Air purification equipment for rail vehicles

Abstract

To provide an air cleaner for a railroad vehicle capable of easily sending microparticles which contribute to deodorization and sterilization to passengers.SOLUTION: An air cleaner for a railroad vehicle is an air cleaner for purifying air in a passenger compartment of a railroad vehicle and includes at least one purification unit arranged in the passenger compartment, and a connection member for connecting the purification unit to a ceiling board facing the passenger compartment, an inside panel facing the passenger compartment or a member in the passenger compartment arranged in the passenger compartment. The purification unit includes a housing having a suction port and a blow-out port, a microparticle generation device for generating microparticles and blowing out the microparticles to an air path connecting the suction part and the blow-out port in the housing, and a fan for generating an air stream going from the suction port to the blow-out part in the air path.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an air purification device that purifies the air inside a passenger compartment of a railway vehicle. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, railroad cars equipped with air purifiers for purifying the air in the passenger compartment have been known. Patent Document 1 discloses that a railroad car is provided with an electrostatic atomizer that generates nanometer-sized charged fine water particles as an air purifier with a deodorizing function and a sterilizing function. This electrostatic atomizer includes a discharge electrode surrounded by a cylindrical body, a water supply means for supplying water to the discharge electrode, and a high-voltage application means for applying a high voltage to electrostatically atomize the water supplied to the discharge electrode to generate the charged fine water particles. The generated charged fine water particles are discharged to the outside from a discharge port formed in the cylindrical body, and contribute to deodorization and sterilization. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2009-286196 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The air purifying device of Patent Document 1 has difficulty delivering the fine particles that contribute to deodorization and sterilization to passengers.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an air purifying device for railway vehicles that can easily deliver fine particles that contribute to deodorization and sterilization to passengers. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, an air purification device for a railway vehicle according to one embodiment of the present invention is an air purification device that purifies the air in a passenger compartment of a railway vehicle, and includes at least one purification unit arranged in the passenger compartment, and a connecting member that connects the purification unit to a ceiling panel facing the passenger compartment, an interior panel facing the passenger compartment, or a passenger compartment interior component arranged in the passenger compartment, and the purification unit includes a housing having an intake port and an exhaust port, a microparticle generating device that generates microparticles and releases them into an air passage connecting the intake port and the exhaust port within the housing, and a fan that generates an air flow in the air passage from the intake port toward the exhaust port.

[0007] According to the above configuration, the purification unit arranged in the passenger compartment blows out the microparticles in the airflow generated by the fan of the purification unit, so that the microparticles that contribute to deodorization and sterilization can be easily delivered to passengers. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an air purifying device for a railway vehicle that can easily deliver microparticles that contribute to deodorization and sterilization to passengers. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional top view of a railway vehicle in which an air purification device according to a first embodiment is arranged. [Diagram 2] 2 is a schematic cross-sectional front view of the vehicle body shown in FIG. 1 cut perpendicularly to the vehicle longitudinal direction. [Diagram 3] 2 is a schematic perspective view of the purification unit shown in FIG. 1, as viewed obliquely from below in a passenger compartment. [Figure 4] 4 is a schematic perspective view for explaining the internal configuration of the purification unit shown in FIG. 3. [Diagram 5] FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional side view of the purification unit shown in FIG. [Figure 6] 4 is a schematic cross-sectional top view enlarging the vicinity of a connection point between the purification unit and a passenger compartment interior member shown in FIG. 3. [Figure 7] 2 is a schematic diagram for explaining a power supply path of the air purifying device shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is a schematic perspective view of a purification unit of an air purification device according to a second embodiment, as viewed obliquely from below in a passenger compartment. [Figure 9] 9 is a schematic diagram for explaining a power supply path of the air purifying device shown in FIG. 8. FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 11 is a schematic perspective view of a purification unit of an air purification device according to Modification 1, as viewed obliquely from below in a passenger compartment. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a schematic perspective view of a purification unit of an air purification device according to Modification 2, as viewed obliquely from below in a passenger compartment. [Figure 12] 13 is a schematic diagram illustrating a power supply path of an air purifying device according to Modification 3. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Hereinafter, an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the direction in which a railcar runs and in which the car body extends is defined as the car longitudinal direction, and the lateral direction perpendicular to the car longitudinal direction is defined as the car width direction.

[0011] (First embodiment) First, a railway vehicle 1 on which an air purification device 30A according to a first embodiment of the present invention is arranged will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. Figure 1 is a schematic sectional top view of the railway vehicle 1 on which an air purification device 30A according to the first embodiment is arranged. Figure 2 is a schematic sectional front view of the car body 2 shown in Figure 1 cut perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction of the car. The railway vehicle 1 includes the car body 2 and a bogie (not shown) that supports the car body 2.

[0012] The car body 2 of the railway vehicle 1 has a substantially box-shaped structure made up of an underframe 3, a pair of side structures 4, a pair of end structures 5, and a roof structure 6. The side structures 4 are provided with boarding doors and window materials. A floor plate 11 extending in the longitudinal direction of the car is disposed above the underframe 3. A side lining plate 12 is attached to the inside of each of the pair of side structures 4, and an end lining plate 13 is attached to the inside of each of the pair of end structures 5. A ceiling plate 14 is disposed below the roof structure 6. The floor plate 11, the side lining plate 12, the end lining plate 13, and the ceiling plate 14 all face the passenger compartment S. In other words, the passenger compartment S is defined by the floor plate 11, the side lining plate 12, the end lining plate 13, and the ceiling plate 14.

[0013] A cross flow fan 15 and an air conditioning duct 16 are disposed above the passenger compartment S, i.e., above the ceiling panel 14. The cross flow fan 15 is disposed in the center in the vehicle width direction of the car body 2. The air conditioning ducts 16 are disposed on both sides in the vehicle width direction of the cross flow fan 15, and extend in the vehicle longitudinal direction.

[0014] In the passenger compartment S, various interior components such as seats 21, lighting fixtures 22, luggage racks 23, handrail rods 24, and handrail rod receivers 25 are arranged. In this example, the seats 21 are long seats with seating extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The lighting fixtures 22 are arranged below the ceiling board 14. The luggage racks 23 are arranged above the seats 21. The luggage racks 23 protrude from the side interior panel 12 facing the passenger compartment S into the passenger compartment S (i.e., toward the center in the vehicle width direction of the carbody 2) so that passenger luggage and the like can be placed thereon.

[0015] A pair of handrail bars 24 spaced apart in the vehicle width direction extend parallel to each other in the vehicle longitudinal direction. Each of the pair of handrail bars 24 supports a plurality of handrails 24a arranged at intervals from each other in the vehicle longitudinal direction. The plurality of handrail rod receivers 25 are arranged at intervals from each other in the vehicle longitudinal direction. The handrail rod receivers 25 extend in the vertical direction, and the upper end of the handrail rod receiver 25 is attached to the roof structure 6. The handrail rod receiver 25 extends so as to protrude downward from the ceiling panel 14, and the lower end of the handrail rod receiver 25 is connected to the handrail bar 24 in the passenger compartment S.

[0016] More specifically, the ceiling panel 14 includes a central ceiling panel 14a and a pair of side ceiling panels 14b. The central ceiling panel 14a is disposed in the center of the vehicle width direction and below the air conditioning duct 16. The pair of side ceiling panels 14b are provided on both sides of the central ceiling panel 14a in the vehicle width direction. The pair of side ceiling panels 14b are disposed, for example, above a window material provided on the side structure 4. Parts of the pair of side ceiling panels 14b and the central ceiling panel 14a are disposed so as to cover the roof structure 6 when viewed from the passenger compartment S side. The handrail rod receiver 25 protrudes downward toward the passenger compartment S from between the central ceiling panel 14a and the side ceiling panels 14b in the vehicle width direction.

[0017] In addition, within the cabin S, a display device that displays information visible to passengers (guidance information, advertising information, etc.) and audio equipment such as a speaker that outputs sound may be arranged.

[0018] An air purifying device 30A that purifies the air in the cabin S is disposed in the cabin S. The air purifying device 30A includes a plurality of purification units 31 that blow out microparticles that have deodorizing and disinfecting effects, and a plurality of connection members 32 that respectively connect the plurality of purification units 31 to cabin interior members. The air purifying device 30A also includes a harness cover 33, a harness 72, and a spacer 73, which will be described later.

[0019] In this embodiment, the connection member 32 is configured to connect the purification unit 31 to a cabin interior member above the upper end 21a of the seat 21 in the cabin S. Specifically, the connection member 32 connects the purification unit 31 to the handrail rod receiver 25, which is one of the cabin interior members. As will be described later, in this embodiment, the connection member 32 is configured to cover a part or all of the handrail rod receiver 25.

[0020] The multiple purification units 31 in the passenger compartment S are divided into multiple first purification units 31 and multiple second purification units 31. When the passenger compartment S is virtually divided in the center in the vehicle width direction (at the center plane C shown in Figs. 1 and 2) into two regions, a first region R1 and a second region R2, the multiple first purification units 31 are arranged in the first region R1, and the multiple second purification units 31 are arranged in the second region R2. Note that the first purification units 31 and the second purification units 31 are arranged in different regions, but have the same configuration. In the following description, when the first purification units 31 and the second purification units 31 are not distinguished from each other, they are referred to as "purification units 31."

[0021] 1, the multiple first purification units 31 are arranged along a first straight line extending in the vehicle longitudinal direction in a first region R1 when the passenger compartment S is viewed in a plan view, and the multiple second purification units 31 are arranged along a second straight line extending in the vehicle longitudinal direction in a second region R2 when the passenger compartment S is viewed in a plan view. The purification units 31 are arranged closer to the center in the vehicle width direction than the handrail rod receiver 25. The purification unit 31 is arranged in one of the two regions, the first region R1 and the second region R2, and is configured to blow air diagonally downward toward the other region.

[0022] Fig. 3 is a schematic perspective view of the purification unit 31 shown in Fig. 1, seen obliquely from below in the passenger compartment. Fig. 4 is a schematic perspective view of the purification unit 31, with some elements such as the front and side parts of the housing 40 removed, in order to explain the internal configuration of the purification unit 31 shown in Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a schematic side cross-sectional view of the purification unit 31 shown in Fig. 3, seen from the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The purification unit 31 has a housing 40, an intake duct 51, an exhaust duct 52, a fan 53, a fine particle generator 54, and a power supply unit 55.

[0023] The housing 40 is configured, for example, from a plurality of resin and metal members into a generally box-like shape having an accommodation space U. The housing 40 has an elongated shape that is long in the up-down direction along the handrail rod receiver 25. Specifically, the housing 40 has four side plates 40a, 40b, 40c, and 40d that cover the sides of the accommodation space U, an upper plate 40e that covers the upper side of the accommodation space U, and a lower plate 40f that covers the lower side of the accommodation space U.

[0024] The housing 40 has two suction ports 41 and an air outlet 42. The two suction ports 41 are provided on a pair of side panels 40b, 40c, which face each other in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, among the four side panels 40a, 40b, 40c, and 40d. A filter 41a for removing dust and the like is provided on the suction port 41. The air outlet 42 is provided on the lower end of the housing 40. For example, the air outlet 42 is provided above the upper end 21a of the seat 21 in the passenger compartment S and below the handrail rod 24. The air outlet 42 is provided on the lower panel 40f. A mesh cover 42a that allows air to pass through is provided on the lower panel 40f so as to cover the lower surface of the lower panel 40f and the air outlet 42 from below. Note that a louver may be provided on the lower panel 40f instead of the mesh cover 42a.

[0025] The housing 40 has a housing body 43 and a lid 44. The housing body 43 is fastened to the connecting member 32. The components accommodated in the accommodation space U, i.e., the fan 53, the microparticle generator 54, the power supply unit 55, etc., are attached to the housing body 43 directly or via a support member. The housing body 43 has an opening 43a that communicates the accommodation space U of the housing 40 with the outside. The lid 44 is connected to the housing body 43 so that the opening 43a can be opened and closed.

[0026] In this embodiment, the cover 44 is configured by the side plate 40d, which is located toward the center of the vehicle body 2 in the vehicle width direction, out of the two side plates 40a, 40d facing each other in the vehicle width direction. The housing main body 43 includes the three side plates 40a, 40b, 40c excluding the side plate 40d, an upper plate 40e, and a lower plate 40f.

[0027] A pivoting part 45 is provided on the upper end of the housing body 43, more specifically, on the upper plate 40e. The cover 44 is attached to the housing body 43 by the pivoting part 45 so as to be pivotable about an axis extending in the vehicle longitudinal direction (see the two-dot chain line in FIG. 5). The pivoting part 45 is realized by, for example, a hinge. By opening the cover 44, the fan 53, the microparticle generator 54, and the power supply unit 55 can be attached and detached from the housing body 43 through the opening 43a.

[0028] An air passage that connects the suction port 41 and the air outlet 42 is formed inside the housing 40. The air passage is composed of two suction ducts 51, an air outlet duct 52, and a fan 53.

[0029] Each suction duct 51 connects each suction port 41 and the fan 53. The suction port 41 and the fan 53 are located at approximately the same height. The suction duct 51 extends in the vehicle longitudinal direction between the suction port 41 and the fan 53. In this example, the dimension between the suction port 41 and the fan 53 of the suction duct 51 is shorter than the diameter of an impeller 53a described below.

[0030] The blow-out duct 52 connects the fan 53 and the blow-out port 42. The blow-out duct 52 includes a first duct portion 52a extending in the vertical direction and a second duct portion 52b inclined with respect to the vertical direction.

[0031] The first duct portion 52a is disposed in a region close to the outer side in the vehicle width direction of the vehicle body 2 in the accommodation space U. More specifically, the first duct portion 52a is fixed to the side plate 40a in a state in which the first duct portion 52a is in contact with the side plate 40a. An upper end portion of the first duct portion 52a is connected to the fan 53, and a lower end portion of the first duct portion 52a is connected to an upper end portion of the second duct portion 52b.

[0032] The second duct portion 52b extends obliquely downward from the lower end of the first duct portion 52a so as to approach the center in the vehicle width direction of the vehicle body 2 as it extends downward from the lower end of the first duct portion 52a. The blow-out duct 52 is formed such that the purification unit 31 arranged in one of the two regions, the first region R1 and the second region R2, blows out fine particles obliquely downward toward the other region. An opening 52c connected to the fine particle generator 54 is formed in the middle of the second duct portion 52b.

[0033] The fan 53 generates an airflow in an air passage from the intake port 41 to the exhaust port 42. In this embodiment, the fan 53 is a sirocco fan. The fan 53 has a fan motor (not shown) that receives power from a power supply device 55 and rotates a rotating shaft extending in the vehicle longitudinal direction, an impeller 53a fixed to the rotating shaft, and a fan casing 53b that houses the impeller 53a. A pair of side surfaces of the fan casing 53b facing each other in the vehicle longitudinal direction are each provided with a case inlet, and the intake duct 51 is connected to the case inlet. A case outlet is provided on the lower surface of the fan casing 53b, and the exhaust duct 52 is connected to the case outlet.

[0034] The microparticle generator 54 generates microparticles that contribute to deodorization and sterilization. The microparticle generator 54 has a discharge electrode that generates charged microparticles by applying a voltage. The microparticles are, for example, Plasmacluster ions (registered trademark).

[0035] The microparticle generator 54 emits microparticles into an air passage connecting the intake port 41 and the exhaust port 42 inside the housing 40. The microparticle generator 54 is provided in the exhaust duct 52. More specifically, the microparticle generator 54 is disposed on the upper surface of the second duct portion 52b in the exhaust duct 52. The emission portion 54a of the microparticle generator 54 protrudes inwardly into the second duct portion 52b through the opening 52c of the second duct portion 52b, and the microparticles are emitted from the emission portion 54a into the duct.

[0036] The power supply device 55 takes in power from a railway vehicle-side power supply (see FIG. 7 ; hereinafter referred to as the "vehicle-side power supply") 70, and supplies power to the microparticle generator 54 and the fan 53. The vehicle-side power supply 70 is installed outside the passenger compartment S, and converts high voltage collected from ground facilities (e.g., overhead lines or third rail) into low voltage. The vehicle-side power supply 70 supplies power to the air conditioning device, lighting fixtures 22, various control circuits, etc. The vehicle-side power supply 70 is, for example, a static inverter device.

[0037] The power supply device 55 is a converter that converts the voltage taken in from the vehicle-side power supply 70 into a predetermined voltage for the microparticle generating device 54 and the fan 53. The power supply device 55 is accommodated in the housing 40. Within the housing 40, the power supply device 55 is disposed above the microparticle generating device 54 and the fan 53. A harness 72 is connected to the power supply device 55. The harness 72 passes through an insertion hole 46 that communicates between the inside and outside of the housing 40.

[0038] Fig. 6 is a schematic top cross-sectional view enlarging the vicinity of the connection point between the purification unit 31 shown in Fig. 3 and the handrail rod receiver 25, which is an interior component of the passenger compartment. The connection member 32 is composed of, for example, a plurality of resin members and metal members. The connection member 32 includes a first member 61 and a second member 62. The first member 61 and the second member 62 extend in the up-down direction along the handrail rod receiver 25 (see Fig. 3). The first member 61 and the second member 62 are fixed to each other with the handrail rod receiver 25 sandwiched between them in the vehicle width direction.

[0039] The connecting member 32 has a shape and size that fits the passenger compartment interior member to which it is attached. For example, the first member 61 and the second member 62 each have recesses 61a, 62a shaped to fit the outer surface of the handrail rod receiver 25. With the handrail rod receiver 25 fitted into these recesses 61a, 62a, the first member 61 and the second member 62 are fixed to each other. In this way, the connecting member 32 is fixed to the handrail rod receiver 25.

[0040] Of the first member 61 and the second member 62, the first member 61 located at the center side in the vehicle width direction of the car body 2 is fastened to the housing 40 by fasteners such as bolts. Therefore, the purification unit 31 is fixed to the handrail rod receiver 25 via the connection member 32.

[0041] The connecting member 32 has a harness cover portion that covers the portion of the harness 72 protruding from the housing 40. The first member 61 and the second member 62 form an insertion space V1 through which the harness 72 is inserted, with the handrail rod receiver 25 sandwiched between them in the vehicle width direction. The connecting member 32 has a first hole 63 and a second hole 64 that communicate between the inside and outside of the insertion space V1. The first hole 63 is provided in the first member 61 at a position that corresponds to the insertion hole 46 of the housing 40 when the first member 61 is fastened to the housing 40.

[0042] A harness cover 33 is disposed between the connection member 32 and the lamp 22 in the vehicle longitudinal direction. The harness cover 33 is fixed to the connection member 32, for example. The harness cover 33 covers the portion of the harness 72 protruding from the second hole 64 of the connection member 32. The harness cover 33 forms an insertion space V2 through which the harness 72 is inserted. The harness cover 33 has a first hole 65 and a second hole 66 that communicate between the inside and outside of the insertion space V2. The first hole 65 is provided at a position on the harness cover 33 that corresponds to the second hole 64 of the connection member 32 when the harness cover 33 is fixed to the connection member 32.

[0043] The portion of the harness 72 coming out of the second hole 66 of the harness cover 33 passes above the lamp 22 .

[0044] Fig. 7 is a schematic diagram for explaining a power supply path of the air purification device 30A shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 7 includes a schematic side view of the vicinity of the ceiling board 14 in the passenger compartment S as viewed in the vehicle width direction. In this embodiment, the harness 72 is a branch harness that branches off from a main harness 71 that connects from the vehicle-side power source 70 to the lamp 22, and is connected at its end to the power supply device 55. Hereinafter, the harness 72 will be referred to as a "branch harness 72."

[0045] The ceiling plate 14 is provided with an opening 14c. For example, the opening 14c is disposed between the central ceiling plate 14a and the side ceiling plate 14b in the vehicle width direction, or in the vicinity of the connection point of the central ceiling plate 14a and the side ceiling plate 14b. A plurality of openings 14c are disposed at intervals in the vehicle longitudinal direction. A main harness 71 that supplies power to the lamp 22 is inserted through the opening 14c. A branch harness 72 is also inserted through this opening 14c. However, the connection point between the main harness 71 and the branch harness 72 does not have to be outside the passenger compartment S, and may be inside the passenger compartment S. For example, the connection point between the main harness 71 and the branch harness 72 may be disposed between the lamp 22 and the ceiling plate 14 in the vertical direction.

[0046] One or more spacers 73 are arranged so as to be sandwiched between the ceiling board 14 and the lighting fixture 22 in the vertical direction. By arranging the spacers 73 in this manner, a gap space G for inserting the branch harness 72 is formed between the ceiling board 14 and the lighting fixture 22. The gap space G overlaps the lighting fixture 22 in a plan view. This makes it possible to hide at least the portion of the branch harness 72 located in the gap space G from passengers.

[0047] As described above, according to the air purification device for a railway vehicle of this embodiment, the purification unit 31 arranged in the passenger compartment S blows out the microparticles in the air flow generated by the fan 53 of the purification unit 31. This makes it possible to easily deliver the microparticles that contribute to deodorization and sterilization to passengers.

[0048] In this embodiment, the air outlet 42 is disposed above the upper end 21a of the seat 21 in the cabin S and below the handrail 24. Therefore, clean air can be appropriately discharged to passengers in the cabin S.

[0049] In this embodiment, the connection member 32 connects the purification unit 31 to the interior components of the passenger compartment, so the air purification device can be installed in the passenger compartment S with minimal increase in the burden on vehicle design and modification of the vehicle body. Furthermore, the connection member 32 connects the purification unit 31 to the interior components of the passenger compartment S above the upper end portion 21a of the seat 21, so the purification unit 31 and the connection member 32 do not take up space near the seat.

[0050] In this embodiment, since the purification unit 31 is connected to the handrail rod receiver 25, the purification unit 31 can be placed in the dead space around the handrail rod receiver 25 where it does not get in the way of passengers. Also, since the air outlet 42 is placed at the lower end of the vertically elongated housing 40, fine particles can be blown out at a position as close to passengers as possible.

[0051] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the purification unit 31 is positioned closer to the center in the vehicle width direction than the handrail rod receiver 25, so that the air outlet 42 of the purification unit 31 can be brought closer to passengers standing near the center position in the vehicle width direction inside the passenger compartment S, thereby improving the deodorizing and disinfecting effects of the purification unit 31.

[0052] In this embodiment, the housing 40 has a lid 44 that opens and closes the opening 43a, and the purification unit 31 is configured so that the microparticle generator 54 and the fan 53 can be attached and detached through the opening 43a with the lid 44 open. As a result, once the housing 40 is connected to the cabin interior member by the connecting member 32, the microparticle generator 54 and the fan 53 can be replaced through the opening 43a without removing the housing 40 from the cabin interior member.

[0053] In this embodiment, power is supplied to the power supply device 55, which is disposed above the upper end 21a of the seat 21 in the passenger cabin S, from electrical wiring for the lamps 22, which are disposed above the upper end 21a of the seat 21 in the passenger cabin S. This allows the harness required for the purification unit 31 to be shortened.

[0054] In this embodiment, a gap space G is formed between the ceiling board 14 and the lighting fixture 22 by sandwiching a spacer 73, and the branch harness 72 can be arranged to pass through the space above the lighting fixture 22. This makes it possible to hide or make the branch harness 72 less visible to passengers.

[0055] In addition, in this embodiment, the portion of the branch harness 72 protruding from the housing 40 is covered by the harness cover portion and the harness cover 33, so that the harness can be hidden or made less visible to passengers.

[0056] In this embodiment, the power supply device 55 is accommodated in the housing 40. That is, the power supply device 55 is also integrated with the fine particle generator 54 and the fan 53 as the purification unit 31. Therefore, the power supply device 55 for supplying power to the fine particle generator 54 and the fan 53 can be easily installed.

[0057] In this embodiment, the power supply device 55 is disposed above the microparticle generator 54 and the fan 53 within the housing 40. Since the power supply device 55 can be disposed closer to the ceiling in this manner, the power supply path extending from the ceiling side to the power supply device 55 can be shortened.

[0058] In this embodiment, the air outlet duct 52 arranged in one of the two regions is formed so as to blow air obliquely downward toward the other region. This makes it easier to diffuse fine particles into the passenger compartment S.

[0059] Second embodiment Next, an air purifier 30B according to a second embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 8 and 9. Fig. 8 is a schematic perspective view of the purification unit 31 of the air purifier 30B according to the second embodiment, seen from diagonally below in a passenger compartment. The strap 24a is omitted in Fig. 8 and Fig. 11 shown later. Fig. 9 is a schematic diagram for explaining the power supply path of the air purifier 30B shown in Fig. 8. In the following, the air purifier 30B of this embodiment will be mainly described in terms of the parts that are different from the first embodiment, and explanations that overlap with the first embodiment will be omitted.

[0060] The air purifying device 30B of the present embodiment includes a plurality of purification units 31 and a plurality of connection members 80 that respectively connect the plurality of purification units 31 to cabin interior members. The purification units 31 in the air purifying device 30B of the present embodiment have the same configuration as that in the first embodiment.

[0061] The connecting member 80 connects the purification unit 31 to a cabin interior component above the upper end 21a of the seat 21 in the cabin S. In this embodiment, the purification unit 31 of the air purification device 30B is connected via the connecting member 80 to the lamp 22 instead of the handrail rod receiver 25. The connecting member 80 has a support having a spacer portion 81 and a bracket portion 82, and a fastener (not shown) that fastens the housing 40 to the bracket portion 82. The support is made of, for example, a metal member that is integrally molded. The fastener includes, for example, a bolt.

[0062] The spacer portion 81 is sandwiched in the vertical direction between the ceiling plate 14 and the lamp 22. That is, when the lamp 22 is fixed to the ceiling plate 14, the spacer portion 81 is positioned by being sandwiched between the ceiling plate 14 and the lamp 22, and as a result, the support is fixed to the lamp 22. For example, the spacer portion 81 is a plate-like member that is perpendicular to the vertical direction and extends in the vehicle longitudinal direction.

[0063] Furthermore, by disposing the spacer portion 81, a gap space G for inserting the branch harness 72 is formed between the ceiling board 14 and the lighting fixture 22 in the vertical direction. For example, the spacer portion 81 may be a plate-like shape perpendicular to the vertical direction, and the plate-like spacer portion 81 may have a groove or slit formed therein as the gap space G for inserting the branch harness 72.

[0064] The bracket portion 82 is connected to an end of the spacer portion 81 in the vehicle longitudinal direction. It protrudes from the end of the spacer portion 81 in the vehicle longitudinal direction. The bracket portion 82 extends downward from the connection position with the spacer portion 81. Specifically, the bracket portion 82 has a first plate 82a that is continuous with the end of the spacer portion 81 in the vehicle longitudinal direction and perpendicular to the up-down direction, and a second plate 82b that is perpendicular to the vehicle width direction and hangs down from the outer end of the first plate 82a in the vehicle width direction. The housing 40 is fixed to the second plate 82b by a fixing device. The housing 40 has a vertically elongated shape that is long in the up-down direction along the bracket portion 82, and the air outlet 42 is disposed at the lower end thereof.

[0065] In this embodiment, the same effects as in the first embodiment can be obtained.

[0066] In addition, the bracket portion 82 extends in the vertical direction from the connection position with the spacer portion 81. The blow-out port 42 is disposed at the lower end of the vertically elongated housing 40 along the bracket portion 82. For this reason, it is possible to blow out fine particles at a position as close as possible to the passengers.

[0067] In this embodiment, the spacer portion 81 is sandwiched in the vertical direction between the ceiling board 14 and the lighting fixture 22. By fixing the lighting fixture 22 to the ceiling board 14, the position of the spacer portion 81 is fixed and the housing 40 is positioned. Therefore, the purification unit 31 can be easily arranged in the passenger compartment S.

[0068] (Other embodiments) It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment and modified examples, and the configurations can be changed, added, or deleted.

[0069] For example, the shape, arrangement, type, number, etc. of each component of the purification unit are not limited to those described in the above embodiment. For example, the housing does not have to be vertically elongated, and can be appropriately changed depending on the position where the purification unit is arranged. The lid body does not have to be rotatable with respect to the housing body, and for example, the lid body may be slidable with respect to the housing body, or the lid body may be detachable with respect to the housing body. The housing does not have to have a lid body. The fan does not have to be a sirocco fan, and can be, for example, a propeller fan. The positions of the suction port and the blowing port in the housing can also be appropriately changed. The number of suction ports and the blowing ports can also be appropriately changed. The fine particle generating device does not have to use plasma discharge, and can be any device that generates fine particles that contribute to deodorization and sterilization.

[0070] In addition, in the above embodiment, the connecting members are the connecting member 32 that connects the purification unit 31 to the handrail rod receiver 25 and the connecting member 80 that connects the purification unit 31 to the lighting fixture 22, but the connecting members in the present invention are not limited to this.

[0071] For example, FIG. 10 shows a schematic perspective view of the purification unit 31' of the air purification device 30C according to the first modification, seen from diagonally below in the passenger compartment. As shown in FIG. 10, the connection member may connect the purification unit 31' to the luggage rack 23. In this case, the housing of the purification unit 31' may be horizontally elongated to avoid collision with passengers. Also, FIG. 11 shows a schematic perspective view of the purification unit 31 of the air purification device 30D according to the second modification, seen from diagonally below in the passenger compartment. As shown in FIG. 11, the connection member may connect the purification unit 31 to the handrail rod 24. Also, the handrail rod 24 may include one that extends in the vehicle width direction. In addition, the connection member may connect the purification unit to a stanchion pole extending upward from a floor board facing the passenger compartment, a seat, or other interior member of the passenger compartment. The connection member may connect the purification unit to an interior member of the passenger compartment below the upper end of the seat in the passenger compartment. However, in order to avoid taking up space near the seats, it is preferred that the connection member connects the purification unit to the interior member above the upper ends of the seats in the passenger compartment.

[0072] In the above embodiment, the connection member 32 that connects the purification unit 31 to the handrail rod receiver 25 and the connection member 80 that connects the purification unit 31 to the lighting fixture 22 are described, but the connection member 32 only needs to have a shape and size that fits the passenger compartment interior member to which it is attached, and can be modified as appropriate. For example, although a connection member is not shown in Figures 10 and 11, if the attachment is a configuration having a rod-shaped portion such as the luggage shelf 23 or the handrail rod 24, the connection member may be, for example, a gripping tool that can grip the rod-shaped portion so as to fit against the outer circumferential surface of the rod-shaped portion.

[0073] The connection member does not have to connect the purification unit to a cabin interior component. For example, the connection member may connect the purification unit to a ceiling panel or interior panel (a side interior panel or a gable interior panel) facing the cabin.

[0074] In the above embodiment, the branch harness 72 branches off from the main harness 71 that connects the railcar power source 70 to the lamp 22, but the branch harness is not limited to this and may branch off from the main harness that connects the railcar power source to another electrical component. It is preferable that the branch harness branches off from the main harness that connects the railcar power source to an electrical component arranged above the upper end of the seat in the passenger compartment. For example, the electrical component may be a display device or an audio device. When the purification unit is arranged above the upper end of the seat in the passenger compartment, it is preferable that the electrical component to which the main harness is connected is arranged above the upper end of the seat in the passenger compartment in order to shorten the harness for the purification unit.

[0075] The power supply device 55 may be disposed outside the housing 40. That is, the power supply device 55 may be separate from the purification unit 31. For example, FIG. 12 shows a schematic diagram for explaining the power supply path of the air purification device 30E according to the third modification. As shown in FIG. 12, the power supply device 55 may be disposed above the lighting fixture 22. In this case, the entire power supply device 55 may be disposed inside the passenger compartment S, or a part of the power supply device 55 may protrude from the opening 14c to the outside of the passenger compartment S. That is, at least a part of the power supply device 55 may be disposed between the ceiling board 14 and the lighting fixture 22 in the vertical direction. When the power supply device 55 is disposed outside the purification unit 31 in this way, the purification unit 31 can be made more compact than when the power supply device 55 is housed inside the housing 40. The power supply device may also be disposed outside the passenger compartment S. For example, the power supply device may be disposed above the ceiling board 14. However, it is preferable to dispose the power supply device 55 above the lighting fixture 22 in the passenger compartment, since the installation work of the power supply device can be performed in the passenger compartment S.

[0076] Furthermore, the branch harness does not have to pass between the ceiling panel and the lamp (i.e., above the lamp). Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the harness cover is disposed between the connecting member and the lamp in the vehicle longitudinal direction, but the position of the harness cover is not limited to this. For example, the harness cover may be disposed between the ceiling panel and the purification unit in the vertical direction and directly above the purification unit. The connecting member does not have to include a harness cover portion, and it is sufficient that the harness cover is disposed to cover the portion of the harness protruding from the housing. The shape and position of the harness cover may also be changed as appropriate depending on the position of the purification unit and the interior component to which the purification unit is connected.

[0077] The configuration, arrangement, and number of interior components of a passenger compartment of a railcar are not limited to those described in the above embodiment. For example, the seats are long seats in the above embodiment, but they may be cross seats or semi-cross seats. [Explanation of symbols]

[0078] 1:Railway vehicles 2: Body 12: Side lining board 13: Gable interior panel 14: Ceiling panel 21: Seat 22:Lighting equipment 23: Luggage shelf 24: Hanging rod 25:Handle bar holder 30A, 30B, 30C, 30D, 30E: Air purifier 31: Purification unit 32: Connection parts 33: Harness cover 40: Housing 40a: Inlet 40b: Air outlet 41: Housing body 51: Intake duct 52: Exhaust duct 53: Fan 54: Microparticle generator 55: Power supply 41: Inlet 42:Air outlet 43: Housing body 43a: Opening 44: Lid 46: Through hole 51: Intake duct 52: Exhaust duct 52a: First duct section 52b: Second duct section 53: Fan 54: Microparticle generator 55: Power supply 70: Power supply on the railway vehicle side 71: Main harness 72: Branch harness 73: Spacer 80: Connection parts 81: Spacer part 82: Bracket part G: Gap space R1: 1st area R2: 2nd area S: Guest room

Claims

1. An air purification device for purifying air in a passenger compartment of a railway vehicle, comprising: At least one purification unit disposed within the passenger compartment; a connection member that connects the purification unit to a ceiling panel facing the passenger compartment, an interior panel facing the passenger compartment, or an interior member disposed in the passenger compartment; The purification unit comprises: a housing having an inlet and an outlet; a microparticle generating device that generates microparticles and releases the microparticles into an air passage that connects the air inlet and the air outlet in the housing; a fan that generates an air flow in the air passage from the air inlet toward the air outlet, the connecting member connects the purification unit to the cabin interior member above a top end of a seat in the cabin; The passenger compartment interior member is a handrail rod receiver extending in the vertical direction and supporting a plurality of handrails, The housing has a vertically elongated shape that is long in the up-down direction along the handrail rod receiver, The air purifying device for a railway vehicle, wherein the air outlet is disposed at a lower end of the housing.

2. 2. The air purification device for a railway vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the air outlet is disposed in the passenger compartment above upper ends of the seats and below a handrail.

3. 3. The air purification device for a railway vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the fine particle generating device has a discharge electrode that generates the fine particles electrically charged by applying a voltage thereto.

4. 4. The air purification device for a railway vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the purification unit is disposed closer to the center in the car width direction than the handrail rod receiver.

5. An air purification device for purifying air in a passenger compartment of a railway vehicle, comprising: At least one purification unit disposed within the passenger compartment; a connection member that connects the purification unit to a ceiling panel facing the passenger compartment, an interior panel facing the passenger compartment, or an interior member disposed in the passenger compartment; The purification unit comprises: a housing having an inlet and an outlet; a microparticle generating device that generates microparticles and releases the microparticles into an air passage that connects the air inlet and the air outlet in the housing; a fan that generates an air flow in the air passage from the air inlet toward the air outlet, the connecting member connects the purification unit to the cabin interior member above a top end of a seat in the cabin; the cabin interior member is a lighting fixture disposed below a ceiling board facing the cabin, The connecting member is a support including a spacer portion extending in a vehicle longitudinal direction and sandwiched in a vertical direction between the ceiling board and the lamp, and a bracket portion connected to an end of the spacer portion in the vehicle longitudinal direction; a fastener for fastening the housing to the bracket portion.

6. The bracket portion extends in a vertical direction from a connection position with the spacer portion, The housing has a vertically elongated shape that is long in the up-down direction along the bracket portion, The air purification device for a railway vehicle according to claim 5 , wherein the air outlet is disposed at a lower end of the housing.

7. The housing includes: a housing main body having an opening communicating an accommodation space of the housing with the outside and fastened to the connecting member; a cover connected to the housing body so as to be capable of opening and closing the opening, 7. The air purification device for a railway vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the purification unit is configured so that the microparticle generation device and the fan can be attached and detached through the opening when the lid is open.

8. 8. The air purification device for a railway vehicle according to claim 1, further comprising a power supply device that takes in power from a railway vehicle-side power supply and supplies power to the fine particle generation device and the fan.

9. 9. The air purification device for a railway vehicle as described in claim 8, further comprising a branch harness branching off from a main harness that is connected from the railway vehicle side power supply to electrical equipment arranged above an upper end of the seat in the passenger compartment, and connected at its end to the power supply device.

10. An air purification device for purifying air in a passenger compartment of a railway vehicle, comprising: At least one purification unit disposed within the passenger compartment; a connection member that connects the purification unit to a ceiling panel facing the passenger compartment, an interior panel facing the passenger compartment, or an interior member disposed in the passenger compartment; The purification unit comprises: a housing having an inlet and an outlet; a microparticle generating device that generates microparticles and releases the microparticles into an air passage that connects the air inlet and the air outlet in the housing; a fan that generates an air flow in the air passage from the air inlet toward the air outlet, The air purification device comprises: a power supply device that receives power from a railway vehicle power supply and supplies power to the microparticle generating device and the fan; a main harness that is connected from the railcar-side power source to electrical equipment disposed above an upper end of the seat in the passenger compartment, and a branch harness that is connected at an end thereof to the power supply device; the electrical equipment is a lighting fixture disposed below a ceiling panel facing the passenger compartment, A gap space is formed between the ceiling board and the lighting fixture by sandwiching a spacer or the connecting member, An air purification device for a railway vehicle, wherein at least a portion of the branch harness is disposed in the gap space.

11. 11. The air purification device for a railway vehicle according to claim 8, wherein the power supply device is accommodated within the housing.

12. An air purification device for purifying air in a passenger compartment of a railway vehicle, comprising: At least one purification unit disposed within the passenger compartment; a connection member that connects the purification unit to a ceiling panel facing the passenger compartment, an interior panel facing the passenger compartment, or an interior member disposed in the passenger compartment; The purification unit comprises: a housing having an inlet and an outlet; a microparticle generating device that generates microparticles and releases the microparticles into an air passage that connects the air inlet and the air outlet in the housing; a fan that generates an air flow in the air passage from the air inlet toward the air outlet, the air purification device further includes a power supply device that receives power from a railway vehicle-side power supply and supplies power to the fine particle generation device and the fan; The power supply device is accommodated within the housing, The housing has a vertically elongated shape, An air purification device for a railway vehicle, wherein the power supply device is disposed within the housing above the fine particle generating device and the fan.

13. An air purification device for purifying air in a passenger compartment of a railway vehicle, comprising: At least one purification unit disposed within the passenger compartment; a connection member that connects the purification unit to a ceiling panel facing the passenger compartment, an interior panel facing the passenger compartment, or an interior member disposed in the passenger compartment; The purification unit comprises: a housing having an inlet and an outlet; a microparticle generating device that generates microparticles and releases the microparticles into an air passage that connects the air inlet and the air outlet in the housing; a fan that generates an air flow in the air passage from the air inlet toward the air outlet, the air purification device further includes a power supply device that receives power from a railway vehicle-side power supply and supplies power to the fine particle generation device and the fan; The power supply device is disposed above a lighting fixture that is disposed below a ceiling panel facing the passenger compartment, the air purifying device for a railway vehicle.

14. 14. The air purification device for a railway vehicle according to claim 1, further comprising a harness cover for covering a portion of a harness that supplies power from a railway vehicle-side power source to the purification unit, the portion protruding from the housing.

15. The air purification device for a railway vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the connecting member has a harness cover portion that covers a portion of a harness that supplies power from a railway vehicle side power source to the purification unit and extends from the housing.

16. The purification unit comprises: an intake duct connecting the intake port and the fan; Further comprising an air outlet duct connecting the fan and the air outlet, The air outlet is disposed at a lower end of the housing, the purification unit is disposed in a first region of two regions, a first region and a second region, which are obtained by virtually dividing the passenger compartment at a center in a vehicle width direction; 16. The air purification device for a railway vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the blow-out duct is formed so as to blow out fine particles obliquely downward toward the second area.

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