Space Purification Device

Abstract

To provide a technology that improves a hypochlorite gas concentration contained in an air bubble in a space purifier according to a bubbling method.SOLUTION: A space purifier 2 is provided with a storage section 5 that stores a hypochlorite aqueous solution 6 and an air supply portion 7 that is provided by immersing in the hypochlorite aqueous solution 6 and discharges air 3a taken in from the outside (private room space 1) as an air bubble 8 in the hypochlorite aqueous solution 6. The air supply section 7 discharges air bubble into the hypochlorite aqueous solution 6 stored by the storage portion 5 while mixing the hypochlorite aqueous solution 6 taken into the interior from the storage section 5 with the air 3a taken in from the outside (private room space 1).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a space purification device used for sterilizing private rooms and the like. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, as a device for disinfecting living spaces and the like and reducing the risk of infectious diseases, an air conditioner (space purification device) has been known that generates bubbles by bubbling air in an aqueous solution containing hypochlorous acid (e.g., hypochlorous acid water), and then releases the hypochlorous acid gas contained in the bubbles that rise to the surface into the target space together with the air (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-305100 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in conventional space purification devices using the bubbling method, the generated bubbles entrap gas containing the disinfecting component as they rise to the liquid surface due to buoyancy, so if sufficient gas-liquid contact time with the aqueous solution containing the disinfecting component cannot be ensured, it is difficult to ensure the required disinfecting component gas concentration.

[0005] The present invention is intended to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, and has an object to provide a technique for improving the concentration of sterilizing component gas contained in bubbles in a bubbling-type space purification device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] To achieve this purpose, the space purification device according to the present invention is a device for purifying water containing a disinfecting component. The apparatus includes a storage section for storing a solution, and an air supply section for releasing air taken in from the outside as air bubbles into the aqueous solution containing the disinfecting component. The disinfectant container has a solution suction port that takes in an aqueous solution containing a disinfecting component from a storage section, an air suction port that takes in air from the outside, and a discharge section that discharges a mixture of the aqueous solution containing the disinfecting component taken in through the solution suction port and the air taken in through the air suction port. The storage section extends vertically upward from the bottom of the storage section and is a protrusion that separates an area where the solution suction port is installed from an area where the discharge section is installed, and has a partition plate configured with a first tapered section on the side of the area where the solution suction port is installed and a second tapered section on the side of the area where the discharge section is installed. Bubbles are released from the discharge section toward the bottom of the storage section located vertically below and descend through the aqueous solution containing the disinfecting component, and the air bubbles that have descended through the aqueous solution containing the disinfecting component change their flow direction so as to follow the second tapered section of the partition plate. Storage section the bottom of to Along The air bubbles are circulated in a direction away from the area where the solution inlet is located, thereby achieving the intended purpose. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, in a space purification device using a bubbling method, the concentration of sterilizing component gas contained in bubbles can be improved. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic side view showing an example of installation of a space purification device according to a first embodiment of the present invention in a private room. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic side view showing the configuration of the space purification device. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective front view showing the configuration of the space purification device. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic side view showing the configuration of a space purification device according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a schematic side view showing the configuration of a space purification device according to the third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective front view showing the configuration of the space purification device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The space purification device according to the present invention comprises a storage unit that stores an aqueous solution containing a disinfecting component, and an air supply unit that is immersed in the aqueous solution containing the disinfecting component and releases air taken in from the outside as bubbles into the aqueous solution containing the disinfecting component. The air supply unit releases bubbles into the aqueous solution containing the disinfecting component stored in the storage unit while mixing the aqueous solution containing the disinfecting component taken in from the storage unit with the air taken in from the outside.

[0010] According to this configuration, a certain amount of sterilizing component gas can be contained in the air during the process of mixing the aqueous solution containing the sterilizing component with the air inside the air supply unit. This allows the bubbles to contain both the sterilizing component gas taken in inside the air supply unit and the sterilizing component gas taken into the bubbles as they rise through the aqueous solution containing the sterilizing component. As a result, the concentration of the sterilizing component gas released from the bubbles when they reach the liquid surface can be increased. In other words, the space purification device can increase the concentration of the sterilizing component gas contained in the bubbles and supply a higher concentration of sterilizing component gas to the outside.

[0011] In addition, in the space purification device according to the present invention, the air supply unit includes a solution inlet that draws in the aqueous solution containing the disinfecting component from the storage unit, an air inlet that draws in air from the outside, and a discharge unit that discharges a mixture of the aqueous solution containing the disinfecting component drawn in through the solution inlet and the air drawn in through the air inlet, and the discharge unit preferably discharges bubbles vertically downward. This allows the bubbles discharged from the discharge unit to descend at least vertically downward through the aqueous solution containing the disinfecting component and then rise to the liquid surface, thereby lengthening the time the bubbles circulate through the aqueous solution containing the disinfecting component and further increasing the amount of disinfecting component gas entrained in the bubbles. As a result, the concentration of the disinfecting component gas released from the bubbles can be further increased when the bubbles reach the liquid surface.

[0012] Furthermore, in the space purification device according to the present invention, the storage unit preferably has a partition plate extending vertically upward from the bottom of the storage unit, and the partition plate preferably divides the storage unit into a first region where the solution suction port is located and where the aqueous solution containing the disinfecting component is taken in through the solution suction port, and a second region where the discharge port is located and where bubbles released from the discharge port flow through. This prevents bubbles released from the discharge port in the second region from being sucked into the solution suction port of the first region by the partition plate. As a result, noise caused by the aqueous solution containing the disinfecting component and bubbles being taken in through the solution suction port is suppressed. In other words, the space purification device can supply a higher concentration of disinfecting component gas to the outside while suppressing noise.

[0013] In the spatial purification device according to the present invention, the partition plate is preferably configured so that the second region side has a forward tapered shape, and the discharge portion discharges bubbles so that the bubbles are blown onto the forward tapered portion. This causes the bubbles discharged vertically downward from the discharge portion to change direction along the forward tapered portion and circulate in a substantially horizontal direction, thereby further lengthening the time the bubbles circulate through the aqueous solution containing the disinfecting component, thereby further increasing the amount of disinfecting component gas taken up by the bubbles.

[0014] Furthermore, in the space purification device according to the present invention, the air supply unit further includes a flow direction adjusting plate provided at the tip of the discharge unit, which adjusts the flow direction of the air bubbles emitted vertically downward from the discharge unit. The flow direction adjusting plate preferably changes the flow direction of the air bubbles toward the area opposite the area where the solution suction port is located, across the flow direction adjusting plate. This allows the air bubbles emitted from the discharge unit to flow toward the area opposite the area where the solution suction port is located, thereby preventing the air bubbles from being sucked into the solution suction port. As a result, the generation of abnormal noise caused by the intake of an aqueous solution containing a sterilizing component containing air bubbles through the solution suction port is suppressed. In other words, the space purification device can reduce noise while emitting a higher concentration of sterilizing component gas. It can be supplied to the department.

[0015] The space purification device according to the present invention may also include a disinfectant water generator that adjusts the concentration of the disinfectant-containing aqueous solution to a predetermined concentration. This facilitates control of the concentration of the disinfectant-containing aqueous solution, thereby stabilizing the concentration of the disinfectant-containing aqueous solution. In other words, the space purification device can stably release a disinfectant-containing gas with a higher concentration to the outside.

[0016] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the following embodiments are examples of specific embodiments of the present invention and do not limit the technical scope of the present invention. Furthermore, each drawing used in the embodiments is a schematic drawing, and the ratios of the sizes and thicknesses of the components in each drawing do not necessarily reflect the actual dimensional ratios.

[0017] (Embodiment 1) First, an outline of a space purification device 2 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1 to Fig. 3. Fig. 1 is a schematic side view showing an example of installation of a space purification device 2 according to the first embodiment of the present invention in a private space 1. Fig. 2 is a schematic side view showing the configuration of the space purification device 2. Fig. 3 is a schematic see-through front view showing the configuration of the space purification device 2.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 1, the space purifying device 2 is installed at a predetermined height on the wall of the private space 1. The space purifying device 2 takes in air 3 from the private space 1, adds hypochlorous acid (hypochlorous acid gas) to the taken-in air 3 (air 3a shown in FIG. 2), mixes it with the also taken-in air 3 (air 3b shown in FIG. 2), and releases it into the private space 1 as air 4 containing hypochlorous acid. As a result, the released air 4 (air 4 containing hypochlorous acid) sterilizes the private space 1. In other words, the space purifying device 2 can be said to be a device that sterilizes the private space 1 by releasing hypochlorous acid into it. Note that the space purifying device 2 is not restricted in its installation location within the private space 1 as long as it can be connected to an external power source.

[0019] The private space 1 is a space used by users in their daily lives, and is composed of structural elements such as walls and doors. A table or chair may be installed in the private space 1. An air conditioner for air conditioning (cooling, heating) the private space 1 may also be installed.

[0020] Air 3 is air taken into the space purification device 2 from the private space 1. The arrows in FIG. 1 indicate the main flow of air 3. As shown in FIG. 2, after air 3 is introduced into the space purification device 2, it is separated into air 3a and air 3b. As will be described in detail later, air 3a is air that is drawn into the air supply unit 7 and has hypochlorous acid (hypochlorous acid gas) added to it, while air 3b is air that passes through the internal air passage 24 without being drawn into the air supply unit 7 and is mixed with air 3c to which hypochlorous acid (hypochlorous acid gas) has been added in the mixer 21.

[0021] Air 4 is air blown out from the space purification device 2 into the private space 1. The arrows in Fig. 1 indicate the main flow of the air 4. As will be described in detail later, the air 4 contains hypochlorous acid (hypochlorous acid gas) generated inside the space purification device 2.

[0022] Next, a specific configuration of the space purification device 2 will be described.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 2, the space purification device 2 is configured to include an air passage section 17, a storage section 5, an air supply section 7, an air release section 9, an air supply section holding section 12, and a hypochlorous acid aqueous solution supply section 13.

[0024] The air passage section 17 mixes the air 3c containing hypochlorous acid gas supplied from the air discharge section 9 with the air 3b taken in from the outside air intake section 18 that has passed through the internal air passage 24, and generates air. The air duct 17 is a member that discharges air 3c as air 4. The air duct 17 is installed on the upper surface of the air discharge part 9. An opening that communicates with the air discharge part 9 is provided on the lower surface of the air duct 17. This allows air 3c from the air discharge part 9 to be supplied into the air duct 17. The air duct 17 can also be said to be part of the housing that forms the outer frame of the space purification device 2.

[0025] More specifically, the air passage section 17 is configured to include an outside air intake section 18, a blowing section 19, a mixing section 21, an air blowing section 22, and a filter section 23.

[0026] The outside air intake section 18 is an opening that connects the air duct section 17 to the outside, and is an intake port for taking in air 3 from the outside (private space 1) into the space purification device 2. The outside air intake section 18 is composed of a plurality of circular holes or slits formed on the upper surface of the air duct section 17.

[0027] The blowout section 19 is an opening through which the air duct section 17 communicates with the outside and is a component for blowing the air 4 containing hypochlorous acid gas from the space purification device 2 into the private space 1. Specifically, the blowout section 19 is configured with an air outlet 19a and an air outlet direction hood 19b. The air outlet 19a is an opening through which the air 4 containing hypochlorous acid gas flows out from the air duct section 17 and is configured by a plurality of circular holes or slits formed on the upper surface of the air duct section 17. The air outlet direction hood 19b is a metal air hood installed to cover the entire air outlet 19a. The air outlet direction hood 19b directs the blowout direction of the air 4 blown out from the air outlet 19a toward one side of the space purification device 2 (the side opposite the outside air intake section 18). This prevents the air 4 blown out from the blowout section 19 from mixing with the air 3 drawn into the outside air intake section 18.

[0028] The outside air intake section 18 and the blowing section 19 are connected in communication with each other by an internal air passage 24 of the air passage section 17. The internal air passage 24 is connected in communication with the air discharge section 9.

[0029] Mixing section 21 is a space that mixes air 3c containing hypochlorous acid gas supplied from air release section 9 with air 3b that is part of the air 3 taken in from outside air intake section 18 and passes through internal air passage 24. Mixing section 21 is part of internal air passage 24, and can also be said to be a space where air 3c and air 3b merge in internal air passage 24. The air containing hypochlorous acid gas mixed in mixing section 21 is blown out as air 4 from blowing section 19 into private space 1 through air passage section 17.

[0030] Blower unit 22 is a blower fan for circulating air through air path unit 17, and is disposed in internal air path 24 of air path unit 17. By operating blower unit 22, air 3 is taken in from outside air intake unit 18, and air 3b of the air 3 taken in from outside air intake unit 18 in mixer unit 21 that has passed through internal air path 24 is mixed with air 3c supplied from air discharge unit 9, and the resulting mixture can be blown out from blower unit 19 as air 4.

[0031] The filter section 23 is a filter for removing dirt or foreign matter from the air 3 taken in through the outside air intake section 18, and is disposed in the internal air passage 24 near the outside air intake section 18.

[0032] The storage unit 5 is a container that stores the hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 6 therein. The storage unit 5 has a rectangular prism shape, and the external dimensions of the storage unit 5 are, for example, 200 mm wide, 100 mm deep, and 115 mm high. The storage unit 5 can also be considered a part of the housing that forms the outer frame of the space purification device 2. Inside the storage unit 5, an air supply unit 7 is installed immersed in the stored hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 6, and water level sensors 16 (full water sensor 16a and drought sensor 16b) are also installed. An opening (not shown) for communicating with the air release unit 9 is provided on the upper surface of the storage unit 5, and the air release unit 9 is installed to cover the opening. An internal space 11 is formed at the top of the storage unit 5 between the liquid level 6a of the stored hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 6 and the lower surface of the air release unit 9. A hypochlorous acid aqueous solution supply unit 13 is installed on the side of the storage unit 5. Although not specifically shown, the reservoir 5 is provided with an opening for supplying city water, so that city water can be supplied directly to the reservoir 5 when there is a drought.

[0033] More specifically, the storage unit 5 has a partition plate 25 extending vertically upward from the bottom 5c of the storage unit 5. As will be described in detail later, the partition plate 25 is a member that divides the storage unit 5 into a first region 5a where the air release unit 9 takes in the hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 6, and a second region 5b where the air bubbles 8 released from the air release unit 9 circulate.

[0034] The first region 5a is a region in the storage unit 5 where the air supply unit 7 sucks in the hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 6. More specifically, the first region 5a is a region where a solution suction port 7a of the air supply unit 7 described below is arranged, where the hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 6 is taken in through the solution suction port 7a, and is also referred to as the "suction region."

[0035] The second region 5b is a region in the storage section 5 through which the air bubbles 8 released from the air supply section 7 flow. More specifically, the second region 5b is a region where a discharge section 7d of the air supply section 7, which will be described later, is arranged, and through which the air bubbles 8 released from the discharge section 7d flow as they rise toward the liquid surface 6a of the hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 6, and is also referred to as the "discharge region."

[0036] Bottom 5c refers to the bottom surface of reservoir 5, where partition plate 25 is provided.

[0037] The partition plate 25 is a protrusion extending vertically upward from the bottom 5c of the storage section 5 to separate the first region 5a and the second region 5b. The partition plate 25 can also be said to be a protrusion that separates the region where the solution suction port 7a is installed from the region where the discharge section 7d is installed. As shown in FIG. 3, the partition plate 25 is installed by extending from one side surface of the storage section 5 to the opposite side surface. Note that the partition plate 25 does not completely separate the two regions (the first region 5a and the second region 5b), and the hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 6 can move between the two regions on the upper side of the storage section 5.

[0038] Partition plate 25 is configured to have a forward tapered shape (first tapered portion 25a and second tapered portion 25b) in which the protrusion width narrows vertically upward from the bottom 5c side of storage portion 5. First tapered portion 25a refers to the tapered shape of partition plate 25 on the first region 5a side, and second tapered portion 25b refers to the tapered shape of partition plate 25 on the second region 5b side.

[0039] Both the first tapered portion 25a and the second tapered portion 25b are curved toward the bottom portion 5c from the apex of the partition plate 25 to the bottom portion 5c. As will be described in detail later, the second tapered portion 25b guides the air bubbles 8 discharged from the discharge portion 7d along the curved tapered shape, causing the air bubbles 8 to circulate in the opposite direction to the first region 5a.

[0040] The internal space 11 is an air region generated above the liquid level 6a of the hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 6 in the storage part 5, and is formed over the entire surface of the storage part 5. The internal space 11 is formed above the liquid level 6a of the hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 6 even when the storage part 5 is filled with the hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 6. In the internal space 11, the air bubbles 8 that have risen in the hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 6 burst, releasing hypochlorous acid gas and becoming air 3c containing hypochlorous acid gas.

[0041] The hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 6 is an aqueous solution containing hypochlorous acid (also called hypochlorous acid water) produced by diluting a high-concentration hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 15 described later. The hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 6 has the role of containing hypochlorous acid (hypochlorous acid gas) inside the air bubbles 8 supplied from an air supply unit 7 described later as the bubbles 8 flow through the liquid due to buoyancy. Therefore, by increasing or decreasing the concentration of the hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 6, the amount of hypochlorous acid contained in the air bubbles 8 can be increased or decreased. In addition, by setting the hydrogen ion concentration (pH) of the hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 6 to about 5 to 7, Hypochlorous acid is more easily evaporated from the hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 6, allowing the amount of hypochlorous acid contained in the bubbles 8 to be increased. Furthermore, by increasing the distance the bubbles 8 rise due to buoyancy (the distance the bubbles 8 flow through the hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 6) and increasing the contact time between the hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 6 and the bubbles 8, the amount of hypochlorous acid contained in the bubbles 8 can be increased. For these reasons, in this embodiment, the concentration of the hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 6 is set to approximately 100 mg / L, the pH of the hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 6 is set to approximately 7, and the volume of the hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 6 stored inside (full volume) based on the outer diameter dimensions of the storage section 5 described above is set to approximately 2 L. The concentration of the hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 6 is adjusted to be several times higher than the concentration of the hypochlorous acid aqueous solution used in conventional vaporization-type space purification devices. Furthermore, the hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 6 corresponds to the "aqueous solution containing a disinfecting component" in the claims.

[0042] The air supply unit 7 is a member that draws air 3a from the private space 1 into the interior and releases the drawn-in air 3a as bubbles 8 into the hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 6. In this embodiment, the air supply unit 7 is a pump that mixes the hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 6 taken in from the storage unit 5 with air 3a taken in from the outside (private space 1), and releases bubbles 8 into the hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 6 stored in the storage unit 5. The air supply unit 7 is installed within the storage unit 5 and fixed to the storage unit 5 by the air supply unit holder 12. The air supply unit 7 is suspended from the top of the storage unit 5 by the air supply unit holder 12 vertically above the partition plate 25, and most of the member is immersed in the hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 6.

[0043] More specifically, the air supply unit 7 includes a solution suction port 7a, an air suction port 7b, a bubble generation unit 7c, a discharge unit 7d, and a motor unit 7e. The air supply unit 7 is suspended from above the storage unit 5, and is installed such that the solution suction port 7a and the air suction port 7b are located in the first region 5a of the storage unit 5, and the bubble generation unit 7c, the discharge unit 7d, and the motor unit 7e are located in the second region 5b of the storage unit 5.

[0044] The solution suction port 7a is a cylindrical suction port that sucks in the hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 6 from the storage unit 5. The solution suction port 7a is located in the first region 5a of the storage unit 5, and is installed in a substantially horizontal position relative to the bottom 5c of the storage unit 5, facing the side of the storage unit 5 opposite the second region 5b. The solution suction port 7a is connected in communication with the bubble generation unit 7c. When the motor unit 7e is operated, the solution suction port 7a sucks in the hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 6 from the storage unit 5 and sends the hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 6 sucked from the storage unit 5 to the bubble generation unit 7c.

[0045] Air inlet 7b is a cylindrical inlet that draws in air 3a from internal air passage 24. One end of air inlet 7b is connected to a side surface of solution inlet 7a, and the other end of air inlet 7b extends vertically upward into internal air passage 24. Air inlet 7b is, for example, a resin tube. When motor unit 7e is operated, air inlet 7b draws in air 3a from internal air passage 24 and sends the drawn air 3a into the hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 6 drawn in from solution inlet 7a.

[0046] Here, the other end of air inlet 7b is disposed downstream of filter section 23 in internal air passage 24 and upstream of mixer section 21. This allows air inlet 7b to take in less contaminated air 3a that has passed through filter section 23 and send it to hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 6, thereby preventing clogging of air inlet 7b due to accumulation of contaminants and contamination of hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 6.

[0047] The bubble generating unit 7c is a member that stirs and mixes the hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 6 containing air 3a that flows in from the solution suction port 7a. The bubble generating unit 7c communicates between the solution suction port 7a and the discharge port 7d, and when the motor unit 7e operates, the hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 6 (hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 6 containing air 3a) that flows in from the solution suction port 7a is sent to the discharge port 7d. At this time, the bubble generating unit The bubble generating unit 7c agitates and mixes the hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 6 and the air 3a therein, atomizes the air 3a to form bubbles 8, and sends the hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 6 containing the bubbles 8 to the discharge unit 7d. It can also be said that the bubble generating unit 7c atomizes the air 3a to generate the bubbles 8 while mixing the hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 6 and the air 3a therein. During the agitation and mixing process inside the bubble generating unit 7c, hypochlorous acid gas is contained in the air 3a (bubbles 8).

[0048] Discharge unit 7d is a discharge unit that discharges the hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 6 containing bubbles 8 generated in bubble generation unit 7c into the hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 6 in storage unit 5. Discharge unit 7d is located in second region 5b of storage unit 5 and is installed facing vertically downward toward bottom 5c of storage unit 5. Discharge unit 7d discharges the hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 6 containing bubbles 8 toward bottom 5c of storage unit 5. Specifically, discharge unit 7d discharges the hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 6 containing bubbles 8 toward second tapered portion 25b of partition plate 25 provided on bottom 5c of storage unit 5. Note that although discharge unit 7d is described as "discharging hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 6 containing bubbles 8," it may be interpreted as "discharging bubbles 8."

[0049] The motor unit 7e is a component that performs a series of operations of the air supply unit 7. The motor unit 7e rotates to generate a flow of the hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 6 inside the air supply unit 7. Specifically, the rotation of the motor unit 7e causes the hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 6 to be sucked through the solution suction port 7a, and negative pressure is created inside the solution suction port 7a, causing air 3a to be sucked into the solution suction port 7a through the air suction port 7b. Then, bubbles 8 are generated during the stirring and mixing process in the bubble generation unit 7c, and the generated bubbles 8 are released into the hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 6 from the discharge port 7d.

[0050] The air supply unit 7 is configured as described above.

[0051] In the air supply section 7, the amount of air 3a supplied to the hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 6, the stirring and mixing time in the bubble generation section 7c, and the size (diameter) of the bubbles 8 generated can be controlled to adjust the amount of hypochlorous acid (hypochlorous acid gas) contained in the air 4 released into the private space 1 from the air release section 9 described below.

[0052] Specifically, in the air supply unit 7, as the amount of air 3a supplied to the hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 6 increases, the amount (number) of bubbles 8 generated increases accordingly, and the amount of hypochlorous acid gas contained in the air 4 released from the air release unit 9 can be increased. Furthermore, in the air supply unit 7, by lengthening the stirring and mixing time in the bubble generation unit 7c, the contact time between the hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 6 and the air 3a increases, and the amount of hypochlorous acid gas contained in the ultimately generated bubbles 8 can be increased. Furthermore, in the air supply unit 7, by reducing the size (diameter) of the bubbles 8 released into the hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 6, the rising speed of the bubbles 8 when they rise can be reduced, thereby increasing the contact time between the hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 6 and the bubbles 8. Furthermore, compared to when the size (diameter) of the bubbles 8 is large, the contact area between the hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 6 and the bubbles 8 circulating in the liquid can be increased. As a result, the amount of hypochlorous acid that the bubbles 8 circulating through the hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 6 take in increases as they rise to the surface, and the amount of hypochlorous acid that is contained in the air 4 released from the air release section 9 can be increased.

[0053] Here, the amount of air 3a supplied by the air supply unit 7 to the hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 6 can be controlled by the amount of air suctioned by the air suction port 7b. The size (diameter) of the bubbles 8 can be controlled by the diameter of the air suction port 7b (and the amount of air suctioned by the air suction port 7b). The depth to which the bubbles 8 released from the discharge port 7d reach can be controlled by the amount of hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 6 taken in by the air supply unit 7. Taking these factors into consideration, in this embodiment, the amount of air 3a supplied by the air supply unit 7 to the hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 6 is set to about 0.1 m3 / h, and the size (diameter) of the bubbles 8 generated at the solution suction port 7a is set to about 1 mm to 2 mm. The air temperature was set to 5°C, and the amount of the aqueous hypochlorous acid solution 6 taken in by the air supply unit 7 was set to 5 L / min.

[0054] The bubbles 8 are air 3a sucked from the private space 1 by the air supply unit 7 (air inlet 7b) and atomized into bubbles, and the air is trapped by the hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 6. The bubbles 8 released from the air supply unit 7 rise while incorporating the hypochlorous acid (and moisture) contained in the hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 6 into the air inside. After that, the bubbles 8 rise to the liquid surface 6a of the hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 6 and then pop. The air inside the bubbles 8, along with the hypochlorous acid (and moisture) contained in the air, is then mixed with the air inside the internal space 11. The air inside the internal space 11 (air containing hypochlorous acid) is then supplied from the air release unit 9 to the mixer 21 as air 3c.

[0055] Air release section 9 is a member that connects storage section 5 and air path section 17, and is installed between the upper surface of storage section 5 and the lower surface of air path section 17. Air release section 9 includes eliminator 10. Air release section 9 guides air containing hypochlorous acid (air in internal space 11) that is introduced from an opening (not shown) of storage section 5 from a supply port (not shown) of air release section 9 via eliminator 10 to mixing section 21 of air path section 17 as air 3c.

[0056] The eliminator 10 is a porous member that removes water droplets and the like that are generated when the air bubbles 8 burst on the liquid surface 6a in the storage unit 5. The eliminator 10 is installed inside the air release unit 9 so as to cover the entire liquid surface 6a of the hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 6 in the storage unit 5. The eliminator 10 allows the air 3c containing hypochlorous acid gas to circulate, but removes water droplets and the like. This prevents water droplets from scattering into the air duct unit 17 and, ultimately, from being sprayed from the space purification device 2 into the private space 1.

[0057] Air supply unit holder 12 is a flat plate-shaped member that fixes air supply unit 7 in reservoir 5. Air supply unit holder 12 fixes air supply unit 7 below eliminator 10 so as to suspend it.

[0058] The hypochlorous acid aqueous solution supply unit 13 is a member that supplies a high-concentration hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 15 to the storage unit 5. The hypochlorous acid aqueous solution supply unit 13 is installed on a side surface of the storage unit 5. The hypochlorous acid aqueous solution supply unit 13 adjusts the concentration of the hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 6 by supplying the high-concentration hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 15 to the hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 6. More specifically, the hypochlorous acid aqueous solution supply unit 13 is configured to include a hypochlorous acid aqueous solution tank 13a, a hypochlorous acid aqueous solution pump 13b, and a tube 13c.

[0059] The hypochlorous acid aqueous solution tank 13a is a container that stores therein a high-concentration hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 15 having a predetermined concentration. The hypochlorous acid aqueous solution tank 13a is, for example, a bag-shaped, deformable pouch pack container that seals and stores the high-concentration hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 15 as its contents. The hypochlorous acid aqueous solution tank 13a is capable of supplying the high-concentration hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 15 to the storage section 5 via a tube 13c by operation of a hypochlorous acid aqueous solution pump 13b.

[0060] The hypochlorous acid aqueous solution pump 13b is a member that sends out the high-concentration hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 15 from the hypochlorous acid aqueous solution tank 13a to the storage unit 5 in response to an output signal from a control unit (not shown).

[0061] The tube 13c is a component that connects the hypochlorous acid aqueous solution tank 13a to an inlet (not shown) provided on the side wall of the container constituting the storage section 5 via the hypochlorous acid aqueous solution pump 13b, and circulates the high-concentration hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 15 from the hypochlorous acid aqueous solution tank 13a to the storage section 5.

[0062] The high-concentration hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 15 is a chemical liquid (hypochlorous acid water) that adjusts the hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 6 stored in the storage unit 5 to a predetermined concentration or higher. The high-concentration hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 15 can also be called a hypochlorous acid aqueous solution concentrate. The high-concentration hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 15 is diluted in the storage unit 5 to adjust the hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 6 to a predetermined concentration, so it is desirable that the concentration of the high-concentration hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 15 is several times higher than that of the hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 6. Based on this, in this embodiment, the concentration of the high-concentration hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 15 is set to 1000 ppm, and the amount of the high-concentration hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 15 supplied by the hypochlorous acid aqueous solution pump 13b is set to 200 mL.

[0063] The aqueous hypochlorous acid solution supply unit 13 is configured as described above.

[0064] Then, the hypochlorous acid aqueous solution supply unit 13 operates the hypochlorous acid aqueous solution pump 13b to supply a predetermined amount of high-concentration hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 15 from the hypochlorous acid aqueous solution tank 13a through the tube 13c to the storage unit 5. As a result, the high-concentration hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 15 is mixed with the hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 6 stored in the storage unit 5.

[0065] Next, the water level sensors 16 (full water sensor 16a and drought sensor 16b) will be described.

[0066] The water level sensor 16 is a component that detects the water level of the hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 6 stored inside the storage unit 5. The water level sensor 16 has a full water sensor 16a and a low water sensor 16b. Each of the water level sensors 16 is installed at a predetermined height position inside the storage unit 5.

[0067] The full water sensor 16a detects whether the water level of the hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 6 stored in the storage unit 5 is in a full water state (full water level). On the other hand, the drought sensor 16b detects whether the water level of the hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 6 stored in the storage unit 5 is in a drought state (drought level). The drought sensor 16b is provided at a position higher than the solution suction port 7a of the air supply unit 7, and prevents air from flowing in from the solution suction port 7a due to a drop in the water level of the hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 6, causing abnormal noise or malfunction in the air supply unit 7. In this embodiment, the drought water level is set to a water level of 1.5 L, which is 25% less than the volume of the hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 6 at the full water level (volume when full), which is 2 L.

[0068] As described above, the space purification device 2 is made up of each member.

[0069] Next, a method for adjusting the concentration of the aqueous hypochlorous acid solution 6 will be described.

[0070] First, the user supplies city water to the storage unit 5 and starts operation of the space purification device 2. After operation starts, if the drought sensor 16b does not detect a drought, the hypochlorous acid aqueous solution supply unit 13 supplies a predetermined amount of high-concentration hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 15 to the storage unit 5, producing a hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 6 of a predetermined concentration in the storage unit 5. Then, if the amount of hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 6 in the storage unit 5 decreases during long-term operation and the drought sensor 16b detects a drought, a drain lamp (not shown) lights up to notify the user to drain the water. After draining the remaining hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 6 from the storage unit 5, the user supplies city water to the storage unit 5 again and starts operation of the space purification device 2. This ensures that the storage unit 5 always stores new hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 6 of the predetermined concentration.

[0071] Next, with reference to FIG. 2, the flow of each air (air 3, air 3a, air 3b, air 3c, air bubbles 8, and air 4) in the space purification device 2 will be described.

[0072] In the space purification device 2, when the blower 22 operates, the basic air flow is as follows: air 3 in the private space 1 is sucked into the interior (air passage 17) from the outside air intake 18, and the air 3 sucked into the interior flows through the internal air passage 24 and is released as air 4 from the blower 19 into the private space 1. can be.

[0073] Meanwhile, when the motor unit 7e of the air supply unit 7 starts operating, a portion of the air 3 in the internal air passage 24 is separated as air 3a. That is, the air 3 is separated into a portion of the air 3a and the remaining air 3b. The separated air 3a is sucked in through the air suction port 7b (the other end of the air suction port 7b) and sent into the hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 6 sucked in through the solution suction port 7a. The air 3a sent into the hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 6 is introduced into the air bubble generating unit 7c together with the hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 6 and stirred and mixed within the air bubble generating unit 7c. The air 3a in the air bubble generating unit 7c is atomized during the process of stirring and mixing with the hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 6. The atomized air 3a is then sent out as bubbles 8 together with the hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 6 from the discharge unit 7d into the hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 6 in the storage unit 5.

[0074] The bubbles 8 released from discharge port 7d are released toward bottom 5c of reservoir 5, which is located vertically downward, and thus continue to descend in the direction of arrow F1 through the hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 6. The descending bubbles 8 change their flow direction along second tapered portion 25b of partition plate 25 with the force of colliding with second tapered portion 25b, and continue to flow in a substantially horizontal direction (arrow F2) along bottom 5c of reservoir 5. At this time, partition plate 25 causes the descending bubbles 8 to flow in the opposite direction to first region 5a, and therefore they do not diffuse toward first region 5a where solution inlet port 7a is located.

[0075] Bubbles 8 flowing in a substantially horizontal direction rise to the surface of the liquid 6a due to the influence of buoyancy, as indicated by arrow F3. When the bubbles 8 reach the surface of the liquid 6a, they burst and mix with the air in the internal space 11, and move to the air release portion 9 as air 3c. As described above, the air 3c contains hypochlorous acid gas.

[0076] The air 3c introduced into the air discharge section 9 passes through the eliminator 10 and is led to the mixing section 21 of the air passage section 17.

[0077] The air 3c (air 3c containing hypochlorous acid gas) introduced into the mixing section 21 is mixed with the air 3b flowing through the internal air passage 24, and is released into the private space 1 from the blow-out section 19 as air 4 containing hypochlorous acid gas.

[0078] The released air 4 (air 4 containing hypochlorous acid gas) diffuses into the private space 1. As a result, the private space 1 is sterilized by the air 4 containing hypochlorous acid gas.

[0079] In this embodiment, the concentration of hypochlorous acid gas contained in the bubbles 8 can be increased by stirring and mixing the air 3a and the hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 6 in the bubble generating section 7c, and by extending the time that the bubbles 8 remain in the hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 6 as the bubbles 8 move in the directions of arrows F1 and F2.

[0080] As described above, the space purification device 2 according to the first embodiment can provide the following effects.

[0081] (1) The space purification device 2 includes a storage unit 5 that stores a hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 6, and an air supply unit 7 that is immersed in the hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 6 and releases air 3a taken in from the outside (private space 1) as bubbles 8 into the hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 6. The air supply unit 7 releases bubbles into the hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 6 stored in the storage unit 5 while mixing the hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 6 taken in from the storage unit 5 with the air 3a taken in from the outside (private space 1).

[0082] With this configuration, a certain amount of hypochlorous acid gas can be contained in the air 3a during the process of mixing the hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 6 and the air 3a inside the air supply unit 7. As a result, the bubbles 8 can contain both the hypochlorous acid gas taken in inside the air supply unit 7 and the hypochlorous acid gas taken into the bubbles 8 as they rise up in the hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 6. As a result, the concentration of hypochlorous acid gas released from the bubbles 8 can be increased when the bubbles 8 reach the liquid surface 6a. In other words, the space purification device 2 can increase the concentration of hypochlorous acid gas contained in the bubbles 8, and can supply a higher concentration of hypochlorous acid gas to the outside (private space 1).

[0083] (2) In the space purification device 2, the air supply unit 7 includes a solution inlet 7a that draws in the hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 6 from the storage unit 5, an air inlet 7b that draws in air 3a from the outside (air passage 17), and an outlet 7d that discharges a mixture of the hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 6 drawn in through the solution inlet 7a and the air 3a drawn in through the air inlet 7b. The outlet 7d discharges bubbles vertically downward. As a result, the bubbles 8 discharged from the outlet 7d descend at least vertically downward through the hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 6 and then rise to the liquid surface 6a. This lengthens the time the bubbles 8 circulate through the hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 6, further increasing the amount of hypochlorous acid gas captured by the bubbles 8. As a result, the concentration of hypochlorous acid gas released from the bubbles 8 can be further increased when the bubbles 8 reach the liquid surface 6a.

[0084] (3) In the space purification device 2, the storage unit 5 has a partition plate 25 extending vertically upward from the bottom 5c of the storage unit 5. The partition plate 25 divides the storage unit 5 into a first region 5a, where the solution inlet 7a is located and where the hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 6 is taken in through the solution inlet 7a, and a second region 5b, where the outlet 7d is located and where the bubbles 8 released from the outlet 7d flow through. This prevents the bubbles 8 released from the outlet 7d in the second region 5b from being sucked into the solution inlet 7a of the first region 5a by the partition plate 25. As a result, the generation of abnormal noise caused by the hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 6 containing the bubbles 8 being taken in through the solution inlet 7a is suppressed. In other words, the space purification device 2 can supply a higher concentration of hypochlorous acid gas to the outside (private space 1) while suppressing noise.

[0085] (4) In the space purification device 2, the partition plate 25 is configured so that the second region 5b side has a forward tapered shape (second tapered portion 25b), and the discharge portion 7d is configured to discharge the bubbles 8 so that the bubbles 8 are blown onto the forward tapered portion. As a result, the bubbles 8 discharged vertically downward from the discharge portion 7d change direction along the forward tapered portion (second tapered portion 25b) and flow in a substantially horizontal direction, which further extends the time the bubbles 8 flow through the hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 6, thereby further increasing the amount of hypochlorous acid gas taken up by the bubbles 8.

[0086] (Embodiment 2) A space purification device 2a according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a schematic side view showing the configuration of the space purification device 2a according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0087] The space purification device 2a according to the second embodiment of the present invention differs from the first embodiment in that it includes a hypochlorous acid water generator 29 instead of the hypochlorous acid aqueous solution supplier 13. The rest of the configuration of the space purification device 2a is the same as that of the space purification device 2 according to the first embodiment. Below, the details already explained in the first embodiment will be omitted as appropriate, and differences from the first embodiment will be mainly explained.

[0088] As shown in Fig. 4, the space purification device 2a includes a hypochlorous acid water generator 29 as a concentration adjusting means for the hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 6. The hypochlorous acid water generator 29 includes a chloride supply unit 26 and an electrode 27. The hypochlorous acid water generator 29 adjusts the concentration of the hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 6 by adjusting the concentration of the chloride aqueous solution 6 supplied from the chloride supply unit 26. The liquid 28 is electrolyzed by the electrodes 27 to generate hypochlorous acid, and the aqueous hypochlorous acid solution 6 stored in the storage unit 5 is adjusted to a predetermined concentration. The hypochlorous acid water generator 29 corresponds to the "sterilizing water generator" in the claims.

[0089] Chloride supply unit 26 is a member that supplies a predetermined amount of chloride aqueous solution 28 to the hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 6 stored in storage unit 5. Chloride supply unit 26 is installed outside storage unit 5 and configured to introduce chloride aqueous solution 28 into storage unit 5 through an inlet (not shown) provided in the side wall of a container that constitutes storage unit 5. More specifically, chloride supply unit 26 is configured to include chloride aqueous solution tank 26a, chloride pump 26b, and tube 26c.

[0090] The chloride aqueous solution tank 26a is a container that stores therein the chloride aqueous solution 28 having a predetermined concentration. For example, the chloride aqueous solution tank 26a is a bag-shaped, deformable pouch-pack container that hermetically stores the chloride aqueous solution 28. The chloride aqueous solution tank 26a is capable of supplying the chloride aqueous solution 28 to the storage unit 5 via a tube 26c by operation of a chloride pump 26b.

[0091] The chloride aqueous solution 28 may be any electrolyte capable of producing hypochlorous acid water by electrolysis, and is not particularly limited as long as it contains even a small amount of chloride ions. For example, an aqueous solution containing sodium chloride, calcium chloride, magnesium chloride, or the like dissolved as a solute may be used. Potassium phosphate or the like may also be added to adjust the pH of the aqueous solution. In this embodiment, an aqueous solution in which potassium phosphate is added to a sodium chloride aqueous solution (salt water) is used as the chloride aqueous solution 28. It is also desirable that the chloride aqueous solution 28 has a high concentration of sodium chloride. By using a high-concentration chloride aqueous solution 28, chloride (chloride aqueous solution) can be supplied to the hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 6 without significantly changing the amount of water in the hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 6.

[0092] The chloride pump 26b is a member that sends the aqueous chloride solution 28 from the aqueous chloride solution tank 26a to the reservoir 5 in response to an output signal from a control unit (not shown).

[0093] The tube 26c is a component that connects the chloride aqueous solution tank 26a to an inlet provided in the side wall of the container that constitutes the storage section 5 via the chloride pump 26b, and is used to circulate the chloride aqueous solution 28 from the chloride aqueous solution tank 26a to the storage section 5.

[0094] The chloride supply unit 26 is configured as described above.

[0095] Then, the chloride supply unit 26 operates the chloride pump 26b to supply a predetermined amount of the chloride aqueous solution 28 from the chloride aqueous solution tank 26a to the storage unit 5 through the tube 26c. As a result, the chloride aqueous solution 28 is mixed with the hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 6 stored in the storage unit 5.

[0096] The electrode 27 is a member for electrolyzing the chloride aqueous solution 28, which is an aqueous solution containing chloride ions. The electrode 27 is installed, for example, at the bottom 5c of the reservoir 5, submerged in the hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 6. The electrode 27 is composed of a pair of electrodes, an anode and a cathode, and is configured by providing a catalytic coating on the surface of a conductive substrate. For example, titanium, tantalum, nickel, or stainless steel can be used for the conductive substrate, but titanium is preferred because of its high corrosion resistance against hypochlorous acid. In addition, the catalyst contained in the catalytic coating is, for example, iridium or a platinum group metal. This can activate the electrolysis reaction at the electrode 27.

[0097] At the electrode 27, the chloride (chloride aqueous solution 28) is electrolyzed by passing a current between the pair of electrodes, and hypochlorous acid is generated. As a result, the hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 6 stored in the storage section 5 and The mixed aqueous solution of chloride aqueous solution 28 is prepared as hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 6 having a predetermined concentration. Here, the time for which current is applied to electrode 27 is set to a time experimentally determined in advance based on the amount of chloride supplied to reservoir 5, for example.

[0098] Next, the flow of operations of the hypochlorous acid water generator 29 will be described.

[0099] In the hypochlorous acid water generator 29, hypochlorous acid is supplied to the hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 6 at regular intervals in order to adjust the concentration of the hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 6 stored in the storage unit 5 to a predetermined value. That is, as will be described in detail later, in the hypochlorous acid water generator 29, the chloride supply unit 26 supplies a predetermined amount of the chloride aqueous solution 28, and the electrode 27 performs electrolysis at regular intervals.

[0100] In the hypochlorous acid water generator 29, first, after a certain period of time has elapsed, the chloride pump 26b sends a predetermined amount of chloride aqueous solution 28 from the chloride aqueous solution tank 26a to the storage unit 5, and the chloride aqueous solution 28 is supplied to and mixed with the hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 6. Then, in the hypochlorous acid water generator 29, a current is passed through the electrode 27 to electrolyze the chloride mixed with the hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 6, i.e., sodium chloride, and generate hypochlorous acid corresponding to the amount of sodium chloride supplied as the chloride aqueous solution 28. This results in a state equivalent to hypochlorous acid being supplied to the hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 6. In other words, the concentration of the hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 6 (hypochlorous acid concentration) is adjusted by the hypochlorous acid water generator 29. At this time, the amount of hypochlorous acid supplied to the hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 6 can be controlled by adjusting the amount (supply amount) of the chloride aqueous solution 28 supplied to the hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 6 during operation of the hypochlorous acid water generator 29. Although the pH of the hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 6 increases due to the electrolysis of sodium chloride, this is neutralized by the potassium phosphate contained in the chloride aqueous solution 28, and the pH is adjusted to a predetermined level.

[0101] In this way, the space purification device 2a adjusts the concentration of the hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 6 to a predetermined level.

[0102] As described above, according to the space purification device 2a of the second embodiment, in addition to the above-mentioned effects (1) to (4), the following effects can be obtained.

[0103] (5) The space purification device 2a is configured to include a hypochlorous acid water generator 29 that adjusts the concentration of the hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 6 to a predetermined concentration. This configuration makes it easy to control the concentration of the hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 6, thereby stabilizing the concentration of the hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 6. In other words, the space purification device 2a can stably release a higher concentration of hypochlorous acid gas to the outside (private space 1).

[0104] (Embodiment 3) A space purification device 2b according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 5 and Fig. 6. Fig. 5 is a schematic side view showing the configuration of the space purification device 2b according to the third embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 6 is a schematic see-through front view showing the configuration of the space purification device 2b.

[0105] The space purification device 2b according to the third embodiment of the present invention differs from the first embodiment in that a flow direction adjusting plate 7f is provided at the tip of the discharge portion 7d so that the bubbles 8 are selectively circulated toward the fourth region 5e side (the region corresponding to the second region 5b side in the first embodiment) without providing a partition plate 25. The rest of the configuration of the space purification device 2b is the same as that of the space purification device 2 according to the first embodiment. Below, the contents already explained in the first embodiment will be omitted as appropriate, and the differences from the first embodiment will be mainly explained.

[0106] As shown in FIG. 5, in the space purification device 2b, the air supply unit 7 has a vertically extending air outlet 7d. The storage unit 5 is provided with a flow direction adjusting plate 7f extending downward in the vertical direction and changing the flow direction of the bubbles 8. As will be described in detail later, the flow direction adjusting plate 7f is a component that changes the flow direction of the bubbles 8 discharged vertically downward from the discharge portion 7d as they flow through the hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 6 to a region (fourth region 5e) on the opposite side of the flow direction adjusting plate 7f from the region (third region 5d) where the solution suction port 7a is located. Note that the flow direction adjusting plate 7f has a role similar to that of the partition plate 25 of the space purification device 2, and can be said to divide the storage unit 5 into the third region 5d where the solution suction port 7a takes in the hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 6 and the fourth region 5e through which the bubbles 8 discharged from the discharge portion 7d mainly flow.

[0107] The third area 5d is an area in the storage unit 5 where the air supply unit 7 draws in the hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 6. More specifically, the third area 5d is an area where the solution suction port 7a of the air supply unit 7 is arranged and where the hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 6 is taken in through the solution suction port 7a, and corresponds to the first area 5a in the space purification device 2.

[0108] The fourth region 5e is a region in the storage unit 5 where the air bubbles 8 released from the air supply unit 7 mainly circulate. More specifically, the fourth region 5e is a region where the discharge unit 7d of the air supply unit 7 is located, and where the air bubbles 8 released from the discharge unit 7d circulate as they rise toward the liquid surface 6a of the hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 6, and corresponds to the second region 5b in the space purification device 2.

[0109] The flow direction adjustment plate 7f is provided at the tip (lower end) of the discharge portion 7d, and is a member that changes the flow direction of the bubbles 8 released vertically downward from the discharge portion 7d within the hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 6 to a direction along the bottom 5c of the storage portion 5 on the fourth region 5e side (a direction away from the flow direction adjustment plate 7f).

[0110] Specifically, the flow direction adjustment plate 7f is attached so as to extend vertically downward from the lower end of the bubble-generating unit 7c along the side surface of the discharge unit 7d on the solution suction port 7a side. The flow direction adjustment plate 7f further extends straight vertically downward from the tip (lower end) of the discharge unit 7d, and the tip portion of the flow direction adjustment plate 7f curves in an arc toward the fourth region 5e, which is opposite the third region 5d, near the bottom 5c of the storage unit 5. In other words, the tip portion of the flow direction adjustment plate 7f has a predetermined curved surface (also referred to as an inner curved surface). Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 6, the flow direction adjustment plate 7f is installed so as to extend from one side surface of the discharge unit 7d to the opposite side surface. In other words, the flow direction adjustment plate 7f is configured to correspond to the opening width of the discharge unit 7d. Then, bubbles 8 (aqueous hypochlorous acid solution 6 containing bubbles 8) discharged vertically downward from discharge portion 7d are sprayed onto the curved surface of flow direction adjusting plate 7f.

[0111] Next, the flow of the bubbles 8 in the space purification device 2b will be described with reference to FIG.

[0112] The bubbles 8 released from the discharge port 7d are released toward the bottom 5c of the storage portion 5, which is located vertically downward, and thus continue to descend in the direction of arrow F4 through the hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 6. The descending bubbles 8 change their flow direction along the curved surface of the flow direction adjustment plate 7f with the force of impacting the curved surface of the flow direction adjustment plate 7f, and continue to flow in a substantially horizontal direction (arrow F5) along the bottom 5c of the storage portion 5. At this time, the descending bubbles 8 are caused by the flow direction adjustment plate 7f to flow in the opposite direction to the third region 5d, and therefore do not diffuse into the third region 5d where the solution suction port 7a is located.

[0113] Bubbles 8 flowing in a substantially horizontal direction rise to the surface of the liquid 6a due to the influence of buoyancy, as indicated by arrow F6. When the bubbles 8 reach the surface of the liquid 6a, they burst and mix with the air in the internal space 11, and move to the air release portion 9 as air 3c. As described above, hypochlorous acid gas is contained in the air 3c.

[0114] The air 3c introduced into the air discharge section 9 passes through the eliminator 10 and enters the air passage section 17. is derived in part 21.

[0115] The air 3c (air 3c containing hypochlorous acid gas) introduced into the mixing section 21 is mixed with the air 3b flowing through the internal air passage 24, and is released into the private space 1 from the blow-out section 19 as air 4 containing hypochlorous acid gas.

[0116] The released air 4 (air 4 containing hypochlorous acid gas) diffuses into the private space 1. As a result, the private space 1 is sterilized by the air 4 containing hypochlorous acid gas.

[0117] In this embodiment, the concentration of hypochlorous acid gas contained in the bubbles 8 can be increased by stirring and mixing the air 3a and the hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 6 in the bubble generating section 7c, and by extending the time that the bubbles 8 remain in the hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 6 as the bubbles 8 move in the directions of arrows F4 and F5.

[0118] As described above, according to the space purification device 2b of the third embodiment, in addition to the above-mentioned effects (1) and (2), the following effects can be obtained.

[0119] (6) In the space purification device 2b, the air supply unit 7 includes a flow direction adjusting plate 7f, which is provided at the tip of the discharge port 7d and adjusts the flow direction of the bubbles 8 discharged vertically downward from the discharge port 7d. The flow direction adjusting plate 7f is configured to change the flow direction of the bubbles 8 toward the region (fourth region 5e) on the opposite side of the flow direction adjusting plate 7f from the region (third region 5d) where the solution suction port 7a is located. As a result, the bubbles 8 discharged from the discharge port 7d in the fourth region 5e are directed by the flow direction adjusting plate 7f toward the fourth region 5e, which is opposite the third region 5d where the solution suction port 7a is located, thereby preventing the bubbles 8 from being sucked into the solution suction port 7a in the third region 5d. As a result, the generation of abnormal noise caused by the hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 6 containing the bubbles 8 being taken in through the solution suction port 7a is suppressed. In other words, the space purification device 2b can supply a higher concentration of hypochlorous acid gas to the outside while suppressing noise.

[0120] The present invention has been described above based on the embodiments, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and it can be easily inferred that various improvements and modifications are possible within the scope of the present invention.

[0121] In the space purification devices 2 and 2a according to the present embodiment, a partition plate 25 is provided at the bottom 5c of the storage unit 5, and in the space purification device 2b, a flow direction adjusting plate 7f is provided at the tip of the discharge unit 7d. However, this is not limited to this. For example, instead of providing the partition plate 25 or the flow direction adjusting plate 7f, the blowing direction of the discharge unit 7d itself may be changed so that the bubbles 8 selectively flow toward the second region 5b or the fourth region 5e. Specifically, the direction in which the bubbles 8 (the hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 6 containing the bubbles 8) are blown from the discharge unit 7d may be at a 45-degree angle with respect to the vertical direction (a 45-degree angle opposite the first region 5a or the third region 5d) rather than a downward vertical direction. This also prevents the bubbles 8 from being sucked into the solution suction port 7a. Furthermore, the time during which the bubbles 8 flowing through the hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 6 are in contact with the hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 6 can be extended.

[0122] Furthermore, in the spatial purification devices 2 and 2a according to the present embodiment, the partition plate 25 is configured to have a forward tapered shape, but this is not limited to this. For example, the partition plate 25 may be configured as a rectangular plate without a tapered shape. This configuration also makes it possible to prevent the air bubbles 8 that have the force to collide with the bottom 5c of the storage section 5 from diffusing toward the first region 5a.

[0123] In the space purification device 2b according to this embodiment, the tip of the flow direction adjusting plate 7f is curved. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the tip of flow direction adjusting plate 7f may be formed of a rectangular plate that is not curved. This configuration also prevents bubbles 8 from diffusing toward third region 5d when they collide with bottom 5c of reservoir 5.

[0124] In addition, in the space purification device 2b according to the present embodiment, the flow direction adjusting plate 7f is fixed to the tip of the discharge part 7d, but this is not limited to this. For example, the flow direction adjusting plate 7f may be a movable adjusting plate whose angle with respect to the discharge part 7d can be adjusted according to the required concentration of hypochlorous acid gas. In this way, the concentration of the hypochlorous acid gas to be blown out can be more accurately controlled.

[0125] Furthermore, the space purification device 2a according to this embodiment may be configured to further include a sensor that measures the concentration of hypochlorous acid in the hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 6, and the hypochlorous acid water generator 29 may be controlled according to the output of the sensor to control the concentration of the hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 6. Specifically, when the concentration of the hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 6 output by the sensor falls below a specified value, the hypochlorous acid water generator 29 is operated, and when the concentration of the hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 6 output by the sensor reaches the specified value, the hypochlorous acid water generator 29 is stopped. This makes it possible to more reliably control the concentration of the hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 6 within a certain range.

[0126] Furthermore, in the space purification devices 2 and 2b according to the present embodiment, the hypochlorous acid solution 6 has been described as an example of an aqueous solution containing a disinfecting component, but this is not limiting. For example, an ozone aqueous solution (also referred to as ozone water) obtained by electrolyzing tap water may be used as an aqueous solution containing a disinfecting component. In this case, a certain amount of ozone gas can be contained in the air during the process of mixing the ozone aqueous solution and air inside the air supply unit. This allows the bubbles 8 to contain both the ozone gas taken in inside the air supply unit 7 and the ozone gas taken into the bubbles 8 as they rise through the ozone aqueous solution. As a result, the concentration of ozone gas released from the bubbles 8 when they reach the liquid surface can be increased. Alternatively, for example, a chlorine dioxide aqueous solution obtained by diluting a high-concentration chlorine dioxide aqueous solution may be used. Similarly, in this case, a certain amount of chlorine dioxide gas can be contained in the air during the process of mixing the chlorine dioxide aqueous solution and air inside the air supply unit 7. This allows the bubbles 8 to contain chlorine dioxide gas taken in inside the air supply unit 7 and chlorine dioxide gas taken into the bubbles 8 as they rise in the chlorine dioxide aqueous solution. As a result, the concentration of chlorine dioxide gas released from the bubbles 8 when they reach the liquid surface can be increased. [Industrial Applicability]

[0127] The space purification device according to the present invention is capable of supplying a sterilization component gas (for example, hypochlorous acid gas) at a higher concentration to a target space, and is therefore useful as a device for sterilizing private rooms and the like. [Explanation of symbols]

[0128] 1 Private room 2. Space Purification Device 2a Space Purification Device 2b Space Purification Device 3. Air 3a Air 3b Air 3c Air 4. Air 5. Storage section 5a First area 5b Second area 5c bottom 5d third area 5e Fourth area 6. Hypochlorous acid solution 6a Liquid level 7 Air supply section 7a Solution inlet 7b Air intake 7c Bubble generation part 7d Discharge part 7e Motor section 7f Flow direction adjustment plate 8. Bubbles 9 Air release section 10 Eliminator 11 Interior Space 12 Air supply holder 13 Hypochlorous acid aqueous solution supply unit 13a Hypochlorous acid solution tank 13b Hypochlorous acid solution pump 13c tube 15 High concentration hypochlorous acid solution 16 Water level sensor 16a Full water sensor 16b Drought sensor 17 Air passage section 18 Fresh air intake section 19 Air outlet 21 Mixing section 22 Blower 23 Filter section 24 Internal air passage 25 Divider 25a First tapered section 25b Second tapered portion 26 Chloride Supply Section 26a Chloride solution tank 26b Chloride Pump 26c tube 27 electrodes 28 Chloride Aqueous Solution 29 Hypochlorous acid water generator

Claims

1. a storage section for storing an aqueous solution containing a disinfecting component; an air supply unit that releases air taken in from the outside as air bubbles into the aqueous solution containing the sterilizing component; Equipped with The air supply unit is a solution suction port that takes in the aqueous solution containing the sterilization component from the storage portion; an air intake port for taking air from the outside into the interior; a discharge part that discharges a mixture of the aqueous solution containing the sterilization component taken in through the solution suction port and the air taken in through the air suction port, the storage section is provided by extending vertically upward from a bottom of the storage section, and is a protrusion that divides an area where the solution suction port is installed from an area where the discharge section is installed, and has a partition plate configured with a first tapered portion on the side of the area where the solution suction port is installed and a second tapered portion on the side of the area where the discharge section is installed; The air bubbles are released from the discharge portion toward the bottom of the storage portion located vertically downward and descend through the aqueous solution containing the sterilizing component, and the air bubbles that have descended through the aqueous solution containing the sterilizing component change their flow direction so as to follow the second tapered portion of the partition plate, causing the air bubbles to flow along the bottom of the storage portion in a direction away from the area where the solution suction port is located.

2. a disinfecting component supply unit that supplies an aqueous solution containing the disinfecting component to the storage unit; The space purification device according to claim 1 , wherein the disinfecting component supply unit is installed outside an area through which the air bubbles released from the air supply unit circulate.

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