HK1217309B - Air purifier - Google Patents

Description

air purifier

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an air purifier including a deodorizing unit that regenerates deodorizing capability by heating.

Background Art

Conventional air purifiers, for example, utilize a blower installed within the main body of an air purifier to draw air into the main body through a deodorizing filter, where odorous components contained in the air are adsorbed by the deodorizing filter. The deodorizing filter is then heated to regenerate its deodorizing capacity. Such air purifiers include a rotatable deodorizing filter and a heating unit disposed so as not to contact the deodorizing filter but to cover a portion thereof (see, for example, Japanese Patent Publication No. 10-277365).

The air purifier described in Japanese Patent Publication No. 10-277365 has an air flow channel, which is used to guide the air sucked into the main body from the air intake port to the air outlet. A pre-filter, a catalyst structure and an air supply fan are arranged in sequence along the direction from the air intake port to the air outlet. The catalyst structure includes: a disc-shaped adsorption plate (equivalent to a deodorizing filter) that adsorbs odor components in the air; a motor (driving unit) that drives the adsorption plate to rotate; and a cover. The motor is supported by a bracket on the upper wall of the air flow channel. The output shaft of the motor is engaged with the center of the adsorption plate. The cover is fixed to the upper wall of the air flow channel and covers a part of the adsorption plate. The above-mentioned cover covers a part of the front and a part of the back of the adsorption plate. On the inner wall surfaces of the front and back sides of the cover, there are provided: a catalyst plate for decomposing odor components; and a heating element (equivalent to a heating unit) for heating the adsorption plate and the catalyst plate.

If the above-mentioned air purifier drives the air supply fan, air is sucked into the air flow channel from the air intake port. The dust contained in the air is removed by a pre-filter. Thereafter, the air reaches the adsorption plate. When the air passes through the portion of the adsorption plate exposed from the cover, the odor components of the air are adsorbed. Thus, the purified air is blown out into the room again from the air outlet. On the other hand, a portion of the adsorption plate covered by the cover is heated by the heating element. Thus, the odor components adsorbed by this portion are separated from the adsorption plate. The separated odor components are decomposed by the catalyst plate which is also heated by the heating element. In addition, the adsorption plate is rotated by a predetermined angle (for example, 90 degrees) at fixed intervals by a motor.

In the above-mentioned air purifier, the deodorizing ability of the adsorption plate is regenerated by heating a portion of the adsorption plate covered by the cover with a heating element. In addition, the air is deodorized by utilizing the portion of the adsorption plate exposed from the cover. Therefore, compared with an air purifier that heats the entire adsorption plate at once using a heating element formed to correspond to the shape of the adsorption plate, the above-mentioned air purifier consumes less power. In addition, in the above-mentioned air purifier, only a portion of the adsorption plate is covered by the cover. Therefore, compared with an air purifier having a heating element formed to correspond to the shape of the adsorption plate, the air resistance of the deodorizing filter of the above-mentioned air purifier is smaller.

However, in the air purifier described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-277365, a gap must be provided between the adsorption plate and the cover to allow the adsorption plate to rotate, which causes the heat generated by the heating element to diffuse outside the cover through the gap.

Summary of the Invention

One of the objects of the embodiments of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problem and provide an air purifier capable of suppressing heat from being diffused to the outside of the cover.

18. The air purifier of claim 17, wherein the air purifier further comprises: an air intake port for sucking air into a casing; an air outlet for blowing air out of the casing to the outside; a ventilation duct connecting the air intake port and the air outlet; a blower disposed in the ventilation duct; and a deodorizing unit disposed in the ventilation duct for deodorizing the air sucked into the ventilation duct by the drive of the blower, the deodorizing unit comprising: a deodorizing filter; a heating unit for heating the deodorizing filter; a cover member having a heating unit housing portion for housing the heating unit and a heat diffusion suppressing portion for suppressing heat diffusion from the heating unit housing portion, and configured to cover a portion of the deodorizing filter; and a driving unit for causing the deodorizing filter and the cover member to rotate relative to each other, the heating unit housing portion comprising a bottom surface and a plurality of side surfaces upright from an outer peripheral portion of the bottom surface, the heat diffusion suppressing portion being disposed on the side surfaces and formed by extending the side end portions of the side surfaces of the heating unit housing portion toward the outside of the heating unit housing portion.

In the air purifier of the first aspect, the heat diffusion suppressing portion is provided on the cover member, thereby suppressing the heat generated by the heater from diffusing to the outside of the cover member.

The second embodiment of the air purifier of the present invention includes: an air intake port for sucking air into the box; an air outlet for blowing air from the box to the outside; a ventilation channel connecting the air intake port and the air outlet; a blower arranged in the ventilation channel; and a deodorizing unit arranged in the ventilation channel for deodorizing the air sucked into the ventilation channel by the drive of the blower, the deodorizing unit including: a deodorizing filter having a catalyst layer for adsorbing and decomposing odor components contained in the air; and a heating part configured to cover a part of the deodorizing filter for heating a part of the deodorizing filter, the heating part having a front side heat sink, a back side heat sink and a heater, the heater being installed on at least one of the front side heat sink and the back side heat sink, the front side heat sink being arranged on the front side of the deodorizing filter, the back side heat sink being arranged on the back side of the deodorizing filter, and the front side heat sink and the back side heat sink being joined.

In the air purifier of the second embodiment, the front side heat sink and the back side heat sink are joined so that heat is transferred between the front side heat sink and the back side heat sink. Therefore, both surfaces of the deodorizing filter can be heated by the heat generated by the heater.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG1 is a perspective view of the appearance of an air purifier according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG2 is a top view of the air purifier according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG3 is a sectional view taken along line X-X of FIG1.

FIG4 is a Y-Y sectional view of FIG1.

FIG5 is a perspective view of a main part of the embodiment of the present invention and is an explanatory diagram of the arrangement of the deodorizing unit.

FIG6 is an exploded view of the deodorizing unit according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an exploded view of a heating unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG8 is a diagram showing a state where the deodorizing filter and the heating unit are combined, wherein (A) is a diagram viewed from the front side, and (B) is a diagram viewed from the back side.

Fig. 9 is a diagram showing the positional relationship between the deodorizing filter and the heating unit, (A) is a diagram viewed along the direction of arrow C in Fig. 8(A), and (B) is a Z-Z sectional view of Fig. 8(A).

FIG10 is a schematic diagram showing the positional relationship between the deodorizing filter and the heating unit, wherein (A) is a schematic diagram of the main portion N of FIG6 as viewed laterally, and (B) is a schematic diagram of the main portion M as viewed laterally.

Description of Reference Numerals

1. Air Purifier

23 Deodorization Unit

23a Deodorizing filter

23ac first gear

23ad center hole

23ae Covering

23b PTC heater

23c heat sink

23ca front side heat sink

23caa filter facing surface

23cab heater configuration surface

23cb rear side heat sink

23cc main body

23cca filter facing surface

23ccb Thermal insulation component placement surface

23cd First joint

23cda First joint surface

23ce Second joint

23cea Second joint surface

23e housing

23ea front side housing

23eb rear side housing

23ec Heating unit storage unit

23eca bottom

23ecb First side

23ecc Second side

23ecd third side

23ece Fourth side

23ed heating unit storage unit

23eda bottom

23edb First side

23edc Second side

23edd Third side

23ede Fourth Side

23f Filter regeneration unit

23g holding part

23ga first axis

23gb second axis

23gc drive unit fixed part

23gd opening

23ge Regeneration and storage area

23h drive unit

23j Drive gear

23k Second Gear

23m roller

23ma hole

23mb barrel

23mc upper flange

23md lower flange

23n roller

23na hole

23nb barrel

23nc upper flange

23rd lower flange

23ni inner roller

23no outer roller

23p heater housing

23q Third axis

23r Rotation detection unit

23s front side cover

23t front side first flange

23u Second flange on the front side

23v rear side cover

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The present invention is not limited to the following embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[Example]

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, an air purifier 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention has a main body 11, a front panel 12 and a rear panel 14. The main body 11 is formed into a roughly rectangular parallelepiped, including a top panel 11a, a right side panel 11b, a left side panel 11c and a bottom 11d formed of a synthetic resin material. The front panel 12 is a molded part of a synthetic resin material, and is arranged on one surface of the main body 11. The rear panel 14 is a molded part of a synthetic resin material, and is arranged on the other surface of the main body 11. In addition, in the following description, the side of the main body 11 on which the front panel 12 is arranged is referred to as the front side of the main body, and the side of the main body 11 on which the rear panel 14 is arranged is referred to as the back side of the main body as needed.

A front baffle 13, which is a molded part made of synthetic resin material, is arranged in front of the front panel 12. Between the front baffle 13 and the front panel 12, a top air intake 13a, a right side air intake 13b, and a left side air intake 13c, which serve as the air intake port of the air purifier 1 of this embodiment, are formed. Furthermore, between the main body 11 and the rear panel 14, a top air outlet 14a, a right side air outlet 14b, and a left side air outlet 14c, which serve as the air outlet of the air purifier 1 of this embodiment, are formed. In the air purifier 1, air drawn into the main body 11 through the top air outlet 13a, the right side air outlet 13b, and the left side air outlet 13c, is blown into the room through the top air outlet 14a, the right side air outlet 14b, and the left side air outlet 14c. During this period, the air is subjected to dust removal, humidification, and deodorization.

3 and 4 , the space inside the main body 11 connecting the upper suction port 13a, the right side suction port 13b, the left side suction port 13c, and the upper blow-out port 14a, the right side blow-out port 14b, and the left side blow-out port 14c becomes the ventilation duct 10 of the air purifier 1 of this embodiment. In addition, in the following description, the suction port side of the ventilation duct 10 is referred to as the upstream side, and the blow-out port side is referred to as the downstream side as needed.

An operating unit 15 is provided on the upper portion of the air purifier 1 so as to partially cover the upper suction port 13a. The operating unit 15 is provided with buttons for operating the air purifier 1, such as a power button and an operation mode switching button. Furthermore, a display unit is provided on the operating unit 15. The display unit displays the operating status of the air purifier 1 and detection results from detectors such as a dust sensor (not shown).

As shown in FIG3 , in the ventilation duct 10 inside the main body 11 of the air purifier 1 , a prefilter 21 , a dust collecting unit 22 , a deodorizing unit 23 , a humidifying unit 24 , and a blower 25 are sequentially arranged from upstream to downstream.

The pre-filter 21 is formed, for example, by weaving linear PET material and has a mesh structure. The pre-filter 21 captures dust contained in the air sucked into the interior of the main body 11. As shown in Figure 4, the pre-filter 21 has an arched shape that bulges toward the front side of the main body. When the pre-filter 21 is arched, the area of the pre-filter 21 through which the air sucked into the interior of the main body 11 from the upper suction port 13a, the right side suction port 13b, and the left side suction port 13c passes becomes larger than when the pre-filter 21 is flat. Therefore, the pre-filter 21 can capture more dust.

As shown in Figure 3, the dust collection unit 22 includes a first electric precipitator 22a and a second electric precipitator 22b. These are positioned on the front side of the main body 11 and arranged vertically on the partition 16, which forms part of the main body 11. These first and second electric precipitators 22a, 22b have discharge electrodes and dust collecting electrodes (not shown). These first and second electric precipitators 22a, 22b use corona discharge generated by the discharge electrodes to charge fine dust and pollen that are not captured by the pre-filter 21, and then use the dust collecting electrodes to capture the charged dust and pollen. These first and second electric precipitators 22a, 22b primarily consist of the discharge electrodes, dust collecting electrodes, and a housing that holds these electrodes. Therefore, the dust collection unit 22 exhibits lower air resistance than, for example, dust filters made of pleated nonwoven fabric.

As shown in Figures 3 to 5, the deodorizing unit 23 comprises a deodorizing filter 23a, a filter regeneration unit 23f, and a holding unit 23g. As shown in Figure 5, the deodorizing filter 23a comprises, for example, a disc-shaped substrate 23aa having a porous structure such as a corrugated or honeycomb structure. The corrugated structure may comprise, for example, alternating layers of flat plates and corrugated curved members. A catalyst layer 23ab, which adsorbs and decomposes odorous components, is provided on the substrate 23aa.

As shown in Figure 5, the filter regeneration unit 23f is formed into a roughly triangular prism shape and only covers a portion of the deodorizing filter 23a. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the filter regeneration unit 23f includes a PTC (positive temperature coefficient) heater 23b as a heating element, a heat sink 23c, two heat insulators 23d, and a housing 23e. The heat sink 23c includes a front heat sink 23ca and a back heat sink 23cb. The housing 23e is a cover member comprising a front housing 23ea and a back housing 23eb. Furthermore, the heating unit of the air purifier 1 of this embodiment includes a PTC heater 23b and a heat sink 23c. A retaining portion 23g retains the deodorizing filter 23a and the filter regeneration unit 23f. The retaining portion 23g is fixed to the back side of the dust collection unit 22 in the ventilation duct 10. Thus, the deodorizing filter 23a has a porous structure, and the filter regeneration unit 23f only covers a portion of the deodorizing filter 23a. In other words, the deodorizing filter 23a is arranged so that a portion of it is exposed to the ventilation duct 10. Therefore, the air resistance of the deodorizing filter 23a is small.

In addition, the structure of the deodorizing unit 23 will be described in detail later using FIG. 6 to FIG. 9 .

As shown in Figures 3 to 5, the humidification unit 24 includes a humidification filter 24a and a water storage container 24b for storing water. The humidification filter 24a is disc-shaped. The humidification filter 24a is rotatably supported by a rotating shaft, with a portion of the filter immersed in water stored in the water storage container 24b. The humidification filter 24a is rotated by a motor (not shown) to absorb water.

The humidifying unit 24 does not need to have the above-described structure. Instead of having the humidifying filter 24a, the humidifying unit 24 may also include a humidifying filter that absorbs moisture through capillary action. Furthermore, in FIG5 , components of the main body 11 other than the front baffle 13 and the bottom 11d, and the dust collecting unit 22, are omitted as appropriate to clearly illustrate the deodorizing unit 23 and the humidifying unit 24.

As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the blower 25 includes a turbofan 25a and a fan motor 25b. The turbofan 25a is formed of a synthetic resin material and is connected to the output shaft of the fan motor 25b. The fan motor 25b is a variable speed motor. By rotating the fan motor 25b, the turbofan 25a also rotates. The rotation of the turbofan 25a causes air to flow into the air purifier 1 and air to flow out from the air purifier 1.

Next, the detailed structure of the deodorizing unit 23 of this embodiment will be described using Figures 6 to 10. As shown in Figure 6, in addition to the deodorizing filter 23a, filter regeneration unit 23f, and holding unit 23g, the deodorizing unit 23 also includes a driving unit 23h, a driving gear 23j, a second gear 23k, two rollers 23m, four pressing members 23z, and a rotation detecting unit 23r.

As shown in Figure 7, the filter regeneration unit 23f includes, in addition to the aforementioned PTC heater 23b, two heat insulators 23d, heat sink 23c, and housing 23e, a heater housing 23p and three rollers 23n serving as positioning members. As described above, heat sink 23c includes front heat sink 23ca and back heat sink 23cb. As described above, housing 23e includes front housing 23ea and back housing 23eb.

In addition, the deodorizing filter 23a has, in addition to the substrate 23aa and the catalyst layer 23ab, a first gear 23ac and a covering portion 23ae. The first gear 23ac also serves as an outer peripheral filter cover provided on the outer periphery to protect the outer periphery. The covering portion 23ae is an inner peripheral filter cover that covers the center hole 23ad, which is a through hole provided in the center. As shown in (B) of FIG10 , the thickness dimension T1 of the first gear 23ac is larger than the thickness dimension T2 of the filter body. The difference between T1 and T2 is the step dimension L. The above-mentioned step dimension L will be explained below using FIG9 . In addition, although not shown in the figure, the thickness dimension of the covering portion 23ae is the same as T1 as the first gear 23ac. As described above, the filter regeneration portion 23f is installed to cover only a portion of the deodorizing filter 23a.

First, using Figure 7, the components that constitute the filter regeneration unit 23f and the assembly method of the filter regeneration unit 23f are described. The front side heat sink 23ca is formed using aluminum or aluminum alloy materials with high thermal conductivity. The front side heat sink 23ca is arranged on the front side of the deodorizing filter 23a. The front side heat sink 23ca is formed into a roughly triangular shape, and the width dimension in the left-right direction (the circumferential direction of the deodorizing filter 23a) increases as it moves from the center hole (through hole) 23ad of the deodorizing filter 23a toward the outer peripheral side. In addition, one surface of the front side heat sink 23ca is the filter-facing surface 23caa that faces the deodorizing filter 23a. The other surface of the front side heat sink 23ca is the heater placement surface 23cab. The PTC heater 23b and heater housing 23p described later are arranged on the above-mentioned heater placement surface 23cab.

Back-side heat sink 23cb is made of aluminum or an aluminum alloy with high thermal conductivity. It is located on the back side of deodorizing filter 23a, similar to front-side heat sink 23ca. Back-side heat sink 23cb is formed into a roughly triangular shape, with its width increasing in the left-right direction (circumferentially of deodorizing filter 23a) as it moves from central hole (through hole) 23ad of deodorizing filter 23a toward the outer periphery.

The back side heat sink 23cb has a main body 23cc, a first joint 23cd, and a second joint 23ce. The first joint 23cd and the second joint 23ce are joined to the front side heat sink 23ca to transfer heat generated by the PTC heater 23b and transferred to the front side heat sink 23ca.

The main body 23cc is formed into a substantially triangular shape. One surface of the main body 23cc is a filter-facing surface 23cca facing the deodorizing filter 23a. The other surface of the main body 23cc is a heat-insulating material placement surface 23ccb on which the heat-insulating material 23d is placed.

The first joint portion 23cd is formed by bending the side edge of the main body 23cc corresponding to the outer periphery of the deodorizing filter 23a into a substantially L-shape. The surface of the first joint portion 23cd that joins with the front heat sink 23ca is the first joint surface 23cda. Specifically, the first joint portion 23cd is located outside the outer periphery of the deodorizing filter 23a and joins with the front heat sink 23ca.

The second joint portion 23ce is formed by bending the side edge of the main body 23cc, corresponding to the inner circumference of the deodorizing filter 23a, into a roughly L-shape. The surface of the second joint portion 23ce that joins with the front-side heat sink 23ca is the second joint surface 23cea. Specifically, the second joint portion 23ce is located at a different location on the back-side heat sink 23cb than the first joint portion 23cd. The second joint portion 23ce is joined to the front-side heat sink 23ca through the center hole 23ad of the deodorizing filter 23a.

Furthermore, a height dimension (distance) H between the filter facing surface 23cca of the main body 23cc and the first joining surface 23cda of the first joining portion 23cd and the second joining surface 23cea of the second joining portion 23ce is larger than a thickness dimension T1 of the first gear 23ac of the deodorizing filter 23a.

The two thermal insulators 23d are each made of polyurethane foam and formed into a roughly triangular shape corresponding to the shapes of the front-side heat sink 23ca and the back-side heat sink 23cb. The heater housing 23p is made of a metal plate and has a bottomed rectangular parallelepiped shape. The heater housing 23p is shaped to accommodate the PTC heater 23b. The heater housing 23p can be fixed to the heater placement surface 23cab.

The three rollers 23n are each formed of a synthetic resin material and include a barrel 23nb, an upper flange 23nc, and a lower flange 23nd. The barrel 23nb is cylindrical. A hole 23na is provided in the barrel 23nb. The shape of the hole 23na corresponds to the shape of the third shaft 23q provided on the front side housing 23ea described later. An upper flange 23nc and a lower flange 23nd are provided at both ends of the barrel 23nb. The upper flange 23nc and the lower flange 23nd are each formed in a disc shape, the diameter of which is larger than the diameter of the barrel 23nb. The dimension S between the upper flange 23nc and the lower flange 23nd is larger than the thickness dimension T of the deodorizing filter 23a. In addition, as shown in Figure 7, the roller 23n includes an inner roller 23ni as a first positioning member and two outer rollers 23no as second positioning members. The inner roller 23ni and the outer roller 23no have the same shape. The inner roller 23ni supports the inner peripheral portion of the deodorizing filter 23a, and the outer roller 23no supports the outer peripheral portion of the deodorizing filter 23a.

The front housing 23ea is made of synthetic resin and has a roughly triangular shape that is slightly larger than the front heat sink 23ca and heat insulator 23d. The front housing 23ea includes a heating unit housing 23ec, a front cover 23s that covers the through-holes, a pair of first front flanges 23t, and a pair of second front flanges 23u. The front housing 23ea covers a portion of the front surface of the deodorizing filter 23a.

The heating unit storage section 23ec includes a generally triangular bottom surface 23eca, and a first side surface 23ecb, a second side surface 23ecc, a third side surface 23ecd, and a fourth side surface 23ece extending upright from the periphery of the bottom surface 23eca. The heating unit storage section 23ec forms a box-like structure formed by the bottom and side surfaces. The heating unit storage section 23ec is shaped to accommodate the front-side heat sink 23ca and the thermal insulation member 23d. The thermal insulation member 23d is positioned between the front-side heat sink 23ca and the heating unit storage section 23ec.

Here, first side surface 23ecb is provided upright from the outer peripheral portion of bottom surface 23eca located on the inner peripheral side of deodorizing filter 23a. Fourth side surface 23ece is provided upright from the outer peripheral portion of bottom surface 23eca located on the outer peripheral side of deodorizing filter 23a. Second side surface 23ecc and third side surface 23ecd are provided upright from the outer peripheral portions of bottom surface 23eca other than those mentioned above.

The front cover 23s is formed by extending the side end of the first side surface 23ecb toward the outside of the heating unit housing 23ec. That is, the front cover 23s is provided on the first side surface 23ecb. The front cover 23s is disc-shaped, and the dimensions of the disc are the same as or slightly larger than the center hole (through hole) 23ad.

A pair of front first flanges 23t are formed by extending the inner peripheral side ends of the second side 23ecc and the third side 23ecd toward the outside of the heating unit storage section 23ec. That is, the front first flange 23t is provided on the second side 23ecc and the third side 23ecd. A pair of front second flanges 23u are formed by extending the outer peripheral side ends of the second side 23ecc and the third side 23ecd toward the outside of the heating unit storage section 23ec. That is, the front first flange 23t is provided on the second side 23ecc and the third side 23ecd. The front first flange 23t and the front second flange 23u have a predetermined width (e.g., 20 mm).

The third shaft 23q is a support portion for the air purifier 1 of this embodiment. The third shaft 23q is attached to the front cover 23s and the pair of second front flanges 23u. The third shaft 23q is inserted into the hole 23na of the roller 23n, rotatably holding the roller 23n. In other words, the third shaft 23q is a support portion that supports the roller 23n on the front cover 23s and the pair of second front flanges 23u.

Windshields 23y are also provided on the front cover 23s and the pair of front second flanges 23u. Windshields 23y are positioned upright, facing the deodorizing filter 23a. When the front and back housings 23ea and 23eb are joined, windshields 23y separate the space formed by the front and back housings 23ea and 23eb from the outside world. Thus, windshields 23y prevent or suppress air from flowing into the filter regeneration section 23f, and prevent the inflowing air from cooling the front and back heat sinks 23ca and 23cb.

Like the front housing 23ea, the back housing 23eb is formed from a synthetic resin material into a roughly triangular shape that is slightly larger than the back heat sink 23cb and the heat insulator 23d. The back housing 23eb includes a heating unit housing 23ed, a back cover 23v that covers the through-holes, a pair of back first flanges 23w, and a pair of back second flanges 23x. The back housing 23eb is positioned to partially cover the back side of the deodorizing filter 23a.

The heating unit housing 23ed includes a generally triangular bottom surface 23eda, and a first side surface 23edb, a second side surface 23edc, a third side surface 23edd, and a fourth side surface 23ede extending upright from the periphery of the bottom surface 23eda. The heating unit housing 23ed comprises a bottomed box formed by the bottom and side surfaces. The heating unit housing 23ed is shaped to accommodate a back-side heat sink 23cb and a heat insulator 23d. The heat insulator 23d is positioned between the back-side heat sink 23cb and the heating unit housing 23ed.

The back cover 23v is integrally formed with the side surface of the heating unit housing 23ed that faces the second joint portion 23ce of the back heat sink 23cb.

The back cover 23v is formed into a disk shape corresponding to the center hole (through hole) 23ad. For example, the back cover 23v may be a disk shape having the same size as the center hole 23ad or slightly larger than the center hole 23ad.

A pair of rear-side first flanges 23w and a pair of rear-side second flanges 23x are integrally formed with a pair of side surfaces of the heating unit housing portion 23ec. These side surfaces of the heating unit housing portion 23ec face the pair of oblique sides connecting the second joining portion 23ce and the first joining portion 23cd of the rear-side heat sink 23cb. Specifically, the pair of rear-side first flanges 23w and the pair of rear-side second flanges 23x are formed on the second side surface 23edc and the third side surface 23edd of the heating unit housing portion 23ec.

As shown in FIG9 , the height (distance from the surface of the deodorizing filter 23a) of the pair of front-side first flanges 23t differs from the height of the front-side cover 23s and the pair of front-side second flanges 23u by a step dimension L. Furthermore, the height of the pair of rear-side first flanges 23w differs from the height of the rear-side cover 23v and the pair of rear-side second flanges 23x by a step dimension L. The pair of front-side first flanges 23t, the pair of front-side second flanges 23u, the front-side cover 23s, the pair of rear-side first flanges 23w, the pair of rear-side second flanges 23x, and the rear-side cover 23v constitute the flange portions of the air purifier 1 according to this embodiment. Furthermore, the flange portions, namely the pair of front first flanges 23t, the pair of front second flanges 23u, the front cover 23s, the pair of rear first flanges 23w, the pair of rear second flanges 23x, and the rear cover 23v, serve as heat diffusion suppressors that suppress the diffusion of heat from the heating unit housing 23ec and the heating unit housing 23ed. For example, the heat diffusion suppressors suppress the diffusion of heat generated by the heating unit from the heating unit housing via air flowing through the ventilation duct and passing through the deodorizing filter.

The filter regeneration unit 23f having the above-mentioned components is assembled in the following manner. First, the PTC heater 23b is housed in the heater housing 23p. The heater housing 23p is secured to the heater placement surface 23cab of the front heat sink 23ca using screws or the like. Next, the second joining portion 23ce of the back heat sink 23cb is positioned within the center hole 23ad of the deodorizing filter 23a. Thereafter, the first joining surface 23cda and the second joining surface 23cea of the back heat sink 23cb are joined to the filter-facing surface 23caa of the front heat sink 23ca. This joins the front heat sink 23ca and the back heat sink 23cb.

Next, store the heat insulator 23d in the heating unit housing 23ec of the front housing 23ea. Furthermore, mate the holes 23na of the outer rollers 23no with the two third shafts 23q located on the pair of front-side second flanges 23u of the front housing 23ea. Thus, the two outer rollers 23no are attached to the front housing 23ea. Furthermore, mate the holes 23na of the inner rollers 23ni with the third shafts 23q located on the front-side cover 23s of the front housing 23ea. Thus, the inner rollers 23ni are attached to the front housing 23ea.

Next, the assembled front side heat sink 23ca, back side heat sink 23cb and deodorizing filter 23a are mounted on the front side housing 23ea. At this time, the front side heat sink 23ca is housed in the heating unit housing 23ec of the front side housing 23ea.

Next, the deodorizing filter 23a is installed in such a manner that the outer peripheral portion (first gear 23ac) of the deodorizing filter 23a is fitted between the upper flange 23nc and the lower flange 23nd of the two outer rollers 23no on the two front side second flanges 23u arranged on the front side shell 23ea, and in such a manner that the covering portion 23ae of the deodorizing filter 23a is fitted between the upper flange 23nc and the lower flange 23nd of the inner roller 23ni on the front side cover portion 23s arranged on the front side shell 23ea.

Next, heat insulator 23d is placed on heat insulator placement surface 23ccb of back-side heat sink 23cb. Furthermore, back-side housing 23eb covers back-side heat sink 23cb and heat insulator 23d, housing them within heating unit housing 23ed of back-side housing 23eb. Finally, front-side housing 23ea and back-side housing 23eb are connected using screws or the like. This completes assembly of filter regeneration unit 23f.

Figures 8 to 10 show the deodorizing filter 23a and filter regeneration unit 23f assembled through the steps described above. Figure 8 (A) is a front view of the deodorizing filter 23a and filter regeneration unit 23f as viewed from the front (front housing 23ea). Figure 8 (B) is a rear view of the deodorizing filter 23a and filter regeneration unit 23f as viewed from the back (back housing 23eb).

In addition, Figure 9 (A) is a view viewed in the direction of arrow C of Figure 8 (A). Figure 9 (B) is a Z-Z cross-sectional view of Figure 8 (A). In addition, Figure 10 (A) is a schematic view when the main part N of Figure 6 is viewed from the side. Figure 10 (B) is a schematic view when the main part M of Figure 6 is viewed from the side. As shown in Figures 8 to 10 above, when the deodorizing filter 23a and the filter regeneration part 23f are assembled, as described in detail below, the deodorizing filter 23a is positioned in the filter regeneration part 23f in such a manner that the gap between the deodorizing filter 23a and the front side heat sink 23ca and the back side heat sink 23cb, and the gap between the deodorizing filter 23a and the front side shell 23ea and the back side shell 23eb become predetermined sizes.

First, using Figures 7 and 10, the positioning of the deodorizing filter 23a relative to the front and back heat sinks 23ca and 23cb will be described. As described above, in the back heat sink 23cb, the height dimension H between the filter-facing surface 23cca of the main body 23cc and the first and second joint surfaces 23cda and 23cea is greater than the thickness dimension T1 of the first gear 23ac of the deodorizing filter 23a. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 10(B), when the outer roller 23no is engaged with the third shaft 23q, the dimension between the front second flange 23u and the upper flange 23nc of the front housing 23ea, and the dimension between the back second flange 23x and the lower flange 23nd of the back housing 23eb are set to P1. Furthermore, when the first gear 23ac of the deodorizing filter 23a is mounted between the upper flange 23nc and the lower flange 23nd of the outer roller 23no, the distance between the first gear 23ac and the upper and lower flanges 23nc and 23nd is set to P2 (= (S - T1) / 2). In this case, the front and rear housings 23ea and 23eb ensure that the outer roller 23no can move in the front-to-back direction within the range defined by the dimension P1. Furthermore, the upper and lower flanges 23nc and 23nd ensure that the deodorizing filter 23a can move in the front-to-back direction within the range defined by the dimension P2.

Although not shown in the drawings, the positional relationship between the inner roller 23ni and the front and rear housings 23ea and 23eb, and the positional relationship between the inner roller 23ni and the deodorizing filter 23a are the same as those of the outer roller 23no.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG10(A), the dimension P3 between the filter body surface of deodorizing filter 23a and the filter-facing surface 23caa of the front-side heat sink 23ca, and the dimension P3 between the filter body surface of deodorizing filter 23a and the filter-facing surface 23cca of the main body 23cc of the back-side heat sink 23cb, are set to satisfy P3(=(H-T2)/2). Here, as shown in FIG10(A), the dimension S, thickness T1, thickness T2, height H, and the spacing between the front-side second flange 23u of the front-side housing 23ea and the back-side second flange 23x of the back-side housing 23eb are determined so that the relationship between dimensions P1, P2, and P3 satisfies P1+P2<P3. This ensures that when deodorizing filter 23a is rotated by drive unit 23h, deodorizing filter 23a does not come into contact with front-side heat sink 23ca or back-side heat sink 23cb, allowing for stable rotation.

Next, the positioning of the deodorizing filter 23a relative to the front housing 23ea and the back housing 23eb will be described using Figures 9 and 10. As shown in Figure 9, the step dimensions between the first gear 23ac, located on the outer periphery of the deodorizing filter 23a, and the filter surfaces (front and back) are set to the same step dimension L (= (T1 - T2)/2, e.g., 1.5 mm) as the step dimensions between the cover 23ae, located on the inner periphery of the deodorizing filter 23a, and the filter surfaces (front and back). Accordingly, the step dimensions between the front first flange 23t, the front cover 23s, and the front second flange 23u, as well as the step dimensions between the back first flange 23w, the back cover 23v, and the back second flange 23x, are also set to L.

As described above, the dimension between the front second flange 23u of the front housing 23ea and the upper flange 23nc of the outer roller 23no, and the dimension between the back second flange 23x of the back housing 23eb and the lower flange 23nd of the outer roller 23no are set to P1. Furthermore, the dimension between the first gear 23ac and the upper and lower flanges 23nc and 23nd is set to P2. The front housing 23ea and back housing 23eb ensure that the outer roller 23no can move in the front-to-back direction within the range defined by dimension P1. Furthermore, the deodorizing filter 23a can move in the front-to-back direction within the range defined by dimension P2, which is defined by the upper and lower flanges 23nc and 23nd.

Meanwhile, the shapes and arrangement of the inner rollers 23ni and outer rollers 23no, and the three third shafts 23q are determined so that the distance between the front surface of the deodorizing filter 23a and the front first flange 23t of the front housing 23ea, the distance between the back surface of the deodorizing filter 23a and the back first flange 23w of the back housing 23eb, the distance between the cover 23ae and the front cover 23s and the back cover 23v of the front housing 23ea, and the distance between the first gear 23ac and the front second flange 23u and the back second flange 23x of the back housing 23eb are within a predetermined distance D (e.g., 1.0 mm) from the inner diameter to the outer diameter of the deodorizing filter 23a. This predetermined distance D is a dimension that makes it difficult for the deodorizing filter 23a to come into contact with the filter regenerating unit 23f (the front housing 23ea and the back housing 23eb) during rotation. The predetermined interval D is a size that can suppress the heat generated by the PTC heater 23b from being diffused to the outside of the housing 23e and can suppress the air passing through the deodorizing filter 23a from entering the filter regenerating unit 23f.

Specifically, as shown in FIG10B , dimension S, thickness T1, thickness T2, height H, and the spacing between the front second flange 23u of the front housing 23ea and the back second flange 23x of the back housing 23eb are determined so that the relationship between dimensions P1, P2, and D satisfies P1+P2<D. This ensures that the distances between the deodorizing filter 23a and the front and back housings 23ea and 23eb are within the predetermined spacing D.

Furthermore, as described above, by extending the side ends of the second side surface 23ecc and the third side surface 23ecd toward the outside of the heating unit storage portion 23ec, a pair of front-side first flanges 23t and a pair of front-side second flanges 23u are formed. Furthermore, by extending the side ends of the second side surface 23edc and the third side surface 23edd toward the outside of the heating unit storage portion 23ed, a pair of back-side first flanges 23w and a pair of back-side second flanges 23x are formed. Therefore, the heat generated by the PTC heater 23b is not easily dissipated from the front-side housing 23ea and the back-side housing 23eb to the outside. At this time, by forming each flange to have a width dimension larger than the predetermined spacing dimension D (e.g., 20 mm), the heat generated by the PTC heater 23b can be more effectively suppressed from dissipating from the front-side housing 23ea and the back-side housing 23eb to the outside.

In the embodiment described above, the spacing between the deodorizing filter 23a and the front radiator 23ca, and the spacing between the deodorizing filter 23a and the back radiator 23cb, are set to the same dimension P3. However, the spacing between the deodorizing filter 23a and the radiator plates may differ. Furthermore, the spacing between the deodorizing filter 23a and the front housing 23ea, and the spacing between the deodorizing filter 23a and the back housing 23eb, are set to the same dimension D. However, the spacing between the deodorizing filter 23a and the covers may differ.

Next, using Figure 6, the components and installation method used when installing the assembled filter regeneration unit 23f and deodorizing filter 23a on the holding unit 23g are described. The holding unit 23g is made of synthetic resin material and is formed into a roughly quadrilateral. An opening 23gd corresponding to the shape of the deodorizing filter 23a is provided in the central portion of the holding unit 23g. In addition, a regeneration unit storage portion 23ge is provided above the opening 23gd (referring to the above of the opening 23gd when the holding unit 23g is arranged in the ventilation duct 10. It will be described as above below). The regeneration unit storage portion 23ge is formed into a concave shape corresponding to the shape of the filter regeneration unit 23f.

The two first shafts 23ga are arranged at two corners below the holding portion 23g (below the holding portion 23g when the holding portion 23g is arranged in the ventilation duct 10. Hereinafter, it is recorded as below). Each first shaft 23ga is inserted into the hole 23ma of the roller 23m. Thus, the first shaft 23ga holds the roller 23m so that it can rotate freely. The second shaft 23gb is arranged on the left side of the regeneration portion storage portion 23ge (the left side when the deodorizing filter 23a is viewed from the front side). The second shaft 23gb is inserted into the second gear 23k. Thus, the second shaft 23gb holds the second gear 23k so that it can rotate freely. The drive portion fixing portion 23gc is arranged on the right side of the regeneration portion storage portion 23ge (the right side when the deodorizing filter 23a is viewed from the front side) and is used to hold the drive portion 23h.

The driving unit 23h is, for example, a stepping motor. A driving gear 23j made of a synthetic resin material is attached to the output shaft of the driving unit 23h. The driving gear 23j is a gear that meshes with the first gear 23ac of the deodorizing filter 23a.

The second gear 23k is made of a synthetic resin material and, like the drive gear 23j, meshes with the first gear 23ac of the deodorizing filter 23a. The rotation detector 23r is, for example, a photointerrupter. A photointerrupter is a sensor that has a light-emitting portion and a light-receiving portion facing each other. The light-receiving portion detects whether an object blocks light from the light-emitting portion, thereby determining the presence and/or position of an object. The rotation detector 23r is used to detect whether the deodorizing filter 23a is rotating by detecting the rotation of the second gear 23k.

The four pressing members 23z are made of synthetic resin and are formed into a substantially pentagonal plate. Each pressing member 23z is shaped to fit into the retaining portion 23g. The pressing members 23z press the roller 23m, drive gear 23j, and second gear 23k mounted on the retaining portion 23g, preventing them from being easily separated from the retaining portion 23g.

The two rollers 23m are formed from a synthetic resin material and have a cylindrical portion 23mb, an upper flange 23mc, and a lower flange 23md. The cylindrical portion 23mb is provided with a hole 23ma. In this embodiment, the rollers 23m have the same shape as the roller 23n illustrated in FIG7 . The dimension S between the upper flange 23mc and the lower flange 23md of the roller 23m is the same dimension S as the dimension S between the upper flange 23nc and the lower flange 23nd of the roller 23n. Therefore, a detailed description of the rollers 23m is omitted.

The following describes the steps for attaching the filter regeneration unit 23f and deodorizing filter 23a to the retaining unit 23g using the components described above. First, mate the two first shafts 23ga of the retaining unit 23g with the holes 23ma of the roller 23m. This secures the two rollers 23m to the retaining unit 23g. Next, attach the rotation detector 23r and the second gear 23k to the second shaft 23gb of the retaining unit 23g, in sequence. Next, secure the drive unit 23h to the drive unit securing portion 23gc of the retaining unit 23g by attaching the drive gear 23j to the output shaft of the drive unit 23h.

Next, the filter regeneration unit 23f and deodorizing filter 23a are mounted on the retaining portion 23g. Specifically, the filter regeneration unit 23f is inserted and secured to the regeneration unit housing 23ge of the retaining portion 23g. Furthermore, the deodorizing filter 23a is mounted on the retaining portion 23g so that the first gear 23ac fits between the upper flange 23mc and the lower flange 23md of the two rollers 23m, and the drive gear 23j and the second gear 23k mesh with the first gear 23ac of the deodorizing filter 23a. Thus, by rotating the drive gear 23j using the drive unit 23h, the deodorizing filter 23a, guided by the second gear 23k and the two rollers 23m, rotates stably.

Finally, the four pressing members 23z are respectively inserted above the two rollers 23m, and above the drive gear 23j and the second gear 23k. This completes the assembly of the deodorizing unit 23. As described above, by fixing the retaining portion 23g to the back side of the dust collecting unit 22 on the partition 16, the assembled deodorizing unit 23 is placed in the ventilation duct 10 of the air purifier 1.

When the deodorizing unit 23 is positioned within the ventilation duct 10, air flowing into the ventilation duct 10 from the various air intake ports passes through the deodorizing filter 23a. At this point, air that would otherwise flow into the deodorizing filter 23a, except for the opening 23gd provided in the center portion of the retaining portion 23g and corresponding to the shape of the deodorizing filter 23a, is blocked by the retaining portion 23g and directed toward the ventilation surface of the deodorizing filter 23a (the portion of the deodorizing filter 23a not covered by the filter regeneration portion 23f). Furthermore, as shown in Figures 5, 6, 8, and 9, the center hole 23ad of the deodorizing filter 23a is covered by the front cover 23s of the front housing 23ea and the back cover 23v of the back housing 23eb. Therefore, air flowing into the center hole 23ad of the deodorizing filter 23a is blocked by the front cover 23s and the back cover 23v and directed toward the ventilation surface of the deodorizing filter 23a. Specifically, the front cover 23s and the back cover 23v are configured to prevent air from flowing through the center hole 23ad of the deodorizing filter 23a. In other words, the deodorizing unit 23, having the above-described structure, effectively directs air that flows into the ventilation duct 10 and passes through the deodorizing unit 23 to the deodorizing filter 23a. As a result, the deodorizing unit 23 can more effectively deodorize the air.

In the air purifier 1 having the above structure, when the user operates the operating unit 15 to start the operation of the air purifier 1, the blower 25 is driven, and power is supplied to the first and second electrostatic precipitators 22a, 22b of the dust collection unit 22. In addition, the humidification filter 24a of the humidification unit 24 begins to rotate. When the blower 25 is driven, air is drawn into the interior of the main body 11 through the top suction port 13a, the right side suction port 13b, and the left side suction port 13c.

The air sucked into the main body 11 flows as follows.

(1) In the ventilation duct 10 where the lower portion of the deodorizing unit 23 and the upper portion of the humidifying unit 24 overlap in the front-to-rear direction, air flows in the order of the prefilter 21 → the dust collecting unit 22 → the deodorizing unit 23 → the humidifying unit 24 .

(2) In the ventilation duct 10, where the lower portion of the deodorizing unit 23 and the upper portion of the humidifying unit 24 are not arranged to overlap in the front-to-back direction, air flows in the order of the pre-filter 21 → the dust collecting unit 22 → the deodorizing unit 23, or in the order of the pre-filter 21 → the dust collecting unit 22 → the humidifying unit 24. Furthermore, air is blown out from the top blow-out port 14a, the right side blow-out port 14b, and the left side blow-out port 14c into the room where the air purifier 1 is installed.

As described above, when air passes through the ventilation duct 10 inside the air purifier 1, dust and pollen are removed by the pre-filter 21 and the energized dust collecting unit 22. Furthermore, the air passes through the ventilation surface of the deodorizing filter 23a via the opening 23gd of the retaining portion 23g. The ventilation surface of the deodorizing filter 23a is the surface of the deodorizing unit 23 that is exposed to the ventilation duct 10 from the filter regeneration portion 23f. When the air passes through the ventilation surface of the deodorizing filter 23a, odorous components of the air are removed. Furthermore, the air is humidified when it passes through the humidifying unit 24. Furthermore, as described above, the dust collecting unit 22 is arranged upstream of the deodorizing unit 23. Therefore, the air flowing into the deodorizing unit 23 is air from which dust, pollen, etc. have been removed. Therefore, clogging of the deodorizing filter 23a of the deodorizing unit 23 by dust, pollen, etc. is suppressed.

In addition, when the air purifier 1 is operating, the PTC heater 23b is continuously energized. In addition, the deodorizing filter 23a is driven by the driving unit 23h to rotate at a predetermined angle (for example, 30 degrees) at predetermined intervals. As a result, the deodorizing ability of the portion of the deodorizing filter 23a covered by the filter regeneration unit 23f is regenerated. That is, during the operation of the air purifier 1, the deodorizing ability of the portion of the deodorizing filter 23a covered by the filter regeneration unit 23f is regenerated, and the air is deodorized by using the portion of the deodorizing filter 23a other than the portion covered by the filter regeneration unit 23f. In addition, the predetermined time is the time required for the deodorizing ability of the deodorizing filter 23a to be regenerated, for example, two hours.

As described above, the PTC heater 23b is attached to the front-side heat sink 23ca. Furthermore, the first joint surface 23cda of the first joint portion 23cd and the second joint surface 23cea of the second joint portion 23ce of the back-side heat sink 23cb are joined to the filter-facing surface 23caa of the front-side heat sink 23ca. Therefore, the heat generated by the PTC heater 23b is efficiently transferred from the two ends of the front-side heat sink 23ca through the first joint portion 23cd and the second joint portion 23ce to the back-side heat sink 23cb. Thus, in the filter regeneration section 23f, the PTC heater 23b, acting as a heating element, can heat both the front and back sides of the deodorizing filter 23a. Thus, the PTC heater 23b can regenerate the deodorizing capacity of both sides of the deodorizing filter 23a.

Furthermore, a heat insulator 23d is disposed between the front heat sink 23ca and the front housing 23ea, and between the back heat sink 23cb and the back housing 23eb. This prevents heat from being dissipated from the front heat sink 23ca and back heat sink 23cb heated by the PTC heater 23b to the exterior of the filter regeneration unit 23f. Consequently, heat generated by the PTC heater 23b can be efficiently transferred to the deodorizing filter 23a.

As described above, the spacing between the front surface of the deodorizing filter 23a and the front first flange 23t of the front housing 23ea, the spacing between the back surface of the deodorizing filter 23a and the back first flange 23w of the back housing 23eb, the spacing between the cover portion 23ae and the front cover portion 23s of the front housing 23ea and the back cover portion 23v of the back housing 23eb, and the spacing between the first gear 23ac and the front second flange 23u of the front housing 23ea and the back second flange 23x of the back housing 23eb are set to a spacing D that prevents the deodorizing filter 23a from contacting the filter regenerating unit 23f during rotation. Furthermore, this spacing D is a dimension that prevents heat generated by the PTC heater 23b from dissipating to the outside of the housing 23e and prevents air passing through the deodorizing filter 23a from entering the filter regenerating unit 23f. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the flow of air into the filter regeneration unit 23f and to suppress the flow of air from cooling the interior of the filter regeneration unit 23f. As a result, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the regeneration efficiency of the deodorizing filter 23a by the filter regeneration unit 23f.

Furthermore, the filter regeneration unit 23f is structured to cover only a portion of the deodorizing filter 23a. Therefore, the air resistance of the deodorizing filter 23a is low. Furthermore, as described above, the air resistance of the dust collection unit 22 is also low. This allows the use of the turbofan 25a, which has a lower static pressure than a sirocco fan, for the blower 25.

If air resistance is the same, the air volume is lower when using turbofan 25a than when using a sirocco fan. However, turbofan 25a is more efficient and quieter than a sirocco fan. Therefore, an air purifier 1 can be achieved that can ensure the necessary dust collection and deodorization capabilities while suppressing noise.

Furthermore, as described above, third shaft 23q, which supports inner roller 23ni and a pair of outer rollers 23no, is provided on front cover 23s and a pair of second front flanges 23u. Therefore, compared to a case where third shaft 23q is located within heater housing 23ec, front housing 23ea can be made smaller. Consequently, air resistance across deodorizing filter 23a can be reduced.

In addition, in the air purifier 1, the air resistance of the dust collecting unit 22 and the deodorizing unit 23 is small. Therefore, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, even if the dust collecting unit 22, the deodorizing unit 23, the humidifying unit 24 and the blower 25 are arranged in sequence from the upstream side to the downstream side of the ventilation duct 10, the air resistance of the air purifier 1 will not become too large. Therefore, the amount of air flowing through the ventilation duct 10 inside the main body 11 is not reduced by the drive of the blower 25. And by arranging the components in the above manner, the front-to-back (depth) dimension of the main body 11 is lengthened. In addition, the air intake ports are arranged on the front side of the main body 11, and the air outlet ports are arranged on the back side of the main body 11. Therefore, the step (distance) R between the air intake ports and the air outlet ports shown in Figure 4 can be increased. This can suppress the occurrence of a so-called short-circuit cycle between the air intake port and the air outlet port, in which the air blown into the room from each air outlet is immediately sucked into the air purifier 1 from each air intake port.

In the air purifier 1, a distance R that is not prone to short-circuiting can be achieved. Therefore, the air purifier 1 may include an upper suction port 13a, a right side suction port 13b, and a left side suction port 13 for inhaling air from the upper end, right side end, and left side end of the front of the main body 11 toward the inside of the air purifier 1. In addition, the air purifier 1 may also include an upper blow-out port 14a, a right side blow-out port 14b, and a left side blow-out port 14c for blowing air from the upper end, right side end, and left side end of the rear of the main body 11. Therefore, the area of the air suction port and the air blowing port can be increased. As a result, the air purifier 1 can fully ensure the amount of air inhaled and blown out. In addition, by inhaling and blowing out air from three directions, the air purifier 1 can inhale the air in the room where the air purifier 1 is provided without omission, thereby being able to collect dust, humidify, and deodorize, and can blow out the purified air and spread the air throughout the room.

It is also preferable, as shown by line segment P in Figure 3, to arrange the dust collection unit 22 and blower 25 so that the height of the center of the fan motor 25b is aligned with the height of the space between the first and second electric precipitators 22a, 22b of the dust collection unit 22. Near the center of the fan motor 25b, the air flow generated by the rotation of the turbofan 25a is low. Therefore, within the space near the center of the fan motor 25b within the main body 11, air flow is low. On the other hand, the space between the first and second electric precipitators 22a, 22b in the dust collection unit 22 has a low dust collection capacity for the passing air. Therefore, by aligning the height of this space with the height of the center of the fan motor 25b, the first and second electric precipitators 22a, 22b can be arranged in the space where the blades of the turbofan 25a, where air flow is high, are located. This allows the dust collection unit 22 to effectively remove dust.

As described above, in the air cleaner 1 of this embodiment, the cover member includes the heat diffusion suppressing portion. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the heat generated by the heater from diffusing to the outside of the cover member.

Furthermore, in the air purifier 1 of this embodiment, the heater is housed within the heater housing portion of the cover. Furthermore, the positioning member rotatably supports the deodorizing filter or the heater and cover, and determines the relative position of the cover and deodorizing filter. This prevents heat generated by the heater from dissipating outside the cover.

Furthermore, in the air purifier described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-277365, the motor that rotates the adsorption plate is supported by a bracket on the upper wall of the air duct. Furthermore, a cover is fixed to the upper wall of the air duct. Therefore, it is difficult to achieve both a good balance between preventing the adsorption plate from contacting the cover during rotation and ensuring that the adsorption plate and the cover are close to each other. Consequently, heat generated by the heating element diffuses from the gap between the adsorption plate and the cover to the outside of the cover.

In the air purifier 1 of this embodiment, the relative positions of the deodorizing filter and the cover covering the heating element can be easily determined. In addition, in the air purifier 1, it is possible to suppress the diffusion of heat outside the cover.

In addition, in the air purifier 1 of this embodiment, the front side radiator plate and the back side radiator plate are joined in such a way that heat is transferred between the front side radiator plate and the back side radiator plate. Therefore, the heat generated by the heater can be used to heat both sides of the deodorizing filter.

In addition, in the air purifier described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Gazette No. 10-277365, in order to heat the front and back sides of the adsorption plate, independent heating elements are provided on the inner wall surfaces of the front and back sides of the cover. That is, the heating element provided on the front side of the cover heats only the front side of the adsorption plate. On the other hand, the heating element provided on the back side of the cover heats only the back side of the adsorption plate. Therefore, there is a problem that it is difficult to heat both sides of the adsorption plate with one heating element. Therefore, for example, when one side of the heating element is damaged, it may be impossible to heat both sides of the adsorption plate.

This embodiment provides an air purifier capable of regenerating the deodorizing ability of a deodorizing filter by heating both surfaces of the deodorizing filter with a heating element.

In the above-described embodiment, the front-side heat sink 23ca and the back-side heat sink 23cb are formed into a roughly triangular shape. However, the shapes of the front-side heat sink 23ca and the back-side heat sink 23cb are not limited to this. They may also be fan-shaped, rectangular, or other shapes that can partially cover the deodorizing filter 23a. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the PTC heater 23b is attached to the front-side heat sink 23ca. However, the PTC heater 23b may also be attached to the back-side heat sink 23cb.

In this embodiment, the front cover 23s, the front first flange 23t, and the front second flange 23u are integrally formed with the front housing 23ea. Furthermore, the back cover 23v, the back first flange 23w, and the back second flange 23x are integrally formed with the back housing 23eb. Alternatively, the shielding portions (covers) and flanges may be formed independently of the respective housings. In this case, the shielding portions (covers) and flanges may be joined to the respective housings.

In the embodiment described above, the filter regeneration unit 23f is fixed to the holding unit 23g. Furthermore, the deodorizing filter 23a is rotated by the driving unit 23h. Alternatively, the deodorizing filter 23a may be fixed to the holding unit 23g, for example. Furthermore, the filter regeneration unit 23f may be rotated along the circumference of the deodorizing filter 23a by the driving unit 23h. In other words, the driving unit 23h only needs to be configured to enable relative rotation of the filter regeneration unit 23f and the deodorizing filter 23a.

In addition, the heating unit of the air cleaner 1 of this embodiment can also be regarded as the filter regenerating unit 23f.

In addition, in this embodiment, windshields 23y are provided on the front cover 23s and the pair of front second flanges 23u of the front housing 23ea. However, this is not limiting. In the air purifier 1 of this embodiment, a windshield may be provided on the cover and/or flange of at least one of the front housing 23ea and the back housing 23eb.

In this embodiment, the back side heat sink 23cb has the first joint portion 23cd and the second joint portion 23ce. However, this is not limiting, and at least one of the back side heat sink 23cb and the front side heat sink 23ca may have the first joint portion 23cd and the second joint portion 23ce.

Furthermore, the air cleaner according to the embodiment of the present invention may be the following first to eighteenth air cleaners.

The first air purifier includes: an air intake port for sucking air into the box body; an air outlet for blowing air from the box body to the outside; and a ventilation channel connecting the air intake port and the air outlet, wherein a blower and a deodorizing unit are arranged in the ventilation channel, and the deodorizing unit deodorizes the air sucked into the ventilation channel by driving the blower, and the deodorizing unit includes: a deodorizing filter; a heating part for heating a part of the deodorizing filter; and a cover member configured to cover a part of the deodorizing filter together with the heating part, the air purifier also includes a driving part, which rotates the deodorizing filter or rotates the cover member along the outer periphery of the deodorizing filter so that the deodorizing filter as a whole is heated by the heating part, and the cover member includes: a heating part storage part for storing the heating part; and a heat diffusion prevention part for suppressing the heat generated by the heating part from diffusing from the heating part storage part by the air flowing in the ventilation channel and passing through the deodorizing filter.

In the second air purifier, in the first air purifier, the heating unit housing portion is formed by a bottom surface and a plurality of side surfaces standing upright from an outer periphery of the bottom surface, and the heat diffusion prevention portion is provided on the side surfaces.

The third air purifier is the first or second air purifier, wherein the side end portion of the side surface is extended outward from the heating unit housing to form the heat diffusion prevention portion.

In a fourth air purifier, in any one of the first to third air purifiers, the heat diffusion prevention unit includes a wind shield plate that prevents air flowing through the deodorizing filter from flowing into the heating unit housing.

A fifth air purifier is any one of the first to fourth air purifiers, wherein a heat insulator is disposed between the heating unit and the heating unit housing.

The sixth air purifier is based on any one of the first to fifth air purifiers, and the cover member includes: a front side shell, configured to cover a portion of the front side of the deodorizing filter; and a back side shell, configured to cover a portion of the back side of the deodorizing filter, and the front side shell and the back side shell are respectively provided with the heat diffusion prevention portion.

A seventh air purifier is any one of the first to sixth air purifiers, wherein the wind shield is provided on the heat diffusion prevention portion of the front casing and the heat diffusion prevention portion of the back casing.

The eighth air purifier is based on any one of the first to seventh air purifiers, wherein the heating part has a front side heat sink, a back side heat sink and a heater, the heater is installed on at least one of the front side heat sink and the back side heat sink, the front side heat sink is arranged on the front side of the deodorizing filter, the back side heat sink is arranged on the back side of the deodorizing filter, and the front side heat sink and the back side heat sink are joined to transfer heat from the front side heat sink to the back side heat sink or from the back side heat sink to the front side heat sink.

The ninth air purifier includes: an air intake port for sucking air into the box body; an air outlet for blowing air from the box body to the outside; and a ventilation channel connecting the air intake port and the air outlet, wherein an air blower and a deodorizing unit are arranged in the ventilation channel, and the deodorizing unit deodorizes the air sucked into the ventilation channel by driving the air blower, and the deodorizing unit includes: a deodorizing filter; a heating part for heating a part of the deodorizing filter; and a cover member configured to cover a part of the deodorizing filter together with the heating part, the air purifier also includes a driving part, which rotates the deodorizing filter or rotates the cover member along the outer periphery of the deodorizing filter so that the heating part heats the deodorizing filter as a whole, the cover member has a heating part storage part for storing the heating part, and the air purifier also includes a positioning member, which positions the cover member and the deodorizing filter, and supports the deodorizing filter or the cover member to be rotatable.

In the tenth air purifier according to the ninth air purifier, the plurality of positioning members include at least a first positioning member supporting an inner peripheral portion of the deodorizing filter and a second positioning member supporting an outer peripheral portion of the deodorizing filter.

The eleventh air purifier is the ninth air purifier, wherein a heat insulating material is disposed between the heating unit and the heating unit housing.

The twelfth air purifier is based on the ninth air purifier, and the heating part storage part is formed by a bottom surface and multiple side surfaces upright from the outer periphery of the bottom surface, and the cover member has a flange portion, which extends from the side end portions of the multiple side surfaces of the heating part storage part toward the outside of the heating part storage part.

A thirteenth air purifier is the ninth or twelfth air purifier, wherein the cover member includes a support portion that supports the positioning member on the flange portion.

The fourteenth air purifier is based on any one of the ninth, twelfth or thirteenth air purifiers, wherein the deodorizing filter has a through hole in the center portion, one of the flange portions is formed into a disc shape that is the same size as or larger than the through hole, and is a through hole covering portion configured to prevent air from flowing in the through hole, and the supporting portion is configured on the through hole covering portion.

The fifteenth air purifier is any one of the ninth and twelfth to fourteenth air purifiers, wherein the cover member further includes a plurality of wind shields on the flange portion, and the plurality of wind shields prevent air from flowing into the heating unit housing portion.

The sixteenth air purifier includes: an air intake port for sucking air into the box; an air outlet for blowing air from the box to the outside; and a ventilation duct connecting the air intake port and the air outlet, wherein a blower and a deodorizing unit are arranged in the ventilation duct, and the deodorizing unit deodorizes the air sucked into the ventilation duct by driving the blower, and the deodorizing unit includes: a deodorizing filter having a catalyst layer for adsorbing and decomposing odor components contained in the air; and a heating part configured to cover a part of the deodorizing filter and heat a part of the deodorizing filter, the heating part includes a first heat sink, a second heat sink and a heater, the heater is installed on at least one of the first heat sink and the second heat sink, the first heat sink is arranged opposite to one surface of the deodorizing filter, and the second heat sink is arranged opposite to the other surface of the deodorizing filter, and the first heat sink and the second heat sink are joined to transfer heat from the first heat sink to the second heat sink or to transfer heat from the second heat sink to the first heat sink.

The seventeenth air purifier is based on the sixteenth air purifier, and a first joining portion for joining to the other heat sink is provided on at least one of the first heat sink and the second heat sink, and the first joining portion is arranged on the outside of the outer periphery of the deodorizing unit and is joined to the other heat sink.

The eighteenth air purifier is based on the sixteenth or seventeenth air purifier, and a second joint is provided on at least one of the first heat sink and the second heat sink, and at a position different from the first joint, the deodorizing filter has a through hole in the center, and the second joint is connected to the other heat sink through the through hole of the deodorizing unit.

Claims (13)

1. An air purifier, characterized in that it comprises: Air intake port draws air into the chamber; An air outlet supplies air from inside the box to the outside. A ventilation duct connects the air intake and the air outlet. A blower is installed within the ventilation duct; and A deodorization unit, installed within the ventilation duct, deodorizes the air drawn into the ventilation duct by the blower. The deodorization unit includes: Deodorizing filter; The heating unit heats the deodorizing filter; A cover member having a heating section for receiving the heating section and a heat diffusion suppression section for inhibiting heat diffusion from the heating section, and configured to cover a portion of the deodorizing filter; and The drive unit causes the deodorizing filter and the cover component to rotate relative to each other. The heating element housing includes a bottom surface and multiple side surfaces that are erected vertically from the outer periphery of the bottom surface. The heat diffusion suppression part is disposed on the side. The heat diffusion suppression section is formed by extending the side end of the heating section housing to the outside of the heating section housing. 2. The air purifier according to claim 1, wherein the heat diffusion suppression part includes a wind shield, the wind shield suppressing the flow of air passing through the deodorizing filter into the heating part receiving part. 3. The air purifier according to claim 2, characterized in that, The cover member includes: a front housing configured to cover a portion of the front side of the deodorizing filter; and a rear housing configured to cover a portion of the rear side of the deodorizing filter. The front side shell and the rear side shell are respectively provided with the heat diffusion suppression part. The wind shield is disposed on at least one of the heat diffusion suppression portion of the front side shell and the heat diffusion suppression portion of the rear side shell. 4. The air purifier according to claim 1, characterized in that, The cover member includes: a front housing configured to cover a portion of the front side of the deodorizing filter; and a rear housing configured to cover a portion of the rear side of the deodorizing filter. The front side shell and the rear side shell are respectively provided with the heat diffusion suppression part. 5. The air purifier according to claim 4, characterized in that it further includes a heat insulation member disposed between the heating part and the heating part receiving part. 6. The air purifier according to claim 1, characterized in that, The deodorizing unit has a positioning member that determines the relative position of the cover member and the deodorizing filter, and supports the deodorizing filter or the cover member so that it can rotate. 7. The air purifier according to claim 6, characterized in that, The positioning component has: A first positioning member supports the inner periphery of the deodorizing filter; and The second positioning component supports the outer periphery of the deodorizing filter. 8. The air purifier according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that, The cover member includes a flange that extends from the side ends of a plurality of the sides of the heating section housing toward the outside of the heating section housing. 9. The air purifier according to claim 8, wherein the cover member includes a support portion for supporting the positioning member on the flange portion. 10. The air purifier according to claim 9, characterized in that, The deodorizing filter has a through hole in the center. The flange portion includes a through-hole cover portion, which is in the shape of a disk, the same as or larger than the through-hole, and is configured to suppress airflow within the through-hole. The support portion is disposed on the through hole cover portion. 11. The air purifier according to claim 1, characterized in that, The deodorizing filter has a catalyst layer that adsorbs and decomposes odor components contained in the air; The heating element is configured to cover a portion of the deodorizing filter and heat that portion of the filter. The heating element has a front heat sink, a rear heat sink, and a heater, wherein the heater is mounted on at least one of the front heat sink and the rear heat sink. The front heat dissipation plate is disposed on the front side of the deodorizing filter. The rear-side heat dissipation plate is disposed on the rear side of the deodorizing filter. The front heat sink and the rear heat sink are joined together. 12. The air purifier according to claim 11, characterized in that a first joint portion is provided on at least one of the front heat sink and the rear heat sink, the first joint portion being disposed on the outer side of the outer periphery of the deodorizing filter and engaging with the other heat sink. 13. The air purifier according to claim 12, characterized in that, A second joint is provided at a location on at least one of the heat sinks that differs from the location of the first joint. The deodorizing filter has a through hole in the center. The second joint is joined to the other heat sink through the through hole of the deodorizing filter.