JPH10281488A - Air cleaning device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent lowering of the illuminance of a light source in the case when it is disposed in an air passage and to lessen the frequency of maintenance by providing a protective member which covers the circumference of the light source and transmits the light from the light source. SOLUTION: An air cleaning unit is equipped with an optical deodorizing unit for which a photocatalyst removing an odor component in an air flow is used and a prefilter which removes dust. The optical deodorizing unit is equipped with a photocatalyst element wherein the photocatalyst is borne by a honeycomb-shaped bearing body and a light source unit 50 which includes a light source casting ultraviolet rays on this element. The light source unit 50 is fitted to a square-ring-shaped upper case together with a drive circuit making the light source 51 emit light. Herein the light source 51 is covered with a protective member 53 almost at all and the opposite end parts of the light source 51 are covered with paired end part holding members, whereby the light source 51 is protected. As for the protective member 53, fluoroplastic is preferable for the excellent ultraviolet-ray transmitting property thereof. In this way, the protective member 53 can protect the light source 51.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an air purifying apparatus capable of purifying pollutants such as odor components in the air using a photocatalyst.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an air purifier having a light deodorizing function is known (for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 1-234729).
No.). In such an air purifying device, the ultraviolet light emitted from the light source excites the photocatalyst, whereby the odor component is decomposed and the odor can be removed.

[0003] In the air purifying apparatus, the photocatalyst is provided in the air passage, and the light source for illuminating the photocatalyst is a fluorescent lamp, which is provided so as to be exposed in the air passage.

[0004]

However, when the light source is exposed to the air passage, the light source is cooled by the flow of air, so that the surface temperature of the fluorescent lamp is reduced, and as a result, The illuminance of the fluorescent lamp is reduced, and the life of the fluorescent lamp is shortened due to the reduced illuminance. When the life of the light source becomes short, the maintenance frequency of the air cleaning device increases.

[0005] Further, if the light source is arranged so as to avoid the flow of air, the degree of freedom of the layout of the light source, the photocatalyst and the like is significantly reduced. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a photocatalytic air cleaning device that solves the above-mentioned technical problem and can reduce the frequency of maintenance by preventing a decrease in illuminance of a light source when the light source is disposed in an air passage. It is to be.

[0006]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, a photocatalyst for purifying contaminants by receiving ultraviolet light from a light source is carried on a carrier. An air purifying apparatus for purifying air flowing through an air passage is provided with a protection member for covering the light source and transmitting light from the light source.

According to this configuration, the following operation is achieved.
That is, even if the light source is disposed in the air passage, the protection member covers the light source, so that the light source can be prevented from being cooled by the airflow in the air passage, and as a result, Surface temperature can be prevented from lowering. Therefore, a decrease in the illuminance of the light source can be prevented. As a result, a reduction in the life of the light source due to the decrease in the illuminance can be prevented. As a result, the maintenance frequency of the air cleaning device can be reduced.

In other words, it is possible to increase the degree of freedom of the light source layout while preventing the life of the light source from being shortened.
Further, since the protection member can protect the light source, it is easy to handle the light source when attaching and detaching the light source from the apparatus main body, and as a result, maintenance is easy. Here, as the protection member,
The light source may completely cover the periphery of the light source or may partially cover the light source.

[0009] The air purifying apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention comprises:
The air cleaning apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the inner surface and the outer surface of the protection member carries a photocatalyst. According to this configuration, the following operation is achieved in addition to the operation of the invention according to claim 1. In other words, even when the protection member is disposed in the air passage and is easily contaminated, the contamination of the protection member can be prevented by the purifying action of the photocatalyst. In addition, the frequency of maintenance of the air cleaning device can be reduced.

[0010] In particular, the photocatalyst on the inner surface is preferable for automatically purifying the dirt on the inner surface which is difficult to wipe, and the photocatalyst on the outer surface is preferable for the dirt on the outer surface which tends to be contaminated by contact with the airflow in the air passage. Is preferred for automatically purifying the compound. An air purifying apparatus according to a third aspect of the present invention is the air purifying apparatus according to the first or second aspect, further including a power supply line having an end connected to an end of the light source, and a connection portion to the power supply line. And an end holding member that covers and holds the end of the light source, and positions and holds the protection member with respect to the light source.

According to this structure, in addition to the effect of the invention according to claim 1 or 2, the protection member can be held by the end holding member, so that the light source and the protection member can be handled as an integrated unit. Moreover, the end holding member can protect the end of the light source and the connection between the end and the power supply line. Therefore, when the light source is attached to and detached from the apparatus main body, the light source is easy to handle. Further, since the light source and the protection member can be positioned by the end holding member, the work is easy when the light source is removed from the unit and replaced.

An air purifying apparatus according to a fourth aspect of the present invention comprises:
4. The air purifying apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the light source has a column shape, the protection member is a tubular member, and the end holding member has a first fitting portion fitted to an end of the light source. 5. And an insertion hole through which the power supply line is slidably inserted, and a second fitting portion fitted to an end of the cylindrical protection member, and the first fitting portion is fitted to the end of the light source. The direction, the direction in which the insertion hole extends, and the direction in which the second fitting portion fits into the end of the protection member are the same.

According to this configuration, in addition to the operation of the invention according to claim 3, the above-described unit can be assembled as follows. For example, the power supply line is passed through the insertion hole, and the end of the power supply line is connected to the end of the light source by, for example, soldering. Next, the end holding member is slid along the power supply line connected to the light source to fit the end of the light source into the first fitting portion and the end of the protection member into the second fitting portion. . In this manner, the end holding member can be easily attached to the protection member and the light source by being fitted, so that maintenance is easy even when the light source is removed from the unit and replaced.

Here, the end of the light source may be one end or both ends. In assembling the unit, a power supply line may be connected to the light source in advance, and the power supply line may be passed through the insertion hole of the end holding member. According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the air cleaning device according to the fourth aspect, the end holding member is made of an elastic member, extends in a direction intersecting the insertion hole, and inserts a power supply line. Holding holes for holding
And a communication portion that allows movement of the power supply line between the insertion hole and the holding hole.

According to this configuration, the following operation is achieved in addition to the operation of the invention according to claim 4. That is, at the end of the assembly of the unit, the power supply line inserted into the insertion hole is moved to the holding hole via the communication portion while elastically deforming the peripheral portion of the communication portion. Thereby, the power supply line can be held in the holding hole. Also, the insertion hole extends in a direction in which the end holding member is attached to and detached from the light source and the protection member, but since the holding hole extends in a direction intersecting with the attachment / detachment direction, the power supply line passing through the holding hole is Separation of the end holding member from the light source or the like can be prevented. As a result, the assembled state of the unit can be reliably maintained. Moreover, at the time of assembling, it is possible to easily assemble using the insertion holes extending in the attaching / detaching direction.

Further, since the power supply line is held by the holding hole, even if the power supply line is pulled, it is possible to prevent a force from being directly applied to a connection portion between the power supply line and the light source. When attaching to and detaching from the main body, the light source is easy to handle and maintain.

[0017]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Hereinafter, as an air purifying apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, a ceiling in which a photocatalyst has a function of purifying contaminants and a light deodorizing unit and an indoor unit of an air conditioner having an air conditioning function are combined. Although an embedded type air conditioner will be described, the present invention may be applied to an air purifier having only a function of purifying contaminants by a photocatalyst. Further, the present invention can be applied to a type other than the ceiling embedded type, for example, a floor-standing type or a wall-mounted type air cleaning device.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an internal cross section of an air conditioner provided with a light deodorizing unit as an air purifying device according to one embodiment of the present invention. In the following figures,
An arrow X for indicating the left-right direction and an arrow Y for indicating the front-rear direction are shown as necessary. The air conditioner A is a so-called ceiling embedded type, and includes an air conditioner main body A0 including a casing 1 arranged in a space above the ceiling.
And a decorative panel unit A3 connected to a lower part thereof and arranged on the ceiling surface T. The interior panel unit A3 has a room R partitioned below the ceiling surface T.
A suction port 4 and an air outlet 5 are formed as ventilation ports that open to the inside. An air passage through which a ventilation flow flows is formed inside the air conditioner A, and extends from the inlet 4 to the outlet 5 through the inside of the air conditioner main body A0.

In the decorative panel unit A3, a rectangular annular panel 30 is arranged along the ceiling surface T, and a shielding plate 31 that does not allow air to pass is arranged on the inner peripheral side of the panel 30. The gap between the edge of the shielding plate 31 and the inner peripheral edge of the panel 30 facing the edge forms the above-described suction port 4. For example, the suction port 4 is formed to extend in a direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. The above-described outlet 5 is formed on each of a pair of sides of the panel 30 parallel to the inlet 4.

The air conditioner main unit A0 is constructed by vertically stacking an indoor unit A1 of an air conditioner for air conditioning and an air purifying unit A2 for purifying pollutants by a photocatalyst. The indoor unit A1 includes a pair of heat exchangers 12 for adjusting the temperature of the ventilation flow,
Fan 1 for generating a ventilation flow from the air to outlet 5
And 3. The air purifying unit A2 includes a light deodorizing unit 24 using a photocatalyst for removing odor components in the ventilation flow, a prefilter 23 for removing relatively large dust in the ventilation flow, and a filter for attaching the prefilter 23. And a partition plate 22. In the air passage, a pair of pre-filters 23 are arranged above the suction port 4 and the shielding plate 31 with the partition plate 22 interposed therebetween. Above the light deodorizing unit 24 is disposed.

The air passage is an air passage from the suction port 4 to the air outlet 5 through the pre-filter 23, the inside of the light deodorizing unit 24, the blower fan 13, and the heat exchanger 12 (arrows B1 to B1).
B6). According to the air conditioner A, when the blower fan 13 is operated, air is sucked from the suction port 4 (arrow B1), and relatively large dust is captured by the pre-filter 23 while the air flows through the air wind path. Then, contaminants such as odor components are purified by the photodeodorizing unit 24 using the photocatalyst (arrows B2 to B3). Then, the air is conditioned by the heat exchanger 12 and the air is blown out from the outlet 5 (arrow B).
4-B6).

Hereinafter, the light deodorizing unit 24 will be described in detail. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the light deodorizing unit 24. The light deodorizing unit 24 includes a photocatalyst element 61 carrying a photocatalyst by a honeycomb-shaped carrier described later, and a light source unit 50 including a light source 51 (see FIG. 4) for irradiating the photocatalyst element 61 with ultraviolet rays. The light source unit 50 is attached to the rectangular upper case 41 together with a drive circuit 59 for causing the light source 51 to emit light. Below the light source unit 50, a photocatalyst element 61 and a lower case 42 for housing the photocatalyst element 61 are provided. The lower case 42 has a box shape opened upward. A photocatalyst element 61 is detachably accommodated in the lower case 42 while being pressed and urged by an elastic member 62 such as a sponge or a spring. . Lower case 42
The hinge 44 and the engagement tongue 4
5 is supported.

In the light deodorizing unit 24, a columnar light source unit 50 is arranged at the upper part so as to extend in the horizontal direction, and at the lower part, a photocatalytic element 61 is arranged with the plate surface horizontal. The light source unit 50 and the photocatalyst element 61 are provided in a plurality, for example, two each, and each light source unit 50 is located substantially above the center of each photocatalyst element 61.

The light deodorizing unit 24 is arranged in the air passage, downstream from the suction port 4. The lower surface 42a of the lower case 42 has a plurality of inclined parallel flat plates formed in a cut and raised shape and an opening 7 of the cut and raised trace.
And In the lower case 42, the light from the light source 51 is blocked by the inclined parallel flat plate, and the airflow of the air passage flows into the light deodorizing unit 24 from below through the opening 7. The ventilation flow passes through the photocatalytic element 61,
It passes around the light source unit 50 and flows upward through the annular inside of the upper case 41.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a schematic configuration of the photocatalytic element 61. The photocatalyst element 61 includes a photocatalyst,
The carrier comprises a plurality of flat plates 61a parallel to each other and the adjacent flat plates 61a.
And a corrugated plate 61b disposed therebetween.
a and a number of corrugated plates 61b are alternately stacked to form a large number of air passages in a honeycomb shape.

The photocatalytic element 61 allows air to flow through the above-described multiple air passages.
Air flows from the front side to the back side of the paper. The photocatalyst element 61 is arranged such that the direction in which the flat plates 61a and the corrugated plates 61b are alternately stacked is orthogonal to the ventilation flow so that the ventilation flow can pass through the photocatalyst element 61 smoothly. The flat plate 61a and the corrugated plate 61b are made of paper or a material containing paper.

The photocatalyst element 61 carries a photocatalyst which decomposes odor components upon irradiation of ultraviolet rays on the surface or inside of the flat plate 61a and the corrugated plate 61b constituting the above-mentioned carrier. For example, a flat plate 61a and a corrugated plate 61
The photocatalyst may be carried by applying a photocatalyst to at least one surface of b. In this case, it is preferable to apply the mixture with an adsorbent such as activated carbon or zeolite. This is because the odor component is decomposed by the photocatalyst while being physically adsorbed by the adsorbent, so that the deodorizing ability is high and the deodorizing ability can be maintained for a long time.

The photocatalyst element 61 is not limited to the above-described configuration. For example, the above-described honeycomb-shaped carrier is not limited to the one using the corrugated plate 61b. Further, a fiber such as a polyester-based nonwoven fabric as a carrier may be coated with a photocatalyst. As the photocatalyst element 61, in addition to a material sheet having a surface kneaded with a photocatalyst and an adsorbent as described above, an active carbon fiber yarn and a catalyst yarn woven into a single sheet, A sheet obtained by laminating a sheet containing fibers and a sheet containing catalyst yarns can be exemplified. The above-mentioned catalyst yarn is a yarn carrying the catalyst or, where possible, a yarn consisting of the catalyst itself.

The photocatalyst means a substance that absorbs light and gives the energy to a reactant to cause a chemical reaction.
Specifically, upon receiving irradiation with light including ultraviolet rays, holes generated on the surface of the photocatalyst react with water adsorbed on the surface of the photocatalyst to generate radical OH (hydroxyl radical), and this radical OH is By breaking molecular bonds of organic substances, for example, odor components such as ammonia are deodorized.

As the photocatalyst, titanium dioxide (TiO ₂ ), zinc oxide (ZnO) and tungsten trioxide having an anatase-type crystal structure can be used. Titanium dioxide is used in the following points. Is preferred. In other words, titanium dioxide can exert a sufficient deodorizing function even with weak ultraviolet light, and a wide range of odorous substances, for example, ammonia, acetaldehyde,
This is because the odor of acetic acid, trimethylamine, methyl mercaptan, hydrogen sulfide, styrene, methyl sulfide, dimethyl disulfide and isovaleric acid can be removed.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional front view of the end of the light source unit 50. Please refer to FIG. 5 and FIG. The two light source units 50 are arranged in parallel in the air passage at predetermined intervals so as to cross the annular inside of the upper case 41. The light source unit 50 includes the light source 51 described above.
A protection member 53 that covers the periphery of the light source 51; and an end holding member 54 attached to an end of the protection member 53. Both ends of the protection member 53 are held by end holding members 54, respectively. And the protection member 5
The light source 3 and the light source 51 are positioned coaxially with each other via an end holding member 54. The light source unit 50 is fixed to the upper case 41 via a stopper 58 for screwing and fixing while holding the end holding member 54. Also,
The light source unit 50 is attached to the upper case 41 together with the drive circuit 59 to form an integrated lighting unit.

The light source 51 is a cylindrical straight tube type cold cathode fluorescent lamp. Here, the cold cathode fluorescent lamp is a discharge lamp using a glow discharge, which operates in a regular glow discharge region and emits light from a phosphor excited by ultraviolet rays generated in a positive column. The wavelength of the emitted light can be changed by selecting the substance. For example, a device that emits light having a wavelength of 320 to 420 nm is T
It is preferable for activating a photocatalyst such as iO ₂ or ZnO to efficiently purify pollutants and to eliminate adverse effects on the human body. The electrodes of cold cathode fluorescent lamps are different from filaments used in conventional hot cathode fluorescent lamps,
A plate-like or cylindrical member is used, and a cold cathode fluorescent lamp is generally smaller and has a longer life than a hot cathode fluorescent lamp. For example, a cold cathode fluorescent lamp has a diameter of 1-5.
mm can be used, which is much thinner than a hot-cathode fluorescent lamp, which is a thin tube having a diameter of about 15 mm. The life of the cold cathode fluorescent lamp is as long as 20,000 hours.

The light source 51 is almost entirely covered by a protective member 53, and both ends of the light source 51 are covered by a pair of end holding members 54, whereby the light source 51 is almost completely covered and protected. I have. The protection member 53 is formed in a cylindrical shape having both open ends, and covers and protects the periphery of the light source 51 almost completely. In addition, as the shape of the protection member 53, in addition to the cylindrical member, a rectangular tube shape or a tube shape having a curved surface may be used. The protection member 53 may have a shape in which a part of the light source 51 is exposed and a part of the light source 51 is covered. For example, the light source 51 may have an exposed end.

The protective member 53 is made of a material that can transmit ultraviolet rays, such as a fluororesin, a silicone resin, a polyethylene resin, and a polyester resin. In particular, as a material of the protective member 53, a fluororesin is preferable because it has a good transmittance of ultraviolet rays. Thus, the protection member 53 can protect the light source 51 while transmitting the ultraviolet light from the light source 51.

As shown in an enlarged side sectional view of the main part of the light source unit 50 in FIG. 4, the inner peripheral surface of the protection member 53 carries a photocatalyst 66. The outer peripheral surface of the protection member 53 carries a photocatalyst 67. These photocatalysts 66, 67
Is coated with the same type of photocatalyst used in the photocatalyst element 61 described above. The photocatalyst 66,
67 may be different from the photocatalyst used in the photocatalyst element 61. In addition, the protection member 53
A photocatalyst may be carried on at least one of the inner surface and the outer surface.

By the way, if such a protective member 53 is provided, it is assumed that maintenance becomes difficult when the light source 51 is attached to and detached from the apparatus main body and when the light source 51 is replaced. In the present embodiment, the above-described end holding member 54 is provided. FIG. 6 is a side view of an end of the light source unit of FIG. FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of an end of the light source unit of FIG. Please refer to FIG. 5, FIG. 6 and FIG.

The end holding member 54 is made of an elastic member such as a rubber material. The end holding member 54 has a main body 54a and a cylindrical tubular part 54b provided on one surface of the main body 54a. The main body portion 54a has a shape in which a quadrangular prism and a cylinder overlap, and the cylindrical portion 54b extends along the overlapping direction.
The cylindrical portion 54b is arranged so that the axis thereof extends. One end of the cylindrical portion 54b is open, and at one end thereof,
The end of the light source 51 and the end of the protection member 53 are fitted. A connection terminal is provided at an end of the light source 51, and a tip of the connection terminal is connected to a power supply line 55 such as a lead wire by soldering or the like. While these connection terminals and the power supply line 55 are accommodated in the main body 54a, including the soldered connection portion, the power supply line 5
5 passes through the main body 54a.

The end holding member 54 is fitted with a first fitting portion 54 c fitted with the end of the light source 51, an insertion hole 54 d through which the power supply line 55 is slidably inserted, and fitted with an end of the protection member 53. And a holding hole 54f extending in a direction intersecting with the insertion hole 54d to insert and hold the power supply line 55.
And a communication portion 54g that allows movement of the power supply line 55 between the insertion hole 54d and the holding hole 54f. The direction in which the first fitting portion 54c fits with the end of the light source 51, the direction in which the insertion hole 54d extends, and the direction in which the second fitting portion 54e fits with the end of the protection member 53 are in the same direction. (See arrow M1 in FIG. 5). Further, the end holding member 54 is
The end of the light source 51 is covered and protected in the cylindrical portion 54b, and the connection portion such as soldering between the end of the light source 51 and the power supply line 55 is protected in the insertion hole 54d.

The first fitting portion 54c is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 54b, and is fitted to the outer peripheral surface at the end of the light source 51. In the first fitting portion 54c, the end of the light source 51 is
4b is inserted from one end on the open side, and is press-fitted until it comes into contact with a contact surface 54h at the other end of the cylindrical portion 54b. Thus, the light source 51 and the end holding member 54 are positioned and fixed.

The second fitting portion 54e is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion 54b, and fits with the inner circumferential surface at the end of the protection member 53. The second fitting portion 54e is a clearance fit, and the fitting of the protection member 53 is easy. The first fitting portion 54c and the second fitting portion 54e are coaxially arranged, and the end holding member 5
4 positions the protective member 53 and the light source 51 coaxially at their ends.

The insertion hole 54d extends along the axis of the cylindrical portion 54b. The insertion hole 54d has an opening at the center of the contact surface 54h at the other end of the cylindrical portion 54b, and penetrates the main portion 54a linearly. The holding hole 54f extends linearly in a direction orthogonal to the direction in which the insertion hole 54d extends. The holding hole 54f extends from the middle of the insertion hole 54d to the surface of the main body 54a.

The communicating portion 54g is a slit-shaped gap formed as a cut in the main portion 54a. Communication part 54g
Is formed from the holding hole 54f and the outlet side portion of the insertion hole 54d (from the connection portion between the holding hole 54f and the insertion hole 54d to the main body portion 54a
To the outlet on the surface). Since the communication portion 54g is formed as a cut, it is usually almost closed by the main portion 54a which is the peripheral portion thereof, and the communication portion 54g is pushed by elastically deforming the main portion 54a. Spread out the communication part 54
The feed line 55 can pass through g. As described above, the communication portion 54g includes a portion having a width smaller than the diameter of the power supply line 55, so that the power supply line 55 is inserted into the insertion hole 54d as described later.
And the holding hole 54f can be prevented from being inadvertently moved, so that the power supply line 55 can be reliably held in the holding hole 54f.

The light source unit 50 can be assembled as follows. Feeding line 55 is inserted through 54d
Then, the end of the power supply line 55 is connected to the end of the light source 51 by, for example, soldering. Next, the end holding member 54 is slid along the power supply line 55 connected to the light source 51 to fit the end of the light source 51 into the first fitting portion 54c, and the protection member is fitted into the second fitting portion 54e. The end of 53 is fitted. In this way, the protection member 5
3 and the light source 51, the end holding member 54 can be easily attached to the light source unit 5.
Maintenance is easy even when it is removed and replaced from zero.

Since the second fitting portion 54e is a clearance fit, the protection member 53 is easily fitted, so that the assembling workability is improved, so that the assembling work time can be shortened. When assembling the light source unit 50, the power supply line 55 may be connected to the light source 51 in advance, and the power supply line 55 may be passed through the insertion hole 54 d of the end holding member 54.

At the end of the above-described assembling procedure, the power supply line 55 is inserted straight through the insertion hole 54d (the power supply line 55 in this state is shown by a dashed line in FIG. 5). next,
The power supply line 55 inserted into the insertion hole 54d is moved to the holding hole 54f via the communication portion 54g while elastically deforming the peripheral portion of the communication portion 54g. In this state, the power supply line 55 is bent through the insertion hole 54d and the holding hole 54f (the power supply line 55 in this state is shown by a solid line in FIG. 5). Thereby, the power supply line 55 can be held in the holding hole 54f.

After the passage of the communication portion 54g by the power supply line 55, the peripheral portion of the communication portion 54g is restored by elastic deformation and closes the communication portion 54g, so that the power supply line 55 is inadvertently inserted through the communication portion 54g. To return to the insertion hole 54d. Next, the operation of the light deodorizing unit 24 will be described.
Light from the light source 51 illuminates the photocatalyst 66 carried on the inner surface of the protection member 53. The photocatalyst 66 is activated and purifies contaminants in the protection member 53. After the light passes through the protection member 53, it illuminates the photocatalyst 67 carried on the outer surface of the protection member 53 from inside. This photocatalyst 67
When activated, it purifies contaminants in the air near the protection member 53 and contaminants attached to the outer surface of the protection member 53. Since the contaminants near the protection member 53 can be purified in this way, the surface of the protection member 53 can be prevented from being stained by these contaminants. Thereafter, the light is emitted from the light source unit 50 to illuminate the photocatalyst of the photocatalytic element 61. This photocatalyst is activated and purifies pollutants in the air flowing through the above-described air passage of the photocatalytic element 61.

According to the present embodiment, the following effects are obtained. That is, even if the light source unit 50 including the light source 51 is arranged in the air passage, the light source 51 is cooled by the airflow in the air passage because the protection member 53 covers the light source 51. As a result, a decrease in the surface temperature of the light source 51 can be prevented. Therefore, since the illuminance of the light source 51 can be prevented from lowering, the life of the light source 51 can be prevented from being shortened due to the lowering of the illuminance. As a result, the maintenance frequency of the light deodorizing unit 24 as an air cleaning device can be reduced.

In other words, the degree of freedom of the layout of the light source 51 can be increased while preventing the life of the light source 51 from being shortened. Further, since the protection member 53 can protect the light source 51, the light source 51 is easy to handle when the light source 51 is attached to and detached from the apparatus main body, and as a result, maintenance is easy. Further, since the protective member 53 completely covers the entire circumference of the light source 51 composed of a fluorescent lamp, even if the glass tube of the fluorescent lamp is broken, it is possible to prevent scattering of broken pieces of the glass tube, and to purify the air. It is possible to prevent the inside of the device from becoming dirty.

Further, since the protection member 53 carries the photocatalyst, even if the protection member 53 is disposed in the air passage and is easily contaminated, the protection member 53 can be prevented from being contaminated by the action of purifying the photocatalyst. It is possible to prevent the dirt of 53 from lowering the illuminance of the light source 51, and as a result,
The frequency of maintenance of the air cleaning device can be reduced.

In particular, the photocatalyst 66 carried on the inner peripheral surface of the protection member 53 is preferable for automatically purifying the dirt on the inner surface of the protection member 53 which is difficult to wipe, and the photocatalyst 67 carried on the outer surface of the protection member 53 is preferred. Is preferable for automatically purifying dirt on the outer surface of the protection member 53 that tends to be contaminated by contact with the airflow in the air passage. Also, the end holding member 54
Thereby, the light source 51 and the protection member 53 can be handled as the light source unit 50 integrated. Furthermore, the end holding member 5
4 protects the end of the light source 51 and the connection between the end and the power supply line 55. Therefore, when the light source 51 is attached to and detached from the apparatus main body, the light source 51 is easy to handle. Further, the light source 5
Since the position 1 and the protection member 53 can be positioned by the end holding member 54, the work is easy when the light source 51 is removed from the light source unit 50 and replaced.

In particular, the end holding member 54 is
4c, the second fitting portion 54e, and the insertion hole 54d, the end holding member 54 can be easily attached to the protection member 53 and the light source 51 as described above. Even when it is removed from 50 and replaced, maintenance is easy. Further, since the power supply line 55 is held by the insertion hole 54d and the holding hole 54f, the following operation and effect can be obtained. In other words, the insertion hole 54d connects the end holding member 54 to the light source 51.
However, since the holding hole 54f extends in a direction intersecting with the attaching / detaching direction, the power supply line 55 passing through the holding hole 54f is connected to the light source 51 of the end holding member 54. Can be prevented. as a result,
The assembled state of the light source unit 50 can be reliably held.
Moreover, at the time of assembling, it is possible to easily assemble using the insertion hole 54d extending in the attaching / detaching direction.

Further, by holding the feed line 55 with the holding hole 54f, even if the feed line 55 is pulled,
Since it is possible to prevent a force from being directly applied to the connection portion between the power supply line 55 and the light source 51, the light source 51 is easy to handle and maintain when the light source 51 is attached to and detached from the apparatus main body. Also,
The cold cathode fluorescent lamp of the light source 51 does not use a filament for its electrode, and thus has a longer life than a conventional hot cathode fluorescent lamp using a filament for the electrode. For example,
The conventional light source needs to be replaced in 3000 to 6000 hours, assuming that the time when the luminance decreases to 30% is the life.
000 hours can be used without replacement. Therefore, the frequency of maintenance such as replacement of the light source 51 of the air cleaning device can be reduced.

In the above embodiment, the light source 51
Was a straight pipe type, but the shape is not limited. For example, a spherical shape, a shape in which a middle part is formed in a bent shape, or a shape formed in an annular shape may be used. In the above-described embodiment, the end holding members 54 are provided at both ends of the light source 51. However, the end holding members 54 may be attached to only one end of the light source 51.

The function of the photocatalyst to purify contaminants is to decompose contaminants that are not odor components, sterilize microorganisms, and inactivate viruses, in addition to deodorization by removing odor components as described above. Is also included. That is, the purification of air in the present invention is to remove components in the air harmful to humans. In addition, various design changes can be made without changing the gist of the present invention.

[0055]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the following effects can be obtained. That is, since the protection member covers the light source, it is possible to prevent the surface temperature of the light source disposed in the air passage from lowering. Therefore, a decrease in the illuminance of the light source can be prevented. As a result, a reduction in the life of the light source due to the decrease in the illuminance can be prevented. As a result, the maintenance frequency of the air cleaning device can be reduced.

In other words, the degree of freedom in the layout of the light source can be increased while preventing the life of the light source from being shortened.
Further, since the protection member can protect the light source, it is easy to handle the light source when attaching and detaching the light source from the apparatus main body, and as a result, maintenance is easy. According to the second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effects of the first aspect of the invention, the following operation is achieved. That is, since the contamination of the protection member can be prevented by the purifying action of the photocatalyst carried on the protection member, the contamination of the protection member can be prevented from lowering the illuminance of the light source, and as a result, the maintenance frequency of the air cleaning device can be reduced. can do.

In particular, the photocatalyst on the inner surface is preferable for automatically purifying the dirt on the inner surface which is difficult to wipe, and the photocatalyst on the outer surface is preferable for the dirt on the outer surface which tends to be contaminated by contact with the airflow in the air passage. Is preferred for automatically purifying the compound. According to the third aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effects of the first or second aspect of the present invention, since the protection member can be held by the end holding member, the light source and the protection member can be handled as an integrated unit. Moreover, the end holding member can protect the end of the light source and the connection between the end and the power supply line. Therefore, when the light source is attached to and detached from the apparatus main body, the light source is easy to handle. Further, since the light source and the protection member can be positioned by the end holding member, the work is easy when the light source is removed from the unit and replaced.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the third aspect is provided.
In addition to the effects of the present invention, the above-described unit can be easily assembled, so that maintenance is easy even when the light source is removed from the unit and replaced. According to the invention of claim 5, in addition to the effect of the invention of claim 4, the following operation is exerted. That is, the above-described unit can be reliably held in the assembled state, and can be easily assembled using the insertion holes extending in the attaching / detaching direction.

Further, by holding the power supply line with the holding hole, even if the power supply line is pulled, it is possible to prevent a force from being directly applied to the connection portion between the power supply line and the light source. When attaching to and detaching from the main body, the light source is easy to handle and maintain.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an internal cross section of an air conditioner including a light deodorizing unit as an air purifying device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the light deodorizing unit of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a schematic configuration of the photocatalytic element of FIG.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional side view of a main part of the light source unit of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a sectional front view of an end of the light source unit of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a side view of an end of the light source unit of FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of an end of the light source unit of FIG. 2;

[Explanation of symbols]

 24 Light deodorizing unit (air cleaning device) 51 Light source 53 Protective member 54 End holding member 54c First fitting portion 54d Insertion hole 54e Second fitting portion 54f Holding hole 54g Communication portion 55 Feeding line 61a Flat plate (support) 61b Corrugated plate (support) 66 Photocatalyst 67 Photocatalyst Arrow B2 to B3 Air air path

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Shunichi Fukukawa 1304 Kanaokacho, Sakai-shi, Osaka Daikin Industries Inside the Kanaoka Plant of Sakai Seisakusho Co., Ltd. (72) Kanji Mogi 1304 Kanaokacho, Sakai-shi, Osaka Daikin Industries, Ltd. Sakai Plant Kanaoka Factory

Claims (5)

[Claims] A photocatalyst for purifying pollutants by receiving irradiation of ultraviolet rays from a light source (51) is carried on a carrier (61a, 61b) and purifies air flowing through an air passage (B2-B3). The air purifying device (24), further comprising a protective member (53) that covers a periphery of the light source (51) and transmits light from the light source (51). 2. The air purifying apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the inner surface and the outer surface of the protection member (53) carries a photocatalyst (66, 67). 3. The air purifying apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a power supply line (55) whose end is connected to an end of said light source (51), and a connection portion between said power supply line (55). And an end holding member (54) for covering and holding the end of the light source (51), and positioning and holding the protection member (53) with respect to the light source (51). Air purifying equipment. 4. The air purifying apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the light source (51) has a column shape, the protection member (53) is a cylindrical member, and the end holding member (54) is A first fitting portion (54c) fitted with an end of the light source (51), an insertion hole (54d) through which the power supply line (55) is slidably inserted, and an end of the cylindrical protection member (53). A second fitting portion (54e) fitted to the first portion (54e), and a direction in which the first fitting portion (54c) is fitted to the end of the light source (51), and a direction in which the insertion hole (54d) extends. An air purifying device wherein the second fitting portion (54e) is in the same direction as the direction in which the second fitting portion (54e) is fitted to the end of the protection member (53). 5. The air purifying apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the end holding member (54) is made of an elastic member, extends in a direction intersecting the insertion hole (54d), and connects the power supply line (55). The holding hole (54f) to be inserted and held, the insertion hole (54d) and the holding hole (5
4f) to the communication part (54
g) An air purifier comprising: