CN108290478B

CN108290478B - Air cleaner

Info

Publication number: CN108290478B
Application number: CN201680047261.6A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 栗本真也; 广田直; 神尾昌明; 岩下详; 山本明
Original assignee: Denso Corp; Sharp Corp
Current assignee: Denso Corp
Priority date: 2015-10-27
Filing date: 2016-08-12
Publication date: 2021-05-25
Anticipated expiration: 2036-08-12
Also published as: JP6595302B2; TWI625498B; CN108290478A; JP2017081374A; WO2017073134A1; TW201715181A

Abstract

The invention provides an air cleaner which can moisten the air in a space and is more comfortable by only using a beverage rack. The air cleaner (1) can be installed on a beverage rack, and is provided with an ion generation unit (23) that generates active species for purifying air or ions for generating the active species, the air cleaner (1) further comprising: a tank (31) which can store water; a water absorbing rod (32a) having a lower end immersed in water in the tank (31) and absorbing water; and a mist generating part (24) which contacts with the upper end of the water absorbing rod (32a) and generates mist.

Description

Air cleaner

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an air cleaner which supplies air containing active species having an air purifying effect or ions generating the active species to a space to purify the air of the space.

Background

Various air cleaners having an active species generating device for generating air containing active species having an air purifying effect or ions for generating the active species have been proposed, and an in-vehicle air cleaner which can be mounted on a beverage rack has also been proposed.

For example, patent document 1 discloses an in-vehicle air cleaner having an ion generating device (active species generating device) for generating one or both of positive ions and negative ions for generating active species. Further, patent document 2 discloses an air cleaner for vehicle use, which has an ozone generator (active species generating device) that generates ozone and discharges a negative ion wind containing ozone.

Further, not only the air cleaner, but also a humidifier including a mist generating device, various vehicle-mounted devices that can be installed in a beverage rack have been proposed. For example, patent document 3 discloses a vehicle-mounted humidifier including a mist generating device that generates mist using an ultrasonic transducer.

Documents of the prior art

Patent document

Patent document 1: japanese laid-open patent publication No. 2005-96499 "

Patent document 2: japanese laid-open patent publication No. Hei 10-152307 "

Patent document 3: japanese laid-open patent publication No. 2011- "

Disclosure of Invention

Technical problem to be solved by the invention

However, in the past, any air cleaner that can be installed in a beverage rack has no humidification function. Therefore, when it is attempted to humidify the air in the vehicle for more comfort, it is necessary to provide a humidifier outside the air cleaner so that both beverage racks are occupied.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an air cleaner which can humidify air in a space and make the air more comfortable by using only one beverage holder.

Means for solving the problems

In order to solve the above problem, an air cleaner according to an aspect of the present invention includes: an air supply part which can be arranged on the beverage rack and sucks external air; an air passage for guiding the sucked air to the air outlet; and an active species generator disposed facing the air passage and generating active species for purifying air or ions for generating the active species; the air cleaner further includes: a water storage portion capable of storing water; a water-absorbing part having a lower end immersed in the water reservoir part and absorbing the water; and a mist generating part which contacts with the upper end of the water absorbing part and generates mist.

Effects of the invention

According to one aspect of the present invention, since the air cleaning function and the mist generating function are both provided in the beverage holder, it is possible to achieve an effect of humidifying air in a space and making it more comfortable by using only one beverage holder.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which an air cleaner is housed in a beverage rack in a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing an external configuration of the air cleaner.

Fig. 3 is a view showing each surface of the air cleaner, wherein (a) is a plan view, (b) is a left side view, (c) is a front view, (d) is a right side view, and (e) is a rear view.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing a state where the air cleaner is separated into the body unit and the tank unit.

Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line a-a of fig. 3 (c).

Fig. 6 is a sectional view showing a state where the tank unit is pulled obliquely downward from the state of fig. 5 and detached from the main body unit.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view showing an external configuration of the tank unit.

Fig. 8(a) is a front view showing a structure of a side of the tank unit facing the main body unit and a front view showing an inner side structure, and (b) is a right side view of the tank unit.

Fig. 9 is an explanatory view showing a state where the tank unit is attached to the main body unit.

Fig. 10 is a sectional view showing a state where the tank unit is attached to the main body unit.

Fig. 11 is a diagram illustrating a water level detection unit for detecting a water level of a tank attached to the tank unit, and shows a state where the water level is sufficiently high and a state where a water absorption warning is issued when the water level is low.

Detailed Description

The embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which an air cleaner 1 according to the present embodiment is housed in a drink holder 60 in an automobile. The air cleaner 1 has an air cleaning function of supplying air containing active species (or ions generating the active species) having an air cleaning action and cleaning the air in the vehicle, and has a mist generating function of releasing mist to humidify the air in the vehicle, thereby providing a more comfortable space.

As shown in fig. 1, the air cleaner 1 is detachably provided to the beverage holder 60, and at least the lower portion 1a is formed in a shape of being embedded in the beverage holder 60, here, a cylindrical shape.

In the example of fig. 1, the beverage holder 60 installed diagonally forward is shown as seen from the driver, but may be provided in a luggage space between the driver's seat and the front passenger seat or in a rear seat. In addition, the beverage holder is not limited to being equipped on the vehicle from the beginning, and may be a rear-loading type purchased in the market.

The power supply to the air cleaner 1 may be configured by a cigarette lighter (cigarette socket)61 as shown in fig. 1, or may be configured by a USB port if the vehicle has a USB port. In addition, a battery or a secondary battery may be mounted. Hereinafter, the detailed configuration of the air cleaner 1 will be described.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing an external configuration of the air cleaner 1. Fig. 3 is a view showing each surface of the air cleaner 1, (a) is a plan view, (b) is a left side view, (c) is a front view, (d) is a right side view, and (e) is a rear view. Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing a state where the air cleaner 1 is separated into the body unit 20 and the tank unit 30.

As shown in fig. 2 and 3 (a) to (e), the lower portion 1a of the air cleaner 1 is formed in a cylindrical shape fitted into the beverage holder 60 (see fig. 1), and the upper portion 1b protruding from the beverage holder 60 is formed in a cylindrical shape having a larger diameter than the lower portion 1 a. In fig. 2, both the lower portion 1a and the upper portion 1b have a cylindrical shape, but the shape is not limited thereto. The upper portion 1b may have any shape such as a triangular prism shape, a quadrangular prism shape, or a spherical shape. The lower portion 1a is most desirably cylindrical in shape for stability, but may be rectangular in shape, for example, if it is a shape that can be fitted into the beverage holder 60.

The lower portion 1a of the air cleaner 1 includes a cylindrical lower housing 10 having a bottom, and the upper portion 1b includes a cylindrical upper housing 11 and a circular lid 12 covering an upper opening of the upper housing 11.

A blower (blower) 21, which will be described later, is housed inside the lower housing 10, and an ion generator (active species generator) 23, an air passage 22, a tank (water reservoir) 31, a water suction mechanism 32, a mist generator 24, a water level detector 25, which will be described later, are housed inside the upper housing 11 (see fig. 5).

An air inlet 13 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the lower housing 10. The air inlet 13 is formed by a plurality of arc-shaped slotted holes formed in the outer peripheral surface of the lower housing 10. By rotating a fan 21c (see fig. 5) of the blower 21 inside the lower housing 10, air is sucked into the air cleaner 1 through the air inlet 13 and sent to the air passage 22. In the present embodiment, the lower frame 10 is formed such that the diameter of the bottom surface is 65mm and the height of the cylinder is 70mm, for example.

The upper housing 11 is divided into a semi-cylindrical front upper housing 11a located on the front surface side of the air cleaner 1 and a semi-cylindrical rear upper housing 11b located on the rear surface side of the air cleaner 1. A pair of engaging recesses 29 are formed at both circumferential ends of the inner circumferential surface of the front upper frame 11a that abut against the rear upper frame 11 b. The rear upper frame 11b is detachably attached to the front upper frame 11a by engaging (snap fit) locking claws 35 (see fig. 4, 7, 8, 9, and the like) formed on the rear upper frame 11b, which will be described later, with these engaging recesses 29.

The lower end of the front upper frame 11a is joined to the lower frame 10, and the lid 12 is fitted to the upper end thereof. The front upper frame 11a and the lower frame 10 may be integrally formed as a synthetic resin molded product.

An opening is provided in the outer peripheral surface of the front upper housing 11a at the center in the peripheral direction of the upper end side, and an ion blowing section 14 that blows air containing ions having an air cleaning action (hereinafter referred to as an ion wind) is exposed from the opening. The ion blowout part 14 has a wedge-shaped recess 16 that is long in the circumferential direction, and an air blowout port 15 connected to an air passage 22 is formed on a flat surface below the recess 16.

The upper inclined surface 16a of the recess 16 functions as a guide plate for guiding the ion wind blown out from the air outlet 15 obliquely upward. As will be described in detail later, air passage 22 is inclined from the rear side to the front side from the bottom to the top, and inclined surface 16a on the upper side of recess 16 is also inclined to the same extent as air passage 22. Further, a marker 17 is attached to the outer peripheral surface of the front upper housing 11a below the ion blowing unit 14.

On the other hand, the rear upper frame 11b is configured to be detachable from the front upper frame 11a as described above. By detaching the rear upper housing 11b, the tank (water storage portion) 31 housed in the air cleaner 1 is exposed, and the tank 31 can be taken out. In the present embodiment, as shown in fig. 4, the tank 31 is attached to the inside of the rear upper housing 11b, and the tank 31 is removed together with the rear upper housing 11 b.

Hereinafter, a portion that is integrally attached to and detached from the tank 31 is referred to as a tank unit 30, and a portion remaining after the tank unit 30 is detached from the air cleaner 1 is referred to as a main unit (main body) 20.

The lid 12 is provided with a mist releasing portion 18 that releases mist. The mist releasing part 18 is formed on the back surface side closer to the front surface side of the air cleaner 1 where the ion blowout part 14 is located. The mist discharge portion 18 includes a mist discharge port 18a for discharging mist, a mortar-shaped Light guide 18b provided around the mist discharge port, and a Light source 18c including an LED (Light Emitting Diode) or the like for supplying Light to the Light guide 18 b. The light guide 18b guides the light supplied from the light source 18c to the inside, and itself performs light conversion.

The cover 12 is also provided with an operation display unit 19 that receives an instruction to switch the operation mode of the air cleaner 1 and displays the operation state in a lighted state.

Next, the internal structure of the air cleaner 1 will be described with reference to fig. 5 and 6. Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line a-a of fig. 3 (c). Fig. 6 is a sectional view showing a state where the tank unit is pulled obliquely downward from the state of fig. 5 and detached from the main body unit.

As shown in fig. 5, the air cleaner 1 includes a blower 21, an air passage 22, an ion generator 23, a mist generator 24, a tank 31, a water suction mechanism 32, a water level detector 25, and the like. As shown in fig. 6, the blower 21, the air passage 22, the ion generator 23, and the mist generator 24 are disposed on the main unit 20 side, and the tank 31 and the water suction mechanism 32 are disposed on the tank unit 30 side. The water level detector 25 is disposed on the main unit 20 side and the tank unit 30 side, as will be described later.

Since the air duct 22 communicates with the air inlet 13 formed in the lower housing 10 and the air outlet (air outlet) 15 of the ion blowout part 14, the blower 21 and the ion generator 23 are disposed in the air duct 22. The blower 21 is disposed on the upstream side and the ion generating unit 23 is disposed on the downstream side with respect to the flow of the wind.

The duct extending from the outlet of the blower 21 toward the air outlet 15 in the air passage 22 is inclined from the back side toward the front side. Therefore, the duct wall surface exposed in the state where the tank unit 30 is detached becomes an inclined surface (second inclined surface) 22a inclined from the back surface side to the front surface side of the air cleaner 1.

The blower 21 includes a housing 21a, a motor 21b fixed to the housing 21a, and a fan 21c rotated by the motor 21 b. The blower 21 sucks in outside air from the air inlet 13 by rotating the fan 21c, and the sucked air is discharged from the air outlet 15 through the air passage 22.

The ion generating portion 23 includes a discharge portion 23a, and one or both of positive ions and negative ions that generate an active species having an air purifying effect are generated from the discharge portion 23a by discharge. The ion generating portion 23 is disposed to face the air passage 22 and the discharge portion 23a, and the generated ions are discharged from the air outlet 15 as an ion wind along with the airflow flowing in the air passage 22.

The mist generating portion 24 is disposed directly below the mist discharge port 18a provided in the lid body 12. The mist generating section 24 includes an ultrasonic transducer 24a, and generates mist by contacting an upper end of a water absorbing rod (water absorbing section) 32a of a water absorbing mechanism 32 described later. In order to generate the mist, the ultrasonic vibrator 24a needs to be reliably in contact with the upper end of the water absorption rod 32 a. The mist generating part 24 is housed in an inner frame 50 located below the lid 12, and the inner frame 50 is formed with an opening 50a through which the water absorbing rod 32a is inserted.

The tank (water storage section) 31 stores atomized water, and a water absorption rod 32a of the water absorption mechanism 32 is provided inside the tank 31. As will be described in detail later, a portion of the lower portion of the tank 31 facing the inclined surface 22a on the main unit 20 side is formed to have an inclined surface (first inclined surface) 31b inclined along the inclined surface 22 a.

The water absorbing mechanism 32 includes a water absorbing rod 32a, a water absorbing rod guide 32b through which the water absorbing rod 32a is inserted, and a spring 32c that urges the water absorbing rod 32a upward. The water absorption rod 32a is urged from the lower end by a spring 32c, and the movement direction is restricted to the up-down direction by the water absorption rod guide 32 b. Thus, in a state where the tank unit 30 is attached to the main unit 20, the tip of the water absorption rod 32a is always in contact with the ultrasonic transducer 24a of the mist generating portion 24 with a fixed load.

The water level detecting unit 25 includes a detected body 25b that changes its position according to the water level by being attached to the float 25c, and a detector 25a that detects the displacement of the detected body 25b, and detects the water level inside the tank 31. The float 25c and the object 25b are mounted in the tank 31, and the detector 25a is mounted on the main unit 20 side.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view showing an external configuration of the tank unit 30. Fig. 8(a) is a front view showing a structure of the tank unit 30 on the side opposite to the main body unit 20, and (b) is a right side view of the tank unit 30.

As shown in fig. 7, the tip of the water absorbing rod 32a protrudes from the upper surface of the tank 31, and a supply port 31a for supplying water in the tank 31 is provided on the lateral side of the water absorbing rod 32 a. Further, a lid 33 is provided to the refill port 31 a.

The inclined surface 31b is formed on the side of the lower portion of the tank 31 facing the main unit 20. In other words, the inclined surface 31b inclined obliquely downward is formed on the side of the can 31 facing the main unit 20 so that the inner dimension decreases toward the lower portion of the can 31. By having such an inclined surface 31b, the can 31 has a shape in which the lower portion is narrower than the upper portion.

As shown in fig. 8(a) and (b), the upper end of the can 31 is restricted by two restricting claws 34 provided on the inner peripheral surface of the semi-cylindrical rear upper frame 11b, and the lower end of the can 31 is fixed to the rear upper frame 11b by screws 39.

Further, in the rear upper frame 11b, a pair of locking claws 35 that engage with a pair of engagement recesses 29 (see fig. 2) formed on the front upper frame 11a side are formed at both ends in the circumferential direction that abut against the front upper frame 11 a. Further, a finger contact protrusion 36 is also formed near each locking claw 35. The finger contact convex portion 36 is formed to facilitate engagement and disengagement of the lock claw 35 and the engagement concave portion 29 in order to facilitate inward deflection of the semi-cylindrical rear upper housing 11 b.

The tank unit 30 is attached to the main unit 20 by engaging the locking claws 35 in the engaging recessed portions 29, and is also restricted from moving in the vertical direction.

Next, the attachment and detachment of the tank unit 30 to and from the main unit 20 will be described with reference to fig. 9 and 10. Fig. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the tank unit 30 is attached to the main unit 20. Fig. 10 is a sectional view showing a state where the tank unit 30 is attached to the body unit 20.

As shown in fig. 9, when the canister unit 30 is attached, the user grips the canister unit 30 so that the thumb, middle finger, or index finger grips the pair of finger-touch projections 36 formed on the rear upper frame 11 b. Then, the tank unit 30 is tilted so as to approach the main unit 20 so as to be lifted upward from below, and is rotated slightly so as to finally assume a correct posture, whereby the lock pawl 35 is engaged with the engagement recess 29. The reason why the tank unit 30 is inclined is that, as shown in fig. 10, the tip end portion of the water absorbing rod 32a needs to be inserted into an opening 50a formed in the inner frame 50 below the lid 12 of the main unit 20.

In the case of the structure mounted in such an inclined manner, it is not known how much the inclination is necessary and the operation is difficult, as compared with the case of mounting the structure in a straight manner in the straight direction below, directly above, or in the straight direction.

However, in the air cleaner 1 of the present embodiment, the inclined surface 31b is provided on the tank unit 30 side, and the inclined surface 22a matching therewith is also provided on the main body unit 20 side. Therefore, the inclined surface 31b on the tank unit 30 side is inserted along the inclined surface 22a on the main unit 20 side, and thus the installation can be easily performed even in an inclined direction.

On the other hand, when detaching the tank unit 30, the user grips the tank unit 30 in the same manner as described above, and first releases the engagement between the lock claws 35 and the engagement concave portions 29. Thereafter, the tank unit 30 is rotated in an oblique direction to be detached so as to be pulled down from above to below, contrary to the attachment. In this case, the inclined surface 31b on the tank unit 30 side is also pulled down along the inclined surface 22a on the main body unit 20 side, so that the tank unit can be easily detached.

Next, the water level detector 25 will be described with reference to fig. 11. As described above, the water level detector 25 includes the float 25c, the detected body 25b attached thereto, and the detector 25a, the float 25c and the detected body 25b are attached to the tank unit 30, and the detector 25a is attached to the non-detection side.

As shown in fig. 11, the float 25c is rotatably supported on the inclined surface 31b in the tank 31. The float 25c floats up in a state where the water level in the tank 31 is sufficiently high (at the time of full water), rotates along the axis X in accordance with the fall of the water level, and falls down along the inclined surface 31b at the time of a water suction warning.

The detected body 25b is made of a magnet and attached to the rotation fulcrum side of the float 25 c. In a state where the float 25c is sufficiently floated, the magnetic flux emitted from the object 25b is directed in the normal direction of the inclined surface 31 b. On the other hand, in a state where the float 25c is tilted, the magnetic flux emitted from the object 25b is directed in a direction parallel to the inclined surface 31 b.

The detector 25a includes a hall IC (Integrated Circuit) 25d, detects a magnetic flux emitted from the object 25b, turns ON (ON) and OFF (OFF), and detects the water level in the tank 31. When the magnetic flux emitted from the object 25b is directed in the normal direction of the inclined surface 31b, the hall IC25d is in an on state, and the detector 25a determines that the water level is sufficient. On the other hand, when the magnetic flux emitted from the object 25b is directed in the direction parallel to the inclined surface 31b, the hall IC25d is in the off state, and the detector 25a determines that the water is insufficient. Further, when the tank unit 30 is detached from the body unit 20, the hall IC25d remains in the off state regardless of the water level, and therefore the detector 25a determines that the water is insufficient.

When the water level detection unit 25 determines that the water is insufficient including a state where the tank unit 30 is detached, the control unit, not shown, included in the air cleaner 1 stops the operation of the mist generating unit 24 and switches the lighting of the light source 18c provided in the mist releasing unit 18 from the start-end lighting to the blinking lighting. The light source 18c is switched to blinking light by lighting, and the light guide 18b provided on the outer periphery of the mist release opening 18a is switched to blinking light from the start point to the end point. This makes it possible to visually notify the user of the state where the tank unit 30 is removed or the state where the water in the tank 31 is used up.

Next, the advantages of the air cleaner 1 of the present embodiment will be described.

(1) First, the air cleaner 1 is an air cleaner that can be installed on a beverage rack, including a blower 21, an air passage 22, an ion generator 23, and the like, and further includes a tank 31, a water suction mechanism 32, and a mist generator 24, and also has a mist generating function (first embodiment).

Therefore, the air in the vehicle can be purified and humidified by only using one beverage rack, so that the vehicle becomes more comfortable.

(2) In the air cleaner 1, the blower 21 is disposed in the lower portion 1a of the air cleaner 1, and the tank 31 is disposed in the upper portion 1b of the air cleaner above the blower 21 (second embodiment).

The tank 31 is disposed above the blower 21. The blower 21 is made of a magnet made of a metal material, and is heavy in the entire air cleaner 1. Therefore, in such a configuration, even if the amount of water in the tank 31 changes, for example, the center of gravity of the air cleaner 1 hardly fluctuates. That is, the center of gravity is originally moved upward as the amount of water in the tank 31 decreases, but with this configuration, the center of gravity can be kept downward regardless of the amount of water in the tank 31.

In the configuration in which the tank 31 is disposed above the blower 21, the center of gravity moves upward as the amount of water in the tank 31 decreases, but with this configuration, the center of gravity can be kept downward regardless of the amount of water in the tank 31.

When the position of the center of gravity of the air cleaner becomes high, there is a risk that the air cleaner falls down from the beverage holder 60, but by lowering the position of the center of gravity, the air cleaner 1 can be stably set in the beverage holder 60.

In the case of the external beverage holder, the beverage holder may be inclined, and the air cleaner may be subjected to vibration during traveling. Therefore, in such an air cleaner having a mist generating function, it is important to maintain a stable installation state regardless of the amount of water.

Further, since the size and shape of the upper portion 1b protruding above the beverage holder 60 are not limited by the internal dimensions of the beverage holder 60, there is also an advantage that the degree of freedom in designing the shape, capacity, and the like of the can 31 can be increased.

(3) In the air cleaner 1, the water absorption rod 32a is further provided in the tank 31 (third embodiment) configured to be detachably attached.

In the configuration in which the water absorbing rod 32a is left on the main unit 20 side with the tank 31 removed, there is a problem that water droplets may drop from the water absorbing rod 32a, but by adopting this configuration, there is no problem that water droplets may drop on the main unit 20. Since the control unit, the ion generating unit 23, the blower 21, and the like are mounted on the main unit 20 side, it is not preferable to drip water droplets. Further, even if the water drops fall from the body unit 20, the water drops may wet the inside of the beverage holder 60, which is not preferable.

(4) In the air cleaner 1, the tank 31 is further formed with an inclined surface 31b inclined obliquely downward such that the inner dimension decreases toward the lower portion of the tank 31 on the side facing the main unit 20, and the tank 31 has a shape in which the lower portion is gradually narrower than the upper portion (fourth embodiment).

With this configuration, even when the water level relative to the residual water amount is high or the residual water amount is small, the depth at which the lower end of the water absorbing rod 32a is immersed can be secured. This makes it possible to reduce the amount of residual water that cannot be absorbed, as compared with a configuration that is not tapered, and to reduce the number of times of replenishment when the capacities of the tanks are the same.

(5) In the air cleaner 1, further, the inclined surface 31b is provided on the tank unit 30 side, and the inclined surface 22a matching therewith is also provided on the main body unit 20 side (fifth embodiment).

When the water absorption rod 32a is provided on the tank unit 30 side, the water absorption rod 32a needs to be attached to the ultrasonic transducer 24a of the mist generating section 24 on the main unit 20 side so as to be slightly rotated so as to be obliquely lifted up from the tank unit 30 in order to reliably bring the tip of the water absorption rod 32a into contact with the ultrasonic transducer 24 a. Such obliquely inclined mounting has a sense of difficulty in handling as compared with mounting in which the mounting is moved straight right below or right above, or right sideways.

However, with this configuration, the inclined surface 31b on the tank unit 30 side can be easily attached to the inclined surface 22a on the main unit 20 side when the tank unit 30 is attached and detached.

(6) In the air cleaner 1, the float 25c to which the detection object 25b is attached in the water level detection unit 25 is rotatably provided on the inclined surface 31b of the tank 31, and the detector 25a is attached to a position facing the detection object 25b in a state where the tank unit 30 is attached to the main unit 20 (sixth embodiment).

Since the ultrasonic transducer 24a of the mist generating unit 24 is broken by continuing vibration in a state where water is not supplied, it is necessary to reliably detect this and stop the ultrasonic transducer 24a in a state where the water level is low or a state where the tank unit is removed. Therefore, a sensor that detects the installation state of the tank unit 30 while detecting the water level is also required.

With the above configuration, by disposing the float 25c to which the detected body 25b is attached on the tank 31 side and disposing the detector 25a on the main unit 20 side, it is possible to detect not only the water level of the tank 31 but also the detached state of the tank unit 30 with one detector 25 a. Further, since the detected body 25b is provided inside the tank 31 and cannot be easily touched, it is not easy to erroneously float the float 25c and operate the ultrasonic transducer 24a, and damage to the ultrasonic transducer 24a can be prevented.

Since the float 25c is provided at a narrow position where the water level can be raised with respect to the amount of residual water, the amount of residual water can be reduced when the water level is to be supplied compared to a tank that is not narrowed, even if the float is pivotally supported at the same height as the bottom surface of the tank 31.

(7) In the air cleaner 1, the mist discharging part 18 is provided in the vicinity of the back surface of the cover body 12 corresponding to the top surface of the air cleaner 1, and the ion blowout part 14 is provided at the upper part of the front surface side corresponding to the outer peripheral surface of the air cleaner 1 (seventh embodiment).

As described above, by separating the mist releasing part 18 from the ion blowing part 14 and blowing the ion wind in the direction away from the mist releasing part 18, the mist is released straight upward without being affected by the ion wind, and the visual appearance can be improved.

[ conclusion ]

An air cleaner 1 according to an aspect of the present invention includes: a blowing part (blower 21) which can be arranged on the beverage rack and sucks external air; an air passage 22 that guides the sucked air to the air outlet (air outlet 15); and an active species generator (ion generator 23) disposed facing the air passage 22 and generating an active species for purifying air or generating ions for generating the active species; the air cleaner further includes: a water storage unit (tank 31) capable of storing water; a water absorbing part (water absorbing rod 32a) having a lower end immersed in the water storage part and absorbing water; and a mist generating section 24 which contacts an upper end of the water absorbing section and generates mist.

Accordingly, although the air cleaner is an air cleaner that can be installed in a beverage rack, the air cleaner is provided with the tank 31, the water absorption rod 32a, and the mist generating unit 24 to generate mist, and it is possible to achieve purification and humidification of air in the vehicle using only one beverage rack, thereby making it more comfortable.

In the air cleaner 1 according to the second aspect of the present invention, the air blowing unit is disposed in a lower portion 1a of the air cleaner 1 fitted in the beverage holder 60; the water storage unit is configured to be disposed on the upper portion 1b of the air cleaner 1 protruding from the beverage holder 60 and to be detachably attached to the main body (main unit 20) of the air cleaner 1; the water absorbing portion is provided on the water storage portion side.

According to the above configuration, the center of gravity of the air cleaner 1 hardly fluctuates. That is, since the center of gravity is kept at the lower side regardless of the amount of water in the water storage portion, the air cleaner 1 can be stably installed in the beverage holder 60. Further, since the water absorbing portion is detached together with the water storage portion, there is no problem that water drops from the water absorbing portion.

In the air cleaner 1 according to the third aspect of the present invention, the water storage portion has, on a side facing the main body, a first inclined surface (inclined surface 31b) inclined obliquely downward such that an inner dimension thereof becomes smaller toward a lower portion, and has a shape in which the lower portion is gradually narrower than the upper portion.

According to the above configuration, since the lower portion of the water storage portion is gradually narrowed, the water level with respect to the residual water amount can be increased as compared with the configuration in which the water storage portion is not gradually narrowed, and the depth of immersion of the lower end of the water absorbing portion can be secured even when the residual water amount is small. This makes it possible to reduce the amount of residual water that cannot be absorbed, as compared with a configuration that does not gradually narrow, and to reduce the number of times of replenishment when the capacity of the water storage unit is the same.

In the air cleaner 1 according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the main body further includes a second inclined surface (inclined surface 22a) along the first inclined surface in a state where the water storage portion is attached.

In the configuration in which the water absorbing portion is detached together with the water storage portion, the water storage portion (tank unit 30) needs to be attached by slightly rotating it so as to be obliquely raised in order to reliably bring the tip of the water absorbing portion into contact with the mist generating portion 24 when attaching the water storage portion. Such obliquely inclined mounting has a sense of difficulty in handling as compared with mounting in which the mounting is performed by straight movement directly below or directly above or directly sideways.

According to the above configuration, the first inclined surface of the water storage portion is along the second inclined surface of the main body, so that the water storage portion can be easily attached and detached even in an obliquely inclined state.

An air cleaner 1 according to a fifth aspect of the present invention further includes: a water level detection unit 25 including a float 25c, a detection object 25b attached to the float 25c, and a detector 25a for detecting a displacement of the detection object 25 b; the float 25c is rotatably mounted on the first inclined surface in the water storage portion; the detector 25a is attached to a position facing the subject 25b in a state where the water storage portion is attached to the main body.

According to the above configuration, one detector 25a can detect not only the water level of the tank 31 but also the state in which the tank 31 is removed. Further, since the object 25b is disposed inside the tank 31 and cannot be easily touched, it is not easy to erroneously float the float 25c to operate the mist generating unit 24, and damage to the ultrasonic transducer 24a can be prevented.

Since the float 25c is provided at a narrow position where the water level can be raised with respect to the amount of residual water, the amount of residual water can be reduced as compared with a tank that is not narrowed even if the float is pivotally supported at the same height position as the bottom surface of the tank 31.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope shown in the claims, and embodiments obtained by appropriately combining technical means disclosed in different embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention. Further, new technical features can be formed by combining the technical means disclosed in the respective embodiments.

Description of the symbols

1 air cleaner

1a lower part

1b upper part

10 lower frame

11 upper frame

12 cover body

13 air intake

14 ion blowout part

15 air outlet (outlet)

18 mist releasing part

18a fog releasing port

18b light guide

18c light source

20 body unit

21 blower (blowing part)

22 air path

22a inclined plane (second inclined plane)

23 ion generating part

24 mist generating part

25 water level detecting part

25a detector

25b object to be detected

25c buoy

30-tank unit

31 can (Water storage part)

31b inclined plane (first inclined plane)

32 mechanism that absorbs water

32a Water absorption stick (Water absorption part)

60 beverage rack

61 cigarette lighter

Claims

1. An air cleaner is provided with: an air supply part which can be arranged on the beverage rack and sucks external air; an air passage for guiding the sucked air to the air outlet; and an active species generator disposed facing the air passage and generating active species for purifying air or ions for generating the active species; characterized in that the air cleaner further comprises:

a water storage portion capable of storing water;

a water-absorbing part having a lower end side immersed in the water storage part and absorbing the water; and

a mist generating part contacting with the upper end of the water absorbing part and generating mist,

the air supply part is arranged at the lower part of the air cleaner embedded in the beverage rack;

the water storage part is configured to be arranged at the upper part of the air cleaner protruding from the beverage rack and is detachably arranged relative to the main body of the air cleaner;

the water absorbing part is arranged on the water storage part side;

the water storage portion has a first inclined surface inclined obliquely downward such that the inner dimension decreases toward the lower portion, and the lower portion is gradually narrower than the upper portion, on the side opposite to the main body.

2. The air cleaner of claim 1,

the body has a second inclined surface along the first inclined surface in a state where the water storage part is mounted.

3. The air cleaner of claim 1,

further provided with: a water level detection unit including a float, a detected body attached to the float, and a detector for detecting a displacement of the detected body;

the float is rotatably mounted to the first inclined surface in the water reservoir;

the detector is attached to a position facing the subject in a state where the water storage portion is attached to the main body.