JP4496745B2 - Air cleaner - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an air purifier that purifies air by removing dust, odor, and the like contained in indoor air.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is known an air cleaner that removes dust or the like contained in air with a dust removal filter and removes odorous components with a deodorization filter. As such deodorizing filters, there are those using various catalysts capable of decomposing various odor-causing substances. Among these, a porous adsorbent such as activated carbon is incorporated in the deodorizing filter, and the details of this adsorbent are included. There is a system in which a catalyst is placed in the hole and the deodorizing filter is regenerated by decomposing odor molecules adsorbed on the adsorbent using a catalyst activating means, thereby extending the life of the deodorizing filter.

  The applicant of the present application has also proposed an air purifier that efficiently regenerates the deodorizing filter in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. 2000-279844 and 2001-178811. There are still many problems that need to be solved in the air purifier.

For example, in the conventional air purifier, when the deodorizing filter is regenerated, there remains an unsolved problem that the odor-causing substance adsorbed from the deodorizing filter is desorbed and re-released into the living space.
JP 2000-279844 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-178811

  The present invention has been invented in view of the above-mentioned background art, and its problem is to ensure efficient regeneration of the deodorizing filter while preventing leakage of odor-causing substances from the deodorizing filter during regeneration of the deodorizing filter. It is to provide an air purifier that can be used.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, in the air purifier of the invention according to claim 1 , after the air is sucked in from the air suction port and the air is purified, the purified air is discharged from the air discharge port. In the air cleaner having an air flow path for discharging, a dust collection filter, a deodorizing filter, a catalyst activating means, and an air blowing means are provided in the air flow path, and the deodorizing filter comprises the catalyst activating means. The catalyst that can decompose the odor-causing substance in the air sucked from the air suction port by being activated by the catalyst, while the catalyst activating means activates the catalyst during the deodorizing filter regeneration operation, A first air flow path opening / closing means capable of closing the air flow path; and a second air flow path opening / closing means, wherein the first air flow path opening / closing means includes the air blowing means and the air discharge port. The second air flow Opening / closing means is provided between the air inlet and the deodorizing filter, and the dust collecting filter and the deodorizing filter are provided between the first air flow path opening / closing means and the second air flow path opening / closing means. The catalyst activation means and the air blowing means, and the first air flow path opening / closing means and the second air flow path opening / closing means block the air flow path during the deodorizing filter regeneration operation. In addition, the air blowing means can be driven for a predetermined time, and when the deodorizing filter regeneration operation ends, the output of the catalyst activating means is stopped, and then the air blowing means can be driven for a predetermined time. .

In the air cleaner of the invention according to claim 2 , in the air cleaner according to claim 1 , the output of the catalyst activating means is stopped at the end of the deodorizing filter regeneration operation, and then the first air The flow path opening / closing means and the second air flow path opening / closing means can drive the air blowing means for a predetermined time before opening the air flow path.

In the air cleaner of the invention according to claim 3 , in the air cleaner according to claim 1 or 2 , the first air flow path opening / closing means and the second air cleaner are operated during the deodorizing filter regeneration operation. The air flow path opening / closing means closes the air flow path, and the catalyst activation means can be intermittently stopped for a predetermined time.

In the air cleaner of the invention according to claim 4 , in the air cleaner according to claim 3 , after the deodorizing filter regeneration operation is finished, the output of the catalyst activating means is stopped, and then the first air The flow path opening / closing means and the second air flow path opening / closing means can continue the output stop of the catalyst activation means for a predetermined time before opening the air flow path.

In the air cleaner according to the first aspect of the present invention, the air having the air flow path for sucking air from the air suction port, cleaning the air, and discharging the purified air from the air discharge port. In the purifier, the air flow path includes a dust collection filter, a deodorizing filter, a catalyst activating means, and an air blowing means, and the deodorizing filter is activated by the catalyst activating means. While comprising a catalyst capable of decomposing odor-causing substances in the air sucked from the air inlet, the catalyst activation means can block the air flow path during the deodorizing filter regeneration operation for activating the catalyst. A first air flow path opening / closing means and a second air flow path opening / closing means; the first air flow path opening / closing means between the air blowing means and the air outlet; 2 air channel opening and closing means Between the first air flow path opening / closing means and the second air flow path opening / closing means, the dust collection filter, the deodorization filter, the catalyst activation means, And the air blowing means, and the first air flow path opening / closing means and the second air flow path opening / closing means close the air flow path during the deodorizing filter regeneration operation. At the end of the deodorizing filter regeneration operation, after the output of the catalyst activating means is stopped, the air blowing means can be driven for a predetermined time , so that the air blowing means is driven for a predetermined time. As a result of stirring the air inside the air purifier and improving the contact probability of molecules of odor-causing substances present in the air to the catalyst, the adsorption of such odor-causing substances in the air to the catalyst is promoted. When the first air flow path opening / closing means and the second air flow path opening / closing means release the blockage of the air flow path, the odor-causing substance existing in the air cleaner internal space is re-released into the living space. As a result of being able to efficiently adsorb odor-causing substances to the catalyst, it is possible to prevent the odor-causing substances present in the internal space of the air cleaner from being re-released into the living space. Has an effect.

In the air cleaner of the invention according to claim 2 , in the air cleaner according to claim 1 , the output of the catalyst activating means is stopped at the end of the deodorizing filter regeneration operation, and then the first air flow The air cleaner according to claim 2, wherein the air opening and closing means and the second air flow path opening and closing means can drive the air blowing means for a predetermined time before opening the air flow path. In addition to the effects of the invention, the first air flow path opening / closing means and the second air flow path opening / closing means can efficiently adsorb the odor-causing substance to the catalyst for a predetermined time before opening the air flow path, When the first air flow path opening / closing means and the second air flow path opening / closing means release the blockage of the air flow path, the odor-causing substance present in the internal space of the air purifier is re-entered into the living space. Excellent effect that can be more effectively prevented from being released To.

In the air cleaner of the invention according to claim 3 , in the air cleaner according to claim 1 or 2 , the first air flow path opening / closing means and the second air during the deodorizing filter regeneration operation. The air according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the air flow opening / closing means closes the air flow path and can intermittently stop the catalyst activating means for a predetermined time. In addition to the effects of the invention of the cleaner, the adsorption of the molecules of the odor-causing substances existing in the internal space of the air cleaner to the catalyst and the subsequent decomposition are promoted, and the first air channel opening / closing means and the second When the air flow path opening / closing means releases the blockage of the air flow path, it is possible to effectively prevent the odor-causing substance existing in the internal space of the air cleaner from being re-released into the living space. Has an effect.

In the air cleaner of the invention according to claim 4 , in the air cleaner according to claim 3 , after the deodorizing filter regeneration operation is finished, the output of the catalyst activating means is stopped, and then the first air flow 5. The path opening / closing means and the second air flow path opening / closing means can continue to stop the output of the catalyst activating means for a predetermined time before opening the air flow path. In addition to the effect of the present invention of the air cleaner, the first air flow path opening / closing means and the second air flow path opening / closing means efficiently catalyze the odor-causing substance at a predetermined time before opening the air flow path. As a result, when the first air flow path opening / closing means and the second air flow path opening / closing means release the blockage of the air flow path, the odor-causing substance present in the internal space of the air cleaner is It has an excellent effect that it can be prevented from being released again. .

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, the air cleaner of this invention is not limited only to the following embodiment, Of course, a various change can be added in the range which does not deviate from the summary of this invention. Here, FIG. 1 shows the outline of the structure of the air cleaner which is one Embodiment of this invention, (a) is sectional drawing along the air flow path 3, (b) is (a). FIG. 6 is a view of the back plate 25 in FIG.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 1, the air purifier of the present embodiment sucks air from the air suction port 1, cleans the air, and then discharges the cleaned air from the air discharge port 2. An air purifier having a flow path 3 is provided with at least a dust collection filter 4, a deodorizing filter 5, a catalyst activation means 6, and a fan 7 a which is a blowing means 7 in the air flow path 3. The deodorizing filter 5 includes a catalyst 8 that can be activated by the catalyst activating means 6 to decompose odor-causing substances in the air sucked from the air inlet 1, while the catalyst activating means 6 has a catalyst In the deodorizing filter regeneration operation for activating 8, one or a plurality of air flow path opening / closing means 9 that can block the air flow path 3 are provided.

  Moreover, in this embodiment, in order to improve the deodorizing effect, granular activated carbon was used as the adsorbent 11 together with the catalyst 8 in the deodorizing filter 5. As the adsorbent 11, a porous body having a large specific surface area such as activated carbon can be suitably used, but is not particularly limited thereto. Moreover, when sufficient deodorizing performance can be ensured only by the catalyst 8, the adsorbent 11 is not necessarily essential. On the other hand, a granulated product obtained by mixing the adsorbent 11 such as activated carbon and the catalyst 8 at a powder level can also be suitably used.

Furthermore, as the catalyst 8, typically, an oxidation catalyst such as manganese dioxide, nickel oxide, copper oxide, titanium oxide, zinc oxide, silver, or a composite thereof can be used. It is preferable to select a substance having a high decomposing ability for a target odor-causing substance. As the odor-causing substances, hydrogen sulfide, sulfur compounds such as mercaptans, ammonia, amines, nitrogen-based compounds such as NO _X, lower carboxylic acids, formaldehyde, aldehydes such as acetaldehyde or the like is a practical problem. On the other hand, the catalyst activation means 6 preferably comprises at least one of discharge, heating, and light.

  Further, in the present embodiment, as the air flow path opening / closing means 9, a first air flow path opening / closing means 9a is provided in the vicinity of the air suction opening 1 between the air suction opening 1 and the deodorizing filter 5. . Further, the second air flow path opening / closing means 9b is provided between the air blowing means 7 and the air discharge port 2, and the third air flow path opening / closing means 9c is provided between the air blowing means 7 and the air discharge port 2. It has in the air discharge port 2 vicinity which is between.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the air flow path opening / closing means 9a (see FIG. 1B) rotates the lid 12 around the rotation shaft 13 by the driving unit 14, and the air inlet 1 is connected to the lid 12. The air flow path 3 can be closed and released by closing with. Similarly to the air flow path opening / closing means 9a, the air flow path opening / closing means 9b is also configured to rotate the lid portion 15 around the rotation shaft 16 by the driving portion 17 and to form a hole 18 constituting a part of the air flow path 3. The air channel 3 can be closed and released by closing with the lid 15. On the other hand, the air flow path opening / closing means 9c is capable of closing and releasing the air flow path 3 by rotating the open / close plate 19 around the hinge portion 20 and closing the air discharge port 2 with the open / close plate 19. It is. Needless to say, the opening / closing method of the air flow path opening / closing means 9 is not limited to the one according to the present embodiment shown in FIG. 1. For example, FIG. 2 corresponds to the air flow path opening / closing means 9 a to 9 c. Of the air flow path opening / closing means 9d to 9f, the air flow path opening / closing means 9d and 9e are slide opening / closing methods. That is, the air flow path opening / closing means 9d (see FIG. 2B) moves the lid portion 21 horizontally by the driving portion 22 and closes the air intake port 1 with the lid portion 21, thereby blocking the air flow passage 3 and That can be canceled. Similarly to the air flow path opening / closing means 9d, the air flow path opening / closing means 9e also horizontally moves the lid portion 23 by the drive unit 24 and closes the hole portion 18 constituting a part of the air flow path 3 with the lid portion 23. Thus, the air flow path 3 can be closed and released. Further, in an air purifier having a plurality of these air flow path opening / closing means 9, the plurality of air flow path opening / closing means 9 can be driven independently of each other or can be driven synchronously with each other. Well, not limited.

  Furthermore, the position of the fan 7a which is the air blowing means 7 is not limited because the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 is possible.

  Moreover, as an opening / closing mechanism of the air flow path opening / closing means 9, an electromagnetic valve system, a motor system, an interlocking mechanism system with a fan motor, or the like can be used, and is not particularly limited. On the other hand, the control method is not particularly limited. For example, various sensors such as a dust sensor and an odor sensor are mounted. On the other hand, a method for controlling opening and closing corresponding to the detection output of the various sensors, or a predetermined method. Of course, a method of controlling the opening and closing with these timers is also possible. Furthermore, there are no restrictions on the number, size, opening / closing method, mounting site, etc. of the air flow path opening / closing means 9 to be mounted, and the odor-causing substance can be effectively prevented from being re-released into the living space. As long as it can contribute to the solution of the above problems, there is no limitation.

  As described above, as a result of mounting one or a plurality of such air flow path opening / closing means 9, at least one of the one or more air flow path opening / closing means 9 capable of closing the air flow path 3 during the deodorizing filter regeneration operation. By closing, the odor-causing substance can be prevented from being released again into the living space.

  On the other hand, in the air cleaner of the present embodiment, the air flow path opening / closing means 9 (9a to 9c) closes the air flow path 3 and the air blowing means 7 (fan 7a) is predetermined during the deodorizing filter regeneration operation. It can be driven for hours.

  As a result, by driving the air blowing means 7 for a predetermined time, the air in the internal space 10 of the air purifier is agitated and the contact probability of the molecules of odor-causing substances present in the air to the catalyst 8 is improved. Promotes the adsorption of molecules of such odor-causing substances present in the catalyst 8 and is present in the air cleaner internal space 6 when the air flow path opening / closing means 9a to 9c release the blockage of the air flow path 3. It is possible to prevent the odor-causing substance from being released again into the living space.

  In particular, in the air cleaner of the present embodiment, after the deodorizing filter regeneration operation ends, after the output of the catalyst activation means 6 is stopped, before the air flow path opening / closing means 9a to 9c open the air flow path 3. The blowing means 7 can be driven for a predetermined time. As a result, the air flow path opening / closing means 9a to 9c can efficiently adsorb the odor-causing substance to the catalyst 8 for a predetermined time before opening the air flow path 3, so that the air flow path opening / closing means 9a to 9c When the blockage of 3 is released, the odor-causing substance present in the internal space 10 of the air cleaner can be prevented from being re-released into the living space.

  Further, in the air cleaner of the present embodiment, during the deodorizing filter regeneration operation, the air flow path opening / closing means 9a to 9c close the air flow path 3, and the catalyst activation means 6 is intermittently stopped for a predetermined time. It can be used. As a result, the adsorption of the molecules of odor-causing substances existing in the internal space 10 of the air purifier to the catalyst 8 and the subsequent decomposition thereof are promoted, and the air flow path opening / closing means 9a to 9c block the air flow path 3. When released, the odor-causing substance present in the internal space 10 of the air cleaner can be effectively prevented from being released again into the living space.

  In particular, in the air cleaner of this embodiment, at the end of the deodorizing filter regeneration operation, after the output of the catalyst activating means 6 is stopped, the air flow path opening / closing means 9a to 9c are predetermined before the air flow path 3 is opened. The output stop of the catalyst activation means 6 can be continued for a time. As a result, the air flow path opening / closing means 9a to 9c can efficiently adsorb the odor-causing substance to the catalyst 8 for a predetermined time before opening the air flow path 3, so that the air flow path opening / closing means 9a to 9c When the blockage of 3 is released, the odor-causing substance present in the internal space 10 of the air cleaner can be prevented from being re-released into the living space.

Moreover, as a typical operation | movement mode of the air cleaner of this embodiment, the following things shown by operation | movement (A)-(C) can be illustrated.
(A) During normal operation.
(B) The normal operation is stopped by an external command (external command by a manual button or the like, an external command by a timer, a sensor output, or the like), and the deodorizing filter regeneration operation mode is entered.
(A) The air flow path 3 is closed by the air flow path opening / closing means 9 (9a to 9c).
(B) The blowing means 7 is turned off.
(C) The output of the catalyst activation means 6 is turned ON, and regeneration of the deodorizing filter 5 (that is, the catalyst 8 in the deodorizing filter 5) is started.
(D) The regeneration of the deodorizing filter 5 is continued for a predetermined time.
(E) The output of the catalyst activating means 6 is turned off, and the catalyst 8 in the deodorizing filter 5 is held as it is for a predetermined time until it becomes a state before the output of the catalyst activating means 6 is turned on ( f) Further, the odor-causing substance molecules existing in the internal space 10 of the air purifier are kept as they are for a predetermined time until they are sufficiently adsorbed by the catalyst 8 in the deodorizing filter 5.
(G) Repeat (c) to (f) a predetermined number of times.
(H) The blowing means 7 is turned on.
(I) The output of the catalyst activation means 6 is turned ON, and regeneration of the deodorizing filter 5 (catalyst 8) is started.
(J) The regeneration of the deodorizing filter 5 is continued for a predetermined time.
(K) The output of the catalyst activating means 6 is turned off, and the catalyst 8 of the deodorizing filter 5 is held as it is for a predetermined time until it becomes a state before the output of the catalyst activating means 6 is turned on (l Further, the odor-causing substance molecules existing in the internal space 10 of the air purifier are kept as they are for a predetermined time until they are sufficiently adsorbed by the catalyst 8 in the deodorizing filter 5.
(M) The air flow path opening / closing means 9 (9a to 9c) releases the blockage of the air flow path 3.
(C) Resume normal operation.

  In the above operation mode, during the deodorizing filter regeneration operation, the air flow path opening / closing means 9 (9a to 9c) closes the air flow path 3, and the catalyst activation means 6 is intermittently stopped for a predetermined time. I have to. As a result, the adsorption of the molecules of odor-causing substances existing in the internal space 10 of the air purifier to the catalyst 8 in the deodorizing filter 5 and the subsequent decomposition thereof are promoted, and the air flow path opening / closing means 9 is moved to the air flow path 3. When the occlusion is released, it is possible to effectively prevent the odor-causing substance existing in the internal space 10 of the air cleaner from being re-released into the living space.

  In particular, in the above operation mode, at the end of the deodorizing filter regeneration operation just before the normal operation is resumed, after the output of the catalyst activating means 6 is stopped, a predetermined time before the air flow path opening / closing means 9 opens the air flow path 3, The output stop of the catalyst activating means 6 is continued, and as a result, the odor-causing substance can be efficiently adsorbed to the catalyst 8 for a predetermined time before the air flow path opening / closing means 9 opens the air flow path 3. It becomes.

  Further, in the above operation mode, the blowing means 7 is turned on only when the deodorizing filter 5 (that is, the catalyst 8 in the deodorizing filter 5) immediately before the normal operation is restarted. In particular, the deodorizing filter regeneration operation immediately before the normal operation is restarted. At the end, after the output of the catalyst activation means 6 is stopped (OFF), the air flow path opening / closing means 9 is driven for a predetermined time before the air flow path opening / closing means 9 opens the air flow path 3, thereby opening and closing the air flow path. As a result that the odor-causing substance can be efficiently adsorbed to the catalyst 8 during a predetermined time before the means 9 opens the air flow path 3, the air flow is opened and closed when the air flow path opening / closing means 9 releases the blockage of the air flow path 3. It is possible to prevent the odor-causing substance existing in the internal space 10 of the machine from being released again into the living space.

  On the other hand, in the present embodiment, unlike the above-described operation mode, an operation mode in which the air passage unit 7 is turned on throughout the regeneration operation of the deodorizing filter 5 after the air channel 3 is closed by the air channel opening / closing unit 9 is naturally. Is possible. That is, by doing this, the air in the internal space 10 of the air purifier is agitated, and the contact probability of the molecules of odor-causing substances existing in the air to the catalyst 8 is improved. It is possible to promote the adsorption of the molecules of such odor-causing substances to the catalyst 8.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The outline of the structure of the air cleaner which is one Embodiment of this invention is shown, (a) is sectional drawing along the air flow path 3, (b) is the partition 26 for the backplate 25 in (a). It is the figure seen from behind. The outline of the structure of the air cleaner which is an embodiment different from the above of the present invention is shown, (a) is a sectional view along air flow path 3, (b) shows back board 25 in (a). FIG. 6 is a view seen from behind the partition wall 26. The outline of the structure of the air cleaner which is further different embodiment from the above of this invention is shown, (a) is sectional drawing along the air flow path 3, (b) is the backplate 25 in (a). FIG. The outline of the structure of the air cleaner which is an embodiment further different from said 3 embodiment of this invention is shown, (a) is sectional drawing along the air flow path 3, (b) is (a). FIG. 6 is a view of the back plate 25 in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Air inlet 2 Air outlet 3 Air flow path 4 Dust collection filter 5 Deodorizing filter 6 Catalyst activation means 7 Blower means 7a Fan (blower means 7)
8 Catalyst (Deodorizing filter 5)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 9 Air flow path opening / closing means 9a Air flow path opening / closing means 9b Air flow path opening / closing means 9c Air flow path opening / closing means 9d Air flow path opening / closing means 9e Air flow path opening / closing means 9f Air flow path opening / closing means 10 Internal space 11 Adsorbent (deodorant) Filter 5)
12 Lid (Air channel opening / closing means 9a)
13 Rotating shaft (Air channel opening / closing means 9a)
14 Drive unit (air flow path opening / closing means 9a)
15 Lid (air flow path opening / closing means 9b)
16 Rotating shaft (Air channel opening / closing means 9b)
17 Drive part (air flow path opening / closing means 9b)
18 hole (air flow path 3)
19 Opening / closing plate (air flow path opening / closing means 9c, 9f)
20 Hinge (air flow path opening / closing means 9c, 9f)
21 Lid (air flow path opening / closing means 9d)
22 Drive unit (air flow path opening / closing means 9d)
23 Lid (Air channel opening / closing means 9e)
24 Drive unit (air flow path opening / closing means 9e)
25 Back plate 26 Bulkhead

Claims (4)

In an air purifier having an air flow path for sucking air from an air suction port and cleaning the air and then discharging the purified air from the air discharge port, a dust collection filter in the air flow path, A deodorizing filter, a catalyst activating means, and an air blowing means, wherein the deodorizing filter is activated by the catalyst activating means to decompose odor-causing substances in the air sucked from the air inlet; A first air flow path opening / closing means capable of closing the air flow path during a deodorizing filter regeneration operation in which the catalyst activating means activates the catalyst, and a second air flow. Road opening / closing means, the first air flow path opening / closing means between the air blowing means and the air discharge port, and the second air flow path opening / closing means as the air suction port and the deodorizing means. And the first filter Between the air flow path opening / closing means and the second air flow path opening / closing means, the dust collection filter, the deodorization filter, the catalyst activation means, and the air blowing means are provided, and during the deodorization filter regeneration operation, The first air flow path opening / closing means and the second air flow path opening / closing means close the air flow path, and the air blowing means is driven for a predetermined time. Upon completion of the deodorizing filter regeneration operation, the catalytic activity after stopping the output of the reduction means, air purifier characterized in that the predetermined time may driven to the blowing means. At the end of the deodorizing filter regeneration operation, after the output of the catalyst activating means is stopped, before the first air flow path opening / closing means and the second air flow path opening / closing means open the air flow path. predetermined time, the air cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the can driven to the blowing means. During the deodorizing filter regeneration operation, the first air flow path opening / closing means and the second air flow path opening / closing means close the air flow path, and the catalyst activation means is intermittently stopped for a predetermined time. The air cleaner according to claim 1 , wherein the air cleaner can be damped. At the end of the deodorizing filter regeneration operation, after the output of the catalyst activating means is stopped, before the first air flow path opening / closing means and the second air flow path opening / closing means open the air flow path. The air cleaner according to claim 3 , wherein the output stop of the catalyst activating means can be continued for a predetermined time.

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