JPH0926151A - Air filteration device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To effectively destroy microorganisms in an air filter device by a method wherein ultraviolet radiation devices are arranged close to each other in such a way that an amount of radiation required for destroying microorganisms provides for the amount of air flowing through an air permeating material and a germ sterilizing chamber. SOLUTION: A radiation means 6a of an infrared radiation device is supported in a sterilizing chamber 6 in such a way that it is directly faced against a large plane of an air permeating material 5. An inner surface of the sterilizing chamber 6 is coated by aluminum material, reflects ultraviolet radiation from the ultraviolet source 6a, thereby an effectiveness of the radiation to destroy microorganism within the air permeating material 5 is enforced. A longitudinal axis of the ultraviolet source 6a is arranged across a flowing direction of air so as to increase an intensity of the ultraviolet radiation in the sterilizing chamber 6. Accordingly, all the microorganisms present in the chamber 6 are destroyed.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to air filtration for removing and / or killing microorganisms from air in spaces that are not air-conditioned or air-conditioned by cooling, heating or mechanical ventilation. Equipment (air filtering apparatu
s). In particular, the present invention relates to operating rooms, clinics,
Laboratory, drug manufacturing area, dispensing room, food processing area, supermarket, food counter, food storage area, office,
Disclosed is an air filtration device suitable for use in public areas, such as crowded meeting rooms, toilets, homes, etc., and generally in rooms where there is a requirement for low microbial content.

[0002]

PRIOR ART British patent granted to the applicant of the present invention
GB 2215234 is an air-permeable material placed in a housing, at least one irradiation downstream of an air-permeable material placed in an irradiation chamber for irradiating air downstream of the air-permeable material. A device and its air-permeable material and an air filtration device with a blower downstream of the irradiator for sucking air through the irradiator, respectively are described. In a preferred embodiment of GB2215234, the air permeable material comprises a thick and flat filter having a planar surface that is substantially orthogonal to the flow of air through prior art air filtering devices. This GB 2215234 air-permeable material is effective in removing microorganisms from the air by means of an irradiation device of appropriate irradiation intensity. However, air filtration devices with thick air-permeable materials are a major source of pollution whenever the housing is opened for maintenance. Microbes are trapped in thick air-permeable materials,
And it is a common phenomenon that they propagate on the outer surface of the air permeable material (ie, the surface further away from the irradiator) if they are not killed by irradiation. Irradiation kills microorganisms on the inner surface of the air-permeable material (ie, the surface closer to the irradiator).

[0003]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to enhance the microbial killing capability of air filters. A further object of the invention is to minimize the emission of radiation from the air filtration device without compromising the microbiocidal properties of the device. Yet another object of the present invention is to maximize the ability of the air filtration device to kill microorganisms within the air-permeable material while minimizing the opportunity for the air filtration device to become a source of pollution. Is.

[0004]

Means for Solving the Problems The present invention provides at least:
Optical baffle means, air downstream from the optical means-
Transparent material, irradiation device in sterilization chamber (irradiato
r), and an air filtration device located in the housing with a blower further downstream from the irradiator. This air-permeable material is of the "see-through" type, which allows light to pass through the cross-sectional area of the material. Chemicals can be added / entrapped / sprayed onto the air-permeable material to kill microorganisms as they come into contact with the air-permeable material. At least one irradiation device is arranged to direct ultraviolet radiation onto the inner surface of the air-permeable material. With the "see-through" type air permeable material, irradiation from the irradiator kills most of the microorganisms in the cross-sectional area including both surfaces of the air permeable material. Thus, the improved air filtration device of the present invention is substantially free of microorganisms. The blower is provided for sucking air through the optical baffle means, the air-permeable material and the irradiation device. The optical baffling means minimizes the emission of radiation from within the housing;
Similarly, the blower eliminates any UV leakage from within the same housing.

[0005]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In FIG. 1, the present invention is directed to at least one optical baffle means (3), an air-permeable material (5) downstream of the optical baffle means, a sterilization chamber.
At least one irradiation means (6a) in (6) and downstream of the air-permeable material (5), and its irradiation means (6a)
Described is an air filtration device (10) placed in a housing (4) with a blower (7) downstream of the. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the optical baffle means are arranged at a small distance and parallel to each other, but preferably perpendicular to the direction of air flow (1) through the air filtering device (10). It comprises at least two plates arranged. It should be understood by those skilled in the art that many other optical baffle means can be effectively used. This optical baffle means (3) serves the important function of minimizing the emission of radiation from within the housing (4).

Referring again to FIG. 1, in the housing, downstream of the optical baffle means (3), the air-permeable material (5).
Is arranged. The air-permeable material is preferably a large flat surface arranged to filter out microorganisms and dust particles contained in the air passing through the housing.
It has a surface that defines the (major plane). This air-permeable material (5) is preferably of the "see-through" type so that light can pass through the entire cross section of the material. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a honeycomb nylon material is provided with this "see-through" air.
-Can be used as a permeable material. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that other suitable materials can be used. The air that chemicals are killed by when microorganisms are killed when they come into contact with such chemicals-
Can be added / loaded / sprayed on a permeable material (5). In this way, microorganisms on both surfaces of the air-permeable material (5) are killed. On the contrary, some thicker prior art air permeable materials may have their outer surface (
Microorganisms on the surface (further from the irradiation means (6a)) are not killed.

In the practical application of air filtering devices with thick air-permeable material (5), the air-permeable material is a major source of pollution. Because the irradiation causes the capture of micro-organisms, dust (d) on its outer surface.
This is because ust and dirt cannot be destroyed. This requires either frequent cleaning of the air-permeable material (5) or their replacement. No matter how meticulous the air filter maintenance is, microorganisms, dust and debris will fall from the air filter housing (4). Especially in critical areas (criti
cal areas), for example, the housing of the air filter in an environment similar to a newborn room or a clean room
It would be desirable to have a minimum amount of microorganisms within (4). The see-through air-permeable material (5) of the present invention,
The air filtration device maximizes its ability to kill microorganisms within the air-permeable material (5) while minimizing the chances that it will become a source of pollution.

Referring again to FIG. 1, the irradiation means (6a) are arranged parallel to the above-mentioned large plane, and the air-permeable material is irradiated by UV irradiation to kill microorganisms.
It comprises at least one irradiation device which is arranged in the sterilization chamber (6) of the housing (4) for the entire cross-sectional area of (5) and for both surfaces. This UV irradiation device
Can consist of at least one irradiation device, and one
When present, each illuminator can be placed facing each other but with their axes parallel to each other. In a preferred embodiment,
2 The UV irradiation device is to ensure that the irradiation dose required to kill the microorganisms is provided for the air flow flowing through the air-permeable material (5) and through the sterilization chamber (6). To be close enough to each other.

The means for irradiating the air-permeable material
It is supported in the sterilization chamber (6) so as to directly face the large plane of (5). This sterilization chamber (6)
Has an internal reflective surface. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the inner surface of the sterilization chamber (6) reflects the UV radiation within the sterilization chamber (6) and is directed for irradiation onto the air-permeable material (5). For this purpose, it is coated with aluminum paint or by the use of materials of aluminum quality, which enhances the effectiveness of the irradiation such that microorganisms in the air-permeable material are killed. Long and narrow type UV irradiation means (6a)
The longitudinal axis of the is disposed transverse to the direction of air flow. The aluminum material provides a high degree of reflection of UV radiation, thus increasing the intensity of UV radiation within the sterilization chamber (6). Therefore, all the microorganisms that may possibly be present on it are killed. In an embodiment of the invention, the air-permeable material (5) is shaped to filter microorganisms and dust particles from the air, the means of irradiation being 253.7 nanometers.
a UV irradiation device (6a) emitting radiation having a wavelength of (nm), and arranged to direct the UV irradiation towards the inner surface of the air-permeable material (5) and the sterilization chamber (6). Has been done.

Finally, a blower (7) placed downstream of the irradiation means (6a) passes through the optical baffle means (3), the air-permeable material (5) and the sterilization chamber (6). Inhale air. This blower (7) acts secondly to block the emission of radiation from the rear of its housing. The result is that microorganisms are rarely present in the air leaving the air filter. Further, the emission of radiation is minimized or eliminated by the optical baffle means (3) behind the housing (4) and the blower in front.

The box housing (4) comprising the device is
It can be modified for floor, wall or ceiling suspension installations, where air is aspirated into the device and purified air is returned from the device to the chamber space. While the invention has been described with particular reference to FIG. 1 with emphasis on a device for removing and / or killing microorganisms from the air, this figure is for illustration only, and It should not be taken as a limitation on the invention. Furthermore, it is clear that the device according to the invention has application in many applications where air purification is required. It is also contemplated that many changes and modifications can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention described.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a left isometric perspective view of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 ... air flow 2 ... air flow 3 ... optical baffling means 4 ... housing 5 ... air-permeable material 6 ... sterilization chamber (sterilizing chamber) 6a ... irradiation means 7 ... blower 10 ... air filtering apparatus

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. At least an optical baffle means, air
An air filtering device comprising a housing having a permeable material, an irradiation means, and a blower therein; the optical baffle means from within the housing while allowing air to flow therethrough. Minimizes the emission of UV light; air downstream from the optical baffle means-
A permeable material is a large flat surface (m) arranged to filter out microorganisms and dust particles contained in the air flowing through it.
ajorplane); the material is very thin in thickness to allow light to pass through it; the irradiating means is within a sterilization chamber therein to kill the microorganisms. And at least one irradiator (irrad placed parallel to the large plane above).
iator); the irradiating means is located downstream of the air-permeable material; and the blower is located downstream of the irradiating means to expel purified air. -The blower further minimizes the emission of UV radiation from within the housing, which allows the air filtration device to eliminate microorganisms in the air-permeable material while minimizing the chances of it becoming a source of contamination. Maximized for its ability to destroy,
Such an air filtration device. 2. The interior of the sterilization chamber further comprising an aluminum material for reflecting ultraviolet radiation to kill microorganisms within the sterilization chamber and the air-permeable material. apparatus. 3. The device of claim 1, wherein the air-permeable material can be coated or sprayed or added with a microbial biocide to further enhance the performance of the device.