Space Purification Device

Abstract

To provide an art increasing a humidification amount due to hypochlorous acid water and also suppressing corrosion of a heater caused by a hypochlorous acid water.SOLUTION: In a space purification device, a housing forms an outline. A purification air passage is provided in the casing. A hypochlorous acid water generation part generates hypochlorous acid water. An atomization part atomizes the hypochlorous acid water generated by the hypochlorous acid water generation part and discharges the water into the purification air passage. A purification conveying fan 12a guides the air to the downstream from the upstream of the purification air passage. A heater 90 heats the air passing through the purification air passage. A centrifugal fan 80 has a cylindrical shape provided with a suction port 81 at least on its top surface and provided with blades 82 on its side surface. A casing 85 includes a centrifugal fan 80 and has an exhaust port 87 at the downstream. An atomization part 14 is located at the downstream of the exhaust port 87 of the purification conveying fan 12a. The heater 90 is located on the upstream of the suction port 81.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to space purification technology, and in particular to a space purification device that sprays water containing hypochlorous acid water. [Background technology]

[0002] A spatial sterilization and deodorization device sprays fine water particles of a chemical agent, such as hypochlorous acid water, to sterilize a target area. For example, the liquid atomization chamber of the spatial sterilization and deodorization device releases water droplets from a hypochlorous acid solution stored in a water storage unit. The water droplets are blown by a blower unit through an air duct and released from an outlet into the target area (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] WO 20 / 158850 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] By combining an air conditioning device and a space purification device, temperature and humidity are regulated simultaneously. For example, to increase humidity, the temperature is increased while the amount of hypochlorous acid water droplets emitted is increased. Within the space purification device, a heater is placed upstream of the atomization section that emits hypochlorous acid water droplets, and the amount of water droplets emitted is further increased by heating the air with the heater. However, if hypochlorous acid water adheres to the heater, it may cause corrosion.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of these circumstances, and its purpose is to provide a technology that can increase the amount of humidification using hypochlorous acid water and suppress corrosion of the heater caused by hypochlorous acid water. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] To solve the above problems, an air purification device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes a housing forming an outer shell, a purification air duct provided within the housing, a hypochlorous acid water generator that generates hypochlorous acid water, a micronization unit that micronizes the hypochlorous acid water generated by the hypochlorous acid water generator and releases it into the purification air duct, a purification transport fan that guides air from upstream to downstream of the purification air duct, and a heater that heats the air passing through the purification air duct. The purification transport fan includes a cylindrical centrifugal fan with an air intake on at least its top surface and blades on its side, and a casing that houses the centrifugal fan and has an exhaust port downstream. The micronization unit is located downstream of the exhaust port of the purification transport fan, and the heater is located upstream of the air intake.

[0007] Any combination of the above components and conversion of the expressions of the present disclosure into methods, devices, systems, etc. are also valid aspects of the present disclosure. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present disclosure, the amount of humidification by hypochlorous acid water can be increased and corrosion of the heater by hypochlorous acid water can be suppressed. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a space purification system according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of the space purification device of FIG. [Figure 3] 3 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view of the space purification device of FIG. 2 taken along line AA. [Figure 4] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the internal configuration of the space purification device of FIG. 2. [Figure 5] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the purification transport fan and heater of FIG. 2 as viewed from the front side. [Figure 6] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the purification transport fan of FIG. 2 as seen from the rear side. [Figure 7] 6 is a cross-sectional view of the cleaning transport fan and heater taken along line BB in FIG. 5. [Figure 8]FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of a micronization unit, a hypochlorous acid water generation unit, and their peripheral components in FIG. 2. [Figure 9] 3 is a diagram showing an example of the path and volume of airflow during heating in the space purification device of FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 10] 2 is a diagram showing an example of the path and volume of airflow during cooling in the space purification device of FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the configuration of a space purification system according to a second embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing the configuration of the space purification device of FIG. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the purification transport fan and heater of FIG. 12. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Before describing specific examples of the present disclosure, an overview of the examples will be provided. This example relates to a space purification system that adjusts temperature and humidity indoors and sprays water containing a component that purifies the air (hereinafter referred to as "air purification component"). The space purification system includes an air conditioner that performs air conditioning control, and a space purification device that adjusts humidity and sprays water containing the air purification component. The air purification component may be, for example, hypochlorous acid, which has bactericidal or deodorizing properties. This sterilizes or deodorizes the room.

[0011] As described above, the amount of water droplets emitted can be increased by heating the air with a heater located upstream of the atomization section that atomizes the hypochlorous acid water and releases it into the air. It is preferable to place the heater near the atomization section in order to further increase the temperature of the air near the atomization section. However, if the heater is located near the atomization section, the scattered hypochlorous acid water is likely to adhere to the heater. Adhesion of hypochlorous acid water to the heater may cause corrosion of the heater.

[0012] Therefore, in this embodiment, a centrifugal fan having a cylindrical shape with an intake port on the top surface and blades on the side is provided, and a casing containing the centrifugal fan and having an exhaust port downstream is provided. The atomization unit that atomizes the hypochlorous acid water is located downstream of the exhaust port of the atomization unit, and the heater is located upstream of the centrifugal fan's intake port. As a result, even if the hypochlorous acid water atomized by the atomization unit and released into the air passes through the blades of the centrifugal fan and reaches the inside of the centrifugal fan, the hypochlorous acid water is unlikely to adhere to the heater. Therefore, corrosion of the heater can be suppressed.

[0013] The examples described below each illustrate a preferred specific example of the present disclosure. Therefore, the numerical values, shapes, materials, components, component placement and connection configurations, steps (processes), and step order shown in the following examples are merely examples and are not intended to limit the present disclosure. Therefore, among the components in the following examples, components that are not described in the independent claims that represent the highest concept of the present disclosure are described as optional components. Furthermore, in each drawing, substantially identical components are designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions are omitted or simplified.

[0014] Example 1 1 shows the configuration of a space purification system 100 of Example 1. The space purification system 100 is a device that, when circulating air in an indoor space 62 (also referred to as "room"), performs cooling (dehumidification) or heating treatment on air (RA) from the indoor space 62 as needed, and also adds air purification components together with atomized water to the air circulating inside. The space purification system 100 sterilizes and deodorizes the indoor space 62 by supplying the air (SA) that has circulated inside to the indoor space 62.

[0015] The space purification system 100 includes a space purification device 10, an air conditioner 50, an outdoor unit 60, an operating device 70, a duct 64a, a duct 64b, a duct 64c, a low-reactivity duct 67a, and a high-reactivity duct 67b.

[0016] The air conditioning device 50 is, for example, a four-way cassette air conditioner embedded in the ceiling of the indoor space 62. The air conditioning device 50 includes a main body 51 located above the ceiling and a decorative panel 52 arranged on the indoor space 62 side of the main body 51. The decorative panel 52 is provided with an air inlet 53 and an air outlet 54. The decorative panel 52 is provided with four air outlets 54, two of which are closed so as not to blow out air. Therefore, in FIG. 1 , the closed air outlets 54 are not shown, and only one air outlet 54 is shown. The air conditioning device 50 is also provided with an air outlet 55 on the side of the main body 51. Note that the four air outlets 54 of the decorative panel 52 may be able to blow out air, or all four air outlets 54 may be closed so as not to blow out air.

[0017] The air conditioner 50 is capable of at least one of heating and cooling air. The air conditioner 50 performs air conditioning control on air 8b (RA) drawn in from the indoor space 62 through an air inlet 53, and sends out a portion of the air-conditioned air, air 8d (AC), from an air outlet 55 to the space purification device 10, and sends out the remaining air 8e of the air-conditioned air from two air outlets 54 to the indoor space 62.

[0018] An outdoor unit 60 is connected to the air conditioner 50. The outdoor unit 60 is an outdoor unit installed in an outdoor space. The outdoor unit 60 has a general configuration, so a detailed description will be omitted.

[0019] The configuration of the space purification system 100 will be further described with reference to Figs. 2 to 4 in addition to Fig. 1. Fig. 2 shows the configuration of the space purification device 10 in Fig. 1. Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of the interior of the space purification device 10 in Fig. 1 seen from the top side. Fig. 3 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view of the space purification device 10 in Fig. 2 taken along line AA. Note that some components are not shown in Fig. 3. Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing the internal configuration of the space purification device 10 in Fig. 2. Note that Fig. 4 shows the space purification device 10 with the top side of the housing removed.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 2, the space purification device 10 includes a housing 1, a purified air duct 5a, a non-purified air duct 5b, a micronization unit 14, a hypochlorous acid water generation unit 19, a hypochlorous acid water supply unit 28, a water supply unit 32, a first HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filter 11a, a second HEPA filter 11b, a purified transport fan 12a, a non-purified transport fan 12b, a heater 90, a first temperature and humidity sensor 40a, a second temperature and humidity sensor 40b, and a control unit 41.

[0021] As shown in Figures 2 to 4, the housing 1 forms the outer shell of the space purification device 10. The housing 1 has an intake port 2a, an intake port 2b, an intake port 2c, an outlet port 3a, an outlet port 3b, a partition wall 6, a first damper 7a, a second damper 7b, a third damper 7c, and a fourth damper 7d. The intake port 2a, the intake port 2b, and the intake port 2c are collectively referred to as an intake port 2, and the outlet port 3a and the outlet port 3b are collectively referred to as an outlet 3. The first damper 7a, the second damper 7b, the third damper 7c, and the fourth damper 7d are collectively referred to as a damper 7.

[0022] 2 and 4, air inlets 2a, 2b, and 2c are arranged on one side of housing 1. Air inlet 2b is arranged between air inlets 2a and 2c. Air outlets 3a and 3b are arranged on the other side of housing 1 (the side opposite to the one side of housing 1).

[0023] The air inlets 2a and 2c are intakes through which air 8a and air 8c outside the housing 1, obtained from the indoor space 62, are respectively introduced into the space purification device 10. The air 8a and air 8c obtained from the indoor space 62 can also be called non-temperature-controlled air that has not been temperature-controlled outside the housing 1. The air inlets 2a and 2c can also be called non-temperature-controlled air inlets.

[0024] 1, air inlet 2a is connected to an indoor air inlet 65a provided on the ceiling or the like of indoor space 62 via duct 64a. Air inlet 2c is connected to an indoor air inlet 65c provided on the ceiling or the like of indoor space 62 via duct 64c. This allows air inlet 2a to draw air 8a from indoor space 62 into the space purification device 10 through indoor air inlet 65a. Air inlet 2c can draw air 8c from indoor space 62 into the space purification device 10 through indoor air inlet 65c.

[0025] Indoor air inlet 65c does not have to be provided. In this case, one end of duct 64a may be connected to indoor air inlet 65a, and the other end of duct 64a may be branched and connected to air inlet 2a and air inlet 2c.

[0026] The air inlet 2b is an intake port through which air 8d from the air conditioner 50, i.e., temperature-controlled air whose temperature has been adjusted by the air conditioner 50 outside the housing 1, is taken into the space purification device 10. The air inlet 2b can also be called a temperature-controlled air inlet. The air inlet 2b is in communication with the air outlet 55 of the air conditioner 50 via a duct 64b.

[0027] The air outlet 3a is an outlet that discharges 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 3b is an outlet that discharges air 9b (SA) that has circulated inside the space purification device 10 into the indoor space 62.

[0028] 1, the air outlet 3a is in communication 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 3b is in communication with an indoor air outlet 68b provided on the ceiling or the like of the indoor space 62 via a high-reactivity duct 67b. This allows the air outlet 3a to blow out air 9a that has circulated through the space purification device 10 from the indoor air outlet 68a toward the indoor space 62. The air outlet 3b is in communication with an indoor air outlet 68b toward the indoor space 62 via the indoor air outlet 68b.

[0029] The low-reactivity duct 67a is a duct connected downstream of the purification air duct 5a, and has an inner wall made of a low-reactivity material that is poorly reactive with hypochlorous acid water. The low-reactivity material is, for example, a polyolefin-based material. The polyolefin-based material includes, for example, at least one of polyethylene and polypropylene.

[0030] The highly reactive duct 67b is a duct connected downstream of the non-purified air duct 5b, and its inner wall is made of a highly reactive material that reacts more readily with hypochlorous acid water than a low-reactive material. The highly reactive material is, for example, polyethylene terephthalate. The specific surface area of ​​the highly reactive material is larger than that of the low-reactive material.

[0031] 2, the purification air duct 5a is provided in the housing 1 and connects the intake ports 2a and 2b with the outlet port 3a. The non-purification air duct 5b is provided in the housing 1 independently of the purification air duct 5a and connects the intake ports 2c and 2b with the outlet port 3b.

[0032] Partition wall 6 separates purification air passage 5a and non-purification air passage 5b from downstream of inlet 2 to outlet 3. Purification air passage 5a and non-purification air passage 5b are arranged in parallel with each other.

[0033] Damper 7 distributes air into purified air duct 5a and non-purified air duct 5b downstream of inlet port 2. Damper 7 distributes at least one of temperature-controlled air and non-temperature-controlled air into purified air duct 5a and non-purified air duct 5b.

[0034] By adjusting the degree of opening and closing, damper 7 increases or decreases the volume of air circulating from air inlet 2 into housing 1. More specifically, first damper 7a increases or decreases the volume of air 8a circulating from air inlet 2a into purified air duct 5a. Second damper 7b increases or decreases the volume of air 8d circulating from air inlet 2b into purified air duct 5a. Third damper 7c increases or decreases the volume of air 8d circulating from air inlet 2b into non-purification air duct 5b. Fourth damper 7d increases or decreases the volume of air 8c circulating from air inlet 2c into non-purification air duct 5b. Details of air distribution by damper 7 will be described later.

[0035] The first temperature and humidity sensor 40a is disposed downstream of the air inlet 2b, measures the temperature and humidity of the air 8d that flows in through the air inlet 2b, and outputs the measured values ​​to the control unit 41.

[0036] The purification air duct 5a is an air duct through which at least one of air 8a and air 8d flows depending on the opening and closing degree of the damper 7. A first HEPA filter 11a, a purification conveying fan 12a, and a micronization unit 14 are provided in the purification air duct 5a in this order from upstream to downstream. A heater 90 is provided inside the casing of the purification conveying fan 12a. A second temperature and humidity sensor 40b is provided in the purification air duct 5a between the purification conveying fan 12a and the micronization unit 14. The second temperature and humidity sensor 40b measures the temperature and humidity of the air between the purification conveying fan 12a and the micronization unit 14 and outputs the measurement values ​​to the control unit 41.

[0037] The non-purification air duct 5b is an air duct through which at least one of air 8c and air 8d flows depending on the opening and closing degree of the damper 7. A second HEPA filter 11b, a non-purification transport fan 12b, and a hypochlorous acid water generator 19 are provided in this order from upstream to downstream in the non-purification air duct 5b. The non-purification air duct 5b also includes a hypochlorous acid water supplier 28, a water supplier 32, a strainer 36, a drain pump 38, and a drain drain 39, which are provided downstream of the non-purification transport fan 12b and near the hypochlorous acid water generator 19. In the non-purification air duct 5b, air is not purified by the hypochlorous acid water in the atomization unit 14, but is purified by the second HEPA filter 11b.

[0038] In this way, the purification conveying fan 12a, the non-purification conveying fan 12b, the hypochlorous acid water generating unit 19, the hypochlorous acid water supply unit 28, the water supply unit 32, the strainer 36, the drainage pump 38, and the drainage drain 39 are not arranged downstream of the micronization unit 14.

[0039] The first HEPA filter 11a and the second HEPA filter 11b are air filters that remove dirt, dust, and the like from the air that has flowed into the space purification device 10, and output purified air.

[0040] The purification transport fan 12a is a device for transporting the air that has passed through the first HEPA filter 11a along the purification air duct 5a to the air outlet 3a. The purification transport fan 12a generates an air flow in the purification air duct 5a and guides the air from upstream to downstream of the purification air duct 5a.

[0041] Non-purification transfer fan 12b is a device for transferring the air that has passed through second HEPA filter 11b along non-purification air duct 5b to air outlet 3b. Non-purification transfer fan 12b generates an air flow in non-purification air duct 5b and guides the air from upstream to downstream of non-purification air duct 5b.

[0042] The air volume, i.e., the rotation speed, of each of the purifying conveying fan 12a and the non-purifying conveying fan 12b is controlled in accordance with an output signal from the control unit 41. When the purifying conveying fan 12a is operated, air is sent to the micronization unit 14. When the non-purifying conveying fan 12b is operated, air is sent to the hypochlorous acid water generation unit 19.

[0043] Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the purification transport fan 12a and heater 90 of Fig. 2, seen from the front side. Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the purification transport fan 12a of Fig. 2, seen from the rear side. Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the purification transport fan 12a and heater 90 of Fig. 5, taken along line BB.

[0044] The purification conveying fan 12a includes a centrifugal fan 80, a casing 85, and a motor 88. The centrifugal fan 80 has a generally cylindrical shape with an air intake 81 on at least the top surface and multiple blades 82 on the side surfaces. Either of the two opposing surfaces of the cylindrical shape of the centrifugal fan 80 may be referred to as the top surface. In addition to the air intake 81, the centrifugal fan 80 may also have an air intake on the bottom surface opposite the top surface. The centrifugal fan 80 may have a known configuration.

[0045] The casing 85 houses the centrifugal fan 80 and has an intake port 86 on the upstream side and an exhaust port 87 on the downstream side. The intake port 86 of the casing 85 communicates with the intake port 81 of the centrifugal fan 80. The direction in which the exhaust port 87 of the casing 85 faces and the direction in which the intake port 81 of the centrifugal fan 80 faces intersect, and in this embodiment, are approximately perpendicular. The intake port 86 is the intake port of the purification transport fan 12a, and the exhaust port 87 is the exhaust port of the purification transport fan 12a.

[0046] The motor 88 is disposed on the rear side of the purification transport fan 12a and rotates the centrifugal fan 80. The atomization section 14 is located downstream of the exhaust port 87 of the purification transport fan 12a.

[0047] The heater 90 is located upstream of the air intake 81 of the centrifugal fan 80, and heats the air passing through the centrifugal fan 80, i.e., the air passing through the cleaning air duct 5a. The heater 90 is provided adjacent to the top surface of the centrifugal fan 80 and covers the air intake 81. The heater 90 may have any shape as long as it can heat the air while allowing it to pass through, and may have, for example, a lattice shape.

[0048] The heater 90 may be, for example, a PTC (Positive Temperature Coefficient) heater, which tends to be stable at a constant temperature. A PTC heater increases its resistance when it reaches a certain temperature, controlling the current, and therefore can use power efficiently to generate heat quickly. Furthermore, by using a PTC heater, it is possible to generate heat appropriately without feedback control using a temperature sensor. Note that the heater 90 is not limited to a PTC heater, and a nichrome wire heater, for example, may also be used as the heater 90.

[0049] As the centrifugal fan 80 rotates, air upstream of the purification transport fan 12a passes through the heater 90 from the air intake port 86 and is drawn into the air intake port 81 of the centrifugal fan 80. The air drawn into the centrifugal fan 80 from the air intake port 81 passes between the blades 82 of the centrifugal fan 80 and is discharged from the exhaust port 87 toward the atomization section 14.

[0050] FIG. 8 shows the atomization unit 14, hypochlorous acid water generation unit 19, and their peripheral configurations in FIG. 2. The atomization unit 14 is a unit for humidifying the air taken into the purification air duct 5a, and during humidification, the air is made to contain hypochlorous acid as an air purification component along with atomized water. The atomization unit 14 can also be called an air purification unit. The atomization unit 14 atomizes the hypochlorous acid water generated by the hypochlorous acid water generation unit 19 by centrifugal crushing and releases it into the air. The atomized hypochlorous acid water is released outside the housing 1 with the liquid component evaporated.

[0051] 8, the micronization section 14 has a centrifugal crushing unit 15, a mixing tank 16, and a water level sensor 17. The micronization section 14 has a centrifugal crushing type configuration in which the centrifugal crushing unit 15 is rotated using a humidifying motor (not shown), and the hypochlorous acid water stored in the mixing tank 16 is sucked up by centrifugal force, scattered, collided, and crushed in the surroundings (centrifugal direction), and the air passing through is moistened.

[0052] The micronization unit 14 adjusts the humidification capacity (amount of humidification) by changing the rotation speed of the humidification motor in response to an output signal from the control unit 41. The amount of humidification can also be considered as the amount of air purification component added to the air. The control unit 41 controls the rotation speed of the centrifugal crushing unit 15 based on the temperature and humidity measurements detected by the third temperature and humidity sensor 72.

[0053] The water level sensor 17 measures the water level of the hypochlorous acid water in the mixing tank 16 and outputs the measurement value to the control unit 41.

[0054] The hypochlorous acid water generator 19 includes an electrolytic cell 20 , an electrode 21 , an electromagnetic valve 22 , a saltwater tank 23 , a saltwater transfer pump 24 , and a check valve 25 .

[0055] 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 and check valve 25 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. In response to an output signal from the control unit 41, tap water is also supplied to the electrolytic cell 20 from a water supply pipe, such as a tap, via a strainer 36 and an electromagnetic valve 22. The supplied tap water and brine are mixed together to store brine of a predetermined concentration. The electrodes 21 are disposed in the electrolytic cell 20, and in response to an output signal from the control unit 41, they electrolyze the brine by applying current to produce hypochlorous acid water of a predetermined concentration.

[0056] That is, the electrolytic cell 20 generates hypochlorous acid water by electrolyzing a chloride aqueous solution (e.g., salt water) as an electrolyte between a pair of electrodes. A general device is used for the electrolytic cell 20, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted. The electrolyte is not particularly limited as long as it is capable of generating hypochlorous acid water and contains even a small amount of chloride ions, and examples thereof include aqueous solutions in which sodium chloride, calcium chloride, magnesium chloride, etc. are dissolved as solutes. Hydrochloric acid is also acceptable. In this embodiment, an aqueous chloride solution (salt water) in which sodium chloride is added to water is used as the electrolyte.

[0057] The hypochlorous acid water supply unit 28 supplies hypochlorous acid water from the electrolytic bath 20 to the mixing bath 16 of the micronization unit 14 in response to an output signal from the control unit 41. The hypochlorous acid water supply unit 28 has a hypochlorous acid water transfer pump 29 and a water supply pipe 30. The hypochlorous acid water transfer pump 29 sends out hypochlorous acid water from the electrolytic bath 20 to the water supply pipe 30 in response to an output signal from the control unit 41. The water supply pipe 30 is connected between the hypochlorous acid water transfer pump 29 and the mixing bath 16, and supplies hypochlorous acid water toward the mixing bath 16.

[0058] The water supply unit 32 supplies water to the mixing tank 16 in response to an output signal from the control unit 41. The water supply unit 32 has a solenoid valve 33 and a water supply pipe 34. In response to an output signal from the control unit 41, the solenoid valve 33 controls whether or not water supplied from a water pipe outside the space purification device 10 via a strainer 36 flows into the water supply pipe 34. The water supply pipe 34 is connected between the solenoid valve 33 and the mixing tank 16, and supplies water toward the mixing tank 16.

[0059] In this way, the hypochlorous acid water and water are mixed in the mixing tank 16 of the micronization unit 14. The mixed water of hypochlorous acid water and water can also be called hypochlorous acid water. The micronization unit 14 sprays the hypochlorous acid water into the indoor space 62 by centrifugal crushing the mixed water of hypochlorous acid water and water stored in the mixing tank 16.

[0060] 3 and 8, the drain pan 37 is disposed below the atomization unit 14, the hypochlorous acid water generation unit 19 (electrolytic cell 20, brine tank 23), the hypochlorous acid water supply unit 28, and the water supply unit 32, and receives water dropping therefrom. When the water level in the drain pan 37 reaches a predetermined value, the drain pump 38 drains the water in the drain pan 37 into the wastewater drain 39.

[0061] The control unit 41 controls the amount of hypochlorous acid water supplied by the hypochlorous acid water supply unit 28 and the amount of water supplied by the water supply unit 32, based on the level of the mixed water in the mixing tank 16 measured by the water level sensor 17. Since hypochlorous acid water of a predetermined concentration is produced in the electrolytic tank 20, the concentration of hypochlorous acid in the mixed water can be controlled by controlling the amount of hypochlorous acid water supplied by the hypochlorous acid water supply unit 28 and the amount of water supplied by the water supply unit 32, depending on the level of the mixed water in the mixing tank 16. Specifically, when the level of the mixed water drops to a predetermined value, the control unit 41 supplies a predetermined amount of hypochlorous acid water and a predetermined amount of water to the mixing tank 16, thereby raising the level of the mixed water and maintaining the concentration of hypochlorous acid in the mixed water at a substantially constant level.

[0062] The control unit 41 controls the concentration of hypochlorous acid in the mixed water based on the required amount of humidification. For example, when the required amount of hypochlorous acid is small, the control unit 41 decreases the concentration of hypochlorous acid in the mixed water as the required amount of humidification increases. On the other hand, when a large amount of humidification is required, 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. In this case, the odor of hypochlorous acid in the indoor space 62 will be strong, and depending on the amount, it may be uncomfortable for users. In this embodiment, by diluting the supplied hypochlorous acid water with water, the amount of hypochlorous acid in the indoor space 62 can be maintained at an appropriate level even when the amount of humidification is large.

[0063] When a small amount of humidification is required, such as during the Japanese summer (especially the rainy season), by increasing the concentration of hypochlorous acid in the mixed water, the required amount of hypochlorous acid can be met and the humidity can be maintained at an appropriate level.

[0064] The control unit 41 controls the concentration of hypochlorous acid in the mixed water based on the required amount of hypochlorous acid. For example, when the required amount of humidification is small, the control unit 41 increases the concentration of hypochlorous acid in the mixed water as the required amount of hypochlorous acid increases.

[0065] When a large amount of hypochlorous acid is required, such as when there is a strong odor, if the concentration of hypochlorous acid in the mixed water is low, a large amount of water will be supplied to the indoor space 62 along with the hypochlorous acid, causing an increase in humidity. In particular, in the Japanese summer, where humidity needs to be reduced, if the required amount of humidification is small, increasing the concentration of hypochlorous acid in the mixed water can reduce the amount of humidification and allow a large amount of hypochlorous acid to be supplied to the indoor space 62. On the other hand, in situations where there is no odor, lowering the concentration of hypochlorous acid in the mixed water can reduce the amount of hypochlorous acid and humidification supplied to the indoor space 62. Therefore, the amount of hypochlorous acid released and the humidity can be controlled simultaneously.

[0066] When a large amount of humidification is required, such as in the winter in Japan, the concentration of hypochlorous acid in the mixed water can be reduced to meet the required amount of hypochlorous acid while maintaining appropriate humidity.

[0067] The control unit 41 controls the concentration of hypochlorous acid in the mixed water based on the required amount of hypochlorous acid. For example, when the required amount of humidification 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] When a large amount of humidification is required, 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 along with a large amount of water, raising the concentration of hypochlorous acid in the indoor space 62. This will cause the odor of hypochlorous acid to become stronger in the indoor space 62, and depending on the amount, this may be uncomfortable for users. Therefore, when a large amount of humidification is required, the concentration of hypochlorous acid in the mixed water can be lowered to increase the amount of humidification supplied to the indoor space 62 while reducing the amount of hypochlorous acid. Therefore, the amount of hypochlorous acid released and humidity can be controlled simultaneously.

[0069] As shown in FIG. 1, an operating device 70 is installed on a wall surface of the indoor space 62. The operating device 70 has a user interface that can be operated by a user, and accepts settings of a temperature setting value, a humidity setting value, and an operation mode from the user. The operation modes include modes that specify the amount of hypochlorous acid in the air, such as a deodorizing mode, a sterilizing mode, and a normal mode. The operating device 70 includes a third temperature and humidity sensor 72, which measures the temperature and humidity of the air in the indoor space 62. Known technology may be used to measure the temperature and humidity with the third temperature and humidity sensor 72, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted here.

[0070] The operating device 70 is connected to the control unit 41 by wire or wirelessly, and transmits the temperature setting value, humidity setting value, temperature measurement value, humidity measurement value, and operation mode information to the control unit 41. The control unit 41 transfers the received information to the air conditioning apparatus 50. This information may be transmitted all together, or any two or more pieces of information may be transmitted together, or each piece may be transmitted separately. The operating device 70 may also transmit information to the control unit 41 and the air conditioning apparatus 50.

[0071] The air conditioner 50 receives the temperature setting value and the temperature measurement value, switches the operation mode to the heating mode or the cooling mode, and heats or cools the air 8b so that the temperature measurement value approaches the temperature setting value.

[0072] The control unit 41 controls the damper 7, the purification transport fan 12a, the non-purification transport fan 12b, the hypochlorous acid water generator 19, and the atomization unit 14. The control unit 41 keeps the non-purification transport fan 12b operating and does not stop it while hypochlorous acid water is being generated by the hypochlorous acid water generator 19. The control unit 41 may keep the non-purification transport fan 12b operating while hypochlorous acid water remains in the electrolytic bath 20.

[0073] The control unit 41 controls the distribution of air by the damper 7 based on at least one of the operation mode of the air conditioner 50 and the temperature of the air taken in through the temperature control air inlet (inlet 2b).

[0074] The control unit 41 fixes the ratio of the airflow rates through the purified air duct 5a and the non-purified air duct 5b. When the temperature-controlled air taken in through the temperature-controlled air inlet (inlet 2b) is warm air, the control unit 41 controls the damper 7 to increase the amount of temperature-controlled air passing through the purified air duct 5a relative to the amount of temperature-controlled air passing through the non-purified air duct 5b. Here, the case where the air taken in through the temperature-controlled air inlet (inlet 2b) is warm air corresponds to a case where the air conditioner 50 is in heating mode or a case where the temperature of the air taken in through the temperature-controlled air inlet (inlet 2b) is higher than the temperature of the air taken in through the non-temperature-controlled air inlets (inlet 2a, inlet 2c). The temperature of the air taken in through the temperature-controlled air inlet (inlet 2b) is the temperature measurement value of the first temperature and humidity sensor 40a. The temperature of the air taken in through the non-temperature-controlled air inlets (inlet 2a, inlet 2c) is the temperature measurement value of the third temperature and humidity sensor 72. The temperature of the air taken in through the temperature-controlled air inlet (inlet 2b) may be a temperature value estimated based on the temperature setting for the air conditioner 50.

[0075] The control unit 41 controls the air volume of the temperature-controlled air and the non-temperature-controlled air in the purified air duct 5a and the non-purified air duct 5b and the mixing ratio of the temperature-controlled air and the non-temperature-controlled air based on the opening degree of the damper 7, the output of the non-purified conveying fan 12b, and the output of the purified conveying fan 12a.

[0076] FIG. 9 shows an example of the airflow path and airflow volume during heating in the space purification device 10 of FIG. 1. The control unit 41 controls the opening of the second damper 7b and the fourth damper 7d to the maximum and closes the third damper 7c and the first damper 7a. In other words, the first damper 7a sets the volume of air 8a circulating from the air inlet 2a into the purified air duct 5a to zero. The second damper 7b sets the volume of air 8d circulating from the air inlet 2b into the purified air duct 5a to the maximum. The third damper 7c sets the volume of air 8d circulating from the air inlet 2b into the non-purified air duct 5b to zero. The fourth damper 7d sets the volume of air 8c circulating from the air inlet 2c into the non-purified air duct 5b to the maximum.

[0077] Therefore, warm air 8d at a volume of "350" passes through the purification air duct 5a, and this air 8d is humidified by the hypochlorous acid water atomized in the atomization section 14 and is blown out from the outlet 3a as air 9a at a volume of "350". Because the temperature of the air 8d heated by the air conditioner 50 is higher than the temperature of the air 8a in the indoor space 62, the amount of humidification by the hypochlorous acid water can be increased compared to when humidifying the air 8a. The volume of air "350" is determined by the air conditioner 50. The purification transport fan 12a also operates at a rotation speed corresponding to the volume of air "350".

[0078] Here, the air discharged from the purification transport fan 12a is heated by the heater 90, so the amount of humidification by the hypochlorous acid water can be further increased. The heater 90 covers the air intake 81 of the centrifugal fan 80, so the efficiency of heating the air can also be improved.

[0079] The control unit 41 may control the temperature of the heater 90 based on the required amount of hypochlorous acid. The control unit 41 controls the temperature of the heater 90 to be higher as the required amount of hypochlorous acid increases. As a result, the amount of heat applied to the air sent from the purification conveying fan 12a toward the atomization unit 14 increases as the required amount of hypochlorous acid increases, thereby increasing the amount of humidification by the hypochlorous acid water and the amount of hypochlorous acid in the air. In particular, during heating, the temperature of the air 9a can be prevented from dropping below the temperature of the air 8d heated by the air conditioner 50 due to humidification, and the amount of humidification can also be increased.

[0080] Additionally, air 8c at a volume of 400 passes through non-purification air passage 5b and is blown out from outlet 3b as air 9b at a volume of 400. The volume of 400 is determined by the rotation speed of non-purification transfer fan 12b.

[0081] On the other hand, when the temperature-controlled air taken in through the temperature-controlled air inlet (inlet 2b) is cold air and the release of hypochlorous acid water is prioritized over dehumidification, the control unit 41 increases the amount of temperature-controlled air passing through the non-purified air duct 5b more than the amount of temperature-controlled air passing through the purified air duct 5a. Here, when the air taken in through the temperature-controlled air inlet (inlet 2b) is cold air, this corresponds to when the air conditioner 50 is in cooling mode or when the temperature of the air taken in through the temperature-controlled air inlet (inlet 2b) is lower than the temperature of the air taken in through the non-temperature-controlled air inlets (inlet 2a, inlet 2c).

[0082] FIG. 10 shows an example of the airflow path and airflow volume during cooling in the space purification device 10 of FIG. 1. The control unit 41 controls the opening of the first damper 7a, the third damper 7c, and the fourth damper 7d to their maximum and closes the second damper 7b. In other words, the first damper 7a maximizes the volume of air 8a circulating from the air inlet 2a into the purified air duct 5a. The second damper 7b reduces the volume of air 8d circulating from the air inlet 2b into the purified air duct 5a to zero. The third damper 7c maximizes the volume of air 8d circulating from the air inlet 2b into the non-purification air duct 5b. The fourth damper 7d maximizes the volume of air 8c circulating from the air inlet 2c into the non-purification air duct 5b.

[0083] Therefore, air 8a at an air volume of "350" passes through the purification air duct 5a, and this air 8a is humidified with the hypochlorous acid water atomized in the atomization section 14 and is blown out from the outlet 3a as air 9a at an air volume of "350". Because the temperature of air 8a is higher than that of the temperature-controlled air (air 8d), the amount of humidification by the hypochlorous acid water can be increased compared to when cooled air 8d is humidified, and the amount of hypochlorous acid in the air can be increased. The air volume of "350" is determined by the rotation speed of the purification transport fan 12a.

[0084] Furthermore, air 8d, which is cool air with an air volume of 350, and air 8c with an air volume of 50 pass through non-purifying air duct 5b and are blown out from outlet 3b as air 9b with an air volume of 400. Air 8d cooled by air conditioner 50 is discharged without being humidified by atomization section 14, and therefore can be dehumidified overall by air 9a and air 9b supplied to indoor space 62. The air volume of 50 for air 8c is the difference between the air volume of 400 determined by the rotation speed of non-purifying transport fan 12b and the air volume of 350 for air 8d determined by air conditioner 50.

[0085] In addition, when the temperature-controlled air taken in through the temperature-controlled air inlet (inlet 2b) is cold air and dehumidification takes priority over the release of hypochlorous acid water, the control unit 41 may increase the amount of temperature-controlled air passing through the purified air duct 5a compared to the amount of temperature-controlled air passing through the non-purified air duct 5b. In this case, for example, the same control of the damper 7 as in FIG. 9 may be executed even during cooling, and the air path may also be the same as in FIG. 9. By passing cold air through the purified air duct 5a, the amount of humidification by the atomization unit 14 can be reduced. Even in this case, a smaller amount of hypochlorous acid water can be released than in the case of FIG. 10.

[0086] The subject of the device, system, or method disclosed herein includes a computer. The computer executes a program to realize the functions of the subject of the device, system, or method disclosed herein. The computer includes, as its main hardware component, a processor that operates according to the program. The processor may be of any type, as long as it can realize the functions by executing the program. The processor may be composed of one or more electronic circuits, including a semiconductor integrated circuit (IC) or a large-scale integration (LSI). The electronic circuits may be integrated into a single chip or may be provided on multiple chips. The multiple chips may be integrated into a single device or may be provided on multiple devices. The program is recorded on a non-transitory recording medium, such as a computer-readable read-only memory (ROM), optical disk, or hard disk drive. The program may be pre-stored on the recording medium or may be supplied to the recording medium via a wide-area communication network, including the Internet.

[0087] According to this embodiment, the heater 90 is located upstream of the intake port 81 of the centrifugal fan 80, and the direction in which the exhaust port 87 of the purification transport fan 12a faces is approximately perpendicular to the direction in which the intake port 81 of the centrifugal fan 80 faces. As a result, even if the hypochlorous acid water atomized by the atomization unit 14 enters the purification transport fan 12a through the exhaust port 87 and passes between the blades 82 of the centrifugal fan 80 to reach the inside of the centrifugal fan 80, the heater 90 is not present in the path of the hypochlorous acid water droplets, so the scattered hypochlorous acid water is unlikely to reach the heater 90. Therefore, corrosion of the heater 90 can be suppressed even if the heater 90 is not made of a corrosion-resistant material. In particular, although the centrifugal crushing method causes more hypochlorous acid water droplets to fly than other humidification methods, corrosion of the heater 90 can be suppressed even in this case. Furthermore, metals that are easily corroded by hypochlorous acid water may be used as the material for PTC heaters, and such PTC heaters can be used as the heater 90.

[0088] Furthermore, the air conditioner 50 sends a portion of the air conditioned air, 8d, to the space purification device 10, and sends the remaining air conditioned air, 8e, to the indoor space 62, so that the air 8e can be sent into the room without being humidified by the space purification device 10. This makes it possible to suppress a decrease in the temperature of the indoor air that would otherwise be caused by humidification during heating, and to suppress an increase in the humidity of the indoor air during cooling.

[0089] Furthermore, since the hypochlorous acid water generation unit 19 is disposed in the non-purification air duct 5b and the atomization unit 14 is disposed in the purification air duct 5a, if hypochlorous acid water (or vaporized hypochlorous acid) leaks from the hypochlorous acid water generation unit 19, the air passing through the non-purification air duct 5b will discharge the leaked hypochlorous acid water to the outside of the housing 1, thereby suppressing corrosion inside the space purification device 10. Assuming that the hypochlorous acid water generation unit 19 is provided in the purification air duct 5a, atomized hypochlorous acid water will easily adhere to the hypochlorous acid water generation unit 19, so the corrosion resistance of the hypochlorous acid water generation unit 19 itself needs to be improved; however, in the configuration of this embodiment, the corrosion resistance of the hypochlorous acid water generation unit 19 can be made unnecessary or can be reduced.

[0090] Furthermore, while hypochlorous acid water is being generated by hypochlorous acid water generation unit 19, non-purification transport fan 12b continues to rotate, thereby continuously generating air flow in non-purification air duct 5b, thereby more reliably suppressing corrosion inside housing 1.

[0091] Furthermore, the purification transport fan 12a, the non-purification transport fan 12b, the hypochlorous acid water generator 19, the hypochlorous acid water supply unit 28, the water supply unit 32, the strainer 36, the drain pump 38, and the drain drain 39 are not disposed downstream of the atomization unit 14, so that corrosion of these components due to the atomized hypochlorous acid water released from the atomization unit 14 can be suppressed. Therefore, the corrosion resistance of these components can be eliminated or reduced.

[0092] Furthermore, the hypochlorous acid water leaking from the hypochlorous acid water generator 19 into the non-purified air duct 5b can be absorbed or adsorbed by the highly reactive material of the highly reactive duct 67b, thereby preventing the leaked hypochlorous acid water from reaching the room. Because the specific surface area of ​​the highly reactive material is larger than that of the low-reactive material, the highly reactive material easily absorbs or adsorbs hypochlorous acid water. This makes it easier to accurately control the amount of hypochlorous acid in the room. In order to accurately control the amount of hypochlorous acid in the room, it is desirable that the hypochlorous acid water leaking into the non-purified air duct 5b not be released into the room.

[0093] On the other hand, the hypochlorous acid water contained in the air 9a that has passed through the purification air duct 5a can be prevented from reacting, absorbing, or adsorbing by the low-reactivity material of the low-reactivity duct 67a, thereby preventing a decrease in the concentration of hypochlorous acid due to passage through the low-reactivity duct 67a.

[0094] In addition, since the hypochlorous acid solution and water are supplied to the mixing tank 16, it is easy to adjust the concentration of the mixed water, and therefore it is easy to adjust the concentration of hypochlorous acid released into the air.

[0095] Furthermore, the damper 7 distributes at least one of the temperature-controlled air and non-temperature-controlled air to the purified air duct and the non-purified air duct, so that by adjusting the distribution of the temperature-controlled air and non-temperature-controlled air during heating and cooling, humidification using hypochlorous acid water can be performed more appropriately.

[0096] Example 2 Fig. 11 shows the configuration of a space purification system 100a of Example 2. Fig. 12 shows the configuration of the space purification device 10a of Fig. 11. The space purification system 100a is a device that, when circulating the air in an indoor space 62, adds air purification components to the air (RA) from the indoor space 62 along with atomized water. The space purification system 100a sterilizes and deodorizes the indoor space 62 by supplying the air (SA) 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.

[0097] The space purification system 100a of the second embodiment differs from the space purification system 100 of the first embodiment in that it does not include an air conditioner 50 and an outdoor unit 60 for performing cooling (dehumidification) or heating treatment on the air (RA) from the indoor space 62 as needed, and in that the space purification device 10a does not have a non-purification air duct 5b.

[0098] As shown in FIG. 11, the space purification system 100a includes a space purification device 10a, an operating device 70, a duct 64a, a duct 64c, a low reactivity duct 67a, and a low reactivity duct 67c.

[0099] As shown in FIG. 12, the space purification device 10a includes a housing 1, a purification air duct 5a, a micronization section 14, a hypochlorous acid water generation section 19, a first HEPA filter 11a, a purification conveying fan 12a, a heater 90, a second temperature and humidity sensor 40b, and a control section 41.

[0100] As shown in Fig. 12, the housing 1 forms the outer shell of the space purification device 10a. The housing 1 has an inlet 2a, an inlet 2c, an outlet 3a, and an outlet 3c. A side panel 1a is attached to one side of the housing 1 by screws or the like, allowing for maintenance such as replacing internal components. In this embodiment, the inlet 2a and the inlet 2c are collectively referred to as the inlet 2, and the outlet 3a and the outlet 3c are collectively referred to as the outlet 3.

[0101] 12, the air inlet 2a and the air inlet 2c are arranged on one side surface of the housing 1. The air outlet 3a and the air outlet 3b are arranged on the other side surface of the housing 1 (the side surface opposite to the one side surface of the housing 1).

[0102] The air inlets 2a and 2c are intakes that respectively take in the air 8a and air 8c outside the housing 1 obtained from the indoor space 62 into the space purification device 10a. The air 8a and air 8c obtained from the indoor space 62 can also be called non-temperature-controlled air of the indoor space 62 that has not been temperature-controlled, or temperature-controlled air that has been temperature-controlled by an air conditioner or the like separately installed in the indoor space 62.

[0103] 11, air inlet 2a is connected to indoor air inlet 65a, which is provided on the ceiling or the like of indoor space 62, via duct 64a. Air inlet 2c is connected to indoor air inlet 65c, which is provided on the ceiling or the like of indoor space 62, via duct 64c. This allows air inlet 2a to draw air 8a from indoor space 62 into space purification device 10a through indoor air inlet 65a. Air inlet 2c can draw air 8c from indoor space 62 into space purification device 10a through indoor air inlet 65c.

[0104] Indoor air inlet 65c does not have to be provided. In this case, one end of duct 64a may be connected to indoor air inlet 65a, and the other end of duct 64a may be branched and connected to air inlet 2a and air inlet 2c.

[0105] The air outlet 3a is an outlet that discharges air 9a (SA) that has circulated inside the space purification device 10a into the indoor space 62. The air 9a contains atomized hypochlorous acid water. The air outlet 3c is an outlet that discharges air 9c (SA) that has circulated inside the space purification device 10a into the indoor space 62. The air 9c also contains atomized hypochlorous acid water.

[0106] 11 , the air outlet 3a is in communication 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 in communication with an indoor air outlet 68c provided on the ceiling or the like of the indoor space 62 via a low-reactivity duct 67c. This allows the air outlet 3a to blow out air 9a that has circulated through the space purification device 10a from the indoor air outlet 68a toward the indoor space 62. The air outlet 3c is in communication with an indoor air outlet 68c from the indoor air outlet 68c toward the indoor space 62.

[0107] Note that the air outlet 3a and the air outlet 3c are not distinguished from each other, and for example, the air outlet 3c may not be provided. In this case, one end of the duct 67a may be connected to the air outlet 3a, and the other end of the duct 67a may be branched and connected to the indoor air outlet 68a and the indoor air outlet 68c.

[0108] The low-reactivity duct 67a and the low-reactivity duct 67c are both ducts connected downstream of the purification air duct 5a, and have inner walls made of a low-reactivity material that is poorly reactive with hypochlorous acid water. The low-reactivity material is, for example, a polyolefin-based material. The polyolefin-based material includes, for example, at least one of polyethylene and polypropylene.

[0109] 12, the purification air passage 5a is provided in the housing 1, and connects the intake 2 (the intake 2a and the intake 2c) with the outlet 3 (the outlet 3a and the outlet 3c). In this embodiment, no air passage corresponding to the non-purification air passage 5b of the first embodiment is provided.

[0110] The purification air duct 5a is an air duct through which both air 8a and air 8c flow. The purification air duct 5a can also be considered an air duct through which a mixture of air 8a and air 8c flows. The purification air duct 5a is provided with a first HEPA filter 11a, a hypochlorous acid water generator 19, a purification conveying fan 12a, and a micronization unit 14, arranged in this order from upstream to downstream. More specifically, the hypochlorous acid water generator 19 is disposed upstream of the purification conveying fan 12a, adjacent to an intake port (not shown) of the purification conveying fan 12a. The micronization unit 14 is disposed downstream of the purification conveying fan 12a, adjacent to an exhaust port (not shown) of the purification conveying fan 12a. A second temperature and humidity sensor 40b is disposed between the first HEPA filter 11a and the purification conveying fan 12a in the purification air duct 5a. The second temperature and humidity sensor 40b measures the temperature and humidity of the air that has passed through the first HEPA filter 11a, and outputs the measured values ​​to the control unit 41.

[0111] The first HEPA filter 11a is an air filter that removes dirt, dust, etc. from the air that flows into the space purification device 10a and outputs purified air. The first HEPA filter 11a is disposed adjacent to the air inlets 2a and 2c.

[0112] The purification transport fan 12a is a device for transporting the air that has passed through the first HEPA filter 11a along the purification air duct 5a to the atomization unit 41. The purification transport fan 12a generates an air flow in the purification air duct 5a. The purification transport fan 12a controls the air volume, i.e., the rotation speed, in response to an output signal from the control unit 41. When the purification transport fan 12a operates, air is sent to the atomization unit 14.

[0113] The purification transport fan 12a has the same configuration and function as in Example 1 (see FIGS. 5 to 7), and therefore a detailed description thereof will be omitted. However, with reference to FIG. 13, the following will mainly describe points that were not clearly mentioned in Example 1. FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the purification transport fan 12a and heater 90 in FIG. 12. Note that the purification transport fan 12a in Example 2 is installed so that the right side when facing the micronization section 14 is the top surface, and therefore FIG. 13 illustrates a view equivalent to FIG. 7 of Example 1, along with the arrangement of the purification transport fan 12a.

[0114] As described above, the purification transport fan 12a of this embodiment has the same configuration as the purification transport fan 12a described in the first embodiment with reference to FIGS. 5 to 7, and is configured as a double-suction centrifugal fan.

[0115] 13, the centrifugal fan 80 constituting the purification transport fan 12a has a first air intake port 81a provided on the top surface (front side) and a second air intake port 81b provided on the bottom surface (rear side) opposite the top surface, and has a generally cylindrical shape with multiple blades 82 on the side. In this embodiment, the first air intake port 81a and the second air intake port 81b are sometimes collectively referred to as air intake port 81.

[0116] The first air intake port 81a is an air intake port provided on the top surface (front surface side) of the centrifugal fan 80. The first air intake port 81a is entirely covered by the heater 90. The first air intake port 81a mainly draws in air introduced through the air inlet 2a.

[0117] The second air intake port 81b is an air intake port provided on the bottom surface (back surface side) of the centrifugal fan 80. The second air intake port 81b mainly draws in the air introduced through the air inlet 2c.

[0118] In the purification conveying fan 12a, the first air intake 81a and the second air intake 81b are arranged to face each other, and air is drawn in from each of the first air intake 81a and the second air intake 81b, and the air is conveyed to the micronization section 14 from the exhaust port 87.

[0119] More specifically, as the centrifugal fan 80 rotates, air on the front side of the purification transport fan 12a passes through the intake port 86 and the heater 90 and is drawn into the first intake port 81a of the centrifugal fan 80. On the other hand, air on the back side of the purification transport fan 12a passes through the space in which the hypochlorous acid water generator 19 is arranged (see FIG. 12) and is drawn into the second intake port 81b of the centrifugal fan 80. The air drawn into the centrifugal fan 80 then passes between the blades 82 of the centrifugal fan 80, is mixed inside, and is discharged from the exhaust port 87 toward the micronization unit 14.

[0120] As in the first embodiment, the heater 90 is located upstream of the first air intake port 81a of the centrifugal fan 80, and heats the air passing through the centrifugal fan 80, i.e., the air passing through the cleaning air duct 5a. The heater 90 is provided adjacent to the top surface (front side) of the centrifugal fan 80 and covers the first air intake port 81a.

[0121] As in the first embodiment, the atomization unit 14 is a unit for humidifying the air taken into the purification air duct 5a, and during humidification, it makes the air introduced from the purification conveying fan 12a contain hypochlorous acid together with atomized water. The atomization unit 14 atomizes the hypochlorous acid water generated by the hypochlorous acid water generation unit 19 by centrifugal crushing and releases it into the air. The atomized hypochlorous acid water is released from the outlet 3 to the outside of the housing 1 with the liquid components evaporated. Note that the atomization unit 14 has the same configuration (see FIG. 8) and function as in the first embodiment, and therefore a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0122] The hypochlorous acid water generator 19 (electrolytic bath 20 and brine tank 23) is disposed upstream of the purification conveying fan 12a in the purification air duct 5a. More specifically, the hypochlorous acid water generator 19 is disposed in a space adjacent to the bottom surface (rear side) of the purification conveying fan 12a and located upstream of the second air intake 81b. The hypochlorous acid water generator 19 dilutes salt water (aqueous sodium chloride solution) stored in the salt water tank 23 to a predetermined concentration in the electrolytic bath 20 and performs electrolysis to generate hypochlorous acid water of a predetermined concentration. The hypochlorous acid water generator 19 has the same configuration (see FIG. 8) and function as in Example 1, so a detailed description will be omitted.

[0123] Although not shown in Fig. 12, the hypochlorous acid water supply unit 28 and the water supply unit 32 are connected to the micronization unit 14 and the hypochlorous acid water generation unit 19, respectively, as in Example 1. The hypochlorous acid water supply unit 28 supplies hypochlorous acid water from the electrolytic cell 20 to the mixing tank 16 of the micronization unit 14 in response to an output signal from the control unit 41. The water supply unit 32 supplies water to the mixing tank 16 of the micronization unit 14 in response to an output signal from the control unit 41. The hypochlorous acid water supply unit 28 and the water supply unit 32 have the same configuration (see Fig. 8) and function as in Example 1, and therefore detailed description thereof will be omitted here.

[0124] 11, an operating device 70 (including a third temperature and humidity sensor 72) is installed on a wall surface of the indoor space 62, as in the first embodiment. The operating device 70 is connected to the control unit 41 by wire or wirelessly, and transmits at least the humidity setting value, the humidity measurement value, and operation mode information to the control unit 41. The operating device 70 has the same configuration and functions as in the first embodiment, and therefore a detailed description thereof will be omitted here.

[0125] As in the first embodiment, the control unit 41 controls the amount of hypochlorous acid water supplied to the micronization unit 14 and the amount of water supplied, thereby controlling the concentration of hypochlorous acid in the mixed water in the micronization unit 14. More specifically, the control unit 41 controls the concentration of hypochlorous acid in the mixed water based on the required amount of humidification. Alternatively, the control unit 41 controls the concentration of hypochlorous acid in the mixed water based on the required amount of hypochlorous acid. This makes it possible to achieve the same effect as the hypochlorous acid concentration control performed by the control unit 41 in the first embodiment. Note that a detailed description of the control operation of the control unit 41 will be omitted here.

[0126] According to this embodiment, the heater 90 is located upstream of the first intake port 81a of the centrifugal fan 80, and the direction in which the exhaust port 87 of the purification transport fan 12a faces is approximately perpendicular to the direction in which the first intake port 81a of the centrifugal fan 80 faces. As a result, even if the hypochlorous acid water atomized by the atomization unit 14 enters the purification transport fan 12a through the exhaust port 87 and passes between the blades 82 of the centrifugal fan 80 to reach the inside of the centrifugal fan 80, the heater 90 is not present in the path of the hypochlorous acid water droplets, so the scattered hypochlorous acid water is unlikely to reach the heater 90. Therefore, corrosion of the heater 90 can be suppressed even if the heater 90 is not made of a corrosion-resistant material. In particular, although the centrifugal crushing method causes more hypochlorous acid water droplets to fly than other humidification methods, corrosion of the heater 90 can be suppressed even in this case. Furthermore, metals that are easily corroded by hypochlorous acid water may be used as the material for PTC heaters, and such PTC heaters can be used as the heater 90.

[0127] According to this embodiment, the hypochlorous acid water generator 19 (electrolytic cell 20 and brine tank 23) is disposed adjacent to the upstream side of the purification conveying fan 12a (upstream of the second intake port 81b of the centrifugal fan 80) in the purification air duct 5a, so that if hypochlorous acid water (or vaporized hypochlorous acid) leaks from the hypochlorous acid water generator 19, it is effectively sucked in from the second intake port 81b by the purification conveying fan 12a and conveyed to the micronization unit 14. This prevents the leaked hypochlorous acid water from accumulating inside the hypochlorous acid water generator 19 and corroding the hypochlorous acid water generator 19 itself, or from flowing back to the first HEPA filter 11a and degrading the filter performance.

[0128] Furthermore, the hypochlorous acid water contained in the air 9a and air 9c that have passed through the purification air duct 5a can be prevented from reacting, absorbing, or adsorbing by the low-reactivity material of the low-reactivity duct 67a and low-reactivity duct 67c, thereby preventing a decrease in the concentration of hypochlorous acid due to passage through the low-reactivity duct 67a and low-reactivity duct 67c.

[0129] In addition, since the hypochlorous acid solution and water are supplied to the mixing tank 16 of the atomization unit 14, the concentration of the mixed water can be easily adjusted, which makes it easy to adjust the concentration of hypochlorous acid released into the air.

[0130] The present disclosure has been described above based on examples. These examples are merely illustrative, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications are possible in the combination of each component or each treatment process, and that such modifications are also within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0131] For example, in the first embodiment, the ratio of the airflow rates through the purified air ducts 5a and the non-purified air ducts 5b is fixed, but it may be variable. In this case, when the air taken in through the temperature-controlled air inlet (inlet 2b) is warm air, the control unit 41 may increase the amount of air passing through the purified air ducts 5a relative to the amount of air passing through the non-purified air ducts 5b. When the air taken in through the temperature-controlled air inlet (inlet 2b) is cool air, the control unit 41 may increase the amount of air passing through the non-purified air ducts 5b relative to the amount of air passing through the purified air ducts 5a. Similarly, when the air conditioner 50 connected to the temperature-controlled air inlet (inlet 2b) is set to heating, the control unit 41 may increase the amount of air passing through the purified air ducts 5a relative to the amount of air passing through the non-purified air ducts 5b. When the air conditioner 50 is set to cooling, the control unit 41 may increase the amount of air passing through the non-purified air ducts 5b relative to the amount of air passing through the purified air ducts 5a. In this modification, during cooling, a large amount of air is passed through non-purification air duct 5b, which is not humidified, so that dehumidification can be performed effectively. During heating, a large amount of air is passed through purification air duct 5a, so that humidification can be performed effectively.

[0132] In addition, in the second embodiment, the heater 90 is provided adjacent to the first intake port 81a of the centrifugal fan 80, but this position is not essential. For example, the heater 90 may be provided in the vicinity of the intake port 86, which is located further upstream than the first intake port 81a, so as to cover the intake port 86. In this case, the same effect can be obtained.

[0133] An outline of one aspect of the present disclosure is as follows. An air purification device (10) according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a housing (1) forming an outer shell, a purification air duct (5a) provided within the housing (1), a hypochlorous acid water generator (19) that generates hypochlorous acid water, a micronization unit (14) that micronizes the hypochlorous acid water generated by the hypochlorous acid water generator (19) and releases the micronized hypochlorous acid water into the purification air duct (5a), a purification transport fan (12a) that guides air from upstream to downstream of the purification air duct (5a), and a heater (90) that heats the air passing through the purification air duct (5a). The purification transport fan (12a) includes a cylindrical centrifugal fan (80) that has an air intake (81) on at least its top surface and blades (82) on its side surface, and a casing (85) that houses the centrifugal fan (80) and has an exhaust port (87) downstream. The atomizing section (14) is located downstream of the exhaust port (87) of the purification transport fan (12a), and the heater (90) is located upstream of the intake port (81).

[0134] The micronizing unit (14) may micronize the hypochlorous acid solution by centrifugal crushing.

[0135] The heater (90) may be provided adjacent to the top surface and covering the air intake (81).

[0136] The space purification device (10) may include a control unit (41) that controls the hypochlorous acid water generator (19), the atomization unit (14), and the heater (90). The control unit (41) may control the temperature of the heater (90) based on the required amount of hypochlorous acid.

[0137] The space purification device (10) may include a non-purification air duct (5b) provided separately from the purification air duct (5a) within the housing (1). The hypochlorous acid water generation unit (19) may be disposed in the non-purification air duct (5b), and the atomization unit (14) may be disposed in the purification air duct (5a) and may release hypochlorous acid water into air passing through the purification air duct (5a).

[0138] The housing (1) may include an intake port (2) for taking in air from outside the housing (1) into the housing (1), an outlet port (3) for discharging air from inside the housing (1) to the outside of the housing (1), a partition wall (6) for separating the purified air duct (5a) and the non-purified air duct (5b) between the downstream of the intake port (2) and the outlet port (3), and a damper (7) for distributing air to the purified air duct (5a) and the non-purified air duct (5b) downstream of the intake port (2).

[0139] The hypochlorous acid water generator (19) may include an electrolytic cell (20) that stores saltwater to be electrolyzed, electrodes (21) that perform electrolysis by passing current through them, and a saltwater tank (23) that supplies saltwater to the electrolytic cell (20).

[0140] The centrifugal fan (80) may include a first air intake (81a) provided on the top surface and a second air intake (81b) provided on the bottom surface opposite the top surface, the heater (90) may be located upstream of the first air intake (81a), and the hypochlorous acid water generator (19) may be located adjacent to the bottom surface and upstream of the second air intake (81b).

[0141] The heater (90) may be provided adjacent to the top surface and covering the first air intake port (81a). [Industrial Applicability]

[0142] The space purification device according to the present disclosure atomizes hypochlorous acid water and releases it into the air, and is useful as a device for sterilizing or deodorizing the air in a target space. [Explanation of symbols]

[0143] 1 housing, 1a side panel, 2, 2a, 2b, 2c intake port, 3, 3a, 3b, 3c outlet port, 5a purified air duct, 5b non-purified air duct, 6 partition wall, 7 damper, 7a first damper, 7b second damper, 7c third damper, 7d fourth damper, 8a, 8b, 8c, 8d, 9a, 9b, 9c air, 10, 10a space purification device, 11a first HEPA filter, 11b second HEPA filter, 12a purified transport fan, 12b non-purified transport fan, 14 micronization section, 15 centrifugal crushing unit, 16 mixing tank, 17 water level sensor, 19 hypochlorous acid water generation section, 20 electrolytic cell, 21 electrode, 22 solenoid valve, 23 Brine tank, 24 brine transfer pump, 25 check valve, 28 hypochlorous acid water supply unit, 29 hypochlorous acid water transfer pump, 30 water supply pipe, 32 water supply unit, 33 solenoid valve, 34 water supply pipe, 36 strainer, 37 drain pan, 38 drain pump, 39 drain drain, 40a first temperature and humidity sensor, 40b second temperature and humidity sensor, 41 control unit, 50 air conditioning device, 51 main body, 52 decorative panel, 53 intake port, 54 outlet, 55 outlet, 60 outdoor unit, 62 indoor space, 64a, 64b, 64c duct, 65a, 65c indoor intake port, 67a, 67c low-reactivity duct, 67b high-reactivity duct, 68a, 68b indoor air outlet, 70 operating device, 72 third temperature and humidity sensor, 80 centrifugal fan, 81 air intake, 81a first air intake, 81b second air intake, 82 blades, 85 casing, 86 air intake, 87 exhaust port, 88 motor, 90 heater, 100, 100a space purification system.

Claims

1. a housing forming an outer shell; A purification air duct provided in the housing; A hypochlorous acid water generating unit that generates hypochlorous acid water; A micronization unit that micronizes the hypochlorous acid water generated by the hypochlorous acid water generation unit and releases it into the purification air duct; a purification conveying fan that guides air from upstream to downstream of the purification air duct; a heater that heats the air passing through the cleaning air duct, The purification conveying fan is a casing having a rear surface on which a motor is disposed, a front surface opposite to the rear surface, and an exhaust port opening downstream; a cylindrical centrifugal fan that is housed in the casing, has an intake port on the top surface that is the front surface, and has blades on the side surfaces, the atomization unit is located downstream of the exhaust port of the purification transport fan, the heater is located upstream of the air inlet; a non-purification air passage provided independently of the purification air passage within the housing; The hypochlorous acid water generating unit is arranged in the non-purification air duct, The micronization unit is disposed in the purification air duct and releases the hypochlorous acid water into the air passing through the purification air duct.

2. The space purification device according to claim 1 , wherein the atomization unit atomizes the hypochlorous acid water by centrifugal crushing.

3. The space purification device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the heater is provided adjacent to the top surface and covers the air intake port.

4. A control unit that controls the hypochlorous acid water generation unit, the micronization unit, and the heater, The space purification device according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit controls the temperature of the heater based on a required amount of hypochlorous acid.

5. The housing includes: an intake port for taking air outside the housing into the housing; an air outlet for discharging air from inside the housing to the outside of the housing; a partition wall separating the purified air passage from the non-purified air passage between the downstream side of the air inlet and the air outlet; The space purification device according to claim 1 , further comprising a damper downstream of the air inlet that distributes air between the purified air duct and the non-purified air duct.

6. The hypochlorous acid water generating unit is an electrolytic cell for storing saltwater to be electrolyzed; an electrode that performs the electrolysis when energized; The space purification device according to claim 1 , further comprising: a saltwater tank that supplies the saltwater to the electrolytic cell.

7. the centrifugal fan includes a first air intake port provided on the top surface and a second air intake port provided on a bottom surface opposite to the top surface, the heater is located upstream of the first air inlet; The space purification device according to claim 1 , wherein the hypochlorous acid water generator is located adjacent to the bottom surface and upstream of the second air intake port.

8. The space purification device according to claim 7 , wherein the heater is provided adjacent to the top surface and covers the first air inlet.

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