JP2002360677A - Deodorizer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a deodorizer capable of exhibiting the deodorizing function even in a reactivating period of a photocatalyst. SOLUTION: This deodorizer has a fan 8a for sucking an odor, and at least two passages 9b and 9c connected to the downstream side of the fan 8a, and has ultraviolet lamps 9d and 9e for forming respective inner walls of the passages 9b and 9c out of titanium oxide, and irradiating an ultraviolet ray inside, and has a directional control valve 9f for selectively opening these passages 9b and 9c between the fan 8a and the passages 9b and 9c.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a deodorizing apparatus which can be suitably used, for example, in a garbage processing apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Heretofore, a photocatalyst has been used as a deodorizing device for various uses in which a semiconductor such as titanium oxide is irradiated with ultraviolet rays, and the semiconductor excited by the ultraviolet irradiation oxidizes and decomposes organic matter. Such a deodorizing device has a relatively simple configuration, and is used from small devices to large devices.

In a deodorizer using titanium oxide as a photocatalyst, high-boiling substances and dust generated during cooking or the like adhere to the surface of a semiconductor, which is a catalyst that causes a photocatalytic reaction. And the photocatalytic reaction is reduced to cause reaction deterioration. In order to eliminate such reaction deterioration, for example, Japanese Patent Publication No. 6-4
As described in Japanese Patent No. 4976, the photocatalyst is regenerated by removing contaminants by irradiating ultraviolet rays while applying purified air to the photocatalyst.

As described above, in the deodorizing apparatus using the photocatalyst, since the regeneration can be performed by irradiating the ultraviolet rays every time the reaction is deteriorated, a good deodorizing function can be maintained by frequently performing the regeneration operation.

[0005]

However, in the case where one deodorizing device using a photocatalyst is provided in one deodorizing system, the deodorizing function cannot be performed during the regeneration process of the photocatalyst. For this reason, if it is incorporated in a garbage disposer or the like that constantly generates an unpleasant odor, the unpleasant odor will be released without being deodorized, and an unpleasant odor will be generated.

As described above, the conventional deodorizing apparatus using a photocatalyst has a problem that it cannot be used during the regeneration of the photocatalyst.

[0007] It is an object of the present invention to provide a deodorizing apparatus that can exhibit a deodorizing function even during the regeneration of a photocatalyst.

[0008]

According to the present invention, there is provided a deodorizing apparatus comprising: a fan for sucking odor; and at least two flow paths connected downstream of the fan, and oxidizing each inner wall of the flow path. An ultraviolet lamp which is formed of titanium and irradiates ultraviolet rays therein is provided, and a switching valve for selectively opening the flow path is provided between the fan and the flow path.

In such a configuration, the operation of the switching valve may be controlled in accordance with the odor adsorption saturation time of the titanium oxide in the flow passage.

[0010]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In the present invention, at least two flow paths arranged downstream of a fan are provided and a switching valve for selectively opening these flow paths is provided. Only the path can be an exhaust path for air containing odor. And, since the channel has an inner peripheral wall formed of titanium oxide as a photocatalyst and has an ultraviolet lamp,
The odor can be adsorbed on the titanium oxide, and at the same time, the odor can be decomposed by the ultraviolet lamp.

When two flow paths are provided, the switching valve is operated so as to open one flow path and the other flow path is closed, so that one flow path adsorbs odor and deodorizes. Can be. In the other flow path, the titanium oxide can be activated and reproduced by turning on an ultraviolet lamp. Therefore, by opening and closing the one and the other flow paths, both the deodorization and the activation and regeneration of the titanium oxide can be performed at the same time, and the deodorization operation can be continued while switching to the one and the other flow path. it can. Therefore, in contrast to the conventional method in which it is necessary to temporarily stop the deodorization for regeneration, the deodorization can be performed continuously, so that the emission of the unpleasant odor can be reliably prevented.

Further, if the operation of the switching valve is controlled in accordance with the odor adsorption saturation time of titanium oxide in the flow path,
By closing the switching valve with respect to the flow path in which titanium oxide is saturated with odor adsorption, the titanium oxide in the flow path in which the effect of odor adsorption is reduced can be regenerated.

[0013]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the embodiment, the garbage processing apparatus is provided with a deodorizing device.

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a garbage disposal apparatus, and FIG.
FIG. 3 is a right side sectional view showing a main part of an internal structure of the garbage disposal apparatus.

In the figure, the garbage disposal apparatus forms an outer shell by a casing 1 and a lid 1a. A garbage processing unit 2 for fermenting and ripening garbage is formed inside the casing 1, and the garbage processing unit 2 collects the processed garbage after fermentation and ripening by the garbage processing unit 2. The tray 3 which can be taken in and out outside is arranged.

The garbage processing section 2 has a lower end portion formed in an arc shape, and enables the processed garbage to be collected in the tray 3 through an overflow hole (not shown) formed in the upper end portion. . In addition, a stirring blade 4 for fermentation / aging treatment while stirring the garbage is disposed inside the garbage processing section 2. The stirring blade 4 is fixed to a shaft 4a, and is rotated by a belt 5b wound between a driving pulley 5a attached to an output shaft of a motor 5 and a driven pulley 4b attached to the shaft 4a as shown in FIG. Driven. A moisture sensor 6a and a temperature sensor 6b for detecting the state of the garbage are disposed inside the garbage processing b.

An operation panel 7 is disposed at the upper end of the casing 1, and a control device 7a is provided below the operation panel 7 as shown in FIG.

In the garbage processing apparatus having such a schematic configuration, the lid 1a is opened, garbage is put into the garbage processing section 2, and the lid 1a is closed. Then, when the operation is started by the operation panel 7, the stirring blade 4 stirs the garbage while fermenting /
The garbage which can be aged and solidified after the treatment is collected in the tray 3.

Since odors such as rotten odors are generated during the processing of garbage, a deodorizing device 8 for deodorizing the odors and releasing the odors from the casing 1 to the outside is disposed in the casing 1. As shown in FIG.
And a fan 8a arranged at the upper end and communicating with the garbage processing unit 2 to suck air, a deodorizing unit 9 arranged below the fan 8a, And a duct 8b extending to the lower end of the casing 1 in communication with the section 9 and open to the outside air.

FIG. 3 is a partially cutaway view showing a main part of the deodorizing device 8, and FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing an operation system.

In FIG. 3, a deodorizing section 9 is disposed downstream of a fan 8a which communicates with the garbage processing section 2 and sucks air.
Is provided with a cylindrical housing 9a and communicates with the duct 8b. The inside of the housing 9a is divided into two flow paths 9b and 9c by a partition wall 9a-1, and each of the flow paths 9b and 9c is separated.
The inner walls of b and 9c are formed by a photocatalyst using titanium oxide. Ultraviolet lamps 9d and 9e are accommodated in the channels 9b and 9c, respectively. Then, the flow path 9b,
At the upper end of 9c, there is provided a switching valve 9f that closes one and closes the other. The switching valve 9f is driven to rotate by a motor 10 as shown in the schematic diagram of FIG.
The operation of the motor 10 and the fan 8a and the operation of the ultraviolet lamp 9
The blinking of d and 9e is all controlled by the controller 11. The ultraviolet lamps 9d and 9e are electrodes 12a and
12b, supported by lead wires 12c, 1
It is connected to the controller 11 by 2d. The switching valve 9f has its base end directly connected to the output shaft 10a of the motor 10. The upper end side of the housing 9a is formed in a dome shape, and the flow paths 9b and 9c have a semicircular cross-sectional shape. With such a cross-sectional shape, light from the ultraviolet lamps 9d and 9e can be sufficiently irradiated.

In the above configuration, the garbage is opened into the garbage processing section 2 after the lid 1a is opened, and is subjected to fermentation and aging. During the period of this processing, the stirring blade 4 is driven by the motor 5.
Are driven to rotate to agitate the garbage to promote its fermentation and aging process. Then, the raw garbage that has been processed into solids is collected in the tray 3.

The odor generated in the processing of such garbage is deodorized by the deodorizer 8. That is, the air in the casing 1 is sucked into the deodorizing device 8 by suction by the fan 8a, and is discharged to the duct 8b through the flow path 9b on the side where the switching valve 9e is open in FIG. Since the inner peripheral wall of the flow path 9b is formed of titanium oxide, it functions as a photocatalyst, adsorbs and removes the passing odor, and releases the odor-eliminated air from the duct 8b to the outside. . Note that high-boiling substances and dust can also be decomposed by ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet lamp 9d.

Here, during the period of deodorization using the flow path 9b, the odor is adsorbed on the titanium oxide formed on the inner periphery of the flow path 9b, and the deodorizing action gradually decreases. That is, when the adsorption of the odor reaches the saturated state on the flow path 9b side, the switching valve 9e is rotated clockwise in FIG. 3 to close the flow path 9b side and open the other flow path 9c side.
The titanium oxide formed on the inner wall of the channel 9c is activated and regenerated on the side of the channel 9c by irradiation of ultraviolet rays from an ultraviolet lamp 9e in advance. By such an operation, the air containing the odor supplied from the fan 8a is deodorized by the ultraviolet irradiation of the ultraviolet lamp 9e and the odor adsorption by the titanium oxide in the flow path 9c having the normal deodorizing function,
It is discharged from the duct 8b to the outside. On the other hand, on the channel 9b side, the titanium oxide on the inner wall of the channel 9b is activated and regenerated by the irradiation of the ultraviolet lamp 9d with the ultraviolet rays. Then, when the odor-absorbing ability of the titanium oxide on the side of the operating channel 9c becomes saturated, the switching valve 9e rotates to the posture of FIG. 3 to open the side of the channel 9b, and the regenerated titanium oxide is opened. Deodorization is performed.

As described above, during the period when the flow path 9b is used for deodorization, titanium oxide on the inner wall of the flow path 9c can be regenerated by irradiating the ultraviolet light from the ultraviolet lamp 9e on the flow path 9c side, and the flow path 9c is used for deodorization. During this period, the titanium oxide in the flow passage 9b can be regenerated. Therefore, the flow path 9
By using both b and 9c, the deodorizing action of the off-flavor is continuously continued, and the deodorizing function is not stopped for regeneration as in the conventional case. Therefore,
Deodorization can be performed continuously from the time when the garbage is put into the casing 1 until the period of the collection processing, and the emission of an odor can be prevented.

Whether one of the flow passages 9b and 9c is used for deodorization is determined by, for example, incorporating an odor sensor (not shown) in these flow passages 9b and 9c so that the odor is saturated. If the rotation direction of the switching valve 9f is controlled by inputting to the controller 11, automatic switching is possible. In addition, a timer circuit is incorporated in the controller 11 in place of such an odor sensor, and the flow path 9b,
9c can be switched. The set time at this time corresponds to the saturation time of the adsorption of the odor of titanium oxide on the inner walls of the flow paths 9b and 9c, and when the saturation time is reached, the flow path 9b having the titanium oxide inner wall that has been regenerated in advance. , 9
c.

In the above embodiment, an example is shown in which a deodorizing device is incorporated in the garbage disposal apparatus. However, a deodorizing apparatus may be attached to other equipment for deodorizing. Further, the deodorizing section 9 includes two flow paths 9b and 9c, but may have a configuration including three or more flow paths. Furthermore, when the two flow paths 9b and 9c are used, the cross-sectional shape becomes a semicircle, so that the irradiation from the ultraviolet lamps 9d and 9e can be sufficiently received, so that the regeneration efficiency of the photocatalyst is improved.

[0028]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, only the flow path in which the switching valve is opened can be used as a discharge path for air containing odor, so that the titanium oxide in the flow path is activated and regenerated. By selecting the selected flow path, continuous deodorization becomes possible. Therefore, while it was not possible to deodorize during the period of regeneration of the titanium oxide photocatalyst in the past, continuous deodorization operation can be performed only by selecting a flow path, and emission of an unpleasant odor can be reliably prevented.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the switching valve is closed with respect to the flow path in which titanium oxide is saturated with odor adsorption,
It is possible to regenerate the titanium oxide in the flow channel in which the effect of the odor adsorption is reduced, and to perform deodorization using another flow channel.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a garbage disposal device provided with a deodorizing device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a right side sectional view showing a main part of the garbage processing apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a partially cutaway view showing a main part of the deodorizing device.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an operation system of the deodorizing device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 casing 1a lid 2 garbage disposal unit 3 tray 4 stirring blade 4a shaft 4b driven pulley 5 motor 5a drive pulley 5b belt 6a moisture sensor 6b temperature sensor 7 operation panel 7a control device 8 deodorizing device 8a fan 8b duct 9 deodorizing unit 9 9a-1 Partition wall 9b, 9c Flow path 9d, 9e Ultraviolet lamp 9f Switching valve 10 Motor 10a Output shaft 11 Controller 12a, 12b Electrode 12c, 12d Lead wire

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) B01J 35/02 B09B 3/00 D B09B 3/00 B01D 53/36 JHF Term (Reference) 4C080 AA07 AA10 BB04 CC01 CC15 HH05 JJ03 KK02 MM02 MM17 4D004 AA03 AC04 CA15 CA18 CA48 CB04 CB28 CC09 DA01 DA02 DA06 DA09 4D048 AA22 AB03 BA07X BA41X CC26 EA01 4G066 AA23B CA02 DA02 GA40 4G069 AA48 CA04B

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A fan for sucking an odor, and at least two flow paths connected downstream of the fan, wherein each inner wall of the flow path is formed of titanium oxide, and the inside is irradiated with ultraviolet rays. A deodorizing device comprising an ultraviolet lamp and a switching valve for selectively opening the flow path between the fan and the flow path. 2. The deodorizing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the operation of the switching valve is controlled in accordance with the odor adsorption saturation time of titanium oxide in the flow passage.