JP7204465B2 - air purifier - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an air cleaner.

For example, Patent Literature 1 discloses an air purifier that constantly energizes a dirt sensor during standby operation and controls an air blower according to the output of the dirt sensor.

JP 2014-152995 A

However, the air purifying device of Patent Literature 1 constantly energizes the dirt sensor during standby operation, resulting in increased power consumption. An object of one aspect of the present invention is to provide an air purifier capable of saving more power.

An air purifier according to one aspect of the present invention comprises air blowing means, contamination information detecting means for detecting contamination information representing the contamination state of the air in a predetermined space, and control of the air blowing means based on the contamination information. mode switching means for switching between the first mode and a second mode in which the air blowing means and the dirt information detecting means are repeatedly activated and stopped at a predetermined cycle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS It is a figure which shows an example of the air cleaner concerning 1st Embodiment. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS It is an external view which shows an example of the air cleaner concerning 1st Embodiment. FIG. 3 is a side cross-sectional view showing the internal configuration of the air cleaner of FIG. 2; It is a figure showing an example of functional composition of a control part of an air cleaning device concerning a 1st embodiment. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of a control section of the air cleaner shown in FIG. 1; FIG. It is an example of a timing chart of the operation of the air cleaning device in the standby mode. It is a figure which shows an example of a functional structure of the control part of the air cleaning apparatus concerning the modification of 1st Embodiment. 4 is an example of a timing chart of the operation of the air purifying device when dirt determination is performed in the standby mode. It is a figure which shows an example of the air cleaning apparatus concerning 2nd Embodiment, and a cooperation apparatus. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of a control unit in a linked device according to the second embodiment; FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the functional structure of the control part in the air cleaning apparatus concerning 2nd Embodiment.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or equivalent elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and overlapping descriptions are omitted.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a main configuration centering on a control unit 104 of an air cleaner 101 according to this embodiment. The air cleaning device 101 includes, for example, a control unit 104, a storage unit 105, a fan (blowing means) 102, and an odor sensor (dirt information detecting means) 103. Details of the fan 102 and the odor sensor 103 will be described later. The air purifier 101 includes, in addition to the above components, for example, a wind direction plate 4a, a cleaning unit 12, a humidifying unit 15, an ion generating unit 17, etc., which will be described later, and each of these components is connected to the control unit 104.

Next, an example of a specific configuration of the air cleaner 101 according to this embodiment will be described. FIG. 2 is a front view showing the appearance of the air cleaner 101 according to this embodiment. FIG. 3 is a side sectional view of the air cleaner 101 in FIG. The air cleaning device 101 according to the present embodiment is installed in a space such as a user's living room and purifies the space.

The air cleaning device 101 has an air outlet 3 on the upper front surface of the housing 2 and an air outlet 4 on the upper surface of the housing 2 and an operation unit 5 including switches, buttons, and the like. The air outlet 3 has a wind direction plate 3a for adjusting the wind direction. The air outlet 4 has a wind direction plate 4a for adjusting the wind direction. A back panel 6 is provided on the back of the housing 2 . The rear panel 6 is detachably attached to the rear surface of the housing 2 and covers the opening 2 a on the rear surface of the housing 2 . The back panel 6 has a suction port 7 . The suction port 7 is composed of, for example, openings formed in a mesh shape.

A display unit 8 is provided near the outlet 3 of the housing 2 . The display unit 8 displays, for example, the degree of contamination in the air, temperature, humidity, and the like.

Inside the housing 2 , an air passage 9 is provided through which air flows from the suction port 7 toward the outlets 3 and 4 . A pre-filter 11, a cleaning unit 12, a deodorizing filter 13, a dust collecting filter 14, a humidifying unit 15, a fan 102, and an ion generating unit 17 are arranged in order from the suction port 7 toward the air outlet 3 and the air outlet 4. is provided.

The blowing passage 9 is branched downstream of the ion generating section 17 in the flow direction, and communicates with the blower outlet 3 and the blower outlet 4 . The fan 102 is formed by a centrifugal fan such as a sirocco fan driven by a fan motor 102a, sucks air in the axial direction and sends out air in the circumferential direction. The fan 102 is arranged so that the center of rotation of the fan is closer to the bottom of the deodorizing filter 13 and the dust collecting filter 14 .

The pre-filter 11 is for collecting dust (coarse dust) in the passing air by the suction force from the fan 102 . The pre-filter 11 is made of sheet-like mesh such as polypropylene. The pre-filter 11 is provided inside the rear panel 6 (the side facing the housing 2 ) so as to face the suction port 7 .

The deodorizing filter 13 is for deodorizing the air by adsorbing odorous components in the passing air with the suction force from the fan 102 . The deodorizing filter 13 is formed in a honeycomb shape and accommodated in an opening 2 a provided on the back surface of the housing 2 .

The dust collection filter 14 uses the suction force from the fan 102 to remove dust in the passing air, specifically fine dust and fine particles such as PM 2.5 having a particle size smaller than a predetermined particle size (for example, 3 μm). It is for collecting particles. The dust collection filter 14 is made of a HEPA filter, and a frame material (not shown) is welded by hot melt so as to cover a filter material (not shown). The dust collection filter 14 is stored side by side with the deodorizing filter 13 in the opening 2 a provided on the back surface of the housing 2 .

The humidifying section 15 is for humidifying the passing air with the suction force from the fan 102 . The humidifying section 15 is composed of a tray 15a for storing water and a humidifying filter 15b arranged with its lower part immersed in the water in the tray 15a. The humidifying unit 15 blows air onto the humidifying filter 15b to vaporize the water contained in the humidifying filter 15b and humidify the air.

The ion generator 17 generates ions by applying a high voltage. The ions generated by the ion generator 17 are blown out from the outlets 3 and 4 along with the airflow of the fan 102 .

In the air cleaner 101 of the present embodiment, for example, a user operates the operation unit 5 to select an operation mode such as normal operation or power saving operation, and the operation is performed according to the operation mode. The normal operation is, for example, an operation for purifying the air by circulating the air in the space where the air cleaner 101 is installed.

The power saving operation is switched between, for example, a normal mode (first mode) and a standby mode (second mode). The power saving operation will be described in more detail below.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the control unit 104 of the air cleaning device 101 shown in FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, the control unit 104 of the air cleaner 101 includes, for example, a dirt information acquisition unit 401, a mode switching unit 402, and an operation control unit 403.

The dirt information acquisition unit 401 acquires dirt information detected by the odor sensor 103 of the air cleaner 101, for example. In this embodiment, the odor sensor 103 is used as dirt information detection means, but it is not limited to this. It may be a sensor.

The mode switching unit 402 switches between, for example, a normal mode (first mode) and a standby mode (second mode) based on dirt information. More specifically, the mode switching unit 402 switches to the normal mode when the output value of the odor sensor 103 is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, and switches to the standby mode when the output value of the odor sensor 103 is less than the predetermined value. , switch. When the output value of the odor sensor 103 is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the air in the space where the air cleaner 101 is installed is dirty, and when it is less than the predetermined value, the air in the space is clean.

Then, the operation control unit 403 controls the fan 102 and the odor sensor 103 in a predetermined mode switched by the mode switching unit 402, for example.

The normal mode is, for example, an operation mode in which the operation control unit 403 controls at least the fan 102 based on dirt information to purify the air. In the above-described normal mode, even if the odor sensor 103 is configured to operate all the time to constantly acquire dirt information, it is configured to intermittently acquire dirt information by repeating start and stop at predetermined intervals. may

The standby mode is an operation mode in which the operation control unit 403 controls the fan 102 and the odor sensor 103 and repeats starting and stopping of the fan 102 and the odor sensor 103 at a predetermined cycle. By repeatedly starting and stopping the fan 102 in this manner, noise can be reduced when the fan 102 is stopped, and electric power can be saved when the fan 102 is stopped. Further, by repeating the activation and deactivation of the odor sensor 103, it is possible to save electric power when the odor sensor 103 is deactivated. Note that the fan 102 start-up and stop cycle and the odor sensor 103 start-up and stop cycle may be the same or different. A case where the period of the fan 102 and the period of the odor sensor 103 are different is, for example, that the fan 102 and the odor sensor 103 have a time difference in start and/or stop timing. Alternatively, only one of the fan 102 and the odor sensor 103 may be repeatedly started and stopped.

In addition, in this standby mode, air purification does not have to be performed, and it is preferable to suppress the rotation speed of the fan 102, and it is particularly preferable to control at the lowest operable rotation speed. In this way, while suppressing the number of revolutions of the fan 102, the air in which the air cleaning device 101 is installed is taken into the odor sensor 103, thereby saving power and reducing noise, while obtaining dirt information, etc. in the space where the air cleaning device 101 is installed. of air information can be obtained.

Next, an example of the flow of processing in the air cleaner 101 according to this embodiment will be described. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the processing flow of the air cleaner 101 in this embodiment.

In S<b>101 , the dirt information acquisition unit 401 acquires dirt information detected by the odor sensor 103 . In S102, the mode switching unit 402 switches between the normal mode and the standby mode based on the dirt information. More specifically, mode switching unit 402 switches to the normal mode when the amount of dirt is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, that is, when the output value detected by odor sensor 103 is equal to or greater than a predetermined value (Yes). Then, in S103, the operation control unit 403 operates in the normal mode. On the other hand, when the output value of the odor sensor 103 is less than the predetermined value (No) in S102, the mode is switched to the standby mode, and the operation is performed in the standby mode in S104. Further, if the normal mode is in operation at S103 or the standby mode is in operation at S104, the process returns to S101. The present embodiment is not limited to the flow described above, and various modifications are possible.

Here, the standby mode will be described in more detail. FIGS. 6(1) to 6(4) are timing charts showing the relationship between the start/stop of the fan 102, the rotation speed, the start/stop of the odor sensor 103, and the sensitivity in the first to fourth standby modes. In this embodiment, the operation control unit 403, for example, sets the number of revolutions of the fan 102 in three stages of "high", "standard" and "low", and the sensitivity of the odor sensor 103 in three stages of "high", "standard" and "low". Step by step control. Note that the start/stop time is measured by, for example, a timer.

In the first standby mode, as shown in FIG. 6(1), the fan 102 is started at a rotation speed of "low" and the odor sensor 103 is started at a sensitivity of "high" at time t1 in a predetermined cycle T. The “low” rotation speed of the fan 102 is, for example, the lowest rotation speed at which the fan 102 can be operated. Also, the fan 102 and the odor sensor 103 are stopped at time t2. The fan 102 and the odor sensor 103 remain stopped from time t2 to time t3. Then, the operation of a predetermined period T is repeated from time t3. In this example, it is possible to save power during the period from t2 to t3 in which the fan 102 and the odor sensor 103 are stopped. In addition, since the fan 102 is operated at the lowest rotational speed and is not operated continuously, a quiet effect can be obtained. Furthermore, since the sensitivity of the odor sensor 103 is set to "high", odors can be detected satisfactorily even if the rotation speed of the fan 102 is low.

In the second standby mode, as shown in FIG. 6(2), in a predetermined period T, after starting the odor sensor 103 with the sensitivity "high" at time t1, a predetermined interval (t1 to t2) is left. , the fan 102 is started at the rotational speed "low" at time t2. Then, the fan 102 is stopped at time t3, and the odor sensor 103 is stopped at time t4. The fan 102 and the odor sensor 103 remain stopped from time t4 to t5. Then, the operation of the predetermined cycle T is repeated from time t5. In this example, after starting the odor sensor 103, the sensitivity of the odor sensor 103 can be stabilized during the period from t1 to t2 when the fan is not started. As a result, it is possible to prevent erroneous detection (malfunction) of the sensor when the fan is started. Moreover, during the period from time t3 to t4, the odor can be detected even while the fan 102 is stopped.

In the third standby mode, as shown in FIG. 6(3), the fan 102 is started at a rotational speed of "high" and the odor sensor 103 is started at a sensitivity of "high" at time t1 in a predetermined cycle T. At time t2, the fan 102 is lowered to "normal" rotation speed, and at time t3, the fan 102 is lowered to "low" rotation speed. Then, at time t4, fan 102 and odor sensor 103 are stopped. The fan 102 and the odor sensor 103 remain stopped from time t4 to t5. Then, the operation of the predetermined cycle T is repeated from time t5. By starting the fan 102 at the "high" rotational speed in this way, the air in the room can be quickly stirred, and the odor sensor 103 can detect dirt more quickly.

In the fourth standby mode, as shown in FIG. 6(4), the odor sensor 103 is activated at time t1 in a predetermined cycle T with "high" sensitivity. At time t2, the fan 102 is started at a high rotational speed. At time t3, the rotation speed of the fan 102 is lowered to "standard", and at time t4, the rotation speed of the fan 102 is lowered to "low". Then, the fan 102 is stopped at time t5, and the odor sensor 103 is stopped at time t6. The fan 102 and the odor sensor 103 remain stopped from time t6 to t7. Then, the operation of a predetermined period T is repeated from time t7. As a result, erroneous detection (malfunction) of the sensor at the time of fan activation can be prevented, and dirt can be detected early by the odor sensor 103 .

According to this embodiment, in the standby mode, the operation control unit 403 controls the fan 102 and the odor sensor 103 at predetermined intervals, and repeats starting and stopping of the fan 102 and the odor sensor 103. Power can be saved when the sensor 103 is stopped. Furthermore, by stopping the fan 102, the noise can be reduced.

Further, in the present embodiment, for example, it may be configured as in the following modified example. FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the functional configuration of the control unit 104 in the modified example of the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 7, this modified example further includes a stain determination unit 701 and a notification unit 702, for example.

The stain determination unit 701 determines the type of stain based on the stain information acquired by the stain information acquisition unit 401 . The dirt type indicates, for example, the cause of the dirt. The cause of this stain is, for example, if the stain is odorous, it is the source of the odor, such as excrement or laundry. is. Further, for example, it may be configured to determine the type of dirt using a plurality of different sensors.

Furthermore, in the case of one odor sensor 103 as in the present embodiment, an example of determination by the contamination determination unit 701 will be described. FIG. 8 is a timing chart in the fifth and sixth standby modes for determining the type of dirt in the dirt determination section 701 .

In the fifth standby mode, as shown in FIG. 8(5), the fan 102 is started at a rotation speed of "low" at time t1 in a predetermined cycle T, and the odor sensor 103 is started at a sensitivity of "high" at the same time. . Then, the sensitivity of the odor sensor 103 is lowered to "normal" at time t2, and the sensitivity of the odor sensor 103 is further lowered to "low" at time t3. Thereafter, fan 102 and odor sensor 103 are stopped at time t4. The fan 102 and the odor sensor 103 remain stopped from time t4 to t5. Then, the operation of the predetermined period T is repeated from time t5. In this example, the sensitivity of the odor sensor 103 is lowered stepwise as time passes. Therefore, when an odor is detected with "low" sensitivity at times t3 to t4, it indicates that the odor, which normally diffuses and disappears over time, does not disappear for a long period of time from t1 to t4. It is thought that the cause of the odor remains in some form. Therefore, it is considered that the solid matter is the cause of the odor, and if the odor sensor 103 detects the odor at any of the high, standard, and low sensitivities from t1 to t4, the contamination determination unit 701 determines that the type of contamination is: For example, it is determined to be excrement.

In the sixth standby mode, as shown in FIG. 8(6), in a predetermined period T, the odor sensor 103 is activated at time t1 with sensitivity "high", and the fan 102 is rotated at time t2 at "low". to start. Then, the sensitivity of the odor sensor 103 is lowered to "standard" at time t3, and the sensitivity of the odor sensor 103 is lowered to "low" at time t4. After that, the fan 102 is stopped at time t5. Then, the odor sensor 103 is stopped at time t6. The fan 102 and the odor sensor 103 remain stopped from time t6 to t7. Then, the operation of a predetermined period T is repeated from time t7. In this example, the contamination determination unit 701 makes determinations in the same manner as in the fifth standby mode. Furthermore, in this example, it is possible to prevent erroneous sensor detection (erroneous operation) at the time of fan startup in the fifth standby mode.

The notification unit 702 notifies the user based on the type of dirt. For example, when the type of dirt is excrement, the notification unit 702 does not notify the display unit provided in the air cleaning device 101, and for example, displays it only on a predetermined communication terminal registered by the user. good. As a result, for example, it is possible to notify the communication terminal of the registered user who takes care of a bedridden care receiver such as a baby, a pet, or an elderly person, such as when to change diapers. In addition, by not announcing on the display unit provided in the air cleaning device 101, it is possible to avoid stimulating the sense of shame especially in the elderly.

Note that the notification unit 702 is not limited to the above, and may be configured to notify the user, for example, when the contamination detection means detects contamination equal to or greater than a predetermined value. The notification method may be, for example, notification by voice, notification on a display unit provided in the air cleaning device 101, display on a communication terminal such as a smartphone registered by the user via a network, and the like. Also, the notification method may be set by the user, for example.

(Second embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment of the invention will be described. In the following description, description of the same points as in the first embodiment will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 9, the air cleaner 101 in this embodiment further has a communication section 901 . The air purifying device 101 is connected to a cooperative device 920 via a network 910, for example. The network 102 corresponds to, for example, the Internet or Bluetooth.

The linked device 920 is a device that circulates air, such as a fan, an air conditioner, and an air purifier. One or a plurality of linked devices 920 are installed in the same space as the air cleaner 101 .

The linked device 920 has a communication unit 921 , a fan 922 , an odor sensor (linked device dirt information detection means) 923 , a control unit 924 , and a storage unit 925 in the same manner as the air cleaner 101 . Main configurations of the communication unit 921, the fan 922, the odor sensor 923, the control unit 924, and the storage unit 925 are the same as those of the air purifier 101 described above, so description thereof will be omitted. The configuration of the linked device 920 is an example, and is not limited to the above. In addition to the above units, each configuration corresponding to the linked device 920 (for example, a heat exchanger in the case of an air conditioner) is provided. .

FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining an example of the functional configuration of the control unit 924 of the linked device 920 according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 10 , the control unit 924 of the linked device 920 has, for example, a linked device-side dirt information acquisition unit 1001 and a linked device-side operation information acquisition unit 1002 .

The linked device side dirt information acquisition unit 1001 acquires the linked device dirt information detected by the odor sensor 923 of the linked device 920, for example. Then, the linked device side dirt information acquisition unit 1001 transmits this linked device dirt information to the air cleaner 101 via the communication unit 921 and the network 910 .

The linked device side operation information acquisition unit 1002 acquires linked device operation information representing the operating state of the linked device 920, for example. This linked device operation information is, for example, information indicating whether or not the fan 922 of the linked device 920 is operating. Then, the linked device side operation information acquisition unit 1002 transmits this linked device operation information to the air cleaner 101 via the communication unit 921 and the network 910 .

FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining an example of the functional configuration of control unit 104 of air cleaner 101 according to the present embodiment. The control unit 104 of this embodiment further includes a linked device operation information acquisition unit 1101 in addition to the control unit of the first embodiment.

The linked device operation information acquisition unit 1101 acquires linked device operation information transmitted from the linked device 920, for example.

The contamination information acquisition unit 401 acquires the linked device contamination information transmitted from the linked device 920 .

The mode switching unit 402 switches between, for example, the normal mode and the standby mode based on the linked device dirt information, as in the first embodiment.

The operation control unit 403 operates in normal mode or standby mode based on the linked device operation information. More specifically, in the standby mode, the operation control unit 403 controls the odor sensor 103 without operating the fan 102 when the fan 922 of the linked device 920 is operating.

According to the present embodiment, when the linked device is operating, the fan 922 of the linked device 920 circulates the air instead of the fan 102 of the air cleaner 101. Power saving is possible.

In this embodiment, the operation information of the linked device is transmitted to the air cleaning device 101 via the network. Alternatively, it may be configured to be transmitted via a server or the like that monitors the operation of the linked device 920 .

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but has substantially the same configuration, the same effect, or the same purpose as the configuration shown in the above-described embodiment. can be replaced with

2 housing, 2a opening, 3 air outlet, 3a wind direction plate, 4 air outlet, 4a wind direction plate, 5 operation unit 6 rear panel, 7 suction port, 8 display unit, 9 air passage, 11 pre-filter, 12 cleaning unit , 13 deodorant filter, 14 dust collection filter, 15 humidification unit, 15a tray, 15b humidification filter, 17 ion generation unit, 101 air cleaner, 102 fan (blowing means), 102a fan motor, 103 odor sensor (dirt information detection means ), 104 control unit, 105 storage unit, 401 dirt information acquisition unit, 401 dirt information acquisition unit, 402 mode switching unit, 403 operation control unit, 701 dirt determination unit, 702 notification unit, 901 communication unit, 910 network, 920 cooperation Device 921 communication unit 922 fan 923 odor sensor (collaborating device dirt information detection means) 924 control unit 925 storage unit 1001 cooperative device side dirt information acquiring unit 1002 cooperative device side operation information acquiring unit 1101 cooperative device Operation information acquisition part

Claims (9)

a blowing means;
dirt information detection means for detecting dirt in the air in a predetermined space;
A first mode in which the air blowing means is controlled based on the dirt information detected by the dirt information detecting means; 2 mode switching means for switching between modes;
has
In the second mode, the number of revolutions of the blowing means is changed from a high state to a low state from the time the blowing means is started until the blowing means is stopped;
air purifier. a blowing means;
dirt information detection means for detecting dirt in the air in a predetermined space;
A first mode in which the air blowing means is controlled based on the dirt information detected by the dirt information detecting means; 2 mode switching means for switching between modes;
dirt determination means for determining the type of dirt based on the detection result of the dirt information detection means when the sensitivity of the dirt information detection means is lowered stepwise;
has a
air purifier. a blowing means;
dirt information detection means for detecting dirt in the air in a predetermined space;
A first mode in which the air blowing means is controlled based on the dirt information detected by the dirt information detecting means; 2 mode switching means for switching between modes;
has
stopping the air blowing means in the second mode when a cooperative device installed in the same space as the air cleaning device is air-conditioning the space;
air purifier. 4. The air purifying device according to claim 1 , wherein in said second mode, said air blowing means is activated after a predetermined time has passed since said dirt information detecting means is activated. The air according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , wherein the sensitivity of said dirt information detection means in said second mode is set higher than the sensitivity of said dirt information detection means in said first mode. cleaning equipment. 4. The air purifier according to claim 2 , wherein in said second mode, said blower means is controlled at a minimum operable rotational speed. The air according to any one of claims 1 to 6 , wherein the mode switching means switches from the second mode to the first mode when the dirt detected by the dirt information detecting means is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. cleaning equipment. 4. The mode switching means switches from the first mode to the second mode when a cooperating device dirt information detecting means provided in the cooperating device detects dirt equal to or greater than a predetermined value. air purifier. further comprising a notification means for notifying the dirt when the dirt information detection means detects dirt equal to or greater than a predetermined value;
3. The air purifier according to claim 2 , wherein the notification means notifies only a predetermined communication terminal based on the determination result of the contamination determination means.

Images