JP7393917B2 - Fluid sterilizer - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a fluid sterilizer that sterilizes a fluid to be sterilized flowing inside a housing using ultraviolet light.

Patent Documents 1 to 5 disclose a fluid sterilization device that sterilizes a fluid to be sterilized by irradiating the fluid to be sterilized flowing in a processing space in a housing with ultraviolet light in a direction parallel or perpendicular to the flow direction. In the fluid sterilization devices disclosed in these patent documents, a plurality of windows are provided facing the processing space, and an ultraviolet light transmitting member such as quartz glass is attached to each window. The ultraviolet light source is arranged on the outer surface side of the ultraviolet light transmitting member, and the ultraviolet light is irradiated onto the fluid to be sterilized in the processing space on the inner surface side of the ultraviolet light transmitting member through the ultraviolet light transmitting member. There is.

JP 2017-74114 Publication JP 2017-51289 Publication JP 2019-10601 Publication International Publication No. 2018/047629 JP 2018-192403 Publication

When the capacity of the housing becomes large, the passage time required for the fluid to be sterilized to pass through the processing space varies greatly depending on the passage position of the fluid to be sterilized in the processing space. Therefore, if the fluid to be sterilized in the processing space is irradiated with the same intensity regardless of the passage position, the actual irradiation time for the fluid to be sterilized, which has a short transit time, will be shortened, and the fluid will leave the processing space without being sterilized. The amount of fluid to be sterilized that flows out increases.

As a countermeasure for this, it is necessary to generate an intensity pattern of ultraviolet light depending on the usage status of the fluid sterilizer. However, in the fluid sterilization device disclosed in Patent Document 1, the ultraviolet light transmitting member is attached to a window formed in the housing body, and there are restrictions on the position, distribution density, orientation, dimensions, etc. of the ultraviolet light transmitting member. This makes it difficult to generate an ultraviolet light intensity pattern in the processing space that corresponds to the usage situation.

An object of the present invention is to provide a fluid sterilization device that can increase the degree of freedom in attaching an ultraviolet light transmitting member.

The fluid sterilization device of the present invention includes:
a housing having a processing space through which a fluid to be sterilized flows in from an inlet and flows out from an outlet;
a plurality of cylindrical members each having a communication space communicating with the processing space and being attached to a wall of the housing so as to protrude outward;
Each includes a plate-shaped ultraviolet light transmitting member attached to the tip of the cylindrical member so as to cover the open end of the tip, and transmitting ultraviolet light toward the processing space through the ultraviolet light transmitting member. a plurality of light source modules having an ultraviolet light source for irradiating;
Equipped with.

According to the present invention, the ultraviolet light transmitting member is not directly attached to the wall of the casing that defines the processing space on the inner surface side, but a cylindrical member is attached to the wall, and the ultraviolet light transmitting member is attached to the mounting member. Attached to the tip. The attachment of the proximal end of the cylindrical member to the wall has a higher degree of freedom in terms of position, distribution density, orientation, dimensions, etc. than the attachment of the ultraviolet light transmitting member to the wall. Further, the ultraviolet light transmitting member can be smoothly attached to the tip of the cylindrical member. As a result, it is possible to increase the degree of freedom in attaching the ultraviolet light transmitting member when generating a desired ultraviolet light intensity pattern in the processing space depending on the usage situation.

Preferably, in the fluid sterilization device of the present invention,
The housing is a tubular housing that includes the inlet and the outlet at both ends in the axial direction, and the fluid to be sterilized flows along the axial direction in the processing space,
Each cylindrical member is provided on the wall portion of the tubular casing.

When the fluid to be sterilized flows along the axial direction within a tubular housing having an inlet and an outlet at both ends in the axial direction, the fluid to be sterilized flows in a laminar flow. Therefore, by allocating the ultraviolet light from each optical module that irradiates the processing space to each corresponding laminar flow, it is possible to reduce the amount of fluid to be sterilized that passes through the processing space without being irradiated with ultraviolet light. .

According to this configuration, by making the housing a tubular housing in which the fluid to be sterilized flows along the axial direction in the processing space, a laminar flow of the fluid to be sterilized is formed in the processing space, and the processing space is irradiated. By allocating the ultraviolet light from each optical module to each corresponding laminar flow, the sterilization effect of the fluid to be sterilized can be enhanced.

Preferably, in the fluid sterilization device of the present invention,
The tubular housing has a peripheral wall portion and an end wall portion that covers both sides of the peripheral wall portion,
The end wall portion on at least one side in the axial direction has a curved shape that is convex outward in the axial direction,
Each cylindrical member is provided on the end wall portion of the curved surface shape.

In order to strengthen the pressure resistance of the end wall of the tubular casing, it is preferable that the end wall have a curved shape that is convex outward in the axial direction rather than a flat plate shape. On the other hand, the curved end wall portion complicates the mounting structure when directly mounting the ultraviolet light transmitting member.

According to this configuration, the degree of freedom in mounting the ultraviolet light transmitting member is increased, so even if the end wall portion has a curved shape, it is possible to install the ultraviolet light transmitting member in a desirable manner when generating a desired intensity pattern in the processing space. The ultraviolet light transmitting member can be attached to the position without any problem.

Preferably, in the fluid sterilization device of the present invention,
The angle of inclination of each cylindrical member with respect to the housing is set according to the shape of the processing space.

When the end wall has a curved shape, it is more difficult to attach a member to the end wall at an angle than when the end wall has a planar shape. According to this configuration, since the ultraviolet light transmitting member is attached via the cylindrical member, restrictions on attaching the ultraviolet light transmitting member when the ultraviolet light transmitting member is provided at an angle with respect to a wall can be reduced. I can do it.

Preferably, in the fluid sterilization device of the present invention,
The ultraviolet light transmitting member of each of the plurality of light source modules has a thickness depending on the pressure of the fluid to be sterilized.

According to this configuration, the ultraviolet light transmitting member can be set to the minimum necessary thickness.

Preferably, in the fluid sterilization device of the present invention,
The cylindrical member has a reflective surface on its inner surface that reflects the ultraviolet light.

According to this configuration, since the cylindrical member has a reflective surface that reflects ultraviolet light on its inner surface, the ultraviolet light that has entered the communication space of the cylindrical member from the ultraviolet light transmitting member is directed to the proximal end of the cylindrical member. It is possible to reduce the amount of attenuation until reaching this point.

Preferably, in the fluid sterilization device of the present invention,
Each of the plurality of light source modules includes:
a substrate on which the ultraviolet light source is attached;
a liquid cooling module attached to the back surface of the substrate;
Equipped with
The liquid cooling module includes:
a circulation path in which a refrigerant liquid circulates; a pump that circulates the refrigerant liquid in the circulation path;
a liquid cooling heat sink provided in the circulation path and in contact with the back surface of the substrate;
a heat exchange section that is provided in the circulation path and performs heat exchange between the refrigerant liquid and outside air;
has.

According to this configuration, each light source module includes a liquid cooling module that is cooled with a refrigerant liquid on the back surface of the substrate. Since the liquid cooling module includes a circulation path, a pump, a liquid cooling heat sink, and a heat exchange section, the refrigerant liquid can be circulated within the liquid cooling module. This eliminates the need to draw out the circulation path from each light source module, so it is possible to eliminate the problem of a long refrigerant liquid circulation pipe extending outside the casing.

It is a side view of a fluid sterilization device (1st embodiment). FIG. 2 is a detailed view of the internal structure of the joint between the cylindrical member and the light source module in FIG. 1; It is a figure which showed the modification of the joint part of FIG. 2A. FIG. 2 is a view of the light source module removed from the cylindrical member in FIG. 1, viewed from the side of the cylindrical member. FIG. 2 is a view of the fluid sterilizing device viewed from the light source module side with the light source module removed from the fluid sterilizing device in FIG. 1; FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a portion of the fluid sterilization device of FIG. 1 on the cylindrical member side, with the interior of the joint between the cylindrical member and the light source module seen through. FIG. 3 is a detailed diagram of the water cooling module. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a state of ultraviolet light irradiation in a processing space inside the housing. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing another irradiation state of ultraviolet light in the processing space inside the housing. It is a graph showing the relationship between the window diameter and the thickness of the quartz plate. It is a figure showing the main part of a 2nd embodiment. FIG. 7 is a view of the second embodiment viewed from the end wall side in the axial direction. It is a figure showing the principal part of a 3rd embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a state of irradiation of ultraviolet light in a processing space in a third embodiment. It is a figure which shows the main part of 4th Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the main part of 5th Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the irradiation state of the ultraviolet light in a process space in 5th Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the main part of 6th Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the main part of 7th Embodiment.

Below, a plurality of preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail. In the following description, common reference numerals are used for substantially the same or equivalent elements and parts in each embodiment.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a side view of a fluid sterilization device 10. As shown in FIG. This fluid sterilizer 10 is placed horizontally, and has a housing 11 whose axial direction is aligned with the horizontal direction. The housing 11 has a tapered part 12, a cylindrical tube part 13, and an end wall part 14 in order from one end to the other end in the axial direction, and has a structure of an axially long tubular housing.

In this embodiment, the rough dimensions of the fluid sterilizer 10 are assumed to be such that the inner diameter of the cylindrical tube portion 13 ranges from 30 cm to several meters.

The inflow pipe 17 has an inflow port on the inner surface side, and is connected to the end of the tapered portion 12 on the small diameter side with its center line aligned with the center line of the housing 11 . The outflow pipe 18 has an outflow port on the inner surface side, is connected to the outer peripheral part of the end of the cylindrical tube part 13 on the end wall part 14 side, and projects in the radial direction of the housing 11.

A pump (not shown) pumps the fluid to be sterilized (eg, water) to flow into the housing 11 from the inlet of the inflow pipe 17 . After the fluid to be sterilized is allowed to flow in the axial direction within the casing 11, it is made to flow out of the casing 11 from the outlet of the outflow pipe 18.

The plurality of cylindrical members 22 are attached at corresponding positions on the outer surface of the end wall 14 at the base end by welding, bolting, or the like. The cylindrical member 22 is of a straight tube type and has a communication space 69 (FIG. 7) on its inner surface. Each cylindrical member 22 has a flange 27 at its tip.

The end wall portion 14 is formed in a curved shape (bowl shape) that is convex outward in the axial direction of the housing 11, thereby enhancing pressure resistance. The base end of each cylindrical member 22 is fixed to the outer surface of the end wall 14 such that the center line of the cylindrical member 22 coincides with the normal direction of the outer surface of the end wall 14 . Therefore, the cylindrical member 22 located at the center in the radial direction extends in the axial direction of the housing 11, and the other cylindrical members 22 have their proximal ends directed toward the center line of the cylindrical tube portion 13. , is beginning to extend.

FIG. 2A is a detailed diagram of the internal structure of the joint between the cylindrical member 22 and the light source module 25 in FIG. 1. The cylindrical member 22 has a flange 27 at the end on the light source module 25 side. The flange 27 includes portions 27a and 27b. The portion 27a is formed integrally with the main body of the cylindrical member 22, is formed as a recess on the inner peripheral side, and has a window portion 29. The portion 27b is joined to the portion 27a after the quartz plate 31 is fitted into the window portion 29.

The quartz plate 31 is formed into a flat plate with a thickness that has a predetermined withstand pressure. Although not shown, for example, a seal ring is fitted to the periphery of the quartz plate 31 in order to prevent water from leaking from the periphery of the quartz plate 31. Note that the window portion 29 is also an opening on the tip side of the communication space 69 (FIG. 7).

The light source module 25 includes a reflector 36, an LED board 37, and a water cooling module 47 (FIG. 6). In FIG. 2A, only the water cooling heat sink 39 of the water cooling module 47 is shown, and illustration of other parts is omitted. The water cooling module 47 is attached to the cylindrical member 22 by joining the bracket 33 to the flange 27 of the cylindrical member 22 .

The plurality of LED light sources 42 are mounted on the surface of the LED board 37 with uniform distribution density. The LED light source 42 is, for example, a UV-LED that generates deep ultraviolet light (UV). The optical axes of the plurality of LED light sources 42 are parallel to each other. In the light source module 25, the optical axis of the LED light source 42 is aligned parallel to the center line of the light source module 25. When the light source module 25 is attached to the cylindrical member 22 , the optical axis of the LED light source 42 is perpendicular to the surface of the quartz plate 31 .

The reflector 36 has a reflector surface 44 at a position corresponding to each LED light source 42 . The ultraviolet light emitted by each LED light source 42 is reflected by the reflector surface 44 to prevent it from spreading outward in the radial direction, and then enters the quartz plate 31 from the reflector 36 .

FIG. 2B is a diagram showing a modification of the joint shown in FIG. 2A. The difference from the structure of FIG. 2A is that the light source module 25 includes a TIR lens 40 instead of the reflector 36. Each TIR lens 40 is formed on a common lens substrate 41 and covers the LED light source 42 on the protruding side. Both the TIR lens 40 and the lens substrate 41 are made of quartz. The ultraviolet light from the LED light source 42 is totally reflected within the TIR lens 40 and is emitted toward the quartz plate 31 .

The state in which the ultraviolet light from the LED light source 42 is incident on the quartz plate 31 via the TIR lens 40 in FIG. 2B is the same as the state in which the ultraviolet light is incident on the quartz plate 31 via the reflector surface 44 in FIG. 2A. Specifications such as dimensions of the TIR lens 40 are set.

FIG. 3 is a diagram of the light source module 25 removed from the cylindrical member 22 in FIG. 1, viewed from the side of the cylindrical member 22. The light source module 25 in FIG. 3 is a light source module including the TIR lens 40 in FIG. 2B. The joints 54a and 54b will be explained with reference to FIG.

FIG. 4 is a diagram of the fluid sterilizer 10 seen from the light source module 25 side with the light source module 25 removed from the fluid sterilizer 10 in FIG. Note that the water-cooled heat sink 39 is shown with a broken line in order to compare its external dimensions with the dimensions of the flange 27. The quartz plate 31 is exposed on the inner peripheral side of the flange 27, and the water-cooled heat sink 39 has a size that covers the quartz plate 31 and does not protrude outward from the flange 27 in the radial direction.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the part on the cylindrical member 22 side in the fluid sterilization device 10 of FIG. 1, with the interior (simplified internal structure) of the joint between the cylindrical member 22 and the light source module 25 seen through. . It should be noted that, from FIG. 5 onwards, the detailed outlines of the portions 27a and 27b are omitted in the diagrams showing the interior of the joint portion as seen through. The detailed outline is as shown in FIG. 2A or 2B.

FIG. 6 is a detailed diagram of the water cooling module 47. The water cooling module 47 includes a water cooling heat sink 39, a housing 48, a pump 49, a reservoir 50, a radiator 51, a fan 52, tubes 53a, 53b, and joints 54a, 54b.

Pump 49 and reservoir 50 are housed inside housing 48 . The bracket 33, the water-cooled heat sink 39, the housing 48, and the radiator 51 are coupled together and attached to the flange 27 as one body. Tube 53a connects reservoir 50 and joint 54a. The tube 53b connects the radiator 51 and the joint 54b.

The pump 49, the radiator 51, the tube 53b, the water-cooled heat sink 39, the tube 53a, and the reservoir 50 form a circulation path for water as a refrigerant liquid. Specifically, water sucked in from the pump 49 is discharged to the radiator 51. The radiator 51 is cooled by air from the fan 52 and acts as a heat exchanger between water and air.

The water coming out of the radiator 51 flows into the water-cooled heat sink 39 as a liquid-cooled heat sink through the tube 53b. The coolant cools the LED board 37 while passing through the water-cooled heat sink 39, and then returns to the radiator 51 via the tube 53a.

The liquid cooling module is, for example, a water cooling module 47 that uses water as the refrigerant liquid. The water cooling module 47 is installed in the light source module 25 by fixing the bracket 33 to the flange 27. Since the water cooling module 47 includes a circulation path, a pump 49, a water cooling heat sink 39, and a radiator 51, water as a refrigerant liquid can be circulated within the water cooling module 47. This eliminates the need to draw out the circulation path from each light source module 25, thereby eliminating the inconvenience of a long water circulation pipe extending outside the casing 11.

7 and 8 are diagrams showing mutually different irradiation states of ultraviolet light in the processing space 68 within the housing 11. FIG. Since each light source module 25 includes a plurality of LED light sources 42, the ultraviolet light illustrated in FIG.

In addition, in FIG. 7 and subsequent figures, when the outline of the shape of the fluid sterilizer 10 and the light edge of the ultraviolet light emitted from the light source module 25 coexist, the outline is shown as a solid line in order to distinguish between the two. , the light edge is illustrated with a dashed line.

The processing space 68 is defined as a space formed on the inner surface of the housing 11 and through which the fluid to be sterilized flows. The processing space 68 is irradiated with ultraviolet light having an intensity equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold from the light source module 25, although not all of the processing space 68, so that the fluid to be sterilized passing through is sterilized by the ultraviolet light.

The communication space 69 is defined as a space formed inside the cylindrical member 22. The processing space 68 and the communication space 69 communicate with each other at an opening on the base end side of the communication space 69. When the inside of the housing 11 is filled with the fluid to be sterilized, the communication space 69 is also filled with the fluid to be sterilized.

In this example, the housing 11 and the cylindrical member 22 are made of stainless steel. Stainless steel is also a material with high reflectance to ultraviolet light. As a result, the ultraviolet light that enters the distal end side of the communication space 69 from the light source module 25 is irradiated into the processing space 68 from the base end side of the communication space 69 with the intensity attenuation sufficiently suppressed.

The intensity of the ultraviolet light emitted by the light source module 25 increases as the current flowing through the LED light source 42 increases. The current flowing through the LED light source 42 to each light source module 25 is supplied by a power supply device (not shown) that is common to all the light source modules 25 . The power supply device can set the energizing current for each light source module 25.

Note that the ultraviolet light advances while spreading at a predetermined spread angle. Also in FIGS. 7 and 8, the farther the ultraviolet light travels from each cylindrical member 22, the more it spreads in the radial direction and the radial irradiation range increases.

In the fluid sterilizer 10 of FIG. 7, the current flowing through the LED light source 42 of the light source module 25 is set to be equal for all light source modules 25. As a result, the intensity pattern of the ultraviolet light in the cross section (cross section perpendicular to the axial direction) of a predetermined axial position of the processing space 68 (for example, the axial center position of the cylindrical tube part 13) is approximately radial. The strength is uniform.

Note that although the irradiation area of the ultraviolet light can be directly read from FIG. 7, the intensity of the ultraviolet light cannot be directly read. However, the higher the intensity of the ultraviolet light, the farther the ultraviolet light reaches in the axial direction from the end wall portion 14 . Therefore, in FIG. 7, the approximate intensity distribution can be indirectly read from the arrival position of the ultraviolet light in the axial direction (the dividing line of the irradiation area).

In the fluid sterilizer 10 of FIG. 8, the current flowing through the LED light source 42 to each light source module 25 is controlled so that the higher the light source module 25 is arranged in the vertical direction, the greater the intensity of the emitted ultraviolet light. . The reason for doing this is as follows.

The fluid to be sterilized (eg, water) flows parallel to the axial direction in a laminar flow in the processing space 68 at least in the axially intermediate portion. The flow velocity in the processing space 68 has little difference depending on the radial position. On the other hand, the passage time required for the fluid to be sterilized to flow from the inlet of the inflow pipe 17 into the processing space 68 and to flow out from the outlet of the outflow pipe 18 is longer as the laminar flow is closer to the outflow pipe 18. The passage time of the ultraviolet light becomes shorter as it flows upward in the vertical direction within the cylindrical tube portion 13.

When the passage time is short, the irradiation time of the ultraviolet light passing through the housing 11 is correspondingly shortened. This means a reduction in sterilization time. To deal with this, it is necessary to increase the intensity of the ultraviolet light for the fluid to be sterilized, which has a short transit time. By increasing the intensity of the ultraviolet light emitted from the light source module 25 disposed above in the vertical direction, sterilization against ultraviolet light whose irradiation time is short due to its short passage time can be enhanced.

In order to increase the amount of ultraviolet light applied to the fluid to be sterilized flowing in a region radially close to the outflow pipe 18, instead of increasing the current supplied to the light source module 25, the distribution density of the light source module 25 may be increased.

(Thickness of ultraviolet light transmitting member)
FIG. 9 is a graph showing the relationship between the diameter D of the window portion 29 and the thickness t of the ultraviolet light transmitting member. In the example of FIG. 9, the shape of the window portion 29 is a circle. As the diameter D of the window portion 29 increases, the thickness t of the ultraviolet light transmitting member increases in order to ensure a specified pressure resistance.

When the thickness of the circular quartz plate 31 is t, the window diameter (diameter of the window portion 29) is D, the withstand pressure is P, and the safety factor is 4, their relational expression is the following equation (1).

In FIG. 9, P=1.75 MPa is assumed. When P=1.75 MPa is applied to equation (1), the calculation result of the relationship between window diameter D and thickness t is as follows.
D=10cm:t=2.00cm
D=30cm:t=5.15cm
D=40cm: T=6.87cm
D=50cm:t=8.59cm

In the first embodiment, since the window portion 29 is provided for each light source module 25, the thickness t that can ensure a predetermined withstand voltage may be small. On the other hand, there is also a fluid sterilization device in which the entire opening at the end of the cylindrical tube part 13 on the end wall part 14 side is used as a window (for example, Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-141292). In that case, the window diameter becomes equal to the inner diameter of the cylindrical tube portion 13. In the small-capacity fluid sterilizer 10, the thickness t does not have a value so thick that it causes problems in manufacturing, but in the large-capacity fluid sterilizer 10, the thickness t has a value so thick that it causes problems in manufacturing. turn into.

In the first embodiment, the window portion 29 is provided for each light source module 25, so that even when the capacity of the fluid sterilizer 10 increases, it is possible to avoid any problems in manufacturing or attaching the quartz plate 31.

In the first embodiment, D is uniformly defined as, for example, 10 cm, regardless of the diameter of the opening on the end wall 14 side of the cylindrical tube 13, and The number of window portions 29 is set according to the following. In this case, the quartz plate 31 of each window portion 29 can ensure sufficient pressure resistance with a thickness t=2 cm.

Note that, depending on the embodiment, the diameter of the window portion 29 may be set according to the position of the window portion 29 without making the diameter of the window portion 29 equal throughout the fluid sterilization device 10. Depending on the diameter and position, it is also possible to select the quartz plate 31 having the minimum necessary thickness t that can ensure the standard withstand pressure P.

(Second embodiment)
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the main parts of the second embodiment. FIG. 11 is a diagram of the second embodiment viewed from the end wall portion 14 side in the axial direction. In the second embodiment, the number of cylindrical members 22 is increased compared to the first embodiment (FIGS. 1, 7, and 8).

In the first embodiment, the plurality of light source modules 25 have one circumferential arrangement surrounding one light source module 25 at the radial center of the cylindrical tube portion 13. In contrast, in the second embodiment, there are two radially inner and outer sides.

As can be seen from FIG. 11, the light source modules 25 are arranged at equal angular intervals in both the radially inner and outer circumferential arrays.

(Third embodiment)
FIG. 12 is a diagram showing the main parts of the third embodiment. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the irradiation state of ultraviolet light in the processing space 68 in the third embodiment. The difference between the third embodiment and the first embodiment (FIG. 1) is that the cylindrical member 22 is attached to the outer surface of the end wall portion 14 in parallel to the axial direction of the cylindrical tube portion 13. Therefore, the center lines of all the cylindrical members 22 are parallel to the axial direction of the cylindrical tube portion 13 without being inclined.

In the third embodiment, the ultraviolet light from each light source module 25 travels toward the tapered portion 12 at a predetermined spread angle while aligning its center line parallel to the center line of the cylindrical tube portion 13.

(Fourth embodiment)
FIG. 14 is a diagram showing the main parts of the fourth embodiment. The difference between the fourth embodiment and the third embodiment (FIG. 13) is that the number of light source modules 25 attached is increased. As the number of light source modules 25 is increased, the intensity of ultraviolet light in the processing space 68 can be increased. Alternatively, the intensity of the ultraviolet light from each light source module 25 can be reduced while maintaining the sterilizing power of the ultraviolet light in the processing space 68.

In the fourth embodiment, the lengths of the plurality of cylindrical members 22 are equal, but they may be different. By making the tips of the cylindrical members 22 at different levels in the axial direction, it may become easier to attach the light source module 25 to the tip of each cylindrical member 22.

(Fifth embodiment)
FIG. 15 is a diagram showing the main parts of the fifth embodiment. FIG. 16 is a diagram showing the state of irradiation of ultraviolet light within the processing space 68 in the fifth embodiment.

In the fifth embodiment, the cylindrical member 22 is attached to the outer surface of the tapered portion 12 instead of the end wall portion 14 . Since the inflow pipe 17 is present in the radial center of the outer surface of the tapered portion 12, the cylindrical member 22 is attached to the radially peripheral portion of the outer surface of the tapered portion 12. The outer surface of the tapered portion 12 is not a flat surface but a tapered curved surface (approximately a conical side surface).

In the communication space 69, a portion of the ultraviolet light from each light source module is reflected on the inner surface of the cylindrical member 22 and changes its radial direction. Therefore, the ultraviolet light is applied to every corner of the processing space 68.

When directly attaching the quartz plate 31 to such a curved surface, the attachment structure becomes complicated, but since the base end of the cylindrical member 22 is attached to the curved surface of the tapered part 12, the attachment structure does not become complicated. , avoided.

The cylindrical member 22 is attached to the tapered portion 12 at an inclination angle such that the base end side faces the center line of the cylindrical tube portion 13. Among the ultraviolet light, the ultraviolet light that travels toward the end wall portion 14 at the outermost side in the radial direction in the processing space 68 is arranged so that it travels parallel to the axial direction of the cylindrical tube portion 13 without hitting the inner surface of the cylindrical tube portion 13. , the angle of inclination for mounting each cylindrical member 22 is set.

(Sixth embodiment)
FIG. 17 is a diagram showing the main parts of the sixth embodiment. The difference between the sixth embodiment and the fifth embodiment (FIG. 15) is that there are two circumferential arrays of light source modules 25 surrounding the inflow pipe 17 from the outside in the radial direction instead of one. As a result, even if the fluid sterilization device 10 has a large capacity, the inside of the processing space 68 can be irradiated with ultraviolet light having an intensity higher than the standard.

(Seventh embodiment)
FIG. 18 is a diagram showing the main parts of the seventh embodiment. In the seventh embodiment, the cylindrical member 22 is attached to the outer surface of the tapered portion 12 in parallel to the axial direction of the cylindrical tube portion 13.

(Modified example)
In the embodiment, the cylindrical member 22 is made of stainless steel with high reflectance, thereby suppressing attenuation of the intensity of ultraviolet light within the cylindrical member 22. In the present invention, the inner surface of the cylindrical member 22 can be coated with a reflective material or covered with a covering material to further increase the reflectance.

In the embodiment, a cylindrical member 22 is provided as the cylindrical member of the present invention. The cylindrical member of the present invention does not have to have a cylindrical structure but may have a prismatic structure as long as the linear communication space 69 is formed on the inner surface.

In the embodiment, one inlet pipe 17 and one outlet pipe 18 each having an inlet and an outlet are provided. The fluid sterilization device of the present invention may include two or more inflow pipes 17 or outflow pipes 18.

In the embodiment, the outflow tube 18 projects radially outward from the cylindrical tube section 13 . In the present invention, the outflow tube 18 can also be attached to the end wall section 14 with its center line aligned with the center line of the cylindrical tube section 13. In this case, the flow of the fluid to be sterilized in the housing 11 does not change direction by 90 degrees at the outflow pipe 18, so that generation of turbulent flow of the fluid to be sterilized can be prevented.

In the embodiment, an LED light source 42 is used as the light source. In the present invention, light sources other than LEDs can be used as the ultraviolet light source.

In the embodiment, a quartz plate 31 is used as the ultraviolet light transmitting member. In the present invention, fluororesin, silica glass, sapphire, and MgO can be used as the ultraviolet light transmitting member.

In the embodiment, the wall portion of the cylindrical tube portion 13 constitutes a peripheral wall portion of the casing 11 as a tubular casing. The tapered portion 12 and the end wall portions 14 constitute end wall portions on both sides of the housing 11 in the axial direction. The tapered portion 12 is an end wall portion on the inlet side, and the end wall portion 14 is an end wall portion on the outlet side. Although the tapered portion 12 and the end wall portion 14 of the embodiment are curved end wall portions, the end wall portion of the present invention may have a flat plate shape.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10... Fluid sterilizer, 11... Housing (tubular housing), 12... Taper part (end wall part), 13... Cylindrical tube part, 14... End wall part, 17. ... Inflow pipe, 18 ... Outflow pipe, 22 ... Cylindrical member, 25 ... Light source module, 29 ... Window section, 31 ... Quartz plate, 33 ... Bracket, ... Reflector, 37... LED board, 39... Water cooling heat sink, 42... LED light source, 47... Water cooling module, 68... Processing space, 69... Communication space.

Claims (7)

a housing having a processing space through which a fluid to be sterilized flows in from an inlet and flows out from an outlet;
a plurality of cylindrical members each having a communication space that is smaller in diameter than the diameter of the processing space and communicating with the processing space, and that is attached to a wall of the casing so as to protrude outward; ,
Each includes a plate-shaped ultraviolet light transmitting member attached to the tip of the cylindrical member so as to cover the open end of the tip, and transmitting ultraviolet light toward the processing space through the ultraviolet light transmitting member. a plurality of light source modules each having an ultraviolet light source for irradiating;
The casing is a tubular casing provided with the inflow port at one end in the axial direction, the outflow port at the other end, and the processing space in which the fluid to be sterilized flows in the axial direction within the casing. can be,
Each cylindrical member is provided on an end wall portion on the other end side of the tubular casing,
The plurality of cylindrical members are provided extending in the axial direction of the casing when the cylindrical member is located at the center position in the radial direction of the tubular casing, and the plurality of cylindrical members When the cylindrical member is located at a position other than the radial center of the housing, the cylindrical member is provided so as to extend with its base end facing toward the center line of the processing space. Fluid sterilizer. a housing having a processing space through which a fluid to be sterilized flows in from an inlet and flows out from an outlet;
a plurality of cylindrical members each having a communication space that is smaller in diameter than the diameter of the processing space and communicating with the processing space, and that is attached to a wall of the casing so as to protrude outward; ,
Each includes a plate-shaped ultraviolet light transmitting member attached to the tip of the cylindrical member so as to cover the open end of the tip, and transmitting ultraviolet light toward the processing space through the ultraviolet light transmitting member. a plurality of light source modules each having an ultraviolet light source for irradiating;
The casing is a tubular casing provided with the inflow port at one end in the axial direction, the outflow port at the other end, and the processing space in which the fluid to be sterilized flows in the axial direction within the casing. can be,
Each cylindrical member is provided on the end wall portion of the other end side of the tubular casing, and has an inner diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the tubular casing,
It is assumed that the ultraviolet light transmitting member of each of the plurality of light source modules has a thickness that corresponds to the pressure resistance of the fluid to be sterilized, and that the ultraviolet light transmitting member is provided over the entire inner diameter of the other end side of the tubular casing. A fluid sterilization device characterized by having a thinner thickness than in the case of a fluid sterilization device. The fluid sterilization device according to claim 1 or 2 ,
The end wall portion on the other end side has a curved shape that is convex outward in the axial direction,
A fluid sterilizing device characterized in that each cylindrical member is provided on the end wall portion of the curved surface shape. The fluid sterilization device according to claim 1 or 2,
The end wall portion on the one end side in the axial direction has a tapered shape whose diameter decreases as it progresses from the other end side in the axial direction toward the one end side ,
A fluid sterilizing device characterized in that each cylindrical member is provided on an end wall portion of the tapered shape in the axial direction. The fluid sterilization device according to any one of claims 1 to 4 ,
The fluid sterilization device is characterized in that the cylindrical member has a reflective surface on its inner surface that reflects the ultraviolet light. The fluid sterilization device according to any one of claims 1 to 5 ,
Each of the plurality of light source modules includes:
a substrate on which the ultraviolet light source is attached;
a liquid cooling module attached to the back surface of the substrate;
Equipped with
The liquid cooling module includes:
A circulation path through which refrigerant liquid circulates;
a pump that circulates the refrigerant liquid in the circulation path;
a liquid cooling heat sink provided in the circulation path and in contact with the back surface of the substrate;
a heat exchange section that is provided in the circulation path and performs heat exchange between the refrigerant liquid and outside air;
A fluid sterilization device characterized by having: The fluid sterilization device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The plurality of light source modules may include one light source module located at the radial center of the tubular housing, and a plurality of light source modules arranged in a circumferential direction so as to surround the one light source module. A fluid sterilizer featuring:

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