JP7833638B2 - Air purification device - Google Patents

Description

This disclosure relates to an air purification device that generates hypochlorous acid in salt-containing water in a water storage container, rotates a filter partially immersed in the water in the water storage container, and has an air passage that blows air through the filter to disinfect with water containing hypochlorous acid.

A conventional air purification device is known that comprises a main body case having an air intake and an air outlet, the main body case having an electrolytic cell for storing water containing sodium chloride, an electrolytic unit for electrolyzing the water in the electrolytic cell to produce water containing reactive oxygen species, a sterilization compartment into which the water containing reactive oxygen species from the electrolytic cell flows in via a connecting passage, a gas-liquid contact section for bringing the water containing reactive oxygen species in the sterilization compartment into contact with air, and a blower for blowing air drawn in from the air intake to the air outlet via the gas-liquid contact section (for example, Patent Document 1). The electrolytic cell and the sterilization compartment are arranged side by side in a water storage container. The water storage container has a connecting passage between the electrolytic cell and the sterilization compartment that connects the electrolytic cell and the sterilization compartment.

Japanese Patent Publication No. 2014-190553

In conventional air purification systems, the electrolytic cell and the sterilization compartment are arranged side-by-side within a water storage container. The water storage container also has a connecting passage between the electrolytic cell and the sterilization compartment. This allows water from the electrolytic cell to flow into the sterilization compartment via the connecting passage. However, water from the sterilization compartment may also flow into the electrolytic cell via the connecting passage. Within the sterilization compartment, a gas-liquid contact area is provided to bring the water containing reactive oxygen species into contact with air. Air drawn in from an air intake by a blower is supplied to the gas-liquid contact area. Here, impurities from the air may mix with the water in the sterilization compartment. If this water containing impurities flows into the electrolytic cell, depending on the impurities, it can reduce the efficiency of the electrolytic unit in electrolyzing the water in the electrolytic cell.

The air purification device of this disclosure comprises a main body case having an air intake and an air outlet. The main body case includes an electrolytic cell for storing water containing sodium chloride, an electrolytic unit for electrolyzing the water in the electrolytic cell to produce water containing reactive oxygen species, a sterilization section to which the water containing reactive oxygen species in the electrolytic cell is supplied by a reactive oxygen species supply unit, a gas-liquid contact section for bringing the water containing reactive oxygen species in the sterilization section into contact with air, and a blower for blowing air drawn in from the air intake to the air outlet via the gas-liquid contact section. The electrolytic cell is located above the sterilization section , and the main body case further includes a water supply section for storing water, and a water supply section for supplying a portion of the water in the water supply section to the electrolytic cell, the water supply section being located below the electrolytic cell, the water supply section being located directly below the electrolytic cell, and when viewed from above, the electrolytic cell is contained within the water supply section .

This disclosure provides an air purification device that suppresses the inflow of water from the sterilization section, which contains airborne impurities, into the electrolytic cell, thereby reducing the decrease in the efficiency of electrolysis by the electrolytic unit.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an air purification device according to Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure. Figure 2 is a perspective view of the air purification device with its door open. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of the air purification device. Figure 4 is a perspective view of the water reservoir section of the air purification device. Figure 5 is a perspective view showing the internal structure of the air purification device. Figure 6 is a perspective view of the water storage section of the air purification device. Figure 7 is a plan view of the water storage section of the air purification device. Figure 8 is a plan view of the water storage section of the air purification device. Figure 9 is a perspective view of the water supply section of the air purification device. Figure 10 is a perspective view of the electrolytic cell of the air purification device. Figure 11 is a perspective view of the electrolytic cell of the air purification device. Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view of the electrolytic cell of the air purification device. Figure 13 is a perspective view of the tablet loading mechanism of the air purification device. Figure 14 is a perspective view showing the inside of the tablet loading case of the tablet loading mechanism of the air purification device.

The embodiments of this disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1)
Figures 1 and 2 are perspective views of the air purification device 100 according to Embodiment 1 of this disclosure. Figure 1 is a perspective view of the air purification device 100 from the front. Figure 2 is a perspective view of the air purification device 100 from the front with the door opened and the water reservoir 16 removed. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the air purification device 100 according to Embodiment 1 from the side.

In the following, the vertical direction may be described as the up-and-down direction and the horizontal direction as the left-and-right direction when the air purification device 100 is installed as shown in Figure 1 (hereinafter also referred to as the "installed state"). Also, in the following, when the air purification device 100 is installed, the side on which the door 3 of the air purification device 100 is provided will be referred to as the "front," the side opposite the front of the air purification device 100 will be referred to as the "rear," the right side when viewed from the front of the air purification device 100 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 purification device 100 will now be described. As shown in Figure 1, the air purification device 100 of this embodiment includes a roughly box-shaped main body case 1. Roughly square-shaped air intake ports 2 are provided on both sides of the main body case 1. An openable and closable door 3 is provided on the front of the main body case 1. By opening the door 3, a part of the air purification unit 7 (see Figure 3), which will be described later, inside the main body case 1 can be removed. An openable and closable air outlet 4 is provided on the top surface of the main body case 1.

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

The partition plate 5 is a plate located in the center of the main case 1, and together with the partition wall 24 (see Figure 4), which will be described later, separates the front and back sides of the main case 1. Here, the back side of the main case 1 separated by the partition plate 5 is the air passage 8.

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

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/closable cover 1B provided on the top surface of the main body case 1. The user of the air purification device 100 of this disclosure can adjust the airflow of the blower 6 in steps by operating an airflow switching button (not shown) provided on the operating unit 1A. The information from the user's operation is sent to the control unit 9 as an input signal.

The fan unit 11 is fixed to a motor shaft 13 that extends horizontally from the motor unit 10. The fan unit 11 is, for example, a sirocco fan.

The motor unit 10 is fixed to the casing unit 12. A discharge port 14 is provided on the upper side of the main body case 1 of the casing unit 12. A suction port 15 is provided on the rear side of the main body case 1 of the casing unit 12.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the air purification device 100 of Embodiment 1 with the water storage container 21 placed inside the main body case 1. Figure 5 is a perspective view of the air purification device 100 of Embodiment 1 with some of its components removed to show the internal structure. Figure 6 is a perspective view of the water storage section 16 of the air purification device 100 of Embodiment 1.

As shown in Figures 2 to 6, the air purification unit 7 stores water from the water supply unit 22 in the electrolytic cell 34, adds electrolysis-promoting tablets to the water in the electrolytic cell 34 using the tablet insertion mechanism 35, electrolyzes it to produce water containing hypochlorous acid, and then sprays the produced hypochlorous acid-containing water from the outlet 4 by bringing it into contact with air drawn into the main body case 1 from the air intake port 2 by the blower 6.

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

The water storage unit 16 stores water and performs disinfection. The water storage unit 16 has a water storage container 21, a water supply unit 22, and a gas-liquid contact unit 23.

Figure 7 is a plan view of the water reservoir 16 of the air purification device 100 according to Embodiment 1. Figure 8 is a plan view showing the internal structure of the water reservoir 16 of the air purification device 100 according to Embodiment 1 with some of its components removed.

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 and has a box shape with an open top, allowing it to store water. The water storage container 21 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 case 1 (outside the air passage 8) from the rear side of the main case 1 (inside the air passage 8) in the water storage container 21. The partition wall 24 extends upward from the bottom surface of the water storage container 21. The upper end of the partition wall 24 is positioned above the upper end of the water storage container 21.

As shown in Figures 6, 7, and 8, a portion of the upper end surface of the partition wall 24 is in full contact with the wall surface of the partition plate 5. This separates the front side of the main case 1 (outside the air passage 8) from the rear side of the main case 1 (inside the air passage 8), preventing air from entering or leaving the other side.

The water supply compartment 25 is roughly bowl-shaped and is a compartment for storing water supplied from the water supply unit 22. In the water storage container 21, which is positioned at the bottom of the main body case 1, the water supply compartment 25 is located on the front side of the main body case 1, beyond the partition wall 24. The water supply compartment 25 also has a structure that can hold the water supply unit 22. A cylindrical projection 27 is provided at the bottom of the water supply compartment 25 in a position that holds the water supply unit 22.

The disinfection compartment 26 is roughly bowl-shaped and is a compartment for storing water containing hypochlorous acid at a predetermined concentration. The disinfection compartment 26 is provided so as to span the front and back sides of the partition wall 24, and the front and back sides of the partition wall 24 are connected by an opening (not shown) provided below the water level of the partition wall 24. The disinfection compartment 26 has a first water level detection unit 28 and a second water level detection unit 29 for detecting the water level in the disinfection compartment 26.

The first water level detection unit 28 detects when the water level in the sterilization section 26 falls below the drought level, which is lower than the target water level. The target water level refers to the water level of the maximum water volume set for each component in the air purification operation of the air purification device 100 of this disclosure. The drought level refers to the water level of the minimum water volume set for each component in the air purification operation of the air purification device 100 of this disclosure.

The first water volume detection unit 28 is located on the rear side of the partition wall 24 in the sterilization compartment 26 and has a first float portion 28a that has buoyancy 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. 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 disinfection section 26 drops below the drought level, the first detection sensor can no longer detect the first float section 28a due to the resulting buoyancy of the first float section 28a. At this time, the first detection sensor sends a signal to the control unit 9 indicating that the water level in the disinfection section 26 has dropped below the drought level.

The second water level detection unit 29 detects when the water level in the disinfection compartment 26 reaches the target water level. The second water level detection unit 29 is located on the front side of the partition wall 24 in the disinfection compartment 26 and has a buoyant second float portion 29a and a second detection sensor (not shown) that detects the position of the second float portion 29a.

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

The second detection sensor detects the second float portion 29a when the water level in the disinfection compartment 26 rises and reaches the target water level, due to the resulting movement 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 disinfection compartment 26 has reached the target water level.

Figure 9 is a perspective view of the water supply section 22 of the air purification device 100 according to Embodiment 1.

As shown in Figures 2 and 9, the water supply unit 22 is installed in the water supply compartment 25 and has a structure that allows it to be attached to and detached from the water supply compartment 25, and automatically supplies water to maintain a constant water level in the water supply compartment 25. The water supply unit 22 has a hollow tank 30 for storing water and a handle 30a provided on the top of the tank 30. The handle 30a is integrated with the tank 30. Therefore, the user can attach and detach the water supply unit 22 to the water supply compartment 25 while holding the handle 30a.

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

The cap 31 has a cylindrical shape with its central axis extending vertically. When attached to the water storage container 21, a cylindrical cap opening 31a, which opens vertically, is provided at the center of the bottom surface of the cap 31. A tap 31b for opening and closing the lid opening is provided at the cap opening 31a.

The faucet 31b comprises a cylindrical shaft (not shown), an on/off valve (not shown) provided on one side of the shaft to close the cap opening 31a, a coil-shaped spring (not shown) provided so as to pass the shaft through its center, and a spring stopper (not shown) provided on the other side of the shaft.

When the tank 30 is installed in the water supply compartment 25, the spring stopper comes into contact with the projection 27 of the water supply compartment 25. As a result, the spring stopper moves upward while compressing the spring. Consequently, the on-off valve of the faucet 31b moves upward, and the on-off valve moves away from the cap opening 31a of the cap 31. As a result, water from the tank 30 flows into the water supply compartment 25 through the cap opening 31a of the cap 31.

Here, when water accumulates in the water supply compartment 25 up to the lower end of the cap opening 31a, air can no longer enter the tank 30 from the lower end of the cap opening 31a. Therefore, water in the tank 30 does not flow 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 lower end of the cap opening 31a, and the water level is kept constant at this lower end of the cap opening 31a. Thus, a constant water level can always be maintained in the water supply compartment 25.

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

The filter 32 has water-retaining properties, is cylindrical in shape, and has holes in its circumference that allow air to circulate. The filter 32 is mounted on the filter frame 33 such 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 the filter frame 33 are structured to rotate together by a drive unit.

Figure 10 is a perspective view of the electrolytic cell 34 of the air purification device 100 according to Embodiment 1. Figure 11 is a perspective view showing the internal structure of the electrolytic cell 34 of the air purification device 100 according to Embodiment 1 with some of its components removed. Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view of the electrolytic cell 34 of the air purification device 100 according to Embodiment 1, viewed from the side.

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

The electrolysis unit 17 comprises an electrolytic cell 34, a tablet feeding mechanism 35 (see Figure 2), and an electrolysis unit 36.

The electrolytic cell 34 is located above the water storage container 21 and has a roughly box-like shape 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 unit 37 and a fourth water level detection unit 38 for detecting the water level in the electrolytic cell 34.

The third water level detection unit 37 detects when the water level in the electrolytic cell 34 rises above the drought level or falls below the drought level. The third water level detection unit 37 includes a third float portion 37a that has buoyancy and a third detection sensor (not shown) that detects the position of the third float portion 37a.

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

The third detection sensor detects 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, due to the resulting movement 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 risen to or above the drought level.

Furthermore, when the water level in the electrolytic cell 34 drops below the drought level, the third detection sensor becomes unable 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 fallen below the drought level.

The fourth water level detection unit 38 detects when the water level in the electrolytic cell 34 reaches the target water level. The fourth water level detection unit 38 has a fourth float portion 38a that has buoyancy and a fourth detection sensor (not shown) that detects the position of the fourth float portion 38a.

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

The fourth detection sensor detects the fourth float portion 38a when the water level in the electrolytic cell 34 rises and reaches the target water level, due to the resulting movement 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 dispensing mechanism 35 of the air purification device 100 according to Embodiment 1. Figure 14 is a perspective view showing the inside of the tablet dispensing case 39 of the tablet dispensing mechanism 35 of the air purification device 100 according to Embodiment 1.

As shown in Figures 13 and 14, the tablet loading mechanism 35 is installed above the electrolytic cell 34. The tablet loading mechanism 35 comprises a tablet loading case 39, a tablet loading member 40 provided inside the tablet loading case 39, a tablet loading cover 41 detachably mounted on the top of the tablet loading case 39, and a loading motor for rotating the tablet loading member 40. When the tablet loading cover 41 is removed from the tablet loading case 39 and electrolysis-promoting tablets 42 are placed inside the tablet loading case 39, the loading motor rotates the tablet loading member 40. The loading motor is controlled by the control unit 9 to rotate the tablet loading member 40 at predetermined intervals. As a result, the electrolysis-promoting tablets 42 automatically fall into the electrolytic cell 34 through the opening 39a at the bottom of the tablet loading case 39. For example, sodium chloride can be used as the electrolysis-promoting tablets 42.

The electrolytic 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 these electrodes, and electrochemically treats the water in the electrolytic cell 34 containing the electrolysis-promoting tablet 42, which is introduced by the tablet dispensing mechanism 35, to generate hypochlorous acid. An example of the electrolysis-promoting tablet 42 is sodium chloride. The electrolytic unit 36 electrochemically decomposes an aqueous sodium chloride solution to generate electrolyzed water containing reactive oxygen species (hypochlorous acid is used as an example in this embodiment).

Here, reactive oxygen species refer to oxygen molecules with higher oxidative activity than normal oxygen, and related substances. For example, reactive oxygen species include not only so-called reactive oxygen species in the narrow sense, such as superoxide anion, singlet oxygen, hydroxyl radical, or hydrogen peroxide, but also so-called reactive oxygen species in the broad sense, such as ozone and hypochlorous acid (hypohalous acid). In this embodiment, the production of electrolyzed water containing reactive oxygen species (in this case, hypochlorous acid) may be expressed as generating reactive oxygen species (in this case, 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. For example, as shown in Figure 6, the water supply unit 18 has a water supply pump 43 that is immersed in the water of the water supply section 25, and a water supply channel 44 connected to the water supply pump 43.

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

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

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

The reactive oxygen species communication section 19a is a flow path that communicates the electrolytic cell 34 with the sterilization section 26. The reactive oxygen species pump unit 19b is a mechanism that supplies water from the electrolytic cell 34 to the reactive oxygen species communication section 19a.

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

The water supply pump 51 is a pump-type pump that moves the water supplied from the water supply section 22 to the water supply compartment 25 to the water supply channel 52 and then transports it to the disinfection compartment 26.

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

In other words, the main case 1 has a water supply unit 20 that transports water from the water supply section 25 to the sterilization section 26.

This makes it possible to mix the water containing hypochlorous acid transported from the electrolytic cell 34 with the water in the water supply compartment 25 in any desired ratio. Therefore, it becomes possible to adjust the concentration of hypochlorous acid in the disinfection compartment 26 to a predetermined concentration.

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

The control unit 9 is located inside the main unit case 1. The control unit 9 receives signals from the first water volume detection unit 28, the second water volume detection unit 29, the third water volume detection unit 37, the fourth water volume detection unit 38, and the operation unit 1A. The control unit 9 also controls the operation of the electrolysis unit 36, the water supply unit 18, the reactive oxygen species supply unit 19, the water supply unit 20, and the tablet dispensing mechanism 35. As a result, the control unit 9 adjusts the concentration and volume of the hypochlorous acid-containing water in the disinfection compartment 26. Furthermore, based on the signal indicating the airflow of the blower 6 received from the operation unit 1A, the control unit 9 can estimate the amount of hypochlorous acid consumed from the hypochlorous acid-containing water in the disinfection compartment 26 and the amount of decrease in the volume of the hypochlorous acid-containing water.

An example of adjusting the concentration and volume of hypochlorous acid-containing water in the disinfection section 26 of the apparatus with the above configuration will be described.

When the control unit 9 detects that the water level in the electrolytic cell 34 has fallen below the drought level using the third water level detection unit 37, it activates the water supply pump 43 and starts transporting water from the water supply section 25 to the electrolytic cell 34 via the water supply channel 44.

Next, when the third water level detection unit 37 detects that the water level has risen to the drought level, the control unit 9 activates the tablet dispensing mechanism 35 to dispense the electrolysis-promoting tablets 42 into the electrolysis cell 34.

Next, when the water level in the electrolytic cell 34 rises further and the fourth water level detection unit 38 detects that the water level has risen to the target level, the control unit 9 stops the operation of the water supply pump 43.

Next, the control unit 9 starts the operation of the electrolysis unit 36 and stops it after a predetermined time has elapsed. This generates water containing hypochlorous acid at a certain concentration, which is then held in the electrolysis cell 34.

When the control unit 9 estimates that a predetermined amount of hypochlorous acid has been consumed in the disinfection compartment 26 based on a signal indicating the airflow rate of the blower 6 sent from the operation unit 1A, it activates the reactive oxygen species pump 45 and starts transporting water containing hypochlorous acid from the electrolytic cell 34 to the supply tank 47 via the reactive oxygen species transport water channel 46.

After a predetermined time has elapsed, the control unit 9 stops the operation of the reactive oxygen species pump 45. The water containing hypochlorous acid transported to the supply tank 47 gradually moves through the drop opening 50 to the reactive oxygen species transport channel 48, and is then transported to the disinfection section 26 via the reactive oxygen species transport channel 48.

When the control unit 9 estimates that the amount of water in the disinfection section 26 has decreased by a predetermined amount based on a signal indicating the airflow rate of the blower 6 received from the operation unit 1A, it activates the water supply pump 51 to start transporting water from the water supply section 25 to the disinfection section 26.

When the second water level detection unit 29 detects that the water level has risen to the target level, the control unit 9 stops the operation of the water supply pump 51. At this time, the concentration of hypochlorous acid in the disinfection section 26 is adjusted to a predetermined concentration 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.

These controls ensure that the disinfection section 26 maintains a predetermined amount of water containing hypochlorous acid at a predetermined concentration. This allows for the provision of an air purification device that exhibits stable disinfection performance.

As described above, the air purification device 100 is equipped with an air intake port 2 and an air outlet port 4. The main body case 1 includes an electrolytic cell 34 for storing water containing sodium chloride, an electrolytic unit 36 for electrolyzing the water in the electrolytic cell 34 to produce water containing active oxygen species, a sterilization section 26 to which the water containing active oxygen species in the electrolytic cell 34 is supplied by an active oxygen species supply unit 19, a gas-liquid contact section 23 for bringing the water containing active oxygen species in the sterilization section 26 into contact with air, and a blower 6 for blowing air drawn in from the air intake port 2 to the air outlet port 4 via the gas-liquid contact section 23. A feature of this embodiment is that the electrolytic cell 34 is positioned above the sterilization section 26.

Specifically, as shown in Figures 3, 5, and 6, the electrolytic cell 34 is positioned directly above the water supply compartment 25, which is located in the water storage container 21 alongside the sterilization compartment 26, and there is a predetermined distance between the electrolytic cell 34 and the water storage container 21. In this way, since the electrolytic cell 34 is positioned above the sterilization compartment 26, the movement of water in the sterilization compartment 26, which is mixed with impurities from the air, through the reactive oxygen species supply unit 19 and into the electrolytic cell 34 is suppressed. Therefore, the decrease in the efficiency of electrolysis by the electrolytic unit 36 can be reduced.

Furthermore, the main case 1 is a vertically elongated box shape, and by positioning the electrolytic cell 34 above the sterilization compartment 26, the center of gravity of the air purification device 100 is raised. However, since the water volume in the electrolytic cell 34 is smaller than the water volume in the sterilization compartment 26, the weight distribution makes it less likely to tip over.

Furthermore, the blower 6 has a motor unit 10 and a fan unit 11 that is rotated by the motor unit 10. The motor unit 10 is located below the electrolytic cell 34. Specifically, the motor unit 10 is located in the center of the main body case 1 in the vertical direction. Thus, the air purification device has a vertically elongated box shape for the main body case 1, and because the electrolytic cell 34 is located above the sterilization compartment 26, the center of gravity of the air purification device 100 is high. However, the motor unit 10, which is a heavy component, is located below the electrolytic cell 34. Therefore, the center of gravity of the air purification device 100 is lowered, resulting in a weight distribution that makes it less likely to tip over.

Furthermore, the main case 1 extends vertically and has a partition plate 5 provided between one side and the other side of the main case 1. The partition plate 5 is part of the casing portion 12 of the blower 6. The electrolytic cell 34 is provided on one side (front side) of the main case 1 relative to the partition plate 5. The blower 6 is provided on the other side (rear side) of the main case 1 relative to the partition plate 5.

As a result, the motor unit 10 is positioned below the electrolytic cell 34, but the electrolytic cell 34 and the blower 6 are positioned on opposite sides of each other, separated by a partition plate 5. Therefore, even if water leaks from the electrolytic cell 34, it is possible to prevent the water from dripping onto the motor unit 10.

Furthermore, the air purification device 100 includes a water supply compartment 25 for storing water and a water supply unit 18 for supplying a portion of the water from the water supply compartment 25 to the electrolytic cell 34. The water supply compartment 25 is located below the electrolytic cell 34. A tablet loading mechanism 35 for loading an electrolytic accelerator containing sodium chloride into the electrolytic cell 34 is provided at the top of the electrolytic cell 34. The tablet loading mechanism 35 loads the electrolytic accelerator containing sodium chloride into the electrolytic cell 34 through an opening provided on the top surface of the electrolytic cell 34.

Thus, in the air purification device 100, the water supply compartment 25 for storing water is positioned below the electrolytic cell 34. This lowers the center of gravity of the air purification device 100, resulting in a weight distribution that makes it less likely to tip over. Furthermore, the total volume of water in the sterilization compartment 26 and the water supply compartment 25 is greater than the volume of water in the electrolytic cell 34.

Furthermore, the water supply compartment 25 is located directly below the electrolytic cell 34. Viewed from above, the electrolytic cell 34 is contained within the water supply compartment 25.

As a result, the water supply compartment 25 is located directly below the electrolytic cell 34. Therefore, if water leaks from the electrolytic cell 34, the water will drip into the water supply compartment 25, preventing it from leaking outside the main body case 1.

Furthermore, the air purification device 100 has a water supply unit 22 that supplies water to the water supply compartment 25. The water supply unit 22 is located below the electrolytic cell 34 and is positioned in the water supply compartment 25.

Thus, in the air purification device 100, the water supply unit 22 that supplies water to the water supply compartment 25 is positioned below the electrolytic cell 34. Therefore, the center of gravity of the air purification device 100 is lower, resulting in a weight distribution that makes it less likely to tip over. Furthermore, the total volume of water in the sterilization compartment 26, the water supply compartment 25, and the water supply unit 22 is greater than the volume of water in the electrolytic cell 34.

Furthermore, the air purification device 100 has a water storage container 21 that includes a sterilization section 26 and a water supply section 25. The water storage container 21 is located on the bottom surface 1C of the main body case 1.

As described above, in the air purification device 100, a water storage container 21 is provided at the bottom of the main body case 1. Inside the water storage container 21, there is a sterilization section 26, a gas-liquid contact section 23, a water supply section 25, and a water supply section 22. This lowers the center of gravity of the air purification device 100, resulting in a weight distribution that makes it less likely to tip over.

Furthermore, as shown in Figure 2, the main body case 1 has an openable/closable door 3 on one side (front side) of the main body case 1. The water supply unit 22 is detachably attached to the water storage container 21, and is configured to detach from the water storage container 21 when the water supply unit 22 is moved upward. The water storage container 21 is detachably attached to the main body case 1 from one side (front side) of the main body case 1 when the water storage container 21 is moved horizontally to one side (front side) of the main body case 1. The electrolytic cell 34 is detachably attached to the partition plate 5. The filter 32 and filter frame 33, which are the gas-liquid contact parts 23, are detachably attached to the sterilization compartment 26, and are configured to detach from the water storage container when the filter 32 and filter frame 33, which are the gas-liquid contact parts 23, are moved upward.

This allows the electrolytic cell 34, the water supply unit 22, the water storage container 21, and the gas-liquid contact parts 23, which consist of the filter 32 and filter frame 33, to be removed from the main unit case 1 for maintenance by opening the hinged door 3 on one side (the front side) of the main unit case 1.

Furthermore, as shown in Figures 5, 10, and 12, one side of the reactive oxygen species supply unit 19 is immersed in the water in the electrolytic cell 34, and the other side of the reactive oxygen species supply unit 19 is immersed in the water in the sterilization compartment 26. The reactive oxygen species supply unit 19 has an opening 47A that allows air from outside the reactive oxygen species supply unit 19 to enter the unit. Without the opening 47A, water may accumulate inside the reactive oxygen species supply unit 19. If this condition persists for a long time, it is conceivable that water from the sterilization compartment 26, mixed with impurities from the air, may flow into the electrolytic cell 34 via the water in the reactive oxygen species supply unit 19.

Specifically, the reactive oxygen species supply unit 19 includes a reactive oxygen species communication section 19a extending from the sterilization compartment 26 to the electrolytic cell 34, and a reactive oxygen species pump unit 19b (one side of the reactive oxygen species supply unit) provided inside the electrolytic cell 34 to supply water from the electrolytic cell 34 to the reactive oxygen species communication section 19a. An opening 47A is provided at the top of the reactive oxygen species communication section 19a.

The reactive oxygen species communication unit 19a has a supply tank 47 provided in the electrolytic cell 34. An opening 47A is provided at the top of the supply tank 47. A drop opening 50 is provided at the bottom of the supply tank 47. The reactive oxygen species supply unit 19 is configured such that when the reactive oxygen species pump unit 19b supplies water from the electrolytic cell 34 into the supply tank 47 through the opening 47A, the water from the electrolytic cell 34 accumulates in the sterilization compartment 26 through the drop opening 50 of the supply tank 47.

The supply tank 47 is a vertically elongated, roughly bowl-shaped tank with an opening 47A at the top. The supply tank 47 is located inside the electrolytic cell 34. A connection port 49 for connecting to the reactive oxygen species pre-transport water channel 46 is provided at the opening edge of the upper end of the supply tank 47, and a circular drop opening 50 is provided at the bottom. A portion of the upper end of the supply tank 47 is set lower than the upper end of the electrolytic cell 34.

The connection port 49 is formed by the opening edge of the upper end of the supply tank 47 being recessed downwards, and has an arc shape equal to the outer diameter of the reactive oxygen species pre-transport water channel 46.

The drop opening 50 is provided so as to penetrate the bottom surface of the supply tank 47 and has a circular shape with a predetermined diameter.

The reactive oxygen species transport channel 48 is a cylinder with openings at both ends. One end of the opening of the reactive oxygen species transport channel 48 is connected to the drop opening 50, and the other end of the opening of the reactive oxygen species transport channel 48 is connected to the sterilization section 26.

As described above, the reactive oxygen species supply unit 19 is configured such that when the reactive oxygen species pump 45 supplies water from the electrolytic cell 34 to the supply tank 47 through the opening 47A, the water from the electrolytic cell 34 accumulates in the sterilization compartment 26 via the drop opening 50 of the supply tank 47. Here, the reactive oxygen species communication unit 19a has an opening 47A at its top. In other words, the supply tank 47 has a roughly bowl shape with the top being the opening 47A. Therefore, air enters the supply tank 47 through the opening 47A, and the water in the supply tank 47 is constantly dripping from the drop opening 50, creating a waterless cavity in the supply tank 47, so the reactive oxygen species communication unit 19a is not always filled with water.

This prevents water in the sterilization section 26, which is mixed with airborne impurities, from flowing into the electrolytic cell 34 via the water in the reactive oxygen species communication section 19a, thereby reducing the decrease in the efficiency of electrolysis by the electrolytic unit 36.

The air purification device described herein is useful as an air purification device for use in homes, offices, and other similar settings.

1 Main case 1A Operation panel 1B Cover 1C Bottom 2 Air intake 3 Door 4 Air outlet 5 Partition plate 6 Blower 7 Air purification unit 8 Air passage 9 Control unit 10 Motor unit 11 Fan unit 12 Casing unit 13 Motor shaft 14 Discharge port 15 Inlet 16 Water storage unit 17 Electrolysis unit 18 Water supply unit 19 Reactive oxygen species supply unit 19a Reactive oxygen species communication unit 19b Reactive oxygen species pump unit 20 Water supply unit 21 Water storage container 22 Water supply unit 23 Gas-liquid contact unit 24 Partition wall 25 Water supply compartment 26 Sterilization compartment 27 Protrusion 28 First water volume detection unit 28a First float section 29 Second water volume detection unit 29a Second float section 30 Tank 30a Handle 31 Cap 31a Cap opening 31b Faucet 32 Filter 33 Filter frame 34 Electrolytic cell 35 Tablet loading mechanism 36 Electrolytic unit 37 Third water volume detection unit 37a Third float section 38 Fourth water volume detection unit 38a Fourth float section 39 Tablet loading case 39a Opening 40 Tablet loading member 41 Tablet loading cover 42 Electrolysis promoting tablet 43 Water supply pump 44 Water supply channel 45 Reactive oxygen species pump 46 Reactive oxygen species pre-transport channel 47 Supply tank 47A Opening 48 Reactive oxygen species post-transport channel 49 Connection port 50 Drop opening 51 Water supply pump 52 Water supply channel

Claims (8)

It has a main body case that has an air intake and an air outlet,
The aforementioned main body case is
An electrolytic cell for storing water containing sodium chloride,
An electrolysis unit that electrolyzes the water in the electrolytic cell to produce water containing reactive oxygen species,
A sterilization section in which water containing reactive oxygen species in the electrolytic cell is supplied by a reactive oxygen species supply unit,
A gas-liquid contact section that brings water containing reactive oxygen species in the sterilization section into contact with air,
The system includes a blower that blows air drawn in from the intake port to the outlet port via the aforementioned gas-liquid contact portion,
The electrolytic cell is located above the sterilization compartment.
The main body case further includes a water supply compartment for storing water and a water supply unit for supplying a portion of the water from the water supply compartment to the electrolytic cell.
The water supply compartment is located below the electrolytic cell.
The water supply compartment is located directly below the electrolytic cell, and when viewed from above, the electrolytic cell is an air purification device included within the water supply compartment . The blower has a motor section and a fan section that is rotated by the motor section.
The motor unit is located below the electrolytic cell.
The air purification device according to claim 1. Inside the main case, a partition plate is provided that extends in the vertical direction and is located between one side and the other side of the main case.
The electrolytic cell is provided on one side of the main body case relative to the partition plate,
The blower is provided on the other side of the main body case from the partition plate.
The air purification device according to claim 2. The water supply section is provided with a water supply unit that supplies water.
The water supply unit is located below the electrolytic cell and is positioned within the water supply compartment.
The air purification device according to claim 1 . The main body case further includes a water storage container which contains the sterilization compartment and the water supply compartment.
The water storage container is positioned on the bottom surface of the main body case.
The air purification device according to claim 1 or 4 . In the above-mentioned reactive oxygen species supply unit,
One side of the reactive oxygen species supply unit is immersed in the water in the electrolytic cell.
The other side of the reactive oxygen species supply unit is immersed in the water in the sterilization compartment.
The system has an opening that allows air from outside the reactive oxygen species supply unit to enter the reactive oxygen species supply unit.
An air purification device according to any one of claims 1 to 5 . The aforementioned reactive oxygen species supply unit is
A reactive oxygen species communication section extending from the sterilization section to the electrolytic cell,
The electrolytic cell is provided with an active oxygen species pump unit that supplies water from the electrolytic cell to the active oxygen species communication section,
The aforementioned reactive oxygen species communication section is provided with the aforementioned opening.
The air purification device according to claim 6 . The aforementioned reactive oxygen species communication portion is
The electrolytic cell has a supply tank provided therein,
The opening is provided at the top of the supply tank.
A drop opening is provided at the bottom of the supply tank.
The reactive oxygen species supply unit is configured such that when the reactive oxygen species pump unit supplies water from the electrolytic cell to the supply tank through the opening, the water from the electrolytic cell accumulates in the sterilization compartment through the drop opening of the supply tank.
The air purification device according to claim 7 .