JP2001062229A - Air cleaner - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent the continuous operation of a fan sustained for long time by canceling the increase in signals in a short time caused by foreign matter, dust, etc., even when they are intruded inside a sensor by mischief etc. of children. SOLUTION: A dirt detecting sensor 8 and a control part for driving the fan 2 when a dirt measured value measured by an input signal from the dirt detecting sensor 8 is higher than the present dirt standard value and for stopping the fan 2 or for reducing the number of rotation of the fan 2 when the dirt measured value is lower are provided. In the control by the control part, the dirt measured value is measured in every divided unit time, and one minimum dirt measured value among plural dirt measured values within gathering unit time is stored, and the minimum value among the plural minimum dirt measured values within the first maximum gathering unit time is set as the dirt standard value, and the dirt standard value is renewed so that it may be new minimum dirt measured value when new minimum dirt measured value measured within next maximum gathering unit time is higher than the present dirt standard value.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an air purifier, and more particularly to an air purifier capable of automatically operating a sensor or displaying air contamination by a sensor.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an air purifier equipped with a dust detection type sensor, it is necessary to allow dirty air to pass through the inside of the sensor. In some cases, a signal different from the dirt level is output. In this case, the air purifier cannot determine whether the air is dirty or dust adheres to the inside of the sensor. For example, if large dust intrudes into the sensor due to children's mischief or by accident, the sensor may output a signal different from the actual air contamination level. The microcomputer that detects the output of the sensor cannot determine whether the air is actually contaminated or dust has entered the sensor. There was a problem.

[0003]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and it is an object of the present invention to prevent foreign matter and dust from entering the sensor due to children's mischief. An object of the present invention is to provide an air purifier capable of canceling an increase in a signal in a short time as much as possible and preventing a fan from being operated continuously for a long time.

[0004]

According to the present invention, there is provided an air purifying apparatus having a fan and an air purifying filter provided between a suction port and a discharge port. When the dirt detection sensor 8 and the dirt measurement value measured by the input signal from the dirt detection sensor 8 are higher than the current dirt reference value, the fan 2 is driven. And a control unit 10 for lowering the rotation speed of the control unit 2.
Is divided into a unit time B for measuring one stain measurement value, a unit time C for repeating the unit time B a plurality of times, and a maximum unit time D for repeating the unit time C a plurality of times. Set, measure the dirt measurement value for each division unit time B, store one minimum dirt measurement value of the plurality of dirt measurement values in the collection unit time C, and When the minimum value of the dirt measurement values is set as the dirt reference value and the new minimum dirt measurement value obtained within the next maximum collection unit time D is higher than the current dirt reference value, the new minimum dirt measurement value It is characterized by updating so as to increase the dirt reference value until, and with this configuration, when the minimum dirt measurement value exceeds the current dirt reference value, the current dirt reference value is discarded and a new Dirt reference value Because the bets, for example, even when foreign substances or dust and the like inside the sensor by children mischievous or accidentally invades a short time to cancel the signal increase can be prevented for a long time continuous operation of the fan 2.

When the new minimum dirt measurement value obtained within the next maximum collection unit time D is higher than the current dirt reference value, the control unit 10 updates the new minimum dirt reference value. It is preferable to update the dirt reference value stepwise until the measured value is reached. In this case, the number of updates per unit time is increased to enable fine control.

When the new minimum dirt measurement value obtained within the next maximum collection unit time D is higher than the current dirt reference value, the control unit 10 updates the new minimum dirt reference value. It is preferable to update the contamination reference value at once until the measured value is reached. In this case, the timing of stopping the operation of the fan 2 can be advanced.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effect of the first aspect, the control unit 10 sets the new minimum dirt measurement value obtained within the next maximum collection unit time D as the current dirt reference value. When the value is lower than the minimum value, the contamination reference value is lowered.When foreign matter or dust that has entered the inside of the sensor by cleaning is removed, the minimum contamination measurement value decreases and the contamination reference value is automatically lowered. And the dirt reference value can be automatically reset.

[0008]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below based on embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is an external view of an air purifier of the present embodiment.
FIG. 2 shows the inside. As shown in FIG. 1, the main body includes a housing 1, an operation unit 50, and an operation switch 51.
And a grill 52. Inside the housing 1, a fan 2 and an air purification filter 3 are built in a wind tunnel having a suction port 4 and a discharge port 5, and the measurement is performed based on a dirt detection sensor 8 and an input signal from the dirt detection sensor 8. When the measured dirt value is higher than the current dirt reference value, the fan 2 is driven.
And a control unit 10 for stopping the rotation of the fan 2 or reducing the rotation speed of the fan 2.

In this embodiment, a dust sensor is exemplified as the dirt detection sensor 8. In this dust sensor, as shown in FIG. 2, the light emitting unit 20 and the light receiving unit 21 are arranged at an angle, and air is taken in the intersection of the light emitting unit 20 and the light receiving unit 21 or on an extension of the light emitting unit 20. Opening 2 for
2 is provided, and the air passing through the opening 22
When 4 is included, the light emitted from the light emitting unit 20 is scattered and reaches the light receiving unit 21. This light amount is converted into a voltage to quantify the amount of dust. Depending on the amount of voltage, the operation of the fan 2 is changed, and a dirt display is displayed.
Control is performed. In FIG. 2, 25 is an air inlet, and 26 is a sensor box.

Next, an example of control by the control unit 10 will be described.

As shown in FIG. 3, for example, the control unit 10 includes a sensor signal processing unit 11 and a reference value update processing unit 12. In the sensor signal processing unit 11,
Minimum division unit time E for taking in one sensor input
And this minimum division unit time E is plural times (an integer of 2 or more)
A subdivision unit time A that is repeated and a division unit time B in which the subdivision unit time A is repeated a plurality of times (an integer of 2 or more) are set. In FIG. 4, one sensor output f is taken in every minimum division unit time E, and a (for example, 10) sensor outputs f are taken in one subdivision unit time A. The average value is defined as data a. Note that a
May be an integer of 1 or more. Furthermore, the division unit time B
Each time, data a is fetched b times (an integer of 2 or more), the maximum value and the minimum value are rejected, and the average value of the remaining data is used as sensor input data during control. In this example, data a for b times from the first is taken in as the first sensor input data, the maximum value and the minimum value are rejected, and the average value of the remaining data is used as the first sensor input data. The second sensor input data is obtained by discarding the first data a, taking in the data a for b times from the second, rejecting the maximum value and the minimum value, and obtaining the average value of the remaining data. Similarly, the third and subsequent sensor input data are sequentially obtained, and each of these sensor input data is used as a stain measurement value during control.

On the other hand, in the reference value update processing unit 12,
Set unit time C to which a plurality of sensor input data is input
And the maximum set unit time D is set as the time during which the set unit time C is repeated a plurality of times (an integer of 2 or more). In FIG. 5, a contamination reference value is measured from a sensor signal at the first power-on. That is, a plurality of dirt measurement values (sensor input data f ') input within the first set unit time C
The minimum stain measurement value (minimum sensor input data) is stored. Similarly, the minimum stain measurement value is stored in the next set unit time C. Then, one of the minimum values among the plurality of minimum stain measurement values within one maximum collection unit time D is set as a stain reference value. Alternatively, after discarding some of the minimum values of the plurality of minimum stain measurement values within the maximum collection unit time D, the minimum value of the remaining data may be used as the stain reference value.

Next, the operation control of the fan is performed based on the above-mentioned dirt reference value and the present minimum dirt measurement value (sensor input data). That is, when the new minimum stain measurement value obtained within the next set unit time C is higher than the current stain reference value,
Updating is performed so as to increase the stain reference value until a new minimum stain measurement value is obtained. In this example, as shown in FIG. 5, the start time of the next set unit time C is the update timing of the stain reference value. E in FIG. 5 indicates a stain reference value after the first maximum collection unit time D has elapsed.

However, when the minimum stain measurement value is higher than the current stain reference value, the current stain reference value is discarded and a new stain reference value is set. Even if foreign matter, dust, or the like intrudes into the fan 2, the signal increase is canceled in a short time, and the fan 2 can be prevented from being operated continuously for a long time. By the way, in consideration of dust adhering to the inside of the sensor etc. over time, there is also a method of setting a dirt reference value at the time of sensor signal processing and updating the dirt reference value at regular intervals. If dust or the like intrudes into the sensor between the time when the previous contamination reference value is updated and the time when the next contamination reference value is updated, the fan 2
There is a problem that the vehicle is continuously operated for a long time, and the present invention can solve such a problem.

Here, as an example of a case where the contamination reference value is increased, as shown in FIG.
May be updated at once at the start of the process. As a result, the timing of stopping the operation of the fan 2 can be further advanced, and waste of power can be further reduced.

As another example of raising the dirt reference value, as shown in FIG. 8B, the dirt reference value becomes a new minimum dirt measurement value during the course of one maximum collection unit time D. May be increased stepwise. By gradually increasing the dirt reference value in this way, the number of updates per unit time is increased, and finer operation control of the fan 2 can be realized. Although the method of updating stepwise is two steps in the example of FIG. 8, the number of steps may be further increased. Also, one maximum set unit time D
May be divided by the number of steps and the number may be increased at a fixed rate. For example, when updating in two stages, increase by 50%, and when updating in four stages, 25.
It is a method of increasing by%. Of course, the present invention is not limited to such a case of increasing at a fixed ratio, but may be increasing at a different ratio.

On the other hand, when lowering the contamination reference value,
As shown in FIG. 6, when sensor input data (dirt measurement value) that is lower than the current dirt reference value is input before one set unit time C has elapsed (for example, at the time indicated by d), at that timing, Update to lower the contamination reference value. This makes it possible to return the dirt reference value to a low state without waiting for the next update time when foreign matter, dust, and the like that have entered the inside of the sensor are removed, which is more effective in preventing long-term operation of the fan. .

[0019]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an air purifier in which a fan and an air purification filter are provided between a suction port and a discharge port.
When the dirt detection sensor and the dirt measurement value measured by the input signal from the dirt detection sensor are higher than the current dirt reference value, the fan is driven, and when it is lower, the fan is stopped or the fan rotation speed is reduced. The control by the control unit includes a division unit time for measuring one dirt measurement value, a collection unit time for which the division unit time is repeated a plurality of times, and a maximum for which the collection unit time is repeated for a plurality of times. Set the aggregation unit time, measure the dirt measurement value for each division unit time, store one minimum dirt measurement value among a plurality of dirt measurement values within the aggregation unit time, and Is set as the dirt reference value, and if the new minimum dirt measurement value obtained within the next maximum collection unit time is higher than the current dirt reference value, the new minimum dirt value Since the dirt reference value is updated to increase until the measured value is reached, when the minimum dirt measurement value exceeds the current dirt reference value, the current dirt reference value is discarded and a new dirt reference value is set, For example, even when foreign matter or dust enters the sensor due to children's mischief or accident, the increase in the signal is canceled in a short time, and the fan continues to operate for a long time even in automatic operation. Can be prevented.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effect of the first aspect, the control unit determines that the new minimum stain measurement value obtained within the next maximum collection unit time is greater than the current stain reference value. When the dirt reference value is updated when it is high, the dirt reference value is updated step by step until the new minimum dirt measurement value is reached, so finer control is possible by increasing the number of updates per unit time. Become.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effect of the first aspect, the control unit determines that the new minimum stain measurement value obtained within the next maximum collection unit time is greater than the current stain reference value. When the dirt reference value is updated when it is high, the dirt reference value is updated at a stretch until the new minimum dirt measurement value is reached, so that the timing of stopping the operation of the fan can be advanced and power saving can be achieved. .

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effect of the first aspect, the control unit is further configured so that the new minimum dirt measurement value obtained within the next maximum collection unit time is greater than the current dirt reference value. When it is low, the standard value for dirt is lowered.
When foreign matter or dust that has entered the inside of the sensor due to cleaning or the like is removed, the minimum dirt measurement value drops and the dirt reference value automatically drops to a low level, which is effective with measures to prevent long-term operation of the fan. Become.

[Brief description of the drawings]

1 shows an example of an embodiment of the present invention, (a) is a front view of an air purifier, (b) is a schematic side view of an internal structure,
(C) is an external perspective view.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are a perspective view of a dirt detection sensor and an explanatory view of a detection operation.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the same.

FIG. 4 is a time chart of sensor signal processing according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a reference value update time chart of the above.

FIG. 6 is a time chart when the dirt reference value is reduced.

FIG. 7 is a time chart when the dirt reference value is updated at a stretch.

FIG. 8 is a time chart when the dirt reference value is increased stepwise.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 fan 3 filter 4 suction port 5 discharge port 8 dirt detection sensor 10 control unit B division unit time C collection unit time D maximum collection unit time

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An air purifier in which a fan and an air purifying filter are installed between a suction port and a discharge port, a dirt detection sensor and a dirt measurement value measured by an input signal from the dirt detection sensor. A control unit for driving the fan when the current value is higher than the current dirt reference value, and for stopping the fan or reducing the rotation speed of the fan when the value is lower than the current dirt reference value. Set the unit time for measurement, the unit time for which the unit time is repeated multiple times, and the maximum unit time for which the unit time is repeated multiple times, and measure the dirt measurement value for each unit time. Storing a minimum dirt measurement value of one of the plurality of dirt measurement values within the set unit time, and setting a minimum value of the plurality of minimum dirt measurement values within the maximum set unit time as a dirt reference value When the new minimum dirt measurement value obtained within the next maximum collection unit time is higher than the current dirt reference value, updating is performed so as to increase the dirt reference value until the new minimum dirt measurement value is obtained. Air purifier. 2. The control unit according to claim 1, wherein when the new minimum dirt measurement value obtained within the next maximum collection unit time is higher than the current dirt reference value, the control unit updates the new minimum dirt measurement value. The air purifier according to claim 1, wherein the dirt reference value is updated so as to increase stepwise until the condition is satisfied. 3. The control unit according to claim 1, wherein the control unit updates the contamination reference value when the new minimum contamination measurement value obtained within the next maximum collection unit time is higher than the current contamination reference value. 2. The air purifier according to claim 1, wherein the dirt reference value is updated so as to increase at a stretch until the condition is satisfied. 4. The control unit according to claim 1, wherein the control unit decreases the contamination reference value when the new minimum contamination measurement value obtained within the next maximum collection unit time is lower than the current contamination reference value. 3. The air purifier according to any one of 3.