Anti-virus air conditioner

Abstract

To provide an antivirus air conditioner capable of deactivating virus without directly irradiating inside a room with ultraviolet light having a wavelength that deactivates virus.SOLUTION: An antivirus air conditioner 10 includes: a housing 12 that accommodates therein a blower fan 14, a heat exchanger 16, a filter 18, and an ultraviolet light source 20 that irradiates light including ultraviolet light having a wavelength that deactivates virus; and an air suction port 24 disposed at a position corresponding to a front side of the filter 18 in the housing 12. The ultraviolet light source 20 is disposed on a rear side of the filter 18.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an antiviral air conditioner suitable for reducing the risk of emerging viral infections. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, air conditioners equipped with medium-performance filters have been known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). With such air conditioners, the medium-performance filter can capture some of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19 virus). However, the virus cannot be inactivated.

[0003] Meanwhile, a method of irradiating deep ultraviolet light (UV-C) is known as a conventional sterilization method for inactivating viruses (see, for example, Patent Document 2). This effectively sterilizes an object to be sterilized by directly irradiating the object with UV-C light in the wavelength range of about 180 nm to 280 nm, which has a high sterilizing power. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2013-213657 A [Patent Document 2] Patent No. 6861976 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] As mentioned above, the medium-performance filter in air conditioners can capture some of the COVID-19 virus. However, it cannot inactivate the virus. Therefore, it is possible to incorporate a UV-C device into the air conditioner to inactivate the COVID-19 virus in the room. However, direct irradiation of UV-C into the room can have an adverse effect on the human body. For this reason, there has been a demand for an anti-viral air conditioner that can inactivate the virus without directly irradiating the room with UV-C.

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above, and has an object to provide an anti-viral air conditioner that can inactivate viruses without directly irradiating the room with ultraviolet light of a wavelength that inactivates viruses. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the objectives, the anti-viral air conditioner of the present invention is an anti-viral air conditioner comprising a housing that contains a blower fan, a heat exchanger, a filter, and an ultraviolet light source that emits light that includes ultraviolet light of a wavelength that inactivates viruses, and an air intake port provided in a position corresponding to the front side of the filter of the housing, and is characterized in that the ultraviolet light source is provided behind the filter.

[0008] Further, in the anti-viral air conditioner according to the present invention, in the above-mentioned invention, the ultraviolet light source radiates light toward the rear.

[0009] Further, another anti-viral air conditioner according to the present invention is characterized in that in the above-mentioned invention, the ultraviolet light source is provided in a chamber arranged behind the filter.

[0010] Further, another anti-viral air conditioner according to the present invention is characterized in that in the above-mentioned invention, the ultraviolet light source irradiates light into an air passage that blocks light. Effect of the Invention

[0011] The anti-viral air conditioner of the present invention is an anti-viral air conditioner that includes a housing that contains a blower fan, a heat exchanger, a filter, and an ultraviolet light source that emits light including ultraviolet light of a wavelength that inactivates viruses, and an air intake port provided in a position corresponding to the front side of the filter of the housing, and because the ultraviolet light source is provided behind the filter, it has the effect of inactivating viruses without directly irradiating the room with ultraviolet light of a wavelength that inactivates viruses.

[0012] Furthermore, in another anti-viral air conditioner according to the present invention, the ultraviolet light source emits light toward the rear, thereby efficiently inactivating viruses contained in the air inside the housing and preventing light containing ultraviolet rays from leaking into the room.

[0013] Furthermore, in another anti-viral air conditioner according to the present invention, the ultraviolet light source is provided in a chamber located behind the filter, thereby achieving the effect of efficiently inactivating viruses contained in the air in the chamber.

[0014] Furthermore, in another anti-viral air conditioner according to the present invention, the ultraviolet light source radiates light into the light-blocking air passage, thereby preventing deterioration of component parts outside the air passage due to exposure to ultraviolet light. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a first embodiment of an anti-viral air conditioner according to the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram of an analytical model corresponding to the first embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 shows the analysis results for each case. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 shows the analysis results for each case. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a second embodiment of an anti-viral air conditioner according to the present invention, where (1) is a cross-sectional view and (2) is a partially enlarged view of (1). DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0016] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of an anti-viral air conditioner according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment.

[0017] (Embodiment 1) First, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described. 1, an anti-viral air conditioner 10 according to the first embodiment is applied to a fan coil unit (hereinafter referred to as FCU) including a substantially box-shaped housing 12, a blower fan 14 provided within the housing 12, a coil 16, and a filter 18. A UV-C lamp 20 is provided adjacent to the rear side of the filter 18. The UV-C lamp 20 is provided within a chamber 22.

[0018] The blower fan 14 is provided on the upper side inside the housing 12, and blows air out laterally. The coil 16 is a heat exchanger provided in front of the blower fan 14.

[0019] Filter 18 is provided at the center of the lower surface inside housing 12. Filter 18 may be, for example, a standard filter, a medium-performance filter, a HEPA filter, or the like, and among them, a medium-performance filter (for example, a capture efficiency of about 90% or more by the colorimetric method described in JIS B 9908:2001) or a HEPA filter is preferable in terms of increasing the virus inactivation rate. Note that the present invention does not limit the specifications of the filter, and any filter can be appropriately selected.

[0020] In order to inactivate the COVID-19 virus, a certain amount of UV-C irradiation is required. Therefore, by providing a raising chamber 22 in the space above (behind) the filter 18, it is possible to ensure a long irradiation time of the UV-C lamp 20 on the COVID-19 virus in the air in the FCU. This makes it possible to efficiently inactivate the COVID-19 virus contained in the air in the chamber 22. The vertical length L of the chamber 22 can be appropriately set according to the target inactivation rate, etc., but may be set to about 200 mm, for example, when the average wind speed after passing through the filter 18 is about 1.2 m / s.

[0021] The UV-C lamp 20 is an ultraviolet light source that emits light (UV-C) containing ultraviolet light with a wavelength that inactivates the COVID-19 virus. In order to avoid deterioration of the filter 18, the UV-C lamp 20 irradiates UV-C from the horizontal to the upward portion (rear side). This efficiently inactivates the COVID-19 virus contained in the air in the housing 12 and prevents UV-C from leaking into the room. The shape of the UV-C lamp 20 may be any shape that inactivates the COVID-19 virus contained in the air in the housing 12, and may be, for example, dot-like or rod-like. Note that the example in the figure shows a case where a rod-shaped UV-C lamp 20 perpendicular to the paper surface is placed at the top center of the filter 18 in the left-right direction.

[0022] An air inlet 24 and an air outlet 26 are provided on the bottom surface of the housing 12. The air inlet 24 is disposed below (on the front side of) the filter 18, and the air outlet 26 is disposed on the edge side of the housing 12. The blower fan 14, the coil 16, the filter 18, and the chamber 22 are each fixed to a partition plate (not shown), and communicate with each other via an air passage (not shown).

[0023] In the above configuration, when the blower fan 14 is operated, indoor air enters the housing 12 through the air inlet 24. This air passes through the filter 18 and enters the chamber 22, where it is exposed to UV-C irradiated from the UV-C lamp 20, and the COVID-19 virus contained in the air is inactivated. The air in which the virus has been inactivated in the chamber 22 passes through an air passage (not shown) and is blown out from the blower fan 14 to the coil 16 side. The temperature of the air is adjusted by passing through the coil 16. The conditioned air flows downward along the side of the housing 12 and is blown out into the room from the air outlet 26.

[0024] According to this embodiment, the COVID-19 virus can be inactivated without directly irradiating the room with UV-C, which inactivates the COVID-19 virus. Since the COVID-19 virus can be inactivated indoors, this is effective in preventing infection during the coronavirus pandemic and in the post-coronavirus era.

[0025] <Verification of the Effects of the Invention> In order to verify the effectiveness of the present invention, a numerical simulation analysis using unsteady calculation was used to compare the installation positions of UV-C devices that most effectively inactivate the COVID-19 virus. Three cases were examined: Case A (installed behind the filter), Case B (installed in the fan section), and Case C (installed behind the coil). Figure 2 shows the analysis model.

[0026] The UV-C device built into the FCU uses UV-C lamps manufactured by Steril-Aire, a US company, with an irradiation dose of 360 J / s m 2 The UV-C lamp was set to face upwards to prevent deterioration of the filter. A raised chamber was installed behind the filter to extend the irradiation time of the UV-C lamp against the COVID-19 virus in the air inside the FCU.

[0027] According to a report from Boston University in the United States (see Reference 1 below), an experiment using a germicidal lamp with a wavelength of 254 nm found that an irradiation dose of about 3.9 mJ / s inactivates the COVID-19 virus by up to 99.9%. In the present invention, this content is used as the basis for the inactivation of the COVID-19 virus by UV-C lamps.

[0028] [Reference 1] “Boston University validates Signify UV-C for coronavirus deactivation”, [online], June 16, 2020, [searched on July 10, 2021], Internet <URL:https: / / www.ledsmagazine.com / lighting-health-wellbeing / article / 14177977 / boston-university-validates-signify-uvc-for-coronavirus-deactivation>

[0029] Figure 3 shows a representative still image from the analysis video for each case. This figure is a cross-sectional view seen from the X direction in Figure 2. Table 1 shows the calculation results of the inactivation rate for each case. Comparing the cases, Case A, in which the UV-C lamp is installed after the filter, achieved a virus inactivation rate of 70%, resulting in the most efficient result. Case B, in which the lamp is installed within the fan section, reduced effectiveness due to the fan becoming an obstacle. Case C, in which the lamp is installed after the coil, reduced effectiveness due to the high wind speed. As a result, it can be seen that the installation position of the UV-C lamp with the highest inactivation rate is behind the filter.

[0030] [Table 1]

[0031] As a further study, a simulation analysis was carried out for the case A, in which a UV-C lamp is installed after the filter, in which case the filter specifications and the wind speed are changed. A standard filter and a medium-performance filter (with a collection efficiency of 90% according to the colorimetric method described in JIS B 9908:2001) were used. The wind speed is assumed to automatically switch depending on the indoor heat load, and is used for comparison as a reference. The wind speed was set at 920 m3, the air volume of the air conditioner. 3 / h (high air volume operation), 445m 3 / h (weak airflow operation), strong airflow operation was performed in cases 1 to 4, and weak airflow operation was performed in cases 5 to 8. For comparison, the cases with and without UV-C lamps were also analyzed separately.

[0032] Table 2 shows the condition settings and the analysis results of the inactivation rate for each case. Figure 4 shows a representative still image from the analysis video for each case. When operating at high airflow, installing a UV-C lamp and using a medium-performance filter in combination, an inactivation rate of approximately 99% was achieved. The inactivation rate for low airflow operation was calculated as a reference, but the results showed that the inactivation rate improved by reducing the airflow. These results show that the preferred filter specification is a medium-performance filter.

[0033] [Table 2]

[0034] Table 3 shows an example of calculating maintenance costs for each case. For the calculation, it was assumed that standard filters would be washed regularly, mid-performance filters would be replaced once a year, and HEPA filters would be replaced twice a year. Additionally, the operating hours of the air conditioner and UV-C lamp were both set at 8,760 hours per year. The electricity rates used were Tokyo Electric Power Company's metered rate for commercial electricity (contract power of less than 500 kW).

[0035] [Table 3]

[0036] According to this table, the annual running cost of a UV-C lamp, excluding replacement costs, is about 12,000 yen, which is not a large amount compared to the overall maintenance costs. For reference, in the case of a HEPA filter, the cost is estimated at 198,000 yen / year for a configuration using a UV-C lamp and a HEPA filter.

[0037] (Embodiment 2) Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. 5, an anti-viral air conditioner 100 according to the second embodiment is applied to a package unit (hereinafter referred to as PAC) including a substantially box-shaped housing 12, a blower fan 14 provided within the housing 12, a coil 16, and a filter 18. The filter 18 is disposed in a multi-function casement, and a UV-C lamp 20 is provided above (behind) the filter 18.

[0038] The UV-C lamp 20 is provided in a compartment 28 arranged above the filter 18. A fan guard 30 for protecting the blower fan 14 is provided above the compartment 28. Three horizontal shielding plates 32 are arranged at intervals in the vertical direction inside the compartment 28. These three shielding plates 32 have a function of blocking light, and are arranged alternately in the left-right direction. This forms a zigzag air passage in the compartment 28 that blocks light. The internal structure of a typical PAC is mainly made of resin. By installing the shielding plates 32, it is possible to prevent deterioration of the resin internal structure due to irradiation with UV-C. Specifications such as the number of stages of the shielding plates 32 and the vertical length of the compartment 28 can be appropriately set according to the target virus inactivation rate, etc.

[0039] The UV-C lamp 20 is fixed to the left side surface near the extension line of the shielding plate 32 at the center in the vertical direction. The UV-C lamp 20 irradiates light (UV-C) containing ultraviolet light with a wavelength that inactivates the COVID-19 virus toward the right. This allows UV-C to be efficiently irradiated into the air passage in the compartment 28. This inactivates the COVID-19 virus in the air passing through the PAC.

[0040] According to this embodiment, the COVID-19 virus can be inactivated without directly irradiating the room with UV-C, which inactivates the COVID-19 virus. Since the COVID-19 virus can be inactivated indoors, it is effective in preventing infection during the corona pandemic and the post-coronavirus era. In addition, it is possible to prevent deterioration of the PAC components outside the air passage due to exposure to UV-C.

[0041] As described above, the anti-viral air conditioner of the present invention is an anti-viral air conditioner that includes a housing that contains a blower fan, a heat exchanger, a filter, and an ultraviolet light source that emits light including ultraviolet rays of a wavelength that inactivates viruses, and an air intake port provided in a position corresponding to the front side of the filter of the housing, and since the ultraviolet light source is provided behind the filter, viruses can be inactivated without directly irradiating the room with ultraviolet rays of a wavelength that inactivates viruses.

[0042] Furthermore, in another anti-viral air conditioner according to the present invention, the ultraviolet light source emits light toward the rear, thereby efficiently inactivating viruses contained in the air inside the housing and preventing light containing ultraviolet rays from leaking into the room.

[0043] Furthermore, in another anti-viral air conditioner according to the present invention, the ultraviolet light source is provided in a chamber located behind the filter, so that viruses contained in the air in the chamber can be efficiently inactivated.

[0044] In addition, in another anti-viral air conditioner according to the present invention, the ultraviolet light source radiates light into the light-blocking air passage, so that deterioration of component parts outside the air passage due to exposure to ultraviolet light can be prevented. [Industrial Applicability]

[0045] INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY As described above, the anti-viral air conditioner according to the present invention is useful as an air conditioner, and is particularly suitable for inactivating viruses without directly irradiating the room with ultraviolet light of a wavelength that inactivates viruses. [Explanation of symbols]

[0046] 10,100 Anti-viral air conditioner 12. Chassis 14 Blower fan 16 Coil (heat exchanger) 18 Filters 20 UV-C lamp (ultraviolet light source) 22 Chamber 24 Air intake 26 Air outlet 28 Compartments 30 Fan Guard 32 Shielding plate

Claims

1. An anti-viral air conditioner comprising a housing that houses a blower fan, a heat exchanger, a filter, and an ultraviolet light source that emits light including ultraviolet light having a wavelength that inactivates viruses, and an air intake port provided in a position of the housing corresponding to a front side of the filter, a chamber provided behind the filter for ensuring a time for which the air passing through the filter and moving toward the blower fan and the heat exchanger is irradiated with light from the ultraviolet light source; The anti-viral air conditioner, wherein the ultraviolet light source is provided behind the filter inside the chamber.

2. An anti-viral air conditioner as described in Claim 1, characterized in that the ultraviolet light source emits the light toward the rear.

3. An anti-viral air conditioner as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the ultraviolet light source radiates the light into an air passage that blocks the light.

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