Removal device

Abstract

To provide a removal device capable of removing an aerosol in a target space while suppressing generation of health damage.SOLUTION: An aerosol removal device 1 that removes aerosols floating in a target space 900 and to which bacteria or viruses are attached, and includes a charged spray head 14 that sprays charged particles in which an aqueous disinfectant solution or water is charged to capture aerosols in the target space 900 on the charged particles, a collection unit 16 for collecting the charged particles that have captured the aerosol, and a housing 11 for housing constituent elements of the aerosol removal device 1, wherein the charged spray head 14 sprays charged particles toward the downstream side of the housing 11 to generate an airflow that causes the aerosol in the target space 900 to flow into the housing 11 from the upstream side of the housing 11.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a removal device.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, techniques for removing aerosols have been known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, aerosols are emitted from the nose and mouth by coughing, sneezing, conversation, or exhalation of a person, and these aerosols are known to float in space. And it has been pointed out that when bacteria or viruses are attached to this aerosol, there is a possibility of infection caused by the aerosol.

[0005] Devices for spraying a disinfectant into space for the purpose of disinfecting bacteria or viruses attached to these aerosols have been known, but since the disinfectant fills the space, there is a possibility that health hazards may be caused by the spraying of the disinfectant.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a removal device capable of removing aerosols in a target space while suppressing the occurrence of health hazards.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] To solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the objective, the removal device described in claim 1 is a removal device that removes aerosols floating in a target space to which bacteria or viruses are attached, by spraying an aqueous disinfectant solution or charged particles to which water is charged, in the target space The airflow introduced from The system comprises a charging spray unit that captures the aerosol with the charged particles, and a recovery unit that collects the charged particles that have captured the aerosol. The airflow introduced above, after passing through the recovery section, is discharged into the target space.

[0009] Furthermore, claims 2 The removal device described in the claim 1 In the removal device described above, the disinfectant aqueous solution is an aqueous solution containing a surfactant, and the surfactant is dialkyldimethylammonium chloride, alkylamine oxide ,a Lucile glycoside It is one of these, or a combination of several of these.

[0012] Furthermore, claims 3 The removal device described in claim 1 or 2 In the removal device described above, the recovery unit is electrically grounded. Taha This includes nicramid materials, multi-layer wire mesh, inclined wire mesh, or multi-layer inclined plate structures. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] According to the removal device described in claim 1, by spraying charged particles to capture aerosols in the target space with the charged particles, and then recovering the charged particles that have captured the aerosols, it becomes possible to reliably remove aerosols using charged particles. Furthermore, by recovering the charged particles, it is possible to prevent the charged particles from filling the target space, thereby suppressing the occurrence of health damage.

[0015] According to the removal device described in claim 3 For example, For example, it becomes possible to suppress foaming when spraying from the electrostatic spray unit, while reliably disinfecting bacteria or viruses attached to the aerosol and maintaining the cleanliness of the target space.

[0018] According to the removal device described in claim 6, the recovery unit is electrically grounded Taha By including a nickel-cadmium material, a multi-stage wire mesh, an inclined wire mesh, or a multi-layer inclined plate structure, for example, charged particles can be reliably recovered using a relatively simple structure, making it possible to reduce the cost of the removal device.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0019] [Figure 1] It is an explanatory diagram of an aerosol removal system. [Figure 2] It is a side view of an aerosol removal device. [Figure 3] It is a front view of an aerosol removal device. [Figure 4] It is an explanatory diagram showing the internal structure of an aerosol removal device. [Figure 5] It is a diagram showing a charged spray head. [Figure 6] It is an explanatory diagram of an aerosol removal system.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0020] Hereinafter, embodiments of the removal device according to the present invention will be described in detail based on the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited by the embodiments.

[0021] 〔Basic Concept of the Embodiment〕<000009A>First, the basic concept of the embodiment will be explained. The embodiment generally relates to a removal device. <00000A2> The "removal device" is a device that removes aerosol floating in the target space, and specifically, is a device that removes aerosol including aerosol to which bacteria or viruses are attached. <H

[0023] The "target space" is a space targeted for aerosol removal, and specifically, is an outdoor or indoor space, and is a concept indicating an arbitrary space including, for example, spaces in a hospital waiting room, a hall, and a train.

[0024] The following embodiment describes the case where the "target space" is a hospital waiting room.

[0025] [Specific details of the embodiment] Next, the specific details of the embodiment will be described.

[0026] (composition) First, the configuration of the aerosol removal system of this embodiment will be described. Figure 1 is an explanatory diagram of the aerosol removal system, Figure 2 is a side view of the aerosol removal device, Figure 3 is a front view of the aerosol removal device, and Figure 4 is an explanatory diagram showing the internal structure of the aerosol removal device.

[0027] In each figure, the external shape of some components of the aerosol removal device 1 is simplified, and the illustration of some components is omitted as appropriate. In Figure 1, the internal components of the aerosol removal device 1 are also shown. In each figure, the X, Y, and Z axes are assumed to be mutually orthogonal, the Z axis represents the vertical direction, with the +Z direction referred to as the upper side and the -Z direction as the lower side. The X axis represents the horizontal direction, with the +X direction referred to as the front side or upstream side and the -X direction referred to as the back side or downstream side. The Y axis represents the horizontal direction (or side direction), with the +Y direction referred to as the left side and the -Y direction referred to as the right side.

[0028] The aerosol removal system 100 shown in Figure 1 is a system for removing aerosols (i.e., aerosols containing bacteria or viruses) floating in a target space 900. In this embodiment, the target space 900 is, for example, a hospital waiting room.

[0029] The aerosol removal system 100 shown in Figure 1 comprises, for example, an aerosol removal device 1, a high-voltage power supply unit 2, a water supply unit 3, and an operation panel 4.

[0030] (Configuration - Aerosol removal device) The aerosol removal device 1 in Figure 1 is the aforementioned removal device, specifically a device that removes aerosols floating in the target space 900, and is installed, for example, on the ceiling 901 of the target space 900. The installation location of the aerosol removal device 1 may be changed as needed; for example, it may be installed on a wall or on the floor.

[0031] The aerosol removal device 1 comprises, for example, a housing 11, a support mechanism 12, a fan 13, an electrostatic spray head 14, a storage unit 15, a recovery unit 16, and a drain filter unit 17.

[0032] (Configuration - Aerosol removal device - Housing) The housing 11 in Figures 1 to 4 is a cylindrical housing (i.e., a cylindrical enclosure) that houses the components of the aerosol removal device 1, and as shown in Figure 4, for example, it has a hollow section 110 for housing the components. This hollow section 110 communicates with the inlet 111 of the housing 11, which is a circular opening when viewed from the front (i.e., from the +X direction), and the outlet 112 of the housing 11, which is a circular opening when viewed from the rear (i.e., from the -X direction). Therefore, the gas containing aerosols flows into the hollow section 110 via the inlet 111, and the gas flows out of the hollow section 110 via the outlet 112. In other words, a flow path for gas is formed in the hollow section 110 of the housing 11.

[0033] The material of the housing 11 is arbitrary; for example, it may be made entirely or partially of metal, or entirely or partially of resin. Unless otherwise specified, the materials of the other components are also arbitrary.

[0034] (Configuration - Aerosol removal device - Support mechanism) The support mechanism 12 shown in Figures 1 to 3 is a mechanism for supporting and mounting the housing 11 to the ceiling 901. The configuration of this support mechanism 12 is arbitrary, but for example, a mechanism that holds the housing 11 while being attached and fixed to the ceiling 901 using screws or the like may be used.

[0035] (Configuration - Aerosol removal device - Fan) The fan 13 in Figure 4 is a component located inside the housing 11, and specifically, it is a blower located upstream of the charged spray head 14, and is a blower that sends the aerosol of the target space 900 toward the charged spray head 14.

[0036] In addition, the aerosol removal device 1 shown in Figure 4 is configured to take in gas from the inlet 111 side (+X direction) of the housing 11 into the hollow section 110 and discharge the gas to the outlet 112 side (-X direction). In the housing 11, the inlet 111 side (+X direction) is also referred to as the "upstream side," and the outlet 112 side (-X direction) is also referred to as the "downstream side."

[0037] The fan 13 in Figure 4 is configured to rotate due to the rotational force from the motor and generate an airflow from the upstream side (+X direction) to the downstream side (-X direction).

[0038] (Configuration - Aerosol removal device - Electrostatic spray head) Figure 5 shows the electrostatic spray head. Figure 5(a) is a perspective view from the spraying side, and Figure 5(b) is a cross-sectional view.

[0039] The charged spray head 14 in Figure 4 is a component located inside the housing 11. Specifically, it is a charged spray unit that sprays charged particles, which are charged with a disinfectant aqueous solution or water, to capture aerosols in the target space 900 with the charged particles. In this embodiment, the case in which the charged spray head 14 sprays a disinfectant aqueous solution will be described.

[0040] A "disinfectant aqueous solution" is an aqueous solution used to disinfect bacteria or viruses, and may be an aqueous solution containing a surfactant or an aqueous solution containing silver ions. The surfactant used here is arbitrary, but may be one or more of the following: dialkyldimethylammonium chloride, alkylamine oxide, benzalkonium chloride, benzethonium chloride, or alkyl glycoside. The specific components shown here are examples, and disinfectant aqueous solutions containing other components may also be used.

[0041] Furthermore, the concentration of the disinfectant aqueous solution is arbitrary and may be determined by conducting experiments or simulations to confirm that it exhibits disinfecting function. For example, the concentration may be set to contain 0.05 ppm or more of silver ions. Alternatively, for example, the concentration of dialkyldimethylammonium chloride may be set to 0.01% or more, the concentration of alkylamine oxide may be set to 0.05% or more, the concentration of benzalkonium chloride may be set to 0.05% or more, the concentration of benzethonium chloride may be set to 0.05% or more, and the concentration of alkyl glycoside may be set to 0.1% or more. Note that the values ​​listed here are examples, and aqueous solutions of other concentrations may be used.

[0042] The charged spray head 14 is a device that sprays charged particles toward the downstream side (-X direction) of the housing 11, thereby generating an airflow that causes aerosols in the target space 900 to flow into the housing 11 from the upstream side (+X direction). The configuration of the charged spray head 14 is arbitrary, and known configurations may be applied, but the following configurations may also be applied.

[0043] As shown in Figure 5, the electrostatic spray head 14 includes, for example, a body 51, a spray nozzle section 52, an electrode holding section 53, an induction electrode section 54, a water-side electrode section 55, and a water supply connection section 56. The body 51, spray nozzle section 52, electrode holding section 53, and water supply connection section 56 are made of insulating material.

[0044] A through hole is formed inside the body 51 in the direction of the spray shaft 57, and a conductive water-side electrode section 55 is fitted from the bottom (bottom of the drawing in Figure 5(b)), and a water supply connection section 56 is fitted to the top of it (top of the drawing in Figure 5(b)). A power cable (specifically, a first power cable included in the high-voltage cable 21 (described later)) is connected from the outside to the electrode connection section 551 of the water-side electrode section 55. A water supply pipe 31 (Figure 1) is connected to the water supply connection section 56 so that a pressurized disinfectant aqueous solution or water (in this embodiment, a disinfectant aqueous solution) is supplied. A spray nozzle section 52 is provided at the tip of the water-side electrode section 55, which releases particles with an average particle diameter of several tens to several hundred μm, for example.

[0045] An induction electrode section 54, including a ring-shaped portion, is positioned in the open space at the tip of the injection nozzle section 52 by the electrode holding section 53. The configuration and structure of the induction electrode section 54 are arbitrary, but for example, it is formed by insulating a conductive electrode core material. A power cable (specifically, a second power cable included in the high-voltage cable 21 (described later)) is connected to the cable connection section 541 of the induction electrode section 54 from the outside.

[0046] Between the induction electrode section 54 and the water-side electrode section 55, a predetermined voltage (e.g., a DC voltage of 10kV) is applied from the high-voltage power supply section 2 shown in Figure 1, which is adjusted to a constant value from a predetermined adjustment range (e.g., 0.5kV to 20kV) within a voltage range capable of charging particles of, for example, a disinfectant aqueous solution or water (in this embodiment, a disinfectant aqueous solution). This applied voltage creates an external electric field around the ring portion of the induction electrode section 54, and the particles of the disinfectant aqueous solution or water (in this embodiment, a disinfectant aqueous solution) sprayed from the spray nozzle section 52 are charged by induction charging as they pass through the external electric field.

[0047] Here, the polarity (positive / negative) of the applied voltage may be switchable using the polarity switching unit of the high-voltage power supply unit 2 in Figure 1. Note that the above voltage values ​​are examples and are not limited to these. In addition, a pulsed or AC voltage may be applied between the induction electrode unit 54 and the water-side electrode unit 55.

[0048] For example, when a DC voltage is applied between the induction electrode 54 and the water-side electrode 55, particles charged with either a positive or negative charge are generated depending on the polarity of the induction electrode 54. When the polarity of the voltage applied to the induction electrode 54 is positive, the particles are negatively charged, and when the polarity of the applied voltage is negative, the particles are positively charged. These charged particles of the disinfectant aqueous solution or water (in this embodiment, the disinfectant aqueous solution) are also referred to as "charged particles."

[0049] The configuration and structure of the electrostatic spray head 14 are arbitrary and not limited to Figure 5. They include any suitable structure or known structure that generates particles of disinfectant aqueous solution or water (in this embodiment, disinfectant aqueous solution) and charges the generated particles to produce charged particles.

[0050] (Configuration - Aerosol removal device - Storage unit) The storage section 15 in Figure 4 is a part where the liquid containing aerosols and charged particles captured and recovered by the recovery section 16 (hereinafter also referred to as "recovered liquid") is temporarily stored, and is, for example, located at the bottom inside the housing 11.

[0051] (Configuration - Aerosol removal device - Recovery unit) The recovery unit 16 in Figure 4 is a component for recovering aerosols and charged particles (i.e., recovering charged particles that have captured aerosols), and is, for example, a component provided inside the housing 11. The recovery unit 16 recovers charged particles that have captured aerosols while passing gas through it inside the housing 11. The recovery unit 16 is provided, for example, in a predetermined position in the gas flow path from the upstream side (+X direction) to the downstream side (-X direction) inside the housing 11, downstream of the charged spray head 14 (-X direction) and upstream of the outlet 112 of the housing 11 (+X direction). Note that the size of the recovery unit 16 shown in Figure 4 is illustrative, and it can be any size, for example, as long as it is provided in the predetermined position described above.

[0052] The specific configuration of the recovery unit 16 is arbitrary, but for example, it may be constructed using only one type of honeycomb material, multi-stage wire mesh, inclined wire mesh, or multi-layer inclined plate structure, or a combination of two or more types.

[0053] A "honeycomb material" is a metal component that is electrically grounded, and is, for example, a structural material with numerous through-holes formed in the ventilation direction (the X-axis direction in Figure 4). The size of the honeycomb material is arbitrary and may be determined based on the results of experiments or simulations, for example, by conducting experiments or simulations to ensure that the contact area with the gas containing charged particles that have captured aerosols flowing inside the housing 11 is relatively large so that they can be reliably recovered.

[0054] A "multi-stage wire mesh" is a metal component that is electrically grounded, for example, a large number of wire meshes woven with metal wires. In other words, a "multi-stage wire mesh" is formed by arranging multiple wire meshes (for example, 5 to 7) along the ventilation direction (the X-axis direction in Figure 4). With regard to this multi-stage wire mesh, in order to ensure reliable collection by making the contact area between the aerosol flowing inside the housing 11 and the gas containing charged particles that have been captured relatively large, the holes of each wire mesh arranged along the ventilation direction (the X-axis direction in Figure 4) may be offset from each other, or the diameters of the holes of each wire mesh may be made different from each other.

[0055] A "slanted wire mesh" is a metal component that is electrically grounded, for example, one or more wire meshes arranged at an angle with respect to the ventilation direction (the X-axis direction in Figure 4). The number of wire meshes and the angle of inclination of this slanted wire mesh may be determined based on the results of experiments or simulations, in order to ensure that the contact area between the aerosols flowing inside the housing 11 and the gas containing charged particles that have been captured is relatively large, thereby ensuring reliable collection.

[0056] A "multilayer inclined plate structure" is a metal component that is electrically grounded, and is constructed by arranging multiple metal plates that are inclined at various angles with respect to the ventilation direction (the X-axis direction in Figure 4). For example, it may be constructed using multiple metal plates fixed at various positions inside the housing 11 (for example, the top, bottom, side, etc.).

[0057] Although the recovery unit 16 is electrically grounded as described above, it may also be configured to be grounded via the grounding wire 161, for example, by electrically connecting it to the grounding wire 161 in Figure 4.

[0058] (Configuration - Aerosol removal device - Drainage filter section) The drain filter section 17 in Figure 4 is a component that captures the liquid in the recovery section 16, temporarily stores it in the storage section 15, disinfects the recovered liquid supplied via the recovery pipe 171, and discharges it via the drain pipe 172.

[0059] The specific configuration of the drain filter section 17 is arbitrary, but for example, it may have a sterilization filter inside and may be installed at a lower position than the housing 11 so that the recovered liquid is supplied from the housing 11 side by gravity.

[0060] (Configuration - High-voltage power supply unit) The high-voltage power supply unit 2 in Figure 1 is a device for supplying a high voltage to the charged spray head 14 for generating charged particles, and is, for example, a device for supplying a high voltage between the induction electrode unit 54 and the water-side electrode unit 55 in Figure 5(b).

[0061] The high-voltage power supply unit 2 is electrically connected to the electrostatic spray head 14, for example, via a high-voltage cable 21. The high-voltage cable 21 includes a first power cable and a second power cable (not shown), and the high-voltage power supply unit 2 is configured to supply high voltage between the induction electrode section 54 and the water-side electrode section 55 of the electrostatic spray head 14 via each power cable. The specific configuration of the high-voltage power supply unit 2 is arbitrary, but for example, it is capable of outputting high voltage within a predetermined adjustment range (e.g., 0.5kV to 20kV).

[0062] (Configuration-Water supply section) The water supply unit 3 in Figure 1 is a device for supplying a disinfectant aqueous solution or water (in this embodiment, a disinfectant aqueous solution) to the electrostatic spray head 14 via a water supply pipe 31. The water supply unit 3 includes a storage tank for storing the disinfectant aqueous solution or water, and a water supply pump for supplying the disinfectant aqueous solution or water stored in the storage tank to the electrostatic spray head 14. The water supply unit 3 may be configured as, for example, a so-called pressurized water supply device or pressurized water supply equipment.

[0063] (Configuration-Operation panel) The control panel 4 in Figure 1 is for operating the aerosol removal system 100, and is used, for example, to start and stop the system, switch the charge polarity, etc. The control panel 4 includes, for example, a control unit 41 and an operation display unit 42.

[0064] The control unit 41 controls the aerosol removal system 100 based on the operation of the operation display unit 42. Its functions and configuration are arbitrary, but for example, it is composed of a computer circuit equipped with a CPU, memory, various input / output ports, etc., and predetermined control functions are realized by the execution of a program by the CPU. The operation display unit 42 is provided with various operation buttons, indicator lights, etc., necessary for operating and controlling the aerosol removal system 100.

[0065] (operation) Next, the operation of the aerosol removal system 100 will be described. Figure 6 is an explanatory diagram of the aerosol removal system.

[0066] For example, when a user activates the aerosol removal system 100 via the control panel 4 in Figure 6, the high-voltage power supply unit 2 supplies high voltage to the charged spray head 14, the water supply unit 3 supplies disinfectant aqueous solution to the charged spray head 14, and the power supply voltage is supplied to the motor of the fan 13 to rotate the fan 13.

[0067] In this case, based on the supplied high voltage, a predetermined voltage (for example, a DC voltage of 10kV) is applied between the induction electrode section 54 and the water-side electrode section 55 in Figure 5(b), and particles of the supplied disinfectant aqueous solution are sprayed from the spray nozzle section 52. The sprayed disinfectant aqueous solution particles become charged as they pass through the external electric field based on the aforementioned marked voltage, and the charged particles are sprayed from the charged spray head 14.

[0068] In this case, the charged spray head 14 sprays charged particles toward the downstream side (-X direction) of the housing 11. Based on this spraying, an airflow is generated that flows from the upstream side (+X direction) to the downstream side (-X direction) inside the housing 11, resulting in the airflow shown by arrow 801 in Figure 6 (that is, an airflow that causes aerosols from the target space 900 to flow into the housing 11 from the upstream side (+X direction) of the housing 11). Therefore, based on this airflow, the gas containing aerosols suspended in the target space 900 flows into the inside of the housing 11 from the inlet 111, flows from the upstream side (+X direction) to the downstream side (-X direction) inside the housing 11, and is then discharged to the outside of the housing 11.

[0069] As mentioned above, the fan 13 is rotating, and the fan 13 also generates an airflow from the upstream side (+X direction) to the downstream side (-X direction). Therefore, the force of the airflow generated by the aforementioned spraying is increased by the operation of the fan 13, and the amount of gas flowing into the housing 11 of the aerosol removal device 1 within a certain period of time increases.

[0070] Then, the aerosols to which bacteria or viruses are attached in the target space 900 are drawn into the hollow section 110 of the housing 11 via the inlet 111 in Figure 4 by the aforementioned airflow, and flow from the upstream side (+X direction) to the downstream side (-X direction). In this case, since charged particles are continuously sprayed from the charged spray head 14, the aerosols are attracted to and captured by these charged particles. In this case, since the charged particles are particles of the disinfectant aqueous solution, the bacteria or viruses attached to the captured aerosols are disinfected by these charged particles.

[0071] The charged particles that have captured the aerosol (i.e., the aerosol and charged particles) are then captured (i.e., recovered) by the recovery unit 16 and temporarily stored in the storage unit 15. More specifically, for example, the charged particles that have captured the aerosol are recovered by coming into contact with an electrically grounded surface such as a honeycomb material and being captured.

[0072] Subsequently, the charged particles that have captured the aerosols temporarily stored in the storage section 15 are discharged as a recovered liquid through the recovery pipe 171, the drainage filter section 17, and the drainage pipe 172.

[0073] In this way, by removing aerosols (including aerosols to which bacteria or viruses are attached) floating in the target space 900, it becomes possible to disinfect and maintain the target space 900 in a clean state. In particular, since the charged particles sprayed from the charged spray head 14 in Figure 4 are captured and collected by the collection unit 16, the disinfectant aqueous solution can be kept inside the aerosol removal device 1, and it is possible to prevent the disinfectant aqueous solution from being sprayed and output to the outside of the aerosol removal device 1.

[0074] (Effects of the embodiment) As described above, according to this embodiment, by spraying charged particles to capture aerosols in the target space 900, and then recovering the charged particles that have captured the aerosols, it becomes possible to reliably remove aerosols using charged particles. Furthermore, by recovering the charged particles, it is possible to prevent them from filling the target space 900, thereby suppressing the occurrence of health damage.

[0075] Furthermore, by spraying charged particles downstream of the housing 11 and generating an airflow that draws aerosols from the target space 900 into the housing 11 from the upstream side, it becomes possible to reliably capture and remove aerosols from the target space 900 into the housing 11.

[0076] Furthermore, the disinfectant aqueous solution is an aqueous solution containing a surfactant, and by including dialkyldimethylammonium chloride, alkylamine oxide, benzalkonium chloride, benzethonium chloride, or alkyl glycoside, it becomes possible to reliably disinfect bacteria or viruses attached to aerosols while suppressing foaming when sprayed from the electrostatic spray head 14, and to maintain the cleanliness of the target space 900.

[0077] Furthermore, because the disinfectant solution is an aqueous solution containing silver ions, it is possible to reliably disinfect bacteria or viruses attached to aerosols while suppressing foaming when spraying from, for example, the electrostatic spray head 14, thereby maintaining the cleanliness of the target space.

[0078] Furthermore, by providing a fan 13 that sends aerosols from the target space toward the charged spray head 14, it becomes possible to efficiently remove aerosols from the target space, for example.

[0079] Furthermore, by including a honeycomb material, multi-stage wire mesh, inclined wire mesh, or multi-layer inclined plate structure that is electrically grounded, charged particles can be reliably collected using a relatively simple structure, for example, thus making it possible to reduce the cost of the aerosol removal device 1.

[0080] [Modifications of the embodiment] While embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the specific configurations and means of the present invention can be arbitrarily modified and improved within the scope of the technical idea of ​​each invention described in the claims. Such modifications will be described below.

[0081] (Regarding the problems to be solved and the effects of the invention) First, the problems that the invention aims to solve and the effects of the invention are not limited to those described above, and may vary depending on the implementation environment and details of the invention's configuration. In some cases, only a portion of the problems described above may be solved, or only a portion of the effects described above may be achieved.

[0082] (Regarding decentralization and integration) Furthermore, the above-described configuration is a functional concept and does not necessarily require that the physical structure be as shown in the diagram. In other words, the specific forms of distribution and integration of each part are not limited to those shown in the diagram, and all or part of them can be functionally or physically distributed or integrated in any unit.

[0083] (About the fans) Furthermore, although the above embodiment describes a case in which one fan 13 is provided to the aerosol removal device 1 shown in Figure 4, it is not limited to this. For example, an additional fan with a similar configuration to fan 13 may be provided downstream (-X direction) of the recovery unit 16. Alternatively, in the aerosol removal device 1 shown in Figure 4, fan 13 may be omitted to configure an aerosol removal device without a fan. Even with this configuration, as mentioned above, the spraying of charged particles from the charged spray head 14 generates an airflow indicated by arrow 801 in Figure 6, so aerosols in the target space 900 can be reliably removed in the same way as described in the embodiment.

[0084] (Regarding the target of the spray) Furthermore, although the above embodiment describes the case in which charged particles of the disinfectant aqueous solution are sprayed from the charged spray head 14, it is not limited to this. For example, the water supply unit 3 in Figure 1 may be configured to supply water to the charged spray head 14 instead of the disinfectant aqueous solution, so that charged particles of water are sprayed from the charged spray head 14. Alternatively, the water supply unit 3 may be configured to alternately supply the disinfectant aqueous solution and water to the charged spray head 14, so that charged particles of the disinfectant aqueous solution and charged particles of water are sprayed alternately from the charged spray head 14.

[0085] (Regarding the drain filter section) Furthermore, the drain filter section 17 in the above embodiment may be omitted.

[0086] (Regarding the interpretation of terms) Furthermore, although the above embodiment described the aerosol removal device 1 as corresponding to the "removal device," it may also be interpreted that the aerosol removal system 100 corresponds to the "removal device."

[0087] (Regarding the features) Furthermore, the configurations and modified features of the above embodiments may be combined in any way.

[0088] (Note) The removal device described in Appendix 1 is a removal device for removing aerosols floating in a target space to which bacteria or viruses are attached, and comprises a charged spraying unit that sprays a disinfectant aqueous solution or charged particles to which water is charged, thereby capturing the aerosols in the target space with the charged particles, and a recovery unit that recovers the charged particles that have captured the aerosols.

[0089] The removal device described in Appendix 2 comprises a cylindrical housing for housing the components of the removal device, wherein the charged spraying unit sprays the charged particles toward the downstream side of the cylindrical housing, thereby generating an airflow that causes the aerosol in the target space to flow into the cylindrical housing from the upstream side of the cylindrical housing.

[0090] The removal device in Appendix 3 is the removal device described in Appendix 1 or 2, wherein the disinfectant aqueous solution is an aqueous solution containing a surfactant, and the surfactant contains dialkyldimethylammonium chloride, alkylamine oxide, benzalkonium chloride, benzethonium chloride, or alkyl glycoside.

[0091] The removal device in Appendix 4 is the removal device described in Appendix 1 or 2, wherein the disinfectant aqueous solution is an aqueous solution containing silver ions.

[0092] The removal device of Appendix 5 is the removal device described in any one of Appendix 1 to 4, and comprises a blower unit provided on the upstream side of the charged spraying unit, which blows the aerosol of the target space toward the charged spraying unit.

[0093] The removal device in Appendix 6 is the removal device described in any one of Appendix 1 to 5, wherein the recovery section includes a honeycomb material, multi-stage wire mesh, inclined wire mesh, or multi-layer inclined plate structure that is electrically grounded.

[0094] (Effect of the note) According to the removal device described in Appendix 1, charged particles are sprayed to capture aerosols in the target space, and the charged particles that have captured the aerosols are then collected. This makes it possible to reliably remove aerosols using charged particles. Furthermore, by collecting the charged particles, it is possible to prevent them from filling the target space, thereby suppressing the occurrence of health damage.

[0095] According to the removal device described in Appendix 2, charged particles are sprayed toward the downstream side of the cylindrical housing, generating an airflow that causes aerosols in the target space to flow into the cylindrical housing from the upstream side. This makes it possible to reliably capture and remove aerosols in the target space into the cylindrical housing.

[0096] According to the removal device described in Appendix 3, the disinfectant aqueous solution is an aqueous solution containing a surfactant, and the surfactant includes dialkyldimethylammonium chloride, alkylamine oxide, benzalkonium chloride, benzethonium chloride, or alkyl glycoside, which makes it possible to reliably disinfect bacteria or viruses attached to aerosols while suppressing foaming when sprayed from the electrostatic spraying unit, and to maintain the cleanliness of the target space.

[0097] According to the removal device described in Appendix 4, since the disinfectant aqueous solution is an aqueous solution containing silver ions, it is possible to reliably disinfect bacteria or viruses attached to aerosols while suppressing foaming when sprayed from the electrostatic spray unit, for example, and to maintain the cleanliness of the target space.

[0098] According to the removal device described in Appendix 5, by providing a blower that sends aerosols from the target space toward the charged spraying section, it becomes possible to efficiently remove aerosols from the target space, for example.

[0099] According to the removal device described in Appendix 6, the recovery section includes a honeycomb material, multi-stage wire mesh, inclined wire mesh, or multi-layer inclined plate structure that is electrically grounded. For example, charged particles can be reliably recovered using a relatively simple structure, thus making it possible to reduce the cost of the removal device. [Explanation of symbols]

[0100] 1. Aerosol removal device 2. High-voltage power supply unit 3 Water supply section 4 Control panel 11 cabinets 12 Support mechanism 13 Fans 14 Electrostatic spray heads 15 Storage section 16. Recovery Section 17. Drain filter section 21 High-voltage cables 31 Water pipe 41 Control Unit 42 Operation display section 51 Body 52 Spray nozzle section 53 Electrode holding part 54 Induction electrode section 55 Water side electrode section 56 Water supply connection 57 Spray shaft 100 Aerosol Removal Systems 110 Hollow part 111 Entrance 112 Exit 161 Ground wire 171 Recovery pipe 172 Drain pipe 541 Cable connection section 551 Electrode connection section 801 Arrow 900 Target space 901 Ceiling

Claims

1. A removal device for removing aerosols floating in a target space to which bacteria or viruses are attached, A charged spray unit that sprays charged particles containing a disinfectant aqueous solution or water to capture aerosols contained in the airflow introduced from the target space with the charged particles, A recovery unit for recovering the charged particles that have captured the aerosol, The system includes a mechanism that discharges the airflow that has passed through the recovery unit into the target space. removal device.

2. The aforementioned disinfectant aqueous solution is an aqueous solution containing a surfactant, The surfactant is one of dialkyldimethylammonium chloride, alkylamine oxide, or alkyl glycoside, or a combination of several of these. The removal device according to claim 1.

3. The recovery section includes an electrically grounded honeycomb material, multi-stage wire mesh, inclined wire mesh, or multi-layer inclined plate structure. The removal device according to claim 1 or 2.

Images