JP2018184716A - Water-handling article or water-handling member - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide the water handling article or the water handling member that can sterilize and clean a water-contacting surface by a self-cleaning mechanism using a photocatalyst, wherein the water-handling article or the water-handling member has a large degree of freedom in an arrangement location of an ultraviolet light source, can more reliably activate the photocatalyst disposed on a wetted surface to be sterilized and washed, and in some cases, can sterilize an atmosphere near the water-contacting surface.SOLUTION: The water-handling article such as a toilet device having an exposure surface and having a surface exposure portion where at least a part of the exposure surface is the water-contacting surface that can come into contact with water in a liquid state, forms the photocatalyst-containing layer containing the photocatalyst on an excitation light emission surface from which excitation light for exciting the photocatalyst can be emitted, which is used as the water-contacting surface, and further, excites the photocatalyst by ultraviolet ray irradiation from a back surface (a rear surface) of the photocatalyst-containing layer so as to excite the photocatalyst.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an article or member that handles water, such as a toilet device, in which at least a part of an exposed surface is a wetted surface that can come into contact with water in a liquid state.

  In many articles that handle water, such as toilet devices, at least a part of the exposed surface is a wetted surface that can come into contact with liquid water. In such articles (hereinafter also referred to as “water handling articles”), dirt such as mold tends to adhere to the wetted surface and easily become a moist environment. There is a problem. For this reason, various devices have been made to clean the water contact surface.

  As one of such contrivances, in the case where light including ultraviolet rays such as sunlight is constantly irradiated, the photocatalytic reaction that occurs when the water contact surface is composed of a photocatalytic substance and water contacts the photocatalytic substance. There is known a method using a so-called self-cleaning mechanism in which dirt is decomposed and sterilized by the strong oxidizing power of hydroxyl radicals (also referred to as OH radicals) generated by (Patent Document 1).

  In addition, when a device used in the room or a wetted surface is present in the apparatus housing and external light irradiation cannot be expected, the wetted surface is composed of a photocatalytic substance and an ultraviolet light source such as an ultraviolet lamp. There is also known a method of disassembling and sterilizing dirt by the same mechanism as described above so that ultraviolet rays can be irradiated (Patent Document 2).

  Furthermore, a technique for performing sterilization and cleaning by spraying a cleaning liquid having a sterilizing effect on the water contact surface is also known. For example, in order to keep toilet bowl toilets clean, functional water such as hypochlorous acid water is sprayed on the bowl of the toilet bowl, and a light source device for irradiating ultraviolet rays is attached to the toilet bowl. Or what sprays the said functional water or sterilization water within the predetermined time after the irradiation of the said ultraviolet-ray is complete | finished (refer patent document 3).

  And according to the toilet apparatus described in the said patent document 3, using the flow of the air which arises by the heat_generation | fever of a light source device, the functional water sprayed from the spraying means or the sterilization water is made into the rim part of the rear part of a toilet bowl, for example It is said that it can be further spread to the back surface, and the entire surface of the bowl part of the toilet bowl can be maintained more cleanly.

  In addition, as functional water or sterilizing water used in Patent Document 3, hypochlorous acid water obtained by electrolyzing tap water with a sterilizing water generator is used.

  Further, in the toilet apparatus described in Patent Document 3, a photocatalyst layer is formed on the surface of the bowl portion, and the photocatalyst layer is irradiated with ultraviolet rays to generate active oxygen by surrounding water, oxygen, etc. The surface of the part is hydrophilized so that the functional water or sterilizing water spreads on the surface of the bowl part.

JP 2011-21396 A JP 2014-163203 A JP 2014-163162 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-085606 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2006-049518 JP 2006-049519 A JP, 2006-050291, A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-237928

Journal of Japan Society on Water Environment Vol.22 No.11 910-915 1999

  When using a self-cleaning mechanism using a photocatalyst, it is necessary to irradiate the photocatalyst with excitation light such as ultraviolet rays. As the excitation light, natural light including ultraviolet light is common, but when natural light cannot be used, it is necessary to install a light source of excitation light such as ultraviolet light as described above. However, depending on the water handling article, the installation position of the excitation light source is often limited due to the internal structure thereof, and there are many cases where excitation light cannot be irradiated to the place to be purified. Even when excitation light irradiation is possible, the generation of OH radicals due to photocatalysis is limited to the photocatalyst surface, so there is no space in the photocatalyst (such as air that fills the space or stored water). It cannot be sterilized or washed with OH radicals. Furthermore, it is known that the lifetime of OH radicals is extremely short, and the time for obtaining the sterilizing / cleaning effect is limited to the time during which the excitation light is irradiated.

  Thus, the self-cloning mechanism using a photocatalyst is greatly restricted in applicable area and time, in other words, in an area where a photocatalyst is present and excitation light irradiation is possible, There is a problem that sterilization / cleaning can be performed only while irradiation is performed.

  If a cleaning liquid having a bactericidal effect such as hypochlorous acid water is used in combination as in the method described in Patent Document 3, the portion in contact with the cleaning liquid can be sterilized and cleaned. In order to obtain this, a special device for electrolyzing tap water is required. Further, in order to obtain the effect, it is necessary to bring the object to be sterilized / cleaning body into contact with the cleaning liquid, so there is a limit to sterilizing the space atmosphere. For example, even if the mist of the cleaning liquid is sprayed, influences such as the stay time of the mist and the concentration (presence density) in the mist atmosphere are unavoidable.

  Therefore, the present invention is a water handling article or water handling member capable of sterilizing / washing a wetted surface by a self-cleaning mechanism using a photocatalyst, and has a large degree of freedom in the location of the ultraviolet light source, and is sterilized / washed. To provide a water handling article or a water handling member capable of more reliably activating the photocatalyst disposed on the surface in contact with water and further capable of sterilizing the atmosphere in the vicinity of the surface in contact with water. Is an issue.

  The present inventor newly established an excitation light source installation space in water handling articles that could not be used as a space for arranging an excitation light source so far, such as the inside of a member main body having an exposed surface that becomes a wetted surface. If it is possible to reliably activate the photocatalyst present on the water contact surface by excitation light such as ultraviolet rays emitted from the excitation light source, the above problem can be solved. The idea was to irradiate excitation light from the back surface (back surface) of the photocatalyst layer. As a result of intensive studies based on the idea, the present invention has been completed.

That is, the present invention has an exposed surface, a surface exposed portion that is a wetted surface where at least a part of the exposed surface can come into contact with liquid water, and excitation light that can emit excitation light that excites the photocatalyst. An excitation light emitting means having an emission surface, and an article or member comprising:
The wetted surface of the surface exposed portion has a photocatalyst-containing layer containing a photocatalytic substance excited by the excitation light disposed on the excitation light emission surface of the excitation light emission means, and the excitation light emission surface A photocatalyst-containing layer disposed thereon comprises a first region exposed on the surface;
In the first region, the excitation light emitted from the excitation light emission surface of the excitation light emission means is adapted to be irradiated from the non-exposed surface side of the photocatalyst containing layer, It is an article or member.

  In the article or member of the present invention, at least a part of the photocatalyst containing layer in the first region is an excitation light transmitting photocatalyst containing layer that transmits a part of the excitation light emitted from the excitation light emitting surface. The excitation light transmitting photocatalyst containing layer may have a curved surface shape or a bent portion, and may be emitted from the excitation light transmitted through the excitation light transmitting photocatalyst containing layer or the excitation light emitting surface. It is preferable that the exposed surface of the photocatalyst containing layer in the first region can be irradiated with the excitation light emitted without passing through the excitation light transmissive photocatalyst containing layer.

  Further, the wetted surface of the surface exposed portion is a second surface in which the photocatalyst-containing layer is disposed on a support substrate impermeable to excitation light, and the photocatalyst-containing layer disposed on the support substrate is exposed on the surface. An excitation light transmitting photocatalyst containing layer that transmits a part of the excitation light emitted from the excitation light exit surface, wherein at least a part of the photocatalyst containing layer in the first region further includes an excitation region. Excitation light that has passed through the surface layer of the light transmissive photocatalyst or the excitation light that has been emitted from the excitation light emission surface and not transmitted through the excitation light transmissive photocatalyst-containing layer is used as the photocatalyst in the second region. It is also preferable that at least a part of the exposed surface of the containing layer can be irradiated.

  In the article or member of the present invention, a photocatalyst excited by ultraviolet rays is used. (1) The excitation light emitting means is an ultraviolet light source, and one surface thereof is an ultraviolet emitting surface, and the surface shape is a curved surface. A surface light-emitting member made of a light guide plate, a light guide sheet or a light guide film, wherein the surface light-emitting member emits ultraviolet light emitted from the ultraviolet light source from the ultraviolet light emission surface. Or (2) the excitation light emitting means is an ultraviolet light source, each of which has a surface that is an ultraviolet light emitting surface, and may have a plate shape, sheet shape, or film shape whose surface shape may be a curved surface An ultraviolet transmissive member, irradiates ultraviolet light emitted from the ultraviolet light source from the other surface side of the ultraviolet transmissive member, and emits ultraviolet light transmitted through the ultraviolet transmissive member from the ultraviolet light emitting surface. It is preferable that the.

  Further, in the above aspects (1) and (2), the ultraviolet light source has an ultraviolet light emitting diode emitting ultraviolet light having a peak in a wavelength region of 240 nm or more and 280 nm or less, and a peak in a wavelength region of more than 280 nm and 400 nm or less. An ultraviolet light emitting diode that emits ultraviolet light, and the photocatalytic surface layer in the first region of the surface exposed portion is integrated with the surface light emitting member or the ultraviolet light transmissive member. Are preferably modularized.

  The article or member of the present invention includes a flush toilet device, a flush toilet tank, a washing machine, a humidifier, an air conditioner, a refrigerator, a freezer, a water purifier, a hand dryer, a bathtub, a bathroom ceiling material, a wall material and a floor material, and a wash surface. One article selected from the group consisting of a sink, a sink sink, a drain or a drain pan and a drain trap, or a member in the one article is preferable.

  Regarding sterilization / decomposition / washing using a photocatalyst, (a) a photocatalyst filter used to oxidatively decompose or kill odors, bacteria, and other contaminants in the air in an air conditioner. In the technology (Patent Document 4) that demonstrates the desired photocatalytic ability even if the entire surface cannot be irradiated with ultraviolet rays, and (b) an ultraviolet killing device for sterilizing aquatic organisms such as cultured fish and appreciation fish In addition, there is known a technique (Patent Documents 5, 6, and 7) that performs ultraviolet sterilization of water while irradiating ultraviolet rays from the back side of a window material having a photocatalyst layer to exhibit self-cleaning properties. However, these techniques relate to filters and ultraviolet irradiation devices themselves, and there is no idea of arranging a light source in a space where a light source could not be arranged. Further, Patent Documents 4, 5, 6 and 7 do not include a description relating to the application of these techniques to water handling articles as described above other than filters of air conditioners and water sterilizers.

  In the present invention, for example, the excitation light source may be disposed in a space that could not be conventionally used as an installation location of the excitation light source, such as the inside of the toilet device body in the toilet device, the outside of the pipe or the tubular member in the drain trap, etc. Therefore, not only the degree of freedom of the location of the excitation light source is increased, but also the internal space can be used effectively and downsizing can be achieved. In addition, since the back surface (back surface) irradiation method is employed, the excitation light can be reliably irradiated to the photocatalyst even if the excitation light source is installed in such a place. Further, by making the photocatalyst layer transparent to excitation light, the photocatalyst layer that is not irradiated with the back surface (back surface) is irradiated with excitation light from the front surface, or when the excitation light is ultraviolet light, the spatial atmosphere is changed to ultraviolet light. It is also possible to sterilize.

  Further, since the water contact surface of water handling articles and water handling members has many opportunities to come into contact with running water, the fluid physical cleaning effect can be expected from these running water. However, in the present invention, the fluid physical cleaning effect can be further enhanced. . This is because, when the oxidative decomposition effect by OH radicals becomes high, the dirt substance is decomposed into a substance having a lower molecular weight and higher hydrophilicity, so even if a decomposition residue adheres to the surface, it can be easily removed by running water. Because it becomes like this. That is, a high self-cleaning effect can be obtained by such a synergistic effect. Therefore, in the water handling article or water handling member of the present invention, the frequency of manual cleaning can be reduced, and it is not necessary to rub vigorously with a brush to remove dirt. For example, a soft cleaning tool such as a sponge is used. Can easily remove dirt. As a result, the surface is not damaged, and the life of the article or member can be extended.

  In addition, the ultraviolet light permeability to the photocatalyst layer excited by ultraviolet light and the bactericidal effect of the ultraviolet light itself are dependent on the wavelength of the ultraviolet light, and the longer wavelength ultraviolet light is harder to be absorbed by the photocatalyst. This layer can be easily activated (excited) (see Non-Patent Document 1). Further, ultraviolet rays in a wavelength region around 265 nm have a high bactericidal effect. Therefore, an ultraviolet light source including an ultraviolet light emitting diode that emits ultraviolet light having a peak in a wavelength region of 240 nm or more and 280 nm or less, and an ultraviolet light emitting diode that emits ultraviolet light having a peak in a wavelength region of more than 280 nm and not more than 400 nm By using, the above-described effect can be further enhanced when the photocatalyst layer excited by ultraviolet rays has ultraviolet transparency. Further, the photocatalytic surface layer in the first region of the surface exposed portion is integrated with the surface light emitting member or the ultraviolet light transmissive member to make a removable module, thereby facilitating maintenance. Is also possible.

This figure is a schematic diagram for explaining a toilet apparatus 100 which is one of the articles of the present invention. This figure is a diagram showing a state of a first region in which a photocatalyst-containing layer is formed on the ultraviolet emission surface of an ultraviolet emission means that can be suitably used in the present invention. This figure is a diagram showing a state of a first region in which a photocatalyst containing layer is formed on an ultraviolet ray emitting surface of another ultraviolet ray emitting unit that can be suitably used in the present invention. This figure is a diagram showing a state of a first region in which a photocatalyst-containing layer is formed on the ultraviolet emission surface of still another ultraviolet emission means that can be suitably used in the present invention.

  The article or member of the present invention has an exposed surface, and at least a part of the exposed surface is a wetted surface that can come into contact with liquid water, and can emit excitation light that excites the photocatalyst. And an excitation light emitting means having an excitation light emitting surface, wherein the water contact surface of the surface exposed portion is a photocatalyst-containing layer containing a photocatalytic substance excited by the excitation light. A first region that is disposed on the excitation light emitting surface of the excitation light emitting means and that is exposed on the surface of the photocatalyst-containing layer disposed on the excitation light emitting surface. In this region, the excitation light emitted from the excitation light emission surface of the excitation light emission means is irradiated from the non-exposed surface side of the photocatalyst containing layer.

  The article or member of the present invention has an exposed surface, and an article (water handling article) or member (hereinafter referred to as a water handling article) having a surface exposed portion that is a wetted surface in which at least a part of the exposed surface can come into contact with liquid water. , Also referred to as “water handling member”). Among these articles or members, because of the high usefulness of the effect, in the human living environment or living environment, equipment, devices used for water supply, water use or wastewater disposal directly used by humans, Articles such as equipment and members used for these (hereinafter also referred to as “life water handling articles” and “life water handling members”, respectively) are preferable. Here, the supply of water directly used by humans is, for example, the supply of drinking water or tap water, and the use of water is, for example, toilet flushing, washing, facial washing, hair washing, showering, bathing, washing, humidification and so on. The use of water in relation to human use of water, such as the generation of steam for ironing. Wastewater disposal means, for example, wastewater generated as a result of the use of the above water, heat exchangers for air conditioners, etc. Such as drainage generated in the water, and unnecessary disposal of dew condensation water in windows and bathrooms.

  Specific examples of suitable “life-use water handling articles” and “life-use water handling members” in the present invention include flush toilet equipment, flush toilet tank, washing machine, humidifier, air conditioner, refrigerator, freezer, hand dryer. , Water purifiers, bathtubs, bathroom ceiling materials, wall materials and flooring materials, sinks for sinks, sink sinks, drains or drain pans and drain traps, or one member of the one article Can be mentioned.

  The excitation light emitting means in the article or member of the present invention is not particularly limited as long as it has an excitation light emitting surface capable of emitting excitation light for exciting the photocatalyst contained in the photocatalyst containing layer. The excitation light emitted from the excitation light source is emitted from the excitation light emission surface. Such excitation light emitting means includes (I-1) an excitation light source and a window material that transmits the excitation light, and the excitation light source is disposed behind (on the back side of) the window material. The excitation light emitted from the excitation light source is transmitted through the window material and emitted from the surface thereof. (I-2) Excitation light source, optical transmission means such as an optical fiber, excitation A window material that transmits light, and the excitation light source is installed at an arbitrary location, and the excitation light is guided to the rear (back surface side) of the window material by the light transmission means, And (II-1) an excitation light source, and a light guide plate, a light guide sheet or a light guide film, wherein the excitation light source is the light guide plate. From the light exit surface (excitation light exit surface) by allowing excitation light to enter from the side end surface of the light guide plate, etc. (II-2) an excitation light source, a light transmission means such as an optical fiber, a light guide plate, a light guide sheet, or a light guide film, and the excitation light source is located at an arbitrary place. And the like, such that the excitation light is guided by the light transmission means and incident from the side end face of the light guide plate or the like and is emitted from the light exit surface (excitation light exit surface).

  The excitation light is not particularly limited as long as it is light having a wavelength that excites the photocatalyst. In general, however, photocatalysts excited by ultraviolet rays have high activity and are easily available. Therefore, it is possible to use ultraviolet rays as excitation light. preferable. In this case, the excitation light emitting means (I-1) to (II-2) are ultraviolet means, and the excitation light source and the excitation light emission surface are an ultraviolet light source and an ultraviolet emission surface, respectively.

  When ultraviolet light is used as excitation light, a mercury lamp or excimer lamp well known as an ultraviolet light source (hereinafter, UV may be abbreviated as UV) is used as the ultraviolet light source serving as the excitation light source. However, an ultraviolet light emitting diode (hereinafter sometimes abbreviated as UV-LED) is used because of its small size, power saving, long life, no use of mercury, and instantaneous lighting and extinction. It is preferable.

  By the way, as described above, it is known that the ultraviolet light permeability to the layer containing the photocatalyst excited by the ultraviolet light and the bactericidal effect by the ultraviolet light itself have a wavelength dependency of the ultraviolet light. That is, the longer the wavelength of ultraviolet rays, the easier it is to activate the exposed surface of the photocatalyst layer when irradiated with the back surface (back surface) (see Non-Patent Document 1), and ultraviolet light in the wavelength region around 265 nm has a high bactericidal effect. For this reason, from the viewpoint of irradiating the photocatalyst-containing layer with ultraviolet rays from the back surface (back surface) to strongly excite the surface (exposed surface) of the photocatalyst layer to activate the photocatalyst layer to be highly activated, the wavelength exceeds 280 nm, for example, 400 nm or less. In particular, it is preferable to irradiate ultraviolet rays in a wavelength region of 290 nm to 390 nm. On the other hand, if the photocatalyst-containing layer is made to be UV permeable, and the transmitted UV light is used for activation by sterilizing the atmosphere and irradiating from the exposed surface of the photocatalyst-containing layer (of other parts), 240 nm or more It is preferable to irradiate ultraviolet rays having a wavelength region of 280 nm or less, particularly 250 nm or more and 270 nm or less. Furthermore, in order to obtain both effects, it is preferable to simultaneously irradiate ultraviolet rays having a wavelength region of more than 280 nm and not more than 400 nm and ultraviolet rays having a wavelength region of not less than 240 nm and not more than 280 nm. For these reasons, when UV-LEDs are used, UV-LEDs that emit ultraviolet light having a peak in the wavelength region of 240 nm or more and 280 nm or less, and ultraviolet rays that have a peak in the wavelength region of more than 280 nm and 400 nm or less are used. It is preferable to use UV-LED that emits light in combination. Further, from the viewpoint of preventing ozone generation for safety, it is preferable that the irradiated ultraviolet rays do not include ultraviolet rays having a wavelength of less than 200 nm.

  In the article or member of the present invention, the water contact surface of the surface exposed portion has a photocatalyst-containing layer containing a photocatalyst substance excited by the excitation light disposed on the excitation light emission surface of the excitation light emission means. The photocatalyst containing layer disposed on the excitation light emitting surface includes a first region exposed on the surface.

Here, as the photocatalyst-containing layer, a thin film layer made of only a photocatalytic substance or a thin film layer having a structure in which fine particles of a photocatalytic substance are dispersed in an organic and / or inorganic base material is suitably employed. As the photocatalytic substance, a substance known to exhibit a photocatalytic action, such as TiO ₂ , SrTiO ₂ , ZnO, CdS, SnO ₂ , WO _{3 and the} like can be used without particular limitation, but from the viewpoint of high photocatalytic effect, It is preferable to use a TiO ₂ or TiO ₂ -based photocatalytic material.

  A thin film layer made of only a photocatalytic substance can be formed by sputtering or vapor deposition using a photocatalytic substance, or CVD. In this case, a general film thickness of the thin film layer is 100 nm to 10 μm, and a preferable film thickness is 150 nm to 5 μm.

  On the other hand, a thin film layer having a structure in which fine particles of a photocatalytic substance are dispersed in an organic or inorganic base material is applied and cured by applying a so-called photocatalytic coating agent in which the fine particles of the photocatalytic substance are dispersed in an organic and / or inorganic binder. Can be formed. In this case, a general film thickness of the thin film layer is 0.3 to 50 μm, and a preferable film thickness is 0.5 to 10 μm. The organic or inorganic substrate is usually a cured product of the binder component of the photocatalyst coating agent, and the concentration of the photocatalytic substance dispersed in such a substrate is 0.5 to 20 mass on a mass basis. %, Particularly 1 to 15% by mass. The particle diameter of the fine particles of the photocatalytic substance may be in the range of 5 nm to 1 μm for the primary particles obtained by image analysis of the transmission electron microscope image. From the viewpoint of the high photocatalytic function, the primary particles are used. The particle diameter is preferably 5 to 50 nm.

  As described above, when the photocatalyst-containing layer is excited by ultraviolet rays and has ultraviolet transparency, not only can the photocatalyst-containing layer be activated by irradiation of the back surface (back surface), but also the ultraviolet-transmissive photocatalyst-containing layer. The ultraviolet rays that have passed through (hereinafter also referred to as “transmitted ultraviolet rays”) can be used for ultraviolet sterilization of the surrounding atmosphere and activation by irradiation from the exposed surface of the photocatalyst containing layer (of other parts). For the reason that such merits are obtained, it is preferable that at least a part of the photocatalyst-containing layer has ultraviolet transparency. In order to provide the photocatalyst-containing layer with ultraviolet transparency, the organic or inorganic substrate, particularly the substrate in the photocatalyst-containing layer in the first region, is preferably composed of a substance having ultraviolet transparency, From the viewpoint of easy formation of the containing layer, it is preferable to be a cured product of “a binder whose transparency is transparent to ultraviolet rays and excitation light of the photocatalytic substance”. As the binder, an inorganic binder such as a silicate binder, an inorganic colloid binder, a metal alkoxide binder, an organic binder such as a fluororesin binder, or a combination thereof can be used.

  For the reason that the ultraviolet ray transmittance is further increased, the photocatalyst-containing layer is formed as “the photocatalyst substance and its cured body are transmissive to ultraviolet rays and excitation light of the photocatalyst substance, as disclosed in Patent Document 6”. Composite photocatalyst particles obtained by pulverizing a cured product obtained by curing a curable composition comprising a binder having a property, and the cured product is transparent to ultraviolet rays and excitation light of the photocatalytic substance. It is preferable to comprise a cured product of a “photocatalyst coating composition characterized by comprising a binder”.

  In the present invention, even when the photocatalyst-containing layer does not have ultraviolet transmissivity, the ultraviolet rays emitted from the ultraviolet emission surface are sterilized by ultraviolet sterilization of the surrounding atmosphere or irradiation from the exposed surface to the photocatalyst-containing layer (of other parts). It can also be used for activation. That is, when an ultraviolet light impervious photocatalyst containing layer is disposed on the ultraviolet light emitting surface, a part of the ultraviolet light emitting surface is exposed instead of being disposed so as to cover the entire surface of the ultraviolet light emitting surface with the photocatalyst containing layer. By doing so, ultraviolet rays emitted from the exposed portion to the outside (hereinafter, also referred to as “non-transmitted ultraviolet rays”) can be used for the above purpose. Since the effect of activating the photocatalyst-containing layer irradiated with the back surface (back surface) and the above-described effect of the non-transmitting ultraviolet light can be obtained uniformly without unevenness, as shown in Patent Document 5, the ultraviolet light exit surface A plurality of photocatalyst-containing layers independent from each other are formed so as to be substantially uniformly dispersed, or the photocatalyst-containing layer is formed in a punched net shape so that the punched portion is substantially uniformly dispersed on the effective surface. It is preferable that the coverage defined by the ratio (%) of the total area of the photocatalyst containing layer to the total area of the ultraviolet light emission surface is 2 to 95%. At this time, an ultraviolet light transmissive layer may be formed in the same thickness as the photocatalyst-containing layer in a portion where the photocatalyst-containing layer is not formed in order to make the surface smooth without unevenness.

  The transmitted ultraviolet rays (transmitted excitation light when the photocatalyst layer is excited by other than ultraviolet rays) and non-transmitted ultraviolet rays (non-transmitted excitation light when the photocatalyst layer is excited by other than ultraviolet rays) have the following effects. Bring. First, when the activation of the photocatalyst-containing layer by backside (backside) irradiation is insufficient, transmitted ultraviolet light (transmitted excitation light) and non-transmitted ultraviolet light (non-transmitted excitation light) emitted from different positions contain a photocatalyst. Irradiation from the exposed surface side of the layer brings about an effect that a high activation state can be obtained. Second, a wetted surface where an ultraviolet light source (excitation light source) cannot be installed at the opposite position, and an ultraviolet emission surface (excitation light emission surface) cannot be disposed on the back surface (back surface) More specifically, since the space facing the water contact surface is narrow or fulfills the function of an article or the like, it is impossible to install an external light source, and the meat of the main body portion where the water contact surface exists It is possible to activate a photocatalyst containing layer (hereinafter also referred to as “front and back irradiation difficult photocatalyst containing layer”) formed on a wetted surface where the internal light source cannot be installed due to its thin thickness. The effect is brought about.

  In the article or member of the present invention, at least a part of the photocatalyst containing layer in the first region is a part of the excitation light emitted from the excitation light emission surface because the first effect is easily obtained. Excitation light transmissive photocatalyst containing layer that passes through the part, the excitation light transmissive photocatalyst containing layer has a curved shape or has a bent portion, part of the excitation light transmissive photocatalyst containing layer, Excitation light (transmission excitation light: may be transmitted ultraviolet light) transmitted through the excitation light transmissive photocatalyst containing layer or emitted from the excitation light emission surface. The excitation light (non-transmission excitation light: may be non-transmission ultraviolet light) emitted as it is without passing through the excitation light transmissive photocatalyst containing layer in the first region (facing each other) Photocatalyst included It is preferably adapted to be (mutually) irradiating the exposed surface of the layer.

  In addition, for the reason that the second effect is easily obtained, the water contact surface of the exposed surface portion has a photocatalyst-containing layer disposed on a support substrate that is impermeable to excitation light, and is disposed on the support substrate. The photocatalyst containing layer further has a second region exposed on the surface, and at least a part of the photocatalyst containing layer in the first region transmits a part of the excitation light emitted from the excitation light emitting surface. Excitation light transmissive photocatalyst containing layer, excitation light that has passed through the excitation light transmissive photocatalyst surface layer (transmission excitation light: may be transmitted ultraviolet light), or emitted from the excitation light emission surface and excited Excitation light (non-transmission excitation light: may be non-transmission ultraviolet light) emitted as it is without passing through the light-transmitting photocatalyst-containing layer is passed through at least a part of the photocatalyst-containing layer in the second region. It is designed to irradiate the exposed surface It is preferable.

  Hereinafter, the articles and members of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  A toilet apparatus 100, which is an article of the present invention shown in FIG. 1, basically has the same structure as the toilet apparatus described in FIG. 1 of Patent Document 8 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-237928). That is, the toilet apparatus 100 is a siphon-jet flush toilet apparatus, and the toilet bowl body 10 is formed by integrally forming the bowl section 11 and a low tank (not shown) serving as a water supply source. A drainage channel 30 is formed integrally with the lower part of the slab. The toilet body 10 includes a zette waterway 20, a rim waterway 40, and a water supply chamber 50. Here, the jet conduit 20 is a jet of washing water directed from the jet hole 21 opened at the bottom of the bowl portion 11 toward the drainage passage 30, from the jet conduit inlet 22 to the jet hole 21. In addition, it is formed in an arc shape along the outer peripheral surface of the bowl portion 11. The rim water passage 40 allows the washing water to flow along the inner surface of the bowl portion 11 from a rim spray hole 41 perforated on the lower surface of the rim 12 formed on the upper edge of the bowl portion 11. is there.

  The water supply chamber 50 is for supplying the wash water supplied from the low tank to the Zet water conduit 20 and the rim water conduit 40, with the rim water conduit inlet 42 at the upper part and the Zet water conduit inlet 22 at the lower part. Is formed. In the water supply chamber 50, water flow deflecting means 60 for deflecting the wash water toward the rim water passage inlet 42 is provided, and a part of the wash water supplied into the water supply chamber is supplied to the Zet conduit inlet. It is possible to distribute water to the rim waterway at almost the same timing as it flows into the rim. That is, the water supply chamber 50 forms a descending passage gradually narrowed from the upper space on the side of the cleaning water supply port to the lower space on the side of the inlet 22 of the jet conduit, and the cleaning water supplied into the water supply chamber 50 is supplied with the jet guide. It flows down toward the water channel inlet 22 vigorously and drains into the jet conduit 20, and is directly ejected from the jet hole 21 toward the inlet of the drain channel 30. At this time, a part of the water supplied into the water supply chamber 50 is supplied from the rim water passage inlet 42 to the rim water passage 40, and the washing water flows down from the rim spray hole 41, so that the inner surface of the bowl portion 11 flows. Wash.

  In the toilet apparatus 100, the lower surface of the rim 12 and the inner surface of the bowl portion 11 are wet surfaces, and a part of the exposed surface is a photocatalyst containing layer. A partial enlarged view of the rim 12 and its surroundings is shown on the right side of FIG. 1, and an ultraviolet emitting means 70 is incorporated in the lower partition including the peripheral edge of the rim spray hole 41 of the rim 12. A transparent photocatalyst containing layer 81 is formed in the first region. That is, most of the lower surface of the rim 12 provided in a ring shape on the peripheral edge of the opening of the bowl portion is composed of the transmissive photocatalyst containing layer 81.

FIG. 2 shows an “ultraviolet ray emitting means in a state where an ultraviolet ray transmitting photocatalyst containing layer is formed on the ultraviolet ray emitting surface” 1 that can be suitably used in the present invention. In the ultraviolet emitting means 1 shown in FIG. 2, a UV-LED 8 that emits ultraviolet rays having a wavelength of 240 nm or more and 280 nm or less (sometimes abbreviated as UVC) having a high bactericidal effect on a box-shaped casing 6 having an opening in the upper part. A UV-LED 9 that emits ultraviolet light having a wavelength of more than 280 nm and of 400 nm (which may be abbreviated as UVA), which has the ability to excite TiO ₂ that is a photocatalytic substance and easily passes through the photocatalyst-containing layer, is accommodated. The window portion 7 is configured by being covered with the ultraviolet transmissive window material 2. The window material 2 has a window material body made of sapphire or quartz, the outer side surface of which is an ultraviolet emission surface 4, and the photocatalyst containing layer 3 is formed thereon. The photocatalyst-containing layer 3 is coated with a composite photocatalyst particle 3a obtained by curing a curable composition containing TiO ₂ fine particles as a photocatalyst substance and silica sol as a binder, and a photocatalyst coating composition containing the same binder as the binder. Formed.

  The photocatalyst-containing layer 3 formed in this manner is a sea island in which composite photocatalyst particles 3a containing a high concentration of the photocatalyst substance are uniformly dispersed and scattered in the sea made of the cured binder 3b in which no catalyst is present. It has a structure. For this reason, it has a photocatalytic function sufficient for exhibiting the self-cleaning function by the photocatalyst, and can have high ultraviolet transmittance.

In FIG. 1, a structure in which the entire surface of the ultraviolet emission surface is covered with the ultraviolet transmissive photocatalyst containing layer is used, but the ultraviolet emission in which a number of photocatalyst containing layers are uniformly dispersed so that a part of the ultraviolet emission surface is exposed. Means can also be used. FIG. 3 shows such a type of ultraviolet irradiation means 1 ′. The ultraviolet irradiating means 1 ′ has the ability to excite UV-LED 8 ′ and a TiO ₂ photocatalyst that emit ultraviolet rays (UVC) with a wavelength of 240 to 280 nm, which has a high bactericidal effect, in a box-shaped casing 6 ′ having an opening in the upper part A UV-LED 9 ′ that emits ultraviolet light (UVA) having a wavelength exceeding 280 nm and easily transmitting through the photocatalyst-containing layer is accommodated, and the window portion 7 ′ is configured by closing the opening with a window material 2 ′. A window material body made of window material 2 'sapphire or quartz has an ultraviolet light exit surface 4' on its outer surface, and a photocatalyst-containing layer 3 'is formed thereon. The photocatalyst-containing layer 3 ′ is formed inside a concave recess 5 formed on the ultraviolet light emission surface 4 ′. Since the diameter of the recess 5 is increased in the depth direction toward the inside, the photocatalyst-containing layer 3 ′ is difficult to peel off. At this time, the portion where the ultraviolet rays pass through each photocatalyst containing layer 3 ′ is circular with a diameter D, and this is vertically separated by a certain interval (dispersion distance interval which is the distance from the closest photocatalyst containing layer 3 ′) L. They are arranged side by side. When ultraviolet rays are emitted from the ultraviolet emission surface, each photocatalyst-containing layer 3 'is excited by ultraviolet irradiation from the back surface (rear surface), and ultraviolet rays are emitted from the portion where the photocatalyst-containing layer 3' does not exist to the outside as it is. Emitted.

  The ultraviolet ray emitting means shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 corresponds to the above type (I-1), but the type (I-2), (II-1) or (II-2) is used. Of course, it is also possible. FIG. 4 shows an ultraviolet emitting means 1 ″ as an example of the type (II-1). In the ultraviolet ray emitting means 1 ″, a casing 6 ″ in which a large number of UV-LEDs 8 ″ emitting UVC are arranged and accommodated is arranged on one side wall surface of the light guide plate 2 ″, and emitted from the UV-LED 8 ″. The ultraviolet rays thus emitted are emitted from the ultraviolet emission surface 4 ″ of the light guide plate 2 ″. Then, an ultraviolet transmissive photocatalyst containing layer 3 '' similar to that shown in FIG. 2 is formed on the ultraviolet emitting surface 4 ″. When ultraviolet rays are emitted from the ultraviolet emitting surface 4 ″, the ultraviolet transmissive photocatalyst containing layer is formed. Simultaneously with the excitation of 3 ″, transmitted ultraviolet rays are emitted toward the outside.

  A photocatalyst containing layer 82 is formed on the inner side surface of the bowl portion 11 of the toilet apparatus 100 of FIG. Since the inner surface of the bowl portion 11 of the toilet body 10 is opaque to the base of the photocatalyst containing layer 82, the portion of the water contact surface 80 covered with the photocatalyst containing layer 82 is a second region. ing.

  In the toilet device 100 which is an article of the present invention, as shown in the partially enlarged view of FIG. 1, the transparent photocatalyst containing layer 81 in the first region is irradiated with ultraviolet rays from the back surface (back surface) side. Exhibits itself as a photocatalyst when excited. Further, a part of the ultraviolet light (indicated by a dotted arrow in the figure) that has passed through the transmissive photocatalyst containing layer 81 is irradiated to the photocatalyst containing layer 82 from the exposed surface side, and the photocatalyst contained in the photocatalyst containing layer 82 Excites the substance and exerts its photocatalytic function. Water is reliably supplied to the exposed surface of the transparent photocatalyst containing layer 81 and the exposed surface of the photocatalyst containing layer 82 which are the water contact surface 80 when the toilet is used. Further, even when not in use, if the toilet lid is closed, the inside becomes a closed space in which water is accumulated in the lower portion, so that the surrounding atmosphere is in a high humidity state. Therefore, when the toilet device is not used, the ultraviolet ray is emitted from the ultraviolet ray emitting means 70, so that the self-cleaning mechanism can easily sterilize and wash. As shown in the partially enlarged view, the lower surface (back surface) of the rim 12 and the inner side surface of the bowl portion 11 around the rim 12 are generally a narrow gap space, which is difficult to see from the outside and is difficult for brushes or the like to reach. Cleaning is difficult. For this reason, mold tends to grow and become stubborn dirt (dirty dirt that is difficult to remove), and when this is removed, the surface is often damaged by rubbing with a brush. On the other hand, in the toilet apparatus 100, the self-cleaning mechanism works simply by turning on the ultraviolet light source. For example, it is detected that a person is not in the toilet using a sensing technique and is automatically excited for a predetermined time. By turning on the light source or by periodically turning on the excitation light source for a predetermined time every day at midnight, it is possible to keep the portion clean at all times. And even if dirt accumulates, since the dirt is decomposed by photocatalysis and has become low molecular and hydrophilic, it can be easily removed even with a soft cleaning tool such as a sponge. Therefore, the surface of the article or member is not damaged.

  As mentioned above, although this invention was demonstrated to the toilet apparatus as an example, this invention is not limited to this, It is applicable to above-mentioned various water handling articles and members. For example, if it is applied to the ceiling or wall material of a unit bath that is prone to mold and difficult to clean, the excitation light source can be installed in the unused space on the back side of the ceiling or the back side of the wall, so the flexibility of wiring Large and does not impair the interior appearance. In addition, since these spaces are waterproof, the excitation light source does not come into contact with water in the liquid state, and the risk of leakage etc. can be reduced. Even in a drain trap or the like, the same effect can be obtained by installing an excitation light source outside the piping section.

100 ... Toilet device 100
1, 1 ', 1 "... UV emitting means having a photocatalyst-containing layer formed on the UV emitting surface 2, 2' ... UV transmissive window material 2" ... Light guide plate 3, 3 ' 3 '' ... Photocatalyst-containing layer 3a ... Composite photocatalyst particles 3b ... Hardened body of binder 4 (3 base), 4 ', 4 "(3" base) ... UV emission Surface 5 ... concave groove 6, 6 ', 6 "... casing 7, 7' ... window 8, 8 '... UV-LED emitting UVC
9, 9 ', 9 "... UV-LED emitting UVA
10: Toilet body 11 ... Bowl 11
12 ... Rim 20 ... Zet water channel 21 ... Zet hole 22 ... Zet water channel entrance 30 ... Drain channel 40 ... Rim water channel 41 ... Rim water injection hole 50 ... Water supply chamber 60... Water flow deflecting means 70... UV irradiation means 80 .. water contact surface 81... First area transparent photocatalyst containing layer 82.

Claims (8)

Excitation light having an exposed surface, a surface exposed portion that is a wetted surface where at least a part of the exposed surface can come into contact with liquid water, and an excitation light emitting surface capable of emitting excitation light that excites the photocatalyst An article or member comprising an emitting means,
On the wetted surface of the surface exposed portion, a photocatalyst containing layer containing a photocatalytic substance excited by the excitation light is disposed on the excitation light emission surface of the excitation light emission means, and on the excitation light emission surface The disposed photocatalyst containing layer comprises a first region exposed on the surface;
In the first region, the excitation light emitted from the excitation light emission surface of the excitation light emission means is adapted to be irradiated from the non-exposed surface side of the photocatalyst containing layer, Article or member.   At least a part of the photocatalyst containing layer in the first region is an excitation light transmissive photocatalyst containing layer that transmits a part of the excitation light emitted from the excitation light emitting surface, and the excitation light transmissive photocatalyst containing layer May have a curved surface shape or a bent portion, the excitation light transmitted through the excitation light transmitting photocatalyst containing layer, or emitted from the excitation light emitting surface, and the excitation light transmitting photocatalyst containing layer 2. The article or member according to claim 1, wherein the exposed surface of the photocatalyst containing layer in the first region can be irradiated with the excitation light that is emitted without being transmitted.   The wetted surface of the surface exposed portion is a second region where the photocatalyst containing layer is disposed on a support substrate impermeable to excitation light, and the photocatalyst containing layer disposed on the support substrate is exposed on the surface. Further, at least a part of the photocatalyst containing layer in the first region is an excitation light transmissive photocatalyst containing layer that transmits a part of the excitation light emitted from the excitation light emission surface, and the excitation light transmission Excitation light that has passed through the surface layer of the photocatalyst, or the excitation light that has exited from the excitation light exit surface and that has passed through the excitation light transmission photocatalyst-containing layer, and has exited the photocatalyst-containing layer in the second region. The article or member according to claim 1, wherein at least a part of the exposed surface of the article can be irradiated.   The photocatalyst-containing layer contains a photocatalyst excited by ultraviolet rays, the excitation light emitting means has an ultraviolet light source, and one surface thereof is an ultraviolet emitting surface, and the surface shape is a curved surface. A surface light emitting member made of a light guide plate, a light guide sheet, or a light guide film, wherein the surface light emitting member emits ultraviolet light emitted from the ultraviolet light source from the ultraviolet light emitting surface. The article or member according to any one of 3 above.   The photocatalyst-containing layer contains a photocatalyst excited by ultraviolet rays, the excitation light emitting means has an ultraviolet light source, and one surface thereof is an ultraviolet emitting surface, and the surface shape is a curved surface. A plate-like, sheet-like or film-like ultraviolet transmissive member, and irradiating ultraviolet rays emitted from the ultraviolet light source from the other surface side of the ultraviolet transmissive member, The article or member according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the transmitted ultraviolet rays are emitted from the ultraviolet emission surface.   The ultraviolet light source comprises an ultraviolet light emitting diode that emits ultraviolet light having a peak in a wavelength region of 240 nm or more and 280 nm or less, and an ultraviolet light emitting diode that emits ultraviolet light having a peak in a wavelength region of more than 280 nm and not more than 400 nm. The article or member according to claim 4 or 5, characterized by the above.   The photocatalyst-containing layer in the first region of the surface exposed portion is modularized with the surface light emitting member or the ultraviolet light transmissive member. The article or member described in 1.   The article or member is a flush toilet device, a flush toilet tank, a washing machine, a humidifier, an air conditioner, a refrigerator, a freezer, a water purifier, a hand dryer, a bathtub, a bathroom ceiling material, a wall material and a floor material, and a sink for washing. The article or member according to any one of claims 1 to 7, which is one article selected from the group consisting of a sink sink, a drain or a drain pan and a drain trap, or a member in the one article.

Images