CN108027158B

CN108027158B - Air purifier

Info

Publication number: CN108027158B
Application number: CN201680054718.6A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 小原弘士; 宫田阳一
Original assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co Ltd
Current assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co Ltd
Priority date: 2015-09-25
Filing date: 2016-09-16
Publication date: 2020-02-14
Anticipated expiration: 2036-09-16
Also published as: WO2017051523A1; CN108027158A; JP2017062091A; JP6564998B2

Abstract

A blower (5) for blowing out air that has flowed in from the suction port (2) from the discharge port (3) is provided in a main body casing (1) that is provided with the suction port (2) and the discharge port (3). Further, the apparatus comprises: an air purification unit (4) that purifies air flowing in from the inlet (2); a pollution detection unit (6) that outputs an output signal according to indoor pollution; and a control unit (7) that controls the air supply unit (5) on the basis of the output signal output by the contamination detection unit. Further, the method includes: and a correction unit that corrects the output signal output by the pollution detection unit (6) on the basis of correction information that is preset in consideration of the influence of wind inside the main body casing (1) and outside the main body casing (1) by the air blowing unit (5).

Description

Air purifier

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an air purifier.

Background

Conventionally, there is known an air cleaner which includes an air cleaning unit such as a filter and an air blowing unit such as a fan motor in a main body case, and removes (collects) dust and the like in air sucked from an intake port by driving the air cleaning unit (for example, see patent document 1).

The air cleaner of patent document 1 includes a pollution detection unit (a second detection device in patent document 1) that detects fine particles such as dust contained in air, and controls the driving of the air blowing unit based on a detection result of the pollution detection unit. In order to achieve stable sensing in the pollution detection unit, this air cleaner is provided with a flow rate measurement unit (a first detection device in patent document 1) that directly or indirectly measures the flow rate of air passing through the pollution detection unit, and adjusts the amount of air passing through the pollution detection unit.

Prior art documents

Patent document

Patent document 1: JP 2013-130362

Disclosure of Invention

However, the air cleaner as described above includes a flow rate measurement unit that directly or indirectly measures the flow rate of air passing through the pollution detection unit, and can realize stable sensing by adjusting the amount of air passing through the pollution detection unit. However, since the air cleaner includes the flow rate measuring unit, there is a problem that the number of components increases, and there is a demand for an air cleaner that can be operated while suppressing the increase in the number of components and taking into consideration the influence of wind in the pollution detecting unit.

The invention provides an air purifier which can inhibit the increase of the number of components and can be operated by considering the influence of wind generated by the air purifier.

An air cleaner according to the present invention includes, in a main body casing having a suction port and a discharge port: an air blowing section for blowing out the air flowing in from the air inlet from the air outlet; and an air purifying unit for purifying the air flowing from the suction port. Further, the apparatus comprises: a pollution detection unit that outputs an output signal according to indoor pollution; and a control unit that controls the air blowing unit based on the output signal output by the contamination detection unit. Further, the method includes: and a correction unit that corrects the output signal output by the pollution detection unit based on correction information that is preset in consideration of the influence of the wind inside the main body casing and outside the main body casing by the wind blowing unit.

According to the air cleaner of the present invention, it is possible to operate in consideration of the influence of wind generated by the air cleaner while suppressing an increase in the number of components.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an air cleaner in an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view of an air cleaner in an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 3 is a block diagram of an air purifier in an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 4 is a graph showing a relationship between the rotation speed of the fan motor of the air cleaner and the sensor output of the contamination detection unit in the embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a relationship between a sensor output ratio of the pollution detection unit and a correction coefficient based on a difference in air volume setting in the air purifier according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 6A is a graph showing a state in which the correction unit corrects the output of the dust sensor, in the air cleaner according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 6B is a graph showing a state where the correction of the output of the dust sensor by the correction section is not applied in the air cleaner in the embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 7A is a graph showing a state in which the correction unit corrects the output of the dust sensor, in the air cleaner according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 7B is a graph showing a state where the correction of the output of the dust sensor by the correction section is not applied in the air cleaner in the embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description

Hereinafter, an embodiment of an air cleaner will be described with reference to the drawings.

As shown in fig. 1, the air cleaner of the present embodiment includes a main body casing 1 having a substantially box shape, and an intake port 2 is provided on a front surface side of the main body casing 1. Further, the air outlet 3 is provided on the upper surface (top surface) side of the main body casing 1.

As shown in fig. 1 and 2, a filter 4 as an air cleaning unit is detachably provided in the suction port 2. The filter 4 has two kinds of

filters

4a and 4 b. The filter 4a functions as a dust collecting filter for collecting dust, so-called PM2.5, and the like, for example, and the filter 4b functions as a deodorizing filter for removing odor. A fan motor 5 as an air blowing unit for blowing out the air flowing in from the air inlet 2 from the air outlet 3 is accommodated in the main body casing 1.

Further, a dust sensor 6 as a contamination detection portion is provided on a side surface of the main body casing 1.

A control unit 7 for controlling various types of driving is provided on the upper side of the main body case 1, and a front panel 8 is provided on the front side of the filter 4 so as to cover the filter 4.

As shown in fig. 3, the control unit 7 includes: an operation unit 9, a display unit 10, a correction unit 11, and a storage unit 12. Further, a dust sensor 6 and a fan motor 5 are electrically connected to the control unit 7. The control unit 7 controls the fan motor 5 based on the output signal of the dust sensor 6.

The operation unit 9 is configured to include a plurality of operation switches operable by a user. As an example of the operation unit 9, the adjustment of the air volume can be switched according to the preference of the user, and for example, "weak", "medium", and "strong" can be set in the order of the air volume from low to high. In addition, the "air volume automatic" in which the air volume is adjusted (the rotational speed of the fan motor 5) based on the output signal of the dust sensor 6 can be set.

The display unit 10 notifies the user of the current operating state (air volume, etc.) of the air cleaner based on the operation of the operation unit 9.

The correction unit 11 corrects the output signal of the dust sensor 6 based on a correction coefficient preset in a storage unit 12 described later. Since the correction unit 11 is constituted by a single-chip microcomputer constituting the control unit 7 that manages various types of driving, the correction unit 11 and the control unit 7 are substantially the same component.

The storage unit 12 stores in advance a correction coefficient that takes into account the variation in the output ratio of the dust sensor 6 due to the influence of the wind generated by the fan motor 5.

The relationship between the rotation speed of the fan motor 5 and the variation in the output ratio of the dust sensor 6 will be described below.

As shown in fig. 4, when the sensor output of the dust sensor 6 is set to 1 when the fan motor 5 is not rotating, the output ratio of the sensor tends to increase (a proportional tendency) as the rotation speed of the fan motor 5 increases. More specifically, as shown in fig. 5, when the sensor output ratio is "1.00" in the case where the air volume is set to the lowest air volume setting "0" (the rotation speed of the fan motor 5 is zero), the sensor output ratio becomes "1.16" in the case where the air volume is set to "1". Then, in this order, the sensor output ratio when the air volume is set to "2" becomes "1.23", the sensor output ratio when the air volume is set to "3" becomes "1.37", the sensor output ratio when the air volume is set to "4" becomes "1.43", and the sensor output ratio when the air volume is set to "5" becomes "1.50". Further, the sensor output ratio when the air volume is set to "6" is "1.58", the sensor output ratio when the air volume is set to "7" is "1.68", the sensor output ratio when the air volume is set to "8" is "1.85", the sensor output ratio when the air volume is set to "9" is "1.90", and the sensor output ratio when the air volume is set to "10" is "1.95". In consideration of these circumstances, the storage unit 12 of the air cleaner in the present embodiment has a correction coefficient set in accordance with the magnitude of the air volume (the rotation speed of the fan motor 5). Specifically, the reciprocal of the sensor output ratio is set as a correction coefficient, and these correction coefficients (correction information) are stored in the storage unit 12.

The operation (an operation example) of the air cleaner configured as described above will be described.

In the air cleaner of the present embodiment, the control unit 7 controls the driving of the fan motor 5 based on the operation of the operation unit 9 by the user. At this time, for example, when "air volume automatic" is set, the control unit 7 controls the rotation speed of the fan motor 5 based on the output signal of the dust sensor 6 to adjust the air volume. That is, when the control unit 7 determines that the amount of dust and the like in the room is large based on the output signal of the dust sensor 6, the fan motor 5 is driven at high rotation to increase the air volume, thereby quickly removing the indoor pollution. On the other hand, when the control unit 7 determines that the amount of dust and the like in the room is small based on the output signal of the dust sensor 6, the fan motor 5 is set to the lowest rotation (including, for example, the motor stop), thereby achieving power saving.

Here, a process when "air volume automatic" is set, for example, when the air volume is changed will be described with reference to fig. 6A and 6B. Fig. 6A shows a case where the correction processing is applied to the air cleaner in the present embodiment, and fig. 6B shows a case where the correction processing is not applied to the air cleaner in the present embodiment as a reference example.

As shown in fig. 6B, when the rotation speed of the fan motor 5 is increased and the air volume is changed in a direction in which the air volume increases at a timing t1, the air volume near the dust sensor 6 also increases, and therefore the sensor output (output signal) increases. If the air volume setting at this time is changed to "3" → "4", the sensor output ratio changes to "1.37" → "1.43" as shown in fig. 5. On the other hand, when the correction process is performed, even if the air volume setting is changed, the correction unit 11 obtains a correction coefficient (0.70 in this example) corresponding to the air volume setting among the correction coefficients stored in the storage unit 12, and performs correction of the sensor output (output signal) using the correction coefficient. Thus, as shown at timing t1 in fig. 6A, the change in the sensor output due to the influence of wind is suppressed.

Further, as shown in fig. 6B, when the rotation speed of the fan motor 5 is decreased and the air volume is changed in a direction in which the air volume is decreased at a timing t2, the air volume near the dust sensor 6 is also decreased, and therefore the sensor output (output signal) is decreased. If the air volume setting at this time is changed to "4" → "3", the sensor output ratio changes to "1.43" → "1.37" as shown in fig. 5. On the other hand, when the correction process is performed, even if the air volume setting is changed, the correction unit 11 obtains a correction coefficient (0.73 in this example) corresponding to the air volume setting among the correction coefficients stored in the storage unit 12, and performs correction of the sensor output (output signal) using the correction coefficient. Then, as shown at timing t2 in fig. 6A, the change in the sensor output due to the influence of wind is suppressed.

Next, the effects of the present embodiment will be described.

(1) The dust sensor device is provided with a correction unit 11, and the correction unit 11 corrects the sensor output (output signal) output by the dust sensor 6 based on a correction coefficient that is preset in consideration of the influence of wind inside the main body casing 1 and outside the main body casing 1 due to the driving of the fan motor 5. Thereby, a change in the sensor output of the dust sensor 6 caused by the influence of wind is suppressed. Further, since it is not necessary to separately provide a measuring unit for measuring the air volume, it is possible to suppress an increase in the number of components.

(2) The correction unit 11 corrects the sensor output (output signal) of the dust sensor 6 using a correction coefficient that is set in advance in accordance with the air volume setting of the fan motor 5. In this way, since the correction according to the setting of the air volume of the fan motor 5 can be performed with attention paid to the fan motor 5 that generates the wind in the air cleaner, the correction can be appropriately performed without separately providing a measuring unit for measuring the air volume.

The above embodiment may be modified as follows.

That is, although not particularly mentioned in the above embodiment, for example, the time required for stabilizing the sensor output (output signal) of the dust sensor 6 due to a change in the air volume may be considered.

As shown in fig. 7B, the output signal of the dust sensor 6 is stabilized to the predetermined periods T1 and T2 as the air volume of the fan motor 5 changes. These change depending on the responsiveness of the dust sensor 6, the position where the dust sensor 6 is disposed. I.e. necessarily determined at design time.

Therefore, given periods T1, T2 may be stored in the storage unit 12 in advance, and when the periods T1, T2 change in a stepwise manner (proportion) as shown in fig. 7B, the correction coefficient may be calculated in a stepwise manner by, for example, calculation or the like to correct the sensor signal (output signal). Here, when the correction coefficient before the air volume change is a1, the correction coefficient after the air volume change is a2, and the data acquisition timing (sensor signal output timing) of the dust sensor 6 is n, the correction coefficient in the predetermined period T1 is represented by a1+ (a2-a1) × n/T1. Likewise, the correction coefficient in the given period T2 is represented by a1+ (a2-a1) × n/T2. The data acquisition timing n is based on the start time of the predetermined periods T1 and T2, and is 0.5 when the data acquisition timing n is at the intermediate position of the predetermined period T1, for example, when the predetermined periods T1 and T2 are 1 second.

With such a configuration, it is possible to suppress a large change in the sensor output ratio as shown in fig. 7A, taking into account the time required for stabilization.

Further, the present invention is not limited to such a configuration, and for example, the correction result (the held correction result) corrected by the correction coefficient (the held correction coefficient) before (at the present time) the air volume change may be held (fixed) without correcting (changing) the output signal in the predetermined periods T1 and T2. This can suppress the change in the sensor output ratio due to the change in the correction coefficient in the predetermined periods T1 and T2.

Further, the following configuration may be adopted. That is, the correction result (air volume change correction result) obtained by correcting the sensor signal (output signal) using the correction coefficient after the air volume change in the predetermined periods T1 and T2 is compared with the correction result (hold correction result) obtained by correcting the sensor signal (output signal) using the hold correction coefficient. As a result of the comparison, for example, when the correction result is increased after the change in the direction in which the air volume is increased (period T1) or when the correction result is decreased after the change in the air volume is decreased (period T2), the correction result may be changed to the correction result after the change in the air volume (correction result after the change in the air volume).

Specifically, for example, when the air volume setting is changed to "3" → "4" at the start timing of the predetermined period T1 and the correction coefficient is maintained without being changed as described above, the correction coefficient before the air volume change becomes "0.73", and the correction coefficient after the air volume change becomes "0.70". Similarly, when the air volume setting is changed to "4" → "3" at the start timing of the predetermined period T2 and the correction coefficient is maintained without being changed as described above, the correction coefficient before the air volume change becomes "0.70", and the correction coefficient after the air volume change becomes "0.73". However, for example, since it is conceivable that the sensor output of the dust sensor 6 is changed by dust or the like in the predetermined period T1, it is preferable to immediately cope with the correction result after the air volume change by using the correction coefficient after the air volume change as described above.

Further, the correction result may be changed by performing a comparison process with the held correction result set in the range, for example, when the held correction result has a predetermined ratio (e.g., ± 10%) and the range is out of the range.

In the above embodiment, the correction coefficient is set in stages in accordance with the air volume setting of the fan motor 5, but a configuration may be adopted in which the correction coefficient is set continuously in accordance with the rotation speed of the fan motor 5, for example. Further, a configuration may be adopted in which the correction coefficient is calculated by calculation and used by the correction unit 11, taking into account that the rotation speed of the fan motor 5 and the air volume, which are determined by the specification of the air cleaner and the like, are in a proportional relationship. The calculation in this case can be performed by, for example, the correction unit 11 or the control unit 7.

In the above embodiment, for example, the information detected by the dust sensor 6 is displayed on the display unit 10 and notified, but the notification method is not limited to this method and may be performed by sound or the like. Note that a configuration in which no notification is performed may be employed.

In the above embodiment, the control unit 7 is configured to have the function of the correction unit 11, and the correction is performed by, for example, a single-chip microcomputer. The function of the correction unit 11 may be constituted by a microcomputer or the like different from the control unit 7.

In the above-described embodiment, the position of the dust sensor 6 as the contamination detector is set at a position offset from the air passage (flow path) between the suction port 2 and the discharge port 3, but the dust sensor 6 may be set in the air passage (flow path) between the suction port 2 and the discharge port 3.

In the above embodiment, the correction coefficient is set by utilizing the relationship that the rotation speed of the fan motor 5 and the output ratio of the dust sensor 6 are in direct proportion, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, even if the rotation speed of the fan motor 5 and the output ratio of the dust sensor 6 are in an inverse proportion or in other relationships, the correction coefficient may be set by checking the relationship at the manufacturer side (manufacturer side) in advance at the time of design (manufacturing).

In the above embodiment, the filter 4 is constituted by two

filters

4a and 4b, but one or three or more filters may be used and appropriately modified.

In addition, although not particularly mentioned in the above embodiment, for example, a configuration may be adopted in which a humidifying unit that humidifies the room and a dehumidifying unit that dehumidifies the room are further provided.

The above embodiments and modifications may be combined as appropriate.

Next, the technical ideas that can be grasped from the above-described embodiments and other examples are added as follows.

(supplementary note 1) an air cleaner has an air blowing section for blowing out air flowing in from an air inlet from an air outlet in a main body casing having the air inlet and the air outlet. Further, the method comprises: an air purifying part for purifying the air flowing from the suction inlet; a pollution detection unit that outputs an output signal according to indoor pollution; and a control unit that controls the air blowing unit based on the output signal output by the contamination detection unit. Further, the present invention includes: and a correction unit that corrects the output signal output by the pollution detection unit based on correction information that is preset in consideration of the influence of the wind inside the main body casing and outside the main body casing by the wind blowing unit.

(supplementary note 2) the air cleaner according to supplementary note 1, the correcting part corrects the output signal of the pollution detecting part using the correction information preset according to the air volume setting of the blowing part or the rotation speed of the blowing part.

(supplementary note 3) the air cleaner according to supplementary note 1 or supplementary note 2, comprising: and a storage unit which stores in advance a stabilization time until an output signal of the pollution detection unit is stabilized, the stabilization time being generated in association with a change in the air volume of the air blowing unit. Even if the air volume of the blower unit is changed, the correction unit holds the correction result of the output signal before the air volume is changed, and uses the held correction result during the stabilization time.

(supplementary note 4) the air cleaner according to supplementary note 1 or supplementary note 2, comprising: and a storage unit which stores in advance a stabilization time until an output signal of the pollution detection unit is stabilized, the stabilization time being generated in association with a change in the air volume of the air blowing unit. In addition, when the air volume of the blower is changed, the correction unit holds the result of correction of the output signal before the air volume is changed. Further, the post-air-volume-change correction result in which the output signal is corrected using the post-air-volume-change correction information during the stabilization time is compared with the held holding correction result. In addition, when the air volume is changed in a direction in which the air volume is increased and the correction result after the air volume change is increased, or when the air volume is changed in a direction in which the air volume is decreased and the correction result after the air volume change is decreased, the correction result after the air volume change is used, and the hold correction result is used in other cases.

(supplementary note 5) the air cleaner according to supplementary note 1 or supplementary note 2, comprising: and a storage unit which stores in advance a stabilization time until an output signal of the pollution detection unit is stabilized, the stabilization time being generated in association with a change in the air volume of the air blowing unit. The correction unit corrects the output signal output by the contamination detection unit based on the correction information that changes in a stepwise manner during the stabilization time.

Industrial applicability

As described above, the air cleaner according to the present invention can correct the output of the dust sensor without measuring the air volume, and the above configuration can be applied to a case where the dust sensor is used in, for example, another air conditioner or the like.

Description of the reference numerals

1: main body shell

2: suction inlet

3: blow-out opening

4. 4a, 4 b: filter (air purifying part)

5: fan motor (air supply part)

6: dust sensor (pollution detector)

7: control unit

8: front panel

9: operation part

10: display unit

11: correcting part

12: a storage section.

Claims

1. An air cleaner, comprising, in a main body casing having a suction port and a discharge port:

an air blowing section for blowing out the air flowing in from the air inlet from the air outlet;

an air purifying unit that purifies air flowing in from the suction port;

a pollution detection unit that outputs an output signal according to indoor pollution; and

a control unit that controls the air blowing unit based on an output signal output by the contamination detection unit,

the air cleaner includes a correction unit that corrects the output signal output by the pollution detection unit based on correction information that is preset in consideration of the influence of wind inside the main body housing and outside the main body housing by the air blowing unit,

the air purifier is provided with a storage part which stores stabilization time before an output signal of the pollution detection part is stabilized along with the change of the air volume of the air supply part in advance,

the correcting part is used for correcting the position of the optical fiber,

when the air volume of the blower is changed, the correction result of the output signal before the air volume is changed is maintained,

comparing a post-air-volume-change correction result in which the output signal is corrected using the correction information after the air volume change during the stabilization time with the held holding correction result,

the correction result after the air volume change is used when the air volume is changed in a direction in which the air volume is increased and the correction result after the air volume change is increased, or when the air volume is changed in a direction in which the air volume is decreased and the correction result after the air volume change is decreased, and the hold correction result is used in other cases.

2. The air cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the correction unit corrects the output signal of the pollution detection unit using the correction information that is preset based on an air volume setting of the air blowing unit or a rotational speed of the air blowing unit.

3. The air cleaner according to claim 1 or 2, comprising a storage unit that stores in advance a stabilization time until an output signal of the pollution detection unit stabilizes in association with a change in the air volume of the air blowing unit,

the correction unit corrects the output signal output by the contamination detection unit based on the correction information that changes in a stepwise manner during the stabilization time.