JP2005349137A - Air cleaner - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To effectively diffuse mist to a room by efficiently joining the generated mist with a main air flow. <P>SOLUTION: This air cleaner A is provided with a water sump part 5, a carrier part 6 carrying water in the water sump part 5 to a tip side positioned outside the water sump part 5, an electrode 7 disposed opposed to the carrier part 6, a voltage imposing part 8 imposing a high voltage between the carrier part 6 and the electrode 7, an electrostatic atomizer 9 impressing the high voltage between the carrier part 6 and the electrode 7 and atomizing water in the carrier part 6 to generate the mist, and a bypass channel 32 forming a sub air flow 26, which passes from an air sending part 4 to the electrostatic atomizer 9, separately from the main air flow 24 emitted from the air sending part 4, and sending the mist M from the electrostatic atomizer 9 to the main air flow 24 using the sub air flow 26. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an air purifier capable of deodorizing indoor air and deodorizing deposits such as indoor wall surfaces, and more particularly to an air purifier utilizing electrostatic atomization technology.

  Many conventional air purifiers are provided with a filter that captures dust and dirt in the air and a filter such as activated carbon that adsorbs odorous molecules as an air purifier.

  Moreover, what deodorizes using the technique of electrostatic atomization is also provided (for example, refer patent document 1). Here, electrostatic atomization means that a high voltage is applied between a counter electrode and a liquid such as water held by a transport unit made of a porous material such as ceramic, and the tip of the transport unit is caused by capillary action. This is a phenomenon in which the water transported to the side is atomized toward the counter electrode.

Conventionally, the mist generated from the electrostatic atomizer has been attracted by the air flow discharged from the air blower of the air cleaner, and has diffused into the room. However, due to the occurrence of wind convection in the vicinity of the electrostatic atomizer, it takes time for the mist to merge with the air flow, and the diffusion into the room is slow.
JP-A-5-345156

  The present invention was invented in view of the above-described conventional problems, and the generated mist efficiently merges with the main air flow discharged from the air blowing section, and effectively diffuses the mist into the room. An object of the present invention is to provide an air purifier that can be used.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, in the present invention, in the air purifier having the air blowing unit 4 that purifies the air sucked from the suction port 1 by the filter 2 and discharges it from the discharge port 3, the water reservoir 5; A transport unit 6 that transports the water in the water reservoir 5 to the tip side located outside the water reservoir 5, an electrode 7 that is disposed so as to face the transport unit 6, and between the transport unit 6 and the electrode 7 The electrostatic atomizer 9 is provided with a voltage applying unit 8 for applying a high voltage to the electrode 6 and applies a high voltage between the conveying unit 6 and the electrode 7 so that the water in the conveying unit 6 is atomized to generate mist. In addition to the main air flow 24 discharged from the air blowing unit 4, a sub air flow 26 flowing from the air blowing unit 4 into the electrostatic atomizer 9 is formed, and this sub air flow 26 is used. In order to direct the mist M from the electrostatic atomizer 9 toward the main air flow 24. It is characterized in that it comprises a bypass passage 31.

  With such a configuration, the mist M generated from the electrostatic atomizer 9 is directed to the main air flow 24 discharged from the air blowing unit 4 by using the sub air flow 26 diverted from the air blowing unit 4. As a result, the mist M efficiently joins the main air flow 24 and is discharged from the discharge port 3, so that the mist M can be effectively diffused into the room.

  In addition to the bypass passage 31, an inflow passage 32 is provided for allowing the sub-air flow 26 a diverted from the main air flow 24 discharged from the blower 4 to flow into the electrostatic atomizer 9. In this case, in addition to the auxiliary air flow 26 from the bypass passage 31, another auxiliary air flow 26a from the inflow passage 32 can be introduced into the electrostatic atomizer 9, so that The air volume per unit time flowing into the air volume electrostatic atomizer 9 can be increased without increasing the air volume of the section 4, and the discharge speed of the mist M can be further increased.

  Further, it is preferable to provide an opening 27 through which the auxiliary air flow 26 flows into the tank case 25 that houses the electrostatic atomizer 9. In this case, the opening 27 of the tank case 25 of the electrostatic atomizer 9 is provided. As a result, the generated mist M can be transported to the outside of the electrostatic atomizer 9 and diffused quickly into the room.

  The air cleaner according to the present invention can quickly mix the mist generated by electrostatic atomization from the inside of the air cleaner with the main air flow discharged from the air blowing unit using the sub air flow diverted from the air blowing unit. Therefore, the diffusion of mist into the room becomes faster, and as a result, the air in the room can be deodorized more effectively and quickly.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described based on embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings.

  1, 2 and 3 show an example of the air cleaner A of the present invention. The air purifier A has an air purifier 35 and an electrostatic atomizer 9 inside the main body case 11.

  As with the conventional air purifier A, the air purifier 35 includes a suction port 1 for sucking room air, a discharge port 3 for discharging filtered air into the room, and a suction port 1 to a discharge port 3. It is provided with a filter 2 such as a nonwoven fabric or activated carbon provided in the leading air passage 10 and a blower 4 provided with a fan 4a driven by a motor 4b. The air is sucked into the air and filtered through the filter 2 to purify the air, and the cleaned air is discharged again from the discharge port 3 into the room. A method of filtering with the so-called filter 2 (filtering method) By this, odors floating in the room are removed.

  In the main body case 11, the electrostatic atomizer 9 is provided in addition to the air purifier 35 as described above. This electrostatic atomizer 9 is a water tank as shown in the principle diagram shown in FIG. A water reservoir 5 containing W, a transport unit 6 that transports water W from the water reservoir 5, an electrode 7 disposed so as to face the transport direction of water W by the transport unit 6, and a transport unit 6 A voltage application unit 8 that applies a high voltage to the electrode 7 is provided.

  FIG. 5 shows an example of the electrostatic atomizer 9 of the present invention. The electrostatic atomizer 9 is provided with a water reservoir 5 at the bottom, a holder 13 having a cylindrical shape and a plurality of ventilation holes 13a on the peripheral surface, and an electrode 7 ( (Hereinafter referred to as “counter electrode 7”), an application electrode 14 that is fitted in the lower part of the holder 13 to apply voltage to the water W, and a plurality of rods that constitute the transport unit 6 held by the application electrode 14 The water reservoir portion 5, which is constituted by a water absorbing body 6 a and is formed in a cup shape, has an outer peripheral flange portion of the application electrode 14 in which a projection on the outer surface of the upper end opening edge is attached to the lower portion of the holder 13. It is attached by engaging the bayonet in the engagement recess provided in the.

  The counter electrode 7 and the application electrode 14 are both made of a synthetic resin mixed with a conductive material such as carbon, or a metal such as SUS, and have conductivity. The electrode 7 is grounded through a grounding contact plate that comes into contact with the outer surface of the connecting projection 15 formed on the outer peripheral surface thereof. The application electrode 14 that is fitted and fixed in the lower part of the holder 13 and is fixed by pressing the rib on the inner surface of the holder 13 is also a contact plate that comes into contact with the outer surface of a connecting projection (not shown) formed on the outer peripheral surface thereof. Is connected to a voltage application unit 8 for applying a high voltage.

  The above-mentioned rod-shaped water absorber 6a has a needle-like top, and a plurality of rod-shaped water absorbers 6a in the example of FIG. These rod-shaped water absorbing bodies 6a are arranged on the same circumference at equal intervals, the upper part projects upward from the application electrode 14, and the lower part projects downward to come into contact with the water W placed in the water reservoir 5. .

  5 in FIG. 5 is a cylindrical skirt projecting downward from the application electrode 14 and surrounds the outside of the plurality of rod-shaped water absorbers 6a, and the lower ends thereof are lower than the lower ends of the rod-shaped water absorbers 6a. The lower end opening is covered with a lattice-shaped lattice-shaped protective cover 17. The skirt 16 in the application electrode 14 applies a high voltage to the water W by making contact with the water W placed in the water reservoir 5, and at the same time, the bar-shaped water absorption formed of ceramic together with the lattice-shaped protective cover 17. The body 6a is protected.

  A float 18 is disposed in the water reservoir 5, and a magnet 19 is fixed in the float 18. Since the specific gravity of the entire float 18 is smaller than the specific gravity 1 of water, it floats and sinks according to the water level of the water reservoir 5. In addition, a hole penetrates in the middle of the float 18, and stable sliding can be achieved by passing the rod-shaped guide pin 20 through the hole. On the other hand, a reed switch 21 is disposed on the outer lower surface of the tank case 25 that houses the electrostatic atomizer 9. As shown in FIG. 6, a contact portion that is turned on / off under the influence of the magnetic field from the magnet 19 in the float 18 is provided inside the reed switch 21. That is, since the float 18 is floating when the water W in the water reservoir 5 is large, the reed switch 21 is turned off, and when the water W is small, the float 18 is sinked and turned on. Thereby, the water level in the water reservoir 5 can be detected. 5 and 6 is a recess provided at the bottom of the water reservoir 51, and when the water W almost runs out, the float 12 enters so that the reed switch 21 can accurately detect the absence of water. Done.

  The counter electrode 7 mounted so as to close the upper surface opening of the holder 13 has an opening 22 in the center as shown in FIG. 5, and the edge of the opening 22 when viewed from above is a plurality of the plurality of openings. A plurality of arcs R having the same diameter centered on the needle-like portion at the upper end of the rod-shaped water absorbent body 6a are smoothly connected by other arcs r. The counter electrode 7 is grounded, and the voltage application unit 8 that is a high voltage generation source is connected to the application electrode 14, and when the rod-shaped water absorber 6 a sucks up the water W by capillary action, the needle at the upper end of the rod-shaped water absorber 6 a The tip of the rod-shaped water absorbing body 6a constituting the transport unit 6 that transports the water W by the arc R of the counter electrode 7 functioning as a substantial electrode at the same time as the electrode portion functions as a substantial electrode on the application electrode 14 side. A high voltage is applied between the counter electrode 7 and the counter electrode 7. The opening 22 is covered with a grid-like protective cover 23, thereby preventing a finger or the like from coming into contact with the rod-shaped water absorbent body 6 a through the opening 22.

  Now, the water reservoir 5 containing the water W is attached, and the water W is brought into contact with the skirt 16 of the application electrode 14, and at the same time, the rod-shaped water absorbent 6 a sucks up the water W by capillary action, and further the counter electrode 7 is attached. When the voltage application unit 8 is connected to the application electrode 14 and a negative voltage is applied to the application electrode 14 while being grounded, a high voltage is generated between the tip of the rod-shaped water absorbent 6 a constituting the transport unit 6 and the counter electrode 7. Will be applied. This voltage is applied with a high voltage that can cause Rayleigh splitting in the water W. If this voltage is a high voltage that can cause water to undergo Rayleigh splitting, the water W that has reached the needle-like portion at the upper end of the rod-shaped water absorber 6a will cause Rayleigh splitting and a mist M having a particle size of nanometer size. The electrostatic atomization which produces the atomization which becomes is made.

  Further, in the present invention, separately from the main air flow 24 discharged from the blower unit 4, a sub air flow 26 flowing from the blower unit 4 to the electrostatic atomizer 9 is formed, and this sub air flow 26 is used. And a bypass passage 31 for directing the mist M from the electrostatic atomizer 9 toward the main air flow 24. An example is shown in FIG. The main air flow 24 discharged from the blower unit 4 is mainly discharged from the discharge port 3, while the sub air flow 26 diverted from the blower unit 4 to the branch portion 31 a of the bypass passage 31 is changed to the sub air flow 26. An outflow portion 31c for flowing to the bypass portion 31b that wraps around the outside of the tank case 25 to which the electrostatic atomizer 9 is attached, and for joining the mist M generated from the electrostatic atomizer 9 toward the main air flow 24. It has come to flow into.

  Thus, the nanometer-sized mist M generated from the electrostatic atomizer 9 is directed to the main air flow discharged from the blower unit 4 by the sub air flow 26 flowing through the bypass passage 31, and the mist M is the main mist M. As soon as it mixes with the air flow 24, it is discharged from the discharge port 3. Thereby, the diffusion of the mist M into the room becomes faster, and as a result, the deodorization speed of the room can be improved, and the deodorization of the room air by the nanometer size mist M can be performed more effectively and quickly. become.

  FIG. 7 shows another embodiment. In this example, in addition to the bypass passage 31, an inflow passage 32 for allowing the sub-air flow 26 a diverted from the main air flow 24 side discharged from the blower 4 to flow into the electrostatic atomizer 9 is provided. Yes. The outflow portion 31c (FIG. 1) and the inflow passage 32 of the bypass passage 31 are arranged so as to be shifted in the front-rear direction (perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. 7). That is, by providing the inflow passage 32 closer to the front side (or the rear side) than the outflow portion 31c of the bypass passage 31, it interferes with the auxiliary air flow 26 discharged from the outflow portion 31c (FIG. 1) of the bypass passage 31. Accordingly, the auxiliary air flow 26 a is introduced into the upper position of the electrostatic atomizer 9 via the inflow passage 32, and the auxiliary air flow 26 a flowing into the electrostatic atomizer 9 is It merges with the air flow 26 and becomes a flow toward the main air flow 24 again. At this time, by utilizing the ejector effect of the main air flow 24 at the outflow portion 31c (FIG. 1) of the bypass passage 31, the sub air flow 26 can be directed to the main air flow 24 and at the same time, The sub-air flow 26 a can be merged from the electrostatic atomizer 9 into the sub-air flow 26. It is also possible to provide a dedicated fan for flowing the auxiliary air flow 26, 26a to the main air flow 24. Therefore, the air volume per unit time flowing into the electrostatic atomizer 9 can be increased without increasing the air volume of the blower unit 4, and the discharge speed of the mist M can be further increased. Further, in this example, an opening 27 serving as an air hole is opened on the side surface of the tank case 25 that houses the electrostatic atomizer 9, and the auxiliary air flow 26 from the blower 4 is directly introduced into the electrostatic atomizer 9. I am doing so. As a result, the generated mist M can be transported to the outside of the electrostatic atomizer 9 without leaving it and diffused quickly into the room.

  As another example, a mist discharge port is provided in the outer portion 50 directly above the electrostatic atomizer 9 instead of directing the auxiliary air flow 26, 26a shown in FIG. 7 to the main air flow 24. The mist M may be discharged from the mist discharge port together with the auxiliary air flows 26 and 26a. Therefore, the outflow portion 31c (FIG. 1) of the bypass passage 31 can be used as the inflow passage of the sub air flow 26a. Moreover, by utilizing the ejector effect of the sub air flow 26 around the mist discharge port, the sub air flow 26a branched from the main air flow 24 can be flowed into the electrostatic atomizer 9 through the inflow passage 32. The mist M can be efficiently directed to the auxiliary air flow 26. It is also possible to suck the sub air flow 26a from the main air flow 24 into the electrostatic atomizer 9 using a dedicated fan.

  By the way, when the sub air flow 26 flows in from the opening 27 of the tank case 24 that houses the electrostatic atomizer 9 in FIG. 7, the evaporation amount of water from the transport unit 6 increases and the water to the water reservoir 5 is increased. Replenishment cycle will be faster. Therefore, it is desirable to provide a movable adjustment member (not shown) that can adjust the inflow amount in the opening 27. This adjustment member only needs to be able to adjust the amount of air per unit time by opening and closing the opening 27, thereby adjusting the water evaporation amount of the transport unit 6, and adjusting the water replenishment cycle to the water reservoir 5. It can be extended.

  Furthermore, it is desirable to move the adjusting member according to the operation mode of the main body. By doing this, the amount of mist M scattered can be adjusted according to the dirt in the room. For example, in the weak mode where the room is less dirty and the air volume is small, the amount of mist M scattered per unit time can be reduced. The adjustment member is moved in the closing direction to reduce the opening area of the opening 27. Thereby, the amount of water evaporation can be reduced as much as possible. On the contrary, in the strong mode when the room is dirty, the dirt must be removed quickly with a large air volume. As a result, the amount of mist M scattered per unit time can be increased to quickly remove air stains in the room.

It is front sectional drawing of the air cleaner of one Embodiment of this invention. It is a front view same as the above. It is a sectional side view same as the above. It is a principle figure explaining the principle which generates nanosize mist by electrostatic atomization same as the above. (A) and (b) are the top view and sectional drawing of the electrostatic atomizer provided in an air cleaner same as the above. It is sectional drawing of an electrostatic atomizer same as the above. It is explanatory drawing of other embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Suction port 2 Filter 3 Discharge port 4 Air blower part 5 Water reservoir part 6 Conveyance part 7 Electrode 8 Voltage application part 9 Electrostatic atomizer 24 Main air flow 26,26a Subair flow 31 Bypass path 32 Inflow path A Air cleaner M mist

Claims (3)

  In an air purifier having a blower that purifies air sucked from the suction port with a filter and discharges it from the discharge port, the water in the water reservoir and the water reservoir is transported to the tip side located outside the water reservoir. A high voltage is applied between the transfer unit and the electrode by including a transfer unit, an electrode arranged to face the transfer unit, and a voltage application unit that applies a high voltage between the transfer unit and the electrode. In addition to the electrostatic atomizing device that atomizes the water in the conveying unit and generates mist, the secondary air flowing into the electrostatic atomizing device from the air blowing unit separately from the main air flow discharged from the air blowing unit. An air cleaner comprising a bypass passage for forming an air flow and using the sub air flow to direct mist from the electrostatic atomizer toward the main air flow.   In addition to the bypass passage, an inflow passage is provided for allowing another sub air flow diverted from the main air flow discharged from the blower to flow into the electrostatic atomizer. The air cleaner according to 1.   The air cleaner according to claim 1 or 2, wherein an opening through which a sub air flow flows is provided in a tank case that houses the electrostatic atomizer.

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