JP2019058215A - Uv sterilization device, and water server having the same - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a UV sterilization device for surely sterilizing a fluid by enhancing sterilization performance by irradiating with an ultraviolet ray emitted from an ultraviolet ray-emitting element while reflecting repeatedly, and a water server having the same.SOLUTION: There is provided a UV sterilization device 100 having an ultraviolet ray irradiating body 120 for sterilization by irradiating a fluid with an ultraviolet ray L, which houses an ultraviolet irradiation unit 140 constituted by at least an ultraviolet ray-emitting element 141 emitting an ultraviolet ray L to the ultraviolet ray irradiating body 120, a tubular spacer 146 for holding the ultraviolet ray-emitting element 141 by injection into the ultraviolet ray irradiating body 120, a circular synthetic quartz pipe 147 for circulating the fluid in the ultraviolet ray irradiating body 120, and parabola reflection mirrors 148a and 148b facing arranged over an upstream of the synthetic quartz pipe 147 and repeatedly reflecting most of ultraviolet ray emitted from the ultraviolet ray-emitting element 141.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention is a UV sterilizer including an ultraviolet light emitting element in a unit main body into which the fluid flows, and in particular, an apparatus for drinking water such as a vending machine or a water server that sells and supplies beverages such as tea and coffee, It relates to those used for drinking water facilities.

  Conventionally, as a UV sterilizer, a tube for ultraviolet irradiation, an inlet installed on the upstream side of the tube for ultraviolet irradiation, an outlet installed on the downstream side of the tube for ultraviolet irradiation, and the tube for ultraviolet irradiation There is known a beverage sterilizing unit provided with an ultraviolet light emitting element installed on the side of the body (for example, Patent Document 1).

JP, 2017-029936, A (especially, refer to Drawing 1 and Drawing 2)

  However, in the conventional beverage sterilization unit described above, the diffusion lens provided on the side surface of the ultraviolet irradiation tube directly irradiates the ultraviolet light from the ultraviolet light emitting element to at least one of the inlet and the outlet. However, there is a problem that the irradiation efficiency is not sufficient and the sterilization efficiency is limited.

  Therefore, the present invention solves the problems of the prior art as described above, that is, the object of the present invention is to enhance the sterilization ability by irradiating while repeatedly reflecting the ultraviolet light emitted from the ultraviolet light emitting element It is an object of the present invention to provide a UV sterilizer for reliably sterilizing fluid and a water server provided with the same.

Problems to be solved by the present invention

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the inflow port for inflowing the fluid, the ultraviolet irradiation pipe for sterilizing by irradiating the ultraviolet light to the fluid flowing in from the inflow port, and the outflow of the fluid from the ultraviolet irradiation pipe A UV sterilizer comprising an outflow port, wherein the ultraviolet irradiation tube is inserted into an ultraviolet light emitting element that emits ultraviolet light toward the ultraviolet irradiation tube and the ultraviolet irradiation tube. A tubular spacer for holding an ultraviolet light emitting element, a circular tubular synthetic quartz pipe for circulating a fluid in the ultraviolet irradiation pipe, and an ultraviolet light emitted from the ultraviolet light emitting element disposed opposite to each other across the upstream side of the synthetic quartz pipe And a UV reflecting unit at least composed of a parabolic reflecting mirror that repeatedly reflects the majority of the light, and the UV irradiating unit is purple in a state where the light attenuation rate of the UV light is suppressed. By circulating the fluid while repeatedly reflects the linear light, which solves the problems described above.

  In the invention according to claim 2, in addition to the configuration of the UV sterilizer described in claim 1, the ultraviolet irradiation unit is positioned in a state where the downstream side of the synthetic quartz pipe is inserted, and the tubular spacer The above-described problem is solved by including a circular pipe-shaped pipe holder which is engaged and which repeatedly reflects the rest of the ultraviolet light emitted from the ultraviolet light emitting element.

  In the invention according to the third aspect, in addition to the configuration of the UV sterilizer described in the second aspect, the pipe holder has a reflective inner circumferential surface processed with a reflective agent, It solves the problem mentioned above.

  In the invention according to claim 4, in addition to the constitution of the UV sterilizer described in any one of claims 1 to 3, the parabolic reflection mirror is a concave mirror having an aspheric surface. It solves the problem mentioned above.

  In the invention according to claim 5, in addition to the constitution of the UV sterilizer described in any one of claims 1 to 4, the parabolic reflection mirror is a light flux crossing in which the ultraviolet light is repeatedly reflected. By having a reflecting surface shape that maintains the surface constant, the above-described problem is solved.

  In the invention according to claim 6, in addition to the configuration of the UV sterilizer described in any one of claims 1 to 5, the problem as described above is that the ultraviolet light emitting element is a light emitting diode. Solve the problem.

  In the seventh aspect of the invention, in addition to the constitution of the UV sterilizer described in any one of the first to sixth aspects, the ultraviolet light emitting element is an ultraviolet light emitted from the ultraviolet light emitting element. The above-described problem is solved by being covered with a diffusion lens that diffuses the light.

  In the invention according to claim 8, in addition to the constitution of the UV sterilizer described in any one of claims 1 to 7, the ultraviolet light emitted from the ultraviolet light emitting element has a wavelength of 100 to 280 nm. The problem described above is solved by being a deep ultraviolet having the

  In the invention according to claim 9, in addition to the configuration of the UV sterilizer described in any one of claims 1 to 8, the tubular spacer is in the direction of the tube axis of the ultraviolet irradiation tube. By being formed so as to be divisible along, the problem described above is solved.

  The invention according to claim 10 is a water server in which the UV sterilizer according to any one of claims 1 to 9 is provided on a route of a pipe of water as the fluid. Solve the problems that

  The UV sterilizer according to the present invention comprises: an inflow port for flowing in fluid; a tube for ultraviolet irradiation which is irradiated with ultraviolet light to sterilize the fluid inflowed from the inflow port; and an outflow for flowing out fluid from the tube for ultraviolet irradiation. By providing the port, the fluid flowing through the ultraviolet irradiation tube can be irradiated with ultraviolet light to sterilize the fluid, and the following specific effects can be achieved.

  According to the UV sterilizer of the first aspect of the present invention, the UV irradiation tube is inserted into the UV light emitting element for emitting UV light toward the UV irradiation tube and inserted into the UV irradiation tube. A tubular spacer for holding an ultraviolet light emitting element, a circular tubular synthetic quartz pipe for circulating a fluid in the ultraviolet irradiation pipe body, and an ultraviolet light emitted from the ultraviolet light emitting element disposed opposite to each other across the upstream side of the synthetic quartz pipe By incorporating an ultraviolet irradiation unit composed of at least a parabolic reflection mirror that repeatedly reflects the majority of the fluid, the fluid does not generate turbulent flow in the synthetic quartz pipe when the fluid is made to flow through the synthetic quartz pipe, Since various substances contained in the fluid do not adhere to the synthetic quartz pipe, the transmission efficiency of ultraviolet light to the synthetic quartz pipe is compared with that of the conventional resin pipe The amount of ultraviolet radiation irradiated to the fluid is increased because the ultraviolet light is repeatedly and intensively irradiated in a state where the light attenuation rate is suppressed in the ultraviolet irradiation unit. Can increase the sterilizing ability to the fluid by an increase of.

  Then, an ultraviolet light emitting element that emits ultraviolet light, an ultraviolet light emitting element that emits ultraviolet light, a tubular spacer that holds the ultraviolet light emitting element, a circular tubular synthetic quartz pipe that circulates a fluid, and an ultraviolet light Is composed of a parabolic reflection mirror that repeatedly reflects the majority of the component, so that the component parts essential for sterilization of the fluid are integrated in series in the UV irradiation tube, so the UV irradiation unit The position adjustment, cleaning, and maintenance replacement of the synthetic quartz pipe, the ultraviolet light emitting element, and the parabolic reflection mirror can be easily performed by taking out easily from the above.

  According to the invention as set forth in claim 2, in addition to the effects exhibited by the UV sterilizer described in claim 1, the pipe holder includes an ultraviolet irradiation unit having a circular pipe holder. In order to position the synthetic quartz pipe with the downstream side of the synthetic quartz pipe inserted and engage with the tubular spacer to hold the synthetic quartz pipe, the remainder of the ultraviolet light emitted from the ultraviolet light emitting element is downstream of the synthetic quartz pipe The irradiation is performed while being reliably reflected repeatedly on the side, and as a result, in addition to the bactericidal effect on the upstream side of the synthetic quartz pipe, the bactericidal effect can be exhibited also on the downstream side of the synthetic quartz pipe.

  In the invention according to claim 3, in addition to the effect exhibited by the UV sterilizer described in claim 2, the pipe holder has a reflective inner circumferential surface surface-treated with a reflecting agent. The reflection inner circumferential surface of the pipe holder causes the remainder of the ultraviolet light emitted from the ultraviolet light emitting element to be repeatedly reflected on the downstream side of the synthetic quartz pipe while irradiating it without light attenuation, so even on the downstream side of the synthetic quartz pipe The bactericidal effect can be enhanced.

  In the invention according to claim 4, in addition to the effect exhibited by the UV sterilizer described in any one of claims 1 to 3, the parabolic reflection mirror is a concave mirror having an aspheric surface, so that ultraviolet light can be obtained. Since the ultraviolet light emitted from the light emitting element is focused and reflected without being diffused, the ultraviolet light can be efficiently concentrated on the fluid in the synthetic quartz pipe.

  In the invention according to claim 5, in addition to the effect exhibited by the UV sterilizer described in any one of claims 1 to 4, the parabolic reflection mirror maintains the luminous flux cross section of the ultraviolet light constant. By having a reflective surface shape, it is possible to repeatedly reflect the ultraviolet light by this parabolic reflection mirror, so it is possible to suppress the diffusion of the ultraviolet light and to prevent the attenuation of the ultraviolet irradiation intensity.

  In the invention according to claim 6, in addition to the effects exhibited by the UV sterilizer described in any one of claims 1 to 5, the ultraviolet light emitting element is a light emitting diode, whereby Since the possible irradiation time is longer than conventional fluorescent lamps, it can be sterilized for a long time.

  In the invention according to claim 7, in addition to the effect exhibited by the UV sterilizer described in any one of claims 1 to 6, the ultraviolet light emitting element emits the ultraviolet light emitted from the ultraviolet light emitting element. Being covered with a diffusing lens for diffusing, the diffusing lens spreads the beam angle of the ultraviolet light and thickens the beam, so that the fluid in the ultraviolet irradiation unit can be surely irradiated.

  In the invention according to claim 8, in addition to the effect exhibited by the UV sterilizer described in any one of claims 1 to 7, the ultraviolet light emitted from the ultraviolet light emitting element has a wavelength of 100 to 280 nm. Since it is excellent in the bactericidal effect which is what is called UV-C especially among ultraviolet light by being the deep ultraviolet which it has, it can be disinfected much more reliably.

  In the invention according to claim 9, in addition to the effect exhibited by the UV sterilizer described in any one of claims 1 to 8, the tubular spacer extends along the axial direction of the ultraviolet irradiation tube. Since the tubular spacer can be divided into two parts as necessary because it can be divided into two parts, a synthetic quartz pipe, an ultraviolet light emitting element, and the like when the ultraviolet irradiation unit is assembled to the ultraviolet irradiation pipe at the time of manufacturing the UV sterilizer. The handling of the parabolic reflection mirror is simple, and furthermore, the position adjustment, cleaning, and maintenance replacement of the synthetic quartz pipe, the ultraviolet light emitting element, and the parabolic reflection mirror can be easily performed.

  According to the water server of the invention concerning Claim 10, it can have the same effect as the effect which the UV sterilizer described in any one of Claims 1-9 exhibits.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Front sectional drawing which shows the outline of the water server provided with the UV sterilizer which is 1st Example of this invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The schematic explanatory drawing which cut off a part of UV sterilizer which is 1st Example of this invention. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 3-3 of FIG. 2; Explanatory drawing which shows the irradiation state of the deep ultraviolet in an ultraviolet irradiation unit. Explanatory drawing which shows the repeated reflection state of the deep ultraviolet in a parabolic reflective mirror. The disassembled assembly figure which shows the principal part of the UV sterilizer which is 2nd Example of this invention. Sectional drawing which shows the principal part of the UV sterilizer which is 2nd Example of this invention.

  The UV sterilizer and water server according to the present invention comprises an inflow port through which fluid flows in, a tube for ultraviolet irradiation which disinfects by irradiating the fluid flowing in through the inflow port with ultraviolet light, and the tube from the ultraviolet irradiation tube. An ultraviolet light emitting element for emitting ultraviolet light toward the inside of the ultraviolet irradiation tube and an ultraviolet light emitting element are inserted into the ultraviolet irradiation light emitting element by being provided with an outflow port for outflowing. A tubular spacer, a circular tubular synthetic quartz pipe for circulating a fluid in the ultraviolet radiation pipe, and an opposing arrangement across the upstream side of the synthetic quartz pipe to repeatedly reflect most of the ultraviolet light emitted from the ultraviolet light emitting element A built-in ultraviolet irradiation unit configured at least with a parabolic reflection mirror, and this ultraviolet irradiation unit is purple in a state where the light attenuation rate of the ultraviolet light is suppressed Enhanced the bactericidal capacity by circulating fluid repeatedly reflects the linear light, as long as it reliably sterilize the fluid, specific embodiments thereof are may be any one.

For example, as a fluid applied to the UV sterilizer of the present invention, it may be a liquid such as water, coffee, a beverage such as tea, or a gas such as air.
And, as an installation example of the UV sterilizer of the present invention, there are a water server, beverage equipment such as beverage equipment, and a cleaner such as an air cleaner, but if it also needs a sterilizing function other than these It goes without saying that the UV sterilizer of the present invention is applicable.
When the UV sterilizer of the present invention is installed with a sensing sensor such as flow rate and fluid temperature interposed, the ultraviolet light emitted from the ultraviolet light emitting element based on detection data such as the flow rate and fluid temperature obtained from the sensing sensor It is possible to control the sterilization performance by adjusting the amount of light.

With regard to the specific form of the ultraviolet ray irradiation tube in the UV sterilizer of the present invention, if it is a tubular shape storing fluid, the cross-sectional shape viewed from the flow direction is any shape such as a regular circle, an ellipse, or a polygon. It does not matter.
The material of the tube for ultraviolet irradiation may be any metal such as stainless steel or resin such as ABS resin.

  Moreover, about the specific installation position of the ultraviolet irradiation unit in the UV sterilizer of this invention, it is incorporated in the tube for ultraviolet irradiation, and this ultraviolet irradiation unit is ultraviolet light in the state which suppressed the light attenuation rate of ultraviolet light. It may be any region on the upstream side of the tube for ultraviolet irradiation, as long as the fluid can be circulated while being repeatedly reflected to increase the sterilization ability and the fluid can be surely sterilized.

And as to the specific material and form of the synthetic quartz pipe used in the UV sterilizer of the present invention, any material and form may be used as long as ultraviolet light can be concentrated on the flowing fluid and irradiated. Absent.
For example, if the transmission efficiency of ultraviolet light is 95% or more, the sterilizing effect of the central (central) portion where the fluid speed is high can also be exhibited, and a transparent pipe capable of narrowing down the irradiation area of ultraviolet light more narrowly When used, a bactericidal effect can also be exhibited, which is more preferable.
In addition, when such a synthetic quartz pipe is used, the flow velocity distribution of the fluid is equalized when the fluid flows, so that the fluid does not generate turbulent flow, and various substances contained in the fluid are synthetic quartz pipes. It is possible to increase the transmission efficiency of ultraviolet light because it does not adhere to the
Even when the synthetic quartz pipe as described above is used, the synthetic quartz pipe should be provided in a region slightly separated from the inlet port of the synthetic quartz pipe because the flow velocity on the open end is disturbed. More preferable.
In addition, when the diameter of the synthetic quartz pipe is narrowed to be smaller than the diameter of the ultraviolet irradiation pipe, the ultraviolet light is concentrated and irradiated, so that the sterilization can be performed more reliably.
Moreover, although it is possible to use a sapphire pipe instead of this synthetic quartz pipe, it can be manufactured at a lower cost than this sapphire pipe.

Furthermore, the ultraviolet light emitting element used in the UV sterilizer of the present invention may have any wavelength of 100 to 280 nm although any deep ultraviolet light may be emitted as long as it emits deep ultraviolet light of at least 300 nm or less. Among deep-ultraviolet light, those emitting deep-ultraviolet light are particularly preferable because they are particularly excellent in the sterilization effect of so-called UV-C.
The specific form of the ultraviolet light emitting element may be any form as long as it emits ultraviolet light, but when the ultraviolet light emitting element comprising a light emitting diode is used, the light emission Since the irradiation possible time of the diode element is longer than that of a fluorescent lamp, it is more preferable because sterilization can be performed for a long time.

In addition, as a specific form of the diffusion lens used in the UV sterilizer of the present invention, any one of a plano-convex lens and an aspheric lens as long as it diffuses the ultraviolet light emitted from the ultraviolet light emitting element toward the ultraviolet irradiation unit Although it does not matter, the plano-convex lens is easier and less expensive to manufacture than an aspheric lens.
And as for the specific arrangement form of the diffusion lens and the ultraviolet light emitting element used in the UV sterilizer of the present invention, if ultraviolet light can be directed from the ultraviolet light emitting element through the diffusion lens toward the synthetic quartz pipe, It may be in any arrangement form.
In particular, when the diffusion lens and the ultraviolet light emitting element are installed in the direction orthogonal to the flow direction of the fluid, the diffusion lens and the ultraviolet light emitting element are installed in the flow direction of the fluid with respect to the tubular spacer of the ultraviolet irradiation unit It is possible to simplify the mounting structure of the diffusion lens and the ultraviolet light emitting element to the tubular spacer of the ultraviolet irradiation unit.
Furthermore, with regard to the irradiation position and irradiation range for the synthetic quartz pipe, it is possible to adjust the relative positional relationship between the diffusion lens and the ultraviolet light emitting element by biasing the center of the diffusion lens to the center of the ultraviolet light emitting element Therefore, it is more preferable to adjust easily without changing the relative attitude or positional relationship between the synthetic quartz pipe and the diffusion lens.

Furthermore, with regard to the specific installation form of the parabolic reflection mirror used in the UV sterilizer of the present invention, the arrangement form of a pair of two, as long as they can be arranged opposite to each other in the tubular spacer of the ultraviolet irradiation unit It may be any arrangement form of a plurality of sets.
Further, as a specific mirror form of the parabolic reflection mirror, any parabolic reflection mirror may be used as long as it is a concave mirror consisting of aspheric surfaces arranged opposite to each other in the ultraviolet irradiation unit, and the ultraviolet light is converged without being attenuated and reflected repeatedly For example, in the case of a parabolic reflection mirror having a reflection surface shape such as a concave broadband metal coating mirror in which a concave mirror is coated with UV high reflection aluminum, the cross section of the ultraviolet light beam is expanded and the ultraviolet light is It is more preferable because it is not dispersed, thereby suppressing attenuation of the ultraviolet irradiation intensity due to diffusion when ultraviolet light is repeatedly reflected by the parabolic reflection mirror.
Here, with regard to the specific form of the pair of parabolic reflection mirrors, the parabolic reflection mirrors arranged to face each other are different from each other in order to adjust so as to maintain the cross section of the luminous flux of ultraviolet light constant. It goes without saying that the aspheric concave mirrors or they are installed at mutually different opposing angles.

With regard to the specific form of the tubular spacer used in the UV sterilizer according to the present invention, at least, while being inserted into the ultraviolet irradiation tube to hold the ultraviolet light emitting element, hold the parabolic reflection mirrors disposed opposite to each other. If it is possible, it may be any tubular body.
In particular, when the tubular spacer is formed in two parts along the tube axis direction of the ultraviolet irradiation tube, the position adjustment of the synthetic quartz pipe, the ultraviolet light emitting element, and the parabolic reflection mirror held in the tubular spacer , It is more preferable because it can be easily disassembled and assembled at the time of cleaning and maintenance replacement.

  With regard to the specific installation form of the pipe holder used in the UV sterilizer of the present invention, the synthetic quartz pipe is positioned with the downstream side of the synthetic quartz pipe inserted and engaged with the tubular spacer to hold the synthetic quartz pipe It is preferable that the reflective inner peripheral surface of the pipe holder is ultraviolet light emitted from the ultraviolet light emitting element by having a reflective inner peripheral surface processed with a reflective agent. It is preferable to increase the bactericidal effect also on the downstream side of the synthetic quartz pipe by irradiating the rest of the synthetic quartz pipe on the downstream side of the synthetic quartz pipe repeatedly without light attenuation.

Hereinafter, the water server W10 provided with the UV sterilizer 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described based on FIG. 1 and the UV sterilizer 100 will be described based on FIGS. 2 to 4.
That is, FIG. 1 is a front sectional view schematically showing a water server W10 provided with a UV sterilization apparatus 100 according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a UV sterilization according to the first embodiment of the present invention FIG. 3 is a schematic explanatory view in which a part of the device is cut away, FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken at the reference numeral 3-3 in FIG. 2, and FIG. 4 is an explanatory view showing an irradiation state of deep ultraviolet light in the ultraviolet irradiation unit It is explanatory drawing which shows the repeated reflection state of the deep ultraviolet in a parabolic reflection mirror.

The water server W10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 1, includes a water container W11 for storing tap water WT1, a purification cartridge W12 for purifying tap water WT1, and purified water storage for storing purified water WT2. A container W13 and a water server main body W14 capable of changing the temperature of the purified water WT2 are provided.
Among these, the water container W11 includes a water container main body W11b having an opening (inlet for tap water WT1) W11ba opened upward, and a lid W11a capable of opening and closing the opening W11ba.
An opening hole W11bd is formed in the bottom wall W11bc of the water container main body W11b, and the purification cartridge W12 is inserted through the opening hole W11bd and fitted.
The purified water storage container W13 is installed immediately below the water container W11 above the water server main body W14, and flows down the water passage inside the purification cartridge W12 to temporarily store the purified water WT2 purified. It is configured.

The water server body W14 includes a hot water tank W14a, a cold water tank W14b, a hot water faucet W14c, a normal temperature water faucet W14d, and a cold water faucet W14e.
Among them, the hot water tank W14a is connected to the purified water storage container W13 via the first pipe W14f, and the purified water WT2 is supplied from the purified water storage container W13 to the hot water tank W14a.
Further, the hot water tank W14a has a heating means for heating the purified water WT2 stored therein to a predetermined temperature.
Further, the hot water tank W14a is connected to the hot water faucet W14c via a piping (not shown), and the hot water inside the hot water tank W14a passes through the hot water faucet W14c by opening the hot water faucet W14c. Provided to be supplied to the

The cold water tank W14b is connected to the purified water storage container W13 via the second pipe W14g, and a UV sterilizer 100 described later in detail is provided on the path of the second pipe W14g.
Then, the purified water WT2 that has been sterilized is supplied to the cold water tank W14b from the purified water storage container W13.
Furthermore, the cold water tank W14b has a cooling means for cooling the internal purified water WT2.

In addition, the cold water tank W14b is connected to the cold water faucet W14e via a pipe (not shown), and the cold water inside the cold water tank W14b passes through the cold water faucet W14e by opening the cold water faucet W14e. Provided to be supplied to the
In the present embodiment, the UV sterilizer 100 is provided on the path of the second pipe W14g, but the UV sterilizer 100 is provided on the path of the pipe (not shown) connecting the cold water tank W14b and the cold water faucet W14e. May be provided.

The faucet W14d for normal temperature water is connected to the purified water storage container W13 via the third pipe W14h, and a UV sterilizer 100 described later in detail is provided on the path of the third pipe W14h.
Then, by opening the faucet W14d for normal temperature water, the normal temperature water inside the purified water storage container W13 is sterilized when flowing through the UV sterilizer 100, and is supplied to the user through the faucet W14d for ordinary temperature water. It is provided to
Under the hot water tap W14c to the cold water tap W14e, a water receiving tray W14i for receiving water dropped from the hot water tap W14c and the cold water tap W14e is installed.
In the present embodiment, the water server W10 includes both the hot water tank W14a and the cold water tank W14b. However, the water server W10 may include only one of the hot water tank W14a and the cold water tank W14b.

In the water server W10 having the above configuration, as shown in FIG. 1, when the tap water WT1 is injected from the opening W11ba of the water container W11 using a pitcher PT or the like, the tap water WT1 is the bottom of the water container W11. The cleaning cartridge W12 is installed in the inside of the cleaning cartridge W12.
The tap water WT1 introduced into the inside of the purification cartridge W12 is subjected to each treatment every time the water purification elements (not shown) of the purification cartridge W12 are circulated.

And tap water WT1 which circulates purification cartridge W12 is discharged inside purified water storage container W13 from the clean water element container (not shown) of lowermost position, as temporary water WT2 with this purified water storage container W13 temporarily Stored in
When the cold water faucet W14e or the hot water faucet W14c is opened, the water inside the hot water tank W14a or the cold water tank W14b is discharged to the outside, but at this time, the amount of water inside the hot water tank W14a or the cold water tank W14b With the decrease, the purified water WT2 in the purified water storage container W13 is supplied to the hot water tank W14a and the cold water tank W14b, respectively.

As shown in FIG. 2, the UV sterilizer 100 includes a regular cylindrical inflow port 110 into which a fluid to be sterilized (hereinafter referred to as “water”) consisting of the purified water WT 2 described above flows, and the inflow port 110. The tube 120 for UV irradiation, which has a circular tubular shape with an inner diameter of about 12 mmφ and a pipe length of about 15 mm, made of ABS resin for sterilizing by irradiating ultraviolet light L to the water introduced from the And a right cylindrical outlet port 130 for draining water.
A seal ring (not shown) intervenes between the inflow port 110 and the ultraviolet ray irradiation tube 120 and between the ultraviolet ray irradiation tube 120 and the outflow port 130.
And the ultraviolet irradiation pipe body 120 incorporates the ultraviolet irradiation unit 140 for sterilizing water by irradiating the water flowing through the ultraviolet irradiation pipe body 120 with the ultraviolet light L having a wavelength of 100 to 280 nm.

Next, the specific configuration of the ultraviolet irradiation unit 140, which is the most characteristic part in the UV sterilizer 100 of the present embodiment, will be described in detail below.
First, as shown in FIGS. 2 to 3, the ultraviolet irradiation unit 140 is a light emitting diode element that emits ultraviolet light L (La, Lb, Lc) having a wavelength of 100 to 280 nm toward the inside of the ultraviolet irradiation tube 120. An ultraviolet light emitting element 141 comprising: a diffusion lens 142 comprising a plano-convex lens covering the ultraviolet light emitting element 141; and a substrate 143 provided on the ultraviolet light emitting element 141 and supplying power to the light emitting diode element 141 from a power supply (not shown). A tubular spacer 146 which is inserted in the ultraviolet ray irradiation tube 120 to hold the ultraviolet light emitting element 141, and a composite having a pipe shape with an inner diameter of about 10 mmφ and a pipe length of about 30 mm for circulating water in the ultraviolet ray irradiation tube 120 The ultraviolet light emitting element 1 is disposed opposite to the quartz pipe 147 and the upstream side of the synthetic quartz pipe 147. Position the synthetic quartz pipe 147 while inserting the pair of parabolic reflection mirrors 148a and 148b repeatedly reflecting most of the ultraviolet light L emitted from 1 and the synthetic quartz pipe 147, and engaging with the tubular spacer 146 The pipe holder 149 has an inner diameter of about 12 mmφ and a pipe length of about 15 mm for holding the synthetic quartz pipe 147.

Here, the irradiation possible time of the ultraviolet light emitting element 141 composed of the light emitting diode element described above is longer than that of the conventional fluorescent lamp, and the diffusion lens 142 widens the beam angle of the ultraviolet light L to make the beam thicker. The water to be disinfected flowing through the synthetic quartz pipe 147 of the irradiation unit 140 is surely irradiated.
The diffusion lens 142 made of the above-described plano-convex lens may have a lens magnification in the range of 5 to 7 times, and is fitted in the lens insertion hole 146a formed in the tubular spacer 146 and has a flat surface on the substrate 143 side. It has an annular lens collar portion 142 a (not shown) and a convex spherical surface 142 b toward the synthetic quartz pipe 147 side, and diffuses the ultraviolet light L of the ultraviolet light emitting element 141.

The ultraviolet light emitting element 141 and the diffusion lens 142 are irradiated with about 70% of the ultraviolet light L emitted from the ultraviolet light emitting element 141, that is, the ultraviolet light La is directed upstream of the synthetic quartz pipe 147. As described above, the center of the diffusion lens 142 is biased upstream with respect to the center of the ultraviolet light emitting element 141 in the water flow direction.
This eliminates the need to adjust the position of the ultraviolet light emitting element 141 and the diffusion lens 142 with respect to the tubular spacer 146, simplifies the mounting structure of the ultraviolet light emitting element 141 and the diffusion lens 142 with respect to the tubular spacer 146, and further simplifies the ultraviolet light emitting element 141. The irradiation position and the irradiation range to the synthetic quartz pipe 147 are adjusted only by setting the relative positional relationship between the lens and the diffusion lens 142.

Further, in the synthetic quartz pipe 147 used in the present embodiment, the flow velocity distribution of water is made uniform in the synthetic quartz pipe 147 so that the turbulent flow is not generated in the water, and various substances contained in the water are synthetic quartz. Since it does not adhere to the pipe 147, the transmission efficiency of the ultraviolet light L in this synthetic quartz pipe 147 has achieved a remarkably high 95% or higher as compared with the conventional resin pipe.
In the case of this embodiment, since the flow velocity of water flowing in from the inflow port 110 is easily disturbed, the open end of the synthetic quartz pipe 147 is a region slightly separated from the inflow port 110 (for example, the synthetic quartz pipe 147 It is provided in a region separated by about 10 mm from the opening end.

Furthermore, since the pipe holder 149 used in the present embodiment has a reflective inner circumferential surface coated with a reflective agent, as shown in FIG. Since the rest of the ultraviolet light L emitted from the lamp, that is, the ultraviolet light Lc, is repeatedly reflected on the downstream side of the synthetic quartz pipe 147 without being attenuated by light, the bactericidal effect is enhanced also on the downstream side of the synthetic quartz pipe 147 be able to.
Thus, the bactericidal effect exerted by the UV sterilizer is exhibited at a ratio of approximately 7: 3 on the upstream side and the downstream side of the synthetic quartz pipe 147.
The ultraviolet light Lb shown in FIG. 4 is from the ultraviolet light emitting element 141 without involving the pair of parabolic reflection mirrors 148 a and 148 b and the pipe holder 149 between the upstream side and the downstream side of the synthetic quartz pipe 147. It is irradiated unilaterally and is ultraviolet light.

And, as for the parabolic reflection mirrors 148a and 148b used in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3 to FIG. 4, the ultraviolet light emitted from the ultraviolet light emitting element 141 is disposed oppositely across the upstream side of the synthetic quartz pipe 147. A parabolic reflecting mirror consisting of a pair of aspheric concave mirrors that repeatedly reflect nearly 70%, which is the majority (La) of light L, and is a concave broadband metal-coated mirror coated with UV highly reflective aluminum .
Further, as shown in FIG. 5, with regard to the specific mirror shapes of these parabolic reflection mirrors 148a and 148b, the cross section of the luminous flux of the ultraviolet light La is enlarged so as not to disperse the ultraviolet light La, ie, ultraviolet light In order to focus L without attenuation and to reflect it repeatedly, it is designed to have reflecting surface shapes consisting of different aspheric surfaces, and in addition, for the mirror arrangement of these parabolic reflecting mirrors 148a, 148b It is needless to say that in order to adjust so as to keep the cross section of the light flux of the light L constant, they are installed at mutually different facing angles.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the tubular spacer 146 which is inserted in the ultraviolet ray irradiation tube 120 used in the present embodiment and holds the ultraviolet ray emitting element 141 can be made of the ultraviolet ray irradiation tube 120 as needed. Since it is formed so as to be able to be divided into two along the tube axis direction, mounting of the synthetic quartz pipe 147 in the case of assembling the ultraviolet irradiation unit 140 to the ultraviolet irradiation pipe body 120 at the time of manufacturing the UV sterilization device 100 The installation of the parabolic reflection mirrors 148a and 148b is easy to handle, and the position adjustment, cleaning, and maintenance replacement of the synthetic quartz pipe 147, the ultraviolet light emitting element 141, and the parabolic reflection mirrors 148a and 148b are further performed. It is possible to easily disassemble and assemble.

In the UV sterilizer 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention thus obtained, the ultraviolet irradiation unit 140 inserts the ultraviolet light emitting element 141 for emitting the ultraviolet light L into the ultraviolet irradiation tube 120. A tubular spacer 146, a synthetic quartz pipe 147 for circulating water, and a parabolic reflection mirror 148a disposed oppositely across the upstream side of the synthetic quartz pipe 147 to repeatedly reflect most of the ultraviolet light L emitted from the ultraviolet light emitting element 141; And the ultraviolet light L in a state in which the light attenuation rate is suppressed in the ultraviolet irradiation unit 140 is repeatedly and intensively irradiated to the synthetic quartz pipe 147, and the ultraviolet irradiation amount to water is While increasing the sterilization ability to enhance the sterilization ability, the ultraviolet irradiation unit 140 can be easily removed from within the ultraviolet irradiation tube 120. Synthetic silica pipe 147 by issuing an ultraviolet light emitting element 141, a parabolic reflective mirror 148a, the position adjustment of the 148b, cleaning, etc. maintenance and replacement can be easily carried out, the effect is significant.
In addition to the bactericidal effect on the upstream side of the synthetic quartz pipe 147, the ultraviolet irradiation unit 140 has the bactericidal effect on the downstream side of the synthetic quartz pipe 147 by having the circular pipe-shaped pipe holder 148. be able to.

Subsequently, a UV sterilization apparatus 200 according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described based on FIG. 5 and FIG.
Here, FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view showing a main part of a UV sterilizer 200 according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 7 is a main part of a UV sterilizer 200 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. It is sectional drawing which shows a part.
In the UV sterilizer 200 of the second embodiment, the lens spacer 244 is disposed between the plano-convex lens 142 and the substrate 143 in the UV sterilizer 100 of the first embodiment, and the heat dissipation plate 245 is disposed on the back of the substrate 143 Since many elements are common to the UV sterilizer 100 of the first embodiment, detailed description of common matters is omitted, and only the 200s code in which the lower two digits are common is attached.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the lens spacer 244 is disposed between the diffusion lens 242 consisting of a plano-convex lens and the substrate 243, so that the distance from the light emitting diode element 241 to the plano-convex lens 242 can be adjusted. There is.
In order to change the distance from the light emitting diode element 241 to the plano-convex lens 242, the thickness of the lens spacer 244 may be changed.
The lens spacer 244 is provided with a diode receiving hole 244a for receiving the ultraviolet light emitting element 241 formed of a light emitting diode element, and the peripheral wall of the diode receiving hole 244a receives deep ultraviolet light L from the light emitting diode element 241. The light emitting diode element 241 is provided so as to be freely reflected, and the periphery of the light emitting diode element 241 is surrounded by the peripheral wall of the diode receiving hole 244a to almost eliminate leakage of scattered light in the light distribution +90 degree direction and light distribution -90 degree direction.
Note that “0 degree of light distribution”, which is meant in the second embodiment, is directly in front of the light emitting diode element 241.

Further, in the second embodiment, the lens spacer 244 is formed of a material such as a high reflectance resin that does not transmit deep ultraviolet light L from the light emitting diode element 241, and the light emitting diode element 241 is a peripheral wall of the diode housing hole 244a. Ultraviolet light is reflected.
Furthermore, in the second embodiment, the peripheral wall of the diode housing hole 244a is formed in a tapered shape that gradually expands from the substrate 243 side toward the plano-convex lens 242 side, in the light distribution +90 degree direction and the light distribution -90 degree direction. By reflecting the scattered light to the plano-convex lens 242, the light collection ratio is improved by about 30% as compared with the first embodiment described above.

  Further, the peripheral wall of the diode housing hole 244a provided in the lens spacer 244 described above is disposed apart from the light emitting diode element 240, and for example, by loosening a screw (not shown) for fixing the substrate 270 As shown in FIG. 7, the center C1 of the light emitting diode element 241 and the center C2 of the plano-convex lens 242 are relatively movable in the direction parallel to the substrate 270 by the gap between the diode receiving hole 281 and the light emitting diode element 241. And can be aligned, shifted or adjustable.

  Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, the UV sterilizer 200 of the second embodiment installs the uneven heat radiation plate 245 formed of an aluminum plate on the back surface of the substrate 243 to allow the substrate 243 to be used for a long time. Even when heat is generated, the heat generation of the substrate 243 can be transferred to the heat-dissipation plate 245 in the form of a concavo-convex flat plate, and the heat-dissipation plate 245 can efficiently and immediately dissipate heat.

  The UV sterilizer 200 according to the second embodiment of the present invention obtained as described above has a lens spacer disposed between the substrate 243 on which the light emitting diode element 241 is disposed and the plano-convex lens 242 which is a diffusion lens. 244 has a diode receiving hole 244a for receiving the light emitting diode element 241, and the peripheral wall of the diode receiving hole 244a is provided so as to be able to reflect ultraviolet light from the light emitting diode element 241, whereby the light distribution of +90 degrees Direction and light distribution-Loss of scattered light in the 90 degree direction is significantly reduced to increase luminous efficiency, both energy saving effect and high cost performance are compatible, and the beam angle (diffusion degree) of the light source is adjusted to irradiate the irradiation range It can be adjusted.

  And, even if the substrate 243 generates heat during long-term use by installing the heat radiation plate 245 on the back surface of the substrate 243 in the UV sterilization device 100 of the first embodiment, the UV sterilization device 200 of the second embodiment In addition to the effect exhibited by the UV sterilizing apparatus 100 of the first embodiment described above, the heat dissipation plate 245 immediately radiates heat, so that the effect is great, such as safe and reliable use.

100, 200 · · · UV sterilization device 110 · · · inflow port 120 · · · UV irradiation tube 130 · · · outflow port 140, 240 · · · ultraviolet irradiation unit 141, 241 · · · · light emitting diode element (ultraviolet light Light emitting element)
142, 242 · · · · Plano-convex lens (diffuse lens)
142a, 242a · · · Lens collar portion 142b, 242b · · · Convex spherical surface 143, 243 · · · Substrate
244 · · · Lens spacer
244a ・ ・ ・ Diode accommodation hole
245: Heat dissipation plate 146: Tubular spacer 146a: Lens insertion hole 147: Synthetic quartz pipe 148a, 148b: Parabolic reflection mirror 149: Pipe holder L: Ultraviolet light (depth UV light)
La: UV light Lb: UV light Lc: UV light C1: center C2 of light emitting diode element: center of plano-convex lens W10: water server W11: water container W11a・ Lid W11b ・ ・ ・ Water container main body W11 ba ・ ・ ・ Opening (inlet of tap water)
W11 bc Bottom wall W11 bd Opening hole W12 Purification cartridge W13 Purification water storage container W14 Water server body W14 a Hot water tank W14 b Cold water tank W14 c Hot water use faucet W14d ··· room temperature water for tap W14e ··· cold water faucet W14f ··· first pipe W14g ··· second pipe W14h ··· third pipe W14i ··· water tray PT ··· pitcher WT1 · · · Tap water WT2 · · · Water (purified water)

Claims (10)

A UV sterilizing apparatus comprising: an inflow port for inflow of fluid; a tube for ultraviolet irradiation for sterilizing by irradiating ultraviolet light to the fluid inflowed from the inflow port; and an outflow port for discharging the fluid from the tube for ultraviolet irradiation And
The ultraviolet radiation emitting tube emits ultraviolet light toward the ultraviolet radiation emitting tube, the tubular spacer holds the ultraviolet light emitting device by being inserted into the ultraviolet radiation emitting tube, and the ultraviolet radiation emitting device A circular synthetic quartz pipe for circulating fluid in the tubular body, and a parabolic reflection mirror disposed opposite to each other across the upstream side of the synthetic quartz pipe and repeatedly reflecting most of the ultraviolet light emitted from the ultraviolet light emitting element Built-in UV irradiation unit,
A UV sterilizer characterized in that the ultraviolet irradiation unit circulates the fluid while repeatedly reflecting ultraviolet light in a state where the light attenuation rate of the ultraviolet light is suppressed.   A circular tubular pipe holding unit which positions and engages the tubular spacer while the ultraviolet irradiation unit is inserted with the downstream side of the synthetic quartz pipe inserted, and repeatedly reflects the rest of the ultraviolet light emitted from the ultraviolet light emitting element The UV sterilizer according to claim 1, characterized in that it has a body.   The UV sterilizer according to claim 2, wherein the pipe holder has a reflective inner surface surface-treated with a reflective agent.   The UV sterilizer according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the parabolic reflection mirror is a concave mirror composed of an aspheric surface.   The parabolic reflection mirror according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it has a reflecting surface shape that maintains the cross section of the repeatedly reflected light beam of the ultraviolet light constant. UV sterilizer.   The UV sterilizer according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the ultraviolet light emitting element is a light emitting diode.   The UV sterilizer according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the ultraviolet light emitting element is covered with a diffusion lens for diffusing the ultraviolet light emitted from the ultraviolet light emitting element.   The UV sterilizer according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the ultraviolet light emitted by the ultraviolet light emitting element is deep ultraviolet light having a wavelength of 100 to 280 nm.   The UV sterilizer according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the tubular spacer is formed so as to be dividable along the tube axis direction of the ultraviolet irradiation tube.   The water server which provided the UV sterilizer as described in any one of Claims 1-9 on the path | route of piping of water which is the said fluid.

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