air purifier

Abstract

To provide an air purifier capable of achieving a high dust collection performance and a high sterilization performance.SOLUTION: An air purifier includes a fan, a housing, and a photocatalyst filter 50 (a first photocatalyst filter 50A and a second photocatalyst filter 50B) arranged at a third air passage 40 inside the housing. The photocatalyst filter 50 includes an apex opening 51 thereinside. A side opening 52 (left side opening 52L and a right side opening 52R) is disposed between the photocatalyst filter 50 and the housing (a left side wall 10L and a right side wall 10R). In a plane view orthogonal to a passage direction of the third air passage 40, an apex passage opening ratio being a ratio of an apex opening area S1 of the apex opening 51 to an entire passage area S0 of the third air passage 40 is 16% or less, and a sum of the apex passage opening ratio and a side passage opening ratio being a ratio of a side opening area S2 (a left side opening area S2L and a right side opening area S2R) of the side opening 52 to the entire passage area S0 of the third air passage 40 is 55% or less.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an air purifier.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a deodorizer in which an adsorption deodorizing unit, a blower, and an ozone deodorizing unit are arranged in this order from the upstream side to the downstream side on an air passage from a suction port to a discharge port. The ozone deodorizing unit is composed of a box-shaped case made of a metal material and an ozone generation unit composed of an ultraviolet lamp. Further, a photocatalyst (titanium oxide) that generates hydroxyl radicals by irradiation with ultraviolet rays is applied to the inner wall surface of the case.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The deodorizing (sterilizing) effect by the photocatalyst is obtained by the air to be deodorized coming into contact with the photocatalyst. Therefore, in order to increase the contact amount, it is necessary to increase the arrangement area of the photocatalyst arranged on the air passage. The photocatalyst in the ozone deodorizing unit of Patent Document 1 is applied to the inner wall surface of the case. Therefore, in order to increase the arrangement area of the photocatalyst, it is necessary to increase the size of the case. However, when the case is enlarged, the area of the air passage blocked by the case increases, so the air volume of the air passing through the air passage decreases, and it becomes difficult to secure the ventilation air volume of the deodorizer. Therefore, there is room for improvement in obtaining the deodorizing (sterilizing) effect by the photocatalyst while maintaining the ventilation air volume for obtaining the dust collection effect.

[0005] Therefore, the present invention aims to provide an air purifier capable of achieving high dust collection performance and high sterilization performance. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] An air purifier according to one aspect of the present invention is, Fans, The casing and In the internal space of the housing, a photocatalytic filter is arranged in the flow path from the intake port to the exhaust port of the fan, Equipped with, A first opening is provided inside the photocatalytic filter. A second opening is provided between the photocatalytic filter and the housing. In a plan view perpendicular to the flow direction of the flow channel, the first flow channel opening ratio, which is the ratio of the opening area of ​​the first opening to the flow channel area of ​​the flow channel, is 16% or less, and the sum of the first flow channel opening ratio and the second flow channel opening ratio, which is the ratio of the opening area of ​​the second opening to the flow channel area, is 55% or less. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an air purifier that can achieve high dust collection performance and high sterilization performance. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view of an air purifier according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is a front view showing the internal structure of the air purifier. [Figure 3] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the air purifier along line AA. [Figure 4] This is an enlarged view of area B in Figure 2. [Figure 5] This figure shows a modified arrangement of the photocatalytic filter shown in Figure 4. [Figure 6] This graph shows the relationship between the aperture ratio of the openings and the sterilization capacity of the photocatalytic filters when the filters are arranged in a mountain shape. [Figure 7] This diagram shows the photocatalytic filter placed within the airflow channel with the top and side openings closed. [Figure 8] This diagram shows a photocatalytic filter placed within an airflow channel with top and side openings provided. [Figure 9] This graph shows the relationship between the opening ratio of the openings when the photocatalytic filters are arranged in a mountain shape, the dust collection capacity of the dust collection filter, and the sterilization capacity of the photocatalytic filter. [Figure 10] This graph shows the relationship between the opening ratio of the openings and the sterilization capacity of the photocatalytic filters when the filters are arranged in a valley shape. [Figure 11] This graph shows the relationship between the opening ratio of the openings, the dust collection capacity of the dust collection filter, and the sterilization capacity of the photocatalytic filter when the photocatalytic filter is arranged in a valley shape. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. For the sake of clarity, the description of components having the same reference numeral as those already described in the description of the embodiments will be omitted. Furthermore, the dimensions of the components shown in these drawings may differ from the actual dimensions of the components for the sake of clarity.

[0010] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing an example of an air purifier according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is a front view showing the internal structure of the air purifier shown in Figure 1. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the air purifier 1 of this embodiment is a vertical type air purifier and can be used, for example, by being erected on the floor.

[0011] The air purifier 1 has a box-shaped housing 10 that is long in the vertical direction. On the front side of the housing 10, a front panel 11 is attached so as to cover the front. An operation unit 12 for operating the operating state of the air purifier 1 is provided at the upper part of the front panel 11. A control unit 13 for controlling the operation of the air purifier 1 is provided on the back side of the front panel 11. The operation unit 12 is connected to the control unit 13.

[0012] On both the left and right side surfaces of the housing 10, suction ports 14 for sucking external air into the housing 10 are provided. In the example shown in the figure, a first suction port 14A is provided on the left side surface of the housing 10, and a second suction port 14B is provided on the right side surface.

[0013] On the upper surface of the housing 10, a discharge port 15 for discharging the air that has passed through the housing 10, that is, the purified air, to the outside is provided. The discharge port 15 discharges the air sucked in from the first suction port 14A and the air sucked in from the second suction port 14B.

[0014] Inside the housing 10, an air flow path, which is a space through which the air sucked into the housing 10 passes, is provided. In the example shown in the figure, a first air flow path 20 through which the air sucked into the housing 10 from the first suction port 14A passes, a second air flow path 30 through which the air sucked into the housing 10 from the second suction port 14B passes, and a third air flow path 40 through which the air that has passed through the first air flow path 20 and the air that has passed through the second air flow path 30 pass are provided. The first air flow path 20 and the second air flow path 30 are provided separately, and the air sucked into the housing 10 from the first suction port 14A does not pass through the second air flow path 30. Similarly, the air sucked into the housing 10 from the second suction port 14B does not pass through the first air flow path 20. Also, the flow path area (the area orthogonal to the flow path direction) of the third air flow path 40 is the sum of the flow path areas of the first discharge port 15A, which is the discharge port of the first air flow path 20, and the second discharge port 15B, which is the discharge port of the second air flow path 30.

[0015] At the air suction port in the first air flow path 20, that is, the first suction port 14A, a first dust collecting filter 21 is provided. The first dust collecting filter 21 is a filter for purifying the air sucked into the housing 10 from the first suction port 14A, and is provided in the first air flow path 20 so as to face the outside of the housing 10 at the first suction port 14A.

[0016] At the air suction port in the second air flow path 30, that is, the second suction port 14B, a second dust collecting filter 31 is provided. The second dust collecting filter 31 is a filter for purifying the air sucked into the housing 10 from the second suction port 14B, and is provided in the second air flow path 30 so as to face the outside of the housing 10 at the second suction port 14B.

[0017] The first dust collecting filter 21 and the second dust collecting filter 31 are filters for removing dust, dirt, etc. in the air. For example, a HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filter is used.

[0018] In the first air flow path 20, a first fan 22 is provided on the downstream side of the first dust collecting filter 21. The first fan 22 is a fan for sucking air from the outside of the housing 10 into the first air flow path 20 through the first suction port 14A and blowing the sucked air to the first discharge port 15A through the first air flow path 20. A drive motor (not shown) for driving the first fan 22 is provided for the first fan 22. The drive motor of the first fan 22 is connected to the control unit 13. The first fan 22 is constituted by, for example, a sirocco fan.

[0019] In the second air passage 30, a second fan 32 is provided downstream of the second dust collection filter 31. The second fan 32 is a fan that draws air into the second air passage 30 from outside the housing 10 through the second intake port 14B and blows the drawn-in air through the second air passage 30 to the second exhaust port 15B. The second fan 32 is provided with a drive motor (not shown) for driving the second fan 32. The drive motor of the second fan 32 is connected to the control unit 13. The second fan 32 is configured as, for example, a sirocco fan.

[0020] In the air purifier 1, the first air passage 20 is provided with a first intake port 14A, a first outlet port 15A, a first dust collection filter 21, and a first fan 22, and the second air passage 30 is provided with a second intake port 14B, a second outlet port 15B, a second dust collection filter 31, and a second fan 32. The first air passage 20 and the second air passage 30 are independent air passages. Furthermore, the first air passage 20 and the second air passage 30 are provided as air passages having a symmetrical structure partitioned in the center of the housing 10. The third air passage 40 is an air passage for sending the air discharged from the first outlet port 15A of the first air passage 20 and the air discharged from the second outlet port 15B of the second air passage 30 to the outlet port 15. The third air passage 40 is provided downstream of the first air passage 20 and the second air passage 30.

[0021] Within the internal space of the housing 10, a photocatalytic filter 50 is positioned in the third air passage 40. The photocatalytic filter 50 is a filter that, for example, oxidizes and decomposes bacteria, harmful substances, malodorous substances, etc., in the air discharged from the first outlet 15A of the first air passage 20 and the second outlet 15B of the second air passage 30. The photocatalytic filter 50 is also capable of decomposing substances it comes into contact with and has a porous structure with many pores, such as a hard sponge. Although not shown in the figures, a lamp is positioned around the photocatalytic filter 50 to irradiate it with light. This lamp is connected to the control unit 13.

[0022] The photocatalytic filter 50 is installed in a mountain shape within the third air passage 40. In the example shown in the figure, the photocatalytic filter 50 consists of two photocatalytic filters: a first photocatalytic filter 50A and a second photocatalytic filter 50B. The first photocatalytic filter 50A and the second photocatalytic filter 50B are installed in a mountain shape so that their tops face downstream when viewed from the front of the air purifier 1. The tops are located in the center of the air purifier 1 in the left-right direction. The first photocatalytic filter 50A is installed so as to slope downward to the left from the center of the air purifier 1 in the left-right direction toward the left wall 10L of the housing 10. The second photocatalytic filter 50B is installed so as to slope downward to the right from the center of the air purifier 1 in the left-right direction toward the right wall 10R of the housing 10. The first photocatalytic filter 50A is installed so as to cover the upper part of the first outlet 15A of the first air passage 20. The second photocatalytic filter 50B is installed so as to cover the upper part of the second outlet 15B of the second air passage 30.

[0023] The control unit 13 controls the operation of the first fan 22 and the second fan 32 according to operation signals based on the operation of the operation unit 12, for example. The control unit 13 can also control the first fan 22 and the second fan 32 individually. For example, the control unit 13 can control the drive motors of the first fan 22 and the drive motors of the second fan 32 with different rotation speeds.

[0024] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the air purifier 1 shown in Figure 2 along line AA. Figure 4 is an enlarged view of area B enclosed by the dashed line in the air purifier 1 shown in Figure 2. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the first photocatalytic filter 50A and the second photocatalytic filter 50B, which constitute the photocatalytic filter 50, are arranged in a mountain shape within the third air passage 40. The first photocatalytic filter 50A and the second photocatalytic filter 50B are each formed in a rectangular shape.

[0025] An opening at the top of the photocatalytic filter 50, specifically at the top of the mountain-shaped photocatalytic filter 50, is provided. The opening at the top is located between the upper ends of the first photocatalytic filter 50A and the second photocatalytic filter 50B, which are positioned opposite each other. The definition of the opening at the top includes a state where the opening at the top is closed (zero opening), i.e., a state where the first photocatalytic filter 50A and the second photocatalytic filter 50B are in contact.

[0026] A side opening 52 (an example of a second opening) is provided at the base of the mountain-shaped photocatalytic filter 50 between the photocatalytic filter 50 and the housing 10. For example, a left-side opening 52L is provided between the first photocatalytic filter 50A and the left-side wall 10L. Also, a right-side opening 52R is provided between the second photocatalytic filter 50B and the right-side wall 10R.

[0027] In the example shown in Figure 3, there are no openings (gaps) between the front and rear parts of the photocatalytic filter 50 and the housing 10. Specifically, there are no openings between the front and rear parts of the first photocatalytic filter 50A and the second photocatalytic filter 50B and the front wall 10F and rear wall 10B of the housing 10.

[0028] In the air purifier 1 configured in this way, the opening ratios of the top opening 51 and the side openings 52 are set as follows. For example, in a plan view perpendicular to the flow direction of the third air passage 40 in the housing 10, the top air passage opening ratio P1 (an example of the first air passage opening ratio), which is the ratio of the top opening area S1 of the top opening 51 to the total flow area S0 of the third air passage 40, is 16% or less. In addition, the total air passage opening ratio PTt, which is the sum of the top air passage opening ratio P1 and the side air passage opening ratio P2 (an example of the second air passage opening ratio), which is the ratio of the side opening area S2 (left opening area S2L and right opening area S2R) of the side openings 52 (left opening area S2L and right opening area S2R) to the total flow area S0 of the third air passage 40, is 55% or less.

[0029] In other words, The top airflow channel opening ratio P1 = (top opening area S1 of top opening 51) / (total airflow channel area S0 of third airflow channel 40) ≤ 16%. The total flow path opening ratio PTt = (top opening area S1 of top opening 51 + side opening area S2 of side opening 52) / (total flow path area S0 of third air passage 40) ≤ 55%.

[0030] Figure 5 shows a modified arrangement of the photocatalytic filter 50 shown in Figure 4. As shown in Figure 5, the photocatalytic filter 50 may be arranged in a valley shape within the third air channel 40.

[0031] The first photocatalytic filter 50A and the second photocatalytic filter 50B, which constitute the photocatalytic filter 50, are arranged in a valley shape with their bottoms facing upstream when viewed from the front of the air purifier 1. The bottoms are positioned in the center of the air purifier 1 in the left-right direction. The first photocatalytic filter 50A is arranged to slope upward to the left from the center of the air purifier 1 in the left-right direction toward the left wall 10L of the housing 10. The second photocatalytic filter 50B is arranged to slope upward to the right from the center of the air purifier 1 in the left-right direction toward the right wall 10R of the housing 10. The first photocatalytic filter 50A is arranged to cover the upper part of the first outlet 15A of the first air passage 20. The second photocatalytic filter 50B is arranged to cover the upper part of the second outlet 15B of the second air passage 30.

[0032] A bottom opening 61 (an example of a first opening) is provided inside the photocatalytic filter 50, specifically at the bottom of the valley-shaped photocatalytic filter 50. The bottom opening 61 is located between the lower ends of the first photocatalytic filter 50A and the second photocatalytic filter 50B, which are positioned opposite each other. The bottom opening 61 includes a state in which the bottom opening 61 is closed (zero opening), i.e., a state in which the first photocatalytic filter 50A and the second photocatalytic filter 50B are in contact.

[0033] A side opening 62 (an example of a second opening) is provided at the top of the valley-shaped photocatalytic filter 50 between the photocatalytic filter 50 and the housing 10. For example, a left-side opening 62L is provided between the first photocatalytic filter 50A and the left-side wall 10L. Also, a right-side opening 62R is provided between the second photocatalytic filter 50B and the right-side wall 10R.

[0034] Furthermore, the fact that there are no openings (gaps) between the front and rear portions of the photocatalytic filter 50 and the front wall 10F and rear wall 10B of the housing 10 is the same as in the case where the photocatalytic filter 50 is provided in a mountain shape as described above.

[0035] In the air purifier 1 configured in this way, the opening ratios of the bottom opening 61 and the side openings 62 are set as follows. For example, in a plan view perpendicular to the flow direction of the third air passage 40 in the housing 10, the bottom air passage opening ratio P3 (an example of the first air passage opening ratio), which is the ratio of the bottom opening area S3 of the bottom opening 61 to the total air passage area S0 of the third air passage 40, is 16% or less. In addition, the total air passage opening ratio PTb, which is the sum of the bottom air passage opening ratio P3 and the side air passage opening ratio P4 (an example of the second air passage opening ratio), which is the ratio of the side opening area S4 (left opening area S4L and right opening area S4R) of the side openings 62 (left side opening 62L and right side opening 62R) to the total air passage area S0 of the third air passage 40, is 55% or less.

[0036] In other words, The bottom flow channel opening ratio P3 = (bottom opening area S3 of bottom opening 61) / (total flow channel area S0 of third air channel 40) ≤ 16%. The total flow path opening ratio PTb = (bottom opening area S3 of bottom opening 61 + side opening area S4 of side opening 62) / (total flow path area S0 of third air passage 40) ≤ 55%.

[0037] Incidentally, when an air purifier is equipped with a dust collection filter and a photocatalytic filter, and the air treated with dust collection by the dust collection filter is further treated with sterilization by the photocatalytic filter, it is conceivable to arrange the dust collection filter and the photocatalytic filter in series in the airflow path in order to enhance the sterilization capacity of the photocatalytic filter. However, if the photocatalytic filter is arranged in series downstream of the dust collection filter, the airflow resistance of the photocatalytic filter will be added and increased, which will reduce the ventilation airflow in the air purifier and thus reduce the dust collection capacity.

[0038] Furthermore, when using a porous structure filter in a photocatalytic filter, the size of the target to be disinfected (organic matter) is smaller than the size of each pore in the porous structure of the photocatalytic filter. Therefore, simply passing air through the photocatalytic filter once is insufficient for adequate disinfection. Consequently, to enhance the disinfection capacity of the photocatalytic filter, it is necessary to bring the air to be disinfected into contact with the photocatalytic filter multiple times, and maintaining a sufficient ventilation airflow is required.

[0039] Therefore, in order to suppress the increase in airflow resistance caused by the photocatalytic filter and ensure sufficient ventilation airflow, the inventor considered not placing the photocatalytic filter throughout the entire airflow path, but rather creating an area without the photocatalytic filter (an air vent path). Furthermore, in order to increase the amount of air passing through the photocatalytic filter, the inventor considered arranging the photocatalytic filter at an angle within the airflow path to increase the surface area of ​​the photocatalytic filter. Finally, by optimizing the opening ratio of the air vent path relative to the entire airflow path, the inventor aimed to achieve both sufficient ventilation airflow (dust collection capacity) in the air purifier and improved sterilization capacity using the photocatalytic filter.

[0040] First, in order to examine the sterilization capacity of the photocatalytic filter, the inventors measured the sterilization capacity when the opening ratio of the air vent channel relative to the entire air channel was changed. Here, the entire air channel refers to the total flow area S0 of the third air channel 40 when the photocatalytic filter 50 is arranged in a mountain shape as shown in Figure 4. The air vent channel refers to the side opening area S2 (left side opening area S2L + right side opening area S2R) of the side opening 52 (left side opening 52L + right side opening 52R) as shown in Figure 4. Furthermore, when the photocatalytic filter 50 is arranged in a valley shape as shown in Figure 5, the entire air channel refers to the total flow area S0 of the third air channel 40, similar to the mountain shape case. The air vent channel refers to the side opening area S4 (left side opening area S4L + right side opening area S4R) of the side opening 62 (left side opening 62L + right side opening 62R) as shown in Figure 5. Furthermore, the sterilization capacity of the photocatalytic filter refers to the airflow volume of air passing through the photocatalytic filter 50 (first photocatalytic filter 50A and second photocatalytic filter 50B) from the air passing through the third air passage 40, that is, the "penetration sterilization capacity".

[0041] Figure 6 is a graph showing the relationship between the opening ratio of the side openings 52 (side opening area S2) and the penetration sterilization capacity of the photocatalytic filter 50 when the photocatalytic filter 50 is arranged in a mountain shape (see Figure 4). The "a / b" shown in the graph represents the ratio of the opening width a of the top opening 51 to the airflow width b of the third airflow channel 40 in Figure 4, that is, the top airflow channel opening ratio P1 mentioned above. In the example shown in the figure, measurements were taken for a / b values ​​of 0%, 8%, 16%, 32%, 48%, and 64%, and the penetration sterilization capacity of the photocatalytic filter 50 when the opening ratio is 0% in the case of a / b = 0% is shown as 100%. The opening ratio of the side openings 52 (side opening area S2) represents the side airflow channel opening ratio P2 as described above.

[0042] As shown in Figure 6, the permeable sterilization capacity decreases as the opening ratio of the side opening 52 increases, that is, as the gap between the photocatalytic filter 50 and the housing 10 increases. This is because the amount of air flowing through the side opening 52 from the air passing through the third air passage 40 increases, thus reducing the amount of air that penetrates the photocatalytic filter 50 from the air passing through the third air passage 40 and thus reducing the permeable sterilization capacity. Furthermore, the permeable sterilization capacity decreases as the value of a / b increases, that is, as the top opening 51 increases. This is because the amount of air flowing through the top opening 51 from the air passing through the third air passage 40 increases. Therefore, when comparing at the same opening ratio, the larger the value of a / b, the less air that penetrates the photocatalytic filter 50 from the air passing through the third air passage 40, thus reducing the permeable sterilization capacity.

[0043] Next, the inventor focused on the air passing through the photocatalytic filter 50 when the aperture ratio is 0% and a / b = 0%, which is the condition with the highest penetration sterilization capacity among the measured conditions. Figure 7 shows the photocatalytic filter 50 placed in the third air channel 40 with a / b = 0% and an aperture ratio of 0%. When a / b = 0% and the aperture ratio is 0%, the air in the third air channel 40 passes through the photocatalytic filter 50. In this case, it was found that the air passing through the photocatalytic filter 50 includes not only the air w1 that directly passes through the photocatalytic filter 50, but also air w2 that is blocked by the photocatalytic filter 50, loses speed while being reflected off the inclined surface of the photocatalytic filter 50, and then finally passes through the photocatalytic filter 50.

[0044] Next, the inventor focused on the air w2 that passes through the inclined photocatalytic filter 50 after it has lost momentum while being reflected off its surface. The inventor then investigated the air reflected off the surface of the photocatalytic filter 50 when the "a / b" and "aperture ratio" of the photocatalytic filter 50 placed in the third air channel 40 are changed. Figure 8 shows the photocatalytic filter 50 placed in the third air channel 40 with, for example, a / b = 8% and an aperture ratio of 17%. When a / b = 8% and the aperture ratio is 17%, the air w3 reflected off the surface of the photocatalytic filter 50 forms a channel through which it leaks out to the side openings 52 (left side opening 52L, right side opening 52R) in the third air channel 40 without losing momentum, and most of it flows downstream of the third air channel 40 through this channel. Furthermore, when examining the air that is reflected off the surface of the photocatalytic filter 50 and leaks out to the side opening 52, it was found that the reflected air is air that has come into contact with the photocatalytic filter 50, and therefore is air that has been sterilized by the photocatalytic filter 50. In other words, the photocatalytic filter 50 is capable of sterilizing not only the air that passes through the photocatalytic filter 50, but also the air that is reflected off the photocatalytic filter 50. It was found that the photocatalytic filter 50 has not only the aforementioned penetrating sterilization capability, but also a "reflection sterilization capability," which is the amount of air that is reflected by the photocatalytic filter 50 (first photocatalytic filter 50A and second photocatalytic filter 50B) from the air passing through the third air passage 40.

[0045] From these studies, we concluded that the sterilization capacity of the photocatalytic filter 50 is determined by the airflow rate of the air passing through the third air channel 40 that comes into contact with the photocatalytic filter 50. This capacity is the sum of the "penetration sterilization capacity," which is the airflow rate of the air that penetrates the photocatalytic filter 50, and the "reflection sterilization capacity," which is the airflow rate of the air reflected by the photocatalytic filter 50.

[0046] Therefore, the inventor investigated how to achieve both securing the dust collection capacity (ventilation airflow) of the air purifier 1 and improving the sterilization capacity of the photocatalytic filter 50 by optimizing the opening ratio of the side opening 52 and the top opening 51, based on the sterilization capacity of the photocatalytic filter 50, which includes both penetrating sterilization capacity and reflective sterilization capacity.

[0047] Figure 9 is a graph showing the relationship between the opening ratio of the side openings 52 (side opening area S2) when the photocatalytic filters 50 are arranged in a mountain shape (see Figure 4), the dust collection capacity (ventilation airflow) of the air purifier 1, and the sterilization capacity of the photocatalytic filters 50 (penetration sterilization capacity + reflection sterilization capacity). As mentioned above, penetration sterilization capacity refers to the airflow that penetrates the photocatalytic filters 50, and reflection sterilization capacity refers to the airflow that is reflected by the photocatalytic filters 50. Also, "a / b" refers to the ratio of the opening width a of the top opening 51 to the airflow width b of the third airflow channel 40 (top airflow channel opening ratio P1).

[0048] As shown in Figure 9, the dust collection capacity of the air purifier 1, when a / b = 0% and the opening ratio is 0%, is taken as 100%. By providing the side opening 52 and increasing the opening ratio, a dust collection capacity exceeding 100% can be obtained. This is because, as described above, the amount of air flowing from the third air passage 40 to the side opening 52 increases, which reduces the airflow resistance of the photocatalytic filter and increases the ventilation airflow in the air purifier 1. This improvement in dust collection capacity is the same when the value of a / b is changed. However, when the opening ratio exceeds 50%, the increase (improvement) in dust collection capacity becomes gradual.

[0049] Furthermore, regarding the sterilization capacity of the photocatalytic filter 50, if we consider the sterilization capacity at an aperture ratio of 0% when a / b = 0% as 100%, then by providing the side opening 52, the airflow rate of air passing through the photocatalytic filter 50 (penetration sterilization capacity) is slightly reduced, but the airflow rate of air reflected by the photocatalytic filter 50 (reflection sterilization capacity) is added, so the overall sterilization capacity exceeds 100%. For example, when a / b = 0%, a sterilization capacity exceeding 100% is obtained when the aperture ratio is 55% or less; when a / b = 8%, when the aperture ratio is 47% or less; and when a / b = 16%, when the aperture ratio is 40% or less.

[0050] From these observations, it can be seen that when the ratio of the top opening area S1 of the top opening 51 to the total flow area S0 of the third air passage 40 (top flow passage opening ratio P1) is 16% or less, and the total flow passage opening ratio PTt, which is the sum of the top flow passage opening ratio P1 and the ratio of the side opening area S2 (left side opening area S2L + right side opening area S2R) of the side openings 52 (left side opening 52L + right side opening 52R) to the total flow area S0 of the third air passage 40 (side flow passage opening ratio P2), is 55% or less, then higher dust collection performance and higher sterilization performance exceeding the dust collection performance and sterilization performance when a / b = 0% and the opening ratio is 0% can be obtained.

[0051] Next, we will explain the "penetration sterilization capability" when the photocatalytic filter 50 is arranged in a valley shape. Figure 10 is a graph showing the relationship between the opening ratio of the side openings 62 (side opening area S4) and the penetration sterilization capacity of the photocatalytic filter 50 when the photocatalytic filter 50 is arranged in a valley shape (see Figure 5). The "c / b" shown in the graph is the ratio of the opening width c of the bottom opening 61 to the airflow width b of the third airflow channel 40 in Figure 5, that is, the bottom airflow channel opening ratio P3 mentioned above. In the example shown in the figure, measurements were taken for c / b values ​​of 0%, 8%, 16%, 32%, 48%, and 64%, and the penetration sterilization capacity of the photocatalytic filter 50 when the opening ratio is 0% in the case of c / b=0% is shown as 100%. Also, the opening ratio of the side openings 62 (side opening area S4) is the side airflow channel opening ratio P4 as described above.

[0052] As shown in Figure 10, the permeable sterilization capacity decreases as the opening ratio of the side opening 62 increases, that is, as the gap between the photocatalytic filter 50 and the housing 10 increases. This is because the amount of air flowing through the side opening 62 from the air passing through the third air passage 40 increases, thus reducing the amount of air that passes through the photocatalytic filter 50 from the air passing through the third air passage 40 and lowering the permeable sterilization capacity. Furthermore, the permeable sterilization capacity increases as the c / b value increases, that is, as the bottom opening 61 increases. When comparing at the same opening ratio, the capacity tends to increase as the c / b value increases.

[0053] Next, the inventors considered the case where the photocatalytic filter 50 is arranged in a valley shape, as well as the case where the photocatalytic filter 50 is arranged in a mountain shape, and examined the air reflected by the inclined surface of the photocatalytic filter 50. Then, even when the photocatalytic filter 50 is arranged in a valley shape, the inventors considered how to achieve both securing the dust collection capacity (ventilation airflow) of the air purifier 1 and improving the sterilization capacity of the photocatalytic filter 50 by optimizing the opening ratio of the side opening 62 and the bottom opening 61, based on the penetrating sterilization capacity and reflective sterilization capacity included in the sterilization capacity of the photocatalytic filter 50.

[0054] Figure 11 is a graph showing the relationship between the opening ratio of the side openings 62 (side opening area S4) when the photocatalytic filters 50 are arranged in a valley shape (see Figure 5), the dust collection capacity (ventilation airflow) of the air purifier 1, and the sterilization capacity of the photocatalytic filters 50 (penetration sterilization capacity + reflection sterilization capacity). As mentioned above, "c / b" means the ratio of the opening width c of the bottom opening 61 to the airflow width b of the third airflow channel 40 (bottom airflow channel opening ratio P3).

[0055] As shown in Figure 11, the dust collection capacity of the air purifier 1, when c / b = 0% and the opening ratio is 0%, is taken as 100%. By providing the side opening 62 and increasing the opening ratio, a dust collection capacity exceeding 100% can be obtained. This is because, as described above, the amount of air flowing from the third air passage 40 to the side opening 62 increases, which reduces the airflow resistance due to the photocatalytic filter and increases the ventilation airflow in the air purifier 1. This improvement in dust collection capacity is the same when the value of c / b is changed. However, when the opening ratio exceeds 50%, the increase (improvement) in dust collection capacity becomes gradual.

[0056] Furthermore, regarding the sterilization capacity of the photocatalytic filter 50, if we consider the sterilization capacity at 0% aperture ratio when c / b=0% as 100%, by providing the side opening 62, the airflow rate of air passing through the photocatalytic filter 50 (penetration sterilization capacity) is slightly reduced, but the airflow rate of air reflected by the photocatalytic filter 50 (reflection sterilization capacity) is added, so the overall sterilization capacity exceeds 100%. For example, when c / b=0%, a sterilization capacity exceeding 100% is obtained when the aperture ratio is 40% or less; when c / b=8%, when the aperture ratio is 42% or less; and when c / b=16%, when the aperture ratio is 44% or less.

[0057] From these observations, it can be seen that when the ratio of the bottom opening area S3 of the bottom opening 61 to the total flow area S0 of the third air passage 40 (bottom flow opening ratio P3) is 16% or less, and the total flow opening ratio PTb, which is the sum of the bottom flow opening ratio P3 and the ratio of the side opening area S4 (left side opening area S4L + right side opening area S4R) of the side openings 62 (left side opening 62L + right side opening 62R) to the total flow area S0 of the third air passage 40 (side flow opening ratio P4), is 55% or less, then higher dust collection performance and higher sterilization performance exceeding the dust collection performance and sterilization performance when a / b = 0% and the opening ratio is 0% can be obtained.

[0058] As described above, according to the air purifier 1 of this embodiment, when the photocatalytic filter 50 is arranged in a mountain shape, the top channel opening ratio P1, which is the ratio of the top opening area S1 of the top opening 51 to the total channel area S0 of the third air channel 40, is 16% or less, and the total channel opening ratio PTt, which is the sum of the top channel opening ratio P1 and the side channel opening ratio P2, which is the ratio of the side opening area S2 of the side opening 52 to the total channel area S0 of the third air channel 40, is 55% or less. Furthermore, when the photocatalytic filter 50 is arranged in a valley shape, the bottom channel opening ratio P3, which is the ratio of the bottom opening area S3 of the bottom opening 61 to the total channel area S0, is 16% or less, and the total channel opening ratio PTb, which is the sum of the bottom channel opening ratio P3 and the side channel opening ratio P4, which is the ratio of the side opening area S4 of the side opening 62 to the total channel area S0, is 55% or less. This allows for the optimization of the ratio of the top opening area S1 and the side opening area S2 to the total flow area S0 of the third air passage 40, and the ratio of the bottom opening area S3 and the side opening area S4 to the total flow area S0, thereby achieving high dust collection capacity by the dust collection filters 21 and 31 and high sterilization capacity by the photocatalytic filter 50.

[0059] Furthermore, according to the air purifier 1, a porous filter is used as the photocatalytic filter 50. This allows for a large surface area of ​​the photocatalytic filter 50, thereby achieving high sterilization capabilities.

[0060] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it goes without saying that the technical scope of the present invention should not be interpreted as being limited by the description of these embodiments. These embodiments are merely examples, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications to the embodiments are possible within the scope of the invention described in the claims. The technical scope of the present invention should be determined based on the scope of the invention described in the claims and the scope of its equivalents.

[0061] For example, in the above embodiment, the case in which the first photocatalytic filter 50A and the second photocatalytic filter 50B are configured as rectangular filters was described, but the invention is not limited to this. For example, they may be circular, oval, or other shapes. Also, although the case in which there are no openings between the front wall 10F and the rear wall 10B of the first photocatalytic filter 50A and the second photocatalytic filter 50B was described, the invention is not limited to this, and they may each have openings.

[0062] Furthermore, although the above embodiment described a case in which the air purifier 1 has two independent air passages (first air passage 20, second air passage 30), it is not limited to this. The number of air passages may be three or more. Also, although the above embodiment described a case in which the structure of the first air passage 20 and the second air passage 30 is symmetrical, it is not limited to a symmetrical structure. [Explanation of symbols]

[0063] 1. Air purifier 10 cabinets 10L left side wall 10R right side wall 14 Inlet 15 Outlet 20 First air flow path 21. First dust collection filter 22 First Fan 30 Second air flow path 31. Second dust collection filter 32 Second Fan 40 Third air flow path 50 Photocatalytic Filters 50A First Photocatalytic Filter 50B Second Photocatalytic Filter 51 Top opening (an example of the first opening) 52 Side opening (an example of a second opening) 52L,62L Left side opening 52R,62R Right side opening 61 Bottom opening (an example of the first opening) 62 Side opening (an example of a second opening) P1 Top channel opening ratio (an example of the first channel opening ratio) P2 Side channel opening ratio (an example of the second channel opening ratio) P3 Bottom channel opening ratio (an example of the first channel opening ratio) P4 Side channel opening ratio (an example of the second channel opening ratio) PTb, PTt Total flow channel opening ratio S0 Total flow area S1 Top opening area S2, S4 Side opening area S2L,S4L Left side opening area S2R,S4R Right side opening area S3 bottom opening area

Claims

1. Fans, The casing and Within the internal space of the housing, two photocatalytic filters are arranged in a mountain or valley shape to obstruct the flow path from the intake port to the exhaust port of the fan, Equipped with, If we define the space between the photocatalytic filters as the first opening and the space between the photocatalytic filters and the housing as the second opening, An air purifier in which, in a plan view perpendicular to the flow direction of the flow path, the first flow path opening ratio, which is the ratio of the opening area of ​​the first opening to the flow path area of ​​the flow path, is 0% or more and 16% or less, and the sum of the first flow path opening ratio and the second flow path opening ratio, which is the ratio of the opening area of ​​the second opening to the flow path area, is 0% or more and 55% or less.

2. The aforementioned photocatalytic filter is mountain-shaped, The first opening is provided at the peak of the mountain shape of the photocatalytic filter. The air purifier according to claim 1.

3. The aforementioned photocatalytic filter is valley-shaped, The first opening is provided at the valley-shaped bottom of the photocatalytic filter. The air purifier according to claim 1.

4. The aforementioned photocatalytic filter has a porous structure. An air purifier according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

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