JPH10212203A - Photocatalytic freshness-keeping apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a photocatalytic freshness-keeping apparatus capable of surely and quickly detecting an ultraviolet radiation lamp failed by the exhaustion of the life of the lamp or the failure of electric system to enable quick exchange of the lamp or the repair of the electric system and surely preventing the operation of the apparatus without lightening the ultraviolet lamp. SOLUTION: This photocatalytic freshness-keeping apparatus is provided with an ultraviolet radiation lamp 4, a photocatalyst holder 16 for holding a photocatalyst irradiated with the light of the ultraviolet radiation lamp 4, a fan to suck air from the outside of the apparatus, flow the air through a gap between the ultraviolet radiation lamp 4 and the photocatalyst and discharge the air passed through the gap to the outside of the apparatus and an inspection hole 62 to transmit the light of the ultraviolet radiation lamp 4 to the outside of the apparatus.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an apparatus for maintaining the freshness of plants such as vegetables, fruits and flowers, and more particularly, to an apparatus for maintaining freshness of plants using a photocatalyst. Related to the device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art When storing, displaying, or transporting plants such as vegetables, fruits, and flowers, for example, maintaining freshness is an important problem. It is known that such plants generate ethylene gas, which is a plant growth hormone, and such gas reduces the freshness of the plants.

[0003] Therefore, as shown in, for example, Japanese Patent Publication No. Hei 4-30820, a method has been proposed in which ethylene gas is decomposed using a photocatalyst to maintain the freshness of plants. According to this method, ethylene gas generated from plants is expected to be decomposed by the intervention of a photocatalyst, and to maintain the freshness of plants.

Further, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-327965, air containing a gas that inhibits freshness is forced to flow between an ultraviolet irradiation lamp and a photocatalyst, and the freshness retaining inhibition contained in the air is forced to flow. Devices for removing gas have also been developed.

[0005]

However, in the conventional photocatalyst type freshness holding device disclosed in this publication, there is no means for knowing the time of replacement of the ultraviolet irradiation lamp. The only way to do this was to maintain the equipment. For this reason, there is a possibility that the apparatus is operated in a state where the ultraviolet irradiation lamp is not turned on and the photocatalyst is not irradiated with ultraviolet rays. In this case, the expected freshness holding effect cannot be obtained. If the photocatalytic freshness holding device is operated with the expectation of the freshness holding effect, but the freshness holding effect is not obtained, the freshness of the plant may be reduced and serious damage may be caused.

Further, when a plurality of ultraviolet irradiation lamps are present in the apparatus, not all the lamps end their lives at the same time and do not stop operating, but only a specific lamp may end its life earlier than the average. . In such a case, the conventional apparatus cannot quickly detect that only a specific lamp is not lit, and the apparatus operates in a state where only the specific lamp is not lit (inefficient state). There was a problem that it was carried out continuously.

Further, the cause of the failure of the ultraviolet irradiation lamp to be turned on is not only the life of the lamp but also the occurrence of troubles such as poor contact of the electric system.
There has been no means for quickly and surely detecting defective lighting of the lamp caused by such a cause.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and it is possible to reliably and quickly find the presence of an ultraviolet irradiation lamp that has stopped operating due to the life of the ultraviolet irradiation lamp or failure of an electric system. We can quickly respond to lamp replacement and repair of electrical system failure,
An object of the present invention is to provide a photocatalytic freshness maintaining device that can reliably prevent the operation of the device when the ultraviolet irradiation lamp is not turned on.

[0009]

In order to achieve the above object, a photocatalytic freshness maintaining apparatus according to the present invention comprises an ultraviolet irradiation lamp, and a photocatalyst holder for holding a photocatalyst irradiated with light from the ultraviolet irradiation lamp. Through a gap between the ultraviolet irradiation lamp and the photocatalyst, forcing air taken in from outside of the apparatus to flow, and forcibly blowing air that has flowed through the gap to the outside of the apparatus; and Light guiding means for guiding light to the outside of the device.

The light guiding means is not particularly limited as long as it is a means for directly guiding the light from the ultraviolet irradiation lamp to the outside.
Examples include a viewing hole formed in a photocatalyst holder, a viewing hole formed in a panel holding an ultraviolet irradiation lamp, or a waveguide means such as an optical fiber without forming a viewing hole.

In the present invention, the photocatalytic freshness maintaining device comprises a plurality of ultraviolet irradiation lamps arranged substantially in parallel,
A back panel for holding these ultraviolet irradiation lamps, a photocatalyst holder formed to surround the periphery of each ultraviolet irradiation lamp other than the back panel, and detachably attached to the back panel; Around the periphery of the photocatalyst holder, through a gap between the ultraviolet irradiation lamp and the photocatalyst molded body, which is detachably mounted on the photocatalyst holder, from the outside of the device along the axial direction of the lamp. It is preferable to have forced air blowing means for flowing the introduced air and blowing out the air which has passed through the gap to the outside of the apparatus.

In the present invention, it is preferable that each of the photocatalyst molded bodies is slidably mounted on an inner surface of a three-way wall formed for each ultraviolet irradiation lamp in a photocatalyst holder. In addition, it is preferable that the photocatalyst holder holding the photocatalyst molded body has a resilient cushioning member mounted at a contact portion between them. Further, it is preferable that each corner of the three-way wall formed in the photocatalyst holder is formed with a claw for slidably holding both sides of the photocatalyst molded body. Furthermore, it is preferable that a resilient seal member is attached to a portion where the photocatalyst holder and the back panel are in contact, and by contact with the seal member, between the photocatalyst holder and the back panel, Preferably, an air flow passage is formed for each lamp.

[0013] In the present invention, it is preferable that the photocatalyst molded body is constituted by a panel elongated in the longitudinal direction having a photocatalyst layer and a catalyst holding substrate on which the photocatalyst layer is laminated.

In the present invention, a hole is also formed in the photocatalyst molded body corresponding to the peep hole formed in the photocatalyst holder, or the photocatalyst molded body is attached to the photocatalyst holder at a position corresponding to the peep hole. Do not attach. As a method of forming a hole in the photocatalyst molded body, a method of forming a hole in the substrate serving as a support of the photocatalyst layer in advance and not forming the photocatalyst layer in the hole portion, and a method of forming the photocatalyst layer on the substrate After that, there is a method of performing hole processing.

The specific shape of the viewing hole is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include a vertical hole slit, a horizontal hole slit, a rectangular hole, a circular hole and the like. The size of the viewing hole is determined so that the light from the ultraviolet irradiation lamp is visible. If the size is too large, the portion where the photocatalytic layer is not formed is undesirably increased.

In the present invention, the ultraviolet lamp is not particularly limited, but is preferably a straight tube.
This is because it is easy to obtain and maintenance is easy. Ultraviolet light emitted from the lamp has a wavelength of 400 nm to 2 nm.
The one having a wavelength of 00 nm is preferable from the viewpoint of improving freshness holding efficiency. The light emitted from the lamp may include visible light and infrared light other than ultraviolet light.

In the present invention, the forced air blowing means is not particularly limited, and a centrifugal fan, an axial fan, a sirocco fan, or the like is used.

The freshness maintaining device according to the present invention has an intake port and an exhaust port, and the air sucked from the intake port by the forced air blowing means is supplied to the gap between the ultraviolet irradiation lamp and the photocatalyst. The air that has flowed through the gap and finished flowing through the gap blows out of the apparatus through the exhaust port. The amount of air taken in from the intake port and discharged from the exhaust port is appropriately determined according to the number of lamps arranged in the apparatus.
The amount of air blown by the forced blowing means may be variable.

In the present invention, the photocatalyst is a semiconductor having a band gap of 0.5 to 5 eV, preferably 1 to 3 eV.
V semiconductors are preferably used. When the semiconductor is irradiated with light having energy equal to or greater than the band gap, electron excitation occurs from the valence band to the conduction band, and holes are generated in the valence band and electrons are generated in the conduction band. Holes and electrons appear on the semiconductor surface by diffusion or the like, and promote a reaction as a photocatalyst in a gas layer or a liquid layer. Specific examples of the semiconductor include metal oxides such as tin dioxide, zinc oxide, tungsten trioxide, cerium oxide, titanium dioxide, barium titanate, and ferric oxide; zinc sulfide, cadmium sulfide, lead sulfide, and zinc selenide. , Metal chalcogenides such as cadmium selenide; Group IV elements such as silicon and germanium; compounds of Group III elements and Group V elements such as gallium phosphide, gallium arsenide and indium phosphide; polyacetylene, polypyrrole, polythiophene, polyaniline; An organic semiconductor such as polyvinyl carbazole is exemplified. In the present invention, in particular, metal oxides such as zinc oxide, tungsten trioxide, titanium dioxide, and cerium oxide are preferably used. Such a semiconductor is, in the present invention,
For example, it is preferable to mold the photocatalyst molded body by the following method, but it is also possible to use the semiconductor powder as it is without necessarily forming the molded body.

As a first method, a semiconductor powder such as a titanium oxide powder is formed into a tablet shape by a compression molding machine or the like and used as it is as a photocatalyst formed body. Alternatively, the compression-molded photocatalyst layer is attached to a plate-like material with an adhesive or the like to be used as a photocatalyst molded body. As the plate-like material, metal, resin, ceramic, or the like is used.

As a second method, a semiconductor powder such as a titanium oxide powder is attached to a non-woven fabric as a carrier using a charge or a binder to form a photocatalyst molded body.

A third method is described in, for example,
As shown in Japanese Patent No. 327965, semiconductor powder such as titanium oxide powder is dispersed in clay or gypsum, and then water for curing is added to form a slurry, which is placed in a mold and cured, and the catalyst molded product is left as it is. Used as a photocatalyst molded body. Alternatively, a photocatalyst molded article may be obtained by attaching a catalyst layer composed of the thus-obtained molded catalyst to a plate-like article. The catalyst molded product may contain particles, fibers, and the like as a reinforcing agent. When forming the catalyst molded product, the semiconductor powder may be dispersed in water in advance, and clay or gypsum may be added later.

A fourth method is to mix a semiconductor powder such as a titanium oxide powder and a latex, apply the mixture to a carrier, and then dry the mixture at room temperature or high temperature to obtain a molded catalyst, which is directly used as a photocatalyst. Used as a molded body. Alternatively, this catalyst product is supported on a substrate or the like.

The fifth method is described in, for example,
As disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 215841, a catalyst molded product obtained by applying a metal alkoxide such as titanium tetraisopropoxide to a support such as a metal, a resin, a ceramic, or paper and drying is used as a photocatalyst molded product.

[0025]

In the photocatalytic freshness maintaining device according to the present invention, a light guiding means for directly guiding the light from the ultraviolet irradiation lamp to the outside of the device is mounted. For this reason, in the present invention, by visually observing through the light guiding means, it is possible to reliably and quickly find the presence of the ultraviolet irradiation lamp that has stopped lighting due to the life of the ultraviolet irradiation lamp or a failure in the electric system. . In particular, when a plurality of ultraviolet irradiation lamps are installed in the apparatus, it is possible to reliably check the lighting of each lamp, and to quickly and reliably replace each lamp or repair a failure in the electric system of each lamp. It can be carried out. In addition, by arranging the light guide means for each ultraviolet irradiation lamp side by side, it is easy to compare the intensity of light for each lamp, and even if the lamp is turned on, the ultraviolet irradiation lamp whose light is weakened due to life or the like. Can be reliably found.

In the present invention, it is preferable to employ a viewing hole as the light guiding means, since the lighting of the ultraviolet irradiation lamp can be surely confirmed without increasing the number of parts.

Also, a plurality of ultraviolet irradiation lamps arranged substantially in parallel, a back panel for holding the ultraviolet irradiation lamps, and a back panel formed around the ultraviolet irradiation lamps other than the back panel, A photocatalyst holder detachably attached to the panel, a photocatalyst molded body detachably attached to the photocatalyst holder so as to surround each of the ultraviolet irradiation lamps, the ultraviolet irradiation lamp and the photocatalyst molded body A forced air blowing means for flowing air taken in from the outside of the device along the axial direction of the lamp through the gap between the lamp and the forced air blowing means to blow out the air having passed through the gap to the outside of the device. By forming a peephole in the photocatalyst holder, it becomes possible to view the photocatalyst from the front of the apparatus, and to replace the molded catalyst and the lamp. Particularly preferred since it is easy.

When a viewing hole is formed in the panel holding the ultraviolet irradiation lamp as the light guide means, it is preferable that the panel side be devised so as to be the front of the apparatus.

The photocatalytic freshness preserving device according to the present invention is simply placed in a warehouse, refrigerator, showcase, or other substantially closed space (although it is not always required to be closed), and is placed around the space. It is possible to maintain the freshness of the stored or placed plant for a long time. Moreover, in the present invention, it is easy to monitor the ultraviolet lamp so as to always keep lighting in a normal state, and as a result,
The efficiency of removing gases harmful to maintaining freshness is improved.

[0030]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below based on embodiments shown in the drawings.

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a photocatalytic freshness maintaining device according to one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a front view of a back panel to which an ultraviolet irradiation lamp shown in FIG. 1 is attached, and FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of a holder unit constituting the photocatalyst holder, FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a main part showing a mounting structure of a photocatalyst molded body to the holder unit, and FIG. 6 is a front view of the holder unit. , FIG.
Is a perspective view of a device for attaching the lower part of the photocatalyst holder to the back panel, FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a main part of a freshness holding device according to another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 9 is a still another embodiment of the present invention. It is an exploded perspective view of such a freshness maintenance device.

First Embodiment As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a photocatalytic freshness maintaining device 2 according to the present embodiment has a rear panel in which a plurality of ultraviolet irradiation lamps 4 are arranged substantially in parallel in the vertical direction. 6. The rear panel 6 is detachably mounted on the inner rear surface of the casing 8 of the apparatus.

As shown in FIG. 1, an intake panel 11 having an intake port 10 is mounted on the front side of the lower end of the casing 8, and an exhaust port 12 is formed on the front side of the upper end. An exhaust panel 13 is mounted. On the upper part of the casing 8 located on the back side of the exhaust panel 13, a blower fan 14 as a forced blower is mounted.
The air taken in from along the axial direction of the lamp 4,
The air is exhausted from the exhaust port 12.

In order to secure a flow path along the axial direction of each lamp 4 and to dispose the photocatalyst molded body on three sides of each lamp 4, as shown in FIG. It is fixed so that it can be removed. On the front surface of the casing 8 to which the photocatalyst holder 16 is attached,
The front panel 18 is mounted.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, a total of eight straight tube-shaped ultraviolet irradiation lamps 4 are mounted on the rear panel 6 in a substantially parallel manner in the vertical direction. The ultraviolet light emitted from each lamp 4 has a wavelength of 400 nm to 20 nm.
Those having a wavelength of 0 nm are preferable from the viewpoint of improving the freshness holding efficiency. The light emitted from the lamp 4 may include visible light and infrared light other than ultraviolet light. The length and wattage of these lamps 4 are selected from commercially available standard products.

Both ends of each lamp 4 are held by sockets 20 fixed to the rear panel 6, from which the lamp 4
To supply power. Each lamp 4 can be easily removed and replaced from the socket 20.

As shown in FIG. 2, a drive device such as a glow socket 22 and a ballast 24 is mounted on each of the lamps 4 on a portion of the rear panel 6 located above the upper socket 20. The lamp 4 can be controlled for each lamp or for a plurality of lamps.

A stopper plate 2 to which the upper ends of the two photocatalyst holders 16 shown in FIG. 1 are attached is provided on a portion of the rear panel 6 located between the upper socket 20 and the driving device.
6 is attached. Bolts through bolt holes 28 formed in the upper corners of the photocatalyst holder shown in FIG. 3 are attached to the stopper plate 26, and the upper part of the photocatalyst holder 16 can be detachably attached to the stopper plate 26. ing.

The lower end socket 20 of the lamp 4 shown in FIG.
On the surface of the rear panel located below the rear panel, a ball catch stop 30 is fixed for every four lamps. As shown in FIG. 7, the ball catch stopper 30 has a fitting concave portion 31, and the convex concave portion 33 of the convex metal fitting 32 is provided here.
Are detachably fitted in a one-touch manner. Balls 34 are elastically held on both sides of the concave portion 31, and the convex portions 33 enter the concave portions 31, so that the balls 34 become ball receiving grooves 3 formed on both sides of the convex portions 33.
6 are fitted. The convex fitting 32 is shown in FIG.
3 at the position corresponding to the ball catch stop 30 shown in FIG.
The photocatalyst holder 16 shown in FIG. That is, the lower end of the photocatalyst holder 16 is detachably fixed to the rear panel 6 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 by the convex metal fitting 32 and the ball catch stopper 30 shown in FIG.

As shown in FIGS. 3 to 6, the photocatalyst holder 16 of the present embodiment is configured by combining four holder units 40 by welding or the like. Reference numeral 42 in FIG. 3 indicates a handle for attaching and detaching the photocatalyst holder 16 to and from the rear panel 6.

As shown in FIG. 4, each unit 40 has a three-sided wall having a U-shaped cross section so as to surround three sides of the lamp 4 other than the rear panel 6, and each corner of the three-sided wall has Claws 44 and 46 are formed. The claw portions 44 located at both corners can be integrally formed when the holder unit 40 is bent and formed from a steel plate, and the claw portions 46 at the middle corner portions are formed.
Is formed by welding a plate material or the like. When the whole of each unit 40 or the photocatalyst holder 16 is formed by extrusion molding of a synthetic resin or the like, these claw portions 44 and 46 can be formed integrally with the unit 40 or the photocatalyst holder 16.

By forming the claw portions 44 and 46, the catalyst molded body 48 is slidably mounted inside the three-way wall of each unit 40. In the present embodiment, the catalyst molded body 48 has a cross-sectional shape close to a trapezoid, and the tapered surfaces at both ends thereof engage with the claws 44 and 46. A sheet-like cushioning member 54 having elasticity is mounted inside the claws 44 and 46 so that the claws 44 and 46 do not directly contact the catalyst molded body 48. This prevents the molded catalyst 48 from being damaged.

As shown in FIG. 5, in this embodiment, the catalyst molded body 48 is made of the unbaked substrate 5 as a photocatalyst carrier.
0, and a photocatalyst layer 52 carried in the surface recess. In the present embodiment, the photocatalyst layer 52 has a bandgap of 0.5 to 5 eV for a semiconductor, preferably 1 to 3 eV, after kneading a semiconductor powder and a water-curable compound with water,
It is agglomerated. The water-curable compound is an inorganic compound having a property of reacting with water to form a hydrate and aggregating, and is generally used as an inorganic adhesive in the field of civil engineering and construction. Specifically, calcium sulfate, calcium silicate, calcium aluminate, calcium ferrate, celite, sealant, gohrenite,
Anorthite, dolomite and the like are exemplified. Further, as the water-curable compound, obtained using the above compound as a raw material,
Includes calcined gypsum, Portland cement, dolomite plaster, lime volcanic ash cement, alumina cement, magnesia cement, and the like. In the present embodiment, calcium sulfate and calcined gypsum obtained using calcium sulfate as a main raw material are particularly suitable. The water-curable compound is usually used in powder form.
By using the powder, the semiconductor powder can be uniformly dispersed.

The method of kneading the semiconductor powder and the water-curable compound powder with water is not particularly limited, and these powders may be mixed and stirred to obtain a mixture, and then water may be added and kneaded. Alternatively, after water is added to the semiconductor powder and kneaded, a water-curable compound may be added and kneaded.

The weight ratio between the semiconductor and the water-curable compound is
10: 1 to 1:10, preferably 6: 1 to 1: 6. The amount of water is usually 25 to 200 parts by weight based on 100 parts by weight of the total amount of the semiconductor and the water-curable compound.

After kneading the semiconductor and the water-curable compound with water, the kneaded material may be poured directly into the concave portion of the substrate 50 shown in FIG. 5 to be condensed, or may be condensed in another mold to a predetermined shape. After being condensed into a shape, it may be attached to the concave portion of the substrate 50 shown in FIG.

The thickness of the photocatalyst layer 52 is not particularly limited, but is preferably 30 mm or less, and particularly preferably 1 to 10 mm. If the thickness is too large, the function as a photocatalyst tends to decrease.

The surface of the photocatalyst layer 52 may be provided with irregularities to increase the contact area with air. With this configuration, the area of a portion functioning as a catalyst increases, and the flow of air passing therethrough is disturbed, so that the efficiency of removing gas that is harmful to maintaining freshness is improved.

The distance L between the catalyst layer 52 and the lamp 4
(See FIG. 4) is preferably 1 to 500 mm, more preferably 5 to 100 mm. If the gap is less than 1 mm, the flow of air passing through the gap tends to be difficult, and if the gap is too large, the removal efficiency of gas harmful to maintaining freshness tends to decrease.

In the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the surface of the rear panel 6 located on both sides of the lamp 4 has elasticity at a portion where the photocatalyst holder 16 and the rear panel 6 are in contact. The seal member 60 is mounted. Due to the contact between the seal member 60 and the photocatalyst holder 16, an air flow path is formed between the photocatalyst holder 16 and the back panel 6 along the axial direction of each lamp 4.
The air flow passage along each lamp 4 is connected to the intake port 1 shown in FIG.
The air taken in from 0 circulates, and finally the exhaust port 1
2 to be exhausted.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1, 3, and 6, each unit 40 constituting the photocatalyst holder 16 is formed with a circular viewing hole 62 (light guide means). In the present embodiment, at the position where this viewing hole 62 is formed,
The photocatalyst molded body 48 shown in FIG. 5 is not mounted. That is, the molded catalyst 48 is discontinuous at a position corresponding to the viewing hole 62 formed in the photocatalyst holder 16. Further, on the front panel 18 of the casing 8 shown in FIG. 1, a viewing window 64 is formed at a position corresponding to the viewing hole 62. Therefore, the lighting of each lamp 4 can be directly visually observed from the outside of the device 2.

By driving the fan 14 shown in FIG. 1, the air taken in from the intake port 10 flows upward through the flow passage formed in the gap between each lamp 4 and the photocatalyst molding 48 shown in FIG. Thereafter, the ink is discharged from the exhaust port 12 shown in FIG. While flowing through the gap between each lamp 4 and the photocatalyst molded body 48, the air comes into contact with the surface of the photocatalyst layer 52 shown in FIG. The contained harmful gas (for example, ethylene) for maintaining freshness is decomposed and removed. Then, clean air from which harmful substances have been removed is discharged from the exhaust port.

Therefore, the photocatalytic freshness preserving device 2 according to the present embodiment can be provided in a warehouse, a refrigerator, a showcase, or other substantially closed space (not necessarily a closed space) in which plants such as vegetables, fruits, and flowers are stored. Simply put, it is possible to keep the freshness of the plant stored or placed around it for a long time.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the rear panel 6 to which the ultraviolet irradiation lamp 4 is attached is mounted.
Therefore, the photocatalyst holder 16 can be easily removed. By removing the photocatalyst holder 16, attachment and replacement of the ultraviolet irradiation lamp 4 can be easily performed.
In addition, by removing the photocatalyst holder 16, the photocatalyst molded body 48 can be easily removed and replaced from the photocatalyst holder 16.

Further, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the photocatalyst holder 16 is formed so as to surround the ultraviolet irradiation lamps 4 other than the back panel 6, and the photocatalyst molded body 48 is formed at that portion. Is mounted, the light from the lamp 4 is directly irradiated on the photocatalyst layer 52 of the photocatalyst molded body 48, and the function as a photocatalyst is sufficiently exhibited.
Further, since the air is forced to flow through these gaps along the axial direction, the contact area between the air and the catalyst layer 52 is increased, and a gas such as ethylene, which is harmful to maintaining freshness, is efficiently removed. It can be decomposed.

In the present embodiment, in particular, the observation hole 62 for directly guiding the light from each ultraviolet irradiation lamp 4 to the outside of the apparatus is formed in the photocatalyst holder 16. It is possible to reliably and quickly find the presence of the ultraviolet irradiation lamp 4 that has stopped lighting due to the life of the 4 or failure of the electric system. In particular, in the present embodiment, since the viewing hole 62 is formed for each lamp 4, the lighting of each lamp 4 can be surely confirmed, and replacement of each lamp 4 or failure of the electric system for each lamp 4 can be performed. Repairs can be made quickly and reliably. Further, in the present embodiment, by arranging the viewing holes 62 of the ultraviolet irradiation lamps 4 in a straight line, it is easy to compare the intensity of light of each lamp 4, and even if the lamps are lit, the life of the lamps 4 is not changed. Thus, it is possible to reliably find the ultraviolet irradiation lamp 4 whose light has been weakened.

Further, in this embodiment, since the viewing hole 62 is employed as the light guiding means, the lighting of the ultraviolet irradiation lamp 4 can be surely confirmed without increasing the number of components. Further, in the present embodiment, it is particularly preferable because it becomes possible to view the apparatus 2 from the front surface through the observation hole 62 and to easily replace the catalyst molded body 48 (see FIGS. 4 and 5) and the lamp 4. .

Second Embodiment In this embodiment, as shown in FIG.
A photocatalytic freshness holding device was assembled in the same manner as in the first embodiment except that the configuration of 6a was different from that of the first embodiment shown in FIGS.

As shown in FIG. 8, in the present embodiment, a photocatalyst layer 52a is carried on the entire back surface of the photocatalyst holder 16a, and this photocatalyst layer 52a faces the ultraviolet irradiation lamp 4. Further, a horizontal slit-shaped observation hole 62a is formed in the photocatalyst holder 16a in the same manner as in the first embodiment.

The photocatalytic freshness holding device according to the present embodiment is different from the freshness holding device according to the first embodiment except that the area of the catalyst layer 52a irradiated with ultraviolet rays by the single lamp 4 is small. The same operation and effect as the freshness holding device according to the first embodiment can be expected.

Third Embodiment In this embodiment, as shown in FIG.
A photocatalytic freshness holding device was assembled in the same manner as in the first embodiment except that the configuration of 6b was different from that of the first embodiment shown in FIGS.

As shown in FIG. 9, in this embodiment, each holder 16b is attached to a cylindrical holder unit 17 so that a single ultraviolet irradiation lamp 4 is arranged for each photocatalyst holder 16b. A detachable mounting panel 19 on which one ultraviolet lamp 4 is held.

On the inner surface of the holder unit 17, a cylindrical photocatalyst layer 52b is carried. This cylindrical catalyst layer 5
The central axis of the lamp 4 is arranged along the central axis of 2b,
The mounting panel 19 is detachably attached to the unit 17 so as to form a predetermined gap serving as an air flow passage between the lamp 4 and the catalyst layer 52b.

In this embodiment, the viewing hole 62b may be formed on the holder unit 17 side where the photocatalyst layer 52b is formed, or the viewing hole 62c may be formed on the mounting plate 19 side. However, each holder 16b is arranged such that the side on which the viewing hole 62b or 62c is formed is disposed on the front of the apparatus.
Is preferably arranged inside the device. This is because the formation of the peephole on the front surface of the device is easy for a person using the device to observe.

The photocatalytic freshness holding device according to the present embodiment differs from the freshness holding device according to the first embodiment in that a holder 16b needs to be mounted for each single ultraviolet irradiation lamp 4, The same operation and effect as the freshness holding device according to the first embodiment can be expected.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but can be variously modified within the scope of the present invention.

For example, the photocatalyst layers 52, 52a, 52b
Is not particularly limited to the above-described embodiment.

The light guiding means is not limited to the viewing hole, and it is also possible to use an optical fiber for directly guiding the light from each ultraviolet irradiation lamp to the outside of the apparatus.

[0069]

As described above, according to the present invention, the existence of an ultraviolet irradiation lamp that has stopped operating due to the life of the ultraviolet irradiation lamp or the failure of the electric system is directly determined by the light from the lamp. By visual inspection, it can be found reliably and quickly. Therefore, it is possible to quickly respond to replacement of the lamp or repair of a failure in the electric system, and it is possible to reliably prevent the operation of the apparatus in a state where the ultraviolet irradiation lamp is not turned on, and as a result, the freshness holding efficiency is improved. .

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a photocatalytic freshness holding device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of a back panel to which the ultraviolet irradiation lamp shown in FIG. 1 is attached.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the photocatalyst holder shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a main part of a holder unit constituting the photocatalyst holder.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a main part showing a mounting structure of a photocatalyst molded body to a holder unit.

FIG. 6 is a front view of the holder unit.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an instrument for attaching the lower part of the photocatalyst holder to the back panel.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a main part of a freshness holding device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of a freshness holding device according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 ... Photocatalytic freshness maintaining device 4 ... Ultraviolet irradiation lamp 6 ... Back panel 8 ... Casing 10 ... Intake port 12 ... Exhaust port 14 ... Fan 16, 16a, 16b ... Photocatalyst holder 18 ... Front panel 40 ... Holder unit 44, 46 ... Claw portion 48 Photocatalytic block 50 Substrate 52 Photocatalytic layer 54 Buffer member 60 Sealing material 62, 62a, 62b, 62c Peephole

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. An ultraviolet irradiation lamp, a photocatalyst holder for holding a photocatalyst to be irradiated with light from the ultraviolet irradiation lamp, and air taken in from the outside of the device through a gap between the ultraviolet irradiation lamp and the photocatalyst. A photocatalytic freshness holding device, comprising: forced air blowing means for blowing air having passed through the gap to blow out the air to the outside of the device; and light guiding means for guiding light from the ultraviolet irradiation lamp to the outside of the device.