WO2025089308A1 - Air purifier and carbon dioxide absorption unit - Google Patents

Abstract

Provided are an air purifier and a carbon dioxide absorption unit that make it possible to improve an air purification function while increasing carbon dioxide adsorption efficiency. An air purifier 100 comprises: an absorption unit 20 for absorbing carbon dioxide that is located at an upstream side of airflow with respect to an air purification filter 30; and a housing 10. The housing 10 includes: an airflow path 61 that allows air to pass through the absorption unit 20 and the air purification filter 30; and a bypass airflow path 62 that does not allow air to pass through the absorption unit 20 and allows air to pass through the air purification filter 30.

Description

Air purifiers and carbon dioxide absorption units

The present invention relates to an air purifier and a carbon dioxide absorption unit.

In recent years, environmental protection activities have become more prevalent in society. In particular, efforts to capture carbon dioxide, which is thought to be the cause of global warming, are being carried out by companies and public institutions.

For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an air purifier equipped with a carbon dioxide fixation filter, a main filter, and a fan. When the fan is driven, air entering through the intake port passes through the carbon dioxide fixation filter, the main filter, and is discharged through the exhaust port. The carbon dioxide fixation filter adsorbs and fixes carbon dioxide from the air passing through it. The main filter adsorbs suspended dust particles from the air passing through it.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 7-68164

In an air purifier capable of adsorbing carbon dioxide, such as that described in Patent Document 1, it is desirable to improve the air purification function while improving the carbon dioxide adsorption efficiency.

This disclosure has been made to solve the problems described above, and aims to provide an air purifier and carbon dioxide absorption unit that can improve the air purification function while improving the carbon dioxide adsorption efficiency.

In order to achieve the above object, the air purifier according to the first aspect of the present disclosure, which is disclosed below, is an absorption unit that houses a fan, an air purification filter, and an absorption member that absorbs carbon dioxide, and is equipped with an absorption unit that is arranged upstream of the airflow generated by driving the fan relative to the air purification filter, and a housing in which the fan, the air purification filter, and the absorption unit are arranged, and the housing includes a carbon dioxide absorption path that passes air through the absorption unit and the air purification filter, and a bypass ventilation path that passes air through the air purification filter without passing air through the absorption unit.

Also, the carbon dioxide absorption unit according to the second aspect of the present disclosure is a carbon dioxide absorption unit attached to an air purifier, comprising a fan, an air purification filter, and a housing in which the air purification filter is arranged, the carbon dioxide absorption unit comprising an absorption filter housing an absorption member that absorbs carbon dioxide, and a unit case housing the absorption filter, configured to be fixed to the housing, the unit case being configured such that, when the unit case is fixed to the housing, the absorption member is disposed upstream of the airflow generated by driving the fan with respect to the air purification filter, the unit case including a carbon dioxide absorption path that passes air through the absorption filter and the air purification filter, and a bypass ventilation path that passes air through the air purification filter without passing air through the absorption filter.

The absorption of carbon dioxide by the absorbing member is more efficient the lower the wind speed passing through the absorbing member. Conversely, the greater the volume of air passing through the air purification filter, the greater the volume of purified air, improving the air purification function. With the above configuration, it is possible to increase the volume of air supplied to the air purification filter via the bypass ventilation path. Furthermore, since air is supplied to the absorbing member via the carbon dioxide absorption path, which has a large pressure loss due to passing through both the absorbing member and the air purification filter, it is possible to reduce the wind speed passing through the absorbing member. As a result, it is possible to improve the air purification function while improving the carbon dioxide adsorption efficiency.

FIG. 1 is a front view showing the configuration of an air purifier 100 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the air purifier 100 in the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of the absorption unit 20. As shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the ventilation path 61 and the bypass ventilation path 62. As shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of airflows A1 and A2 as viewed from the front of the air purifier 100 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of airflows A1 and A2 as viewed from the side of the air purifier 100 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of the first opening 13a and the second opening 13b. FIG. 8 is a top view of the air purifier 100 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 9 is a block diagram of the air purifier 100 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 10 is a front view showing the configuration of an air purifier 200 according to the second embodiment. FIG. 11 is a side view showing the configuration of an air purifier 200 according to the second embodiment. FIG. 12 is an exploded view showing the configuration of an air purifier 200 according to the second embodiment. FIG. 13 is a block diagram of an air purifier 300 according to the third embodiment. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a state in which an opening/closing member 381 of the third embodiment is closed. FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a state in which an opening/closing member 381 of the third embodiment is open.

Below, an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the present disclosure is not limited to the following embodiment, and appropriate design changes can be made within the scope of the configuration of the present disclosure. In the following description, the same parts or parts having similar functions will be denoted by the same reference numerals in different drawings, and repeated description will be omitted. The configurations described in the embodiment and modified examples may be combined or modified as appropriate. In order to make the description easier to understand, the configurations are shown simplified or schematic, and some components are omitted in the drawings referenced below.

[First embodiment]
(Overall configuration of air purifier 100)
Fig. 1 is a front view showing the configuration of an air purifier 100 in the first embodiment. Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the air purifier 100 in the first embodiment.

The air purifier 100 according to the first embodiment is a device that removes dust particles from the air (purifies the air) and removes (absorbs and collects) carbon dioxide from the air. The air purifier 100 may be placed indoors or outdoors as a standalone device, or may be incorporated into other devices (such as vehicles, aircraft, ships, air conditioning equipment, and vending machines). When the air purifier 100 is placed outdoors, it is preferable that the housing 10 of the air purifier 100 is waterproof, but if the location is not subject to rain or snow, the housing 10 does not need to be waterproof.

(Configuration of each part of the air purifier 100)
As shown in Fig. 1, the air purifier 100 includes a housing 10. A maintenance door 12 and an air intake 13 are provided on a front surface 11 of the housing 10. The maintenance door 12 is configured to be opened and closed by rotating on a hinge 12a. In the following description, the front direction of the housing 10 is the Y1 direction, the rear direction is the Y2 direction, the right direction as viewed from the front is the X1 direction, the left direction is the X2 direction, the upward direction is the Z1 direction, and the downward direction is the Z2 direction. As shown in Fig. 2, an air passage 61 and a bypass air passage 62 are formed in the housing 10.

As shown in FIG. 2, the air purifier 100 includes an absorption unit 20, an air purification filter 30, a nonwoven fabric filter 40, and a fan 50.

The absorption unit 20 is disposed in the ventilation path 61. It is disposed on the rear side of the maintenance door 12 of the housing 10. The absorption unit 20 is also disposed upstream of the airflow generated by the fan 50 relative to the air purification filter 30.

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of the absorption unit 20. As shown in Figure 3, the absorption unit 20 is a filter that absorbs carbon dioxide. The absorption unit 20 includes an absorption member 21 that absorbs carbon dioxide and a case portion 22 that houses the absorption member 21. The absorption member 21 is, for example, a hydroxide-based carbon dioxide absorbent. The absorption member 21 includes a hydroxide that absorbs carbon dioxide through a chemical reaction. That is, the absorption member 21 is a member that removes carbon dioxide from the air by chemically reacting with carbon dioxide in the air when it comes into contact with air. The member that absorbs carbon dioxide through a chemical reaction includes a calcium-based material. An example of the calcium-based material is calcium hydroxide. In addition to the method of using a chemical reaction, there is a method of physically adsorbing carbon dioxide molecules into the pores of the absorption member without causing a chemical reaction. For example, there is a method of adsorbing carbon dioxide molecules into a porous material such as zeolite. In this method of physically adsorbing carbon dioxide molecules to the absorbing member, a process of desorbing carbon dioxide from the absorbing member and changing the desorbed carbon dioxide into a solid is required, and the number of processes required to convert carbon dioxide into a solid increases. In contrast, according to the configuration of the first embodiment, by using a member that absorbs carbon dioxide through a chemical reaction, carbon dioxide can be collected in a solid (powder) state in which the carbon dioxide has been chemically changed. This makes it easier to reuse carbon dioxide compared to the method of physically adsorbing carbon dioxide molecules to the absorbing member. Note that hydroxides other than calcium hydroxide may be contained in the absorbing member 21. For example, sodium hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide, ammonium hydroxide, or potassium hydroxide may be contained in the absorbing member 21.

Furthermore, when calcium hydroxide is used for the absorbing member 21, calcium carbonate can be produced by having the calcium hydroxide absorb carbon dioxide. The produced calcium carbonate can be used when producing raw materials for various recycled products. Furthermore, since calcium hydroxide can absorb carbon dioxide in the air simply by being placed in the air, the absorbing member 21 can absorb carbon dioxide in the air even during periods when the air purifier 100 is not in operation.

The absorbing member 21 also contains a dye such as methyl violet, and is configured to change color by utilizing the change in pH caused by the absorbed carbon dioxide. For example, the absorbing member 21 changes from "white" to "red, purple, or pink" when it absorbs carbon dioxide. The absorbing member 21 may also be one that changes from "red or purple" to "white or pink" when it absorbs carbon dioxide, or one that changes to a color other than the above. The absorbing member 21 does not have to contain a dye.

The absorbent member 21 is formed in a granular shape. As shown in FIG. 3, a plurality of absorbent members 21 are arranged inside the case portion 22. By forming the absorbent member 21 from a solid, it is easier to handle than a liquid, and when a user replaces the absorption unit 20, the absorbent member 21 is less likely to adhere to the user. The case portion 22 has ventilation holes (not shown), or is formed in a breathable mesh shape. This allows the absorbent member 21 inside the case portion 22 to come into contact with outside air.

Also, as shown in FIG. 3, a two-dimensional code 22a is attached to the absorption unit 20. The two-dimensional code 22a is, for example, a QR code (registered trademark). Note that the absorption unit 20 may be provided with a one-dimensional code (barcode) instead of the two-dimensional code 22a, or may be provided with an electrical circuit capable of storing information, such as an IC chip. The two-dimensional code 22a can be used, for example, as the "two-dimensional code" described in Japanese Patent Publication No. 7189644.

The air purifying filter 30 is, for example, a filter that captures dust. A HEPA filter can be used as the air purifying filter 30. As shown in FIG. 2, the air purifying filter 30 is disposed between the absorption unit 20 and the fan 50. The air purifying filter 30 is disposed downstream of the airflow generated by the fan 50 with respect to the absorption unit 20. As a result, even if a part of the absorbing member 21 is released from the absorption unit 20, the absorbing member 21 is captured by the air purifying filter 30, and it is possible to prevent the absorbing member 21 from being released outside the air purifier 100. The air purifying filter 30 can be replaced from the front side by removing the panel that constitutes the front side 11 of the housing 10.

The nonwoven fabric filter 40 is an in-bypass filter that is disposed in the bypass air passage 62. The nonwoven fabric filter 40 is disposed adjacent to the absorption unit 20 on the rear side of the maintenance door 12 of the housing 10. The nonwoven fabric filter 40 is disposed upstream of the airflow generated by the fan 50 with respect to the air purification filter 30. The nonwoven fabric filter 40 has higher breathability than the air purification filter 30, and prevents foreign matter and dust from entering the housing 10. In addition, a filter having a pressure loss that optimizes the wind speed of the air passing through the absorption unit 20 is used for the nonwoven fabric filter 40. In other words, the nonwoven fabric filter 40 is also a filter for adjusting pressure loss (for adjusting air volume and wind speed).

4 is a diagram for explaining the ventilation path 61 and the bypass ventilation path 62. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of airflows A1 and A2 as viewed from the front of the air purifier 100 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of airflows A1 and A2 as viewed from the side of the air purifier 100 according to the first embodiment. The fan 50 is driven by the supply of power, and as shown in FIG. 4, it draws air into the housing 10 from the first opening 13a and the second opening 13b, and exhausts the air outside the housing 10 from the exhaust port 14a. Then, as shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, the fan 50 generates an airflow A1 that ventilates the ventilation path 61 and an airflow A2 that ventilates the bypass ventilation path 62. The fan 50 can be, for example, a sirocco fan, but may also be a propeller fan, a turbo fan, or the like. In addition, in the first embodiment, a fan 50 is used in which, when the power consumption of the fan 50 is converted into carbon dioxide, the converted amount of carbon dioxide is less than the amount of carbon dioxide that can be absorbed by the absorption unit 20.

As shown in FIG. 4, the ventilation path 61 is a ventilation path for absorbing carbon dioxide passing through the air in the absorption unit 20 and the air purification filter 30, and purifying the air. The ventilation path 61 is connected to the first opening 13a, and is a path that passes through the absorption unit 20, the air purification filter 30, and the fan 50, and is connected to the exhaust port 14a. The bypass ventilation path 62 is a ventilation path that does not pass air through the absorption unit 20 (bypasses the absorption unit 20), but passes air through the nonwoven fabric filter 40 and the air purification filter 30, and only purifies the air. The bypass ventilation path 62 is connected to the second opening 13b, and is a path that passes through the nonwoven fabric filter 40, the air purification filter 30, and the fan 50, and is connected to the exhaust port 14a.

As shown in FIG. 5, when the fan 50 is driven, air flows from outside the housing 10 to the rear side of the maintenance door 12 through the air intake 13. This generates an airflow A1 that enters the ventilation path 61 and an airflow A2 that enters the bypass ventilation path 62.

FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of the first opening 13a and the second opening 13b. The air that flows into the rear side of the maintenance door 12 flows into the first opening 13a and the second opening 13b. Here, as shown in FIG. 7, the width W1 of the first opening 13a is larger than the width W2 of the second opening 13b. Also, the length L1 of the first opening 13a is the same as the length L1 of the second opening 13b. As a result, the opening area S1 of the first opening 13a is larger than the opening area S2 of the second opening 13b. Also, the second opening 13b is disposed adjacent to the first opening 13a in the right direction when viewed from the front. Since the first opening 13a and the second opening 13b are provided separately, the first opening 13a and the second opening 13b can be designed to match the air volume of each of the ventilation path 61 and the bypass ventilation path 62.

As shown in FIG. 7, when the maintenance door 12 is open, the first opening 13a and the second opening 13b are exposed on the front side. This allows the user to take out the absorption unit 20 to the outside (front side) of the housing 10 through the first opening 13a and replace the absorption unit 20. The user can also take out the nonwoven fabric filter 40 to the outside of the housing 10 through the second opening 13b and replace the nonwoven fabric filter 40. As shown in FIG. 7, the housing 10 may be provided with a stopper 12b that prevents the absorption unit 20 from falling off the first opening 13a. The stopper 12b is configured to be movable between a position in which it holds down the absorption unit 20 and a position in which it does not hold down the absorption unit 20.

As shown in FIG. 4, air flowing in from the first opening 13a passes through the absorption unit 20, then the air purification filter 30, and then the fan 50. Air flowing in from the second opening 13b passes through the nonwoven fabric filter 40, then the air purification filter 30, and then the fan 50. Here, as shown in FIG. 2, at least a part of the ventilation path 61 and at least a part of the bypass ventilation path 62 are arranged so as to overlap the air purification filter 30 when viewed in the normal direction of the air purification filter 30. This allows the ventilation path 61 and the bypass ventilation path 62 to be shorter than when the ventilation path and the bypass ventilation path are arranged in a position where they do not overlap (a shifted position) with the air purification filter. As a result, the housing 10 can be made smaller.

FIG. 8 is a top view of the air purifier 100 according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 8, the exhaust port 14a is provided on the top surface 14 of the housing 10. As shown in FIG. 6, the exhaust port 14a exhausts the air blown by the fan 50 to the outside (upward) of the housing 10.

Also, as shown in FIG. 8, an operation panel 16 is disposed on the top surface 14. The operation panel 16 includes a button 16a for switching the drive of the fan 50 (operation of the air purifier 100) from on to off or from off to on, and a button 16b for changing the set air volume of the fan 50. FIG. 9 is a block diagram of the air purifier 100 according to the first embodiment. The air purifier 100 includes a control circuit 70. When button 16a on the operation panel 16 is operated, the control circuit 70 switches from a state in which power is supplied to the fan 50 to a state in which it is not supplied, or from a state in which it is not supplied to a state in which it is supplied. When button 16b on the operation panel 16 is operated, the control circuit 70 also changes the amount of power supplied to the fan 50.

Here, the absorption of carbon dioxide by the absorption unit 20 is more efficient as the wind speed passing through the absorption member 21 is smaller. On the other hand, the larger the volume of air passing through the air purification filter 30, the larger the volume of purified air, and the improved air purification function. According to the first embodiment, the volume of air supplied to the air purification filter 30 through the bypass ventilation path 62 can be increased. Since air is supplied to the absorption unit 20 through the ventilation path 61, which has a large pressure loss by passing through both the absorption unit 20 and the air purification filter 30, the wind speed passing through the absorption unit 20 can be reduced. As a result, the carbon dioxide adsorption efficiency of the air purifier 100 can be improved while the air purification function can be improved. In addition, in the air purifier 100 of the first embodiment, the fan 50 for ventilating the air purification filter 30 and the fan 50 for ventilating the absorption unit 20 can be made common.

[Second embodiment]
Next, the configuration of an air purifier 200 according to a second embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 10 to 12. In the second embodiment, the air purifier 200 is provided with a detachable absorption unit 220. Note that the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment, and description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 10 is a front view showing the configuration of an air purifier 200 according to the second embodiment. FIG. 11 is a side view showing the configuration of an air purifier 200 according to the second embodiment. FIG. 12 is an exploded view showing the configuration of an air purifier 200 according to the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 10, the air purifier 200 includes a housing 210 and a plurality of wheels 290 that movably support the housing 210. Also, as shown in FIG. 12, the air purifier 200 includes an air purifying filter 230 and a fan 250 within the housing 210. The air purifying filter 230 is disposed downstream of the airflow generated by the fan 250.

As shown in FIG. 12, the air purifier 200 is an air purifier that has only an air purification function and does not have the function of absorbing carbon dioxide when the absorption unit 220 is not attached. The air purifier 200 has holes 212 in which the screws 223 of the absorption unit 20 are fixed.

As shown in FIG. 12, the absorption unit 220 is configured to be detachable from the housing 210 of the air purifier 200. By attaching the absorption unit 220 to the air purifier 200, the air purifier 200 becomes an air purifier that has a carbon dioxide absorption function and an air purification function.

As shown in FIG. 10, the absorption unit 220 includes an absorption filter 221 that includes an absorption member that absorbs carbon dioxide, a case 222, a plurality of screws 223, and a plurality of nonwoven fabric filters 240. The absorption unit 220 is fixed to a lower portion of the front surface 211 of the housing 210 of the air purifier 200.

As shown in FIG. 11, the absorption unit 220 is disposed in front of (upstream of) the fan 250. The case 222 of the absorption unit 220 is disposed so as to cover the intake port 251 of the air purifier 200. Note that the back surface 226 of the case 222 shown in FIG. 12, which is connected to the intake port 251, is open. As a result, the absorption filter 221 and nonwoven fabric filter 240 of the absorption unit 220 are disposed upstream of the airflow relative to the air purification filter 230.

Also, as shown in FIG. 12, a number of screws 223 are placed in the holes 212 to fix the protrusion 227 of the case 222 to the housing 210, and the absorption unit 220 is fixed to the air purifier 200.

As shown in FIG. 12, the absorption filter 221 is disposed inside the front surface 224 of the case 222, and absorbs carbon dioxide from the air that flows in through the intake port 213a (see FIG. 11). The air into which carbon dioxide has been absorbed is exhausted from the exhaust port 214a disposed in the upper part of the front surface 211 of the housing 210 via the fan 250 and the air purification filter 230 (airflow A11 in FIG. 11). As a result, the ventilation path 261 for absorbing carbon dioxide and purifying the air is a path from the intake port 213a, via the absorption filter 221, the fan 250, and the air purification filter 30, to the exhaust port 214a.

As shown in FIG. 12, the nonwoven fabric filter 240 is disposed on the inside of the four side surfaces 225 (see FIG. 10) perpendicular to the front surface 224 of the case 222, and allows air to flow into the case 222 through the air intake 213b (see FIG. 11). As a result, the air that has flowed into the case 222 does not pass through the absorption filter 221, but is exhausted from the exhaust port 214a disposed in the upper part of the front surface 211 of the housing 210 via the fan 250 and the air purification filter 230 (air flow A12 in FIG. 11). The bypass air passage 262 according to the second embodiment is a passage from the air intake 213b through the nonwoven fabric filter 240, the fan 250, and the air purification filter 30 to the exhaust port 214a. In addition, since the air intake 213b is provided on the side surface 225, it is possible to prevent the size from increasing in the direction along the front surface 211. This allows the absorption unit 220 to be installed even on air purifiers 200 that are smaller than large.

According to the second embodiment, the amount of air supplied to the air purification filter 230 can be increased via the bypass air passage 262. Furthermore, since air is supplied to the absorption filter 221 via the air passage 261, which has a large pressure loss due to passing through both the absorption filter 221 and the air purification filter 230, the air speed passing through the absorption filter 221 can be reduced. As a result, the carbon dioxide adsorption efficiency of the air purifier 200 can be improved while the air purification function can be improved.

Furthermore, according to the second embodiment, by attaching the absorption unit 220 to the air purifier 200, an existing air purifier that does not have the function of absorbing carbon dioxide can be changed to the air purifier 200 that has the function of absorbing carbon dioxide. The other configurations and effects are the same as those of the first embodiment.

[Third embodiment]
Next, the configuration of an air purifier 300 according to a third embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 13 to 15. In the third embodiment, the opening area of the opening 313b connected to the bypass air passage 62 is configured to be changeable. Note that the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment, and description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram of an air purifier 300 according to the third embodiment. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an opening/closing member 381 of the third embodiment in a closed state. FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an opening/closing member 381 of the third embodiment in an open state. As shown in FIG. 13, the air purifier 300 includes a control circuit 370 and an opening/closing drive unit 380. Also, as shown in FIG. 14, the air purifier 300 includes an opening/closing member 381 that opens and closes an opening 313b connected to the bypass air passage 62.

The opening/closing drive unit 380 is, for example, a motor, which moves the opening/closing member 381 between a position where the opening area of the opening 313b is small (see FIG. 14) and a position where the opening area of the opening 313b is large (see FIG. 15). FIGS. 14 and 15 show an example in which the opening/closing member 381 slides to switch between a state where a portion of the opening 313b is blocked and a state where the opening 313b is open. However, the opening/closing member 381 may rotate (configured as a flap) to open and close the opening 313b.

When the set airflow of the fan 50 is changed from a first set airflow to a second set airflow that is greater than the first set airflow by an operation input to the operation panel 16, the control circuit 370 operates the opening/closing drive unit 380 to move the opening/closing member 381 so that the opening area of the opening 313b becomes larger. Also, when the set airflow of the fan 50 is changed from the second set airflow to the first set airflow by an operation input to the operation panel 16, the control circuit 370 operates the opening/closing drive unit 380 to move the opening/closing member 381 so that the opening area of the opening 313b becomes smaller.

According to the configuration of the third embodiment, even if the air volume of the fan 50 is increased, the air volume flowing through the bypass ventilation path 62 can be increased, so that the wind speed of the air flowing through the absorption unit 20 can be increased, and it is possible to prevent a decrease in the carbon dioxide absorption efficiency. The other configurations and effects are the same as those of the first embodiment.

[Modification]
As described above, the above-described embodiments are merely examples for implementing the present disclosure. Therefore, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be implemented by appropriately modifying the above-described embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure.

(1) In the above first to third embodiments, examples have been shown in which different openings are provided for the ventilation path and the bypass ventilation path, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, a common opening may be provided for the ventilation path and the bypass ventilation path.

(2) In the above first embodiment, an example is shown in which the opening area of the second opening is smaller than the opening area of the first opening, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. The opening area of the second opening may be equal to or larger than the opening area of the first opening.

(3) In the above first to third embodiments, an example in which a nonwoven fabric filter is provided has been shown, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. A filter need not be disposed in the bypass ventilation path, and a type of filter other than a nonwoven fabric filter (e.g., a mesh filter) may be disposed.

(4) In the second embodiment, an example is shown in which the absorption unit and the air purifier are fixed with screws, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, the case of the absorption unit may be configured to fit into the housing of the air purifier, or the case of the absorption unit may be fixed to the housing of the air purifier with adhesive.

Furthermore, the above-mentioned air purifier and carbon dioxide absorption unit can be explained as follows.

The air purifier according to the first configuration comprises a fan, an air purification filter, and an absorption unit that contains an absorption member that absorbs carbon dioxide, the absorption unit being arranged upstream of the airflow generated by driving the fan relative to the air purification filter, and a housing in which the fan, the air purification filter, and the absorption unit are arranged, the housing including a carbon dioxide absorption path that passes air through the absorption unit and the air purification filter, and a bypass ventilation path that passes air through the air purification filter without passing air through the absorption unit (first configuration).

The absorption of carbon dioxide by the absorbing member is more efficient as the wind speed passing through the absorbing member is lower. Conversely, the greater the volume of air passing through the air purification filter, the greater the volume of purified air, improving the air purification function. According to the first configuration, the volume of air supplied to the air purification filter via the bypass ventilation path can be increased. Furthermore, since air is supplied to the absorbing member via the carbon dioxide absorption path, which has a large pressure loss due to passing through both the absorbing member and the air purification filter, the wind speed passing through the absorbing member can be reduced. As a result, the air purification function can be improved while improving the carbon dioxide adsorption efficiency. In addition, the fan for ventilating the air purification filter and the fan for ventilating the absorption unit can be a common fan.

In the first configuration, the housing may include a first intake opening connected to the carbon dioxide absorption path and a second intake opening connected to the bypass ventilation path (second configuration).

In the second configuration, an intake port is provided in each of the carbon dioxide absorption path and the bypass ventilation path, so that the first intake opening and the second intake opening can be designed to match the air volume of each of the carbon dioxide absorption path and the bypass ventilation path.

In the second configuration, the opening area of the second intake opening may be configured to be smaller than the opening area of the first intake opening (third configuration).

The third configuration described above makes it possible to prevent the housing from becoming too large.

In the second or third configuration, the air purifier may further include a control unit that controls the air volume of the fan, and an opening/closing member that changes the opening area of the second air intake opening. When changing the air volume of the fan from a first set air volume to a second set air volume that is larger than the first set air volume, the control unit may be configured to open the opening/closing member so that the opening area of the second air intake opening becomes larger (fourth configuration).

With the fourth configuration, even if the fan volume is increased, the volume of air flowing through the bypass ventilation path can be increased, preventing the air speed flowing through the absorption unit from increasing and reducing the carbon dioxide absorption efficiency.

In any one of the first to fourth configurations, the air purifier may further include a bypass filter disposed in the bypass air passage (fifth configuration).

In the fifth configuration, the pressure loss in the bypass ventilation path can be changed by providing an in-bypass filter in the bypass ventilation path, so that the balance between the air volume in the bypass ventilation path and the air volume in the carbon dioxide absorption path can be adjusted.

In any one of the first to fifth configurations, at least a portion of the carbon dioxide absorption path and at least a portion of the bypass ventilation path may be arranged so as to overlap the air purification filter when viewed in the normal direction of the air purification filter (sixth configuration).

According to the sixth configuration, the carbon dioxide absorption path and the bypass ventilation path can be made shorter than when they are arranged in a position that does not overlap with the air purification filter (a position offset from the filter). As a result, the housing can be made more compact.

In any one of the first to sixth configurations, the housing is disposed upstream of the airflow relative to the absorption unit and includes a maintenance door for replacing the absorption unit (seventh configuration).

The seventh configuration allows for easy replacement of the absorption unit, which needs to be replaced more frequently than the air purifying filter.

The carbon dioxide absorption unit according to the eighth configuration is a carbon dioxide absorption unit attached to an air purifier, comprising a fan, an air purification filter, and a housing in which the air purification filter is arranged. The carbon dioxide absorption unit comprises an absorption filter housing an absorption member that absorbs carbon dioxide, and a unit case housing the absorption filter, configured to be fixed to the housing. The unit case is configured such that, when the unit case is fixed to the housing, the absorption member is disposed upstream of the airflow generated by driving the fan with respect to the air purification filter. The unit case includes a carbon dioxide absorption path that passes air through the absorption filter and the air purification filter, and a bypass ventilation path that passes air through the air purification filter without passing air through the absorption filter (eighth configuration).

If the carbon dioxide absorption unit according to the eighth configuration is attached to an air purifier, an existing air purifier that does not have the function of absorbing carbon dioxide can be changed to an air purifier that has the function of absorbing carbon dioxide. Furthermore, since the carbon dioxide absorption unit is provided with a bypass ventilation path, it is possible to improve the air purification function while improving the carbon dioxide adsorption efficiency.

In the eighth configuration, the unit case may include an intake port formed on a first surface of the unit case and connected to the carbon dioxide absorption path, and an intake port formed on a second surface intersecting the first surface and connected to the bypass ventilation path (ninth configuration).

The ninth configuration described above makes it possible to prevent the unit case from becoming large in the direction along the first surface. This allows the carbon dioxide absorption unit to be installed even in air purifiers that are less than large.

10: Housing, 11: Front, 12: Maintenance door, 12a: Hinge, 12b: Stopper, 13: Air intake, 13a: First opening, 13b: Second opening, 14: Top, 14a: Air exhaust, 16: Operation panel, 16a, 16b: Button, 20: Absorption unit, 21: Absorption member, 22: Case, 22a: Two-dimensional code, 30: Air purifying filter, 40: Non-woven fabric filter, 50: Fan, 61: Ventilation path, 62: Bypass ventilation path, 70: Control circuit, 100: Air purifier, 200: Air purifier, 210: Housing, 211: front, 212: hole, 213a, 213b: intake port, 214a: exhaust port, 220: absorption unit, 221: absorption filter, 222: case, 223: screw, 224: front, 225: side, 226: rear, 227: protrusion, 230: air purifier filter, 240: non-woven fabric filter, 250: fan, 251: intake port, 261: ventilation path, 262: bypass ventilation path, 290: wheels, 300: air purifier, 313b: opening, 370: control circuit, 380: opening/closing drive unit, 381: opening/closing member

Claims (9)

With fans,
An air cleaning filter,
an absorption unit containing an absorption member that absorbs carbon dioxide, the absorption unit being disposed upstream of an airflow generated by driving the fan with respect to the air cleaning filter;
a housing in which the fan, the air cleaning filter, and the absorption unit are disposed,
The housing includes:
a carbon dioxide absorption path for passing air through the absorption unit and the air cleaning filter;
and a bypass ventilation path that does not allow air to pass through the absorption unit but allows air to pass through the air purification filter. The air purifier of claim 1, wherein the housing includes a first intake opening connected to the carbon dioxide absorption path and a second intake opening connected to the bypass ventilation path. The air purifier according to claim 2, wherein the opening area of the second air intake opening is smaller than the opening area of the first air intake opening. A control unit for controlling an air volume of the fan;
An opening/closing member that changes the opening area of the second intake opening,
The air purifier of claim 2, wherein when the control unit changes the airflow rate of the fan from a first set airflow rate to a second set airflow rate that is greater than the first set airflow rate, the control unit opens the opening/closing member so that an opening area of the second air intake opening is increased. The air purifier according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising an in-bypass filter disposed in the bypass air passage. The air purifier according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein at least a portion of the carbon dioxide absorption path and at least a portion of the bypass ventilation path overlap the air purifying filter when viewed in the normal direction of the air purifying filter. The air purifier according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the housing is disposed upstream of the airflow relative to the absorption unit and includes a maintenance door for replacing the absorption unit. With fans,
An air cleaning filter,
A carbon dioxide absorption unit to be attached to an air purifier, comprising: a housing in which the air cleaning filter is arranged;
The carbon dioxide absorption unit comprises:
an absorption filter containing an absorption member that absorbs carbon dioxide;
a unit case in which the absorption filter is housed, the unit case being configured to be fixed to the housing;
the unit case is configured such that, with the unit case fixed to the housing, the absorbing member is disposed upstream of the airflow generated by driving the fan with respect to the air cleaning filter,
The unit case includes a carbon dioxide absorption path that passes air through the absorption filter and the air purification filter, and a bypass ventilation path that does not pass air through the absorption filter but passes air through the air purification filter, forming a carbon dioxide absorption unit. The carbon dioxide absorption unit according to claim 8, wherein the unit case includes an intake port formed on a first surface of the unit case and connected to the carbon dioxide absorption path, and an intake port formed on a second surface intersecting the first surface and connected to the bypass ventilation path.

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