JP2002126056A - Air cleaner - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve a deodorizing effect with a ultraviolet irradiating means as far a possible in an air cleaner having a ultraviolet irradiating means that irradiates an ultraviolet ray in a determined range. SOLUTION: An irradiating range C of an ultraviolet irradiating lamp 7 is fitted to a main flow part B of the air in a filter having a photocatalyst 6 and the ultraviolet ray is allowed to irradiate over the whole area of the flow part B. In addition, a light axis D that is around the center of the irradiating range C is fitted to a maximum flow part or the air E in the filter having the photocatalyst 6. Since the ultraviolet ray is surely irradiated to the flow part B of the air in the filter having the photocatalyst 6, an odorous material gathered to the flow part B is effectively decomposed. As a result, the deodorizing effect of the filter having the photocatalyst 6 is improved as far as possible to achieve a lengthened life of the filter having the photocatalyst 6.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an air purifier having an ultraviolet irradiation means for irradiating a photocatalyst-equipped filter with ultraviolet light.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As the prior art of the above-mentioned air purifier, for example, a fan as a blowing means for generating an air flow, a filter with a photocatalyst for purifying the air, and a filter in the case as an air passage. There is known a filter provided with an ultraviolet lamp as an ultraviolet irradiation means for irradiating a photocatalyst-equipped filter with ultraviolet light.

[0003]

The inventor of the present invention is studying a prototype of an air purifier using a xenon tube as an ultraviolet lamp. The xenon tube is applied with a higher voltage than a normal fluorescent tube. Therefore, it is necessary to increase the electrode area as much as possible. As a countermeasure against this, it is conceivable to provide the electrode in the longitudinal direction of the xenon tube. In such a case, it is difficult to irradiate the entire surface of the photocatalyst-equipped filter because the irradiation area of the ultraviolet light cannot be so large, and the irradiation range of the ultraviolet light is limited.

[0004] Here, the present inventor has made various studies in the above-mentioned prior art, using an ultraviolet lamp which irradiates ultraviolet rays in the above-mentioned predetermined irradiation range as the above-mentioned prior art, and the following problems occur. I understood that.

[0005] Since the air flowing in the case has viscosity, it is difficult for the air to flow on the side with the inner wall surface of the case. In other words, the air flow rate is large near the center of the case (the flow velocity is high,
Alternatively, there is a region where the pressure is high, ie, the main stream of air. Therefore, in the mainstream portion of air in the photocatalyst-equipped filter, odor components are likely to accumulate. At this time, if the irradiation range of the ultraviolet light deviates from the mainstream portion of air in the photocatalyst-equipped filter, the odor component adsorbed on the photocatalyst-equipped filter is reduced There has been a problem that the deodorizing efficiency or the deodorizing efficiency of the odor components contained in the air passing through the filter with a photocatalyst (hereinafter referred to as the deodorizing efficiency in the filter with a photocatalyst) is reduced.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to improve the deodorizing efficiency of a photocatalyst-equipped filter in an air purifier provided with ultraviolet irradiation means for irradiating ultraviolet rays in a predetermined irradiation range.

[0007]

The present invention uses the following technical means to achieve the above object.

That is, according to the first aspect of the present invention, a case (2) forming an air passage from the air inlet (3) to the air outlet (8), and a blower for generating an air flow in the case (2). Means (4), a filter (6) provided in the case (2), which carries a photocatalyst that is excited when irradiated with ultraviolet light, and cleans the air, and a filter (6) with a photocatalyst. An air purifier provided with an ultraviolet irradiation means (7) for irradiating ultraviolet rays in an irradiation range (C), wherein the irradiation range (C) of the ultraviolet irradiation means (7) is changed to the air in a photocatalyst-equipped filter (6). (B).

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the case (2) forming an air passage from the air inlet (3) to the air outlet (8), and a blower for generating an air flow in the case (2). Means (4), a filter (6) provided in the case (2), which carries a photocatalyst that is excited when irradiated with ultraviolet light, and cleans the air, and a filter (6) with a photocatalyst. An air purifier provided with an ultraviolet irradiation means (7) for irradiating ultraviolet rays in an irradiation range (C), wherein an optical axis (D) of the ultraviolet irradiation means (7) which forms a substantially center of the irradiation range (C) is set. The filter (6) with a photocatalyst is characterized in that it is matched with the mainstream portion (B) of the air.

According to the first and second aspects of the present invention, the main flow portion (B) of the air in the photocatalyst-equipped filter (6).
Can be reliably irradiated with ultraviolet rays, so that the odor component accumulated in the mainstream portion (B) can be efficiently decomposed. As a result, the deodorizing efficiency of the photocatalyst-equipped filter (6) can be improved as much as possible, and the life of the photocatalyst-equipped filter (6) can be extended.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the first aspect.
In 2 or 2, the optical axis (D) of the ultraviolet irradiation means (7), which forms the approximate center of the irradiation range (C), is adjusted to the part (E) of the mainstream part (B) where the air flow rate is the largest. It is characterized by.

[0012] This makes it possible to reliably irradiate the portion (E) where the odorous component is accumulated most with ultraviolet rays, so that the deodorizing efficiency of the photocatalyst-equipped filter (6) can be more effectively improved.

[0013]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment in which the present invention is applied to an automotive air cleaner will be described below with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the air purification unit 1, and FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a positional relationship between a mainstream portion B of air in a filter 6 with a photocatalyst and an irradiation range C of an ultraviolet irradiation lamp 7.

First, the configuration of the air purification unit 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

As shown in FIG. 1, the air purification unit 1 includes a case 2 forming an air passage for guiding air into a vehicle interior.
An air suction port 3 for introducing air from the vehicle interior into the case 2 is formed at an upstream end of the case 2, and downstream of the air suction port 3 as air blowing means for generating an air flow. Fan 4, a gas sensor 5 for detecting the concentration of contaminant particles such as tobacco smoke, a filter 6 with a photocatalyst for purifying air, and an ultraviolet lamp 7 as an ultraviolet irradiation means for irradiating the filter 6 with the photocatalyst with ultraviolet rays. ing. At the downstream end of the case 2, an air outlet 8 for blowing the air cleaned by the photocatalyst-equipped filter 6 toward the vehicle interior is formed.

The air purifying unit 1 is connected to the vehicle rear tray R in a state where the suction duct 3a is connected to the upstream side of the air inlet 3 and the blow-out duct 8a is connected to the downstream side of the air outlet 8. It can be assembled.

An opening 10 having substantially the same size as the outer periphery of a grill 9 described later is opened in the vehicle rear tray R,
The upstream end opening of the suction duct 3a and the downstream end opening of the outlet duct 8a are connected to the opening 10. As a result, the air suction port 3 sucks the vehicle interior air into the case 2 through the opening 10 and the suction duct 3a, and the clean air blown out from the air outlet 8 is blown out by the blowout duct 8a.
The air is blown into the vehicle interior through the opening 10.

The fan 4 is driven by a fan motor 4a as its driving means. By changing the voltage applied to the fan motor 4a, the fan 4
Can be switched between two stages (low-speed operation and high-speed operation described later).

The filter 6 with a photocatalyst is composed of a filter material whose air passing surface is bent at a plurality of places, and a filter body having activated carbon coated on a surface of the filter material facing the ultraviolet lamp 7.
In the present embodiment, it is configured to be detachably supported on the inner periphery of a resin frame, and in the present embodiment, the direction in which the air pumped from the fan 4 toward the photocatalyst-equipped filter 6 flows (the direction of arrow A in FIG. 1). ) Is provided at an angle of about 20 °.

Here, the filter medium is formed of a well-known electret paper, and captures (removes) dust contained in air passing through the filter 6 with a photocatalyst.

The activated carbon carries a photocatalyst which is excited when irradiated with ultraviolet rays, and adsorbs odor components contained in air passing through the filter 6 with a photocatalyst. The photocatalyst in the present embodiment is made of a metal oxide (titanium dioxide in the present embodiment), and is excited when irradiated with ultraviolet rays to oxidatively decompose the odor component adsorbed on the activated carbon.

The photocatalyst-equipped filter 6 is provided such that the ridge line of the ridge in the filter medium is in the direction of the arrow A. Thus, the air fed from the fan 4 flows through the photocatalyst-equipped filter 6 as smoothly as possible.

The ultraviolet lamp 7 has a cylindrical glass tube extending in a direction substantially orthogonal to the ridge of the photocatalyst-equipped filter 6, and has a case inner wall surface between the photocatalyst-equipped filter 6 and the air outlet 8. Via a high voltage generator 11. The ultraviolet lamp 7 is arranged in the longitudinal direction (FIG. 1).
Of the filter 6 with the photocatalyst is provided so as to be substantially orthogonal to each other. Thereby, the filter 6 with photocatalyst folded in a mountain can be efficiently irradiated with ultraviolet rays.

In the ultraviolet lamp 7, a rare gas (xenon in this embodiment) is sealed in the glass tube. Further, an anode (not shown) and a cathode (not shown) are provided on the curved surface of the glass tube in the longitudinal direction of the glass tube, respectively, and a supply voltage from a battery (not shown) (this embodiment) is provided. 12V) is a predetermined high voltage (2 in this embodiment) in the high voltage generation unit 11.
After being boosted to 000 V), a voltage is applied between the electrodes. Further, a phosphor is coated on the inner surface of the glass tube.

Therefore, when the high voltage is applied between the electrodes as described above, a discharge occurs between the electrodes, and the xenon is excited and collides with the phosphor, so that the curved portion of the glass tube is curved. Ultraviolet rays are irradiated in a predetermined irradiation range C (refer to FIG. 2) from a portion where no electrode is provided between the anode and the cathode (hereinafter, referred to as an irradiation surface). The predetermined irradiation range C will be described later.

The ultraviolet lamp 7 is surrounded by a metal member 12 formed in a lattice. This metal member 12
Are designed to absorb noise generated when a discharge occurs between the electrodes of the ultraviolet lamp 7. This prevents the noise from adversely affecting other electric devices.

Since the filter 6 with a photocatalyst is provided on the upstream side of the ultraviolet lamp 7, the filter 6 with a photocatalyst is provided.
The air that has been dust-free always passes through the ultraviolet lamp 7, so that the ultraviolet lamp 7 is not contaminated.

The opening 10 is provided with a resin grille 9 as a design part. The grill 9 is provided with a plurality of partitions in the left-right direction of the vehicle, thereby preventing passengers in the vehicle compartment from putting their hands into the case 2 through the air inlet 3 and the air outlet 8. Money is prevented from falling into the case 2 from the gap.

Further, in the present embodiment, the ultraviolet light emitted from the ultraviolet lamp 7 is blocked by the above-mentioned partition so that the ultraviolet light does not leak into the vehicle interior. The grill 9
Is painted black so that ultraviolet rays are easily absorbed and diffused in the partition.

Since the air flowing through the case 2 has viscosity, it is difficult for the air to flow around the inner wall of the case 2. In other words, a region where the flow rate of air is high (high flow velocity or high pressure) is near the center of the case 2.
That is, a main stream of air is formed. Therefore, in the mainstream portion B of air in the photocatalyst-equipped filter 6 (see FIG. 2), odor components tend to accumulate.

However, since the irradiation range C of the ultraviolet lamp 7 of the present embodiment is regulated by the electrodes, the main flow of air in the photocatalyst-equipped filter 6 is required to improve the deodorization efficiency of the photocatalyst-equipped filter 6 as much as possible. It is necessary to efficiently irradiate the part B with ultraviolet rays.

For this reason, in the present embodiment, the positional relationship between the mainstream portion B of the air in the filter 6 with photocatalyst and the irradiation range C of the ultraviolet lamp 7 is set as shown in FIG. The positional relationship will be described.

As shown in FIG. 2, the irradiation range C of the ultraviolet lamp 7 is determined by the main air flow B in the photocatalyst-equipped filter 6.
The mainstream B is irradiated with ultraviolet rays over the entire area. At this time, the optical axis D substantially at the center of the irradiation range C is the portion E where the air flow rate is the largest in the main flow portion B of the air in the filter 6 with photocatalyst.
(Hereinafter, referred to as a maximum flow rate section E). The optical axis D of the ultraviolet lamp 7 is inclined by about 20 ° with respect to the filter 6 with a photocatalyst. Further, the main flow portion B and the maximum flow rate portion E may be determined by well-known CFD flow analysis or the like.

Next, the operation of the air purification unit 1 will be described.

When an occupant turns on an ignition switch (not shown) and the battery power is supplied to the high voltage generator 11, ultraviolet rays are emitted from the ultraviolet lamp 7 in a predetermined irradiation range C.

Further, when the occupant selects one of low-speed operation, high-speed operation, and automatic operation of the operation state of the fan 4 by instruction means (not shown), the air in the vehicle interior is changed to the opening 10 and the suction duct. Air inlet 3 through 3a
From the case 2. In the automatic operation, when the concentration of the contaminated particles detected by the gas sensor 5 is equal to or lower than a predetermined value, the fan 4 is operated at a low speed, and when the concentration is equal to or higher than the predetermined value, the fan 4 is operated at a high speed.

The vehicle interior air introduced into the case 2 as described above passes through the photocatalyst-equipped filter 6 to be dedusted and deodorized, and then from the air outlet 8 through the outlet duct 8a and the opening 10 to the vehicle. It is blown out to the room.

In the present embodiment described above, the irradiation range C of the ultraviolet lamp 7 is adjusted to the mainstream B of air in the photocatalyst-equipped filter 6 so that the entire mainstream B is irradiated with ultraviolet rays. It has become. Further, the optical axis D substantially at the center of the irradiation range C is aligned with the maximum flow rate portion E of air in the filter 6 with a photocatalyst.

Thus, the mainstream portion B of air in the photocatalyst-equipped filter 6 can be reliably irradiated with ultraviolet rays, so that odor components accumulated in the mainstream portion B can be efficiently decomposed. As a result, the deodorizing efficiency of the photocatalyst-equipped filter 6 can be improved as much as possible, and the life of the photocatalyst-equipped filter 6 can be extended.

(Other Embodiments) In the above embodiment, the optical axis D of the ultraviolet lamp 7 is aligned with the maximum flow rate portion E of air in the filter 6 with photocatalyst. The optical axis D of the ultraviolet lamp 7 is
What is necessary is just to match with the main flow part B of the air in the filter 6 with a photocatalyst.

Further, it is not always necessary that the irradiation range C of the ultraviolet lamp 7 completely coincides with the main flow portion B of the air in the filter 6 with the photocatalyst. Even if it is larger than the part B, it is sufficient that the optical axis D of the ultraviolet lamp 7 is aligned with the mainstream part B of the air in the filter 6 with the photocatalyst.

In each of the above embodiments, the ultraviolet lamp 7 is a lamp in which xenon is sealed in a tube (xenon tube).
Although it is not necessary to use a xenon tube, for example, a tube in which mercury is sealed may be used. In short, it is only necessary to irradiate ultraviolet rays in a predetermined irradiation range.

In each of the above embodiments, air is sucked and blown out from one opening 10.
An opening for sucking air and an opening for blowing air may be provided.

In each of the above-described embodiments, the case where the present invention is applied to the automotive air purifier provided on the rear package tray R has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the present invention is applied to the automotive air purifier provided in the side trim. The present invention may be applied to an air purifier, a household air purifier, an air purifier integrated into an air conditioner, and the like.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of an air cleaning unit 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows a mainstream portion B of air passing through a filter 6 with a photocatalyst.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a positional relationship between the ultraviolet irradiation lamp 7 and an ultraviolet irradiation range C of the ultraviolet irradiation lamp 7.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 ... case, 3 ... air suction port, 4 ... fan (blowing means), 6 ... filter with photocatalyst, 7 ... ultraviolet lamp (ultraviolet irradiation means), 8 ... air outlet.

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. An air outlet (8) from an air inlet (3).
A case (2) forming an air passage to the case, and blowing means (4) for generating an air flow in the case (2).
A filter (6) provided in the case (2), which carries a photocatalyst that is excited when irradiated with ultraviolet rays, and cleans the air; and a predetermined irradiation range for the filter (6) with a photocatalyst. An air purifier provided with an ultraviolet irradiation means (7) for irradiating ultraviolet light in (C), wherein the irradiation range (C) of the ultraviolet irradiation means (7) is changed to the air in the photocatalyst-equipped filter (6). An air purifier characterized by being adapted to the mainstream part (B) of the above. 2. An air outlet (8) from an air inlet (3).
A case (2) forming an air passage to the case, and blowing means (4) for generating an air flow in the case (2).
A filter (6) provided in the case (2), which carries a photocatalyst that is excited when irradiated with ultraviolet rays, and cleans the air; and a predetermined irradiation range for the filter (6) with a photocatalyst. An air purifier provided with an ultraviolet irradiation means (7) for irradiating ultraviolet light in (C), wherein an optical axis (D) of the ultraviolet irradiation means (7), which forms a substantially center of the irradiation range (C), is An air purifier, wherein the air purifier is adapted to a mainstream portion (B) of the air in the photocatalyst-equipped filter (6). 3. The optical axis (D) of the ultraviolet irradiation means (7), which is substantially at the center of the irradiation range (C), is adjusted to the part (E) of the mainstream part (B) where the air flow rate is the largest. The air purifier according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: