JP3107277B2 - air purifier - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an air purifier.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Air purifiers have conventionally been used as a means of removing the odor of tobacco smoke and pets, or as a countermeasure against allergy caused by house dust. Such air purifiers are disclosed in JP-A-1-254225 and JP-A1-2.
There is one disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 84261.

[0003] In the air purifiers disclosed in these prior arts, a driving unit (motor) drives an intake fan to take air into the air purifier and purify the taken-in air through a filter. After that, they return to the room from the outlet. And Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No.
In the air purifier disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 225, the concentration of odorous gas in the air is detected by a sensor, the operation of a blower (intake fan) is controlled by a control device according to the gas concentration, and the automatic operation is performed. And Japanese Patent Laid-Open No.
In the air purifier disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 284261, a high voltage is applied to fine particles in the air by an electrode section to ionize the fine particles, which are captured by a dust collecting section, and fine particles that cannot be removed by a filter are removed. It is intended to be removed.

[0004]

Problems to be Solved by the Invention
In the air purifier disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 1 (Publication No. 1), automatic operation is not possible.
The air purifier must be turned on and off manually, which is troublesome and wasteful in terms of energy saving.

Further, in the air purifier disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 1-254225, no special consideration is given to the location where the sensor is provided. That is, when the sensor is provided in a place where air does not flow, even if the air in the room is clean, the motor of the intake fan is continuously driven, or conversely, the air in the room once cleaned becomes dirty again. In such a case, control that does not correspond to actual contamination, such as the fact that it cannot be detected and the driving of the air purifier is delayed, is performed. In addition, when the place where the air purifier is installed is far away from a particularly susceptible place such as a smoking area in a room, control that matches the degree of contamination cannot be performed.

A conventional sensor incorporated in an air purifier does not detect dust (particles) but measures a gas, that is, a gas concentration in the air, and conveniently considers this gas concentration as a particle contamination amount. Detection system. Therefore, there is a problem in that a signal having a correlation with the particle concentration cannot be obtained from the sensor, and there is a problem that there is a highly volatile food or drink such as alcohol near the sensor or that the sensor is easily affected by indoor humidity.

[0007]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an air purifier having an inlet and an outlet, and driving an intake fan to remove air sucked from the inlet. In an air purifier configured to be exhausted from an outlet through a purifying member such as a filter or an electrostatic precipitator, air sucked from the inlet through a light scattering type particle measuring device in the inlet is the light scattering type. Arranged so as to pass through the opening of the particle measuring device, the light scattering type particle measuring device,
The surface of the electric circuit board with the opening through which air passes
At least compatible with light emitting element, light receiving element and particle detection
Attach a signal processing unit that outputs a control signal, and rotate the intake fan with a signal from the light scattering type particle measurement device.
Move and collect by applying electric charge to the driving unit and / or dust
A high-voltage power supply that creates an electric field is controlled.

Here, the light scattering type particle measuring device irradiates a predetermined region in the air flow path with light emitted from the light source,
When the fine particles pass through the irradiation area, the scattered light emitted by the fine particles by the irradiation light is detected by a light receiving element, this value is photoelectrically converted, and the number (concentration) of the fine particles is detected based on the electric output. It was done. In the light scattering type particle measuring device according to the present invention, the transmitted light that has not been scattered by the fine particles is detected by the light receiving element, that is, the light attenuation is detected, and the number (concentration) of the fine particles is detected based on this. Including forms.

The air purifier according to a second aspect of the present invention is provided with a bypass passage independent of an air inlet, and a dedicated small fan and a light scattering type particle measuring device are provided in the bypass passage. all the air flowing into the bypass passage is arranged so as to pass through the opening of the light scattering particle measuring device
Along with this, the light scattering type particle measuring device allows air to pass through.
At least a light-emitting element must be
Outputs control signals corresponding to element, light receiving element and particle detection
The light scattering type particle measuring device
A drive unit for rotating the intake fan with a signal from
And / or create an electric field for moving and collecting dust by applying charge
High voltage power supply is controlled .

[0010] The air cleaner of claim 3 of the present application, at least 1 at a position spaced from the main body of the air purifier
Place a number of light scattering particle measuring device, the light scattering particle
A drive for rotating the intake fan based on a signal from a measuring device.
Charges that move and collect by applying charges to moving parts and / or dust
Control the high voltage power supply that creates the world . Furthermore, the book
The air purifier according to claim 4 of the application is a body of the air purifier.
Irradiates the air to be detected at a location away from
At least one light-scattering particle for detecting particles
And a light scattering particle measurement device.
The surface of the electrical circuit board with the openings through which air passes
At least the light-emitting element, light-receiving element, and particle detection
Attach a signal processing unit that outputs a corresponding control signal,
The intake fan is turned on by a signal from the light scattering type particle measurement device.
A charge is applied to the drive unit and / or dust to be
Control the high-voltage power supply that creates the electric field
Was .

Here, the light scattering type particle measuring apparatus includes a light emitting element for irradiating light to air to be detected, a light receiving element for detecting scattered light or reduced light generated by particles, and a control corresponding to the detection of particles. At least a signal processing unit that outputs a signal is provided.

[0012]

When the particle concentration detected by the light scattering type particle measuring device becomes equal to or less than a predetermined value, the driving unit of the intake fan is stopped (decelerated) and / or an electric field is applied to the dust to move and collect the dust. Stop (decrease) the voltage supply to the high-voltage power supply to be created.

[0013]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Here, FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an example in which a light scattering type particle measuring device is arranged in an intake port of the air purifier according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of a light scattering type particle measuring device, FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing another embodiment of the light scattering type particle measuring device, FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing another embodiment of the light scattering type particle measuring device, and FIG. 5 is another example of the light scattering type particle measuring device. FIG.

In the air purifier, an inlet 3 and an outlet 4 are defined by a partition 2 in a main body 1, and an intake fan 6 rotated by a drive unit 5 is provided behind the outlet 4. 6, a filter 7 is arranged, an electric precipitator 8 is arranged in front of the filter 7, and
A high-voltage power supply 9 is mounted on the upper surface of the
Accordingly, the fine particles transmitted through the filter 7 are ionized, and the ionized fine particles are captured by the electrostatic precipitator 8.

In the illustrated example, the inlet 3 and the outlet 4 are provided on the front side of the air purifier, but the inlet 3 may be provided on the back side of the air purifier.

A light scattering type particle measuring device 10 is detachably disposed in the suction port 3. As shown in FIG. 2, the light scattering type particle measuring apparatus 10 has openings 12 and 13 formed on one surface side of a case 11 and the other surface side facing the case 11, and an air flow path is provided between the openings 12 and 13. And a semiconductor laser 14 and a lens system 15 as light emitting elements for irradiating the air flow path with light in the case 11, and a light receiving element at a position separated from the irradiation light by about 90 ° in the case 11 And a signal processing unit 18 that receives a signal from the photodiode 16 and outputs a control signal to the driving unit 5 and the high-voltage power supply 9 in the case 11. Needless to say, this control signal is a signal corresponding to the detection of particles.
Since the openings 12 and 13 are air flow paths, the case 1
One end may be cut out to form an opening.

Here, as shown in FIG.
A transparent tube 19 may be provided between 2 and 13 to prevent dust from entering the case 11. It is preferable that the number of parts arranged in the case 11 is as small as possible. The lens system and the like can be omitted when it can be omitted, and the lens can be replaced with a mirror.

FIGS. 4 and 5 are perspective views showing another embodiment of the light scattering type particle measuring device. The light scattering type particle measuring device 10 shown in FIG.
1 and a semiconductor laser 22 as a light emitting element, a lens system 23 and a wide area photodiode 24 are mounted on an electric circuit board 20.

The light scattering type particle measuring apparatus 10 shown in FIG.
Is a light transmission type measuring device, and an opening 1 is provided in the case 11.
2 and 13 are formed, and a light emitting diode 25 and a wide area photodiode 26 are arranged in the case 11 at a position facing the light emitting diode 25.

FIGS. 6A and 6B show another example of the arrangement of the light emitting element and the light receiving element. In FIG. 6A, the light emitting element 27 is attached to one surface of the suction port 3. A light receiving element 28 is provided on another surface adjacent to the surface on which the light emitting element 27 is mounted.
Is installed. In FIG. 6B, the light emitting element 27 is attached to one surface of the L-shaped member 29, and the light receiving element 28 is attached to the other surface.

In the above, the drive unit 5 is driven to rotate the intake fan 6. Then, air is sucked from the air inlet 3, particles having a predetermined particle size or more are captured while the sucked air passes through the filter 7, and fine particles transmitted through the filter 7 are ionized by the high voltage power supply 9. The ionized particles are collected by the electrostatic precipitator 8, and fine particles are removed, and the purified air is returned to the room from the outlet 4.

As described above, when the indoor air is cleaned, the particle concentration detected by the light scattering type particle measuring device 10 gradually decreases. Then, the number of rotations of the driving unit 5 is reduced by the signal from the light scattering type particle measuring device 10, and the input voltage by the high voltage power supply 9 is reduced. Note that the drive unit 5 and the high voltage power supply 9 may be turned off by a signal from the light scattering type particle measuring device 10.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view showing an example of an air purifier according to the present invention, in which a light scattering type particle measuring device is disposed in a bypass passage. An independent bypass passage 30 is provided.
A dedicated small fan 31 and a light scattering type particle measuring device 1
0 is arranged.

In the air purifier having the configuration shown in FIG. 1, when the air in the room is cleaned and the drive unit 5 stops, the air flow in the suction port 3 is stopped. Even if the particle concentration increases, this cannot be detected, and the driving unit 5
Can not be turned on. However, according to the air purifier having the configuration shown in FIG. 6, since air is always flowing in the bypass passage 30, the air purifier automatically turns on again when the concentration of particles in the indoor air becomes high. Become. In particular, since the flow rate of the air in the bypass passage 30 is constant, highly accurate control is possible.

FIG. 8 is a view showing another embodiment of the air purifier according to the present invention. As shown in this embodiment, the light scattering type particle measuring apparatus 10 is arranged at a position separated from the main body of the air purifier 1. You may. Further, a plurality of light scattering type particle measuring devices 10 may be arranged, and the operation of the air purifier may be controlled based on signals from the plurality of light scattering type particle measuring devices 10.

[0026]

As described above, according to the air purifier according to the present invention, since the light scattering type particle measuring device is used as a sensor, a conventional convenient detection system for measuring gas concentration in air is used. Compared with, since it is a control after measuring particles that are solids instead of gases as targets of detection,
Control according to the actual degree of contamination in the room becomes possible.

In the air purifier according to the first aspect of the present invention, since the light scattering type particle measuring device is arranged in the air inlet, the air is constantly flowing by driving the intake fan. Since the particle concentration can be detected, it is possible to appropriately cope with a case where the degree of contamination in the room changes.

Further, in the air purifier according to the second aspect, a bypass passage independent of the air intake port is provided, and the light scattering particle measuring device and its dedicated fan are provided in the bypass passage. Because of the arrangement, even when the on-off control of the driving of the intake fan is performed, the re-driving of the intake fan can be automatically performed based on the signal of the sensor. That is,
When a light scattering type particle measuring device is placed in the inlet,
Once the intake fan is stopped, there is no air flow in the intake port, and even if the concentration of contaminant particles in the room increases, it cannot be detected.Therefore, it is necessary to determine whether to restart the intake fan. Although automatic operation cannot be performed, if a bypass passage through which air always flows is provided and a light scattering type particle measurement device is placed in this bypass passage, automation can be performed even when the drive of the intake fan is controlled on / off. become.

Further, in the air purifier according to the third aspect, since the main body of the air purifier and the light scattering type particle measuring device are arranged apart from each other, the mounting position of the air purifier is limited. Even in this case, the air purifier can be driven in accordance with the contamination of a specific location in the room. In particular, if a plurality of light scattering type particle measuring devices are arranged and control is performed based on signals from the plurality of light scattering type particle measuring devices, fine control can be achieved.

Further , according to claim 1, 2 or 4 of the present application.
In the air cleaner, the light scattering particle measuring device, the surface of the substrate where the air is formed an opening through at least the light emitting element, Runode be unitized be provided with a light receiving element and a signal processing unit, existing air cleaning It can be retrofitted to a vessel and handling is extremely simple.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of an air purifier according to the present invention in which a light scattering type particle measuring device is arranged in an inlet.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of a light scattering type particle measuring device.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing another embodiment of the light scattering type particle measuring device.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing another embodiment of the light scattering type particle measuring device.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing another embodiment of the light scattering type particle measuring device.

FIGS. 6A and 6B are diagrams showing another example of arrangement of a light emitting element and a light receiving element.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of an air purifier according to the present invention in which a light scattering type particle measuring device is arranged in a bypass passage.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing an example in which a light scattering type particle measuring device is arranged at a position apart from the air purifier main body in the air purifier according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Air purifier main body, 3 ... Inlet, 4 ... Outlet, 5 ... Drive part, 6 ... Intake fan, 7 ... Filter, 8 ... Electric precipitator, 9 ... High voltage power supply, 10 ... Light scattering type particle Measuring device, 1
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Case, 12, 13 ... Opening, 14, 22, 25 ... Light emitting element, 16, 24, 26 ... Light receiving element, 18 ... Signal processing part, 20 ... Printed circuit board, 30 ... Bypass passage, 31 ...
Small fan.

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] 1. An air purifier comprising an inlet and an outlet, wherein air sucked from the inlet by driving an intake fan is discharged from the outlet via a purifying member such as a filter or an electrostatic precipitator. In the device, a light scattering type particle measuring device that detects particles by irradiating light to air to be detected in the suction port, the air sucked from the suction port passes through the opening of the light scattering type particle measuring device. Arrange to pass
In addition, the light scattering type particle measurement device allows air to pass through.
At least light is emitted on the surface of the electric circuit board with the opening formed
Outputs control signals corresponding to element, light-receiving element, and particle detection.
A driving unit for attaching the signal processing unit for applying force, and rotating the intake fan with a signal from the light scattering type particle measuring device;
And / or an electric field that applies charge to the dust and moves and traps it.
An air purifier characterized by controlling an incoming high-voltage power supply . 2. An air purifier having an intake port and an air outlet, wherein air sucked from the intake port by driving an intake fan is discharged from the air outlet through a purifying member such as a filter or an electrostatic precipitator. The air purifier has a bypass passage independent of the suction port, and a small fan and light scattering particle measurement for detecting particles by irradiating light to air to be detected in the bypass passage. The device is arranged such that all the air flowing into the bypass passage passes through the opening of the light scattering type particle measuring device, and the light
The scattering type particle measuring device has an opening through which air passes
At least a light emitting element, light receiving element and
Processing unit that outputs control signals corresponding to particle and particle detection
The mounting, before the signal from the light scattering particle measuring device
The drive unit and / or dust that rotates the intake fan
An air purifier characterized by controlling a high-voltage power supply that generates an electric field for applying a charge to move and collect . 3. An air purifier having an inlet and an outlet, and driving an intake fan to discharge air sucked from the inlet through a purifying member such as a filter or an electrostatic precipitator from the outlet. In this air purifier, at least one light scattering type particle measuring device for detecting particles by irradiating light to air to be detected is disposed at a position separated from the main body of the air purifier, A drive unit that rotates the intake fan with a signal from a scattering particle measurement device; and
And / or create an electric field for moving and collecting dust by applying charge
An air purifier characterized by controlling a high-voltage power supply . 4. An intake fan having a suction port and a blow-off port, and driving an intake fan.
The air that is drawn from the suction port
So that it is discharged from the outlet through a purifying member such as a dust collector.
Air purifier, this air purifier is an air purifier
Illuminate the air to be detected at a location away from the main unit.
At least one light diffuser that detects particles by projecting light
In addition to installing a random particle measuring device, this light scattering particle
The measuring device is an electrical circuit base with an opening through which air passes.
At least the light-emitting element , light-receiving element and particle detection
A signal processing unit that outputs a control signal corresponding to output
And the signal from the light scattering type particle measuring device.
Charge the drive unit and / or dust that rotates the fan.
To control the high voltage power supply that creates an electric field for moving and trapping
An air purifier characterized by doing so .