Fluid sterilization device

Abstract

To provide a fluid sterilization device which sterilizes fluid such as water by irradiating the fluid with ultraviolet light, and has structure enabling efficient dissipation of heat emitted from a light source, nevertheless can be reduced in size and weight.SOLUTION: A fluid sterilization device 1 is provided, comprising: a flow path portion 10 including a flow path 101, an inflow port 102, and an outflow port 103; an ultraviolet light irradiation module 11 in which a light source emitting ultraviolet light is housed in a base substance 113 having opening surface covered with a film-like or plate-like ultraviolet light transmission member 116, and which irradiates the inside of the flow path 101 with the ultraviolet light emitted from the light source and transmitted through the ultraviolet light transmission member 116; a cooling member 12 which is in contact with the base substrate 113 and is provided in such a way as to be exposed to the flow path 101, and dissipate heat of the light source of the ultraviolet light irradiation module 11 to fluid to thereby cool the light source; and a seal component 152 which is arranged at a position in contact with the ultraviolet light transmission member 116, wherein the ultraviolet light transmission member 116 is fixed by being sandwiched between the seal component 152 and the base substrate 113.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a fluid sterilization device.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a fluid sterilization device that sterilizes a fluid such as water with ultraviolet light irradiated from a light source such as an LED has been known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In a device using such a light source, a heat dissipation structure for suppressing deterioration due to temperature rise of the light source and reduction in light quantity is important.

[0003] According to Patent Document 1, the heat generated by the light source is efficiently dissipated by a heat sink provided in the light source module device, and is conducted to a cylindrical body that serves as a sterilization unit of the fluid in the fluid sterilization device, and is also dissipated by the fluid.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, according to Patent Document 1, a heat sink is used for heat dissipation of the light source, and since the size of the heat sink is large, it is not suitable for miniaturization of the fluid sterilization device. In addition, in order to efficiently dissipate heat from the cylindrical body to the fluid, the cylindrical body is required to have a high thermal conductivity, so the range of selection of the material of the cylindrical body is narrowed, which may hinder weight reduction and the like.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a fluid sterilization device that sterilizes a fluid such as water by irradiating ultraviolet light, and has a structure capable of effectively releasing the heat generated by the light source while being capable of miniaturization and weight reduction.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] One aspect of the present invention provides the following fluid sterilization device to achieve the above object.

[0008] [1] A flow path portion having a flow path for flowing a fluid to be sterilized, an inlet for allowing the fluid to flow into the flow path, and an outlet for allowing the fluid to flow out of the flow path; a light source that emits ultraviolet light is housed in a base body whose opening surface is covered with an ultraviolet light transmitting member in the form of a film or a plate, and the ultraviolet light emitted from the light source and transmitted through the ultraviolet light transmitting member is irradiated into the flow path; an ultraviolet light irradiation module; a cooling member that is in contact with the base body and is provided so as to be exposed to the flow path, and releases the heat of the light source to the fluid to cool the light source; and a seal component disposed at a position in contact with the ultraviolet light transmitting member. The ultraviolet light transmitting member is fixed by being sandwiched between the seal component and the base body. A fluid sterilization device. [2] The fluid sterilization device according to [1] above, wherein the seal component is sandwiched between the cooling member and the ultraviolet light transmitting member and is compressed. [3] The fluid sterilization device according to [1] or [2] above, wherein the base body houses a light emitting element as the light source and a substrate on which the light emitting element is mounted. [4] The fluid sterilization device according to any one of [1] to [3] above, wherein the ultraviolet light transmitting member is a waterproof film or a quartz glass plate. [5] The flow path portion has a cylindrical member inside for partitioning the flow path. One end in the length direction of the cylindrical member faces the inlet, and the other end faces the ultraviolet light irradiation module. The fluid flowing in from the inlet passes through the inside of the cylindrical member and then flows out from the outlet through a region where the cooling member outside the cylindrical member is exposed. The light emitted from the ultraviolet light irradiation module is irradiated inside the cylindrical member. The fluid sterilization device according to any one of [1] to [5] above. [6] The cylindrical member has holes for flowing the fluid flowing inside the cylindrical member, whose longitudinal position in the flow path portion is farther from the outlet than the cooling member, to the outside of the cylindrical member, and an area of the holes is larger than areas of the inlet and the outlet. The fluid sterilization device according to [5] above. [7] The cylindrical member is made of a fluororesin. The fluid sterilization device according to [5] or [6] above. [8] An end portion on the inlet side of the cylindrical member is covered with a flat diffusion plate having holes through which the fluid passes at positions away from the center thereof, for diffusing the fluid flowing in from the inlet. The fluid sterilization device according to any one of [5] to [7] above. [9] The flow path portion is made of resin. The fluid sterilization device according to any one of [1] to [8] above.

Advantages of the Invention

[0009] According to the present invention, there is provided a fluid sterilization device that sterilizes a fluid such as water by irradiating ultraviolet light, and has a structure capable of effectively releasing heat generated by a light source, and is capable of miniaturization and weight reduction.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0010]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0011] 〔Embodiment〕 (Configuration of Fluid Sterilizer) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a fluid sterilizer 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the fluid sterilizer 1 cut along its longitudinal direction.

[0012] The fluid sterilizer 1 is a device for sterilizing a fluid (mainly a liquid such as water) and suppressing the growth of bacteria, and includes a flow path 101 for flowing the fluid to be sterilized, an inlet 102 for allowing the fluid to flow into the flow path 101, and an outlet 103 for allowing the fluid to flow out of the flow path 101. A flow path tube 10, an ultraviolet light irradiation module 11 fixed to one end in the longitudinal direction of the flow path tube 10 for irradiating ultraviolet light into the flow path 101, and an annular (tubular) cooling member 12 provided inside the flow path tube 10 and exposed to the flow path 101 for releasing the heat of the light source included in the ultraviolet light irradiation module 11 to the fluid to cool the light source.

[0013] The flow path tube 10 has an opening 104 at one end in its longitudinal direction (the left-right direction in FIG. 2) for fitting the ultraviolet light irradiation module 11. The inlet 102 is provided at the end of the flow path tube 10 on the side opposite to the opening 104, and the outlet 103 is provided on the side surface of the flow path tube 10. The inlet 102 and the outlet 103 of the flow path tube 10 have a tubular shape protruding outward so that, for example, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a tube or the like for flowing the fluid can be connected. The shape of the flow path tube 10 is typically a circular tube shape as shown in FIG. 1.

[0014] The ultraviolet light irradiation module 11 includes a light emitting element 111 as a light source for emitting ultraviolet light, a substrate 112 having wirings on which the light emitting element 111 is mounted, and a base 113 for housing the light emitting element 111 and the substrate 112.

[0015] The base body 113 has a protruding portion 114 that protrudes toward the light extraction side. By fitting this protruding portion 114 inside the opening 104 of the flow path tube 10, the ultraviolet light irradiation module 11 is fixed to one end of the flow path tube 10. Since the base body 113 is closely fitted into the flow path tube 10, it has a shape corresponding to the shape of the flow path tube 10. Also, the shape of the protruding portion 114 is typically annular. For example, when the flow path tube 10 has a circular tube shape, the planar shape of the base body 113 (the shape seen from the side of the flow path tube 10) is circular, and the protruding portion 114 has an annular shape.

[0016] In the ultraviolet light irradiation module 11, the light emitting element 111 and the substrate 112 are housed in the recess 115 of the base body 113, and the opening surface of the recess 115 is covered with a waterproof film 116. As a result, the space in which the light emitting element 111 of the ultraviolet light irradiation module 11 is mounted is sealed, preventing the intrusion of fluid. Also, the ultraviolet light emitted from the light emitting element 111 is taken out through the waterproof film 116.

[0017] The ultraviolet light emitted by the ultraviolet light irradiation module 11 (light emitting element 111) is, for example, ultraviolet light in the wavelength range (400 - 315 nm) called UV-A, ultraviolet light in the wavelength range (315 - 280 nm) called UV-B, or ultraviolet light in the wavelength range (less than 280 nm) called UV-C (hereinafter referred to as UVC light), and among these, it is preferably UVC light with the highest sterilization effect.

[0018] The light emitting element 111 is, for example, an LED chip (Light Emitting Diode) or an LD chip (Laser Diode) that emits ultraviolet light, and may be provided with a lens or the like for adjusting the light distribution.

[0019] The waterproof film 116 is made of a material that transmits the ultraviolet light emitted by the light emitting element 111 such as a fluororesin. Also, instead of the waterproof film 116, a plate made of a material that transmits the ultraviolet light emitted by the light emitting element 111 such as a quartz glass plate may be used.

[0020] The method of fixing the ultraviolet light irradiation module 11 to the flow path tube 10 is not particularly limited. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the ultraviolet light irradiation module 11 has a protrusion 115 on the side surface of the base 113, and the flow path tube 10 has a linearly bent hole 105 in an L shape for passing the protrusion 115. When the ultraviolet light irradiation module 11 is inserted into the opening 104 of the flow path tube 10 and then twisted in the circumferential direction, the protrusion 115 enters the bent portion of the hole 105, and the ultraviolet light irradiation module 11 is fixed to the flow path tube 10 by the restoring force of the seal components 151 to 153 described later that are compressed by inserting the ultraviolet light irradiation module 11 into the flow path tube 10. Note that the ultraviolet light irradiation module 11 may be fixed to the flow path tube 10 by using other methods such as screwing.

[0021] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the cooling member 12. The cooling member 12 has both a sealing function of preventing leakage of fluid from the interface between the flow path tube 10 and the ultraviolet light irradiation module 11 and a cooling function of releasing the heat of the light emitting element 111 to the fluid to cool the light emitting element 111. The cooling member 12 is preferably made of a material having a high thermal conductivity such as aluminum, copper, stainless steel, etc. in order to enhance the cooling effect. Also, in order to effectively exhibit the cooling effect, it is preferable that the thermal conductivity is higher than that of the flow path tube 10 which also contacts the fluid.

[0022] The cooling member 12 is installed in contact with the protrusion 114 inside the flow path tube 10 and the protrusion 114 of the ultraviolet light irradiation module 11. The cooling member 12 is sealed between the flow path tube 10 and the protrusion 114 by annular seal components 151, 152 such as O-rings, preventing leakage of fluid from the interface between the flow path tube 10 and the protrusion 114.

[0023] Specifically, along the longitudinal direction of the flow path tube 10 (the insertion direction of the ultraviolet light irradiation module 11), the flow path tube 10 and the cooling member 12 sandwich the sealing component 151, the cooling member 12 and the base 113 of the ultraviolet light irradiation module 11 sandwich the sealing component 152, and when the ultraviolet light irradiation module 11 is inserted into the flow path tube 10, the sealing component 151 and the sealing component 152 are compressed to produce a sealing effect. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, a waterproof film 116 may be sandwiched and fixed between the sealing component 152 and the base 113.

[0024] The outer side surface 121 of the annular cooling member 12 is in contact with the inner side surface of the protruding portion 114 of the base 113, and the heat generated by the light emitting element 111 is transmitted to the cooling member 12 through the substrate 112 and the base 113. Further, since the inner side surface 122 of the cooling member 12 is exposed to the flow path 101, it can contact the fluid flowing through the flow path 101 and transfer the heat of the cooling member 12 to the fluid. Therefore, the heat generated by the light emitting element 111 can be effectively released to the fluid by using the cooling member 12. That is, the light emitting element 111 can be cooled by the cooling member 12.

[0025] Since the heat generated by the light emitting element 111 can be effectively released to the fluid by the cooling member 12, it is not necessary to use the flow path tube 10 for heat dissipation, and the flow path tube 10 does not need to have high thermal conductivity. Therefore, in the fluid sterilization device 1, the range of selection of the material of the flow path tube 10 is wide. For example, a lightweight resin can be used as the material of the flow path tube 10 to reduce the weight of the fluid sterilization device 1. For example, the specific gravity of aluminum is 2.7, and the specific gravity of polycarbonate resin is 1.2. By using polycarbonate resin as the material of the flow path tube 10 instead of aluminum with excellent thermal conductivity, the weight of the fluid sterilization device 1 can be significantly reduced.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 2, the flow path tube 10 may have a cylindrical member 13 inside that partitions the flow path 101. One end of the cylindrical member 13 in the length direction faces the inlet 102, and the other end faces the ultraviolet light irradiation module 11.

[0027] The fluid flowing in from the inlet 102 passes through the inside of the cylindrical member 13 (the region surrounded by the inner side surface 131 of the cylindrical member 13), and then flows out from the outlet 103 through the region where the cooling member 12 on the outside of the cylindrical member 13 (the region between the outer side surface 132 of the cylindrical member 13 and the inner surface of the flow path pipe 10) is exposed. And the light emitted from the ultraviolet light irradiation module 11 is irradiated inside the cylindrical member 13. In this way, by using the cylindrical member 13, the flow path 101 is partitioned into a section for irradiating ultraviolet light inside the cylindrical member 13 and a section for cooling the cooling member 12 outside the cylindrical member 13, and the sterilization of the fluid and the cooling of the light emitting element 111 can be efficiently performed.

[0028] The cylindrical member 13 has a hole 133 for allowing the fluid flowing inside the cylindrical member 13 to flow to the outside of the cylindrical member 13. Since the longitudinal position of the flow path pipe 10 is farther from the outlet 103 than the cooling member 12, the fluid passing through the hole 133 takes away the heat of the cooling member 12 through the region where the cooling member 12 is exposed and then reaches the outlet 103.

[0029] FIG. 4(a) is a side view of the cylindrical member 13. FIG. 4(b) is a cross-sectional view of the cylindrical member 13 when cut along the cutting line A-A shown in FIG. 4(a). The hole 133 may be one or a plurality. In the example shown in FIG. 4, four holes 133 are provided at equal intervals along the circumferential direction of the cylindrical member 13. In order to suppress a decrease in the flow velocity of the fluid in the flow path pipe 10 and an increase in the pressure in the flow path pipe 10, the area of the hole 133 (the total area when a plurality of holes 133 are provided) is preferably larger than the areas of the inlet 102 and the outlet 103.

[0030] The cylindrical member 13 is preferably made of a material with high resistance to ultraviolet light and high reflectivity, such as fluororesin, in order to efficiently reflect the ultraviolet light emitted from the ultraviolet light irradiation module 14 at the inner surface 131 and effectively sterilize the fluid. Examples of such fluororesins include PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene), PFA (perfluoroalkoxyalkane), PVF (polyvinyl fluoride), PVDF (polyvinylidene fluoride), and the like.

[0031] In particular, by using PTFE, which has excellent reflectivity with respect to UVC light, as the material of the cylindrical member 13, it is possible to effectively sterilize the fluid using the ultraviolet light irradiation module 11 that emits UVC light.

[0032] Further, since the cylindrical member 13 blocks most of the ultraviolet light directed toward the inner surface of the flow path tube 10, it is possible to suppress deterioration of the flow path tube 10 due to ultraviolet light exposure. For example, even when a resin with low resistance to ultraviolet light is used as the material of the flow path tube 10, a decrease in lifespan can be suppressed.

[0033] Since the shape of the cylindrical member 13 is a simple cylindrical shape, a commercially available general-purpose fluororesin pipe or the like can be used almost as it is, and even when an expensive fluororesin is used as the material, the cost can be suppressed.

[0034] In particular, PTFE, which is a fluororesin with excellent reflectivity with respect to UVC light, has a very high melt viscosity and thus cannot be subjected to normal melt processing. In order to process it into the desired shape, it is necessary to cut it from a block manufactured by compressing and firing PTFE powder, and the material cost and processing cost are very high. If a general-purpose PTFE pipe can be used, cutting from a PTFE block is not required, so when PTFE is used as the material of the cylindrical member 13, the effect of reducing the manufacturing cost is even greater.

[0035] The end portion of the cylindrical member 13 on the inlet 103 side of the fluid, that is, the fluid inlet of the cylindrical member 13, is preferably covered with a flat diffusion plate 14 as shown in FIG. 2.

[0036] FIG. 5 is a plan view of the diffusion plate 14. The diffusion plate 14 has a plurality of holes 141 through which the fluid passes at positions away from its center, and diffuses the fluid flowing in from the inlet 102. Since the holes 141 are not provided at the center of the diffusion plate 14 but are provided near the outer peripheral portion of the diffusion plate 14 or at a position in contact with the outer peripheral portion, the fluid passing through the holes 141 flows near the inner side surface 131 of the cylindrical member 13.

[0037] Generally, the flow velocity of the fluid flowing through the flow path becomes smaller due to frictional resistance the closer it is to the inner wall of the flow path, and the difference from the flow velocity at the center of the flow path becomes larger. By using the diffusion plate 14 to cause the fluid to flow in near the side surface 131 (inner wall) of the cylindrical member 13, the flow velocity near the side surface 131 of the cylindrical member 13 can be relatively increased, and the flow velocity difference between the vicinity of the center of the cylindrical member 13 and the vicinity of the side surface 131 can be reduced. As a result, the residence time of the fluid in the flow path 101 is averaged, so the variation in the irradiation time of ultraviolet light due to differences in the flow path of the fluid is reduced, and sterilization can be performed efficiently.

[0038] In order to suppress a decrease in the flow velocity of the fluid in the flow path tube 10 and an increase in the pressure in the flow path tube 10, it is preferable that the total area of the holes 141 is larger than the areas of the inlet 102 and the outlet 103. Further, in order to flow the fluid as evenly as possible near the side surface 131 of the cylindrical member 13, it is preferable that the plurality of holes 141 are arranged at equal intervals along the circumferential direction of the diffusion plate 14.

[0039] In order to enhance the sterilization efficiency, the diffusion plate 14 is preferably made of a fluororesin that reflects the light emitted from the ultraviolet light irradiation module 11, similar to the cylindrical member 13. In particular, by using PTFE as the material of the diffusion plate 14, sterilization can be effectively performed using the ultraviolet light irradiation module 11 that emits UVC light.

[0040] Further, when the diffusion plate 14 is used, since the diffusion plate 14 blocks most of the ultraviolet light directed toward the periphery of the inlet 102 of the flow path tube 10, deterioration due to ultraviolet light exposure of the flow path tube 10 can be more effectively suppressed by the cylindrical member 13 and the diffusion plate 14.

[0041] The method of fixing the diffusion plate 14 to the fluid sterilization device 1 is not particularly limited. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the diffusion plate 14 can be fixed by sandwiching it between the inner surface of the flow path pipe 10 and the end of the cylindrical member 13. By inserting the ultraviolet light irradiation module 11 into the opening 104 of the flow path pipe 10, the cylindrical member 13 is pushed in, and the diffusion plate 14 is sandwiched and fixed between the inner surface of the flow path pipe 10 and the end of the cylindrical member 13. In this case, when using an annular seal component 153 such as an O-ring surrounding the diffusion plate 14, the seal component 153 is sandwiched between the inner surface of the flow path pipe 10 and the end of the cylindrical member 13 together with the diffusion plate 14, and the cylindrical member 13 is firmly fixed by its restoring force. Also, it is possible to prevent the fluid flowing in from the inlet 102 from directly flowing outside the cylindrical member 13.

[0042] Note that a diffusion member having a three-dimensional shape may be used instead of the flat diffusion plate 14. However, since the flat plate has a simpler structure, the manufacturing cost can be suppressed when using an expensive fluororesin, particularly PTFE that requires cutting from a block, as the material.

[0043] (Effects of the Embodiment) According to the fluid sterilization device 1 according to the above embodiment, the light emitting element 111 can be effectively cooled using the cooling member 12. And the cooling member 12 is accommodated in the flow path pipe 10. Also, because of the height of the cooling function of the cooling member 12, it is not necessary to use a large cooling component such as a heat sink, so the fluid sterilization device 1 can be miniaturized. Further, by using the cooling member 12, even if the flow path pipe 10 does not have a high thermal conductivity, the light emitting element 111 can be cooled by releasing heat to the fluid. Therefore, the range of selection of the material of the flow path pipe 10 is wide. For example, a lightweight resin can be used as the material of the flow path pipe 10 to reduce the weight of the fluid sterilization device 1.

[0044] As described above, the embodiments of the present invention have been explained. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. Also, the components of the above embodiments can be arbitrarily combined without departing from the gist of the invention.

[0045] Furthermore, the above-described embodiments do not limit the invention according to the claims. Also, it should be noted that not all combinations of the features described in the embodiments are essential means for solving the problems of the invention.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0046] 1 Fluid sterilization device 10 Flow path pipe 101 Flow path 102 Inlet 103 Outlet 104 Opening 11 Ultraviolet irradiation module 111 Light-emitting element 113 Substrate 114 Protrusion 12 Cooling member 13 Cylindrical member 133 Hole 14 Diffusion plate 141 Hole

Claims

1. a flow path portion having a flow path for flowing a fluid to be sterilized, an inlet for causing the fluid to flow into the flow path, and an outlet for causing the fluid to flow out of the flow path; an ultraviolet light irradiation module that contains a light source that emits ultraviolet light in a base whose opening surface is covered with a film-like or plate-like ultraviolet light transmitting member, and irradiates the ultraviolet light emitted from the light source and transmitted through the ultraviolet light transmitting member into the flow path; a cooling member that is in contact with the base and exposed to the flow path, for dissipating heat from the light source to the fluid to cool the light source; A sealing part arranged at a position in contact with the ultraviolet light transmitting member; Equipped with the ultraviolet light transmitting member is fixed by being sandwiched between the sealing part and the base, The sealing part is sandwiched between the cooling member and the ultraviolet light transmitting member and is subjected to compression. Fluid sterilizer.

2. The base accommodates a light-emitting element as the light source and a substrate on which the light-emitting element is mounted.

2. The fluid disinfection device of claim 1.

3. The ultraviolet light transmitting member is a waterproof film or a quartz glass plate. A fluid sterilization device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The flow path portion has a cylindrical member therein for partitioning the flow path, One end of the cylindrical member in a longitudinal direction faces the inlet, and the other end faces the ultraviolet light irradiation module, the fluid that flows in from the inlet passes through the inside of the tubular member, then flows out from the outlet through a region of the tubular member where the cooling member is exposed, The light emitted from the ultraviolet light irradiation module is irradiated onto the inside of the cylindrical member. A fluid sterilization device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. the tubular member has a hole for allowing the fluid flowing inside the tubular member to flow to the outside of the tubular member, the position of the flow path portion in the longitudinal direction being farther from the outlet than the cooling member, and the area of ​​the hole is larger than the areas of the inlet and the outlet.

5. A fluid disinfection device according to claim 4.

6. The cylindrical member is made of a fluororesin. A fluid sterilization device according to claim 4 or 5.

7. The end of the cylindrical member on the inlet side is covered with a flat diffusion plate having a hole through which the fluid passes at a position away from the center thereof, and diffusing the fluid flowing in from the inlet. A fluid sterilization device according to any one of claims 4 to 6.

8. The flow path portion is made of resin. A fluid sterilization device according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

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