JP5797059B2 - Virus / microbe removal equipment - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a virus / microorganism removing apparatus that captures and inactivates viruses and microorganisms floating in a space.

  Conventionally, as a floating virus / microorganism removal device that removes viruses and microorganisms floating in the space, it was arranged from the windward side in order of the corona charging part, high voltage electrode, filter, and electrode in contact with the filter. The thing is proposed (for example, refer patent document 1).

  In addition, a floating microorganism / floating virus removal device has been proposed in which the pre-filter, charging unit, photocatalytic filter, ultraviolet lamp, virus capture filter (water dropping filter), and electrostatic filter are arranged in this order from the windward side ( For example, see Patent Document 2).

JP-T-2007-512131 (for example, see page 7, line 17 to page 10, line 30 and FIG. 1) JP 11-188214 A (see, for example, page 7, line 41 to page 8, line 51, and FIG. 1)

In the technique described in Patent Document 1, dust is also captured by the filter simultaneously with the virus and microorganism. However, since the size of the dust is larger than that of the virus and microorganism, the dust accumulates on the filter and captures the virus and microorganism as a filter. May be reduced. Since the technique described in Patent Document 1 does not have a function of removing the accumulated dust, it may be difficult to stably capture viruses and microorganisms.
Further, the technique described in Patent Document 1 requires the user to clean the filter in order to remove accumulated dust and prevent the growth of microorganisms and viruses trapped in the filter.

  The technique described in Patent Document 2 is provided with a photocatalytic filter, a water dropping filter, an electrostatic filter, and three filters for removing viruses and microorganisms. As a result, in the technique described in Patent Document 2, there is a possibility that pressure loss increases, and air from which viruses and microorganisms have been removed cannot be supplied to the room with high efficiency or noise may be generated. It was.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and provides a virus / microorganism removal apparatus that suppresses a reduction in the function of capturing viruses and microorganisms while maintaining maintainability. Is the first purpose.
The present invention also provides a virus / microorganism removal device that suppresses an increase in pressure loss, reduces the supply efficiency of air from which viruses and microorganisms have been removed, and suppresses the generation of noise. The second purpose.

The virus / microorganism removal apparatus according to the present invention includes an air passage housing, a blower that takes air into the air passage housing, and a charging unit that is provided in the air passage housing and charges floating matter taken together with air by the blower. A filter that is provided in the air passage housing and captures suspended matter charged by the charging portion, and is provided in the air passage housing and downstream of the charging portion, with a predetermined gap between the filters. It has two electrodes that are arranged, and an inactivation part that inactivates suspended microorganisms captured by the filter by applying a voltage to the two electrodes to induct the filter, and suspended matter captured by the filter An automatic cleaning mechanism to be removed, and a control unit to control the automatic cleaning mechanism, and the automatic cleaning mechanism is provided in the air passage housing, is provided upstream of the inactivating unit, and has a brushed surface. Less Also have one brush, of the inactivation of the electrode moving along the one of the electrodes, it is to remove scraping the floating matter trapped in the filter.

According to the virus / microorganism removal apparatus according to the present invention, since it has a cleaning mechanism for scraping off the suspended matter captured by the filter, the function of capturing viruses and microorganisms is reduced while maintaining maintainability. Can be suppressed.
In addition, the virus / microorganism removal apparatus according to the present invention suppresses accumulation of suspended matter on the filter, suppresses an increase in pressure loss, reduces the supply efficiency of air from which viruses and microorganisms have been removed, and reduces noise. Can be prevented from occurring.

It is a figure which shows an example of schematic structure of the virus and microorganism removal apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the virus / microorganism removal apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1. It is a figure explaining the structural example of the charging part high voltage electrode and trapping / inactivation part high voltage electrode which are illustrated by FIG. It is a figure explaining the structural example of the hydrophilic filter illustrated by FIG. It is a flowchart which shows an example of operation | movement of the virus and microorganism removal apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure explaining the virus capture rate in the case where the hydrophilic filter illustrated in FIG. It is a figure explaining the virus survival rate in the case of processing the captured virus only with ozone gas, and in the case of performing plasma processing in addition to ozone gas. It is a figure which shows an example of schematic structure of the virus and microorganism removal apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is the figure which looked at the vicinity of the roller and dust box which are illustrated by FIG. 8 from upper direction. It is one of the modifications of the virus / microorganism removal apparatus illustrated in FIG. FIG. 8 is a modification of the virus / microorganism removal apparatus shown in FIG. 8 and is different from FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of schematic structure of the virus and microorganism removal apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of schematic structure of the virus and microorganism removal apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 4 of this invention. FIG. 14 is a horizontal sectional view of the virus / microorganism removal apparatus illustrated in FIG. 13. It is a figure which shows an example of schematic structure of the virus and microorganism removal apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 5 of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of schematic structure of the virus and microorganism removal apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 6 of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of schematic structure of the virus and microorganism removal apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 7 of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of schematic structure of the virus and microorganism removal apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 8 of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of schematic structure of the virus and microorganism removal apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 9 of this invention.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
Embodiment 1 FIG.
The configuration of the virus / microorganism removing apparatus 100 will be described with reference to FIGS.
In addition, in the following drawings including FIG. 1, the relationship of the size of each component may be different from the actual one. Moreover, the arrow shown in FIG.1 and FIG.2 represents the flow of air. In the following description, the virus / microorganism removing apparatus 100 is referred to as the apparatus 100. In the air, for example, viruses, microorganisms, dust, and the like are present as suspended matters. Here, the virus and the microorganism may be referred to as a floating microorganism.
The apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment has a filter that captures suspended microorganisms and inactivates the captured suspended microorganisms. And the apparatus 100 which concerns on this Embodiment 1 is the improvement which suppresses that the function of a filter falls by trapping the dust which is large compared with a virus, microorganisms, etc. in the filter which captures floating microorganisms. Is added.

[Configuration of Device 100]
The apparatus 100 has an air passage housing 10 in which air flows and various devices are arranged. In this air passage housing 10, from the upstream side (windward side), the blower 1, the charging unit high-voltage electrode (first high voltage application electrode) 2, the charging unit ground electrode (first counter electrode) 3, and the automatic cleaning mechanism 11 The trapping / inactivating part ground electrode (second counter electrode) 7, the filter 6, and the trapping / inactivating part high-voltage electrode (second high voltage application electrode) 5 are arranged in this order.
In addition, the apparatus 100 includes a power supply 8 that supplies a voltage to the charging unit high-voltage electrode 2, a power supply 4 that supplies a voltage to the capture / inactivation unit high-voltage electrode 5, and a control unit 50 that controls various devices such as the blower 1. Have.
The charging unit high-voltage electrode 2 and the charging unit ground electrode 3 constitute a charging unit 60 that charges (charges) floating microorganisms and dust. Further, the capture / inactivation part ground electrode 7 and the capture / inactivation part high-voltage electrode 5 constitute an inactivation part 61 that inactivates suspended microorganisms. Further, the inactivating part 61 and the filter 6 constitute a capturing / inactivating part.

(Blower 1)
The blower 1 takes air into the air passage housing 10. The blower 1 is provided on the upstream side of the charging unit high-voltage electrode 2. In addition, the blower 1 is good to employ | adopt a propeller fan etc., for example. Moreover, although this Embodiment 1 demonstrates installing the air blower 1 in the upstream of the charging part high voltage electrode 2 and pushing air into the inactivation part 61, the air blower 1 is capture | acquisition and the inactivation part high voltage electrode 5 is demonstrated. It may be installed on the downstream side, and air may be sucked from the inactivating part 61.

(Charging part high voltage electrode 2)
The charging unit high-voltage electrode 2 is an electrode that is connected to the power source 8 and to which a voltage supplied from the power source 8 is applied. The charging unit high-voltage electrode 2 charges the floating microorganisms and dust sent from the blower 1 together with the charging unit ground electrode 3. The charging unit high-voltage electrode 2 is provided downstream of the blower 1 and upstream of the charging unit ground electrode 3.

  The charging unit high-voltage electrode 2 may be constituted by, for example, stretching a large number of thin wires having a wire diameter of about 0.05 mm to 0.5 mm on substantially the same plane. Here, the charging unit high-voltage electrode 2 is not limited to the above-described thin wire, and may be, for example, a rectangle having a cross-sectional shape of about 0.1 mm × 0.5 mm, and a thickness of 0.05 mm to 0 mm. You may comprise by the ribbon-shaped member of about 5 mm. In addition, when making the cross-sectional shape of the charging part high voltage electrode 2 into a rectangle, the surface corresponding to the short side of the cross-sectional shape may be provided toward the charging part ground electrode 3 or on the long side. The corresponding surface may be provided toward the charged portion ground electrode 3.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 3A, the charged portion high-voltage electrode 2 is formed by etching a flat plate (thickness 0.05 to 0.5 mm) with a width 0.3 to 1.. You may form and comprise so that a 0 mm strip may be located in a line. In this case, as shown in FIG. 3B, the periphery of the charged portion high-voltage electrode 2 may be bent such as hemming, or the periphery of the charged portion high-voltage electrode 2 may be reinforced with an insulator. . Thereby, the tension | tensile_strength of the charge part high voltage electrode 2 can be maintained.

(Charging part ground electrode 3)
The charged part ground electrode 3 is an electrode connected to the ground potential. The charged part ground electrode 3 is provided on the downstream side of the charged part high-voltage electrode 2 and on the upstream side of the automatic cleaning mechanism 11. The charged part ground electrode 3 may be constituted by an electrode made of, for example, a metal mesh.
In addition, as long as a predetermined voltage is applied between the charged part high voltage electrode 2 and the charged part ground electrode 3, the charged part ground electrode 3 may not be grounded.

(Automatic cleaning mechanism 11)
The automatic cleaning mechanism 11 removes suspended microorganisms and dust that have accumulated in the ground electrode 7 and the filter 6 of the capturing / inactivating part. The automatic cleaning mechanism 11 is provided downstream of the charging unit ground electrode 3 and upstream of the capture / inactivation unit ground electrode 7.
The automatic cleaning mechanism 11 includes a brush 12 that moves on the surface of the capture / inactivation portion ground electrode 7. The brush 12 has a substantially cylindrical shape, and is provided to be rotatable around an axis parallel to the vertical direction. The brush 12 rotates on the surface of the capture / inactivation part ground electrode 7 on the side where the charged part ground electrode 3 is provided, while the suspended microorganisms or Dust can be scraped off. Since the brush 12 has a raised surface, it can also remove the floating microorganisms and dust of the filter 6 provided at a predetermined interval from the capture / inactivation portion ground electrode 7. .
Although the automatic cleaning mechanism 11 has been described as having a configuration in which the brush 12 is rotated to scrape floating microorganisms and dust, the present invention is not limited thereto, and for example, the floating microorganisms and dust are removed by vibration, blow-off, or the like. It may be substituted by a mechanism.

(Capture / inactivation part ground electrode 7)
The capture / inactivation portion ground electrode 7 is an electrode connected to the ground potential. The capture / inactivation portion ground electrode 7 is provided on the downstream side of the automatic cleaning mechanism 11 and on the upstream side of the filter 6. The capture / inactivation portion ground electrode 7 may be formed of an electrode made of, for example, a metal mesh.
In addition, as long as a predetermined voltage is applied between the capture / inactivation part high-voltage electrode 5 and the capture / inactivation part ground electrode 7, the capture / inactivation part ground electrode 7 may not be grounded. .

(Filter 6)
The filter 6 captures airborne microorganisms, dust, and the like. The filter 6 is provided downstream of the capture / inactivation part ground electrode 7 and upstream of the capture / inactivation part high-voltage electrode 5. More specifically, the filter 6 is provided so as to be sandwiched between the capture / inactivation part ground electrode 7 and the capture / inactivation part high-voltage electrode 5 via an insulator 9. That is, the filter 6 is insulated and grounded by the insulator 9. The insulator 9 may be an insulating bushing, for example.
Further, instead of the insulator 9, as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, an insulating insulating frame 13 provided around the filter 6 may be employed.
The filter 6 may be a filter having a honeycomb structure or a structure in which square holes penetrate in a lattice shape. Thereby, the pressure loss in the filter 6 can be reduced. The filter 6 may be made of a hydrophilic material.

The filter 6 is polarized by a dielectric action due to a voltage applied between the trapping / inactivation part ground electrode 7 and the trapping / inactivation part high-voltage electrode 5. Thereby, an electrostatic field is formed on the surface of the filter 6. The floating microorganisms to which charges are added by the charging unit 60 including the charging unit high-voltage electrode 2 and the charging unit ground electrode 3 are attracted to the electric field formed on the surface of the filter 6 and collide with the filter 6 to be captured. .
In addition, not only airborne microorganisms but also particles such as dust are attracted to the filter 6 and collide with the filter 6 to be captured. This is because particles such as dust are charged by the charging unit 60 as in the case of floating microorganisms. Since particles such as dust are generally larger in size than floating microorganisms, they tend to accumulate on the filter 6 and may reduce the function of the filter 6. Therefore, particles such as dust captured by the filter 6 are scraped off by the brush 12 of the automatic cleaning mechanism 11.

(Capturing / inactivating part high voltage electrode 5)
The trapping / inactivating portion high-voltage electrode 5 is an electrode that is connected to the power supply 4 and to which a voltage supplied from the power supply 4 is applied. The capture / inactivation part high-voltage electrode 5 polarizes the filter 6 together with the capture / inactivation part ground electrode 7. The trapping / inactivating part high-voltage electrode 5 inactivates suspended microorganisms trapped by the filter 6 by discharging with the trapping / inactivating part ground electrode 7. The trapping / inactivating part high voltage electrode 5 is provided on the downstream side of the filter 6.

  The trapping / inactivating portion high-voltage electrode 5 may be constituted, for example, by stretching a large number of fine wires having a wire diameter of about 0.05 mm to 0.5 mm on substantially the same plane. Here, the trapping / inactivating portion high-voltage electrode 5 is not limited to the above-described thin wire, and may be, for example, a rectangle having a cross-sectional shape of about 0.1 mm × 0.5 mm and a thickness of 0. You may comprise with a ribbon-shaped member about 05 mm-0.5 mm. When the cross-sectional shape of the capturing / inactivating portion high-voltage electrode 5 is rectangular, the surface corresponding to the short side of the cross-sectional shape is provided toward the capturing / inactivating portion grounding electrode 7. Alternatively, the surface corresponding to the long side may be provided toward the capture / inactivation portion ground electrode 7.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3A, the trapping / inactivating portion high-voltage electrode 5 has a flat plate (thickness 0.05 to 0.5 mm) having a width of 0.3 by etching, wire processing, laser processing, or the like. You may form and comprise so that a strip of -1.0mm may be located in a line. In this case, as shown in FIG. 3B, the surroundings of the high voltage electrode 5 of the capture / inactivation part are bent such as hemming or the high voltage electrode 5 of the capture / inactivation part is insulated. It is good to reinforce with the thing 9. Thereby, the tension | tensile_strength of the capture / inactivation part high voltage electrode 5 can be maintained.

(Power supply 4 and Power supply 8)
The power supply 4 supplies a voltage to the trapping / inactivating part high voltage electrode 5 and is connected to the trapping / inactivating part high voltage electrode 5. The power source 4 is a variable high-voltage power source, and can supply at least two different voltages to the high voltage electrode 5 for the capturing / inactivating part.
The power supply 8 supplies a voltage to the charged part high voltage electrode 2. The power source 8 is variable in order to control the current flowing through the charged portion ground electrode 7 during discharge, and is connected to the charged portion high voltage electrode 2.
The power source 4 and the power source 8 are preferably provided outside the air channel housing 10 in the device 100 so as not to cause a pressure loss flowing through the air channel housing 10.

(Control unit 50)
The control unit 50 controls the rotation speed of the fan of the blower 1, the voltage supply to the high-voltage electrode 5 for capturing and deactivating the power supply 4, the voltage supply to the high-voltage electrode 2 for charging the power supply 8, and the driving of the automatic cleaning mechanism 11. It is something to control.
In addition, the control unit 50 generates a discharge current between the charged unit high-voltage electrode 2 and the charged unit ground electrode 3, thereby causing a discharge current to flow through the charged unit ground electrode 3, and the capture / inactivation unit high-voltage electrode 5 and the captured / inactivated unit. It has a current determination unit (not shown) that measures the discharge current flowing through the capture / inactivation unit ground electrode 7 when a discharge occurs with the activation unit ground electrode 7.
Further, the control unit 50 has a timer function, and has a function of measuring a time elapsed since the start of control.
The control unit 50 corresponds to, for example, a microcomputer provided on the control board.

  The apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment has a capturing / inactivating part that shares a filter 6 that is a part that captures suspended microorganisms and an inactivating part 61 that inactivates the captured suspended microorganisms. . That is, the apparatus 100 is configured to continuously execute the trapping process of the suspended microorganism and the inactivation process of the trapped suspended microorganism in the capturing / inactivating unit so that the suspended microorganism can be efficiently removed. It has become.

[Description of operation]
Next, an operation example of the apparatus 100 will be described with reference to FIG.
(Step S0)
When the apparatus 100 is driven, the control unit 50 starts a suspended microorganism capturing step. In addition, this floating microorganism capture process is comprised from the floating microorganism charging process which charges a floating microorganism, and the floating microorganism dielectric capture process which captures the charged floating microorganism.

(Step S101)
The control unit 50 drives the blower 1.
Further, the control unit 50 supplies a voltage from the power source 8 to the charging unit high-voltage electrode 2, and supplies a voltage from the power source 4 to the capture / inactivation unit high-voltage electrode 5. As a result, a discharge occurs between the charged portion high-voltage electrode 2 and the charged portion ground electrode 3, and a discharge current flows to the charged portion ground electrode 3. On the other hand, a predetermined voltage is applied between the high voltage electrode 5 of the trapping / inactivating part and the ground electrode 7 of the trapping / inactivating part, and the filter 6 is dielectrically polarized.

(Step S102)
The current determination unit of the control unit 50 measures the discharge current flowing through the charging unit ground electrode 3 and compares it with a preset set current value. That is, the current determination unit compares the discharge current with a preset set current value, and determines whether or not the comparison result satisfies a predetermined condition.
When it is determined that the comparison result of the current determination unit satisfies a predetermined condition, the control unit 50 proceeds to step S103.
When it is determined that the comparison result of the current determination unit does not satisfy the predetermined condition, the control unit 50 proceeds to step S101.

(Step S103)
Step S103 is a step of starting the floating microorganism charging process.
When the discharge current value of the charging unit ground electrode 3 is lower than the set current value, the control unit 50 increases the voltage supplied from the power supply 8 to the charging unit high-voltage electrode 2.
When the discharge current value of the charging unit ground electrode 3 is higher than the set current value, the control unit 50 causes the voltage supplied from the power supply 8 to the charging unit high-voltage electrode 2 to be low.
In addition, the control unit 50 activates a timer and measures an elapsed time after the transition to Step S103.

(Step S104)
Step S104 is a step of starting the floating microorganism dielectric capturing step.
The control unit 50 increases the voltage supplied from the power source 4 to the high voltage electrode 5 for the capture / inactivation unit if the current value flowing through the capture / inactivation unit ground electrode 7 is lower than the set current value.
If the current value flowing through the capture / inactivation unit ground electrode 7 is higher than the set current value, the control unit 50 causes the voltage supplied from the power source 4 to the capture / inactivation unit high-voltage electrode 5 to be low.
Moreover, the control part 50 operates a timer, and measures the elapsed time after transfering to step S104.

(Step S105)
Whether the control unit 50 has reached the set time since the transition to the floating microorganism charging process in step S103 and whether the set time has been reached since the transition to the floating microorganism dielectric capture process in step S104 Determine whether or not.
When the control unit 50 determines that the set time has been reached for both processes, the control unit 50 proceeds to step S106.
When it is determined that at least one process has not reached the set time, the control unit 50 repeats step S105.

(Step S106)
Step S106 is a step of ending the floating microorganism charging process of step S103 and the floating microorganism dielectric trapping process of step S104. That is, step S106 is a step for ending the suspended microorganism capturing step.
The control unit 50 stops supplying voltage from the power source 8 to the charging unit high-voltage electrode 2, and stops supplying voltage from the power source 4 to the capture / inactivation unit high-voltage electrode 5. Thereafter, the control unit 50 stops the blower 1.

(Step S107)
Step S107 is a step of starting a suspended microorganism inactivating step for inactivating suspended microorganisms.
The control unit 50 supplies a voltage from the power source 4 to the capture / inactivation unit high-voltage electrode 5. As a result, a discharge occurs between the high voltage electrode 5 of the capture / inactivation part and the ground electrode 7 of the capture / inactivation part, and a discharge current flows to the ground electrode 7 of the capture / inactivation part.
Further, the current determination unit of the control unit 50 measures the discharge current flowing through the capture / inactivation unit ground electrode 7 and compares it with a preset current value. That is, the current determination unit compares the discharge current with a preset set current value, and determines whether or not the comparison result satisfies a predetermined condition.
After the comparison result of the current determination unit satisfies the predetermined condition, the control unit 50 proceeds to step S108.
Furthermore, the control part 50 operates a timer, and measures the elapsed time after shifting to step S107.

(Step S108)
Step S <b> 108 is a step of inactivating the suspended microorganisms, and starting an ozone generating step for inactivating the suspended microorganisms.
When the discharge current value of the capture / inactivation part ground electrode 7 is lower than the set current value, the control unit 50 increases the voltage supplied from the power source 4 to the capture / inactivation part high-voltage electrode 5.
If the discharge current value of the capture / inactivation part ground electrode 7 is higher than the set current value, the control unit 50 reduces the voltage supplied from the power source 4 to the capture / inactivation part high-voltage electrode 5.
Further, the control unit 50 supplies voltage from the power supply 8 to the charging unit high-voltage electrode 2 to discharge the charging unit high-voltage electrode 2 and the charging unit ground electrode 3 to generate ozone. The generated ozone reaches the filter 6, the capture / inactivation part ground electrode 7, and the like, and is used to inactivate suspended microorganisms.
Furthermore, the control part 50 operates a timer and measures the elapsed time after shifting to step S108.

(Step S109)
The control unit 50 determines whether or not the set time has been reached after shifting to the suspended microorganism inactivation step of Step S107, and whether or not the set time has been reached after shifting to the ozone generation step of Step S108. Determine whether.
If the control unit 50 determines that the set time has been reached for both processes, the control unit 50 proceeds to step S110.
When it is determined that at least one process has not reached the set time, the control unit 50 returns to step S108.

(Step S110)
Step S110 is a step in which the suspended microorganism inactivation step including the ozone generation step in step S108 is completed.
The control unit 50 stops supplying voltage from the power source 8 to the charging unit high-voltage electrode 2, and stops supplying voltage from the power source 4 to the capture / inactivation unit high-voltage electrode 5.

(Step S111)
Step S <b> 111 is a step of starting a cleaning process for cleaning the filter 6 and the capture / inactivation portion ground electrode 7.
The control unit 50 controls the automatic cleaning mechanism 11 to clean the filter 6 and the capture / inactivation unit ground electrode 7.
Moreover, the control part 50 operates a timer, and measures the elapsed time after transfering to step S111.

(Step S112)
The control unit 50 determines whether or not a set time has been reached since the process moves to the cleaning process in step S111.
When determining that the set time has been reached, the control unit 50 proceeds to step S113.
When it is determined that the set time has not been reached, the controller 50 repeats step S112.

(Step S113)
Step S113 is a step of ending the cleaning process of step S111.
The control unit 50 stops the automatic cleaning mechanism 11.

(Step S114)
Returning to step S101, the suspended microorganism capturing step is performed again.

[Comparison of pressure loss and virus capture rate]
Next, with reference to Table 1, the performance of the apparatus 100 relating to pressure loss and virus capture rate will be described. Table 1 shows the pressure loss (Pa) and the transient virus capture rate (%) in the apparatus 100 and the structure corresponding to the charging unit 60 and the capture / inactivation unit of the apparatus 100 replaced with a single filter. It is a comparison.
In addition, although it described as the system replaced with the structure only of a filter, as a filter, the HEPA filter (High Efficiency Particulate Air Filter) and the normal filter are employ | adopted and compared.

As shown in Table 1, when the air is passed through the filter 6 at a linear velocity of 1 (m / s), the trapping method for floating microorganisms of the apparatus 100 is a pressure loss of about 10 (Pa) equivalent to that of a normal filter. I understood it. Moreover, the transient virus capture rate at that time was about 95%, which was much higher than the transient virus capture rate of 5% in the normal filter.
This is thought to be because suspended microorganisms are attracted to the filter 6 with high efficiency by the force of static electricity. On the other hand, it was found that the HEPA filter can increase the transient virus trapping rate, but the pressure loss is greatly increased, compared with the trapping method of floating microorganisms of the apparatus 100.
From the above, it has been clarified that the apparatus 100 can achieve the same level of transient virus capture rate as the HEPA filter while maintaining the pressure loss equivalent to that of a normal filter.

[Virus capture rate]
Next, with reference to FIG. 6, how much influence is exerted on the trapping efficiency of floating microorganisms when the filter 6 is inducted will be described. In FIG. 6, the horizontal axis indicates the voltage (kV) supplied to the charging unit 60, and the vertical axis indicates the transient virus capture rate (%).
The charged part high-voltage electrode 2 and the capture / inactivation part high-voltage electrode 5 are connected to each other, the distance between the charged part high-voltage electrode 2 and the charged part ground electrode 3 and the capture / inactivation part high-voltage electrode 5 and the capture / inactivation part. The potential difference between the electrodes varies depending on the distance between the electrodes and the activation portion ground electrode 7.
Therefore, in FIG. 6, thin wires having a cross-sectional shape of 0.1 mm × 0.5 mm are used for the charging unit high-voltage electrode 2 and the capture / inactivation unit high-voltage electrode 5. The charged portion high-voltage electrode 2 is installed so that the surface corresponding to the short side of the rectangular cross section faces the charged portion ground electrode 3. Similarly, the capturing / inactivating portion high-voltage electrode 5 is grounded to the capturing / inactivating portion. The electrode 7 was installed so that the surface corresponding to the short side of the rectangular cross section was facing. Further, the distance between the charged portion high-voltage electrode 2 and the charged portion ground electrode 3 and the distance between the capture / inactivation portion high-voltage electrode 5 and the capture / inactivation portion ground electrode 7 were set to 10 mm.

As shown in FIG. 6, the transient virus capture rate increases with an increase in the voltage applied to the charging unit 60 both when the filter 6 is dielectric and when it is not. However, when the filter 6 is not dielectric, the transient virus capture rate is about 20% (open square), whereas when the filter 6 is charged, the transient virus capture rate is Increase to 96% (black circle).
From the above, it has been found that the dielectric of the filter 6 is very important from the viewpoint of improving the capture rate of floating microorganisms. As a result, it has become clear that the filter 6 needs to be dielectric in order to capture 90% or more, which is generally recognized as having an effect of removing floating microorganisms.

[About virus survival rate]
Next, with reference to FIG. 7, the inactivation performance of the floating microorganisms captured by the apparatus 100 will be described. That is, FIG. 7 shows the virus in the case where the trapped suspended microorganisms are treated only with ozone gas, and in the case where other discharge products are treated as well as ozone gas as in the apparatus 100 (plasma treatment). The comparison of survival rate is a graph. In FIG. 7, the horizontal axis represents the ozone concentration × time product (ppm · min), and the vertical axis represents the survival rate (dimensionless).
Viruses are not inactivated simply by applying a voltage and polarizing each electrode. Therefore, the device 100 is configured to inactivate the virus by a discharge product derived from discharge generated by voltage application.

As shown in FIG. 8, even when the ozone concentration was the same, the virus could be inactivated in a short time by treating it with a plasma field. This is presumably because the virus was inactivated by electrons, radicals, ions, etc. generated in the plasma field when the captured virus was exposed to the plasma field.
From the above, the virus can be inactivated in a short time by setting the filter 6 for capturing the virus in the plasma field as in the apparatus 100. Thereby, in the apparatus 100, since the time required for inactivation can be shortened, the time for capturing floating microorganisms can be lengthened, and the virus can be more efficiently removed.

Further, when floating particles such as dust adhere to the surface of the filter 6, the polarization of the filter 6 is hindered and the particle capturing rate decreases. Moreover, when the amount of dust attached increases, there is a concern about an increase in pressure loss. Therefore, the apparatus 100 can recover the particle trapping rate and reduce the pressure loss by removing dust attached to the filter 6 (including the trapping / inactivating part ground electrode 7) by the automatic cleaning mechanism 11. .
The automatic cleaning mechanism 11 is performed when voltage application to the inactivating unit 61 is stopped. Thereby, the polarization of the filter 6 is restored to the original, and the dust trapping power is reduced. When the dust trapping force is reduced, the brush 12 is moved along the filter 6 and the trapping / inactivating part ground electrode 7, so that the dust adhering to the filter 6 can be quickly removed.

[Effects of the apparatus 100]
The apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment is configured such that the inactive portion 61 is provided with the filter 6 and the filter 6 is dielectrically induced to efficiently induce charged floating microorganisms and collide with the surface of the filter 6. It is made to hold.
In addition, the apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment includes, on the control side, a floating microorganism charging process that charges floating microorganisms, a floating microorganism dielectric capturing process that traps charged floating microorganisms using a dielectric filter 6, and a filter 6. A floating microorganism inactivation step for inactivating the suspended microorganisms captured in step 1 with plasma and a cleaning step for cleaning the inactivated floating microorganisms together with dust or the like are performed.

Thereby, since the apparatus 100 which concerns on this Embodiment 1 can maintain the part (filter 6 and capture | acquisition / inactivation part ground electrode 7) which trapped the floating microorganisms hygienically, maintenance property is not impaired. However, it can suppress that the function which capture | acquires a floating microorganism reduces. That is, the air in a space (for example, a living space) in which the apparatus 100 is installed can be kept hygienic.
In addition, the apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment can remove floating microorganisms and dust deposited on the filter 6 and the capture / inactivation part ground electrode 7 by the automatic cleaning mechanism 11, which increases pressure loss. It is possible to suppress the supply efficiency of air from which floating microorganisms have been removed and to prevent noise from being generated.
Furthermore, since the apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment captures the floating microorganisms charged by the charging unit 60 with the dielectric filter 6, it prevents the floating microorganisms from re-scattering. Can do.

Embodiment 2. FIG.
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of a virus / microorganism removal apparatus (hereinafter, referred to as apparatus 100a) according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a view of the vicinity of the roller 16a and the dust box 15 shown in FIG. 8 as viewed from above. The configuration and operation of the apparatus 100a will be described with reference to FIGS. In the second embodiment, differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described, and the same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals. Moreover, the arrow shown in FIG. 8 represents the flow of air.

  The apparatus 100a according to Embodiment 2 includes a filter 14 and an automatic cleaning mechanism 11a including a brush 12a, a dust box 15, a roller 16a, and a roller 16b on the upstream side of the capturing / inactivating portion ground electrode 7. That is, the apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment is configured such that floating microorganisms and dust are deposited on the filter 6 and the capture / inactivation portion ground electrode 7, but the apparatus 100 a according to the second embodiment is different from the filter 6. A filter 14 is provided, and dust is captured by the filter 14. Although the suspended microorganisms are captured by the filter 14 as well, since the suspended microorganisms are small compared to dust, most of the suspended microorganisms pass through the filter 14 and are captured by the filter 6 provided in the inactivating portion 61.

The filter 14 captures dust. The filter 14 may be a filter having a coarseness that can capture dust and allow airborne microorganisms to pass through.
One end of the filter 14 is wound around the roller 16a, and the other end is wound around the roller 16b. A roller 16 a and a roller 16 b are provided on the back side of the filter 14. Further, one end side of the filter 14 is disposed adjacent to the dust box 15, and a brush 12 a is provided in contact with the front side of the filter 14 at a position facing the roller 16 a.

  The automatic cleaning mechanism 11a includes a filter 14 that captures dust, a brush 12a that removes dust accumulated on the filter 14, a dust box 15 in which dust and the like scraped from the filter 14 by the brush 12a are discarded, and a part of the filter 14 It has the roller 16a and the roller 16b currently wound up.

  The brush 12a removes dust and the like accumulated on the filter 14. The brush 12a is provided on the front side of the filter 14 at a position facing the roller 16a so as to be in contact with the filter 14. Further, as shown in FIG. 9, the brush 12 a is disposed adjacent to the dust box 15 so that the scraped dust and the like can be discarded in the dust box 15. More specifically, the brush 12 a is provided in contact with the surface of the filter 14 at the opening 80 of the dust box 15.

  The dust box 15 is for discarding dust and the like scraped from the filter 14 by the brush 12a. The opening 80 of the dust box 15 is provided with a brush 12a and a filter 14 provided in contact with each other. When a certain amount of dust or the like has accumulated in the dust box 15, the user or the like may discard it.

  The roller 16a winds up one end side of the filter 14, and the roller 16b winds up the other end side of the filter 14. The roller 16a and the roller 16b are provided so as to face each other in the horizontal direction. The roller 16a is disposed close to the dust box 15 and the brush 12a.

  The operation of the roller 16a and the roller 16b winding up the filter 14 will be described. When removing dust accumulated on the filter 14, the roller 16a and the roller 16b are rotated, and the filter 14 is wound up by the roller 16a. This corresponds to sending the filter 14 to the roller 16a when viewed from the roller 16b. Thereby, dust accumulated on the filter 14 is scraped out by the brush 12a. And when returning the filter 14 wound up by the roller 16a, what is necessary is just to rotate the roller 16a and the roller 16b to a reverse direction.

FIG. 10 shows one of the modifications of the virus / microorganism removing apparatus 100a shown in FIG. 8 (hereinafter referred to as apparatus 100b). A filter 14 and an automatic cleaning mechanism 11 may be provided on the upstream side of the blower 1 as in the apparatus 100b illustrated in FIG. Thereby, it can suppress that particles, such as dust, adhere to the thing downstream from the air blower 1. FIG.
FIG. 11 shows a modification of the virus / microorganism removing apparatus 100a shown in FIG. 8 (hereinafter referred to as apparatus 100c), which is different from FIG. Moreover, the filter 14 and the automatic cleaning mechanism 11 may be provided in the upstream of the charge part high voltage electrode 2, and the downstream of the air blower 1 like the apparatus 100c shown in FIG.
As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, even if the filter 14 and the automatic cleaning mechanism 11 are arranged, the same effects as those of the device 100 and the device 100a can be obtained.

  The devices 100a, 100b, and 100c according to the second embodiment also have the same effects as the device 100 according to the first embodiment.

Embodiment 3 FIG.
FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of a virus / microorganism removal apparatus (hereinafter referred to as apparatus 100d) according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. The configuration and operation of the device 100d will be described with reference to FIG. In the third embodiment, differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described, and the same parts as those in the first and second embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals. Moreover, the arrow shown in FIG. 12 represents the flow of air.

The automatic cleaning mechanism 11d of the apparatus 100d according to the third embodiment is such that the filter 14 according to the second embodiment also serves as the capture / inactivation part ground electrode 7. Therefore, in the device 100d according to the third embodiment, a device corresponding to the filter 14 according to the second embodiment is referred to as a filter ground electrode 7a.
The filter ground electrode 7a may be made of a conductive resin or the like. Thereby, since the filter ground electrode 7a can have flexibility and conductivity, it can have both a function as a filter and a function as an electrode.
The filter ground electrode 7a captures dust and the like sent together with the suspended microorganisms in the suspended microorganism charging process and the suspended microorganism dielectric capturing process. Then, after the suspended microorganism inactivation step is finished and the supply of voltage to the capture / inactivation unit high-voltage electrode 5 is stopped, the roller 16 rotates and dust or the like adhering to the filter ground electrode 7a is scraped by the brush 12. It is taken out and discarded in the dust box 15.

  The device 100d according to the third embodiment also has the same effect as the device 100 according to the first embodiment.

Embodiment 4 FIG.
FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of a virus / microorganism removal apparatus (hereinafter, referred to as apparatus 100e) according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 14 is a horizontal sectional view of the apparatus 100e shown in FIG. In the fourth embodiment, differences from the first to third embodiments will be mainly described, and the same parts as those in the first to third embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals. Moreover, the arrow shown in FIG.13 and FIG.14 represents the flow of air.

  The device 100e includes a roller 16c provided on the upstream side of the filter 6, a roller 16d provided on the downstream side of the filter 6 and at a position opposite to the roller 16c, and a brush 12e provided outside the air passage housing 10. doing.

By rotating the roller 16e1 and the roller 16e2, the filter 6 can be slid in a direction substantially perpendicular to the air flow direction as shown in FIG.
The brush 12e is provided outside the air passage housing 10. The brush 12e is provided so as to come into contact with the front surface of the filter 6 when the filter 6 moves in the horizontal direction. As a result, when the filter 6 moves in the horizontal direction, the brush 12e rotates accordingly. That is, when the filter 6 moves in the horizontal direction, the brush 12e rotates due to friction generated between the filter 6 and the brush 12e. For this reason, the brush 12e rotates without giving power, such as a motor, and can clean the filter 6. FIG.

  In the cleaning process after the end of the suspended microorganism inactivation process, the apparatus 100e moves the filter 6 in the horizontal direction by rotating the roller 16e1 and the roller 16e2, as illustrated in FIG. When the filter 6 is moved, dust or the like accumulated on the filter 6 is scraped out by the brush 12e.

  The device 100e according to the fourth embodiment also has the same effect as the device 100 according to the first embodiment.

Embodiment 5 FIG.
FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of a virus / microorganism removal apparatus (hereinafter, referred to as apparatus 100f) according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention. In the fifth embodiment, differences from the first to fourth embodiments will be mainly described, and the same parts as those in the first to fourth embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals. In FIG. 15, the air flow is indicated by arrows.
Table 2 is a table showing whether it is easy to be positively charged or easily negatively charged depending on the material. For example, in the materials shown in Table 2, the glass is most likely to be positively charged, and then nylon is likely to be positively charged.

In the apparatus 100f, the automatic cleaning mechanism 11f includes two or more brushes. As illustrated in FIG. 15, in the fifth embodiment, a case where the automatic cleaning mechanism 11f includes two brushes 12f1 and 12f2 will be described as an example.
The automatic cleaning mechanism 11f includes a brush 12f1 that is grounded and neutralized, and a brush 12f2 that is made of a material that has a different polarity from the material that forms the filter 6. That is, for example, when the brush 12f2 is made of polypropylene, which is a material that is easily charged negatively, the brush 12f2 may be made of a material that is easily charged positively, such as glass, nylon, cellophane, and vinylon. That is preferable.

  The materials shown in Group B in Table 2 are substances that are generally difficult to be charged because current is passed through them. Therefore, the filter 6 is made of any material shown in the A group, and the brush 12f2 is made of any material shown in the C group, so that contact charging easily occurs between the filter 6 and the brush 12f2. As a result, for example, after the cleaning process, electric charges are generated on the surface of the filter 6, so that the floating microorganisms are transferred to the floating microorganism charging process and the floating microorganism dielectric capture process, that is, before the filter 6 is polarized. Can be captured.

  The device 100f according to the fifth embodiment also has the same effect as the device 100 according to the first embodiment.

Embodiment 6 FIG.
FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of a virus / microorganism removal apparatus (hereinafter, referred to as apparatus 100g) according to Embodiment 6. In the sixth embodiment, differences from the first to fifth embodiments will be mainly described, and the same parts as those in the first to fifth embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals. In FIG. 16, the air flow is indicated by arrows.
The device 100g is provided with an inactivating substance generating device 17 that discharges particles that inactivate microorganisms and viruses on the downstream side of the charged portion ground electrode 3 and on the upstream side of the capturing / inactivating portion ground electrode 7. .
The inactivating substance generating device 17 includes, for example, a mechanism that discharges the atomized particles by charging them. There are no particular limitations on the method by which the inactivating substance generator 17 makes the particles mist and the method for charging the particles. For example, a water tank containing particles, a fan that blows air into the water tank, and a mist It is good to comprise with the electrode etc. which charge the particle | grains which became the shape. The particles are not particularly limited as long as they contain moisture.
This inactivating substance generator 17 releases particles having a charge opposite in polarity to the surface potential of the filter 6 after the inactivation process of suspended microorganisms. That is, when the surface of the filter 6 is positively charged, particles having a negative charge are released. Thereby, since the electric charge on the surface of the filter 6 is neutralized in the cleaning process, it becomes easy to separate dust adhering to the electrostatic force and suspended microorganisms after inactivation from the surface of the filter 6.

  The device 100g according to the sixth embodiment also has the same effect as the device 100 according to the first embodiment.

Embodiment 7 FIG.
FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of a virus / microorganism removal apparatus (hereinafter, referred to as apparatus 100h) according to Embodiment 7 of the present invention. In the seventh embodiment, differences from the first to sixth embodiments will be mainly described, and the same parts as those in the first to sixth embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals. In FIG. 17, the air flow is indicated by arrows.

The device 100 h is provided with a humidifier 18 on the downstream side of the charging portion ground electrode 3 and on the upstream side of the capture / inactivation portion ground electrode 7. The humidifier 18 is for increasing the humidity of the air passage housing 10 by the humidifier 18 in the suspended microorganism inactivation step.
As a result, water-containing particles in the air passage housing 10 are used as a basis, and hydroxyl radicals (OH.) Having a strong oxidizing power are generated by discharge, and the suspended microorganisms are inactivated in a short time. be able to. Further, since the surface potential of the filter 6 decreases due to the influence of water, which is a polar molecule, it is possible to easily remove inactivated suspended microorganisms and dust attached to the filter 6.

  The device 100h according to the seventh embodiment also has the same effect as the device 100 according to the first embodiment.

Embodiment 8 FIG.
FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of a virus / microorganism removal apparatus (hereinafter referred to as apparatus 100i) according to Embodiment 8 of the present invention. In the eighth embodiment, differences from the first to seventh embodiments will be mainly described, and the same parts as those in the first to seventh embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals. In FIG. 18, the air flow is indicated by arrows.
The apparatus 100 i includes a dust sensor 19 for detecting a decrease in the trapping ability of the suspended microorganisms in the filter 6 on the downstream side of the high-voltage electrode 5 of the capturing / inactivating part in the apparatus 100 of the first embodiment.
The dust sensor 19 may detect the decrease in the trapping microorganism capture performance of the filter 6 by, for example, irradiating the filter 6 with light at a predetermined wavelength and receiving the reflected light with a light receiving element or the like.
The filter 6 is difficult to polarize due to adhering airborne microorganisms, dust, etc., and the trapping rate of airborne microorganisms is reduced and the pressure loss is increased. Therefore, the device 100i causes the dust sensor 19 to detect this capture performance. Then, when the output value of the reflected light received by the dust sensor 19 exceeds a predetermined value, the automatic cleaning mechanism 11 is operated, so that power consumption can be reduced and the operation can be performed efficiently.

  The device 100i according to the eighth embodiment also has the same effect as the device 100 according to the first embodiment.

Embodiment 9 FIG.
FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of a virus / microorganism removal apparatus (hereinafter referred to as apparatus 100j) according to Embodiment 9 of the present invention. In the ninth embodiment, differences from the first to eighth embodiments will be mainly described, and the same parts as those in the first to eighth embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals. In FIG. 19, the air flow is indicated by arrows.
The device 100j includes a filter 6j provided across a region 15a for capturing suspended microorganisms and a dust box 15b that is an inactivated region. The filter 6j rotates about an axis (not shown), so that the portion located in the region 15a moves (replaces) to the dust box 15b, and the portion located in the dust box 15b moves to the region 15a. Move to (change). The filter 6j may be rotated continuously or intermittently. As an example of intermittent rotation, the filter 6j is stopped for a predetermined time and then rotated by a predetermined angle in consideration of the time of the inactivation process of suspended microorganisms and the size of the region 15a and the dust box 15b. is there.

In addition, the area | region 15a shall point out the part located in the air path housing | casing 10 among the filters 6j. The dust box 15b is provided outside the air passage housing 10, and may be configured by a substantially box-shaped member in which an opening 15j in which the filter 6j is provided is formed, for example.
The dust box 15b is provided with a brush 12j so as to be in contact with the front side of the filter 6j. The dust box 15b is provided with an inactivating substance generator 17. Thereby, the floating microorganisms scraped by the brush 12j are inactivated by the particles released from the inactivating substance generating device 17.

  The device 100j according to the ninth embodiment also has the same effect as the device 100 according to the first embodiment. Moreover, it cannot be overemphasized that the matter described in Embodiment 1-9 may be combined suitably.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Blower, 2 Charged part high voltage electrode, 3 Charged part ground electrode, 4 Power supply, 5 Capture / inactivation part high voltage electrode, 6 Filter, 6j filter, 7 Capture / inactivation part ground electrode, 7a Filter ground electrode, 8 Power supply, 9 Insulator, 10 Airway housing, 11, 11a, 11d, 11f Automatic cleaning mechanism, 12, 12a, 12e, 12f, 12j Brush, 13 Insulating frame, 14 Filter, 15, 15b Dust box, 15a region, 15j Opening , 16a to 16e roller, 17 inactivating substance generator, 18 humidifier, 19 dust sensor, 50 control unit, 60 charging unit, 61 inactivating unit, 80 opening, 100, 100a to 100j.

Claims (7)

An airway housing;
A blower for taking air into the air passage housing;
A charging unit that is provided in the air passage housing and charges floating matter taken together with air by the blower;
A filter that is provided in the air passage housing and captures suspended matter charged by the charging unit;
It has two electrodes that are provided in the air passage housing and downstream of the charging unit and are opposed to each other with a predetermined gap across the filter, and a voltage is applied to the two electrodes. An inactivation part that inducts the filter and inactivates airborne microorganisms captured by the filter,
An automatic cleaning mechanism for removing suspended matter trapped in the filter;
A control unit for controlling the automatic cleaning mechanism,
The automatic cleaning mechanism is
Provided in the air passage housing,
Having at least one brush provided on the upstream side of the inactivated part and having a raised surface;
The brush is
A virus / microorganism removal apparatus that moves along any one of the electrodes of the inactivation part and scrapes and removes suspended matter captured by the filter. The automatic cleaning mechanism has a plurality of the brushes,
The virus / microorganism removal apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein at least one of the brushes is grounded. One of the plurality of brushes of the automatic cleaning mechanism is
The virus / microorganism removal apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the virus / microorganism removal apparatus is configured of a material having a charging tendency that is opposite to a charging tendency of a material constituting the filter. The controller is
The virus / microorganism removal apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , wherein no voltage is applied to the inactivation part when the automatic cleaning mechanism is in operation. Has a humidification mechanism to humidify the air,
The controller is
The virus / microorganism removal apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , wherein when the automatic cleaning mechanism is in operation, the air in the air passage housing is humidified by the humidification mechanism. Equipped with an inactivating substance generator for releasing the inactivating substance,
The controller is
The virus according to any one of claims 1 to 5 , wherein after the operation of the automatic cleaning mechanism is stopped, the inactive substance is released toward the automatic cleaning mechanism by the inactive substance generator.・ Microbe removal equipment. The virus / microorganism removal apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6 , further comprising: a dust box that accumulates suspended matter removed by the brush.

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