Air purification device

Abstract

To quickly purify more air at low cost.SOLUTION: An air purifier includes: a mixing chamber that has an intake port into which air flows, generates ozone by irradiating a part of flowed air with vacuum ultraviolet rays, and mixes the generated ozone with the flowed air and generates mixed air; a first ozone decomposition chamber having an ozone decomposition catalyst for decomposing the ozone and generates active oxygen, and purifying air contained in the mixed air by the generated active oxygen; a second ozone decomposition chamber having activated carbon for decomposing ozone remaining in the air; and a first exhaust port for exhausting the purified air.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Air purifiers that take in air and purify the taken-in air are known (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 to 3). Such air purifiers utilize sterilization and deodorization effects by ozone, ultraviolet rays, active oxygen, etc.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Vacuum ultraviolet rays react with oxygen in the air to generate ozone and active oxygen, so that sterilization and deodorization effects by active oxygen can be expected. However, since the sterilization and deodorization effects by ozone take time, it has been difficult, for example, to quickly purify the air in the entire room. On the other hand, germicidal rays including UVC have a sterilization effect of decomposing nucleic acids of viruses, bacteria, etc., but like ozone, etc., it has been difficult to quickly sterilize the air in the entire room.

[0005] Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of these points, and an object thereof is to enable more air to be quickly purified at low cost.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] In a first embodiment of the present invention, an air purification device is provided, comprising: a first light source that irradiates vacuum ultraviolet light; a mixing chamber having an air intake port into which air to be purified flows in, which generates ozone by irradiating a portion of the incoming air with the vacuum ultraviolet light and mixes the generated ozone with the incoming air to produce a mixed gas; a first ozone decomposition chamber into which the mixed gas flows in, which decomposes the ozone to generate active oxygen and purifies the air contained in the mixed gas with the generated active oxygen; a second ozone decomposition chamber into which the air purified in the first ozone decomposition chamber flows in, which has activated carbon to decompose the ozone remaining in the air; and a first exhaust port for exhausting the purified air from the second ozone decomposition chamber.

[0007] The air purification device may further include a second light source that emits germicidal rays, and a purification chamber provided between the mixing chamber and the first ozone decomposition chamber, into which the mixed gas flows in from the mixing chamber, the mixed gas is irradiated with germicidal rays to generate active oxygen, and the generated active oxygen and germicidal rays purify the air contained in the mixed gas.

[0008] The air purification device is provided between the first ozone decomposition chamber and the second ozone decomposition chamber, and further comprises an ozone sensor for detecting the concentration of ozone. The minimum sensitivity of the ozone sensor may be greater than the permissible value of the residual ozone concentration contained in the air exhausted from the first exhaust port.

[0009] The air purification device may further include a first blower that generates an airflow through which the air flowing in from the intake port flows to the first exhaust port, and mixes the ozone with the air in the mixing chamber using the generated airflow, and a control unit that adjusts the flow rate of the airflow generated by the first blower based on the detection result of the ozone sensor.

[0010] The control unit may estimate the residual ozone concentration contained in the air exhausted from the first exhaust port by subtracting a predetermined value based on the decomposition capacity of at least one of the decomposition capacity of the first ozone decomposition chamber and the decomposition capacity of the second ozone decomposition chamber from the detection result of the ozone sensor.

[0011] The air purification device may further include a first on-off valve for switching whether or not to discharge the air purified in the first ozone decomposition chamber to the outside of the air purification device, a first discharge passage for discharging the air purified in the first ozone decomposition chamber to the outside of the air purification device from a second exhaust port when the first on-off valve is open, and a second blower for generating an airflow that discharges at least a portion of the air purified in the first ozone decomposition chamber from the second exhaust port.

[0012] The air purifier may further include a second on-off valve for switching whether or not to discharge the mixed gas mixed in the mixing chamber to the outside of the air purifier, a second discharge passage for discharging the mixed gas from the mixing chamber to the outside of the air purifier through a third exhaust port when the second on-off valve is open, and a third blower for generating an airflow that discharges the mixed gas from the third exhaust port.

[0013] The air purifier may further include a second on-off valve for switching whether or not to discharge the mixed gas mixed in the mixing chamber to the outside of the air purifier, and a second discharge passage connected to the first discharge passage for discharging the mixed gas from the mixing chamber to the outside of the air purifier through a second exhaust port when the second on-off valve is open.

[0014] The control unit may, in a fumigation mode in which the outside of the air purifier is fumigated with the ozone generated in the mixing chamber, stop the operation of the first blower, open the second on-off valve, and operate the second blower or the third blower, and in an ozone recovery mode in which the concentration of ozone outside the air purifier is reduced, open the first on-off valve, operate the second blower, and close the second on-off valve.

[0015] The control unit may turn off the first light source in the ozone recovery mode.

[0016] In the fumigation mode, the control unit closes the second on-off valve, stops the operation of the second blower or the third blower, operates the first blower, and after the detection result of the ozone concentration by the ozone sensor becomes a predetermined value or more, stops the operation of the first blower, opens the second on-off valve, and operates the second blower or the third blower.

[0017] In the ozone recovery mode, the control unit may further operate the first blower.

[0018] In the ozone recovery mode, when the detection result of the ozone concentration by the ozone sensor becomes less than a predetermined value, the control unit may end the ozone recovery mode.

Advantages of the Invention

[0019] According to the present invention, there is an effect that more air can be quickly purified at low cost.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0020] [Figure 1] The first configuration example of the air purifier 100 according to the present embodiment is shown. [Figure 2] The second configuration example of the air purifier 100 according to the present embodiment is shown. [Figure 3] The third configuration example of the air purifier 100 according to the present embodiment is shown. [Figure 4] The fourth configuration example of the air purifier 100 according to the present embodiment is shown. [Figure 5] The fifth configuration example of the air purifier 100 according to the present embodiment is shown. [Figure 6] An example of the decomposition rate of ozone in the air purifier 100 according to the present embodiment is shown.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0021] <First configuration example of air purification device 100> Figure 1 shows a first configuration example of the air purification device 100 according to this embodiment. In this embodiment, the three mutually orthogonal axes are defined as the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis. The air purification device 100 utilizes ozone, which has a strong oxidizing effect, to efficiently purify indoor air while rapidly decomposing the ozone. The air purification device 100 includes an air intake port 110, a first light source 120, a mixing chamber 130, a first ozone decomposition chamber 140, an ozone sensor 150, a second ozone decomposition chamber 160, a first exhaust port 170, a first blower 180, and a control unit 190.

[0022] The intake port 110 is through which air to be purified flows. It is desirable that the intake port 110 has a filter to prevent dust and other particles from flowing into the mixing chamber 130. The intake port 110 is located in the mixing chamber 130. The air taken in from the intake port 110 is purified by the air purification device 100 and exhausted from the first exhaust port 170.

[0023] The first light source 120 irradiates the air to be purified in the mixing chamber 130 with vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) light. Vacuum ultraviolet light is light with a wavelength of approximately 10 nm to 200 nm. The first light source 120 is, for example, an excimer lamp or a mercury lamp. The first light source 120 may have a reflector 122 to direct more vacuum ultraviolet light towards the object to be irradiated. The reflector has a reflective surface with a vertical cross-section of a parabola, ellipse, or circle. Figure 1 shows an example in which the first light source 120 has a reflector 122 with a parabolic vertical cross-section of the reflective surface. The first light source 120 may also further have an optical filter to reduce light of wavelengths other than vacuum ultraviolet light.

[0024] The mixing chamber 130 receives air to be purified from the air intake 110. Vacuum ultraviolet light from the first light source 120 is irradiated into the mixing chamber 130. For example, the mixing chamber 130 is provided with a first inlet 132 into which vacuum ultraviolet light enters, and vacuum ultraviolet light from the first light source 120 located outside the mixing chamber 130 is irradiated into the mixing chamber 130. Alternatively, the first light source 120 may be located inside the mixing chamber 130. Furthermore, the first light source 120 may have multiple lamps or the like. In this case, the first light source 120 may be located both inside and outside the mixing chamber 130.

[0025] The mixing chamber 130 generates ozone by irradiating a portion of the air flowing in from the intake port 110 with vacuum ultraviolet light, and mixes the generated ozone with the incoming air to produce a mixed gas. The mixing chamber 130 exhausts the produced mixed gas from the first outlet 134.

[0026] The first ozone decomposition chamber 140 receives the mixed gas generated in the mixing chamber 130. The first ozone decomposition chamber 140 has an ozone decomposition catalyst 142 that decomposes ozone and generates reactive oxygen species. The reactive oxygen species generated by the ozone decomposition catalyst 142 purifies the air contained in the mixed gas. Reactive oxygen species can disinfect and deodorize the air more quickly than ozone, etc. Also, since reactive oxygen species disappear more quickly than ozone, etc., they hardly leak out of the air purification device 100.

[0027] The first ozone decomposition chamber 140 has a second inlet 144 into which the mixed gas exhausted from the mixing chamber 130 flows. The second inlet 144 is connected to the first outlet 134 of the mixing chamber 130. The first ozone decomposition chamber 140 also exhausts the purified air from the second outlet 146.

[0028] The ozone sensor 150 is installed between the first ozone decomposition chamber 140 and the second ozone decomposition chamber 160 and detects the concentration of ozone. The ozone sensor 150 detects the concentration of residual ozone contained in the air exhausted from the second outlet 146 of the first ozone decomposition chamber 140.

[0029] The second ozone decomposition chamber 160 receives air purified in the first ozone decomposition chamber 140. The second ozone decomposition chamber 160 has activated carbon 162 that decomposes any ozone remaining in the incoming air. The second ozone decomposition chamber 160 has a third inlet 164 into which air exhausted from the first ozone decomposition chamber 140 flows. The third inlet 164 is connected to the second outlet 146 of the first ozone decomposition chamber 140. The second ozone decomposition chamber 160 also exhausts the purified air from the first exhaust port 170.

[0030] The first blower 180 draws in air to be purified through the intake port 110. The first blower 180 then generates an airflow through which the air entering the mixing chamber 130 from the intake port 110 flows through the first ozone decomposition chamber 140 and the second ozone decomposition chamber 160 to the first exhaust port 170. The first blower 180 generates the airflow, for example, by the rotation of a propeller-shaped component. The airflow generated by the first blower 180 mixes ozone and air in the mixing chamber 130.

[0031] Furthermore, if the first light source 120 is located in the mixing chamber 130, the first blower 180 can also cool the first light source 120 by generating an airflow. The first blower 180 is located in at least one of the mixing chamber 130, the first ozone decomposition chamber 140, and the second ozone decomposition chamber 160. Figure 1 shows an example where the first blower 180 is located in the second ozone decomposition chamber 160.

[0032] For example, if an ultraviolet lamp is used as the first light source 120, ultraviolet light can be efficiently generated by keeping the ambient temperature around the lamp at around 20°C. Alternatively, the first blower 180 may generate an airflow that cools the first light source 120 while transferring the heat from the first light source 120 to the subsequent first ozone decomposition chamber 140. This allows the temperature of the ozone decomposition catalyst 142 in the first ozone decomposition chamber 140 to be kept at a nearly constant temperature higher than room temperature. For example, the optimal activation temperature of the ozone decomposition catalyst 142 is around 40°C. In this way, the first blower 180 can improve the ozone generation efficiency of the first light source 120 through cooling, and improve the ozone decomposition efficiency of the ozone decomposition catalyst 142 through heat retention or heating.

[0033] Furthermore, the cooling of the first light source 120 and the heating or preservation of the ozone decomposition catalyst 142 may be carried out by other methods instead of, or in addition to, the first blower 180. For example, a heat conductive material with high thermal conductivity may be further provided from the mixing chamber 130 to the second ozone decomposition chamber 160. Examples of heat conductive materials include heat conductive gels, heat conductive jelly, and heat pipes. In addition, a heat sink for heat dissipation may be provided on the side of the reflector 122 opposite to the side facing the first light source 120 in order to cool the first light source 120.

[0034] The control unit 190 controls the first blower 180. For example, when the air purification device 100 starts air purification operation, the control unit 190 starts the blowing operation of the first blower 180 to generate airflow. The control unit 190 may also adjust the flow rate of the airflow generated by the first blower 180 based on the detection result of the ozone sensor 150. In this case, the control unit 190 adjusts the airflow of the first blower 180 so that the detection result of the ozone sensor 150 falls within a predetermined range.

[0035] For example, if the detection result of the ozone sensor 150 is within a predetermined range and approaches the lower limit of that range, the control unit 190 increases the airflow of the first blower 180. Also, if the detection result of the ozone sensor 150 is within a predetermined range and approaches the upper limit of that range, the control unit 190 decreases the airflow of the first blower 180.

[0036] The control unit 190 may be composed of a CPU, a memory unit, etc. For example, when a computer functions as the control unit 190, the memory unit stores information such as the OS (Operating System) and programs that enable the computer to function. The memory unit may also store various information, including a database that is referenced when the program is executed. For example, the computer functions as the control unit 190 by executing a program stored in the memory unit.

[0037] The storage unit includes, for example, at least one of the following: ROM (Read Only Memory), EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory), such as EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory), which stores various programs, data, and tables executed by a computer; and RAM (Random Access Memory), which serves as a working area. The storage unit may also include a large-capacity storage device such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) and / or an SSD (Solid State Drive).

[0038] As described above, the air purification device 100 of the first configuration example generates ozone by irradiating the air flowing into the mixing chamber 130 with vacuum ultraviolet light, and then mixes the generated ozone with the air. Since vacuum ultraviolet light readily reacts with air, the absorption coefficient of vacuum ultraviolet light by air is high, at about 0.17 [ / cm], and the reach of vacuum ultraviolet light is shorter compared to germicidal rays, etc. For example, the light intensity level of vacuum ultraviolet light with a wavelength of 185 nm decreases by about 50% after traveling only 4 cm through the air, and decreases to about 10% at a position 14 cm away.

[0039] Areas in the mixing chamber 130 that cannot be reached by vacuum ultraviolet light cannot generate ozone, even if they are filled with air. For example, even if the volume of the mixing chamber 130 is large, if there is a large area that cannot be reached by vacuum ultraviolet light, the amount of ozone generated may be almost the same as that of a mixing chamber 130 with a smaller volume. Increasing the number of lamps in the first light source 120 could be considered to generate more ozone, but in this case, the cost would increase, and the size of the device would also increase.

[0040] Therefore, the air purification device 100 mixes the ozone generated by the first blower 180 with the air, thereby enabling vacuum ultraviolet light to irradiate more air. Furthermore, the length of the mixing chamber 130 in the direction from which the vacuum ultraviolet light enters may be shorter than the length of the mixing chamber 130 in the direction from which the germicidal rays enter.

[0041] For example, the length of the mixing chamber 130 in the Y direction in Figure 1 is set to a range from approximately the same as the reach of vacuum ultraviolet light to several times that distance. This allows the mixing chamber 130 to efficiently generate ozone and quickly produce a larger amount of mixed gas sufficient to fill the mixing chamber 130. Furthermore, since ozone has antibacterial and deodorizing effects, the air can also be purified by generating a uniform mixed gas in the mixing chamber 130.

[0042] Then, in the first ozone decomposition chamber 140, the air purification device 100 decomposes the ozone generated in the mixing chamber 130 using an ozone decomposition catalyst 142. The ozone decomposition catalyst 142 reduces the concentration of ozone contained in the mixed gas and generates highly effective reactive oxygen species.

[0043] In this way, the air purification device 100 generates a larger amount of mixed gas in the mixing chamber 130 to fill the first ozone decomposition chamber 140. Furthermore, the air purification device 100 generates airflow inside the first ozone decomposition chamber 140 using the first blower 180, thereby generating reactive oxygen species more uniformly and efficiently in the space inside the first ozone decomposition chamber 140, and homogenizing the generated reactive oxygen species with the air. As a result, the first ozone decomposition chamber 140 can rapidly reduce the ozone concentration with the generated reactive oxygen species and rapidly disinfect and deodorize the air.

[0044] Here, the ozone decomposition capacity of the first ozone decomposition chamber 140 is largely determined by the dimensions of the ozone decomposition catalyst 142 and the airflow rate passing through the first ozone decomposition chamber 140. For example, the ozone decomposition capacity of the first ozone decomposition chamber 140 can be designed to reduce the ozone concentration generated in the mixing chamber 130 by about 90% or more using the ozone decomposition catalyst 142.

[0045] Then, in the second ozone decomposition chamber 160, the air purification device 100 decomposes the ozone remaining in the purified air flowing in from the first ozone decomposition chamber 140 using activated carbon 162. The ozone decomposition capacity of the second ozone decomposition chamber 160 is largely determined by the amount of activated carbon 162 and the flow rate of air passing through the second ozone decomposition chamber 160. For example, the ozone decomposition capacity of the second ozone decomposition chamber 160 can be designed to reduce the residual ozone concentration by about 95% or more using the activated carbon 162. In this way, the air purification device 100 decomposes ozone using an ozone decomposition catalyst 142 and activated carbon 162.

[0046] Here, in order to fully exert the sterilization and deodorizing effects of ozone, and the sterilization and deodorizing effects of reactive oxygen species generated by the decomposition of ozone, it is desirable to set the concentration of ozone generated in the mixing chamber 130 to about 1 ppm or higher. For example, if the concentration of ozone generated in the mixing chamber 130 is 3 ppm, the concentration of ozone flowing out from the first ozone decomposition chamber 140 will be about 0.3 ppm, and the concentration of ozone exhausted from the first exhaust port 170 via the second ozone decomposition chamber 160 will be about 0.015 ppm or less. Therefore, the air purification device 100 according to this embodiment can purify the air while keeping the residual ozone concentration at a level of about 0.05 ppm or less, which is safe for the human body.

[0047] Furthermore, it is desirable that the air purification device 100 be able to monitor, using the ozone sensor 150, that it is exhausting highly safe air. For example, it is desirable that the ozone sensor 150 be able to detect the concentration of ozone exhausted from the first exhaust port 170. However, ozone detectors that can detect ozone concentrations of less than approximately 0.03 ppm are expensive and the size of the device would also be large.

[0048] Therefore, in this embodiment, the air purification device 100 places an ozone sensor 150 between the first ozone decomposition chamber 140 and the second ozone decomposition chamber 160. The ozone sensor 150 detects whether the concentration of ozone flowing in from the first ozone decomposition chamber 140 has been sufficiently reduced. For example, the ozone sensor 150 detects whether the ozone concentration is approximately 0.3 ppm or less.

[0049] The control unit 190 then subtracts a predetermined value from the detection result of the ozone sensor 150 to estimate the residual ozone concentration contained in the air exhausted from the first exhaust port 170. Here, the predetermined value is a value based on the ozone decomposition capacity of at least one of the ozone decomposition capacity of the first ozone decomposition chamber 140 and the ozone decomposition capacity of the second ozone decomposition chamber 160.

[0050] For example, the predetermined value is the amount of ozone that is decomposed and reduced in the second ozone decomposition chamber 160. Also, if the ozone decomposition capacity of the first ozone decomposition chamber 140 is sufficiently high and the ozone concentration can be reduced to below the detection limit of the ozone sensor 150, the detection result of the ozone sensor 150 will be higher than the actual ozone concentration. Therefore, by measuring the ozone decomposition capacity of the first ozone decomposition chamber 140 in advance and measuring the trend of the error between the detection result of the ozone sensor 150 and the actual ozone concentration, a predetermined value to be subtracted from the detection result of the ozone sensor 150 can be determined.

[0051] This allows the minimum sensitivity of the ozone sensor 150 to be greater than the permissible value for residual ozone concentration in the air exhausted from the first exhaust port 170. For example, the air purification device 100 can use an inexpensive ozone detector with an ozone concentration detection sensitivity of about 0.03 ppm to 0.5 ppm as the ozone sensor 150.

[0052] The air purification device 100 described above separates the space for generating ozone from the space for generating reactive oxygen species into a mixing chamber 130, a first ozone decomposition chamber 140, and a second ozone decomposition chamber 160. This allows the shape of the mixing chamber 130 to be designed as an optimized space for generating ozone. Furthermore, the first ozone decomposition chamber 140 can be designed as an optimized space for decomposing ozone and generating reactive oxygen species, and the generated reactive oxygen species can be used to quickly purify the air.

[0053] As described above, the air purification device 100 can exhaust highly safe, purified air from the first exhaust port 170. Such an air purification device 100 can use an inexpensive light source such as a mercury lamp, and can purify the air by passing it through multiple spaces using the first blower 180. Therefore, the air purification device 100 can purify the air efficiently at low cost. It should be noted that the mixing chamber 130, the first ozone decomposition chamber 140, and the second ozone decomposition chamber 160, which form the housing of the air purification device 100, contain ozone, ultraviolet rays, etc., so it is desirable that they be made of a highly corrosion-resistant metal such as stainless steel.

[0054] The air purification device 100 according to this embodiment has been described in which the ozone decomposition catalyst 142 in the first ozone decomposition chamber 140 generates reactive oxygen species, but it is not limited to this. The air purification device 100 may also generate reactive oxygen species by irradiating the mixed gas with germicidal rays. Such an air purification device 100 will be described next.

[0055] <Second configuration example of air purification device 100> Figure 2 shows a second configuration example of the air purification device 100 according to this embodiment. In the air purification device 100 of the second configuration example, components that are substantially the same as those in the air purification device 100 of the first configuration example shown in Figure 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations are omitted. The air purification device 100 of the second configuration example further comprises a second light source 210 and a purification chamber 220.

[0056] The second light source 210 irradiates the gas mixture in the purification chamber 220 with germicidal rays. The germicidal rays are light (UVC) with a wavelength of approximately 200 nm to 280 nm. The second light source 210 is, for example, a discharge lamp such as a mercury lamp, an arc lamp, or a rare gas halogen excimer lamp (containing KrCl, Xel, XeBr, KrBr, etc.). The second light source 210 may also have a reflector 212, similar to the first light source 120. Figure 2 shows an example in which the second light source 210 has a reflector 212 whose longitudinal cross-section of the reflective surface is parabolic. The second light source 210 may also further have an optical filter that reduces light of wavelengths different from germicidal rays.

[0057] The purification chamber 220 is located between the mixing chamber 130 and the first ozone decomposition chamber 140. The purification chamber 220 has a fourth inlet 222 into which the mixed gas generated in the mixing chamber 130 flows. The fourth inlet 222 is connected to the first outlet 134 of the mixing chamber 130. The inside of the purification chamber 220 is irradiated with germicidal rays from the second light source 210.

[0058] For example, the purification chamber 220 is provided with a second inlet 226 into which germicidal rays enter, and germicidal rays from a second light source 210 located outside the purification chamber 220 are irradiated into the interior of the purification chamber 220. Alternatively, the second light source 210 may be located inside the purification chamber 220. Furthermore, the second light source 210 may have multiple lamps or the like. In this case, the second light source 210 may be located both inside and outside the purification chamber 220.

[0059] Furthermore, if the second light source 210 is located in the purification chamber 220, the first blower 180 can also cool the second light source 210 by generating an airflow. In other words, the first blower 180 may generate an airflow that cools the first light source 120 and / or the second light source 210 while transferring the heat from the first light source 120 and / or the second light source 210 to the subsequent first ozone decomposition chamber 140. Alternatively, or in addition to this, a heat-conducting material with high thermal conductivity may be further provided from the mixing chamber 130 and / or the purification chamber 220 to the second ozone decomposition chamber 160. Also, for cooling the second light source 210, a heat sink for heat dissipation may be provided on the side of the reflector 212 opposite to the side facing the second light source 210.

[0060] As a result, the mixed gas flows into the purification chamber 220 from the mixing chamber 130, and the incoming mixed gas is irradiated with germicidal rays from the second light source 210, generating reactive oxygen species by decomposing ozone. The purification chamber 220 then purifies the air contained in the mixed gas using the generated reactive oxygen species and germicidal rays. The germicidal rays have a bactericidal effect that decomposes nucleic acids such as viruses and bacteria. Thus, in addition to reactive oxygen species, the purification chamber 220 can also purify the air contained in the mixed gas using germicidal rays from the second light source 210. The purification chamber 220 exhausts the mixed gas containing the purified air from the fourth outlet 224. The fourth outlet 224 is connected to the second inlet 144 of the first ozone decomposition chamber 140.

[0061] As described above, the air purification device 100 of the second configuration example generates highly effective reactive oxygen species by irradiating the mixed gas in the purification chamber 220 with germicidal rays. The air purification device 100 generates a larger amount of mixed gas in the mixing chamber 130 to fill the purification chamber 220, and also generates airflow inside the purification chamber 220 with the first blower 180, so that reactive oxygen species can be generated more uniformly and efficiently in the space inside the purification chamber 220. As a result, the purification chamber 220 can quickly disinfect and deodorize the air with the generated reactive oxygen species.

[0062] Furthermore, within the purification chamber 220, the second light source 210 can irradiate the mixed gas with germicidal rays more uniformly by airflow, thereby making the germicidal effect of the germicidal rays themselves more efficient. In other words, the air purification device 100 can efficiently purify the air using ozone, active oxygen, and the sterilization and deodorizing effects of germicidal rays.

[0063] Furthermore, the purification chamber 220 decomposes ozone using germicidal lamps to generate reactive oxygen species, thereby rapidly reducing the ozone concentration. This reduces the burden on the ozone decomposition treatment performed by the first ozone decomposition chamber 140 and the second ozone decomposition chamber 160. In other words, the control unit 190 can increase the airflow rate generated by the first blower 180, thereby improving the purification capacity of the air purification device 100.

[0064] To further enhance the effects of reactive oxygen species, a mist generator that produces water vapor may be provided in at least one of the first ozone decomposition chamber 140 and the purification chamber 220. The mist generator allows the reactive oxygen species generated after ozone decomposition to react with the water in the mist, thereby promoting the purification effect. Furthermore, it is desirable that the mist generator be a fragrance mist generator that produces a scent. This allows, for example, the purified air to be scented, giving a feeling of freshness.

[0065] In the air purification device 100 of the second configuration example, if the ozone decomposition processing capacity of the purification chamber 220 and the first ozone decomposition chamber 140 is high, the purified air may be exhausted to the outside of the air purification device 100 without passing through the second ozone decomposition chamber 160. Alternatively, exhaust via the second ozone decomposition chamber 160 and exhaust without passing through the second ozone decomposition chamber 160 may be used in combination. Figure 2 shows a configuration in which the air purification device 100 of the second configuration example further includes a first on-off valve 230, a first discharge passage 240, a second exhaust port 250, and a second blower 260 for exhausting without passing through the second ozone decomposition chamber 160.

[0066] The first on-off valve 230 switches whether or not to discharge the air purified in the first ozone decomposition chamber 140 to the outside of the air purification device 100. Figure 2 shows an example in which the first on-off valve 230 is formed between the purification chamber 220 and the first ozone decomposition chamber 140. This allows the ozone sensor 150 to detect the ozone concentration of the air discharged from the first on-off valve 230, even when air is being discharged from the first on-off valve 230. The first on-off valve 230 may also be provided in the first ozone decomposition chamber 140. It is desirable that the control unit 190 can control the first on-off valve 230 to open and close it.

[0067] The first discharge passage 240 discharges the air purified in the first ozone decomposition chamber 140 to the outside of the air purification device 100 through the second exhaust port 250 when the first on-off valve 230 is open. The second blower 260 generates an airflow that discharges at least a portion of the air purified in the first ozone decomposition chamber 140 through the second exhaust port 250. It is desirable that the control unit 190 can control the second blower 260 to adjust the size of the airflow discharged from the second exhaust port 250.

[0068] In the air purification device 100 of the second configuration example described above, the control unit 190 opens the first on-off valve 230 and generates an airflow in the second blower 260, thereby quickly exhausting the purified air to the outside of the air purification device 100. The control unit 190 may also open the first on-off valve 230 and generate an airflow in the second blower 260 when the measurement result of the ozone sensor 150 is below a predetermined value or below the detection limit. The predetermined value is, for example, a value of about 0.03 ppm. The first on-off valve 230, first discharge passage 240, second exhaust port 250, and second blower 260 shown in Figure 2 above may also be provided in the air purification device 100 shown in Figure 1.

[0069] The air purification device 100 in the second configuration example described above uses ozone generated in the mixing chamber 130 to purify the air in the mixing chamber 130, the purification chamber 220, and the first ozone decomposition chamber 140, but it is not limited to this. For example, in addition to purifying the indoor air, it may be desirable to reduce odors adsorbed on furniture such as beds and sofas, walls, curtains, etc. Even if the air purification device 100 takes in indoor air and purifies the taken-in air, it is difficult to reduce such odors.

[0070] Therefore, the air purification device 100 may discharge ozone generated in the mixing chamber 130 to the outside of the air purification device 100 to reduce odors adsorbed on furniture, walls, curtains, etc. This process of reducing the odor of an object by discharging ozone is called fumigation. Figure 2 shows a configuration in which the air purification device 100 of the second example further includes a second on-off valve 310, a second discharge passage 320, a third exhaust port 330, and a third blower 340 for reducing the odor of an object.

[0071] The second on-off valve 310 is located in the mixing chamber 130. The second on-off valve 310 switches whether or not to discharge the mixed gas, which has been mixed in the mixing chamber 130, to the outside of the air purification device 100. It is desirable that the control unit 190 can control the second on-off valve 310 to open and close it.

[0072] The second discharge passage 320 discharges the mixed gas from the mixing chamber 130 to the outside of the air purification device 100 through the third exhaust port 330 when the second on-off valve 310 is open. The third blower 340 generates an airflow that discharges the mixed gas from the third exhaust port 330. It is desirable that the control unit 190 can control the third blower 340 to adjust the size of the airflow discharged from the third exhaust port 330.

[0073] In the second configuration example described above, the air purification device 100 can fumigate objects outside the air purification device 100 with ozone by having the control unit 190 open the second on-off valve 310 and generate an airflow in the third blower 340. It is desirable to prevent people, animals, etc. from entering a room when the air purification device 100 discharges ozone into the room. Therefore, the air purification device 100 may be further equipped with a warning light, display device, motion sensor, warning sound generator, notification device to the outside of the air purification device 100, etc.

[0074] The air purification device 100 in the second configuration example described above has a second on-off valve 310 located in the mixing chamber 130, but it is not limited to this configuration. For example, the second on-off valve 310 may be located between the mixing chamber 130 and the purification chamber 220. Alternatively, the second on-off valve 310 may be located in the purification chamber 220.

[0075] The air purification device 100 in the second configuration example described above has two light sources, a first light source 120 and a second light source 210, but it is not limited to this. For example, excimer lamps, mercury lamps, etc., emit vacuum ultraviolet rays and germicidal rays. Therefore, the air purification device 100 may, for example, combine the first light source 120 (or the second light source 210) with a spectral prism or the like to spectrally separate the light emitted from the light source. In this case, the air purification device 100 will cause the spectrally separated vacuum ultraviolet rays to enter the mixing chamber 130 and the spectrally separated germicidal rays to enter the purification chamber 220. This reduces the number of light sources, thereby reducing costs and the size of the device.

[0076] <Third configuration example of air purification device 100> Figure 3 shows a third configuration example of the air purification device 100 according to this embodiment. In the air purification device 100 of the third configuration example, components that are substantially the same as those in the air purification device 100 of the second configuration example shown in Figure 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations are omitted. The air purification device 100 of the third configuration example shows an example in which the second on-off valve 310 is provided in the purification chamber 220. Even in this case, the air purification device 100 can discharge ozone from the purification chamber 220 and fumigate objects outside the air purification device 100 with ozone.

[0077] Furthermore, it is desirable that the air purification device 100 can recover the ozone discharged after fumigating an object outside the air purification device 100 with ozone. In this case, the air purification device 100 can recover the discharged ozone by performing the air purification operation described above. Here, the mode in which the air purification device 100 operates to fumigate an object outside with ozone is called the fumigation mode, and the mode in which it operates to recover the discharged ozone is called the ozone recovery mode.

[0078] For example, in a fumigation mode in which the outside of the air purifier 100 is fumigated with ozone generated in the mixing chamber 130, the control unit 190 closes the first on-off valve 230, stops the operation of the first blower 180, opens the second on-off valve 310, and operates the third blower 340.

[0079] Furthermore, when the air purification device 100 is operating in fumigation mode, it may start fumigation after detecting the concentration of ozone to be exhausted. In this case, the control unit 190 closes the first on-off valve 230 and the second on-off valve 310, stops the operation of the third blower 340, and operates the first blower 180 in fumigation mode. Then, after the ozone concentration detected by the ozone sensor 150 reaches a predetermined value or higher, it stops the operation of the first blower 180, opens the second on-off valve 310, and operates the third blower 340.

[0080] Furthermore, in the ozone recovery mode, which reduces the ozone concentration outside the air purifier 100, the control unit 190 operates the first blower 180 and closes the second on-off valve 310. In the ozone recovery mode, the control unit 190 may also open the first on-off valve 230 and operate the second blower 260. In the ozone recovery mode, the control unit 190 may also turn off the first light source 120 to stop ozone generation in the mixing chamber 130. The control unit 190 may also terminate the ozone recovery mode if the ozone concentration detected by the ozone sensor 150 falls below a predetermined value.

[0081] As described above, the air purification device 100 according to this embodiment can fumigate a space such as an unoccupied room with a high concentration of ozone. Furthermore, the air purification device 100 can quickly recover residual ozone after fumigation. Since it takes several hours for residual ozone to be reduced to a safe concentration by natural decomposition, conventionally it took more than half a day to complete the fumigation of a room. However, with the air purification device 100 according to this embodiment, the fumigation of a room can be completed several to more than ten times faster than conventional methods. Note that the second on-off valve 310, second discharge passage 320, third exhaust port 330, and third blower 340 shown in Figures 2 and 3 may also be provided in the air purification device 100 shown in Figure 1.

[0082] <Fourth configuration example of air purification device 100> Figure 4 shows a fourth configuration example of the air purification device 100 according to this embodiment. In the air purification device 100 of the fourth configuration example, components that are substantially the same as those in operation of the air purification device 100 shown in Figures 1 to 3 are given the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations are omitted. The air purification device 100 of the fourth configuration example has a configuration in which a part of the second discharge passage 320 and the first discharge passage 240 of the air purification device 100 of the second configuration example shown in Figure 2 are shared.

[0083] The second discharge passage 320, connected to the mixing chamber 130, is connected to the first discharge passage 240, and when the second on-off valve 310 is open, it discharges the mixed gas from the mixing chamber 130 to the outside of the air purifier 100 through the second exhaust port 250. This makes the air purifier 100 more compact. In addition, the third blower 340 can be omitted, which can reduce costs.

[0084] In the air purification device 100 of the fourth configuration example, the control unit 190 stops the operation of the first blower 180, opens the second on-off valve 310, and operates the second blower 260 in fumigation mode. Here, it is desirable for the control unit 190 to close the first on-off valve 230. Alternatively, in fumigation mode, the control unit 190 may close the second on-off valve 310, stop the operation of the second blower 260, operate the first blower 180, and after the ozone concentration detected by the ozone sensor 150 reaches a predetermined value or higher, stop the operation of the first blower 180, open the second on-off valve 310, and operate the second blower 260.

[0085] Furthermore, in ozone recovery mode, the control unit 190 operates the first blower 180. Alternatively, or in addition to this, the control unit 190 may open the first on-off valve 230 and operate the second blower 260. It is preferable for the control unit 190 to close the second on-off valve 310. Also, in ozone recovery mode, the control unit 190 may terminate the ozone recovery mode if the ozone concentration detected by the ozone sensor 150 falls below a predetermined value.

[0086] The air purification device 100 in the fourth configuration example described above is an example in which a part of the second discharge passage 320 and the first discharge passage 240 of the air purification device 100 in the second configuration example are shared, but it is not limited to this. Alternatively, the air purification device 100 may share a part of the second discharge passage 320 and the first discharge passage 240 of the air purification device 100 in the third configuration example shown in Figure 3. Alternatively, the air purification device 100 may share a part of the second discharge passage 320 and the first discharge passage 240 of the air purification device 100 in the second and third configuration examples shown in Figures 2 and 3.

[0087] <Fifth configuration example of air purification device 100> Figure 5 shows a fifth configuration example of the air purification device 100 according to this embodiment. In the air purification device 100 of the fifth configuration example, components that are substantially the same as those in operation of the air purification device 100 shown in Figures 1 to 4 are given the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations are omitted. The air purification device 100 of the fifth configuration example has a configuration in which a part of the second discharge passage 320 of the air purification device 100 of the second configuration example shown in Figure 2 and a part of the second discharge passage 320 of the air purification device 100 of the third configuration example shown in Figure 3 are shared with the first discharge passage 240.

[0088] The air purification device 100 includes a second on-off valve 310a provided in the mixing chamber 130, a second on-off valve 310b provided in the purification chamber 220, a second discharge passage 320a connected to the second on-off valve 310a, and a second discharge passage 320b connected to the second on-off valve 310b. The air purification device 100 of the fifth configuration example can operate by switching between fumigation mode and ozone recovery mode, similar to the air purification device 100 of the fourth configuration example.

[0089] <An example of the ozone decomposition rate of air purifier 100> Figure 6 shows an example of the ozone decomposition rate of the air purification device 100 according to this embodiment. The horizontal axis of Figure 6 represents time, and the vertical axis represents ozone concentration. Figure 6 is approximately 5.4 m 2 The following shows the results of measuring the ozone decomposition characteristics by housing an ozone lamp, an air purification device 100, and an ozone detection device in a sealed laboratory space.

[0090] In Figure 6, the graph indicated by the square marks shows the results of measuring the ozone concentration after filling the laboratory with ozone by turning on an ozone lamp for 15 minutes and then turning off the ozone lamp. In other words, the graph indicated by the square marks shows the change in ozone concentration when ozone is naturally decomposed. The measurement range of the ozone detector is from 0.05 ppm to 3.00 ppm. The measurement results are approximated by the following exponential function: where I(t) is the ozone concentration at time t, I0 is the ozone concentration at time 0 (initial value), -k is the decay coefficient, and t is time. (Math 1) I(t) = I0·exp(-k·t)

[0091] The time it takes for the ozone concentration to be halved (half-life hl) was then calculated using the following formula. When ozone is naturally decomposed, k = 0.021 and hl = 33 (minutes), indicating that the ozone concentration is approximately halved in about 33 minutes. In Figure 6, the solid line graph is a curve that approximates the measurement results indicated by the rectangular markers using an exponential function. (Math 2) hl = 0.693 / k

[0092] In Figure 6, the graph indicated by the circle shows the first example of the results obtained when the ozone lamp was turned on for 15 minutes to fill the laboratory with ozone, the ozone lamp was turned off, and the air purification device 100 was operated to measure the ozone concentration. The graph indicated by the dotted line is a curve that approximates the measurement results indicated by the circle using an exponential function. Using the exponential function approximation described above, k = 0.121 and hl = 5.73 (minutes), indicating that the ozone concentration was approximately halved in about 6 minutes. It was found that the air purification device 100 can decompose ozone at approximately 6 times the rate of natural decomposition.

[0093] In Figure 6, the diamond-shaped graph shows a second example of the results obtained by measuring the ozone concentration after filling the laboratory with ozone by turning on the ozone lamp for 15 minutes, then turning off the ozone lamp, and operating the air purifier 100. The difference from the first example is that the first light source 120 was turned off to prevent ozone generation inside the air purifier 100. The dashed-dotted line graph is a curve that approximates the measurement results shown in the diamond shape using an exponential function. Using the exponential function approximation described above, k=0.128 and hl=5.42 (minutes) were obtained. It was found that the ozone decomposition capacity of the air purifier 100 can be improved by approximately 6% by turning off the first light source 120.

[0094] In Figure 6, the graph shown by the black triangle represents a third example of the results obtained by filling the laboratory with ozone by turning on the ozone lamp for 15 minutes, then turning off the ozone lamp and operating the air purification device 100 to measure the ozone concentration. The difference from the first example is that the first on-off valve 230 was opened and the purified air was exhausted from the second exhaust port 250. The graph shown by the dashed line is a curve that approximates the measurement results shown by the black triangle using an exponential function. Using the exponential function approximation described above, k = 0.216 and hl = 3.21 (minutes) were obtained. In this case, it was found that the air purification device 100 can decompose ozone at approximately 10 times the rate of natural decomposition.

[0095] From the above, it has been found that the air purification device 100 of this embodiment can purify a large amount of air quickly and at low cost. Furthermore, the air purification device 100 of this embodiment not only has the function of purifying the air that flows into the device without releasing the ozone generated inside to the outside of the air purification device 100, but also has the function of releasing the generated ozone to the outside of the air purification device 100 to fumigate the outside and recovering the fumigated ozone. The air purification device 100 can easily switch between these two functions.

[0096] Although the present invention has been described above using embodiments, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the above embodiments, and various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of its gist. For example, all or part of the apparatus can be configured by functionally or physically distributing and integrating in any unit. Furthermore, new embodiments resulting from any combination of multiple embodiments are also included in the embodiments of the present invention. The effects of the new embodiments resulting from the combinations are combined with the effects of the original embodiments. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0097] 100 Air Purifiers 110 Intake port 120 1st light source 122 Reflector 130 Mixing room 132 1st entrance 134 1st outlet 140 First Ozone Decomposition Chamber 142 Ozone decomposition catalysts 144 2nd inlet 146 2nd outlet 150 Ozone Sensors 160 Second Ozone Decomposition Chamber 162 Activated carbon 164 Third inlet 170 First exhaust port 180 1st blower 190 Control Unit 210 Second light source 212 Reflector 220 Purification Room 222 4th inlet 224 4th outlet 226 2nd entrance port 230 First shut-off valve 240 1st discharge path 250 Second exhaust port 260 2nd blower 310 Second shut-off valve 320 2nd discharge path 330 Third exhaust port 340 3rd blower

Claims

1. It is an air purification device, A first light source that irradiates vacuum ultraviolet light, A mixing chamber having an air intake into which air to be purified flows in, generating ozone by irradiating a portion of the incoming air with vacuum ultraviolet light, and mixing the generated ozone with the incoming air to produce a mixed gas, A first ozone decomposition chamber into which the mixed gas flows, which decomposes the ozone to generate reactive oxygen species, and which has an ozone decomposition catalyst that purifies the air contained in the mixed gas with the generated reactive oxygen species, A second ozone decomposition chamber into which the air purified in the first ozone decomposition chamber flows, and which has activated carbon that decomposes the ozone remaining in the air, A first exhaust port for exhausting the purified air from the second ozone decomposition chamber, A first blower generates an airflow through which the air flowing in from the intake port flows to the first exhaust port, and mixes the ozone and the air in the mixing chamber using the generated airflow. A second on / off valve that switches whether or not to discharge the mixed gas mixed in the mixing chamber to the outside of the air purifier, When the second on-off valve is open, a second discharge passage is provided for discharging the mixed gas from the mixing chamber to the outside of the air purifier through the third exhaust port, A third blower that generates an airflow for discharging the mixed gas from the third exhaust port, An air purification device equipped with the following features.

2. A second light source that emits germicidal rays, A purification chamber is provided between the mixing chamber and the first ozone decomposition chamber, into which the mixed gas flows in from the mixing chamber, and which generates active oxygen by irradiating the mixed gas with the germicidal lamp, and which purifies the air contained in the mixed gas using the generated active oxygen and the germicidal lamp. The air purification device according to claim 1, further comprising the following:

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