Liquid atomization device

Abstract

To provide a technology which can enhance the cutoff performance of a water storage part during the rotation of a pumping pipe.SOLUTION: In a liquid refinement device (liquid refinement part 14) for blowing out air sucked from a suction port from a blowout port while making the air contain refined water, a pumping pipe 50 has a pumping port 50 at a lower part in a vertical direction and discharges water pumped up from the pumping port 50a in a centrifugal direction accompanied by the rotation of a rotating shaft 55. A collision wall 17 refines the water by making the water discharged from the pumping pipe 50 collide therewith. A water storage part 16 is arranged at a lower part of the pumping pipe 50 in the vertical direction, and stores the water pumped up from the pumping port 50a. A discharge port 16b is arranged at a bottom face 16a of the storage part 16, and drains the stored water. A first eliminator 56 is arranged at an upper part of the storage part 16 in the vertical direction, and collects a part of droplets refined by the collision wall 17. A water supply part supplies the water toward the first eliminator 56.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a liquid atomization device that atomizes water, incorporates the atomized water into the inhaled air, and blows it out.

Background Art

[0002] A liquid atomization device that atomizes water, incorporates the atomized water into the inhaled air, and blows it out is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In this liquid atomization device, a vortex is formed in the water stored in the water storage section by the rotation of the lift pipe, thereby creating a gap between the drain port for draining the water stored in the water storage section and the water inlet of the lift pipe, and suppressing the discharge of the water in the water storage section from the drain port during the rotation of the lift pipe. That is, in this liquid atomization device, the stoppage and drainage of the water in the water storage section are controlled by the presence or absence of the rotation of the lift pipe.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the above liquid atomization device, in a configuration where water is supplied from the water supply section to the water storage section when the water level in the water storage section drops to near the drought water level, the supplied water may disrupt the vortex in the water storage section. If the vortex is disrupted, the gap between the drain port and the water inlet of the lift pipe disappears, and water may leak out from the drain port.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in view of such a situation, and an object thereof is to provide a technique capable of enhancing the water stoppage property of the water storage section during the rotation of the lift pipe.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, a liquid atomization device according to an aspect of the present disclosure is a liquid atomization device that sucks air sucked from a suction port, includes atomized water, and blows it out from a blowout port. The liquid atomization device has a water intake port vertically downward, and a cylindrical water lift pipe that discharges the water lifted from the water intake port in the centrifugal direction as the rotation shaft rotates. A collision wall that atomizes the water when the water discharged from the water lift pipe collides with it. A water storage section provided vertically below the water lift pipe for storing the water lifted from the water intake port. A drain port disposed on the bottom surface of the water storage section for draining the stored water. A first eliminator disposed vertically above the water storage section for collecting a part of the water droplets atomized by the collision wall. And a water supply section for supplying water toward the first eliminator. The water lift pipe generates a vortex in the water of the water storage section by rotation inside the water lift pipe, and forms a gap communicating between the water intake port and the drain port at the center of the vortex.

[0007] In addition, any combination of the above components, and those obtained by converting the expressions of the present disclosure among methods, devices, systems, etc. are also effective as aspects of the present disclosure.

Advantages of the Invention

[0008] According to the present disclosure, the water tightness of the water storage section can be enhanced during the rotation of the water lift pipe.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] Before specifically describing embodiments of the present disclosure, an overview of the embodiments will be explained. This embodiment relates to a liquid atomization device. The liquid atomization device is mounted on a space purification system that sprays water containing a component (hereinafter referred to as "air purification component") that adjusts humidity and purifies air into a room. For the air purification component, for example, hypochlorous acid having bactericidal or deodorizing properties is used. Thereby, sterilization or deodorization of the room is performed.

[0011] The liquid atomization device rotates a lift pipe to lift the mixed water of hypochlorous acid water and water stored in the water storage section from the lift port of the lift pipe, discharges the lifted mixed water in the centrifugal direction to atomize it, and discharges it into the air. The rotating lift pipe generates a vortex in the mixed water of the water storage section, forms a gap communicating between the lift port and the drain port at the center of the vortex, and the mixed water of the water storage section is stopped by the gap. However, as described above, when water is supplied when the mixed water in the water storage section decreases, the vortex flow is disturbed, so that the water lifting by the lift pipe is likely to be inhibited, the gap between the drain port and the lift port disappears, and the mixed water in the water storage section may flow out from the drain port.

[0012] Therefore, in the embodiment, water is supplied from the water supply section toward an eliminator for collecting water droplets arranged in the water storage section, and the water is supplied into the water storage section through the eliminator. As a result, the water pressure of the water supplied from the water supply section is weakened by the eliminator, and the water with weakened momentum is supplied to the water storage section. Therefore, the disturbance of the vortex flow in the water storage section caused by the supplied water is suppressed. Thus, it becomes difficult to inhibit the water lifting by the lift pipe, so that leakage of the water in the water storage section from the drain port can be suppressed.

[0013] The embodiments described below all show a preferred specific example of the present disclosure. Therefore, the numerical values, shapes, materials, components, arrangement positions and connection forms of the components shown in the following embodiments, as well as the steps (processes) and the order of the steps, etc. are only examples and are not intended to limit the present disclosure. Therefore, among the components in the following embodiments, the components not described in the independent claims showing the highest-level concept of the present disclosure are described as arbitrary components. Also, in each figure, the same reference numerals are given to substantially the same configurations, and duplicate descriptions are omitted or simplified.

[0014] FIG. 1 shows the configuration of the space purification system 100 of the embodiment. The space purification system 100 is a device that includes an air purification component together with atomized water for the air (RA: Return Air) from the indoor space 62 (also referred to as "indoor") when circulating the air in the indoor space 62. The space purification system 100 sterilizes and deodorizes the indoor space 62 by supplying the air (SA: Supply Air) that has circulated inside to the indoor space 62. Here, hypochlorous acid is used as the air purification component, and the water containing the air purification component is hypochlorous acid water.

[0015] As shown in FIG. 1, the space purification system 100 includes a space purification device 10, an operation device 70, a duct 64a, a duct 64c, a low-reactivity duct 67a, and a low-reactivity duct 67c. In this embodiment, the low-reactivity duct 67a and the low-reactivity duct 67c are collectively referred to as the duct 67.

[0016] FIG. 2 shows the configuration of the space purification device 10 of FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 2, the space purification device 10 includes a housing 1, a purification air passage 5, a liquid atomization unit 14, a hypochlorous acid water generation unit 19, a HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filter 11, a purification transport fan 12, and a control unit 41.

[0017] As shown in Fig. 2, the housing 1 forms the outer shell of the air purification device 10. The housing 1 has a suction port 2a, a suction port 2c, an air outlet 3a, and an air outlet 3c. In this embodiment, the suction port 2a and the suction port 2c are collectively referred to as the suction port 2, and the air outlet 3a and the air outlet 3c are collectively referred to as the air outlet 3.

[0018] As shown in Fig. 2, the suction port 2a and the suction port 2c are arranged on one side surface of the housing 1. The air outlet 3a and the air outlet 3c are arranged on the other side surface of the housing 1 (the side surface opposite to one side surface of the housing 1).

[0019] The suction port 2a and the suction port 2c are inlets for taking the air 8a and the air 8c outside the housing 1 acquired from the indoor space 62 into the air purification device 10 respectively. The air 8a and the air 8c acquired from the indoor space 62 can also be called non-temperature-controlled air that has not been temperature-regulated in the indoor space 62 or temperature-controlled air that has been temperature-regulated by an air conditioner or the like separately installed in the indoor space 62.

[0020] As shown in Fig. 1, the suction port 2a is communicated with the indoor suction port 65a provided on the ceiling or the like of the indoor space 62 through a duct 64a. The suction port 2c is communicated with the indoor suction port 65c provided on the ceiling or the like of the indoor space 62 through a duct 64c. Thereby, the suction port 2a can suck the air 8a of the indoor space 62 into the air purification device 10 from the indoor suction port 65a. The suction port 2c can suck the air 8c of the indoor space 62 into the air purification device 10 from the indoor suction port 65c.

[0021] It should be noted that the indoor suction port 65c may not be provided. In this case, one end of the duct 64a may be connected to the indoor suction port 65a, and the other end side of the duct 64a may be branched and connected to the suction port 2a and the suction port 2c.

[0022] The air outlet 3a is an outlet for discharging the air 9a (SA) that has circulated inside the space purification device 10 into the indoor space 62. The air 9a contains atomized hypochlorous acid water. The air outlet 3c is an outlet for discharging the air 9c (SA) that has circulated inside the space purification device 10 into the indoor space 62. The air 9c also contains atomized hypochlorous acid water.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 1, the air outlet 3a is communicated with an indoor air outlet 68a provided on the ceiling or the like of the indoor space 62 via a low-reactivity duct 67a. The air outlet 3c is communicated with an indoor air outlet 68c provided on the ceiling or the like of the indoor space 62 via a low-reactivity duct 67c. Thereby, the air outlet 3a can blow out the air 9a that has circulated inside the space purification device 10 from the indoor air outlet 68a toward the indoor space 62. The air outlet 3c can blow out the air 9c that has circulated inside the space purification device 10 from the indoor air outlet 68c toward the indoor space 62.

[0024] Note that the air outlet 3a and the air outlet 3c are not distinguished from each other. For example, the air outlet 3c may not be provided. In this case, one end of the low-reactivity duct 67a may be connected to the air outlet 3a, and the other end side of the low-reactivity duct 67a may be branched and connected to the indoor air outlet 68a and the indoor air outlet 68c.

[0025] Both the low-reactivity duct 67a and the low-reactivity duct 67c are ducts that are connected downstream of the purification air passage 5 and use a low-reactivity material with poor reactivity with hypochlorous acid water on the inner wall. The low-reactivity material is, for example, a polyolefin-based material. The polyolefin-based material contains, for example, at least one of polyethylene and polypropylene.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 2, the purification air passage 5 is provided inside the housing 1 and communicates the suction port 2 (suction port 2a and suction port 2c) and the air outlet 3 (air outlet 3a and air outlet 3c).

[0027] The purification air duct 5 is an air duct through which both the air 8a and the air 8c flow. It can also be said that the purification air duct 5 is an air duct through which the air 8a and the air 8c mix and flow. In the purification air duct 5, a HEPA filter 11, a hypochlorous acid water generation unit 19, a purification conveyance fan 12, and a liquid atomization unit 14 are provided in this order from the upstream side to the downstream side in the air duct. More specifically, upstream of the purification conveyance fan 12, the hypochlorous acid water generation unit 19 is disposed at a position adjacent to the suction port (not shown) of the purification conveyance fan 12. Downstream of the purification conveyance fan 12, the liquid atomization unit 14 is disposed at a position adjacent to the discharge port (not shown) of the purification conveyance fan 12.

[0028] The HEPA filter 11 is an air filter that removes dust, dirt, etc. from the air flowing into the space purification device 10 and outputs the purified air. The HEPA filter 11 is disposed adjacent to the suction ports 2a and 2c.

[0029] The purification conveyance fan 12 is a device for conveying the air that has passed through the HEPA filter 11 along the purification air duct 5 to the liquid atomization unit 14. The purification conveyance fan 12 generates the flow of air in the purification air duct 5. The purification conveyance fan 12 blows the air sucked from the suction port 2 sequentially through the liquid atomization unit 14 and the air outlet 3 to the duct 67. More specifically, the purification conveyance fan 12 is composed of a double-suction centrifugal fan. The centrifugal fan can adopt a known configuration. The purification conveyance fan 12 sucks air from each of the suction ports (not shown) provided on the left and right toward the liquid atomization unit 14 and conveys the air to the liquid atomization unit 14 from the discharge port (not shown). Incidentally, upstream of the suction port (not shown) provided on the left side of the purification conveyance fan 12, the electrolyzed water generation unit 19 is disposed.

[0030] In the purification conveyance fan 12, the air volume, that is, the rotation speed, is controlled according to the output signal from the control unit 41. When the purification conveyance fan 12 operates, air is sent to the liquid atomization unit 14.

[0031] The hypochlorous acid water generation unit 19 is arranged upstream of the purification transfer fan 12 in the purification air duct 5. The hypochlorous acid water generation unit 19 includes an electrolytic cell 20, a brine tank 23, and a brine transfer pump 24. The hypochlorous acid water generation unit 19 dilutes the brine (aqueous sodium chloride solution) stored in the brine tank 23 to a predetermined concentration in the electrolytic cell 20 and performs electrolysis to generate hypochlorous acid water with a predetermined concentration.

[0032] The brine tank 23 stores brine (aqueous sodium chloride solution) and supplies the brine to the electrolytic cell 20 via the brine transfer pump 24 in response to an output signal from the control unit 41. The electrolytic cell 20 stores the brine to be electrolyzed supplied from the brine tank 23. Tap water is also supplied to the electrolytic cell 20 from the tap water pipe outside the space purification device 10 via the connection port 36 and the first electromagnetic valve 22 in response to an output signal from the control unit 41. The supplied tap water and brine are mixed, and brine with a predetermined concentration is stored. The electrodes (not shown) arranged in the electrolytic cell 20 perform electrolysis of the brine by energization in response to an output signal from the control unit 41 to generate hypochlorous acid water with a predetermined concentration.

[0033] That is, the electrolytic cell 20 generates hypochlorous acid water by electrolyzing an aqueous chloride solution (for example, brine) as an electrolyte between a pair of electrodes. Since a general device is used for the electrolytic cell 20, detailed description 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, or magnesium chloride is dissolved as a solute can be mentioned. Hydrochloric acid is also acceptable. In this embodiment, an aqueous chloride solution (brine) obtained by adding sodium chloride to water is used as the electrolyte.

[0034] The liquid atomization unit 14 is a unit for humidifying the air taken into the purification air duct 5. When humidifying, hypochlorous acid is included as an air purification component together with the atomized water for the air. The liquid atomization unit 14 can also be called a liquid atomization device. The liquid atomization unit 14 dilutes the hypochlorous acid water generated by the hypochlorous acid water generation unit 19 with water, atomizes the diluted hypochlorous acid water by centrifugal crushing, and discharges it into the air. The atomized hypochlorous acid water is discharged outside the housing 1 in a state where the liquid component has evaporated.

[0035] The liquid atomization unit 14 has a centrifugal crushing type configuration in which the hypochlorous acid water is sucked up by centrifugal force, scattered, collided, and crushed in the surrounding (centrifugal direction), and moisture is included in the passing air.

[0036] FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view taken along the line A-A of the liquid atomization unit 14 in FIG. 2. Hereinafter, the liquid atomization unit 14 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the liquid atomization unit 14 includes a suction port 14a, a blowout port 14b, a liquid atomization chamber 15, a water storage section 16, a collision wall 17, a water level detection section 18, a hypochlorous acid water supply section 28, a water supply section 32, a lift pipe 50, a rotating plate 52, a motor 54, a first eliminator 56, and a second eliminator 58.

[0037] The suction port 14a sucks the air blown by the purification conveyance fan 12. The blowout port 14b blows out the air sucked from the suction port 14a. The suction port 14a and the blowout port 14b are provided on the side surface of the liquid atomization unit 14.

[0038] In the liquid atomization unit 14, air passages A1, A2, A3 (see FIG. 3) are formed from the suction port 14a to the blowout port 14b. Further, the liquid atomization unit 14 includes a liquid atomization chamber 15 provided in the air passage A1 thereof, and the suction port 14a, the liquid atomization chamber 15, and the blowout port 14b communicate with each other. The blowout port 14b communicates with the blowout port 3 of the space purification device 10.

[0039] The liquid atomization chamber 15 is the main part of the liquid atomization unit 14 and is where water atomization takes place. In the liquid atomization unit 14, the air taken in from the suction port 14a is sent to the liquid atomization chamber 15. Then, the liquid atomization unit 14 is configured to include the atomized water in the liquid atomization chamber 15 in the taken-in air and blow out the air containing the water from the blowout port 14b via the air passages A1, A2, A3 (see FIG. 3) in this order. Here, as shown in FIG. 3, the air passages A2, A3 are configured such that the flow direction of the air containing water changes from the direction flowing vertically downward in the liquid atomization chamber 15 to the direction flowing vertically upward on its outer periphery. In FIG. 3, the direction of air flow is indicated by arrows.

[0040] The liquid atomization chamber 15 is provided with a cylindrical collision wall 17 that is open at both the upper and lower sides. The collision wall 17 is fixed within the liquid atomization chamber 15. Also, as shown in FIG. 3, the liquid atomization chamber 15 is provided with a cylindrical water lifting pipe 50 that rotates while lifting (pumping up) water inside the area surrounded by the collision wall 17. The water lifting pipe 50 has an inverted conical hollow structure, is provided with a circular water inlet 50a at the bottom, and has a rotating shaft 55 arranged vertically at the center of the top surface of the inverted cone above the water lifting pipe 50. When the rotating shaft 55 is connected to a motor 54 provided on the outer surface of the liquid atomization chamber 15, the rotational motion of the motor 54 is conducted to the water lifting pipe 50 through the rotating shaft 55, causing the water lifting pipe 50 to rotate. The motor 54 is configured to execute a rotational motion based on a control signal from the control unit 41. Although FIG. 2 shows an example of the rotation direction R1 of the motor 54, it may rotate in the direction opposite to the illustrated direction.

[0041] The lift pipe 50 is provided with a plurality of rotating plates 52 formed on the top surface side of an inverted conical shape so as to protrude outward from the outer surface of the lift pipe 50. Between the plurality of rotating plates 52 adjacent to each other vertically, a predetermined interval is provided in the axial direction of the rotating shaft 55, and they are formed so as to protrude outward from the outer surface of the lift pipe 50. Since the rotating plate 52 rotates together with the lift pipe 50, a horizontal disk shape coaxial with the rotating shaft 55 is preferable. Note that the number of the rotating plates 52 is appropriately set according to the target performance or the dimensions of the lift pipe 50.

[0042] Further, a plurality of openings (not shown) penetrating the wall surface of the lift pipe 50 are provided in the wall surface of the lift pipe 50. Each of the plurality of openings is provided at a position communicating the inside of the lift pipe 50 with the upper surface of the rotating plate 52 formed so as to protrude outward from the outer surface of the lift pipe 50.

[0043] Below the liquid atomization chamber 15, a water storage section 16 for storing the water pumped up by the lift pipe 50 from the water intake port 50a is provided vertically below the lift pipe 50. The depth of the water storage section 16 is designed such that a part of the lower part of the lift pipe 50, for example, a length of about one-third to one percent of the conical height of the lift pipe 50 is immersed. This depth can be designed according to the required pumping volume. Further, the bottom surface of the water storage section 16 gradually becomes lower toward the water intake port 50a, and the bottom surface 16a near the water intake port 50a is formed one step lower than the bottom surface 16c.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 2, the hypochlorous acid water supply section 28 supplies hypochlorous acid water from the electrolytic cell 20 to the water storage section 16 of the liquid atomization section 14 according to the output signal from the control section 41. The hypochlorous acid water supply section 28 includes a hypochlorous acid water transfer pump 29 and a water supply pipe 30. The hypochlorous acid water transfer pump 29 sends out the hypochlorous acid water in the electrolytic cell 20 to the water supply pipe 30 according to the output signal from the control section 41. The water supply pipe 30 is connected between the hypochlorous acid water transfer pump 29 and the water storage section 16 and sends the hypochlorous acid water toward the water storage section 16. The outlet 30a of the water supply pipe 30 is arranged above a first eliminator 56 described later.

[0045] The water supply unit 32 supplies water to the water storage unit 16 according to the output signal from the control unit 41. The water supply unit 32 includes a second electromagnetic valve 33 and a water supply pipe 34. The second electromagnetic valve 33 controls whether to allow the water supplied from the water pipe outside the space purification device 10 to the connection port 36 to flow into the water supply pipe 34 according to the output signal from the control unit 41. The water supply pipe 34 is connected between the second electromagnetic valve 33 and the water storage unit 16 and sends water toward the water storage unit 16. The outlet 34a of the water supply pipe 34 is also arranged above the first eliminator 56.

[0046] In this way, hypochlorous acid water and water are mixed in the water storage unit 16 of the liquid atomization unit 14. The mixed water of hypochlorous acid water and water can also be called hypochlorous acid water.

[0047] Also, as shown in FIG. 3, the liquid atomization unit 14 is provided with a water level detection unit 18 for detecting the water level of the water storage unit 16. The water level detection unit 18 is configured to have a float switch. The float switch is turned off when the mixed water in the water storage unit 16 has not reached a certain full water level L1, and is turned on when the mixed water in the water storage unit 16 reaches the full water level L1. That is, the water level detection unit 18 detects whether the mixed water in the water storage unit 16 has reached the full water level L1 by the float switch. Then, the water level detection unit 18 outputs information regarding the on or off of the float switch to the control unit 41.

[0048] When the float switch is off and the off state continues for a predetermined time, the control unit 41 controls such that water is supplied from the water supply unit 32 to the water storage unit 16 and a predetermined amount of hypochlorous acid water is supplied from the hypochlorous acid water supply unit 28 to the water storage unit 16. When the float switch is on, the control unit 41 controls to stop the water supply by the water supply unit 32. The supply of hypochlorous acid water by the hypochlorous acid water supply unit 28 stops when a predetermined amount is supplied. Here, the predetermined time is set to the time until the mixed water in the water storage unit 16 reaches approximately the water shortage level L2 from the full water level L1 by the humidification process. The water volume at the water shortage level L2 is the water volume that the lift pipe 50 can lift. Note that another water level detection unit for detecting whether the water level of the water storage unit 16 has decreased to the water shortage level L2 may be provided, and when it is detected that the water level has decreased to the water shortage level L2, the control unit 41 may control such that water is supplied from the water supply unit 32 to the water storage unit 16 and a predetermined amount of hypochlorous acid water is supplied from the hypochlorous acid water supply unit 28 to the water storage unit 16.

[0049] As shown in FIG. 3, the circular drain port 16b is provided on the lowest bottom surface 16a of the water storage unit 16. The water stoppage and drainage by the drain port 16b are realized by the rotation of the lift pipe 50. That is, the drain port 16b and the lift pipe 50 constitute a water stoppage mechanism and a water lifting mechanism of the water storage unit 16. Details will be described later.

[0050] A first eliminator 56 for collecting a part of the atomized water droplets is provided in the space between the collision wall 17 in the centrifugal direction and the side wall of the water storage unit 16. In FIGS. 2 and 3, the first eliminator 56 is hatched for easy understanding. The first eliminator 56 is composed of a porous body through which air can flow. The flat first eliminator 56 is disposed in the air passage A3 substantially horizontally with respect to the rotating plate 52 above the full water level L1. A space is formed between the bottom surface of the first eliminator 56 and the position of the full water level L1, and this space serves as the air passage A3. As shown in FIG. 2, in plan view, the first eliminator 56 covers the space mainly on the air outlet 14b side between the collision wall 17 and the side wall of the water storage unit 16. The first eliminator 56 may cover the entire space between the collision wall 17 and the side wall of the water storage unit 16.

[0051] A second eliminator 58 is provided below the collision wall 17. In FIG. 3, the second eliminator 58 is also hatched for easy understanding. The second eliminator 58 is also composed of a porous body through which air can flow. As the first eliminator 56 and the second eliminator 58, known ones can be adopted. As shown in FIG. 2, in plan view, the second eliminator 58 is arranged in a curved shape along the collision wall 17 on the side of the air outlet 14b of the collision wall 17. That is, the second eliminator 58 is arranged in a part around the lift pipe 50. The second eliminator 58 may surround the lift pipe 50 and be arranged over the entire periphery of the lift pipe 50. In plan view, the second eliminator 58 is arranged linearly along the side wall of the water storage part 16 on the side of the suction port 14a of the collision wall 17. As shown in FIG. 3, the second eliminator 58 extends vertically between a bottom surface 16c that is one step higher than the bottom surface 16a of the water storage part 16 and the first eliminator 56. The bottom surface 16c is located below the drought water level L2. Therefore, a part of the lower part of the second eliminator 58 is immersed in the mixed water of the water storage part 16, and the remaining upper part is arranged in the air passage A2.

[0052] Air containing water droplets that have passed through the air passage A1 flows through the second eliminator 58 and the first eliminator 56, thereby collecting relatively large water droplets contained in the air. Thereby, relatively large water droplets can be removed from the air flowing through the air passage A2 and the air passage A3.

[0053] Also, outside the water storage part 16, a drain pan 38 is provided over the entire bottom surface of the water storage part 16. The drain pan 38 can temporarily store water leaked from the device, for example, when an abnormality occurs in the device and water leakage occurs. The drain pan 38 can also temporarily store the mixed water drained from the drain port 16b. A drain pipe (not shown) for draining the water stored inside is connected to the drain pan 38.

[0054] Next, the operating principle of humidification (atomization of water) in the liquid atomization part 14 will be described. When the rotary shaft 55 rotates by the motor 54 and the lift pipe 50 rotates accordingly, the centrifugal force generated by the rotation causes the mixed water stored in the water storage section 16 to be pumped up by the lift pipe 50. The rotational speed of the lift pipe 50 is set, for example, between 1000 rpm and 5000 rpm. Since the lift pipe 50 has an inverted conical hollow structure, the mixed water pumped up by the rotation is lifted upward along the inner wall of the lift pipe 50. Then, the lifted mixed water is discharged in the centrifugal direction through the rotary plate 52 from the opening (not shown) of the lift pipe 50 and scattered as water droplets.

[0055] The water droplets scattered from the rotary plate 52 fly through the space (liquid atomization chamber 15) surrounded by the collision wall 17, collide with the collision wall 17, and are atomized. On the other hand, the air passing through the liquid atomization chamber 15 moves from below to the outside of the collision wall 17 while containing the water droplets crushed (atomized) by the collision wall 17. Then, the air containing the water droplets passes through the second eliminator 58 and the first eliminator 56 in this order. Thereby, the liquid atomization section 14 can humidify the air sucked from the suction port 14a and blow out the humidified air from the blowout port 14b. The first eliminator 56 and the second eliminator 58 collect relatively large water droplets, and the collected water droplets return to the mixed water in the water storage section 16 again. Therefore, relatively large water droplets contained in the air in the air passages A2 and A3 can be prevented from being discharged outside the liquid atomization section 14.

[0056] The liquid atomization section 14 changes the rotational speed of the motor 54 according to the output signal from the control section 41 and adjusts the humidifying ability (humidifying amount). The humidifying amount can also be said to be the addition amount for adding an air purification component to the air. The control section 41 controls the rotational speed of the motor 54 based on the temperature measurement value and the humidity measurement value detected by the temperature and humidity sensor 72.

[0057] Next, the water stop mechanism and the drainage mechanism of the water storage section 16 by the drain port 16b and the lift pipe 50 will be described. In the liquid atomization unit 14, when the humidifying operation is started and the motor 54 rotates, a vortex is generated in the mixed water in the water storage section 16 inside the water lift pipe 50 due to the centrifugal force of the rotation. Then, the water lift pipe 50 forms a gap communicating between the water outlet 50a and the drain outlet 16b at the center of the vortex generated by its rotation. As a result, the gap blocks the drain outlet 16b, suppressing the mixed water in the water storage section 16 from flowing into the drain outlet 16b. That is, in the liquid atomization unit 14, during the humidifying operation, it is possible to suppress the drainage of the mixed water in the water storage section 16 from the drain outlet 16b.

[0058] On the other hand, when the rotation of the motor 54 (water lift pipe 50) stops, the gap disappears along with the vortex, and the mixed water in the water storage section 16 flows out from the drain outlet 16b. That is, in the liquid atomization unit 14, by stopping the humidifying operation (rotation operation of the motor 54), the mixed water in the water storage section 16 can be drained from the drain outlet 16b.

[0059] In this way, the liquid atomization unit 14 can suppress (stop the water flow) the drainage of the mixed water in the water storage section 16 from the drain outlet 16b during the humidifying operation without using a drain valve at the drain outlet 16b, and can drain the mixed water in the water storage section 16 from the drain outlet 16b after the humidifying operation is stopped. Therefore, the liquid atomization unit 14 can do without a drain valve.

[0060] Here, even if the mixed water decreases to near the water shortage level L2 due to humidification, during the rotation of the motor 54, a vortex is generated in the mixed water in the water storage section 16, and the drainage continues to be suppressed. When the mixed water decreases to near the water shortage level L2, as described above, the water supply section 32 starts water supply, and the hypochlorous acid water supply section 28 starts supplying a predetermined amount of hypochlorous acid water. In this embodiment, since water and hypochlorous acid water are supplied toward the first eliminator 56, the water flowing out from the outlet 30a and the hypochlorous acid water flowing out from the outlet 34a first hit the upper surface of the first eliminator 56. Therefore, the momentum (water pressure) of the supplied water and hypochlorous acid water is weakened by the first eliminator 56, and the water and hypochlorous acid water with weakened momentum pass through the first eliminator 56 and are added to the mixed water in the water storage section 16.

[0061] Therefore, it is possible to suppress disturbing the vortex flow in the water storage section 16 by the supplied water and the momentum of the hypochlorous acid water. Thus, it becomes difficult to prevent the pumping by the pumping pipe 50, and the gap communicating between the pumping port 50a and the drain port 16b can be maintained, so that the mixed water in the water storage section 16 can be suppressed from leaking out of the drain port 16b. Therefore, the mixed water in the water storage section 16 can be effectively utilized without being wasted.

[0062] In particular, since the water supply pressure from the water pipe is applied to the water supply section 32, the momentum of the water supplied from the water supply section 32 to the water storage section 16 is stronger than the momentum of the hypochlorous acid water supplied from the hypochlorous acid water supply section 28 to the water storage section 16. Therefore, the effect of weakening the momentum of the water supply from the water supply section 32 by the first eliminator 56 is great.

[0063] Also, since a part of the second eliminator 58 is immersed in the mixed water in the water storage section 16, it is possible to make it difficult to create a vortex flow outside the centrifugal direction of the second eliminator 58. As a result, it becomes easier to further suppress the disturbance of the vortex flow.

[0064] As shown in FIG. 1, an operating device 70 is installed on the wall surface of the indoor space 62. The operating device 70 includes a user interface that can be operated by the user, and receives a humidity set value and a setting of an operation mode from the user. The operation mode includes a mode for designating the amount of hypochlorous acid in the air, such as a deodorization mode, a sterilization mode, and a normal mode. The operating device 70 includes a temperature and humidity sensor 72, and the temperature and humidity sensor 72 measures the temperature and humidity of the air in the indoor space 62. Since known techniques may be used for measuring the temperature and humidity in the temperature and humidity sensor 72, the description is omitted here.

[0065] The operating device 70 is connected to the control unit 41 by wire or wirelessly, and transmits the humidity set value, the humidity measured value, and the operation mode information to the control unit 41. All of these pieces of information may be transmitted together, any two or more of them may be transmitted together, or each of them may be transmitted.

[0066] The control unit 41 controls the purification conveyance fan 12, the hypochlorous acid water generation unit 19, and the liquid atomization unit 14. The control unit 41 controls the supply amount of hypochlorous acid water and the supply amount of water to the liquid atomization unit 14, thereby controlling the concentration of hypochlorous acid in the mixed water of the liquid atomization unit 14. More specifically, the control unit 41 controls the concentration of hypochlorous acid in the mixed water based on the required humidification amount. For example, when a small humidification amount is required, the control unit 41 increases the concentration of hypochlorous acid in the mixed water. Thereby, while satisfying the required amount of hypochlorous acid, the humidity can be properly maintained. On the other hand, when there is a requirement for a large humidification amount, if the concentration of hypochlorous acid in the mixed water is high, a large amount of hypochlorous acid will be supplied to the indoor space 62 together with a large amount of moisture, and the hypochlorous acid concentration in the indoor space 62 will increase. As a result, the smell of hypochlorous acid becomes strong in the indoor space 62, and depending on the amount, it may become unpleasant for the user. Therefore, when such a large required humidification amount is present, by lowering the concentration of hypochlorous acid in the mixed water, the amount of humidification sent into the indoor space 62 can be increased while reducing the amount of hypochlorous acid. Therefore, the control unit 41 can simultaneously control the amount of hypochlorous acid released and the humidity.

[0067] Note that the control unit 41 may control the concentration of hypochlorous acid in the mixed water of the atomization unit 14 based on the required amount of hypochlorous acid. For example, when the required humidification amount is small, the control unit 41 increases the concentration of hypochlorous acid in the mixed water as the required amount of hypochlorous acid increases. On the other hand, when the required humidification amount is large, the control unit 41 decreases the concentration of hypochlorous acid in the mixed water as the required amount of hypochlorous acid increases.

[0068] The subject of the apparatus, system, or method in the present disclosure includes a computer. By executing a program on this computer, the functions of the subject of the apparatus, system, or method in the present disclosure are realized. The computer mainly includes a processor that operates according to the program as a hardware configuration. The type of the processor is not limited as long as it can realize functions by executing the program. The processor is composed of one or more electronic circuits including a semiconductor integrated circuit (IC) or LSI (Large Scale Integration). The plurality of electronic circuits may be integrated on one chip or provided on a plurality of chips. The plurality of chips may be integrated into one device or provided in a plurality of devices. The program is recorded on a non-transitory recording medium such as a computer-readable ROM (Read Only Memory), optical disk, or hard disk drive. The program may be pre-stored in the recording medium or supplied to the recording medium via a wide area communication network including the Internet or the like.

[0069] According to this embodiment, by supplying water from the water supply unit 32 toward the first eliminator 56, the turbulence of the vortex in the water storage unit 16 caused by the supplied water can be suppressed, and the leakage of the mixed water in the water storage unit 16 from the drain port 16b can be suppressed. Therefore, the water tightness of the water storage unit 16 can be enhanced during the rotation of the lift pipe 50.

[0070] As described above, the present disclosure has been described based on the embodiments. It should be understood by those skilled in the art that these embodiments are illustrative, and various modifications are possible for each component or combination of each processing process, and such modifications are also within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0071] For example, in the embodiment, the liquid atomization unit 14 atomizes water containing an air purification component and includes it in the air, but the water to be atomized may not contain an air purification component. In this case, the space purification device 10 functions as a humidifying device.

[0072] The summary of one aspect of the present disclosure is as follows. A liquid atomization device (14) according to an aspect of the present disclosure is a liquid atomization device (14) that sucks air drawn in from a suction port (14a), includes atomized water, and blows it out from a blowout port (14b), and has a water intake port (50a) vertically downward, and a cylindrical water lift pipe (50) that discharges the water lifted from the water intake port (50a) in the centrifugal direction as the rotary shaft (55) rotates; a collision wall (17) that atomizes the water by the collision of the water discharged from the water lift pipe (50); a water storage section (16) that is provided vertically below the water lift pipe (50) and stores the water lifted from the water intake port (50a); a drain port (16b) that is arranged on the bottom surface (16a) of the water storage section (16) and drains the stored water; a first eliminator (56) that is arranged vertically above the water storage section (16) and collects a part of the water droplets atomized by the collision wall (17); and a water supply section (32) that supplies water toward the first eliminator (56). The water lift pipe (50) generates a vortex in the water of the water storage section (16) by rotation inside the water lift pipe (50), and forms a gap that communicates between the water intake port (50a) and the drain port (16b) at the center of the vortex.

[0073] A second eliminator (58) may be provided, which is arranged at least partially around the water lift pipe (50) and has a part immersed in the water of the water storage section (16).

[0074] A hypochlorous acid water supply section (28) that supplies hypochlorous acid water toward the first eliminator (56) may be provided.

Industrial Applicability

[0075] The liquid atomization device according to the present disclosure is useful as a device that atomizes a liquid and includes it in air.

Explanation of Signs

[0076] 1 housing, 2, 2a, 2c suction ports, 3, 3a, 3c blowout ports, 5 purification air passage, 8a, 8c, 9a, 9c air, 10 space purification device, 11 HEPA filter, 12 purification conveyance fan, 14 liquid atomization unit, 14a suction port, 14b blowout port, 15 liquid atomization chamber, 16 water storage section, 16a bottom surface, 16b drain port, 16c bottom surface, 17 collision wall, 18 water level detection section, 19 hypochlorous acid water generation section, 20 electrolytic cell, 22 first electromagnetic valve, 23 brine tank, 24 brine conveyance pump, 28 hypochlorous acid water supply section, 29 hypochlorous acid water conveyance pump, 30 water supply pipe, 32 water supply section, 33 second electromagnetic valve, 34 water supply pipe, 36 connection port, 38 drain pan, 41 control section, 50 lift pipe, 50a lift port, 52 rotating plate, 54 motor, 55 rotating shaft, 56 first eliminator, 58 second eliminator, 62 indoor space, 64a, 64c ducts, 65a, 65c indoor suction ports, 67 duct, 67a, 67c low-reactivity ducts, 68a, 68c indoor blowout ports, 70 operation device, 72 temperature and humidity sensor, 100 space purification system, A1, A2, A3 air passages.

Claims

1. A liquid atomization device that sucks in air from a suction port, includes atomized water in the sucked-in air, and blows out the mixture from a blowout port, comprising: a cylindrical water lifting pipe having a water lifting port vertically downward, and discharging the water lifted from the water lifting port in a centrifugal direction as the rotating shaft rotates; a collision wall that atomizes the water when the water discharged from the water lifting pipe collides therewith; a water storage part provided vertically below the water lifting pipe for storing the water lifted from the water lifting port; a drain port disposed on the bottom surface of the water storage part for draining the stored water; a first eliminator disposed vertically above the water storage part for collecting a part of the water droplets atomized by the collision wall; a water supply part for supplying water toward the first eliminator; and the water lifting pipe generates a vortex in the water of the water storage part by the rotation inside the water lifting pipe, and forms a gap communicating between the water lifting port and the drain port at the center of the vortex; a liquid atomization device comprising a second eliminator disposed at least partially around the water lifting pipe and having a part immersed in the water of the water storage part.

2. The liquid atomization device according to claim 1, further comprising a hypochlorous acid water supply part for supplying hypochlorous acid water toward the first eliminator.

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