Decontamination device in the presence of a person

Abstract

DECONTAMINATION DEVICE A device emitting light radiation comprising: - at least one light-emitting device capable of generating light radiation comprising at least part of the radiated energy in a wavelength range of 200nm to 300nm; - at least one reflector which allows the light rays in the wavelength range of 200nm to 300nm to be directed in a preferred direction called the optical axis; - at least one adjustable mechanical device capable of interrupting all or part of the radiation in the wavelength range of 200nm to 300nm and located in the path of these rays; - at least one grid made up of solid strips covered with an optical treatment absorbing more than 95% of the rays in the wavelength range of 200nm to 300nm, these strips being arranged so as to limit the exit angle of the rays;- an adjustment device allowing correction of the horizontal and vertical positioning of the system by the use of more than 2 pressure screws pressing on a movable part located between the device and the support; Figure for the abbreviation: Fig 1.;

Description

Title of the invention: Decontamination device in the presence of a person. Technical field

[0001] The invention relates to a UV-C radiation emitting device enabling air decontamination in the presence of people. Prior art

[0002] The germicidal action of UV-C radiation has been known since 1877 by Messrs. Downes and Blunt, (Downes, A. and Blunt, T. (1877) The Influence of Light upon the Development of Bacteria. Nature, 16, 218) who showed the germicidal action of UV rays on bacteria, an action that is a function of the dose and wavelength used.

[0003] The use of UV-C is an effective means of combating contamination of surfaces, water or air and constitutes a chemical-free alternative to other decontamination methods, such as the use of chlorine, ozone...

[0004] The use of germicidal UV radiation (GUV) is an important tool that can reduce both the contact spread and airborne transmission of infectious agents (such as bacteria and viruses). GUVs operate in the UV-C wavelength range (200 nm–280 nm), with the mercury line at 254 nm commonly used, and have been applied successfully and safely for over 80 years. However, GUVs must be used with full knowledge and with particular attention to dosage and safety.

[0005] The harmful effects of UV-C radiation are well established, with the main effects being burns to the skin (erythema) and eyes (photokeratitis). Daily exposure limits for individuals are set by European directives, which are transposed into national law. Thus, the exposure limit for artificial UV-C radiation is 30 J / m² / day, corresponding to 0.2 pW / cm² for exposure exceeding 8 hours, at a wavelength of 254 nm.

[0006] UV-C radiation has been used effectively for decades to decontaminate air, particularly in the fight against tuberculosis. The systems used were devices without optical control designed to irradiate high-ceilinged rooms, with ceilings over 3 meters high. This type of system, as well as more recent ones that deliver UV-C in a more targeted manner, do not allow They cannot control the direction or intensity of the delivered UV-C flux, which consequently makes them unsuitable for small volumes.

[0007] Other air treatment systems also exist, based on filtration techniques and using, for example, HEPA filters. These filters need to be replaced frequently. These types of devices also have the disadvantage of being noisy. Statement of the invention

[0008] In this context, the present invention aims to provide an alternative solution for air decontamination in the presence of people using UV-C, free from the drawbacks listed above. In particular, the present invention aims to provide a new solution for: - Proper system installation: thanks to an element allowing support and adjustment on the wall surface - Easy system adjustment: Possibility of optical horizontal adjustment without disassembling the system - Radiation power adjustment: the amount of UV-C delivered by the device can be adjusted. - Use in rooms with low ceilings, thanks to a special optics - The ability to emit only the germicidal UV-C wavelength, without emitting visible light - Accelerate the decontamination of the treated area through additional air circulation.

[0009] In addition, the present invention also aims to provide a simple solution whose installation and adjustment are simple, without requiring the device to be disassembled again.

[0010] Another objective of the invention is to offer a less bulky, less energy-intensive, non-noisy, non-visible solution, without ozone emissions and compatible with installation in a room with a low ceiling height (<2.5m).

[0011] A device emitting light radiation comprising: - at least one light-emitting device capable of generating light radiation comprising at least part of the radiated energy in a wavelength range of 200nm to 300nm; - at least one reflector that allows light rays in the wavelength range of 200nm to 300nm to be directed in a preferred direction called the optical axis, - at least one adjustable mechanical device capable of interrupting all or part of the radiation in the wavelength range of 200nm to 300nm and located in the path of these rays; - at least one grid made up of solid strips covered with an optical treatment absorbing more than 95% of the rays in the wavelength range of 200nm to 300nm, these strips being arranged so as to limit the exit angle of the rays; - an adjustment device allowing the horizontal and vertical positioning of the system to be corrected by the use of more than 2 pressure screws pressing on a movable part located between the device and the support.

[0012] The device may include on the optical path a filter allowing to eliminate all or part of the light radiation outside the wavelength range of 200nm to 300nm.

[0013] The device may include on the optical path an additional condenser allowing the divergence of the radiation to be reduced in the wavelength range of 200nm to 300nm.

[0014] The device may include a fixed or adjustable fan, allowing the air in the treated space to be circulated, and allowing or preventing the passage of air into the device.

[0015] The device may include a presence or movement detector whose detection area is limited to the germicidal area, and which allows the emission to be cut off and / or modulated in the wavelength range of 200nm to 300nm in the event of detection.

[0016] The device may include a presence or motion detector that detects presence in the room or part of it, and allows the emission to be cut off in the wavelength range of 200nm to 300nm when the room or part of it is unoccupied, this cut-off being able to be timed on the switch-on and / or switch-off.

[0017] The device may include a dose detector sensitive to the wavelength range of 200nm to 300nm and located in a position representative of the exposure of people present, this detector being able to order the cut-off of the emission in the wavelength range of 200nm to 300nm when the dose received by the detector exceeds the programmed setpoint during the programmed time period.

[0018] The invention thus relates to a device emitting visible and / or invisible light radiation, comprising at least one UV emitting device and a housing that can, for example, be suspended from the ceiling or fixed to the wall. The decontamination device is capable of generating UV-C radiation, includes adjustment elements, and optics for concentrating the radiation into a specific geometry. Natural air circulation can be enhanced, thereby enabling faster decontamination.

[0019] According to the invention, the adjustment device allows the system's position to be adjusted during operation without disassembly. This adjustment is made possible by pressure screws accessible without disassembling the device, which bear against a secondary element itself fixed to the support and ensuring the correct positioning of the device.

[0020] The invention includes a power cut-off switch allowing intervention on the device, as well as a system for detecting the presence of the germicidal zone. An audible and / or visual signal warns of presence in the germicidal zone.

[0021] Thus, the solution of the invention consists of a device for decontaminating the air in rooms with low ceilings (<2.50 m) and in the presence of people, thanks to its special optical system. Installation and adjustment of this device are facilitated by the use of a secondary element against which the device rests using adjustable pressure screws, without disassembling the system. The intensity of the UV-C flux can be modified, if necessary, by means of a physical element internal to the device, thus allowing for fine-tuning of the delivered dose. A tertiary element can provide additional air circulation in the room and thus reduce the decontamination time. An infrared barrier-type detection system warns of the passage of people or animals into the defined decontamination zone.Similarly, a presence detection system allows the device to switch on if one or more people are in the room and includes a timer that stops the system if no presence is detected after a certain period of time that can be defined, thus increasing the lifespan of the UV source and reducing energy consumption.

[0022] According to one embodiment, the device comprises: - A light source emitting at least part of its luminous power in the 200nm to 300nm frequency band - Electronics to control the source if necessary, this source being able to be controlled in such a way as to vary the optical power of the device in the frequency band 200nm to 300nm, in other optical bands or in a combination of bands. - A reflector that limits the emission angle and deflects the light beams largely in a preferred direction. This reflector can be either metallic or dichroic, reflecting light in the 200nm to 300nm band while allowing unwanted wavelengths to pass through. The advantage of a dichroic reflector is that it concentrates the UV-C beam without increasing the intensity of unwanted wavelengths in the preferred direction. - A movable blade that intercepts a variable portion of the radiation exiting the reflector. Ideally, the blade has a minimum interception position and Several indexed interception positions are available. The movable blade is capable of absorbing at least 95% of the optical radiation in the 200nm to 300nm band, or transmitting only 5% or less. Ideally, the position of this blade is adjustable from outside the device. - An optional optical condenser, such as a lens, installed at the output of the reflector and / or the moving blade, allowing the optical beam to be concentrated in the preferred direction. - An optional filter allowing the selection of only germicidal wavelengths (200nm to 300nm). This filter can be absorbent in an unwanted band, or dichroic, reflecting unwanted wavelengths and transmitting wavelengths in the 200nm to 300nm band. - A grid composed of metal, plastic, or other rigid material blades, capable of receiving a surface treatment that absorbs at least 95% of the optical radiation in the 200nm to 300nm band at grazing incidence. This grid may be composed of horizontal and / or vertical and / or oriented blades, for example, an assembly of horizontal and vertical blades, a honeycomb structure, or any other structure that allows the cone of light emission to be angularly limited. - An optional, optically transparent blade in the wavelength range of 200nm to 300nm, allowing the device to be sealed while allowing the germicidal rays to exit. - A housing allowing the mechanical support of all the above elements, the light sealing on all its faces except on one or more faces used for the oriented emission of optical radiation in the room, as well as the fixing on the support, wall, ceiling... This housing also includes more than 2 pressure screws allowing the geometric adjustment of the position of the housing relative to its support, in order to be able to finely adjust the positioning of the germicidal beam relative to the desired position relative to the reference plane. - An optional plate (secondary component) that allows for easy mounting and positioning, and protects the substrate from potential damage caused by the pressure screws. This protection is particularly useful for fragile substrates such as plaster, plasterboard, paint, wallpaper, etc. - A switch to cut off optical emission without exposing oneself to radiation. - An optional indicator light for verifying emission in the 200nm to 300nm band. This light is located on one of the closed faces of the housing and allows verification of emission in the 200nm to 300nm band without exposure to radiation in this band. This light can be controlled by an electronic emission detection system. in the 200nm to 300nm band or by a window absorbing the emission in the 200nm to 300nm band and allowing the emission from the source to pass through in the visible band if it exists, or by a device absorbing the rays in the 200nm to 300nm band and re-emitting in the visible band.

[0023] According to another embodiment, the preceding device also includes a device for mixing the air. This mixing can be entirely external (the mixed air does not enter the device) or can allow the air from the room to circulate inside the device.

[0024] According to another embodiment, the preceding device includes a device for detecting the passage of a warm-blooded being into the germicidal zone and for cutting off the light emission.

[0025] According to another embodiment, the preceding device includes a presence detector, enabling the device to be switched on when people are present under the germicidal zone and switched off when the space is unoccupied. This device may include a time delay for switching on and / or switching off.

[0026] According to another embodiment, the device includes a sensor for calculating the dose received at a given point over a programmed period of time; this sensor may be mobile and / or wirelessly connected to the device. If the maximum permissible dose is exceeded, the device cuts off or adjusts the UV emission and may warn the user of the UV source being switched off.

[0027] Overall, the manufacturing process for the UV-C radiation emitting device described above may include: - an external protective casing for the UV-C source - a UV-C source - programmable or non-programmable control electronics - a specific optical system for controlling the output radiation beam - a system for fine-tuning the output radiation flux - a filter system to eliminate part of the optical spectrum outside the wavelength range of 200nm to 300nm - a sealing strip (optional) - a system positioning system allowing for external adjustment - a control and maintenance switch - an enhanced air circulation system (optional) - a presence detection system in the germicidal zone (optional) - a presence detection system in the room (optional) - a dose measurement device allowing the device to be switched off or the flow to be adjusted if there is a risk of overexposure (optional) Brief description of the drawings

[0028] Other features and advantages of the invention will become clear from the following description, which is by way of example and not limitation, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0029] Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of a germicidal device intended to be installed on a vertical wall, according to one embodiment of the invention;

[0030] The [Fig.2] is a schematic representation of a grid according to one embodiment;

[0031] The [Fig.3] is a schematic representation of a grid according to another embodiment;

[0032] The [Fig.4A] is a schematic cross-sectional representation of a device according to the embodiment of the [Fig.1], equipped with an external tangential type mixing fan;

[0033] [Fig.4B] is a schematic cross-sectional representation of a device according to the embodiment of [Fig.1] equipped with an internal tangential mixing fan.

[0034] It should be noted that in these figures, the same reference numerals designate identical or analogous elements, and the different structures are not to scale. Furthermore, only the elements essential to understanding the invention are represented in these figures for reasons of clarity. Detailed description

[0035] A decontamination system according to certain particular embodiments of the invention will be described below.

[0036] With reference to [Fig.1] the UVC radiation emitting device, in cross-section, according to an embodiment of the invention, in which a wavelength filtering device is inserted at the output in order to eliminate and / or modify the visible spectrum.

[0037] The system of [Fig.1] includes a light-tight housing (1) except on the front face (10) where it is pierced with an opening allowing the exit of optical and germicidal radiation.

[0038] It also includes a power supply (4) allowing the characteristics of the energy delivered by the electrical network to be adapted to the operation of the source (3) emitting at least part of the radiated energy in the 200nm to 300nm band.

[0039] This source (3) is placed sufficiently close to the focal point of a parabolic reflector (2) made of treated aluminum to ensure good reflectivity in the 200nm to 300nm band. In front of this source is placed a metal shutter (6) whose surface is treated to have very low reflectivity in the 200nm to 300nm band, with an absorption of more than 98% of the incident light, including at incidence This flap (6) is movable, in this implementation by a rotation around an axis passing through the middle of the flap, and has an indexing device which allows it to be held in position.

[0040] In front of this flap (6), on the optical path, is placed a grid (11) made of rigid material slats (5), in this aluminum implementation. This grid is treated to have very low reflectivity in the 200nm to 300nm band, with an absorption of more than 98% of the incident light, including at grazing incidence.

[0041] The housing (1) is open only on its face located in the optical path, in front of the grid. A filter (7) absorbing rays between 350 nm and 800 nm is located between the grid (11) and the opening of the housing (1). This filter (7) eliminates the component of visible light which, in certain circumstances (cinemas, theaters, etc.) may be undesirable.

[0042] The device also includes, on the back of the housing (1), a fixing to the support (13), vertical in this case, by means of screws (9). These screws (9) are aligned on an axis and allow a slight rotation of the housing (1) about the axis, and also allow the retention of an adjustment plate (12). The pressure screws (8), by virtue of their differential tightening, allow a slight rotation about the axis of alignment of the screws (9), in this implementation on the order of ±5%, which makes it possible to compensate for a lack of verticality of the support (13).

[0043] Furthermore, figures 2 and 3 illustrate possible implementations of the grid according to embodiments.

[0044] According to another variant illustrated in Figures 4A and 4B, is a schematic representation of a device according to the embodiment of [Fig. 1] equipped with an external tangential mixing fan (30), located below the device, or an internal tangential mixing fan (31), located at the rear of the device. Several fans can be used and arranged below and / or above and / or on the sides of the device depending on the mixing requirements and the characteristics of the room. The tangential fan can advantageously be replaced by one or more axial fans.

Claims

Claims

1. Device for decontaminating the air of a room by emitting light radiation into said room, comprising a housing, one face of which is provided with an opening through which said light radiation exits; the housing integrating: - at least one light-emitting device (3) configured to generate light radiation comprising at least a portion of the radiated energy in a wavelength range from 200nm to 300nm; - at least one reflector (2) configured to orient the light rays generated by the light-emitting device (3) towards the opening of the housing in a preferential direction called the optical axis; - at least one adjustable mechanical device (6) located on the path of these oriented rays and configured to interrupt all or part of the radiation in the wavelength range from 200nm to 300nm;- at least one grid (11) consisting of solid slats (5) covered with an optical treatment absorbing more than 95% of the rays in the wavelength range from 200nm to 300nm, these slats being arranged so as to angularly limit the emission cone of the 200nm to 300nm light rays at the exit of the opening of the housing; - an adjustment device making it possible to correct the horizontal and vertical positioning of the housing by the use of more than two pressure screws (8) pressing on a moving part (12) and located between the device and a support.;

2. Device according to claim 1, comprising on the optical path a filter (7) configured to eliminate all or part of the light radiation outside the wavelength range of 200nm to 300nm.

3. A device according to claim 1, comprising on the optical path an optical condenser configured to reduce the divergence of the radiation in the wavelength range of 200nm to 300nm.

4. Device according to one of claims 1, comprising a fan configured to circulate the air in the treated space, and to allow or not allow the passage of air into the device.

5. Device according to claim 1, comprising a presence or movement detector whose detection zone is limited to the germicidal zone, and making it possible to cut off the emission and / or modulate it in the wavelength range from 200nm to 300nm in the event of detection.

6. Device according to claim 1, comprising a presence or movement detector detecting the presence in the room or part of it, and making it possible to cut off the emission in the wavelength range from 200nm to 300nm when the room or part of it is unoccupied, this cut-off being able to be delayed on switching on and / or off.

7. Device according to claim 1, comprising a dose detector sensitive to the wavelength range from 200nm to 300nm and located in a position representative of the exposure of the people present, this detector being able to order the cutting off of the emission in the wavelength range from 200nm to 300nm when the dose received by the detector exceeds the programmed setpoint during the programmed period of time.

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