JPH09173752A - Air cleaner - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain an air cleaner capable of dust collection and deodorization under a small pressure drop and capable of regulating the amt. of a deodorant per unit volume in accordance with the kind of the cleaner, etc., by using an electret filter and a deodorizing filter obtd. by forming ridges and valleys in a deodorant-contg. porous sheet. SOLUTION: This air cleaner 11 has an electret filter 12 and a deodorizing filter 13. The electret filter 12 is made of a permanently polarized filter medium and has certain electric charges. The deodorizing filter 13 is obtd. by forming ridges and valleys in a deodorant-contg. porous sheet 14 and has pores 15 through which air passes. When air passes through the pores 15 in the sheet 14, malodorous components in the air are adsorbed on the deodorant and removed. The sheet 14 has 50-997 porosity, 1-100mm<2> average pore area and 0.2-5mm thickness. Dust collection and deodorization are enabled under a small pressure drop.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an air cleaner having both a dust collecting function and a deodorizing function used in a room or a vehicle. More specifically, the present invention relates to an air cleaner that can collect dust and deodorize with a low pressure loss, and that can appropriately adjust the amount of deodorant per unit volume depending on the type of air cleaner and the type of deodorant used.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional air cleaner, as shown in FIG. 19, a pleated electret filter 1 and a polyurethane foam 3 are combined with a deodorizer 2 obtained by impregnating powdered activated carbon 4 with a binder and adhering the same. Some had different structures.

Also, as shown in FIG. 20, a structure having a combination of a pleated electret filter 1 and an adsorbent 2 formed into a honeycomb type sheet has been proposed.

[0004]

However, since the deodorizer 2 in the air purifier shown in FIG. 19 uses the polyurethane foam 3 as a base material for adhering the powdered activated carbon 4, the pressure loss is high and the wind speed is increased. It was not possible, and the amount of treated air per unit time was small.

On the other hand, in the air cleaner shown in FIG. 20, the adsorbent 2 is formed into a honeycomb type sheet,
Since the malodorous component is adsorbed in the process of the air passing through the honeycomb holes, the pressure loss is extremely low. However, the step of forming the adsorbent 2 into a honeycomb type sheet is very complicated, and since the shape is fixed, it is difficult to adjust the amount of adsorbent per unit volume. In addition, the adsorbent in the joint portion of the paper (paper containing fibrous activated carbon) forming the honeycomb holes did not perform any function and was wasted.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and can collect dust and deodorize with a low pressure loss.
Moreover, it is an object of the present invention to provide an air purifier capable of appropriately adjusting the amount of deodorant per unit volume depending on the type of air purifier and the type of deodorant used.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 comprises an electret filter and a deodorizing filter in which a perforated sheet containing a deodorant is provided with peaks and troughs. The main point is an air purifier characterized by that.

A second aspect of the present invention has as its gist an air purifier characterized by comprising a deodorizing filter obtained by pleating a perforated sheet.

The invention according to claim 3 has summarized the air purifier characterized in that the aperture ratio of the perforated sheet is 50 to 99%.

A fourth aspect of the present invention has as its gist an air purifier characterized in that the perforated sheet has an average open area of 1 to 100 mm ² .

A fifth aspect of the present invention has as its gist an air purifier characterized in that a perforated sheet has a thickness of 0.2 to 5 mm.

The invention according to claim 6 has as its gist an air purifier characterized in that a plurality of deodorizing filters are vertically stacked.

The invention of claim 7 has as its gist an air cleaner characterized in that the electret filter is pleated.

[0014]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The air cleaner of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIG. 1, the air cleaner 11 of the present invention includes an electret filter 12 and a deodorizing filter 13.

The electret filter 12 is one in which the filter medium itself constituting the filter is permanently polarized and has a constant electric charge. The filter 12 can be obtained by converting a filter material such as a non-woven fabric, a woven fabric, and a net into an electret by a known means such as a heat electret, an electro electret, or a photo electret. A hydroentangled non-woven fabric, a non-woven fabric which is washed with water to reduce a fiber oil agent, and the like are preferably used.

Further, the electret filter 12 includes
Filter materials using fibers such as polyolefin fibers such as polypropylene fibers, polyvinylidene fluoride fibers, polyester fibers (especially melt blown nonwoven fabric)
Is preferably applied.

The electret filter 12 may be an electret filter material and may be used in the form of a flat plate as it is, but it is possible to reduce the pressure loss by pleating this and providing the peaks and troughs. It is preferable in that it becomes In this case, the processing conditions such as the pitch and the folding width in the case of pleating may be appropriately determined according to the outer dimensions of the filter mounting portion of the air cleaner, the required pressure loss, the filter efficiency such as the collection efficiency.

The electret filter 12 can be laminated with other filters and reinforcing materials as required. For example, when it is required to improve the retention of the filter shape after pleating, it may be laminated with another filter or a reinforcing material.

The deodorizing filter 13 is a perforated sheet 14 containing a deodorant, which is provided with peaks and troughs. The perforated sheet 14 has openings 15 through which air passes, and contains a deodorant. When air passes through the holes 15 of the sheet 14, a malodorous component in the air is adsorbed by the deodorant. A deodorizing sheet designed to be removed.

The perforated sheet 14 is made of a resin sheet, film, paper, non-woven fabric, woven fabric or the like. Examples of the form of the perforated sheet 14 include a resin sheet having openings 15 such as synthetic resin nets shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 4. These resin nets are made by extruding a synthetic resin, which is conventionally known, into strands (Fig. 5 shows a monofilament type,
(Fig. 6 shows a flat yarn type), or as shown in Fig. 7, fiber bundles are continuously laminated vertically and horizontally and the intersections are heat-sealed, or the fiber bundles are knitted into a net shape. is there. Among the above resin sheets, a resin net using a fiber bundle as shown in FIG. 7 is preferable because a large amount of deodorant can be attached.

As another mode of the perforated sheet 14, as shown in FIG. 8, a perforation 15 is provided by punching a non-woven fabric or a woven fabric, a film or a paper, or penetrating with a heating convex portion. Examples thereof include perforated fabrics and perforated nonwoven fabrics obtained by hydroentangling treatment under special conditions. In the case of a non-woven fabric or a woven fabric, in addition to the openings, gaps between fibers and threads also serve as air passages, so that malodorous components can be adsorbed and removed even when passing through these gaps. .

The porosity of the perforated sheet is 50 to 99%, more preferably 70 to 98%. If the porosity is less than 50%, the pressure loss of the deodorizing filter becomes large, and if the porosity is more than 99%, the amount of deodorant per unit volume contained in the perforated sheet decreases, A sufficient deodorizing ability cannot be obtained.

The average perforated area of the perforated sheet is 1 to
100 mm ^2, preferably 5 to 30 mm ^2. If the average perforated area of the perforated sheet is less than 1 mm ² , when the deodorant is adhered or dust is collected, the perforations are blocked and the pressure loss becomes high. When the area exceeds 100 mm ² ,
Since the deodorizing effect of the deodorant does not reach the entire pores, a sufficient deodorizing function cannot be expected. When a large amount of deodorant is attached around the holes, the deodorizing function is less likely to deteriorate even if the average opening area exceeds 100 mm ² .
However, in this case, depending on the method of attaching the deodorant, another problem that the deodorant is likely to fall off the sheet may occur.

The perforated sheet has a thickness of 0.2 to 5 m.
m, preferably 0.3 to 2 mm. If the thickness of the perforated sheet is thicker than this range, it is difficult to perform pleating or other processing to provide the crests and troughs on the perforated sheet, and if it is thinner than this range, the strength is reduced and the perforated sheet is also perforated. The amount of deodorant contained in the sheet decreases, and sufficient deodorizing ability cannot be obtained.

As the deodorant contained in the perforated sheet,
Granular activated carbon, fibrous activated carbon, zeolite, sepiolite, silica gel, inorganic adsorbents such as kaolin, iron, manganese, copper, aluminum, magnesium, zinc, nickel, cobalt, platinum, palladium, gold, and metal oxides thereof, Metal adsorbents such as metal chlorides and organic adsorbents can be used alone or in combination.

The deodorant is attached to the perforated sheet via an adhesive. As the adhesive in this case, an emulsion melting type adhesive, a solvent solution type adhesive or a hot melt type adhesive can be used. Further, the deodorant can be attached by the adhesive component contained in the perforated sheet. For example, when the perforated sheet is a non-woven fabric, paper, or woven fabric, a thermoplastic resin is used as the raw material resin in the case of a synthetic resin sheet or film by including thermal adhesive fibers in the constituent fibers of these sheets. As a result, these heat-adhesive fibers and thermoplastic resin serve as an adhesive component to attach the deodorant to the perforated sheet.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the deodorant is contained in the perforated sheet by adhering the deodorant to the perforated sheet, but by using the deodorant itself as one component of the perforated sheet. Alternatively, the perforated sheet may contain a deodorant. For example, when the perforated sheet is a non-woven fabric, paper, or woven fabric, a fibrous deodorant is included in these sheets as constituent fibers, and in the case of a synthetic resin sheet or film, these raw material resins are granular or powdered. Examples include a mode in which a deodorant is dispersed.

The amount of deodorant contained in the perforated sheet depends on the type of air cleaner, the type of deodorant, and the form of the deodorant contained in the perforated sheet. For example, in the case of adhering granular activated carbon to a perforated sheet, the ratio is preferably at least 20% by weight or more in order to obtain sufficient adsorption capacity.

A deodorizing filter is constructed by providing the perforated sheet with the peaks and troughs. The deodorizing filter 13 shown in FIG. 1 is obtained by pleating a perforated sheet 14. The deodorizing filter 13 shown in FIG. 10 is formed by forming a perforated sheet 14 so that its cross section has a rectangular wave shape. In the case of the deodorizing filter 13 shown in FIG. 1, the pleating process is performed by making the perforated sheet 14 correspond to the outer dimensions of the filter mounting portion of the air cleaner and depending on the type of deodorant and the required amount of deodorant. Set as conditions (pitch and fold width).

On the other hand, in the case of the deodorizing filter 13 shown in FIG. 10, it is needless to say that the perforated sheet 14 is formed into a dimension corresponding to the outer dimension of the filter mounting portion of the air cleaner, and the type of deodorant and Depending on the amount of deodorant required, the height difference between the peak and the valley of the rectangular wave and the pitch are set.

The amount of the deodorant per unit volume in the perforated sheet can be adjusted by the amount of adhesion and the content per unit area (when the deodorant itself is used as one component of the perforated sheet), but the pitch of the pleats. It can also be adjusted by appropriately changing the folding width, the height difference between the crests and troughs of the rectangular wave, or the pitch. For example, the perforated sheet 14 pleated at the pitch shown in FIG. 9 (a) has a deodorant amount per unit volume higher than that of the perforated sheet 14 shown in FIG. 9 (b) which is pleated at a smaller pitch. small. If pleating is performed at a pitch smaller than that of the perforated sheet 14 of FIG. 9B, the amount of deodorant per unit volume is further increased as shown in FIG. 9C.

Further, the pressure loss of the deodorizing filter can be reduced by appropriately changing the pitch and folding width of the pleats in the perforated sheet or the height difference and pitch between the peaks and valleys of the rectangular wave. For example, when pleating a perforated sheet or molding it so that its cross section has a rectangular waveform, the smaller the pitch of the pleats and the larger the folding width, or the height difference between the peaks and valleys of the rectangular wave. Is increased and the pitch is decreased, the area through which air can pass in the deodorizing filter is increased, the passing wind speed is decreased, and the pressure loss is also decreased.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 11 to 15, a plurality of the above deodorizing filters 13 may be vertically stacked. The embodiment shown in FIG. 11 to FIG. 13 is one in which three deodorizing filters 13 obtained by pleating a perforated sheet 14 are vertically laminated. The embodiment shown in FIG. 14 and FIG. 15 is one in which three deodorizing filters 13 formed by forming a perforated sheet 14 so that its cross section has a rectangular wave shape are laminated one above the other. By stacking the plurality of deodorizing filters 13 on the upper and lower sides in this way, when air passes through the holes 15 of the deodorizing filter 13, the contact surface with the filter 13 (the deodorizing agent attached to the filter or the deodorizing agent constituting the filter) is Since it becomes larger, more effective deodorization can be performed.

The one shown in FIGS. 12 and 14 is one in which the deodorizing filter 13 is vertically closely contacted and laminated, and
As much as the overlapping end faces of the deodorizing filter 13,
A large amount of air comes into contact with the filter 13 (the deodorant adhering to the filter or the deodorant constituting the filter), and effective deodorization is performed.

On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 15, since the deodorizing filter 13 is integrated vertically at intervals, the upper deodorizing filter 13 placed on the upstream side (electret filter 12 side) is opened. The air that has passed through the holes 15 passes through the openings 15 of the middle stage deodorizing filter 13 and moves on the upper surface of the middle stage deodorizing filter 13 as shown by the arrow in FIG. 13 or FIG. It flows into the lower deodorizing filter 13. Further, the air passes through the opening 15 of the lower deodorizing filter 13, moves along the upper surface of the lower deodorizing filter 13 and flows out of the other opening 15, and then passes through the deodorizing filter 13. For this reason, the area in contact with the deodorizing filter 13 (the deodorizing agent that adheres to the filter or the deodorizing agent that constitutes the filter) during the passage of the air through the deodorizing filter 13 is dramatically increased as compared with the case of a single layer. As a result, the deodorizing performance will be significantly improved.

In the electret filter 12 and the deodorizing filter 13 described above, for example, as shown in FIG. 1, first, the electret filter 12 collects dust in the air, and then the deodorizing filter 13 adsorbs and removes malodorous components in the air. Therefore, the electret filter 12 is preferably arranged on the upstream side and the deodorizing filter 13 is arranged on the downstream side so as to be removed.

Further, the electret filter 12 and the deodorizing filter 13 do not necessarily have to be joined and integrated, but may be integrated from the viewpoint of handleability and the like. As a mode of joining the both, as shown in FIG. 16, pleating is applied to the electret filter 12 and the deodorizing filter 13 so that the peak portions and the peak portions are in contact with each other, or in FIG. As shown in the figure, a method of stacking the peak portion of the deodorizing filter 13 on the inside of the peak portion of the electret filter 12 is conceivable, but in these cases,
The number of folding peaks and the folding width of one filter are also limited to the other filter. Preferably, as shown in FIG. 1, a method is used in which the peak portions of both filters are arranged so as to intersect each other at a right angle and are joined. According to this method, there is no fear that the joining point will shift during joining or during use.

[0038]

【Example】

Example 1 As a perforated sheet, a fine particle activated carbon was dispersed in an acrylic resin emulsion in a polyester resin net having an average aperture area of 9 mm ² , an aperture ratio of 75% and a thickness of 0.4 mm as shown in FIGS. 2 and 5. The solution was impregnated and 15 g / m ^{2 of} finely divided activated carbon was attached to the polyester resin net. This perforated sheet was folded at a pitch of 6 mm and a folding width of 10
A deodorizing filter was obtained by pleating to have a size of mm. The area of the perforated sheet used was 0.2 m ² , and the amount of particulate activated carbon deposited was 3 g.

On the other hand, 70% polypropylene fiber having a denier of 6 denier and 30 polypropylene / polyethylene composite fiber
The hydroentangled non-woven fabric having a basis weight of 90 g / m ² bonded to the fiber web by hydro-hydroentangling is made into an electret by corona discharge treatment, and then 4
A dust collecting filter was produced by pleating so that the folding width was 20 mm at a pitch of mm.

As shown in FIG. 1, the deodorizing filter and the dust collecting filter were arranged in the air cleaner so that the folds of the pleats were substantially orthogonal to each other and the dust collecting filter was on the upstream side.

Comparative Example 1 A polyester-based urethane foam having a basis weight of 300 g / m ² and a thickness of 10 mm was impregnated with a solution of fine-particle activated carbon dispersed in an acrylic resin emulsion, and the fine-particle activated carbon was added to polyester-based urethane foam at 75 g / m ^2. The attached deodorizing filter was obtained. The area of urethane foam used was 0.04 m ² , and the amount of particulate activated carbon deposited was 3
g.

As shown in FIG. 19, the above deodorizing filter and the dust collecting filter used in Example 1 were arranged in the air cleaner so that the dust collecting filter was on the upstream side.

FIG. 18 shows the relationship between the wind speed and the pressure loss of the air cleaners of Example 1 and Comparative Example 1 described above. As is clear from FIG. 18, the pressure loss of Example 1 was significantly lower than that of Comparative Example 1 at any wind speed.

Regarding the dust collection efficiency, there is no substantial difference because the same dust collection filter, which is the main body of the collection, is used, and the deodorizing ability also shows the amount of particulate activated carbon deposited. Were the same and almost no difference was observed.

Example 2 A polypropylene melt-blown non-woven fabric having a basis weight of 50 g / m ² produced by the melt-blowing method was electretized by corona discharge treatment, and then pleated to a folding width of 20 mm at a pitch of 4 mm to collect dust. A filter was made.

As shown in FIG. 1, the above dust collecting filter and the deodorizing filter used in Example 1 were cleaned with air so that the folding directions of the pleats were substantially orthogonal and the dust collecting filter was on the upstream side. I placed it on board.

The obtained air purifier had a low pressure loss, had a sufficient deodorizing function, and had a dust collection efficiency superior to that of Example 1.

[0048]

According to the air cleaner of claim 1,
Since the electret filter and the deodorizing filter in which the perforated sheet containing the deodorant is provided with the peaks and troughs are provided, dust can be collected and deodorized with a low pressure loss.

Further, in this air purifier, the size and pitch of the peaks and valleys of the deodorizing filter containing the deodorant are appropriately changed to match the type of air purifier and the type of deodorant used. The pressure loss of the deodorizing filter and the amount of deodorant per unit volume can be easily adjusted.

In the air cleaner of the second aspect, since the deodorizing filter is constructed by pleating a perforated sheet such as a resin sheet, a film, a non-woven fabric or a woven fabric, a malodorous component is produced with a low pressure loss. Can be adsorbed and removed, and by appropriately changing the processing conditions such as the fold width and pitch of pleats, it is easy to match the pressure loss and unit volume of the filter according to the type of deodorant and the type of air cleaner used. The amount of deodorant can be adjusted.

In the air purifier according to the third aspect of the present invention, since the aperture ratio of the perforated sheet is 50 to 99%, it has a low pressure loss and a sufficient deodorizing ability.

In the air purifier according to claim 4, since the average perforated area of the perforated sheet is 1 to 100 mm ² , the deodorant is applied when the deodorant is attached or dust is collected. It is less likely that the agent or dust will block the holes and increase the pressure loss, and the deodorant adsorption action will be sufficiently exerted.

In the air purifier according to claim 5, since the perforated sheet has a thickness of 0.2 to 5 mm, pleating or the like can be easily performed, and sufficient strength and deodorizing ability can be obtained. Have.

In the air purifier according to the sixth aspect, since the plurality of deodorizing filters are stacked one above the other, as much air as the deodorizing filters overlap with each other is formed in the filter (the filter has a large amount of air). The deodorant that adheres or the deodorant that composes the filter) comes into contact, and more effective deodorization can be performed.

In the air cleaner of claim 7, since the electret filter is pleated,
By appropriately changing the processing conditions such as the fold width and pitch of the pleats, it is possible to easily adjust the pressure loss and dust collection capacity of the filter according to the type of deodorant and the type of air purifier used. it can.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an electret filter and a deodorizing filter in an air cleaner of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a perforated sheet that constitutes a deodorizing filter.

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing another example of a perforated sheet that constitutes a deodorizing filter.

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing another example of a perforated sheet constituting a deodorizing filter.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of an essential part of a perforated sheet.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view of an essential part of another example of the perforated sheet.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged perspective view of an essential part of another example of the perforated sheet.

FIG. 8 is a plan view showing another example of a perforated sheet that constitutes a deodorizing filter.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing a pleated electret filter and a deodorizing filter.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a deodorizing filter formed into a rectangular wave shape.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a pleated electret filter and a plurality of pleated deodorizing filters which are stacked one above the other.

FIG. 12 is an enlarged view of an essential part showing a state in which a plurality of pleated deodorizing filters are vertically stacked.

FIG. 13 is an enlarged view of a principal part showing a state in which a plurality of pleated deodorizing filters are vertically stacked with a space therebetween.

FIG. 14 is an enlarged view of a main part showing a state in which a plurality of deodorizing filters formed to have a rectangular wave shape are vertically stacked.

FIG. 15 is an enlarged view of a main part showing a state in which a plurality of deodorizing filters formed to have a rectangular wave shape are vertically stacked at intervals.

FIG. 16 is a schematic view showing a mode of joining a pleated electret filter and a pleated deodorizing filter.

FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram showing another mode of joining a pleated electret filter and a pleated deodorizing filter.

FIG. 18 is a graph showing the relationship between wind speed and pressure loss in the case where the electret filter and the deodorizing filter of Example 1 and Comparative Example 1 are joined and integrated.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view showing an electret filter and a deodorizer in a conventional air cleaner.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view showing an electret filter and an adsorbent in a conventional air cleaner.

[Explanation of symbols]

 12 ... Electret filter 13 ... Deodorizing filter 14 ... Perforated sheet 15 ... Hole

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification code Internal reference number FI technical display location B01D 53/38 B01D 53/34 116A 53/81

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. An air purifier comprising an electret filter and a deodorizing filter having a perforated sheet containing a deodorant and having a ridge portion and a valley portion. 2. The air purifier according to claim 1, further comprising a deodorizing filter obtained by pleating a perforated sheet. 3. The air cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the perforated sheet has a porosity of 50 to 99%. 4. The average perforated area of the perforated sheet is 1 to 10.
It is 0 mm ² , It is characterized by the above-mentioned 1, 2 or 3.
An air purifier as described. 5. The air purifier according to claim 1, 2, 3 or 4, wherein the perforated sheet has a thickness of 0.2 to 5 mm. 6. The air purifier according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a plurality of deodorizing filters are vertically stacked. 7. The air purifier according to claim 1, 2 or 6, wherein the electret filter is pleated.