JP7084574B2 - UV sterilizer and drinking water supply equipment equipped with it - Google Patents

Description

The present invention is a UV sterilizer equipped with an ultraviolet light emitting element in the unit body into which fluid flows, and is particularly used for drinking water supply equipment such as vending machines and water servers that sell and supply beverages such as tea and coffee. Regarding what is used.

Conventionally, as a UV sterilizer, an ultraviolet irradiation tube, an inlet installed on the upstream side of the ultraviolet irradiation tube, an outlet installed on the downstream side of the ultraviolet irradiation tube, and the ultraviolet irradiation tube have been used. A beverage sterilization unit including an ultraviolet light emitting element installed on the side of the body is known (for example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2017-029936 (see, in particular, FIGS. 1 and 2).

However, in the above-mentioned conventional beverage sterilization unit, the diffuser lens installed on the side surface of the ultraviolet irradiation tube directly irradiates at least one of the inlet and outlet with the ultraviolet light from the ultraviolet light emitting element, so that the beverage can be treated. On the other hand, 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 improve the sterilizing ability by irradiating the ultraviolet light emitted from the ultraviolet light emitting element while repeatedly reflecting the ultraviolet light. , To provide a UV sterilizer that reliably sterilizes fluid and a drinking water supply facility equipped with the UV sterilizer.

Problems to be solved by the present invention

The invention according to claim 1 is an inflow port for inflowing fluid, an ultraviolet irradiation tube for sterilizing the fluid flowing in from the inflow port by irradiating it with ultraviolet light, and an ultraviolet irradiation tube for flowing out the fluid. A UV sterilizer equipped with an outflow port, wherein the ultraviolet irradiation tube has an ultraviolet light emitting element that emits ultraviolet light toward the inside of the ultraviolet irradiation tube, and an ultraviolet light emitted from the ultraviolet light emitting element. A diffuser lens that diffuses the ultraviolet rays, a tubular spacer that is inserted into the ultraviolet irradiation tube to hold the ultraviolet light emitting element, a circular tubular synthetic quartz pipe that allows fluid to flow inside the ultraviolet irradiation tube, and the synthetic quartz. Light was emitted from the ultraviolet light emitting element toward the synthetic quartz pipe in a state where the center of the diffuser lens was placed facing the upstream side of the pipe and the center of the diffuser lens was biased toward the upstream side of the synthetic quartz pipe with respect to the center of the ultraviolet light emitting element. It has a built-in ultraviolet irradiation unit consisting of at least a parabolic reflection mirror consisting of two sets or two sets of concave mirrors that repeatedly reflect the ultraviolet light on the upstream side of the synthetic quartz pipe, which is the majority of the ultraviolet light. The irradiation unit circulates the fluid while repeatedly reflecting the ultraviolet light while suppressing the light attenuation rate of the ultraviolet light between the parabolic reflection mirrors composed of concave mirrors arranged so as to face each other across the synthetic quartz pipe. It solves the above-mentioned problems.

In the invention according to claim 2, in addition to the configuration of the UV sterilizer according to claim 1, the ultraviolet irradiation unit is positioned with the downstream side of the synthetic quartz pipe inserted into the ultraviolet irradiation tube. It has a circular tubular pipe holder that engages with the tubular spacer and repeatedly reflects the ultraviolet light on the downstream side, which is the remainder of the ultraviolet light emitted from the ultraviolet light emitting element toward the synthetic quartz pipe. This solves the above-mentioned problems.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the UV sterilizer according to the second aspect, the pipe holder has a reflective inner peripheral surface surface-processed with a reflective agent. It solves the above-mentioned problems.

In the invention according to claim 4, in addition to the configuration of the UV sterilizer according to any one of claims 1 to 3, the parabolic reflection mirror is a concave mirror made of an aspherical surface. It solves the above-mentioned problems.

In the invention according to claim 5, in addition to the configuration of the UV sterilizer according to any one of claims 1 to 4, the parabolic reflection mirror crosses a light flux repeatedly reflected by the ultraviolet light. By having a reflective surface shape that keeps the surface constant, the above-mentioned problems are solved.

The invention according to claim 6 has the above-mentioned problem because the ultraviolet light emitting element is a light emitting diode in addition to the configuration of the UV sterilizer according to any one of claims 1 to 5. Is to solve the problem.

In the invention according to claim 7, in addition to the configuration of the UV sterilizer according to any one of claims 1 to 6, the ultraviolet light emitting element emits ultraviolet light emitted from the ultraviolet light emitting element. By being covered with a diffuser lens that diffuses ultraviolet rays, the above-mentioned problems are solved.

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

In the invention according to claim 9, in addition to the configuration of the UV sterilizer according to any one of claims 1 to 8, the tubular spacer is provided in the direction of the tube axis of the ultraviolet irradiation tube. It solves the above-mentioned problem by being formed so as to be divisible along the line.

The invention according to claim 10 is a drinking water supply facility in which the UV sterilizer according to any one of claims 1 to 9 is provided on the path of a water pipe which is the fluid. , It solves the above-mentioned problems.

The UV sterilizer of the present invention has an inflow port for inflowing a fluid, an ultraviolet irradiation tube for sterilizing the fluid inflowed from the inflow port by irradiating it with ultraviolet light, and an outflow for flowing the fluid from the ultraviolet irradiation tube. By providing the port, not only the fluid flowing through the ultraviolet irradiation tube can be sterilized by irradiating the fluid with ultraviolet light, but also the following unique effects can be obtained.

According to the UV sterilization apparatus of the invention according to claim 1, the ultraviolet irradiation tube has an ultraviolet light emitting element that emits ultraviolet light toward the inside of the ultraviolet irradiation tube, and an ultraviolet light emitted from the ultraviolet light emitting element. A diffuser lens that diffuses UV rays, a tubular spacer that is inserted into the UV irradiation tube to hold the UV light emitting element, a circular tubular synthetic quartz pipe that allows fluid to flow inside the UV irradiation tube, and this synthetic quartz pipe. Ultraviolet light emitted from the ultraviolet light emitting element toward the synthetic quartz pipe with the center of the diffuser lens offset to the upstream side of the synthetic quartz pipe with respect to the center of the ultraviolet light emitting element by arranging them facing each other across the upstream side. Synthesized by incorporating an ultraviolet irradiation unit consisting of at least a parabolic reflecting mirror consisting of a set of two or a set of two concave mirrors that repeatedly reflects ultraviolet light on the upstream side of most synthetic quartz pipes. When the fluid is circulated through the quartz pipe, the fluid does not generate turbulence in the synthetic quartz pipe, and various substances contained in the fluid do not adhere to the synthetic quartz pipe. Therefore, the transmission efficiency of ultraviolet light to the synthetic quartz pipe is high. Can be significantly increased compared to conventional resin pipes, and the amount of ultraviolet light applied to the fluid is repeatedly and intensively irradiated with ultraviolet light in a state where the light attenuation rate is suppressed in the ultraviolet irradiation unit. Therefore, the sterilizing ability for the fluid can be enhanced by the increase in the amount of ultraviolet irradiation.

Then, the ultraviolet irradiation unit built in the ultraviolet irradiation tube has an ultraviolet light emitting element that emits ultraviolet light toward the ultraviolet irradiation tube body, and a diffuser lens that diffuses the ultraviolet light emitted from the ultraviolet light emitting element. , A tubular spacer that is inserted into the UV irradiation tube to hold the UV light emitting element, a circular tubular synthetic quartz pipe that allows fluid to flow inside the UV irradiation tube, and a facing each other across the upstream side of this synthetic quartz pipe. Since it is composed of a parabolic reflection mirror consisting of a set of two or a set of two concave mirrors arranged, the elemental parts indispensable for sterilizing the fluid are integrally configured in the ultraviolet irradiation tube. By simply taking out the ultraviolet irradiation unit from the inside of the ultraviolet irradiation tube, the position of the synthetic quartz pipe, the ultraviolet light emitting element, and the parabolic reflection mirror can be easily adjusted, cleaned, and replaced.

In the invention according to claim 2, in addition to the effect of the UV sterilizer according to claim 1, the ultraviolet irradiation unit is positioned with the downstream side of the synthetic quartz pipe inserted into the ultraviolet irradiation tube. This is due to having a circular tubular pipe holder that engages with the tubular spacer and repeatedly reflects the downstream ultraviolet light that is the rest of the ultraviolet light emitted from the ultraviolet emitting element toward the synthetic quartz pipe. Since the pipe holder positions the synthetic quartz pipe with the downstream side of the synthetic quartz pipe inserted and engages with the tubular spacer to hold the synthetic quartz pipe, the rest of the ultraviolet light emitted from the ultraviolet light emitting element is retained. Irradiation is performed while being reliably and repeatedly reflected on the downstream side of the synthetic quartz pipe, and as a result, in addition to the bactericidal effect on the upstream side of the synthetic quartz pipe, the bactericidal effect can be exerted on the downstream side of the synthetic quartz pipe.

The invention according to claim 3 has, in addition to the effect of the UV sterilizer according to claim 2, that the pipe holder has a reflective inner peripheral surface surface-processed with a reflective agent. Since the reflective inner peripheral surface of the pipe holder repeatedly reflects the rest of the ultraviolet light emitted from the ultraviolet light emitting element on the downstream side of the synthetic quartz pipe and irradiates it without light attenuation, 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 of the UV sterilizer according to any one of claims 1 to 3, the ultraviolet reflection mirror is a concave mirror made of an aspherical surface. Since the ultraviolet light emitted from the light emitting element is focused and reflected without being diffused, the ultraviolet light can be efficiently concentrated and irradiated to the fluid in the synthetic quartz pipe.

In the invention according to claim 5, in addition to the effect of the UV sterilizer according to any one of claims 1 to 4, the parabolic reflection mirror keeps the cross section of the ultraviolet light beam constant. Having a reflecting surface shape makes it possible for the parabolic reflection mirror to repeatedly reflect ultraviolet light, so that it is possible to suppress the diffusion of ultraviolet light and prevent the attenuation of the ultraviolet irradiation intensity.

In the invention according to claim 6, in addition to the effect of the UV sterilizer according to any one of claims 1 to 5, the ultraviolet light emitting element is a light emitting diode, so that the light emitting diode element can be used. Since the irradiation time is longer than that of a conventional fluorescent lamp, it can be sterilized for a long period of time.

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

In the invention according to claim 8, in addition to the effect of the UV sterilizer according to any one of claims 1 to 7, the ultraviolet light emitted by the ultraviolet light emitting element has a wavelength of 100 to 280 nm. Since it has deep ultraviolet rays, it has an excellent sterilizing effect, which is so-called UV-C, among ultraviolet rays, so that it can be sterilized even more reliably.

In the invention according to claim 9, in addition to the effect of the UV sterilizer according to any one of claims 1 to 8, the tubular spacer is provided along the tube axis direction of the ultraviolet irradiation tube. Since the tubular spacer can be divided into two as needed because it is formed so that it can be divided into two, a synthetic quartz pipe, an ultraviolet light emitting element, which is used when assembling an ultraviolet irradiation unit to an ultraviolet irradiation tube when manufacturing a UV sterilizer, The handling of the parabolic reflection mirror is easy, and the position of the synthetic quartz pipe, the ultraviolet light emitting element, and the parabolic reflection mirror can be adjusted, cleaned, and disassembled and assembled easily for maintenance and replacement.

According to the drinking water supply equipment of the invention according to claim 10, it is possible to have the same effect as that of the UV sterilizer according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

The front sectional view which shows the outline of the drinking water supply equipment provided with the UV sterilization apparatus which is 1st Embodiment of this invention. The schematic explanatory view which cut out a part of the UV sterilizer which is 1st Example of this invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view seen by reference numeral 3-3 in FIG. Explanatory drawing which shows the irradiation state of deep ultraviolet rays in an ultraviolet irradiation unit. Explanatory drawing which shows the repeated reflection state of deep ultraviolet rays in a parabolic reflection mirror. The disassembled assembly drawing which shows the main part of the UV sterilization apparatus which is 2nd Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a main part of a UV sterilizer according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

The UV sterilizer and drinking water supply facility of the present invention are composed of an inflow port for inflowing fluid, an ultraviolet irradiation tube for sterilizing the fluid flowing in from the inflow port by irradiating it with ultraviolet light, and the ultraviolet irradiation tube. It is equipped with an outflow port that allows fluid to flow out, and the ultraviolet irradiation tube has an ultraviolet light emitting element that emits ultraviolet light toward the inside of the ultraviolet irradiation tube and a diffusion that diffuses the ultraviolet light emitted from this ultraviolet light emitting element. It straddles the lens, the tubular spacer that is inserted into the UV irradiation tube to hold the UV light emitting element, the circular tubular synthetic quartz pipe that allows fluid to flow inside the UV irradiation tube, and the upstream side of this synthetic quartz pipe. The composition is the majority of the ultraviolet light emitted from the ultraviolet light emitting element toward the synthetic quartz pipe with the center of the diffuser lens offset to the upstream side of the synthetic quartz pipe with respect to the center of the ultraviolet light emitting element. It has a built-in ultraviolet irradiation unit consisting of at least a parabolic reflection mirror consisting of two sets or two sets of concave mirrors that repeatedly reflect ultraviolet light on the upstream side of the quartz pipe, and this ultraviolet irradiation unit is a synthetic quartz pipe. The fluid is circulated while repeatedly reflecting the ultraviolet light while suppressing the light attenuation rate of the ultraviolet light between the parabolic reflection mirrors consisting of concave mirrors arranged across the surface to improve the sterilization ability and reliably sterilize the fluid. As long as it is, the specific embodiment may be any.

For example, the fluid applied to the UV sterilizer of the present invention may be a liquid such as water, coffee, or tea, or a gas such as air.
An example of installation of the UV sterilizer of the present invention is a drinking water supply facility such as a water server and a drinking device, and a purifier such as an air cleaner, but any device that requires a sterilizing function other than these. Needless to say, the UV sterilizer of the present invention can be applied.
When the UV sterilizer of the present invention is installed with a sensing sensor such as flow rate and fluid temperature interposed therebetween, ultraviolet rays emitted from an ultraviolet light emitting element based on detection data such as flow rate and fluid temperature obtained from the sensing sensor. It is possible to control the sterilization performance by adjusting the amount of light.

Regarding the specific form of the ultraviolet irradiation tube in the UV sterilizer of the present invention, if it is a cylinder in which a fluid is stored, the cross-sectional shape seen from the flow direction may be a perfect circle, an ellipse, a polygon, or the like. It doesn't matter.
The material of the ultraviolet irradiation tube may be any material such as a metal such as stainless steel and a resin such as ABS resin.

Further, the specific installation position of the ultraviolet irradiation unit in the UV sterilizer of the present invention is built in the ultraviolet irradiation tube, and the ultraviolet irradiation unit emits ultraviolet light in a state where the light attenuation rate of the ultraviolet light is suppressed. Any region on the upstream side of the ultraviolet irradiation tube may be used as long as the fluid can be circulated while being repeatedly reflected to enhance the sterilizing ability and the fluid can be sterilized reliably.

The specific material and form of the synthetic quartz pipe used in the UV sterilizer of the present invention may be any material and form as long as the flowing fluid can be irradiated with ultraviolet light in a concentrated manner. do not have.
For example, if the transmission efficiency of ultraviolet light is 95% or more, the bactericidal effect of the central part where the fluid speed is high can be exhibited, and a transparent pipe that can narrow down the irradiation area of ultraviolet light is narrower. When used, it can further exert a bactericidal effect, which is more preferable.
Further, when such a synthetic quartz pipe is used, the flow velocity distribution of the fluid is made uniform when the fluid flows, and turbulence is not generated in the fluid, and various substances contained in the fluid are contained in the synthetic quartz pipe. Since it does not adhere to the water, it is possible to increase the transmission efficiency of ultraviolet light.
Even when the synthetic quartz pipe as described above is used, the flow velocity on the open end side is disturbed. Therefore, the synthetic quartz pipe should be provided in a region where the open end of the synthetic quartz pipe is slightly separated from the inflow port. More preferred.
Further, if the diameter of the synthetic quartz pipe is narrowed down to be narrower than the diameter of the ultraviolet irradiation tube, the ultraviolet light is concentrated and irradiated, so that 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.

Further, the ultraviolet light emitting element used in the UV sterilizer of the present invention may be any deep ultraviolet light as long as it emits deep ultraviolet light of at least 300 nm or less, but has a wavelength of 100 to 280 nm. Those that emit deep ultraviolet light are more preferable because they are particularly excellent in the so-called UV-C bactericidal effect among the deep ultraviolet light.
The specific form of the ultraviolet light emitting element may be any form as long as it irradiates and emits ultraviolet light, but when an ultraviolet light emitting element composed of a light emitting diode is used, it emits light. Since the irradiation time of the LED element is longer than that of the fluorescent lamp, it can be sterilized for a long period of time, which is more preferable.

The specific form of the diffuser lens used in the UV sterilizer of the present invention is either a plano-convex lens or an aspherical lens as long as it diffuses the ultraviolet rays emitted from the ultraviolet light emitting element toward the ultraviolet irradiation unit. However, a plano-convex lens is easier and cheaper to manufacture than an aspherical lens.
Regarding the specific arrangement of the diffuser lens and the ultraviolet light emitting element used in the UV sterilizer of the present invention, if the ultraviolet light can be irradiated from the ultraviolet light emitting element toward the synthetic quartz pipe via the diffuser lens. Any arrangement may be used.
In particular, when the diffuser lens and the ultraviolet light emitting element are installed in a direction orthogonal to the fluid flow direction, the diffuser lens and the ultraviolet light emitting element are installed at an angle in the fluid flow direction with respect to the tubular spacer of the ultraviolet irradiation unit. Therefore, it is possible to simplify the attachment structure of the diffuser lens and the ultraviolet light emitting element to the tubular spacer of the ultraviolet irradiation unit.
Furthermore, regarding the irradiation position and irradiation range for the synthetic quartz pipe, it is possible to adjust the relative positional relationship between the diffuser lens and the ultraviolet light emitting element by deviating the center of the diffuser lens with respect to the center of the ultraviolet light emitting element. Therefore, it is more preferable to easily adjust the synthetic quartz pipe and the diffuser lens without changing the relative posture and positional relationship.

Further, regarding the specific installation form of the parabolic reflection mirror used in the UV sterilizer of the present invention, if it is possible to arrange them so as to face each other in the tubular spacer of the ultraviolet irradiation unit, the arrangement form of two sheets is set to 2. Any arrangement of a plurality of sheets may be used.
Further, the specific mirror form of the parabolic reflection mirror may be a parabolic reflection mirror made of concave mirrors made of aspherical surfaces arranged opposite to each other in the ultraviolet irradiation unit, and the ultraviolet light is focused and repeatedly reflected without being attenuated. This can be done, for example, in the case of a parabolic reflective mirror having a reflective surface shape such as a concave broadband metal coated mirror in which a concave mirror is coated with UV highly reflective aluminum, the cross section of the light beam of the ultraviolet light is enlarged and the ultraviolet light is emitted. Since it is not dispersed, it is more preferable because it suppresses the attenuation of the ultraviolet irradiation intensity due to the diffusion when the ultraviolet light is repeatedly reflected by the parabolic reflection mirror.
Here, regarding the specific form of the pair of parabolic reflection mirrors, the parabolic reflection mirrors arranged so as to face each other are different from each other in order to adjust so as to keep the luminous flux cross section of the ultraviolet light constant. Needless to say, it is a concave mirror made of an aspherical surface, or it is installed at different facing angles.

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

Regarding 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 the synthetic quartz pipe is held by engaging with the tubular spacer. However, it is preferable that the inner peripheral surface of the pipe holder has a reflective inner peripheral surface that has been surface-processed with a reflective agent, so that the inner peripheral surface of the reflection of the pipe holder is the ultraviolet light emitted from the ultraviolet light emitting element. It is preferable to irradiate the rest of the material on the downstream side of the synthetic quartz pipe while repeatedly reflecting it without light attenuation to enhance the bactericidal effect also on the downstream side of the synthetic quartz pipe.

Hereinafter, the water server W10 as a drinking water supply facility provided with the UV sterilizer 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 1, and the UV sterilizer 100 will be described in FIGS. 2 to 4. It will be explained based on.
That is, FIG. 1 is a front sectional view showing an outline of a water server W10 provided with a UV sterilizer 100 according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a front sectional view showing an outline of the UV sterilizer W10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a schematic explanatory view which cut out a part of the apparatus, FIG. 3 is a sectional view seen by reference numeral 3-3 of FIG. 2, and FIG. 4 is an explanatory view which shows the irradiation state of deep ultraviolet rays in the ultraviolet irradiation unit. It is explanatory drawing which shows the repeated reflection state of deep ultraviolet rays in the parabolic reflection mirror.

As shown in FIG. 1, the water server W10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention has 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. It includes a container W13 and a water server main body W14 that can freely change the temperature of the purified water WT2.
Of these, the water container W11 includes a water container main body W11b having an opening (injection port for tap water WT1) W11ba opened upward, and a lid W11a that can open and close 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 fitted through the opening hole W11bd.
The purified water storage container W13 is installed directly under 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. It is configured.

The water server main 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.
Of these, the hot water tank W14a is connected to the purified water storage container W13 via the first pipe W14f, and is configured to supply purified water WT2 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 inside to a predetermined temperature.
Further, the hot water tank W14a is connected to the hot water faucet W14c via a pipe (not shown), and by opening the hot water faucet W14c, the hot water inside the hot water tank W14a passes through the hot water faucet W14c and the user. It is provided to be supplied to.

The cold water tank W14b is connected to the purified water storage container W13 via the second pipe W14g, and a UV sterilizer 100, which will be described in detail later, is provided on the path of the second pipe W14g.
Then, the purified water storage container W13 is configured to supply the sterilized purified water WT2 to the cold water tank W14b.
Further, the cold water tank W14b has a cooling means for cooling the internal purified water WT2.

Further, the cold water tank W14b is connected to the cold water faucet W14e via a pipe (not shown), and by opening the cold water faucet W14e, the cold water inside the cold water tank W14b passes through the cold water faucet W14e and the user. It is provided to be supplied to.
In this 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 normal temperature water faucet W14d is connected to the purified water storage container W13 via the third pipe W14h, and a UV sterilizer 100, which will be described in detail later, is provided on the path of the third pipe W14h.
Then, by opening the normal temperature water faucet W14d, the normal temperature water inside the purified water storage container W13 is sterilized when it is circulated through the UV sterilizer 100, and is supplied to the user through the normal temperature water faucet W14d. It is provided so as to.
Under the hot water faucet W14c to the cold water faucet W14e, a water pan W14i for receiving the water spilled from the hot water faucet W14c and the cold water faucet W14e is installed.
Further, in this embodiment, the water server W10 includes both the hot water tank W14a and the cold water tank W14b, but 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 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 becomes the bottom of the water container W11. It is introduced inside the purification cartridge W12 installed in.
The tap water WT1 introduced into the purification cartridge W12 is subjected to each treatment each time it is circulated through each water purification element (not shown) of the purification cartridge W12.

Then, the tap water WT1 flowing through the purification cartridge W12 is discharged into the purified water storage container W13 from the water purification element container (not shown) at the lowest position, and is temporarily used as the purified water WT2 in the purified water storage container W13. Is 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. Along with the decrease, the purified water WT2 inside the purified water storage container W13 is supplied to the inside of the hot water tank W14a and the inside of the cold water tank W14b, respectively.

As shown in FIG. 2, the UV sterilizer 100 has a regular cylindrical inflow port 110 for inflowing a fluid to be sterilized (hereinafter referred to as “water”) composed of the above-mentioned purified water WT2, and the inflow port 110. From the ultraviolet irradiation tube 120 having an inner diameter of about 12 mmφ and a pipe length of about 15 mm, which is made of ABS resin for sterilizing the water flowing in from the above, and the ultraviolet irradiation tube 120. It is provided with a regular cylindrical outflow port 130 for draining water.
A seal ring (not shown) is interposed between the inflow port 110 and the ultraviolet irradiation tube 120, and between the ultraviolet irradiation tube 120 and the outflow port 130, respectively.
The above-mentioned ultraviolet irradiation tube 120 has a built-in ultraviolet irradiation unit 140 that sterilizes water by irradiating the water flowing through the ultraviolet irradiation tube 120 with 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 portion of the UV sterilizer 100 of this 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 including a diffuser lens 142 composed of a plano-convex lens covering the ultraviolet light emitting element 141, a substrate 143 provided on the ultraviolet light emitting element 141 and supplying power to a light emitting diode element 141 from a power source (not shown). A composite of a tubular spacer 146 that is inserted into the ultraviolet irradiation tube 120 to hold the ultraviolet light emitting element 141 and a pipe shape having an inner diameter of about 10 mmφ and a pipe length of about 30 mm for circulating water in the ultraviolet irradiation tube 120. A set of parabolic reflection mirrors 148a and 148b that are arranged so as to face each other across the upstream side of the synthetic quartz pipe 147 and repeatedly reflect most of the ultraviolet light L emitted from the ultraviolet light emitting element 141, and synthetic quartz. A pipe holder having an inner diameter of about 12 mmφ and a pipe length of about 15 mm, which positions the synthetic quartz pipe 147 with the downstream side of the pipe 147 inserted and engages with the tubular spacer 146 to hold the synthetic quartz pipe 147. It is composed of 149.

Here, the irradiation time of the ultraviolet light emitting element 141 composed of the above-mentioned light emitting diode element is longer than that of the conventional fluorescent lamp, and the diffuser lens 142 widens the beam angle of the ultraviolet light L to thicken the beam and makes the ultraviolet light. The water to be sterilized flowing through the synthetic quartz pipe 147 of the irradiation unit 140 is surely irradiated.
The diffuser lens 142 made of the plano-convex lens described above preferably has a lens magnification in the range of 5 to 7 times, and is fitted into the lens insertion hole 146a formed in the tubular spacer 146 to form a flat surface on the substrate 143 side. It has an annular lens brim portion 142a (not shown) and a convex spherical surface 142b 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 diffuser 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 toward the upstream side of the synthetic quartz pipe 147. As described above, the center of the diffuser lens 142 is deviated to the upstream side in the water flow direction with respect to the center of the ultraviolet light emitting element 141.
This eliminates the need to install and adjust the ultraviolet light emitting element 141 and the diffuser lens 142 to the tubular spacer 146, simplifies the attachment structure of the ultraviolet light emitting element 141 and the diffuser lens 142 to the tubular spacer 146, and further, the ultraviolet light emitting element 141. The irradiation position and irradiation range with respect to the synthetic quartz pipe 147 are adjusted only by setting the relative positional relationship between the lens and the diffuser lens 142.

Further, in the synthetic quartz pipe 147 used in this embodiment, the flow velocity distribution of water is made uniform in the synthetic quartz pipe 147 so that turbulence does not occur in the water, and various substances contained in the water are contained in the synthetic quartz. Since it does not adhere to the pipe 147, the transmission efficiency of the ultraviolet light L in the synthetic quartz pipe 147 is significantly higher than that of the conventional resin pipe, which is 95% or more.
In the case of this embodiment, since the flow velocity of the water flowing in from the inflow port 110 is liable to be 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 from the open end by about 10 mm).

Further, the pipe holder 149 used in this embodiment has a reflective inner peripheral surface coated with a reflective agent, so that the reflective inner peripheral surface is an ultraviolet light emitting element 141 as shown in FIG. The rest of the ultraviolet light L emitted from the synthetic quartz pipe 147, that is, the ultraviolet light Lc is repeatedly reflected on the downstream side of the synthetic quartz pipe 147 and irradiated without light attenuation, so that the bactericidal effect is enhanced also on the downstream side of the synthetic quartz pipe 147. be able to.
As a result, the sterilizing effect of the UV sterilizing device 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 transmitted from the ultraviolet light emitting element 141 without being involved with a set of parabolic reflection mirrors 148a and 148b and the pipe holder 149 between the upstream side and the downstream side of the synthetic quartz pipe 147. It is unilaterally irradiated and is ultraviolet light.

As shown in FIGS. 3 to 4, the parabolic reflection mirrors 148a and 148b used in this embodiment are arranged so as to face each other across the upstream side of the synthetic quartz pipe 147, and the ultraviolet rays emitted from the ultraviolet light emitting element 141. A parabolic reflection mirror consisting of a concave mirror consisting of a set of two aspherical surfaces that repeatedly reflects approximately 70% of the majority of light L (La), and is a concave broadband metal-coated mirror coated with UV high-reflection aluminum. ..
Regarding the specific mirror shape of these parabolic reflection mirrors 148a and 148b, as shown in FIG. 5, the cross section of the light beam of the ultraviolet light La is enlarged so as not to disperse the ultraviolet light La, that is, the ultraviolet light. In order to focus and repeatedly reflect L without attenuating it, it is designed to have a reflecting surface shape consisting of different aspherical surfaces, and further, the mirror arrangement form of these parabolic reflection mirrors 148a and 148b is ultraviolet rays. Needless to say, the light L is installed at different facing angles in order to adjust the cross section of the light beam so as to be kept constant.

Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the tubular spacer 146 that is inserted into the ultraviolet irradiation tube 120 used in this embodiment to hold the ultraviolet light emitting element 141 is, if necessary, the ultraviolet irradiation tube 120. Since it is formed so that it can be divided into two along the direction of the tube axis, the synthetic quartz pipe 147 is attached when the ultraviolet irradiation unit 140 is attached to the ultraviolet irradiation tube body 120 when the UV sterilizer 100 is manufactured, and the ultraviolet light emitting element 141. It is easy to handle such as mounting, installation adjustment of the parabolic reflection mirrors 148a and 148b, and further, when performing position adjustment, cleaning, maintenance and replacement of the synthetic quartz pipe 147, ultraviolet light emitting element 141, and parabolic reflection mirrors 148a and 148b. It is possible to easily disassemble and assemble.

In the UV sterilization device 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention thus obtained, the ultraviolet irradiation unit 140 is inserted into an ultraviolet light emitting element 141 that emits ultraviolet light L and an ultraviolet irradiation tube body 120. A parabolic reflection mirror 148a, which is arranged so as to face each other across the tubular spacer 146, the synthetic quartz pipe 147 that circulates water, and the upstream side of the synthetic quartz pipe 147, and repeatedly reflects most of the ultraviolet light L emitted from the ultraviolet light emitting element 141. Since it is composed of 148b, ultraviolet light L in a state where 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 amount of ultraviolet irradiation to water is increased. The position of the synthetic quartz pipe 147, the ultraviolet light emitting element 141, and the parabolic reflection mirrors 148a and 148b can be adjusted by easily taking out the ultraviolet irradiation unit 140 from the ultraviolet irradiation tube body 120 while increasing the sterilizing ability. The effect is enormous, such as easy cleaning and maintenance and replacement.
Further, since the ultraviolet irradiation unit 140 has a circular tubular pipe holder 148, it exerts a bactericidal effect not only on the upstream side of the synthetic quartz pipe 147 but also on the downstream side of the synthetic quartz pipe 147. be able to.

Subsequently, the UV sterilizer 200 according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6.
Here, FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view showing a main part of the UV sterilizer 200 according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 7 is a main part of the UV sterilizer 200 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the part.
In the UV sterilizer 200 of the second embodiment, the lens spacer 244 is installed 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 installed on the back surface of the substrate 143. Since many elements are common to the UV sterilizer 100 of the first embodiment, detailed explanations will be omitted for common matters, and only the 200-series codes having the same last two digits will be added.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the lens spacer 244 is arranged between the diffuser lens 242 made of a plano-convex lens and the substrate 243, and 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.
Further, the lens spacer 244 is provided with a diode accommodating hole 244a for accommodating an ultraviolet light emitting element 241 made of a light emitting diode element, and further, the peripheral wall of the diode accommodating hole 244a receives deep ultraviolet light L from the light emitting diode element 241. It is provided so as to be reflective, and the periphery of the light emitting diode element 241 is surrounded by the peripheral wall of the diode accommodating hole 244a, so that leakage of scattered light in the light distribution +90 degree direction and the light distribution −90 degree direction is almost eliminated.
The "0 degree of light distribution" 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 that does not transmit the deep ultraviolet light L from the light emitting diode element 241 such as a high reflectance resin, and is formed from the light emitting diode element 241 at the peripheral wall of the diode accommodating hole 244a. It reflects the ultraviolet light of.
Further, in the second embodiment, the peripheral wall of the diode accommodating hole 244a is formed in a tapered shape gradually expanding from the substrate 243 side toward the plano-convex lens 242 side, and is formed 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 rate is improved by about 30% as compared with the first embodiment described above.

Further, the peripheral wall of the diode accommodating hole 244a provided in the lens spacer 244 described above is arranged apart from the light emitting diode element 240, and for example, by loosening a screw (not shown) for fixing the substrate 270, the lens spacer 244 can be loosened. The space between the diode accommodating hole 281 and the light emitting diode element 241 makes it relatively movable in the direction parallel to the substrate 270, and 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. It can be adjusted by aligning or shifting it.

Further, in the UV sterilizer 200 of the second embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, by installing an uneven flat plate-shaped heat radiating plate 245 made of an aluminum plate on the back surface of the substrate 243, the substrate 243 is used for a long period of time. Even when the heat is generated, the heat generated by the substrate 243 is transferred to the uneven plate-shaped heat radiating plate 245, and the heat radiating plate 245 can efficiently and immediately dissipate heat.

The UV sterilizer 200 according to the second embodiment of the present invention thus obtained is 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 diffuser lens. 244 has a diode accommodating hole 244a accommodating the light emitting diode element 241, and the peripheral wall of the diode accommodating hole 244a is provided so as to be able to reflect ultraviolet light from the light emitting diode element 241 so that the light distribution is +90 degrees. Direction and light distribution -The loss of scattered light in the direction of -90 degrees is significantly reduced to improve the light emission efficiency, achieving both energy saving effect and high cost performance, and adjusting the beam angle (diffusion condition) of the light source to adjust the irradiation range. Can be adjusted.

The UV sterilizer 200 of the second embodiment has the heat dissipation plate 245 installed on the back surface of the substrate 243 of the UV sterilizer 100 of the first embodiment even when the substrate 243 generates heat during long-term use. Since the heat is immediately dissipated by the heat dissipation plate 245, in addition to the effect of the UV sterilizer 100 of the first embodiment described above, the effect is enormous, such as being able to be used safely and with peace of mind.

100, 200 ・ ・ ・ UV sterilizer 110 ・ ・ ・ Inflow port 120 ・ ・ ・ UV irradiation tube 130 ・ ・ ・ Outflow port 140, 240 ・ ・ ・ UV irradiation unit 141, 241 ・ ・ ・ Light emitting diode element (ultraviolet ray) Light emitting element)
142, 242 ... Plano-convex lens (diffusing lens)
142a, 242a ... Lens brim 142b, 242b ... Convex spherical surface 143, 243 ... Substrate
244 ・ ・ ・ Lens spacer
244a ... Diode accommodating 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 (deep) Ultraviolet light)
La ・ ・ ・ Ultraviolet light Lb ・ ・ ・ Ultraviolet light Lc ・ ・ ・ Ultraviolet light C1 ・ ・ ・ Center of light emitting diode element C2 ・ ・ ・ Center of plano-convex lens W10 ・ ・ ・ Water server (drinking water supply equipment)
W11 ・ ・ ・ Water container W11a ・ ・ ・ Closure W11b ・ ・ ・ Water container body W11ba ・ ・ ・ Opening (tap water inlet)
W11bc ・ ・ ・ Bottom wall W11bd ・ ・ ・ Opening hole W12 ・ ・ ・ Purification cartridge W13 ・ ・ ・ Purified water storage container W14 ・ ・ ・ Water server body W14a ・ ・ ・ Hot water tank W14b ・ ・ ・ Cold water tank W14c ・ ・ ・ Hot water Faucet W14d ・ ・ ・ Faucet for normal temperature water W14e ・ ・ ・ Faucet for cold water 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 sterilizer equipped with an inflow port for inflowing a fluid, an ultraviolet irradiation tube for sterilizing the fluid flowing in from the inflow port with ultraviolet light, and an outflow port for discharging the fluid from the ultraviolet irradiation tube. And,
The ultraviolet irradiation tube has an ultraviolet light emitting element that emits ultraviolet light toward the ultraviolet irradiation tube, a diffusion lens that diffuses the ultraviolet light emitted from the ultraviolet light emitting element, and an ultraviolet irradiation tube. A tubular spacer that is inserted into the tube to hold the ultraviolet light emitting element, a circular tubular synthetic quartz pipe that allows fluid to flow inside the ultraviolet irradiation tube, and the diffusion of the synthetic quartz pipe that is placed opposite to each other across the upstream side of the synthetic quartz pipe. On the upstream side of the synthetic quartz pipe, which is the majority of the ultraviolet light emitted from the ultraviolet light emitting element toward the synthetic quartz pipe with the center of the lens biased toward the upstream side of the synthetic quartz pipe with respect to the center of the ultraviolet light emitting element. It has a built-in ultraviolet irradiation unit consisting of at least a parabolic reflection mirror consisting of a set of two or a set of two concave mirrors that repeatedly reflect ultraviolet light.
The ultraviolet irradiation unit circulates the fluid while repeatedly reflecting the ultraviolet light in a state where the light attenuation rate of the ultraviolet light is suppressed between the parabolic reflection mirrors composed of concave mirrors arranged so as to face each other across the synthetic quartz pipe. A UV sterilizer characterized by. The ultraviolet irradiation unit is positioned with the downstream side of the synthetic quartz pipe inserted into the ultraviolet irradiation tube, engages with the tubular spacer, and emits ultraviolet light from the ultraviolet light emitting element toward the synthetic quartz pipe. The UV sterilizer according to claim 1, further comprising a circular tubular pipe holder that repeatedly reflects ultraviolet light on the downstream side, which is the rest of the light. The UV sterilizer according to claim 2, wherein the pipe holder has a reflective inner peripheral surface that has been 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 made of an aspherical surface. The invention according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the parabolic reflection mirror has a reflecting surface shape that maintains a constant cross section of a light beam that is repeatedly reflected by the ultraviolet light. 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 diffuser lens that diffuses 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 divisible along the tube axis direction of the ultraviolet irradiation tube. A drinking water supply facility in which the UV sterilizer according to any one of claims 1 to 9 is provided on the path of a water pipe which is the fluid.

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