Air Purifier

Abstract

To provide an air purifying device capable of sufficiently removing even fine particles in the air without increasing costs, without eroding a limited installation space in a flow path, and preventing a decrease in air blowing efficiency while ensuring a volume of air required for air purification. [Solution] An air purifying device (10) that removes contaminants from the air is provided with a filter (20) that is disposed midway along a flow path (11) through which air flows in a predetermined direction and that collects dust in the air, and a negative ion generator (30) that charges fine particles in the air that have passed through the filter (20) with ions, and at least a portion of the flow path (11) itself is an adsorption section (11A) formed from a material that can adsorb the charged fine particles.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an air purifying device for removing contaminants from the air, and is to be incorporated in, for example, an air conditioning system for an automobile. [Background technology]

[0002] The various effects of negative ions have been known for some time, and there are various negative ion generators that generate these negative ions. These negative ion generators are used as negative ion generating modules, mainly incorporated into various devices including air conditioners and air purifiers.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technology in which an ion generating device for sterilizing air is provided in a filter unit that is detachably attached to an air conditioner for an automobile. In the technology of Patent Document 1, the ion generating device is used only for the purpose of sterilizing the air, and the only means for collecting dust in the air is the filter. Therefore, fine particles in the air are often not sufficiently removed, and further purification of the air is desired.

[0004] As a conventional technique that can solve such problems, for example, Patent Document 2 discloses a technique for removing even fine particles in the air in an air purifier for automobiles. In the technique of Patent Document 2, a special charged filter that collects fine particles 13 charged by the ionizer is provided downstream of the ionizer (ion generator) in addition to a filter that collects coarse dust in the air. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] JP 2013-018451 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2016-205659 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, the technology of Patent Document 1 mentioned above is unable to sufficiently remove fine particles from the air, and the technology of Patent Document 2 mentioned above also requires the provision of a special electrostatic filter in addition to the normal filter, which increases the number of parts and assembly steps in the entire device, resulting in increased costs.

[0007] Moreover, in the technology of Patent Document 2 mentioned above, the addition of a special electrically charged filter not only leads to an increase in costs, but also impedes air blowing efficiency as the air in the flow path also passes through the electrically charged filter, posing the risk of not being able to ensure the required air volume for the entire device. In the first place, there are cases where it is difficult in terms of space to place an electrically charged filter within the limited flow path inside the device.

[0008] The present invention has been made in response to the problems associated with the conventional technology described above, and aims to provide an air purifier that is capable of sufficiently removing even the finest particles in the air without increasing costs, does not encroach on the limited installation space within the flow path, prevents a decrease in air blowing efficiency, and can ensure the volume of air required for air purification. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] In order to achieve the above object, one aspect of the present invention is to provide a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device comprising the steps of: In an air purifying device for removing contaminants in the air, a filter provided in a flow path through which air flows in a predetermined direction and configured to capture dust in the air; an ion generating means for charging the fine particles in the air that have passed through the filter with ions; The filter is configured as a unit held in a frame, The ion generating means is disposed on the exhaust surface side of the filter in the frame. A mounting portion is provided for mounting the The ion generating means includes a case body that contains related components and outputs a high voltage, and a plurality of ion generating units that are connected to the case body and generate negative ions using the high voltage, The ion generating means includes a plurality of ion generating units, Of the mounting parts, The frame is provided at positions aligned in the circumferential direction from the center of the exhaust surface of the filter, and is disposed at positions surrounding the exhaust surface side of the filter. Attached to the second attachment part, The case body of the ion generating means is attached to a first mounting portion that is disposed on the inner side of the exhaust surface of the filter between two of the second mounting portions that are adjacent to each other in a state in which the second mounting portions are arranged side by side. It is characterized by: Effect of the Invention

[0010] The air purifying device of the present invention is capable of sufficiently removing even fine particles in the air without increasing costs, does not encroach on the limited installation space within the flow path, and prevents a decrease in air blowing efficiency, thereby ensuring the amount of air required for air purification. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1 is an explanatory diagram conceptually showing the internal structure of an air purifying device and an automotive air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a filter and a frame of the air purifying device according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a filter frame of the air purifying device according to the embodiment of the present invention and a negative ion generator incorporated therein. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a filter and a frame of the air purifying device according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 5] 1 is a plan view showing a filter frame of an air purifying device according to an embodiment of the present invention and a negative ion generator incorporated therein. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a bottom view showing a filter frame of the air purifying device according to the embodiment of the present invention and a negative ion generator incorporated therein. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a side view showing a frame of a filter in the air purifying device according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8]It is a front view showing the frame of the filter of the air purifying device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] It is a rear view showing the frame of the filter of the air purifying device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] It is a perspective view showing the appearance of the negative ion generator of the air purifying device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] It is a circuit diagram showing the internal configuration of the negative ion generator of the air purifying device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] It is a perspective view showing the interior of an automobile equipped with an air conditioner incorporating the air purifying device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] It is a perspective view showing an enlarged part of the interior of an automobile equipped with an air conditioner incorporating the air purifying device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 14] It is an electrification series showing the electrification property of the material forming a part (adsorbing part) of the flow path of the air purifying device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 15] It is a graph showing the test results of measuring the reduction rate of fine particles by using the air purifying device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0012] Hereinafter, representative embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The air purifying device 10 according to the present embodiment is a device for removing dirt in the air. As basic components, it includes a filter 20 provided in the middle of a flow path 11 through which air flows in a predetermined direction, a negative ion generator 30, and the like. Such an air purifying device 10 can be incorporated into various devices such as various air conditioners. Hereinafter, in the present embodiment, the case where the air purifying device 10 is incorporated into an air conditioner 1 for automobiles, which is a car air conditioner, will be described as an example.

[0013] <Regarding the air conditioner 1 for automobiles> First, an overview of an automotive air conditioner 1 incorporating an air purifying device 10, which is the core of the present invention, will be described. As shown in Fig. 1, the automotive air conditioner 1 is a device that cools the air in the vehicle cabin using a low-temperature refrigerant in a cooling system 4 during cooling operation, and heats the air in the vehicle cabin using heat from the engine coolant during heating operation.

[0014] In the air conditioner 1, in addition to the air flow path 11, filter 20, negative ion generator 30, and fan 40 shared with the air purifier 10, an evaporator 2 for cooling the air, a heater core 3 for heating the air, and the like are disposed downstream of the fan 40 in the flow path 11. A cooling system 4 outside the flow path 11 is connected to the evaporator 2 via a refrigerant circuit for cooling, and an engine 5 outside the flow path 11 is connected to the heater core 3 via a refrigerant circuit for heating.

[0015] The evaporator 2 is a device that exchanges heat between a low-temperature, low-pressure refrigerant and air, and is disposed in the flow path 11. During cooling, a low-temperature, low-pressure refrigerant is supplied to the evaporator 2 from a heat pump or the like of the cooling system 4, and the evaporator 2 cools the air sent into the vehicle cabin. The heater core 3 is a device that exchanges heat between a heated engine coolant and air, and is disposed in the flow path 11. During heating, an engine coolant heated by the engine 5 is supplied to the heater core 3, and the heater core 3 heats the air sent into the vehicle cabin. Note that the other components of the air conditioner 1 are general, and therefore illustrations and detailed descriptions are omitted.

[0016] <<Air flow path 11>> The flow path 11 in the air conditioner 1 and the air purifier 10 is arranged so that air flows in a predetermined direction inside the vehicle body, and is basically configured as a tubular path. The most upstream part of the flow path 11 is divided into an outside air pipe 12 that takes in outside air from outside the vehicle cabin and an inside air pipe 13 that takes in inside air from inside the vehicle cabin, but they merge midway to form a single flow path 11. The open ends of the outside air pipe 12 and the inside air pipe 13 each form an air intake port. On the other hand, the most downstream part of the flow path 11 is branched so as to communicate with each of the air outlets 14a to 14d described below.

[0017] 12 and 13, an instrument panel 101 in front of the driver's seat of an automobile 100 and a dashboard 102 in front of the passenger seat are provided with a plurality of air outlets 14a-14d at various locations, which blow air that has been purified by the air purification device 10 and whose temperature has been adjusted by the air conditioner 1 into the vehicle cabin. Each of the air outlets 14a-14d can be opened and closed by a louver, and the air direction can also be adjusted.

[0018] Moreover, when opening and closing door 104 of glove box 103 on dashboard 102 is removed, an insertion port 105 that communicates with the middle of flow path 11 is opened behind it. When filter 20 described later is inserted from the front into insertion port 105, it is arranged in an airtight state with respect to the middle of flow path 11. Moreover, filter 20 can be removed by pulling it out from insertion port 105. Here, insertion port 105 is the only place where the user can access the middle of flow path 11 inside the vehicle cabin.

[0019] 1, in the flow path 11, the material from the air inlet of the outside air pipe 12 to each of the air outlets 14a to 14d is not particularly limited and may be metal or resin as long as it can partition a space forming a path extending in a predetermined direction. However, in the flow path 11, a part of the section downstream of the negative ion generator 30 described later is made of a material capable of adsorbing fine particles charged by negative ions. This will be described in detail later together with the negative ion generator 30.

[0020] <About the air purifier 10> As shown in Fig. 1, the air purifier 10 is provided in the middle of the flow path 11, which also serves as the air conditioner 1 described above, and includes a filter 20 for collecting dust in the air, and a negative ion generator 30 for ionizing fine particles in the air that have passed through the filter 20. Here, the negative ion generator 30 is an example of the "ion generating means" of the present invention, and the fan 40 is an example of the "air blowing means" of the present invention. In addition, a main feature of the air purifier 10 is that at least a part of the flow path 11 itself is configured as an adsorption section 11A made of a material capable of adsorbing charged fine particles.

[0021] <Filter 20> 2 and 4, the internal structure of filter 20 is not shown, but specifically, for example, filter 20 is formed by laminating an adsorption layer containing activated carbon between a front nonwoven fabric layer forming an intake surface facing the upstream side of flow path 11 and a back nonwoven fabric layer forming an exhaust surface facing the downstream side of flow path 11. Such filter 20 is a thick sheet having a substantially square shape in a plan view, and is pleated to increase the surface area per given volume.

[0022] The filter 20 can achieve high dust collection performance capable of capturing fine PM2.5 dust particles and pollen due to the three-dimensional structure of the nonwoven fabric layers on the front and back of the filter 20. Furthermore, an antiviral processing agent can be added to either the front or back nonwoven fabric layer of the filter 20 to significantly reduce the number of specific viruses, an antibacterial agent can be added to suppress the growth of bacteria and mold attached to the filter 20, and an adsorption layer containing activated carbon can reduce unpleasant odors such as exhaust gas odors (acetaldehyde). The configuration of such a filter 20 is common, so further detailed explanation will be omitted.

[0023] <<Frame 21>> As shown in Fig. 2 to Fig. 9, the filter 20 is configured as a unit held by a frame 21. The frame 21 is formed in a square frame shape with a shallow bottom in a plan view, and holds the filter 20 inside. The frame 21 has an air intake surface 22 facing the upstream side of the flow path 11 that is widely open, and an exhaust surface 23 facing the downstream side of the flow path 11 that is formed in a substantially lattice shape by ribs 24 that hold the filter 20. Note that although only a portion of the ribs 24 are labeled with reference numerals in the figures, the ribs 24 are made up of a plurality of straight line portions that extend radially in all directions from the center of the exhaust surface 23, and a plurality of circular portions that are arranged in a concentric pattern from the center of the exhaust surface 23 so as to intersect with each straight line portion.

[0024] Around the air intake surface 22 of the frame 21, there are provided protruding pieces 25 that protrude inward and are used to hook the ends of the aforementioned front nonwoven fabric layer of the filter 20. Also, one of the four side walls of the frame 21 is provided with an attachment opening 26 for inserting the filter 20 into the inside of the frame 21. The inner dimensions of the frame 21 are set to a size that corresponds to the outer dimensions of the filter 20 so that the filter 20 fits just inside the frame 21. Such a frame 21 is integrally formed from, for example, a synthetic resin.

[0025] Additionally, on the outside of mounting opening 26 of frame 21, there are provided engagement tabs 27 that detachably fit around the periphery of insertion opening 105 (see FIG. 13) into which frame 21 is inserted. In addition to engagement tabs 27, frame 21 and insertion opening 105 are appropriately provided with mounting structures such as guides and hooks that fit together. Furthermore, at a position on the exhaust surface side of filter 20 on frame 21, there is provided mounting portion 28 for mounting negative ion generator 30, which will be described below.

[0026] 6, the mounting portion 28 is composed of a first mounting portion 28a formed in a plate-like portion that spreads so as to close the gap between the ribs 24 at one corner of the exhaust surface 23, and a plurality of second mounting portions 28b arranged in a circumferential direction from the center of the exhaust surface 23. The first mounting portion 28a is for mounting the case body 31 of the negative ion generator 30, and is provided according to the size of the case body 31. The case body 31 may be directly screwed to the first mounting portion 28a, or may be fixed via a bracket or the like. The case body 31 may be easily attached to and detached from the first mounting portion 28a.

[0027] The second mounting portions 28b are used to mount the multiple ion generating units 38 in the negative ion generator 30. In this embodiment, as will be described later, there are four ion generating units 38, and four second mounting portions 28b are provided accordingly. Each second mounting portion 28b is provided at a position where the ion generating units 38 are aligned at equal intervals in the radial direction relative to the filter 20. Each second mounting portion 28b is provided according to the size of the ion generating units 38. The ion generating units 38 may be directly screwed to each second mounting portion 28b, or may be fixed via a bracket or the like.

[0028] Similar to the first mounting portion 28a, the second mounting portion 28b is formed as a plate-like portion that closes the gaps in the ribs 24. The second mounting portion 28b and the ion generating portion 38 attached thereto are arranged so that air can pass without resistance inside the frame 21, which is midway through the flow path 11, without closing the gaps in the ribs 24 covered with the filter 20 as much as possible. Hereinafter, when the first mounting portion 28a and the second mounting portion 28b are collectively referred to, they will be simply referred to as the mounting portion 28.

[0029] <Negative ion generator 30> As shown in Figures 10 and 11, the negative ion generator 30 is a device that generates negative ions by adding electricity to the air. The usefulness of negative ions is not only inactivating viruses and bacteria and breaking down odorous components, but also activating immune cells, and is known to have an effect on the sensitivity spectrum, such as relieving stress, providing a sense of relaxation, and improving concentration.

[0030] Known principles for generating negative ions include the "corona discharge method," which generates negative ions by creating a corona discharge between positive and negative electrodes, and the "electron emission method," which does not use corona discharge but uses a sharp piece of metal as the negative electrode and emits electrons directly into the air to generate negative ions.

[0031] The former corona discharge method has the problem of generating harmful ozone and nitrogen oxides (NOx, SOx, etc.) at the same time as generating negative ions. The latter electron emission method generates relatively little harmful ozone and nitrogen oxides, but has the problem of generating harmful electromagnetic waves due to the iron-core transformer. As a result, Andes Electric Co., Ltd., one of the applicants of the present application, has developed a new method that improves on the electron emission method, called the "inti (registered trademark)-fion method" (commonly known as the company's name), and has adopted this method in the negative ion generator 30 of this embodiment.

[0032] The negative ion generator 30 of the inti-fion method is characterized by replacing the iron-core transformer in the electron emission type with a piezoelectric transformer, and generating high voltage by mechanical vibration of the piezoelectric transformer, thereby reducing the generation of electromagnetic waves, which was a drawback of the electron emission type, and hardly generating oxides such as nitrogen oxides. This negative ion generator 30 can be incorporated as a negative ion generating module into various devices including the air conditioner 1 and the air purifier 10.

[0033] 10, the negative ion generator 30 is configured as a unit in which related parts such as a piezoelectric transformer 32 are mounted on a board contained in a thin and small case body 31. The case body 31 has, for example, an openable bottom panel, and power supply and external input / output terminals are provided in appropriate positions on the case body 31. Also, one end of the case body 31 is provided with an insertion port 31a through which a harness 37 that connects to an ion generating unit 38, which will be described later, passes.

[0034] 11, in addition to the piezoelectric transformer 32, the negative ion generator 30 is equipped with an oscillator circuit 33, a transformer drive circuit 34, a boost circuit 35, etc. The signal output by the oscillator circuit 33 is input to the transformer drive circuit 34, which outputs an AC voltage for driving the piezoelectric transformer 32. The piezoelectric transformer 32 is formed, for example, by forming input electrodes on opposing half surfaces in the length direction of a thin rectangular plate of piezoelectric ceramic, and by forming an output electrode on the end surface opposite the input electrode.

[0035] When an AC voltage near the resonant frequency is applied from the transformer driving circuit 34, the piezoelectric transformer 32 as a whole mechanically vibrates due to the piezoelectric inverse effect, and this mechanical vibration is output as a higher voltage to the output electrode due to the piezoelectric effect. The high voltage output from the piezoelectric transformer 32 is made a negative high voltage within a predetermined range by the boost circuit 35. Four ion generating units 38, for example, are connected to the boost circuit 35 via a harness 37.

[0036] The ion generating unit 38 is a needle-shaped discharge electrode, and specifically, for example, a durable stainless steel brush needle is used. As shown in Fig. 3 and Fig. 5, the ion generating unit 38 is disposed in the frame 21 of the above-mentioned filter 20 at a position surrounding the exhaust surface side of the filter 20. That is, the ion generating units 38 are disposed at equal intervals in the radial direction of the filter 20. Note that an earth using metal foil, wire, or the like is provided at an appropriate position of the frame 21 (for example, the rib 24) to ground the ion generating unit 38.

[0037] When a negative high voltage from the boost circuit 35 is applied to each ion generating unit 38, electrons are emitted from the tip of each ion generating unit 38, generating negative ions. The amount of negative ions generated, i.e., the frequency of the signal output by the oscillator circuit 33, is configured to be controllable. Such an Inti-fion type negative ion generator 30 can solve the problems associated with the conventional corona discharge type and electron emission type described above, and can also achieve a smaller and thinner unit overall.

[0038] <Adsorption portion 11A of flow path 11> The main feature of the present air purifying device 10 is that fine particles that have not been captured by the filter 20 are negatively charged by the negative ions from the negative ion generator 30, and these charged fine particles are adsorbed and captured by the flow path 11 itself. That is, at least a part of the flow path 11 itself is configured as an adsorption section 11A made of a material capable of adsorbing charged fine particles.

[0039] A specific position of the adsorption unit 11A in the flow path 11 is downstream of each ion generation unit 38 midway through the flow path 11, but a suitable location is a portion between a portion of the flow path 11 communicating with the exhaust surface 23 of the frame 21 of the filter 20 close to each ion generation unit 38 and a fan 40 described later. The tubular inner wall or the entirety of such a portion may be formed from a material capable of adsorbing charged fine particles to serve as the adsorption unit 11A. However, the adsorption unit 11A is not limited to such a portion, and may be, for example, a casing 41 surrounding the fan 40 described later, or a portion between the fan 40 and the evaporator 2 located downstream of the fan 40.

[0040] Materials capable of adsorbing charged particles include, for example, synthetic resins, and polyvinyl chloride, which is also a flame-retardant resin required for vehicle equipment materials, is particularly suitable. In general, the charging characteristics of resins are that thermosetting resins are difficult to charge, and even if they do charge, the charge tends to run off relatively quickly, whereas thermoplastic resins, on the other hand, are easy to charge, and once charged, the charge tends not to dissipate easily.

[0041] The "telescopic series" is a commonly known example of the order in which substances are easily charged, as shown in Figure 14. In the triboelectric series, when two substances in the series are rubbed together, the one on the positive side tends to become positively charged and the one on the negative side tends to become negatively charged. As is clear from this triboelectric series, among resins, polyvinyl chloride in particular is easily charged negatively, meaning that it has the material properties to easily attract negatively charged fine particles.

[0042] The material capable of adsorbing charged particles is not limited to vinyl chloride, and other materials such as polyethylene and polyurethane may be used. The adsorption portion 11A in the flow path 11 is not necessarily limited to a specific portion in the middle of the flow path 11, and for example, all portions of the flow path 11 from the most upstream to the most downstream may be formed from a material capable of adsorbing charged particles, such as vinyl chloride. Such a material may be coated only on the inner wall surface of a part or the entire flow path 11.

[0043] <Fan 40> 1, the fan 40 is a device that blows air into the flow path 11 to generate an air flow. The fan 40 is disposed downstream of the negative ion generator 30 midway through the flow path 11, and is driven to rotate by a motor (not shown), sucking in air from the upstream side of its position in the flow path 11 and blowing the air out to the downstream side, thereby generating an air flow as indicated by the arrows in FIG. 1.

[0044] The fan 40 is rotatably housed in a casing 41, and is, for example, a centrifugal blower fan having a plurality of blades arranged and supported at regular intervals in the circumferential direction. The amount of air blown per unit time by the fan 40 can be appropriately adjusted by a controller (not shown) that controls the air conditioner 1 or the air purifier 10. The fan 40 and the casing 41 are molded from, for example, a synthetic resin. Therefore, the casing 41 can also become the adsorption section 11A by molding it from polyvinyl chloride.

[0045] <Action of the air purifying device 10> 1, in the air conditioner 1 (air purifying device 10), when the fan 40 is driven, air is sucked into the flow path 11 from the outside air pipe 12 or the inside air pipe 13, which is the most upstream of the flow path 11, and an airflow is generated in which the air flows toward the downstream side of the flow path 11, as shown by the arrows in Fig. 1. Here, the outside air pipe 12 and the inside air pipe 13 can be switched so that only one of them is open, and it is possible to selectively take in outside air from outside the vehicle cabin or inside air from inside the vehicle cabin into the flow path 11.

[0046] When the air that has entered the flow path 11 passes through the filter 20, dust particles contained in the air are captured and removed by the filter 20. If a multifunctional filter 20 is used here, it is possible to capture, for example, fine dust particles of PM2.5 and pollen. Furthermore, the multifunctional filter 20 can significantly reduce the number of certain viruses, inhibit the growth of bacteria and mold that have adhered to the filter 20, and reduce unpleasant odors.

[0047] 2, the filter 20 is held by a frame 21, and the negative ion generator 30 is integrally assembled into a unit on the exhaust side of the filter 20 in the frame 21. Here, the frame 21 is provided with mounting parts 28 for mounting the case body 31 of the negative ion generator 30 and each ion generating unit 38, so that these can be easily positioned and attached to the frame 21. The negative ion generator 30 may be detachable from the mounting parts 28 of the frame 21.

[0048] In this way, a unit in which the negative ion generator 30 is incorporated into the frame 21 of the filter 20 can be used permanently by simply replacing the filter 20 with a new one, allowing the frame 21 and negative ion generator 30 to be used permanently. Conventional ion generators are relatively bulky, making it difficult to unitize them with the filter 20. The user can replace the filter 20 themselves through the insertion port 105 in the glove box 103 shown in FIG. 13.

[0049] When the negative ion generator 30 immediately downstream of the filter 20 is activated, the negative ion generator 30 charges the air (oxygen atoms) and fine particles that have passed through the filter 20 with high voltage, turning them into negative ions. Furthermore, the Inti-fion type negative ion generator 30 is highly efficient, yet achieves reduced power consumption and electromagnetic noise, suppresses the generation of harmful substances and electromagnetic waves, and allows for a compact, lightweight, and thin design.

[0050] Negatively charged air (oxygen atoms) and fine particles caused by the negative ion generator 30 flow downstream of the flow path 11, but the negatively charged fine particles are adsorbed and collected by the adsorption section 11A located midway through the flow path 11 itself. This makes it possible to easily remove fine particles contained in the air without the need to separately provide a special member such as a filter for charging on the downstream side of the negative ion generator 30 in the flow path 11. The negatively ionized air (oxygen atoms) flows directly toward the downstream side of the flow path 11.

[0051] The air from which not only dust but also fine particles have been removed in this manner passes through the inside of the casing 41 of the fan 40 and is sent in sequence to the evaporator 2 and heater core 3 of the air conditioner 1. The evaporator 2 cools the air during cooling, and the heater core 3 heats the air during heating. The temperature-adjusted air is then blown out together with negative ions from the air outlets 14a-14d into the vehicle cabin. Note that the adsorption section 11A to which the charged fine particles have adhered undergoes maintenance work as necessary, for example, by the automobile manufacturer or its sales agent.

[0052] <<Confirmation test>> The present inventors conducted a test to confirm the air purification effect of the present air purification device 10. The purpose of this test was to measure the actual reduction rate of fine particles by using the present air purification device 10. The test method was to install the present air purification device 10 in the insertion port 105 of the air conditioner filter in a car air conditioner (air conditioner 1) that was standard equipment on an Impreza (manufactured by Subaru Corporation) as the automobile 100, and measure the remaining rate of particles contained in the air blown from the air conditioner outlet (air outlet 14a).

[0053] The filter 20 in this air purifier 10 uses a Clean Air Filter Premium (manufactured by Subaru Products Co., Ltd.), and the negative ion generator 30 uses the aforementioned Inti-fion type ITM-F401A (manufactured by Andes Electric Co., Ltd.) As for the measurement conditions, the air volume during operation of the car air conditioner (air conditioner 1) was set to a weak 1.0 m / s, air intake was set to internal air circulation from the internal air duct 13, and the amount of negative ions generated during operation of this air purifier 10 (ion unit ON) was set to 750,000 ions / cc or more (distance 10 cm).

[0054] The dimensions of the Clean Air Filter Premium are W215 / D215 / H25 (mm), and the cross-sectional area of ​​the flow path 11 passing through the filter 20 is about 20 mm in diameter. Furthermore, the dimensions of the adsorption portion 11A in the flow path 11 are a length of 3 cm from the point communicating with the exhaust surface 23 of the frame 21 to the fan 40 described below.

[0055] The measurement time was 5 minutes, and the particle (fine particle) remaining rate was measured when the negative ion generator 30 was operated (unit ON) and when it was not operated (unit OFF). The measurement here was performed using a particle counter KC-01E (manufactured by Rion Co., Ltd.) set at the air conditioner outlet (air outlet 14a), but almost similar results were obtained when using a particle counter made by another company.

[0056] The results of the above-mentioned measurements are shown in the graph of Figure 15. According to these results, when the negative ion generator 30 was operated (unit ON), a reduction in fine particles of just under 10% was observed over a 5-minute measurement period compared to when it was not operated (unit OFF). The fine particles in this case were mainly particles of 0.3 μm or more. The above results clearly demonstrate that the air purifier 10 not only generates beneficial negative ions, but also has the effect of adsorbing and collecting fine particles separately from the filter 20.

[0057] <Configuration and Effects of the Present Invention> Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. The present invention derived from the above-described embodiment will be described below.

[0058] First, the present invention provides an air purifying device 10 for removing contaminants in the air, A filter 20 is provided in the middle of a flow path 11 through which air flows in a predetermined direction, and the filter 20 collects dust in the air. and an ion generating means for charging the fine particles in the air that have passed through the filter with ions. At least a part of the flow channel 11 itself is an adsorption section 11A made of a material capable of adsorbing the charged fine particles.

[0059] According to such an air purifying device 10, fine particles contained in the air can be easily removed without separately arranging a special member such as a filter for charging on the downstream side of the ion generating means 30 in the flow path 11. Therefore, according to the air purifying device 10, it is possible to sufficiently remove even fine particles in the air without increasing costs, without encroaching on the limited installation space in the flow path 11, and it is possible to prevent a decrease in air blowing efficiency and ensure the amount of air required for air purification.

[0060] In addition, the present invention provides a method for manufacturing a device for manufacturing an air conditioner, comprising: providing an air blowing means 40 for blowing air into the flow path 11 to generate an air flow; and providing the air blowing means 40 downstream of the flow path 11 from the ion generating means 30. The adsorption section 11A of the flow path 11 is characterized in that it is disposed between the ion generating means 30 and the blowing means 40.

[0061] According to this configuration, the adsorption unit 11A of the flow path 11 is located immediately downstream of and close to the ion generating means 30, so that the fine particles in the air can be efficiently charged. In addition, the air blowing means 40 located downstream of the adsorption unit 11A and the evaporator 2 located further downstream thereof can be prevented from being soiled by the fine particles.

[0062] In addition, according to the present invention, the filter 20 is configured as a unit held by a frame 21, The frame 21 is characterized in that a mounting portion 28 for mounting the ion generating means 30 is provided at a position on the exhaust surface side of the filter 20.

[0063] With this configuration, it becomes possible to easily incorporate the ion generating means 30 into the frame 21 of the filter 20, and the filter 20 can be commercialized as a unit with the ion generating means 30 added. In addition, since the frame 21 is provided with the mounting portion 28 for mounting the ion generating means 30, the ion generating means 30 can be easily positioned and mounted on the frame 21.

[0064] The present invention is also characterized in that the plurality of ion generating sections 38 in the ion generating means 30 are disposed in positions such that the frame 21 surrounds the exhaust surface side of the filter 20 from the periphery.

[0065] According to this configuration, negative ions can be efficiently released into the air passing through filter 20. In addition, each ion generating unit 38 does not block the flow path 11 covered by filter 20, so that the air blowing efficiency in flow path 11 can be prevented from being hindered.

[0066] Further, according to the present invention, the air purifying device 10 is incorporated into an air conditioning device 1 for an automobile, The filter 20 is detachably attached to an insertion port 105 that is connected to the flow passage 11 shared with the air conditioner 1 from the inside of the vehicle cabin.

[0067] In this way, by incorporating the air purifying device 10 into an automotive air conditioner 1, it is possible to increase the value of the air conditioner 1. In addition, the user can easily perform maintenance and inspection such as replacing the filter 20 from inside the vehicle cabin.

[0068] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to these embodiments, and the present invention includes changes and additions that do not deviate from the gist of the present invention. For example, in the above embodiment, the air purifying device 10 is incorporated into the air conditioner 1 of the automobile 100, but the air purifying device 10 may be incorporated into an air conditioner used in a vehicle other than an automobile, or into a device other than an air conditioner, or may be installed and used independently. [Industrial Applicability]

[0069] The air purifying device according to the present invention can be used in combination with various devices including not only air conditioners for automobiles but also other air conditioners. [Explanation of symbols]

[0070] 1...Air conditioner 2. Evaporator 3. Heater core 4. Cooling system 5. Engine 10. Air purifier 11...Flow path 11A…Adsorption part 12...external trachea 13…Internal trachea 14a~14d…Ventilation vents 20…Filter 21...Frame 28a…First mounting part 28b…Second mounting part 30…Negative ion generator 31…Case body 32...Piezoelectric transformer 38…Ion generating unit 40…Fan 41…Casing 100…Automobiles

Claims

1. In an air purifying device for removing contaminants in the air, a filter provided in a flow path through which air flows in a predetermined direction and configured to capture dust in the air; an ion generating means for charging the fine particles in the air that have passed through the filter with ions; The filter is configured as a unit held in a frame, a mounting portion for mounting the ion generating means is provided on the frame at a position on the exhaust surface side of the filter, The ion generating means includes a case body that contains related components and outputs a high voltage, and a plurality of ion generating units that are connected to the case body and generate negative ions using the high voltage, the plurality of ion generating units in the ion generating means are attached to a second mounting portion that is provided at positions on the frame that are aligned in a circumferential direction from a center of the exhaust surface of the filter and that is disposed at a position that surrounds the exhaust surface side of the filter, an air purifying device, characterized in that a case body of the ion generating means is attached to a first mounting part that is positioned on the inside of the exhaust surface of the filter, between two adjacent second mounting parts in a side-by-side arrangement of the second mounting parts.

2. a blowing means for blowing air into the flow path to generate an air flow is provided downstream of the ion generating means in the flow path, At least a part of the flow path itself is an adsorption section formed of a material capable of adsorbing the charged fine particles, 2. The air purifying device according to claim 1, wherein the adsorption portion of the flow path is disposed between the ion generating means and the air blowing means.

3. The air purifying device is incorporated into an air conditioning system for an automobile, 3. The air purifying device according to claim 1, wherein the filter is detachably attached to an insertion port that is connected to the air flow path shared with the air conditioner from inside the vehicle interior.

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