Air purifier and carbon dioxide absorption unit

Abstract

Provided are an air purifier and a carbon dioxide absorption unit that make it possible to improve an air purification function while increasing carbon dioxide adsorption efficiency. An air purifier 100 comprises: an absorption unit 20 for absorbing carbon dioxide that is located at an upstream side of airflow with respect to an air purification filter 30; and a housing 10. The housing 10 includes: an airflow path 61 that allows air to pass through the absorption unit 20 and the air purification filter 30; and a bypass airflow path 62 that does not allow air to pass through the absorption unit 20 and allows air to pass through the air purification filter 30.

Description

Air purifiers and carbon dioxide absorption units

[0001] The present invention relates to an air purifier and a carbon dioxide absorption unit.

[0002] In recent years, environmental protection activities have become increasingly common in society. In particular, efforts to capture carbon dioxide, which is believed to be a cause of global warming, are being undertaken by companies and public organizations.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an air purifier equipped with a carbon dioxide fixation filter, a main filter, and a fan. When the fan is driven, air entering through an air intake passes through the carbon dioxide fixation filter, the main filter, and is discharged through an air exhaust port. The carbon dioxide fixation filter adsorbs and fixes carbon dioxide from the air passing through it. The main filter adsorbs suspended dust particles from the air passing through it.

[0004] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 7-68164

[0005] In an air purifier capable of adsorbing carbon dioxide as described in Patent Document 1, it is desired to improve the air purification function while improving the carbon dioxide adsorption efficiency.

[0006] This disclosure has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide an air purifier and a carbon dioxide absorption unit that can improve the air purification function while improving the carbon dioxide adsorption efficiency.

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, the air purifier according to a first aspect of the present disclosure, disclosed below, comprises a fan, an air purification filter, and an absorption unit containing an absorption member that absorbs carbon dioxide, the absorption unit being arranged upstream of the air purification filter in the airflow generated by driving the fan, and a housing in which the fan, the air purification filter, and the absorption unit are arranged, and the housing includes a carbon dioxide absorption path that passes air through the absorption unit and the air purification filter, and a bypass ventilation path that passes air through the air purification filter without passing air through the absorption unit.

[0008] Furthermore, a carbon dioxide absorption unit according to a second aspect of the present disclosure is a carbon dioxide absorption unit to be attached to an air purifier, comprising a fan, an air purification filter, and a housing in which the air purification filter is disposed, wherein the carbon dioxide absorption unit comprises an absorption filter containing an absorption member that absorbs carbon dioxide, and a unit case in which the absorption filter is contained, the unit case being configured to be fixed to the housing, and the unit case is configured such that, when the unit case is fixed to the housing, the absorption member is disposed upstream of the airflow generated by driving the fan relative to the air purification filter, and the unit case includes a carbon dioxide absorption path that passes air through the absorption filter and the air purification filter, and a bypass ventilation path that passes air through the air purification filter without passing air through the absorption filter.

[0009] The absorption of carbon dioxide by the absorbing member becomes more efficient as the air velocity passing through the absorbing member decreases. Conversely, the greater the volume of air passing through the air purifying filter, the greater the volume of purified air, improving the air purification function. With the above configuration, the volume of air supplied to the air purifying filter via the bypass ventilation path can be increased. Furthermore, since air is supplied to the absorbing member via the carbon dioxide absorption path, which has a large pressure loss due to passing through both the absorbing member and the air purifying filter, the air velocity passing through the absorbing member can be reduced. As a result, the carbon dioxide adsorption efficiency can be improved while the air purification function can be improved.

[0010] FIG. 1 is a front view showing the configuration of an air purifier 100 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the air purifier 100 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the configuration of an absorption unit 20. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining an air vent path 61 and a bypass air vent path 62. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing examples of airflows A1 and A2 as viewed from the front of the air purifier 100 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing examples of airflows A1 and A2 as viewed from the side of the air purifier 100 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of a first opening 13a and a second opening 13b. FIG. 8 is a top view of the air purifier 100 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 9 is a block diagram of the air purifier 100 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 10 is a front view showing the configuration of an air purifier 200 according to a second embodiment. FIG. 11 is a side view showing the configuration of the air purifier 200 according to the second embodiment. Fig. 12 is an exploded view showing the configuration of an air purifier 200 according to a second embodiment. Fig. 13 is a block diagram of an air purifier 300 according to a third embodiment. Fig. 14 is a view showing a state in which an opening / closing member 381 of the third embodiment is closed. Fig. 15 is a view showing a state in which an opening / closing member 381 of the third embodiment is open.

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the present disclosure is not limited to the following embodiments, and appropriate design modifications can be made within the scope of the configuration of the present disclosure. In the following description, the same reference numerals are used in common between different drawings for identical parts or parts having similar functions, and repeated description thereof will be omitted. In addition, the respective configurations described in the embodiments and modified examples may be combined or modified as appropriate. In addition, to make the description easier to understand, the drawings referred to below show simplified or schematic configurations, and some components are omitted.

[0012] [First embodiment] (Overall configuration of air purifier 100) Fig. 1 is a front view showing the configuration of air purifier 100 in the first embodiment. Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of air purifier 100 in the first embodiment.

[0013] The air purifier 100 according to the first embodiment is a device that removes dust particles from the air (purifies the air) and removes (absorbs and captures) carbon dioxide from the air. The air purifier 100 may be installed indoors or outdoors as a standalone device, or may be incorporated into other devices (such as vehicles, aircraft, ships, air conditioning equipment, and vending machines). When the air purifier 100 is installed outdoors, it is preferable that the housing 10 of the air purifier 100 be waterproof; however, if the location is not subject to rain or snow, the housing 10 does not need to be waterproof.

[0014] (Configuration of Each Part of Air Purifier 100) As shown in FIG. 1 , the air purifier 100 includes a housing 10. A maintenance door 12 and an air intake 13 are provided on a front surface 11 of the housing 10. The maintenance door 12 is configured to be opened and closed by rotating on a hinge 12a. In the following description, the front direction of the housing 10 is defined as the Y1 direction, the rear direction as the Y2 direction, the right direction as viewed from the front as the X1 direction, the left direction as the X2 direction, the upward direction as the Z1 direction, and the downward direction as the Z2 direction. As shown in FIG. 2 , an air vent path 61 and a bypass air vent path 62 are formed in the housing 10.

[0015] As shown in FIG. 2 , the air purifier 100 includes an absorption unit 20 , an air cleaning filter 30 , a nonwoven fabric filter 40 , and a fan 50 .

[0016] The absorption unit 20 is disposed in the ventilation path 61. The absorption unit 20 is disposed on the rear side of the maintenance door 12 of the housing 10. The absorption unit 20 is also disposed upstream of the airflow generated by the fan 50 relative to the air cleaning filter 30.

[0017] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating the configuration of the absorption unit 20. As shown in FIG. 3, the absorption unit 20 is a filter that absorbs carbon dioxide. The absorption unit 20 includes an absorption member 21 that absorbs carbon dioxide and a case 22 that houses the absorption member 21. The absorption member 21 is, for example, a hydroxide-based carbon dioxide absorbent. The absorption member 21 includes a hydroxide that absorbs carbon dioxide through a chemical reaction. That is, the absorption member 21 is a member that, upon contact with air, undergoes a chemical reaction with carbon dioxide in the air to remove carbon dioxide from the air. The member that absorbs carbon dioxide through a chemical reaction includes a calcium-based material. An example of the calcium-based material is calcium hydroxide. Note that, in addition to methods that use chemical reactions, carbon dioxide absorption methods include methods that physically adsorb carbon dioxide molecules into the pores of the absorption member without causing a chemical reaction. For example, there is a method in which carbon dioxide molecules are adsorbed onto a porous material such as zeolite. This method of physically adsorbing carbon dioxide molecules onto an absorbent member requires a step of desorbing carbon dioxide from the absorbent member and converting the desorbed carbon dioxide into a solid, increasing the number of steps required to convert the carbon dioxide into a solid. In contrast, the configuration of the first embodiment uses a member that absorbs carbon dioxide through a chemical reaction, making it possible to capture carbon dioxide in a solid (powder) state after chemical transformation. This makes it easier to reuse carbon dioxide than with a method of physically adsorbing carbon dioxide molecules onto an absorbent member. Note that the absorbent member 21 may contain hydroxides other than calcium hydroxide. For example, the absorbent member 21 may contain sodium hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide, ammonium hydroxide, or potassium hydroxide.

[0018] Furthermore, when calcium hydroxide is used for the absorption member 21, calcium carbonate can be produced by absorbing carbon dioxide into the calcium hydroxide. The produced calcium carbonate can be used to produce raw materials for various recycled products. Furthermore, calcium hydroxide can absorb carbon dioxide in the air simply by being placed in the air, so that carbon dioxide in the air can be absorbed by the absorption member 21 even when the air purifier 100 is not in operation.

[0019] The absorbing member 21 contains a dye such as methyl violet, and is configured to change color by utilizing a change in pH caused by the absorbed carbon dioxide. For example, the absorbing member 21 changes from "white" to "red, purple, or pink" when it absorbs carbon dioxide. The absorbing member 21 may be one that changes from "red or purple" to "white or pink" when it absorbs carbon dioxide, or one that changes to a color other than those mentioned above. The absorbing member 21 does not have to contain a dye.

[0020] The absorbent member 21 is formed in a granular shape. As shown in Fig. 3, a plurality of absorbent members 21 are arranged in the case portion 22. Forming the absorbent member 21 from a solid makes it easier to handle than a liquid, and the absorbent member 21 is less likely to adhere to the user when replacing the absorption unit 20. The case portion 22 has ventilation holes (not shown) or is formed in a breathable mesh shape. This allows the absorbent member 21 in the case portion 22 to come into contact with outside air.

[0021] 3, a two-dimensional code 22a is attached to the absorbing unit 20. The two-dimensional code 22a is, for example, a QR code (registered trademark). Note that the absorbing unit 20 may be provided with a one-dimensional code (barcode) instead of the two-dimensional code 22a, or may be provided with an electrical circuit capable of storing information, such as an IC chip. The two-dimensional code 22a can be used, for example, as the "two-dimensional code" described in Japanese Patent No. 7189644.

[0022] The air purifying filter 30 is, for example, a filter that captures dust. A HEPA filter can be used as the air purifying filter 30. As shown in FIG. 2 , the air purifying filter 30 is disposed between the absorption unit 20 and the fan 50. The air purifying filter 30 is disposed downstream of the airflow generated by the fan 50 relative to the absorption unit 20. This allows the air purifying filter 30 to capture the absorption member 21, preventing the absorption member 21 from being released outside the air purifier 100, even if part of the absorption member 21 is released from the absorption unit 20. The air purifying filter 30 can be replaced from the front side by removing a panel that forms the front surface 11 of the housing 10.

[0023] The nonwoven fabric filter 40 is an in-bypass filter disposed in the bypass air passage 62. The nonwoven fabric filter 40 is disposed adjacent to the absorption unit 20 on the rear side of the maintenance door 12 of the housing 10. The nonwoven fabric filter 40 is disposed upstream of the airflow generated by the fan 50 relative to the air purification filter 30. The nonwoven fabric filter 40 has higher breathability than the air purification filter 30, and prevents foreign matter and dust from entering the housing 10. In addition, a filter having a pressure loss that optimizes the wind speed of the air passing through the absorption unit 20 is used for the nonwoven fabric filter 40. In other words, the nonwoven fabric filter 40 also serves as a filter for adjusting pressure loss (for adjusting air volume and wind speed).

[0024] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the ventilation path 61 and the bypass ventilation path 62. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating examples of airflows A1 and A2 as viewed from the front of the air purifier 100 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating examples of airflows A1 and A2 as viewed from the side of the air purifier 100 according to the first embodiment. The fan 50 is driven by power supply and, as shown in FIG. 4 , draws air into the housing 10 through the first opening 13 a and the second opening 13 b and exhausts the air to the outside of the housing 10 through the exhaust port 14 a. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 , the fan 50 generates an airflow A1 that vents the ventilation path 61 and an airflow A2 that vents the bypass ventilation path 62. The fan 50 may be, for example, a sirocco fan, but may also be a propeller fan, a turbo fan, or the like. Furthermore, in the first embodiment, a fan 50 is employed such that, when the power consumption of the fan 50 is converted into carbon dioxide, the converted amount of carbon dioxide is less than the amount of carbon dioxide that can be absorbed by the absorption unit 20.

[0025] As shown in Fig. 4, the ventilation path 61 is a ventilation path for purifying the air by absorbing carbon dioxide passing through the absorption unit 20 and the air purification filter 30. The ventilation path 61 is connected to the first opening 13a, and is a path that passes through the absorption unit 20, the air purification filter 30, and the fan 50, and is connected to the exhaust port 14a. The bypass ventilation path 62 is a ventilation path that does not pass air through the absorption unit 20 (bypasses the absorption unit 20), but passes air through the nonwoven fabric filter 40 and the air purification filter 30, and is used only for air purification. The bypass ventilation path 62 is connected to the second opening 13b, and is a path that passes through the nonwoven fabric filter 40, the air purification filter 30, and the fan 50, and is connected to the exhaust port 14a.

[0026] 5, when the fan 50 is driven, air flows from outside the housing 10 to the rear side of the maintenance door 12 through the air intake 13. This generates an airflow A1 that enters the ventilation path 61 and an airflow A2 that enters the bypass ventilation path 62.

[0027] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the first opening 13a and the second opening 13b. Air flowing into the rear side of the maintenance door 12 flows into the first opening 13a and the second opening 13b. As shown in FIG. 7, the width W1 of the first opening 13a is greater than the width W2 of the second opening 13b. The length L1 of the first opening 13a is the same as the length L1 of the second opening 13b. As a result, the opening area S1 of the first opening 13a is greater than the opening area S2 of the second opening 13b. The second opening 13b is disposed adjacent to the first opening 13a on the right side when viewed from the front. Because the first opening 13a and the second opening 13b are provided separately, the first opening 13a and the second opening 13b can be designed to accommodate the airflow rates of the ventilation path 61 and the bypass ventilation path 62, respectively.

[0028] 7, when the maintenance door 12 is open, the first opening 13a and the second opening 13b are exposed on the front side. This allows a user to remove the absorption unit 20 from the housing 10 (to the front side) through the first opening 13a and replace the absorption unit 20. Furthermore, the user can remove the nonwoven fabric filter 40 from the housing 10 through the second opening 13b and replace the nonwoven fabric filter 40. Also, as shown in FIG. 7, the housing 10 may be provided with a stopper 12b that prevents the absorption unit 20 from falling out of the first opening 13a. The stopper 12b is configured to be movable between a position that holds down the absorption unit 20 and a position that does not hold down the absorption unit 20.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 4 , air flowing in through the first opening 13 a passes through the absorption unit 20, then the air purification filter 30, and then the fan 50. Air flowing in through the second opening 13 b passes through the nonwoven fabric filter 40, then the air purification filter 30, and then the fan 50. Here, as shown in FIG. 2 , at least a portion of the ventilation path 61 and at least a portion of the bypass ventilation path 62 are arranged so as to overlap the air purification filter 30 when viewed in the normal direction of the air purification filter 30. This allows the ventilation path 61 and the bypass ventilation path 62 to be shorter than when the ventilation path and the bypass ventilation path are arranged in positions that do not overlap (shifted from) the air purification filter. As a result, the housing 10 can be made smaller.

[0030] Fig. 8 is a top view of the air purifier 100 according to the first embodiment. As shown in Fig. 8, the exhaust port 14a is provided on the top surface 14 of the housing 10. As shown in Fig. 6, the exhaust port 14a discharges air blown by the fan 50 to the outside (upward) of the housing 10.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 8 , an operation panel 16 is disposed on the top surface 14. The operation panel 16 includes a button 16a for switching the operation of the fan 50 (the operation of the air purifier 100) from on to off or from off to on, and a button 16b for changing the set airflow rate of the fan 50. FIG. 9 is a block diagram of the air purifier 100 according to the first embodiment. The air purifier 100 includes a control circuit 70. When button 16a on the operation panel 16 is operated, the control circuit 70 switches the power supply to the fan 50 from on to off, or from off to on. When button 16b on the operation panel 16 is operated, the control circuit 70 changes the amount of power supplied to the fan 50.

[0032] Here, the absorption of carbon dioxide by the absorption unit 20 becomes more efficient as the air velocity passing through the absorption member 21 decreases. Conversely, the greater the air volume passing through the air purification filter 30, the greater the amount of purified air, improving the air purification function. According to the first embodiment, the air volume supplied to the air purification filter 30 via the bypass ventilation path 62 can be increased. Furthermore, since air is supplied to the absorption unit 20 via the ventilation path 61, which has a large pressure loss due to passing through both the absorption unit 20 and the air purification filter 30, the air velocity passing through the absorption unit 20 can be reduced. As a result, the carbon dioxide adsorption efficiency of the air purifier 100 can be improved while improving the air purification function. Furthermore, in the air purifier 100 of the first embodiment, the fan 50 for ventilating the air purification filter 30 and the fan 50 for ventilating the absorption unit 20 can be a common fan.

[0033] Second Embodiment Next, the configuration of an air purifier 200 according to a second embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 10 to 12. In the second embodiment, the air purifier 200 is provided with a detachable absorption unit 220. Note that the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment, and description thereof will be omitted.

[0034] Fig. 10 is a front view showing the configuration of air purifier 200 according to the second embodiment. Fig. 11 is a side view showing the configuration of air purifier 200 according to the second embodiment. Fig. 12 is an exploded view showing the configuration of air purifier 200 according to the second embodiment. As shown in Fig. 10, air purifier 200 includes a housing 210 and a plurality of wheels 290 that movably support housing 210. Also, as shown in Fig. 12, air purifier 200 includes an air purification filter 230 and a fan 250 provided within housing 210. Air purification filter 230 is disposed downstream of the airflow generated by fan 250.

[0035] 12, the air purifier 200 has only an air purification function and does not have a function of absorbing carbon dioxide when the absorption unit 220 is not attached. The air purifier 200 has holes 212 formed therein into which screws 223 of the absorption unit 20 are fixed.

[0036] 12, the absorption unit 220 is configured to be detachable from the housing 210 of the air purifier 200. By attaching the absorption unit 220 to the air purifier 200, the air purifier 200 becomes an air purifier having a function of absorbing carbon dioxide and a function of purifying air.

[0037] 10 , the absorption unit 220 includes an absorption filter 221 including an absorption member that absorbs carbon dioxide, a case 222, a plurality of screws 223, and a plurality of nonwoven fabric filters 240. The absorption unit 220 is fixed to a lower portion of the front surface 211 of the housing 210 of the air purifier 200.

[0038] As shown in Fig. 11 , the absorption unit 220 is disposed in front of (upstream of) the fan 250. The case 222 of the absorption unit 220 is disposed so as to cover the air intake 251 of the air purifier 200. Note that the back surface 226 of the case 222 shown in Fig. 12 , which is connected to the air intake 251, is open. This results in the absorption filter 221 and nonwoven fabric filter 240 of the absorption unit 220 being disposed upstream of the airflow relative to the air purification filter 230.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 12 , a plurality of screws 223 are placed in the holes 212 to fix the protrusion 227 of the case 222 to the housing 210 , thereby fixing the absorption unit 220 to the air purifier 200 .

[0040] As shown in Fig. 12, the absorption filter 221 is disposed inside the front surface 224 of the case 222, and absorbs carbon dioxide from the air that flows in through the intake port 213a (see Fig. 11). The air that has absorbed carbon dioxide passes through the fan 250 and the air purification filter 230 and is exhausted from the exhaust port 214a (airflow A11 in Fig. 11) that is disposed in the upper part of the front surface 211 of the housing 210. As a result, the ventilation path 261 for absorbing carbon dioxide and purifying the air is a path that runs from the intake port 213a, via the absorption filter 221, the fan 250, and the air purification filter 30, to the exhaust port 214a.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 12 , the nonwoven fabric filters 240 are disposed inside the four side surfaces 225 (see FIG. 10 ) perpendicular to the front surface 224 of the case 222, and allow air to flow into the case 222 through the air intakes 213 b (see FIG. 11 ). As a result, the air flowing into the case 222 bypasses the absorption filter 221 and is exhausted from the exhaust ports 214 a located in the upper portion of the front surface 211 of the housing 210 via the fan 250 and the air purification filter 230 (airflow A12 in FIG. 11 ). The bypass air passage 262 according to the second embodiment runs from the air intakes 213 b through the nonwoven fabric filters 240, the fan 250, and the air purification filter 30 to the exhaust ports 214 a. Furthermore, since the air intakes 213 b are provided on the side surfaces 225, the size of the air purifier 200 can be prevented from increasing in size along the front surface 211. This allows the absorption unit 220 to be attached to air purifiers 200 that are smaller than large.

[0042] According to the second embodiment, it is possible to increase the volume of air supplied to the air purification filter 230 via the bypass air passage 262. Furthermore, since air is supplied to the absorption filter 221 via the air passage 261, which has a large pressure loss due to passing through both the absorption filter 221 and the air purification filter 230, it is possible to reduce the air velocity passing through the absorption filter 221. As a result, it is possible to improve the carbon dioxide adsorption efficiency of the air purifier 200 while also improving the air purification function.

[0043] Furthermore, according to the second embodiment, by attaching the absorption unit 220 to the air purifier 200, an existing air purifier that does not have the function of absorbing carbon dioxide can be converted into the air purifier 200 that has the function of absorbing carbon dioxide. The other configurations and effects are the same as those of the first embodiment.

[0044] 13 to 15, the configuration of an air purifier 300 according to a third embodiment will be described. In the third embodiment, the opening area of ​​the opening 313b connected to the bypass air passage 62 is configured to be changeable. Note that the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment, and their description will be omitted.

[0045] Fig. 13 is a block diagram of an air purifier 300 according to a third embodiment. Fig. 14 is a diagram showing an open / close member 381 of the third embodiment in a closed state. Fig. 15 is a diagram showing an open / close member 381 of the third embodiment in an open state. As shown in Fig. 13, the air purifier 300 includes a control circuit 370 and an open / close drive unit 380. Furthermore, as shown in Fig. 14, the air purifier 300 includes an open / close member 381 that opens and closes an opening 313b connected to the bypass air passage 62.

[0046] The opening / closing drive unit 380 is, for example, a motor that moves the opening / closing member 381 between a position where the opening area of ​​the opening 313b is small (see FIG. 14 ) and a position where the opening area of ​​the opening 313b is large (see FIG. 15 ). Figures 14 and 15 show an example in which the opening / closing member 381 slides to switch between a state where it partially blocks the opening 313b and a state where it opens the opening 313b. However, the opening / closing member 381 may also rotate (configured as a flap) to open and close the opening 313b.

[0047] When the set airflow rate of fan 50 is changed from a first set airflow rate to a second set airflow rate that is greater than the first set airflow rate by an operation input to operation panel 16, control circuit 370 operates open / close drive unit 380 to move open / close member 381 so as to increase the opening area of ​​opening 313b. Furthermore, when the set airflow rate of fan 50 is changed from the second set airflow rate to the first set airflow rate by an operation input to operation panel 16, control circuit 370 operates open / close drive unit 380 to move open / close member 381 so as to decrease the opening area of ​​opening 313b.

[0048] According to the configuration of the third embodiment, even when the air volume of the fan 50 is increased, the air volume flowing through the bypass ventilation path 62 can be increased, so that it is possible to prevent the air velocity flowing through the absorption unit 20 from increasing and the carbon dioxide absorption efficiency from decreasing. The other configurations and effects are the same as those of the first embodiment.

[0049] [Modifications] The above-described embodiments are merely examples for implementing the present disclosure. Therefore, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be implemented by appropriately modifying the above-described embodiments within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0050] (1) In the first to third embodiments, examples have been shown in which different openings are provided for the ventilation path and the bypass ventilation path, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, a common opening may be provided for the ventilation path and the bypass ventilation path.

[0051] (2) In the first embodiment, the opening area of ​​the second opening is smaller than the opening area of ​​the first opening, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. The opening area of ​​the second opening may be equal to or larger than the opening area of ​​the first opening.

[0052] (3) In the first to third embodiments, a nonwoven fabric filter is provided, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. A filter need not be provided in the bypass ventilation path, or a filter of a type other than a nonwoven fabric filter (for example, a mesh filter) may be provided.

[0053] (4) In the second embodiment, the absorption unit and the air purifier are fixed to each other with screws, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, the case of the absorption unit may be configured to fit into the housing of the air purifier, or the case of the absorption unit may be fixed to the housing of the air purifier with adhesive.

[0054] The above-described air purifier and carbon dioxide absorption unit can be explained as follows.

[0055] The air purifier according to the first configuration comprises a fan, an air purification filter, and an absorption unit containing an absorption member that absorbs carbon dioxide, the absorption unit being arranged upstream of the air flow generated by driving the fan relative to the air purification filter, and a housing in which the fan, the air purification filter, and the absorption unit are arranged, and the housing includes a carbon dioxide absorption path that passes air through the absorption unit and the air purification filter, and a bypass ventilation path that passes air through the air purification filter without passing air through the absorption unit (first configuration).

[0056] The absorption of carbon dioxide by the absorbing member becomes more efficient as the air velocity passing through the absorbing member decreases. Conversely, the greater the volume of air passing through the air purifying filter, the greater the volume of purified air, improving the air purification function. According to the first configuration, the volume of air supplied to the air purifying filter via the bypass ventilation path can be increased. Furthermore, since air is supplied to the absorbing member via the carbon dioxide absorption path, which has a large pressure loss due to passing through both the absorbing member and the air purifying filter, the air velocity passing through the absorbing member can be reduced. As a result, the carbon dioxide adsorption efficiency can be improved while the air purification function can be improved. Furthermore, a common fan can be used for ventilating the air purifying filter and for ventilating the absorption unit.

[0057] In the first configuration, the housing may include a first intake opening connected to the carbon dioxide absorption path and a second intake opening connected to the bypass ventilation path (second configuration).

[0058] According to the second configuration, an air intake port is provided in each of the carbon dioxide absorption path and the bypass ventilation path, so that the first air intake opening and the second air intake opening can be designed to match the air volume of each of the carbon dioxide absorption path and the bypass ventilation path.

[0059] In the second configuration, the opening area of ​​the second intake opening may be smaller than the opening area of ​​the first intake opening (third configuration).

[0060] According to the third configuration, it is possible to prevent the housing from becoming large.

[0061] In the second or third configuration, the air purifier may further include a control unit that controls the airflow rate of the fan and an opening / closing member that changes the opening area of ​​the second air intake opening. The control unit may be configured to open the opening / closing member so that the opening area of ​​the second air intake opening becomes larger when changing the airflow rate of the fan from a first set airflow rate to a second set airflow rate that is larger than the first set airflow rate (fourth configuration).

[0062] According to the fourth configuration, even when the air volume of the fan is increased, the air volume flowing through the bypass ventilation path can be increased, so that it is possible to prevent the air velocity flowing into the absorption unit from increasing and the carbon dioxide absorption efficiency from decreasing.

[0063] In any one of the first to fourth configurations, the air purifier may further include an in-bypass filter disposed in the bypass air passage (fifth configuration).

[0064] According to the fifth configuration, by providing the in-bypass filter in the bypass ventilation path, it is possible to change the pressure loss in the bypass ventilation path, and therefore it is possible to adjust the balance between the air volume in the bypass ventilation path and the air volume in the carbon dioxide absorption path.

[0065] In any one of the first to fifth configurations, at least a part of the carbon dioxide absorption path and at least a part of the bypass ventilation path may be arranged so as to overlap the air purification filter when viewed in the normal direction of the air purification filter (sixth configuration).

[0066] According to the sixth configuration, the carbon dioxide absorption path and the bypass ventilation path can be made shorter than when they are arranged in positions that do not overlap (shifted from) the air purification filter, thereby making it possible to reduce the size of the housing.

[0067] In any one of the first to sixth configurations, the housing is arranged upstream of the absorption unit in the airflow and includes a maintenance door for replacing the absorption unit (seventh configuration).

[0068] According to the seventh configuration, the absorption unit, which is replaced more frequently than the air cleaning filter, can be easily replaced.

[0069] The carbon dioxide absorption unit according to an eighth configuration is a carbon dioxide absorption unit to be attached to an air purifier, comprising a fan, an air purification filter, and a housing in which the air purification filter is arranged, wherein the carbon dioxide absorption unit comprises an absorption filter containing an absorption member that absorbs carbon dioxide, and a unit case in which the absorption filter is housed, the unit case being configured to be fixed to the housing, and the unit case is configured such that, when the unit case is fixed to the housing, the absorption member is disposed upstream of the airflow generated by driving the fan relative to the air purification filter, and the unit case includes a carbon dioxide absorption path that passes air through the absorption filter and the air purification filter, and a bypass ventilation path that passes air through the air purification filter without passing air through the absorption filter (eighth configuration).

[0070] By attaching the carbon dioxide absorption unit according to the eighth configuration to an air purifier, an existing air purifier that does not have a carbon dioxide absorption function can be converted into an air purifier that does. Furthermore, since the carbon dioxide absorption unit is provided with a bypass ventilation path, it is possible to improve the air purification function while improving the carbon dioxide adsorption efficiency.

[0071] In the eighth configuration, the unit case may include an intake port formed on a first surface of the unit case and connected to the carbon dioxide absorption path, and an intake port formed on a second surface intersecting the first surface and connected to the bypass ventilation path (ninth configuration).

[0072] According to the ninth configuration, it is possible to prevent the unit case from becoming large in size in the direction along the first surface, and this makes it possible to attach the carbon dioxide absorption unit to air purifiers that are smaller than large.

[0073] 10: Housing, 11: Front, 12: Maintenance door, 12a: Hinge, 12b: Stopper, 13: Air intake, 13a: First opening, 13b: Second opening, 14: Top, 14a: Air exhaust, 16: Operation panel, 16a, 16b: Button, 20: Absorption unit, 21: Absorption member, 22: Case, 22a: Two-dimensional code, 30: Air cleaning filter, 40: Nonwoven fabric filter, 50: Fan, 61: Ventilation path, 62: Bypass ventilation path, 70: Control circuit, 100: Air purifier, 200: Air purifier, 210: Housing, 211: front surface, 212: holes, 213a, 213b: intake ports, 214a: exhaust port, 220: absorption unit, 221: absorption filter, 222: case, 223: screws, 224: front surface, 225: side surface, 226: rear surface, 227: protrusion, 230: air cleaning filter, 240: nonwoven fabric filter, 250: fan, 251: intake port, 261: ventilation path, 262: bypass ventilation path, 290: wheels, 300: air cleaner, 313b: opening, 370: control circuit, 380: opening / closing drive unit, 381: opening / closing member

Claims

1. An air purifier comprising: a fan; an air purification filter; an absorption unit containing an absorption member that absorbs carbon dioxide, the absorption unit being arranged upstream of the airflow generated by driving the fan relative to the air purification filter; and a housing in which the fan, the air purification filter and the absorption unit are arranged, the housing including: a carbon dioxide absorption path that passes air through the absorption unit and the air purification filter; and a bypass ventilation path that passes air through the air purification filter without passing air through the absorption unit.

2. The air purifier of claim 1, wherein the housing includes a first intake opening connected to the carbon dioxide absorption path and a second intake opening connected to the bypass ventilation path.

3. The air purifier according to claim 2, wherein an opening area of ​​the second air intake opening is smaller than an opening area of ​​the first air intake opening.

4. An air purifier as described in claim 2, further comprising: a control unit that controls the airflow of the fan; and an opening / closing member that changes the opening area of ​​the second air intake opening, wherein when the control unit changes the airflow of the fan from a first set airflow to a second set airflow that is larger than the first set airflow, it opens the opening / closing member so that the opening area of ​​the second air intake opening becomes larger.

5. The air purifier according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising an in-bypass filter disposed in the bypass ventilation path.

6. An air purifier according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein at least a portion of the carbon dioxide absorption path and at least a portion of the bypass ventilation path overlap the air purifying filter when viewed in the normal direction of the air purifying filter.

7. An air purifier according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the housing is disposed upstream of the airflow with respect to the absorption unit and includes a maintenance door for replacing the absorption unit.

8. A carbon dioxide absorption unit to be attached to an air purifier, comprising: a fan; an air purification filter; and a housing in which the air purification filter is arranged, the carbon dioxide absorption unit comprising: an absorption filter containing an absorption member that absorbs carbon dioxide; and a unit case in which the absorption filter is housed, the unit case being configured to be fixed to the housing, the unit case being configured such that, with the unit case fixed to the housing, the absorption member is disposed upstream of the airflow generated by driving the fan, relative to the air purification filter, the unit case including: a carbon dioxide absorption path that passes air through the absorption filter and the air purification filter, and a bypass ventilation path that passes air through the air purification filter without passing air through the absorption filter.

9. The carbon dioxide absorption unit of claim 8, wherein the unit case includes an intake port formed on a first surface of the unit case and connected to the carbon dioxide absorption path, and an intake port formed on a second surface intersecting the first surface and connected to the bypass ventilation path.

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