JP2017113648A - Ultraviolet sterilization device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an ultraviolet sterilization device using a deep ultraviolet light-emitting diode as an ultraviolet ray source and capable of achieving sure sterilization.SOLUTION: There is provided an ultraviolet sterilization device having a deep ultraviolet ray source having one or more deep ultraviolet light-emitting diodes and ejecting deep ultraviolet ray to a body to be sterilized (excluding one ejecting deep ultraviolet ray to a photocatalyst material) and control means, wherein the control means controls one or more of (1) irradiation time t (unit:sec.) defined as time for irradiating deep ultraviolet ray to the body to be sterilized, (2) distance d (unit;cm) between the body to be sterilized and the deep ultraviolet ray source and (3) light-emitting output P (unit:mW) of the deep ultraviolet ray source to set integral irradiance amount I (unit:mJ/cm) of ultraviolet ray irradiated to the body to be sterilized in irradiation time at predetermined specified value I.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a sterilizer using ultraviolet rays.

  Unlike sterilization by chemicals, ultraviolet sterilization has no remaining material, is highly safe, and hardly changes the irradiated object. Therefore, it has been proposed to use ultraviolet sterilization for sterilizing objects in various situations.

  For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a conveyor-type sterilization apparatus that uses a xenon flash lamp, and an ultraviolet irradiation chamber portion is provided in the middle of a conveyor surface that conveys an object to be sterilized to be irradiated with ultraviolet rays. An upstream light shielding duct section and a downstream light shielding duct section having a conveyor surface as the bottom face are connected to the inlet and the outlet, and a light shielding plate is provided in each of the light shielding duct sections for allowing the article to be sterilized to pass through the inner wall without contact. A conveyor-type sterilizer characterized in that is described.

  However, although discharge tubes such as xenon flash lamps and low-pressure mercury lamps can radiate high-intensity ultraviolet rays, the discharge tubes must be periodically replaced because of their short lifespan, resulting in an increase in running costs.

  In recent years, light-emitting diodes (ultraviolet light-emitting diodes) that emit ultraviolet light have been developed as ultraviolet light sources to replace discharge tubes, and it has been proposed to apply ultraviolet light-emitting diodes for sterilization applications. For example, in Patent Document 2, in a light sterilization method using a flash pulse that irradiates an object to be sterilized by irradiating an object to be sterilized, a blue light-emitting diode array is driven by a predetermined pulse signal, and the A light sterilization method using a flash pulse, characterized in that a pulse is generated to sterilize an object to be sterilized with near ultraviolet rays, is described. Since blue light emitting diodes and other ultraviolet light emitting diodes have a much longer life than conventional discharge tubes, running costs can be reduced with an ultraviolet sterilizer equipped with such an ultraviolet light emitting diode as an ultraviolet light source. it is conceivable that.

JP 2005-31978 A JP 2004-275335 A JP 2005-93566 A JP 2007-97251 A JP 2010-4691 A Japanese Patent No. 5591305

However, in flash sterilization using a blue light emitting diode disclosed in Patent Document 2, only 40% sterilization effect is obtained by flash irradiation for 2 hours.
In recent years, development of deep ultraviolet light emitting diodes that emit ultraviolet light having a shorter wavelength than conventional blue light emitting diodes and ultraviolet light emitting diodes has progressed, and it is conceivable to perform sterilization using the deep ultraviolet light emitting diodes. However, since the deep ultraviolet light emitting diode has lower emission intensity than the conventional blue or ultraviolet light emitting diode, there is a possibility that microorganisms attached to the sterilized material cannot be sufficiently killed even if light irradiation is performed for a long time.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an ultraviolet sterilization apparatus using a deep ultraviolet light emitting diode as an ultraviolet light source and capable of reliable sterilization. Moreover, the ultraviolet surface light source which can be preferably employ | adopted in the said ultraviolet sterilizer is provided.

A first aspect of the present invention includes a deep ultraviolet light source that has one or more deep ultraviolet light emitting diodes and emits deep ultraviolet light toward an object to be sterilized, and a control unit.
(1) Irradiation time defined as the time for irradiating deep ultraviolet rays to the sterilized body: t (unit: second),
(2) Distance between object to be sterilized and deep ultraviolet light source: d (unit: cm), and (3) Light emission output of deep ultraviolet light source: P (unit: mW)
1 or more selected from the above are controlled so that the accumulated dose I (unit: mJ / cm ² ) of deep ultraviolet rays irradiated to the sterilized body within the irradiation time becomes a predetermined value I ₀ set in advance. It is an ultraviolet sterilizer characterized by the above-mentioned.

  In the first aspect of the present invention, the light emission output P of the deep ultraviolet light source can be controlled by controlling the forward current flowing through the deep ultraviolet light emitting diode. The forward current is controlled using, for example, a step-up DC-DC converter or a charge pump that can flow a forward current of 10 mA to 1000 mA, preferably 50 mA to 500 mA, using a battery having a voltage of about 1.5 to 15 V. It is preferable to carry out.

  In one embodiment of the first aspect of the present invention, the ultraviolet sterilizer further includes a temperature sensor for measuring the element temperature of the deep ultraviolet light emitting diode, and the control means measures the deep ultraviolet light emitting diode measured by the temperature sensor. The light emission output P of the deep ultraviolet light source is controlled based on the element temperature.

In one embodiment of the first aspect of the present invention, the control means, as integrated irradiation dose I at a predetermined irradiation time t reaches the predetermined value I _0, between the deep UV light source and the object to be sterilized body The distance d and / or the light emission output P of the deep ultraviolet light source are controlled.

In one embodiment of the first aspect of the present invention, the ultraviolet sterilizer further includes a distance sensor that measures a distance d between the deep ultraviolet light source and the object to be sterilized.
In this form, the control means preferably controls the irradiation time t and / or the light emission output P of the deep ultraviolet light source based on the distance d measured by the distance sensor.

In one embodiment of the first aspect of the present invention, the predetermined value I ₀ is a value of 50.0 mJ / cm ² or more. This is sufficient to kill common microorganisms.

In one embodiment of the first aspect of the present invention, the predetermined value I ₀ is an irradiation amount determined based on the microorganisms to be killed.
In this embodiment, the ultraviolet sterilizer preferably further has an input means for determining microorganisms to be killed, and the predetermined value I ₀ is an irradiation amount at which 99% or more of the microorganisms to be killed are killed. It is preferable.

  In one embodiment of the first aspect of the present invention, a deep ultraviolet light source includes a substrate and a plurality of the deep ultraviolet light emitting diodes arranged on the substrate.

  In one embodiment of the first aspect of the present invention, the ultraviolet sterilizer further includes a housing and a support base for placing an object to be sterilized disposed in the housing, and a deep ultraviolet light source. Is disposed in the housing so as to face the support base, and further includes a driving means for rotating the deep ultraviolet light source with respect to the support base so as to level the irradiation amount of the deep ultraviolet light irradiated to the sterilized body. Have.

  In one embodiment of the first aspect of the present invention, the ultraviolet sterilizer further includes a housing and a support base for placing an object to be sterilized disposed in the housing, and a deep ultraviolet light source. Is disposed in the housing so as to face the support table, and further includes a driving means for rotating the support table with respect to the deep ultraviolet light source so as to level the irradiation amount of the deep ultraviolet rays irradiated to the sterilized body. Have.

  In one embodiment of the first aspect of the present invention, the deep ultraviolet light source includes a light guide plate and a plurality of deep ultraviolet light emitting diodes arranged at an end of the light guide plate.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a light guide plate, a plurality of deep ultraviolet light emitting diodes arranged at an end of the light guide plate, a temperature sensor for measuring an element temperature of the ultraviolet light emitting diode, or a deep ultraviolet light emitting diode. It has a temperature control means for controlling the element temperature and a current control device for controlling the forward current flowing through the deep ultraviolet light emitting diode. An ultraviolet surface light source characterized by controlling the forward current flowing through the deep ultraviolet light emitting diode so that the irradiation intensity of the deep ultraviolet light at a position away from the light guide plate by a predetermined distance becomes a predetermined value. is there.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide an ultraviolet sterilization apparatus using a deep ultraviolet ultraviolet light emitting diode as an ultraviolet light source, and capable of reliable sterilization.

  The ultraviolet surface light source according to the second aspect of the present invention can be preferably used as a deep ultraviolet light source in the ultraviolet sterilization apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention.

1 is a schematic perspective view schematically illustrating an ultraviolet sterilizer 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention, and is a view seen through a housing 10. FIG. It is sectional drawing which looked at the ultraviolet sterilizer 100 from the front. It is an AA arrow line view of FIG. It is a BB arrow line view of FIG. It is a flowchart explaining control flow S1 of the ultraviolet sterilizer 100. FIG. It is sectional drawing which illustrates typically the ultraviolet sterilizer 200 which concerns on other one Embodiment of this invention. (A) is a top view of the deep ultraviolet surface light source 220. FIG. (B) is a side view of the deep ultraviolet surface light source 220. It is a flowchart explaining control flow S2 of the ultraviolet sterilizer 200. FIG.

  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 perspective view schematically illustrating an ultraviolet sterilizer 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention, and is a view seen through a housing 10 (described later). FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the ultraviolet sterilizer 100 as viewed from the front. The ultraviolet sterilizer 100 includes a box-shaped housing 10 having a front surface 10a, a rear surface 10b, an upper surface 10c, a bottom surface 10d, side surfaces 10e and 10f, a deep ultraviolet light source 20 disposed in the vicinity of the upper surface 10c inside the housing 10, Arranged on the side of the bottom surface 10d of the control device 30 disposed inside the housing 10, the support base 40 for placing the object 1 to be sterilized, disposed near the bottom surface 10d inside the housing 10 The driving unit 50 rotates the support base 40, and the input / output unit 60 is disposed outside the housing 10 (front surface 10a in FIG. 1). An openable / closable door 11 is provided on the front surface 10 a of the housing 10, and the sterilized body 1 can be taken in and out of the housing 10 by opening the door 11.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the deep ultraviolet light source 20 is disposed in the housing 10 so as to face the mounting surface 40 a of the support base 40. FIG. 3 is an AA arrow view of FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, the deep ultraviolet light source 20 includes a substrate 21 and a plurality of deep ultraviolet light emitting diodes 22, 22,... Arranged on the substrate 21 (hereinafter simply referred to as “deep ultraviolet light emitting diode 22”). And a temperature sensor 23 (for example, a thermocouple thermometer, etc.) provided so as to be able to measure the element temperatures of the deep ultraviolet light emitting diodes 22, 22,. The deep ultraviolet light emitting diode 22 is a light emitting diode having an emission wavelength of 200 to 300 nm, preferably 220 to 270 nm. The deep ultraviolet light source 20 is fixed to the upper surface 10 c of the housing 10 via the actuator 24. The distance d between the sterilized object 1 and the deep ultraviolet light source 20 is adjusted by the operation of the actuator 24. As shown in FIG. 2, in the ultraviolet sterilization apparatus 100, the distance d is a distance from the deep ultraviolet light source 20 to the mounting surface 40 a of the support 40 (that is, from the surface of the sterilized body 1 to the deep ultraviolet light source 20. The maximum distance) is adopted.

  FIG. 4 is a BB arrow view of FIG. 2, and the support base 40 appears. As shown by arrow C in FIG. 4, the support base 40 is rotated by the driving means 50, and thereby, the irradiation amount of deep ultraviolet rays applied to the sterilized body 1 placed on the support base 40 is leveled. .

The input / output means 60 is configured to transfer information input by the operator to the control device 30 and display the information transferred from the control device 30 toward the operator. Output means 60, at least, receive an input of information related to a predetermined value I ₀ can transfer the information to the control unit 30 accepts an input of instruction to start sterilization control information that there was the instruction It can be transferred to the device 30. Further, information indicating that the sterilization process has been completed, transferred from the control device 30, can be displayed to the operator. As such an input / output means 60, a form provided with a display device such as a liquid crystal display and an input device such as a keyboard can be exemplified.

  The control device 30 is connected to the drive circuit of the deep ultraviolet light emitting diode 22, the temperature sensor 23, the actuator 24, the drive means 50, and the input / output means 60, and controls these operations. FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the control flow S1 of the ultraviolet sterilizer 100. The control flow S1 has steps S11 to S18. The operation of the control device 30 will be described with reference to FIG.

  In step S <b> 11, it is determined whether or not the body 1 to be sterilized is disposed on the mounting surface 40 a of the support base 40. For this determination, for example, a weight sensor provided on the lower surface of the support base 40 can be used. For example, the operator may notify the control device 30 through the input / output means 60 that the operator has placed the sterilized body 1 on the support base 40. If a positive determination is made in step S11, the process proceeds to the next step S12.

In step S12, the integrated irradiation amount I ₀ (unit: mJ / cm ² ) of deep ultraviolet rays to be irradiated to the sterilized body 1 is determined. In step S12, the control device 30 prompts the operator to select a specific microorganism to be killed or to select a general sterilization process via the input / output means 60. When a specific microorganism to be killed is selected, the control device 30 substitutes an irradiation amount at which 99% or more of the microorganism to be killed is killed into I ₀ . The control device 30 includes a storage device, and a table in which specific microorganisms are associated with an irradiation amount at which 99% or more of the microorganisms die is recorded in the storage device. The control device 30 searches the table for the selected specific microorganism, reads the value of the dose associated with the microorganism, and substitutes it into I ₀ . Further, when a general sterilization treatment is selected by the operator, an irradiation amount at which microorganisms generally found in the environment are sufficiently killed is substituted for I ₀ . As such I ₀ , for example, a value determined within a range of 50.0 mJ / cm ² or more, preferably 50 to 100 mJ / cm ² can be adopted. Further, when the types of microorganisms adhering to the type of the object to be sterilized can be roughly estimated, a predetermined value I ₀ of an integrated irradiation amount that can sufficiently sterilize these microorganisms is set in advance according to the type of the object to be sterilized. It may be determined and substituted for I ₀ by selecting the type of the object to be sterilized.

In step S <b> 13, the control device 30 causes the operator to input a time (irradiation time) t for irradiating the body to be sterilized with deep ultraviolet rays via the input / output means 60. When the irradiation time t is input in step S13, the process proceeds to step S14. As will be described later, when a predetermined value I ₀ of the integrated dose is determined, the maximum light emission output P _MAX that the deep ultraviolet light source 20 can continuously exert, or a safety factor preset to P _MAX (for example, 90%, preferably value obtained by multiplying 80%), and, from the minimum value of the adjustable distance d, shortest integrated irradiation dose I to ultraviolet radiation at a power in anticipation of full power or the safety factor in the UV sterilizer reaches the predetermined value I ₀ Since the irradiation time t ′ is obtained, the input of t may be omitted, the t ′ may be displayed to inform the operator, and confirmation for making the irradiation time t ′ may be input. At this time, the distance d does not necessarily need to be the shortest adjustable value. For example, from the viewpoint of avoiding mechanical adjustment as much as possible, an initial set value (usually optimal for opening the door and setting the object to be sterilized). Value)).

In step S14, the control device 30 calculates the light emission output P (unit: mW) of the deep ultraviolet light source 20 necessary for setting the integrated dose I to I ₀ during the input irradiation time t. The accumulated dose I (unit: mJ / cm ² ) of deep ultraviolet rays irradiated to the sterilized object 1 during the irradiation time t is the amount of deep ultraviolet rays per unit area at a distance d from the deep ultraviolet light source 20. It is given by integration of irradiation time t of irradiance (unit: mW / cm ² ). In the storage device provided in the control device 30, information on the dependence of the irradiance of deep ultraviolet rays per unit area on the distance from the deep ultraviolet light source 20 is recorded. The attenuation rate is calculated based on the distance d to the light source 20, and the necessary light emission output P is determined. The calculated light emission output P exceeds the maximum light emission output P _MAX that the deep ultraviolet light source 20 can continuously exert, or a value obtained by multiplying P _MAX by a preset safety factor (for example, 90%, preferably 80%). If so, the calculation of the light emission output P is attempted again assuming a shorter distance d within the adjustable range. The light emission output P equal to or less than the maximum light emission output P _MAX is obtained, or the light emission output P is preset to the maximum light emission output P _MAX of the deep ultraviolet light source 20 or P _MAX for the shortest distance d within the adjustable range. When it is determined that the value obtained by multiplying the safety factor (for example, 90%, preferably 80%) is exceeded, the process proceeds to step S15.

  In step S15, it is determined whether or not a solution for the light emission output P and the distance d that can be realized has been obtained. If an affirmative determination is made in step S15, the process proceeds to step S16. When a negative determination is made in step S15, the control device 30 indicates that sufficient sterilization cannot be performed with the irradiation time t previously input via the input / output means 60, and the minimum required irradiation time t. 'Is notified to the operator, and the process returns to step S13 to prompt the operator to input a longer irradiation time t or to confirm that the irradiation time is t'.

In step S16, the light emission output P and / or the distance d between the sterilized object 1 and the deep ultraviolet light source 20 are adjusted. At this time, the irradiance of deep ultraviolet rays at a position away from the deep ultraviolet light source 20 by the distance d is the distance d, the emission intensity and directivity of each deep ultraviolet light emitting diode 22, and the arrangement method (arrangement pattern) of the deep ultraviolet light emitting diodes 22 It depends on various factors. Therefore, when performing the above adjustment, the relationship between the light emission output P at each distance d and the irradiance (unit: mW / cm ² ) at the irradiated surface is examined for each actual machine (or an apparatus having the same specifications). , Based on the relationship.
When adjusting the light emission output P and / or the distance d in step S16, continuous light emission or pulse light emission is performed continuously at an output P of 90%, preferably 80% of the maximum light emission output P _MAX without adjusting d. It is preferable to adjust P so that the integrated dose I becomes I ₀ within the upper limit of the input irradiation time t (rather than increasing P and shortening t). . The control of P can be performed by controlling the forward current flowing through the deep ultraviolet light-emitting diode. Control of the forward current is not particularly limited, but when a battery having a voltage of about 1.5 to 15 V is used as a power source as in a portable ultraviolet sterilizer, 10 mA to 1000 mA, preferably It is preferable to use a step-up DC-DC converter or a light emission control circuit using a charge pump that can flow a forward current of 50 mA to 500 mA. By doing so, depending on the performance of the deep ultraviolet light emitting diode used, even if a relatively low voltage battery is used as a power source, a sufficient sterilizing effect can be achieved with a short irradiation time (for example, within 10 minutes, preferably within 1 minute). Can be obtained. For example, the technologies described in JP-A-2005-93566, JP-A-2007-97251, and JP-A-2010-4691 can be applied to the light emission control circuit.
If the adjustment of the distance d is necessary in addition to the adjustment of the output P, the distance d is adjusted to the value calculated in step S14. That is, the actuator 24 is driven to adjust the distance d so that the actual value of the distance d is equal to the value calculated in step S14. Thus, after the output P and / or the distance d is adjusted, the process proceeds to step S17.

  In step S17, the deep ultraviolet light source 20 emits deep ultraviolet light for the irradiation time t with the light emission output P already calculated in step S14. In the storage device of the control device 30, information on the dependency of the light emission output P of the deep ultraviolet light source 20 on the forward current and the element temperature of the deep ultraviolet light emitting diodes 22, 22,. The control device 30 controls (finely adjusts) the forward current flowing through the deep ultraviolet light emitting diodes 22, 22,... Based on the element temperature information detected by the temperature sensor 23. Thus, the light emission output P of the deep ultraviolet light source 20 is controlled to be maintained at the light emission output value already calculated in step S14. At the same time, while the deep ultraviolet light source 20 is irradiated with the deep ultraviolet light, the control device 30 operates the driving means 50 so as to level the irradiation amount of the deep ultraviolet light irradiated to the sterilized body 1 to support the support base. Rotate 40. When the previously specified irradiation time t has elapsed, the control device 30 finishes supplying the current to the ultraviolet light emitting diodes 22, 22,. Move to.

  In step S18, the control device 30 notifies the operator that the sterilization process has ended via the input / output means. The operator can open the door 11 and take out the sterilized body 1 that has been sterilized from the inside of the housing 10.

  As such a control apparatus 30, the form which has memory | storage devices which recorded the information required for said process and a processing flow, and arithmetic units, such as a microprocessor, can be illustrated.

  In the above description regarding the present invention, the ultraviolet sterilizer 100 in the form of rotating the support base 40 in order to level the irradiation amount of deep ultraviolet light is exemplified, but the present invention is not limited to this form. It is also possible to provide an ultraviolet sterilization apparatus having a drive means for rotating the deep ultraviolet light source relative to the support base so as to level the irradiation amount of the deep ultraviolet light onto the body to be sterilized.

In the above description regarding the present invention, the input / output means 60 is provided, and in step S12, the predetermined value I ₀ is determined based on the microorganism to be killed, or a value sufficient for general sterilization is set to I _0. However, the present invention is not limited to this form. Sufficient value to common sterilization leave initialized to I _0, it is also possible to ultraviolet sterilizer forms of unnecessary input I _0, the microorganism to kill designated by the operator it is also possible to response value as an ultraviolet sterilizer in the form of only set to I _0.

  In the above description of the present invention, the temperature sensor 23 for measuring the element temperature of the deep ultraviolet light emitting diodes 22, 22... Although the ultraviolet sterilization apparatus 100 of the form which controls the light emission output P of the deep ultraviolet light source 20 based on element temperature was illustrated, this invention is not limited to the said form. For example, it is possible to provide an ultraviolet sterilizer that does not include a temperature sensor and does not control the light emission output based on the element temperature.

In the above description of the present invention, the distance d between the deep ultraviolet light source 20 and the sterilized body 1 and / or the deep ultraviolet light source is set so that the integrated irradiation amount I within the predetermined irradiation time t becomes the predetermined value I ₀ . Although the ultraviolet sterilizer 100 of the form which controls the light emission output P was illustrated, this invention is not limited to the said form. For example, as already mentioned in connection with step S13, so that the integrated irradiation dose I in the irradiation time t reaches the predetermined value I _0, it is also possible to ultraviolet sterilizer embodiment for controlling the irradiation time t is there. That is, in the above example, priority is given to performing irradiation for a preset irradiation time t (seconds), but priority is given to shortening the actual irradiation time, and irradiation is performed at as high an output as possible. The distance d may also be adjusted so that the integrated dose I becomes I _{0 in} the shortest time, and irradiation may be terminated at that time. At this time, it is preferable to notify the operator of the end of irradiation by sound or the like.

  In the above description of the present invention, the ultraviolet sterilization apparatus 100 having the deep ultraviolet light source 20 shown in FIG. 3 as the deep ultraviolet light source has been exemplified, but the present invention is not limited to this form. For example, as the deep ultraviolet light source, an ultraviolet sterilization apparatus having a deep ultraviolet light source 220 shown in FIG. Further, the deep ultraviolet light source 20 may be installed on any one of the front surface 10a, the rear surface 10b, the side surfaces 10e and 10f other than the upper surface 10c, and may be installed on a plurality of surfaces. Furthermore, the support base 40 may be made of an ultraviolet transmissive material, and the deep ultraviolet light source 20 may be disposed on the bottom surface 10d.

  In the above description regarding the present invention, the mode in which the support base 40 is rotated to level the irradiation amount of the deep ultraviolet rays irradiated to the sterilized body 1 is adopted, but the leveling means is not limited to this. The support base may be slid back and forth, or the deep ultraviolet light source 20 may be moved without moving the object to be sterilized.

  FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating an ultraviolet sterilizer 200 according to another embodiment of the first aspect of the present invention. In FIG. 6 and subsequent figures, the same elements as those already shown in FIGS. 1 to 5 are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in FIGS. The ultraviolet sterilization apparatus 200 is an embodiment of the second aspect of the present invention, which is disposed on the conveyor 240 on which the object 1 to be sterilized is moved, and above the conveyor 240 so as to face the conveyor 240. The deep ultraviolet surface light source 220, the control device 230, the distance sensor 260 arranged on the upstream side of the conveyor 240 of the deep ultraviolet surface light source 220, the deep ultraviolet surface light source 220, the distance sensor 260, and the control device 230 are placed at predetermined positions. And a housing 210 to be held.

  The conveyor 240 includes an endless belt 241 having a mounting surface 241a on which the sterilized body 1 is mounted, and a driving device 242 that drives the belt 241 in the direction of arrow D in FIG. The driving device 242 is connected to the control device 230.

  FIG. 7A is a plan view of the deep ultraviolet surface light source 220, and FIG. 7B is a side view of the deep ultraviolet surface light source 220. The deep ultraviolet surface light source 220 includes a substrate 221, a light guide plate 223 disposed on the substrate 221, and a plurality of deep ultraviolet light emitting diodes 22 arranged on the substrate 221 so as to face the end portion 223a of the light guide plate 223. , 22,..., Temperature sensors 224, 224,... (For example, thermocouple thermometers, etc .; hereinafter simply referred to as “temperature sensor 224”) for measuring the element temperature of the deep ultraviolet light-emitting diode 22, And a current control device 225 for controlling the forward current flowing through the light emitting diode. Deep ultraviolet light emitted from the deep ultraviolet light emitting diode 22 and incident into the light guide plate 223 from the end 223a propagates through the light guide plate 223 while being totally reflected as indicated by an arrow E in FIG. The light exits from the light exit surface 223b of the optical plate 223. The deep ultraviolet surface light source 220 is disposed such that the light exit surface 223b of the light guide plate 223 faces the placement surface 241a of the conveyor 240.

  The plurality of deep ultraviolet light-emitting diodes 22 are, for example, disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 5591305, “a plurality of ultraviolet light-emitting elements on the side surface of a cylindrical or polygonal column base, and the light of each ultraviolet light-emitting element. An ultraviolet light emitting element-arranged substrate, which is arranged so that its axis passes through the central axis of the cylindrical or polygonal column-shaped substrate so that ultraviolet rays are emitted radially with respect to the central axis, and an ultraviolet transmissive material And the cover is airtightly attached to the ultraviolet light emitting element arrangement substrate so as to cover the ultraviolet light emitting element arrangement substrate and enclose an inert gas or dry air therein. An ultraviolet light emitting module characterized in that a cooling medium flow path is formed inside the cylindrical or polygonal column base and the cooling medium is circulated through the cooling medium flow path. It is also possible to use as a window ". By using such a module, it is possible to increase the intensity of ultraviolet rays and keep the element temperature constant.

The current control device 225 is connected to the temperature sensor 224, the deep ultraviolet light emitting diode 22, and the control device 230. The current control device 225 receives information on the element temperature of the deep ultraviolet light emitting diode 22 from the temperature sensor 24. In addition, the current control device 225 receives information on the distance d from the light output surface 223b of the light guide plate 223 of the deep ultraviolet surface light source 220 to the sterilized body 1 from the control device 230, and at a position away from the light output surface 223b by the distance d. Information on the irradiance (unit: mW / cm ² ) of deep ultraviolet rays to be achieved is received. The irradiance of deep ultraviolet rays at a position away from the light exit surface 223b by the distance d depends on the distance d, the emission intensity of the deep ultraviolet light emitting diode 22, the characteristics of the waveguide plate, and the like. The emission intensity of the deep ultraviolet light emitting diode 22 depends on the forward current flowing through the deep ultraviolet light emitting diode 22 and the element temperature of the deep ultraviolet light emitting diode 22. The current control device 225 includes a storage device and an arithmetic device, and the storage device of the current control device 225 includes the irradiance of deep ultraviolet rays, the distance d and deep ultraviolet light emission at a position away from the light exit surface 223b by the distance d. The relationship between the emission intensity of the diode 22 is recorded as a first function, and the relationship between the emission intensity of the deep ultraviolet light-emitting diode 22, the forward current and the element temperature is recorded as a second function. . The current control device 225 receives the information on the distance d from the light exit surface 223b to the sterilized body 1 received from the control device 230, and the deep ultraviolet irradiance to be achieved at a position away from the light exit surface 223b by the distance d. From the information, the required emission intensity of the deep ultraviolet light emitting diode 22 is calculated using the first function. Then, from the calculated required light emission intensity of the deep ultraviolet light-emitting diode 22 and information on the element temperature of the deep ultraviolet light-emitting diode 22 received from the temperature sensor 24, it should be sent to the deep ultraviolet light-emitting diode 22 using the second function. The forward current is calculated, and the deep ultraviolet light emitting diode 22 is caused to emit light with the calculated forward current. While the deep ultraviolet light emitting diode 22 is caused to emit light, the current control device 225 continues to monitor the element temperature information received from the temperature sensor 24 and keeps the light emission intensity of the deep ultraviolet light emitting diode 22 at the required light emission intensity calculated previously. As described above, the forward current is controlled using the second function.

  Refer to FIG. 6 again. The distance sensor 260 is disposed above the conveyor 240 and on the upstream side of the conveyor 240 with respect to the deep ultraviolet surface light source 220 so as to face the placement surface 241 a of the conveyor 240. The distance sensor 260 performs both detection of the sterilized body 1 and measurement of the distance to the sterilized body 1. The distance sensor 260 measures the distance to the sterilized body 1 placed on the placement surface 241 a of the conveyor 240, and transfers the measurement result information to the control device 230. As such a distance sensor 260, for example, a known distance sensor such as an ultrasonic distance sensor, an infrared distance sensor, or a laser distance sensor can be employed without any particular limitation. The control device 230 uses the distance information received from the distance sensor 260 as the light exit surface of the light guide plate 223 of the deep ultraviolet surface light source 220 when the object 1 is moved below the light guide plate 223 of the deep ultraviolet surface light source 220. It converts into the distance d from 223b to the to-be-sterilized body 1.

  The control device 230 is connected to the current control device 225 of the deep ultraviolet surface light source 220, the distance sensor 260, and the drive device 242 of the conveyor 240, and controls these operations. FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating the control flow S2 of the ultraviolet sterilizer 200. The control flow S2 has steps S21 to S28. The operation of the control device 230 will be described with reference to FIG.

  In step S21, driving of the conveyor 240 is started, and the process proceeds to step S22. In step S <b> 22, it is determined whether the sterilized body 1 has been transferred below the distance sensor 260. This determination can be made by detecting a change that occurs in the distance information received by the control device 230 from the distance sensor 260 that is disposed facing the placement surface 241a of the conveyor 240. If a positive determination is made in step S22, the process proceeds to the next step S23. If a negative determination is made in step S22, the process returns to step S21.

  In step S <b> 23, the distance sensor 260 measures the distance to the sterilized body 1 and transfers the measurement result to the control device 230. The control device 230 receives the information of the distance measurement result from the distance sensor 260 and, based on the information, the deep ultraviolet surface light source 220 and the object to be sterilized when the sterilized body 1 comes to the irradiation region below the deep ultraviolet surface light source 220. The distance to the sterilized body 1 (that is, the distance from the light exit surface 223b of the light guide plate 223 to the sterilized body 1) d is calculated.

In step S24, the control device 230 determines the value of the accumulated amount of deep ultraviolet rays I ₀ (unit: mJ / cm ² ) to be irradiated to the sterilized object 1, and the value of the distance d calculated in step S23. Based on the above, the irradiation time t necessary for performing sufficient sterilization with deep ultraviolet rays on the sterilized object 1 is calculated. The ultraviolet sterilizer 200 is configured to perform a sterilization treatment that sufficiently kills microorganisms generally found in the environment, and employs a value of, for example, 50.0 mJ / cm ² or more as I ₀ . The control device 230 has at least a storage device and an arithmetic unit, and the storage device stores a value of I ₀ and a light emission output P (unit: mW) to be exhibited by the deep ultraviolet light source 220. . The irradiance (unit: mW / cm ² ) of deep ultraviolet light at a position away from the deep ultraviolet surface light source 220 by the distance d depends on the light emission output P (unit: mW) of the deep ultraviolet light source 220 and the distance d. The storage device of the control device 230 stores deep ultraviolet light at a position away from the deep ultraviolet surface light source 220 by a distance d when the deep ultraviolet surface light source 220 is driven with a predetermined light emission output P recorded in the storage device. The relationship between irradiance and distance d is recorded as a function. The control device 230 uses this function to calculate the irradiance of deep ultraviolet rays on the surface of the sterilized object 1 from the previously calculated distance d, and to achieve the integrated dose I ₀ from the calculated irradiance. The required time t required for the calculation is calculated.

  In step S25, the control device 230 starts from the required time t calculated in step S24, the speed at which the sterilized body 1 should be moved while the sterilized body 1 is irradiated with deep ultraviolet rays, that is, the movement of the conveyor 240. Calculate the speed. In the storage device of the control device 230, the length L (see FIG. 6) of the section on the conveyor 240 irradiated with deep ultraviolet light having a constant intensity from the deep ultraviolet surface light source 220 is recorded. The moving speed v of the conveyor 240 while irradiating deep ultraviolet rays is calculated by the equation v = L / t.

  In step S <b> 26, the control device 230 drives the conveyor 240 to move the object to be sterilized 1 to the upstream end (see FIG. 6) of the section irradiated with deep ultraviolet light having a constant intensity from the deep ultraviolet light source 220. .

  In step S27, the control device 230 transfers the value of the distance d and the value of irradiance to be achieved at a position away from the deep ultraviolet surface light source 220 by the distance d to the current control device 225 of the deep ultraviolet surface light source 220. Then, an instruction to start deep ultraviolet irradiation is sent. At the same time, the control device 230 controls the driving device 242 of the conveyor 240 so that the moving speed v of the conveyor 240 becomes the value calculated in step S25. When the deep ultraviolet irradiation for the predetermined time t is completed, the process proceeds to step S28.

  In step S <b> 28, the control device 230 further operates the conveyor 240 to move the sterilized body 1 to the downstream side of the deep ultraviolet surface light source 220.

  As such a control apparatus 230, the form which has memory | storage devices which recorded the information required for said process and a processing flow, and arithmetic units, such as a microprocessor, can be illustrated.

In the above description of the present invention, the ultraviolet light sterilizer is configured to achieve the predetermined integrated irradiation amount I ₀ by fixing the light emission output P of the deep ultraviolet surface light source 220 and controlling the irradiation time t by the moving speed of the conveyor 240. Although 200 is illustrated, the present invention is not limited to this form. For example, the light emission output of the deep ultraviolet light source is fixed so that a predetermined integrated irradiation amount I ₀ is achieved while the object to be sterilized passes under the deep ultraviolet light source while fixing the moving speed of the conveyor (that is, the irradiation time t). It is also possible to use an ultraviolet sterilizer that controls P. Moreover, the moving speed of the conveyor (that is, the irradiation time t) is fixed, and the emission output P of the deep ultraviolet light source that achieves a predetermined integrated irradiation amount I ₀ while the object to be sterilized passes under the deep ultraviolet light source. When the calculated light output P is less than the maximum realizable value, the predetermined integrated dose I ₀ is achieved only by controlling the light output P without changing the moving speed of the conveyor. If the calculated value of the light emission output P exceeds the realizable maximum value, the predetermined integrated irradiation amount is obtained by the realizable light emission output P by lowering the moving speed of the conveyor and increasing the irradiation time t. it is also possible to ultraviolet sterilizer embodiment of achieving I _0.

  In the above description of the present invention, the UV sterilization apparatus 200 in which the control device 230 indirectly controls the deep UV light emitting diode 22 via the current control device 225 of the deep UV surface light source 220 is illustrated. The form is not limited. The deep ultraviolet light emitting diode 22 and the temperature sensor 224 are connected to the control device 230, and the control device 230 may be an ultraviolet sterilization device that directly reads out the measured value from the temperature sensor 224 and drives the deep ultraviolet light emitting diode 22. Is possible.

  In the above description regarding the present invention, the deep ultraviolet surface light source 220 has exemplified the form having the temperature sensor 224 for measuring the element temperature of the deep ultraviolet light emitting diode 22, but the ultraviolet surface light source of the present invention is not limited to this form. For example, instead of the temperature sensor 224 or together with the temperature sensor 224, an ultraviolet surface light source having a temperature adjusting means (for example, a Peltier element) for controlling the element temperature of the deep ultraviolet light emitting diode 22 may be used.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Object to be sterilized 100, 200 Ultraviolet sterilizer 10, 210 Case 10a Front surface 10b Rear surface 10c Upper surface 10d Bottom surface 10e, 10f Side surface 11 Door 20 Deep ultraviolet light source 21, 221 Substrate 22 Deep ultraviolet light emitting diode 23, 224 Temperature sensor 24 Actuator 30 230 control device 40 support base 50 drive means 60 input / output means 220 deep ultraviolet light source 223 light guide plate 223a (light guide plate) end 223b (light guide plate) light exit surface 225 current control device 240 conveyor 241 belt 241a (conveyor ) Mounting surface 242 Driving device 260 Distance sensor

Claims (7)

A mounting surface for mounting the object to be sterilized;
A deep ultraviolet light source that has one or more deep ultraviolet light emitting diodes and emits deep ultraviolet light toward the object to be sterilized placed on the mounting surface (excluding those that emit deep ultraviolet light toward the photocatalyst material). When,
Control means,
The control means includes
Integrated irradiation amount I (unit: mJ / cm ² ) of deep ultraviolet rays irradiated to the sterilized body within irradiation time: t (unit: second) defined as the time for irradiating the sterilized body with deep ultraviolet light ) Becomes a predetermined value I ₀ ,
(1) The irradiation time: t,
(2) Distance between the object to be sterilized and the deep ultraviolet light source: d (unit: cm), and (3) Light emission output of the deep ultraviolet light source: P (unit: mW)
And after adjusting one or more selected from the irradiation time t, the distance d, and the light emission output P based on the result of the determination, deep ultraviolet light is applied to the deep ultraviolet light source. An ultraviolet sterilization apparatus characterized by irradiating to   The ultraviolet sterilizer according to claim 1, further comprising an actuator for adjusting the distance d. The control means is
The irradiation time input by the operator is the irradiation time t, and the distance between the deep ultraviolet light source and the object to be sterilized when the object to be sterilized is placed on the placement surface is the initial value of the distance d. As a value, it is necessary to set the accumulated dose I (unit: mJ / cm ² ) of deep ultraviolet rays irradiated from the deep ultraviolet light source to the irradiated object during the irradiation time t as the I _0. Calculate the emission output of the deep ultraviolet light source,
Based on the calculated light output, a set of the irradiation time t, the distance d, and the light output P is determined.
The ultraviolet sterilizer according to claim 1 or 2. The control means is
Determining whether the calculated light output exceeds the maximum light output of the deep ultraviolet light source or the light output obtained by multiplying the maximum light output by a preset safety factor;
When a negative determination is made in the determination, the calculated light emission output is set as the light emission output P of the deep ultraviolet light source,
If a positive determination is made in the above determination,
Assuming a distance d shorter than the initial value, the calculation of the light emission output necessary to set the I to the I ₀ is attempted again, or
The irradiation time t is reset so as to be longer than the irradiation time input by the operator, and the calculation of the light emission output necessary to set the I to the I ₀ is attempted again, or the maximum The light emission output or the light emission output obtained by multiplying the maximum light emission output by the safety factor is used as the light emission output P of the deep ultraviolet light source, and the irradiation time t is set to the predetermined irradiation amount I by the ultraviolet irradiation of the light emission output P. A set of the irradiation time t, the distance d, and the light emission output P based on the calculated light emission output is determined by setting the shortest irradiation time t ′ to be the value I ₀ .
The ultraviolet sterilizer according to claim 3. Mounted on the mounting surface using a deep ultraviolet light source (excluding those emitting deep ultraviolet light toward the photocatalyst material) that has one or more deep ultraviolet light emitting diodes and emits deep ultraviolet light toward the object to be sterilized A method for sterilizing a sterilized object,
(A) Irradiation time defined as the time for irradiating the object to be sterilized with deep ultraviolet rays: Accumulated irradiation dose I (unit: mJ) of the deep ultraviolet rays irradiated to the object to be sterilized within t (unit: seconds) / Cm ² ) is a predetermined value I ₀ ,
(1) The irradiation time: t,
(2) Distance between the object to be sterilized and the deep ultraviolet light source: d (unit: cm), and (3) Light emission output of the deep ultraviolet light source: P (unit: mW)
Determining a set of
(B) Based on the result determined in the step (a), one or more selected from the irradiation time t, the distance d, and the light emission output P are adjusted, and then the sterilized body is moved from the deep ultraviolet light source. Irradiating deep ultraviolet rays to
An ultraviolet sterilization method characterized by comprising: (C) placing the object to be sterilized on the placement surface;
(D) further comprising a step of determining an accumulated dose I ₀ (unit: mJ / cm ² ) of deep ultraviolet rays to be irradiated to the sterilized body,
The step (a)
(A1) setting the irradiation time t;
(A2) The distance between the deep ultraviolet light source and the object to be sterilized when the object to be sterilized is placed on the placement surface is an initial value of the distance d, and the irradiation time t The light emission output of the deep ultraviolet light source necessary for setting the accumulated irradiation amount I (unit: mJ / cm ² ) of the deep ultraviolet light irradiated to the irradiated object to the I ₀ is calculated, and the calculated light emission output Is the “(3) emission output of the deep ultraviolet light source: P”, the irradiation time set in the step (a1) is the “(1) irradiation time: t”, and the initial value is set in the step (a2). A step of determining a set of the irradiation time t, the distance d, and the light emission output P, with the distance as “(2) Distance between the object to be sterilized and the deep ultraviolet light source: d”;
The ultraviolet sterilization method according to claim 5, comprising: The step (a)
(A3) A step of determining whether or not the light emission output calculated in the step (a2) exceeds the maximum light emission output of the deep ultraviolet light source or the light emission output obtained by multiplying the maximum light emission output by a preset safety factor. When,
(A4) When a negative determination is made in the step (a3), the light emission output calculated in the step (a2) is set to “(3) Light emission output of deep ultraviolet light source: P”, and the step (a1 The irradiation time set in step (a) is set as the initial value in the step (a2), and the distance between the (2) the object to be sterilized and the deep ultraviolet light source is set as the initial value in the step (a2). A set of the irradiation time t, the distance d and the light emission output P is determined as a distance: d ″;
If a positive determination is made in step (a3),
Assuming a distance d shorter than the initial value, the calculation of the light emission output necessary for setting I to _I0 is attempted again, and the calculated light emission output is referred to as “(3) the deep ultraviolet light source”. Light emission output: P ”, the irradiation time set in the step (a1) is“ (1) the irradiation time: t ”, and the distance shorter than the assumed initial value is“ (2) Determining a set of the irradiation time t, the distance d and the light emission output P as a distance: d ″ between the object to be sterilized and the deep ultraviolet light source;
The irradiation time t is reset so as to be longer than the irradiation time set in the step (a1), and the calculation of the light emission output necessary for setting the I to the I ₀ is attempted again. In step (a2), the calculated emission output is “(3) emission output of the deep ultraviolet light source: P”, and the reset irradiation time is “(1) the irradiation time: t”. Whether the irradiation distance t, the distance d, and the light emission output P are determined by setting the distance as an initial value as the “(2) distance between the object to be sterilized and the deep ultraviolet light source: d”, Or the distance set as the initial value in the step (a2) is “(2) distance between the object to be sterilized and the deep ultraviolet light source: d”, and the safety factor corresponds to the maximum light output or the maximum light output. The light emission output multiplied by is set to “(3) Light emission output of the deep ultraviolet light source: P”. With the shortest irradiation time t 'the integrated irradiation dose I by ultraviolet irradiation of the light emitting output P becomes a predetermined value I ₀ "(1) the irradiation time: t" as the irradiation time t, the distance d and Determining a set of light emission outputs P;
The ultraviolet sterilization method according to claim 6, further comprising:

Images