Light-shielding module and ultraviolet light irradiation system

Abstract

To provide a light-shielding module that can adequately prevent ultraviolet light leakage to the outside of an ultraviolet light irradiation device. [Solution] According to the embodiment, the light-shielding module comprises a base frame and a first opening / closing shutter. The base frame defines an internal space, which opens to the side where the transport unit is located, and to the upstream and downstream sides of the transport unit. The first opening / closing shutter is positioned at one of the openings to the upstream and downstream sides of the internal space, and the upper end of the first opening / closing shutter is connected to the base frame so as to be rotatable about a pivot axis along the width direction of the transport unit.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to a light-shielding module and an ultraviolet irradiation system.

Background Art

[0002] In food factories, fruit sorting plants, etc., an ultraviolet irradiation system is used in which an ultraviolet irradiation device is installed in a conveyor section to irradiate food being conveyed as a conveyance target in the conveyor section with ultraviolet light from an ultraviolet light source of the ultraviolet irradiation device. By irradiating the food to be conveyed with ultraviolet light, the freshness of the food is maintained.

[0003] In such an ultraviolet irradiation system, from the viewpoint of reducing the influence of ultraviolet light on workers, it is required to appropriately prevent the leakage of ultraviolet light to the outside of the ultraviolet irradiation device. In addition, regardless of the specifications and environment of the conveyor section, etc., it is required to appropriately prevent the leakage of ultraviolet light to the outside of the ultraviolet irradiation device.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a light-shielding module and an ultraviolet irradiation system capable of appropriately preventing the leakage of ultraviolet light to the outside of the ultraviolet irradiation device.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] According to the embodiment, the light-shielding module comprises a base frame and a first opening / closing shutter. The base frame defines an internal space, which opens to the side where the conveying unit is located, and to the upstream and downstream sides of the conveying unit. The first opening / closing shutter is positioned at one of the openings to the upstream and downstream sides of the internal space, and the upper end of the first opening / closing shutter is connected to the base frame so as to be rotatable about a pivot axis along the width direction intersecting the conveying direction on the conveying surface of the conveying unit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a light-shielding module and an ultraviolet light irradiation system that can appropriately prevent the leakage of ultraviolet light to the outside of the ultraviolet light irradiation device. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an ultraviolet light irradiation system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a perspective view showing an example of any one configuration of a pair of light-shielding modules of an ultraviolet light irradiation device in the first embodiment. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a perspective view of the light-shielding module shown in Figure 2, cut in a cross-section perpendicular or nearly perpendicular to the width direction. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a perspective view showing the example light-shielding module from Figure 2, with each of the two opening and closing shutters rotated from the state shown in Figure 2. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a perspective view of the light-shielding module in the state shown in Figure 4, cut in a cross-section perpendicular or nearly perpendicular to the width direction. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an ultraviolet light irradiation system according to the second embodiment. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a schematic block diagram showing an example of the control system of the ultraviolet light irradiation system according to the second embodiment. [Figure 8]Figure 8 is a schematic perspective view showing the ultraviolet light irradiation module in the example shown in Figure 6, with the shutter sheet of the light-shielding unit extended. [Figure 9] Figure 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process related to controlling the operation of the light-shielding unit, which is performed by the control unit in the ultraviolet light irradiation system according to the second embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] The light-shielding module (30) of the embodiment comprises a base frame (31) and a first opening / closing shutter (32). The base frame (31) defines an internal space (35), which opens to the side where the transport unit (2) is located, and to the upstream and downstream sides of the transport unit (2). The first opening / closing shutter (32) is positioned at one of the openings of the internal space (35) to the upstream side and the opening to the downstream side, and the upper end of the first opening / closing shutter (32) is connected to the base frame (31) so as to be rotatable about a pivot axis (P1) along the width direction intersecting the transport direction on the transport surface (6) of the transport unit (2). With this configuration, regardless of the specifications and environment of the transport unit (2), by installing the light-shielding module (30) on the transport unit (2), it is possible to appropriately prevent the leakage of ultraviolet light from the ultraviolet light irradiation device (3) to the outside.

[0010] The light-shielding module (30) of the embodiment further comprises a second opening / closing shutter (33). The second opening / closing shutter (33) is positioned in one of the openings to the upstream and downstream sides of the internal space (35), separate from the first opening / closing shutter (32), and the upper end of the second opening / closing shutter (33) is connected to the base frame (31) so as to be rotatable about a pivot axis (P2) along the width direction of the transport section (2). This further effectively prevents the leakage of ultraviolet light to the outside of the ultraviolet light irradiation device (3).

[0011] In the light-shielding module (30) of this embodiment, the first opening / closing shutter (32) is equipped with a rotatable roller (45A), and the roller (45A) forms the lower end of the first opening / closing shutter (32). With this configuration, friction between the first opening / closing shutter (32) and the transport unit (2) is reduced, and the first opening / closing shutter (32) is made more easily rotated by external forces from the container (7). As a result, the container (7) and the transported object (5) pass through the first opening / closing shutter (32) appropriately and are transported appropriately in the transport unit (2).

[0012] The ultraviolet light irradiation system (1) of the embodiment comprises a transport unit (2), an ultraviolet light irradiation module (10), and the aforementioned light shielding module (30). The transport unit (2) transports the object to be transported (5) placed on a container (7). The ultraviolet light irradiation module (10) comprises a housing (11) and an ultraviolet light source (21) located inside the housing (11), and the ultraviolet light source (21) irradiates ultraviolet light toward the object to be transported (5) being transported in the transport unit (2). The light shielding module 30 consists of a pair of light shielding modules (30A, 30B), each of which is installed in the transport unit (2). The pair of light shielding modules (30A, 30B) consists of an upstream light shielding module (30A) adjacent to the upstream side of the transport unit (2) relative to the ultraviolet light irradiation module (10), and a downstream light shielding module (30B) adjacent to the downstream side of the transport unit (2) relative to the ultraviolet light irradiation module (10). This configuration allows the pair of light-shielding modules (30A, 30B) to effectively prevent ultraviolet light leakage from the ultraviolet light irradiation device (3) to the outside, regardless of the specifications and environment of the transport unit (2).

[0013] The ultraviolet light irradiation system (1) of the embodiment includes a light shielding unit (53) and a control unit (62) It further includes. The light shielding unit (53) includes a light shielding operation unit (55), and in response to the operation of the light shielding operation unit (55), between the ultraviolet light source (21) and the transport unit (2), the ultraviolet light from the ultraviolet light source (21) to the transport unit (2) is shielded. The control unit (62) controls the operation of the light shielding operation unit (55) of the light shielding unit (53) based at least on the open / closed state of the first open / close shutter (32) of either one of the pair of light shielding modules (30A, 30B). Thereby, in a situation where ultraviolet light is likely to leak to the outside of the ultraviolet light irradiation device (3) through the internal space (35) of either one of the pair of light shielding modules (30A, 30B), the control to shield the ultraviolet light from the ultraviolet light source (21) to the transport unit (2) by the light shielding unit (53) is performed. Therefore, the leakage of ultraviolet light to the outside of the ultraviolet light irradiation device (3) is more appropriately prevented.

[0014] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0015] First, as an example of an embodiment, the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an ultraviolet light irradiation system 1 according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the ultraviolet light irradiation system 1 includes a transport unit 2 and an ultraviolet light irradiation device 3. In the transport unit 2, foods and the like are transported as a transport target 5.

[0016] In the ultraviolet light irradiation system 1 and the transport unit 2, the transport direction (the direction indicated by the arrow X1) in which the transport target 5 is transported is defined. In the ultraviolet light irradiation system 1 and the transport unit 2, the transport direction is also referred to as the "downstream side", and the direction opposite to the transport direction (the direction indicated by the arrow X2) is also referred to as the "upstream side". Further, in the ultraviolet light irradiation system 1 and the transport unit 2, a width direction (a direction orthogonal or substantially orthogonal to the plane of FIG. 1) that intersects (is orthogonal or substantially orthogonal) to the transport direction, and a height direction (the directions indicated by the arrows Z1 and Z2) that intersects (is orthogonal or substantially orthogonal) to both the transport direction and the width direction are defined. In the ultraviolet light irradiation system 1 and the transport unit 2, one side of the height direction (the arrow Z1 side) is also referred to as the "upper side", and the side opposite to the upper side of the height direction (the arrow Z2 side) is also referred to as the "lower side". In FIG. 1, a cross-section orthogonal or substantially orthogonal to the width direction is shown.

[0017] Examples of the food to be conveyed 5 include fruits and vegetables. In the present embodiment including an example of FIG. 1, the food to be conveyed 5 is conveyed in a state of being placed on the container 7. In this case, the container 7 on which the food is placed opens upward in the height direction of the conveying unit 2. The ultraviolet irradiation system 1 uses ultraviolet light to maintain the freshness of the food to be conveyed 5 and functions as a freshness maintenance device. Here, the container 7 refers to a member on which the object to be conveyed 5 is placed when the object to be conveyed 5 is conveyed by the conveying unit 2. For example, the container 7 may be a tray, a pedestal, or a box. When the container 7 is a box-shaped one surrounding the object to be conveyed 5, it is preferable that the height of the enclosure is larger than the height of the object to be conveyed 5. That is, when the object to be conveyed 5 is mounted on the container 7, it is preferable that the object to be conveyed 5 is not visible when viewed from the side (horizontal plane).

[0018] In the conveying unit 2, a conveying surface 6 is formed, and the conveying surface 6 faces upward in the height direction. In the conveying unit 2, the object to be conveyed 5 such as food is conveyed together with the container 7 from the upstream side to the downstream side on the conveying surface 6. In one example, the conveying surface 6 is along a virtual horizontal plane, and the conveying direction of the object to be conveyed 5 in the conveying unit 2 is parallel or substantially parallel to the horizontal plane. In this case, the height direction in the ultraviolet irradiation system 1 and the conveying unit 2 coincides or substantially coincides with the vertical direction. In another example, the conveying surface 6 is inclined with respect to the horizontal plane, and the conveying direction in the conveying unit 2 is inclined with respect to the horizontal plane.

[0019] In an example of FIG. 1, the ultraviolet irradiation device 3 includes an ultraviolet irradiation module 10 and a pair of light shielding modules 30. The ultraviolet irradiation module 10 is arranged above the conveying unit 2 in the height direction and on the side where the conveying surface 6 faces the conveying unit 2. The ultraviolet irradiation module 10 includes a housing 11 and an ultraviolet light source 21. An internal cavity 12 is formed inside the housing 11, and the ultraviolet light source 21 is arranged in the internal cavity 12. The housing 11 is formed of a metal or resin that does not transmit light such as ultraviolet light. Further, it is preferable that the inner surface of the housing 11 is coated with black paint or the like.

[0020] The housing 11 comprises a top wall 13 and a perimeter wall 15. The top wall 13 covers the internal cavity 12 from above in the height direction. The perimeter wall 15 covers the internal cavity 12 from the upstream side, the downstream side, and both sides in the width direction of the conveying unit 2, covering the internal cavity 12 from the outer periphery along its entire circumference. The internal cavity 12 of the housing 11 opens downward in the height direction, opening towards the side where the conveying unit 2 is located. The perimeter wall 15 extends downward in the height direction from the top wall 13 to the opening, forming the opening edge of the opening that opens downward in the height direction.

[0021] In the ultraviolet light irradiation system 1, the ultraviolet light irradiation module 10 is installed in the transport unit 2 by attaching the housing 11 to the transport unit 2 from above in the height direction. With the ultraviolet light irradiation module 10 installed in the transport unit 2, the top wall 13 of the housing 11 faces the transport surface 6 of the transport unit 2, with the internal cavity 12 in between.

[0022] In addition, in the example shown in Figure 1, an entrance 16 and an exit 17 are formed in the housing 11 of the ultraviolet light irradiation module 10. The entrance 16 and the exit 17 are formed in the peripheral wall 15 of the housing 11. When the ultraviolet light irradiation module 10 (ultraviolet light irradiation device 3) is installed in the transport unit 2, the internal cavity 12 opens upstream at the entrance 16 and downstream at the exit 17. The transported items 5 and container 7 being transported in the transport unit 2 are brought into the internal cavity 12 from outside the housing 11 through the entrance 16 and are brought out from the internal cavity 12 to the outside of the housing 11 through the exit 17.

[0023] The ultraviolet light source 21 is positioned in the internal cavity 12, for example, by being mounted on the inner surface of the housing 11. The ultraviolet light source 21 is operated by power supply and emits ultraviolet light. At this time, ultraviolet light with a peak wavelength of either 200 nm or more and 400 nm or less is emitted from the ultraviolet light source 21. The ultraviolet light source 21 irradiates ultraviolet light from the internal cavity 12 of the housing 11 toward the transport surface 6 of the transport unit 2. As a result, ultraviolet light from the ultraviolet light source 21 is irradiated toward the transport object 5 being transported in the internal cavity 12. At this time, ultraviolet light is irradiated toward the transport object 5 placed in the container 7 through the opening of the container 7.

[0024] Furthermore, the ultraviolet light source 21 comprises one or more ultraviolet lamps 22, and in the example shown in Figure 1, multiple ultraviolet lamps 22 are provided. Each ultraviolet lamp 22 has a defined longitudinal direction, and each ultraviolet lamp 22 extends along its longitudinal direction. In the example shown in Figure 1, each ultraviolet lamp 22 is arranged such that its longitudinal direction aligns with the width direction of the transport section 2. Also in the example shown in Figure 1, the multiple ultraviolet lamps 22 are arranged along the transport direction in the transport section 2. Each ultraviolet lamp 22 can be a mercury lamp, a metal halide lamp, a fluorescent ultraviolet lamp, or an excimer lamp, among others.

[0025] In the example shown in Figure 1, four ultraviolet light lamps 22 are provided on the ultraviolet light source 21, but the number of ultraviolet light lamps 22 provided on the ultraviolet light source 21 is not limited. In one example, each ultraviolet light lamp 22 is arranged so that its longitudinal direction is aligned with the transport direction in the transport unit 2. In a configuration where multiple ultraviolet light lamps 22 are provided, the multiple ultraviolet light lamps 22 are arranged along the width direction of the transport unit 2.

[0026] Furthermore, in the example ultraviolet light irradiation device 3 shown in Figure 1, one of the pair of light-shielding modules 30, light-shielding module 30A, is adjacent to the ultraviolet light irradiation module 10 on the upstream side of the transport unit 2. The upstream light-shielding module 30A is adjacent to the housing 11 of the ultraviolet light irradiation module 10 in the transport unit 2, from the upstream side. Also in the ultraviolet light irradiation device 3, the other light-shielding module 30B of the pair of light-shielding modules 30, which is opposite to light-shielding module 30A, is adjacent to the ultraviolet light irradiation module 10 on the downstream side of the transport unit 2. The downstream light-shielding module 30B is adjacent to the housing 11 of the ultraviolet light irradiation module 10 in the transport unit 2, from the downstream side.

[0027] In one example, each of the light-shielding modules 30 is attached to the housing 11 of the ultraviolet light irradiation module 10 installed in the transport unit 2, thereby installing a pair of light-shielding modules 30 in the transport unit 2. In yet another example, each of the light-shielding modules 30 is attached to the transport unit 2 from above in the height direction, thereby installing a pair of light-shielding modules 30 in the transport unit 2. In yet another example, each of the light-shielding modules 30 can be independently positioned on the floor or ground using legs or the like. Then, each of the light-shielding modules 30 is installed in the transport unit 2 in an independent state.

[0028] The following describes one arbitrary configuration of the light-shielding module 30. Note that the configuration of each of the pair of light-shielding modules 30, i.e., light-shielding modules 30A and 30B, is the same as the configuration described below. In other words, light-shielding modules 30A and 30B have the same configuration. Figure 2 is a perspective view showing an example of one arbitrary configuration of the pair of light-shielding modules 30 of the ultraviolet light irradiation device 3 in the first embodiment. As shown in Figure 2, the light-shielding module 30 has defined length direction (directions indicated by arrows L1 and L2), width direction (direction indicated by arrow W) that intersects (orthogonal or approximately orthogonal to) the length direction, and height direction (directions indicated by arrows H1 and H2) that intersects (orthogonal or approximately orthogonal to) both the length direction and the width direction. In the light-shielding module 30, one side in the height direction (arrow H1 side) is also called the "upper side," and the side opposite to the upper side in the height direction (arrow H2 side) is also called the "lower side."

[0029] Figure 3 is a perspective view of the light-shielding module 30 of an example shown in Figure 2, cut in a cross-section perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the width direction. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the light-shielding module 30 includes a base frame 31, and an internal space 35 is defined inside the base frame 31. The base frame 31 is formed from a metal or resin that does not transmit light such as ultraviolet light. It is also preferable that the inner surface of the base frame 31 is coated with black paint or the like. Examples of materials for forming the base frame 31 include steel and aluminum, and in one example, the base frame 31 is formed from SPCC (Steel Plate Cold Commercial).

[0030] The base frame 31 comprises a top plate 36 and a pair of side plates 37 and 38. The top plate 36 covers the internal space 35 from above in the height direction. Each of the side plates 37 and 38 has its upper end connected to the top plate 36 and extends downward in the height direction from the connection point to the top plate 36. Side plate 37 covers the internal space 35 from one side in the width direction, and side plate 38 covers the internal space 35 from the opposite side of the width direction from side plate 37. Side plate 38 faces side plate 37 with the internal space 35 in between. In the example shown in Figures 2 and 3, a U-shape or a roughly U-shape is formed by the top plate 36 and side plates 37 and 38 in a cross section perpendicular or approximately perpendicular to the length direction.

[0031] In the light-shielding module 30, the internal space 35 of the base frame 31 opens to the lower side in the height direction and to both sides in the length direction. Therefore, the internal space 35 has an opening 41 that opens toward one side in the length direction, and an opening 42 that opens toward the opposite side from the opening 41 in the length direction. In the light-shielding module 30, an opening / closing shutter (first opening / closing shutter) 32 is placed in opening 41, and an opening / closing shutter (second opening / closing shutter) 33 is placed in opening 42. Therefore, the opening / closing shutter 32 is adjacent to the internal space 35 from the side where the opening 41 in the length direction is located. The opening / closing shutter 33 is adjacent to the internal space 35 from the side where the opening 42 in the length direction is located, that is, from the opposite side from the opening / closing shutter 32.

[0032] The upper ends of each of the opening and closing shutters 32 and 33 are connected to the base frame 31. Each of the opening and closing shutters 32 and 33 rotates relative to the base frame 31, centering on the connection point to the base frame 31. Therefore, the opening and closing shutter 32 rotates around a pivot axis P1 along the width direction, and the opening and closing shutter 33 rotates around a pivot axis P2 along the width direction. The pivot axes P1 and P2 are preferably located on the same plane as the top plate 36 (including a virtual plane created by enlarging the surface), but they may be located at a distance from the same plane as the top plate 36.

[0033] Figure 4 is a perspective view showing the light-shielding module 30 of an example in Figure 2, with each of the two opening / closing shutters 32 and 33 rotated from the state in Figure 2. Figure 5 is a perspective view of the light-shielding module 30 in the state of Figure 4, cut in a cross section perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the width direction. As shown in Figures 2 to 5, in the light-shielding module 30, the opening / closing shutter (first opening / closing shutter) 32 rotates about the pivot axis P1, which changes the closing state of the opening 41 by the opening / closing shutter 32, and changes the opening / closing state of the opening / closing shutter 32 in the opening 41. For example, in the state in Figures 2 and 3, the opening / closing shutter 32 is in a closed state, closing all or almost all of the opening 41. Then, as the opening / closing shutter 32 rotates from the state in Figures 2 and 3, the opening / closing shutter 32 becomes an open state, such as in the state in Figures 4 and 5, and a gap is formed in the opening 41 that is not closed by the opening / closing shutter 32.

[0034] Furthermore, in the light-shielding module 30, the opening / closing shutter (second opening / closing shutter) 33 rotates around the pivot axis P2, which changes the closed state of the opening 42 by the opening / closing shutter 33, and thus changes the open / closed state of the opening / closing shutter 33 in the opening 42. For example, in the states shown in Figures 2 and 3, the opening / closing shutter 33 is in a closed state, closing all or almost all of the opening 42. Then, as the opening / closing shutter 33 rotates from the states shown in Figures 2 and 3, the opening / closing shutter 33 becomes an open state, such as in the states shown in Figures 4 and 5, and a gap is formed in the opening 42 that is not closed by the opening / closing shutter 33. When no external force is acting on them, each of the opening / closing shutters 32 and 33 is maintained in a closed state and biased to be in a closed state. Then, as they rotate from the closed state due to an external force, each of the opening / closing shutters 32 and 33 becomes an open state.

[0035] In the example shown in Figures 2 to 5, the opening / closing shutter 32 is equipped with rollers (first rollers) 45, and multiple rollers 45 are arranged in a row. Each roller 45 can rotate around its own axis of rotation when an external force is applied, and the axis of rotation of each roller 45 is aligned with the width direction of the light-shielding module 30. In the closed state of the opening / closing shutter 32, the direction in which the multiple rollers 45 are aligned is aligned with the height direction of the light-shielding module 30. If we define the lowest roller 45A among the multiple rollers 45, the lower end of the opening / closing shutter 32 is formed by roller 45A. Furthermore, the lowest roller 45A is able to rotate around an axis of rotation R1 that is aligned with the width direction of the light-shielding module 30.

[0036] In the example shown in Figures 2 to 5, the opening / closing shutter 33 is equipped with rollers (second rollers) 46, and multiple rollers 46 are arranged in a row. Each roller 46 is capable of rotating about its own axis of rotation when an external force is applied, and the axis of rotation of each roller 46 is aligned with the width direction of the light-shielding module 30. In the closed state of the opening / closing shutter 33, the direction in which the multiple rollers 46 are aligned is aligned with the height direction of the light-shielding module 30. If we define the lowest roller 46A among the multiple rollers 46, the lower end of the opening / closing shutter 33 is formed by roller 46A. Furthermore, the lowest roller 46A is capable of rotating about an axis of rotation R2 that is aligned with the width direction of the light-shielding module 30.

[0037] In one example, the opening / closing shutter 32 may not be provided with a roller 45, and the opening / closing shutter 33 may not be provided with a roller 46. However, in a preferred example, the opening / closing shutter 32 is provided with one or more rollers 45, and the lower or upper end of the opening / closing shutter 32 is formed by any one of the one or more rollers 45. The opening / closing shutter 33 is provided with one or more rollers 46, and the lower or upper end of the opening / closing shutter 33 is formed by any one of the one or more rollers 46. The opening / closing shutter 32 may also be provided with two or more rollers 45, and at least the lower and upper ends of the opening / closing shutter 32 may be formed by the two or more rollers 45. The same applies to the opening / closing shutter 33.

[0038] As shown in Figure 1, etc., each of the light-shielding modules 30A and 30B is installed in the transport section 2 such that its length is aligned with the transport direction in the transport section 2 and its width is aligned with the width direction of the transport section 2. In each of the light-shielding modules 30A and 30B installed in the transport section 2, the upper side in the height direction coincides with or approximately coincides with the upper side in the height direction of the transport section 2, and the lower side in the height direction coincides with or approximately coincides with the lower side in the height direction of the transport section 2. Therefore, in each of the light-shielding modules 30A and 30B, the base frame 31 covers the internal space 35 from both the upper side in the height direction and both sides in the width direction of the transport section 2. In each of the light-shielding modules 30A and 30B installed in the transport section 2, the internal space 35 opens to the lower side in the height direction, the upstream side, and the downstream side.

[0039] When light-shielding modules 30A and 30B are installed in the transport unit 2, the transport unit 2 is positioned below the light-shielding modules 30A and 30B in the height direction, and the transport surface 6 is adjacent to the internal spaces 35 of each of the light-shielding modules 30A and 30B from below in the height direction. Therefore, in each of the light-shielding modules 30A and 30B installed in the transport unit 2, the internal space 35 opens toward the side where the transport unit 2 is located. In each of the light-shielding modules 30A and 30B, one of the openings 41 and 42 is an opening toward the upstream side, and the other of the openings 41 and 42 is an opening toward the downstream side. Furthermore, in each of the light-shielding modules 30A and 30B, one of the opening / closing shutters 32 and 33 is positioned toward the opening toward the upstream side, and the other of the opening / closing shutters 32 and 33 is positioned toward the opening toward the downstream side.

[0040] Furthermore, each of the light-shielding modules 30A and 30B is installed in the transport section 2 such that no gap is formed, or almost no gap is formed, between the base frame 31 and the ultraviolet light irradiation module 10. This effectively prevents ultraviolet light from being emitted to the outside of the ultraviolet light irradiation device 3 through gaps between the ultraviolet light irradiation module 10 and the light-shielding module 30A, etc. And it also effectively prevents ultraviolet light from being emitted to the outside of the ultraviolet light irradiation device 3 through gaps between the ultraviolet light irradiation module 10 and the light-shielding module 30B, etc.

[0041] The upstream light-shielding module 30A opens to the outside of the ultraviolet light irradiation device 3 through an opening on the upstream side. The internal space 35 of the light-shielding module 30A communicates with the internal cavity 12 of the housing 11 through an opening on the downstream side and an entrance 16. The internal space 35 of the light-shielding module 30A is adjacent to the internal cavity 12 of the housing 11 from the upstream side. In the transport section 2, the transport object 5 and the container 7 are transported from the outside of the ultraviolet light irradiation device 3 to the internal space 35 of the light-shielding module 30A through an opening on the upstream side. The transport object 5 and the container 7 are then transported from the internal space 35 of the light-shielding module 30A through the opening on the downstream side and the entrance 16 in that order to the internal cavity 12 of the housing 11.

[0042] In the example shown in Figure 1, in the light-shielding module 30A, an opening 41 forms an opening to the upstream side of the internal space 35, and an opening / closing shutter 32 is positioned at the opening 41 that opens to the outside of the ultraviolet light irradiation device 3. In the light-shielding module 30A, an opening 42 forms an opening to the downstream side of the internal space 35, and an opening / closing shutter 33 is positioned at the opening 42 that opens to the internal cavity 12 of the housing 11. Therefore, in the transport direction of the transport unit 2, the opening / closing shutter 33 is positioned between the internal space 35 of the light-shielding module 30A and the internal cavity 12 of the housing 11.

[0043] The downstream light-shielding module 30B opens to the outside of the ultraviolet light irradiation device 3 through an opening on the downstream side. The internal space 35 of the light-shielding module 30B communicates with the internal cavity 12 of the housing 11 through an opening on the upstream side and an entrance 16. The internal space 35 of the light-shielding module 30B is adjacent to the internal cavity 12 of the housing 11 from the downstream side. In the transport section 2, the transported items 5 and container 7 are transported from the internal cavity 12 of the housing 11, through the exit 17 and the opening on the upstream side in that order, into the internal space 35 of the light-shielding module 30B. The transported items 5 and container 7 are then transported out of the internal space 35 of the light-shielding module 30B through an opening on the downstream side to the outside of the ultraviolet light irradiation device 3.

[0044] In the example shown in Figure 1, in the light-shielding module 30B, the opening 41 forms an opening to the downstream side of the internal space 35, and an opening / closing shutter 32 is positioned at the opening 41 that opens to the outside of the ultraviolet light irradiation device 3. In the light-shielding module 30B, the opening 42 forms an opening to the upstream side of the internal space 35, and an opening / closing shutter 33 is positioned at the opening 42 that opens to the internal cavity 12 of the housing 11. Therefore, in terms of the transport direction in the transport section 2, the opening / closing shutter 33 is positioned between the internal space 35 of the light-shielding module 30B and the internal cavity 12 of the housing 11. Note that in the example shown in Figure 1, the opening / closing shutter 32 of the light-shielding module 30A is the upstream opening / closing shutter, and the opening / closing shutter 32 of the light-shielding module 30B is the downstream opening / closing shutter.

[0045] In each of the light-shielding modules 30 installed in the transport section 2, the pivot axis P1 of the opening / closing shutter 32 and the pivot axis P2 of the opening / closing shutter 33 are aligned with the width direction of the transport section 2. Therefore, in each of the light-shielding modules 30, the opening / closing shutter 32 is rotatable around the pivot axis P1 aligned with the width direction of the transport section 2, and the opening / closing shutter 33 is rotatable around the pivot axis P2 aligned with the width direction of the transport section 2. In addition, in the transport section 2, each of the opening / closing shutters 32 and 33 rotates due to pressure from the transported container 7. Therefore, each of the opening / closing shutters 32 and 33 changes from a closed state to an open state due to the external force from the container 7. As a result, the container 7 and the transported object 5 can pass through each of the opening / closing shutters 32 and 33.

[0046] Furthermore, in each of the light-shielding modules 30 installed in the transport unit 2, the rotation axis of each roller 45 is aligned with the width direction of the transport unit 2, and the rotation axis of each roller 46 is aligned with the width direction of the transport unit 2. In each of the light-shielding modules 30, the lowest roller 45A in the opening / closing shutter 32 is capable of rotating about an axis of rotation R1 aligned with the width direction of the transport unit 2. And in each of the light-shielding modules 30, when the opening / closing shutter 32 is closed, the roller 45A is in contact with the transport surface 6 of the transport unit 2. Furthermore, in each of the light-shielding modules 30, the lowest roller 46A in the opening / closing shutter 33 is capable of rotating about an axis of rotation R2 aligned with the width direction of the transport unit 2. And in each of the light-shielding modules 30, when the opening / closing shutter 33 is closed, the roller 46A is in contact with the transport surface 6 of the transport unit 2. Therefore, when the conveying surface 6 and the opening / closing shutters 32 and 33 come into contact, the rollers 45A and 46A simply rotate, and no gap is created between the conveying surface 6 and the opening / closing shutters 32 and 33. In other words, leakage of ultraviolet light to the outside due to a gap between the conveying surface 6 and the opening / closing shutters 32 and 33 is properly prevented.

[0047] As described above, in this embodiment, in each of the light-shielding modules 30, the internal space 35 of the base frame 31 opens to the side where the transport unit 2 is located, and to the upstream and downstream sides of the transport unit 2. In each of the light-shielding modules 30, an opening / closing shutter (first opening / closing shutter) 32 is arranged on either the upstream or downstream opening of the internal space 35, and the upper end of the opening / closing shutter 32 is connected to the base frame 31 so as to be rotatable about a pivot axis P1 along the width direction of the transport unit 2. By installing light-shielding modules 30 with this configuration in the transport unit 2, leakage of ultraviolet light from the ultraviolet light source 21 to the outside of the ultraviolet light irradiation device 3 can be appropriately prevented. In particular, by installing one light-shielding module 30 adjacent to the upstream and downstream sides of the ultraviolet light irradiation module 10 in the transport unit 2, leakage of ultraviolet light to the outside of the ultraviolet light irradiation device 3 can be appropriately prevented.

[0048] Since the light-shielding module 30 prevents ultraviolet light from leaking to the outside, regardless of the specifications and environment of the transport unit 2, installing the light-shielding module 30 in the transport unit 2 makes it possible to appropriately prevent ultraviolet light leakage from the ultraviolet light irradiation device 3 to the outside. As a result, the effort and cost at the stage of introducing the ultraviolet light irradiation device 3 into the transport unit 2 are reduced, and for example, the effort and cost in testing based on the specifications and environment of the transport unit 2 and in designing the ultraviolet light irradiation module 10 are reduced. In fact, since the light-shielding module 30 prevents ultraviolet light leakage to the outside, it becomes unnecessary to adjust the dimensions between the entrance 16 and exit 17 of the ultraviolet light irradiation module 10 to match the specifications and environment of the transport unit 2.

[0049] Furthermore, in a preferred example of this embodiment, in each of the light-shielding modules 30, an opening / closing shutter (second opening / closing shutter) 33 is positioned on one side of the opening to the upstream and downstream sides of the internal space 35, separate from the opening to the downstream side of the internal space 35. The upper end of the opening / closing shutter 33 is connected to the base frame 31 so as to be rotatable about a pivot axis P2 along the width direction of the transport unit 2. As a result, in each of the light-shielding modules 30, ultraviolet light is shielded not only by the opening / closing shutter 32 but also by the opening / closing shutter 33. Therefore, leakage of ultraviolet light to the outside of the ultraviolet light irradiation device 3 is prevented even more effectively.

[0050] Here, according to the JISC7550 standard, at a distance of 200 mm from the ultraviolet light irradiation device 3, the ultraviolet light illuminance is 1.0 mW / m². 2 The following is specified: In practice, the aforementioned light-shielding module 30 comprising a base frame 31 and a pair of opening / closing shutters 32, 33 is formed, and one light-shielding module 30 is installed adjacent to the upstream and downstream sides of the ultraviolet light irradiation module 10 in the transport section 2. In this configuration, the ultraviolet light illuminance at a position 200 mm away from the upstream opening of the upstream light-shielding module 30A, and at a position 200 mm away from the downstream opening of the downstream light-shielding module 30A, is 0 mW / m². 2 That's what happened.

[0051] Furthermore, in a configuration without the light-shielding module 30, it was necessary to ensure that the distance from the upstream end of the ultraviolet light source 21 to the entrance 16, and the distance from the downstream end of the ultraviolet light source 21 to the exit 17 were both 600 mm or more in order to satisfy the aforementioned requirements of the JISC7550 standard. From the above verifications, it was demonstrated that by using the light-shielding module 30 of this embodiment, leakage of ultraviolet light to the outside of the ultraviolet light irradiation device 3 is appropriately prevented regardless of the specifications and environment of the transport unit 2.

[0052] In another preferred embodiment, a roller 45A forms the lower end of each of the opening / closing shutters 32, and a roller 46A forms the lower end of each of the opening / closing shutters 33. With this configuration, friction between each of the opening / closing shutters 32 and 33 and the conveying surface 6 of the conveying unit 2 is reduced, and each of the opening / closing shutters 32 and 33 rotates more easily due to external forces from the container 7. As a result, even with the opening / closing shutters 32 and 33 provided, the container 7 and the items to be conveyed 5 pass through each of the opening / closing shutters 32 and 33 appropriately and are conveyed appropriately in the conveying unit 2.

[0053] Next, a second embodiment will be described as a modification of the first embodiment. Figure 6 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an ultraviolet light irradiation system 1 according to the second embodiment. In Figure 6, a cross-section perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the width direction of the transport unit 2 is shown. As shown in Figure 6, in this embodiment, the ultraviolet light irradiation module 10 includes a housing 11 and an ultraviolet light source 21, as well as a light-shielding frame 51 and a light-shielding unit 53. In this embodiment, the light-shielding frame 51 is positioned between the housing 11 and the transport unit 2 in the height direction, and between the housing 11 and the transport surface 6. An internal space 52 is formed inside the light-shielding frame 51. The light-shielding frame 51 is made of a metal or resin that does not transmit light such as ultraviolet light. Furthermore, it is preferable that the inner surface of the light-shielding frame 51 is coated with black paint or the like.

[0054] In this embodiment, the housing 11 is attached to the light-shielding frame 51 from the upper side in the height direction. The internal cavity 12 of the housing 11 is adjacent to the internal space 52 of the light-shielding frame 51 from the upper side in the height direction, and the internal cavity 12 communicates with the internal space 52 through an opening on the side where the transport unit 2 is located. The transport surface 6 of the transport unit 2 is adjacent to the internal space 52 from the lower side in the height direction. The light-shielding frame 51 covers the internal space 52 from both sides in the width direction of the transport unit 2. In the example shown in Figure 6, the light-shielding frame 51 protrudes from the housing 11 to the upstream and downstream sides. At the portions of the light-shielding frame 51 that protrude from the housing 11 to the upstream and downstream sides, the light-shielding frame 51 covers the internal space 52 from the upper side in the height direction.

[0055] In this embodiment, an entrance 16 and an exit 17 are formed in the light-shielding frame 51. When the ultraviolet light irradiation module 10 is installed in the transport unit 2, the internal space 52 opens upstream at the entrance 16 and downstream at the exit 17. The container 7 and the transport object 5 being transported in the transport unit 2 are brought into the internal space 52 from outside the light-shielding frame 51 and housing 11 through the entrance 16, and are transported out of the internal space 52 to the outside of the light-shielding frame 51 and housing 11 through the exit 17. In this embodiment, ultraviolet light from the ultraviolet light source 21 is irradiated onto the transport object 5 being transported in the internal space 52 of the light-shielding frame 51. At this time, the ultraviolet light from the ultraviolet light source 21, which is located in the internal cavity 12, passes through the opening of the internal cavity 12 toward the side where the transport unit 2 is located, and is irradiated onto the transport object 5 being transported in the internal space 52.

[0056] In this embodiment as well, a pair of light-shielding modules 30 are installed in the transport unit 2. The light-shielding module (upstream light-shielding module) 30A is adjacent to the upstream side of the transport unit 2 relative to the ultraviolet light irradiation module 10, and the light-shielding module (downstream light-shielding module) 30B is adjacent to the downstream side of the transport unit 2 relative to the ultraviolet light irradiation module 10. Each of the light-shielding modules 30A and 30B is installed in the transport unit 2 such that there is no gap, or almost no gap, between the base frame 31 and the ultraviolet light irradiation module 10.

[0057] In this embodiment as well, the light-shielding module 30A opens to the outside of the ultraviolet light irradiation device 3 through an opening on the upstream side. However, in this embodiment, the internal space 35 of the light-shielding module 30A communicates with the internal space 52 of the light-shielding frame 51 through an opening on the downstream side and an entrance 16. The internal space 35 of the light-shielding module 30A is adjacent to the internal space 52 of the light-shielding frame 51 from the upstream side. In the transport unit 2, the transport object 5 and the container 7 are transported from the outside of the ultraviolet light irradiation device 3 to the internal space 35 of the light-shielding module 30A through an opening on the upstream side. The transport object 5 and the container 7 are then transported from the internal space 35 of the light-shielding module 30A through the opening on the downstream side and the entrance 16 in that order to the internal space 52 of the light-shielding frame 51.

[0058] In the example shown in Figure 6, the opening 42 in the light-shielding module 30A forms an opening to the downstream side of the internal space 35, and the opening / closing shutter 33 is positioned at the opening 42 that opens into the internal space 52 of the light-shielding frame 51. Therefore, in the transport direction of the transport unit 2, the opening / closing shutter 33 is positioned between the internal space 35 of the light-shielding module 30A and the internal space 52 of the light-shielding frame 51.

[0059] In this embodiment as well, the light-shielding module 30B opens to the outside of the ultraviolet light irradiation device 3 at its downstream opening. However, in this embodiment, the internal space 35 of the light-shielding module 30B communicates with the internal space 52 of the light-shielding frame 51 via an upstream opening and an outlet 17. The internal space 35 of the light-shielding module 30B is adjacent to the internal space 52 of the light-shielding frame 51 from the downstream side. In the transport unit 2, the transport object 5 and the container 7 are transported from the internal cavity 12 of the housing 11, through the outlet 17, and then the upstream opening, in that order, into the internal space 35 of the light-shielding module 30B. The transport object 5 and the container 7 are then transported out of the internal space 35 of the light-shielding module 30B through the downstream opening to the outside of the ultraviolet light irradiation device 3.

[0060] In the example shown in Figure 6, the opening 42 in the light-shielding module 30B forms an opening to the upstream side of the internal space 35, and the opening / closing shutter 33 is positioned at the opening 42 that opens into the internal space 52 of the light-shielding frame 51. Therefore, in the transport direction of the transport unit 2, the opening / closing shutter 33 is positioned between the internal space 35 of the light-shielding module 30B and the internal space 52 of the light-shielding frame 51. In the example shown in Figure 6, the opening / closing shutter 32 of the light-shielding module 30A is the upstream opening / closing shutter, and the opening / closing shutter 32 of the light-shielding module 30B is the downstream opening / closing shutter.

[0061] As shown in Figure 6, in this embodiment, the light-shielding unit 53 is positioned between the ultraviolet light source 21 and the transport surface 6 of the transport unit 2 in the height direction. The transport object 5, which is brought into the internal space 52 from the entrance 16, is transported towards the exit 17 by passing between the light-shielding unit 53 and the transport surface 6. In one example of Figure 1, the light-shielding unit 53 is positioned in the internal cavity 12, for example, by being attached to the inner surface of the housing 11. In another example, the light-shielding unit 53 is positioned in the internal space 52, for example, by being attached to the inner surface of the light-shielding frame 51. In this case as well, the light-shielding unit 53 is positioned between the ultraviolet light source 21 and the transport surface 6 of the transport unit 2 in the height direction.

[0062] In the example shown in Figure 6, the light-shielding unit 53 includes a light-shielding operating unit 55 and a shutter sheet 56. The shutter sheet 56 is wound into a roll. The shutter sheet 56 is made of a metal or resin that does not transmit light such as ultraviolet light, and is made of, for example, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) or aluminum glass cloth. The light-shielding operating unit 55 operates when power is supplied. When the light-shielding operating unit 55 operates, the wound shutter sheet 56 is pulled out, or the pulled-out shutter sheet 56 is wound into a roll.

[0063] Figure 7 is a schematic block diagram showing an example of the control system of the ultraviolet light irradiation system 1 according to the second embodiment. In the example in Figure 7, the ultraviolet light irradiation system 1 includes an ultraviolet light irradiation module 10 and a pair of light-shielding modules 30 (30A, 30B), in addition to a power supply unit 60. The power supply unit 60 also includes a power supply circuit 61 and a control unit 62. In the example in Figure 7, the power supply unit 60 is provided separately from the ultraviolet light irradiation module 10 and the light-shielding modules 30, and is electrically connected to the ultraviolet light irradiation module 10 and the light-shielding modules 30 via cables or the like.

[0064] The power supply circuit 61 converts power supplied from an external source into power corresponding to the ultraviolet light source 21 and power corresponding to the light-shielding operation unit 55. The power supply circuit 61 supplies the converted power to the ultraviolet light source 21, causing ultraviolet light to be emitted from each of the ultraviolet light lamps 22 of the ultraviolet light source 21. The power supply circuit 61 also supplies the converted power to the light-shielding operation unit 55, operating the light-shielding operation unit 55. For example, the power supply circuit 61 converts power from an external source, such as power from a commercial power source, into DC power with a voltage corresponding to the ultraviolet light source 21 and DC power with a voltage corresponding to the light-shielding operation unit 55 by AC / DC conversion and voltage transformation.

[0065] The control unit 62 controls the power supply to the ultraviolet light source 21 and the light-shielding unit 55 by controlling the operation of the power supply circuit 61. This controls the emission of ultraviolet light from the ultraviolet light source 21 and the operation of the light-shielding unit 55. In one example, the control unit 62 is composed of a processor or integrated circuit and a storage medium such as memory. The processor or integrated circuit that constitutes the control unit 62 includes any of the following: CPU (Central Processing Unit), ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), and DSP (Digital Signal Processor). The control unit 62 may have only one integrated circuit or may have multiple integrated circuits.

[0066] The control unit 62 switches between a state where ultraviolet light is emitted and a state where ultraviolet light emission is stopped by controlling the emission of ultraviolet light from the ultraviolet light source 21. In other words, the control unit 62 switches the emission of ultraviolet light on and off. In addition, detection units 65 and 66 are provided in each of the light-shielding modules 30A and 30B. Each of the detection units 65 and 66 is an angle sensor capable of detecting, for example, a rotation angle. In each of the light-shielding modules 30, the detection unit 65 detects the open / closed state of the open / closed shutter 32, and the detection unit 66 detects the open / closed state of the open / closed shutter 33. The control unit 62 acquires the detection results from the detection units 65 and 66 of the light-shielding modules 30A and 30B, respectively, and acquires information regarding the open / closed state of the open / closed shutters 32 and 33 of the light-shielding modules 30A and 30B. The control unit 62 then controls the operation of the light-shielding operation unit 55 based on the real-time open / closed state of the open / closed shutters 32 and 33 of the light-shielding modules 30A and 30B, respectively.

[0067] In one example, at least one of the power supply circuit 61 and the control unit 62 is mounted on the ultraviolet light irradiation device 3, which includes the ultraviolet light irradiation module 10. In this case, at least one of the power supply circuit 61 and the control unit 62 is located, for example, in the internal cavity 12 of the housing 11. In another example, the control of ultraviolet light emission from the ultraviolet light source 21 and the control of the operation of the light-shielding operation unit 55 are performed collaboratively by the processors or integrated circuits of multiple computers. In yet another example, at least part of the control of ultraviolet light emission from the ultraviolet light source 21 and the control of the operation of the light-shielding operation unit 55 is performed by a server in a cloud environment. The server in the cloud environment is composed of virtual processors such as virtual CPUs and cloud memory.

[0068] Figure 8 is a schematic perspective view showing the state in which the shutter sheet 56 of the light-shielding unit 53 is pulled out in the ultraviolet light irradiation module 10 of an example in Figure 6. In the example in Figures 6 and 8, the light-shielding operation unit 55 is equipped with a pair of electric cylinders 57, each of which is provided with a gripping arm or the like. The shutter sheet 56 has a defined length direction and has an edge E1 that forms one end in the length direction. The shutter sheet 56 is wound so that its length direction is along the circumferential direction of the roll-shaped portion, and the edge E1 is at the outer circumferential end of the roll-shaped portion. The edge E1 or its vicinity is gripped by the gripping arms or the like of each of the electric cylinders 57.

[0069] Power supplied from the power supply circuit 61 causes each gripping arm of the electric cylinder 57 to move. In the example shown in Figures 6 and 8, the direction of movement of the gripping arms (indicated by arrows Y1 and Y2) is along the longitudinal direction of each ultraviolet light lamp 22. When the gripping arm moves to one side in the direction of movement (towards arrow Y1), the rolled shutter sheet 56 is pulled out. At this time, the shutter sheet 56 is pulled out with its edge E1 as the leading edge due to being pulled by the moving gripping arm (arrow A1 in Figure 8). When the shutter sheet 56 is pulled out, the gripping arm moves to the opposite side of the movement of the shutter sheet 56 (towards arrow Y2), causing the shutter sheet 56 to be wound into a roll.

[0070] Due to the configuration described above, in the light-shielding unit 53, the shutter sheet 56 is pulled out in response to the operation of the light-shielding operation unit 55. When ultraviolet light is emitted from the ultraviolet light source 21, the shutter sheet 56 is pulled out, thereby shielding the ultraviolet light from the ultraviolet light source 21 to the transport unit 2 between the ultraviolet light source 21 and the transport unit 2. In addition, in the example light-shielding unit 53 shown in Figures 6 and 8, the amount the shutter sheet 56 is pulled out changes in response to the operation of the light-shielding operation unit 55. When ultraviolet light is emitted from the ultraviolet light source 21, the amount the shutter sheet 56 is pulled out changes, which alters the range over which the shutter sheet 56 shields the ultraviolet light between the ultraviolet light source 21 and the transport unit 2.

[0071] When the shutter sheet 56 is not extended, it does not block ultraviolet light from the ultraviolet light source 21. The greater the amount the shutter sheet 56 is extended, the wider the area over which the shutter sheet 56 blocks ultraviolet light. In one example, the direction in which the shutter sheet 56 is extended intersects (orthogonal or nearly orthogonal) the longitudinal direction of each ultraviolet light lamp 22 and aligns with the direction in which the multiple ultraviolet light lamps 22 are lined up.

[0072] Figure 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process related to controlling the operation of the light-shielding unit 55, performed by the control unit 62 in the ultraviolet light irradiation system 1 according to the second embodiment. The process in the example in Figure 9 is repeated at predetermined time intervals while ultraviolet light is being irradiated from the ultraviolet light source 21 toward the transport unit 2. When the process in the example in Figure 9 is started, the control unit 62 determines whether the opening / closing shutter of either the upstream or downstream unit is open, based on the detection results from the detection units 65 and 66 of the light-shielding modules 30A and 30B, respectively (S101). In this case, in the arrangement of light-shielding modules 30A and 30B shown in the example in Figure 6, it is determined whether the opening / closing shutters 32 of each of the light-shielding modules 30A and 30B are open or not.

[0073] If either the upstream or downstream opening / closing shutter is open (S101-Yes), the control unit 62 controls the operation of the light-shielding operation unit 55 to pull out the wound-up shutter sheet 56 or maintain the state in which the shutter sheet 56 is pulled out (S102). As a result, ultraviolet light from the ultraviolet light source 21 is blocked by the shutter sheet 56 between the ultraviolet light source 21 and the transport unit 2, or the state in which ultraviolet light from the ultraviolet light source 21 is blocked by the shutter sheet 56 is maintained.

[0074] On the other hand, if both the upstream and downstream opening / closing shutters are in the closed state (S101-No), the control unit 62 controls the operation of the light-shielding operation unit 55 to wind up the extended shutter sheet 56 or maintain the state in which the shutter sheet 56 is wound up (S103). As a result, the ultraviolet light from the ultraviolet light source 21 is not blocked between the ultraviolet light source 21 and the transport unit 2, or the state in which the ultraviolet light from the ultraviolet light source 21 is not blocked is maintained.

[0075] In another example, the control unit 62 determines whether both of the two opening / closing shutters 32 and 33 are open in either the upstream light-shielding module 30A or the downstream light-shielding module 30B. If both of the opening / closing shutters 32 and 33 are open in one or more of the upstream and downstream light-shielding modules 30A and 30B, the control unit 62 controls the operation of the light-shielding operation unit 55 to pull out the wound-up shutter sheet 56 or maintain the state in which the shutter sheet 56 is pulled out. On the other hand, if at least one of the opening / closing shutters 32 and 33 is closed in both the upstream and downstream light-shielding modules 30A and 30B, the control unit 62 controls the operation of the light-shielding operation unit 55 to wind up the pulled-out shutter sheet 56 or maintain the state in which the shutter sheet 56 is wound up.

[0076] As described above, in this embodiment, the control unit 62 controls the operation of the light-shielding operation unit 55 of the light-shielding unit 53 based at least on the open / closed state of the opening / closing shutter 32 of one of the pair of light-shielding modules 30A and 30B. In this case, for example, when the opening / closing shutter 32 of at least one of the light-shielding modules 30A and 30B is in the open state, or when ultraviolet light is likely to leak to the outside of the ultraviolet light irradiation device 3 through the internal space 35 of either of the light-shielding modules 30A or 30B, the shutter sheet 56 is pulled out.

[0077] In a preferred example of this embodiment, the control unit 62 controls the operation of the light-shielding unit 53's light-shielding operation unit 55 based on the open / closed state of the respective opening / closing shutters 32 of the light-shielding modules 30A and 30B, as well as the open / closed state of the respective opening / closing shutters 33 of the light-shielding modules 30A and 30B. In this case, for example, when both the opening / closing shutters 32 and 33 of at least one of the light-shielding modules 30A and 30B are open, or in other situations where ultraviolet light is likely to leak to the outside of the ultraviolet light irradiation device 3 through the internal space 35 of either the light-shielding module 30A or 30B, the shutter sheet 56 is pulled out.

[0078] As described above, in this embodiment as well, a light-shielding module 30 is provided, similar to the first embodiment. Therefore, it provides the same functions and effects as the first embodiment and the like. That is, regardless of the specifications of the transport unit 2 and the environment, it is possible to appropriately prevent ultraviolet light leakage to the outside of the ultraviolet light irradiation device 3.

[0079] Furthermore, the light-shielding unit 53, in response to the operation of the light-shielding operation unit 55, shields the ultraviolet light from the ultraviolet light source 21 to the transport unit 2 between the ultraviolet light source 21 and the transport unit 2. The control unit 62 controls the operation of the light-shielding operation unit 55 of the light-shielding unit 53 at least based on the open / closed state of the opening / closing shutter (first opening / closing shutter) 32 of either of the pair of light-shielding modules 30A or 30B. This ensures that in situations where ultraviolet light is likely to leak to the outside of the ultraviolet light irradiation device 3 through the internal space 35 of either of the light-shielding modules 30A or 30B, the light-shielding unit 53 shields the ultraviolet light from the ultraviolet light source 21 to the transport unit 2. Therefore, leakage of ultraviolet light to the outside of the ultraviolet light irradiation device 3 is more effectively prevented.

[0080] In addition, in one modification, a light-shielding unit 53, as in the second embodiment, may be provided in a configuration where the light-shielding frame 51 is not provided, similar to the first embodiment. In this case as well, the light-shielding unit 53 shields the ultraviolet light from the ultraviolet light source 21 to the transport unit 2 between the ultraviolet light source 21 and the transport unit 2, in accordance with the operation of the light-shielding operation unit 55. Then, based on the open / closed state of each of the open / closed shutters 32, the operation of the light-shielding operation unit 55 is controlled in the same manner as in any of the examples described above.

[0081] Furthermore, in the second embodiment, the ultraviolet light from the ultraviolet light source 21 to the transport unit 2 is blocked by pulling out a roll-shaped shutter sheet 56 between the ultraviolet light source 21 and the transport unit 2, but the configuration for blocking ultraviolet light to the transport unit 2 is not limited to this. That is, in a configuration in which a light-shielding unit 53 is provided, it is sufficient that the ultraviolet light from the ultraviolet light source 21 to the transport unit 2 is blocked between the ultraviolet light source 21 and the transport unit 2 in accordance with the operation of the light-shielding operation unit 55.

[0082] According to at least one of these embodiments, the internal space of the base frame opens to the side where the transport unit is located, and to the upstream and downstream sides of the transport unit. The first opening / closing shutter is positioned at one of the openings to the upstream and downstream sides of the internal space, and the upper end of the first opening / closing shutter is connected to the base frame so as to be rotatable about a pivot axis along the width direction of the transport unit. This makes it possible to provide a light-shielding module and an ultraviolet light irradiation system that can appropriately prevent ultraviolet light leakage to the outside of the ultraviolet light irradiation device.

[0083] While several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be carried out in a variety of other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their variations are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, as well as in the claims of the invention and its equivalents. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0084] 1... Ultraviolet light irradiation system, 2... Transport unit, 3... Ultraviolet light irradiation device, 5... Object to be transported, 7... Container, 10... Ultraviolet light irradiation module, 11... Housing, 21... Ultraviolet light source, 30 (30A, 30B)... Light shielding module, 31... Base frame, 32... Opening / closing shutter (first opening / closing shutter), 33... Opening / closing shutter (second opening / closing shutter), 35... Internal space, 45 (45A)... Roller (first roller), 46 (46A)... Roller (second roller), 53... Light shielding unit, 55... Light shielding operation unit, P1, P2... Rotating shafts.

Claims

1. A base frame that defines the internal space, and through which the internal space opens to the side where the transport unit is located, and to the upstream and downstream sides of the transport unit; A first opening / closing shutter is positioned at one of the upstream and downstream openings of the internal space, and its upper end is connected to the base frame so as to be rotatable about a pivot axis along the width direction intersecting the conveying direction on the conveying surface of the conveying unit; A light-shielding module equipped with the following features.

2. The light-shielding module according to claim 1, further comprising a second opening / closing shutter, which is positioned in the opening to the upstream side and the opening to the downstream side of the internal space, apart from the first opening / closing shutter, and whose upper end is connected to the base frame side so as to be rotatable about a pivot axis along the width direction of the transport section.

3. The first opening / closing shutter is equipped with a rotatable roller, The roller forms the lower end of the first opening and closing shutter. Light-shielding module according to claim 1.

4. The transport unit transports the object to be transported, which is placed in a container; A housing, and an ultraviolet light irradiation module comprising an ultraviolet light source located inside the housing, which irradiates ultraviolet light from the ultraviolet light source toward the object being transported in the transport unit; A pair of light-shielding modules, each installed in the transport section as a light-shielding module according to any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising an upstream light-shielding module adjacent to the upstream side of the transport section with respect to the ultraviolet light irradiation module, and a downstream light-shielding module adjacent to the downstream side of the transport section with respect to the ultraviolet light irradiation module; A UV light irradiation system equipped with the following features.

5. The device includes a light-shielding mechanism, and a light-shielding unit that, in accordance with the operation of the light-shielding mechanism, blocks the ultraviolet light from the ultraviolet light source to the transport unit between the ultraviolet light source and the transport unit; A control unit that controls the operation of the light-shielding operating part of the light-shielding unit based at least on the open / closed state of the first open / closed shutter of either of the pair of light-shielding modules; The ultraviolet light irradiation system according to claim 4, further comprising the above.

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