Ultraviolet light irradiation system and control method

Abstract

The purpose of the present invention is to provide an ultraviolet light irradiation system that is easy to operate and makes it possible to avoid deterioration of a material due to ultraviolet light. An ultraviolet light irradiation system according to the present invention comprises: one ultraviolet light source unit 11 that generates ultraviolet light; an irradiation unit 13 that irradiates only a predetermined location (an irradiation location ste) with the ultraviolet light; an optical fiber 14 that transmits the ultraviolet light from the ultraviolet light source unit 11 to the irradiation unit 13; a sensing unit 16 that monitors the state of the irradiation location ste and outputs the result as monitoring information; and an irradiation control unit 15 that uses the monitoring information as a basis to control the output of the ultraviolet light from the ultraviolet light source unit 11.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an ultraviolet light irradiation system that uses ultraviolet light to sterilize or inactivate viruses, and a control method thereof. [Background technology]

[0002] For the purpose of preventing infectious diseases, etc., there is an increasing demand for systems that use ultraviolet light to sterilize and inactivate viruses. In particular, technology has been disclosed that sterilizes and inactivates viruses by irradiating elevator buttons, which are used by an unspecified number of people, with ultraviolet light (see, for example, Non-Patent Documents 1 and 2). In this specification, the term "sterilization, etc." refers to sterilization and inactivation of viruses. (1) Mobile sterilization robot Non-Patent Document 1 describes a technology in which a robot equipped with an ultraviolet light irradiation system gets into an elevator and irradiates ultraviolet light onto target areas for sterilization, such as elevator buttons. (2) Stationary systems Non-Patent Document 2 describes a technology in which ultraviolet light is installed on the ceiling or the like, and ultraviolet light is irradiated onto target locations for sterilization, such as elevator buttons. [Prior art documents] [Non-patent literature]

[0003] [Non-Patent Document 1] Nikkei website (https: / / www.nikkei.com / article / DGXZQODZ038JA0T01C20A2000000 / ), retrieved May 26, 2021 [Non-Patent Document 2] Emiya Holdings Co., Ltd. website (https: / / ene-save.jp / news / 5382.html), retrieved May 26, 2021 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the devices described in the non-patent literature have the following problems. (A) Operational Difficulties The technology of Non-Patent Document 1 requires the robot to be moved into an elevator or the like each time ultraviolet light is irradiated, but it is difficult to perform frequent sterilization, etc., when considering the operation of elevators, etc. In other words, the technology of Non-Patent Document 1 has the problem that, depending on the target of sterilization, etc., the frequency of use of the robot decreases, and as a result, it is difficult to obtain the effect of sterilization, etc. (B) Material Deterioration The irradiation light described in Non-Patent Document 2 has a wide irradiation range of ultraviolet light, and ultraviolet light is irradiated even on parts that do not actually require sterilization. This may cause deterioration of the material in the part due to the ultraviolet light. In other words, the technology in Non-Patent Document 2 has the problem that it is difficult to avoid deterioration of the material due to ultraviolet light.

[0005] In order to solve these problems, the present invention aims to provide an ultraviolet light irradiation system and control method that is easy to operate and can avoid deterioration of materials due to ultraviolet light. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, the ultraviolet light irradiation system according to the present invention transmits ultraviolet light from a light source through an optical fiber, delivers it to an irradiation unit installed inside an elevator or the like, and irradiates a target location after adjusting the beam and irradiation position in the irradiation unit. In addition, the irradiation timing is controlled in cooperation with a sensing function of a surveillance camera or the like.

[0007] Specifically, the ultraviolet light irradiation system according to the present invention comprises: One ultraviolet light source unit that generates ultraviolet light; an irradiation unit that irradiates the ultraviolet light only to a desired location; an optical fiber that propagates the ultraviolet light from the ultraviolet light source unit to the irradiation unit; a sensing unit that monitors a state of the desired location and outputs the state as monitoring information; an irradiation control unit that controls an output of the ultraviolet light from the ultraviolet light source unit based on the monitoring information; Equipped with.

[0008] A control method according to the present invention is a control method for an ultraviolet light irradiation system including one ultraviolet light source unit that generates ultraviolet light, an irradiation unit that irradiates the ultraviolet light in a limited manner to a desired location, an optical fiber that propagates the ultraviolet light from the ultraviolet light source unit to the irradiation unit, and a sensing unit that monitors a state of the desired location, the control method comprising: the sensing unit outputs the state of the desired location as monitoring information; controlling an output of the ultraviolet light from the ultraviolet light source unit based on the monitoring information; It is characterized by:

[0009] This UV light irradiation system is not a robot, but has a simple configuration with only an optical fiber and an irradiation unit installed in an elevator, etc., and is ready to irradiate UV light to the target for sterilization, etc. at any time. This UV light irradiation system is also equipped with a sensing unit, and can be easily operated since it can irradiate UV light immediately at the desired time and place to achieve the effect of sterilization, etc. In addition, this UV irradiation system uses light sources such as lasers / LEDs that can focus the beam, allowing pinpoint irradiation of UV light only to the target areas for sterilization, etc. This configuration of the UV irradiation system makes it possible to avoid irradiating unnecessary areas with UV light, preventing deterioration of the material in those areas.

[0010] Therefore, the present invention can provide an ultraviolet light irradiation system that is easy to operate and can avoid deterioration of materials due to ultraviolet light.

[0011] The monitoring information of the ultraviolet light irradiation system according to the present invention is characterized in that it is information that the desired location has been touched by a person.

[0012] The sensing unit detects when a person touches a button of an elevator or the like, and transmits the information to the irradiation control unit as monitoring information. The sensing unit also detects when a person has left the elevator or the like, and transmits the information to the irradiation control unit. Based on this information, the irradiation control unit can cause the ultraviolet light source unit to irradiate ultraviolet light onto the button that the person touched at the time when the person left the elevator or the like.

[0013] Furthermore, the irradiation unit of the ultraviolet light irradiation system of the present invention has an adjustment unit that adjusts the irradiation direction of the ultraviolet light, the monitoring information also includes information on the position of the desired location touched by a person, and the irradiation control unit instructs the adjustment unit on the irradiation direction of the ultraviolet light based on the monitoring information.

[0014] The sensing unit identifies the elevator button that the person touches and transmits the information to the irradiation control unit as monitoring information. The irradiation control unit controls the adjustment unit of the irradiation unit to change the irradiation direction of the ultraviolet light so that the ultraviolet light is irradiated onto the button based on the information. Then, the irradiation control unit controls the ultraviolet light to be irradiated onto the button that the person touched when the person leaves the elevator or the like.

[0015] This ultraviolet light irradiation system uses a sensing unit such as a surveillance camera to monitor the inside of an elevator, etc., and can determine the time and place where sterilization is necessary, such as when a person touches a certain button, and then irradiate ultraviolet light only at that time and place.

[0016] The ultraviolet light irradiation system according to the present invention is characterized in that the irradiation units are multiple and further includes an optical branching device that branches the ultraviolet light to each of the irradiation units.

[0017] This ultraviolet light irradiation system has a system configuration in which a single ultraviolet light source unit and multiple irradiation units installed near multiple target locations to be sterilized, etc. are connected by optical fibers via a distribution function unit. With this configuration, this ultraviolet light irradiation system can share a single ultraviolet light source unit for sterilization, etc., of multiple target locations. This makes this ultraviolet light irradiation system economical.

[0018] The optical fiber of the ultraviolet light irradiation system according to the present invention is characterized in that it is any one of a solid-core optical fiber, a hole-assisted optical fiber, a hole-structured optical fiber, a hollow-core optical fiber, a coupled-core optical fiber, a solid-core multi-core optical fiber, a hole-assisted multi-core optical fiber, a hole-structured multi-core optical fiber, a hollow-core multi-core optical fiber, and a coupled-core multi-core optical fiber. The optical fiber can increase the transmitted light intensity of ultraviolet light and reduce leakage loss at bending parts, etc.

[0019] The above-mentioned inventions can be combined as much as possible. Effect of the Invention

[0020] The present invention can provide an ultraviolet light irradiation system that is easy to operate and can avoid deterioration of materials due to ultraviolet light. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0021] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an ultraviolet light irradiation system according to the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an ultraviolet light irradiation system according to the present invention. [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an ultraviolet light irradiation system according to the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a cross-sectional structure of an optical fiber. [Diagram 5] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating pinpoint irradiation. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a control method according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0022] The embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The embodiments described below are examples of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments. Note that components with the same reference numerals in this specification and drawings indicate the same components.

[0023] (Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an ultraviolet light irradiation system 301 according to the present embodiment. The ultraviolet light irradiation system 301 includes: One ultraviolet light source unit 11 that generates ultraviolet light; An irradiation unit 13 that irradiates the ultraviolet light only to a desired location (irradiation location ste); an optical fiber 14 that transmits the ultraviolet light from the ultraviolet light source unit 11 to the irradiation unit 13; A sensing unit 16 that monitors the state of the irradiation point ste and outputs it as monitoring information; an irradiation control unit 15 that controls the output of the ultraviolet light from the ultraviolet light source unit 11 based on the monitoring information; Equipped with.

[0024] The ultraviolet light source unit 11 outputs light in the ultraviolet region that is effective for sterilization. The ultraviolet light source unit 11 outputs the ultraviolet light to the optical fiber 14. The ultraviolet light source unit 11 controls the power, output, or stop of the ultraviolet light according to an instruction 17c from the irradiation control unit 15. The ultraviolet light source unit 11 is a light source capable of narrowing down the beam of ultraviolet light emitted from the irradiation unit 13. The ultraviolet light source unit 11 is, for example, a semiconductor laser, a fiber laser, an excimer laser, or a light-emitting diode (LED).

[0025] The optical fiber 14 propagates the ultraviolet light from the ultraviolet light source unit 11 to the irradiation unit 13. The optical fiber 14 is preferably an optical fiber having a cross-sectional structure shown in Fig. 4, which can propagate ultraviolet light with high intensity and enables sterilization and the like in a short period of time. (1) Solid-core optical fiber This optical fiber has one solid core 52 in the cladding 60, which has a higher refractive index than the cladding 60. "Solid" means "not hollow." Note that a solid core can also be realized by forming an annular low refractive index region in the cladding. (2) Hole-assisted optical fiber This optical fiber has a solid core 52 and multiple holes 53 arranged around its periphery in a cladding 60. The medium of the holes 53 is air, and the refractive index of air is sufficiently smaller than that of silica-based glass. Therefore, the hole-assisted optical fiber has the function of returning light that has leaked from the core 52 due to bending or the like back to the core 52, and is characterized by small bending loss. (3) Hole-structure optical fiber This optical fiber has a group of holes 53a of a plurality of holes 53 in the cladding 60, and has an effective refractive index lower than that of the host material (glass, etc.). This structure is called a photonic crystal fiber. This structure can have a structure in which a high refractive index core with a changed refractive index does not exist, and light can be confined with the region 52a surrounded by the holes 53 as the effective core region. Compared to optical fibers with a solid core, photonic crystal fibers can reduce the effects of absorption and scattering loss due to additives in the core, and can achieve optical properties that cannot be achieved with solid optical fibers, such as reduced bending loss and control of nonlinear effects. (4) Hollow-core optical fiber This optical fiber has a core region made of air. The cladding region has a photonic band gap structure with multiple air holes or an antiresonant structure with thin glass wires, allowing light to be confined to the core region. This optical fiber has small nonlinear effects and is capable of supplying high-output or high-energy lasers. (5) Coupled-core optical fiber This optical fiber has multiple solid cores 52 with a high refractive index arranged closely together in a cladding 60. This optical fiber guides light by optical wave coupling between the solid cores 52. A coupled-core optical fiber can disperse and transmit light for the number of cores, allowing for high power output for efficient sterilization. In addition, a coupled-core optical fiber has the advantage of mitigating fiber deterioration caused by ultraviolet light, thereby extending the lifespan. (6) Solid-core multi-core optical fiber In this optical fiber, multiple solid cores 52 with a high refractive index are spaced apart in a cladding 60. In this optical fiber, the optical wave coupling between the solid cores 52 is sufficiently small so that the influence of the optical wave coupling can be ignored, and light is guided in this state. Therefore, the solid-core type multi-core optical fiber has the advantage that each core can be treated as an independent waveguide. (7) Hole-assisted multi-core optical fiber This optical fiber has a structure in which a plurality of the hole structures and core regions described above in (2) are arranged in a cladding 60. (8) Hole-structured multi-core optical fiber This optical fiber has a structure in which a plurality of the above-mentioned (3) hole structures are arranged in the cladding 60. (9) Hollow-core multi-core optical fiber This optical fiber has a structure in which a plurality of the above-mentioned (4) hole structures are arranged in the cladding 60. (10) Coupled-core multi-core optical fiber This optical fiber has a structure in which a plurality of coupled core structures (5) described above are arranged in a cladding 60.

[0026] The irradiation unit 13 irradiates the ultraviolet light transmitted through the optical fiber 14 to a predetermined irradiation target ste to be sterilized. The irradiation unit 13 is composed of an optical system such as a lens designed for the wavelength of ultraviolet light, and the optical system narrows the ultraviolet light beam to pinpoint the ultraviolet light to the irradiation target ste. In this embodiment, the irradiation direction of the ultraviolet light (the direction in which the ultraviolet light can be irradiated to the irradiation target) or the beam diameter is adjusted and fixed in advance by an operator or the like.

[0027] Incidentally, "pinpoint irradiation" means the following (see FIG. 5). FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an ultraviolet light beam being irradiated onto one of the elevator destination floor buttons (irradiation target ste). When an ultraviolet light beam is irradiated onto a wall or the like, the resulting beam spot 41 is circular or elliptical. The irradiation target ste is included within this circular or elliptical beam spot 41, and the area of ​​the portion oth irradiated by the ultraviolet light other than the irradiation target ste is made as small as possible.

[0028] The illumination target ste is something that can be touched by people. For example, the illumination target ste is an elevator hall, a destination floor button in an elevator, or a strap on a bus or train.

[0029] The sensing unit 16 monitors the state of the irradiation target ste and transmits the monitoring information Info to the irradiation control unit 15. For example, the sensing unit 16 is a surveillance camera, and acquires the monitoring information Info, such as when and which elevator button was touched by a person and whether there is a person in the elevator, by image recognition processing, and transmits it to the irradiation control unit 15. The sensing unit 16 may also be a sensor arranged in each irradiation target ste, and may detect the touch by the sensor. Note that the communication path 17a from the sensing unit 16 to the irradiation control unit 15 may be wired or wireless.

[0030] The irradiation control unit 15 judges the time and place where ultraviolet light irradiation is necessary based on the monitoring information Info from the sensing unit 16. For example, the irradiation control unit 15 judges that ultraviolet light irradiation is necessary for 10 seconds for a button touched by a person. The irradiation control unit 15 also judges the presence or absence of a person near the irradiation target ste from the monitoring information Info. Based on this judgment result, the irradiation control unit 15 issues an instruction 17b to the ultraviolet light source unit 11 to output ultraviolet light. Specifically, the irradiation control unit 15 judges which destination floor button in the elevator the person touched based on the monitoring information Info, and after confirming that there is no person in the elevator, instructs the ultraviolet light source 11 that can irradiate the button with ultraviolet light to output ultraviolet light. Here, the intensity and irradiation time of the ultraviolet light may be appropriately changed.

[0031] With this configuration, the ultraviolet light irradiation system 301 can sterilize elevator buttons and other objects used by an unspecified number of people by irradiating them with pinpoint ultraviolet light, thereby avoiding deterioration of the materials in other parts.

[0032] (Embodiment 2) Fig. 2 is a diagram for explaining an ultraviolet light irradiation system 302 of this embodiment. The ultraviolet light irradiation system 302 has the following functions in addition to the ultraviolet light irradiation system 301 of Fig. 1. The irradiation unit 13 has an adjustment unit 13a that adjusts the irradiation direction of the ultraviolet light. The monitoring information Info also includes information on the position of the irradiation target ste touched by a person. The irradiation control unit 15 instructs the adjustment unit 13a on the irradiation direction of the ultraviolet light based on the monitoring information Info. In this embodiment, only the parts that are different from the ultraviolet light irradiation system 301 will be described.

[0033] The adjustment unit 13a is an actuator and adjusts the irradiation direction of the ultraviolet light. The sensing unit 16 also detects information on the position of the irradiation target ste touched by the person (for example, in the case of FIG. 5, information on which destination floor button the person touched), and includes this in the monitoring information Info.

[0034] The irradiation control unit 15 instructs the adjustment unit 13a of the irradiation unit 13 to adjust the ultraviolet light beam so that it is directed toward the irradiation target ste touched by the person, based on the information on the position of the irradiation target ste touched by the person in the monitoring information Info. Specifically, the irradiation control unit 15 determines which destination floor button in the elevator the person touched based on the monitoring information Info, and after confirming that there is no person in the elevator, instructs the adjustment unit 13a to adjust the beam so that the ultraviolet light can be irradiated to the button. Note that the communication path 17c from the irradiation control unit 15 to the adjustment unit 13a may be wired or wireless.

[0035] With this configuration, the ultraviolet light irradiation system 302 can sterilize elevator buttons used by an unspecified number of people with pinpoint ultraviolet light irradiation, and can avoid material deterioration of other parts. In addition, the ultraviolet light irradiation system 302 can sterilize a large number of irradiation targets with one ultraviolet light source, making it economical.

[0036] (Embodiment 3) 3 is a diagram illustrating an ultraviolet light irradiation system 303 of this embodiment. The ultraviolet light irradiation system 303 further has the following functions in addition to those of the ultraviolet light irradiation system 301 of FIG. There are a plurality of irradiation units 13. The apparatus further includes an optical splitter 12 that splits the ultraviolet light into the respective irradiation units 13. In this embodiment, only the parts that are different from the ultraviolet light irradiation system 301 will be described.

[0037] In this embodiment, the number of the irradiation units 13 is N (N is a natural number equal to or greater than 2). Each irradiation unit 13 is adjusted to irradiate ultraviolet light to a different irradiation target ste (for example, each destination floor button in FIG. 5). The optical branching device 12 distributes the ultraviolet light from the ultraviolet light source unit 11 to each irradiation unit 13. The optical branching device 12 is, for example, an optical splitter or an optical switch.

[0038] The sensing unit 16 also detects information on the position of the irradiation target ste touched by the person (for example, in the case of FIG. 5, information on which destination floor button the person touched), and includes this in the monitoring information Info.

[0039] Based on the information on the position of the irradiation target ste touched by the person in the monitoring information Info, the irradiation control unit 15 issues an instruction 17d to the optical splitter 12 to switch the path so that the ultraviolet light is irradiated to the irradiation target ste touched by the person. Specifically, based on the monitoring information Info, the irradiation control unit 15 determines which destination floor button in the elevator the person touched, and after confirming that there is no person left in the elevator, instructs the optical splitter 12 to switch the optical path so that the ultraviolet light can be irradiated to the button.

[0040] In addition, if the optical branching device 12 is an optical splitter, it cannot switch paths like an optical switch. In this case, the irradiation control unit 15 instructs the ultraviolet light source unit 11 to output ultraviolet light after confirming that there is no one in the elevator based on the monitoring information Info.

[0041] With this configuration, the ultraviolet light irradiation system 303 can sterilize elevator buttons used by an unspecified number of people with pinpoint ultraviolet light irradiation, and can avoid material deterioration of other parts. In addition, the ultraviolet light irradiation system 303 is economical because it can sterilize a large number of irradiation targets with one ultraviolet light source unit.

[0042] FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a method for controlling the operation of the ultraviolet light irradiation system (301 to 303). This control method is a method for controlling the ultraviolet light irradiation system described above, The sensing unit 16 outputs the state of the desired location ste as monitoring information (step S01); Controlling the output of the ultraviolet light from the ultraviolet light source unit 11 based on the monitoring information (step S02); It is characterized by:

[0043] The ultraviolet light irradiation system (301 to 303) may repeat steps S01 and S02. [Explanation of symbols]

[0044] 11: Ultraviolet light source section 12: Optical splitter 13: Irradiation unit 13a: Adjustment section 14: Optical fiber 15: Irradiation control unit 16: Sensing section 41: Beam spot 52: Enrichment Core 52a:Area 53: Vacancy 53a: Vacancy group 60: Clad 301-303: Ultraviolet light irradiation system ste: Irradiation target (object to be irradiated with ultraviolet light)

Claims

1. One ultraviolet light source unit that generates ultraviolet light; an irradiation unit that narrows the ultraviolet light beam using an optical system designed for the wavelength of the ultraviolet light and irradiates the ultraviolet light only to a desired location; an optical fiber that propagates the ultraviolet light from the ultraviolet light source unit to the irradiation unit; a sensing unit that monitors a state of the desired location and outputs the state as monitoring information; an irradiation control unit that controls an output of the ultraviolet light from the ultraviolet light source unit based on the monitoring information; Equipped with The monitoring information is information that the desired location has been touched by a person. An ultraviolet light irradiation system comprising:

2. The irradiation unit has an adjustment unit that adjusts the irradiation direction of the ultraviolet light, The monitoring information also includes information on the location of the desired location touched by a person, 2. The ultraviolet light irradiation system according to claim 1, wherein the irradiation control unit instructs the adjustment unit on the irradiation direction of the ultraviolet light based on the monitoring information.

3. The irradiation unit is a plurality of units, 3. The ultraviolet light irradiation system according to claim 1, further comprising an optical splitter that splits the ultraviolet light into the respective irradiation units.

4. 4. The ultraviolet light irradiation system according to claim 1, wherein the optical fiber is any one of a solid-core optical fiber, a hole-assisted optical fiber, a hole-structured optical fiber, a hollow-core optical fiber, a coupled-core optical fiber, a solid-core multi-core optical fiber, a hole-assisted multi-core optical fiber, a hole-structured multi-core optical fiber, a hollow-core multi-core optical fiber, and a coupled-core multi-core optical fiber.

5. One ultraviolet light source unit that generates ultraviolet light; an irradiation unit that narrows the ultraviolet light beam using an optical system designed for the wavelength of the ultraviolet light and irradiates the ultraviolet light only to a desired location; an optical fiber that propagates the ultraviolet light from the ultraviolet light source unit to the irradiation unit; A sensing unit that monitors a state of the desired location; A method for controlling an ultraviolet light irradiation system comprising: the sensing unit outputs the state of the desired location as monitoring information; Controlling the output of the ultraviolet light from the ultraviolet light source unit based on the monitoring information; and The monitoring information is information that the desired location has been touched by a person. A control method comprising:

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