JP7405035B2 - Fluid sterilizer - Google Patents

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to fluid sterilization devices.

BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, fluid sterilizers are known that sterilize fluids such as water by irradiating ultraviolet light (for example, see Patent Document 1). The fluid sterilization device of Patent Document 1 includes a casing having a flow path through which a fluid to be sterilized flows in an axial direction, an inlet into which the fluid flows in, and an outflow port through which the fluid flows out. An inlet is provided at one end in the direction, and a light source module device that emits ultraviolet light is attached to the other end of the housing.

Further, the wavelength of the ultraviolet light emitted by the light source module device is 240 to 380 nm, and stainless steel is cited as the material for the casing whose inner surface is irradiated with the ultraviolet light.

JP2020-89462A

In the fluid sterilization device described in Patent Document 1, the material of the casing whose inner surface is irradiated with ultraviolet light is required to be made of a material with excellent resistance and reflectance to ultraviolet light, such as fluororesin. It will be done.

However, fluororesin is an expensive material. In particular, PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene), a fluororesin that has excellent reflectance to ultraviolet light in the wavelength range (less than 280 nm) called UV-C, which has a high bactericidal effect, has a very high melt viscosity, so it cannot be processed by ordinary melt processing. In order to process it into the desired shape, it is necessary to cut it from a block manufactured by compressing and firing PTFE powder, resulting in extremely high material and processing costs.

For this reason, in the fluid sterilization device described in Patent Document 1, if the material of the housing is simply replaced with fluororesin, the sterilization efficiency will increase because the reflectance of ultraviolet light of the housing will increase. , the manufacturing cost becomes very high.

An object of the present invention is to provide a fluid sterilizing device that sterilizes fluids such as water by irradiating ultraviolet light, which uses fluororesin as the material for the flow pipe through which the fluid flows, while reducing manufacturing costs. An object of the present invention is to provide a fluid sterilization device that is improved in quality.

In order to achieve the above object, one aspect of the present invention provides the following fluid sterilization devices [1] to [6].

[1] A flow path pipe having a flow path for flowing a fluid to be sterilized, an inlet for causing the fluid to flow into the flow path, and an outlet for causing the fluid to flow out from the flow path; an ultraviolet light irradiation module that irradiates ultraviolet light into the flow path, wherein the flow path tube includes a cylindrical first part and a second part connected to one end of the first part. The first part is made of a fluororesin that reflects ultraviolet light emitted from the ultraviolet light irradiation module, and the second part is an attachment part for attaching the ultraviolet light irradiation module. and a sheet-shaped sheet made of a fluororesin that has the inflow port or the outflow port and reflects the ultraviolet light emitted from the ultraviolet light irradiation module along the inner surface of the second portion that becomes the inner wall of the flow path. Fluid sterilizer equipped with reflective material.
[2] The fluid sterilizing device according to [1] above, wherein the reflective material is a sheet provided along the inner surface of the second portion and having holes through which the fluid passes.
[3] The fluid sterilization device according to [2] above, wherein the reflective material is a rectangular sheet rolled into an annular shape and installed along the inner surface of the second portion.
[4] The fluid sterilization device according to [2] or [3] above, wherein the area of the hole is larger than the area of the inlet and the outlet.
[5] The second portion has the outlet, and the fluid passes through an end of the first portion opposite to the end on the second portion side at a position away from the center thereof. The above-mentioned [[1] is covered with a flat diffusion plate having holes that diffuse the fluid flowing in from the inflow port, and the diffusion plate is made of a fluororesin that reflects ultraviolet light emitted from the ultraviolet light irradiation module. The fluid sterilizer according to any one of [1] to [4].
[6] The fluid sterilization device according to any one of [1] to [5] above, wherein the first portion and the second portion are made of polytetrafluoroethylene.

According to the present invention, there is provided a fluid sterilizer that sterilizes fluids such as water by irradiating ultraviolet light, and although fluororesin is used as the material of the flow path tube through which the fluid flows, manufacturing costs can be reduced. A fluid sterilization device can be provided.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a fluid sterilization device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 2(a) and 2(b) are a side view of the fluid sterilizer as seen from the longitudinal direction and a side view of the fluid sterilizer as seen from the direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction, respectively. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the fluid sterilization device taken along cutting line AA shown in FIG. 2(a). FIG. 4(a) is a plan view of a reflective material made of a rectangular sheet, and FIG. 4(b) is a perspective view of the reflective material made of a rectangular sheet rolled into an annular shape. FIGS. 5A and 5B are a plan view and a cross-sectional view of an example of a diffusion plate. FIGS. 6A and 6B are a plan view and a cross-sectional view of another example of a diffusion plate.

[Embodiment]
(Configuration of fluid sterilizer)
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a fluid sterilization device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 2(a) and 2(b) are a side view of the fluid sterilizer 1 viewed from the longitudinal direction and a side view viewed from a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction, respectively. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the fluid sterilization device 1 taken along the cutting line AA shown in FIG. 2(a).

The fluid sterilizer 1 is a device for sterilizing fluid (mainly liquids such as water) and suppressing the propagation of bacteria. It includes a flow pipe 10 having an inlet 102 for causing fluid to flow in, an outlet 103 for causing fluid to flow out from the flow channel 101, and an ultraviolet light irradiation module 14 that irradiates ultraviolet light into the flow channel 101.

The flow pipe 10 includes a cylindrical first part 11 , a second part 12 connected to one end of the first part 11 and having an outlet 103 , and the other part of the first part 12 . and a third portion 13 having an inlet 102 connected to the end of the third portion 13 . Here, the inner surfaces of the first portion 11, the second portion 12, and the third portion 13, mainly the inner surfaces of the first portion 11 and the second portion 12, constitute the inner wall of the flow path 101.

The first portion 11 is made of a fluororesin that reflects ultraviolet light emitted from the ultraviolet light irradiation module 14. Therefore, the light emitted from the ultraviolet light irradiation module 14 can be efficiently reflected on the inner surface of the first portion 11 that constitutes the inner wall of the flow path 101. Here, the fluororesin used as the material for the first portion 11 is PTFE, PFA (perfluoroalkoxyalkane), PVF (polyvinyl fluoride), PVDF (polyvinylidene fluoride), etc., which have high resistance to ultraviolet light and high reflectance. It is a highly fluororesin and is usually white in color.

In particular, by using PTFE, which has excellent reflectivity for ultraviolet light in the UV-C wavelength range (less than 280 nm) (hereinafter referred to as UVC light), as the material of the first portion 11, the ultraviolet light irradiation module 14 emits UVC light. can be used to effectively sterilize.

Since the first portion 11 has a simple cylindrical shape, a commercially available general-purpose fluororesin pipe or the like can be used almost as is. Further, in order to further reduce the processing steps for a general-purpose product such as a pipe, it is preferable that the first portion 11 has a cylindrical shape with no irregularities on its inner and outer surfaces.

The second portion 12 has an attachment portion 121 for attaching the ultraviolet light irradiation module 14 and an outlet 103 . Further, a sheet-like reflective material 17 made of fluororesin that reflects ultraviolet light emitted from the ultraviolet light irradiation module 14 is provided along the inner surface of the second portion 12 that serves as the inner wall of the flow path 101 .

The second part 12 has an opening 123 for connecting with the first part 11, and by fitting one end of the first part 11 inside the opening 123, the second part 12 can be connected to the first part 11. The two parts 12 are connected. Here, in order to prevent fluid from leaking from the interface between the first part 11 and the second part 12, a sealing member such as an O-ring 201 is used at the overlapping part of the first part 11 and the second part 12. It is preferable.

The ultraviolet light irradiation module 14 can be attached to the second portion 12 by, for example, screwing a heat sink 146 and a cover 147 of the ultraviolet light irradiation module 14, which will be described later, to the attachment portion 121 of the second portion 12 using screws 148. It is attached. The light emitted from the ultraviolet light irradiation module 14 passes through the opening 122 included in the attachment portion 121 and is irradiated onto the fluid within the flow path 101 . Note that the opening 122 is closed by the ultraviolet light irradiation module 14, so water will not leak out from the opening 122.

In the example shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the outflow pipe 16 is connected to the opening 124 of the second portion 12 on the outflow port 103 side. The outflow pipe 16 is fitted and fixed inside the opening 124, and the opening of the outflow pipe 16 on the opposite side to the opening 124 functions as the outflow port 103. In this case, in order to effectively prevent fluid from leaking from the interface between the second portion 12 and the outflow tube 16, it is preferable to wrap a sealing tape or the like around the portion of the outflow tube 16 that is fitted into the opening 124.

The reflective material 17 is provided, for example, by installing a sheet made of fluororesin along the inner surface of the second portion 12 or by applying a paint made of fluororesin to the inner surface of the second portion 12. In order to prevent ultraviolet light from leaking through the gap between the reflective material 17 and the first portion 11, it is preferable that the reflective material 17 is in contact with the end of the first portion 11 without any gap. Note that the reflective material 17 may be in close contact with the inner surface of the second portion 12, or there may be a gap between the reflective material 17 and the inner surface of the second portion 12.

When the reflective material 17 is a sheet made of fluororesin, it has holes 171 through which fluid passes. The hole 171 may be one, or may be an aggregate of a plurality of holes. In order to suppress a decrease in the flow velocity of the fluid in the flow path pipe 10 and an increase in the pressure inside the flow path pipe 10, the area of the hole 171 (or the total area if it is a collection of multiple holes) is 102 and the area of the outlet 103 is preferably larger.

As the material of the reflective material 17, a fluororesin that reflects the light emitted from the ultraviolet light irradiation module 14, similar to the material of the first portion 11, can be used. In particular, by using PTFE as the material for the reflective material 17, sterilization can be effectively performed using the ultraviolet light irradiation module 14 that emits UVC light.

Further, since the reflective material 17 blocks most of the ultraviolet light directed toward the second portion 12, deterioration of the second portion 12 due to exposure to ultraviolet light can be suppressed. Therefore, there is no need for the second portion 12 to have resistance to ultraviolet light, and the range of selection of the material for the second portion 12 is widened. For example, polycarbonate can be used as the material for the second portion 12.

In order to efficiently irradiate the light emitted from the ultraviolet light irradiation module 14 into the flow path 101, an opening 122 for taking in the light emitted from the ultraviolet light irradiation module 14 in the second part 12 and a first It is preferable that the openings 123 for connecting with the portion 11 of the second portion 12 face each other, and in this case, the region in the second portion 12 where the reflective material 17 is installed has a cylindrical shape. Therefore, a rectangular sheet made of fluororesin can be rolled up into an annular shape along the inner surface of the second portion 12 and used as the reflective material 17.

Further, in this case, it is preferable that the reflective material 17 and the second portion 12 have a displacement prevention structure that prevents the reflective material 17 from being displaced with respect to the second portion 12. For example, it is preferable that the reflective material 17 has a notch 172 for preventing displacement. By fitting this notch 172 into a rib (protrusion) 125 provided on the inner surface of the second portion 12, it is possible to prevent the reflective material 17 from shifting with respect to the second portion 12. Note that, since the ribs 125 of the second portion 12 are not covered with the reflective material 17, they are preferably provided on the side of the ultraviolet light irradiation module 14, which is less likely to be exposed to ultraviolet light.

FIG. 4(a) is a plan view of the reflective material 17 made of a rectangular sheet, and FIG. 4(b) is a perspective view of the reflective material 17 made of a rectangular sheet rolled into an annular shape. In the example shown in FIGS. 4(a) and 4(b), the hole 171 consists of a collection of four holes.

Note that the light emitted from the ultraviolet light irradiation module 14 usually includes visible light in addition to ultraviolet light. Therefore, by using a material that transmits visible light, such as transparent polycarbonate, for the material of the second portion 12, the visible light that leaks from the holes 171 of the reflective material 17 and passes through the second portion 12 can be prevented. The operation of the ultraviolet light irradiation module 14 can be confirmed visually.

The third portion 13 has a shape that covers the end of the first portion 11 on the third portion 13 side, and has an inlet 102 .

The third part 13 has an opening 131 for connecting with the first part 11, and by fitting one end of the first part 11 inside the opening 131, the third part 13 can be connected to the first part 11. 3 parts 13 are connected. Here, in order to prevent fluid from leaking from the interface between the first part 11 and the third part 13, a sealing member such as an O-ring 202 is used at the overlapping part of the first part 11 and the third part 13. It is preferable.

In the example shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the inflow pipe 15 is connected to the opening 132 of the third portion 13 on the inflow port 102 side. The inflow pipe 15 is fitted and fixed inside the opening 132, and the opening of the inflow pipe 15 on the opposite side to the opening 132 functions as the inflow port 102. In this case, in order to effectively prevent leakage of fluid from the interface between the third portion 13 and the inflow pipe 15, it is preferable to wrap a sealing tape or the like around the portion of the inflow pipe 15 that is fitted into the opening 132.

Note that the functions of the inlet 102 and the outlet 103 in the flow pipe 10 may be reversed. That is, the fluid may be allowed to flow into the channel 101 through the outlet 103 of the second portion 12 and may be allowed to flow out from the inlet 102 of the third portion 13 .

When fluid flows into the channel 101 from the inlet 102 and flows out from the outlet 103, that is, when the inlet 102 functions as an inlet and the outlet 103 functions as an outlet, the first The end of the portion 11 on the third portion 13 side (the end opposite to the end on the second portion 12 side), that is, the fluid inlet of the first portion 11 is connected to the flat diffusion plate 18. Preferably covered.

FIGS. 5A and 5B are a plan view and a cross-sectional view of an example of the diffusion plate 18. The cross section of the diffusion plate 18 shown in FIG. 5(b) is a cross section taken along the cutting line BB shown in FIG. 5(a).

The diffusion plate 18 has a hole 181 through which fluid passes at a position away from its center, and diffuses the fluid flowing in from the inlet 102. The hole 181 is not provided at the center of the diffusion plate 18 but is provided near the outer periphery of the diffusion plate 18 or at a position in contact with the outer periphery. Therefore, the fluid passing through the hole 181 flows through the first It flows near the inner wall of section 11.

Generally, the flow velocity of fluid flowing through a channel becomes smaller as it approaches the inner wall of the channel due to frictional resistance, and where the difference between the flow velocity and the flow velocity at the center of the channel becomes large, the diffusion plate 18 is used to direct the fluid to the first portion 11. By causing the flow to flow near the inner wall of the first portion 11, the flow velocity near the inner wall of the first portion 11 can be relatively increased, and the difference in flow velocity between the vicinity of the center of the first portion 11 and the vicinity of the inner wall can be reduced. As a result, the residence time of the fluid in the flow path 101 is averaged, so that variations in the irradiation time of ultraviolet light due to differences in the fluid flow path are reduced, and sterilization can be performed efficiently.

In order to allow the fluid to flow as evenly as possible near the inner wall of the first portion 11, it is preferable that the plurality of holes 181 be arranged at equal intervals along the circumferential direction of the diffusion plate 18. In addition, in order to suppress a decrease in the flow velocity of the fluid within the flow path pipe 10 and an increase in the pressure within the flow path pipe 10, the area of the hole 181 (if a plurality of holes 181 are provided, the total area thereof) is , is preferably larger than the area of the inlet 102 and the outlet 103.

In order to increase the sterilization efficiency, the diffusion plate 18 is preferably made of a fluororesin that reflects the light emitted from the ultraviolet light irradiation module 14, similar to the material of the first portion 11. In particular, by using PTFE as the material for the diffusion plate 18, sterilization can be effectively performed using the ultraviolet light irradiation module 14 that emits UVC light.

Further, when the diffusion plate 18 is used, since the diffusion plate 18 blocks most of the ultraviolet light directed toward the third portion 13, deterioration of the third portion 13 due to exposure to ultraviolet light can be suppressed. Therefore, it is not necessary for the third portion 13 to have resistance to ultraviolet light, and the range of selection of the material for the third portion 13 is widened. In this case, for example, polycarbonate can be used as the material for the third portion 13.

The method of fixing the diffusion plate 18 to the fluid sterilizer 1 is not particularly limited. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the diffusion plate 18 can be sandwiched and fixed between the first part 11 and the third part 13. Here, the part outside the dotted line in FIG. 5(a) is the part sandwiched between the first part 11 and the third part 13.

FIGS. 6A and 6B are a plan view and a cross-sectional view of another example of the diffusion plate 18. The cross section of the diffuser plate 18 shown in FIG. 6(b) is a cross section taken along the cutting line CC shown in FIG. 6(a).

As shown in FIGS. 6(a) and 6(b), the hole 181 of the diffusion plate 18 has an inclination that widens toward the outer circumference as it approaches the first portion 11 side from the third portion 13 side. You can leave it there.

Note that a diffusion member having a three-dimensional shape may be used instead of the flat diffusion plate 18, but since a flat plate is structurally simpler, it requires cutting from an expensive fluororesin, especially a block. The manufacturing cost can be suppressed when PTFE is used as the material.

The case 19 has a plate-shaped part 191 parallel to the length direction of the first part 11 and a plate-shaped part 192 that covers the third part 13. The plate-shaped part 192 covers the third part 13. By fixing the case 19 to the second part 12 while being pressed toward the first part 11, the first part 11, the second part 12, and the third part 13 can be fixed. That is, the case 19 can be used to fix the three parts, the first part 11, the second part 12, and the third part 13.

In the example shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the case 19 has a plate-like part 193 along the surface of the second part 12 on the case 19 side, and the plate-like part 193 is connected to the second part 12 by screws 194. The case 19 is fixed to the second part 12 by using screws. Case 19 is made of stainless steel, for example.

As described above, the ultraviolet light irradiation module 14 is attached to the second portion 12 and irradiates the fluid flowing through the flow path 101 with ultraviolet light. The ultraviolet light emitted by the ultraviolet light irradiation module 14 includes, for example, ultraviolet light in a wavelength range called UV-A (400 to 315 nm), ultraviolet light in a wavelength range called UV-B (315 to 280 nm), and the above-mentioned UVC light. Of these, it is preferable to use UVC light, which has the highest sterilizing effect.

Although the configuration of the ultraviolet light irradiation module 14 is not particularly limited, in the example shown in FIGS. A cable 143 connected to the light emitting element 141 for supplying power etc. from the outside, a reflector 144 surrounding the light emitting element 141, and a waterproof sheet 145 installed on the reflector 144 so as to cover the upper part of the light emitting element 141. , a heat sink 146 installed on the back side of the wiring board 142, and a cover 147 that covers and fixes each of these components. The area where the light emitting element 141 is mounted is sealed to ensure waterproofness, and the light emitted from the light emitting element 141 is transmitted through the waterproof sheet 145 and extracted.

The light emitting element 141 includes, for example, an LED chip (Light Emitting Diode) or an LD chip (Laser Diode) that emits ultraviolet light, and a lens for adjusting light distribution.

A sealing member such as an O-ring 203 is used between the attachment part 121 of the second part 12 and the cover 147 of the ultraviolet light irradiation module 14 to prevent fluid from flowing from the interface between the second part 12 and the ultraviolet light irradiation module 14. Prevents leakage.

(Effects of embodiment)
According to the fluid sterilization device 1 according to the embodiment described above, a pipe made of a general-purpose fluororesin can be used as the first portion 11 of the flow pipe 10, and a pipe made of a general-purpose fluororesin can be used as the second portion 12. By using the reflective material 17 made of the following, it is possible to increase the reflectance of ultraviolet light on the inner wall of the flow path 101 and ensure excellent sterilization efficiency, while reducing manufacturing costs. In particular, when PTFE is used as the fluororesin, cutting from the PTFE block is not required, so the effect of reducing manufacturing costs is greater.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. Furthermore, the constituent elements of the embodiments described above can be arbitrarily combined without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Furthermore, the above embodiments do not limit the claimed invention. Furthermore, it should be noted that not all combinations of features described in the embodiments are essential for solving the problems of the invention.

1 Fluid sterilizer 10 Channel pipe 101 Channel 102 Inflow port 103 Outflow port 11 First part 12 Second part 121 Attachment part 13 Third part 14 Ultraviolet light irradiation module 15 Inflow pipe 16 Outflow pipe 17 Reflective material 171 Hole 18 Diffusion plate 181 Hole 19 Case

Claims (4)

a flow path pipe having a flow path for flowing a fluid to be sterilized, an inlet for causing the fluid to flow into the flow path, and an outlet for causing the fluid to flow out from the flow path;
an ultraviolet light irradiation module that irradiates ultraviolet light into the flow path;
Equipped with
The flow pipe has a cylindrical first part and a second part connected to one end of the first part,
The first portion is made of a fluororesin that reflects ultraviolet light emitted from the ultraviolet light irradiation module,
The second part has an attachment part for attaching the ultraviolet light irradiation module, and the inlet or the outlet,
A sheet-shaped reflective material made of a fluororesin that reflects ultraviolet light emitted from the ultraviolet light irradiation module is provided along the inner surface of the second portion that becomes the inner wall of the flow path ,
The reflective material is a sheet provided along the inner surface of the second portion and has holes through which the fluid passes.
Fluid sterilizer. The reflective material is a rectangular sheet rolled up into an annular shape along the inner surface of the second portion.
The fluid sterilization device according to claim 1 . The area of the hole is larger than the area of the inlet and the outlet,
The fluid sterilization device according to claim 1 or 2 . the second portion has the outlet;
An end of the first part opposite to the end on the second part side has a hole through which the fluid passes at a position away from the center thereof, and diffuses the fluid flowing in from the inlet. Covered by a flat diffuser plate,
The diffusion plate is made of a fluororesin that reflects ultraviolet light emitted from the ultraviolet light irradiation module.
A fluid sterilization device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 .

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