WO2012081285A1

WO2012081285A1 - Detection device and detection method

Info

Publication number: WO2012081285A1
Application number: PCT/JP2011/070357
Authority: WO
Inventors: 倫久川田
Original assignee: シャープ株式会社
Priority date: 2010-12-14
Filing date: 2011-09-07
Publication date: 2012-06-21
Also published as: JP2012127726A

Abstract

A detection device (1A) includes a separator (700) for separating particles larger than micro-organisms under detection, and a detector (100), which is connected by an air tube (500), for detecting biological particles in the air. A fan (400) is disposed on a flow path from the separator to the detector via the air tube. According to the rotation of the fan, outside air is introduced to the separator, and air from which large particles have been isolated is transported to the detector via the air tube.

Description

Detection apparatus and detection method

The present invention relates to a detection apparatus and a detection method, and more particularly to a detection apparatus and a detection method for detecting particles derived from living organisms floating in the air.

As a detection device for detecting biological particles floating in the air, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-357532 (hereinafter referred to as Patent Document 1) collects suspended particulate matter in a sample gas on a filter paper. In addition, a measuring device is disclosed that detects the amount of suspended particulate matter based on the amount of transmission of β rays irradiated to the filter paper, and detects the amount of pollen based on the fluorescence intensity generated by irradiating ultraviolet rays.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2005-189240 (hereinafter referred to as Patent Document 2) also discloses a measuring apparatus that collects and extracts suspended particulate matter in the air on a filter paper.

JP 2002-357532 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2005-189240

However, the conventional measuring apparatus as disclosed in these

documents

1 and 2 includes a unit that separates particulate matter in a sample, a unit that sucks the sample, and a unit that collects the unit. Includes a flow controller and a pump. Therefore, there has been a problem that the apparatus becomes large.

The present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and can detect a biological particle floating in the air with high accuracy in real time while reducing the size of the device, and the detection device An object of the present invention is to provide a detection method.

In order to achieve the above object, according to one aspect of the present invention, the detection device is a detection device for detecting first particles, which are particles derived from living organisms in the introduced air, and the introduced air. A separator for separating and removing the second particles having a larger particle diameter than the first particles from the particles inside, and the separator and the air pipe are connected, and the second particles are separated by the separator. A detector for detecting the first particles from the introduced air after being removed in the step, and air outside the detection device is introduced into the separator at a predetermined flow rate, and the detector is passed through the air tube from the separator. And an intake device for introducing air. The air intake device detects air to be discharged outside the detection device from the introduction hole for introducing air outside the detection device to the separator, through the inside of the separator, the air pipe, and the inside of the detector. Deployed at any position in the path to the discharge hole of the vessel.

Preferably, the intake device is provided at a position in contact with a discharge hole for discharging air out of the detection device of the detector.

Preferably, the intake device is provided at a position connected to the air pipe of the detector.
Preferably, the separator is a cyclone.

Preferably, the detector is irradiated with the collection member, the light emitting element, the light receiving element for receiving fluorescence, the heater for heating the collection member, and the light emitting element before and after heating. And a calculation unit for calculating the amount of biological particles collected by the collection member as the amount of the first particles based on the amount of change in the fluorescence amount from the collection member.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a detection method includes: a separator for separating and removing second particles having a particle size larger than the first particles from particles in the introduced air; A method for detecting first particles, which are biological particles in the air introduced into a detection device, using a detection device including a detector connected by an air tube. From the introduction hole for introducing the air outside the device to the separator, through the inside of the separator, the air pipe, and the inside of the detector, to the discharge hole of the detector for discharging the air outside the detection device An intake device for introducing air outside the detection device into the separator at a predetermined flow rate and introducing air from the separator to the detector through an air pipe is provided at any position in the path between . Then, by operating the intake device for a predetermined time, introducing the air outside the detection device into the detection device from the introduction hole of the separator at a predetermined flow rate for a predetermined time, and after the elapse of the predetermined time, Stopping the operation and executing a detection operation in the detector, and the step of executing the detection operation is a step of measuring a fluorescence amount of the collection member included in the detector under irradiation of the light emitting element before heating. The step of measuring, the step of measuring the amount of fluorescence under irradiation of the light emitting element after heating of the collecting member, and the amount of fluorescence measured from the collecting member before heating, for collecting after heating Calculating the amount of biological particles collected by the collecting member as the amount of first particles based on the amount of change in fluorescence measured from the member.

According to the present invention, it is possible to detect the biological particles floating in the air with high accuracy in real time while reducing the size of the detection device.

It is a figure which shows the specific example of a structure of the detection apparatus concerning 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the specific example of a structure of the detector contained in a detection apparatus. It is a figure which shows the structure of the collection jig | tool of a detector, and heater periphery. It is a figure explaining operation | movement of a collection unit. It is a figure which shows the other specific example of a structure of a detector. It is a figure which shows the measurement result of the fluorescence spectrum after heat processing when Escherichia coli is heat-processed at 200 degreeC for 5 minute (s). It is the fluorescence micrograph before heat processing when colon_bacillus | E._coli is heat-processed for 5 minutes at 200 degreeC. It is a fluorescence micrograph after heat processing when Escherichia coli is heat-processed at 200 degreeC for 5 minute (s). It is a figure which shows the measurement result of the fluorescence spectrum before heat processing when a Bacillus microbe is heat-processed at 200 degreeC for 5 minute (s), and after heat processing. It is a fluorescence micrograph before heat processing when Bacillus bacteria are heat-processed at 200 degreeC for 5 minute (s). It is the fluorescence micrograph after heat processing when Bacillus bacteria are heat-processed at 200 degreeC for 5 minute (s). It is a figure which shows the measurement result of the fluorescence spectrum before and after heat processing when a blue mold is heat-processed at 200 degreeC for 5 minute (s). It is a fluorescence-microscope photograph before heat processing when the blue mold is heat-processed at 200 degreeC for 5 minute (s). It is a fluorescence-microscope photograph after heat processing when heat-treating a mold fungus at 200 degreeC for 5 minutes. It is a fluorescence micrograph before heat processing when cedar pollen is heat-processed at 200 degreeC for 5 minute (s). It is a fluorescence micrograph after heat processing when cedar pollen is heat-processed at 200 degreeC for 5 minute (s). It is a figure which shows the measurement result of the fluorescence spectrum before heat processing when the dust which emits fluorescence is heat-processed for 5 minutes at 200 degreeC. It is a figure which shows the measurement result of the fluorescence spectrum after heat processing when the dust which emits fluorescence is heat-processed at 200 degreeC for 5 minute (s). It is the fluorescence microscope photograph before heat processing when the dust which emits fluorescence is heat-processed for 5 minutes at 200 degreeC. It is the fluorescence microscope photograph after heat processing when the dust which emits fluorescence is heat-processed at 200 degreeC for 5 minute (s). It is a figure which shows the comparison result of the fluorescence spectrum before and after heat processing when the dust which emits fluorescence is heat-processed at 200 degreeC for 5 minute (s). It is the schematic of the structure of the separator which employ | adopted the cyclone. It is the schematic of the structure of the separator which employ | adopted the cyclone. It is a figure which shows the relationship between a separated particle diameter and a flow volume when the shape of a cyclone is made into the 1st shape and the 2nd shape. It is a figure which shows the result of the 1st experiment by the inventor. It is a figure which shows the result of the 1st experiment by the inventor. It is a figure which shows the result of the 1st experiment by the inventor. It is a figure which shows the result of the 1st experiment by the inventor. It is a figure which shows the result of the 2nd experiment by an inventor. It is a figure which shows the specific example of a structure of the detection control part of a control part. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the detection operation | movement with a detector. It is a figure which shows the correspondence of the increase amount of the fluorescence intensity before and behind heat processing, and the density | concentration of the particle | grains of biological origin. It is a time chart which shows the other specific example of the flow of control in a detection control part. It is a figure which shows the specific example of a structure of the detection apparatus concerning 2nd Embodiment.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same parts and components are denoted by the same reference numerals. Their names and functions are also the same.

<Overview of detection by the detection device>
Using a detection device, substances that can cause allergies (hereinafter referred to as allergens) are separated from biological particles suspended in the air introduced into the detection device, and the microorganisms in the air from which allergens have been removed are separated. Detect the amount. The diameter of the microorganism is assumed to be approximately 3 [μm]. Allergens include mite carcasses, dung, pollen, and the like, and a diameter of about 25 [μm] is assumed.

[First Embodiment]
<Overall configuration of device>
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of a configuration of a detection apparatus 1A according to the first embodiment for performing the above-described detection.

Referring to FIG. 1, a detection apparatus 1A detects biological particles in the introduced air and detects the amount thereof, and is connected by a detector 100 and an air tube 500. Separator 700 for separating and removing allergens from the introduced particles in the air according to their size, fan 400 as an intake device for introducing external air into detection device 1A, and these are controlled. And a control unit 200.

The detector 100 has an introduction hole 10 for introducing air and a discharge hole 11 for discharging internal air. The separator 700 also has an introduction hole 70 for introducing external air and a discharge hole 71 for discharging internal air. The air tube 500 connects the introduction hole 10 of the detector 100 and the discharge hole 71 of the separator 700. As a result, a continuous path is formed from the introduction hole 70 of the separator 700 to the discharge hole 11 of the detector 100.

The fan 400 is provided in the above route. In the detection apparatus 1 A, the fan 400 is provided at a position in contact with the discharge hole 11 of the detector 100 as shown in FIG. 1. As will be described later, the fan 400 is a mechanism for introducing external air into the separator 700 and at the same time a mechanism for introducing air into the detector 100. Therefore, considering the detection principle of the detector 100 described later, the flow rate of air introduced by the fan 400 is preferably 1 L (liter) / min to 50 L / min.

The control unit 200 is electrically connected to the detector 100, the fan 400, and the separator 700, and controls the driving thereof.

The fan 400 provided in the discharge hole 11 of the detector 100 is driven in accordance with the control of the control unit 200, so that the direction indicated by the arrow in the figure, that is, the air outside the detection device 1A is removed from the separator 700. The air is introduced into the apparatus through the introduction hole 70, and the air is moved in the direction of exhausting the air in the apparatus from the discharge hole 11 of the detector 100 to the outside of the apparatus. Thereby, the said path | route functions as a flow path. In the following description, the separator 700 side of the flow path is also referred to as “upstream” or “upstream side”, and the detector 100 side is also referred to as “downstream” or “downstream side”.

<Configuration of detection unit>
As the detector 100, any detection device having a function of detecting the amount of biological particles from the introduced air can be employed.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of the configuration of the detector 100.
Referring to FIG. 2, detector 100 includes a detection mechanism, a collection mechanism, and a heating mechanism. Specifically, referring to FIG. 2, detector 100 includes a collection chamber 5 A including at least a part of the collection mechanism, separated by wall 5 C, which is a partition wall having a hole 5 C ′, and a detection mechanism. And a detection chamber 5B.

The collection mechanism includes, as an example, a discharge electrode 17, a collection jig 12, and a high voltage power supply 2. The discharge electrode 17 is electrically connected to the negative electrode of the high voltage power source 2. The positive electrode of the high voltage power supply 2 is grounded. As a result, the introduced airborne particles in the air are negatively charged in the vicinity of the discharge electrode 17.

The collecting jig 12 is a support substrate 4 made of a glass plate or the like having a conductive transparent film 3. The film 3 is grounded. As a result, a potential difference is generated between the discharge electrode 17 and the collection jig 12, and an electric field in the direction indicated by the arrow E in FIG. The negatively charged airborne particles in the air move toward the collecting jig 12 by electrostatic force, are adsorbed on the conductive film 3, and are collected on the collecting jig 12.

Here, by using a needle-like electrode as the discharge electrode 17, the charged particles face the discharge electrode 17 of the collecting jig 12, and are adsorbed in a very narrow range corresponding to the irradiation region 15 of the light emitting element (described later). Can be made. Thereby, in the detection process mentioned later, the adsorbed organism-derived particles can be efficiently detected.

The support substrate 4 is not limited to a glass plate, but may be ceramic, metal, or the like. Further, the coating 3 formed on the surface of the support substrate 4 is not limited to being transparent. As another example, the support substrate 4 may be configured by forming a metal film on an insulating material such as ceramic. Moreover, when the support substrate 4 is a metal material, it is not necessary to form a film on the surface. Specifically, a silicon substrate, a SUS (Stainless Used Steel) substrate, a copper substrate, or the like can be used as the support substrate 4.

The detection mechanism includes a light-emitting element 6 that is a light source, a lens (or a lens group) 7 that is provided in the irradiation direction of the light-emitting element 6 and makes the light from the light-emitting element 6 parallel light or has a predetermined width. The light receiving element 9 and the fluorescence generated by irradiating the suspended fine particles collected on the collecting jig 12 by the collecting mechanism from the light emitting element 6 are collected in the light receiving element 9. And a condensing lens (or a lens group) 8. In addition, a lens (or a lens group), an aperture, and irradiation light that are provided in the irradiation direction of the light emitting element 6 and make the light from the light emitting element 6 parallel light or have a predetermined width enter the light receiving element 9. A filter (or filter group) for prevention may be included. Conventional technology can be applied to these configurations. The condenser lens 8 may be made of plastic resin or glass.

The light emitting element 6 includes a semiconductor laser or an LED element. The wavelength may be in the ultraviolet or visible region as long as it excites a microorganism to emit fluorescence. Preferably, as disclosed in JP-A-2008-508527, the wavelength is from 300 nm to 450 nm, which is contained in a microorganism and excites fluorescent tryptophan, NaDH, riboflavin, and the like efficiently. As the light receiving element 9, a conventionally used photodiode, image sensor, or the like is used.

The light receiving element 9 is electrically connected to the control unit 200 and outputs a current signal proportional to the amount of received light to the signal processing unit 30. Therefore, the light emitted from the light-emitting element 6 by irradiating the particles floating in the introduced air and collected on the surface of the collecting jig 12 from the light-emitting element 6 is received by the light-receiving element 9. The amount of received light is detected by the control unit 200.

Both the lens 7 and the condenser lens 8 may be made of plastic resin or glass. The lens 7 (or a combination of the lens 7 and the aperture) emits light emitted from the light emitting element 6 onto the surface of the collecting jig 12, thereby forming an irradiation region 15 on the collecting jig 12. The shape of the irradiation region 15 is not limited, and may be a circle, an ellipse, a rectangle, or the like. The irradiation region 15 is not limited to a specific size, but preferably, the diameter of the circle, the length of the ellipse in the long axis direction, or the length of one side of the rectangle is about 0.05 mm to 50 mm.

The filter may be installed in front of the condenser lens 8 or the light receiving element 9. Such a filter may be composed of a single or a combination of several types of filters. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the stray light reflected by the collection jig 12 and the case 5 from being incident on the light receiving element 9 together with the fluorescence from the particles collected by the collection jig 12. Can do.

The heating mechanism includes a heater 91 that is electrically connected to the control unit 200 and whose heating amount (heating time, heating temperature, etc.) is controlled by the control unit 200. A ceramic heater is preferably used as the heater 91. In the following description, a ceramic heater is assumed as the heater 91. However, a far infrared heater, a far infrared lamp, or the like may be used.

The heater 91 is a position where the suspended particles in the air collected on the collecting jig 12 can be heated, and is a position separated from the sensor device such as the light emitting element 6 and the light receiving element 9 at least during heating. Deployed. Preferably, as shown in FIG. 2, the light-emitting element 6 and the light-receiving element 9 are disposed on the side far from the sensor device with the collection jig 12 interposed therebetween. In this way, the heater 91 is separated from the sensor device such as the light emitting element 6 and the light receiving element 9 by the collecting jig 12 during heating, thereby suppressing the influence of heat on the light emitting element 6 and the light receiving element 9 and the like. Can do. More preferably, as shown in FIG. 3, the heater 91 is surrounded by a heat insulating material. As the heat insulating material, a glass epoxy resin is preferably used. By configuring in this way, when the heater 91 which is a ceramic heater reaches 200 ° C. in about 2 minutes, the temperature of the portion (not shown) connected to the heater 91 via the heat insulating material is 30 ° C. or less. The inventor confirmed that there was.

The collection chamber 5A is provided with a needle-like discharge electrode 17 and a collection jig 12 as a collection mechanism.

The introduction hole 10 and the discharge hole 11 are provided in the collection electrode 5 side of the collection chamber 5A and the collection jig 12, respectively. As shown in FIG. 2, the introduction hole 10 may be provided with a filter (prefilter) 10 B. Furthermore, the introduction hole 10 and the discharge hole 11 may be provided with a configuration for blocking the incidence of external light so that air can enter and exit the collection chamber 5A.

In the detection chamber 5B, a light emitting element 6, a light receiving element 9, and a condenser lens 8 are provided as a detection mechanism.

The detection chamber 5B is preferably at least internally coated with black paint or black anodized. Thereby, reflection of light on the inner wall surface that causes stray light is suppressed. The material of the collection chamber 5A and the detection chamber 5B is not limited to a specific material, but a plastic resin, a metal such as aluminum or stainless steel, or a combination thereof is preferably used. The introduction hole 10 and the discharge hole 11 are circular with a diameter of 1 mm to 50 mm. The shapes of the introduction hole 10 and the discharge hole 11 are not limited to a circle, but may be other shapes such as an ellipse or a rectangle.

A brush 60 for refreshing the surface of the collecting jig 12 is provided at a position in the detection chamber 5B that touches the surface of the collecting jig 12. The brush 60 is connected to a moving mechanism (not shown) controlled by the detection processing unit 40 and moves so as to reciprocate on the collecting jig 12 as indicated by a double-sided arrow B in the drawing. Thereby, dust and microorganisms adhering to the surface of the collecting jig 12 are removed.

The collecting jig 12 and the heater 91 constitute a unit. This unit will be referred to as a collection unit 12A in the following description. In the collection unit 12A, the heater 91 is preferably disposed on the surface of the collection jig 12 far from the discharge electrode 17 as shown in FIG. The collection unit 12A is mechanically connected to a moving mechanism (not shown) controlled by the control unit 200, and as indicated by a double-sided arrow A in the drawing, that is, from the collection chamber 5A to the detection chamber 5B, the detection chamber 5B. To the collection chamber 5A through the hole 5C 'provided in the wall 5C.

As described above, the heater 91 is a position where airborne particles collected on the collecting jig 12 can be heated, and at least when heated, sensor devices such as the light emitting element 6 and the light receiving element 9 are used. Therefore, it is not included in the collection unit 12A and may be provided at another position. As will be described later, when the heating operation is performed in the collection chamber 5A, the heater 91 is not included in the collection unit 12A, and is a position of the collection chamber 5A where the collection unit 12A is set, and a collection jig. 12 may be fixed to the side opposite to the sensor device such as the light emitting element 6 and the light receiving element 9. Even in this way, the heater 91 is separated from the sensor device such as the light emitting element 6 and the light receiving element 9 by the collecting jig 12 during heating, thereby suppressing the influence of heat on the light emitting element 6 and the light receiving element 9 and the like. be able to. In this case, at least the collection jig 12 may be included in the collection unit 12A.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the collection unit 12A. As shown in FIG. 4, a cover 65 A having protrusions on the top and bottom is provided at the end of the collection unit 12 A farthest from the wall 5 C. An adapter 65B corresponding to the cover 65A is provided around the hole 5C ′ on the surface of the wall 5C on the collection chamber 5A side. The adapter 65B is provided with a recess that fits into the protrusion of the cover 65A, whereby the cover 65A and the adapter 65B are completely joined to cover the hole 5C '. That is, when the collection unit 12A moves from the collection chamber 5A to the detection chamber 5B through the hole 5C ′ in the direction of arrow A ′ in FIG. 4 and the collection unit 12A completely enters the detection chamber 5B. Thus, the cover 65A is joined to the adapter 65B so that the hole 5C ′ is completely covered, and the inside of the detection chamber 5B is shielded from light. As a result, the incidence in the detection chamber 5B is blocked while the detection operation is being performed in the detection chamber 5B.

In addition, the above example is an example which is the structure which isolate | separated the mechanism for the detector 100 to collect, and the mechanism for detection, as represented to FIG. 1, FIG. However, the configuration of the detector 100 is not limited to the configuration shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and as another example, the configuration for collecting and the mechanism for detecting are integrated. Also good.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating another example of the configuration of the detector 100. Referring to FIG. 5, as another example, detector 100 includes case 5 provided with introduction hole 10 and discharge hole 11, and a detection mechanism, a collection mechanism, and a heating mechanism are included therein. .

The light emitting element 6 and the lens 7, and the light receiving element 9 and the condenser lens 8 are provided at a right angle or a substantially right angle when viewed from the upper surface in FIG. Of the light emitted from the light emitting element 6, the reflected light from the irradiation region 15 formed on the surface of the collecting jig 12 travels in the direction corresponding to the incident on the irradiation region 15. Therefore, with this configuration, the reflected light does not directly enter the light receiving element 9. In addition, since the fluorescence from the surface of the collection jig 12 emits isotropically, the arrangement is not limited to the illustrated arrangement as long as it is an arrangement that can prevent the reflected light and stray light from entering the light receiving element 9.

More preferably, the collection jig 12 has a spherical recess formed in the irradiation region 15 as an example of a configuration for collecting fluorescence from the particles collected on the surface corresponding to the irradiation region 15 in the light receiving element 9. May be. Furthermore, the collection jig 12 may be preferably provided so as to be inclined by a predetermined angle in the direction toward the light receiving element 9 so that the surface of the collection jig 12 faces the light receiving element 9. With this configuration, there is an advantage that the fluorescence emitted isotropically from the particles in the spherical recess is reflected by the spherical surface and collected in the direction of the light receiving element 9, and the light reception signal can be increased. The size of the depression is not limited, but is preferably larger than the irradiation region 15.

In this configuration,

shutters

16A and 16B are installed in the introduction hole 10 and the discharge hole 11, respectively. The

shutters

16A and 16B are electrically connected to the control unit 200, and their opening and closing are controlled. By closing the

shutters

16A and 16B, the inflow of air into the case 5 and the incidence of external light are blocked. When measuring the fluorescence, the controller 200 closes the

shutters

16A and 16B to block the inflow of air into the case 5 and the incidence of external light. Thereby, the collection of suspended particles in the collection mechanism is interrupted during the measurement of fluorescence. In addition, stray light in the case 5 can be suppressed by blocking external light from entering the case 5 when measuring fluorescence. Note that either one of the

shutters

16A and 16B, for example, at least the shutter 16B of the discharge hole 11 may be provided.

<Principle of detection with detector>
Here, the detection principle in the detector 100 will be described.

As disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2008-508527, it is known that biological particles floating in the air emit fluorescence when irradiated with ultraviolet light or blue light. However, fluorescent substances such as chemical fiber dust are floating in the air, and it is only from biological particles or chemical fiber dust that only detects fluorescence. Is not distinguished.

When each of the biological particles and chemical fiber dust was subjected to heat treatment and the change in fluorescence before and after heating was measured, the measurement results shown in FIGS. 6 to 15 were obtained. From the results of this measurement, it was found that the fluorescence intensity of dust is not changed by heat treatment, whereas the fluorescence intensity of particles derived from living organisms is increased by heat treatment.

Specifically, FIG. 6 shows the measurement results of fluorescence spectra before and after heat treatment (curve 79) when Escherichia coli as biological particles was heat treated at 200 ° C. for 5 minutes. is there. From the measurement results shown in FIG. 6, it was found that the fluorescence intensity from E. coli was significantly increased by the heat treatment. In addition, by comparing the fluorescence micrograph before the heat treatment shown in FIG. 7A with the fluorescence micrograph after the heat treatment shown in FIG. 7B, the fluorescence intensity from E. coli is greatly increased by the heat treatment. It is clear that it has increased.

Similarly, FIG. 8 shows measurement results of fluorescence spectra before and after heat treatment (curve 74) when Bacillus bacteria as biological particles were heat treated at 200 ° C. for 5 minutes. 9A is a fluorescence micrograph before heat treatment, and FIG. 9B is a fluorescence micrograph after heat treatment. FIG. 10 shows measurement results of fluorescence spectra before and after the heat treatment (curve 76) when the green mold as biological particles was heat-treated at 200 ° C. for 5 minutes, and after the heat treatment (curve 76). FIG. 11A is a fluorescence micrograph before heat treatment, and FIG. 11B is a fluorescence micrograph after heat treatment. Moreover, when cedar pollen as a biological particle is heat-treated at 200 ° C. for 5 minutes, FIG. 12A is a fluorescence micrograph before heat treatment and FIG. As shown in these figures, it was found that the fluorescence intensity of particles derived from other organisms was significantly increased by heat treatment as in the case of E. coli.

On the other hand, FIG. 13A and FIG. 13B show measurement of fluorescence spectra before and after the heat treatment (curve 78) when the fluorescent dust is heat treated at 200 ° C. for 5 minutes, respectively. 14A is a fluorescence micrograph after the heat treatment, and FIG. 14B is a result. When the fluorescence spectrum shown in FIG. 13A and the fluorescence spectrum shown in FIG. 13B were overlapped, it was verified that they almost overlap as shown in FIG. That is, as shown in the result of FIG. 15 and the comparison between FIG. 13A and FIG. 13B, it was found that the fluorescence intensity from dust did not change before and after the heat treatment.

As a detection principle in the detector 100, the above-mentioned phenomenon that has been verified is applied. That is, in the air, dust, dust to which biological particles are attached, and biological particles are mixed. Based on the above-mentioned phenomenon, when dust that emits fluorescence is mixed in the collected particles, the fluorescence spectrum measured before heat treatment includes fluorescence from biological particles and fluorescence from dust that emits fluorescence. In other words, it is impossible to distinguish biological particles from chemical fiber dust. However, the heat treatment increases the fluorescence intensity of only biological particles, and does not change the fluorescence intensity of the dust that emits fluorescence. Therefore, by measuring the difference between the fluorescence intensity before the heat treatment and the fluorescence intensity after the predetermined heat treatment, the amount of biologically derived particles can be determined.

<Configuration of separator>
As the separator 700, a cyclone using a centrifugal force is preferably used.

FIG. 16A and FIG. 16B are schematic views of the configuration of a separator 700 employing a cyclone. 16A is a view of the separator 700 as viewed from the side where the introduction hole 70 is lateral and the discharge hole 71 is up, and FIG. 16B is a view as seen from the discharge hole 71 side. The surface represented in FIG. 16A is the front surface of the separator 700, and the surface represented in FIG. 16B is the top surface of the separator 700.

Separator 700 employing a cyclone extends to the above-mentioned flow path, and a cylinder (outer cylinder) whose diameter is smaller than that of the cylinder (outer cylinder) whose upper and lower sides in the extension direction are closed is an upper part in the extension direction. The center of the circle has a shape inserted downward from the same position as the outer cylinder. The upper part of the inner cylinder is opened to form a discharge hole 71. 16A and 16B, the diameter Dc indicates the diameter of the outer cylinder, the diameter Dd indicates the diameter of the inner cylinder, that is, the diameter of the discharge hole 71, and the height h indicates the height of the outer cylinder as a cyclone separation chamber. Point to.

The outer shape of the separator 700 employing a cyclone is not limited to the outer cylinder, but may be a conical shape having a circular upper surface with a diameter Dc and a taper on the side surface from the upper surface toward the lower surface. Alternatively, the predetermined thickness from the upper surface may be a cylindrical shape, and the lower portion may be a conical shape.

At the upper part of the outer cylinder or the outer shape of the conical shape, a cylindrical introduction pipe for introducing external air, which is also called an inlet, has a shape inserted in a circular tangential direction of the cross section. Both ends of the introduction tube are open, and an introduction hole 70 is formed at the end opposite to the separator 700. In FIGS. 16A and 16B, the area Ai indicates the cross-sectional area of the introduction hole 70.

<Principle of separator>
As the fan 400 provided in the flow path rotates, external air is introduced into the separator 700 from the introduction hole 70. Since the introduction hole 70 is an opening of the introduction pipe introduced in the tangential direction of the cross section of the outer cylinder, the introduction air 70 is introduced by introducing the external air in the direction at a constant flow rate vi by the suction force of the fan 400. The air rotates along the inner side of the outer cylinder, and an air flow toward the center of rotation is generated.

When particles are contained in the introduced air, centrifugal force due to rotation is generated and fluid resistance force (drag) acts on the particles. When the centrifugal force is won, the particles move to the inner wall side of the outer cylinder, and when the drag is won, the particles move to the inner cylinder side. Furthermore, friction between the inner wall of the outer cylinder acts by contacting the inner wall of the outer cylinder with centrifugal force. When the rotational speed of the particles gradually decreases due to friction and the gravity of the particles themselves exceeds the suction force of the fan 400, the particles fall along the inner wall of the outer cylinder.

That is, among the particles in the air introduced from the introduction hole 70, particles having a particle diameter larger than a predetermined length (separated particle diameter) are placed in the lower part of the separator 700 as indicated by a dotted arrow in FIG. Small particles are separated at the top as shown by the solid arrows in FIG. Then, particles smaller than the separated particle diameter Dpc separated in the upper part are discharged from the discharge hole 71 by the rising air flow generated by the suction force of the fan 400 and reach the detector 100 through the air tube 500.

The centrifugal force acting on the particles increases as the velocity of the introduced air (flow velocity vi) increases, and as the diameter Dc of the outer cylinder decreases and the rotation radius decreases. On the other hand, when comparing the particle diameters of particles having the same density and rotating at the same rotational speed, the centrifugal force acting on the particles increases as the particle diameter increases, and the particles are easily dropped, that is, separated from the air. The separated particle diameter Dpc in the cyclone obtained by this principle is defined by the following formula (1).

Where Dpc is the separated particle size (m), ρ _p is the particle density (kg / m ³ ), ρ is the fluid density (kg / m ³ ), μ is the air viscosity (Pa · s), and vi is introduced. The flow velocity (m / s) at the air introduction hole 70, Ai is the cross-sectional area (m ² ) of the introduction hole 70, Dd is the cyclone inner cylinder diameter (m), Dc is the cyclone outer cylinder diameter (m), and h Indicates the height (m) of the cyclone separation chamber.

<Specific shape of separation part>
The size of each part of the separator 700 employing a cyclone is not limited to a specific size. However, from the above equation (1), it can be seen that the size of each part, in particular, the cross-sectional area Ai, the outer cylinder diameter Dc, and the inner cylinder diameter Dd affects the separated particle diameter Dpc. Therefore, in order to remove allergens from organism-derived particles floating in the air and accurately detect the amount of microorganisms, it is necessary to set an optimum separation particle diameter Dpc. The outer cylinder diameter Dc and the inner cylinder diameter Dd are required.

Therefore, in order to obtain the optimum separation particle diameter Dpc, the inventor conducts experiments with different cross-sectional areas Ai, outer cylinder diameters Dc, inner cylinder diameters Dd, and flow rates Qi, and performs separation based on the results. While determining the specific shape of the vessel 700, the optimum flow rate was also determined.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing the relationship between the separated particle diameter Dpc and the flow rate Qi obtained from the equation (1), and the relationship when the curve A in FIG. 17 sets the shape of the separator 700 to the first shape. The relationship when the curve B is the second shape is shown. The first shape is the outer cylinder diameter Dc = 40 mm, the inner cylinder diameter Dd = 10 mm, and the cross-sectional area Ai = 1.2 cm ^2. The second shape is the outer cylinder diameter Dc = 40 mm, the inner cylinder diameter Dd = 21 mm and the cross-sectional area Ai = 0.5 cm ² , both having the same height h (h = 10 mm). In FIG. 17, particles having a particle size above the curves A and B are separated and removed from the air introduced in the separator 700, and particles having a particle size below the curves A and B are removed. It represents passing through the separator 700 and reaching the detector 100 via the air tube 500.

In FIG. 17, the hatched area above the separation particle diameter of 15 μm represents the particle diameter area to which the allergen belongs, and the hatched area below the separation particle diameter of 5 μm represents the particle diameter area to which the microorganism belongs. Yes.

The inventor actually uses the first shape separator 700 or the second shape separator 700 with respect to the detection apparatus shown in FIG. An experiment was conducted in which dust was collected on the collection jig 12 to evaluate the separation and collection ability. In order to evaluate the separation and collection ability, the detection apparatus 1A is set to two states, a state including the separator 700 which is a cyclone and a state not including the separator 700, and the amount of collection in the state including the separator 700 is separated. The ratio with respect to the collection amount in the state where the vessel 700 is not included was calculated as the separation and collection ability. The separation / capacity of 0% represents that particles of the target size were separated and removed from the air introduced by the separator 700, which is a cyclone, and the separation / capacity of 100% represents that the particles were separated. The separator 700 passes through without being separated, and reaches the detector 100 through the air tube 500.

Specifically, the entire detection apparatus 1A is put in a measurement chamber having a volume of 1 m ³ , and after spraying polystyrene particles having a diameter of 3 μm as particles corresponding to microorganisms or pollen (25 μm in diameter) as an allergen into the chamber, the detector 100 The applied voltage at the high voltage power source 2 was set to −5 kV, and the detection apparatus 1A was operated for 5 minutes.

The separator 700 of each shape was set so that external air was introduced by a fan 400 driven by a fan motor (not shown). It was confirmed that the fan motor can be operated at a flow rate of 2 to 20 L / min, and it was confirmed that no wind noise was generated during the cyclone operation.

Furthermore, the inventor changed the flow rate Qi of the air introduced into the separator 700 according to each experimental condition. Then, the number of particles on the collection jig 12 was counted under each condition, and the amount of collected per 1 L was compared between the state including the separator 700 and the state not including the separator 700, and the separation and collection ability was calculated.

As the experimental conditions, a total of four conditions each represented by the following conditions 1 to 4 marked with a circle in FIG. 17 were adopted:
Condition 1 ... The first shape separator 700 is used and the flow rate Qi is set to 1.6 L / min, that is, the separation particle diameter Dpc in this case is 26 μm from the above formula (1),
Condition 2 ... The first shape separator 700 is used and the flow rate Qi is set to 10 L / min, that is, the separation particle diameter Dpc in this case is 11 μm from the above formula (1),
Condition 3... The first shape separator 700 is used and the flow rate Qi is set to 20 L / min, that is, the separation particle diameter Dpc in this case is 7.5 μm from the above formula (1).
Condition 4 ... The second shape separator 700 is used, and the flow rate Qi is set to 20 L / min, that is, the separation particle diameter Dpc in this case is 4.5 μm from the above formula (1).

As a first experiment, the inventor sprays particles corresponding to microorganisms and pollen separately, and sprays single-sized particles into the chamber, and performs the above-described experiment under each of the above experimental conditions 1 to 4. The separation and collection ability was calculated. FIGS. 18 to 21 are diagrams showing the separation and collection ability of particles and pollen corresponding to the microorganisms obtained in the first experiment under the above experimental conditions 1 to 4, respectively.

From the experimental results shown in FIG. 18, it was found that in the case of the experimental condition 1, both the particles corresponding to the microorganisms and the pollen pass through the separator 700. From the experimental results shown in FIGS. 19 to 21, it can be seen that the ratio of separating and removing pollen by the separator 700 is higher in the experimental conditions 2 to 4 than in the experimental condition 1. It was. Furthermore, it was found that among these experimental conditions, in the case of experimental condition 4, the ratio of separating and removing pollen by the separator 700 is high.

Therefore, as a second experiment, the inventor mixed particles corresponding to microorganisms and pollen and sprayed them in the chamber, and performed the above experiment under the above experimental condition 4 to calculate the separation and collection ability. FIG. 22 is a diagram showing the separation and collection ability of particles and pollen corresponding to the microorganisms obtained in the second experiment.

From the experimental results shown in FIG. 22, even when air in which particles corresponding to microorganisms and pollen are mixed is introduced, as in the case of a single particle diameter, In this case, it was found that pollen was separated and removed by the separator 700 with high accuracy.

From the above experimental results, the inventors have determined that the preferred shape of the separator 700 employing a cyclone is the second shape, that is, the outer cylinder diameter Dc = 40 mm, the inner cylinder diameter Dd = 21 mm, and the cross-sectional area Ai = It was determined to be 0.5 cm ² . In this case, the flow rate of the fan 400 was further determined to be 20 L / min. Alternatively, it is possible to set the outer cylinder diameter Dc = 40 mm, the inner cylinder diameter Dd = 10 mm, and the cross-sectional area Ai = 1.2 cm ^{2 as} the first shape. The flow rate was determined to be 10 L / min or 20 L / min. By adopting this shape, as is clear from the experimental results, the allergen is removed from the introduced air with high accuracy, and the amount of microorganisms can be detected by the detector 100.

<Functional configuration>
As shown in FIG. 1, the control unit 200 controls the detection control unit 201, which is a function for controlling detection by the detector 100, and the operation of a fan motor (not shown) to the detection device 1A by the fan 400. And a fan control unit 202 which is a function for controlling the introduction of air. The control unit 200 is electrically connected to a switch for accepting an operation to start a detection operation (not shown), and starts a detection operation in response to an operation signal from the switch.

In the fan control unit 202, an applied voltage for operating a fan motor (not shown) according to the set flow rate of the fan 400 is set in advance, and the voltage is applied to the fan motor at the start of the detection operation.

FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of the configuration of the detection control unit 201 of the control unit 200. FIG. 23 shows an example in which a part of the function of the detection control unit 201 is realized by a hardware configuration mainly including an electric circuit. However, all of the functions of the control unit 200 may be a software configuration realized by a CPU (not shown) included in the control unit 200 executing a predetermined program, or all of the functions of the control unit 200 may be performed. You may implement | achieve with the hardware constitutions which are mainly an electric circuit.

Referring to FIG. 23, detection control unit 201 is roughly divided into a signal processing unit 30 for processing a signal from light receiving element 9 and a detection processing unit 40 for performing control and calculation processing of detector 100. It consists of.

The signal processing unit 30 includes a current-voltage conversion circuit 34 connected to the light receiving element 9 and an amplification circuit 35 connected to the current-voltage conversion circuit 34.

The detection processing unit 40 includes a storage unit 42, a clock generation unit 47, and a control unit 49. Further, the detection processing unit 40 drives an input unit 44 for receiving an input signal from a switch for inputting an instruction to start a detection operation (not shown) and a moving mechanism for the heater 91 and the collection unit 12A (not shown). Drive unit 48.

By irradiating the particles collected on the collection jig 12 from the light emitting element 6, the fluorescence from the particles in the irradiation region 15 is collected on the light receiving element 9. A current signal corresponding to the amount of received light is output from the light receiving element 9 to the signal processing unit 30. The current signal is input to the current-voltage conversion circuit 34.

The current-voltage conversion circuit 34 detects the peak current value H representing the fluorescence intensity from the current signal input from the light receiving element 9, and converts it into the voltage value Eh. The voltage value Eh is amplified to a preset amplification factor by the amplifier circuit 35 and output to the detection processing unit 40. The detection control unit 201 of the detection processing unit 40 receives an input of the voltage value Eh from the signal processing unit 30 and sequentially stores it in the storage unit 42.

The clock generation unit 47 generates a clock signal and outputs it to the control unit 49. The control unit 49 outputs a control signal for performing NO / OFF of the heater 91 or moving the collection unit 12 A to the drive unit 48 at a timing based on the clock signal. In synchronization with this, the fan control unit 202 is notified of the drive timing of the fan motor.

When the detector 100 has the configuration shown in FIG. 5, a control signal for opening and closing the

shutters

16A and 16B is output to the drive unit 48 to control the opening and closing of the

shutters

16A and 16B. Further, the control unit 49 is electrically connected to the light emitting element 6 and the light receiving element 9 and controls ON / OFF thereof.

The control unit 49 includes a calculation unit 41. In the calculation unit 41, an operation for calculating the amount of microorganisms in the introduced air is performed using the voltage value Eh stored in the storage unit 42.

<Detection operation 1>
When the start of detection in the detection apparatus 1A is instructed by a switch or the like (not shown), the detection operation is started by the control unit 200 that receives the input of the signal.

FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing the flow of the detection operation. The operation shown in the flowchart of FIG. 24 is realized by a CPU (not shown) of the control unit 200 reading and executing a program stored in a memory (not shown) and controlling each unit of FIG.

Referring to FIG. 24, when an operation signal for instructing the start of a detection operation is input from a switch (not shown), in S31, in collection chamber 5A for a time ΔT1 which is a predefined collection time. The collecting operation is performed. As a specific operation in S31, the fan control unit 202 drives the fan 400 to take in air outside the detection device 1A into the collection chamber 5A via the separator 700 and the air tube 500. The detection control unit 201 applies a predetermined voltage to the discharge electrode 17 of the detector 100.

The allergen such as pollen is separated and removed from the air introduced into the separator 700, and the air after the removal reaches the detector 100 through the air tube 500.

Particles in the air introduced into the collection chamber 5A of the detector 100 are charged to a negative charge by the discharge electrode 17, and the air flow by the fan 400 and the coating 3 on the surface of the discharge electrode 17 and the collection jig 12 are detected. Due to the electric field formed therebetween, the light is collected in a narrow range corresponding to the irradiation region 15 on the surface of the collection jig 12.

When the collection time ΔT1 has elapsed, the fan control unit 202 ends the driving of the fan 400, that is, ends the collection operation.

As a result, the air from which allergen has been removed by the separator 700 is introduced into the collection chamber 5A through the introduction hole 10 for the time ΔT1, and particles in the air are collected on the surface of the collection jig 12. The

Next, in S33, the detection control unit 201 operates a mechanism for moving the collection unit 12A, and moves the collection unit 12A from the collection chamber 5A to the detection chamber 5B. When the movement is completed, a detection operation is performed in S35. In S35, the detection control unit 201 causes the light emitting element 6 to emit light, and causes the light receiving element 9 to receive the fluorescence for a predetermined measurement time ΔT2. The light from the light emitting element 6 is applied to the irradiation region 15 on the surface of the collecting jig 12, and fluorescence is emitted from the collected particles. A voltage value corresponding to the fluorescence intensity F 1 is input to the detection processing unit 40 and stored in the storage unit 42. Thereby, the fluorescence amount S31 before heating is measured.

The measurement time ΔT2 may be set in advance in the detection control unit 201, or may be input or changed by operating a switch (not shown).

At this time, the light received from the reflection region (not shown) where the particles on the surface of the collecting jig 12 are not collected, which is emitted from a light emitting element (not shown) such as an LED provided separately, is received. Light may be received by an element (not shown), and F1 / I0 may be stored in the storage unit 42 using the received light amount as a reference value I0. By calculating the ratio with respect to the reference value I0, there is an advantage that fluctuations in fluorescence intensity caused by characteristic fluctuations due to environmental conditions such as the temperature and humidity of the light emitting element and the light receiving element and deterioration can be compensated.

When the measurement operation of S35 is completed, in S37, the detection control unit 201 operates a mechanism for moving the collection unit 12A, and moves the collection unit 12A from the detection chamber 5B to the collection chamber 5A. When the movement is completed, a heating operation is performed in S39. In S39, the detection control unit 201 causes the heater 91 to perform heating for a time ΔT3 which is a predetermined heat treatment time. The heating temperature at this time is defined in advance.

After the heating operation, a cooling operation is performed in S41. In S41, the fan control unit 202 rotates the fan 400 reversely for a predetermined cooling time. It cools by making external air touch the collection unit 12A. The heat treatment time ΔT3, the heating temperature, and the cooling time may also be set in advance in the detection control unit 201, or may be input and changed by operating a switch (not shown).

After the collection unit 12A is moved to the collection chamber 5A in S37, a heating operation and a cooling operation are performed in the collection chamber 5A. After the cooling, the collection unit 12A is moved to the detection chamber 5B, so that the heater is heated. 91 is located at a distance separated from the sensor device such as the light emitting element 6 and the light receiving element 9 and is also separated by the wall 5C and the like, thereby suppressing the influence of heat on the light emitting element 6, the light receiving element 9 and the like. Can do. In addition, since the heater 91 is in the collection chamber 5A separated from the sensor devices such as the light emitting element 6 and the light receiving element 9 by the wall 5C and the like at the time of heating as described above, the heater 91 is disposed in the collection unit 12A. The surface far from the discharge electrode 17, that is, the surface far from the light emitting element 6, the light receiving element 9, etc. when the collection unit 12 A moves to the detection chamber 5 B may not be present. It may be on the side.

When the heating operation in S39 and the cooling operation in S41 are finished, in S43, the detection control unit 201 operates a mechanism for moving the collection unit 12A, and moves the collection unit 12A from the collection chamber 5A to the detection chamber 5B. Let When the movement is completed, the detection operation is performed again in S45. The detection operation in S45 is the same as the detection operation in S35. The voltage value according to the fluorescence intensity F2 here is input to the detection processing unit 40 and stored in the storage unit 42. Thereby, the fluorescence amount S2 after heating is measured.

When the fluorescence amount S2 after heating is measured in S45, the refresh operation of the collection unit 12A is performed in S47. In S47, the detection control unit 201 operates a mechanism for moving the brush 60, and reciprocates the brush 60 a predetermined number of times on the surface of the collection unit 12A. When this refresh operation is completed, in S49, the detection control unit 201 operates a mechanism for moving the collection unit 12A, and moves the collection unit 12A from the detection chamber 5B to the collection chamber 5A. Thereby, the next collection operation (S31) can be started immediately upon receiving the start instruction.

The calculation unit 41 calculates the difference between the stored fluorescence intensity F1 and fluorescence intensity F2 as the increase amount ΔF. As described above, the increase amount ΔF is related to the amount of biological particles (number of particles or concentration, etc.). The calculation unit 41 stores in advance a correspondence relationship between the increase amount ΔF and the amount (concentration) of biological particles as shown in FIG. Then, the calculation unit 41 sets the concentration obtained by using the calculated increase amount ΔF and the corresponding relationship as the concentration of biological particles in the air introduced into the case 5 during the time ΔT1. calculate.

The correspondence relationship between the increase amount ΔF and the concentration of biological particles is experimentally determined in advance. For example, a type of microorganism such as Escherichia coli, Bacillus, or mold is sprayed into a 1 m ³ container using a nebulizer, and the concentration of microorganisms is maintained at N / m ^3. Is used to collect microorganisms for a time ΔT1 by the above-described detection method. The microorganisms collected at a predetermined heating amount (heating time ΔT3, predetermined heating temperature) are subjected to heat treatment by the heater 91, and after cooling for a predetermined time ΔT4, the amount of increase in fluorescence intensity before and after heating Δ Measure F. The same measurement is performed for various microorganism concentrations, whereby the relationship between the increase ΔF and the concentration (pieces / m ³ ) shown in FIG. 25 is obtained.

The correspondence relationship between the increase amount ΔF and the concentration of biological particles may be stored in the calculation unit 41 by being input by operating a switch (not shown). Further, the correspondence relationship once stored in the calculation unit 41 may be updated by the detection control unit 201.

When the increase amount ΔF is calculated as the difference ΔF1, the calculation unit 41 specifies the value corresponding to the increase amount ΔF1 from the correspondence relationship in FIG. 25 to thereby determine the concentration N1 (particles / m ³ ) of biological particles. ) Is calculated.

However, the correspondence relationship between the increase amount ΔF and the concentration of biological particles may vary depending on the type of particles (for example, fungal species). Therefore, the calculation unit 41 defines any biological particle as a standard, and stores the correspondence between the increase amount ΔF and the concentration of the biological particle. Thereby, the density | concentration of the biological origin particle | grains in various environments is calculated as a density | concentration of the biological origin particle | grain converted on the basis of the standard. As a result, various environments can be compared, and environmental management becomes easy.

In the above example, the increase ΔF uses the difference in fluorescence intensity before and after the heat treatment of a predetermined heating amount (predetermined heating temperature, heating time ΔT3), but these ratios are used. May be.

<Detection operation 2>
In addition, about the detection operation | movement in 1 A of detection apparatuses when the detector 100 is the structure shown by FIG. 5, ie, the structure where the mechanism for collecting and the mechanism for detection are united. Also explained.

FIG. 26 is a time chart showing the flow of control in the control unit 200 when the detector 100 has the configuration shown in FIG. The control shown in FIG. 26 is realized by a CPU (not shown) of the control unit 200 reading and executing a program stored in a memory (not shown) to control each unit shown in FIG.

Referring to FIG. 26, when an operation signal instructing the start of a detection operation is input from a switch (not shown), fan control unit 202 drives fan 400. Further, the detection control unit 201 outputs a control signal for opening (ON) the drive mechanism of the

shutters

16A and 16B at time T1 based on the clock signal from the clock generation unit 47. Thereafter, at time T2 after time ΔT1 has elapsed from time T1, the detection control unit 201 outputs a control signal for closing the

shutters

16A and 16B.

Thereby, between time T1 and time ΔT1, the

shutters

16A and 16B are opened, and external air is introduced into the separator 700 by driving the fan 400. Allergens such as pollen are separated and removed from the introduced air, and the air after removal is introduced into the detector 100 through the air tube 500. Particles in the air introduced into the case 5 are negatively charged by the discharge electrode 17, and due to the flow of air and the electric field formed between the discharge electrode 17 and the coating 3 on the surface of the collecting jig 12, It is collected on the surface of the collecting jig 12 for a time ΔT1.

Further, at time T2, the

shutters

16A and 16B are closed, and the air flow in the case 5 stops. Thereby, collection of the floating particles by the collection jig 12 is completed. This also blocks stray light from the outside.

The detection control unit 201 outputs a control signal for starting (ON) light reception to the light receiving element 9 at time T2 when the

shutters

16A and 16B are closed. Further, at the same time (time T2) or at time T3 slightly delayed from time T2, a control signal for starting (ON) light emission to the light emitting element 6 is output. After that, at time T4 after the time ΔT2 which is a predetermined measurement time for measuring fluorescence intensity from time T3, the detection control unit 201 controls the light receiving element 9 to end (OFF) light reception. And a control signal for causing the light emitting element 6 to end (OFF) light emission. The measurement time may be preset in the detection control unit 201, or may be input or changed by operating a switch (not shown).

Thereby, irradiation from the light emitting element 6 is started from time T3 (or time T2). The light from the light emitting element 6 is applied to the irradiation region 15 on the surface of the collecting jig 12, and fluorescence is emitted from the collected particles. Fluorescence for a prescribed measurement time ΔT2 from time T3 is received by the light receiving element 9, and a voltage value corresponding to the fluorescence intensity F1 is input to the detection processing unit 40 and stored in the storage unit 42.

The detection control unit 201 generates a control signal for starting (ON) heating of the heater 91 at time T4 (or time slightly delayed from time T4) when the light emission of the light emitting element 6 and the light reception of the light receiving element 9 are terminated. Output. Then, at time T5 after the elapse of time ΔT3, which is a predetermined heat treatment time for the heat treatment from the start of heating of the heater 91 (time T4 or a time slightly delayed from time T4), the detection control unit 201 detects the heater 91. Outputs a control signal for finishing (OFF) heating.

Thereby, the heat treatment is performed on the particles collected in the irradiation region 15 on the surface of the collection jig 12 by the heater 91 from the time T4 (or a time slightly delayed from the time T4) to the heat treatment time ΔT3. The The heating temperature at this time is defined in advance. By performing the heat treatment for the time ΔT3, a predetermined heating amount is applied to the particles collected on the surface of the collection jig 12. The heat treatment time ΔT3 (that is, the heating amount) may also be set in advance in the detection control unit 201 as in the case of the above measurement time, and may be input or changed by operating a switch (not shown). It may be done.

Thereafter, the heated particles are cooled for a time ΔT4. The fan 400 may be used for the cooling process. In this case, external air may be taken in from an inlet (not shown) provided with a separate HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filter. Alternatively, a cooling mechanism such as a Peltier element may be used separately.

Thereafter, the fan control unit 202 outputs a control signal for terminating the operation of the fan 400, and the detection control unit 201 outputs a control signal for starting (ON) light reception by the light receiving element 9 at time T6. Further, at the same time (time T6) or at time T7 slightly delayed from time T6, a control signal for starting (ON) the light emitting element 6 to emit light is output. Thereafter, at time T8 after the measurement time ΔT2 has elapsed from time T7, the detection control unit 201 causes the light receiving element 9 to end (OFF) light reception, and causes the light emitting element 6 to end (OFF) light emission. Control signal for output.

As a result, the light collected by the light receiving element 9 receives the fluorescence for the measurement time ΔT2 after the particles collected from the light emitting element 6 to the irradiation region 15 on the surface of the collecting jig 12 are heated for the time ΔT3. Is done. The voltage value corresponding to the fluorescence intensity F2 is input to the detection processing unit 40 and stored in the storage unit 42.

The calculation unit 41 calculates the difference between the stored fluorescence intensity F1 and fluorescence intensity F2 as the increase amount ΔF. Then, in the same manner as described above, the biologically derived particles obtained using the calculated increase amount ΔF and the correspondence (FIG. 25) between the increase amount ΔF and the microorganism amount (concentration) stored in advance. Is calculated as the concentration of biological particles in the air introduced into the collection chamber 5A during the time ΔT1.

<Effect of Embodiment>
As shown in FIG. 1, the detection apparatus 1 A according to the present embodiment includes the separator 700 and the detector 100, and the separator 700 has the shape described above. Allergen is removed from airborne particles with high accuracy, and then detection by the detector 100 is performed. Thereby, detection accuracy can be improved.

In addition, in the air that has reached the detector 100, the detector 100 uses a difference in properties due to heat treatment between fluorescence from biological particles and fluorescence from dust that emits fluorescence as described above. Even when the fluorescent substance contains dust that emits fluorescence, the microorganisms can be separated and detected from the fluorescent substance dust in real time and with high accuracy.

Furthermore, in the detection apparatus 1A according to the present embodiment, a mechanism for introducing air into the detector 100 and a mechanism for introducing air into the separator 700 are provided as one fan 400 provided on the flow path. It is also used in. Thereby, compared with the case where each is provided separately, the number of members used for 1 A of detection apparatuses can be suppressed. Further, the control can be simplified as compared with the case where the introduction of air is controlled using a pump, a mass flow controller or the like. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the size and cost of the entire detection device.

[Second Embodiment]
In the detection device, the position where the fan 400 is provided may be any position as long as it is on the flow path of the detection device, and is not limited to the position shown in FIG. In the detection apparatus 1A according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the fan 400 is provided at the position of the discharge hole 11 of the detector 100, that is, the most downstream of the flow path of the detection apparatus 1A, and rotates. Therefore, a suction force is generated in the detection apparatus 1A. However, as another example, it may be provided up to the introduction hole 70 of the most upstream separator 700, that is, upstream of the position shown in FIG. Therefore, an example in which the fan 400 is provided at a position different from that of the first embodiment will be described as the second embodiment.

FIG. 27 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of the configuration of the detection apparatus 1B according to the second embodiment. As an example, in the detection apparatus 1 B, the fan 400 is provided in the air tube 500 at the position of the introduction hole 10 of the detector 100. As yet another example, the air tube 500 may be provided at a position in contact with the discharge hole 71 of the separator 700 or may be provided at a position in contact with the introduction hole 70 of the separator 700.

The embodiment disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

1A, 1B detection device, 2 high voltage power supply, 3 coating, 4 support substrate, 5 case, 5A collection chamber, 5B detection chamber, 5C 'hole, 5C wall, 6 light emitting element, 7 lens, 8 condenser lens, 9

light reception Element

10, 70, introduction hole, 11, 71 discharge hole, 12 collection jig, 12A collection unit, 15 irradiation area, 16A, 16B shutter, 17 discharge electrode, 30 signal processing unit, 34 voltage conversion circuit, 35 amplification Circuit, 40 detection processing unit, 41 calculation unit, 42 storage unit, 44 input unit, 47 clock generation unit, 48 drive unit, 60 brush, 65A cover, 65B adapter, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78 79, A, B curve, 91 heater, 100 detector, 200 control unit, 201 detection control unit, 202 fan control unit, 4 0 fans, 500 air tube, 700 separator.

Claims

A detection device for detecting first particles which are particles derived from living organisms in the air,
A separator for separating and removing second particles having a particle size larger than that of the first particles from the introduced particles in the air;
A detector for detecting the first particles from the introduced air after the second particles are separated and removed by the separator, connected to the separator by an air tube;
An air intake device for introducing air outside the detection device into the separator at a predetermined flow rate, and introducing the air from the separator through the air tube to the detector;
The intake device passes air from the introduction hole for introducing air outside the detection device to the separator, through the inside of the separator, the air pipe, and the inside of the detector, to the outside of the detection device. A detection device disposed at any position in a path between the detector and a discharge hole for discharging.
The detection device according to claim 1, wherein the intake device is provided at a position in contact with a discharge hole of the detector for discharging air out of the detection device.
The detection device according to claim 1, wherein the intake device is provided at a position connected to the air pipe of the detector.
The detection device according to claim 1, wherein the separator is a cyclone.
The detector is
A collecting member;
A light emitting element;
A light receiving element for receiving fluorescence;
A heater for heating the collecting member;
Based on the amount of change in the amount of fluorescence from the collecting member irradiated by the light emitting element before and after the heating, the amount of biological particles collected by the collecting member is changed to the first amount. The detection device according to claim 1, further comprising a calculation unit for calculating the amount of particles.
Detection comprising: a separator for separating and removing second particles having a larger particle diameter than the first particles from particles in the introduced air; and a detector connected to the separator by an air tube A method for detecting the first particles, which are biologically derived particles in the air introduced into the detection device, using an apparatus,
From the introduction hole for introducing the air outside the detection device to the separator, the detection device passes through the inside of the separator, the air tube, and the inside of the detector to the outside of the detection device. Air outside the detection device is introduced into the separator at a predetermined flow rate at any position on the path to the detector discharge hole, and the air tube is connected to the separator from the separator. Via which an air intake device for introducing the air to the detector is deployed,
Introducing the air outside the detection device from the introduction hole of the separator into the detection device at the predetermined flow rate for the predetermined time by operating the intake device for a predetermined time;
After the elapse of the predetermined time, stopping the operation of the intake device, and performing a detection operation in the detector,
The step of executing the detection operation includes:
Measuring the amount of fluorescence under irradiation of the light emitting element before heating of the collection member included in the detector;
Measuring the amount of fluorescence under irradiation of the light emitting element after heating of the collecting member;
Based on the amount of change from the amount of fluorescence measured from the collecting member before heating to the amount of fluorescence measured from the collecting member after heating, derived from the organism collected by the collecting member Calculating the amount of particles as the amount of the first particles.