JP7255004B1 - Virus inactivation device and method by ultraviolet irradiation - Google Patents

Abstract

Kind Code: A1 A practical virus inactivation technique capable of inactivating viruses such as SARS-CoV-2 in gases such as exhaled breath is realized. A control circuit (301) controls first fans (201) and second fans (202) of #1 to #12 via a connection relay (310) and a polarity reversing relay (320) to complete gas discharge. An inhalation operation to inhale gas that may be contaminated with viruses in order from the air tank 103 for a predetermined inhalation time, and a gas is discharged in order from the air tank 103 irradiated with ultraviolet rays for a predetermined irradiation time by the ultraviolet irradiation device for a predetermined time. It controls the ejection operation to eject the particles one by one. [Selection drawing] Fig. 3

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a technique for inactivating viruses by irradiating with ultraviolet rays.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the so-called novel coronavirus, is a pandemic threat worldwide, causing serious health hazards and economic burdens.
For example, many SARS-CoV-2
, and sterilizing such potentially contaminated exhaled viruses before releasing them into the atmosphere is an important challenge.
Conversely, for staff and customers involved in hospitals, stores, hotels, or airports where SARS-CoV-2 is likely to be present in the air, it is recommended to kill the virus in the air before breathing. This is also a challenge.

Techniques that use ultraviolet light to inactivate viruses have long been known. For example, according to Patent Document 1, a suction pipe having a bell mouth-shaped suction port at one end catches exhaled air emitted from a user, and a blower connected to one end of the suction pipe and allowing airflow from the suction port to flow in; Virus inactivation devices are known that have a UV lamp that irradiates the inflowing gas with UV light having a wavelength of 222 nm (nanometers) or 254 nm. In this patent document 1, virus inactivation against exhalation immediately after exhalation is emitted using such a device
By doing so, it is possible to effectively reduce the risk of infection due to the spread of the virus to the surroundings.

On the other hand, Non-Patent Document 1, from a distance of 30 cm in a liquid medium containing SARS-CoV-2,
By irradiating ultraviolet rays with a wavelength of 253.7 nm, which is known to have an antiviral effect and is the cheapest, most easily obtained and practically used, at an irradiance of 500 μW/cm ² for 30 seconds, time Experimental results were disclosed that reduced the dependent infectivity (viral titer) and reduced SARS-CoV-2 infectivity by 99.99%. In addition, Non-Patent Document 1 has found that these decreases are due to a significant decrease in the amount of viral RNA (RiboNucleic Acid) (damage to the viral genome).

JP 2022-105899 A

“ＵＶＣ ｄｉｓｉｎｆｅｃｔｓ ＳＡＲＳ－ＣｏＶ－２ ｂｙ ｉｎｄｕｃｔｉｏｎ ｏｆ ｖｉｒａｌ ｇｅｎｏｍｅ ｄａｍａｇｅ ｗｉｔｈｏｕｔ ａｐｐａｒｅｎｔ ｅｆｆｅｃｔｓ ｏｎ ｖｉｒａｌ ｍｏｒｐｈｏｌｏｇｙ ａｎｄ ｐｒｏｔｅｉｎｓ”，Ｃｈｉｅｈ－Ｗｅｎ Ｌｏ，Ｒｙｏｓｕｋｅ Ｍａｔｓｕｕｒａ，Ｋａｚｕｋｉ Ｉｉｍｕｒａ，Ｓａｔｏｓｈｉ Ｗａｄａ，Ａｔｓｕｓｈｉ Ｓｈｉｎｊｏ，Ｙｏｓｈｉｍｉ Ｂｅｎｎｏ，Ｍａｓａｒｕ Ｎａｋａｇａｗａ，Ｍａｓａｍｉ Ｔａｋｅｉ ＆ Yoko Aida, Scientific Reports volume 11, Article number: 13804 (2021).

However, the prior art described in Patent Document 1 only vaguely discloses a process of inactivating viruses while exhaled breath is passed through a tank, and SARS-C
When targeting oV-2, as described in Non-Patent Document 1, it does not guarantee the operation of irradiating ultraviolet rays for 30 seconds at an irradiance of 500 μW/cm ² from a distance of about 30 cm.
FIG. 1 of Patent Document 1 also describes that the same tanks are connected in series to perform the deactivation treatment more carefully, but this is not a theoretically supported deactivation treatment. Therefore, the prior art described in Patent Document 1 has a problem that it cannot effectively inactivate SARS-CoV-2.

In addition, although Patent Document 1 uses the phrase “inactivation”, Non-Patent Document 1 uses “
Since the term "inactivation" is used, the following description uses the term "inactivation".

Here, for human exhaled breath that may contain SARS-CoV-2, as disclosed in Non-Patent Document 1, ultraviolet light was applied at an irradiance of 500 μW/cm ² from a distance of about 30 cm to 30 Consider performing the action of irradiating for a second. Exhaled air is continuously exhaled from a person's mouth and nose. Therefore, in order to continuously expose exhaled breath to ultraviolet rays within a distance of 30 cm for about 30 seconds, a very long (or large) tube that allows exhaled breath to flow for 30 seconds is required.
A tank and an ultraviolet lamp etc. corresponding to it are needed. As a result, conventionally, there has been a problem that it is difficult to realize a practical device for inactivating SARS-CoV-2 in exhaled breath.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to realize a practical virus inactivation technology capable of inactivating viruses such as SARS-CoV-2 in gas such as breath.

A virus inactivation device as an example of an embodiment includes an ultraviolet irradiation device that irradiates ultraviolet rays for inactivating viruses in a gas, and an ultraviolet irradiation device that can effectively irradiate the gas filled inside with ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet irradiation device. A plurality of air tanks, each of which has a side wall made of a material and can be filled with a predetermined volume of the gas, and the air tanks whose gas has been completely discharged, inhale gas that may be contaminated with viruses for a predetermined inhalation time. and a discharge operation for sequentially discharging gas from the air tank irradiated with ultraviolet rays under predetermined irradiation conditions sufficient to inactivate the virus by the ultraviolet irradiation device for a predetermined discharge time. , and the plurality of air tanks are arranged to surround the ultraviolet irradiation device in the same positional relationship with respect to the ultraviolet irradiation device so that the ultraviolet irradiation device is irradiated with ultraviolet rays under the same predetermined irradiation conditions. .

According to the present invention, it is possible to realize a practical virus inactivation technology that can inactivate viruses such as SARS-CoV-2 in gases such as breath.

1 is an external view of a virus inactivation device according to a first embodiment; FIG. It is a figure explaining the relationship between an ultraviolet lamp and an air tank in the virus inactivation apparatus of 1st Embodiment. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing details of each of the first fan+intake valve set and the second fan+exhaust valve set. 1 is a circuit configuration diagram of a control system according to a first embodiment; FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing details of control processing by a control circuit; FIG. 4 is a timing diagram showing operation states of intake valves and exhaust valves in phases 1 to 12; FIG. 5 is a diagram showing another example of the air tank in the first embodiment; It is a figure which shows the 1st Example of the dehumidification mechanism in 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the 2nd Example of the dehumidification mechanism in 1st Embodiment. FIG. 11 is a configuration diagram (part 1) of the virus inactivation device of the second embodiment; FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram (2) of the virus inactivation device of the second embodiment; FIG. 11 is a block diagram (part 1) of the virus inactivation device of the third embodiment; FIG. 11 is an operation explanatory diagram of the virus inactivation device of the third embodiment; FIG. 11 is a configuration diagram (part 2) of the virus inactivation device of the third embodiment; FIG. 11 is a configuration diagram (part 3) of the virus inactivation device of the third embodiment; FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration example when connecting the virus inactivation device according to the present embodiment to a mask or a full-face helmet; FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a mask connected to the virus inactivation device according to this embodiment;

EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION Hereinafter, it demonstrates in detail, referring drawings for the form for implementing this invention.
An embodiment of the present invention utilizes the SARS-CoV-2 viral inactivation technology described in the above-mentioned Non-Patent Document 1 article. This paper is known to have an antiviral effect from a distance of 30 cm in a liquid medium containing SARS-CoV-2, and the wavelength of 253.7 nm, which is the cheapest and most easily obtained and put into practical use. 30 seconds of UV irradiation at an irradiance of 500 μW/cm ² reduces time-dependent infectivity (viral titer) and reduces SARS-CoV-2 infectivity by 99.99%. We disclose the results. This paper also found that these decreases were due to a significant decrease in the amount of viral RNA (RiboNucleic Acid) (damage to the viral genome).

Embodiments of the invention described below may include SARS-CoV-2,
It is a technology that makes it possible to continuously irradiate exhaled breath continuously exhaled from the mouth or nose of a person or an animal for a predetermined period of time with ultraviolet light emitted from a distance within a predetermined distance without waiting time.
In order to enable this, an embodiment of the present invention can irradiate the gas filled therein with ultraviolet rays of a predetermined wavelength from an ultraviolet irradiation device at a predetermined irradiation intensity from a distance within a predetermined distance, and A plurality of air tanks that can be filled with a predetermined volume of gas are prepared. In the embodiment of the present invention, an inhalation operation of inhaling a gas that may be contaminated with viruses in order from an air tank that has completed gas discharge for a predetermined inhalation time, and an ultraviolet irradiation device for a predetermined irradiation time. is provided with a control device for executing a discharge operation for sequentially discharging the gas from the air tank to which is irradiated for a predetermined discharge time.

By providing the above components, the embodiment of the present invention can, for example, continuously exhale through the mouth or nose of a person or animal into a plurality of exhalations for a predetermined inhalation time (for example, 3 seconds) while switching air tanks one after another. Inhale into the air tank in order, and in order from the air tank where the ultraviolet irradiation for the predetermined irradiation time has been completed at a predetermined intensity from a distance within a predetermined distance, the gas in which the virus in the tank has been completely inactivated is discharged in a predetermined manner. It is possible to continuously inactivate viruses such as SARS-CoV-2 in gases such as exhaled breath, which are continuously generated, by exhausting them at intervals of time.

By inhaling potentially contaminated gas into a plurality of tanks one after another, the virus is irradiated continuously within a predetermined distance, with a predetermined intensity, and with a predetermined wavelength at predetermined time intervals for the continuously inflowing gas. The idea of ensuring the continuity of virus inactivation is an idea similar to applying computer pipeline processing to virus inactivation, and is original.

Here, as reported in Non-Patent Document 1, the wavelength of ultraviolet rays is in the deep ultraviolet region.
It is preferably in the range of 0 to 280 nm, eg around 253.7 nm. Moreover, it is preferable that the predetermined distance is, for example, a distance within about 30 cm. Further, it is preferable that the predetermined intensity of ultraviolet irradiation is an irradiance of 500 μW/cm ² . Furthermore , it is preferable that the predetermined time for ultraviolet irradiation is around 30 seconds. Depending on the conditions, it may be a little over 20 seconds.

FIG. 1A is an external view of virus inactivation device 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The virus inactivation device 100 is composed of two virus inactivation units 101 #1 and #2. In these virus inactivation units 101, #1 and #2 suction tube connection ports 106 and suction tubes 108 are connected to each other, and #1 and #2 discharge tube connection ports 107 and discharge tubes 109 are connected to each other. , it functions as one virus inactivation device 100 as a whole.

This virus inactivating device 100 is a portable device that is carried by a person on his/her back or over his/her shoulder, such as a rucksack, or is carried by a carrier with casters, and is driven by a rechargeable or dry cell battery power source. can be

One virus inactivation unit 101 is an ultraviolet lamp 102 (ultraviolet irradiation device) that irradiates ultraviolet rays for inactivating viruses in the gas inhaled from the inhalation tube 108, more specifically, a wavelength in the deep ultraviolet region. UV-C (UltraViolet-C) with
Equipped with a lamp.

In addition, the virus inactivation unit 101 has an ultraviolet lamp 102 applied to the gas filled inside.
It is possible to irradiate ultraviolet rays of a predetermined wavelength from a distance within a predetermined distance with a predetermined irradiation intensity,
A plurality of air tanks 103 each capable of being filled with a predetermined volume of gas are provided. For example, each air tank 103 has transparent sidewalls of glass to allow effective transmission of ultraviolet light. The material of the side wall is not limited to glass, but may be any material as long as it can effectively transmit ultraviolet rays. For example, the #1 virus inactivation unit 101 includes six air tanks 103 #1 to #6 so as to surround the #1 ultraviolet lamp 102 . Similarly,
The #2 virus inactivation unit 101 surrounds the #2 ultraviolet lamp 102,
It has six air tanks 103 #7 to #12.

FIG. 1B is a diagram for explaining the relationship between the ultraviolet lamp 102 and the air tank 103. As shown in FIG. Figure 1
As shown in A, six air tanks 1 with transparent sidewalls surround the ultraviolet lamp 102.
03 surrounds, as shown in FIG.
It becomes possible to irradiate the gas in 3.

As shown in FIG. 1B(b), each air tank 103 has a capacity of, for example, about 1 liter (liter), for example, a height of 180 mm (millimeters) and a diameter of 100 mmφ45 m, for example.
m.

As will be described later, the air tank 103 has a first fan + intake valve set 11 on its upper surface for inhaling potentially contaminated gas (human or animal exhaled air, or outside air).
0, and on its lower surface, a second fan + discharge valve set 111 for discharging the sterilized gas after being irradiated with ultraviolet rays for a predetermined time (for example, 30 seconds) by the ultraviolet lamp 102 in the tank. . In addition, the first fan + suction set 11 is provided on either the upper surface or the lower surface.
0 and a second fan+exhaust valve set 111 may be provided side by side.

Returning to the description of FIG. 1A, on the top side of the six air tanks 103, potentially contaminated gas from the suction tube 108 is supplied to each air tank via the first fan + suction set 110. A suction side bowl-shaped cover 104 molded integrally with a suction tube connection port 106 is provided for leading to 103 .
Similarly, on the lower side of the six air tanks 103, exhaust tubes for guiding the gas sterilized in each air tank 103 to the exhaust tube 109 via each second fan + exhaust valve set 111 A discharge side bowl-shaped cover 105 is provided integrally with the connection port 107 .
It should be noted that each first fan+intake valve set 110 is connected to a respective individual tube that is grouped together and connected to the intake tube 108, while each second fan+exhaust valve set 111 is connected to an individual tube. Arrangements may be employed in which the tubes are connected and connected to an exhaust tube 109 where they are grouped together.

<Installation Structure of First Fan + Suction Valve Set 110 and Second Fan + Exhaust Valve Set 111>
FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram showing the details of each of the first fan+intake valve set 110 and the second fan+exhaust valve set 111 provided in each air tank 103, described in FIG. 1B. be.
The top surface of the air tank 103 is provided with an intake valve 203 that opens to the inside of the air tank 103, and a first fan 201 is provided thereon. On the other hand, the lower surface of the air tank 103 is provided with a discharge valve 204 that opens to the outside of the air tank 103, and the second fan 20 is provided below it.
2 is provided.
The first fan 201 and the second fan 202 are installed so that the bottom surface of each fan faces the air tank 103 side.
The intake valve 203 is installed so as to open inside the air tank 103 , and the discharge valve 204 is installed so as to open outside (discharge side) of the air tank 103 .

<Basic operation>
A control circuit 301 shown in FIG. 3, which will be described later, controls the second fan 202 to rotate in the forward direction at the same time when the first fan 201 rotates in the forward direction. Conversely, the first fan 20
1 rotates in the opposite direction, the second fan 202 is also controlled to rotate in the opposite direction.
[Basic operation 1]: When the first fan 201 and the second fan 202 provided in one air tank 103 are controlled to rotate forward by the control circuit 301 shown in FIG. Basic operations such as The first fan 201 pushes the intake valve 203 to the inside of the air tank 103 by positive wind pressure (arrow A in FIG. 2) directed from the upper side to the lower side of the air tank 103 . As a result, air that may be contaminated with viruses is sucked into the air tank 103 from the suction tube 108, the suction tube connection port 106, and the suction side bowl-shaped cover 104 in FIG. 1A.
At this time, the second fan 202 moves from the outside of the air tank 103 to the bottom of the air tank 1.
The discharge valve 204 is pressed against the bottom wall of the air tank 103 from the bottom toward the inside of the air tank 103 by the positive air pressure directed upward in the inside of the air tank 03 . As a result, air tank 1
Expulsion of potentially virus-contaminated air from within 03 is prevented.
[Basic operation 2]: On the other hand, one air tank 1 is operated by the control circuit 301 shown in FIG.
When the first fan 201 and the second fan 202 provided in 03 are controlled to rotate in the opposite direction, the following basic operations are performed. The second fan 202 operates the discharge valve 204 by the negative wind pressure (arrow B in FIG. 2) directed from the upper side to the lower side of the air tank 103.
to the outside (discharge side) of the air tank 103. As a result, the sterilized air in the air tank 103 is discharged.
At this time, the first fan 201 moves from the inside of the air tank 103 to the air tank 1
03 The suction valve 203 is flatly pressed from the inside of the air tank 103 toward the outside of the air tank 103 by the negative wind pressure directed outward and upward. As a result, the intake of potentially contaminated air into the air tank 103 is prevented.

<Specific actions>
FIG. 3 is a circuit configuration diagram of the control system of the first embodiment that operates based on the structure and basic operation 1 of FIG. In the following description, #i is 2 of #1 and #2 of FIG. 1A
12 air tanks 1 from #1 to #12 corresponding to one virus inactivation unit 101
03 shall be specified. That is, 1≤#i≤12.
In the #i (i-th) air tank 103, the first fan 201 (#1) and the second fan 202 (#1) are connected with the same polarity to the connection relay 310 (#i). The relay 310 (#i) is connected to the polarity reversal relay 320 (#i), and the polarity reversal relay 320
(#i) is connected to the fan drive power supply 330 .

The polarity reversal relay 320 (#i) outputs the fan drive power supply 330 as it is to the connection relay 310 (#i) when it is off, and outputs the fan drive power supply 330 when it is on.
is inverted and output to the connection relay 310 (#i).

When the connection relay 310 (#i) is off, the first fan 201 (#1)
and the second fan 202 (#1) is not driven.
The connecting relay 310 (#i), when it is on, and the polarity reversing relay 32
When 0(#i) is off, the first fan 201 and the second fan 202 are rotated in the forward direction. Connection relay 310 (#i) rotates first fan 201 and second fan 202 in the reverse direction when it is on and when polarity reversal relay 320 (#i) is also on.

The control circuit 301 of FIG. 3 includes a connection relay 310 (#i) and a polarity reversal relay 320 (
#i) (1 ≤ #i ≤ 12) to control on or off, CPU (central processing unit) 302, ROM (read only memory) 303, RAM (random access memory)
304 , an interface circuit 305 , a power switch 306 and a system bus 307 . Further, a system power supply circuit (not shown) for supplying a power supply voltage to the entire control circuit 301 is provided.

In the above configuration, the interface circuit 305 includes the connection relay 310 (#i
) and the control input of the polarity reversal relay 320 (#i) (1≤#i≤12). Also, the interface 305 takes in the state of the power switch 306, which is, for example, a push button switch or a toggle switch, and outputs the ON or OFF state to the CPU 302.
can be notified to
The CPU 302, ROM 303, RAM 304, and interface circuit 305 are interconnected by a system bus 307 to enable communication.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing details of processing of the control program executed by the control circuit 301 of FIG. 3, and FIG. 3 is a timing chart showing the operating states of the intake valve 203 and the discharge valve 204 in FIG.
The operation of the control system shown in FIG. 3 will be described below based on the flowchart of FIG. 4 and the timing chart of FIG.

First, when the user turns on the power switch 306 of the control circuit 301 in FIG. 3, the control circuit 301 is activated (booted) (step S401 in FIG. 4). After that, the CPU 30
2 reads a control program stored in the ROM 303 and shown in the flowchart of FIG. 4, which will be described later, into the RAM 304, and starts executing it (step S402 in FIG. 4).
.
Subsequently, the CPU 302 assigns an initial value of 1 to the variable i on the RAM 304 that specifies #i.
is set (step S403 in FIG. 4) until it is determined that the power switch 306 has been turned off by the user (step S414 in FIG. 4).
Each process from 04 to S414 is repeatedly executed.

In this iterative process, the CPU 302 first determines whether the value of the variable i has reached 12, which is the last number of the air tank 103 (step S404 in FIG. 4).

If the determination in step S404 is NO, CPU 302 adds 1 to the value of variable i stored in RAM 304 and stores it in variable j on RAM 304 (step S4 in FIG. 4).
05). Here, the variable i is a control variable for causing the #i air tank 103 to perform the suction operation, and the variable j is a control variable for causing the #j air tank 103 to perform the disposal operation. .

●Phase 1
First, the variable i stored in the RAM 304 is set to 1 in step S403.
is set. Therefore, the determination in step S404 is NO, and in the next step S405, the value 2 obtained by adding 1 to the value 1 of the variable i is set to the variable j.
As a result, the state of i=1 and j=2 is defined as phase 1. In phase 1, the air tank 103 of #i=#1 (first) is sucked and the air tank 103 of #j=#2 (second) is discharged by the following control operations. is executed.

In phase 1, the CPU 302 first connects #i=#1 number connection relay 310 (#1
) is turned on (step S407 in FIG. 4).

Next, the CPU 302 keeps the #i=#1-th polarity reversal relay 320 (#1) off (step S408 in FIG. 4).

Further , the CPU 302 turns on the #j=#2-th connection relay 310 (#2) (step S409 in FIG. 4).

The CPU 302 also turns on the #j=#2-th polarity reversal relay 320 (#2) (step S410 in FIG. 4).

After the above operation, the CPU 302 enters a waiting state for 3 seconds (step S411 in FIG. 4).
). As described above, in phase 1, the air tank 103 (#1) in FIG.
The connection relay 310 (#1) is turned on (step S407 in FIG. 4), and the polarity reversal relay 3
20 (#1) is turned off (step S408 in FIG. 4), the polarity reversal relay 320 (#1)
are connected in the forward polarity direction. As a result, the first fan 201 (#1) on the suction side of the air tank 103 (#1) rotates in the forward direction for only 3 seconds, and the second fan 20 (#1) on the discharge side also rotates.
2 also rotates in the forward direction. As a result, as shown in FIG.
The intake valve 203 (#1) of the air tank 103 (#1) is in the intake state for 3 seconds, and the discharge valve 204 (#1) is also in the discharge prevention state for 3 seconds. Air is sucked into the air tank 103 (#1) for 3 seconds. After that, from phase 2 to phase 12 , the intake valve 203 (#1) and the discharge valve 204 of the air tank 103 (#1)
(#1) remains closed, the air in the air tank 103 (#1) stays in the tank and is sterilized by ultraviolet irradiation from the ultraviolet lamp 102 (see FIGS. 1A and 1B).

In phase 1, simultaneously with the above operation, the connection relay 310 (#2) of the air tank 103 (#2) is turned on for only 3 seconds (step S409 in FIG. 4), and the polarity reversal relay 3
20 (#2) is also turned on (step S410 in FIG. 4), and the polarity reversal relay 320 (#2)
are connected in the opposite polarity direction. As a result, the second fan 202 (#2) on the discharge side of the air tank 103 (#2) rotates in the opposite direction for only 3 seconds, and the first fan 20 (#2) on the suction side also rotates.
1 (#2) also rotates in the opposite direction. As a result, as shown in FIG. 5, the discharge valve 204 (#2) of the air tank 103 (#2) is in the discharge state for 3 seconds by the basic operation 2 described above.
The suction valve 203 (#2) is in the suction blocking state for 3 seconds, and the air that has been sterilized in the air tank 103 (#2) for 30 seconds is discharged from the air tank 103 (#2) for 3 seconds.

After the operation for three seconds in Phase 1, the CPU 302 turns off the connection relay 310 (#1) that has been turned on until now to stop the suction operation for the air tank 103 (#1). The connection relay 310 (#2) and the polarity reversal relay 320 (
#2) is turned off to stop the discharging operation for the air tank 103 (#2) (step S412 in FIG. 4).

Next, the CPU 302 increments the value of the variable i stored in the RAM 304 by +1 (step S413 in FIG. 4).

After that, the CPU 302 determines whether or not the power switch 306 of the control circuit 301 in FIG. 3 has been turned off by the user (step S414).

If the determination in step S414 is NO, the CPU 302 determines that the value of the variable i is air tank 1
It is determined whether or not the value 13 exceeding the value 12 corresponding to the number of 03 has been reached (step S in FIG. 4).
415).

If the determination in step S415 is NO, the CPU 302 returns to the control process in step S404 of FIG. 4 and continues control.

●Phase 2
When the value of the variable i becomes "2", the determination in step S404 is NO, and in the next step S405, the value 3 obtained by adding 1 to the value 1 of the variable i is set to the variable j.
As a result, the state of i=2 and j=3 is defined as phase 2. In phase 2, the air tank 103 of #i=#2 (second) is sucked and the air tank 103 of #j=#3 (third) is discharged by the following control operations. is executed.

In phase 2, the CPU 302 first connects #i=#2-th connection relay 310 (#
2) is turned on (step S407 in FIG. 4).

Next, the CPU 302 keeps the #i=#2-th polarity reversal relay 320 (#2) off (step S408 in FIG. 4).

Further , the CPU 302 turns on the connection relay 310 (#3) of #j=#3 (step S409 in FIG. 4).

The CPU 302 also turns on the #j=#3 polarity reversal relay 320 (#3) (step S410 in FIG. 4).

After the above operation, the CPU 302 enters a waiting state for 3 seconds (step S411 in FIG. 4).
). As described above, in phase 2, the air tank 103 (#2) in FIG.
The connection relay 310 (#2) is turned on (step S407 in FIG. 4), and the polarity reversal relay 3
20 (#2) is turned off (step S408 in FIG. 4), and the polarity reversal relay 320 (#2)
are connected in the forward polarity direction. As a result, the first fan 201 (#2) on the suction side of the air tank 103 (#2) rotates forward for 3 seconds, and the second fan 20 (#2) on the discharge side rotates forward.
2 also rotates in the forward direction. As a result, as shown in FIG.
The intake valve 203 (#2) of the air tank 103 (#2) is in the intake state for 3 seconds, and the discharge valve 204 (#2) is also in the discharge prevention state for 3 seconds. Air is sucked for 3 seconds into the air tank 103 (#2), which was completely discharged in the previous phase 1. Then from phase 3 to phase 1 of the next cycle, air tank 1
03 (#2), the intake valve 203 (#2) and the discharge valve 204 (#2) remain closed.
2 (see FIGS. 1A and 1B) for sterilization by UV irradiation.

In phase 2, simultaneously with the above operation, the connection relay 310 (#3) of the air tank 103 (#3) is turned on for only 3 seconds (step S409 in FIG. 4), and the polarity reversal relay 3
20 (#3) is also turned on (step S410 in FIG. 4), and the polarity reversal relay 320 (#3)
are connected in the opposite polarity direction. As a result, the second fan 202 (#3) on the discharge side of the air tank 103 (#3) rotates in the opposite direction for only 3 seconds, and the first fan 20 (#3) on the suction side also rotates.
1 (#3) also rotates in the opposite direction. As a result, as shown in FIG. 5, the discharge valve 204 (#3) of the air tank 103 (#3) is in the discharge state for 3 seconds by the basic operation 2 described above.
The suction valve 203 (#3) is in the suction blocking state for 3 seconds, and the air that has been sterilized in the air tank 103 (#3) for 30 seconds is discharged from the air tank 103 (#3) for 3 seconds.

After the operation for three seconds in phase 2, the CPU 302 turns off the connection relay 310 (#2) that has been on until now to stop the suction operation for the air tank 103 (#2). The connection relay 310 (#3) and the polarity reversal relay 320 (
#3) is turned off to stop the discharging operation for the air tank 103 (#3) (step S412 in FIG. 4).

Next, the CPU 302 increments the value of the variable i stored in the RAM 304 by +1 (step S413 in FIG. 4).

After that, the CPU 302 determines whether or not the power switch 306 of the control circuit 301 in FIG. 3 has been turned off by the user (step S414).

If the determination in step S414 is NO, the CPU 302 determines that the value of the variable i is air tank 1
It is determined whether or not the value 13 exceeding the value 12 corresponding to the number of 03 has been reached (step S in FIG. 4).
415).

If the determination in step S415 is NO, the CPU 302 returns to the control process in step S404 of FIG. 4 and continues control.

●Phase 3-11
Thereafter, from phase 3 to phase 11, while the connection relay 310 (#i) and the polarity reversing relay 320 (#i) of the air tank 103 (#i) to be controlled are shifted one by one (
While the value of the variable i is incremented in step S413 of FIG. 4), the same control as in Phase 2 is performed.

●Phase 12
Eventually, when the value of the variable i becomes "12", the determination in step S404 described above becomes YES. As a result, the value 1 is set to the variable j in the next step S406.
As a result, phase 12 is defined as i=12 and j=1. In phase 12, the air tank 103 of #i=#12 (twelfth) is sucked by the following control operations, and the air tank 103 of #j=#1 (first) has returned. An ejection operation is performed on the .

In phase 12, the CPU 302 first connects the connection relay 310 #i=#12.
(#12) is turned on (step S407 in FIG. 4).

Next, the CPU 302 keeps the #i=#12 polarity reversal relay 320 (#12) off (step S408 in FIG. 4).

Further , the CPU 302 turns on the #j=#1-th connection relay 310 (#1) (step S409 in FIG. 4).

The CPU 302 also turns on the #j=#1-th polarity reversal relay 320 (#1) (step S410 in FIG. 4).

After the above operation, the CPU 302 enters a waiting state for 3 seconds (step S411 in FIG. 4).
). As described above, in phase 12, the connection relay 310 (#12) in the air tank 103 (#12) of FIG. After being turned off (step S408 in FIG. 4), the polarity reversal relay 320
(#12) are connected in the forward polarity direction. As a result, the air tank 103 (
The first fan 201 (#12) on the suction side of #12) rotates in the forward direction, and the second fan 202 on the discharge side also rotates in the forward direction. As a result, as shown in FIG. 5, the intake valve 203 (#12) of the air tank 103 (#12) is in the intake state for 3 seconds, and the discharge valve 204 (#12) is also closed for 3 seconds. In the second discharge prevention state, air that may be contaminated with viruses is sucked for three seconds into the air tank 103 (#12), which has been discharged in the previous phase 11. After that, from phase 1 to phase 11 of the next cycle, the intake valve 203 (#12) and the discharge valve 204 (#12) of the air tank 103 (#12) are
#12) remains closed, the air in the air tank 103 (#12) stays in the tank and is sterilized by ultraviolet irradiation from the ultraviolet lamp 102 (see FIGS. 1A and 1B).

In phase 12, simultaneously with the above operation, the air tank 103 (#1) is held for 3 seconds.
connection relay 310 (#1) is turned on (step S409 in FIG. 4), the polarity reversal relay 320 (#1) is also turned on (step S410 in FIG. 4), and the polarity reversal relay 320 (#1
) are connected in the opposite polarity direction. As a result, the second fan 202 (#1) on the discharge side of the air tank 103 (#1) rotates in the opposite direction for only 3 seconds, and the first fan 2 (#1) on the suction side also rotates.
01 (#1) also rotates in the opposite direction. As a result, as shown in FIG. 5, the discharge valve 204 (#1) of the air tank 103 (#1) is in the discharge state for 3 seconds and the intake valve 203 (#1) is in the discharge state for 3 seconds by the basic operation 2 described above. In the suction blocking state, the air that has been sterilized in the air tank 103 (#1) for 30 seconds is discharged from the air tank 103 (#1) for 3 seconds.

After the 3-second operation of phase 12, the CPU 302 turns off the connection relay 310 (#12) that has been on until now to stop the suction operation for the air tank 103 (#12). The connection relay 310 (#1) and the polarity reversal relay 3
20 (#2) is turned off to stop the discharging operation for the air tank 103 (#1) (step S412 in FIG. 4).

Next, the CPU 302 increments the value of the variable i stored in the RAM 304 by +1 (step S413 in FIG. 4).

After that, the CPU 302 determines whether or not the power switch 306 of the control circuit 301 in FIG. 3 has been turned off by the user (step S414).

If the determination in step S414 is NO, the CPU 302 determines that the value of the variable i is air tank 1
It is determined whether or not the value 13 exceeding the value 12 corresponding to the number of 03 has been reached (step S in FIG. 4).
415).

In the final phase 12, when the suction operation for the last air tank 103 (#12) is completed and the value of the variable i is incremented by 1 in step S413, the value of the variable i becomes 13 and the determination in step S415 is made. becomes YES. In this case, the CPU 302, in step S40
Returning to the process of 3, resetting the value of the variable i to 1, and returning to the control of the intake process for the air tank 103 (#1).

The operations from phase 1 to phase 12 described above are the air tank 103 (#
1) connection relay 310 (#i) and polarity reversal relay 320 (#i) are i=1->2-
>3-> . . .->11->12->1-> .

When the power switch 306 is turned off by the user, the determination becomes YES at the timing when step S414 is executed. As a result, the CPU 302 controls all connection relays 3
10(#i) and the polarity reversal relay 320(#i) (1≤#i≤12) (step S416 in FIG. 4), it shuts itself down to stop its operation (step S416 in FIG. 4). step S417).

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing another example of the air tank in the first embodiment. The first embodiment disclosed in FIG. 1A uses an ultraviolet lamp per virus inactivation unit 101
The number of air tanks 103 that can be arranged around one tube was about six. on the other hand,
In order to inhale and inactivate gas that may be contaminated with viruses using an air tank 103 with a capacity of about 1 liter (liter) per tank, considering the lung capacity of an adult, It is assumed that it takes about 3 seconds to fill one air tank 103 with exhaled air, for example. In this way, in order to irradiate the air tank 103 filled with gas that may be contaminated with viruses with ultraviolet rays for about 30 seconds, for example, 30 seconds ÷ 3 seconds =
It is necessary to prepare ten or more air tanks 103 . Therefore, two virus inactivation units 101 were required in the first embodiment of FIG. 1A.

On the other hand, in the modified example of FIG. 6 in the first embodiment, the shape of the air tank 601 surrounding the ultraviolet lamp 102 is not a simple cylindrical shape like the air tank 103 of FIG . ), the cross section when viewed from above is the ultraviolet lamp 1
It has a fan-like shape that tapers as it approaches 02 and widens as it goes away. 6, the number of air tanks 601 surrounding one ultraviolet lamp 102 can be increased to 12, and the virus inactivation unit 101 shown in FIG. 1A is reduced to one. be able to. This makes it possible to downsize the virus inactivation device 100 as a whole.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a first example of the dehumidification mechanism in the first embodiment described above. Moisture in the air is the enemy when inactivating viruses by irradiating the air with ultraviolet rays.
In particular, since exhalation of humans and animals has high humidity, a dehumidifying mechanism is indispensable when sucking inhaled air into the air tank 103 . In the embodiment of FIG. 7, as shown in FIG. 7(b), in the air tank 701, the base material of the side wall is, for example, transparent acrylic, and the dark-colored portion is a diatomaceous earth mixed portion made of, for example, ABS resin mixed with diatomaceous earth. 702. This makes it possible to dehumidify the gas filled in each air tank 701 . As a result, it is possible to increase the virus inactivation rate when the air tank 701 is irradiated with ultraviolet rays.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a second example of the dehumidifying mechanism in the first embodiment. In this embodiment, a groove 802 is provided around an air tank 801 for dropping water droplets downward. By using such an air tank 801, it becomes possible to perform effective dehumidification.

Other dehumidification mechanism embodiments may include a suitable dehumidification mechanism within suction side bowl cover 104 or suction tube connection 106 of FIG. 1A. This makes it possible to collectively dehumidify a plurality of air tanks 103 .

9A and 9B are configuration diagrams (part 1) of the virus inactivation device according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In a second embodiment, an ultraviolet (UV-C) LED (Light Emitting Diode) 902 is used instead of the ultraviolet lamp (UV-C) 102 such as in FIG. 1A.
An ultraviolet LED (UV-C LED) 902 has stronger sterilizing power than the ultraviolet lamp 102 . For example, when the gas is irradiated with ultraviolet rays, the ultraviolet lamp 102
requires 30 seconds, whereas the ultraviolet LED 902 requires only about 5 seconds.
On the other hand, the light distribution range of the ultraviolet LED 902 is narrower than that of the ultraviolet lamp 102, with a light distribution angle of 110° and an effective irradiation distance of about 100 mm, as shown in FIG. 9A(b).

Therefore, in the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9A(c), the light distribution angle of the light distribution 903 by the ultraviolet LED 902 substantially coincides with the angle from the apex portion of the conical shape of the air tank 901 toward the conical surface. A configuration is adopted that
For that purpose, first, as shown in FIG.
A cone-shaped air tank 901 having a diameter of about mm and a capacity of about 1 liter (liter) is used. Also, an ultraviolet LED 902 is installed at the apex of the cone of such an air tank 901 . Furthermore , the air tank 901 has a conical surface made of a transparent material that can effectively transmit the ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet LEDs 902 . With such a configuration, the light distribution angle of the ultraviolet light emitted from the ultraviolet LED 902 substantially matches the angle from the apex portion of the conical shape of the air tank 901 toward the conical surface.
In addition, as shown in FIG. 9A(d), the air tank 901 has a first fan + valve in a first hole on the bottom surface, similar to the first fan + intake valve set 110 of FIG. 1B. A set of intake valves 904 is provided and, also in a second hole on the bottom surface, a second set of fan + exhaust valves 905 similar to the second set of fan + exhaust valves 111 of FIG. 1B. The detailed configurations of the first fan+intake valve set 904 and the second fan+exhaust valve set 905 are as follows:
The same detailed configuration shown in FIG. 2 can be employed as for the first fan+intake valve set 110 and the second fan+exhaust valve set 111 described in the first embodiment.

A virus inactivation device is configured by installing, for example, six sets of ultraviolet LEDs 902 and air tanks 901 having such a configuration using LED supports 908 as shown in FIG. 9B. Each first fan + suction valve set 904 of each air tank 901 is connected to #1 and #2 suction tubes 906, and each second fan + discharge valve set 904 of each air tank 901 is connected. The set 905 is connected to #1 and #2 discharge tubes 907 .

As a control system for the virus inactivation device having the configuration illustrated in FIG. 9B,
The control system configuration shown in FIG. 3, the control program flow shown in FIG. 4, and the control timing configuration shown in FIG. 5 described in the first embodiment can be adopted. In this case, in contrast to 12 units (#1 to #12)/phases 1 to 12 in the case of the first embodiment, 6 units (#1 to #6)/phases 1 to 12 in the case of the second embodiment. 6 control.

FIG. 10A is a configuration diagram (Part 1) of the virus inactivation device of the third embodiment. again,
FIG. 10B is an operation explanatory diagram of the virus inactivation device of the third embodiment. (a
), in the third embodiment, the circumference of the ultraviolet lamp 102 is, for example, six
The configuration surrounding the book air tank 103 is similar to the configuration of the virus inactivation unit 101 of FIG. 1A in the first embodiment.
In addition, as shown in (b) and (c) of FIG. 10A, in the third embodiment, each air tank 103 is provided with an intake valve 203 and a discharge valve 204 (see FIG. 2) on the upper surface and the lower surface, respectively. The configuration is also similar to that of the first embodiment.
However, in the third embodiment, the first fan 201 set with the intake valve 203 and the second fan 202 set with the discharge valve 204, which were in the first embodiment, are not provided.

Instead, a turntable 1001 having the configuration shown in FIG. 10A(d) is installed on the suction side of the upper surface and the discharge side of the lower surface of the entire six air tanks 103 as shown in (a) of FIG. 10B. , are rotatably driven by respective motors 1003 .
As shown in FIG. 10A (d), the turntable 1001 has a turntable rail 100 at a position in contact with the intake valve 203 or the exhaust valve 204 of each air tank 103.
4 is installed.

Then, as shown in (d) of FIG. 10A , a valve opening 1002 is opened at one position on the turntable rail 1004 so as to match the diameter of the intake valve 203 .

Now, as shown in FIG. 10B (a), the suction side turntable 1001 is rotated by the motor 1003, and the valve opening port 1002 is positioned at the suction valve 203 of one air tank 103 for, for example, three seconds. When stopped, FIG. 10C or FIG. 10 described later
The flow of gas generated by the rotation of an intake fan (not shown) attached to the intake tube connection port 106 of D causes the intake valve 20 at the stop position of the valve opening port 1002 to flow.
3 is spread inside the air tank 103, and the gas that may be contaminated with viruses flowing from the suction tube connection port 106 is sucked into the air tank 103 where the suction valve 203 is installed, for example, for 3 seconds. be done.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 10B (a), the turntable 1001 on the discharge side is rotated by the motor 1003, and the valve opening port 1002 is stopped at the position of the discharge valve 204 of one air tank 103 for, for example, three seconds. 10C or 10D to be described later, the flow of gas generated by the rotation of a discharge fan (not shown) attached to the discharge tube connection port 107 of FIG. 10C or FIG. to the outside (discharge side) of the air tank 103, and the gas that has been sterilized for a predetermined time in the air tank 103 is discharged from the air tank 103 in which the discharge valve 204 is installed, for example, for 3 seconds.

Also, as in the case of the first embodiment, the air tank 103 is in the suction state by stopping the valve opening 1002 of the suction side turntable 1001 at one position of the suction valve 203 of the air tank 103. At this time, the preceding air tank 103 adjacent to the air tank 103 in the suction state is controlled to be in the discharge state.
To achieve this, as shown in FIG. 10B (b), the position of the valve opening 1002 of the turntable 1001 on the discharge side is always higher than the position of the valve opening 1002 of the turntable 1001 on the suction side. Each motor 1003 controls the rotation of each turntable 1001 to advance by one valve.

In addition to the control operations described above, the turntable rail 1004 on the turntable 1001
is the intake valve 20 other than the intake valve 203 or the exhaust valve 204 at the position of the valve opening 1002
3 or the discharge valve 204 is lightly adhered.
Therefore, the suction side turntable 1 is positioned at one position of the suction valve 203 of the air tank 103 .
When the air tank 103 is in the suction state by stopping the valve opening port 1002 of 001, the discharge valve 204 of the air tank 103 is closed to turntable 100 on the discharge side.
It is in close contact with the turntable rail 1004 of No. 1, and gas is prevented from being discharged therefrom. As a result, when the air tank 103 is in the suction state, the suction valve 20
3 is prevented from being discharged to the outside from the discharge valve 204 thereof, which may be contaminated with the virus.
On the other hand, the turntable 10 on the discharge side is positioned at one position of the discharge valve 204 of the air tank 103 .
When the air tank 103 is in the discharging state by stopping the valve opening port 1002 of 01, the intake valve 203 of the air tank 103 is opened by the turntable 1001 on the intake side.
is in close contact with the turntable rail 1004, and the intake of gas from there is blocked. As a result, when the air tank 103 is in the exhausted state, gas that may be contaminated with viruses is prevented from being sucked into the air tank 103 from the suction valve 203 .
Furthermore, both the intake valve 203 and the exhaust valve 204 are not located at the valve opening 1002.
As for the air tanks 103, their intake valves 203 and discharge valves 204 are both
The close contact of the floor table rail 1004 results in a closed state. For this reason
, the air tank 103 is neither inhaled nor exhausted, and the ultraviolet lamp is
UV rays from the lamp 102 continue to be irradiated.

As described above, in the control system of the third embodiment, the suction side turntable 10
01 and the discharge-side turntable 1001 that rotates in conjunction with it, the motor 100
3 and each turntable 1001 via a rotary encoder or the like (not shown).
The valve opening port 1002 of the air tank 103 stops exactly at the position of the intake valve 203 and the discharge valve 204 of the air tank 103 for a predetermined time (for example, 3 seconds), so that efficient virus inactivation can be performed. It becomes possible to realize an inactivation device.

10C and 10D respectively show the configuration of the virus inactivation device in the third embodiment.
Figures (2) and (3). 10C and 10D show, in the third embodiment, a mechanism for sending gas that may be contaminated with viruses into the air tank 103 at the position of the valve opening port 1002 of the turntable 1001 on the inhalation side. and the air tank 10 at the position of the valve opening port 1002 of the turntable 1001 on the discharge side
3 shows an example of a mechanism for discharging the gas that has been sterilized by ultraviolet irradiation.

In FIG. 10C, the intake tube connection 106 rotatable with the turntable 1001 on the intake side is directly connected to the valve opening 1002 of that turntable 1001 .
Similarly, a discharge tube connection port 107 rotatable together with the turntable 1001 on the discharge side is directly connected to the valve opening 1002 of the turntable 1001 .

At this time, although not particularly illustrated, as described above, the suction tube connection port 10 of FIG. 10C
In the vicinity of position 6, an inhalation fan is provided for inhaling gas that may be contaminated with viruses from an inhalation tube (not shown) into valve opening 1002 of turntable 1001 on the inhalation side.
Also, the turntable 1 on the discharge side is positioned near the discharge tube connection port 107 in FIG. 10C.
From the valve opening 1002 of 001 to the air tank 10 at the position of the valve opening 1002
An exhaust fan is provided for exhausting the ultraviolet sterilized gas inside 3 to the exhaust tube side (not shown).

In FIG. 10D, in the third embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment of FIG. 106, a discharge-side bowl-shaped cover 105 covering the entire discharge-side turntable 1001, and a discharge tube connection port 107 integrally formed therewith.
and

At this time, although not particularly illustrated, as described above, the suction tube connection port 10 of FIG. 10D
A suction fan is provided at a position near 6 to suck gas that may be contaminated with viruses from a suction tube (not shown) into the valve opening 1002 of the turntable 1001 on the suction side.
Also, the turntable 1 on the discharge side is positioned near the discharge tube connection port 107 in FIG. 10D.
From the valve opening 1002 of 001 to the air tank 10 at the position of the valve opening 1002
A discharge fan is provided to discharge the ultraviolet sterilized gas from 3 to a discharge tube side (not shown).

The embodiments so far may be implemented such that the potentially virus-contaminated gas is derived from the exhalation of a person or animal and the gas exhausted from the air tank is released into the atmosphere.
It may also be implemented such that gas potentially contaminated with viruses is directed from the atmosphere, and gas discharged from an air tank is directed to the mouth or nose of a person or animal as inspiration.

FIG. 11A is a diagram showing a configuration example when the virus inactivation device according to this embodiment is connected to a mask or a full-face helmet. For example, in hospitals and nursing homes,
As shown in (a) of A, a mask used for inhalation of a medical oxygen cylinder can be used, and the exhalation valve and inhalation valve of such a mask can be used as shown in (b) of FIG. 11A. For example, it can be connected to a virus inactivation device according to an embodiment of the invention worn on the waist of a patient or the like.

Inactivation of viruses in potentially contaminated human or animal breath, for example, by connecting an exhalation valve of a mask to an inhalation tube of an embodiment of the present invention (e.g., inhalation tube 108 in FIG. 1A) and can be released into the atmosphere through an exhaust tube (eg, exhaust tube 109 in FIG. 1A).

Or for example, the discharge tube of embodiments of the present invention (eg, discharge tube 109 in FIG. 1A).
) to the inhalation valve of the mask to inactivate viruses in the air that may be contaminated with viruses captured from the inhalation tube (e.g., inhalation tube 108 in FIG. 1A), and from the exhalation tube to the mask. can supply.

In addition to people, for example, it is possible to prevent brand beef from being infected with the new coronavirus by wearing a mask on local brand beef.

Also, the present invention can be applied to a full-face helmet worn by a person or the like as illustrated in (c) of FIG. A morphological virus inactivation device can be used.

FIG. 11B is a diagram illustrating an example configuration of a mask that can be connected to a virus inactivation device according to embodiments of the present invention as described above. (a), (b), (c), (d) of FIG. 11B,
Or as shown in (e), various mounting configurations are possible.

100 Virus inactivation device 101 Virus inactivation unit 102 Ultraviolet lamp 103, 601, 701, 801, 901 Air tank 104 Suction side bowl-shaped cover 105 Discharge side bowl-shaped cover 106 Suction tube connection port 107 Discharge tube connection port 108, 906 Suction Tube 109, 907 Exhaust tube 110, 904 First fan + intake valve set 111, 905 Second fan + exhaust valve set 201 First fan 202 Second fan 203 Intake valve 204 Exhaust valve 301 Control circuit 302 CPU
303 ROMs
304 RAM
305 interface circuit 306 power switch 307 system bus 310 connection relay 320 polarity reversal relay 330 fan drive power supply 702 diatomaceous earth mixing unit 902 ultraviolet LED
903 light distribution 908 LED support 1001 turntable 1002 valve opening 1003 motor 1004 turntable rail

Claims (15)

an ultraviolet irradiation device that irradiates ultraviolet rays for inactivating viruses in the gas;
a plurality of air tanks having side walls made of a material capable of effectively irradiating the ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet irradiation device to the gas filled therein, each of which can be filled with a predetermined volume of the gas;
An inhalation operation for inhaling the gas, which may be contaminated with the virus, for a predetermined inhalation time in order from the air tank in which the gas has been discharged, and an ultraviolet irradiation device sufficient to inactivate the virus. a control device for controlling a discharge operation for discharging the gas sequentially from the air tank irradiated with the ultraviolet rays under a predetermined irradiation condition for a predetermined discharge time;
with
The plurality of air tanks surround the ultraviolet irradiation device in the same positional relationship with respect to the ultraviolet irradiation device so that the ultraviolet rays are irradiated from the ultraviolet irradiation device under the same predetermined irradiation conditions. to be placed,
Virus inactivation device. 2. The virus inactivation device according to claim 1, wherein said predetermined irradiation conditions are conditions relating to a predetermined wavelength, a predetermined irradiation intensity, a predetermined irradiation distance, and a predetermined irradiation time. 2. The virus inactivation device according to claim 1, further comprising a dehumidifier that dehumidifies the gas sucked into each air tank. The air tank is
an intake valve;
In the inhalation operation, the gas that may be contaminated with the virus is inhaled into the air tank through the inhalation valve; a first fan that prevents leakage;
a discharge valve;
a second fan for discharging the gas in the air tank through the discharge valve in the discharge operation or preventing the gas in the air tank from leaking out from the discharge valve in the suction operation;
comprising
The virus inactivation device according to claim 1. The air tank includes the first fan and the intake valve on one of the top surface and the bottom surface, and the exhaust valve and the second fan on the other surface of the bottom surface or the top surface. , said sidewall of cylindrical shape;
The ultraviolet irradiation device is surrounded by the cylindrical side wall of each of the air tanks within a predetermined distance, and has a cylinder length substantially equal to the distance between the top surface and the bottom surface of the air tank. equipped with a UV lamp,
The virus inactivation device according to claim 4 . The air tank includes the first fan and the intake valve in a first hole on the bottom surface, the second fan and the exhaust valve in a second hole on the bottom surface, and effectively emits the ultraviolet rays. having a conical shape with the side wall made of a conical surface made of a transparent material that is permeable to the
The ultraviolet irradiation device is installed at the apex portion of the conical shape of the air tank for each of the air tanks, and the light distribution angle of the emitted ultraviolet light is approximately the angle from the apex portion of the conical shape toward the conical surface. with matching UV light emitting diodes,
The virus inactivation device according to claim 4 . The control device opens the suction valve installed in the air tank and closes the discharge valve installed in the air tank in order from the air tank where the gas has been discharged, and the virus is released. The rotation of the first fan and the second fan is controlled so that the gas that may be contaminated is sucked for the predetermined suction time, and the ultraviolet irradiation device irradiates the ultraviolet light for the predetermined irradiation time. The discharge valve installed in the air tank is opened and the intake valve installed in the air tank is closed in order from the air tank, so that the gas is discharged for the predetermined discharge time. 7. The virus inactivation device according to any one of claims 4 to 6 , which controls rotation of the second fan and the first fan. the air tank comprises an intake valve on one of the top surface or the bottom surface and an exhaust valve on the other surface of the bottom surface or the top surface ;
The intake valves provided in the plurality of air tanks are arranged on a first circumference in a first plane, and the discharge valves provided in the plurality of air tanks are arranged in a second plane. arranged so as to line up on the second circumference of
a first turntable rail rotatably mounted in the first plane and along the first circumference, wherein a point on the first turntable rail is contaminated with an incoming virus; A valve opening is opened for sucking the gas that may be depleted through one of the suction valves into the air tank in which the suction valve is installed, and the first turn other than the valve opening is opened. a first turntable provided with a structure in which the intake valve located under the table rail is prevented from inhaling gas from the intake valve;
a first motor that rotates the first turntable;
a second turntable rail rotatably mounted in the second plane and along the second circumference, one of the discharge valves at one point on the second turntable rail; A valve opening for discharging the gas that has been sterilized in the air tank where the discharge valve is installed is opened through, and the discharge located on the second turntable rail other than the valve opening a second turntable having a structure in which the valve is prevented from discharging gas from the discharge valve;
a second motor for rotating the second turntable;
The virus inactivation device according to claim 1, comprising: The control device sequentially stops the valve opening of the first turntable at the position of the intake valve installed in the air tank from the air tank in which the gas has been completely discharged, and the intake is performed. controlling the rotation of the first motor so that the valve is opened and the gas that may be contaminated with the virus is inhaled for each of the predetermined inhalation times;
The valve opening of the second turntable stops at the position of the discharge valve installed in the air tank in order from the air tank irradiated with ultraviolet rays for a predetermined irradiation time by the ultraviolet irradiation device, controlling the rotation of the second motor so that the discharge valve is opened and the gas is discharged for each of the predetermined discharge times;
The virus inactivation device according to claim 8 . 2. The virus inactivation device according to claim 1, wherein said gas that may be contaminated with said virus is derived from human or animal exhalation, and said gas discharged from said air tank is released into the atmosphere. . 11. The virus inactivation device according to claim 10 , wherein said exhaled breath is directed through an exhalation tube connected to a mask or full-face helmet worn by a person or animal. The virus according to claim 1, wherein the gas potentially contaminated with the virus is led from the atmosphere, and the gas discharged from the air tank is led to the mouth or nose of a person or animal as inhaled air. Inactivation device. 13. The virus inactivation device according to claim 12 , wherein the intake air is directed through an intake tube connected to a mask or full-face helmet worn by a person or animal. 2. The virus inactivation device according to claim 1, wherein the virus inactivation device is a portable device that is carried by a person on his/her back or shoulder, or carried by a carrier with casters, and is driven by a rechargeable or dry cell battery power source. Virus inactivation device. By irradiating the gas filled inside an air tank equipped with a sidewall that can effectively transmit the ultraviolet rays with the ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet irradiation device for inactivating the virus in the gas. A virus inactivation method for inactivating viruses in the filled gas,
so as to surround the ultraviolet irradiation device in the same positional relationship with respect to the ultraviolet irradiation device, so that the ultraviolet rays are irradiated from the ultraviolet irradiation device under the same predetermined irradiation conditions sufficient to inactivate the virus. Prepare a plurality of the air tanks arranged in
an inhalation operation of inhaling the gas, which may be contaminated with the virus, for a predetermined inhalation time in order from the air tank from which the gas has been discharged ;
a discharging operation for discharging the gas for a predetermined discharge time in order from the air tank irradiated with the ultraviolet rays under the predetermined irradiation conditions by the ultraviolet irradiation device;
inactivating the virus in the gas, which may be contaminated with the continuously flowing virus, by performing
Viral inactivation method.

Images