JP2002126055A - Air cleaner - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a compact and low cost air cleaner with user of an air cleaning effect of a photocatalytic function of titanium oxide. SOLUTION: When an electric plug 18 of an air cleaner 1 is inserted to a plug outlet for a home and a light source switch 15 and a fan switch 16 are turn on, 48 ultraviolet LEDs 12 of an ultraviolet LED light source 10 are emitted to radiate an ultraviolet ray to a filter in a filter flame 2 and a fan 9 rotates to send the air to the filter and circulates the air in a room. In the case the filter is irradiated with the ultraviolet ray, bad smelled gas, poisonous gas, and particles passes through the filter are absorbed and eliminated by the photocatalytic function of titanium oxide applied on nonwoven cloth sheet comprising the filter and the air is cleaned. Since the ultraviolet LED 12, a light source of the ultraviolet ray, is compact and low cost, the air cleaner 1 as a whole is able to be compact, lightweight, and low cost.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an air purifier to which an ultraviolet light emitting diode (hereinafter abbreviated as "ultraviolet LED") utilizing a titanium oxide photocatalysis is applied.

[0002] In this specification, an LED chip itself is called a "light emitting element" and has an LED chip mounted thereon. The entire light emitting device including the optical device such as a package resin or a lens system is referred to as a “light emitting diode” or “LED”.
Shall be called.

[0003]

2. Description of the Related Art Solid or liquid particles such as pollen and tobacco smoke floating in the air, odorous gas, harmful gas,
There are various types of air purifiers for removing microorganisms and the like floating in the air. For example, an electrostatic air purifier is an air purifier of a type that gives a charge to fine suspended dust in an air stream by accelerating ions generated at the time of corona discharge, and electrically captures the charged dust. . This method is an effective means for fine particles of submicron to several microns, and has the advantage that the pressure loss is small,
There are safety issues associated with the use of high voltages, and they have the disadvantage of being expensive. On the other hand, there is an air purifier that filters dust in the air with a filter paper made of pulp or a nonwoven fabric composed of synthetic fibers such as polyethylene fibers. However, this method also requires a narrow gap between the fibers in order to increase the efficiency of capturing fine particles. Further, since the gas cannot be removed by any of the methods, the odorous gas and the harmful gas are removed by adsorption with activated carbon.

[0004] In recent years, an air purifier that utilizes an air purifying effect of the photocatalytic action of titanium oxide (TiO ₂ ) has been developed. This air purifier utilizes a phenomenon in which when titanium oxide is irradiated with ultraviolet light, a malodorous gas, a toxic gas, and fine particles are adsorbed by a photocatalytic action.

[0005]

However, in such an air purifier, a black light (ultraviolet light emitter) is used as a light source for irradiating ultraviolet rays, and the black light is a large and expensive discharge tube. The purifier is also large, heavy and expensive.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to reduce the size, weight, and cost of an air purifier utilizing the air cleaning effect of the photocatalysis of titanium oxide.

[0007]

An air purifier according to the present invention comprises: a filter formed by processing a nonwoven fabric sheet coated with a titanium oxide (TiO ₂ ) photocatalyst; and a filter disposed behind the filter. And one or more ultraviolet light emitting diodes for irradiating ultraviolet light.

Here, as a method of processing the nonwoven fabric sheet into a filter, there is a method such as corrugating. Corrugating is a process in which a corrugated sheet is bonded or welded on a flat sheet, and a flat sheet is bonded or welded thereon, and a plurality of layers are laminated. Therefore, a substantially triangular through-hole is formed innumerably, and this becomes an air passage of the filter.

In the air purifier having such a configuration, when one or two or more ultraviolet light emitting diodes irradiate the filter with ultraviolet rays, the filter is activated by a photocatalytic action of titanium oxide applied to a nonwoven fabric sheet constituting the filter. Odor gas, toxic gas, and fine particles in the passing air are adsorbed and removed, thereby purifying the air.
Here, since the ultraviolet light emitting diode as the ultraviolet light source is small and inexpensive, the air purifier as a whole can be made small, lightweight and inexpensive. In this way,
An air purifier utilizing the air cleaning effect of the photocatalytic action of titanium oxide can be made small, lightweight and inexpensive.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the air purifier of the first aspect, the non-woven fabric sheet constituting the filter includes a fluorescent material containing at least one of an inorganic or organic material that emits light when irradiated with ultraviolet light. The body is applied.

In the air purifier having such a configuration, when one or more ultraviolet light emitting diodes irradiate the filter with ultraviolet light, the air is cleaned by the photocatalytic action of titanium oxide applied to the nonwoven fabric sheet constituting the filter. At the same time, the phosphor applied to the nonwoven fabric sheet also emits a unique fluorescent color when irradiated with ultraviolet light. As a result, the filter emits light in a unique fluorescent color, so that the air purifier can also serve as interior lighting. In particular, the interior can be designed to cool the phosphors in the summer by changing the emission color of the phosphors to a cool blue color in summer, and to warm the phosphors in the warm colors of red in summer according to the season. .

Thus, the air purifier utilizing the air purifying effect of the photocatalytic action of titanium oxide can be made compact, lightweight and inexpensive, and can also be used as an interior.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the air purifier according to the first or second aspect, a dust filter is provided in front of the filter, and the inorganic filter or the organic light that emits light when irradiated with ultraviolet rays. A phosphor containing a fluorescent material made of at least one of the materials is applied.

Thus, the dust that has not been removed by the filter can be removed by the dust filter, and the air cleaning effect is improved. In addition, when one or two or more ultraviolet light emitting diodes emit ultraviolet light to the filter,
The air is cleaned by the photocatalytic action of titanium oxide applied to the non-woven fabric sheet that composes the filter, and the ultraviolet light leaking from the filter is irradiated to the dust removal filter, and the phosphor applied to the dust removal filter has a unique fluorescent color. Emits light. As a result, the dust filter emits light in a unique fluorescent color, so that the air purifier can also serve as interior lighting. In particular, the interior can be designed to cool the phosphors in the summer by changing the emission color of the phosphors to a cool blue color in summer, and to warm the phosphors in the warm colors of red in summer according to the season. .

In this manner, the air purifier utilizing the air purifying effect of the photocatalytic action of titanium oxide can be made compact, lightweight and inexpensive, and can be used as an interior.

An air purifier according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the air purifier according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein a fan for blowing air toward the filter is installed behind the filter. is there. by this,
Air inside the room can be circulated through the filter, and the air cleaning effect of the filter can be further enhanced.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the air purifier according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the ultraviolet light emitting diode has an emission wavelength of 360 nm.
From 400 to 400 nm. Accordingly, the center emission wavelength of the ultraviolet light emitting diode is 380 nm.
The light emitted from the ultraviolet light emitting diode is near-ultraviolet light having a long wavelength, and has almost no harm to the human body, especially to the eyes and skin. Accordingly, an air purifier having no effect on health even when the ultraviolet light emitting diode is turned on for a long time is obtained.

[0018]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the entire configuration of the air purifier according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration of the air purifier according to the first embodiment of the present invention, from which a filter portion is removed. FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the entire configuration of the air purifier according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a partially enlarged view showing the configuration of the filter of the air purifier according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

First Embodiment First, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIG. 1, the air purifier 1 of the first embodiment includes a filter frame 2 and a filter frame 2 on substrates 5 and 6 erected on a base 14 also serving as a power supply controller.
Each component such as the ultraviolet LED light source 10 is assembled and assembled.

This assembly structure will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 shows a structure in which the filter frame 2 is removed from FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, a support column 13 is erected near the center of the base 14, and the support column 1
A bottom plate 6 is fixed to the upper end of 3. A circular back plate 5 is fixed to the bottom plate 6 by welding substantially vertically.
Two stops 8 are provided at each location. In these four places (two of which are not shown), the stoppers 8
Four filter support rods 7 made of wire are firmly fixed by the elastic force of the wire by bending the tip of the wire into a U-shape and inserting it into the stopper 8.

A through hole is formed in the upper part of the back plate 5, and a fan 9 is fitted into the through hole from the back side of the back plate 5 and fixed by screws. Further, an ultraviolet LED light source 10 is screwed and fixed on the bottom plate 6 so as to be in close contact with the back plate 5, and a total of 48 ultraviolet LEDs 12 in four rows and 12 rows are mounted on the ultraviolet LED light source 10. ing. These ultraviolet LEDs 12 have a lens incorporated in an ultraviolet light emitting element, and have good light condensing properties and irradiate ultraviolet rays to a relatively narrow angle range in front.

The emission wavelength of the ultraviolet LED 12 is 360 nm
To 400 nm, the peak of the light output intensity is 380 nm of the intermediate wavelength, and the pattern of the light output intensity is 3
It is symmetrical about 80 nm. Therefore, the UV LED is a near-ultraviolet ray having a long wavelength, and has almost no harm to the human body, especially to the eyes and skin.
The ultraviolet LED 12 of the present invention only needs to include at least near-ultraviolet light having a long wavelength, and does not ask whether or not visible light is emitted.

The fan 9 and the ultraviolet LED light source 1
A lead wire for supplying power to the power supply 0 passes through the support column 13 and reaches the base 14, and then passes through the light source switch 15 or the fan switch 16 to an AC / DC converter (not shown) in the base 14. It is connected to the. A power cord 17 is connected to the AC / DC converter, and a power plug 18 that is inserted into a household outlet is attached to the end of the power cord 17.

Now, as shown in FIG. 1, the filter frame 2 is moved by the four filter support rods 7 so that the
It is supported in front of the ED light source 10. Filter frame 2
A filter (not shown), which is obtained by corrugating a nonwoven sheet coated with a titanium oxide (TiO ₂ ) photocatalyst and then cutting the sheet to an appropriate thickness, is fixed therein. further,
In front of the filter, a dust filter 4 coated with a phosphor containing a fluorescent material that emits blue fluorescence by ultraviolet irradiation is disposed.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing the structure inside the filter frame 2. 1 and 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted. As shown in FIG. 3, a filter 3 is fixed inside a filter frame 2 supported by a filter support rod 7, and a dust filter 4 is disposed in front of the filter 3. And
Behind the filter 3, the fan 9 and the ultraviolet LED light source 1
0 is provided.

Here, the structure of the filter 3 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, the filter 3 adheres or welds a corrugated nonwoven sheet 3b also coated with a titanium oxide photocatalyst onto a flat nonwoven sheet 3a coated with a titanium oxide photocatalyst. Further, a flat sheet 3a is adhered or welded, and is formed by corrugating a plurality of layers. Therefore, through holes 3c of substantially triangular shape are formed innumerably,
This becomes the air passage of the filter 3. The flat nonwoven sheet 3a and the corrugated nonwoven sheet 3b include:
A phosphor containing a fluorescent material that emits blue fluorescence when irradiated with ultraviolet light is also applied.

The power plug 18 of the air purifier 1 having such a configuration is inserted into a household outlet, and the light source switch 1 is turned on.
5 and the fan switch 16 are turned on, the UV LE
Forty-eight ultraviolet LEDs 12 of the D light source 10 emit light to irradiate the filter 3 with ultraviolet light, and the fan 9 rotates to send air toward the filter 3 to circulate indoor air. When the filter 3 is irradiated with ultraviolet rays, the odorous gas, toxic gas and fine particles in the air passing through the filter 3 are adsorbed and removed by the photocatalytic action of titanium oxide applied to the nonwoven fabric sheets 3a and 3b constituting the filter 3. Then, the air is cleaned. The purified air is further cleaned of fine dust by the dust filter 4 to become cleaner air, and is discharged from the front of the air cleaner 1 into the room.

Here, an ultraviolet LED 1 as an ultraviolet light source
2 is small and inexpensive, so that the air purifier 1 as a whole can be small, lightweight and inexpensive.

At the same time, the phosphor applied to the nonwoven fabric sheets 3a and 3b constituting the filter 3 also receives the irradiation of the ultraviolet rays, so that the phosphor emits fluorescence and the filter 3 emits blue light. Further, since ultraviolet light leaked from the filter 3 is also applied to the dust filter 4 provided on the front surface of the filter 3, the phosphor applied to the dust filter 4 also emits fluorescence, and the dust filter 4 also emits blue light. Since the filter 3 and the dust removing filter 4 emit blue light in this manner, the front surface of the filter frame 2 emits blue light and also serves as interior lighting. Further, since the side surface and the upper and lower surfaces of the air purifier 1 are open, the filter 3 shines in blue and functions as illumination even when the air purifier 1 is viewed from the side or the rear.

The fluorescent color emitted by the phosphor can be changed to any color by selecting a fluorescent material contained in the phosphor applied to the filter 3 and the dust removing filter 4 as desired. In particular, according to the season, it is also possible to make the emission color of the phosphor blue-based cool in summer to give coolness, and to make the emission color of the phosphor warm red-based in winter, thereby producing warmth. In addition, the emission color of the phosphor can be changed to green regardless of the season to create a clean and fresh atmosphere.

Here, as a specific example of a red light-emitting phosphor that emits red light upon irradiation with near-ultraviolet light, a general formula: (L
_{a 1-xy Eu x Sm y} ) in ₂ O ₂ S (wherein, x and y,
0.01 ≦ x ≦ 0.15, 0.0001 ≦ y ≦ 0.0
3, a trivalent europium and samarium-activated lanthanum oxysulfide phosphor substantially represented by (3).

As a specific example of a green light-emitting phosphor that emits green light upon irradiation with near ultraviolet light, a general formula: a (M
1, Eu, Mn) O · bAl ₂ O ₃ (where M1 is M
g, at least one element selected from Ca, Sr, Ba, Zn, Li, Rb and Cs, wherein a and b are a
> 0, b> 0, a number satisfying 0.2 ≦ a / b ≦ 1.5), which is a divalent europium and manganese-activated aluminate phosphor.

Further, as a specific example of a blue light emitting phosphor that emits blue light upon irradiation with near ultraviolet light, a general formula: (M
2, Eu) ₁₀ (PO ₄ ) ₆ .Cl ₂ (where M2 is Mg,
A divalent europium-activated halophosphate phosphor substantially represented by the following general formula: a (M1, Eu) O.b, which represents at least one element selected from Ca, Sr and Ba).
Al ₂ O ₃ (where M1 is Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, Z
and at least one element selected from n, Li, Rb and Cs, wherein a and b are a> 0, b> 0, 0.2 ≦ a
/B≦1.5), which is a divalent europium-activated aluminate phosphor substantially represented by the following formula:

Since the side and upper and lower surfaces of the air purifier 1 are open, the ultraviolet rays emitted from the ultraviolet LED 12 also leak to the outside and enter the human eyes. Emission wavelength from 360 nm to 400
Since it is near-ultraviolet light having a long wavelength of up to nm, there is almost no harm to the human body, especially eyes and skin. Accordingly, the air purifier 1 is safe without any adverse effect on health even when the ultraviolet LED 12 is turned on for a long time after being used for a long time. Also, as described above, the ultraviolet LED 1
Since half of the amount of light emitted from 2 is visible light, when the ultraviolet LED light source 10 is viewed from the side, the ultraviolet LED 12 also appears to shine purple. What is necessary is just to cover the lower surface with a shielding plate.

Second Embodiment Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating an entire configuration of the air purifier according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted. As shown in FIG. 5, the air purifier 21 of the second embodiment also includes a filter frame 2 and an ultraviolet LED on substrates 5 and 6 erected on a base 14 also serving as a power supply controller.
Each component such as the light source 10 is assembled and assembled.

The difference between the air purifier 21 of the second embodiment and the first embodiment is the method of attaching the filter frame 2 to the filter support rod 7. Air purifier 1 of Embodiment 1
In the above, the filter frame 2 was supported by the four filter support rods 7, but in the air purifier 21 of the second embodiment, the upper two filter support rods 7
The filter frame 2 is supported by hanging. That is, hooks 23 are fixed to two places on the upper surface of the filter frame 2, and a metal chain 22 is hooked on each of the two hooks 23, and the upper end of the chain 22 is located on the upper two filter support rods 7. Is hooked on a hook 7a provided at the tip of the. In this way, the filter frame 2 is supported by the two chains 22 while being hung from the two upper filter support rods 7.

According to such a supporting method, there is an advantage that the height of the filter frame 2 can be freely changed by changing the position where the chain 22 is hung. Further, since the filter frame 2 can be easily removed, the filter 3 and the dust filter 4 can be easily replaced.

When the power plug 18 of the air purifier 21 having such a configuration is plugged into a household outlet and a light source switch and a fan switch (not shown) are turned on, 48 ultraviolet LEDs 12 of the ultraviolet LED light source 10 emit light to emit ultraviolet light. The light is applied to the filter 3 and the fan 9
Rotates to send air toward the filter 3 and circulate air in the room. When the filter 3 is irradiated with ultraviolet rays, the odorous gas, toxic gas and fine particles in the air passing through the filter 3 are adsorbed and removed by the photocatalytic action of titanium oxide applied to the nonwoven fabric sheets 3a and 3b constituting the filter 3. Then, the air is cleaned. The purified air is further cleaned of fine dust by the dust removing filter 4 to become cleaner air, and is discharged from the front of the air cleaner 21 into the room.

Here, the ultraviolet LED 1 as an ultraviolet light source
Since 2 is small and inexpensive, the air purifier 21 as a whole can be small, lightweight and inexpensive.

At the same time, since the phosphor applied to the nonwoven fabric sheets 3a and 3b constituting the filter 3 is also irradiated with ultraviolet rays, the phosphor emits fluorescence and the filter 3 emits blue light. Further, since ultraviolet light leaked from the filter 3 is also applied to the dust filter 4 provided on the front surface of the filter 3, the fluorescent substance applied to the dust filter 4 also emits fluorescence, and the dust filter 4 also emits blue light. Since the filter 3 and the dust removing filter 4 emit blue light in this manner, the front surface of the filter frame 2 emits blue light and also serves as interior lighting. Further, since the side surface and the upper and lower surfaces of the air purifier 1 are open, the filter 3 shines in blue and functions as illumination even when the air purifier 1 is viewed from the side or the rear.

Third Embodiment Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating the entire configuration of the air purifier according to the third embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 6, the air purifier 31 according to the third embodiment includes a filter 3, a dust filter 4, a fan 9, and an ultraviolet LED.
Components such as the light source 10 are made of a plastic housing 3
2.

A filter frame 33 is provided on the left side of the housing 32 in the figure (the front side of the air purifier 31), and the filter 3 is fixed in the filter frame 33.
The filter 3 is formed by corrugating a nonwoven fabric coated with a titanium oxide photocatalyst, as in the first and second embodiments. Further, a dust filter 4 is mounted on the front surface of the filter 3.

A fan 9 is mounted on the rear side of the housing 32 behind the filter 3 so as to penetrate the housing 32. Below the fan 9, an ultraviolet LED light source 10 is fixed to the inner wall of the housing 32. I have. As in the first and second embodiments, a total of 48 ultraviolet LEDs 12 in four stages and 12 rows are attached to the ultraviolet LED light source 10. UV LED 12
Has an emission wavelength of 360 nm to 400 nm.

The fan 9 and the ultraviolet LED light source 1
A lead wire (not shown) for supplying power to the power supply 0 reaches the power supply controller 34 along the inner wall of the housing 32, and passes through the light source switch 15 or the fan switch 16 to perform AC / D.
It is connected to a C converter (not shown). This AC / D
A power cord 17 is connected to the C converter, and a power plug 18 that is inserted into a household outlet is attached to the end of the power cord 17.

When the power plug 18 of the air purifier 31 having such a structure is inserted into a household outlet and the light source switch 15 and the fan switch 16 are turned on, the ultraviolet light L
Forty-eight ultraviolet LEDs 12 of the ED light source 10 emit light to irradiate the filter 3 with ultraviolet light, and the fan 9 rotates to take in room air from the back of the air purifier 31 and send it to the filter 3. When the filter 3 is irradiated with ultraviolet rays, the odorous gas, toxic gas and fine particles in the air passing through the filter 3 are adsorbed and removed by the photocatalytic action of titanium oxide applied to the nonwoven fabric sheets 3a and 3b constituting the filter 3. Then, the air is cleaned.
The purified air is further cleaned of fine dust by the dust removal filter 4 to become cleaner air, and is discharged from the front of the air cleaner 31 into the room.

Here, the ultraviolet LED 1 as an ultraviolet light source
Since 2 is small and inexpensive, the air purifier 31 as a whole can be small, lightweight and inexpensive.

At the same time, the fluorescent materials applied to the nonwoven fabric sheets 3a and 3b constituting the filter 3 also receive the irradiation of the ultraviolet rays, so that the fluorescent materials emit fluorescence and the filter 3 emits blue light. Further, since ultraviolet light leaked from the filter 3 is also applied to the dust filter 4 provided on the front surface of the filter 3, the phosphor applied to the dust filter 4 also emits fluorescence, and the dust filter 4 also emits blue light. Since the filter 3 and the dust filter 4 emit blue light in this manner, the front surface of the air purifier 31 shines blue and also serves as interior lighting.

Since the air purifier 31 of the third embodiment is entirely housed in the housing 32, it has a good appearance and is easy to carry.

In each of the above embodiments, the dust filter 4 is installed in front of the filter 3, but depending on the amount of dust in the room where the air purifiers 1, 21 and 31 are used, the dust filter 4 is not always required. You don't have to. The fineness of the dust filter 4 can also be changed variously depending on the state of dust in the room where the air cleaners 1, 21, 31 are used. Similarly, the fineness of the corrugation processing of the filter 3 can be variously changed depending on the size of the room, the state of the air, and the like.

In each of the above embodiments, the fan 9 is used, but depending on the state of the airflow in the room,
It does not have to be. Also, the shape and number of the fans 9 may be other than circular, and two or more fans 9 may be installed.

Further, in each of the above-described embodiments, the ultraviolet LED 12 having a lens incorporated in the ultraviolet light emitting element is used. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the ultraviolet light emitting element is simply sealed with a transparent epoxy resin. Alternatively, another type of LED such as a reflective LED using a reflecting mirror may be used. In addition, although 48 ultraviolet LEDs 12 in 4 rows and 12 rows are used, the arrangement and the number can be appropriately changed according to the shape and size of the filter 3.

In each of the above embodiments, an ultraviolet LED having an emission wavelength in the range of 360 nm to 400 nm is used. However, an ultraviolet LED capable of activating the titanium oxide photocatalyst and emitting a fluorescent material is used. if there is,
Any wavelength range may be used. The structure, shape, quantity, material, size, connection relationship, and the like of other parts of the air purifier are not limited to the above embodiments.

In particular, in the air purifier according to the embodiment of the present invention, the configuration shown in FIG. 1 shows a basic configuration. For example, not only the configuration in which the housing 32 is set as a dedicated housing but also , A television cabinet, a table, a desk, a clog box, a chair, a sofa, other furniture, a wall frame, etc., as a frame or a housing.

[0055]

As described above, the air purifier according to the first aspect of the present invention includes a filter formed by processing a nonwoven fabric sheet coated with a titanium oxide (TiO ₂ ) photocatalyst, and a filter disposed behind the filter. And one or more ultraviolet light emitting diodes for irradiating the filter with ultraviolet light.

In the air purifier having such a structure, when one or more ultraviolet light emitting diodes irradiate the filter with ultraviolet rays, the filter is activated by the photocatalytic action of titanium oxide applied to the nonwoven fabric sheet constituting the filter. Odor gas, toxic gas, and fine particles in the passing air are adsorbed and removed, thereby purifying the air.
Here, since the ultraviolet light emitting diode as the ultraviolet light source is small and inexpensive, the air purifier as a whole can be made small, lightweight and inexpensive. In this way,
An air purifier utilizing the air cleaning effect of the photocatalytic action of titanium oxide can be made small, lightweight and inexpensive.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the air purifier according to the first aspect, the non-woven fabric sheet constituting the filter includes a fluorescent material containing at least one of inorganic and organic materials which emits light when irradiated with ultraviolet light. The body is applied.

In the air purifier having such a configuration, in addition to the effects described in claim 1, when one or more ultraviolet light emitting diodes irradiate the filter with ultraviolet light, the filter is applied to the nonwoven fabric sheet constituting the filter. The air is purified by the photocatalytic action of the titanium oxide, and the phosphor applied to the non-woven fabric sheet also emits a unique fluorescent color when irradiated with ultraviolet rays. As a result, the filter emits light in a unique fluorescent color, so that the air purifier can also serve as interior lighting. In particular, the interior can be designed to cool the phosphors in the summer by changing the emission color of the phosphors to a cool blue color in summer, and to warm the phosphors in the warm colors of red in summer according to the season. .

In this way, the air purifier utilizing the air purifying effect of the photocatalytic action of titanium oxide can be made compact, lightweight and inexpensive, and can be used as an interior.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the air purifier according to the first or second aspect, a dust filter is installed in front of the filter, and the inorganic filter or the organic light that emits light by irradiating the dust filter with ultraviolet rays. A phosphor containing a fluorescent material made of at least one of the materials is applied.

Thus, in addition to the effects described in claim 1 or 2, dust not removed by the filter can be removed by the dust filter, and the air cleaning effect is improved. In addition, when one or two or more ultraviolet light emitting diodes irradiate the filter with ultraviolet light, the air is purified by the photocatalytic action of titanium oxide applied to the nonwoven fabric sheet constituting the filter, and the ultraviolet light leaking from the filter is removed. When the dust filter is irradiated, the phosphor applied to the dust filter emits a unique fluorescent color. As a result, the dust filter emits light in a unique fluorescent color, so that the air purifier can also serve as interior lighting. In particular, the interior can be designed to cool the phosphors in the summer by changing the emission color of the phosphors to a cool blue color in summer, and to warm the phosphors in the warm colors of red in summer according to the season. .

Thus, the air purifier utilizing the air purifying effect of the photocatalytic action of titanium oxide can be made small, lightweight and inexpensive, and can be used as an interior.

An air purifier according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the air purifier according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein a fan for blowing air toward the filter is provided behind the filter. is there. by this,
In addition to the effects described in any one of the first to third aspects, room air can be circulated through the filter, and the air cleaning effect of the filter can be further enhanced.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the air purifier according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the ultraviolet light emitting diode has an emission wavelength of 360 nm.
From 400 to 400 nm. Therefore, in addition to the effect described in any one of claims 1 to 4, the center emission wavelength of the ultraviolet light emitting diode is 38.
The wavelength is 0 nm, and the light emitted from the ultraviolet light emitting diode is near ultraviolet light having a long wavelength, and there is almost no harm to the human body, especially eyes and skin. Accordingly, an air purifier having no effect on health even when the ultraviolet light emitting diode is turned on for a long time is obtained.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an entire configuration of an air purifier according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a configuration of the air purifier according to the first embodiment of the present invention, from which a filter portion is removed.

FIG. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view illustrating an entire configuration of the air purifier according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a partially enlarged view showing a configuration of a filter of the air purifier according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing an overall configuration of an air purifier according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating an entire configuration of an air purifier according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1,21,31 Air purifier 3 Filter 3a, 3b Non-woven sheet 4 Dust filter 9 Fan 12 Ultraviolet light emitting diode

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI theme coat ゛ (Reference) F21V 33/00 F21Y 101: 02 F21Y 101: 02 F21S 1/02 G

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A filter formed by processing a nonwoven fabric sheet coated with a titanium oxide (TiO ₂ ) photocatalyst, and one or more ultraviolet light emitting diodes disposed behind the filter and irradiating the filter with ultraviolet light. An air purifier characterized in that: 2. The air purifier according to claim 1, wherein a phosphor containing a fluorescent material made of at least one of an inorganic or organic material that emits light when irradiated with ultraviolet light is applied to the nonwoven fabric sheet constituting the filter. vessel. 3. A dust filter is provided in front of the filter, and a phosphor containing a fluorescent material made of at least one of an inorganic or organic material that emits light when irradiated with ultraviolet light is applied to the dust filter. The air purifier according to claim 1 or 2. 4. The air purifier according to claim 1, further comprising a fan that blows air toward the filter behind the filter. 5. The air purifier according to claim 1, wherein the ultraviolet light emitting diode has an emission wavelength in a range from 360 nm to 400 nm.