Air treatment equipment

Abstract

To provide an air treatment device capable of ensuring heat dissipation and insulation of a light source.SOLUTION: The air treatment device comprises a housing, a light source 60, a first member 61, and a second member 63. Air is sucked into the housing. The light source 60 is disposed in the housing, and has a light-emitting element 67 that applies light of at least an ultraviolet region to a region through which the air sucked into the housing is distributed. The first member 61 is made of metal and disposed in the housing, and has the light source 60 disposed therein. The second member 63 is made of metal and disposed in the housing, and supports the first member 61 in a state of being insulated from the housing.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to an air treatment device.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, an air treatment device is known that includes a light source having a light-emitting element that emits light in the ultraviolet region, and performs a process of irradiating the air flowing inside with light in the ultraviolet region for purification.

[0003] In such an air treatment device, it is necessary to consider how to dissipate the heat generated from the light-emitting element that emits light in the ultraviolet region, and that metal parts with little influence of deterioration due to light in the ultraviolet region are often used around the light source, and how to insulate the periphery of the light source to which power is supplied from the housing of the air treatment device.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an air treatment device capable of enhancing the heat dissipation property of heat generated from a light source while ensuring insulation.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The air treatment apparatus of this embodiment comprises a housing, a light source, a first member, and a second member. Air is drawn into the housing. The light source is disposed inside the housing and has a light-emitting element that irradiates at least ultraviolet light into the area through which the air drawn into the housing flows. The first member is made of metal, disposed inside the housing, and houses the light source. The second member is made of metal, disposed inside the housing, and supports the first member in an insulated state from the housing. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the air treatment apparatus of this embodiment, it is expected that the heat dissipation of heat generated from the light source can be improved while ensuring insulation. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view of an air treatment device showing one embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a disassembled perspective view of the same air treatment device. [Figure 3] This is a disassembled perspective view of the air treatment unit of the same air treatment device. [Figure 4] This is a front view showing the internal structure of the air treatment device. [Figure 5] This is a disassembled perspective view of the exhaust side unit of the same air treatment device. [Figure 6] This is a perspective view of the exhaust side unit shown above. [Figure 7] This is a side view of the exhaust unit shown above. [Figure 8] This is a disassembled perspective view of the insulating support section of the exhaust side unit shown above. [Figure 9] This is a cross-sectional view of the insulating support portion of the exhaust side unit shown above. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] One embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0010] The air treatment device in the following embodiments is a device that performs a purifying treatment on the air circulating inside the air treatment device by a predetermined method, which can be one of the following: sterilization, disinfection, sterilization, deodorization, or odor removal. In the following description, the treatment of the air treatment device will be described as sterilization, but sterilization can be interpreted as disinfection, sterilization, deodorization, odor removal, etc. The predetermined method here refers to light irradiation, photocatalysis, etc. Light irradiation refers to the irradiation of light with wavelengths such as UV-C, UV-B, UV-A, visible light, and infrared. Photocatalysis refers to the suppression of the activity of bacteria, viruses, odor sources, etc. floating in the air, or their decomposition into water and carbon dioxide, by generating active oxygen and OH radicals when light (ultraviolet light or visible light) is irradiated onto a photocatalyst such as titanium dioxide placed inside the air treatment device.

[0011] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a floor-standing type air treatment device 10. The air treatment device 10 comprises a housing 11 and leg members 12 that support the housing 11 in an upright position relative to the floor. The housing 11 is formed in a vertical shape, with a width in the left-right direction being greater than the depth in the front-back direction, and a length in the up-down direction being greater than the front-back and left-right directions.

[0012] The housing 11 comprises a main body 14 and a front panel 15 detachably disposed on the front side of the main body 14. A first vent 16, which is a ventilation opening, is provided on the lower end of the housing 11, and a second vent 17, which is a ventilation opening, is provided on the upper end. In this embodiment, the first vent 16 is an intake port for drawing air from the outside into the housing 11, and the second vent 17 is an exhaust port for exhausting air from the inside of the housing 11 to the outside. On the upper surface of the main body 14, in front of the second vent 17, is an operation panel 18 having an operation unit for operating the air treatment device 10 and a display unit for displaying the operating status, etc. Note that the housing 11 may be formed as a rectangular housing (approximately rectangular parallelepiped shape) or a cylindrical housing (approximately cylindrical shape).

[0013] The leg members 12 are positioned on the floor and support the housing 11 in an upright position. The leg members 12 form a gap between the first vent 16 on the underside of the housing 11 and the floor, allowing air to be drawn in from the first vent 16.

[0014] As shown in Figure 2, the housing 11 comprises an outer housing 20 that forms the outer casing, and an inner housing 21 that is placed inside the outer housing 20 and is covered by the outer housing 20.

[0015] The external housing 20 comprises a pair of side panels 23 attached to the left and right sides of the internal housing 21, a rear cover 24 attached to the rear side of the internal housing 21, a top cover 25 attached to the top side of the internal housing 21 (second member 63), and a front panel 15 detachably positioned on the front side of the internal housing 21. The main body 14 is composed of the side panels 23, rear cover 24, top cover 25, and internal housing 21, and the front panel 15 is detachably attached to the front side of this main body 14. An operation panel 18 is provided on the front upper surface of the top cover 25, and a second vent 17 is formed on the rear upper surface. A louver 26 is provided in the second vent 17 to straighten the direction of the exhaust air, for example, diagonally forward. The external housing 20 is a resin housing in which the front panel 15, side panels 23, rear cover 24, and top cover 25 are all made of resin material.

[0016] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the internal housing 21 includes a reflecting cylinder 28 that opens in the vertical direction, and a pair of side frames 29 attached to both left and right sides of the reflecting cylinder 28. The reflecting cylinder 28 includes a front reflecting plate 30, side reflecting plates 31 on both left and right sides, and a rear reflecting plate 32, and is formed in a rectangular cylindrical shape with a wide width in the left-right direction. The side reflecting plates 31 and the rear reflecting plate 32 on both sides are integrally bent and formed, and the front reflecting plate 30 is separately attached to the front edge portions of the side frames 29 on both sides attached to the side reflecting plates 31 on both sides. And the internal housing 21 is a metal housing in which each of the reflecting plates 30, 31, 32 of the reflecting cylinder 28 and the side frames 29 are formed of a metal material. Note that the reflecting cylinder 28 may have a structure in which the side reflecting plates 31, the rear reflecting plate 32, and the front reflecting plate 30 on both sides are integrally bent and formed.

[0017] On the lower end side of the reflecting cylinder 28 and between the lower ends of the side frames 29 on both sides, an intake-side unit 34, which is a first unit disposed on the inner lower end side of the internal housing 21, is attached. Also, on the upper end side of the reflecting cylinder 28 and between the upper ends of the side frames 29 on both sides, an exhaust-side unit 35, which is a second unit disposed on the inner upper end side of the internal housing 21, is attached. At each lower end of the side frames 29, a lower attachment portion 36 for attaching the intake-side unit 34 is provided, and at each upper end of the side frames 29, an upper attachment portion 37 for attaching the exhaust-side unit 35 is provided. A fan power supply unit 38 is attached to one side frame 29, and a light source power supply unit 39 is attached to the other side frame 29.

[0018] And the internal housing 21, the intake-side unit 34, the exhaust-side unit 35, and the power supply units 38 and 39 constitute an air treatment unit 40, which is a main body unit. The air treatment unit 40 is disposed inside the housing 11 (external housing 20).

[0019] Also, FIG. 4 shows the internal structure of the air treatment apparatus 10.

[0020] The lower end of the internal housing 21 (reflector tube 28) is connected to the first vent 16 at the lower end of the housing 11, and the upper end of the internal housing 21 (reflector tube 28) is connected to the second vent 17. Inside the internal housing 21 (reflector tube 28), a processing space 42 is formed through which air flows between the first vent 16 and the second vent 17. The processing space 42 comprises a processing area 43 through which air flows and is irradiated with ultraviolet light, a first processing opening 44 on the first vent 16 side, and a second processing opening 45 on the second vent 17 side. Air is drawn into the processing area 43 from the first processing opening 44, and exhausted outside the processing area 43 from the second processing opening 45. It is preferable that the first processing opening 44 and the second processing opening 45 are configured to be approximately parallel. The processing space 42 is formed by being surrounded on its front, back, left, and right sides by metal reflectors 30, 31, and 32 that reflect light in the ultraviolet region.

[0021] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, the intake unit 34 is attached to the lower end of the internal housing 21 and is positioned in the first processing opening 44 of the processing space 42. The intake unit 34 includes a first light-shielding section 50, a foreign matter capture filter 51, and a photocatalytic filter 52. The first light-shielding section 50, the foreign matter capture filter 51, and the photocatalytic filter 52 are arranged in that order from the upstream side in the direction of air flow. Alternatively, the foreign matter capture filter 51, the first light-shielding section 50, and the photocatalytic filter 52 may be arranged in that order from the upstream side in the direction of air flow.

[0022] The first light-shielding section 50 comprises a frame section 54 with openings at the top and bottom, and a plurality of plate-shaped light-shielding members 55 arranged inside the frame section 54 along the openings at the top and bottom. The frame section 54 is made of a metal material. The light-shielding members 55 are preferably made of materials that have high light resistance, especially to ultraviolet light, and have low reflectivity of ultraviolet light and visible light. For example, they are made of metals such as iron, galvanized steel, and stainless steel, or of fluoride resin, ABS resin, etc. The light-shielding members 55 are formed in a roughly "V" shape in cross-section, having a vertex section 56 bent at a predetermined angle and a pair of light-shielding plate sections 57 extending from the vertex section 56 in a predetermined angle direction.

[0023] The light-shielding members 55 adjacent to the first light-shielding portion 50 are arranged at a pitch such that, when viewed from above, the apex portion 56 or light-shielding plate portion 57 of one adjacent light-shielding member 55 overlaps with the light-shielding plate portion 57 or apex portion 56 of the other adjacent light-shielding member 55.

[0024] The light-shielding members 55, which are arranged in the left and right regions of the first light-shielding section 50 with the center in the left-right direction as the boundary, are arranged in multiples at the same interval with their vertices 56 facing each other. As a result, the air drawn into the processing section 43 through the light-shielding members 55 of the first light-shielding section 50 flows so that it spreads out in the left-right direction of the processing section 43, and the air circulating within the processing section 43 is diffused and flows without bias. The light-shielding members 55 may be arranged so that all of their vertices 56 are facing the same direction, or they may be arranged so that their vertices 56 face forward and backward, or, if the housing 11 is cylindrical or rectangular, they may be arranged circumferentially so that their vertices 56 face in the circumferential direction.

[0025] The foreign matter capture filter 51 is positioned to cover substantially the entire first vent 16, or the surface of the frame portion 54 of the first light-shielding portion 50 that faces the first vent 16. The foreign matter capture filter 51 captures foreign matter such as dust and paper fragments that are sucked in with the air from the first vent 16. The foreign matter capture filter 51 is made of a metal material and is made of a mesh wire. The foreign matter capture filter 51 is removable from the front side of the main body portion 14 with the front panel 15 removed, allowing for cleaning and replacement. The foreign matter capture filter 51 may be made of a non-metallic material with low resistance to ultraviolet light (for example, resin, cloth, paper, etc.), but in this case, by positioning it upstream of the first light-shielding portion 50 in the direction of air flow, deterioration due to ultraviolet irradiation can be prevented and it can be used for a long period of time.

[0026] The photocatalytic filter 52 has a support with multiple ventilation holes on which a photocatalyst such as titanium dioxide is held and coated. When it receives ultraviolet or visible light with a wavelength component of at least 360 nm to 420 nm UV-A from a light source provided in the exhaust unit 35, or from a light source other than this light source, it generates active oxygen and OH radicals. The generated active oxygen and OH radicals decompose odor components in the air to deodorize and eliminate odors, and suppress the activity of viruses. The photocatalytic filter 52 can be attached and detached from the front side of the main unit 14 by removing the front panel 15, allowing for cleaning and replacement.

[0027] For example, the foreign matter capture filter 51 and the photocatalytic filter 52 are combined as a single filter unit and can be attached and detached from the front side of the main body 14 after removing the front panel 15. Filter holding parts 54a are provided on both the left and right sides of the frame part 54 of the first light shielding part 50 to hold this filter unit so that it can be attached and detached from the front side of the main body 14.

[0028] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, a metal opening / closing door 58 is attached to the frame 54 of the first light-shielding section 50 so as to be openable and closable, and it presses down on the foreign matter capture filter 51 and the photocatalytic filter 52, which are mounted on the intake-side unit 34, from the front.

[0029] Figures 2 to 7 also show the exhaust-side unit 35. The exhaust-side unit 35 is attached to the upper end of the internal housing 21 and is arranged on the side of the second processing opening 45 of the processing space 42. The exhaust-side unit 35 comprises a light source 60, a second light-shielding section 62 which is a light-shielding section having a first member 61 on which the light source 60 is arranged, a second member 63 which supports the first member 61 (second light-shielding section 62) in an insulating state, and two fans 64 arranged on the second member 63. Insulated state here means that predetermined insulation standards and safety standards are met, for example, by having an insulation resistance between two members of a predetermined value or more, or by having an insulating member interposed between two members. The light source 60, the second light-shielding section 62, the second member 63, and the fans 64 are arranged in that order from the upstream side in the direction of air flow.

[0030] The light source 60 comprises a light source module on which one or more light-emitting elements 67, such as LEDs, organic ELs, or laser diodes, are mounted along the longitudinal direction of the surface of a long substrate 66. In this embodiment, two light source modules are used for the light source 60, and they are attached to two locations on the lower surface side of the first member 61 of the second light-shielding section 62, spaced apart in the front-to-back direction, to irradiate ultraviolet light into the lower processing section 43. The light source 60 may have one light source module or three or more.

[0031] The substrate 66 has a base plate made of a metal material such as aluminum, a resin material such as glass epoxy, or an inorganic material such as ceramics such as aluminum oxide or aluminum nitride. If the base plate is metal, an insulating layer is formed on the front side of the base plate, and a wiring pattern is formed on the base plate or insulating layer, which includes multiple pads for mounting light-emitting elements 67 and wiring sections that connect these pads in series or in series-parallel.

[0032] The light-emitting element 67 includes a first LED (germicidal LED) that emits ultraviolet light with a peak wavelength of 300 nm or less, preferably with a wavelength component of 260 to 280 nm, for sterilizing the air, and a second LED (photocatalytic LED) that emits light with a wavelength component of at least 360 nm to 420 nm, either UV-A or in the visible region, for exciting the photocatalyst supported on the photocatalytic filter 52. The wavelength of the light emitted by the first LED (germicidal LED) is shorter than the wavelength of the light emitted by the second LED (photocatalytic LED). The UV-C light-emitting element 67 and the UV-A light-emitting element 67 are arranged in a mixed state along the longitudinal direction of the substrate 66, for example, by alternating arrangement. The light-emitting element 67 lights up when a predetermined ignition power is supplied from the light source power supply unit 39. If the light source 60 has two or more light source modules, it may include a light source module that has only germicidal LEDs and a light source module that has only photocatalytic LEDs. Furthermore, if the air treatment device 10 has a structure that includes a second LED (photocatalytic LED) in addition to the light source 60, the light source 60 may be configured to include only the first LED (germicidal LED).

[0033] The second light-shielding section 62 comprises a frame portion 54 which is the first member 61 with openings at the top and bottom, and a plurality of light-shielding members 55 arranged inside the frame portion 54 along the openings at the top and bottom. Since the second light-shielding section 62 has the same basic structure as the first light-shielding section 50, the same reference numerals will be used to describe the frame portion 54 and the light-shielding members 55.

[0034] The frame portion 54 of the second light-shielding portion 62 comprises a pair of front and rear frame members 69 that are spaced apart and facing each other in the front-rear direction via a plurality of light-shielding members 55. Each frame member 69 comprises a side frame portion 70, an upper frame portion 71 bent from the upper end of the side frame portion 70, and a lower frame portion 72 bent from the lower end of the side frame portion 70, and is formed in a substantially U-shape in cross-section. The frame members 69 are made of a metal material such as aluminum. The lower frame portions 72 of the front and rear frame members 69 are integrally connected by a rectangular frame-shaped connecting member 73.

[0035] The side frame portion 70 of the frame member 69 is provided with a plurality of retaining holes 74 for holding each light-shielding member 55 to the frame member 69, and engagement holes 75 are provided at two locations in the left-right direction, which is the longitudinal direction. The upper frame portion 71 is provided with a plurality of mounting holes 76 for screwing the second light-shielding portion 62 to the second member 63, and a plurality of notches 77 are provided to ensure an insulating distance from the screws, corresponding to the screw-fastening positions of the top cover 25 and fan 64 which are screwed onto the second member 63. The mounting holes 76 are provided at three locations: both ends and the center in the left-right direction, which is the longitudinal direction of the frame member 69. The notches 77 are also provided near the three locations where the mounting holes 76 are provided.

[0036] A light source 60 is attached to the lower surface of each frame member 69. The light source 60 has a substrate 66 attached to the lower frame portion 72 of the frame member 69 with multiple screws 78. A heat dissipation block 79 is interposed between the substrate 66 and the lower frame portion 72 of the frame member 69 to enhance heat dissipation. The heat dissipation block 79 is made of a metal such as aluminum and is formed in the shape of a rectangular prism with approximately the same length and width as the substrate 66. Alternatively, the light source 60 may be attached directly to the lower frame portion 72 of the frame member 69 by inserting an insulating bonding material between the substrate 66 and the lower frame portion 72 if the heat dissipation block 79 is made of an insulating material or if the heat dissipation block 79 is not used. This may slightly reduce the heat dissipation performance of the heat generated from the light source 60, but it will be possible to arrange the light source 60 in an insulated state from the second light shielding portion 62.

[0037] The light-shielding member 55, like the light-shielding member 55 of the first light-shielding part 50 described above, is formed in a roughly "V" shape in cross-section, having a vertex portion 56 bent at a predetermined angle and a pair of light-shielding plate portions 57 extending from this vertex portion 56 in a predetermined angle direction. The light-shielding member 55 is preferably made of a material that has particularly high light resistance to ultraviolet rays and low ultraviolet reflectivity, and is formed of a metal such as iron, galvanized steel, or stainless steel, or of a fluoride resin or ABS resin. The second light-shielding part 62 is arranged in the opposite direction to the light irradiation direction of the light source 60 that irradiates ultraviolet rays, and the amount of ultraviolet rays that reach the second light-shielding part 62 (for example, ultraviolet intensity per unit time) is smaller than the amount of ultraviolet rays that reach the first light-shielding part 50, so the second light-shielding part 62 may have lower light resistance to ultraviolet rays than the material that constitutes the first light-shielding part 50. For example, the second light-shielding part 62 may be made of an insulating resin material.

[0038] The light-shielding member 55 is held in a predetermined position by having projections 57a protruding from both ends of each light-shielding plate portion 57 inserted into holding holes 74 provided in the side frame portion 70 of the frame member 69. The light-shielding member 55 of the first light-shielding portion 50 is also held to the frame portion 54 in a similar configuration.

[0039] Adjacent light-shielding members 55 are arranged at a pitch such that, when viewed from above, the apex portion 56 or light-shielding plate portion 57 of one adjacent light-shielding member 55 overlaps with the light-shielding plate portion 57 or apex portion 56 of the other adjacent light-shielding member 55.

[0040] Multiple light-shielding members 55 are arranged at equal intervals in the left and right regions of the second light-shielding section 62, with their vertices 56 facing each other. As a result, air drawn in from the processing section 43 flows from a wide area in the left and right directions of the processing section 43 through the light-shielding members 55 of the second light-shielding section 62, and the air circulating within the processing section 43 is diffused and flows without becoming uneven. Two adjacent light-shielding members 55 in the left and right center of the second light-shielding section 62 are arranged with their vertices 56 facing each other. The region where these two light-shielding members 55 are arranged is a region where air circulation stagnates, and by arranging the connecting member 73 in this region, the influence of the connecting member 73 on air circulation can be reduced. The light-shielding members 55 may be arranged so that all of their vertices 56 face the same direction, or they may be arranged so that their vertices 56 face forward and backward, or, if the housing 11 is cylindrical or rectangular, they may be arranged circumferentially so that their vertices 56 face circumferentially.

[0041] Furthermore, the second member 63 is a fan base for mounting the fan 64. The second member 63 comprises an upper surface portion 81 for mounting the fan 64, and front and rear side portions 82 bent from the front and rear portions of the upper surface portion 81, and is formed in a roughly U-shape in cross-section. The second member 63 is made of a metal material such as aluminum. The width of the upper surface portion 81 in the front-rear direction and the distance between the opposing front and rear side portions 82 are greater than the width of the second light-shielding portion 62 in the front-rear direction, allowing the second light-shielding portion 62 to be positioned inside the second member 63.

[0042] Mounting pieces 83 protrude from both ends in the left-right direction, which is the longitudinal direction of the upper surface portion 81, and a mounting piece 84 protrudes from the lower end of the rear side portion 82. The mounting pieces 83 at both ends are positioned on the upper mounting portions 37 at both ends in the left-right direction of the internal housing 21 and screwed in, and the rear mounting piece 84 is screwed in to the rear reflector plate 32 of the internal housing 21, thereby attaching the second member 63 to the internal housing 21. The second member 63 also functions as part of the internal housing 21.

[0043] The top surface 81 is provided with two openings 85 arranged side by side in the left-right direction, which communicate with each fan 64, as well as a plurality of mounting holes 86 for screwing in each fan 64, and a plurality of mounting holes 87 for screwing in the top cover 25. Furthermore, the top surface 81 is provided with a plurality of engagement holes 88 for attaching the first member 61 of the second light-shielding section 62. The inner diameter of the engagement holes 88 is set to be approximately the same as the inner diameter of the engagement holes 75 of the frame member 69.

[0044] Furthermore, the exhaust-side unit 35 includes an insulating support portion 90 that supports the first member 61 in an insulated state from the second member 63. As shown in Figures 5 to 9, the insulating support portion 90 has a screw 91 and an insulating member 92.

[0045] The screw 91 is made of metal and is inserted through the engagement hole 88 from the second member 63 side and screwed into the mounting hole 76 of the first member 61.

[0046] The insulating member 92 includes a first insulating member 93 interposed between the upper surface portion 81 of the first member 61 and the upper frame portion 71 of the second member 63, and a second insulating member 94 inserted into the first insulating member 93 from the second member 63 side through an engagement hole 88, with a screw 91 inserted inside it.

[0047] The first insulating member 93 is made of a resin such as polybutylene terephthalate and consists of a cylindrical collar with an opening that penetrates through the inside in the vertical direction. The first insulating member 93 has a parting line 95 in the center in the vertical direction that corresponds to the mold-fitting surface of the mold used to form the first insulating member 93. The inner diameter of the first insulating member 93 is smallest at the position of the parting line 95, and the inner diameter increases from the position of the parting line 95 toward the openings in the upper and lower directions to enable demolding during molding. As a result, the first insulating member 93 can be used in assembly without any vertical orientation.

[0048] The second insulating member 94 is made of a resin such as polybutylene terephthalate and is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape through which a screw 91 can be inserted. The second insulating member 94 includes an insertion portion 96 that is inserted into the first insulating member 93 by passing through the engagement hole 88 of the second member 63, and a receiving portion 97 that is positioned on the second member 63. The second insulating member 94 may have multiple insertion portions 96, and the receiving portion 97 may be configured to be large enough to allow multiple screws 91 to be inserted. In this case, the receiving portion 97 may be configured to be the same size as the side frame portion 70 of the frame member 69, or to be larger than the side frame portion 70.

[0049] The insertion portion 96 is cylindrical in shape through which the screw shaft of the screw 91 can be inserted, and is formed such that its outer diameter decreases towards the axial end and its inner diameter increases towards the axial end. There is a point on the receiving portion 97 side opposite the end of the insertion portion 96 where the smallest inner diameter is located, and this smallest inner diameter of the insertion portion 96 is smaller than the maximum outer diameter of the screw shaft of the screw 91, allowing the screw 91 inserted into the second insulating member 94 to be temporarily fastened. The axial length of the insertion portion 96 is approximately the same as or shorter than the combined dimension of the plate thickness of the second member 63 and the axial length of the first insulating member 93.

[0050] The outer circumferential surface of the insertion portion 96 is provided with a plurality of rib portions 98 that protrude along the axial direction, for example, at 90° intervals in the circumferential direction. The width between the outer surfaces of radially opposing rib portions 98 is formed to decrease toward the tip side, following the shape of the outer circumferential surface of the insertion portion 96. The width between the outer surfaces of radially opposing rib portions 98 is smaller on the tip side than the inner diameter of the engagement hole 88 of the second member 63 and the inner diameter of the engagement hole 88 of the second member 63, and larger on the receiving portion 97 side opposite the tip side than the inner diameter of the engagement hole 88 of the second member 63, and the inner diameter of the region from the middle between the tip side and the receiving portion 97 side toward the receiving portion 97 side is larger than the inner diameter of the first insulating member 94 above the parting line 95. As a result, the insertion portion 96 can be easily inserted into the engagement hole 88 of the second member 63 and the first insulating member 93, and can be temporarily fixed to the engagement hole 88 of the second member 63 and the first insulating member 93 by press-fitting.

[0051] The receiving portion 97 is larger than the maximum outer diameter of the insertion portion 96 and larger than the inner diameter of the engagement hole 88 of the second member 63. The receiving portion 97 has a recess 99 into which the head of the screw 91 is engaged and positioned.

[0052] Furthermore, the second insulating member 94 is positioned between the side frame portion 70 of the frame member 69, which is the first member 61, and the side portion 82 of the second member 63, and is also used as an insulating spacer to secure the necessary space between them for insulation. The insertion portion 96 of the second insulating member 94 is inserted into the engagement hole 75 of the frame member 69, and the receiving portion 97 is positioned between the side frame portion 70 of the frame member 69 and the side portion 82 of the second member 63. Since the engagement hole 75 of the frame member 69 is approximately the same as the inner diameter of the engagement hole 88 of the second member 63, the insertion portion 96 is inserted into the engagement hole 75 of the frame member 69 and then temporarily fixed by press-fitting, according to the dimensional relationship described above.

[0053] Furthermore, the fan 64 is an exhaust fan, and an axial flow fan is used. The fan 64 comprises an impeller 101 that sends air in the axial direction, a motor 102 that rotates the impeller 101, and a frame 104 that supports the motor 102 and has a ventilation opening 103 on which the impeller 101 is located. The impeller 101 and frame 104 of the fan 64 are made of non-metallic material, specifically resin. The fan 64 has the rotation axis of the impeller 101 in the vertical direction, and the impeller 101 rotates clockwise when viewed from above, drawing outside air into the processing unit 43 from the first ventilation opening 16 on the lower end of the housing 11, and exhausting the air inside the processing unit 43 to the outside from the second ventilation opening 17 on the upper end of the housing 11, thereby generating an airflow that circulates outside air into the processing unit 43 inside the housing 11.

[0054] The fan 64 is positioned on the second member 63 such that its ventilation opening 103 communicates with the opening 85 of the second member 63, and screws 105 that pass through the four corners of the frame 104 are screwed into the mounting holes 86 of the second member 63 to attach it. The fan 64 rotates when a predetermined operating power is supplied from the fan power supply unit 38.

[0055] Note that one fan 64 may be used, or three or more may be used. Also, fan 64 is not limited to axial flow fans; other types of fans such as centrifugal fans and sirocco fans may be used.

[0056] Now, let's explain how to assemble the exhaust unit 35.

[0057] The second insulating member 94 is inserted into each engagement hole 75 of the front and rear frame members 69 and temporarily fixed in place, multiple light-shielding members 55 are attached between the front and rear frame members 69, and the front and rear frame members 69 are connected with connecting members 73 to assemble the second light-shielding section 62.

[0058] The insertion portion 96 of the second insulating member 94 is inserted into each engagement hole 88 of the second member 63 and temporarily fixed in place. The insertion portion 96 of the second insulating member 94, with the engagement hole 88 inserted through it, is then inserted into the first insulating member 93 and temporarily fixed in place. Furthermore, screws 91 are inserted into each second insulating member 94 and temporarily fixed in place, thereby assembling the second member 63.

[0059] The second member 63 is placed over the second light-shielding part 62 so that the front and rear side portions 82 of the second member 63 face the front and rear frame members 69 of the second light-shielding part 62, and the tips of each screw 91 are screwed into the mounting holes 76 of the frame member 69, thereby fixing the second light-shielding part 62 and the second member 63 via the first insulating member 93.

[0060] The fan 64 is attached to the second member 63 with screws 105, and the light source 60 is fixed to the frame member 69 of the second light shielding part 62 with screws 78 via a heat dissipation block 79.

[0061] In the assembled state of the exhaust-side unit 35, the first insulating member 93 is interposed between the upper frame portion 71 of the frame member 69 of the second light-shielding section 62 and the upper surface portion 81 of the second member 63 to ensure the necessary space for insulation. Furthermore, the receiving portion 97 of the second insulating member 94 is interposed between the side frame portion 70 of the frame member 69 of the second light-shielding section 62 and the side surface portion 82 of the second member 63 to ensure the necessary space for insulation. In addition, the receiving portion 97 of the second insulating member 94 ensures the necessary creepage distance for insulation between the head of the screw 91 screwed into the frame member 69 of the second light-shielding section 62 and the second member 63. As a result, even if the substrate 66 of the light source 60 is made of metal and the substrate 66 and the frame member 69 of the second light-shielding section 62 to which the substrate 66 is attached are at the same potential, insulation between the second light-shielding section 62 and the second member 63 attached to the internal housing 21 can be ensured.

[0062] The tip of the screw 105 that attaches the fan 64 to the second member 63 penetrates the second member 63 and protrudes toward the frame member 69 of the second light-shielding section 62. However, a notch 77 is provided in the frame member 69 corresponding to the protruding position of the tip of the screw 105, so that the space distance necessary for insulation between the screw 105 and the frame member 69 can be secured. The top cover 25 is screwed to the second member 63, and the screw penetrates the second member 63 and protrudes toward the frame member 69 of the second light-shielding section 62. However, a notch 77 is provided in the frame member 69 corresponding to the protruding position of the tip of the screw, so that the space distance necessary for insulation between the screw and the frame member 69 can be secured.

[0063] Next, the operation of the air treatment device 10 will be explained.

[0064] The rotation of the fan 64 draws outside air from the first vent 16 at the lower end of the housing 11 through the first light-shielding section 50, the foreign matter capture filter 51, and the photocatalytic filter 52 into the processing section 43 of the processing space 42. At the same time, the air inside the processing section 43 is exhausted to the outside through the second light-shielding section 62 and the fan 64 at the upper end of the housing 11 through the second vent 17 at the upper end, so that outside air circulates inside the processing section 43.

[0065] The light-emitting element 67 of the light source 60 emits ultraviolet light toward the processing unit 43, irradiating the air circulating within the processing unit 43 with ultraviolet light for sterilization. The air irradiated with ultraviolet light is exhausted to the outside of the housing 11 through the second light-shielding section 62 and the second vent 17 at the upper end.

[0066] Furthermore, in the first light-shielding section 50, outside air is drawn into the processing section 43 from the first vent 16 through the gaps between the multiple light-shielding members 55. In addition, the first light-shielding section 50 blocks ultraviolet light passing through the opening region of the photocatalytic filter 52 and the foreign matter capture filter 51, preventing light leakage from the first vent 16. In the first light-shielding section 50, multiple light-shielding members 55 with a roughly "V"-shaped cross-section are arranged at equal intervals, making it impossible for ultraviolet light to pass in a straight line between adjacent light-shielding members 55, thus preventing light leakage from the first vent 16.

[0067] The foreign matter capture filter 51 captures foreign matter such as dust and paper fragments that are sucked in with the air from the first vent 16 at the lower end. Preferably, the foreign matter capture filter 51 is disposed on the path of the air from the first vent 16 to the photocatalytic filter 52. The foreign matter capture filter 51 may be disposed, for example, between the first vent 16 and the first light-shielding section 50, or between the first light-shielding section 50 and the photocatalytic filter 52. Since the foreign matter capture filter 51 is made of a metal material, even if it is disposed downstream of the first light-shielding section 50 in the direction of air flow together with the photocatalytic filter 52, degradation due to irradiation with ultraviolet light can be prevented.

[0068] In the photocatalytic filter 52, when irradiated with ultraviolet light or visible light with a wavelength component of at least 360 nm to 420 nm in the UV-A range from the light source 60, active oxygen and OH radicals are generated. The generated active oxygen and OH radicals decompose odor components in the air to deodorize and eliminate odors, and also suppress the activity of viruses.

[0069] Furthermore, in the second light-shielding section 62, air from inside the processing unit 43 is drawn into the fan 64 through the gaps between the multiple light-shielding members 55. In addition, the second light-shielding section 62 blocks ultraviolet light coming from inside the processing unit 43, preventing light leakage from the second vent 17. In the second light-shielding section 62, multiple light-shielding members 55 with a roughly "V" shaped cross-section are arranged at equal intervals, making it impossible for ultraviolet light to pass in a straight line between adjacent light-shielding members 55, thus preventing light leakage from the second vent 17.

[0070] The fan 64 is made of a resin material in which the impeller 101 and frame 104 are nonmetallic. However, since it is positioned downstream of the second light-shielding section 62 in the airflow direction relative to the section 43, irradiation with ultraviolet light is prevented, thereby preventing deterioration of the resin parts due to ultraviolet light.

[0071] Furthermore, when the light source 60 is lit, the heat generated by the light-emitting element 67 is transferred from the substrate 66 to the heat dissipation block 79, and then from the heat dissipation block 79 to the frame member 69, connecting member 73, and multiple light-shielding members 55 of the second light-shielding section 62 for heat dissipation. The second light-shielding section 62 prevents light leakage from the second vent 17 and can also be used as a heat dissipation structure to dissipate the heat generated by the light source 60. Moreover, since the light source 60, the heat dissipation block 79, and the second light-shielding section 62 are arranged in the air passage from the processing section 43 directed towards the second vent 17, the heat transferred to each location is efficiently dissipated into the air, the temperature rise of the light-emitting element 67 is suppressed, and the output of the light-emitting element 67 is maintained and its lifespan is extended.

[0072] As described above, in the air treatment apparatus 10 of this embodiment, a light source 60 having a light-emitting element 67 is arranged on a metal first member 61, and this first member 61 is supported in an insulated state by a metal second member 63, thereby improving the heat dissipation and ensuring insulation of the light source 60.

[0073] Furthermore, by arranging a light source 60 in a second light-shielding section 62, which has multiple light-shielding members 55 having vertices 56 at predetermined angles arranged at equal intervals by the first member 61, and by arranging a fan 64 in the second member 63 to draw in and circulate air inside the housing 11, the heat from the light source 60 is transferred to the second light-shielding section 62, and heat can be efficiently dissipated from the light source 60 and the second light-shielding section 62, which are positioned in the airflow path.

[0074] Furthermore, the insulating member 92 provides insulation between the first member 61 and the second member 63.

[0075] The insulating member 92 includes a first insulating member 93 interposed between the first member 61 and the second member 63, and a second insulating member 94 inserted from the second member 63 into the first insulating member 93. The screw 91 is inserted from the second member 63 and screwed into the first member 61, thereby allowing the first member 61 and the second member 63 to be attached while maintaining the space distance necessary for insulation between the first member 61 and the second member 63.

[0076] The maximum outer diameter of the insertion portion of the second insulating member 94, which is inserted into the first insulating member 93, is larger than the minimum inner diameter of the first insulating member 93. As the second insulating member 94 is held together with the first insulating member 93 inserted, the first insulating member 93 and the second insulating member 94 can be temporarily fixed to the second member 63 in a combined state, thereby improving the ease of assembly between the first member 61 and the second member 63.

[0077] Alternatively, the first vent 16 at the lower end of the housing 11 may remain an intake port, and the second vent 17 at the upper end may remain an exhaust port, while the fan 64 is configured as an intake fan and positioned on the side of the first vent 16 at the lower end.

[0078] Furthermore, the first vent 16 at the lower end of the housing 11 may be an exhaust port, and the second vent 17 at the upper end may be an intake port. In this case, the fan 64 may be rotated in the reverse direction, or the fan 64 may be positioned on the side of the first vent 16.

[0079] Furthermore, while it is preferable to position the fan 64 on the outside between the light-shielding sections 50 and 62, the fan 64 may be made of metal parts and positioned on the inside between the light-shielding sections 50 and 62.

[0080] Furthermore, the air treatment device 10 can be used not only as a floor-standing type but also as a wall-mounted type. When used as a wall-mounted type, the leg members 12 are not used, and instead a ventilation cover provided on the first ventilation opening 16 is used. A separate wall mounting member is used to attach the air treatment device 10 to the wall, and the rear side of the air treatment device 10 is attached to the wall mounting member attached to the wall.

[0081] While several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be carried out in a variety of other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their variations are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, as well as in the claims of the invention and its equivalents. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0082] 10 Air treatment equipment 11 cabinets 60 light source 61 First Member 62 The second light-shielding part, which is the light-shielding part. 63 Second Member 64 Fans 67 Light-emitting element 91 screw 92 Insulating material 93 First insulating member 94 Second insulating member

Claims

1. A casing into which air is drawn; A light source having a light-emitting element disposed within the housing and irradiating a region through which air taken into the housing flows with light in at least the ultraviolet region; A first metal member disposed within the housing and on which the light source is disposed; A second metal member is disposed between the first member and the housing within the housing, and supports the first member in an insulated state from the housing; An insulating member disposed between the first member and the second member, which insulates the first member and the second member from each other; A screw inserted from the second member side and screwed into the first member side; Equipped with, The insulating member is A first insulating member interposed between the first member and the second member, The device comprises a second insulating member inserted into the first insulating member from the second member side, with the screw inserted through its inner side, The second insulating member has an insertion portion that is inserted into the first insulating member from the second member side, The axial length of the insertion portion is approximately the same as the combined dimension of the plate thickness of the second member and the axial length of the first insulating member. An air treatment device characterized by the following:

2. The maximum outer diameter of the insertion portion of the second insulating member is greater than the minimum inner diameter of the first insulating member, and the two insulating members are held together when the second insulating member is inserted into the first insulating member. The air treatment apparatus according to claim 1, characterized by its features.

3. A light-shielding section having the first member, wherein a plurality of light-shielding members having vertices at a predetermined angle due to the first member are arranged at the same intervals; A fan is provided on the second member to draw in and circulate air within the housing; An air treatment apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by comprising:

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