JP3379922B2 - Air cleaner - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to an air cleaner,
More specifically, the present invention relates to a technology for switching the air cleaning capacity.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An air purifier purifies the air by removing airborne particles (cotton dust, pollen, cigarette smoke, etc.) floating in the air. In such an air purifier, from the viewpoint of energy saving and efficiency improvement, a function of automatically adjusting the air purifying processing capacity according to the usage environment is required. In order to realize such an automatic adjustment function, a sensor that optically detects suspended particles (hereinafter referred to as "optical dust sensor") and the air cleaning processing capacity is automatically adjusted based on the detection result of the suspended particles by the sensor. An air purifier equipped with a control unit that operates is widely used. In a conventional air cleaner equipped with such an optical dust sensor, light emitted from the light source of the optical dust sensor is applied to airborne particles in the air. The light reflected by the particles is received by a light receiving element such as a phototransistor. Light energy is converted into electric energy by the light receiving element, and a floating particle detection signal is transmitted from the sensor. Based on the suspended particle detection signal, the control unit adjusts the air cleaning capacity of the air cleaner. Typically, the air volume is adjusted (that is, the rotation speed of the fan motor is changed) according to the size of the number of particles optically detected.

By the way, in such an optical dust sensor, the type of suspended particles (here, the difference in particle size; the same applies hereinafter).
It is known that the strength and appearance pattern of the detection signal obtained differ depending on the. That is, as illustrated in FIG. 13, in the case of suspended particles having a small particle size such as cigarette smoke, the scattered light intensity per suspended particle is relatively low (peak a in the figure). This is because the smaller the particle size, the smaller the light reflected by it. On the other hand, for suspended particles having a large particle size such as dust and cotton dust, the intensity of scattered light per particle increases according to the particle size (see peaks b, c, d in the figure). On the other hand, it is known that the generation pattern of the detection signal also differs depending on the type of suspended particles. For example, at the time of smoking, cigarette smoke (average particle diameter: 0.01 μm to 1 μm), which is fine particles, is generated in high concentration and in a large amount. Therefore, when cigarette smoke is the main suspended particle, the detection signal output from the optical dust sensor is
Many peaks appear per unit time.

On the other hand, when raising or lowering the futon or during cleaning work, cotton dust having a relatively large particle diameter will fly up into the air. When this large particle size dust (average particle size: 1 μm or more) becomes the main suspended particles, the number of particles itself does not exist at a high density like the above-mentioned cigarette smoke, so the number of peaks appearing in the detection signal. Are relatively low and tend to be sporadic.

[0005]

By the way, as described above, the conventional air purifier adopting the optical dust sensor characterized in that the intensity and the appearance pattern of the detection signal fluctuate according to the type of suspended particles. In some cases, it was difficult to adjust the air cleaning treatment capacity truly efficiently by appropriately responding to the type of suspended particles contaminating the air. That is, when the air cleaning ability is appropriately adjusted based on the detection signal emitted when the minute airborne particles such as the above-mentioned cigarette smoke are present at a high density, the above-mentioned huge dust such as cotton dust is When the suspended particles were present at a relatively low density, the increase in the number of the giant particles was overlooked, and the air cleaning capacity could not be adjusted efficiently. On the other hand, if you try to properly adjust the air cleaning capacity based on the amount of airborne particles that are large and sparsely present, such as cotton dust, and if the airborne microparticles are present at a low density Even if it detects a strong dirt state, the air purifier will continue to operate with a large amount of air even after the cigarette smoke is sufficiently thin. This is because the peak value of the detection signal is completely different (see FIG. 13 above).

[0006] For example, some air purifiers set to enhance the air cleaning capacity when a detection signal having a certain peak value is measured by a predetermined number within a predetermined time, can quickly be polluted with air. It was not possible to improve the air cleaning capacity in response to. While cotton dust has a large particle size and a detection signal with a high peak value can be obtained, it may occur that a detection signal that can change the air cleaning processing capacity cannot be measured within a predetermined time because it has a low density. is there. This will be described more specifically below. The level at which people are concerned about dirt in the air depends on the type of airborne particles. For example, if the smoke of a cigarette is less than 1000 per unit volume, the dirt is not a concern, and rather, the processing capacity of the air cleaner is desired to be low and the noise is low. Therefore, only when the reference value is set low so that a weak detection signal can be used as detection data corresponding to cigarette smoke, and detection data indicating that there are 1000 or more particles per unit volume is obtained. , Set to increase the processing capacity of the air purifier. In this case, an automatic adjustment of the air cleaning capacity can be made which corresponds well to cigarette smoke.

On the other hand, with large particles such as cotton dust, even if there are 1000 particles or less per unit volume, for example, 100 particles per unit volume, contamination is a concern. However, depending on the air cleaner that automatically adjusts to the smoke of the cigarette, it is not possible to perform the automatic adjustment in the direction of increasing the air cleaning ability even in a situation where dirt due to large particles such as cotton dust is anxious. It was The present invention was created in order to correct the imbalance of the air cleaning capacity adjustment due to the difference in the properties such as the particle size of the suspended particles, and the purpose thereof is to respond to the difference in the particle size of the suspended particles. Another object of the present invention is to provide an air purifier that realizes automatic adjustment of appropriate air purification capacity.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An air cleaner of the present invention that achieves the above object is provided with a sensor for optically detecting suspended particles, and detection data for converting a detection signal from the sensor into detection data and storing the detection data. An air purifier equipped with a storage unit and a control unit that adjusts the air purification processing capacity based on the detection data, and two or three or more prepared reference values to be compared with the detection signal are different from each other. Has been done. Then, for each reference value, the number of detection signals from the sensor that exceeds the reference value is stored in the detection data storage means as detection data corresponding to the reference value.

In the air cleaner of the present invention having such a configuration, as a result of having the above-mentioned two or more reference values and the above-mentioned detection data storage means, the detection data corresponding to various suspended particles having different average particle sizes from each other. Can be obtained. That is, when the selected reference value is relatively large, only the detection signal having a relatively large average particle diameter and a large peak value is stored as the detection data. On the other hand, when the reference value to be selected is relatively small, the detection signal having a relatively small average particle diameter and a small peak value can be stored as the detection data. Therefore, according to the air cleaner of the present invention,
Different detection data can be collected and stored according to the difference in the average particle size of the suspended particles. Thus, the automatic adjustment of the air cleaning capacity can be realized based on such detection data. Therefore, according to the air cleaner of the present invention, it is possible to automatically adjust the air cleaning capacity corresponding to the average particle size of the suspended particles in the actual use environment.

In one of the preferred embodiments of the air cleaner of the present invention described above, when the average particle size of suspended particles is relatively small, it corresponds to the reference value having a relatively small value among the different reference values. The air cleaning processing capacity is adjusted based on the detection data obtained in this way. Also, on the other hand,
When the average particle size of the suspended particles is relatively large, the air cleaning capacity is adjusted based on the detection data obtained corresponding to the relatively large reference value among the different reference values. Be seen. In the air purifier of the present invention having such a configuration, even if the average particle size of the suspended particles that cause air pollution is small and the peak value of the detection signal from the sensor is small, the air cleaning processing capacity can be appropriately adjusted. On the other hand, even if the average particle size of the airborne particles that cause air pollution is large and the peak value of the detection signal from the sensor is large, the air cleaning processing capacity can be appropriately adjusted.
As described above, according to the air cleaner of the present aspect, it is possible to automatically adjust the air cleaning capacity corresponding to the cause of polluting the air.

Further, in a further preferred embodiment of the air cleaner of the present invention, judgment values to be compared with the detection data stored in the detection data storage means are prepared corresponding to the respective reference values.

In the air purifier of this aspect, the air cleaning capacity is adjusted according to the magnitude of the detection data that reflects the detected concentration of suspended particles. Thus, in the air purifier of this aspect, the judgment value is individually prepared corresponding to each of the reference values. Therefore, the threshold value (that is, the determination value) of the detection data for changing the air cleaning processing capacity can be made different according to the average particle size of the suspended particles. Therefore, according to the air cleaner of this aspect, the degree of adjustment of the air cleaning capacity can be varied according to the existing form (average particle size and concentration) of the suspended particles. Further, in this case, as the judgment value, two are prepared corresponding to each reference value, one for adjusting the air cleaning capacity to increase and one for adjusting the air cleaning capacity to decrease. By doing so, it becomes possible to more conveniently subdivide the degree of adjustment of the air cleaning capacity according to the existing form of the suspended particles.

Further, in the air purifier of the above aspect, the determination value corresponding to the reference value having a relatively small value among the two or three or more reference values is the two or three or more reference values. It is set to be larger than the determination value corresponding to the reference value having a relatively large value among the values. In the air cleaner of the present invention having such a setting, when the peak value of the detection signal is relatively small, such as smoke particles, when the concentration is relatively high (that is, when the number of detection signals per predetermined time is large). In, the processing for changing the air cleaning capacity can be performed. On the other hand, when the peak value of the detection signal is relatively large, such as dust particles, carcasses of mite, and pollen, even when the concentration is relatively low (that is, when the number of detection signals per predetermined time is small). It is possible to change the air cleaning capacity.

Particularly preferred as the air cleaner of the above aspect is to compare the detection data for each of the two or more different reference values with the corresponding determination value, and compare them. In any of the above cases, when the detection data exceeds the determination value, control is performed so that the air purification processing capacity is adjusted to be increased. Alternatively, the detection data for each of the two or three or more reference values is compared with the corresponding determination value for adjusting the air purification treatment capacity to increase, and the detection value is detected in any one of the comparisons. When the data exceeds the judgment value, it is controlled so as to adjust the air purification treatment capacity. In the air cleaner of the present invention having such a setting,
Appropriately clean the air both when airborne particles have a relatively small average particle size such as smoke and when airborne particles have a relatively large average particle size such as dust. Ability adjustments can be made.

In another preferred air purifier of the present invention, the one reference value for adjusting the air purification treatment capacity is arbitrarily selected from the two or three or more different reference values. The air purifier is equipped with a switching means for switching. In the air cleaner of the present invention having such a configuration, in the case where the type of air pollutant (suspended particles) and the size of the particle size can be determined in advance, an appropriate reference value according to the type and the size of the particle size and The detection data based on it can be actively adopted. As a result, it is possible to quickly adjust the air purification processing capacity according to the usage environment.

[0016]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Preferred embodiments of the air purifier of the present invention will be described below. As described above, the present invention relates to an air purification treatment capacity adjusting mechanism in an air purifier. Therefore, the dust collecting method of the air cleaner is not limited as long as the present invention can be embodied. In addition to a general fan system equipped with a dust collection filter such as a HEPA filter, an air purifier using a so-called electric dust collection system, a photocatalyst system, or an air purifier combining these systems is also an air cleaner embodying the present invention. Can be. Therefore, it is a matter for those skilled in the art that the method of adjusting the air purification capacity may be different depending on these methods, and the present invention is not limited to a particular method for adjusting the air purification capacity. For example, in the fan system, the rotation speed of a motor that drives the fan is typically adjusted, and in the electric dust collection system (fanless system), the energization capacity and / or the energization pattern of the dust collection electrode is adjusted.

A general fan type air purifier 1 which is a preferred embodiment of the air purifier of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view schematically showing the outer appearance of the air purifier 1 according to the present embodiment (hereinafter referred to as the “present air purifier 1”). As shown in Figure 1,
The air purifier 1 is roughly composed of a housing 2 having an opening on the front side, and a front panel 8 attached to the front of the housing 2. A fan 6 and a motor 7 for driving the fan are attached to the inside of the housing 2 near the rear surface. Further, inside the housing 2, a control unit 20 (see FIGS. 2 and 3) for adjusting the driving force of the motor 7 and an optical dust sensor 10 (see FIGS. 3 and 4).
(See) is provided. These configurations will be described later.

Further, as shown in FIG. 1, on the upper surface of the housing 2, in addition to the power switch 4c for operating the air cleaner 1, various control switches 4a and indicator lights (LEDs) 4b are provided. The operation part 4 is formed. The switches and indicators of the operation unit 4 are electrically connected to the control unit 20. Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the optical dust sensor 10 is provided on one side surface of the housing 2.
A dust detection slit 5 that communicates with the is formed. This allows suspended particles in the air to be introduced into the optical dust sensor 10 in the housing 2.

On the other hand, the front panel 8 is a member detachably attached to the front side of the housing 2 so as to close the front opening of the housing 2. A large number of slits (not shown) are formed in the front panel 8 to allow air containing suspended particles to pass therethrough. A filter unit (not shown) including a HEPA filter, a pre-filter, a deodorizing filter, etc. is replaceably attached to the back side (not shown).

With the above-described configuration, like the conventional fan-type air cleaner, the air cleaner 1 can also perform the air cleaning process for efficiently collecting and removing suspended particles in the air. The outline of the air cleaning process by the air cleaner 1 will be described below. When the motor 7 is driven to rotate, the fan 6 rotates at a predetermined rotation speed, and the outside air is introduced into the housing 2 through the slit of the front panel 8. At this time, the suspended particles in the introduced air are collected by the HEPA filter or the like on the back side of the front panel 8. This removes airborne particles and, as a result, cleans the introduced air. Then, the cleaned air is sequentially supplied to the housing 2 by the fan 6.
It is discharged to the outside of the apparatus from the outlet 3 on the upper surface. In addition,
In the present air cleaner 1, the rotation speed of the motor 7 is controlled in four modes of off (that is, rotation stopped), weak, medium, and strong.

As a result of the operation of the motor 7 in the above four modes, the air cleaning processing capacity of the present air cleaner 1 is appropriately adjusted by changing the rotation speed of the motor 7 (that is, the rotation speed of the fan 6). be able to. That is, by increasing the rotation speed of the motor 7 (up the mode by one rank), the HEP per unit time is increased.
The amount of air passing through the A filter is increased, and as a result, the air cleaning treatment capacity can be increased. On the contrary, by lowering the rotation speed of the motor 7 (decreasing the mode by one rank), the amount of air passing through the HEPA filter per unit time is reduced, and the air purification processing capability is reduced (thus, it becomes quieter). .). In addition, this air purifier 1
In the above, the adjustment of the air cleaning treatment capacity can be automatically and flexibly changed according to the type of suspended particles existing in the air to be treated, that is, the difference in particle size (average particle diameter). This will be described later.

Next, the adjusting mechanism of the air cleaning capacity which characterizes the present air cleaner 1 will be described. 2. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a rough structure of the air cleaning capacity adjusting mechanism in the air cleaner 1. Further, FIG. 3 shows a basic circuit configuration relating to an adjusting mechanism of the air cleaning processing capacity. As shown in FIG. 2, in the air purifier 1, the optical dust sensor 10 and the detection data storage means 25 are connected around the control unit 20. Further, the operation unit 4 (various switches, etc.) is also electrically connected to the control unit 20, and is configured such that the power ON / OFF operation and the air volume switching operation (the mode change) can be performed manually. There is. The control unit 20 operates the motor 7 based on an operation signal input from various switches on the operation unit 4 installed on the surface of the air cleaner 1 or a signal received from a detection data storage unit 25 described later. To control the output value of electric power supplied to the motor 7 (that is, the fan 6
Rotation speed), and for setting or changing the reference value. As shown in FIG. 3, the control unit 20 basically includes a CPU (processor) 21, a storage device 22 such as a ROM and a RAM, and input / output interfaces 23a and 23b. CPU
21 generally controls the operation of the air cleaner 1 according to a predetermined control program stored in the storage device 22. Note that the configuration itself such as the connection between the operation unit 4 and the control unit 20 can be performed by a known technique in the relevant field, and thus detailed description thereof will be omitted.

On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the detection data storage means 25 has a comparison circuit 26 for comparing the detection signal from the optical dust sensor 10 with a reference value and a pulse output from the comparison circuit 26 per unit time. A counter 27 that counts the number of pulses, and a storage device 2 that stores the number of pulses per unit time counted by the counter 27
It is composed of two. This comparison circuit 26 has a typical O
The circuit configuration is centered on the P amplifier 26a. As a result, the detection signal received from the optical dust sensor 10 can be compared with a predetermined voltage value (that is, a reference value), and a pulse wave corresponding to the comparison result can be transmitted to the counter 27 described later. Further, in the present invention, the comparison circuit 26 is provided with the reference value switching unit 26b. As shown in FIG. 3, the reference value switching unit 26b includes resistors R1, R2 and
R3, R4 and switching transistors Q1, Q
This is a circuit configuration in which 2 and Q3 are connected in parallel. The bases of the transistors Q1, Q2, Q3 are connected to the interface unit 23a of the control unit 20. As is apparent from this configuration, the control unit 20 applies a base voltage to some of the transistors Q1, Q2, and Q3 to control on / off of the transistors, and as a result, O
Value of voltage applied to P amplifier 26a (ie reference value)
Can be changed. As is clear from FIG.
In this circuit, three switching transistors Q1, Q
OP amplifier 26a because Q2 and Q3 exist in parallel
It is possible to change the supply voltage value (reference value) to the total of four levels. On the other hand, the counter 27 can count the number of pulses input per unit time and transmit such information to the control unit 20.

Next, the optical dust sensor 10 provided in the air cleaner 1 will be described. Note that FIG. 4 schematically shows the outline of the optical dust sensor 10. The optical dust sensor 10 according to the present embodiment is a general type of optical dust sensor that has been conventionally used. That is,
As shown in FIG. 3, the optical dust sensor 1 according to the present embodiment
Reference numeral 0 has a signal conversion unit including a light receiving element (here, a phototransistor) 14 and a resistor R5. As shown in FIG. 4, an air passage 16 communicating with the slit 5 is provided inside the sensor 10, and an intake port 17 and an exhaust port 18 for conducting air to the air passage 16 are provided at both end sides thereof. Are formed respectively. Also, the air passage 1
A light emitting LED 12 and a light receiving element (here, a phototransistor) 14 are provided at positions facing each other with 6 in between. As a result of such a configuration, when infrared light is emitted from the light emitting LED 12 to a predetermined position in the ventilation path 16, the irradiation light is reflected by the floating particles existing at the position, and the light is received by the light receiving element 14, and the light receiving element 14 receives the light. The light energy received by is converted into electric energy there and emitted as a detection signal according to the degree of suspended particles.

Next, the content of the air cleaning capacity adjusting process according to the present embodiment, which is performed based on the above-mentioned configuration, will be described. Note that FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an outline of the processing content of the air cleaning capacity adjustment processing. First, the outline of the processing procedure is shown. In the air purifier 1, first, when the power switch 4c in the operation unit 4 is turned on and the power is turned on, the CPU 21 determines whether or not the power has just been turned on (step S01). Initialization processing is performed (step S02). That is, the dust sensor 10 is operated while the motor 7 is operated in the weak mode, and the monitoring of the suspended particles is started. Then
The process of setting the reference value is performed every predetermined time (step S03). That is, the transistors Q1 and Q
By adding a base voltage to some of Q2 and Q3, one of the selectable reference values (here, four steps) is set. Then, as a determination process, the comparison circuit 26 compares the reference value with the detection signal, and the detection data is stored under certain conditions (step S04). Then, based on the detection data, control processing of the rotation speed of the motor 7 (step S0
5) is performed.

Next, the procedure of the air cleaning capacity adjusting process will be described in more detail with reference to the circuit configuration (FIG. 3).
It is to be noted that FIG. 6 schematically shows from the acquisition of the detection data in the detection data storage means 25 to the transmission to the control unit 20. In the present embodiment, the detection signal emitted from the optical dust sensor 10 is transmitted to the comparison circuit 26 which is a component of the detection data storage means 25. In the comparison circuit 26 (OP amplifier 26a), the level (peak voltage value) of the detection signal and the reference value switching unit 2 are set.
The comparison with the reference voltage value corresponding to the one reference value set in 6b is performed.

Then, the OP amplifier 26a continues to output a constant high level while the level of the detection signal does not exceed the value of the reference value. Then, when the level of the detection signal exceeds the value of the reference value, the output is switched to a constant low level output. As a result, the fact that the detection signal exceeds the reference value is transmitted to the counter 27 as a downward pulse (see FIG. 8B described later). In the counter 27, the input pulse is processed into detection data per unit time and transmitted / stored in the control unit 20 / storage device 22 at a predetermined interval. Accordingly, the control unit 20 (CPU 21) compares the stored detection data with the preprogrammed determination value.
Then, the power supplied to the motor 7 is controlled according to the difference and the rotation speed is changed to change the air cleaning capacity. That is, when there is more detection data than the predetermined determination value (that is, when a relatively large number of suspended particles that generate a detection signal exceeding the reference value per predetermined time are detected), the rotation speed of the motor 7 is increased. . On the other hand, if the detection data is less than the predetermined determination value (that is, if there are not many floating particles that generate a detection signal exceeding the reference value per predetermined time),
The rotation speed of the motor 7 is reduced.

The procedure specifically executed by the CPU 21 is as follows. 7. FIG. 7 is a chart showing a flow of processing for controlling the rotation speed of the motor 7. First, the determination value CNTB corresponding to the one reference value is selected, and the detection data CN obtained corresponding to the one reference value is selected.
It is determined whether T1 exceeds the determination value CNTB (step S11). Thus, the detection data CNT
When it is determined that 1 is greater than the determination value CNTB, the motor rotation speed RP is increased by one mode except when the rotation speed RP of the motor 7 is already the maximum (RH) (step S12). Output processing is performed (step S13). As a result, the air cleaning processing capacity can be improved by one mode. On the other hand, when it is determined in step S11 that the detection data CNT1 does not exceed the determination value CNTB, the rotation speed RP of the motor is already at the minimum (RH) (step S14). , Rotation speed RP
The output process is performed to reduce the mode by 1 (step S1).
5). By this, the air purification processing capacity is increased 1
It can be reduced by the amount of mode. In this way, the adjustment of the air cleaning capacity can be realized based on the detection data.

By the way, in the present air cleaner 1, two or more different values are prepared as the reference values in order to embody the present invention. The case where two reference values are prepared will be described below. For the sake of convenience, here, a relatively small value is used as the reference value A, and a relatively large value is used as the reference value B. According to the present air cleaner 1, by preparing such two reference values, it is possible to realize the appropriate automatic adjustment of the air cleaning capacity according to the difference in the particle diameter of the suspended particles. Hereinafter, this will be described with reference to the drawings. 8 and 9 are diagrams showing the relationship between the two reference values A and B prepared in this embodiment and the detection signal appearance patterns of two types of suspended particles having different particle sizes.

FIG. 8 shows cigarette smoke and two reference values A and B.
Shows the relationship with. As described above, the smoke has a small particle size and is present in a high concentration, so that the peak value of the detection signal is relatively low and continuously occurs as shown in FIG. 8A. At this time, if the reference value A is adopted as the reference value, many peak values will exceed the reference value A, as shown in FIG. As a result, FIG.
As shown in (b), more pulses are transmitted from the comparison circuit 26 to the counter 27 per unit time (t). On the other hand, the reference value B as the reference value
In the case where is adopted, only a small number of peak values can exceed the reference value B (here, only one), as shown in FIG. As a result, as shown in FIG. 8C, the number of pulses transmitted from the comparison circuit 26 per unit time (t) is significantly limited. Therefore, when the suspended particles to be purified are tobacco smoke, it is obvious that the reference value A among these two reference values should be set as the reference value for adjusting the air cleaning capacity. This is because, depending on the reference value B, even if the cigarette smoke concentration is actually high, almost no detection data regarding cigarette smoke can be obtained.

On the other hand, FIG. 9 shows the relationship between the dust having a relatively large average particle diameter and the above two reference values A and B. As described above, due to the characteristics that cotton dust has a large particle size and a relatively low concentration, as shown in FIG. 9A, peak values of detection signals are relatively high and sparsely occur. Due to this characteristic, even when the reference value A is adopted as the reference value or the reference value B is adopted as the reference value, the peak value exceeds each of the reference values A and B in substantially the same manner. As a result, as shown in FIGS. 9B and 9C, the unit time (t) from the comparison circuit 26 is changed by any reference value.
Therefore, almost the same number of pulses are output. Therefore, when the suspended particles to be purified are cotton dust, it is possible to set the reference value B of these two reference values as the reference value for adjusting the air cleaning capacity. Further, in this case, since a detection signal due to cigarette smoke is rarely added as detection data, as a result, only suspended particles having a large average particle diameter such as cotton dust can be selectively discriminated and detected.

As described above, the detection data and pattern obtained per unit time may differ depending on the size of the reference value. Therefore, the air cleaning processing capacity can be appropriately adjusted based on the detection data having different contents by appropriately switching the reference value. Hereinafter, a preferred specific example of such adjustment processing will be described.

Description will be made with reference to FIG. First, the control unit 20 performs on / off control of the switching transistors Q1, Q2, and Q3 every unit time (for example, 10 minutes) to sequentially switch the reference value. For example, when setting two reference values (A, B: for example, 2V and 6V) as described above, on / off control of the switching transistor Q1 is performed in the circuit shown in FIG. 3 (that is, here). The other two switching transistors Q2,
By not using Q3), the reference value can be switched alternately (step S03 above). Therefore,
The determination value is switched every unit time so as to correspond to the two reference values A and B. Note that, preferably, between these two determination values, the value of the determination value corresponding to the reference value A (hereinafter, referred to as “determination value a”) is the determination value corresponding to the reference value B ( Below, "judgment value b"
And ) Is set to be larger than the value of.
As a result, in the case of airborne particles having a small average particle size and high density, such as the above-mentioned cigarette smoke, the rotation speed of the motor 7 is adjusted when the detection data per unit time is relatively large. On the other hand, in the case of floating particles having a large average particle size and relatively sparsely present in the air, such as the above dust, even if the detection data per unit time is relatively small, The rotation speed can be adjusted.

Thus, while switching the reference values A and B for each unit time and switching the determination values a and b accordingly,
The determination process (step S04) and the motor rotation control process (step S05) are performed. As a result, if the threshold value for air purification processing capacity switching for airborne particles with a small average particle size such as cigarette smoke is different from the threshold value for air cleaning processing capacity switching for airborne particles with a large average particle size such as cotton dust. In addition, the air cleaning process can be appropriately performed. Preferably, if the detection data per unit time exceeds the determination value in any one of the determination regarding the reference value A and the determination regarding the reference value B, that process is prioritized to increase the motor rotation speed ( The above step S13) is performed. For example, when a relatively large amount of cotton dust is present in the air, the detection data per unit time counted with respect to the reference value A corresponding to cigarette smoke does not exceed the determination value a (therefore, from the determination value a The motor rotation speed is not controlled up) in many cases. However, in the air purifier of this aspect, thereafter, the reference value is switched and the determination processing is performed, and the detection data per unit time counted for the reference value B corresponding to cotton dust and the like exceeds the determination value b. Thus, the motor rotation speed is up-controlled, and the air cleaning processing capacity can be immediately improved in response to the air pollution due to the dust.

Although the preferred embodiment of the air purifier of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. Hereinafter, various modified examples preferable as the air cleaner of the present invention will be described.

In the above-mentioned embodiment, the two different reference values are prepared and the air purification treatment capacity is automatically adjusted. However, the prepared reference values need not be limited to two.
It may be three or more. For example, for cigarette smoke, a low reference value (for example, 2V) is set to make a detection signal equal to or higher than a predetermined peak value as detection data, and for mite carcasses and fine dust, a medium reference value larger than the above low reference value. Value (eg 4V)
Further, a large reference value (for example, 6 V) larger than the above low reference value and medium reference value may be provided for giant suspended particles such as pollen and cotton dust. Further, determination values corresponding to these three or more reference values may be provided separately. These can be realized by appropriately changing a predetermined control program stored in the storage device of the control unit, based on the information about the basis of the invention disclosed in this specification. Further, according to the circuit configuration shown in FIG. 3, the voltage value (reference value) supplied to the OP amplifier 26a can be varied depending on how many of the switching transistors Q1, Q2, Q3 are turned on. A total of four reference values can be set.

The adjustment of the above-mentioned air purification processing capacity is
It is understood by those skilled in the art that the circuit configuration is not limited to that shown in FIG. 3 and various circuit configurations can be adopted. For example, unlike the circuit shown in FIG. 3, the circuit shown in FIG. 10 has resistors R11 and R1 in the reference value switching unit.
2, R13, R14 are arranged in series, and switching transistors Q11, Q1 are provided at different positions, respectively.
2 and Q13 are arranged. Even with this configuration,
The voltage value (reference value) applied to the OP amplifier 26a can be made different depending on which of the switching transistors Q11, Q12, Q13 is turned on. Therefore, the above-described adjustment of the air purification processing capability can be preferably performed even with the circuit configuration illustrated in FIG. 10.

Alternatively, a circuit configuration as shown in FIG. 11 is also suitable. Unlike the circuit shown in FIG. 3, the circuit shown in the figure has resistors R21, R22, R2 in the reference value switching unit.
3, R24 and R25 are arranged in series, and at four points having mutually different resistance values, the OP amplifier 36a,
36b, 36c, 36d and counters 37a, 37
b, 37c and 37d are connected to each other. Also, each O
The P amplifiers 36a, 36b, 36c, 36d and the counters 37a, 37b, 37c, 37d are connected in parallel to the output line from the dust sensor 10. At the same time, each of the counters 37a, 37b, 37c, 37d is controlled by the control unit 2.
It is connected to 0. According to this configuration, the above-mentioned FIG.
Unlike the circuit configuration shown in FIG.
As a, 36b, 36c, 36d are separately provided for each reference value, the detection signal output from the dust sensor 10 can be simultaneously compared based on each reference value,
Each detection data corresponding to each reference value can be detected and stored at the same time. Therefore, according to this circuit configuration,
It is not necessary to switch the reference value for each unit time and perform the determination process as in the air purifier 1 according to the above-described embodiment, and it is possible to more accurately adjust the air cleaning treatment capacity for each average particle size of suspended particles. It can be carried out.

Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 12, the reference data switching unit may be a circuit constituted by a DA output device 29. According to such a configuration, the reference value can be set linearly and arbitrarily, so that it becomes possible to more flexibly adjust the air cleaning processing capacity (that is, set or change the reference value).

Further, when adjusting the air cleaning processing capacity, the judgment value may be different depending on whether the motor rotation speed is increased or decreased.

[0041]

[Table 1]

For example, as shown in Table 1, the judgment values corresponding to the three reference values (1 to 3 in the table) are made different when the motor rotation speed is increased and when the motor rotation speed is decreased, and the operation mode is further set. The determination value may be different depending on (weak, medium, strong). This will be described below.
In Table 1, when the reference value 1 corresponding to the suspended particles having a small average particle size is selected, the determination value CNTB1up for switching the motor rotation speed mode from weak to medium is 50 (pulse / unit time), The judgment value CNTB1down for switching from the medium mode to the weak mode is lower than 25.
Is set to. Similarly, the determination value is also different for switching between the medium mode and the strong mode. The same applies to the case where reference values 2 and 3 corresponding to suspended particles having a larger average particle size are selected (see Table 1). Thus, in such a case, the above-mentioned control unit typically processes as follows.

That is, as the judgment value corresponding to the arbitrarily selected reference value (for example, reference value 1), two of the motor rotation speed up (CNTB1up) and the motor rotation speed down (CNTB1down) are set to the current rotation mode. It is also selected. Next, the detection data CNT1 per unit time obtained corresponding to the reference value is compared with the two selected judgment values CNTB1up and CNTB1down. At this time, first, the detection data CNT
It is determined whether 1 is greater than the determination value CNTB1up. Thus, the detection data CNT1 is the judgment value CNT.
If it is determined that the speed is higher than B1up, it is determined whether or not the motor rotation speed RP is already at the maximum (that is, in the strong mode operation), and if not, the motor rotation speed RP.
The output processing for increasing the mode by 1 is performed. Then, the determination values CNTB1up and CNTB1down are changed according to the increased operation mode, and the above process flow is repeated.

On the other hand, the detection data CNT1 is the judgment value C.
If it is determined that NTB1up is not exceeded, then the detection data CNT1 is determined to be the determination value CNTB1d.
It is determined whether it is below own. Then, when it is determined that the detection data CNT1 is below the determination value CNTB1down, it is determined whether or not the motor rotation speed RP is already the lowest (that is, the stopped state or the weak mode operation), Otherwise, the motor rotation speed RP
The output processing is performed to reduce the mode by 1. Then, the determination values CNTB1up and CNTB1down are changed according to the down operation mode, and the above process flow is repeated.

As described above, it is possible to prevent the motor rotation speed from being excessively switched by making the determination values different when the motor rotation speed is increased and when the motor rotation speed is decreased. . Further, by setting the determination value for lowering the motor rotation speed lower than the determination value for increasing the motor rotation speed, hunting for capacity switching can be prevented and the air cleaning process can be performed more reliably.

Alternatively, instead of the above control method, for each of the reference values (that is, 1 to 3 in Table 1), two determinations, one for increasing the motor rotation speed (CNTBup) and one for lowering the motor rotation speed (CNTBdown) are performed. When the value and the detection data CNT per unit time are compared individually or simultaneously, and it is determined that the motor rotation speed increasing (CNTBup) determination value is exceeded for any one of the reference values, that is Process for increasing the rotation speed of the motor by priority, and processing for decreasing the rotation speed of the motor only when it is determined that all the reference values are below the determination value for motor rotation speed down (CNTBdown) You may go. Hereinafter, a typical example of such a processing flow will be described.

For example, after determining the current motor operation mode, first, the motor rotation speed increasing (CNTB1up) determination value corresponding to the reference value 1 corresponding to the operation mode and the reference value 1 are obtained. The detection data CNT1 per unit time is compared. Here, it is determined whether or not the detection data CNT1 exceeds the determination value CNTB1up. When it is determined that the detection data CNT1 exceeds the determination value CNTB1up,
Except when the motor rotation speed RP is already at the maximum (during strong mode operation), output processing for increasing the motor rotation speed RP by one mode is performed, and the process is returned to the beginning of the processing flow and repeated.

On the other hand, the detection data CNT1 is the judgment value C.
If it does not exceed NTB1up, then the motor rotation speed increasing (CNTB2up) determination value corresponding to the reference value 2 corresponding to the operation mode and the unit time per unit time obtained corresponding to the reference value 2 The detection data CNT2 is compared. Here, the detection data CNT2 is the determination value C
It is determined whether or not NTB2up is exceeded. When it is determined that the detection data CNT2 exceeds the determination value CNTB2up, the motor rotation speed R
Except when P is already the highest, an output process for increasing the motor rotation speed RP by one mode is performed, and the process is returned to the beginning of the process flow and repeated.

On the other hand, the detection data CNT2 is the judgment value C.
If it does not exceed NTB2up, next, the motor rotation speed increasing (CNTB3up) determination value corresponding to the reference value 3 corresponding to the operation mode and the unit time per unit time obtained corresponding to the reference value 3 are obtained. The detection data CNT3 is compared. Here, the detection data CNT3 is the judgment value C
It is determined whether or not it exceeds NTB3up. If it is determined that the detection data CNT3 exceeds the determination value CNTB3up, the motor rotation speed R
Except when P is already the highest, an output process for increasing the motor rotation speed RP by one mode is performed, and the process is returned to the beginning of the process flow and repeated.

If the judgment value CNTB3up is not exceeded, then, for the motor rotation speed reduction (CNTB1dow) corresponding to the reference value 1 corresponding to the operation mode.
n) The determination value and the detection data CNT1 per unit time obtained corresponding to the reference value 1 are compared. here,
It is determined whether or not the detection data CNT1 is below the determination value CNTB1down. When it is determined that the detection data CNT1 is not below the determination value CNTB1down, the motor rotation speed RP is not changed,
It returns to the beginning of the processing flow and is repeated.

On the other hand, if it is below the judgment value CNTB1down, next, the reference value 2 corresponding to the operation mode concerned.
For motor speed reduction corresponding to (CNTB2down)
The determination value and the detection data CNT2 per unit time obtained corresponding to the reference value 2 are compared. Here, it is determined whether or not the detection data CNT2 is below the determination value CNTB2down. Therefore, the detection data CN
When it is determined that T2 is not lower than the determination value CNTB2down, the motor rotation speed RP is not changed, and the process is returned to the beginning and repeated.

If it is below the judgment value CNTB2down, the motor rotation speed is lowered (CNTB3dow) corresponding to the reference value 3 corresponding to the operation mode.
n) The determination value and the detection data CNT3 per unit time obtained corresponding to the reference value 3 are compared. here,
It is determined whether or not the detection data CNT3 is below the determination value CNTB3down. When it is determined that the detection data CNT3 is not below the determination value CNTB3down, the motor rotation speed RP is not changed,
It returns to the beginning of the processing flow and is repeated.

When it is determined that the detection data CNT3 is below the determination value CNTB3down,
That is, in this processing flow, each detection data CN
Each judgment value CN corresponding to any of T1, 2, and 3
If it is determined that the value is below TB1down, 2down, 3down, the output process for reducing the motor rotation speed RP by one mode is performed unless the motor rotation speed RP is already at the minimum, and the first in the processing flow. Return to and repeat.

The above processing flow is merely an example, and various other processing flow configurations can be adopted as long as the same motor rotation speed control as described above can be performed. For example, the comparison processing of each detection data corresponding to the above three reference values and the corresponding motor rotation speed up determination value and motor rotation speed down determination value is performed simultaneously (prior to), and each obtained comparison result The motor output processing similar to the above may be performed based on the above.

Further, the air purification processing capacity adjusting mechanism according to the above-described embodiment is automatically performed according to the above-described processing flows (FIG. 5) based on the detection signal from the optical dust sensor (that is, the unit). The processing is performed by switching the reference value every time), but like the conventional air purifier, in addition to such automatic adjustment, one reference value is arbitrarily selected from the prepared multiple reference values. Then, a switching means may be provided for forcibly performing the air cleaning capacity adjustment process continuously based on the one reference value. For example, in the circuit configuration shown in FIG. 3, the on / off control from the control unit 20 to the switching transistors Q1, Q2, Q3 is shut down, and the switching transistors Q1, Q2, Q3 are directly operated by the switch operation from the control unit 4. By configuring the switching means for performing various on / off operations, the air cleaning capacity adjustment process can be continuously performed based on the one reference value. Alternatively, in the case of the circuit configuration shown in FIG. 12, based on the input from the operation unit 4 to the control unit 20, a constant reference value (voltage) is continuously maintained and the DA output device 29 outputs O.
A control means for outputting to the P amplifier 26a may be used.

[0056]

According to the air cleaner of the present invention, two or more different reference values can be selectively used according to the airborne particles having different average particle diameters such as cigarette smoke and cotton dust. Therefore, it is possible to determine the type (size) of the floating particles that actually exist and obtain different detection data for each type of the floating particles. With the air cleaner of the present invention, it is possible to realize automatic adjustment of the air cleaning capacity for each such detection data. Therefore, according to the air cleaner of the present invention, it is possible to adjust the air cleaning capacity in accordance with the average particle size of the suspended particles in the actual use environment.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view schematically showing an example of an air cleaner of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing an adjusting mechanism of the air cleaning processing capacity in the air cleaner of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram which constitutes an air purification processing capacity adjusting mechanism in the air cleaner of the present invention according to one embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory view schematically showing the structure of an optical dust sensor in the air cleaner of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a chart showing the overall flow of the air cleaning processing capacity adjustment processing in the air cleaner of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram schematically showing a configuration of detection data storage means in the air cleaner of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a motor rotation speed control process in adjusting the air cleaning process capacity in the air cleaner of the present invention.

8A and 8B are explanatory diagrams showing a relationship between cigarette smoke and a reference value, FIG. 8A shows a peak value of a detection signal generated per unit time, and FIG. 8B is a pulse generated at the reference value A. And (c) shows the mode of the generated pulse at the reference value B.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing a relationship between cotton dust and a reference value,
(A) shows the peak value of the detection signal generated per unit time, (b) shows the form of the generated pulse at the reference value A, and (c) shows the form of the generated pulse at the reference value B. Shows.

FIG. 10 is a circuit diagram which constitutes an air purification processing capacity adjusting mechanism in the air cleaner of the present invention according to one embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a circuit diagram which constitutes an air purification processing capacity adjusting mechanism in the air cleaner of the present invention according to one embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a circuit diagram which constitutes an air purification processing capacity adjusting mechanism in the air cleaner of the present invention according to one embodiment.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing the relationship between particle size and scattered light intensity.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 air purifier 4 operation part 6 fans 7 motor 8 front panel 10 Optical dust sensor 12 LED 14 Light receiving element (phototransistor) 20 Control unit 25 Detection data storage means 26 Comparison circuit 26a, 36a, 36b, 36c, 36d OP amplifier 27, 37a, 37b, 37c, 37d counter

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (56) References Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 1-315356 (JP, A) Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 3-30809 (JP, A) Actual Development Japanese Laid-Open No. 4-137725 (JP, U) (58) Field (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) B01D 46/00-46/54

Claims (8)

(57) [Claims] 1. A sensor for optically detecting suspended particles,
In an air purifier equipped with a detection data storage means for converting a detection signal from the sensor into detection data and storing the data, and a controller for adjusting the air cleaning processing capacity based on the detection data, comparison with the detection signal Two or three or more reference values are provided with different values, and the number of detection signals from the sensor that exceeds the reference value is set as detection data corresponding to the reference value for each reference value. An air purifier configured to be stored in each of the detection data storage means. 2. When the average particle size of the suspended particles is relatively small, the air cleaning process is performed based on the detection data obtained corresponding to a reference value having a relatively small value among the different reference values. When the capacity is adjusted and the average particle size of the suspended particles is relatively large, the air is detected based on the detection data obtained corresponding to the relatively large reference value among the different reference values. The air purifier according to claim 1, wherein the cleaning treatment capacity is adjusted. 3. The air cleaner according to claim 1, wherein a determination value to be compared with the detection data stored in the detection data storage means is prepared corresponding to each reference value. 4. The judgment value is prepared in accordance with each reference value, that is, one for adjusting the air purification processing capacity to be increased and one for adjusting the air cleaning processing capacity to be lowered. The air cleaner according to claim 3, which is provided. 5. The reference value having a relatively large value among the two or three or more reference values is a reference value having a relatively large value among the two or three or more reference values. The air purifier according to claim 3, which is set to be larger than a determination value corresponding to. 6. When the detection data for each of the two or three or more reference values is compared with the corresponding determination value, and the detection data exceeds the determination value in any of the comparisons. The air purifier according to claim 3 or 5, wherein the air purifier is controlled so as to be adjusted in the direction of increasing the air purification treatment capacity. 7. The detection data for each of the two or three or more reference values is compared with a corresponding determination value for adjusting the air purification treatment capacity in a direction to increase the air purification treatment capacity, and in any one of the comparisons. The air purifier according to claim 4, wherein when the detection data exceeds a determination value, the air purifier is controlled so as to be adjusted so as to increase the air purification processing capacity. 8. A switching means for arbitrarily selecting the one reference value for adjusting the air cleaning treatment capacity from the two or three or more reference values is provided. The air purifier according to any one of 1.