Sterilization equipment

Abstract

To sterilize an object while preventing the object from getting wet.SOLUTION: A sterilization device 100 includes a storage part 2 for storing metal-containing water obtained by dispersing particles containing metal in water, a spray part 4 for spraying the metal-containing water stored in the storage part 2, and a base 1 mounted with the storage part 2 and the spray part 4. The particles have a sterilization function by metal. Since the sterilization function of the metal-containing water is a function that the metal contained in the metal-containing water has, it is possible to sterilize the object if at least the metal reaches the object, and it is not necessarily necessary that the water that is a liquid part of the metal-containing water does not reach the object.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] For example, there are known chemical solutions that have the function of reducing bacteria and inactivating viruses (hereinafter referred to as "sterilization"). For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a virus inactivating agent that is produced by adding additives to grapefruit seed extract and diluting it with water and alcohol. According to Patent Document 1, by mixing this virus inactivating agent with a liquid containing viruses, it is possible to inactivate the viruses in the liquid.

[0003] In addition, in general, a chemical solution such as ethanol or hypochlorous acid water is sprayed onto clothes, etc., to disinfect the clothes, etc. In this case, the ethanol or hypochlorous acid water needs to be sprayed onto the clothes, etc., to sufficiently wet the clothes, etc., in order to fully exert the disinfecting function. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2010-202632 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In the above-mentioned method, it is necessary to wet the object to be sterilized with the chemical solution. However, depending on the situation, wetting the object may not be desirable. For example, when sterilizing clothes worn by a person, the wearer of the clothes may not want the clothes to be wetted with the chemical solution.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the sterilization device according to the present disclosure is to sterilize an object while preventing the object from getting wet. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A sterilization device (100) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes a storage section (2) that stores metal-containing water in which particles (C) containing a metal (Cm) are dispersed in water, a spray section (4) that sprays the metal-containing water stored in the storage section (2), and a base (1) on which the storage section (2) and the spray section (4) are mounted, and the particles (C) have a sterilization function using the metal (Cm).

[0008] According to this sterilization device (100), by spraying the metal-containing water onto the object, the sterilization function of the metal-containing water can sterilize the object. Here, the sterilization function of the metal-containing water is a function possessed by the metal (Cm) contained in the metal-containing water. Therefore, if at least the metal (Cm) can be made to reach the object, the object can be sterilized, and it is not necessary to make the water, which is the liquid part of the metal-containing water, reach the object. Therefore, by placing the object in an area where the water of the metal-containing water sprayed by the spray unit (4) is vaporized, it is possible to make the metal (Cm) reach the object while preventing the water from reaching the object. In addition, in this sterilization device (100), since the spray unit (4) is mounted on the base (1), it is possible to position the object in an area where the water of the metal-containing water sprayed by the spray unit (4) is vaporized by placing the base (1) in accordance with a position where the object may be present. Therefore, this sterilization device (100) can sterilize the object while preventing the object from getting wet.

[0009] In the sterilization device (100) according to one aspect of the present disclosure, the metal (Cm) may contain silver having a particle size of 2 nm to 3 nm, which allows the sterilization function of silver having a so-called nanoscale particle size to be exerted, thereby making it possible to sterilize the target object particularly effectively.

[0010] In the sterilization apparatus (100) according to one aspect of the present disclosure, the particles (C) may include a carrier (Cc) that holds the metal (Cm). In this way, the carrier (Cc) can hold the metal (Cm) and maintain the metal (Cm) at an appropriate particle size, and the metal (Cm) can be suitably dispersed in water.

[0011] In the sterilization apparatus (100) according to one aspect of the present disclosure, the carrier (Cc) may contain silica having a particle size of 5 nm or more and 15 nm or less. This allows the particles (C) to more reliably reach the target when the metal-containing water is sprayed toward the target. In addition, chemical changes of the metal (Cm) held by the carrier (Cc) can be suppressed, and the color change of the metal-containing water can be suppressed.

[0012] In the sterilization device (100) according to one aspect of the present disclosure, the particles (C) may be a silver-silica composite, which allows the sterilization device (100) to optimally exhibit its functions and effects.

[0013] In the sterilization apparatus (100) according to one aspect of the present disclosure, the base (1) may have a plurality of spray units (4) mounted at different heights in the vertical direction, which allows the metal-containing water to be sprayed over a wider range in the vertical direction (height direction).

[0014] A sterilization device (100) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes a detection unit (5) that detects the presence of an object in a target region (R) that is a region within a preset distance range from the spray unit (4) in a direction in which the metal-containing water is sprayed from the spray unit (4), and a control unit (6) that controls the spraying of the metal-containing water by the spray unit (4), and the control unit (6) may cause the spray unit (4) to spray the metal-containing water when the detection unit (5) detects the presence of an object in the target region (R). In this way, when an object is present in a region within a suitable distance range from the spray unit (4), the metal-containing water can be automatically sprayed onto the object.

[0015] In the sterilization apparatus (100) according to one aspect of the present disclosure, the target region (R) may include a region between a first position (P1) preset as a position where water contained in the metal-containing water vaporizes, and a second position (P2) preset at a position farther from the spray unit (4) than the first position (P1), in the direction in which the metal-containing water is sprayed from the spray unit (4). In this way, when a target object is present in the region where the water of the metal-containing water sprayed by the spray unit (4) vaporizes, the metal-containing water can be automatically sprayed onto the target object.

[0016] In the sterilization device (100) according to one aspect of the present disclosure, the control unit (6) may not cause the spray unit (4) to spray the metal-containing water when the detection unit (5) does not detect the presence of an object in the target region (R). In this way, the metal-containing water is not sprayed when there is no object to be sterilized, thereby reducing consumption of the metal-containing water.

[0017] In the sterilization apparatus (100) according to one aspect of the present disclosure, the spray unit (4) may spray the metal-containing water so that the particle size of the sprayed metal-containing water is 1 μm or more and 10 μm or less. This makes it possible to more reliably vaporize the water contained in the metal-containing water while the metal-containing water sprayed from the spray unit (4) is suspended in the air in the form of a mist.

[0018] In the sterilization apparatus (100) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the spraying unit (4) may have a spray gun (40) that sprays a mixed fluid obtained by mixing the metal-containing water contained in the storage unit (2) with the pressurized gas from the opening (46a) of the nozzle (46). This can reduce the particle size of the metal-containing water sprayed from the spraying unit (4). As a result, the water contained in the metal-containing water can be more reliably vaporized while the metal-containing water sprayed from the spraying unit (4) is suspended in the air in the form of a mist. In addition, by mixing the metal-containing water contained in the storage unit (2) with the pressurized gas and spraying it, an airflow is generated that wraps around the back of an object that is present in the traveling direction of the metal-containing water and the gas, so that the particles (C) contained in the metal-containing water can reach the back side of the object.

[0019] Note that the reference symbols in parentheses above are intended to indicate the reference symbols of components in the embodiments described below as an example of the present disclosure, and are not intended to limit the present disclosure to the aspects of the embodiments. Effect of the Invention

[0020] In this way, the sterilization device according to the present disclosure can sterilize an object while preventing the object from getting wet. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0021] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a sterilization apparatus according to this embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a silver-silica complex contained in metal-containing water. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing flow paths of metal-containing water and gas in the sterilization apparatus. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of the spray gun. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0022] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, the same or corresponding parts in each drawing are given the same reference numerals, and duplicated explanations will be omitted.

[0023] [Configuration of sterilization device] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a sterilization device 100 according to this embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a silver-silica complex contained in metal-containing water. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the sterilization device 100 is a device that sprays metal-containing water, which is a chemical liquid having a sterilization function. In the following description, "bacteria" may include viruses in addition to bacteria. "Sterilization" means, for example, reducing bacteria or inactivating at least a part of viruses. In addition, sterilization may also include suppressing the growth of bacteria or viruses (i.e., antibacterial).

[0024] "Metal-containing water" is a chemical solution (liquid having a specific function) in which particles C containing metal Cm are dispersed in water, and has a function of sterilizing an object. Here, the metal-containing water is a chemical solution in which a silver-silica complex is dispersed in water. The metal-containing water contains, for example, 0.04 to 0.6 parts by mass of a silver-silica complex per 100 parts by mass of water (distilled water). The metal-containing water may contain 0.7 to 0.8 parts by mass of dipropylene glycol and 0.01 to 0.1 parts by mass of sodium alginate per 100 parts by mass of water.

[0025] The particles C contained in the metal-containing water are silver-silica composites, and contain a metal Cm and a carrier Cc. The metal Cm contains, for example, silver. Specifically, the metal Cm may have a granular shape (for example, spherical) with a particle size of 1 nm or more and 10 nm or less, or may have a granular shape with a particle size of 1.5 nm or more and 6 nm or less. Here, the metal Cm has a granular shape of 2 nm or more and 3 nm or less. The carrier Cc holds (supports) the metal Cm, and contains, for example, silica (amorphous silica). Here, the carrier Cc has a granular shape (for example, spherical) with a particle size of 5 nm or more and 15 nm or less.

[0026] Silver (nanosilver) having the particle size described above (i.e., so-called nanoscale particle size) is known to have a disinfecting function against many kinds of bacteria and viruses. The mechanism by which silver having a nanoscale particle size exerts its disinfecting function is thought to be, for example, that silver repeatedly releases and regains electrons in a short period of time, and the electrical energy generated at that time destroys bacteria or viruses. Since the silver-silica complex contains silver having such a nanoscale particle size, it has a disinfecting function due to the silver.

[0027] Fig. 3 is a diagram showing flow paths 21, 31 for metal-containing water and gas, respectively, in the sterilization apparatus 100. As shown in Figs. 1 and 3, the sterilization apparatus 100 includes a base 1, a storage unit 2, a gas pressurizing unit 3, a spray unit 4, a detection unit 5, and a control unit 6.

[0028] The base 1 is a cart on which the storage unit 2, the gas pressurizing unit 3, the spray unit 4, the detection unit 5, and the control unit 6 are mounted. The base 1 has a pedestal 10, casters 11, and a tower 12. The storage unit 2, the gas pressurizing unit 3, and the control unit 6 are mounted on the pedestal 10. The detection unit 5 is also installed on the front surface of the pedestal 10. The pedestal 10 is, for example, box-shaped, and is disposed near the floor surface. For example, four casters 11 are provided on the underside of the pedestal 10, allowing the pedestal 10 to move horizontally.

[0029] The tower 12 is a structure for holding the spray unit 4 at a predetermined position. The tower 12 is erected in a column shape from the upper surface side of the base 10 toward the vertically upward direction. The tower 12 holds a plurality of (more specifically, three) spray units 4, and these multiple spray units 4 are held at different heights. In other words, the tower 12 carries the multiple spray units 4 at different heights in the vertical direction.

[0030] The storage unit 2 has a tank 20 and a flow path 21. The tank 20 is a container for storing metal-containing water. The tank 20 is placed on the base 10 of the base 1. The flow path 21 is a pipe that connects the tank 20 and the spray unit 4 and sends the metal-containing water stored in the tank 20 to the spray unit 4. The flow path 21 extends mainly along the tower 12 of the base 1. The flow path 21 includes one base end flow path 21a directly connected to the tank 20, and a number of terminal flow paths 21b that branch from the base end flow path 21a to correspond to the number of spray units 4 and are directly connected to each spray unit 4. The metal-containing water sent out from the tank 20 passes through the base end flow path 21a, and is then diverted to each terminal flow path 21b and sent to each spray unit 4.

[0031] The gas pressurizing unit 3 has a compressor 30 and a flow path 31. The compressor 30 is a device that pressurizes and sends out a gas such as air. The compressor 30 is placed on the base 10 of the base 1. The flow path 31 is a pipe that connects the compressor 30 and the spray unit 4 and sends the gas sent out from the compressor 30 to the spray unit 4. The flow path 31 extends mainly along the tower 12 of the base 1. The flow path 31 includes one base end flow path 31a directly connected to the compressor 30, intermediate flow paths 31b branched from the base end flow path 31a into a number corresponding to the number of spray units 4, terminal flow paths 31c branched into two from each of the intermediate flow paths 31b and directly connected to each spray unit 4, and a plurality of (more specifically, three) solenoid valves 31d provided in each intermediate flow path 31b. The gas discharged from the compressor 30 passes through the base end flow path 31a and is then diverted to each intermediate flow path 31b. When the solenoid valve 31d provided at the middle of each intermediate flow path 31b is open, the gas that has passed through the intermediate flow path 31b proceeds to the terminal flow path 31c and is sent to each spray unit 4. On the other hand, when the solenoid valve 31d provided at the middle of each intermediate flow path 31b is closed, the gas that has passed through the intermediate flow path 31b stops proceeding. In this case, the pressure of the gas in each flow path is maintained in the intermediate flow path 31b and the terminal flow path 31c downstream of the solenoid valve 31d (i.e., on the spray unit 4 side).

[0032] Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of a spray gun 40. As shown in Fig. 4, the spray unit 4 is a spray gun 40, which sprays the metal-containing water contained in the storage unit 2. A plurality of spray units 4 (more specifically, three) are held in the tower 12 of the base 1. The metal-containing water contained in the tank 20 of the storage unit 2 flows into each spray unit 4 via a flow path 21. In addition, the gas (pressurized gas) sent out from the compressor 30 of the gas pressurizing unit 3 is sent to each spray unit 4 via the flow path 31 in two systems.

[0033] The spray gun 40 has a body 41, a needle 42, a fluororesin sheet 43, a spring 44, a metal-containing water inlet 45, a first gas inlet (not shown), a second gas inlet (not shown), and a nozzle 46. The body 41 is a housing of the spray gun 40. The needle 42 is a rod-shaped member having a tapered tip, and the fluororesin sheet 43 is a cylindrical member provided concentrically with the needle 42. The needle 42 advances and retreats in the axial direction, and the tip opens and closes one open end of the fluororesin sheet 43. The spring 44 biases the needle 42 toward the fluororesin sheet 43. As a result, the needle 42 is normally in a state in which one open end of the fluororesin sheet 43 is closed.

[0034] The metal-containing water inlet 45 is connected to the terminal flow path 21b of the flow path 21, and is an opening through which the metal-containing water is fed from the tank 20. The metal-containing water inlet 45 communicates with the inside of the cylinder of the fluororesin sheet 43 via the other open end of the fluororesin sheet 43 opposite the needle 42. Therefore, the metal-containing water fed to the metal-containing water inlet 45 passes through the inside of the cylinder of the fluororesin sheet 43 and reaches the tip of the needle 42.

[0035] The first gas inlet is connected to the terminal flow passage 31c of the flow passage 31, and is an opening through which the pressurized gas is sent from the compressor 30. The first gas inlet is formed on the side of the needle 42 and the fluororesin sheet 43 in the body 41, and communicates with the inside of the cylinder of the fluororesin sheet 43. Therefore, the pressurized gas sent to the first gas inlet reaches the tip portion of the needle 42.

[0036] The second gas inlet is connected to the end flow passage 31c of the flow passage 31, and is an opening through which the pressurized gas is fed from the compressor 30. When the pressurized gas is fed into the second gas inlet, the pressure of the pressurized gas causes the needle 42 to retreat toward the opposite side of the fluororesin sheet 43 against the biasing force acting on the needle 42 from the spring 44. As a result, one open end of the fluororesin sheet 43 is changed from a state in which the needle 42 closes the one open end to a state in which the one open end is opened. At this time, the metal-containing water fed from the metal-containing water inlet 45 and the pressurized gas fed from the first gas inlet have reached the tip of the needle 42, so that the pressure of the pressurized gas fed from the first gas inlet propels the metal-containing water toward the nozzle 46 at high speed.

[0037] Nozzle 46 is an ejection mechanism that ejects metal-containing water propelled by the pressure of the pressurized gas fed in from the first gas inlet. An opening 46a is formed at the tip of nozzle 46, and the metal-containing water is ejected (i.e., sprayed) from opening 46a while being atomized. In other words, spray gun 40 as spray unit 4 ejects a mixed fluid obtained by mixing the metal-containing water stored in storage unit 2 with the pressurized gas from opening 46a of nozzle 46.

[0038] The direction in which the mixed fluid is ejected from the opening 46a of the nozzle 46 can be changed arbitrarily. For example, the mounting angle of the spray gun 40 with respect to the tower 12 of the base 1 is variable, and the direction in which the mixed fluid is ejected can be changed by changing the mounting angle of the spray gun 40. This makes it possible to spray the mixed gas obliquely downward, for example, or to spray the mixed gas toward the entire surrounding space.

[0039] The spray gun 40 as the spray unit 4 sprays the metal-containing water so that the particle size of the sprayed metal-containing water is 1 μm or more and 10 μm or less. To satisfy such a condition, for example, the inner diameter of the opening 46a of the nozzle 46 may be formed to be smaller than that of a normal spray gun.

[0040] The detection unit 5 is a sensor that detects the presence of an object in a target region R, which is a region within a preset distance range from the spray unit 4 in the direction in which the metal-containing water is sprayed from the spray unit 4. The detection unit 5 may be, for example, an infrared sensor. Here, the "direction in which the metal-containing water is sprayed from the spray unit 4" means the front of the nozzle 46 of the spray unit 4, and more specifically, the direction in which the mixed fluid is ejected from the opening 46a of the nozzle 46. The "object" means an object to be sterilized by the metal-containing water, and may be either an object or a living organism (including a person). Information on the detection result by the detection unit 5 is output to the control unit 6.

[0041] Here, the "target area" refers to an area within a preset distance range from the spray unit 4, and is an area where the target object should be sterilized. Here, the target area R includes an area between a first position P1, which is preset as a position where the water contained in the metal-containing water evaporates, and a second position P2, which is preset at a position farther from the spray unit 4 than the first position P1, in the direction in which the metal-containing water is sprayed from the spray unit 4. Note that the target area R may be an area included between the first position P1 and the second position P2.

[0042] In FIG. 1, the solid arrow indicates the approximate direction in which the metal-containing water sprayed from each spray unit 4 scatters before the water evaporates, and the dashed arrow indicates the approximate direction in which the silver-silica composite particles C scatter after the water evaporates. In this situation, the first position P1 is set at the boundary position between the solid arrow and the dashed arrow (i.e., the position where the water contained in the metal-containing water evaporates) or in its vicinity. The second position is set at the end position of the dashed arrow (i.e., the position where the particles C finally reach after the water contained in the metal-containing water evaporates) or in its vicinity. Note that the "position where the particles C finally reach" may mean the furthest position where the particles C can reach in an amount sufficient to exert a sufficient sterilization function. The second position P2 may be set at a position spaced from the first position P1 by a preset distance (e.g., 0.5 m, 1 m, 2 m, etc.).

[0043] The control unit 6 is a controller that controls the spraying of metal-containing water by the spray unit 4. The control unit 6, for example, transmits an opening / closing command to each solenoid valve 31d included in the flow path 31 of the gas pressurizing unit 3 to open or close the solenoid valve 31d, thereby opening or closing the solenoid valve 31d. The control unit 6 may be capable of selectively transmitting an opening / closing command to any one or more solenoid valves 31d among the plurality of solenoid valves 31d. For example, the control unit 6 may transmit an opening / closing command only to the solenoid valve 31d associated with the spray unit 4 that is disposed at a height corresponding to the height of the target, based on information regarding the height of the target acquired by any sensor.

[0044] When solenoid valve 31d is opened, the pressurized gas that has passed through intermediate flow path 31b in which solenoid valve 31d is provided is fed into a second gas inlet provided in spray gun 40 serving as spray unit 4. As a result, spray gun 40 is actuated, and a mixed fluid of metal-containing water and pressurized gas is sprayed from opening 46a of nozzle 46.

[0045] For example, when the detection unit 5 detects that an object is present in the target area R (i.e., when the detection result information input from the detection unit 5 to the control unit 6 is information indicating that an object is present in the target area R), the control unit 6 transmits a command to each solenoid valve 31d to open the solenoid valves 31d, thereby causing the spray unit 4 to spray the metal-containing water. In other words, when the detection unit 5 detects that an object is present in the target area R, the control unit 6 permits the spray unit 4 to spray the metal-containing water. When the detection unit 5 detects that an object is present in the target area R, the control unit 6 may cause the spray unit 4 to spray the metal-containing water for a preset period (e.g., 3 seconds, 5 seconds, 10 seconds, etc.).

[0046] On the other hand, when solenoid valve 31d is closed, the pressurized gas does not pass through intermediate flow path 31b in which solenoid valve 31d is provided, and the pressurized gas is not fed to the second gas inlet provided in spray gun 40 serving as spray unit 4. As a result, spray gun 40 does not operate, and the mixed fluid of metal-containing water and pressurized gas is not sprayed from opening 46a of nozzle 46.

[0047] For example, when the detection unit 5 does not detect the presence of an object in the target area R (i.e., when the detection result information input from the detection unit 5 to the control unit 6 is information indicating that an object is not present in the target area R, or when no detection result information is input from the detection unit 5 to the control unit 6), the control unit 6 does not cause the spray unit 4 to spray the metal-containing water by sending a command to each solenoid valve 31d to close each solenoid valve 31d. In other words, when the detection unit 5 does not detect the presence of an object in the target area R, the control unit 6 prohibits the spray unit 4 from spraying the metal-containing water.

[0048] [Action and Effects] As described above, the sterilization device 100 comprises a storage section 2 that stores metal-containing water in which particles C containing metal Cm are dispersed in water, a spray section 4 that sprays the metal-containing water stored in the storage section 2, and a base 1 on which the storage section 2 and the spray section 4 are mounted, and the particles C have a sterilization function using the metal Cm.

[0049] According to the sterilization device 100, by spraying the metal-containing water on the object, the sterilization function of the metal-containing water can sterilize the object. Here, the sterilization function of the metal-containing water is a function possessed by the metal Cm contained in the metal-containing water. Therefore, if at least the metal Cm can be made to reach the object, the object can be sterilized, and it is not necessary to make the water, which is the liquid part of the metal-containing water, reach the object. Therefore, by placing the object in an area where the water of the metal-containing water sprayed by the spray unit 4 is vaporized, it is possible to make the metal Cm reach the object while suppressing the water from reaching the object. In addition, in this sterilization device 100, since the spray unit 4 is mounted on the base 1, it is possible to position the object in an area where the water of the metal-containing water sprayed by the spray unit 4 is vaporized by placing the base 1 in accordance with a position where the object may be present. Therefore, this sterilization device 100 can sterilize the object while suppressing the object from getting wet.

[0050] In the sterilization device 100, the metal Cm contains silver having a particle size of 2 nm to 3 nm. This allows the sterilization function of silver having a so-called nanoscale particle size to be exerted, making it possible to sterilize the target object particularly effectively.

[0051] In the sterilization apparatus 100, the particles C contain the carriers Cc that hold the metal Cm. This allows the carriers Cc to hold the metal Cm and maintain the metal Cm at an appropriate particle size, and allows the metal Cm to be suitably dispersed in water.

[0052] In the sterilization apparatus 100, the carrier Cc contains silica having a particle size of 5 nm or more and 15 nm or less. This makes it possible for the particles C to more reliably reach the target object when the metal-containing water is sprayed toward the target object.

[0053] In the sterilization device 100, the particles C are silver-silica complexes. This allows the sterilization device 100 to optimally exert its functions and effects.

[0054] In the sterilization apparatus 100, a plurality of spray units 4 are mounted on the base 1 at different heights in the vertical direction. This makes it possible to spray the metal-containing water over a wider range in the vertical height direction.

[0055] The sterilization device 100 includes a detection unit 5 that detects the presence of an object in a target region R, which is a region within a preset distance range from the spray unit 4 in the direction in which the metal-containing water is sprayed from the spray unit 4, and a control unit 6 that controls the spraying of the metal-containing water by the spray unit 4, and when the detection unit 5 detects the presence of an object in the target region R, the control unit 6 causes the spray unit 4 to spray the metal-containing water. In this way, when an object is present in a region within a suitable distance range from the spray unit 4, the metal-containing water can be automatically sprayed onto the object.

[0056] In the sterilization device 100, the target region R includes a region between a first position P1, which is preset as a position where water contained in the metal-containing water vaporizes, in the direction in which the metal-containing water is sprayed from the spray unit 4, and a second position P2, which is preset at a position farther from the spray unit 4 than the first position P1. As a result, when a target object is present in the region where the water of the metal-containing water sprayed by the spray unit 4 is vaporized, the metal-containing water can be automatically sprayed onto the target object.

[0057] In the sterilization device 100, the control unit 6 does not cause the spray unit 4 to spray the metal-containing water when the detection unit 5 does not detect the presence of an object in the target region R. This prevents the metal-containing water from being sprayed when there is no object to be sterilized, thereby reducing consumption of the metal-containing water.

[0058] In the sterilization device 100, the spray unit 4 sprays the metal-containing water so that the particle size of the sprayed metal-containing water is 1 μm or more and 10 μm or less. This makes it possible to more reliably vaporize the water contained in the metal-containing water while the metal-containing water sprayed from the spray unit 4 is suspended in the air in the form of a mist.

[0059] In the sterilization device 100, the spraying unit 4 has a spray gun 40 that sprays a mixed fluid obtained by mixing the metal-containing water stored in the storage unit 2 with the pressurized gas from the opening 46a of the nozzle 46. This makes it possible to reduce the particle size of the metal-containing water sprayed from the spraying unit 4. As a result, while the metal-containing water sprayed from the spraying unit 4 is suspended in the air in the form of a mist, the water contained in the metal-containing water can be more reliably vaporized. In addition, by mixing the metal-containing water stored in the storage unit 2 with the pressurized gas and spraying it, an airflow is generated that wraps around the back of the object present in the traveling direction of the metal-containing water and the gas, so that the particles C contained in the metal-containing water can reach the back side of the object.

[0060] [Variations] The above-described embodiment can be implemented in various forms that are modified or improved based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art.

[0061] For example, in the above embodiment, the particles C contained in the metal-containing water contain nanoscale silver as the metal Cm. However, the particles C contained in the metal-containing water may contain other substances having a sterilization function as the metal Cm, for example, nanoscale titanium. Even in this case, the sterilization device has the same action and effect as the sterilization device 100 according to the above embodiment.

[0062] In the above embodiment, the sterilization apparatus 100 includes three spray units 4, and these three spray units 4 are mounted on one tower 12. However, the sterilization apparatus 100 may include only one spray unit 4, or may include a plurality of spray units 4 other than three. In addition, when the sterilization apparatus 100 includes a plurality of spray units 4, these plurality of spray units 4 may be mounted on a plurality of towers 12.

[0063] In the above embodiment, the spray unit 4 is a spray gun. However, the spray unit 4 is not limited to a spray gun, and any mechanism may be used as long as the mechanism is capable of spraying the metal-containing water contained in the container 2.

[0064] [Example] An example of the sterilization device will be described. However, the sterilization device according to the present disclosure is not limited to the following example. In the example, the spray unit is one two-fluid nozzle (manufactured by Spraying Systems Japan LLC), the air pressure used is 0.07 to 0.35 MPa, the air flow rate used is 3 to 15 L (normal) / min, the liquid flow rate used is 1.0 to 30 mL / min, the spray angle is 0 to 90 degrees, and the viscosity of the liquid used is 0.5 to 30000 mPa·s. As a result, it was confirmed that the particle size of the sprayed droplets was about 1 to 10 μm. It was also confirmed that the water contained in the metal-containing water evaporated while the sprayed metal-containing water was suspended in the air in a mist form. [Explanation of symbols]

[0065] 1 Base 2. Storage section 3 Gas pressurization section 4 Spray part 5. Detection unit 6. Control Unit 40 Spray Gun 46 Nozzles 46a opening 100 Sterilization device C particle Cc Carrier Cm metal P1 1st position P2 2nd position R Subject Area

Claims

1. a storage section for storing metal-containing water in which metal-containing particles are dispersed in water; a spray unit that sprays the metal-containing water contained in the container; A base on which the storage unit and the spray unit are mounted; a detection unit that detects the presence of a target object in a target area, which is an area within a preset distance range from the spray unit in a direction in which the metal-containing water is sprayed from the spray unit; a control unit that controls the spraying of the metal-containing water by the spray unit; Equipped with The particles have a sterilization function due to the metal, the target area detected by the detection unit is an area between a first position, in a direction in which the metal-containing water is sprayed from the spray unit, that is preset as a position where the water contained in the metal-containing water sprayed from the spray unit evaporates, and a second position, that is farther from the spray unit than the first position and that is preset as the farthest position that the particles can reach after the water contained in the metal-containing water evaporates; The control unit causes the spray unit to spray the metal-containing water when the detection unit detects the presence of the object in the target area.

2. The sterilization device according to claim 1 , wherein the second position is a position preset as the farthest position that the particles can reach in an amount sufficient to exert a sufficient sterilization function after the water contained in the metal-containing water is evaporated.

3. The sterilization apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the metal-containing water contains 0.01 to 0.1 parts by mass of sodium alginate per 100 parts by mass of water.

4. The sterilization device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the metal contains silver having a particle size of 2 nm or more and 3 nm or less.

5. The sterilization device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the particles include a carrier that holds the metal.

6. The sterilization device according to claim 5 , wherein the carrier contains silica having a particle size of 5 nm or more and 15 nm or less.

7. The sterilization device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the particles are silver-silica composites.

8. The sterilization apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the base mounts a plurality of the spray units at different heights in the vertical direction.

9. The sterilization device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the control unit does not cause the spray unit to spray the metal-containing water when the detection unit does not detect the presence of the target object in the target area.

10. The sterilization device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the spray unit sprays the metal-containing water so that the particle size of the sprayed metal-containing water is 1 µm or more and 10 µm or less.

11. The sterilization device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the spray unit has a spray gun that sprays a mixed fluid obtained by mixing the metal-containing water contained in the storage unit with a pressurized gas from an opening of a nozzle.

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