JP2021046997A - Air cleaner and control method for air cleaner - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an air cleaner capable of efficiently recovering a function of a photocatalytic filter and a control method for the air cleaner.SOLUTION: An air cleaner includes: a photocatalyst member; a light source irradiating the photocatalyst member with light; a fan guiding outside air to the photocatalyst member; and a control section controlling light intensity that is intensity of the light emitted from the light source and air quantity of the fan. The control section switches between a first operation mode of performing an air cleaning operation by irradiating the photocatalyst member with the light of first light intensity from the light source and driving the fan with first air quantity and a second operation mode of performing a refresh operation of the photocatalyst member by using at least either method of a method for irradiating the photocatalyst member with the light of second light intensity different from the first light intensity from the light source or a method for driving the fan with second air quantity different from the first air quantity.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

The present invention relates to an air purifier and a control method for the air purifier.

It is known that in an air purifying device such as a deodorizing device and a sterilizing device using a photocatalyst, the deodorizing and sterilizing functions of the photocatalyst are deteriorated by operating for a long time. Conventionally, a technique for restoring the function of a photocatalyst has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2).

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2009-291398 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 10-137548

For example, Patent Document 1 solves the problem that in a photocatalytic device using fluorine-containing titanium oxide as a photocatalytic member, the fluorine content in titanium oxide decreases and the activity of the photocatalytic member decreases when left for a long period of time. Therefore, a technique for intermittently irradiating the photocatalytic member with ultraviolet rays at predetermined time intervals during the operation stop period is disclosed. However, when the ultraviolet irradiation intensity is the same during normal operation and intermittent irradiation, the following problems occur. That is, since the purpose of lighting the light source is different between normal operation and intermittent irradiation, the optimum ultraviolet irradiation intensity is different for each. Therefore, if the intensity is excessive with respect to the required ultraviolet irradiation intensity, power consumption is wasted, and if the intensity is insufficient, there arises a problem that a sufficient effect cannot be obtained.

Further, Patent Document 2 describes an adsorbent using a heat source such as a halogen lamp or an incandescent lamp in addition to ultraviolet rays for a photocatalyst as a means for cleaning a filter whose adsorption effect is reduced due to saturation of the adsorbent of the filter that adsorbs odorous components. The technology for heating is disclosed. However, this technique requires a halogen lamp, an incandescent lamp, a member necessary for lighting the halogen lamp, an incandescent lamp, and the like as a heating member, which leads to a complicated structure and an increase in the cost of the entire device. In addition, since the heat source consumes a considerable amount of electric power, the power consumption of the apparatus is increased.

An object of the present invention is to provide an air purifier and a control method for the air purifier capable of efficiently recovering the function of the photocatalytic filter.

The air purifying device according to one aspect of the present invention includes a photocatalyst member, a light source for irradiating the photocatalyst member with light, a fan for guiding outside air to the photocatalyst member, and the intensity of the light emitted from the light source. A control unit for controlling the light intensity and the air volume of the fan is provided, and the control unit irradiates the photocatalyst member with the light of the first light intensity from the light source and drives the fan with the first air volume. The photocatalyst member is irradiated with the light having a second light intensity different from the first light intensity from the light source, and the fan is different from the first air volume. The second operation mode in which the photocatalyst member is refreshed is switched by at least one of the methods of driving with the second air volume.

A control method for an air purifier according to another aspect of the present invention is a control method for an air purifier including a photocatalyst member, a light source for irradiating the photocatalyst member with light, and a fan for guiding outside air to the photocatalyst member. Then, a control step for controlling the light intensity, which is the intensity of the light emitted from the light source, and the air volume of the fan is executed by one or a plurality of processors, and in the control step, the first light intensity from the light source is the same. The first operation mode in which the photocatalyst member is irradiated with light and the fan is driven by the first air volume to perform an air cleaning operation, and the light having a second light intensity different from the first light intensity is emitted from the light source. Switching between a second operation mode in which the photocatalyst member is refreshed by at least one of a method of irradiating the photocatalyst member and a method of driving the fan with a second air volume different from the first air volume. It is a control method.

According to the present invention, the function of the photocatalytic filter can be efficiently restored.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a configuration of an air purifier according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the air purifier according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3A is a graph of a drive signal for driving the air purifier according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3B is a graph of a drive signal for driving the air purifier according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the procedure of the air cleaning process executed in the air purifying device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a timing chart showing an example of the operation of the air cleaning process executed in the air purifying device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the procedure of the air cleaning process executed in the air purifying device according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a timing chart showing an example of the operation of the air cleaning process executed in the air purifying device according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a timing chart showing an example of the operation of the air cleaning process executed in the air purifying device according to the third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of the procedure of the air cleaning process executed in the air purifying device according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a timing chart showing an example of the operation of the air cleaning process executed in the air purifying device according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of the procedure of the air cleaning process executed in the air purifying device according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an example of the procedure of the air cleaning process executed in the air purifying device according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13 is a graph of a pollution sensor signal in the air purifier according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 14 is a graph of a pollution sensor signal in the air purifier according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 15 is a timing chart showing an example of the operation of the air cleaning process executed in the air purifying device according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the following embodiment is an example embodying the present invention and does not have a character that limits the technical scope of the present invention. For convenience of explanation, components having the same functions as the components shown in each embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

[Embodiment 1]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the air purifying device 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the air purifying device 1.

The air purifying device 1 is a photocatalyst device and has a function of performing, for example, an indoor air purifying operation. The air purifier 1 has an intake port 3, a photocatalyst filter 4, a fan 5, an exhaust port 6, an LED 7, an operation unit 8, a motion sensor 9, a power supply unit 11, a dirt sensor 12, a control unit 10, and the like in a housing 2. Is provided and configured. The air purifier 1 is not limited to the configuration shown in FIG.

The housing 2 is formed in a rectangular shape. The housing 2 is formed by injection molding a resin such as plastic. An intake port 3 composed of a plurality of slits penetrating the wall surface of the housing 2 is provided at one end of the housing 2 in the X direction (the left end in FIG. 1). Further, an exhaust port 6 composed of a plurality of slits penetrating the wall surface of the housing 2 is provided at the other end of the housing 2 in the X direction (right end in FIG. 1). The outside air of the air purifying device 1 is taken in from the intake port 3, purified by the air purifying device 1, and exhausted from the exhaust port 6.

The photocatalyst filter 4 is a filter that purifies (air purifies) air with a photocatalyst. The photocatalyst filter 4 is an example of the photocatalyst member of the present invention. As the photocatalyst, for example, a material based on tungsten oxide is used. The photocatalyst filter 4 is configured by filtering using a base material which is a base of the filter, for example, glass fiber processed so as to ensure air permeability, and supporting the photocatalyst on the filter. As the supporting method, for example, a method of directly applying to the filter base material or a method of applying a mixture of a binder or the like as a fixing material may be used.

Specifically, the photocatalyst filter 4 has a function of oxidatively decomposing odorous components, bacteria, viruses, etc. in the air in the vicinity of the photocatalyst filter 4 when activated by irradiation with light having a specific wavelength. Have. This function makes it possible to purify the air in the room.

The fan 5 is a blower fan for sending indoor air from the intake port 3 into the device of the air purifying device 1 (inside the housing 2) and discharging the air purified by the photocatalyst filter 4 into the room from the exhaust port 6. .. As the fan 5, a box fan, a sirocco fan, a cross flow fan, or the like is generally used. The fan 5 is driven by the fan driver 51. The fan driver 51 is a drive unit that applies drive power to the fan 5 to drive the fan 5, and is composed of elements that apply voltage and current to the fan 5.

The LED 7 is a light source having a specific wavelength that activates the photocatalyst filter 4. In this embodiment, for example, as the LED 7, a light source having a wavelength of about 450 nm can be used for a tungsten oxide-based photocatalyst. In recent years, such LEDs are generally used in LED lighting and the like, and can be obtained at low cost. The LED 7 is driven by the LED driver 71. The LED driver 71 is a drive unit that applies drive power to the LED 7 to cause the LED 7 to emit light, and is composed of an element that applies a voltage or a current to the LED 7.

The operation unit 8 is a switch for the user to select the operation mode of the air purifier 1 and a switch for stopping the operation. The operation information for the operation unit 8 is input to the control unit 10. In the present embodiment, the normal operation mode in which the air cleaning operation is performed is referred to as "operation mode 1" (corresponding to the first operation mode of the present invention), and the refresh operation mode in which the photocatalyst filter 4 is refreshed is referred to as "operation mode 2". (Corresponding to the second operation mode of the present invention).

The motion sensor 9 detects whether or not a person is required within a certain range around the air purifier 1. The motion sensor 9 is composed of, for example, an infrared sensor, a camera, and the like. The detection information of the motion sensor 9 is input to the control unit 10. In the air purifying device 1 according to the first embodiment, the motion sensor 9 may be omitted.

The dirt sensor 12 is a sensor that detects the degree of dirt on the photocatalyst filter 4. The dirt sensor 12 is composed of, for example, an infrared sensor, a camera, and the like. The detection information of the dirt sensor 12 is input to the control unit 10. In the air purifying device 1 according to the first embodiment, the dirt sensor 12 may be omitted.

The power supply unit 11 is a portion that supplies power to the entire air purifier 1. The power supply unit 11 generates a voltage or current required for each unit in the air purifier 1 from, for example, the power supply of a household outlet.

The control unit 10 includes processing units such as a reception processing unit 101, a drive processing unit 102, a switching processing unit 103, and a measurement unit 104. In the air purifying device 1 according to the first embodiment, the measuring unit 104 may be omitted.

The reception processing unit 101 receives operation information from the operation unit 8. For example, when the user performs an operation of selecting the operation mode 1 in the operation unit 8, the reception processing unit 101 receives the operation information. Further, for example, when the user performs an operation of selecting the operation mode 2 in the operation unit 8, the reception processing unit 101 receives the operation information. Further, for example, when the user performs an operation of stopping the operation of the air purifying device 1 in the operation unit 8, the reception processing unit 101 receives the operation information.

The drive processing unit 102 controls the drive of the air purifying device 1 based on the operation information received by the reception processing unit 101. Specifically, the drive processing unit 102 generates a drive signal corresponding to the operation mode 1 based on the operation information of the operation of selecting the operation mode 1, and outputs the drive signal to the LED driver 71 and the fan driver 51. Further, the drive processing unit 102 generates a drive signal corresponding to the operation mode 2 based on the operation information of the operation for selecting the operation mode 2, and outputs the drive signal to the LED driver 71 and the fan driver 51.

3A and 3B are graphs showing an example of the drive signal. The drive signal shown in FIG. 3A is a pulse signal having a period of T and a duty ratio of 80%. That is, the ON time t80 of the pulse signal is 80% of the period T. Similarly, the drive signal shown in FIG. 3B is a pulse signal having a period of T and a duty ratio of 40%. That is, the ON time t40 of the pulse signal is 40% of the period T.

When the operation mode is the operation mode 1, the drive processing unit 102 outputs, for example, a pulse signal having a duty ratio of 40% to the LED driver 71 and an output a pulse signal having a duty ratio of 80% to the fan driver 51. To do.

On the other hand, when the operation mode is the operation mode 2, the drive processing unit 102 outputs, for example, a pulse signal having a duty ratio of 80% to the LED driver 71 and a pulse signal having a duty ratio of 40% to the fan driver 51. Output to.

These duty ratios may be determined according to the specifications of the air purifier 1.

The LED driver 71 and the fan driver 51 receive the drive signal (pulse signal) output from the drive processing unit 102, and supply electric power to the LED 7 and the fan 5 during, for example, the ON period of the pulse signal. That is, the larger the duty ratio of the pulse signal, the larger the power is supplied. Therefore, the light intensity (light intensity) of the LED 7 and the air volume of the fan 5 can be controlled by the duty ratio of the pulse signal.

The switching processing unit 103 switches between the operation mode 1 for performing the air cleaning operation and the operation mode 2 for performing the refresh operation. For example, the switching processing unit 103 switches between the operation mode 1 and the operation mode 2 according to the operation of the user. For example, when the user selects the operation mode 2 (refresh operation mode) during the normal operation in the operation mode 1, the switching processing unit 103 sets the operation mode from the operation mode 1 based on the operation information received by the reception processing unit 101. Switch to operation mode 2. In the present embodiment, the light intensity p2 of the LED 7 (corresponding to the second light intensity of the present invention) in the operation mode 2 is the light intensity p1 of the LED 7 (corresponding to the first light intensity of the present invention) in the operation mode 1. ), Or the air volume a2 of the fan 5 (corresponding to the second air volume of the present invention) is the air volume a1 of the fan 5 (corresponding to the first air volume of the present invention) in the operation mode 1. The air volume is set different from.

Here, the operation method during the refresh operation in the operation mode 2 will be described.

In order to purify the air by the photocatalyst filter 4 in the operation mode 1 which is the normal operation, it is necessary to irradiate the photocatalyst filter 4 with light by the LED 7 while introducing the outside air into the air purifier 1 by the fan 5. This makes it possible to purify the surrounding air with the photocatalyst filter 4. On the other hand, if such an operation is continued, the photocatalyst filter 4 deteriorates. Reasons for this include the adhesion of residual substances left after oxidative decomposition during purification to the photocatalyst filter 4, dust and the like contained in the surrounding air adhering to the photocatalyst filter 4. As this accumulates with the operating time, the oxidative decomposition power of the photocatalyst filter 4 decreases. A refresh operation is performed in order to recover the oxidative decomposition power as much as possible from the state in which the oxidative decomposition power is lowered in this way.

To refresh the photocatalyst filter 4, there is a method of decomposing residual substances by irradiating with light. That is, in the refresh operation (operation mode 2), the control unit 10 irradiates the photocatalyst filter 4 with light having a light intensity p2 different from the light intensity p1 in the normal operation (operation mode 1) from the light source (LED7) to refresh. Drive. In this case, the control unit 10 may maintain the air volume of the fan 5 constant between the normal operation (operation mode 1) and the refresh operation (operation mode 2), or during the normal operation (operation mode 1). And refresh operation (operation mode 2) may be changed.

For example, in the refresh operation (operation mode 2), the control unit 10 irradiates the photocatalyst filter 4 with light having a light intensity p2 stronger than the light intensity p1 from the LED 7. When the light intensity p2 of the light source for the photocatalyst (LED7) is set to a light intensity stronger than the light intensity p1 in the normal operation (operation mode 1) during the refresh operation (operation mode 2) (p2> p1), the light intensity is increased. The stronger the value, the higher the refreshing effect. On the other hand, if strong light is applied even during normal operation, there arises a problem that the power consumption of the air purifier 1 during normal operation increases. Therefore, by making the light intensity of the LED 7 stronger than the light intensity during the normal operation during the refresh operation, it is possible to prevent an increase in power consumption while obtaining a refresh effect. In the above configuration, for example, the control unit 10 outputs a pulse signal having a duty ratio of 40% to the LED driver 71 and outputs a pulse signal having a duty ratio of 80% to the fan driver 51 during normal operation to refresh. During operation, a pulse signal having a duty ratio of 80% is output to the LED driver 71, and a pulse signal having a duty ratio of 80% is output to the fan driver 51.

Further, the control unit 10 may irradiate the photocatalyst filter 4 with light having a light intensity p2 weaker than the light intensity p1 from the LED 7 in the refresh operation (operation mode 2). When the light intensity p2 of the photocatalyst light source (LED7) is set to a light intensity weaker than the light intensity p1 during the normal operation (operation mode 1) during the refresh operation (operation mode 2) (p2 <p1), A refresh effect can be obtained as compared with the case where the LED 7 is turned off during the refresh operation. Further, in this case, since the light intensity p2 during the refresh operation is weaker than the light intensity p1 during the normal operation, the power consumption of the air purifier 1 during the refresh operation can be reduced and the photocatalyst can be reduced. It is possible to suppress heat generation by the light source (LED7). In an environment where power consumption and high temperature of the air purifier 1 are a problem, the photocatalyst filter 4 can be refreshed while lowering the ambient temperature by the above configuration. In the above configuration, for example, the control unit 10 outputs a pulse signal having a duty ratio of 80% to the LED driver 71 and outputs a pulse signal having a duty ratio of 80% to the fan driver 51 during normal operation to refresh. During operation, a pulse signal having a duty ratio of 40% is output to the LED driver 71, and a pulse signal having a duty ratio of 80% is output to the fan driver 51.

As another method for refreshing the photocatalyst filter 4, there is a method of switching the air volume of the fan 5 in the refresh operation (operation mode 2) while irradiating the photocatalyst filter 4 with light. That is, in the refresh operation (operation mode 2), the control unit 10 sets the air volume of the fan 5 to an air volume a2 different from the air volume a1 in the normal operation (operation mode 1). In this case, the control unit 10 may maintain the light intensity of the LED 7 constant between the normal operation (operation mode 1) and the refresh operation (operation mode 2), or during the normal operation (operation mode 1). And refresh operation (operation mode 2) may be changed.

For example, the control unit 10 sets the air volume of the fan 5 to an air volume a2 that is smaller than the air volume a1 in the normal operation (operation mode 1) in the refresh operation (operation mode 2). When the air volume a2 of the fan 5 during the refresh operation is set to be smaller than the air volume a1 of the fan 5 during the normal operation (a2 <a1), it becomes difficult to supply the outside air, so that the amount of oxidative decomposition by the outside air is suppressed and the refresh operation is in progress. This is effective because the deterioration of the photocatalyst filter 4 can be suppressed. Therefore, in the operation mode 2, it is conceivable to set the air volume of the fan 5 to be smaller than that in the operation mode 1, or to stop the driving of the fan 5. In the above configuration, for example, the control unit 10 outputs a pulse signal having a duty ratio of 40% to the LED driver 71 and outputs a pulse signal having a duty ratio of 80% to the fan driver 51 during normal operation to refresh. During operation, a pulse signal having a duty ratio of 40% is output to the LED driver 71, and a pulse signal having a duty ratio of 40% is output to the fan driver 51.

Further, the control unit 10 may set the air volume of the fan 5 to a larger air volume a2 than the air volume a1 in the normal operation (operation mode 1) in the refresh operation (operation mode 2). If the air volume a2 of the fan 5 is larger than the air volume a1 during normal operation during the refresh operation (operation mode 2) (a2> a1), it can be removed by blowing off dust and the like adhering to the photocatalyst filter 4. The photocatalyst filter 4 can be refreshed. In particular, in the refresh operation (operation mode 2), dust and the like that could not be removed by the air volume a1 in the normal operation (operation mode 1) can be removed with a stronger air volume. In this case, for example, the control unit 10 outputs a pulse signal having a duty ratio of 40% to the LED driver 71 during normal operation and outputs a pulse signal having a duty ratio of 40% to the fan driver 51 during the refresh operation. A pulse signal having a duty ratio of 40% is output to the LED driver 71, and a pulse signal having a duty ratio of 80% is output to the fan driver 51.

As described above, in the refresh operation (operation mode 2), the air purifying device 1 irradiates the photocatalyst filter 4 with light having a light intensity p2 different from the light intensity p1 in the normal operation (operation mode 1) from the LED 7. The photocatalyst filter 4 can be refreshed by (first refresh method) or by driving the fan 5 with an air volume a2 different from the air volume a1 during normal operation (operation mode 1) (second refresh method).

Further, the air purifier 1 may perform a refresh operation (operation mode 2) by combining the first refresh method and the second refresh method. For example, the air purifying device 1 sets the light intensity p2 of the LED in the operation mode 2 stronger than the light intensity p1 of the LED 7 in the operation mode 1, and the air volume of the fan 5 in the operation mode 2. Set a2 to be smaller than the air volume a1 of the fan 5 in the operation mode 1. Hereinafter, a specific operation example of the configuration will be described.

When the user performs an operation to stop the operation of the air purifying device 1 during the operation in the operation mode 1 or the operation mode 2, the drive processing unit 102 stops the driving of the LED 7 and the fan 5. For example, the drive processing unit 102 stops the output of the pulse signal. As a result, the operation of the air purifier 1 is stopped.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the procedure of the air cleaning process executed in the air purifying device 1 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a timing chart showing an example of the operation of the air cleaning process.

Hereinafter, the air cleaning process executed in the air purifying device 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. Specifically, in the present embodiment, the air cleaning process is executed by the control unit 10 of the air purifying device 1.

The present invention can be regarded as an invention of a control method for the air purifier 1 that executes one or more steps included in the air purifying process. Further, one or a plurality of steps included in the air cleaning treatment described here may be omitted as appropriate. The execution order of each step in the air cleaning process may be different as long as the same action and effect are produced. Further, although the case where each step in the air cleaning process is executed by the control unit 10 will be described here as an example, there is also a control method in which each step in the air cleaning process is distributed and executed by a plurality of processors. It can be considered as another embodiment.

First, in step S11, when the power of the air purifier 1 is turned on by the user, electric power is supplied to each part of the air purifier 1 via the power supply unit 11, and the air purifier 1 is put into a standby state (FIG. 5). OFF period).

Next, in step S12, the control unit 10 determines whether or not the operation information for starting the operation has been received from the operation unit 8 that accepts the user's operation. When the control unit 10 receives the operation information for starting the operation (S12: YES), the process proceeds to step S13. On the other hand, when the control unit 10 does not receive the operation information for starting the operation (S12: NO), the process returns to step S11 and maintains the standby state.

In step S13, the control unit 10 determines whether the operation mode corresponding to the operation information is the operation mode 1 or the operation mode 2. That is, the control unit 10 determines whether the user has selected the operation mode 1 or the operation mode 2.

For example, when the user selects the operation mode 1, the process proceeds to step S14, and the control unit 10 starts the operation in the operation mode 1 (t0 in FIG. 5). Specifically, the control unit 10 outputs, for example, a pulse signal having a duty ratio of 40% (see FIG. 3B) to the LED driver 71, and outputs a pulse signal having a duty ratio of 80% (see FIG. 3A) to the fan driver 51. Output. As a result, the light intensity of the LED 7 is driven by "p1", and the air volume of the fan 5 is driven by "a1" (see t0 in FIG. 5).

After that, in step S16, the control unit 10 determines whether or not the operation information for stopping the operation has been received from the operation unit 8. That is, the control unit 10 determines whether or not the user has stopped the operation. If the operation is not stopped (S16: NO), the process returns to step S13, and the control unit 10 repeats the operation mode determination process.

Here, for example, when the user selects the operation mode 2 (S13), the process proceeds to step S15, and the control unit 10 switches the operation mode from the operation mode 1 to the operation mode 2 (t1 in FIG. 5). As a result, the control unit 10 starts the refresh operation. Specifically, the control unit 10 outputs, for example, a pulse signal having a duty ratio of 80% (see FIG. 3A) to the LED driver 71, and outputs a pulse signal having a duty ratio of 40% (see FIG. 3B) to the fan driver 51. Output. As a result, the light intensity of the LED 7 is driven by "p2" (p2> p1), and the air volume of the fan 5 is driven by "a2" (a2 <a1) (see t1 in FIG. 5). After that, the process proceeds to step S16. In this way, the control unit 10 controls the air volume of the fan 5 so that the air volume of the fan 5 in the operation mode 2 is smaller than the air volume of the fan 5 in the operation mode 1. Steps S14 and S15 are examples of the control steps of the present invention.

In step S16, when the control unit 10 receives the operation stop operation information from the operation unit 8 (S16: YES), the control unit 10 stops the operation. For example, the control unit 10 stops the output of the pulse signal (see t2 in FIG. 5). When the operation is stopped, the process returns to step S11 and the standby state is set again. When the user performs an operation to turn off the power of the air purifier 1, the control unit 10 cuts off the power supply and turns it off.

As described above, the control unit 10 executes the air cleaning process while switching between the operation mode 1 and the operation mode 2 according to the operation of the user.

As described above, the air purifier 1 according to the first embodiment controls the light intensity of the photocatalyst light source (LED7) to a light intensity different from that during normal operation when refreshing the deterioration of the photocatalyst. Further, the air purifying device 1 controls the air volume sent into the air purifying device 1 during the normal operation to a different air volume from that during the normal operation, or stops the air blowing. As a result, power consumption can be suppressed while obtaining a sufficient refreshing effect as the whole air purifying device 1. Further, since the light source (LED) for the photocatalyst used in the normal operation is also used in the refreshing, the refreshing member and the cost are not required. Therefore, the function of the photocatalyst filter 4 can be efficiently restored.

As another embodiment, the control unit 10 sets the light intensity p2 of the LED in the operation mode 2 to be weaker than the light intensity p1 of the LED 7 in the operation mode 1, and the fan in the operation mode 2. The air volume a2 of 5 may be set to be larger than the air volume a1 of the fan 5 in the operation mode 1. For example, the control unit 10 outputs a pulse signal having a duty ratio of 80% to the LED driver 71 during normal operation and outputs a pulse signal having a duty ratio of 40% to the fan driver 51, and outputs a pulse signal having a duty ratio of 40% to the fan driver 51. Outputs a 40% pulse signal to the LED driver 71 and outputs a pulse signal having a duty ratio of 80% to the fan driver 51. According to this configuration, the photocatalyst filter 4 can be refreshed because it can be removed by blowing off dust and the like adhering to the photocatalyst filter 4 during the refresh operation. In addition, the power consumption of the air purifier 1 during the refresh operation can be reduced, and the heat generated by the light source (LED7) for the photocatalyst can be suppressed.

Further, as another embodiment, the control unit 10 sets the light intensity p2 of the LED in the operation mode 2 to be weaker than the light intensity p1 of the LED 7 in the operation mode 1, and in the case of the operation mode 2. The air volume a2 of the fan 5 may be set to be smaller than the air volume a1 of the fan 5 in the operation mode 1. For example, the control unit 10 outputs a pulse signal having a duty ratio of 80% to the LED driver 71 during normal operation and outputs a pulse signal having a duty ratio of 80% to the fan driver 51, and outputs a pulse signal having a duty ratio of 80% to the fan driver 51. Outputs a 40% pulse signal to the LED driver 71 and outputs a pulse signal having a duty ratio of 40% to the fan driver 51. According to this configuration, the photocatalyst filter 4 can be refreshed while suppressing the power consumption of the air purifier 1 during the refresh operation.

Further, as another embodiment, the control unit 10 sets the light intensity p2 of the LED in the operation mode 2 to be stronger than the light intensity p1 of the LED 7 in the operation mode 1 and in the case of the operation mode 2. The air volume a2 of the fan 5 may be set to be larger than the air volume a1 of the fan 5 in the operation mode 1. For example, the control unit 10 outputs a pulse signal having a duty ratio of 40% to the LED driver 71 during normal operation and outputs a pulse signal having a duty ratio of 40% to the fan driver 51, and outputs a pulse signal having a duty ratio of 40% to the fan driver 51. Outputs a pulse signal of 80% to the LED driver 71 and outputs a pulse signal having a duty ratio of 80% to the fan driver 51. According to this configuration, it is possible to obtain a refreshing effect by the light of the LED 7 and a refreshing effect by removing dust and the like using the air volume of the fan 5.

To set the air volume a2 of the fan 5 to be larger than the air volume a1 of the fan 5 during normal operation (operation mode 1) during the refresh operation (operation mode 2), set the air volume of the fan 5 to "a1> a2" and refresh. It may be combined before and after the operation (operation mode 2). In this case, the residual substances adhering to the photocatalyst filter 4 can be decomposed and dust and the like can be removed at the same time.

Further, in the air purifying device 1 according to the first embodiment, the control unit 10 reduces the air volume of the fan 5 in the refresh operation (operation mode 2) to be smaller than the first air volume a1 of the fan 5 in the normal operation (operation mode 1). The operation is performed by setting the second air volume a2 to decompose the residual substances adhering to the photocatalyst filter 4, and then the air volume of the fan 5 is set to the third air volume a3 which is larger than the second air volume a2 and operated to perform dust and the like. Is removed. Further, the control unit 10 operates by setting the air volume of the fan 5 to a third air volume a3 which is larger than the first air volume a1 of the fan 5 in the normal operation (operation mode 1) in the refresh operation (operation mode 2). After removing dust and the like, the air volume of the fan 5 is set to the second air volume a2, which is smaller than the third air volume a3, and the operation is performed to decompose the residual substance adhering to the photocatalyst filter 4. That is, the control unit 10 may change the air volume of the fan 5 in the operation mode 2.

Further, the control unit 10 may change the light intensity of the LED 7 and the air volume of the fan 5 in the operation mode 2. For example, in the operation mode 2, the control unit 10 reduces the air volume of the fan 5 when the light intensity of the LED 7 is increased, and increases the air volume of the fan 5 when the light intensity of the LED 7 is weakened. Further, for example, in the operation mode 2, the control unit 10 increases the air volume of the fan 5 when the light intensity of the LED 7 is increased, and decreases the air volume of the fan 5 when the light intensity of the LED 7 is weakened. May be good. The control unit 10 sets the light intensity and the air volume according to, for example, the degree of refreshment of the photocatalyst filter 4. Thereby, the refreshing effect of the photocatalyst filter 4 can be enhanced.

Hereinafter, the air purifier 1 according to another embodiment will be described. In each of the following embodiments, the description overlapping with the above description of the first embodiment will be omitted as appropriate.

[Embodiment 2]
The air purifier 1 according to the second embodiment further includes a measuring unit 104 (see FIG. 2). The measurement unit 104 measures the operation time of the operation mode 1 from the time when the user selects the normal operation. The measuring unit 104 is composed of, for example, a timer. The measurement unit 104 starts measurement at the timing when the operation mode 1 is selected.

The switching processing unit 103 determines whether or not the operation time (measurement time) in the operation mode 1 has reached the preset set time Tth1. When the cumulative total of the operation time in the operation mode 1 reaches the set time Tth1, the switching processing unit 103 switches the operation mode to the operation mode 2 and starts the refresh operation.

In this way, the control unit 10 starts measuring the operation time of the operation mode 1 when the operation of the operation mode 1 is started, and when the measured operation time reaches the preset set time Tth1, the operation is performed. Switch mode 1 to operation mode 2. As a result, the photocatalyst filter 4 can be automatically refreshed periodically even if the user forgets to switch to the refresh operation.

Further, the measurement unit 104 may further measure the operation time of the refresh operation (operation mode 2). In this case, for example, when the measurement time reaches the preset set time Tth2, the control unit 10 stops the refresh operation, switches the operation mode to the operation mode 1, and performs the normal operation.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the procedure of the air cleaning process executed in the air purifying device 1 according to the second embodiment. FIG. 7 is a timing chart showing an example of the operation of the air cleaning process.

First, in step S21, when the power of the air purifier 1 is turned on by the user, electric power is supplied to each part of the air purifier 1 via the power supply unit 11, and the air purifier 1 is put into a standby state (FIG. 7). OFF period).

Next, in step S22, the control unit 10 determines whether or not the operation information for starting the operation has been received from the operation unit 8 that accepts the user's operation. When the control unit 10 receives the operation information for starting the operation (S22: YES), the process proceeds to step S23. On the other hand, when the control unit 10 does not receive the operation information for starting the operation (S22: NO), the process returns to step S21 and maintains the standby state.

In step S23, the control unit 10 starts operation in the operation mode 1 (t0 in FIG. 7). For example, as in the first embodiment, the control unit 10 outputs the pulse signals shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B to the LED driver 71 and the fan driver 51 to drive the light intensity of the LED 7 with “p1”, and the fan 5 The air volume of is driven by "a1" (see t0 in FIG. 7). When the control unit 10 starts the operation in the operation mode 1, the control unit 10 starts measuring the operation time in the operation mode 1 (S24).

Next, in step S25, the control unit 10 determines whether or not the operation information for stopping the operation has been received from the operation unit 8. That is, the control unit 10 determines whether or not the user has stopped the operation. If the operation is not stopped (S25: NO), the process proceeds to step S26. When the control unit 10 receives the operation information for stopping the operation from the operation unit 8 (S25: YES), the process proceeds to step S30, and the control unit 10 stops the operation of the air purifying device 1.

Next, in step S26, the control unit 10 determines whether or not the measurement time has elapsed the set time Tth1. That is, the control unit 10 determines whether or not the operation time in the operation mode 1 has reached the set time Tth1. When the set time Tth1 has elapsed (S26: YES), the process proceeds to step S27. If the control unit 10 receives the operation stop operation information from the operation unit 8 before the set time Tth1 elapses (S25: YES), the process proceeds to step S30, and the control unit 10 moves to the air purifier 1 Stop the operation of.

In step S27, the control unit 10 switches the operation mode from the operation mode 1 to the operation mode 2 (t1 in FIG. 7). For example, as in the first embodiment, the control unit 10 outputs the pulse signals shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B to the LED driver 71 and the fan driver 51, and sets the light intensity of the LED 7 to “p2” (p2> p1). It is driven and the air volume of the fan 5 is driven by "a2" (a2 <a1) (see t1 in FIG. 7). When the control unit 10 starts the operation in the operation mode 2, the control unit 10 starts measuring the operation time in the operation mode 2 (S28). Steps S23 and S27 are examples of the control steps of the present invention.

Next, in step S29, the control unit 10 determines whether or not the measurement time has elapsed the set time Tth2. That is, the control unit 10 determines whether or not the operation time in the operation mode 2 has reached the set time Tth2. When the set time Tth2 elapses (S29: YES), the process returns to step S23, the control unit 10 switches the operation mode from the operation mode 2 to the operation mode 1, and sets the light intensity of the LED 7 to “p1”. The air volume of the fan 5 is driven by "a1" (see t2 in FIG. 7). After that, when the control unit 10 receives the operation information for stopping the operation from the operation unit 8 (S25: YES), the process proceeds to step S30, and the control unit 10 stops the operation of the air purifying device 1 (FIG. 7). See t3).

As described above, the control unit 10 executes the air cleaning process while switching between the operation mode 1 and the operation mode 2 based on the set times Tth1 and Tth2.

[Embodiment 3]
Regarding the control method of the fan 5 in the refresh operation (operation mode 2), the air purifier 1 may execute another control method.

Although it has already been described that a higher refresh effect can be obtained when the air volume of the fan 5 in the operation mode 2 is smaller than that in the operation mode 1 (normal operation), a method of further stopping the fan 5 is also conceivable. However, in this case, since the outside air is not supplied, the deterioration of the photocatalyst filter 4 due to the odor component or the like can be suppressed, but when the fan 5 is stopped during the entire period of the refresh operation, the oxidatively decomposed component for refreshing is released from that location. Without separating, it stays on the filter surface by being adsorbed on the photocatalyst filter 4. Therefore, the refreshing effect of the photocatalyst filter 4 may be reduced due to the components adsorbed on the photocatalyst filter 4.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 8, the air purifier 1 according to the third embodiment includes a configuration in which the fan 5 is intermittently driven during the refresh period. Specifically, the control unit 10 performs intermittent drive in the operation mode 2 by repeating a period in which the fan 5 is driven and a period in which the fan 5 is not driven. As a result, the components oxidatively decomposed by the refresh operation of the photocatalyst filter 4 are discharged from the air purifier 1 to the outside during the period in which the fan 5 is driven. Therefore, the refreshing effect of the photocatalyst filter 4 can be improved as compared with the case where the fan 5 is completely stopped.

As shown in FIG. 8, when the operation mode is switched from the operation mode 1 to the operation mode 2, the control unit 10 drives the LED driver 71 so as to drive the light intensity of the LED 7 at “p2”, and adjusts the air volume of the fan 5. The fan driver 51 is intermittently driven so as to be driven by "a2" (t1 to t2 in FIG. 8).

In the air purifying device 1 according to the third embodiment, in the refresh operation (operation mode 2), the control unit 10 sets the air volume of the fan 5 to "a2" and sets the air volume of the fan 5 to "a2". The drive may be repeated with the operation set to the small air volume "a23" (however, a23 <a2).

[Embodiment 4]
The air purifier 1 according to the fourth embodiment stops the operation of the air purifier 1 and turns off the power after the refresh operation is performed for a predetermined time when the user performs the stop operation during the normal operation.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of the procedure of the air cleaning process executed in the air purifying device 1 according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 10 is a timing chart showing an example of the operation of the air cleaning process.

For example, when the user selects the operation mode 1 (S43) and performs the stop operation during the operation in the operation mode 1 (S45: YES), in step S46, the control unit 10 changes the operation mode from the operation mode 1. Switch to operation mode 2 (t1 in FIG. 10). When the control unit 10 starts the operation in the operation mode 2, the control unit 10 starts measuring the operation time in the operation mode 2 (S47).

Next, in step S48, the control unit 10 determines whether or not the measurement time has elapsed the set time Tth3 (predetermined time of the present invention). That is, the control unit 10 determines whether or not the operation time in the operation mode 2 has reached the set time Tth3. When the set time Tth3 elapses (S48: YES), the process proceeds to step S49, and the control unit 10 stops the operation (t2 in FIG. 10).

When the user selects the operation mode 2, that is, for example, when the operation mode is switched from the operation mode 1 to the operation mode 2 (S43), the control unit 10 sets the operation time (S51) according to the operation mode 2 as the set time Tth3. (S52: YES), the operation is stopped (S49). Steps S43, S46, and S50 are examples of the control steps of the present invention.

[Embodiment 5]
The air purifying device 1 according to the fifth embodiment includes a configuration that controls an operation mode based on whether or not a person is present in the vicinity of the air purifying device 1 or in the room in which the air purifying device 1 is installed.

For example, when the motion sensor 9 (infrared sensor, camera, etc.) (see FIG. 1) provided in the air purifier 1 detects a person, the control unit 10 starts normal operation (operation mode 1) in the room. Start the air purification operation to purify the air. If the sensor no longer detects a person during normal operation, the control unit 10 switches to refresh operation (operation mode 2) and stops operation after the set time Tth4 elapses. As a result, it is possible to stop the operation and reduce the power consumption when a person is absent.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of the procedure of the air cleaning process executed in the air purifying device 1 according to the fifth embodiment.

For example, when the motion sensor 9 detects a person in the room where the air purifying device 1 is installed (S62: YES), in step S63, the control unit 10 sets the operation mode to the operation mode 1 and operates normally. To start. After that, the motion sensor 9 monitors whether or not a person is present in the room (S64). While a person is present in the room (S64: YES), the control unit 10 continues normal operation.

After that, when there are no more people in the room (S64: NO), the control unit 10 switches the operation mode from the operation mode 1 to the operation mode 2 (S65). When the control unit 10 starts the operation in the operation mode 2, the control unit 10 starts the time measurement (S66). Steps S63 and S65 are examples of the control steps of the present invention.

Next, in step S67, the control unit 10 determines whether or not the measurement time has elapsed the set time Tth4. That is, the control unit 10 determines whether or not the operation time in the operation mode 2 has reached the set time Tth4. When the set time Tth4 elapses (S67: YES), the process proceeds to step S68, and the control unit 10 stops the operation of the air purifying device 1.

In the air purifying device 1 according to the fifth embodiment, the control unit 10 may set the light intensity of the LED 7 according to the detection result of the motion sensor 9. For example, the control unit 10 sets the light intensity p1 of the LED 7 to be weak (“p1”) when the motion sensor 9 detects a person in the room, and when the motion sensor 9 no longer detects a person in the room. The light intensity p2 of the LED 7 is strongly set (“p2”).

[Embodiment 6]
The air purifying device 1 according to the sixth embodiment includes a configuration in which the operation mode is controlled based on the output (detection result) of the dirt sensor 12 that detects the degree of dirtiness of the photocatalyst filter 4 of the air cleaning device 1.

For example, when a reflective infrared sensor is used as a stain sensor 12, the stain sensor 12 irradiates the photocatalyst filter 4 with infrared light to determine the level of reflected light (reflected light level) received from the photocatalyst filter 4. It can be output. When the photocatalyst filter 4 is made of a white or bright color material, if the filter surface of the photocatalyst filter 4 becomes dirty, the reflected light level of the dirt sensor 12 decreases, so that the sensor output decreases.

FIG. 13 shows the relationship between the output of the dirt sensor 12 installed on the photocatalyst filter 4 and the dirt on the photocatalyst filter 4. In FIG. 13, it is assumed that the output of the dirt sensor 12 is “Sth” when the degree of dirt required for the photocatalyst filter 4 to be refreshed (corresponding to a predetermined amount of the present invention) is “Yth”. That is, when the output of the dirt sensor 12 is Sth or less, refreshing is required.

An example of controlling the air purifier 1 using the dirt sensor 12 will be described with reference to FIG. After turning on the power of the air purifier 1 to enter the standby state (S71), the operation start operation is performed (S72: YES). Then, the air purifier 1 is operated in the operation mode 1 (S73). The control unit 10 monitors the output of the dirt sensor 12 in this state (S74). When the output of the dirt sensor 12 during operation in operation mode 1 is larger than Sth, the operation in operation mode 1 is continued (S74: NO). When the output of the dirt sensor 12 during operation in the operation mode 1 becomes Sth or less, refreshing is required and the operation mode 2 is entered (S74: YES). The control unit 10 monitors the output of the dirt sensor 12 in this state (S76). When the output of the dirt sensor 12 during operation in the operation mode 2 becomes larger than Sth by the refresh operation, it is considered that the dirt has been removed (S76: NO). Then, the operation of the operation mode 1 is performed until the user performs an operation of stopping the operation of the air purifier 1 (S77). When the user performs an operation to stop the operation of the air purifier 1, the operation of the air purifier 1 is stopped (S78: YES). Steps S73 and S75 are examples of the control steps of the present invention.

[Embodiment 7]
Next, another embodiment using the dirt sensor 12 will be described. FIG. 14 shows the relationship between the output of the dirt sensor 12 installed on the photocatalyst filter 4 and the dirt on the photocatalyst filter 4. In FIG. 14, the output of the dirt sensor 12 when the degree of dirt is relatively small is “Sth1”, and the output of the dirt sensor 12 when the degree of dirt is relatively large is “Sth2”. FIG. 15 is a timing chart showing an example of the operation of the air cleaning process executed in the air purifying device 1 according to the seventh embodiment.

When the output of the dirt sensor 12 is Sth2 ≦ S <Sth1 while the air purifier 1 is being operated in the operation mode 1, the operation mode 2-1 is entered (see FIG. 15). The operation mode 2-1 is, for example, a driving state in which the light intensity p2 of the LED 7 is stronger than the light intensity p1 of the operation mode 1 and the air volume a2 of the fan 5 is smaller than the air volume a1 of the fan 5 of the operation mode 1. A refresh operation is executed by this operation, but when the environment around the air purifier 1 is very dirty, the refresh cannot catch up and the output of the dirt sensor 12 continues to decrease, and the output of the dirt sensor 12 becomes S <Sth2. It is conceivable that it will be in the state of. In this case, the operation mode is changed to 2-2 (see FIG. 15). The operation mode 2-2 is a driving state in which the light intensity p3 of the LED 7 is stronger than the light intensity p2 and the air volume a3 of the fan 5 is weaker than the air volume a2. Alternatively, the light intensity p3 of the LED 7 may be set to the maximum intensity that can be obtained by the air purifier 1, and the maximum refresh effect may be obtained by turning off the air volume. With this configuration, a refresh operation can be performed with low power consumption in the operation mode 2-1 in a normal environment, and a stronger refresh operation can be performed in the operation mode 2-2 in a poor environment.

Another control method of the air purifier 1 when the outputs Sth1 and Sth2 of the dirt sensor 12 are set (see FIG. 14) will be described. For example, in the air cleaning process shown in FIG. 6, the control unit 10 detects the output of the dirt sensor 12 when the set time Tth1 elapses and shifts to the operation mode 2, and the detected value at that time is Sth2 ≦ S <Sth1. The set time Tth2, which is the operation time in the operation mode 2, is changed depending on whether S <Sth2 or S <Sth2. That is, the control unit 10 sets the operation time of the operation mode 2 when the output of the dirt sensor 12 is Sth2 ≦ S <Sth1 to Tth2-1, and operates when the output of the dirt sensor 12 is S <Sth2. The operation time in mode 2 is set to the set time Tth2-2. However, Tth2-1 <Tth2-2. As a result, the refresh time can be completed in a short time when the degree of dirt is small, and the refresh time can be lengthened when the degree of dirt is large.

As described above, in the refresh operation (operation mode 2), the air purifying device 1 irradiates the photocatalyst filter 4 with light having a light intensity p2 different from the light intensity p1 in the normal operation (operation mode 1) from the LED 7. The photocatalyst filter 4 is refreshed by at least one of (first refresh method) and a method of driving the fan 5 with an air volume a2 different from the air volume a1 during normal operation (operation mode 1) (second refresh method). Drive. The present invention is not limited to any of the above-described embodiments 1 to 7, and may be an embodiment in which at least two embodiments of embodiments 1 to 7 are combined.

As another embodiment, the control unit 10 may set the light intensity p2 of the LED 7 in the refresh operation (operation mode 2) according to the operation time of the normal operation (operation mode 1). For example, the control unit 10 sets the light intensity p2 of the LED 7 in the refresh operation (operation mode 2) to be stronger as the operation time in the normal operation (operation mode 1) is longer, and the operation time in the normal operation (operation mode 1) is set stronger. The shorter the length, the weaker the light intensity p2 of the LED 7 in the refresh operation (operation mode 2) is set. As a result, it is possible to reliably recover the functional deterioration of the photocatalyst due to long-term operation.

As another embodiment, the control unit 10 may set the operation time of the refresh operation (operation mode 2) according to the operation time of the normal operation (operation mode 1). For example, the control unit 10 sets the operation time of the refresh operation (operation mode 2) longer as the operation time of the normal operation (operation mode 1) is longer, and the shorter the operation time of the normal operation (operation mode 1) is. Set the operation time of the refresh operation (operation mode 2) to be short. As a result, it is possible to reliably recover the functional deterioration of the photocatalyst due to long-term operation.

In the air purifier of the present invention, within the scope of the invention described in each claim, each of the above-described embodiments can be freely combined, or each embodiment may be appropriately modified or partially omitted. It is also possible to configure by.

1: Air purifier 3: Intake port 4: Photocatalyst filter 5: Fan 6: Exhaust port 7: LED
8: Operation unit 9: Motion sensor 10: Control unit 11: Power supply unit 12: Dirt sensor 51: Fan driver 71: LED driver 101: Reception processing unit 102: Drive processing unit 103: Switching processing unit 104: Measuring unit

Claims (16)

Photocatalyst member and
A light source that irradiates the photocatalyst member with light,
A fan that guides the outside air to the photocatalyst member,
A control unit that controls the light intensity, which is the intensity of the light emitted from the light source, and the air volume of the fan.
With
The control unit has a first operation mode in which the photocatalyst member is irradiated with the light having a first light intensity from the light source and the fan is driven by a first air volume to perform an air cleaning operation, and the first operation mode is performed from the light source. The photocatalyst is produced by at least one of a method of irradiating the photocatalyst member with the light having a second light intensity different from the first light intensity and a method of driving the fan with a second air volume different from the first air volume. An air purifying device that switches between a second operation mode in which members are refreshed. In the second operation mode, the control unit irradiates the photocatalyst member with the light having the second light intensity stronger than the first light intensity from the light source.
The air purifier according to claim 1. In the second operation mode, the control unit drives the fan with the second air volume smaller than the first air volume.
The air purifier according to claim 1 or 2. The control unit switches between the first operation mode and the second operation mode according to the operation of the user.
The air purifying device according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The control unit starts measuring the operation time of the first operation mode when the operation of the first operation mode is started, and when the measured operation time reaches a preset set time, the first operation unit. 1 Switch the operation mode to the second operation mode,
The air purifying device according to any one of claims 1 to 4. In the second operation mode, the control unit performs intermittent drive that repeats a period in which the fan is driven and a period in which the fan is not driven.
The air purifying device according to any one of claims 1 to 5. When the control unit receives an operation to stop the operation of the air purifier from the user during the operation in the first operation mode, the control unit operates the air purifier for a predetermined time in the second operation mode and then stops. Let me
The air purifying device according to any one of claims 1 to 6. Equipped with a motion sensor to detect people
When the motion sensor detects a person, the control unit operates the air purifier in the first operation mode, and the motion sensor no longer detects a person while operating in the first operation mode. In some cases, the first operation mode is switched to the second operation mode.
The air purifying device according to any one of claims 1 to 7. The control unit sets the light intensity according to the detection result of the motion sensor.
The air purifier according to claim 8. The control unit
In the second operation mode, the fan is driven with the second air volume less than the first air volume, and then the fan is driven with a third air volume higher than the second air volume, or
In the second operation mode, the fan is driven by the third air volume that is larger than the first air volume, and then the fan is driven by the second air volume that is smaller than the third air volume.
The air purifier according to claim 1. The control unit sets the light intensity in the second operation mode stronger as the operation time in the first operation mode becomes longer.
The air purifying device according to any one of claims 1 to 10. The control unit sets the operation time of the second operation mode longer as the operation time of the first operation mode becomes longer.
The air purifying device according to any one of claims 1 to 11. A stain sensor for detecting the degree of contamination of the photocatalyst member is further provided.
The control unit operates the air purifier in the second operation mode when the dirt sensor detects a predetermined amount of dirt on the photocatalyst member.
The air purifying device according to any one of claims 1 to 12. The control unit sets the light intensity or the operation time of the second operation mode based on the detection result of the dirt sensor.
The air purifier according to claim 13. The photocatalytic member comprises a tungsten oxide based material.
The air purifying device according to any one of claims 1 to 14. A control method for an air purifier including a photocatalyst member, a light source for irradiating the photocatalyst member with light, and a fan for guiding outside air to the photocatalyst member.
A control step of controlling the light intensity, which is the intensity of the light emitted from the light source, and the air volume of the fan is executed by one or more processors.
In the control step, a first operation mode in which the photocatalyst member is irradiated with the light having the first light intensity from the light source and the fan is driven by the first air volume to perform an air cleaning operation, and the first operation mode from the light source. The photocatalyst is produced by at least one of a method of irradiating the photocatalyst member with the light having a second light intensity different from the first light intensity and a method of driving the fan with a second air volume different from the first air volume. A control method for switching between a second operation mode in which a member is refreshed.

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