Electrolyzed water dispersing device

Abstract

To provide a technology for executing quickly sterilization and deodorization, while considering an electrode life.SOLUTION: A determination part 40 determines that odor is increased, when the odor amount detected by an odor detection part 22 exceeds a high level threshold. A storage part 42 stores a timing when odor increase is determined by the determination part 40 as an increase timing. A spray amount control part 44 increases a spray amount of electrolytic water from the increase timing to an expected timing after elapse of a fixed period, furthermore than the spray amount of the electrolytic water in a fixed period to the increase timing.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an electrolyzed water spraying device that generates and sprays electrolyzed water. [Background technology]

[0002] When a sensor detects indoor air pollution, the air purifier automatically operates a fan to purify the air (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 3-30809 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Electrolyzed water sprayers use electrolysis to generate and spray electrolyzed water containing hypochlorous acid to remove (including inactivate) bacteria, fungi, viruses, odors, etc. from the air. To generate hypochlorous acid, electrolysis-promoting tablets such as salt must be added to the water to be electrolyzed, producing water containing chloride ions. Constantly generating high concentrations of hypochlorous acid in electrolyzed water sprayers shortens the lifespan of the electrodes. Therefore, gas sensors are installed to increase the amount of hypochlorous acid generated when a target for sterilization or deodorization is detected. However, if the amount of hypochlorous acid generated is increased after detecting a target for sterilization or deodorization, it takes time for the hypochlorous acid required for sterilization and deodorization to be generated, making it difficult to achieve rapid sterilization and deodorization.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a technology that quickly performs sterilization and deodorization while taking into consideration the electrode lifespan. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, an electrolyzed water spraying device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes a water storage unit for storing water, an electrolysis unit for electrolyzing the water in the water storage unit to produce electrolyzed water, a spraying unit for contacting the electrolyzed water produced in the electrolysis unit with air drawn in through an air intake and spraying it into a space through an air outlet, an odor detection unit for detecting the amount of odor in the space, and a control unit for controlling the electrolysis unit and the spraying unit. The control unit includes a determination unit for determining an increase in odor when the amount of odor detected by the odor detection unit exceeds a high-level threshold, a memory unit for storing the timing at which the determination unit determines an increase in odor as the increase timing, and a spray amount control unit for increasing the amount of electrolyzed water sprayed from the increase timing to a predicted timing after a certain period of time has elapsed, compared to the amount of electrolyzed water sprayed during the certain period of time until the increase timing.

[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. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present disclosure, sterilization and deodorization can be carried out quickly while taking into consideration the electrode lifespan. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1(a)-(b) are diagrams showing the structure of an electrolytic water spraying device according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] 1 is a diagram showing the structure of an electrolytic water spraying device according to an embodiment. FIG. [Figure 3] 3(a)-(b) are cross-sectional views showing the structure of the electrolytic water spraying device of FIGS. 1(a)-(b) and 2. FIG. [Figure 4] 1(a)-(b) is a functional block diagram of the electrolyzed water spraying device of FIG. 2. [Figure 5] 5(a)-(b) are diagrams showing an outline of the treatment by the electrolytic water spraying device of FIGS. 1(a)-(b) and 2. FIG. [Figure 6] 5 is a diagram showing a time chart of processing by the application amount control unit of FIG. 4. [Figure 7] 5 is a diagram showing the data structure of a table stored in a storage unit in FIG. 4. FIG. [Figure 8] 1(a)-(b) is a flowchart showing a control procedure of the electrolytic water spraying device of FIG. 2. [Figure 9] 1(a)-(b) is a flowchart showing another control procedure of the electrolytic water spraying device of FIG. 2. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Before describing specific embodiments of the present disclosure, an overview of the embodiments will be provided. This embodiment relates to an electrolyzed water spraying device that generates and sprays electrolyzed water using water stored in a water storage unit. The electrolyzed water spraying device generates water containing chloride ions by dissolving electrolysis-promoting tablets in the water storage unit, and then electrolyzes the chloride ion-containing water by passing current through electrodes to generate electrolyzed water containing active oxygen species. As described above, constantly generating high concentrations of hypochlorous acid shortens the lifespan of the electrodes, so the amount of hypochlorous acid generated increases when the sensor detects an object to be sterilized or deodorized. However, this process requires time to generate the hypochlorous acid necessary for sterilization and deodorization, making rapid sterilization and deodorization difficult. To quickly perform sterilization and deodorization while taking into consideration the lifespan of the electrodes, the electrolyzed water spraying device of this embodiment utilizes a certain regularity in the user's lifestyle pattern to memorize the time when an object to be sterilized or deodorized appears and operates to fill the area with hypochlorous acid at that time.

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIGS. 1(a)-(b) show the structure of an electrolyzed water spraying device 100. FIG. 1(a) is a perspective view of the electrolyzed water spraying device 100, showing the electrolyzed water spraying device 100 from the front side. FIG. 1(b) is a perspective view of the electrolyzed water spraying device 100 from the left side, i.e., the side not visible in FIG. 1(a). FIG. 2 shows the structure of the electrolyzed water spraying device 100, showing the electrolyzed water spraying device 100 from the front side with the panel 3 in FIG. 1(a) open. The electrolyzed water spraying device 100 includes a roughly box-shaped main body case 1, which has roughly rectangular air intakes 2 on both sides. An openable air outlet 6 is provided on the top surface of the main body case 1. The air outlet 6 is in a closed state in FIGS. 1(a) and 2.

[0012] An upper panel 20 is provided on the front side of the top surface of the main body case 1. An openable panel 3 is provided on the main body side 1A, which is the right side (one side of the main body case 1) when viewed from the front side of the main body case 1. An air intake port 2 for one side of the main body case 1 is provided on the panel 3. When the panel 3 is opened, a vertically elongated rectangular opening 4 appears. A water storage section 14, a water supply section 15, a tablet insertion case 18a, etc., which will be described later, are arranged through the opening 4. These can be removed. An odor detection section 22 is arranged inside a slit at the top of the left side of the main body case 1.

[0013] Figures 3(a)-(b) are cross-sectional views showing the structure of the electrolyzed water spraying device 100. In particular, Figure 3(a) is a cross-sectional view taken vertically through the center of the electrolyzed water spraying device 100 as viewed from the front, and is a view of the electrolyzed water spraying device 100 from the right side. Figure 3(b) is a cross-sectional view taken vertically through the right side of the electrolyzed water spraying device 100 as viewed from the front, and is a view of the electrolyzed water spraying device 100 from the right side. Figure 4 is a functional block diagram of the electrolyzed water spraying device 100.

[0014] As shown in Figures 2, 3(a)-(b), and 4, the main body case 1 contains an electrolyzed water generator 5, a water supply unit 15, a spray unit 19, an odor detector 22, and an air duct 8. The electrolyzed water generator 5 includes a water storage unit 14, an electrolysis unit 17, and a control unit 30, and the control unit 30 includes a determination unit 40, a memory unit 42, and a spray amount control unit 44. The water storage unit 14 has a box shape with an open top and is structured to store water. The water storage unit 14 is located at the bottom of the main body case 1 and is detachable by sliding horizontally from the main body case 1, and can be removed through the opening 4. The water storage unit 14 stores water supplied from the water supply unit 15.

[0015] The electrolysis unit 17 includes electrode members (not shown) that are immersed in the water in the water storage unit 14. By applying current to the electrode members, the electrolysis unit 17 electrochemically decomposes the chloride ion-containing water in the water storage unit 14, generating electrolyzed water containing active oxygen species. Here, active oxygen species refers to oxygen molecules and related substances that have higher oxidative activity than normal oxygen. For example, active oxygen species include so-called active oxygen in the narrow sense, such as superoxide anion, singlet oxygen, hydroxyl radical, or hydrogen peroxide, as well as so-called active oxygen in the broad sense, such as ozone and hypochlorous acid (hypohalous acid). Furthermore, the water containing chloride ions corresponds to water into which an electrolysis-promoting tablet has been added.

[0016] The electrolysis unit 17 generates electrolyzed water by repeating a cycle consisting of a current-carrying period during which current is applied to the electrode members for electrolysis and a non-current-carrying period after the current application is stopped, i.e., a non-current-carrying period, multiple times. By providing a non-current-carrying period for the electrode members, the life of the electrode members is extended. By lengthening the current-carrying period relative to the non-current-carrying period, electrolyzed water containing a greater amount of active oxygen species is generated per cycle. Furthermore, by lengthening the non-current-carrying period relative to the current-carrying period, the generation of active oxygen species per cycle is suppressed. Furthermore, by increasing the amount of power used during the current-carrying period, electrolyzed water containing a greater amount of active oxygen species is generated.

[0017] The electrolysis-accelerating tablet inserting section 18 includes a tablet inserting case 18a, a tablet inserting member (not shown) provided inside the tablet inserting case 18a, and a tablet inserting cover 18b provided detachably on the top of the tablet inserting case 18a. The tablet inserting case 18a can be removed from the opening 4. The user can load an electrolysis-accelerating tablet into the tablet inserting case 18a by removing the tablet inserting cover 18b from the removed tablet inserting case 18a.

[0018] The electrolysis-accelerating tablet injection unit 18 rotates the tablet injection member when it receives an instruction from the control unit 30 to inject an electrolysis-accelerating tablet. When the tablet injection member rotates, the electrolysis-accelerating tablet falls into the water storage unit 14 through a drop opening (not shown) in the bottom of the tablet injection case 18a. The electrolysis-accelerating tablet injection unit 18 counts the number of electrolysis-accelerating tablets that have fallen from the tablet injection case 18a into the water storage unit 14, and stops the rotation of the tablet injection member when it determines that one electrolysis-accelerating tablet has fallen from the tablet injection case 18a into the water storage unit 14. When this electrolysis-accelerating tablet dissolves in the water in the water storage unit 14, water containing chloride ions is produced in the water storage unit 14. An example of an electrolysis-accelerating tablet is sodium chloride.

[0019] The electrolyzed water spraying device 100 does not need to have the electrolysis promotion tablet inserting section 18. In this case, the electrolyzed water spraying device 100 may notify the user by displaying or sounding a message instructing the user to insert the electrolysis promotion tablet, and may have the user insert the electrolysis promotion tablet directly into the water storage section 14.

[0020] The control unit 30 is provided, for example, on the back side of the upper panel 20 provided on the top surface of the main body case 1 (see FIG. 1), and controls the electrolyzed water generation unit 5. Specifically, the control unit 30 controls the electrolysis of water by the electrolysis unit 17. The control unit 30 also controls the injection of electrolysis promotion tablets by the electrolysis promotion tablet injection unit 18.

[0021] Water supply unit 15 is installed on the right side of main body case 1 when viewed from the front, is detachable from water storage unit 14, and can be removed through opening 4. Water supply unit 15 is attached to tank holder 14a provided on the bottom of water storage unit 14. Water supply unit 15 includes tank 15a for storing water and lid 15b provided on an opening (not shown) of tank 15a. An opening / closing part (not shown) is provided in the center of lid 15b, and when this opening / closing part is opened, water in tank 15a is supplied to water storage unit 14.

[0022] Specifically, when water supply unit 15 is attached to tank holder 14a of water storage unit 14 with the opening of tank 15a facing downward, tank holder 14a opens the opening / closing portion. In other words, when water supply unit 15 filled with water is attached to tank holder 14a, the opening / closing portion opens, water is supplied to water storage unit 14, and water accumulates in water storage unit 14. When the water level in water storage unit 14 rises and reaches lid 15b, the opening of water supply unit 15 is sealed with water, stopping the water supply, and water remains inside water supply unit 15. Whenever the water level in water storage unit 14 drops, water from inside tank 15a is supplied to water storage unit 14. In other words, the water level in water storage unit 14 is maintained constant.

[0023] The electrolyzed water spraying device 100 does not need to have a tank 15a as the water supply unit 15. In this case, a water supply line may be laid from tap water to the electrolyzed water spraying device 100, and when the water level in the water storage unit 14 drops, tap water may be supplied until the water level in the water storage unit 14 rises to a predetermined level.

[0024] The spraying unit 19 includes a blower unit 7 and a filter unit 16. The blower unit 7 is provided in the center of the main body case 1 and includes a motor unit 9, a fan unit 10 rotated by the motor unit 9, and a scroll-shaped casing unit 11 that surrounds them. The motor unit 9 is fixed to the casing unit 11.

[0025] Fan unit 10 is a sirocco fan, and is fixed to a rotating shaft 9a extending horizontally from motor unit 9, which is fixed to casing unit 11. Rotating shaft 9a of motor unit 9 extends from the front side to the rear side of main body case 1. Casing unit 11 has an outlet 12 on the top side of main body case 1 of casing unit 11, and an inlet 13 on the rear side of main body case 1 of casing unit 11. The air volume of blower unit 7 is determined per air volume unit time (e.g., 5 minutes) depending on the temperature, humidity, and gas odor level. The rotation rate of motor unit 9 is controlled based on the determined air volume.

[0026] Filter unit 16 is a component that brings the electrolyzed water stored in water storage unit 14 into contact with the indoor air that has been introduced into main body case 1 by air blower unit 7. Filter unit 16 is cylindrical, with filter 16a disposed around its circumference, which has holes that allow air to pass through, and is rotatably built into water storage unit 14 with one end immersed in the electrolyzed water stored in water storage unit 14, with the central axis of filter 16a as the center of rotation so that the water is retained. Filter unit 16 is rotated by a drive unit (not shown), and brings the electrolyzed water and indoor air into continuous contact.

[0027] The air passage 8 communicates with the intake port 2 and the outlet port 6, and is provided with, in order from the intake port 2, a filter unit 16, a blower unit 7, and an outlet port 6. When the fan unit 10 is rotated by the motor unit 9, the outside air that is sucked in through the intake port 2 and enters the air passage 8 is blown out of the electrolyzed water spraying device 100 via the filter 16a, the blower unit 7, and the outlet port 6. This causes the electrolyzed water generated in the water storage unit 14 to be sprayed to the outside. The outside is, for example, a space such as a room in which the electrolyzed water spraying device 100 is installed. The electrolyzed water spraying device 100 does not necessarily have to spray electrolyzed water itself; spraying active oxygen species derived from the generated electrolyzed water (including volatilized oxygen species) is also included in the electrolyzed water spraying.

[0028] The odor detection unit 22 detects the amount of odor in the space, thereby detecting the target for sterilization and deodorization as the amount of odor. The odor detection unit 22 is, for example, a miscellaneous gas sensor, which is composed of a semiconductor sensor. In a semiconductor sensor, when gas is present, oxygen is adsorbed on the sensor surface, making it easier for current to flow, thereby detecting the gas. The odor detection unit 22 outputs the detection result to the control unit 30. The control unit 30 controls the electrolysis unit 17 and the spray unit 19 based on the detection result from the odor detection unit 22.

[0029] 5(a)-(b) show an overview of the process performed by the electrolyzed water spraying device 100. FIG. 5(a) shows the change over time in the detection level of the target for sterilization and deodorization (top row) and the change over time in the concentration of hypochlorous acid in the room (bottom row). The electrolyzed water spraying device 100 sprays hypochlorous acid into the space by time T1. For example, a moderate concentration of hypochlorous acid is present in the space. At time T1, the detection level of the target for sterilization and deodorization increases, thereby detecting the target for sterilization and deodorization. When a moderate concentration of hypochlorous acid is present in the space, the hypochlorous acid in the room is consumed for deodorization, and the detection level of the target for sterilization and deodorization decreases at time T2. As hypochlorous acid is consumed, the concentration of hypochlorous acid decreases over time from time T1. However, as the electrolyzed water spraying device 100 sprays hypochlorous acid, the concentration of hypochlorous acid recovers as time approaches T2. For example, the period between time T1 and time T2 is 2 hours.

[0030] FIG. 5(b) shows the time change in the detection level of the sterilization / deodorization target (top row) and the time change in the indoor hypochlorous acid concentration (bottom row) on the next day. If there is a certain regularity in lifestyle patterns, an increase in the detection level of the sterilization / deodorization target is predicted around time T1 on the next day (hereinafter referred to as "time T1'"). Therefore, the electrolyzed water spraying device 100 fills the space with a high concentration of hypochlorous acid by time T1'. The detection level of the sterilization / deodorization target increases around time T1', and the sterilization / deodorization target is detected. If a high concentration of hypochlorous acid is present in the space, the detection level of the sterilization / deodorization target decreases at time T3 as the hypochlorous acid in the room is consumed and deodorized. For example, the period between time T1' and time T3 is one hour. Therefore, the period until the detection level of the sterilization / deodorization target decreases is shortened.

[0031] Returning to FIG. 4, the determination unit 40 receives information on the odor amount from the odor detection unit 22. When the odor amount exceeds the high-level threshold, the determination unit 40 determines that the odor has increased, and acquires the timing at which the odor increase is determined as the increase timing. Furthermore, when the odor amount decreases to the low-level threshold after determining that the odor has increased, the determination unit 40 determines that the odor has decreased, and acquires the timing at which the odor decrease is determined as the decrease timing. Here, the low-level threshold is set to a value smaller than the high-level threshold. In the case of FIG. 5(a), the increase timing is time T1, and the decrease timing is time T2. Furthermore, the determination unit 40 calculates the period from the increase timing to the decrease timing as the decrease period. For example, when the detection level, which is the odor amount, is set to Lv. 0 to 5, the decrease timing is determined to be the timing at which the level reaches Lv. 0. Furthermore, the decrease timing may be the timing at which the level decreases by one level, such as from Lv. 5 to 4, or the timing at which the level decreases by n levels. The storage unit 42 stores the combinations of the increase timing, decrease timing, and decrease period in sequence.

[0032] The spray amount control unit 44 controls the amount of electrolyzed water sprayed based on the increase timing and decrease period stored in the memory unit 42. Here, Figure 6 is also used to explain the processing of the spray amount control unit 44. Figure 6 shows a time chart of the processing by the spray amount control unit 44. Here, time elapses from left to right, and three consecutive days are assumed to be day i, day i+1, and day i+2. For clarity of explanation, it is assumed that the lifestyle pattern has a 24-hour regularity, and consecutively detected increase timings are indicated as the first increase timing, second increase timing, and third increase timing. Specifically, the first increase timing is detected on day i, the second increase timing is detected on day i+1, and the third increase timing is detected on day i+2. The decrease timing and decrease period relative to the first increase timing are indicated as the first decrease timing and first decrease period, and the decrease timing and decrease period relative to the second increase timing are indicated as the second decrease timing and second decrease period.

[0033] The spray amount control unit 44 sets the predicted timing after a certain period of time has elapsed since the increase timing. The certain period is, for example, 24 hours, but is not limited to this. The spray amount control unit 44 also sets the start timing to a time before the predicted timing and before the spray period. The spray period is set to a period shorter than the certain period, for example, 2 to 6 hours. When these are associated with the first increase timing and the second increase timing, the start timing, spray period, and predicted timing for the first increase timing are indicated as the first start timing, first spray period, and first predicted timing. Furthermore, the start timing, spray period, and predicted timing for the second increase timing are indicated as the second start timing, second spray period, and second predicted timing. If the lifestyle pattern has a 24-hour regularity, the first predicted timing is a prediction for the second increase timing, and the second predicted timing is a prediction for the third increase timing. In other words, the first predicted timing is predicted from the actually detected first increase timing, and the second increase timing is actually detected at a timing close to the first predicted timing.

[0034] Based on these definitions, the spray amount control unit 44 executes a spray amount determination process that determines the amount of electrolyzed water to be sprayed in the spray period before the predicted timing to arrive in the future, based on the decrease period already stored in the memory unit 42. Specifically, if the amount of electrolyzed water to be sprayed in the first spray period is defined as the first spray amount, the spray amount control unit 44 determines the first spray amount based on the first decrease period. Furthermore, if the amount of electrolyzed water to be sprayed in the second spray period is defined as the second spray amount, the spray amount control unit 44 determines the second spray amount based on the second decrease period.

[0035] The application rate control unit 44 uses a table stored in the memory unit 42 when determining the application rate. Figure 7 shows the data structure of the table stored in the memory unit 42. As shown, a process is defined for each condition. An increase in the application rate is defined when the decrease time is equal to or greater than a first threshold value. A maintenance of the application rate is defined when the decrease time is less than the first threshold value and equal to or greater than a second threshold value. A decrease in the application rate is defined when the decrease time is less than the second threshold value. For example, the application rate control unit 44 increases the second application rate more than the first application rate when the second decrease period is equal to or greater than the first threshold value, and sets the second application rate to the first application rate when the second decrease period is less than the first threshold value and equal to or greater than the second threshold value. Furthermore, the application rate control unit 44 decreases the second application rate more than the first application rate when the second decrease period is less than the second threshold value. This process is a application rate determination process, and the application rate determination process is repeated.

[0036] Alternatively, the application rate control unit 44 may increase the second application rate more than the first application rate when the ratio of the second decrease period to the first decrease period is equal to or greater than a first threshold value. The application rate control unit 44 may set the second application rate to the first application rate when the ratio of the second decrease period to the first decrease period is less than the first threshold value and equal to or greater than a second threshold value. The application rate control unit 44 may decrease the second application rate more than the first application rate when the ratio of the second decrease period to the first decrease period is less than a threshold value. Return to Figure 4.

[0037] When the spray amount control unit 44 determines to increase the spray amount, it lengthens the spray period. For example, the spray amount control unit 44 increases the second spray amount more than the first spray amount by making the second spray period longer than the first spray period. On the other hand, when the spray amount control unit 44 determines to decrease the spray amount, it shortens the spray period. Furthermore, when the spray amount control unit 44 determines to increase the spray amount, it may increase the amount of power supplied to the electrolysis unit 17. For example, the spray amount control unit 44 increases the amount of power supplied to the electrolysis unit 17 during the second spray period more than the amount of power supplied to the electrolysis unit 17 during the first spray period, thereby increasing the second spray amount more than the first spray amount. On the other hand, when the spray amount control unit 44 determines to decrease the spray amount, it reduces the amount of power supplied to the electrolysis unit 17.

[0038] The spray rate control unit 44 may control the combination of the length of the spray period and the magnitude of the applied power. For example, in a laboratory environment, the amount of hypochlorous acid produced and the spray period required to reach a certain concentration level are measured and stored. Also, setting 1 may be specified as "Laboratory XXX ppm: 4-hour operation with field strength set to "strong," setting 2 may be specified as "Laboratory YYY ppm: 4-hour operation with field strength set to "medium," and setting 3 may be specified as "Laboratory ZZZ ppm: 2-hour operation with field strength set to "medium." For example, the hypochlorous acid concentration is XXX > YYY > ZZZ. The spray rate control unit 44 may initially operate with setting 2, then change setting 2 to setting 1 to increase the spray rate, or change setting 2 to setting 3 to decrease the spray rate.

[0039] In other words, the spray amount control unit 44 increases the amount of electrolyzed water sprayed from the increase timing to the predicted timing after a certain period of time has elapsed compared to the amount of electrolyzed water sprayed during the certain period leading up to the increase timing. The spray amount control unit 44 also increases the amount of electrolyzed water sprayed during the spray period before the predicted timing compared to the amount of electrolyzed water sprayed during the same period of time as the spray period before the increase timing. Furthermore, the spray amount control unit 44 reduces the amount of electrolyzed water sprayed when the odor level detected by the odor detection unit 22 falls below the low-level threshold.

[0040] The subject of the device, system, or method of the present disclosure includes a computer. The computer executes a program to realize the functions of the subject of the device, system, or method of the present disclosure. The computer includes, as its main hardware component, a processor that operates according to the program. The processor may be of any type, as long as it can realize the functions by executing the program. The processor may be composed of one or more electronic circuits, including a semiconductor integrated circuit (IC) or a large-scale integration (LSI). The electronic circuits may be integrated into a single chip or may be provided on multiple chips. The multiple chips may be integrated into a single device or may be provided on multiple devices. The program is recorded on a non-transitory recording medium, such as a computer-readable ROM, optical disk, or hard disk drive. The program may be pre-stored on the recording medium or may be supplied to the recording medium via a wide-area communication network, including the Internet.

[0041] The operation of the electrolyzed water spraying device 100 configured as described above will now be described. Figure 8 is a flowchart showing the control procedure by the electrolyzed water spraying device 100. The spray amount control unit 44 acquires the second decrease period (S10). If the second decrease period is equal to or greater than the first threshold value (Y in S12), the spray amount control unit 44 increases the spray amount (S14). If the second decrease period is not equal to or greater than the first threshold value (N in S12) and the second decrease period is equal to or greater than the second threshold value (Y in S16), the spray amount control unit 44 maintains the spray amount (S18). If the second decrease period is not equal to or greater than the second threshold value (N in S16), the spray amount control unit 44 decreases the spray amount (S20).

[0042] 9 is a flowchart showing another control procedure by the electrolyzed water spraying device 100. The spray amount control unit 44 calculates the ratio of the second decrease period to the first decrease period (S50). If the ratio is equal to or greater than the first threshold value (Y in S52), the spray amount control unit 44 increases the spray amount (S54). If the ratio is not equal to or greater than the first threshold value (N in S52) or equal to or greater than the second threshold value (Y in S56), the spray amount control unit 44 maintains the spray amount (S58). If the ratio is not equal to or greater than the second threshold value (N in S56), the spray amount control unit 44 decreases the spray amount (S60).

[0043] According to this embodiment, the amount of electrolyzed water sprayed from the increase timing to the predicted timing after a certain period of time has elapsed is increased compared to the amount of electrolyzed water sprayed during the certain period leading up to the increase timing, thereby increasing the concentration of hypochlorous acid at the predicted timing. Furthermore, since the concentration of hypochlorous acid is increased at the predicted timing, sterilization and deodorization can be performed promptly while taking into consideration the electrode life. Furthermore, since the amount of electrolyzed water sprayed during the spray period before the predicted timing is increased compared to the amount of electrolyzed water sprayed during the same period of time as the spray period before the increase timing, the concentration of hypochlorous acid can be increased during the spray period before the predicted timing. Furthermore, since the concentration of hypochlorous acid is increased during the spray period before the predicted timing, sterilization and deodorization can be performed promptly while taking into consideration the electrode life.

[0044] Furthermore, the amount of electrolyzed water to be sprayed during the spray period before the predicted timing to arrive in the future is determined based on the already stored decrease period, so the amount of electrolyzed water to be sprayed can be determined based on the length of the decrease period. Furthermore, when the second decrease period is equal to or greater than a threshold value, the second spray amount is increased relative to the first spray amount, thereby shortening the decrease period following the second decrease period. Furthermore, since the decrease period is shortened, sterilization and deodorization can be performed quickly. Furthermore, when the second decrease period is less than a threshold value, the second spray amount is not increased relative to the first spray amount, thereby preventing a shortened electrode life. Furthermore, when the ratio of the second decrease period to the first decrease period is equal to or greater than a threshold value, the second spray amount is increased relative to the first spray amount, thereby shortening the decrease period following the second decrease period. Furthermore, when the ratio of the second decrease period to the first decrease period is less than a threshold value, the second spray amount is not increased relative to the first spray amount, thereby preventing a shortened electrode life.

[0045] Furthermore, by making the spraying period before the second predicted timing longer than the spraying period before the first predicted timing, the second spray amount is increased more than the first spray amount, thereby shortening the decrease period. Furthermore, by making the amount of power supplied to the electrolysis unit 17 during the spraying period before the second predicted timing greater than the amount of power supplied to the electrolysis unit 17 during the spraying period before the first predicted timing, the second spray amount is increased more than the first spray amount, thereby shortening the decrease period. Furthermore, when the odor amount falls below the low-level threshold, the spray amount is reduced, thereby preventing the electrode life from being shortened.

[0046] An overview of one aspect of the present disclosure is as follows: An electrolyzed water spraying device (100) of one aspect of the present disclosure includes a water storage unit (14) for storing water, an electrolysis unit (17) that electrolyzes the water in the water storage unit (14) to produce electrolyzed water, a spraying unit (19) that brings the electrolyzed water produced in the electrolysis unit (17) into contact with air drawn in through an air intake (2) and sprays the electrolyzed water into a space through an outlet (6), an odor detection unit (22) that detects the amount of odor in the space, and a control unit (30) that controls the electrolysis unit (17) and the spraying unit (19). The control unit (30) includes a determination unit (40) that determines that the odor has increased when the amount of odor detected by the odor detection unit (22) exceeds a high-level threshold value, a memory unit (42) that stores the timing at which the determination unit (40) determines that the odor has increased as an increase timing, and a spray amount control unit (44) that increases the amount of electrolyzed water sprayed from the increase timing to an expected timing after a certain period of time has elapsed, more than the amount of electrolyzed water sprayed during the certain period of time until the increase timing.

[0047] The spray amount control unit (44) may specify a spray period shorter than a certain period, and increase the amount of electrolyzed water sprayed during the spray period before the predicted timing compared to the amount of electrolyzed water sprayed during a period of the same length as the spray period before the increased timing.

[0048] The memory unit (42) stores, for each increase timing, a decrease period from the increase timing until the odor level decreases to a low level threshold value that is smaller than the high level threshold value, and the spray amount control unit (44) may execute a spray amount determination process that determines the amount of electrolyzed water to be sprayed in a spray period before the predicted timing to arrive in the future, based on the decrease period already stored in the memory unit (42).

[0049] When the increase timing stored in the memory unit (42) and consecutive increase timings are defined as the first increase timing and the second increase timing, the decrease period from the first increase timing is the first decrease period, the predicted timing after a certain period has elapsed since the first increase timing is the first predicted timing, the amount of electrolyzed water sprayed in the spray period before the first predicted timing is the first spray amount, the decrease period from the second increase timing is the second decrease period, the predicted timing after a certain period has elapsed since the second increase timing is the second predicted timing, the amount of electrolyzed water sprayed in the spray period before the second predicted timing is the second spray amount, the first predicted timing is a prediction for the second increase timing, the spray amount determination process is a process that increases the second spray amount more than the first spray amount when the second decrease period is equal to or greater than a threshold value, and does not increase the second spray amount more than the first spray amount when the second decrease period is less than the threshold value, and the spray amount control unit (44) repeats the spray amount determination process.

[0050] When the increase timing stored in the memory unit (42) and consecutive increase timings are defined as the first increase timing and the second increase timing, the decrease period from the first increase timing is the first decrease period, the predicted timing after a certain period has elapsed since the first increase timing is the first predicted timing, the amount of electrolyzed water sprayed in the spray period before the first predicted timing is the first spray amount, the decrease period from the second increase timing is the second decrease period, the predicted timing after a certain period has elapsed since the second increase timing is the second predicted timing, and the amount of electrolyzed water sprayed in the spray period before the second predicted timing is the second spray amount, the first predicted timing is a prediction for the second increase timing, and the spray amount determination process is a process that increases the second spray amount more than the first spray amount when the ratio of the second decrease period to the first decrease period is equal to or greater than a threshold value, and does not increase the second spray amount more than the first spray amount when the ratio of the second decrease period to the first decrease period is less than the threshold value, and the spray amount control unit (44) repeats the spray amount determination process.

[0051] The spray amount control section (44) may increase the second spray amount more than the first spray amount by making the spray period before the second predicted timing longer than the spray period before the first predicted timing.

[0052] The spray amount control unit (44) may increase the second spray amount more than the first spray amount by increasing the amount of electric power supplied to the electrolysis unit (17) during the spray period before the second predicted timing more than the amount of electric power supplied to the electrolysis unit (17) during the spray period before the first predicted timing.

[0053] The spray amount control unit (44) may decrease the spray amount when the amount of odor detected by the odor detection unit (22) falls below a low-level threshold.

[0054] The present disclosure has been described above based on examples. These examples 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.

[0055] In this embodiment, gas is detected as air pollution in the space by odor detection unit 22. However, this is not limiting, and for example, the detection of odor or virus occurrence may be based on the time when a gas sensor reacts, the time when a human presence sensor reacts, the time when the brightness of the room suddenly changes (entry determination), or the time when GPS (Global Positioning System) information changes from a distant location to a spatial position. This modification improves the flexibility of the configuration.

[0056] In this embodiment, the spray amount control unit 44 reduces the spray amount when the decrease period is less than the second threshold value. However, this is not limiting. For example, the spray amount control unit 44 may reduce the spray amount when the time from the increase timing to the end (soil level 0) is less than 50% of the odor amount at the increase timing. Furthermore, the spray amount control unit 44 may reduce the spray amount when the time until the soiling level drops by one level is less than X minutes (a fixed value). This modified example improves the flexibility of the configuration.

[0057] The spray amount control unit 44 may set a maximum spray amount. In addition, various threshold values ​​may be user-configurable using a switch on the main unit or application software on a smartphone. This modification improves the flexibility of the configuration. [Explanation of symbols]

[0058] 1 main body case, 1A side of main body, 2 air intake port, 3 panel, 4 opening, 5 electrolyzed water generation section, 6 outlet, 7 air blowing section, 8 air duct, 9 motor section, 9a rotating shaft, 10 fan section, 11 casing section, 12 discharge port, 13 suction port, 14 water storage section, 14a tank holding section, 15 water supply section, 15a tank, 15b lid, 16 filter section, 16a filter, 17 electrolysis section, 18 electrolysis promotion tablet dispenser, 18a tablet dispenser case, 19 spray section, 20 top panel, 22 odor detection section, 30 control section, 40 determination section, 42 memory section, 44 spray amount control section, 100 electrolyzed water spraying device.

Claims

1. a water reservoir for storing water; an electrolysis unit that electrolyzes the water in the water storage unit to generate electrolyzed water; A spraying unit that brings the electrolytic water generated in the electrolysis unit into contact with air sucked in from an air intake port and sprays it into a space from an air outlet; an odor detection unit that detects the amount of odor in the space; a control unit that controls the electrolysis unit and the spray unit, The control unit a determination unit that determines that the odor has increased when the amount of odor detected by the odor detection unit is equal to or greater than a high-level threshold; a storage unit that stores the timing at which the determination unit determines that the odor has increased as an increase timing; An electrolyzed water spraying device comprising: a spray amount control unit that increases the amount of electrolyzed water sprayed from the increase timing to the predicted timing after a certain period of time has elapsed, more than the amount of electrolyzed water sprayed during the certain period of time until the increase timing.

2. The spray amount control unit is Specify a spraying period shorter than the certain period, The electrolytic water spraying device of claim 1, wherein the amount of electrolytic water sprayed during the spraying period before the predicted timing is increased compared to the amount of electrolytic water sprayed during a period of the same length as the spraying period before the increased timing.

3. The storage unit For each of the increase timings, a decrease period from the increase timing to when the odor amount decreases to a low level threshold value that is lower than the high level threshold value is stored; The spray amount control unit is The electrolytic water spraying device described in claim 2 executes a spray amount determination process to determine the amount of electrolytic water to be sprayed during the spray period before the predicted timing to arrive in the future based on the decrease period already stored in the memory unit.

4. When the increase timings stored in the storage unit and consecutive increase timings are defined as a first increase timing and a second increase timing, the decrease period from the first increase timing is a first decrease period, the predicted timing after a certain period of time has elapsed since the first increase timing is a first predicted timing, The amount of electrolyzed water sprayed during the spraying period before the first predicted timing is a first spraying amount, the decrease period from the second increase timing is a second decrease period, the predicted timing after a certain period of time has elapsed since the second increase timing is a second predicted timing, The amount of electrolyzed water sprayed during the spray period before the second predicted timing is a second spray amount, the first predicted timing is a prediction for the second increase timing, The spray amount determination process includes: When the second decrease period is equal to or greater than a threshold value, the second spray amount is increased to be greater than the first spray amount; When the second decrease period is less than the threshold value, the second spray amount is not increased to be greater than the first spray amount. The electrolytic water spraying device according to claim 3 , wherein the spray amount control unit repeats the spray amount determination process.

5. When the increase timings stored in the storage unit and consecutive increase timings are defined as a first increase timing and a second increase timing, the decrease period from the first increase timing is a first decrease period, the predicted timing after a certain period of time has elapsed since the first increase timing is a first predicted timing, The amount of electrolyzed water sprayed during the spraying period before the first predicted timing is a first spraying amount, the decrease period from the second increase timing is a second decrease period, the predicted timing after a certain period of time has elapsed since the second increase timing is a second predicted timing, The amount of electrolyzed water sprayed during the spray period before the second predicted timing is a second spray amount, the first predicted timing is a prediction for the second increase timing, The spray amount determination process includes: When the ratio of the second decrease period to the first decrease period is equal to or greater than a threshold value, the second spray amount is increased to be greater than the first spray amount; a process of not increasing the second spray amount more than the first spray amount when the ratio of the second decrease period to the first decrease period is less than a threshold value; The electrolytic water spraying device according to claim 3 , wherein the spray amount control unit repeats the spray amount determination process.

6. The electrolytic water spraying device described in claim 4 or 5, wherein the spraying amount control unit increases the second spraying amount more than the first spraying amount by making the spraying period before the second predicted timing longer than the spraying period before the first predicted timing.

7. The electrolytic water spraying device described in claim 4 or 5, wherein the spraying amount control unit increases the second spraying amount more than the first spraying amount by increasing the amount of electricity supplied to the electrolytic unit during the spraying period before the second predicted timing more than the amount of electricity supplied to the electrolytic unit during the spraying period before the first predicted timing.

8. The spray amount control unit is 8. An electrolytic water spraying device according to claim 3, wherein the spray amount is reduced when the amount of odor detected by the odor detection unit falls below the low level threshold.

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