KR20100007711A - Air sterilizing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: An air sterilizing device is provided, which controls precipitation of scale by controlling increase of hardness of the electrolyzed water. CONSTITUTION: An air sterilizing device(1) comprises an electrolytic cell(46) which generates electrolyzed water containing active oxygen species; a gas-liquid contact member(53) which brings the electrolyzed water into contact with air; a circulating pump(44) which supplies the electrolyzed water to the gas-liquid contact member; and a water-softening module(90) processing decrease of hardness of the electrolyzed water.

Description

Air Sterilizer {AIR STERILIZING DEVICE}

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

Conventionally, an air sterilization apparatus is proposed in which electrolytic water containing hypochlorous acid is produced by electrolyzing tap water and using this electrolyzed water to remove viruses floating in the air (see Patent Document 1, for example). . This air sterilization apparatus is intended to sterilize air by supplying electrolyzed water to the gas-liquid contact member, bringing a virus or the like present in the air passing through the gas-liquid contact member into contact with the electrolytic water, and inactivating the virus or the like.

[Patent Document 1] Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2007-175140.

In the conventional air sterilizer, the electrolyzed water is circulated and used. However, when the electrolyzed water is circulated over a relatively long period of time, calcium and magnesium contained in the electrolyzed water are concentrated by evaporation of the electrolyzed water, thereby increasing the hardness of the electrolyzed water. As the hardness of the electrolytic water is increased, for example, scales such as calcium carbonate and magnesium carbonate may easily precipitate in the gas-liquid contact member or the like.

The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to suppress precipitation of scale by suppressing an increase in the hardness of electrolyzed water in an air sterilizing apparatus in contact with electrolyzed water and air.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is an electrolytic cell for producing an electrolytic water containing active oxygen species by electrolyzing water; A gas-liquid contact member for contacting electrolyzed water and air; A circulation pump for supplying the electrolyzed water generated by the electrolytic cell to the gas-liquid contact member and circulating and supplying the electrolyzed water that has passed through the gas-liquid contact member to the gas-liquid contact member; And a water softening module which performs a process of lowering the hardness of the electrolyzed water circulated and supplied to the gas-liquid contact member.

According to this structure, since the hardness of the electrolytic water circulated and supplied to the gas-liquid contact member is reduced by the treatment of the softening module, hardness components such as calcium and magnesium contained in the electrolytic water are less likely to precipitate. Thereby, precipitation of the scale in the circulation path of electrolytic water, such as a gas-liquid contact member, can be suppressed.

In the above configuration, a storage portion for storing the electrolytic water flowed down from the gas-liquid contact member, and has a configuration for supplying the electrolytic water stored in the storage portion to the gas-liquid contact member by the circulation pump, The water softening module may be configured to accept the electrolyzed water stored in the reservoir and reduce the hardness, and return the electrolyzed water after the treatment to the reservoir.

In this case, since the electrolytic water stored in the storage portion is treated by the softening module and returned to the storage portion, the electrolytic water having a reduced hardness can be reliably supplied to the circulation path of the electrolytic water including the gas-liquid contact member. Therefore, precipitation of scale can be suppressed in the whole circulation path.

In addition, the water softening module, together with a suction pump for sucking the electrolytic water of the storage portion in the water softening portion configured as a separate body from the air sterilizer body having the electrolytic cell, the gas-liquid contact member, the circulation pump and the storage portion. A suction pipe which is arranged to perform a process of lowering the hardness of the electrolyzed water sucked by the suction pump, wherein the suction pipe connects the reservoir portion of the air sterilizer main body and the suction port of the suction pump of the water softening portion, and the It is good also as a structure provided with the discharge port which discharges the electrolytic water after processing from a softening module, and the return pipe which connects the said storage part.

In this case, by connecting the reservoir and the softening unit via the suction pipe and the return pipe, the softening unit containing the softening module can be attached to the outside of the air sterilizer main body. For this reason, the structure which reduces the hardness of electrolytic water and suppresses precipitation of a scale by a water softening module can be easily implement | achieved by attaching a water softening part externally with respect to the air sterilization apparatus which is not equipped with the water softening module, It is also possible to add a function to suppress precipitation of scale.

Further, the softening module may be configured to supply the electrolytic water stored in the storage part by the function of the circulation pump.

In this case, since the electrolytic water stored in the storage portion is supplied to the softening module by the function of the circulation pump, it is not necessary to provide a pump for supplying the electrolytic water to the softening module. For this reason, electrolytic water can be supplied to a softening module by a simple structure, and precipitation of a scale can be suppressed.

The first discharge pipe connected to the reservoir and the second discharge pipe connected to the drain tank for storing the drainage may be switched to a discharge port for discharging the electrolyzed water after the treatment from the softening module.

In this case, the electrolytic water discharged from the softening module can be discharged by switching to either the storage unit or the drain tank, and the electrolytic water can be discharged to the storage unit or the drain tank according to the operating condition of the air sterilizer. . For example, when a hardness component or the like is deposited in the softening module, the electrolytic water may be directly flowed into the drainage tank to drain together with the hardness component.

Moreover, it is good also as a structure provided with the filter which the electrolytic water after the process discharged from the said softening module passes.

In this case, foreign matters such as scales and hardness components contained in the electrolyzed water discharged from the softening module are collected when passing through the filter, so that foreign matters such as scales and hardness components can be prevented from entering the circulation path of the electrolytic water. Can be.

The discharge tube for discharging the electrolyzed water after the treatment from the softening module may be connected to an inlet of the electrolytic cell.

In this case, since the electrolyzed water softened by the softening module is directly supplied to the electrolytic cell, and the electrolyzed water that the electrolytic cell delivers is softened and the hardness is reduced, precipitation of scale in the electrolytic cell can be suppressed. have. In addition, since the softening module and the electrolytic cell are directly connected, the softening and electrolysis of the electrolyzed water can be processed in one pipe route, so that the constitution of the pipe can be simplified. For this reason, the structure which performs softening and electrolysis in an air disinfection apparatus can be implement | achieved easily.

The softening module includes a pair of electrodes arranged in a flow path of electrolytic water and a collecting member having conductivity electrically connected to one of these electrodes, and the hardness of the electrolytic water is increased by applying a voltage between the electrodes. It may be reduced.

In this case, a large amount of hardness components contained in the electrolytic water are precipitated in the collecting member electrically connected to one electrode. As a result, since the concentration of the hardness component in the electrolytic water can be reduced, hardness components such as calcium and magnesium contained in the electrolytic water are less likely to be precipitated at a place other than the collecting member, and the circulation path of the electrolytic water including the gas-liquid contact member. Precipitation of the scale in can be suppressed.

In addition, the softening operation mode for lowering the hardness of the electrolytic water and the cleaning operation mode for applying a voltage by inverting the polarity of the electrode may be switched to be executed when the softening operation mode is executed.

According to this configuration, since the softening operation mode is executed, hardness components such as calcium and magnesium contained in the electrolytic water are deposited around the electrode and the collecting member, so that the hardness of the electrolytic water can be reduced. Then, by executing the cleaning operation mode, the hardness component precipitated around the electrode and the collecting member can be dissolved and removed to remove it. Thereby, since the function which lowers the hardness of a softening module can always be kept in a favorable state, and the hardness of electrolytic water can be reduced, precipitation of a scale can be suppressed.

In the cleaning operation mode, the electrolytic water after the treatment may be discharged from the water softening module to the drain tank.

In this case, since the electrolyzed water discharged in the washing operation mode is discharged to the drainage tank, the wastewater of the washing operation mode containing a lot of hardness components can be discharged out of the circulation path of the electrolytic water.

According to the present invention, in the air sterilization apparatus in which the electrolytic water and air are brought into contact with each other, precipitation of the scale can be suppressed by suppressing an increase in the hardness of the electrolytic water.

EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION Hereinafter, the Example of this invention is described with reference to drawings.

[First Embodiment]

1 is an external perspective view of an air sterilizing apparatus 1 according to a first embodiment to which the present invention is applied.

The air sterilization apparatus 1 is provided with the box-shaped case 11 formed longitudinally long, For example, it is installed in space at the bottom. In the case 11, the suction grille 12 is formed in the lower part of the both sides of this case 11, and the suction port 15 is formed in the lower end part of the front surface of this case 11. As shown in FIG.

In addition, a jet port 13 is formed on the upper surface of the case 11, and a louver 20 for changing the direction in which air is blown is provided in the jet port 13. This louver 20 is comprised so that the said injection port 13 may be closed at the time of stop of operation.

The air sterilizer 1 is an apparatus for cleaning indoor air by sucking and disinfecting air in the installation chamber via the suction grill 12 and the suction port 15 and discharging the sterilized air from the spouting port 13.

2 is a perspective view showing the internal configuration of the air sterilization apparatus 1.

On the upper surface of the case 11, 16 A of operation lids arrange | positioned at the front surface of the blower opening 13, and 14 A of tank opening and closing covers arrange | positioned horizontally to this operation lid 16A are formed. Opening the operation lid 16A exposes the operation panel 16 for performing various operations of the air sterilization apparatus 1, and opening the tank opening / closing cover 14A opens the water supply tank (described later) via the tank outlet 14. 41) is accessible.

Moreover, holding | gripping parts 17 are formed in the upper part of the both sides of case 11, respectively. These gripping portions 17 are recesses for holding hands when the case 11 is lifted by hand, and can be lifted and moved by the air sterilizer 1 alone during transportation.

In addition, the upper cover member 18 and the lower cover member 19 arranged in the up-down direction are detachably arranged on the front surface (one side surface) of the case 11, and these upper cover members 18 and the lower side are detachably arranged. When the cover member 19 is removed, the internal structure of the case 11 is exposed. Moreover, the lower cover member 19 is equipped with the circular arc part 19A which bent toward the back side of the case 11 in the lower end part of this lower cover member 19, and this suction port is provided in this arc part 19A. (15) is formed.

As shown in FIG. 2, the case 11 is provided with the support plate 21 which divides the inside of this case 11 up and down, and is divided into the upper side chamber 22 and the lower side chamber 23. As shown in FIG. . In the lower chamber 23, a blower fan 31 and a fan motor 32 are arranged, and a drainage tank 57 having a handle portion 57A is provided through a partition plate 24, and a case 11 is provided. It is accommodated in the front side of the drawer. These blowing fan 31, fan motor 32, and drainage tank 57 are arrange | positioned horizontally.

In addition, the prefilter 34 is 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. It is. The pre-filter 34 includes a first filter 25 for collecting a large particle size such as dust in the air sucked through the suction grill 12 and the suction port 15, and the first filter 25 passing through the first filter 25. For example, it is equipped with the 2nd filter 26 which collects what is about 10 (micrometer) particle diameters, and is comprised. The pre-filter 34 removes pollen, dust and the like floating in the air, and the removed air is supplied to the upper chamber 22 via the blower fan 31.

On the other hand, in the upper side chamber 22, the electrical equipment box 39 is arrange | positioned above the blower fan 31 and the fan motor 32, and the electrical control box which controls the air sterilization apparatus 1 in the electrical equipment box 39 is carried out. Various electrical components, such as a control board in which the various devices which comprise 37 (FIG. 6) were mounted, and the power supply circuit which supplies a power supply voltage to the fan motor 32, are accommodated. The control part 37 controls the louver 20, the fan motor 32, etc. according to the operation of the operation panel 16. FIG.

Above the electrical equipment box 39, the gas-liquid contact member 53 which disinfects the air by contacting the air passing through the electrolytic water is disposed. Below the gas-liquid contact member 53, the water-dripping member 42 provided with the water receiving part 42A which receives the electrolytic water dripped from the gas-liquid contact member 53 is arrange | positioned. The dripping member 42 is provided with the storage part 42B formed in the deep bottom, and the storage part 42B can store a large amount of electrolytic water. This storage part 42B is comprised so that the electrolyzed water dripped at the drip tray part 42A may flow in, and electrolytic water is stored in the storage part 42B. In addition, the reservoir 42B extends above the drain tank 57.

Moreover, the water supply tank 41 is provided on the storage part 42B, and it is set as the structure which can supply water from this water supply tank 41 to the storage part 42B.

Above the reservoir 42B, a circulation pump 44 for supplying the electrolyzed water to the gas-liquid contact member 53, a softening module 90 for lowering the hardness of the electrolyzed water, and an electrolyzer 46 for producing the electrolyzed water are provided. It is installed.

Next, the flow of air in the air sterilizer 1 will be described.

3 is a right sectional view showing the internal configuration of the air sterilization apparatus 1.

As described above, a blowing fan 31 is provided in the lower chamber 23 of the case 11. The air blowing port 31A of the blower fan 31 is provided upward in the rear side portion of the case 11, and serves as a space as an air path extending upward and downward on the rear side of the upper chamber 22 ( Communicating with 1A). The space 1A is disposed to face the first wind guide member 81 disposed on the rear side of the case 11 and the first wind guide member 81, and the drip member 42 is supported from the support plate 21. It is formed by the light guide plate 84 extended to). Air blown out from the blower 31A of the blower fan 31 blows through the space 1A as shown by the arrow in FIG.

On the other hand, through the gas-liquid contact member 53, in the space 1B on the opposite side to the space 1A (the front side of the case 11 in the first embodiment), as shown in FIG. 3, the gas-liquid contact member ( The second guide member 83 for guiding the air that has passed through 53 to the jet port 13 is disposed. The second guide member 83 is formed in a substantially box shape in which an upper surface portion and a rear surface portion are opened.

In addition to the function of guiding the air in the space 1B to the jet port 13, the second wind guide 83 is water jetted into the space 1B together with air from the gas-liquid contact member 53 (so-called). Has a function of receiving splashes). Specifically, the bottom 83A of the inner side of the second wind member 83 is inclined toward the gas-liquid contact member 53, and guides the water blown into the second wind member 83 to the drip member 42. It is formed to. And the air which passed the gas-liquid contact member 53 is guided to the inner surface 83B of the 2nd wind-guide member 83, and is exhausted through the jet filter 36 provided below the jet port 13. As shown in FIG.

4 is a perspective view showing the structure of a main portion for generating and circulating electrolytic water in the air sterilizing apparatus 1.

The air sterilization apparatus 1 circulates the electrolyzed water which sterilizes the air inside and is repeatedly used, so that the air can be sterilized for a long time by using a small amount of water effectively. That is, in the air sterilization apparatus 1, electrolytic water is stored in the storage part 42B, and electrolytic water is pumped up by the circulation pump 44 from this storage part 42B. A part of the electrolyzed water pumped up from the reservoir 42B by the circulation pump 44 is supplied to the gas-liquid contact member 53, infiltrate the gas-liquid contact member 53, and sterilizes the air by contact with air. Then, it returns to the storage part 42B, is supplied to the gas-liquid contact member 53 again by the circulation pump 44, and is used for disinfection repeatedly.

The gas-liquid contact member 53 is installed above the water receiver 42A, and the electrolyzed water used for disinfection and flowing down from the gas-liquid contact member 53 is received by the water receiver 42A.

The drip tray member 42 is comprised in which the drip tray part 42A and the storage part 42B are integrally formed. The drip tray part 42A is once formed higher than the storage part 42B, and the electrolyzed water which flowed down from the gas-liquid contact member 53 to the drip tray part 42A flows in the storage part 42B. Moreover, the filter 74 which collects the solid substance (scale) contained in the water which flowed out from the gas-liquid contact member 53 is provided in the flow path of the electrolytic water which reaches from the drip tray part 42A to the storage part 42B.

The circulation pump 44 is provided such that its suction port is lower than the water surface of the reservoir 42B, and discharges electrolytic water through a drain pipe 71 connected to the discharge port of the circulation pump 44. The drain pipe 71 is a pipe connecting the circulation pump 44 and the gas-liquid contact member 53. Further, the first branch pipe 71A and the second branch pipe 71B branched from the drain pipe 71 are connected to the drain pipe 71, respectively. 71 A of 1st branch pipes are connected to the softening module 90, and the 2nd branch pipe 71B branched downstream from the said 1st branch pipe 71A is connected to the electrolytic cell 46, and is circulated. Electrolyzed water is also supplied from the pump 44 to the softening module 90 and the electrolyzer 46.

The water softening module 90 performs a process of softening the electrolyzed water supplied through the first branch pipe 71A. Softening here means the treatment which reduces the density | concentration of hardness components, such as calcium ion (Ca2 ⁺ ) and magnesium ion (Mg2 ⁺ ) contained in water, and reduces the hardness of water. As described later, the softening module 90 incorporates a pair of electrodes 94 and 95 (FIG. 7), and applies a voltage between the electrodes 94 and 95 so as to apply the hardness of the electrolyzed water. Decreases.

The three-way valve 62 is connected to the discharge port 90a of the electrolytic water of the softening module 90. A soft water return pipe 61 (first discharge pipe) for returning the softened electrolyzed water to the reservoir 42B is connected to one outlet of the three-way valve 62, and a drain tank 57 is connected to the other outlet. Is connected to the drain pipe 63 (second discharge pipe). The three-way valve 62 is switched by the control of the control unit 37.

On the other hand, in the electrolytic cell 46, the electrolyzed water supplied through the 2nd branch pipe 71B is electrolyzed. As described later, the electrolytic cell 46 incorporates a pair of electrodes 47 and 48 (FIG. 5), and is controlled by the controller 37 between these electrodes 47 and 48. By applying a voltage, electrolyzed water is produced by producing water. In the first embodiment, electrolytic water containing hypochlorous acid (HClO) as an antibacterial component is produced by electrolyzing tap water. And the discharge port of the electrolytic cell 46 is connected with the electrolytic water discharge tube 73 which sends electrolytic water to the storage part 42B.

In addition, the terminal portions of the soft water return tube 61 and the electrolytic water discharge tube 73 are located above the filter 74, respectively, and the electrolyzed water exiting the softening module 90 and the electrolytic cell 46 is the soft water return tube 61. ) Is directly injected from the end of the electrolytic water discharge tube 73, and when passing through the filter 74, the scale and the like are removed and then returned to the storage 42B.

For this reason, since the scale generate | occur | produces in the water softening module 90 and the electrolytic cell 46, and this scale flows with electrolyzed water, it is collected by the filter 74, and therefore the electrolyzed water containing the gas-liquid contact member 53 is carried out. The scale can be prevented from entering the circulation path of.

Electrolyzed water containing hypochlorous acid generated in the electrolytic cell 46 collects in the reservoir 42B and is supplied from the reservoir 42B to the gas-liquid contact member 53 by the circulation pump 44. Then, when the gas-liquid contact member 53 sends air by blowing, the air is disinfected when the air passes through the gas-liquid contact member 53, and the virus and the like are in contact with the electrolytic water floating in the air to deactivate the virus. can do. In addition to the air bactericidal effect, the electrolyzed water has an effect of preventing propagation of various bacteria in the gas-liquid contact member 53 itself. In addition, electrolytic water containing hypochlorous acid has a deodorizing effect because the malodor can be ionized, dissolved in electrolytic water and removed from the air when the malodor passes through the gas-liquid contact member 53.

Here, a sprinkling box 51 for distributing the electrolytic water uniformly on the gas-liquid contact member 53 is incorporated in the upper portion of the gas-liquid contact member 53. This watering box 51 is provided with the tray member (not shown) which temporarily stores all the seawater, and the some watering hole (not shown) is opened in the side surface of this tray member, and the drain pipe 71 The electrolyzed water supplied is made to drop electrolyzed water from the sprinkling hole to the gas-liquid contact member 53.

The gas-liquid contact member 53 is a filter having a honeycomb structure. In detail, the gas-liquid contact member 53 has a structure which supports the element part which contacts a gas by a frame. The element portion is formed by stacking the corrugated plate member and the flat plate member, and a plurality of substantially triangular openings are formed between the corrugated plate member and the flat plate member. Therefore, the gas contact area at the time of passing air through the urea part is secured, the electrolytic water can be dropped, and the structure is difficult to be clogged.

In addition, a sorting sheet (not shown) is provided on the upper surface of the gas-liquid contact member 53 in order to efficiently disperse the electrolyzed water dropped from the sprinkling box 51. This sorting sheet is a sheet (fabric, nonwoven fabric, etc.) made of a fibrous material having liquid permeability, and one or more sheets are provided along the thickness direction cross section of the gas-liquid contact member 53.

Each part of the gas-liquid contact member 53 (including the frame, the urea part, and the sorting sheet) has a material that is less deteriorated by electrolytic water, for example, a polyolefin resin (polyethylene resin, polypropylene resin, etc.), Materials such as PET (polyethylene terephthalate) resin, vinyl chloride resin, fluorine resin (PTFE, PFA, ETFE, etc.) or ceramic materials are used. In this configuration, PET resin is used.

In addition, each part of the gas-liquid contact member 53 is subjected to a hydrophilic treatment to improve affinity for electrolytic water, thereby maintaining the water retention (wetting property) of the electrolytic water of the gas-liquid contact member 53, which will be described later. Contact with active oxygen species (active oxygen substance) and indoor air lasts for a long time.

5 is a view showing the configuration of the electrolytic cell 46 in detail.

With reference to FIG. 5, the supply of electrolytic water to the gas-liquid contact member 53 will be described. In addition, in the first embodiment, the case where the tap water is put into the feed water tank 41 (Fig. 2) to operate the air sterilizing apparatus 1 will be described.

When the water supply tank 41 containing the tap water is installed in the air sterilization apparatus 1, as described above, tap water is supplied from the water supply tank 41 to the reservoir 42B, and the water level of the reservoir 42B is predetermined. To reach the level. Water in the reservoir 42B is pumped up by the circulation pump 44, and a part thereof is supplied to the electrolytic cell 46. As shown in FIG. 5, the electrolytic cell 46 is provided with a pair of electrodes 47 and 48, one of which is positive and the other of which is negative, and between these electrodes 47 and 48. By applying a voltage, the tap water introduced into the electrolytic cell 46 is electrolyzed to produce electrolyzed water containing active oxygen species. Here, the active oxygen species is oxygen having an oxidation activity higher than that of ordinary oxygen, and related substances, and so-called narrow-range active oxygen such as superoxide anion, singlet oxygen, hydroxyl radical or hydrogen peroxide, ozone, It is assumed that a so-called widespread active oxygen such as halogen acid or the like is included.

The electrodes 47 and 48 are, for example, an electrode plate whose base is titanium (Ti) and the coating layer is composed of iridium (Ir) and platinum (Pt). The current value flowing through) is set to be several mA (milliampere) / cm 2 (square centimeter) to several tens of mA / cm 2 at the current density, and the predetermined free residual chlorine concentration (for example, 1 mg (milligram) / l ( L)).

In detail, when one of the said electrodes 47 and 48 is used as an anode electrode, and the other is a cathode electrode, and it energizes between the electrodes 47 and 48 from an external power supply, in a cathode electrode, Hydrogen ions (H ⁺ ) and hydroxide ions (OH ⁻ ) in water react as shown by the following formula:

^{4H + + 4e - + (4OH} -) → 2H 2 + (4OH -).

On the other hand, in the anode electrode, water is electrolyzed as shown by the following formula:

^{_{2H 2 O → 4H + + O}} 2 + 4e -.

In addition, in the electrode 47, chlorine ions (chloride ions: Cl ⁻ ) contained in the water react as shown in the following formula, and chlorine (Cl ₂ ) is generated:

_{^{2Cl - → Cl 2 + 2e -}} .

In addition, this chlorine reacts with water to generate hypochlorous acid (HClO) and hydrogen chloride (HCl) as shown in the following formula:

Cl ₂ + H ₂ O → HClO + HCl.

Hypochlorite generated at the anode electrode is included in a broad range of active oxygen species, and has a strong oxidation action and a bleaching action. The aqueous solution in which hypochlorous acid is dissolved, that is, the electrolyzed water produced by the air sterilizing apparatus 1 exhibits various air cleaning effects such as inactivation of viruses, sterilization, decomposition of organic compounds, and the like. In this way, when the electrolyzed water containing hypochlorous acid is dropped into the gas-liquid contact member 53 from the watering box 51, the air blown out by the blower fan 31 is in contact with the hypochlorous acid in the gas-liquid contact member 53. . As a result, viruses and the like suspended in the air are inactivated, and the odorous substances contained in the air are decomposed by reaction with hypochlorous acid, or are ionized and dissolved. Therefore, the air is sterilized and deodorized, and the purified air is discharged from the gas-liquid contact member 53.

An influenza virus is mentioned as a functional mechanism of inactivation, such as a virus by active oxygen species. The above-mentioned reactive oxygen species have an action of destroying and eliminating (removing) surface proteins (spikes) of influenza virus which are essential for influenza infection. When this surface protein is destroyed, the influenza virus and the receptor (receptor) required for infection by the influenza virus do not bind, and infection is prevented. For this reason, the influenza virus suspended in the air contacts the electrolyzed water containing active oxygen species in the gas-liquid contact member 53, so as to lose infectivity, so that infection is prevented.

Therefore, even if this air sterilization apparatus 1 is installed in a so-called large space such as a kindergarten, elementary, middle, high school, nursing health facility, or hospital, the air purified by electrolyzed water (sterilization, deodorization, etc.) It becomes possible to spread | disperse | distribute in large space, and air disinfection and deodorization in large space can be performed efficiently.

6 is a schematic diagram showing a circulation path of electrolyzed water.

The water supply tank 41 (FIG. 2) is provided in the storage part 42B toward the bottom of the storage part 42B, and a float valve is provided in this water supply port, When the water surface is lower than the water supply port, this float valve is opened. As a result, the required amount of water is supplied from the water supply tank 41, and the water level of the storage portion 42B is kept constant.

In addition, a drainage pipe 57 for connecting the drainage tank 57 for storing the drained electrolytic water and the storage portion 42B is provided at the bottom of the storage portion 42B, and the drainage pipe 55 has a storage portion ( The drain valve 56 which controls the drain of 42B) 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 feed tank 41 is operated to supply new water to the reservoir 42B.

In the air sterilization apparatus 1, the electrolyzed water stored in the reservoir 42B is pumped up by the circulation pump 44, branched in three directions, and the gas-liquid contact member 53, the softening module 90, and the electrolytic cell. Each reaches 46, then returns to the storage 42B again, and repeats the circulation.

In other words, the electrolyzed water of the reservoir 42B is circulated through the gas-liquid contact member 53 while being subjected to the softening and electrolytic treatment normally, and can be used for disinfection of air. And the electrolyzed water softened by the softening module 90 and whose hardness fell, flows through the circulation path of the electrolyzed water which exits the storage part 42B and returns to the storage part 42B again.

Moreover, the electrolyzed water softened by the softening module 90 can also be drained directly to the drain tank 57 by switching the three-way valve 62 by the control part 37.

However, the above scale is mainly caused by the following factors. In most cases, water such as tap water supplied to the electrolytic cell 46 as a raw material of electrolytic water contains hardness components (calcium ions, magnesium ions, etc.). In the case where the air sterilization operation is performed for a long period of time, particularly in the gas-liquid contact member 53 which is easy to evaporate the electrolytic water, these hardness components are concentrated by evaporation of the electrolytic water and precipitated as a scale. When the scale is attached to the surface of the gas-liquid contact member 53, the contact between air and the electrolytic water may be prevented by the blockage of the gas-liquid contact member 53 or the deterioration of the water retention of the electrolytic water in the gas-liquid contact member 53. There is a possibility that the sterilization efficiency may be lowered. In addition, even when the scale is attached to the electrodes 47 and 48 of the electrolytic cell 46, or even when the pipe is filled with the scale, the disinfection efficiency may decrease due to the lack of the supply amount of the electrolytic water. have.

In the first embodiment, the generation of scale is suppressed by using the softening module 90 which lowers the hardness of the electrolytic water and softens it.

7 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the softening module 90.

The water softening module 90 includes a case body 93 formed by fixing lid members 92A and 92B at both ends of the cylindrical case 91, respectively. The softening module 90 includes a pair of electrodes 94 and 95, a fiber body 96 (capture member) having a collecting function, and an insulating spacer 97 in a case body 93. And a fixing ring 98 holding the spacer 97.

A first branch pipe 71A is connected to the lid member 92A, and a three-way valve 62 is connected to the outlet of the electrolytic water to the lid member 92B. That is, the electrolyzed water flows in from one of the cover members 92A and is discharged from the other cover member 92B. The case body 93 is made of an insulating resin material. In addition, the lid members 92A and 92B are detachable from the case 91.

The electrodes 94 and 95 are disc shaped electrodes, and the outer circumference thereof is attached to the inner circumferential surface of the case 91. The electrodes 94 and 95 are located at both ends of the inner side of the case body 93, respectively, and the electrode 94 is provided on the side where the electrolytic water flows in, and the electrode 95 is provided on the side where the electrolytic water is discharged. In addition, since the electrodes 94 and 95 are formed in a mesh shape, they have water permeability, and electrolytic water flows through the electrodes 94 and 95.

Moreover, the control part 37 is the electrode 94 so that the value of the electric current which flows between the electrode 94 and the electrode 95 may become a fixed value (positive current) based on the electric power supplied from a DC power supply (not shown). ) And (95) to control the voltage applied.

Here, the electrodes 94 and 95 are platinum-iridium-coated titanium electrodes in which a titanium electrode is coated with an alloy made of platinum and iridium. As the material of the electrodes 94 and 95, for example, a single element such as platinum, iridium, tantalum, palladium, titanium and stainless steel, or an insoluble conductive material containing at least one of these metals may be used. It is available.

The fiber body 96 is a collection of conductive carbon fibers and is formed in a disk shape. The fiber body 96 is attached to the surface downstream of the flow of electrolytic water on the surface of the electrode 94, and the outer peripheral surface thereof is in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the case 91. In addition, since the fiber body 96 has a large surface area as an aggregate of fibers, foreign matters such as scales can be collected in a large amount on the surface thereof, and because the fiber body 96 has numerous voids, it is water-permeable.

Here, although carbon fiber is used as a material of the fiber body 96, for example, activated carbon fiber, platinum fiber, titanium fiber, carbon nanotube, carbon fiber and resin fiber coated with a catalyst, respectively (iodine or Resin fiber which itself is conductive, such as polyacetylene resin doped with arsenic fluoride, or a resin material in which a conductive material is blended as a composition), activated carbon fiber, titanium fiber, or any one or two or more kinds thereof. Can be used.

The spacer 97 is an insulating resin member formed in a disk shape. The spacer 97 has a porous structure, has water permeability, and can collect foreign substances such as scales therein. As an example, the porosity of the spacer 97 is 95%. The porosity refers to the ratio of the volume of the voids existing in the spacer to the volume of the spacer 97. In addition, the spacer 97 may use a mesh shape.

The spacer 97 is sandwiched between the fiber body 96 and the electrode 95 on the downstream side of the flow of electrolytic water in the fiber body 96. In addition, the fiber body 96 is pressed by the spacer 97 and is slightly deformed. That is, the spacer 97 prevents the energization caused by the contact between the fiber body 96 and the electrode 95, and simultaneously presses the fiber body 96 toward the electrode 94 so that the electrode 94 and the fiber body are pressed. The electrical resistance (contact resistance) with 96 is reduced.

The fixed ring 98 is a ring-shaped insulating member. The fixing ring 98 is fixed in the case 91 such that there is no gap between the outer circumferential surface of the fixing ring 98 and the inner circumferential surface of the case 91. The spacer 97 is held inside the fixing ring 98.

Next, the softening process of the softening module 90 will be described.

The softening module 90 of the air sterilization apparatus 1 reverses the polarity of the electrodes 94 and 95 in the softening operation mode in which the hardness of the electrolytic water is reduced and in the softening operation mode. It is configured to be executable by switching the cleaning operation mode to apply the. Although details will be described later, the cleaning operation mode is an operation mode in which the scale component attached to the softening module 90 is removed.

The softening operation mode is a mode for softening the electrolyzed water, and is executed during the air sterilization operation of the air sterilization apparatus 1, for example.

When the start of the air sterilization operation is instructed with respect to the air sterilization apparatus 1, the control unit 37 not only starts the fan motor 32, but also the circulation pump 44, the softening module 90, and the electrolytic cell ( Start 46). Then, the air sterilization operation for circulating the electrolyzed water in the circulation path including the gas-liquid contact member 53 is started.

In the softening module 90, the control unit 37 applies a voltage to the electrodes 94 and 95, the electrode 94 is set to the cathode (negative potential), and the electrode 95 is the anode (positive). Potential). The fiber body 96 electrically connected in contact with the electrode 94 becomes a cathode (negative potential).

Thereby, in the fiber body 96 which is located upstream of the flow of electrolytic water in the softening module 90, and becomes a cathode, the hydrogen ion (H ⁺ ) and hydroxide ion (OH <^-> ) in water are as follows. React as shown in the formula:

^{4H + + 4e - + (40H} -) → 2H 2 + (40H -).

On the other hand, in the electrode 95 located downstream and serving as an anode, water is electrolyzed as shown in the following formula:

^{_{2H 2 0 → 4H + + O}} 2 + 4e -.

As described above, the hydroxide ions OH ⁻ are generated in the fibrous body 96 serving as the cathode. Since hydroxide ions are very strong bases, the negatively charged surface of the fibrous body 96 is locally alkaline. As a result, the hardness component in the electrolytic water reacts with the hydroxide ions to form a salt. Specifically, ions such as calcium, magnesium, potassium, and silica, which are the components of the main scale contained in the electrolytic water, are precipitated as poorly soluble salts such as calcium hydroxide, calcium carbonate, and magnesium hydroxide. In addition, when ions, such as phosphorus, sulfur, and zinc, are contained in electrolytic water, calcium sulfate, calcium sulfite, calcium phosphate, zinc phosphate, zinc hydroxide, basic zinc, etc. may also precipitate as a salt. Ions, such as calcium, magnesium, potassium, and silica, which are components of the scale, are precipitated as crystals on the fiber body 96 by electroporation. In particular, since the fiber body 96 has a large surface area, a large amount of crystals are precipitated on the surface thereof, and the ability to collect the crystals is high.

Hereinafter, precipitates in which hardness components such as calcium ions and magnesium ions have precipitated on the fiber body 96 by execution of the softening operation mode as a scale or the like are referred to as crystals.

Thus, in the softening operation mode, when electrolytic water passes through the softening module 90 in the circulation path of the electrolyzed water that exits the storage 42B and returns to the storage 42B again, calcium or magnesium in the electrolytic water is passed. Since hardness components, such as these, precipitate in the fiber body 96, the density | concentration of the hardness component contained in the electrolytic water circulated falls, and electrolytic water becomes soft.

In addition, in the softening operation mode, peeling of the crystals deposited on the fiber body 96 is promoted by the flow of water from the electrode 94 side to the electrode 95 side, so that the crystals excessively form the fiber body 96. Growth can be prevented, and the crystals flowing downstream can be recovered by the spacer 97. Since the spacer 97 has a porous structure as mentioned above, a large amount of crystals can be recovered.

General indicators of the hardness of water are calculated, for example, by the following formula [1]:

Hardness = amount of calcium × 2.5 + amount of magnesium × 4.1 ... [1]

Here, the unit of hardness, calcium amount and magnesium amount is (mg / L), and the hardness calculated | required by said formula [1] is the quantity of calcium and magnesium contained in 1 liter of water (mg), calcium carbonate amount (mg) It is converted into. When the hardness determined by the above formula [1] exceeds 300 to 400 (mg / L), calcium and magnesium tend to precipitate, but by using the water softening module 90 of the first embodiment, for example, As an example, the hardness of the electrolytic water can be reduced to 200 (mg / L) or less, and precipitation of scale can be suppressed.

Next, the washing operation mode will be described.

When the electrolyzed water is treated in the softening operation mode, crystals are precipitated in the fiber body 96, and when a large amount of crystals are precipitated as the operation time elapses, the softening efficiency of the softening module 90 is affected. There is a possibility. For this reason, it is preferable to remove the crystal | crystallization which precipitated on the fiber body 96.

The washing operation mode is an operation mode in which crystals precipitated on the fiber body 96 in the softening module 90 are dissolved and separated, and the dissolved and peeled crystals are discharged to the drain tank 57. In the example, it is executed whenever the cumulative operation time of the softening operation mode reaches a predetermined time.

In the cleaning operation mode, the polarity of the electrodes 94 and 95 is reversed and the voltage is applied to the softening operation mode described above. That is, the fiber body 96 becomes an anode (positive potential), and the downstream electrode 95 becomes a cathode (negative potential).

In this case, by the electrolytic reaction, the surface of the fiber body 96 is inclined locally acidic, and some or all of the crystals deposited on these surfaces and the crystals attached to the spacer 97 are dissolved to form cations. When a part of crystal grain melt | dissolves, it will become easy to peel from the adhesion surface of the fiber body 96, and it is discharged | emitted to the drain tank 57 with the electrolytic water which flows through the drain pipe 63.

8 is a flowchart showing the operation of the cleaning operation mode.

This operation shown in FIG. 8 is started with the start of the air sterilization operation, for example. At the time of performing the operation of FIG. 8, the control unit 37 counts by two timers realized by hardware or software. These two timers (the first timer and the second timer) are timers that count up in a predetermined period with the passage of time, and counting can be started or stopped independently.

If the control unit 37 starts the softening operation mode in accordance with the start of the air sterilization operation (step S1), the control unit 37 starts counting the first timer for counting the cumulative operating time of the softening operation mode (step S2). Thereafter, the control unit 37 executes the softening operation mode with reference to the count value T1 of the first timer until the timer count value T1 reaches the preset setting value A (step). S3).

Here, the set value A determines the cumulative operating time of the softening operation mode and the start timing of the washing operation mode, and is a value for determining the frequency of execution of the washing operation mode. As described above, crystals are deposited in the softening module 90 with time by execution of the softening operation mode. However, as the crystals increase, the softening function of the softening module 90 may gradually decrease. have. Therefore, the set value A is preferably set to a value such that the washing operation mode is executed at such a frequency that the softening function of the softening module 90 does not fall below a practical level. As a specific example, the setting value A is set to a count value corresponding to 5 hours of real time.

When the count value T1 of the first timer reaches the set value A (step S3: YES), the controller 37 reverses the polarity of the electrodes 94 and 95 from the softening operation mode. By switching to the polarity, the voltage is applied (the electrode, that is, the polarity switching) (step S4), the counting of the second timer is started (step S5), and the cleaning operation mode is started. In this cleaning operation mode, the polarities of the electrodes 94 and 95 are reversed to dissolve and peel off the crystals deposited in the softening module 90. In addition, the washing operation mode is executed in parallel with the air sterilization operation, and the circulation pump 44 is operating even in the washing operation mode. For this reason, the melt | dissolved and peeled crystal | crystallization flows in the storage part 42B with electrolytic water, and is collected by the filter 74. FIG.

The control unit 37 continues the cleaning operation mode until the count value T2 of the second timer reaches the preset setting value B (step S6), and the count value T2 is the set value B. Is reached (step S6: YES), the three-way valve 62 is switched so that the electrolytic water flows from the water softening module 90 to the drain pipe 63 (step S7). Initiate the discharge. By the operation of this step S7, the crystals dissolved and separated in the softening module 90 are discharged to the drainage tank 57 together with the electrolytic water.

Here, the set value (B) is a set value for determining the time from the start of the washing operation mode to the switching of the three-way valve 62 to start drainage, and the set value (B) of the crystal precipitated in the softening module 90. It is preferable to set the time at which it is possible to dissolve some or all of them. As a specific example, the setting value B is set to a count value corresponding to 9 minutes 40 seconds in real time. In addition, the second timer continues counting even after the count value T2 reaches the set value B. FIG.

Subsequently, the control unit 37 is to discharge the electrolytic water of the softening module 90 to the drainage tank 57, so that the count value T2 of the second timer reaches the preset setting value C. It waits until (step S10). Here, when the count value T2 reaches the set value C (step S8: YES), the control unit 37 returns the switching state of the three-way valve 62 to its original state, and the electrolytic water is fed back again. It flows through the pipe 61 (step S9), the polarity switching of the electrodes 94 and 95 is complete | finished, and the polarity is returned to the same polarity as the softening operation mode (step S10).

The set value C is a value that determines the time for switching the three-way valve 62 to discharge the electrolytic water to the drain tank 57 from step S7. For example, most of the crystals in the softening module 90 are removed. Preference is given to the time as it can be discharged. Since the discharge time of the electrolyzed water corresponds to the time from when the count value T2 of the second timer reaches the set value B to the set value C, the set value C The time is added to the set value B. For example, when the set value B is set to a value corresponding to 9 minutes and 40 seconds in real time, the set value C is set to 9 minutes and 40 seconds in order to drain the water for 20 seconds from the softening module 90. It is set to a count value equivalent to 10 minutes (real time) which is added to 20 seconds.

After returning the switch state of the three-way valve 62 and the electrode switch states of the electrodes 94 and 95 to their original states, the control unit 37 controls the count value T1 of the first timer and the second timer. The count value T2 is reset (step S11), it is determined whether or not the operation is to be terminated (step S12), and when the operation is continued, the process returns to step S1. When the end of the air disinfection operation or the softening operation mode is instructed (step S12: YES), the operation of Fig. 8 is terminated.

In addition, when the end of the air sterilization operation or the softening operation mode is instructed by the operation on the operation panel 16 or the like during the execution of the operation of FIG. The operation may be terminated, or the units may be stopped after continuing the operation up to step S12.

In this way, the crystals deposited on the surface of the fiber body 96 in the softening operation mode are dissolved and peeled off and removed by the cleaning operation mode in which the polarities of the electrodes 94 and 95 are reversed. In addition, the water flows through the softening module 90 during the cleaning operation mode, thereby further physically promoting the separation of crystals. As a result, the crystals precipitated in the softening operation mode can be easily removed from the fiber body 96. Therefore, the softening function of the softening module 90 is always maintained in a good state, so that the hardness of the electrolyzed water can be maintained. Can be lowered.

In addition, by appropriately setting the set values (B) and (C), the discharge of the electrolyzed water can be easily adjusted and the discharge of the electrolyzed water is suppressed to a sufficient amount, thereby saving water and supplying water to the water supply tank 41. By lowering the frequency of, the continuous operation for a long time becomes possible. In addition, the three-way valve 62 is switched to the drain pipe 63 by the control of the control unit 37, and the electrolyzed water containing crystals is discharged to the drain tank 57. Can be prevented, and adhesion of crystals to the circulation path can be prevented. Furthermore, since the crystals flowing toward the reservoir 42B during the cleaning operation mode are collected by the filter 74, the adhesion of the crystals to the circulation path of the electrolytic water can be reliably prevented.

In the softening module 90, the fiber body 96 is provided upstream of the flow of electrolytic water and the spacer 97 is provided downstream, so that the separated crystals can be efficiently removed from the downstream spacers ( 97). As a result, a large amount of crystals can be efficiently collected.

In addition, when a large amount of crystals accumulate in the spacer 97 and the spacer 97 needs to be cleaned or replaced, the lid members 92A and 92B are detached and the spacer 97 is easily taken out. Can be.

As described above, according to the first embodiment to which the present invention is applied, the electrolyzed water circulated and supplied to the circulation path of the electrolyzed water including the gas-liquid contact member 53 is subjected to the softening process by the softening module 90. Hardness falls by As a result, it is difficult for hardness components such as calcium and magnesium contained in the electrolytic water to precipitate in the circulation path including the gas-liquid contact member 53 as a scale. In particular, in the configuration in which the electrolytic water is circulated and supplied to the gas-liquid contact member 53, the hardness component tends to be concentrated due to evaporation of the electrolytic water and the like, so that the scale tends to be precipitated. Precipitation of scale can be suppressed. By suppressing the precipitation of the scale, it is possible to prevent the water-retaining property of the gas-liquid contact member 53 and the blockage of the piping from being prevented, and it is possible to maintain the air disinfection efficiency satisfactorily.

Further, the electrolytic water stored in the reservoir 42B is sent to the softening module 90 by the operation of the circulation pump 44 to soften it, and the electrolytic water whose hardness is lowered is stored from the water softening module 90 from the reservoir 42B. Since the electrolytic water whose hardness is reduced is reliably supplied to the circulation path of the electrolyzed water including the gas-liquid contact member 53, the precipitation of the scale can be suppressed in the entire circulation path.

In addition, since the electrolytic water is pumped from the reservoir 42B to be softened by the softening module 90 and returned to the storage 42B, the softening module 90 can be easily attached. There is an advantage.

In addition, since the electrolytic water stored in the reservoir 42B is supplied to the softening module 90 according to the function of the circulation pump 44, it is necessary to install a new pump for supplying the electrolytic water to the softening module 90. none. For this reason, electrolytic water can be supplied to the softening module 90 by a simple structure.

In addition, the three-way valve 62 is provided, and by switching the three-way valve 62 under the control of the control unit 37, the electrolytic water discharged from the softening module 90 is discharged from the reservoir 42B. One of the tanks 57 can be switched to discharge. For this reason, the electrolytic water can be discharged to the storage 42B or the drainage tank 57 according to the operating condition of the air sterilization apparatus 1, and, for example, crystals or the like are deposited in the softening module 90. In this case, the electrolyzed water can be drained directly to the drainage tank 57 together with the crystals.

In addition, when the electrolyzed water exiting the softening module 90 and the electrolytic cell 46 is injected into the filter 74 via the soft water return pipe 61 and the electrolytic water discharge tube 73, respectively, and passes through the filter 74. After the scale, crystals, etc. are removed, the flow returns to the storage 42B. For this reason, even if the scale, crystal | crystallization, etc. which generate | occur | produced in the water softening module 90 and the electrolytic cell 46 flow with electrolyzed water, since it is collected by the filter 74, circulation of the electrolyzed water containing the gas-liquid contact member 53 is carried out. It is possible to prevent scale, crystals, etc. from flowing in the path.

In addition, since a large amount of crystals are precipitated in the fiber body 96 electrically connected to the electrode 94, the concentration of the hardness component in the electrolytic water can be reduced. For this reason, calcium ions and magnesium ions contained in the electrolyzed water are less likely to be precipitated at places other than the fiber body 96, and precipitation of scale in the circulation path of the electrolyzed water including the gas-liquid contact member 53 can be suppressed. have.

Further, by executing the softening operation mode, the hardness of the electrolyzed water can be reduced by depositing and collecting hardness components such as calcium and magnesium contained in the electrolyzed water as crystals in the fiber body 96.

In addition, by executing the washing operation mode, the crystals precipitated on the fiber body 96 of the softening module 90 can be dissolved and separated to remove the crystals from the softening module 90. Thereby, the softening function of the softening module 90 can always be maintained in a favorable state, the hardness of electrolytic water can be reduced, and precipitation of a scale can be suppressed efficiently.

In addition, since the electrolyzed water containing dissolved and peeled crystals generated in the washing operation mode is discharged to the tank 57, the drainage of the washing operation mode containing a lot of hardness components can be discharged to the outside of the circulation path of the electrolytic water.

Note that the first embodiment shows one embodiment to which the present invention is applied, and the present invention is not limited to the first embodiment.

For example, in the first embodiment, the electrolytic water was softened by applying a voltage to the electrodes 94 and 95 and depositing crystals on the fibrous body 96 as a cathode. It is not limited to this, For example, you may use the softening module provided with ion exchange resin. In addition, the cleaning operation mode has been described as being executed by the controller 37 whenever the cumulative operating time of the softening operation mode reaches 5 hours, but may be executed by an instruction of a user or the like. It may be performed while the air sterilization operation is stopped. In addition, although the tap water used as the raw material of electrolytic water was demonstrated as being supplied by the water supply tank 41, you may connect the air sterilizer 1 with water supply sources, such as tap water, and supply water.

In the electrolytic cell 46, ozone (O ₃ ) or hydrogen peroxide (H ₂ O ₂ ) may be generated as active oxygen species. In this case, when a platinum tantalum electrode is used as the electrode, even if water is a lean species, active oxygen species can be stably generated with high efficiency by electrolysis.

At this time, at the anode, the reaction shown in the following formula occurs to produce ozone:

^{_{2H 2 O → 4H + + O}} 2 + 4e -

_{3H 2 O → O 3 + 6H} + + 6e -

_{2H 2 O → O 3 + 4H} + + 4e -.

In addition, at the cathode, a reaction shown in the following formula takes place, and O ₂ ⁻ generated by the electrode reaction is combined with H ⁺ in the solution to generate hydrogen peroxide (H ₂ O ₂ ):

^{4H + + 4e - + (40H} -) → 2H 2 + (40H -)

_{^{O 2 - + e - + 2H}} + → H 2 O 2.

In addition, in the first embodiment, an example in which tap water is supplied by the water supply tank 41 has been described. Since tap water contains a chlorine compound for the purpose of sterilization, chloride ions are contained, and the chloride ions react to form hypochlorous acid and hydrochloric acid. This is not limited to the case of using tap water. If the water supplied to the electrolytic cell 46 is made of water containing halide ions by addition or incorporation of a halogen compound, reactive oxygen species containing halogen are generated by the same reaction. do.

In the air sterilization apparatus 1, it is possible to cause the same reaction even when water containing lean species (including pure water, purified water, well water, some tap water, and the like) is used. That is, when a halogen compound (salt, etc.) is added to water in which ionic species is rare, the same reaction occurs and active oxygen species can be obtained. In addition, of course, the detailed structure of the air sterilization apparatus 1 can also be changed arbitrarily.

Second Embodiment

Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 9, the 2nd Example which applied this invention is described.

In addition, in this 2nd Example, about the part comprised similarly to the said 1st Example, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and description is abbreviate | omitted.

The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the electrolytic water discharged from the softening module 90 does not flow to the drainage tank 57 but all flows to the storage portion 42B.

9 is a schematic diagram showing a circulation path in the electrolyzed water of the second embodiment.

The soft water return pipe 161 which returns the softened electrolytic water to the storage part 42B is connected to the discharge port 90a of the water softening module 90. The end of the soft water return pipe 161 is located above the filter 74, so that the electrolyzed water from the softening module 90 is injected into the filter 74 directly from the end of the soft water return pipe 161. It is refluxed and returned to the reservoir 42B.

That is, the crystals peeled off in the washing operation mode reach the filter 74 through the soft water return pipe 161 together with the electrolyzed water and are collected.

10 is a flowchart showing processing of the cleaning operation mode.

In the processing included in the operation shown in FIG. 10, the same numbers are given to the steps of performing the same processing as in FIG. 8 in the above-described first embodiment.

The control unit 37 starts the softening operation mode in accordance with the start of the air sterilization operation (step S1), and starts the counting of the first timer for counting the cumulative operating time of the softening operation mode (step S2). The control unit 37 performs the softening operation mode until the timer count value T1 reaches the set value A with reference to the count value T1 of the first timer (step S3).

When the count value T1 of the first timer reaches the set value A (step S3: YES), the control unit 37 reverses the polarity of the electrodes 94 and 95 from the softening operation mode. The switch is switched to the set polarity, the voltage is applied (polarity switching) (step S4), the counting of the second timer is started (step S5), and the washing operation mode is started.

The control unit 37 continues the cleaning operation mode until the count value T2 of the second timer reaches the set value B (step S6), and the count value T2 reaches the set value B. The lower surface (step S6: YES), the polarity switching of the electrodes 94 and 95 is terminated, and the polarity is returned to the same polarity as the softening operation mode (step S10). Thereafter, the control unit 37 resets the first timer and the second timer (step S11), determines whether to end the operation (step S12), and returns to step S1 when the operation is continued. Goes. If the end of the air disinfection operation or the softening operation mode is instructed (step S12: YES), the operation of Fig. 10 is terminated.

Since the air disinfection operation is started at the start of the operation in FIG. 10, the circulation pump 44 is operated, and the softening module 90 continues to supply electrolytic water by the circulation pump 44. For this reason, the operation | movement of FIG. 10 is performed, maintaining the circulation pump 44 in an operation state, and polarity switching is carried out in step S5, and voltage is changed in a polarity switching state until the count value T2 reaches the setting value B. FIG. By applying, the crystals deposited in the softening module 90 are discharged from the softening module 90, so that the function of the softening module 90 is maintained in a good state.

In the second embodiment, the electrolyzed water coming out of the soft water return pipe 161 is configured to reach the storage portion 42B via the filter 74, and crystals dissolved and separated in the washing operation mode together with the electrolyzed water. Since the soft water return pipe 161 flows, crystals discharged from the softening module 90 can be collected by the filter 74.

According to this structure, the structure which collect | acquires the crystal | crystallization peeled by the washing | cleaning operation mode can be easily implemented, without providing the three-way valve 62 and the drain pipe 63 of a 1st Example. In this case, since the dissolved hardness component is contained in the electrolyzed water discharged from the softening module 90, it is preferable to open the drain valve 56 and drain the electrolyzed water of the reservoir 42B to the drain tank 57. . And the control part 37 may open the drain valve 56 for predetermined time at the end of the washing | cleaning operation mode, and may discharge the electrolytic water of the storage part 42B to the drain tank 57. FIG.

In addition, since the circulation pump 44 is operated even in the washing operation mode, water flow occurs in the softening module 90, and the water flow further promotes the separation of crystals.

In addition, the said 2nd Example showed one form which applied this invention, and this invention is not limited to the said Example.

For example, in the second embodiment, the washing operation mode is executed in parallel with the air sterilization operation, and the circulation pump 44 has been described as continuing operation even in the washing operation mode. The present invention is not limited to this. For example, the air disinfection operation is stopped, the washing operation mode is started while the circulation pump 44 is stopped, and the polarities of the electrodes 94 and 95 are reversed. The circulation pump 44 may be operated after the crystals are dissolved and peeled off. Of course, other detailed configurations can be arbitrarily changed.

Third Embodiment

Hereinafter, a third embodiment to which the present invention is applied will be described with reference to FIG.

In this third embodiment, parts that are constructed in the same manner as in the second embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted.

The third embodiment differs from the second embodiment in that the electrolytic water softened in the softening module 90 is directly supplied to the electrolytic cell 46.

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing a circulation path of electrolytic water in the third embodiment. FIG.

The discharge pipe 261 connected to the inlet port of the electrolytic water in the electrolytic cell 46 is connected to the discharge port 90a of the softening module 90. In addition, the second branch pipe 71B used in the first and second embodiments is not connected to the electrolytic cell 46. The electrolyzed water that has been pumped out of the reservoir 42B and softened by the softening module 90 is sent directly to the electrolytic cell 46 to be electrolyzed and passed through the filter 74 through the electrolytic water discharge tube 73. The flow returns to the storage 42B.

The end of the electrolytic water discharge tube 73 is located above the filter 74, and the electrolyzed water exiting the electrolytic cell 46 through the softening module 90 is directly filtered from the end of the electrolytic water discharge tube 73. It is refluxed so as to be injected into and returned to the reservoir 42B.

That is, the scale generated in the electrolytic cell 46 or the crystals peeled in the softening module 90 by the washing operation mode reach the filter 74 through the electrolytic water discharge tube 73 together with the electrolytic water, and the filter Is collected at 74.

12 is a flowchart showing the operation of the cleaning operation mode in the third embodiment.

Among the processes included in the operation shown in FIG. 12, the same numbers are given to steps that perform the same processes as those in FIG. 8 in the above-described first embodiment.

The control unit 37 starts the softening operation mode in accordance with the start of the air sterilization operation (step S1), and starts the counting of the first timer (step S2). The control unit 37 refers to the count value T1 of the first timer and executes the softening operation mode until the timer count value T1 reaches the set value A (step S3).

The control unit 37 starts the softening operation mode in accordance with the start of the air sterilization operation (step S1), and starts the counting of the first timer for counting the cumulative operating time of the softening operation mode (step S2). The control unit 37 performs the softening operation mode until the timer count value T1 reaches the set value A with reference to the count value T1 of the first timer (step S3).

When the count value T1 of the first timer reaches the set value A (step S3: YES), the controller 37 reverses the polarity of the electrodes 94 and 95 from the softening operation mode. The voltage is switched to the polarity (polarity switching) (step S5), the second timer count is started (step S6), and the washing operation mode is started.

The control unit 37 continues the cleaning operation mode until the count value T2 of the second timer reaches the set value B (step S6), and the count value T2 reaches the set value B. The lower surface (step S6: YES), the polarity switching of the electrodes 94 and 95 ends, and the polarity is returned to the same polarity as the softening operation mode (step S10). In addition, in step S10, the control part 37 may not only end polarity switching of the softening module 90 but also may stop operation | movement.

In the middle of the washing operation mode performed from step S5 to step S10, since the circulation pump 44 is operating, the crystals dissolved and peeled in the softening module 90 together with the electrolytic water are stored in the reservoir 42B. Is discharged to.

Then, the control part 37 stops the circulation pump 44 (step S21), and opens the drain valve 56 (step S22). The control part 37 makes the drain valve 56 open (step S23), and sets the count value T2 until the count value T2 of the second timer reaches a preset setting value D. When the value D is reached (step S23: YES), the drain valve 56 is closed (step S24). Here, the set value D is a value that determines the time for discharging the electrolyzed water to the drain tank 57 by opening the drain valve in step S22. For example, most of the electrolyzed water of the storage 42B can be discharged. A time as is preferred. Since the discharge time of the electrolyzed water corresponds to the time from when the count value T2 of the second timer reaches the set value B to the set value D, the set value D The drainage time to the tank 57 is added to the set value B. For example, when setting value B is set to the value equivalent to 10 minutes of real time, in order to drain for 1 minute from storage 42B, setting value D is 1 minute every 10 minutes. It is set to a count value equivalent to 11 minutes (real time) which is added. In addition, since operation | movement of step S21 is very short compared with the drainage time of 1 minute, it is set as the drainage time of 1 minute including this operation | movement.

After discharging the electrolyzed water to the drain tank 57, the control unit 37 resets the first timer and the second timer (step S11), determines whether or not to end the operation (step S12), and operates. If continues, the flow returns to step S1. If the end of the air disinfection operation or the softening operation mode is instructed (step S12: YES), the operation of Fig. 12 is terminated.

Thus, in the operation | movement shown in FIG. 12, the operation | movement of the three-way valve 62 is abbreviate | omitted during the operation | movement of FIG. 8 mentioned above, and the opening / closing operation | movement of the drain valve 56 is added.

According to the operation of FIG. 12, in the washing operation mode, precipitates such as crystals adhered to the softening module 90 can be removed, and precipitates such as crystals dissolved and peeled off in the washing operation mode are stored together with the electrolyzed water. It is discharged to the part 42B. Here, the solid precipitate is collected by the filter 74, and the electrolyzed water containing the dissolved crystals is discharged from the reservoir 42B to the drain tank 57. As a result, precipitates such as crystals attached to the softening module 90 can be easily removed, and the function of the air disinfection device 1 can be maintained in a good state.

In the third embodiment, since the softening module 90 and the electrolytic cell 46 are directly connected by the discharge tube 261, the electrolyzed water softened by the softening module 90 is directly electrolyzed. Supplied to. For this reason, since the electrolyzed water which electrolyzer 46 electrolytes is softened and the hardness fell, the adhesion of precipitates, such as the scale in the electrodes 47 and 48 of the electrolyzer 46, can be suppressed. .

In addition, since the softening module 90 and the electrolytic cell 46 are directly connected to each other, the softening and electrolysis of the electrolytic water can be processed in one pipe path, so that the constitution of the pipe can be simplified. For this reason, the structure which performs softening and electrolysis in the air disinfection apparatus 1 can be implement | achieved easily.

Fourth Embodiment

Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 13, the 4th Example which applied this invention is described.

In this fourth embodiment, parts that are constructed similarly to the first embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted.

In the fourth embodiment, instead of the water softening module 90 according to the first embodiment, the water softening unit 180 configured as a separate body from the air disinfection device main body 101 is externally mounted. It differs from an Example.

Fig. 13 is a schematic diagram showing a circulation path of electrolytic water in the fourth embodiment.

The air sterilizing apparatus 100 includes an air sterilizing apparatus main body 101 having a gas-liquid contact member 53, a circulation pump 44, an electrolyzer 46, a drip member 42, and the like inside the case 11; The water softening unit 180 is provided as a separate body from the air sterilizing apparatus main body 101.

The circulation of the electrolyzed water in the air sterilizer main body 101 is as follows.

The electrolyzed water of the reservoir 42B is pumped up by the circulation pump 44 and supplied to the gas-liquid contact member 53 through the drain pipe 71, and then the electrolyzed water that flows down from the gas-liquid contact member 53 is stored. Return to part 42B. A branch pipe 171 branched from the drain pipe 71 is connected to the drain pipe 71, and the electrolytic water flowing through the branch pipe 171 passes through the electrolytic water discharge pipe 73 via the electrolytic cell 46. Then, the filter 74 returns to the storage 42B. Thus, inside the air sterilizer main body 101, electrolyzed water is supplied from the storage part 42B to the gas-liquid contact member 53 and the electrolytic cell 46, and is circulated so that it may return to the storage part 42B again.

On the other hand, the water softening unit 180 is provided with a suction pump 181 for sucking the electrolytic water of the reservoir 42B and a softening module 190 for softening the electrolytic water sucked by the suction pump 181. have. Here, the softening module 190 has the same configuration as the softening module 90 of the first embodiment. In addition, each part of the water softening part 180 is connected to the control part 37 of the air sterilizing apparatus main body 101. As shown in FIG.

The suction pipe 183 which connects the storage part 42B and the suction port of the suction pump 181 is connected to the suction port of the suction pump 181. A discharge pipe 182 for supplying the softening module 190 with the electrolytic water sucked by the suction pump 181 is connected to the discharge port of the suction pump 181. In addition, a three-way valve 162 is connected to a discharge port 190a for discharging the electrolyzed water softened by the softening module 190, and the softened electrolyzed water is connected to one outlet of the three-way valve 162. The soft water return pipe 361 which returns to the storage part 42B is connected, and the drain pipe 263 connected to the drain tank 57 is connected to the other outlet. The terminal of the soft water return tube 361 is positioned above the filter 74, and the electrolyzed water exiting the softening module 190 is injected into the filter 74 directly from the end of the soft water return tube 361. The flow returns to the storage 42B. In addition, the three-way valve 162 is switched by the instruction of the control unit 37.

The suction pipe 183, the soft water return pipe 361, and the drain pipe 263 extend outside the soft water softening unit 180 and are provided over the air sterilizing apparatus main body 101 and the soft softening unit 180. In detail, each of the suction pipe 183 and the soft water return pipe 361 connects the softening part 180 and the storage part 42B, and the drain pipe 263 has the softening part 180 and the drainage tank ( 57).

The circulation of the electrolyzed water flowing through the softening unit 180 is as follows. First, the electrolytic water of the storage part 42B is sucked from the suction pipe 183 by the suction pump 181, and reaches the water softening module 190 through the discharge pipe 182. And the electrolyzed water discharged | emitted from the discharge port 190a of the softening module 190 passes through the soft water return pipe 361 via the three-way valve 162, and returns to the storage part 42B again. Thus, in the water softening part 180, electrolyzed water is supplied to the softening module 190 from the storage part 42B, and softened, and is circulated so that it may return to the storage part 42B again. The electrolyzed water softened by the softening module 190 can also be directly drained to the drain tank 57 by switching the three-way valve 162 by the control unit 37.

That is, the water softening unit 180 is configured as a separate body from the air sterilizing apparatus main body 101, and has a suction pump 181 to suck the electrolyzed water by itself, and also to circulate the softening unit 180. The electrolyzed water circulates independently of the circulation of the electrolyzed water inside the air sterilizer main body 101. For this reason, the water softening part 180 is connected to the air by the structure which connects the suction pipe 183, the soft water return pipe 361, and the drain pipe 263 across the softening part 180 and the air sterilizer main body 101. The disinfecting device main body 101 can be easily mounted on the outside.

When the start of the air sterilization operation is instructed with respect to the air sterilizer 100, the control unit 37 starts the fan motor 32, the circulation pump 44, the electrolytic cell 46, and the like of the air sterilizer main body 101. Air circulation operation for circulating the electrolytic water in the circulation path including the gas-liquid contact member 53 is started. As a result, the control unit 37 starts the suction pump 181 and the softening module 190 of the softening unit 180 to execute the softening operation mode.

In addition, the control unit 37 executes the washing operation mode whenever the cumulative operating time of the softening operation mode reaches a predetermined time.

14 is a flowchart showing processing of the cleaning operation mode.

Of the processes included in the operation shown in FIG. 14, the same numbers are given to steps that perform the same processes as in FIG. 8 in the above-described first embodiment.

When the control unit 37 starts the softening operation mode in accordance with the start of the air sterilization operation (step S1), the control unit 37 starts counting the first timer (step S2). Thereafter, the control unit 37 executes the softening operation mode with reference to the count value T1 of the first timer until the timer count value T1 reaches the preset setting value A (step). S3).

When the count value T1 of the first timer reaches the set value A (step S3: YES), the controller 37 reverses the polarity of the electrodes 94 and 95 from the softening operation mode. The voltage is switched to the polarity (polarity switching) (step S4), the count of the second timer is started (step S5), and the washing operation mode is started. In this washing operation mode, the polarities of the electrodes 94 and 95 are reversed to dissolve and peel off the crystals deposited in the softening module 190.

In addition, since the suction pump 181 is operated even in the washing operation mode, the crystals dissolved and separated in the softening module 190 flow into the reservoir 42B together with the electrolytic water and are collected by the filter 74. .

The control unit 37 continues the cleaning operation mode until the count value T2 of the second timer reaches the set value B (step S6), and the count value T2 reaches the set value B. In one case (step S6: YES), the three-way valve 162 is switched so that the electrolytic water flows from the water softening module 190 to the drain pipe 263 (step S31), and the electrolytic water is discharged to the drain tank 57. Initiate. By the operation of this step S31, the crystal | crystallization melt | dissolved and peeled in the water softening module 190 is discharged | emitted with the electrolytic water to the drainage tank 57. FIG.

Here, although the set value B is set similarly to FIG. 8, in 4th Example (FIG. 12), the three-way valve 162 is switched and it will start until drainage of electrolyzed water to the drain tank 57 is started. Treated as a value that determines the time of. The second timer continues counting even after the count value T2 reaches the set value B. FIG.

Subsequently, the control unit 37 is in the state of discharging the electrolyzed water of the softening module 190 to the drain tank 57, until the count value T2 of the second timer reaches the set value C. Wait (step S8). Here, when the count value T2 reaches the set value C (step S8: YES), the control unit 37 returns the switching state of the three-way valve 162 to its original state, and the electrolytic water is fed back again. It flows through the tube 361 (step S32), the polarity switching of the electrodes 94 and 95 is complete | finished, and a polarity is returned to the same polarity as the softening operation mode (step S10).

Although the set value C is set similarly to FIG. 8, in 4th Example (FIG. 12), it handles as a value which sets the time which switches the three-way valve 162, and discharges electrolyzed water to the drain tank 57. FIG. .

After returning the switching state of the three-way valve 162 and the polarity switching states of the electrodes 94 and 95 to the original state, the control unit 37 resets the first timer and the second timer (step S11). ), It is determined whether or not to end the operation (step S12), and when the operation is continued, the process returns to step S1. In addition, when the end of the air disinfection operation or the softening operation mode is instructed (step S12: YES), the operation of Fig. 14 is terminated.

Thus, in the fourth embodiment, the externally mounted softening unit 180 has a suction pump 181 different from the circulation pump 44, and switches the three-way valve 162 included in the softening unit 180. The electrolyzed water is discharged to the drain tank 57. In addition, the circulation pump 44 can be operated independently from the operation of FIG. 14.

By the operation shown in FIG. 14, the crystals precipitated on the surface of the fiber body 96 of the softening module 190 are dissolved and peeled off, and are further washed off by water flow due to the operation of the suction pump 181. Is further promoted and discharged to the drainage tank 57 together with the electrolyzed water.

According to the fourth embodiment, the water softening unit 180 can be mounted to the outside of the air sterilizing apparatus main body 101, so that the water softening unit 180 can be provided later if necessary. For example, the softening unit 180 may be installed as an option of the air sterilization apparatus 100, and the softening function may be added or deleted according to the user's request. In addition, the water softening unit 180 may be externally attached to an existing air sterilizing device that does not have a softening function, thereby adding a softening function.

In addition, since the water softening unit 180 has a suction pump 181 independent of the circulation pump 44, the washing operation mode can be independently executed regardless of the operation state of the circulation pump 44. In addition, since the electrolyzed water discharged in the washing operation mode is discharged to the drainage tank 57, the electrolytic water in the storage portion 42B is sterilized by discharging the waste water in the washing operation mode containing a lot of hardness components out of the circulation path of the electrolytic water. You can keep it in the proper state.

In addition, the said 4th Example showed one form which applied this invention, and this invention is not limited to the said Example.

For example, in the fourth embodiment, the electrolytic water discharged in the washing operation mode has been described as being drained to the drain tank 57. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the three-way valve 162 and the drain pipe ( You may comprise so that it may drain to the storage part 42B by the soft water return pipe 361, without providing 263. Of course, other detailed configurations can be arbitrarily changed.

1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of an air sterilizing apparatus according to a first embodiment;

2 is a rear side perspective view of the air sterilizing apparatus;

3 is a perspective view showing the main configuration of the inside of the air sterilization apparatus;

4 is a schematic diagram showing a constitution of a main portion for generating and circulating electrolyzed water;

5 shows the configuration of the electrolytic cell in detail;

6 is a schematic diagram showing a circulation path of electrolyzed water;

7 is a schematic diagram showing a softening module;

8 is a flowchart showing the operation of the cleaning operation mode;

9 is a schematic diagram showing a circulation path of electrolyzed water in the second embodiment;

10 is a flowchart showing the operation of the cleaning operation mode;

11 is a schematic diagram showing a circulation path of electrolyzed water in the third embodiment;

12 is a flowchart showing the operation of the cleaning operation mode;

13 is a schematic diagram showing a circulation path of electrolyzed water in the fourth embodiment;

14 is a flowchart showing the operation of the cleaning operation mode.

<Explanation of symbols for the main parts of the drawings>

1, 100: air sterilizer 11: case

37: control unit 42: drip member

42B: Storage 44: Circulation Pump

46: electrolyzer 47, 48: electrode

53: gas-liquid contact member 57: drain tank

61, 161, 361: soft water return pipe 62, 162: three-way valve

63, 263: drain pipe 71: drain pipe

73: electrolytic water discharge tube 74: filter

90, 190: softening module 94, 95: electrode

97: spacer 101: air sterilizer main body

180: softening unit 181: suction pump

182: discharge pipe 183: suction pipe

261: discharge tube

Claims (10)

An electrolytic cell that electrolyzes water to produce electrolytic water containing active oxygen species; A gas-liquid contact member for contacting electrolyzed water and air; A circulation pump for supplying the electrolyzed water generated by the electrolytic cell to the gas-liquid contact member and circulating and supplying the electrolyzed water that has passed through the gas-liquid contact member to the gas-liquid contact member; And And a water softening module for performing a process of lowering the hardness of the electrolyzed water circulated and supplied to the gas-liquid contact member. The liquid crystal display according to claim 1, further comprising a storage portion for storing electrolytic water flowing down from the gas-liquid contact member, It has a configuration to supply the electrolytic water stored in the storage portion to the gas-liquid contact member by the circulation pump, The softening module is configured to accept the electrolytic water stored in the reservoir and reduce the hardness, and return the electrolyzed water after the treatment to the reservoir. The water softening module according to claim 2, wherein the softening module sucks the electrolytic water of the storage part into a softening part which is formed separately from the air sterilizer main body including the electrolytic cell, the gas-liquid contact member, the circulation pump, and the storage part. It is provided with a suction pump, and it is comprised so that the process of reducing the hardness of the electrolytic water sucked by the said suction pump may be performed. A suction tube connecting the reservoir portion of the air sterilizing unit and the suction port of the suction pump of the softening portion, and a return tube connecting the discharge portion and the reservoir portion for discharging the electrolyzed water after the treatment from the softening module is installed. Air sterilizer. The air sterilization apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the softening module supplies electrolytic water stored in the storage part by the function of the circulation pump. The discharge port for discharging the electrolyzed water after treatment from the water softening module according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the first discharge pipe is connected to the reservoir and the second is connected to a drain tank for storing drainage. Air disinfection device characterized in that the discharge pipe is connected to the switch. The air sterilizer according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a filter through which electrolytic water after the treatment discharged from the softening module passes. The air sterilization apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a discharge tube for discharging the electrolyzed water after the treatment from the softening module is connected to an inlet of the electrolytic cell. The said softening module is provided with the pair of electrode arrange | positioned in the flow path of electrolytic water, and the collection member which has electroconductivity electrically connected to one of these electrodes, Air sterilization apparatus, characterized in that to reduce the hardness of the electrolytic water by applying a voltage between the electrodes. The method according to claim 8, wherein the softening operation mode for lowering the hardness of the electrolytic water and the cleaning operation mode for applying a voltage by inverting the polarity of the electrode when the softening operation mode is executed are configured to be executable. Air sterilizer characterized in that. The air disinfection device according to claim 9, wherein in the cleaning operation mode, the electrolyzed water after the treatment is discharged from the softening module to the drain tank.

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