Air purification device

Abstract

Provided is a control unit (100) including an estimation unit (150), a determination unit (152), and an instruction unit (154). The estimation unit (150) estimates, on the basis of the amount of sodium chloride input by an automatic salt input unit (8) and the amount of chloride ions consumed per unit time in a water storage unit, the concentration of chloride ions in the water storage unit. The determination unit (152) determines a current value on the basis of the concentration of chloride ions and the energization time of an electrolysis unit (17). The instruction unit (154) causes the electrolysis unit (17) to execute the energization of the current value determined by the determination unit (152).

Description

air purifier

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an air purifying device used for sterilizing private rooms and the like.

[0002] The air purifier generates an aqueous solution containing hypochlorous acid (e.g., hypochlorous acid water) by electrolyzing water in a reservoir containing sodium chloride, and releases hypochlorous acid gas into the target space together with air (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] JP 2018-121827 A

[0004] Repeating the above-described process in the air purifier causes fluctuations in the chloride ion concentration in the water reservoir, and repeated electrolysis reduces the film thickness of the electrode plates in the electrolysis unit. Fluctuations in chloride ion concentration and the reduction in film thickness of the electrode plates in the electrolysis unit lead to fluctuations in the amount of chloride ion consumption. Fluctuations in chloride ion consumption lead to fluctuations in the amount of hypochlorous acid produced, which in turn leads to fluctuations in the sterilization performance of the air purifier.

[0005] The present disclosure provides a technique for suppressing fluctuations in chloride ion consumption.

[0006] An air purifying device according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a water storage unit that stores water, an automatic salt dispensing unit that dispenses sodium chloride into the water storage unit, an electrolysis unit that electrolyzes the water in the water storage unit into which sodium chloride has been dispensed by the automatic salt dispensing unit, a gas-liquid contact unit that brings electrolyzed water produced by electrolysis in the electrolysis unit into contact with air entering through an air intake, a blower unit that blows the air obtained in the gas-liquid contact unit out through an outlet, and a control unit that controls the electrolysis unit. The control unit includes an estimation unit that estimates the chloride ion concentration in the water storage unit based on the amount of sodium chloride dispensed by the automatic salt dispensing unit and the amount of chloride ion consumed per unit time in the water storage unit, a determination unit that determines a current value based on the chloride ion concentration and the duration of current application to the electrolysis unit, and an instruction unit that causes the electrolysis unit to apply the current value determined by the determination unit.

[0007] Any combination of the above components, and conversion of the present disclosure into a method, device, system, recording medium, computer program, etc., are also valid aspects of the present disclosure.

[0008] According to the present disclosure, fluctuations in the amount of chloride ions consumed can be suppressed.

[0009] 1 is a perspective view of an air purifying device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the air purifying device of FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the air purifying device of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a water storage section, a filter frame, a filter, a water tank, and an electrolysis unit of the air purifying device of FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the filter frame and filter of the air purifying device of FIG. 1. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an automatic salt dispenser of the air purifying device of FIG. 1. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the automatic salt dispenser of the air purifying device of FIG. 1. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the air purifying device of FIG. 1. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing processing in the estimation section of FIG. 9. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the data structure of a table stored in the storage section of FIG. 9. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure by the air purifying device of FIG. 9. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an overview of processing according to a modified example. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an overview of processing according to embodiment 2.

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the following embodiments are examples that embody the present disclosure and do not limit the technical scope of the present disclosure. Furthermore, each drawing described in the embodiments is a schematic drawing, and the ratios of the sizes and thicknesses of the components in each drawing do not necessarily reflect the actual dimensional ratios. Below, this example will be described in the order of (1) basic configuration, (2) processing procedure, and (3) modified examples.

[0011] (1) Basic Configuration Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the air purifier 1. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the air purifier 1. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the air purifier 1. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the water storage section 13, filter frame 15, filter 14, water tank 12, and electrolysis unit 17 of the air purifier 1.

[0012] 1 to 4 , the air purifying device 1 includes a main body case 4 in the shape of a vertically long box having an air intake 2 and an air outlet 3, an air purification filter 5, an air-liquid contact section 6 (air purification section), an air blower 7, and an automatic salt dispenser 8 (tablet dispenser mechanism). The air purification filter 5, the air-liquid contact section 6 (air purification section), the air blower 7, and the automatic salt dispenser 8 (tablet dispenser mechanism) are disposed within the main body case 4. Within the main body case 4, the air purification filter 5 is disposed on the front side of the main body case 4, the air blower 7 is disposed on the rear side of the main body case 4, and the air-liquid contact section 6 is disposed between the air purification filter 5 and the air blower 7.

[0013] The air intakes 2 are located on the left and right side surfaces of the main body case 4, and the air outlet 3 is located on the top surface of the main body case 4. The air outlet 3 has multiple louvers 3a that rotate up and down. In Figures 1, 2, and 3, the air outlet 3 is shown with the louvers 3a closed. The air purifying filter 5 is designed to capture and remove fine particles from the airflow. The air purifying filter 5 is elongated and has a filter material folded in an accordion shape, and is located on the downwind side of the air duct of the air intake 2.

[0014] The gas-liquid contact unit 6, which holds water and promotes gas-liquid contact between the air to be humidified and the water, is provided on the downwind side of the air duct of the air cleaning filter 5. The gas-liquid contact unit 6 has a water tank 12, a water storage unit 13 (water tank), a filter 14, a filter frame 15, a rotating member 16, and an electrolysis unit 17. The main body case 4 has an openable door 4a on its side, and when the door 4a is opened, the water tank 12 and the water storage unit 13 become visible.

[0015] The water tank 12 is attached to the end of the water storage section 13, and stores water therein. Water is supplied from the water tank 12 to the water storage section 13 via a valve mechanism, thereby maintaining a substantially constant water level in the water storage section 13. The water tank 12 may also be configured to supply water from a pipe connected to a water pipe.

[0016] Water storage section 13 is shaped like a generally long horizontal box with an open top, stores water supplied from water tank 12, and is detachably mounted to the bottom of main body case 4. Water storage section 13 has a plurality of generally vertically elongated first support plates (not shown) and second support plates 18 extending upward. The top of the first support plate has a first bearing (not shown) that rotatably supports filter frame 15, and the top of second support plate 18 has a second bearing 20 that rotatably supports filter frame 15.

[0017] Figure 5 is an exploded view of the filter frame 15 and filter 14 of the air purifier 1. As shown in Figures 3 to 5, the filter 14 is disk-shaped, with a portion of its periphery periodically immersed in the water in the tank, and it draws up water by capillary action. The water drawn up by capillary action is held by the connecting threads of the filter 14, and humidification is achieved by air passing through these threads. The filter 14 is held within the filter frame 15.

[0018] The filter frame 15 has a filter outer frame 21 and a filter inner frame 22. The filter outer frame 21 has a circular, shallow dish shape and has multiple openings 23 on its bottom surface. The filter outer frame 21 has a first shaft 24 that protrudes outward from the center of the bottom surface. The diameter of the filter outer frame 21 is slightly larger than the diameter of the filter inner frame 22. The filter inner frame 22 has a circular, shallow dish shape and has multiple openings 25 on its bottom surface. The filter inner frame 22 has a second shaft 26 that protrudes outward from the center of the bottom surface.

[0019] The filter 14 is disposed between the filter outer frame 21 and the filter inner frame 22, and the filter inner frame 22 is fitted within the filter outer frame 21. In this state, the second shaft 26 of the filter inner frame 22 and the first shaft 24 of the filter outer frame 21 each protrude outward. The filter frame 15 is rotatably supported by the first shaft 24 of the filter outer frame 21 and the second shaft 26 of the filter inner frame 22, in a first bearing provided on the first support plate of the water storage section 13, and a second bearing 20 provided on the second support plate 18. The first shaft 24 of the filter outer frame 21 and the second shaft 26 of the filter inner frame 22 extend in the front-to-rear direction of the main body case 4 (the air blowing direction of the filter frame 15). The filter 14 and filter frame 15 are configured to rotate up and down by the rotating member 16. The first shaft 24 of the filter outer frame 21 of the filter frame 15 is attached to the first bearing, and the second shaft 26 of the filter inner frame 22 is attached to the second bearing 20 so that part of the periphery of the filter 14 is immersed in the water in the water storage section 13.

[0020] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the air purifier 1. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the automatic salt dispenser 8 of the air purifier 1. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the automatic salt dispenser 8 of the air purifier 1. As shown in FIGS. 6, 7, and 8, the automatic salt dispenser 8 is installed above the water storage section 13 and includes a tablet dispenser case 40, a tablet dispenser member 41 provided within the tablet dispenser case 40, and a tablet dispenser cover 42 detachably provided on the top of the tablet dispenser case 40. When the tablet dispenser cover 42 is removed from the tablet dispenser case 40 and an electrolysis-promoting tablet 43 is placed inside the tablet dispenser case 40, the tablet dispenser member 41 rotates, and the electrolysis-promoting tablet 43 automatically falls from an opening 44 on the bottom of the tablet dispenser case 40 through a space surrounded by a partition plate (described later) and a groove in the water tank 12 into the water storage section 13. For example, sodium chloride can be used as the electrolysis-promoting tablet 43.

[0021] The electrolysis unit 17 immerses a first electrode (not shown) and a second electrode (not shown) in the water in the water storage section 13, applies a voltage to the first electrode and the second electrode, and electrochemically treats the water in the water storage section 13 containing electrolysis-accelerating tablets 43 (described later) dispensed by the automatic salt dispenser 8, to generate hypochlorous acid. An example of an electrolysis-accelerating solvent is sodium chloride, and the electrolysis unit 17 electrochemically decomposes an aqueous sodium chloride solution to generate electrolyzed water containing active oxygen species (e.g., hypochlorous acid).

[0022] Here, the term "active oxygen species" refers to oxygen molecules and related substances that have higher oxidative activity than normal oxygen. For example, the term "active oxygen species" includes not only so-called "active oxygen in the narrow sense" such as superoxide anion, singlet oxygen, hydroxyl radical, or hydrogen peroxide, but also so-called "active oxygen in the broad sense" such as ozone and hypochlorous acid (hypohalous acid). In addition, in this embodiment, the generation of electrolyzed water containing active oxygen species (hypochlorous acid in this case) may be expressed as "generating active oxygen species (hypochlorous acid in this case)."

[0023] 3, the blower 7 is provided in the center of the main body case 4 and includes a motor 27, a fan 28 rotated by the motor 27, and a scroll-shaped casing 29 surrounding them. The casing 29 is provided with an outlet 30 and an inlet 31. The outlet 30 is provided on the top surface of the casing 29 in the main body case 4. The inlet 31 is provided on the front surface of the casing 29 in the main body case 4.

[0024] Motor 27 has a rotating shaft 32 that extends horizontally from the front side to the rear side of main body case 4. Fan 28 is a sirocco fan that is fixed to rotating shaft 32 that extends from motor 27. When rotating shaft 32 of motor 27 rotates, fan 28 also rotates, and air drawn in from air intake 2 of main body case 4 is blown to air outlet 3 via first air passage 33 or second air passage 34 inside main body case 4.

[0025] First air passage 33 is an air passage that sequentially communicates from air intake 2 through air purification filter 5, filter 14, and blower unit 7 to air outlet 3. First, when fan 28 of blower unit 7 rotates, air outside main body case 4 is sucked in through air intake 2 and blown into first air passage 33. The air blown into first air passage 33 passes through air purification filter 5, which captures dust and the like, turning it into purified air. Next, the purified air sequentially passes through filter 14 holding electrolyzed water containing hypochlorous acid, becomes further purified air, and is then blown out of main body case 4 from air outlet 3 via blower unit 7.

[0026] The second air passage 34 is an air passage that sequentially communicates from the air intake 2 to the air outlet 3 via the air purification filter 5 and the air blower 7. First, when the fan 28 of the air blower 7 rotates, air outside the main body case 4 is sucked in through the air intake 2 and passes through the air purification filter 5, where dust and other particles are captured and the air becomes purified air. Next, the purified air bypasses the filter frame 15 and the filter 14, passes outside the filter frame 15, and is blown out of the main body case 4 from the air outlet 3 via the air blower 7.

[0027] As configured above, the air purifying device 1 comprises a main body case 4 having an air intake 2 and an air outlet 3, a water storage section 13 provided within the main body case 4 for storing water, a water tank 12 for supplying water to the water storage section 13, an automatic salt dispenser 8 for disposing electrolysis-promoting tablets 43 (sodium chloride) into the water storage section 13, an electrolysis unit 17 for electrolyzing the water in the water storage section 13 into which sodium chloride has been dispensed by the automatic salt dispenser 8, a gas-liquid contact section 6 for bringing the electrolyzed water generated by electrolysis in the electrolysis unit 17 into contact with the air entering through the air intake 2, and an air blower 7 for blowing the air obtained in the gas-liquid contact section 6 from the air outlet 3.

[0028] (2) Processing Procedure By repeating the above-described processing in the control unit 100, the chloride ion concentration in the water storage unit 13 fluctuates. Specifically, the chloride ion concentration in the water storage unit 13 increases when the electrolysis accelerating tablets 43 (sodium chloride) introduced into the water storage unit 13 from the automatic salt introduction unit 8 dissolve in water, thereby generating a sodium chloride aqueous solution. The chloride ion concentration in the water storage unit 13 decreases when the electrolysis unit 17 electrochemically electrolyzes the sodium chloride aqueous solution to generate electrolyzed water. The chloride ion concentration in the water storage unit 13 increases when the electrolysis accelerating tablets 43 (sodium chloride) introduced again into the water storage unit 13 from the automatic salt introduction unit 8 dissolve in water, thereby generating a sodium chloride aqueous solution.

[0029] Furthermore, as described above, repeated electrolysis in the air purifier 1 reduces the film thickness of the electrode plates in the electrolysis unit 17. Fluctuations in chloride ion concentration and the reduction in film thickness of the electrode plates in the electrolysis unit 17 lead to fluctuations in the amount of chloride ion consumption. Fluctuations in the amount of chloride ion consumption lead to fluctuations in the amount of hypochlorous acid produced, which in turn leads to fluctuations in the sterilization performance of the air purifier 1. The following describes the process performed by the air purifier 1 to suppress fluctuations in the amount of chloride ion consumption.

[0030] 9 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the air purifier 1. The air purifier 1 includes a gas-liquid contactor 6, a blower 7, an automatic salt feeder 8, an electrolysis unit 17, a controller 100, an operation switch 110, a water supply detector 124, a drain detector 126, a display 130, and a memory 140. The controller 100 also includes an estimation unit 150, a determination unit 152, an instruction unit 154, an automatic salt feeder controller 156, and a drain controller 158.

[0031] The operation switch 110 is disposed, for example, on the surface of the main body case 4 (FIG. 1), and is a switch for receiving a user's command to operate the air purifier 1. When the operation switch 110 is pressed down, the operation switch 110 instructs the control unit 100 to operate the air purifier 1. The water supply detection unit 124 detects that water has been supplied to the water storage unit 13. When the water supply detection unit 124 detects water supply, it notifies the control unit 100 of the detection of water supply. The drainage detection unit 126 detects that water has been drained from the water storage unit 13. When the drainage detection unit 126 detects drainage, it notifies the control unit 100 of the detection of drainage. Since known technology may be used for the water supply detection unit 124 and the drainage detection unit 126, a description thereof will be omitted here.

[0032] The display unit 130 is a display panel capable of displaying letters or numbers, and displays letters or numbers in response to instructions from the control unit 100. The control unit 100 is disposed inside the air purifying device 1 and controls the operation of the air purifying device 1. For example, the control unit 100 controls the gas-liquid contact unit 6, the air blower 7, the automatic salt dosing unit 8, and the electrolysis unit 17. The control by the control unit 100 will be described below.

[0033] When water stored in the water storage unit 13 is drained, the drain detection unit 126 detects the drainage and notifies the control unit 100. Subsequently, when water is supplied to the water storage unit 13, the water supply detection unit 124 detects the water supply and notifies the control unit 100. Upon receiving the water supply notification, the automatic salt supply control unit 156 of the control unit 100 operates the automatic salt supply unit 8 to supply electrolysis accelerating tablets 43 (sodium chloride) to the water storage unit 13. Because the number of electrolysis accelerating tablets 43 supplied by the operation of the automatic salt supply unit 8 is a fixed value, the amount of sodium chloride or chloride ions supplied is also a fixed value. The determination unit 152 applies a constant current to the electrolysis unit 17. This generates electrolyzed water in the water storage unit 13. Furthermore, the control unit 100 operates the blower unit 7. As a result, air containing electrolyzed water is blown out from the air purifier 1.

[0034] The concentration of chloride ions in the water storage unit 13 decreases when air containing electrolyzed water is blown out from the air purifier 1. When the concentration of chloride ions in the water storage unit 13 estimated by the estimation unit 150 (described later) is lower than a reference value for addition, the automatic salt addition control unit 156 operates the automatic salt addition unit 8 to add electrolysis promoting tablets 43 (sodium chloride) to the water storage unit 13. The reference value for addition is determined in advance.

[0035] The control unit 100 measures the time (hereinafter referred to as the "energization time") during which the instruction unit 154 energizes the electrolysis unit 17. The energization time corresponds to the time required for electrolyzed water to be generated in the water storage unit 13. The drainage control unit 158 ​​executes control to prompt the water storage unit 13 to drain when the energization time measured by the control unit 100 reaches the drainage time. One example of control to prompt the water storage unit 13 to drain is to display a message prompting the water storage unit 13 to drain on the display unit 130. Upon confirming the message prompting the water storage unit 13 to drain displayed on the display unit 130, the user removes the water storage unit 13 from the air purifier 1, drains the water in the water storage unit 13, and then attaches the water storage unit 13 to the air purifier 1. Here, before the energization time reaches the drainage time, the electrolysis promoting tablets 43 (sodium chloride) are added multiple times. When the drainage detection unit 126 detects the drainage of the water stored in the water storage unit 13, the process is repeated from the beginning.

[0036] In this process, in order to suppress fluctuations in the consumption of chloride ions, the estimation unit 150 of the control unit 100 estimates the concentration of chloride ions in the water storage unit 13. FIGS. 10( a) and 10(b) show the process performed by the estimation unit 150. FIG. 10(a) shows a characteristic curve 200 representing the relationship between the current value flowing through the electrolysis unit 17 and the consumption of chloride ions in the water storage unit 13. According to the characteristic curve 200, the consumption of chloride ions varies depending on the current value. For example, when the current value is the central current value, the consumption of chloride ions is maximized. The maximum value of the consumption of chloride ions is defined as the "reference consumption." In other words, the reference consumption is the consumption of chloride ions when the current value is the central current value. The characteristic curve 200 shown in FIG. 10(a) is obtained in advance by experimentation.

[0037] The multiplication factor of the chloride ion consumption amount at each current value relative to the reference consumption amount is indicated as a current value coefficient. The current value coefficient at the center current value is "1.0", and the current value coefficient at current values ​​other than the center current value is "a value smaller than 1.0". Figure 10(b) is a table showing the correspondence relationship between current values ​​and current value coefficients. Here, the current value "100" is the center current value. This table is also stored in the memory unit 140 together with the reference consumption amount. Returning to Figure 9,

[0038] The estimation unit 150 receives information on the value of the current flowing through the electrolysis unit 17 from the instruction unit 154. The estimation unit 150 obtains a current value coefficient from the received current value based on a table stored in the storage unit 140. The estimation unit 150 also obtains a reference consumption amount from the storage unit 140. The estimation unit 150 calculates the consumption amount of chloride ions per unit time in the water storage unit 13 as follows.

[0039] Consumption of chloride ions per unit time in the water storage section 13 = Standard consumption amount × Current value coefficient (Equation (1)) In other words, the estimation section 150 obtains the consumption of chloride ions per unit time in the water storage section 13 by adjusting the standard consumption amount of chloride ions per unit time in the water storage section 13 according to the current value passed by the electrolysis unit 17.

[0040] The estimation unit 150 receives from the automatic salt dosing control unit 156 the number of times sodium chloride has been dispensed into the automatic salt dosing unit 8 since the control unit 100 measured the power-on time. The estimation unit 150 calculates the amount of sodium chloride (amount of chloride ions dispensed) into the automatic salt dosing unit 8 by multiplying the amount of sodium chloride (amount of chloride ions dispensed) into the automatic salt dosing unit 8 per time by the number of times of dispensing. The amount of sodium chloride (amount of chloride ions dispensed) into the automatic salt dosing unit 8 per time is held in the estimation unit 150. The estimation unit 150 also receives the power-on time measured by the control unit 100.

[0041] The estimation unit 150 calculates the concentration of chloride ions in the water storage unit 13 as follows.

[0042] Concentration of chloride ions in water storage section 13 = (amount of chloride ions added - amount of chloride ions consumed per unit time in water storage section 13 x elapsed time) / amount of water in water storage section 13 Equation (2) Here, the amount of water in water storage section 13 is a fixed value, and is held in estimation section 150. In other words, estimation section 150 estimates the concentration of chloride ions in water storage section 13 based on the amount of sodium chloride added in automatic salt addition section 8 and the amount of chloride ions consumed per unit time in water storage section 13.

[0043] The determination unit 152 determines the value of the current to be passed through the electrolysis unit 17. Here, the amount of chloride ions consumed, i.e., the amount of hypochlorous acid produced, varies depending on the concentration of chloride ions in the water reservoir 13. Therefore, the determination unit 152 specifies a coefficient (hereinafter referred to as "current change coefficient 1") that corrects the current value to stabilize the amount of hypochlorous acid produced at a constant value. The current change coefficient 1 is a coefficient that is predetermined for each concentration of chloride ions.

[0044] 11(a) and 11(b) show the data structure of tables stored in the storage unit 140. FIG. 11(a) is a table showing the correspondence between chloride ion concentrations and current change coefficients 1. A "design value" for chloride ion concentrations is predetermined. The design value is set, for example, to have a certain range. When the chloride ion concentration is the design value, the chloride ion consumption is the desired value, so the current change coefficient 1 is set to the standard value of "1.0" to maintain the current value. When the chloride ion concentration is "lower" than the design value, the chloride ion consumption is decreasing, so the current change coefficient 1 is set to a value greater than 1, for example, "1.2," to increase the current value. When the chloride ion concentration is "higher" than the design value, the chloride ion consumption is increasing, so the current change coefficient 1 is set to a value less than 1, for example, "0.8," to decrease the current value. In this way, the determination unit 152 increases the current change coefficient 1 as the chloride ion concentration decreases. FIG. 11(b) will be described later, and we will return to FIG.

[0045] Furthermore, because the consumption of chloride ions, i.e., the production amount of hypochlorous acid, varies depending on the deterioration of the electrodes of the electrolysis unit 17, the determination unit 152 identifies a coefficient (hereinafter referred to as the "current change coefficient 2") that corrects the current value to stabilize the production amount of hypochlorous acid. The current change coefficient 2 is a coefficient that is predetermined for each current-flow time of the electrolysis unit 17. FIG. 11( b) is a table showing the correspondence relationship between the current-flow time of the electrolysis unit 17 and the current change coefficient 2. When the current-flow time is "0," the current change coefficient 2 is set to the reference value of "1.0." Furthermore, as the current-flow time increases, the performance of the electrolysis unit 17 deteriorates and the consumption of chloride ions decreases; therefore, the current change coefficient 2 is increased to increase the current value. In this way, the determination unit 152 increases the current change coefficient 2 as the current-flow time increases. Return to FIG. 10 .

[0046] The determination unit 152 uses the current change coefficient 1 and the current change coefficient 2 to calculate the current value as follows.

[0047] Current value = Reference current value × Current change coefficient 1 × Current change coefficient 2 Equation (3) Here, the reference current value is a current value set based on the amount of scale components concentrated for 15 days, which is the middle period of drainage, when the drainage frequency is 30 days, since the amount of chloride ions consumed, i.e., the amount of hypochlorous acid produced, varies depending on the amount of scale components in the water storage unit 13. For example, the reference current value is a current value predetermined for each notch. In this manner, the determination unit 152 determines the current value based on the chloride ion concentration and the energization time of the electrolysis unit 17. In particular, the determination unit 152 increases the current value as the chloride ion concentration decreases and increases the current value as the energization time of the electrolysis unit 17 increases. The instruction unit 154 causes the electrolysis unit 17 to apply the current value determined by the determination unit 152.

[0048] The subject of the device, system, or method disclosed herein includes a computer. The computer executes a program to realize the functions of the subject of the device, system, or method disclosed herein. The computer includes, as its main hardware configuration, a processor that operates according to the program. The type of processor is not important as long as it can realize the functions by executing the program. The processor is composed of one or more electronic circuits, including a semiconductor integrated circuit (IC) or an LSI (Large Scale Integration). The multiple electronic circuits may be integrated into a single chip or may be provided on multiple chips. The multiple chips may be integrated into a single device or may be provided on multiple devices. The program is recorded on a non-transitory recording medium, such as a computer-readable ROM, optical disk, or hard disk drive. The program may be pre-stored on the recording medium or may be supplied to the recording medium via a wide area communication network, including the Internet.

[0049] The operation of the air purifying device 1 configured as described above will now be described. Fig. 12 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure performed by the air purifying device 1. The power of the air purifying device 1 is turned on by operating the operation switch 110 (S10). If the drainage control unit 158 ​​determines that drainage is necessary (Y in S12), the control unit 100 stops operation (S14). If drainage has not been performed (N in S16), the process returns to step 14. If the drainage control unit 158 ​​determines that drainage is not necessary (N in S12) or if drainage has been performed (Y in S16), the estimation unit 150 estimates the chloride ion concentration (S18).

[0050] If the concentration is not equal to or greater than the input reference value (N in S20), the automatic salt input unit 8 inputs sodium chloride (S22), and the estimation unit 150 estimates the chloride ion concentration (S24). If the concentration is equal to or greater than the input reference value (Y in S20), steps 22 and 24 are skipped. The determination unit 152 determines current change coefficient 1 (S26) and current change coefficient 2 (S28). Furthermore, the determination unit 152 determines the current value using current change coefficient 1 and current change coefficient 2 (S30). The instruction unit 154 instructs the electrolysis unit 17 to energize (S32). The process returns to step 12.

[0051] (3) Modification: When water is supplied from the water tank 12 to the water storage section 13, the amount of scale contained in the water storage section 13 increases. Scale is, for example, minerals such as magnesium, calcium, and silicon, and is a substance that inhibits the generation of active oxygen species contained in electrolyzed water. In other words, an increase in the concentration of scale in the water storage section 13 leads to a decrease in the concentration of chloride ions. In addition to the treatments described above, this modification takes into account changes in the concentration of scale. The following description focuses on the differences from the previous treatments.

[0052] The effects of scale include short-term and long-term effects. The short-term effect is that scale components adhere to the electrode surfaces of the electrolysis unit 17. The long-term effect is that scale components in the water in the water storage unit 13 become concentrated. FIGS. 13( a)-(d) show an overview of the treatment, particularly an overview of the short-term effects. FIG. 13( a) shows the initial state of the water storage unit 13. The first electrode plate 50 and the second electrode plate 52 of the electrolysis unit 17 are inserted into the water storage unit 13. The water stored in the water storage unit 13 (water containing chloride ions) contains scale components 54. In this situation, the electrolysis unit 17 performs electrolysis by applying a positive potential to the first electrode plate 50 and a negative potential to the second electrode plate 52 through current flow.

[0053] Figure 13(b) shows a state following Figure 13(a). By continuing to apply a positive potential to the first electrode plate 50 and a negative potential to the second electrode plate 52, the scale components 54 adhere to the surface of the second electrode plate 52. As a result, the exposed surface area of ​​the second electrode plate 52 decreases. This decrease in surface area makes it difficult for electrolysis to occur, and the concentration of chloride ions decreases.

[0054] FIG. 13( c ) shows a state subsequent to FIG. 13( b ). To reduce the short-term effects shown in FIG. 13( b ), the electrolysis unit 17 switches the first electrode plate 50 from a positive potential to a negative potential and the second electrode plate 52 from a negative potential to a positive potential after a certain period of time has elapsed since the start of energization, and continues electrolysis. This potential switching (polarity reversal) dissolves the scale components 54 that have adhered to the surface of the second electrode plate 52. This increases the exposed surface area of ​​the second electrode plate 52. Because the scale components 54 adhere to the surface of the second electrode plate 52, the electrolysis unit 17 periodically switches the potentials of the first electrode plate 50 and the second electrode plate 52.

[0055] 13( c) shows the change over time in the consumption amount (concentration) of chloride ions in the water reservoir 13 due to the above process. As the current flow time increases, the consumption amount (concentration) of chloride ions in the water reservoir 13 decreases due to short-term effects. When the electrolysis unit 17 performs polarity reversal, the consumption amount (concentration) of chloride ions in the water reservoir 13 increases. Furthermore, as the current flow time increases, the consumption amount (concentration) of chloride ions in the water reservoir 13 decreases again due to short-term effects.

[0056] Figures 14(a)-(b) show an overview of the treatment, particularly the short-term and long-term effects. Figure 14(a) shows the change over time in the consumption (concentration) of chloride ions in the water reservoir 13. Figure 14(a) shows the change over time in the consumption (concentration) of chloride ions in the water reservoir 13 for a longer current application time compared to Figure 13(c). As mentioned above, polarity reversal increases the consumption (concentration) of chloride ions in the water reservoir 13. However, water is supplied to the water reservoir 13 as needed from the water tank 12. The water supply concentrates scale components in the water in the water reservoir 13. Due to these long-term effects, as the current application time increases, the increase in the consumption (concentration) of chloride ions in the water reservoir 13 due to polarity reversal decreases. Therefore, the water reservoir 13 is drained and refilled.

[0057] To take into account the influence of scale components 54, FIG. 14(b) is used instead of the previously described FIG. 10(a). Similar to FIG. 10(a), FIG. 14(b) shows the relationship between the current value passed through the electrolysis unit 17 and the consumption of chloride ions in the water storage section 13. The characteristic curve 200, reference consumption, and central current value in FIG. 14(b) are the same as those in FIG. 10(a). Here, to reflect the influence of scale components 54, water simulating the concentration of components in the water during the middle stage of drainage in FIG. 14(a) is prepared, and a hypochlorous acid generation test is performed using the prepared water up to just before polarity inversion. The results are shown as a scale curve 202 in FIG. 14(b). The scale reduction rate is calculated by dividing the consumption rate of the scale curve 202 at the central current value by the reference consumption rate. The scale reduction rate reflects the influence of scale components 54 in the water storage section 13. The scale reduction rate is stored in the memory unit 140.

[0058] When calculating the amount of chloride ions consumed per unit time in the water storage section 13, the estimation section 150 executes the following process instead of equation (1).

[0059] Consumption of chloride ions per unit time in the water storage section 13 = Scale reduction rate × Standard consumption × Current value coefficient (Equation (4)) In other words, the estimation section 150 multiplies the standard consumption of chloride ions per unit time in the water storage section 13 by the scale coefficient.

[0060] According to the present embodiment, it is possible to suppress fluctuations in the consumption of chloride ions by estimating the concentration of chloride ions and determining the current value based on the chloride ion concentration and the current-flow time of the electrolysis unit 17. Furthermore, it is possible to suppress fluctuations in the consumption of chloride ions by estimating the concentration of chloride ions and a decrease in consumption associated with a decrease in the film thickness of the electrolysis unit 17 and changing the control of the electrolysis unit 17 in accordance with these estimates.

[0061] Furthermore, the estimation accuracy can be improved because the chloride ion concentration is estimated by subtracting the multiplication result of the consumption of chloride ions per unit time and the energization time of electrolysis unit 17 from the input amount of sodium chloride, and dividing the subtraction result by the water volume of water reservoir 13. Furthermore, the chloride ion concentration is estimated by subtracting the multiplication result of the consumption of chloride ions per unit time and the energization time of electrolysis unit 17 from the input amount of sodium chloride, and dividing the subtraction result by the water volume of water reservoir 13, so the estimation can be easily performed.

[0062] Furthermore, the chloride ion consumption per unit time is obtained by adjusting the reference consumption amount in accordance with the current value passed by the electrolysis unit 17, thereby improving the accuracy of the chloride ion consumption per unit time. Furthermore, the reference consumption amount is multiplied by a scale coefficient, thereby enabling an estimation of the chloride ion concentration that reflects the influence of the scale components 54. Furthermore, the current value is increased as the chloride ion concentration decreases, and the current value is increased as the current passing time of the electrolysis unit 17 increases, thereby suppressing fluctuations in the chloride ion consumption.

[0063] An outline of one aspect of the present disclosure is as follows.

[0064] (Item 1) A water storage device comprising: a water storage section (13) for storing water; an automatic salt feeding section (8) for feeding sodium chloride into the water storage section (13); an electrolysis unit (17) for electrolyzing the water in the water storage section (13) into which the sodium chloride has been fed by the automatic salt feeding section (8); a gas-liquid contact section (6) for bringing electrolyzed water produced by electrolysis in the electrolysis unit (17) into contact with air entering through an air intake (2); an air blower section (7) for blowing the air obtained in the gas-liquid contact section (6) out of an outlet (3); and a control section (100) for controlling the electrolysis unit (17), wherein the control section (100) includes: an estimation section (150) for estimating the concentration of chloride ions in the water storage section (13) based on the amount of sodium chloride fed into the automatic salt feeding section (8) and the amount of chloride ions consumed per unit time in the water storage section (13); an instruction unit (154) that causes the electrolysis unit (17) to pass the current of the current value determined by the determination unit (152); and

[0065] (Item 2) The air purifying device (1) according to Item 1, wherein the estimation unit (150) estimates the concentration of chloride ions in the water storage unit (13) by subtracting a product of an amount of chloride ions consumed per unit time in the water storage unit (13) and a duration of time during which the electrolysis unit (17) is energized from the amount of sodium chloride added in the automatic salt adding unit (8), and dividing the result of the subtraction by the amount of water in the water storage unit (13).

[0066] (Item 3) The air purification device (1) according to Item 2, wherein the estimation unit (150) acquires the amount of chloride ion consumption per unit time in the water storage unit (13) by adjusting a reference amount of chloride ion consumption per unit time in the water storage unit (13) in accordance with the value of the current passed by the electrolysis unit (17).

[0067] (Item 4) The air purifying device (1) according to Item 3, wherein the estimation unit (150) multiplies a reference consumption amount of chloride ions per unit time in the water storage unit (13) by a scale coefficient that reflects an influence of scale in the water storage unit (13).

[0068] (Item 5) The air purification device (1) according to any one of Items 1 to 4, wherein the determination unit (152) increases the current value as the concentration of the chloride ions decreases and increases the current value as a current-flow time of the electrolysis unit (17) increases.

[0069] The present disclosure has been described above based on the embodiments, but the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiments, and it can be easily inferred that various improvements and modifications are possible within the scope that does not deviate from the spirit of the present disclosure.

[0070] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Air purifier 2 Air intake 3 Air outlet 3a Louver 4 Main body case 4a Door 5 Air purification filter 6 Gas-liquid contact section 7 Air blower section 8 Automatic salt dispenser 12 Water tank 13 Water storage section 14 Filter 15 Filter frame 16 Rotating member 17 Electrolysis unit 18 Second support plate 20 Second bearing 21 Filter outer frame 22 Filter inner frame 23 Opening 24 First shaft 25 Opening 26 Second shaft 27 Motor 28 Fan 29 Casing 30 Discharge port 31 Intake port 32 Rotating shaft 33 First air passage 34 Second air passage 40 Tablet dispenser case 41 Tablet dispenser member 42 Tablet dispenser cover 43 Electrolysis accelerating tablet 44 Opening 50 First electrode plate 52 Second electrode plate 54 Scale component REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 100 Control unit 110 Operation switch 124 Water supply detection unit 126 Drainage detection unit 130 Display unit 140 Memory unit 150 Estimation unit 152 Determination unit 154 Instruction unit 156 Automatic salt injection control unit 158 ​​Drainage control unit

Claims

an automatic salt adding unit that adds sodium chloride to the water storage unit; an electrolysis unit that electrolyzes the water in the water storage unit into which the sodium chloride has been added by the automatic salt adding unit; an air-liquid contact unit that brings electrolyzed water produced by electrolysis in the electrolysis unit into contact with air entering through an air intake; an air blower that blows the air obtained in the air-liquid contact unit out of an outlet; and a control unit that controls the electrolysis unit, wherein the control unit comprises: an estimation unit that estimates the concentration of chloride ions in the water storage unit based on the amount of sodium chloride added to the automatic salt adding unit and the amount of chloride ions consumed per unit time in the water storage unit; a determination unit that determines a current value based on the concentration of chloride ions and the duration of current flow through the electrolysis unit; and an instruction unit that causes the electrolysis unit to supply the current of the value determined by the determination unit.

2. The air purifying device of claim 1, wherein the estimation unit estimates the concentration of chloride ions in the water storage unit by subtracting the product of the amount of chloride ions consumed per unit time in the water storage unit and the time the electrolysis unit is energized from the amount of sodium chloride added in the automatic salt addition unit, and dividing the subtraction result by the amount of water in the water storage unit.

3. An air purifying device as described in claim 2, wherein the estimation unit obtains the consumption of chloride ions per unit time in the water storage unit by adjusting the standard consumption of chloride ions per unit time in the water storage unit according to the current value passed by the electrolysis unit.

4. The air purifying device according to claim 3, wherein the estimation unit multiplies the reference consumption amount of chloride ions per unit time in the water storage unit by a scale coefficient that reflects the effect of scale in the water storage unit.

5. An air purifying device as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the determination unit increases the current value as the concentration of the chloride ions decreases, and increases the current value as the time the electrolysis unit is energized increases.

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