JP3852429B2 - Air cleaner - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an air cleaner.

  A home air purifier is generally configured by combining a filter made of non-woven fabric or the like, a filter containing an adsorbent such as activated carbon, and an electric fan so that indoor air is passed through the filter by the electric fan. It is configured to collect dust and deodorize by circulating.

  And in order to improve the dust collection efficiency by the filter, the electrostatic dust collection function using electrostatic force is applied by charging the dust contained in the circulating air upstream of the filter or applying static electricity to the filter. It is configured to be demonstrated.

  As an air purifier that exhibits electrostatic dust collection function, an air purifier (Patent Document 1) in which an ionization unit, an electrostatic filter, a photocatalyst filter, a light source lamp, and a blower fan are sequentially installed in the ventilation direction, or an ionizer (ion generating electrode) An air purification device (Patent Document 2) having a configuration in which a conductive filter is used as a counter electrode of the conductive filter and an ultraviolet ray generation unit is provided upstream of the conductive filter and a photocatalyst is supported on the surface of the conductive filter is proposed. ing. Further, a photocatalytic reaction device (Patent Document 3) has been proposed in which a mesh-like photocatalyst layer is sandwiched between electrodes and the photocatalyst is excited by ultraviolet rays generated by discharge between the electrodes.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-61986 JP-A-10-323579 JP 2002-159829 A

  An air cleaner is desired to exhibit a small size and a high air cleaning capability over a long period of time. In order to realize this, it is necessary to realize a high dust collection efficiency with a small ventilation resistance.

  In order to achieve high dust collection efficiency, it is desirable to use the electrostatic dust collection function. However, if downsizing is desired, the distance between the electrodes of the charging means for charging the dust and the components located nearby are small. Thus, spark discharge easily occurs between them, and when spark discharge occurs, there is a problem that ozone is generated or components are damaged. In addition, the charging means installed so as to cross the air flow path upstream of the filter has a problem of large ventilation resistance.

  In addition, when various filters are installed in multiple stages in the air flow path, there is a problem that ventilation resistance increases.

  One object of the present invention is to prevent the occurrence of spark discharge by the charging means and to suppress the increase in ventilation resistance in a small air cleaner using an electrostatic dust collection function.

Another object of the present invention is to prevent the occurrence of spark discharge by the charging means and suppress the increase of the airflow resistance in a small air cleaner using an electrostatic dust collecting function, and further, dust, odor components, bacteria, the virus, etc. and discharges the photocatalyst filter charged by trapping air ions and charged dust with and efficiently collected by the photocatalytic filter to be able to decompose by the photocatalytic action of the electrostatic dust collecting function of the photocatalyst filter It is to be able to be demonstrated .

  Still another object of the present invention is to provide an air cleaner having a structure that facilitates assembly work.

  Still another object of the present invention is to provide an air cleaner that can safely perform attachment and detachment work of a filter installed on the upstream side of an ion generating electrode that functions as a charging means.

  Still another object of the present invention is to provide an air cleaner that can promote the aggregation of dust contained in room air and can suppress the growth of floating microorganisms.

The present invention is an air cleaner comprising a dust filter, a photocatalytic filter, an ion generating electrode, a counter electrode, an ultraviolet ray generating means, and an electric fan, and generating an electric field accompanied by a preliminary charge by the ion generating electrode and the counter electrode.
The photocatalytic filter includes a dielectric, and the ion generating electrode is installed on the upstream side of the photocatalytic filter, and the counter electrode is installed in contact with the photocatalytic filter on the downstream side of the photocatalytic filter . Rutotomoni polarize dielectrics of the photocatalyst filter by the electric field generated between, configured to exert an electrostatic dust collecting function in the photocatalyst filter by suppressing charging and charge elimination from the photocatalyst filter by the counter electrode It is characterized by that.

The ion generating electrode is installed at a peripheral portion of the photocatalytic filter, and the counter electrode is opposed to the ion generating electrode installation position through a central portion of a ventilation region in the photocatalytic filter. It is placed so as to be in contact with the peripheral edge of.

  An interval of 5 millimeters or more is interposed between the ion generating electrode and the counter electrode.

  Further, the ultraviolet ray generating means is installed on the downstream side of the photocatalytic filter.

  The ion generation electrode is installed in parallel with the upstream surface of the photocatalytic filter so that the corona discharge end portion faces the central portion of the ventilation region of the photocatalytic filter.

Further, the ion generating electrode is installed at a position away from the upstream surface of the photocatalytic filter, and the counter electrode is installed so as to be in contact with the downstream surface of the photocatalytic filter.

  The ion generating electrode is covered with a cover that opens toward the center of the ventilation region of the photocatalytic filter, and this cover is grounded.

  The counter electrode is constituted by a conductor pasted on the downstream side of the photocatalytic filter, and a ground terminal is installed at a position where the counter electrode comes into contact when the photocatalytic filter is incorporated in a housing.

  A switch that includes a front panel and / or a dust filter and / or a deodorizing filter upstream of the photocatalyst filter, and shuts off the power of the ion generating electrode when the front panel and / or the dust filter and / or the deodorizing filter is removed. Is provided.

  Further, another ion generating electrode is installed inside the outlet of the casing.

The small air cleaner using the electrostatic dust collection function of the present invention is such that the photocatalytic filter is dielectrically generated by an electric field generated between the ion generating electrode installed upstream of the photocatalytic filter and the counter electrode installed upstream of the photocatalytic filter. polarized, dust caused the charge or dielectric polarization by the air ions which diffuse occurred upstream of the photocatalytic filter by corona discharge of the ion generating electrode, odor components, bacteria, also an electrostatic precipitator power by photocatalytic filter viruses like action In addition to being able to collect efficiently, dust, odor components or suspended microorganisms adsorbed on the photocatalyst filter can be oxidized and decomposed by the action of the photocatalyst that has received ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet ray generating means, and is opposed to the ion generating electrode. suppressing an increase in ventilation resistance with preventing the occurrence of spark discharge by the charging means constituted by electrodes Door can be. In addition, by removing the photocatalytic filter charged by trapping air ions and charged dust by the counter electrode, the electrostatic dust collecting function can be maintained and electrons are recombined with highly active holes. Therefore, it can be expected to prevent the stabilization.

  Further, the counter electrode is constituted by a conductor pasted on the downstream side of the photocatalyst filter, and when the photocatalyst filter is incorporated in the housing, the counter electrode is configured to be brought into contact with the ground terminal to be easily assembled. become.

  In addition, since the ion generating electrode that functions as the charging means is covered with the cover, the filter installed on the upstream side of the ion generating electrode can be safely attached and detached.

  Moreover, aggregation of dust contained in room air can be promoted by the action of air ions contained in the circulating air that is purified and discharged into the room, and the growth of floating microorganisms can be suppressed.

  A preferred air cleaner according to the present invention includes a front panel, a dust filter, a deodorizing filter, a first ion generation electrode, a photocatalyst filter, a counter electrode, an ultraviolet generation means, and an electric fan in order from the upstream side of the air flow path in the housing. And the second ion generation electrode was installed, and dust, odor components, bacteria, viruses, etc. that were charged or dielectrically polarized by the first ion generation electrode were efficiently collected and decomposed by the photocatalytic filter, and became clean. Ions are given to the air by the second ion generating electrode and discharged.

The photocatalyst filter is configured to support a photocatalyst using a dielectric as a base material, and the ion generating electrode is installed on the peripheral edge of the upstream side of the photocatalyst filter, and the central portion of the ventilation region in the photocatalyst filter is interposed. Then, the counter electrode is placed so as to be in contact with the photocatalytic filter by being positioned at the peripheral edge of the photocatalytic filter facing the ion generating electrode placement position. The ion generating electrode is configured as a carbon brush formed by bundling a large number of ultrafine carbon fibers, covered with a cover, and corona discharge is generated at the tip of the ion generating electrode by the electric field generated between the ion generating electrode and the counter electrode. And the dielectric of the photocatalytic filter is polarized to cause the photocatalytic filter to exhibit an electrostatic dust collecting function.

  The ultraviolet ray generating means is installed on the downstream side of the photocatalytic filter.

  FIG. 1 is a longitudinal side view of the air cleaner according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG.

  The air cleaner according to the first embodiment includes a housing 1, a control device 2, a front panel 3, a dust filter 5, a deodorizing filter 6, a photocatalyst filter 7, a first ion generating electrode 8, ultraviolet ray generating means 9a to 9d, and a counter. An electrode 10, a fan motor 12, a fan 13, a second ion generation electrode 14, and a partition plate 17 are provided. These components are, in order from the upstream side of the air flow path, the front panel 3, the dust filter 5, the deodorizing filter 6, the first ion generating electrode 8, the photocatalytic filter 7, the counter electrode 10, the ultraviolet generating means 9a to 9d, A partition plate 17, a fan motor 12, a fan 13, and a second ion generation electrode 14 are disposed.

  The front panel 3 includes air inlets 4a, 4b, and 4c, and the housing 1 includes an air outlet 16 on the upper surface thereof.

  The dust removal filter 5 and the deodorization filter 6 are detachably installed to collect or collect the collected dust and odor components in order to clean or replace them. The ion generating electrode 8 is removed when the front panel 3, the dust removing filter 5 or the deodorizing filter 6 is removed so that the operator does not get an electric shock when the dust removing filter 5 and the deodorizing filter 6 are removed. It is desirable to provide a switch for shutting off the power source.

  The dust removing filter 5 and the deodorizing filter 6 may be bonded and integrated. The deodorizing filter 6 is configured by filling or carrying an adsorbent such as activated carbon.

  The photocatalytic filter 7 is configured to carry a photocatalyst using a dielectric as a base material.

  The ion generating electrode 8 is configured as a carbon brush formed by bundling a plurality (several thousand to several tens of thousands) of ultrafine carbon fibers. Since the carbon brush formed by bundling ultrafine carbon fibers is rich in flexibility, even if the operator's fingers come into contact with the air cleaner when it is disassembled, it will not be damaged. In addition, a carbon brush formed by bundling a large number of carbon fibers has a stable ion generation amount in the long term. However, the ion generating electrode 8 is not limited to a carbon brush, and may be a member where an electric field is concentrated, that is, a thin wire made of a metal or conductor with a sharp tip.

  Such an ion generating electrode 8 is positioned near the upstream peripheral portion of the photocatalytic filter 7 in the upper part between the deodorizing filter 6 and the photocatalytic filter 7, and the corona discharge end of the carbon brush is in the photocatalytic filter 7. The photocatalytic filter 7 is installed so as to be substantially parallel to the upstream surface of the photocatalytic filter 7 so as to face the central portion of the ventilation region. Since the cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the ventilation direction of the air flow path in Example 1 is a quadrangle, and the outer peripheral shape of the photocatalyst filter 7 is also a quadrangle, the ion generating electrode 8 is formed at the peripheral part of the upper side of the quadrangle. The installation state is such that the corona discharge end of the carbon brush faces downwards at the center.

  The counter electrode 10 is located downstream of the photocatalytic filter 7 so as to face the installation position of the ion generating electrode 8 with a central portion of the ventilation region in the photocatalytic filter 7 interposed between the photocatalytic filter 7 and the partition plate 17. Installed on the side edge. Since the photocatalytic filter 7 in the first embodiment is square, the counter electrode 10 has a shape extending along the peripheral edge of the lower side of the photocatalytic filter 7 over substantially the entire width of the lower side. The counter electrode 10 is preferably brought into contact with the downstream surface of the photocatalytic filter 7. The counter electrode 10 is electrically connected to the ground 11. The counter electrode 10 preferably has a shape that does not exist on a straight line that passes through the tip of the ion generating electrode 8 and includes a frame of the photocatalytic filter 7.

The ion generating electrode 8 and the counter electrode 10 constitute a charging means, and by adopting such an arrangement, it is possible to prevent a spark discharge from occurring in the distance between the ion generating electrode 8 and the counter electrode 10, Furthermore, the air flow resistance by the ion generating electrode 8 and the counter electrode 10 can be reduced, and the thickness dimension of the air cleaner in the air flow direction can be reduced.

  Here, the difference between spark discharge and corona discharge will be described. A spark discharge is a gas discharge with strong sound and light. When a voltage is applied between electrodes in a relatively high pressure gas and the temperature is gradually raised, the gas suddenly loses its insulating ability, and a large current flows with a bursting sound and sparks between the two electrodes. Corona discharge, on the other hand, is a form of gas discharge, but it is a weak light emission discharge that appears due to partial dielectric breakdown where the electric field on the surface is large when the electric field between conductors is not equal. Yes, tip discharge, creeping discharge, and brush discharge are applicable.

  Since the spark discharge has a larger current than the corona discharge and the energy to be released is high, energy loss accompanying the discharge is large, ozone is generated in a large amount, and there is a great safety problem. In order to prevent the generated ozone from being released outside the apparatus, it is necessary to use an ozonolysis catalyst, which increases the ventilation resistance.

  The corona discharge electrode 8 in Example 1 generates ozone with a small energy loss by generating a corona discharge from the ion generation electrode 8 by applying a voltage to the ion generation electrode 8 under the condition that no spark discharge occurs. Without generating air ions.

  The photocatalyst constituting the photocatalyst filter 7 is a substance that absorbs light and gives its energy to the reactant to cause a chemical reaction. Specifically, it is titanium oxide, zinc oxide, tungsten oxide or the like having an anatase type crystal structure, and the water generated by the irradiation of light containing ultraviolet rays is absorbed by the surface of the photocatalyst. Takes electrons from the molecule and generates active oxygen. And this active oxygen decomposes | disassembles the organic substance and odor component which adhered to the surface of the photocatalyst. This action extends to microorganisms and has the effect of killing or inactivating bacteria and viruses.

  As a photocatalyst, anatase type titanium oxide has the highest reactivity. In the case of titanium oxide, sufficient reactivity is exhibited even with weak ultraviolet rays, and for example, ammonia, acetaldehyde, acetic acid, trimethylamine, methyl mercaptan, hydrogen sulfide, styrene, methyl sulfide and isovaleric acid can be decomposed and removed.

  The interaction between the ion generating electrode 8 installed on the upstream side of the photocatalytic filter 7 and the counter electrode 10 installed on the downstream side of the photocatalytic filter 7 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the behavior of the electric field and air ions generated by the ion generating electrode 8 and the counter electrode 10, and FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the dielectric polarization of the molecules constituting the photocatalytic filter 7.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, by applying a negative high voltage to the ion generating electrode 8, an electric field 31 is generated through the photocatalytic filter 7 from the counter electrode 10 toward the ion generating electrode 8. Then, a very strong electric field is generated in the vicinity of the tip of the ion generating electrode 8 to cause partial dielectric breakdown, thereby generating a corona discharge at the tip of the ion generating electrode 8. Here, the applied high voltage is desirably 1 to 6 kilovolts, and more desirably 3 to 5 kilovolts. This is because when the applied voltage is too low, corona discharge does not occur, and when the applied voltage is too high, ozone is generated as air ions are generated.

  Air ions (negative ions) 101 are generated on the upstream side of the photocatalytic filter 7 when electrons emitted by the corona discharge generated from the ion generating electrode 8 collide with air, and in the direction indicated by the solid line 103 by the action of the electric field 31. Released. The air ions are basically attracted by the Coulomb force and move toward the counter electrode 10. However, the air ions repel each other air ions 102 having the same sign and are charged along the direction of the electric field 31. However, it diffuses at a high speed in the ventilation region upstream of the photocatalytic filter 7. Experiments have confirmed that the air ions 101 may travel in the opposite direction of the air flow. When electrons or air ions collide with dust in the air, the dust is neutralized or charged to be precharged. The neutralized dust aggregates due to the intermolecular force between the dusts, and the charged dust is combined with the oppositely charged dust flowing in from upstream by the Coulomb force. For this reason, the dust increases in diameter and is easily captured by the photocatalytic filter 7.

  The photocatalytic filter 7 generates dielectric polarization by the electric field 31 generated between the ion generating electrode 8 and the counter electrode 10 and exhibits an electrostatic dust collecting (electrostatic filter) action. In the same way, it functions so as to easily adsorb dust and odor components that are dielectrically polarized (electrostatic dust collection function). That is, as shown in FIG. 4, the constituent molecules 104 inside the photocatalytic filter 7, such as resin and photocatalyst (titanium oxide), are biased in the distribution of electrons inside the molecules by the electric force generated by the electric field 31. Dielectric polarization occurs in a direction that cancels the electric field 31.

  In Example 1, since the ion generating electrode 8 is a negative electrode, positive charges are collected on the upstream surface of the photocatalytic filter 7. Since the fine particles 111 and the odor component 112 that are neutralized or negatively charged by electrons or air ions on the upstream side of the photocatalyst filter 7 also cause dielectric polarization by the electric field 31, as in the photocatalyst filter 7, the fine particles 111 and the odor component 112 It is attracted to the photocatalytic filter 7 and is easily adsorbed. This phenomenon occurs similarly when the ion generating electrode 8 is a positive electrode. In this case, the positive / negative signs are opposite to the illustrated state.

  In the figure, the symbols added to the upper right of the fine particles 111 and the odor component 112 mean that the fine particles 111 and the odor component 112 are negatively charged, and those without the symbol are neutralized and charged. Means no.

The counter electrode 10 brought into contact with the photocatalyst filter 7 can neutralize the charged photocatalyst filter 7 by trapping air ions and charged dust and at the same time removes electricity from the photocatalyst filter 7, that is, removes electrons. Thus, recombination of holes and electrons can be suppressed. The photocatalyst of the photocatalyst filter 7 is excited by ultraviolet rays to generate highly active holes. However, the photocatalyst 7 tends to recombine with the excited electrons and stabilize, and the counter electrode 10 removes the electrons to remove them. Can be prevented. The removal of electrons from the photocatalytic filter 7 is an effect obtained when the ion generating electrode 8 is a negative electrode.

  Experiments have confirmed that air ions not only have the effect of diffusing against the air flow, but also have the effect of suppressing the growth of microorganisms. This action can suppress the growth of microorganisms in the region from the deodorizing filter 6 to the photocatalytic filter 7.

  Here, the ground 11 is schematically shown, and in practice, one of the AC power supplies may be regarded as the ground 11 and connected.

  The ultraviolet ray generators 9 a to 9 d are installed at four corners between the photocatalytic filter 7 and the partition plate 17, and supply ultraviolet rays to a wide range of the downstream surface of the photocatalytic filter 7. In the first embodiment, the ultraviolet ray generators 9 a to 9 d are ultraviolet light emitting diodes (UV-LEDs), and the direction of the light beam is directed to the back surface of the photocatalytic filter 7 from the viewpoint of the directivity of ultraviolet ray irradiation and the ultraviolet ray irradiation area. It is desirable to provide the incident light in the range of 0 ° to 30 °. The ultraviolet ray generators 9a to 9d are not limited to ultraviolet light emitting diodes (UV-LEDs), and mercury lamps or the like can also be used.

  The fan motor 12 and the fan 13 constitute an electric fan that sucks indoor air from the front panel 3 into the air flow path in the housing 1 and circulates the purified air through the outlet 16 so as to be discharged outside the apparatus.

  The positive / negative ion generating electrode 14 is an electrode in which a positive ion generating electrode and a negative ion generating electrode are paired, and is installed inside the blowout port 16 for discharging the purified air to the outside of the apparatus.

  The partition plate 17 includes an air suction port 15 at a substantially central portion thereof.

  When the air purifier is operated, the air in the room (outside the machine) is sucked from the suction ports 4a to 4c by the rotation of the fan 13 and passes through the dust removing filter 5, the deodorizing filter 6, and the photocatalyst filter 7, and purified. It is made to circulate so that it may discharge indoors (outside the machine) from 16. Dust contained in the air flowing through the air purifier is removed by the dust removing filter 5, and odor components are adsorbed by the deodorizing filter 6 and removed.

  Air that has passed through the deodorizing filter 6 and odor components in the air are ionized by the electric field 31 generated from the ion generating electrode 8 between the deodorizing filter 6 and the photocatalytic filter 7, and dust in the air is also electrically It is summed or charged. Thereby, aggregation of dust can be promoted. Moreover, the proliferation of microorganisms can be suppressed by air ions.

  Further, the ionized dust and odor components are subjected to Coulomb force by the electric field 31 generated between the ion generating electrode 8 and the counter electrode 10, and are efficiently polarized in the photocatalytic filter 7 having an electrostatic dust collecting function by being dielectrically polarized by the electric field 31. Adsorbs well. Dust, odor components or suspended microorganisms adsorbed on the photocatalyst filter 7 are oxidatively decomposed by the action of the photocatalyst receiving the ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet ray generating means 9a to 9d.

  Moreover, the positive / negative ion generation electrode 14 which is the 2nd ion generation electrode installed inside the blower outlet 16 produces | generates positive ion and negative ion in the air which is purified and discharged | emitted from the blower outlet 16 outside the apparatus. . Thereby, aggregation of the dust contained in indoor air can be accelerated | stimulated, and the proliferation of indoor microorganisms can be suppressed. The air ions generated from the positive and negative ion generating electrodes 14 may be positive ions only or negative ions only.

  FIG. 5 shows a first modification of the air cleaner in the first embodiment, and is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 2 of the air cleaner. This 1st modification is the structure which deform | transformed so that the counter electrode 10 might be installed in the peripheral part of the lower side of the photocatalyst filter 7, and both right and left sides, and others are the same as that of the air cleaner shown in FIGS. It is. Thus, by installing the counter electrode 10 over three sides, the electric field 31 can be expanded, the diffusion of air ions can be promoted, and the adsorption of dust and the like to the photocatalytic filter 7 can be promoted. .

  FIG. 6 shows a second modification of the air cleaner in the first embodiment, and is a longitudinal side view corresponding to FIG. 1 of the air cleaner. In the second modification, the counter electrode 10 is modified so as to be formed of a wire mesh-like conductor, and the others are the same as those of the air cleaner shown in FIGS.

  The counter electrode 10 is a wire mesh that extends from the lower peripheral edge on the downstream side of the photocatalytic filter 7 to the upper part. The distance between the counter electrode 10 and the ion generating electrode 8 is desirably 5 millimeters or more at the nearest place. More preferably, the distance is 10 millimeters or more. This is to avoid the occurrence of spark discharge when the thickness of the photocatalytic filter 7 is small. According to the experiment, when the distance between the counter electrode 10 and the ion generating electrode 8 is less than 5 millimeters, a spark discharge may be generated when the interelectrode voltage becomes 1 kilovolt or more. There are no particular restrictions on the mesh opening or shape of the metal mesh that constitutes the counter electrode 10, but the mesh opening is desirably 5 mm to 30 mm. A more desirable aperture is 5 to 15 millimeters. By configuring the counter electrode 10 in this way, it is possible to reduce the ventilation resistance of the air flow path, and to effectively eliminate the charge of the photocatalytic filter 7.

  FIG. 7 shows a third modification of the air cleaner in the first embodiment, and is a longitudinal side view corresponding to FIG. 1 of the air cleaner. The third modified example is a configuration in which the counter electrode 10 is electrically connected to the terminal of the ultraviolet ray generating means 9b and grounded, and the rest is the same as the air cleaner shown in FIGS. It is.

  FIG. 8 shows a fourth modification of the air cleaner in the first embodiment, and is a longitudinal side view corresponding to FIG. 1 of the air cleaner. In the fourth modification, the counter electrode 10 is installed so as to cross the central portion on the downstream side of the photocatalytic filter 7, and is configured to be electrically connected to the housing of the fan motor 12 and grounded. . You may comprise so that the housing | casing of the fan motor 12 may be connected to earth | ground. Moreover, in this 4th modification, ultraviolet generation means 9a-9d (9c, 9d is abbreviate | omitted illustration) is located between the deodorizing filter 6 and the photocatalyst filter 7, ie, the center part and lower part of the upstream of the photocatalyst filter 7. Installed. Since most of the dust and odor components are adsorbed on the upstream side of the photocatalytic filter 7, the photocatalyst on the side on which the dust and odor components are adsorbed can be excited by installing the ultraviolet ray generating means 9 on the upstream side of the photocatalytic filter 7. Adsorbed substances such as dust and odor components can be efficiently decomposed. Others are the same as the air cleaner shown in FIGS.

  FIG. 9 shows a fifth modification of the air cleaner in the first embodiment, and is a longitudinal side view corresponding to FIG. 1 of the air cleaner. In the fifth modification, a negative potential is applied to the ion generating electrode 8 and the counter electrode 10 is connected to the ground 11 via the bias power source 21 so that the counter electrode 10 is set to a positive potential with respect to the ground. The others are the same as those of the air cleaner shown in FIGS.

  According to the fifth modification, the electric field 31 between the deodorizing filter 6 and the photocatalytic filter 7 can be further stabilized, and the charge removal from the photocatalyst can be promoted to increase the reactivity of the photocatalyst.

  Example 2 is an air cleaner having a configuration in which the periphery of the ion generating electrode in the air cleaner of Example 1 is covered with a cover.

  FIG. 10 is a longitudinal side view of the air cleaner according to the second embodiment, FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB in FIG. 10, and FIG. 12 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration in which the ion generating electrode is covered with a cover.

  The ion generating electrode 8 in the second embodiment is configured by holding a carbon brush 131 by a carbon brush holding member 132 and covering the periphery thereof with a cubic cover 43 formed of an insulating member. Install and install on. The cover 43 is configured so as not to hinder the release of air ions by forming and opening a slit-shaped air ion outlet 44 near the tip of the ion generating electrode 8, that is, the lower surface of the cover 43. The cover 43 is opened by forming an air suction port 45 on the upper surface, and is positioned so that the air suction port 45 communicates with the space in which the control device 2 is installed. The air ion outlet 44 is positioned so as to open to the upstream side of the photocatalytic filter 7 and is attached to the partition plate 17. The cover 43 is attached to the partition plate 17 by using the ground terminal / cover fixing screw 134 and the cover fixing screw 135 for the cover fixing portions 133a and 133b protruding from the rear edge of the cover 43. The ground terminal / cover fixing screw 134 is electrically connected to the ground 11.

  The counter electrode 41 is composed of a conductor that is attached to the downstream peripheral portion of the lower side of the photocatalyst filter 7, and is in a position that contacts the counter electrode 41 when the photocatalyst filter 7 is assembled in the housing 1. A ground terminal 42 having a smaller area than the counter electrode 41 is provided.

  In the air cleaner configured as described above, a pressure difference is generated from the air suction port 45 on the upper surface of the cover 43 toward the air ion outlet 44 on the lower surface due to the suction of air generated by the fan 13, and the space in which the control device 2 is installed. The air that has been sucked in through the cover 43 flows out of the air ion outlet 44 and promotes the outflow of air ions generated around the ion generating electrode 8 to stabilize the continuation of the generation of air ions. can do. Further, when the cover 43 is charged to a high potential by electrons or air ions emitted from the ion generating electrode 8, a phenomenon occurs in which air ions are not released outside the cover 43. The charge charged in the cover 43 is also used as a ground terminal. Such a phenomenon does not occur because the cover fixing screw 134 is discharged to the ground 11. More preferably, at least the outer surface of the lower surface of the cover 43 is provided with a conductive member to ground the conductive member, or the cover 43 is formed of an antistatic member to ground the cover 43.

  In the air cleaner according to the second embodiment, the periphery of the ion generation electrode 8 is covered with the cover 43, so that the operator directly contacts the ion generation electrode 8 when the dust filter 5 and the deodorization filter 6 are removed. You can keep things safe. The counter electrode 41 attached to the photocatalyst filter 7 is grounded in contact with the ground terminal 42 by assembling the photocatalyst filter 7 in the machine, so that the assembly work is facilitated regardless of the shape of the counter electrode 41. be able to.

  In addition, the air cleaner of the second embodiment can enhance the cooling effect of the control device 2 by ventilating the space where the control device 2 is installed.

  Other configurations and operational effects are the same as those of the air cleaner according to the first embodiment, and thus redundant description is omitted.

  FIG. 13: shows the 1st modification of the air cleaner in Example 2, and is sectional drawing corresponding to FIG. 11 of an air cleaner. This 1st modification is the structure which made the width | variety of the counter electrode 41 small, and others are the same as that of the air cleaner shown to FIGS. In the first modification, the electric field 31 is formed as shown in the drawing.

  FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view of the air cleaner according to the third embodiment, FIG. 15 is a front view of the air cleaner with the front panel, prefilter and dust / deodorizing filter removed, and FIG. 16 is a photocatalyst. FIG. 17 is an enlarged view of a part of the photocatalytic filter, with the front view showing a state where the cover covering the filter and the ion generating electrode is removed.

  The air cleaner according to the third embodiment has a front panel 3, a pre-filter 51, a dust removing / deodorizing filter 52, a cover 43, an ion generating electrode 8, a photocatalytic filter 7, a counter electrode 41, and an ultraviolet ray in order from the upstream side of the air flow path. The generating means 9a to 9d, the partition plate 17, the fan motor 12, and the fan 13 are assembled to the housing 1 so as to be positioned.

  The photocatalytic filter 7 has a configuration in which a space portion 72 of a honeycomb 71 made of a dielectric is filled with an adsorbent 73 carrying a photocatalyst. As the adsorbing material 73, a material having high ultraviolet transmittance, for example, silica gel or the like is desirable. This is because the ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet ray generating means 9 pass through the inside of the adsorbent 73 and reach the back surface (upstream surface) of the ultraviolet light irradiation surface (downstream surface) so that the photocatalytic reaction also occurs in the photocatalyst on the back surface. It is to make it.

  The ion generating electrode 8 is a negative electrode, and is placed on the upper side of the upstream side of the photocatalytic filter 7 in a state of being covered with the cover 43 and facing downward. The cover 43 is configured in the same manner as the cover 43 in the second embodiment shown in FIG. 12, and a large amount of air ions can be generated by opening the upper surface and the lower surface to smooth the air flow. . The opening of the lower surface of the cover 43 is realized by providing a plurality of slits having a width dimension of about 2 millimeters. The cover 43 is connected to the ground.

  The counter electrode 41 is installed so as to be positioned along the peripheral edge of the lower part on the downstream side of the photocatalytic filter 7.

  The four ultraviolet ray generators 9 a to 9 d are installed at the four corners on the downstream side of the photocatalytic filter 7 so as to irradiate ultraviolet rays toward the central portion on the downstream side of the photocatalytic filter 7.

  The prefilter 51 is configured using a resin mixed with bamboo charcoal having an antibacterial action. The dust removal / deodorization filter 52 is configured by combining a dust removal filter and a deodorization filter from the upstream side. A HEPA filter (High Efficient Particulate Air filter) is used as the dust removal filter. The HEPA filter is a filter having a very high dust removal performance and a dust collecting ability for capturing 99.97% of fine particles of 0.3 micrometers. The filter member is formed by bending in a pleat shape to increase the ventilation surface area and reduce ventilation resistance. The deodorizing filter used is filled with activated carbon impregnated with iodine. Furthermore, an enzyme filter or the like having a sterilizing action against microorganisms such as fungi may be provided downstream of the deodorizing filter.

  Mounting the front panel 3 or the dust removal / deodorization filter 52 with a switch (not shown) for cutting off the supply of high voltage to the ion generating electrode 8 when the front panel 3 or the dust removal / deodorization filter 52 of the air cleaner is removed. Provided in the section.

  FIG. 18 is a longitudinal side view of the air cleaner according to the fourth embodiment.

  In the air cleaner according to the fourth embodiment, the negative ion generating electrode 8 is placed at the center between the deodorizing filter 6 and the photocatalytic filter 7, and the counter electrodes 10 a and 10 b are arranged with the photocatalytic filter 7 and the partition plate 17. It is the structure installed along the peripheral part of the upper part and lower part between.

  In the second embodiment, the electric field 31 is generated from the counter electrodes 10 a and 10 b at the peripheral portions of the upper and lower sides of the photocatalyst filter 7 toward the ion generation electrode 8 on the upstream side of the central portion of the photocatalyst 7.

  Other configurations and operational effects are the same as those of the air cleaner according to the first embodiment, and thus redundant description is omitted.

  FIG. 19 shows a first modification of the air cleaner in the fourth embodiment, and is a cross-sectional view corresponding to the CC cross section of the air cleaner shown in FIG. In this modified example, the counter electrode 10 is modified so as to be positioned at the four peripheral edges on the downstream side of the photocatalytic filter 7.

  The electric field 31 in the first modification is generated from the entire peripheral edge portion on the downstream side of the photocatalytic filter 7 toward the central portion on the upstream side.

  The fifth embodiment is an air cleaner configured to form the photocatalytic filter in the first to fourth embodiments described above on a wide surface area and to effectively irradiate the wide surface with ultraviolet rays.

  FIG. 20 is a schematic diagram showing the relationship between the photocatalytic filter and the ultraviolet ray generating means in the air cleaner of the fifth embodiment, and FIG. 21 shows the front panel, prefilter, dust removing / deodorizing filter, and photocatalytic filter of the air cleaner removed. FIG.

  The photocatalytic filter 7 in the air cleaner of the fifth embodiment is configured to increase the ventilation surface area by bending the filter member so as to form a horizontally long pleat.

  The ultraviolet ray generating means is configured by using ultraviolet light emitting diode (UV-LED) groups 91a to 91d that irradiate ultraviolet ray groups 121a to 121d having strong directivity. In the fifth embodiment, each of the ultraviolet light emitting diode groups 91a to 91d is composed of seven ultraviolet light emitting diodes. The ultraviolet light emitting diode groups 91a to 91d are attached to the support bars 142a to 142d installed in four stages apart in the vertical direction so that the ultraviolet light emitting diodes of each group are arranged at a predetermined interval, and downstream of the photocatalytic filter 7. Install in. The ultraviolet light emitting diode groups 91a and 91b installed and installed on the upper two support bars 142a and 142b are installed in such a posture as to generate the ultraviolet groups 121a and 121b inclined downward and irradiate the photocatalytic filter 7. The ultraviolet light emitting diode groups 91c and 91d attached to the lower two-stage support bars 142c and 142d are installed in such a posture as to generate the ultraviolet groups 121c and 121d inclined upward and irradiate the photocatalytic filter 7. . Each ultraviolet ray group 121a to 121d is set in such a direction as to pass through the folded pleated surface of the photocatalytic filter 7 a plurality of times, so that each ultraviolet ray group 121a to 121d acts on the photocatalytic filter 7 efficiently. Increase the area where the reaction occurs.

  In addition, the distribution of the ultraviolet irradiation amount on the surface of the photocatalytic filter 7 can be determined by appropriately setting the direction of each ultraviolet light emitting diode in each of the ultraviolet light emitting diode groups 91a to 91d.

  In addition, 143 is a photocatalyst filter frame body which abbreviate | omits illustration of a filter member, 144 is a switch which interrupts | blocks the power supply of the ion generating electrode 8 when a front panel is removed.

  Since other configurations and operational effects are the same as those of the air purifiers of the above-described embodiments, a duplicate description is omitted.

It is a vertical side view of the air cleaner in Example 1 of this invention. It is AA sectional drawing in FIG. It is a schematic diagram which shows the behavior of the electric field and air ion which generate | occur | produce with an ion generating electrode and a counter electrode. It is a schematic diagram which shows the dielectric polarization of the molecule | numerator which comprises a photocatalyst filter. It is sectional drawing corresponding to FIG. 2 of the air cleaner in the 1st modification of Example 1 of this invention. It is a vertical side view corresponding to FIG. 1 of the air cleaner in the 2nd modification of Example 1 of this invention. It is a vertical side view corresponding to FIG. 1 of the air cleaner in the 3rd modification of Example 1 of this invention. It is a vertical side view corresponding to FIG. 1 of the air cleaner in the 4th modification of Example 1 of this invention. It is a vertical side view corresponding to FIG. 1 of the air cleaner in the 5th modification of Example 1 of this invention. It is a vertical side view of the air cleaner of Example 2 of the present invention. It is BB sectional drawing in FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the structure which covered the ion generating electrode in the air cleaner of Example 2 with the cover. It is sectional drawing corresponding to FIG. 11 of the air cleaner in the 1st modification of Example 2 of this invention. It is a disassembled perspective view of the air cleaner in Example 3 of this invention. It is a front view of the state which removed the front panel of the air cleaner of Example 3, a pre filter, and a dust removal and deodorizing filter. It is a front view of the state which removed the front panel of the air cleaner of Example 3, a pre filter, a dust removal and deodorizing filter, a photocatalyst filter, and the cover which covers an ion generating electrode. It is an enlarged view of a part of the photocatalytic filter in the air cleaner of Example 3. It is a vertical side view of the air cleaner in Example 4 of this invention. It is sectional drawing corresponding to CC cross section of FIG. 17 of the air cleaner in the 1st modification of Example 4. FIG. It is a schematic diagram which shows the relationship between the photocatalyst filter and ultraviolet-ray generation means in the air cleaner of Example 5 of this invention. It is a front view of the state which removed the front panel of the air cleaner of Example 5, a pre filter, a dust removal and deodorizing filter, and a photocatalyst filter.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Case, 2 ... Control apparatus, 3 ... Front panel, 5 ... Dust removal filter, 6 ... Deodorizing filter, 7 ... Photocatalyst filter, 8 ... 1st ion generating electrode, 9a-9d ... Ultraviolet generating means, 10 ... Opposite Electrode, 12 ... fan motor, 13 ... fan, 14 ... second ion generating electrode.

Claims (11)

In an air cleaner comprising a dust filter, a photocatalyst filter, an ion generating electrode, a counter electrode, an ultraviolet ray generating means, and an electric fan, and generating an electric field with a preliminary charge by the ion generating electrode and the counter electrode,
The photocatalytic filter includes a dielectric, and the ion generating electrode is installed on the upstream side of the photocatalytic filter, and the counter electrode is installed in contact with the photocatalytic filter on the downstream side of the photocatalytic filter . Rutotomoni polarize dielectrics of the photocatalyst filter by the electric field generated between, configured to exert an electrostatic dust collecting function in the photocatalyst filter by suppressing charging and charge elimination from the photocatalyst filter by the counter electrode An air purifier characterized by 2. The ion generation electrode according to claim 1, wherein the ion generation electrode is disposed at a peripheral edge of the photocatalytic filter, and the counter electrode faces the ion generation electrode installation position through a central portion of a ventilation region in the photocatalytic filter. An air cleaner characterized by being placed so as to be in contact with the peripheral edge of the photocatalytic filter.   3. The air purifier according to claim 1, wherein an interval of 5 millimeters or more is interposed between the ion generating electrode and the counter electrode.   4. The air purifier according to claim 1, wherein the ultraviolet ray generating means is disposed on the downstream side of the photocatalytic filter.   5. The ion generation electrode according to claim 1, wherein the ion generation electrode is disposed in parallel with an upstream surface of the photocatalytic filter so that a corona discharge end portion faces a central portion of a ventilation region in the photocatalytic filter. And air purifier. 6. The ion generating electrode according to claim 1, wherein the ion generating electrode is installed at a position away from the upstream surface of the photocatalytic filter, and the counter electrode is in contact with the downstream surface of the photocatalytic filter. An air cleaner characterized by being installed in   7. The air cleaner according to claim 5, wherein the ion generating electrode is covered with a cover that opens toward a central portion of the ventilation region of the photocatalytic filter.   8. The air cleaner according to claim 7, wherein the cover is grounded.   9. The counter electrode according to claim 1, wherein the counter electrode is constituted by a conductor pasted on the downstream side of the photocatalytic filter, and an earth terminal is installed at a position where the counter electrode contacts when the photocatalytic filter is incorporated in a housing. An air purifier characterized by   The front panel and / or the dust removal filter and / or the deodorizing filter is provided on the upstream side of the photocatalytic filter according to claim 1, and ions are removed when the front panel and / or the dust removing filter and / or the deodorizing filter are removed. An air cleaner comprising a switch for shutting off the power supply of the generating electrode. The air cleaner according to claim 1, wherein another ion generating electrode is installed inside the outlet of the housing.

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