Photocatalyst device

Abstract

To provide a photocatalyst device capable of obtaining an effect due to a high photocatalyst reaction even small.SOLUTION: A photocatalyst device 10 of the present invention includes a housing 11, a photocatalyst mechanism 12, and a blower mechanism 13. The housing 11 accommodates the photocatalyst mechanism 12 and the blower mechanism 13. The housing 11 has an air inlet 11a and an exhaust port 11b, the photocatalyst mechanism 12 includes a substrate 12a, a light source portion 12b, and a photocatalyst portion 12c, and the substrate 12a extends in a substantially spiral shape from the intake port 11a toward the exhaust port 11b. Air forms an air passage flowing in a substantial spiral shape, the light source part 12b and the photocatalyst part 12c are arranged on at least one surface of the base body 11a so that the light emitted from the light source part 12b is incident on the photocatalyst part 12c, and the blower mechanism 13 is arranged near at least one of the intake port 11a and the exhaust port 11b.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art There have been reports of technology relating to photocatalyst devices incorporating photocatalysts for sterilizing and deodorizing the air (for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-44506 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the photocatalytic device of Patent Document 1, the LEDs arranged inside the frame provide light to a planar photocatalytic member to produce a photocatalytic reaction. Therefore, in order to increase the effect of the photocatalytic reaction, it is necessary to increase the surface area of ​​the photocatalytic member, which creates a problem of increasing the size of the photocatalytic device.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a photocatalyst device that is small but capable of achieving a high effect through photocatalytic reaction. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, the photocatalyst device of the present invention comprises: A housing and Photocatalytic mechanism; Including a blower mechanism, The photocatalyst mechanism and the air blowing mechanism are housed inside the housing, The housing includes an intake port and an exhaust port, The photocatalytic mechanism includes a substrate, a light source unit, and a photocatalytic unit, the base body extends in a substantially spiral shape from the intake port toward the exhaust port, forming an air flow path through which air flows in a substantially spiral shape; the light source unit and the photocatalyst unit are disposed on at least one surface of the base so that light emitted by the light source unit is incident on the photocatalyst unit; The air blowing mechanism is a device disposed near at least one of the air intake and the air exhaust. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a photocatalyst device that is small but capable of obtaining a high effect due to the photocatalytic reaction. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1(A) is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the configuration of a photocatalyst device in embodiment 1, and FIG. 1(B) is a schematic view showing an example of the appearance of the photocatalyst device in embodiment 1. [Diagram 2] Fig. 2(A) is a schematic diagram showing an example of the appearance of a photocatalyst device in embodiment 1. Fig. 2(B) is a cross-sectional view (perspective view) of cut surface A of the photocatalyst device in Fig. 2(A) viewed from the exhaust port side. Fig. 2(C) is a cross-sectional view (perspective view) of cut surface B of the photocatalyst device in Fig. 2(A) viewed from the exhaust port side. Fig. 2(D) is a cross-sectional view (perspective view) of cut surface C of the photocatalyst device in Fig. 2(A) viewed from the intake port side. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3(A) is a cross-sectional view of the photocatalyst device in the second embodiment, and FIG. 3(B) is a schematic view showing an example of the external appearance of the photocatalyst device in the second embodiment. [Figure 4A] FIG. 4A is a schematic diagram showing an example of the arrangement of a light source unit and a photocatalyst unit in the photocatalyst device in embodiment 1. FIG. [Figure 4B] FIG. 4B is a schematic diagram showing an example of the arrangement of the light source unit and the photocatalyst unit in the photocatalyst device in embodiment 1. [Figure 4C] FIG. 4C is a schematic diagram showing an example of the arrangement of the light source unit and the photocatalyst unit in the photocatalyst device in embodiment 1. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing another example of the appearance of the photocatalyst device in the second embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing another example of the appearance of the photocatalyst device in the first embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] In the present invention, "sterilization" is not limited to removing and reducing microorganisms, but should be interpreted in the broadest sense including sterilization, antibacterial, disinfection, sterilization, bacteriostasis, etc., and is not limited in any sense. Sterilization means killing microorganisms. Antibacterial means inhibiting the growth of microorganisms. Disinfection means rendering pathogenic microorganisms harmless by killing or reducing the ability of pathogenic microorganisms to animals and plants such as humans. Sterilization means killing all microorganisms. Bacteriostasis means inhibiting or preventing the growth of microorganisms.

[0010] In the present invention, the term "antiviral" should be interpreted in the broadest sense, including reduction of viral infectivity, prevention of viral infection, inactivation of viruses, inhibition of viral proliferation, and the like, and is not limited in any sense.

[0011] In the present invention, "deodorization" is not limited to decomposing odor-causing substances, but should be interpreted in the broadest sense including deodorization, odor prevention, etc., and is not limited in any sense. Deodorization means physically removing odor-causing substances. Deodorization means preventing the generation or emission of odor-causing substances.

[0012] Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The present invention is not limited or restricted by the following embodiment. In the following drawings, the same parts are given the same reference numerals. The explanations in each embodiment can be mutually applied. Furthermore, the configurations of each embodiment can be combined unless otherwise specified. In addition, in the drawings, for convenience of explanation, the structure of each part is appropriately simplified, and the dimensional ratio of each part may be shown schematically, different from the actual one.

[0013] [Embodiment 1] 1(A) and (B) are schematic diagrams showing an example of the configuration of the photocatalyst device 10 in this embodiment. FIG. 1(A) is a cross-sectional view of the photocatalyst device 10 in this embodiment, and FIG. 1(B) is a schematic diagram showing an example of the appearance of the photocatalyst device 10 in this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1(A) and (B), the photocatalyst device 10 in this embodiment includes a housing 11, a photocatalyst mechanism 12, and a blower mechanism 13. The device 10 may further include a control circuit 14, a power supply circuit 15, a battery unit (not shown), an operator (not shown), etc., as an optional configuration, as described later. Note that the shape, size, number, weight, etc. of each part of the photocatalyst device 10 shown in FIG. 1 are only examples, and these can be changed arbitrarily. In addition, the material of each part of the photocatalyst device 10 is not particularly limited, and examples include metal, resin, mineral (mica (mica sheet), etc.), but can be changed arbitrarily.

[0014] The device 10 may be installed with its longitudinal direction vertical, for example, as shown in Fig. 1. On the other hand, the device 10 may be installed with its longitudinal direction horizontal, for example, by appropriately changing the positions of the intake port 11a and the exhaust port 11b described below. Although not shown, in the case of the configuration of Fig. 6, the internal structure of the device 10 can be obtained by appropriately changing the positions of the parts shown in Fig. 1(A). The installation location of the device 10 is not particularly limited, and it can be placed on a desk, for example.

[0015] The housing 11 accommodates the photocatalyst mechanism 12 and the blower mechanism 13 therein. The housing 11 may also incorporate various circuits (e.g., a power supply circuit 15 related to power supply, a control circuit 14 described below, etc.), a battery unit, a current line, various sensors (e.g., a gas sensor, etc.), etc., therein. The battery unit stores, for example, power to be supplied to each unit of the device 10 (e.g., the light source unit 12b, the blower mechanism 13, etc.). The battery unit can be repeatedly discharged and charged, for example. The device 10 may receive power from an external power source via a power cord, for example, instead of or in addition to the battery unit in the housing 11. The power cord is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, a cord with a USB (Universal Serial Bus) terminal.

[0016] The shape of the housing 11 is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, a substantially cylindrical shape, a substantially square prism shape, a substantially semicylindrical shape (also called a mountain shape or a half-moon shape), etc. In addition, both ends of the housing 11 may be, for example, substantially flat as shown in FIG. 1, but this is merely an example and is not limited thereto. Both ends of the housing 11 may be, for example, substantially arc-shaped, substantially conical, etc. The size of the housing 11 is not particularly limited as long as it can accommodate the photocatalyst mechanism 12 and the blower mechanism 13, and can be designed appropriately. When the present device 10 can be placed on a desk, the size of the housing 11 is, for example, equivalent to the size of a 350 ml can or a 500 ml PET bottle. Specifically, the length (horizontal) in the X direction in Fig. 1 is 3 cm to 10 cm, 3.5 cm to 8 cm, and 4 cm to 7 cm, the length (vertical) in the Y direction in Fig. 1 is 3 cm to 10 cm, 3.5 cm to 8 cm, and 4 cm to 7 cm, and the length (width) in the Z direction in Fig. 1 is 4 cm to 25 cm, 4.5 to 23 cm, and 5 cm to 20 cm. Note that these lengths are merely examples and are not limited to these.

[0017] The housing 11 also includes an intake port 11a and an exhaust port 11b. The intake port 11a is an opening that draws in air outside the device 10, and the exhaust port 11b is an opening that blows the air out of the device 10. That is, the intake port 11a and the exhaust port 11b form an air flow path inside the housing 11, through which air flows from the intake port 11a to the exhaust port 11b through a photocatalyst mechanism 12 described later. The intake port 11a and the exhaust port 11b may include, for example, a filter. As the filter, a conventionally known filter can be used, for example, a nonwoven fabric, glass fiber, synthetic fiber, etc. The filter can adsorb, for example, dust, pollen, etc. in the air, and can purify the air. The number of the intake port 11a and the exhaust port 11b is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, one or more.

[0018] FIG. 1 shows an example in which the intake port 11a is arranged in the circumferential direction on a side surface on one end side of the housing 11, and the exhaust port 11b is arranged in the circumferential direction on a side surface on the other end side, but this is an example, and the arrangement of the intake port 11a and the exhaust port 11b is not particularly limited. The positional relationship between the intake port 11a and the exhaust port 11b may be reversed, for example. More specifically, the intake port 11a or the exhaust port 11b arranged at the end other than the installation surface side may be arranged at a position of 0 cm to 5 cm from the end. Similarly, the intake port 11a or the exhaust port 11b arranged at the end on the installation surface side may be arranged at a position of 10 cm to 15 cm from the end. The farther the position of the intake port 11a or the exhaust port 11b arranged at the end on the installation surface side is from the end on the installation surface side, the more it can suppress the intake of dust and dirt that is composting at the installation site. In addition, the distance between the intake port 11a and the exhaust port 11b is not particularly limited, and depends on the size of the photocatalyst mechanism 12 in the case of a structure in which the photocatalyst mechanism 12 is arranged between the intake port 11a and the exhaust port 11b as shown in FIG. 1. Specifically, when the housing 11 is equivalent to a size of a 350 ml can or a 500 ml plastic bottle, the distance between the intake port 11a and the exhaust port 11b may be, for example, 2 cm to 8 cm, 3 cm to 7 cm, or 5 cm to 6 cm, but is not limited thereto. On the other hand, for example, as shown in FIG. 3 described later, when the intake port 11a and the photocatalyst mechanism 12 are arranged side by side in the cross-sectional view of the present device 10, the intake port 11a and the exhaust port 11b may be arranged adjacent to each other (they may or may not be in contact). Note that these lengths are merely examples and are not limited thereto. By separating the intake port 11a and the exhaust port 11b, for example, it is possible to suppress re-inhalation of air immediately after exhausting. Other arrangements of the intake port 11a and the exhaust port 11b will be described later.

[0019] The size of the intake port 11a (the area occupied in the circumferential direction of the housing 11) may be smaller than that of the exhaust port 11b, for example, as shown in Fig. 1. However, without being limited thereto, the size of the intake port 11a (the area occupied in the circumferential direction of the housing 11) may be larger than that of the exhaust port 11b, or may be the same size as that of the exhaust port 11b. The sizes of the intake port 11a and the exhaust port 11b are not particularly limited, and depend on the size of the blower mechanism 13, for example.

[0020] For example, an operator (not shown) for electrically operating each part of the device 10 may be exposed on the outer surface of the housing 11. Specifically, when the device 10 is installed with its longitudinal direction vertical as shown in FIG. 1, the operator may be disposed on the end surface (top surface) of the housing 11, which is not the installation surface, from the viewpoint of stability when operated. The form of the operator is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, a button, a switch, a proximity sensor, or the like. The operator may be, for example, a touch panel. The operator is operated by a user, for example, when switching the ON / OFF state of the device 10. Note that the "ON state" refers to, for example, a state in which power supply to each part of the device 10 is started, the light source unit 12b described later is turned on, and the blower mechanism 13 is operating. Note that the "OFF state" refers to, for example, a state in which power supply to each part of the device 10 is stopped, the light source unit 12b is turned off, and the blower mechanism 13 is stopped.

[0021] Here, the installation surface is a surface facing an installation target such as a floor or a desk. For example, a buffer member that contacts the installation target may be disposed on the installation surface. The buffer member is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include rubber, silicon, sponge, and the like. According to this embodiment, when the present device 10 is installed on the installation target, the buffer member exists between the present device 10 and the installation target, so that, for example, the present device 10 can be more stably fixed to the installation target.

[0022] The photocatalyst mechanism 12 includes a base 12a, a light source unit 12b, and a photocatalyst unit 12c. The base 12a extends in a generally spiral shape from the air intake 11a to the air exhaust 11b, forming an air flow path through which air flows in a generally spiral shape. The light source unit 12b and the photocatalyst unit 12c are disposed on at least one surface (the outward surface and the inward surface) of the base 12a so that light emitted from the light source unit 12b is incident on the photocatalyst unit 12c.

[0023] The photocatalyst mechanism 12 may include a covering member 121 that covers the end of the base 12a on the side of the intake port 11a and the exhaust port 11b, as shown in Fig. 1. The covering member 121 has an opening that passes the air inside and outside the photocatalyst mechanism 12, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. This makes it possible to guide the air to circulate inside the photocatalyst mechanism 12, and the air can be efficiently treated by the photocatalyst mechanism 12 (treatment for sterilization, antiviral, deodorization, etc.).

[0024] Specifically, the base 12a is arranged in a substantially spiral shape, for example, along the shape of the substantially cylindrical housing 11. The base 12a may be in a substantially spiral shape that rotates, for example, at least one turn, two turns, or three turns or more. This allows the treatment (treatment for sterilization, antiviral, deodorization, etc.) by the photocatalyst mechanism 12 to be performed more effectively.

[0025] The air path will be described with reference to FIG. 2. FIG. 2(A) is a schematic diagram showing an example of the appearance of the present device 10. FIG. 2(B) is a cross-sectional view (perspective view) of the cut surface A of the present device 10 in FIG. 2(A) seen from the exhaust port 11b side. FIG. 2(C) is a cross-sectional view (perspective view) of the cut surface B of the present device 10 in FIG. 2(A) seen from the exhaust port 11b side. FIG. 2(D) is a cross-sectional view (perspective view) of the cut surface C of the present device 10 in FIG. 2(A) seen from the intake port 11a side. In FIG. 2(A), each cut surface A to C is indicated by a broken line. The arrows in FIG. 2(B) to (D) indicate the flow of air. Specifically, FIG. 2(B) shows an example of air flowing from the photocatalyst mechanism 12 toward the exhaust port 11b, FIG. 2(C) shows an example of air flowing inside the photocatalyst mechanism 12, and FIG. 2(D) shows an example of air flowing from the intake port 11a toward the photocatalyst mechanism 12. In FIG. 2(C), the light source unit 12b and the photocatalyst unit 12c are omitted for ease of viewing. First, as shown in FIG. 2(D), air sucked in from the intake port 11a flows into the photocatalyst mechanism 12. Next, as shown in FIG. 2(C), the air passes through an air flow path having a substantially spiral shape formed by the base body 12a. FIG. 2(C) shows an example in which the air flows from the outside to the inside of the photocatalyst mechanism 12, but is not limited thereto, and the air may flow, for example, from the inside to the outside. Then, as shown in FIG. 2(B), the air is exhausted outside the photocatalyst mechanism 12, that is, to the exhaust port 11b side.

[0026] The width of the air path formed by the base 12a is, for example, 0.2 cm to 0.3 cm to 2 cm, 0.3 cm to 1.5 cm, or 0.7 cm to 1 cm. This can increase the efficiency of irradiation by the light source unit 12 and increase the energy of light incident on the photocatalyst unit 12c.

[0027] The light source unit 12b emits light. The type of light emitted by the light source unit 12b is not particularly limited, and can be appropriately designed depending on the photocatalyst unit 12c. Specifically, the light may be visible light or ultraviolet light. Examples of the ultraviolet light include near ultraviolet light with a wavelength of 380 to 200 nm, far ultraviolet light or vacuum ultraviolet light with a wavelength of 200 to 10 nm, and extreme ultraviolet light or extreme ultraviolet light with a wavelength of 121 to 10 nm. The near ultraviolet light may be, for example, UVA (400 to 315 nm), UVB (315 to 280 nm), UVC (less than 280 nm), etc.

[0028] The light source unit 12b may have, for example, a light emitting element mounted on a substrate. Specifically, for example, an LED (light emitting diode), an optical fiber (such as a side-emitting optical fiber), etc. may be used. The light source units 12b may be arranged in, for example, a plurality of rows and attached along at least one of the circumferential direction and the central axis direction of the base 12a.

[0029] The photocatalyst portion 12c is not particularly limited, and may be any portion that decomposes oxygen and moisture in the air adsorbed on the surface by photoreaction to generate highly reactive superoxide anions and OH radicals. The superoxide anions and OH radicals can decompose odor-causing substances, sterilize, and inactivate viruses. Specifically, the photocatalyst portion 12c may be, for example, a sheet made of woven glass fibers. The glass fibers may be doped with, for example, titanium oxide as a photocatalyst. In addition to titanium oxide, metal oxides such as titanium dioxide, tin oxide, zinc oxide, cadmium oxide, tungsten trioxide, strontium titanate, iron oxide, and bismuth oxide may be used as the photocatalyst. The photocatalyst portion 12c may be disposed on the base 12a by, for example, coating, spraying, lamination, pressure bonding, or other techniques. There may be a plurality of photocatalyst portions 12c.

[0030] The specific arrangement of the light source section 12b and the photocatalyst section 12c will be described. An example of the arrangement of the light source section 12b and the photocatalyst section 12c is shown in Figures 4A to 4C. The light source section 12b and the photocatalyst section 12c are arranged on at least one of the outward and inward surfaces of the base body 12a in any one of the following patterns (1) to (4), for example. Here, "inward" refers to the direction facing the central axis, and "outward" refers to the opposite direction to the inward direction. (1) A light source section 12b is disposed on one surface of a base 12a, and a photocatalyst section 12c is disposed on the other surface of the base 12a. (2) The photocatalytic mechanism 12 further includes a reflector 12d. On one surface of the base 12a, the light source sections 12b and the photocatalytic sections 12c are arranged alternately in the circumferential direction, and the reflector 12d is arranged on the other surface of the base 12a. (3) The photocatalyst mechanism 12 further includes a reflector 12d. On one surface of the base 12a, the light source sections 12b and the photocatalyst sections 12c are arranged alternately in the central axis direction, and the reflector 12d is arranged on the other surface of the base 12a. (4) The light source sections 12b and the photocatalyst sections 12c are alternately arranged on one surface of the base 12a, and the light source sections 12b and the photocatalyst sections 12c are alternately arranged on the other surface of the base 12a so as to be staggered with the one surface.

[0031] In the above (1) to (4), the "one surface" may be an outward surface or an inward surface. The "other surface" is either an outward surface or an inward surface other than the "one surface." According to the above (1) to (4), the photocatalytic reaction is increased, and the treatment (treatment for sterilization, antiviral, deodorization, etc.) by the photocatalytic mechanism 12 can be performed more effectively.

[0032] FIG. 4A is a schematic diagram showing an example of the arrangement of the light source unit 12b and the photocatalyst unit 12c in the case of (1) above, in which FIG. 4A(A) is a top view of the photocatalyst mechanism 12 (schematic view seen from the exhaust port 11b), and FIG. 4A(B) and (C) are perspective views of the photocatalyst mechanism 12. In FIG. 4A(C), a part of the base 12a is made transparent for ease of viewing. In the case of (1) above, for example, from the viewpoint of increasing the surface area of ​​the photocatalyst unit 12c, as shown in FIG. 4A, the photocatalyst unit 12c may be arranged on the inner surface of the base 12a, and the light source unit 12b may be arranged on the outer surface of the base 12a. However, this is not limited thereto. The light source unit 12b and the photocatalyst unit 12c may be arranged continuously in the central axis direction and the circumferential direction, as shown in FIG. 4A, for example. On the other hand, the light source unit 12b and the photocatalyst unit 12c may be arranged intermittently, for example. When the electrodes are disposed intermittently, they may be disposed at regular intervals. The regular intervals are not particularly limited and can be designed as desired.

[0033] FIG. 4B is a schematic diagram showing an example of the arrangement of the light source unit 12b and the photocatalyst unit 12c in the case of (2) above, in which FIG. 4B(A) is a top view of the photocatalyst mechanism 12 (schematic view seen from the exhaust port 11b), and FIG. 4B(B) and (C) are perspective views of the photocatalyst mechanism 12. In FIG. 4B(C), a part of the base 12a is transparent for ease of viewing. In the case of (2) above, for example, the light emitted from the light source unit 12b is reflected by the reflector 12d, and the light is incident on the photocatalyst unit 12c. The reflector 12d is laminated on a part or the whole of the other surface of the base 12a, for example, as shown in FIG. 4B. In the case of (2) above, as shown in FIG. 4B, the light source unit 12b and the photocatalyst unit 12c are alternately arranged in the circumferential direction. On the other hand, in the central axis direction, for example, as shown in FIG. 4B, the light source unit 12b and the photocatalyst unit 12c may be arranged continuously. In addition, the light source unit 12b and the photocatalyst unit 12c may be arranged, for example, intermittently with respect to the central axis direction. When arranged intermittently, they may be arranged, for example, at regular intervals. The regular intervals are not particularly limited and can be designed arbitrarily.

[0034] The reflector 12d is not limited to the above patterns (2) and (3), and may be included in the device 10. Specifically, for example, the reflector 12d may be laminated on a part or the whole of the surface of the covering member 121 on the side of the base 12a. The shape of the reflector 12d is not particularly limited. The material for forming the reflector 12d is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include metals such as aluminum, magnesium, and alloys thereof; and resins such as PC (polycarbonate) and PBT (polybutylene terephthalate). The reflector 12d may be one whose reflection efficiency is further improved by, for example, subjecting its reflection surface to a high reflection treatment. The high reflection treatment is, for example, plating, application of a high reflection paint, or the like. This can promote the photocatalytic reaction.

[0035] FIG. 4C is a schematic diagram showing an example of the arrangement of the light source unit 12b and the photocatalyst unit 12c in the case of (3) above, and FIGS. 4C(A) and (B) are perspective views of the photocatalyst mechanism 12. In FIG. 4C(B), a part of the base 12a is made transparent for ease of viewing. In the case of (3) above, for example, as in the case of (2) above, the light emitted from the light source unit 12b is reflected by the reflector 12d, and the light is incident on the photocatalyst unit 12c. For example, as shown in FIG. 4C, the reflector 12d is laminated on a part or the whole of the other surface of the base 12a. In the case of (3) above, as shown in FIG. 4C, the light source unit 12b and the photocatalyst unit 12c are alternately arranged in the central axis direction. On the other hand, in the circumferential direction, for example, as shown in FIG. 4C, the light source unit 12b and the photocatalyst unit 12c may be arranged continuously. In addition, the light source unit 12b and the photocatalyst unit 12c may be arranged, for example, intermittently in the circumferential direction. When arranged intermittently, they may be arranged, for example, at regular intervals. The regular intervals are not particularly limited and can be designed arbitrarily.

[0036] Although not shown, in the case of (4) above, specifically, for example, the light source unit 12b arranged on the outward surface of the base 12a faces the photocatalyst unit 12c arranged on the inward surface of the staggered base 12a, and the photocatalyst unit 12c arranged on the outward surface of the base 12a faces the light source unit 12b arranged on the inward surface of the staggered base 12a. On the outward surface and the inward surface, the light source unit 12b and the photocatalyst unit 12c may be arranged, for example, alternately in the circumferential direction or alternately in the central axis direction. When arranged alternately in the circumferential direction, for example, the light source unit 12b and the photocatalyst unit 12c may be arranged continuously or intermittently (for example, at regular intervals) in the central axis direction. On the other hand, when arranged alternately in the central axis direction, for example, the light source unit 12b and the photocatalyst unit 12c may be arranged continuously or intermittently (for example, at regular intervals) in the circumferential direction. The certain interval is not particularly limited and can be designed arbitrarily.

[0037] The blower mechanism 13 is disposed near at least one of the intake port 11a and the exhaust port 11b. FIG. 1 shows an example in which the blower mechanism 13 is disposed near the exhaust port 11b, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and the blower mechanism 13 may be disposed at the exhaust port 11b instead of the intake port 11a. The blower mechanism 13 may be disposed at both the intake port 11a and the exhaust port 11b. The blower mechanism 13 performs at least one of intake and exhaust. Specifically, for example, the air is sucked into the device 10 by the blower mechanism 13, and the air is exhausted to the outside of the device 10 by the blower mechanism 13. The blower mechanism 13 may be operated, for example, via various circuits (such as the control circuit 14 and the power supply circuit 15) in the housing 11 and the battery unit. The blower mechanism 13 may be a conventionally known fan such as a sirocco fan, a propeller fan, or a turbo fan. The blower mechanism 13 may use, for example, two or more types of fans in combination.

[0038] At least one of the blowing mechanisms 13 may include, for example, a filter. As the filter, a conventionally known filter can be used, for example, a nonwoven fabric, glass fiber, synthetic fiber, etc. By including the filter in the blowing mechanism 13, for example, dust, pollen, etc. in the air can be adsorbed, and the air can be purified.

[0039] The device 10 may further include, for example, a control circuit 14 related to control of at least one of turning on the light source units 12b and the air blowing speed of the air blowing mechanism 13. As described above, the control circuit 14 is housed inside the housing 11. Specifically, the control circuit 14 is capable of controlling at least one of the number of light source units 12b to be turned on and the air blowing speed. The control circuit 14 may, for example, control the light source units 12b for each row to be turned on. The air blowing speed is not particularly limited, and may be set by the control circuit 14 to, for example, 500 to 11,000 min -1 , 1700~10000min -1 , 12000~9200min -1 The speed is controlled to any speed within the range. By these controls, the amount of air taken into the device 10 and the irradiation efficiency can be adjusted, so that the intensity of the treatment (treatment of sterilization, antivirus, deodorization, etc.) by the photocatalyst mechanism 12 can be adjusted. The control circuit 14 performs the control based on, for example, the operation of the operating element by the user.

[0040] According to the present device 10, by forming an air flow path having a substantially spiral shape, the surface area of ​​the photocatalyst section 12c can be increased without increasing the size of the device itself. Also, the distance that the air taken into the present device 10 flows through the air flow path can be increased. This allows the photocatalytic reaction to be increased without increasing the size of the device, and the effects of sterilization, antiviral, deodorization, etc. can be obtained.

[0041] [Embodiment 2] Another example of the arrangement of the intake port 11a and the exhaust port 11b will be described with reference to Fig. 3. In this embodiment, the description of the intake port 11a and the exhaust port 11b in the first embodiment can be used unless otherwise specified.

[0042] Figures 3(A) and (B) are schematic diagrams showing an example of the configuration of the photocatalyst device 10 in this embodiment. Figure 3(A) is a cross-sectional view of the photocatalyst device 10 in this embodiment, and Figure 3(B) is a schematic diagram showing an example of the appearance of the photocatalyst device 10 in this embodiment. In Figure 3, the intake port 11a and the exhaust port 11b are both arranged on the side surface of the housing 11 along the circumferential direction.

[0043] 3, the intake port 11a and the exhaust port 11b are disposed adjacent to each other on one end side of the housing 11. By disposing the intake port 11a and the exhaust port 11b in this manner, for example, as described above, it is possible to prevent the intake of dust and dirt that has accumulated in the installation location.

[0044] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing another example of the appearance of the photocatalyst device 10 in this embodiment. Although not shown, the internal structure of the device 10 in FIG. 5 is the same as the internal structure shown in FIG. 3(A) except that the locations of the intake port 11a and the exhaust port 11b are different. As shown in FIG. 5, the intake port 11a and the exhaust port 11b may be arranged on the side of the housing 11 along the circumferential direction so that the intake and exhaust directions do not overlap. Specifically, the intake port 11a and the exhaust port 11b may be arranged so that they take in or exhaust air in the opposite directions, as shown in FIG. 5. This makes it possible to, for example, simultaneously suppress the re-inhalation of air immediately after exhausting and suppress the inhalation of dust and dirt that are composting at the installation location.

[0045] Although not shown, intake ports 11a may be arranged in the circumferential direction on the side surface of the end portion of housing 11 on the installation surface side, and exhaust ports 11b may be arranged on the surface (top surface) of the end portion not on the installation surface side of housing 11. When exhaust port 11b is arranged on the top surface, blower mechanism 13 is, for example, a propeller fan.

[0046] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to the embodiment, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. Various modifications that can be understood by those skilled in the art can be made to the configuration and details of the present invention within the scope of the present invention. [Industrial Applicability]

[0047] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a photocatalyst device that can obtain a high effect by photocatalytic reaction even if it is small in size. The present invention is useful, for example, when performing sterilization, antiviral, deodorization, etc. on a specific space.

[0048] 10 Photocatalyst device 11. Cabinet 11a Air intake 11b Exhaust port 12 Photocatalyst mechanism 12a Base 12b Light source section 12c Photocatalyst section 12d reflector 121 Covering material 13 Blower mechanism 14 Control circuit 15 Power circuit

Claims

1. A housing and A blower mechanism; and a photocatalytic mechanism, The housing contains the air blowing mechanism and the photocatalyst mechanism, The housing includes an intake port and an exhaust port, the blowing mechanism performs at least one of intake and exhaust, and is disposed near at least one of the intake port and the exhaust port; The photocatalytic mechanism includes a substrate, a coating member, a light source unit, and a photocatalytic unit, the base body extends in a substantially spiral shape from the intake port toward the exhaust port, forming an air flow path through which air flows in a substantially spiral shape; The covering member covers the end portions of the base body on the intake port side and the exhaust port side in the central axis direction, and one of the covering members has an opening at the outer periphery of the end portion and the other has an opening at the center of the end portion. Air taken in from the air intake port is guided into the photocatalyst mechanism through the one or the other opening, circulates around a substantially spiral-shaped air flow path formed by the substrate, passes through the one or the other opening, and is exhausted from the air exhaust port, A photocatalyst device, wherein the light source section and the photocatalyst section are arranged on the base in any one of the following patterns (1) to (3). (1) The photocatalytic mechanism further includes a reflector, and the light source units and the photocatalytic units are arranged alternately in the circumferential direction along one surface of the base, and the reflector is arranged on the other surface of the base. (2) The photocatalytic mechanism further includes a reflector, and the light source units and the photocatalytic units are arranged alternately along one surface of the base in the central axis direction, and the reflector is arranged on the other surface of the base. (3) On one surface of the base, a plurality of the light source units and the photocatalyst units are arranged alternately along the surface, and on the other surface of the base, a plurality of the light source units and the photocatalyst units are arranged alternately along the surface.

2. Further, a control circuit for controlling at least one of turning on the light source unit and the blowing speed of the blowing mechanism is included, The control circuit is accommodated inside the housing, The photocatalyst device according to claim 1 , wherein the control circuit is capable of controlling at least one of the number of the light source units to be turned on and the air blowing speed.

3. The photocatalyst device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the blowing mechanism is a sirocco fan.

4. Further, the battery portion is included. The photocatalyst device according to claim 1 , wherein the battery section stores electric power to be supplied to the light source section and the blowing mechanism.

5. The photocatalyst device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising an operator for operating the photocatalyst device, the operator being provided on an outer surface of the housing.

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