Ultraviolet irradiation device

Abstract

To provide a high safety ultraviolet irradiation device or the like.SOLUTION: An ultraviolet irradiation device includes: a housing body which forms a housing space housing a subject to be irradiated with ultraviolet light; an ultraviolet light-emitting diode which emits ultraviolet light toward the subject housed in the housing space; an electric current supply part for supplying an electric current to the ultraviolet light-emitting diode; a lock device which locks a body part and a lid part openably and closably connected to the body part when the housing space is closed by the lid part and the body part, where the lock device has an unlocking operation part which is an operation part that releases the lock, and is formed of a conductor, and an electric current is supplied to the unlocking operation part in emitting light from the ultraviolet light-emitting diode.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an ultraviolet irradiation device and the like. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, a method of sterilizing by irradiating ultraviolet rays is known. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an ultraviolet irradiating device including a second light emitter that emits visible light in addition to a first light emitter that emits ultraviolet rays. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2022-54721 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The technique of Patent Document 1 uses visible light to enhance safety, but does not prevent unlocking of an ultraviolet irradiation device including a lockable container during ultraviolet irradiation.

[0005] According to some aspects of the present disclosure, it is possible to provide an ultraviolet irradiation device and the like that is highly safe. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One aspect of the present disclosure relates to an ultraviolet irradiation device that includes a container that forms a storage space for storing an object to be irradiated with ultraviolet light, an ultraviolet light light emitting diode that irradiates ultraviolet light toward the object stored in the storage space, a current supply unit for supplying current to the ultraviolet light light emitting diode, and a main body unit and a lid unit that is openably and closably connected to the main body unit when the storage space is closed by the main body unit, the locking device having an operation unit that releases the lock and an unlocking operation unit formed by a conductor, and in which current is supplied to the unlocking operation unit when the ultraviolet light emitting diode emits light. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an ultraviolet irradiation device. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the ultraviolet irradiation device with the top cover open. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the inside of the upper cover of the ultraviolet irradiation device. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the inside of the bottom of the ultraviolet irradiation device. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a main body of the ultraviolet irradiation device. [Figure 6A] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the arrangement of light-emitting diodes in the ultraviolet irradiation device. [Figure 6B] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the arrangement of light-emitting diodes in the ultraviolet irradiation device. [Figure 6C] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the arrangement of light-emitting diodes in the ultraviolet irradiation device. [Figure 7] FIG. 6B is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a part of the cross section AA of FIG. 6A. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a tray of the ultraviolet irradiation device. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of an ultraviolet irradiation device. [Figure 10] FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing another example of the configuration of the ultraviolet irradiation device. [Figure 11A] 1A and 1B are schematic diagrams illustrating an example of the configuration of an electromagnetic locking device. [Figure 11B] 1A and 1B are schematic diagrams illustrating an example of the configuration of an electromagnetic locking device. [Figure 12] FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing another example of the configuration of the ultraviolet irradiation device. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the relationship between the drive current and the additive mixed emission color of a light emitting diode. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] Hereinafter, the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or equivalent elements are given the same reference numerals, and duplicated explanations are omitted. Note that the present embodiment described below does not unduly limit the contents described in the claims. In addition, all of the configurations described in the present embodiment are not necessarily essential configurations of the present disclosure.

[0009] 1. First embodiment An ultraviolet irradiation device 100 according to this embodiment will be described. First, a configuration example of the housing (top cover part 101 and main body part 102) of the ultraviolet irradiation device 100 will be described, and then a circuit configuration example will be described.

[0010] 1.1 Case configuration example Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an ultraviolet irradiation device 100. As shown in Fig. 1, the ultraviolet irradiation device 100 includes an upper lid part 101 and a main body part 102. The main body part 102 includes a bottom part 103 and a side part 104. The bottom part 103 and the side part 104 are integrally formed. The bottom part 103 supports the upper lid part 101 and the side part 104 at the lowest position.

[0011] Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which the upper lid 101 (lid) of the ultraviolet irradiation device 100 is open. As shown in Fig. 2, an accommodation space 105 for accommodating objects to be sterilized is formed inside the ultraviolet irradiation device 100. For ease of explanation, in the following description, the upper lid 101 side is the upper direction and the bottom 103 side is the lower direction with respect to the main body 102 in Fig. 1.

[0012] 1 and 2, the ultraviolet irradiation device 100 is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped, and contains an object to be sterilized (object) therein. The object is irradiated with ultraviolet light, and bacteria, viruses, etc. attached to the object are inactivated by the ultraviolet light. The ultraviolet light is irradiated by an ultraviolet light-emitting diode 110.

[0013] The ultraviolet light LED 110 irradiates ultraviolet light almost uniformly toward the accommodation space 105 for accommodating the objects to be sterilized and toward the objects to be sterilized accommodated in the accommodation space 105. The ultraviolet light irradiated from the ultraviolet light LED 110 has a wavelength range of about 100 nm or more and 280 nm or less, and is so-called UVC (Ultra Violet-C). When the peak wavelength of the ultraviolet light LED 110 is 265 nm, the inactivation effect is maximized.

[0014] The ultraviolet irradiation device 100 has a plurality of ultraviolet light emitting diodes 110. As will be described later with reference to Fig. 9, the plurality of ultraviolet light emitting diodes 110 may be connected in series. The arrangement of the ultraviolet light emitting diodes 110 in the ultraviolet irradiation device 100 will be described later with reference to Figs. 6A-6C and the like.

[0015] As shown in Fig. 1, the top cover 101 is substantially rectangular, and has a display unit 40, an operation unit 50, an unlock operation unit 61, and an alert light-emitting diode 160 disposed at positions that can be seen from the outside when the top cover 101 is closed. Details of the display unit 40, the operation unit 50, and the unlock operation unit 61 will be described later with reference to Fig. 9. Details of the alert light-emitting diode 160 will be described later with reference to Fig. 12.

[0016] 2, the top cover 101 is rotatably supported by the main body 102, for example, by a hinge (not shown). As a result, the top cover 101 functions as a lid that opens or closes the ultraviolet irradiation device 100 by rotating about the hinge, which is the connection portion with the main body 102. Note that since the top cover 101 only needs to function as a lid, it does not need to be provided rotatably as described above, and the top cover 101 may be formed to be detachable from the main body 102 so that it can be completely separated from the main body 102.

[0017] Fig. 3 is a plan view of the inside of the top lid 101 of the ultraviolet irradiation device 100. As shown in Fig. 3, the top lid 101 includes an top lid reflector 121 and an top lid frame 131. The top lid reflector 121 is a part of the housing 120 described below, and is disposed on the inside of the top lid 101. The top lid frame 131 covers the outside of the top lid reflector 121 in the top lid 101. The top lid frame 131, and a bottom frame 133 and a side frame 134 described below are formed of resin.

[0018] Fig. 4 is a plan view of the inside of the bottom 103 of the ultraviolet irradiation device 100. As shown in Fig. 4, the bottom 103 includes a bottom reflector 123 and a bottom frame 133. The bottom 103 has substantially the same rectangular shape as the top lid 101, and is arranged so that each side of the top lid 101 and a corresponding side are substantially parallel to each other. The bottom reflector 123 is a part of the container 120 described later, and is arranged on the inside of the bottom 103. The bottom frame 133 covers the outside of the bottom reflector 123 on the bottom 103.

[0019] Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the main body 102 of the ultraviolet irradiation device 100. The side surface 104 forms a side surface of the ultraviolet irradiation device 100. As shown in Fig. 5, the side surface 104 includes a side surface reflector 124 and a side surface frame 134. The side surface reflector 124 is a part of the housing 120 described later, and is disposed on the inside of the side surface 104. The side surface frame 134 covers the outside of the side surface reflector 124 on the side surface 104.

[0020] Fig. 6A is a perspective view showing the arrangement position of the ultraviolet light emitting diode 110 in the ultraviolet irradiation device 100. In Fig. 6A, the housing body 120, the upper cover frame 131, the bottom frame 133, and the side frame 134 are depicted as being transparent in order to facilitate confirmation of the arrangement position of the ultraviolet light emitting diode 110. Fig. 6B is an external perspective view of the housing body 120, and Fig. 6C depicts the interior of the housing body 120 with the housing body 120 made transparent.

[0021] As shown in Figs. 6A-6C, the container 120 forms a storage space 105 for storing objects to be sterilized (objects) to be irradiated with ultraviolet light. The storage space 105 is formed by closing the top cover 101 on the main body 102 to close the container 120. The container 120 is provided so as to surround the storage space 105 for storing objects to be sterilized. The container 120 reflects ultraviolet light irradiated from the ultraviolet light emitting diode 110 to the storage space 105 and the objects to be sterilized stored in the storage space 105. The container 120 includes a top cover reflecting portion 121, a bottom reflecting portion 123, a side surface reflecting portion 124, and an inclined reflecting portion 125, and forms the storage space 105 inside thereof.

[0022] Top lid reflector 121 and bottom reflector 123 are substantially the same rectangular shape, and each side of bottom reflector 123 is disposed so as to be substantially parallel to each side of corresponding top lid reflector 121. Side reflector 124 has a surface extending from bottom reflector 123 to top lid reflector 121, and housing body 120 is substantially rectangular. Accordingly, housing space 105 is also substantially rectangular.

[0023] In order to effectively utilize the light distribution characteristics of the ultraviolet light emitting diodes 110, it is desirable that the accommodation space 105 be an approximately rectangular parallelepiped or approximately cubic shape. In this way, it is possible to increase the uniformity of the illuminance within the accommodation space 105 compared to when the accommodation space 105 is a shape other than an approximately rectangular parallelepiped or approximately cubic shape.

[0024] The inclined reflecting portion 125 is disposed inside each of the octagonal corners of the approximately rectangular parallelepiped of the housing 120. The inclined reflecting portion 125 is inclined with respect to the top lid reflecting portion 121 or the bottom reflecting portion 123 and the side reflecting portion 124 of the housing 120. The angles formed by the inclined reflecting portion 125 and the three faces forming each of the octagonal corners of the approximately rectangular parallelepiped of the housing 120 are obtuse angles.

[0025] The surface of the housing 120 is covered with aluminum that has a high ultraviolet reflectance. Therefore, with a minimum number of ultraviolet light-emitting diodes 110, ultraviolet light can be uniformly irradiated onto the housing space 105 and the objects to be sterilized housed in the housing space 105 while minimizing the absorption of the light by obstacles and the like.

[0026] Each inclined reflector 125 is provided with one ultraviolet light LED 110, and the optical axis of the ultraviolet light LED 110 passes through approximately the center of the accommodation space 105. Therefore, the uniformity of the illuminance of the ultraviolet light in the accommodation space 105 is improved.

[0027] Fig. 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of one corner located at the bottom of the housing body 120 among the octagons of the approximately rectangular parallelepiped of the housing body 120, taken along the line AA in Fig. 6A. As shown in Fig. 7, the inclined reflecting portion 125 is formed in a plate shape and has an opening 126. The ultraviolet light LED 110 is disposed in the opening 126. The opening 126 is inclined in the thickness direction of the inclined reflecting portion 125 so as to widen from the outside toward the housing space 105.

[0028] The ultraviolet light light emitting diode 110 is disposed on an aluminum substrate 111 (substrate). The ultraviolet light light emitting diode 110 is driven by a current supplied via an input current terminal 112 disposed on the aluminum substrate 111, and irradiates the accommodation space 105 with ultraviolet light. A current is supplied to the input current terminal 112 by a current supply unit 20.

[0029] As described above, the ultraviolet light LEDs 110 are arranged one by one on each of the inclined reflecting portions 125 located at the octagonal corners of the approximately rectangular parallelepiped of the housing body 120. In other words, the ultraviolet light irradiation device 100 includes eight ultraviolet light LEDs 110. This allows ultraviolet light to be irradiated into the housing space 105 from each corner of the housing body 120, so that the housing space 105 can be uniformly irradiated with a minimum number of ultraviolet light LEDs 110.

[0030] The number of ultraviolet light LEDs 110 is not limited to the above, and may be any other number as long as the sterilization effect can be maintained. For example, three ultraviolet light LEDs 110 may be installed at the top and three at the bottom of each inclined reflector 125 located at the octagons of the approximately rectangular parallelepiped, for a total of six ultraviolet light LEDs 110.

[0031] Further, the aluminum substrate 111 contacts the outer surface 125a of the housing 120 opposite to the inner surface on the housing space 105 side. Therefore, since the aluminum substrate 111 and the inclined reflecting portion 125 contact each other at the outer surface 125a, the heat H generated in the ultraviolet light emitting diode 110 can be conducted to the housing 120 through the aluminum substrate 111 and the inclined reflecting portion 125 and dissipated. In other words, the housing 120, which reflects the ultraviolet light irradiated from the ultraviolet light emitting diode 110 to the housing space 105 and confines the ultraviolet light in the housing space 105, functions as a heat sink for the ultraviolet light emitting diode 110. As a result, the heat of the ultraviolet light emitting diode 110 can be effectively dissipated without providing a new heat sink for the ultraviolet light emitting diode 110.

[0032] Furthermore, the aluminum substrate 111 of the ultraviolet light LED 110 is in contact with the outer surface 125a, and the ultraviolet light LED 110 irradiates the accommodation space 105 with ultraviolet light from the opening 126 of the inclined reflector 125. Therefore, the ultraviolet light LED 110 and the aluminum substrate 111 are not disposed within the accommodation space 105, and therefore a large accommodation space 105 can be secured.

[0033] 8 is a perspective view of the tray 150 of the ultraviolet irradiation device 100. The tray 150 maintains the object to be sterilized at a predetermined position within the storage space 105. The side reflecting portion 124 is provided with a plurality of support portions 140 that are convex toward the storage space 105, at positions that are the same distance from the bottom portion 103 (see FIG. 5). The tray 150 can be placed on the support portions 140 and can be freely removed.

[0034] Tray 150 is formed of a plurality of rod-shaped bodies 151 arranged in parallel. Furthermore, the intervals between rod-shaped bodies 151 are narrower in the center of tray 150 than in the peripheral part. This encourages the user, when sterilizing small objects to be sterilized, to place the objects to be sterilized in the center of tray 150 where ultraviolet rays are more uniformly irradiated, and enables the objects to be sterilized effectively without obstructing the optical path of the light rays on the outer periphery of tray 150.

[0035] The surface of the tray 150 is covered with aluminum. By covering not only the housing body 120 forming the housing space 105 but also the surface of the tray 150 placed in the housing space 105 with aluminum, the reflectance of ultraviolet light in the housing space 105 is increased. As a result, the uniformity of the illuminance of ultraviolet light in the housing space 105 is improved.

[0036] The shape of the tray 150 is not limited to the above as long as the contact area with the object to be sterilized is small and the spacing between the rod-shaped bodies 151 in the center of the tray 150 is narrower than the spacing between the rod-shaped bodies 151 on the periphery of the tray 150.

[0037] 1.2 Circuit configuration example Fig. 9 is a block diagram including an example of a circuit configuration of an ultraviolet irradiation device 100 according to this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 9, the ultraviolet irradiation device 100 includes a circuit 10, a current supply unit 20, a control unit 30, a display unit 40, and an operation unit 50. The circuit 10 includes an ultraviolet light emitting diode 110, an unlocking operation unit 61, and a resistor 180. The ultraviolet irradiation device 100 may also include a switch ST1 provided between the ultraviolet light emitting diode 110 and the current supply unit 20.

[0038] The current supply unit 20 supplies current to each part of the circuit 10 including the ultraviolet light emitting diode 110 based on the control of the control unit 30 .

[0039] The control unit 30 controls each unit of the ultraviolet irradiation device 100 and may be a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The control unit 30 controls the ultraviolet irradiation device 100 to execute processing of each function. The control unit 30 may perform various controls by reading data from various computer programs, data used in various processes, and the like stored in a storage unit (not shown).

[0040] The control unit 30 controls the current supply unit 20 to supply current to the ultraviolet light LED 110. For example, based on an irradiation time input by the operation unit 50, the control unit 30 controls the current supply by the current supply unit 20 so that the ultraviolet light LED 110 can irradiate the object to be sterilized with ultraviolet light for only that irradiation time.

[0041] The control unit 30 also controls the display of the display unit 40. The display unit 40 is, for example, a display, and the control unit 30 controls the display unit 40 so that the irradiation time and the like inputted by the operation unit 50 are displayed. The operation unit 50 may be a button or a lever, or may be a touch panel integrally formed with the display unit 40.

[0042] The unlocking operation unit 61 is an operation unit that unlocks the locking device 60. The locking device 60 here is a device that locks the upper lid part 101 and the main body part 102 when the storage space 105 is closed by the main body part 102 and the upper lid part 101 (lid part) connected to the main body part 102 in an openable and closable manner.

[0043] 2, the locking device 60 here may include a first engagement portion 62 provided on the top cover portion 101 and a second engagement portion 63 provided on the main body portion 102. When a user of the ultraviolet irradiation device 100 performs an operation to close the top cover portion 101 (an operation to press the top cover portion 101 against the main body portion 102), the first engagement portion 62 and the second engagement portion 63 engage with each other, thereby locking the top cover portion 101 and the main body portion 102.

[0044] The unlock operation unit 61 may be a button provided on the top cover 101, as shown in Fig. 1, for example. The unlock operation unit 61 is connected to the first engagement unit 62 (for example, formed as one unit), and when the unlock operation unit 61 is pressed, the first engagement unit 62 moves in a direction to release the engagement with the second engagement unit 63, thereby unlocking the lock device 60. The unlock operation unit 61 of this embodiment is formed of a conductor capable of passing an electric current. The conductor here is, for example, a metal, but other conductors may be used.

[0045] Note that the locking device 60 in this embodiment may have any configuration as long as it can lock (maintain the closed state) the top cover 101 and the main body 102, and the specific configuration is not limited to the example described above. The configuration of the unlocking operation unit 61 is also not limited to the example described above, and for example, the unlocking operation unit 61 may be an operation unit with another shape, such as a lever or a dial.

[0046] The switch ST1 is a switch that is turned ON when the accommodation space 105 is closed and turned OFF when the accommodation space 105 is opened. For example, the switch ST1 may be a magnetic switch that is an interlock mechanism that is conductive only when the top cover 101 is closed. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the switch ST1 may be configured so that a protrusion 70 provided on the top end 102a of the main body 102 so as to protrude upward presses the switch ST1 provided on the bottom end 101a of the top cover 101, thereby turning the switch ST1 ON.

[0047] When the storage space 105 is open (when the top cover 101 of the ultraviolet irradiation device 100 is open) by the switch ST1, the ultraviolet light LED 110 is released from the current supply unit 20. On the other hand, when the storage space 105 is closed (when the top cover 101 of the ultraviolet irradiation device 100 is closed), the ultraviolet light LED 110 is connected to the current supply unit 20.

[0048] When the user closes the top lid 101 to turn switch ST1 ON, and then inputs the irradiation time in the operation unit 50 and performs an operation to start irradiation, current is supplied to the ultraviolet ray light emitting diode 110 and ultraviolet ray is irradiated onto the object to be sterilized. The ultraviolet ray light emitting diode 110 irradiates ultraviolet ray only when the top lid 101 is closed and the switch ST1 is ON. Therefore, ultraviolet ray is not irradiated unless the top lid 101 is closed, improving safety against erroneous irradiation.

[0049] As described above, the ultraviolet irradiation device 100 according to the present embodiment includes the housing 120 forming the housing space 105 for housing an object to be irradiated with ultraviolet light, the ultraviolet light emitting diode 110 for irradiating ultraviolet light toward the object housed in the housing space 105, the current supply unit 20 for supplying current to the ultraviolet light emitting diode 110, and the locking device 60 for locking the upper cover 101 and the main body 102 when the housing space 105 is closed by the main body 102 and the upper cover 101. The locking device 60 is an operation unit for releasing the locking, and has an unlocking operation unit 61 formed of a conductor. In the ultraviolet irradiation device 100 according to the present embodiment, a current is supplied to the unlocking operation unit 61 when the ultraviolet light emitting diode 110 emits light.

[0050] According to the method of this embodiment, if a user tries to open the top lid 101 by mistake while the ultraviolet light-emitting diode 110 is irradiating ultraviolet light, the user will touch the current-carrying unlocking operation unit 61, causing a current to flow through the user. In other words, it is possible to use a current to inform the user that ultraviolet light is being irradiated, thereby preventing the user from releasing the locking device 60. As a result, it is possible to prevent the top lid 101 from opening during ultraviolet light irradiation, thereby realizing a safer ultraviolet irradiation device 100.

[0051] For example, in the ultraviolet irradiation device 100 of this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 9, a circuit 10 in which an ultraviolet light emitting diode 110 and an unlocking operation unit 61 are connected in series may be connected to a current supply unit 20. The current supply unit 20 supplies a current to the circuit 10. In other words, the current supply unit 20 supplies a current to the ultraviolet light emitting diode 110 and the unlocking operation unit 61.

[0052] In this case, when a current is supplied to the ultraviolet light light emitting diode 110, a current is also supplied to the unlock operation unit 61 connected in series to the ultraviolet light light emitting diode 110. Therefore, it is possible to supply a current to the unlock operation unit 61 while the ultraviolet light light emitting diode 110 is emitting light, without providing a circuit for supplying a current to the unlock operation unit 61 separately from a circuit for supplying a current to the ultraviolet light light emitting diode 110. Also, the supply of a current to the unlock operation unit 61 in accordance with the emission of the ultraviolet light light emitting diode 110 can be directly performed by the current supply unit 20 without using a control device for the unlock operation unit 61. As a result, the ultraviolet light irradiation device 100 can energize the unlock operation unit 61 simultaneously with the irradiation of ultraviolet light without being affected by a failure of the control device, etc., and therefore high reliability against false alarms and failures can be ensured.

[0053] In this way, in the ultraviolet irradiation device 100 according to the present embodiment, the unlocking operation unit 61 is energized in conjunction with the irradiation of ultraviolet rays, so that the user can be reliably notified of the irradiation of ultraviolet rays. Therefore, even if "welding of the switch contacts" such as welding of the contacts of the switch ST occurs, it is possible to ensure safety and reliability.

[0054] In the method of this embodiment, it is sufficient that current is supplied to the unlocking operation unit 61 while the ultraviolet light LED 110 is emitting light, and the specific circuit configuration is not limited to the example in Fig. 9. For example, in a configuration in which current is supplied to the ultraviolet light LED 110 and the unlocking operation unit 61 using different circuits, the control unit 30 or another control device may perform control to synchronize the control timing of the current.

[0055] 9, in the ultraviolet irradiation device 100, a resistor 180 may be connected in parallel to the unlocking operation unit 61. In this way, it becomes possible to supply a part of the current flowing through the circuit 10 to the unlocking operation unit 61, and to supply the remainder to the resistor 180. In other words, it becomes possible to control the amount of current flowing through the unlocking operation unit 61.

[0056] As described above, by energizing the unlocking operation unit 61, it is possible to inform the user that ultraviolet light is being irradiated. On the other hand, considering that the current flows into the human body, it is not preferable for the current flowing through the unlocking operation unit 61 to be excessively strong. In this regard, by connecting the resistor 180 in parallel, the amount of current flowing through the human body can be set to an appropriate level (a level at which the user can notice that a current is flowing and which has little effect on the human body). For example, the resistance value of the resistor 180 may be set so that the amount of current flowing through the unlocking operation unit 61 is 1 mA or less.

[0057] In the ultraviolet irradiation device 100, when the irradiation time inputted by the operation unit 50 has elapsed, the supply of current to the ultraviolet light emitting diode 110 is stopped, and the ultraviolet light irradiation by the ultraviolet light emitting diode 110 is stopped. When the supply of current to the ultraviolet light emitting diode 110 is stopped, the supply of current to the unlocking operation unit 61 connected in series to the ultraviolet light emitting diode 110 is also stopped, so that no current is supplied to the unlocking operation unit 61. As a result, if the ultraviolet light emitting diode 110 is in an off state, the user can operate the unlocking operation unit 61 as usual to unlock the top cover unit 101 and the main body unit 102.

[0058] 2. Second embodiment Other embodiments of the present invention will be described below. For ease of explanation, the same reference numerals are given to components having the same functions as those described in the above embodiment, and the description thereof will not be repeated.

[0059] Fig. 10 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of an ultraviolet irradiation device 100 according to this embodiment. The ultraviolet irradiation device 100 is different from the example shown in Fig. 9 in that it further includes an electromagnetic locking device 80 different from the locking device 60, but the other configurations are the same.

[0060] When the accommodation space 105 is closed by the top lid part 101 and the main body part 102, the electromagnetic locking device 80 locks the top lid part 101 and the main body part 102 using an electromagnetic lock that is energized when locked. The electromagnetic locking device 80 fixes (locks) the top lid part 101 and the main body part 102 together when the top lid part 101 is closed and energized, and releases the fixation between the top lid part 101 and the main body part 102 when not energized. A configuration example of the electromagnetic locking device 80 will be described later with reference to Figures 11A and 11B.

[0061] In the circuit 10, the electromagnetic locking device 80 is further connected in series with the ultraviolet light emitting diode 110, the unlocking operation unit 61, and the switch ST1.

[0062] As a result, even if ultraviolet light is irradiated by mistake due to a malfunction of the control unit 30, the electromagnetic locking device 80 operates independently of the control unit 30 and locks the top cover unit 101 and the main body unit 102 together at the same time as the ultraviolet light is irradiated.

[0063] In this way, in the ultraviolet irradiation device 100, the ultraviolet light emitting diode 110 and the safety device (electromagnetic locking device 80) are electrically connected directly without going through a control device, so that reliable synchronization between the irradiation of ultraviolet light and the operation of the safety device is realized. This ensures high reliability against failures, so that a safer sterilization device can be realized. Furthermore, because the unlocking operation unit 61 described above in the first embodiment is connected in series in the circuit 10, it is possible to prevent the user from opening the upper lid portion 101 even if a malfunction occurs in the electromagnetic locking device 80.

[0064] According to the method of the present embodiment, there is an advantage that the ultraviolet light emitting diode 110 and the electromagnetic locking device 80 do not need to be managed independently by each control device. In addition, compared to a method of controlling only in cooperation with a general door opening / closing detection switch, by using the electromagnetic locking device 80, it is possible to ensure safety and reliability even if "contact welding of the switch" occurs. Furthermore, since the method of the present embodiment is different from a method of using a control pulse in controlling the electromagnetic locking device 80, there is an advantage that there is no need to limit the irradiation energy of the ultraviolet light (for example, limiting the irradiation energy to a level that does not affect the operation of the electromagnetic locking device 80 by the control pulse), and it is easy to apply to the ultraviolet light irradiation device 100 using the ultraviolet light emitting diode 110 that requires high power.

[0065] Furthermore, compared to a sterilization device (such as an ultraviolet sterilizing lamp or an ozone generator) that is driven at high voltage using an AC-driven ballast, the ultraviolet light LED 110 can be easily connected electrically in series with the solenoid 83 for exciting the electromagnetic locking device 80, so the configuration shown in Fig. 10 is easy to realize. The solenoid 83 will be described later with reference to Figs. 11A and 11B.

[0066] Furthermore, in the method of this embodiment, by using the ultraviolet light emitting diode 110 in the ultraviolet irradiation device 100 that has no response delay and no dangerous coasting period, complicated delay control for opening and closing the top lid portion 101 can be eliminated.

[0067] 11A and 11B are schematic diagrams for explaining a configuration example of the electromagnetic locking device 80. Fig. 11A shows a state in which the electromagnetic locking device 80 is locked, and Fig. 11B shows a state in which the electromagnetic lock of the electromagnetic locking device 80 is unlocked. When the electromagnetic locking device 80 is locked, the top cover part 101 and the main body part 102 are fixed together. Note that in Figs. 11A and 11B, the direction D1 in which the top cover part 101 is opened is shown in the left-right direction on the paper.

[0068] 11A and 11B, the electromagnetic locking device 80 of this embodiment is a solenoid lock that is energized when locked. Therefore, the electromagnetic locking device 80 is in a locked state when energized. On the other hand, the electromagnetic locking device 80 is in an unlocked state when de-energized.

[0069] The electromagnetic locking device 80 has a rod 81 that moves back and forth in a direction D1 to open the top lid part 101. A spring 82 is provided on the outer periphery of the end of the rod 81 opposite the cam 201 side. The cam 201 is a member that fixes or releases an actuator 202 installed on the top lid part 101 by rotating. The top lid part 101 opens when the actuator 202 moves in the direction D1.

[0070] 11A, when the electromagnetic locking device 80 is energized, the spring 82 contracts due to the magnetic force of the solenoid 83, pushing the rod 81 towards the cam 201. This causes the rod 81 to be inserted into the notch 201a of the cam 201. The cam 201 is fixed by inserting the rod 81 into the notch 201a of the cam 201, and the actuator 202 is also fixed, so that the top lid 101 is fixed in a closed state. The state in which the electromagnetic locking device 80 is locked is shown as the state in which the rod 81 is inserted into the notch 201a of the cam 201.

[0071] 11B, when the electromagnetic locking device 80 is de-energized, the magnetic force F1 from the solenoid 83 disappears, causing the spring 82 to expand and the rod 81 to move to the side opposite the cam 201. The unlocked state of the electromagnetic locking device 80 refers to the state in which the rod 81 is completely separated from the cam 201. In this case, the cam 201 can rotate, allowing the actuator 202 to move in the direction D1 and the top lid 101 to be opened.

[0072] When the ultraviolet irradiation device 100 according to this embodiment is used, the user first closes the top cover 101, thereby closing the switch ST1. In this state, when the operation unit 50 is operated to start irradiation, the solenoid 83 of the electromagnetic locking device 80 is excited at the same time as the irradiation of ultraviolet rays begins, and the electromagnetic locking device 80 is activated to fix the top cover 101 to the main body 102. This makes it impossible for the user to intentionally open the top cover 101 during ultraviolet irradiation, thereby reliably preventing erroneous irradiation. Furthermore, in this embodiment, since the unlocking operation unit 61 is energized during ultraviolet irradiation, it is possible to prevent the top cover 101 from being opened even if the electromagnetic locking device 80 breaks down.

[0073] When the irradiation time set by the operation unit 50 has elapsed, the timer function stops the supply of current to the ultraviolet light LED 110. Therefore, when the irradiation of ultraviolet light stops, the solenoid 83 of the electromagnetic locking device 80 is also de-energized, and the fixation between the top lid 101 and the main body 102 is automatically released. In this way, the user can open the top lid 101 only when ultraviolet light irradiation is not being performed.

[0074] 3. Third embodiment Further, for the sake of convenience, the same reference numerals are given to the members having the same functions as those described in the above embodiment, and the description thereof will not be repeated.

[0075] Fig. 12 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the ultraviolet irradiating device 100 according to this embodiment. The ultraviolet irradiating device 100 is different from the example shown in Fig. 9 in that it further includes an indicator light-emitting diode 160 (in a narrow sense, a red light-emitting diode 161 and a green light-emitting diode 162) that informs a user outside the housing body 120 of the state of the ultraviolet ray in the housing space 105, but the other configurations are the same.

[0076] As shown in FIG. 12, the ultraviolet irradiation device 100 includes a circuit 10 in which an ultraviolet light emitting diode 110 that irradiates ultraviolet light and an alarm light emitting diode 160 are connected in series, and the circuit 10 is connected to a current supply unit 20 that supplies current to the ultraviolet light emitting diode 110 and the alarm light emitting diode 160.

[0077] When a current is supplied to the ultraviolet light light emitting diode 110, a current is also supplied to the notification light emitting diode 160 connected in series to the ultraviolet light light emitting diode 110, so that the notification light emitting diode 160 lights up and notifies the user that ultraviolet light is being irradiated. In other words, the current supply unit 20 can directly supply current to the notification light emitting diode 160 without using a control device for the notification light emitting diode 160. This allows the ultraviolet light irradiation device 100 to light up the notification light emitting diode 160 simultaneously with irradiation of ultraviolet light without being affected by a failure of the control device, etc., and therefore ensures high reliability against false alarms and failures.

[0078] In the ultraviolet irradiation device 100, when the irradiation time inputted by the operation unit 50 has elapsed, the supply of current to the ultraviolet light light emitting diode 110 is stopped, and the ultraviolet light irradiation by the ultraviolet light light emitting diode 110 is stopped. When the supply of current to the ultraviolet light light emitting diode 110 is stopped, the supply of current to the notification light emitting diode 160 connected in series to the ultraviolet light light emitting diode 110 is also stopped, so that the notification light emitting diode 160 is turned off. As a result, the notification light emitting diode 160 is turned off at the same time as the ultraviolet light light emitting diode 110 is turned off.

[0079] In this manner, according to the method of the present embodiment, the notification light-emitting diode 160 is reliably turned on when ultraviolet light is irradiated, so that the user can be reliably notified of the irradiation of ultraviolet light. Furthermore, in this embodiment, since the unlocking operation unit 61 is energized during irradiation of ultraviolet light, even if the notification light-emitting diode 160 breaks down, it is possible to prevent the top lid 101 from being opened.

[0080] In addition, various interlock mechanisms that are means for safely isolating the accommodation space 105, which is the ultraviolet ray irradiation area, from the outside are always subject to the possibility of malfunction or deliberate disabling. Therefore, in order to prevent accidental irradiation of ultraviolet rays with wavelengths that are harmful to the human body, it is effective to have a multi-layered safety design that allows the ultraviolet ray irradiation state to be visually confirmed.

[0081] In the ultraviolet irradiation device 100, a current is supplied from a current supply unit 20 to a circuit 10 in which an ultraviolet light emitting diode 110 and an alert light emitting diode 160 are connected in series. Therefore, the alert light emitting diode 160 has a brightness proportional to the actual output intensity of the ultraviolet light emitting diode 110, and can visually inform a user of the intensity of ultraviolet irradiation without the intervention of a control device.

[0082] Furthermore, in the ultraviolet irradiation device 100, a switch ST1 is further connected in series to the ultraviolet light light emitting diode 110 and the notification light emitting diode 160 in the circuit 10. Therefore, the notification light emitting diode 160 is always turned off not only when ultraviolet light is not irradiated due to a malfunction of the current supply unit 20, but also when ultraviolet light is not irradiated due to a failure of the switch ST1. This makes it possible to realize an alarm that is reliably synchronized with ultraviolet light irradiation.

[0083] 12, the notification light emitting diode 160 may include a red light emitting diode 161 and a green light emitting diode 162. Note that the notification light emitting diode 160 does not have to be multiple, and may be a single diode.

[0084] The light emitted from the red light emitting diode 161 and the green light emitting diode 162 passes through a milky white diffusion panel and is recognized by a user as a mixed color. In general, the green light emitting diode 162 has a better light emitting efficiency in consideration of visual sensitivity than the red light emitting diode 161. In this embodiment, the light emitting efficiency of the green light emitting diode 162 is set to six times that of the red light emitting diode 161, and the notification light emitting diode 160 is set to display green in a normal mixed color state.

[0085] A resistor 170 is connected in parallel to the notification light-emitting diode 160. The current required to light the notification light-emitting diode 160 is lower than the current required for the ultraviolet light emitting diode 110 to irradiate ultraviolet light. Therefore, by connecting the resistor 170 in parallel to the notification light-emitting diode 160, the current supplied to the notification light-emitting diode 160 can be kept low even if the ultraviolet light emitting diode 110 and the notification light-emitting diode 160 are connected in series. This makes it possible to suppress glare from the notification light-emitting diode 160.

[0086] More specifically, a resistor 171 is connected in parallel to the red light emitting diode 161, and a resistor 172 is connected in parallel to the green light emitting diode 162. Therefore, by arbitrarily setting the resistance values ​​of the resistors 171 and 172, the ratio of the currents flowing through the red light emitting diode 161 and the green light emitting diode 162 changes depending on the magnitude of the drive current supplied from the current supply unit 20 to the circuit 10, and the color of the light to be notified can be made different. This makes it possible to notify, for example, the intensity of ultraviolet light with different colors.

[0087] 13 is a diagram showing the relationship between the drive current and the additive mixed light color emitted by the red light emitting diode 161 and the green light emitting diode 162. In this embodiment, in order to adjust the light emitted by the notification light emitting diode 160 to an appropriate brightness without a sense of glare, the light emitting efficiency of the red light emitting diode 161 and the green light emitting diode 162 is taken into consideration and the resistors are connected as follows: In this embodiment, the drive current in normal conditions, that is, the current flowing through the circuit 10 to irradiate ultraviolet rays required for general sterilization, is set to 160 mA, and a 68 Ω resistor 171 is connected in parallel to the red light emitting diode 161, and a 23 Ω resistor 172 is connected in parallel to the green light emitting diode 162.

[0088] When sterilizing a sterilization target object with poor UV resistance, the control unit 30 reduces the current supplied to the circuit 10. For example, when the current supplied to the circuit 10 decreases by about 23%, a current of about 130 mA is supplied to the circuit 10, and a current of about 91 mA flows through the red light emitting diode 161 and a current of about 15 mA flows through the green light emitting diode 162 due to the resistors 171 and 172. In this case, the additive mixed light color of the red light emitting diode 161 and the green light emitting diode 162 is yellow.

[0089] Furthermore, when the circuit 10 breaks down and the current supplied to the circuit 10 drops by about 31%, a current of about 110 mA is supplied to the circuit 10, and due to the resistors 171 and 172, a current of about 71 mA flows through the red light-emitting diode 161 and a current of about 1 mA flows through the green light-emitting diode 162. In this case, the additive mixed light color of the red light-emitting diode 161 and the green light-emitting diode 162 becomes red, and the red color can be used to alert the user to the unintentional drop in sterilizing power.

[0090] In this manner, without the need for a separate control device for adjusting the color of the notification light-emitting diode 160 according to the intensity of ultraviolet radiation, the color of the notification light-emitting diode 160 notifying the user can be changed according to the intensity of ultraviolet radiation by the amount of current flowing through the circuit 10.

[0091] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 13, the color notifying the user changes depending on the degree of decrease in the current supplied to the circuit 10, i.e., the intensity of the ultraviolet light irradiation, such as green during normal operation and when the current supplied to the circuit 10 has decreased by approximately 6%, and orange when the current supplied to the circuit 10 has decreased by approximately 25%.

[0092] Although the present embodiment has been described in detail as above, it will be easily understood by those skilled in the art that many modifications are possible without substantially departing from the novel matters and effects of the present embodiment. Therefore, all such modifications are intended to be included in the scope of the present disclosure. For example, a term described at least once in the specification or drawings together with a different term having a broader meaning or synonymy can be replaced with that different term anywhere in the specification or drawings. In addition, all combinations of the present embodiment and modifications are also included in the scope of the present disclosure. In addition, the configuration and operation of the ultraviolet irradiation device are not limited to those described in the present embodiment, and various modifications are possible. [Explanation of symbols]

[0093] 10...circuit, 20...current supply unit, 30...control unit, 40...display unit, 50...operation unit, 60...locking device, 61...unlocking operation unit, 62...first engagement unit, 63...second engagement unit, 70...projection, 80...electromagnetic locking device, 81...rod, 82...spring, 83...solenoid, 100...ultraviolet ray irradiation device, 101...upper cover portion, 101a...lower end portion, 102...main body portion, 102a...upper end portion, 103...bottom portion, 104...side portion, 105...accommodation space, 110...ultraviolet ray light emitting diode, 111...aluminum substrate, 112... Input current terminal, 120...container, 121...upper cover reflector, 123...bottom reflector, 124...side reflector, 125...inclined reflector, 125a...outer surface, 126...opening, 131...upper cover frame, 133...bottom frame, 134...side frame, 140...support, 150...tray, 151...rod-shaped body, 160...notification light-emitting diode, 161...red light-emitting diode, 162...green light-emitting diode, 170-172, 180...resistor, 201...cam, 201a...notch, 202...actuator, ST1...switch

Claims

1. a housing body that forms a housing space for housing an object to be irradiated with ultraviolet light; an ultraviolet light emitting diode that irradiates ultraviolet light toward the object accommodated in the accommodation space; a current supply unit for supplying a current to the ultraviolet light emitting diode; a locking device that locks the lid and the main body when the storage space is closed by the main body and the lid connected to the main body in an openable and closable manner; Including, The locking device has an unlocking operation part formed of a conductor, An ultraviolet irradiating device in which a current is supplied to the unlocking operation unit when the ultraviolet light emitting diode emits light.

2. In claim 1, The ultraviolet ray irradiation device has a circuit in which the ultraviolet ray light emitting diode and the unlocking operation unit are connected in series, the circuit being connected to the current supply unit.

3. In claim 2, The unlocking operation unit includes an ultraviolet ray irradiation device having a resistor connected in parallel thereto.

4. In claim 2 or 3, The locking device further includes an electromagnetic locking device that is different from the locking device and that locks the lid and the main body using an electromagnetic lock that is energized when locked, In the circuit, the electromagnetic locking device is an ultraviolet ray irradiation device connected in series to the ultraviolet ray light emitting diode and the unlocking operation portion.

5. In claim 2 or 3, Further comprising an indicator light-emitting diode that indicates the state of the ultraviolet light in the storage space to a user outside the storage body, In the circuit, the notification light-emitting diode is connected in series to the ultraviolet light-emitting diode and the unlocking operation unit.

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