JP4878835B2 - 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, when the water is electrolyzed with the electrode, the temperature of the generated electrolyzed water increases. The electrolyzed water whose temperature has risen is circulated and sent to the gas-liquid contact member, cooled by the gas-liquid contact member, and returned to the electrolyzer again, so that the temperature rise of the electrolyzed water in the electrolyzer is small. However, if the water circulation passage through which the electrolyzed water circulates is closed with dust or dust, the temperature of the electrolyzed water in the electrolyzer rises. If the electrolysis is continued in this state, there is a problem that the electrodes and the like are easily deteriorated.
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an air sterilization apparatus capable of detecting clogging of a water circulation channel and a control method thereof.

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, An electrolyzer temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature in the electrolyzer, and a temperature detected by the electrolyzer temperature detecting means exceeding a preset upper limit temperature , wherein the detected temperature and the electrolysis When the temperature difference between the temperature detected by the in-bath temperature detecting means and the temperature detected at the start of operation of the pump is less than the preset temperature difference, it is determined that the in-battery temperature detecting means is abnormal, and a warning is issued, The difference is preset And when it exceeds the temperature difference, characterized by comprising a clogging detecting means for notifying an alarm by determining the clogging of water circulation channel.

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 sterilizer, the temperature in the electrolytic cell is detected, and when the detected temperature exceeds a preset upper limit temperature, the detected temperature and the electrolytic cell temperature detecting means Obtains a temperature difference from the temperature detected at the start of operation of the pump, and if this temperature difference is less than a preset temperature difference, it is determined that the temperature detecting means in the electrolytic cell is abnormal and a warning is issued. The temperature difference If it exceeds the preset temperature difference, characterized in that gives a warning by determining the clogging of water circulation channel.

  In the present invention, the temperature of the water in the electrolytic cell is detected, and when the detected temperature exceeds a preset upper limit temperature, it is determined that the water circulation channel is clogged and a warning is issued, so the water circulation channel is clogged. Can be detected.

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 that stores and supplies tap water containing chlorine ions in 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 air sterilizing apparatus 1 includes a control unit (clogging detecting means) 30 that centrally controls each part of the floor-standing air sterilizing 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, a power supply 41, a bath temperature sensor 44 (electrolyzer temperature detection means), an electrolyzer float switch 42, a water pan float switch 43, electrodes 32 and 33, and a warning lamp 39 connected to the control unit 30 will be described. To do.
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 control unit 30 stores the temperature detected by the tank temperature sensor 44 at the start of operation of the floor-standing air sanitizer 1 in the storage unit 35.

The electrolytic cell float switch 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 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.
In addition, the electrodes 32 and 33 provided in the electrolytic bath 31 are not only used for electrolysis of tap water but also used as detection electrodes for detecting the conductivity of the electrolytic water.
The warning lamp 39 functions as notifying means for notifying the clogging of the water circulation channel and notifying the abnormality of the tank temperature sensor 44. The clogging warning lamp and the tank temperature sensor 44 for reporting clogging of the water circulation channel. The sensor abnormality warning lamp for notifying the abnormality 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, if the circulating flow path through which the electrolytic water circulates is closed due to clogging with dust, dust, or the like, the temperature of the electrolytic water in the electrolytic bath 31 rises due to heat generated during electrolysis. If the electrolysis is continued in this state, the water in the electrolytic cell 31 becomes high temperature, which may cause deterioration of electrodes and the like.
Therefore, in the present embodiment, during the air sterilization operation, a closing detection process for detecting clogging that occurs in the circulation flow path through which the electrolytic water circulates is executed.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a closing detection process for detecting clogging occurring in the water circulation channel.
First, when the floor-standing air sterilizer 1 is turned on, the control unit 30 determines whether or not the floor-mounted air sterilizer 1 is in operation (step S1). When the floor-standing air sterilizer 1 is not in operation (step S1: No), the control unit 30 ends the closing detection process and restarts the closing detection process at a predetermined interruption cycle.

  When the floor-standing air sterilizer 1 is in operation (step S1: Yes), the control unit 30 determines whether or not the circulation pump 13 is in operation (step S2). When the circulation pump 13 is not in operation (step S2: No), the control unit 30 ends the closing detection process and restarts the closing detection process at a predetermined interruption cycle.

  When the circulation pump 13 is in operation (step S2: Yes), the control unit 30 determines that the temperature of the electrolyzed water in the electrolytic bath 31 is a threshold temperature (upper limit temperature) Ta (main) based on the detection result of the bath temperature sensor 44. It is determined whether or not the temperature exceeds 60 ° C. in the example (step S3). This threshold temperature Ta is a temperature at which the temperature of the electrolyzed water cannot reach when the water circulation channel is not closed, that is, when the water circulation channel is not clogged, and reaches 60 ° C. It is not limited. In addition, when the circulation pump 13 is operated and the time during which water accumulates in the electrolytic bath 31 has elapsed, the temperature acquired by the bath temperature sensor 44 is stored in the storage unit 35. And when the temperature of the electrolyzed water in the electrolysis tank 31 does not exceed the threshold temperature Ta (step S3: No), since it can be judged that clogging has not occurred in the water circulation channel, the control unit 30 performs the closing detection process. And the closing detection process is restarted at a predetermined interruption cycle.

  When the temperature of the electrolyzed water in the electrolyzer 31 exceeds the threshold temperature Ta (step S3: Yes), the control unit 30 determines the temperature of the electrolyzed water due to an abnormality in the electrolyzer temperature detector 44 (an abnormal tank temperature sensor). Failure determination processing is performed to determine whether or not it is erroneously detected as high. Specifically, the control unit 30 determines that the temperature difference between the temperature detected by the tank temperature sensor 44 and the temperature at the start of operation of the floor-standing air sanitizer 1 is the threshold temperature difference Tb (10 deg in this example). It is determined whether or not it exceeds (step S4). Here, at the start of operation of the floor-standing air sanitizer 1, the control unit 30 stores the temperature detected by the tank temperature sensor 44 in the storage unit 35 as the operation start temperature, and this operation start temperature. Is referred to in step S4.

In general, during operation, the temperature of the electrolyzed water in the electrolytic cell 31 rises and becomes higher than the temperature at the start of operation. Therefore, in the case where the detected temperature of the tank temperature sensor 44 hardly fluctuates from the start of operation despite being in operation, that is, when the temperature is within the threshold temperature difference Tb (step S4: No), the tank temperature It is specified that an operational abnormality has occurred in the sensor 44.
In this case, the control unit 30 turns on the sensor abnormality warning lamp of the warning lamp 39 so as to notify the user of the abnormality of the tank temperature sensor 44.

When the difference between the detected temperature of the tank temperature sensor 44 and the temperature at the start of operation of the floor-standing air sanitizer 1 exceeds a predetermined temperature difference (step S4: Yes), the tank temperature sensor Although there is no operation abnormality in 44, since it is specified in the determination in step S3 that the water circulation channel is clogged, the control unit 30 outputs a channel closing alarm (step S6).
In this case, the control unit 30 turns on the clogging warning lamp of the warning lamp 39 in order to notify the user of the closure of the circulation channel, and to notify the clogging of the water circulation channel, and by an unillustrated audio output unit. Sound an alarm sound.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the tank temperature sensor 44 that detects the temperature in the electrolysis tank 31 is provided, and it is determined whether or not the detected temperature exceeds the threshold temperature Ta. Can be detected and notified to the user. Moreover, if the detected temperature of the tank temperature sensor 44 exceeds the threshold temperature Ta, whether or not the temperature difference between this detected temperature and the detected temperature at the start of operation of the circulating pump 13 is within the threshold temperature difference Tb. After determining whether or not the tank temperature sensor 44 is abnormal, the clogging of the water circulation path is notified only when the sensor is not abnormal, so that the detection accuracy of the clogging of the water circulation path is improved and the sensor Abnormalities can be detected.

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.

  In the above embodiment, the bath temperature sensor 44 detects the temperature of the electrolyzed water in the electrolyzer 31 and detects clogging of the water circulation channel, but is not limited thereto, the temperature of the air in the electrolyzer 31, The temperature of the electrolytic cell 31 itself may be detected to detect clogging of the water circulation channel.

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 closure detection process which detects the clogging which generate | occur | produced in the water circulation flow path.

Explanation of symbols

1 Floor-mounted air sanitizer (air sanitizer)
5 Gas-liquid contact member 9 Water tray 13 Circulation pump (pump)
30 Control unit (clogging detection means)
31 Electrolysis cell 32, 33 Electrode 44 Cell temperature sensor (electrolyzer temperature detection means)

Claims (2)

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 storing the electrolyzed water dripped from the water tray in the water receiving tray, sending air in the room to the gas-liquid contact member, and blowing out the air in contact with the electrolyzed water, and the inside of the electrolytic cell An electrolyzer temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of
When the temperature detected by the electrolyzer temperature detection means exceeds a preset upper limit temperature , the detected temperature and the temperature detected by the electrolyzer temperature detection means at the start of operation of the pump. When the temperature difference is less than the preset temperature difference, it is determined that the electrolytic cell temperature detecting means is abnormal, and a warning is issued. When the temperature difference exceeds the preset temperature difference , An air disinfecting apparatus comprising clogging detection means for determining clogging and notifying a warning. 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
When the temperature in the electrolytic cell is detected and the detected temperature exceeds a preset upper limit temperature, the detected temperature and the temperature detected by the electrolytic cell temperature detection means at the start of operation of the pump When the temperature difference is less than the preset temperature difference, it is determined that the temperature detecting means in the electrolytic cell is abnormal and a warning is issued, and the temperature difference is set to the preset temperature difference. A control method for an air sterilization apparatus, characterized in that if it exceeds, it is determined that the water circulation channel is clogged and a warning is issued.

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