JP2001293070A - Deodorizing and sterilizing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a deodorizing and sterilizing device which can easily and efficiently deodorize and sterilize an object and can exhibit effective deodorizing and sterilizing effects while the cost of the device is reduced by simplifying the device as a whole. SOLUTION: This deodorizing and sterilizing device is provided with a pair of electrodes which are faced to each other at a prescribed interval and an air permeable photocatalyst body coated with a thin titanium oxide film. Corona discharge light is generated by applying a voltage across the electrodes from a power source. The electrodes and photocatalyst body are positioned so that the thin titanium oxide film may be irradiated with the corona discharge light.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a deodorizing and sterilizing apparatus for deodorizing various odors generated from objects such as used shoes, slippers, and washed dishes, and sterilizing attached bacteria.

[0002]

For example, in the case of shoes and the like after use, foot odor is generated due to sweat and adhering moisture from the human body during use, which causes discomfort to the user and those around him. Have given. In addition, in these shoes, various bacteria such as athlete's foot bacteria easily adhere through socks and the like. Has become.

Conventionally, foot odor adhering to shoes has been removed by spraying a deodorant containing a citrus odor component different from the foot odor, for example, by concealing the foot odor. However, if the deodorant component becomes weaker with the passage of time or the foot odor becomes stronger, there is a problem that the deodorant cannot be effectively deodorized.

In order to reduce bacteria adhering to shoes, it is possible to reduce the humidity by shading the shoes or the like to reduce the breeding environment of the bacteria. Cannot be sterilized or sterilized,
It did not result in a radical solution. In particular, in the case where the frequency of use is high, it was not possible to dry sufficiently in a short time, and it was also difficult to effectively suppress the growth of bacteria.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned conventional disadvantages, and an object of the present invention is to provide a deodorizing / sterilizing apparatus capable of easily and efficiently deodorizing and sterilizing an object. Is to provide.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a deodorizing / sterilizing apparatus capable of obtaining an effective deodorizing and sterilizing effect while simplifying the apparatus itself and reducing the cost.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to a pair of electrodes facing each other at a predetermined interval, a photocatalyst having a surface formed with a titanium oxide thin film through which air can flow, and both electrodes. A power source for applying a voltage capable of emitting corona discharge light is provided between the electrodes and the photocatalyst is arranged at a position where the corona discharge light can be applied to the titanium oxide thin film, and the titanium oxide thin film is irradiated with the irradiated corona discharge light. It is characterized by photocatalytic activity.

[0008]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below with reference to an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a shoe drying apparatus. Embodiment 1 FIG. 1 is an explanatory view showing a deodorizing and sterilizing apparatus, FIG. 2 is an overall perspective view schematically showing a shoe drying apparatus to which the deodorizing and sterilizing apparatus is applied, FIG. 3 is an explanatory view showing a corona discharge unit, and FIG. 4 is a photocatalytic unit. FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 are explanatory diagrams showing modified examples of the photocatalyst.

A door 5 is openably and closably attached to the front of the main body box 3 of the shoe drying apparatus 1 to which the deodorizing and sterilizing apparatus 9 is attached, and the shoes 7 as objects to be deodorized and sterilized are accommodated in the main body box 3. An introduction opening 3a for introducing air into the main body box 3 is formed on the side surface or the back surface of the main body box 3, and a filter 3c for removing dust from the introduced outside air is provided in the main body box 3 corresponding to the introduction opening 3a. Have been.

A deodorizing / sterilizing device 9 is mounted in the main body box 3 corresponding to the introduction opening 3a. A blower member 11 such as an electric fan is attached to the introduction opening 3 a side of the case 4 in the deodorizing / sterilizing device 9, and the blower member 11 is driven to introduce outside air into the main body box 3. A number of holes 4a are formed in the case 4 on the air introduction side.
The air in the main body box 3 is introduced into the deodorizing / sterilizing apparatus 9 via a and circulated.

In the ventilation passage of the ventilation member 11, a corona discharge unit 13 and a photocatalyst unit 21 are provided. The corona discharge unit 13 has a first electrode 15 in which a large number of protruding plates 15a having a needle shape, a triangular shape, or the like are provided in an array or matrix at predetermined intervals on the discharge surface.
And a second electrode 17 which is opposed to the tip of the protruding plate 15a of the first electrode 15 with a small gap capable of corona discharge, and has a hole 17a formed opposite to the top of the protruding plate 15a.
And a high voltage (1 to 1) between the first electrode 15 and the second electrode 17.
5KV) to generate a corona discharge between the electrodes 15 and 17 (not shown).

The above-mentioned power supply device is set to a voltage at which corona discharge light including ultraviolet light and visible light having a wavelength of 400 to 500 nm is generated between the electrodes 15 and 17.

The two electrodes 15 which generate corona discharge
The outside air and the circulating air inside the main body box 3 which are forcibly introduced during the period 17 are ionized (plus and minus) and ozone (O3) by corona discharge to deodorize odor components contained in the air.

The photocatalyst unit 21 is, for example, a metal net 2
2, a photocatalyst body 23 containing a plurality of titanium oxide photocatalyst particles 23a in which a single layer or a plurality of titanium oxide thin films are formed on the surface of a granular carrier such as ceramic particles or silica gel particles. Titanium oxide is preferably in an anatase form from the viewpoint of photoactivity, but may be partially in rutile form.

As the photocatalyst 23, in addition to the above-mentioned titanium oxide photocatalyst grains 23a, as shown in FIG. 5, the surface of a net 25 made of a synthetic resin, metal, ceramics or the like having a mesh of a size through which air can flow. The present invention is also applicable to a case where a titanium oxide thin film is formed on the substrate.

A light reflection plate 27 is provided in the case 4 over the corona discharge unit 13 and the photocatalyst unit 21. The light reflecting plate 27 irradiates the photocatalyst 23 with light by corona discharge generated between the first electrode 15 and the second electrode 17, and the light reflecting plate 27 shown is made of synthetic resin or metal, With a large number of spherical concave portions 27a formed on the surface, a reflective film such as an aluminum thin film is deposited or plated, and the photocatalyst 23 is irradiated with corona discharge light generated between the electrodes 15 and 17.

As shown in FIG. 6, the light reflecting plate 27 has a channel shape that covers at least the second electrode 17 and the photocatalyst 23, and has a smooth surface having a metal reflecting film without a spherical concave portion 27a on the surface. Or the light reflecting plate 27 may be made of a metal material and the surface thereof may be mirror-finished.

The photocatalyst unit 21 uses the corona discharge light generated between the first electrode 15 and the second electrode 17 as an excitation light source for photocatalysis to generate the titanium oxide photocatalyst particles 2 of the photocatalyst 23.
A strong oxidizing power is generated on the surface of 3a to detoxify or sterilize harmful organic chemicals and various bacteria contained in the air that comes into contact therewith.

A heating member 29 is provided in a blowing passage corresponding to the air outlet side of the photocatalyst unit 21 to heat deodorized and sterilized air to about 50 to 80 ° C. The heating member 29 may be any of an electric heater, a ceramic heater, and the like. In the present invention, the heating member 29 does not constitute the gist, and may be provided as needed.

An operation panel 33 is provided on the front upper portion of the main body box 3, and the power switch 3 is provided on the operation panel 33.
3a, a temperature setting switch 33b, an operation time setting switch 33c, and a display panel 33d are provided.

Next, the deodorizing, sterilizing and drying actions of the shoe drying apparatus 1 will be described. FIG. 7 is a chart showing the temperature distribution in the main body box, and FIGS. 8 to 10 are charts showing the bactericidal action against various bacteria.

After the shoes 7 as the objects to be deodorized and sterilized are set in the main body box 3, the temperature in the main body box 3 is set to an arbitrary temperature within 50 to 80 ° C. by the temperature setting switch 33b, and the operation time setting switch is set. When the power switch 33a is turned on after setting the operation time of the shoe drying apparatus 1 to an arbitrary time of, for example, 5 minutes by 33c, the outside air from the opening 3a and the air from the hole 4a are introduced with the driving of the blowing member 11. The air in the main body box 3 is caused to flow between the first electrode 15 and the second electrode 17 to which a high voltage has been applied.

As a result, the air flowing through the corona discharge generated between the electrodes 15 and 17 is ionized and ozonized, and the odor component contained in the air is deodorized by ion and ozone reactions.

The corona discharge light generated between the first electrode 15 and the second electrode 17 irradiates the titanium oxide catalyst particles 23 a of the photocatalyst 23. This corona discharge light is applied to the photocatalyst 23
In addition to the direct irradiation of the photocatalyst 23, the photocatalyst 23 can be efficiently excited because the light is reflected and irradiated by the light reflection plate 27.

As a result, a strong oxidizing force is generated on the surface of the titanium oxide of the titanium oxide photocatalyst particles 23a, and harmful organic chemical substances and various bacteria contained in the air flowing in contact with the titanium oxide catalyst particles 23a are detoxified. Or sterilize.

In particular, the corona discharge light is ultraviolet light and wavelength 4
Because it is visible light of 00 to 500 nm. High photocatalytic activity can be obtained.

Then, as shown in FIG. 7, the air sterilized by the photocatalyst 23 is heated by the heating member 29 and circulated through the main body box 3 to spray the shoes 7 to deodorize and adhere odor components. Bacteria are sterilized and dried.

The odor component generated from the shoe 7 and a part of the attached bacteria are suspended in the air in the main body box 3, but the air itself containing the odor component and the bacteria is deodorized through the hole 4a. After being introduced into the disinfection device 9, it is deodorized and disinfected by the above-described action and is sprayed on the shoes 7 again, so that deodorization and disinfection can be performed efficiently.

FIG. 8 shows the bactericidal effect on E. coli O-157.
FIG. 9 shows the bactericidal effect on Staphylococcus aureus and S. aureus. Medium: 35 ± 1 ° C., 16 to 16 ° C. in NA medium (normal agar medium)
The test strain cultured for 24 hours was re-inoculated into an NA medium and cultured at 35 ± 1 ° C. for 16 to 20 hours.
μB medium (diluted normal broth with 0.2% meat extract diluted 20-fold with phosphate buffer and adjusted to pH 7.0 ± 0.2) and dispersed uniformly to reduce the number of bacteria per ml to about 10 ⁶ It was adjusted.

Test operation: Standard cotton white cloth (50 mm × 50 m
m), 0.1 ml of the bacterial solution was added dropwise to the deodorizing photocatalyst unit 9
Was placed at a position about 10 cm from the hot air outlet. The measurement was performed twice.

Measurement of viable cell count: Before and 60 minutes after the sample operation, surviving cells were washed out from a standard cotton white cloth with a phosphate buffered saline solution containing 0.05% polysorbate 80, and the viable cell count of the washed liquid was determined by SA Agar plate culture method using medium (35
C. for 2 days) and converted to a standard white cotton cloth.

[0032]

FIG. 1 shows the bactericidal effect on athlete's foot bacteria (Trichophyton).
0 is shown. Medium: Conidia of a test strain sufficiently formed on a PDA medium (potato dextrose agar medium) were suspended in a 0.005% dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate solution. After removing the fruiting bodies and mycelium from this suspension, the suspension was adjusted with a bacterial solution so that the number of conidia per ml was about 10 ⁸ .

Test operation: standard cotton white cloth (size: 50 mm
× 50 mm) was added dropwise. This was placed at a distance of about 10 cm from the hot air outlet of the sample, and the sample was operated. The measurement was performed twice.

Measurement of the viable cell count: Before and 60 minutes after the sample operation, surviving cells were washed out from a standard cotton white cloth with 0.05% polysorbate 80-added phosphate-buffered saline, and the viable cell count of the washed liquid was determined by PDA. Agar plate culture method using medium (2
5 ° C. for 7 days) and converted to a standard white cotton cloth.

[0036] In each case described above, a bactericidal effect was observed.

Embodiment 2 FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a deodorizing / sterilizing apparatus according to the present embodiment. A deodorizing / sterilizing apparatus 101 according to the present embodiment is replaced with a single or a single unit which emits ultraviolet light and visible light instead of the light reflection plate 27. The configuration is characterized in that a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) 103 are provided at positions where light can be irradiated to the photocatalyst 23, and other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment. The same reference numerals are given to the drawings and the description is omitted.

In the present embodiment, the light of the LED 103 is used as light energy for exciting the titanium oxide thin film in addition to the corona discharge light generated between the electrodes 15 and 17. The LED
103 can efficiently emit light of a desired wavelength to efficiently excite the titanium oxide thin film and obtain a high sterilizing effect.

Further, since the LED 103 itself is low cost and consumes less power, the cost of the device itself and the cost of the power supply device can be reduced.

In the structure in which the LED 103 is provided, it is not necessary to use corona discharge light generated between the electrodes 15 and 17 as light energy for exciting the titanium oxide thin film. The voltage to be applied may be set to a voltage for ionizing and ozonizing the air flowing between them.

In the above description, the deodorizing / sterilizing device 9 is mounted in the main body box 3 and the shoe 7 as the object is deodorized and sterilized and dried. However, the present invention is directed to a single unit of the deodorizing / sterilizing device 9. The deodorizing / sterilizing device 9 is mounted in a food storage (including a refrigerator) such as a shoe box or a closet, for example, to deodorize various odors generated therein and to sterilize bacteria that have propagated. There may be.

In the present embodiment, the air which has been ionized and ozonized and sterilized is heated to about 50 to 80 ° C. by the heating member 29 to dry the object. It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which a dehumidifying means is provided in the main body box 3 without providing the 29 to dehumidify the air inside to dry the object.

Further, in this embodiment, the corona discharge light is reflected by the light reflecting plate to the photocatalyst 23 so that the photocatalyst 23 is efficiently irradiated with the corona discharge light. The purpose is to excite the photocatalyst pair by corona discharge light that is directly applied to the surface and to generate a strong oxidizing power on the surface to sterilize the surface, and the gist is not limited by the light reflecting plate.

Further, as a configuration for efficiently irradiating the photocatalyst with corona discharge light instead of the light reflecting plate, for example, a configuration in which corona discharge light condensed by a semi-cylindrical prism is irradiated on the photocatalyst by an optical fiber. You may.

Further, in the present embodiment, the blowing member 11 is arranged in parallel with the electrodes 15 and 17,
The arrangement example 1 is not limited to this example, and may be, for example, an arrangement example having an angle with respect to the electrode, for example, an orthogonal arrangement. In the present embodiment, an example in which a pair of electrodes 15 and 17 is arranged is shown in the drawing, but it is needless to say that a plurality of pairs of electrodes may be arranged.

[0046]

According to the present invention, the object can be easily and efficiently deodorized and sterilized. Further, an effective deodorizing and sterilizing effect can be obtained while simplifying the apparatus itself and reducing the cost.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory view showing a deodorizing and sterilizing apparatus.

FIG. 2 is an overall perspective view schematically showing a shoe drying apparatus.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory view showing a corona discharge unit.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory view showing a photocatalyst unit.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory view showing a modified example of a photocatalyst body.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory view showing a modified example of the photocatalyst body.

FIG. 7 is a chart showing a temperature distribution in a main body box.

FIG. 8 is a chart showing a bactericidal action on Escherichia coli.

FIG. 9 is a chart showing a bactericidal action on Staphylococcus aureus.

FIG. 10 is a chart showing a bactericidal action on Trichophyton.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory view showing a deodorizing and sterilizing apparatus according to a second embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

1-Shoe drying device, 3-Body box, 7-Shoes as deodorization and sterilization target, 9-Deodorization and sterilization device, 13-Corona discharge unit, 15.17-First and second electrodes, 21-Photocatalytic unit, 23-photocatalyst, 23a-titanium oxide photocatalyst particles, 27-light reflector as light irradiation means

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) B01J 21/06 B01J 35/04 331A 35/02 B01D 53/36 J35 / 04 331 ZABH (72) Inventor Hirofumi Taota 1-333 Kiyosumi-cho, Chigusa-ku, Nagoya-shi (72) Kazuaki Sasaki 51, Nakatsubo-cho, Tenpaku-ku, Nagoya 2 F master terms in the company's master fact 4C080 AA07 BB02 BB05 CC12 HH05 JJ04 JJ06 KK02 LL02 MM02 QQ12 QQ17 4D048 AA22 AB03 BA07X BA13X BA41X BB07 CC38 CC52 CC63 CD08 EA01 EA03 4G069 AA03 AA11 BA04A BA04B BA48A CA01 CA10 CA11 CA17 EA12 EB11 EE07

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A pair of electrodes facing each other at a predetermined interval, a photocatalyst having a titanium oxide thin film formed on the surface through which air can flow, and a corona discharge light can be emitted between the two electrodes. A deodorizing and sterilizing apparatus comprising a power supply for applying a high voltage and arranging the electrode and the photocatalyst at a position where the corona discharge light can be applied to the titanium oxide thin film. 2. An opening for introducing and exhausting air is provided, respectively. A box for accommodating an object and an air introducing member for introducing air from the opening of the box are opposed to each other at a predetermined interval, and a high voltage is applied. And a photocatalyst with a titanium oxide thin film formed on the surface through which air can flow and the electrodes and the photocatalyst are arranged so that corona discharge light can be applied to the titanium oxide thin film. Deodorizing and sterilizing equipment. 3. The deodorizing and sterilizing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a heating member for heating air is provided in the box. 4. A method according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of projections are formed on one electrode at a desired interval, and a hole is formed on the other electrode facing a top of each projection. A deodorizing and sterilizing device that can transmit corona discharge light generated between both electrodes. 5. A deodorizing and sterilizing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the photocatalyst contains a large number of photocatalyst particles in which a titanium oxide thin film is formed on the surface of a granular carrier in a mesh through which air can flow. 6. The deodorizing / sterilizing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the photocatalyst is formed by forming a titanium oxide thin film on the surface of a mesh through which air can flow. 7. The deodorizing and sterilizing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the electrode is disposed on the windward side of the photocatalyst. 8. The deodorizing / sterilizing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a light reflecting plate is disposed between the electrode and the photocatalyst so that the photocatalyst can be irradiated with corona discharge light generated between the electrodes. 9. The deodorizing and sterilizing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a light emitting diode is disposed between the electrode and the photocatalyst so that the photocatalyst can be irradiated with light. 10. The deodorizing and sterilizing apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising dehumidifying means for dehumidifying the air in the box.