JP2016124660A - Passenger conveyor handrail sterilizer, and passenger conveyor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a passenger conveyor handrail sterilizer capable of executing sterilization treatment for a handrail without causing corrosion to the handrail, and achieving energy conservation, suppression of an operation cost, and miniaturization of a device.SOLUTION: A passenger conveyor handrail sterilizer is a device for sterilizing an endless handrail that moves circularly in synchronization with steps of a passenger conveyor that includes high pressure water cleaning means for cleaning the surface of the handrail by injecting compressed water to the surface of the handrail, and deep ultraviolet light irradiation means for sterilizing the surface of the handrail by irradiating deep ultraviolet light with a wavelength of 260-320 nm to the surface of the handrail. The deep ultraviolet light irradiation means includes one or more deep-ultraviolet light-emitting diodes with an emission wavelength of 260-320 nm, and irradiates the deep ultraviolet light emitted from the deep-ultraviolet light-emitting diodes to the surface of the handrail.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 11

Description

  The present invention relates to a novel handrail sterilizer for passenger conveyors, and more particularly to a handrail sterilizer for passenger conveyors that sterilizes the surface of an endless handrail that moves around.

  Passenger conveyors such as escalators and moving walkways are generally provided with endless moving handrails (handrails) that move in synchronization with the steps on both sides of the step where the user stands. This handrail is for gripping passengers who get on and off the step and passengers on the step. For safety reasons, the passenger must always hold the handrail while using the passenger conveyor. Is desirable.

  However, since the passenger conveyor is used by an unspecified number of people, there are also users who do not want to touch the handrail gripped by an unspecified number of users. In recent years, the importance of preventing infections such as influenza has been widely recognized, and in recent times hygiene has increased, there are few users who are concerned about infection via the handrail and avoid touching the handrail. It is not considered.

  The fact that dirt is attached to the handrail with the use of the passenger conveyor is also recognized by the main body providing the passenger conveyor, and it is common that the handrail of the passenger conveyor is regularly cleaned with a dust cloth. It is. However, since the rag itself has no sterilizing effect, if the handrail is cleaned with a rag, even if bacteria and viruses attached to the handrail can be removed, the result is that unless the rag is frequently replaced or washed. In some cases, bacteria and viruses attached to the rag can spread throughout the handrail. Therefore, it is desirable to add a function of positively sterilizing.

  In view of such circumstances, techniques for sterilizing handrails in passenger conveyors have been proposed. For example, Patent Documents 1 and 2 describe the use of a disinfectant solution. Patent Documents 1 and 3 describe the use of an ultraviolet germicidal lamp. Patent Document 4 describes the use of plasma, and Patent Document 5 describes the use of ozone.

Japanese Patent No. 4231505 JP 2011-121664 A JP 2011-73874 A JP 2012-197154 A JP 2012-46272 A Japanese Patent No. 5591305

  However, when a disinfecting liquid is used for sterilizing the handrail, there is a problem that the disinfecting liquid corrodes the handrail. In the case of using an ultraviolet germicidal lamp, the power consumption is large and the lamp life is as short as 1,000 hours. There is a problem that the ultraviolet light intensity is not stable unless a certain amount of time (approximately 15 minutes) has elapsed since the power was turned on. In addition, since it contains harmful substances such as mercury and fluorine, there is a problem that the environmental load is large in the product cycle from manufacturing to operation to disposal. In addition, when ozone or plasma, which is said to have high sterilization performance in recent years, peripheral equipment such as a power source becomes a large scale, and a device that collects products such as ozone and nitrogen oxides Therefore, there is a problem that a large space is required to install these devices.

  Therefore, the present invention provides a handrail sterilization device for a passenger conveyor, which can sterilize a handrail without corroding the handrail, and can save energy, reduce operation costs, and reduce the size of the device. Let it be an issue. Moreover, the passenger conveyor provided with this handrail sterilizer is provided.

  A first aspect of the present invention is an apparatus for sterilizing an endless handrail that circulates in synchronism with the steps of a passenger conveyor, wherein water (high-pressure water) pressurized on the surface of the handrail is used. High pressure water cleaning means for cleaning the surface of the handrail by spraying; and deep ultraviolet light irradiation means for sterilizing the surface of the handrail by irradiating the surface of the handrail with deep ultraviolet light having a wavelength of 260 to 320 nm; The deep ultraviolet light irradiation means includes one or more deep ultraviolet light emitting diodes having an emission wavelength of 260 to 320 nm, and irradiates the surface of the handrail with deep ultraviolet light emitted from the deep ultraviolet light emitting diodes. It is a handrail sterilizer of a passenger conveyor.

  In the first aspect of the present invention, the handrail is preferably a handrail having on its surface a coating layer that protects the base material of the handrail.

  In the first aspect of the present invention, it is preferable to further include a draining means for removing water remaining on the surface of the handrail after being sprayed from the high-pressure water washing means from the surface of the handrail. In such a form, the draining means may have a scraper disposed so as to contact the surface of the handrail.

  In the first aspect of the present invention, the handrail has a coating containing a photocatalyst on the outermost surface of the handrail, and the handrail sterilizer applies ultraviolet light having a wavelength of 360 to 400 nm to the surface of the handrail. The photocatalyst excitation means further includes a photocatalyst excitation means for exciting the photocatalyst by irradiating, and the photocatalyst excitation means includes one or more ultraviolet light emitting diodes having an emission wavelength of 360 to 400 nm, and handrails ultraviolet light emitted from the ultraviolet light emitting diodes. It is preferable to irradiate the surface. In such a form, when the handrail sterilizer has a draining means, the surface of the handrail that moves around is cleaned by the high-pressure water cleaning means, irradiated with ultraviolet light by the photocatalyst excitation means, and removed by the draining means. It is preferable that the high-pressure water washing means, the photocatalyst excitation means, and the draining means are arranged so as to pass through the above in the above order.

  In the first aspect of the present invention, it is preferable to further include a water receiver for receiving and recovering water jetted from the high-pressure water washing means. In such a form, the water purifier further purifies the water collected in the water receiver by at least filtration, and the water that has passed through the water purifier is again sprayed from the high-pressure water washing means onto the surface of the handrail. It can be set as a handrail sterilizer. The water purification apparatus has one or more deep ultraviolet light sources having an emission wavelength of 260 to 320 nm, and irradiates water passing through the water purification apparatus with deep ultraviolet light emitted from the deep ultraviolet light source, thereby purifying water. It is preferred to sterilize the water passing through the device.

  In the first aspect of the present invention, the deep ultraviolet light irradiating means includes a light source that emits deep ultraviolet light and a condensing device that condenses the deep ultraviolet light emitted from the light source, and the light source is cylindrical. Alternatively, a rod-shaped light source having a polygonal column-shaped substrate and a plurality of deep ultraviolet light-emitting diodes, wherein the plurality of deep ultraviolet light-emitting diodes has an optical axis of each cylindrical or polygonal column-shaped substrate. By being arranged on the side surface of the substrate so as to pass through the shaft, it is possible to employ a deep ultraviolet light irradiation means that emits deep ultraviolet rays radially with respect to the central axis of the substrate.

  1st aspect of this invention WHEREIN: It further has a sensor which detects the passenger who gets into a passenger conveyor, and the control part which starts and complete | finishes operation | movement of a passenger conveyor, and a control part is a hand by detecting a passenger. A mode in which the operation of the rail sterilizer is started and the operation of the hand rail sterilizer is stopped when the sensor does not detect a passenger for a predetermined time can be preferably adopted. In such a form, the predetermined time is preferably a time required for the endless handrail to move around at least once.

  The second aspect of the present invention includes a step of placing and moving a passenger, a pair of endless handrails arranged on both sides of the step and moving around in synchronism with the step, and the first aspect of the present invention It is a passenger conveyor characterized by having the handrail sterilizer concerning.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the handrail of a passenger conveyor can be sterilized without corroding the handrail, and can save energy, reduce operation costs, and downsize the apparatus. A sterilization apparatus can be provided.

  The passenger conveyor according to the second aspect of the present invention has the handrail sterilization apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention, so that the handrail can be sterilized without corroding the handrail, and energy saving is achieved. It is possible to reduce the operation cost and to reduce the size of the device required for the handrail sterilizer.

It is a schematic structure figure of passenger conveyor 100 to which handrail sterilizer 40 concerning one embodiment of the present invention is applied. 3 is a schematic view of a cross section in a direction perpendicular to the moving direction of the handrail 30. FIG. It is a figure which illustrates typically the handrail sterilizer 40 arrange | positioned in the vicinity of the entrance / exit 12b of the lower floor of the passenger conveyor 100. FIG. It is a figure which illustrates the high pressure water washing | cleaning means 41 typically. It is sectional drawing which illustrates the photocatalyst excitation means 42 typically. 4 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating the draining means 43 together with the high-pressure water washing means 41, the photocatalyst excitation means 42, the water receiver 45, and the water purification device 46. FIG. It is a BB arrow line view of FIG. It is CC arrow line view of FIG. It is the DD arrow line view of FIG. It is sectional drawing which illustrates the deep ultraviolet light irradiation means 44 typically. In FIG. 6, the deep ultraviolet light irradiation means 44 and the control unit 50 are shown without being omitted. It is a flowchart explaining process routine S10 which controls the driving | operation of the handrail sterilizer 40. FIG. It is the cross-sectional view and longitudinal cross-sectional view of the rod-shaped light source 110 in the deep ultraviolet light irradiation means 44 '. It is a cross-sectional view of deep ultraviolet light irradiation means 44 '. It is a side view of deep ultraviolet light irradiation means 44 '.

  The above-mentioned operation and gain of the present invention will be clarified from embodiments for carrying out the invention described below. Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to these forms. In the drawing, some symbols may be omitted.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a passenger conveyor 100 to which a handrail sterilizer 40 according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied. Passenger conveyor 100 is an escalator that transports passengers between upper and lower floors. The passenger conveyor 100 includes a support structure 11 made of, for example, a metal plate that supports the entire passenger conveyor from below. The support structure portion 11 includes an upper support structure portion 11a disposed at the entrance / exit 12a on the upper floor, a lower support structure portion 11b disposed at the entrance / exit 12b on the lower floor, and the upper support structure portion 11a and the lower support. It has the inclination support structure part 11c connected in the state which inclined between the structure parts 11b.

  In the support structure 11, a large number of steps 13, 13,... (Hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as “step 13”) that move between the upper and lower floors in a continuous state are disposed. Yes. Step 13 is a member that moves with the passenger on it, and has a tread surface on which the passenger rides. In the forward path region where step 13 is exposed upward, each step 13 moves in a staircase pattern. On the other hand, in the lower return path region located in the support structure portion 11, the tread surface of each step 13 moves in a state where they are substantially in the same plane.

  A drive unit (not shown) including a motor and a speed reducer is disposed in the upper support structure portion 11a. A pair of drive sprockets 14 and 14 are connected to the drive unit on both sides in the width direction of step 13 (perpendicular to the plane of FIG. 1), and the pair of drive sprockets 14 and 14 are driven by the drive unit. Rotate. A passenger conveyor control panel 20 that controls the entire passenger conveyor including the drive unit is disposed in the upper support structure 11a.

  On the other hand, a pair of driven sprockets 15 and 15 are disposed on both sides in the width direction of the step 13 in the lower support structure portion 11b. A pair of endless step chains 16 and 16 are wound around a pair of drive sprockets 14 and 14 in the upper support structure 11a and a pair of driven sprockets 15 and 15 in the lower support structure 11b. Yes. Both ends of each step 13 in the width direction are connected to the pair of step chains 16 and 16, respectively. When the drive unit drives the pair of drive sprockets 14, 14, steps 13, 13,... Move down or up between the upper floor and the lower floor while forming a stepped shape. In the following description, it is assumed that the passenger conveyor 100 is in a descending operation, that is, a case where steps 13, 13,... That are stepped are moving in the direction of arrow A.

  On the support structure 11, a pair of side walls 17, 17 are erected on both sides of the step 13. The pair of side walls 17 and 17 are formed of a metal plate or a resin plate. A guide rail (not shown) is provided at the peripheral edge of the pair of column trunks 17 and 17, and the endless handrail 30 is synchronized with the movement of steps 13, 13,... Along the guide rail. Move around. It is desirable from the viewpoint of safety that the passenger stands in step 13 and uses the passenger conveyor 100 while holding the handrail 30 by hand.

  The handrail 30 exits the support structure 11 from the upper handrail entrance 18a formed in the upper part of the upper support structure 11a, and makes a U-turn at the entrance 12a on the upper floor to the upper edge of the side wall 17. Along the direction of arrow A, make a U-turn again at the lower floor entrance 12b, and enter the support structure 11 from the lower handrail entrance 18b formed at the upper part of the lower support structure 11b. It moves through the structure 11 to the upper handrail entrance 18a of the entrance 12a on the upper floor.

  A handrail sterilizer 40 is disposed in the upper support structure portion 11a and in the vicinity of the upper handrail entrance 18a. Further, the handrail sterilizer 40 is also disposed in the lower support structure portion 11b and in the vicinity of the lower handrail entrance 18b.

  Human sensors 19a and 19b for detecting that a passenger has arrived at the entrance / exit are provided at the entrance / exit 12a on the upper floor and the entrance / exit 12b on the lower floor. Each of the human sensors 19a and 19b includes a pair of support columns disposed on both sides of the entrances 12a and 12b. One of the pair of support columns has a light emitter, and the other has a light receiver. , Respectively. The light receiver is disposed so as to receive an optical signal emitted from the light emitter. The human sensors 19a and 19b detect that the passenger has come to the entrance when the light signal emitted from the light emitter toward the light receiver is blocked.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a cross section in a direction perpendicular to the moving direction of the handrail 30 of the handrail 30 included in the passenger conveyor 100. As shown in FIG. 2, the handrail 30 is formed on the surface of the endless handrail base material 32 that moves along the guide rail 31 disposed on the peripheral edge of the side wall 17, and the handrail base material 32. The barrier coat layer 33 and the photocatalyst coat layer 34 formed on the surface of the barrier coat layer 33 are provided. The handrail base material 32 is formed of a resin having sufficient strength and flexibility to maintain the shape of the handrail 30. The barrier coat layer 33 is a layer that protects the handrail substrate 31 from the mechanical force received from the high-pressure water washing means 41 and the oxidation action of the photocatalyst coat layer 34. For example, polytetrafluoroethylene, polychlorotrifluoroethylene , Polyvinylidene fluoride, polyvinyl fluoride, tetrafluoroethylene-6 fluoropropylene copolymer, and perfluoroalkoxy fluororesin. The photocatalyst coat layer 34 is a coating layer containing a photocatalyst, and has a function of oxidizing and decomposing organic matter by receiving light irradiation. As the photocatalyst contained in the photocatalyst coat layer 34, titanium oxide can be preferably used from the viewpoint of safety. Titanium oxide may be either a rutile type or an anatase type, but anatase type can be preferably employed because of its generally high photocatalytic activity. The method for forming the photocatalyst coat layer 34 on the surface of the handrail 30 is not particularly limited. For example, after the coating agent containing the photocatalytic titanium oxide and the binder is applied to the surface of the barrier coat layer 33, the coating agent is applied. It can be formed by curing. As the binder, for example, a known binder that can be cured at a temperature that does not deteriorate the handrail base material 32, such as a silicate binder, a phosphate binder, an inorganic colloid, a metal alkoxide, and a fluororesin, is not particularly limited. Can be used. However, from the viewpoints of water resistance, handleability, and strength, a fluororesin binder can be preferably employed.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically illustrating the handrail sterilizer 40 disposed in the vicinity of the entrance 12 b on the lower floor of the passenger conveyor 100. As shown in FIG. 3, the handrail sterilizer 40 includes a high pressure water cleaning means 41 for cleaning the surface of the handrail 30 by spraying pressurized water (high pressure water) onto the surface of the handrail, and the handrail. Photocatalyst excitation means 42 that excites the photocatalyst by irradiating the surface of 30 with ultraviolet light having a wavelength of 360 to 400 nm, draining means 43, deep ultraviolet light irradiation means 44, water receiver 45, water purification device 46, The control means 50 (described later) is not shown in FIG. The water purification device 46 has a water filtration device 47 and a water sterilization means 48. The water received in the water receiver 45 is led to the water filtration device 47 through the pipe 49a, and the water passed through the water filtration device 47 is led to the water tank 48 also serving as a water sterilization means through the pipe 49b. Water is re-supplied from the (water sterilization means) 48 to the high-pressure water washing means 41 through the pipe 49c. In the handrail sterilizer 40 disposed near the entrance 12b on the lower floor, the handrail 30 that revolves in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 1 includes a high-pressure water cleaning means 41, a photocatalyst excitation means 42, and a drainer. The high-pressure water washing means 41, the photocatalyst excitation means 42, the draining means 43, and the deep ultraviolet light irradiation means 44 are arranged so as to pass through the means 43 in this order.

  The high pressure water cleaning means 41 cleans the surface of the handrail 30 by spraying pressurized water (high pressure water) onto the surface of the handrail 30. FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically illustrating the high-pressure water cleaning means 41. FIG. 4 also shows a bottom 45a and a pair of side walls 45d and 45e of a water receiver 45, which will be described later, together with the high-pressure water washing means 41. In FIG. 4, the depth direction in the drawing is the moving direction of the handrail 30. As shown in FIG. 4, the high-pressure water washing means 41 has a pump 411 driven by a motor (not shown) and nozzles 412 a, 412 b, 412 c connected to the pump 411. The water supplied to the high-pressure water washing means 41 from the water storage tank (cum water sterilization means) 48 is pressurized by the pump 411 to become high-pressure water, and the high-pressure water is led to the nozzles 412a, 412b, 412c through the pipe 414, The nozzles 412a, 412b, and 412c are discharged toward the surface of the handrail 30 from the openings. High pressure water is discharged from the openings of the nozzles 412a, 412b, 412c so as to spread in a fan shape (planar radial shape) as high pressure water streams 413a, 413b, 413c, thereby touching the passenger's hand on the surface of the handrail 30. The exposed part is cleaned. The nozzles 412a, 412b, and 412c are shifted from each other in the depth direction in FIG. 4 in order to suppress mutual interference between the high-pressure water streams 413a, 413b, and 413c discharged from each of the nozzles 412a, 412b and 412c. Are arranged. A valve 415 is provided in the middle of the pipe 414 from the pump 411 to the nozzles 412a, 412b, 412c, and the pipe 414 is shut off when the operation of the handrail sterilizer 40 is stopped. As the pump 411 and the nozzles 412a, 412b, and 412c of the high-pressure water washing means 41, pumps and nozzles having a publicly known configuration can be used without particular limitation as those used in the high-pressure water washing apparatus.

  The photocatalyst excitation means 42 includes one or more ultraviolet light emitting diodes having an emission wavelength of 360 to 400 nm, and irradiates the surface of the handrail 30 with ultraviolet light having a wavelength of 360 to 400 nm emitted from the ultraviolet light emitting diode. The photocatalyst contained in the photocatalyst coat layer 34 is excited. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view for schematically explaining the photocatalyst excitation means 42. In FIG. 5, the direction perpendicular to the paper surface is the moving direction of the handrail 30. As shown in FIG. 5, the photocatalyst excitation means 42 is an ultraviolet light emitting diode 421 having an emission wavelength of 360 to 400 nm, which is arranged with its optical axis facing the surface of the handrail 30 so as to surround the surface of the handrail 30. , And an ultraviolet LED support member 422 that supports the ultraviolet light emitting diodes 421, 421,. The ultraviolet light emitting diodes 421, 421,... Are connected to a power source (not shown), and the surface of the handrail 30 is irradiated with ultraviolet light emitted from the ultraviolet light emitting diodes 421, 421,. The photocatalyst contained in the photocatalyst coat layer 34 is excited. As the ultraviolet light emitting diodes 421, 421,..., Known ultraviolet LEDs having an emission wavelength of 360 to 400 nm can be employed without any particular limitation.

Photocatalysts such as titanium oxide generate active oxygen species such as hydroxy radicals (.OH) and superoxide anions (.O ₂ ⁻ ) from water, oxygen, and the like when irradiated with excitation light. Among these, the hydroxyl radical generated from water has a large oxidizing power, and easily breaks the bonds in the molecule of the organic compound that is the main component of the dirt adhering to the handrail 30. The contribution to is considered large. After the handrail 30 passes through the high-pressure water washing means 41, it is decomposed by being irradiated with excitation light from the photocatalyst excitation means 42 in a state where water remains on the surface of the handrail 30, that is, the surface of the photocatalyst coat layer 34. Since hydroxyl radicals that greatly contribute to the function and the antifouling function are efficiently generated, the decomposition function and the antifouling function of the photocatalyst coat layer 34 can be more effectively exhibited.

  The draining means 43 removes water remaining on the surface of the handrail 30 from the surface of the handrail 30 after being sprayed from the high-pressure water washing means 41. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating the draining means 43 together with the high-pressure water washing means 41, the photocatalyst excitation means 42, the water receiver 45, and the water purification device 46. In FIG. 6, the left-right direction on the paper surface is the moving direction of the handrail 30, and when the handrail 30 is moving in the direction of the arrow A in FIGS. 1 and 3, the handrail 30 in FIG. Has moved to.

  The water receiver 45 is a container that receives and collects the water sprayed from the high-pressure water cleaning means 41, and to the outside of the water sprayed from the bottom 45 a and the nozzles 412 a, 412 b, 412 c of the high-pressure water cleaning means 41. The front wall 45b erected from the bottom 45a, the rear wall 45c erected at the end of the bottom 45 opposite to the front wall 45b, and the water in the width direction of the guide rail 30 It has a pair of side walls 45d and 45e (not shown in FIG. 6) erected from the bottom 45a so as to prevent leakage. FIG. 7 is a BB arrow view of FIG. 6, and the shape of the front wall 45 b of the water receiver 45 appears. FIG. 8 is a view taken along the line CC in FIG. 6, and the shape of the rear wall 45 c of the water receiver 45 appears. The bottom 45a of the water receiver 45 is provided with a water collecting portion 45f that is recessed from other portions of the bottom 45a. The inner surface of the bottom 45a collects water in the water collecting portion 45f, and is therefore directed toward the water collecting portion 45f. Is inclined. One end of the pipe 49a is opened at the bottom of the water collecting part 45f, and the water collected in the water collecting part 45f is guided to the water filtering device 46 through the pipe 49a.

  FIG. 9 is a view taken along the line DD in FIG. 6 and shows a pair of side walls 45d and 45e, a rear wall 45c, a bottom 45a, and a draining means 43 of the water receiver 45. The draining means 43 is a scraper provided so that its tip comes into contact with the surface of the guide rail 30, and is fixed to a pair of side walls 45 d and 45 e of the water receiver 45. The tip portion of the draining means 43 that is a scraper that contacts the guide rail 30 is made of a soft resin such as silicone resin so as not to damage the surface of the guide rail 30. The water remaining on the surface of the handrail 30 after being sprayed from the high-pressure water washing means 41 is swept away by the draining means 43 that is a scraper and removed from the surface of the handrail 30, and flows down the scraper surface to receive water. The water is collected in a water collecting part 45 f of the vessel 45. At this time, since the surface of the handrail 30 passes through the high-pressure water washing means 41 and the photocatalyst excitation means 42 in this order before contacting the scraper tip of the draining means 43, it could not be removed by the high-pressure water washing means 41. Dirt is also expected to be removed from the surface of the handrail 30 simultaneously with water by the scraper due to the decomposition action of the excited photocatalyst and the decrease in adhesion.

The deep ultraviolet light irradiation means 44 includes one or more deep ultraviolet light emitting diodes having an emission wavelength of 260 to 320 nm, and deep ultraviolet light having a wavelength of 260 to 320 nm emitted from the deep ultraviolet light emitting diode is applied to the surface of the handrail 30. The surface of the handrail 30 is sterilized by irradiation. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating the deep ultraviolet light irradiation means 44. In FIG. 10, the direction perpendicular to the paper surface is the moving direction of the handrail 30. As shown in FIG. 10, the deep ultraviolet light irradiation means 44 emits deep ultraviolet light having an emission wavelength of 260 to 320 nm, which is arranged with its optical axis facing the surface of the handrail 30 so as to surround the surface of the handrail 30. , And a deep ultraviolet LED support member 442 that supports the deep ultraviolet light emitting diodes 441, 441,. The deep ultraviolet light emitting diodes 441, 441,... Are connected to a power source (not shown), and the surface of the handrail 30 is irradiated with deep ultraviolet light emitted from the deep ultraviolet light emitting diodes 441, 441,. The surface of the rail 30 is sterilized. As the deep ultraviolet light emitting diodes 441, 441,..., Known deep ultraviolet LEDs having an emission wavelength of 260 to 320 nm can be employed without any particular limitation. If a deep ultraviolet LED having an irradiance of 0.5 mW / cm ² or more is adopted, an embodiment using the deep ultraviolet light irradiation means 44 ′ described in the next section can be made unnecessary, which is preferable.

  On the surface of the deep ultraviolet LED support member 442 facing the handrail 30, that is, on the deep ultraviolet LED arrangement surface 442a on which the deep ultraviolet light emitting diodes 441, 441,. A deep ultraviolet light reflecting material that reflects deep ultraviolet light emitted from the ... is provided, and the light once reflected without being absorbed by the surface of the handrail 30 is reflected again by the deep ultraviolet LED arrangement surface 442a. , The utilization efficiency of deep ultraviolet light is increased. As the deep ultraviolet light reflecting material provided on the deep ultraviolet LED arrangement surface 442a, one or more selected from chromium, platinum, rhodium, barium sulfate, magnesium carbonate, calcium carbonate, magnesium oxide, and aluminum can be preferably employed. Among these, rhodium, platinum, aluminum, or a combination thereof can be particularly preferably used in that a surface having high reflectivity can be formed by surface treatment such as plating or vapor deposition. When a metal material is used for the deep ultraviolet light reflecting material, the surface is covered with an ultraviolet light transmissive material such as quartz, sapphire, or polytetrafluoroethylene film from the viewpoint of preventing a decrease in reflectance due to surface oxidation or the like. It is preferable to coat.

  In the deep ultraviolet light irradiation means 44, not only the ultraviolet sterilization lamp but also the deep ultraviolet LED is used as the light source of the deep ultraviolet light, so that not only the power consumption can be reduced but also the operation cost can be reduced due to the long light source life. Furthermore, the UV germicidal lamp requires a warm-up operation of about 15 minutes from when the power is turned on until the intensity of the UV light stabilizes to a sufficient value, whereas the deep UV LED has a deep UV light with a stable intensity immediately after the power is turned on. Since it can irradiate light, it can fully follow control of operation and stop of a passenger conveyor by combination with human sensors 19a and 19b mentioned below.

  Please refer to FIG. 3, FIG. 4 and FIG. 6 again. The water purification device 46 is a device that purifies the water collected in the receiver 45 by at least filtration. The water purification device 46 supplies the purified water to the high pressure water washing means 41 again. Thereby, the water which passed through the water purification apparatus 46 is again injected on the surface of the handrail 30 as the high-pressure water 413a, 413b, 413c from the nozzles 412a, 412b, 412c of the high-pressure water injection means 41. The water purification device 46 has a water filtration device 47 and a water sterilization means 48. The water received in the water receiver 45 is led to the water filtration device 47 through the pipe 49a, and the water passed through the water filtration device 47 is led to the water tank 48 also serving as a water sterilization means through the pipe 49b. Water is re-supplied from the (water sterilization means) 48 to the high-pressure water washing means 41 through the pipe 49c.

  As the water filtration device 47, a known filtration mechanism having a pump driven by a motor or the like and a filter can be employed without particular limitation.

  The water tank / water sterilization means 48 is a device that sterilizes the stored water with deep ultraviolet light while receiving and storing the water after being filtered by the water filtering device 47. The water tank / water sterilization means 48 is stored in the removable container capable of storing a sufficient volume of water so that water can be stably supplied to the high-pressure water washing means 41, and the removable container. A deep ultraviolet light source that irradiates water with a deep ultraviolet light having a wavelength of 260 to 320 nm. Since the water storage container is detachable, the water can be periodically exchanged, so that it is easier to maintain the water used for cleaning the handrail 30 in a sanitary manner. Since the deep ultraviolet light source of the water tank / water sterilization means 48 is preferably always operated regardless of whether or not the handrail is sterilized by the handrail sterilizer 40, the ultraviolet sterilization lamp and the deep ultraviolet light emitting diode Either may be used, but a deep ultraviolet light emitting diode is preferable from the viewpoint of power consumption and light source life.

  Operation control of the handrail sterilizer 40 will be described with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the deep ultraviolet light irradiation means 44 and the control unit 50 in FIG. 6 without omitting them. The control unit 50 is a part of the passenger conveyor control panel 20 and can be preferably configured by, for example, a microcomputer including a central processing unit (CPU) that executes a control program, a memory that stores a control program, and the like. The control part 50 can acquire the information regarding the driving | running state of the passenger conveyor 100, the detection result by the human sensitive sensor 19a, 19b, etc. as a part of the passenger conveyor control board 20, and the driving | operation start of the passenger conveyor 100 A command and an operation stop command can be transmitted. The control unit 50 has a timer function. The control unit 50 is electrically connected to the pump 411 and valve 415 of the high-pressure water washing means 41, the photocatalyst excitation means 42, the deep ultraviolet light irradiation means 44, the water filtration device 47, and the water tank / water sterilization means 48. A command for controlling these operations can be transmitted. The control unit 50 may be configured as a separate element from the passenger conveyor control panel 20.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart for explaining a processing routine S10 for controlling the operation of the handrail sterilizer 40. The processing routine S10 is read from the memory at predetermined time intervals by the control means 50 and executed by the CPU. As shown in FIG. 12, the processing routine S10 has steps S11 to S16.

  First, it is determined whether or not a passenger has come to the entrance 12a (see FIG. 1) on the upper floor (step S11). This determination is made based on the detection signal of the human sensor 19b. If a negative determination is made in step S11, that is, if no passenger has arrived at the entrance / exit 12a on the upper floor, the processing is terminated as it is. If an affirmative determination is made in step S11, that is, if a passenger has arrived at the entrance / exit 12a on the upper floor, the descending operation of the passenger conveyor 100 that has been in an operation suspended state is started (step S12), and then the hand The handrail 30 is sterilized by the rail sterilizer 40 (step S13). Specifically, the valve 415 of the high-pressure water washing means 41 is opened and the pump 411 is operated to eject high-pressure water from the nozzles 412a, 412b, 412c to the surface of the handrail 30; the ultraviolet light-emitting diode 421 of the photocatalyst excitation means 42; ,... And the deep ultraviolet light emitting diodes 441, 441,... Of the deep ultraviolet light irradiation means 44 are turned on; the pump of the water filtration device 47 of the water purification device 46 is operated, and the water collecting portion 45f of the water receiver 45 is operated. Begin filtration of the water collected. The deep ultraviolet light source of the water tank / water sterilization means 48 is always lit regardless of whether or not the passenger conveyor 100 is operated.

  In subsequent step S14, it is determined whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the last passenger detection. This determination is made based on the count value of the timer included in the control unit 50. The timer included in the control unit 50 initializes the count value and starts counting every time a new passenger is detected by the human sensor 19a at the entrance 12a on the upper floor. Thereby, the count value of the timer included in the control unit 50 represents the time elapsed since the last passenger detection. The predetermined time in step S <b> 14 is set to a time required for the endless handrail 30 to move around at least one turn, and the time required for such a turn around one turn is known for the passenger conveyor 100. Information is stored in advance in the memory of the control unit 50. However, the predetermined time in step S14 may be a time during which the handrail 30 makes one or more rounds of movement.

  Since the operation of the handrail sterilizer 40 is continued until a predetermined time has elapsed since the last passenger detection in step S14, the entire surface of the endless handrail 30 is sterilized by the handrail sterilizer 40. And when affirmation judgment that predetermined time passed since the last passenger detection in Step S16 is made, sterilization of handrail 30 by handrail sterilizer 40 is stopped. Specifically, the pump 411 of the high pressure water washing means 41 is stopped and the valve 415 is closed; the ultraviolet light emitting diodes 421, 421,... Of the photocatalyst excitation means 42, and the deep ultraviolet light emitting diode 441 of the deep ultraviolet light irradiation means 44. , 441,... Are turned off; the pump of the water filtration device 47 of the water purification device 46 is stopped, and the filtration of the water collected in the water collecting portion 45f of the water receiver 45 is stopped. The deep ultraviolet light source of the water tank / water sterilization means 48 is kept on. And the operation | movement of the drive unit of the passenger conveyor 100 is stopped and it enters into an operation stop state (step S16).

  In the processing routine S10 described above, the passenger conveyor 100 is operated only when the passenger conveyor 100 needs to be operated, and the handrail 30 is sterilized at the same time. At this time, since the handrail sterilizer 40 uses a deep ultraviolet LED, immediately follow the handrail sterilization start command in step S13, and irradiate the surface of the handrail 30 with a stable deep UV light. Can do.

  In the above description of the present invention, the deep ultraviolet light emitting means 44 having the deep ultraviolet light emitting diodes 441, 441,... Arranged in a large number so as to surround the surface of the handrail 30 with the optical axis facing the surface of the handrail 30. Although the handrail sterilizer 40 of the form provided is illustrated and demonstrated, this invention is not limited to the said form. For example, instead of the above-illustrated deep ultraviolet light emitting means 44, a deep ultraviolet light irradiating means 44 'described below with reference to FIGS. The deep ultraviolet light irradiation means 44 ′ has a light source that emits deep ultraviolet light and a condensing device that condenses the deep ultraviolet light emitted from the light source, and the light source includes a cylindrical or polygonal column-shaped base 111. , Each having a plurality of deep ultraviolet light emitting diodes 112, 112,..., Wherein the plurality of deep ultraviolet light emitting diodes 112, 112,. By being disposed on the side surface of the base 111 so as to pass through the central axis 114, the deep ultraviolet light irradiation means emits deep ultraviolet radiation radially to the central axis 114. Such an ultraviolet light irradiation apparatus is described in Japanese Patent No. 5591305 (Patent Document 6), the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

  FIG. 13 shows a transverse sectional view and a longitudinal sectional view (when cut along the XX ′ plane) of the rod-shaped light source (rod-shaped ultraviolet light emitting module) 110. As shown in FIG. 13, the rod-shaped light source 110 has a plurality of deep ultraviolet light emitting diodes 112, 112,... (Hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as “deep ultraviolet LED 112”) arranged on the surface of a cylindrical substrate 111. A cooling medium channel 113 is formed inside the cylindrical base body. Further, the cylindrical substrate 111 on which the deep ultraviolet LED 112 is mounted is covered with a cover 116 formed of an ultraviolet light transmissive material such as quartz. The cover 116 is attached to the cylindrical substrate 111 in an airtight or watertight manner using a sealing member 117 such as a sealant, packing, or O-ring, and an inert gas is provided inside the cover 116 to enhance the durability of the deep ultraviolet LED 112. Or dry air is enclosed.

  The deep ultraviolet LEDs 112, 112,... Are arranged with the elements mounted on the submount or housed in a package, and emit ultraviolet rays in a certain direction. Although not shown, the submount or package is formed with wiring for supplying power to the deep ultraviolet LED 112 from the outside, a circuit for operating the deep ultraviolet LED 112 normally, and the like. The electric power is supplied through wiring formed on the surface or inside of the cylindrical substrate 111.

  The cylindrical substrate 111 functions as a support for fixing and holding the deep ultraviolet LED 112, and also has a function as a heat sink, and a cooling medium such as cooling water or cooling air is provided in the cooling medium channel 113 inside. By circulating 118, temperature rise due to heat generated by the deep ultraviolet LED 112 can be prevented, stable operation of the device can be facilitated, and device life can be extended.

  In order to efficiently remove the heat generated by the deep ultraviolet LED 112, the cylindrical substrate 111 is preferably mainly composed of a metal having high thermal conductivity such as copper or aluminum, ceramics, or the like. In order to increase the heat exchange area, it is preferable to groove the inner wall surface of the cooling medium flow passage 113. Further, when the cylindrical substrate 111 is made of a metal material, it is preferable that an insulating layer for insulation from a copper wire or a circuit for supplying power to the deep ultraviolet LED 112 from an external power source is formed. .

  A plurality of deep ultraviolet LEDs 112, 112,... Are arranged on the side surface of the cylindrical substrate 111 along the circumferential direction so that the optical axis 115 of each deep ultraviolet LED 112 passes through the central axis 114 of the substrate 111. Yes. As a result, deep ultraviolet light emitted from the deep ultraviolet LED 112 is emitted radially with respect to the central axis 114. The optical axis 115 of the deep ultraviolet LED 112 means the central axis of the light beam emitted from the deep ultraviolet LED 112, and is almost synonymous with the traveling direction of the light beam. In addition, here, “arranging so that the optical axis 115 passes through the central axis 114 of the substrate 111” means that the optical axis 115 is arranged to realize such a state as much as possible, and is slightly inclined from the state. There is no problem.

  Although FIG. 13 shows an example in which four deep ultraviolet LEDs are arranged in the circumferential direction of the substrate 111, the present invention is not limited to this form, and the number of arranged deep ultraviolet LEDs 112 is outside the cylindrical substrate 111. It can be appropriately changed according to the diameter. The number of deep ultraviolet LEDs 112 arranged in the circumferential direction is usually in the range of 3 to 20, preferably 4 to 12. However, the larger the number of deep ultraviolet LEDs 112 arranged in the circumferential direction, the deep ultraviolet light irradiation means 44 ′. Since the intensity (photon flux density) of deep ultraviolet rays emitted from the laser beam becomes higher, when a higher intensity deep ultraviolet light is required, the diameter of the cylindrical substrate 111 is increased and arranged in the circumferential direction. The number of can be increased beyond the above range.

  The deep ultraviolet LEDs 112, 112,... Are preferably arranged so as to form a row in the longitudinal direction of the cylindrical substrate 111 as shown in the longitudinal sectional view of FIG. At this time, it is preferable that the deep ultraviolet LEDs 112, 112,... Be arranged so as to be densely and regularly arranged on the side surface of the cylindrical substrate 111 so that the intensity in the deep ultraviolet light irradiation region on the surface of the handrail 30 is uniform.

  14 and 15 show a cross-sectional view and a side view of the deep ultraviolet light irradiation means 44 ′ having the rod-shaped light source 110. The deep ultraviolet light irradiating means 44 ′ includes an emission side casing 125 whose inner surface is an emission side reflection mirror 120 made of an elliptical reflection mirror, and a condensing side reflection mirror 123 whose inner surface is made of an ellipse reflection mirror. And a condensing optical system 140 disposed in the deep ultraviolet light emitting opening 130 and a condensing optical system 140 disposed in the deep ultraviolet light emitting opening 130. A rod-shaped light source 110 is arranged inside the. In the main body 150, it is preferable that the emission side casing 125 and the condensing side casing casing 126 are detachable from each other or can be opened and closed using a hinge or the like. 14 and 15 of the main body 150 are provided with covers (not shown) for preventing ultraviolet rays from leaking to the outside.

  In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, the exit-side reflecting mirror 120 and the condensing side reflecting mirror 123 are substantially elliptical reflecting mirrors having substantially the same shape. The shape of the internal space formed by coupling with the side housing 126 is an elliptical cross-section with two axes of the focal axis 121 of the exit-side reflecting mirror and the condensing axis 122 of the exit-side reflecting mirror, respectively. However, a portion corresponding to the opening 130 is missing.) The surfaces of the exit-side reflecting mirror 120 and the condensing-side reflecting mirror 123 are made of a material having a high reflectivity with respect to deep ultraviolet light, for example, a platinum group metal such as Ru, Rh, Pd, Os, Ir, and Pt, Al, Ag, Ti, It is preferably composed of an alloy containing at least one of these metals or magnesium oxide, and is formed of Al, a platinum group metal or an alloy containing a platinum group metal, or magnesium oxide because of its particularly high reflectance. It is particularly preferable.

  The condensing-side reflecting mirror 123 and the condensing-side casing 126 are provided with a deep ultraviolet light emission opening 130 in a slit shape, and the collected ultraviolet light is parallel or substantially parallel to the opening 130. A collimating optical system 140 for converting to is arranged. The collimating optical system 140 is preferably made of a material having high ultraviolet transparency such as synthetic or natural quartz, sapphire, or ultraviolet transmissive resin. The collimating optical system 140 is preferably detachably attached to the deep ultraviolet ray emitting opening 130.

  In the deep ultraviolet light irradiation means 44 ′, the rod-shaped light source 110 is arranged so that the central axis 114 thereof coincides with the focal axis 121 of the exit side reflection mirror. Since the rod-shaped light source 110 is disposed at such a position, the deep ultraviolet light emitted radially from the rod-shaped light source 110 is reflected by the emitting-side reflecting mirror 120 and the collecting-side reflecting mirror 123, and the collecting-side reflecting mirror. Condensed deep ultraviolet light is converged so as to converge on the focal axis 124 (that is, the condensing axis 122 of the exit-side reflecting mirror), and the condensed deep ultraviolet light is directed from the deep ultraviolet light emitting opening 130 toward the surface of the handrail 30. Emitted.

  Thus, in principle, the deep ultraviolet light irradiating means 44 ′ can condense all of the deep ultraviolet light emitted radially from the rod-shaped light source 110 onto the focal axis 124 of the condensing side reflection mirror 123. Ultraviolet rays emitted in a direction not directed toward the ultraviolet light emission opening 130 (for example, the opposite direction or the lateral method) can also be effectively used. That is, in the rod-shaped light source 110, it is not necessary to arrange all the deep ultraviolet LEDs 112, 112,... On the same plane so that the optical axis 115 is directed toward the deep ultraviolet light emitting opening 130, in the lateral direction or in the opposite direction. It is also possible to arrange them facing. Therefore, in the rod-shaped light source 110, the number of ultraviolet light emitting elements arranged per unit space can be greatly increased, and the deep ultraviolet light irradiation means 44 'can emit ultraviolet light having a stronger intensity. Further, it is not necessary to use a large-diameter field lens in the deep ultraviolet light irradiation means 44 '. Further, in the deep ultraviolet light irradiating means 44 ', the irradiation area is not a narrow spot shape but can irradiate a rectangular area having a long long side with a uniform intensity of ultraviolet light. It is possible to sterilize. Furthermore, since the deep ultraviolet light can be emitted as a collimated parallel light beam, the intensity of the deep ultraviolet light is not easily lowered even when the distance from the surface of the handrail 30 is long.

  In the above description regarding the present invention, the handrail sterilizer 40 having the form in which the high-pressure water washing means 41 has the three nozzles 412a, 412b, and 412c is exemplified, but the present invention is not limited to this form. The number and arrangement of nozzles (discharge ports) included in the high-pressure water washing means can be appropriately selected according to the shape and size of the handrail.

  In the above description regarding the present invention, the embodiment in which the handrail sterilizer 40 is applied to the passenger conveyor 100 including the handrail 30 having the barrier coat layer 33 and the photocatalyst coat layer 34 formed on the surface has been described. The invention is not limited to this form. For example, the handrail sterilizer of the present invention is applied to a passenger conveyor having a handrail having a form without the photocatalyst coat layer 34 in FIG. 2 or a form having neither the photocatalyst coat layer 34 nor the barrier coat layer 33 in FIG. It is also possible to apply. However, in that case, the handrail sterilization apparatus of the present invention does not need to have a photocatalyst excitation means. In addition, for example, the handrail sterilization apparatus of the present invention can be applied to a passenger conveyor including a handrail having a photocatalyst coat layer 34 but no barrier coat layer 33 in FIG.

  In the above description regarding the present invention, the handrail sterilization apparatus 40 having the drainage means 43 that is a scraper has been illustrated and described, but the present invention is not limited to this form. For example, instead of a scraper, it is also possible to adopt a draining means in which the water on the surface of the handrail is blown away by blowing compressed air. It is also possible to use a combination of spraying compressed air and sweeping with a scraper. Also, according to the high-pressure water washing device, there is very little water remaining on the surface of the handrail, so the water is removed from the upper handrail entrance after passing through the handrail sterilizer provided near the lower handrail entrance. It is also possible to provide a handrail sterilizer that does not include draining means, and leaves it to natural drying using the time until it comes.

  In the above description relating to the present invention, the handrail 30 has been described by exemplifying the handrail sterilizer 40 in such a form that the handrail 30 passes through the high-pressure water washing means 41, the photocatalyst excitation means 42, the draining means 43, and the deep ultraviolet light irradiation means 44 in this order. However, the present invention is not limited to this form. The position at which the deep ultraviolet light irradiation means is disposed is not particularly limited. For example, the handrail is sterilized in such a manner that the handrail passes through the high-pressure water washing means, the deep ultraviolet light irradiation means, the photocatalyst excitation means, and the draining means in this order. It can also be a device. It is also possible to provide a handrail sterilizer in which the handrail passes through the deep ultraviolet light irradiation means, the high-pressure water washing means, the photocatalyst excitation means, and the draining means in this order.

  In the above description regarding the present invention, the handrail sterilization apparatus 40 having the form of having the water purification device 46 that purifies the water collected by the water receiver 45 and supplies it again to the high-pressure water washing means 41 has been described. The present invention is not limited to this form. According to the handrail sterilizer 40 of the said form, although it is possible to perform hygiene washing | cleaning by a high pressure water washing | cleaning means also with respect to the handrail of the passenger conveyor installed in the place where utilization of tap water is difficult, When the passenger conveyor is installed in a place where tap water can be used, the water purification device is omitted, water is supplied directly from the water supply to the high-pressure water washing means, and the water collected in the water receiver is drained as it is. It is also possible to provide a handrail sterilizer that discharges to the sewer.

  In the above description regarding the present invention, human sensors 19a and 19b each having a pair of support columns provided across the entrance and exit, a light emitter provided on one of the pair of support columns, and a light receiver provided on the other side. However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. In the handrail sterilizer and passenger conveyor of the present invention, it is possible to employ, for example, an infrared sensor provided on the ceiling or the like as a human sensor, and detect a user by image analysis using an imaging camera. It is also possible to use a device that does this.

  In the above description related to the present invention, the passenger conveyor 100 in the form in which the handrail sterilizer 40 is installed on both the upper floor side and the lower floor side is described as an example, but the driving direction of the passenger conveyor is only one direction, For example, when it is limited to the descent operation, the handrail sterilizer may be installed only on either the upper floor side or the lower floor side.

  In the above description of the present invention, the passenger conveyor 100 that is an escalator that connects the upper floor and the lower floor and the handrail sterilizer 40 that is installed in the passenger conveyor 100 have been illustrated and described. It is not limited. The handrail sterilizer of the present invention can also be applied to passenger conveyors other than escalators (for example, so-called moving sidewalks that move passengers in the horizontal direction), and passenger conveyors of the present invention are passenger conveyors other than escalators. There may be.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Passenger conveyor 11 Support structure part 11a Upper support structure part 11b Lower support structure part 11c Inclined support structure part 12a Upper floor entrance / exit 12b Lower floor entrance / exit 13 Step 14 Drive sprocket 15 Drive sprocket 16 Step chain 17 Side wall 17
18a Upper hand rail entrance 18b Lower hand rail entrance 19a, 19b Human sensor 20 Passenger conveyor control panel 30 Hand rail 31 Guide rail 32 Hand rail base material 33 Barrier coat layer 34 Photocatalyst coat layer 40 Hand rail sterilizer 41 High pressure water Cleaning means 411 Pump 412a, 412b, 412c Nozzle 413a, 413b, 413c High pressure water 414 Piping 415 Valve 42 Photocatalytic excitation means 421 Ultraviolet light emitting diode 422 Ultraviolet LED support member 43 Draining means 44 Deep ultraviolet light irradiation means 441 Deep ultraviolet light emitting diode 422 Depth Ultraviolet LED support member 442a Deep ultraviolet LED arrangement surface 45 Water receiver 45a Bottom 45b Front wall 45c Rear wall 45d, 45e Side wall 45f Water collecting part 46 Water purification device 47 Water filtration device 48 Water storage tank / water sterilization means 49a, 49b, 49c Piping 50 Control unit 44 'Deep ultraviolet light irradiation means 110 Rod-shaped light source 111 (Cylindrical or polygonal column) base body 112 Deep ultraviolet light emitting diode 120 Output side reflection mirror 121 Output side reflection Focal axis of the mirror 122 Condensing axis of the output side reflecting mirror 125 Outgoing side housing 123 Condensing side reflecting mirror 124 Focal axis of the condensing side reflecting mirror 126 Condensing side housing 130 Deep ultraviolet light emitting aperture 140 Collimating optics Series 150 body

Claims (14)

A device for sterilizing an endless handrail that moves around in synchronism with the steps of a passenger conveyor,
High pressure water cleaning means for cleaning the surface of the handrail by spraying pressurized water onto the surface of the handrail;
Deep ultraviolet light irradiation means for sterilizing the surface of the handrail by irradiating the surface of the handrail with deep ultraviolet light having a wavelength of 260 to 320 nm,
The deep ultraviolet light irradiation means includes at least one deep ultraviolet light emitting diode having an emission wavelength of 260 to 320 nm, and irradiates the surface of the handrail with deep ultraviolet light emitted from the deep ultraviolet light emitting diode. , Passenger conveyor handrail sterilizer. The handrail is a handrail having a coating layer on the surface for protecting the base material of the handrail.
The handrail sterilizer according to claim 1. Water spraying means for removing water remaining on the surface of the handrail after being sprayed from the high-pressure water cleaning means from the surface of the handrail.
The handrail sterilizer for passenger conveyors according to claim 1 or 2. The draining means has a scraper arranged to contact the surface of the handrail;
The handrail sterilizer of the passenger conveyor of Claim 3. The handrail has a coating containing a photocatalyst on the outermost surface of the handrail;
The handrail sterilizer further includes a photocatalyst excitation unit that excites the photocatalyst by irradiating ultraviolet light having a wavelength of 360 to 400 nm on the surface of the handrail.
The photocatalyst excitation means includes one or more ultraviolet light emitting diodes having an emission wavelength of 360 to 400 nm, and irradiates the surface of the handrail with ultraviolet light emitted from the ultraviolet light emitting diodes.
The handrail sterilizer for passenger conveyors according to claim 1 or 2. The handrail has a coating containing a photocatalyst on the outermost surface of the handrail;
The handrail sterilizer further includes a photocatalyst excitation unit that excites the photocatalyst by irradiating ultraviolet light having a wavelength of 360 to 400 nm on the surface of the handrail.
The photocatalyst excitation means includes one or more ultraviolet light emitting diodes having an emission wavelength of 360 to 400 nm, and irradiates the surface of the handrail with ultraviolet light emitted from the ultraviolet light emitting diodes.
The handrail sterilizer for passenger conveyors according to claim 3 or 4. The high-pressure water washing means is such that the surface of the handrail that moves around passes through the order of washing by the high-pressure water washing means, irradiation of ultraviolet light by the photocatalyst excitation means, and removal of water by the draining means. And the photocatalyst excitation means and the draining means are arranged.
The handrail sterilizer for passenger conveyors according to claim 6. A water receiver for receiving and recovering water sprayed from the high-pressure water washing means;
The handrail sterilizer of the passenger conveyor in any one of Claims 1-7. A water purification device for purifying the water collected in the water receiver by at least filtration;
Water that has passed through the water purification device is again sprayed onto the surface of the handrail from the high-pressure water cleaning means.
The handrail sterilizer for passenger conveyors according to claim 8. The water purification apparatus has one or more deep ultraviolet light sources having an emission wavelength of 260 to 320 nm, and irradiates water passing through the water purification apparatus with deep ultraviolet light emitted from the deep ultraviolet light source, Sterilize the water that passes through the water purification device,
The handrail sterilizer for passenger conveyors according to claim 9. The deep ultraviolet light irradiation means has a light source that emits deep ultraviolet light, and a condensing device that condenses the deep ultraviolet light emitted from the light source,
The light source is a rod-shaped light source having a cylindrical or polygonal column base and a plurality of the deep ultraviolet light emitting diodes, and the plurality of deep ultraviolet light emitting diodes has an optical axis of each deep ultraviolet light emitting diode in the cylindrical shape. Or, by being disposed on the side surface of the cylindrical or polygonal column-shaped substrate so as to pass through the central axis of the polygonal column-shaped substrate, deep ultraviolet rays are emitted radially with respect to the central axis.
The handrail sterilizer according to any one of claims 1 to 10. A sensor for detecting a passenger entering the passenger conveyor;
A controller for starting and ending the operation of the passenger conveyor,
The controller is
The sensor starts the operation of the handrail sterilizer by detecting a passenger,
Stopping the operation of the handrail sterilizer when the sensor does not detect a passenger for a predetermined time;
The handrail sterilizer according to any one of claims 1 to 11. The predetermined time is a time required for the endless handrail to move around at least once.
The handrail sterilizer according to claim 12. A step of moving with passengers,
A pair of endless handrails arranged on both sides of the step and moving around in synchronism with the step;
A passenger conveyor comprising the handrail sterilizer according to any one of claims 1 to 13.