JP2023136873A - Air conditioning device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an air conditioning device having the inactivation function of bacteria and viruses attached to a filter so that the attachment of bacteria, viruses and the like, which are not inactivated, to the hands of a user is suppressed.SOLUTION: An air conditioning device comprises: an air flow generating means to generate an air flow; an air cleaning filter 5 disposed on the flow channel of the air flow generated by the air flow generating means; and a UV light emitting element 8 to irradiate the air cleaning filter 5 with ultraviolet light. In the air cleaning filter 5, a first area 5a irradiated with ultraviolet light by the UV light emitting element 8 and a second area 5b having a smaller irradiation amount of the ultraviolet light than that of the first area 5a can be distinguished in appearance.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

The present disclosure relates to an air conditioner.

An air cleaner is described in Patent Document 1. This air cleaner includes a filter that cleans the air and an ultraviolet irradiation device that irradiates the filter with ultraviolet rays.

International Publication No. 2017/183538

BACKGROUND ART Like the air cleaner described in Patent Document 1, an air conditioner having a filter and a sterilizing means for applying a substance having a sterilizing effect to the filter has been put into practical use. However, it is difficult to sterilize the entire filter sufficiently and evenly, and in reality, the sterilizing effect varies depending on the area of the filter. Therefore, depending on where the user touches the filter during maintenance, bacteria, viruses, etc. that have not been inactivated may adhere to the user's hands.

The present disclosure is intended to solve the above problems. The purpose of the present disclosure is to suppress bacteria, viruses, etc. that have not been inactivated from adhering to the hands of users in an air conditioner that has a function of inactivating bacteria and viruses attached to a filter. .

An air conditioner according to the present disclosure includes an airflow generation means for generating an airflow, a filter provided on a flow path of the airflow generated by the airflow generation means, and a sterilization means for applying a substance having a sterilization effect to the filter. It is something to be prepared for. The filter visually distinguishes a first area to which a substance having a sterilizing effect is applied by the sterilizing means and a second area to which a smaller amount of the substance having a sterilizing effect is applied than the first area. It is characterized by being configured so that it can be identified.

According to the present disclosure, in an air conditioner that has a function of inactivating bacteria and viruses attached to a filter, it is possible to suppress bacteria, viruses, etc. that have not been inactivated from adhering to a user's hands. .

1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of an air cleaner of Embodiment 1. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of an air purifying filter according to Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a figure which shows the modification of the air purification filter of Embodiment 1. It is a figure which shows the modification of the air purification filter of Embodiment 1. It is a figure which shows the modification of the air purification filter of Embodiment 1. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a modification of the air cleaner of Embodiment 1. FIG. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a modification of the air cleaner of Embodiment 1. FIG.

Embodiments will be described below with reference to the drawings. In each figure, common or corresponding elements are given the same reference numerals, and overlapping explanations will be simplified or omitted as appropriate. Note that the present disclosure may include various modifications of the configurations disclosed in the following embodiments.

Embodiment 1.
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of an air cleaner 1 according to the first embodiment. Note that in the embodiments below, an air cleaner 1 is shown as an example of an air conditioner according to the present disclosure, but the air conditioner according to the present disclosure is not limited to this. The air conditioner according to the present disclosure may be, for example, a dehumidifier or a humidifier, or may be an air conditioner or a fan heater that is an air conditioner having a temperature control function. The air conditioner according to the present disclosure may take in air from a target space, pass the air through a filter, and then release it.

As shown in FIG. 1, the air cleaner 1 includes an inlet 2 for taking in air and an outlet 3 for blowing out air. The air cleaner 1 includes a blower fan 4 as an example of an airflow generating means that generates an airflow from the suction port 2 to the blowout port 3.

The air cleaner 1 includes an air purifying filter 5 as a filter provided on a flow path of the airflow generated by a blower fan 4, which is an example of an airflow generation means. As the empty filter 5, a HEPA filter, a ULPA filter, or any other filter can be used. The air purifying filter 5 collects dust, bacteria, viruses, etc. in the air flow taken in from the suction port 2. Moreover, the air cleaner 1 may further include a deodorizing filter 6 that collects odor components. At least one of the air purifying filter 5 and the deodorizing filter 6 may be provided as a filter according to the present disclosure.

The air cleaning filter 5 can be attached and detached from the filter outlet 7, for example. A user takes out the air purifying filter 5 from the filter outlet 7 during maintenance or the like. At this time, the user's hands come into contact with the air purification filter 5, and there is a possibility that bacteria, viruses, etc. adhering to the air purification filter 5 may adhere to the user's hands.

Therefore, in this embodiment, the air cleaner 1 includes a UV light emitting element 8 as a sterilizing means for applying a substance having a sterilizing effect to the filter. The UV light emitting element 8 irradiates the air purifying filter 5 with ultraviolet light having effects such as sterilization, sterilization, sterilization, and inactivation of viruses and bacteria. By irradiating ultraviolet light with the UV light emitting element 8, the air purifying filter 5 can be sterilized. Thereby, it is possible to prevent bacteria, viruses, etc. that have not been inactivated from adhering to the user's hands.

Note that "sterilization" in the present disclosure is defined to collectively include sterilization, sterilization, sterilization, inactivation of viruses and bacteria, and the like. Furthermore, the sterilization means according to the present disclosure is not limited to irradiation with ultraviolet light. For example, a filter coated with a photocatalyst and irradiated with white light may be used as a sterilization means. Furthermore, a device that applies active species such as ions or ozone having a sterilizing effect to the filter may be used as the sterilizing means. Alternatively, heat sterilization may be performed using a device that applies hot air as a sterilization means. In this way, the sterilizing means according to the present disclosure may be any one that applies something that has a sterilizing effect to the filter. In this embodiment, as an example, an air cleaner 1 including a UV light emitting element 8 as a sterilization means will be described.

Since there is a limit to the intensity of the ultraviolet light from the UV light emitting element 8, it is difficult to irradiate the entire air purifying filter 5 with ultraviolet light sufficiently and evenly, and the amount of ultraviolet light irradiated varies depending on the area of the air purifying filter 5. In order to more reliably prevent bacteria, viruses, etc. that have not been inactivated from adhering to the user's hands, it is desirable that the area that the user's hands touch is sufficiently irradiated with ultraviolet light. .

Therefore, in this embodiment, the air purifying filter 5 is configured as follows. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of the air purifying filter 5 of the first embodiment. The air purifying filter 5 includes a first area 5a that is sufficiently irradiated with ultraviolet light from the UV light emitting element 8, and a second area 5b that is irradiated with a smaller amount of ultraviolet light than the first area 5a. The air purifying filter 5 is characterized in that the first area 5a and the second area 5b are configured to be distinguishable from each other in appearance. In the example of FIG. 2, the surface of the first area 5a and the surface of the second area 5b are colored differently. For example, the surface of the first area 5a is made white, and the surface of the second area 5b is made gray. Note that the color arrangement of the first area 5a and the second area 5b is not limited to the above example, and may be arbitrary. According to this example, the user can visually confirm the first area 5a that is sufficiently irradiated with ultraviolet light and the second area 5b that is irradiated with a smaller amount of ultraviolet light than the first area 5a. Thereby, the user can touch the first area 5a that is sufficiently irradiated with ultraviolet light, and it is possible to prevent bacteria, viruses, etc. that have not been inactivated from adhering to the user's hands. Further, for example, when the user washes the air purifying filter 5, the user can also check which parts should be washed with priority.

Instead of making the surfaces of the first area 5a and the second area 5b different in color, the first area 5a and the second area 5b may have different surface textures. By changing the surface texture, the way light is reflected changes, so users can visually recognize it. For example, the surface of the first area 5a is given a smooth finish with a glossy appearance, and the surface of the second area 5b is given a rough finish without a glossy appearance. Furthermore, by making the surface textures different between the first area 5a and the second area 5b, when the user touches the air purifying filter 5, the touched position is the first area 5a and the second area 5b. You can reconfirm by touch which area 5b is located.

Moreover, FIG.3 and FIG.4 is a figure which shows the modification of the air purification filter of Embodiment 1. In the example of FIG. 3, "Handheld Portion" is printed in the first area 5a, and "Do not touch" is printed in the second area 5b. As shown in FIG. 3, the first area 5a and the second area 5b may be visually distinguishable by characters. Further, in the example of FIG. 4, a pictograph indicating a portion that may be touched in the first area 5a and a pictograph indicating a portion that should not be touched in the second area 5b are displayed. As shown in FIG. 4, the first area 5a and the second area 5b may be visually distinguishable by pictographs.

In addition to the characters shown in FIG. 3 and the pictographs shown in FIG. 4, any mark that allows the first area 5a and the second area 5b to be visually distinguished can be provided. For example, different patterns may be provided on the surfaces of the first area 5a and the second area 5b. Alternatively, characters, pictographs, or patterns may be provided on only one of the surfaces of the first area 5a and the second area 5b. Further, for example, a structure such as a knob that supports the user's grasping by hand may be provided in the first area 5a as a mark indicating the part to be held.

Moreover, FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a modification of the air purifying filter of Embodiment 1. In the example of FIG. 5, the surface of the air purifying filter 5 is coated with a paint that changes color when irradiated with ultraviolet light. As a result, the color of the first area 5a that is actually sufficiently exposed to ultraviolet light changes. According to this example, the actual operation can be reflected, and variations in the body of the air cleaner 1 can be accommodated. Note that the air purifying filter 5 may be covered with a cover coated with paint. In addition, when the sterilizing means is to apply a substance having a sterilizing effect other than ultraviolet light, the surface of the air purifying filter 5 may be constructed of a paint that changes color depending on the substance having the sterilizing effect or a cover coated with the paint.

Moreover, FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 are schematic diagrams showing a modification of the air cleaner 1 of the first embodiment. In the example shown in FIG. 6, the air cleaner 1 includes an airflow control plate 9. In this modification, the airflow control plate 9 is arranged downstream of the air purifying filter 5. Although the airflow control plate 9 may be arranged on the upstream side of the air purification filter 5, it is more preferably arranged on the downstream side of the air purification filter 5 from the viewpoint of pressure loss.

A ventilation hole 9a is formed in the airflow control plate 9 as a hole having a size smaller than or equal to the size of the first area 5a. The airflow generated by the ventilation fan 4 passes through this ventilation hole 9a. The airflow control plate 9 is arranged so that the ventilation holes 9a overlap the first area 5a. When viewed in the airflow direction, the ventilation hole 9a is located within the first area 5a or at a position that exactly overlaps with it. According to this modification, the airflow passing through the second area 5b can be suppressed, and non-inactivated bacteria, viruses, etc. adhering to the second area 5b are released from the air outlet 3. This can be suppressed.

Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the first area 5a may be biased toward the filter outlet 7 side in the entire area of the air purifying filter 5. As a method of biasing the position of the first area 5a, a method of installing the UV light emitting element 8 itself on the side of the filter outlet 7 as shown in FIG. 7, a method of tilting the optical axis of the UV light emitting element 8, or a method of both. Possible methods include combining them. According to this modification, the first area 5a is closer to the filter outlet 7, making it easier for the user to grasp the first area 5a without touching the second area 5b.

1 Air purifier, 2 Suction port, 3 Air outlet, 4 Blow fan, 5 Air purifying filter, 5a First area, 5b Second area, 6 Deodorizing filter, 7 Filter outlet, 8 UV light emitting element, 9 Air flow control Plate, 9a ventilation hole

Claims (6)

an airflow generating means for generating an airflow;
a filter provided on the flow path of the airflow generated by the airflow generation means;
sterilizing means for applying a substance having a sterilizing effect to the filter;
Equipped with
The filter has a first area to which a substance having a sterilizing effect is applied by the sterilizing means and a second area to which a smaller amount of the substance having a sterilizing effect is applied than the first area. An air conditioner characterized by being configured such that it can be identified. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the first area and the second area have different surface colors. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the first area and the second area have different surface textures. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the filter is provided with a mark that allows the first area and the second area to be visually distinguished. Claims 1 to 3 are characterized by comprising an airflow control plate formed with a hole having a size smaller than or equal to the size of the first area and arranged so that the hole overlaps with the first area. 4. The air conditioner according to any one of 4. It has a filter outlet for attaching and detaching the filter,
6. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the first area is biased towards the filter outlet in the entire area of the filter.

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