JP5289215B2 - Air sanitizer - Google Patents

Description

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

  Conventionally, a sterilization apparatus has been proposed that electrolyzes tap water or the like to generate electrolyzed water containing active oxygen species, and uses this electrolyzed water to remove viruses floating in the air (for example, Patent Document 1). The sterilization apparatus is produced by a water storage tank that stores circulating water, an electrolysis apparatus that electrolyzes the circulating water stored in the water storage tank to generate electrolyzed water containing active oxygen species, and the electrolysis apparatus. Gas-liquid contact comprising a gas-liquid contact member to which electrolyzed water is supplied, a blower fan for sending air to the gas-liquid contact member, and an electrolyzed water recovery device for recovering electrolyzed water of the gas-liquid contact member to the water storage tank The member attempts to disinfect the air by contacting the electrolyzed water containing active oxygen species with air and inactivating viruses and the like.

JP 2009-106706 A

  In the air sterilizer described above, tap water or the like is stored in the water tank as circulating water, electrolyzed the circulating water stored in the water tank to generate electrolyzed water containing active oxygen species such as hypochlorous acid, The electrolyzed water is supplied to a gas-liquid contact member made of nonwoven fabric or the like to bring the electrolyzed water into contact with air, and the electrolyzed water of the gas-liquid contact member is recovered in the water storage tank, so the sterilization operation is continued. As a result, water is evaporated from the gas-liquid contact member, and the circulating water in the water storage tank is reduced. For this reason, a water supply tank for automatically supplying circulating water to the water tank is provided to keep the water level of the water tank substantially constant. Further, by periodically discharging the circulating water in the water tank to the drain tank, new tap water or the like is supplied from the water supply tank to the water tank so that the circulating water does not concentrate too much.

  However, since the sterilization operation cannot be continued when the water supply tank becomes empty, it is necessary for the user to replenish water to the water supply tank frequently. However, it was very troublesome for users. Of course, it is possible to add an automatic water supply function directly connected to the water pipe or an automatic water discharge function connected to the drain pipe, but in this case, not only the cost increases, but also the water supply / drainage construction cost increases. In particular, there was a problem that it was difficult to install in an existing building. In addition, due to frequent replenishment of water, impurities contained in tap water, etc. are deposited and accumulated as scales in the device, and the replacement timing of the gas-liquid contact member is advanced, and the maintenance of the device becomes significant. there were.

  Therefore, the present invention eliminates the trouble of water supply by the user, improves usability, further reduces the adhesion of the scale, allows the gas-liquid contact member to be used over a long period of time, and facilitates maintenance of the apparatus. The purpose is to do.

A first invention is a water storage tank that stores circulating water containing a liquid hygroscopic agent, an electrolysis apparatus that electrolyzes the circulating water stored in the water storage tank to generate electrolyzed water containing active oxygen species, A gas-liquid contact member supplied with electrolyzed water generated by the electrolyzer, a blower that sends air to the gas-liquid contact member, and an electrolyzed water recovery device that recovers electrolyzed water of the gas-liquid contact member into the water storage tank And water level adjusting means for adjusting the level of circulating water in the water tank when the water level of the water tank rises above a predetermined level due to moisture absorbed by the liquid hygroscopic agent .

In a second aspect based on the first aspect, the water level adjusting means is configured to provide a water level sensor that detects a water level of the water tank, a reservoir tank, and circulating water in the water tank according to a detection output of the water level sensor. It comprises circulating water transfer means for transferring to the reservoir tank .

In a third aspect based on the second aspect , the circulating water transfer means includes a pump and a valve provided in a communication passage between the water storage tank and the reservoir tank, and a control means for controlling the pump and the valve. It is characterized by becoming.

According to a fourth invention, in the second invention, the circulating water transfer means comprises an air pump provided in the reservoir tank for discharging air inside the reservoir tank, and a control means for controlling the air pump. And

According to a fifth invention, in the first invention, the water level adjusting means is a water level adjusting water storage unit provided integrally with the water storage tank by making the water storage tank deep drawn. .

  According to the present invention, the liquid hygroscopic agent solution is supplied to the gas-liquid contact member together with the electrolyzed water, and in the gas-liquid contact member, moisture is evaporated by contact with air and moisture is absorbed by the liquid hygroscopic agent. Circulating water stored in the water storage tank can be prevented from decreasing. For this reason, it is not necessary for the user to supply water frequently, and usability can be improved. In addition, it is possible to prevent the circulating water from concentrating too much, and it is not necessary to replenish tap water etc. frequently, so it becomes difficult for the scale to adhere to the gas-liquid contact member and water storage tank, and the gas-liquid contact member can be used for a long time. In addition, the maintenance of the apparatus becomes easy.

Particularly in the first aspect of the invention, since the water level adjusting means for storing the circulating water in the water storage tank is provided when the water level of the water storage tank rises due to the water absorbed by the liquid hygroscopic agent, When the water level rises, excess circulating water can be stored and used when the water level is insufficient to further reduce the frequency of water supply.

In the second aspect of the invention, the water level adjusting means detects the water level of the water tank, the reservoir tank, and the circulating water transfer means for transferring the circulating water of the water tank to the reservoir tank according to the detection output of the water level sensor. Therefore, as in the third or fourth invention, for example, the circulating water transfer means is composed of a pump and a valve and their control means, an air pump and their control means, and the water level of the water storage tank is adjusted. Accordingly, the water level of the water storage tank can be adjusted easily and reliably by operating the pump and valve or the air pump to transfer the circulating water of the water storage tank to the reservoir tank.

Furthermore, in the fifth aspect of the invention, the water level adjusting means is a water level adjusting water storage unit provided integrally with the water storage tank by deep drawing the water storage tank, so that the structure of the water storage tank can be reduced without complicating the structure. Excess circulating water can be stored and can be configured at low cost.

1 is an external perspective view of an air sterilization apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a perspective view which similarly shows the internal structure of an air sterilizer. It is a right side section view similarly showing an internal configuration of an air sterilizer. It is a perspective view which similarly shows the structure of the principal part which produces | generates and circulates the electrolyzed water of an air sterilizer. It is a related figure of relative humidity and moisture absorption of various absorbents. It is the schematic which similarly shows the circulation path of the electrolyzed water of an air sanitizer. It is a flowchart which similarly shows the control example of an air sanitizer. It is the schematic which shows other embodiment of the circulation path of the electrolyzed water of an air sanitizer. It is a flowchart which shows the example of control which concerns on other embodiment of the circulation path of the electrolyzed water of an air sanitizer. It is the schematic which shows other embodiment of the circulation path of the electrolyzed water of an air sanitizer.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of an air sterilization apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the air sterilization apparatus 1 has a box-shaped casing 11 formed in a vertically long shape. For example, it is installed on the floor. A suction grill 12 is formed at the lower part of both side surfaces of the housing 11, and a suction port 15 is formed at the lower end of the front surface of the housing 11.

  Moreover, the blower outlet 13 is formed in the upper surface of the housing | casing 11, and the louver 20 for changing the direction which blows off air is provided in the blower outlet 13. FIG. The louver 20 is configured to close the outlet 13 when operation is stopped.

  That is, the air sterilizer 1 cleans the room air by sucking and sterilizing the air in the installation room through the suction grill 12 and the suction port 15 and discharging the sterilized air from the outlet 13. It is a device to let you.

  An operation lid 16A disposed on the front surface side of the air outlet 13 and a tank opening / closing lid 14A disposed side by side on the operation lid 16A are formed on the upper surface of the housing 11. As shown in FIG. 2, which is a perspective view showing the internal configuration of the air sterilization apparatus 1, when the operation lid 16A is opened, the operation panel 16 for performing various operations of the air sterilization apparatus 1 is exposed, and the tank opening / closing lid 14A is opened. When opened, a water supply tank 41 that also serves as a reservoir tank, which will be described later, can be taken in and out through the tank outlet 14.

  In addition, gripping portions 17 are formed on the upper portions of both side surfaces of the housing 11. These gripping portions 17 are concave portions for holding the case 11 by hand, and the air sterilizer 1 can be lifted and moved by one person during transportation.

  Further, an upper cover member 18 and a lower cover member 19 arranged in the vertical direction are detachably arranged on the front surface (one side surface) of the housing 11, respectively. The upper cover member 18 and the lower cover member When 19 is removed, the internal structure of the housing 11 is exposed. The lower cover member 19 has an arc portion 19A that is curved toward the back side of the housing 11 at the lower end portion, and the suction port 15 is formed in the arc portion 19A.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the housing 11 is provided with a support plate 21 that divides the interior of the housing 11 in the vertical direction, and is divided into an upper chamber 22 and a lower chamber 23. The lower chamber 23 is provided with a blower fan 31 and a fan motor 32 constituting a blower, and a drain tank 57 having a handle portion 57A can be pulled out to the front side of the housing 11 via a partition plate 24. Contained. The blower fan 31, the fan motor 32, and the drainage tank 57 are arranged side by side.

  A prefilter 34 is detachably disposed between the blower fan 31 and the suction port 15, that is, at a position facing the lower cover member 19 (FIG. 1) in the lower chamber 23. The pre-filter 34 collects a large particle size such as dust in the air sucked through the suction grill 12 and the suction port 15, and passes through the first filter 25, for example, a particle size of 10 (Μm) and a second filter 26 that collects the above objects. Pollen and dust floating in the air are removed by the prefilter 34, and the removed air is supplied to the upper chamber 22 via the blower fan 31.

  On the other hand, in the upper chamber 22, an electrical box 39 is disposed above the blower fan 31 and the fan motor 32, and a control unit configured by a microcomputer or the like that controls the air sterilizer 1 is provided in the electrical box 39. Various electrical components such as a control board on which various devices constituting the device 60 (FIG. 6) are mounted and a power supply circuit for supplying a power supply voltage to the fan motor 32 are accommodated.

  A gas-liquid contact member 53 that disinfects the air by bringing the passing air into contact with the electrolyzed water is disposed above the electrical box 39. Below the gas-liquid contact member 53, a water storage tank 42 for circulating water storage provided with a water receiving part (electrolyzed water recovery device) 42A for receiving the electrolyzed water dropped from the gas-liquid contact member 53 is disposed. The water storage tank 42 includes a storage part 42B formed at a deep bottom, and the storage part 42B can store circulating water. The storage part 42B is configured such that the electrolyzed water dropped into the water receiving part 42A flows in, and the electrolyzed water is stored in the storage part 42B. Further, the reservoir 42B extends above the drain tank 57. Furthermore, a water supply tank 41 is disposed on the storage part 42B, and the circulating water can be supplied from the water supply tank 41 to the storage part 42B.

  Next, the flow of air in the air sterilizer 1 will be described. FIG. 3 is a right side cross-sectional view showing the internal configuration of the air sterilization apparatus 1. As described above, the blower fan 31 is provided in the lower chamber 23 of the housing 11. As shown in FIG. 3, the blower port 31 </ b> A of the blower fan 31 is provided upward in the rear side portion of the housing 11, and communicates with a space 1 </ b> A as an air path extending vertically on the back side of the upper chamber 22. The space 1 </ b> A includes a first air guide member 81 disposed on the back side of the housing 11, and an air guide plate 84 that is disposed to face the first air guide member 81 and extends from the support plate 21 to the water storage tank 42. And is formed by. The air blown from the blower opening 31A of the blower fan 31 rises, passes through the space 1A as shown by an arrow in FIG. 3, is directed forward, and is blown to the back surface of the gas-liquid contact member 53.

  On the other hand, in the space 1B opposite to the space 1A via the gas-liquid contact member 53 (in this embodiment, the front side of the housing 11), as shown in FIG. A second air guide member 83 that leads to the air outlet 13 is disposed. The second air guide member 83 is formed in a substantially box shape with an upper surface portion and a back surface portion opened.

  In addition to the function of guiding the air in the space 1B to the air outlet 13, the second air guide member 83 has a function of receiving water (so-called flying water) blown into the space 1B together with the air from the gas-liquid contact member 53. Have. Specifically, the inner bottom surface 83 </ b> A of the second air guide member 83 is inclined low toward the gas-liquid contact member 53 so that the water that has jumped out of the second air guide member 83 is guided to the water storage tank 42. Is formed. The air that has passed through the gas-liquid contact member 53 is exhausted through the air outlet filter 36 that is guided to the inner surface 83B of the second air guide member 83 and disposed below the air outlet 13.

  FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a main part that generates and circulates electrolyzed water. In this embodiment, electrolyzed water for sterilizing air is circulated and repeatedly used.

  The outline of the circulation will be described. The circulating water supplied to the storage unit 42B as a raw material for the electrolyzed water is supplied to the electrolyzer (electrolyzer) 46 by the circulation pump 44 for circulating the electrolyzed water, and circulated by the electrolyzer 46. The electrolyzed water generated by electrolyzing water is returned and stored again in the storage unit 42B, and then supplied to the gas-liquid contact member 53 by the circulation pump 44, and then the electrolyzed water used for sterilization is the water receiving unit. The electrolytic water flowing down to 42A and flowing from the water receiving portion 42A to the storage portion 42B is supplied again to the electrolytic bath 46 by the circulation pump 44, and the circulation of the electrolytic water is repeated. Thus, in the configuration of the present embodiment, the electrolyzed water is a circulation type, and by effectively using a small amount of water, it is possible to efficiently sterilize air over a long period of time.

  The water storage tank 42 is configured by integrally forming a water receiving portion 42A and a storage portion 42B. The water receiving part 42A is formed one step higher than the storage part 42B, and the electrolyzed water that has flowed from the gas-liquid contact member 53 to the water receiving part 42A flows into the storage part 42B. Further, a filter 76 that collects solid matter (scale) contained in the water that has flowed down from the gas-liquid contact member 53 is disposed in the flow path of the electrolyzed water from the water receiving portion 42A to the storage portion 42B.

  Circulation pump 44 is disposed such that its suction port is below the water surface of reservoir 42 </ b> B, and discharges circulating water through water distribution pipe 71 connected to the discharge port of circulation pump 44. The water distribution pipe 71 branches into three paths, and in one path, the circulation pump 44 is connected to the electrolytic cell 46 via a branch pipe 72 branched and connected to the water distribution pipe 71, and in the other path, The water distribution pipe 71 is connected to the water spray box 51 installed on the gas-liquid contact member 53, and in the other path, the circulation pump 44 is branched from the water distribution pipe 71 and connected to the electromagnetic pump as will be described later. The valve 73 is connected to the water supply tank 41 through a branch pipe 74 into which the valve 73 is inserted.

  In one path, the circulating water supplied to the electrolytic cell 46 through the branch pipe 72 is electrolyzed by the electrolytic cell 46. As will be described later, the electrolytic bath 46 includes a plurality of electrodes, and by applying a voltage supplied from the control unit 60 between the electrodes, the electrolytic water contains electrolyzed water and contains hypochlorous acid and the like. Is generated.

  A discharge port 46A for discharging the electrolytic water generated in the electrolytic cell 46 is formed on the upper surface of the electrolytic cell 46, and a return pipe 75 for sending the electrolytic water to the storage part 42B is connected to the discharge port 46A. The return pipe 75 extends in the lateral direction from the discharge port 46 </ b> A and then turns downward. The lower end of the return pipe 75 is located above the filter 76.

  Then, the electrolyzed water is refluxed so as to be poured directly into the filter 76 from the lower end of the return pipe 75, and when passing through the filter 76, the scale and the like are removed and stored in the storage unit 42B. In addition, it is good also as a structure by which the electrolyzed water which flows out from the return pipe 75 is recirculated to the water receiving part 42A upstream of the filter 76. In this case, since the electrolyzed water poured from the return pipe 75 to the water receiving portion 42A flows to the storage portion 42B through the filter 76 in the same manner as described above, the scale can be removed.

  When the gas-liquid contact member 53 supplied with electrolyzed water containing hypochlorous acid or the like is sent air by the blower fan 31, the air floats in the air when passing through the gas-liquid contact member 53. Since the virus and the like are brought into contact with the electrolyzed water to inactivate the virus and the like, the air can be sterilized, and the propagation of germs in the gas-liquid contact member 53 itself can be prevented. Further, when the odor passes through the gas-liquid contact member 53, it reacts with hypochlorous acid or the like in the electrolyzed water, and is ionized and dissolved in the electrolyzed water. You can also.

  The gas-liquid contact member 53 is disposed above the water receiving portion 42A, and the electrolyzed water that is used for sterilization and flows down from the gas-liquid contact member 53 is received by the water receiving portion 42A, and thereafter the storage portion 42B. To reflux.

  Here, each part (including the frame, the element part, and the flow dividing sheet) of the gas-liquid contact member 53 is made of a material that is hardly deteriorated by electrolyzed water, such as polyolefin resin (polyethylene resin, polypropylene resin, etc.), PET (polyethylene). -Materials such as terephthalate) resin, vinyl chloride resin, fluorine resin (PTFE, PFA, ETFE, etc.) or ceramic material are used. In this configuration, PET resin is used.

  Further, each part of the gas-liquid contact member 53 is subjected to a hydrophilic treatment to enhance the affinity for the electrolyzed water, whereby the water retention (wetability) of the electrolyzed water of the gas-liquid contact member 53 is maintained. The contact between the active oxygen species (active oxygen substance) described later and the room air is maintained for a long time.

  In the present embodiment, an aqueous solution containing lithium chloride as a liquid hygroscopic agent is stored as circulating water in the water storage tank 42, and this circulating water is electrolyzed in the electrolytic layer 46, thereby hypochlorous acid as a sterilizing component. Electrolyzed water containing acid is generated, and the electrolyzed water is used for sterilization with air by contact with air at the gas-liquid contact member 53 as described above, and lithium chloride as a liquid moisture absorbent is gas-liquid contacted. Moisture contained in the air is absorbed by contact with the air at the member 53, and the absorbed water is collected together with the electrolyzed water in the storage portion 42B of the water storage tank 42 through the water receiving portion 42A as an electrolyzed water recovery device. And stored as circulating water.

  There are various types of liquid hygroscopic agents, for example, FIG. 5 (relative reference: air conditioning and sanitary engineering, October 2002 issue, pp. 987) As shown in (5) Takefumi Tsuji), in addition to lithium chloride, calcium chloride, sulfuric acid, glycerin, and triethylene glycol have good moisture absorption characteristics over a wide range of humidity changes in the air. Among these, since lithium chloride has the most excellent moisture absorption characteristics with respect to indoor humidity changes, the evaporation of moisture due to contact with air at the gas-liquid contact member 53 and the absorption of moisture by the liquid moisture absorbent. Becomes an equilibrium state according to the room humidity, and the humidity adjustment function can be enhanced without adding a special device to the air sterilization apparatus 1. In particular, an aqueous solution of lithium chloride contains chloride ions, so that hypochlorous acid can be generated without using tap water, and the sterilizing effect can be sufficiently exerted, and components contained in tap water Can prevent the scale from accumulating.

  On the other hand, calcium chloride may precipitate scales such as calcium carbonate when carbon dioxide in the air dissolves in the aqueous solution, and sulfuric acid has difficulty in that it is highly corrosive to the equipment because of its low pH. In addition, organic substances such as glycerin and triethylene glycol have the disadvantage of reacting with hypochlorous acid during electrolysis to weaken the effect of hypochlorous acid, so that liquid hygroscopic agents may deposit scale, Neutral inorganic chlorides and bromides that have little effect on hypochlorous acid, especially aqueous solutions of lithium chloride are suitable. Here, neutral means that the pH is in the range of 5-9, more preferably the pH is in the range of 6-8.

  In FIG. 6, which is a schematic diagram showing the circulation path of the electrolyzed water, a water supply tank 41 also serving as a reservoir tank is disposed in the storage part 42B with its water supply port facing the bottom of the storage part 42B. A float valve is provided at the mouth, and when the water surface of the reservoir 42B is below the water inlet, the float valve is opened, so that a necessary amount of water is supplied from the water supply tank 41 and the water level of the reservoir 42B. Is a mechanism that keeps constant.

  The circulation pump 44 is connected to the water distribution tank 71 and connected to the water supply tank 41 via a branch pipe 74 into which an electromagnetic valve 73 is inserted. Therefore, when the water level sensor 77 provided in the storage part 42B of the water storage tank 42 detects a rise in the water level of the storage part 42B by the lithium chloride as the liquid hygroscopic agent absorbing moisture in the air, the control part 60 is electromagnetically The valve 73 is opened and the circulation pump 44 is driven to transfer the circulating water in the reservoir 42B to the water supply tank 41 via the circulation pump 44 and the branch pipe 74 so that the water level in the reservoir 42B does not rise above a certain level. ing. On the other hand, when the water level in the reservoir 42B falls below a certain level, as described above, the float valve is opened, and the circulating water stored in the water supply tank 41 is returned from the water supply port to the reservoir 42B.

  In addition, a drainage pipe 55 that connects the drainage tank 57 that stores the drained electrolyzed water and the storage part 42B is disposed at the bottom of the storage part 42B, and the drainage pipe 55 drains the storage part 42B. A drain valve 56 to be controlled is attached. When the drain valve 56 is opened, the electrolyzed water is drained from the reservoir 42B to the drain tank 57, and the float valve of the water supply tank 41 is activated to supply new water or stored circulating water to the reservoir 42B. The

  That is, as indicated by a broken line in FIG. 6, the electromagnetic valve 73, the water level sensor 77, the electrolytic bath 46, the circulation pump 44, and the drain valve 56 are connected to the control unit 60, respectively. Works as shown.

  First, when the power of the air sterilizer 1 is turned on (step S1), the water level sensor 77 detects the water level of the reservoir 42B (step S2), and the control unit based on the detection output of the water level sensor 77. If 60 determines that the water level is normal, electrolysis control in which the circulating water is electrolyzed in the electrolytic cell 46 is started (step S3) to generate electrolyzed water. When the electrolysis control is started, the control unit 60 operates the circulation pump 44 and starts air blowing by the blower fan 31 (step S4), and electrolyzed water containing hypochlorous acid and the like in the gas-liquid contact member 53. The air is sterilized by contact with air, and moisture in the air is absorbed by the liquid moisture absorbent (lithium chloride) contained in the electrolyzed water.

  During this sterilization operation, the water level sensor 77 periodically detects the water level (step S5), and when the water level in the storage unit 42B rises to a predetermined amount or more due to the moisture absorption of the liquid humectant (lithium chloride), the control unit 60, it is determined from the detection output from the water level sensor 77 that the amount of water in the reservoir 42B is excessive. In this case, the solenoid valve 73 is opened while the circulation pump 44 is operated (step S6), and the reservoir 42B The circulating water is transferred to the water supply tank 41 and stored.

  On the contrary, when the room is extremely dried and the water evaporation in the gas-liquid contact member 53 exceeds the water absorption of the liquid hygroscopic agent (lithium chloride), the water level in the storage unit 42B decreases, and the water level sensor 77 If the control unit 60 determines that the amount of water in the storage unit 42B is too small based on the detected output, the operation of the air sterilization apparatus 1 is stopped (step S7), and the drought alarm lamp as the notification means is turned on (step S8). . If the amount of water in the reservoir 42B is too small, the concentration of the circulating water lithium chloride is too high, which is not preferable.

  In this embodiment, the circulating pump 44 is shared as a circulating water transfer pump. However, a circulating water transfer means having a pump dedicated to circulating water transfer and an electromagnetic valve may be provided. Moreover, since the density | concentration of the lithium chloride of the circulating water of the storage part 42B can be estimated from the detection output from the water level sensor 77, the electrolysis control in the electrolytic vessel 46 is adjusted, and electrolyzed water containing hypochlorous acid is not generated excessively. It can also be done.

  In that case, the concentration of lithium chloride is controlled to be in the range of 40% to 10% (W / V), preferably 30% to 10%, more preferably 25% to 10%, and the concentration is in the other range. If it becomes an error and the operation is stopped, the circulating water in the reservoir 42B can be prevented from increasing more than necessary.

  Further, as in this embodiment, in the case of using a water supply tank 41 that also serves as a reservoir tank, excess circulating water is transferred and stored in the water supply tank 41, and in the unlikely event of drought, the water supply tank 41 is replenished with water. The operation can be resumed. For this reason, it is not necessary to supply water to the water supply tank 41 frequently, and user convenience can be improved. Moreover, since it is not necessary to replenish tap water etc. frequently, there is little adhesion of the scale to the gas-liquid contact member 53 and the storage part 42B, the gas-liquid contact member 53 can be used over a long period of time, and apparatus maintenance is easy. Become. In addition, although demineralized water is preferable as water to be replenished as circulating water, there is no problem even with tap water because the number of replenishment is reduced.

  As described above, the branch pipe 74 into which the water distribution pipe 71 is branched and the electromagnetic valve 73 is inserted is provided to connect the circulation pump 44 and the water supply tank 41, and the solenoid valve 73 is operated while the circulation pump 44 is operated. Instead of transferring and storing the circulating water in the excessive reservoir 42B to the water supply tank 41, an air pump 78 is provided in the water supply tank 41 as shown in FIG. The circulating water may be transferred and stored in the water supply tank 41.

  That is, based on the detection output from the water level sensor 77, when the control unit 60 determines that the amount of water in the storage unit 42B is excessive, the air pump 78 is activated to make the inside of the water supply tank 41 have a negative pressure. Then, the circulating water in the storage unit 42B is transferred to and stored in the water supply tank 41. In this case, a branch pipe, a pump and a solenoid valve for transferring circulating water are not necessary.

  FIG. 9 and FIG. 10 show other embodiments. By providing the water storage part 79 with the storage part 42B as a deep drawing, the water level that is the reference of the storage part 42B is several times (for example, about 4 times). ), Even if the water level rises due to water absorption by the liquid hygroscopic agent, the circulating water is stored in the water storage part 79 so as not to overflow. Further, the circulation pump 44 lengthens the water supply pipe 80 so that the lower end thereof extends to the vicinity of the bottom surface of the water storage part 79 so that water can be supplied even if the water level changes. Further, since the amount of water absorption increases when the humidity is high, a humidity sensor may be installed and control may be performed to stop the apparatus at a certain humidity, for example, at a humidity of 80% or more.

  In this case, circulating water transfer means such as a water supply tank or a pump becomes unnecessary, and as shown in FIG. 10, when the air sterilizer 1 is first turned on (step S11), the water level sensor 77 causes the storage unit to 42B water level is detected (step S12), and when the control unit 60 determines that the water level is normal based on the detection output of the water level sensor 77, electrolysis control is started in which the circulating water is electrolyzed in the electrolytic cell 46. (Step S13), electrolyzed water is generated. When the electrolysis control is started, the control unit 60 operates the circulation pump 44 and starts air blowing by the blower fan 31 (step S14), and electrolyzed water containing hypochlorous acid and the like in the gas-liquid contact member 53. The air is sterilized by contact with air, and moisture in the air is absorbed by the liquid moisture absorbent (lithium chloride) contained in the electrolyzed water.

  During this sterilization operation, the water level is regularly detected by the water level sensor 77 (step S15), and the interior of the room is extremely dried so that the moisture in the gas-liquid contact member 53 is higher than the moisture absorption of the liquid moisture absorbent (lithium chloride). If the evaporation exceeds the water level in the storage unit 42B, and the controller 60 determines that the amount of water in the storage unit 42B is too small based on the detection output from the water level sensor 77, the operation of the air sterilizer 1 is performed. It stops (step S16), and the drought alarm lamp which is a notification means is turned on (step S17).

  Conversely, when the water level reaches the upper limit due to excessive moisture absorption, the control unit 60 determines that the amount of water in the storage unit 42B is excessive based on the detection output from the water level sensor 77, and the operation of the air sterilizer 1 is performed. It stops (step S18), and the full water alarm lamp which is an alerting | reporting means is lighted (step S19).

  In the above-described embodiment, the electrolytic cell 46 includes a pair of electrodes, one of which is positive and the other is negative. By applying a voltage between these electrodes, the circulating water flowing into the electrolytic cell 46 is electrolyzed. Electrolyzed water containing hypochlorous acid and the like is generated.

  This hypochlorous acid is contained in a broad sense of active oxygen species and has a strong oxidizing action and bleaching action. The aqueous solution in which hypochlorous acid is dissolved, that is, the electrolyzed water generated by the air sterilizer 1 exhibits various air cleaning effects such as inactivation of viruses, sterilization, and decomposition of organic compounds. 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. The active oxygen includes so-called active oxygen in a broad sense such as ozone and hypohalous acid, and can be used in various ways depending on the selection of electrodes and the like.

  The electrode may be, for example, a chlorine generating electrode such as a platinum iridium electrode or a platinum ruthenium electrode, a platinum electrode, a carbon fiber electrode, an ozone generating electrode, or the like.

    Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, various alternatives, modifications, and variations can be made by those skilled in the art based on the above description, and the present invention is not limited to the various embodiments described above without departing from the spirit of the present invention. It encompasses alternatives, modifications or variations.

1 Air sanitizer 31 Blower fan 41 Water supply tank (reservoir tank)
42 Water storage tank 42A Water receiving part (electrolyzed water recovery device)
42B Reservoir 44 Circulation Pump 46 Electrolyzer (Electrolyzer)
53 Gas-liquid contact member 60 Control part (control means)
73 Solenoid valve 74 Branch pipe (communication passage)
77 Water level sensor 78 Air pump 79 Water reservoir

Claims (5)

A water storage tank for storing circulating water containing a liquid hygroscopic agent, an electrolysis apparatus for electrolyzing the circulating water stored in the water storage tank to generate electrolyzed water containing active oxygen species, and the electrolysis apparatus A gas-liquid contact member to which the electrolyzed water is supplied, a blower for sending air to the gas-liquid contact member, an electrolyzed water recovery device for recovering the electrolyzed water of the gas-liquid contact member to the water storage tank, and the liquid moisture absorbent An air sterilizer comprising: water level adjusting means for adjusting the level of circulating water in the water tank when the water level of the water tank rises to a predetermined level or more due to moisture absorbed by the water tank . The water level adjusting means includes a water level sensor for detecting the water level of the water storage tank, a reservoir tank, and circulating water transfer means for transferring the circulating water of the water storage tank to the reservoir tank in accordance with a detection output of the water level sensor. the air filtering apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that. The said circulating water transfer means consists of a pump and a valve provided in a communication passage between the water storage tank and the reservoir tank, and a control means for controlling the pump and the valve. Air sanitizer. 3. The air sterilizing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the circulating water transfer means includes an air pump provided in the reservoir tank for discharging air inside the reservoir tank, and a control means for controlling the air pump. . The air sterilizing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the water level adjusting means is a water level adjusting water storage unit provided integrally with the water storage tank by deep drawing the water storage tank.

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