Photocatalyst device

Abstract

The present invention provides a device where it is possible to easily replace a photocatalyst during use.　Provided is a photocatalyst device (100) comprising: a sheet (101) including a photocatalyst; a first roll (111) around which an unused portion of the sheet is wound; and a second roll (112) around which a used portion of the sheet is wound.

Description

photocatalytic device

[0001] The present invention relates to a device that utilizes a photocatalyst.

[0002] Photocatalytic devices have been known for some time for performing air sterilization, deodorization, etc. For example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2022-99515 (Patent Document 1) provides a photocatalytic device including a photocatalyst, a fan for blowing air over the photocatalyst, and an ion generator disposed upwind of the photocatalyst.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2022-99515

[0004] An object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus that allows easy replacement of a photocatalyst during use.

[0005] According to one aspect of the present invention, a photocatalytic device is provided, comprising a sheet containing a photocatalyst, a first roll around which an unused portion of the sheet is wound, and a second roll around which a used portion of the sheet is wound.

[0006] As described above, the present invention provides an apparatus that allows a photocatalyst in use to be easily removed and a new sheet to be used.

[0007] 1 is a side cross-sectional view of a photocatalytic device according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is an image diagram when replacing a photocatalytic sheet according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a side cross-sectional view of a photocatalytic device according to a second embodiment. FIG. 4 is a side cross-sectional view of another photocatalytic device according to the second embodiment. FIG. 5 is a side cross-sectional view of another photocatalytic device according to the second embodiment. FIG. 6 is a side cross-sectional view of a photocatalytic device according to a third embodiment. FIG. 7 is a side cross-sectional view of another photocatalytic device according to the third embodiment. FIG. 8 is a side cross-sectional view of another photocatalytic device according to the third embodiment. FIG. 9 is a side cross-sectional view of another photocatalytic device according to the third embodiment. FIG. 10 is a side cross-sectional view of a photocatalytic device according to a fourth embodiment. FIG. 11 is a side cross-sectional view of another photocatalytic device according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 12 is a side cross-sectional view of a photocatalytic device according to a fifth embodiment. FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a photocatalytic device according to a fifth embodiment. FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the control of a controller of a photocatalytic device according to the fifth embodiment. FIG. 15 is a side cross-sectional view showing a method of using a photocatalytic device according to a sixth embodiment. FIG. 16 is an image diagram showing a first use example of the photocatalytic device. FIG. 17 is an image diagram showing a second use example of the photocatalytic device. FIG. 18 is an image diagram showing a third use example of the photocatalytic device. FIG. 19 is an image diagram showing a fourth use example of the photocatalytic device. FIG. 19 is an image diagram showing a fifth use example of the photocatalytic device. FIG. 19 is an image diagram showing a sixth use example of the photocatalytic device. FIG. 10 is an image diagram showing a seventh example of use of the photocatalytic device.

[0008] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals. The names and functions of the components are also the same. Therefore, detailed descriptions thereof will not be repeated. [First embodiment]

[0009] Referring to FIG. 1, a photocatalyst device 100 according to the embodiment includes a photocatalyst sheet 101 , a first roll 111 , a second roll 112 , a structure 110 , and a glass plate 121 .

[0010] The first roll 111 and the second roll 112 are supported by the structure 110. The first roll 111 and the second roll 112 are supported by the structure 110 with a predetermined distance, for example, several tens of centimeters or several meters, between them. The first roll 111 and the second roll 112 are supported by the structure 110 so as to be rotatable.

[0011] The second roll 112 is configured with a gripping portion 112X that extends in the axial direction to an area where the photocatalyst sheet 101 is not wound. A user can wind up the photocatalyst sheet 101, i.e., replace the photocatalyst sheet 101 currently in use, by gripping the gripping portion 112X and rotating the second roll 112 clockwise. Note that the gripping portion 112X is preferably configured to make it easy to rotate the second roll 112, but the shape and material are not particularly limited.

[0012] Similarly, the first roll 111 is preferably configured to extend in the axial direction to an area where the photocatalyst sheet 101 is not wound, thereby forming a gripping portion 111X. A user can unwind the photocatalyst sheet 101 by gripping the gripping portion 111X and rotating the first roll 111 counterclockwise. It is preferable that the gripping portion 111X also has a configuration that makes it easy to rotate the first roll 111, but the shape and material of the gripping portion 111X are not particularly limited.

[0013] The photocatalyst sheet 101 is a thin member and is placed parallel to the glass plate 121. The photocatalyst that constitutes the photocatalyst sheet 101 decomposes oxygen and moisture in the air adsorbed on its surface through a photoreaction, generating highly reactive superoxide anions (O2-) and OH radicals (.OH). The superoxide anions (O2-) and OH radicals (.OH) can decompose odorous components, remove germs, and decompose ethylene gas to prevent the loss of freshness in food, etc. Examples of materials that can be used for the photocatalyst sheet 101 include, but are not limited to, zinc oxide (ZnO), cadmium sulfide (CdS), tungsten trioxide (WO3), and titanium dioxide (TiO2).

[0014] The photocatalyst sheet 101 itself may be made of a photocatalyst, or the photocatalyst may be applied to the surface of the photocatalyst sheet 101 .

[0015] The photocatalyst sheet 101 is wound around a first roll 111. The leading end of the photocatalyst sheet 101 is connected to a second roll 112. A glass plate 121 is placed directly above the photocatalyst sheet 101 between the first roll 111 and the second roll 112, over an area similar to that of the photocatalyst sheet 101. As a result, the air flowing between the photocatalyst sheet 101 and the glass plate 121 is sterilized and deodorized by the photocatalyst excited by light such as sunlight from outside.

[0016] In particular, in this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 2, when the photocatalyst sheet 101 between the first roll 111 and the second roll 112 becomes soiled, the user rotates the second roll 112 clockwise. As a result, the soiled photocatalyst sheet 101 is wound onto the second roll 112, and a new photocatalyst sheet 101 is sent from the first roll 111. In other words, the user can easily replace the photocatalyst sheet 101 with a clean one by rotating the second roll 112. [Second embodiment]

[0017] In the above embodiment, sterilization and deodorization by photocatalysis are performed using external light such as sunlight through the glass plate 121. However, as shown in Figure 3, the device's own LED lights 123 may also be used. That is, in the photocatalytic device 100 of this embodiment, instead of the glass plate 121, multiple LED lights 123 are arranged directly above the photocatalytic sheet 101, over an area similar to that of the photocatalytic sheet 101.

[0018] As a result, the photocatalyst of the photocatalyst sheet 101 is excited by the light from the LED light 123, and the air flowing between the photocatalyst sheet 101 and the LED light 123 is sterilized and deodorized.

[0019] 4, the LED light 123 may be placed on the backside of the photocatalyst sheet 101. In this case, the photocatalyst sheet 101 itself may be made of a photocatalyst, or a photocatalyst may be applied to the backside of the photocatalyst sheet 101.

[0020] 5, a glass plate 121 may be placed directly above the photocatalyst sheet 101, i.e., on the front side, and an LED light 123 may be placed directly below the photocatalyst sheet 101, i.e., on the back side. Alternatively, an LED light 123 may be placed directly above the photocatalyst sheet 101, i.e., on the front side, and a glass plate 121 may be placed directly below the photocatalyst sheet 101, i.e., on the back side. In other words, it is also preferable to sandwich the photocatalyst sheet 101 between the glass plate 121 that takes in light from outside and the LED light 123 that emits light.

[0021] This allows for sterilization and deodorization using photocatalysts by utilizing sunlight during the day and LED lights at night.

[0022] In addition to the above embodiment, as shown in Figure 6, the photocatalyst device 100 may be equipped with a blower fan 131. This allows air to flow between the photocatalyst sheet 101 and the glass plate 121.

[0023] 7, by arranging a fan 131 on the outer side of the second roll 112, it is possible to make air flow from the first roll 111 toward the second roll 112. Alternatively, by arranging the fan 131 on the outer side of the first roll 111, it is also possible to push air from the second roll 112 toward the first roll 111.

[0024] Alternatively, as shown in Figure 8, by disposing a fan 131 on the side between the first roll 111 and the second roll 112, it is possible to blow air in a direction perpendicular to the moving direction of the photocatalyst sheet 101. [Fourth embodiment]

[0025] In the above embodiment, the air is sterilized and deodorized by flowing it over the front side of the photocatalyst sheet 101. However, it is also possible to flow air over both the front and back sides of the photocatalyst sheet 101.

[0026] 9, a glass plate 121 may be placed on the front side of the photocatalyst sheet 101 with a gap therebetween, and an LED light 123 may be placed on the back side of the photocatalyst sheet 101 with a gap therebetween. The air flow may be in the direction of travel of the photocatalyst sheet 101, the opposite direction, or a direction perpendicular to these.

[0027] Alternatively, as shown in Fig. 10, an LED light 123 may be placed on the front side of the photocatalyst sheet 101 with a gap therebetween, and another LED light 123 may be placed on the back side of the photocatalyst sheet 101 with a gap therebetween. The air flow may be in the same direction as the photocatalyst sheet 101, in the opposite direction, or at a right angle thereto. [Fifth embodiment]

[0028] 11, a stepping motor 132 may be installed to drive the second roll 112. The stepping motor 132 rotates the second roll 112 by a predetermined amount when a predetermined condition is satisfied.

[0029] 12, the photocatalytic device 100 according to this embodiment is mainly equipped with a controller 140, an operation unit 145, a fan 131, a stepping motor 132, an LED light 123, and a dirt sensor 125. The controller 140 includes a CPU 141, a memory 142, a timer 143, and the like.

[0030] In this embodiment, the CPU 141 executes the following processes in accordance with the program stored in the memory 142 .

[0031] Referring to FIG. 13, when a switch of operation unit 145 is turned on (step S102), CPU 141 starts timer 143 (step S104).

[0032] The CPU 141 turns on the LED light 123 (step S106) and starts rotating the fan 131 (step S108).

[0033] The CPU 141 refers to the timer 143 and determines whether or not the operation time has reached a predetermined time (step S110).

[0034] When the operation time reaches a predetermined time (YES in step S110), the CPU 141 rotates the stepping motor 132 by a predetermined amount to advance the photocatalyst sheet 101 by a predetermined distance (step S112). That is, the second roll 112 takes up a predetermined distance of used photocatalyst sheet 101, and a predetermined distance of new photocatalyst sheet 101 is supplied from the first roll 111. The predetermined amount is equal to or less than the distance from the first roll 111 to the second roll 112.

[0035] The CPU 141 resets the timer 143 (step S114).

[0036] If the operation time has not reached the predetermined time (NO in step S110), the CPU 141 determines whether an operation OFF command has been received via the operation unit 145 (step S116). If an operation OFF command has been received (YES in step S116), the CPU 141 stops the timer 143 (step S118), turns off the LED light 123 (step S120), and stops the fan 131 (step S122). [Sixth embodiment]

[0037] In the above embodiment, the controller 140 drives the second roll 112 by a predetermined amount each time the operation time of the photocatalytic device 100 reaches a predetermined time, thereby replacing the photocatalytic sheet 101 with a new one. However, as shown in Fig. 12, the photocatalytic device 100 may have a dirt sensor 125. In this embodiment, when the dirt sensor 125 detects dirt of a predetermined level or more in step S110 of Fig. 13, the controller 140 drives the second roll 112 by a predetermined amount, thereby moving the photocatalytic sheet 101 to the part of the new sheet. [Seventh embodiment]

[0038] In addition to the above embodiment, it is preferable to be able to replace or swap out the first roll 111 and / or the second roll 112. For example, when all of the photocatalyst sheet 101 on the first roll 111 has been moved to the second roll 112, the first roll 111 or the second roll 112 is removed from the structure 110 and replaced with a new one.

[0039] Below, we will explain a photocatalytic device 100 in which the first roll 111 and the second roll can be used interchangeably. As shown in Figure 14, in this embodiment, the photocatalytic sheet 101 output from the upper side of the first roll 111 is connected to the lower side of the second roll 112. In addition, the light source is located above. As a result, light is irradiated onto the outer surface A of the first roll 111.

[0040] As shown in Figure 14 (A), the used photocatalyst sheet 101 is wound up, that is, the photocatalyst sheet 101 is moved, by rotating the second roll 112 counterclockwise. The photocatalyst sheet 101 can be unwound by rotating the first roll 111 counterclockwise. As a result, the photocatalyst sheet 101 is wound up on the second roll 112 with side A facing inward.

[0041] As shown in Figure 14 (B), when all of the photocatalyst sheet 101 on the first roll 111 has been wound onto the second roll 112, the first roll 111 and the second roll 112 are removed from the structure 110 and rotated 180 degrees, thereby swapping the positions of the first roll 111 and the second roll 112 and setting them back on the structure 110.

[0042] 14(C), the photocatalyst sheet 101 output from the upper side of the second roll 112 is connected to the lower side of the first roll 111. At this time, the outer surface B of the second roll 112 is irradiated with light.

[0043] 14(C), the first roll 111 is rotated counterclockwise to wind up the used photocatalyst sheet 101, i.e., to move the photocatalyst sheet 101. The photocatalyst sheet 101 can be unwound by rotating the second roll 112 counterclockwise.

[0044] Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 14(D), when all of the photocatalyst sheet 101 on the second roll 112 has been wound onto the first roll 111, the first roll 111 and second roll 112 are replaced with new ones.

[0045] As described above, in this embodiment, both sides of the photocatalyst sheet 101 can be efficiently utilized.

[0046] The use of the photocatalyst device 100 of the above embodiment is not particularly limited. For example, as shown in Figures 15 and 16, it may be attached directly below the roof glass 221 of an automobile 200. In this case, the roof glass 221 of the automobile serves as the glass plate 121 of the photocatalyst device 100 of the above embodiment. The first roll 111 and the second roll may be arranged parallel to the direction of travel of the automobile, or may be arranged perpendicular to the direction of travel of the automobile. In this case, even if a fan 131 is not installed, air may be circulated over the surface of the photocatalyst sheet 101 using the interior air conditioning system.

[0047] Alternatively, as shown in Figures 16 and 17, the photocatalyst device 100 may be attached to the front or back of, or inside, the sun visor 222 for the driver's seat or passenger seat. In this case, as shown in Figure 17, the LED light 123 is provided on the opposite side of the sun visor 222, or as shown in Figure 18, the LED light 123 is provided on the side of the sun visor 222. Alternatively, as shown in Figure 19, the photocatalyst device 100 may be mounted inside the sun visor 222. In this case, even if a fan 131 is not mounted, air may be circulated over the surface of the photocatalyst sheet 101 using the vehicle's air conditioning system.

[0048] The photocatalytic device 100 may be installed on the normal ceiling of a passenger vehicle, or on the side glass, etc.

[0049] Alternatively, as shown in Fig. 20, the photocatalyst device 100 may be attached vertically to a window glass 321 of a house, office, conference room, etc. As shown in Fig. 20, the first roll 111 and the second roll may be arranged vertically parallel to the window glass 321, or the first roll 111 and the second roll may be arranged horizontally parallel to the window glass 321. In this case, even if a fan 131 is not installed, air may be circulated over the surface of the photocatalyst sheet 101 by utilizing an indoor air conditioning system or an updraft caused by a temperature rise due to sunlight.

[0050] 21, the photocatalytic device 100 may be attached to the back surface of a whiteboard 400. In other words, the photocatalytic device 100 may be equipped with a structure 110 for fixing a first roll 111 and a second roll 112 at a predetermined distance, and supports 401, 401 for supporting them, casters 402, 402, etc. In this case, even if a fan 131 is not installed, air may be circulated over the surface of the photocatalytic sheet 101 by utilizing an indoor air conditioning system or an updraft caused by a temperature rise due to sunlight.

[0051] In the above embodiment, the photocatalytic device 100 has been described, but these techniques can also be used in air purifiers.

[0052] In the above embodiment, a photocatalytic device is provided that includes a sheet containing a photocatalyst, a first roll around which the unused portion of the sheet is wound, and a second roll around which the used portion of the sheet is wound.

[0053] Preferably, the apparatus further comprises a structure for supporting the first roll and the second roll rotatably at positions spaced a predetermined distance apart.

[0054] Preferably, the apparatus further includes a motor for rotating the second roll.

[0055] Preferably, the photocatalytic device further includes a control unit for controlling the motor, the control unit driving the motor by a predetermined amount when the usage time of the photocatalytic device has elapsed a predetermined time.

[0056] Preferably, the photocatalytic device further includes a sensor for detecting stains on the sheet and a control unit for controlling the motor, and when the sensor detects that the stains on the sheet have reached a predetermined level, the control unit drives the motor by a predetermined amount.

[0057] Preferably, the photocatalytic device further includes a fan for blowing air over the surface of the sheet.

[0058] Preferably, the sheet further includes a light for irradiating the surface of the sheet with light.

[0059] In the above embodiment, a passenger vehicle is provided that includes a ceiling and the above photocatalytic device attached to the ceiling.

[0060] In the above embodiment, a passenger vehicle is provided that includes a sunroof and the above photocatalytic device provided directly below the sunroof.

[0061] In the above embodiment, a passenger vehicle is provided that includes a sun visor and the above photocatalytic device attached to the sun visor.

[0062] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered to be illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims, not by the above description, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims.

[0063] DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100: Photocatalytic device 101: Photocatalytic sheet 110: Structure 111: First roll 111X: Grip portion 112: Second roll 112X: Grip portion 121: Glass plate 123: LED light 125: Dirt sensor 131: Blower fan 132: Stepping motor 140: Controller 141: CPU 142: Memory 143: Timer 145: Operation unit 200: Automobile 221: Roof glass 222: Sun visor 321: Window glass 400: Whiteboard 402: Caster

Claims

1. A photocatalytic device comprising: a sheet containing a photocatalyst; a first roll around which an unused portion of the sheet is wound; and a second roll around which a used portion of the sheet is wound.

2. The photocatalytic device according to claim 1, further comprising a structure for supporting the first roll and the second roll in a rotatable manner at positions spaced a predetermined distance apart.

3. The photocatalytic device according to claim 1, further comprising a motor for rotating the second roll.

4. A photocatalytic device as described in claim 3, further comprising a control unit for controlling the motor, wherein the control unit drives the motor by a predetermined amount when the usage time of the photocatalytic device has elapsed for a predetermined time.

5. A photocatalytic device as described in claim 3, further comprising: a sensor that detects dirt on the sheet; and a control unit that controls the motor, wherein the control unit drives the motor by a predetermined amount when the dirt on the sheet reaches a predetermined level via the sensor.

6. The photocatalytic device according to claim 1, further comprising a fan for blowing air over the surface of the sheet.

7. The photocatalytic device according to claim 1, further comprising a light for irradiating the surface of the sheet with light.

8. A passenger vehicle comprising: a ceiling; and a photocatalytic device according to any one of claims 1 to 7 attached to the ceiling.

9. A passenger vehicle equipped with a sunroof and a photocatalytic device according to any one of claims 1 to 7 provided directly below the sunroof.

10. A passenger vehicle comprising: a sun visor; and a photocatalytic device according to any one of claims 1 to 7 attached to the sun visor.

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