air purifier

Abstract

To provide an air cleaner capable of preventing a worker from inhaling a solvent even when the worker changes his / her posture or location during work. [Solution] This air purifier comprises a device main body 6 that adsorbs and removes adsorbed substances from the sucked air, a flow path 10 inside the device main body 6 through which the sucked air flows, a suction pipe 81 provided outside the device main body 6 and connected to the flow path 10, a nozzle 82 provided at the end of the suction pipe 81 and having an air suction port 88 formed therein, and an attachment part for attaching the nozzle 82 to the body of the operator.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an air purifier. [Background technology]

[0002] In workplaces where solvents are used, ventilation is required to prevent workers from breathing in the evaporated solvent. When using a solvent for wiping or other work and the parts to be wiped are small, workers can prevent themselves from breathing in the solvent by placing the parts in a draft chamber as shown in Patent Document 1 and working inside the draft chamber.

[0003] However, if the parts are large, they will not fit into the draft and another ventilation method will be required. In this case, one ventilation method is to ventilate a wide area, including the parts and workers. Another method, as described in Patent Document 2, involves preparing a small purification device with a long suction pipe, placing the tip of the suction pipe in a specific location, and sucking in the air in that location with the suction pipe and purifying it with the purification device. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-051672 [Patent Document 2] Patent Publication No. 2021-177115 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] During actual work, workers' postures change. In particular, when the parts are large, workers often look up and down while working. Also, when the parts are large, workers may move around while working. Even when the worker's posture or location changes in this way, it is necessary to prevent the worker from inhaling the solvent.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an air purifier that can prevent a worker from inhaling solvent even when the worker's posture or location changes during work. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The present invention includes the embodiments shown below.

[0008] [1] An air purifier comprising: a device main body that adsorbs and removes adsorbed substances from the sucked air; a flow path in the device main body through which the sucked air flows; a suction tube that is provided outside the device main body and connected to the flow path; a nozzle that is provided at the end of the suction tube and has an air suction port; and an attachment part for attaching the nozzle to the body of an operator.

[0009] [2] The air purifier according to [1], wherein the attachment portion is a portion for attaching the nozzle to the forearm of the worker.

[0010] [3] The air purifier according to [2], wherein the attachment portion is a portion that goes around the forearm.

[0011] [4] An air purifier according to [3], wherein the nozzle comprises an outer cylindrical portion and an inner cylindrical portion inside the outer cylindrical portion, the end of the cylindrical space between the outer cylindrical portion and the inner cylindrical portion is the suction port, the cylindrical space is connected to a suction pipe, and the inner cylindrical portion is the mounting portion.

[0012] [5] An air purifier as described in [3], wherein the inside of the nozzle is an air flow path, a recess is formed on the outer surface of the nozzle extending from the suction port toward the suction tube, and the surface of the recess and a band provided for the recess form the mounting portion.

[0013] [6] An air purifier according to any one of [1] to [5], wherein the device body is provided with a fan that generates an air flow in the flow path, and a blower that sends air from the nozzle toward the device body is provided between the device body and the nozzle. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] When using the air purifier of this embodiment, the nozzle is attached to the worker's body, so the worker can be prevented from inhaling the solvent even when working in a position that requires the worker's posture to change. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] Front view of the air purifier. [Figure 2] Front view of the inside of the air purifier. [Figure 3] FIG. [Figure 4] View of the nozzle from the suction port. [Figure 5] The nozzle is seen from the same direction as Figure 1. [Figure 6] 4. A cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. [Figure 7] 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 4. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a work situation using an air purifier. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram of a nozzle according to a modified example. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a modified nozzle attached to a forearm. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] First, the overall configuration of the air purifier 1 of this embodiment will be described. In the following description, the side of the air purifier 1 closer to the air suction port 88 will be referred to as the front.

[0017] Air purifier 1 is a device that sucks in air with a high solvent concentration, removes the solvent from the air, and discharges air with a reduced solvent concentration. As shown in Figure 1, air purifier 1 includes a device main body 6 and an extension suction section 7 that extends from device main body 6.

[0018] As shown in Figure 2, the device main body 6 has an air inlet 11, an air outlet 12, a fan 13 that generates air flow in an air flow path 10 from the inlet 11 to the outlet 12, and two filters 21 provided in the flow path 10.

[0019] An inlet 11 for drawing air into the device body 6 is formed so as to open forward from the bottom of the device body 6. An extended suction section 7 is connected to this inlet 11. The extended suction section 7 will be described later. An exhaust port 12 for discharging air from the device body 6 is formed on the top surface of the device body 6. An air flow path 10 between the inlet 11 and the exhaust port 12 extends vertically within the device body 6. A fan 13 is provided at the top of this flow path 10.

[0020] The filter 21 is a breathable filter container filled with granular adsorbent material. The two filters 21 are provided in the air flow path 10 and below the fan 13. The two filters 21 include a lower filter 21 (i.e., upstream of the air flow) and an upper filter 21 (i.e., downstream of the air flow).

[0021] When the fan 13 rotates, air sucked in from outside the machine by the extended suction section 7 passes through the inlet 11 of the device main body 6 and then passes through the two filters 21 in order. As the air passes through the two filters 21, the solvent in the air is adsorbed by the adsorbent and removed. The air, whose solvent concentration has decreased after passing through the two filters 21, is discharged from the exhaust port 12.

[0022] 1, doors 20a-1 and 20b-1 are provided on the sides of the device body 6. The doors 20a-1 and 20b-1 are located at the same height as the filter 21. An operator can insert or remove the filter 21 into or from the air flow path 10 by opening the doors 20a-1 and 20b-1.

[0023] The device main body 6 is also provided with a control panel box 5. Inside the control panel box 5, a main sensor and a backup sensor are housed as sensors for measuring the concentration of solvents in the air. Although not shown, the sampling port for air sent to the main sensor is provided between the two filters 21, and the sampling port for air sent to the backup sensor is provided between the upper filter 21 and the fan 13. While the air purifier 1 is operating, the main sensor and the backup sensor measure the solvent concentration in the air, and if the measured value of either sensor exceeds a specified value, an alarm is activated.

[0024] Casters 4 are attached to the four corners of the bottom surface of the device body 6, allowing the air purifier 1 to be easily moved.

[0025] Examples of solvents to be removed by such an air purifier 1 include various volatile organic solvents such as methyl ethyl ketone (MEK), isopropyl alcohol (IPA), methanol, ethanol, toluene, xylene, and acetone.

[0026] The adsorbent used in the filter 21 is a granular material capable of adsorbing these solvents. Zeolite (a porous crystalline aluminosilicate) is a particularly preferred adsorbent because of its excellent solvent adsorption, ability to be regenerated in a short time, and little loss during regeneration.

[0027] Next, the extended suction unit 7 will be described. The extended suction unit 7 is provided outside the device main body 6. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the extended suction unit 7 includes a duct 80 connected to the inlet 11 of the device main body 6, a suction pipe 81 connected to the front end of the duct 80, and a nozzle 82 connected to the front end of the suction pipe 81. The air flow path 10 of the device main body 6 and the interiors of the duct 80, suction pipe 81, and nozzle 82 of the extended suction unit 7 are all connected to one another to form a single air flow path.

[0028] Duct 80 is a section formed from a metal plate and extending in the front-to-rear direction. As shown in FIG. 2, a check damper 11a is provided in duct 80 near inlet 11 of device body 6 as a backflow prevention device for preventing backflow of air. Check damper 11a opens due to wind pressure while air is being sucked toward inlet 11, but closes when the wind pressure disappears. This prevents air with a high solvent concentration inside device body 6 from flowing back and leaking outside the device through nozzle 82 when fan 13 stops and air is no longer being sucked toward inlet 11.

[0029] An air filter 3 is provided in the duct 80 at a portion closer to the suction pipe 81 than the check damper 11a. The air filter 3 is provided so as to block the air flow path in the duct 80, so that the air flowing through the duct 80 always passes through the air filter 3. The air filter 3 removes dust from the air sucked in from the nozzle 82.

[0030] The suction pipe 81 is a pipe made of synthetic resin and has a circular cross section. The suction pipe 81 consists of a first portion 81a and a second portion 81b. The first portion 81a has larger inner and outer diameters than the second portion 81b. The first portion 81a is connected to the duct 80, and the second portion 81b is connected to the nozzle 82. Both the first portion 81a and the second portion 81b are flexible and can be bent freely by the operator.

[0031] As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, nozzle 82 comprises nozzle body 83 in which air suction port 88 is formed, and conduit 84 which is a part that sends air sucked into nozzle body 83 to suction tube 81.

[0032] 6 and 7, the nozzle body 83 has an outer cylindrical portion 85 and an inner cylindrical portion 86 inside the outer cylindrical portion 85, which are connected at a bottom portion 87 at the rear end of the nozzle body 83. The outer cylindrical portion 85 and the inner cylindrical portion 86 are each substantially cylindrical, and have a circular cross-sectional shape in a cross section perpendicular to the front-to-rear direction. The distance between the outer cylindrical portion 85 and the inner cylindrical portion 86 gradually narrows toward the bottom portion 87. The outer cylindrical portion 85 and the inner cylindrical portion 86 are not connected anywhere other than the bottom portion 87.

[0033] The inner diameter side of the inner cylindrical portion 86 is a space that penetrates the nozzle body 83 in the front-to-rear direction. The inner diameter of the inner cylindrical portion 86 is large enough to accommodate an operator's forearm 90 (see FIG. 5, etc.), and preferably is large enough to fit the operator's forearm 90. The forearm refers to the part of the upper limb beyond the elbow. The inner cylindrical portion 86 is an attachment portion for attaching the nozzle 82 to the operator's forearm 90. When the nozzle 82 is in use, the operator's forearm 90 (preferably the wrist and surrounding area) fits into the radially inner portion of the inner cylindrical portion 86.

[0034] A cylindrical space (cylindrical space) is formed between the outer cylindrical portion 85 and the inner cylindrical portion 86. The front end of this cylindrical space (the end opposite the bottom portion 87) is a suction port 88 of the nozzle 82. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the suction port 88 is in the shape of a ring that goes around the entire circumference between the front end of the outer cylindrical portion 85 and the front end of the inner cylindrical portion 86. The rear end of the cylindrical space is closed by the bottom portion 87.

[0035] 7, an opening 89 is formed at the rear of the outer cylindrical portion 85. The conduit 84 is connected to this opening 89.

[0036] As shown in Figures 3 to 5, conduit 84 is composed of a first pipe portion 84a extending tangentially to the cylindrical space, and a second pipe portion 84b bending at a right angle from first pipe portion 84a and extending rearward. First pipe portion 84a is connected to opening 89 of outer cylindrical portion 85, connecting the interior of conduit 84 and the cylindrical space of nozzle body 83 to form a single space. Second pipe portion 84b of conduit 84 is connected to second portion 81b of suction pipe 81 (see Figure 1). This connection is secured by a hose clamp (not shown).

[0037] The entire nozzle 82 is preferably made of a synthetic resin that is hard enough to prevent the suction port 88 from collapsing when air is sucked in, but soft enough not to cause injury to the worker's face if it hits them. There are no limitations on the method for manufacturing the nozzle 82, but it can be manufactured by, for example, an additive manufacturing method using a 3D printer.

[0038] Next, we will explain how to use the air purifier 1. The air purifier 1 is used during work in which a solvent evaporates near the worker's hands and generates solvent vapor, for example, when a worker wipes down parts using a solvent.

[0039] First, the worker places the wrist area of ​​his / her forearm 90 radially inside the inner cylindrical portion 86 of the nozzle 82. This attaches the nozzle 82 to the worker's forearm 90. If necessary, the worker may place the suction tube 81 over his / her shoulder. Next, the worker turns on the air purifier 1. This rotates the fan 13, and air begins to be sucked in through the suction port 88 of the nozzle 82.

[0040] Next, the worker performs work using the solvent with his or her hands. During the work, the solvent evaporates near the worker's hands, generating solvent vapor. The generated solvent vapor, along with the surrounding air, is sucked into the suction port 88 of the nozzle 82 attached to the worker's forearm 90. This prevents the solvent vapor from reaching the worker's face.

[0041] The air with a high solvent concentration sucked into the suction port 88 passes through the nozzle 82, the suction pipe 81, and the duct 80, and is introduced into the device main body 6. In the device main body 6, the air with a high solvent concentration rises within the flow path 10 and passes through the two filters 21 in order. As the air with a high solvent concentration passes through the filters 21, the solvent in the air is adsorbed by the adsorbent within the filters 21, and the solvent concentration in the air decreases. The air with a reduced solvent concentration after passing through the two filters 21 continues to rise within the flow path 10 and is discharged outside the device through the exhaust port 12.

[0042] When wiping a large part such as the body of an aircraft, the worker may work by reaching out to a place higher than the face 91 as shown in Figure 8(a) or by working while looking downward as shown in Figure 8(b). However, in either working position, the suction port 88 of the nozzle 82 is located between the wiping location 92, where the solvent vapor is generated, and the worker's face 91, and the solvent vapor is sucked into the suction port 88 of the nozzle 82. This prevents the solvent vapor from reaching the worker's face 91.

[0043] Next, the effects of this embodiment will be described.

[0044] The air purifier 1 of this embodiment includes a suction tube 81 that sucks air, and a nozzle 82 that is provided at the end of the suction tube 81 and has an air suction port 88 formed therein. An inner cylindrical portion 86 of the nozzle 82 serves as an attachment portion for attaching the nozzle 82 to a worker's forearm 90. Therefore, the worker can attach the nozzle 82 to his or her forearm 90 and perform work that generates solvent vapor at hand.

[0045] During this operation, the suction port 88 of the nozzle 82 is always located between the worker's hands and the worker's face 91. Therefore, the solvent vapor generated at the worker's hands is sucked into the suction port 88 of the nozzle 82 before it reaches the worker's face 91. This prevents the worker from inhaling the solvent vapor. Furthermore, because the suction port 88 of the nozzle 82 is located near the location where the solvent vapor is generated, the solvent vapor can be effectively sucked in even if the suction force at the suction port 88 is weak.

[0046] Furthermore, when wiping large components, the worker's posture changes in various ways, as shown in Fig. 8. Even in such cases, because the nozzle 82 is attached to the worker's forearm 90, the suction port 88 of the nozzle 82 is always located between the worker's face 91 and the worker's hand, where the solvent vapor is generated. This prevents the worker from inhaling the solvent vapor.

[0047] Furthermore, when wiping large components, the worker moves around while working, and the location where the worker is always generating solvent vapors. By attaching nozzle 82 to the worker's forearm 90 during such work, the worker can always suck in the solvent vapors near the location where they are generated, thereby preventing the worker from inhaling the solvent vapors.

[0048] Nozzle 82 also comprises an outer cylindrical portion 85 and an inner cylindrical portion 86, with the front end of the cylindrical space between outer cylindrical portion 85 and inner cylindrical portion 86 serving as an air suction port 88, and the cylindrical space being connected to suction tube 81. With this structure, a worker can wear nozzle 82 for suctioning air by the simple action of placing their forearm 90 inside inner cylindrical portion 86. In addition, because the entire circumference of the worker's wrist serves as air suction port 88, solvent vapor can be sucked into suction port 88 regardless of whether it is generated on the front or back, left or right, of the worker's hand.

[0049] The above-described embodiments are merely examples, and any modifications that do not deviate from the spirit of the present invention are considered to be included in the scope of the present invention. For example, the following modifications can be made to the above-described embodiments. The following multiple modification examples can be combined in any way.

[0050] 9 and 10 show a modified nozzle 182. Nozzle 182 has an air flow path inside, an air suction port 188 formed at its front end, and a rear end connected to suction pipe 81. In this nozzle 182, as shown by the dashed arrow in Figure 9(a), suction port 188 is located on a straight line extending in the direction in which air is suctioned by suction pipe 81 (the suction direction at the connection between nozzle 182 and suction pipe 81).

[0051] 9(a) and (b), the nozzle 182 gradually widens toward the front, with the front end being wider than the rear end. Note that the width refers to the length in the left-right direction in FIGS. 9(b) and (c).

[0052] As shown in Figure 9(c), when viewed from the front, the front end where suction port 188 is located is curved in an arc, and the portion behind the front end is also curved in the same manner as the front end. Therefore, on one surface (outer surface) of nozzle 182, specifically the upper surface in Figure 9(c), a recess 182a is formed in the center of the width of nozzle 182, extending from suction port 188 toward suction tube 81 at the rear. As shown in Figure 10, recess 182a is a portion into which the operator's forearm 90 is inserted, with the front side (suction port 188 side) being the operator's hand side and the rear side (suction tube 81 side) being the operator's elbow side.

[0053] As shown in FIG. 10 , a band 186 is provided for the recess 182a. The band 186 is a fastener for fixing the forearm 90 inserted into the recess 182a to the nozzle 182. The surface of the recess 182a and the band 186 go around the forearm 90 inserted into the recess 182a, forming an attachment portion for attaching the nozzle 182 to the forearm 90. The band 186 is divided into one and the other in the width direction of the nozzle 182, and these two portions are connected and separated by a hook-and-loop fastener 186a. The operator can attach the nozzle 182 to the forearm 90 or detach it from the forearm 90 by opening and closing the hook-and-loop fastener 186a.

[0054] In nozzle 182 of this modified example, suction port 188 does not go all the way around worker's forearm 90 like suction port 88 of nozzle 82 of the above embodiment, but is present only in a portion of the circumference of worker's forearm 90 (a location below forearm 90 in the case of FIG. 10 ). As described above, suction port 188 is located on a straight line extending in the direction in which air is sucked by suction tube 81. For this reason, the suction force at suction port 188 is large and the variation in the suction force at suction port 188 is small.

[0055] The band refers to a strip-shaped, elongated member, such as a band made of synthetic fiber. The location where the band is attached to the nozzle, the method of attaching the band to the nozzle, and the method of attaching the forearm 90 using the band are not limited. The band may be fixed to the nozzle or may be detachable from the nozzle. Furthermore, a fixing device other than a band may be used to fix the forearm 90 placed in the recess 182a to the nozzle 182. The nozzle may have a recess formed on its surface that extends from the suction port toward the suction tube, and the specific shape is not limited to the shapes shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 .

[0056] The nozzle may also be attached to a part of the worker's body other than the forearm 90. The structure of the attachment portion for attaching the nozzle to the worker's body is a structure suitable for the part of the body to which it is to be attached. When a worker moves around while performing work that generates solvent vapor, the location where the worker is always located is the location where the solvent vapor is generated. In this case, by attaching the nozzle to any part of the worker's body, the nozzle will move as the location where the solvent vapor is generated moves, and the nozzle will always be near the location where the solvent vapor is generated, preventing the worker from inhaling the solvent vapor.

[0057] Furthermore, a blower that sends air from the nozzle 82 toward the device body 6 may be provided somewhere between the nozzle 82 and the device body 6. A specific example of a blower is a blower that generates a high-speed air flow by rotating an impeller. Even if a large pressure loss occurs in the suction pipe 81, a large suction force is generated in the nozzle 82 with the assistance of the blower.

[0058] Furthermore, the structure of the extended suction section extending from the device main body 6 is not limited to the structure of the extended suction section 7 shown in Figure 2 etc. The extended suction section may include a suction tube and a nozzle provided at the end of the suction tube. The suction tube may be directly connected to the air flow path 10 inside the device main body 6, or may be indirectly connected via a duct 80 as shown in Figure 2.

[0059] Furthermore, the air purifier 1 of this embodiment can remove various substances other than solvents, such as substances that cause malodors, from the air by adsorbing them onto the adsorbent. The type of adsorbent and the type of sensor used to measure the concentration are appropriately selected depending on the adsorbent to be removed from the air.

[0060] Furthermore, the device main body 6 may be any device that can adsorb and remove adsorbed materials from the air sucked in from outside the device and discharge the air after removal, and its specific structure is not limited to that of the above embodiment.

[0061] There are also various devices and examples in which the location where the adsorbed material is generated moves. In such devices and examples, the nozzle moves in accordance with the movement of the location where the adsorbed material is generated, allowing most of the generated adsorbed material to be sucked by the nozzle. For example, there are devices that use solvents and in which the location where solvent vapor is generated moves. In such devices, the nozzle mechanically moves in accordance with the movement of the location where the solvent vapor is generated, allowing most of the generated solvent vapor to be sucked by the nozzle.

[0062] In addition to the above, various other changes are possible. [Explanation of symbols]

[0063] 1...air purifier, 3...air filter, 4...caster, 5...control panel box, 6...device body, 7...extension suction section, 10...flow path, 11...inlet, 11a...check damper, 12...exhaust port, 13...fan, 20a-1...door, 20b-1...door, 21...filter, 80...duct, 81...suction pipe, 81a...first part, 81b...second part, 82...nozzle, 83...nozzle body, 84...conduit, 84a...first pipe part, 84b...second pipe part, 85...outer cylindrical part, 86...inner cylindrical part, 87...bottom, 88...suction port, 89...opening, 90...forearm, 91...face, 92...wiping area, 182...nozzle, 182a...recess, 186...band, 186a...hook and loop fastener, 188...suction port

Claims

1. a device body that adsorbs and removes adsorbed substances from the sucked air; a flow path through which the sucked air flows inside the device body; a suction tube provided outside the device body and connected to the flow path; a nozzle provided at the end of the suction pipe and having an air suction port formed therein; is established, The nozzle is movable in accordance with the movement of the location where the attracted object is generated, An attachment portion is provided for attaching the nozzle to the body of an operator. Air purifier.

2. The air purifier according to claim 1 , wherein the attachment portion is a portion for attaching the nozzle to the forearm of the worker.

3. The air purifier according to claim 2 , wherein the attachment portion is a portion that goes around the forearm.

4. the nozzle comprises an outer cylindrical portion and an inner cylindrical portion inside the outer cylindrical portion; an end of a cylindrical space between the outer cylindrical portion and the inner cylindrical portion is the suction port; The cylindrical space is connected to a suction tube, The inner cylindrical portion is the mounting portion. The air purifier according to claim 3.

5. The inside of the nozzle is an air flow path, a recess extending from the suction port toward the suction pipe is formed on the outer surface of the nozzle; a surface of the recess and a band provided relative to the recess form the mounting portion; The air purifier according to claim 3.

6. a fan that generates an air flow in the flow path is provided in the device body; The air purifier according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a blower provided between the device body and the nozzle for blowing air from the nozzle toward the device body.

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