Sterilization device and sterilization system

Abstract

To provide a sterilization device and a sterilization system capable of obtaining an amount of removing bacteria irrespective of an amount of gas passing through the device and a flow rate.SOLUTION: A sterilization device is equipped with a sterilization device that sterilizes microorganisms in the air, a sterilization amount estimation section that estimates the amount of microorganisms sterilized by the sterilization device, and a communicating member that connects the sterilization device and the sterilization amount estimation section. The sterilization amount estimation section sterilizes the microorganisms contained in the air within the sterilization device flowing from the sterilization device through the communicating member, calculates the amount of sterilization of the microorganisms, and based on the calculated sterilization amount, estimates the amount of sterilization of the air flowing into the sterilization device.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a sterilization device and a sterilization system, and more particularly to a sterilization device and a sterilization system for sterilizing microorganisms and the like present in the air. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, there has been an increasing need to disinfect indoor spaces used by an unspecified number of people. For example, the following Patent Document 1 discloses a disinfection device that irradiates ultraviolet rays to collected microorganisms. This disinfection device acquires first fluorescence data output from the fluorescence detection unit at a first timing and second fluorescence data output from the fluorescence detection unit at a second timing later than the first timing during at least ultraviolet irradiation, and calculates the amount of microorganisms disinfected on the microorganism trapping unit from the first timing to the second timing based on the first fluorescence data and the second fluorescence data. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 7086427 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In order to put the above-mentioned sterilization device into practical use, the sterilization performance is considered to be improved by increasing the size of the device, increasing the speed of the airflow passing through the device, etc. However, the calculation of the sterilization amount tends to become difficult due to the increase in size of the device, the increase in the airflow speed, etc. For this reason, a method for obtaining the sterilization amount that is not easily affected by the amount and flow speed of the gas passing through the device is desired.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a sterilization device and a sterilization system that can obtain a sterilization amount regardless of the amount, flow rate, etc. of gas passing through the device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A sterilization apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a sterilization device that sterilizes microorganisms in the air, a sterilization amount estimation unit that estimates the amount of microorganisms sterilized by the sterilization device, and a communication member that connects the sterilization device and the sterilization amount estimation unit, and the sterilization amount estimation unit sterilizes microorganisms contained in the air flowing from the sterilization device through the communication member, calculates the amount of microorganisms sterilized, and estimates the amount of microorganisms sterilized by the sterilization device based on the calculated amount of sterilization.

[0007] In this sterilization apparatus, a part of the airflow flowing through the sterilization device flows through the communication member to the sterilization amount estimation section. That is, a part of the airflow flowing through the sterilization device is sampled through the communication member to the sterilization amount estimation section. The sterilization amount estimation section then sterilizes the microorganisms contained in the sampled part of the airflow. Therefore, even if the sterilization device is enlarged or the speed of the airflow passing through the sterilization device is increased, the sterilization amount of the microorganisms itself can be calculated with high accuracy by the sterilization amount estimation section. Here, by obtaining in advance the relationship between the sterilization performance of the sterilization device and the sterilization performance of the sterilization amount estimation section, the sterilization amount of the microorganisms by the sterilization device can be estimated based on the sterilization amount obtained by the sterilization amount estimation section. Therefore, according to the sterilization apparatus in which the sterilization device and the sterilization amount estimation section are independent of each other, the sterilization amount can be obtained regardless of the amount and flow speed of the gas passing through the sterilization device.

[0008] The sterilization amount estimation unit has an air inflow unit into which the air in the sterilization device that flows from the sterilization device through the communication member flows, a sterilization unit including a sterilization light source that irradiates the air supplied from the air inflow unit with ultraviolet light, and an exhaust unit that exhausts the air that has passed through the sterilization unit, and each of the air inflow unit and the exhaust unit may have an excitation light source that irradiates excitation light different from ultraviolet light, and a fluorescence detection unit that detects fluorescence generated based on the irradiation of the excitation light. In this way, a fluorescent signal (e.g., fluorescent data before sterilization) of the air flowing into the sterilization unit can be obtained from the detection result of the fluorescent light obtained by the fluorescent detection unit of the air inflow unit, and a fluorescent signal (i.e., fluorescent data after sterilization) of the air exhausted from the sterilization unit can be obtained from the detection result of the fluorescent light obtained by the fluorescent detection unit of the exhaust unit. Then, the sterilization amount in the sterilization amount estimation unit can be measured from the ratio between the fluorescent signal obtained by the air inflow unit and the fluorescent signal obtained by the air exhaust unit. By using the sterilization amount, the sterilization amount of the air flowing into the inside of the sterilization unit can be easily calculated.

[0009] The sterilization device may further include a control unit that controls the operation of the sterilization amount estimation unit, and the control unit may acquire first fluorescence data output from the air inlet unit and second fluorescence data output from the exhaust unit, and calculate the amount of microorganisms sterilized in the sterilization unit based on the first fluorescence data and the second fluorescence data.

[0010] Each of the air inlet section and the outlet section may further include a scattered light detection section that detects scattered light generated by irradiating the air with the excitation light. The control section may acquire first scattered light data output from the air inlet section and second scattered light data output from the outlet section, and adjust at least one of the light intensity of the excitation light irradiated from the excitation light source of the air inlet section, the light intensity of the excitation light irradiated from the excitation light source of the outlet section, the detection sensitivity of the fluorescence detection section of the air inlet section, and the detection sensitivity of the fluorescence detection section of the outlet section based on the first scattered light data and the second scattered light data. In this case, the amount of fine particles such as dust in the air flowing into the sterilization section can be quantified using the first scattered light data and the second scattered light data. Furthermore, by acquiring a relative value of the second scattered light data with respect to the first scattered light data, information such as the difference in sensitivity between the fluorescence detection sections can be acquired. This allows the sensitivity of each fluorescence detection device to be calibrated.

[0011] The excitation light is a repetitive pulse light or a sinusoidally intensity-modulated light, and the fluorescence detection unit may detect the fluorescence by amplifying the frequency of the excitation light, or may detect the fluorescence by synchronous detection with the excitation light. In this case, the influence of scattered light due to stray light entering the sterilization unit can be reduced.

[0012] The sterilization apparatus may further include a second communication member that communicates the discharge unit with a second communication port of the sterilization device, and the second communication port may be located downstream of the sterilization light source. In this case, air that flows from the sterilization device to the sterilization amount estimation unit is returned to the sterilization device via the second communication member. This eliminates the need to provide discharge mechanisms in both the sterilization device and the sterilization amount estimation unit, thereby simplifying the configuration of the sterilization apparatus.

[0013] The sterilization unit may have at least one of a first ultraviolet ray shielding unit located upstream of the sterilization light source and a second ultraviolet ray shielding unit located downstream of the sterilization light source. In this case, ultraviolet rays generated in the sterilization unit are less likely to enter at least one of the air inlet unit and the exhaust unit. As a result, at least one of the detection results obtained by the fluorescence detection unit in the air inlet unit and the detection results obtained by the fluorescence detection unit in the exhaust unit are less likely to be affected by ultraviolet rays.

[0014] At least one of the air inlet section and the exhaust section may have an airflow control section that controls the airflow within the sterilization amount estimating section. In this case, the influence of the airflow within the sterilization device can be eliminated, so that the amount of sterilization of microorganisms and the like by the sterilization amount estimating section can be calculated with high accuracy.

[0015] The sterilization capacity of the sterilization device may be the same as the sterilization capacity of the sterilization amount estimating unit, in which case the amount of microorganisms sterilized by the sterilization device can be estimated with high accuracy.

[0016] The sterilization device has a housing having an air inlet through which air flows in and an outlet through which air is discharged, and a blower unit located upstream of the housing and sending air to the air inlet, a sterilization light source that irradiates ultraviolet light to sterilize microorganisms in the air flowing in from the air inlet is disposed inside the housing, the air inlet and the outlet are disposed on the unidirectional airflow of air formed inside the housing by the blower unit, and the communication port in the communication member that communicates with the sterilization device may be provided upstream of the sterilization light source and out of the unidirectional airflow. In this case, the air flowing into the communication port and the communication member is less susceptible to the unidirectional airflow formed by the blower unit. In addition, since air before sterilization easily flows into the sterilization amount estimation unit, the amount of sterilization of microorganisms by the sterilization device can be accurately estimated.

[0017] The sterilization light source arranged in the housing may have a germicidal lamp. In this case, the cost of the sterilization device can be reduced, and it is possible to check whether the germicidal lamp is on or off by checking whether visible light is emitted from the germicidal lamp at the same time. Therefore, by visually checking the germicidal lamp, it is easy to visually check whether the sterilization device is sterilizing or not.

[0018] A sterilization system according to another aspect of the present invention comprises a sterilization apparatus having a sterilization device that sterilizes microorganisms in the air and a sub-sterilization device that sterilizes microorganisms contained in the air flowing from the sterilization device inside the sterilization device, a processing device that processes data output from the sterilization apparatus, and a display device that displays the amount of microorganisms sterilized by the sterilization device estimated by the processing device, wherein the processing device calculates the amount of microorganisms sterilized by the sub-sterilization device, estimates the amount of microorganisms sterilized by the sterilization device based on the calculated amount of sterilization, and causes the display device to display display data showing the estimated amount of sterilization.

[0019] According to this sterilization system, the sub-sterilization device included in the sterilization apparatus sterilizes microorganisms contained in the air in the sterilization device flowing from the sterilization device. That is, a part of the air flowing through the sterilization device is sampled and sterilized by the sub-sterilization device. In addition, the processing device calculates the amount of sterilization of microorganisms by the sub-sterilization device, and estimates the amount of sterilization of microorganisms by the sterilization device based on the calculated amount of sterilization. As a result, even if the sterilization device is enlarged or the speed of the air flow passing through the sterilization device is increased, the calculation of the amount of sterilization of microorganisms in the sub-sterilization device can be performed with high accuracy. Then, by obtaining the relationship between the sterilization performance of the sterilization device and the sterilization performance of the sub-sterilization device in advance, the processing device can estimate the amount of sterilization of microorganisms by the sterilization device based on the amount of sterilization calculated by the sub-sterilization device. Therefore, according to the above sterilization system in which the sterilization device and the sub-sterilization device are independent of each other, the amount of sterilization can be obtained regardless of the amount and flow rate of the gas passing through the sterilization device. Furthermore, the display device displays data indicating the amount of sterilization calculated by the processing device, allowing a user of the sterilization system to easily check the sterilization effect of the sterilization device via the display device. Effect of the Invention

[0020] According to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide a sterilization device and a sterilization system that can obtain a sterilization amount regardless of the amount, flow rate, etc. of gas passing through the device. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0021] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a general configuration of a sterilization apparatus according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the main configuration and control unit of the fluorescence detection device. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the change over time in the fluorescence intensity detected at the air inlet and outlet, respectively. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a general configuration of a sterilization apparatus according to a first modified example. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of a sterilization apparatus according to a second modified example. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of a sterilization apparatus according to a third modified example. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing a general configuration of a sterilization apparatus according to a fourth modified example. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of a sterilization apparatus according to a fifth modified example. [Figure 9] 9(a) and (b) are schematic diagrams showing the arrangement of a fluorescence detection device in an air inlet portion according to the second embodiment. [Figure 10] 10(a) and (b) are schematic diagrams showing the arrangement of a fluorescence detection device at an air inlet portion according to a modified example of the second embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the sterilization system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0022] A preferred embodiment of one aspect of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, the same elements or elements having the same functions will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and duplicated descriptions will be omitted. In this specification, viruses are considered to be included in microorganisms.

[0023] (First embodiment) FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the general configuration of a sterilization device according to a first embodiment. The sterilization device 1 shown in FIG. 1 is a device that sterilizes or sterilizes microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, and viruses floating in the air. The microorganisms may float in the air as a single microorganism, or may adhere to fine particles floating in the air. The fine particles are substances that can float in the air, such as dust, atmospheric aerosol particles, and suspended particulate matter. As shown in FIG. 1, the sterilization device 1 is a stationary device or a portable device that mainly includes a sterilization device 2 that sterilizes microorganisms in the air, a sterilization amount estimation unit 3 that estimates the amount of sterilization of the microorganisms by the sterilization device 2, and a communication member 4 that communicates between the sterilization device 2 and the sterilization amount estimation unit 3. The amount of sterilization of the microorganisms by the sterilization device 2 may indicate the amount of sterilization at a predetermined timing, or may indicate the transition of the amount of sterilization over a predetermined period.

[0024] The sterilization device 2 is a device including a housing 11, a sterilization light source 12 arranged inside the housing 11, and a blower 13, and is a main part of the sterilization apparatus 1. Therefore, the sterilization device 2 can be said to be the main sterilization device of the sterilization apparatus 1. In the sterilization device 2, microorganisms in the air sent by the blower 13 and flowing into the housing 11 are sterilized by the sterilization light source 12. Then, the sterilized air is discharged from the inside of the housing 11. In the first embodiment, the direction of air flowing through the sterilization device 2 (hereinafter, referred to as the flow direction WD1) corresponds to a unidirectional airflow formed inside the housing 11 by the blower 13. In the first embodiment, the flow direction WD1 is linear, but is not limited thereto. For example, when a bent portion, unevenness, or the like is provided inside the housing 11, the flow direction WD1 may be curved. The sterilization device 2 may include, for example, an alarm capable of generating sound, a display device capable of displaying images, or the like. The alarm is, for example, a device that generates an alarm when the amount of bacteria that has flowed in exceeds a preset threshold value.

[0025] The housing 11 is a hollow main part of the sterilization device 2, and has, for example, a rectangular tubular shape such as a rectangular parallelepiped shape or a cylindrical shape. In the first embodiment, the housing 11 has a central axis (not shown) extending along the flow direction WD1, but is not limited thereto. The dimensions of the housing 11 along the flow direction WD1 and along a direction perpendicular to the flow direction WD1 range from 1 m to several meters, for example. In the first embodiment, the dimensions of the housing 11 along the flow direction WD1 and along a direction perpendicular to the flow direction WD1 are 1 m or more and 5 m or less, 1 m or more and 4 m or less, 1 m or more and 3 m or less, or 2 m or more and 4 m or less. The housing 11 has an air inlet 11a through which air flows in, an outlet 11b through which air is discharged, and a communication port 11c that communicates with the communication member 4.

[0026] The air inlet 11a is an opening through which air flows into the housing 11 from the outside, and is provided on one end surface of the housing 11 in the flow direction WD1. The air outlet 11b is an opening through which air is exhausted from inside the housing 11 to the outside, and is provided on the other end surface of the housing 11 in the flow direction WD1. Therefore, inside the housing 11, air flows from the air inlet 11a to the air outlet 11b along the flow direction WD1.

[0027] The communication port 11c is provided on a side surface of the housing 11 located between the one end surface and the other end surface of the housing 11 in the flow direction WD1. The communication port 11c is an opening that connects the inside of the housing 11 and the inside of the communicating member 4, and is located at least upstream of the center of the sterilization light source 12. From the viewpoint of easily calculating the amount of sterilization of microorganisms and the like by the sterilization device 2, the communication port 11c may be located upstream of the sterilization light source 12. In this case, air that has not been sterilized by the sterilization device 2 can easily pass through the communication port 11c. In addition, from the viewpoint of accurately calculating the amount of sterilization of microorganisms and the like by the sterilization device 2, the communication port 11c may be located in an area inside the housing 11 where sterilization processing is difficult to perform (for example, an area where ultraviolet light UV1, etc., described later, is not irradiated). In this case, intrusion of ultraviolet light UV1, etc., described later, into the communicating member 4 is unlikely to occur.

[0028] The sterilization light source 12 is a member that sterilizes microorganisms in the air, and is housed in the housing 11. In the first embodiment, the sterilization light source 12 sterilizes microorganisms and the like in the air flowing into the housing 11 from the air inlet 11a. In this specification, the term "microorganisms and the like" is a concept that includes at least microorganisms. In the first embodiment, the term "microorganisms and the like" is a concept that includes not only microorganisms but also fine particles. The sterilization light source 12 is an ultraviolet light source that irradiates ultraviolet light UV1 to the air flowing in from the air inlet 11a, and includes, for example, a germicidal lamp including a discharge tube, a light-emitting diode (LED), or the like. From the viewpoint of cost, etc., the sterilization light source 12 may include a germicidal lamp. A germicidal lamp is a member that irradiates not only ultraviolet light but also visible light. By using such a germicidal lamp, a user of the sterilization apparatus 1 can easily visually check whether the sterilization light source 12 is turned on (i.e., whether the sterilization apparatus 1 is operating or not). In the sterilization device 1, by utilizing the sterilization amount estimating unit 3, a member that also irradiates visible light can be used as the sterilization light source 12. The sterilization light source 12 is placed on the side surface of the housing 11. The sterilization light source 12 is disposed at a position where it irradiates ultraviolet light UV1 in a direction intersecting with the flow direction WD1, but is not limited to this. The sterilization light source 12 has, for example, a wavelength of 180 nm or more and 400 nm or less, and an intensity of 10 mW / cm 2 The ultraviolet rays UV1 having an intensity of about 100 nm are irradiated to the housing 11. This allows the microorganisms present in the housing 11 to be effectively sterilized. The ultraviolet rays UV1 may include a plurality of ultraviolet rays having different wavelengths. Note that FIG. 1 shows an area in the housing 11 where the ultraviolet rays UV1 are irradiated.

[0029] In the first embodiment, the sterilization capacity (unit: J / m 2 ) is determined according to the effective radiation power of ultraviolet light UV1 irradiated by the sterilization light source 12, the size of the sterilization device 2, the flow speed inside the sterilization device 2, etc. For example, if the effective radiation power of the sterilization light source 12 is P1, the dimension of the sterilization device 2 along the flow direction WD1 is S1, and the flow speed inside the sterilization device 2 is V1, then the ultraviolet energy U1 that microorganisms and the like are exposed to inside the sterilization device 2, which corresponds to the sterilization capacity of the sterilization device 2, is defined as "U1 = P1 × S1 / V1".

[0030] The blower 13 is located upstream of the housing 11 and sends the air A outside the sterilization apparatus 1 to the air inlet 11a. The blower 13 is attached to the one end of the housing 11 in the flow direction WD1. The blower 13 has a blower such as a fan (not shown). The operation of the blower 13 causes the air A outside the sterilization apparatus 1 to flow into the inside of the housing 11 through the air inlet 11a. At this time, the blower 13 forms a unidirectional airflow of the air inside the housing 11. The unidirectional airflow corresponds to the airflow along the same direction as the arrow indicating the flow direction WD1 shown in FIG. 1. For this reason, it can be said that the air inlet 11a and the exhaust port 11b are located on the unidirectional airflow. On the other hand, it can be said that the communication port 11c is not located on the unidirectional airflow. In other words, it can be said that the communication port 11c is located at a position outside the unidirectional airflow. Therefore, the flow rate of air flowing from inside the housing 11 to the communication port 11c tends to be slower than the flow rate of air flowing from the air inlet 11a to the outlet 11b by the blower 13. Although not shown, the blower 13 may be provided with an external light shielding portion or the like for preventing external light from entering the inside of the housing 11. The external light shielding portion is, for example, a light shielding sheet through which microorganisms and the like and air can pass.

[0031] The sterilization amount estimation unit 3 is a member that sterilizes microorganisms contained in the air in the sterilization device 2 that flows from the sterilization device 2 through the communication member 4. For this reason, the sterilization amount estimation unit 3 is also referred to as a member (sub-sterilization device) that has the same sterilization performance as the sterilization device 2. The air in the sterilization device 2 that flows into the sterilization amount estimation unit 3 is, for example, about 1% to 5% of the air that flows into the sterilization device 2. For this reason, it can be said that the air that flows into the sterilization device 2 is sampled by the sterilization amount estimation unit 3. Therefore, hereinafter, the air that flows from the sterilization device 2 into the sterilization amount estimation unit 3 is referred to as sampled air. The sterilization amount estimation unit 3 calculates the sterilization amount of microorganisms contained in the sampled air, and estimates the sterilization amount of microorganisms and the like by the sterilization device 2 based on the calculated sterilization amount.

[0032] The sterilization amount estimation unit 3 has an air inlet section 21 into which the sampling air flowing from the sterilization device 2 flows via the communication member 4, a sterilization section 22 that sterilizes the sampling air supplied from the air inlet section 21, and a discharge section 23 that discharges the sampling air that has passed through the sterilization section 22. In the sterilization amount estimation unit 3, the air inlet section 21, the sterilization section 22, and the discharge section 23 are arranged in sequence along a predetermined direction. In the first embodiment, the predetermined direction corresponds to the direction of air flowing through the sterilization amount estimation unit 3 (hereinafter, referred to as the flow direction WD2). Therefore, the air inlet section 21 is located upstream of the sterilization section 22, and the discharge section 23 is located downstream of the sterilization section 22. The sterilization device 1 may include, for example, an alarm that can generate a sound. In addition, the air inlet section 21 and the sterilization section 22 may be separable from each other, and the sterilization section 22 and the discharge section 23 may be separable from each other. This allows easy maintenance of each component of the sterilization amount estimation unit 3.

[0033] The air inlet section 21 is a section for allowing the sampling air supplied from the communication member 4 to flow into the sterilization section 22. The air inlet section 21 has a housing 31, a fluorescence detection device 32, and a blower 33.

[0034] The housing 31 is a hollow member that houses the fluorescence detection device 32, and has openings 31a and 31b. The opening 31a is a portion that is connected to the communication member 4. The opening 31b is a portion that is connected to the sterilization unit 22.

[0035] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the main configuration and the control unit of the fluorescence detection device. As shown in FIG. 2, the fluorescence detection device 32 has an excitation light source 32a and a fluorescence detection unit 32b. The excitation light source 32a is a member that irradiates excitation light L1 to generate fluorescence FL1 on microorganisms in the air, and is, for example, a laser or an LED (light-emitting diode). The excitation light source 32a is disposed at a position where it irradiates the excitation light L1 in a direction intersecting the flow direction WD2, but is not limited to this. The excitation light source 32a is controlled by, for example, the control unit 5. The excitation light source 32a may irradiate the excitation light L1 continuously or intermittently. The control unit 5 will be described in detail later.

[0036] The wavelength of the excitation light L1 is different from the wavelengths of the ultraviolet rays UV1 and UV2 described later, and may be shorter than the wavelength of the fluorescence FL1. Therefore, the excitation light L1 may be ultraviolet light or visible light. The intensity of the excitation light L1 can be set independently of the intensity of the ultraviolet rays UV1 and UV2. The higher the intensity of the excitation light L1, the higher the intensity of the fluorescence FL1 described later. Therefore, the fluorescence detection unit 32b can more easily detect the fluorescence FL1 (the S / N ratio is improved). The wavelength of the excitation light L1 is, for example, 300 nm or more and 450 nm or less. In the first embodiment, the wavelength of the excitation light L1 is about 375 nm to about 405 nm.

[0037] The fluorescence detection unit 32b is a member that detects the fluorescence FL1 generated by irradiation with the excitation light L1, and is, for example, a visible light sensor. The fluorescence detection unit 32b detects, for example, the fluorescence FL1 (for example, light with a wavelength of about 500 nm) generated from microorganisms in the air. Detection information (first fluorescence data) indicating the detection result of the fluorescence FL1 by the fluorescence detection unit 32b is output to the control unit 5. The first fluorescence data is the detection result of the fluorescence obtained by irradiating the excitation light L1 to the air before it flows into the sterilization unit 22 (i.e., the air before sterilization). The fluorescence detection unit 32b has an optical filter that transmits only the wavelength of the fluorescence FL1 and its vicinity. Therefore, the intensity of the light acquired by the fluorescence detection unit 32b does not completely or substantially include the intensity of the excitation light L1. Therefore, the noise output from the fluorescence detection unit 32b can be reduced.

[0038] From the viewpoint of reducing the influence of stray light in the housing 31, temperature drift of the fluorescence detection unit 32b, etc., when the excitation light source 32a irradiates repetitive pulsed light or light whose intensity is sinusoidally changed as the excitation light L1, the fluorescence detection unit 32b may detect the fluorescence FL1 by synchronous detection with the waveform of the excitation light L1. Specifically, the fluorescence detection unit 32b detects the fluorescence at the same period as the frequency of the repetitive pulsed light.

[0039] The blower 33 is a member for causing air to flow into the sterilization amount estimation unit 3. The blower 33 is located downstream of the fluorescence detection device 32, but is not limited to this. The operation of the blower 33 causes the sampled air in the communication member 4 to flow into the air inlet section 21 and the sterilization section 22. The blower 33 can also control the flow rate of the sampled air flowing from the communication member 4 to the sterilization amount estimation unit 3. This allows the airflow in the sterilization amount estimation unit 3 to be controlled. Therefore, the blower 33 also functions as an airflow control unit that controls the airflow in the sterilization amount estimation unit 3. The flow rate of the sampled air in the sterilization amount estimation unit 3, which is adjusted by the blower 33, is, for example, half or less of the flow rate of the air in the sterilization device 2.

[0040] The sterilization unit 22 is a member that sterilizes microorganisms in the sampled air. In the first embodiment, it sterilizes microorganisms and the like that exist within the sterilization unit 22. The sterilization unit 22 has a housing 41 and a sterilization light source .

[0041] The housing 41 is a hollow member that houses the sterilization light source 42. The housing 41 has, for example, a prismatic shape such as a rectangular parallelepiped shape, a cylindrical shape, or the like. The housing 41 has openings 41a and 41b. The opening 41a is a communication port that is connected to the air inlet section 21, and is provided on one end surface of the housing 41 in the flow direction WD2. This allows air to flow from the air inlet section 21 into the housing 41. The opening 41b is a communication port that is connected to the discharge section 23, and is provided on the other end surface of the housing 41 in the flow direction WD2. This allows air to be discharged from inside the housing 41 to the discharge section 23. The dimensions of the housing 41 along the flow direction WD2 and the dimensions of the housing 41 along the direction perpendicular to the flow direction WD2 are each significantly smaller than those of the housing 11 of the sterilization device 2. In the first embodiment, the dimensions of the housing 11 along the flow direction WD1 and the dimensions of the housing 11 along the direction perpendicular to the flow direction WD1 are, for example, about several tens of centimeters. For this reason, the sterilization amount estimation section 3 can be said to be a sub-sterilization device in the sterilization apparatus 1.

[0042] The sterilization light source 42 is a member that irradiates the air flowing in from the air inlet section 21 with ultraviolet light UV2, and includes, for example, a germicidal lamp including a discharge tube or the like, a light-emitting diode (LED), or the like. The sterilization light source 42 is placed on a surface that intersects with the one end surface and the other end surface of the housing 41 in the flow direction WD2. The sterilization light source 42 is disposed at a position where it irradiates ultraviolet light UV2 in a direction that intersects with the flow direction WD2, but is not limited to this. The sterilization light source 42 has, for example, a wavelength of 180 nm or more and 400 nm or less, and an intensity of 10 mW / cm 2 The sterilization light source 42 emits ultraviolet light UV2 having an intensity of about 100 nm. This allows the microorganisms present in the housing 41 to be effectively sterilized. The ultraviolet light UV2 may contain a plurality of ultraviolet rays having different wavelengths. The sterilization light source 42 may be a simple ultraviolet light source, or may be a light source capable of emitting visible light in addition to the ultraviolet light UV2.

[0043] The sterilization capacity in the sterilization amount estimation section 3 (unit: J / m 2 ) is determined according to the effective radiation power of the ultraviolet ray UV2 irradiated by the sterilization light source 42 included in the sterilization unit 22, the size of the sterilization amount estimation unit 3, the flow rate in the sterilization amount estimation unit 3, etc. In the first embodiment, the sterilization capacity (unit: J / m 2) is expressed as "U2 = P2 × S2 / V2" where P2 is the effective radiation power of the ultraviolet light UV1 irradiated by the sterilization light source 12, S2 is the dimension of the sterilization amount estimation unit 3 along the flow direction WD2, and V2 is the flow velocity in the sterilization amount estimation unit 3. The ultraviolet energy U2 to which the microorganisms and the like are exposed in the sterilization amount estimation unit 3, which corresponds to the sterilization capacity in the sterilization amount estimation unit 3, is expressed as "U2 = P2 × S2 / V2". The sterilization capacity in the sterilization device 2 and the sterilization capacity in the sterilization amount estimation unit 3 are each determined in advance. This makes it possible to estimate (and calibrate) the sterilization amount of microorganisms and the like sterilized by the sterilization device 2 from the sterilization amount calculated by the sterilization amount estimation unit 3. From the viewpoint of the estimation accuracy of the sterilization amount of microorganisms and the like sterilized by the sterilization device 2, the sterilization rate at the outlet of the sterilization device 2 may be the same as the sterilization rate at the outlet of the sterilization amount estimation unit 3. In the first embodiment, the sterilization capacity of the sterilization amount estimation unit 3 is the same as the sterilization capacity of the sterilization device 2. In other words, the ultraviolet energy U1 and U2 are the same. Therefore, in order to make the ultraviolet energy U1 and U2 the same, for example, adjustments are made to the dimension S2 of the sterilization amount estimating unit 3 and the flow velocity V2 of the blowers 33 and 53 at the time of design. The sterilization capacity of the sterilization amount estimating unit 3 is not limited to be the same as the sterilization capacity of the sterilization device 2, and may be, for example, an integer multiple of the sterilization capacity of the sterilization device 2. That is, the sterilization rate at the outlet of the sterilization device 2 may not be the same as the sterilization rate at the outlet of the sterilization amount estimating unit 3. Even in this case, the sterilization amount of microorganisms and the like by the sterilization device 2 can be accurately estimated from the sterilization amount calculated by the sterilization amount estimating unit 3. As long as either of the sterilization rates does not exceed 100%, each ratio may be known.

[0044] Although not shown, the housing 41 may be provided with a light-shielding member for preventing leakage of the ultraviolet light UV2 to the outside of the housing 41. For example, the housing 41 may be provided with at least one of a first ultraviolet light-shielding part located upstream of the sterilization light source 42 and covering the opening 41a, and a second ultraviolet light-shielding part located downstream of the sterilization light source 42 and covering the opening 41b. Also, an ultraviolet light reflecting plate may be provided inside the housing 41. This can increase the number of times the sampled air in the housing 41 is irradiated with the ultraviolet light UV2.

[0045] Exhaust section 23 is a section that exhausts the air that has passed through sterilization section 22 to the outside of sterilization amount estimation section 3. In this embodiment, the air inside sterilization amount estimation section 3 is exhausted from exhaust section 23 to the outside of sterilization apparatus 1. Exhaust section 23 has a housing 51, a fluorescence detection device 52, and a blower 53.

[0046] The housing 51 is a hollow member that houses the fluorescence detection device 52 and has openings 51a and 51b. The opening 51a is a portion that is connected to the sterilization unit 22. The opening 51b is a portion that corresponds to the outlet of the sterilization device 1. The fluorescence detection device 52, like the fluorescence detection device 32, has an excitation light source (not shown) that irradiates the microorganisms and the like in the housing 51 with excitation light L2 to generate fluorescence, and a fluorescence detection unit (not shown) that detects the fluorescence. Detection information (second fluorescence data) indicating the detection result of the fluorescence by the fluorescence detection unit is output to the control unit 5. The second fluorescence data is the detection result of the fluorescence obtained by irradiating the air discharged from the sterilization unit 22 (i.e., the air after sterilization) with the excitation light L2. In the first embodiment, the fluorescence detection devices 32 and 52 have the same configuration and the same performance. Therefore, the wavelengths and intensities of the excitation light L1 and L2 are the same or substantially the same. When the fluorescence detection device 52 irradiates, as excitation light, repetitive pulsed light or light whose intensity changes sinusoidally, the fluorescence detection section of the fluorescence detection device 52 may detect the fluorescence by performing synchronous detection with the waveform of the excitation light.

[0047] The blower 53 is a member for discharging air from the sterilization section 22 to the exhaust section 23. The blower 53 is located downstream of the fluorescence detection device 52, but is not limited to this. The operation of the blower 53 causes the air in the sterilization section 22 to be discharged to the exhaust section 23. Like the blower 33, the blower 53 can also function as an airflow control section that controls the airflow in the sterilization amount estimation section 3.

[0048] The communication member 4 is a member that communicates between the sterilization device 2 and the sterilization amount estimation unit 3, and is, for example, a hollow pipe. One end of the communication member 4 is connected to the communication port 11c of the housing 11 included in the sterilization device 2. The other end of the communication member 4 is connected to the opening 31a of the housing 31 of the air inlet unit 21 included in the sterilization amount estimation unit 3. From the viewpoint of reducing the flow rate of the sampled air flowing inside the communication member 4, a bent portion or the like may be provided in the communication member 4. In FIG. 1, the diameter of the communication member 4 is constant, but this is not limited thereto. For example, the diameter of one end of the communication member 4 may be smaller than the diameter of the other end of the communication member 4. Alternatively, the diameter of the communication member 4 may be larger as it approaches the other end. In this case, the flow rate of the sampled air flowing into the sterilization amount estimation unit 3 can be reduced.

[0049] The control unit 5 is a controller that controls the operations of the sterilization device 2 and the sterilization amount estimation unit 3 included in the sterilization apparatus 1. Although not shown, the control unit 5 is provided, for example, in the sterilization device 2 or the sterilization amount estimation unit 3. The control unit 5 is composed of, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and a ROM (Read Only Memory), etc. The control unit 5 outputs, for example, operation signals designated via an operation unit (not shown) to the sterilization light sources 12, 42, the blower 13, the fluorescence detection devices 32, 52, the blowers 33, 53, etc.

[0050] The control unit 5 is a processing unit that not only controls each member included in the sterilization apparatus 1, but also receives / calculates / transmits various signals and records / reads out various signals. Examples of calculations of various signals by the control unit 5 include obtaining detection information (first fluorescence data) of the fluorescence FL1 output from the fluorescence detection device 32 provided in the air inlet section 21 of the sterilization amount estimation unit 3 and detection information (second fluorescence data) of the fluorescence output from the fluorescence detection device 52 provided in the discharge section 23 of the sterilization amount estimation unit 3, calculating the sterilization amount by the sterilization amount estimation unit 3 based on this detection information, and estimating the sterilization amount by the sterilization device 2 based on the calculated sterilization amount. For this reason, the control unit 5 has, for example, a portion for outputting a control signal for the sterilization light sources 12, 42, a portion for outputting a control signal for the fluorescence detection devices 32, 52, a portion for outputting a control signal for the blower 13 and the fans 33, 53, a portion for acquiring detection information (first fluorescence data and second fluorescence data) of the fluorescence detection devices 32, 52, a portion for calculating the sterilization amount of the sterilization amount estimating unit 3 based on the detection information, a portion for estimating the sterilization amount of the sterilization device 2 based on information on the calculated sterilization amount, and a portion (memory unit) for storing each signal and each information.

[0051] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the time change of the fluorescence intensity detected at each of the air inlet and the exhaust. In FIG. 3, the vertical axis indicates the fluorescence intensity, and the horizontal axis indicates the time. Plot P1 is data showing the time change of the fluorescence intensity detected at the air inlet 21, and is obtained based on the first fluorescence data output from the fluorescence detector 32. Therefore, the plot P1 shows the time change of the intensity of the fluorescence generated from the microorganisms contained in the sampled air in the air inlet 21. Plot P2 is data showing the time change of the fluorescence intensity detected at the exhaust 23, and is obtained based on the second fluorescence data output from the fluorescence detector 52. Therefore, the plot P2 shows the time change of the intensity of the fluorescence generated from the microorganisms contained in the sampled air in the exhaust 23. When the excitation light is amplitude-modulated with an AC waveform such as a pulse waveform or a sine waveform, the intensities of the plots P1 and P2 may be considered to correspond to the amplitude of the AC waveform. In FIG. 3, the control unit 5 may perform a time shift correction on the plots P1 and P2 in advance. This makes it possible to easily compare the fluorescence intensity obtained by irradiating the sampled air present in the air inlet section 21 with the excitation light L1 at a predetermined timing with the fluorescence intensity obtained by irradiating the sampled air with the excitation light L2 when the sampled air exists in the discharge section 23. The above correction is set based on the air flow (wind speed) in the sterilization amount estimation section 3. The slower the wind speed, the stronger the correction. The wind speed is set based on the operation of the fans 33, 53, for example.

[0052] The time change in the fluorescence intensity shown by the plot P1 and the time change in the fluorescence intensity shown by the plot P2 show a similar tendency. Specifically, the increase and decrease in the fluorescence intensity at a given time is almost the same for both the plots P1 and P2. Meanwhile, the fluorescence intensity of the plot P1 is higher than that of the plot P2. The difference between these fluorescence intensities occurs depending on the presence or absence of sterilization of microorganisms by the sterilization amount estimation unit 3. Therefore, it can be said that the difference corresponds to the sterilization amount of microorganisms sterilized by the sterilization amount estimation unit 3. Note that, if it is assumed that the sterilization amount estimation unit 3 completely sterilizes microorganisms in the air, the plot P2 corresponds to the time change in the fluorescence intensity generated by fine particles in the air. Therefore, the transition of the sterilization amount of the sterilization amount estimation unit 3 can be obtained by using the plots P1 and P2. In addition, the transition of the sterilization amount of the sterilization device 2 can be obtained by using the transition of the sterilization amount.

[0053] The following describes the effects achieved by the sterilization apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment.

[0054] The present inventors conducted intensive research, focusing on the fact that when a sample having microorganisms attached to a predetermined amount of fine particles is sterilized or disinfected by ultraviolet light, the intensity of the fluorescence generated from the sample changes over time even though the amount of fine particles does not change. As a result, it was found that the intensity of the fluorescence generated from the sample changes according to the change in the amount of microorganisms before and after ultraviolet irradiation, while the intensity of the fluorescence generated from the fine particles themselves, such as dust and fibers, does not change substantially. In addition, some fine particles may not emit fluorescence in the first place. Based on this knowledge, the present inventors have found a sterilization device that can easily calculate the amount of sterilization by adding a configuration for acquiring the fluorescence intensity of the air before and after ultraviolet irradiation to a configuration for sterilizing microorganisms, etc. by irradiating ultraviolet light onto air flowing in a predetermined direction.

[0055] Here, the inventors have found that when the size of the sterilization device is increased and the amount of sterilization per unit time is increased in order to improve the sterilization capacity of the sterilization device, the amount of air flowing through the sterilization device increases, the air flow rate increases, etc., and this causes variations in the fluorescence intensity of the acquired air and a decrease in the S / N ratio, which may result in a decrease in the accuracy of calculation of the amount of sterilization.In light of this possibility, the inventors have found a method of sampling the air sterilized by the sterilization device, using a configuration that creates an environment in which the amount of sterilization of the sampled air is easily measured, and estimating the amount of sterilization of the air actually sterilized from the amount of sterilization calculated by this configuration.

[0056] According to the sterilization apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment based on the above findings, the sterilization amount estimating unit 3 sterilizes microorganisms contained in the air in the sterilization device 2 that flows from the sterilization device 2 through the communication member 4. This makes it difficult for the sterilization of microorganisms by the sterilization amount estimating unit 3 to be affected by the sterilization device 2. Therefore, even if the sterilization device 2 is enlarged or the speed of the air flow passing through the sterilization device 2 is increased, the calculation of the sterilization amount of microorganisms by the sterilization amount estimating unit 3 is unlikely to be affected. In particular, as in the first embodiment, the size of the sterilization amount estimating unit 3 is significantly smaller than the sterilization device 2, and the flow speed of the sampled air flowing through the sterilization amount estimating unit 3 is suppressed, so that the sterilization amount of microorganisms is accurately calculated by the sterilization amount estimating unit 3. Furthermore, by previously obtaining the relationship between the sterilization performance of the sterilization device 2 and the sterilization performance of the sterilization amount estimating unit 3, the sterilization amount of microorganisms and the like by the sterilization device 2 can be estimated based on the sterilization amount calculated by the sterilization amount estimating unit 3. Therefore, in the first embodiment, the amount of sterilization can be obtained regardless of the amount, flow rate, etc. of gas passing through the sterilization device 2.

[0057] Here, the sterilization amount estimation unit 3 has an air inlet section 21 into which the sampling air flows in from the sterilization device 2 via the communication member 4, a sterilization unit 22 including a sterilization light source 42 that irradiates the sampling air supplied from the air inlet section 21 with ultraviolet light UV2, and a discharge section 23 that discharges the sampling air that has passed through the sterilization unit 22, and the sterilization apparatus 1 has a control unit 5 that controls the operation of the sterilization amount estimation unit 3, and the control unit 5 acquires first fluorescence data output from the air inlet section 21 and second fluorescence data output from the discharge section 23, and calculates the amount of sterilization of microorganisms sterilized by the sterilization amount estimation unit 3 based on the first fluorescence data and the second fluorescence data. By comparing the first fluorescence data and the second fluorescence data in this manner, the sterilization amount of the air flowing into the sterilization amount estimation unit 3 can be calculated easily and accurately. In addition, the S / N ratio of the fluorescence intensity generated in the sterilization amount estimation unit 3 can be improved without being affected by the sterilization device 2, so that the measurement accuracy of the sterilization amount by the sterilization amount estimation unit 3 can be improved.

[0058] In the first embodiment, the sterilization capacity of the sterilization device 2 is the same as the sterilization capacity of the sterilization amount estimation unit 3. Therefore, in the first embodiment, the sterilization light sources 12, 42, the blowers 33, 53, etc. are set so that the sterilization capacity of the sterilization device 2 and the sterilization capacity of the sterilization amount estimation unit 3 are previously made the same. Then, by adjusting the excitation light source 32a and the fluorescence detection unit 32b of the sterilization amount estimation unit 3, etc., the fluorescence measurement accuracy of the sterilization amount estimation unit 3 can be improved.

[0059] In the first embodiment, the sterilization light source 12 arranged in the sterilization device 2 may have a germicidal lamp including a discharge lamp. A germicidal lamp is a device that generates ultraviolet light based on discharge, and visible light components may also be emitted during the discharge. Currently, germicidal lamps are used in many sterilization devices because they are inexpensive compared to LED light sources, laser light sources, and the like that emit light of a specific wavelength. However, in a method of measuring the amount of sterilization using fluorescence as in the first embodiment, there is a concern that the visible light components emitted by the germicidal lamp may interfere with the fluorescence. Here, in the first embodiment, even if a relatively inexpensive ultraviolet light source that can also emit wavelength components close to the fluorescence to be measured is used for the sterilization device 2 (i.e., a relatively large sterilization area) that is the main body of the sterilization device 1, it does not affect the estimation of the amount of sterilization by the sterilization device 2. Therefore, the utilization rate of the LED light source and laser light source as described above in the sterilization device 1 can be reduced, and the cost of the sterilization device 1 can be reduced. In addition, since the discharge lamp generates a visible light spectrum, it is easy to check whether the sterilization device 2 is in the process of sterilization. Meanwhile, in the sterilization amount estimating section 3, an LED, a laser, or the like is used as the sterilization light source 42, thereby enabling highly accurate (high S / N ratio) measurement of the sterilization amount.

[0060] In the first embodiment, the sterilization unit 22 may have at least one of a first ultraviolet ray shielding unit located upstream of the sterilization light source 42 and a second ultraviolet ray shielding unit located downstream of the sterilization light source 42. In this case, ultraviolet ray UV2 generated in the sterilization unit 22 is less likely to enter at least one of the air inlet unit 21 and the exhaust unit 23. As a result, at least one of the detection result obtained by the fluorescence detection device 32 of the air inlet unit 21 and the detection result obtained by the fluorescence detection device 52 of the exhaust unit 23 is less likely to be affected by ultraviolet ray UV2.

[0061] In the first embodiment, the air inlet section 21 and the exhaust section 23 each have a blower 33, 53 which is an airflow control section that controls the airflow inside the sterilization amount estimation section 3. This makes it possible to eliminate the influence of the airflow inside the sterilization device 2, so that the amount of sterilization of microorganisms and the like by the sterilization amount estimation section 3 can be calculated with high accuracy.

[0062] Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the general configuration of a sterilization apparatus according to a first modified example of the first embodiment. As shown in Fig. 4, in a sterilization apparatus 1A, a communication member 4 communicates with a communication port 13a provided in a blower 13. The communication port 13a is provided upstream of the sterilization light source 12 and at a position away from the unidirectional airflow. Instead, in the first modified example, a communication port is not provided in the housing 11 of the sterilization device 2.

[0063] The sterilization apparatus 1A according to the first modified example described above also achieves the same effects as those of the first embodiment. In addition, since the sampled air flows from the blower 13 to the sterilization amount estimation unit 3, the sampled air is less likely to be irradiated with ultraviolet light UV1 than in the first embodiment. Therefore, the sampled air before sterilization easily flows into the sterilization amount estimation unit 3, so that the amount of microorganisms sterilized by the sterilization device 2 can be accurately estimated.

[0064] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing the general configuration of a sterilization apparatus according to a second modified example of the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 5, the sterilization device 2 of the sterilization apparatus 1B is provided with a hollow cover member 60 (hollow member) located upstream of the blower 13 and communicating with the blower 13. The communication member 4 communicates with a communication port 60a provided in the cover member 60. The communication port 60a is provided upstream of the sterilization light source 12 and at a position outside the one-way airflow. Instead, in the second modified example, no communication port is provided in the housing 11 of the sterilization device 2. The sterilization apparatus 1B according to the second modified example described above also achieves the same effects as those of the first modified example.

[0065] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing the general configuration of a sterilization apparatus according to a third modified example of the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 6, the sterilization device 2 and the sterilization amount estimation unit 3 of the sterilization apparatus 1C are connected not only through the communication member 4 but also through a communication member 6 (second communication member). The communication member 6 is a member that communicates between the sterilization device 2 and the sterilization amount estimation unit 3, and is, for example, a hollow pipe. One end of the communication member 6 is connected to the opening 51b of the housing 51 of the discharge unit 23 included in the sterilization amount estimation unit 3. The other end of the communication member 6 is connected to the communication port 11d (second communication port) of the housing 11 included in the sterilization device 2. The communication port 11d is provided on the side surface of the housing 11, similar to the communication port 11c. The communication port 11d is an opening that connects the inside of the housing 11 and the inside of the communication member 4, and is located at least downstream from the center of the sterilization light source 12. From the viewpoint of reducing the flow rate of the sampled air flowing inside the communicating member 6, the communicating member 6 may be provided with a bent portion or the like. The diameter of the communicating member 6 is constant, but is not limited to this. The sterilization apparatus 1C according to the third modified example described above also achieves the same effects as those of the above embodiment. In addition, in the third modified example, the air that flows from the sterilization device 2 to the sterilization amount estimation unit 3 is returned to the sterilization device 2 via the communicating member 6. This eliminates the need to provide discharge mechanisms in both the sterilization device 2 and the sterilization amount estimation unit 3, thereby simplifying the configuration of the sterilization apparatus 1C.

[0066] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing the general configuration of a sterilization apparatus according to a fourth modified example of the first embodiment. The sterilization apparatus 1D shown in FIG. 7 is an apparatus that combines the first modified example and the third modified example. Specifically, the sterilization device 2 and the sterilization amount estimation section 3 in the sterilization apparatus 1D are connected not only through the communicating member 4 but also through the communicating member 6, and the communicating member 4 communicates with the communication port 13a of the blower section 13. Therefore, in the sterilization apparatus 1D, as in the sterilization apparatus 1C, the air that has flowed from the sterilization device 2 to the sterilization amount estimation section 3 is returned to the sterilization device 2 through the communicating member 6. In the sterilization apparatus 1D according to the fourth modified example described above, the same action and effect as in the first modified example and the third modified example are achieved.

[0067] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing the general configuration of a sterilization apparatus according to a fifth modified example of the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 8, the sterilization device 2 and the sterilization amount estimating section 3 of the sterilization apparatus 1E are directly connected to each other. The inside of the sterilization device 2 and the inside of the sterilization amount estimating section 3 are in communication with each other via the communication openings 11c and 11d. From the viewpoint of improving the accuracy of the sterilization amount estimation by the sterilization amount estimating section 3, a light blocking member may be provided in each of the communication openings 11c and 11d. In the sterilization apparatus 1E, a blower is not provided in the housing 51, but this is not limited thereto. The sterilization apparatus 1E according to the fifth modified example described above also achieves the same effects as those of the above embodiment. In addition, the sterilization apparatus 1E can be further miniaturized.

[0068] Second embodiment The following describes a sterilization device according to the second embodiment. In the description of the second embodiment, descriptions that overlap with the first embodiment will be omitted, and only differences from the first embodiment will be described. In other words, the descriptions of the first embodiment may be used appropriately in the second embodiment to the extent technically possible.

[0069] 9(a) and (b) are schematic diagrams showing the arrangement of the fluorescence detection device in the air inlet according to the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 9(a) and (b), the excitation light source 32Aa and the fluorescence detection unit 32Ab of the fluorescence detection device 32A are arranged in the housing 31 of the air inlet 21A. In addition, FIG. 9(a) and (b) show the irradiation range R1 of the excitation light L1A irradiated from the excitation light source 32Aa and the fluorescence detection range R2 of the fluorescence detection unit 32Ab. In the second embodiment, the excitation light source 32Aa and the fluorescence detection unit 32Ab are arranged in the housing 31 so that the irradiation range R1 and the fluorescence detection range R2 are mutually orthogonal. In addition, the irradiation range R1 and the fluorescence detection range R2 are also orthogonal to the flow direction WD2, but are not limited thereto. Although not shown, the excitation light source and the fluorescence detection unit of the fluorescence detection device included in the discharge unit are also arranged in the same manner.

[0070] The sterilization apparatus including the air inlet section 21A according to the second embodiment described above also achieves the same effects as those of the first embodiment. In addition, the excitation light L1A reflected on the wall surface of the housing 31 of the air inlet section 21A is less likely to be incident on the fluorescence detection section 32Ab. This improves the fluorescence detection accuracy of the fluorescence detection section 32Ab.

[0071] 10(a) and (b) are schematic diagrams showing the arrangement of the fluorescence detection device in the air inflow section according to a modified example of the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 10(a) and (b), in addition to the excitation light source 32Aa and the fluorescence detection section 32Ab, the scattered light detection section 35 is arranged in the housing 31 of the air inflow section 21B. In addition to the irradiation range R1 and the fluorescence detection range R2, FIG. 10(a) and (b) show the scattered light detection range R3 of the scattered light detection section 35. In this modified example, in order to suppress the incidence of the excitation light L1A into the scattered light detection section 35, the excitation light source 32Aa and the scattered light detection section 35 are arranged in the air inflow section 21B so that the irradiation range R1 and the scattered light detection range R3 are mutually orthogonal. In addition, the irradiation range R1 and the scattered light detection range R3 are also orthogonal to the flow direction WD2, but are not limited thereto.

[0072] The scattered light detection unit 35 is a member that detects scattered light (not shown) generated by irradiating the air (more specifically, particles in the air, etc.) with the excitation light L1A, and is, for example, a visible light sensor or an ultraviolet sensor. The wavelength of the scattered light is the same as the wavelength of the excitation light L1A. Therefore, the scattered light detection unit 35 may transmit only the wavelength of the scattered light and its vicinity. Detection information (first scattered light data) indicating the detection result of the scattered light by the scattered light detection unit 35 is output to the control unit 5 (see FIG. 2). The first scattered light data is, for example, the detection result of the scattered light obtained by irradiating the excitation light L1A to the air before sterilization. When irradiating the excitation light L1A with a repetitive pulse light or light whose intensity is changed sinusoidally, the scattered light detection unit 35 may amplify and detect the scattered light having the same frequency component as the excitation light L1A, or may detect the signal of the scattered light by synchronous detection with the frequency of the excitation light.

[0073] Although not shown, the discharge section has a scattered light detection section (not shown) similar to air inlet section 21B. Detection information (second scattered light data) indicating the detection result of the scattered light by this scattered light detection section is output to control section 5 (see FIG. 2). The second scattered light data is, for example, the detection result of the scattered light obtained by irradiating the sterilized air with excitation light. Furthermore, the excitation light source and scattered light detection section included in the discharge section are arranged, for example, at the same position as air inlet section 21B.

[0074] In this modification, the control unit 5 acquires first scattered light data output from the air inlet unit 21B and second scattered light data output from the discharge unit. Then, based on the first scattered light data and the second scattered light data, the control unit 5 adjusts at least one of the light intensity of the excitation light L1A irradiated from the excitation light source 32Aa, the light intensity of the excitation light irradiated from the excitation light source of the discharge unit, the detection sensitivity of the fluorescence detection unit 32Ab, and the detection sensitivity of the fluorescence detection unit of the discharge unit.

[0075] The above-described modified example of the second embodiment also provides the same advantageous effects as those of the above-described second embodiment. In addition, by utilizing the first scattered light data and the second scattered light data, it is possible to perform calibration of each fluorescence detection unit during sterilization, as will be described below.

[0076] The difference in fluorescence intensity between the air inlet and outlet of the sterilization device is proportional to the amount of live bacteria sterilized. On the other hand, the intensity of fluorescence caused by particles such as dust that are different from live bacteria does not change, or does not change substantially, between the air inlet and outlet. Therefore, by obtaining the scattered light intensity at the air inlet and the scattered light intensity at the outlet, the amount of particles in the air flowing into the sterilization device can be quantified. Then, information regarding the difference in sensitivity of each detection unit can be obtained from the quantified data on the amount of particles. This makes it possible to calibrate the sensitivity of each fluorescence detection device.

[0077] Next, a sterilization system including the sterilization device according to the above embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 11. FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing the schematic configuration of the sterilization system. The sterilization system 100 shown in FIG. 11 includes a sterilization device 200, a processing device 300 that processes data output from the sterilization device 200, and a display device 400 that displays the sterilization amount calculated by the processing device 300. The sterilization device 200 is the same device as the sterilization devices 1 and 1A according to the above embodiment. However, the control unit (not shown) of the sterilization device 200 does not calculate the sterilization amount of microorganisms and the like by the sterilization amount estimation unit, which is a sub-sterilization device. Therefore, the control unit does not estimate the sterilization amount of microorganisms and the like by the sterilization device. In addition, the sterilization device 200 has a communication unit (not shown) that can communicate various data with the processing device 300 and the like.

[0078] The processing device 300 is a device that calculates the amount of sterilization of microorganisms and the like by the sterilization device 200 based on each fluorescence data output from the sterilization device 200, and is configured with, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and a ROM (Read Only Memory). For example, the processing device 300 acquires first fluorescence data output from an air inlet section (not shown) of the sterilization device 200 and second fluorescence data output from an exhaust section (not shown), calculates the amount of sterilization of microorganisms by the sub-sterilization device based on the first fluorescence data and the second fluorescence data, estimates the amount of sterilization of microorganisms by the sterilization device based on the calculated amount of sterilization, and displays display data indicating the estimated amount of sterilization on the display device 400. The processing device 300 outputs display data (image signals) indicating the estimated amount of sterilization to the display device 400 via, for example, a LAN (Local Area Network), the Internet, or the like. For this reason, the processing device 300 has a communication section (not shown) capable of communicating various data. The display data may include, for example, not only data showing the measurement results of the amount of sterilization of microorganisms and the like (or the estimated amount of sterilization) performed by the sterilization device 200, but also data showing the time until the measurement results of the amount of sterilization are updated, and data showing the temperature, humidity, etc. of the exhaled air. The data showing the measurement results of the amount of sterilization is, for example, numerical data, graph data showing the amount of sterilization over time, etc.

[0079] A larger value displayed on the display device 400 indicates a larger amount of sterilization. Therefore, a larger value may indicate a larger amount of microorganisms and the like in the vicinity of the sterilization device 200. Therefore, when the value displayed on the display device 400 exceeds a predetermined threshold, the processing device 300 may perform a notification process (for example, an alarm notification process using a speaker (not shown), or a light notification process using a lamp (not shown), etc.).

[0080] The processing device 300 also functions as a controller that controls each component included in the sterilization device 200. The processing device 300 may be a processing unit that not only controls each component included in the sterilization device 200, but also receives / calculates / transmits various signals and records / reads out various signals. The processing device 300 may have a portion (storage unit) that stores each signal and each piece of information.

[0081] The display device 400 is a member that displays an image based on the display data output from the processing device 300. The display device 400 may display an image corresponding to one piece of display data, or may display images corresponding to multiple pieces of display data. As described above, the display device 400 is capable of wireless communication with the processing device 300. Therefore, a user of the display device 400 can easily check an image indicating the amount of sterilization even from a remote location. The display device 400 may be a device dedicated to the sterilization system 100, or may not be a device dedicated to the sterilization system 100. In the former case, the display device 400 includes, for example, one or more liquid crystal displays and a user interface such as a touch panel. In the latter case, the display device 400 is, for example, a smartphone, a tablet, or the like that can run an application for operating the sterilization system 100. For example, when the display device 400 accepts an input from an operator (user), input information indicating the input content may be output to the processing device 300. In this case, a user of the display device 400 can easily control the operation of the sterilization device 200 and / or the processing device 300 even from a remote location. The input information is, for example, data related to an instruction to start, stop, or change the operation of the sterilization apparatus 200.

[0082] The sterilization system 100 described above also achieves the same effects as the above-described embodiment. In addition, according to the sterilization system 100, the display device 400 displays display data indicating the sterilization amount calculated by the processing device 300. This allows the user of the sterilization system 100 to easily check the sterilization effect of the sterilization device 200 via the display device 400.

[0083] In the sterilization system 100, the sterilization device 200, the processing device 300, and the display device 400 are separate devices, but this is not limited to the above. For example, the processing device may be provided in the display device, or the display device may be provided in the sterilization device.

[0084] A sterilization apparatus and a sterilization system including the same according to one aspect of the present invention are as described in [1] to

[13] below, and have been described in detail based on the above embodiment and the above modified examples. [1] A sterilization device that sterilizes microorganisms in the air, a sterilization amount estimation unit that estimates an amount of sterilization of microorganisms by the sterilization device; a communication member that communicates between the sterilization device and the sterilization amount estimation unit; Equipped with The sterilization amount estimation unit is sterilizing the microorganisms contained in the air in the sterilization device flowing from the sterilization device through the communicating member, and calculating the amount of sterilization of the microorganisms; estimating the amount of microorganisms sterilized by the sterilization device based on the calculated amount of sterilization; Sterilization device. [2] the sterilization amount estimation unit has an air inlet unit into which air within the sterilization device flows from the sterilization device via the communicating member, a sterilization unit including a sterilization light source that irradiates ultraviolet light onto the air supplied from the air inlet unit, and a discharge unit that discharges air that has passed through the sterilization unit, The sterilization device according to [1], wherein each of the air inlet section and the exhaust section has an excitation light source that irradiates excitation light different from the ultraviolet light, and a fluorescence detection section that detects fluorescence generated based on irradiation with the excitation light. [3] A control unit for controlling the operation of the sterilization amount estimation unit is further provided. The control unit is acquiring first fluorescence data output from the air inlet section and second fluorescence data output from the exhaust section; The sterilization device according to [2], wherein an amount of microorganisms sterilized in the sterilization unit is calculated based on the first fluorescent light data and the second fluorescent light data. [4] The sterilization device according to [3], wherein each of the air inlet section and the exhaust section further includes a scattered light detection section that detects scattered light generated when the excitation light is irradiated onto the air. [5] The control unit is Acquire first scattered light data output from the air inlet section and second scattered light data output from the exhaust section; The sterilization device described in [4], wherein at least one of the light intensity of the excitation light irradiated from the excitation light source of the air inlet portion, the light intensity of the excitation light irradiated from the excitation light source of the air exhaust portion, the detection sensitivity of the fluorescence detection unit of the air inlet portion, and the detection sensitivity of the fluorescence detection unit of the exhaust portion is adjusted based on the first scattered light data and the second scattered light data. [6] the excitation light is a repetitive pulse light or a sinusoidally intensity-modulated light, The sterilization device according to [4] or [5], wherein the fluorescence detection unit detects the fluorescence by amplifying a frequency of the excitation light, or detects the fluorescence by synchronous detection with the excitation light. [7] Further comprising a second communication member that communicates the discharge portion with a second communication port of the sterilization device, The sterilization apparatus according to any one of [2] to [6], wherein the second communication port is located downstream of the center of the sterilization light source of the sterilization device. [8] The sterilization device according to any one of [2] to [7], wherein the sterilization unit has at least one of a first ultraviolet ray shielding unit located upstream of the sterilization light source and a second ultraviolet ray shielding unit located downstream of the sterilization light source. [9] The sterilization device according to any one of [2] to [8], wherein at least one of the air inlet section and the exhaust section has an airflow control section that controls the airflow in the sterilization amount estimation section.

[10] The sterilization apparatus according to any one of [1] to [9], wherein the sterilization capacity of the sterilization device is the same as the sterilization capacity of the sterilization amount estimating section.

[11] The sterilization device comprises: a housing having an air inlet through which air flows in and an outlet through which the air is discharged; a blower section that is located upstream of the housing and sends the air to the air inlet, A sterilization light source that irradiates ultraviolet light to sterilize microorganisms in the air flowing in from the air inlet is disposed inside the housing, the air inlet and the air outlet are disposed on the unidirectional airflow of the air formed inside the housing by the air blower, The sterilization apparatus according to any one of [1] to

[10] , wherein a communication port in the communication member that communicates with the sterilization device is provided upstream of the sterilization light source and at a position upstream of the sterilization light source and out of the unidirectional airflow.

[12] The sterilization device according to

[11] , wherein the sterilization light source disposed within the housing has a germicidal lamp.

[13] A sterilization apparatus having a sterilization device that sterilizes microorganisms in the air and a sub-sterilization device that sterilizes microorganisms contained in the air flowing from the sterilization device within the sterilization device; A processing device that processes data output from the sterilization device; a display device that displays the amount of microorganisms sterilized by the sterilization device, the amount being estimated by the processing device; and Equipped with The processing device includes: Calculate the amount of microorganisms sterilized by the sub-sterilization device; estimating the amount of sterilization of the microorganisms contained in the air in the sterilization device based on the calculated amount of sterilization; displaying display data indicating the estimated sterilization amount on the display device; Disinfection system.

[0085] However, one aspect of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, the above modification, and the above [1] to

[13] . One aspect of the present invention can be further modified without departing from the gist of the invention. The above embodiment and the above modification may be appropriately combined. For example, the first embodiment may be provided with a scattered light detection unit or the like.

[0086] In the above embodiment and modified example, the sterilization apparatus has one sterilization amount estimating unit, but is not limited to this. For example, the sterilization apparatus may have two or more sterilization amount estimating units. This can further improve the accuracy of the sterilization amount calculated by the sterilization apparatus.

[0087] In the above embodiment and the above modified example, an ultraviolet reflector may be provided inside the housing. By providing the ultraviolet reflector, ultraviolet rays may be multiple-reflected inside the housing. From the viewpoint of optimizing the air flow inside the housing by the ultraviolet reflector, the ultraviolet reflector may be provided with an opening or the like.

[0088] In the above embodiment and modified example, the sterilization unit is provided on the side surface of the housing, but is not limited thereto. For example, the sterilization light source included in the sterilization unit may be disposed on one end surface of the housing in the flow direction.

[0089] In the above embodiment and modified examples, the sterilization apparatus does not have to include a light blocking unit. Also, the air blowing unit may be provided downstream of the housing.

[0090] In the above embodiment and modified example, a fluorescence detection device may be provided at the inlet and outlet parts of the sterilization device, which is the sterilization unit main body. In this case, an ultraviolet light source that does not affect the fluorescence detection by the fluorescence detection device is used as the sterilization light source of the sterilization device. This allows accurate calibration of the sterilization device and the sterilization amount estimating unit, and therefore allows accurate setting of the relationship between the sterilization capacity of the sterilization device and the sterilization capacity of the sterilization amount estimating unit.

[0091] In the above embodiment and modified example, the sterilization apparatus may be provided in an air conditioner, an air conditioner, a ventilation system, etc. In this case, the sterilization apparatus does not need to be provided with a blower, etc. This makes it possible to further reduce the size of the sterilization apparatus.

[0092] In the third and fourth modified examples, a blower is provided in the discharge section of the sterilization amount estimation section, but this is not limited to this. The discharge section does not have to be provided with a blower. In this case, it is possible to further reduce the size of the sterilization amount estimation section. [Explanation of symbols]

[0093] Reference Signs List 1, 1A to 1E... sterilization apparatus, 2... sterilization device, 3... sterilization amount estimation section, 4... communication member, 5... control section, 6... communication member (second communication member), 11... housing, 11a... air inlet, 11b... exhaust port, 11c... communication port, 11d... communication port (second communication port), 12... sterilization light source, 13... blower section, 13a... communication port, 21, 21A, 21B... air inlet section, 22... sterilization section, 23... exhaust section, 31... housing, 31a... opening, 31 b...opening, 32, 32A...fluorescence detection device, 33...blower, 35...scattered light detection unit, 41...housing, 42...sterilization light source, 51...housing, 52...fluorescence detection device, 53...blower, 60...cover member, 100...sterilization system, 200...sterilization device, 300...processing device, 400...display device, A...air, FL1...fluorescence, L1, L1A, L2...excitation light, UV1, UV2...ultraviolet light, WD1...flow direction, WD2...flow direction.

Claims

1. A sterilization device that sterilizes microorganisms in the air, a sterilization amount estimation unit that estimates the amount of microorganisms sterilized by the sterilization device; a communication member that communicates between the sterilization device and the sterilization amount estimation unit; Equipped with The sterilization amount estimation unit is sterilizing the microorganisms contained in the air in the sterilization device flowing from the sterilization device through the communicating member, and calculating the amount of sterilization of the microorganisms; estimating the amount of microorganisms sterilized by the sterilization device based on the calculated amount of sterilization. Sterilization device.

2. the sterilization amount estimation unit has an air inlet unit into which air within the sterilization device flows from the sterilization device via the communicating member, a sterilization unit including a sterilization light source that irradiates ultraviolet light onto the air supplied from the air inlet unit, and a discharge unit that discharges air that has passed through the sterilization unit, The sterilization device according to claim 1 , wherein each of the air inlet section and the exhaust section has an excitation light source that irradiates excitation light different from the ultraviolet light, and a fluorescence detection section that detects fluorescence generated based on irradiation with the excitation light.

3. A control unit that controls the operation of the sterilization amount estimation unit, The control unit is acquiring first fluorescence data output from the air inlet section and second fluorescence data output from the exhaust section; The sterilization device according to claim 2 , further comprising: a sterilization amount of the microorganisms sterilized in the sterilization unit, the sterilization amount being calculated based on the first fluorescence data and the second fluorescence data.

4. The sterilization apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein each of the air inlet section and the exhaust section further comprises a scattered light detector that detects scattered light generated when the excitation light is irradiated onto the air.

5. The control unit is Acquire first scattered light data output from the air inlet section and second scattered light data output from the exhaust section; 5. The sterilization device according to claim 4, wherein at least one of the light intensity of the excitation light irradiated from the excitation light source of the air inlet section, the light intensity of the excitation light irradiated from the excitation light source of the air exhaust section, the detection sensitivity of the fluorescence detection section of the air inlet section, and the detection sensitivity of the fluorescence detection section of the air exhaust section is adjusted based on the first scattered light data and the second scattered light data.

6. the excitation light is a repetitive pulse light or a sinusoidally intensity-modulated light, The sterilization device according to claim 4 , wherein the fluorescence detection section detects the fluorescence by amplifying a frequency of the excitation light, or detects the fluorescence by synchronous detection with the excitation light.

7. Further provided is a second communication member that communicates the discharge portion with a second communication port of the sterilization device, The sterilization apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein the second communication port is located downstream of a center of a sterilization light source of the sterilization device.

8. The sterilization device according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein the sterilization unit has at least one of a first ultraviolet ray shielding unit located upstream of the sterilization light source and a second ultraviolet ray shielding unit located downstream of the sterilization light source.

9. The sterilization device according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein at least one of the air inlet section and the exhaust section has an airflow control section that controls an airflow in the sterilization amount estimation section.

10. The sterilization apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the sterilization capacity of the sterilization device is the same as the sterilization capacity of the sterilization amount estimating section.

11. The sterilization device comprises: a housing having an air inlet through which air flows in and an outlet through which the air is discharged; a blower section that is located upstream of the housing and sends the air to the air inlet, A sterilization light source that irradiates ultraviolet light to sterilize microorganisms in the air flowing in from the air inlet is disposed inside the housing, the air inlet and the air outlet are disposed on the unidirectional airflow of the air formed inside the housing by the air blower, The sterilization apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the communication port in the communication member that communicates with the sterilization device is provided at a position upstream of the sterilization light source and out of the unidirectional airflow.

12. The sterilization device according to claim 11 , wherein the sterilization light source disposed in the housing includes a germicidal lamp.

13. A sterilization apparatus having a sterilization device that sterilizes microorganisms in the air and a sub-sterilization device that sterilizes microorganisms contained in the air flowing from the sterilization device within the sterilization device; A processing device that processes data output from the sterilization device; a display device that displays the amount of microorganisms sterilized by the sterilization device, the amount being estimated by the processing device; and Equipped with The processing device includes: Calculate the amount of microorganisms sterilized by the sub-sterilization device; estimating the amount of sterilization of microorganisms contained in the air in the sterilization device based on the calculated amount of sterilization; displaying display data indicating the estimated sterilization amount on the display device; Disinfection system.

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