JP6632294B2 - UV disinfection device and UV disinfection method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an ultraviolet sterilizer and an ultraviolet sterilization method.

  Strict hygiene management is required at sites such as the food industry and medical care. For example, careful hygiene management is required for Norovirus, Salmonella, Staphylococcus aureus, O157, mutans, and the like. In particular, norovirus is extremely small in size compared to other bacteria, etc., and infects in a very small amount, and in addition to hand washing with a conventional disinfectant such as inverse soap or alcohol, etc. It is known that a bactericidal effect cannot be expected.

  By the way, in a site where high hygiene management is required, such as in the food industry and medical care, workers wear gloves in their hands to perform work. Then, every time the glove is determined to be dirty, the worker sterilizes the glove. Regarding the sterilization of gloves, it has been conventionally proposed to perform sterilization by ultraviolet rays that can obtain a higher sterilization effect than sterilization by hand washing, in consideration of the norovirus described above, and it is highly safe and appropriately. There has also been proposed an ultraviolet sterilizer having a function necessary for irradiation with ultraviolet rays (for example, see Patent Document 1).

The conventional ultraviolet sterilizer 900 is an ultraviolet sterilizer 900 that irradiates ultraviolet rays to the glove G worn on the hand to sterilize the surface of the glove G, and the glove G worn on the hand is not used. A glove insertion slot 930 to be inserted is opened, and a sterilization chamber housing 920 having a sterilization chamber 921 formed therein, and an ultraviolet irradiation unit 923 disposed inside the sterilization chamber housing 920 and irradiating the sterilization chamber 921 with ultraviolet light. And
According to the conventional conventional ultraviolet sterilizer 900, the surface of the glove G inserted through the glove insertion port 930 can be irradiated with ultraviolet rays by the ultraviolet irradiation unit 923, and the glove G can be sterilized. (See FIG. 14).

Japanese Patent No. 5019628

However, when irradiating ultraviolet rays, the glove G may be partially loosened or folded, for example, wrinkled at the base of a finger, and thus wrinkled between five fingers. is there. In addition, due to the worker's unconsciousness, the five fingers of the glove G may be closed (the fingers are not sufficiently opened).
When the glove G in the above state is subjected to ultraviolet sterilization using the conventional ultraviolet sterilization apparatus 900, there is a problem that the shadowed portion between the fingers is not sufficiently irradiated with ultraviolet light.
In a general ultraviolet sterilizer, the above-mentioned problem is more likely to occur because the operator cannot directly see the state of the glove G inserted into the sterilization chamber.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made to solve the above-described problem, and even within a sterilization chamber that cannot be directly viewed, even a portion of a glove that is shadowed between fingers can be reliably formed. It is an object of the present invention to provide an ultraviolet sterilization apparatus and an ultraviolet sterilization method capable of sterilizing the product.

[1] A first ultraviolet sterilizer of the present invention is an ultraviolet sterilizer that irradiates ultraviolet rays to a glove worn on a hand to sterilize a surface of the glove, and the sterilization apparatus in a state worn on a hand. A glove insertion slot into which the glove is inserted is opened, a sterilization chamber housing in which a sterilization chamber is formed, and an ultraviolet irradiation unit that is disposed inside the sterilization chamber housing and irradiates the sterilization chamber with ultraviolet light. In the interior of the sterilization chamber housing, a finger is opened between the n-th finger and the (n + 1) -th finger of the glove to be inserted (n is an integer from 1 to 4). A forcible finger opening part is further arranged.

  According to the first ultraviolet sterilization apparatus of the present invention, the forced finger opening section for opening the n-th finger between the n-th finger and the (n + 1) -th finger of the glove to be inserted is provided inside the sterilization chamber housing. Is disposed, the n-th finger-opening member constituting the compulsory finger-opening part when the glove is inserted in the downward direction, grabs the n-th fingertip and the (n + 1) -th fingertip, and is sandwiched between the n-th finger. As a result, the n-th finger is forcibly opened, so that even in the sterilization chamber where it is not possible to directly view, even the shadowed portion between the fingers of the glove is surely ensured. Sterilization can be performed.

[2] In the first ultraviolet sterilizer according to the present invention, when the glove is inserted, the forcible finger-opening part is interposed between the n-th finger, thereby causing the n-th fingertip and the (n + 1) th fingertip of the glove to be interposed. Is preferably formed of a bar-shaped n-th finger-opening member configured to open the n-th finger so as to be separated from each other.

  According to such an ultraviolet sterilizer, when the glove is inserted, the forced finger opening is interposed between the n-th fingers so that the n-th fingertip and the (n + 1) th fingertip of the glove are separated from each other. The n-th finger-opening member is formed in a bar-like shape so that the distance between the n-th fingers can be opened. It is economically advantageous to realize an ultraviolet sterilizer capable of surely sterilizing even a shadowed portion between fingers.

[3] In the first ultraviolet sterilizer according to the present invention, the n-th finger-opening member is arranged in a vertical direction and a horizontal direction toward a plane when the palm of the glove inserted into the sterilization chamber is viewed in a plan view. Alternatively, it is preferable to be able to move in a direction perpendicular to the plane.

According to such an ultraviolet sterilizer, the n-th finger-opening member can move in the up-down direction or the left-right direction. The finger opening member (bar) can be set at an appropriate position. Further, by moving the n-th finger-opening member in the left-right direction, it is possible to forcibly open the space between the fingers.
Further, since the n-th finger-opening member can move in the direction perpendicular to the plane, the ultraviolet irradiation can be performed in a state where no n-th finger-opening member (bar) is sandwiched between the fingers. . In this case, the nth finger valley can be irradiated with ultraviolet rays without being affected by the attenuation of ultraviolet rays by the nth finger opening member. Further, as the n-th finger opening member (bar), a member made of a material having low ultraviolet transmittance may be used.

[4] In the first ultraviolet sterilizer according to the present invention, when the glove is inserted, the forcible finger-opening part is interposed between the n-th finger, so that the n-th fingertip and the (n + 1) th fingertip of the glove are inserted. It is preferable that a finger-opening glove-shaped finger-opening member configured so that the n-th finger is opened so as to be separated from each other.

  According to such an ultraviolet sterilization apparatus, since the finger is forcibly opened, even in the sterilization chamber where it is not possible to directly view, even the shadowed portion between the fingers of the glove G Also, sterilization can be performed reliably.

[5] In the first ultraviolet sterilizer according to the present invention, it is preferable that a member constituting the forcible finger opening unit is a member having an ultraviolet transmittance of a predetermined value or more.

  According to such an ultraviolet sterilizer, since the member constituting the forced finger opening portion is a member having an ultraviolet transmittance of a predetermined value or more, if the member has such a transmittance, ultraviolet irradiation is performed. In this case, the ultraviolet rays reach the part of the glove G located on the shadow (or the back) of the n-th finger-opening member as viewed from the ultraviolet irradiation unit, and the ultraviolet irradiation can be reliably performed.

[6] In the first ultraviolet sterilizer according to the present invention, the insertion depth of the glove inserted into the sterilization chamber is detected, the entire glove is inserted to a predetermined depth, and the glove is opened. A glove insertion sensor that outputs an insertion detection signal when the glove is inserted to the pointed position, an ultraviolet irradiation driving unit that drives the ultraviolet irradiation unit, and based on the insertion detection signal from the glove insertion sensor. And a control unit that outputs an irradiation start signal to the ultraviolet irradiation driving unit.

  According to such an ultraviolet sterilizer, the entire glove is inserted to a predetermined depth, and irradiation of ultraviolet light is started when the glove is inserted to a position where the finger is opened. Ultraviolet sterilization can be performed in a state where the fingers are opened between n fingers.

[7] In the first ultraviolet sterilization apparatus of the present invention, it is preferable that a protective sheet is disposed between the ultraviolet irradiation section and the forced finger opening section.

  According to such an ultraviolet sterilizer, not only is the glove (hand) in the inserted state protected from touching the ultraviolet irradiation part (ultraviolet irradiation lamp), but also the glove in the finger opened state is temporarily protected Even if the finger spreads greatly, it does not touch the ultraviolet irradiation part (ultraviolet irradiation lamp). Further, even when the ultraviolet irradiation lamp is damaged and the members of the lamp are scattered, the hand (glove) of the worker can be protected by the protection sheet. By arranging the protective sheet as described above, it is possible to provide a safer ultraviolet sterilizer.

[8] A second ultraviolet sterilizer of the present invention is an ultraviolet sterilizer that sterilizes the surface of a glove worn on a hand by irradiating ultraviolet rays to the glove worn on the hand. A glove insertion slot into which the glove is inserted is opened, a sterilization chamber housing in which a sterilization chamber is formed, and an ultraviolet irradiation unit that is disposed inside the sterilization chamber housing and irradiates the sterilization chamber with ultraviolet light. A glove insertion sensor that checks the inserted position of the glove inserted, a finger open sensor that senses the finger open state of the glove, a human interface unit, and an ultraviolet irradiation drive unit that drives the ultraviolet irradiation unit, After confirming that the insertion position of the glove inserted into the sterilization chamber is deeper than a predetermined depth based on an insertion detection signal output by the glove insertion sensor, furthermore, the finger-opening state acquired by the finger-opening sensor. It is determined whether or not the finger of the glove is open more than a predetermined value based on the information. (I) If it is determined that the finger of the glove is not open more than a predetermined value, it is determined that the finger of the glove is not sufficiently opened. Outputting an alarm to the human interface unit, and (ii) outputting an irradiation start signal to the ultraviolet irradiation drive unit to execute glove sterilization when it is determined that the finger of the glove is opened for a predetermined time or more. And a unit.

  According to the second ultraviolet sterilization apparatus of the present invention, the control unit determines whether or not the finger of the glove is open for a predetermined amount or more based on the finger-opening state information obtained by the camera as the finger-opening sensor. If it is determined that the glove finger is not opened more than a predetermined amount, an alarm indicating that the glove finger is not sufficiently opened is output to the display panel as a human interface unit, so that the sterilization room cannot be directly viewed. Even inside the glove, the worker can spread his glove fingers to the extent that appropriate UV sterilization can be performed without relying only on his own feeling. Then, when the control unit determines that (ii) the finger of the glove is opened by a predetermined amount or more, the control unit can output an irradiation start signal to the ultraviolet irradiation drive unit and execute the glove sterilization. Sterilization can be reliably performed even on a shadowed portion between fingers.

[9] The ultraviolet sterilization method of the present invention provides a sterilization chamber housing in which a glove insertion slot into which a glove worn in a hand is inserted is opened and a sterilization chamber is formed therein, and the inside of the sterilization chamber housing. Using an ultraviolet sterilizer having an ultraviolet irradiation unit that is disposed and irradiates the sterilization chamber with ultraviolet light, an ultraviolet sterilization method that sterilizes the surface of the glove by irradiating ultraviolet light to the glove inserted into the sterilization chamber is used. Based on an insertion detection signal output by the glove insertion sensor, a glove insertion confirmation step of confirming that the insertion position of the glove inserted into the sterilization chamber is deeper than a predetermined depth, using a finger opening sensor A finger-opening sensing step of sensing the finger-opening state of the glove and acquiring finger-opening state information, and a finger-opening determining step of determining whether or not the finger of the glove is open by a predetermined amount or more based on the finger-opening state information When it is determined that the finger of the glove is not opened more than a predetermined amount in the finger open determination step, a finger open alarm step of outputting to the human interface unit an alarm indicating that the finger open of the glove is not sufficient, If it is determined in the finger open determination step that the finger of the glove is open for a predetermined amount or more, an irradiation start signal is output to an ultraviolet irradiation drive unit, and the glove is sterilized by irradiating the glove with ultraviolet light. And step.

  According to the ultraviolet sterilization method of the present invention, it is determined whether or not the glove finger is open for a predetermined amount or more based on the finger open state information obtained in the finger open sensing step, and it is determined that the glove finger is not open for a predetermined amount or more. If an alarm occurs, an alarm will be output to the human interface indicating that the glove finger is not sufficiently opened, and the alarmed worker may spread the glove finger to the extent that appropriate UV sterilization can be performed. it can. Then, when it is determined that the glove finger is open for a predetermined time or more, the glove sterilization can be performed by starting the ultraviolet irradiation via the ultraviolet irradiation drive unit, so that the glove finger is held between the fingers. Sterilization can be reliably performed even on the shadowed portion.

[10] In the ultraviolet disinfection method of the present invention, the finger-opening sensor is a camera having a light inlet directed to the inside of the sterilization chamber housing. It is preferable to perform a pattern matching process based on the information of the inspection image and the information of the template image related to the shape of the glove worn on the hand stored in the storage unit, and to perform the finger opening determination of the inserted glove. .

  According to the ultraviolet sterilization method using such a camera, not only can a more precise finger-opening determination be performed based on image information captured from the camera, but also according to the shape and size of the worker's hand. Finger opening determination can be appropriately performed.

[11] In the ultraviolet disinfection method of the present invention, the finger opening sensor is a wind pressure sensor or an optical sensor disposed inside the sterilization chamber housing, and in the finger opening determining step, the wind pressure sensor or the optical sensor is used. It is preferable to perform a finger open determination of the inserted glove based on the sensing information taken in from.

When a wind pressure sensor is used as the finger-opening sensor, a wind-pressure sensor that is not affected by ultraviolet rays is used, so that the finger-opening state can be monitored even during the ultraviolet irradiation period. In addition, it is possible to sense the finger-opened state with a camera before the ultraviolet irradiation, and to use a wind pressure sensor during the ultraviolet irradiation period.
When an optical sensor is used as the finger opening sensor, the finger opening state can be monitored with a simple configuration, which is economically advantageous.

It is a figure shown in order to explain the ultraviolet sterilizer 10 concerning Embodiment 1. It is a figure shown in order to explain the ultraviolet sterilizer 10 concerning Embodiment 1. It is a figure shown in order to explain the state of the glove G inserted in the inside of the sterilization room 121 in Embodiment 1, and the name of the site | part regarding the five fingers of the glove G. It is a figure shown in order to explain 10 A of ultraviolet sterilizers which concern on Embodiment 2. It is a block diagram shown in order to explain control and connection relation of ultraviolet ray sterilizer 10A concerning Embodiment 2. It is a flowchart shown for explaining the ultraviolet-ray sterilization method using the ultraviolet-ray sterilization apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 2. It is a figure shown for explaining pattern matching processing using a camera as a finger-opening sensor in finger-opening determination step S30 of Embodiment 2. It is a figure shown in order to explain the ultraviolet sterilizer 10a concerning the modification 1. It is a figure shown in order to explain the ultraviolet sterilizer 10b concerning the modification 2. It is a figure shown in order to explain the ultraviolet sterilizer 10c concerning the modification 3. It is a figure shown in order to demonstrate the ultraviolet sterilizer 10d which concerns on the modification 4. It is a figure shown in order to demonstrate the ultraviolet sterilizer 10e which concerns on the modification 5. It is a figure shown for demonstrating the ultraviolet sterilizer 10f which concerns on the modification 6. It is a figure shown in order to explain the conventional ultraviolet sterilizer 900.

Hereinafter, an ultraviolet sterilization apparatus and an ultraviolet sterilization method of the present invention will be described in detail based on an embodiment shown in the drawings.
The structures and the like shown in the drawings are all schematic views, and the display of dimensions and angles is not always realistic.

[Embodiment 1]
1. Configuration of Ultraviolet Sterilizer According to First Embodiment FIGS. 1 to 3 are views shown for explaining an ultraviolet sterilizer 10 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 1A is an external perspective view of the ultraviolet sterilizer 10, and FIG. 1B is a view when the sterilization chamber housing 120 is viewed through the glove insertion port 130.
Hereinafter, in the figure, the same components as those in the figures before the figure are denoted by the same reference numerals.

(1) Basic Configuration of Ultraviolet Sterilizer 10 The ultraviolet sterilizer 10 has an external appearance, for example, as shown in FIG. 1A, an ultraviolet sterilizer main body 100 and a gantry 110 supporting the ultraviolet sterilizer main body 100. As an example of a human interface unit 180, a top light shielding plate 160 and a side light shielding plate 170 for preventing ultraviolet rays from being directly radiated to a worker who intends to perform sterilization and a worker in the vicinity thereof. Display panel.

  The ultraviolet sterilizer 10 according to the first embodiment is an ultraviolet sterilizer 10 that irradiates ultraviolet rays to the glove G in a state of being worn on a hand to sterilize the surface of the glove G. A glove insertion slot 130 into which the glove G is inserted is opened, and a sterilization chamber housing 120 in which a sterilization chamber 121 is formed, and ultraviolet light that is disposed inside the sterilization chamber housing 120 and irradiates the sterilization chamber 121 with ultraviolet light. The irradiation unit 123 is provided (the internal structure of the sterilization chamber housing 120 will be described later with reference to FIG. 2).

The ultraviolet sterilizer main body 100 has guide walls 140 provided in the left and right glove insertion openings 130 for guiding insertion of the glove G worn on the hand. A glove insertion sensor 150 may be attached to the guide wall 140.
In addition, "left and right" shall mean the left and right when the ultraviolet sterilizer is viewed from the front.

  Then, in the ultraviolet sterilizer 10 according to the first embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the n-th finger of the glove G to be inserted is inserted inside the sterilization chamber housing 120. A forced finger opening unit 190 for opening a finger between the n-th finger (n is an integer from 1 to 4) between the (n + 1) -th finger is further arranged (for details of the forced finger opening unit 190, see FIGS. 3 will be described later).

(2) Internal Structure of Sterilization Room Housing 120 FIGS. 2A and 2B are diagrams schematically showing the internal structure of the sterilization room housing 120 shown in FIG. 1A. FIG. 2A is a side view when the ultraviolet sterilizer 10 shown in FIG. 1 is viewed in the direction of the arrow a (−x direction) along the x-axis, and the sterilization chamber housing 120 is shown as a cross-sectional view. . 2 (b) is a front view of the ultraviolet sterilizer 10 shown in FIG. 2 (a) when viewed in the + y direction. The display panel as the human interface unit 180, the sterilization chamber housing 120, etc. 2A is a cross-sectional view along the line BB in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 2A, a sterilization chamber 121 is formed inside the sterilization chamber housing 120, and a reflection plate 122 is provided on each of the front inner wall surface and the rear inner wall surface of the sterilization chamber 121. Have been.
Further, an ultraviolet irradiation unit 123 is provided on the inner side of the sterilization chamber 121 when viewed from the reflection plate 122. The ultraviolet irradiation section 123 is disposed to face the inner wall surface on the front side and the inner wall surface on the back side of the sterilization chamber 121.
Further, a protection sheet 124 is further provided on the inner side of the sterilization chamber 121 when viewed from the ultraviolet irradiation section 123. Although not shown in FIG. 2, a protection net may be provided on the inner side of the sterilization chamber 121 when viewed from the protection sheet 124.

As the reflection plate 122, for example, an aluminum sheet can be used. In the ultraviolet sterilizer 10 according to the first embodiment, the reflection plate 122 is provided so that the aluminum sheet can be attached to the inner wall of the sterilization chamber 121.
In addition, instead of an aluminum sheet, the reflector 122 may be provided with aluminum vapor deposition on the inner wall surface on the front side and the inner wall surface on the back side of the sterilizing chamber 121. You can have. Further, the shape of the reflection plate 122 is a curved shape from the lower side to the bottom of each inner wall surface, instead of a flat shape according to the shapes of the front inner wall surface and the rear inner wall surface. The U-shaped reflector 122 may be formed integrally over the inner wall surface, the bottom, and the inner wall surface on the back side.

In the first embodiment, the ultraviolet irradiation unit 123 includes a plurality of tubular ultraviolet irradiation lamps 123a as one unit. And the unit of the ultraviolet irradiation part 123 is arrange | positioned at each of the front side inner wall surface and the back side inner wall surface.
As the ultraviolet irradiation lamp 123a constituting the ultraviolet irradiation unit 123, any lamp capable of irradiating light in an ultraviolet region may be used. For example, a lamp that irradiates ultraviolet light having a wavelength of 185 nm to 280 nm is used. More specifically, a lamp that emits ultraviolet light having a wavelength of 254 nm or 185 nm, which is generally easily available, can be used. It is also said that ultraviolet light having a wavelength of about 260 nm is high in the bactericidal action of ultraviolet light. Therefore, as an ultraviolet irradiation lamp used for the ultraviolet irradiation section 123, a low-pressure mercury emitting ultraviolet light having a wavelength of 254 nm close to 260 nm is used. More preferably, a UV lamp is used.
Further, instead of the tubular ultraviolet irradiation lamp, a device for ultraviolet irradiation using a solid-state electronic component such as an LED may be used as the ultraviolet irradiation unit 123.

The member used as the protective sheet 124 may be any member as long as it can transmit a considerable amount of ultraviolet rays. For example, quartz, transparent Teflon (registered trademark), or the like can be used.
In the ultraviolet sterilizer 10 according to the first embodiment, as the protective sheet 124, a transparent Teflon (registered trademark) having a thickness of about 10 to 100 μm and an ultraviolet transmittance of 85% or more is used.

(3) Glove G and arm cover AC
Incidentally, FIG. 2A shows a state before the glove worn on the worker's hand is inserted into the glove insertion slot 130 of the ultraviolet sterilizer 10. In FIG. 2A, only one glove (hand) of the worker is shown.
The glove G is made of rubber, thermoplastic resin, or the like that does not allow liquid to permeate and has flexibility. Further, the glove G is processed so as to shield ultraviolet rays having a predetermined range of wavelengths (for example, 185 nm to 280 nm).
It is assumed that the worker wears gloves G on his hands and has arm covers AC between his wrists and elbows. An identifier ID such as a barcode that can be detected by the glove insertion sensor 150 is attached to the arm cover AC near the worker's wrist.
When the glove G is inserted from the left and right glove insertion openings 130 along the guide wall 140 to an appropriate position in the sterilization chamber 121 (a position where ultraviolet light is uniformly applied between the tip of the glove G and the vicinity of the wrist). The glove insertion sensor 150 can detect the identifier ID attached to the arm cover AC.
Note that an IC tag or the like can be used as the identifier ID in addition to the barcode. Further, instead of the arm cover AC, a wristband covering only the wrist may be used, and the identifier ID may be given to the wristband. Further, the glove G may be made slightly longer to attach an identifier ID to the glove G.

(4) Parts of Glove G Related to Five Fingers FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the state of the glove G inserted into the sterilization chamber 121 and the names of the parts of the glove G related to five fingers in the first embodiment. 2 is an enlarged schematic view of a portion indicated by A in FIG. 2B. The hatched portions represent the first finger-opening member 190a to the fourth finger-opening member 190d, respectively.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the glove G (or hand) worn on the left hand of the worker. The names of the parts relating to the five fingers in the present invention are defined as follows.
The thumb is the first finger, the index finger is the second finger, the middle finger is the third finger, the ring finger is the fourth finger, and the little finger is the fifth finger, and these are generalized to “n-th finger” (n Is an integer from 1 to 4, the same applies hereinafter.) Similarly, the fingertips of the respective fingers are defined as a first fingertip, a second fingertip, a third fingertip, a fourth fingertip, and a fifth fingertip, and these are generalized and defined as “n-th fingertip”. Similarly, the space between the n-th finger and the (n + 1) -th finger is defined as “between the n-th fingers” (for example, when n = 2, the space between the forefinger and the middle finger is called the second-finger space). Further, an angle formed between the n-th finger and the (n + 1) -th finger when the palm is viewed in plan is defined as “finger opening angle θn” (in FIG. 3, as an example, between the fourth finger and the fifth finger). Is shown in FIG. The valley between the nth finger and the (n + 1) th finger is defined as “nth finger valley”.
The right hand is defined similarly in line symmetry.

  In the present invention, “to open / finger-open” means that the n-th fingertip and the (n + 1) th fingertip move away from each other to increase / make the distance between the n-th fingers, or that the finger-opening angle θn exceeds at least 0 degrees. This means that the fingers are opened / opened to the extent that they have an angle equal to or greater than a predetermined value.

(5) Forced finger opening section 190
As shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 3, in the ultraviolet sterilizer 10 according to the first embodiment, the inside of the sterilization chamber housing 120 includes an n-th finger between the n-th finger and the (n + 1) -th finger of the glove G to be inserted. A forced finger opening section 190 for opening a finger is further provided.

Specifically, when the glove G is inserted, the forced finger opening unit 190 intervenes between the n-th fingers so that the n-th fingertip and the (n + 1) -th fingertip of the glove are separated from each other. It is composed of a bar-shaped n-th finger-opening member that is configured to open a finger.
For example, FIGS. 1 to 3 show a first finger-opening member 190a, a second finger-opening member 190b, a third finger-opening member 190c, and a fourth finger-opening member 190d as members constituting the forced finger-opening unit 190. And each has a bar shape.
Here, the “bar shape” refers to, for example, a bar shape extending in the longitudinal direction, and a surface obtained by cutting such a bar shape in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction is referred to as a “cross section”.

It is preferable that the members (the n-th finger-opening members 190a to 190d) forming the forced finger-opening section 190 are made of a member having an ultraviolet transmittance of a predetermined value or more.
Specifically, it is desired that the ultraviolet transmittance expected for the n-th finger-opening member is approximately 60% or more, preferably approximately 70% or more, and more preferably approximately 80% or more. As a material for such a member, for example, quartz, transparent Teflon (registered trademark), or the like can be used.

The cross-sectional shape of the bar-shaped n-th finger-opening members 190a to 190d may be any shape as long as it is possible to open the gap between the closed fingers of the glove and forcefully open the finger, as long as it is suitable for ultraviolet irradiation. , A circular shape can be employed.
If the cross section of the n-th finger opening member is circular, the glove G and the n-th finger opening members 190a to 190d are used to grab the gap between the n-th finger tip and the (n + 1) -th finger tip and pry open the closed n-th finger. The friction between them is relatively small, and it can be expected that the finger is opened smoothly.

Further, as shown in FIG. 2 (a), the support structure of the bar-shaped n-th finger members 190a to 190d is provided as a doubly supported beam by passing from the front inner wall surface to the opposing rear inner wall surface like a beam. Make up. When configured as a doubly supported beam, the strength of the bar-shaped n-th finger members 190a to 190d can be increased.
However, for example, it may be configured as a cantilever so as to protrude from the inner wall surface on the back side. When it is configured as a cantilever, the ultraviolet sterilizer 10 can be realized with a simpler structure, which is economically advantageous.

Also, as shown in FIGS. 2B and 3, the arrangement of the bar-shaped n-th finger-opening members 190a to 190d is such that three of the second finger-opening members 190b to the fourth finger-opening member 190d are linear. , And only the first finger-opening member 190a is arranged at a position deviating from the straight line. As a general shape of the hand of the worker, the first finger valley is often separated from the second to fourth finger valleys in a row above. Forced opening of five fingers can be performed according to the shape of the glove.
In addition, the arrangement may be such that three of the second finger-opening member 190b to the fourth finger-opening member 190d are not arranged in a straight line. Forced finger opening can be performed according to the shape of the worker's hand.
Conversely, four first finger-opening members 190a to fourth finger-opening members 190d may be arranged in a line in a straight line. The ultraviolet sterilizer 10 can be realized with a simple structure, which is economically advantageous.

(6) Forced finger opening 190 and protective sheet 124
In the ultraviolet sterilizer 10 according to the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2A, it is more preferable to arrange the protection sheet 124 between the ultraviolet irradiation unit 123 and the forced finger opening unit 190.

2. Operation and Effect of the Ultraviolet Sterilizer 10 According to the First Embodiment (1) Forced Finger Opening Using the Ultraviolet Sterilizer 10 According to the First Embodiment The worker inserts the glove G attached to the hand through the glove insertion slot 130. Insert and put into the sterilization chamber 121. When the worker releases the power of the hand and continues to insert in the downward direction (−z direction), the n-th finger-opening members 190a to 190d graze the n-th fingertip and the (n + 1) th fingertip and are sandwiched between the n-th finger. . Further, when the operator continues to insert the hand in the downward direction (-z direction) by releasing the power of the hand, the n-th finger members 190a to 190d reach the vicinity of the n-th finger valley. As a result, the space between the n-th fingers is opened by the n-th finger-opening members 190a to 190d, and the finger-opening angle θn is also equal to or greater than 0 degrees, and is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. Thus, the fingers between the n-th fingers (n = 1 to 4) are forcibly opened.
By doing so, the side surfaces of the n-th finger, the side surfaces of the (n + 1) -th finger, the n-th finger valley, and the like facing between the n-th finger can be exposed to the inside of the sterilization chamber 121. Further, for example, it is expected that "wrinkles" formed at the base of the n-th finger are extended, and thus "wrinkles" formed near the n-th finger valley are extended.
In this state, by irradiating the surface of the glove G with ultraviolet rays by the ultraviolet irradiating unit 123 for a predetermined time, a portion of the glove G that is shaded between the fingers (for example, faces between the n-th finger) The side surfaces of the n-th finger, the (n + 1) -th finger, the n-th finger valley, and the like can also be reliably sterilized.

  When the forcible finger opening is performed as described above, the n-th finger opening members 190a to 190d come into contact with the worker's glove G, and thus the n-th finger opening members 190a to 190d themselves are secondarily contaminated. It is also possible. Assuming such a case, even if the glove G is not inserted into the sterilization chamber 121, secondary irradiation of the n-th finger-opening members 190a to 190d themselves is performed by periodically irradiating the sterilization chamber 121 with ultraviolet rays. Pollution can also be prevented.

(2) Effects of the Ultraviolet Sterilizer 10 According to the First Embodiment According to the ultraviolet sterilizer 10 according to the first embodiment, the nth finger and the (n + 1) th finger of the glove G to be inserted are inside the sterilization chamber housing 120. The glove G is inserted downward (−z direction) because the forcible finger opening 190 for opening the finger between the n-th fingers is disposed between the n-th finger members 190a to 190d. Since the n-th fingertip and the (n + 1) -th fingertip are grabbed and sandwiched between the n-th fingers and the fingers between the n-th fingers are forcibly opened, even in the sterilization chamber 121 which cannot be directly viewed, Sterilization can also be reliably performed on the portion of the glove G that is shadowed between the fingers.

  Further, according to the ultraviolet sterilizer 10 according to the first embodiment, when the glove G is inserted, the forcible finger opening unit 190 is interposed between the n-th fingers, and thereby the n-th fingertip of the glove G and the (n + 1) -th finger glove. The bar-shaped n-th finger-opening members 190a to 190d are configured such that the fingertips are separated from each other and the n-th finger is opened, so that a relatively simple structure enables sterilization that cannot be directly viewed. Even within the chamber 121, it is possible to realize the ultraviolet sterilization apparatus 10 that can surely sterilize even the shadowed portion between the fingers of the glove G, which is economically advantageous. .

In addition, according to the ultraviolet sterilizer 10 according to the first embodiment, since the forcible finger opening portion 190 includes the bar-shaped n-th finger opening members 190a to 190d, it can be used as a so-called stopper. That is, when the glove G worn on the hand is inserted into the sterilization chamber 121 and further inserted in the downward direction (−z direction), the bar-shaped n-th finger-opening members 190 a to 190 n are placed in the n-th finger valley. At 190d, the glove G stops (stops), and the glove G (and the hands and arms of the worker interlocked therewith) does not move downward (-z direction).
By utilizing the bar-shaped n-th finger-opening members 190a to 190d as stoppers in this way, for example, in a short-sleeved state, the user wears the glove G with the skin exposed and without wearing the arm cover AC (for example, , Dental care, biotechnology, etc.), before the position of the exposed skin enters the inside of the sterilization chamber 121 (here, the area irradiated with ultraviolet rays), the glove G (the hand of the worker linked therewith). , Arms, etc.) stops, so that only the glove G can be irradiated with ultraviolet light without exposing the exposed skin to ultraviolet light.
Conversely, sterilization can be performed without using the bar-shaped nth finger members 190a to 190d as stoppers. If the insertion of the glove G is stopped before the n-th finger members 190a to 190d completely reach the n-th finger valley, a gap is secured between the n-th finger members 190a to 190d and the n-th finger valley. Can be. Since the air permeability of the n-th finger valley can be ensured by this gap, for example, in the same sterilization chamber 121, when the wet cleaning is first performed and then the ultraviolet sterilization is performed, the n-th finger valley is dried. UV sterilization can be performed while doing so.

  Further, according to the ultraviolet sterilizer 10 according to the first embodiment, since the member constituting the forced finger opening 190 is a member having an ultraviolet transmittance of a predetermined value or more, any member having such a transmittance may be used. For example, when the ultraviolet irradiation is performed, the ultraviolet rays reach the part of the glove G located in the shadow (or the back side) of the n-th finger-opening member viewed from the ultraviolet irradiation unit 123, and the ultraviolet irradiation is reliably performed. Can be.

Further, the ultraviolet sterilizer 10 according to the first embodiment detects the insertion depth of the glove G inserted into the sterilization chamber 121, inserts the entire glove G to a predetermined depth, and opens the finger of the glove G. 5, a glove insertion sensor 150 that outputs an insertion detection signal (not shown) when the glove G is inserted to a certain position, and an ultraviolet irradiation drive unit 280 that drives the ultraviolet irradiation unit 123 (see FIGS. 4A and 5). And 280.), and a control unit that outputs an irradiation start signal (not shown) to the ultraviolet irradiation drive unit based on the insertion detection signal from the glove insertion sensor 150. preferable.
According to the ultraviolet sterilizer 10, since the entire glove G is inserted to a predetermined depth and the glove G is inserted to a position where the finger of the glove G is opened, the irradiation of ultraviolet light is started. Ultraviolet sterilization can be performed with the n-th finger opened.
Here, "(i) the entire glove G is inserted to a predetermined depth ..." means the entire glove G (here, at least an area to be sterilized. For example, the arm cover of the glove G The portion hidden by the AC does not need to be included in this, and the finger does not have to be completely opened at this time.) The glove G is inserted to such an extent that the glove G can be exposed to ultraviolet rays. "(Ii) The glove has been inserted up to the position where the glove G is opened" means that the glove G is opened and a shadow is formed between the fingers by irradiating for a predetermined time. Also refers to the case where the glove G is inserted to such an extent that sterilization can be surely performed. Further, the insertion depth of the glove G that realizes (i) and the insertion depth of the glove G that realizes (ii) may be the same depth. It is assumed that the mutual positional relationship between the glove insertion sensor 150, the identifier ID attached to the arm cover AC, and the finger opening sensor 194 (described later) is appropriately adjusted so that the above control can be achieved.
The ultraviolet irradiation drive unit 280 (see FIGS. 4A and 5) inputs an irradiation start signal and drives the ultraviolet irradiation unit 123 for ultraviolet irradiation.

  In addition, according to the ultraviolet sterilizer 10 according to the first embodiment, since the reflecting plate 122 is provided on each of the front inner wall surface and the rear inner wall surface of the sterilization chamber 121, the irradiation light from the ultraviolet irradiation unit 123 is provided. Among them, it is possible to provide an ultraviolet disinfection device with high energy efficiency, which also reflects light emitted to the inner wall surface of the sterilization chamber 121 and condenses it inside the sterilization chamber 121 to contribute to sterilization of the glove G. it can.

  In addition, according to the ultraviolet sterilizer 10 according to the first embodiment, since the protection sheet 124 is disposed between the ultraviolet irradiation unit 123 and the forced finger opening unit 190, the glove G (hand) in a simply inserted state. Not only protects from touching the ultraviolet irradiation unit 123 (ultraviolet irradiation lamp 123a), but also the glove G in the opened state, even if the finger spreads greatly, even if the finger spreads widely. Never touch. Further, even when the ultraviolet irradiation lamp 123a is damaged and the members of the lamp are scattered, the hand (glove G) of the worker can be protected by the protection sheet 124. By arranging the protective sheet 124 as described above, it is possible to provide a safer ultraviolet sterilizer.

[Embodiment 2]
Next, an ultraviolet sterilizer 10A and an ultraviolet sterilization method according to the second embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

1. Configuration of Ultraviolet Sterilizer According to Second Embodiment FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an ultraviolet sterilizer 10A according to the second embodiment. FIG. 4A is a side view of the ultraviolet sterilizer 10 </ b> A viewed in the −x direction as in FIG. 2A, and the sterilization chamber housing 120 is illustrated as a cross-sectional view. Connection lines are schematically displayed between the control unit 260, the ultraviolet irradiation drive unit 280, the ultraviolet irradiation lamp 123a, and the camera as the finger opening sensor. FIG. 4B is a front view of the ultraviolet sterilizer 10A as viewed in the + y-axis direction, similarly to FIG. 2B, and includes a display panel as the human interface unit 180 and a sterilization chamber housing. Reference numerals 120 and the like are shown as cross-sectional views along the line BB in FIG. FIG. 5 is a block diagram for explaining the control and connection relationship of the ultraviolet sterilizer 10A according to the second embodiment.

  The ultraviolet sterilizer 10A according to the second embodiment has basically the same configuration as the ultraviolet sterilizer 10 according to the first embodiment, but includes a finger-opening sensor 194 instead of the bar-shaped n-th finger-opening member. The ultraviolet sterilizer 10 according to the first embodiment is different from the ultraviolet sterilizer 10 according to the first embodiment in having a camera, a control unit 260, a display panel as a human interface unit 180, and the like. That is, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the ultraviolet sterilizer 10 </ b> A according to the second embodiment includes a glove insertion sensor 150 that checks the insertion position of the glove G inserted, and an opening sensor that senses the finger opening state of the glove G. It is inserted into the sterilization chamber 121 based on the finger sensor 194, the human interface unit 180, the ultraviolet irradiation drive unit 280 that drives the ultraviolet irradiation unit 123, and the insertion detection signal (not shown) output from the glove insertion sensor 150. After confirming that the insertion position of the glove G is deeper than a predetermined depth, the finger of the glove G is moved to a predetermined or more based on the finger-opening state information (not shown) acquired by the camera as the finger-opening sensor 194. It is determined whether or not the glove G is not opened more than a predetermined amount (i) an alarm indicating that the glove G is not sufficiently opened. The data is output to a display panel as the human interface unit 180. (ii) When it is determined that the finger of the glove G is open for a predetermined time or more, an irradiation start signal is output to the ultraviolet irradiation driving unit 280 to sterilize the glove. And a control unit 260 to be executed. These components are integrated into a function equivalent to that of the forced finger opening section 190.

The finger-opening sensor 194 indicates the finger-opening state of the glove G inserted into the sterilization chamber 121 (the state in which the finger is closed or close to it, the state in which the finger is appropriately opened, the state in which the finger is fully opened, and the like). It is a sensor that senses. As shown in FIG. 4, the camera serving as the finger opening sensor 194 has the light inlet (lens) L1 directed toward the inside of the sterilization chamber 121 and is positioned at a position in the middle of the front inner wall surface or the rear inner wall surface of the sterilization chamber 121. The glove G is arranged and senses the finger open state of the glove G.
Further, as shown in FIGS. 4A and 5, the control unit 260 is connected to the ultraviolet irradiation drive unit 280 connected to the ultraviolet irradiation unit 123, and the glove insertion sensor 150 and the finger opening sensor 194 described above. , The human interface unit 180 and the storage unit 230.
The human interface unit 180 may be of any type as long as it informs a worker or the like outside the apparatus at least the state of the ultraviolet sterilizer 10A in some form. Although the display panel is used in the second embodiment, the invention is not limited thereto, and a buzzer, a speaker, or the like can be used.

  According to the ultraviolet sterilizer 10A according to the second embodiment, the control unit 260 determines whether or not the finger of the glove G is open by a predetermined amount or more based on the finger-opening state information acquired by the camera as the finger-opening sensor 194. (I) When it is determined that the finger of the glove G is not opened more than a predetermined amount, an alarm indicating that the finger of the glove G is not sufficiently opened is output to the display panel as the human interface unit 180, so that it is visually observed. Even inside a sterilization room where the sterilization cannot be performed, the operator can spread the fingers of the glove G to the extent that appropriate ultraviolet sterilization can be performed without relying only on his / her own feeling. (Ii) When it is determined that the finger of the glove G is open for a predetermined amount or more, the irradiation start signal is output to the ultraviolet irradiation drive unit 280 to perform the glove sterilization. Sterilization can be surely performed even on the portion that is shaded during the period.

  According to the ultraviolet sterilizer 10A according to the second embodiment, since it has the same configuration as the ultraviolet sterilizer 10 according to the first embodiment except for the above-described configuration, the effect of the ultraviolet sterilizer 10 according to the first embodiment can be obtained. It has the corresponding effect as it is.

2. Ultraviolet Sterilization Method Using Ultraviolet Sterilizer 10A According to Second Embodiment FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an ultraviolet sterilization method using the ultraviolet sterilizer 10A according to the second embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a pattern matching process using a camera as the finger opening sensor 194 in the finger opening determination step S30 of the second embodiment. FIG. 7A is a diagram illustrating an example of a template image related to the shape of a glove worn on a hand stored in the storage unit. The portion indicated by x indicates an example of a feature extraction point. FIG. 7B shows an example of an image to be inspected captured from a camera serving as the finger opening sensor 194, in a case where the finger opening of the glove G is insufficient (unsuitable). FIG. 7C is an image to be inspected captured from a camera as the finger opening sensor 194, and is an example of an image in a case where it is determined that the finger opening of the glove G is more than a predetermined distance (appropriate). Is shown.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the ultraviolet sterilization method using the ultraviolet sterilization apparatus 10A according to the second embodiment opens the glove insertion opening 130 into which the glove G worn on the hand is inserted and sterilizes the inside. Inserted into the sterilization chamber 121 using an ultraviolet sterilizer 10A having a sterilization chamber housing 120 in which the chamber 121 is formed and an ultraviolet irradiation unit 123 that is disposed inside the sterilization chamber housing 120 and irradiates the sterilization chamber 121 with ultraviolet light. This is an ultraviolet sterilization method for irradiating the glove G with ultraviolet rays to sterilize the surface of the glove G, and as shown in FIG. 6, a glove insertion confirmation step S10, a finger open sensing step S20, a finger open determination step S30, It includes a finger opening alarm step S40 and a glove sterilization step S50.

(1) The glove insertion confirmation step S10 confirms that the insertion position of the glove G inserted into the sterilization chamber 121 is deeper than a predetermined depth based on an insertion detection signal (not shown) output from the glove insertion sensor 150. I do.
(2) In the finger-opening sensing step S20, the finger-opening state of the glove G is sensed using the finger-opening sensor 194 to acquire finger-opening state information (not shown).
(3) The finger-opening determination step S30 determines whether or not the finger of the glove G is open by a predetermined amount or more based on the finger-opening state information.
(4) In the finger-opening alarm step S40, if it is determined in the finger-opening determination step S30 that the finger of the glove G is not open beyond a predetermined amount (BR2), an alarm indicating that the finger-opening of the glove G is not sufficient is issued to a human. Output to the interface unit 180 (for example, a display panel).
(5) In the glove sterilization step S50, when it is determined in step S30 that the finger of the glove G is open by a predetermined amount or more (BR1), an irradiation start signal (not shown) is transmitted to the ultraviolet irradiation drive unit 280. The glove G is irradiated with ultraviolet rays to sterilize the glove.

Here, as the finger opening sensor 194 in the second embodiment, a camera in which the light inlet (lens) L1 is directed inside the sterilization chamber housing 120 is used.
In this case, in the finger-opening sensing step S20, the camera captures the image of the glove G, performs binarization processing on the captured image data, and obtains the finger-opening state information (image to be inspected) (for example, FIG. ), And performs a binarization process on the image to be inspected as shown in FIG. On the other hand, information on the template image is obtained by capturing in advance the shape of each worker's hand with a camera and storing the information in the storage unit 230. Then, in the finger-opening determination step S30, the information of the image to be inspected taken from the camera (finger-opening state information) and the information of the template image relating to the shape of the glove worn on the hand stored in the storage unit 230 ( For example, a pattern matching process is performed based on the information of the template image as shown in FIG. 7A, and the finger opening determination of the inserted glove G is performed. The pattern matching process is performed by checking the shapes of the template image and the image to be inspected. For example, when the image to be inspected is an image as shown in FIG. 7B, as a result of the collation, it is determined that the hand is not sufficiently opened. On the other hand, when the image to be inspected is an image as shown in FIG. 7C, as a result of the collation, it is determined that the hand is sufficiently opened. In the pattern matching processing, since there is a case where there is no practical problem even if the template image and the image to be inspected do not completely match, for example, the severity of the collation is reduced, and as shown by x in FIG. The matching may be performed by focusing on various characteristic points.
In the above, the example in which the finger opening determination of the glove G is performed by the pattern matching processing of the binarized image has been described, but the invention is not limited thereto. For example, a feature point as indicated by x in FIG. 7A is extracted, and the degree of vacancy between the n-th finger is calculated based on the information of the feature point, or the edge of the n-th finger and the (n + 1) -th finger is extracted. And the finger-opening angle θn is calculated to determine the finger-opening.

  According to the ultraviolet sterilization method using the ultraviolet sterilization device 10A according to the second embodiment, it is determined whether or not the finger of the glove G is open by a predetermined amount or more based on the finger-opening state information acquired in the finger-opening sensing step S20, If it is determined that the finger of the glove G is not opened more than a predetermined amount, an alarm indicating that the finger of the glove G is not sufficiently opened is output to the human interface unit 180. G's finger can be spread. When it is determined that the finger of the glove G is opened for a predetermined time or more, ultraviolet irradiation can be started via the ultraviolet irradiation driving unit 280 to perform glove sterilization. Sterilization can be surely performed even on the portion that is shadowed between them.

  Further, according to the ultraviolet sterilization method using the camera in the ultraviolet sterilization apparatus 10A according to the second embodiment, not only the finger opening determination can be made more finely based on the image information taken from the camera, but also The finger opening determination according to the shape and size of the hand can be appropriately performed.

In the case where a camera is used as the finger opening sensor 194 as described above, it is necessary to capture an image to be inspected during the irradiation of the sterilization chamber 121 with ultraviolet light because ultraviolet light also enters the camera. There are concerns. In consideration of this, for example, finger-opening sensing is performed by a camera before ultraviolet irradiation, finger-opening sensing is stopped during the ultraviolet irradiation period, and finger-opening sensing is performed again when the ultraviolet irradiation period for a predetermined time has ended. Thus, it can be inferred whether the finger was properly opened even during the ultraviolet irradiation period. Then, when it is determined that finger opening is insufficient by the finger opening sensing at the end of the ultraviolet irradiation period for a predetermined time, the worker can retry sterilization by ultraviolet irradiation. According to the finger-opening sensing method based on the above guess, if the ultraviolet irradiation period is, for example, about 5 seconds to 10 seconds, the glove G is once set to the finger-open state before the ultraviolet irradiation, and then the state is changed. Since there is a high possibility that it can be maintained, a sufficiently practical UV sterilization can also be performed by this method.
As another method, during the ultraviolet irradiation period, the ultraviolet irradiation to the sterilization chamber 121 is temporarily blocked by a shutter or the like, and during the blocking, finger opening sensing is performed with a camera, and the finger opening state of the glove G is reconfirmed. A method of doing so can also be adopted. In the case where the ultraviolet irradiation unit 123 is configured by a solid-state electronic device such as an LED, the ultraviolet irradiation is temporarily interrupted by controlling on / off of the solid-state electronic device instead of blocking with a shutter or the like. That method can also be adopted.

  In addition, according to the ultraviolet sterilization method using the ultraviolet sterilization apparatus 10A according to the second embodiment, the same configuration as the ultraviolet sterilization apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment except for the configuration of the ultraviolet sterilization apparatus 10A according to the second embodiment described above. Therefore, it has the corresponding effect among the effects of the ultraviolet sterilization method using the ultraviolet sterilizer 10 according to the first embodiment.

  As described above, the present invention has been described based on the above embodiments, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. The present invention can be implemented without departing from the spirit thereof. For example, the following modifications are also possible.

(1) FIG. 8 is a view for explaining the ultraviolet sterilizer 10a according to the first modification, and is a front view when the ultraviolet sterilizer 10a is viewed in the + y-axis direction. The inside shows a state when the sterilization chamber housing 120 is seen through.

In the first embodiment, the forced finger opening portion 190 is formed of a bar-shaped n-th finger opening member, but is not limited to this. As shown in FIG. 8, when the glove G is inserted, the forced finger opening 190 is interposed between the n-th fingers so that the n-th fingertip and the (n + 1) -th fingertip of the glove G are separated from each other. It may be formed of a finger-cut glove-shaped finger-opening member 190A configured to open the space between the n-th finger.
The finger-cut glove-like finger-opening member 190A is a member having an ultraviolet transmittance of a predetermined value or more, such as quartz, transparent Teflon (registered trademark), or the like, similarly to the member constituting the forced finger-opening unit 190 according to the first embodiment. The inner surface that can guide the glove G while guiding along the hand / finger shape may be formed. The shape is not limited to the finger-cut glove as shown in FIG. For example, the fingertip does not have to be cut. Further, as long as the inner surface is formed in the shape of a hand, the other portion may be a lump having a sufficient thickness.
According to the ultraviolet sterilizer 10a according to the first modification, the same effect as the ultraviolet sterilizer 10 according to the first embodiment can be obtained.

(2) FIG. 9 is a view for explaining an ultraviolet sterilizer 10b according to the second modification. FIG. 9A is a side view of the ultraviolet sterilizer 10b viewed in the −x direction as in FIG. 2A, and the sterilization chamber housing 120 is illustrated as a cross-sectional view. FIG. 9B is a front view of the ultraviolet sterilizer 10b as viewed in the + y-axis direction, similarly to FIG. 2B, and includes a display panel as the human interface unit 180 and a sterilization chamber housing. Reference numerals 120 and the like are shown as cross-sectional views along the line BB in FIG.

In the first embodiment, the bar-shaped n-th finger-opening members 190a to 190d constituting the forced finger-opening portion 190 are fixed to the front inner wall surface and / or the rear inner wall surface of the sterilization chamber 121. However, it is not limited to this. As shown in FIG. 9, the n-th finger-opening members 190 a to 190 d move vertically and horizontally (x direction) toward a plane when the palm of the glove G inserted into the sterilization chamber 121 is viewed in a plan view. May be possible. For example, the cantilever portions of the n-th finger members 190a to 190d may be connected to the movement guide 192, and the n-th finger member may move in the vertical and horizontal directions along the movement guide 192.
The term “movable” may be either static (movable before irradiation with ultraviolet light) or dynamic (movable during irradiation with ultraviolet light). However, it is desirable that a mechanism (for example, a damper mechanism) that can move but generates a drag force enough to forcibly open the space between fingers is used.

  According to the ultraviolet sterilizer 10b according to the second modification, the n-th finger-opening member can move in the up-down direction or the left-right direction. , The n-th finger-opening member bar can be set to an appropriate position. Further, by moving the n-th finger-opening member in the left-right direction, it is possible to forcibly open the space between the fingers.

(3) FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an ultraviolet sterilizer 10c according to Modification 3 and is a side view of the ultraviolet sterilizer 10c as viewed in the −x direction, as in FIG. The sterilization chamber housing 120 is shown as a sectional view.

  In the first embodiment, the bar-shaped n-th finger-opening members 190a to 190d constituting the forced finger-opening portion 190 are fixed to the front inner wall surface and / or the rear inner wall surface of the sterilization chamber 121. However, it is not limited to this. As shown in FIG. 10, the n-th finger-opening members 190 a to 190 d are directed in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the palm of the glove G inserted into the sterilization chamber 121 when viewed from above (y ′ axis). Direction).

  According to the ultraviolet sterilizer 10c according to the third modification, the n-th finger-opening member can move in a direction perpendicular to the plane (y′-axis direction). After confirming that the n-th finger-opening member (bar) has been inserted to the predetermined depth, the n-th finger-opening member (bar) is moved backward in the + y ′ direction, and no n-th finger-opening member (bar) is sandwiched between the fingers. UV irradiation can be performed in a state where it is not used. In this case, the nth finger valley can be irradiated with ultraviolet rays without being affected by the attenuation of ultraviolet rays by the nth finger opening member. In addition, since the n-th finger-opening member (bar) is moved in the + y ′ direction and retracted during the ultraviolet irradiation period, a member made of a material having low ultraviolet transmittance may be adopted as the n-th finger-opening member (bar). it can.

(4) FIG. 11 is a view for explaining an ultraviolet sterilizer 10d according to Modification Example 4. As in FIG. 1B, the sterilization chamber housing 120 is viewed from the glove insertion port 130 side. FIG.

In the first embodiment, the bar-shaped n-th finger-opening members 190a to 190d constituting the forced finger-opening unit 190 are arranged in parallel with each other, but the present invention is not limited to this. As shown in FIG. 11, the n-th finger-opening members 190a to 190d may be arranged non-parallel to each other.
According to the ultraviolet sterilizer 10d according to the fourth modification, by appropriately shifting the position of the glove G back and forth (back and forth in the direction D1 perpendicular to the palm surface), the shape and hand of the worker's hand are improved. Forced finger opening can be performed at an appropriate position according to the size.

(5) FIG. 12 is a view for explaining an ultraviolet sterilizer 10e according to the fifth modification. FIG. 12A is a side view of the ultraviolet sterilizer 10e as viewed in the −x direction as in FIG. 2A, and the sterilization chamber housing 120 is shown as a cross-sectional view. FIG. 12B is a front view of the ultraviolet sterilizer 10e as viewed in the + y-axis direction, similarly to FIG. 2B, and includes a display panel as a human interface unit 180 and a sterilization chamber housing. Reference numerals 120 and the like are shown as cross-sectional views along the line BB in FIG.

In the second embodiment, a camera is used as the finger opening sensor 194, but the present invention is not limited to this. As shown in FIG. 12, the finger opening sensor 194 is a wind pressure sensor 194a disposed inside the sterilization chamber housing 120. In the finger opening determination step S30, based on sensing information taken from the wind pressure sensor 194a, The finger open determination of the inserted glove G may be performed.
Specifically, a wind pressure sensor 194a is arranged inside the sterilization chamber 121, and a fan 196 is arranged on an inner wall surface facing the inner wall surface on which the wind pressure sensor 194 is arranged. The wind is sent from the fan 196, and the wind pressure is sensed by the wind pressure sensor 194a. Here, the wind pressure when the finger opening is insufficient and the wind pressure when the finger opening is sufficient were measured, and an intermediate value thereof was set as a threshold, and then the glove G as an inspection target was inserted. If the wind pressure at that time is higher than the threshold value, it can be determined that the finger-opening state is appropriate.
According to the ultraviolet sterilizer 10e according to the fifth modification, since the wind pressure sensor 194a which is not affected by the ultraviolet rays is used, the finger open state can be monitored even during the ultraviolet irradiation period. In addition, it is also possible to use a camera to sense the finger-opened state before the ultraviolet irradiation, and to use the wind pressure sensor 194a during the ultraviolet irradiation period.

(6) FIG. 13 is a view for explaining an ultraviolet sterilizer 10f according to Modification 6. FIG. 13A is a side view of the ultraviolet sterilizer 10f viewed in the −x direction as in FIG. 2A, and the sterilization chamber housing 120 is illustrated as a cross-sectional view. FIG. 13B is a front view of the ultraviolet sterilizer 10f as viewed in the + y-axis direction, similarly to FIG. 2B, and includes a display panel as the human interface unit 180 and a sterilization chamber housing. Reference numerals 120 and the like are shown as cross-sectional views along the line BB in FIG.

Similarly to the fifth modification, the finger opening sensor 194 is the optical sensor 194b disposed inside the sterilization chamber housing. In the finger opening determining step S30, based on the sensing information taken from the optical sensor 194b, The finger open determination of the inserted glove G may be performed.
Specifically, the optical sensors 194b are arranged at positions corresponding to the positions between the n-th fingers, respectively, and the optical sensor light emitting units 194c are arranged corresponding to the opposing inner wall surfaces in the sterilization chamber 121, respectively. When the space between the fingers is not sufficiently opened, the projected light is blocked, so that it is possible to sense that the finger opening is insufficient. The sixth modification has been described using the optical sensor 194b having a configuration in which the light projecting unit and the light receiving unit are separated from each other. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a reflection device in which the light projecting unit and the light receiving unit are formed in the same device A type of light sensor may be used.
According to the ultraviolet sterilizer 10f according to the sixth modification, the finger open state can be monitored with a simple configuration, which is economically advantageous.

(7) In the first and second embodiments, an example is described in which the glove G for five fingers is used, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, in the case of a glove in a mitten shape, the forced finger opening portion may be configured as only the first finger opening member 190a that forcibly opens the space between the first fingers. Similarly, it can be configured for three fingers or four fingers. In addition, although the description has been made assuming the gloves G on both the left and right hands, ultraviolet sterilization may be performed on only one hand.
(8) In the first and second embodiments, the sterilization chamber housing 120 is separated from the outside so that ultraviolet rays do not leak from a surface other than the glove insertion port, but is limited to this. Not something. It may be configured so as not to enter human eyes. For example, a configuration in which ultraviolet rays leak only to the lower surface (ground) may be employed.
(9) In the first and second embodiments, the "hand" in the "glove mounted on the hand" has been described as a hand of a worker (human), but is not limited to this. For example, the present invention can be applied to a hand such as a robot hand.
(10) The present invention can be applied by reversing the top and bottom of the sterilization chamber housing 120. In this case, the definitions of the x-axis, y-axis, z-axis, y'-axis, and z'-axis, and the definitions of the upper and lower sides are appropriately converted, and the present invention is understood.

10, 10A, 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d, 10e, 10f, 900: Ultraviolet sterilizer, 100: Ultraviolet sterilizer main body, 110: Stand, 120, 920: Sterilization chamber housing, 121, 921: Sterilization chamber, 122 … Reflector, 123, 923… UV irradiator, 123a… UV irradiating lamp, 124… Protective sheet, 130,930… Glove insertion port, 140… Guide wall, 150… Glove insertion sensor, 160… Top light shielding plate, 170… Side light shielding plate, 180 ... Interface part, 190 ... Forced finger opening part, 190A ... Finger-cut glove-shaped finger opening member, 190a ... First finger opening member, 190b ... Second finger opening member, 190c ... Third finger opening member, 190d .., A fourth finger opening member, 192, a movement guide, 194, a finger opening sensor, 194a, a wind pressure sensor, 194b, a light sensor, 194c, a light sensor. -Floodlight unit, 196 fan, 210 worker identification unit, 211 camera, 230 storage unit, 260 control unit, 280 ultraviolet irradiation drive unit, AC arm cover, G glove, L1 light introduction mouth

Claims (8)

An ultraviolet sterilizer for irradiating ultraviolet light to the glove in a state of being attached to a hand to sterilize a surface of the glove,
A glove insertion slot into which the glove in a state of being attached to a hand is inserted is opened, and a sterilization chamber housing in which a sterilization chamber is formed,
An ultraviolet irradiation unit that is disposed inside the sterilization chamber housing and irradiates the sterilization chamber with ultraviolet light,
In the interior of the sterilization chamber housing, a forced finger opening unit for opening a finger between the nth finger and the (n + 1) th finger of the glove to be inserted (n is an integer from 1 to 4) is provided. An ultraviolet sterilizer, which is further disposed. The ultraviolet sterilizer according to claim 1,
When the glove is inserted, the forcible finger-opening part is interposed between the n-th fingers so that the n-th fingertip and the (n + 1) -th fingertip of the glove are separated from each other, and the n-th finger is opened. An ultraviolet sterilizer comprising a bar-shaped n-th finger-opening member configured as described above. The ultraviolet sterilizer according to claim 2,
The n-th finger-opening member can move in a vertical direction, a horizontal direction, or a vertical direction with respect to a plane when the palm of the glove inserted into the sterilization chamber is viewed in a plan view. Characteristic UV sterilizer. The ultraviolet sterilizer according to claim 1,
When the glove is inserted, the forcible finger-opening part is interposed between the n-th fingers so that the n-th fingertip and the (n + 1) -th fingertip of the glove are separated from each other, and the n-th finger is opened. An ultraviolet sterilizer comprising a finger-cut glove-shaped finger-opening member configured as described above. The ultraviolet sterilizer according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The member constituting the forcible finger opening portion is a member having an ultraviolet transmittance of a predetermined value or more. The ultraviolet sterilizer according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
Detecting the insertion depth of the glove inserted into the sterilization chamber, and detecting insertion when the entire glove is inserted to a predetermined depth and the glove is inserted to a position where the finger is opened. A glove insertion sensor that outputs a signal,
An ultraviolet irradiation drive unit that drives the ultraviolet irradiation unit,
An ultraviolet sterilizer, further comprising: a control unit that outputs an irradiation start signal to the ultraviolet irradiation driving unit based on the insertion detection signal from the glove insertion sensor. The ultraviolet sterilizer according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
An ultraviolet sterilizer wherein a protective sheet is disposed between the ultraviolet irradiation section and the forced finger opening section. A glove insertion slot into which a glove worn in a hand is inserted is opened, and a sterilization chamber housing in which a sterilization chamber is formed and an ultraviolet ray that is disposed inside the sterilization chamber housing and irradiates the sterilization chamber with ultraviolet light. An ultraviolet sterilization method for irradiating the glove inserted into the sterilization chamber with ultraviolet light to sterilize a surface of the glove using an ultraviolet sterilization apparatus having an irradiation unit,
Based on an insertion detection signal output by the glove insertion sensor, a glove insertion confirmation step of confirming that the insertion position of the glove inserted into the sterilization chamber is deeper than a predetermined depth,
Finger opening sensing step of sensing the finger opening state of the glove using a finger opening sensor and acquiring finger opening state information,
A finger-opening determination step of determining whether or not the finger of the glove is open for a predetermined amount or more based on the finger-opening state information;
When it is determined that the finger of the glove is not opened more than a predetermined amount in the finger open determination step, a finger open alarm step of outputting an alarm indicating that the finger of the glove is not sufficient to the human interface unit,
When it is determined that the finger of the glove is opened by a predetermined amount or more in the finger opening determination step, a glove that outputs an irradiation start signal to an ultraviolet irradiation driving unit and irradiates the glove with ultraviolet light to sterilize the glove. and the sterilization step, only including,
The finger opening sensor is a camera whose light introduction port is directed inside the sterilization chamber housing,
In the finger-opening determination step, pattern matching processing is performed based on information on the image to be inspected taken from the camera and information on the template image regarding the shape of the glove worn on the hand stored in the storage unit, Performing a finger open determination of the inserted glove,
An ultraviolet sterilization method characterized by the above-mentioned.