JP7114687B2 - Running water sterilization device and running water sterilization method - Google Patents

Description

BACKGROUND ART A running water sterilizer is known that sterilizes a fluid such as water in a container by irradiating it with ultraviolet light. Air vents are provided in the container because air trapped inside the container can reduce treatment efficiency (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP-A-2000-350987

It is preferable to be able to confirm whether the air removal is sufficient during operation of the running water sterilizer. However, it is difficult to directly check the inside during operation of the running water sterilizer to detect the presence or absence of air pockets.

The present invention has been made in view of these problems, and one of its exemplary purposes is to provide a running water sterilizer capable of detecting air accumulation.

A running water sterilizer according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a straight pipe to which water to be treated is supplied, a light source window facing the end of the straight pipe, and a light source for irradiating the inside of the straight pipe with ultraviolet light through the light source window. , the first intensity of the ultraviolet light transmitted from the inside of the straight pipe to the outside can be measured at a first position below the straight pipe in the vertical direction, and the first intensity of the ultraviolet light transmitted from the inside of the straight pipe to the outside can be measured at a second position above the straight pipe in the vertical direction. A measuring device capable of measuring a second intensity of ultraviolet light transmitted from the inside to the outside, and a control device detecting an air pool inside the straight pipe based on the first intensity and the second intensity.

Another aspect of the present invention is a running water disinfection method. This method comprises the steps of: supplying water to be treated into the straight pipe; irradiating the inside of the straight pipe with ultraviolet light from the end of the straight pipe; measuring a first intensity of ultraviolet light transmitted from the inside to the outside of the straight pipe; and measuring a second intensity of the ultraviolet light transmitted from the inside to the outside of the straight pipe at a second position above the straight pipe in the vertical direction. and detecting an air pool inside the straight pipe based on the first intensity and the second intensity.

According to the present invention, an air pool can be detected during operation of the running water sterilizer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS It is sectional drawing which shows roughly the structure of the running water sterilization apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment. 2(a) and 2(b) are cross-sectional views schematically showing the presence or absence of an air pool inside the straight pipe. It is a flow chart which shows the running water sterilization method concerning an embodiment. 4(a) and 4(b) are cross-sectional views schematically showing the configuration of a running water sterilizer according to a second embodiment. 5(a) and 5(b) are cross-sectional views schematically showing the configuration of a running water sterilizer according to a third embodiment.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the description, the same elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and overlapping descriptions are omitted as appropriate. In order to facilitate understanding of the description, the dimensional ratio of each component in each drawing does not necessarily match the actual dimensional ratio.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of a running water sterilization device 10 according to an embodiment. The running water sterilizer 10 irradiates the water to be treated, which passes through the interior of the straight pipe 12 as indicated by an arrow X, with ultraviolet light UV to sterilize the water. The running water sterilizer 10 includes a straight pipe 12, a first housing 14, a second housing 16, a first light source window 18, a second light source window 20, a first light source 22, and a second light source 24. , a first air bleed valve 26 , a second air bleed valve 28 , a measuring device 30 and a control device 32 .

The straight pipe 12 defines a treatment channel 34 to which water to be treated is supplied. The processing channel 34 is the space inside the straight pipe 12 . Straight tube 12 has a first end 36 and a second end 38 . A first housing 14 is provided at the first end 36 and a second housing 16 is provided at the second end 38 . The straight tube 12 is made of a material that is highly durable and highly reflective to ultraviolet light. The straight pipe 12 is made of a material that transmits ultraviolet light from the inside to the outside of the straight pipe 12 . Such materials include white fluororesins such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). The straight pipe 12 is made of, for example, PTFE with a side wall 40 having a thickness of 3 mm or more.

To aid understanding of the drawings, the direction from the first end 36 to the second end 38 of the straight tube 12 is also referred to as the "longitudinal direction" or "axial direction." Further, the direction away from the central axis of the straight pipe 12 is also called "radial direction", and the direction around the central axis of the straight pipe 12 is also called "circumferential direction".

The first housing 14 partitions a first communication chamber 44 and a first light source chamber 46 provided outside the straight tube 12 . The first communication chamber 44 and the first light source chamber 46 are partitioned by the first light source window 18 . The first housing 14 has a first flow port 48 . The first flow port 48 is open in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the straight pipe 12, for example, in a radial direction. A first flow pipe 50 is connected to the first flow port 48 . The first flow pipe 50 extends radially outward from the first flow port 48 . The first communication chamber 44 connects between the processing channel 34 and the first flow port 48 . The first communication chamber 44 communicates with the processing channel 34 through a first gap 52 between the first end 36 of the straight pipe 12 and the first light source window 18 facing the first end 36 . The first communication chamber 44 is provided over the entire outer circumference of the straight pipe 12 .

The second housing 16 partitions a second communication chamber 54 and a second light source chamber 56 provided outside the straight tube 12 . The second light source window 20 partitions the second communication chamber 54 and the second light source chamber 56 . The second housing 16 has a second flow port 58 . The second flow port 58 is open in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the straight pipe 12, for example, radially. A second flow pipe 60 is connected to the second flow port 58 . The second flow pipe 60 extends radially outward from the second flow port 58 . The second communication chamber 54 connects between the processing channel 34 and the second flow port 58 . The second communication chamber 54 communicates with the processing channel 34 through a second gap 62 between the second end 38 of the straight tube 12 and the second light source window 20 facing the second end 38 . The second communication chamber 54 is provided over the entire outer circumference of the straight pipe 12 .

The first housing 14 and the second housing 16 are preferably made of a material having high durability and high reflectance to ultraviolet light, and can be made of a fluorine resin such as polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), for example. By using PVDF, which has a lower ultraviolet light reflectance than PTFE, as the material for the first housing 14 and the second housing 16, the ultraviolet light is reflected on the inner surfaces of the first communication chamber 44 and the second communication chamber 54. , the intensity of ultraviolet light directed to the outside of the first housing 14 and the second housing 16 through the first flow port 48 and the second flow port 58 can be reduced.

In the configuration of FIG. 1, the first housing 14 is on the inflow side of the water to be treated, and the second housing 16 is on the outflow side of the water to be treated. That is, the first flow port 48 is used as an inflow port, the first flow pipe 50 is used as an inflow pipe, the second flow port 58 is used as an outflow port, and the second flow pipe 60 is used as an outflow pipe. In another embodiment, the inflow and outflow sides may be reversed. That is, the first flow port 48 may be the outflow port, the first flow pipe 50 may be the outflow pipe, the second flow port 58 may be the inflow port, and the second flow pipe 60 may be the inflow pipe.

The first light source 22 is provided in the first light source chamber 46 . The first light source 22 includes a plurality of first light emitting elements 64 and a first substrate 66 . The first light source 22 may further include a heat sink (not shown) for cooling the multiple first light emitting elements 64 . The first light source 22 is configured to emit ultraviolet light UV axially through the first light source window 18 toward the processing channel 34 . That is, the first light source 22 irradiates the inside of the straight tube 12 with ultraviolet light UV from the first end 36 toward the second end 38 .

The first light emitting element 64 is a so-called UV-LED (Ultra Violet-Light Emitting Diode). The first light emitting element 64 has a peak emission wavelength of 300 nm or less and emits ultraviolet light in the vicinity of 260 nm to 290 nm, which is a wavelength with high sterilization efficiency. The plurality of first light emitting elements 64 are arranged in an array on the mounting surface of the first substrate 66 and arranged so as to emit ultraviolet light UV in the axial direction. The plurality of first light emitting elements 64 are arranged in a two-dimensional array on the mounting surface of a circular or rectangular first substrate 66, for example, at regular intervals.

The second light source 24 is provided in the second light source chamber 56 . The second light source 24 includes multiple second light emitting elements 68 and a second substrate 70 . The second light source 24 is configured similarly to the first light source 22 . The second light source 24 is configured to emit ultraviolet light axially through the second light source window 20 toward the processing channel 34 . That is, the second light source 24 irradiates the interior of the straight tube 12 with ultraviolet light UV from the second end 38 toward the first end 36 .

The first light source window 18 is provided between the first light source 22 and the first end portion 36 and arranged to face the first end portion 36 with the first gap 52 interposed therebetween. The second light source window 20 is provided between the second light source 24 and the second end portion 38 and arranged to face the second end portion 38 across the second gap 62 . The first light source window 18 and the second light source window 20 are made of a material having a high transmittance of ultraviolet light, such as quartz glass (SiO ₂ ) or sapphire (Al ₂ O ₃ ).

The first air release valve 26 is provided on the first housing 14 . The first air vent valve 26 is arranged, for example, on the side opposite to the first flow port 48 and the first flow pipe 50 across the central axis of the straight pipe 12 . The first air vent valve 26 is arranged so as to be positioned above the straight pipe 12 in the vertical direction when the running water sterilizer 10 is in operation. The first air vent valve 26 is closed during operation of the running water sterilizer 10 . When the first air vent valve 26 is opened, the air accumulated in the first communication chamber 44 can be removed to the outside through the first air vent valve 26 . It is also possible to remove the air accumulated inside the straight pipe 12 to the outside through the first air vent valve 26 .

A second air release valve 28 is provided in the second housing 16 . The second air vent valve 28 is arranged, for example, on the side opposite to the first flow port 48 and the first flow pipe 50 across the central axis of the straight pipe 12 . The second air vent valve 28 is arranged so as to be positioned above the straight pipe 12 in the vertical direction when the running water sterilizer 10 is in operation. The second air vent valve 28 is closed during operation of the running water sterilizer 10 . When the second air vent valve 28 is opened, the air accumulated in the second communication chamber 54 can be removed to the outside through the second air vent valve 28 . It is also possible to remove the air accumulated inside the straight pipe 12 to the outside through the second air vent valve 28 .

The measuring device 30 is provided outside the straight pipe 12 . The measuring device 30 measures the intensity of ultraviolet light that passes through the side wall 40 from the inside of the straight pipe 12 toward the outside. Measuring device 30 includes a first measuring section 72 and a second measuring section 74 . The first measuring portion 72 is provided in a first concave portion 76 formed in the outer surface 42 of the straight pipe 12 . The second measuring portion 74 is provided in a second recessed portion 78 formed in the outer surface 42 of the straight pipe 12 .

The first concave portion 76 is provided at a first position on the vertically lower side of the straight pipe 12 . The second recess 78 is provided at a second position above the straight pipe 12 in the vertical direction. At the first recess 76 and the second recess 78, the thickness of the side wall 40 of the straight pipe 12 is smaller than at other locations. The thickness of the side wall 40 of the straight pipe 12 in the first recess 76 and the second recess 78 is, for example, about 1 mm to 2 mm. The first concave portion 76 and the second concave portion 78 function as measurement windows through which the ultraviolet light inside the straight pipe 12 is transmitted to the outside.

The first measurement unit 72 measures the first intensity of the ultraviolet light transmitted through the side wall 40 at the first concave portion 76 . The second measurement unit 74 measures the second intensity of the ultraviolet light transmitted through the side wall 40 at the second recess 78 . Therefore, the first measurement unit 72 measures a first intensity of ultraviolet light at the first position, and the second measurement unit 74 measures a second intensity of ultraviolet light at the second position. Each of the first measurement section 72 and the second measurement section 74 includes, for example, a photodiode capable of detecting ultraviolet light. The first and second intensities measured by first measuring section 72 and second measuring section 74 are transmitted to control device 32 .

The first recessed portion 76 and the second recessed portion 78 are located at the same position in the longitudinal direction of the straight pipe 12, for example, and are provided near the center of the straight pipe 12, for example. The first recessed portion 76 and the second recessed portion 78 are different in position in the circumferential direction of the straight pipe 12 . The first concave portion 76 is provided at a position directly below the straight pipe 12, for example. The first recessed portion 76 may be provided at a position displaced in the circumferential direction from the position immediately below the straight pipe 12 . For example, when the position of the straight pipe 12 in the circumferential direction is represented by an angle, and the position directly below the straight pipe 12 is 0° and the position directly above the straight pipe 12 is 180°, the first concave portion 76 has an angle of 0° to 45°. may be provided within the range. On the other hand, the second recess 78 is provided at a position directly above the straight pipe 12, for example. The second recessed portion 78 may be provided at a position displaced in the circumferential direction from the position directly above the straight pipe 12, and may be provided within a range of 165° to 180°, for example.

The control device 32 includes, for example, an integrated circuit such as an MCU (Micro Controller Unit). The control device 32 can be realized by hardware such as a computer CPU, memory, and other elements or mechanical devices, and software can be realized by a computer program or the like. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the controller 32 can be implemented in various forms using a combination of hardware and software.

Controller 32 controls the operation of first light source 22 and second light source 24 . When the running water sterilizer 10 is in operation, that is, when water to be treated is being supplied to the treatment flow path 34, the control device 32 controls the first intensity so that the first intensity measured by the first measurement unit 72 is constant. It drives the light source 22 and the second light source 24 . As a result, the water to be treated in the treatment channel 34 is irradiated with ultraviolet light of a desired intensity.

The control device 32 detects an air pool inside the straight pipe 12 based on the first intensity measured by the first measuring section 72 and the second intensity measured by the second measuring section 74 . When the controller 32 detects an air pool, it outputs an air pool detection signal.

2(a) and 2(b) are cross-sectional views schematically showing the presence or absence of an air pool inside the straight pipe 12, showing a cross section orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the straight pipe 12. FIG. FIG. 2(a) shows a state in which there is no air pool. When there is no air pool, the entire treatment flow path 34 inside the straight pipe 12 is filled with the water W to be treated. In this case, the second intensity measured by the second measuring section 74 is approximately the same as the first intensity measured by the first measuring section 72 . That is, the difference between the first intensity and the second intensity is within a range of less than a predetermined percentage of the first intensity, for example, within a range of less than 10% of the first intensity.

FIG. 2(b) shows a state in which there is an air pool. When there is an air pool, the air A exists on the vertically upper side inside the straight pipe 12 and the water to be treated W exists on the vertically lower side inside the straight pipe 12 . In this case, the second intensity measured by the second measuring section 74 is significantly greater than the first intensity measured by the first measuring section 72 . That is, the second intensity is greater than the first intensity by a predetermined ratio or more. According to the findings of the present inventor, the second intensity is 10% or more greater than the first intensity, for example, about 10% to 20% greater. Although the definite mechanism of such a difference is not known, for example, due to the difference in refractive index between the air A and the water W to be treated, the intensity distribution of the ultraviolet light inside the straight pipe 12 becomes non-uniform. possible impact. In addition, there may be a difference between the transmittance of ultraviolet light at the interface between the straight pipe 12 and the air A and the transmittance of ultraviolet light at the interface between the straight pipe 12 and the water W to be treated.

Next, the operation of the running water sterilizer 10 will be described. The water to be sterilized is the first flow pipe 50, the first flow port 48, the first communication chamber 44, the first gap 52, the treatment channel 34, the second gap 62, the second communication chamber 54, It passes through the second flow port 58 and the second flow pipe 60 in this order. The water to be treated flowing through the treatment channel 34 is rectified by passing through the first gap 52 and the second gap 62, which have smaller water flow cross-sectional areas than the first communication chamber 44 and the second communication chamber 54, respectively. .

When the water to be treated is supplied to the treatment channel 34 , the controller 32 turns on the first light source 22 and the second light source 24 to irradiate the water to be treated inside the treatment channel 34 with ultraviolet light UV. The measuring device 30 measures the intensity of ultraviolet light that passes through the side wall 40 from the inside of the straight pipe 12 toward the outside. The first measuring unit 72 measures the first strength at a first position on the vertically lower side of the straight pipe 12 , and the second measuring unit 74 measures the second strength at a second position on the vertically upper side of the straight pipe 12 . Measure strength.

Controller 32 obtains and compares the first intensity and the second intensity. Controller 32 does not detect an air puddle if the difference between the first intensity and the second intensity is less than a predetermined percentage of the first intensity, such as less than 10% of the first intensity. When the difference between the first intensity and the second intensity is less than the predetermined ratio of the first intensity, the control device 32 may output a signal indicating that the air removal is sufficient, or indicate that the operation is normal. You may output the signal which shows this.

When the second intensity is greater than the first intensity by a predetermined percentage or more, for example, by 10% or more, the controller 32 detects an air pool and outputs an air pool detection signal. In this case, the user of the running water sterilizer 10 operates at least one of the first air vent valve 26 and the second air vent valve 28 to remove air accumulation inside the straight pipe 12 . When the second intensity is smaller than the first intensity by a predetermined percentage or more, for example, by 10% or more, the control device 32 detects an operation abnormality and outputs an abnormality detection signal.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing a running water sterilization method according to the embodiment. First, water to be treated is supplied into the straight pipe 12 (S10), and the first light source 22 and the second light source 24 are turned on to irradiate the inside of the straight pipe 12 with ultraviolet light (S12). Next, using the first measuring unit 72, the first intensity of the ultraviolet light transmitted from the inside to the outside of the straight pipe 12 is measured vertically below the straight pipe 12 (S14). Moreover, the second intensity of the ultraviolet light transmitted from the inside to the outside of the straight pipe 12 is measured vertically above the straight pipe 12 using the second measuring unit 74 (S16). If the difference between the first intensity and the second intensity is equal to or greater than a predetermined ratio (Y of S18) and the second intensity is greater than the first intensity (Y of S20), an air pool inside the straight pipe 12 is detected ( S22). If the second intensity is smaller than the first intensity in S20 (N in S20), an abnormality is detected (S24). If the difference between the first intensity and the second intensity is less than the predetermined ratio in S18 (N in S18), the processes of S20 to S24 are skipped.

According to this embodiment, the air pool inside the straight pipe 12 can be detected based on the intensity of the ultraviolet light measured by the first measuring section 72 and the second measuring section 74 provided outside the straight pipe 12 . . As a result, air accumulation can be detected without affecting the flow in the processing flow path 34 defined by the straight pipe 12 . That is, it is possible to determine whether or not there is an air pool inside the straight pipe 12 without affecting the operation of the running water sterilizer 10 .

(Second embodiment)
4(a) and 4(b) are cross-sectional views schematically showing the configuration of a running water sterilizer 110 according to the second embodiment. In this embodiment, the measuring device 130 includes a single measuring portion 172 and is configured such that the single measuring portion 172 is circumferentially displaceable on the exterior of the straight pipe 12 . Regarding the running water sterilizer 110 according to the second embodiment, the differences from the running water sterilizer 10 according to the first embodiment will be mainly described, and common contents will be omitted as appropriate.

As in the above-described first embodiment, the running water sterilizer 110 includes a straight pipe 12, a first housing 14, a second housing 16, a first light source window 18, a second light source window 20, A first light source 22 , a second light source 24 , a first air vent valve 26 and a second air vent valve 28 are provided. The running water sterilizer 110 further comprises a measuring device 130 and a control device 132 .

Measuring device 130 includes a measuring section 172 and a support mechanism 174 . The measurement unit 172 measures the intensity of ultraviolet light that passes through the side wall 40 from the inside of the straight pipe 12 toward the outside. The measuring section 172 is attached to a support mechanism 174 . The support mechanism 174 restricts axial displacement of the measuring portion 172 while allowing circumferential displacement of the measuring portion 172 . The support mechanism 174 has, for example, a guide rail extending in an arc shape along the outer circumference of the straight pipe 12 .

The measuring part 172 is displaceable between a first position below the straight pipe 12 in the vertical direction and a second position above the straight pipe 12 in the vertical direction. FIG. 4(a) shows the measuring section 172 arranged at the first position, and FIG. 4(b) shows the measuring section 172 arranged at the second position. The measuring portion 172 is displaceable in the circumferential direction as indicated by arrow R. The measurement unit 172 measures a first intensity of the ultraviolet light passing through the side wall 40 from the inside to the outside of the straight pipe 12 at the first position. The measurement unit 172 measures a second intensity of the ultraviolet light passing through the side wall 40 from the inside to the outside of the straight pipe 12 at the second position.

Controller 132 obtains the first intensity and the second intensity from measuring device 130 . The control device 132 may acquire information indicating the position of the measuring section 172 from the measuring device 130 . The control device 132 may detect the orientation of the measuring section 172 with respect to the vertical direction based on the value of the acceleration sensor provided in the measuring section 172 . The control device 132 may obtain information from the support mechanism 174 indicating whether the measuring section 172 is located at the first position or the second position. The control device 132 may determine whether the intensity of the ultraviolet light acquired from the measurement unit 172 is the first intensity or the second intensity based on the information indicating the position of the measurement unit 172 .

The support mechanism 174 may have a drive section (not shown) for changing the position of the measurement section 172 . The control device 132 may change the position of the measurement section 172 by controlling the operation of the driving section of the support mechanism 174 . The control device 132 may determine the position of the measurement section 172 based on the operation of the driving section of the support mechanism 174 . That is, it may be determined whether the measurement unit 172 is arranged at the first position or the second position.

Also in the present embodiment, an air pool inside the straight pipe 12 can be detected based on the first intensity and the second intensity. According to this embodiment, since the single measuring unit 172 is shared for the measurement of the first position and the second position, the cost can be reduced compared to the case where two measuring units are provided.

(Third Embodiment)
5(a) and 5(b) are cross-sectional views schematically showing the configuration of a running water sterilizer 210 according to the third embodiment. In this embodiment, measuring device 230 includes a single measuring portion 272 , which is fixed to the exterior of straight pipe 12 . In the present embodiment, the straight pipe 12 is rotatably supported in the circumferential direction by the first housing 14 and the second housing 16 so that the measuring section 272 can be displaced in the circumferential direction together with the straight pipe 12. Configured. The straight tube 12 is rotatable with respect to the first housing 14 and the second housing 16, for example, in a state where the first housing 14 and the second housing 16 are fixed. Regarding the running water sterilizer 210 according to the third embodiment, the differences from the running water sterilizer 110 according to the second embodiment will be mainly described, and common contents will be omitted as appropriate.

As in the first embodiment, the running water sterilizer 210 includes the straight pipe 12, the first housing 14, the second housing 16, the first light source window 18, the second light source window 20, A first light source 22 , a second light source 24 , a first air vent valve 26 and a second air vent valve 28 are provided. The running water sterilizer 210 further comprises a measuring device 230 and a control device 232 .

The straight pipe 12 is configured to be rotatable in the circumferential direction with respect to the first housing 14 and the second housing 16 . The measuring part 272 is attached to the outer surface 42 of the straight pipe 12 and rotates together with the straight pipe 12 in the circumferential direction. As a result, the measuring part 272 is configured to be displaceable between a first position below the straight pipe 12 in the vertical direction and a second position above the straight pipe 12 in the vertical direction.

FIG. 5(a) shows the measuring section 272 arranged at the first position, and FIG. 5(b) shows the measuring section 272 arranged at the second position. The straight pipe 12 and the measuring portion 272 are circumferentially displaceable as indicated by the arrow R. The measurement unit 272 measures a first intensity of ultraviolet light that passes through the side wall 40 from the inside to the outside of the straight pipe 12 at the first position. The measurement unit 272 measures a second intensity of the ultraviolet light passing through the side wall 40 from the inside to the outside of the straight pipe 12 at the second position.

Controller 232 obtains the first intensity and the second intensity from measuring device 230 . The control device 232 may acquire information indicating the position of the measuring section 272 from the measuring device 230 . The control device 232 detects the orientation of the measurement unit 272 with respect to the vertical direction based on, for example, the value of the acceleration sensor provided in the measurement unit 272, and determines whether the measurement unit 272 is at the first position or the second position. can be determined.

Also in the present embodiment, an air pool inside the straight pipe 12 can be detected based on the first intensity and the second intensity. According to this embodiment, since the single measuring section 272 is shared for the measurement of the first position and the second position, the cost can be reduced compared to the case where two measuring sections are provided.

The present invention has been described above based on the examples. It should be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and that various design changes and modifications are possible, and that such modifications are within the scope of the present invention. It is about

In the above embodiments, the running water sterilizer 10, 110, 210 includes the first light source 22 and the second light source 24. As shown in FIG. In another embodiment, the running water sterilizer 10, 110, 210 may include only one of the first light source 22 and the second light source 24 and not the other.

Several aspects of the invention are described below.

A first aspect of the present invention comprises a straight pipe to which water to be treated is supplied, a light source window facing the end of the straight pipe, and a light source for irradiating the inside of the straight pipe with ultraviolet light through the light source window. and a first intensity of ultraviolet light transmitted from the inside of the straight pipe to the outside can be measured at a first position below the straight pipe in the vertical direction, and at a second position above the straight pipe in the vertical direction a measuring device capable of measuring a second intensity of the ultraviolet light transmitted from the inside of the straight pipe to the outside, and a control for detecting an air pool inside the straight pipe based on the first intensity and the second intensity. and a running water sterilizer provided. According to the first aspect, an air pool inside the straight pipe can be detected based on the first intensity and the second intensity of the ultraviolet light measured outside the straight pipe. Therefore, even when the running water sterilizer is in operation, it is possible to detect an air pool inside the straight pipe without affecting the operation of the running water sterilizer.

A second aspect of the present invention is according to the first aspect, wherein the control device detects an air pool inside the straight pipe when the second intensity is greater than the first intensity by a predetermined ratio or more. It is a running water sterilizer. According to the second aspect, it is possible to appropriately detect the air pool inside the straight pipe based on the relationship between the magnitudes of the first intensity and the second intensity.

A third aspect of the present invention is according to the second aspect, wherein the control device detects an air pool inside the straight pipe when the second intensity is greater than the first intensity by 10% or more. It is a running water sterilizer. According to the third aspect, it is possible to appropriately detect the air pool inside the straight pipe based on the relationship between the magnitudes of the first intensity and the second intensity.

In a fourth aspect of the present invention, the measuring device includes a first measuring section that measures the first intensity at the first position and a second measuring section that measures the second intensity at the second position. The running water sterilizer according to any one of the first to third aspects, comprising: According to the fourth aspect, since the first intensity and the second intensity can be measured simultaneously using the first measurement section and the second measurement section, the presence or absence of air accumulation can be constantly detected.

A fifth aspect of the present invention is the running water sterilization according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the measuring device includes a measuring part displaceable between the first position and the second position. It is a device. According to the fifth aspect, since the first intensity and the second intensity can be measured using a single measuring unit, it is possible to suppress the cost due to providing a plurality of measuring units.

In a sixth aspect of the present invention, the straight pipe is rotatable around the central axis of the straight pipe, and the measuring device is attached to the outer surface of the straight pipe and is rotatable together with the straight pipe. A running water sterilizer according to any one of the first to third aspects, including a measuring unit. According to the sixth aspect, since the first intensity and the second intensity can be measured using a single measuring unit, it is possible to suppress the cost due to providing a plurality of measuring units.

A seventh aspect of the present invention has a flow port extending in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the straight pipe, and surrounds the outer circumference of the end portion of the straight pipe to separate the flow port and the inside of the straight pipe. Any one of the first to sixth aspects, further comprising: a housing for partitioning a communication chamber to be connected; and an air release valve provided in the housing for removing air inside the communication chamber. 2. The running water sterilizer according to . According to the seventh aspect, the air accumulating inside the straight pipe can be removed by using the air bleeder valve when the air accumulation is detected. The structure of the straight pipe can be simplified by providing the air vent valve in the housing that surrounds the outer periphery of the end of the straight pipe instead of in the straight pipe. Thereby, the flow of the water to be treated inside the straight pipe can be made uniform, the illuminance distribution of the ultraviolet light inside the straight pipe can be made uniform, and the sterilization performance for the water to be treated can be improved.

An eighth aspect of the present invention includes the steps of: supplying water to be treated into a straight pipe; irradiating the inside of the straight pipe with ultraviolet light from the end of the straight pipe; measuring a first intensity of ultraviolet light transmitted from the inside to the outside of the straight pipe at a first position; and transmitting from the inside to the outside of the straight pipe at a second position above the straight pipe in the vertical direction. and detecting an air pool inside the straight pipe based on the first intensity and the second intensity. According to the eighth aspect, an air pool inside the straight pipe can be detected based on the first intensity and the second intensity of the ultraviolet light measured outside the straight pipe. Therefore, even during the sterilization process of irradiating the water to be treated with ultraviolet light, the air pool inside the straight pipe can be detected without affecting the sterilization process.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10... Running water sterilizer, 12... Straight pipe, 14... 1st housing|casing, 16... 2nd housing|casing, 18... 1st light source window, 20... 2nd light source window, 22... 1st light source, 24... 2nd light source , 26... First air vent valve 28... Second air vent valve 30... Measuring device 32... Control device 34... Processing channel 36... First end 38... Second end 40... Side wall , 42... outer surface, 72... first measuring section, 74... second measuring section.

Claims (8)

A straight pipe to which the water to be treated is supplied;
a light source window facing the end of the straight tube;
a light source that irradiates the interior of the straight pipe with ultraviolet light through the light source window;
A first intensity of ultraviolet light transmitted from the inside of the straight pipe to the outside can be measured at a first position below the straight pipe in the vertical direction, and a second position above the straight pipe in the vertical direction can measure the a measuring device capable of measuring a second intensity of ultraviolet light transmitted from the inside to the outside of the straight pipe;
A running water sterilizer comprising a control device that detects an air pool inside the straight pipe based on the first intensity and the second intensity. 2. The running water sterilizer according to claim 1, wherein said control device detects an air pool inside said straight pipe when said second intensity is greater than said first intensity by a predetermined ratio or more. 3. The running water sterilizer according to claim 2, wherein said control device detects an air pool inside said straight pipe when said second intensity is greater than said first intensity by 10% or more. 4. The measuring device includes a first measuring section that measures the first intensity at the first position and a second measuring section that measures the second intensity at the second position. The running water sterilizer according to any one of . 4. The running water sterilizer according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said measuring device comprises a measuring part displaceable between said first position and said second position. The straight pipe is rotatable around a central axis of the straight pipe,
4. The running water sterilizer according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said measuring device includes a measuring part attached to the outer surface of said straight pipe and rotatable together with said straight pipe. A housing that has a flow port extending in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the straight pipe and defines a communication chamber that surrounds the outer periphery of the end of the straight pipe and connects the flow port and the inside of the straight pipe. When,
The running water sterilizer according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising an air vent valve provided in said housing for removing air inside said communication chamber. a step of supplying water to be treated into the straight pipe;
irradiating the inside of the straight pipe with ultraviolet light from the end of the straight pipe;
measuring a first intensity of ultraviolet light transmitted from the inside to the outside of the straight pipe at a first position below the straight pipe in the vertical direction;
measuring a second intensity of ultraviolet light transmitted from the inside to the outside of the straight pipe at a second position above the straight pipe in the vertical direction;
and detecting an air pool inside the straight pipe based on the first intensity and the second intensity.

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