Droplet collection device and droplet collection system

Abstract

To provide a droplet collection device capable of suppressing scattering of droplets in the air.SOLUTION: A droplet collection device 3 comprises: a partition part 10 that partitions a space around a user 9; a suction part 11 that is provided below the partition part 10, and suctions air containing droplets 91 floating in the vicinity of the partition part 10 to move it downward along the partition part 10; and an exhaust part 12 that releases the air suctioned by the suction part 11 to the outside.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a droplet collection device and a droplet collection system that suppress the diffusion of air containing droplets. [Background technology]

[0002] A partition is known that separates two people facing each other and prevents droplet infection, such as coronavirus infection and influenza virus infection (Patent Document 1). This partition has multiple orthogonal panels supported by supports erected on a table. Droplets emitted by one person are blocked by the panels, preventing the droplets from directly adhering to the other person. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Utility Model Registration No. 3228344 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, because the released droplets float in the air (space), there was a high possibility that the floating droplets would adhere to other people or that other people would inhale the air containing the droplets. The partitions mentioned above did not provide sufficient measures against the droplets that were released and floating in the air, and were unable to prevent the spread of droplets in the air.

[0005] In consideration of the above circumstances, the present invention provides a droplet collection device and a droplet collection system that suppress the spread of droplets in the air. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The droplet collection device of the present invention comprises a partition section that separates the space around the user, an intake section that is provided below, above or to the side of the partition section and that sucks in air containing droplets floating near the partition section and moves it below, above or to the side along the partition section, and an exhaust section that releases the air sucked in by the intake section to the outside.

[0007] In this case, the device may further include a functional unit having at least one of a filter that removes droplets from the air sucked by the intake unit and a sterilization device that kills microorganisms contained in the air sucked by the intake unit.

[0008] In this case, the partition section may have a pair of partition plates facing each other across the flow path through which the air flows, and the intake section may create a negative pressure in the flow path.

[0009] In this case, the partition portion may be formed in a cylindrical shape with the sides of the pair of partition plates closed and both upper and lower end faces open.

[0010] In this case, the partition plate may be provided with at least one through-hole communicating with the flow path.

[0011] In this case, the partition portion may have at least one opening, and the opening may have a cylindrical wall that is spanned by the pair of partition plates and connects the spaces separated by the pair of partition plates, and at least one suction port that is drilled in the cylindrical wall so as to connect to the flow path upstream of the widest position of the cylindrical wall in the air flow direction and at a position where the pressure distribution around the cylindrical wall is negative.

[0012] In this case, the downstream end of the partition plate in the air flow direction may be in close contact with the contact surface without leaving a gap between the end and the contact surface.

[0013] The droplet collection system of the present invention comprises any of the droplet collection devices described above and a pair of tables arranged with a gap between them and having a pair of tabletops on which a pair of partition plates are erected, wherein the upper ends of the pair of partition plates are set at a position higher than the user's head, and the intake section is installed in the gap between the pair of tables. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] According to the present invention, the diffusion of droplets in the air can be suppressed. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] 1 is a side view showing a droplet collection system including a droplet collection device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 1 is a front view showing a droplet collection system including a droplet collection device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a side view showing a droplet collection system including a droplet collection device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a droplet collection system including a droplet collection device according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a droplet collection system including a droplet collection device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is an enlarged perspective view showing an opening of a droplet collection device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a side view showing a droplet collection system according to a first modified example of the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a side view showing a droplet collection system according to a second modified example of the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a front view showing a droplet collection system according to a third modified example of the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a front view showing a droplet collection system according to a fourth modified example of the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11]FIG. 10 is a front view showing a droplet collection system according to a fifth modified example of the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12A] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a partition part of a droplet collection device according to a modified example of the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12B] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a partition part of a droplet collection device according to a modified example of the third embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that Fr, Rr, L, R, U, and D shown in the drawings indicate front, rear, left, right, top, and bottom. Terms indicating directions and positions are used in this specification, but these terms are used for convenience of explanation and do not limit the technical scope of the present invention. Furthermore, terms indicating directions and positions in this specification refer to directions and positions relative to the user.

[0017] [Droplet collection system] The droplet collection system 1 will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. Figure 1 is a side view showing the droplet collection system 1. Figure 2 is a front view showing the droplet collection system 1.

[0018] The droplet collection system 1 is used as a droplet infection countermeasure to prevent droplet infection of, for example, coronavirus infection, influenza virus infection, etc. The droplet collection system 1 prevents droplets 91 from adhering to users 9 who are talking face-to-face in a room, and also suppresses the dispersion of released droplets 91 into the air (in the room) (see FIG. 1).

[0019] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the droplet collection system 1 includes a pair of tables 2 and a droplet collection device 3.

[0020] [table] Each table 2 has a tabletop 2A fixed to the upper ends of a plurality of (e.g., four) legs 2B. The pair of tables 2 are placed on the floor 7 of the living room, with a gap (hereinafter also referred to as "arrangement space S2") in the front-to-back direction between them. Chairs 8 on which users 9 can sit are arranged on both sides of the pair of tables 2 in the front-to-back direction. As shown in FIG. 1, the arrangement space S2 refers to the space between the tabletops 2A and between the legs 2B of the pair of tables 2 facing each other in the front-to-back direction. The distance between the tabletops 2A of the pair of tables 2 (the front-to-back width of the arrangement space S2) is, for example, approximately 3 to 30 cm, but is not limited to this and may be freely changed depending on the size of the living room, the size of the partition 10, etc.

[0021] [First embodiment: droplet collection device] A droplet collection device 3 according to a first embodiment will now be described. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the droplet collection device 3 includes a partition section 10, an intake section 11, an exhaust section 12, and a sterilization device 13. In this specification, the terms "upstream" and "downstream" refer to the upstream and downstream sides of the air flow direction.

[0022] <Divider> The partition unit 10 separates the space around the user 9, and specifically, separates the space between users 9 facing each other. The partition unit 10 has a pair of partition plates 10A facing each other in the front-to-rear direction, sandwiching a flow path S1 through which air flows. Each partition plate 10A is formed into a rectangular plate shape using a light-transmitting material such as acrylic resin (see FIG. 2). A pair of support legs 10B that hold the partition plate 10A in an upright position are attached to both left and right ends of the lower part of each partition plate 10A. The pair of partition plates 10A are erected on a pair of tabletops 2A near the arrangement space S2 (see FIG. 1). Therefore, the flow path S1 between the pair of partition plates 10A is slightly wider than the arrangement space S2 between the pair of tables 2. The distance between the pair of partition plates 10A (the front-to-rear width of the flow path S1) may be freely changed depending on the distance between the pair of tables 2, the suction force of the intake unit 11 (described later), and the like.

[0023] The lower end (downstream end) of each partition plate 10A is in close contact with the top plate 2A (contact surface) with no gap. The upper ends of the pair of partition plates 10A are set at a position higher than the head 9A of the user 9. In other words, the height of each partition plate 10A is set so as to be higher than the head 9A (top of the head) of the user 9 seated on the chair 8 (see the dashed dotted line in FIG. 1). Each partition plate 10A is also provided with a plurality of through holes 14 communicating with the flow path S1. Each through hole 14 is, for example, a circular hole with a diameter of several millimeters to several tens of millimeters. The plurality of through holes 14 are formed at intervals so as to radiate from the center of the partition plate 10A (see FIG. 2).

[0024] Note that, since both the left and right sides of the partition 10 are open, the flow path S1 is not surrounded by a closed wall surface when viewed from above. In this specification, the "flow path S1" does not necessarily require being surrounded by a closed wall surface when viewed from above, but includes a space through which air can flow along the partition plate 10A.

[0025] <Intake section> The intake section 11 is installed below the partition section 10, specifically in the gap (arrangement space S2) between the pair of tables 2 (see FIG. 1). The intake section 11 has a chamber 11A, an intake duct 11B, and an intake device 11C.

[0026] The chamber 11A is formed in a hollow box shape with approximately the same width as the partition 10 in the left-right direction. The chamber 11A is disposed below the partition 10 and abuts against the lower surfaces of the pair of top plates 2A. The intake duct 11B is a tapered duct that widens from bottom to top. The intake duct 11B is connected to the lower end of the chamber 11A and the upper end of the intake device 11C, and is connected to the flow path S1 of the partition 10 via the chamber 11A. The intake device 11C is, for example, a suction device including an axial flow fan (propeller fan) that generates an airflow from top to bottom. An intake port (not shown) is formed at the upper end of the intake unit 11, to which the downstream end of the intake duct 11B is connected. An exhaust port (not shown) is formed at the lower left side surface of the intake unit 11, to which the upstream end of an exhaust duct 12A of the exhaust unit 12, which will be described later, is connected. When the axial flow fan of the intake device 11C is rotationally driven, an airflow is generated that flows from the intake port to the exhaust port.

[0027] <Exhaust section> As shown in FIG. 2, the exhaust unit 12 has an exhaust duct 12A and an exhaust fan 12B. The exhaust duct 12A is a duct for passing air and is disposed on the floor surface 7. The exhaust duct 12A is connected to the exhaust port of the intake device 11C and a wall (not shown) of the living room, and is in communication with the outside of the living room. The exhaust fan 12B is provided at the downstream end of the exhaust duct 12A. The exhaust fan 12B is, for example, an axial flow fan (propeller fan) that forms an airflow from the intake unit 11 toward the outside. The exhaust unit 12 discharges the air sucked by the intake unit 11 to the outside (of the living room).

[0028] Although intake device 11C and exhaust fan 12B are axial flow fans, they are not limited to this and may be any device that generates airflow, for example, a centrifugal fan such as a sirocco fan. Also, exhaust fan 12B is provided at the downstream end of exhaust duct 12A, but is not limited to this and may be provided upstream or near the middle of exhaust duct 12A (not shown). Also, exhaust fan 12B may be omitted (not shown).

[0029] <Sterilizer> Sterilizer 13, an example of a functional unit, is a device that performs so-called ultraviolet sterilization. As shown in FIG. 2, sterilizer 13 is disposed upstream of exhaust duct 12A. Sterilizer 13 irradiates ultraviolet light toward air (including droplets 91) sucked in by intake unit 11 and flowing through exhaust duct 12A, thereby killing microorganisms contained in the air (droplets 91). In this specification, the term "microorganism" refers to a living organism (including organisms) that cannot be seen with the naked eye or cannot be observed in detail with the naked eye, specifically bacteria and viruses. Furthermore, "kill" does not necessarily mean killing or sterilizing microorganisms, but also includes inactivating them. Furthermore, it does not mean that all microorganisms must be killed, but rather includes killing some of the microorganisms.

[0030] Although sterilizer 13 is disposed upstream of exhaust duct 12A, it may be disposed downstream or midstream of exhaust duct 12A (not shown). Sterilizer 13 is not limited to ultraviolet sterilization, and may be configured to sterilize and inactivate using, for example, ozone gas, hypochlorous acid water, alcohol, hot water, or the like (not shown).

[0031] The intake device 11C, exhaust fan 12B, and sterilizer 13 are electrically connected to a power source and a control circuit (not shown) and controlled to operate synchronously with each other. For example, the user 9 may operate or stop the intake device 11C by operating a wireless or wired switch (not shown). For example, when operating wirelessly, the user 9 may operate application software installed on a smartphone (not shown), and the control circuit may transmit and receive information to and from the intake device 11C using a predetermined wireless communication standard (infrared communication, short-range wireless communication, wireless LAN communication, mobile phone communication, etc.). Alternatively, a motion sensor (such as an infrared sensor or optical sensor (not shown)) may be provided on the table 2, chair 8, partition 10, or a wall or ceiling of the room to detect the user 9 facing across the partition 10, and the control circuit may automatically control the operation of the intake device 11C according to the output of the motion sensor.

[0032] [Effect of droplet collection system] The operation of the droplet collection system 1 (droplet collection device 3) will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. In the following description, it is assumed that the intake device 11C, the exhaust fan 12B, and the sterilization device 13 are operating.

[0033] 1, for example, when two users 9 sit on chairs 8 arranged on either side of a pair of tables 2 in the front-to-back direction and begin a conversation while facing each other across a partition 10, droplets 91 are emitted from the mouths and noses of each user 9. Note that the voice of one user 9 can easily reach the other user 9 through the multiple through-holes 14, making it easy for the users 9 to hear each other's voices.

[0034] Some of the released droplets 91 collide with and adhere to the surface of partition plate 10A, but the droplets 91 that do not adhere to partition plate 10A disperse into the air. If droplets 91 contain pathogenic bacteria or viruses, a user 9 who inhales air containing these droplets 91 may become infected with the pathogens. If the room is not adequately ventilated, droplets 91 (pathogens) will remain suspended in the air for a long period of time, and the user 9 will be continuously exposed to air containing droplets 91, further increasing the risk of infection.

[0035] Therefore, in the droplet collection system 1 (droplet collection device 3), the intake device 11C generates an airflow from the intake port toward the exhaust port, and sucks air in the flow path S1 via the chamber 11A and the intake duct 11B. That is, the intake unit 11 generates an airflow in the flow path S1 from above to below, creating a negative pressure in the flow path S1. The droplets 91 floating around the partition unit 10 are sucked into the flow path S1 from above or the side of the pair of partition plates 10A together with the air (see FIG. 1). Air containing the droplets 91 is also sucked into the flow path S1 through each of the through-holes 14. The air containing the droplets 91 flows downward along the partition plate 10A (partition unit 10) and is sent out to the exhaust duct 12A through the chamber 11A, the intake duct 11B, and the intake device 11C (intake port, exhaust port) (see FIG. 2). The air containing droplets 91 flows from upstream to downstream within exhaust duct 12A, is sterilized with ultraviolet light by sterilizer 13 during the flow, and is then released outside the room (outside air) (see FIG. 2).

[0036] In the droplet collection system 1 (droplet collection device 3) according to the first embodiment described above, the intake unit 11 sucks in air containing droplets 91 floating near the partition plate 10A and moves it downward along the partition plate 10A, and the exhaust unit 12 releases the air sucked in by the intake unit 11 to the outside. This configuration can suppress the dispersion of droplets 91 in the air. This reduces the possibility that droplets 91 floating in the air will adhere to the user 9 or that the user 9 will inhale air containing droplets 91.

[0037] Furthermore, according to the droplet collection device 3 of the first embodiment, the sterilization device 13, which is an example of a functional unit, is configured to kill microorganisms contained in the air sucked by the intake unit 11. With this configuration, clean air from which pathogenic microorganisms (bacteria, viruses, etc.) have been removed can be exhausted to the outside. This also makes it possible to suppress the spread of droplets 91 in the outside air.

[0038] Furthermore, according to the droplet collection device 3 of the first embodiment, the intake unit 11 only needs to create a negative pressure in the flow path S1 between the pair of partition plates 10A, and therefore can efficiently suck in air containing droplets 91 with a smaller suction force than when negative pressure is applied to the entire periphery of the pair of partition plates 10A. This makes it possible to reduce the energy (electricity) required to drive the intake unit 11 and the generated noise, etc.

[0039] Furthermore, according to the droplet collection device 3 of the first embodiment, air containing droplets 91 can be taken into the flow path S1 not only from the upper and both side edges of the pair of partition plates 10A but also from each of the through-holes 14. Furthermore, since the voice of the user 9 can be more easily heard by the other person through the through-holes 14, it is possible to provide an environment in which it is easy to have a conversation while taking measures against droplet infection.

[0040] Furthermore, in the droplet collection system 1 according to the first embodiment, a pair of tables 2 are arranged on either side of the arrangement space S2 in which the intake unit 11 is arranged, and a partition plate 10A is erected on each table 2. With this arrangement, there is no need to perform processing on one table 2 to install the intake unit 11, etc., and an existing table 2 can be reused. This allows the droplet collection device 3 to be installed cheaply and easily.

[0041] [Other embodiments] Next, other embodiments will be described with reference to Figures 3 to 6. Figure 3 is a side view showing a droplet collection system 1 equipped with a droplet collection device 4 according to a second embodiment. Figure 4 is a perspective view showing a droplet collection system 1 equipped with a droplet collection device 5 according to a third embodiment. Figure 5 is a perspective view showing a droplet collection system 1 equipped with a droplet collection device 6 according to a fourth embodiment. Figure 6 is a perspective view showing an enlarged view of the opening 31 of the droplet collection device 6 according to the fourth embodiment. In the following description, components that are the same as or correspond to those of the droplet collection device 3 according to the first embodiment will be assigned the same reference numerals, and descriptions of the same or corresponding components will be omitted.

[0042] Second Embodiment As shown in Fig. 3, in the droplet collection device 4 according to the second embodiment, the partition section 10 has one partition plate 10A. A pair of support legs 10B are provided on both the left and right sides of the lower part of the one partition plate 10A, and each support leg 10B may be bridged across the top plates 2A of the pair of tables 2. The droplet collection device 4 according to the second embodiment can achieve the same effects as the droplet collection device 3 according to the first embodiment described above, such as being able to suppress the diffusion of droplets 91 in the air.

[0043] Third Embodiment As shown in FIG. 4, in the droplet collection device 5 according to the third embodiment, the partition 20 is formed in a cylindrical shape with both left and right sides of a pair of partition plates 10A closed and both upper and lower end faces open. Specifically, the partition 20 is formed in a rectangular cylindrical shape having a pair of partition plates 10A facing each other across the flow path S1 and a pair of side plates 20A connecting the pair of partition plates 10A. The upper end opening 21 of the partition 20 is formed at a position higher than the head 9A (top of the head) of the user 9. Each partition plate 10A is erected in close contact with the top plate 2A (contact surface) of the table 2 with no gap between them. Each side plate 20A is installed between the top plates 2A of the pair of tables 2. Although FIG. 5 shows that the side plates 20A do not have through-holes 14, they may have openings (not shown).

[0044] The space surrounded by the pair of partition plates 10A and the pair of side plates 20A (the internal space of the rectangular cylindrical partition portion 20) is defined as flow path S1. When the intake device 11C is activated, air containing droplets 91 mainly flows into flow path S1 from the upper end opening 21 of the partition portion 20, flows through flow path S1, and flows into the intake portion 11 (chamber 11A, etc.) from the lower end opening (not shown) of the partition portion 20. The air containing droplets 91 is then sterilized by ultraviolet light while flowing through the exhaust duct 12A, and is then released outside the room (outside air).

[0045] The droplet collection device 5 according to the third embodiment described above can achieve the same effects as the droplet collection device 3 according to the first embodiment, such as suppressing the spread of droplets 91 in the air. Furthermore, in the droplet collection device 5, the partition 20 is formed in a rectangular cylindrical shape, the air intake opening is only on the upper end surface of the partition 20, and each partition plate 10A is in close contact with the top plate 2A (contact surface) of the table 2. With this configuration, air containing droplets 91 is mainly drawn into the flow path S1 from the upper end surface of the partition 20, so that the main airflow can be generated above the head of the user 9. This makes it difficult for an airflow containing droplets 91 to be generated near the height of the head 9A of the user 9, thereby reducing the opportunity (duration and amount) for the user 9 to be exposed to air containing droplets 91.

[0046] In the droplet collection devices 3 to 5 according to the first to third embodiments, a plurality of through holes 14 are formed in the partition plate 10A, but it is sufficient that at least one through hole 14 is formed, and the number of through holes 14 may be freely changed. Furthermore, each through hole 14 does not have to be a round hole, and the arrangement of the plurality of through holes 14 does not have to be radial, and the shape and arrangement of the through holes 14 may be freely changed. Furthermore, the through hole 14 may be omitted (not shown).

[0047] In the droplet collection devices 3 to 5 according to the first to third embodiments, the partition plate 10A is held in an upright position by the support legs 10B, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, instead of the support legs 10B, a groove may be formed in the top plate 2A of the table 2, and the lower end of the partition plate 10A may be inserted into the groove to hold the partition plate 10A in an upright position (not shown).

[0048] <Fourth embodiment> 5, the droplet collection device 6 according to the fourth embodiment includes a partition section 30 formed in a rectangular cylindrical shape, similar to the partition section 20 of the droplet collection device 5 according to the third embodiment. In the following description, the same or corresponding components as those in the droplet collection device 5 according to the third embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and descriptions of the same or corresponding components will be omitted.

[0049] The partition section 30 has a plurality of openings 31 instead of the plurality of through holes 14. Each opening 31 has a cylindrical wall 32 and a suction port 33. Since the plurality of openings 31 each have the same structure, the following description will focus on one opening 31.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 6, the cylindrical wall 32 is formed, for example, in a cylindrical shape with both ends in the front-rear direction open, and is supported by a pair of partition plates 10A. Both ends in the front-rear direction of the cylindrical wall 32 are fixed to the pair of partition plates 10A. The cylindrical wall 32 communicates the spaces separated by the pair of partition plates 10A (the spaces on both outer sides in the front-rear direction). The suction port 33 is drilled in the cylindrical wall 32 so as to communicate with the flow path S1. The suction port 33 is, for example, a rectangular hole that penetrates the cylindrical wall 32 in the radial direction. The suction port 33 opens slightly upstream (above) of the widest position of the cylindrical wall 32 (the two points where a horizontal line passing through the center of the circle intersects with the circle). The suction port 33 opens at a position where the pressure distribution around the cylindrical wall 32 becomes negative when air is circulated through the flow path S1. The cylindrical wall 32 may be molded integrally with the pair of partition plates 10A, or may be formed as a separate part from the pair of partition plates 10A and fitted into holes opened in the partition plates 10A.

[0051] When the intake device 11C is activated, air containing droplets 91 flows into the flow path S1 from the upper end opening 21 of the partition 20 and flows downward along the surface of the cylindrical wall 32. At this time, the pressure distribution around the cylindrical wall 32 is maximum at the apex located at the uppermost position of the cylindrical wall 32 and is minimum (negative) slightly above (upstream from) the widest point of the cylindrical wall 32. The suction port 33 is located at the position where this pressure distribution is minimum. Therefore, the inside of the cylindrical wall 32 (the space surrounded by the inner peripheral surface) becomes negative pressure, and the air containing droplets 91 flows vigorously into the inside of the cylindrical wall 32 and is sucked into the flow path S1 through the suction port 33. The air that flows into the flow path S1 from the suction port 33 flows together with the air that flows in from the upper end opening 21 toward the intake unit 11 (chamber 11A, etc.).

[0052] The droplet collection device 6 according to the fourth embodiment described above can take in more air (including droplets 91) into the flow path S1 by utilizing the pressure distribution around the cylindrical wall 32 caused by the air flowing through the flow path S1. This can increase the amount of air flowing through the flow path S1 without increasing the suction force of the intake device 11C, thereby improving the collection capability of droplets 91 contained in the air.

[0053] In the droplet collection device 6 according to the fourth embodiment, the partition plate 10A is provided with a plurality of openings 31, but it is sufficient that at least one opening 31 is provided, and the number of openings 31 may be freely changed. In addition, the arrangement of the openings 31 may also be freely changed.

[0054] Furthermore, in the droplet collection device 6 according to the fourth embodiment, the cylindrical wall 32 is formed in a cylindrical shape (circular when viewed from the front), but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the cylindrical wall 32 may be formed in a cylindrical shape that is elliptical or wing-shaped when viewed from the front (not shown). Alternatively, the cylindrical wall 32 may be formed in a cylindrical shape that is polygonal, such as triangular or rectangular, when viewed from the front (not shown). The size of the cylindrical wall 32 may also be freely changed.

[0055] Furthermore, in the droplet collection device 6 according to the fourth embodiment, one suction port 33 is opened in one cylindrical wall 32, but this is not limited thereto, and two or more suction ports 33 may be opened in one cylindrical wall 32 (not shown). For example, two suction ports 33 may be opened at positions that are symmetrical when the cylindrical wall 32 is viewed from the front, or multiple suction ports 33 may be opened side by side in the axial direction (front-rear direction) of the cylindrical wall 32 (not shown). Furthermore, the suction port 33 is not limited to a rectangular hole, and may be, for example, a circular hole (not shown). Furthermore, the size of the suction port 33 may be freely changed.

[0056] In the droplet collection devices 5 and 6 according to the third and fourth embodiments, the side plates 20A of the partitions 20 and 30 are formed in a flat plate shape, but this is not limiting, and the side plates 20A may have a curved surface in a substantially semi-cylindrical shape (not shown). In other words, the partitions 20 and 30 may be formed in a substantially elliptical shape when viewed from above.

[0057] [Various variations] In the droplet collection systems 1 according to the first to fourth embodiments, the intake unit 11 is disposed in the arrangement space S2 between a pair of tables 2. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, only one table 2 may be used (first modified example). In this case, a communication port 15 may be formed in the top plate 2A, and a pair of partition plates 10A may be erected on the top plate 2A, facing each other across the communication port 15. In this case, the arrangement space S2 refers to the space directly below the communication port 15, and the chamber 11A of the intake unit 11 may be disposed in the vicinity of the communication port 15 (or may be connected to the communication port 15 (not shown)). In the droplet collection device 4 according to the second embodiment, when one partition plate 10A is installed on one table 2, a pair of communication ports 15 may be formed in the table 2 on both sides of the partition plate 10A (not shown). In this case, the lower end of one partition plate 10A may be in close contact with or spaced apart from the top plate 2A of the table 2 (not shown). Furthermore, when the partition units 20, 30 of the droplet collection devices 5, 6 according to the third and fourth embodiments are installed on one table 2, it is preferable that each partition plate 10A and each side plate 20A of the partition units 20, 30 be in close contact with the top plate 2A without leaving any gaps (not shown).

[0058] Furthermore, in the droplet collection devices 3 to 5 according to the first to fourth embodiments, the intake unit 11 is disposed below the partition unit 10, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, as shown in FIG. 8 , the partition unit 10 may extend from the top plate 2A of the table 2 to the ceiling 7U (or near the ceiling 7U), a communication port 15 may be formed in the ceiling 7U, and the intake unit 11, exhaust unit 12, and sterilizer 13 may be disposed above the partition unit 10 (near the suction port) (second modified example). Air containing droplets 91 is taken into the flow path S1 from the sides of the pair of partition plates 10A or through the through-holes 14 and moves upward along the partition plates 10A. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 9 , the intake unit 11 may be disposed on the left (or right) of the partition unit 10 (third modified example). In this case, the intake unit 11 may be disposed on the table 2 (the chamber 11A is omitted in FIG. 9 ). Air containing droplets 91 is taken into the flow path S1 through the through-holes 14 above and to the sides of the pair of partition plates 10A and moves leftward along the partition plate 10A. In the second and third modified examples, the lower end of the partition plate 10A may be spaced apart from the top plate 2A, and the pair of tables 2 may be arranged without a gap between them (not shown). When the partition unit 10 is installed on one table 2, the communication port 15 of the table 2 is unnecessary. In FIGS. 8 and 9, the modified examples in which the air intake unit 11 is arranged above or to the left of the partition unit 10 are applied to the droplet collection device 3 according to the first embodiment, but this is not limiting and the same may also be applied to the droplet collection devices 4 to 6 according to the second to fourth embodiments (the same applies to the other modified examples described below).

[0059] Furthermore, while the droplet collection devices 3 to 6 according to the first to fourth embodiments are provided with a sterilizer 13 as an example of a functional unit, the present invention is not limited thereto. As another example of a functional unit, as shown in FIG. 10 , a filter 16 that removes droplets 91 (microorganisms, dust, etc.) from the air sucked by the intake unit 11 may be provided instead of the sterilizer 13 (fourth modification). In this case, the filter 16 is preferably a HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filter or a ULPA (Ultra Low Penetration Air) filter. Alternatively, both the sterilizer 13 and the filter 16 may be provided, and the filter 16 may remove dust and the like from the air that has passed through the sterilizer 13 (not shown). Note that if the sterilizer 13 is also used, the filter 16 may be an inexpensive material such as a nonwoven fabric.

[0060] Furthermore, in the droplet collection devices 3 to 6 according to the first to fourth embodiments, the partition plate 10A is in close contact with the top plate 2A of the table 2 with no gap between them, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in Fig. 11, a support leg 10B provided at the bottom of the partition part 10 may hold the bottom end of the partition plate 10A in a state spaced apart from the top plate 2A (fifth modified example).

[0061] In the droplet collection devices 3 to 6 according to the first to fourth embodiments (including various modified examples, the same applies below), the chamber 11A of the intake unit 11 abuts against the lower surface of the top plate 2A (or the upper surface of the ceiling 7U), but this is not limited thereto and the chamber 11A may abut against or be connected to the lower end (or upper end) of the partitions 10, 20, and 30 (not shown). Alternatively, the chamber 11A may be omitted and the intake duct 11B may abut against the top plate 2A (ceiling 7U) or the partitions 10, 20, and 30 (not shown). Alternatively, the chamber 11A and the intake duct 11B may be omitted and the intake port of the intake device 11C may abut against the top plate 2A (ceiling 7U) or the partitions 10, 20, and 30 (not shown). Furthermore, the intake duct 11B of the intake section 11 has a tapered shape that widens toward the upstream side, but this is not limited to this. For example, the intake duct 11B may be a pipe with the same diameter from upstream to downstream, similar to the intake duct 11B (not shown).

[0062] Furthermore, in the droplet collection devices 3 to 6 according to the first to fourth embodiments, the sterilizer 13 and the filter 16 are disposed in the exhaust duct 12A, but this is not limiting and they may be incorporated inside the intake section 11 (not shown). Furthermore, the sterilizer 13 and the filter 16 may be omitted (not shown).

[0063] Furthermore, in the droplet collection devices 3 to 6 according to the first to fourth embodiments, the intake section 11, the exhaust section 12 including the exhaust duct 12A, and the like are disposed on the floor surface 7, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, if the room has a double floor, the intake section 11, the exhaust section 12 (exhaust duct 12A, exhaust fan 12B), and the sterilization device 13 may be disposed under the floor (not shown).

[0064] Furthermore, in the droplet collection devices 3 to 6 according to the first to fourth embodiments, the partition unit 10 is installed on the top board 2A of the table 2 (or on the ceiling 7U), which is an example of a contact surface, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the partition unit 10 may be installed on the floor surface 7 of a room, which is another example of a contact surface (not shown). In this case, for example, the intake unit 11, the exhaust unit 12, the sterilizer 13, etc. may be installed on the floor surface 7, or may be installed under the floor or on the ceiling 7U (attic) (not shown).

[0065] In addition, in the droplet collection devices 3 to 6 according to the first to fourth embodiments, the partition plate 10A is formed in a rectangular plate shape, but the shape of the partition plate 10A may be freely changed, for example, it may be a polygonal shape other than a rectangular shape, or it may be a semicircular shape or a circular shape (elliptical shape) (not shown). In addition, the partitions 10, 20, 30 (such as the partition plate 10A) are formed from a light-transmitting material, but for example, when the partitions 10, 20, 30 are used as office partitions, the partitions 10, 20, 30 may be formed from a non-light-transmitting (opaque) material.

[0066] Furthermore, in the droplet collection devices 3, 5, and 6 according to the first, third, and fourth embodiments, the upper ends of the partitions 10, 20, and 30 are open and serve as the main air intake ports. However, as shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B, the partition plate 10A may be divided into upper and lower halves, with the lower portion of the partition plate 10A offset outward from the upper portion of the partition plate 10A across the second intake port 34. The upper and lower halves of the partition plate 10A may be connected by a connecting portion 35 and a side plate 20A. With this configuration, air flowing along the outer surface of the upper portion of the partition plate 10A can be taken into the flow path S1 through the second intake port 34. Preferably, the upper and lower portions of the partition plate 10A overlap.

[0067] Furthermore, the partition sections 10, 20, 30 of the droplet collection devices 3 to 6 according to the first to fourth embodiments can not only separate users 9 facing each other, but also separate adjacent users 9 and the space around one user 9.

[0068] The above-described embodiment shows one aspect of the droplet collection device and droplet collection system according to the present invention, and the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. The present invention may be variously changed, substituted, or modified without departing from the spirit of the technical concept, and the claims include all embodiments that may fall within the scope of the technical concept. [Explanation of symbols]

[0069] 1 Droplet collection system 2 tables 2A Top plate (contact surface) 3,4,5,6 Droplet collection device 10, 20, 30 Partitions 10A Partition plate 11 Intake section 12 Exhaust section 13 Sterilizer (functional part) 14 through holes 16 Filter (functional part) 31 Opening 32 Cylinder wall 33 Suction port S1 flow path S2 configuration space

Claims

1. A partition having at least one opening and separating a space around a user; an intake section that is provided below, above, or to the side of the partition section and that sucks in air containing droplets floating near the partition section and moves the air downward, upward, or to the side along the partition section; an exhaust section that discharges the air sucked by the intake section to the outside, the partition section has a pair of partition plates facing each other across the flow path through which the air flows, The intake unit creates a negative pressure in the flow path, The opening is a cylindrical wall that is installed across the pair of partition plates and that connects the spaces partitioned by the pair of partition plates; A droplet collection device characterized by having at least one suction port drilled in the cylindrical wall so as to communicate with the flow path, upstream of the widest position of the cylindrical wall in the air flow direction and at a position where the pressure distribution around the cylindrical wall is negative.

2. The droplet collection device according to claim 1, further comprising a functional unit having at least one of a filter that removes droplets from the air sucked by the intake unit and a sterilization device that kills microorganisms contained in the air sucked by the intake unit.

3. 3. The droplet collection device according to claim 1, wherein the partition portion is formed in a cylindrical shape with the sides of the pair of partition plates closed and both upper and lower end faces open.

4. 4. The droplet collection device according to claim 1, wherein the downstream end of the partition plate in the air flow direction is in close contact with the contact surface without leaving any gap between the partition plate and the contact surface.

5. A droplet collection device according to any one of claims 1 to 4; a pair of tables arranged with a gap therebetween and having a pair of top plates on which the pair of partition plates are erected; The upper ends of the pair of partition plates are set at a position higher than the head of the user, A droplet collection system characterized in that the intake unit is installed in the gap between the pair of tables.

Images