JP2012127727A - Detector and detection method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a detector which can detect particular particles out of particles derived from an organism and floating in the air, with high accuracy and in real time.SOLUTION: A detector comprises a separator 700 for separating a particle larger than a separated particle size, and a detection unit for detecting a particle derived from an organism from the air after the separation. At an introduction hole 70 of the separator 700, there is provided a shutter 70A for changing a cross section area thereof. When a particle to be a detection object is designated, the shutter 70A is moved for a slide amount corresponding to the cross section area of the introduction hole 70 by which a particle size of the particle serves as the separated particle size. Thus, a particle larger than the particle being a detection object is removed from the introduced air, and then the air is introduced into the detection unit.

Description

  The present invention relates to a detection device and a detection method, and more particularly to a detection device and a detection method for detecting particles derived from living organisms floating in the air.

  As a technique for selecting microorganisms in the air, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-83932 (hereinafter referred to as Patent Document 1) uses a sensor array having a microcavity region to introduce a sample into the region. A technique for selecting microorganisms by passing through a spatial filter having a specific opening size is disclosed. Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-183284 (hereinafter referred to as Patent Document 2) discloses an apparatus for separating pollen particles by separating coarse particles by gravity sedimentation and fine particles by a cyclone or an impactor.

JP 2003-83932 A JP 2001-183284 A

  However, in the case of separation by an opening as disclosed in Patent Document 1, for example, a particle having a size smaller than that of a target object is not detected and erroneously detected or the opening is clogged. May cause problems.

  In addition, in the case of the technique for performing the separation in multiple stages as disclosed in Patent Document 2, there is a problem that the configuration of an apparatus for separating desired particles may increase.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and is capable of detecting a specific particle among living organism-derived particles floating in the air with high accuracy in real time and realizing miniaturization. Another object of the present invention is to provide a detection device that can perform detection and a detection method in the detection device.

  In order to achieve the above object, according to one aspect of the present invention, the detection device is a detection device for detecting a specified biological particle from the introduced air, and the detection device is configured to detect a predetermined amount from the introduced air. Separator for separating and removing particles having a large particle size, detector connected to the separator by an air tube, detecting a biological particle from the introduced air, and detection result by the detector A calculation device for calculating the amount of the biologically-derived particles designated based on the above, and an intake device for introducing air outside the detection device into the separator and introducing the air to the detector through an air pipe And a control unit for performing control to set the predetermined particle size to a particle size larger than the particle size of the designated biological particles. The control unit performs control to switch at least one of the parameters defining the predetermined particle diameter based on the designated biological particle.

  Preferably, the control unit controls the driving of the intake device so that the flow rate becomes a flow rate corresponding to the designated biological origin, based on the correspondence relationship between the biological particles and the flow rate of air introduced by the intake device.

  Preferably, the separator has a mechanism for changing the size of the predetermined location, and the control unit is configured to determine the size of the predetermined location based on a correspondence relationship between the biological particles and the size of the predetermined location of the separator. Is controlled to drive a mechanism for changing the size of a predetermined location so that the size corresponds to that of the designated organism.

  More preferably, the predetermined location is an introduction hole of the separator for introducing air outside the detection device in the separator or an exhaust hole for discharging the air in the separator to the air pipe.

Preferably, the separator is a cyclone.
Preferably, the detector is irradiated with the collection member, the light emitting element, the light receiving element for receiving fluorescence, the heater for heating the collection member, and the light emitting element before and after heating. And calculating means for calculating the amount of biological particles collected by the collecting member based on the amount of change in the fluorescence amount from the collecting member.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, a separator for separating and removing particles larger than a predetermined particle diameter from the introduced air, and a biological origin from the introduced air connected to the separator by an air tube A method of detecting a specified biological particle from air introduced into the detection device using a detection device including a detector for detecting the particle of the biological particle, A step of receiving a designation, a step of executing a process for setting the predetermined particle size to a particle size larger than the particle size of the designated biological particles, and air introduced by the separator. Removing particles larger than the set particle size, and introducing air from which particles larger than the set particle size have been removed to the detector and executing a detection operation in the detector.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to detect specific particles out of living organism-derived particles floating in the air in real time with high accuracy. Furthermore, the overall size of the apparatus can be suppressed and the size can be reduced.

It is a figure which shows the specific example of a structure of the detection apparatus concerning embodiment. It is a figure which shows the specific example of a structure of the detector contained in a detection apparatus. It is a figure which shows the structure of the collection jig | tool of a detector, and a heater periphery. It is a figure explaining operation | movement of a collection unit. It is a figure which shows the other example of a structure of a detector. It is a figure which shows the measurement result of the fluorescence spectrum before and after heat processing when colon_bacillus | E._coli as a biological particle is heat-processed at 200 degreeC for 5 minute (s). It is the fluorescence-microscope photograph after heat processing when Escherichia coli is heat-processed at 200 degreeC for 5 minute (s). It is a figure which shows the measurement result of the fluorescence spectrum before and after heat processing when Bacillus bacteria as biological origin particle | grains are heat-processed at 200 degreeC for 5 minute (s). It is a fluorescence-microscope photograph after heat processing when a Bacillus microbe is heat-processed at 200 degreeC for 5 minute (s). It is a figure which shows the measurement result of the fluorescence spectrum before and after heat processing when the green mold | fungi microbe as biological origin particle | grains is heat-processed at 200 degreeC for 5 minute (s). It is a fluorescence micrograph before and after heat treatment when blue mold is heat treated at 200 ° C. for 5 minutes. It is the fluorescence micrograph before and after heat processing when the cedar pollen as a biological particle is heat-processed at 200 degreeC for 5 minute (s). It is a figure which shows the measurement result of the fluorescence spectrum before and after heat processing when the dust which emits fluorescence is heat-processed at 200 degreeC for 5 minute (s). It is the fluorescence micrograph before and after heat processing when the dust which emits fluorescence is heat-processed at 200 degreeC for 5 minute (s). It is a figure which shows the comparison result of the fluorescence spectrum before and after heat processing when the dust which emits fluorescence is heat-processed at 200 degreeC for 5 minute (s). It is a figure which shows the specific example of a structure of the detection control part of a control part. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the detection operation | movement with a detector. It is a figure which shows the correspondence of the increase amount of the fluorescence intensity before and behind heat processing, and the density | concentration of the particle | grains of biological origin. It is a time chart which shows the other specific example of the flow of control in a detection control part. It is the schematic of the structure of the separator which employ | adopted the cyclone. It is a figure which shows the relationship between a separated particle diameter and a flow volume when the shape of a cyclone is made into the 1st shape and the 2nd shape. It is a figure which shows the result of the 1st experiment by the inventor. It is a figure which shows the result of the 1st experiment by the inventor. It is a figure which shows the result of the 1st experiment by the inventor. It is a figure which shows the result of the 1st experiment by the inventor. It is a figure which shows the result of the 2nd experiment by an inventor. It is a figure which shows the specific example of a structure of the fan control part of a control part. It is a figure explaining the shape of the separator contained in the detection apparatus concerning 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the specific example of a structure of the isolation | separation control part of a control part. It is a figure for demonstrating classification | category of a particulate contaminant.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same parts and components are denoted by the same reference numerals. Their names and functions are also the same.

<Overview of detection by the detection device>
As shown in FIG. 30, biological particles among solid particles floating in the air contain substances that cause allergies (hereinafter also referred to as allergens) and microorganisms. Includes pollen and mite carcasses and dung, and microorganisms include bacteria and fungi.

  Using the detection device, the amount of introduced microorganisms in the air, dead mite carcasses / feces, and pollen are detected.

  Table 1 shows the particle diameter and particle density of microorganisms, mite carcasses / feces, and pollen. As shown in Table 1, microorganisms, mite carcasses / feces, and pollen have different particle sizes and particle densities, respectively.

  In order to measure the amount of each particle using this characteristic, the detection device according to the present embodiment includes a separator, and separates particles having a particle size larger than the particles to be detected from the introduced air. In addition, the biological particles are detected from the separated air and the amount thereof is measured.

<Overall configuration of device>
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of a configuration of a detection apparatus 1 according to an embodiment for performing the above-described detection.

  Referring to FIG. 1, a detection device 1 detects biological particles in the introduced air and measures the amount thereof, and is connected by a detector 100 and an air tube 500. A separator 700 for separating and removing particles not to be detected from the introduced particles in the air according to the size thereof, a fan 400 as an intake device for introducing external air to the detection device 1, And a control unit 200 for controlling them. A continuous path is formed from the separator 700 through the air tube 500 to the detector 100.

  The control unit 200 is electrically connected to the detector 100, the fan 400, and the separator 700, and controls driving thereof. Specifically, the control unit 200 controls the operation of a detection motor 201 (not shown), which is a function for controlling the detection by the detector 100, and introduces air into the detection device 1 by the fan 400. A fan control unit 202 that is a function for controlling the start / end and flow rate, and a separation control unit 203 that is a function for controlling separation in the separator 700 are included. When the fan 400 is driven according to the control of the control unit 200, the air outside the detection device 1 is introduced into the device from the separator 700 in the direction indicated by the arrow in the drawing, and passes through the air pipe 500. Introduced into the detector 100. Thereby, the said path | route functions as a flow path. In the following description, the separator 700 side of the flow path is also referred to as “upstream” or “upstream side”, and the detector 100 side is also referred to as “downstream” or “downstream side”.

  1 shows an example in which the fan 400 is provided in contact with a discharge hole (not shown) of the detector 100, but the position of the fan is not limited to this position, and is detected from the separator 700 through the air tube 500. It suffices if any position in the flow path leading to the container 100 is installed.

  Furthermore, the detection device 1 may be incorporated in other devices such as an air purifier as well as a device that operates as a single unit. In that case, the fan 400 may not be included in the detection device 1, and a fan provided in a device including the detection device 1 such as an air purifier may also be used. At this time, the detection device 1 is preferably provided with a mechanism for controlling the flow velocity in the detection device 1 by the fan of the other device. This mechanism may be a small fan, for example, or may be a structure such as a wing with a variable angle for blocking airflow. In this case, the control unit 200 includes, in place of the fan control unit 202, a control unit for controlling a configuration for operating a mechanism for controlling the flow velocity of the small fan or the wing. The same applies to the second embodiment described later. In the following description, the description of the control in the fan control unit 202 is replaced with the control in the control unit in the case of this specific example.

<Configuration of detection unit>
As the detector 100, any detection device having a function of detecting the amount of biological particles from the introduced air can be employed.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of the configuration of the detector 100.
Referring to FIG. 2, detector 100 includes a detection mechanism, a collection mechanism, and a heating mechanism. Specifically, referring to FIG. 2, detector 100 includes a collection chamber 5 </ b> A including at least a part of the collection mechanism, separated by wall 5 </ b> C, which is a partition wall having a hole 5 </ b> C ′, and a detection mechanism. And a detection chamber 5B.

  As an example, the collection mechanism includes a discharge electrode 17, a collection jig 12, and a high-voltage power supply 2. The discharge electrode 17 is electrically connected to the negative electrode of the high voltage power source 2. The positive electrode of the high voltage power supply 2 is grounded. As a result, the introduced airborne particles in the air are negatively charged in the vicinity of the discharge electrode 17.

  The collection jig 12 is a support substrate 4 made of a glass plate or the like having a conductive transparent film 3. The film 3 is grounded. As a result, a potential difference is generated between the discharge electrode 17 and the collection jig 12, and an electric field in the direction indicated by the arrow E in FIG. The negatively charged airborne particles in the air move toward the collecting jig 12 by electrostatic force, are adsorbed on the conductive film 3, and are collected on the collecting jig 12.

  Here, by using a needle-like electrode as the discharge electrode 17, the charged particles face the discharge electrode 17 of the collecting jig 12, and are adsorbed in a very narrow range corresponding to the irradiation region 15 of the light emitting element (described later). Can be made. Thereby, in the detection process mentioned later, the adsorbed organism-derived particles can be efficiently detected.

  The support substrate 4 is not limited to a glass plate, but may be ceramic, metal, or the like. Further, the coating 3 formed on the surface of the support substrate 4 is not limited to being transparent. As another example, the support substrate 4 may be configured by forming a metal film on an insulating material such as ceramic. Moreover, when the support substrate 4 is a metal material, it is not necessary to form a film on the surface. Specifically, a silicon substrate, a SUS (Stainless Used Steel) substrate, a copper substrate, or the like can be used as the support substrate 4.

  The detection mechanism includes a light-emitting element 6 that is a light source, a lens (or a lens group) 7 that is provided in the irradiation direction of the light-emitting element 6 and makes the light from the light-emitting element 6 parallel light or has a predetermined width. The light receiving element 9 and the fluorescence generated by irradiating the suspended fine particles collected on the collecting jig 12 by the collecting mechanism from the light emitting element 6 are collected in the light receiving element 9. And a condensing lens (or a lens group) 8. In addition, a lens (or a lens group), an aperture, and irradiation light that are provided in the irradiation direction of the light emitting element 6 and make the light from the light emitting element 6 parallel light or have a predetermined width enter the light receiving element 9. A filter (or filter group) for prevention may be included. Conventional technology can be applied to these configurations. The condenser lens 8 may be made of plastic resin or glass.

  The light emitting element 6 includes a semiconductor laser or an LED element. The wavelength may be in the ultraviolet or visible region as long as it excites a microorganism to emit fluorescence. Preferably, as disclosed in JP-A-2008-508527, it is from 300 nm to 450 nm in which tryptophan, NaDH, riboflavin and the like that are contained in microorganisms and emit fluorescence are efficiently excited. As the light receiving element 9, a conventionally used photodiode, image sensor, or the like is used.

  The light receiving element 9 is electrically connected to the control unit 200 and outputs a current signal proportional to the amount of received light to the signal processing unit 30. Therefore, the light emitted from the light-emitting element 6 by irradiating the particles floating in the introduced air and collected on the surface of the collecting jig 12 from the light-emitting element 6 is received by the light-receiving element 9. The amount of received light is detected by the control unit 200.

  Both the lens 7 and the condenser lens 8 may be made of plastic resin or glass. The lens 7 (or a combination of the lens 7 and the aperture) emits light emitted from the light emitting element 6 onto the surface of the collecting jig 12, thereby forming an irradiation region 15 on the collecting jig 12. The shape of the irradiation region 15 is not limited, and may be a circle, an ellipse, a rectangle, or the like. The irradiation area 15 is not limited to a specific size, but preferably, the diameter of the circle, the length of the ellipse in the long axis direction, or the length of one side of the rectangle is about 0.05 mm to 50 mm.

  The filter may be installed in front of the condenser lens 8 or the light receiving element 9. Such a filter may be composed of a single or a combination of several types of filters. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the stray light reflected by the collection jig 12 and the case 5 from being incident on the light receiving element 9 together with the fluorescence from the particles collected by the collection jig 12. Can do.

  The heating mechanism includes a heater 91 that is electrically connected to the control unit 200 and whose heating amount (heating time, heating temperature, etc.) is controlled by the control unit 200. A ceramic heater is preferably used as the heater 91. In the following description, a ceramic heater is assumed as the heater 91. However, a far infrared heater, a far infrared lamp, or the like may be used.

  The heater 91 is a position where the suspended particles in the air collected on the collecting jig 12 can be heated, and is a position separated from the sensor device such as the light emitting element 6 and the light receiving element 9 at least during heating. Deployed. Preferably, as shown in FIG. 2, the light-emitting element 6 and the light-receiving element 9 are disposed on the side far from the sensor device with the collection jig 12 interposed therebetween. In this way, the heater 91 is separated from the sensor device such as the light emitting element 6 and the light receiving element 9 by the collecting jig 12 during heating, thereby suppressing the influence of heat on the light emitting element 6 and the light receiving element 9 and the like. Can do. More preferably, as shown in FIG. 3, the heater 91 is surrounded by a heat insulating material. As the heat insulating material, a glass epoxy resin is preferably used. By configuring in this way, when the heater 91 which is a ceramic heater reaches 200 ° C. in about 2 minutes, the temperature of the portion (not shown) connected to the heater 91 via the heat insulating material is 30 ° C. or less. The inventor confirmed that there was.

  The collection chamber 5A is provided with a needle-like discharge electrode 17 and a collection jig 12 as a collection mechanism.

  The introduction hole 10 and the discharge hole 11 are provided on the discharge electrode 17 side and the collection jig 12 of the collection chamber 5A, respectively. As shown in FIG. 2, the introduction hole 10 may be provided with a filter (prefilter) 10 </ b> B. Furthermore, the introduction hole 10 and the discharge hole 11 may be provided with a configuration for blocking the incidence of external light so that air can enter and exit the collection chamber 5A.

  In the detection chamber 5B, a light emitting element 6, a light receiving element 9, and a condenser lens 8 are provided as a detection mechanism.

  The detection chamber 5B is preferably at least internally subjected to black paint or black alumite treatment. Thereby, reflection of light on the inner wall surface that causes stray light is suppressed. The material of the collection chamber 5A and the detection chamber 5B is not limited to a specific material, but a plastic resin, a metal such as aluminum or stainless steel, or a combination thereof is preferably used. The introduction hole 10 and the discharge hole 11 are circular with a diameter of 1 mm to 50 mm. The shapes of the introduction hole 10 and the discharge hole 11 are not limited to a circle, but may be other shapes such as an ellipse or a rectangle.

  A brush 60 for refreshing the surface of the collecting jig 12 is provided at a position in the detection chamber 5B that touches the surface of the collecting jig 12. The brush 60 is connected to a moving mechanism (not shown) controlled by the detection processing unit 40 and moves so as to reciprocate on the collecting jig 12 as indicated by a double-sided arrow B in the drawing. Thereby, dust and microorganisms adhering to the surface of the collecting jig 12 are removed.

  The collection jig 12 and the heater 91 constitute a unit. This unit will be referred to as a collection unit 12A in the following description. In the collection unit 12A, the heater 91 is preferably disposed on the surface of the collection jig 12 far from the discharge electrode 17 as shown in FIG. The collection unit 12A is mechanically connected to a moving mechanism (not shown) controlled by the control unit 200, and as indicated by a double-sided arrow A in the drawing, that is, from the collection chamber 5A to the detection chamber 5B, the detection chamber 5B. To the collection chamber 5A through the hole 5C 'provided in the wall 5C.

  As described above, the heater 91 is a position where airborne particles collected on the collecting jig 12 can be heated, and at least when heated, sensor devices such as the light emitting element 6 and the light receiving element 9 are used. Therefore, it is not included in the collection unit 12A and may be provided at another position. As will be described later, when the heating operation is performed in the collection chamber 5A, the heater 91 is not included in the collection unit 12A, and is a position of the collection chamber 5A where the collection unit 12A is set, and a collection jig. 12 may be fixed to the side opposite to the sensor device such as the light emitting element 6 and the light receiving element 9. Even in this way, the heater 91 is separated from the sensor device such as the light emitting element 6 and the light receiving element 9 by the collecting jig 12 during heating, thereby suppressing the influence of heat on the light emitting element 6 and the light receiving element 9 and the like. be able to. In this case, at least the collection jig 12 may be included in the collection unit 12A.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the collection unit 12A. As shown in FIG. 4, a cover 65 </ b> A having protrusions on the top and bottom is provided at the end of the collection unit 12 </ b> A farthest from the wall 5 </ b> C. An adapter 65B corresponding to the cover 65A is provided around the hole 5C ′ on the surface of the wall 5C on the collection chamber 5A side. The adapter 65B is provided with a recess that fits into the protrusion of the cover 65A, whereby the cover 65A and the adapter 65B are completely joined to cover the hole 5C '. That is, when the collection unit 12A moves from the collection chamber 5A to the detection chamber 5B through the hole 5C ′ in the direction of arrow A ′ in FIG. 4 and the collection unit 12A completely enters the detection chamber 5B. Thus, the cover 65A is joined to the adapter 65B so that the hole 5C ′ is completely covered, and the inside of the detection chamber 5B is shielded from light. As a result, the incidence in the detection chamber 5B is blocked while the detection operation is being performed in the detection chamber 5B.

  In addition, the above example is an example which is the structure which isolate | separated the mechanism for the detector 100 to collect, and the mechanism for detection, as represented to FIG. 1, FIG. However, the configuration of the detector 100 is not limited to the configuration shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and as another example, the configuration for collecting and the mechanism for detecting are integrated. Also good.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating another example of the configuration of the detector 100. Referring to FIG. 5, as another example, detector 100 includes case 5 provided with introduction hole 10 and discharge hole 11, and a detection mechanism, a collection mechanism, and a heating mechanism are included therein. .

  The light emitting element 6 and the lens 7, and the light receiving element 9 and the condenser lens 8 are provided at a right angle or a substantially right angle when viewed from the upper surface in FIG. Of the light emitted from the light emitting element 6, the reflected light from the irradiation region 15 formed on the surface of the collecting jig 12 travels in the direction corresponding to the incident on the irradiation region 15. Therefore, with this configuration, the reflected light does not directly enter the light receiving element 9. In addition, since the fluorescence from the surface of the collection jig 12 emits isotropically, the arrangement is not limited to the illustrated arrangement as long as it is an arrangement that can prevent the reflected light and stray light from entering the light receiving element 9.

  More preferably, the collection jig 12 has a spherical recess formed in the irradiation region 15 as an example of a configuration for collecting fluorescence from the particles collected on the surface corresponding to the irradiation region 15 in the light receiving element 9. May be. Furthermore, the collection jig 12 may be preferably provided so as to be inclined by a predetermined angle in the direction toward the light receiving element 9 so that the surface of the collection jig 12 faces the light receiving element 9. With this configuration, there is an advantage that the fluorescence emitted isotropically from the particles in the spherical recess is reflected by the spherical surface and collected in the direction of the light receiving element 9, and the light reception signal can be increased. The size of the depression is not limited, but is preferably larger than the irradiation region 15.

  In the case of this configuration, shutters 16A and 16B are installed in the introduction hole 10 and the discharge hole 11, respectively. The shutters 16A and 16B are electrically connected to the control unit 200, and their opening and closing are controlled. By closing the shutters 16A and 16B, the inflow of air into the case 5 and the incidence of external light are blocked. When measuring the fluorescence, the controller 200 closes the shutters 16A and 16B to block the inflow of air into the case 5 and the incidence of external light. Thereby, the collection of suspended particles in the collection mechanism is interrupted during the measurement of fluorescence. In addition, stray light in the case 5 can be suppressed by blocking external light from entering the case 5 when measuring fluorescence. Note that either one of the shutters 16A and 16B, for example, at least the shutter 16B of the discharge hole 11 may be provided.

<Principle of detection with detector>
Here, the detection principle in the detector 100 will be described.

  As disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-508527, it has been known that biological particles floating in the air emit fluorescence when irradiated with ultraviolet light or blue light. However, fluorescent substances such as chemical fiber dust are floating in the air, and it is only from biological particles or chemical fiber dust that only detects fluorescence. Is not distinguished.

  Therefore, the inventor performed heat treatment on each of biological particles and chemical fiber dust, and measured changes in fluorescence before and after heating. Specific measurement results by the inventor are shown in FIGS. As a result of the measurement, the inventor found that the fluorescence intensity of dust is not changed by heat treatment, whereas the fluorescence intensity of biological particles is increased by heat treatment.

  Specifically, FIG. 6 shows the measurement results of fluorescence spectra before and after heat treatment (curve 79) when Escherichia coli as biological particles was heat treated at 200 ° C. for 5 minutes. is there. From the measurement results shown in FIG. 6, it was found that the fluorescence intensity from E. coli was significantly increased by the heat treatment. In addition, by comparing the fluorescence micrograph before the heat treatment shown in FIG. 7A with the fluorescence micrograph after the heat treatment shown in FIG. It has been clarified that the fluorescence intensity of is significantly increased.

  Similarly, FIG. 8 shows measurement results of fluorescence spectra before and after heat treatment (curve 74) when Bacillus bacteria as biological particles were heat treated at 200 ° C. for 5 minutes. 9A is a fluorescence micrograph before heat treatment, and FIG. 9B is a fluorescence micrograph after heat treatment. FIG. 10 shows measurement results of fluorescence spectra before and after the heat treatment (curve 76) when the green mold as biological particles was heat-treated at 200 ° C. for 5 minutes, and after the heat treatment (curve 76). FIG. 11A is a fluorescence micrograph before heat treatment, and FIG. 11B is a fluorescence micrograph after heat treatment. 12A is a fluorescence micrograph before heat treatment and FIG. 12B is a fluorescence micrograph after heat treatment when cedar pollen as biological particles is heat-treated at 200 ° C. for 5 minutes. As shown in these figures, it was found that the fluorescence intensity of particles derived from other organisms was significantly increased by heat treatment as in the case of E. coli.

  On the other hand, FIG. 13A and FIG. 13B respectively show before the heat treatment (curve 77) and after the heat treatment (curve 78) when the fluorescent dust is heat-treated at 200 ° C. for 5 minutes. ) Of the fluorescence spectrum, FIG. 14A is a fluorescence micrograph before the heat treatment, and FIG. 14B is a fluorescence micrograph after the heat treatment. When the fluorescence spectrum shown in FIG. 13 (A) and the fluorescence spectrum shown in FIG. 13 (B) are overlapped, as shown in FIG. 15, it was verified that they almost overlap. That is, as shown in the results of FIG. 15 and the comparison between FIG. 13A and FIG. 13B, it was found that the fluorescence intensity from dust did not change before and after the heat treatment.

  As the detection principle in the detector 100, the above-described phenomenon verified by the inventor is applied. That is, in the air, dust, dust to which biological particles are attached, and biological particles are mixed. Based on the above-mentioned phenomenon, when dust that emits fluorescence is mixed in the collected particles, the fluorescence spectrum measured before heat treatment includes fluorescence from biological particles and fluorescence from dust that emits fluorescence. In other words, it is impossible to distinguish biological particles from chemical fiber dust. However, the heat treatment increases the fluorescence intensity of only biological particles, and does not change the fluorescence intensity of the dust that emits fluorescence. Therefore, by measuring the difference between the fluorescence intensity before the heat treatment and the fluorescence intensity after the predetermined heat treatment, the amount of biologically derived particles can be determined.

<Functional configuration for detection>
As shown in FIG. 1, the control unit 200 controls the detection control unit 201, which is a function for controlling detection by the detector 100, and the operation of a fan motor (not shown) to the detection device 1A by the fan 400. And a fan control unit 202 which is a function for controlling the introduction of air. The control unit 200 is electrically connected to a switch for accepting an operation to start a detection operation (not shown), and starts a detection operation in response to an operation signal from the switch.

  In the fan control unit 202, an applied voltage for operating a fan motor (not shown) is set in advance according to the set flow rate of the fan 400, and the voltage is applied to the fan motor at the start of the detection operation.

  FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of the configuration of the detection control unit 201 of the control unit 200. FIG. 16 shows an example in which a part of the function of the detection control unit 201 is realized by a hardware configuration mainly including an electric circuit. However, all of the functions of the control unit 200 may be a software configuration realized by a CPU (not shown) included in the control unit 200 executing a predetermined program, or all of the functions of the control unit 200 may be performed. You may implement | achieve with the hardware constitutions which are mainly an electric circuit.

  Referring to FIG. 16, the detection control unit 201 is roughly composed of a signal processing unit 30 for processing a signal from the light receiving element 9 and a detection processing unit 40 for performing control and calculation processing of the detector 100. It consists of.

  The signal processing unit 30 includes a current-voltage conversion circuit 34 connected to the light receiving element 9 and an amplification circuit 35 connected to the current-voltage conversion circuit 34.

  The detection processing unit 40 includes a storage unit 42, a clock generation unit 47, and a control unit 49. Further, the detection processing unit 40 drives an input unit 44 for receiving an input signal from a switch for inputting an instruction to start a detection operation (not shown) and a moving mechanism for the heater 91 and the collection unit 12A (not shown). Drive unit 48.

  By irradiating the particles collected on the collection jig 12 from the light emitting element 6, the fluorescence from the particles in the irradiation region 15 is collected on the light receiving element 9. A current signal corresponding to the amount of received light is output from the light receiving element 9 to the signal processing unit 30. The current signal is input to the current-voltage conversion circuit 34.

  The current-voltage conversion circuit 34 detects a peak current value H representing the fluorescence intensity from the current signal input from the light receiving element 9 and converts it to a voltage value Eh. The voltage value Eh is amplified to a preset amplification factor by the amplifier circuit 35 and output to the detection processing unit 40. The detection control unit 201 of the detection processing unit 40 receives an input of the voltage value Eh from the signal processing unit 30 and sequentially stores it in the storage unit 42.

  The clock generation unit 47 generates a clock signal and outputs it to the control unit 49. The control unit 49 outputs a control signal for performing NO / OFF of the heater 91 or moving the collection unit 12 </ b> A to the drive unit 48 at a timing based on the clock signal. In synchronization with this, the fan control unit 202 is notified of the drive timing of the fan motor.

  When the detector 100 has the configuration shown in FIG. 5, a control signal for opening and closing the shutters 16A and 16B is output to the drive unit 48 to control the opening and closing of the shutters 16A and 16B. Further, the control unit 49 is electrically connected to the light emitting element 6 and the light receiving element 9 and controls ON / OFF thereof.

  The control unit 49 includes a calculation unit 41. In the calculation unit 41, an operation for calculating the amount of microorganisms in the introduced air is performed using the voltage value Eh stored in the storage unit 42.

<Detection operation 1>
When the start of detection in the detection apparatus 1A is instructed by a switch or the like (not shown), the detection operation is started by the control unit 200 that has received the input of the signal.

  FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing the flow of the detection operation. The operation shown in the flowchart of FIG. 17 is realized by a CPU (not shown) of the control unit 200 reading and executing a program stored in a memory (not shown) and controlling each unit of FIG.

  Referring to FIG. 17, when an operation signal for instructing the start of a detection operation is input from a switch (not shown), in S31, in collection chamber 5A for a time ΔT1 which is a predefined collection time. The collecting operation is performed. As a specific operation in S31, the fan control unit 202 drives the fan 400 to take in air outside the detection device 1A into the collection chamber 5A via the separator 700 and the air tube 500. The detection control unit 201 applies a predetermined voltage to the discharge electrode 17 of the detector 100.

  According to the principle described later, particles having a particle size larger than the particles to be detected are separated and removed from the air introduced into the separator 700, and the air after removal reaches the detector 100 through the air tube 500. To do.

  Particles in the air introduced into the collection chamber 5A of the detector 100 are charged to a negative charge by the discharge electrode 17, and the air flow by the fan 400 and the coating 3 on the surface of the discharge electrode 17 and the collection jig 12 are detected. Due to the electric field formed therebetween, the light is collected in a narrow range corresponding to the irradiation region 15 on the surface of the collection jig 12.

  When the collection time ΔT1 has elapsed, the fan control unit 202 finishes driving the fan 400, that is, ends the collection operation.

  Thus, during time ΔT1, air from which particles larger than the particle diameter of the detection target particles are removed by the separator 700 is introduced into the collection chamber 5A through the introduction hole 10, and the particles in the air are It is collected on the surface of the collection jig 12.

  Next, in S33, the detection control unit 201 operates a mechanism for moving the collection unit 12A, and moves the collection unit 12A from the collection chamber 5A to the detection chamber 5B. When the movement is completed, a detection operation is performed in S35. In S35, the detection control unit 201 causes the light emitting element 6 to emit light, and causes the light receiving element 9 to receive the fluorescence for a predetermined measurement time ΔT2. The light from the light emitting element 6 is applied to the irradiation region 15 on the surface of the collecting jig 12, and fluorescence is emitted from the collected particles. A voltage value corresponding to the fluorescence intensity F <b> 1 is input to the detection processing unit 40 and stored in the storage unit 42. Thereby, the fluorescence amount S31 before heating is measured.

  The measurement time ΔT2 may be set in advance in the detection control unit 201, or may be input or changed by operating a switch (not shown).

  At this time, the light received from the reflection region (not shown) where the particles on the surface of the collecting jig 12 are not collected, which is emitted from a light emitting element (not shown) such as an LED provided separately, is received. Light may be received by an element (not shown), and F1 / I0 may be stored in the storage unit 42 using the received light amount as a reference value I0. By calculating the ratio with respect to the reference value I0, there is an advantage that fluctuations in fluorescence intensity caused by characteristic fluctuations due to environmental conditions such as the temperature and humidity of the light emitting element and the light receiving element and deterioration can be compensated.

  When the measurement operation of S35 is completed, the detection control unit 201 operates a mechanism for moving the collection unit 12A in S37, and moves the collection unit 12A from the detection chamber 5B to the collection chamber 5A. When the movement is completed, a heating operation is performed in S39. In S39, the detection control unit 201 causes the heater 91 to perform heating for a time ΔT3 which is a predetermined heat treatment time. The heating temperature at this time is defined in advance.

  After the heating operation, a cooling operation is performed in S41. In S41, the fan control unit 202 rotates the fan 400 reversely for a predetermined cooling time. It cools by making external air touch the collection unit 12A. The heat treatment time ΔT3, the heating temperature, and the cooling time may also be set in advance in the detection control unit 201, or may be input and changed by operating a switch (not shown).

  After the collection unit 12A is moved to the collection chamber 5A in S37, a heating operation and a cooling operation are performed in the collection chamber 5A. After the cooling, the collection unit 12A is moved to the detection chamber 5B, so that the heater is heated. 91 is located at a distance separated from the sensor device such as the light emitting element 6 and the light receiving element 9 and is also separated by the wall 5C and the like, thereby suppressing the influence of heat on the light emitting element 6, the light receiving element 9 and the like. Can do. In addition, since the heater 91 is in the collection chamber 5A separated from the sensor devices such as the light emitting element 6 and the light receiving element 9 by the wall 5C and the like at the time of heating as described above, the heater 91 is disposed in the collection unit 12A. The surface far from the discharge electrode 17, that is, the surface far from the light emitting element 6, the light receiving element 9, etc. when the collection unit 12 </ b> A moves to the detection chamber 5 </ b> B may not be present. It may be on the side.

  When the heating operation in S39 and the cooling operation in S41 are finished, in S43, the detection control unit 201 operates a mechanism for moving the collection unit 12A, and moves the collection unit 12A from the collection chamber 5A to the detection chamber 5B. Let When the movement is completed, the detection operation is performed again in S45. The detection operation in S45 is the same as the detection operation in S35. The voltage value according to the fluorescence intensity F2 here is input to the detection processing unit 40 and stored in the storage unit 42. Thereby, the fluorescence amount S2 after heating is measured.

  When the fluorescence amount S2 after heating is measured in S45, the refresh operation of the collection unit 12A is performed in S47. In S47, the detection control unit 201 operates a mechanism for moving the brush 60, and reciprocates the brush 60 a predetermined number of times on the surface of the collection unit 12A. When this refresh operation is completed, in S49, the detection control unit 201 operates a mechanism for moving the collection unit 12A, and moves the collection unit 12A from the detection chamber 5B to the collection chamber 5A. Thereby, the next collection operation (S31) can be started immediately upon receiving the start instruction.

  The calculation unit 41 calculates the difference between the stored fluorescence intensity F1 and fluorescence intensity F2 as the increase amount ΔF. As described above, the increase amount ΔF is related to the amount of biological particles (number of particles or concentration, etc.). The calculation unit 41 stores a correspondence relationship between the increase amount ΔF and the amount (concentration) of biological particles as illustrated in FIG. 18 in advance. Then, the calculation unit 41 sets the concentration obtained by using the calculated increase amount ΔF and the corresponding relationship as the concentration of biological particles in the air introduced into the case 5 during the time ΔT1. calculate.

The correspondence relationship between the increase amount ΔF and the concentration of biological particles is experimentally determined in advance. For example, a type of microorganism such as Escherichia coli, Bacillus, or mold is sprayed into a 1 m ³ container using a nebulizer, and the concentration of microorganisms is maintained at N / m ^3. Is used to collect microorganisms for a time ΔT1 by the above-described detection method. The microorganisms collected at a predetermined heating amount (heating time ΔT3, predetermined heating temperature) are subjected to heat treatment by the heater 91, and after cooling for a predetermined time ΔT4, the amount of increase in fluorescence intensity before and after heating Δ Measure F. By performing the same measurement for various microorganism concentrations, the relationship between the increase ΔF and the concentration (pieces / m ³ ) shown in FIG. 18 is obtained.

  The correspondence relationship between the increase amount ΔF and the concentration of the biological particles may be stored in the calculation unit 41 by being input by operating a switch (not shown). Further, the correspondence relationship once stored in the calculation unit 41 may be updated by the detection control unit 201.

When the increase amount ΔF is calculated as the difference ΔF1, the calculation unit 41 specifies the value corresponding to the increase amount ΔF1 from the correspondence relationship in FIG. 18 to thereby determine the concentration N1 (particles / m ³ ) of biological particles. ) Is calculated.

  However, the correspondence relationship between the increase amount ΔF and the concentration of biologically derived particles may differ depending on the type of particles (for example, bacterial species). Therefore, the calculation unit 41 defines any biological particle as a standard, and stores the correspondence between the increase amount ΔF and the concentration of the biological particle. Thereby, the density | concentration of the biological origin particle | grains in various environments is calculated as a density | concentration of the biological origin particle | grain converted on the basis of the standard. As a result, various environments can be compared, and environmental management becomes easy.

  In the above example, the increase ΔF uses the difference in fluorescence intensity before and after the heat treatment of a predetermined heating amount (predetermined heating temperature, heating time ΔT3), but these ratios are used. May be.

<Detection operation 2>
In addition, about the detection operation | movement in 1 A of detection apparatuses when the detector 100 is the structure shown by FIG. 5, ie, the structure where the mechanism for collecting and the mechanism for detection are united. Also explained.

  FIG. 19 is a time chart showing the flow of control in the control unit 200 when the detector 100 has the configuration shown in FIG. The control shown in FIG. 19 is realized by a CPU (not shown) of the control unit 200 reading and executing a program stored in a memory (not shown) to control each unit shown in FIG.

  Referring to FIG. 19, when an operation signal instructing the start of a detection operation is input from a switch (not shown), fan control unit 202 drives fan 400. Further, the detection control unit 201 outputs a control signal for opening (ON) the drive mechanism of the shutters 16A and 16B at time T1 based on the clock signal from the clock generation unit 47. Thereafter, at time T2 after time ΔT1 has elapsed from time T1, the detection control unit 201 outputs a control signal for closing the shutters 16A and 16B.

  Thus, the shutters 16A and 16B are opened from time T1 to time ΔT1, and external air is introduced into the separator 700 by driving the fan 400. According to the principle described later, particles having a particle diameter larger than the particles to be detected are separated and removed from the introduced air, and the air after the removal is introduced into the detector 100 through the air tube 500. Particles in the air introduced into the case 5 are negatively charged by the discharge electrode 17, and due to the flow of air and the electric field formed between the discharge electrode 17 and the coating 3 on the surface of the collecting jig 12, It is collected on the surface of the collecting jig 12 for a time ΔT1.

  At time T2, the shutters 16A and 16B are closed, and the air flow in the case 5 stops. Thereby, collection of the floating particles by the collection jig 12 is completed. This also blocks stray light from the outside.

  The detection control unit 201 outputs a control signal for starting (ON) light reception of the light receiving element 9 at time T2 when the shutters 16A and 16B are closed. Further, at the same time (time T2) or at time T3 slightly delayed from time T2, a control signal for starting (ON) light emission to the light emitting element 6 is output. After that, at time T4 after the time ΔT2 which is a predetermined measurement time for measuring fluorescence intensity from time T3, the detection control unit 201 controls the light receiving element 9 to end (OFF) light reception. And a control signal for causing the light emitting element 6 to end (OFF) light emission. The measurement time may be preset in the detection control unit 201, or may be input or changed by operating a switch (not shown).

  Thereby, irradiation from the light emitting element 6 is started from time T3 (or time T2). The light from the light emitting element 6 is applied to the irradiation region 15 on the surface of the collecting jig 12, and fluorescence is emitted from the collected particles. Fluorescence for a prescribed measurement time ΔT2 from time T3 is received by the light receiving element 9, and a voltage value corresponding to the fluorescence intensity F1 is input to the detection processing unit 40 and stored in the storage unit 42.

  The detection control unit 201 generates a control signal for starting (ON) heating of the heater 91 at time T4 (or time slightly delayed from time T4) when the light emission of the light emitting element 6 and the light reception of the light receiving element 9 are terminated. Output. Then, at time T5 after the elapse of time ΔT3, which is a predetermined heat treatment time for the heat treatment from the start of heating of the heater 91 (time T4 or a time slightly delayed from time T4), the detection control unit 201 detects the heater 91. Outputs a control signal for finishing (OFF) heating.

  Thereby, the heat treatment is performed on the particles collected in the irradiation region 15 on the surface of the collection jig 12 by the heater 91 from the time T4 (or a time slightly delayed from the time T4) to the heat treatment time ΔT3. The The heating temperature at this time is defined in advance. By performing the heat treatment for the time ΔT3, a predetermined heating amount is applied to the particles collected on the surface of the collection jig 12. The heat treatment time ΔT3 (that is, the heating amount) may also be set in advance in the detection control unit 201 as in the case of the above measurement time, and may be input or changed by operating a switch (not shown). It may be done.

  Thereafter, the heated particles are cooled during time ΔT4. The fan 400 may be used for the cooling process. In this case, external air may be taken in from an inlet (not shown) provided with a separate HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filter. Alternatively, a cooling mechanism such as a Peltier element may be used separately.

  Thereafter, the fan control unit 202 outputs a control signal for ending the operation of the fan 400, and the detection control unit 201 outputs a control signal for starting (ON) light reception by the light receiving element 9 at time T6. Further, at the same time (time T6) or at time T7 slightly delayed from time T6, a control signal for starting (ON) the light emitting element 6 to emit light is output. Thereafter, at time T8 after the measurement time ΔT2 has elapsed from time T7, the detection control unit 201 causes the light receiving element 9 to end (OFF) light reception, and causes the light emitting element 6 to end (OFF) light emission. Control signal for output.

  As a result, the light collected by the light receiving element 9 receives the fluorescence for the measurement time ΔT2 after the particles collected from the light emitting element 6 to the irradiation region 15 on the surface of the collecting jig 12 are heated for the time ΔT3. Is done. The voltage value corresponding to the fluorescence intensity F2 is input to the detection processing unit 40 and stored in the storage unit 42.

  The calculation unit 41 calculates the difference between the stored fluorescence intensity F1 and fluorescence intensity F2 as the increase amount ΔF. Then, in the same manner as described above, the biologically derived particles obtained by using the calculated increase amount ΔF and the correspondence relationship (FIG. 18) between the increase amount ΔF and the microorganism amount (concentration) stored in advance. Is calculated as the concentration of biological particles in the air introduced into the collection chamber 5A during the time ΔT1.

<Configuration of separator>
As the separator 700, a cyclone using a centrifugal force is preferably used.

  FIG. 20 is a schematic diagram of a configuration of a separator 700 employing a cyclone. 20A is a view of the separator 700 as viewed from the side where the introduction hole 70 is lateral and the discharge hole 71 is up, and FIG. 20B is a view as seen from the discharge hole 71 side. The surface represented in FIG. 20A is the front surface of the separator 700, and the surface represented in FIG. 20B is the upper surface of the separator 700.

  Separator 700 employing a cyclone extends to the above-mentioned flow path, and a cylinder (outer cylinder) whose diameter is smaller than that of the cylinder (outer cylinder) whose upper and lower sides in the extension direction are closed is an upper part in the extension direction. The center of the circle has a shape inserted downward from the same position as the outer cylinder. The upper part of the inner cylinder is opened to form a discharge hole 71. In FIG. 20, the diameter Dc indicates the diameter of the outer cylinder, the diameter Dd indicates the diameter of the inner cylinder, that is, the diameter of the discharge hole 71, and the height h indicates the height of the outer cylinder as a cyclone separation chamber.

  The outer shape of the separator 700 employing a cyclone is not limited to the outer cylinder, but may be a conical shape having a circular upper surface with a diameter Dc and a tapered side surface from the upper surface toward the lower surface. Alternatively, the predetermined thickness from the upper surface may be a cylindrical shape, and the lower portion may be a conical shape.

  In the upper part of the outer cylinder or the conical outer shape, a cylindrical introduction pipe called an inlet for introducing external air has a shape inserted in a tangential direction of a circular section. Both ends of the introduction tube are open, and an introduction hole 70 is formed at the end opposite to the separator 700. In FIG. 20, the area Ai indicates the cross-sectional area of the introduction hole 70.

<Principle of separator>
As the fan 400 provided in the flow path rotates, external air is introduced into the separator 700 from the introduction hole 70. Since the introduction hole 70 is an opening of the introduction pipe introduced in the tangential direction of the cross section of the outer cylinder, the introduction air 70 is introduced by introducing the external air in the direction at a constant flow rate vi by the suction force of the fan 400. The air rotates along the inner side of the outer cylinder, and an air flow toward the center of rotation is generated.

  When particles are contained in the introduced air, centrifugal force due to rotation is generated and fluid resistance force (drag) acts on the particles. When the centrifugal force is won, the particles move to the inner wall side of the outer cylinder, and when the drag is won, the particles move to the inner cylinder side. Furthermore, friction between the inner wall of the outer cylinder acts by contacting the inner wall of the outer cylinder with centrifugal force. When the rotational speed of the particles gradually decreases due to friction and the gravity of the particles themselves exceeds the suction force of the fan 400, the particles fall along the inner wall of the outer cylinder.

  That is, among the particles in the air introduced from the introduction hole 70, particles having a particle size larger than a predetermined length (separated particle size) are placed in the lower part of the separator 700 as indicated by a dotted arrow in FIG. Small particles are separated at the top as shown by the solid arrows in FIG. Then, particles smaller than the separated particle diameter Dpc separated in the upper part are discharged from the discharge hole 71 by the rising air flow generated by the suction force of the fan 400 and reach the detector 100 through the air tube 500.

  The higher the velocity of the introduced air (flow velocity vi), and the smaller the diameter Dc of the outer cylinder and the smaller the radius of rotation, the greater the centrifugal force acting on the particles. On the other hand, when comparing the particle diameters of particles having the same density and rotating at the same rotational speed, the centrifugal force acting on the particles increases as the particle diameter increases, and the particles are easily dropped, that is, separated from the air. The separation particle diameter Dpc in the cyclone obtained by this principle is defined by the following formula (1).

However, Dpc separation particle diameter (m), the density of [rho _p particle (kg / m ^3), ρ is the density of the fluid (kg / m ^3), μ is the air viscosity (Pa · s), v _i is introduced The flow velocity (m / s) of the air introduced through the introduction hole 70, A _i is the cross-sectional area (m ² ) of the introduction hole 70, Dd is the cyclone inner cylinder diameter (m), Dc is the cyclone outer cylinder diameter (m), And h refer to the cyclone separation chamber height (m).

<Separation control>
From the above formula (1), the separation particle diameter Dpc in the separator 700 that is a cyclone is the size of each part of the separator 700, in particular, the cross-sectional area Ai, the outer cylinder diameter Dc, the inner cylinder diameter Dd, and the introduction hole 70. It can be seen that the flow velocity v _{i at} is affected. FIG. 21 is a diagram showing the relationship between the separated particle diameter Dpc and the flow rate Qi obtained from the equation (1), and the relationship when the curve A in FIG. 21 sets the shape of the separator 700 to the first shape. The relationship when the curve B is the second shape is shown. The first shape is the outer cylinder diameter Dc = 40 mm, the inner cylinder diameter Dd = 10 mm, and the cross-sectional area Ai = 1.2 cm ^2. The second shape is the outer cylinder diameter Dc = 40 mm, the inner cylinder diameter Dd = 21 mm and the cross-sectional area Ai = 0.5 cm ² , both having the same height h (h = 10 mm). In FIG. 21, particles having a particle size above the curves A and B are separated and removed from the air introduced in the separator 700, and particles having a particle size below the curves A and B are removed. It represents passing through the separator 700 and reaching the detector 100 via the air tube 500.

  In FIG. 21, the hatched area near the separation particle diameter of 30 μm represents the area of the particle diameter to which the allergen pollen belongs, and the hatched area of 10 to 15 μm represents the allergen mite carcass / dung belonging particle. The hatched area below the separation particle diameter of 5 μm represents the particle diameter area to which the microorganism belongs.

  In order to confirm the influence of these elements on the separation particle diameter Dpc, the inventor confirms the degree of separation by changing the cross-sectional area Ai, the outer cylinder diameter Dc, the inner cylinder diameter Dd, and the flow rate Qi. The experiment was conducted. Specifically, with respect to the detection apparatus shown in FIG. 1, each of the first shape separator 700 and the second shape separator 700 is actually used, and the particles that have passed through the separator 700 are collected. An experiment was conducted in which dust was collected on the collection jig 12 of the detector 100 to evaluate the separation and collection ability. In order to evaluate the separation and collection ability, the detection apparatus 1 is divided into two states, a state including the separator 700 which is a cyclone and a state not including the separator 700, and the amount of collection in the state including the separator 700 is separated. The ratio with respect to the collection amount in the state where the vessel 700 is not included was calculated as the separation and collection ability. The separation / capacity of 0% represents that particles of the target size were separated and removed from the air introduced by the separator 700, which is a cyclone, and the separation / capacity of 100% represents that the particles were separated. The separator 700 passes through without being separated, and reaches the detector 100 through the air tube 500.

Specifically, the entire detection apparatus 1 is placed in a measurement chamber having a volume of 1 m ³ , and after spraying polystyrene particles having a diameter of 3 μm as particles corresponding to microorganisms or pollen (25 μm in diameter) as an allergen into the chamber, the detector 100 The applied voltage at the high voltage power source 2 was set to −5 kV, and the detection apparatus 1 was operated for 5 minutes.

  The separator 700 of each shape was set so that external air was introduced by a fan 400 driven by a fan motor (not shown). It was confirmed that the fan motor can be operated at a flow rate of 2 to 20 L (liter) / min, and it was confirmed that no wind noise was generated during the cyclone operation.

  Furthermore, the inventor changed the flow rate Qi of the air introduced into the separator 700 according to each experimental condition. Then, the number of particles on the collection jig 12 was counted under each condition, and the amount of collected per 1 L was compared between the state including the separator 700 and the state not including the separator 700, and the separation and collection ability was calculated.

As experimental conditions, a total of four conditions represented by the following conditions 1 to 4, respectively, marked with a circle in FIG. 21 were adopted:
Condition 1 ... The first shape separator 700 is used and the flow rate Qi is set to 1.6 L / min, that is, the separation particle diameter Dpc in this case is 26 μm from the above formula (1),
Condition 2 ... The first shape separator 700 is used and the flow rate Qi is set to 10 L / min, that is, the separation particle diameter Dpc in this case is 11 μm from the above formula (1),
Condition 3... The first shape separator 700 is used and the flow rate Qi is set to 20 L / min, that is, the separation particle diameter Dpc in this case is 7.5 μm from the above formula (1).
Condition 4 ... The second shape separator 700 is used, and the flow rate Qi is set to 20 L / min, that is, the separation particle diameter Dpc in this case is 4.5 μm from the above formula (1).

  As a first experiment, the inventor sprays particles corresponding to microorganisms and pollen separately, and sprays particles of a single size into the chamber, and performs the above-described experiment under each of the above experimental conditions 1 to 4. The separation and collection ability was calculated. 22 to 25 are diagrams showing the separation and collection ability of the particles and pollen corresponding to the microorganisms obtained in the first experiment for the experimental conditions 1 to 4, respectively.

  From the experimental results shown in FIG. 22, it was found that in the case of experimental condition 1, both the particles corresponding to the microorganisms and the pollen pass through the separator 700. From the experimental results shown in FIG. 23 and FIG. 24, it is understood that the ratio of separating and removing pollen by the separator 700 is higher in the experimental conditions 2 and 3 than in the experimental condition 1. It was. That is, in the case of the same shape, it has been found that the larger the flow rate Qi of the introduced air (that is, the faster the flow velocity vi), the higher the rate at which pollen is separated and removed. From the relationship shown in the above formula (1) and FIG. 21, the separation particle diameter Dpc decreases as the flow rate Qi increases in the case of the same shape, and particles with a wider range of particle diameters are removed. It is considered that it becomes.

  Furthermore, from the experimental results shown in FIG. 25, it was found that the ratio of separating and removing pollen by the separator 700 is the highest in the experimental condition 4 in the experimental condition. From the relationship shown in the above formula (1) and FIG. 21, this is considered because the separated particle diameter Dpc varies depending on the shape even in the case of the same flow rate Qi.

  In addition, in order to confirm that the actual air mixed with particles of various particle diameters is also separated with high accuracy, the inventor conducted a second experiment as follows: particles corresponding to microorganisms and pollen. Were mixed and sprayed into the chamber, and the above experiment was performed under the above experimental condition 4 to calculate the separation and collection ability. FIG. 26 is a diagram showing the separation and collection ability of particles and pollen corresponding to the microorganisms obtained in the second experiment.

  From the experimental results shown in FIG. 26, even when air in which particles corresponding to microorganisms and pollen are mixed is introduced, separation is performed with high accuracy as in the case of a single particle size. It was found that the pollen was separated and removed by the vessel 700.

  From the above experimental results, the inventor can switch the separation particle diameter Dpc by switching the flow rate Qi of the air introduced into the separator 700 or the shape of the separator 700 based on the equation (1). It was confirmed. Based on this confirmation, the detection apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment switches the separation particle diameter Dpc by switching the flow rate Qi of the air introduced into the separator 700 or the shape of the separator 700, and a separator employing a cyclone. Particles that are not to be detected are separated and removed from the air introduced using 700.

[First Embodiment]
In the detection apparatus 1A according to the first embodiment, the separation particle diameter Dpc is switched by switching the flow rate Qi (that is, the flow velocity v _i ) of the air introduced into the separator 700, and the air introduced from the separator 700 is used. The amount of particles to be detected is detected by separating and removing particles that are not to be detected.

<Functional configuration for separation>
When the shape of the separator 700, which is a cyclone, is the first shape or the second shape, pollen having a particle diameter of 30 μm or more, carcass / dung of mites having a particle diameter of 10-15 μm, and Table 2 shows the flow rates Qi obtained from the relationship shown in the above formula (1) and FIG. 21 for setting the particle diameter of each microorganism having a particle diameter of 5 μm or less as the separated particle diameter Dpc.

  The control unit 200 drives a fan motor (not shown) with a driving voltage corresponding to the separated particle diameter Dpc in order to switch to the separated particle diameter Dpc in accordance with an operation signal generated by an operation for specifying particles to be detected from a switch (not shown). Let

  FIG. 27 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of the configuration of the fan control unit 202 of the control unit 200. Each function shown in FIG. 27 has a software configuration realized by a CPU (not shown) included in the control unit 200 executing a predetermined program, but at least a part of the hardware is mainly an electric circuit. It may be realized by a hardware configuration.

  Referring to FIG. 27, fan control unit 202 receives an input signal for specifying a detection target particle from a switch (not shown), and drives a fan motor (not shown) in association with the detection target particle. A storage unit 52 for storing the voltage, a drive unit 54 connected to the fan 400 or a fan motor (not shown) to rotate the fan 400, and a drive voltage of the fan motor are set according to particles to be detected. The control part 53 for controlling rotation of the fan 400 by this and controlling the flow volume by the fan 400 is included.

  As shown in Table 2, the storage unit 52 stores in advance a flow rate associated with the detection target particles or a fan motor drive voltage that is calculated in advance so as to obtain the flow rate. Alternatively, in the case where the detection apparatus 1A has a configuration in which two types of separators, that is, the first shape separator and the second shape separator, can be used as the separator 700 in Table 2. As shown, the flow rate or the fan motor drive voltage calculated in advance so as to be the flow rate may be stored in correspondence with the shape used as the separator 700.

<Separation control>
The control unit 53 identifies particles to be detected from the input signal, reads the flow rate associated with the particles or the drive voltage of the fan motor from the storage unit 52, and supplies the fan 54 with the drive voltage using the drive voltage. A control signal is output to drive the motor.

<Detection operation>
When the particles to be detected are microorganisms, according to the example in Table 2, when the shape of the separator 700 is the second shape, the control unit 200 rotates the fan 400 so that the flow rate is 20 L / min. . In this case, from the above formula (1) and FIG. 21, the separation particle diameter Dpc in the separator 700 is 5 μm. Therefore, in the separator 700, particles having a particle diameter larger than 5 μm are separated and removed from the introduced air, and particles having a particle diameter smaller than 5 μm reach the detector 100.

  Further, the control unit 200 operates the detector 100 as shown in FIG. 17 or FIG. As a result, particles having a particle diameter smaller than 5 μm are collected in the collecting jig 12 of the detector 100, and further, from that time, based on the difference in the amount of fluorescence before and after heating, biologically derived particles, that is, microorganisms are detected. Is done.

  When the particles to be detected are pollen having a larger particle diameter or dead mites or mites of mites, the flow rate is similarly read, and the control unit 200 rotates the fan 400 based on the read flow rate. Thereby, in the separator 700, particles having a particle size larger than the particles to be detected are separated from the introduced air and removed, and the detector 100 has particles having a particle size equal to or smaller than the particle size of the particles to be detected. Will reach.

  At this time, the control unit 200 may cause the detector 100 to perform an operation up to the heating operation before the operation as shown in FIG. 17 or FIG. That is, it is not necessary to perform the heating operation. This is because pollen and mite carcasses / feces are larger in size than fluorescent dust, and the amount of fluorescence from dust is negligible in the total amount of fluorescence. This is also because the amount of fluorescence from microorganisms is negligible in the total amount of fluorescence. This detection operation is the same in the second embodiment described later.

<Effect of the first embodiment>
As described above, in the detection apparatus 1A according to the first embodiment, the separation particle diameter Dpc in the separator 700 is switched by switching the flow rate of the fan 400. Accordingly, particles having a particle size larger than the particle size of the detection target particles can be separated and removed by the separator 700 with easy control. In the detector 100, particles derived from living organisms in the air introduced into the detector 100 are detected based on the detection principle described above. Since particles smaller than the particle size of the detection target particles pass through the separator 700 and reach the detector 100, the detection apparatus 1A allows biological particles having a particle size equal to or smaller than the particle size of the detection target particles in real time. Will be detected.

  Thus, since the detection apparatus 1A switches the separation particle diameter Dpc by controlling the rotation of the fan 400, the separation apparatus can be prevented from becoming large and the entire apparatus can be downsized. Further, by using a cyclone as the separator 700, it is possible to separate and remove particles larger than the separated particle diameter Dpc with high accuracy without causing clogging and the like. This makes it possible to detect biologically derived particles to be detected with high accuracy and simple control.

[Second Embodiment]
In the detection apparatus 1B according to the second embodiment, the shape of the separator 700 is switched, and the particles to be detected are separated and removed from the air introduced in the separator 700 to be removed. Detect the amount of. As an example of the shape of the separator 700, an example of switching the cross-sectional area Ai will be described.

<Configuration of separator>
FIG. 28 is a diagram illustrating the shape of the separator 700 included in the detection apparatus 1B. Referring to FIG. 28, separator 700 included in detection apparatus 1B is provided with a sliding shutter 70A in introduction hole 70, which is also referred to as an inlet, which is an opening of a cylindrical introduction pipe for introducing external air. It is done. A drive mechanism (not shown) for slidingly moving the shutter 70A is electrically connected to the separation control unit 203 of the control unit 200, and the shutter 70A slides by an amount specified by the control. As the shutter 70A slides, the cross-sectional area of the introduction hole 70 increases or decreases. FIG. 28 shows a state in which the shutter 70A is slid to a position covering a part of the introduction hole 70, and this movement is more than when the cross-sectional area Ai of the introduction hole 70 is fully opened as indicated by the dotted line. Also shows that it is getting smaller.

  As another example of switching the shape of the separator 700, the diameter Dd can be switched. In this case, as shown in FIG. 28, a diaphragm-type shutter 71A is provided in the discharge hole 71 which is the opening of the inner cylinder of the separator 700. Similarly, the aperture amount is set by the control of the separation control unit 203 of the control unit 200, and the shutter 71A is moved by a driving mechanism (not shown). As the shutter 71A moves, the diameter Dd of the discharge hole 71 increases or decreases.

<Functional configuration for separation>
In this case, the flow rate of air introduced into the separator 700, which is a cyclone, is constant (20 L / min), and the shapes other than the cross-sectional area Ai of the introduction hole 70 are the first shape and the second shape, respectively. In this case, the particle diameter of pollen having a particle diameter of 30 μm or more, the mite carcass / dung having a particle diameter of 10 to 15 μm, and the microorganism having a particle diameter of 5 μm or less is defined as the separated particle diameter Dpc. Table 3 shows cross-sectional areas Ai obtained from the relationship shown in the above equation (1) and FIG.

  The control unit 200 moves the shutter 70A by a slide amount corresponding to the separated particle diameter Dpc in order to switch to the separated particle diameter Dpc in accordance with an operation signal generated by an operation for specifying a detection target particle from a switch (not shown).

  FIG. 29 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of the configuration of the separation control unit 203 of the control unit 200. Each function shown in FIG. 29 has a software configuration realized by a CPU (not shown) included in the control unit 200 executing a predetermined program, but at least a part of the hardware is mainly an electric circuit. It may be realized by a hardware configuration.

  Referring to FIG. 29, the separation control unit 203 includes an input unit 61 for receiving an input signal specifying a detection target particle from a switch (not shown), and a cross-sectional area of the introduction hole 70 in association with the detection target particle. The shutter 70A is connected to a storage unit 62 for storing the slide amount of the shutter 70A calculated in advance so as to be Ai or its cross-sectional area Ai, and a mechanism for moving the shutter 70A or the shutter 70A (not shown). A drive unit 64 for sliding movement and a control unit 63 for controlling the movement by setting the sliding amount of the shutter 70A according to the particles to be detected and thereby controlling the cross-sectional area Ai of the introduction hole 70. Including.

  In the storage unit 62, as shown in Table 3, the sliding amount of the shutter 70A calculated in advance so as to correspond to the detection target particle so as to become the cross-sectional area Ai of the introduction hole 70 or its cross-sectional area Ai is stored in advance. It is remembered. Alternatively, in the detection apparatus 1A, in the configuration in which two types of separators, that is, the first shape separator and the second shape separator can be used as the separator 700 in Table 3, As shown, the slide area of the shutter 70A calculated in advance so as to be the cross-sectional area Ai or the cross-sectional area Ai may also be stored in correspondence with the shape used as the separator 700.

<Separation control>
The control unit 63 specifies the particle to be detected from the input signal, reads the cross-sectional area Ai associated with the particle or the slide amount of the shutter 70A from the storage unit 62, and reads the cross-sectional area with respect to the drive unit 64. A control signal is output so as to slide the shutter 70A so as to be Ai. Thereafter, the fan control unit 202 starts the rotation of the fan 400, and external air is introduced into the separator 700.

According to the example in Table 3, when the shape of the separator 700 is the second shape and a microorganism having a particle diameter smaller than 5 μm is designated as a detection target, the cross-sectional area Ai is 0.5 cm ^2. Thus, the shutter 70A slides. In this case, from the above equation (1), the separation particle diameter Dpc in the separator 700 is 5 μm. Therefore, in the separator 700, particles having a particle diameter larger than 5 μm are separated and removed from the introduced air, and particles having a particle diameter smaller than 5 μm reach the detector 100.

  The above description is an example of increasing or decreasing the cross-sectional area Ai. However, as described above, the same applies to the case where other shapes such as the diameter Dd are changed.

<Effects of Second Embodiment>
As described above, in the detection apparatus 1B according to the second embodiment, the separation particle diameter Dpc in the separator 700 is switched by switching the shape of the separator 700. Accordingly, particles having a particle size larger than the particle size of the detection target particles can be separated and removed by the separator 700 with easy control. In the detector 100, particles derived from living organisms in the air introduced into the detector 100 are detected based on the detection principle described above. Since particles smaller than the particle diameter of the detection target particles pass through the separator 700 and reach the detector 100, the detection apparatus 1B allows living-derived particles that are equal to or smaller than the particle diameter of the detection target particles in real time. Will be detected.

  In this way, in the detection apparatus 1B, the separation particle diameter Dpc is switched by controlling the shape (cross-sectional area, diameter, etc.) of the separator 700, which is a cyclone. This can be suppressed, and the overall size of the apparatus can be reduced.

[Modification]
As a modification, the first embodiment and the second embodiment may be combined. That is, in the detection apparatus 1, the separation particle diameter Dpc of the separator 700 may be switched by combining both control of the flow rate by the fan 400 and control of the shape of the separator 700. In this case, the flow rate and the shape of the separator 700 are stored in advance corresponding to the particle diameter of the particles to be detected, the designated detection target particles are identified, and the flow rate and the shape of the separator 700 corresponding to the specified particles. Is read and controlled.

  The embodiment disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

  1, 1A, 1B detector, 2 high voltage power supply, 3 coating, 4 support substrate, 5 case, 5A collection chamber, 5B detection chamber, 5C 'hole, 5C wall, 6 light emitting element, 7 lens, 8 condenser lens, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 9 Light receiving element, 10,70 Introduction hole, 11,71 discharge hole, 12 Collection jig, 12A collection unit, 15 Irradiation area, 16A, 16B, 70A, 71A Shutter, 17 Discharge electrode, 30 Signal processing part, 34 Voltage conversion circuit, 35 amplifier circuit, 40 detection processing unit, 41 calculation unit, 42, 52, 62 storage unit, 43 setting unit, 44, 51, 61 input unit, 47 clock generation unit, 48, 54, 64 drive unit, 49, 53, 63 control unit, 60 brush, 65A cover, 65B adapter, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, A, B curve, 91 heater, 100 Detector, 200 control unit, 201 detection control unit, 202 fan control unit, 203 separation control unit, 400 fan, 500 air tube, 700 separator.

Claims (7)

A detection device for detecting particles of a specified organism from introduced air,
A separator for separating and removing particles having a predetermined particle size from the introduced air;
A detector connected to the separator by an air tube and detecting biological particles from the introduced air;
An arithmetic device for calculating the amount of the particles derived from the designated organism based on the detection result of the detector;
An air intake device for introducing air outside the detection device into the separator, and introducing the air to the detector via the air tube;
A control unit for performing control to set the predetermined particle size to a particle size larger than the particle size of the designated organism-derived particles,
The said control part is a detection apparatus which performs control which switches at least one of the parameters which prescribe | regulate the said predetermined particle diameter based on the particle | grains derived from the designated organism.   The control unit controls driving of the intake device so that the flow rate becomes a flow rate corresponding to the designated biological origin based on a correspondence relationship between the particles derived from living organisms and the flow rate of air introduced by the intake device. The detection device according to claim 1. The separator has a mechanism for changing the size of a predetermined location,
The control unit is configured to set the predetermined location so that the size of the predetermined location is a size corresponding to the designated biological origin based on a correspondence relationship between the biological particles and the size of the predetermined location of the separator. The detection device according to claim 1, wherein the driving of a mechanism for changing the size of the detection device is controlled.   The predetermined portion is an introduction hole of the separator for introducing air outside the detection device in the separator or a discharge hole for discharging air in the separator to the air pipe. The detection device according to 1.   The detection device according to claim 1, wherein the separator is a cyclone. The detector is
A collecting member;
A light emitting element;
A light receiving element for receiving fluorescence;
A heater for heating the collecting member;
Based on the amount of change in the amount of fluorescence from the collecting member irradiated by the light emitting element before and after the heating, for calculating the amount of biological particles collected by the collecting member The detection device according to claim 1, further comprising a calculation unit. Separator for separating and removing particles larger than a predetermined particle diameter from the introduced air, and detection for detecting biological particles from the introduced air connected to the separator by an air pipe Using a detection device including a vessel to detect a specified biological particle from air introduced into the detection device,
Receiving a designation of a biological particle to be detected;
Executing a process for setting the predetermined particle size to a particle size larger than the particle size of the designated biological-derived particle;
Removing particles larger than the set particle size from the air introduced by the separator;
A step of introducing air from which particles larger than the set particle diameter have been removed to the detector and performing a detection operation in the detector.