JP4296873B2 - Optical pulse irradiation device and its irradiator - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a light pulse irradiation apparatus including a flash lamp that emits a light pulse and an irradiator provided with a reflecting mirror that reflects the emitted light, and the irradiator.

Sterilization of drugs, foods, beverages, etc., and containers and packaging materials that are not suitable for heat sterilization is generally performed using chemicals. However, when chemicals are used, the surface of the sterilized object to be treated is used. Since the remaining chemical solution must be washed and removed, the cleaning equipment that cleans the material to be treated with aseptic water, the water supply equipment that creates and supplies the sterile water, and the wastewater that contains the used chemical solution are rendered harmless. There is a problem in that wastewater treatment facilities and the like are required, and the facility costs and running costs increase, and at the same time, the installation space for the facilities is significantly increased.

In addition, UV sterilization without using a chemical solution generally uses a low-pressure mercury lamp that efficiently radiates UV light having a wavelength of 254 nm, which is effective for sterilization, and has a long lamp life. Because it is low, a large amount of objects cannot be sterilized in a short time, and if high output is to be obtained, the number of lamps used must be increased. UV light, such as when the light transmittance of the object to be treated is low, when the bacteria are present at a high concentration and adhere to the surface of the object to be treated, or when the spore is covered with a thick film In the case of bacteria having high irradiation resistance, there has been a problem that a bactericidal effect of a sterilization level (sterilization of 99.9999% or more) cannot be obtained.

In view of such a problem, recently, sterilization treatment by a light pulse irradiation device provided with a flash lamp that emits ultraviolet light with high output and high illuminance more than a low-pressure mercury lamp has been gradually spreading. For example, while carrying a card integrally molded so that a plurality of vial bottles or ampoules filled with an internal solution as a medicine are blow-molded by a light-transmitting plastic, a light pulse is transferred to the card. It is also proposed to sterilize the inner surface of each container and the inner solution by irradiating (see Patent Document 1).

Special Table 2000-511497 (Drawings 9 and 11)

The structure of the card is not described in detail in Patent Document 1, but this type of card is sealed by filling an internal solution that is a medicine, for example, the card 1 shown in FIG. 1 of the drawings attached to the present application. The molded vials 2 formed in units of 5 are integrally molded with a light-transmitting plastic such as polyethylene so that 4 units are connected, and at the lower end of the card 1, a molding burr is opened in a bifurcated manner for each unit. 3 is formed.

The vial bottle 2 is not uniform in overall shape and thickness across its top and bottom, and in particular, the upper part (neck part) and the lower part (bottom part) are complex in shape and thicker than other parts. Therefore, it is necessary to increase the ultraviolet illuminance of these parts more than other parts. However, when trying to sterilize the vial 2 with the minimum necessary illuminance, the vial with the highest illuminance is required. Since the upper and lower parts of 2 are the parts with the lowest illuminance distribution, it is necessary to set the luminescence energy of the flash lamp so that the illuminance effective for sterilization treatment can be obtained at the upper and lower parts. The flash lamp had to emit light with more energy than necessary.

In addition, the light pulse irradiation device that sterilizes containers filled with pharmaceuticals can be used to prevent variations in sterilization quality due to malfunction of the flash lamp, and to properly replace the lamp by knowing the lamp life of the flash lamp. Since it is necessary to constantly monitor the light quantity of the flash lamp, the irradiator of the optical pulse irradiating device described in Patent Document 1 is passed through a hole formed in the reflecting plate from the outside of the reflecting mirror as shown in FIG. A photodetector for receiving the emitted light of the flash lamp is attached.

However, when the irradiator is installed so as to face from both the left and right sides of the card conveyance path as shown in FIG. 11 of Patent Document 1, it faces the light receiving portion of the photodetector attached to each irradiator. Since the radiated light of the flash lamp provided in the irradiator enters, there is a problem that the light quantity of each flash lamp cannot be monitored accurately.

Moreover, even if the light distribution angle of the reflector is set so that the illuminance distribution of the light pulse that can sterilize the whole vial bottle 2 is obtained, the shape of the vial bottle 2 depends on the type of card 1 and the standard. If the size is different, effective sterilization may not be performed on the upper or lower part of the vial 2 that is thicker than other parts. However, there is a problem that the lamp life is shortened correspondingly because measures such as increasing the light output must be taken.

In addition, when a large number of cards 1 are continuously conveyed and sterilized, a high-power flash lamp must emit light continuously, so that the flash lamp is overheated and the lamp life is shortened. there were. Although the means for cooling the lamp by attaching a water cooling jacket is well known, the flash lamp has a recessed shape in the water cooling jacket because the portion holding the electrode is formed by shrink processing to shrink the glass arc tube. There is a problem that the flow rate of the cooling water flowing through the lowering of the recessed portion cannot effectively cool the vicinity of the electrode that is at the highest temperature.

Even if a water-cooled jacket is attached to the flash lamp, the radiant heat generated from the flash lamp may overheat the irradiator housing that houses the lamp, the reflector attached to the housing, and the irradiation window frame. For this reason, attempts have been made to attach a water cooling pipe that is connected to a piping system that circulates and supplies cooling water to the water cooling jacket and allows a part of the cooling water to circulate on the back surface of the reflector and the inner surface of the irradiation window frame. If the water-cooled pipe is provided, the structure of the irradiator becomes complicated and the cost is increased, and there is a problem that water leakage from the pipe connection portion of the water-cooled pipe and maintenance are reduced.

The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is that when the irradiator of the light pulse irradiation device is installed so as to face each other from both sides across the conveyance path of the work for performing the light pulse irradiation processing, The amount of light from each flash lamp is accurately adjusted so that pulse light emitted from the flash lamp of the opposite irradiator does not enter the light receiving part of the photodetector provided to monitor the amount of light from the flash lamp of the irradiator. The illuminance distribution of the required part can be increased according to the shape and size of the object to be irradiated with the light pulse, and the flash lamp can be surely overheated. In order to prevent this, the electrode part of the flash lamp that has been shrunk can be effectively cooled with the cooling water of the water cooling jacket. By a simple means of cost is not reduced maintainability without Kasama, it is to reliably prevent the illuminator vessels reflector provided in the body and the irradiation window frame or the like is overheated by radiant heat of the flash lamp.

The invention according to claim 1 is a light pulse irradiation apparatus including a flash lamp that emits a light pulse and an irradiator provided with a reflecting mirror that reflects the radiation light. The illuminators are installed on both sides of the illuminator so as to face each other, and the illuminators are provided with photodetectors for monitoring the light quantity of each flash lamp, and the light receiving portions of the photodetectors are opposed to each other. The light emitting part of the flash lamp provided in the irradiator is arranged at an attachment angle that does not fall within the light receiving angle.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the irradiator provided with a flash lamp that emits a light pulse and a reflecting mirror that reflects the emitted light, the reflecting mirror is arranged at a central portion parallel to the lamp axis of the flash lamp. In addition to being divided into two, the mounting angle or the mounting position of the halved portion can be adjusted.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the irradiator provided with a flash lamp that emits a light pulse and a reflecting mirror that reflects the emitted light, the flash lamp is a transparent cylinder to which cooling water of the lamp is circulated and supplied. A water supply port that is arranged concentrically inside a water-cooling jacket made of tubes and supplies cooling water from one end of the water-cooling jacket has a constant inclination angle from the one end to the other end of the water-cooling jacket. And the inclined hole is opened in a direction deviated in the radial direction from the center of the cooling jacket.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the irradiator provided with a flash lamp that emits a light pulse and a reflecting mirror that reflects the emitted light, a water cooling jacket is attached to the flash lamp, and the flash lamp and the reflecting mirror are mounted. A small cooling fan that blows air toward at least the cathode side end of the flash lamp is installed in the housing to be housed, and the surface of the body that becomes high temperature by heat transmitted from the flash lamp is blown by the cooling fan. A heat dissipating fin that enhances the cooling effect is formed.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, even if the flash lamps of the irradiator installed so as to face each other on both sides of the workpiece conveyance path to be processed by irradiating the light pulse are emitted simultaneously, one irradiation Since the amount of light emitted from the flash lamp provided on the detector is incident on the light receiving part of the photodetector for monitoring the amount of light from the flash lamp provided on the other irradiator, it is provided on both irradiators. The amount of light emitted from the flash lamp can be accurately detected by a light detector to ensure that variations in processing quality due to malfunction of the flash lamp can be reliably prevented, and at the same time the lamp life of the flash lamp can be known to replace the lamp properly. There is an effect that can be performed.

According to the invention of claim 3, the mounting angle and the mounting position of the halved part of the reflecting mirror divided into two at the central part parallel to the lamp axis of the flash lamp are applied to the processing object for performing the light pulse irradiation process. By appropriately adjusting according to the shape and size, the radiant light of the flash lamp can be condensed on the necessary part of the processing object and the illuminance distribution of the necessary part can be enhanced.

According to invention of Claim 4, the cooling water supplied from the water supply port formed in the one end side of a water cooling jacket winds along the outer periphery of the flash lamp arrange | positioned concentrically inside the water cooling jacket. Spiral flow is generated, and even if the flash lamp electrode has a concave shape due to shrink processing of the arc tube, the flow velocity does not decrease significantly at the concave portion, The vicinity of the electrode having the highest temperature can be effectively cooled.

According to the invention of claim 7, the flash lamp is cooled by the cooling water of the water-cooling jacket, and the cathode side of the flash lamp is blown by the cooling fan installed in the body of the irradiator that houses the flash lamp and the reflecting mirror. Since the end portion and the surface portion of the container are effectively cooled, overheating of the flash lamp and the container can be reliably prevented by a simple means that does not increase cost and does not deteriorate maintainability.

The best embodiment of the invention according to claim 1 is directed to an irradiator installed so as to be opposed to each other across a conveyance path of a workpiece to be processed by irradiating a light pulse, and the amount of light of a flash lamp of each irradiator. The light receiving unit of the photodetector for monitoring the light receives the emitted light of the flash lamp through a slit formed on the center line of the reflecting mirror parallel to the lamp axis of the flash lamp of the irradiator provided with the photodetector. In addition, the light emitting part of the flash lamp of the irradiator facing the work conveyance path is arranged at an attachment angle that does not fall within the light receiving angle.

In the best mode of the invention according to claim 3, the reflecting surface of the reflecting mirror provided in the irradiator has a semi-elliptical cross-sectional shape, and the reflecting mirror is parallel to the lamp axis of the flash lamp. It is divided into two at the center, and the mounting angle or mounting position of the half is adjustable.

According to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, a flash lamp provided in an irradiator is disposed concentrically inside a water cooling jacket formed of a transparent cylindrical tube through which cooling water for the lamp is circulated. A water supply port for supplying cooling water is provided on one end side of the water cooling jacket where the cathode side of the flash lamp is located, and the water supply port has a constant inclination angle from one end side to the other end side of the water cooling jacket. The inclined hole is opened in a direction deviated in the radial direction from the center of the cooling jacket, and a drain outlet for discharging cooling water from the other end of the water cooling jacket is provided. The cooling water is formed with an inclined hole that flows out from the one end side to the other end side of the water cooling jacket at a constant angle, and the inclined hole is biased in the radial direction from the center of the cooling jacket. It is an apertured configuration.

According to a seventh embodiment of the present invention, a flash lamp provided in an irradiator is provided with a water-cooling jacket for cooling the lamp with cooling water, and a personal computer is installed in the housing for housing the flash lamp and the reflecting mirror. A small cooling fan, which is widely used as a small cooling fan, is installed facing the cathode side end of the flash lamp, and the end plate of the flash lamp facing the cooling fan and the cooling fan and flash lamp A radiation fin that enhances the cooling effect by the blowing of the cooling fan is formed on the portion of the irradiation window frame of the container that is interposed between the cathode side end portion.

2 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing an example of the light pulse irradiation apparatus and the irradiator according to the present invention, FIG. 3 is a plan view of the irradiator, and the light pulse irradiation apparatus of this example is shown in FIG. A main belt 5 that is placed and conveyed in a state in which the card 1 shown is placed, and an upper edge portion 4 of the card 1 placed on the main belt 5 is sandwiched from both the left and right sides thereof, and is at a constant speed in the same direction as the main belt 5. A pair of left and right irradiators 7R and 7L are installed so as to face each other from both sides of the conveyance path of the card 1 conveyed by a work conveyance mechanism composed of a pair of auxiliary belts 6R and 6L that run on the vehicle.

Each of the irradiators 7R and 7L has a flash lamp 9 that radiates a light pulse to the card 1 and sterilizes the inner surface of the vial 2 formed on the card 1 and the content liquid in the container 8, and the lamps of the lamps 7R and 7L. A reflecting mirror 10 that reflects the emitted light is provided, and photodetectors 11R and 11L that monitor the light quantity of each flash lamp 9 from the back side of the reflecting mirror 10 are provided.

In the photodetectors 11R and 11L, the light receiving unit 12 is configured by a photoelectric conversion element that directly receives the emitted light from the flash lamp and converts it into an electric signal, or the emitted light from the flash lamp is transmitted from the end of the fiber. The flash lamp 9 is configured by an optical fiber or the like that is incident and transmitted to the photoelectric conversion element, and is formed through a slit 13 formed on the center line of the reflector 10 parallel to the lamp axis X of the flash lamp 9 of each of the irradiators 7R and 7L. Are arranged so as to receive the emitted light, and at the same time, the light emitting portion 14 of the flash lamp 9 provided in the opposing irradiator is arranged at an attachment angle that does not fall within the light receiving angle.

Accordingly, even if the flash lamps 9 of the irradiators 7R and 7L installed so as to face each other from both sides of the conveyance path of the card 1 to be processed by irradiating the light pulse are simultaneously emitted, one irradiation is performed. A light detector 11R (or 11L) that monitors the light quantity of the flash lamp 9 provided in the other irradiator 7L (or 7R) opposed to the emitted light of the flash lamp 9 provided in the device 7R (or 7L) Since the amount of light incident on the light receiving unit 12 is extremely small, the light quantity of the flash lamps 9 of both the irradiators 7R and 7L is accurately detected by the respective photodetectors 11R and 11L, and the processing quality due to the malfunction of the flash lamps 9 is detected. Can be surely prevented, and at the same time, the lamp life of the flash lamp 9 can be known and lamp replacement can be performed appropriately.

The reflecting mirror 10 provided in the irradiators 7R and 7L has a reflecting surface formed into a semi-elliptical cross-sectional shape, and is divided into two at the central portion parallel to the lamp axis X of the flash lamp 9, and its half The split portions 10U and 10D are attached so as to be tiltable in directions toward or away from each other by hinges 15U and 15D provided on the central portion side of the reflecting mirror 10, and each of the split portions 10U and 10D can be individually adjusted by tilting each. It can be done. Although not shown in the drawings, the hinges 15U and 15D are arranged so that the mounting positions of the halves 10U and 10D can be adjusted. It is provided so as to be movable in an orthogonal direction. The slits 13 are formed by attaching the half portions 10U and 10D of the reflecting mirror 10 with a slight gap therebetween.

In this way, if the reflecting mirror 10 is divided into two parts and the mounting angles and mounting positions of the halves 10U and 10D can be adjusted, for example, the emitted light of the flash lamp 9 as shown in FIG. When the secondary focus (condensing position) Q of one half portion 10U that reflects the light is located at the center of the body of the vial 2 where the illuminance distribution of the direct radiation light of the flash lamp 9 is the highest and the wall thickness is small In addition, the halved portion 10U is tilted as shown in FIG. 4 (b) so that the secondary focal point Q of the halved portion 10U is adjusted to be positioned on the upper portion of the vial vial 2 having a large thickness. Although omitted, the other half portion 10D is also adjusted by positioning the secondary focus at the lower part (bottom part) of the vial 2 with a large thickness and a low illuminance distribution of the direct radiation light of the flash lamp 9. The light output of the flash lamp 9 is required Without increasing the above, it is possible to reliably sterilize the entire vial 2.

The flash lamp 9 has a light emitting portion 14 between a pair of electrodes 17 and 18 disposed facing each other in the tube of the glass arc tube 16, and the arc tube 16 has a concave shape formed by shrinking a portion holding the electrodes 17 and 18. It has become. Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the flash lamp 9 is disposed concentrically inside a water cooling jacket 19 formed of a transparent cylindrical tube to which the cooling water of the lamp is circulated and supplied, and becomes the cathode of the flash lamp 9. A jacket holder 20 that holds one end of a water-cooling jacket 19 in which the electrode 17 is accommodated is provided with a water supply port 21 for supplying cooling water, and the water supply port 21 is as shown in the longitudinal sectional view of FIG. The water cooling jacket 19 is formed with an inclined hole for allowing cooling water to flow from one end side to the other end side at a constant inclination angle, and the inclined hole is cooled as shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. The jacket 19 is configured to open in a direction deviated from the center O in the radial direction. In the figure, reference numeral 22 denotes an arc tube mounting base for sealing the end portion of the jacket holder 20 so as to cover and holding and fixing the end portion of the arc tube 16 so that the flash lamp 9 is arranged at the center of the water cooling jacket 19. It is.

Thus, the cooling water supplied to one end of the water cooling jacket 19 through the water supply port 21 has a spiral flow swirling around the outer periphery of the flash lamp 9 disposed in the water cooling jacket 19. As a result of the spiral flow, even if the vicinity of the electrode 17 of the flash lamp 9 has a dent shape due to the shrinking process of the arc tube 16, the flow velocity does not decrease significantly in the dent portion, so that the lamp emits light. The vicinity of the electrode 17 that sometimes becomes the highest temperature can be effectively cooled.

Although illustration is omitted, if a jacket holder of the same type as the jacket holder 20 shown in FIG. 5 is provided on the other end side of the water cooling jacket 19, it forms a symmetrical shape with the water supply port 21 on the other end side of the water cooling jacket 19. A drain is formed. That is, the drain outlet for discharging the cooling water from the other end side of the water cooling jacket 19 is formed with an inclined hole that causes the cooling water to flow out from the one end side to the other end side of the water cooling jacket 19 at a certain angle, The inclined hole is configured to open in the direction deviated in the radial direction from the center O of the cooling jacket 19. Thereby, the cooling water flowing spirally from one end side to the other end side of the water cooling jacket 19 can be smoothly discharged from the drain outlet provided on the other end side, so that the flow rate of the cooling water in the water cooling jacket 19 is decreased. And the cooling effect of the flash lamp 9 can be further enhanced.

Further, each of the irradiators 7R and 7L has the water cooling jacket 19 attached to the flash lamp 9 as described above, and the flash lamp 9 and the reflecting mirror 10 as shown in FIG. A small cooling fan 23 that blows air toward at least the end portion on the side where the electrode 17 serving as a cathode is provided is installed, and further, a cooling fan is provided on a surface portion in the vessel body 8 that is heated by heat transmitted from the flash lamp 9. Radiating fins 26 and 27 are formed to enhance the cooling effect by the air blow of 23. That is, the cooling fan 23 is installed in the body 8 of the irradiators 7R and 7L so as to face the cathode side end portion of the flash lamp 9, and the end plate portion 24 of the flash lamp 9 facing the cooling fan 23 directly. In addition, heat radiation fins 26 and 27 are formed on the irradiation window frame 25 of the container 8 interposed between the cooling fan 23 and the cathode side end of the flash lamp 9, respectively. Further, a water-cooling jacket 28 is mounted on the back side of the reflecting mirror 10 to cool it.

Thereby, the flash lamp 9 and the reflecting mirror 10 provided in the irradiators 7R and 7L can be effectively cooled by using both water cooling and air cooling. Further, each part of the vessel body 8 provided with the flash lamp 9 and the reflecting mirror 10 can be effectively cooled by an inexpensive and easy to mount cooling fan 23 such as a small cooling fan for a personal computer. Of course, the irradiators 7R and 7L can be used for applications other than sterilization.

The figure which shows the example of the workpiece | work which irradiates an optical pulse with the optical pulse irradiation apparatus which concerns on this invention Sectional drawing which shows roughly an example of the optical pulse irradiation apparatus which concerns on this invention, and its irradiation device Plan view of an optical pulse irradiation apparatus and its irradiator according to the present invention The figure which shows the effect | action of the reflector of the irradiator which concerns on this invention Sectional drawing of the flash lamp of the irradiator and its water cooling jacket according to the present invention The figure which shows the air-cooling mechanism of the body of the irradiation device and flash lamp which concern on this invention

Explanation of symbols

1 card (work)
7R irradiator 7L irradiator 8 body 9 flash lamp 10 reflecting mirror 10U half part 10D half part 11R photodetector 11L photodetector 12 light receiver 13 slit 14 flash lamp light emitting part 15U hinge 15D hinge 16 arc tube 17 Electrode (cathode)
18 Electrode 19 Water cooling jacket 20 Jacket holder 21 Water supply port 23 Cooling fan 24 End plate part 25 of flash lamp 25 Irradiation window frame 26 Radiation fin 27 Radiation fin

Claims (7)

In an optical pulse irradiation apparatus comprising a flash lamp for emitting light pulses and an irradiator provided with a reflecting mirror for reflecting the radiated light, the irradiators are disposed on both sides across a conveyance path of a workpiece to be irradiated with the light pulses. Are installed so as to face each other, and these illuminators are provided with photodetectors for monitoring the light quantity of the respective flash lamps, and the light receiving portions of the photodetectors are flashes provided in the opposing illuminators. An optical pulse irradiation device, wherein the light emitting portion of the lamp is arranged at an attachment angle that does not fall within the light receiving angle. The light receiving portion of the photodetector is arranged to receive the emitted light of the flash lamp through a slit formed on the center line of the reflecting mirror parallel to the lamp axis of the flash lamp of the irradiator provided with the photodetector. The light pulse irradiation apparatus according to claim 1. The flash lamp provided in the irradiator is disposed concentrically inside a water cooling jacket formed of a transparent cylindrical tube through which cooling water for the lamp is circulated and supplied from one end side of the water cooling jacket. The water supply port is formed with an inclined hole for allowing the cooling water to flow from one end side to the other end side of the water cooling jacket at a constant inclination angle, and the inclined hole is deviated from the center of the cooling jacket in the radial direction. The light pulse irradiation device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the light pulse irradiation device is opened in the above direction. The light pulse irradiation device according to claim 3, wherein the water supply port is provided on one end side of a water cooling jacket where the cathode side of the flash lamp is located. The drain port for discharging cooling water from the other end side of the water cooling jacket is formed with an inclined hole for allowing the cooling water to flow out from the one end side to the other end side of the water cooling jacket, and the inclined hole The light pulse irradiation device according to claim 3 or 4, wherein is opened in a direction deviated in a radial direction from a center of the cooling jacket. A water-cooling jacket is attached to the flash lamp provided in the irradiator, and a small cooling fan that blows air toward at least the cathode side end of the flash lamp is installed in the housing that accommodates the flash lamp and its reflecting mirror. 3. The light pulse irradiation device according to claim 1 , wherein heat radiation fins that enhance a cooling effect by blowing air from the cooling fan are formed on a surface portion of the container that is heated by heat transmitted from the flash lamp. The cooling fan is installed to face the cathode side end of the flash lamp, and between the end plate of the flash lamp facing the cooling fan and between the cooling fan and the cathode side end of the flash lamp. The light pulse irradiation apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the radiation fin is formed on a portion of the irradiation window frame of the intervening body.

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