JP7724398B2 - air purifier - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an air purifier that uses water containing hypochlorous acid to disinfect and deodorize the air.

A conventional air purifier comprises a main body case, a bowl-shaped water storage container with an open top located inside the main body case, a tank member that supplies water to the water storage container to maintain a constant water level, an electrode unit that electrolyzes the water in the water storage container, and a filter whose end is immersed in the water in the water storage container. The water storage container contains a filter and a tank member. The water storage container has a water channel connecting the tank member and the filter, and an electrode unit is located in the water channel. A blower draws air in through the air intake, passes through the filter, and blows it out the air outlet.

Patent No. 6330135

In such conventional water storage containers, when the water containing hypochlorous acid held in the filter evaporates due to the air blown through the filter, the water in the water storage container decreases and the water level drops. When the water level drops, water is supplied from the tank member into the water storage container. However, because the water is supplied by leaking from the opening of the tank member immersed in the water in the water storage container, the water supplied from the tank member makes it difficult for flow to occur in the water channel, and the generated hypochlorous acid tends to accumulate near the electrode unit, resulting in the issue of it taking a long time for the hypochlorous acid to reach the filter.

The present invention aims to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems and provide an air purifier that makes it easier for hypochlorous acid to reach the filter.

To achieve this objective, the air purifying device of the present invention comprises a main body case having an air intake port and an air outlet, an electrolytic cell provided within the main body case and storing water containing active oxygen species, a dripped water receiver into which water containing active oxygen species from the electrolytic cell is dripped by an active oxygen species replenishment unit, a sterilization compartment into which the water containing active oxygen species flows from the dripped water receiver, an air-liquid contactor that brings the water containing active oxygen species in the sterilization compartment into contact with air, and a blower that blows air drawn in through the air intake port to the air-liquid contactor through the air-liquid contactor, the sterilization compartment having an opening that connects the sterilization compartment to the dripped water receiver, and a groove extending from the opening into the sterilization compartment and formed on the bottom surface, and the water containing hypochlorous acid that drips and accumulates in the dripped water receiver flows into the sterilization compartment through the opening and along the groove, thereby achieving the intended objective.

According to the present invention, a sterilization apparatus includes a main body case having an air intake and an air outlet, an electrolytic cell provided within the main body case and storing water containing active oxygen species, a dripping water receiver into which the water containing active oxygen species from the electrolytic cell is dripped by an active oxygen species replenishment unit, a sterilization compartment into which the water containing active oxygen species flows from the dripping water receiver, a gas-liquid contacting means for contacting the water containing active oxygen species in the sterilization compartment with air, and a blower for blowing air drawn in through the air intake via the gas-liquid contacting means to the air outlet. The bacteria compartment has an opening that connects the sterilization compartment with the drip water receiving section, and a groove that extends from the opening into the sterilization compartment and is provided on the bottom surface; water containing hypochlorous acid that drips and collects in the drip water receiving section flows into the sterilization compartment along the groove via the opening. This allows the water containing hypochlorous acid to flow vigorously into the sterilization compartment and be guided along the groove, making it easier for the hypochlorous acid to reach the filter.

1 is a perspective view of an air purifying device according to a first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the air purifying device with the door open. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of the air purifying device. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a water storage section of the air purifying device. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the internal structure of the air purifying device. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a water storage section of the air purifying device. FIG. 10 is a plan view of the water storage section of the air purifier. FIG. 10 is a plan view of the water storage section of the air purifier. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a water supply means of the air purifying device. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an electrolytic cell of the air purifying device. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an electrolytic cell of the air purifying device. Cross-sectional view of the electrolytic cell of the air purifier FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a tablet injection mechanism of the air purifying device. FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the inside of a tablet insertion case of the tablet insertion mechanism of the air purifying device. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a water storage section of the air purifying device. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an opening of a water storage section of the air purifying device.

The following describes an embodiment of the present invention with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1)
Figures 1 and 2 are perspective views of an air purifying device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1 is a view of the air purifying device as seen from the front side. Figure 2 is a view of the air purifying device as seen from the front side with the door open and the water storage unit removed. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional side view of the air purifying device according to the first embodiment.

In the following, the vertical direction when the air purifier is installed as shown in Figure 1 (hereinafter also referred to as the "installed state") may be referred to as the up-down direction, and the horizontal direction as the left-right direction. In the following, in the installed state, the side of the air purifier on which door 3 is provided will be referred to as the "front," the side opposite the front of the air purifier will be referred to as the "rear," the right side as viewed from the front of the air purifier will be referred to as the "right side," and the left side will be referred to as the "left side."

The detailed configuration of the air purifier is described below. As shown in Figure 1, the air purifier of this embodiment has a roughly box-shaped main body case 1, with roughly rectangular air intakes 2 on both sides of the main body case 1. An openable door 3 is provided on the front of the main body case 1, and opening the door 3 allows removal of part of the air purification unit 7 inside the main body case 1, which will be described later. An openable air outlet 4 is provided on the top surface of the main body case 1.

As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the main body case 1 contains a partition plate 5, a blower 6, an air purification unit 7, an air duct 8, and a control unit 9.

The partition plate 5 is a plate located in the center of the main body case 1, and together with the partition wall described below, separates the front and rear sides of the main body case 1, with the rear side forming the air passage 8.

The blower 6 blows air; that is, it draws air into the main body case through the air intake 2 and blows it out through the air outlet 4. The blower 6 is located in the center of the main body case 1 and includes a motor unit 10, a fan unit 11 rotated by the motor unit 10, and a casing unit 12 that surrounds them.

In this embodiment, the operation of the blower 6 is determined by an operating unit 1A provided on the main body case 1. As shown in Figures 1, 2, and 3, the operating unit 1A is covered by an openable cover 1B provided on the top surface of the main body case 1. The user of the air purifier of the present invention can adjust the air volume of the blower 6 in stages by operating an air volume switch button (not shown) provided on the operating unit 1A, and information about this operation is sent as a signal to the control unit 9.

The fan unit 11 is a sirocco fan fixed to a motor shaft 13 extending horizontally from the motor unit 10, which is fixed to the casing unit 12. The casing unit 12 has an outlet 14 on the top surface of the main body case 1 of the casing unit 12, and an inlet 15 on the back surface of the main body case 1 of the casing unit 12.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the water storage container of the air purifier of embodiment 1 placed inside the main body case. Figure 5 is a perspective view of the internal structure of the air purifier of embodiment 1 with some of the components removed. Figure 6 is a perspective view of the water storage section of the air purifier of embodiment 1.

As shown in Figures 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6, the air purification unit stores water from a water supply means in an electrolytic cell, adds electrolysis-promoting tablets to the water in the electrolytic cell using a tablet insertion mechanism, electrolyzes the water to produce water containing hypochlorous acid, and then brings the produced water containing hypochlorous acid into contact with air drawn into the main body case through an air intake by a blower, dispersing it from an outlet.

The air purification unit 7 includes a water storage section 16, an electrolysis section 17, a water supply section 18, an active oxygen species supply section 19, and a water supply section 20.

The water storage unit 16 stores water and sterilizes it. The water storage unit 16 has a water storage container 21, a water supply means 22, and an air-liquid contact means 23.

Figure 7 is a plan view of the water storage unit of the air purifier of embodiment 1. Figure 8 is a plan view of the water storage unit of the air purifier of embodiment 1, with some of the components removed to show the internal structure.

As shown in Figures 4, 6, 7, and 8, the water storage container 21 is located at the bottom of the main body case 1, has a box shape with an open top, is designed to store water, and has a partition wall 24, a water supply compartment 25, and a sterilization compartment 26.

As shown in Figure 4, the partition wall 24 is a plate that separates the front side of the main body case 1 (outside the air passage 8) from the rear side of the main body case 1 (air passage 8) in the water storage container 21. It extends upward from the bottom of the water storage container 21, and its upper end is located above the upper end of the water storage container 21.

As shown in Figures 6, 7, and 8, part of the surface of the upper end of the partition wall 24 is in face contact with the wall surface of the partition plate 5, thereby separating the front side of the main body case 1 (outside the air passage 8) from the back side of the main body case 1 (inside the air passage 8) so that air does not flow in or out of each other.

The water supply compartment 25 is roughly bowl-shaped and serves to store water supplied from the water supply means 22. When the water storage container 21 is placed at the bottom of the main body case 1, it is located closer to the front of the main body case 1 than the partition wall 24 and is designed to hold the water supply means 22. It has a cylindrical protrusion 27 at the bottom, positioned to hold the water supply means 22.

The sterilization compartment 26 is roughly bowl-shaped and stores water containing a predetermined concentration of hypochlorous acid. It is located across the front and back sides of the partition 24 and is connected to the compartment by an opening 61 located below the water level in the partition 24. The sterilization compartment 26 has a first water level detection means 28 and a second water level detection means 29 that detect the water level in the sterilization compartment 26.

The first water level detection means 28 detects when the water level in the sterilization section 26 drops below a drought level, which is lower than the target water level. The target water level refers to the maximum water level set for each component during the air purification operation of the air purifier of the present invention. The drought level refers to the minimum water level set for each component during the air purification operation of the air purifier of the present invention.

The first water level detection means 28 is located on the rear side of the partition wall 24 in the sterilization compartment 26 and is composed of a buoyant first float portion 28a and a first detection sensor (not shown) that detects the position of the first float portion 28a.

The first float portion 28a is located within the sterilization compartment 26, and the first detection sensor is embedded in the wall of the main body case 1 near the first float portion 28a.

When the water level in the sterilization section 26 drops below the drought level, the first detection sensor is no longer able to detect the first float portion 28a due to the resulting floating of the first float portion 28a. At this time, the first detection sensor sends a signal to the control unit 9 indicating that the water level in the sterilization section 26 has dropped below the drought level.

The second water level detection means 29 detects that the water level in the sterilization section 26 has reached a target water level.
The second water level detection means 29 is located on the front side of the partition 24 in the sterilization section 26 and is composed of a second float portion 29a having buoyancy and a second detection sensor (not shown) that detects the position of the second float portion 29a.

The second float portion 29a is disposed within the sterilization compartment 26, and the second detection sensor is embedded in the wall of the main body case 1 near the second float portion 29a.

When the water level in the sterilization compartment 26 rises and reaches the target water level, the second detection sensor detects the second float portion 29a due to the accompanying floating of the second float portion 29a. At this time, the second detection sensor sends a signal to the control unit 9 indicating that the water level in the sterilization compartment 26 has reached the target water level.

Figure 9 is a perspective view of the water supply means of the air purifier of embodiment 1.

As shown in Figures 2 and 9, the water supply means 22 is installed in the water supply compartment 25 and is designed to be attachable and detachable to the water supply compartment 25, automatically supplying water to maintain a constant water level in the water supply compartment 25. The water supply means 22 comprises a hollow tank 30 for storing water and a handle 30a at the top of the tank 30, which is integrated with the tank 30. The handle 30a is held by the handle 30a when attaching or detaching the water supply means 22 to or from the water supply compartment 25.

When the tank 30 is attached to the water supply compartment 25, it has a circular tank opening (not shown) in the center of its bottom surface. This tank opening is cylindrical in shape with its central axis extending vertically, and is designed to be sealed by a removable cap 31 attached to the outer periphery of the tank opening.

The cap 31 is cylindrical with its central axis extending vertically. When attached to the water storage container 21, it has a cylindrical cap opening 31a that opens vertically in the center of its bottom surface. The cap opening 31a is equipped with a water tap 31b that opens and closes the lid opening.

The faucet 31b comprises a cylindrical shaft (not shown), an on-off valve (not shown) on one side of the shaft to close the cap opening 31a, a coil spring (not shown) that passes through the center of the shaft, and a spring stop portion (not shown) on the other side of the shaft.

When the tank 30 is placed in the water supply compartment 25, the spring stop contacts the protrusion 27 of the water supply compartment 25, causing the spring stop to move upward while compressing the spring. The on-off valve also moves upward, separating from the cap opening 31a of the cap 31, allowing water in the tank 30 to flow into the water supply compartment 25 through the cap opening 31a of the cap 31. When water accumulates in the water supply compartment 25 up to the bottom of the cap opening 31a, air cannot enter the tank 30 from the bottom of the cap opening 31a, preventing water from flowing into the water supply compartment 25. In other words, as the water level in the water supply compartment 25 decreases, the water level rises up to the bottom of the cap opening 31a, and the water level is kept constant at the bottom of the cap opening 31a, ensuring that a constant water level can always be maintained.

As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the gas-liquid contact means 23 is located on the rear side of the partition wall 24 in the sterilization compartment 26, and is a member that brings the water stored in the sterilization compartment 26 into contact with the room air drawn into the main body case 1 by the blower 6. The gas-liquid contact means 23 has a filter 32, a filter frame 33, and a drive unit (not shown).

The filter 32 has water-retentive properties, is cylindrical, and has holes around its circumference that allow air to pass through. The filter 32 is attached to the filter frame 33 so that one end of the filter 32 is immersed in the water in the sterilization section 26.

The filter frame 33 is rotatably supported by a bearing (not shown) provided in the water storage container 21. The filter 32 and filter frame 33 are designed to rotate by a drive unit.

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the electrolytic cell of the air purification device of embodiment 1. Fig. 11 is a perspective view showing the internal structure of the electrolytic cell of the air purification device of embodiment 1 with some of the components removed.
FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional side view of the electrolytic cell of the air purification device of the first embodiment.

As shown in Figures 10, 11, and 12, the electrolysis unit 17 electrolyzes water in the electrolytic cell 34 to produce water containing hypochlorous acid.

The electrolysis section 17 includes an electrolytic cell 34, a tablet injection mechanism 35, and an electrolysis unit 36.

The electrolytic cell 34 is provided above the water storage container 21 and is roughly box-shaped with an open top. The electrolytic cell 34 stores water transported from the water storage unit 16 by the water supply unit 18. The electrolytic cell 34 has a third water level detection means 37 and a fourth water level detection means 38 that detect the water level in the electrolytic cell 34.

The third water level detection means 37 detects when the water level in the electrolytic cell 34 exceeds the drought level or drops below the drought level. The third water level detection means 37 is composed of a buoyant third float portion 37a and a third detection sensor (not shown) that detects the position of the third float portion 37a.

The third float portion 37a is disposed in the electrolytic cell 34 and is embedded in the wall of the main body case 1 near the third float portion 37a.

When the water level in the electrolytic cell 34 rises from a level lower than the drought level and reaches the drought level, the third detection sensor detects the third float portion 37a by the accompanying floating of the third float portion 37a. At this time, the third detection sensor sends a signal to the control unit 9 indicating that the water level in the electrolytic cell 34 has reached or exceeded the drought level.

Furthermore, when the water level in the electrolytic cell 34 drops below the drought level, the third detection sensor is no longer able to detect the third float portion 37a due to the resulting floating of the third float portion 37a. At this time, the third detection sensor sends a signal to the control unit 9 indicating that the water level in the electrolytic cell 34 has dropped below the drought level.

The fourth water level detection means 38 detects when the water level in the electrolytic cell 34 has reached the target water level. The fourth water level detection means 38 is composed of a buoyant fourth float portion 38a and a fourth detection sensor (not shown) that detects the position of the fourth float portion 38a.

The fourth float portion 38a is disposed in the electrolytic cell 34 and is embedded in the wall of the main body case 1 near the fourth float portion 38a.

When the water level in the electrolytic cell 34 rises and reaches the target water level, the fourth detection sensor detects the fourth float portion 38a by the accompanying floating of the fourth float portion 38a. At this time, the fourth detection sensor sends a signal to the control unit 9 indicating that the water level in the electrolytic cell 34 has reached the target water level.

Figure 13 is a perspective view of the tablet injection mechanism of the air purification device of embodiment 1. Figure 14 is a perspective view showing the inside of the tablet injection case of the tablet injection mechanism of the air purification device of embodiment 1.

As shown in Figures 13 and 14, the tablet injection mechanism 35 is installed above the electrolytic cell 34 and includes a tablet injection case 39, a tablet injection member 40 provided within the tablet injection case 39, and a tablet injection cover 41 detachably attached to the top of the tablet injection case 39. When the tablet injection cover 41 is removed from the tablet injection case 39 and an electrolysis-accelerating tablet 42 is placed inside the tablet injection case 39, the tablet injection member 40 rotates, and the electrolysis-accelerating tablet 42 automatically falls into the electrolytic cell 34 through the opening 39a on the bottom of the tablet injection case 39. As an example, sodium chloride can be used as the electrolysis-accelerating tablet 42.

The electrolysis unit 36 immerses a first electrode (not shown) and a second electrode (not shown) in the water of the electrolytic cell 34, applies a voltage to the first and second electrodes, and electrochemically processes the water in the electrolytic cell 34 containing electrolysis-accelerating tablets 42 (described below) inserted by the tablet insertion mechanism 35, to produce hypochlorous acid. An example of an electrolysis-accelerating solvent is sodium chloride, and the electrolysis unit 36 electrochemically decomposes an aqueous sodium chloride solution to produce electrolyzed water containing active oxygen species (hypochlorous acid is used as an example in this embodiment).

Here, reactive oxygen species refers to oxygen molecules and related substances that have higher oxidizing activity than normal oxygen. For example, reactive oxygen species include not only so-called narrowly defined reactive oxygen species such as superoxide anion, singlet oxygen, hydroxyl radical, or hydrogen peroxide, but also so-called broadly defined reactive oxygen species such as ozone and hypochlorous acid (hypohalous acid). Furthermore, in this embodiment, the production of electrolyzed water containing reactive oxygen species (here, hypochlorous acid) may be referred to as generating reactive oxygen species (here, hypochlorous acid).

As shown in Figures 4, 5, and 6, the water supply unit 18 transports water from the water storage unit 16 to the electrolysis unit 17. The water supply unit 18 has a water supply pump 43 that is immersed in the water in the water supply compartment 25, and a water supply channel 44 connected to the water supply pump 43.

The water supply pump 43 is a pumping type pump that moves water supplied from the water supply means 22 to the water supply compartment 25 into the water supply channel 44 and transports it to the electrolytic cell 34.

The water supply channel 44 is a cylindrical pipe with open ends, one end connected to the water supply pump 43, and the other end located above the top surface of the electrolytic cell 34.

As shown in Figures 4, 5, 11, and 12, the active oxygen species supply unit 19 transports water from the electrolytic cell 34 to the water storage unit 16. The active oxygen species supply unit 19 has an active oxygen species communication unit 19a and an active oxygen species pump unit 19b.

The active oxygen species communication section 19a is a flow path that connects the electrolytic cell 34 and the sterilization compartment 26, and the active oxygen species pump unit 19b is a mechanism that supplies water from the electrolytic cell 34 to the active oxygen species communication section 19a.

A drip water receiver 60 is located below the active oxygen species communication section 19a. Water containing active oxygen species in the electrolytic cell 34 is dripped into the drip water receiver 60 by the active oxygen species supply section 19.

As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the water supply unit 20 transports water from the water supply compartment 25 to the sterilization compartment 26. The water supply unit 20 consists of a water supply pump 51 that is immersed in the water in the water supply compartment 25, and a water supply channel 52 connected to the water supply pump 51.

The water supply pump 51 is a pumping type pump that moves water supplied from the water supply means 22 to the water supply section 25 to the water supply channel 52 and transports it to the sterilization section 26.

The water supply channel 52 is a cylindrical pipe with open ends, one end connected to the water supply pump 51, and the other end located directly above the water surface on the front side of the partition 24 of the sterilization compartment 26.

In other words, the main body case 1 is configured to have a water supply section 20 that transports water from the water supply section 25 to the sterilization section 26.

This makes it possible to mix the hypochlorous acid-containing water transported from the electrolytic cell 34 with the water in the water supply compartment 25 in any ratio, allowing the concentration of hypochlorous acid in the sterilization compartment 26 to be adjusted to a predetermined concentration.

As shown in Figure 3, the air duct 8 connects the intake port 2 and the outlet port 4, and is equipped with, in order from the intake port 2, a gas-liquid contact means 23, a blower 6, and an outlet port 4. When the fan unit 11 is rotated by the motor unit 10, external air that enters the air duct 8 from the intake port 2 is blown out, in order, via the gas-liquid contact means 23, the blower 6, and the outlet port 4.

The control unit 9 is located within the main body case 1 and receives signals from the first water volume detection means 28, the second water volume detection means 29, the third water volume detection means 37, the fourth water volume detection means 38, and the operation unit 1A. It controls the operation of the electrolysis unit 36, the water supply unit 18, the active oxygen species supply unit 19, the water supply unit 20, and the tablet injection mechanism 35, and adjusts the concentration and volume of the hypochlorous acid-containing water in the sterilization compartment 26. The control unit 9 can also estimate the amount of hypochlorous acid consumed and the amount of water volume reduction in the hypochlorous acid-containing water in the sterilization compartment 26 based on a signal indicating the air volume of the blower 6 transmitted from the operation unit 1A.

An example of adjusting the concentration and amount of water containing hypochlorous acid in the sterilization section 26 of the device configured as described above is shown below.

When the control unit 9 detects via the third water volume detection means 37 that the water level in the electrolytic cell 34 has dropped below the drought level, it operates the water supply pump 43, which begins transporting water from the water supply compartment 25 to the electrolytic cell 34 via the water supply channel 44. Next, when the third water volume detection means 37 detects that the water level has risen to the drought level, the control unit 9 operates the tablet injection mechanism 35 to inject electrolysis-accelerating tablets 42 into the electrolytic cell 34. Next, when the water level in the electrolytic cell 34 rises further and the fourth water volume detection means 38 detects that the water level has risen to the target water level, the control unit 9 stops operation of the water supply pump 43. Next, the control unit 9 starts operation of the electrolysis unit 36 and stops it after a predetermined time has elapsed. This generates water containing a constant concentration of hypochlorous acid, which is then retained in the electrolytic cell 34.

When the control unit 9 estimates that a predetermined amount of hypochlorous acid in the sterilization section 26 has been consumed based on a signal indicating the air volume of the blower 6 sent from the operation unit 1A, it operates the active oxygen species pump 45, and begins transporting water containing hypochlorous acid from the electrolytic cell 34 to the supply tank 47 via the active oxygen species pre-transport water channel 46. After a predetermined time has elapsed, the control unit 9 stops operation of the active oxygen species pump 45. The hypochlorous acid-containing water transported to the supply tank 47 gradually moves through the drop opening 50 to the active oxygen species post-transport water channel 48, and is transported to the sterilization section 26 via the active oxygen species post-transport water channel 48.

When the control unit 9 estimates that the amount of water in the sterilization compartment 26 has decreased by a predetermined amount based on a signal indicating the air volume of the blower 6 sent from the operation unit 1A, it operates the water supply pump 51, and begins transporting water from the water supply compartment 25 to the sterilization compartment 26. When the second water volume detection means 29 detects that the water level has risen to the target water level, the control unit 9 stops operation of the water supply pump 51. By mixing the water containing hypochlorous acid transported from the active oxygen species supply unit 19 with the water transported from the water supply unit 20, the concentration of hypochlorous acid in the sterilization compartment 26 is adjusted to a predetermined concentration.

Through these controls, the sterilization compartment 26 is maintained with a predetermined amount of water and water containing a predetermined concentration of hypochlorous acid. This makes it possible to provide an air purifier with stable sterilization performance.

As configured above, the air purifier comprises, within the main body case 1 having an air intake 2 and an air outlet 4, an electrolytic cell 34 for storing water containing active oxygen species, a dripping water receiver 60 into which the water containing active oxygen species from the electrolytic cell 34 is dripped by the active oxygen species supply unit 19, a sterilization compartment 26 into which the water containing active oxygen species flows from the dripping water receiver 60, a gas-liquid contact means 23 for bringing the water containing active oxygen species in the sterilization compartment 26 into contact with air, and a blower 6 for blowing air drawn in from the air intake 2 through the gas-liquid contact means 23 to the air outlet 4. As shown in Figures 7, 8, 15, and 16, this embodiment is characterized in that the sterilization compartment 26 has an opening 61 connecting the sterilization compartment 26 to the dripped water receiving section 60, and a groove 62 extending from the opening 61 into the sterilization compartment 26 and provided on the bottom surface, and water containing hypochlorous acid that has been dripped and accumulated in the dripped water receiving section 60 by the active oxygen species supply section 19 flows into the sterilization compartment 26 along the groove via the opening 61. This allows the water containing hypochlorous acid that has dripped and accumulated in the dripped water receiving section 60 to flow in a desired flow into the sterilization compartment 26. As a result, the water containing hypochlorous acid flows vigorously into the sterilization compartment and is guided to flow along the groove, making it easier for the hypochlorous acid to reach the filter.

The groove portion 62 also has a first groove 63 extending from the opening 61 toward the inside of the sterilization compartment 26, a second groove 64 extending from the tip of the first groove 63 in a direction perpendicular to the first groove 63 to one side of the sterilization compartment, and a third groove 65 extending from the tip of the first groove 63 in a direction perpendicular to the first groove 63 to the other side of the sterilization compartment 26.

Specifically, the first groove 63 extends in the front-to-rear direction of the main body case 1. The opening 61 is located on the front side of the main body case 1 in the sterilization compartment 26. The first groove 63 has an elongated rectangular shape when viewed from above, and extends from the opening 61 to the rear side of the main body case 1 (inside the sterilization compartment 26) to near the center of the sterilization compartment 26. The width of the first groove 63 (dimension A in the short side direction, left-to-right direction on the main body case 1) is wider than the lateral dimension D of the rectangular opening 61.

The second groove 64 extends in the left-right direction of the main body case. When viewed from above, the second groove 64 has an elongated rectangular shape, and extends from the tip of the first groove 63 to the left side of the main body case 1 (a direction perpendicular to the first groove and one side of the sterilization compartment 26) to near the wall surface of the sterilization compartment 26. The width of the second groove (dimension B in the short side direction, in the front-to-back direction of the main body case 1) is wider than the width of the first groove 63 (dimension in the short side direction).

The third groove 65 extends in the left-right direction of the main body case 1. When viewed from above, the third groove 65 has an elongated rectangular shape, extending from the tip of the first groove 63 to the right side in the left-right direction of the main body case 1 (the other side of the sterilization compartment 26, perpendicular to the first groove 63) and to near the wall surface of the sterilization compartment 26 in the opposite direction from the second groove 64. The width of the third groove 65 (dimension C in the short side direction, in the front-to-back direction of the main body case 1) is wider than the width of the first groove 63 (dimension A in the short side direction, in the left-to-right direction of the main body case 1) and is the same dimension as the width of the second groove 64 (dimension in the short side direction, in the front-to-back direction of the main body case 1). When viewed from above, the second groove 64 and the third groove 65 are arranged in a straight line, and the first groove 63, the second groove 64, and the third groove 65 form a T-shape.

With the above configuration, when water containing active oxygen species in the electrolytic cell 34 drips into the drip water receiver 60, it accumulates in the drip water receiver 60, and the water level in the drip water receiver 60 becomes higher than the water level in the sterilization compartment 26. The amount of water containing active oxygen species dripped into the drip water receiver 60 at one time is greater than the amount of water accumulated in the drip water receiver 60 before dripping, and the water level in the drip water receiver 60 after dripping is approximately two to three times the water level in the drip water receiver 60 before dripping. The water containing active oxygen species in the drip water receiver 60 then flows through the opening 61 and first into the first groove 63 until the water level in the drip water receiver 60 reaches the same height as the water level in the sterilization compartment 26. As described above, the water level in the dripped water receiving portion 60 after dripping is approximately two to three times the water level in the dripped water receiving portion 60 before dripping, and this water pressure increases the speed at which the water containing active oxygen species flows through the opening 61 and into the first groove 63. Furthermore, the water containing active oxygen species flowing through the first groove 63 hits the first groove sidewall 63a on the downstream side of the first groove 63 at the tip of the first groove 63 and splits into two flowing directions. A portion of the water containing active oxygen species hits the first groove sidewall 63a on the downstream side of the first groove 63, changes direction to flow to the left side of the main body case 1, and flows through the second groove 64. Meanwhile, the remainder of the water containing active oxygen species hits the first groove sidewall 63a on the downstream side of the first groove 63, changes direction to flow to the right side of the main body case 1, and flows through the third groove 65. This allows the hypochlorous acid-containing water that drips and collects in the drip water receiver 60 and flows into the sterilization compartment 26 through the opening 61 to be distributed widely throughout the sterilization compartment 26.

Furthermore, the sterilization compartment 26 has a partition wall 24 that extends upward from the bottom surface of the sterilization compartment 26 and separates the sterilization compartment 26 from the drip water receiving section, and an opening 61 is provided at the bottom end of the partition wall 24. Specifically, a plate-shaped partition wall 24 extending in the vertical direction is provided between the sterilization compartment 26 and the drip water receiving section 60. The partition wall 24 is located on the front side of the main body case of the sterilization compartment 26, and the bottom end of the partition wall 24 has an opening 61 that is a rectangular cutout. A portion (lower portion) of the opening edge of the opening 61 forms the bottom surface of the sterilization compartment 26, and its width is narrower than the width of the first groove 63 (dimension A in the short side direction, left and right on the main body case 1). The opening 61 connects the sterilization compartment 26 and the drip water receiving section 60, so that the bottom surfaces of the sterilization compartment 26 and the drip water receiving section 60 are flush with each other.

As a result, some of the water containing hypochlorous acid that has dripped and accumulated in the drip water receiving section 60 flows along the bottom surface of the drip water receiving section 60 and into the sterilization compartment 26 through the opening 61. Here, because the bottom surface of the sterilization compartment 26 and the bottom surface of the drip water receiving section 60 are flush with each other, the water containing hypochlorous acid that has dripped and accumulated in the drip water receiving section 60 flows with force along the bottom surface of the sterilization compartment 26 into the sterilization compartment 26.

The gas-liquid contactor 23 also includes a filter 32 that rotates while partially immersed in the hypochlorous acid-containing water in the sterilization compartment 26. Specifically, the rotation axis 32a of the filter 32 is oriented horizontally and perpendicular to the extension direction of the first groove 63. The filter 32 rotates downward from the downstream side of the first groove 63, partially entering the water, and then rotates upward from the upstream side of the first groove 63, exiting the water. In other words, the rotation axis 32a of the cylindrical filter 32 extends left-right in the main body case 1 (perpendicular to the first groove 63 and horizontally) and is oriented parallel to the long sides of the elongated rectangular second groove 64 and third groove 65 (perpendicular to the first groove 63 and horizontally). The filter 32 rotates in the short side direction of the elongated rectangular second groove 64 and third groove 65 (the extension direction of the first groove 63). The filter 32 rotates downward from the rear side of the main body case 1 of the second groove 64 and the third groove 65 (downstream side of the first groove 63), with part of the filter 32 entering the water, and then rotates upward from the front side of the main body case 1 of the second groove 64 and the third groove 65 (upstream side of the first groove 63), and emerges from the water.

This allows water containing active oxygen species in the sterilization compartment 26 that has accumulated on the back side of the main body case 1 in the second groove 64 and the third groove 65 (downstream side of the first groove 63) to more easily flow to the front side of the main body case 1 in the second groove 64 and the third groove 65 (upstream side of the first groove 63).

When water containing active oxygen species in the electrolytic cell 34 drips and collects in the drip water receiver 60, it first flows through the opening 61 into the first groove 63. The water containing active oxygen species flowing through the first groove 63 strikes the first groove sidewall 63a of the first groove 63 at the tip of the first groove 63 and splits into two flowing directions. A portion of the water containing active oxygen species strikes the downstream first groove sidewall 63a of the first groove 63, changes direction to the left side of the main body case 1, and flows along the second groove sidewall 64a of the second groove 64 on the back side of the main body case 1. Meanwhile, the remainder of the water containing active oxygen species strikes the downstream first groove sidewall 63a of the first groove 63, changes direction to the right side of the main body case 1, and flows along the third groove sidewall 65a of the third groove 65 on the back side of the main body case 1. This makes it easier for water containing active oxygen species to accumulate on the back side of the main body case 1 (downstream side of the first groove) in the second groove 64 and the third groove 65.

As a result, when the filter 32 rotates, the water containing active oxygen species in the electrolytic cell 34 that has accumulated on the back side of the main body case 1 in the second groove 64 and the third groove 65 (downstream side of the first groove) flows to the front side of the main body case 1 in the second groove 64 and the third groove 65 (upstream side of the first groove), thereby agitating the water containing active oxygen species in the second groove 64 and the third groove 65.

The sterilization section 26 also has a recess 66 that is connected to the second groove 64 and recessed downward. The bottom surface of the recess 66 is at the same height as the bottom surface of the second groove 64.
A first float portion 28a that moves according to the water level in the recessed portion 66 is provided on the bottom surface of the recessed portion 66. The recessed portion 66 is located closer to the rear surface of the main body case 1 (downstream of the first groove 63) than the second groove 64. This makes it easier for water containing active oxygen species to move from the second groove 64 to accumulate in the recessed portion 66.

As a result, when the filter 32 rotates, the water containing active oxygen species in the sterilization compartment 26 that has accumulated in the recess 66 flows through the back side of the main body case 1 in the second groove 64 (the downstream side of the first groove 63) to the front side of the main body case 1 in the second groove 64 (the upstream side of the first groove 63), thereby agitating the water containing active oxygen species in the recess 66.

Furthermore, the second groove 64 is longer than the third groove 65, and one side of the second groove 64 in the sterilization compartment 26 is recessed downward more than the third groove 65. Specifically, the tip side of the second groove 64 extending from the tip of the first groove 63 in a direction perpendicular to the first groove 63 is recessed downward more than the third groove 65 and has a step. As a result, when water flows from the opening 61 along the first groove 63 through the second groove 64, which is longer than the third groove 65 and has difficulty flowing all the way to the tip, the downward recessed step increases its momentum, making it easier for the water to flow all the way to the tip of the second groove 64.

The air purifier of the present invention is useful as an air purifier for home or office use, etc.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Main body case 1A Operation unit 1B Cover 2 Intake port 3 Door 4 Outlet 5 Partition plate 6 Blower 7 Air purification unit 8 Air duct 9 Control unit 10 Motor unit 11 Fan unit 12 Casing unit 13 Motor shaft 14 Outlet 15 Inlet 16 Water storage unit 17 Electrolysis unit 18 Water supply unit 19 Active oxygen species supply unit 19a Active oxygen species communication unit 19b Active oxygen species pump unit 20 Water supply unit 21 Water storage container 22 Water supply means 23 Gas-liquid contact means 24 Partition wall 25 Water supply compartment 26 Sterilization compartment 27 Protrusion 28 First water volume detection means 28a First float portion 29 Second water volume detection means 29a Second float portion 30 Tank 30a Handle 31 Cap 31a Cap opening 31b Water tap 32 Filter 32a Rotating shaft 33 Filter frame 34 Electrolytic cell 35 Tablet injection mechanism 36 Electrolysis unit 37 Third water volume detection means 37a Third float portion 38 Fourth water volume detection means 38a Fourth float portion 39 Tablet injection case 39a Opening 40 Tablet injection member 41 Tablet injection cover 42 Electrolysis-promoting tablet 43 Water supply pump 44 Water supply channel 45 Active oxygen species pump 46 Active oxygen species front transport channel 47 Supply tank 48 Active oxygen species rear transport channel 50 Drop opening 51 Water supply pump 52 Water supply channel 60 Dripping water receiver 61 Opening 62 Groove portion 63 First groove 63a First groove side wall 64 Second groove 64a Second groove side wall 65 Third groove 65a Third groove side wall 66 Recessed portion

Claims (6)

a main body case having an air intake port and an air outlet;
an electrolytic cell provided in the main body case and storing water containing active oxygen species;
a dripping water receiving section into which water containing active oxygen species in the electrolytic cell is dripped by an active oxygen species supply section;
a sterilization section into which water containing active oxygen species flows from the dripping water receiving section;
a gas-liquid contacting means for contacting the water containing active oxygen species in the sterilization compartment with air;
a blower that blows air drawn in through the air intake port to the air outlet via the gas-liquid contact means,
The sterilization compartment comprises:
an opening communicating the sterilization compartment with the dripping water receiving section;
a groove portion extending from the opening into the sterilization compartment and provided on a bottom surface,
An air purifying device characterized in that water containing hypochlorous acid that drips and accumulates in the drip water receiving section flows into the sterilization section along the groove through the opening. The groove portion is
a first groove extending from the opening toward the inside of the sterilization compartment;
a second groove extending from a tip end of the first groove in a direction perpendicular to the first groove and to one side of the sterilization compartment;
2. The air purifying device according to claim 1, further comprising a third groove extending from a tip of the first groove in a direction perpendicular to the first groove toward the other side of the sterilization compartment. the sterilization compartment has a partition wall extending upward from a bottom surface of the sterilization compartment and separating the sterilization compartment from the dripping water receiving section,
2. The air purifying device according to claim 1, wherein the opening is provided at a lower end of the partition wall. 3. The air purifying device according to claim 2 , wherein the gas-liquid contacting means has a filter that rotates with a part of the filter immersed in the water containing hypochlorous acid in the sterilization compartment. The rotation axis of the filter is disposed perpendicular to the first groove and in a horizontal direction;
The air purifying device according to claim 4, wherein the filter rotates downward from the downstream side of the first groove, so that a portion of the filter enters the water, and then rotates upward from the upstream side of the first groove, so that a portion of the filter exits the water. The second groove is longer than the third groove;
The air purifying device according to claim 2 , wherein one side of the second groove in the sterilization compartment is recessed downward from the third groove.