JP4744381B2 - Air sanitizer - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an air sterilization apparatus capable of removing airborne microorganisms (bacteria, viruses, fungi (hereinafter simply referred to as “viruses”)).

In general, for the purpose of removing viruses floating in the air, electrolysis is performed using tap water, etc., and humidified elements (filter material, air, etc.) comprising electrolyzed water containing active oxygen species such as hypochlorous acid are added. A sterilization device for sterilizing the air by bringing the virus into contact with the electrolyzed water supplied to the humidifying element, inactivating the virus, etc. Patent Document 1).
JP 2002-181358 A

By the way, in the conventional sterilization apparatus or the like, during electrolysis, calcium ions or magnesium ions contained in tap water or the like are oxidized, and a scale made of calcium carbonate or magnesium carbonate is deposited on the electrode. When the electrode is covered with a scale, the electric conductivity decreases and the flow of the liquid to the electrolytic surface of the electrode is hindered, so that the electrolysis performance and the durability of the electrode decrease. Removal of the scale deposited on the electrode has been performed by using an electrode. However, since the scale removed from the electrode flows out of the electrolytic cell together with the electrolyzed water and moves in the electrolyzed water supply path in the sterilization apparatus, the electrolyzed water is not smoothly supplied to the gas-liquid contact member. There was a problem. For this reason, it is necessary to remove the scale, but it takes time and effort to collect the scale, and it is preferable to collect the scale every time the poles are reversed.
An object of the present invention is to provide an air sterilization apparatus that facilitates maintenance and can reduce the frequency of maintenance.

In order to solve the above-described problems, an air sterilization apparatus of the present invention includes a housing provided with an air suction port and an air outlet, a gas-liquid contact member disposed in the housing, and an electrolytic cell that generates electrolyzed water. An electrolyzed water supply means for supplying the electrolyzed water to the gas-liquid contact member; and the indoor air sucked from the suction port is brought into contact with the electrolyzed water that has permeated the gas-liquid contact member, and the air outlet An air sterilization apparatus comprising: a blower fan that blows out from the filter; and the electrolyzed water supply means includes a filter material that filters the electrolyzed water introduced from the electrolyzer, and a filter material that is detachably accommodated. characterized in that it comprises a electrolytic water supply tray electrolytic water supply holes are formed in the bottom to be supplied to the gas-liquid contact member electrolytic water passed through the filter material.

According to the said structure, an electrolytic cell produces | generates electrolyzed water and an electrolyzed water supply means supplies electrolyzed water to a gas-liquid contact member. The blower fan causes the air sucked from the suction port of the housing to come into contact with the electrolyzed water that has permeated the gas-liquid contact member to sterilize indoor air, and the sterilized air is discharged from the outlet. Blow out.
At this time, the electrolyzed water supply means is composed of scales such as calcium carbonate and magnesium carbonate contained in the electrolyzed water generated in the electrolytic cell, scales precipitated from the electrolyzed water, colloidal silica, humic acid (humic acid) and other insoluble matter. Can be collected in one place in the filter material, and maintenance is easy. In addition, every time insoluble matter such as scale flows out of the electrolytic cell together with the electrolyzed water, the insoluble matter and the electrolyzed water can be separated in the filter material and only the insoluble matter can be recovered. For example, the scale is removed from the electrode. Each time, the user or the like does not need to collect the scale manually, and the frequency of maintenance can be reduced. In addition, since electrolyzed water from which insoluble matter has been removed is supplied to the gas-liquid contact member, it is possible to prevent insoluble matter such as scale and humic acid from adhering to the gas-liquid contact member, and the frequency of maintenance of the gas-liquid contact member Can be reduced.
Further, since the filter material is detachable from the electrolyzed water supply tray, when the filter material is clogged with insoluble matter, the filter material can be easily replaced, and maintenance is easy.

Further, in the above configuration, a water level sensor that detects a water level in the electrolyzed water supply tray, and when the water level in the electrolyzed water supply tray reaches a predetermined water level by the water level sensor, the filter material is replaced by a user. It is good also as a structure provided with the alerting | reporting means to alert | report that it should do.
According to this configuration, when the filter material is clogged, the level of the electrolyzed water in the electrolyzed water supply tray rises. At this time, when it is detected by the water level sensor that the predetermined water level has been reached, the notification means notifies the user that the filter material should be replaced. Therefore, a user or a maintenance manager can easily grasp the replacement time of the filter material, that is, the maintenance time.

Moreover, the said structure WHEREIN: It is preferable that the said electrolyzed water supply means has a bypass path | route for supplying the electrolyzed water which overflows from the said electrolyzed water supply tray to the said gas-liquid contact member.
According to this configuration, when the filter material is clogged with an insoluble matter such as scale or humic acid and the water level in the electrolyzed water supply tray rises and overflows, the electrolyzed water supply path causes the gas-liquid contact member to Electrolyzed water can be supplied and the air sterilizer can be operated continuously even when the filter material cannot be replaced.

In the above configuration, the electrolyzed water is preferably electrolyzed water containing an active oxygen species of superoxide anion, singlet oxygen, hydroxyl radical, hydrogen peroxide, ozone, or hypochlorous acid .
According to this configuration, since the active oxygen species can be included in the electrolyzed water supplied to the gas-liquid contact member, the effect of sterilizing viruses and the like contained in the air can be improved by oxidizing the active oxygen species. It is possible to deodorize odor components contained in the air. Further, the gas-liquid contact member can be sterilized, deodorized and the like by the active oxygen species.

In the above structure, the active oxygen species preferably includes at least one of hypochlorous acid, ozone, and hydrogen peroxide.
According to this configuration, for example, by using chlorine ions contained in tap water or the like, these active oxygen species can be easily generated by electrolysis of water without particularly injecting chemicals or the like. .

Further, in the air sterilization apparatus having the above-described configuration, the insoluble matter contained in the electrolyzed water includes scale removed from the electrode by inversion, a scale precipitated from the electrolyzed water, or a colloidal silica suspension.
According to this configuration, when the scale removed from the electrode by the inversion, the scale deposited from the electrolyzed water, or the colloidal silica suspension flows out of the electrolytic cell, the scale can be recovered in the filter material.

  According to the present invention, since insoluble matters such as scales contained in the electrolyzed water can be collected with a detachable filter material, maintenance is easy and the frequency of maintenance can be reduced. Moreover, since the electrolyzed water from which insoluble matter has been removed can be supplied to the gas-liquid contact member, adhesion of insoluble matter to the gas-liquid contact member can be prevented, and the frequency of maintenance can be reduced.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 shows an external perspective view of an air sterilization apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the air sterilization apparatus 1 is a floor-standing type, and an operation panel 11, an air outlet 12, and an open / close lid 13 are provided on the top surface of a box-shaped housing 10 formed in a vertically long shape. And are provided. The opening / closing lid 13 is for taking in and out the water supply tank 6 (see FIG. 2) disposed inside the housing 10. Further, the air outlet 12 is provided with a slat 14 (auto louver (see FIG. 3)) for changing the direction of blowing air.

  On the other hand, an air inlet 15 is formed in the lower part of the front surface of the housing 10. Moreover, the recessed part 16 is formed in the upper part of the both sides | surfaces of the housing | casing 10, respectively, and a carrier etc. can lift and move the air sanitizer 1 alone by using this recessed part 16 as a handle part. It is like that.

Next, the internal structure of the air sterilizer 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 2 is a front view showing the internal configuration of the air sterilizer 1. FIG. 3 is a left side view of the air sterilization apparatus 1, and FIG. 4 is a right side view.
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a pre-filter 21 is disposed inside the suction port 15 formed in the housing 10. The prefilter 21 collects pollen and dust contained in the air sucked from the suction port 15. In the present embodiment, for example, the prefilter 21 collects suspended substances in the air having a particle diameter of about 10 μm or more. What can be applied.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a blower fan 22 is arranged inside the pre-filter 21, and its suction port faces the air suction port 15 of the housing 10, and the blower port as shown in FIG. 3. 22 a faces the top surface of the housing 10. The blower fan 22 is driven by the drive motor 23, and the indoor air sucked from the suction port 15 by the blower fan 22 passes through the route indicated by the arrow in FIG. Pass 3 The gas-liquid contact member 3 is provided on the air path from the suction port 15 toward the blowout port 12 and is disposed so as to be substantially upright in the housing 10. When the air passes through the gas-liquid contact member 3, the air is sterilized, and the sterilized air passes through the blowout filter 24 and is sent out again from the outlet 12 into the room. The air sterilization in the gas-liquid contact member 3 will be described later.

  The gas-liquid contact member 3 includes water (for example, well water) or water containing chlorine ions (for example, tap water (city water) or water to which chlorine ions are added) in the electrolytic cell 4 shown in FIGS. ) Is electrolyzed and supplied with electrolyzed water. Water stored in the water supply tank 6 or water containing chlorine ions (hereinafter referred to as “tap water” or the like) is supplied to the electrolytic cell 4 by the circulation pump 5. A watering box 7 (electrolyzed water supply means) is assembled to the upper edge of the gas-liquid contact member 3, and electrolyzed water is dropped from the watering box 7 onto the gas-liquid contact member 3. The electrolyzed water discharged from the gas-liquid contact member 3 is stored in the water receiving tray 8 a and flows into the water supply tank support tray 8 b that supports the water supply tank 6. The electrolytic water stored in the water supply tank support tray 8b and the tap water supplied from the water supply tank 6 are pumped up again by the circulation pump 5 and supplied to the electrolytic cell 4. The water supply tank support tray 8b is provided with a drain valve (not shown), and the water (electrolyzed water) in the water tank support tray 8b is discharged to the drain tray 9 by opening the drain valve. The drain tray 9 can be pulled out from the drain tray support portion 91, and a user or the like can discard the water in the drain tray 9 and clean the drain tray 9.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, an electrical box 25 is disposed between the blower fan 22 and the gas-liquid contact member 3 inside the housing 10, and the air sterilizer 1 is placed in the electrical box 25. An electrical component (not shown) such as a control board for controlling each part is stored.

  The gas-liquid contact member 3 is a filter member (filter material) having a honeycomb structure, and has a structure in which a wide gas contact area is secured, electrolytic water can be dropped, and clogging is difficult. That is, as shown in FIG. 5, the gas-liquid contact member 3 is formed in a honeycomb shape as a whole by joining a material 3A bent into a wave shape and a flat material 3B.

  These materials 3A and 3B include materials that are less reactive with electrolyzed water, which will be described later, in short, materials that are less susceptible to degradation by electrolyzed water, such as polyolefin resins (polyethylene resins, polypropylene resins, etc.), PET (polyethylene terephthalol). Materials such as resin, vinyl chloride resin, fluorine resin (PTFE, PFA, ETFE, etc.), cellulosic material or ceramic material can be used. In this configuration, a PET resin is used for these materials 3A and 3B. Further, the gas-liquid contact member 3 is subjected to hydrophilic treatment to increase the affinity for the electrolyzed water, thereby maintaining the water retention (wetability) of the electrolyzed water of the gas-liquid contact member 3. The contact between the active oxygen species described later and the room air is maintained for a long time. Furthermore, since electrolyzed water having an antifungal action is dropped on the gas-liquid contact member 3, it is not necessary to apply an antifungal agent to the gas-liquid contact member 3 as a anti-fungal measure.

FIG. 6 is a diagram for schematically explaining the supply state of the electrolyzed water to the gas-liquid contact member 3.
As shown in FIG. 6A, the above-described water tray 8a (see FIG. 4) is disposed below the gas-liquid contact member 3 made of PET resin, and the above-described water supply tank support tray 8b is disposed on the water tray 8a. It is connected. As shown in FIG. 6A, a water supply port 6A of the water supply tank 6 and a circulation pump 5 are disposed on the water supply tank support tray 8b. Tap water or the like stored in the water supply tank 6 is supplied from the water supply port 6A to the water supply tank support tray 8b. An electrolytic tank 4 is connected to the circulation pump 5, and tap water supplied to the water supply tank support tray 8 b by the circulation pump 5 and electrolytic water flowing into the water supply tank support tray 8 b from the water receiving tray 8 a are supplied to the electrolytic tank 4. Supplied.

  As shown in FIG. 6B, the electrolytic cell 4 includes a pair of or more electrodes 41, 42, and when a voltage is applied between the electrodes 41, 42, electrolyzed tap water or the like flowing into the electrolytic cell 4 is activated oxygen. Electrolyzed water containing seeds is generated. Here, the reactive oxygen species includes oxygen molecules having an oxidation activity higher than that of normal oxygen and related substances, and the so-called narrow activity such as superoxide anion, singlet oxygen, hydroxyl radical, or hydrogen peroxide. It is assumed that oxygen includes active oxygen in a broad sense such as ozone and hypohalous acid. The electrolytic cell 4 is disposed close to the gas-liquid contact member 3 and is configured to be able to immediately supply the active oxygen species generated by electrolyzing tap water or the like to the gas-liquid contact member 3.

  The electrodes 41 and 42 are, for example, electrode plates having a base made of Ti (titanium) and a coating layer made of Ir (iridium) or Pt (platinum).

When electricity is supplied to tap water or the like by the electrodes 41, 42,
4H ⁺ + 4e ⁻ + (4OH ⁻ ) → 2H ₂ + (4OH ⁻ )
And the anode electrode
2H ₂ O → 4H ⁺ + O ₂ + 4e ⁻
As soon as the reaction of
Chlorine ions contained in water (previously contained in tap water, etc.)
2Cl ⁻ → Cl ₂ + 2e ⁻
In addition, this Cl ₂ reacts with water,
Cl ₂ + H ₂ O → HClO + HCl
It becomes.

  In this configuration, when the electrodes 41 and 42 are energized, HClO (hypochlorous acid) having a high sterilizing power is generated. By supplying the electrolyzed water containing hypochlorous acid or the like to the gas-liquid contact member 3, it is possible to prevent proliferation of germs in the gas-liquid contact member 3, viruses floating in the air passing through the gas-liquid contact member 3, etc. Can be inactivated or sterilized. Further, gaseous substances such as odors are removed from the air and deodorized by reacting with hypochlorous acid or the like in the electrolytic water when passing through the gas-liquid contact member 3.

When a current of a predetermined current density (for example, 20 mA / cm ² ) is supplied to the electrodes 41 and 42, electrolyzed water containing a predetermined concentration of active oxygen species (for example, a free residual chlorine concentration of 1 mg / l, etc.) is generated. The concentration of active oxygen species contained in the electrolyzed water can be adjusted by adjusting the current value. Basically, the concentration of active oxygen species in the electrolyzed water can be increased by increasing the current value. be able to.

  When scale is deposited on the electrodes 41 and 42 (cathode) by electrolyzing tap water or the like, the electrical conductivity is lowered or the flow of water to the electrode surface is hindered. Electrolysis becomes difficult. For this reason, in the present embodiment, the polarities of the electrodes 41 and 42 are periodically reversed (switching between plus and minus of the electrodes 41 and 42). The scale deposited on the cathode electrode can be removed by reversing the polarity of the electrodes 41 and 42 and electrolyzing the cathode electrode as an anode electrode. In this polarity reversal control, for example, a timer can be used to reverse the polarity periodically, or the polarity can be reversed irregularly, for example, every time the operation is started. It is also possible to detect an increase in electrolytic resistance (decrease in electrolysis current or increase in electrolysis voltage) and reverse the polarity based on this result.

  An electrolytic water supply pipe 71 to be inserted into the watering box 7 is connected to the electrolytic tank 4. In the electrolytic cell 4, the electrolyzed water generated as described above is introduced into the electrolyzed water supply pipe 71.

  By the way, the scale removed from the electrodes 41 and 42 by polarity reversal or the like flows out of the electrolytic cell 4 together with the electrolyzed water, is supplied to the gas-liquid contact member 3, and may cause clogging of the gas-liquid contact member 3. Moreover, the scale which passed the gas-liquid contact member 3 is discharged | emitted with electrolyzed water to the water receiving tray 8a. In some cases, scale is deposited from the electrolyzed water due to evaporation of moisture or the like. Furthermore, insoluble suspended matters such as colloidal silica and humic acid may be mixed in the electrolyzed water. These insoluble matters can be returned to the electrolytic cell 4 again by the circulation pump 5 and cause a reduction in electrolytic performance. For this reason, when the scale is removed by inversion or the like, it is preferable that the scale can be recovered each time the inversion is performed.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, the filter material 72 (in the watering box 7 is provided with an insoluble matter such as scale, colloidal silica, and humic acid contained in the electrolytic water introduced from the electrolytic cell 4 in the watering box 7 in a detachable manner. When the filter material 72 is clogged, the maintenance is facilitated and the frequency of maintenance is reduced. In addition, by removing the insoluble matter and supplying electrolytic water to the gas-liquid contact member 3, the gas-liquid contact member 3 is prevented from being clogged, and the maintenance frequency and labor are reduced.

  Hereinafter, the structure of the watering box will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 is a cross-sectional view, FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along arrow X-X ′ in FIG. 7, and FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along arrow Y-Y ′ in FIG. 8. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the watering box 7 is assembled to the upper edge portion of the gas-liquid contact member 3 and supplies electrolytic water to the gas-liquid contact member 3, and is formed in a box shape without a box bottom. Has been. The watering box 7 is roughly divided into an electrolytic water supply pipe unit 70a formed in a box lid shape and a filter unit 70b formed in a box body shape without a box bottom.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the electrolyzed water supply pipe unit 70a is formed with an insertion hole 73 into which the electrolyzed water supply pipe 71 is inserted. The electrolytic water supply pipe 71 can be removed from the filter unit 70b while the electrolytic water supply pipe 71 is inserted into the insertion hole 73. Many sprinkling holes 74 are formed in the lower part of the electrolyzed water supply pipe 71. The electrolyzed water introduced from the electrolyzer 4 is sprinkled from the sprinkling hole 74 toward the filter unit 70b.

  The filter unit 70 b supports the electrolyzed water supply tray 75 that receives the electrolyzed water sprayed from the electrolyzed water supply pipe 71, the filter material 72 that is detachably accommodated in the electrolyzed water supply tray 75, and the electrolyzed water supply tray 75. And a water level sensor 77 that detects the water level of the electrolyzed water supply tray 75.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, a plurality of electrolyzed water supply holes 75b are formed at the bottom of the electrolyzed water supply tray 75, and the electrolyzed water sprayed from the electrolyzed water supply pipe 71 is the electrolyzed water supply hole. It is dripped toward the gas-liquid contact member 3 from 75b.
As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, a plurality of small pieces 75 a provided to protrude outside the electrolytic water supply tray 75 are provided on the upper edge of the electrolytic water supply tray 75 at predetermined intervals. The small piece portion 75 a is placed on the support portion 76. Thereby, the electrolyzed water supply tray 75 is supported by the support portion 76.

  The filter material 72 is spread all over the bottom of the electrolyzed water supply tray 75, and the electrolyzed water sprayed on the electrolyzed water supply tray 75 is filtered by the filter material 72 to remove insoluble matters such as scale and humic acid. And the electrolyzed water from which the insoluble matter was removed is dripped from the electrolyzed water supply hole 75b of the electrolyzed water supply tray 75 with respect to the gas-liquid contact member 3. FIG.

  When the filter material 72 is clogged with insoluble matter, the water level in the electrolyzed water supply tray 75 rises. The replacement time of the filter material 72 can be known from the water level detected by the water level sensor 77. For example, when the water level sensor 77 detects that the water level in the electrolyzed water supply tray 75 has reached a predetermined water level, a notification lamp or the like indicating that the filter material 72 has reached the replacement time on the operation panel 11 or the like. It may be configured to notify the user or the like by lighting up.

  Moreover, as shown in FIG. 9, the support part 76 and the small piece part 75a are each provided with the predetermined space | interval, and between the support part 76 (small piece part 75a) and the support part 76 (small piece part 75a) is provided. An overflow port 78 is formed. That is, the electrolyzed water overflowed from the electrolyzed water supply tray 75 flows out from the overflow port 78 to the lower part as shown in FIG.

  On the inner wall of the filter unit 70b, an inclined piece 79 that is inclined downward is provided at the lower end of the electrolyzed water supply tray 75 in a sectional view. The electrolyzed water that has flowed out of the overflow port 78 flows downward along the inclined piece 79 from the side wall of the electrolyzed water supply tray 75 as indicated by an arrow in FIG. 8, and air flows from the gap between the inclined piece 79 and the inclined piece 79. It is dropped toward the liquid contact member 3. Thus, the bypass path of the electrolytic water is formed by the overflow port 78 and the inclined piece 79 provided on the inner wall of the filter unit 70b.

  The watering box 7 configured in this way is assembled to the upper edge of the gas-liquid contact member 3 in the filter unit 70b. A sheet 31 is provided at the upper edge of the gas-liquid contact member 3 to uniformly distribute the electrolyzed water dropped from the water spray box 7 to the gas-liquid contact member 3.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.
By operating the operation panel 11 shown in FIG. 1, the operation of the floor-standing air sterilizer 1 is started. When the operation of the air sterilizer 1 is started, the circulation pump 5 shown in FIG. 6 (A) is driven, and the tap water or the like stored in the water supply tank support tray 8b is supplied to the electrolytic cell 4.

  In the electrolytic cell 4, a predetermined voltage is applied between the electrodes 41 and 42, a direct current flows between the electrodes 41 and 42, and electrolysis of tap water or the like is performed. And electrolyzed water containing active oxygen species such as hypochlorous acid or ozone and hydrogen peroxide is generated. The electrolyzed water is introduced into the electrolyzed water supply pipe 71, passes through the sprinkling holes 74 (not shown) of the electrolyzed water supply pipe 71, is sprayed into the electrolyzed water supply tray 75, and is stored in the electrolyzed water supply tray 75. After the insoluble matter is removed from the material 72, the material 72 is dropped onto the gas-liquid contact member 3 from the electrolyzed water supply hole 75b. The electrolyzed water penetrates into the upper edge portion of the gas-liquid contact member 3 through the flow dividing sheet 31 and gradually permeates toward the lower portion.

  Indoor air is supplied by the blower fan 22 to the gas-liquid contact member 3 permeated with the electrolyzed water. The indoor air comes into contact with the active oxygen species contained in the electrolyzed water that has permeated into the gas-liquid contact member 3 and is blown out again from the outlet 12 into the room. The gas-liquid contact member 3 has a high affinity with the electrolyzed water, whereby the water retention (wetability) of the electrolyzed water of the gas-liquid contact member 3 is maintained, and the contact between the room air and the active oxygen species is long. Persisted. This reactive oxygen species has a function of destroying and eliminating (removing) the surface protein (spike) of the virus essential for infection when, for example, an influenza virus invades into the indoor air. Influenza virus and the receptor (receptor) necessary for the virus to become infected do not bind, thereby preventing infection. As a result of the verification test in collaboration with the Institute for Hygiene and Environment, it was found that 99% or more of the infectivity of the virus can be removed when the air in which the influenza virus has entered is passed through the gas-liquid contact member 3 of this configuration.

  On the other hand, the surplus electrolyzed water is discharged from the gas-liquid contact member 3, flows into the adjacent water supply tank support tray 8b via the water receiving tray 8a shown in FIG. 6A, and is stored therein. In this configuration, when water is circulated and the amount of water is reduced by evaporation or the like, an appropriate amount of tap water or the like is supplied to the water supply tank support tray 8b via the water supply tank 6. When the amount of water in the water supply tank 6 decreases, the open / close lid 13 (see FIG. 1) is opened, the water supply tank 6 is taken out, and tap water or the like is supplied.

  In the present embodiment, the indoor air sucked from the suction port 15 provided on the front surface of the housing 10 is brought into contact with the electrolyzed water dropped on the gas-liquid contact member 3 and is provided on the upper portion of the housing 10. In order to provide a structure that blows out from the air outlet 12, the floor-standing air sanitizer 1 is installed in a so-called large space such as a kindergarten, elementary, middle, or high school, a nursing care insurance facility, a hospital, or the like. Even in such a case, indoor air sterilized by contact with electrolyzed water can be blown away in a large space, air sterilization in a large space can be achieved efficiently, and deodorization can be performed at the same time.

  Moreover, in this embodiment, when supplying electrolyzed water to the gas-liquid contact member 3, insoluble matters, such as scales, such as calcium carbonate and magnesium carbonate, humic acid (humic acid), which are contained in electrolyzed water are contained in the filter material 72. It can be collected in one place. Moreover, since insoluble matter can be collected in the filter material 72 every time insoluble matter such as scale flows out from the electrolytic cell 4 together with the electrolyzed water, the frequency of maintenance can be reduced. There is no need to collect the scale removed from the electrodes 41 and 42, and the frequency of maintenance can be reduced. Moreover, since electrolyzed water is supplied to the gas-liquid contact member 3 after removing the insoluble matter, the gas-liquid contact member 3 is prevented from adhering to the gas-liquid contact member 3 such as scale and humic acid. The maintenance frequency can be reduced.

  Moreover, since the filter material 72 is detachably accommodated in the electrolyzed water supply tray 75, when the filter material 72 is clogged with insoluble matter, the filter material 72 can be easily replaced, and the gas-liquid contact can be performed. Compared with the case where the member 3 is replaced, the maintenance labor can be reduced.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, the watering box 7 is formed in the box shape, and is provided with the electrolyzed water supply pipe unit 70a formed in the box lid shape, and the filter unit 70b formed in the box main body shape. Therefore, when replacing the filter material 72, the electrolyzed water supply pipe unit 70a can be easily removed from the filter unit 70b, and maintenance is easy.

  Further, when the filter material 72 is clogged in the electrolyzed water supply tray 75, the electrolyzed water level in the electrolyzed water supply tray 75 rises, so that the user or the maintenance manager can detect the water level detected by the water level sensor 77. Etc. can grasp the replacement time of the filter material 72. At this time, when the water level in the electrolyzed water supply tray 75 reaches a predetermined water level, for example, a water level that requires replacement of the filter material 72, the filter material is replaced by the user by turning on the lamp on the operation panel 11 or the like. By notifying that it is time to do so, the user or the maintenance manager can easily grasp the replacement time of the filter material 72.

  Further, in the present embodiment, when the electrolytic water overflows from the electrolytic water supply tray 75 due to clogging of the filter material 72 or the like, the electrolytic water can be supplied to the gas-liquid contact member 3 through the bypass path. Even when the replacement time of the filter material 72 has passed, even when the filter material 72 is not replaced, the operation can be continued by supplying electrolytic water to the gas-liquid contact member 3.

  Moreover, in this embodiment, the electrolyzed water containing hypochlorous acid is collected by the water receiving tray 8a, and flows into the adjacent water supply tank support tray 8b. For this reason, miscellaneous bacteria do not occur in each dish 8a, 8b, and generation of slime is prevented. For this reason, the frequency of cleaning and maintenance of the dishes 8a and 8b is reduced, and the labor for maintenance and the like can be reduced.

The air sterilization apparatus 1 of the embodiment described above is one aspect of the present invention, and it is needless to say that the air sterilization apparatus 1 can be appropriately changed without departing from the gist of the present invention.
For example, in the above-described embodiment, the water supply system using the water tank 6 that can be freely taken in and out is used. Instead of the water tank 6, for example, a water pipe water supply system that directly connects city water by connecting a water pipe may be used. Needless to say.

  Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the electrolyzed water supply unit that drops electrolyzed water onto the gas-liquid contact member 3 and wets it has been described. It is good also as a structure. In this case, although illustration is omitted, for example, two weirs are provided in the water tray 8a, and electrolytic water is introduced and the filter material 72 is detachably accommodated to remove insoluble matters such as scales contained in the electrolytic water. An insoluble matter removal area that is adjacent to the insoluble matter removal area and forms an electrolyzed water retention area for storing the electrolyzed water from which the insoluble matter has been removed in the insoluble matter removal area. The lower edge portion may be submerged and the electrolytic water may be sucked up by a so-called capillary phenomenon.

In the above embodiment, the configuration for generating hypochlorous acid as the active oxygen species has been mainly described. However, as the configuration for generating ozone (O ₃ ) and hydrogen peroxide (H ₂ O ₂ ) as the active oxygen species. Also good. In this case, when a platinum tantalum electrode is used as an electrode, active oxygen species can be stably generated with high efficiency by electrolysis even from water (eg, well water) in which ion species are dilute.
At this time, in the anode electrode,
2H ₂ O → 4H ⁺ + O ₂ + 4e ⁻
At the same time as
3H ₂ O → O ₃ + 6H ⁺ + 6e ⁻
2H ₂ O → O ₃ + 4H ⁺ + 4e ⁻
This reaction occurs and ozone is generated. In the cathode electrode,
4H ⁺ + 4e ⁻ + (4OH ⁻ ) → 2H ₂ + (4OH ⁻ )
O ₂ ⁻ + e ⁻ + 2H ₂ → H ₂ O ₂
Thus, O ₂ ⁻ generated by the electrode reaction is combined with H ⁺ in the solution to generate hydrogen peroxide.

  In this configuration, when the electrodes 41 and 42 are energized in the electrolytic cell 4, ozone and hydrogen peroxide having high sterilizing power are generated, and electrolyzed water containing these ozone and hydrogen peroxide is generated. The contact member 3 can be supplied.

It is a perspective view which shows the external appearance of the air sterilizer of this Embodiment. It is a front view which shows the internal structure of the air sterilizer of this Embodiment. It is a left view which shows the internal structure of the air sterilizer of this Embodiment. It is a right view which shows the internal structure of the air sterilizer of this Embodiment. It is a front view of the gas-liquid contact member with which the air sanitization apparatus of this Embodiment is equipped. It is a systematic diagram which shows the electrolyzed water supply means of this Embodiment, A is a front view, B is a block diagram of an electrolytic vessel. It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of the electrolyzed water supply means (sprinkling box) of this Embodiment. It is X-X 'sectional drawing in FIG. 7 of the electrolyzed water supply means of this Embodiment. FIG. 9 is a Y-Y ′ cross-sectional view of the electrolyzed water supply means of the present embodiment in FIG. 8.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Air sanitizer 3 Gas-liquid contact member 4 Electrolysis tank 5 Circulation pump 6 Water supply tank 7 Sprinkling box (electrolysis water supply means)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 9 Drain tray 10 Case 22 Blower fan 41 Electrode 70a Electrolyzed water supply pipe unit 70b Filter unit 71 Electrolyzed water supply pipe 72 Filter material 75 Electrolyzed water supply tray 75b Electrolyzed water supply hole 76 Support part 77 Water level sensor 78 Overflow port

Claims (4)

A housing provided with an air inlet and an air outlet, a gas-liquid contact member disposed in the housing, an electrolytic cell for generating electrolyzed water, and electrolyzed water that supplies the electrolyzed water to the gas-liquid contact member An air sterilization apparatus comprising: a supply unit; and a blower fan that brings the indoor air sucked from the suction port into contact with the electrolyzed water that has permeated the gas-liquid contact member and blows out the air from the outlet. And
The electrolytic water supply unit supplies the electrolytic and filter material for filtering electrolytic water introduced from the tank, the electrolytic water passed through the filter material together when removably accommodating the filter material into the gas-liquid contact member An electrolyzed water supply tray having an electrolyzed water supply hole formed at the bottom,
An air sterilizer characterized by. In the air sterilizer according to claim 1,
A water level sensor for detecting a water level in the electrolyzed water supply tray;
When the water level in the electrolyzed water supply tray reaches a predetermined water level by the water level sensor, a notification means for notifying the user that the filter material should be replaced is provided.
An air sterilizer characterized by. In the air sanitizer according to claim 1 or 2,
The electrolyzed water supply means has a bypass path for supplying electrolyzed water overflowing from the electrolyzed water supply tray to the gas-liquid contact member;
An air sterilizer characterized by. In the air sanitizer as described in any one of Claims 1-3,
The electrolyzed water is electrolyzed water containing an active oxygen species of superoxide anion, singlet oxygen, hydroxyl radical, hydrogen peroxide, ozone, hypochlorous acid ,
An air sterilizer characterized by.

Images