JP4878834B2 - Air sterilization apparatus and control method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an air sterilization apparatus capable of removing airborne microbial viruses and the like and a control method therefor.

In general, for the purpose of removing airborne microbial viruses, etc., a sterilization device has been proposed in which electrolyzed water mist is diffused in the air and this electrolyzed water mist is brought into direct contact with airborne microorganisms to inactivate viruses and the like. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-181358

However, because the diffusion range of electrolyzed water mist is limited, the conventional type is not effective in large spaces such as kindergartens, small, middle and high schools, and large rooms such as nursing care facilities and hospitals. There's a problem.
On the other hand, in order to sterilize a large space, electrolyzed water obtained by electrolyzing water containing chlorine ions is dropped or infiltrated into the gas-liquid contact member, and indoor air is sent to the gas-liquid contact member, The thing provided with the structure which blows off the air which contacted this electrolyzed water indoors is proposed. In the case of this configuration, parts related to electrolysis are important parts, and it is desirable to accurately identify and detect the failure location of such parts.
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an air sterilization apparatus and a control method therefor that can solve the problems of the conventional techniques described above and that can identify a failure location.

In the present invention, water containing chlorine ions from a water tray is supplied to an electrolytic cell by a pump, and electrolytic water electrolyzed by a pair of electrodes in the electrolytic cell is dropped or infiltrated into a gas-liquid contact member. An air sterilization mechanism that performs water circulation operation for storing electrolyzed water dripped from the gas-liquid contact member in a water receiving tray, sends indoor air to the gas-liquid contact member, and blows out air that has been brought into contact with the electrolyzed water into the room, Water receiving tray water detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of water in the water receiving tray, electrolytic cell water detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of water in the electrolytic bath by detecting the water level in the electrolytic bath, and conduction detection between the electrodes The electrolysis cell continuity detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of water in the electrolytic cell and the water receiving water detection means detecting the presence of water, and the pump is operated during the operation. Means and the electrolytic cell conduction detecting means Based on a combination of the detection result and means for specifying the abnormal point of the air filtering mechanism.

In this case, when the electrolyzer water detection means and the electrolyzer continuity detection means detect that there is no water in the electrolyzer during operation of the pump, it may be specified that the pump is abnormal. During operation of the pump, when the electrolyzer water detection means detects that there is no water, and the electrolyzer continuity detection means detects that there is water, it may be specified that the electrolyzer water detection means is abnormal. The electrolytic cell is configured such that when the pump is stopped, the stored water naturally flows out and no water is present. After the pump is operated and the time until water accumulates in the electrolytic cell has elapsed. The electrolytic cell water detection means and the electrolytic cell conduction detection means may each detect the presence or absence of water in the electrolytic tank .

  Further, in this case, the electrolytic cell is configured such that when the pump is stopped, the stored water naturally flows out and no water is present. If it is detected that there is water and the electrolytic cell water detecting means detects that water is present even after the time when the electrolytic cell is out of water, it may be specified that the electrolytic cell water detecting means is abnormal. During operation of the air sterilizer, it is provided with a water supply request counting means for counting the number of water supply requests issued when the water receiving water detection means detects no water, and the count value of the water supply request counting means is previously set. When the predetermined threshold value is exceeded, it may be specified that the water receiving water detection unit is abnormal.

Also, the present invention supplies water containing chlorine ions from a water tray to a electrolytic cell by a pump, and drops or permeates electrolytic water electrolyzed by a pair of electrodes in the electrolytic cell into a gas-liquid contact member. An air sterilization mechanism that performs water circulation operation for storing electrolyzed water dropped from the gas-liquid contact member in a water receiving tray, sends indoor air to the gas-liquid contact member, and blows out air brought into contact with the electrolyzed water into the room In the control method of the air sterilization apparatus, the pump is operated in a state where water receiving water detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of water in the water receiving tray detects that there is water, and during this operation, the electrolytic cell Detection result of electrolytic cell water detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of water in the electrolytic cell by detecting the water level in the electrolytic cell, and electrolytic cell continuity detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of water in the electrolytic cell by detecting conduction between the electrodes Based on the combination of And identifies the abnormal point of the air filtering mechanism.

  In the present invention, the pump is operated in a state where the water receiving water detecting means detects that water is present, and during this operation, the air is detected based on the combination of the detection results of the electrolytic cell water detecting means and the electrolytic cell conduction detecting means. It is possible to identify an abnormal part of the sterilization mechanism.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
In FIG. 1, the code | symbol 1 shows a floor-standing type air sanitizer. This floor-mounted air sterilization apparatus 1 includes a box-shaped housing 2, which includes a leg piece 2A, a front panel 2B, and a top panel 2C, on both sides of the top panel 2C. The operation lid 2D and the opening / closing lid 2E are arranged side by side. As shown in FIG. 2, a horizontally long suction port 3 is formed in the lower portion of the housing 2, and a prefilter 3 </ b> A is disposed above the suction port 3. A blower fan 7 is disposed above the pre-filter 3A, and a gas-liquid contact member 5 having high water retention is disposed above the blower fan 7 in a brace shape as shown in FIG. A horizontally long air outlet 4 is disposed above the liquid contact member 5. Reference numeral 8 denotes a support plate for the blower fan 7, and the support plate 8 is supported by the housing 2.

  This gas-liquid contact member 5 is a filter member having a honeycomb structure, has a structure in which a wide gas contact area is ensured, electrolytic water can be dripped, and clogging is difficult. That is, as shown in FIG. 4, the gas-liquid contact member 5 is formed in a honeycomb shape as a whole by joining a material 5A bent into a wave shape and a flat material 5B.

  These materials 5A and 5B include materials that are less reactive to 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 terephthalate) resins. A material such as a vinyl chloride resin, a fluorine resin (PTFE, PFA, ETFE, etc.) or a ceramic material is used. In this configuration, a PET resin is used for these materials 5A and 5B. Moreover, since electrolyzed water having fungicidal action is dropped on the gas-liquid contact member 5, it is not necessary to apply a fungicide to the gas-liquid contact member 5 as a countermeasure against mold.

  The inclination angle θ of the gas-liquid contact member 5 is desirably 30 ° or more. In the case of less than that, the dropped electrolyzed water does not flow along the inclination of the gas-liquid contact member 5 but falls downward. Further, when the inclination angle θ approaches 90 °, the air blowing path passing through the gas-liquid contact member 5 becomes nearly horizontal, and it is difficult to blow upward by that much. When this blowing direction is made close to horizontal, the blowing air cannot be blown far away, and as described later, the device is not suitable for sterilization of a large space. The inclination angle θ is preferably 80 °> θ> 30 °, more preferably 75 °> θ> 55 °, and about 57 ° in this configuration.

5A to 5C show electrolyzed water supply means for dropping electrolyzed water onto the gas-liquid contact member 5.
A water tray 9 (see FIG. 3) is disposed below the gas-liquid contact member 5 made of PET resin, and a water tank support tray 10 is connected to the water tray 9. The water supply tank support tray 10 is provided with a water supply tank 11 for supplying tap water containing chlorine ions into the support tray 10 and a circulation pump 13. An electrolytic tank 31 is connected to the circulation pump 13, and an electrolytic water supply pipe 17 is connected to the electrolytic tank 31. The electrolyzed water supply pipe 17 is configured to include a large number of water spray holes (not shown) on the outer periphery, and as shown in FIG. 5B, in the water spray box 5C formed at the upper edge of the gas-liquid contact member 5. Has been inserted.

  As shown in FIG. 5A, the electrolytic cell 31 is disposed above the water receiving tray 9 and the water supply tank support tray 10. For this reason, when the circulation pump 13 starts operation in the electrolytic tank 31, the water supply tank support tray 10 When the sucked-up water is stored and the circulation pump 13 stops operating, the water in the electrolytic cell 31 naturally falls onto the water supply tank support tray 10 due to gravity, and the electrolytic cell 31 becomes empty.

  As shown in FIG. 5C, the electrolytic cell 31 includes electrodes 32 and 33. When the electrodes 32 and 33 are energized, the tap water flowing into the electrolytic cell 31 is electrolyzed to generate active oxygen species. Let Here, the reactive oxygen species are oxygen having higher oxidation activity than normal oxygen and related substances, such as superoxide anion, singlet oxygen, hydroxyl radical, or hydrogen peroxide, in a narrow sense. It is assumed that active oxygen includes active oxygen in a broad sense such as ozone and hypohalogen acid. The electrolytic cell 31 is arranged close to the gas-liquid contact member 5 and is configured to be able to immediately supply the active oxygen species generated by electrolyzing tap water to the gas-liquid contact member 5.

The electrodes 32 and 33 are, for example, electrode plates in which the base is made of Ti (titanium) and the coating layer is made of Ir (iridium) or Pt (platinum). The current value applied to the electrodes 32 and 33 is the current density. A predetermined free residual chlorine concentration (for example, 1 mg (milligram) / l (liter)) is generated as several mA (milliampere) / cm ² (square centimeter) to several tens of mA / cm ² .

When the tap water is energized by the electrodes 32 and 33, the cathode electrode
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 (pre-added to tap water)
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 32 and 33 are energized, HClO (hypochlorous acid) having a high sterilizing power is generated, and air is passed through the gas-liquid contact member 5 to which this hypochlorous acid is supplied. The gas-liquid contact member 5 can prevent germs from breeding, and can inactivate viruses floating in the air passing through the gas-liquid contact member 5. Further, when the odor passes through the gas-liquid contact member 5, it reacts with hypochlorous acid in the electrolytic water, and is ionized and dissolved to be removed from the air and deodorized.

  The floor-standing type air sterilization apparatus 1 includes a control unit 30 that centrally controls each part of the floor-standing type air sterilization apparatus 1. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the control unit 30 and its peripheral configuration.

The control unit 30 includes a microcomputer 34, a storage unit 35, a water supply request counter 38, an input unit 36, and an output unit 37. An operation panel exposed when the operation lid 2D is opened and a remote controller 40 for remote operation (hereinafter referred to as “remote control”). The user inputs various instructions via "."
The microcomputer 34 controls the electrolytic bath 31, the blower fan 7, the circulation pump 13, and the like based on a control program stored in advance in a storage unit 35 that is a nonvolatile memory such as an EEPROM in accordance with various instructions from the user. Is.

The input unit 36 is an interface to which detection signals from the electrodes 32 and 33, the bath temperature sensor 44, the electrolytic cell float switch 42 and the water tray float switch 43 are input, and the output unit 37 supplies power to the electrodes 32 and 33. This is an interface for output.
The microcomputer 34 issues a water supply request when a detection signal indicating no water is input from the water tray float switch 43 via the input unit 36, turns on a water supply notification lamp (not shown), and the water supply request counter 38 The number of water supply requests issued is counted, and the count value is reset when the user performs water supply.
The microcomputer 22, the non-volatile memory 23, the water supply request counter 38, the input unit 36, and the output unit 37 are mounted on a substrate and housed in an electrical box (not shown).

Next, the power supply 41, the tank temperature sensor 44, the electrolytic cell float switch 42, the water pan float switch 43, the electrodes 32 and 33, and the warning lamp 39 connected to the control unit 30 will be described.
The power supply 41 is a power supply for operating the floor-standing air sterilization apparatus 1, and supplies power to devices connected to the control unit 30 when the power switch of the operation panel is turned on.
The bath temperature sensor 44 is a temperature sensor disposed in the electrolytic bath 31 and detects the temperature of the electrolyzed water in the electrolytic bath 31.

The electrolytic cell float switch (electrolytic cell water detection means) 42 detects the presence or absence of water in the electrolytic cell 31 by detecting whether or not there is electrolytic water in the electrolytic cell 31 at or above a predetermined permitted water level. .
The water tray float switch (water tray water detection means) 43 detects the presence or absence of water in the electrolytic bath 31 by detecting whether or not there is electrolyzed water in the water tray 9 at or above a predetermined permitted water level. .
Further, the electrodes (electrolyzer continuity detecting means) 32 and 33 provided in the electrolytic bath 31 are not only used for electrolysis of tap water but also as detection electrodes for detecting the conductivity of the electrolytic water. used.
The warning lamp 39 functions as a notification means for notifying the abnormality of the circulation pump 13, the electrolytic cell float switch 42 and the water tray float switch 43, and the circulation pump abnormality warning lamp for notifying the abnormality of the circulation pump 13, electrolysis It is composed of an electrolytic bath FS (float switch) abnormality warning lamp for notifying abnormality of the tank float switch 42 and a water tray FS abnormality warning lamp for notifying abnormality of the water tray float switch 43, and is attached to the front panel 2B.

Next, the operation | movement at the time of the air sterilization of the floor-standing type air sterilizer 1 is demonstrated.
In FIG. 1, when the operation lid 2D is opened, an operation panel (not shown) is provided on the inner side, and the operation of the floor-standing air sterilizer 1 is started by operating this operation panel. When this operation is started, as shown in FIG. 7, the circulation pump 13 is driven, and the tap water accumulated in the water supply tank support tray 10 is supplied to the electrolytic cell 31.
In the electrolytic bath 31, when the electrodes 32 and 33 are energized, tap water is electrolyzed to generate electrolytic water containing active oxygen species. This electrolyzed water is sprinkled into the watering box 5C through a watering hole (not shown) of the electrolyzed water supply pipe 17, and from here it soaks into the upper edge of the gas-liquid contact member 5 and gradually toward the lower part. To penetrate.

  The electrolyzed water dropped from the gas-liquid contact member 5 is received by the water receiving tray 9, flows into the water supply tank support tray 10 through the inclined surface on one end side of the water receiving tray 9, and is stored therein. In this configuration, the water is circulating, and when the amount of water is reduced by evaporation or the like, an appropriate amount of tap water in the water supply tank 11 is supplied to the water supply tank support tray 10. The water supply tank 11 is disposed so that it can be taken out by opening the opening / closing lid 2E (see FIG. 1), and the water supply tank 11 can be taken out to supply tap water.

  The air-liquid contact member 5 into which the electrolytic water has permeated is supplied with indoor air as indicated by an arrow X through the blower fan 7. The indoor air comes into contact with the active oxygen species soaked in the gas-liquid contact member 5 and is blown out into the room again. This reactive oxygen species has the function of destroying and eliminating (removing) the surface protein (spike) of the virus essential for infection when, for example, influenza virus floats in 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, it was found that 99% or more of the virus can be removed when the air in which the influenza virus is suspended is passed through the gas-liquid contact member 5 having this configuration.

By the way, in this embodiment, the abnormality detection process (abnormality identification process) which detects abnormality of the circulation pump 13, the electrolytic cell float switch 42, and the water tray float switch 43 which are important parts is performed in the air sterilization operation. ing.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an abnormality detection process for the circulation pump 13 and the electrolytic cell float switch 42. The abnormality detection process is repeatedly executed when the floor-standing air sanitizer 1 is turned on.
First, when the floor-mounted air sanitizer 1 is turned on, the control unit 30 determines whether it is in operation (during system operation) or not (step Sa1). When the operation is stopped, the control unit 30 resets the abnormality information stored in the predetermined area of the storage unit 35. Specifically, the control unit 30 stores flag information PU indicating normality / abnormality of the circulation pump 13 and flag information EF indicating normality / abnormality of the electrolytic cell float switch (SW) 42 as abnormality information. And the flag information PU and EF are set to reset values indicating normality (step Sa6).

  On the other hand, when the floor-standing air sanitizer 1 is in operation (step Sa1: Yes), the control unit 30 determines whether or not the water tray float switch 43 detects that there is water (step Sa2). When the water receiving tray float switch 43 detects that there is no water (step Sa2: No), the control unit 30 proceeds to the process of step Sa6 and resets the abnormality information.

  On the other hand, in step Sa2, when the water receiving tray float switch 43 detects that water is present (step Sa2: Yes), the operation time of the circulation pump 13 is used to store the electrolytic water in the electrolytic bath 31. It is determined whether or not the time is sufficient (for example, 2 minutes) (step Sa3). When the control unit 30 determines that the operation time is less than the above time (2 minutes) (step Sa3: No), the control unit 30 proceeds to the process of step Sa6 and resets the abnormality information.

  On the other hand, if the control unit 30 determines that the operation time is equal to or longer than the above time (2 minutes) (step Sa3: Yes), the control unit 30 determines whether the electrolytic cell float switch 42 detects that water is present (step Sa4). When the control unit 30 determines that the electrolytic cell float switch 42 detects that water is present (step Sa4: Yes), the control unit 30 proceeds to the process of step Sa6 and resets the abnormality information.

On the other hand, if the control unit 30 determines that the electrolytic cell float switch 42 detects that there is no water (step Sa4: No), the controller 30 supplies power between the electrodes 32 and 33, and the current flowing between the electrodes 32 and 33. From the value, the conductivity of the electrolyzed water in the electrolyzer 31 is measured, and the presence or absence of water in the electrolyzer 31 is determined (step Sa5).
When the determination result in step Sa5 is that the electrolytic cell 31 has no water (step Sa5: Yes), the control unit 30 detects that there is no water in the electrolytic cell 31 even though the electrolytic cell float switch 42 has detected water. When a mismatch occurs in which it is determined that the water stored in the receiving tray 9 is not sent to the electrolytic bath 31, the control unit 30 determines that the circulation pump 13 is abnormal, and the circulation pump 13 is normal / abnormal. Is set to an ON value indicating an abnormality, and the circulation pump abnormality warning lamp of the warning lamp 39 is lit to notify the abnormality of the circulation pump 13 in accordance with the flag information PU.

  On the other hand, when the determination result of step Sa5 is that there is electrolytic water in the electrolytic cell 31 (step Sa5: No), that is, the electrolytic cell float switch 42 detects that there is no electrolytic water in the electrolytic cell 31 by the determination of step Sa4. Nevertheless, if a mismatch occurs between the electrodes 32 and 33 in the electrolytic cell 31 that it is determined that there is electrolytic water, the control unit 30 determines that there is an abnormality in the electrolytic cell float switch 42 and the electrolytic cell. The flag information EF indicating normality / abnormality of the float switch 42 is set to an ON value indicating abnormality, and the electrolytic cell FS abnormality warning of the warning lamp 39 is notified in order to notify the abnormality of the electrolytic cell float switch 42 according to the flag information EF. Turn on the lamp.

  In the process of step Sa4, when the electrolytic cell float switch 42 detects that there is no water (step Sa4: Yes), the control unit 30 resets abnormality information of the circulation pump 13 and the electrolytic cell float switch 42.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an abnormality detection process (abnormality identification process) of the electrolytic cell float switch 42. This abnormality detection process is executed by the control unit 30 when the electrolytic cell float switch 42 detects that the electrolytic cell 31 has water. The abnormality detection process is repeatedly executed when the floor-standing air sanitizer 1 is turned on.
In this detection process, when the user turns on the floor-type air sterilizer 1, the control unit 30 determines whether or not the floor-type air sterilizer 1 is in operation (during system operation). Is determined (step Sb1). When the control unit 30 determines that the floor-standing air sanitizer 1 is stopped (step Sb1: No), the control unit 30 proceeds to the process of step Sb7 and resets the abnormality information.

  On the other hand, if the control unit 30 determines that the floor-mounted air sanitizer 1 is in operation (step Sb1: Yes), whether or not an alarm for notifying an abnormality of the motor of the blower fan 7 is in alarm. Is determined (step Sb2). When it determines with the alarm which alert | reports abnormality of the motor of the ventilation fan 7, etc. being alarming (step Sb2: No), the control part 30 stops the driving | operation of the floor-type air sanitizer 1, and the circulation pump 13 Is stopped, the process proceeds to step Sb7, and the abnormality information is reset.

  On the other hand, when it determines with it not being during an alarm (step Sb2: Yes), the control part 30 determines whether the water receiving tray float switch 43 has detected that there exists water (step Sb3). When the water tray float switch 43 detects that there is no water (step Sb3: No), the control unit 30 proceeds to the process of step Sb7 and resets the abnormality information.

  On the other hand, when the water tray float switch 43 detects that there is water in step Sb3 (step Sb3: Yes), the control unit 30 determines whether or not the operation of the circulation pump 13 is stopped (step Sb4). ). When it is determined that the circulation pump 13 is in operation (step Sb4: No), the control unit 30 proceeds to the process of step Sb7 and resets the abnormality information.

  On the other hand, when the control unit 30 determines that the circulation pump 13 is stopped (step Sb4: Yes), the circulation pump exceeds the time sufficient for the electrolyzed water in the electrolysis tank 31 to disappear (for example, 3 minutes). It is determined whether or not 13 is in operation stop (step Sb5). When it is determined that the circulating pump 13 has not been stopped for a sufficient time (step Sb5: No), the control unit 30 proceeds to the process of step Sb7 and resets the abnormality information.

  On the other hand, if the determination result of step Sb5 indicates that the circulation pump 13 has been stopped for a sufficient time (step Sb5: Yes), that is, the circulation pump 13 is sufficient for the electrolytic water in the electrolytic bath 31 to flow out and disappear. If a mismatch occurs in which the electrolytic cell float switch 42 is determined to have water despite being stopped for a long time, the control unit 30 determines that the electrolytic cell float switch 42 is abnormal. Then, the flag information EF indicating normality / abnormality of the electrolytic cell float switch 42 is set to an ON value indicating abnormalities, and the electrolytic cell of the warning lamp 39 is notified to notify the abnormality of the electrolytic cell float switch 42 according to the flag information EF. Turn on the FS abnormality warning lamp.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an abnormality detection process (abnormality identification process) of the water tray float switch 43. The abnormality detection process is repeatedly executed when the floor-standing air sanitizer 1 is turned on.
First, the control unit 30 determines whether or not the floor-mounted air sterilizer 1 is in operation (step Sc1). When it is determined that the floor-type air sanitizer 1 is stopped (step Sc1: No), the control unit 30 resets the water supply request (turns off when the water supply notification lamp is lit) (step Sc8). ).

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the floor-standing air sterilizer 1 is in operation (step Sc1: Yes), the control unit 30 determines whether or not the water tray float switch 43 has detected that water is present ( Step Sc2). When the water tray float switch 43 detects that water is present (step Sc2: No), the control unit 30 resets the water supply request counter 38 (step Sc7) and resets the water supply request (step Sc8).

  On the other hand, when the water tray float switch 43 detects that there is no water (step Sc2: Yes), the control unit 30 determines whether or not a water supply request is being made (step Sc3). Here, a water supply request | requirement is maintained until a user performs water supply and it determines with the control part 30 having electrolytic water in the water receiving tray 9 by step Sc2. When determining that the water supply is being requested (step Sc3: Yes), the control unit 30 ends the series of processes.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the water supply request is not being made (step Sc3: No), the control unit 30 sets the water supply request, increments the count of the water supply request counter 38 by 1 (step Sc4), and the count value is the water tray float switch. It is determined whether or not it is larger than a count value (for example, 5 times) sufficient to determine that an abnormality has occurred in 43 (step Sa5). When it determines with the count value of the water supply request | requirement counter 38 not being large (count value is 5 times or less) (step Sc5: No), the control part 30 complete | finishes a series of processes.

On the other hand, when it determines with a count value being large (step Sc5: Yes), the control part 30 determines with the water tray float switch 43 having abnormality.
In this case, the control unit 30 determines that the water pan float switch 43 is abnormal, sets the flag information PF indicating normality / abnormality of the water pan float switch 43 to an ON value indicating abnormality, and sets the flag information PF. Accordingly, the water receiving tray FS abnormality warning lamp of the warning lamp 39 is lit to notify the abnormality of the water receiving float switch 43.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, when the circulation pump 13 is operated in a state where the water tray float switch 43 detects that there is water, and when the electrolytic cell float switch 42 detects that there is water, When it is detected from the current value flowing between the electrodes 32 and 33 that water is present in the electrolytic cell 31, it is determined that the circulation pump 13 is abnormal. , It can be determined that the electrolytic cell float switch 42 is abnormal. That is, an abnormal part can be specified based on the combination of the detection result of the electrolytic cell float switch 42 and the detection result of the presence or absence of water using the electrodes 32 and 33.

In addition, when the electrolytic cell float switch 42 detects the presence of water and the electrolytic cell float switch 42 detects the presence of water even after the operation stop time of the circulation pump 13 has passed the time when the electrolytic cell 31 has no water. Can be identified as an abnormality of the electrolytic cell float switch 42.
Furthermore, the number of water supply requests issued when the water pan float switch 43 detects no water is counted, and the count value is a count value sufficient to determine that the water pan float switch 43 is abnormal. Therefore, it is possible to detect abnormality in the water tray float switch 43.

As mentioned above, although this invention was demonstrated based on one Embodiment, this invention is not limited to this. For example, ozone (O ₃ ) or hydrogen peroxide (H ₂ O ₂ ) may be generated as the active oxygen species. 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 from water having a small ion species.
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 (O ₃ ) is generated. In the cathode electrode,
4H ⁺ + 4e ⁻ + (4OH ⁻ ) → 2H ₂ + (4OH ⁻ )
O ₂ ⁻ + e ⁻ + 2H ⁺ → H ₂ O ₂
As in, O ₂ by the electrode reaction ^- O which is produced ₂ ^- and solution H ⁺ and are bonded in the hydrogen peroxide (H ₂ O ₂₎ is generated.

In this construction, by supplying current to the electrodes, a large ozone sterilizing power (O ₃₎ and hydrogen peroxide (H ₂ O ₂₎ is generated, these ozone (O ₃₎ and hydrogen peroxide (H ₂ O ₂₎ Electrolyzed water containing can be made. The concentration of ozone or hydrogen peroxide in the electrolyzed water is adjusted to a concentration that inactivates the target virus and the like, and air is passed through the gas-liquid contact member 5 supplied with the electrolyzed water of this concentration. It is possible to inactivate floating target viruses and the like. Further, when the odor passes through the gas-liquid contact member 5, it reacts with ozone or hydrogen peroxide in the electrolytic water, and is ionized and dissolved to be removed from the air and deodorized.

  Although the electrolyzed water dropping means to the gas-liquid contact member 5 has been described in the above embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this, and electrolyzed water may be permeated into the gas-liquid contact member 5. In this case, although not shown in the figure, for example, the electrolyzed water may be retained in the water tray 9 and the lower edge of the gas-liquid contact member 5 may be submerged therein to suck up the electrolyzed water by a so-called capillary phenomenon.

It is a perspective view which shows one Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows an internal structure. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a housing | casing. It is a front view of a gas-liquid contact member. It is a systematic diagram which shows the means to dripping electrolyzed water to a gas-liquid contact member, A is a side view, B is sectional drawing of a watering box, C is a block diagram of an electrolytic cell. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of a control part. It is explanatory drawing of air purification. It is a flowchart which shows the detection process which detects abnormality when it determines with a circulation pump and an electrolytic cell float switch not having water. It is a flowchart which shows the detection process which detects abnormality when the electrolytic cell float switch determines with water. It is a flowchart which shows the detection process which detects abnormality of the water tray float switch 43.

Explanation of symbols

1 Floor-mounted air sanitizer (air sanitizer)
5 Gas-liquid contact member 9 Water tray 13 Circulation pump (pump)
31 Electrolytic cell 32, 33 Electrode (Electrolytic cell conduction detection means)
38 Water Supply Request Counting Unit 42 Electrolyzer Float Switch (Electrolyzer Water Detection Unit)
43 Water pan float switch (water pan water detection means)

Claims (7)

Water containing chlorine ions from a water tray is supplied to the electrolytic cell by a pump, and electrolytic water electrolyzed by a pair of electrodes in the electrolytic cell is dropped or infiltrated into the gas-liquid contact member. An air sterilization mechanism for performing the water circulation operation of storing the electrolyzed water dripped from the water receiving tray, sending air in the room to the gas-liquid contact member, and blowing out the air brought into contact with the electrolyzed water into the room,
Water tray water detection means for detecting the presence or absence of water in the water tray;
Electrolytic cell water detection means for detecting the presence or absence of water in the electrolytic cell by detecting the water level in the electrolytic cell;
Electrolyzer continuity detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of water in the electrolytic cell by detecting continuity between the electrodes ,
The pump is operated in a state where the water receiving water detection means detects the presence of water, and during this operation, based on a combination of detection results of the electrolytic cell water detection means and the electrolytic cell conduction detection means An air sterilization apparatus comprising: means for identifying an abnormal portion of the air sterilization mechanism.   2. The pump according to claim 1, wherein when the electrolyzer water detecting means and the electrolyzer continuity detecting means detect no water in the electrolyzer during operation of the pump, the pump is specified as abnormal. The air disinfection device described.   During the operation of the pump, when the electrolyzer water detection means detects that there is no water, and when the electrolyzer continuity detection means detects that there is water, it is specified that the electrolyzer water detection means is abnormal. The air disinfection device according to claim 1. The electrolyzer is configured such that when the pump is shut down, the stored water will naturally flow out and there will be no water,
The electrolytic cell water detection means and the electrolytic cell continuity detection means detect the presence or absence of water in the electrolytic cell after the pump has been operated and time has elapsed until water accumulates in the electrolytic cell. The air sterilizer according to any one of claims 1 to 3 . The electrolyzer is configured such that when the pump is shut down, the stored water will naturally flow out and there will be no water,
If the electrolytic cell water detecting means detects that water is present while the pump is stopped, and if the electrolytic cell water detecting means detects that water is present even after the time when the electrolytic cell is out of water, The air sterilization apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the air sterilization device is specified as an abnormality of the tank water detection means. A water supply request counting means for counting the number of water supply requests issued when the water receiving water detection means detects no water during the operation of the air sterilizer;
6. The air sterilizing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the count value of the water supply request counting means exceeds a predetermined threshold value, it is specified that the water receiving water detection means is abnormal. . Water containing chlorine ions from a water tray is supplied to the electrolytic cell by a pump, and electrolytic water electrolyzed by a pair of electrodes in the electrolytic cell is dropped or infiltrated into the gas-liquid contact member. An air sterilization apparatus having an air sterilization mechanism that performs a water circulation operation of storing electrolyzed water dropped from a water tray in a room, sends indoor air to the gas-liquid contact member, and blows out the air in contact with the electrolyzed water into the room In the control method of
The pump is operated in a state where water receiving water detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of water in the water receiving tray detects that water is present. During this operation, the water in the electrolytic cell is detected by detecting the water level in the electrolytic cell. Of the air sterilization mechanism based on a combination of detection results of the electrolytic cell water detection means for detecting the presence or absence of water and the electrolytic cell conduction detection means for detecting the presence or absence of water in the electrolytic cell by detecting the conduction between the electrodes. A control method for an air sterilization apparatus, characterized by identifying an abnormal part.

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