U.S. patent application number 14/821223 was filed with the patent office on 2015-12-03 for air cleaning apparatus and health examination system using the same.
The applicant listed for this patent is Atsuo NOZAKI. Invention is credited to Atsuo NOZAKI.
Application Number | 20150343245 14/821223 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43969999 |
Filed Date | 2015-12-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150343245 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
NOZAKI; Atsuo |
December 3, 2015 |
AIR CLEANING APPARATUS AND HEALTH EXAMINATION SYSTEM USING THE
SAME
Abstract
The cleaning filter includes a gas trapping member (6) and a
particle trapping member (5). The gas trapping member (6) or the
particle trapping member (5) includes: a trapping material (7) for
trapping a predetermined contaminant in the air; and a trapping
material holding member (8) for holding the trapping material (7)
so as to be opposed to the air flow passage (3) with an air
permeability ensured. The trapping material holding member (8) is
subjected to, when removed from a cleaning apparatus main body (2),
a regeneration process for regenerating trapping performance of the
trapping material (7) for the predetermined contaminant under a
state in which the trapping material holding member (8) holds the
trapping material (7).
Inventors: |
NOZAKI; Atsuo;
(Koriyama-shi, JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
NOZAKI; Atsuo |
Koriyama-shi |
|
JP |
|
|
Family ID: |
43969999 |
Appl. No.: |
14/821223 |
Filed: |
August 7, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
13505957 |
May 3, 2012 |
|
|
|
PCT/JP2010/069634 |
Nov 4, 2010 |
|
|
|
14821223 |
|
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
96/146 ;
128/205.12; 128/206.12; 128/206.15; 4/209R |
Current CPC
Class: |
B01J 20/3416 20130101;
A62B 7/10 20130101; A62B 18/084 20130101; B01D 2253/108 20130101;
A61L 2209/14 20130101; A62B 18/006 20130101; B01D 2259/40096
20130101; B01D 2258/06 20130101; B01D 2259/4508 20130101; A62B
23/025 20130101; F24F 3/16 20130101; A62B 18/02 20130101; E03D
9/052 20130101; B01J 20/3483 20130101; A62B 18/10 20130101; B01D
2253/102 20130101; B01D 53/0415 20130101; B01D 53/0462 20130101;
A62B 9/02 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A62B 23/02 20060101
A62B023/02; A62B 7/10 20060101 A62B007/10; A62B 9/02 20060101
A62B009/02; E03D 9/052 20060101 E03D009/052; A62B 18/08 20060101
A62B018/08; A62B 18/10 20060101 A62B018/10; A62B 18/00 20060101
A62B018/00; B01D 53/04 20060101 B01D053/04; A62B 18/02 20060101
A62B018/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Nov 4, 2009 |
JP |
2009-252542 |
Dec 4, 2009 |
JP |
2009-276092 |
Claims
1. An air cleaning apparatus, comprising: an air cleaning apparatus
main body having an air flow passage; a cleaning filter, which is
disposed in the air flow passage of the air cleaning apparatus main
body, for cleaning an air passing through the air flow passage; and
a health examination device, which is disposed in the air flow
passage of the air cleaning apparatus main body, for trapping one
of gaseous factor substances and particulate factor substances
emitted one of directly and indirectly from a health examination
subject so that the one of the gaseous factor substances and the
particulate factor substances are used for health examination.
2. An air cleaning apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
health examination device is removably disposed in the air flow
passage.
3. An air cleaning apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the air
cleaning apparatus main body is disposed to communicate to a toilet
unit on which the health examination subject is to be seated, and
wherein the health examination device is disposed in a part of the
air flow passage of the air cleaning apparatus main body, which is
located on an upstream side of the cleaning filter in an air
flowing direction, for trapping the gaseous factor substances
emitted from excretion of the health examination subject.
4. An air cleaning apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the
health examination device comprises a plurality of health
examination devices for a plurality of health examination subjects,
the plurality of health examination devices being selectively
switchable via a switching element.
5. An air cleaning apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the
health examination device comprises a sensor disposed in the air
flow passage of the air cleaning apparatus, the sensor being
capable of continuously collecting information including
information of the gaseous factor substances emitted from the
excretion of the health examination subject.
6. An air cleaning apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the air
cleaning apparatus is configured as a mask, wherein the air
cleaning apparatus comprises: a mask main body as the air cleaning
apparatus main body; an attaching fixture for attaching the mask
main body to the health examination subject; an inspiration filter
as the cleaning filter, which is disposed on the mask main body in
a vicinity of a nostril, for cleaning an inspired air; and an
expiration filter, which is disposed on the mask main body in a
vicinity of a mouth, for cleaning and releasing an expired air, and
wherein the expiration filter comprises a collecting filter capable
of collecting factor substances contained in the expired air, the
collecting filter being removably disposed on the mask main body so
that the collecting filter is used as the health examination
device.
7. An air cleaning apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the
expiration filter comprises: the collecting filter provided on an
outside air side of the mask main body; and a check valve provided
on an inner side of the collecting filter, for preventing an
outside air from entering the air cleaning apparatus.
8. An air cleaning apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the
inspiration filter comprises an inspiration fan capable of sucking
an air into an inspiration path in an inspiration direction of the
air.
9. A health examination system, comprising: the air cleaning
apparatus of claim 1; and an analysis device for analyzing, with
use of the health examination device of the air cleaning apparatus,
factor substances trapped by the health examination device.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a Continuation of co-pending application
Ser. No. 13/505,957 filed on May 3, 2012, which is a National Phase
of PCT International Application No. PCT/JP2010/069634 filed on
Nov. 4, 2010, which claims priority under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.119(a) to
Patent Application No. 2009-252542 filed in Japan on Nov. 4, 2009
and Patent Application No. 2009-276092 filed in Japan on Dec. 4,
2009. All of the above applications are hereby expressly
incorporated by reference into the present application.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates to a cleaning filter to be
used in an air cleaning apparatus, and an air cleaning apparatus
and air cleaning maintenance system using the cleaning filter.
BACKGROUND ART
[0003] Conventionally, as this type of air cleaning apparatus,
there has been known a technology for facilitating mounting/removal
of a filter unit with respect to a main body of the air cleaning
apparatus in order to enable the filter unit to be removed and
cleaned (refer to, for example, Patent Literature 1).
CITATION LIST
Patent Literature
[0004] PTL 1: JP 2006-22977 A (Best Mode for carrying out the
Invention, FIG. 1)
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
Technical Problem
[0005] The present invention provides a cleaning filter, and an air
cleaning apparatus and air cleaning maintenance system using the
cleaning filter, which are capable of trapping gaseous contaminants
(odor/chemical substances) and particulate contaminants (dust,
microbial particles, allergenic particles, and the like), and of
regenerating or recovering trapping performance for predetermined
contaminants.
Means for Solving the Problems
[0006] First aspect of the invention according to item 1 is a
cleaning filter, which is disposed in an air flow passage of a
cleaning apparatus main body of an air cleaning apparatus, for
cleaning an air passing through the air flow passage, the cleaning
filter including: a gas trapping member for trapping a gaseous
contaminant; and a particle trapping member for trapping a
particulate contaminant, in which at least one of the gas trapping
member and the particle trapping member comprises: a trapping
material for trapping a predetermined contaminant in the air; and a
trapping material holding member, which is removably mounted on the
cleaning apparatus main body, for holding the trapping material so
as to be opposed to the air flow passage with an air permeability
ensured, and in which the trapping material holding member is
subjected to, when removed from the cleaning apparatus main body, a
regeneration process for regenerating trapping performance of the
trapping material for the predetermined contaminant under a state
in which the trapping material holding member holds the trapping
material.
[0007] Second aspect of the invention according to item 2 is a
cleaning filter according to item 1, in which the trapping material
holding member has a heat resistance, and in which the trapping
material having a heat resistance is regenerated by the
regeneration process including a thermal desorption process.
[0008] Third aspect of the invention according to item 3 is a
cleaning filter according to item 1 or 2, in which the trapping
material holding member has a heat resistance, and in which the
trapping material held by the trapping material holding member is
eliminated by the regeneration process including a thermal
desorption process.
[0009] Fourth aspect of the invention according to item 4 is a
cleaning filter according to any one of items 1 to 3, in which the
trapping material holding member includes: an outer holding frame
having an air permeability; and a plurality of baffle plates
contained in the outer holding frame, in which a solid trapping
material is filled to be distributed with an air permeability
ensured.
[0010] Fifth aspect of the invention according to item 5 is a
cleaning filter according to item 2 or 3, in which the trapping
material holding member of the particle trapping member comprises a
plurality of mesh layers each having a different air permeability
and made of a material having a heat resistance, the plurality of
mesh layers holding an additive as the trapping material.
[0011] Sixth aspect of the invention according to item 6 is a
cleaning filter according to any one of items 1 to 5, in which the
trapping material holding member of the gas trapping member holds
the trapping material for trapping a predetermined gaseous
contaminant, and further holds a catalyst particle capable of
decomposing the predetermined gaseous contaminant, the catalyst
particle being provided upstream of the trapping material in an air
flowing direction.
[0012] Seventh aspect of the invention according to item 7 is a
cleaning filter, which is disposed in an air flow passage of a
cleaning apparatus main body of an air cleaning apparatus, for
cleaning an air passing through the air flow passage, the cleaning
filter including: a gas trapping member for trapping a gaseous
contaminant; and a particle trapping member for trapping a
particulate contaminant, in which at least one of the gas trapping
member and the particle trapping member includes: a trapping
material for trapping a predetermined contaminant in the air; a
trapping material holding member for holding the trapping material
so as to be opposed to the air flow passage with an air
permeability ensured; and a trapping material supply device for
supplying the trapping material to the trapping material holding
member so as to recover trapping performance of the trapping
material for the predetermined contaminant.
[0013] Eighth aspect of the invention according to item 8 is a
cleaning filter according to item 7, in which the trapping material
holding member is removably mounted on the cleaning apparatus main
body, and is subjected to, when removed from the cleaning apparatus
main body, a regeneration process for regenerating the trapping
performance of the trapping material for the predetermined
contaminant under a state in which the trapping material holding
member holds the trapping material.
[0014] Ninth aspect of the invention according to item 9 is a
cleaning filter according to item 7, in which the trapping material
holding member has a heat resistance, and is subjected to the
regeneration process including a thermal desorption process.
[0015] Tenth aspect of the invention according to item 10 is a
cleaning filter according to item 7, in which the trapping material
supply device selectively supplies the trapping material capable of
trapping a predetermined contaminant from among the gaseous
contaminant and the particulate contaminant.
[0016] Eleventh aspect of the invention according to item 11 is a
cleaning filter according to item 7, in which the trapping material
supply device comprises a spray tool capable of spraying a liquid
trapping material, and in which a spray condition of the spray tool
for the liquid trapping material is set so that the liquid trapping
material is sprayed in an entire holding region of a predetermined
trapping material with respect to the trapping material holding
member.
[0017] Twelfth aspect of the invention according to item 12 is a
cleaning filter according to item 7, in which the trapping material
supply device is removably mounted on the trapping material holding
member, the trapping material supply device being mounted on the
trapping material holding member when supplying the trapping
material, and being removed from the trapping material holding
member when not supplying the trapping material.
[0018] Thirteenth aspect of the invention according to item 13 is a
cleaning filter according to item 12, in which the cleaning filter
comprises a trapping material holding member having a holding
region of the trapping material which is formed into a rectangular
shape, and in which the trapping material supply device includes: a
spray tool capable of spraying a liquid trapping material; and a
spray region restricting member, which is disposed on the spray
tool or in a spray path of the liquid trapping material from the
spray tool, for restricting a spray region shape of the liquid
trapping material into a rectangular shape.
[0019] Fourteenth aspect of the invention according to item 14 is a
cleaning filter according to item 12, in which the trapping
material supply device includes: a spray tool capable of spraying a
plurality of kinds of liquid trapping materials; and a trapping
material storage container for separately storing the plurality of
kinds of liquid trapping materials.
[0020] Fifteenth aspect of the invention according to item 15 is an
air cleaning apparatus, including: a cleaning apparatus main body
in which an air flow passage is formed; and the cleaning filter
according to any one of items 1 to 14, the cleaning filter being
disposed in the air flow passage of the cleaning apparatus main
body.
[0021] Sixteenth aspect of the invention according to item 16 is an
air cleaning apparatus, including: a cleaning apparatus main body
in which an air flow passage is formed; and the cleaning filter
according to item 6, the cleaning filter being disposed in the air
flow passage of the cleaning apparatus main body, in which the
cleaning filter or the cleaning apparatus main body comprises
heating means capable of heating the catalyst particle.
[0022] Seventeenth aspect of the invention according to item 17 is
an air cleaning maintenance system, including: the air cleaning
apparatus according to item 15 or 16; and a filter regeneration
device for regenerating the cleaning filter removed from the air
cleaning apparatus, in which the regenerated cleaning filter is
reused.
Advantageous Effects of Invention
[0023] According to first aspect of the invention of item 1,
gaseous contaminants and particulate contaminants can be trapped,
and trapping performance for predetermined contaminants can be
regenerated.
[0024] According to second aspect of the invention of item 2, the
trapping material itself can be regenerated by the thermal
desorption process as the regeneration process.
[0025] According to third aspect of the invention of item 3, the
degraded trapping material held on the trapping material holding
member can be eliminated and the trapping material holding member
itself can be regenerated by the thermal desorption process as the
regeneration process.
[0026] According to fourth aspect of the invention of item 4, the
solid trapping material can be held on the trapping material
holding member without unevenness. With this, the air-flow
resistance can be decreased, and the contact resistance between
contaminants and the trapping material can be enhanced.
[0027] According to fifth aspect of the invention of item 5, the
filtration accuracy of particulate contaminants can be adjusted to
high level, and the trapping material can be eliminated and also
the trapped particulate contaminants can be incinerated by the
regeneration process including the thermal desorption process.
[0028] According to sixth aspect of the invention of item 6, by
devising the configuration of the gas trapping member, gaseous
contaminants can be effectively decomposed, and accordingly the
trapping amount of contaminants using the trapping material can be
decreased to the extent corresponding to the effective
decomposition.
[0029] According to seventh aspect of the invention of item 7,
gaseous contaminants and particulate contaminants can be trapped,
and the trapping performance for predetermined contaminants can be
recovered.
[0030] According to eighth aspect of the invention of item 8, the
trapping performance for predetermined contaminants can be
regenerated.
[0031] According to ninth aspect of the invention of item 9, the
trapping performance for predetermined contaminants can be
regenerated by the thermal desorption process.
[0032] According to tenth aspect of the invention of item 10,
predetermined contaminants can be reliably trapped by the
corresponding trapping material.
[0033] According to eleventh aspect of the invention of item 11,
comparing to a mode without the configuration provided in the
invention of item 11, the liquid trapping material can be
substantially evenly supplied to the trapping material holding
member.
[0034] According to twelfth aspect of the invention of item 12, the
trapping material can be simply supplied to an existing cleaning
filter.
[0035] According to thirteenth aspect of the invention of item 13,
comparing to a mode without the configuration provided in the
invention of item 13, the liquid trapping material can be
substantially evenly supplied without waste to the trapping
material holding member having the holding region of the trapping
material which is formed into a rectangular shape.
[0036] According to fourteenth aspect of the invention of item 14,
a plurality of kinds of liquid trapping materials can be simply
supplied to an existing cleaning filter.
[0037] According to fifteenth aspect of the invention of item 15,
there can be easily configured an air cleaning apparatus which can
trap gaseous contaminants and particulate contaminants, and
regenerate or recover the trapping performance for predetermined
contaminants.
[0038] According to sixteenth aspect of the invention of item 16,
gaseous contaminants can be more effectively decomposed, and
accordingly the trapping amount of contaminants using the trapping
material can be decreased to the extent corresponding to the
effective decomposition. Further, heat from the heating means can
be effectively used as a heating source for heating, for
example.
[0039] According to seventeenth aspect of the invention of item 17,
there can be easily configured an air cleaning maintenance system
which can trap gaseous contaminants and particulate contaminants,
and regenerate the trapping performance for predetermined
contaminants.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0040] FIG. 1A is an explanatory diagram illustrating an overview
of an embodiment of an air cleaning apparatus and an air cleaning
maintenance system to which the present invention is applied, and
FIG. 1B is an explanatory diagram illustrating an overview of
another embodiment of an air cleaning apparatus and an air cleaning
maintenance system to which the present invention is applied.
[0041] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an air
cleaning maintenance system according to a first embodiment of the
present invention.
[0042] FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram schematically illustrating
an overall configuration of an air cleaning apparatus used in the
first embodiment.
[0043] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating details of a
cleaning filter used in the first embodiment.
[0044] FIG. 5A is an explanatory diagram illustrating a
configuration example of a microorganism removal filter which is
one of the cleaning filters used in the first embodiment, FIG. 5B
is an explanatory cross-sectional view of the microorganism removal
filter, and FIG. 5C is an explanatory diagram illustrating another
configuration example of the microorganism removal filter.
[0045] FIG. 6A is an explanatory diagram illustrating an overall
configuration of a gas removal filter which is one of the cleaning
filters used in the first embodiment, FIG. 6B is an exploded
perspective view of the gas removal filter, and FIG. 6C is an
explanatory diagram illustrating a configuration example of a
baffle plate of FIG. 6B.
[0046] FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram illustrating details of a
thermal desorption device which is an example of a filter
regeneration device used in the first embodiment.
[0047] FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a relationship
between the thermal desorption device illustrated in FIG. 7 and
respective filters to be processed by the thermal desorption
device.
[0048] FIGS. 9A and 9B are explanatory diagrams respectively
illustrating different examples of a contaminant analysis device
used in the first embodiment.
[0049] FIG. 10A is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example
of a filter cleanliness inspection device used in the first
embodiment, FIG. 10B is an explanatory graph showing changes over
time of contaminant concentration of a filter to be inspected in an
inspection chamber, FIG. 10C is an explanatory diagram illustrating
a computational expression for calculating a generation quantity of
contaminants by the filter to be inspected, and FIG. 10D is an
explanatory diagram illustrating a table example for reference
values of generation quantities of predetermined contaminants.
[0050] FIG. 11A is an explanatory diagram illustrating a modified
mode of the gas removal filter used in the first embodiment, and
FIG. 11B is an explanatory diagram illustrating a function of the
gas removal filter according to the modified mode.
[0051] FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a main part
of an air cleaning apparatus according to a second embodiment of
the present invention.
[0052] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a main part
of an air cleaning apparatus according to a third embodiment of the
present invention.
[0053] FIGS. 14A and 14B are explanatory diagrams illustrating a
modified mode of an additive supply device used in the third
embodiment.
[0054] FIGS. 15A and 15B are explanatory diagrams illustrating
spray tools other than a nozzle of the additive supply device used
in the third embodiment.
[0055] FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a main part
of an air cleaning apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of
the present invention.
[0056] FIG. 17A is an explanatory diagram illustrating a main part
of an air cleaning apparatus according to a fifth embodiment of the
present invention, and FIG. 17B is an explanatory cross-sectional
view cut along the B-B line in FIG. 17A.
[0057] FIG. 18A is an explanatory diagram illustrating a main part
of an air cleaning apparatus according to a sixth embodiment of the
present invention, and FIG. 18B is an explanatory diagram
illustrating an overview of a separate-type additive supply device
for recovering performance of the cleaning filter used in this
embodiment.
[0058] FIG. 19A is an explanatory diagram illustrating a
configuration of the separate-type additive supply device used in
the sixth embodiment, and FIG. 19B is an explanatory
cross-sectional view cut along the B-B line in FIG. 19A.
[0059] FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a using
method of the separate-type additive supply device used in the
sixth embodiment.
[0060] FIGS. 21A and 21B are explanatory diagrams illustrating
modified modes of the separate-type additive supply device used in
the sixth embodiment.
[0061] FIG. 22A is an explanatory perspective view illustrating a
main part of an air cleaning apparatus according to a seventh
embodiment of the present invention, which is used for a toilet
unit, and FIG. 22B is an explanatory side view of the air cleaning
apparatus.
[0062] FIG. 23 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a main part
of an air cleaning apparatus according to an eighth embodiment of
the present invention, which is used for a toilet unit.
[0063] FIG. 24A is an explanatory diagram illustrating a selective
operation example of individual cartridges used in the eighth
embodiment, and FIG. 24B is an explanatory diagram illustrating an
example of a switching selection system for the individual
cartridges.
[0064] FIG. 25A is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example
of a post-process for a regeneration cartridge used in the eighth
embodiment, and FIG. 25B is an explanatory diagram illustrating an
example of a post-process for an individual cartridge used in the
eighth embodiment.
[0065] FIG. 26 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a main part
of a mask as an air cleaning apparatus according to a ninth
embodiment of the present invention.
[0066] FIG. 27A is an explanatory diagram illustrating a
configuration example of an inspiration filter used in the mask
according to the ninth embodiment, and FIG. 27B is an explanatory
diagram illustrating a configuration example of an expiration
filter used in the mask according to the ninth embodiment.
[0067] FIG. 28A is a graph showing a removal rate change of
formaldehyde as a gaseous contaminant when a spray experiment was
conducted for a chemical adsorbent using a cleaning filter
according to Example 1, and FIG. 28B is an explanatory diagram
illustrating a computational expression of the contaminant removal
rate of FIG. 28A.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
Overview of Embodiment
[0068] FIG. 1A is an explanatory diagram illustrating an overview
of an embodiment of an air cleaning apparatus to which the present
invention is applied.
[0069] In FIG. 1A, an air cleaning apparatus 1 includes a cleaning
apparatus main body 2 in which an air flow passage 3 is formed, and
a cleaning filter 4 disposed in the air flow passage 3 of this
cleaning apparatus main body 2.
[0070] In this embodiment, the cleaning filter 4, which is disposed
in the air flow passage 3 of the cleaning apparatus main body 2 of
the air cleaning apparatus 1, for cleaning an air passing through
the air flow passage 3, includes: a gas trapping member 6 for
trapping a gaseous contaminant; and a particle trapping member 5
for trapping a particulate contaminant. At least one of the gas
trapping member 6 and the particle trapping member 5 includes: a
trapping material 7 for trapping a predetermined contaminant in the
air; and a trapping material holding member 8, which is removably
mounted on the cleaning apparatus main body 2, for holding the
trapping material 7 so as to be opposed to the air flow passage 3
with an air permeability ensured. The trapping material holding
member 8 is subjected to, when removed from the cleaning apparatus
main body 2, a regeneration process for regenerating trapping
performance of the trapping material 7 for the predetermined
contaminant under a state in which the trapping material holding
member 8 holds the trapping material 7.
[0071] In such technical means, the gaseous contaminant refers to a
gaseous odor substance or a gaseous chemical substance.
[0072] As the particulate contaminant, microbial particles and
allergenic particles are mainly considered, but some other
substances, such as dust, are also included.
[0073] Here, the microbial particles refer to bacteria, fungi,
viruses, and the like, and the allergenic particles refer to
pollens, mites and their feces, and the like, but a microbial
particle may be an allergenic particle as well.
[0074] The cleaning filter 4 is supposed to include both the gas
trapping member 6 and the particle trapping member 5.
[0075] The trapping material 7 is not limited to a solid trapping
material, such as active carbon, zeolite, a fabric filter, and a
metal filter, but may include various liquid or powder
additives.
[0076] Here, the additives include chemical adsorbents or
impregnation agents for removing odor substances or chemical
substances, germicide for sterilizing microorganisms, antimicrobial
agents or microbiostatic agents for preventing the development,
growth, and proliferation of microorganisms, and also agents for
inactivating allergens with respect to the allergenic
particles.
[0077] The trapping material holding member 8 can be a frame-shaped
or container-shaped member for holding the solid trapping material
7 and the like, and can be suitably selected from metallic fibers,
non-woven fabrics, or combinations of metallic fibers and non-woven
fabrics, which are used for impregnating various additives or
holding various additives by impregnation, as long as the trapping
material holding member 8 can hold the trapping material 7.
[0078] The regeneration process includes a wide variety of
processes as long as the process can regenerate the trapping
performance of the trapping material 7, and a thermal desorption
process, a solvent cleaning, and a supercritical cleaning can be
taken as examples thereof.
[0079] Next, the following modes can be provided as the cleaning
filter 4 to which a thermal desorption process is applied as the
regeneration process.
[0080] As an example, there is provided a cleaning filter in which
the trapping material holding member 8 has a heat resistance, and
in which the trapping material 7 having a heat resistance is
regenerated by the regeneration process including a thermal
desorption process. This is a method of regenerating the trapping
material 7 by a thermal desorption process, in which gaseous
contaminants trapped in the trapping material 7 such as active
carbon are desorbed, or microbial particles or allergenic particles
trapped in the trapping material 7 such as metal filter are
incinerated.
[0081] As another example, there is provided a cleaning filter in
which the trapping material holding member 8 has a heat resistance,
and in which the trapping material 7 held by the trapping material
holding member 8 is eliminated by the regeneration process
including a thermal desorption process. This is a method of
recovering the trapping material holding member 8 itself to its
cleaned state by eliminating the degraded trapping material (mainly
additives) by a thermal desorption process.
[0082] As a representative mode of the trapping material holding
member 8, there is provided a trapping material holding member
including: an outer holding frame having an air permeability; and a
plurality of baffle plates contained in the outer holding frame, in
which the solid trapping material 7 is filled to be distributed
with an air permeability ensured. This mode is effective for
holding the solid trapping material 7. The baffle plate used here
may be formed so as to have a cross section of, for example,
trapezoidal waveform, which is provided with a large number of
holding hole portions of honeycomb structure, or, alternatively,
have a sine wave shape or a rectangular wave shape, which is
provided with circular or rectangular holding hole portions.
[0083] As another representative mode of the trapping material
holding member 8 of the particle trapping member 5, there is
provided a trapping material holding member including a plurality
of mesh layers each having a different air permeability and made of
a material having a heat resistance, the plurality of mesh layers
holding an additive as the trapping material 7. This is a particle
trapping member which is effective for a regeneration process
including a thermal desorption process. The plurality of mesh
layers each having a different air permeability may be made of
metal or non-woven fabrics.
[0084] As a preferred mode of the gas trapping member 6, there is
provided a gas trapping member in which the trapping material
holding member holds the trapping material 7 for trapping a
predetermined gaseous contaminant, and further holds a catalyst
particle capable of decomposing the predetermined gaseous
contaminant, the catalyst particle being provided upstream of the
trapping material 7 in an air flowing direction.
[0085] This mode is a method in which gaseous contaminants such as
aldehydes are decomposed by catalyst particles (platinum,
manganese, and the like). When gaseous contaminants are decomposed,
most of the gaseous contaminants are decomposed into water and
carbon dioxide which are harmless, but other decomposed products
may include some harmful substances. Even if decomposed produces
include some harmful substances, the harmful substances are trapped
by the trapping material 7 positioned downstream in the air flowing
direction so that there is substantially no fear of releasing the
harmful substances into an indoor space.
[0086] In the air cleaning apparatus including such a gas trapping
member 6, the cleaning filter 4 or the cleaning apparatus main body
2 preferably includes heating means capable heating the catalyst
particles.
[0087] This is a method in which a mode of holding the catalyst
particles in the cleaning filter 4 is used, and the heating means
is disposed on the cleaning filter 4 or the cleaning apparatus main
body 2 in the vicinity of the catalyst particles so as to heat the
catalyst particles.
[0088] In this mode, for many of the catalyst particles, a
decomposition reaction efficiently occurs under temperature higher
than room temperature (for example, 200.degree. C. or higher).
Then, when the heating means is disposed on the cleaning filter 4
in the vicinity of the catalyst particles, the decomposition
efficiency of the catalyst particles is increased due to the heat
of this heating means. This mode is preferred in that the generated
heat can be used as a heating source for heating in the air
cleaning apparatus 1.
[0089] FIG. 1B illustrates another example of an overview of the
embodiment of the air cleaning apparatus 1. In FIG. 1B, the air
cleaning apparatus 1 includes a cleaning filter 4 which is
different from that in FIG. 1A.
[0090] The cleaning filter 4, which is disposed in the air flow
passage 3 of the cleaning apparatus main body 2 of the air cleaning
apparatus 1, for cleaning an air passing through the air flow
passage 3, includes: a gas trapping member 6 for trapping a gaseous
contaminant; and a particle trapping member 5 for trapping a
particulate contaminant. At least one of the gas trapping member 6
and the particle trapping member 5 includes: a trapping material 7
(for example, 7a and 7b) for trapping a predetermined contaminant
in the air; a trapping material holding member 8 for holding the
trapping material so as to be opposed to the air flow passage with
an air permeability ensured; and a trapping material supply device
10 (for example, 10a and 10b) for supplying the trapping material 7
to the trapping material holding member 8 so as to recover trapping
performance of the trapping material 7 for the predetermined
contaminant.
[0091] In this mode, the cleaning filter 4 includes a cleaning
filter which is not subjected to the regeneration process.
[0092] The supply timing of the trapping material 7 is often
periodic, but can be aperiodic without any problems.
[0093] In this embodiment, as a representative mode of the trapping
material holding member 8, there is provided a trapping material
holding member, which is removably mounted on the cleaning
apparatus main body 2, and is subjected to, when removed from the
cleaning apparatus main body 2, a regeneration process for
regenerating the trapping performance of the trapping material 7
for the predetermined contaminant under a state in which the
trapping material holding member holds the trapping material 7.
This mode is preferred in that the lifetime of the cleaning filter
4 is further extended by the regeneration process.
[0094] In particular, as a mode in which the regeneration process
including the thermal desorption process is performed, it is only
necessary that the trapping material holding member 8 have a heat
resistance, and be subjected to the regeneration process including
a thermal desorption process.
[0095] As a representative mode of the trapping material supply
device 10, it is only necessary to selectively supply the trapping
material 7 capable of trapping a predetermined contaminant from
among the gaseous contaminant and the particulate contaminant.
[0096] Here, the word "selectively" not only means individually
supplying trapping materials for corresponding contaminants,
respectively, but also means supplying mixed trapping materials
which are selected corresponding to a plurality of predetermined
contaminants.
[0097] For example, when the description is made by taking the mode
illustrated in FIG. 1B as an example, in order to trap a specific
particulate contaminant by the particle trapping member 5, it is
only necessary to selectively supply the trapping material 7 (for
example, 7a), which can trap the specific particulate contaminant,
to the trapping material holding member 8 of the particle trapping
member 5. Moreover, in order to trap a specific gaseous contaminant
by the gas trapping member 6, it is only necessary to selectively
supply the trapping material 7 (for example, 7b), which can trap
the specific gaseous contaminant, to the gas trapping member 6. In
this case, as a configuration of the gas trapping member 6, the
trapping material holding member 8 may hold another trapping
material 7 (for example, 7c: active carbon and the like) different
from the trapping material 7 (for example, 7b) supplied from the
trapping material supply device 10 (for example, 10b).
[0098] As a preferred mode of the trapping material supply device
10, there is provided a trapping material supply device including a
spray tool capable of spraying a liquid trapping material 7. In
this mode, a spray condition of the spray tool for the liquid
trapping material 7 is set so that the liquid trapping material 7
is sprayed in an entire holding region of a predetermined trapping
material 7 with respect to the trapping material holding member
8.
[0099] Here, as the spray tool, other than a spray nozzle, a
vaporizer and the like may be suitably selected.
[0100] The spray condition for the trapping material 7 only needs
to be set so that the trapping material 7 can be sprayed in the
entire holding region of the predetermined trapping material 7 with
respect to the trapping material holding member 8. For example, the
air flow flowing in the air flow passage 3 may be temporarily
stopped during spraying, the nozzle-like spray tool may be swung
during spraying, or the trapping material 7 may be sprayed toward
the air flow flowing in the air flow passage 3 so as to be
dispersed with the air flow. These conditions can be suitably
selected without any troubles.
[0101] Moreover, as the cleaning filter 4, the present invention is
not limited to the mode in which the trapping material supply
device 10 is equipped all the time, and the trapping material
supply device 10 may be configured to be removable when the
cleaning filter 4 is used. As a representative mode of the trapping
material supply device 10 for such a separate-type cleaning filter
4, there is provided a trapping material supply device, which is
removably mounted on the trapping material holding member 8, the
trapping material supply device being mounted on the trapping
material holding member 8 when supplying the trapping material 7,
and being removed from the trapping material holding member 8 when
not supplying the trapping material 7.
[0102] Here, as a representative mode of the separate-type cleaning
filter 4, there is provided a cleaning filter 4 including a
trapping material holding member 8 having a holding region of the
trapping material 7 which is formed into a rectangular shape. In
this mode, the trapping material supply device 10 includes: a spray
tool capable of spraying a liquid trapping material 7; and a spray
region restricting member, which is disposed on the spray tool or
in a spray path of the liquid trapping material 7 from the spray
tool, for restricting a spray region shape of the liquid trapping
material 7 into a rectangular shape.
[0103] In this mode, by restricting the spray region shape of the
liquid trapping material 7 into a rectangular shape, the trapping
material 7 can be sprayed on the trapping material holding member 8
having the holding region of the holding material 7 which is formed
into a rectangular shape, in accordance with the holding region of
the trapping material 7.
[0104] In view of effectively using the trapping material 7 without
waste, the spray region restricting member disposed in the spray
path of the trapping material 7 is preferably disposed in close
contact with the trapping material holding member 8, and the
trapping material 7, which is not held by the trapping material
holding member 8, is preferably reused.
[0105] As another representative mode of the separate-type cleaning
filter 4, there is provided a cleaning filter in which the trapping
material supply device 10 includes: a spray tool capable of
spraying a plurality of kinds of liquid trapping materials 7; and a
trapping material storage container for separately storing the
plurality of kinds of liquid trapping materials 7.
[0106] In the mode in which the cleaning filter 4 of the air
cleaning apparatus 1 is subjected to the regeneration process, the
following air cleaning maintenance system can be built.
[0107] The air cleaning maintenance system includes: the
above-mentioned air cleaning apparatus 1; and a filter regeneration
device 15 for regenerating the cleaning filter 4 removed from the
air cleaning apparatus 1. The regenerated cleaning filter 4 is
reused.
[0108] Here, the filter regeneration device 15 widely includes,
other than a thermal desorption device, a chemical cleaning device,
a supercritical cleaning device, and the like, as long as the
device can regenerate the contaminant trapping performance of the
cleaning filter 4.
[0109] The present invention is described below in more detail
based on embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
First Embodiment
--Overall Configuration of Air Cleaning Maintenance System--
[0110] FIG. 2 illustrates an overall configuration of a first
embodiment of an air cleaning maintenance system to which the
present invention is applied.
[0111] In FIG. 2, the air cleaning maintenance system includes an
air cleaning apparatus 20 disposed in an indoor space R where a
person M lives, and a filter regeneration device 110 for
regenerating a cleaning filter 40, which is a component of this air
cleaning apparatus 20, temporarily collected by a filter collecting
person 100.
--Overview of Air Cleaning Apparatus--
[0112] In this embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the air
cleaning apparatus 20 includes an air duct 21 as a cleaning
apparatus main body in which an air flow passage 22 is defined to
be formed. This air flow passage 22 includes on its inlet opening
23 side an intake fan 30 for suctioning air, and includes the
cleaning filter 40 on the side downstream of this intake fan 30 in
the air flowing direction.
[0113] Note that, in this embodiment, the intake fan 30 is disposed
in the air duct 21, but the present invention is not limited
thereto. A separate ventilation unit may be disposed on the exit
side of the air duct 21 so that air is suctioned by this
ventilation unit into the air flow passage 22 of the air duct
21.
[0114] --Cleaning Filter--
[0115] In this embodiment, as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the
cleaning filter 40 is configured by disposing a pre-filter 41, a
microorganism removal filter 42, a medium efficiency filter 43, a
gas removal filter 44, and a high efficiency particulate air filter
(HEPA filter) 45, in this order, from the inlet opening 23 side to
an outlet opening 24 side in the air flow passage 22 of the air
duct 21.
[0116] In this embodiment, the respective filters 41 to 45 are
removably mounted in the air duct 21 as the cleaning apparatus main
body.
(1) Pre-Filter 41
[0117] This is a coarse mesh filter for trapping mainly coarse dust
and the like, and is configured by forming metal mesh, metal
fibers, carbon fibers, or the like, into a non-woven fabric.
[0118] (2) Microorganism Removal Filter 42
[0119] This filter is intended to trap mainly microbial particles,
such as bacteria, fungi, and virus, but can trap allergenic
particles, such as pollens, and mites and their feces, which are
similar to microbial particles.
[0120] In this embodiment, a thermal desorption process is
performed as an example of the regeneration process by the filter
regeneration device 110. Therefore, in order to heat the trapped
microbial particles and allergenic particles and incinerate the
trapped microbial particles and allergenic particles, the
configuration requires heat resistance.
[0121] FIGS. 5A to 5C illustrate configuration examples.
[0122] In the mode illustrated in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the
microorganism removal filter 42 is configured as a regeneration
cartridge which can be regenerated by a thermal desorption process
as a regeneration process, and is made of a plurality of mesh
layers (42a to 42e) of metal mashes having different air
permeabilities, which are laminated in a multistage state. Here, a
rigid supporting layer is formed by the coarse mesh layers 42d,
42e. The mesh layer 42a on the surface side is formed as a
protective layer, and the fine mesh layers 42b, 42c are formed
between the protective layer 42a and the supporting layers 42d, 42e
as a filter layer through which microorganisms are hard to
pass.
[0123] In the mode illustrated in FIG. 5C, the microorganism
removal filter 42 is made of a plurality of mesh layers (42a, 42f,
42g, 42d) having different air permeabilities, which are laminated
in a multistage state. A rigid supporting layer is formed by the
mesh layer 42d made of a coarse metal mesh. A protective layer is
formed of the mesh layer 42a of a metal mesh on the surface side,
and the fine mesh layers 42f, 42g are formed between the protective
layer 42a and the supporting layer 42d by combining a metal mesh
and a non-woven fabric as a filter layer through which
microorganisms are hard to pass.
[0124] Note that, it is understood that the filter having heat
resistance may be obtained by forming metal fibers or carbon fibers
into a non-woven fabric.
(3) Medium Efficiency Filter 43
[0125] This is a mesh filter which is finer than the pre-filter 41,
and is intended to trap mainly medium size dust and the like. This
filter is configured by forming, for example, metal mesh, metal
fibers, or carbon fibers into a non-woven fabric.
(4) Gas Removal Filter 44
[0126] This is a filter for removing gaseous contaminants of
odor/chemical substances. As illustrated in FIG. 6, for example,
this filter has a regeneration cartridge configuration which is
available for a thermal desorption process as an example of the
regeneration process performed by the filter regeneration device
110 (refer to FIG. 2).
[0127] In FIGS. 6A and 6B, the gas removal filter 44 includes a
box-like outer holding frame 51 made of heat resistant metal, such
as stainless steel. This outer holding frame 51 is configured by a
pair of dividable holding frame members 51a, 51b having U-shaped
cross sections. The top portion of each of the holding frame
members 51a, 51b is provided with an opening as an air passage, and
a metal mesh 52 is disposed at this opening. The circumference wall
of each of the holding frame members 51a, 51b is provided with a
suitable number of fixing holes 53, and both the holding frame
members 51a, 51b are fixed by fixing tools 54, such as screws.
[0128] As illustrated in FIG. 6B, a plurality of baffle plates 55
are arranged in this outer holding frame 51 so that a large number
of holding hole portions 56 are formed between the baffle plates
55.
[0129] In this embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 6C, for example,
the baffle plates 55 are formed by molding heat resistant metal,
for example, a stainless steel plate member, so that trapezoidal
cross-sectional portions 55a, 55b are continuously arranged in a
waveform. The plurality of baffle plates 55 are arranged so as to
ensure the holding hole portions 56 having a honeycomb
structure.
[0130] The baffle plates 55 have a width size substantially
corresponding to the thickness size of the outer holding frame 51,
and are arranged so that the above-mentioned holding hole portions
56 penetrate between the metal meshes 52 of the outer holding frame
51.
[0131] An adsorbent 57 for adsorbing odor substances and the like,
such as active carbon, zeolite, and ceramics, is contained to be
held in the holding hole portions 56 defined by the plurality of
baffle plates 55.
[0132] Such an adsorbent 57 is filled to be distributed in the
holding hole portions 56 defined by the baffle plates 55 so that
even when the gas removal filter 44 is arranged in the vertical
direction, the adsorbent 57 is not unevenly disposed in the outer
holding frame 51.
[0133] Moreover, in this embodiment, a portion of the opening edge
portion of the outer holding frame 51 of the gas removal filter 44
is provided with an owner indication portion 59 on which an owner
number (a number indicating an owner of the gas removal filter 44)
is impressed.
(5) HEPA Filter 45
[0134] This is a mesh filter which is further finer than the medium
efficiency filter 43, and is intended to trap fine powders of the
active carbon used in the gas removal filter 44, or the like. This
filter is configured by forming, for example, metal mesh, metal
fibers, or carbon fibers, into a non-woven fabric.
[0135] --Additive Supply Device--
[0136] In this embodiment, the cleaning filter 40 is provided with
an additive supply device 70 which can supply additives
corresponding to, for example, microbial particles and gaseous
contaminants, such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which are
intended to be removed by the microorganism removal filter 42 and
the gas removal filter 44.
[0137] As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, this additive supply device
70 includes additives corresponding to the removal of odor
substances and chemical substances (for example, an additive Sa
corresponding to ammonia, an additive Sm corresponding to methyl
mercaptan, or a mixed additive Sx corresponding to a plurality of
odor/chemical substances including the above-mentioned substances),
and an additive Sw corresponding to the removal of microorganisms
(for example, germicides corresponding to the sterilization of
microorganisms, or antimicrobial agents corresponding to the
prevention of proliferation of microorganisms).
[0138] For example, these additives are individually contained in
corresponding additive bottles 71, 72, and are suctioned in a given
quantity from the respective additive bottles 71, 72 by a pump (not
shown) so as to be periodically sprayed.
[0139] In FIG. 3, an additive supply device 70a is a component for
supplying, for example, the additive Sw corresponding to the
removal of microorganisms, and an additive supply device 70b is a
component for supplying, for example, the additive Sx.
[0140] A control device 80 is configured to control opening and
closing of respective on-off valves 73, 74 so that the additive Sw
in the additive supply device 70a is periodically supplied in a
given quantity to the microorganism removal filter 42 in accordance
with opening and closing of the on-off valve 73, and the additive
Sx in the additive supply device 70b is periodically supplied in a
given quantity to the gas removal filter 44 in accordance with
opening and closing of the on-off valve 74. It is understood that
the opening and closing control of the on-off valves 73, 74 may be
performed by simply opening and closing the on-off valves 73, 74,
or by adjusting the opening degrees of the on-off valves 73,
74.
[0141] --Function of Cleaning Filter--
[0142] As illustrated in FIG. 4, for example, assuming that there
exist dust A, pollen B, fungi C, bacteria D, virus E, chemical
substances F, and odor substances G, as contaminants in the air,
the dust A is trapped by mainly the pre-filter 41, the medium
efficiency filter 43, and the HEPA filter 45, the fungi C, the
bacteria D, and the virus E, are trapped by mainly the
microorganism removal filter 42, and the chemical substances F and
the odor substances G are trapped by mainly the gas removal filter
44. The pollen B is trapped by the microorganism removal filter 42
and the medium efficiency filter 43.
[0143] At this time, in this embodiment, the corresponding
additives S are periodically sprayed on the microorganism removal
filter 42 and the gas removal filter 44, and hence the removal
performances for odor substances, chemical substances, and
microorganisms are periodically recovered.
[0144] In this embodiment, the additives S are sprayed on the
microorganism removal filter 42 and the gas removal filter 44, but
the present invention is not limited thereto. The additives S may
be sprayed on the dust removal filters, such as the medium
efficiency filter 43, as needed.
[0145] In this embodiment, the filters can be configured depending
on the contamination state of the space where the air cleaning
apparatus 20 is installed. That is, conventional gas or dust
removal filters are applied with impregnation agents which are
effective for general contaminants, on the assumption of a general
contamination state.
[0146] On the other hand, in this embodiment, additives can be
selected depending on the types and physical/chemical properties of
contaminants in the air cleaning apparatus installation room.
[0147] For example, when the main contaminants in the space are
fungi (mold) and bacteria, germicide, antimicrobial agents, and
microbiostatic agents, which are effective for the species, only
need to be sprayed on the microorganism removal filter 42 and the
dust removal filters, such as the medium efficiency filter 43. When
the main contaminants in the space are ammonia, the additive Sa
corresponding to ammonia only needs to be sprayed. Moreover, when a
plurality of contaminants need to be removed from the space, such
as formaldehyde, methyl mercaptan, and hydrogen sulfide, the
additives Sf, Sm, Ss corresponding to the respective contaminants
only need to be supplied from the respective additive bottles, or
supplied in a mixed state.
[0148] Note that, when many allergenic particles, such as pollens,
exist in the space, agents for inactivating the allergenic
particles only need to be supplied as additives to, for example,
the microorganism removal filter 42. When many odor substances,
such as tobacco smell, roast smell, and pet smell, exist in the
space, additives corresponding to the odor substances only need to
be supplied.
[0149] In this embodiment, the additives such as germicide,
antimicrobial agents, and microbiostatic agents are sprayed on and
impregnated into the microorganism removal filter 42. Therefore,
the microorganism removal filter 42 is preferred not to be
deteriorated by the additives, and the additives are preferably
hard to be volatilized by the air flow of the intake fan 30. Even
if the additives are volatilized and conveyed, because the gas
removal filter 44 is disposed on the downstream side of the air
flow passage 22, the additives are effectively prevented from
unnecessarily diffusing into the room.
[0150] --Filter Regeneration Device--
[0151] In this embodiment, additives are periodically supplied to
the microorganism removal filter 42 and the gas removal filter 44,
but, when these filters have been used over a long period of time,
the total amount of additives may become excessive so as to cause
negative effects on the regeneration of performance.
[0152] Therefore, in this embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the
filter collecting person 100 temporarily collects the corresponding
filters, and these filters are processed by the filter regeneration
device 110 so as to be regenerated.
[0153] Here, as the filter regeneration device 110, there are
provided a thermal desorption device 111 and a chemical cleaning
device 112, for example.
[0154] (1) Thermal Desorption Device 111
[0155] This device is configured to apply a thermal desorption
process to the microorganism removal filter 42 and the gas removal
filter 44 because these filters are configured as regeneration
cartridges.
[0156] In this embodiment, as illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8, the
thermal desorption device 111 includes a heat-resistant casing 120
formed of a plurality of divided heat-resistant chambers 121, 122.
A filter containing portion 123 (specifically, a portion 131
corresponding to the microorganism removal filter 42 and a portion
132 corresponding to the gas removal filter 44) is disposed at one
heat-resistant chamber 121 of this heat-resistant casing 120. This
filter containing portion 123 is provided with an exhaust port 125.
The portion corresponding to the filter containing portion 123 is
provided with heaters 126, 127, and the above-mentioned heaters
126, 127 are heated by a temperature controller 128 to a
predetermined temperature (for example, about 200.degree. C. to
500.degree. C.).
[0157] Reference symbol 124 represents a heat-resistant connection
duct; 129, a filter holding wall of the filter containing portion
123; and 133, 134, maintenance ports for visually inspecting the
inside of the filter containing portions 123 when the respective
microorganism removal filter 42 and gas removal filter 44 are
contained therein.
[0158] In this embodiment, the contaminants collected in the
microorganism removal filter 42 are incinerated, and the added
additives are desorbed to be removed. As a result, the
microorganism removal filter 42 is regenerated into a cleaned
state.
[0159] Moreover, the contaminants trapped by the adsorbent 57 of
the gas removal filter 44 and the additives are desorbed to be
removed. As a result, the adsorption performance of the adsorbent
57 is regenerated.
[0160] In particular, in this embodiment, the heating temperatures
of the heaters 126, 127 are set to about 300.degree. C. to
350.degree. C. so that the microorganism removal filter 42 and the
gas removal filter 44 are effectively regenerated.
(2) Chemical Cleaning Device 112
[0161] In this embodiment, the chemical cleaning device 112 can
clean dirty dust removal filters, such as the medium efficiency
filter 43, by predetermined chemicals.
[0162] --Contaminant Analysis Device 160--
[0163] In this embodiment, when performing the regeneration process
by the thermal desorption device 111 or the chemical cleaning
device 112, the contaminants removed from the respective filters
42, 44 can be analyzed so that the state of contaminants in the
space where the collected cleaning filter 40 is installed can be
analyzed.
[0164] In this case, as the contaminant analysis device 160 (refer
to FIG. 2), there is employed a gas chromatograph, a gas
chromatograph mass spectrometer, a high performance liquid
chromatograph, an ion chromatograph, or the like, and a gas
collected by a collecting member is to be analyzed.
[0165] Further, as the collecting member, for example, as
illustrated in FIG. 9A, there are used an HCHO collecting tube 165
for collecting HCHO from among the VOCs, and a collecting tube 166
for collecting VOCs other than HCHO. In this embodiment, as the
HCHO collecting tube 165, there is used an HCHO collecting tube
that employs 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine (DNPH) as a collecting
agent, and further, as the collecting tube 166 for collecting other
VOCs, a carbon-based collecting agent or Tenax TA is used.
[0166] Further, the contaminant analysis device 160 sends the VOCs
collected by the collecting tubes 165, 166 to flow meters 173, 174
and gas meters 175, 176 via pumps 171, 172, respectively, to
thereby perform a qualitative analysis and a quantitative analysis
on the VOCs.
[0167] Note that, as another mode of the collecting member, for
example, as illustrated in FIG. 9B, a collecting tube 167 formed of
an impinger may be used, for example, so that the collected VOCs
are sent to a gas meter 178 via a pump 177 to perform a qualitative
analysis.
[0168] --Filter Cleanliness Inspection Device--
[0169] In this embodiment, the cleaning filter 40 regenerated by
the filter regeneration device 110 can be inspected for the
cleanliness of the cleaning filter 40 by a filter cleanliness
inspection device 200 (refer to FIG. 2).
[0170] In FIG. 10A, the filter cleanliness inspection device 200
includes an inspection chamber 201, a holding mechanism (not
shown), a fan unit 210, and a detector 220. The inspection chamber
201 is configured so that cleaned air is supplied via a supply port
202 and exhausted via an exhaust port 203, and also diffused by a
diffusing fan 205. The holding mechanism (not shown) is disposed in
this inspection chamber 201 so as to releasably hold the gas
removal filter 44 (42) as a component of the cleaning filter 40 to
be inspected. The fan unit 210 is configured to cause the air in
the inspection chamber 201 to pass through the filter 44 (42) held
by the holding mechanism. The detector 220 is disposed downstream
of the air flow generated by the fan unit 210 and passing through
the filter 44 (42), and is configured to detect contaminants which
affect the cleanliness of the filter 44 (42).
[0171] In this embodiment, the cleanliness of the filter 44 (42)
can be determined based on the output from the detector 220 in a
short time.
[0172] That is, as shown in FIG. 10B, the concentration of
contaminants in the inspection chamber 201 changes with the lapse
of time.
[0173] At this time, the generation quantity of contaminants can be
obtained based on the computational expression illustrated in FIG.
10C.
[0174] The parameters in FIG. 10C are as follows.
m=Q+.alpha.R
[0175] .alpha.: adsorption rate of the subject contaminant to the
inspection chamber (l/h)
[0176] R: chamber air volume (m.sup.3)
[0177] Q: chamber ventilation quantity (m.sup.3/h)
[0178] C: concentration of the subject contaminant in the chamber
at a given arbitrary time t (.mu.g/m.sup.3)
[0179] t: time
[0180] C.sub.0: concentration of the subject contaminant in the
chamber supply air
[0181] C.sub.1: concentration of the subject contaminant in the
chamber when starting the experiment
[0182] M: contaminant generation quantity (.mu.g/h)
[0183] Based on the relationship between the value calculated as
described above and the generation quantity reference values shown
in FIG. 10D, the level of the contaminant generation quantity M of
the filter to be inspected can be determined.
[0184] As a result, the contaminant generation quantity M equal to
or smaller than the permissible value is determined to be "OK", and
the contaminant generation quantity M exceeding the permissible
value is determined to be "NG".
[0185] In the case of "OK", the cleanliness of the subject filter
is determined to be sufficient, and the filter is delivered to the
user with no process subjected thereto. On the other hand, in the
case of "NG", the cleanliness of the subject filter is determined
to be insufficient, and it is only necessary that the regeneration
process be performed again by the filter regeneration device 110
and then the filter cleanliness inspection be performed again.
[0186] Modified Mode
[0187] FIGS. 11 illustrate a modified mode of the gas removal
filter 44 used in the first embodiment.
[0188] In FIG. 11A, the gas removal filter 44 holds the adsorbent
57, such as active carbon, in the outer holding frame 51, and also
holds catalyst particles 60, which can decompose gaseous
contaminants, on the upstream side of the adsorbent 57 in the air
flowing direction. Reference symbol 58 represents a partition plate
which partitions the space in the outer holding frame 51 with the
air permeability ensured.
[0189] In this mode, as illustrated in FIG. 11B, the catalyst
particles 60 (platinum, manganese, or the like) in Region I
decompose gaseous contaminants G.sub.A, such as aldehydes, so that
most of the gaseous contaminants G.sub.A react into harmless water
G.sub.B and carbon dioxide G.sub.C, but decomposed products G.sub.D
other than the above may include some harmful substances. Even if
some harmful substances are included in the decomposed products
G.sub.D, such harmful substances are trapped by the adsorbent 57 in
Region II positioned on the downstream side in the air flowing
direction so that there is substantially no fear of releasing the
harmful substances into an indoor space.
[0190] In this embodiment, a heater 61 is disposed in the outer
holding frame 51 of the gas removal filter 44 (refer to FIG. 11A),
and this heater 61 is configured to be heated by a heating power
source 62 to, for example, 200.degree. C. or higher.
[0191] In this mode, many of the catalyst particles 60 cause a
decomposition reaction efficiently under temperature higher than
normal temperature (for example, 200.degree. C. or higher).
Accordingly, the decomposition efficiency of the catalyst particles
60 is increased by the heat from the heater 61. At this time, the
generated heat is used as a heating source when heating as the air
cleaning apparatus 20.
Second Embodiment
[0192] FIG. 12 illustrates a main part of a cleaning filter 40 of
an air cleaning apparatus according to a second embodiment the
present invention.
[0193] In this embodiment, the cleaning filter 40 includes a filter
element substantially similar to that of the first embodiment, and
is configured so that, for example, an additive supply device 70 is
disposed adjacent to the gas removal filter 44.
[0194] In this embodiment, the additive supply device 70 includes
an additive supply tank 701 which stores an additive S for removing
odor substances and chemical substances. At the upper portion of
the gas removal filter 44, a uniform distribution nozzle 702 is
disposed by substantially evenly arranging a plurality of nozzle
portions along the length direction of the upper edge of the gas
removal filter 44. The above-mentioned additive supply tank 701 and
uniform distribution nozzle 702 are connected to communicate to
each other via a supply tube 703. In the middle of this supply tube
703, a pump 704 and a flow rate adjusting valve 705 are interposed.
Note that, as the additive S in this embodiment, when the subject
contaminant is formaldehyde, for example, a formaldehyde catching
agent is used, and when the subject contaminant is a mixed gas of
formaldehyde and VOC, a graft polymerization agent is used. In FIG.
12, reference symbol 706 represents a supply port of the additive
supply tank 701, and reference symbol 707 represents a drain tube
thereof.
[0195] Moreover, in this embodiment, there are provided in the gas
removal filter 44 a suitable number of concentration sensors 710
for detecting the concentration of the impregnated additive S. The
information from the concentration sensors 710 is input into a flow
rate control device 711. This flow rate control device 711 controls
the injection quantity of a chemical solution (additive) by
adjusting the opening degree of the flow rate adjusting valve 705.
The flow rate control device 711 is operated based on the sensor
outputs from the above-mentioned concentration sensors 710 as
feedback signals, and has a concentration adjusting mode for
controlling the injection quantity of the chemical solution so as
to maintain, at a fixed value, the chemical solution concentration
at the filter substrate of the gas removal filter 44.
[0196] Moreover, in this embodiment, in addition to the
above-mentioned mode, the flow rate control device 711 has a
periodical supply mode for supplying a chemical solution every
fixed period using a timer.
[0197] In this embodiment, the cleaning filter 40 further includes
a drain device 712 capable of draining liquid waste of the additive
S. This drain device 712 is configured by disposing a drain tank
713 below the gas removal filter 44, and connecting the drain tank
713 to the gas removal filter 44 via a drain tube 714 to
communicate to each other, to thereby drain excess additives S to
the drain tank 713.
[0198] In this embodiment, a filter heating device 715 is disposed
on the ventilation surface of the gas removal filter 44. This
filter heating device 715 is formed by, for example, heating wires
arranged in a crossing state in the substantially entire
ventilation surface of the gas removal filter 44. For example, the
filter heating device 715 is periodically heated based on a control
signal from a heating control device 716 so that additive reaction
products accumulated in the filter substrate of the gas removal
filter 44 are periodically removed. In this case, in order not to
contaminate the room by the removed additive reaction products, for
example, a physical adsorbent, such as active carbon, may be
disposed, or the removed additive reaction products may be released
via an exhaust duct (not shown) to the outside. Note that, instead
of the filter heating device 715, a method of chemically processing
predetermined reaction products may be suitably adopted.
[0199] Therefore, according to the air cleaning apparatus of this
embodiment, contaminated air to be cleaned is taken in the air flow
passage by an intake fan (not shown). At this time, large particles
among the particles, such as dust, in the air to be cleaned are
removed by the pre-filter (not shown). Next, fine particles, which
have passed through the pre-filter, are removed by the
microorganism removal filter and the medium efficiency filter.
Further, gaseous chemical substances, such as formaldehyde, are
removed by the gas removal filter 44. Finally, products from the
gas removal filter 44 or the like are removed by the HEPA
filter.
[0200] Particularly, according to the cleaning filter 40 of this
embodiment, the liquid additive (liquid agent) S is replenished and
supplied to the filter substrate of the gas removal filter 44 as
needed, and is substantially uniformly distributed by the uniform
distribution nozzle 702. Accordingly, the filter substrate of the
gas removal filter 44 is maintained in a state in which the
impregnation degree of the liquid agent S is substantially uniform
over a long period of time. Thus, the gas removal performance of
the gas removal filter 44 is stably maintained over a long period
of time. At this time, the liquid agent S does not need to be
constantly supplied to the gas removal filter 44, and hence there
is no fear that the liquid agent S is consumed in an unnecessary
manner.
[0201] Note that, in this embodiment, the concentration sensors 710
are disposed in the middle of the gas removal filter 44 so as to
detect the concentration of the liquid additive (liquid agent) S
impregnated in the filter substrate of the gas removal filter 44.
However, an impregnation sensor may be disposed in the vicinity of
the lower end portion of the filter substrate of the gas removal
filter 44. With this, the impregnation state of the liquid agent S
in the filter substrate is detected based on a signal from the
impregnation sensor, and the flow rate adjusting valve 705 is
controlled in accordance with the signal from the impregnation
sensor. Moreover, in this embodiment, the gas removal filter 44
includes a single row of the filter substrate, but the present
invention is not limited thereto. For example, a plurality of rows
of filter substrates may be used so as to enlarge the area of the
filter substrates with which the ventilation comes into contact.
Alternatively, the filter substrate may be provided with a
bellows-like folded portion so as to enlarge the substantial area
of the filter substrate with which the ventilation comes into
contact.
Third Embodiment
[0202] FIG. 13 illustrates a main part of a clean filter 40 of an
air cleaning apparatus according to a third embodiment the present
invention.
[0203] In FIG. 13, the cleaning filter 40 includes, for example, a
non-woven fabric 46 is disposed upstream of, for example, the
microorganism removal filter 42 (or the medium efficiency filter
43) in the air flowing direction. The additive supply device 70,
which can supply, for example, the additive (liquid agent) Sk
including an antimicrobial agent, may periodically spray a fixed
amount of the additive Sk to the above-mentioned non-woven fabric
46 via a spray nozzle 75.
[0204] Note that, the components similar to those of the first
embodiment are represented by the same reference symbols as those
of the first embodiment, and their details are not described
here.
[0205] According to this embodiment, when an antimicrobial agent
corresponding to a virus, such as an influenza virus, is supplied
as the additive Sk, infection by the virus can be effectively
prevented.
[0206] In this embodiment, the non-woven fabric 46 is separately
disposed, but the additive can be directly sprayed on the
microorganism removal filter 42 (or the medium efficiency filter
43).
[0207] In this embodiment, the additive (liquid agent) S needs to
be sprayed uniformly in the entire filter surface of the cleaning
filter 40. At this time, in the mode in which the spray angle of
the additive Sk is fixedly set at the spray nozzle 75, the spray
range of the additive Sk may be restricted by the air flow
generated by the intake fan 30 of the air cleaning apparatus.
[0208] Therefore, this embodiment adopts a method in which the
opening and closing operations of the on-off valve 73 and the
operation of the intake fan 30 are performed in association by the
control device 80, and for example, when the additive Sk is being
sprayed by the spray nozzle 75, the intake fan 30 is temporarily
stopped.
[0209] The spray operation of the additive Sk by this spray nozzle
75 is not limited to the above-mentioned method, and can be
suitably selected from among the following methods. For example, as
illustrated in FIG. 14A, while swinging the spray nozzle 75 by a
swinging mechanism 76, the additive Sk is sprayed in a wide range.
Alternatively, as illustrated in FIG. 14B, the liquid additive Sk
is sprayed from the spray nozzle 75 against the air flow generated
by the intake fan 30 so that the additive Sk is dispersed by a
collision between the air flow and the sprayed additive Sk.
[0210] Moreover, in this embodiment, the additive supply device 70
adopts the spray nozzle 75 as a spray tool, but the present
invention is not limited thereto as long as the spray tool is
capable of spraying the liquid additive Sk. There can be adopted,
for example, a mode using an ultrasonic atomization method, a mode
using a thermal vaporization method, or a mode using a rotary
atomization method.
[0211] For example, as the mode using an ultrasonic atomization
method, as illustrated in FIG. 15A, the following mode can be
provided. A pair of surface acoustic wave (SAW) elements 721, 722
is disposed so that the surfaces thereof, on which interdigital
transducers (IDT) 723, 724 of the respective SAW elements 721, 722
are disposed, are opposed to each other. For example, the liquid
additive Sk is supplied into a flow passage 726 between the SAW
elements 721, 722 via a through hole 725 of one SAW element 721,
and ultrasonic waves are radiated from the SAW elements 721, 722
into the additive S so that the liquid additive Sk is emitted in a
spray state.
[0212] As the mode using a thermal vaporization method, for
example, as illustrated in FIG. 15B, a supporting table 731 is
disposed in a vaporization chamber 730, and a vaporization plate
732 is disposed on this supporting table 731. Further, for example,
a planar heater 733 is disposed in the supporting table 731
directly below the vaporization plate 732, and a temperature sensor
734 for detecting the temperature of the vaporization plate 732 is
disposed. In this mode, the control device 80 controls heating of
the planar heater 733 based on the temperature information from the
temperature sensor 734.
[0213] Here, the vaporization plate 732 is made of a
corrosion-resistant material having a high thermal conductivity
(for example, stainless steel or various types of ceramics
including glass). The control device 80 is configured to variably
set the target temperature of the planar heater 733 in accordance
with the kind of the liquid additive Sk to be dripped. The target
temperature of the heater 733 is set to a temperature at which the
temperature of the vaporization plate 732 heated by the planar
heater 733 becomes equal to or higher than the vaporization
temperature of the liquid additive Sk to be dripped.
[0214] In this mode, the vaporized additive Sk is sprayed on the
filter surface of the cleaning filter 40 through an opening 735 of
the vaporization chamber 730.
[0215] Note that, the vaporization plate 732 is, for example,
fixedly disposed on the supporting table 731, but the configuration
of the vaporization plate 732 is not limited thereto. The
supporting table 731 may be provided with a movable table so as to
be vibrated, thereby further promoting the vaporization of the
additive Sk.
[0216] Allergenic particles floating in the air, such as mite and
mold, cause rhinitis, asthma, and the like, and are contaminants
which need to be removed. Allergenic particles are made of protein,
and there is an antibody which binds to only a certain protein
among innumerable proteins. With use of such property of the
antibody, an immunological measuring method using the antibody
which recognizes a specific allergenic particle, a so-called
enzyme-linked immunorsorbent assay (ELISA) method, has already been
practically applied.
[0217] With use of this idea, for example, when the air cleaning
apparatus employs the cleaning filter 40 including the
microorganism removal filter 42 impregnated with a certain
antibody, a specific protein, that is, an allergenic particle, can
be effectively and selectively trapped. Moreover, when this
property is used as an allergenic particle sensor, the allergenic
particle concentration in the indoor air can be monitored.
[0218] Specifically, when a given quantity of an antibody is
applied to the microorganism removal filter 42 formed of a
non-woven fabric or the like, the particle removal ability of the
microorganism removal filter 42 and the protein binding ability of
the antibody are coupled, thereby efficiently removing mites and
their feces in the indoor air. That is, through application of a
certain type of antibody to the microorganism removal filter 42,
the removal rate of the microorganism removal filter 42 for a
certain type of allergenic particle is enhanced. Conventionally, a
fine filter has been adopted for enhancing the dust collection
efficiency, but in such a configuration, the pressure loss of the
filter may be increased. However, in this embodiment, even when the
microorganism removal filter 42 is not a fine filter, through
application of an antibody which reacts with allergenic particles,
the trapping performance for allergenic particles can be ensured.
Thus, there is less fear that the pressure loss of the filter is
increased.
[0219] There is a conventional air cleaning apparatus in which a
"dust sensor" and a "pollen sensor" are installed, but dust and
pollen are identified by the particle size of the measured
particle. Accordingly, there arises a problem of uncertainty about
the identifiability, but this embodiment can solve this problem.
Specifically, as a method of measuring the weight of a protein
adhered to the antibody, there can be provided a method for
measurement with a SAW method using ultrasonic vibration or the
like, or a method including conducting a current through an adhered
protein and identifying an adhesion amount based on a level of the
conducted current.
Fourth Embodiment
[0220] FIG. 16 illustrates a main part of a cleaning filter 40 of
an air cleaning apparatus 20 according to a fourth embodiment of
the present invention.
[0221] In FIG. 16, the basic configuration of the cleaning filter
40 is substantially similar to that of the first embodiment.
However, unlike the first embodiment, the adsorbent 57 of the gas
removal filter 44 is periodically replenished and discharged.
[0222] In FIG. 16, reference symbol 90 represents an adsorbent
replenishing bottle; 91, an on-off valve for the adsorbent
replenishing bottle 90; 92, an adsorbent discharging bottle; and
93, an on-off valve for the adsorbent discharging bottle 92. The
control device 80 periodically controls opening and closing of the
on-off valves 91, 93, thereby accomplishing the replenishment and
discharge of the adsorbent 57.
[0223] In this embodiment, the adsorbent 57 of the gas removal
filter 44 is suitably replaced, thereby extending the lifetime of
the gas removal filter 44.
Fifth Embodiment
[0224] FIGS. 17A and 17B illustrate a main part of a cleaning
filter 40 according to a fifth embodiment of the present
invention.
[0225] In FIGS. 17A and 17B, the cleaning filter 40 is provided
with openings on both sides of a heat-resistant outer holding frame
151. The openings are provided with, for example, heat-resistant
filter elements 152, 153 capable of trapping particulate
contaminants, such as microbial particles. The adsorbent 57 capable
of trapping gaseous contaminants is filled to be distributed in the
outer holding frame 151 by using the plurality of baffle plates
55.
[0226] In this embodiment, a single filter unit can trap both
gaseous contaminants and particulate contaminants.
Sixth Embodiment
[0227] FIGS. 18A and 18B illustrate a main part of an air cleaning
apparatus according to a sixth embodiment of the present
invention.
[0228] In FIG. 18A, the air cleaning apparatus 20 includes the air
duct 21 as a cleaning apparatus main body in which the air flow
passage 22 is defined and formed. The intake fan 30 and the
cleaning filter 40 are disposed in this air duct 21.
[0229] In this embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 18B, the cleaning
filter 40 is removably disposed in the air duct 21, and after being
removed from the air duct 21, the cleaning filter 40 is supplied
with the additive S from a separate-type additive supply device 70
which is disposed as a unit separate from the air cleaning
apparatus 20.
[0230] Here, in this embodiment, the cleaning filter 40 includes a
particle removal filter element and a gas removal filter
element.
[0231] In this embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 18B and FIGS. 19A
and 19B, the separate-type additive supply device 70 includes an
additive bottle 750 for storing a predetermined additive S, and a
spray region restricting hood 760 for spraying the additive S in
this additive bottle 750 to the surface of the cleaning filter 40
in a substantially rectangular shape.
[0232] In this embodiment, the spray region restricting hood 760
includes a hood main body 761 provided with a hollow quadrangular
pyramid frame portion 763 formed on one end side of a through
rectangular frame portion 762. A spray nozzle 764 is disposed at
the center of the quadrangular pyramid frame portion 763 of the
hood main body 761. This spray nozzle 764 is connected to a tube
766, which is communicated to the additive bottle 750, via a
removable tube connector 765. The rectangular frame portion 762 of
the hood main body 761 is provided at its opening edge with a
packing 767 for ensuring air-tightness. The rectangular frame
portion 762 of the hood main body 761 is provided at its lower
portion with an additive recovery pit 768 for recovering an excess
liquid additive S which has not been sprayed on the cleaning filter
40. Reference symbol 769 represents a ventilation hole formed in
the spray region restricting hood 760. The ventilation hole 769 is
effective for promoting the spray process of the additive S by
introducing an air flow therethrough during the spray process of
the additive S with use of, for example, the intake fan 30 of the
air cleaning apparatus 20.
[0233] In this embodiment, when the additive S is not sufficiently
held in the cleaning filter 40, it is only necessary that the
cleaning filter 40 be removed from the air duct 21, and the
additive S be supplied by the separate-type additive supply device
70.
[0234] In this embodiment, now, for example, there are three
additive bottles 750 (750a to 750c). Of the three additive bottles
750, the additive bottle 750a stores an additive Sa for acid gas,
the additive bottle 750b stores an additive Sb for basic gas, and
the additive bottle 750c stores an additive Sc for addressing
microorganisms.
[0235] One of the right and left halves of the filter surface of
the cleaning filter 40 is, for example, an acid gas treatment
surface X, and the other is a basic gas treatment surface Y. The
entire filter surface is applied with the additive Sc for
addressing microorganisms.
[0236] Then, in this embodiment, the opening of the spray region
restricting hood 760 (corresponding to the opening of the
rectangular frame portion 762) is formed into a rectangular shape
having a size of about 1/4 of that of the filter surface of the
cleaning filter 40.
[0237] Next, the method of using the separate-type additive supply
device 70 is described with reference to FIG. 20.
[0238] First, the first additive bottle 750a is connected to the
spray region restricting hood 760 via the tube 766 to be
communicated to each other. The spray region restricting hood 760
of the additive supply device 70 is disposed via the packing 767 in
close contact with the upper half of the acid gas processing
surface X of the filter surface of the cleaning filter 40, and the
additive Sa for acid gas is sprayed. At this time, the spray shape
of the additive Sa from the spray nozzle 764 is generally a
circular shape, but the additive Sa is sprayed under a state in
which the spray region of the additive Sa from the spray nozzle 764
is restricted to the range of the rectangular frame portion 762 of
the spray region restricting hood 760.
[0239] Next, the spray region restricting hood 760 of the additive
supply device 70 is disposed via the packing 767 in close contact
with the lower half of the acid gas processing surface X of the
filter surface of the cleaning filter 40, and, similarly, the spray
process of the additive Sa is performed.
[0240] After that, the second additive bottle 750b is connected to
the spray region restricting hood 760 via the tube 766 so as to be
communicated to each other. The spray region restricting hood 760
of the additive supply device 70 is disposed via the packing 767 in
close contact with the upper half of the basic gas processing
surface Y of the filter surface of the cleaning filter 40, and the
additive Sb for basic gas is sprayed. At this time, the additive Sb
is sprayed under a state in which the spray region of the additive
Sb from the spray nozzle 764 is restricted to the range of the
rectangular frame portion 762 of the spray region restricting hood
760.
[0241] Next, the spray region restricting hood 760 of the additive
supply device 70 is disposed via the packing 767 in close contact
with the lower half of the basic gas processing surface Y of the
filter surface of the cleaning filter 40, and, similarly, the spray
process of the additive Sb is performed.
[0242] Finally, the third additive bottle 750c is connected to the
spray region restricting hood 760 via the tube 766 to be
communicated to each other. The spray region restricting hood 760
of the additive supply device 70 is disposed via the packing 767 in
close contact with the upper half of the acid gas processing
surface X of the filter surface of the cleaning filter 40, and the
additive Sc for addressing microorganism is sprayed. At this time,
the additive Sc is sprayed under a state in which the spray region
of the additive Sc from the spray nozzle 764 is restricted to the
range of the rectangular frame portion 762 of the spray region
restricting hood 760.
[0243] Next, the spray region restricting hood 760 of the additive
supply device 70 is disposed via the packing 767 in close contact
with the lower half of the acid gas processing surface X, the upper
half of the basic gas processing surface Y, and the lower half of
the basic gas processing surface Y in the filter surface of the
cleaning filter 40, in this order, and, similarly, the spray
process of the additive Sc is performed.
[0244] Under this state, the additive Sa for acid gas is sprayed on
the acid gas processing surface X of the cleaning filter 40, the
additive Sb for basic gas is sprayed on the basic gas processing
surface Y of the cleaning filter 40, and the additive Sc for
addressing microorganisms is sprayed on the entire surfaces X and
Y.
[0245] As described above, the performance of the cleaning filter
40 is recovered by spraying the additive S thereon. Thus, when the
cleaning filter 40 is placed again in the air duct 21, the cleaning
function of the cleaning filter 40 of the air cleaning apparatus 20
can be satisfactorily ensured again.
[0246] In this embodiment, the additive supply device 70 uses the
spray region restricting hood 760, but the present invention is not
limited thereto. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 21A, a spray
nozzle 751 may be disposed on the additive bottle 750, and a spray
region restricting guide 752 may be additionally disposed on this
spray nozzle 751. This spray region restricting guide 752 is formed
into a hollow quadrangular pyramid shape which widens as the
distance from the spray nozzle 751 increases so as to restrict the
spray region of the additive S sprayed from the spray nozzle 751 to
a rectangular shape. The spray region restricting guide 752 has a
function substantially similar to that of the spray region
restricting hood 760.
[0247] In this embodiment, the additive bottles 750 are separately
disposed for the respective additives S, but the present invention
is not limited thereto. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 21B,
the inside of a single additive container 770 may be divided by a
plurality of partitions 771, 772 into a plurality of additive
chambers 781, 782, 783, which respectively store the corresponding
additives S (Sa, Sb, Sc). A division spray nozzle 788 is
communicated to the respective chambers 781 to 783 of the additive
container 770 via tubes 784 to 786, respectively, which are
connected to the division spray nozzle 788 in a divided manner. The
spray region restricting guide 752 is additionally disposed on this
division spray nozzle 788.
[0248] In this embodiment, the respective additives S only need to
be separately sprayed by the division spray nozzle 788 on the
filter surface of the cleaning filter 40.
[0249] Note that, in this embodiment, the cleaning filter 40 is
removed from the air duct 21, but the present invention is not
limited thereto. The additives S may be supplied by the
separate-type additive supply device 70 on the filter surface of
the cleaning filter 40 under a state in which the filter surface is
exposed outside the air duct 21.
Seventh Embodiment
[0250] FIGS. 22A and 22B illustrate an example in which an air
cleaning apparatus according to a seventh embodiment of the present
invention is incorporated into a toilet unit.
[0251] In FIGS. 22A and 22B, a toilet unit 300 includes a toilet
unit main body 301 including a seat portion, a tank 302 disposed
behind the toilet unit main body 301, for storing cleaning water,
and an air cleaning apparatus 320 disposed behind the
above-mentioned toilet unit main body 301 and laterally adjacent to
the above-mentioned tank 302.
[0252] In this embodiment, the air cleaning apparatus 320 includes
an air duct 321 in which an air flow passage 322 is formed therein.
An inlet opening 323 and an outlet opening 324 of this air duct 321
are respectively provided with louvers. A cleaning filter 340 is
removably mounted in the middle of the air duct 321. An air flow is
generated in the air flow passage 322 by an intake fan 330 disposed
in the air duct 322.
[0253] In this embodiment, the cleaning filter 340 includes a dust
removal filter for removing dust and the like in the surrounding
environment space of the toilet unit 300, and a gas removal filter
for removing gas, such as odor U generated from human waste 310,
odor remaining in the toilet unit 300, and odor in the surrounding
environment space of the toilet unit. In particular, for example, a
gas removal filter having a configuration substantially similar to
that of the gas removal filter 44 of the regeneration cartridge
configuration of the first embodiment is used. In view of providing
the deodorization effect, the gas removal filter is preferably
configured to collect gas generated from human excreta or the like
by a trapping material such as active carbon and Tenax.
[0254] According to this embodiment, when water is saved in the
toilet unit 300, various kinds of odor including the odor U
generated from the human waste 310 remain around the toilet unit
300, but the air cleaning apparatus 320 of this embodiment removes
the odor around the toilet unit 300 by the gas removal filter of
the cleaning filter 340.
[0255] In this embodiment, the gas removal filter of the cleaning
filter 340 is configured as a regeneration cartridge, and hence the
gas removal filter can be reused after being regenerated by the
filter regeneration device 110 similar to that of the first
embodiment (for example, the thermal desorption device 111).
Eighth Embodiment
[0256] FIG. 23 illustrates an example in which an air cleaning
apparatus according to an eighth embodiment of the present
invention is incorporated into a toilet unit.
[0257] In FIG. 23, similarly to the seventh embodiment, the toilet
unit 300 includes the toilet unit main body 301 including a seat
portion, the tank 302 disposed behind the toilet unit main body
301, for storing cleaning water, and an air cleaning apparatus 320
disposed behind the above-mentioned toilet unit main body 301 and
adjacent to a lower portion of the above-mentioned tank 302.
[0258] In this embodiment, the basic configuration of the air
cleaning apparatus 320 is substantially similar to that of the
seventh embodiment, but, unlike the seventh embodiment, there is
additionally provided a diagnosis element which enables a plurality
of toilet users to simultaneously take health examinations.
Components similar to those of the seventh embodiment are
represented by similar reference symbols, and detailed descriptions
thereof are omitted here.
[0259] Here, as the diagnosis element, as illustrated in FIG. 23
and FIGS. 24A and 24B, a plurality of gaseous substance collecting
tubes 350 (specifically, 351 to 354) are disposed in the air flow
passage 322 of the air duct 321. These gaseous substance collecting
tubes 350 (351 to 354) can be selectively switched via switching
valves 361, 362. There is adopted a method in which, through
selection of the gaseous substance collecting tube 350 (for
example, 351) corresponding to any one of toilet users A to D, the
odor (gaseous substance) generated from the toilet user (for
example, A) is collected.
[0260] As illustrated in FIG. 24A, on the side portion of the
toilet unit main body 301, a user selection switch 360 for
selecting a toilet user is disposed. When the toilet user operates
the above-mentioned user selection switch for identification, the
above-mentioned switching valves 361, 362 are suitably switched in
accordance with an operation signal from this user selection switch
360.
[0261] Moreover, gaseous substances, dusts, and the like, which
have passed through the gaseous substance collecting tube 350, are
effectively removed by the cleaning filter 340 disposed on the
downstream side of the air flow passage 322.
[0262] Note that, the position where the gaseous substance
collecting tube 350 is disposed is not limited to the air flow
passage 322 in the air duct 321 as long as the gaseous substances
can be collected. A hot water wash nozzle, the edge of the toilet
unit 300, or a toilet seat portion may be suitably selected.
[0263] In this embodiment, similarly to the seventh embodiment, for
example, the gas removal filter of the cleaning filter 340 is
configured as a regeneration cartridge, and hence the gas removal
filter can be reused through a regeneration process by the filter
regeneration device 110. For example, collected gas can be
separated through a process such as thermal desorption so that
active carbon as the trapping material is regenerated. Moreover,
desorbed gas can be analyzed so that health information of the
toilet user is collected from biological gas contained in human
excreta.
[0264] In this embodiment, the plurality of gaseous substance
trapping tubes 350 are disposed as individual cartridges for the
respective toilet users, and hence, as illustrated in FIG. 25B, for
example, generated gaseous substances for the respective toilet
users are periodically collected by the gaseous substance trapping
tubes 350 (351 to 354) as the individual cartridges, and are
precisely analyzed by an analysis device, such as a gas
chromatograph mass spectrometer (GC/MS), an ion chromatograph (IC),
and a high performance liquid chromatograph (HPLC). Accordingly, a
qualitative analysis and a quantitative analysis of generated
substances can be performed.
[0265] As described above, in this embodiment, based on the
analysis information, health information related to excretion of
the toilet users can be periodically collected so that differences
from others and changes with time can be revealed and comparison
with information obtained from previous research findings can be
performed. With this, the health conditions of the toilet users can
also be diagnosed.
[0266] For example, it is known that some of the gaseous substances
generated from human excreta are related to specific diseases.
[0267] ammonia: liver disease
[0268] methyl sulfide: hepatic coma
[0269] trimethylamine (amines): uremia
[0270] acetone (alcohols): type I diabetes mellitus
[0271] Therefore, when the amount of a specific gaseous substance
is extremely large, it is easily predicted that there is a
suspicion of a disease related to the specific gaseous
substance.
[0272] With this, the toilet users can examine and manage their
individual health.
[0273] In this embodiment, the gaseous substance collecting tubes
350 are disposed for the respective toilet users, but the present
invention is not limited thereto. For example, various types of
sensors (for kind and quantity of generated gas, excretion
quantity, lightness/chromaticity/chroma, and the like) may be
disposed in the toilet unit 300. Information on the kind and
concentration of a generated substance, excretion quantity, the
color of excretion, and the like, is collected by the various types
of sensors in real time, and the collected data may be used as a
health examination material of the toilet users. For example, in a
memory of a control device in the toilet unit 300, the collected
information is stored to be recognized with respect to 1) ID, 2)
excretion time, 3) excretion quantity, 4) color-related
information, and 5) others, and may be used at the time of a health
examination.
[0274] This configuration is preferred in that the health condition
over a long period of time can be grasped by continuously
measuring, with use of the sensors, information on human excreta at
the toilet unit.
Ninth Embodiment
[0275] FIG. 26 illustrates a mask as an air cleaning apparatus
according to a ninth embodiment of the present invention.
[0276] Generally, a mask can be considered to be an example of an
air cleaning apparatus in a broad sense in terms of the fact that
inspired air is taken-in while removing contaminants in the outside
air, or expired air is released while removing contaminants
therein.
[0277] A mask 400 according to this embodiment is configured to
take-in cleaned outside air, and contaminants in expired air are
examined so as to enable disease diagnosis. The mask 400 includes a
mask main body 401, an attaching fixture 402 for attaching the mask
400, an inspiration filter 410 disposed on the mask main body 401
in the vicinity of the nostril, for cleaning inspired air, and an
expiration filter 420 disposed on the mask main body 401 in the
vicinity of the mouth, for cleaning and releasing expired air.
[0278] In this embodiment, the mask main body 401 is formed into a
cup shape for enabling the gap between the face of a user and the
mask to be narrowed with high accuracy so that the air tightness
with the face is ensured.
[0279] As illustrated in FIG. 26 and FIG. 27A, the inspiration
filter 410 includes a dust removal filter 411 and a gas removal
filter 412 in this order from the outside air side, so as to remove
contaminants in the outside air.
[0280] In particular, in this embodiment, the gas removal filter
412 is configured as a regeneration cartridge holding a trapping
material, such as active carbon.
[0281] In order to reduce respiratory load when wearing the mask
400, an intake fan 413 is disposed in the inspired air passage of
the inspiration filter 410. The intake fan 413 is adjusted so that
supply air is forcedly introduced in a quantity equal to the
respiratory quantity of the mask wearer and thus the respiration of
the mask wearer becomes substantially the same as that in a normal
state.
[0282] On the other hand, as illustrated in FIG. 26 and FIG. 27B,
the expiration filter 420 includes, from the outside air side of
the mask main body 401, a collecting filter 421 for collecting
contaminants in expired air, a non-woven fabric filter 422 on the
inner side of the collecting filter 421, and a check valve 423 on
the inner side of the non-woven fabric filter 422, for preventing
the outside air from entering.
[0283] Here, the collecting filter 421 is made of active carbon,
zeolite, silica gel impregnated with 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine
(DNPH), non-woven fabric, or the like, and configured as a
regeneration cartridge removably mounted to the mask main body
401.
[0284] The non-woven fabric filter 422 is applied with a chemical
solution for removing dust and specific contaminants in
advance.
[0285] Moreover, the check valve 423 is configured to prevent
reverse flow of outside air so that the outside air cannot enter
the collecting filter 421, and thus only the components originated
from the exhaling person as the mask user are collected in the
collecting filter 421.
[0286] Next, the function of the mask according to this embodiment
is described.
[0287] According to this embodiment, the mask 400 includes the
inspiration filter 410 (the dust removal filter 411, the gas
removal filter 412). Moreover, the check valve 423 is disposed in
the portion of the collecting filter 421 of the expiration filter
420. Accordingly, components in the outside air cannot pass through
the collecting filter 421 so that components collected in the
collecting filter 421 are limited to those originated from the
expired air of the mask user.
[0288] Moreover, components in the expired air are widely different
among the mask users so that the kind and concentration of the
components are hard to estimate. Accordingly, it is desired that
the mask wearing time be long enough for causing as large an amount
of expired air as possible to pass through the collecting filter
421 and for trapping contaminants in the expired air. However, the
pressure loss due to the expiration filter 420 including the
collecting filter 421 for trapping contaminants in the expired air
may impose a burden on the mask user with respect to respiration.
Accordingly, it may be impossible to measure contaminants in the
air expired under a normal state. In this regard, this embodiment
adopts a forced air intake method in the intake fan 413 so that an
excess burden on the mask user with respect to respiration can be
effectively avoided.
[0289] That is, in this embodiment, clean air is sent into the mask
400 by the intake fan 413 disposed in front of the nostril so that
the inside of the mask 400 is constantly maintained in a positive
pressure. With this, the mask user inhales clean air which is
constantly supplied into the mask 400, and contaminants in the
expired air are caused to pass through the collecting filter 421
disposed in front of the mouth so as to be trapped therein.
[0290] Here, when the contaminants trapped in the collecting filter
421 are gaseous substances, through the regeneration process by the
filter regeneration device, for example, the process such as
thermal desorption and solvent extraction, the contaminants are
separated from the collecting filter 421 and analyzed by an
analysis device, such as a gas chromatograph mass spectrometer
(GC/MS), a gas chromatograph (GC), a high performance liquid
chromatograph (HPLC), and an ion chromatograph (IC), so as to
perform a qualitative analysis and a quantitative analysis.
[0291] When the contaminants collected in the collecting filter 421
are microbial particles, such as bacteria, fungi, and viruses, the
contaminants can be separated from the collecting filter 421 by an
operation, such as washing, and identified by solution emission,
microscopic observation, or the like.
[0292] With this, disease and health information can be obtained
from the expired air of the mask user.
[0293] Note that, when the gas removal filter 412 of the
inspiration filter 410 is regenerated, through an analysis of
gaseous contaminants collected by the gas removal filter 412,
information on air pollution in the environment where respiration
is performed can be obtained.
EXAMPLE
Example 1
[0294] In this example, the air cleaning apparatus was disposed in
an environment control-type large chamber (air volume: 4.98
[m.sup.3]), and the apparatus performance was obtained by measuring
concentrations on the upstream and downstream sides of the air
cleaning apparatus. The inside of the chamber was controlled under
a fixed environmental condition (temperature: 28.+-.1 [.degree. C],
relative humidity: 50.+-.1 [%], ventilation frequency:
0.03.+-.0.003 [l/h]), and clean air was constantly supplied.
[0295] The results are shown in FIG. 28A.
[0296] The computational expression of the contaminant removal rate
that is used in this case is illustrated in FIG. 28B.
[0297] The actually measured value of the concentration in the
chamber was substituted into the computational expression of the
removal rate so as to calculate the removal of formaldehyde by the
air cleaning apparatus. As a result, as shown in FIG. 28A, the
removal rates of formaldehyde were as follows:
[0298] initial value: 77.6 [%]; after first spray: 30.5 [%]; after
second spray: 55.1 [%].
[0299] It was found that the formaldehyde removal performance was
greatly recovered by spraying 1 [g] of a chemical adsorbent. In
this apparatus, it is considered that the recoverability is
enhanced with further increase of the spray amount.
REFERENCE SIGNS LIST
[0300] 1 . . . air cleaning apparatus, 2 . . . cleaning apparatus
main body, 3 . . . air flow passage, 4 . . . cleaning filter, 5 . .
. particle trapping member, 6 . . . gas trapping member, 7 (7a to
7c) . . . trapping material, 8 . . . trapping material holding
member, 10 (10a to 10b) . . . trapping material supply device, 15 .
. . filter regeneration device.
* * * * *