JP3012764B2 - Air purification device with humidification function - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an air purifying apparatus having a humidifying function used for maintaining and improving the comfort of a living environment.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In order to purify air in order to cope with deterioration of air quality in a living environment, that is, increase of bad smell and generation of harmful gas due to smoking, human body and other various sources, various types of air purification are performed. Methods have been proposed, and in particular, air purification processing using ozone has been actively performed. On the other hand, as a result of the improvement in the degree of tightness of the living space, air conditioning and heating often cause the room to be excessively dried, and humidification is often performed in order to cope with this and adjust to an appropriate humidity level. Was. Under such a background, an air purifying apparatus having a humidifying function has been proposed.

[0003]

However, humidifying water used for humidification often causes bacteria and the like to propagate and is released into the environment on humidified air, which may pose a health problem. Furthermore, in sterilization treatment using ozone and air purification treatment, an excessive amount of ozone may be used to enhance the effect of sterilization and purification, and unreacted excess ozone that cannot be completely decomposed often leaks. There is a risk that ozone odor may be generated and sometimes a situation that causes health problems may occur. Ozone naturally decomposes in air, but it takes a considerable amount of time to decompose, and the decomposition rate changes depending on the temperature and humidity conditions. Therefore, it is not preferable to leave ozone leakage unattended.

[0004] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems in the prior art, the present invention performs a sterilization process on humidified air, and reliably detects and controls the concentration of ozone remaining in the air after the sterilization process and the purification process, thereby achieving a comfortable and comfortable operation. An object of the present invention is to provide an air purification device with a humidifying function that can realize a safe air quality environment.

[0005]

Means for Solving the Problems In order to achieve the above object, an air purifying apparatus with a humidifying function according to the present invention comprises:
Air quality detecting means for detecting air quality in the environment, ozone generating means for generating ozone having a predetermined concentration based on a control signal output from the air quality detecting means, and dissolving the generated ozone to sterilize air Ozone decomposition and deodorization means for performing processing and purification processing, ozone detection means for detecting residual ozone in the air after sterilization processing and purification processing, and controlling the ozone generation means, and control output from the air quality detection means Humidifying means for humidifying based on a signal.

In the above configuration, the air quality detecting means includes:
Equipped with a gas sensor, humidity sensor, storage calculation means and control means, linked with the gas detection function by gas sensor, humidity detection function by humidity sensor, air quality judgment function, humidity level judgment function, and air quality judgment result It is preferable to have an ozone generation means control function for controlling the ozone generation means and a humidification means control function for controlling the humidification means in conjunction with the determination result of the humidity level.

In the above structure, it is preferable that the ozone decomposition / deodorization means includes a catalyst, and has a function of activating ozone decomposition by the catalyst and a function of a deodorization reaction accompanying the decomposition of ozone.

Further, in the above configuration, the ozone detection means includes an ozone sensor, a storage operation means and a control means, and is linked to an ozone detection function by the ozone sensor, an ozone concentration level judgment function, and an ozone concentration level judgment result. And an ozone generating means control function for controlling the ozone generating means.

Further, in the above configuration, the ozone generating means is linked with the air quality detecting means and the ozone detecting means, and generates ozone when the air quality detecting means determines that the air quality is degraded. A first ozone generating function, a second ozone generating function of generating ozone when the air quality detecting means determines that the air is in a dry state, and a concentration of residual ozone exceeding an allowable concentration by the ozone detecting means. It is preferable to have an ozone generation stop function of stopping the generation of ozone when it is determined that there is the ozone generation.

[0010] In the above structure, it is preferable that the humidifying means has a humidifying function of interlocking with the air quality detecting means and adjusting the humidity based on the result of determination of the humidity level.

[0011]

According to the structure of the present invention, even if the room is excessively dried by air conditioning or heating, and humidification is performed in response thereto, sterilization of the humidified air can be performed by the sterilization action of ozone. Therefore, bacteria and the like are not released into the living environment on the humidified air. In addition, the presence of residual ozone contained in the air after the sterilization treatment and the purification treatment is quickly and reliably detected, and when it is determined that the residual ozone concentration exceeds the allowable ozone concentration, the generation of ozone is immediately performed. It can be stopped, and furthermore, the decomposition of excess ozone can be promoted by the moisture in the humidified air. Can create an air quality environment.

[0012]

EXAMPLES Hereinafter, the present invention will be described more specifically with reference to examples. FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing main components of an embodiment of an air purifying apparatus with a humidifying function according to the present invention. In FIG. 1, 1 is an air quality detecting means, 2 is an ozone generating means, 3 is an ozone decomposing and deodorizing means, 4 is an ozone detecting means,
Is a humidifying means. The arrow A indicates the direction of air flow. The air is introduced, for example, by a fan (not shown) incorporated in the air purifying device, humidified by the humidifying means 5 as necessary, passes through the ozonolysis / deodorization means 3, and is discharged again into the living environment.

The air quality detecting means 1 includes a gas sensor
The main constituent elements of the present invention are to detect an odorous gas or a harmful gas present in the living environment, calculate and determine the air quality level based on the concentration of the detected gas, and further determine the ozone generation means 2 based on the result. It has an ozone generating means control function for outputting a signal for control. As a gas sensor, it is preferable to use a sensor that is made of an oxide semiconductor such as tin oxide and has sensitivity to a plurality of types of gases such as hydrocarbons and sulfur compounds, because it has advantages such as low cost and light weight. The present invention is not necessarily limited to this, and a sensor made of another material or a sensor based on another principle can be used. In this embodiment, the sensor is installed near the air inlet of the air flow passage to detect air quality. Air quality detection means 1
Uses a humidity sensor as a second main component, detects the humidity of the living environment, calculates and determines the humidity level based on the result, and outputs a signal for controlling the humidifying means 5 based on the result. It also has a humidifying means control function. As the humidity sensor, a ceramic humidity sensor such as magnesium oxide, a humidity sensor using an organic material, or another type of humidity sensor can be used.

The ozone generating means 2 generates ozone of a predetermined concentration based on a control signal output from the air quality detecting means 1 when the air quality detecting means 1 determines that the air quality is deteriorated. It has a first ozone generation function. The ozone generating means 2 is provided with an air quality detecting means 1.
It also has a second ozone generation function of generating a predetermined concentration of ozone following execution of humidification when it is determined that the living environment is in an excessively dry state. In order to generate ozone, it is convenient to use a surface discharge type ozone generation electrode in which an induction electrode and a discharge electrode are formed on an alumina substrate, but it is not necessarily limited to this.
Other methods of generating ozone can be used. The generated ozone is not only effective in improving air quality,
In addition to having a direct bactericidal action against bacteria that propagate in the humidifying water and ride on the humidified air, it can also have a bactericidal action effectively against bacteria trapped in the ozonolysis and deodorization means 3. it can. Also, even if you do not humidify,
It is effective in sterilizing airborne bacteria contained in the air. Further, the ozone generation means 2 generates ozone based on a control signal output from the ozone detection means 4 when the concentration of the residual ozone is determined to be higher than the allowable concentration by the ozone detection means 4 described later. It also has an ozone generation stop function to stop.

The ozone decomposition / deodorization means 3 has a catalyst as a main component and has a function of activating ozone decomposition by the catalyst and a function of deodorizing reaction, and a reaction generated as the ozone adsorbed on the catalyst is decomposed. It exhibits functions such as deodorization by radical oxygen having a high activity. On the other hand, since the catalyst also serves as an adsorbent for trace gas components, the air quality is at a clean level, and when ozone is not generated, the catalyst has a function of maintaining the air quality at a predetermined level without using ozone. Can also be demonstrated. Further, the catalyst also has a function as a filter for trapping bacteria coming into the humidified air. As the catalyst, it is preferable to use an ozonolysis deodorizing catalyst containing manganese oxide or the like as a main component.

The ozone detecting means 4 has an ozone sensor as a main component, has an ozone detecting function, and has the concentration of ozone remaining in the purified or sterilized air and the previously set and stored residual ozone. It has a function of comparing the allowable concentration and determining whether or not continuation of ozone generation is possible, and outputting a ozone generation stop signal when it is determined that the remaining ozone exceeds the allowable concentration. As the ozone sensor, it is preferable to use a sensor made of an oxide semiconductor such as indium oxide, but it is not necessarily limited to this, and a sensor made of another material or a sensor based on another principle can be used. . In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, an ozone sensor is provided in an air flow passage on the downstream side of the ozonolysis / deodorization means 3.

The humidifying means 5 humidifies a predetermined amount of water based on a control signal output from the air quality detecting means 1 when the air quality detecting means 1 determines that the air is in an excessively dry state. Has a function. As the humidifying means 5, it is preferable to use an ultrasonic humidifier or the like, but it is not necessarily limited to this, and other types of humidifying means may be used. In this embodiment, FIG.
As shown in (1), a humidifying unit 5 is provided at a position where the air quality detecting unit 1 is not directly affected by moisture.

Hereinafter, the air quality is classified into four basic patterns, and the basic operation of the air purifying apparatus with a humidifying function will be described with reference to the operation flowchart shown in FIG. <Pattern 1> When the humidity is at an appropriate level and the air quality is clean When the air in the living environment is introduced into the air purification device, first, the humidity sensor and the gas sensor of the air quality detection means 1 detect the air quality. Detect (11). Next, the output of the humidity sensor and the output of the humidity sensor corresponding to the preset and stored humidity level, and the output of the gas sensor and the output of the gas sensor corresponding to the preset and stored clean state are compared, respectively. (12). as a result,
First, it is determined that the humidity is at an appropriate level (YES) (1).
3) If it is subsequently determined that the air quality is also in a clean state (YES) (14), the humidification signal and the control signal for generating ozone are not output, and the process returns to 11, and the air quality is detected and compared. The calculation and determination are continued.

<Pattern 2> When the humidity is at an appropriate level and the air quality is deteriorated When the air in the living environment is introduced into the air purification device, first, the humidity sensor and the gas sensor of the air quality detection means 1 Detects the air quality (11). Next, the output of the humidity sensor and the output of the humidity sensor corresponding to the preset and stored humidity level, and the output of the gas sensor and the output of the gas sensor corresponding to the preset and stored clean state are compared, respectively. (12). as a result,
It is determined that the humidity is at an appropriate level (YES) (1
3) If it is subsequently determined that the air quality has deteriorated (NO) (14), a humidification signal is not output, but a control signal for ozone generation is output (15), and the ozone generation means 2 Ozone of a predetermined concentration is generated (16). The generated ozone arrives at the ozonolysis / deodorization means 3 together with the air, and the adsorbed gas is oxidized and decomposed mainly by the action of the catalyst to purify the air (17). Next, the ozone sensor of the ozone detecting means 4 detects ozone remaining in the purified air (18), and compares the remaining ozone concentration with a preset and stored allowable ozone concentration (19), It is determined whether the residual ozone concentration is equal to or lower than the allowable concentration (20). If it is determined that the residual ozone concentration is equal to or lower than the allowable concentration (YES), the process returns to 11 while the generation of ozone is continued, and the same operation is performed thereafter. on the other hand,
If it is determined that the residual ozone concentration exceeds the allowable concentration (NO), an ozone generation stop signal is immediately output (2).
1) Ozone generation is stopped (22). Thereafter, the flow returns to 11 to perform the same operation.

<Pattern 3> When the air is in an excessively dry state and the air quality is clean When the air in the living environment is introduced into the air purification device, first, the humidity sensor and the gas sensor of the air quality detecting means 1 are used. Detects the air quality (11). Next, the output of the humidity sensor and the output of the humidity sensor corresponding to the preset and stored humidity level, and the output of the gas sensor and the output of the gas sensor corresponding to the preset and stored clean state are compared, respectively. (12). as a result,
First, it is determined that the state is excessively dry (NO) (1).
3) If it is subsequently determined that the air quality is in a clean state (YES) (23), a humidification signal is output (26),
The humidifying means 5 operates to perform a predetermined humidification (27).
Subsequently, a control signal for generating ozone is output from the air quality detecting means 1 (28), and ozone of a predetermined concentration is generated from the ozone generating means 2 (29). The generated ozone is
In addition to exerting a direct bactericidal action on bacteria that propagate in the humidifying water and ride on the humidified air, it also has a bactericidal action on bacteria trapped in the ozonolysis / deodorization means 3 effectively. Next, the ozone sensor of the ozone detecting means 4 detects the ozone remaining in the humidified air (18), and thereafter, the operations after 19 in the operation flowchart (FIG. 2) are executed in the same manner as described above. In this case, the decomposition of the excess ozone can be promoted by the moisture in the humidified air, so that the occurrence of a situation that poses a health problem can be effectively prevented, and a comfortable and safe air quality environment is created. be able to. The concentration of ozone generated in pattern 3 may be the same as that in pattern 2. However, the purpose of ozone generation in pattern 3 is to sterilize humidifying water. The density can be set to be different from that in the case of the pattern 2 for the purpose of purification.

<Pattern 4> When the air in the living environment is introduced into the air purification device when the air in the living environment is in an excessively dry state and the air quality is deteriorated, first, the humidity sensor of the air quality detection means 1 and the gas The sensor detects air quality (11). Next, the output of the humidity sensor and the output of the humidity sensor corresponding to the preset and stored humidity level, and the output of the gas sensor and the output of the gas sensor corresponding to the preset and stored clean state are compared, respectively. (12). as a result,
First, it is determined that the state is excessively dry (NO) (1).
3) If it is subsequently determined that the air quality has deteriorated (NO) (23), a humidification signal is output first (24),
The humidifying means 5 operates to perform a predetermined humidification (25).
Subsequently, a control signal for generating ozone is output from the air quality detecting means 1 (15), and thereafter, the operations after step 16 in the operation flowchart (FIG. 2) are executed in the same manner as described above. It should be noted that the concentration of ozone generated in the pattern 4 is not necessarily required to be the same as that in the case of the pattern 2.
Considering that the main purpose of ozone generation is to purify the air quality, it is efficient to make the density the same as in the case of pattern 2.

Although the embodiment has been described above, the usage mode of the gas sensor for detecting air quality is not limited to the embodiment, but may be changed depending on the target air quality environment.
A gas sensor that selectively detects a specific gas component existing in the environment can be used as appropriate. Further, the number is not limited to one, and a plurality of sensors can be used according to the type of the gas component. Further, the configuration of the main part of the air purification device is not limited to that of the embodiment, and the air quality detection means 1, the ozone generation means 2, the ozone decomposition and deodorization means 3,
It is possible to adopt a configuration in which the ozone detecting means 4 and the humidifying means 5 function most effectively.

It is also possible to further subdivide the judgment threshold levels of air quality and humidity, and set the concentration of ozone to be generated and the humidification level to values according to the detected air quality and humidity levels. In addition to the method of continuously generating ozone, a method of alternately repeating generation and stop is also effective, and the air purification function and the sterilization function are reduced by appropriately setting conditions according to the use environment. Energy saving effect can be obtained without the need.

[0024]

As described above, according to the air purifying apparatus with a humidifying function according to the present invention, even if the room is excessively dried by air conditioning or heating, and humidification is performed in response to the drying, the air purifying apparatus with the humidifying function can reduce the ozone. Since the humidified air can be sterilized by the germicidal action, bacteria and the like are not released into the living environment on the humidified air. In addition, the presence of residual ozone contained in the air after the sterilization treatment and the purification treatment is quickly and reliably detected, and when it is determined that the residual ozone concentration exceeds the allowable ozone concentration, the generation of ozone is immediately performed. It can be stopped, and furthermore, the decomposition of excess ozone can be promoted by the moisture in the humidified air. Can create an air quality environment.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing main components of an embodiment of an air purifying apparatus with a humidifying function according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an operation flowchart showing a basic operation of the air purifying apparatus with a humidifying function according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Air quality detection means 2 Ozone generation means 3 Ozone decomposition deodorization means 4 Ozone detection means 5 Humidification means

Continuation of front page (72) Nobuyuki Yoshiike, Inventor 1006 Kazuma, Kadoma, Osaka Prefecture Inside Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. (56) References JP-A-4-369337 (JP, A) JP-A-5-187684 (JP) JP-A-2-302536 (JP, A) JP-A-56-42734 (JP, U) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) F24F 3/14 F24F 3/16 F24F 11/02

Claims (6)

(57) [Claims] 1. An air quality detecting means for detecting air quality in an environment, an ozone generating means for generating a predetermined concentration of ozone based on a control signal output from the air quality detecting means, and a method for decomposing the generated ozone. Ozonolysis and deodorization means for performing sterilization processing and purification processing of air, ozone detection means for detecting residual ozone in the air after the sterilization processing and purification processing, and controlling the ozone generation means, and the air quality detection means And a humidifying means for humidifying based on a control signal output from the air purifier. 2. An air quality detecting means includes a gas sensor, a humidity sensor, a storage operation means and a control means, wherein a gas detecting function by a gas sensor, a humidity detecting function by a humidity sensor, an air quality determining function, a humidity level, A judgment function,
2. The humidifier according to claim 1, further comprising an ozone generator control function for controlling the ozone generator in accordance with the determination result of the air quality, and a humidifier control function for controlling the humidifier in association with the determination result of the humidity level. Air purifier with function. 3. The air purifying apparatus with a humidifying function according to claim 1, wherein the ozone decomposition / deodorization means has a catalyst, and has an ozone decomposition activation function by the catalyst and a deodorization reaction function accompanying the ozone decomposition. 4. An ozone detecting means comprising an ozone sensor, a storage calculating means and a control means, an ozone detecting function by the ozone sensor, an ozone concentration level judging function, and an ozone generating means interlocked with the ozone concentration level judgment result. The air purifying apparatus with a humidifying function according to claim 1, further comprising an ozone generating means controlling function of controlling an air flow. 5. A first ozone generator, wherein the ozone generator is linked to the air quality detector and the ozone detector, and generates ozone when the air quality detector determines that the air quality is degraded. A function, a second ozone generation function of generating ozone when the air quality detection unit determines that the air is in a dry state, and a determination that the concentration of residual ozone exceeds the allowable concentration by the ozone detection unit. The air purifying apparatus with a humidifying function according to claim 1, further comprising an ozone generation stopping function for stopping generation of ozone when the air purification device is in operation. 6. The air purifying apparatus with a humidifying function according to claim 1, wherein the humidifying means has a humidifying function in conjunction with the air quality detecting means and adjusting the humidity based on the result of the determination of the humidity level.