Air purifying device and air purifying method

Abstract

To provide an air cleaning technology that can remove bacteria and viruses from the air.SOLUTION: An air cleaning device 10 includes: a suction port 12; a container 16 for storing water 22; an aerator 18 for outputting the air sucked from the suction port 12 into the water stored in the container 16 as fine bubbles 24; a light source 34 for emitting ultraviolet light to the water 22 stored in the container 16 to sterilize the water; and an air outlet 14 for discharging the air passing through the water 22 stored in the container 16.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an air purifying device and an air purifying method. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, air purifying devices have become widespread. There is a demand for devices that not only remove dust and dirt from the air but also inactivate bacteria and viruses in the air to enhance the purifying function. For example, a technology has been proposed that uses antibody substances to adsorb and remove bacteria and viruses from the air (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-210558 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the above-mentioned prior art, the antibody substance needs to be supplied, which requires a lot of labor for maintenance and increases the cost of consumables.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of these problems, and one of its exemplary purposes is to provide an air purification technology that can remove bacteria and viruses in the air. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] An air purifying device according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises an air intake port, a container for storing water, an aeration device that outputs air drawn in through the air intake port as fine bubbles into the water in the container, a light source that sterilizes the water in the container by irradiating it with ultraviolet light, and an exhaust port that exhausts air that has passed through the water in the container.

[0007] Another aspect of the present invention is an air purification method, which includes: outputting air drawn in through an air intake port as fine bubbles into water in a container; sterilizing the water in the container by irradiating it with ultraviolet light; and exhausting the air that has passed through the water in the container through an exhaust port.

[0008] According to the present invention, an air purification technology capable of removing bacteria and viruses in the air can be provided. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating the configuration of an air purifying device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the configuration of an air purifying device according to a second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the description, the same elements are designated by the same reference numerals, and duplicate explanations will be omitted as appropriate. To facilitate understanding of the description, the dimensional ratios of the components in each drawing do not necessarily correspond to the actual dimensional ratios.

[0011] (First embodiment) 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating the configuration of an air purifying device 10 according to a first embodiment. The air purifying device 10 is configured to purify air drawn in through an air inlet 12 and exhaust the purified air from an air outlet 14. The air purifying device 10 includes the air inlet 12, the air outlet 14, a container 16, an aeration device 18, and a running water sterilization device 20.

[0012] The container 16 stores water 22, which functions as a filter for purifying the air. The water 22 stored in the container 16 is, for example, tap water.

[0013] The aeration device 18 is configured to draw air through the air inlet 12 and output the drawn air as fine bubbles 24 into the water 22 stored in the container 16. The aeration device 18 includes, for example, an air pump 26 for drawing air through the air inlet 12 and a nozzle 28 for generating fine bubbles 24 from the air drawn by the air pump 26. The nozzle 28 is configured to generate, for example, microbubbles with a size of 100 μm or less or 10 μm or less, or nanobubbles with a size of 1 μm or less. A filter 30 may be provided between the air inlet 12 and the air pump 26 to remove dust from the air drawn into the air pump 26.

[0014] The flowing water sterilization device 20 uses ultraviolet light to sterilize the water 22 stored inside the container 16. The flowing water sterilization device 20 includes, for example, a reactor 32 through which the water 22 passes, and a light source 34 that irradiates the water 22 in the reactor 32 with ultraviolet light. The reactor 32 is made of, for example, a fluororesin such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). The light source 34 has, for example, an LED (Light Emitting Diode) that outputs deep ultraviolet light with a wavelength of approximately 260 nm to 285 nm.

[0015] The running water sterilizer 20 is provided midway through a circulation flow path 36 connected to the container 16. The circulation flow path 36 extends between an inlet 38 and an outlet 40 provided in the container 16. A pump 42 is provided in the circulation flow path 36 to generate a flow of water 22 from the inlet 38 toward the outlet 40. The pump 42 is provided, for example, between the inlet 38 and the running water sterilizer 20. The pump 42 may also be provided between the running water sterilizer 20 and the outlet 40. In the illustrated example, the inlet 38 is provided vertically below the outlet 40. In another example, the inlet 38 may be provided vertically above the outlet 40; for example, the illustrated inlet 38 and outlet 40 may be interchanged.

[0016] An opening 44 is provided vertically above the container 16. The fine bubbles 24 supplied into the container 16 pass through the water 22 inside the container 16 and head toward the opening 44. The air that has passed through the opening 44 is exhausted to the outside of the air purifying device 10 through the exhaust port 14. The exhaust port 14 is disposed, for example, vertically above the opening 44 of the container 16.

[0017] Next, the operation of air purifier 10 will be described. Air to be purified is drawn in through intake port 12 by air pump 26. The air drawn in by air pump 26 is sent into water 22 stored in container 16 and is output as fine bubbles 24 from nozzle 28. Bacteria and viruses contained in the fine bubbles 24 are captured by water 22. Fine bubbles 24 that have passed through water 22 are exhausted to the outside through opening 44 and exhaust port 14. Air purifier 10 supplies purified air from which bacteria and viruses have been removed by water 22 through exhaust port 14.

[0018] The water 22 that has trapped the bacteria and viruses contained in the fine bubbles 24 is sent to the circulation flow path 36 by the pump 42. The running water sterilization device 20 irradiates the water 22 supplied to the reactor 32 through the circulation flow path 36 with ultraviolet light from the light source 34, inactivating the bacteria and viruses contained in the water 22 flowing through the circulation flow path 36. The water 22 in which the bacteria and viruses have been inactivated returns to the container 16 through the circulation flow path 36. By sterilizing the water 22 flowing through the circulation flow path 36 with the running water sterilization device 20, the bacteria and viruses contained in the water 22 stored in the container 16 can be maintained in an inactivated state. This prevents the bacteria and viruses contained in the water 22 stored in the container 16 from scattering to the outside through the exhaust port 14.

[0019] According to this embodiment, by using the water 22 stored in the container 16 as a filter, it is possible to increase the efficiency of capturing bacteria and viruses contained in the air. In particular, by releasing air into the water 22 as fine bubbles 24, it is possible to further increase the efficiency of capturing bacteria and viruses. Furthermore, by irradiating the bacteria and viruses captured in the water 22 with ultraviolet light, it is possible to increase the inactivation efficiency compared to when bacteria and viruses in the air are directly irradiated with ultraviolet light. As a result, it is possible to efficiently remove bacteria and viruses from the air with a relatively simple configuration that is a combination of the aeration device 18 and the running water sterilization device 20.

[0020] 2 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating the configuration of an air purifying device 50 according to a second embodiment. In the second embodiment, a partition member 52 is provided inside a container 16, and the partition member 52 forms a treatment flow path 54 that extends in a zigzag pattern inside the container 16. A plurality of light sources 56 are provided inside the container 16, and ultraviolet light is irradiated from the plurality of light sources 56 onto the water 22 flowing through the treatment flow path 54. The following description of the second embodiment will focus on the differences from the first embodiment described above, and a description of the commonalities will be omitted as appropriate.

[0021] The air purifying device 50 includes an air intake 12, an air exhaust 14, a container 16, an aeration device 18, a circulation flow path 36, a partition member 52, and a plurality of light sources 56.

[0022] The processing flow path 54 is formed inside the container 16. The processing flow path 54 is configured to extend in a zigzag pattern from an upstream end 58 provided at the vertical lower part of the container 16 to a downstream end 60 provided at the vertical upper part of the container 16. The partition member 52 extends from the inner surface of the container 16 to partition the processing flow path 54. The partition member 52 is arranged to extend obliquely with respect to the vertical direction so that air bubbles do not remain midway through the processing flow path 54. The partition member 52 is preferably made of a material that has a high reflectivity for the ultraviolet light irradiated by the light source 56, and is made of, for example, a fluororesin such as PTFE, aluminum, or the like.

[0023] The circulation flow path 36 connects the upstream end 58 and downstream end 60 of the treatment flow path 54, and circulates the water 22 from the downstream end 60 to the upstream end 58 of the treatment flow path 54. The inlet 38 of the circulation flow path 36 is provided at the downstream end 60 of the treatment flow path 54, and the outlet 40 of the circulation flow path 36 is provided at the upstream end 58 of the treatment flow path 54. The nozzle 28 of the aeration device 18 is provided at the upstream end 58 of the treatment flow path 54.

[0024] The plurality of light sources 56 are provided inside the container 16. The plurality of light sources 56 are attached, for example, to the inner surface of the container 16, and irradiate ultraviolet light toward the water 22 flowing through the treatment flow path 54. Each of the plurality of light sources 56 has, for example, an LED (Light Emitting Diode) that outputs deep ultraviolet light with a wavelength of approximately 260 nm to 285 nm. Each of the plurality of light sources 56 is arranged to irradiate ultraviolet light in a direction along the flow of the water 22 flowing through the treatment flow path 54, for example, in a direction in which the partition member 52 extends.

[0025] Next, the operation of the air purifier 50 will be described. Air to be purified is drawn in through the air intake 12 by the air pump 26 and output as fine bubbles 24 into the water 22 from a nozzle 28 provided at the upstream end 58 of the treatment flow path 54. The fine bubbles 24 flow from the upstream end 58 to the downstream end 60 of the treatment flow path 54 due to buoyancy within the water 22 and are exhausted to the outside through the opening 44 and the exhaust port 14. Inside the treatment flow path 54, the buoyancy of the fine bubbles 24 causes a flow of water 22 from the upstream end 58 to the downstream end 60. The water 22 that passes through the treatment flow path 54 and reaches the downstream end 60 returns to the upstream end 58 through the circulation flow path 36. Each of the multiple light sources 56 irradiates ultraviolet light toward the water 22 and the fine bubbles 24 flowing through the treatment flow path 54, inactivating bacteria and viruses trapped in the water 22.

[0026] The second embodiment can also achieve the same effects as the first embodiment. Furthermore, according to the second embodiment, the water 22 can be circulated by the buoyancy of the fine bubbles 24 in the treatment flow path 54, so the pump 42 in the first embodiment can be omitted. Note that in the second embodiment, the pump 42 may be provided midway through the circulation flow path 36, and the pump 42 may circulate the water 22 between the treatment flow path 54 and the circulation flow path 36.

[0027] The configurations of the first and second embodiments may be combined as appropriate. For example, in the first embodiment, a zigzag treatment flow path 54 may be formed inside the container 16. For example, in the second embodiment, a running water sterilization device 20 may be disposed in the circulation flow path 36. In this case, the air purification device 50 may include a light source 34 that irradiates ultraviolet light onto the water flowing through the circulation flow path 36, and a light source 56 that irradiates ultraviolet light onto the water flowing through the treatment flow path 54.

[0028] The present invention has been described above based on examples. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and that various design changes and modifications are possible, and that such modifications are also within the scope of the present invention.

[0029] Several aspects of the present invention will now be described.

[0030] A first aspect of the present invention is an air purifier comprising an air intake port, a container for storing water, an aeration device that outputs air drawn in through the air intake port as fine bubbles into the water in the container, a light source that sterilizes the water in the container by irradiating it with ultraviolet light, and an exhaust port that exhausts air that has passed through the water in the container. According to the first aspect, by outputting the air drawn in through the air intake port as fine bubbles into the water, bacteria and viruses contained in the air can be trapped in the water and removed, thereby purifying the air. Furthermore, by irradiating the water in which bacteria and viruses have been trapped with ultraviolet light to sterilize it, the trapped bacteria and viruses can be inactivated.

[0031] A second aspect of the present invention is the air purifying device according to the first aspect, further comprising a circulation flow path for circulating the water in the container. By circulating the water in the container, bacteria and viruses captured in the water can be more efficiently inactivated.

[0032] A third aspect of the present invention is the air purifying device according to the second aspect, wherein the light source irradiates ultraviolet light onto the water flowing through the circulation flow path. According to the third aspect of the present invention, by irradiating ultraviolet light onto the water flowing through the circulation flow path, bacteria and viruses captured in the water can be more efficiently inactivated.

[0033] A fourth aspect of the present invention is an air purification method comprising: outputting air drawn in through an air intake port as fine bubbles into water in a container; sterilizing the water in the container by irradiating it with ultraviolet light; and exhausting the air that has passed through the water in the container through an exhaust port. According to the fourth aspect, by outputting the air drawn in through the air intake port as fine bubbles into the water, bacteria and viruses contained in the air can be trapped in the water, thereby removing and purifying the air. Furthermore, by sterilizing the water in which bacteria and viruses have been trapped by irradiating it with ultraviolet light, the trapped bacteria and viruses can be inactivated.

[0034] A fifth aspect of the present invention is the air purifying method according to the fourth aspect, further comprising circulating the water in the container by the buoyancy of the fine bubbles. According to the fifth aspect, circulating the water in the container makes it possible to more efficiently inactivate bacteria and viruses captured in the water. Furthermore, circulating the water by the buoyancy of the fine bubbles eliminates the need for a pump to circulate the water, thereby reducing manufacturing and operating costs. [Explanation of symbols]

[0035] 10...air purifier, 12...air intake port, 14...exhaust port, 16...container, 18...aeration device, 22...water, 24...fine bubbles, 26...air pump, 28...nozzle, 32...reactor, 34...light source, 36...circulation flow path

Claims

1. An intake port, a container for storing water; a partition member that partitions a processing flow path extending in a zigzag pattern from the bottom to the top of the container; an aeration device that outputs air drawn in through the air intake port from a lower portion of the container into the water in the treatment flow path as fine bubbles; a light source that irradiates the water in the container with ultraviolet light to sterilize it; an exhaust port for exhausting air that has passed through the water in the treatment flow path from an upper portion of the container; an air purifying device comprising: a circulation flow path extending from the top to the bottom of the container, and circulating the water in the container by utilizing the water flow caused by the buoyancy of the microbubbles passing through the treatment flow path.

2. The air purifying device according to claim 1 , wherein the light source irradiates the water flowing through the circulation flow path with ultraviolet light.

3. Air drawn in through an air intake port is output from a lower portion of the container into the water in the container as fine bubbles; generating a water flow by the buoyancy of the microscopic bubbles passing through the water in a treatment flow path extending in a zigzag pattern from the bottom to the top of the container; sterilizing the water in the container by irradiating it with ultraviolet light; exhausting the air that has passed through the water in the treatment flow path from an exhaust port at the top of the container; circulating the water in the container through a circulation flow path extending from the top to the bottom of the container.

Images