Air Treatment Equipment
The air treatment device accurately calculates ultraviolet irradiation states by incorporating temperature and current sensors, ensuring optimal use and timely replacement of the light source, thereby extending its lifespan.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2023072149
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2022-04-26
- Filing Date
- 2023-04-26
- Publication Date
- 2025-12-04
- Estimated Expiration
- 2043-04-26
AI Technical Summary
Conventional ultraviolet irradiation devices inaccurately calculate irradiation states due to considering only the current value of the light source, failing to account for factors like ambient temperature, which affects the light source's deterioration and irradiation intensity.
An air treatment device equipped with a temperature sensor, current sensor, and controller that determine the irradiation state by considering both current value and ambient temperature, accurately calculating the required irradiation amount and intensity of ultraviolet light, and notifying users when the light source reaches its end of life.
This approach extends the lifespan of the light source by ensuring it is used only for the necessary irradiation time and intensity, and provides timely notifications for replacement, enhancing accuracy and efficiency.
Smart Images

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Abstract
Description
[Technical Field]
[0001] The present disclosure relates to an air treatment device equipped with an ultraviolet irradiation device. [Background technology]
[0002] A conventional ultraviolet irradiation device is described in Patent Document 1. This ultraviolet irradiation device includes an irradiation unit that irradiates ultraviolet light from a light source composed of an LED, a light source power supply unit that supplies power to drive the light source, and a control unit that calculates the irradiation energy generated by the light source by integrating the current value of the power supplied from the light source power supply unit over time. The control unit determines the degree of deterioration of the light source from the accumulated value of the irradiation energy. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]
[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-289192 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]
[0004] The progress of deterioration of an ultraviolet light source changes due to various factors, which also affects the calculation of the irradiation state, such as irradiation intensity and irradiation energy. In the technology described in Patent Document 1, only the current value of the light source is taken into consideration when calculating the irradiation energy, making it difficult to accurately calculate the irradiation state.
[0005] The present disclosure aims to accurately calculate the irradiation state of ultraviolet light from a light source. [Means for solving the problem]
[0006] (1) The air treatment device of the present disclosure comprises: A casing; a light source that irradiates the inside of the casing with ultraviolet light; a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature around the light source; a current sensor for detecting a current value supplied to the light source; a measurement unit that measures the irradiation time of the light source; a controller; The controller stops the light source when the amount of ultraviolet light irradiated from the light source reaches a target amount of irradiation based on the air temperature detected by the temperature sensor, the current value detected by the current sensor, and the irradiation time measured by the measurement unit.
[0007] According to the above configuration, the irradiation state can be accurately determined using not only the current value of the light source but also the ambient temperature, and the required irradiation amount (target irradiation amount) of ultraviolet light can be irradiated from the light source, thereby reducing unnecessary use of the light source and improving its lifespan.
[0008] (2) In the air treatment device of (1) above, preferably, the controller calculates the irradiation intensity of ultraviolet light from the light source based on the air temperature detected by the temperature sensor and the current value detected by the current sensor, and calculates the irradiation amount from the calculated irradiation intensity and the irradiation time.
[0009] According to the above configuration, the irradiation intensity of the light source is determined using not only the current value of the light source but also the ambient temperature, so that the irradiation intensity can be calculated more accurately than when only the current value is used, and an appropriate amount of ultraviolet light can be irradiated into the casing.
[0010] (3) In the air treatment device of (2), preferably, a notification unit is further provided, The controller causes the notification unit to notify when the calculated irradiation intensity reaches a predetermined value.
[0011] According to the above configuration, when the irradiation intensity reaches a predetermined value, for example, a value corresponding to the end of the light source's life, the notification unit notifies the user, allowing the user to know when it is time to replace the light source.
[0012] (4) In the air treatment device of (2), preferably, a notification unit is further provided, The controller predicts information relating to the actual life of the light source from the rated life of the light source based on the relationship between the calculated irradiation intensity and the rated irradiation intensity of the light source, and causes the notification unit to notify the information.
[0013] According to the above configuration, information on the lifespan (such as the irradiation time until the end of the lifespan, the time remaining until the end of the lifespan, etc.) is predicted based on the actual usage conditions of the light source, and the notification unit notifies the information, allowing users to know when it is time to replace the light source.
[0014] (5) In the air treatment device of any one of the above (1) to (4), the air treatment device is preferably an indoor unit of an air conditioner.
[0015] According to the above configuration, since the indoor unit of the air conditioner controls the temperature in the room, the light source is easily affected by the temperature. For this reason, application of the present disclosure is more effective. [Brief explanation of the drawings]
[0016] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of an air treatment device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; [Figure 2] FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a control system of the air conditioner. [Figure 5] 10 is a graph showing the relationship between irradiation time and light emission intensity for each operating temperature of the light source. [Figure 6] 10 is a graph showing the relationship between irradiation time and light emission intensity for each current used by the light source. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a method for calculating the emission intensity of a light source. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a method for predicting the life of a light source. [Figure 9] 10 is a flowchart showing a procedure of processing related to the life of a light source by a controller. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0017] (Outline of air treatment equipment) FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an air treatment device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The air processing device 10 shown in Figure 1 is an air conditioner. The air conditioner cools and heats an indoor space S1 in a building B by operating a vapor compression refrigeration cycle. The air conditioner 10 is equipped with an indoor unit 11. The air conditioner 10 further includes an outdoor unit 12 and refrigerant piping 13. The refrigerant piping 13 includes a liquid pipe 13L and a gas pipe 13G. In the air conditioner 10, a refrigerant circuit is formed by connecting the indoor unit 11 and the outdoor unit 12 via the refrigerant piping 13.
[0018] The indoor unit 11 is arranged in an indoor space S1, and the outdoor unit 12 is arranged in an outdoor space S2. In the air conditioner 10 shown in FIG. 1, one indoor unit 11 is connected to one outdoor unit 12, but multiple indoor units 11 may be connected to one outdoor unit 12.
[0019] (Indoor unit configuration) Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the indoor unit, and Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the indoor unit. The indoor unit 11 of this embodiment is a ceiling-mounted type. The indoor unit 11 includes a casing 41 and a decorative panel 42. The casing 41 is a box-shaped body with an open bottom surface, and is disposed in an opening formed in the ceiling.
[0020] The decorative panel 42 is made of a rectangular plate. An intake port 42a is formed in the center of the decorative panel 42 to draw in air from inside the room. Elongated rectangular outlets 42b are formed around the intake port 42a of the decorative panel 42 to blow temperature-adjusted air into the room. The outlets 42b are formed in four locations along the four sides of the decorative panel 42. Each outlet 42b is provided with a flap (air direction plate) 45 that adjusts the direction of the conditioned air blown into the room from the outlet 42b, and a motor 46 that serves as a drive unit for driving the flap 45. An intake grille 43 is arranged at the intake port 42a of the decorative panel 42.
[0021] The casing 41 contains an indoor fan 21, an indoor heat exchanger 22, a filter 44, a temperature sensor 51, an ultraviolet irradiator 30, a controller 24, and the like. The indoor fan 21 includes an impeller 21a and a motor 21b serving as a drive unit for rotating the impeller 21a. The indoor fan 21 draws indoor air through an intake port 42a of a decorative panel 42 and blows the air toward the indoor heat exchanger 22.
[0022] The indoor heat exchanger 22 is bent into a substantially rectangular shape in top view so as to surround the indoor fan 21. The indoor heat exchanger 22 exchanges heat between the refrigerant flowing inside it and the air blown out from the indoor fan 21, thereby cooling or heating the air. The air that has passed through the indoor heat exchanger 22 is blown out into the room from the air outlet 42b.
[0023] Temperature sensor 51 is disposed near air inlet 42a. Temperature sensor 51 detects the temperature of the air drawn in through air inlet 42a. The temperature of the air detected by temperature sensor 51 is substantially the same as the temperature in the room.
[0024] The filter 44 is disposed below the indoor fan 21 and removes dust and other particles from the indoor air drawn in through the air inlet 42a. The filter 44 is not limited to removing dust from the air, and may also remove viruses, bacteria, or odorous components. The filter 44 may be made up of multiple layers. The filter 44 may also contain a photocatalyst.
[0025] The ultraviolet irradiator 30 purifies the filter 44. The ultraviolet irradiator 30 has a light source 31 and a current sensor 32. The light source 31 irradiates the filter 44 with ultraviolet light. In this embodiment, the light source 31 is an ultraviolet LED (Light Emitting Diode). The light source 31 sterilizes the filter 44 by irradiating it with ultraviolet light. The light source 31 may irradiate a photocatalyst contained in the filter 44 with ultraviolet light to decompose odorous components and the like. The current sensor 32 detects the current flowing through the light source 31.
[0026] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a control system of the air conditioner. The controller 24 is configured by, for example, a microcomputer including a control unit 24a such as a CPU and a storage unit 24b such as a RAM or a ROM. The controller 24 may also include an integrated circuit such as an FPGA or an ASIC. Detection signals from the temperature sensor 51 and the current sensor 32 are input to the controller 24.
[0027] The controller 24 controls the cooling operation and the heating operation (control of the evaporation temperature of the refrigerant, the air volume, etc.) based on the detected values of the temperature sensor 51. The controller 24 controls the operation of the ultraviolet irradiator 30 based on the detected values of the temperature sensor 51 and the current sensor 32.
[0028] The controller 24 measures and accumulates the irradiation time of the light source 31. Therefore, the controller 24 functions as a measurement unit that measures the irradiation time of the light source 31. However, the irradiation time may be measured using a device other than the controller 24, and the controller 24 may acquire information about the device.
[0029] The air conditioner 10 further includes a remote controller 25 communicably connected to the controller 24. This remote controller 25 can be used to start and stop the operation of the air conditioner 10, and to set the target temperature, air volume, air direction, etc. The remote controller 25 includes a display unit (alert unit) that displays the operating status and setting status.
[0030] (Control of ultraviolet irradiation unit 30) Before starting or after finishing the cooling or heating operation, the controller 24 drives the ultraviolet irradiating unit 30 to irradiate the filter 44 with ultraviolet light and clean the filter 44. Furthermore, the controller 24 stops the ultraviolet irradiating unit 30 when the ultraviolet light has been irradiated with the irradiation amount necessary to clean the filter 44. For this control, the controller 24 performs a process (hereinafter also referred to as "first process") to determine the emission intensity (irradiation intensity) and irradiation amount of the ultraviolet light irradiated onto the filter 44.
[0031] On the other hand, the light source 31 deteriorates with long-term use, and the light emission intensity gradually decreases. The light source 31 reaches the end of its life when the light emission intensity drops to a predetermined limit value. The controller 24 performs a process to detect the life of the light source 31 (hereinafter also referred to as "second process"). Furthermore, the controller 24 performs a process to predict the period until the light source 31 reaches the end of its life (hereinafter also referred to as "third process"). Each process will be described in detail below.
[0032] (Regarding the first process) FIG. 5 is a graph showing the relationship between irradiation time and light emission intensity for each operating temperature of the light source. FIG. 6 is a graph showing the relationship between irradiation time and light emission intensity for each current value of the light source. Note that the irradiation time in FIGS. 5 and 6 is the cumulative time during which the light source 31 irradiates ultraviolet light, and is hereinafter also referred to as the "cumulative irradiation time." In FIGS. 5 and 6, the light emission intensity is shown as a ratio to the value in an almost unused state. For example, in the examples of FIGS. 5 and 6, the light emission intensity is approximately 1.1 when the irradiation time is 0. In these graphs, the values on the horizontal and vertical axes are merely illustrative and do not limit the present disclosure.
[0033] The light source 31 gradually decreases in light emission intensity as the cumulative irradiation time increases, as shown by the curves (deterioration curves) in Figures 5 and 6. In particular, the degree of decrease in light emission intensity (degree of deterioration) of the light source 31 varies depending on the ambient temperature (operating temperature), as shown in Figure 5. Specifically, for the same current supplied, the light source 31 deteriorates more quickly when the operating temperature is high (for example, the 40°C curve in Figure 5) than when it is low (for example, the 25°C curve in Figure 5). In other words, the greater the thermal influence of the ambient environment on the light source 31, the faster it deteriorates.
[0034] Furthermore, as shown in Fig. 6, the degree of decrease in light emission intensity (degree of deterioration) of light source 31 varies depending on the magnitude of the current (current used) supplied. Specifically, if the ambient temperature is the same, light source 31 deteriorates more quickly when the current is large (for example, the 200 mA curve in Fig. 6) than when the current is small (for example, the 170 mA curve in Fig. 6). This is thought to be because the larger the current, the more heat is generated, and light source 31 is subject to the thermal effects.
[0035] The controller 24 acquires information on the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 51 and information on the current value of the light source 31 detected by the current sensor 32. The controller 24 uses this information to calculate the light emission intensity of the light source 31. The storage unit 24b of the controller 24 stores information on the characteristics of the light source 31. For example, the storage unit 24b of the controller 24 stores information (deterioration information) indicating deterioration curves such as those shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 as the characteristics of the light source 31. Specifically, the storage unit 24b of the controller 24 stores information on the deterioration curves for each predetermined temperature according to the current value as shown in FIG. 5, or information on the deterioration curves for each predetermined current value according to the temperature as shown in FIG. 6, in the form of a formula, a table, or the like.
[0036] For example, the controller 24 holds information showing a deterioration curve for each predetermined temperature (for example, in increments of 5°C) for each current value at predetermined current increments (for example, in increments of 5 mA) within a range of the current used by the light source 31 (for example, TYP value (typical value) ±20 mA). Alternatively, the controller 24 holds information showing a deterioration curve for each predetermined current value (for example, in increments of 5 mA) for each temperature at predetermined temperature increments (for example, in increments of 5°C) within a range of the temperature used by the light source 31 (for example, -10°C to 40°C).
[0037] The controller 24 selects appropriate deterioration curve information from the detection values of the temperature sensor 51 and the current sensor 32, and calculates the emission intensity corresponding to the current cumulative irradiation time. For example, as shown in Fig. 5, when the detection value of the temperature sensor 51 is 40°C at a certain current value and the cumulative irradiation time is 5000 hours, the controller 24 calculates the emission intensity α1 (=0.88) using the deterioration curve L1 for 40°C in Fig. 5.
[0038] If the temperature around light source 31 changes, controller 24 uses information about the deterioration curve at the changed temperature. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, if the operating temperature is 40°C when the cumulative irradiation time is 0 to 5000 hours and the operating temperature is 25°C when the cumulative irradiation time is 5000 to 10000 hours, deterioration curve L1 at 40°C is used from 0 to 5000 hours, and deterioration curve L2 at 25°C is used from 5000 to 10000 hours. In this case, since the light emission intensity α1 of light source 31 is 0.88 at 5000 hours, deterioration curve L2 at 25°C is applied so as to continue from the position where α1 = 0.88 on deterioration curve L1 at 40°C after 5000 hours, as shown by dotted line L2' in FIG. 7. As a result, the emission intensity α2 (=0.72) of the light source 31 with a cumulative irradiation time of 10,000 hours is greater than the emission intensity α3 (=0.69) when the deterioration curve L1 at 40°C is used as is. From the above, the emission intensity can be accurately calculated.
[0039] As described above, the controller 24 drives the ultraviolet irradiation unit 30 before starting or after finishing the cooling or heating operation to irradiate the filter 44 with ultraviolet light to clean it. The controller 24 calculates the irradiation dose from when the light source 31 starts irradiating ultraviolet light. The controller 24 stops the ultraviolet irradiation when the amount of ultraviolet light necessary to clean the filter 44 has been irradiated after starting the ultraviolet irradiation. In other words, the ultraviolet irradiation unit 30 is driven for the irradiation time necessary to clean the filter 44. This irradiation dose can be calculated by accumulating the product of the light emission intensity of the light source 31 calculated as described above and the irradiation time. In other words, the irradiation dose can be calculated from the integral value of the deterioration curve applied according to the operating temperature and operating current as described above.
[0040] The above first process makes it possible to determine accurate light emission intensity and irradiation amount, so that ultraviolet light can be irradiated from light source 31 onto filter 44 for only the time required to clean filter 44, thereby reducing unnecessary irradiation from light source 31 and extending the life (usage limit) of light source 31.
[0041] (Regarding the second process) When the light source 31 reaches the end of its life, the controller 24 notifies the user of this. For example, the controller 24 notifies the user by using a display unit (notification unit) of the remote controller 25 of the air conditioner 10. The end of the life of the light source 31 can be detected, for example, when the light emission intensity of the light source 31 reaches a predetermined value α4 (see FIG. 5; for example, α4=0.5). The end of the life of the light source 31 may also be detected when the total amount of irradiation of the light source 31 reaches a predetermined value.
[0042] In this embodiment, the light emission intensity and irradiation amount of the light source 31 are determined using information on an appropriate deterioration curve according to the operating temperature and current, so that it is possible to accurately determine when the light source 31 has reached the end of its life, and as a result, it is possible to extend the usable irradiation time of the light source 31 (extend its actual life).
[0043] Conventionally, taking into consideration variations in the performance of the light source 31 and assuming use under the most severe conditions (high temperature, high current), the cumulative irradiation time until the light source 31 reaches the emission intensity that will become its usage limit (lifespan) is set, and the lifespan of the light source 31 is detected when that cumulative irradiation time is reached. For example, if the deterioration curve when the light source 31 is used at the highest operating temperature and current is the deterioration curve L1 shown in Fig. 5, and the emission intensity that will become its usage limit is α4 (=0.5), conventionally, the lifespan is detected at the cumulative irradiation time h1 (approximately 16,000 hours) at which the emission intensity is expected to become α4, regardless of changes in the operating temperature and current. In contrast to this, in this embodiment, a deterioration curve according to the operating temperature and operating current is applied, so if the operating temperature after 5000 hours is 25°C, the luminous intensity is found using the deterioration curve L2 (actually curves L2', L2") at 25°C, and the lifespan is detected at the accumulated irradiation time h2 (approximately 18500 hours) when the luminous intensity reaches α4. Therefore, the usage limit (time of lifespan) can be extended by the difference in accumulated irradiation time (h2-h1), thereby increasing the lifespan.
[0044] (Regarding the third process) FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a method for predicting the lifespan of a light source. Curve L3 shown in FIG. 8 is a deterioration curve when light source 31 is used under standard operating conditions (standard temperature and standard current). These standard temperature and standard current are, for example, rated values listed in the product data sheet as indicating the characteristics of light source 31. Curve L4 shown in FIG. 8 is a deterioration curve applied according to the actual operating temperature and operating current, as described above. For example, the luminous intensity (rated luminous intensity) according to deterioration curve L3 at an arbitrary time h3 is α6 = 0.65, and the luminous intensity α5 according to deterioration curve L4 at the actual operating temperature and operating current is α5 = 0.70.
[0045] The controller 24 predicts life information according to the actual usage state based on the relationship between the actual light emission intensity α5 and the rated light emission intensity α6 at an arbitrary time h3. Specifically, the controller 24 calculates the deterioration degree of the light source 31 in the standard usage state and the deterioration degree of the light source 31 in the actual usage state. The deterioration degree of the light source 31 in the standard usage state is the value (1.0-α6=0.35) obtained by subtracting the light emission intensity at time h3 (α6=0.65) from the light emission intensity in the unused state (=1.0). The deterioration degree of the light source 31 in the actual usage state is the value (1.0-α5=0.30) obtained by subtracting the actual light emission intensity at time h3 (α5=0.70) from the light emission intensity in the unused state (=1.0). The controller 24 calculates the ratio between the standard deterioration level and the actual deterioration level (0.35 / 0.30=1.17 (117%)), and calculates the usage limit (rated life) under the standard usage conditions by multiplying this ratio by the usage limit (rated life) under the standard usage conditions. For example, if the usage limit h4 under the standard usage conditions is 20,000 hours, the controller 24 predicts the usage limit h5 under the actual usage conditions to be 2,000 hours x 1.17 = 23,400 hours.
[0046] The controller 24 can also predict the usage limit under actual usage conditions using the following method: Specifically, the actual deterioration curve L4 is applied up to an arbitrary time h3, and thereafter, the standard deterioration curve L3 (actually, the curve L3' in FIG. 8) is applied assuming that the lamp will be used under standard usage conditions, and the time point h5 at which the light emission intensity α4 (for example, α4=0.5), which is the usage limit, is reached, can be set as the usage limit.
[0047] The controller 24 can display information about the predicted lifespan on the display unit of the remote controller 25. The lifespan information can be the cumulative irradiation time predicted to reach the end of the lifespan. Alternatively, the lifespan information can be the remaining time until the cumulative irradiation time predicted to reach the end of the lifespan. The user or the like can know when to replace the light source 31 from the notified lifespan information.
[0048] 9 is a flowchart showing the procedure of processing related to the life of the light source by the controller. The flow of the above-mentioned first to third processing will be described below with reference to FIG. In step S1, the controller 24 acquires the operating temperature from the temperature sensor 51, and in step S2, acquires the value of the current supplied to the light source 31 from the current sensor 32. In step S3, the controller 24 selects information on a deterioration curve according to the acquired operating temperature and operating current.
[0049] In step S4, the controller 24 calculates the emission intensity using the information of the selected deterioration curve. Next, in step S5, the controller 24 calculates the irradiation amount using the calculated emission intensity.
[0050] In step S6, the controller 24 determines whether the light source 31 has reached the end of its life based on the calculated light emission intensity or irradiation amount. If the determination in step S6 is affirmative (Yes), the controller 24 proceeds to step S7 and notifies the user via the display unit of the remote controller 25 that the light source 31 has reached the end of its life.
[0051] If the determination in step S6 is negative (No), the controller 24 proceeds to step S8 and predicts the time when the life will end (cumulative irradiation time). Next, in step S9, the controller 24 notifies information about the predicted life via the display unit of the remote controller 25. The controller 24 repeatedly executes the above series of processes as the light source 31 is driven.
[0052] (Other processing) In addition to the first to third processes described above, the controller 24 can also perform the following processes. When the emission intensity of the light source 31 calculated from information on the deterioration curve corresponding to the operating temperature and operating current is lower than the emission intensity of the light source 31 in an initial state without deterioration (1.1 in the example of FIG. 5), the controller 24 may drive the light source 31 so that the emission intensity becomes equivalent to that in the initial state by increasing the current supplied to the light source 31. When the operating temperature is equal to or higher than a predetermined value, the controller 24 may prohibit the driving of the light source 31 or may drive the light source 31 with the output limited in order to suppress deterioration of the light source 31. In the latter case, the filter 44 can be cleaned while suppressing deterioration of the light source 31.
[0053] [Effects of the embodiment] (1) The air treatment device 10 of the above embodiment, exemplified as an air conditioner, includes a casing 41, a light source 31 that irradiates the interior of the casing 41 with ultraviolet light, a temperature sensor 51 that detects the ambient temperature of the light source 31, a current sensor 32 that detects the value of the current supplied to the light source 31, a measurement unit 24 that measures the irradiation time of the light source 31, and a controller 24. When the light source 31 is driven, the controller 24 stops the light source 31 when the amount of ultraviolet light irradiation from the light source 31 reaches a target irradiation amount based on the air temperature detected by the temperature sensor 51, the current value detected by the current sensor 32, and the irradiation time measured by the measurement unit 24. With this configuration, the irradiation state is accurately determined using not only the current value of the light source 31 but also the ambient temperature, allowing the light source 31 to irradiate the required amount of ultraviolet light (target irradiation amount), thereby reducing unnecessary use of the light source and improving its lifespan. Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the temperature sensor 51 used to control the room temperature in the air conditioner 10 is used to detect the temperature around the light source 31, so there is no need to provide a new temperature sensor dedicated to the light source 31.
[0054] (2) In the air treatment device 10 of the above embodiment, the controller 24 calculates the irradiation intensity of ultraviolet light from the light source 31 based on the air temperature detected by the temperature sensor 51 and the current value detected by the current sensor 32, and then calculates the irradiation amount from the calculated irradiation intensity and irradiation time. In this way, the irradiation intensity of the light source 31 is determined using not only the current value of the light source 31 but also the temperature around the light source 31, so the irradiation intensity can be calculated more accurately than when only the current value is used, and an appropriate amount of ultraviolet light can be irradiated into the casing 41.
[0055] (3) The air treatment device 10 of the above embodiment further includes an alarm unit (remote controller) 25, and the controller 24 causes the alarm unit 25 to issue an alarm when the calculated irradiation intensity reaches a predetermined value. With this configuration, when the irradiation intensity reaches a predetermined value, for example, a value corresponding to the end of the life of the light source 31, the alarm unit 25 issues an alarm to that effect, allowing the user or the like to know when it is time to replace the light source 31.
[0056] (4) The air treatment device 10 of the above embodiment further includes a notification unit 25, and the controller 24 predicts information relating to the actual lifespan h5 of the light source 31 from the rated lifespan h4 of the light source 31 based on the relationship between the calculated irradiation intensity α5 and the rated irradiation intensity α6 of the light source 31, as shown in Fig. 8, and causes the notification unit 25 to notify the user. With this configuration, lifespan information (the cumulative irradiation time until the end of life, the time remaining until the end of life, etc.) according to the actual usage state of the light source 31 is predicted and notified by the notification unit 25, allowing the user to know when it is time to replace the light source 31.
[0057] (5) The air treatment device 10 of the above embodiment is an indoor unit 11 of an air conditioner. The indoor unit 11 of the air conditioner controls the temperature in the room, so the light source 31 is easily affected by the temperature. Therefore, it is more effective to apply the configuration of the above embodiment.
[0058] Although the embodiments have been described above, it will be understood that various changes in form and details can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims. Although the air treatment device in the above embodiment is an air conditioner, it is not limited to an air conditioner as long as it has a light source that irradiates a filter with ultraviolet light. The air treatment device may be, for example, an air purifier. The light source may irradiate ultraviolet light onto something other than a filter. Notification that the light source has reached the end of its life or notification of information on the predicted lifespan is not limited to notification on the display unit of the remote controller 25, but may also be notification using sound, light, etc. These notifications may also be notification using devices other than the remote controller 25. [Explanation of symbols]
[0059] 10: Air conditioner (air treatment device) 24: Controller 25: Remote controller (alarm unit) 31:Light source 32: Current sensor 41: Casing 51: Temperature sensor
Claims
1. A casing (41), a light source (31) for irradiating the inside of the casing (41) with ultraviolet light; a temperature sensor (51) for detecting the temperature around the light source (31); a current sensor (32) for detecting the value of a current supplied to the light source (31); a measuring unit (24) for measuring the irradiation time of the light source (31); a controller (24); When the light source (31) is driven, the controller (24) calculates the irradiation intensity of ultraviolet light from the light source (31) using deterioration information of the light source (31) corresponding to the air temperature detected by the temperature sensor (51) and the current value detected by the current sensor (32) and the cumulative irradiation time obtained by accumulating the time during which the light source (31) irradiates ultraviolet light, calculates the irradiation amount of ultraviolet light from the light source (31) from the calculated irradiation intensity and the irradiation time measured by the measurement unit (24), and stops the light source (31) when the irradiation amount reaches a target irradiation amount.
2. Further provided with a notification unit (25), The air treatment device according to claim 1, wherein the controller (24) causes the notification unit (25) to notify when the calculated irradiation intensity reaches a predetermined value.
3. Further provided with a notification unit (25), 2. The air treatment device according to claim 1, wherein the controller (24) predicts information regarding the actual life of the light source (31) from the rated life of the light source (31) based on the relationship between the calculated irradiation intensity and the rated irradiation intensity of the light source (31), and causes the notification unit (25) to notify the information.
4. The air treatment device (10) according to claim 1, wherein the air treatment device (10) is an indoor unit (11) of an air conditioner.
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