JP6068411B2 - Light irradiation device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a light irradiation apparatus, and more particularly to an apparatus that irradiates light to a narrow portion.

  Ultraviolet light is widely used in the fields of resin curing with ultraviolet light, sterilization or sterilization treatment in the medical and food fields. In recent years, along with increasing people's interest in food safety and hygiene, the prevention of infections such as O-157 and other bacteria and influenza viruses has been emphasized, and can be effectively sterilized. A device is sought.

  In a factory that manufactures food and pharmaceuticals, in order to maintain hygiene, the manufacturing apparatus may be periodically disassembled and washed to clean the interior of the apparatus or be sterilized by irradiation with ultraviolet light. For example, in a manufacturing apparatus in which a thin pipe or a bent pipe is used, there is an apparatus that sterilizes by irradiating ultraviolet light through an optical fiber inserted into the pipe so that the inside of the pipe can be sterilized by irradiation with ultraviolet light (Patent Document). 1 and 2).

JP 2005-13723 A JP 2007-618 A

  However, the optical fiber cannot enter the light unless it is within a predetermined incident angle range determined by the numerical aperture, and generally only a part of the light emitted from the light source can be introduced into the fiber. In particular, if an optical fiber with a thin core diameter is used to irradiate light in a narrow part, the light introduction efficiency is reduced, and only about several percent of the light from the light source is guided depending on the selected core diameter. Can not do it.

  This invention is made | formed in view of such a subject, and exists in provision of the light irradiation apparatus which can irradiate light effectively also in a narrow part.

  In order to solve the above problems, a light irradiation apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention includes a long body and an LED (Light Emitting Diode) chip that is fixed in close contact with a distal end portion of the long body. The elongate body extends in the longitudinal direction of the elongate body, and a conductive portion that passes a current for causing the LED chip to emit light, and an insulating portion that covers the conductive portion and ensures electrical insulation of the conductive portion. Have.

  According to the light irradiation device of the above aspect, a long body having an LED chip fixed to the tip is inserted into the pipe, and in that state, a current is passed through the energization section to emit ultraviolet light from the LED chip. Light can be irradiated to a narrow portion such as the inside. Moreover, since almost all of the light emitted from the LED chip can be irradiated to the inside of the pipe, the light emitted from the LED chip, which is a light source, can be used more efficiently than in the case of using an optical fiber. .

  In the light irradiation device of the above aspect, the LED chip may emit ultraviolet light.

  In the light irradiation apparatus of the said aspect, while covering and protecting an LED chip, you may further provide the coating | coated part which permeate | transmits the ultraviolet light which an LED chip emits.

  In the light irradiation apparatus of the above aspect, the long body may have flexibility that can be elastically restored.

  In the light irradiation device according to the above aspect, the bending mechanism provided near the distal end and bending the vicinity of the distal end, and the bending direction of the bending mechanism from the end opposite to the distal end of the elongated body. And a control unit that can be controlled.

  According to the light irradiation apparatus of the present invention, light can be effectively irradiated even in a narrow portion.

It is a figure which shows the light irradiation apparatus which concerns on embodiment. It is a figure which shows the elongate body inserted in piping with a thin internal diameter. It is a figure which shows the elongate body inserted in the bent piping. It is a figure which shows the light irradiation apparatus which concerns on a modification.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In all the drawings, the same reference numerals are given to the same components, and the description will be omitted as appropriate.

  FIG. 1 shows a light irradiation apparatus 100 according to an embodiment. The light irradiation device 100 includes an LED chip fixed to the distal end portion 22 of the long body 20 in a state where the long body 20 is inserted into a pipe having a small inner diameter or a bent pipe as shown in FIGS. By emitting ultraviolet light to 10, sterilization treatment or the like is performed by irradiating ultraviolet light to a narrow portion such as the inside of a pipe or a narrow gap. In the light irradiation device 100, since the LED chip 10 fixed to the distal end portion 22 of the long body 20 emits ultraviolet light, it is possible to irradiate almost all of the ultraviolet light emitted from the LED chip 10 to a narrow portion, which is effective. Can be irradiated with ultraviolet light.

  The light irradiation device 100 includes an LED chip 10, a covering part 12, a long body 20, and a power supply part 28. The long body 20 includes a conductive portion 24 and an insulating portion 26. The power supply unit 28 supplies DC power necessary for the LED chip 10 to emit ultraviolet light via the conductive unit 24.

  The LED chip 10 is fixed in close contact with the distal end portion 22 of the long body 20, and emits ultraviolet light by electric power supplied from the power supply unit 28 through the conductive unit 24. The LED chip 10 has an anode electrode and a cathode electrode that emit ultraviolet light included in a wavelength band having a center wavelength or peak wavelength of about 200 nm to 360 nm and connected to the conductive portion 24. As such an LED chip, one using aluminum gallium nitride (AlGaN) is known. In order to enhance the sterilization effect, it is desirable to select the LED chip 10 that can irradiate ultraviolet light called a sterilization line having a center wavelength near 260 nm. Further, the size of the LED chip 10 is preferably about 0.1 to 1 mm square so that the LED chip 10 can be introduced into the narrow portion.

  The covering portion 12 is a member that covers the LED chip 10 and has a role of protecting the LED chip 10 from being in direct contact with the piping or the like when the long body 20 is inserted into the piping or the like. Further, it is desirable that the covering portion 12 is a material that transmits ultraviolet light emitted from the LED chip 10 and that is not easily damaged due to chipping or cracking even when contacting the piping. For example, an amorphous fluororesin having a high ultraviolet light transmittance and appropriate flexibility may be used as the covering portion 12.

  The long body 20 is a support member for guiding the LED chip 10 fixed to the distal end portion 22 to a narrow portion such as the inside of a pipe, and has a linear shape long in one direction having flexibility that can be elastically restored. It is a member. Here, “having elasticity that can be elastically restored” means that the pipe 20 can be passed through the long body 20 from the inlet of the pipe to the back without buckling at the bent portion of the pipe. It means having flexibility enough to be bent.

  The conductive portion 24 extends along the longitudinal direction of the long body 20 and is two electric cables for supplying a current for causing the LED chip 10 to emit light. One end of the conductive portion 24 is connected to the anode electrode or the cathode electrode of the LED chip 10. The other end is connected to the power supply unit 28. The conductive portion 24 desirably has a degree of flexibility that does not hinder the flexibility of the long body 20. For example, a metal wire containing a highly conductive material such as copper may be used.

  The insulating part 26 has a hollow structure extending in the longitudinal direction of the long body 20. The conductive part 24 is passed through the hollow region to cover the conductive part 24 to ensure electrical insulation, and the long body 20. It plays a role as a structure. The insulating part 26 may be made of, for example, a resin such as polyethylene or nylon, a fluorine resin, or the like as a material having the rigidity and flexibility described above. Depending on the rigidity required for the long body 20, the rigidity may be increased by passing the conductive part 24 through the hollow area of the insulating part 26 and then filling the gap in the hollow area with resin.

With the above configuration, the light irradiation apparatus 100 can effectively irradiate ultraviolet light even in a narrow portion.
FIG. 2 shows the elongate body 20 inserted into a pipe 49 having a small inner diameter d. This figure has shown the state in which the ultraviolet light is irradiated to the inside of the piping 49 from the LED chip 10 attached to the front-end | tip part 22 of the elongate body 20 inserted in the piping 49. FIG. For example, when one LED chip of 1 mm square is used as the LED chip 10 and the tip 22 is formed in a cylindrical shape having a diameter of 1.5 mm so that the LED chip of 1 mm square can be closely attached and fixed, the diameter of the long body 20 Is about 1.5 mm. If it does so, the elongate body 20 can be penetrated also to thin piping with the internal diameter d = 2mm of piping, and an ultraviolet light can be irradiated inside. In order to effectively sterilize the inside of the pipe, both in the case of moving the long body 20 in the direction of insertion into the pipe and in the case of moving in the direction of removing the inserted long body 20 from the pipe It is desirable to irradiate with ultraviolet light.

  If ultraviolet light is guided using an optical fiber, generally only a part of the ultraviolet light emitted from the light source can be guided to the optical fiber, and the light intensity decreases as it passes through the optical fiber. Therefore, the light intensity of the ultraviolet light irradiated through the optical fiber becomes a part of the ultraviolet light emitted from the light source. On the other hand, since the LED chip 10 fixed to the distal end portion 22 of the long body 20 emits ultraviolet light, the light irradiation device 100 irradiates the inside of the pipe 49 with substantially all of the ultraviolet light emitted by the LED chip 10. be able to. Therefore, the light irradiation apparatus 100 has higher utilization efficiency of ultraviolet light than the case of using an optical fiber, suppresses electric power necessary for irradiating ultraviolet light with the same light intensity, and reduces power consumption. be able to.

  FIG. 3 shows the elongated body 20 inserted into the bent pipe 50. This figure shows a state in which the long body 20 is inserted into the pipe 50 from the inlet 52 of the pipe 50 and the tip 22 reaches the end of a bent part 54 bent at a right angle. At this time, in order to pass the bent portion 54 bent at a right angle, the radius of curvature r of the long body 20 passing through the bent portion 54 is r <3.4 × d with respect to the inner diameter d of the pipe. It is necessary to bend like this.

  Temporarily, when an optical fiber is inserted into the pipe 50 and the ultraviolet light guided to the optical fiber is irradiated into the pipe 50, the optical fiber does not fall below an allowable curvature radius determined in proportion to the core diameter. It is necessary to use in. If an optical fiber is bent to a radius of curvature smaller than the allowable radius of curvature, light leaks to the outside at the bent portion, or the optical transmission efficiency decreases due to the fiber being damaged, leading to light guiding. This is because the light intensity to be reduced is reduced.

  For example, when an optical fiber made of quartz having a high ultraviolet light transmittance is used, the allowable radius of curvature is generally about 200 times the core diameter and is relatively thick in order to increase the light intensity of the ultraviolet light that can be guided. If a quartz fiber having a core diameter of 500 μm is used, the allowable radius of curvature is 100 mm. Then, when a quartz fiber having a core diameter of 500 μm is to be passed through the pipe 50 having the bent portion 54 bent at a right angle, the inner diameter d of the pipe corresponding to the allowable curvature radius r = 100 mm is about 30 mm. Further, it is difficult to guide light to a pipe having an inner diameter d smaller than this. Further, by reducing the core diameter of the optical fiber, it is possible to cope with a pipe having a narrow inner diameter. However, the light intensity that can be guided by the optical fiber decreases as the core diameter decreases.

  On the other hand, since the light irradiation apparatus 100 can use a material having higher flexibility than quartz as the long body 20, the allowable radius of curvature can be reduced as compared with a quartz fiber having the same diameter. It can be inserted into a pipe with a narrow inner diameter and irradiated with ultraviolet light. In particular, even if the long body 20 is bent with a radius of curvature smaller than the allowable radius of curvature of a quartz fiber having the same diameter, the current value supplied to the LED chip 10 is not substantially changed. The light intensity does not decrease. Therefore, the light irradiation device 100 can effectively irradiate the inside of the bent pipe, which is difficult to guide light when an optical fiber is used, with ultraviolet light.

  For example, when one LED chip 10 of 1 mm square is used and the long body 20 has a diameter of about 1.5 mm, generally, the allowable radius of curvature of an electric cable using the insulating portion 26 as a resin material is 10 times the diameter. Therefore, the allowable radius of curvature of the long body 20 is r = 15 mm. Then, even if it is piping which has a bending part, the elongate body 20 can be penetrated and the inside can be irradiated with ultraviolet light with respect to thin piping of the internal diameter d = 5mm corresponding to permissible curvature radius r = 15mm. .

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a light irradiation apparatus 200 according to a modification. In addition to the configuration of the light irradiation apparatus 100 according to the above-described embodiment, the light irradiation apparatus 200 has a bending mechanism 30 provided in the vicinity of the distal end portion 22 of the long body 20 and the bending direction of the distal end portion 22 as a long body. 20 is further provided with a control unit 46 that can be controlled from the end opposite to the tip 22. By providing the bending mechanism 30 and the control unit 46, when the elongated body 20 is passed through the bent pipe, the distal end portion 22 is bent in a predetermined direction so that the distal end portion 22 can be easily passed to the back. The irradiation direction of the ultraviolet light from can be changed.

  The bending mechanism 30 includes a rotating part 32 and a holding part 40. The rotating part 32 is a member having a shape in which a hemisphere having the same diameter as the column is connected to the bottom surface of the column member. The rotating part 32 is fixed to the upper surface of the long body 20 with the LED chip 10 in close contact with the upper surface where the hemisphere is not connected. An insertion hole 34 is provided in the hemisphere of the rotation unit 32 in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the long body 20, and a rotation shaft 42 to be described later is inserted. A connecting portion 36 is provided on a side surface of the rotating portion 32 and is connected to the control portion 46 via a wire 48.

  The holding unit 40 includes a rotation shaft 42 that is inserted into the insertion hole 34 of the rotation unit 32 and a groove 44 that accommodates the hemisphere of the rotation unit 32. Thereby, the holding unit 40 holds the rotating unit 32 so as to be rotatable about the rotating shaft 42.

  The control unit 46 includes a wire 48 for controlling the bending direction of the bending mechanism 30. The wire 48 extends in the longitudinal direction inside the long body 20, and one end thereof is connected to the connection portion 36. The control unit 46 controls the bending direction of the rotating unit 32 by pulling the wire 48 connected to the connection unit 36. The wire 48 may also be used as the conductive part 24 that supplies power to the LED chip 10 or may be provided separately from the conductive part 24.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications such as design changes can be added based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art. The form can also be included in the scope of the present invention.

  As the light irradiation device, the case where it is used for the purpose of sterilizing the inside of the pipe is shown, but it may be used for other purposes. For example, when a crack occurs in a narrow part such as the inside of a pipe, this is implemented for the purpose of curing the resin by applying ultraviolet light curable resin to fill the crack and irradiating the applied resin with ultraviolet light. You may use the light irradiation apparatus which concerns on a form and a modification.

  Moreover, although it showed about the case where LED chip 10 was stuck and fixed to the perpendicular | vertical surface of the front-end | tip part 22 with respect to the longitudinal direction of the elongate body 20, the inclined surface which gave the predetermined angle to the front-end | tip part 22 was formed, The LED chip 10 may be fixed in close contact with the inclined surface. Thereby, not only the front of the front-end | tip part 22 in the elongate body 20 inserted in piping etc. but a side and back can be irradiated with an ultraviolet light effectively. The LED chip 10 may be attached to the side surface of the long body 20, or a plurality of LED chips 10 may be attached to the side surface of the long body 20 after the LED chip 10 is attached to the distal end portion 22.

  The case where one 1 mm square LED chip is used as the LED chip 10 and the diameter of the long body 20 is set to about 1.5 mm has been shown, but a larger LED chip or a larger LED chip depending on the required light intensity of ultraviolet light A plurality of LED chips may be fixed to the tip 22 and used. For example, by using four 1 mm square LED chips and making the diameter of the long body 20 about 3 mm, it is possible to increase the light intensity of ultraviolet light as compared with the case where one LED chip is used. . On the other hand, a smaller LED chip may be used and the diameter of the long body 20 may be made thinner so that it can cope with a narrower part or a complicatedly bent part.

  Although the case where ultraviolet light is emitted has been shown as the LED chip, one that emits visible light or an LED chip that emits infrared light may be used.

  Moreover, although it showed about the case where it has flexibility as the elongate body 20, you may use the linear rod-shaped member which does not deform | transform easily with external force as an elongate body. For example, when it is necessary to irradiate light beyond the filter in a narrow part provided with a filter or the like, the long body 20 is inserted into the filter mesh, so that it can be effectively applied to the back part of the filter. Light can be irradiated.

  Although the structure provided with the rotation part 32 hold | maintained rotatably with respect to the holding | maintenance part 40 was shown as the bending mechanism 30, the mechanism to bend the front-end | tip part 22 is not restricted to this. For example, a mechanism in which a material having higher flexibility than that of the long body 20 is disposed in the vicinity of the distal end portion 22 and the bending direction is changed by applying a voltage to the piezoelectric element disposed therein may be employed. Good. In addition, a bending mechanism using a shape memory alloy may be employed.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... LED chip, 12 ... Covering part, 20 ... Long body, 22 ... Tip part, 24 ... Conductive part, 26 ... Insulating part, 30 ... Bending mechanism, 46 ... Control part, 100, 200 ... Light irradiation apparatus.

Claims (6)

An elongated body having flexibility that can be elastically restored;
An LED (Light Emitting Diode) chip that is fixed in close contact with the tip of the elongated body and emits ultraviolet light;
Covering and protecting the LED chip, and a covering portion made of a material that transmits ultraviolet light emitted from the LED chip;
With
The elongated body is
A conductive portion that extends in the longitudinal direction of the elongated body, and that conducts current for causing the LED chip to emit light; and
An insulating portion that covers the conductive portion and ensures electrical insulation of the conductive portion;
Have
The said light irradiation apparatus is used for the disinfection process of a target object by making the said LED chip light-emit in the state which penetrated the said elongate body in the narrow part, The light irradiation apparatus characterized by the above-mentioned. The distal end portion has an inclined surface having a predetermined angle with respect to a surface perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the elongated body, and the LED chip is fixed in close contact with the inclined surface. The light irradiation apparatus according to claim 1. The LED chip, light irradiation apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it has a size of 0.1mm~1mm angle. The light irradiation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the covering portion is made of a resin. By emitting the LED chip in the inserted state the long body in the pipe, the light irradiation apparatus according to any one of 4 from claim 1, characterized in that used for sterilization in the pipe. A bending mechanism that is provided in the vicinity of the tip and bends the vicinity of the tip;
A control unit capable of controlling a bending direction by the bending mechanism from an end portion of the elongated body opposite to the tip portion;
Light irradiation apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5 further comprising a.

Images