Space Purification Device
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2021039831
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2021-03-12
- Publication Date
- 2025-02-17
- Estimated Expiration
- 2041-03-12
AI Technical Summary
【0008】 本開示によれば、暖房時と冷房時で次亜塩素酸水による加湿をより適切に実行できる。
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Abstract
Description
[Technical field]
[0001] The present disclosure relates to a space purification technology, and in particular to a space purification device that sprays water containing hypochlorous acid water. [Background technology]
[0002] The spatial sterilization and deodorization device sprays fine water particles of a drug, such as hypochlorous acid water, to sterilize a target area. For example, the liquid atomization chamber of the spatial sterilization and deodorization device releases water droplets from the hypochlorous acid aqueous solution stored in the water storage unit. The water droplets are discharged from the outlet to the target area through an air duct by ventilation from the blower unit (for example, see Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]
[0003] [Patent Document 1] WO 20 / 158850 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]
[0004] During heating, the humidity can be increased by spraying hypochlorous acid water onto the air heated by the air conditioner. On the other hand, during cooling, there are cases where it is desired to prioritize spraying hypochlorous acid water and cases where it is desired to prioritize dehumidification. Therefore, it is desirable to appropriately perform humidification with hypochlorous acid water during heating and cooling.
[0005] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of these circumstances, and its purpose is to provide a technology that can more appropriately perform humidification with hypochlorous acid water during heating and cooling. [Means for solving the problem]
[0006] In order to solve the above problems, the space purification device of one embodiment of the present disclosure includes a housing forming an outer shell, a purification air duct provided in the housing, a non-purification air duct provided in the housing independently of the purification air duct, a hypochlorous acid water generation unit that generates hypochlorous acid water, and a micronization unit that micronizes the hypochlorous acid water generated by the hypochlorous acid water generation unit and releases it into the air. A hypochlorous acid water supply unit that connects the hypochlorous acid generation unit and the micronization unit and supplies hypochlorous acid water from the hypochlorous acid water generation unit to the micronization unit; The micronization unit is disposed in the purified air duct and releases hypochlorous acid water into air passing through the purified air duct. The housing includes a temperature-controlled air intake port for taking temperature-controlled air that has been temperature-controlled outside the housing into the housing, a non-temperature-controlled air intake port for taking non-temperature-controlled air that has not been temperature-controlled outside the housing into the housing, and a damper for distributing at least one of the temperature-controlled air and the non-temperature-controlled air to the purified air duct and the non-purified air duct. The hypochlorous acid water generation unit is disposed in the non-purified air duct.
[0007] Any combination of the above components, and conversion of the present disclosure into a method, device, system, recording medium, computer program, etc. are also valid aspects of the present disclosure. Effect of the Invention
[0008] According to the present disclosure, humidification using hypochlorous acid water can be more appropriately performed during heating and cooling. [Brief description of the drawings]
[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a space purification system according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of the space purification device of FIG. [Diagram 3] 3 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view of the spatial purification device of FIG. 2 taken along line AA. [Figure 4] 3 is a perspective view showing the internal configuration of the space purification device of FIG. 2. [Diagram 5] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a micronization unit, a hypochlorous acid water generation unit, and their peripheral configurations in FIG. 2. [Figure 6] 3 is a diagram showing an example of the path and volume of airflow during heating in the space purification device of FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 7]2 is a diagram showing an example of the path and volume of airflow during cooling in the space purification device of FIG. 1. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0010] Before describing the specific examples of the present disclosure, an overview of the examples will be described. The present examples relate to a space purification system that adjusts temperature and humidity indoors and sprays water containing a component that purifies the air (hereinafter, referred to as "air purification component"). The space purification system includes an air conditioner that performs air conditioning control, and a space purification device that adjusts humidity and sprays water containing the air purification component. For example, hypochlorous acid having bactericidal or deodorizing properties is used as the air purification component. This allows sterilization or deodorization in the room.
[0011] As described above, during heating, the humidity can be increased by spraying hypochlorous acid water onto the air heated by the air conditioner. On the other hand, during cooling, it is assumed that there are cases where it is desired to prioritize spraying hypochlorous acid water and cases where it is desired to prioritize dehumidification. Therefore, in this embodiment, a purification air duct and a non-purification air duct are provided in the space purification device, and a micronization section that micronizes hypochlorous acid water and sprays it into the air is arranged in the purification air duct. Then, at least one of the temperature-controlled air taken in from the air conditioner and the non-temperature-controlled air taken in from the room is distributed to the purification air duct and the non-purification air duct. As a result, by adjusting the distribution of the temperature-controlled air and the non-temperature-controlled air during heating and cooling, respectively, humidification by hypochlorous acid water can be more appropriately performed.
[0012] The examples described below each show a preferred specific example of the present disclosure. Therefore, the numerical values, shapes, materials, components, the arrangement and connection of the components, as well as the steps (processes) and the order of the steps shown in the following examples are merely examples and are not intended to limit the present disclosure. Therefore, among the components in the following examples, those components that are not described in the independent claims showing the highest concept of the present disclosure are described as optional components. In addition, in each figure, the same reference numerals are given to substantially the same configurations, and duplicated descriptions are omitted or simplified.
[0013] 1 shows the configuration of a space purification system 100 according to an embodiment. The space purification system 100 is a device that, when circulating air in an indoor space 62 (also called "room"), performs cooling (dehumidification) or heating treatment on air (RA) from the indoor space 62 as necessary, and also imparts air purification components together with finely divided water to the air circulating inside. The space purification system 100 sterilizes and deodorizes the indoor space 62 by supplying the air (SA) that has circulated inside to the indoor space 62.
[0014] The space purification system 100 includes a space purification device 10, an air conditioner 50, an outdoor unit 60, an operating device 70, a duct 64a, a duct 64b, a duct 64c, a low reactivity duct 67a, and a high reactivity duct 67b.
[0015] The air conditioner 50 is, for example, a four-way cassette air conditioner embedded in the ceiling of the indoor space 62. The air conditioner 50 includes a main body 51 located above the ceiling and a decorative panel 52 arranged on the indoor space 62 side of the main body 51. The decorative panel 52 is provided with an inlet 53 and an outlet 54. The decorative panel 52 is provided with four outlets 54, two of which are closed so as not to blow out air. Therefore, in FIG. 1, the illustration of the closed outlets 54 is omitted, and only one outlet 54 is shown. The air conditioner 50 is also provided with an outlet 55 on the side of the main body 51. The four outlets 54 of the decorative panel 52 may be capable of blowing out air, or all four outlets 54 may be closed so as not to blow out air.
[0016] The air conditioner 50 is capable of at least one of heating and cooling air. The air conditioner 50 performs air conditioning control on air 8b (RA) sucked in from the indoor space 62 through an inlet 53, sends out a portion of the air conditioned air, 8d (AC), from an outlet 55 to the spatial purification device 10, and sends out the remaining air conditioned air, 8e, from two outlets 54 to the indoor space 62.
[0017] An outdoor unit 60 is connected to the air conditioner 50. The outdoor unit 60 is an outdoor unit that is installed in an outdoor space. The outdoor unit 60 has a general configuration, so a detailed description will be omitted.
[0018] The configuration of the space purification system 100 will be further described with reference to Figs. 2 to 4 in addition to Fig. 1. Fig. 2 shows the configuration of the space purification device 10 in Fig. 1. Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of the interior of the space purification device 10 in Fig. 1, seen from the top side. Fig. 3 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view of the space purification device 10 in Fig. 2, taken along line AA. Note that some components are not shown in Fig. 3. Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing the internal configuration of the space purification device 10 in Fig. 2. Note that Fig. 4 shows the space purification device 10 with the top side of the housing removed.
[0019] As shown in FIG. 2, the space purification device 10 includes a housing 1, a purified air duct 5a, a non-purified air duct 5b, a micronization section 14, a hypochlorous acid water generation section 19, a hypochlorous acid water supply section 28, a water supply section 32, a first HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filter 11a, a second HEPA filter 11b, a purified transport fan 12a, a non-purified transport fan 12b, a first temperature and humidity sensor 40a, a second temperature and humidity sensor 40b, and a control section 41.
[0020] As shown in Figs. 2 to 4, the housing 1 forms the outer shell of the space purification device 10. The housing 1 has an intake port 2a, an intake port 2b, an intake port 2c, an exhaust port 3a, an exhaust port 3b, a partition wall 6, a first damper 7a, a second damper 7b, a third damper 7c, and a fourth damper 7d. The intake port 2a, the intake port 2b, and the intake port 2c are collectively referred to as an intake port 2, and the exhaust port 3a and the exhaust port 3b are collectively referred to as an exhaust port 3. The first damper 7a, the second damper 7b, the third damper 7c, and the fourth damper 7d are collectively referred to as a damper 7.
[0021] 2 and 4, air inlet 2a, air inlet 2b, and air inlet 2c are arranged on one side surface of housing 1. Air inlet 2b is arranged between air inlet 2a and air inlet 2c. Air outlet 3a and air outlet 3b are arranged on the other side surface of housing 1 (the side surface opposite to the one side surface of housing 1).
[0022] The suction port 2a and the suction port 2c are intake ports through which the air 8a and the air 8c outside the housing 1 obtained from the indoor space 62 are respectively taken into the space purification device 10. The air 8a and the air 8c obtained from the indoor space 62 can also be called non-temperature regulated air that is not temperature regulated outside the housing 1. The suction port 2a and the suction port 2c can also be called non-temperature regulated air inlets.
[0023] 1, the suction port 2a is in communication with an indoor suction port 65a provided on the ceiling or the like of the indoor space 62 via a duct 64a. The suction port 2c is in communication with an indoor suction port 65c provided on the ceiling or the like of the indoor space 62 via a duct 64c. This allows the suction port 2a to draw air 8a from the indoor space 62 into the space purification device 10 through the indoor suction port 65a. The suction port 2c is in communication with air 8c from the indoor space 62 into the space purification device 10 through the indoor suction port 65c.
[0024] Incidentally, the indoor air inlet 65c does not have to be provided. In this case, one end of the duct 64a may be connected to the indoor air inlet 65a, and the other end of the duct 64a may be branched and connected to the air inlet 2a and the air inlet 2c.
[0025] The air inlet 2b is an intake port through which air 8d from the air conditioner 50, i.e., temperature-controlled air whose temperature has been adjusted by the air conditioner 50 outside the housing 1, is taken into the space purification device 10. The air inlet 2b can also be called a temperature-controlled air inlet. The air inlet 2b is in communication with the air outlet 55 of the air conditioner 50 via a duct 64b.
[0026] The air outlet 3a is an outlet that discharges the air 9a (SA) that has circulated inside the space purification device 10 into the indoor space 62. The air 9a contains finely divided hypochlorous acid water. The air outlet 3b is an outlet that discharges the air 9b (SA) that has circulated inside the space purification device 10 into the indoor space 62.
[0027] 1, the air outlet 3a is in communication with an indoor air outlet 68a provided on the ceiling or the like of the indoor space 62 via a low-reactivity duct 67a. The air outlet 3b is in communication with an indoor air outlet 68b provided on the ceiling or the like of the indoor space 62 via a high-reactivity duct 67b. This allows the air outlet 3a to blow out air 9a that has circulated through the space purification device 10 from the indoor air outlet 68a toward the indoor space 62. The air outlet 3b is in communication with air 9b that has circulated through the space purification device 10 from the indoor air outlet 68b toward the indoor space 62.
[0028] The low-reactivity duct 67a is a duct connected downstream of the purification air duct 5a, and has an inner wall made of a low-reactivity material that is poorly reactive with hypochlorous acid water. The low-reactivity material is, for example, a polyolefin-based material. The polyolefin-based material includes, for example, at least one of polyethylene and polypropylene.
[0029] The highly reactive duct 67b is a duct connected downstream of the non-purified air passage 5b, and has an inner wall made of a highly reactive material that reacts more with hypochlorous acid water than a low-reactive material. The highly reactive material is, for example, polyethylene terephthalate. The specific surface area of the highly reactive material is larger than that of the low-reactive material.
[0030] 2, the purified air duct 5a is provided in the housing 1 and connects the suction inlet 2a and the suction inlet 2b with the outlet 3a. The non-purified air duct 5b is provided in the housing 1 independently of the purified air duct 5a and connects the suction inlet 2c and the suction inlet 2b with the outlet 3b.
[0031] Partition wall 6 separates purified air passage 5a and non-purified air passage 5b from the downstream of inlet 2 to outlet 3. Purified air passage 5a and non-purified air passage 5b are arranged in parallel with each other.
[0032] Damper 7 distributes air into purified air duct 5a and non-purified air duct 5b downstream of suction port 2. Damper 7 distributes at least one of temperature conditioned air and non-temperature conditioned air into purified air duct 5a and non-purified air duct 5b.
[0033] The damper 7 adjusts the opening and closing degree to increase or decrease the volume of air circulating from the suction port 2 into the housing 1. More specifically, the first damper 7a increases or decreases the volume of air 8a circulating from the suction port 2a into the purified air duct 5a. The second damper 7b increases or decreases the volume of air 8d circulating from the suction port 2b into the purified air duct 5a. The third damper 7c increases or decreases the volume of air 8d circulating from the suction port 2b into the non-purified air duct 5b. The fourth damper 7d increases or decreases the volume of air 8c circulating from the suction port 2c into the non-purified air duct 5b. The distribution of air by the damper 7 will be described in detail later.
[0034] The first temperature and humidity sensor 40a is disposed downstream of the suction port 2b, measures the temperature and humidity of the air 8d flowing in from the suction port 2b, and outputs the measured values to the control unit 41.
[0035] The purification air duct 5a is an air duct through which at least one of the air 8a and the air 8d flows depending on the opening and closing degree of the damper 7. The purification air duct 5a is provided with a first HEPA filter 11a, a purification conveying fan 12a, and a refinement unit 14 in this order from the upstream side to the downstream side. In addition, a second temperature and humidity sensor 40b is provided between the purification conveying fan 12a and the refinement unit 14 in the purification air duct 5a. The second temperature and humidity sensor 40b measures the temperature and humidity of the air between the purification conveying fan 12a and the refinement unit 14, and outputs the measured value to the control unit 41.
[0036] The non-purification air passage 5b is an air passage through which at least one of the air 8c and the air 8d flows depending on the opening and closing degree of the damper 7. The non-purification air passage 5b is provided with the second HEPA filter 11b, the non-purification conveying fan 12b, and the hypochlorous acid water generating unit 19 in this order from the upstream side to the downstream side. The non-purification air passage 5b is further provided with the hypochlorous acid water supply unit 28, the water supply unit 32, the strainer 36, the drain pump 38, and the drain drain 39 downstream of the non-purification conveying fan 12b and near the hypochlorous acid water generating unit 19. In the non-purification air passage 5b, the air is not purified by the hypochlorous acid water of the micronization unit 14, but the air is purified by the second HEPA filter 11b.
[0037] In this way, the purification conveying fan 12a, the non-purification conveying fan 12b, the hypochlorous acid water generation unit 19, the hypochlorous acid water supply unit 28, the water supply unit 32, the strainer 36, the drainage pump 38, and the drainage drain 39 are not positioned downstream of the micro-fine processing unit 14.
[0038] The first HEPA filter 11a and the second HEPA filter 11b are air filters that remove dirt, dust, and the like from the air that has flowed into the space purification device 10, and output purified air.
[0039] The purification transport fan 12a is a device for transporting the air that has passed through the first HEPA filter 11a along the purification air duct 5a to the air outlet 3a. The purification transport fan 12a generates an air flow in the purification air duct 5a.
[0040] Non-purification transfer fan 12b is a device for transferring the air that has passed through second HEPA filter 11b along non-purification air passage 5b to air outlet 3b. Non-purification transfer fan 12b generates an air flow in non-purification air passage 5b.
[0041] In each of the purification conveying fan 12a and the non-purification conveying fan 12b, the air volume, i.e., the rotation speed, is controlled in response to an output signal from the control unit 41. When the purification conveying fan 12a is operated, air is sent to the micronization unit 14. When the non-purification conveying fan 12b is operated, air is sent to the hypochlorous acid water generation unit 19.
[0042] FIG. 5 shows the micronization unit 14, the hypochlorous acid water generating unit 19, and their peripheral configurations in FIG. 2. The micronization unit 14 is a unit for humidifying the air taken into the inside of the purification air duct 5a, and during humidification, the air is made to contain hypochlorous acid as an air purification component together with the micronized water. The micronization unit 14 can also be called an air purification unit. The micronization unit 14 micronizes the hypochlorous acid water generated by the hypochlorous acid water generating unit 19 by centrifugal crushing and releases it into the air. The micronized hypochlorous acid water is released outside the housing 1 with the liquid component evaporated.
[0043] 5, the micronization section 14 has a centrifugal crushing unit 15, a mixing tank 16, and a water level sensor 17. The micronization section 14 has a centrifugal crushing type configuration in which the centrifugal crushing unit 15 is rotated using a humidification motor (not shown), hypochlorous acid water stored in the mixing tank 16 is sucked up by centrifugal force, and the hypochlorous acid water is scattered, collided, and crushed in the surroundings (centrifugal direction), and moisture is added to the passing air.
[0044] The micronization unit 14 adjusts the humidification capacity (amount of humidification) by changing the rotation speed of the humidification motor in response to an output signal from the control unit 41. The amount of humidification can also be said to be the amount of air purification components added to the air. The control unit 41 controls the rotation speed of the centrifugal crushing unit 15 based on the temperature measurement value and the humidity measurement value detected by the third temperature and humidity sensor 72.
[0045] The water level sensor 17 measures the water level of the hypochlorous acid water in the mixing tank 16 and outputs the measurement value to the control unit 41.
[0046] The hypochlorous acid water generator 19 includes an electrolytic cell 20 , an electrode 21 , an electromagnetic valve 22 , a salt water tank 23 , a salt water conveying pump 24 , and a check valve 25 .
[0047] The saltwater tank 23 stores saltwater (aqueous sodium chloride solution) and supplies saltwater to the electrolytic cell 20 via the saltwater transport pump 24 and check valve 25 in response to an output signal from the control unit 41. The electrolytic cell 20 stores the saltwater to be electrolyzed, which is supplied from the saltwater tank 23. Tap water is also supplied to the electrolytic cell 20 from a water supply pipe such as a waterworks through a strainer 36 and an electromagnetic valve 22 in response to an output signal from the control unit 41, and the supplied tap water and saltwater are mixed to store saltwater of a predetermined concentration. The electrode 21 is disposed in the electrolytic cell 20, and in response to an output signal from the control unit 41, an electric current is passed through the electrode 21 to electrolyze the saltwater, thereby generating hypochlorous acid water of a predetermined concentration.
[0048] That is, the electrolytic cell 20 generates hypochlorous acid water by electrolyzing a chloride aqueous solution (e.g., salt water) as an electrolyte between a pair of electrodes. A general device is used for the electrolytic cell 20, so a detailed description will be omitted. Here, the electrolyte is an electrolyte capable of generating hypochlorous acid water, and is not particularly limited as long as it contains even a small amount of chloride ions, and examples of the electrolyte include aqueous solutions in which sodium chloride, calcium chloride, magnesium chloride, etc. are dissolved as solutes. Hydrochloric acid is also acceptable. In this embodiment, an aqueous chloride solution (salt water) in which sodium chloride is added to water is used as the electrolyte.
[0049] The hypochlorous acid water supply unit 28 supplies hypochlorous acid water from the electrolytic cell 20 to the mixing cell 16 of the micronization unit 14 in response to an output signal from the control unit 41. The hypochlorous acid water supply unit 28 has a hypochlorous acid water transfer pump 29 and a water supply pipe 30. The hypochlorous acid water transfer pump 29 sends out hypochlorous acid water from the electrolytic cell 20 to the water supply pipe 30 in response to an output signal from the control unit 41. The water supply pipe 30 is connected between the hypochlorous acid water transfer pump 29 and the mixing cell 16, and supplies hypochlorous acid water toward the mixing cell 16.
[0050] The water supply unit 32 supplies water to the mixing tank 16 in response to an output signal from the control unit 41. The water supply unit 32 has a solenoid valve 33 and a water supply pipe 34. The solenoid valve 33 controls whether or not water supplied from a water pipe outside the space purification device 10 through a strainer 36 flows into the water supply pipe 34 in response to an output signal from the control unit 41. The water supply pipe 34 is connected between the solenoid valve 33 and the mixing tank 16, and supplies water toward the mixing tank 16.
[0051] In this way, the hypochlorous acid water and water are mixed in the mixing tank 16 of the micronization unit 14. The mixed water of hypochlorous acid water and water can also be called hypochlorous acid water. The micronization unit 14 sprays the hypochlorous acid water into the indoor space 62 by centrifugal crushing the mixed water of hypochlorous acid water and water stored in the mixing tank 16.
[0052] 3 and 5, the drain pan 37 is disposed below the micronization unit 14, the hypochlorous acid water generation unit 19 (electrolytic cell 20, salt water tank 23), the hypochlorous acid water supply unit 28, and the water supply unit 32, and receives water dropping therefrom. When the water level in the drain pan 37 reaches a predetermined value, the drain pump 38 drains the water in the drain pan 37 into a drain drain 39.
[0053] The control unit 41 controls the amount of hypochlorous acid water supplied by the hypochlorous acid water supply unit 28 and the amount of water supplied by the water supply unit 32 based on the water level of the mixed water in the mixing tank 16 measured by the water level sensor 17. Since hypochlorous acid water of a predetermined concentration is generated in the electrolytic tank 20, the concentration of hypochlorous acid in the mixed water can be controlled by controlling the amount of hypochlorous acid water supplied by the hypochlorous acid water supply unit 28 and the amount of water supplied by the water supply unit 32 according to the water level of the mixed water in the mixing tank 16. Specifically, when the water level of the mixed water falls to a predetermined value, the control unit 41 supplies a predetermined amount of hypochlorous acid water and a predetermined amount of water to the mixing tank 16 to raise the water level of the mixed water and control the concentration of hypochlorous acid in the mixed water to be approximately constant.
[0054] The control unit 41 controls the concentration of hypochlorous acid in the mixed water based on the required amount of humidification. For example, when the amount of hypochlorous acid required is small, the control unit 41 lowers the concentration of hypochlorous acid in the mixed water as the amount of humidification required increases. On the other hand, when a large amount of humidification is required, if the concentration of hypochlorous acid in the mixed water is high, a large amount of hypochlorous acid is supplied to the indoor space 62. In this case, the odor of hypochlorous acid becomes strong in the indoor space 62, and depending on the amount, it may be uncomfortable for the user. In this embodiment, the amount of hypochlorous acid in the indoor space 62 can be appropriately maintained even when the amount of humidification is large by diluting the supplied hypochlorous acid water with water.
[0055] When only a small amount of humidification is required, such as during the Japanese summer (especially the rainy season), the required amount of hypochlorous acid can be met by increasing the concentration of hypochlorous acid in the mixed water, while maintaining appropriate humidity.
[0056] The control unit 41 controls the concentration of hypochlorous acid in the mixed water based on the required amount of hypochlorous acid. For example, when the required amount of humidification is small, the control unit 41 increases the concentration of hypochlorous acid in the mixed water as the required amount of hypochlorous acid increases.
[0057] When a large amount of hypochlorous acid is required due to a strong odor, if the concentration of hypochlorous acid in the mixed water is low, a large amount of moisture is supplied to the indoor space 62 together with hypochlorous acid, causing an increase in humidity. In particular, in the summer in Japan, where humidity needs to be reduced, the concentration of hypochlorous acid in the mixed water can be increased to reduce the amount of humidification and send a large amount of hypochlorous acid to the indoor space 62. On the other hand, in a situation where there is no odor, the concentration of hypochlorous acid in the mixed water can be reduced to reduce the amount of hypochlorous acid and the amount of humidification sent to the indoor space 62. Therefore, the amount of hypochlorous acid released and the humidity can be controlled simultaneously.
[0058] When a large amount of humidification is required, such as during the winter in Japan, the concentration of hypochlorous acid in the mixed water can be reduced to satisfy the required amount of hypochlorous acid while maintaining appropriate humidity.
[0059] The control unit 41 controls the concentration of hypochlorous acid in the mixed water based on the required amount of hypochlorous acid. For example, when the required amount of humidification is large, the control unit 41 decreases the concentration of hypochlorous acid in the mixed water as the required amount of hypochlorous acid increases.
[0060] When a large amount of humidification is required, if the concentration of hypochlorous acid in the mixed water is high, a large amount of hypochlorous acid is supplied to the indoor space 62 together with a large amount of moisture, and the concentration of hypochlorous acid in the indoor space 62 increases. This causes the odor of hypochlorous acid to become stronger in the indoor space 62, and depending on the amount, it may be uncomfortable for users. Therefore, when a large amount of humidification is required, the concentration of hypochlorous acid in the mixed water can be reduced to increase the amount of humidification sent to the indoor space 62 while reducing the amount of hypochlorous acid. Therefore, the amount of hypochlorous acid released and the humidity can be controlled at the same time.
[0061] As shown in Fig. 1, an operating device 70 is installed on a wall surface of the indoor space 62. The operating device 70 has a user interface that can be operated by a user, and accepts settings of a temperature set value, a humidity set value, and an operation mode from the user. The operation modes include modes for specifying the amount of hypochlorous acid in the air, such as a deodorizing mode, a sterilizing mode, and a normal mode. The operating device 70 includes a third temperature and humidity sensor 72, which measures the temperature and humidity of the air in the indoor space 62. Since a known technique may be used to measure the temperature and humidity in the third temperature and humidity sensor 72, a description thereof will be omitted here.
[0062] The operation device 70 is connected to the control unit 41 by wire or wirelessly, and transmits the temperature set value, humidity set value, temperature measurement value, humidity measurement value, and operation mode information to the control unit 41. The control unit 41 transfers the received information to the air conditioning apparatus 50. This information may be transmitted all together, any two or more pieces of information may be transmitted together, or each piece may be transmitted separately. The operation device 70 may also transmit information to the control unit 41 and the air conditioning apparatus 50.
[0063] The air conditioner 50 receives the temperature set value and the temperature measurement value, and switches the operation mode to the heating mode or the cooling mode so that the temperature measurement value approaches the temperature set value, thereby heating or cooling the air 8b.
[0064] The control unit 41 controls the damper 7, the purification transport fan 12a, the non-purification transport fan 12b, the hypochlorous acid water generator 19, and the micronization unit 14. The control unit 41 keeps the non-purification transport fan 12b operating and does not stop it while hypochlorous acid water is being generated by the hypochlorous acid water generator 19. The control unit 41 may keep the non-purification transport fan 12b operating while hypochlorous acid water remains in the electrolytic bath 20.
[0065] The control unit 41 controls the distribution of air by the damper 7 based on at least one of the operation mode of the air conditioner 50 and the temperature of the air taken in through the temperature control air inlet (inlet 2b).
[0066] The control unit 41 fixes the ratio of the air volumes passing through the purified air duct 5a and the non-purified air duct 5b. When the temperature-controlled air taken in from the temperature-controlled air inlet (inlet 2b) is warm air, the control unit 41 controls the damper 7 to increase the amount of temperature-controlled air passing through the purified air duct 5a to be greater than the amount of temperature-controlled air passing through the non-purified air duct 5b. Here, the case where the air taken in from the temperature-controlled air inlet (inlet 2b) is warm air corresponds to the case where the air conditioner 50 is in the heating mode or the case where the temperature of the air taken in from the temperature-controlled air inlet (inlet 2b) is higher than the temperature of the air taken in from the non-temperature-controlled air inlets (inlet 2a, inlet 2c). The temperature of the air taken in from the temperature-controlled air inlet (inlet 2b) is the temperature measurement value of the first temperature and humidity sensor 40a. The temperature of the air taken in through the non-temperature-controlled air inlets (inlet 2a, inlet 2c) is the temperature measurement value of the third temperature and humidity sensor 72. The temperature of the air taken in through the temperature-controlled air inlet (inlet 2b) may be a temperature value estimated based on the set temperature for the air conditioning device 50.
[0067] The control unit 41 controls the air volume of the temperature-controlled air and the non-temperature-controlled air in the purified air duct 5a and the non-purified air duct 5b and the mixing ratio of the temperature-controlled air and the non-temperature-controlled air based on the opening degree of the damper 7, the output of the non-purified conveying fan 12b, and the output of the purified conveying fan 12a.
[0068] FIG. 6 shows an example of the air path and air volume during heating in the space purification device 10 of FIG. 1. The control unit 41 controls the opening of the second damper 7b and the fourth damper 7d to the maximum, and closes the third damper 7c and the first damper 7a. That is, the first damper 7a sets the air volume of the air 8a circulating from the suction port 2a into the purification air duct 5a to zero. The second damper 7b sets the air volume of the air 8d circulating from the suction port 2b into the purification air duct 5a to maximum. The third damper 7c sets the air volume of the air 8d circulating from the suction port 2b into the non-purification air duct 5b to zero. The fourth damper 7d sets the air volume of the air 8c circulating from the suction port 2c into the non-purification air duct 5b to maximum.
[0069] Therefore, the air 8d, which is warm air with an air volume of "350", passes through the purification air duct 5a, and this air 8d is humidified by the hypochlorous acid water atomized by the atomization unit 14, and is blown out from the outlet 3a as air 9a with an air volume of "350". Since the temperature of the air 8d heated by the air conditioner 50 is higher than the temperature of the air 8a in the indoor space 62, the amount of humidification by the hypochlorous acid water can be increased compared to when the air 8a is humidified. The air volume of "350" is determined by the air conditioner 50. The purification transport fan 12a also operates at a rotation speed corresponding to the air volume of "350".
[0070] Furthermore, air 8c with an air volume of "400" passes through non-purification air passage 5b and is blown out from air outlet 3b as air 9b with an air volume of "400." The air volume "400" is determined by the rotation speed of non-purification transfer fan 12b.
[0071] On the other hand, when the temperature-controlled air taken in through the temperature-controlled air inlet (inlet 2b) is cold air and the release of hypochlorous acid water is prioritized over dehumidification, the control unit 41 increases the amount of temperature-controlled air passing through the non-purified air duct 5b more than the amount of temperature-controlled air passing through the purified air duct 5a. Here, the case where the air taken in through the temperature-controlled air inlet (inlet 2b) is cold air corresponds to the case where the air conditioner 50 is in cooling mode, or the case where the temperature of the air taken in through the temperature-controlled air inlet (inlet 2b) is lower than the temperature of the air taken in through the non-temperature-controlled air inlets (inlet 2a, inlet 2c).
[0072] FIG. 7 shows an example of the airflow path and airflow volume during cooling in the space purification device 10 of FIG. 1. The control unit 41 controls the opening of the first damper 7a, the third damper 7c, and the fourth damper 7d to the maximum, and closes the second damper 7b. That is, the first damper 7a maximizes the airflow volume of the air 8a circulating from the intake port 2a into the purified air duct 5a. The second damper 7b reduces the airflow volume of the air 8d circulating from the intake port 2b into the purified air duct 5a to zero. The third damper 7c maximizes the airflow volume of the air 8d circulating from the intake port 2b into the non-purified air duct 5b. The fourth damper 7d maximizes the airflow volume of the air 8c circulating from the intake port 2c into the non-purified air duct 5b.
[0073] Therefore, air 8a with a volume of "350" passes through the purification air passage 5a, and this air 8a is humidified by the hypochlorous acid water atomized in the atomization section 14, and is blown out from the outlet 3a as air 9a with a volume of "350". Since the temperature of the air 8a is higher than that of the temperature-controlled air (air 8d), the amount of humidification by the hypochlorous acid water can be increased compared to when the cooled air 8d is humidified, and the amount of hypochlorous acid in the air can be increased. The volume of air "350" is determined by the rotation speed of the purification transport fan 12a.
[0074] Furthermore, air 8d, which is cold air with an air volume of "350", and air 8c with an air volume of "50", pass through non-purification air duct 5b and are blown out from outlet 3b as air 9b with an air volume of "400". Air 8d cooled by air conditioner 50 is discharged without being humidified by atomization section 14, so that air 9a and air 9b supplied to indoor space 62 can dehumidify the air as a whole. The air volume of "50" of air 8c is the difference between the air volume of "400" determined by the rotation speed of non-purification transport fan 12b and the air volume of "350" of air 8d determined by air conditioner 50.
[0075] In addition, when the temperature-controlled air taken in from the temperature-controlled air intake (intake 2b) is cold air and dehumidification takes priority over the release of hypochlorous acid water, the control unit 41 may increase the amount of temperature-controlled air passing through the purification air duct 5a more than the amount of temperature-controlled air passing through the non-purification air duct 5b. In this case, for example, the same control of the damper 7 as in FIG. 6 may be executed during cooling, and the air path may be the same as in FIG. 6. By passing cold air through the purification air duct 5a, the amount of humidification by the micronization unit 14 can be reduced. Even in this case, a smaller amount of hypochlorous acid water can be released than in the case of FIG. 7.
[0076] The subject of the device, system, or method in the present disclosure includes a computer. The computer executes a program to realize the function of the subject of the device, system, or method in the present disclosure. The computer includes a processor that operates according to a program as a main hardware configuration. The type of the processor does not matter as long as it can realize the function by executing the program. The processor is composed of one or more electronic circuits including a semiconductor integrated circuit (IC) or an LSI (Large Scale Integration). The multiple electronic circuits may be integrated into one chip or may be provided on multiple chips. The multiple chips may be integrated into one device or may be provided on multiple devices. The program is recorded on a non-transitory recording medium such as a computer-readable ROM (Read Only Memory), an optical disk, or a hard disk drive. The program may be stored in the recording medium in advance, or may be supplied to the recording medium via a wide area communication network including the Internet.
[0077] According to this embodiment, the air conditioner 50 sends out a part of the air 8d of the air-conditioned air to the spatial purification device 10, and sends out the remaining air 8e of the air-conditioned air to the indoor space 62, so that the air 8e can be sent into the room without being humidified by the spatial purification device 10. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the drop in the temperature of the indoor air that accompanies humidification during heating. It is possible to suppress the increase in humidity of the indoor air during cooling.
[0078] In addition, since the hypochlorous acid water generating unit 19 is disposed in the non-purified air duct 5b and the micronization unit 14 is disposed in the purified air duct 5a, when hypochlorous acid water (or vaporized hypochlorous acid) leaks from the hypochlorous acid water generating unit 19, the leaked hypochlorous acid water is discharged to the outside of the housing 1 by air passing through the non-purified air duct 5b, and corrosion inside the space purification device 10 can be suppressed. Assuming that the hypochlorous acid water generating unit 19 is provided in the purified air duct 5a, the micronized hypochlorous acid water is likely to adhere to the hypochlorous acid water generating unit 19, so the hypochlorous acid water generating unit 19 itself needs to have high corrosion resistance, but in the configuration of this embodiment, the corrosion resistance of the hypochlorous acid water generating unit 19 can be eliminated or reduced.
[0079] In addition, while hypochlorous acid water is being generated by hypochlorous acid water generator 19, non-purification transport fan 12b continues to rotate, thereby continuously generating air flow in non-purification air duct 5b, so that corrosion within housing 1 can be more reliably suppressed.
[0080] Furthermore, the purification transport fan 12a, the non-purification transport fan 12b, the hypochlorous acid water generating unit 19, the hypochlorous acid water supply unit 28, the water supply unit 32, the strainer 36, the drain pump 38, and the drain drain 39 are not disposed downstream of the micronization unit 14, so that it is possible to suppress corrosion of these components due to the micronized hypochlorous acid water discharged from the micronization unit 14. Therefore, the corrosion resistance of these components can be eliminated or reduced.
[0081] In addition, the hypochlorous acid water leaked from the hypochlorous acid water generating unit 19 into the non-purified air duct 5b is absorbed or adsorbed by the highly reactive material of the highly reactive duct 67b, so that the leaked hypochlorous acid water can be prevented from reaching the room. Since the specific surface area of the highly reactive material is larger than that of the low-reactive material, the highly reactive material is likely to absorb or adsorb the hypochlorous acid water. Therefore, it is easy to accurately control the amount of hypochlorous acid in the room. In order to accurately control the amount of hypochlorous acid in the room, it is desirable that the hypochlorous acid water leaked into the non-purified air duct 5b is not released into the room.
[0082] On the other hand, for the hypochlorous acid water contained in the air 9a that has passed through the purification air duct 5a, the low-reactivity material of the low-reactivity duct 67a suppresses reaction, absorption, or adsorption, thereby preventing a decrease in the concentration of hypochlorous acid due to passage through the low-reactivity duct 67a.
[0083] In addition, since the hypochlorous acid water and water are supplied to the mixing tank 16, the concentration of the mixed water can be easily adjusted. Therefore, the concentration of hypochlorous acid released into the air can be easily adjusted.
[0084] In addition, the damper 7 distributes at least one of the temperature-controlled air and the non-temperature-controlled air to the purified air duct and the non-purified air duct, so that by adjusting the distribution of the temperature-controlled air and the non-temperature-controlled air during heating and cooling, respectively, humidification using hypochlorous acid water can be performed more appropriately.
[0085] The present disclosure has been described above based on the embodiments. These embodiments are merely illustrative, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications are possible in the combination of each component or each treatment process, and that such modifications are also within the scope of the present disclosure.
[0086] For example, in the embodiment, the ratio of the airflows passing through the purified air duct 5a and the non-purified air duct 5b is fixed, but it may be variable. In this case, the control unit 41 may increase the amount of air passing through the purified air duct 5a more than the amount of air passing through the non-purified air duct 5b when the air taken in from the temperature-controlled air inlet (inlet 2b) is warm air, and may increase the amount of air passing through the non-purified air duct 5b more than the amount of air passing through the purified air duct 5a when the air taken in from the temperature-controlled air inlet (inlet 2b) is cold air. Similarly, the control unit 41 may increase the amount of air passing through the purified air duct 5a more than the amount of air passing through the non-purified air duct 5b when the air conditioner 50 connected to the temperature-controlled air inlet (inlet 2b) is set to heating, and may increase the amount of air passing through the non-purified air duct 5b more than the amount of air passing through the purified air duct 5a when the air conditioner 50 is set to cooling. In this modified example, during cooling, more air is passed through the non-purified air duct 5b, which is not humidified, so that dehumidification can be effectively performed. During heating, a large amount of air is passed through the purification air duct 5a, so that humidification can be effectively achieved.
[0087] An outline of one aspect of the present disclosure is as follows. A space purification device (10) according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a housing (1) forming an outer shell, a purification air duct (5a) provided within the housing (1), a non-purification air duct (5b) provided within the housing (1) independent of the purification air duct (5a), a hypochlorous acid water generator (19) that generates hypochlorous acid water, and a micronization unit (14) that micronizes the hypochlorous acid water generated by the hypochlorous acid water generator (19) and releases it into the air. The micronization unit (14) is disposed in the purification air duct (5a) and releases the hypochlorous acid water into the air passing through the purification air duct (5a). The housing (1) is equipped with a temperature-controlled air inlet (2b) for taking in temperature-controlled air that has been temperature-controlled outside the housing (1) into the housing (1), non-temperature-controlled air inlets (2a, 2c) for taking in non-temperature-controlled air that has not been temperature-controlled outside the housing (1) into the housing (1), and a damper (7) that distributes at least one of the temperature-controlled air and the non-temperature-controlled air to the purified air duct (5a) and the non-purified air duct (5b).
[0088] The space purification device (10) may include a control unit (41) that controls the hypochlorous acid water generation unit (19), the atomization unit (14), and the damper (7). The control unit (41) may control distribution by the damper (7) based on at least one of an operation mode of an air conditioner (50) connected to the temperature control air inlet (2b) and the temperature of the air taken in through the temperature control air inlet (2b).
[0089] The ratio of the air volumes passing through the purified air duct (5a) and the non-purified air duct (5b) may be fixed, and the control unit (41) may increase the amount of temperature-controlled air passing through the purified air duct (5a) compared to the amount of temperature-controlled air passing through the non-purified air duct (5b) when the air taken in through the temperature-controlled air suction port (2b) is warm air, and may increase the amount of temperature-controlled air passing through the non-purified air duct (5b) compared to the amount of temperature-controlled air passing through the purified air duct (5a) when the air taken in through the temperature-controlled air suction port (2b) is cold air.
[0090] The ratio of the air volumes passing through the purified air duct (5a) and the non-purified air duct (5b) may be fixed, and the control unit (41) may increase the amount of temperature-controlled air passing through the purified air duct (5a) compared to the amount of temperature-controlled air passing through the non-purified air duct (5b) when the air taken in through the temperature-controlled air suction port (2b) is warm air or cold air.
[0091] The control unit (41) may increase the amount of air passing through the purification air duct (5a) compared to the amount of air passing through the non-purification air duct (5b) when the air taken in through the temperature control air inlet (2b) is warm air, and may increase the amount of air passing through the non-purification air duct (5b) compared to the amount of air passing through the purification air duct (5a) when the air taken in through the temperature control air inlet (2b) is cold air.
[0092] The control unit (41) may increase the amount of air passing through the purified air duct (5a) more than the amount of air passing through the non-purified air duct (5b) when the air conditioner (50) connected to the temperature control air inlet (2b) is set to heating, and may increase the amount of air passing through the non-purified air duct (5b) more than the amount of air passing through the purified air duct (5a) when the air conditioner (50) is set to cooling.
[0093] The space purification device (10) may include a purification transport fan (12a) that generates an air flow in the purification air duct (5a) and a non-purification transport fan (12b) that generates an air flow in the non-purification air duct (5b). The control unit (41) may control the flow rates of the temperature regulated air and the non-temperature regulated air and the mixing ratio of the temperature regulated air and the non-temperature regulated air in the purification air duct (5a) and the non-purification air duct (5b) based on the opening degree of the damper (7), the output of the non-purification transport fan (12b), and the output of the purification transport fan (12a).
[0094] The temperature-controlled air is air whose temperature has been adjusted by an air conditioner (50) capable of at least one of heating and cooling air, and the non-temperature-controlled air may be air obtained from a specified indoor space (62).
[0095] The hypochlorous acid water generator (19) may include an electrolytic cell (20) that stores salt water to be electrolyzed, electrodes (21) that perform electrolysis by passing an electric current through them, and a salt water tank (23) that supplies salt water to the electrolytic cell (20).
[0096] The housing (1) may include an air outlet (3) for discharging air within the housing (1) to the outside of the housing (1), and a partition wall (6) that separates the purified air duct (5a) from the non-purified air duct (5b) between the downstream of the temperature-controlled air inlet (2b) and the non-temperature-controlled air inlet (2a, 2c) and the air outlet. [Industrial Applicability]
[0097] The space purification device according to the present disclosure atomizes hypochlorous acid water and releases it into the air, and is useful as a device for sterilizing or deodorizing the air in a target space. [Explanation of symbols]
[0098] 1 housing, 2,2a,2b,2c suction port, 3,3a,3b outlet, 5a purified air duct, 5b non-purified air duct, 6 partition wall, 7 damper, 7a first damper, 7b second damper, 7c third damper, 7d fourth damper, 8a,8b,8c,8d,9a,9b air, 10 space purification device, 11a first HEPA filter, 11b second HEPA filter, 12a purified transport fan, 12b non-purified transport fan, 14 finer part, 15 centrifugal crushing unit, 16 mixing tank, 17 water level sensor, 19 hypochlorous acid water generation part, 20 electrolytic cell, 21 electrode, 22 solenoid valve, 23 salt water tank, 24 salt water transport pump, 25 Check valve, 28 Hypochlorous acid water supply unit, 29 Hypochlorous acid water conveying pump, 30 Water supply pipe, 32 Water supply unit, 33 Solenoid valve, 34 Water supply pipe, 36 Strainer, 37 Drain pan, 38 Drain pump, 39 Drain drain, 40a First temperature and humidity sensor, 40b Second temperature and humidity sensor, 41 Control unit, 50 Air conditioning device, 51 Main body, 52 Decorative panel, 53 Intake port, 54 Outlet, 55 Outlet, 60 Outdoor unit, 62 Indoor space, 64a, 64b, 64c Duct, 65a, 65c Indoor intake port, 67a Low reactivity duct, 67b High reactivity duct, 68a, 68b Indoor outlet, 70 Operation device, 72 3rd temperature and humidity sensor, 100 space purification system.
Claims
1. A housing forming an outer shell; A purification air duct provided in the housing; A non-purification air passage provided in the housing independently of the purification air passage; A hypochlorous acid water generating unit that generates hypochlorous acid water; A micronization unit that micronizes the hypochlorous acid water generated by the hypochlorous acid water generation unit and releases it into the air; A hypochlorous acid water supply unit that connects the hypochlorous acid generation unit and the micronization unit and supplies the hypochlorous acid water from the hypochlorous acid water generation unit to the micronization unit, The micronization unit is disposed in the purification air duct and releases the hypochlorous acid water into the air passing through the purification air duct, The housing includes: a temperature-controlled air intake port for taking temperature-controlled air, the temperature of which has been controlled outside the housing, into the housing; a non-temperature-controlled air intake port for taking in non-temperature-controlled air that is not temperature-controlled outside the housing into the housing; a damper that distributes at least one of the temperature-controlled air and the non-temperature-controlled air to the purification air duct and the non-purification air duct; The hypochlorous acid water generating unit is A space purification device disposed in the non-purifying air duct.
2. A control unit is provided to control the hypochlorous acid water generating unit, the micronizing unit, and the damper, The space purification device according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit controls distribution by the damper based on at least one of an operating mode of an air conditioner connected to the temperature-controlled air inlet and a temperature of the air taken in from the temperature-controlled air inlet.
3. A ratio of airflow passing through the purification air duct and the non-purification air duct is fixed, The control unit is When the air taken in through the temperature-controlled air suction port is warm air, the amount of temperature-controlled air passing through the purification air duct is increased to be greater than the amount of temperature-controlled air passing through the non-purification air duct; The space purification device according to claim 2 , wherein when the air taken in through the temperature-controlled air inlet is cold air, the amount of temperature-controlled air passing through the non-purification air passage is increased to be greater than the amount of temperature-controlled air passing through the purification air passage.
4. A ratio of airflow passing through the purification air duct and the non-purification air duct is fixed, The space purification device according to claim 2, wherein the control unit increases the amount of temperature-regulated air passing through the purification air duct more than the amount of temperature-regulated air passing through the non-purification air duct when the air taken in through the temperature-regulated air inlet is warm air or cold air.
5. The control unit is When the air taken in through the temperature-controlled air inlet is warm air, the amount of air passing through the purification air duct is increased to be greater than the amount of air passing through the non-purification air duct; The space purification device according to claim 2 , wherein when the air taken in through the temperature-adjusted air inlet is cold air, the amount of air passing through the non-purification air passage is made greater than the amount of air passing through the purification air passage.
6. The control unit is When an air conditioner connected to the temperature control air inlet is set to heating, the amount of air passing through the purification air duct is increased to be greater than the amount of air passing through the non-purification air duct; The space purification device according to claim 2 , wherein, when the air conditioner is set to cooling, the amount of air passing through the non-purification air passage is increased to be greater than the amount of air passing through the purification air passage.
7. A purification conveying fan that generates an air flow in the purification air duct; a non-purifying conveying fan that generates an air flow in the non-purifying air duct; The space purification device according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein the control unit controls the air volumes of the temperature-controlled air and the non-temperature-controlled air in the purification air duct and the non-purification air duct, and the mixing ratio of the temperature-controlled air and the non-temperature-controlled air, based on the opening degree of the damper, the output of the non-purification transport fan, and the output of the purification transport fan.
8. The temperature-controlled air is air whose temperature has been controlled by an air conditioner capable of performing at least one of heating and cooling of air, The space purification device according to claim 1 , wherein the non-temperature-controlled air is air obtained from a predetermined indoor space.
9. The hypochlorous acid water generating unit is An electrolytic cell for storing salt water to be electrolyzed; An electrode that performs the electrolysis when energized; The space purification device according to claim 1 , further comprising: a salt water tank that supplies the salt water to the electrolytic cell.
10. The housing includes: an air outlet for discharging air from within the housing to the outside of the housing; The space purification device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, further comprising a partition wall that separates the purified air duct and the non-purified air duct between the temperature-controlled air inlet and the downstream of the non-temperature-controlled air inlet and the air outlet.
Citation Information
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