Space Purification System

Abstract

To provide a technique to make it easy to adjust an amount of hypochlorous acid discharged to air.SOLUTION: A space purification system 100 includes: a hypochlorous acid water supply part 36 for supplying hypochlorous acid water to a mixing tank 92; a water supply part 50 for supplying water to the mixing tank 92; a waver level sensor 90 for detecting a water level of the mixing tank 92; an air purification part 11 for atomizing mixture water of hypochlorous acid water and water pooled in the mixing tank 92 and discharging it into air; and an air purification control part 41 for controlling supply processing and mixture water discharge processing. The air purification control part 41 is caused to execute first control to supply hypochlorous acid water by the hypochlorous acid water supply part 36 every predetermined time, and second control to supply water by the water supply part 50 on the basis of information on the water level of the mixing tank 92 from the water level sensor 90. When the first control is executed continuously a predetermined number of times as waste water treatment, the air purification control part is caused to execute third control for discharging the mixture water pooled in the mixing tank 92.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a space purification system that atomizes water, blows out the atomized water into the air it draws in, and releases the atomized water containing purifying components. [Background technology]

[0002] A known conventional space purification device is an air conditioning system that sterilizes a space by bringing the air supplied indoors into contact with a gas-liquid contact member containing a purification component and then releasing the air (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] In such conventional space purification devices, in addition to releasing the atomized water, the water stored in the device (water containing purification components) is generally vaporized with some of the purified components and released into the space as the atomization operation progresses. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-133521 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in conventional space purification devices, when the amount of humidification required in an indoor space is low, such as in the Japanese summer (especially the rainy season) when dehumidified air with a high relative humidity (e.g., 12°C, 95%) is ventilated using an air conditioner or the like, the water (hypochlorous acid water) containing the finely divided purifying components is difficult to vaporize, and the purifying components (hypochlorous acid) are not vaporized, making it difficult for the purifying components to be released into the indoor space. On the other hand, when the amount of humidification required is high, such as in the Japanese winter when heated air with a low relative humidity (e.g., 20°C, 30%) is ventilated, the water containing the finely divided purifying components is easy to vaporize, resulting in a large amount of the purifying components being released into the indoor space. In other words, conventional space purification devices have the problem of not being able to easily adjust the amount of purifying components released into the indoor space (air).

[0006] Therefore, the present invention is intended to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, and has an object to provide a technology that makes it easy to adjust the amount of purification components released into the air. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] To achieve this objective, the space purification system of the present invention includes a hypochlorous acid water generator that generates hypochlorous acid water, a hypochlorous acid water supply unit that supplies hypochlorous acid water from the hypochlorous acid water generator to a mixing tank, a water supply unit that supplies water to the mixing tank, a water level sensor that detects the water level in the mixing tank, a humidifying and purifying unit that atomizes the mixed water of hypochlorous acid water and water stored in the mixing tank and releases it into the air, and a control unit that controls the supply process in the hypochlorous acid water supply unit and the water supply unit, and the drainage process of the mixed water stored in the mixing tank.The control unit executes, as the supply process, a first control that supplies hypochlorous acid water from the hypochlorous acid water supply unit at predetermined time intervals, and a second control that supplies water from the water supply unit based on information on the water level of the mixing tank from the water level sensor, and, as the drainage process, executes a third control that drains the mixed water stored in the mixing tank when the first control has been executed consecutively a predetermined number of times, thereby achieving the desired objective. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the space purification system of the present invention, it is possible to easily adjust the amount of purification components released into the air. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a space purification system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control unit. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the change over time in the amount of water, the concentration of hypochlorous acid water, and the concentration of hypochlorous acid in the space purification system (winter: first example). [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the change over time in the amount of water, the concentration of hypochlorous acid water, and the concentration of hypochlorous acid in the space purification system (summer: second example). DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The space purification system of the present invention includes a hypochlorous acid water generator that generates hypochlorous acid water, a hypochlorous acid water supply unit that supplies hypochlorous acid water from the hypochlorous acid water generator to a mixing tank, a water supply unit that supplies water to the mixing tank, a water level sensor that detects the water level in the mixing tank, a humidification purification unit that atomizes the mixed water of hypochlorous acid water and water stored in the mixing tank and releases it into the air, and a control unit that controls the supply process in the hypochlorous acid water supply unit and the water supply unit, and the drainage process of the mixed water stored in the mixing tank.The control unit executes, as the supply process, a first control that causes the hypochlorous acid water supply unit to supply hypochlorous acid water at predetermined time intervals and a second control that causes the water supply unit to supply water based on information on the water level of the mixing tank from the water level sensor, and, as the drainage process, a third control that drains the mixed water stored in the mixing tank after executing the first control consecutively a predetermined number of times.

[0011] By doing so, when air with high relative humidity is ventilated, such as in the summer in Japan, the amount of mixed water stored in the mixing tank is low, so the frequency of supplying hypochlorous acid water to the mixing tank (the number of times the first control is performed) increases, and the mixed water is atomized and released into the air at a high hypochlorous acid concentration in the mixing tank. In this case, after the first control is performed a predetermined number of times in succession, the third control is performed, discharging the mixed water stored in the mixing tank, and resetting the mixed water in the mixing tank, thereby preventing the hypochlorous acid concentration in the mixing tank from increasing too much. As a result, even in situations where the atomized hypochlorous acid water is difficult to evaporate, hypochlorous acid increased to a predetermined concentration can be contained in the air and released into an indoor space. On the other hand, when air with low relative humidity is ventilated, such as in the winter in Japan, the amount of mixed water stored in the mixing tank is high, so the frequency of supplying water to the mixing tank (the number of times the second control is performed) increases, and the mixed water is atomized and released into the air at a low hypochlorous acid concentration in the mixing tank. As a result, even in situations where the finely divided hypochlorous acid water is prone to vaporization, hypochlorous acid diluted to a predetermined concentration can be released into the indoor space by being contained in the air. In other words, the space purification system makes it easy to adjust the amount of hypochlorous acid released into the air.

[0012] Furthermore, in the space purification system according to the present invention, it is preferable that the control unit executes the third control immediately before executing the first control after consecutively executing the first control a predetermined number of times. This prevents the space purification system from having to discharge hypochlorous acid water by the third control immediately after hypochlorous acid is supplied to the mixing tank by the first control, thereby enabling the hypochlorous acid water supplied by the first control to be used for as long as possible and reducing waste caused by discharge by the third control.

[0013] In addition, in the space purification system according to the present invention, it is preferable that the control unit sets the predetermined number of times in the third control based on the concentration of the hypochlorous acid water supplied by the first control.Therefore, for example, in the space purification system, when the concentration of the hypochlorous acid water supplied by the first control is high, if the first control is continuously performed a predetermined number of times, the concentration of the hypochlorous acid water in the mixing tank will increase quickly, so by setting the predetermined number of times to be small, it is possible to more reliably prevent the concentration of the hypochlorous acid water in the mixing tank from increasing too much.

[0014] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following embodiments are examples of the present invention and do not limit the technical scope of the present invention. Furthermore, the same components are designated by the same reference numerals throughout the drawings, and their explanations are omitted. Furthermore, to avoid duplication, explanations of the details of each part that is not directly related to the present invention are omitted for each drawing.

[0015] (Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a space purification system 100 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The space purification system 100 is a device that, when circulating air in an indoor space 18, performs cooling (dehumidification) or heating treatment on air 8 (RA) from the indoor space 18 as needed, and also adds an air purification component (hereinafter simply referred to as an "air purification component") to the air 8 circulating inside the system, along with atomized water. The space purification system 100 sterilizes and deodorizes the indoor space 18 by supplying air 9 (SA) that has circulated inside the system to the indoor space 18. Here, hypochlorous acid is used as the air purification component, and the water containing the air purification component is hypochlorous acid water.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 1, the space purification system 100 mainly comprises a space purification device 10, an air conditioning device 15, and a hypochlorous acid water generator 30.

[0017] The space purification device 10 includes an air outlet 3, an air purification unit 11, and an air purification control unit 41. The air conditioning device 15 includes an air inlet 2, a blower 13, a refrigerant coil 14, and an air conditioning control unit 42. The space purification device 10 and the air conditioning device 15 each have a housing that forms the outer frame of the device, and the space purification device 10 and the air conditioning device 15 are connected by a duct 24. Furthermore, the air conditioning device 15 has an air inlet 2 on its side, and the space purification device 10 has an air outlet 3 on its side.

[0018] Air inlet 2 is an intake port that takes in air 8 from indoor space 18 into air conditioner 15. Air inlet 2 is connected to indoor air inlet 16a provided on the ceiling or the like of indoor space 18 via duct 16. This allows air inlet 2 to draw air from indoor space 18 into air conditioner 15 through indoor air inlet 16a.

[0019] The air outlet 3 is an outlet that discharges the air 9 (SA) that has circulated inside the space purification device 10 into the indoor space 18. The air outlet 3 is in communication with an indoor air outlet 17a provided on the ceiling or the like of the indoor space 18 via a duct 17. This allows the air outlet 3 to blow out the air 9 that has circulated inside the space purification device 10 from the indoor air outlet 17a toward the indoor space 18.

[0020] Furthermore, inside the air conditioner 15 and the space purification device 10, air passages (front air passage 4, middle air passage 5, rear air passage 6) are configured that connect the air inlet 2 and the air outlet 3 via a duct 24. The front air passage 4 is an air passage adjacent to the air inlet 2. A blower 13 and a refrigerant coil 14 are provided in the front air passage 4.

[0021] Middle air passage 5 is located adjacent to front air passage 4 (duct 24), and is an air passage through which air 8 flows that has flowed through front air passage 4. Middle air passage 5 has air purification section 11 provided within the air passage.

[0022] The rear air duct 6 is an air duct adjacent to the air outlet 3, and in the rear air duct 6, the air 8 that has flowed through the middle air duct 5 flows through the air purification section 11 and becomes air 9 containing hypochlorous acid together with atomized water.

[0023] In the air conditioner 15 and the space purification device 10, air 8 drawn in from the air inlet 2 flows through the front air duct 4, the middle air duct 5 and the rear air duct 6, and is blown out from the air outlet 3 as air 9.

[0024] The blower 13 of the air conditioner 15 is a device for transporting air 8 (RA) from the indoor space 18 into the air conditioner 15 from the air inlet 2. The blower 13 is installed upstream of the refrigerant coil 14 in the front air duct 4. The on / off operation of the blower 13 is controlled in accordance with air output information from the air conditioning control unit 42. When the blower 13 operates, the air 8 from the indoor space 18 is taken into the air conditioner 15 and directed toward the refrigerant coil 14.

[0025] The refrigerant coil 14 is disposed downstream of the blower 13 in the front-stage air duct 4, and is a component for cooling or heating the introduced air 8. The refrigerant coil 14 changes its output state (cooling, heating, or off) in response to an output signal from the air conditioning control unit 42, and adjusts the cooling capacity (amount of cooling) or heating capacity (amount of heating) for the introduced air 8. When the refrigerant coil 14 cools the introduced air 8, it dehumidifies the introduced air 8, so the cooling capacity (amount of cooling) for the air 8 can also be said to be the dehumidification capacity (amount of dehumidification) for the air 8.

[0026] The refrigerant coil 14 functions as a heat absorber or a heat radiator in a refrigeration cycle including a compressor, a radiator, an expander, and a heat absorber, and is configured to absorb (cool) or radiate (heat) heat when refrigerant introduced from the outdoor unit 20 flows through the inside of the refrigerant coil 14. More specifically, the refrigerant coil 14 is connected to the outdoor unit 20 via a refrigerant circuit 21 through which the refrigerant flows. The outdoor unit 20 is an outdoor unit installed in an outdoor space 19, and includes a compressor 20a, an expander 20b, an outdoor heat exchanger 20c, a blower fan 20d, and a four-way valve 20e. Because the outdoor unit 20 has a general configuration, detailed description of each component (the compressor 20a, the expander 20b, the outdoor heat exchanger 20c, the blower fan 20d, and the four-way valve 20e) will be omitted.

[0027] A four-way valve 20e is connected to the refrigeration cycle including the refrigerant coil 14, so that the air conditioning device 15 can switch between a cooling mode (dehumidification mode) state in which the refrigerant flows in a first direction through the four-way valve 20e to cool and dehumidify the air (air 8), and a heating mode state in which the refrigerant flows in a second direction through the four-way valve 20e to heat the air (air 8).

[0028] Here, the first direction is the direction in which the refrigerant flows through the compressor 20a, the outdoor heat exchanger 20c, the expander 20b, and the refrigerant coil 14, in this order. The second direction is the direction in which the refrigerant flows through the compressor 20a, the refrigerant coil 14, the expander 20b, and the outdoor heat exchanger 20c, in this order. The refrigerant coil 14 can cool or heat the introduced air (air 8).

[0029] The air purification unit 11 of the space purification device 10 is a unit for humidifying the air 8 taken in. During humidification, the air is enriched with hypochlorous acid along with atomized water. More specifically, the air purification unit 11 includes a mixing tank 92, a water level sensor 90, a humidification motor 11a, and a humidification nozzle 11b. The air purification unit 11 uses the humidification motor 11a to rotate the humidification nozzle 11b, which uses centrifugal force to suck up hypochlorous acid water stored in the mixing tank 92 of the air purification unit 11, causing it to scatter, collide, and crush around (in the centrifugal direction), thereby moistening the air passing through. The air purification unit 11 adjusts the rotation speed (hereinafter referred to as the rotation output value) of the humidification motor 11a in response to an output signal from the air purification control unit 41 to adjust the humidification capacity (amount of humidification). The amount of humidification can also be considered the amount of hypochlorous acid added to the air. The air purification unit 11 corresponds to the "humidification and purification unit" in the claims.

[0030] The water level sensor 90 measures the water level of the hypochlorous acid water stored in the mixing tank 92 and outputs the measurement value to the air purification control unit 41. More specifically, the water level sensor 90 measures the water level at which the mixing tank 92 becomes dry and the water level at which the mixing tank 92 becomes full as the water level of the hypochlorous acid water stored in the mixing tank 92, and outputs the measurement value as water level information to the air purification control unit 41. In this embodiment, the water level at which the mixing tank 92 becomes dry is set to the water level at which the amount of hypochlorous acid water in the mixing tank 92 has decreased to about one-third of its full state.

[0031] The mixing tank 92 is a tank in the air purification unit 11 that stores hypochlorous acid water, and can also be considered a water storage unit. In the mixing tank 92, hypochlorous acid water of a predetermined concentration supplied from the hypochlorous acid water supply unit 36 ​​(described later) and water supplied from the water supply unit 50 (described later) are mixed within the tank, and mixed water consisting of diluted hypochlorous acid water is stored. The hypochlorous acid water (mixed water) stored in the mixing tank 92 can be discharged from the mixing tank 92 to the outside by the drainage unit 60, which operates in response to an output signal from the air purification control unit 41.

[0032] The hypochlorous acid water generator 30 includes an electrolytic cell 31, an electrode 32, an electromagnetic valve 33, a salt water tank 34, a salt water transfer pump 35, a water level sensor 39, and a hypochlorous acid water supplier 36.

[0033] The saltwater tank 34 stores saltwater, which is supplied to the electrolytic bath 31 via a saltwater transfer pump 35 in response to an output signal from the air purification control unit 41. The electrolytic bath 31 stores the saltwater to be electrolyzed, supplied from the saltwater tank 34. In response to an output signal from the air purification control unit 41, tap water is also supplied to the electrolytic bath 31 via an electromagnetic valve 33 from a water supply pipe, and the supplied tap water and saltwater are mixed to store saltwater of a predetermined concentration. The electrodes 32 are disposed within the electrolytic bath 31, and are energized in response to an output signal from the air purification control unit 41 to electrolyze saltwater for a predetermined time, thereby producing hypochlorous acid water of a predetermined concentration. In other words, the electrolytic bath 31 generates hypochlorous acid water by electrolyzing a chloride aqueous solution (e.g., a sodium chloride aqueous solution) as an electrolyte between a pair of electrodes. A typical device is used for the electrolytic bath 31, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted. Here, the electrolyte is an electrolyte capable of generating hypochlorous acid water, and is not particularly limited as long as it contains even a small amount of chloride ions. For example, an aqueous solution in which sodium chloride, calcium chloride, magnesium chloride, or the like is dissolved as a solute can be mentioned. Hydrochloric acid is also acceptable. In this embodiment, a sodium chloride aqueous solution (brine) in which sodium chloride is added to water is used as the electrolyte.

[0034] The water level sensor 39 measures the water level in the electrolytic bath 31 and outputs the measurement value to the air purification control unit 41 .

[0035] The hypochlorous acid water supply unit 36 ​​supplies hypochlorous acid water from the electrolytic bath 31 to the mixing bath 92 of the air purification unit 11 in response to an output signal from the air purification control unit 41. The hypochlorous acid water supply unit 36 ​​has a hypochlorous acid water transfer pump 37 and a water supply pipe 38. The hypochlorous acid water transfer pump 37 sends out the hypochlorous acid water from the electrolytic bath 31 to the water supply pipe 38 in response to an output signal from the air purification control unit 41. The water supply pipe 38 is connected between the hypochlorous acid water transfer pump 37 and the mixing bath 92, and supplies the hypochlorous acid water toward the mixing bath 92.

[0036] The water supply unit 50 supplies water to the mixing tank 92 in response to an output signal from the air purification control unit 41. The water supply unit 50 has a solenoid valve 51 and a water supply pipe 52. The solenoid valve 51 controls whether or not water supplied from a water pipe outside the space purification device 10 flows into the water supply pipe 52 in response to an output signal from the air purification control unit 41. The water supply pipe 52 is connected between the solenoid valve 51 and the mixing tank 92, and supplies water toward the mixing tank 92.

[0037] Drain unit 60 is connected to the bottom of mixing tank 92, and discharges the mixed water stored in mixing tank 92 to the outside in response to an output signal from air purification control unit 41. Drain unit 60 has a solenoid valve 61 and a water supply pipe 62. Solenoid valve 61 controls whether or not the mixed water stored in mixing tank 92 is to be discharged to an external drain pipe in response to an output signal from air purification control unit 41. Water supply pipe 62 is connected between mixing tank 92 and solenoid valve 61, and supplies the mixed water to an external drain pipe.

[0038] In the air purification unit 11, hypochlorous acid water from the hypochlorous acid water supply unit 36 ​​and water from the water supply unit 50 are each supplied to a mixing tank 92. Then, the hypochlorous acid water and water are mixed in the mixing tank 92 of the air purification unit 11. The mixed water of hypochlorous acid water and water can also be called hypochlorous acid water. More specifically, in the mixing tank 92 of the air purification unit 11, the hypochlorous acid water from the hypochlorous acid water supply unit 36 ​​or the water from the water supply unit 50 is supplied to and mixed with the hypochlorous acid water remaining in the mixing tank 92. The air purification unit 11 releases the hypochlorous acid water into the indoor space 18 by centrifugal crushing the mixed water of hypochlorous acid water and water stored in the mixing tank 92. The atomized hypochlorous acid water is released into the indoor space 18 with its liquid components evaporated.

[0039] An operating device 43 is installed on a wall surface of the indoor space 18. The operating device 43 has a user interface that can be operated by a user, and receives temperature and humidity setting values ​​from the user. The operating device 43 includes a temperature and humidity sensor 44, which measures the temperature and humidity of the air in the indoor space 18. Known technology may be used to measure the temperature and humidity in the temperature and humidity sensor 44, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted here.

[0040] The operating device 43 is connected to the air purification control unit 41 and the air conditioning control unit 42 by wire or wirelessly, and transmits the temperature set value, humidity set value, temperature measurement value, and humidity measurement value to the air purification control unit 41 and the air conditioning control unit 42. This information may be transmitted all at once, or any two or more pieces of information may be transmitted at once, or each piece may be transmitted separately. Alternatively, the operating device 43 may transmit information to the air purification control unit 41, and the air purification control unit 41 may transfer the information to the air conditioning control unit 42.

[0041] The air conditioning control unit 42 of the air conditioner 15 receives the temperature set value and the temperature measurement value, and controls the refrigerant coil 14 and the outdoor unit 20 so that the temperature measurement value approaches the temperature set value. In heating mode, when the temperature measurement value is lower than the temperature set value, the air conditioning control unit 42 increases the degree of heating as the difference between the temperature measurement value and the temperature set value increases.

[0042] Next, the air purification control unit 41 of the space purification device 10 will be described.

[0043] The air purification control unit 41 controls the processing operations of the hypochlorous acid water generator 30 and the space purification device 10, including operations related to the electrolysis process in the electrolytic cell 31, operations related to the supply of hypochlorous acid water to the air purification unit 11, operations related to the supply of water to the air purification unit 11, operations related to the humidification and purification process in the air purification unit 11, and operations related to the drainage of mixed water in the air purification unit 11. The air purification control unit 41 includes a computer system having a processor and memory. The computer system functions as the control unit when the processor executes a program stored in the memory. While the program executed by the processor is pre-recorded in the memory of the computer system here, it may be recorded on a non-transitory recording medium such as a memory card and provided, or may be provided via a telecommunications line such as the Internet. The air purification control unit 41 corresponds to the "control unit" in the claims.

[0044] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the air purification control unit 41 includes an input unit 41a, a storage unit 41b, a timer unit 41c, a processing unit 41d, and an output unit 41e.

[0045] <Operations related to electrolysis treatment in electrolytic cells> The air purification control unit 41 causes the electrolytic cell 31 to execute the following processes as operations related to the electrolysis process.

[0046] The air purification control unit 41 receives water level information (drought signal) from the water level sensor 39 and time information (time information) from the timer unit 41c as triggers for the electrolysis process in the electrolytic cell 31, and outputs them to the processing unit 41d.

[0047] The processing unit 41d identifies control information based on water level information from the water level sensor 39, time information from the timer unit 41c, and setting information from the memory unit 41b, and outputs the control information to the output unit 41e. Here, the setting information includes information on the start or end time of hypochlorous acid water production, information on the supply amount of tap water introduced into the electrolytic cell 31, information on the input amount of the liquid containing chloride ions in the salt water transfer pump 35, information on the electrolysis conditions (time, current value, voltage, etc.) at the electrode 32, information on the opening / closing timing of the solenoid valve 33, and information on the on / off operation of the hypochlorous acid water transfer pump 37.

[0048] Here, the electrolysis conditions for the electrode 32 can be determined from the amount of tap water in the electrolytic cell 31, the chloride ion concentration, the electrolysis time, and the degree of deterioration of the electrode 32, and are set by creating an algorithm and stored in the memory unit 41b.

[0049] Then, the output unit 41e outputs a signal (control signal) to each device (salt water transfer pump 35, solenoid valve 33, and hypochlorous acid water transfer pump 37) based on the received control information.

[0050] More specifically, first, the salt water transfer pump 35 maintains a stopped state based on a signal from the output unit 41e, and the hypochlorous acid water transfer pump 37 maintains a stopped state based on a signal from the output unit 41e.

[0051] Then, the solenoid valve 33 is opened based on the signal from the output unit 41e. This starts the supply of tap water from the water pipe to the electrolytic cell 31. Thereafter, the solenoid valve 33 is closed based on the signal from the output unit 41e that has received water level information (full water) from the water level sensor 39. This puts the electrolytic cell 31 into a state where tap water is being supplied at the set supply rate.

[0052] Next, the salt water transfer pump 35 starts operating based on a signal from the output unit 41e, and stops after transferring a liquid containing a predetermined amount of chloride ions to the electrolytic cell 31. As a result, chloride ions dissolve in the tap water, and the electrolytic cell 31 enters a state in which an aqueous solution containing a predetermined amount of chloride ions (aqueous chloride solution) has been produced.

[0053] Then, the electrode 32 starts electrolysis of the chloride aqueous solution based on the signal from the output unit 41e, and stops after producing hypochlorous acid water according to the set conditions. The hypochlorous acid water produced by the electrode 32 has, for example, a hypochlorous acid concentration of 100 ppm to 150 ppm (e.g., 120 ppm) and a pH of 7.0 to 8.5 (e.g., 8.0).

[0054] As described above, the air purification control unit 41 performs electrolysis in the electrolytic cell 31, and hypochlorous acid water of a predetermined concentration and amount is produced.

[0055] <Operations related to supplying hypochlorous acid water to the air purification unit> The air purification control unit 41 executes the following processes as operations related to the supply process of hypochlorous acid water to the air purification unit 11.

[0056] In the air purification control unit 41, the timer unit 41c measures the operating time of the humidification motor 11a as a trigger for supplying hypochlorous acid water to the air purification unit 11, and outputs a hypochlorous acid water supply request to the hypochlorous acid water generation unit 30 (hypochlorous acid water supply unit 36) every time a predetermined operating time (e.g., 60 minutes) has elapsed. Here, the predetermined time is a time estimated in advance by experimental evaluation, taking into account that hypochlorous acid in the hypochlorous acid water evaporates and decreases over time.

[0057] Specifically, the processing unit 41d identifies control information based on time-related information (time information) from the timer unit 41c and setting information from the storage unit 41b, and outputs the control information to the output unit 41e. Here, the setting information includes information about the supply interval of hypochlorous acid water (e.g., 60 minutes) and information about the on / off operation of the hypochlorous acid water transfer pump 37.

[0058] Then, the output unit 41e outputs a signal (control signal) to the hypochlorous acid water transfer pump 37 of the hypochlorous acid water supply unit 36 ​​based on the received control information.

[0059] The hypochlorous acid water transfer pump 37 operates based on a signal from the output unit 41e. As a result, the hypochlorous acid water generator 30 starts supplying hypochlorous acid water from the electrolytic cell 31 to the air purifier 11 (mixing cell 92). Note that, in order to ensure the concentration of hypochlorous acid water stored in the electrolytic cell 31, when hypochlorous acid water is supplied from the hypochlorous acid water generator 30 to the mixing cell 92, the entire amount of hypochlorous acid water generated in the electrolytic cell 31 is supplied. Therefore, after the hypochlorous acid water is supplied, the electrolytic cell 31 is empty, and hypochlorous acid water production will not begin if hypochlorous acid water remains in the electrolytic cell 31. When the entire amount of hypochlorous acid water in the electrolytic cell 31 has been supplied, the water level sensor 39 outputs a drought signal as water level information.

[0060] Thereafter, the hypochlorous acid water transfer pump 37 stops based on a signal from the output unit 41e that receives information about time (the time required to supply the specified amount) from the timer unit 41c. As a result, the hypochlorous acid water generator 30 supplies the set amount of hypochlorous acid water from the electrolytic bath 31 to the air purifier 11 (mixing bath 92).

[0061] In this manner, the air purification control unit 41 executes the process of supplying hypochlorous acid water from the hypochlorous acid water generation unit 30 (electrolytic bath 31) to the air purification unit 11. Note that the control by the air purification control unit 41 to supply hypochlorous acid water by the hypochlorous acid water supply unit 36 ​​at predetermined time intervals is referred to as "first control."

[0062] <Operations related to the supply of water to the air purification unit> The air purification control unit 41 executes the following processes as operations related to the process of supplying water to the air purification unit 11.

[0063] The air purification control unit 41 receives water level information (drought signal) from the water level sensor 90 of the space purification device 10 as a trigger for supplying water to the air purification unit 11, and outputs a water supply request to the water supply unit 50.

[0064] Specifically, the input unit 41a receives water level information (drought signal) from the water level sensor 90 of the space purification device 10, and outputs it to the processing unit 41d.

[0065] Processing unit 41d identifies control information based on the water level information (drought signal) from input unit 41a, time-related information (time information) from timer unit 41c, and setting information from memory unit 41b, and outputs the control information to output unit 41e. Here, the setting information includes information related to the on / off operation of solenoid valve 51 of water supply unit 50.

[0066] Then, the output unit 41e outputs a signal (control signal) to the solenoid valve 51 based on the received control information.

[0067] Solenoid valve 51 operates based on a signal from output unit 41e, causing water supply unit 50 to start supplying water from an external water supply pipe to air purification unit 11 (mixing tank 92) via water supply pipe 52.

[0068] Thereafter, the solenoid valve 51 stops based on a signal from the output unit 41e that has received water level information (full water signal) from the water level sensor 90 of the space purification device 10. As a result, the water supply unit 50 supplies water from the external water supply pipe to the air purification unit 11 (mixing tank 92) until the set amount of water is reached.

[0069] In this manner, air purification control unit 41 executes the process of supplying water from water supply unit 50 to air purification unit 11. Note that the control by air purification control unit 41 to supply water by water supply unit 50 based on information about the water level in mixing tank 92 from water level sensor 90 (drought information) is referred to as "second control."

[0070] <Operations related to humidification and purification processing in the air purification unit> Next, the operation of the air purification control unit 41 regarding the humidification and purification process in the air purification unit 11 will be described.

[0071] The input unit 41a receives user input information from the operating device 43, temperature and humidity information of the air in the indoor space 18 from the temperature and humidity sensor 44, and water level information of the hypochlorous acid water (mixed water) in the mixing tank 92 from the water level sensor 90. The input unit 41a outputs each piece of received information to the processing unit 41d.

[0072] Here, the operating device 43 is a terminal for inputting user input information regarding the space purification device 10 (e.g., air volume, target temperature, target humidity, whether or not to add hypochlorous acid, target supply level of hypochlorous acid, etc.), and is connected to the air purification control unit 41 wirelessly or via a wired connection so that it can communicate with the air purification control unit 41.

[0073] The temperature and humidity sensor 44 is provided in the indoor space 18 and senses the temperature and humidity of the air in the indoor space 18 .

[0074] The memory unit 41b stores user input information received by the input unit 41a and supply setting information for the supply operation of hypochlorous acid to the air circulating inside the device. The memory unit 41b outputs the stored supply setting information to the processing unit 41d. Note that the supply setting information for the supply operation of hypochlorous acid can also be considered as humidification setting information for the humidification and purification operation of the air purifying unit 11.

[0075] The timekeeping unit 41c outputs time information relating to the current time to the processing unit 41d.

[0076] The processing unit 41d receives various information (user input information, temperature and humidity information, and water level information) from the input unit 41a, time information from the timer unit 41c, and supply setting information from the storage unit 41b. The processing unit 41d uses the received user input information, time information, and supply setting information to identify control information related to the humidification and purification operation.

[0077] Specifically, the processing unit 41d determines, at regular intervals based on the time information from the timer unit 41c, the required amount of humidification required for the indoor space 18 based on the humidity difference between the target humidity stored in the memory unit 41b and the temperature and humidity information of the air in the indoor space 18 from the temperature and humidity sensor 44. The processing unit 41d then determines control information related to the humidifying and purification operation based on the determined required amount of humidification and the supply setting information stored in the memory unit 41b. The processing unit 41d then outputs the determined control information to the output unit 41e.

[0078] Furthermore, when the water level information from the water level sensor 90 includes information (a drought signal) relating to a water level indicating a drought of the hypochlorous acid water (mixed water) in the mixing tank 92, the output unit 41e outputs a signal requesting water supply to the water supply unit 50. Furthermore, when the operating time of the air purifying unit 11 (humidifying motor 11a) reaches a predetermined time (for example, 60 minutes) based on the time information from the timer unit 41c, the output unit 41e outputs a signal requesting hypochlorous acid water supply to the hypochlorous acid water generating unit 30. In this embodiment, the water level indicating a drought of the hypochlorous acid water (mixed water) in the mixing tank 92 is set to the water level when the amount of hypochlorous acid water (mixed water) in the mixing tank 92 has decreased to about one-third of its full capacity.

[0079] Then, the output unit 41e outputs the received signals to the air purifying unit 11, the hypochlorous acid water generating unit 30 (hypochlorous acid water supply unit ), and the water supply unit 50, respectively.

[0080] The air purifying unit 11 then receives a signal from the output unit 41e and controls its operation based on the received signal. At this time, the hypochlorous acid water generating unit 30 (hypochlorous acid water supply unit 36) receives a signal (a signal requesting hypochlorous acid water supply) from the output unit 41e and performs the above-described operation (first control) related to the supply process of hypochlorous acid water to the air purifying unit 11 based on the received signal. Furthermore, the water supply unit 50 receives a signal (a signal requesting water supply) from the output unit 41e and performs the above-described operation (second control) related to the supply process of water to the air purifying unit 11 based on the received signal.

[0081] As described above, the air purification control unit 41 executes a supply process, namely, a first control in which the hypochlorous acid water generator 30 (hypochlorous acid water supply unit 36) supplies hypochlorous acid water at predetermined time intervals, and a second control in which the water supply unit 50 supplies water based on information (drought information) about the water level in the mixing tank 92 from the water level sensor 90, and stores mixed water in the mixing tank 92. When supplying hypochlorous acid water and water to the mixing tank 92 and storing mixed water, the air purification control unit 41 differentiates the hypochlorous acid water supply cycle (every predetermined time interval) from the water supply cycle (each time drought is detected), and executes a humidification purification process on the air circulating through the space purification device 10 (air purification unit 11).

[0082] <Operations related to wastewater treatment of mixed water from the air purification unit> The air purification control unit 41 executes the following process as an operation related to the drainage process of the mixed water stored in the mixing tank 92 of the air purification unit 11.

[0083] The air purification control unit 41 determines whether or not to perform drainage treatment as a trigger for drainage treatment of the mixed water stored in the mixing tank 92, based on information regarding the number of times the first control is performed in the hypochlorous acid water supply unit 36 ​​and information regarding the number of times the second control is performed in the water supply unit 50. Note that the information regarding the number of times each control is performed also includes information regarding the time when each control is performed.

[0084] Specifically, the memory unit 41b stores the number of times the first control has been performed in the hypochlorous acid water supply unit 36 ​​and the number of times the second control has been performed by the water supply unit 50. Here, the number of times of performance is the number of times each control has been performed since the start of the humidification purification treatment operation (hereinafter also referred to as "after the start of operation"), starting from the initial state of the mixing tank 92 (for example, a state in which the mixing tank 92 is filled with water due to the supply of water and hypochlorous acid water performed after the wastewater treatment).

[0085] Then, the processing unit 41d identifies the number of times the first control has been executed consecutively (number of consecutive executions of the first control) based on information regarding the number of times the first control has been executed and information regarding the number of times the second control has been executed, and determines whether the number of consecutive executions of the first control is a reference number.

[0086] Here, the reference number of times is set to "5 times" based on the hypochlorous acid concentration of the hypochlorous acid water supplied from the hypochlorous acid water supply unit 36 ​​so that the concentration of hypochlorous acid water in the mixing tank 92 does not exceed the reference concentration simply by continuous supply of hypochlorous acid water under the first control. The reference concentration is set to a hypochlorous acid concentration at which the user in the indoor space 18 does not become uncomfortable due to the odor of the air 9 (air 9 containing hypochlorous acid) blown into the indoor space 18.

[0087] If the result of the determination is that the number of consecutive executions of the first control is equal to the reference number, the processing unit 41d identifies control information based on time-related information (time information) from the timer unit 41c and setting information from the memory unit 41b, and outputs the control information to the output unit 41e. Here, the setting information includes information regarding the on / off operation of the solenoid valve 61 of the drainage unit 60.

[0088] Then, the output unit 41e outputs a signal (control signal) to the solenoid valve 61 based on the received control information.

[0089] The solenoid valve 61 operates based on the signal from the output unit 41e, which causes the drain unit 60 to start discharging the mixed water from the mixing tank 92 through the water supply pipe 62 to an external drain pipe.

[0090] Thereafter, the solenoid valve 61 stops after a predetermined time (for example, one minute) has elapsed based on a signal from the output unit 41e that has received time information from the timer unit 41c, thereby draining all of the mixed water stored in the mixing tank 92 and leaving it empty.

[0091] In this manner, the air purification control unit 41 executes the drainage process of the mixed water from the mixing tank 92 to the outside. Note that the control by the air purification control unit 41 to drain the mixed water by the drainage unit 60 based on information regarding the number of consecutive executions of the first control in the hypochlorous acid water supply unit 36 ​​is referred to as "third control."

[0092] Here, the third control is preferably performed immediately before the execution of the first control by the hypochlorous acid water supply unit 36. As a result, for example, immediately after new hypochlorous acid water is supplied to the mixing tank 92 by the first control, drainage by the third control is not performed, so that the mixed water stored in the mixing tank 92 can be used for as long as possible, reducing waste due to drainage by the third control. In the following examples, the third control is performed immediately before the execution of the first control from the viewpoint of reducing waste of hypochlorous acid water, which is an active ingredient in sterilization.

[0093] Next, with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, the mixed water (mixed water mixed by performing the first control or the second control) in the mixing tank 92 of the space purification device 10 (air purification unit 11) in the space purification system 100 will be described. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the changes over time in the water volume, hypochlorous acid water concentration, and hypochlorous acid concentration in the space purification system 100 (winter: first example). More specifically, (a) of FIG. 3 shows the changes over time in the water volume of hypochlorous acid water (mixed water) in the mixing tank 92. (b) of FIG. 3 shows the changes over time in the concentration of hypochlorous acid water (mixed water) in the mixing tank 92. (c) of FIG. 3 shows the changes over time in the concentration of hypochlorous acid contained in the air at the outlet 3. Furthermore, FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the changes over time in the water volume, hypochlorous acid water concentration, and hypochlorous acid concentration in the space purification system 100 (summer: second example). More specifically, (a) of Fig. 4 shows the change over time in the amount of hypochlorous acid water (mixed water) in the mixing tank 92. (b) of Fig. 4 shows the change over time in the concentration of hypochlorous acid water (mixed water) in the mixing tank 92. (c) of Fig. 4 shows the change over time in the concentration of hypochlorous acid contained in the air at the outlet 3.

[0094] Here, hypochlorous acid water is supplied to the mixing tank 92 every predetermined time (every hour), and water is supplied to the mixing tank 92 every time the water level sensor 90 detects a water level at which the mixing tank 92 becomes dry. Furthermore, the drainage process is performed based on the result of a determination made immediately before the first control is performed based on the number of consecutive executions of the first control. More specifically, the drainage process is performed based on whether the number of consecutive executions of the first control reaches a reference number (five times) in the drainage determination made immediately before the timing of supplying hypochlorous acid water.

[0095] As described above, even when the hypochlorous acid water (mixed water) in the mixing tank 92 reaches a water level that causes a drought, approximately one-third of the hypochlorous acid water (mixed water) remains in the mixing tank 92 compared to when the tank is full. For ease of explanation, the air purifying unit 11 is assumed to operate at a constant humidification demand during the humidification purification operation. Hereinafter, the predetermined amount of hypochlorous acid water supplied to the mixing tank 92 is also referred to as "concentrated hypochlorous acid water."

[0096] First, we will explain the operating conditions in winter in Japan. In winter in Japan, the outside air is dry, so the demand for humidification of the air purifying unit 11 is high, and water is supplied at shorter intervals than the supply of hypochlorous acid water. In other words, the water level in the mixing tank 92 becomes low before the supply of hypochlorous acid water.

[0097] Therefore, below, as a first example, we will explain processing under humidification purification conditions in which water supply (second control) is performed four times and hypochlorous acid water supply (first control) is performed three times during the period up to three hours of operation after the air purification unit 11 starts operating.

[0098] The above-described humidification and purification conditions are conditions that are set based on controlling air purifier 11 so that the number of times the first control is performed is less than the number of times the second control is performed when the humidification demand for air purifier 11 is equal to or greater than a first reference value. Here, the first reference value is a value that is set to distinguish between a situation in which the air is dry and has low humidity, such as in winter in Japan, and a situation in which the air is humid and has high humidity, such as in summer in Japan.

[0099] In the first example, as shown in (a) of Figure 3, the supply of hypochlorous acid water to the mixing tank 92 (first control) is performed at 1 hour, 2 hours, 3 hours, etc., assuming that the start of operation is 0 hours. On the other hand, the supply of water to the mixing tank 92 (second control) is performed at a hour, b hour, c hour, d hour, etc. At 0 hours, which is the start of operation, the supply of hypochlorous acid water and the supply of water to the mixing tank 92 are each performed, and the mixing tank 92 is in a state (initial state) where it is filled with hypochlorous acid water (mixed water) of a predetermined concentration.

[0100] Furthermore, at the timing of the third hour, the supply of hypochlorous acid water (first control) and the supply of water (second control) overlap, so the first example can be regarded as a three-hour cycle of supplying hypochlorous acid water (first control) and water (second control). However, with the supply of water (second control) at this timing, about one-third of the mixed water remains in the mixing tank 92 compared to when it was full, and the amount of water supplied is reduced by the amount of hypochlorous acid water supplied, so the concentration of hypochlorous acid water in the mixing tank 92 is slightly higher than the initial state at time 0.

[0101] In the first example, during the period from the start of operation of the air purifying unit 11 until the operation time is 3 hours (the period from the operation time of more than 0 hours to 3 hours or less), water is supplied 4 times and hypochlorous acid water is supplied 3 times. After that, the third hour of operation is regarded as the initial state (0 hours), and the same supply operation is repeated every 3 hours of operation.

[0102] In other words, in the first example, when the humidification request amount for the air purifying unit 11 is equal to or greater than the first reference value, the first control is performed less frequently than the second control.

[0103] The determination of whether to drain the mixed water stored in the mixing tank 92 is made at 1 hour, 2 hours, 3 hours, etc., immediately before the first control is executed. In winter in Japan, the amount of humidification required for the air purifying unit 11 is high, and the supply of water (second control) is executed at shorter intervals than the supply of hypochlorous acid water (first control). For this reason, the first control is not executed continuously, and the drainage of the mixed water by the third control is not executed.

[0104] This will be explained in more detail.

[0105] With reference to FIG. 3(a), the following description focuses on the change over time in the water level of the hypochlorous acid water (mixed water) in the mixing tank 92.

[0106] At the beginning of operation (hour 0), the mixing tank 92 is filled to capacity with a mixture of hypochlorous acid concentrate and water (also hypochlorous acid water). The amount of mixed water then decreases at a constant rate through humidification and purification operation. A drought is detected at hour a after operation begins, and water is supplied from the water supply unit 50 until the mixing tank 92 is full. Subsequently, the level of the mixed water decreases at a constant rate through humidification and purification operation, reaching one hour, the time for supplying hypochlorous acid water. At this hour, a determination is made as to whether to drain the mixed water. During the humidification and purification operation up to this point, the number of continuous supplies of hypochlorous acid concentrate under the first control after supplying water under the second control is 0, and it is determined that the number of continuous executions of the first control has not reached the reference number (five). Note that when water supply including the second control or drainage treatment including the third control is performed, the number of continuous executions of the first control is reset.

[0107] Then, in response to the determination result, the first control is executed without draining the mixed water stored in the mixing tank 92, and the hypochlorous acid water concentrate is supplied from the hypochlorous acid water generator 30 (hypochlorous acid water supply unit 36) to the mixing tank 92. This causes the water level in the mixing tank 92 to rise slightly. The number of consecutive executions of the first control then becomes 1. Thereafter, the level of the mixed water continues to decrease due to the humidification purification operation, and at time b from the start of operation, the water level becomes low again, and water is supplied from the water supply unit 50 until the mixing tank 92 is full. The number of consecutive executions of the first control is then reset to 0.

[0108] After that, when the operating time since the start of operation reaches two hours, a drainage determination is made. During the humidifying and purifying operation up to this point, the number of continuous supplies of the hypochlorous acid water concentrate by the first control after the supply of water by the second control is 0, and it is determined that the number of continuous executions of the first control has not reached the reference number (5 times).

[0109] Then, in response to the determination result, the first control is executed without draining the mixed water stored in the mixing tank 92, and the hypochlorous acid water concentrate is supplied from the hypochlorous acid water generator 30 (hypochlorous acid water supply unit 36) to the mixing tank 92. This causes the water level in the mixing tank 92 to rise slightly. The number of consecutive executions of the first control then becomes 1. Thereafter, the level of the mixed water continues to decrease due to the humidification purification operation, and at time c from the start of operation, the water level becomes low again, and water is supplied from the water supply unit 50 until the mixing tank 92 is full. The number of consecutive executions of the first control is then reset to 0.

[0110] After that, a drainage determination is made three hours (hours d) into the humidifying and purifying operation. During the humidifying and purifying operation up to this point, the number of consecutive supply times of the hypochlorous acid water concentrate under the first control after the supply of water under the second control is 0, and it is determined that the number of consecutive executions of the first control has not reached the reference number (5 times).

[0111] At this timing, the drought and the supply timing of the hypochlorous acid water concentrate overlap, so in response to the judgment result, the first control and the second control are executed in this order without draining the mixed water stored in the mixing tank 92. More specifically, in the first control, the hypochlorous acid water concentrate is first supplied from the hypochlorous acid water generator 30 (hypochlorous acid water supply unit 36) to the mixing tank 92. Then, in the second control, water is supplied from the water supply unit 50 until the mixing tank 92 is full. As a result, the hypochlorous acid water concentrate and water are each supplied into the mixing tank 92, and the water level in the mixing tank 92 becomes close to the initial state (0 hours) of operation. Note that, since water is being supplied, the number of consecutive executions of the first control is reset to 0.

[0112] After that, just as in the period up to three hours after operation started, water is supplied when there is a water shortage, and hypochlorous acid water concentrate is supplied when there is a supply of hypochlorous acid water.

[0113] Next, with reference to FIG. 3(b), a description will be given focusing on the change over time in the concentration of the hypochlorous acid water (mixed water) in the mixing tank 92.

[0114] At the beginning of operation (hour 0), a mixture of hypochlorous acid water concentrate and water is mixed in the mixing tank 92 to a predetermined concentration (initial concentration). Then, when the humidification and purification operation starts, the concentration of the hypochlorous acid water (mixed water) in the mixing tank 92 decreases over time from the start of operation until hour a. This is because hypochlorous acid has a higher vapor pressure than water, and the hypochlorous acid vaporizes and is added to the air at a constant rate relative to the concentration of the hypochlorous acid water. If the hypochlorous acid does not vaporize, the hypochlorous acid contained in the water is simply consumed along with the water atomized by the air purification unit 11. Therefore, although the hypochlorous acid water decreases at a constant rate according to the amount of humidification, the concentration of the hypochlorous acid water in the mixing tank 92 does not change. Furthermore, the reason why the concentration of the hypochlorous acid water is not zero even at hour a, when the water level sensor 90 detects a drought, is that, as described above, hypochlorous acid water (mixed water) remains in the mixing tank 92 even when a drought is detected.

[0115] Then, when it reaches hour a (drought detection) from the start of operation, the hypochlorous acid water in the mixing tank 92 is diluted with water as water is supplied from the water supply unit 50, and the concentration of the hypochlorous acid water in the mixing tank 92 decreases. After that, the concentration of the hypochlorous acid water (mixed water) decreases slightly due to the evaporation of hypochlorous acid until it reaches 1 hour, which is the timing for supplying hypochlorous acid water.

[0116] Then, at one hour after the start of operation, which is the timing for supplying hypochlorous acid water, the concentration of hypochlorous acid water in the mixing tank 92 rises to above the initial concentration as the hypochlorous acid water concentrate is supplied from the hypochlorous acid water generator 30 (hypochlorous acid water supply unit 36). This is because the predetermined amount of hypochlorous acid water (hypochlorous acid water concentrate) supplied at the beginning of operation is supplied to the mixed water (water containing hypochlorous acid), which is a smaller amount of water than the water supplied at the beginning of operation (0 hours). Thereafter, until hour b from the start of operation (drought detection), the concentration of hypochlorous acid water (mixed water) decreases due to the evaporation of hypochlorous acid. Note that the rate of decrease of hypochlorous acid is faster than at the beginning of operation because the amount of hypochlorous acid evaporated is also greater due to the higher content of hypochlorous acid in the mixed water.

[0117] Then, when b hours have passed since the start of operation (drought detection), the hypochlorous acid water in the mixing tank 92 is diluted with water as water is supplied from the water supply unit 50, and the concentration of the hypochlorous acid water in the mixing tank 92 decreases. Thereafter, the concentration of the hypochlorous acid water (mixed water) decreases slightly due to the evaporation of hypochlorous acid until 2 hours has passed, which is the time for supplying hypochlorous acid water.

[0118] Then, when two hours have passed since the start of operation, which is the timing for supplying hypochlorous acid water, the concentration of hypochlorous acid water in the mixing tank 92 rises to above the initial concentration as the hypochlorous acid water concentrate is supplied from the hypochlorous acid water generator 30 (hypochlorous acid water supply unit 36). After that, the concentration of hypochlorous acid water (mixed water) decreases due to the evaporation of hypochlorous acid until c hours have passed since the start of operation (drought detection).

[0119] Then, at c hours (drought detection) from the start of operation, the hypochlorous acid water in the mixing tank 92 is diluted with water as water is supplied from the water supply unit 50, and the concentration of the hypochlorous acid water in the mixing tank 92 decreases. Thereafter, the concentration of the hypochlorous acid water (mixed water) decreases slightly due to the evaporation of hypochlorous acid until 3 hours has passed, which is the time for supplying hypochlorous acid water.

[0120] Then, at 3 hours (hour d) from the start of operation, which is the timing for supplying water (and hypochlorous acid water), water and hypochlorous acid water concentrate are respectively supplied into the mixing tank 92, and the concentration of hypochlorous acid water in the mixing tank 92 becomes close to that at the beginning of operation (hour 0). After that, the concentration change of the hypochlorous acid water (mixed water) is repeated in the same way as before.

[0121] Next, with reference to FIG. 3(c), a description will be given focusing on the change over time in the concentration of hypochlorous acid contained in the air 9 at the air outlet 3.

[0122] The concentration of hypochlorous acid contained in the air 9 discharged from the outlet 3 is determined by the amount of humidification in the air purifying unit 11 and the concentration of hypochlorous acid water in the mixing tank 92, but in the first example, the amount of humidification is constant, so the concentration of hypochlorous acid water in the mixing tank 92 is reflected. Therefore, as shown in Figure 3(c), the concentration of hypochlorous acid contained in the air 9 at the outlet 3 increases or decreases in response to the increase or decrease in the concentration of hypochlorous acid water in the mixing tank 92 shown in Figure 3(b).

[0123] Here, in the case where, as in the conventional case, the hypochlorous acid water concentrate and water are supplied to fill the tank every time the water level sensor 90 detects a drought, the state from the start of operation (0 hours) to time a is repeated until time 3 (time d). In this case, the average concentration of hypochlorous acid contained in the air 9 at the outlet 3 will be, for example, the conventional average concentration shown in (c) of FIG. 3. In contrast, in the first example, the state is the same as the conventional state from the start of operation (0 hours) to time a, but the state is different from the conventional state from time a to time 3. More specifically, in the period from time a to time 3, as shown in (b) of FIG. 3, the period in which the concentration of hypochlorous acid water is higher than the initial concentration (part of the period from time 1 to time b, the period from time 2 to time c) is shorter than the period in which the concentration is lower than the initial concentration (the period from time a to time 1, the period from time b to time 2, and the period from time c to time 3). Therefore, during the period from the start of operation (0 hours) to 3 hours, the average concentration of hypochlorous acid contained in the air 9 from the air outlet 3 is lower than the conventional average concentration.

[0124] As described above, as in the first example, when hypochlorous acid water and water are supplied to the mixing tank 92 and the mixed water is stored, by differentiating the hypochlorous acid water supply cycle (every predetermined time) from the water supply cycle (each time drought is detected), the concentration of hypochlorous acid contained in the air 9 from the outlet 3, i.e., the air blown out into the indoor space 18, can be reduced compared to when hypochlorous acid water and water are supplied to the mixing tank 92 using the conventional method.

[0125] Next, the operating conditions in the Japanese summer will be described. In the Japanese summer, the outside air is humid and damp, so the humidification demand for the air purifying unit 11 is low, and water is supplied at longer intervals than the supply of hypochlorous acid water. In other words, the supply of hypochlorous acid water (first control) is performed many times before water is supplied (second control).

[0126] Therefore, in the following, as a second example, a process under humidification purification conditions will be described in which mixed water equivalent to the supply amount of hypochlorous acid water concentrate is consumed during a one-hour operating period, and the supply of hypochlorous acid water (first control) is executed each time. That is, in the second example, the supply of hypochlorous acid water (first control) is executed continuously, and the supply of water (second control) in response to drought detection is not executed.

[0127] In the second example, as shown in (a) of Figure 4, the supply of hypochlorous acid water concentrate to the mixing tank 92 (first control) is performed at 1 hour, 2 hours, 3 hours, etc., assuming that the start of operation is 0 hours. On the other hand, the supply of water to the mixing tank 92 (second control) is not performed because the amount of water consumed during humidification and purification is equal to the amount of hypochlorous acid water supplied by the first control, and the water level sensor 90 does not detect a drought. At 0 hours, when operation starts, the supply of hypochlorous acid water and the supply of water to the mixing tank 92 are each performed, and the mixing tank 92 is filled with hypochlorous acid water (mixed water) of a predetermined concentration (initial state).

[0128] The determination of whether to drain the mixed water stored in the mixing tank 92 is made immediately before the first control is executed at the timing of 1 hour, 2 hours, 3 hours, . . .

[0129] Specifically, at the timing when one hour of operation has elapsed since the start of operation, the number of times that the hypochlorous acid water concentrate has been supplied by the first control is 0, and it is determined that the number of consecutive executions of the first control has not reached the reference number (5 times). Then, in response to the determination result, the first control is executed, and the hypochlorous acid water concentrate is supplied to the mixing tank 92.

[0130] Next, when the operating time reaches two hours after the start of operation, a determination is made as to whether to drain the mixed water. During the humidifying and purifying operation up to this point, the number of times that the hypochlorous acid water concentrate has been supplied by the first control is one, and it is determined that the number of times that the first control has been executed has not reached the reference number (five times). Then, in response to the determination result, the first control is executed, and the hypochlorous acid water concentrate is supplied to the mixing tank 92.

[0131] After that, the same control is executed until the operation time reaches 5 hours after the start of operation.

[0132] Next, when the operating time since the start of operation reaches six hours, a determination is made as to whether to drain the mixed water. During the humidification purification operation up to this point, the number of continuous supplies of hypochlorous acid water concentrate under the first control is five, and it is determined that the number of times the first control has been executed is the reference number (five). Then, in response to the determination result, the third control is executed, and all of the mixed water in the mixing tank 92 is drained. Furthermore, after the third control is executed, a new supply of hypochlorous acid water concentrate and a new supply of water are each executed to the mixing tank 92, and the mixing tank 92 becomes full with hypochlorous acid water (mixed water) of the predetermined concentration, the same as in the initial state.

[0133] After that, the timing of 6 hours is regarded as the initial state (0 hours), and the same supply operation and drainage operation are repeated every 6 hours.

[0134] This will be explained in more detail.

[0135] First, with reference to FIG. 4(a), a description will be given focusing on the change over time in the water level of the hypochlorous acid water (mixed water) in the mixing tank 92.

[0136] At the beginning of operation (0 hours), the mixing tank 92 is filled to capacity with a mixture of hypochlorous acid concentrate and water (which is also hypochlorous acid water). Then, the amount of the mixed water decreases at a constant rate due to the humidification purification operation, and the time for supplying hypochlorous acid water reaches 1 hour. Then, at this 1 hour timing, a determination is made as to whether to drain the mixed water.

[0137] Since neither the supply of water under the second control nor the supply of hypochlorous acid water concentrate under the first control has been performed during the humidification purification operation up to this point, it is determined that the number of continuous supplies of hypochlorous acid water concentrate under the first control is 0, and the number of continuous executions of the first control has not reached the reference number (5 times). Then, in response to this determination result, the first control is performed without draining the mixed water stored in the mixing tank 92, and the hypochlorous acid water concentrate is supplied from the hypochlorous acid water generation unit 30 (hypochlorous acid water supply unit 36) to the mixing tank 92. As a result, the water level in the mixing tank 92 rises to a full state. Thereafter, the level of the mixed water continues to decrease due to the humidification purification operation, and the time for supplying hypochlorous acid water, 2 hours, arrives. Then, at this 2-hour timing, a determination is made as to whether the mixed water should be drained.

[0138] In the humidification purification operation up to this point, the number of continuous supplies of hypochlorous acid water concentrate by the first control is one, so it is determined that the number of times the first control has been executed has not reached the reference number (five times). Then, in response to this determination result, the first control is executed without draining the mixed water stored in the mixing tank 92, and hypochlorous acid water concentrate is supplied from the hypochlorous acid water generator 30 (hypochlorous acid water supply unit 36) to the mixing tank 92. As a result, the water level in the mixing tank 92 rises to a full water state. Thus, in the second example, although the amount of mixed water decreases at a constant rate due to the humidification purification operation, the amount of hypochlorous acid water concentrate is supplied in an amount equal to the consumed amount, so the amount of mixed water simply fluctuates between the state where the amount has decreased by the consumed amount and the full water state.

[0139] After that, the 6th hour arrives, which is the time to supply the hypochlorous acid water concentrate, and at this 6-hour time point, a decision is made as to whether to discharge the mixed water.

[0140] Since the number of times that the hypochlorous acid water concentrate has been supplied by the first control is five in the humidification purification operation up to this point, it is determined that the number of times that the first control has been executed has reached the reference number (five times). Then, in response to this determination result, the third control is executed, and the mixed water in the mixing tank 92 is drained. Furthermore, after the mixed water is drained by the third control, a new supply of hypochlorous acid water concentrate and a new supply of water are executed to the mixing tank 92, and the mixing tank 92 becomes full with hypochlorous acid water (mixed water) of the predetermined concentration, the same as in the initial state (0 time). Here, the number of consecutive executions of the first control is reset, and storage of the number of executions of the first control begins again.

[0141] After that, the 6-hour timing is considered the initial state (0 hours), and the same supply operation and drainage operation are repeated every 6 hours. More specifically, just as before, the supply of hypochlorous acid water concentrate by the first control is repeated at the timing of supplying hypochlorous acid water. Then, just before executing the first control, a determination is made as to whether the mixed water should be drained by the third control, and if the conditions are met, the third control is executed. Then, the water level of the hypochlorous acid water (mixed water) in the mixing tank 92 increases or decreases corresponding to each operation.

[0142] Next, with reference to FIG. 4(b), a description will be given focusing on the change over time in the concentration of the hypochlorous acid water (mixed water) in the mixing tank 92.

[0143] At the beginning of operation (0 hours), a mixture of hypochlorous acid water concentrate and water is mixed in the mixing tank 92 to a predetermined concentration (initial concentration). Then, when the humidification purification operation starts, the concentration of the hypochlorous acid water (mixed water) in the mixing tank 92 decreases over time until 1 hour after the start of operation. This is because, as described above, hypochlorous acid has a higher vapor pressure than water, and hypochlorous acid is vaporized and added to the air at a constant rate relative to the concentration of the hypochlorous acid water.

[0144] Then, when the time for supplying hypochlorous acid water reaches one hour from the start of operation, the concentration of hypochlorous acid water in the mixing tank 92 rises to above the initial concentration as the hypochlorous acid water concentrate is supplied from the hypochlorous acid water generator 30 (hypochlorous acid water supply unit 36). This is because, as described above, a predetermined amount of hypochlorous acid water (hypochlorous acid water concentrate) is supplied at the beginning of operation to mixed water (water containing hypochlorous acid), which is a water volume smaller than the amount of mixed water stored at the beginning of operation (0 hours). Thereafter, until two hours have passed since the start of operation, the concentration of hypochlorous acid water (mixed water) decreases slightly due to the evaporation of hypochlorous acid.

[0145] Then, at two hours after the start of operation, which is the timing for supplying hypochlorous acid water, the concentration of hypochlorous acid water in the mixing tank 92 further increases to above the initial concentration as the hypochlorous acid water concentrate is supplied from the hypochlorous acid water generator 30 (hypochlorous acid water supply unit 36). Thereafter, until three hours after the start of operation, the concentration of the hypochlorous acid water (mixed water) decreases due to the evaporation of hypochlorous acid. From this point onwards, the concentration of the hypochlorous acid water (mixed water) repeatedly changes in the same way until the timing of five hours, and the concentration of the hypochlorous acid water (mixed water) gradually increases.

[0146] Then, when 6 hours has passed since the start of operation, which is the timing for supplying the hypochlorous acid water concentrate, the timing for drainage is determined based on the drainage judgment, and after all of the hypochlorous acid water (mixed water) in the mixing tank 92 has been drained, water and hypochlorous acid water concentrate are respectively supplied into the mixing tank 92, and the concentration of the hypochlorous acid water in the mixing tank 92 returns to the same state as at the beginning of operation (0 hours). After that, the concentration change of the hypochlorous acid water (mixed water) is repeated as before.

[0147] Next, with reference to FIG. 4(c), a description will be given focusing on the change over time in the concentration of hypochlorous acid contained in the air 9 at the air outlet 3.

[0148] The concentration of hypochlorous acid contained in the air 9 discharged from the outlet 3 is determined by the amount of humidification in the air purification unit 11 and the concentration of hypochlorous acid water in the mixing tank 92, just like in winter in Japan. Therefore, as shown in (c) of Figure 4, the concentration of hypochlorous acid contained in the air 9 at the outlet 3 increases or decreases in response to the increase or decrease in the concentration of hypochlorous acid water in the mixing tank 92 shown in (b) of Figure 4.

[0149] Here, if, as in the past, the hypochlorous acid water concentrate and water are supplied to fill the tank every time the water level sensor 90 detects a drought, the concentration of the hypochlorous acid water will continue to decrease from the start of operation (0 hours) until 6 hours have passed. Strictly speaking, the concentration of the hypochlorous acid water will continue to decrease during the 6-hour period from the full water state until a drought is detected. In this case, the average concentration of hypochlorous acid contained in the air 9 at the outlet 3 will be, for example, the conventional average concentration shown in FIG. 4(c).

[0150] In contrast, in the second example, the state is the same as the conventional state from the start of operation (hour 0) to hour 1, but the state is different from the conventional state from hour 1 to hour 6. More specifically, in the period from hour 1 to hour 6, as shown in FIG. 4(b), the period during which the concentration of the hypochlorous acid water is higher than the initial concentration is much longer than the period during which the concentration is lower than the initial concentration. Therefore, in the period from the start of operation (hour 0) to hour 12, the average concentration of hypochlorous acid contained in the air 9 at the outlet 3 is higher than the conventional average concentration.

[0151] After six hours, the concentration of the mixed water is changed every six hours, with six hours being one cycle, so that the concentration of the hypochlorous acid water does not continue to rise, and it is possible to continue adjusting the concentration of the hypochlorous acid water within a certain range. In other words, if the humidification purification operation is continued, the concentration of the hypochlorous acid water in the mixing tank 92 may rise too much, but by providing control of the drainage judgment according to the number of continuous supplies of the hypochlorous acid water concentrate by the first control, the concentration of the hypochlorous acid water in the mixing tank 92 and therefore the amount of added hypochlorous acid contained in the air 9 at the outlet 3 can be reset at regular intervals, and the amount of hypochlorous acid gas supplied to the indoor space 18 can be controlled.

[0152] As described above, the space purification system 100 performs the first control, supplying hypochlorous acid water to the mixing tank 92 at preset intervals (e.g., every hour). The second control executes a process of supplying water based on water level information (a drought signal) from the water level sensor 90. The third control executes a process of draining the mixed water from the mixing tank 92 based on the number of consecutive executions of the first control. Furthermore, the air purification control unit 41 of the space purification system 100 differentiates the number of times the first control is performed within a predetermined period from the number of times the second control is performed within a predetermined period based on the humidification demand of the air purification unit 11 (a humidification demand corresponding to a Japanese winter or a Japanese summer). This allows air 9 with a lower hypochlorous acid content to be released into the indoor space 18 compared to conventional methods when the humidification demand is high, such as in a Japanese winter. The air 9 with a higher hypochlorous acid content to be released into the indoor space 18 when the humidification demand is low, such as in a Japanese summer, compared to conventional methods. Furthermore, when the humidifying and purifying operation is continued for a long period of time, an excessive increase in the concentration of hypochlorous acid released into the indoor space 18 can be suppressed.

[0153] In other words, by activating the supply of hypochlorous acid water, the supply of water, and the drainage of mixed water with separate triggers, the concentration of hypochlorous acid water in the mixing tank 92 (the concentration of hypochlorous acid contained in the air 9 blown into the indoor space 18) can be adjusted by simple control (first control, second control, third control).

[0154] As described above, the space purification system 100 according to the first embodiment can provide the following effects.

[0155] (1) The space purification system 100 includes a hypochlorous acid water generation unit 30 that generates hypochlorous acid water, a hypochlorous acid water supply unit 36 ​​that supplies hypochlorous acid water from the hypochlorous acid water generation unit 30 to a mixing tank 92, a water supply unit 50 that supplies water to the mixing tank 92, a water level sensor 90 that detects the water level in the mixing tank 92, an air purification unit 11 that atomizes the mixed water of hypochlorous acid water and water stored in the mixing tank 92 and releases it into the air, and an air purification control unit 41 that controls the supply process in the hypochlorous acid water supply unit 36 ​​and the water supply unit 50 and the drainage process of the mixed water stored in the mixing tank 92. The air purification control unit 41 executes, as a supply process, a first control in which the hypochlorous acid water supply unit 36 ​​supplies hypochlorous acid water every predetermined time (for example, 60 minutes), and a second control in which the water supply unit 50 supplies water based on information (drought information) about the water level in the mixing tank 92 from the water level sensor 90, and, as a drainage process, a third control in which the mixed water stored in the mixing tank 92 is drained when the first control is executed a predetermined number of times in succession.

[0156] As a result, when air with high relative humidity is ventilated, such as in the summer in Japan, the amount of mixed water stored in the mixing tank 92 is low, so the frequency of supplying hypochlorous acid water to the mixing tank 92 (the number of times the first control is performed) increases, and the mixed water is atomized and released into the air while the hypochlorous acid concentration in the mixed water in the mixing tank 92 is high. In this case, if the first control is performed a predetermined number of times in succession (for example, five times), the third control is performed, and the mixed water stored in the mixing tank 92 is discharged and the mixed water in the mixing tank 92 is reset, thereby preventing the hypochlorous acid concentration in the mixing tank 92 from increasing too much. As a result, even in a situation where the atomized hypochlorous acid water is difficult to vaporize, hypochlorous acid increased to a predetermined concentration can be contained in the air and released into the indoor space 18.

[0157] On the other hand, when air with low relative humidity is ventilated, such as in winter in Japan, the amount of mixed water stored in the mixing tank 92 is large, so the frequency of supplying water to the mixing tank 92 (the number of times the second control is performed) increases, and the mixed water is atomized and released into the air while the hypochlorous acid concentration in the mixing tank 92 is low. As a result, even in a situation where the atomized hypochlorous acid water is prone to vaporization, hypochlorous acid diluted to a predetermined concentration can be contained in the air and released into the indoor space 18.

[0158] In other words, the space purification system 100 makes it easy to adjust the amount of hypochlorous acid released into the air.

[0159] (2) In the space purification system 100, the air purification control unit 41 executes the third control immediately before executing the first control after consecutively executing the first control a predetermined number of times. As a result, in the space purification system 100, drainage by the third control is not performed immediately after hypochlorous acid is supplied to the mixing tank 92 by the first control, so the hypochlorous acid water supplied by the first control can be used for as long as possible, and waste caused by drainage by the third control can be reduced.

[0160] Furthermore, even when the space purification system 100 is operated for a long period of time (for example, 24 hours), the state inside the mixing tank 92 can be returned to the state at the beginning of operation before the concentration of hypochlorous acid water in the mixing tank 92 becomes too high. In other words, the space purification system 100 can easily adjust the amount of hypochlorous acid released into the air.

[0161] (3) In the space purification system 100, when the humidification demand required by the air purification unit 11 is equal to or greater than a first reference value, the air purification control unit 41 controls the number of times the first control is performed to be less than the number of times the second control is performed. When the humidification demand is less than the first reference value, the air purification control unit 41 controls the number of times the first control is performed to be more than the number of times the second control is performed. As a result, in the supply process, in the space purification system 100, when the humidification demand is less than the first reference value, the mixed water can be atomized and released into the air with a high hypochlorous acid concentration in the mixing tank 92. On the other hand, when the humidification demand is equal to or greater than the first reference value, the mixed water can be atomized and released into the air with a low hypochlorous acid concentration in the mixing tank 92. In other words, in the space purification system 100, hypochlorous acid can be imparted to the air 9 released from the air purification unit 11 under conditions suitable for the environment of the indoor space 18, based on the humidification demand.

[0162] The present invention has been described above based on the embodiments. These embodiments are merely examples, 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 invention.

[0163] In the first and second examples of the space purification system 100 according to the first embodiment, the air purification unit 11 has been described as operating at a constant humidification demand during the humidification purification operation time, but in reality, it operates at a humidification demand that is determined based on the humidity difference between the target humidity and the humidity of the air in the indoor space 18 at regular intervals.

[0164] Furthermore, in the space purification system 100 according to this embodiment, it is preferable that the predetermined number of times in the third control is set based on the concentration of the hypochlorous acid water supplied by the first control. As a result, for example, in the space purification system 100, when the concentration of the hypochlorous acid water supplied by the first control is high, if the first control is continuously performed a predetermined number of times, the concentration of the hypochlorous acid water in the mixing tank 92 will increase quickly, so by setting the predetermined number of times to be small, it is possible to more reliably prevent the concentration of the hypochlorous acid water in the mixing tank 92 from increasing too much. [Industrial Applicability]

[0165] The space purification system of the present invention can easily adjust the amount of hypochlorous acid released into the air when micronizing hypochlorous acid water and releasing the hypochlorous acid into the air, and is useful as a system for sterilizing or deodorizing the air in a target space. [Explanation of symbols]

[0166] 2 Intake port 3 Air outlet 4 Front air passage 5 Middle wind path 6 Rear air passage 8. Air 9. Air 10 Space Purification Device 11 Air Purification Unit 11a Humidification motor 11b Humidifying nozzle 13 Blower 14 Refrigerant coil 15 Air conditioning equipment 16 Duct 16a Indoor intake port 17 Duct 17a Indoor air outlet 18 Indoor Spaces 20 Outdoor unit 20a compressor 20b Expander 20c outdoor heat exchanger 20d Blower Fan 20e Four-way valve 21 Refrigerant circuit 24 Duct 30 Hypochlorous acid water generator 31 Electrolytic cell 32 electrodes 33 Solenoid valve 34 Brine Tank 35 Brine Transfer Pump 36 Hypochlorous Acid Water Supply Unit 37 Hypochlorous acid water conveying pump 38 Water pipe 39 Water level sensor 41 Air purification control unit 41a Input section 41b Storage section 41c Timekeeping section 41d Processing section 41e Output section 42 Air conditioning control unit 43 Operating device 44 Temperature and humidity sensor 50 Water supply section 51 Solenoid valve 52 Water pipe 60 Drainage section 61 Solenoid valve 62 Water pipe 90 Water level sensor 92 Mixing tank 100 Space Purification System

Claims

1. A hypochlorous acid water generating unit that generates hypochlorous acid water; A hypochlorous acid water supply unit that supplies the hypochlorous acid water from the hypochlorous acid water generation unit to a mixing tank; a water supply unit that supplies water to the mixing tank; a water level sensor for detecting the water level of the mixing tank; A humidifying and purifying unit that atomizes the mixed water of the hypochlorous acid water and the water stored in the mixing tank and releases the atomized water into the air; A control unit that controls the supply treatment in the hypochlorous acid water supply unit and the water supply unit, and the drainage treatment of the mixed water stored in the mixing tank; Equipped with The control unit executes, as the supply process, a first control in which the hypochlorous acid water supply unit supplies the hypochlorous acid water at predetermined time intervals, and a second control in which the water supply unit supplies water based on information regarding the water level in the mixing tank from the water level sensor, and, as the drainage process, executes a third control in which the mixed water stored in the mixing tank is drained when the first control has been executed a predetermined number of times in succession. This space purification system is characterized by the above.

2. The space purification system according to claim 1, wherein the control unit executes the third control immediately before executing the first control after consecutively executing the first control the predetermined number of times.

3. The space purification system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the predetermined number of times in the third control is set based on the concentration of the hypochlorous acid water supplied by the first control.

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