JP4003835B6 - Air cleaner - Google Patents

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to an air purifier capable of deodorizing indoor air and deodorizing deposits on indoor walls, and more particularly to an air purifier using electrostatic atomization technology.

Many conventional air purifiers are equipped with filters such as filters for trapping dust and dirt in the air and filters such as activated carbon for adsorbing odorous molecules. In addition, as in Patent Documents 1 and 2, etc., there are also provided deodorizing devices that utilize electrostatic atomization technology. Here, electrostatic atomization is a phenomenon in which water is atomized when a high voltage is applied to a liquid such as water and the liquid is exposed during electrolysis.

In the apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1, after the air taken into the air cleaner is brought into contact with the mist generated by the electrostatic atomization section, the air-liquid contact section captures the dirty mist. In the technique disclosed in Patent Document 2, a liquid deodorant is atomized by an electrostatic atomizer to generate mist, which is sprayed into the air.
JP-A-53-141167 JP-A-2001-286546

In the conventional example disclosed in Patent Document 1, dirty air is always in contact with the electrostatic atomizer, and dust and dirt adhere to the electrostatic atomizer. There was also a possibility that electrostatic atomization would become difficult to occur. Therefore, it is necessary to frequently clean the electrostatic atomizer. In addition, in this conventional example, only the air taken into the air purifier is purified, and it is not possible to deodorize the deposits on the indoor wall surface or the like.

On the other hand, in the conventional example shown in Patent Document 2, it is only described that the electrostatic atomizer is incorporated in the air purifier, but it is not disclosed where it is specifically arranged. Also, although it is described that the mist generated by the electrostatic atomization part is sprayed, there is no description of how it should be dispersed in the air in combination with an air cleaner. At present, it has not been put to practical use.

The present invention has been made in view of these points, and is capable of increasing the amount of atomization, eliminating the phenomenon that electrostatic atomization is difficult to occur, and efficiently diffusing the generated mist into the room. An object of the present invention is to provide an air purifier capable of effectively deodorizing indoor air and deposits on indoor wall surfaces.

In order to solve the above problems, an air purifier according to the present invention provides an air purifier A having an air blower 4 for purifying the air sucked from an inlet 1 by a filter 2 and discharging it from an outlet 3. 5, a transporting part 6 that transports the water in the water reservoir 5 to the tip side located outside the water reservoir 5 by capillary action , and a nanometer-sized nanometer containing active species by atomizing the water at the tip of the transporting part 6. and an electrostatic atomizer 9 having a voltage application unit 8 for applying a high voltage to generate a mist of 1000 .ANG. It is characterized in that a conveying section 6 is provided in the .

With such a configuration, by applying a high voltage to the water supplied to the tip of the conveying portion 6 by capillary action, the water at the tip of the conveying portion 6 is atomized by Rayleigh splitting, and the active species generated are removed. The contained nanometer-sized mist is diffused into the atmosphere outside the air purifier A together with the air purified by the filter 2, effectively deodorizing the indoor air and deodorizing the deposits on the indoor wall surface. In particular, electrostatic atomization, in which a high voltage is applied to the water at the tip of the conveying part 6 conveyed by capillary action to generate nanometer-sized mist containing active species, is performed by the purified air flowing. Since the atomization is carried out inside the air passage 10 , the amount of atomization increases. As a result, dust and dirt do not adhere to the conveying section 6, and for this reason, electrostatic atomization is unlikely to occur even if a high voltage is applied due to the adhesion of dust and dirt. phenomenon can be eliminated.

In the present invention, since it is configured as described above, a high voltage is applied to the water supplied to the tip of the conveying part by capillary action in the air passage where the purified air flows, and the tip of the conveying part is can be atomized by Rayleigh splitting to generate a nanometer-sized mist containing active species without causing poor atomization, and the nanometer-sized mist containing the active species can be carried on the flow of purified air. It is possible to deodorize a wide range by effectively using the deodorizing function of odorous components in the indoor air and deposits on the indoor wall surface due to the active species of the nanometer-sized mist. There is an effect that it is possible to provide an air purifier that can
That is, the nanometer-sized mist has excellent diffusibility, and the nanometer-sized mist, which has excellent diffusivity, is diffused into the atmosphere outside the air purifier together with the air purified by the filter. Because the nanometer-sized mist spreads along with the purified air flow, the diffusibility is further improved, and because it spreads along with the purified air flow, the nanometer-sized mist immediately comes into contact with the dirty air. Therefore, it has a deodorizing function for odorous components in the indoor air and deposits on the indoor wall surface due to the active species possessed by the nanometer-sized mist. It can be used effectively to deodorize over a wide range. In addition, in generating nanometer-sized mist with excellent diffusivity and diffusing it in the room by carrying it on the purified air flow, in the air cleaner of the present invention, the water in the water reservoir is circulated by capillary action. Since the conveying part that conveys to the tip is provided downstream of the filter in the air passage, a high voltage is applied to the water at the tip of the conveying part that is conveyed by capillary action to generate nanometer-sized mist containing active species. Electrostatic atomization is performed in the air passage through which the purified air flows in the air purifier , and the amount of atomization increases. Since the conveying section is exposed to the air purified by the filter, dust and dirt do not adhere to the conveying section. It is possible to eliminate the phenomenon that electrostatic atomization is difficult to occur, and the nanometer-sized mist containing active species generated without causing poor atomization is used for air cleaning together with the air purified by the filter. It can be diffused far into the atmosphere outside the machine and deodorized over a wide area.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The present invention will be described below based on embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings.

1 and 2 show an example of an air purifier A of the present invention. The air purifier A includes an air purifier 12 and an electrostatic atomizer 9 inside a body case 11 .

The air purifier 12 has a suction port 1 for sucking indoor air, a discharge port 3 for discharging filtered air into the room, and a wind from the suction port 1 to the discharge port 3, as in the conventional air purifier. Equipped with a filter 2 such as non-woven fabric or activated carbon provided in the passage 10 and a blowing unit 4 equipped with a fan 4a. The air is purified by pressing the air, and the purified air is discharged into the room from the outlet 3 again. is designed to remove

In addition to the air cleaner 12, the electrostatic atomizer 9 is provided inside the main body case 11 as described above. a water reservoir 5 containing water, a transporter 6 for transporting the water W from the water reservoir 5, an electrode 7 disposed so as to face the direction in which the water W is transported by the transporter 6, the transporter 6 and the electrode 7 and a voltage application unit 8 that applies a high voltage.

Here, in the air cleaner A of the present invention, at least the conveying section 6 and the electrode 7 of the electrostatic atomizer 9 are provided downstream of the filter 2 . By applying a high voltage between the conveying portion 6 and the electrode 7, the water W at the tip of the conveying portion 6 is charged and atomized to generate a nano-sized mist M. In the present invention, since the conveying portion 6 and the electrode 7 are provided on the downstream side of the filter 2, the nano-sized mist M generated by applying a high voltage to the conveying portion 6 and the electrode 7 as described above is It is diffused into the atmosphere outside the air purifier A together with the air purified by the filter 2, so that it is possible to effectively deodorize the room air and the deposits on the wall surface of the room. In addition, if the mist is diffused into the atmosphere together with the dirty air, the mist will come into contact with the dirty air immediately. Although the deodorizing effect of deposits is lowered, in the present invention, the nano-sized mist M is diffused into the atmosphere together with the air purified by the filter 2 as described above, so that the indoor air and the indoor wall surface can be degraded. It does not reduce the deodorizing effect of deposits.

3 to 5 show an example of the electrostatic atomizer 9 provided in the air cleaner of the present invention. The electrostatic atomizer 9 is equipped with a water tank 5a forming the water reservoir 5 at its lower portion, and includes a cylindrical holder 14 having ventilation holes 13 on its peripheral surface, and an upper portion of the holder 14. The electrode 7 (in the embodiment, it is a counter electrode, so hereinafter referred to as the counter electrode 7), the application electrode 15 that is fitted in the lower part of the holder 14 and is responsible for applying voltage to the water W, and the conveying electrode 15 held by the application electrode 15 The cup-shaped water tank 5a is composed of a plurality of rod-shaped water absorbers 6a forming part 6, and ionization needles 16 also held by applying electrodes 15. The projection 35 on the outer surface of the holder 14 is attached by bayonet engagement with the engaging recess 18 provided in the outer peripheral flange portion 17 of the applying electrode 15 mounted on the lower portion of the holder 14 .

Both the counter electrode 7 and the application electrode 15 are made of a synthetic resin mixed with a conductive material such as carbon or a metal such as SUS to have conductivity. The electrode 7 is grounded through a grounding contact plate 20 that contacts the outer surface of a connecting protrusion 19 formed on the outer peripheral surface of the electrode 7 . The application electrode 15, which is fitted and fixed in the lower part of the holder 14 and is pressed and fixed by the ribs 21 on the inner surface of the holder 14, is also applied with a high voltage through the contact plate 22 which is in contact with the outer surface of the connecting protrusion 26 formed on the outer peripheral surface. is connected to a voltage application unit 8 that applies a voltage.

The rod-shaped water absorber 6a is made of, for example, porous ceramics and has a sharp needle-like upper end. These water absorbers 6a are arranged at equal intervals on the same circle centered on the ionization needle 16 disposed in the center of the application electrode 15, and the upper portion protrudes above the application electrode 15, and the lower portion protrudes downward. It comes into contact with the water W contained in the water tank 5a.

In the figure, 23 is a cylindrical skirt protruding downward from the applying electrode 15, surrounds the outside of the plurality of water absorbers 6a, and has a lower end located below the lower end of the water absorber 6a. The opening is covered with a grid-shaped protective cover 24 . The skirt 23 of the applying electrode 15 applies a high voltage to the water W by coming into contact with the water W contained in the water tank 5a, and at the same time, the water absorbing body 6a made of ceramic together with the grid-shaped protective cover 24 is applied. protection.

Here, when the water tank 5a is connected, the application electrode 15 substantially seals the upper opening of the water tank 5a so that the water W in the water tank 5a does not leak even when the water tank 5a is tilted. In this relationship, a slit 29 extending over the entire length of the skirt 23 in the vertical direction is provided in a part of the skirt 23 in the circumferential direction, and the skirt 23 is surrounded by the slit 29 when the water tank 5a containing water W is attached. The water W is allowed to flow into the skirt 23 by removing the air in the closed space.

The counter electrode 7 mounted so as to close the top opening of the holder 14 has an opening 25 in the center as shown in FIG. A plurality of circular arcs R centered on the needle-like portion at the upper end of the body 6a and having the same diameter are smoothly connected with other circular arcs r. When the opposite electrode 7 is grounded and a high voltage generation source is connected to the application electrode 15, the water absorber 6a absorbs water W by capillary action. At the same time as functioning as a substantial electrode, the arc R of the counter electrode 7 functions as a substantial electrode between the tip of the rod-shaped water absorber 6a and the counter electrode 7, which constitutes the conveying portion 6 that conveys the water W. A high voltage will be applied. The opening 25 is covered with a grid-shaped protective cover 39 to prevent fingers from coming into contact with the ionization needle 16 and the water absorber 6a through the opening 25. FIG.

Now, the water tank 5a containing the water W is attached, and the water W is brought into contact with the skirt 23 of the application electrode 15. At the same time, the water absorber 6a absorbs the water W by capillary action, and the counter electrode 7 is grounded. At the same time, when a high voltage generation source is connected to the application electrode 15 and a negative voltage is applied to the application electrode 15, a high voltage is applied between the tip of the rod-shaped water absorber 6a constituting the transport unit 6 and the counter electrode 7. The Rukoto. If this voltage is high enough to cause Rayleigh splitting in the water W, the water W reaching the needle-shaped portion at the upper end of the water absorber 6a undergoes Rayleigh splitting here to form a mist M of nanometer-sized particles. Electrostatic atomization is performed to produce atomization of .

In addition, in this electrostatic atomizer 9, a high negative voltage is also applied to the ionizing needle 16 at the same time, and negative ions are also generated by corona discharge between the ionizing needle 16 and the counter electrode. At this time, if the distance between the electrodes is the same, the voltage required for electrostatic atomization is higher than the voltage required for generating negative ions. By making the distance l2 from the ionization needle 16 to the counter electrode 7 considerably longer than the distance L1 to the counter electrode 7, electrostatic atomization is made easier to occur. However, when the water W in the water tank 5a is exhausted and the water W retained by the water absorber 6a is also atomized, only the negative ions are continuously generated.

In the present invention, as already described, the conveying section 6 and the electrode 7 of the electrostatic atomizer 9 are provided downstream of the filter 2. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. An electrostatic atomizer 9 having a conveying unit 6 and an electrode 7 is provided in an air passage 10 extending from the suction port 1 to the discharge port 3 . That is, the air blower 4 is composed of a fan 4a driven by a motor 4b and a wind tunnel 4c. By driving the fan 4a, room air sucked from the air blower 4 is filtered by the filter 2, and then the cleaned air is discharged. The air is discharged into the room from the outlet 3 again, and the electrostatic atomizer 9 is arranged in the wind tunnel 4c of the blower section 4 in the air passage 10 of the air purifier A and in the vicinity of the outlet. I have

Nano-sized mist, which is a mist with nanometer-sized particles generated by electrostatic atomization, is originally highly diffusible, but the diffusibility is even better because the purified air spreads along with the air flow blown by the blower. Also, because it spreads along with the flow of purified air, the nano-sized mist does not immediately come into contact with the dirty air, but is spread over a long distance on the purified air. It is possible to deodorize a wide range by effectively utilizing the deodorizing function of odorous components in the indoor air and deposits on the wall surface of the room due to the active species possessed by the size mist. In particular, in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, when the electrostatic atomizer 9 is placed in the storage recess 27 provided in a part of the wind tunnel 4c, the contact plates 20 and 22 and the connection protrusion 19 are separated from each other. , 26 through the opening 28 in the wall surface of the storage recess 27 and the ventilation hole 13 in the holder 14 of the electrostatic atomizer 9. Since the wind flows in, atomization is accelerated, the amount of atomization increases, and the mist M is easily scattered by the wind.

In addition, although the electrostatic atomizer 9 is arranged in the wind tunnel 4c, the air passing near the electrostatic atomizer 9 is clean air that has been filtered by the filter 2. Although the device 9 does not get dirty and some of the wind enters the electrostatic atomizer 9 as described above, the contamination hardly makes it difficult for the electrostatic atomization to occur.

In the air purifier A of the present invention, the air purifier 12 and the electrostatic atomizer 9 may be operated at the same time, and the operation of the electrostatic atomizer 9 is stopped and only the air purifier 12 is operated. Alternatively, the operation of the air cleaning unit 12 can be stopped and only the electrostatic atomizer 9 can be operated, and the mode of operation can be arbitrarily selected.

By the way, in the above-described embodiment, an example in which the water-absorbing transporting portion 6 for transporting water is formed of porous ceramics has been described, but the transporting portion 6 for transporting water from the water reservoir 5 may be formed of felt. It is. Forming the conveying portion 6 from felt in this manner allows the conveying portion 6 to be formed at a low cost, and the nano-sized mist M containing the active species can be atomized and delivered into the room at a low cost, and adheres to the wall surface of the room. It can remove odors. Also when the conveying portion 6 is made of felt, the tip of the felt facing the electrode 7 is sharpened. By sharpening the tip of the felt facing the electrode 7 in this way, when a high voltage is applied between the conveying section 6 and the electrode 7 by the voltage applying section 8, the electric field is concentrated on the pointed tip of the felt. , the nano-sized mist M containing a large amount of active species can be efficiently atomized, and in this way, the nano-sized mist M containing a large amount of active species can be efficiently atomized and sent into the room. It is possible to remove odors adhering to indoor wall surfaces and the like.

In the case where the conveying section 6 is made of felt as described above, it is preferable to use weakly hydrophilic felt as the felt. When a weakly hydrophilic felt is used in this way, when a high voltage is applied between the conveying unit 6 and the electrode 7 by the voltage applying unit 8 to atomize the water at the tip of the conveying unit 6 by the high voltage, the felt is Since the water W is easily separated from the nozzle, the nano-sized mist M containing a large amount of active species can be efficiently atomized, and by sending it into the room, the odor adhering to the indoor wall etc. can be efficiently removed. It is possible.

Moreover, in the case where the conveying portion 6 is formed of felt, the felt used may be treated with a surfactant to remove the surface active agent. In this case as well, when the voltage application unit 8 applies a high voltage between the conveying unit 6 and the electrode 7 to atomize the water W at the tip of the conveying unit 6 by the high voltage, the water W becomes easier to separate from the felt. It is possible to efficiently atomize the nano-sized mist M containing a large amount of active species, and send it indoors to efficiently remove odors adhering to the walls of the room.

Moreover, it is preferable to use a felt having a high porosity as the felt to be used. For example, a porosity of about 75% is preferable because the amount of water W conveyed is large, and a porosity of about 50% or less is not so preferable because the amount of water W conveyed is small. When a felt having such a high porosity is used, the amount of water transported increases as described above, and the nano-sized mist M containing a large amount of active species can be efficiently atomized and sent into the room. By doing so, it is possible to efficiently remove the odor adhering to the indoor walls and the like.

Further, it is preferable to use a felt having a large fiber diameter as the felt to be used. For example, fibers with a diameter of about 20 d are preferable because the amount of water W conveyed is large, and those with a fiber diameter of about 3 d or less are not so preferable because the amount of water W conveyed is small. When a felt having a large fiber diameter is used in this way, the amount of water W conveyed increases as described above, and the nano-sized mist M containing a large amount of active species can be efficiently atomized, and this By sending it indoors, it is possible to efficiently remove odors adhering to the walls of the room.

Further, in the present invention, a heating means (not shown) for heating the water W in the water reservoir 5 may be provided. A heater, for example, can be used as the heating means 32 . In this embodiment, the nano-sized mist M containing a large amount of active species can be efficiently atomized, and by sending it into the room, it is possible to efficiently remove odors adhering to the indoor walls and the like. It is possible.

Further, in the present invention, a vibrating means (not shown) for vibrating the water W in the water reservoir 5 may be provided. As the vibrating means for vibrating the water in the water reservoir 5, for example, an ultrasonic element can be employed. In this embodiment, the amount of water W conveyed is increased, and the nano-sized mist M containing a large amount of active species can be efficiently atomized. It can effectively remove odors.

Further, in the present invention, a vibrating means (not shown) for vibrating the conveying section 6 may be provided. A piezo element can be employed as the vibrating means for vibrating the conveying section 6 . In this embodiment, the amount of water W conveyed is increased, and the nano-sized mist M containing a large amount of active species can be efficiently atomized, and sent into the room to adhere to the walls of the room. It can effectively remove odors.

Next, the embodiment shown in FIG. 7 will be described. Since the basic configuration of this embodiment is the same as that of each of the above-described embodiments, different points will be described. As already described, in the present invention, a negative voltage is applied to the application electrode 15 of the electrostatic atomizer 9. In applying the negative voltage to the application electrode 15 in this way, in the present embodiment, , the characteristics of the high voltage applied between the conveying portion 6 and the electrode 7 are set to be negative direct current. In this embodiment, the amount of water W conveyed is increased, and the nano-sized mist M containing a large amount of active species can be efficiently atomized, and sent into the room to adhere to the walls of the room. It can effectively remove odors. Negative ions can also be generated at the same time, and can be supplied indoors.

Next, the embodiment shown in FIG. 8 will be described. Since the basic configuration of this embodiment is the same as that of each of the above-described embodiments, different points will be described. In this embodiment, the characteristics of the high voltage applied between the conveying section 6 and the electrode 7 are set to be a negative DC square wave of 20 to 100 kHz. In the present embodiment, the amount of water W conveyed is increased, and the nano-sized mist M containing a large amount of active species can be efficiently atomized. It can effectively remove odors. Negative ions can also be generated simultaneously and effectively, and can be supplied indoors.

Further, in each of the above-described embodiments, the discharge port 3 is provided on the upper surface of the main body case 11 of the air purifier A, and the nano-sized mist M generated by the electrostatic atomization device 9 is discharged together with the air purified by the filter 2. Although it is designed to be sent indoors, the discharge port 3 may be provided on the front surface of the main body case 11 of the air cleaner A. As a result, the delivery direction of the atomized mist M becomes the front direction of the air purifier A, and the nano-sized mist M containing the active species is efficiently diffused and delivered indoors to effectively remove the odor adhering to the indoor wall surface and the like. can be effectively removed.

1 is a side sectional view of an air purifier of the present invention; FIG. It is front sectional drawing same as the above. It is sectional drawing of the electrostatic atomization apparatus provided in an air cleaner same as the above. It is a top view same as the above. It is sectional drawing same as the above. It is a principle diagram explaining the principle which generates nano-sized mist by electrostatic atomization same as the above. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of an example in which the specified high voltage applied between the conveying unit and the electrode in another embodiment of the same is a negative direct current; FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of an example in which the specified high voltage applied between the conveying unit and the electrode is a negative DC rectangular wave of 20 to 100 kHz in still another embodiment of the same;

Code explanation

A Air cleaner 1 Suction port 2 Filter 3 Discharge port 4 Blower unit 5 Water reservoir unit 6 Transport unit 8 Voltage application unit 9 Electrostatic atomizer 10 Air passage

Claims (1)

An air purifier having an air blower for purifying air sucked from a suction port with a filter and discharging the air from a discharge port includes a water reservoir and a capillary tube for directing water in the water reservoir to a tip located outside the water reservoir. An electrostatic atomizer comprising a conveying part that conveys by phenomenon and a voltage applying part for applying a high voltage to atomize water at the tip of the conveying part and generate nanometer-sized mist containing active species. and a conveying section provided downstream of the filter in an air passage extending from the suction port to the discharge port.

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