JP2005118252A - Air cleaner - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an indoor air cleaner solving problems of a conventional air cleaner such as clogging of a filter, use of harmful ozone and a complicated device, having a simple structure, exhibiting a high air purifying effect, and having a little necessity of replacing members. <P>SOLUTION: This indoor type small-size air cleaner is provided with a suction port for sucking air, photocatalyst, a heater for activating the photocatalyst, and an exhaust port for exhausting the air; and is so constituted as to decompose malodor and harmful components by oxidation action of the photocatalyst activated by heating and purify the air. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an air purifier. An air purifier removes malodorous and harmful components in the air.

Many air purifiers, particularly those for household use, have been commercially available. They include filter type, ozonolysis type, photocatalyst type and the like.
The filter type simply adsorbs malodorous components and is replaced when the adsorbent is full. This type is laborious and must be replaced if the adsorbent becomes clogged, and small molecules are often not adsorbed.
The ozone decomposition type decomposes malodorous components by the oxidizing power of ozone. However, since ozone itself is harmful, it must be prevented from leaking to the outside, and the structure is inevitably complicated.

The photocatalyst type does not have the above-described drawbacks, but in the conventional one, an ultraviolet lamp is essential, and a fan that promotes air circulation is also essential. Therefore, the structure is inevitably complicated, and the sound of the fan is also a problem. See Patent Document 1.
JP 2002-306579 A

  In view of this, an air purifier is provided that is indoors, has a simple structure, has a large air purifying effect, and has few member replacements.

  In view of the above situation, the present inventor has completed the air purifier of the present invention as a result of earnest research, and the feature thereof is a small air purifier for indoor use, which is an air intake for sucking air. It has a port, a photocatalyst, a heater for activating the photocatalyst, and an exhaust port for exhausting air.

  In the present invention, air is sucked from an intake port, brought into contact with a photocatalyst, malodorous components and harmful components contained in the air are decomposed, and discharged from the exhaust port. This photocatalyst is activated (excited) by heating with a heater. This is a significant difference from the conventional photocatalytic type. Of course, an electromagnetic wave irradiation device such as an ultraviolet lamp may be additionally provided.

  The degree of heating by the heater is not particularly limited depending on the amount of the photocatalyst and the amount of the component to be decomposed, but usually about 50 to 300 ° C. is suitable. Naturally, the photocatalyst is excited (activated) by light (even other electromagnetic waves) and acts as an oxidation catalyst, but it has been found that not only the effect is increased by heat but also it can be activated only by heat. . The present invention utilizes this. Therefore, in the present invention, heat is essential, and light (in general, electromagnetic waves) may be irradiated, but is not essential.

  By the heating of the heater, the sucked air is also heated and lightens and rises. If the intake port is downward and the exhaust port is upward, air is automatically sent from the intake port to the exhaust port. Therefore, there is no need for a special blower (such as a fan).

The intake port is simply an opening, and a filter may be provided. The exhaust port is the same, and a filter may be provided.
The heater may be a normal one, and a heating wire type is small and convenient.

  A photocatalyst refers to one that is excited by electromagnetic waves (ultraviolet rays, visible light, etc.) and functions as an oxidation catalyst or the like. At present, anatase-type crystals of titanium oxide are well known. The particle size may be that which is commercially available as a photocatalyst. It is about several nm to several μm.

  This photocatalyst is placed in a portion of the main body through which air passes. There are simply a method of filling and not fixing the photocatalyst, and a method of fixing the photocatalyst to a filter or the like. In the method of fixing to the filter, the filter should not be clogged or replaced.

  In the free filling method, the problem of entrainment is small because the air flow rate is small, but if there is a concern that the photocatalyst powder will come out of the exhaust port together with the air, the photocatalyst particles will be a little larger or supported on something It is better to let them. What is supported may be silica sand, silica or any other particles. Alternatively, the photocatalysts may be fixed to form larger grains. At this time, it is preferable to use a material such as silicon that is not easily decomposed or titanium alkoxide as an adhesive.

  Furthermore, you may provide an electromagnetic wave irradiation apparatus in this invention. This is to further amplify the activation of the photocatalyst. The electromagnetic wave to be irradiated may be anything as long as it is an electromagnetic wave, but is usually ultraviolet light. However, photocatalysts that excite even visible light have recently been shouted. Of course, it may be an electron beam having a shorter wavelength. The cheapest is an ultraviolet lamp.

  The air cleaner of the present invention is characterized by being indoor and compact, but it may be of a type in which the main body is attached to the outlet by inserting a plug into a more miniaturized outlet. It is preferable that the vertical and horizontal thickness is about tens of centimeters or less, and the size is attached to the outlet. If this is the case, it will be almost unobstructed and will be run for 24 hours to clean the room air.

The air cleaner of the present invention has the following great advantages.
(1) Since the photocatalyst particles are heated and activated, malodorous gases and toxic gases are oxidatively decomposed.
(2) Since the device is simple and compact, it does not get in the way and purifies air almost unconsciously.
(3) The bad odor in the room can be easily removed.
(4) Ideal for toilets.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of the air cleaner 1 of the present invention. A plug 2 is provided on the back side and can be directly plugged into an outlet. An air discharge port 3 is provided at the top.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. An air suction port 4 is provided below, and three stages of filters 5 are provided inside. A large number of photocatalyst (titanium oxide anatase crystal) powders are fixed to the filter 5. Further, heaters 6 are provided inside the filters 5 and are heated by electricity from the plugs.

  When this example is inserted into an outlet, the photocatalyst is activated by the heater and oxidatively decomposes organic substances (such as malodorous components and harmful substances) present in the surroundings. Then, the heated and light air rises and is discharged from the discharge port, and new air is sucked from below along with that. This is done continuously. In this example, it is heated to about 100 ° C. with a heater. A safety device and a regulator 7 are provided on the side surface.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing another example of the air cleaner 1 of the present invention. The photocatalyst is supported on silica sand. In other words, a large number of silica sands 8 are fixed. In this example, the size of the quartz sand is about 0.1 mm. A heater 6 is provided at an intermediate position of the silica sand 8. Ultraviolet lamps 9 are provided above and below the catalyst layer. Of course, the power supply is taken from the plug.
Further, a fan 10 with a small motor is provided in the vicinity of the air discharge port 3 to positively convect it.

  In the example of FIG. 2, when air mixed with 5 ppm of methyl mercaptan was introduced from below, it was completely odorless on the discharge side. Therefore, it is clear that methyl mercaptan was decomposed.

It is a perspective view which shows one example of this invention air cleaner. It is sectional drawing of FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the other example of this invention air cleaner.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Air cleaner 2 Plug 3 Air discharge port 4 Air suction port 5 Filter 6 Heater 7 Safety device and regulator 8 Silica sand 9 UV lamp 10 Fan

Claims (4)

  Oxidation of photocatalyst activated by heating, having a small air purifier for indoor use, having an intake port for sucking air, a photocatalyst, a heater for activating the photocatalyst, and an exhaust port for exhausting air An air purifier that cleans air by decomposing odors and harmful components by action.   The air cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the main body is of a type that is attached to the outlet by inserting a plug into the outlet.   The air cleaner according to claim 1 or 2, which has an electromagnetic wave irradiation device. The air purifier according to any one of claims 1 to 3, which has a fan.

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