TWI703993B - Fluid sterilization device - Google Patents

Abstract

A fluid sterilization device includes a first reaction chamber, a second reaction chamber, a communication chamber and at least one light source. The first reaction chamber is connected to a fluid inlet. The second reaction chamber is connected to the fluid outlet. The communication chamber connects the first reaction chamber and the second reaction chamber. The light source is configured to emit a sterilization light to the first reaction chamber and the second reaction chamber. The fluid inlet allows a fluid to enter the first reaction chamber, the communication chamber allows the fluid to pass through and then flow to the second reaction chamber, and flow velocity distribution of the fluid in the second reaction chamber is different from that of the fluid in the first reaction chamber.

Description

Fluid sterilization device

The present disclosure relates to a fluid sterilization device, and more particularly to a fluid sterilization device with multiple reaction chambers.

Traditional sterilization devices generally adopt a one-time sterilization method. However, the sterilization rate of one sterilization is usually limited. To increase the sterilization rate, most of the high-power sterilization light sources or complicated flow path designs must be used, but this will increase the cost and complexity of the manufacturing process.

This disclosure relates to a fluid sterilization device that can improve the aforementioned conventional problems.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, a fluid sterilization device is provided. The fluid sterilization device includes a first reaction chamber, a second reaction chamber, a communication chamber and a light source. The first reaction chamber is connected to a fluid inlet. The second reaction chamber is connected to the fluid outlet. The communication cavity connects the first reaction cavity and the second reaction cavity. The light source is used for emitting a sterilization light to the first reaction cavity and the second reaction cavity. Wherein, the fluid inlet allows a fluid to enter the first reaction chamber, and the communication cavity allows fluid to pass through and enter the second reaction chamber. The flow velocity distribution of the fluid in the second reaction chamber is different from the flow velocity distribution of the fluid in the first reaction chamber.

According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, a fluid sterilization device is provided. The fluid sterilization device includes a light source, a reaction chamber, a fluid sensor, a light sensor and a controller. The light source provides a germicidal light. The reaction chamber allows a fluid to pass through, and the sterilizing light irradiates the reaction chamber. The fluid sensor is used to sense the passage and flow rate of the fluid. The light sensor is used for receiving and sensing a reflected light of the sterilization light irradiated to the reaction cavity. The controller controls the light intensity of the germicidal light according to the intensity of the reflected light.

In order to have a better understanding of the above and other aspects of the present disclosure, the following embodiments are specially cited, and the accompanying drawings are described in detail as follows:

Please refer to Figures 1A to 1E. Figures 1A and 1B show the appearance of the fluid sterilization device 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figures 1C and 1D show the exploded view of the fluid sterilization device 100 in Figure 1A. Figure 1E shows a cross-sectional view of the fluid sterilization device 100 of Figure 1B along the direction 1E-1E'.

As shown in FIGS. 1A to 1D, the fluid sterilization device 100 includes a housing 170, a body 110, a light-transmitting plate 150, a spacer plate 140, a light source 130, a circuit board 120, and an outer cover 160 in order from bottom to top. The main body 110 includes a base 111, a first tube 112 and a second tube 113. As shown in FIGS. 1A to 1E, the base 111 has a communicating cavity 111a, a first hole 111b, and a second hole 111c. There is a first reaction chamber P1 in the first tube 112. There is a second reaction chamber P2 in the second tube body 113. The first reaction chamber P1 has a first opening P11 and a second opening P12, and the second reaction chamber P2 has a third opening P21 and a fourth opening P22. The second opening P12 of the first tube 112 is connected to the first hole 111b. The third opening P21 of the second tube body 113 is connected to the second hole 111c. The first reaction chamber P1 and the second reaction chamber P2 are spaced apart and parallel to each other. In other embodiments, the first reaction chamber P1 and the second reaction chamber P2 may also be angled. In this embodiment, the first reaction chamber P1 and the second reaction chamber P2 provide vertical flow channels, and the communicating cavity 111a provides a horizontal flow channel, which can prolong the flow time of the fluid F1 inside the fluid sterilization device 100 to increase sterilization. The sterilization rate of light on fluid F1.

The body 110 allows the fluid F1 to sequentially pass through the first opening P11, the first reaction chamber P1, the second opening P12, the communication chamber 111a, the third opening P21, the second reaction chamber P1, and the fourth opening P22. As shown in FIG. 1E, the first opening P11 of the first reaction chamber P1 is, for example, a fluid inlet, and the fourth opening P22 of the second reaction chamber P2 is, for example, a fluid outlet. The fluid F1 flows in a first direction in the first reaction chamber P1 and flows in a second direction in the second reaction chamber P2, wherein the second direction is different from the first direction, for example, the second direction is opposite to the first direction. In addition, as shown in Figure 1E, the first reaction chamber P1, the second reaction chamber P2, and the communication chamber 111a form a U-shaped flow path (the U-shaped flow path is rotated by 180 degrees in the illustration).

The fluid F1 can be a gas or a liquid, for example, an external liquid, such as liquid in a bottle (such as water), liquid in a factory pipeline, tap water and other water sources. The circuit board 120 is disposed on the body 110. The light source 130 is disposed on the circuit board 120 and used to emit the first sterilization light L1 and the second sterilization light L2. The first sterilization light L1 passes through the second opening P12 and is incident on the first reaction chamber P1, and the second sterilization light L2 passes through The third opening P21 is incident on the second reaction chamber P2. In this way, the fluid F1 undergoes the first sterilization in the first reaction chamber P1 and the second sterilization in the second reaction chamber P2. Compared with the first sterilization, the second sterilization can increase the sterilization rate.

Although two tube systems of the main body 110 in the above embodiment are described as an example, in another embodiment, the number of the tube bodies of the main body 110 may exceed two, such as k, where k is 3 or more than 3. In this way, after the fluid F1 passes through the reaction chambers of k tubes, it is sterilized k times, which can further increase the sterilization rate of the fluid F1.

As shown in Figure 1E, the base 111 has an upper surface 111s1 and a lower surface 111s2. The communication cavity 111a extends from the upper surface 111s1 to the first hole 111b and the second hole 111c, and the first hole 111b and the second hole 111c communicate The cavity 111a extends to the lower surface 111s2.

The base 111, the first tube body 112, and the second tube body 113 can be fabricated separately and then assembled together. Although not shown in the figure, the second opening P12 of the first tube 112 and the third opening P21 of the second tube 113 can be screwed into the first hole 111b and the second hole 111c, respectively. In another embodiment, the base 111, the first tube body 112, and the second tube body 113 can be integrally formed with the same material in the same manufacturing process, for example, a plastic material is formed by injection molding technology. The material of the first tube body 112 and the second tube body 113 may be quartz or polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). Compared with quartz, polytetrafluoroethylene has the advantages of high design flexibility, low cost, and high rigidity. In other embodiments, the first tube body 112 and the second tube body 113 may have a double-layer structure, that is, composed of two materials. The inner layer or inner surface of the first tube body 112 and the second tube body 113 is quartz or Polytetrafluoroethylene, the outer layer or outer surface of the first tube body 112 and the second tube body 113 is polypropylene, which means that the material of the inner layer or inner surface of the first tube body 112 and the second tube body 113 is the same as that of the first tube The material of the outer layer or outer surface of the body 112 and the second tube body 113 are different.

The circuit board 120 has a relatively upper surface 120s1 and a lower surface 120s2. The light source 130 is disposed on the lower surface 120s2 facing the communication cavity 111a. The light source 130 may be a plurality of light-emitting elements, and these light-emitting elements may be light-emitting diodes. The first germicidal light L1 and/or the second germicidal light L2 generated by the light source 130 may be ultraviolet light with a germicidal effect, so these light-emitting elements It can be an ultraviolet light emitting diode. Compared with mercury lamps, light-emitting diodes have a faster start-up speed, a smaller volume and are more energy-efficient.

As shown in FIG. 1E, the light source 130 includes at least one first light-emitting element 131' and at least one second light-emitting element 132'. The first light emitting element 131' emits the first sterilizing light L1 and is incident on the first reaction cavity P1, and the second light emitting element 132' emits the second sterilizing light L2 and is incident on the second reaction cavity P2. The light-emitting optical axis of the first light-emitting element 131' coincides with the central axis AX1 of the first reaction chamber P1, so that the first germicidal light L1 of the first light-emitting element 131' expands to the two sides of the central axis AX1 of the first reaction chamber P1 Sterilize fluid F1. The light-emitting optical axis of the second light-emitting element 132' coincides with the central axis AX2 of the second reaction cavity P2, so that the second germicidal light L2 of the second light-emitting element 132' expands to the two sides of the central axis AX2 of the second reaction cavity P2 Sterilize fluid F1. The positions of the first light-emitting element 131' and the second light-emitting element 132' are opposite to the second opening P12 and the third opening P21, respectively. In this way, the first germicidal light L1 and the second germicidal light L2 emitted by the first light-emitting element 131' and the second light-emitting element 132' respectively pass through the second opening P12 and the third opening P21 and enter the first reaction chamber P1 and the second The reaction chamber P2 is used to sterilize the fluid F1. In other embodiments, the light source 130 may include a plurality of first light-emitting elements 131' and a plurality of second light-emitting elements 132'. In other embodiments, the plurality of first light-emitting elements 131' are arranged around the central axis AX1 of the first reaction chamber P1, and the plurality of second light-emitting elements 132' are arranged around the central axis AX2 of the second reaction chamber P2, which can achieve similar uniformity. Sterilization effect. As shown in Figure 1E, a first light intensity sensor 131 is provided on the same plane of the first light-emitting element 131' to sense the luminous intensity of the first light-emitting element 131'. A second light intensity sensor 132 is provided on the same plane of, for sensing the light intensity of the second light emitting element 132'.

平方毫米(

)與

之間，第一發光元件131’的發光面積A2的邊長及/或第二發光元件132’的發光面積A4的邊長可介於3.5毫米(mm)與25 mm之間，而第一反應腔P1的長度H1及/或第二反應腔P2的長度H2可介於15毫米(mm) 與100mm之間。In addition, the opening area A1 of the second opening P12 is approximately equal to n times the light-emitting area A2 of the first light-emitting element 131 ′, where n is equal to or greater than 1, so that the fluid sterilization device 100 provides an expected sterilization rate. Similarly, the opening area A3 of the third opening P21 is approximately equal to m times the light-emitting area A4 of the second light-emitting element 132', where m is equal to or greater than 1, so that the fluid sterilization device 100 provides the expected sterilization rate. In an embodiment, the values of n and m may be the same or different. In addition, the length H1 of the first reaction cavity P1 is at least about 15 times or more than the side length of the light-emitting area A2 of the first light-emitting element 131', and the length H2 of the second reaction cavity P2 is at least about the second light-emitting element 132 The light-emitting area A4 is 15 times or more than 15 times the side length, so that the fluid F1 flows in the fluid sterilization device 100 for a predetermined time, so that the fluid sterilization device 100 provides the expected sterilization rate. In an embodiment, the light-emitting area A2 of the first light-emitting element 131' and/or the light-emitting area A4 of the second light-emitting element 132' may be between

Square millimeter (

)versus

The side length of the light-emitting area A2 of the first light-emitting element 131' and/or the side length of the light-emitting area A4 of the second light-emitting element 132' may be between 3.5 millimeters (mm) and 25 mm, and the first reaction The length H1 of the cavity P1 and/or the length H2 of the second reaction cavity P2 may be between 15 millimeters (mm) and 100 mm.

The light source 130 includes several light-emitting elements, and the total power of these light-emitting elements can be approximately equal to the power of one light-emitting element (such as the light source 130 shown in FIG. 3). In detail, the light source of the fluid sterilization device 100 of the disclosed embodiment does not increase the total power of the light source regardless of whether it contains several light-emitting elements. In other words, the disclosed embodiment can determine the number of light-emitting elements without increasing the total power of the light source. It can avoid increasing the cost of light source selection.

In addition, when the total power of the light source does not change, the power of the first light-emitting element 131' and the second light-emitting element 132' can be configured appropriately to prevent the light-emitting element from overheating and reduce the life span. For example, the total power of the light source required for sterilization is 100mW. If the total power is evenly distributed, that is, the power of the first light-emitting element 131' and the second light-emitting element 132' are 50mW respectively, the heat accumulation on the light-emitting element will cause the light-emitting element Reduced service life due to light decay.

The several light-emitting elements of the light source 130 can individually emit sterilization light of different light intensities at different time points, thereby adjusting the calorific value of the light-emitting elements. In one embodiment, in the first 10-second sterilization process, the first light-emitting The element 131' can emit 25% of the total power, that is, 25 milliwatts of sterilization light, and the second light emitting element 132' can emit 75% of the total power, that is, 75 milliwatts of sterilization light. During the 10-second sterilization process, the first light-emitting element 131' can emit 75% of the total power, that is, 75 milliwatts of sterilization light, while the second light-emitting element 132' can emit 25% of the total power, that is 25%. Milliwatts of sterilization light, that is, the load power ratio of the first light-emitting element 131' and the second light-emitting element 132' is exchanged with each other; in the third 10-second sterilization process, the first light-emitting element 131' can emit 25 milliwatts The second light-emitting element 132' can emit 75 milliwatts of sterilizing light; in the fourth 10-second sterilization process, the first light-emitting element 131' can emit 75 milliwatts of sterilizing light, and the second light-emitting element 132' can emit 25 milliwatts of germicidal light; ... and so on. The total luminous power of the aforementioned light source 130 maintains a constant value, such as 100 milliwatts, but the embodiment of the disclosure is not limited thereto.

The partition plate 140 has an opening 140 a to accommodate the light source 130. In other words, due to the design of the opening 140a, the light source 130 will not interfere with the solid material of the spacer 140. Moreover, since the light source 130 is located in the opening 140a, the length dimension (such as the dimension along the Z axis) of the fluid sterilization device 100 can be shortened. In an embodiment, the spacer plate 140 is, for example, a metal plate.

As shown in FIG. 1E, the light-transmitting plate 150 is pressed between the spacer plate 140 and the body 110. For example, the light-transmitting plate 150 is pressed between the spacer plate 140 and the upper surface 111s1 of the base 111 of the body 110. Since the transparent plate 150 is pressed between the partition plate 140 and the main body 110, the transparent plate 150 is in close contact with the main body 110 and the transparent plate 150 and the partition plate 140 are in close contact, and the transparent plate 150 and the main body can be sealed The gap between the light-transmitting plate 150 and the spacer plate 140 is to prevent the fluid F1 from flowing between the light-transmitting plate 150 and the body 110 and between the light-transmitting plate 150 and the spacer plate 140 to the circuit board 120 and /Or the light source 130, so as to prevent the fluid F1 from causing the circuit board 120 and/or the light source 130 to fail.

As shown in FIG. 1E, the circuit board 120, the spacer 140, and the base 111 have a first through hole 120h, a second through hole 140h, and a third through hole 111h, respectively. The first perforation 120h, the second perforation 140h, and the third perforation 111h approximately overlap. Although not shown in the figure, the fluid sterilization device 100 further includes at least one fixing element, which penetrates the first through hole 120h, the second through hole 140h and the third through hole 111h to fix the circuit board 120, the spacer plate 140 and the base 111 relative position. In an embodiment, the fixing element is, for example, a screw, and the third through hole 111h is a screw hole. Through screwing, the fixing element can fix the relative positions of the circuit board 120, the spacer plate 140 and the base 111.

In an embodiment, the light-transmitting plate 150 is, for example, a quartz plate. As shown in FIG. 1E, the outer cover 160 covers the circuit board 120 to protect the circuit board 120. In an embodiment, the outer cover 160 is in contact with the circuit board 120, and can convection the heat of the circuit board 120 to the outside. In an embodiment, the outer cover 160 may be made of a material with excellent thermal conductivity, such as copper, aluminum, iron or other suitable thermal conductive materials.

As shown in FIG. 1E, the housing 170 can accommodate the body 110, the circuit board 120, the light source 130, the spacer 140, the light-transmitting plate 150 and the outer cover 160 to protect these components.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 1E, in actual use, the fluid sterilization device 100 may be placed in an orientation where the edge of the fourth opening P22 of the second reaction chamber P2 is the highest point of the entire fluid sterilization device 100. In this way, the air (if any) inside the fluid sterilization device 100 can be assisted to be discharged upward from the fourth opening P22, and the air can be prevented from accumulating in the fluid sterilization device 100.

Please refer to FIG. 2, which shows the relationship between the flow rate and the sterilization capability of the fluid sterilization device 100 in FIG. 1E. In the diagram, the horizontal axis is the flow rate (liter/minute), and the vertical axis is the logarithm of the bacterial reduction rate (E. coli log reduction). Curve C1 is the sterilization rate curve of the fluid sterilization device 100 in which the first tube body 112 and the second tube body 113 are made of polytetrafluoroethylene, and the curve C2 is a single tube (single tube can only provide one sterilization) made of quartz The sterilization rate curve of the fluid sterilization device, and the curve C3 is the sterilization rate curve of the fluid sterilization device made of polytetrafluoroethylene with a single tube (single tube can only provide one sterilization). Curves C1, C2, and C3 are the experimental results under the same conditions that the bacterial concentration is 5.2e ⁵ (CFU/ml) and the power of the light source is 60 milliwatts (mW).

Comparing the curves C1 and C2, it can be seen that since the fluid sterilization device 100 implemented in the present disclosure provides secondary sterilization, the sterilization rate of the fluid sterilization device 100 is still much higher than that of a single tube made of quartz even if the tube material is made of PTFE. The fluid sterilization device. Comparing the curves C1 and C3, it can be seen that compared to one-time sterilization, the fluid sterilization device 100 according to the present disclosure adopts multiple sterilizations and can have a higher sterilization rate.

Please refer to FIG. 3, which shows a cross-sectional view of a fluid sterilization device 200 according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. The fluid sterilization device 200 includes a main body 210, a circuit board 120, a light source 230, a partition plate 140, a light-transmitting plate 150, an outer cover 160 and a housing 170. The fluid sterilization device 200 of the embodiment of the disclosure has similar or the same features as the aforementioned fluid sterilization device 100, except that the light source 230 of the fluid sterilization device 200 is directly facing the area between the first reaction chamber P1 and the second reaction chamber P2 , That is, the light source 230 is not directly facing the first reaction chamber P1 and the second reaction chamber P2.

As shown in FIG. 3, the light source 230 includes at least one light-emitting element, and the light-emitting element does not directly face the first reaction chamber P1 and the second reaction chamber P2. The main body 210 includes a base 211, a first tube 112 and a second tube 113. The base 211 has similar or same features as the aforementioned base 111, except that the base 211 includes a partition 211a, and the partition 211a is located between the first reaction chamber P1 and the second reaction chamber P2.

Since the light emitted by the light source 230 has a light emitting angle, the light emitted by the light source 230 can be divided into the first sterilizing light L1 and the second sterilizing light L2. The partition 211a has a first light guide 211a1 and a second light guide 211a2 opposite to each other. The first light guide 211a1 can guide the first germicidal light L1 to the first reaction chamber P1, and the second light guide 211a2 can The second sterilizing light L2 is guided to the second reaction chamber P2. As shown in the figure, the first light guide portion 211a1 and the second light guide portion 211a2 are, for example, two inclined surfaces, and the included angle A1 between them can be between about 30 degrees and about 120 degrees.

In another embodiment, the fluid sterilization device 200 further includes a light guide plate (not shown), which can cover the light source 230. The light guide plate can provide a light guide effect similar to or the same as the first light guide portion 211a1 and the second light guide portion 211a2. In this case, the fluid sterilization device 200 can omit the first light guide portion 211a1 and the second light guide portion 211a2, that is, the partition portion 211a in FIG. 3 may be changed to a corresponding structure in FIG. 1E.

Please refer to FIG. 4, which shows a cross-sectional view of a fluid sterilization device 300 according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. The fluid sterilization device 300 includes a body 110, a circuit board 120, a light source 130, a partition plate 140, a light-transmitting plate 150, an outer cover 160, a housing 170, a first filter element 380 and a second filter element 390. The fluid sterilization device 300 of the embodiment of the present disclosure has similar or the same features as the aforementioned fluid sterilization device 100. The difference is that the fluid sterilization device 300 further includes at least one filter element.

In detail, the first filter element 380 is disposed in the first reaction chamber P1, and the second filter element 390 is disposed in the second reaction chamber P2. The fluid F1 sequentially passes through the first opening P11, the first filter element 380, the second opening P12, the communication cavity 111a, the third opening P21, the second filter element 390, and the fourth opening P22. The impurities in the fluid F1 can be filtered out by the filter element to purify the fluid F1. In another embodiment, the fluid sterilization device 300 can omit one of the first filter element 380 and the second filter element 390. In addition, as shown in FIG. 4, the first filter element 380 can fill at least a part of the first reaction cavity P1, and the second filter element 390 can also fill at least a part of the second reaction cavity P2.

Please refer to FIGS. 5A to 5E. FIG. 5A is an exploded view of the fluid sterilization device 400 according to another embodiment of the present disclosure, FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view of the fluid sterilization device 400 of FIG. 5A after being combined, and FIG. 5C Shows a cross-sectional view of the fluid sterilization device 400 in Figure 5A along the direction 5C-5C', Figure 5D shows a simulation diagram of the flow velocity of the first reaction chamber P1 and the second reaction chamber P2 in Figure 5B, and Figure 5E shows The flow velocity simulation diagram of the second reaction chamber of the groove 411a2 and the second reaction chamber P2 of Fig. 5B is omitted.

The fluid sterilization device 400 includes a body 410, a circuit board 120, a light source 130, a spacer 140, a light-transmitting plate 150, an outer cover 160, a housing 170, a fluid sensor 480 (optional), and a spoiler 490 (optional). The main body 410 includes a base 411, a first tube 412 and a second tube 413. The base 411 has a communicating cavity 411a, a first hole 411b, a second hole 411c, and a partition 411d. The partition 411d is located between the first reaction chamber P1 and the second reaction chamber P2. The communicating cavity 411a extends from the bearing surface 411u of the base 411 to the partition portion 411d, wherein the bearing surface 411u is used to carry the light-transmitting plate 150. The communicating cavity 411a includes a communicating groove 411a1 and a groove 411a2. The communicating groove 411a1 extends from the bearing surface 411u to the groove 411a2, and the groove 411a2 extends from the communicating groove 411a1 in the light irradiation direction to the partition 411d. The position of the groove 411a2 roughly corresponds to the area between the first light-emitting element and the second light-emitting element. The arrangement of the groove 411a2 can reduce the blocking of light by the partition 411d. For example, the first germicidal light L1 of the first light-emitting element of the light source 130 can be incident on the first tube 412 and the second tube 413, and the second germicidal light L2 of the second light-emitting element can be incident on the first tube 412 And the second tube 413.

The arrangement of the groove 411a2 can also change the flow speed, flow direction and/or flow path of the fluid F1 to achieve the purpose of turbulence. The turbulence also improves the efficiency of sterilization. In detail, the turbulence can make the fluid in the area not reached by the sterilization light (such as the area near the side wall) flow to the area covered by the sterilization light (such as the middle area of the reaction chamber) after being disturbed, so as to prevent some fluid from being concentrated in the sterilization light. And area, so that the fluid in the flow field can be fully mixed, so it can significantly improve the sterilization rate.

As shown in Figure 5B, the flow rate of fluid F1 around the inner wall P1a of the first reaction chamber P1 is different from the flow rate around the outer wall P1b. For example, the flow rate of fluid F1 around the inner wall of the first reaction chamber P1 P1a and fluid F1 The flow rate around the outer wall P1b is lower than the flow rate of the fluid F1 in the central area of the first reaction chamber P1. As shown in Figure 5B, due to the design of the groove 411a2, the flow velocity distribution of the fluid F1 in the second reaction chamber P2 is: the flow velocity V1 around the outer wall P2b is greater than the flow velocity V2 in the central area, and the flow velocity V2 in the central area is greater than the inner wall The flow velocity V3 around P2a can achieve the effect of vortex disturbance. In this way, under the same illumination conditions (such as the same light intensity), the flow field of the fluid F1 in the turbulent state has a higher sterilization rate than the flow field in the non-turbulent state. In summary, with the design of the groove 411a2, the flow velocity distribution of the fluid F1 from the first reaction chamber P1 to the second reaction chamber P2 can be changed to achieve the technical effect of turbulence. In an embodiment, the fluid F1 is in a turbulent flow state in the second reaction chamber P2. In other words, the Reynolds number of the fluid F1 in a region of the second reaction chamber P2 is greater than the Reynolds number in the first reaction chamber P1. The larger the Reynolds number, Indicates the greater the degree of turbulence.

As shown in Figure 5D, point S1, point S2, and point S3 of the second reaction chamber P2 represent measurement points on one side of the tube wall, the middle of the reaction chamber, and the other side of the tube wall, and the point of the first reaction chamber P1 S4, point S5, and point S6 represent measurement points on one side of the tube wall, the middle of the reaction chamber, and the other side of the tube wall, respectively. The flow rates of point S1, point S2, and point S3 of the second reaction chamber P2 are 0.036, 0.011, and 0.008, respectively. That is, the flow rate near one side wall of the reaction chamber is greater than the flow rate near the middle and the other side wall of the reaction chamber, while the flow rate of the first reaction chamber P1 The flow velocity at point S4, point S5, and point S6 are 0.008, 0.018, and 0.003, respectively, that is, the flow velocity in the middle of the first reaction chamber is greater than the flow velocity on the two side walls, and the unit of the flow velocity is meters/second. As shown in the figure, due to the design of the groove 411a2, the flow rate difference between the points S1 and S3 of the second reaction chamber P2 is greater than the flow velocity difference between the points S4 and S6 of the first reaction chamber P1. It can be seen that the design of the groove 411a2 can increase the second The degree of turbulence in the reaction chamber P2.

As shown in Figure 5E, the right side of the figure is a simulation diagram of the flow rate of the second reaction chamber P2 in Figure 5B, and the left side of the figure is a simulation diagram of the flow rate of the second reaction chamber P2' with the groove 411a2 omitted. Due to the groove design of the communicating cavity 411a in the embodiment of the present disclosure, according to computer simulation data, the Reynolds numbers of point S1 and point S3 of the second reaction chamber P2 in Figure 5B are 918.37 and 204.08 (approximately between 200 and 900) In the second reaction chamber P2' with the groove design omitted, the Reynolds numbers of the point S1 and the point S3 are 612.24 and 76.53 (approximately between 76 and 612), respectively. Comparing the second reaction chamber P2 with the second reaction chamber P2', it is obvious that the groove design of the communicating cavity 411a in the embodiment of the present disclosure can significantly increase the degree of turbulence of the flow field in the second reaction chamber P2 (because the Reynolds number is significantly increased) . In fluid mechanics, the Reynolds number is a measure of the ratio of the inertial force to the viscous force of a fluid. When the Reynolds number is large, the influence of inertial force on the flow field is greater than the viscous force, the fluid flow is relatively unstable, and small changes in the flow velocity are easy to develop and increase, forming a turbulent and irregular turbulent flow field.

As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5C, the depth W2 of the groove 411a2 is greater than 2 cm. In another embodiment, the depth W2 of the groove 411a2 is about 5 cm to 8 cm. The width W1 of the groove 411a2 is smaller than the cross-sectional diameter of the first reaction chamber P1, and also smaller than the cross-sectional diameter of the second reaction chamber P2. That is, the width W1 of the groove 411a2 is smaller than the inner diameter of the first tube body 412 and also smaller than the second tube The inner diameter of the body 413. The shape of the groove 411a2 may be a polygon (as viewed from the cross-sectional view), such as a rectangle or a square. When the depth W2 of the groove 411a2 is equal to the width W1, the degree of turbulence of the fluid F1 in the second reaction chamber P2 is the greatest.

As shown in FIGS. 5A to 5C, the first opening P11 of the first reaction chamber P1 has a first cross-sectional area, the fourth opening P22 of the second reaction chamber P2 has a second cross-sectional area, and the communicating cavity 411a has a third cross-sectional area A5 (as shown in Figure 5C), where the first cross-sectional area is approximately equal to the second cross-sectional area, and the third cross-sectional area A5 is not less than half of the first cross-sectional area or the second cross-sectional area, so the flow of fluid F1 can be reduced Fluid energy is lost.

As shown in FIG. 5B, the fluid sensor 480 is disposed in the first reaction chamber P1. The fluid sensor 480 is used to sense the passage of fluid and its flow rate. The fluid F1 passes through the fluid sensor 480 from the first opening P11. The fluid sensor 480 can sense the flow of the fluid F1, and the fluid F1 can form a turbulent flow after flowing through the fluid sensor 480. In addition, in another embodiment, the first tube body 412 can be replaced by a fluid sensor. Under this design, the first tube body 412 is a housing of the fluid sensor, and the fluid sensor itself has a first reaction chamber P1. In one embodiment, the power of the germicidal light can be adjusted according to the flow rate sensed by the fluid sensor 480. For example, when the flow rate of the fluid F1 is higher, the power of the sterilization light can be greater; otherwise, the power of the sterilization light can be smaller.

As shown in Figure 5B, the spoiler 490 is arranged in the first reaction chamber P1, which can change the flow field of the fluid passing through the spoiler 490, for example, increase the degree of turbulence of the fluid F1 passing through the spoiler 490 to improve Sterilization rate. The spoiler 490 has a plurality of perforations, such as perforations 490a1 and 490a2, which can change the flow field of the fluid passing through the spoiler 490. For example, when the fluid F1 passes through these perforations, the flow rate will change, such as become faster, so the degree of turbulence can be increased. As shown in the figure, the perforation may be an oblique hole (such as the perforation 490a1), and the fluid F1 passing through the perforation can be guided to a specific direction (such as the middle direction of the first reaction chamber P1) to increase the degree of turbulence. In addition, the perforation can also be a straight hole (such as perforation 490a2). In an embodiment, the several perforations of the spoiler 490 may all be oblique holes or straight holes, or include oblique holes and straight holes. As long as the degree of turbulence can be increased, the present disclosure does not limit the size (such as inner diameter), number, and/or extension direction of the perforations.

Please refer to FIG. 6, which shows a cross-sectional view of the communicating cavity 411a' according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. The communicating cavity 411a' includes a communicating groove 411a1 and a groove 411a2', wherein the groove 411a2' extends from the communicating groove 411a1 in the light irradiation direction to the partition 411d. The position of the groove 411a2' roughly corresponds to the area between the first light-emitting element and the second light-emitting element. The arrangement of the groove 411a2' can reduce the blocking of light by the partition 411d. As shown in the figure, the groove 411a2' of the disclosed embodiment includes a plurality of sub-grooves 411a21', 411a22', and 411a23' separated from each other, which can also achieve the technical effect of the aforementioned turbulence. In another embodiment, the first cross-sectional area is approximately equal to the second cross-sectional area, and the third cross-sectional area A5 is not less than half of the first cross-sectional area or the second cross-sectional area. The disclosed embodiment does not limit the groove of the communicating cavity Geometry.

Please refer to FIG. 7, which shows an exploded view of a fluid sterilization device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. In this embodiment, the base 411' of the main body 410' includes a base bottom piece 4111' and a base surface piece 4112', the base bottom piece 4111' can be sleeved on the base surface piece 4112', and the base surface The material of the part 4112' is polytetrafluoroethylene. The first tube body 412 and the second tube body 413 of the main body 411' are connected to the base bottom part 4111', and the first tube body 412 and the second tube body 413 can be formed in an integrated manner. The second tube body 413 and the base bottom part 4111'.

Please refer to FIGS. 8A to 8C, which illustrate the relationship between time and luminous power of the light source according to several embodiments of the present disclosure.

As shown in FIG. 8A, in the time interval T11, when the fluid F1 is not flowing, the light source 130 will continue to emit light in a low current (low power) state on standby. In the time interval T12, when the fluid F1 flows, the fluid sterilization device activates the sterilization function, and the light source 130 emits light in a high current (high power) state.

As shown in FIG. 8B, in the time interval T21, when the fluid F1 is not flowing, the light source 130 emits light in a pulse signal manner. In the time interval T22, when the fluid F1 flows, the fluid sterilization device activates the sterilization function, and the light source 130 continues to emit light.

As shown in Fig. 8C, when the external signal is activated, the fluid sterilization device delays at least a period of t1 to emit the sterilizing light, and delays at least a period of t2 to emit water. When the fluid device receives the external signal and ends, it stops the water stop, and stops emitting the sterilizing light after at least a period of delay.

In the light-emitting mode of FIGS. 8A to 8C, the light source 130 continues to maintain the sterilization state of the fluid F1 in the fluid sterilization device regardless of whether the fluid F1 in the fluid sterilization device flows.

Please refer to FIGS. 9A to 9B. FIG. 9A illustrates a cross-sectional view of a fluid sterilization device 500 according to another embodiment of the present disclosure, and FIG. 9B illustrates the relationship between the time of the fluid sterilization device 500 and the luminous power of the light source in FIG. 9A relation chart. The fluid sterilization device 500 includes a main body 210, a circuit board 120, a light source 230, a spacer 140, a light-transmitting plate 150, an outer cover 160, a housing 170 and a light intensity sensor 580. The light intensity sensor 580 is disposed on the circuit board 120 and used to sense light intensity. The configuration of the light intensity sensor 580 can also refer to the configuration of the light intensity sensor 131 or 132 in FIG. 1E, but is not limited thereto. In addition, the arrangement position of the light intensity sensor of the fluid sterilization device of other embodiments may also be the same as the arrangement position of the light intensity sensor 580 in the fluid sterilization device 500.

In the initial time interval T31, the light intensity sensor 580 detects the light intensity of the light source 230 and turns on for about 50% of the unit pulse time within a unit time to achieve a sterilization effect. Over time, for example, in the time interval T32, the light intensity sensor 580 continues to detect the light intensity of the light source 230. When the light intensity drops to 50% due to light attenuation, the unit pulse time is turned on for 100% to prevent the sterilization effect. It gets worse because of light decay. During the sterilization process, in the time interval T31, the dose is approximately equal to 50% of the pulse time multiplied by the light intensity, and in the time interval T32, the dose is approximately equal to 100% of the pulse time multiplied by the 50% light intensity. In this way, the dose in the time interval T31 is equal to the dose in the time interval T32. In this way, by adjusting the unit pulse time of the light source 230 to be turned on, the sterilizing dose can be maintained unchanged.

In addition to sensing the light intensity of the light source 230, the light intensity sensor 580 can also determine the amount of bacteria in the passing fluid according to the received internal reflected light intensity. When the reaction chamber is air, the light intensity sensor The light intensity received by the 580 is approximately equal to the light intensity provided by the light source 230. When the fluid passing through the reaction chamber is pure water, the light intensity received by the light intensity sensor is approximately 80-85% of the light intensity of the light source 230. In one embodiment, when the E. coli content of the fluid passing through the reaction chamber, such as water, is 30~1000 cfu/ml, the light intensity received by the light intensity sensor 580 is 60~35% of the light intensity of the light source 230 . The fluid sterilization device 500 may further include a controller (not shown), which controls the light intensity of the light source 230 according to the intensity of the reflected light received by the light intensity sensor 580. In another embodiment, the fluid sterilization device 500 may also include an arithmetic unit (not shown), and the arithmetic unit determines the bacterial content of the fluid according to the intensity of the reflected light received by the light intensity sensor 580. In another embodiment, the amount of impurities in the fluid and the size of the particle size will also affect the intensity of the reflected light received by the light intensity sensor 580, and the calculation unit can determine the water quality of the fluid according to the intensity of the received reflected light.

Please refer to FIGS. 10A to 10B. FIG. 10A is an exploded view of the fluid sterilization device 600 according to another embodiment of the present disclosure, and FIG. 10B is a cross-sectional view of the fluid sterilization device 600 of FIG. 10A after being assembled. The fluid sterilization device 600 includes a main body 610, a circuit board 120, a light source 130, a spacer 140, a light-transmitting plate 150, an outer cover 160 and a housing 170.

The main body 610 includes a base 611, a first tube 612 and a second tube 613. The main body 610 has similar or the same features as the main body 410, except that the base 611 omits a partition. In detail, the base 611 has a communicating cavity 611a, a first hole 411b, and a second hole 411c. The communicating cavity 611a includes a communicating groove 411a1 and a groove 611a2. The communicating groove 411a1 extends from the bearing surface 411u to the groove 611a2, and the groove 611a2 penetrates the base 611 from the communicating groove 411a1 in the light irradiation direction. Since the base 611 omits the partition, the first sterilization light L1 of the first light-emitting element 131 and the second sterilization light L2 of the second light-emitting element 132 will not be blocked by the partition, increasing the first sterilization light L1 into the second reaction The light quantity of the cavity P2 and the increase of the light quantity of the second sterilization light L2 entering the first reaction cavity P1, thereby enhancing the sterilization rate.

As shown in FIG. 10B, the first tube body 611 and the second tube body 612 are connected to each other. For example, the first tube body 611 and the second tube body 612 are connected by a connecting portion 611d. When the first tube body 611 and the second tube body 612 are assembled to the first hole 411b and the second hole 411c, respectively, the connecting portion 611d fills the groove 611a2, which can prevent the fluid F1 from leaking from the groove 611a2 to the outside of the base 611. In addition, the first tube body 611, the second tube body 612 and the connecting portion 611d may be an integrally formed structure, or they may be fabricated separately and then combined together.

To sum up, although the present disclosure has been disclosed as above by embodiments, it is not intended to limit the present disclosure. Those with ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which this disclosure belongs can make various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure. Therefore, the protection scope of this disclosure shall be subject to the scope of the attached patent application.

100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600‧‧‧Fluid sterilization device 110, 210, 410, 410’, 610‧‧‧ ontology 111, 211, 411, 411’‧‧‧ base 111a, 411a, 611a‧‧‧Connecting cavity 111b, 411b‧‧‧First hole 111c, 411c‧‧‧second hole 112, 412, 612‧‧‧First tube 113, 413, 613‧‧‧Second tube 111h‧‧‧Third perforation 111s1‧‧‧Upper surface 111s2‧‧‧lower surface 120‧‧‧Circuit board 120h‧‧‧First punch 120s1‧‧‧Upper surface 120s2‧‧‧Lower surface 130、230‧‧‧Light source 131, 132, 580‧‧‧Light intensity sensor 131’‧‧‧First light emitting element 132’‧‧‧The second light-emitting element 140‧‧‧Spacer 140a‧‧‧Opening 150‧‧‧Transparent board 140h‧‧‧Second perforation 160‧‧‧Outer cover 170‧‧‧Shell 211a, 411d‧‧‧partition 211a1‧‧‧First light guide 211a2‧‧‧Second light guide 380‧‧‧First filter element 390‧‧‧Second filter element 411a1‧‧‧Connecting groove 411a2, 411a2’, 611a2‧‧‧ groove 411a21’, 411a22’, 411a23’‧‧‧ sub groove 411u‧‧‧Supporting surface 4111’‧‧‧Base Bottom 4112’‧‧‧Base plate 480‧‧‧Fluid Sensor 490‧‧‧ Spoiler 490a1, 490a2‧‧‧perforation 611d‧‧‧Connecting part A1, A2, A3, A4, A5‧‧‧Area AX1, AX2‧‧‧Central axis C1, C2, C3‧‧‧Curve H1, H2‧‧‧length L1‧‧‧The first germicidal light L2‧‧‧Second Sterilizing Light F1‧‧‧Fluid P1‧‧‧First reaction chamber P1a, P2a‧‧‧around the inner wall P1b, P2b‧‧‧around the outer wall P11‧‧‧First opening P12‧‧‧Second opening P2, P2’‧‧‧Second reaction chamber P21‧‧‧The third opening P22‧‧‧Fourth opening S1~S6‧‧‧point T11, T12, T21, T22, T31, T32‧‧‧Time interval

Figures 1A and 1B show the appearance of a fluid sterilization device according to an embodiment of the disclosure. Figures 1C and 1D are exploded views of the fluid sterilization device of Figure 1A. Figure 1E shows a cross-sectional view of the fluid sterilization device of Figure 1B along the direction 1E-1E'. Fig. 2 shows the relationship between the flow rate and the sterilization ability of the fluid sterilization device in Fig. 1E. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of a fluid sterilization device according to another embodiment of the disclosure. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a fluid sterilization device according to another embodiment of the disclosure. FIG. 5A is an exploded view of a fluid sterilization device according to another embodiment of the disclosure. Figure 5B is a cross-sectional view of the fluid sterilization device of Figure 5A after being assembled. Figure 5C shows a cross-sectional view of the fluid sterilization device of Figure 5A along the direction 5C-5C'. Figure 5D shows a simulation diagram of the flow velocity of the first reaction chamber and the second reaction chamber in Figure 5B. Fig. 5E shows a simulation diagram of the flow velocity of the second reaction chamber without grooves and the second reaction chamber in Fig. 5B. Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the communicating cavity 411a' according to another embodiment of the disclosure. FIG. 7 is an exploded view of a fluid sterilization device according to another embodiment of the disclosure. 8A to 8C are diagrams showing the relationship between time and luminous power of the light source according to several embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 9A is a cross-sectional view of a fluid sterilization device according to another embodiment of the disclosure. Fig. 9B shows the relationship between the time of the fluid sterilization device in Fig. 9A and the luminous power of the light source. FIG. 10A is an exploded view of a fluid sterilization device according to another embodiment of the disclosure. Figure 10B is a cross-sectional view of the fluid sterilization device of Figure 10A after being assembled.

110‧‧‧Ontology

111‧‧‧Base

111a‧‧‧Connecting cavity

111b‧‧‧First hole

111c‧‧‧Second hole

112‧‧‧First tube

113‧‧‧Second tube

111s1‧‧‧Upper surface

111s2‧‧‧lower surface

120‧‧‧Circuit board

120s1‧‧‧Upper surface

140‧‧‧Spacer

140a‧‧‧Opening

150‧‧‧Transparent board

160‧‧‧Outer cover

170‧‧‧Shell

Claims (27)

A fluid sterilization device includes: a first reaction chamber connected to a fluid inlet; a second reaction chamber connected to a fluid outlet; a communication chamber connecting the first reaction chamber and the second reaction chamber; and a A light source for emitting a sterilization light to the first reaction chamber and the second reaction chamber to sterilize the fluid; wherein the fluid inlet allows a fluid to enter the first reaction chamber, and the communication cavity allows the fluid to pass When entering the second reaction chamber, the flow velocity distribution of the fluid in the second reaction chamber is different from the flow velocity distribution of the fluid in the first reaction chamber. According to the fluid sterilization device described in item 1 of the scope of patent application, the fluid flows in a first direction in the first reaction chamber and flows in a second direction in the second reaction chamber, and the second direction is different from the first direction. One direction. For the fluid sterilization device described in item 2 of the scope of patent application, the second direction is opposite to the first direction. For the fluid sterilization device described in the first item of the scope of patent application, the flow velocity distribution of the fluid in the second reaction chamber is such that the flow velocity around the outer wall is greater than the flow velocity in the central area, and the flow velocity in the central area is greater than the flow velocity around the inner wall. According to the fluid sterilization device described in item 1 of the scope of patent application, the Reynolds number of the fluid in a region of the second reaction chamber is greater than the Reynolds number of the first reaction chamber. According to the fluid sterilization device described in item 5 of the scope of patent application, the fluid is in a turbulent flow state in the second reaction chamber. For the fluid sterilization device described in item 1 of the scope of patent application, the cross-sectional area of the fluid inlet is approximately equal to the cross-sectional area of the fluid outlet, and the cross-sectional area of the communicating cavity is not less than the cross-sectional area of the fluid inlet or the fluid outlet. Half of the cross-sectional area. For the fluid sterilization device described in item 1 of the scope of patent application, the communication cavity has a groove. For the fluid sterilization device described in item 8 of the scope of patent application, a cross section of the groove is square. According to the fluid sterilization device described in item 1 of the scope of patent application, the first reaction chamber, the second reaction chamber and the communication chamber form a U-shaped flow path. The fluid sterilization device described in item 1 of the patent application further includes a fluid sensor disposed in the first reaction chamber, and the fluid passes through the fluid sensor to form a turbulent flow. The fluid sterilization device described in claim 1 further includes a fluid sensor for sensing the passage and flow rate of the fluid. In the fluid sterilization device described in item 1 of the scope of patent application, the power of the sterilization light is adjusted according to the flow rate. The fluid sterilization device described in item 1 of the scope of patent application further includes a fluid sensor having the first reaction chamber. The fluid sterilization device described in item 12 of the scope of patent application, wherein when the fluid sensor senses that the fluid is not flowing, the light source continuously emits the sterilization light in a low power state. According to the fluid sterilization device described in claim 15, wherein the light source continuously emits the sterilization light in a high-power state when the fluid sensor senses the fluid in a flowing state. The fluid sterilization device described in item 12 of the scope of patent application, wherein when the fluid sensor senses that the fluid is not flowing, the light source emits the sterilization light in a pulse signal manner. For the fluid sterilization device described in item 17 of the scope of patent application, when the fluid sensor senses the fluid in a flowing state, the light source emits the sterilization light in a continuous luminous manner. The fluid sterilization device described in item 12 of the scope of patent application, wherein when an external signal is activated, the light source delays emitting the sterilization light. The fluid sterilization device described in item 19 of the scope of patent application, wherein when an external signal ends, the light source stops emitting the sterilization light after a period of delay. The fluid sterilization device described in item 1 of the scope of the patent application further includes: a spoiler arranged in the first reaction chamber, the spoiler having a plurality of perforations to change the flow of the fluid through the perforation field. A fluid sterilization device includes: a light source to provide a sterilization light; a reaction chamber to allow a fluid to pass through, and the sterilization light irradiates the reaction chamber; a fluid sensor to sense the passage and flow rate of the fluid; The light sensor is used for receiving and sensing a reflected light of the sterilization light irradiated to the reaction chamber; and a controller, which controls the light intensity of the sterilization light according to the intensity of the reflected light. The fluid sterilization device described in item 22 of the scope of patent application further includes an arithmetic unit for judging the bacterial content and water quality of the fluid based on the light intensity of the reflected light. For the fluid sterilization device described in item 22 of the scope of patent application, when the fluid sensor senses that the fluid is not flowing, the light source continuously emits the sterilization light in a low power state. The fluid sterilization device according to the 24th patent application, wherein the light source continuously emits the sterilization light in a high power state when the fluid sensor senses the fluid in a flowing state. The fluid sterilization device described in the 22nd patent application, wherein when the fluid sensor senses that the fluid is not flowing, the light source emits the sterilization light in a pulse signal manner. According to the fluid sterilization device described in item 26 of the scope of patent application, when the fluid sensor senses the fluid in a flowing state, the light source emits the sterilization light in a continuous luminous manner.

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