JP4636803B2 - Air purification device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an air purification device for purifying air by passing it through a heated filter.

Recently, SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome: Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) droplet infection and airborne infection of resistant bacteria such as tuberculosis have become problems. In public facilities and hospitals, in order to prevent the spread of such diseases, an increasing number of air cleaners and air sterilizers having a sterilizing function are installed. In conventional air purifiers, airborne fungi are captured together with dust with a filter made of adsorbent or a charge filter, and ozone with sterilizing action is generated by high voltage corona discharge, etc., and the inner surface of the casing and the filter surface are sterilized with ozone. There was a thing (for example, refer to patent documents 1). In addition, in the conventional air sterilization apparatus, a heat space is generated by radiant heat generated by high-temperature heat generation of the heating means, and air is heated at a high temperature by radiant heat, so that living bacteria such as floating spores and microorganisms in the air are removed. Some have been sterilized (for example, see Patent Document 2).
JP-A-11-313878 (page 2-4, FIG. 1-8) JP-A-11-276561 (page 3-7, FIG. 1-12)

  However, since the air purifier with the sterilizing function described in Patent Document 1 performs the air purifying operation while switching the air purifying mode, the ozone sterilizing mode, and the ozone decomposition mode at predetermined time intervals, the air purifier at the installation location is always purified. There was a problem that I could not. In addition, this air purifying device vents the pre-filter and the charge filter in the air purifying mode to capture dust, but in the ozone sterilizing mode, these filters are filled with ozone to perform sterilization. Some of them passed through the prefilter and flowed out of the apparatus. For this reason, when the concentration of the outflowed ozone exceeds a certain value, there is a risk of harming the surrounding people.

  Further, the air sterilization apparatus described in Patent Document 2 has a problem that mold spores cannot be completely sterilized when the flow of air passing through the apparatus is fast, and the ventilation rate is limited. Therefore, in order to increase the processing amount of the air sterilizer, it is necessary to increase the size of the device configuration or to perform processing with a plurality of devices. When the size of the device size is increased, the device itself becomes expensive, When a plurality of units are installed, there is a problem that the cost of the entire installation becomes expensive.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an air purification device that can reliably trap airborne bacteria, viruses, mold spores and the like contained in the air with a simple configuration without increasing the size of the device.

  The present invention has the following configuration as means for solving the above problems.

(1) a porous glass film having a porous structure that is substantially uniformly controlled to a specific pore diameter, molded to a predetermined thickness, and having a metal heating element plated on the surface;
A conductive material attached to both ends of the porous glass membrane;
An electrode terminal attached from above the conductive material;
Power supply means for energizing the metal heating element through the electrode terminal and the conductive material;
An air pressurizing means that pressurizes or sucks outside air and passes it through the porous glass membrane;
Detecting means for detecting overheating of the air pressurizing means;
Reporting means for reporting overheating of the air pressurizing means;
A temperature measuring means for measuring the temperature of the porous glass membrane;
A setting means for accepting a setting operation;
When the setting means accepts a cleaning mode setting operation, the air pressurizing means is stopped, and the power supply means controls the current supplied to the metal heating element to bring the porous glass film to a specific temperature. Control means to change;
It is provided with.

In this configuration, a porous glass membrane having a plurality of through-pores controlled with almost no variation in a specific pore diameter is used as a filter, and the outside air pressurized or sucked by the air pressurizing means is forced to be porous. Since it is passed through the glass membrane, viruses, bacteria, spores and the like contained in the air can be reliably captured. In addition, since the metal heating element energized by the power source means to heat the metal heating element plated on the surface of the porous glass film, the entire porous glass film can be heated. By heating the entire membrane to a predetermined temperature or higher, viruses, bacteria, spores and the like trapped in the pores of the porous glass membrane can be killed. By using this air purification apparatus in hospitals or public facilities, indoor air can be purified, and it becomes possible to prevent the spread of pathogenic bacteria and molds. Further, in this configuration, a conductive material is attached to both ends of the porous glass film, and electrode terminals are attached from above the conductive material. Thereby, the contact area of an electrode terminal can be taken widely with respect to a porous glass film | membrane, the oxidation in the contact part of an electrode terminal and a metal heating element, the increase in contact resistance, and the heat_generation | fever by this contact resistance can be prevented. Further, in this configuration, when the detection unit detects overheating of the air pressurization unit, the notification unit notifies. In addition, when the setting means receives a cleaning mode setting operation for changing the temperature of the porous glass film to a specific temperature, the control means stops the air pressurizing means and the power supply means energizes the metal heating element. The current is controlled to change the temperature of the porous glass membrane to a specific temperature. Therefore, it is possible to know that the air pressurizing means is overheated due to filter clogging or the like. In addition, by setting the cleaning mode with the setting means, dead bodies such as bacteria, viruses, and spores, and dust are carbonized, sublimated, or vaporized by heating, so that these can be discharged from the hole.

(2) a porous glass membrane having a porous structure that is controlled almost uniformly to a specific pore diameter, molded into a pipe shape having a predetermined thickness, and having one end sealed;
Inside the pipe-shaped porous glass film, a coiled metal heating element provided between both ends ,
Power supply means for energizing the metal heating element;
An air pressurizing means that pressurizes or sucks outside air and passes it through the porous glass membrane;
Detecting means for detecting overheating of the air pressurizing means;
Reporting means for reporting overheating of the air pressurizing means;
A temperature measuring means for measuring the temperature of the porous glass membrane;
A setting means for accepting a setting operation;
When the setting means accepts a cleaning mode setting operation, the air pressurizing means is stopped, and the power supply means controls the current supplied to the metal heating element to bring the porous glass film to a specific temperature. Control means to change;
It is provided with.

In this configuration, a porous glass membrane having a plurality of through-pores controlled with almost no variation in a specific pore diameter is used as a filter, and the outside air sucked by the air pressurizing means is pressurized and forced to be porous. Since it is passed through the glass membrane, viruses, bacteria, spores and the like contained in the air can be reliably captured. In addition, the entire porous glass membrane is almost uniform by energizing the coiled metal heating element provided between both ends inside the porous glass membrane pipe with power supply means to generate heat. Since the air in the pores of the porous glass film can be heated to almost the same temperature as the porous glass film, the entire porous glass film can be heated to a predetermined temperature or higher, Viruses, bacteria, spores, etc. trapped in the pores of glassy glass membranes can be killed. Furthermore, the resistance value of the coil-shaped metal heating element can be changed by changing the length and the wire diameter, and the amount of heat generation can be easily changed according to the size of the pipe-shaped porous glass film. In addition, when filter clogging or the like occurs and the air pressurizing means overheats, this is notified. Also, by setting the cleaning mode with the setting means, the air pressurizing means is stopped, the temperature of the porous glass membrane is changed to a specific temperature, and dead bodies such as bacteria, viruses and spores accumulated in the pores and Since dust and the like are carbonized, sublimated or vaporized by heating, they can be discharged from the hole.

(3) The porous glass film has a pipe shape with one end sealed;
The air pressurizing means feeds outside air from the other end of the pipe-shaped porous glass film and allows the outside air to pass from the inner wall side to the outer wall side of the pipe-shaped porous glass film. .

  In this configuration, the porous glass film is formed into a pipe shape, one end is sealed, air sucked from the outside of the apparatus is sent from the other end of the pipe into the pipe, and the inner wall side of the porous glass film is passed from the outer wall side to the outer wall. Allow air to pass to the side. Therefore, air can be reliably passed through the porous glass film with a simple configuration.

(4) The porous glass film has a pipe shape with one end sealed;
The air pressurizing means allows outside air to pass from the outer wall side to the inner wall side of the pipe-shaped porous glass film.

  In this configuration, the porous glass film is formed into a pipe shape, and one end is sealed, and air sucked from the outside of the apparatus is passed from the outer wall side to the inner wall side of the pipe-shaped porous glass film. Therefore, depending on the configuration of the air pressurizing means, air is sucked from the end of the pipe-shaped porous glass membrane and the outside air is passed through, so that viruses, bacteria, spores, etc. contained in the air are reliably captured. be able to.

  The air purification apparatus of the present invention allows air to pass through a porous glass film (SPG film) having a porous structure almost uniformly controlled to a specific pore diameter of 100 nm to 20 μm, so that bacteria, viruses, and spores in the air Etc. can be captured. In addition, a metal heating element is plated on the porous glass film or formed into a pipe shape, and a metal heating element is provided on the inside thereof, and the entire porous glass film is energized by energizing the metal heating element. Can be heated, so that bacteria, viruses, spores and the like captured by the porous glass membrane can be killed.

  First, the heating type air filter used for the air purification apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention is demonstrated. In the present invention, a heating air filter having a structure in which a metal heating element is plated on the surface of an SPG (Shirasu Porous Glass) film and the entire SPG film is heated by energizing the metal heating element is employed. ing. The SPG film is a functional glass having a porous structure having a plurality of through pores in which the pore diameter is controlled almost uniformly, and is capable of changing the pore diameter over a wide range of several tens of nanometers to several tens of micrometers at present. This basic technique is disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 63-66777. Conventionally, SPG membranes are used to improve the quality of alcohol by filtering impurities such as shochu, and to create emulsion formulations having a uniform particle size and a high encapsulation rate.

  In the present invention, as an example, an SPG film formed in a pipe shape (tube shape) is used as a heating air filter. Here, since the SPG film is formed in a pipe shape, it will be referred to as an SPG pipe in the following description.

[First Embodiment]
1A and 1B are a schematic view and a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a heating type air filter according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1A is a schematic view of an SPG pipe, and FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view of an SPG pipe. (C) is a partial cross-sectional view of an SPG pipe provided with terminals.

The SPG pipe 1 shown in FIG. 1A is a pipe having a diameter of 10 mm, a length of 250 mm, and a thickness of 1 mm as an example. The pipe wall 2 is shown in FIG. 1 of Japanese Patent Publication No. 63-66777. As shown in the figure, it is a porous structure in which a plurality of through pores substantially controlled to a specific pore diameter of 10 μm to 20 μm are formed. Further, as shown in FIG. 1 (B), on the entire surface of the SPG pipe 1, it is more a nickel alloy film 3 is provided in an electroless plating. Note that the openings of the through-holes on the surface of the pipe wall 2 are plated so as to be open without being sealed by the nickel alloy film 3.

  As is well known, a nickel alloy is a metal heating element. When a predetermined voltage is applied across the surface of the SPG pipe 1, a current flows through the nickel alloy film 3 to generate heat and heat the entire SPG pipe 1. it can. When a current is passed through the nickel alloy film 3 to heat the entire SPG pipe 1, the air in the through pores formed in the pipe wall 2 is also heated to substantially the same temperature as the pipe wall 2. Further, as described above, the SPG pipe 1 is a porous glass film formed in a pipe shape with a thickness of 1 mm. Therefore, when the nickel alloy film 3 is energized to generate heat, the entire nickel alloy film 3 is heated in a short time. It can be heated to a substantially uniform temperature. Furthermore, the heat resistance temperature of the SPG film is about 450 ° C., and if this temperature is exceeded, the strength is reduced and melting occurs and is damaged. Therefore, when the nickel alloy film 3 is energized, the current value is controlled while measuring the temperature with a temperature sensor so that the heat resistant temperature is not exceeded. In the following description, the nickel alloy film 3 may be referred to as an SPG heater 3.

Here, in order to apply a voltage between both ends of the SPG pipe 1, if the electrode terminal is directly pressed against the plating surface (surface) of the SPG pipe 1, the surface of the plating film is oxidized by heat generation when the nickel alloy film 3 is energized. As a result, not only does the contact resistance increase, but the contact resistance also generates heat at the contact portion with the electrode terminal. Therefore, in the present invention, FIG.
As shown in (C), a conductive material 4 such as carbon tape or copper foil is wound around both ends of the SPG pipe 1, and an electrode terminal 5 made of a spring material such as phosphor bronze is attached on the conductive material 4. As a result, the contact area of the electrode terminal 5 with respect to the SPG pipe 1 can be increased, and oxidation at the contact portion between the electrode terminal 5 and the nickel alloy film 3 and an increase in contact resistance can be prevented.

  The airborne substances such as bacteria, viruses, and spores to be captured by the air purification apparatus of the present invention are about 0.2 to 80 μm for bacteria, about 80 to 220 nm for SARS coronavirus, and about 3 to 100 μm for mold spores. Is the size of On the other hand, the SPG pipe 1 has a porous structure in which a plurality of through-holes having a specific hole diameter of 10 μm to 20 μm are formed as described above, and a plurality of tubular paths winding like a maze are formed inside. ing. Since the SPG pipe 1 has such a structure, when air is passed through the pipe wall 2 of the porous glass membrane, bacteria, viruses, spores, etc. in the air are wall surfaces in the through pores regardless of the air flow rate. Since they collide and adhere to the surface, these floating substances can be captured. That is, it can be used as a filter for capturing suspended matters such as bacteria, viruses, and spores in the air. Further, as described above, the entire surface of the SPG pipe 1 is plated with the nickel alloy film 3, and the entire SPG pipe 1 is heated by energizing the nickel alloy film 3. It can be killed by applying high temperature to captured bacteria, viruses, spores, etc.

  In this embodiment, the through-hole diameter of the SPG pipe 1 is 10 μm to 20 μm. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the porosity is controlled almost uniformly to a specific pore diameter of 100 nm to 20 μm. A glassy glass film may be used.

  In addition, dead bodies such as bacteria, viruses, and spores captured by the porous glass membrane pipe wall 2 in the SPG pipe 1 and dust are carbonized if they are heated at a temperature at which they die, but the SPG pipe 1 is heated at a high temperature. By heating for a while (for example, at about 400 ° C.), these can be sublimated and vaporized and removed from the through pores. Further, a part of the carcass and metal dust remain on the wall surface of the through-hole of the pipe wall 2 even if the SPG pipe 1 is heated at a high temperature (for example, at about 400 ° C.) for a while. Therefore, when air purification capability falls, it can replace | exchange at a predetermined timing by providing the SPG pipe 1 so that attachment or detachment is possible with respect to an air purification apparatus.

  Next, the structure of the air purification apparatus using the above filter will be described. FIG. 2 is an external perspective view showing a schematic configuration of the air purification device. As shown in FIG. 2, the air purification device 11 has a cover 13 having a rectangular parallelepiped appearance attached to the main body 12 from above. In the front surface 21 and the back surface 22 of the cover 13, intake ports 31 and 32 are formed slightly above the center. Mesh filters 33 and 34 for capturing dust with large particles are detachably attached to the intake ports 31 and 32.

  On the upper surface 23 of the cover 13, an exhaust air volume setting switch 35, a temperature setting switch 36, and an exhaust port 37 are provided in the vicinity of the right end portion along the right side surface 24. A removable mesh filter 38 for preventing dust from entering is attached to the exhaust port 37. An SPG pipe number changeover switch 39 is provided at the left end of the exhaust air volume setting switch 35 at a predetermined interval, and a power switch 40 is provided at the left end of the temperature setting switch 36 at a predetermined interval. ing. Further, a display window 41 for the LCD display section 42 is provided at a predetermined interval at the left end of the SPG pipe number changeover switch 39 and the power switch 40, and the display window 41 has an LCD from the back surface of the upper surface 23. A display unit 42 is attached.

  The exhaust air volume setting switch 35 is a switch for switching the air volume exhausted from the air purifying device 11. When the exhaust air volume setting switch 35 is rotated, the exhaust air volume is set to 0% (stopped), 50%, 75%, 100%. It can be switched to 4 stages. The air purification device 11 allows air to pass through the SPG pipe 1 made of the porous glass membrane having the above-described structure. Therefore, even if the exhaust air volume is switched as described above, there are no problems with bacteria, viruses, Spores can be captured.

  Further, when the exhaust air volume setting switch 35 is rotated, the cleaning mode can be set. The temperature setting switch 36 is a switch for setting a temperature in a sterilization unit 69 to be described later. When the temperature setting switch 36 is rotated, the temperature can be set in a range of 50 ° C. to 220 ° C. Therefore, the SPG pipe 1 can be heated to a desired temperature according to the temperature resistance of bacteria, viruses, spores and the like. The SPG pipe number switching switch 39 is a switch for switching the number of SPG pipes 1 provided in the air purifying device 11, and can be switched between two stages of 5 and 10 in this embodiment. The power switch 40 is a switch for turning on / off the power of the air purification device 11.

  A display window 43 for an air compressor pressure gauge 64 is provided on the right side surface 24 of the cover 13 on the front surface 21 side from the center thereof. Further, a signal output connector 44 is provided below the right side surface 24 of the cover 13.

  Next, the configuration of the main body 12 of the air purification device 11 will be described. FIG. 3 is an external perspective view showing a schematic configuration of the main body of the air purification device. 3A is a perspective view of the direction of arrow A in FIG. 2, that is, a perspective view seen from the upper left of the front side of the air purification device 11, and FIG. 3B is the direction of arrow B in FIG. It is the perspective view seen from the lower left direction of the back side of the air purification apparatus.

  The main body 12 includes an air compressor 61, an air supply pipe 62, an electromagnetic valve chamber 64 provided with an electromagnetic valve 63 therein, an air compressor pressure gauge 65, a pressure gauge air supply pipe 66, air supply pipes 67 and 68, a sterilization unit 69, an exhaust duct. 70, an exhaust chamber 73 provided with an exhaust sirocco fan 71 and having an exhaust port 72, a power circuit 74, a control circuit 75, a bottom plate 76, support plates 77 and 78, and four casters 79a to 79d. Yes. In addition, thermocouples 80 a and 80 b are attached to the inside of the sterilization unit 69. Further, in the air purification device 11, in the air passage from the air compressor 61 to the exhaust chamber 73, packing processing or sealing processing is performed so that air does not leak to the outside from the connection portion of each member.

  Casters 79 a to 79 d are attached to the bottom plate 76 in the vicinity of the four corners of the bottom surface. An air compressor 61 is installed at the center of the upper surface of the bottom plate 76, and an electromagnetic valve chamber 64 is installed near the corner 76 a of the bottom plate 76. The air compressor 61 is connected to a temperature sensor 91 (not shown) for measuring the temperature of a motor that sucks and pressurizes outside air. The air compressor 61 and the electromagnetic valve 63 in the electromagnetic valve chamber 64 are connected by an air supply pipe 62. A pressure gauge air supply pipe 66 is attached upstream of the electromagnetic valve 63, and an air compressor pressure gauge 65 is connected to the tip of the pressure gauge air supply pipe 66.

  A support plate 77 and a support plate 78 that are bent into a U-shape are attached to the upper surface of the bottom plate 76 so as to surround the air compressor 61. The support plate 77 is attached upright with respect to the bottom plate 76 between the air compressor 61 and the electromagnetic valve chamber 64. The support plate 78 is attached in an upright state with respect to the bottom plate 76 between the air compressor 61 and the end 76 b opposite to the end 76 a of the bottom plate 76.

  Between the support plate 77 and the support plate 78, a sterilization unit 69 is supported on the upper portion of the air compressor 61. The sterilization unit 69 is divided into two, and five SPG pipes 1 are attached inside each. Further, as described above, thermocouples 80a and 80b are attached to the sterilization unit 69 in order to measure the internal temperature. Details of the sterilization unit 69 will be described later. The electromagnetic valve 63 in the electromagnetic valve chamber 64 and the sterilization unit 69 are connected by air supply pipes 67 and 68. The solenoid valve 63 is switched according to the setting of the SPG number changeover switch 39, and outputs the air sent from the air feed pipe 62 only to the air feed pipe 67 or the air sent from the air feed pipe 62. And output to the air supply pipe 68.

  In addition, an exhaust duct 70 is connected to the downstream side of the sterilization unit 69, passes through the side part of the sterilization unit 69, bends upward at the side part of the support plate 67, and horizontally at the upper part of the support plate 67. Is bent. An exhaust chamber 73 is attached to the end of the exhaust duct 70. Inside the exhaust chamber 70, a sirocco fan 71 (not shown) and an exhaust temperature sensor 92 (not shown) for detecting the exhaust temperature of the sirocco fan 71 are attached. Air purified by the sterilization unit 69 is discharged from an exhaust port 72 provided on the upper surface.

  Next, the configuration of the sterilization unit 69 will be described. FIG. 4 is a perspective perspective view showing the configuration of the sterilization unit according to the first embodiment. The sterilization unit 69 includes pre-sterilization chambers 81 and 82, sterilization chambers 83 and 84, and a post-sterilization chamber 85. The pre-sterilization chamber 81 is connected to the sterilization chamber 83. The pre-sterilization chamber 82 is connected to the sterilization chamber 84. Further, the sterilization chamber 83 and the sterilization chamber 84 are connected to the post-sterilization chamber 85. Each of the chambers 81 to 85 is connected so that air does not leak at the connecting portion. Further, the pre-sterilization chamber 81 and the pre-sterilization chamber 82, and the sterilization chamber 83 and the sterilization chamber 84 have the same configuration so that only one type of replacement part is required for the sterilization unit 69. In FIG. 4, the terminal for heating the SPG pipe 1 is not shown. However, as described with reference to FIG. 1C, electrode terminals are provided at both ends 1 a and 1 b of the SPG pipe 1. 5 is provided, and each electrode terminal 5 is connected to the control circuit 75 by a cable (not shown).

A vent hole 81b having substantially the same diameter as the air supply pipe 67 is formed at the center of one surface 81a of the pre-sterilization chamber 81, and the air supply pipe 67 is connected to the vent hole 81b. A packing process or a sealing process is performed between the vent 81 b and the air supply pipe 67 so that air does not flow out. Surface 81c facing the surface 81a of the sterilization front chamber 81
(One surface 83 a of the sterilization chamber 83) is attached with one open end 1 a of the five SPG pipes 1 penetrating therethrough, and the air in the pre-sterilization chamber 81 flows into each SPG pipe 1. It is configured as follows. A surface 83b (one surface 85a of the post-sterilization chamber 85) facing the surface 83a of the sterilization chamber 83 is attached in a state where the other open end 1b of the five SPG pipes 1 penetrates, and each SPG pipe The open end 1b of 1 is sealed with a stopper 1c to prevent the outflow of air. Further, packing processing or sealing processing is performed between each SPG pipe 1 and the surface 83a and between each SPG pipe 1 and the surface 83b so that air does not leak. Further, a hole 83 c is formed in the surface 83 b of the sterilization chamber 83. Further, a thermocouple 80a is attached to the upper surface 83d of the sterilization chamber 83, and the temperature of each SPG pipe 1 provided in the sterilization chamber 83 or the temperature around it is measured. The cable connected to the thermocouple 80a is connected to the control circuit 75.

A vent hole 82b having substantially the same diameter as the air supply pipe 68 is formed in the central portion of one surface 82a of the pre-sterilization chamber 82, and the air supply pipe 68 is connected to the vent hole 82b. Packing processing or sealing processing is performed between the vent 82b and the air supply pipe 68 so that air does not flow out. Surface 82c facing the surface 82a of the pre-sterilization chamber 82
(One surface 84 a of the sterilization chamber 84) is attached with one open end 1 a of the five SPG pipes 1 penetrating therethrough, and the air in the pre-sterilization chamber 82 flows into each SPG pipe 1. It is configured as follows. On the surface 84b (one surface 85a of the post-sterilization chamber 85) facing the surface 84a of the sterilization chamber 84, the other open ends 1b of the five SPG pipes 1 are attached in a penetrating manner. A plug 1c is attached to the open end 1b of 1 in order to prevent the outflow of air. The surroundings of the SPG pipe 1 are subjected to packing processing or sealing processing so that air does not leak on both the surface 84a side and the surface 84b side. A hole 84c is formed in the surface 84b of the sterilization chamber 84. Further, a thermocouple 80b is attached to the upper surface 84d of the sterilization chamber 84, and the temperature around each SPG pipe 1 inside the sterilization chamber 84 is measured. The cable connected to the thermocouple 80b is connected to the control circuit 75.

  A vent hole 85c having a predetermined diameter is formed in the central portion of the surface 85b facing the surface 85a of the post-sterilization chamber 85, and the exhaust duct 70 is connected to the vent hole 85c. A packing process or a sealing process is performed between the vent 85c and the exhaust duct 70 so that air does not flow out.

  The sterilization unit 69 is detachable with respect to the main body 12 of the air purification device 11, and each SPG pipe 1 in the sterilization chambers 83 and 84 is detachable, and the SPG pipe 1 is clogged or deteriorated. If you do, you can replace it.

  Here, the air purification device 11 includes an air compressor 61 that sucks and pressurizes outside air and an exhaust sirocco fan 71 that exhausts (intakes) the air that has passed through the sterilization unit 69, but only one of them. The structure provided with may be sufficient. Further, as described above, the sterilization unit 69 causes the air in the pre-sterilization chamber 82 that has flowed into each SPG pipe 1 to pass from the inside to the outside of the pipe wall 2 and is discharged from the sterilization chambers 83 and 84 to the post-sterilization chamber 85. However, the present invention is not limited to this form. That is, the air may be configured to pass from the outside to the inside of the pipe wall 2 of each SPG pipe 1 according to the presence or absence of the air pressurizing means such as the air compressor 61 or the exhaust sirocco fan 71 and the configuration thereof. For example, the air pressurizing means may be configured to suck air from the open end of the SPG pipe 1. By comprising in this way, the freedom degree of design of the air purification apparatus 11 can be made high.

  Next, the circuit configuration of the air purification device 11 will be described. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of the air purification device. The control circuit 75 and the power supply circuit 74 of the air purification device 11 include an amplifier 101, an amplifier 102, an amplifier and cold spot compensation circuit 103, a reset IC 104, an LED 105, a buzzer 106, a communication circuit 107, a fan driver 108, a photocoupler 109, and a triac. 110, a photocoupler 111, a triac 112, a photocoupler 113, and a CPU 113 are provided.

  The amplifier 101 amplifies the signal output from the temperature sensor 91 for the compressor 61 and outputs the amplified signal to the CPU 113. The amplifier 102 amplifies the signal output from the exhaust temperature sensor 92 provided in the exhaust chamber 73 and outputs it to the CPU 113. The amplifier and cold spot compensation circuit 103 amplifies signals output from the thermocouple 80 a that measures the internal temperature of the sterilization chamber 83 and the thermocouple 80 b that measures the internal temperature of the sterilization chamber 84, and outputs the amplified signal to the CPU 113. The amplifier and cold spot compensation circuit 103 performs cold spot compensation of the thermocouples 80a and 80b. The reset IC 104 resets the CPU 113. The LED 105 is lit while the control circuit 75 is operating. The buzzer 106 emits sound when activated, operated, and when an abnormality occurs. The communication circuit 107 communicates with a device connected to the signal output connector 44. The fan driver 108 controls the rotational speed of the sirocco fan 71. The photocoupler 109 transmits a control signal from the CPU 113 to the triac 110. The triac 110 energizes the SPG heater 3. The photocoupler 111 transmits a control signal from the CPU 113 to the triac 112. The triac 112 drives the compressor 61. The photocoupler 113 transmits a control signal from the CPU 113 to the electromagnetic valve 62. The CPU 113 controls each part of the control circuit 75.

Next, the display content of the LCD display part provided in the air purification apparatus 11 is demonstrated . FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a display example of the display unit. As shown in FIG. 6A, the LCD display unit 42 displays a current display mode 121 for displaying the current operation mode and the content of the abnormality, an air volume display area 122 for displaying the air volume of the fan, and the heating state of the heater. A heater heating state display area 123 for displaying, a set temperature display area 124 for displaying the set temperature of the SPG heater 3, and a current temperature display area 125 for displaying the current temperature of the SPG pipe 1 are provided.

  As shown in FIG. 6A, the CPU 113 displays a display indicating that it is operating normally, the air volume set by the exhaust air volume setting switch 35, and the SPG heater 3 when each unit is operating normally. The heating state, the temperature set by the temperature setting switch 36, and the current temperature in the sterilization chamber 83, 84 are displayed on the LCD display unit 42.

  When the CPU 113 detects that the user has set the cleaning mode by operating the exhaust air amount setting switch 35, as shown in FIG. 6B, the CPU 113 displays that the cleaning mode has been set, and the cleaning mode. The set temperature (400 ° C.) at this time and the current temperature in the sterilization chamber 83, 84 are displayed on the LCD display unit 42. In the cleaning mode, since the compressor 61 and the sirocco fan 71 are stopped, the air volume set by the exhaust air volume setting switch 35 is not displayed.

When an abnormality occurs in the air purification device 11, the CPU 113 generates a warning sound from the buzzer 106 to stop the operation of each unit and displays the contents described below on the LCD display unit 42. For example, when the thermocouples 80a and 80b for measuring the temperatures in the sterilization chambers 83 and 84 are disconnected, the CPU 113 indicates that one of the thermocouples 80a and 80b is disconnected as shown in FIG. , The temperature set by the temperature setting switch 36, and the current temperature (abnormal display) in the sterilization chamber 83, 84 are displayed on the LCD display unit 42. In addition, when the photocoupler 109 or the triac 110 that is a circuit for energizing the SPG heater 3 fails, the CPU 113 has a circuit for energizing the SPG heater 3 as shown in FIG. A display indicating failure, the temperature set by the temperature setting switch 36, and the current temperature (abnormal display) in the sterilization chamber 83, 84 are displayed on the LCD display unit 42. Further, when the CPU 113 detects that the compressor 61 is overheated due to filter clogging or the like by a signal from the compressor temperature sensor 91, the CPU 113 displays that the compressor 61 is overheated , the temperature set by the temperature setting switch 36, The current temperature in the sterilization chambers 83 and 84 is displayed on the LCD display unit 42. Further, CPU 113, when detecting that the sirocco fan 71 is overheated by the signal from the exhaust temperature sensor 92, indication that the sirocco fan 71 is overheated, the temperature was set at a temperature setting switch 36, and the current The temperature in the sterilization chambers 83 and 84 is displayed on the LCD display unit 42.

  Next, the operation of the air purification device 11 will be described. When the user turns on the power switch 46, the air purification device 11 starts operating, and the CPU 113 generates a startup sound from the buzzer 106 and displays the state of the device on the LCD display unit 42. During normal operation, the CPU 113 causes the display as shown in FIG. 6A to be displayed on the LCD display unit 42 and outputs a signal to the photocoupler 111 and the fan driver 108 based on the set value of the exhaust air volume setting switch 35. Then, the compressor 61 and the sirocco fan 71 are driven. Further, the CPU 113 outputs a signal to the photocoupler 109 based on the setting value of the temperature setting switch 36 and the setting of the SPG number changeover switch 35 to heat the five SPG pipes 1 in the sterilization chamber 83, or Ten SPG pipes 1 in the sterilization chamber 83 and the sterilization chamber 84 are heated.

  When the compressor 61 and the sirocco fan 71 start driving, the air sucked from the intake ports 31 and 32 is pressurized by the compressor 61 when the SPG number change switch 35 is set to five, and the air supply pipe 62, It is fed into the pre-sterilization chamber 81 of the sterilization unit 69 through the electromagnetic valve 63 and the air supply pipe 67. When the SPG number changeover switch 35 is set to 10, the air pressurized by the compressor 61 is sterilized via the air supply pipe 62, the electromagnetic valve 63, and the air supply pipe 68 in addition to the pre-sterilization chamber 81. It is also sent to the sterilization chamber 82 of the unit 69.

  The air sent into the pre-sterilization chamber 81 is further sent into the five SPG pipes 1 provided in the sterilization chamber 83 and passes through the pipe wall 2 of each SPG pipe 1. And it is discharged | emitted from the sterilization chamber 83 to the post-sterilization chamber 85 through the hole 83c. The air sent into the pre-sterilization chamber 82 is further sent to five SPG pipes 1 provided in the sterilization chamber 84, passes through the pipe wall 2 of each SPG pipe 1, and passes through the sterilization chamber 84 through the holes 84c. And then discharged into the post-sterilization chamber 85. At this time, bacteria, viruses, spores, etc. in the air are trapped in a plurality of through-holes formed in the pipe wall 2 and are heated by the SPG heater 3 to die.

  The purified air accumulated in the post-sterilization chamber 85 is sent to the exhaust chamber 73 through the exhaust duct 70 and is forced by the sirocco fan 71 from the exhaust port 72 of the exhaust chamber 73 and the exhaust port 37 of the cover 13. Discharged.

  When the CPU 113 detects that the exhaust air volume setting switch 35 is operated by the user, the CPU 113 outputs an operation sound to the buzzer 106 and controls the fan driver 108 and the photocoupler 111 based on the set value of the exhaust air volume setting switch 35. Is output to control the compressor 61 and the rotation amount of the sirocco fan 71.

  When the CPU 113 detects that the temperature setting switch 36 is operated by the user, the CPU 113 outputs an operation sound to the buzzer 106 and outputs a control signal to the photocoupler 109 based on the set value of the temperature setting switch 36. While the temperature of the sterilization chambers 83 and 84 is detected by the thermocouples 80a and 80b, the current passed through the SPG heater 3 is adjusted to control the temperature of the sterilization chambers 83 and 84.

  Further, when the user switches the setting of the exhaust air volume setting switch 35 to set the cleaning mode, the CPU 113 outputs an operation sound to the buzzer 106 and outputs a control signal to the fan driver 108 and the photocoupler 111. Without stopping, the compressor 61 and the sirocco fan 71 are stopped. Further, the CPU 113 outputs a control signal to the photocoupler 109 to control the amount of heat generated by the SPG heater 3 to heat the temperature in the sterilization chambers 83 and 84 to about 400 ° C. When a certain time elapses, the photocoupler The control signal output to 109 is stopped. In this case, as described above, dead bodies such as bacteria, viruses, and spores accumulated in the plurality of through pores formed in the pipe wall 2 of the SPG pipe 1 and dust are vaporized by heating. It can be discharged from within.

  As described above, the air purification apparatus 11 of the present invention captures suspended matter such as bacteria, viruses, and spores in the air by sucking and pressurizing outside air with the compressor 61 and forcibly passing the SPG pipe 1. At the same time, the nickel alloy film 3 is energized to heat and heat the entire SPG pipe 1 to a predetermined temperature to kill the trapped suspended matter, so that the air (outside air) can be reliably cleaned. Therefore, by using this air purification device 11 in hospitals, public facilities, etc., it is possible to prevent the spread of pathogenic bacteria and molds contained in the indoor air.

[Second Embodiment]
7A and 7B are a schematic view and a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a heating type air filter according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7A is a schematic view of an SPG pipe, and FIG. 7B is a cross-sectional view of the SPG pipe. is there. The SPG pipe 201 which is a heating type air filter is configured as described below, so that the same operations and effects as the SPG pipe 1 which is the heating type air filter described in the first embodiment can be obtained. Details will be described below. In the following description, parts different from the first embodiment will be mainly described.

  An SPG pipe 201 shown in FIG. 7A has the same shape as that of the first embodiment, has a diameter of 10 mm, a length of 250 mm, and a wall thickness of 1 mm. The pipe wall 202 is shown in FIG. 1 of Japanese Patent Publication No. 63-66777. As shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of through-pores that are substantially controlled to have a specific pore diameter of 10 μm to 20 μm are formed. Further, as shown in FIG. 7B, inside the SPG pipe 1, as an example, a nichrome wire 203 having a wire diameter of 0.6 mm formed in a coil shape is interposed between both ends of the SPG pipe 201. It is installed at a predetermined interval so as not to touch the inner wall.

  As is well known, the nichrome wire 203 is a metal heating element, and when a predetermined voltage is applied between both ends thereof, a current flows to generate heat. Further, since the resistance value per unit length of the nichrome wire 203 is substantially uniform, the entire SPG pipe 1 can be heated to a substantially uniform temperature, and the air in the through pores formed in the pipe wall 202 can be heated. It can be heated to about the same temperature as the pipe wall 202. Furthermore, since the resistance value of the nichrome wire 203 can be changed by changing the length or the wire diameter, it is easy to change the amount of heat generation according to the size of the SPG pipe 1. In addition, the nichrome wire 203 has stable characteristics and does not deteriorate even when used for a long period of time, so that the maintainability can be improved. Moreover, since it is not necessary to perform the plating process on the surface of the pipe wall as in the first embodiment, the manufacturing process of the SPG pipe 201 can be simplified.

  Here, as described above, the heat resistant temperature of the SPG film is about 450 ° C., and if this temperature is exceeded, the strength is reduced and melting occurs and is damaged. Therefore, when the nichrome wire 203 is energized, the temperature of the nichrome wire 203 and the SPG pipe 1 or its surrounding temperature is measured with a temperature sensor so as not to exceed the heat resistance temperature of the SPG film. The value of the current passed through 203 is controlled.

  As described above, the SPG pipe 201 has a porous structure in which a plurality of through-holes having a specific pore diameter of 10 μm to 20 μm are formed, and a plurality of tubular paths winding like a maze are formed inside. . Therefore, as with the SPG pipe 1, when air is passed through the pipe wall 202 of the porous glass membrane, bacteria, viruses, spores, etc. in the air collide with the wall surface in the through-hole regardless of the air flow rate. Since it adheres, it can be used as a filter that captures these suspended matters. Further, as described above, the nichrome wire 203 is provided inside the SPG pipe 201, and the entire SPG pipe 201 is heated by energizing the nichrome wire 203.・ Can be killed by applying high temperature to spores.

  In this embodiment, the through-hole diameter of the SPG pipe 201 is 10 μm to 20 μm. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the porosity is controlled almost uniformly to a specific pore diameter of 100 nm to 20 μm. A glassy glass film may be used.

  In addition, dead bodies such as bacteria, viruses, and spores captured in the SPG pipe 201, dust, and the like are sublimated and vaporized by heating the SPG pipe 201 at a high temperature (for example, at about 400 ° C.) for a while to pass through pores. Can be removed. In addition, when a part of a carcass or metal dust remains on the wall surface of the through-hole of the pipe wall 202 even if the SPG pipe 201 is heated at a high temperature (for example, at about 400 ° C.) for a while, the air purification ability is reduced. The SPG pipe 201 can be detachably attached to the air purification device, so that it can be exchanged at a predetermined timing.

  Next, the case where the SPG pipe 201 which is a heating type air filter is applied to the air purification device 11 will be described. FIG. 8 is a perspective perspective view showing the configuration of the sterilization unit according to the second embodiment. In the air purification device 11, by installing the SPG pipe 201 in place of the SPG pipe 1 of the sterilization unit 69 shown in FIG. 4, the same effect as when the SPG pipe 1 is provided can be obtained. As shown in FIG. 8, when the SPG pipe 201 is attached to the sterilization unit 69, five SPG pipes 201 are provided in the sterilization chambers 83 and 84, respectively. And it is configured such that the air in the pre-sterilization chamber 81 flows into each SPG pipe 201 with one open end 201a of each SPG pipe 201 penetrating. Moreover, it attaches to the one surface 85a of the post-sterilization chamber 85 in the state which penetrated the other opening end 201b in each SPG pipe 201, and the opening end 201b of each SPG pipe 201 is plugged in order to prevent the outflow of air. Sealed with 201c. At this time, the nichrome wire 203 provided inside the SPG pipe 201 is held by a holding mechanism (not shown) so as not to touch the pipe wall 202, and a cable (not shown) is connected to both ends 203a and 203b of the nichrome wire 203, The cable is connected to the control circuit 75.

  Since the nichrome wires 203 of the SPG pipes 201 provided in the sterilization chambers 83 and 84 have substantially uniform resistance values per unit length as described above, the nichrome wires 203 of the five SPG pipes 201 are connected in series. Alternatively, the five nichrome wires 203 may be connected in parallel, and in any case, the temperature control of the SPG pipe 201 can be stably performed.

  Also in the air purification device 11 according to the second embodiment, air passes from the outside to the inside of the pipe wall 2 of each SPG pipe 1 according to the configuration of the air pressurizing means, etc., as in the first embodiment. Can be configured to.

  Thus, when the sterilization unit 69 provided with the SPG pipe 201 is used in the air purification device 11, the air purification device 11 sucks and pressurizes the outside air with the compressor 61 and forcibly passes through the SPG pipe 1. Let the trapped suspended matter such as bacteria, viruses and spores in the air, and energize the nichrome wire 203 to heat the entire SPG pipe 1 to a predetermined temperature from the heat, kill the captured suspended matter, As in the case where the SPG pipe 1 is provided in the sterilization unit 69, the air (outside air) can be reliably cleaned. Therefore, by using this air purification device 11 in hospitals, public facilities, etc., it is possible to prevent the spread of pathogenic bacteria and molds contained in the indoor air.

It is the general-view figure and sectional drawing which show schematic structure of the heating type air filter which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is the external appearance perspective view which showed schematic structure of the air purification apparatus. It is the external appearance perspective view which showed schematic structure of the main body of an air purification apparatus. It is a perspective perspective view which shows the structure of the sterilization unit which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is the block diagram which showed the circuit structure of the air purification apparatus. It is the figure which showed the example of a display of a LCD display part. It is the general | schematic figure and sectional drawing which show schematic structure of the heating type air filter which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective perspective view which shows the structure of the sterilization unit which concerns on 2nd Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

1-SPG pipe, 2-pipe wall (porous glass membrane),
3-nickel alloy film (metal heating element), 11-air purification device, 12-main body,
13-cover, 31, 32-inlet, 35-exhaust air volume setting switch,
36-temperature setting switch, 39-SPG pipe number switching switch,
40-power switch, 69-sterilization unit

Claims (4)

A porous glass film having a porous structure controlled almost uniformly to a specific pore size, molded to a predetermined thickness, and plated with a metal heating element on the surface;
A conductive material wound around both ends of the porous glass membrane;
An electrode terminal attached from above the conductive material;
Power supply means for energizing the metal heating element through the electrode terminal and the conductive material;
An air pressurizing means that pressurizes or sucks outside air and passes it through the porous glass membrane;
Detecting means for detecting overheating of the air pressurizing means;
Reporting means for reporting overheating of the air pressurizing means;
A temperature measuring means for measuring the temperature of the porous glass membrane;
A setting means for accepting a setting operation;
When the setting means accepts a cleaning mode setting operation, the air pressurizing means is stopped, and the power supply means controls the current supplied to the metal heating element to bring the porous glass film to a specific temperature. Control means to change;
Air purification device with A porous glass membrane having a porous structure controlled almost uniformly to a specific pore diameter, molded into a pipe shape of a predetermined thickness, and sealed at one end;
Inside the pipe-shaped porous glass film, a coiled metal heating element provided between both ends,
Power supply means for energizing the metal heating element;
An air pressurizing means that pressurizes or sucks outside air and passes it through the porous glass membrane;
Detecting means for detecting overheating of the air pressurizing means;
Reporting means for reporting overheating of the air pressurizing means;
A temperature measuring means for measuring the temperature of the porous glass membrane;
A setting means for accepting a setting operation;
When the setting means accepts a cleaning mode setting operation, the air pressurizing means is stopped, and the power supply means controls the current supplied to the metal heating element to bring the porous glass film to a specific temperature. Control means to change;
Air purification device with The porous glass film has a pipe shape with one end sealed;
The said air pressurization means sends in external air from the other edge part in the said pipe-shaped porous glass film, and lets external air pass from the inner wall side of the said pipe-shaped porous glass film to the outer wall side. The air purification apparatus as described in. The porous glass film has a pipe shape with one end sealed;
The air purification device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the air pressurizing means allows outside air to pass from the outer wall side to the inner wall side of the pipe-shaped porous glass film.

Images