Air purification device

Abstract

To provide a technique capable of preventing a user from sensing smell of a hypochlorous acid as reactive oxygen species in a housing member when taking out small articles from the housing member.SOLUTION: In an air purification device, a control part 5 is provided with: a usual operation mode for operating a blower 3 in a state where a user detaches a housing member 30 from the air outlet 8; and a spot operation mode for operating the blower 3 in a state where the user attaches the housing member 30 to the air outlet 8. The control part 5 adjusts the amount of water contact with air by a gas-liquid contact part 21, operates the blower 3 for a first prescribed period of time while making the air come in contact with the water containing a first water amount of active oxygen species during the spot operation mode, and operates the blower 3 for a second prescribed period of time while making the air come in contact with a second water amount of the active oxygen species smaller than the first water amount.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an air purifying apparatus.

Background Art

[0002] A conventional air purifying apparatus includes a main body case having an air inlet and an air outlet, a gas-liquid contact portion for bringing water containing active oxygen species into contact with air, and a blower for blowing air sucked in from the air inlet to the air outlet through the gas-liquid contact portion.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Such a conventional air purifying apparatus blows air containing active oxygen species so as to spread throughout the room from the air outlet. Therefore, it is difficult to concentrate the blowing on small items such as toys and perform disinfection.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] To achieve this objective, the present invention comprises a main body case having an air outlet and an air intake, a water storage container for storing water, a filter partially immersed in the water in the water storage container, and a blower that blows air drawn in from the air intake through the filter to the air outlet, wherein the plurality of air intakes are provided on the upper part of opposing sides in a first direction of the main body case, the filter is located at the bottom of the main body case, the air drawn in from the air intake by the blower flows downward from the air intake, then moves laterally from the windward surface which is one side of the filter, and flows to the leeward surface which is the other side of the filter, the air that has passed the leeward surface moves upward and forward The airflow path is provided in the air blower and separates the upstream airflow path from the air intake to the upwind surface of the filter and the downstream airflow path from the downwind surface of the filter to the air intake of the blower. The blower is positioned on the upstream airflow path side, the separating plate extends from the periphery of the air intake surface of the blower to both sides of the main body case having the air intake, the air intake of the blower is positioned in the center in the first direction, and the downstream airflow path of the filter is provided with a guide section that guides the air that has passed through the filter to the air intake of the blower. This achieves the intended purpose. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] As described above, the present invention can perform spot disinfection, which is the disinfection of small items placed in the storage container, and can suppress the user from noticing the odor of hypochlorous acid, which is an active oxygen species inside the storage container, when taking small items out of the storage container. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] Perspective view of the air purification device of Embodiment 1 of the present invention [Figure 2] Cross-sectional view of the air purification device. [Figure 3] Perspective view of the tank component of the air purification device. [Figure 4] Perspective view of the gas-liquid contact portion of the air purification device. [Figure 5] Perspective view of the air purification device with its storage components attached. [Figure 6] Perspective view of the housing component of the air purification device. [Figure 7] Cross-sectional view of the air purification device with the storage component attached. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0009] (Embodiment 1) Figure 1 is a perspective view of the air purification device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, showing the air purification device from the front. Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the air purification device from the right side.

[0010] In the following, the vertical direction may be referred to as the up-and-down direction and the horizontal direction as the left-and-right direction when the air purifier is installed as shown in Figure 1 (hereinafter also referred to as the "installed state"). Furthermore, in the following, when the air purifier is installed, the side on which the panel is attached will be referred to as the "front," the side opposite the front of the air purifier will be referred to as the "rear," the right side when viewed from the front of the air purifier will be referred to as the "right side," and the left side will be referred to as the "left side."

[0011] The detailed configuration of the air purification device will be described below. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the air purification device 1 of this embodiment comprises a roughly box-shaped main body case 2, a blower 3, an air purification unit 4, a control unit 5, and an operating unit 6.

[0012] The main unit case 2 is roughly box-shaped and has an air intake 7 and an air outlet 8.

[0013] The air intake ports 7 are located on both sides (left and right sides) of the main case 2.

[0014] The air outlet 8 is of the opening and closing type and is provided on the top surface of the main body case 2. In FIGS. 1 and 2, the air outlet 8 is in the open state. An operation unit 6 is provided on the front side of the top surface of the main body case 2.

[0015] A panel 9 that can be opened and closed is provided on the front surface of the main body case 2.

[0016] When the panel 9 is opened, a part of the air purification unit 4, namely a water storage container 19, a tank member 20, and a gas-liquid contact part 21, which will be described later, can be taken out of the main body case 2.

[0017] An air passage 12 that communicates the air inlet 7 and the air outlet 8 is provided in the main body case 2. In the air passage 12, in order from the air inlet 7, a part of the air purification unit 4, namely a water storage container 19, a gas-liquid contact part 21, a blower 3, and an air outlet 8 are provided.

[0018] The blower 3 is provided at the central part of the main body case 2 and includes a motor part (not shown), a fan part 14 that rotates by the motor part, and a scroll-shaped casing part 15 that surrounds them.

[0019] The motor part is fixed to the casing part 15.

[0020] The fan part 14 is a sirocco fan and is fixed to a rotation shaft (not shown) that extends horizontally from the motor part (not shown).

[0021] The casing part 15 is provided with a discharge port 17 and a suction port 18. The discharge port 17 is provided on the upper surface side of the main body case 2 of the casing part 15. Also, the suction port 18 is provided on the back side of the main body case 2 of the casing part 15.

[0022] The air purification unit 4 includes a water storage container 19, a tank member 20, a gas-liquid contact part 21, and an electrolysis unit 22.

[0023] The water storage container 19 is box-shaped with an opening on its top surface and is designed to store water. The water storage container 19 is located at the bottom of the main body case 2 and can be attached and detached by sliding it horizontally. The water storage container 19 stores water supplied from the tank component 20.

[0024] Figure 3 is a perspective view of the tank member of Embodiment 1 of the present invention. Figure 4 is a perspective view of the gas-liquid contact portion 21 of Embodiment 1 of the present invention, showing the water storage container 19 with the filter 26 and filter frame 27 attached.

[0025] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the tank member 20 is installed in the lower part of the main body case 2 and is detachable from the water storage container 19. The tank member 20 is attached to a tank holder 23 provided on the bottom surface of the water storage container 19. The tank member 20 comprises a water storage tank 24 and a lid 25 provided on the opening (not shown) of the tank 24. An opening / closing part (not shown) is provided in the center of the lid 25, and when this opening / closing part is opened, water from the tank 24 is supplied to the water storage container 19. Specifically, when the opening of the tank 24 is facing downwards and the tank member 20 is attached to the tank holder 23 of the water storage container 19, the opening / closing part is opened by the tank holder 23. In other words, when water is put into the tank member 20 and attached to the tank holder 23, the opening / closing part opens and water is supplied from the tank member 20 to the water storage container 19, and water accumulates in the water storage container 19. When the water level in the water storage container 19 rises and reaches the lid 25, the opening of the tank component 20 is sealed with water, and the water supply stops. Water remains inside the tank component 20, and whenever the water level in the water storage container 19 drops, water from inside the tank 24 is supplied to the water storage container 19. In other words, the water level in the water storage container 19 is kept constant.

[0026] The gas-liquid contact portion 21 is a component that brings the water stored in the water storage container 19 into contact with the indoor air drawn into the main body case 2 by the blower 3. The gas-liquid contact portion 21 includes a filter 26, a filter frame 27, and a drive unit (not shown).

[0027] The filter 26 is cylindrical in shape and has holes in its circumference that allow air to flow through. The filter 26 is mounted on the filter frame 27 such that one end of the filter 26 is immersed in the water in the water storage container 19.

[0028] The filter frame 27 is rotatably supported by a bearing portion 28 provided in the water storage container 19. The filter 26 and the filter frame 27 are structured to rotate together by a drive unit.

[0029] As shown in Figure 2, the electrolytic unit 22 is mounted in the main body case 2 so as to be movable in the vertical direction. Figure 2 shows the electrolytic unit 22 in a downward position. The electrolytic unit 22 has a first electrode (not shown) and a second electrode (not shown). When the water storage container 19 is attached to the bottom of the main body case 2 and the electrolytic unit 22 is moved downward, the first electrode and the second electrode are immersed in the water storage container 19. When a voltage is applied to the first electrode and the second electrode while they are immersed in the water storage container, the water in the water storage container 19 containing an electrolytic accelerating solvent (not shown) added by the user is electrochemically treated. An example of an electrolytic accelerating solvent is sodium chloride, and hypochlorous acid is generated from the sodium chloride aqueous solution by the electrolytic unit.

[0030] The control unit 5 controls the electrolytic unit 22, the gas-liquid contact part 21 (drive unit), and the blower 3 (motor unit). Specifically, the control unit 5 controls the voltage applied to the first and second electrodes of the electrolytic unit 22, the operation of the drive unit which is the gas-liquid contact part 21, and the rotation speed of the fan unit 14 which is the blower 3, in response to the operation of the operation unit 6. When the fan unit 14 rotates due to the motor unit of the blower 3, the outside air that enters the main body case 2 from the intake port 7 is blown out of the main body case 2 in order through the air purification unit 4 (water storage container 19, filter 26), the blower 3, and the outlet port 8.

[0031] Figure 5 is a perspective view showing the air purification device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention with a storage member attached.

[0032] As shown in Figures 2 and 5, the air purification device 1 includes a main body case 2 having an air intake port 7 and an air outlet port 8, a gas-liquid contact section 21 that brings water containing active oxygen species into contact with air, an air passage 12 that sequentially connects the air intake port 7, the gas-liquid contact section 21, and the air outlet port 8, and a blower 3 that blows air drawn in from the air intake port 7 into the air passage 12. Furthermore, it includes a hollow storage member 30 capable of storing small items, and a control unit 5 that controls the blower 3 and the gas-liquid contact section 21.

[0033] The storage member 30 is detachably attached to the air outlet 8, and when the storage member 30 is attached to the air outlet 8, the air blown out from the air outlet 8 enters the storage member 30. The storage member 30 has an outlet 31 from which the air blown into the storage member 30 is blown out.

[0034] Figure 6 is a perspective view of the housing member of the air purification device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of the air purification device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention with the housing member attached.

[0035] Specifically, as shown in Figures 5, 6, and 7, the storage member 30 has a duct section 32, a detachable section 33, and a bag section 34.

[0036] The duct section 32 is cylindrical in shape with an air passage inside. One open end of the duct section 32 has a detachable section 33, and the other open end of the duct section 32 has a bag section 34 that can store small items. The duct section 32 connects the detachable section 33 and the bag section 34, and the air blown out from the outlet 8 into the detachable section 33 flows into the bag section 34 via the duct section 32.

[0037] The detachable part 33 is designed to be detachable from the horizontally elongated rectangular tubular outlet 8, whose central axis extends vertically. The detachable part 33 is a horizontally elongated box shape with an open bottom and a first hole 35 on its top surface. A duct section 32 extends from the first hole 35. The detachable part 33 is slightly smaller than the horizontally elongated rectangular tubular outlet 8, and when the detachable part is inserted into the outlet 8 through the upper opening of the horizontally elongated rectangular tubular outlet 8, it fits inside the outlet 8.

[0038] The bag portion 34 is roughly box-shaped and has an opening 36 on its top surface that can be opened and closed. Small items can be put in and taken out through the opening 36. One side of the bag portion 34 has a hole 37 from which a duct portion 32 extends, and the other side of the bag portion 34 has an outlet 31 from which air blown into the bag portion 34 is released. The air containing hypochlorous acid blown out from the outlet 8 flows into the bag portion 34 sequentially through the detachable portion 33 and the duct portion 32, disinfects the small items inside the bag portion 34, and flows out into the room through the outlet 31. One open end of the duct portion 32 is detachably attached to the first hole 35 of the detachable portion 33, and the other open end of the duct portion 32 is detachably attached to the hole 37 of the bag portion 34.

[0039] The control unit 5 includes a normal operation mode in which the blower 3 is operated with the user having removed the storage member 30 from the air outlet 8, and a spot operation mode in which the blower 3 is operated with the user having attached the storage member 30 to the air outlet 8.

[0040] As described above, the storage component 30 can be attached to and detached from the air outlet 8. When the storage component 30 is attached to the air outlet 8, a spot disinfection mode is activated, which concentrates hypochlorous acid airflow on small items placed in the storage component 30 to disinfect them. When the storage component 30 is removed from the air outlet 8, a normal operation mode is activated, which disinfects the entire room in which the air purifier is placed.

[0041] A feature of this embodiment is that the control unit 5 adjusts the amount of water that comes into contact with the air through the gas-liquid contact portion 21, and in spot operation mode, operates the blower for a first predetermined time while bringing a first amount of water containing active oxygen species into contact with the air, and then operates the blower for a second predetermined time while bringing a second amount of water containing active oxygen species, which is less than the first amount, into contact with the air.

[0042] Specifically, in spot operation mode, the control unit 5 first has the user attach 30 to the air outlet 8, place small items inside the storage member 30, and select spot operation mode using the switch on the operation unit 6 located on the main body case 2. Once spot operation mode is selected, the control unit 5 blows air drawn in from the air intake 7 by the blower 3 into the air passage 12. At this point, with the filter 26 partially immersed in the water storage container 19, the control unit 5 rotates the filter 26 using the drive unit while operating the blower 3 for a first predetermined time. As a result, the air drawn in from the air intake 7 passes through the filter 26, which holds water mainly containing reactive oxygen species, comes into contact with the water containing reactive oxygen species, and becomes air containing reactive oxygen species before being blown out. The reactive oxygen species blown into the storage member 30 disinfect the small items inside the storage member 30.

[0043] Next, the control unit 5 stops the rotation of the filter 26 using the drive unit and operates the blower 3 for a second predetermined time. As a result, the air drawn in from the intake port 7 passes mainly through the filter 26, which has a low water content containing reactive oxygen species. This makes it possible to blow air with a low concentration of reactive oxygen species and low humidity. Air with a low concentration of reactive oxygen species enters the storage member 30, and any hypochlorous acid that remains unconsumed inside the storage member 30 is blown out of the storage member 30 through the discharge port 31. As a result, it is possible to suppress the user from smelling the odor of hypochlorous acid, which is a reactive oxygen species inside the storage member 30, when taking small items out of the storage member 30. Furthermore, the inside of the storage member 30 can be dried.

[0044] Furthermore, the air outlet 8 has a detection unit 38 that detects when the storage member 30 is attached. An example of the detection unit 38 is a limit switch. When the attachment / detachment part 33 of the storage member 30 is attached to the air outlet 8, the attachment / detachment part 33 makes contact with a limit switch provided on the air outlet 8, and a signal is sent from the limit switch to the control unit 5. When the control unit 5 detects that the attachment / detachment part has been attached to the air outlet 8, spot operation mode becomes possible. This prevents the air outlet 8 from being operated in spot operation mode without the storage member 30 being attached.

[0045] Furthermore, the second predetermined time is longer than the first predetermined time. This reduces the amount of hypochlorous acid remaining inside the storage member 30, so when taking small items in and out of the opening 36 of the storage member 30, the odor of the air containing the remaining hypochlorous acid inside the storage member 30 that leaks out from the opening 36 can be suppressed.

[0046] Furthermore, in spot operation mode, the control unit 5 operates the blower 3 for a first predetermined time while rotating the filter 26 with the drive unit, then continues to stop the operation of the blower 3 and the rotation of the filter 26 for a third predetermined time, and then operates the blower 3 for a second predetermined time while stopping the rotation of the filter 26. As a result, hypochlorous acid is consumed in the storage member 30 during the third predetermined time, and the odor of the air containing hypochlorous acid remaining in the storage member 30 that leaks out from the opening 36 when small items are taken in or out of the opening 36 of the storage member 30 can be suppressed.

[0047] Furthermore, the air outlet 8 has an airflow direction changing unit 39 on its upstream side, which can open and close the air outlet 8. When the blower is stopped for a third predetermined time in spot operation mode, the airflow direction changing unit 39 closes the air outlet 8. This prevents air containing hypochlorous acid from leaking out of the storage member 30 through the discharge port 31 of the storage member 30 and the intake port 7 of the main body case 2 during the third predetermined time. [Industrial applicability]

[0048] The air purification device according to the present invention is useful as an air purification device for use in homes, offices, and the like. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0049] 1. Air purification device 2. Main unit case 3. Blower 4. Air purification unit 5. Control Unit 6 Control section 7. Air intake 8 Air outlet 9 panels 12 Wind path 14 Fan Club 15 Casing section 17 Discharge port 18 Inlet 19 Water storage container 20 Tank components 21 Gas-liquid contact part 22 Electrolytic Units 23 Tank holding section 24 tanks 25 Lid 26 filters 27 Filter frame 28 Bearing section 30 Storage components 31 Discharge port 32 Duct section 33 Detachable part 34 Bag part 35 Hole 1 36 Opening 37 holes 38 Detection unit 39 Wind direction changing section

Claims

1. A main body case having an air intake and an air outlet, A gas-liquid contact portion that brings water containing reactive oxygen species into contact with air, An air passage sequentially connecting the aforementioned air intake, the gas-liquid contact portion, and the aforementioned air outlet, A blower that blows the air drawn in from the intake port into the air passage, A hollow storage component capable of storing small items, The system includes a control unit that controls the blower and the gas-liquid contact portion, The storage member is detachably attached to the air outlet, and when the storage member is attached to the air outlet, the air blown out from the air outlet enters the storage member. The storage member is provided with an outlet from which air blown into the storage member is released. The control unit, A normal operating mode in which the blower is operated with the user having removed the storage member from the air outlet, The system includes a spot operation mode in which the blower is operated with the storage member attached to the air outlet by the user, The control unit adjusts the amount of water that comes into contact with the air through the gas-liquid contact portion, and in the spot operation mode, operates the blower for a first predetermined time while bringing a first amount of water containing active oxygen species into contact with the air, and then operates the blower for a second predetermined time while bringing a second amount of water containing active oxygen species, which is less than the first amount, into contact with the air.

2. The aforementioned gas-liquid contact portion is A water storage container for storing water containing reactive oxygen species, A filter partially submerged in the aforementioned water storage container, A filter frame that rotatably supports the filter in the water storage container, It has a drive unit for rotating the filter frame, The air flowing through the aforementioned air passage passes through the aforementioned filter, The control unit operates the blower for a first predetermined time while rotating the filter with the drive unit during the spot operation mode. Next, the air purification device according to claim 1, characterized in that the blower is operated for a second predetermined time while the rotation of the filter is stopped.

3. The air outlet has a detection unit that detects when the storage member is installed. The air purification device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the control unit enables the spot operation mode when the detection unit detects that the storage member has been attached to the air outlet.

4. The air purification device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the second predetermined time is longer than the first predetermined time.

5. The control unit, in the spot operation mode, operates the blower for a first predetermined time while rotating the filter with the drive unit. Next, the operation of the blower and the rotation of the filter are stopped and this continues for a third predetermined time. Next, the air purification device according to claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the blower is operated for the second predetermined time while the rotation of the filter is stopped.

6. The upstream side of the aforementioned outlet has a wind direction changing section for changing the wind direction, The aforementioned wind direction changing unit is capable of opening and closing the air outlet, The air purification device according to claim 5, characterized in that when the blower is stopped for the third predetermined time during the spot operation mode, the airflow direction changing unit closes the outlet.

Images