Air purification device

Abstract

This air purification device according to the present disclosure comprises a main body case having an inlet (2) and an outlet. The main body case has an electrolytic bath (34), an electrolysis unit, a sterilization section, a gas-liquid contact part, a water replenishment section, a water replenishment part, a blower, and a control unit which controls the electrolysis unit, an active oxygen species replenishment part (19), the water replenishment part, and the blower. The control unit causes the active oxygen species replenishment part (19) and the water replenishment part to operate, and adjusts the concentration of the active oxygen species in the sterilization section to a predetermined concentration.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an air purification device that generates hypochlorous acid with water containing salt in a water storage container, rotates a filter partially immersed in the water in the water storage container, and has an air passage for ventilating the filter and sterilizing with water containing hypochlorous acid.

Background Art

[0002] As a conventional air purification device, it includes a main body case having an air inlet and an air outlet. The main body case includes an electrolytic cell for storing water containing sodium chloride, an electrolytic unit for electrolyzing the water in the electrolytic cell to generate water containing active oxygen species, a sterilization section into which the water containing active oxygen species in the electrolytic cell flows through a communication path, a gas-liquid contact section for bringing the water containing active oxygen species in the sterilization section into contact with air, and a blower for blowing the air sucked from the air inlet to the air outlet through the gas-liquid contact section (for example, Patent Document 1). The electrolytic cell and the sterilization section are arranged side by side in a water storage container. The water storage container has a communication path for communicating the electrolytic cell and the sterilization section between the electrolytic cell and the sterilization section.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

[0004] In conventional air purification devices, the electrolytic cell and the sterilization compartment are arranged side-by-side within a water storage container. The water storage container also has a connecting passage between the electrolytic cell and the sterilization compartment. This allows water containing reactive oxygen species in the electrolytic cell to flow into the sterilization compartment through the connecting passage. However, since water is not forcibly supplied from the electrolytic cell to the sterilization compartment, it takes time for the concentration of water containing reactive oxygen species in the sterilization compartment to reach a predetermined concentration, which can result in variations in the concentration of water containing reactive oxygen species in the sterilization compartment. Furthermore, if air drawn into the main case from the air intake by a blower is blown out from the outlet through a gas-liquid contact section that brings the air into contact with the water containing reactive oxygen species in the sterilization compartment, there is a problem in that the amount of reactive oxygen species dispersed from the outlet also varies.

[0005] The air purification device of this disclosure comprises a main body case having an air intake and an air outlet. The main body case includes an electrolytic cell for storing water containing a predetermined amount of sodium chloride, an electrolytic unit for electrolyzing the water in the electrolytic cell to produce water containing reactive oxygen species, a sterilization compartment to which the water containing reactive oxygen species in the electrolytic cell is supplied by a reactive oxygen species supply unit, a gas-liquid contact unit for bringing the water containing reactive oxygen species in the sterilization compartment into contact with air, a water supply compartment for storing water, a water supply unit for supplying a portion of the water in the water supply compartment to the sterilization compartment, a blower for blowing air drawn in from the air intake through the gas-liquid contact unit to the air outlet, and a control unit for controlling the electrolytic unit, the reactive oxygen species supply unit, the water supply unit, and the blower. The control unit operates the reactive oxygen species supply unit and the water supply unit to adjust the concentration of reactive oxygen species in the sterilization compartment to a predetermined concentration. Furthermore, after the electrolytic unit has electrolyzed the water in the electrolytic cell, the control unit supplies the water containing the active oxygen species in the electrolytic cell to the sterilization section in multiple portions via the active oxygen species supply section, and the main body case further includes a tablet dispensing mechanism for dispensing an electrolysis accelerator containing a predetermined amount of sodium chloride into the electrolytic cell, and a water supply section for supplying a portion of the water in the water supply section to the electrolytic cell, and in order to suppress the residue of sodium chloride in the electrolytic cell, the control unit operates the electrolytic unit for a first predetermined time during which the electrolytic unit can electrolyze all of the sodium chloride in the electrolytic cell. After the water containing reactive oxygen species is depleted in the electrolytic cell, the tablet loading mechanism and the water supply unit store a predetermined amount of water containing sodium chloride in the electrolytic cell, and the electrolysis unit electrolyzes the water containing sodium chloride in the electrolytic cell. do.

[0006] This disclosure provides an air purification device that suppresses variations in the concentration of water containing reactive oxygen species within a sterilization area and reduces variations in the amount of reactive oxygen species sprayed from the outlet. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an air purification device according to Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a perspective view of the air purification device with its door open. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of the air purification device. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a perspective view of the water reservoir section of the air purification system. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a perspective view showing the internal structure of the air purification device. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a perspective view of the water reservoir section of the air purification system. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a plan view of the water storage section of the air purification device. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a plan view of the water storage section of the air purification system. [Figure 9] Figure 9 is a perspective view of the water supply section of the air purification device. [Figure 10] Figure 10 is a perspective view of the electrolytic cell of the air purification system. [Figure 11] Figure 11 is a perspective view of the electrolytic cell of the air purification system. [Figure 12] Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view of the electrolytic cell of the air purification device. [Figure 13] Figure 13 is a perspective view of the tablet loading mechanism of the air purification device. [Figure 14] Figure 14 is a perspective view showing the inside of the tablet loading case of the tablet loading mechanism of the air purification device. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] The embodiments of this disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0009] (Embodiment 1) Figures 1 and 2 are perspective views of the air purifier 100 according to Embodiment 1 of this disclosure. Figure 1 is a perspective view of the air purifier 100 from the front. Figure 2 is a perspective view of the air purifier 100 from the front with the door opened and the water reservoir 16 removed. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the air purifier 100 according to Embodiment 1 from the side.

[0010] Note that in the following, in the state where the air purifier 100 is installed as shown in FIG. 1 (hereinafter also referred to as the "installed state"), the vertical direction may be described as the up-and-down direction, and the horizontal direction may be described as the left-and-right direction. Further, in the following, in the installed state of the air purifier 100, the surface on the side where the door 3 of the air purifier 100 is provided is defined as the "front surface", the surface facing the front surface of the air purifier 100 is defined as the "rear surface", the side surface on the right side when viewed from the front side of the air purifier 100 is defined as the "right side surface", and the side surface on the left side is defined as the "left side surface".

[0011] Hereinafter, the detailed configuration of the air purifier 100 will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the air purifier 100 of the present embodiment includes a substantially box-shaped main body case 1. On both side surfaces of the main body case 1, substantially rectangular intake ports 2 are provided. On the front surface of the main body case 1, an openable and closable door 3 is provided. When the door 3 is opened, a part of the air purification unit 7 (see FIG. 3) inside the main body case 1 described later can be taken out. On the top surface of the main body case 1, an openable and closable air outlet 4 is provided.

[0012] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, inside the main body case 1, a partition plate 5, a blower 6, an air purification unit 7, an air duct 8, and a control unit 9 are provided.

[0013] The partition plate 5 is a plate provided at the center of the main body case 1, and together with a partition wall 24 (see FIG. 4) described later, separates the front side and the rear side of the main body case 1. Here, the rear side of the main body case 1 separated by the partition plate 5 is the air duct 8.

[0014] The blower 6 sucks air into the main body case 1 from the intake port 2 and blows out the sucked air from the air outlet 4. The blower 6 is provided at the center inside the main body case 1, and includes a motor unit 10, a fan unit 11 that rotates by the motor unit 10, and a casing unit 12 that surrounds the motor unit 10 and the fan unit 11.

[0015] The operation of the blower 6 in this embodiment is determined by the operation unit 1A provided in the main body case 1. As shown in FIGS. 1, FIG. 2, and FIG. 3, the operation unit 1A is covered by an openable and closable cover 1B provided on the top surface of the main body case 1. The user of the air purifying apparatus 100 of the present disclosure can adjust the air volume of the blower 6 step by step by operating an air volume switching button (not shown) provided in the operation unit 1A. The information operated by the user is sent to the control unit 9 as an input signal.

[0016] The fan unit 11 is fixed to a motor shaft 13 extending horizontally from the motor unit 10. The fan unit 11 is, for example, a sirocco fan.

[0017] The motor unit 10 is fixed to the casing unit 12. An air outlet 14 is provided on the upper surface side of the main body case 1 of the casing unit 12. An air inlet 15 is provided on the back side of the main body case 1 of the casing unit 12.

[0018] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the air purifying apparatus 100 of Embodiment 1 with the water storage container 21 disposed in the main body case 1. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the internal structure with some of the components of the air purifying apparatus 100 of Embodiment 1 removed. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the water storage part 16 of the air purifying apparatus 100 of Embodiment 1.

[0019] As shown in FIGS. 2 to FIG. 6, the air purification unit 7 stores the water from the water supply unit 22 in the electrolytic cell 34, inputs an electrolysis promoting tablet into the water in the electrolytic cell 34 by the tablet input mechanism 35, electrolyzes it to generate water containing hypochlorous acid, and makes the generated water containing hypochlorous acid contact the air sucked into the main body case 1 from the air inlet 2 by the blower 6 and spray it from the air outlet 4.

[0020] The air purification unit 7 includes a water storage part 16, an electrolysis part 17, a water supply part 18, an active oxygen species supply part 19, and a water replenishment part 20.

[0021] The water storage unit 16 stores water and performs disinfection. The water storage unit 16 includes a water storage container 21, a water supply unit 22, and a gas-liquid contact unit 23.

[0022] Figure 7 is a plan view of the water reservoir 16 of the air purification device 100 according to Embodiment 1. Figure 8 is a plan view of the water reservoir 16 of the air purification device 100 according to Embodiment 1 with some of its components removed to show the internal structure.

[0023] As shown in Figures 4, 6, 7, and 8, the water storage container 21 is located at the bottom of the main body case 1 and has a box shape with an open top, allowing it to store water. The water storage container 21 has a partition wall 24, a water supply compartment 25, and a sterilization compartment 26.

[0024] As shown in Figure 4, the partition wall 24 is a plate that separates the front side of the main case 1 (outside the air passage 8) from the back side of the main case 1 (air passage 8) in the water storage container 21. The partition wall 24 extends upward from the bottom surface of the water storage container 21. The upper end of the partition wall 24 is positioned above the upper end of the water storage container 21.

[0025] As shown in Figures 6, 7, and 8, a portion of the upper end surface of the partition wall 24 is in full contact with the wall surface of the partition plate 5. This separates the front side of the main case 1 (outside the air passage 8) from the rear side of the main case 1 (air passage 8) so that no air enters or leaves the other side.

[0026] The water supply compartment 25 is roughly bowl-shaped and is a compartment for storing water supplied from the water supply unit 22. In the water storage container 21, which is positioned at the bottom of the main case 1, the water supply compartment 25 is located on the front side of the main case 1, beyond the partition wall 24. The water supply compartment 25 is also structured to hold the water supply unit 22. A cylindrical projection 27 is provided at the bottom of the water supply compartment 25 in a position to hold the water supply unit 22.

[0027] The disinfection compartment 26 is roughly bowl-shaped and is a compartment for storing water containing hypochlorous acid at a predetermined concentration. The disinfection compartment 26 is provided so as to span the front and back sides of the partition wall 24, and the front and back sides of the partition wall 24 are connected by an opening (not shown) provided below the water level of the partition wall 24. The disinfection compartment 26 has a first water level detection unit 28 and a second water level detection unit 29 for detecting the water level in the disinfection compartment 26.

[0028] The first water level detection unit 28 detects when the water level in the sterilization section 26 falls below the drought level, which is lower than the target water level. The target water level refers to the water level of the maximum water volume set for each component in the air purification operation of the air purification device 100 of this disclosure. The drought level refers to the water level of the minimum water volume set for each component in the air purification operation of the air purification device 100 of this disclosure.

[0029] The first water volume detection unit 28 is located on the back side of the partition wall 24 in the sterilization compartment 26 and has a buoyant first float portion 28a and a first detection sensor (not shown) that detects the position of the first float portion 28a.

[0030] The first float portion 28a is located within the sterilization compartment 26. The first detection sensor is embedded in the wall of the main body case 1 near the first float portion 28a.

[0031] When the water level in the disinfection section 26 drops below the drought level, the first detection sensor can no longer detect the first float section 28a due to the resulting buoyancy of the first float section 28a. At this time, the first detection sensor sends a signal to the control unit 9 indicating that the water level in the disinfection section 26 has dropped below the drought level.

[0032] The second water level detection unit 29 detects when the water level in the disinfection compartment 26 reaches the target water level. The second water level detection unit 29 is located on the front side of the partition wall 24 in the disinfection compartment 26 and has a buoyant second float portion 29a and a second detection sensor (not shown) that detects the position of the second float portion 29a.

[0033] The second float portion 29a is located within the sterilization compartment 26. The second detection sensor is embedded in the wall of the main body case 1 near the second float portion 29a.

[0034] The second detection sensor detects the second float portion 29a when the water level in the disinfection compartment 26 rises and reaches the target water level, causing the second float portion 29a to float. At this time, the second detection sensor sends a signal to the control unit 9 indicating that the water level in the disinfection compartment 26 has reached the target water level.

[0035] Figure 9 is a perspective view of the water supply section 22 of the air purification device 100 according to Embodiment 1.

[0036] As shown in Figures 2 and 9, the water supply unit 22 is installed in the water supply compartment 25 and has a structure that allows it to be attached to and detached from the water supply compartment 25, and automatically supplies water to maintain a constant water level in the water supply compartment 25. The water supply unit 22 has a hollow tank 30 for storing water and a handle 30a provided on the top of the tank 30. The handle 30a is integrated with the tank 30. Therefore, the user can attach and detach the water supply unit 22 to the water supply compartment 25 while holding the handle 30a.

[0037] When the tank 30 is installed in the water supply compartment 25, it has a circular tank opening (not shown) in the center of its bottom surface. The tank opening of the tank 30 is cylindrical in shape with its central axis extending vertically, and is configured to be sealed by a removable cap 31 attached to the outer circumference of the tank opening.

[0038] The cap 31 has a cylindrical shape with its central axis extending vertically. When attached to the water storage container 21, a cylindrical cap opening 31a is provided at the center of the bottom surface of the cap 31, opening vertically. A tap 31b for opening and closing the lid opening is provided at the cap opening 31a.

[0039] The faucet 31b comprises a cylindrical shaft (not shown), an on / off valve (not shown) provided on one side of the shaft to close the cap opening 31a, a coil-shaped spring (not shown) provided so as to pass the shaft through its center, and a spring stopper (not shown) provided on the other side of the shaft.

[0040] When the tank 30 is installed in the water supply compartment 25, the spring retainer part comes into contact with the projection 27 of the water supply compartment 25. As a result, the spring retainer part moves upward while compressing the spring. Consequently, the on-off valve of the faucet 31b moves upward, and the on-off valve moves away from the cap opening 31a of the cap 31. As a result, water from the tank 30 flows into the water supply compartment 25 through the cap opening 31a of the cap 31.

[0041] When water accumulates in the water supply compartment 25 up to the lower end of the cap opening 31a, air can no longer enter the tank 30 from the lower end of the cap opening 31a. As a result, water in the tank 30 does not flow into the water supply compartment 25. In other words, as the water level in the water supply compartment 25 decreases, the water level rises up to the lower end of the cap opening 31a, and the water level is kept constant at this lower end of the cap opening 31a. Therefore, a constant water level can always be maintained in the water supply compartment 25.

[0042] As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the gas-liquid contact section 23 is located on the back side of the partition wall 24 in the sterilization compartment 26 and is a component that brings the water stored in the sterilization compartment 26 into contact with the indoor air drawn into the main body case 1 by the blower 6. The gas-liquid contact section 23 includes a filter 32, a filter frame 33, and a drive unit (not shown).

[0043] The filter 32 has water-retaining properties, is cylindrical in shape, and has holes in its circumference that allow air to circulate. The filter 32 is mounted on the filter frame 33 such that one end of the filter 32 is immersed in the water in the sterilization compartment 26.

[0044] The filter frame 33 is rotatably supported by a bearing (not shown) provided in the water storage container 21. The filter 32 and the filter frame 33 are structured to rotate together by a drive unit.

[0045] Figure 10 is a perspective view of the electrolytic cell 34 of the air purification device 100 according to Embodiment 1. Figure 11 is a perspective view showing the internal structure of the electrolytic cell 34 of the air purification device 100 according to Embodiment 1 with some of its components removed. Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view of the electrolytic cell 34 of the air purification device 100 according to Embodiment 1, viewed from the side.

[0046] As shown in Figures 10, 11, and 12, the electrolysis unit 17 electrolyzes the water in the electrolytic cell 34 to produce water containing hypochlorous acid.

[0047] The electrolysis unit 17 comprises an electrolytic cell 34, a tablet loading mechanism 35 (see Figure 2), and an electrolysis unit 36.

[0048] The electrolytic cell 34 is located above the water storage container 21 and has a roughly box-like shape with an open top. The electrolytic cell 34 stores water transported from the water storage unit 16 by the water supply unit 18. The electrolytic cell 34 has a third water level detection unit 37 and a fourth water level detection unit 38 that detect the water level in the electrolytic cell 34.

[0049] The third water level detection unit 37 detects when the water level in the electrolytic cell 34 rises above the drought level or falls below the drought level. The third water level detection unit 37 includes a buoyant third float portion 37a and a third detection sensor (not shown) that detects the position of the third float portion 37a.

[0050] The third float portion 37a is positioned in the electrolytic cell 34. The third detection sensor is embedded in the wall of the main body case 1 near the third float portion 37a.

[0051] The third detection sensor detects the third float portion 37a when the water level in the electrolytic cell 34 rises from a level lower than the drought level and reaches the drought level, causing the third float portion 37a to float. At this time, the third detection sensor sends a signal to the control unit 9 indicating that the water level in the electrolytic cell 34 has risen to or above the drought level.

[0052] Furthermore, when the water level in the electrolytic cell 34 drops below the drought level, the third detection sensor becomes unable to detect the third float portion 37a due to the resulting movement of the float portion 37a. At this time, the third detection sensor sends a signal to the control unit 9 indicating that the water level in the electrolytic cell 34 has fallen below the drought level.

[0053] The fourth water level detection unit 38 detects when the water level in the electrolytic cell 34 reaches the target water level. The fourth water level detection unit 38 includes a fourth float portion 38a that has buoyancy and a fourth detection sensor (not shown) that detects the position of the fourth float portion 38a.

[0054] The fourth float portion 38a is positioned in the electrolytic cell 34. The fourth detection sensor is embedded in the wall of the main body case 1 near the fourth float portion 38a.

[0055] The fourth detection sensor detects the fourth float portion 38a when the water level in the electrolytic cell 34 rises and reaches the target water level, due to the resulting movement of the fourth float portion 38a. At this time, the fourth detection sensor sends a signal to the control unit 9 indicating that the water level in the electrolytic cell 34 has reached the target water level.

[0056] Figure 13 is a perspective view of the tablet dispensing mechanism 35 of the air purification device 100 according to Embodiment 1. Figure 14 is a perspective view showing the inside of the tablet dispensing case 39 of the tablet dispensing mechanism 35 of the air purification device 100 according to Embodiment 1.

[0057] As shown in Figures 13 and 14, the tablet loading mechanism 35 is installed above the electrolytic cell 34. The tablet loading mechanism 35 comprises a tablet loading case 39, a tablet loading member 40 provided inside the tablet loading case 39, a tablet loading cover 41 detachably mounted on the top of the tablet loading case 39, and a loading motor that rotates the tablet loading member 40. When the tablet loading cover 41 is removed from the tablet loading case 39 and electrolysis-promoting tablets 42 are placed inside the tablet loading case 39, the loading motor rotates the tablet loading member 40. The loading motor is rotated by the control unit 9 at predetermined intervals. As a result, the electrolysis-promoting tablets 42 automatically fall into the electrolytic cell 34 through the opening 39a at the bottom of the tablet loading case 39. For example, sodium chloride can be used as the electrolysis-promoting tablets 42.

[0058] The electrolytic unit 36 ​​immerses a first electrode (not shown) and a second electrode (not shown) in the water of the electrolytic cell 34, applies a voltage to these first and second electrodes, and electrochemically treats the water in the electrolytic cell 34 containing the electrolysis-promoting tablet 42, which is introduced by the tablet dispensing mechanism 35, to generate hypochlorous acid. An example of the electrolysis-promoting tablet 42 is sodium chloride. The electrolytic unit 36 ​​electrochemically decomposes an aqueous solution of sodium chloride to generate electrolyzed water containing reactive oxygen species (hypochlorous acid is used as an example in this embodiment).

[0059] Here, reactive oxygen species refer to oxygen molecules with higher oxidative activity than ordinary oxygen, and related substances. For example, reactive oxygen species include not only so-called reactive oxygen species in the narrow sense, such as superoxide anions, singlet oxygen, hydroxyl radicals, or hydrogen peroxide, but also so-called reactive oxygen species in the broad sense, such as ozone and hypochlorous acid (hypohalous acid). In this embodiment, the production of electrolyzed water containing reactive oxygen species (in this case, hypochlorous acid) may be expressed as generating reactive oxygen species (in this case, hypochlorous acid).

[0060] As shown in Figures 4, 5, and 6, the water supply unit 18 transports water from the water storage unit 16 to the electrolysis unit 17. For example, as shown in Figure 6, the water supply unit 18 has a water supply pump 43 that is immersed in the water of the water supply section 25, and a water supply channel 44 connected to the water supply pump 43.

[0061] The water supply pump 43 is a pump-type pump that moves the water supplied from the water supply section 22 to the water supply compartment 25 to the water supply channel 44 and then transports it to the electrolytic cell 34.

[0062] The water supply channel 44 is a cylindrical pipe with openings at both ends. One end of the opening of the water supply channel 44 is connected to the water supply pump 43, and the other end of the opening of the water supply channel 44 is located above the top surface of the electrolytic cell 34.

[0063] As shown in Figures 4, 5, 11, and 12, the reactive oxygen species supply unit 19 transports water from the electrolytic cell 34 to the water storage unit 16. The reactive oxygen species supply unit 19 includes a reactive oxygen species communication unit 19a and a reactive oxygen species pump unit 19b.

[0064] The reactive oxygen species communication section 19a is a flow path that connects the electrolytic cell 34 and the sterilization section 26. The reactive oxygen species pump unit 19b is a mechanism that supplies water from the electrolytic cell 34 to the reactive oxygen species communication section 19a.

[0065] As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the water supply unit 20 transports water from the water supply section 25 to the sterilization section 26. The water supply unit 20 consists of a water supply pump 51 that is immersed in the water of the water supply section 25, and a water supply channel 52 connected to the water supply pump 51.

[0066] The water supply pump 51 is a pump-type pump that moves the water supplied from the water supply section 22 to the water supply compartment 25 to the water supply channel 52 and then transports it to the disinfection compartment 26.

[0067] The water supply channel 52 is a cylindrical pipe with openings at both ends. One end of the opening of the water supply channel 52 is connected to the water supply pump 51, and the other end of the opening of the water supply channel 52 is located directly above the water surface on the front side of the partition wall 24 of the disinfection compartment 26.

[0068] In other words, the main case 1 has a water supply unit 20 that transports water from the water supply section 25 to the sterilization section 26.

[0069] This makes it possible to mix the water containing hypochlorous acid transported from the electrolytic cell 34 with the water in the water supply compartment 25 in any desired ratio. Therefore, it becomes possible to adjust the concentration of hypochlorous acid in the disinfection compartment 26 to a predetermined concentration.

[0070] As shown in Figure 3, the air passage 8 connects the air intake 2 and the air outlet 4. The air passage 8 is equipped with, in order from the air intake 2, a gas-liquid contact section 23, a blower 6, and an air outlet 4. When the fan section 11 is rotated by the motor section 10, the outside air that enters the air passage 8 from the air intake 2 is blown out from the air outlet 4 via the gas-liquid contact section 23 and the blower 6 in order.

[0071] The control unit 9 is located inside the main unit case 1. The control unit 9 receives signals from the first water volume detection unit 28, the second water volume detection unit 29, the third water volume detection unit 37, the fourth water volume detection unit 38, and the operation unit 1A. The control unit 9 also controls the operation of the electrolysis unit 36, the water supply unit 18, the reactive oxygen species supply unit 19, the water supply unit 20, and the tablet dispensing mechanism 35. As a result, the control unit 9 adjusts the concentration and volume of the hypochlorous acid-containing water in the disinfection compartment 26. Furthermore, based on the signal indicating the airflow of the blower 6 received from the operation unit 1A, the control unit 9 can estimate the amount of hypochlorous acid consumed from the hypochlorous acid-containing water in the disinfection compartment 26 and the amount of decrease in the volume of the hypochlorous acid-containing water.

[0072] An example of adjusting the concentration and volume of hypochlorous acid-containing water in the disinfection section 26 of the apparatus with the above configuration will be described.

[0073] When the control unit 9 detects that the water level in the electrolytic cell 34 has fallen below the drought level using the third water level detection unit 37, it activates the water supply pump 43 to start transporting water from the water supply section 25 to the electrolytic cell 34 via the water supply channel 44.

[0074] Next, when the third water level detection unit 37 detects that the water level has risen to the drought level, the control unit 9 activates the tablet dispensing mechanism 35 to dispense the electrolysis-promoting tablets 42 into the electrolysis cell 34.

[0075] Next, when the water level in the electrolytic cell 34 rises further and the fourth water level detection unit 38 detects that the water level has risen to the target level, the control unit 9 stops the operation of the water supply pump 43.

[0076] Next, the control unit 9 starts the operation of the electrolysis unit 36 ​​and stops it after a predetermined time has elapsed. As a result, water containing hypochlorous acid at a certain concentration is generated and held in the electrolysis cell 34.

[0077] When the control unit 9 estimates that a predetermined amount of hypochlorous acid has been consumed in the disinfection compartment 26 based on a signal indicating the airflow rate of the blower 6 sent from the operation unit 1A, it activates the reactive oxygen species pump 45 and starts transporting water containing hypochlorous acid from the electrolytic cell 34 to the supply tank 47 via the reactive oxygen species pre-transport water channel 46.

[0078] After a predetermined time has elapsed, the control unit 9 stops the operation of the reactive oxygen species pump 45. The water containing hypochlorous acid transported to the supply tank 47 gradually moves through the drop opening 50 to the reactive oxygen species transport channel 48, and is transported to the disinfection section 26 via the reactive oxygen species transport channel 48.

[0079] When the control unit 9 estimates that the amount of water in the disinfection section 26 has decreased by a predetermined amount based on a signal indicating the airflow rate of the blower 6 received from the operation unit 1A, it operates the water supply pump 51 to start transporting water from the water supply section 25 to the disinfection section 26.

[0080] When the second water level detection unit 29 detects that the water level has risen to the target level, the control unit 9 stops the operation of the water supply pump 51. At this time, the concentration of hypochlorous acid in the disinfection section 26 is adjusted to a predetermined concentration by mixing the water containing hypochlorous acid transported from the active oxygen species supply unit 19 with the water transported from the water supply unit 20.

[0081] These controls ensure that the disinfection section 26 maintains a predetermined amount of water containing hypochlorous acid at a predetermined concentration. This makes it possible to provide an air purification device that exhibits stable disinfection performance.

[0082] As described above, the air purification device 100 includes an air intake port 2 and an air outlet port 4. The main body case 1 includes an electrolytic cell 34 for storing water containing a predetermined amount of sodium chloride, an electrolytic unit 36 ​​for electrolyzing the water in the electrolytic cell 34 to produce water containing reactive oxygen species, a sterilization section 26 to which the water containing reactive oxygen species in the electrolytic cell 34 is supplied by a reactive oxygen species supply unit 19, a gas-liquid contact section 23 for bringing the water containing reactive oxygen species in the sterilization section 26 into contact with air, a water supply section 25 for storing water, a water supply section 20 for supplying a portion of the water in the water supply section 25 to the sterilization section 26, a blower 6 for blowing air drawn in from the air intake port 2 to the air outlet via the gas-liquid contact section 23, and a control unit 9 for controlling the electrolytic unit 36, the reactive oxygen species supply unit 19, the water supply section 20, and the blower 6.

[0083] As shown in Figures 3, 5, 6, and 10, a feature of this embodiment is that the control unit 9 operates the reactive oxygen species supply unit 19 and the water supply unit 20 to supply water containing reactive oxygen species at a higher concentration than a predetermined concentration generated in the electrolytic cell 34, along with water in the water supply section 25, into the sterilization section 26, thereby adjusting the concentration of reactive oxygen species in the sterilization section 26 to a predetermined concentration.

[0084] In this manner, the reactive oxygen species supply unit 19 forcibly supplies water containing reactive oxygen species at a higher concentration than a predetermined concentration generated in the electrolytic cell 34 into the sterilization section 26, and the water supply unit 20 forcibly supplies water from the water supply section into the sterilization section 26. Therefore, the concentration of water containing reactive oxygen species in the sterilization section 26 can be adjusted in a short time. This suppresses variations in the concentration of water containing reactive oxygen species in the sterilization section 26 and reduces variations in the amount of reactive oxygen species sprayed from the outlet.

[0085] Furthermore, the water supply unit 20 can supply a portion of the water from the water supply section 25 to the sterilization section 26, thereby diluting the concentration of water containing reactive oxygen species in the sterilization section 26 to a predetermined concentration. This allows for a reduction in the size of the electrolytic cell.

[0086] For example, to achieve a predetermined concentration of reactive oxygen species in the sterilization section 26, one method is to generate water containing the predetermined concentration of reactive oxygen species in the electrolytic cell 34 without providing a water supply unit 20, and then supply it to the sterilization section 26 via the reactive oxygen species supply unit 19. In this case, the amount of water containing the predetermined concentration of reactive oxygen species that can be supplied to the sterilization section 26 is equal to the amount of water generated in the electrolytic cell 34. On the other hand, by providing a water supply unit 20, the concentration of water containing reactive oxygen species in the sterilization section 26 can be diluted to a predetermined concentration, allowing the electrolytic cell 34 to generate water containing reactive oxygen species at a higher concentration than the predetermined concentration. As a result, the amount of water containing the predetermined concentration of reactive oxygen species that can be supplied to the sterilization section 26 is equal to the sum of the amount of water generated in the electrolytic cell 34 and the amount of water supplied from the water supply unit 20. In other words, compared to not providing a water supply unit 20, providing a water supply unit 20 allows for the generation of more water containing the predetermined concentration of reactive oxygen species in the sterilization section 26. Consequently, the size of the electrolytic cell 34 can be reduced.

[0087] Furthermore, after the electrolysis unit 36 ​​has electrolyzed the water in the electrolytic cell 34, the control unit 9 stores water containing reactive oxygen species in the electrolytic cell 34 and supplies it in multiple batches via the reactive oxygen species supply unit 19.

[0088] Specifically, when the control unit 9 estimates that a predetermined amount of hypochlorous acid has been consumed in the disinfection compartment 26 based on a signal indicating the airflow rate of the blower 6 sent from the operation unit 1A, the reactive oxygen species supply unit 19 supplies a predetermined amount of water containing reactive oxygen species from the electrolytic cell 34 to the disinfection compartment 26.

[0089] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 2, 5, and 10, when the control unit 9 estimates that the amount of water in the sterilization compartment 26 has decreased by a predetermined amount based on the signal indicating the airflow rate of the blower 6 received from the operation unit 1A, the water supply unit 20 supplies water from the water supply compartment 25 to the sterilization compartment 26. The control unit 9 performs these operations multiple times. In this way, by increasing the number of times the reactive oxygen species supply unit 19 supplies water containing reactive oxygen species from the electrolytic cell 34, the amount of change in the concentration of reactive oxygen species in the sterilization compartment 26 can be reduced.

[0090] Furthermore, when the electrolytic unit 36 ​​electrolyzes the water in the electrolytic cell 34, the control unit 9 operates the electrolytic unit 36 ​​for a first predetermined time, which is sufficient for the electrolytic unit 36 ​​to electrolyze all of the sodium chloride in the electrolytic cell 34. This prevents sodium chloride from remaining in the electrolytic cell 34 after the sodium chloride in the water in the electrolytic cell 34 has been electrolyzed and the water containing reactive oxygen species has been removed from the electrolytic cell 34.

[0091] Furthermore, the air purification device 100 includes a water supply unit 18 that supplies a portion of the water from the water supply section 25 to the electrolytic cell 34, and a tablet dispensing mechanism 35 that dispenses a predetermined amount of an electrolytic accelerator containing sodium chloride into the electrolytic cell 34. After the water containing reactive oxygen species in the electrolytic cell 34 is depleted, the control unit 9 uses the tablet dispensing mechanism 35 and the water supply unit 18 to store water containing a predetermined amount of sodium chloride in the electrolytic cell 34, and the electrolysis unit 36 ​​electrolyzes the water containing sodium chloride in the electrolytic cell 34.

[0092] Specifically, the electrolytic cell 34 includes a third water level detection unit 37 that detects when the water level in the electrolytic cell 34 falls below the dry water level, and a fourth water level detection unit 38 that detects when the water level in the electrolytic cell 34 reaches a target water level. The state in which there is no more water containing reactive oxygen species in the electrolytic cell 34 includes the state in which the third water level detection unit 37 or the like detects that the water level in the electrolytic cell 34 has fallen below a predetermined water level, such as a predetermined dry water level, and the state in which water containing reactive oxygen species remains in a place that cannot be supplied to the sterilization section 26 by the reactive oxygen species supply unit 19.

[0093] First, when the control unit 9 receives a signal from the third water level detection unit 37 indicating that the water level in the electrolytic cell 34 has fallen below the drought level, the tablet dispensing mechanism 35 dispenses a predetermined amount of electrolytic accelerator containing sodium chloride into the electrolytic cell 34, and the water supply unit 18 supplies a portion of the water from the water supply section 25 to the electrolytic cell 34, thereby storing water containing the predetermined amount of sodium chloride in the electrolytic cell 34.

[0094] Next, when the control unit 9 receives a signal from the third water level detection unit 37 indicating that the water level in the electrolytic cell 34 has reached the target level, it stops the operation of the water supply unit 18 and uses the electrolysis unit 36 ​​to electrolyze the sodium chloride in the electrolytic cell 34 to produce water containing reactive oxygen species.

[0095] In this way, the electrolytic unit 36 ​​is operated for a first predetermined time during which it can electrolyze all the sodium chloride in the electrolytic cell 34. After the water containing reactive oxygen species in the electrolytic cell 34 is gone, new water containing reactive oxygen species is generated in the electrolytic cell 34. Therefore, sodium chloride is less likely to remain in the electrolytic cell 34. As a result, the increase in the concentration of sodium chloride in the electrolytic cell 34 due to residual sodium chloride is suppressed. Consequently, it is easier to maintain a constant concentration of reactive oxygen species in the electrolytic cell 34, and the concentration of reactive oxygen species in the sterilization section 26 can be maintained more consistently. [Industrial applicability]

[0096] The air purification device described herein is useful as an air purification device for use in homes, offices, and other similar settings. [Explanation of symbols]

[0097] 1. Main unit case 1A Operation unit 1B Cover 2. Air intake 3 doors 4 Air outlet 5. Partition board 6. Blower 7. Air purification unit 8 Wind path 9. Control Unit 10 Motor section 11 Fan Club 12 Casing section 13 Motor shaft 14 Outlet 15 Inlet 16 Water storage section 17 Electrolytic section 18 Water supply section 19. Reactive Oxygen Species Supply Unit 19a Reactive oxygen species communication section 19b Reactive oxygen species pump unit 20 Water supply section 21 Water storage container 22 Water supply section 23 Gas-liquid contact area 24 Bulkhead 25 Water supply compartments 26 Disinfection Areas 27 Protrusion 28. First water volume detection unit 28a First float section 29 Second water volume detection unit 29a Second float section 30 tanks 30a Handle 31 caps 31a Cap opening 31b Faucet 32 filters 33 Filter Frames 34 Electrolytic cell 35. Tablet dispensing mechanism 36 Electrolytic Units 37 Third water volume detection unit 37a Third float section 38. Fourth water volume detection unit 38a Fourth float section 39 Tablet Dispenser 39a aperture 40 Tablet dispensing component 41 Tablet dispensing cover 42 Electrolysis-Promoting Tablets 43 Water supply pump 44 Water supply channel 45. Reactive oxygen species pump 46. ​​Reactive oxygen species pre-transport channel 47 Supply tank 48. Reactive oxygen species transport channel 50 Drop opening 51 Water supply pump 52 Water Supply Canal

Claims

[Claim 1] It has a main body case that has an air intake and an air outlet, The aforementioned main body case is An electrolytic cell that stores water containing a predetermined amount of sodium chloride, An electrolysis unit that electrolyzes the water in the electrolytic cell to produce water containing reactive oxygen species, A sterilization section in which water containing reactive oxygen species in the electrolytic cell is supplied by a reactive oxygen species supply unit, A gas-liquid contact section that brings water containing reactive oxygen species in the sterilization section into contact with air, A water supply section for storing water, A water supply unit that supplies a portion of the water from the water supply section to the disinfection section, A blower that blows air drawn in from the intake port to the outlet port via the gas-liquid contact portion, The system comprises the electrolysis unit, the reactive oxygen species supply unit, the water supply unit, and a control unit that controls the blower. The control unit operates the reactive oxygen species supply unit and the water supply unit to adjust the concentration of reactive oxygen species in the sterilization compartment to a predetermined concentration. After the electrolysis unit has electrolyzed the water in the electrolytic cell, the control unit supplies the water containing the reactive oxygen species in the electrolytic cell to the sterilization section in multiple portions using the reactive oxygen species supply unit. The main body case further includes a tablet dispensing mechanism for dispensing an electrolytic accelerator containing a predetermined amount of sodium chloride into the electrolytic cell, and a water supply unit for supplying a portion of the water from the water supply section to the electrolytic cell. The control unit, In order to suppress the residue of sodium chloride in the electrolytic cell, the electrolytic unit is operated for a first predetermined time during which the electrolytic unit can electrolyze all of the sodium chloride in the electrolytic cell. After the water containing reactive oxygen species has been depleted from the electrolytic cell, the tablet loading mechanism and the water supply unit store a predetermined amount of water containing sodium chloride in the electrolytic cell. The electrolytic unit electrolyzes the water containing sodium chloride in the electrolytic cell. Air purification device.

Images