Space purification device

Abstract

To provide a technique for enabling easy increase in an amount of a purification component to be released into air in summer in Japan.SOLUTION: A space purifier 40 includes: an atomization section 41 for adding hypochlorous acid to air introduced from outside by pumping up and centrifugally crushing stored hypochlorous acid water; a suction temperature / humidity sensor 14 for detecting a temperature and relative humidity of air introduced to the atomization section 41; and a control section 60 controlling a rotating operation during the centrifugal crushing in the atomization section 41. The control section 60 includes a first control mode of controlling the rotating operation at a first rotational frequency specified on the basis of the temperature and relative humidity detected by the suction temperature / humidity sensor 14 and a second control mode of controlling the rotating operation at a second rotational frequency that is higher than the first rotational frequency. In the first control mode, when the temperature is a reference temperature or lower and the relative humidity is a reference relative humidity or higher, the first control mode is switched to the second control mode.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a space purification technology, and particularly to a space purification device that sprays water containing hypochlorous acid water.

Background Art

[0002] A space purification device sprays fine water particles such as a chemical agent, for example, hypochlorous acid water, in order to sterilize or deodorize a target area. For example, a liquid atomization chamber of a space purification device discharges water droplets from an aqueous hypochlorous acid solution stored in a water storage section. The water droplets are discharged from an air outlet to a target area through an air passage by ventilation by a blower section (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in a conventional space purification device, in a situation where the amount of humidification required for an indoor space (humidification requirement) is small, for example, in summer in Japan (especially during the rainy season), when humidifying, the comfort of the space is impaired, so the amount of humidification cannot be increased, the purification component (hypochlorous acid) cannot be vaporized, and it becomes difficult for the purification component to be released into the indoor space. That is, there has been a problem that it is not easy to increase the amount of the purification component released into an indoor space (in the air) in summer with a conventional space purification device.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to solve the above conventional problems and provide a technology that can easily increase the amount of the purification component released into the air in summer in Japan.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, the air purifying apparatus according to the present invention includes: a miniaturizing unit that adds hypochlorous acid to the air introduced from the outside by pumping and centrifugally crushing the stored hypochlorous acid water; a temperature and humidity detection unit that detects the temperature and relative humidity of the air introduced into the miniaturizing unit; and a control unit that controls the rotational operation during centrifugal crushing in the miniaturizing unit. The control unit has a first control mode for controlling the rotational operation at a first rotational speed specified based on the temperature and relative humidity detected by the temperature and humidity detection unit, and a second control mode for controlling the rotational operation at a second rotational speed higher than the first rotational speed. The control unit is characterized in that when the temperature is equal to or lower than a reference temperature and the relative humidity is equal to or higher than a reference relative humidity in the first control mode, it switches from the first control mode to the second control mode.

Advantages of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a technique that can easily increase the amount of purification components released into the air during the summer in Japan.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Embodiment for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] The space purification device according to the present invention includes a miniaturization unit that adds hypochlorous acid to the air introduced from the outside by pumping and centrifugally crushing the stored hypochlorous acid water, a temperature and humidity detection unit that detects the temperature and relative humidity of the air introduced into the miniaturization unit, and a control unit that controls the rotational operation during centrifugal crushing in the miniaturization unit. The control unit has a first control mode that controls the rotational operation at a first rotational speed specified based on the temperature and relative humidity detected by the temperature and humidity detection unit, and a second control mode that controls the rotational operation at a second rotational speed higher than the first rotational speed. When the temperature is below the reference temperature and the relative humidity is above the reference relative humidity in the first control mode, the control unit switches from the first control mode to the second control mode.

[0010] According to such a configuration, when the temperature and relative humidity of the air introduced into the miniaturization unit are such that it is difficult to humidify the air, as in the summer in Japan, the operation in the second control mode is executed. Therefore, by replacing the moisture contained in the introduced air with the hypochlorous acid water (moisture containing hypochlorous acid) centrifugally crushed in the miniaturization unit, the amount of hypochlorous acid released into the air can be increased with a substantially small amount of humidification. That is, in the space purification device, it is possible to easily increase the amount of purification components released into the air in the summer in Japan.

[0011] In the space purification device according to the present invention, when the information regarding the operation mode transmitted from the air conditioner that adjusts the temperature and relative humidity of the air introduced into the atomization unit indicates a cooling operation, and in the first control mode, when the temperature is below the reference temperature and the relative humidity is above the reference relative humidity, it is preferable to switch from the first control mode to the second control mode. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the unintentional execution of the second control mode except in a situation where the amount of hypochlorous acid released is to be increased with a substantially small amount of humidification. Specifically, it is a case where operation in seasons other than summer such as winter or intermediate seasons in Japan where it is desired to control the amount of hypochlorous acid released accompanying humidification is considered. In such seasons, outside air with low temperature and high humidity flows into the indoor space during rainy days or the like, the second control mode is executed, and the release of hypochlorous acid from the space purification device may increase unintentionally. In order to prevent such cases, by determining that the operation mode of the air conditioner is a cooling operation, it is possible to surely discriminate the summer season in which it is desired to increase the amount of hypochlorous acid released into the space without increasing the amount of humidification. Therefore, in the space purification device, during the summer season, it is possible to surely increase the amount of hypochlorous acid released into the air without increasing the humidity of the space.

[0012] Further, in the space purification device according to the present invention, it is preferable that the control unit switches from the first control mode to the second control mode when the state satisfying the switching condition to the second control mode continues for a certain period of time. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the temperature and relative humidity of the air introduced into the atomization unit from temporarily fluctuating due to the influence of disturbance on the temperature and humidity detection unit, and the second control mode from being unintentionally executed.

[0013] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The following embodiments are an example of embodying the present invention and do not limit the technical scope of the present invention.

[0014] (Embodiment 1) First, referring to FIG. 1, an air conditioning system 20 equipped with a space purification system 18 in which a space purification device 40 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention operates in conjunction will be described. FIG. 1 is a connection schematic diagram of the air conditioning system 20 equipped with the space purification system 18 in which the space purification device 40 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention operates in conjunction.

[0015] As shown in FIG. 1, the air conditioning system 20 includes a heat exchange fan 4, a plurality of room dampers 5 (room dampers 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d), a plurality of circulation ports 6 (circulation ports 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d), a plurality of room exhaust ports 7 (room exhaust ports 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d), a plurality of room supply ports 8 (room supply ports 8a, 8b, 8c, 8d), a space purification system 18, an operation panel 50 (corresponding to an air conditioning controller), and a control unit 60 (see FIG. 3). Further, the space purification system 18 includes a plurality of transport fans 3 (transport fans 3a, 3b), an air conditioning room temperature and humidity sensor 12, an air conditioner 13, a suction temperature and humidity sensor 14, a dust collection filter 17, and a space purification device 40.

[0016] The air conditioning system 20 is installed in a general house 1 which is an example of a building. The general house 1 has a plurality (four in this embodiment) of rooms 2 (rooms 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d) and at least one air conditioning room 18a independent of the rooms 2. Here, the general house 1 (residence) is a dwelling provided as a place where residents conduct private lives. As a general configuration, the rooms 2 generally include a living room, a dining room, a bedroom, a private room, a children's room, etc. Further, the rooms 2 provided by the air conditioning system 20 may include a toilet, a bathroom, a washroom, a dressing room, etc.

[0017] In the room 2a, a circulation port 6a, a room exhaust port 7a, a room supply port 8a, and an operation panel 50 are installed. In the room 2b, a circulation port 6b, a room exhaust port 7b, and a room supply port 8b are installed. In the room 2c, a circulation port 6c, a room exhaust port 7c, and a room supply port 8c are installed. In the room 2d, a circulation port 6d, a room exhaust port 7d, and a room supply port 8d are installed.

[0018] In the air-conditioned room 18a, a space purification system 18 is installed in the space. The space purification system 18 is composed of a conveyance fan 3 (conveyance fans 3a, 3b), room dampers 5 (room dampers 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d), an air-conditioning room temperature and humidity sensor 12, an air conditioner 13, a suction temperature and humidity sensor 14, a space purification device 40, and a dust collection filter 17. More specifically, the space purification system 18 is arranged in the order of the air-conditioning room temperature and humidity sensor 12, the air conditioner 13, the dust collection filter 17, the suction temperature and humidity sensor 14, the space purification device 40, the conveyance fan 3, and the room damper 5 from the upstream side of the air flow path flowing in the air-conditioned room 18a.

[0019] The air-conditioned room 18a means a space with a certain area where components such as the air-conditioning room temperature and humidity sensor 12, the air conditioner 13, the dust collection filter 17, the suction temperature and humidity sensor 14, the space purification device 40, and the conveyance fan 3 that make up the space purification system 18 can be arranged, and the air supplied to each living room 2 can be controlled. It does not intend to be a living space and basically does not mean a room where residents stay.

[0020] Air is introduced into the air-conditioned room 18a from the outside. In the air-conditioned room 18a, the air (indoor air) conveyed from each living room 2 through the circulation port 6 is mixed with the outside air (outdoor air) taken in and heat-exchanged by the heat exchange fan 4. The air in the air-conditioned room 18a is controlled by the space purification system 18 (the air conditioner 13, the space purification device 40) provided in the air-conditioned room 18a for temperature adjustment and the addition of an air purification component (hypochlorous acid) accompanied by humidity adjustment, and the air to be conveyed to each living room 2 is generated. The air processed by the space purification system 18 is conveyed to each living room 2 as the supply air flow 10 by the conveyance fan 3.

[0021] The air in each living room 2 is conveyed to the air-conditioning room 18a through the circulation port 6 as shown by the circulation flow 9. In addition, after being heat-exchanged through the heat-exchange fan 4 by the living room exhaust port 7 as shown by the intake air flow 11, it is discharged outdoors. The air-conditioning system 20 performs ventilation of the first type of ventilation method by discharging the indoor air (indoor air) from each living room 2 by the heat-exchange fan 4 and taking in the outdoor air (outdoor air) indoors. The ventilation air volume of the heat-exchange fan 4 is configured to be settable in multiple stages, and the ventilation air volume is set to satisfy the required ventilation volume defined by laws and regulations.

[0022] The heat-exchange fan 4 is configured to have an air supply fan (not shown) and an exhaust fan (not shown) inside, and by operating each fan, it ventilates while performing heat exchange between the indoor air (indoor air) and the outdoor air (outdoor air). At this time, the heat-exchange fan 4 conveys the heat-exchanged outdoor air to the air-conditioning room 18a (space purification system 18).

[0023] The conveying fan 3 is provided on the wall surface (the wall surface on the bottom surface side) of the air-conditioning room 18a. Then, the air processed by the space purification system 18 is conveyed from the living room air supply port 8 to the living room 2 through the conveying duct by the conveying fan 3. More specifically, the air processed by the space purification system 18 is conveyed to the living rooms 2a and 2b located on the first floor of the general house 1 by the conveying fan 3a and to the living rooms 2c and 2d located on the second floor of the general house 1 by the conveying fan 3b, respectively. Note that the conveying ducts connected to the living room air supply ports 8 of each living room 2 are provided independently of each other.

[0024] A part of the air in each living room 2 (living rooms 2a to 2d) is conveyed to the air-conditioning room 18a through the corresponding circulation port 6 (circulation ports 6a to 6d) via the circulation duct. Note that the circulation ducts connecting the air-conditioning room 18a and each living room 2 may be provided independently of each other, or a plurality of branch ducts that are part of the circulation duct may be merged midway and integrated into one circulation duct, and then connected to the air-conditioning room 18a.

[0025] When the room damper 5 conveys air from the conveying fan 3 to each room 2, the air volume supplied to each room 2 is adjusted by adjusting the opening degree of the room damper 5. More specifically, the room dampers 5a and 5b adjust the air volumes supplied to the rooms 2a and 2b located on the first floor, respectively. Also, the room dampers 5c and 5d adjust the air volumes supplied to the rooms 2c and 2d located on the second floor, respectively.

[0026] As described above, each room circulation port 6 (circulation ports 6a to 6d) is an opening for conveying indoor air from each room 2 (rooms 2a to 2d) to the air-conditioning room 18a.

[0027] As described above, each room exhaust port 7 (room exhaust ports 7a to 7d) is an opening for conveying indoor air from each room 2 (rooms 2a to 2d) to the heat exchange fan 4.

[0028] As described above, each room air supply port 8 (room air supply ports 8a to 8d) is an opening for conveying the air in the air-conditioning room 18a from the air-conditioning room 18a to each room 2 (rooms 2a to 2d).

[0029] The air-conditioning room temperature and humidity sensor 12 is installed on the upstream side of the space purification system 18, sucks in air from the rooms 2 (rooms 2a to 2d), and acquires the temperature and humidity (relative humidity) of the air flowing into the air-conditioning room 18a (space purification system 18) as the room temperature and room humidity, respectively, and transmits them to the control unit 60.

[0030] The air conditioner 13 corresponds to an air conditioner (air conditioner) and controls the air conditioning of the space purification system 18. The air conditioner 13 cools or heats the air in the air-conditioning room 18a so that the temperature of the air in the air-conditioning room 18a becomes the set temperature (air-conditioning room target temperature). Here, the set temperature is set to a temperature based on the result of calculating the required heat amount from the temperature difference between the target temperature (room target temperature) set by the user and the room temperature detected by the air-conditioning room temperature and humidity sensor 12. In the present embodiment, the set temperature is set to at least a temperature higher than the target temperature in order to warm the air in each room 2 to the target temperature more quickly.

[0031] The dust collection filter 17 is a dust collection filter that collects particles floating in the air introduced into the air conditioning chamber 18a. By collecting the particles contained in the air conveyed into the air conditioning chamber 18a through the circulation port 6, the dust collection filter 17 makes the air supplied indoors by the conveyance fan 3 clean air. Here, the dust collection filter 17 is installed so as to block the air flow path in the region between the air conditioner 13 and the space purification device 40.

[0032] The suction temperature and humidity sensor 14 is a sensor that acquires the temperature and humidity (relative humidity) of the air temperature-controlled by the air conditioner 13 in the space purification system 18 and transmits it to the control unit 60. More specifically, the suction temperature and humidity sensor 14 is installed on the downstream side of the dust collection filter 17 in the space purification system 18, acquires the temperature and humidity of the air sucked into the space purification device 40, and transmits it to the control unit 60. Note that the suction temperature and humidity sensor 14 corresponds to the "temperature and humidity detection unit" in the claims.

[0033] The space purification device 40 is located on the downstream side of the air conditioner 13 (and the dust collection filter 17) in the air conditioning chamber 18a. When the humidity of the air in each living room 2 (room humidity) is lower than the target humidity (room target humidity) set by the user, the space purification device 40 humidifies the air in the air conditioning chamber 18a so that the humidity becomes the target humidity. Also, the humidity dealt with here is indicated by relative humidity respectively, but it may be dealt with as absolute humidity by a predetermined conversion process. In this case, it is preferable to deal with the entire handling in the air conditioning system 20 including the humidity of the living room 2 as absolute humidity. The details of the space purification device 40 will be described later.

[0034] The operation panel 50 is a terminal for inputting user input information regarding the air conditioning system 20 (space purification system 18) (for example, air volume, target temperature, target humidity, presence or absence of addition of hypochlorous acid, target supply amount level of hypochlorous acid, heat exchange level of the heat exchange fan 4, etc.), and is connected to the control unit 60 communicably by wireless or wired means.

[0035] The control unit 60 is a controller that controls the entire air conditioning system 20. The control unit 60 is communicably connected to each of the heat exchange fan 4, the transport fan 3, the room damper 5, the air conditioning room temperature and humidity sensor 12, the air conditioner 13, the suction temperature and humidity sensor 14, the space purification device 40, and the operation panel 50 by wireless communication.

[0036] Also, the control unit 60 controls the air conditioner 13, the space purification device 40, the air volume of the transport fan 3, and the opening degree of the room damper 5 according to the temperature and humidity (the room temperature and room humidity of room 2) acquired by the air conditioning room temperature and humidity sensor 12, the set temperature and humidity (the room set temperature and room set humidity) set for room 2, the temperature and humidity of the air in the air conditioning room 18a (the temperature and humidity of the air sucked into the space purification device 40), etc. Note that the air volume of the transport fan 3 may be controlled individually for each fan.

[0037] Thereby, the air conditioned by the space purification system 18 is transported to each room 2 at the air volume set for each transport fan 3 and each room damper 5. Therefore, the room temperature and room humidity of each room 2 are controlled to be the room target temperature and room target humidity.

[0038] Next, with reference to FIG. 2, the outline of the configuration of the space purification device 40 will be described. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the space purification device 40. In FIG. 2, the configuration of the space purification device 40 is shown by functional blocks, but actually, the space purification device 40 is housed in a single housing, and pipes and the like are connected to the housing.

[0039] The space purification device 40 is located on the downstream side of the air conditioner 13 in the air conditioning room 18a, and is a device for humidifying the air in the air conditioning room 18a by centrifugal water fragmentation and adding hypochlorous acid as an air purification component.

[0040] Specifically, the space purification device 40 includes a miniaturization unit 41, a hypochlorous acid water generation unit 30, a hypochlorous acid water supply unit 38, and a water supply unit 48. Further, the miniaturization unit 41 includes a mixing tank 42, a centrifugal crushing unit 43, a water level sensor 44, and a purification air duct 49.

[0041] The miniaturization unit 41 is a unit for humidifying the air flowing through the purification air duct 49. When humidifying, the miniaturization unit 41 includes hypochlorous acid as an air purification component together with the atomized water for the flowing air. The miniaturization unit 41 can also be called a liquid atomization chamber or an air purification unit. More specifically, the miniaturization unit 41 atomizes the mixed water (hypochlorous acid water obtained by mixing and diluting the hypochlorous acid water from the hypochlorous acid water generation unit 30 and the water from the water supply unit 48) stored in the mixing tank 42 by centrifugal crushing and includes it in the air flowing through the purification air duct 49.

[0042] The mixing tank 42 is a tank for storing hypochlorous acid water in the miniaturization unit 41 and can also be called a water storage unit. In the mixing tank 42, the hypochlorous acid water with a predetermined concentration supplied from the hypochlorous acid water supply unit 38 described later and the water supplied from the water supply unit 48 described later are mixed in the tank and stored as mixed water composed of diluted hypochlorous acid water.

[0043] The centrifugal crushing unit 43 rotates the lift pipe 43a using a humidification motor (not shown), sucks up the mixed water (hypochlorous acid water) stored in the mixing tank 42 by centrifugal force, scatters, collides, and crushes it in the surrounding (centrifugal direction), and has a centrifugal crushing type configuration that includes hypochlorous acid together with moisture in the air passing through the purification air duct 49.

[0044] The centrifugal crushing unit 43 changes the rotation speed of the humidification motor according to the output signal from the control unit 60 and adjusts the humidification ability (humidification amount). More specifically, the control unit 60 controls the rotation speed of the humidification motor and adjusts the humidification amount based on the user's temperature and humidity settings input through the operation panel 50 and the temperature and humidity measurement values at the suction port of the space purification device 40 by the suction temperature and humidity sensor 14. Note that the humidification amount can also be said to be the addition amount for adding hypochlorous acid to the air flowing through the purification air duct 49.

[0045] The water level sensor 44 detects the water level of the mixed water stored in the mixing tank 42 and outputs it to the control unit 60. More specifically, the water level sensor 44 includes a water level sensor 44a that detects the full water level of the mixed water stored in the mixing tank 42, and a water level sensor 44b that detects the water level of the mixed water in a state where the water level has decreased by a specified amount from the full water state.

[0046] Here, the specified amount is set to the amount of hypochlorous acid water that can be generated by one electrolysis in the electrolytic cell 33 of the hypochlorous acid water generation unit 30.

[0047] The purification air duct 49 is an air duct for adding hypochlorous acid together with moisture to the air passing through the atomization unit 41. The intake port and the outlet port (not shown) of the air passing through the purification air duct 49 are provided on the wall surface or the ceiling surface of the atomization unit 41. The purification air duct 49 communicates with the air conditioning chamber 18a.

[0048] The atomization unit 41 is composed of the above-described members. In the atomization unit 41, the air sucked into the interior after passing through the dust collection filter 17 from the air conditioning chamber 18a is added with hypochlorous acid together with moisture by the rotational operation in the centrifugal crushing unit 43 and blown back into the air conditioning chamber 18a again.

[0049] Next, the hypochlorous acid water generation unit 30 will be described.

[0050] The hypochlorous acid water generation unit 30 includes a brine tank 31, a brine transfer pump 32, an electrolytic cell 33, electrodes 34, and an electrolytic cell supply valve 35.

[0051] The brine tank 31 stores brine (an aqueous solution of sodium chloride) and supplies the brine to the electrolytic cell 33 via the brine transfer pump 32 in response to an output signal from the control unit 60. The electrolytic cell 33 stores the brine to be electrolyzed supplied from the brine tank 31. Further, tap water is supplied to the electrolytic cell 33 from a water supply pipe 47 described later via an electrolytic cell supply valve 35 in response to an output signal from the control unit 60, and the supplied tap water and the brine are mixed to store brine having a predetermined concentration. The electrode 34 is disposed in the electrolytic cell 33 and electrolyzes the brine by energization in response to an output signal from the control unit 60 to generate hypochlorous acid water having a predetermined concentration.

[0052] That is, the hypochlorous acid water generation unit 30 generates hypochlorous acid water by electrolyzing brine as an electrolyte between a pair of electrodes constituting the electrode 34 in the electrolytic cell 33. Since a general device is used for the hypochlorous acid water generation unit 30, detailed description thereof is omitted. Here, the electrolyte is an electrolyte capable of generating hypochlorous acid water, and there is no particular limitation as long as it contains chloride ions even in a small amount. For example, an aqueous solution in which sodium chloride, calcium chloride, magnesium chloride, etc. are dissolved as solutes can be mentioned. Also, hydrochloric acid is not a problem. In the present embodiment, an aqueous chloride solution (brine) in which sodium chloride is added to water is used as the electrolyte.

[0053] Next, the hypochlorous acid water supply unit 38 will be described.

[0054] The hypochlorous acid water supply unit 38 supplies hypochlorous acid water from the electrolytic cell 33 of the hypochlorous acid water generation unit 30 to the mixing tank 42 of the miniaturization unit 41 in response to an output signal from the control unit 60. Specifically, the hypochlorous acid water supply unit 38 includes a hypochlorous acid water transfer pump 36 and a water supply pipe 37. The hypochlorous acid water transfer pump 36 sends out the hypochlorous acid water stored in the electrolytic cell 33 to the water supply pipe 37 in response to an output signal from the control unit 60. The water supply pipe 37 is connected between the hypochlorous acid water transfer pump 36 and the mixing tank 42 and sends the hypochlorous acid water from the electrolytic cell 33 toward the mixing tank 42.

[0055] Here, in the hypochlorous acid water supply section 38, in order to ensure the concentration of the hypochlorous acid water generated and stored in the hypochlorous acid water generation section 30 (electrolytic cell 33), when supplying the hypochlorous acid water from the electrolytic cell 33 to the mixing tank 42, the total amount of the hypochlorous acid water generated in the electrolytic cell 33 is supplied. Therefore, after supplying the hypochlorous acid water, the electrolytic cell 33 is in an empty state, and it does not start creating hypochlorous acid water from a state where hypochlorous acid water remains in the electrolytic cell 33.

[0056] Next, the water supply section 48 will be described.

[0057] The water supply section 48 supplies water (tap water) to the electrolytic cell 33 of the hypochlorous acid water generation section 30 and supplies water (tap water) to the mixing tank 42 of the atomization section 41 in response to the output signal from the control section 60. Specifically, the water supply section 48 includes an electrolytic cell supply valve 35, a mixing tank supply valve 45, and a water supply pipe 47. The electrolytic cell supply valve 35 controls whether to flow the water supplied from the water supply pipe 47 outside the hypochlorous acid water generation section 30 through the strainer 46 into the electrolytic cell 33 in response to the output signal from the control section 60. The mixing tank supply valve 45 controls whether to flow the water supplied from the water supply pipe 47 outside the atomization section 41 through the strainer 46 into the mixing tank 42 in response to the output signal from the control section 60. The water supply pipe 47 is connected to the electrolytic cell 33 via the electrolytic cell supply valve 35 and is also connected to the mixing tank 42 via the mixing tank supply valve 45, and sends water toward the electrolytic cell 33 or the mixing tank 42.

[0058] Also, a drain pan (not shown) may be provided in the space purification device 40. The drain pan is disposed in the entire lower region of the atomization section 41, the hypochlorous acid water generation section 30, the hypochlorous acid water supply section 38, and the water supply section 48, and is a member that receives the water or hypochlorous acid water falling from these. At this time, in addition to the drain pan, it is preferable to provide a drain pump that drains the water or hypochlorous acid water in the drain pan to the drain drain when the water level in the drain pan reaches a predetermined value.

[0059] The space purification device 40 is composed of the above-described members. In the space purification device 40, the water supplied from the water supply unit 48 and the hypochlorous acid water supplied from the hypochlorous acid water generation unit 30 are mixed. The mixed water of hypochlorous acid water and water thus mixed can also be called hypochlorous acid water. The space purification device 40 sprays the refined mixed water (hypochlorous acid water) by centrifugally crushing the mixed water stored in the mixing tank 42. The sprayed mixed water (hypochlorous acid water) is discharged into the air-conditioning room 18a with the liquid component evaporated.

[0060] Note that, according to the user's setting, when the space purification device 40 does not add hypochlorous acid, which is an air purification component, the mixed water to be centrifugally crushed in the refinement unit 41 can be only water, and the space purification device 40 may operate as a humidifying device for increasing the humidity of the living room 2.

[0061] Next, with reference to FIG. 3, the control unit 60 will be described.

[0062] As the processing operations of the space purification device 40, the control unit 60 controls operations related to the electrolysis process in the hypochlorous acid water generation unit 30 (electrolytic cell 33), operations related to the supply process of hypochlorous acid water from the hypochlorous acid water supply unit 38 to the refinement unit 41 (first supply operation), operations related to the supply process of water from the water supply unit 48 to the refinement unit 41 (second supply operation), and operations related to the humidifying purification process in the refinement unit 41, respectively. Note that the control unit 60 has a computer system including a processor and a memory. Then, by the processor executing the program stored in the memory, the computer system functions as a controller. Although the program executed by the processor is assumed to be pre-recorded in the memory of the computer system here, it may be recorded and provided on a non-temporary recording medium such as a memory card, or may be provided through an electric communication line such as the Internet.

[0063] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, the control unit 60 includes an input unit 63, a processing unit 64, an output unit 65, a timing unit 61, and a storage unit 62.

[0064] <Operation related to electrolysis treatment in hypochlorous acid water generation section> The control unit 60 executes the following processes as operations related to the electrolysis treatment in the hypochlorous acid water generation section 30 (electrolytic cell 33).

[0065] The control unit 60 receives information related to the stop of operation (operation stop information) of the hypochlorous acid water supply section 38 (hypochlorous acid water transfer pump 36) and information related to time from the timer unit 61 as a trigger for the electrolysis treatment of the electrolytic cell 33, and outputs them to the processing unit 64.

[0066] The processing unit 64 identifies control information based on the operation stop information from the hypochlorous acid water supply section 38, the time information from the timer unit 61, and the setting information from the storage unit 62, and outputs it to the output unit 65. Here, the setting information includes information related to the start time or end time of hypochlorous acid water generation, information related to the supply amount of tap water introduced into the electrolytic cell 33, information related to the input amount of brine in the brine transfer pump 32, information related to the electrolysis conditions (time, current value, voltage, etc.) at the electrode 34, information related to the on / off operation of the electrolytic cell supply valve 35 in the water supply section 48, and information related to the on / off operation of the hypochlorous acid water transfer pump 36.

[0067] Here, the electrolysis conditions at the electrode 34 can be determined from the amount of tap water in the electrolytic cell 33, the brine concentration, the electrolysis time, and the degree of deterioration of the electrode 34, are created and set by an algorithm, and are stored in the storage unit 62.

[0068] Then, the output unit 65 outputs a signal (control signal) to each device (brine transfer pump 32, electrode 34, electrolytic cell supply valve 35, hypochlorous acid water transfer pump 36) based on the received control information.

[0069] More specifically, first, the brine transfer pump 32 maintains the stopped state based on the signal from the output unit 65, and the hypochlorous acid water transfer pump 36 maintains the stopped state based on the signal from the output unit 65.

[0070] Then, the electrolytic cell supply valve 35 is opened based on the signal from the output unit 65. As a result, the supply of tap water from the water supply pipe 47 to the electrolytic cell 33 is started. Thereafter, the electrolytic cell supply valve 35 is closed based on the signal from the output unit 65 that has received the water level information (full water) from the water level sensor 44a. As a result, the electrolytic cell 33 is in a state where tap water is supplied at a set supply amount.

[0071] Next, the brine transfer pump 32 starts operating based on the signal from the output unit 65, transfers a predetermined amount of brine to the electrolytic cell 33, and then stops. As a result, chloride ions of the brine are dissolved in the tap water, and the electrolytic cell 33 is in a state where an aqueous solution (chloride aqueous solution) containing a predetermined amount of chloride ions is generated.

[0072] Then, the electrode 34 starts electrolyzing the chloride aqueous solution based on the signal from the output unit 65, generates hypochlorous acid water under the set conditions, and then stops. The hypochlorous acid water generated by the electrode 34 is, for example, in a state where the hypochlorous acid concentration is 100 ppm to 150 ppm (for example, 120 ppm) and the pH is 7 to 8.5 (for example, 8.0).

[0073] As described above, the control unit 60 executes an electrolysis process in the electrolytic cell 33 of the hypochlorous acid water generation unit 30, and hypochlorous acid water having a predetermined concentration and amount is generated.

[0074] <Operation regarding the supply process of hypochlorous acid water to the atomization unit> As an operation (first supply operation) regarding the supply process of hypochlorous acid water to the atomization unit 41, the control unit 60 executes the following process. Hereinafter, the hypochlorous acid water supplied to the atomization unit 41 by the first supply operation is also referred to as "hypochlorous acid water stock solution".

[0075] Based on the information regarding the reduction time required until the mixed water reaches a state where the specified amount has decreased, the control unit 60 outputs a hypochlorous acid water supply request to the hypochlorous acid water generation unit 30 (hypochlorous acid water supply unit 36) as a trigger for the supply process of hypochlorous acid water to the atomization unit 41.

[0076] Specifically, the processing unit 64 identifies control information based on the information regarding the reduction time and the setting information from the storage unit 62, and outputs it to the output unit 65. Here, the setting information includes information regarding the supply timing of the hypochlorous acid water and information regarding the on / off operation of the hypochlorous acid water transfer pump 36.

[0077] Then, based on the received control information, the output unit 65 outputs a signal (control signal) to the hypochlorous acid water transfer pump 36 of the hypochlorous acid water supply unit 38.

[0078] The hypochlorous acid water transfer pump 36 operates based on the signal from the output unit 65. As a result, in the hypochlorous acid water generation unit 30, the supply of the hypochlorous acid water stock solution from the electrolytic cell 33 to the atomization unit 41 (mixing tank 42) is started. In order to ensure the concentration of the hypochlorous acid water stored in the electrolytic cell 33, when the hypochlorous acid water stock solution is supplied from the hypochlorous acid water generation unit 30 to the mixing tank 42, the entire amount of the hypochlorous acid water stock solution generated in the electrolytic cell 33 is supplied.

[0079] Thereafter, the hypochlorous acid water transfer pump 36 stops based on the signal from the output unit 65 that has received the information regarding time (the required time for supplying the entire amount) from the timing unit 61. As a result, the hypochlorous acid water supply unit 38 supplies the hypochlorous acid water stock solution from the electrolytic cell 33 to the atomization unit 41 (mixing tank 42) in a set supply amount.

[0080] As described above, as the first supply operation, the control unit 60 causes the hypochlorous acid water supply unit 38 to execute the supply process of the hypochlorous acid water stock solution from the hypochlorous acid water generation unit 30 (electrolytic cell 33) to the atomization unit 41.

[0081] <Operation regarding the supply process of water to the atomization unit> As an operation regarding the supply process of water to the atomization unit 41 (second supply operation), the control unit 60 causes the following processes to be executed.

[0082] The control unit 60 outputs a water supply request to the water supply unit 48 based on information regarding the reduction time required until the mixed water reaches a state where the specified amount has decreased, as a trigger for the water supply process to the miniaturization unit 41.

[0083] Specifically, the processing unit 64 specifies control information based on the information regarding the reduction time and the setting information from the storage unit 62, and outputs it to the output unit 65. Here, the setting information includes information regarding the water supply timing and information regarding the on / off operation of the mixing tank supply valve 45.

[0084] Then, the output unit 65 outputs a signal (control signal) to the mixing tank supply valve 45 based on the received control information.

[0085] The mixing tank supply valve 45 operates based on the signal from the output unit 65. As a result, in the water supply unit 48, the supply of water from the external water supply pipe to the miniaturization unit 41 (mixing tank 42) via the water supply pipe 47 is started.

[0086] Thereafter, the mixing tank supply valve 45 stops based on the signal from the output unit 65 that has received the water level information (full water signal) from the water level sensor 44a of the miniaturization unit 41. As a result, the water supply unit 48 supplies water from the water supply pipe 47 to the miniaturization unit 41 (mixing tank 42) until the set amount of water is reached.

[0087] As described above, the control unit 60 causes the water supply unit 48 to execute the water supply process from the water supply pipe 47 to the miniaturization unit 41 as the second supply operation.

[0088] <Operations related to the humidification and purification process in the miniaturization unit> Next, the operations related to the humidification and purification process in the miniaturization unit 41 performed by the control unit 60 will be described.

[0089] The input unit 63 receives user input information from the operation panel 50, temperature and humidity information of the air in the living room 2 (information regarding temperature and relative humidity) from the air-conditioning room temperature and humidity sensor 12, temperature and humidity information of the air in the air-conditioning room 18a (information regarding temperature and relative humidity) from the suction temperature and humidity sensor 14, and water level information of the hypochlorous acid water (mixed water) in the mixing tank 42 from the water level sensor 44. The input unit 63 outputs each received piece of information to the processing unit 64.

[0090] The timing unit 61 outputs time information regarding the current time to the processing unit 64.

[0091] The storage unit 62 stores the user input information received by the input unit 63 and rotation speed information (information regarding the first rotation speed in the first control mode and the second rotation speed in the second control mode, etc.) in the centrifugal crushing unit with respect to the temperature and relative humidity of the air flowing into the refinement unit 41. The storage unit 62 outputs each stored piece of information to the processing unit 64 in response to a request from the processing unit 64.

[0092] The first control mode is a mode that controls the rotation operation at a first rotation speed specified based on the temperature and relative humidity detected by the suction temperature and humidity sensor 14. The first rotation speed is set, for example, to a rotation speed in the range of 600 rpm to 4000 rpm. In the present embodiment, in the refinement unit 41, the stop state and the drainage state of the hypochlorous acid water stored in the mixing tank 42 are controlled by the rotation operation of the lift pipe 43a. Therefore, even when it is determined that humidification is not required, the first rotation speed needs to be set to be equal to or higher than the minimum rotation speed (stop rotation speed) for maintaining the stop state of the refinement unit 41, and in the present embodiment, it is set to 600 rpm.

[0093] The second control mode is a mode that controls the rotation operation at a second rotation speed that is higher than the first rotation speed set in the first control mode when the temperature detected by the suction temperature and humidity sensor 14 is equal to or lower than the reference temperature and the relative humidity is equal to or higher than the reference relative humidity. The second rotation speed is set to a rotation speed in the range of, for example, 2000 rpm to 2500 rpm. Here, the reference temperature is set to, for example, 19°C, and the reference relative humidity is set to, for example, 90%RH. Note that when the temperature of the introduced air is equal to or lower than the reference temperature and the relative humidity is equal to or higher than the reference relative humidity, it is determined that humidification is not required for the introduced air. Therefore, in the first control mode, the first rotation speed is set to the minimum rotation speed (600 rpm).

[0094] The processing unit 64 receives various information (user input information, temperature and humidity information, temperature information, relative humidity information) from the input unit 63, time information from the timing unit 61, and various information (rotation speed information) from the storage unit 62. The processing unit 64 uses the received various information to identify control information regarding the humidification and purification operation.

[0095] Specifically, the processing unit 64, at regular intervals based on the time information from the timing unit 61, determines the required humidification amount (or the required additional amount of the air purification component) for the living room 2 based on the humidity difference between the target humidity stored in the storage unit 62 and the temperature and humidity information of the air in the living room 2 from the air conditioning room temperature and humidity sensor 12 (or the temperature and humidity information of the air in the air conditioning room 18a from the suction temperature and humidity sensor 14). Then, the processing unit 64 identifies control information (humidification control information) regarding the humidification and purification operation based on the identified required humidification amount (or the required additional amount of the air purification component) and the rotation speed information stored in the storage unit 62. Then, the processing unit 64 outputs a signal regarding the identified control information to the output unit 65. In addition, the processing unit 64 identifies operations related to the supply of hypochlorous acid water (the first supply operation) and operations related to the supply of water (the second supply operation). Then, the processing unit 64 outputs a signal regarding the identified control information to the output unit 65. Note that the supply control information includes a signal for the hypochlorous acid water supply request and a signal for the water supply request.

[0096] Then, the output unit 65 outputs each received signal to the miniaturization unit 41, the hypochlorous acid water supply unit 38, and the water supply unit 48, respectively.

[0097] The hypochlorous acid water supply unit 38 receives a signal (a signal of a hypochlorous acid water supply request included in the supply control information) from the output unit 65, and based on the received signal, performs an operation (first supply operation) related to the supply process of hypochlorous acid water to the mixing tank 42 of the miniaturization unit 41 described above at a predetermined supply timing. Further, the water supply unit 48 receives a signal (a signal of a water supply request included in the supply control information) from the output unit 65, and based on the received signal, performs an operation (second supply operation) related to the supply process of water to the mixing tank 42 of the miniaturization unit 41 described above at a predetermined supply timing.

[0098] Then, the miniaturization unit 41 receives a signal from the output unit 65, and based on the received signal, controls the rotation operation of the centrifugal crushing unit 43. More specifically, the miniaturization unit 41 performs a humidifying and purifying process on the air flowing through the interior (purification air duct 49) by rotating at a first rotation speed set in the first control mode or a second rotation speed set in the second control mode. After that, when the humidifying and purifying process progresses and the amount of the mixed water decreases from the full water state amount by a specified amount (when the water level information from the water level sensor 44b is acquired), the miniaturization unit 41 causes the first supply operation or the second supply operation to replenish the decreased specified amount.

[0099] Next, the rotation speed control (first control mode, second control mode) in the humidifying and purifying operation of the miniaturization unit 41 will be described.

[0100] As described above, during the summer in Japan (especially during the rainy season), the relative humidity of the air in the living room 2 is high, so the humidification amount cannot be increased, and it is difficult to release a predetermined amount of air purification component (hypochlorous acid). Therefore, we focused on the following three parameters to transfer hypochlorous acid from hypochlorous acid water into the air. The first parameter is the humidification amount of hypochlorous acid water. That is, when the flowing air is humidified by water droplets containing hypochlorous acid, the hypochlorous acid contained in the water droplets transfers into gaseous hypochlorous acid along with vaporization. As a result, the flowing air is humidified and the vaporized hypochlorous acid is imparted. The second parameter is the gas-liquid contact area between hypochlorous acid water and air. That is, when the concentration of hypochlorous acid in hypochlorous acid water is higher than that in the flowing air, the concentration gradient difference of hypochlorous acid between the air and hypochlorous acid water becomes larger. Therefore, hypochlorous acid transfers from the side with a higher hypochlorous acid concentration to the side with a lower hypochlorous acid concentration at the gas-liquid contact surface between the air and hypochlorous acid water and becomes gaseous hypochlorous acid. As a result, the flowing air is not humidified and gaseous hypochlorous acid is imparted. The third parameter is the replacement of the moisture contained in the air with hypochlorous acid water. That is, when the moisture contained in the flowing air is replaced with centrifugally crushed hypochlorous acid water (moisture containing hypochlorous acid), the flowing air is substantially not humidified and hypochlorous acid is imparted.

[0101] In the present embodiment, in order to increase the generation amount of gaseous hypochlorous acid during the summer in Japan (summer), the rotation operation in the atomization unit 41 is controlled to be executed at a second rotation speed that is higher than the first rotation speed specified based on the temperature and humidity information. That is, by increasing the rotation speed of the lift pipe 43a in the centrifugal crushing unit 43 in the atomization unit 41, the amount of hypochlorous acid water to be centrifugally crushed is increased, and the gas-liquid contact amount between the hypochlorous acid water and the air or the replacement amount between the hypochlorous acid water and the moisture in the air is increased, thereby increasing the amount of hypochlorous acid imparted to the flowing air.

[0102] Next, with reference to FIG. 4, the amount of hypochlorous acid added during the humidification purification operation will be described. Here, (a) of FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the relationship between the rotational speed of the atomization unit 41 with respect to the suction air and the amount of hypochlorous acid added. (b) of FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the relationship between the rotational speed of the atomization unit 41 with respect to the suction air and the amount of humidification. (c) of FIG. 4 is a diagram summarizing the temperature and humidity conditions of the suction air, the rotational speed, the amount of hypochlorous acid added, and the amount of humidification, respectively.

[0103] Here, in FIG. 4, as the suction air, two types of air are set: air with a high temperature and low humidity (for example, 25°C and 50%) is defined as high-temperature and low-humidity air, and air with a low temperature and high humidity (for example, 15°C and 95%) is defined as low-temperature and high-humidity air. Also, the rotational speed corresponding to the first rotational speed is designated as rotational speed R1, and the rotational speed corresponding to the second rotational speed is designated as rotational speed R2. Further, the amount of hypochlorous acid added corresponds to the amount of hypochlorous acid that has passed through the atomization unit 41 and has been added to the suction air. The amount of humidification corresponds to the amount of moisture that has passed through the atomization unit 41 and has been humidified to the suction air.

[0104] First, referring to Fig. 4(a), the relationship between the rotational speed (rpm) with respect to the suction air and the amount of hypochlorous acid added (mg) will be described. As shown in Fig. 4(a), when the suction air is at low temperature and high humidity and the humidification purification operation is carried out at the rotational speed R1, the amount of hypochlorous acid added is the addition amount A1, and when the humidification purification operation is carried out at the rotational speed R2, the amount of hypochlorous acid added is the addition amount A2. On the other hand, when the suction air is at high temperature and low humidity and the humidification purification operation is carried out at the rotational speed R1, the amount of hypochlorous acid added is the addition amount A3, and when the humidification purification operation is carried out at the rotational speed R2, the amount of hypochlorous acid added is the addition amount A4. Thus, the amount of hypochlorous acid added varies depending on the temperature and humidity of the air (suction air) to which hypochlorous acid is added, as well as the rotational speed. However, the relationship of the amount of hypochlorous acid added is such that addition amount A4 > addition amount A3 ≒ addition amount A2 > addition amount A1, and there is no significant difference between the difference in the amount of hypochlorous acid added at high temperature and low humidity (addition amount A4 - addition amount A3) and the difference in the amount of hypochlorous acid added at low temperature and high humidity (addition amount A2 - addition amount A1). That is, for the same rotational speed, although the amount of hypochlorous acid added is significantly larger when the suction air is at high temperature and low humidity than when it is at low temperature and high humidity, the increase in the amount of hypochlorous acid added with the increase in the rotational speed is of the same degree regardless of the rotational speed.

[0105] Next, referring to Fig. 4(b), the relationship between the rotational speed (rpm) with respect to the suction air and the humidification amount (g / h) will be described. As shown in Fig. 4(b), when the suction air is at low temperature and high humidity and the humidification purification operation is carried out at the rotational speed R1, the humidification amount is the humidification amount X1, and when the humidification operation is carried out at the rotational speed R2, the humidification amount is the humidification amount X2. On the other hand, when the suction air is at high temperature and low humidity and the humidification purification operation is carried out at the rotational speed R1, the humidification amount is the humidification amount X3, and when the humidification purification operation is carried out at the rotational speed R2, the humidification amount is the humidification amount X4. Here, the relationship of the humidification amount is such that humidification amount X4 > humidification amount X3 > humidification amount X2 > humidification amount X1, and the difference in the humidification amount at high temperature and low humidity (humidification amount X4 - humidification amount X3) > the difference in the humidification amount at low temperature and high humidity (humidification amount X2 - humidification amount X1). That is, when the suction air is at low temperature and high humidity rather than at high temperature and low humidity, it is more difficult for the humidification amount to increase even when the rotational speed is increased.

[0106] The specific examples of FIGS. 4(a) and 4(b) described above are summarized in FIG. 4(c). As shown in FIG. 4(c), when the suction air of the atomization unit 41 is at a high temperature and low humidity, in order to increase the amount of added hypochlorous acid, if the rotational speed is increased from the rotational speed R1 to the rotational speed R2 to perform the humidification and purification operation, the amount of humidification will also increase significantly accordingly. On the other hand, when the suction air of the atomization unit 41 is at a low temperature and high humidity, even if the rotational speed is increased from the rotational speed R1 to the rotational speed R2 to perform the humidification and purification operation in order to increase the amount of added hypochlorous acid, the increase in the amount of humidification accompanying this is slight. That is, when the suction air is at a low temperature and high humidity, the amount of added hypochlorous acid can be increased with little increase in the amount of humidification.

[0107] As described above, when the suction air is air with a low temperature and high humidity, even if the rotational speed of the atomization unit 41 is increased, the amount of added hypochlorous acid can be increased without increasing the amount of humidification to the suction air. That is, when the temperature of the air sucked by the atomization unit 41 is at a low temperature and high humidity (that is, when the temperature is below the reference temperature and the relative humidity is above the reference relative humidity), it is extremely effective for adding hypochlorous acid to the air flowing through the atomization unit 41 to switch to the second control mode that controls the rotational operation at a second rotational speed (2000 rpm to 2500 rpm) that is higher than the first rotational speed (the water stop rotational speed 600 rmm) set in the first control mode.

[0108] Next, with reference to FIG. 5, the processing operation (humidification and purification processing operation) in the control unit 60 of the space purification device 40 will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the processing operation in the control unit 60 of the space purification device 40. Note that hereinafter, descriptions of the supply processing operation and the drainage processing operation of water or hypochlorous acid water executed during the humidification and purification processing operation are omitted.

[0109] First, when the humidification purification process is started, the control unit 60 acquires the humidity information (RA humidity) of the air in the living room 2 from the air conditioner room temperature and humidity sensor 12 (step S01). The control unit 60 determines whether the acquired RA humidity is equal to or higher than the target humidity (RA target humidity) set by the user (step S02). Here, the target humidity is set, for example, to a relative humidity of 60% RH or the like at which the comfort of the living room 2 is maintained. As a result of the determination, if the RA humidity is less than the RA target humidity (No in step S02), the control unit 60 causes the atomization unit 41 to perform a rotation operation at the first rotation speed in the first control mode (step S08). The first rotation speed here is set to a rotation speed (in the range of 600 rpm to 4000 rpm) determined by the humidification requirement amount specified based on the humidity difference between the RA humidity and the RA target humidity.

[0110] On the other hand, as a result of the determination, if the RA humidity is equal to or higher than the RA target humidity (Yes in step S02), the control unit 60 determines that humidification of the RA air in the living room 2 is unnecessary, and causes the atomization unit 41 to perform a rotation operation with the first rotation speed in the first control mode as the stop rotation speed (600 rpm) (step S03). Here, as shown in FIG. 4(b), by the rotation operation at the stop rotation speed, the amount of humidification to the flowing air can be reduced to the minimum.

[0111] Thereafter, while the atomization unit 41 is performing a rotation operation at the stop rotation speed, the control unit 60 acquires the temperature and humidity information of the air in the air conditioner room 18a (the temperature and relative humidity of the suction air sucked by the atomization unit 41) from the suction temperature and humidity sensor 14 (step S04). The control unit 60 determines whether the temperature of the acquired suction air is equal to or lower than the reference temperature (step S05). The reference temperature here is set to, for example, 19°C. As a result of the temperature determination, if the temperature of the suction air exceeds the reference temperature (No in step S05), the control unit 60 causes the atomization unit 41 to perform a rotation operation at the first rotation speed in the first control mode (step S08). The first rotation speed here is set to a rotation speed (in the range of 600 rpm to 4000 rpm) determined by the humidification requirement amount specified based on the humidity difference between the humidity of the suction air and the RA target humidity.

[0112] On the other hand, if the temperature of the intake air is equal to or lower than the reference temperature as a result of the temperature determination (Yes in step S05), the control unit 60 determines whether the relative humidity of the intake air is equal to or higher than the reference relative humidity (step S06). The reference relative humidity here is set to, for example, 90%RH. If the relative humidity of the intake air is less than the reference relative humidity as a result of the humidity determination (No in step S06), the control unit 60 causes the atomizing unit 41 to perform a rotation operation at a first rotation speed in the first control mode (step S08). The first rotation speed here is set to a rotation speed (in the range of 600 rpm to 4000 rpm) determined by the humidification required amount specified based on the humidity difference between the relative humidity of the intake air and the RA target humidity.

[0113] On the other hand, if the relative humidity of the intake air is equal to or higher than the reference relative humidity as a result of the humidity determination (Yes in step S06), the control unit 60 causes the atomizing unit 41 to perform a rotation operation at a second rotation speed in the second control mode (step S07). The second rotation speed here is set to a rotation speed in the range of 2000 rpm to 2500 rpm, which is, for example, higher than the stop rotation speed. That is, the control unit 60 performs control to switch the atomizing unit 41 from the first control mode to the second control mode. More specifically, the control unit 60 performs control to switch the rotation operation of the atomizing unit 41 from the rotation operation at the first rotation speed (= stop rotation speed) in the first control mode to the rotation operation at the second rotation speed in the second control mode.

[0114] Thereafter, the control unit 60 determines whether or not the time elapsed since the start time of the rotation operation at the second rotation speed by the atomizing unit 41 in step S07 has elapsed a predetermined time (step S09). As a result, if the predetermined time has not elapsed (No in step S09), the control unit 60 continues the rotation operation at the second rotation speed by the atomizing unit 41 as it is (returns to step S09). On the other hand, if the predetermined time has elapsed (Yes in step S09), the control unit 60 returns to step S01. Here, the predetermined time is an interval time for feedback control of humidification and is set to, for example, 5 minutes.

[0115] On the other hand, the control unit 60 determines whether or not the time measured starting from the start time of the rotation operation at the first rotation speed by the atomization unit 41 in step S08 has elapsed a predetermined time (step S09). As a result, when the predetermined time has not elapsed (No in step S09), the control unit 60 continues the rotation operation at the first rotation speed by the atomization unit 41 as it is (returns to step S09). On the other hand, when the predetermined time has elapsed (Yes in step S09), the control unit 60 returns to step S01. Here, the predetermined time is an interval time for feedback control of humidification, and is set to, for example, 5 minutes.

[0116] As described above, in the space purification device 40, the humidification purification treatment operation by the atomization unit 41 is executed.

[0117] (Modification Example 1) Next, with reference to FIG. 6, a modification example 1 of the processing operation (humidification purification processing operation) in the control unit 60 of the space purification device 40 will be described. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a modification example 1 of the processing operation in the control unit 60 of the space purification device 40.

[0118] In the processing operation (humidifying and purifying operation) in Modification 1, first, when the humidifying and purifying process is started, the control unit 60 acquires information regarding the operation mode indicating the operation state of the air conditioner 13 from the air conditioner 13 (step S11). Here, the operation modes of the air conditioner 13 include a heating mode in which heating operation is performed, a cooling mode in which cooling operation is performed, and a blowing mode in which blowing operation is performed. The control unit 60 determines whether or not the acquired operation mode is the cooling mode in which cooling operation is being performed (step S12). If the result of the determination is that the operation mode is not the cooling mode in which cooling operation is being performed (No in step S12), the control unit 60 acquires the temperature and humidity information of the air in the air-conditioned room 18a (the temperature and relative humidity of the intake air sucked by the atomization unit 41) from the intake temperature and humidity sensor 14 (step S14a). Then, the control unit 60 causes the atomization unit 41 to execute a rotation operation at the first rotation speed in the first control mode (step S18). The first rotation speed here is set to a rotation speed (in the range of 600 rpm to 4000 rpm) determined by the humidification required amount specified based on the humidity difference between the relative humidity of the intake air and the target humidity of the living room 2.

[0119] On the other hand, if the result of the determination is that the operation mode is the cooling mode in which cooling operation is being performed (Yes in step S12), the control unit 60 determines that humidification of the air in the living room 2 is unnecessary, and causes the atomization unit 41 to execute a rotation operation with the first rotation speed in the first control mode as the stop rotation speed (600 rpm) (step S13).

[0120] After that, while the miniaturization unit 41 is rotating during the water stop rotation speed, the control unit 60 acquires the temperature and humidity information of the air in the air-conditioning chamber 18a (the temperature and relative humidity of the suction air sucked by the miniaturization unit 41) from the suction temperature and humidity sensor 14 (step S14). The control unit 60 determines whether the temperature of the acquired suction air is equal to or lower than the reference temperature (step S15). The reference temperature here is set to, for example, 19°C. As a result of the temperature determination, if the temperature of the suction air exceeds the reference temperature (No in step S15), the control unit 60 causes the miniaturization unit 41 to perform a rotation operation at the first rotation speed in the first control mode (step S18). The first rotation speed here is set to a rotation speed (in the range of 600 rpm to 4000 rpm) determined by the humidification required amount specified based on the humidity difference between the relative humidity of the suction air and the target humidity of the living room 2.

[0121] On the other hand, as a result of the temperature determination, if the temperature of the suction air is equal to or lower than the reference temperature (Yes in step S15), the control unit 60 determines whether the relative humidity of the suction air is equal to or higher than the reference relative humidity (step S16). The reference relative humidity here is set to, for example, 90%RH. As a result of the humidity determination, if the relative humidity of the suction air is less than the reference relative humidity (No in step S16), the control unit 60 causes the miniaturization unit 41 to perform a rotation operation at the first rotation speed in the first control mode (step S18). The first rotation speed here is set to a rotation speed (in the range of 600 rpm to 4000 rpm) determined by the humidification required amount specified based on the humidity difference between the relative humidity of the suction air and the target humidity of the living room 2.

[0122] On the other hand, if the relative humidity of the intake air is equal to or higher than the reference relative humidity as a result of the humidity determination (Yes in step S16), the control unit 60 causes the atomization unit 41 to perform a rotation operation at the second rotation speed in the second control mode (step S17). The second rotation speed here is set to a rotation speed in the range of 2000 rpm to 2500 rpm, which is, for example, higher than the water-stop rotation speed. That is, the control unit 60 performs control to switch from the first control mode to the second control mode with respect to the atomization unit 41. More specifically, the control unit 60 performs control to switch the rotation operation of the atomization unit 41 from the rotation operation at the first rotation speed (= water-stop rotation speed) in the first control mode to the rotation operation at the second rotation speed in the second control mode.

[0123] Thereafter, the control unit 60 determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the start time of the rotation operation at the second rotation speed by the atomization unit 41 in step S17 (step S09). As a result, if the predetermined time has not elapsed (No in step S09), the control unit 60 continues the rotation operation at the second rotation speed by the atomization unit 41 as it is (returns to step S09). On the other hand, if the predetermined time has elapsed (Yes in step S09), the control unit 60 returns to step S11. Here, the predetermined time is an interval time for feedback control of humidification and is set to, for example, 5 minutes.

[0124] On the other hand, the control unit 60 determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the start time of the rotation operation at the first rotation speed by the atomization unit 41 in step S18 (step S19). As a result, if the predetermined time has not elapsed (No in step S19), the control unit 60 continues the rotation operation at the first rotation speed by the atomization unit 41 as it is (returns to step S19). On the other hand, if the predetermined time has elapsed (Yes in step S19), the control unit 60 returns to step S11. Here, the predetermined time is an interval time for feedback control of humidification and is set to, for example, 5 minutes.

[0125] As described above, in the space purification device 40, a first modification example of the humidification purification processing operation by the miniaturization unit 41 is executed.

[0126] (Modification Example 2) Next, with reference to FIG. 7, a second modification example of the processing operation (humidification purification processing operation) in the control unit 60 of the space purification device 40 will be described. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a second modification example of the processing operation in the control unit 60 of the space purification device 40.

[0127] In the processing operation (humidification purification processing operation) in the second modification example, first, when the humidification purification processing is started, the control unit 60 acquires information regarding the operation mode indicating the operation state of the air conditioner 13 from the air conditioner 13 (step S21). Here, the operation modes of the air conditioner 13 include a heating mode in which heating operation is performed, a cooling mode in which cooling operation is performed, and a blowing mode in which blowing operation is performed. The control unit 60 determines whether or not the acquired operation mode is the cooling mode in which cooling operation is performed (step S22). Then, as a result of the determination, when the operation mode is not the cooling mode in which cooling operation is performed (No in step S22), the control unit 60 acquires the temperature and humidity information of the air in the air-conditioned room 18a (the temperature and relative humidity of the sucked air sucked by the miniaturization unit 41) from the suction temperature and humidity sensor 14 (step S24a). Then, the control unit 60 causes the miniaturization unit 41 to execute a rotation operation at a first rotation speed in the first control mode (step S27). The first rotation speed here is set to a rotation speed (in the range of 600 rpm to 4000 rpm) determined by the humidification required amount specified based on the humidity difference between the relative humidity of the sucked air and the target humidity of the living room 2.

[0128] On the other hand, as a result of the determination, when the operation mode is the cooling mode in which cooling operation is performed (Yes in step S22), the control unit 60 determines that humidification of the air in the living room 2 is unnecessary, and causes the miniaturization unit 41 to execute a rotation operation with the first rotation speed in the first control mode as the stop rotation speed (600 rpm) (step S23).

[0129] After that, while the atomization unit 41 is rotating at the water-stop rotation speed, the control unit 60 acquires the temperature and humidity information of the air in the air-conditioning chamber 18a (the temperature and relative humidity of the suction air sucked by the atomization unit 41) from the suction temperature and humidity sensor 14 (step S24). The control unit 60 determines whether the temperature of the acquired suction air is equal to or lower than the reference temperature (step S25). The reference temperature here is set to, for example, 19°C. As a result of the temperature determination, if the temperature of the suction air exceeds the reference temperature (No in step S25), the control unit 60 causes the atomization unit 41 to perform a rotation operation at the first rotation speed in the first control mode (step S27). The first rotation speed here is set to a rotation speed (in the range of 600 rpm to 4000 rpm) determined by the humidification required amount specified based on the humidity difference between the relative humidity of the suction air and the target humidity of the living room 2.

[0130] On the other hand, as a result of the temperature determination, if the temperature of the suction air is equal to or lower than the reference temperature (Yes in step S25), the control unit 60 causes the atomization unit 41 to perform a rotation operation at the second rotation speed in the second control mode (step S26). The second rotation speed here is set to a rotation speed in the range of 2000 rpm to 2500 rpm, which is, for example, higher than the water-stop rotation speed. That is, the control unit 60 performs control to switch the atomization unit 41 from the first control mode to the second control mode. More specifically, the control unit 60 performs control to switch the rotation operation of the atomization unit 41 from the first rotation speed (= water-stop rotation speed) in the first control mode to the second rotation speed in the second control mode.

[0131] Thereafter, the control unit 60 determines whether or not the time measured starting from the start time of the rotation operation at the second rotation speed by the refinement unit 41 in step S26 has elapsed for a predetermined time (step S28). As a result, if the predetermined time has not elapsed (No in step S28), the control unit 60 continues the rotation operation at the second rotation speed by the refinement unit 41 as it is (returns to step S28). On the other hand, if the predetermined time has elapsed (Yes in step S28), the control unit 60 returns to step S21. Here, the predetermined time is an interval time for feedback control of humidification, and is set to, for example, 5 minutes.

[0132] On the other hand, the control unit 60 determines whether or not the time measured starting from the start time of the rotation operation at the first rotation speed by the refinement unit 41 in step S27 has elapsed for a predetermined time (step S28). As a result, if the predetermined time has not elapsed (No in step S28), the control unit 60 continues the rotation operation at the first rotation speed by the refinement unit 41 as it is (returns to step S28). On the other hand, if the predetermined time has elapsed (Yes in step S28), the control unit 60 returns to step S21. Here, the predetermined time is an interval time for feedback control of humidification, and is set to, for example, 5 minutes.

[0133] As described above, in the space purification device 40, a modification example 2 of the humidification purification processing operation by the refinement unit 41 is executed.

[0134] As described above, according to the space purification device 40 according to the first embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

[0135] (1) The space purification device 40 includes a miniaturization unit 41 that adds hypochlorous acid to the air introduced from the outside by pumping and centrifugally crushing the stored hypochlorous acid water, a suction temperature and humidity sensor 14 that detects the temperature and relative humidity of the air introduced into the miniaturization unit 41, and a control unit 60 that controls the rotational operation during centrifugal crushing in the miniaturization unit 41. The control unit 60 has a first control mode that controls the rotational operation at a first rotational speed specified based on the temperature and relative humidity detected by the suction temperature and humidity sensor 14, and a second control mode that controls the rotational operation at a second rotational speed higher than the first rotational speed. When the temperature is below the reference temperature and the relative humidity is above the reference relative humidity in the first control mode, it is switched from the first control mode to the second control mode.

[0136] By doing so, when the temperature and relative humidity of the air introduced into the miniaturization unit 41 are such that it is difficult to humidify the air, like in the summer in Japan, the operation in the second control mode is executed. Therefore, by replacing the moisture contained in the introduced air with the hypochlorous acid water (moisture containing hypochlorous acid) centrifugally crushed in the miniaturization unit 41, the amount of hypochlorous acid released into the air can be increased with a substantially small amount of humidification. That is, in the space purification device 40, it is possible to easily increase the amount of purification components released into the air in the summer in Japan.

[0137] (2) In the space purification device 40, in the humidification and purification treatment operation according to Modification 1, when the information regarding the operation mode transmitted from the air conditioner 13 that adjusts the temperature of the air introduced into the miniaturization unit 41 indicates a cooling operation, and when the temperature is below the reference temperature and the relative humidity is above the reference relative humidity in the first control mode, it is switched from the first control mode to the second control mode.

[0138] By doing so, it is possible to suppress the unintentional execution of the second control mode in situations other than those where the amount of hypochlorous acid released is to be increased with a substantially small amount of humidification. Specifically, it is the case of considering operation in seasons other than summer such as winter or intermediate seasons in Japan where it is desired to control the amount of hypochlorous acid released accompanying humidification. In such seasons, outside air with low temperature and high humidity flows into the indoor space during rainy days or the like, the second control mode is executed, and the release of hypochlorous acid from the space purification device 40 may increase unintentionally. In order to prevent such cases, by determining that the operation mode of the air conditioner 13 is a cooling operation, it is possible to surely discriminate the summer season in which it is desired to increase the amount of hypochlorous acid released into the space without increasing the amount of humidification. Therefore, in the space purification device 40, during the summer season, it is possible to surely and easily increase the amount of hypochlorous acid released into the air without increasing the humidity of the space.

[0139] (3) In the space purification device 40, the control unit 60 is configured to switch from the first control mode to the second control mode when the information on the operation mode transmitted from the air conditioner 13 that adjusts the temperature of the air introduced into the atomization unit 41 indicates a cooling operation and the temperature is below the reference temperature in the first control mode.

[0140] By doing so, it is possible to suppress the unintentional execution of the second control mode without being affected by the variation of the humidity information detected by the suction temperature and humidity sensor 14 as compared with the humidification purification treatment operation according to the first modification.

[0141] As described above, the present invention has been described based on the embodiments. However, it can be easily inferred that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments at all, and various improvements and modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0142] In the space purification device 40 according to the present embodiment, the control unit 60 executes control to switch from the first control mode to the second control mode in response to the determination result of one time by steps S04 to S06 shown in FIG. 5, but it is not limited to this. For example, the control unit 60 may execute control to switch from the first control mode to the second control mode when the state satisfying the switching condition from the first control mode to the second control mode continues for a certain period of time.

[0143] Specifically, the control unit 60 executes the temperature and humidity determination by steps S04 to S06 a plurality of times (for example, 4 times) at a predetermined interval (for example, 1 minute), and when all the determination results of the plurality of times satisfy the switching condition to the second control mode, executes control to switch from the first control mode to the second control mode. This corresponds to the case where the state satisfying the switching condition from the first control mode to the second control mode continues for about 4 minutes. By doing so, it is possible to suppress the suction temperature and humidity sensor 14 from being affected by disturbances, and the temperature and relative humidity of the air introduced into the atomization unit 41 from fluctuating temporarily, and the second control mode from being executed unintentionally.

[0144] In addition, also in the humidification purification treatment operation according to Modification 1, by similarly executing a plurality of times at a predetermined interval in steps S14 to S16, the above-described effects can be enjoyed.

[0145] Further, in the space purification device 40 according to the present embodiment, the atomization unit 41 is configured to control the water stop state and the drainage state of the hypochlorous acid water stored in the mixing tank 42 by the rotation operation of the lift pipe 43a, but it is not limited to this. For example, the atomization unit 41 may be configured to control the water stop state and the drainage state of the hypochlorous acid water stored in the mixing tank 42 using a general drainage mechanism (for example, a drain valve). However, in this case, it is necessary to rewrite the water stop rotation speed of the first rotation speed in the first control mode to 0 rpm in step S03 shown in FIG. 5. Even with such a configuration, the above-described effects can be enjoyed.

[0146] Also, in the space purification device 40 according to the present embodiment, when an end signal (for example, an emergency stop signal) is input from the operation panel 50, the humidification purification process in the atomization unit 41 may be immediately stopped and the mixed water in the atomization unit 41 may be drained, regardless of the stage of the humidification purification process. By doing so, even if water leakage or the like occurs in the device, the mixed water in the device can be drained, and the spread of water leakage can be suppressed.

Industrial Applicability

[0147] The space purification device according to the present invention can easily increase the amount of hypochlorous acid released into the air when atomizing hypochlorous acid water to release hypochlorous acid into the air, and is useful as a device for sterilizing or deodorizing the air in the target space.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0148] 1 General house 2, 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d Living room 3, 3a, 3b Conveying fan 4 Heat exchange fan 5, 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d Damper for living room 6, 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d Circulation port 7, 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d Living room exhaust port 8, 8a, 8b, 8c, 8d Living room air supply port 9 Circulation flow 10 Air supply flow 11 Intake flow 12 Air conditioning room temperature and humidity sensor 13 Air conditioner 14 Suction temperature and humidity sensor 17 Dust collection filter 18 Space purification system 18a Air conditioning room 20 Air conditioning system 30 Hypochlorous acid water generation unit 31 Salt water tank 32 Salt water transfer pump 33 Electrolytic cell 34 Electrode 35 Electrolytic cell supply valve 36 Hypochlorous Acid Water Transfer Pump 37 Water Supply Pipe 38 Hypochlorous Acid Water Supply Section 40 Space Purification Device 41 Minification Section 42 Mixing Tank 43 Centrifugal Crushing Unit 43a Lift Pipe 44, 44a, 44b Water Level Sensors 45 Mixing Tank Supply Valve 46 Strainer 47 Water Supply Pipe 48 Water Supply Section 49 Purification Air Duct 50 Operation Panel 60 Control Section 61 Timing Section 62 Memory Section 63 Input Section 64 Processing Section 65 Output Section

Claims

1. A atomization unit that adds hypochlorous acid to the air introduced from the outside by pumping the stored hypochlorous acid water and centrifugally crushing it; A temperature and humidity detection unit that detects the temperature and relative humidity of the air introduced into the atomization unit; A humidity sensor that obtains the humidity of the outside air; A control unit that controls the rotational operation during centrifugal crushing in the atomization unit; Comprising: The control unit has a first control mode for controlling the rotational operation at a first rotational speed specified based on the temperature and relative humidity detected by the temperature and humidity detection unit, and a second control mode for controlling the rotational operation at a second rotational speed higher than the first rotational speed that becomes the stop rotational speed in the first control mode. When the humidity of the outside air acquired by the humidity sensor is equal to or higher than the target humidity, the rotational operation is executed with the first rotational speed in the first control mode as the stop rotational speed. During the rotational operation at the stop rotational speed in the first control mode, when the temperature detected by the temperature and humidity detection unit is equal to or lower than the reference temperature and the relative humidity is equal to or higher than the reference relative humidity, a space purification device characterized by switching from the first control mode to the second control mode.

2. The control unit switches from the first control mode to the second control mode when the information regarding the operation mode transmitted from an air conditioning device that adjusts the temperature of the air introduced into the atomization unit indicates a cooling operation, and in the first control mode, the temperature is equal to or lower than the reference temperature and the relative humidity is equal to or higher than the reference relative humidity. The space purification device according to Claim 1.

3. The control unit switches from the first control mode to the second control mode when the state satisfying the switching condition to the second control mode continues for a certain period of time. The space purification device according to Claim 1 or 2.

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