sterilizer

Abstract

To provide a sterilizer that can efficiently prolonging a service life of each LED element.SOLUTION: A sterilizer of a UV-LED irradiation type comprises: LED elements; and a control part which controls lighting of the LED elements. When one LED element or a plurality of the LED elements subjected to lighting control of a same content is an LED irradiation unit, the LED irradiation units are plural, and, regarding the LED irradiation units, when a value obtained by multiplying an output by time until an initial efficiency of the LED irradiation units reduces to a predetermined efficiency is a lifetime total output, the control part determines the output and the number of the LED irradiation units so as to be equal to or more than a required output, on the basis of a life determination factor, and so as to increase the lifetime total output.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a sterilization device. [Background technology]

[0002] There is known a technique for sterilizing a fluid by using the sterilizing power of light emitted from a light source. Patent Document 1 describes a sterilization device that sterilizes a fluid flowing through a flow path by irradiating the fluid with ultraviolet light. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6458779 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Sterilization devices that use UV-LED elements as the light source are required to extend the life of the LED elements and reduce the frequency of replacing the LED elements. However, no sterilization device that can efficiently extend the life of LED elements has been proposed so far.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a sterilization device that can efficiently extend the life of LED elements. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The sterilization device of the present invention is a UV-LED irradiation type sterilization device comprising an LED element and a control unit that controls the lighting of the LED element, and when one or more of the LED elements subjected to the same lighting control are defined as an LED irradiation unit, there are multiple LED irradiation units, and when the lifetime total output for each LED irradiation unit is the output multiplied by the time it takes for the efficiency of the LED irradiation unit to decrease from the initial efficiency to a specified efficiency, the control unit determines the output and number of the LED irradiation units to be turned on based on a lifetime determining factor so that the output is equal to or greater than the required output and so that the lifetime total output is high. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a sterilization device that can efficiently extend the life of LED elements. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a sterilization device of the present embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an LED substrate on which LED elements are arranged. [Diagram 3] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a state in which an LED element is lit. [Figure 4] 13A and 13B are diagrams showing another state in which the LED element is lit. [Diagram 5] 1 is a graph showing the relationship between the output of an LED element and the total integrated output over its lifetime. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a lighting state in a first lighting mode. [Figure 7] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a lighting state in a second lighting mode. [Figure 8] 10 is a flowchart showing a procedure for selecting a lighting mode. [Figure 9] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing another configuration of the LED module. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a sterilization apparatus 1 showing a schematic configuration of the sterilization apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment.

[0010] As shown in Figure 1, the sterilization device 1 includes an LED element 3. The LED element 3 is a light source in the sterilization device 1. The LED element 3 emits ultraviolet light. The sterilization device 1 is a device that irradiates a fluid with ultraviolet light emitted by the LED element 3 to sterilize the fluid. The sterilization device 1 includes an irradiation flow path 16 therein. The irradiation flow path 16 is a section through which the fluid flows and is irradiated with ultraviolet light. The sterilization device 1 sterilizes the fluid flowing through the irradiation flow path 16. A specific description will be given below.

[0011] The sterilization device 1 comprises a tubular main body 10. The main body 10 is a component that roughly defines the outer shape of the sterilization device 1. The shape of the main body 10 is a round tube type. FIG. 1 shows an XYZ Cartesian coordinate system. The X-axis direction is the direction in which the tube of the main body 10 extends. The X-axis direction, Y-axis direction, and Z direction show the same directions in other figures.

[0012] The main body 10 includes an irradiation flow path section 12 and a light source housing section 20. The irradiation flow path section 12 is a section in which a fluid flowing inside is sterilized. A flow path inside the irradiation flow path section 12 is referred to as an irradiation flow path 16.

[0013] The light source accommodating section 20 is a section in which the LED element 3 is housed. The light source accommodating section 20 is provided at each of both ends of the irradiation flow path section 12. One end of the irradiation flow path section 12 is referred to as a first end 14. The other end of the irradiation flow path section 12 is referred to as a second end 15. The light source accommodating section 20 disposed at the first end 14 is referred to as a first light source accommodating section 21. The light source accommodating section 20 disposed at the second end 15 is referred to as a second light source accommodating section 22.

[0014] In this embodiment, the first end 14 is an end on the upstream side of the flow of fluid in the irradiation channel section 12. The second end 15 is an end on the downstream side.

[0015] The light source housing 20 houses the LED element 3. A window 26 is arranged on the side of the light source housing 20 facing the irradiation flow path section 12. The window 26 is made of a material that transmits ultraviolet light. The LED element 3 irradiates the irradiation flow path section 12 with ultraviolet light through the window 26.

[0016] The main body 10 has a fluid inlet / outlet 23 at each of the first end 14 and the second end 15. The fluid inlet / outlet 23 is an inlet for fluid to flow into the irradiation channel 16, or an outlet for fluid to flow out of the irradiation channel 16. The fluid inlet / outlet 23 functions as both an outlet and an inlet depending on the direction of fluid flow.

[0017] The fluid flows into the irradiation flow path 16 of the irradiation flow path section 12 from one fluid inlet / outlet 23. After the fluid is sterilized inside the irradiation flow path section 12, it flows out of the irradiation flow path 16 from the other fluid inlet / outlet 23.

[0018] The fluid port 23 disposed at the first end 14 is referred to as a first fluid port 24. The fluid port 23 disposed at the second end 15 is referred to as a second fluid port 25.

[0019] The flow of the fluid is illustrated by arrows. In this embodiment, the fluid flows through the sterilization device 1 in the directions indicated by arrows 50, 51, 52, 53, and 54. As indicated by arrow 50, the fluid flows into the irradiation flow path 16 from the first fluid inlet / outlet 24. As indicated by arrows 51, 52, and 53, the fluid flows through the irradiation flow path 16 from the negative side of the X-axis to the positive side of the X-axis. The fluid that reaches the second end 15 flows out from the second fluid inlet / outlet 25.

[0020] The sterilization device 1 of this embodiment can efficiently extend the life of the LED elements 3. By extending the life of the LED elements 3, the frequency of replacement of the LED elements 3 can be reduced. Furthermore, during maintenance, it becomes easier to synchronize the replacement timing of the LED elements 3. As a result, the economic efficiency of the sterilization device 1 is improved. This will be explained in detail below.

[0021] 2 is a diagram showing an LED substrate 30 on which an LED element 3 is mounted. The LED substrate 30 is a wiring substrate on which the LED element 3 is mounted. The LED substrate 30 on which the LED element 3 is mounted is referred to as an LED module 34. The LED element 3 is accommodated in the light source accommodating section 20 in the form of the LED module 34.

[0022] The LED module 34 shown in FIG.

[0023] The sterilization device 1 includes a control unit (not shown). The control unit is a part that controls the lighting of the LED elements 3. The control unit can control each LED element 3 individually. The control unit can also perform the same lighting control for multiple LED elements 3.

[0024] The LED elements 3 that are subjected to the same lighting control are defined as LED irradiation units. The LED irradiation units will be described with reference to Fig. 3 and Fig. 4. Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 are diagrams showing how the LED irradiation units are lit. The lit LED irradiation units are different between Fig. 3 and Fig. 4.

[0025] In Fig. 3 and Fig. 4, the hatched LED elements 3 are lit. The other LED elements 3 are not lit. In Fig. 3 and Fig. 4, every other LED element 3 is lit in the X-axis direction. Also, in Fig. 3 and Fig. 4, every other LED element 3 is lit in the Y-axis direction. The eight lit LED elements 3 in Fig. 3 are defined as a first LED irradiation unit 31. The eight lit LED elements 3 in Fig. 4 are defined as a second LED irradiation unit 32.

[0026] 2, the first LED irradiation unit 31 and the second LED irradiation unit 32 can be turned on simultaneously. Also, the first LED irradiation unit 31 and the second LED irradiation unit 32 can be turned off simultaneously.

[0027] The number of LED elements 3 included in the LED module 34 is 16, which is an example. The number of LED elements 3 included in the LED module 34 may be any number equal to or greater than 1.

[0028] The number of LED irradiation units included in the LED module 34 is two, which is an example. The number of LED irradiation units may be any number equal to or greater than one.

[0029] The number of LED elements 3 included in one LED irradiation unit is eight, which is an example. The number of LED elements 3 included in one LED irradiation unit may be any number equal to or greater than one.

[0030] Furthermore, the number of LED elements 3 included in each LED irradiation unit may be different.

[0031] Furthermore, the number of LED modules 34 included in the sterilization device 1 may be any number equal to or greater than 1. The number of LED irradiation units included in the sterilization device 1 is set to be multiple.

[0032] Next, the life determining factors of the LED element 3 will be explained. The factors that affect the life of the LED element 3 are called the life determining factors. The life determining factors include the junction temperature of the LED element when it is turned on. Inside the LED element 3, there is a PN junction. The junction temperature is the temperature of this PN junction. The lower the junction temperature, the longer the life of the LED element 3. Factors that affect the junction temperature include the input to the LED element (and thus the output of the LED element 3), the arrangement density of the LED elements, the ambient temperature of the LED elements, and the heat dissipation rate of the LED elements. Therefore, the input to the LED element (and thus the output of the LED element 3), the arrangement density of the LED elements, the ambient temperature of the LED elements, and the heat dissipation rate of the LED elements are indirect life determining factors. Here, the life of the LED element 3 is defined as the time until the efficiency drops from the initial efficiency to 70%.

[0033] Hereinafter, lighting control of the LED element 3 will be specifically described, taking the junction temperature of the LED element 3 as an example of a life determining factor.

[0034] The junction temperature is determined by the input to the LED element 3 and therefore the output of the LED element 3, when the arrangement density of the LED elements 3, the environmental temperature of the LED element 3, and the rate at which the LED element 3 releases heat to the outside are constant.

[0035] The junction temperature is the temperature inside the LED element. Therefore, it is not possible to measure the junction temperature directly. Therefore, the junction temperature is calculated. The calculation formula can be expressed as follows:

[0036] First formula: Junction temperature (℃) = solder temperature (℃) + input to LED element (W) × thermal resistance of LED element (℃ / W)

[0037] The thermal resistance of the LED element 3 is the thermal resistance from the PN junction inside the LED element 3 to the outside of the LED element 3. The outside of the LED element 3 is the solder part.

[0038] In actual operation, the junction temperature can be calculated using the following formula.

[0039] Second formula: Junction temperature (℃) = Temperature sensor temperature (℃) + Input to LED element (W) × Thermal resistance of LED element (℃ / W) + Input to all lit LED elements on the same LED board (W) × Thermal resistance between the solder part of the LED element and the temperature sensor (℃ / W)

[0040] When using the above formula, the thermal resistance between the solder part of the LED element 3, which has the highest temperature on the LED substrate 30, and the temperature sensor on the LED substrate 30 is measured in advance. Then, the junction temperature is calculated using the temperature of the temperature sensor and the value of the thermal resistance. The temperature sensor can be a thermistor or the like.

[0041] Next, an overview of lighting control will be given. The lifespan of the LED elements 3 is affected by factors that determine the lifespan. Here, the junction temperature will be used as an example. As mentioned above, the junction temperature is determined by the input to the LED elements 3 and in turn the output of the LED elements 3, when the arrangement density of the LED elements 3, the ambient temperature of the LED elements 3, and the rate at which the LED elements 3 dissipate heat to the outside are constant. Therefore, the total integrated output of the LED elements 3 over their lifetime is affected by the output of the LED elements 3.

[0042] The lifetime integrated total output is a value obtained by multiplying the output of the LED element 3 by the total light emission time until the output of the LED element 3 decreases from the initial output to a predetermined output.

[0043] The graph in Fig. 5 shows the relationship between the output of the LED element 3 and the total integrated output over its lifetime. The horizontal axis of the graph in Fig. 5 is the output (W) of the LED element 3. The vertical axis of the graph in Fig. 5 is the total integrated output (Wh) over its lifetime of the LED element 3.

[0044] As indicated by an arrow 60 in FIG. 5, as the output of the LED element 3 increases from a low value, the lifetime integrated total output increases.

[0045] After that, the lifetime integrated total output starts to decrease. The output value of the LED element 3 at which the lifetime integrated total output is maximized is designated as X. When the output of the LED element 3 exceeds X, as shown by the arrow 62 in FIG. 5, the lifetime integrated total output decreases as the output of the LED element 3 increases.

[0046] As shown in Fig. 5, if the output of the LED element 3 is too low or too high, the lifetime integrated total output will be low. In order to increase the lifetime integrated total output, it is preferable to set the output of the LED element 3 to the vicinity of X. The range of the output of the LED element 3 in the vicinity of X is set as the suitable output range. In Fig. 5, the suitable output range is indicated by a double-headed arrow 64. The suitable output range 64 can be appropriately set based on the output X, for example, in the range of X-0.2X to X+0.2X.

[0047] Therefore, in order to bring the output of the LED element 3 as close to X as possible, the number of LED elements 3 and LED irradiation units is controlled to be changed according to the required output.

[0048] A specific example of control will be described below. The sterilization device 1 of this embodiment has multiple LED irradiation units, and when the lifetime total output of each LED irradiation unit is the output multiplied by the time it takes for the efficiency of the LED irradiation unit to decrease from the initial efficiency to a set efficiency, the control unit determines the output of the LED irradiation unit and the number of LED irradiation units to be turned on based on the life determining factor so that the output is equal to or greater than the required output and so that the lifetime total output is high.

[0049] In the following description, the sterilization device 1 includes two LED irradiation units. When the two LED irradiation units are turned on to satisfy the required output, two lighting modes are possible. The two lighting modes are a first lighting mode and a second lighting mode. In the following description, the output of the LED element 3 corresponding to the required output is set to 1.

[0050] The first lighting mode is a lighting mode in which any one of the LED irradiation units is caused to emit light with an output of 1, thereby making the total output 1.

[0051] In the first lighting mode, the LED irradiation units to be lit are switched in sequence. By distributing the LED irradiation units to be lit, the lighting time of each LED irradiation unit can be reduced.

[0052] In addition, the LED elements 3 that are turned on are rotated, so that the replacement times of the LED elements 3 can be brought closer together.

[0053] The second lighting mode is a lighting mode in which the total output is set to 1 by causing each of the two LED irradiation units to emit light at 1 / 2 the output.

[0054] Fig. 6 is a diagram showing a lighting state in the first lighting mode, and Fig. 7 is a diagram showing a lighting state in the second lighting mode.

[0055] In the following description, a configuration in which one LED irradiation unit is included in each LED module 34 will be taken as an example. Therefore, in order to distinguish from the multiple LED irradiation units included in one LED module 34 shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the LED irradiation units shown in Figs. 6 and 7 will be referred to as a first LED irradiation unit 35 and a second LED irradiation unit 36.

[0056] In the first lighting mode, as shown in FIG. 6, only one of the first LED irradiation unit 35 and the second LED irradiation unit 36 ​​is turned on and emits UV light 5. The turned-on LED irradiation unit is switched every certain time. The state in which the first LED irradiation unit 35 shown in the upper part of FIG. 6 is turned on and the state in which the second LED irradiation unit 36 ​​shown in the lower part of FIG. 6 is turned on are switched as shown by the arrow. In the first lighting mode, as shown in FIG. 6, one of the LED irradiation units is turned on with the required output, and the turned-on LED irradiation unit is switched every certain time.

[0057] In the second lighting mode, as shown in FIG. 7, both the first LED irradiation unit 35 and the second LED irradiation unit 36 ​​are turned on and emit the UV light 7.

[0058] The output corresponding to the UV light 7 in the second lighting mode is half the output corresponding to the UV light 5 in the first lighting mode.

[0059] The first and second lighting modes have the same total output, so the required output can be obtained regardless of which lighting mode is selected. However, the total life of the two LED irradiation units may differ between the first and second lighting modes. This is because when the output of the LED element 3 is halved, the life of the LED element 3 does not necessarily double.

[0060] Therefore, from the viewpoint of extending the life of the LED element 3, the lighting mode of the LED element 3 is determined. Specifically, based on the life determining factor, here the junction temperature, the lighting mode that increases the total life of the LED irradiation units is selected.

[0061] The procedure for selecting a lighting mode will be described with reference to Fig. 8. Fig. 8 is a flow chart showing the procedure for selecting a lighting mode. S1 means step 1. S2 and subsequent steps are similar.

[0062] In the following description, two LED modules including one LED irradiation unit are provided, similarly to the sterilization device 1 shown in Fig. 6. The two LED irradiation units are referred to as a first LED irradiation unit 35 and a second LED irradiation unit 36.

[0063] (S1) In S1, the required output is determined. The required output is calculated based on the flow rate of the fluid to be sterilized, the UV transmittance of the fluid, the turbidity of the fluid, etc. Based on the required output, the required output of the LED element 3 is determined.

[0064] (S2) In S2, the junction temperature is calculated to select the lighting mode that will maximize the lifespan of the LED element 3. In this case, the junction temperature is calculated when the first lighting mode and the second lighting mode are selected.

[0065] Specifically, in a case where the sterilization device 1 includes two LED irradiation units, the junction temperature when the LED irradiation units are turned on to satisfy the required output of the LED element 3 is calculated in the first lighting mode and the second lighting mode.

[0066] The required output of the LED element 3 is set to 10. In this case, in the first lighting mode, only the first LED irradiation unit 35 or the second LED irradiation unit 36 ​​is turned on with an output of 10. In the second lighting mode, both the first LED irradiation unit 35 and the second LED irradiation unit 36 ​​are turned on with an output of 5.

[0067] The expected junction temperatures are calculated for the first and second lighting modes. The calculation of the junction temperatures can be performed using the first or second calculation formula described above.

[0068] It is assumed that the junction temperature in the first lighting mode is calculated to be 70° C. The junction temperature in the second lighting mode is calculated to be 50° C.

[0069] (S3) Next, in S3, the expected life of the LED irradiation unit is calculated. The expected life of the LED irradiation unit can be estimated based on the junction temperature. Therefore, the expected life of the LED irradiation unit is calculated based on the junction temperature calculated in S3.

[0070] As a result of calculation, the expected life of the LED irradiation unit in the first lighting mode is 10000 hours, and the expected life of the LED irradiation unit in the second lighting mode is 15000 hours.

[0071] (S4) Next, in S4, the actual expected life of the LED irradiation unit is calculated. The actual expected life is the total usage time until the LED irradiation unit reaches the end of its life, including the time when the LED irradiation unit is not lit.

[0072] In the first lighting mode, the lighting time of each LED irradiation unit is half of the lighting time when it is continuously lit. Therefore, the actual expected lifespan is 10,000 hours x 2 = 20,000 hours.

[0073] In the second lighting mode, both the first LED irradiation unit 35 and the second LED irradiation unit 36 ​​are continuously lit. Therefore, the actual expected life of the LED irradiation unit is 15,000 hours.

[0074] (S5) Next, in S5, the lighting mode is determined. The lighting mode is determined by comparing the actual expected life in the first lighting mode with the actual expected life in the second lighting mode. If the actual expected life in the first lighting mode is greater than the actual expected life in the second lighting mode, the first lighting mode is determined and the process proceeds to S6.

[0075] If the actual expected life span of the first lighting mode is not greater than that of the second lighting mode, the second lighting mode is selected, and the process proceeds to S7.

[0076] When the actual expected life span of the first lighting mode is equal to that of the second lighting mode, either the first lighting mode or the second lighting mode is selected and turned on.

[0077] The above explanation has been given as an example of a case in which the sterilization device 1 includes two LED irradiation units, but the above explanation also applies to a case in which the sterilization device 1 has at least two LED modules 34, each with at least one LED irradiation unit arranged therein, and a case in which at least two LED irradiation units are arranged in one LED module 34.

[0078] Also, the above explanation has been given with an example where sterilization device 1 includes two LED irradiation units, but in the above explanation, if sterilization device 1 has more than two LED irradiation units, the number of possible lighting modes will be more than 2. Even in that case, for each lighting mode, the junction temperature is calculated in S2, the expected lifespan of the LED irradiation unit in S3, and the actual expected lifespan of the LED irradiation unit in S4, and the lighting mode with the longest actual expected lifespan of the LED irradiation unit is selected in S5.

[0079] Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various changes, modifications, and combinations are possible.

[0080] A modified example will be described with reference to Fig. 9. Fig. 9 is a diagram showing an LED module 34 of a modified example. The LED module 34 shown in Fig. 9 includes four LED irradiation units. The four LED irradiation units are a first LED irradiation unit 41, a second LED irradiation unit 42, a third LED irradiation unit 43, and a fourth LED irradiation unit 44. In the state shown in Fig. 9, the first LED irradiation unit 41 and the third LED irradiation unit 43 are turned on. The second LED irradiation unit 42 and the fourth LED irradiation unit 44 are turned off.

[0081] As shown in FIG. 9, when multiple LED irradiation units are provided, the control unit may light the LED irradiation units so that the total output of the turned-on LED irradiation units is equal to or greater than the required output and the number of the turned-on LED irradiation units is at least one less than the number of LED irradiation units provided in the sterilization device 1, and may sequentially switch the LED irradiation units to be turned on so that the lighting times of the LED irradiation units are uniform.

[0082] For example, if the sterilization device 1 has four LED irradiation units, one, two, or three LED irradiation units are turned on. Then, the LED irradiation units to be turned on are switched sequentially. In the example shown in FIG. 9, after the first LED irradiation unit 41 and the third LED irradiation unit 43 are turned on, the first LED irradiation unit 41 and the third LED irradiation unit 43 are turned off, and instead, the LED irradiation unit 42 and the fourth LED irradiation unit 44 are turned on. Then, the turning on and off of these units is switched sequentially.

[0083] In this way, even when there is only one lighting mode, that is, when the lighting mode is not determined based on the lifetime total output, rather than determining the lighting mode from among multiple lighting modes based on the lifetime total output, some of the LED irradiation units are turned on and the LED irradiation units that are turned on are rotated. By performing such lighting control, the lighting time of each LED irradiation unit can be made uniform.

[0084] (1) In UV-LED irradiation type sterilization equipment, An LED element and a control unit that controls the lighting of the LED element, When one or more of the LED elements that are subjected to the same lighting control are regarded as an LED irradiation unit, The LED irradiation units are multiple, For the LED irradiation unit, when the lifetime total output is calculated by multiplying the output by the time it takes for the LED irradiation unit to decrease from the initial efficiency to a specified efficiency, The control unit determines the output and number of the LED irradiation units to be turned on based on a lifetime determining factor so that the output is equal to or greater than the required output and so that the lifetime total output is high.

[0085] (2) The sterilization device described in (1), wherein the life determining factor is at least one of the junction temperature of the LED element when it is turned on, the input to the LED element, the output of the LED element 3, the arrangement density of the LED elements, the environmental temperature of the LED elements, and the heat dissipation rate of the LED elements.

[0086] (3) The sterilization device described in (1) or (2), wherein the control unit sequentially switches the LED irradiation units to be turned on so that the lighting times of the LED irradiation units are uniform, except when all of the LED irradiation units are turned on simultaneously.

[0087] (4) A sterilization device as described in any one of (1) to (3), wherein the required output is determined based on at least one of the flow rate of the fluid to be sterilized, the UV transmittance of the fluid to be sterilized, and the turbidity of the fluid to be sterilized.

[0088] (5) A sterilization device according to any one of (1) to (4), comprising at least two of the LED irradiation units, and selecting and controlling a mode that provides the highest lifetime total output from among a plurality of lighting modes that have different numbers of lit LED irradiation units and outputs that are determined to be equal to or higher than the required output.

[0089] (6) A sterilization device as described in (5), comprising at least two LED modules in which at least one of the LED irradiation units is arranged, and the control unit selects and controls a mode that results in the highest lifetime total output from among a plurality of lighting modes that have different numbers of lit LED modules and outputs determined to be equal to or higher than the required output.

[0090] (7) When at least two of the LED irradiation units are arranged on one LED substrate, The sterilization device according to (5), wherein the control unit selects and controls a mode that increases the lifetime total output from among a plurality of lighting modes that have different numbers of LED irradiation units that are turned on and outputs that are determined to be equal to or greater than the required output.

[0091] (8) In UV-LED irradiation type sterilization equipment, An LED element and a control unit that controls the lighting of the LED element, When one or more of the LED elements that are subjected to the same lighting control are regarded as an LED irradiation unit, The LED irradiation units are multiple, The control unit turns on the LED irradiation units so that the total output of the turned-on LED irradiation units is equal to or greater than the required output, and the number of the turned-on LED irradiation units is one or more less than the number of the LED irradiation units provided in the sterilization device; A sterilization device which sequentially switches the LED irradiation units to be turned on so that the lighting times of the LED irradiation units are uniform. [Explanation of symbols]

[0092] 1 Sterilizer 3 LED elements 5 UV light 7 UV light 10 Main body 12 Irradiation flow path section 14 First end 15 Second end 16 Irradiation channel 20 Light source housing 21 First light source housing 22 Second light source housing 23 Fluid inlet / outlet 24 First fluid inlet / outlet 25 Second fluid inlet / outlet 26 Windows 30 LED board 31 First LED Irradiation Unit 32 Second LED Irradiation Unit 34 LED Module 35 First LED Irradiation Unit 36 Second LED Irradiation Unit 41 First LED Irradiation Unit 42 Second LED Irradiation Unit 43 3rd LED irradiation unit 44 4th LED irradiation unit 64 Optimal Output Range 66 Low demand area 68 High demand area

Claims

1. In UV-LED sterilization equipment, An LED element and a control unit that controls the lighting of the LED element, When one or a plurality of the LED elements that are subjected to the same lighting control are regarded as an LED irradiation unit, There are a plurality of the LED irradiation units, For the LED irradiation unit, when the output is multiplied by the time it takes for the LED irradiation unit to decrease from the initial efficiency to a specified efficiency, the lifetime total output is: The control unit determines the output and number of the LED irradiation units to be turned on based on a lifetime determining factor so that the output is greater than or equal to the required output and so that the lifetime total output is high.

2. The sterilization device according to claim 1, wherein the life determining factor is at least one of a junction temperature of the LED element when it is turned on, an input to the LED element, an output of the LED element, an arrangement density of the LED elements, an environmental temperature of the LED element, and a heat dissipation rate of the LED element.

3. The sterilization device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit sequentially switches the LED irradiation units to be turned on so that the lighting times of the LED irradiation units are uniform, except when all of the LED irradiation units are turned on simultaneously.

4. 2. The sterilizer of claim 1, wherein the required power output is determined based on at least one of a flow rate of the fluid to be sterilized, a UV transmittance of the fluid to be sterilized, and a turbidity of the fluid to be sterilized.

5. The sterilization device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, which is provided with at least two of the LED irradiation units, and which selects and controls a mode in which the lifetime total output is high from a plurality of lighting modes having different numbers and outputs of the LED irradiation units to be turned on, the outputs being determined to be equal to or higher than the required output.

6. At least two LED modules in which at least one of the LED irradiation units is arranged are provided; The control unit is The sterilization device according to claim 5, wherein the sterilization device selects and controls a mode that provides a higher lifetime total output from among a plurality of lighting modes that have different numbers of LED modules that are turned on and different outputs, the outputs being determined to be equal to or higher than the required output.

7. When at least two of the LED irradiation units are arranged on one LED substrate, The control unit is The sterilization device according to claim 5, wherein the sterilization device selects and controls a mode in which the lifetime total output is high from a plurality of lighting modes having different numbers of LED irradiation units and outputs determined to be equal to or higher than the required output.

8. In UV-LED sterilization equipment, An LED element and a control unit that controls the lighting of the LED element, When one or a plurality of the LED elements that are subjected to the same lighting control are regarded as an LED irradiation unit, There are a plurality of the LED irradiation units, The control unit turns on the LED irradiation units so that the total output of the LED irradiation units to be turned on is equal to or greater than the required output, and the number of the LED irradiation units to be turned on is one or more less than the number of the LED irradiation units provided in the sterilization device, A sterilization device which sequentially switches the LED irradiation units to be turned on so that the lighting times of the LED irradiation units are uniform.

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