Ultraviolet irradiation device and ultraviolet irradiation system

Abstract

To provide an ultraviolet irradiation device and an ultraviolet irradiation system that can be appropriately installed according to the specifications of a conveying unit.SOLUTION: An ultraviolet irradiation device includes an ultraviolet irradiation unit and a light-shielding unit. The ultraviolet irradiation unit is installed above a conveying unit and radiates ultraviolet light onto a conveyance object conveyed on the conveying unit. The light-shielding unit is provided between the conveying unit and the ultraviolet irradiation unit and blocks ultraviolet light emitted from the ultraviolet irradiation unit. The light-shielding unit includes a first light-shielding portion and a second light-shielding portion. The first light-shielding portion is disposed above the conveying unit and blocks ultraviolet light reflected upward from the conveying unit toward the outside of the ultraviolet irradiation device. The second light-shielding portion is disposed outside the conveying unit in a width direction and blocks ultraviolet light reflected outward in the width direction from the conveying unit toward the outside of the ultraviolet irradiation device. The first light-shielding portion or second light-shielding portion extends along the conveying direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] FIELD OF THE INVENTION An embodiment of the present invention relates to an ultraviolet irradiation device and an ultraviolet irradiation system. [Background technology]

[0002] In food factories and sorting facilities, fruits and other items are inspected by transporting them in containers along conveyors and other transport sections. Ultraviolet irradiation devices that emit ultraviolet light are sometimes installed on these transport lines as freshness-maintaining devices. When installing an ultraviolet irradiation device on a transport line, it is preferable to install the device on a conveyor already installed at the installation site to avoid significant changes to the takt time and layout.

[0003] Furthermore, to satisfy safety requirements, ultraviolet irradiation devices are sometimes provided with a light-shielding section that prevents ultraviolet light from leaking outside the device. Such light-shielding sections must be designed to a size that satisfies the requirements for ultraviolet light leakage. However, if the light-shielding section is made larger than necessary, it will impair the flexibility of arranging other devices on the conveyance line. Therefore, it is preferable to design the light-shielding section to be as small as possible while still satisfying safety requirements. However, because the degree of ultraviolet light leakage outside the ultraviolet irradiation device varies depending on the specifications of the conveyor to which it is to be installed, it is necessary to conduct demonstration tests using the conveyor to which it is to be installed and design the ultraviolet irradiation device based on the test results. Therefore, there is a demand for an ultraviolet irradiation device that can be installed in an appropriate range regardless of the specifications of the conveyor or other transport unit. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-142076 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an ultraviolet irradiation device and an ultraviolet irradiation system that can be appropriately installed in accordance with the specifications of the transport unit. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] According to an embodiment, the ultraviolet irradiation device includes an ultraviolet irradiation unit and a light-shielding unit. The ultraviolet irradiation unit is installed above the conveying unit and irradiates ultraviolet rays onto the object being conveyed on the conveying unit. The light-shielding unit is installed between the conveying unit and the ultraviolet irradiation unit and blocks ultraviolet rays irradiated from the ultraviolet irradiation unit. The light-shielding unit includes a first light-shielding unit and a second light-shielding unit. The first light-shielding unit is installed above the conveying unit and blocks ultraviolet rays reflected from the conveying unit upward and out of the ultraviolet irradiation device. The second light-shielding unit is installed outside the conveying unit in the width direction and blocks ultraviolet rays reflected from the conveying unit outward in the width direction and out of the ultraviolet irradiation device. The first light-shielding unit or the second light-shielding unit extends along the conveying direction. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an ultraviolet irradiation device and an ultraviolet irradiation system that can be appropriately installed in accordance with the specifications of the transport unit. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a control system of an ultraviolet irradiation system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view schematically showing the configuration of the ultraviolet irradiation device according to the first embodiment and its vicinity. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a schematic view of an example of the configuration of the ultraviolet irradiation device according to the first embodiment and its vicinity, viewed from one side in the width direction. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a perspective view schematically illustrating the ultraviolet irradiation device according to the first embodiment and the configuration in the vicinity thereof, with the light-shielding portion extended. [Figure 6]FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of the ultraviolet irradiation device according to the first embodiment and its vicinity, viewed from one side in the width direction with the light-shielding portion extended. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The ultraviolet irradiation device (2) of this embodiment includes an ultraviolet irradiation unit (10, 23) and a light-shielding unit (50). The ultraviolet irradiation unit (10, 23) is installed above the conveyance unit (3) and irradiates the target (6) being conveyed on the conveyance unit (3) with ultraviolet light. The light-shielding unit (50) is installed between the conveyance unit (3) and the ultraviolet irradiation unit (10, 23) and blocks ultraviolet light irradiated from the ultraviolet irradiation unit (10, 23). The light-shielding unit (50) includes first light-shielding units (52, 521, 522) and second light-shielding units (56, 561, 562, 57, 571, 572). The first light-shielding units (52, 521, 522) are installed above the conveyance unit (3) and block ultraviolet light reflected from the conveyance unit (3) upward and out of the ultraviolet irradiation device (2). The second light-shielding portions (56, 561, 562, 57, 571, 572) are disposed outside the conveying portion (3) in the width direction and block ultraviolet light reflected from the conveying portion (3) outward in the width direction and outside the ultraviolet irradiation device (2). The first light-shielding portions (52, 521, 522) or the second light-shielding portions (56, 561, 562, 57, 571, 572) extend along the conveying direction.

[0010] In the ultraviolet irradiation device (2) of this embodiment, each of the first light-shielding portions (52, 521, 522) and the second light-shielding portions (56, 561, 562, 57, 571, 572) extends along the transport direction.

[0011] In the ultraviolet irradiation device (2) of this embodiment, the light-shielding section (50) further includes a third light-shielding section. The third light-shielding section is disposed below the conveying section (3) and blocks ultraviolet light leaking downward from the conveying section (3). The third light-shielding section extends along the conveying direction.

[0012] The ultraviolet irradiation system (1) of the embodiment further includes a control unit (4) in addition to the ultraviolet irradiation device (2). The control unit (4) controls the length of the first light-shielding unit (52, 521, 522) or the second light-shielding unit (56, 561, 562, 57, 571, 572) along the conveyance direction based on information related to the conveyance unit (3) or information related to the ultraviolet irradiation unit (10, 23).

[0013] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0014] First, a first embodiment will be described as an example of an embodiment. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a control system of an ultraviolet irradiation system 1 according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the ultraviolet irradiation system 1 includes an ultraviolet irradiation device 2, a conveying unit 3, a processing unit 4, and a user interface 5. FIG. 2 is a perspective view schematically showing an example of the configuration of the ultraviolet irradiation device 2 and its vicinity. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the ultraviolet irradiation device 2 and its vicinity shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 3. The ultraviolet irradiation device 2 shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 is a freshness preservation device. In the conveying unit 3, a container 6 containing fruits such as citrus fruits is conveyed as a conveyance target (object). For example, in the conveying unit 3, a container 6 containing mandarin oranges, a type of citrus fruit, is conveyed as a conveyance target. The ultraviolet irradiation device 2 is installed on the conveying unit 3 from above and irradiates ultraviolet rays onto the conveyance target conveyed by the conveying unit 3.

[0015] 1 to 4, the ultraviolet irradiation device 2 defines a conveying direction (direction indicated by arrow X1) in which the container 6 to be conveyed is conveyed in the conveying section 3. In the ultraviolet irradiation device 2, the conveying direction is also referred to as the "downstream side," and the direction opposite to the conveying direction (direction indicated by arrow X2) is also referred to as the "upstream side."

[0016] The ultraviolet irradiation device 2 also defines a width direction (indicated by arrows Y1 and Y2) that intersects (orthogonal or substantially orthogonal to) the conveyance direction, and a height direction (indicated by arrows Z1 and Z2) that intersects (orthogonal or substantially orthogonal to) both the conveyance direction and the width direction. The ultraviolet irradiation device 2 defines one side in the height direction as the upper side (arrow Z1 side), and the opposite side of the upper side in the height direction as the lower side (arrow Z2 side). Figure 3 shows a view from one side in the width direction (arrow Y1 side). Figure 4 shows a cross section that intersects (orthogonal or substantially orthogonal to) the conveyance direction as viewed from one side in the conveyance direction (arrow X1 side).

[0017] In the conveying section 3, a conveying surface facing upward in the height direction is formed. In the conveying section 3, the containers 6 are placed on the conveying surface and conveyed from the upstream side to the downstream side. In one example, the conveying surface is formed horizontally or approximately horizontally, and the conveying direction of the containers 6 on the conveying surface is parallel or approximately parallel to the horizontal plane. In this case, the height direction in the ultraviolet irradiation device 2 coincides or approximately coincides with the vertical direction. In another example, the conveying surface is extended so as to be inclined with respect to the horizontal plane. The height direction in the ultraviolet irradiation device 2 is inclined with respect to the vertical direction. In this case, the conveying surface may be inclined so as to be positioned vertically higher as it approaches the downstream side, or so as to be positioned vertically lower as it approaches the downstream side.

[0018] In one example shown in FIG. 2 etc., the conveying unit 3 includes a plurality of rollers 8. The plurality of rollers 8 are arranged side by side in the conveying direction. Each of the plurality of rollers 8 is arranged with a gap between adjacent rollers 8. Each of the plurality of rollers 8 also has a central axis (not shown). The central axis of each of the plurality of rollers 8 is aligned with the width direction of the ultraviolet irradiation device 2.

[0019] In one example such as FIG. 2, when the object to be conveyed is being conveyed, each of the rollers 8 rotates around its central axis. As each of the rollers 8 rotates around its central axis, the container 6 placed on the conveying surface is conveyed downstream. The ultraviolet irradiation system 1 is also provided with a drive source (not shown) that rotates each of the rollers 8 around its central axis. The rollers 8 may include rollers 8 connected to the drive source (drive rotation rollers) and rollers 8 not connected to the drive source (free rotation rollers).

[0020] In one example, the conveying unit 3 includes an upper portion that forms a conveying surface and a lower portion that is provided below the upper portion. A plurality of rollers 8 are arranged in each of the upper and lower portions. Each of the plurality of rollers 8 does not rotate around a central axis, but moves from upstream to downstream in the upper portion, and circulates in the lower portion so as to move in the opposite direction to the movement direction in the upper portion. As each of the rollers 8 in the upper portion moves downstream, an object to be conveyed, such as a container 6, placed on the conveying surface is conveyed downstream.

[0021] In one example, the conveying section 3 is provided with a conveyor belt (not shown) instead of the plurality of rollers 8. In this case, the conveyor belt moves from the upstream side to the downstream side on the surface forming the conveying surface. In this example, the movement of the conveying surface formed by the conveyor belt toward the downstream side causes the container 6 or other object to be conveyed placed on the conveying surface to be conveyed downstream.

[0022] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 , the ultraviolet irradiation device 2 includes a housing 10 and a light-shielding unit 50. The light-shielding unit 50 prevents light (mainly ultraviolet light) generated inside the housing 10 from leaking outside the housing 10. The light-shielding unit 50 is installed on the conveying unit 3 from above in the height direction and supports the housing 10 from below in the height direction. The housing 10 is attached to the light-shielding unit 50 from above in the height direction. In other words, the housing 10 is installed on the conveying unit 3 via the light-shielding unit 50. The housing 10 and the light-shielding unit 50 are made of a material that does not transmit ultraviolet light or that transmits very little ultraviolet light. The housing 10 and the light-shielding unit 50 are made of, for example, metal. The housing 10 and the light-shielding unit 50 are installed on the conveying surface between the upstream end and the downstream end.

[0023] The housing 10 includes a top wall 12, a front wall 13, a rear wall 15, and a pair of side walls 16 and 17. The top wall 12 has a surface facing upward in the height direction and is located at the uppermost position of the housing 10. The front wall 13 has a surface facing upstream in the conveying direction and is located at the uppermost position of the housing 10. The rear wall 15 has a surface facing downstream in the conveying direction and is located at the lowermost position of the housing 10. The side wall 16 has a surface facing one side in the width direction (the direction indicated by arrow Y1) and is located at an end of the housing 10 in the width direction. The side wall 17 has a surface facing one side in the width direction (the direction indicated by arrow Y2) and is located at an end of the housing 10 in the width direction.

[0024] An internal cavity 11 is formed inside the housing 10. The cavity surrounded by the top wall 12, front wall 13, rear wall 15, and pair of side walls 16, 17 of the housing 10, and the conveying surface of the conveying section 3 is defined as the internal cavity 11.

[0025] The upper wall 12 covers the internal cavity 11 from above in the height direction and is adjacent to the internal cavity 11 from above in the height direction. The conveying surface of the conveying section 3 is adjacent to the internal cavity 11 from below in the height direction. The front wall 13 covers the internal cavity 11 from the upstream side and is adjacent to the internal cavity 11 from the upstream side. The rear wall 15 covers the internal cavity 11 from the downstream side and is adjacent to the internal cavity 11 from the downstream side. The pair of side walls 16, 17 cover the internal cavity 11 from opposite sides to each other in the width direction and are adjacent to the internal cavity 11 from opposite sides to each other in the width direction.

[0026] In the ultraviolet irradiation device 2, a light source 23 is attached inside the housing 10. The light source 23 is disposed in the internal cavity 11 of the housing 10 and is capable of irradiating ultraviolet light in the internal cavity 11. The light source 23 includes one or more light-emitting elements 25 that emit ultraviolet light. In an example such as FIG. 4 , the light source 23 is provided with a plurality of light-emitting elements 25. The light-emitting elements 25 are, for example, ultraviolet LEDs. The light-emitting elements 25 are, for example, light-emitting substrates using UV-LEDs. Ultraviolet light having a wavelength of at least 380 nm or less is irradiated from the light-emitting elements 25. Alternatively, only ultraviolet light may be irradiated from the light source 23, or visible light having a wavelength longer than 380 nm may be irradiated from the light source 23 together with ultraviolet light. When ultraviolet light and visible light are irradiated, the light source 23 can be turned on to illuminate (light) the object. Alternatively, instead of the light-emitting elements 25, lamps other than LEDs, such as mercury lamps, metal halide lamps, fluorescent ultraviolet lamps, and excimer lamps, may be used as the light source 23. In this embodiment, the housing 10 and the light source 23 form an ultraviolet irradiating unit.

[0027] The housing 10 is formed with a lower opening 18 through which ultraviolet light emitted from the light source 23 passes. The lower opening 18 is an example of a first opening that opens downward. At the lower opening 18, the internal cavity 11 opens downward.

[0028] The light-shielding portion 50 includes an upper wall 52 and a pair of side walls 56, 57. The upper wall 52 has a surface facing upward in the height direction and is located at the uppermost position of the light-shielding portion 50. The upper wall 52 forms part of a first light-shielding portion. The side wall 56 has a surface facing one side in the width direction (the direction indicated by arrow Y1) and is located at an end of the light-shielding portion 50 in the width direction. The side wall 57 has a surface facing one side in the width direction (the direction indicated by arrow Y2) and is located at an end of the light-shielding portion 50 in the width direction. The side walls 56, 57 form part of a second light-shielding portion.

[0029] Further, a support 58 is attached to the light blocking section 50 to support the light blocking section 50 and the housing 10. One end of the support 58 is attached to the side walls 56 and 57, and the other end is placed on the floor.

[0030] An internal cavity 51 is formed inside the light-shielding portion 50 and is surrounded by an upper wall 52 and side walls 56 and 57. In the light-shielding portion 50, the internal cavity 51 is open toward the upstream side, downstream side, and downward side.

[0031] 1 to 4, the dimension of the light-shielding portion 50 in the width direction is formed to be, for example, approximately the same as the dimension of the housing 10 in the width direction. Also, in the example of Figures 1 to 4, the dimension of the light-shielding portion 50 in the conveying direction is formed to be larger than the dimension of the housing 10 in the conveying direction. The light-shielding portion 50 is provided upstream of the front wall 13 of the housing 10 and downstream of the rear wall 15 of the housing 10.

[0032] In the light-shielding section 50, an inlet 21 is formed at the upstream end, and an outlet 22 is formed at the downstream end. At the inlet 21, an internal cavity 51 opens toward the upstream side, and at the outlet 22, the internal cavity 51 opens toward the downstream side. An object to be transported, such as a container 6, being transported toward the downstream side on the transport surface is carried into the internal cavity 51 of the light-shielding section 50 from the inlet 21. Then, the object to be transported carried into the internal cavity 51 is carried out to the outside of the light-shielding section 50 from the outlet 22.

[0033] The upper wall 52 of the light blocking unit 50 supports the housing 10 from below. The upper wall 52 is located between the internal cavity 51 of the light blocking unit 50 and the internal cavity 11 of the housing 10. An upper opening 54 is formed in the upper wall 52 of the light blocking unit 50. At the upper opening 54, the internal cavity 51 opens upward. The upper opening 54 connects the internal cavity 51 of the light blocking unit 50 with the internal cavity 11 of the housing 10.

[0034] The light source 23 is positioned at a position above the upper opening 54 of the light-shielding unit 50 in the height direction and away from the conveying surface. The light source 23 then irradiates ultraviolet light downward in the height direction, and then irradiates ultraviolet light toward the upper opening 54 of the light-shielding unit 50 and the conveying surface. The ultraviolet light irradiated from the light source 23 passes through the internal cavity 11 of the housing 10 and the upper opening 54 of the light-shielding unit 50 and reaches the internal cavity 51 of the light-shielding unit 50. As a result, in the internal cavity 11 of the housing 10, the ultraviolet light from the light source 23 irradiates the fruit and the like contained in the container 6 being conveyed downstream on the conveying surface. Irradiating the fruit with ultraviolet light has the effect of maintaining the freshness of the fruit. The light source 23 irradiates ultraviolet light having a peak wavelength of 200 nm or more and 400 nm or less. In an example such as FIG. 4, multiple light-emitting elements 25 are arranged side by side in the conveying direction of the conveying unit 3.

[0035] The light-shielding portion 50 prevents ultraviolet rays from leaking outside the ultraviolet irradiation device 2. By appropriately preventing ultraviolet rays from leaking outside the ultraviolet irradiation device 2, the effects of ultraviolet rays on workers and others who use the ultraviolet irradiation system 1 are appropriately reduced. JISC7550 specifies the conditions for the safety of ultraviolet rays from ultraviolet irradiation devices to people and others based on the Electrical Appliance and Material Safety Act. JISC7550 specifies that the illuminance of ultraviolet rays must be 1 mW / m at a position 200 mm away from the ultraviolet irradiation device (for example, a housing, etc.). 2 The following are specified as safety conditions (assuming operation for 8 hours per day using a wavelength of 254 nm (mercury lamp)):

[0036] The light blocking unit 50 further includes an upstream movable upper wall 521, a downstream movable upper wall 522, upstream movable side walls 561 and 571, and downstream movable side walls 562 and 572.

[0037] The upstream movable top wall 521 is attached to the top wall 52 from above, upstream of the housing 10. The downstream movable top wall 522 is attached to the top wall 52 from above, downstream of the housing 10. The upstream movable top wall 521 and the downstream movable top wall 522, together with the top wall 52, block ultraviolet light reflected upward (toward arrow Z1) from the conveying unit 3. The upstream movable top wall 521 and the downstream movable top wall 522 are attached to the top wall 52 so as to be movable along the conveying direction. For example, a rail is provided on the top wall 52, and an engaging portion that slides along the rail is provided on the upstream movable top wall 521 and the downstream movable top wall 522. The top wall 52, the upstream movable top wall 521, and the downstream movable top wall 522 form a first light-blocking portion that is provided above the conveying unit 3 and extends along the conveying direction.

[0038] The upstream movable side wall 561 and the downstream movable side wall 562 are attached to the side wall 56 from the outer side in the width direction (the arrow Y1 side). The upstream movable side wall 561 is disposed upstream of the downstream movable side wall 562. The upstream movable side wall 561 and the downstream movable side wall 562, together with the side wall 56, block ultraviolet light reflected from the conveying section 3 to the outer side in the width direction (the arrow Y1 side). The upstream movable side wall 561 and the downstream movable side wall 562 are attached to the side wall 56 so as to be movable along the conveying direction. For example, a groove is formed in the side wall 56 along the conveying direction, and the upstream movable side wall 561 and the downstream movable side wall 562 are provided with engaging portions that slide along the groove. The side wall 56, the upstream movable side wall 561, and the downstream movable side wall 562 form a second light-blocking portion that is disposed outside the conveying section 3 in the width direction and extends along the conveying direction.

[0039] The upstream movable sidewall 571 and the downstream movable sidewall 572 are attached to the sidewall 57 from the outer side in the width direction (the arrow Y2 side). The upstream movable sidewall 571 is disposed upstream of the downstream movable sidewall 572. The upstream movable sidewall 571 and the downstream movable sidewall 572, together with the sidewall 57, block ultraviolet light reflected from the conveying section 3 to the outer side in the width direction (the arrow Y2 side). The upstream movable sidewall 571 and the downstream movable sidewall 572 are attached to the sidewall 57 so as to be movable along the conveying direction. For example, a rail is provided on the sidewall 57, and the upstream movable sidewall 571 and the downstream movable sidewall 572 are provided with engagement portions that slide along the rail. The sidewall 57, the upstream movable sidewall 571, and the downstream movable sidewall 572 form a second light-blocking portion that is provided on the outer side of the conveying section 3 in the width direction and extends along the conveying direction.

[0040] That is, in the light blocking unit 50, each of the fixed walls (top wall 52, side wall 56, and side wall 57) is provided with a pair of movable walls that are movable upstream or downstream along the conveying direction. Each of the movable walls (521, 522, 561, 562, 571, 572) is independently movable relative to the light blocking unit 50. Each of the movable walls (521, 522, 561, 562, 571, 572) is configured to be movable from a state in which it is located within the installation range of the light blocking unit 50 in the conveying direction to a position extending upstream or downstream from the installation range of the light blocking unit 50. The movable lengths of the respective movable walls (521, 522, 561, 562, 571, 572) may be the same or different. Each movable wall (521, 522, 561, 562, 571, 572) is manually or automatically moved to an arbitrary position according to the specifications of the transport unit 3, and is fixed to the corresponding fixed wall (52, 56, 57) when moved to the appropriate position. As a fixing method, for example, a fixing method such as screw fastening can be used. Note that the method of movably attaching the movable wall to the fixed wall and the method of fixing the movable wall to the corresponding fixed wall are not limited to the above examples, and other methods may also be used.

[0041] The movable walls (521, 522, 561, 562, 571, 572) are made of a material that does not transmit ultraviolet light or that transmits ultraviolet light very little. The movable walls (521, 522, 561, 562, 571, 572) are made of, for example, metal. The movable walls (521, 522, 561, 562, 571, 572) may also be made of resin such as Teflon (registered trademark) resin.

[0042] 2 to 4 show a state in which the movable walls (521, 522, 561, 562, 571, 572) are positioned within the installation range of the light-shielding unit 50 in the conveying direction. In FIGS. 2 to 4, the upstream end of the upstream movable top wall 521 is positioned downstream of the upstream end of the top wall 52, the upstream end of the upstream movable side wall 561 is positioned downstream of the upstream end of the side wall 56, and the upstream end of the upstream movable side wall 571 is positioned downstream of the upstream end of the side wall 57. In addition, the downstream end of the downstream movable top wall 522 is positioned upstream of the downstream end of the top wall 52, the downstream end of the downstream movable side wall 562 is positioned upstream of the downstream end of the side wall 56, and the downstream end of the downstream movable side wall 572 is positioned upstream of the downstream end of the side wall 57. That is, the upstream ends of the upstream movable walls (521, 561, 571) are located downstream of the upstream end of the light blocking portion 50, and the downstream ends of the downstream movable walls (522, 562, 572) are located upstream of the downstream end of the light blocking portion 50.

[0043] 5 and 6 show a state in which the movable walls (521, 522, 561, 562, 571, 572) are located upstream or downstream of the installation range of the light-shielding unit 50 in the conveying direction. FIG. 6 shows a state as viewed from one side in the width direction (the side indicated by the arrow Y1). In FIGS. 5 and 6, the upstream end of the upstream movable top wall 521 is located upstream of the upstream end of the top wall 52, the upstream end of the upstream movable side wall 561 is located upstream of the upstream end of the side wall 56, and the upstream end of the upstream movable side wall 571 is located upstream of the upstream end of the side wall 57. In addition, the downstream end of the downstream movable top wall 522 is located downstream of the downstream end of the top wall 52, the downstream end of the downstream movable side wall 562 is located downstream of the downstream end of the side wall 56, and the downstream end of the downstream movable side wall 572 is located downstream of the downstream end of the side wall 57. That is, the upstream ends of the upstream movable walls (521, 561, 571) are located upstream of the upstream end of the light blocking portion 50, and the downstream ends of the downstream movable walls (522, 562, 572) are located downstream of the downstream end of the light blocking portion 50.

[0044] Returning to FIG. 1, the processing unit 4 is composed of a processor or an integrated circuit and a storage medium such as a memory. The processor or integrated circuit constituting the processing unit 4 includes any of a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), and a DSP (Digital Signal Processor). The processing unit 4 may include only one integrated circuit or multiple integrated circuits. The processing unit 4 may also include only one storage medium or multiple storage media. In the processing unit 4, the processor or integrated circuit performs the processing described below.

[0045] In one example, the processing unit 4 is composed of multiple computers, and processors or integrated circuits of the multiple computers constituting the processing unit 4 cooperate to perform the processing described below. In another example, the processing unit 4 may be composed of a server in a cloud environment. The infrastructure of a cloud environment is composed of a virtual processor such as a virtual CPU and cloud memory. In the server in the cloud environment that serves as the processing unit 4, the virtual processor or the like performs the processing described below, and data necessary for the processing or the like is stored in the cloud memory.

[0046] The processing unit 4 controls the operation of the conveying unit 3 and the operation of the light source 23 and power supply 26 of the ultraviolet irradiation device 2. For example, the processing unit 4 controls the supply of power from the power supply 26 to the light source 23, thereby switching the light source 23 between an on state and an off state. Furthermore, if the intensity of ultraviolet light emitted from the light source 23 is variable, the processing unit 4 adjusts the intensity of ultraviolet light emitted from the light source 23 by adjusting the magnitude of the power output from the power supply 26 to the light source 23. Furthermore, the processing unit 4 adjusts the operation of the conveying unit 3 by adjusting the rotation state and rotation speed of the rollers 8, thereby adjusting the conveyance state of the conveying object, such as the container 6. Furthermore, the processing unit 4 controls movable walls (521, 522, 561, 562, 571, 572) that are movable along the conveyance direction. For example, the processing unit 4 adjusts the position of the movable wall according to the intensity of ultraviolet light emitted from the light source 23. Furthermore, the processing unit 4 receives information about ultraviolet light leaking outside the ultraviolet irradiation device 2 from a sensor installed near the ultraviolet irradiation device 2, for example, and adjusts the position of the movable wall in accordance with the leaked light information.

[0047] The user interface 5 includes operation members such as buttons, switches, a touch panel, and a remote control. The operation members are operated by a user of the ultraviolet irradiation system 1 to input operation commands related to the operation of the transport unit 3 and the operation of the light source 23. The processing unit 4 controls the operations of the transport unit 3 and the ultraviolet irradiation device 2 based on the operation commands from the operation members.

[0048] Conventional ultraviolet irradiation devices use a light-shielding section to prevent ultraviolet light from leaking outside the housing. The light-shielding range is determined by measuring the ultraviolet irradiance distribution around the ultraviolet irradiation device and setting it to include all positions where the ultraviolet irradiance exceeds a reference value. However, the range where the ultraviolet irradiance exceeds the reference value varies depending on the specifications of the conveying unit to be installed. For example, the ultraviolet irradiance distribution around the ultraviolet irradiation device changes depending on the conveying method (roller method or belt conveyor method) of the conveying unit and the direction and degree of reflection of ultraviolet light on the conveying surface. As such, the range where light must be blocked by the light-shielding section varies depending on the specifications of the conveying unit, so it was necessary to create a light-shielding section with a light-shielding range that matches the specifications of the conveying unit. Furthermore, if the light-shielding section is made larger than necessary to ensure a sufficient light-shielding range, the range where devices used for other processes performed on the conveying unit before and after the ultraviolet irradiation process can be installed becomes narrow.

[0049] To address the above-described problem, in the ultraviolet irradiation system 1 including the ultraviolet irradiation device 2 of this embodiment, the light-shielding unit 50 includes fixed walls (52, 56, 57) fixed at predetermined positions in the conveyance direction and movable walls (521, 522, 561, 562, 571, 572) movable along the conveyance direction. Each of the movable walls (521, 522, 561, 562, 571, 572) is movable independently. With this configuration, the first light-shielding units (52, 521, 522) arranged above the conveyance unit 3 and configured to shield ultraviolet light reflected upward from the conveyance unit 3, and the second light-shielding units (56, 561, 562, 57, 571, 572) arranged above the conveyance unit 3 and configured to shield ultraviolet light reflected outward in the width direction from the conveyance unit 3, are each configured to be extendable along the conveyance direction. When attaching the ultraviolet irradiation device 2 to the conveying unit 3, the worker can manually move each of the movable walls (521, 522, 561, 562, 571, 572) to a position where the range requiring light blocking can be blocked, and then fix each of the movable walls (521, 522, 561, 562, 571, 572) in that state. This allows each of the first light blocking portions (52, 521, 522) and the second light blocking portions (56, 561, 562, 57, 571, 572) to be fixed in a state where the length thereof is adjusted appropriately according to the specifications of the conveying unit 3. For example, by fixing each of the movable walls (521, 522, 561, 562, 571, 572) in a state where it is extended to an appropriate position determined according to the specifications of the conveying unit 3, it is possible to appropriately block the range requiring light blocking and reduce the length of the light blocking portion 50 in the conveying direction. By minimizing the area shielded by the light shielding portion 50, it is possible to ensure a degree of freedom in arranging devices for carrying out other processes.

[0050] Furthermore, by configuring the light blocking range of the light blocking unit 50 in the conveying direction to be changeable at the time of installation by moving the movable walls (521, 522, 561, 562, 571, 572), it is no longer necessary to prepare multiple ultraviolet irradiation devices 2 with different light blocking ranges in advance, and therefore the number of ultraviolet irradiation devices 2 brought to the installation site can be reduced to one. This reduces the burden on workers when installing the ultraviolet irradiation devices 2.

[0051] (Variation) In the examples of Figures 2 to 6, the movable walls (521, 522, 561, 562, 571, 572) are described as being attached to the shading portion 50 from the outside (the side opposite to the side where the internal cavity 51 is located), but the movable walls (521, 522, 561, 562, 571, 572) may also be attached to the shading portion 50 from the inside (the side where the internal cavity 51 is located).

[0052] Furthermore, it is only necessary that one or more of the movable walls (521, 522, 561, 562, 571, 572) shown in the examples of FIGS. 2 to 6 are provided, and one or more of the movable walls (521, 522, 561, 562, 571, 572) may be omitted.

[0053] Furthermore, in addition to the upper wall 52 and the side walls 56, 57, the light-shielding section 50 may further be provided with a lower wall (third light-shielding section) that covers the conveying section 3 from below and thereby blocks ultraviolet light that leaks below the conveying section 3. Furthermore, the lower wall may be formed to be extensible in the conveying direction, similar to the upper wall 52 and the side walls 56, 57.

[0054] 2 to 6, one movable wall is provided for one fixed wall, but multiple movable walls may be provided stacked on one fixed wall. In this case, the length of the light-shielding portion 50 in the conveying direction can be further extended, and the light-shielding range of the light-shielding portion 50 in the conveying direction can be further extended.

[0055] 2 to 6, the example in which the length of the light-shielding portion in the conveying direction is extended by providing a fixed wall and a movable wall has been described, but the light-shielding portion may be configured to be extendable by other methods. For example, instead of the movable wall, a storage portion that stores a light-shielding member formed of a flexible material in a rolled state may be provided in the fixed wall, and the length of the light-shielding portion in the conveying direction may be extended by pulling the light-shielding member from the storage portion upstream or downstream along the conveying direction. In this case, the light-shielding portion is formed by the fixed wall and the rolled light-shielding member.

[0056] Alternatively, the light-shielding section may be formed by only the light-shielding member drawn out to the outside of the storage section, and be extendable along the conveying direction. In this case, a predetermined length (reference length) of the light-shielding member is always drawn out of the storage section, and a predetermined range (reference range) in the conveying direction is always shielded from light. By further drawing the light-shielding member out of the storage section along the conveying direction, the light-shielding member arranged outside the storage section extends, and the range shielded by the light-shielding member becomes larger.

[0057] 2 to 6, an example has been described in which the operator manually changes the light-blocking range of the light-blocking unit 50, but in one modified example, the light-blocking range of the light-blocking unit 50 is automatically controlled. In this modified example, a driving unit such as a motor is connected to each of the movable walls (521, 522, 561, 562, 571, 572), and each driving unit is electrically connected to the processing unit 4.

[0058] In this modification, the processing unit 4 controls the operation of the drive unit to move each of the movable walls (521, 522, 561, 562, 571, 572) to a desired position. The processing unit 4 moves each of the movable walls (521, 522, 561, 562, 571, 572) according to the height of the transport unit 3. For example, the height of the transport unit 3 is the height of the transport surface of the transport unit 3 from the floor. The height of the transport unit 3 is input by the operator using, for example, the user interface 5. The processing unit 4 predicts the direction in which the operator's head and upper body will be positioned according to the input height of the transport unit 3, and moves only the movable walls provided in the direction toward the operator's head and upper body. That is, the processing unit 4 functions as a control unit that controls the length of at least one of the first light-shielding units (52, 521, 522) and the second light-shielding units (56, 561, 562, 57, 571, 572) in the transport direction based on information related to the transport unit 3. As a result, only the portion of the light-shielding unit 50 that is provided in the direction in which light blocking is required is appropriately extended. On the other hand, since the light-shielding unit 50 is not extended in the direction in which light blocking is not required, other devices can be installed, improving the degree of freedom in device placement.

[0059] In another modified example, the processing unit 4 moves each of the movable walls (521, 522, 561, 562, 571, 572) according to the emission intensity of ultraviolet light emitted from the light source 23. The emission intensity of ultraviolet light may be input by an operator, or the processing unit 4 may calculate a predicted value based on the value of the current flowing between the power supply 26 and the light source 23. The processing unit 4 then predicts the range in which light blocking is required according to the emission intensity of ultraviolet light. The relationship between the emission intensity of ultraviolet light and the range in which light blocking is required is stored in advance in, for example, a memory within the processing unit 4. That is, the processing unit 4 functions as a control unit that controls the length of at least one of the first light-shielding units (52, 521, 522) and the second light-shielding units (56, 561, 562, 57, 571, 572) in the conveying direction based on information about the ultraviolet light irradiation unit equipped with the light source 23. The processing unit 4 moves at least one of the movable walls (521, 522, 561, 562, 571, 572) so that the range requiring light blocking is shaded, thereby appropriately shading the range requiring light blocking and reducing the length of the light blocking unit 50 in the conveying direction.

[0060] According to at least one of these embodiments, the light-shielding portion is provided so as to be extensible along the conveying direction, thereby providing an ultraviolet irradiation device and an ultraviolet irradiation system that can be appropriately installed according to the specifications of the conveying portion.

[0061] Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be embodied in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included within the scope and spirit of the invention, and are also included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents as defined in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0062] 1...ultraviolet irradiation system, 2...ultraviolet irradiation device, 3...transport section, 4...processing section, 6...container, 10...housing, 23...light source, 50...light-shielding section, 52...upper wall, 56, 57...side walls, 521...upstream movable upper wall, 522...downstream movable upper wall, 561, 571...upstream movable side wall, 562, 572...downstream movable side wall.

Claims

1. an ultraviolet irradiation unit that is installed above the conveying unit and irradiates ultraviolet rays onto the object being conveyed on the conveying unit; a light-shielding unit that is provided between the transport unit and the ultraviolet light-irradiating unit and that blocks ultraviolet light irradiated from the ultraviolet light-irradiating unit; An ultraviolet irradiation device comprising: The light-shielding portion is a first light-shielding unit disposed above the transport unit and configured to block ultraviolet light reflected from the transport unit upward and out of the ultraviolet irradiation device; a second light-shielding unit that is disposed outside the conveying unit in the width direction and that blocks ultraviolet light reflected from the conveying unit toward the outside in the width direction and toward the outside of the ultraviolet irradiation device; Equipped with the first light-shielding portion or the second light-shielding portion extends along the conveyance direction; Ultraviolet irradiation device.

2. each of the first light-shielding portion and the second light-shielding portion extends along the transport direction; The ultraviolet irradiation device according to claim 1 .

3. the light-shielding unit further includes a third light-shielding unit that is disposed below the transport unit and that blocks ultraviolet light leaking downward from the transport unit, The third light-shielding portion extends along the transport direction. The ultraviolet irradiation device according to claim 1 .

4. The ultraviolet irradiation device according to claim 1; a control unit that controls the length of the first light-shielding unit or the second light-shielding unit along the transport direction based on information about the transport unit or information about the ultraviolet light irradiation unit; An ultraviolet irradiation system comprising:

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