JP2014076205A - Sterilizer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve, by targeting a sterilizer for sterilizing a fluid by applying ultraviolet rays thereon, the sterilizing efficiency.SOLUTION: In a sterilizer 100 including a housing 121 having a flow channel R through which a fluid provided as a sterilizing target streams and a light source 122 configured within the housing 121 for applying ultraviolet rays onto the flow channel R interior, the inner wall surface of the flow channel R possesses a pair of reflective planes 111 and 112 for directing the ultraviolet rays applied from the light source 122 from one to the other sides of the flow channel R while reflecting the same on multiple occasions, whereas ultraviolet-permeable layers 113 and 114 formed by a component having a refractive index virtually equal to the refractive index of the fluid provided as a sterilizing target and transmitting ultraviolet rays directed toward the reflective planes 111 and 112 and ultraviolet rays reflected by the reflective planes 111 and 112 are configured respectively atop the reflective planes 111 and 112.

Description

  The present invention relates to a sterilization apparatus for sterilizing a fluid such as liquid or gas.

  In a water purifier or the like, a device having a sterilizer that sterilizes water by irradiating ultraviolet rays is known.

  For example, in Patent Document 1, a water purifier is provided with a light emitter assembly including an ultraviolet LED that generates ultraviolet light, and the ultraviolet light generated by the ultraviolet LED is extended in the water purification passage between the water purification cartridge and the water outlet. A technique for irradiating substantially along a direction is disclosed. Patent Document 2 discloses a technique for repeatedly reflecting irradiated light when ultraviolet light is irradiated into a flow path through which a fluid to be sterilized flows (see Patent Document 2).

  Here, with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, a description will be given of a virtual technique in the case of sterilizing a fluid such as water while repeatedly irradiating the irradiation light when irradiating the flow path with ultraviolet rays.

  FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a sterilization apparatus according to virtual technology. The sterilization apparatus 300 includes a housing 310 having a fluid flow path R to be sterilized and a light source unit 320 provided in the housing 310. The light source unit 320 includes an LED element 321 that is a light source for irradiating ultraviolet rays into the flow path R. The inner wall surface of the flow path R has a pair of reflecting surfaces 311 and 312 that reflect the ultraviolet light emitted from the LED element 321 a plurality of times and direct from one side of the flow path R to the other side. Note that a line L in FIG. 5 indicates the center (optical axis) of the ultraviolet light emitted from the LED element 321.

Below the cross-sectional view shown in FIG. 5, the relationship between the distance from one side to the other side on the center line of the flow path R and the light intensity is shown in a graph. As shown in the figure, the light intensity attenuates in inverse proportion to the square of the distance. In the illustrated example, when the ultraviolet light leaks outside the housing 310, the light intensity decreases. Here, in order to obtain a bactericidal effect, the light intensity needs to be a certain value or more. Although the value varies depending on the wavelength of the ultraviolet rays, the light intensity necessary for obtaining a bactericidal effect by the ultraviolet rays irradiated by the illustrated LED element 321 is Y0 [J / cm ² ]. In this case, the bactericidal effect can be obtained only in the region up to the distance X0 [mm].

  Further, near the inner wall surface in the flow path R, that is, in the vicinity of the reflection surfaces 311 and 312, the amount of ultraviolet light irradiation to the fluid is smaller than in the vicinity of the center line in the flow path R. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a part of the path of the center (optical axis) of ultraviolet rays in the flow path R. In FIG. 6, the arrow indicates the path of the optical axis of the ultraviolet light emitted from the LED element 321. As shown in FIG. 6, in the vicinity of the center line of the flow path R, ultraviolet rays from one reflection surface to the other reflection surface and ultraviolet rays from the other reflection surface to the one reflection surface pass. On the other hand, the ultraviolet light passing points on the reflecting surfaces 311 and 312 are only the ultraviolet light reflecting points. That is, in the vicinity of the center line of the flow path R, the optical axis of the ultraviolet ray is from when the ultraviolet ray is directed from the one reflecting surface side to the other reflecting surface side and reflected from the other reflecting surface to return to the one reflecting surface side. There are two passing points, but there is only one passing point of the optical axis of the ultraviolet ray on the reflecting surface. Therefore, in the vicinity of the inner wall surface in the flow path R, compared with the vicinity of the center line in the flow path R, the passing amount of ultraviolet light is small, and the irradiation amount of ultraviolet light to the fluid is small.

  For this reason, there is a problem that the sterilization effect is lowered for the fluid flowing in the vicinity of the inner wall surface in the flow path R, and the sterilization efficiency is lowered.

JP 2010-214241 A Special table 2007-502200 gazette

  An object of this invention is to provide the technique which can improve sterilization efficiency in the sterilization apparatus which sterilizes the fluid by irradiating an ultraviolet-ray.

The sterilizer according to the present invention is
A housing having a flow path through which a fluid to be sterilized flows;
A light source that is provided in the housing and irradiates ultraviolet rays in the flow path;
The inner wall surface of the flow path has a pair of reflection surfaces that are directed from the one side of the flow path to the other side while reflecting the ultraviolet ray irradiated from the light source a plurality of times, and
An ultraviolet transmissive layer that is formed of a member having a refractive index substantially equal to the refractive index of the fluid to be sterilized and that transmits ultraviolet rays toward the reflective surface and ultraviolet rays reflected by the reflective surface is provided on the reflective surface. It has been.

  In the sterilization apparatus according to the present invention, an ultraviolet ray transmitting layer exists between the fluid to be sterilized flowing through the flow path and the reflective surface. Therefore, the fluid is not in direct contact with the reflecting surface, but is in contact with the surface of the ultraviolet ray transmitting layer.

  The ultraviolet ray transmitting layer transmits ultraviolet rays directed to the reflection surface and ultraviolet rays reflected by the reflection surface. Therefore, on the surface of the ultraviolet transmission layer, ultraviolet rays incident on the ultraviolet transmission layer (ultraviolet rays toward the reflection surface) and ultraviolet rays emitted from the ultraviolet transmission layer (ultraviolet rays reflected by the reflection surface) pass. Become. Therefore, on the surface of the ultraviolet ray transmitting layer, the ultraviolet ray is directed from the one reflecting surface side to the other reflecting surface side, and is reflected by the other reflecting surface until returning to the one reflecting surface side. As in the vicinity of the line, there are two passing points on the optical axis of the ultraviolet rays.

  Thereby, compared with the case where the fluid which flows through a flow path, and the reflective surface contact | connect directly, the irradiation amount of the ultraviolet-ray to the fluid which flows near the inner wall face of a flow path increases. As a result, the sterilizing effect on the fluid flowing near the inner wall surface of the flow path is enhanced. Therefore, sterilization efficiency can be improved.

  According to the present invention, sterilization efficiency can be improved in a sterilization apparatus that sterilizes a fluid by irradiating ultraviolet rays.

It is a schematic block diagram of a water purifier provided with the sterilizer which concerns on the Example of this invention. It is a front view of the sterilizer concerning the example of the present invention. It is typical sectional drawing of the sterilizer which concerns on the Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows a part of path | route of the center (optical axis) of the ultraviolet-ray in the flow path of the sterilizer which concerns on the Example of this invention. It is a typical sectional view of the sterilizer concerning virtual technology. It is a figure which shows a part of path | route of the center (optical axis) of the ultraviolet-ray in the flow path of the sterilizer based on virtual technology.

  Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The dimensions, materials, shapes, relative arrangements, and the like of the components described in the present embodiment are not intended to limit the technical scope of the invention to those unless otherwise specified.

<Application example of sterilizer>
The sterilizer according to the present embodiment can be applied to various uses such as sterilizing liquids such as water (tap water) and gases such as air. In the former case, for example, it can be used to sterilize water by being attached to a faucet of a water supply or installed in a water purifier attached to the water supply. In the latter case, it can be used to sterilize the exhaust gas by attaching it to an exhaust pipe, for example. Here, as an example, a case of a cartridge type sterilizer to be mounted on a pot type water purifier will be described with reference to FIG.

  A pot-type water purifier 200 shown in FIG. 1 includes a case 210, a partition part 220 that partitions the space inside the case 210 into two regions, and a water purification cartridge 250 that is attached to the partition part 220. In addition, a first lid 230 for putting raw water such as tap water into the case 210 and a second lid 240 for discharging the purified water to the outside are provided on the upper portion of the case 210. The water purification cartridge 250 is filled with activated carbon.

  According to the water purifier 200 configured as described above, when raw water is put into the case 210 with the first lid 230 opened, the water W purified by the water purification cartridge 250 is stored below the case 210. It is done. Then, the purified water W can be discharged to the outside by tilting the case 210 toward the second lid 240 with the second lid 240 open.

  Here, in the case of the water purifier 200 configured as described above, chlorine is removed from the water stored in the case 210 by activated carbon. Therefore, there is a problem that bacteria are generated when left for a long time. Therefore, in the water purifier 200 according to the present embodiment, the cartridge type sterilizer 100 is mounted in the vicinity of the second lid 240 in order to sterilize the accumulated water W. When the purified water W that has been collected is discharged to the outside of the case 210, the water W is sterilized by ultraviolet rays when passing through the flow path in the sterilizer 100.

<Example 1>
[Schematic configuration of sterilizer]
With reference to FIG. 2 and 3, the sterilizer which concerns on a present Example is demonstrated. FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the sterilizer according to the present embodiment. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG.

  The sterilizer 100 according to this embodiment includes a housing 110 and a light source unit 120. The housing 110 has a flow path R for a fluid to be sterilized (here, water). The light source unit 120 is provided in the housing 110.

  The light source unit 120 includes a substrate 121, an LED element 122, and a lens 123. The LED element 122 is a light source for irradiating the flow path R with ultraviolet rays. The LED element 122 is attached to the substrate 121. The lens 123 collects the ultraviolet rays emitted from the LED element 122. The number of LED elements 122 is not particularly limited, and a plurality of LED elements 122 can be arranged in the longitudinal direction of substrate 121 (width direction of housing 110). The power source (battery) of the LED element 122 may be provided in the sterilizer 100 (for example, the housing 110), or may be provided outside the sterilizer 100 (for example, the case 210 of the water purifier 200 described above). good.

Further, a window 124 is provided between the light source unit 120 and the flow path R. This window 1
24 is provided to partition the region where the light source unit 120 is disposed from the flow path R. That is, the window 124 plays a role of preventing the fluid from entering the light source unit 120 side while allowing the ultraviolet rays to pass therethrough so that the fluid (water) to be sterilized does not go to the light source unit 120 side.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the flow path R provided in the housing 110 is configured such that the cross section thereof is rectangular. The inner wall surface of the flow path R has a pair of reflecting surfaces for reflecting the ultraviolet rays irradiated from the LED elements 122 a plurality of times and directing the flow path R from one side to the other side. For example, the surface of the inner wall surface of the flow path R is coated with a protective film having high ultraviolet transmittance such as magnesium fluoride, and a material that reflects ultraviolet rays such as aluminum is vapor-deposited on the reflective surface. Can be formed by coating with a protective film having a high ultraviolet transmittance such as magnesium fluoride. For convenience of explanation, hereinafter, one and the other of the pair of reflecting surfaces are referred to as a first reflecting surface 111 and a second reflecting surface 112, respectively. Note that the line L in FIG. 3 indicates the center (optical axis) of the ultraviolet light emitted from the LED element 122.

  The first reflecting surface 111 and the second reflecting surface 112 are both configured to have a flat surface, and the flat surfaces are parallel to each other and are opposed to each other. As shown in FIG. 3, the direction of the ultraviolet rays emitted from the LED element 122 with respect to the normal lines of the first reflecting surface 111 and the second reflecting surface 112 is changed from one side of the flow path R to the other side. The LED element 122 (light source unit 120) is disposed with respect to the housing 110 so as to be inclined toward the housing 110.

  Further, on the reflection surfaces 111 and 112, ultraviolet transmission layers 113 and 114 that transmit ultraviolet rays are provided. The ultraviolet light transmitting layers 113 and 114 are formed of a member having a refractive index substantially equal to the refractive index of the fluid to be sterilized (for example, a fluorine resin when the fluid to be sterilized is water). . For convenience of explanation, hereinafter, the ultraviolet transmissive layer provided on the first reflective surface 111 is referred to as a first ultraviolet transmissive layer 113, and the ultraviolet transmissive layer provided on the second reflective surface 112 is referred to as a second ultraviolet transmissive layer 114. Called.

  The first ultraviolet light transmitting layer 113 transmits ultraviolet light directed to the first reflective surface 111 and ultraviolet light reflected by the first reflective surface 111. In addition, the second ultraviolet ray transmitting layer 114 transmits ultraviolet rays toward the second reflecting surface 112 and ultraviolet rays reflected by the second reflecting surface 112.

[Excellent points of sterilization apparatus according to this embodiment]
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a part of the path of the center (optical axis) of ultraviolet rays in the flow path R of the sterilizer 100 according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 4, the arrow indicates the path of the optical axis of the ultraviolet light emitted from the LED element 321.

  As described above, the first ultraviolet light transmitting layer 113 transmits the ultraviolet light directed to the first reflective surface 111 and the ultraviolet light reflected by the first reflective surface 111. Therefore, on the surface of the first ultraviolet transmission layer 113, ultraviolet rays incident on the first ultraviolet transmission layer 113 (ultraviolet rays toward the first reflecting surface 111) and ultraviolet rays emitted from the first ultraviolet transmission layer 113 (first UV light reflected by the reflecting surface 111). In addition, the second ultraviolet ray transmitting layer 114 transmits ultraviolet rays toward the second reflecting surface 112 and ultraviolet rays reflected by the second reflecting surface 112. Therefore, on the surface of the second ultraviolet transmission layer 114, ultraviolet rays incident on the second ultraviolet transmission layer 114 (ultraviolet rays toward the second reflecting surface 112) and ultraviolet rays emitted from the second ultraviolet transmission layer 114 (second UV light reflected by the reflecting surface 112).

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4, on the surface of each ultraviolet light transmitting layer 113, 114, the ultraviolet light is directed from one reflecting surface side to the other reflecting surface side and reflected by the other reflecting surface to the one reflecting surface side. Until the return, there are two passing points on the optical axis of the ultraviolet ray as in the vicinity of the center line of the flow path R.

  The fluid to be sterilized flowing through the flow path R is in contact with the surfaces of the ultraviolet transmissive layers 113 and 114 where the passing point of the optical axis of the ultraviolet light exists in the same manner as the vicinity of the center line of the flow path R as described above. . Thereby, compared with the case where the fluid which flows through the flow path R is in direct contact with the reflecting surfaces 111 and 112, the amount of ultraviolet rays irradiated to the fluid flowing near the inner wall surface of the flow path R is increased. As a result, the sterilizing effect on the fluid flowing near the inner wall surface of the flow path R is enhanced. Therefore, sterilization efficiency can be improved.

  The direction of the fluid flowing in the flow path R is not particularly limited. For example, the fluid may flow from the left side to the right side in FIG. 3 or from the right side to the left side.

  Further, the light source unit is not necessarily arranged obliquely with respect to the housing. For example, by providing a reflection device that reflects the ultraviolet light emitted from the light source unit obliquely with respect to the center line of the flow path at a position facing the light source unit in the housing, the ultraviolet light is reflected similarly to FIG. It can be directed from one side of the flow path to the other side while being reflected multiple times on the surface.

100 ·· Sterilizer 110 · · Housing 111, 112 · · Reflecting surfaces 113 and 114 · · Transmission layer 120 · · Light source unit 121 · · Substrate 122 · · LED element 123 · · lens 124 · · window 200 · · water purifier 210 ·· Case 220 · · Partition 230 · · First lid 240 · · Second lid 250 · · Water purification cartridge

Claims (1)

A housing having a flow path through which a fluid to be sterilized flows;
A light source that is provided in the housing and irradiates ultraviolet rays in the flow path;
The inner wall surface of the flow path has a pair of reflection surfaces that are directed from the one side of the flow path to the other side while reflecting the ultraviolet ray irradiated from the light source a plurality of times, and
An ultraviolet transmissive layer that is formed of a member having a refractive index substantially equal to the refractive index of the fluid to be sterilized and that transmits ultraviolet rays toward the reflective surface and ultraviolet rays reflected by the reflective surface is provided on the reflective surface. Sterilization equipment.

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