JP7649938B2 - Air Purifier - Google Patents

Description

This disclosure relates to an air purification device that is used in connection with a water pipe.

A conventional air purifier includes a main body case having an intake port and an exhaust port, a water storage container in the main body case, electrodes, an air-liquid contact portion, a blower, a water supply portion, a pump, a drain tank, and a control portion (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Here, the water storage container stores water, the electrodes electrolyze the water in the water storage container, the air-liquid contact portion holds the water in the water storage container, the blower blows air to the air-liquid contact portion, and the water supply portion supplies water to the water storage container. In addition, the pump draws up electrolytic water containing scale remaining in the water storage container, the drain tank stores the electrolytic water drawn up by the pump, and the control portion controls the blower and pump.

JP 2004-85078 A

In such conventional air purifiers, in order to automatically supply water to the water storage container, it is conceivable to directly connect the water supply unit to a water pipe and start and stop the water supply using an on-off valve such as an electromagnetic valve. However, in this case, if a malfunction occurs in the on-off valve, the water supply does not stop completely, and water overflows from the water storage container and leaks outside the main body case.

Therefore, the present disclosure aims to provide an air purifier that can prevent water overflowing from the water storage container from leaking outside the main body case.

The air purifying device according to the present disclosure includes a water storage container for storing water in a main body case having an air intake and an air outlet, an electrolysis unit for generating electrolytic water by electrolyzing the water in the water storage container, and a blower for blowing air. The air purifying device according to the present disclosure brings the electrolytic water generated by the electrolysis unit into contact with air sucked into the main body case from the air intake by the air blower and sprays the electrolytic water from the air outlet. The air purifying device according to the present disclosure includes a water supply unit, a first on-off valve, a drainage container, a malfunction notification unit, and a control unit. The water supply unit supplies water from a water pipe to the water storage container. The first on-off valve opens and closes a flow path of water from the water pipe to the water storage container by the water supply unit. The drainage container is disposed below the water storage container in an installed state of the air purifying device according to the present disclosure, and is for storing electrolytic water drained from the water storage container. The malfunction notification unit notifies of malfunction of the first on-off valve. The control unit controls the blower, the electrolysis unit, the first on-off valve, and the fault notification unit. When the control unit opens and closes the first on-off valve to supply a first predetermined amount of water to the water storage container and operates the blower and the electrolysis unit for a predetermined time, if the first on-off valve does not close and water continues to be supplied to the water storage container, the drain container stores the water overflowing from the water storage container, and the control unit executes a first fault notification operation. The first fault notification operation is for notifying the failure of the first on-off valve by the fault notification unit. The water storage container has a drip opening through which electrolyzed water drips into the drainage container when the amount of electrolyzed water in the water storage container reaches or exceeds a second predetermined amount which is greater than the first predetermined amount, and the air purifier further includes a first drainage detection unit which detects a third predetermined amount of electrolyzed water in the drainage container, and when the control unit opens and closes the first on-off valve to supply the first predetermined amount of water to the water storage container and operates the blower and the electrolysis unit for a predetermined period of time, when the first drainage detection unit detects that the amount of electrolyzed water in the drainage container is greater than or equal to the third predetermined amount, the control unit executes a first fault notification operation.

The air purifying device disclosed herein can prevent water overflowing from the water storage container from leaking outside the main body case.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the structure of an air purifying device according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the structure of the air purifying device. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of the air purifying device. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the water storage container of the air purifying device. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the structure of the filter and the filter frame of the air purifying device. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of the drainage water storage section 8. As shown in FIG. FIG. 7 is a perspective view in which the first and second on-off valves of the air purifying device can be seen. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a structure for preventing water leakage to the outside of the main body case 2 of the air purifying device.

(Embodiment 1)
1 and 2 are perspective views showing the structure of the air purifier 1 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. In the following, the vertical direction in the state where the air purifier 1 is installed as shown in FIG. 1 (hereinafter also referred to as the "installed state") may be described as the up-down direction, and the horizontal direction as the left-right direction. In the following, in the installed state, the surface of the air purifier 1 on which the piping case 5 is provided is referred to as the "rear surface", the surface facing the rear surface of the air purifier 1 is referred to as the "front surface", the right side surface as viewed from the front side of the air purifier 1 is referred to as the "right side surface", and the left side surface as viewed from the "left side surface". FIG. 1 is a view of the air purifier 1 as viewed from the front side. FIG. 2 is a view of the air purifier 1 with the panel 11 opened as viewed from the front side. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of the air purifier 1, and is a view of the air purifier 1 as viewed from the right side.

The detailed configuration of the air purification device 1 is described below.

The air purifier 1 stores water from a water pipe 32 in a water storage container 16, electrolyzes the water in the water storage container 16 to generate electrolytic water, and brings the generated electrolytic water into contact with air drawn into the main body case 2 from an air intake 9 by a blower 4, and disperses the water from an air outlet 10. As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the air purifier 1 includes a main body case 2, an air purifier 3, a blower 4, a piping case 5, a piping section 6, a water supply section 7, and a drainage water storage section 8.

As shown in FIG. 1, the main body case 2 is approximately box-shaped and has an air intake 9, an air outlet 10, and a panel 11.

The air intakes 9 are provided on both sides of the main case 2. The air outlet 10 is openable and closable, and is provided on the rear side of the top surface of the main case 2. Note that in Figures 1 and 2, the air outlet 10 is in a closed state. An operation unit 12 is provided on the front side of the top surface of the main case 2 for receiving instructions from the user, such as starting and stopping the operation of the air purifier 1. As shown in Figure 3, the air purifier 1 has a control unit 13 below the operation unit 12, which controls the air purifier 3, blower 4, etc.

As shown in Figure 1, an openable panel 11 is provided on the right side of the main body case 2. One of the air intakes 9 is provided on the front side of the main body case 2 on the panel 11.

When the panel 11 is opened, as shown in Figure 2, a cavity 14 is provided within the main body case 2. The cavity 14 is a hole that extends horizontally from a vertically elongated rectangular opening 15 on the right side of the main body case 2 to the left side of the main body case 2. The air purification unit 3 is provided within the cavity 14. The air purification unit 3 can be removed from within the cavity 14 to the outside of the main body case 2.

As shown in Figure 3, the air purification section 3 comprises a water storage container 16, a gas-liquid contact portion 17 (see Figure 5), and an electrolysis unit 18.

The water storage container 16 is roughly box-shaped with an opening on the top surface, and is structured to store water. The water storage container 16 is disposed at the bottom of the main body case 2, and can be detached by sliding horizontally from the cavity 14. The water storage container 16 stores the water supplied from the water supply unit 7.

Figure 4 is an oblique view showing the structure of the water storage container 16 of the air purifier 1. Figure 5 is an oblique view showing the structure of the filter 23 and filter frame 24 of the air purifier 1.

As shown in FIG. 4, the water storage container 16 has a first water storage compartment 19, a second water storage compartment 20, a partition plate 21, and a communication hole 22.

The first water storage compartment 19 is the compartment in which the electrolysis unit 18 is arranged, and is the compartment on the right side in FIG. 4. Water is supplied to the first water storage compartment 19 from the water supply section 7.

The second water storage compartment 20 is a compartment in which the filter 23 and filter frame 24 described below, which are part of the gas-liquid contact portion 17, are arranged, and in Figure 4, it is the left-hand compartment.

The partition plate 21 is a plate that separates the first water storage compartment 19 and the second water storage compartment 20. The partition plate 21 extends upward from the bottom surface of the water storage container 16, and the upper end of the partition plate 21 is located above the water surface.

The communication hole 22 is a horizontally long opening and is located at the lower end of the partition plate 21. The communication hole 22 connects the first water storage compartment 19 and the second water storage compartment 20. Water in the first water storage compartment 19 flows into the second water storage compartment 20 through the communication hole 22. The bottom surface of the first water storage compartment 19 and the bottom surface of the second water storage compartment 20 are located on the same plane.

The gas-liquid contact part 17 is a member that brings the water stored in the water storage container 16 into contact with the indoor air drawn into the main body case 2 by the blower 4. As shown in Figure 5, the gas-liquid contact part 17 has a filter 23, a filter frame 24, and a drive unit (not shown).

The filter 23 has water retention properties, is cylindrical, and has holes around its circumference that allow air to flow through. The filter 23 is rotatably mounted in the second water storage compartment 20 of the water storage container 16 by a filter frame 24, with one end of the filter 23 immersed in the water of the water storage container 16, with the horizontally extending central axis of the filter 23 as the axis of rotation.

The filter frame 24 is rotatably supported by a bearing portion 25 provided in the water storage container 16. The filter 23 and the filter frame 24 are structured to rotate by a drive portion. The filter frame 24 is attached to the water storage container 16 (second water storage compartment 20).

The electrolysis unit 18 electrolyzes the water in the water storage container 16 to generate electrolyzed water. The electrolysis unit 18 is provided in the main body case 2 so as to be movable in the vertical direction. FIG. 4 shows the electrolysis unit 18 moved downward. In this state, the lower part of the electrolysis unit 18 is immersed in the water in the water storage container 16. The electrolysis unit 18 has a first electrode (not shown) and a second electrode (not shown). When the water storage container 16 is attached to the hollow portion 14 at the bottom of the main body case 2 and the electrolysis unit 18 is moved downward, the first electrode and the second electrode are immersed in the water storage container 16. When a voltage is applied to the first electrode and the second electrode with the first electrode and the second electrode immersed in the water storage container 16, the water in the water storage container 16 containing the electrolysis promoting solvent (not shown) added by the user is electrochemically treated. An example of the electrolysis-promoting solvent is sodium chloride, and the electrolysis unit 18 electrochemically decomposes the sodium chloride aqueous solution to generate electrolytic water containing active oxygen species (hypochlorous acid is used as an example in this embodiment). Here, the active oxygen species refers to oxygen molecules having higher oxidation activity than normal oxygen and related substances. For example, the active oxygen species includes not only so-called active oxygen in the narrow sense, such as superoxide anion, singlet oxygen, hydroxyl radical, or hydrogen peroxide, but also so-called active oxygen in the broad sense, such as ozone, hypochlorous acid (hypohalous acid), etc. In addition, in this embodiment, the generation of electrolytic water containing active oxygen species (hypochlorous acid in this embodiment) may be expressed as generating active oxygen species (hypochlorous acid in this embodiment). In addition, the electrolysis unit 18 is configured to be detachable from the main body case 2.

The blower 4 blows air, that is, it draws air into the main body case 2 from the air intake port and blows the drawn air out from the air outlet. As shown in Figure 3, the blower 4 is provided in the center of the main body case 2 and has a motor section 26, a fan section 27 rotated by the motor section 26, and a scroll-shaped casing section 28 that surrounds them.

The motor section 26 is fixed to the casing section 28.

The fan unit 27 is a sirocco fan that is fixed to a rotating shaft (not shown) that extends horizontally from the motor unit 26. The rotating shaft of the motor unit 26 extends from the rear side to the front side of the main body case 2.

The casing section 28 is provided with an outlet 29 and an inlet 30. The outlet 29 is provided on the top surface side of the main body case 2 of the casing section 28. The inlet 30 is provided on the back surface side of the main body case 2 of the casing section 28. When the fan section 27 is rotated by the motor section 26, air is sucked into the casing section 28 through the inlet 30 of the casing section 28, and this sucked air is blown out of the casing section 28 through the outlet 29.

An air passage 31 is provided inside the main body case 2, connecting the air intake 9 and the air outlet 10. In the air passage 31, in order from the air intake 9, the air purifier 3 (water storage container 16, filter 23), the blower 4, and the air outlet 10 are provided.

The piping case 5 has a vertically long box shape that protrudes from the rear of the main body case 2. The piping case 5 has a piping section 6 inside.

The piping section 6 is a pipe that connects the water pipe 32 and the water supply section 7 so that water from the water pipe 32 can be sent to the water supply section 7. The water from the water pipe 32 is supplied to the water storage container 16 via the piping section 6 and the water supply section 7. The water supply section 7 supplies water from the water pipe 32 to the water storage container 16, and as shown in Figure 2, it protrudes from the piping section 6 into the main body case 2 and is located above the water storage container 16.

The water supply unit 7 is tubular and communicates with the water pipe 32 via the piping unit 6. One end of the water supply unit 7 is connected to the piping unit 6, and water from the water pipe 32 flows into the water supply unit 7 from one end of the water supply unit 7 via the piping unit 6. The water that flows into the water supply unit 7 drips from the other end of the water supply unit 7 into the water storage container 16.

3, the piping section 6 is provided with a first on-off valve 33 and a second on-off valve 34. That is, the air purifier 1 is provided with the first on-off valve 33 and the second on-off valve 34 that open and close the flow path of the water supply section 7 or the flow path of the piping section 6, that is, the flow path of water supplied from the water pipe 32 to the water storage container 16 by the water supply section 7.

The first on-off valve 33 is structured to stop or allow water to flow from the water pipe 32 into the water supply section 7. In other words, the first on-off valve 33 opens and closes the flow path of water from the water pipe 32 to the water storage container 16. The first on-off valve 33 has a valve mechanism that opens and closes. One example of the first on-off valve 33 is a solenoid valve. This valve mechanism is configured so that the valve mechanism opens when a predetermined current flows through the solenoid valve, and closes when no current flows through the solenoid valve. When a predetermined current flows through the solenoid valve, the valve mechanism opens and water flows into the water supply section 7, and when no current flows through the solenoid valve, the valve mechanism closes and the flow of water into the water supply section 7 stops. The first on-off valve 33 may be provided in the water supply section 7.

The second on-off valve 34 has a valve mechanism similar to that of the first on-off valve 33, and is structured to stop or allow water to flow from the water pipe 32 into the water supply section 7. That is, the second on-off valve 34 opens and closes the flow path of water from the water pipe 32 to the water storage container 16. An example of the second on-off valve 34 is an electric valve similar to the first on-off valve 33. The second on-off valve 34 allows water to flow into the water supply section 7 or stops the flow of water into the water supply section 7 when electricity is applied. In this embodiment, the second on-off valve 34 is located upstream of the first on-off valve 33 in the piping section 6 (closer to the water pipe 32).

As shown in Fig. 4, a first water level detector 35 and a second water level detector 36 are disposed within and around the second water storage compartment 20 of the water storage container 16. A water storage detector 37 is disposed within and around the first water storage compartment 19 of the water storage container 16.

The water storage detection unit 37 detects the maximum amount of water required to be stored in the water storage container 16. The water storage detection unit 37 is composed of a buoyant water storage float portion 37a and a water storage detection portion (not shown) that detects the position of the water storage float portion 37a. The water storage float portion 37a is arranged in the first water storage compartment 19, and the water storage detection portion is arranged in the cavity portion 14 that is outside the water storage container 16 and around the first water storage compartment 19. When the water storage float portion 37a floats to a first predetermined height, the water storage detection portion detects the water storage float portion 37a and sends a first signal to the control unit 13. When the control unit 13 receives the first signal, it stops the water supply from the water supply unit 7 to the water storage container 16 by the first opening and closing valve 33.

The first water level detection unit 35 detects the minimum amount of water required to be stored in the water storage container 16. The first water level detection unit 35 is composed of a first water level float portion 35a having buoyancy and a second water level detection portion (not shown) that detects the position of the first water level float portion 35a. The first water level float portion 35a is disposed in the second water storage compartment 20, and the second water level detection portion is disposed in the cavity portion 14 that is the outside of the water storage container 16 that is the periphery of the second water storage compartment 20. When the first water level float portion 35a floats to a second predetermined height, the first water level detection portion detects the first water level float portion 35a and sends a second signal to the control unit 13. When the control unit 13 receives the second signal, it starts supplying water from the water supply unit to the water storage container by the first opening/closing valve 33.

The second water level detection unit 36 detects that the water in the water storage container 16 has been drained. The second water level detection unit 36 is composed of a second water level float portion 36a having buoyancy and a second water level detection portion (not shown) that detects the position of the second water level float portion 36a. The second water level float portion 36a is disposed in the second water storage compartment 20, and the second water level detection portion is disposed in the cavity portion 14 that is outside the water storage container 16 and around the second water storage compartment 20. When the second water level float portion 36a moves to a third predetermined height, the second water level detection portion detects the second water level float portion 36a and sends a third signal to the control unit 13.

That is, when the water storage float portion 37a floats to the first predetermined height and the water storage detection portion detects the water storage float portion 37a, this corresponds to the first predetermined amount of water being supplied to the water storage container 16. In other words, detecting the first predetermined height means detecting that the container is full.

In addition, when the first water level float portion 35a floats to a second predetermined height and the first water level detection portion detects the first water level float portion 35a, this means that a drought is detected.

In addition, when the second water level float portion 36a moves to the third predetermined height and the second water level detection portion detects the second water level float portion 36a, this means that drainage from the water storage container 16 has been completed.

The control unit 13 controls the electrolysis unit 18, the gas-liquid contact portion 17 (drive portion), the blower 4 (motor portion 26), the first on-off valve 33, the second on-off valve 34, the pump 40, and the fault notification portion 53. When the control unit 13 detects a first signal, which is a detection signal from the water storage detection portion, it stops the water supply from the water supply portion 7, and when it detects a second signal, which is a detection signal from the first water volume detection portion, it starts the water supply from the water supply portion 7. The control unit 13 is realized by a computer system having a processor and memory provided in the air purification device 1. That is, the computer system functions as the control unit 13 by the processor executing a program stored in the memory. Here, the program executed by the processor is pre-recorded in the memory of the computer system, but it may be recorded on a non-temporary recording medium such as a memory card and provided, or it may be provided via a telecommunications line such as the Internet.

The control unit 13 performs initial operation, drainage operation, and post-drainage operation.

In the initial operation, the control unit 13 opens and closes the first on-off valve 33 to supply a first predetermined amount of water to the water storage container and operates the blower 4 and the electrolysis unit 18 for a predetermined time. Here, the initial operation will be described in detail.

When the air purifier 1 is operated by the user operating the operating unit 12, the control unit 13 first opens the first on-off valve 33 and the second on-off valve 34, connects the water pipe 32 to the water supply unit 7, and supplies water in the water pipe 32 from the water supply unit 7 to the water storage container 16 through the piping unit 6. When a first predetermined amount of water accumulates in the water storage container 16 and the water storage detection unit 37 detects a predetermined water level (first predetermined height), it transmits a first signal to the control unit 13. When the control unit 13 receives the first signal, it closes the first on-off valve 33 and stops the water supply from the water supply unit 7 to the water storage container 16. As described later, in this embodiment, the second on-off valve 34 is closed when the water supply does not stop completely due to a malfunction of the first on-off valve 33, and is not closed when the first on-off valve 33 is operating normally.

Next, the control unit 13 controls the voltage applied to the first electrode and the second electrode, which are the electrolysis unit 18, the operation of the drive unit (not shown), which is the gas-liquid contact portion 17, the rotation speed of the fan unit 27, which is the blower 4, etc. When the fan unit 27 is rotated by the motor unit 26 of the blower 4, the outside air that has entered the main body case 2 from the intake port 9 is blown out of the main body case 2 through the air purification unit 3 (water storage container 16, filter 23), the blower 4, and the air outlet 10, in order. As a result, the electrolytic water generated in the water storage container 16 is sprayed to the outside. The air purification device 1 does not necessarily have to spray the electrolytic water itself, and spraying hypochlorous acid derived from the electrolytic water generated as a result (including volatilization) is also included in the spraying of electrolytic water.

Next, the air held in the filter 23 evaporates, reducing the amount of water in the water storage container 16. In this way, when the water in the water storage container 16 decreases and the first water level detection unit 35 detects a predetermined water level (second predetermined height), it transmits a second signal to the control unit 13. Upon receiving the second signal, the control unit 13 opens the first opening/closing valve 33, causing water to be supplied from the water supply unit 7 to the water storage container 16.

Finally, when a first predetermined amount of water accumulates in the water storage container 16 and the water storage detection unit 37 of the water storage container 16 detects a predetermined water level (first predetermined height), the control unit 13 sends a first signal to the control unit 13. Upon receiving the first signal, the control unit 13 closes the first opening/closing valve 33 and stops the supply of water from the water supply unit 7 to the water storage container 16. These actions constitute the initial operation.

Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of the drainage water storage section 8.

As shown in Figure 6, the drainage water storage section 8 has a drainage container 38 and a supply unit 39. Figure 7 is a perspective view in which the first opening/closing valve 33 and the second opening/closing valve 34 can be seen.

The drainage container 38 is a container for storing the electrolytic water remaining in the water storage container 16 after hypochlorous acid is generated by the electrolysis unit 18 for a predetermined time. The drainage container 38 is roughly box-shaped with an opening on the top surface, and is structured to store water. The drainage container 38 is detachably provided below the water storage container 16 at the bottom of the main body case 2. That is, in the installed state, the drainage container 38 is disposed below the water storage container 16 and is intended to store the electrolytic water drained from the water storage container 16. The electrolytic water remaining in the water storage container 16 is moved to the drainage container 38 by the supply unit 39.

The supply unit 39 has a pump 40, a connecting pipe 41, and a water discharge member 42.

The pump 40 pumps up the water in the water storage container 16 and sends the water in the water storage container 16 to the connecting pipe 41. The pump 40 is disposed in the water storage container 16 and is connected to one end of the connecting pipe 41.

The connecting pipe 41 is a flexible pipe. As an example, the connecting pipe 41 is a tube made of silicone. One end of the connecting pipe 41 is connected to the pump 40, and the other end of the connecting pipe 41 is connected to the water discharge member 42. The connecting pipe 41 extends upward from the pump 40 and is connected to the water discharge member 42.

The water discharge member 42 has upper and lower pipes 43 extending in the vertical direction, and left and right pipes 44 extending in the horizontal direction upstream of the upper and lower pipes 43. The connecting pipe 41 is connected to the left and right pipes 44. Water sent to the connecting pipe 41 by the pump 40 drips into the drainage container 38 via the left and right pipes 44 of the water discharge member 42 and the upper and lower pipes 43 in sequence.

Here, we will explain the drainage operation in which the supply unit 39 drains the electrolytic water remaining in the water storage container 16 into the drainage container 38. In the drainage operation, the control unit 13 operates the pump 40 to drain the electrolytic water in the water storage container 16 into the drainage container 38, and stops the pump 40 when the second water level detection unit 36 detects that the water level of the electrolytic water in the water storage container 16 is below a third predetermined height.

Specifically, after generating hypochlorous acid by the electrolysis unit 18 for a predetermined time, the control unit 13 closes the first on-off valve 33, stops the supply of electricity to the electrolysis unit 18, and then operates the pump 40. The pump 40 pumps up the water in the water storage container 16 and sends the pumped up water to the connecting pipe 41. Since the connecting pipe 41 extends upward from the pump 40, the water sent to the connecting pipe 41 accumulates in the connecting pipe 41, and the water level in the connecting pipe 41 gradually moves upward. Next, the water overflowing from the connecting pipe 41 flows into the water discharge member 42. The water flowing in from the connecting pipe 41 is blown out laterally from the connecting pipe 41 through the left and right pipes 44, and flows in so as to hit the inner surface of the upper and lower pipes 43. Finally, the water flowing in the upper and lower pipes 43 flows downward in the upper and lower pipes 43 and drips from the lower end of the upper and lower pipes 43 into the drainage container 38. During the operation of the pump 40, the control unit 13 does not open the first on-off valve 33 even if it receives the second signal.

Thereafter, when the second water level detection unit 36 detects that the water in the water storage container 16 has been drained, it sends a third signal to the control unit 13. Upon receiving the third signal, the control unit 13 stops the pump 40. These actions constitute the drainage operation.

Next, the post-drainage operation will be described. In the post-drainage operation, the control unit 13 opens and closes the first on-off valve 33 after the drainage operation to supply a first predetermined amount of water to the water storage container 16 and operates the blower 4 and the electrolysis unit 18 for a predetermined time. That is, the control unit 13 performs the post-drainage operation in the same manner as the initial operation described above after the drainage operation.

Specifically, when the drainage operation is completed, the control unit 13 first opens the first on-off valve 33 to connect the water pipe 32 to the water supply unit 7 and supplies the water in the water pipe 32 from the water supply unit 7 to the water storage container 16 via the piping unit 6. When a first predetermined amount of water accumulates in the water storage container 16 and the water storage detection unit 37 detects a predetermined water level (first predetermined height), the control unit 13 closes the first on-off valve 33 and stops the supply of water from the water supply unit 7 to the water storage container 16.

Next, the control unit 13 controls the voltage applied to the first electrode and second electrode of the electrolysis unit 18. The control unit 13 then continues to control the operation of the drive unit (not shown) which is the gas-liquid contact portion 17, the rotation speed of the fan unit 27 which is the blower 4, etc. When the fan unit 27 is rotated by the motor unit 26 of the blower 4, the outside air that has entered the main body case 2 from the intake port 9 is blown out of the main body case 2 via the air purification unit 3 (water storage container 16, filter 23), the blower 4, and the air outlet 10, in that order.

Next, the air held in the filter 23 evaporates, reducing the amount of water in the water storage container 16. In this way, when the water in the water storage container 16 decreases and the first water level detection unit 35 detects a predetermined water level (second predetermined height), it transmits a second signal to the control unit 13. Upon receiving the second signal, the control unit 13 opens the first opening/closing valve 33, causing water to be supplied from the water supply unit 7 to the water storage container 16.

Finally, when a first predetermined amount of water has accumulated in the water storage container 16 and the water storage detection unit 37 of the water storage container 16 detects a predetermined water level (first predetermined height), the control unit 13 closes the first opening/closing valve 33 and stops the supply of water from the water supply unit 7 to the water storage container 16. These actions are the post-drainage operation.

The air purifier 1 also includes a failure notification unit 53 that notifies of a failure of the first on-off valve 33. As an example, when the failure notification unit 53 detects a failure of the first on-off valve 33, it issues a continuous abnormal sound to notify of the failure. When the control unit 13 detects a failure of the first on-off valve 33, it stops operation.

The features of this embodiment are as follows. That is, when the control unit 13 opens and closes the first on-off valve 33 to supply a first predetermined amount of water to the water storage container 16 and operates the blower 4 and the electrolysis unit 18 for a predetermined time, if the first on-off valve 33 fails and does not close completely, causing water to continue to be supplied to the water storage container 16, the control unit 13 operates as follows. That is, the drainage container 38 stores water overflowing from the water storage container 16, and the control unit 13 executes a first fault notification operation to notify the fault of the first on-off valve 33 by the fault notification unit 53. Note that opening and closing the first on-off valve 33 to supply a first predetermined amount of water to the water storage container 16 and operating the blower 4 and the electrolysis unit 18 for a predetermined time means that the initial operation is in progress or the operation after drainage is in progress, as described above. Therefore, in the following, the case where the control unit 13 opens and closes the first on-off valve 33 to supply a first predetermined amount of water to the water storage container 16 and operates the blower 4 and the electrolysis unit 18 for a predetermined period of time may be described as "initial operation, or operation after drainage".

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 6, the water storage container 16 has a drip opening 45 that drips the water in the water storage container 16 downward from the water storage container 16 when the electrolytic water in the water storage container 16 reaches or exceeds a second predetermined amount that is greater than the first predetermined amount. The drip opening 45 is a notch that extends downward from the upper end of the water storage container 16. A drip guide portion 46 is disposed below the drip opening 45 of the water storage container 16. A drainage container 38 is disposed below this drip guide portion 46, and the water dripped from the drip opening 45 drips into the drainage container 38 via the drip guide portion 46. That is, the water storage container 16 has a drip opening 45 that drips the electrolytic water into the drainage container 38 when the electrolytic water in the water storage container 16 reaches or exceeds a second predetermined amount that is greater than the first predetermined amount. Since the drip opening 45 is positioned below the upper end of the water storage container 16, even if the amount of water in the water storage container 16 increases, the water in the water storage container 16 overflows and drips from the drip opening 45, and does not overflow and drip from any other opening than the drip opening 45.

In this way, if the first opening/closing valve 33 fails and does not close completely during initial operation or after drainage, water continues to be supplied from the water supply unit 7 to the water storage container 16, although the amount of water is very small. If the amount of water in the water storage container 16 continues to increase due to this water supply, water drips from the drip opening 45 of the water storage container 16 into the drainage container 38. This dripped water is stored in the drainage container 38, and when the first drainage detection unit 54 detects that the amount of electrolytic water stored in the drainage container 38 is equal to or greater than the third predetermined amount, the control unit 13 executes the first fault notification operation. That is, when the first drainage detection unit 54 detects that the amount of electrolytic water in the drainage container 38 is equal to or greater than the third predetermined amount during initial operation or after drainage, the control unit 13 notifies the fault notification unit 53 of the fault of the first opening/closing valve 33.

Figure 8 is a diagram showing a structure for suppressing water leakage outside the main body case 2 of the air purifier 1. The first drainage detection unit 54 detects the third predetermined amount of electrolytic water in the drainage container 38. As shown in Figure 8, the first drainage detection unit 54 is composed of a first drainage float part 54a having buoyancy and a first drainage detection part (not shown) that detects the position of the first drainage float part 54a. The first drainage float part 54a is arranged in the drainage container 38, and the first drainage detection part is arranged in the main body case 2, which is outside the drainage container 38. Specifically, when the first drainage float part 54a floats to a fourth predetermined height, the first drainage detection part detects the first drainage float part 54a and sends a fourth signal to the control unit 13. When the control unit 13 receives the fourth signal, the control unit 13 notifies the failure of the first opening/closing valve 33 by the failure notification part 53.

As a result, the drainage container 38 not only stores the electrolytic water remaining in the water storage container 16 after hypochlorous acid is generated by the electrolysis unit 18 for a predetermined time, but also stores water that overflows from the water storage container 16 when water supply is not completely stopped due to a malfunction of the first on-off valve 33. Therefore, the drainage container 38 in the air purifier 1 prevents water that overflows from the water storage container 16 from leaking outside the main body case 2, and can also notify of a malfunction of the first on-off valve 33.

The air purifier 1 also includes a second opening/closing valve 34 that opens and closes the flow path of the water supply unit 7 or the flow path of the piping unit 6, i.e., the water flow path from the water pipe 32 to the water storage container 16 by the water supply unit 7.

During initial operation or operation after drainage, when the first drainage detection unit 54 detects that the amount of electrolyzed water in the drainage container 38 is equal to or greater than a third predetermined amount, the control unit 13 closes the second opening/closing valve 34 and stops the supply of water from the water supply unit 7 to the water storage container 16.

As a result, when the water supply does not stop completely due to a malfunction of the first on-off valve 33 and water overflows from the water storage container 16 and accumulates in the drainage container 38, the water supply can be stopped by the second on-off valve 34, so that the air purifier 1 can prevent water leakage outside the main body case 2.

The air purifier 1 also includes a maintenance notification unit 55 that notifies the user that the electrolytic water in the drainage container 38 needs to be disposed of. As an example, the maintenance notification unit 55 notifies the user that the electrolytic water accumulated in the drainage container 38 needs to be disposed of and that the filter 23 and the water storage container 16 need to be cleaned by turning on a lamp arranged on the top surface of the main body case 2. The control unit 13 stops operation until the electrolytic water is disposed of and the filter 23 and the water storage container 16 are cleaned. The control unit 13 executes a disposal notification operation and a disposal confirmation operation. The disposal notification operation is an operation in which the control unit 13 notifies the user that the electrolytic water in the drainage container 38 needs to be disposed of by the maintenance notification unit 55 after performing the drainage operation a predetermined number of times. The disposal confirmation operation is an operation performed when the user removes the drainage container 38 from the main body case 2 after the disposal notification operation, discards the electrolytic water in the drainage container 38, and attaches the drainage container 38 to the main body case 2 again. Specifically, in the disposal confirmation operation, when the first drainage detection unit 54 detects that the amount of electrolytic water in the drainage container 38 is less than the third predetermined amount after the disposal notification operation, the control unit 13 performs an operation to enable the initial operation. In this state, the user can start the operation of the air purifier by operating the operation unit 12.

In this way, the first drainage detection unit 54 can be used to confirm whether the pump 40 that sends water from the water storage container 16 to the drainage container 38 is operating normally, and whether the user has completed the drainage operation.

The air purifier 1 also includes a second drainage detection unit 56 that detects a fourth predetermined amount of electrolyzed water in the drainage container 38, the fourth predetermined amount being greater than the third predetermined amount. The control unit 13 executes a second fault notification operation during initial operation or post-drainage operation. When the second drainage detection unit 56 detects that the amount of electrolyzed water in the drainage container 38 is equal to or greater than the fourth predetermined amount, the control unit 13 executes a second fault notification operation. The second fault notification operation is an operation in which the control unit 13 closes the second opening/closing valve 34 and notifies the fault notification unit 53 of a fault in the first opening/closing valve 33.

As a result, the air purifier 1 closes the flow path of the piping section 6 using the second on-off valve 34, so that even if the water supply does not stop completely due to a malfunction of the first on-off valve 33, water from the water storage container 16 can be prevented from leaking outside the main body case 2.

The air purifier 1 also includes a leakage water storage container 57 for storing water that has leaked from the drainage container 38, and a leakage water storage detection unit 58 for detecting a fifth predetermined amount of electrolytic water in the leakage water storage container 57.

Specifically, the drainage container 38 has a drainage drip portion 47 that allows the water in the drainage container 38 to drip downward from the drainage container 38.

The drainage drip section 47 has an auxiliary container 48, a drip hole 49, and an anti-clogging tube 50.

The auxiliary container 48 is a container that protrudes laterally from the top of the drainage container 38. The auxiliary container 48 is roughly box-shaped with an open top and one side, and when the amount of water in the drainage container 38 increases, the water in the drainage container 38 flows into the auxiliary container 48 from the open side before overflowing from the drainage container 38. The auxiliary container 48 has a drip hole 49 on the bottom.

The drip hole 49 is a circular hole provided on the bottom surface of the auxiliary container 48. An anti-clogging tube 50 is provided above the drip hole 49.

The clogging prevention tube 50 has a cylindrical shape with a central axis extending in the vertical direction, and extends upward from the opening edge of the drip hole 49. The upper end of the clogging prevention tube 50 is located below the upper end of the auxiliary container 48. When the amount of water in the drainage container 38 increases, the water in the drainage container 38 flows into the auxiliary container 48 from the open side before the water overflows from the drainage container 38. The water that flows into the auxiliary container 48 enters the clogging prevention tube 50 from the upper end opening of the clogging prevention tube 50 and drips downward through the drip hole 49. The air purifier 1 is equipped with a leak water storage container 57 and a leak water storage detection unit 58 below the drip hole 49.

The leaking water storage container 57 is a container that stores water leaked from the drainage container 38. The leaking water storage container 57 has a roughly box-like shape with an open top, and is disposed below the drip hole 49 of the auxiliary container 48. A leaking water storage detection unit 58 that detects when a fifth predetermined amount of water accumulates in the leaking water storage container 57 is disposed in the leaking water storage container 57. That is, the air purifier 1 is equipped with a leaking water storage detection unit 58 that detects the fifth predetermined amount of electrolytic water in the leaking water storage container 57. The leaking water storage detection unit 58 is composed of a buoyant leaking water storage float portion (not shown) and a leaking water storage detection portion (not shown) that detects the position of the leaking water storage float portion. The detection of the fifth predetermined amount of electrolytic water by the leaking water storage detection unit 58 is performed in the same manner as the first drainage detection unit 54, etc., so detailed explanations are omitted.

Here, the fault notification unit 53 also notifies of a fault in the second drainage detection unit 56. When the control unit 13 detects during initial operation or post-drainage operation that the leakage water storage detection unit 58 detects that the electrolytic water in the leakage water storage container 57 is equal to or greater than a fifth predetermined amount, the control unit 13 executes a third fault notification operation. The third fault notification operation is an operation in which the second opening/closing valve 34 is closed and the fault notification unit 53 notifies of a fault in the first opening/closing valve 33 and the second drainage detection unit 56.

As a result, when the leakage/storage water detection unit 58 detects a predetermined amount of water (fifth predetermined amount), the control unit 13 closes the flow path of the piping unit 6 using the second on-off valve 34. Therefore, even if the water supply does not stop completely due to a malfunction of the first on-off valve 33, and water overflows from the water storage container 16 and drips into the drainage container 38, and water further overflows from the drainage container 38, the air purifier 1 can suppress water leakage outside the main body case 2.

Furthermore, when the control unit 13 executes the third fault notification operation, it stores the fact that the water leakage/storage detection unit 58 has detected something. Specifically, when the user unplugs the power plug (not shown) extending from the main body case 2 from the outlet (not shown) and then plugs the power plug into the outlet, if it has been stored that the water leakage/storage detection unit 58 has detected something, the control unit 13 again notifies the fault of the first on-off valve 33 and the second drainage detection unit 56 via the fault notification unit 53. Note that in order to stop the operation of the fault notification unit 53, a maintenance technician must perform a specified inspection and insert the power plug into the outlet while pressing an inspection completion button located inside the main body case 2.

As a result, the air purifier 1 will again notify the user of a failure in the first on-off valve 33 and the second drainage detection unit 56 even if the user unplugs and plugs the power cord in again after notifying the user of the failure in the first on-off valve 33 and the second drainage detection unit 56. In other words, the air purifier 1 cannot be operated again until the maintenance company has completed its inspection, so water leakage outside the main body case 2 due to failure in the first on-off valve 33 and the second drainage detection unit 56 can be suppressed.

The control unit 13 also has a timing mechanism that measures the time that the first on-off valve 33 is open, and if the first on-off valve 33 remains open for a predetermined time, executes a first fault notification operation in which the fault notification unit 53 notifies the user of a fault in the first on-off valve 33. At this time, the control unit 13 also closes the second on-off valve 34. Note that an example of this predetermined time is the time from when the first on-off valve 33 opens until water is supplied into the water storage container 16 and the water overflows from the water storage container 16; this time is measured in advance and set in the control unit 13.

As a result, by setting a predetermined time in advance as in the above example, the air purifier 1 can report a failure of the first on-off valve 33 at the point when water overflows from the water storage container 16, i.e., at an earlier stage. Furthermore, when the first on-off valve 33 has been open for a predetermined time, the air purifier 1 closes, by the second on-off valve 34, the water flow path (here, the flow path of the piping section 6) from the water supply section 7 to the water storage container 16. Therefore, the air purifier 1 can prevent water from leaking from the water storage container 16 to the outside of the main body case 2.

In addition, the piping section 6, which communicates the water supply section 7 and the water pipe 32, is disposed in the piping case 5 protruding from the rear surface of the main body case 2. The drainage container 38 further stores water leaking from the piping section 6, the fault notification section 53 further notifies of a fault in the piping section 6, and the second opening/closing valve 34 is disposed at the most upstream part of the flow path of the piping section 6. When the control section 13 detects that the amount of electrolytic water in the leaking water storage container 57 is equal to or greater than a fifth predetermined amount during the initial operation or the post-drainage operation, the control section 13 executes a fourth fault notification operation. The fourth fault notification operation is an operation in which the second opening/closing valve 34 is closed and the fault notification section 53 notifies of a fault in the piping section 6.

Specifically, as shown in Figure 6, the air purifier 1 has a thin dish-shaped water leakage tray 51 below the piping section 6 to receive water leaking from the piping section 6. The water leakage tray 51 has a hole 52 on the bottom surface thereof that allows the water in the water leakage tray 51 to drip into the drainage container 38. The drainage container 38 is disposed below the hole 52 in the water leakage tray 51.

As a result, the drainage container 38 not only stores the electrolytic water remaining in the water storage container 16 after the electrolysis unit 18 generates hypochlorous acid for a predetermined time, but also stores water that leaks from the piping section 6 due to a malfunction of the piping section 6. Therefore, the air purifier 1 can further suppress water leakage outside the main body case 2.

The air purification device disclosed herein can be used as an air purification device connected to a water pipe.

LIST OF SYMBOLS 1 Air purifier 2 Main body case 3 Air purifier section 4 Blower 5 Piping case 6 Piping section 7 Water supply section 8 Drainage water storage section 9 Air intake port 10 Outlet port 11 Panel 12 Operation section 13 Control section 14 Cavity section 15 Opening 16 Water storage container 17 Gas-liquid contact section 18 Electrolysis unit 19 First water storage section 20 Second water storage section 21 Partition plate 22 Communication hole 23 Filter 24 Filter frame 25 Bearing section 26 Motor section 27 Fan section 28 Casing section 29 Discharge port 30 Intake port 31 Air passage 32 Water pipe 33 First opening/closing valve 34 Second opening/closing valve 35 First water level detection section 35a First water level float section 36 Second water level detection section 36a Second water level float portion 37 Water storage detection portion 37a Water storage float portion 38 Drainage container 39 Supply unit 40 Pump 41 Connecting pipe 42 Water discharge member 43 Upper and lower pipe water passages 44 Left and right pipe water passages 45 Drip opening 46 Drip guide portion 47 Drainage drip portion 48 Auxiliary container 49 Drip hole 50 Clogging prevention tube 51 Water leakage tray 52 Hole 53 Malfunction notification portion 54 First drainage detection portion 54a First drainage float portion 55 Maintenance notification portion 56 Second drainage detection portion 57 Water leakage storage container 58 Water leakage storage detection portion

Claims (8)

An air purifying device comprising: a water storage container for storing water in a main body case having an air intake and an air outlet; an electrolysis unit for generating electrolytic water by electrolyzing the water in the water storage container; and a blower for blowing air; wherein the electrolytic water generated by the electrolysis unit is brought into contact with air sucked into the main body case from the air intake by the blower and sprayed from the air outlet,
A water supply unit that supplies water from a water pipe to the water storage container;
A first on-off valve that opens and closes a flow path of the water from the water pipe to the water storage container by the water supply unit;
a drainage container disposed below the water storage container in an installed state of the air purifying device, for storing the electrolytic water drained from the water storage container;
a failure notification unit that notifies of a failure of the first on-off valve;
a control unit that controls the blower, the electrolysis unit, the first on-off valve, and the failure notification unit,
when the control unit opens and closes the first on-off valve to supply a first predetermined amount of water to the water storage container and operates the blower and the electrolysis unit for a predetermined time, when the first on-off valve does not close and water supply to the water storage container continues, the drainage container stores water overflowing from the water storage container, and the control unit executes a first fault notification operation to notify the fault notification unit of a fault in the first on-off valve;
The water storage container has a drip opening through which the electrolytic water drips into the drainage container when the electrolytic water in the water storage container reaches a second predetermined amount that is greater than the first predetermined amount,
The air purification device further comprises:
A first drainage detection unit is provided to detect a third predetermined amount of the electrolytic water in the drainage container;
When the control unit opens and closes the first on-off valve to supply the first predetermined amount of water to the water storage container and operates the blower and the electrolysis unit for a predetermined time, if the first drainage detection unit detects that the electrolytic water in the drainage container is equal to or greater than the third predetermined amount, the control unit executes the first fault notification operation.
An air purifying device characterized by: The air purifying device further includes a second on-off valve that opens and closes the flow path,
2. The air purifying device according to claim 1, wherein when the control unit opens and closes the first on-off valve to supply the first predetermined amount of water to the water storage container and operates the blower and the electrolysis unit for a predetermined time, when the first drainage detection unit detects that the amount of electrolytic water in the drainage container is equal to or greater than the third predetermined amount, the control unit closes the second on-off valve. The air purifying device further includes a maintenance notification unit that notifies a user that the electrolytic water in the drainage container needs to be disposed of.
The control unit performs a drainage operation for draining the electrolytic water in the water storage container into the drainage container a predetermined number of times, and then performs a disposal notification operation by the maintenance notification unit to notify that the electrolytic water in the drainage container needs to be disposed of;
The air purifying device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that after the waste notification operation, when the first drainage detection unit detects that the electrolytic water in the drainage container is less than the third predetermined amount, the control unit opens and closes the first on-off valve to supply the first predetermined amount of water to the water storage container and executes a waste confirmation operation that enables the blower and the electrolytic unit to operate for a predetermined period of time. The air purifying device further includes a second drainage detection unit that detects a fourth predetermined amount of the electrolytic water in the drainage container that is greater than the third predetermined amount,
The air purifying device of claim 2, characterized in that when the control unit opens and closes the first on-off valve to supply the first predetermined amount of water to the water storage container and operates the blower and the electrolysis unit for a predetermined time, when the second drainage detection unit detects that the electrolytic water in the drainage container is equal to or greater than the fourth predetermined amount, the control unit closes the second on-off valve and executes a second fault notification operation in which the fault notification unit notifies the user of a fault in the first on-off valve. The failure notification unit further notifies of a failure of the second drainage detection unit,
The air purifying device further includes a leakage water storage container for storing water leaked from the drainage container.
A leakage water storage detection unit that detects a fifth predetermined amount of the electrolytic water in the leakage water storage container,
The air purifying device of claim 4, characterized in that when the control unit opens and closes the first on-off valve to supply the first predetermined amount of water to the water storage container and operates the blower and the electrolysis unit for a predetermined time, if the leakage water storage detection unit detects that the electrolytic water in the leakage water storage container is equal to or greater than the fifth predetermined amount, the control unit closes the second on-off valve and executes a third fault notification operation in which the fault notification unit notifies of a fault in the first on-off valve and the second drainage detection unit. The air purifying device described in claim 5, characterized in that when the control unit executes the third fault notification operation, it memorizes that the water leakage and storage detection unit has made a detection, and when the power plug extending from the main body case is unplugged from the outlet and then the power plug is inserted into the outlet, the fault notification unit again notifies of a fault in the first opening/closing valve and the second drainage detection unit. 7. The air purifying device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit measures a time during which the first on-off valve is open, and executes the first fault notification operation when the first on- off valve continues to be open for a predetermined time. The air purification device comprises:
a piping section that communicates with the water supply section and the water pipe and is disposed in a piping case that protrudes from a rear surface of the main body case;
The drainage container further stores water leaking from the piping section,
The failure notification unit further notifies of a failure of the piping unit,
The second on-off valve is disposed at a most upstream portion of a flow path of the piping section,
The air purifying device of claim 5, characterized in that when the control unit opens and closes the first on-off valve to supply the first predetermined amount of water to the water storage container and operates the blower and the electrolysis unit for a predetermined time, if the leakage water storage detection unit detects that the electrolytic water in the leakage water storage container is equal to or greater than the fifth predetermined amount, the control unit closes the second on-off valve and executes a fourth fault notification operation in which the fault notification unit notifies the user of a fault in the piping section.

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