section 25 decreases, the water level increases up to the bottom end of the cap opening 29a, and the water level is kept constant at the bottom end of the cap opening 29a, so that a constant water level can always be maintained.

[0028] 6 and 7, the gas-liquid contact means 23 is located on the rear side of the partition wall 24 in the sterilization compartment 26, and is a member that brings the water stored in the sterilization compartment 26 into contact with the indoor air sucked into the main body case 1 by the blower 6. The gas-liquid contact means 23 has a filter 30, a filter frame 31, and a drive unit (not shown).

[0029] The filter 30 has water retention properties, is cylindrical, and has holes around its circumference that allow air to pass through. The filter 30 is attached to the filter frame 31 so that one end of the filter 30 is immersed in the water in the sterilization section 26.

[0030] The filter frame 31 is rotatably supported by a bearing portion (not shown) provided in the water storage container 21. The filter 30 and the filter frame 31 are structured to be rotated by a drive portion.

[0031] Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the electrolytic cell of the air purifier of embodiment 1. Fig. 11 is a perspective view showing the internal structure of the electrolytic cell of the air purifier of embodiment 1 with some of the components removed. Fig. 12 is a cross-sectional view seen from the side of the electrolytic cell of the air purifier of embodiment 1. Fig. 13 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a supply cell of the electrolytic cell of the air purifier of embodiment 1.

[0032] As shown in Figs. 10, 11, 12 and 13, the electrolysis unit 17 electrolyzes water in an electrolytic cell to generate water containing hypochlorous acid.

[0033] The electrolysis section 17 includes an electrolytic cell 32, a tablet injection mechanism 33, and an electrolysis unit . The electrolytic cell in this embodiment corresponds to the "production cell" in the claims.

[0034] The electrolytic cell 32 is provided above the water storage container 21 and has a generally box-like shape with an open top.

[0035] Fig. 14 is a perspective view of the tablet insertion mechanism of the air purifying device of embodiment 1. Fig. 15 is a perspective view showing the inside of a tablet insertion case of the tablet insertion mechanism of the air purifying device of embodiment 1.

[0036] As shown in Figures 14 and 15, the tablet injection mechanism 33 is installed above the electrolytic cell 32, and includes a tablet injection case 35, a tablet injection member 36 provided in the tablet injection case 35, and a tablet injection cover 37 detachably provided on the upper part of the tablet injection case 35. When the tablet injection cover 37 is removed from the tablet injection case 35 and an electrolysis promotion tablet 38 is placed in the tablet injection case 35, the tablet injection member 36 rotates, and the electrolysis promotion tablet 38 automatically falls into the electrolytic cell 32 from an opening 35a on the bottom surface of the tablet injection case 35. For example, sodium chloride can be used as the electrolysis promotion tablet 38.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 10, the electrolysis unit 34 immerses a first electrode (not shown) and a second electrode (not shown) in the water of the electrolysis tank 32, applies a voltage to the first electrode and the second electrode, and electrochemically processes the water in the electrolysis tank 32 containing an electrolysis promotion tablet 38 (described later) that is inserted by a tablet insertion mechanism 33, to generate hypochlorous acid. An example of the electrolysis promotion solvent is sodium chloride, and the electrolysis unit 34 electrochemically decomposes an aqueous sodium chloride solution to generate electrolytic water containing active oxygen species (hypochlorous acid is used as an example in this embodiment). Here, the active oxygen species refers to oxygen molecules that have higher oxidation activity than normal oxygen and related substances. For example, the active oxygen species includes not only so-called active oxygen in the narrow sense, such as superoxide anion, singlet oxygen, hydroxyl radical, or hydrogen peroxide, but also so-called active oxygen in the broad sense, such as ozone, hypochlorous acid (hypohalous acid), etc. In addition, in this embodiment, the production of electrolyzed water containing active oxygen species (here, hypochlorous acid) may be expressed as generating active oxygen species (here, hypochlorous acid).

[0038] As shown in Figures 4, 5 and 6, the first transport unit 18 transports water from the water storage unit 16 to the electrolysis unit 17. The first transport unit 18 has a first pump 39 that is provided so as to be immersed in the water of the water supply section 25, and a first transport water channel 40 that is connected to the first pump 39.

[0039] The first pump 39 is a pumping type pump, which moves the water supplied from the water supply means 22 to the water supply section 25 into the first transport water passage 40 and transports the water to the electrolytic cell 32 .

[0040] The first transport waterway 40 is a cylindrical pipe that is open at both ends, one end of which is connected to the first pump 39 and the other end of which is located above the top surface of the electrolytic cell 32 .

[0041] The control of the transport of water to the electrolytic cell 32 and the production of water containing hypochlorous acid in the electrolytic cell 32 in this embodiment will be described below.

[0042] First, the control unit 9 operates the first pump 39 to transport water from the water supply section 25 to the electrolytic cell 32 through the first transport water channel 40. Next, when the water level in the electrolytic cell 32 reaches a predetermined water level, the control unit 9 operates the tablet injection mechanism 33 to inject the electrolysis promotion tablet 38 into the electrolytic cell 32. Next, when the water level in the electrolytic cell 32 further rises and reaches a second predetermined water level that is higher than the predetermined water level, the control unit 9 stops the first pump 39, and the transport of water from the water supply section 25 to the electrolytic cell 32 stops. Next, the control unit 9 starts the operation of the electrolysis unit 34, and stops it after a predetermined time has passed. As a result, water containing hypochlorous acid at a certain concentration is generated and held in the electrolytic cell 32.

[0043] The second transport section 19 transports the water containing hypochlorous acid produced in the electrolytic cell 32 to the sterilization section .

[0044] 6 and 7, the third transport section 20 transports the water in the water supply section 25 to the sterilization section 26. The third transport section 20 includes a third pump 41 provided so as to be immersed in the water in the water supply section 25, and a third transport water channel 42 connected to the third pump 41.

[0045] The third pump 41 is a pump of the pumping type, which moves the water supplied from the water supply means 22 to the water supply section 25 to the third transport water channel 42 and transports it to the sterilization section 26.

[0046] The third transport waterway 42 is a cylindrical pipe open at both ends, with one end connected to the third pump 41 and the other end located just above the water surface on the front side of the partition 24 of the sterilization section 26.

[0047] The operation of the third transport unit 20 in this embodiment is as follows. After the second transport unit 19 has completed transporting the water containing hypochlorous acid from the electrolytic cell 32 to the sterilization section 26, the control unit 9 operates the third pump 41 to transport water from the water supply section 25 to the sterilization section 26. The concentration of hypochlorous acid in the sterilization section 26 is adjusted to a predetermined concentration by mixing the water containing hypochlorous acid transported from the second transport unit 19 with the water transported from the third transport unit 20. By these controls, a fixed amount of water containing hypochlorous acid is transported to the sterilization section 26, and the hypochlorous acid is adjusted to a target concentration by mixing with water.

[0048] This makes it possible to mix the water containing hypochlorous acid transported from the electrolytic cell 32 with the water in the water supply section 25 in any ratio, and makes it possible to adjust the concentration of hypochlorous acid in the sterilization section 26 to a predetermined concentration.

[0049] 3, air passage 8 communicates between intake port 2 and outlet port 4, and is provided with, in this order from intake port 2, gas-liquid contact means 23, blower 6, and outlet port 4. When fan unit 11 is rotated by motor unit 10, outside air that has entered air passage 8 from intake port 2 is blown out through gas-liquid contact means 23, blower 6, and outlet port 4, in that order.

[0050] The control unit 9 is provided within the main body case 1 and controls the operation of the electrolysis unit 34, the first transport unit 18, the second transport unit 19, the third transport unit, and the tablet feeding mechanism 33, and adjusts the concentration and amount of water containing hypochlorous acid in the sterilization section 26.

[0051] As shown in Figs. 4, 5, 11, 12 and 13, the second transport section 19 transports water from the electrolysis section to the water storage section.

[0052] The second transport section 19 has a second pump 43 provided so as to be immersed in the water of the electrolytic bath 32, a second front-stage transport water passage 44 connected to the second pump 43, a supply tank 45 provided inside the electrolytic bath 32, and a second rear-stage transport water passage 46 connected to the supply tank 45. The second pump in this embodiment corresponds to the "non-fixed rate pump" in the claims. The supply tank corresponds to the "supply tank" in the claims.

[0053] The second pump 43 is a pumping type pump, and the amount of water pumped per unit time varies, i.e., the amount of water pumped per unit time is not fixed. In addition, the amount of water pumped per unit time by the second pump has a maximum value and a minimum value. The water electrochemically treated in the electrolytic bath 32 is moved by the second pump to the second upstream transport waterway 44 and transported to the supply bath 45.

[0054] The second front-stage transport waterway 44 is a cylindrical pipe with both ends open, one end connected to the second pump 43 and the other end connected to a connection port 47 of the supply tank 45, which will be described later.

[0055] Supply tank 45 has a generally elongated bowl shape with an opening on the top surface, is provided inside electrolytic tank 32, and has a connection port 47 on the side surface for connection to second front-stage transport channel 44, and a drop opening 48 on the bottom surface. The upper end of supply tank 45 is provided higher than the water level in electrolytic tank 32 and lower than the upper end of electrolytic tank 32. The drop opening in this embodiment corresponds to the "drop opening" in the claims.

[0056] That is, supply tank 45 is provided within electrolytic tank 32 , the upper end of supply tank 45 is positioned above the water level within electrolytic tank 32 , and water overflowing from supply tank 45 flows into electrolytic tank 32 .

[0057] The water overflowing from the supply tank 45 flows into the electrolytic tank 32, so that the water containing the generated hypochlorous acid can be utilized without being drained. Furthermore, water circulation occurs between the electrolytic tank 32 and the supply tank 45, so that the concentration of hypochlorous acid in the electrolytic tank 32 can be prevented from becoming uneven.

[0058] The connection port 47 is an opening formed in a part of the side surface of the supply tank 45, and has a circular shape equal to the outer diameter of the second front-stage transport waterway 44.

[0059] The drop opening 48 is provided to penetrate the bottom surface of the supply tank 45, and opens in a circular shape with a predetermined diameter so that a fixed amount of water always passes through when the supply tank 45 is full. The amount of water passing through the drop opening 48 per unit time when the supply tank 45 is full is less than the minimum value of the amount of water pumped up per unit time by the second pump 43. Until the supply tank 45 is full, that is, when the water level of the supply tank 45 continues to rise, the amount of water passing through the drop opening 48 per unit time is non-fixed. This is because the amount of water passing through the drop opening 48 per unit time varies depending on the water pressure. The water pressure varies depending on the water level of the supply tank 45. There is variation in the rate at which the water level of the supply tank 45 rises due to the transport of water using the second pump 43, which is a non-fixed-rate pump, and the total amount of water passing through the drop opening 48 until the supply tank 45 is full varies with each operation of the second pump 43.

[0060] The second downstream transport waterway 46 is a cylindrical pipe with both ends open, one end connected to the drop opening 48, and the other end located above the sterilization section 26. The water containing hypochlorous acid transported to the supply tank 45 gradually moves to the second downstream transport waterway 46 by the drop opening 48, and is transported to the sterilization section 26 via the second downstream transport waterway 46.

[0061] The second transport section 19 may have any configuration as long as the water that has passed through the drop opening 48 is accumulated in the sterilization section 26, and the form thereof is not limited.

[0062] For example, the second transport section 19 may not include the second downstream transport waterway 46, and the drop opening 48 may be provided directly above the water surface in the sterilization section 26.

[0063] The water in the supply tank 45 that passes through the drop opening 48 drops vertically into the water in the sterilization section 26 directly below. This makes it possible to supply the water containing hypochlorous acid in the electrolytic tank 32 to the sterilization section 26.

[0064] The operation of the second pump 43 under the control of the control unit 9 is performed for a predetermined time A necessary for transporting water containing a target amount of hypochlorous acid from the electrolytic cell 32 to the sterilization section 26, The predetermined time A is equal to or longer than the time for water to overflow from the upper end of supply tank 45 when water continues to be pumped by second pump 43 at the minimum amount of water per unit time.

[0065] That is, the main body case 1 includes an electrolytic cell 32 that generates and stores water having sterilizing and deodorizing effects, a sterilization section 26 that sterilizes and deodorizes the air using the sterilizing and deodorizing water, a second transport unit 19 that sends the sterilizing and deodorizing water from the electrolytic cell 32 to the sterilization section 26, and a control unit 9 that controls the operation of the second transport unit 19. The second transport unit 19 is immersed in the water in the electrolytic cell 32 and is driven by a second pump 43 that pumps up a non-fixed amount of water per unit time. The electrolytic cell 32 includes a supply tank 45 of a predetermined volume into which water pumped up by the second pump 43 flows, and a drop opening 48 which is an opening provided on the bottom surface of the supply tank 45. Water that passes through the drop opening 48 accumulates in the sterilization section 26. The control unit 9 operates the second pump 43 for a predetermined time A, and the predetermined time A is longer than the time from when the second pump 43 starts to transport water in the electrolytic cell 32 to the supply tank 45 until the water overflows from the supply tank 45.

[0066] The operation of second transport unit 19, which corresponds to the "water conveying mechanism" in the claims of this embodiment, will be described below.

[0067] The control unit 9 operates the second pump 43, which is a non-fixed rate pump, and starts transporting water containing hypochlorous acid from the electrolytic cell 32 to the supply cell 45 through the second front-stage transport channel 44. The water transported into the supply cell 45 enters the second rear-stage transport channel 46 through the drop opening 48. Since the amount of water passing through the drop opening 48 per unit time is less than the minimum amount of water pumped up per unit time by the second pump 43, the water level of the supply cell 45 continues to rise due to the operation of the second pump 43. The second pump 43 stops after a predetermined time A has elapsed. The predetermined time A is equal to or longer than the time it takes for water to overflow from the upper end of the supply cell 45. After the second pump 43 stops, water equivalent to the volume of the supply cell 45 is supplied to the second rear-stage transport channel 46 from the drop opening 48.

[0068] That is, the amount of water transported by the second transport unit 19 from the electrolytic bath 32 to the sterilization section 26 from when the supply tank 45 becomes full to when the second pump 43 stops is: (Operation time of second pump 43 after supply tank 45 is filled with water) x (amount of water passing through drop opening 48 per unit time when supply tank 45 is filled with water) + (volume of supply tank 45) and it is possible to transport a fixed amount of water. This makes it possible to supply water having sterilizing and deodorizing effects to the sterilization section 26 while suppressing the variation in the pumping amount of the second pump 43, which is a non-fixed-rate pump. This makes it possible to suppress the variation in the water supply amount of the water supply mechanism using a non-fixed-rate pump that pumps up a non-fixed amount of water, and to supply a stable amount of water having sterilizing and deodorizing effects to the sterilization and deodorization section, thereby obtaining a low-cost air purification device.

[0069] In addition, it is desirable that the time from when the water in the supply tank 45 overflows due to transport by the second pump 43 to when the second pump 43 stops is longer than the time from when the second pump 43 starts operating to when the water in the supply tank 45 overflows.

[0070] As described above, the amount of water transported by the second transport section 19 from the electrolytic tank 32 to the sterilization section 26 is variable from the time the second pump 43 starts operating until the water in the supply tank 45 overflows, and is fixed from the time the water in the supply tank 45 overflows due to transport by the second pump 43 until the second pump 43 stops.

[0071] The longer the time from when water overflows from supply tank 45 due to transport by second pump 43 until second pump 43 stops is compared with the time from when second pump 43 starts operating until water overflows from supply tank 45, the smaller the variation in the total amount of water transported by second transport unit 19 from electrolytic tank 32 to sterilization section 26. This further reduces the variation in the water transport amount of a water transport mechanism using a non-fixed-rate pump that pumps up a non-fixed amount of water, making it possible to transport a stable amount of water with sterilization and deodorization effects to the sterilization and deodorization section, and obtain a low-cost air purification device.

[0072] As shown in FIG. 13, it is preferable that the electrolytic cell 32 has a bottom surface inclined toward the drop opening 48 so that the drop opening 48 is the lowest point based on the vertical direction when the main body case 1 is installed.

[0073] In order to ensure that the amount of water transported by the second transport unit 19 from the electrolytic cell 32 to the sterilization section 26 after the supply cell 45 is full is constant, all of the water in the volume of the supply cell 45 needs to be supplied from the drop opening 48 to the second downstream transport channel 46 after the second pump 43 stops. In a configuration in which the bottom surface of the electrolytic cell 32 is flat, if the floor surface on which the main body case 1 is installed is inclined, some of the water in the supply cell 45 cannot enter the second downstream transport channel 46 from the drop opening 48 and remains in the supply cell 45. In a configuration in which the bottom surface of the electrolytic cell 32 is inclined toward the drop opening 48 so that the drop opening 48 is the lowest point based on the vertical direction when the main body case 1 is installed, all of the water in the volume of the supply cell 45 enters the second downstream transport channel 46, so no water remains in the supply cell 45. This makes it possible to transport a fixed amount of water after the supply cell 45 is full. This makes it possible to suppress the variation in the amount of water sent by the water sending mechanism using a non-fixed-rate pump that pumps up a non-fixed amount of water, and to send a stable amount of water with sterilizing and deodorizing effects to the sterilization and deodorization section, thereby obtaining a low-cost air purifier.The floor surface on which the main body case 1 is placed is the floor surface in the environment in which the air purifier of the present invention is used. [Industrial Applicability]

[0074] The air purifying device according to the present invention is useful as an air purifying device for home or office use. [Explanation of symbols]

[0075] 1 Main unit case 2 Air Intake 3 Doors 4 Air outlet 5 Partition 6. Blower 7 Air Purification Unit 8 Wind path 9. Control Unit 10 Motor section 11 Fan Club 12 Casing section 13 Motor shaft 14 Outlet 15 Intake port 16 Water storage section 17 Electrolytic section 18 1st Transportation Department 19 2nd Transportation Department 20. 3rd Transportation Department 21 Water storage tank 22 Water supply means 23 Gas-liquid contact means 24 Bulkhead 25 Water Supply Section 26 Sterilization Area 27 Protrusion 28 Tank 28a Toride 29 Cap 29a Cap opening 29b Faucet 30 Filters 31 Filter Frame 32 Electrolytic cell 33 Tablet injection mechanism 34 Electrolysis Unit 35 Tablet Case 35a opening 36 Tablet inserting member 37 Tablet insert cover 38 Electrolysis Accelerator Tablets 39 First Pump 40 1st Transport Channel 41 3rd Pump 42 3rd Transportation Channel 43 Second Pump 44 2nd front transport waterway 45 Supply tank 46 Second downstream transport channel 47 Connection port 48 Drop Hole A. A designated time

Claims

1. Inside the main case, A generation tank that generates and stores water with sterilizing and deodorizing effects; A sterilization and deodorization unit that sterilizes and deodorizes the air using water with sterilizing and deodorizing effects; A water supply mechanism that supplies the sterilizing and deodorizing water from the generation tank to the sterilization and deodorization unit; A control unit that controls the operation of the water supply mechanism; Equipped with The water supply mechanism includes: A non-fixed-volume pump that is immersed in the water in the generation tank and pumps a non-fixed amount of water per unit time; a supply tank having a predetermined volume into which the water pumped by the non-metering pump flows; A drop opening is provided on the bottom surface of the supply tank, The water that has passed through the drop opening is collected in the sterilization and deodorization section, The control unit operates the non-metering pump for a predetermined time A, The predetermined time A is longer than the time from when the non-metering pump starts to transport water in the production tank to the supply tank until the water in the supply tank overflows, This air purifying device is characterized in that, at the specified time A, the time from when the water in the supply tank overflows due to transport by the non-metering pump to when the non-metering pump stops is longer than the time from when the non-metering pump starts operating to when the water in the supply tank overflows, so that the variation in the total amount of water transported by the non-metering pump from the generation tank to the sterilization and deodorization section is reduced.

2. The supply tank is provided within the production tank, The upper end of the supply tank is disposed above the water level in the refinery tank; 2. The air purifying apparatus according to claim 1, wherein water overflowing from the supply tank flows into the refinery tank.

3. Within the main body case, A generation tank that generates and stores water with sterilizing and deodorizing effects; A sterilization and deodorization unit that sterilizes and deodorizes the air using water with sterilizing and deodorizing effects; A water supply mechanism that supplies the sterilizing and deodorizing water from the generation tank to the sterilization and deodorization unit; A control unit that controls the operation of the water supply mechanism; Equipped with The water supply mechanism includes: A non-fixed-volume pump that is immersed in the water in the generation tank and pumps a non-fixed amount of water per unit time; a supply tank having a predetermined volume into which the water pumped by the non-metering pump flows; A drop opening is provided on the bottom surface of the supply tank, The water that has passed through the drop opening is collected in the sterilization and deodorization section, The control unit operates the non-metering pump for a predetermined time A, The predetermined time A is longer than the time from when the non-metering pump starts to transport water in the production tank to the supply tank until the water overflows from the supply tank, and the supply tank is An air purifying device, characterized in that, when the main body case is installed, the bottom surface is inclined toward the drop opening so that the drop opening is at the lowest point relative to the vertical direction.

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