Ultraviolet sterilization device

Abstract

To provide an ultraviolet sterilization device exhibiting excellent ultraviolet light irradiation performance and excellent sterilization effect.SOLUTION: The ultraviolet sterilization device comprises a device body 200 comprising a plurality of ultraviolet light emitting elements 100 and a sterilization chamber 220 that stores water to be sterilized by ultraviolet rays UV emitted from the ultraviolet light emitting elements 100, with the device body 200 constituted of a body 210 of a bottomed box shape comprising a cylindrical side wall 211 and a bottom 212, and an upper plate 230 covering the upper part of the side wall 211, the ultraviolet light emitting elements 100 being disposed along the circumferential direction R of the side wall 211, and the ultraviolet rays UV being emitted in the direction of the center line L of the cylindrical shape, which side wall 211 is structured to comprise an inflow port 215 attached thereto to allow water W to be sterilized to flow into the sterilization chamber 220 along the circumferential direction R of the side wall 211. Thereby, the water W whirls and flows from the inflow port 215 to allow the water to be repeatedly irradiated with ultraviolet ray UV emitted from the ultraviolet light emitting elements 100, and therefore a sufficient irradiation time is secured without extending / enlarging the flow passage.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an ultraviolet sterilization device. [Background technology]

[0002] A conventional ultraviolet sterilization device has been disclosed that sterilizes water flowing parallel to the axis of a cylindrical treatment tank by irradiating the water with light in the same direction (see, for example, Patent Document 1). This ultraviolet sterilization device is configured with a straight pipe that defines a treatment flow path, a light source that irradiates ultraviolet light in the axial direction of the straight pipe toward the treatment flow path, and a light receiving unit that receives a portion of the ultraviolet light output from the light source.

[0003] Also disclosed is a structure designed to lengthen the flow path and increase the irradiation time (see, for example, Patent Document 2). This ultraviolet sterilization device includes a housing having a hollow portion surrounded by first and second end faces and a cylindrical side surface, a mounting part for installing an ultraviolet light-emitting element on the first end face side of the housing, and a first partition disposed in the hollow portion to divide the hollow portion into two closed spaces and having a first opening connecting these two spaces. The flow path is configured to be lengthened by configuring the flow path via the opening connecting the two spaces. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-30078 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-104773 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Since sterilization efficiency is defined as ultraviolet irradiance x irradiation time, conventional structures are mainstream because it is easy to lengthen the flow path and increase the irradiation time. However, according to the configuration of Patent Document 1, since it is necessary to irradiate light over a long distance, it is necessary to use lenses and reflectors to narrow the irradiation angle of the light source, which creates the problem of uneven flow in the tank and uneven sterilization performance.

[0006] Furthermore, according to the configuration of Patent Document 2, the ultraviolet light emitted from the ultraviolet light-emitting element has directionality but is diffused radially, which causes a problem that the intensity of the ultraviolet light is reduced in areas far from the ultraviolet light-emitting element, resulting in a low sterilization effect on water.

[0007] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an ultraviolet sterilization device that has excellent ultraviolet light irradiation performance and a high sterilization effect. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] [1] The present invention provides an ultraviolet sterilization device comprising an ultraviolet light-emitting element and an apparatus main body having a sterilization chamber therein for storing water to be sterilized by ultraviolet light emitted by the ultraviolet light-emitting element, wherein the apparatus main body is composed of a bottomed box-shaped main body having cylindrical side walls and a bottom, and an upper plate covering the upper part of the side walls, the ultraviolet light-emitting element is arranged in the circumferential direction of the side walls or along the bottom or the upper plate, the ultraviolet light is irradiated in the direction of the sterilization chamber, and the side walls are provided with an inlet for allowing the water to be sterilized to flow into the sterilization chamber along the circumferential direction of the side walls. [2] The upper plate portion may have an outlet at the center thereof for taking out the water sterilized by the ultraviolet light-emitting element. [3] The water flowing into the sterilization chamber from the inlet may be configured to flow in a swirling manner along the circumferential direction of the side wall portion toward the center of the sterilization chamber. [4] The side wall portion may have a negative pressure structure in which water pressure decreases from the inner wall toward the center. [5] The device main body has a flat shape, and the inner diameter D of the inner wall of the side wall and the side wall height H of the side wall are expressed as follows: D≧2H The above formula may be satisfied. [6] The sterilization chamber may also have a connecting main body portion having a cylindrical connecting side wall portion and a connecting bottom portion having a communication port formed therein for connecting the sterilization chambers arranged one above the other, and may be configured in multiple stages by stacking the main body portion described in [1] above, the upper plate portion, and the connecting main body portion in the required number of stages. [7] Furthermore, the device main body may have a cooling chamber in addition to the sterilization chamber, and the water may cool the ultraviolet light-emitting element in the cooling chamber before flowing into the sterilization chamber. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the ultraviolet sterilization device of the present invention, it is possible to provide an ultraviolet sterilization device that has excellent ultraviolet light irradiation performance and a high sterilization effect. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1(a) is an overall perspective view of an ultraviolet sterilization device according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 1(a). [Figure 2] Figure 2(a) is an explanatory perspective view in which arrows schematically indicate the flow of water to be sterilized when the upper plate portion in Figure 1(a) is absent, and Figure 2(b) is an explanatory cross-sectional view in which arrows schematically indicate the flow of water to be sterilized in a cross section perpendicular to the center line (cylinder axis) shown in Figure 1(b). [Figure 3] FIG. 3(a) is an overall perspective view of an ultraviolet sterilization device according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 3(a). [Figure 4]FIG. 4(a) is a simulation result diagram showing the pressure of the water being sterilized in an oblique view, FIG. 4(b) is a simulation result diagram showing the water pressure by the type of hatching in a cross section including the center line (cylinder axis), and FIG. 4(c) is a simulation result diagram showing the water pressure by the type of hatching in a cross section perpendicular to the center line (cylinder axis) of FIG. 4(b). [Figure 5] FIG. 5(a) is a simulation result diagram showing the sterilization dose of water to be sterilized in a perspective view, FIG. 5(b) is a simulation result diagram showing the sterilization dose by the type of hatching in a cross section including the center line (cylinder axis), and FIG. 5(c) is a simulation result diagram showing the sterilization dose by the type of hatching in a cross section perpendicular to the center line (cylinder axis) of FIG. 5(b). [Figure 6] FIG. 6(a) is an overall perspective view of an ultraviolet sterilization device according to a third embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6(b) is a front view seen from direction C in FIG. 6(a). [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line DD in FIG. 6(b). DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] [First embodiment of the present invention] Fig. 1(a) is an overall perspective view of an ultraviolet sterilization device according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 1(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A in Fig. 1(a). Fig. 2(a) is an explanatory perspective view showing the flow of water to be sterilized with arrows in a state where the upper plate portion is not present in Fig. 1(a), and Fig. 2(b) is an explanatory cross-sectional view showing the flow of water to be sterilized with arrows in a cross section perpendicular to the center line (cylinder axis) shown in Fig. 1(b).

[0012] (Overall configuration of ultraviolet sterilization device 1) As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the ultraviolet sterilization device 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention comprises an ultraviolet light-emitting element 100 and an apparatus main body 200 having an internal sterilization chamber 220 for containing water W to be sterilized by ultraviolet light UV emitted by the ultraviolet light-emitting element 100. The apparatus main body 200 is composed of a bottomed, box-shaped main body 210 having cylindrical side walls 211 and a bottom 212, and an upper plate 230 covering the top of the side walls 211. The ultraviolet light-emitting element 100 is arranged along the circumferential direction R of the side walls 211 or along the bottom 212 and upper plate 230. The ultraviolet light UV is irradiated in the direction of the sterilization chamber 220. The side walls 211 are provided with an inlet 215 for allowing the water W to be sterilized to flow into the sterilization chamber 220 along the circumferential direction R of the side walls 211.

[0013] In the embodiment of the present invention, the object to be sterilized by the ultraviolet light UV emitted by the ultraviolet light-emitting element 100 is described as water W as shown above, but this is not limited to this and any fluid can be used as the object to be sterilized.

[0014] (Ultraviolet light emitting element 100) The ultraviolet light-emitting element 100 is a light-emitting element that emits ultraviolet light that sterilizes an object to be sterilized, in this embodiment, water W. As an example, the ultraviolet light-emitting element 100 can be an LED module that emits ultraviolet light (particularly UVC) as ultraviolet light. In particular, the ultraviolet light-emitting element 100 emits ultraviolet light UV with a wavelength of 100 to 280 nm in the deep ultraviolet region. As an example, an AlGaN-based light-emitting diode can be suitably used for the LED module.

[0015] The number of ultraviolet light-emitting elements 100 used can be increased or decreased depending on the light output of the LED modules. In this embodiment, as an example, three LED modules are used, as shown in Fig. 2(b). The ultraviolet light-emitting element 100 is modularized by including an LED element 120 in a package 110 and a reflector 130 for reflecting and diffusing the emitted light.

[0016] (Device main body 200) The device main body 200 is composed of a bottomed box-shaped main body 210 having a cylindrical side wall 211 and a bottom 212, and an upper plate 230 covering an upper portion of the center line L of the cylindrical shape. As an example, the cylindrical shape is a cylindrical shape. As shown in FIGS. 1(a) and 1(b), the side wall 211 is formed cylindrically with the center line L of the cylindrical shape as the cylindrical axis, and the main body 210 has a bottomed cylindrical shape by having a bottom 212. As an example, the main body 210 can be formed from stainless steel such as SUS304 or a synthetic resin such as ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene).

[0017] 1(b), a UV reflector 213, for example a resin layer such as PTFE (Polytetrafluoroethylene), is provided on the inner surface of the side wall 211 to suppress absorption of ultraviolet rays and facilitate reflection. The UV reflector 213 may also be provided on the bottom 212 and the upper plate 230 in addition to the side wall 211.

[0018] 1 and 2, the top (opening) of main body 210 is covered with upper plate 230. Main body 210 and upper plate 230 are closely fixed together by, for example, gluing or screwing, and the inside is made into sterilization chamber 220 that is watertight from the outside.

[0019] As shown in Figures 1(a), 2(a) and (b), the ultraviolet light-emitting element 100 is arranged along the circumferential direction R of the side wall portion 211 so as to face the center, or center line L, of the sterilization chamber 220. Alternatively, the ultraviolet light-emitting element 100 may be arranged on the bottom portion 212 or the upper plate portion 230. This allows ultraviolet light UV to be irradiated into the sterilization chamber.

[0020] The side wall 211 is configured with an inlet 215 provided in the cylindrical tangential direction, for allowing the water W to be sterilized to flow into the sterilization chamber 220 along the circumferential direction R of the side wall 211. As shown in Figures 2(a) and (b), the water W that flows into the sterilization chamber 220 from the inlet 215 flows along the side wall 211 and is controlled so that it flows toward the center in a vortex in direction T (vortex direction T) around the center line L of the sterilization chamber 220.

[0021] An outlet 235 is formed in the center of the upper plate 230 for taking out water W that has been sterilized by the ultraviolet light-emitting element 100. As a result, water W that flows into the sterilization chamber 220 from the inlet 215 flows circumferentially around the side wall 211, swirling in the direction T toward the center, or center line L, of the sterilization chamber 220, and is then discharged from the outlet 235, which is the center of the vortex. In other words, a negative pressure structure is created in which the water pressure decreases from the inner wall of the side wall 211 toward the center, or center line L, of the sterilization chamber 220.

[0022] As a result, the water W flows in a vortex from the inlet 215 to the outlet 235, which is the center of the vortex, and is repeatedly irradiated with ultraviolet light UV from the ultraviolet light-emitting element 100. By controlling the vortex of the water W, it is possible to ensure the flow path length without increasing its length, and the sterilization time can be increased. This makes it possible to provide an ultraviolet sterilization device with excellent ultraviolet light irradiation performance and high sterilization effect.

[0023] The device main body 200, which is composed of the main body 210 and the upper plate 230, has a flat shape. In this embodiment, the main body 210 has a cylindrical flat shape, that is, a disk shape.

[0024] 1(b), the flat shape satisfies the condition that the inner diameter D of the inner wall of the side wall portion 211 and the side wall height H of the side wall portion 211 satisfy, for example, D≧2H. The relationship between the inner diameter D of the inner wall of the side wall portion 211 and the side wall height H can be set so as to obtain the required sterilization effect, taking into consideration the light output of the ultraviolet light-emitting element 100, the irradiation time, the flow rate of the water W, etc. The flattening degree of the main body portion can be expected to be greater as long as the light distribution of ultraviolet light inside is maintained uniform, but is not limited to the condition D≧2H and can be set arbitrarily, for example, D=0.5H, D=H, D=1.5H, etc.

[0025] [Second embodiment of the present invention] Figure 3(a) is an overall perspective view of an ultraviolet sterilization device according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 2(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B in Figure 3(a). The second embodiment of the present invention is configured by stacking ultraviolet sterilization devices in multiple stages.

[0026] (Overall configuration of ultraviolet sterilization device 2) 3(a) and 3(b), the ultraviolet sterilization device 2 according to the second embodiment has a connecting main body 250 including a cylindrical connecting sidewall 251 and a connecting bottom 252 having a communication port 256 that connects the sterilization chambers 220 arranged one above the other, and is configured in multiple stages by stacking the main body 210 and upper plate 230 of the first embodiment with the connecting main body 250 in the required number of stages. In the second embodiment, an example in which three stages are stacked is shown as an example, but it is possible to configure it in any number of stages.

[0027] 3(a) and 3(b), connecting main body 250 is in the shape of a bottomed box having a cylindrical connecting sidewall 251 and connecting bottom 252. As in the first embodiment, ultraviolet light-emitting element 100 is arranged along the circumferential direction of connecting sidewall 251, ultraviolet light UV is emitted in the direction of center line L of the cylindrical shape, and connecting sidewall 251 is provided with inlet 255 for allowing water W to be sterilized to flow into sterilization chamber 220 along the circumferential direction of connecting sidewall 251. In addition, a communication port 256 is formed in the center of connecting bottom 252 of connecting main body 250, connecting each sterilization chamber 220 to communicate with each other.

[0028] The other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment.

[0029] FIG. 4(a) is a simulation result diagram showing the pressure of the water being sterilized in an oblique view, FIG. 4(b) is a simulation result diagram showing the water pressure by the type of hatching in a cross section including the center line (cylinder axis), and FIG. 4(c) is a simulation result diagram showing the water pressure by the type of hatching in a cross section perpendicular to the center line (cylinder axis) of FIG. 4(b).

[0030] As shown in Figure 4(a), water W flowing in from the inlets 215, 255 flows along the side wall 211 and connecting side wall 251 and is controlled so that it flows toward the center of the sterilization chamber 220 in a swirling pattern around the center line L. At this time, the pressure of the water W (water pressure) decreases toward the center of the cylinder, with the pressure at the center being smaller. Referring to Figures 4(b) and 4(c), the pressure at the center is smaller than that at the side wall in each stage.

[0031] Furthermore, water W flows from the lower stage to the upper stage through the communication port 256. Referring to Figure 4(b), it can be seen that the pressure in the lower stage is greater than the pressure in the upper stage near the center of each stage, i.e., at the communication port 256. As a result, water W flows along the side wall portion 211 and the connecting side wall portion 251, flows toward the center in a vortex shape around the center line L of the sterilization chamber 220, flows from the lower stage to the upper stage through the communication port 256, and is discharged to the outside through the outlet 235.

[0032] As a result, the pressure of the water W becomes negative from the side wall toward the center at each stage, and also becomes negative from the lower stage toward the upper stage. By configuring the water flow to be controlled in this way, it becomes possible to rectify the flow, and UV irradiation of the water W can be stably performed.

[0033] FIG. 5(a) is a simulation result diagram showing the sterilization dose of sterilized water in a perspective view. FIG. 5(b) is a simulation result diagram showing the sterilization dose in a cross section including the center line (cylinder axis) L, with the type of hatching. FIG. 5(c) is a simulation result diagram showing the sterilization dose in a cross section perpendicular to the center line (cylinder axis) L in FIG. 5(b), with the type of hatching. As shown in FIGS. 5(a) and 5(b), water W flowing in from the inlets 215 and 255 flows along the side wall 211 and the connecting side wall 251 and flows toward the center of the sterilization chamber 220, spiraling around the center line L. Therefore, the water flow closer to the center is repeatedly irradiated with ultraviolet light UV. FIG. 5(c) is a simulation result diagram showing the sterilization dose in a cross section perpendicular to the center line (cylinder axis) in FIG. 5(b), with the type of hatching. This shows that the water flow closer to the center is repeatedly irradiated with ultraviolet light UV in each stage, and the sterilization dose is higher the closer to the center. Furthermore, since water W flows from the lower level to the upper level through the communication port 256, it can be seen that the closer to the center, the higher the sterilization dose.

[0034] [Third embodiment of the present invention] Figure 6(a) is an overall perspective view of an ultraviolet sterilization device according to a third embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 6(b) is a front view seen from direction C in Figure 6(a). Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line D-D in Figure 6(b). An ultraviolet sterilization device 3 according to the third embodiment of the present invention has the same structure as the device main body of the first and second embodiments, but has a cooling chamber in addition to a sterilization chamber, and is configured so that water cools the ultraviolet light-emitting elements in the cooling chamber before flowing into the sterilization chamber.

[0035] As shown in Figures 6(a), (b), and 7, the ultraviolet sterilization device 3 of the third embodiment has an apparatus main body 300, which corresponds to the apparatus main body of the ultraviolet sterilization devices of the first and second embodiments, and has a cooling chamber 340 in addition to a sterilization chamber 320, and is configured so that water W cools the ultraviolet light-emitting element 100 in the cooling chamber 340 before flowing into the sterilization chamber 320.

[0036] (Device main body 300) The device main body 300 is composed of a bottomed box-shaped main body 310 having cylindrical sidewalls 311 and a bottom 312, and a top lid 330 covering the top of the cylinder. The cylinder shape is, for example, a cylindrical shape. As shown in FIGS. 6(a), 6(b), and 7, the main body 310 has a cylindrical sidewall 311 and a bottom 312, making it a bottomed cylindrical shape. The top lid 330 is tightly fixed to the main body 310 by, for example, screwing. The ultraviolet sterilization device 3 has an inlet 315 at the bottom for introducing water W and an outlet 335 at the top for discharging sterilized water W.

[0037] As shown in Figure 7, a sterilization chamber 320 is provided inside the main body 310. The sterilization chamber 320 is capable of containing water W with a wall 321, an upper plate 322, and a bottom plate 323. The wall 321 is formed in a cylindrical shape like the side wall 311, and is provided with an inlet 321a for allowing the water W to flow from the cooling chamber 340 into the sterilization chamber 320. In addition, the upper plate 322 is provided with an outlet 324 for discharging the sterilized water W.

[0038] In addition, an exit opening 325 for passing ultraviolet light UV is provided in the center of the bottom plate portion 323. A cooling chamber 340 is provided below the bottom plate portion 323. A light-emitting unit 150 including an ultraviolet light-emitting element 100 is arranged in this cooling chamber 340.

[0039] The light-emitting unit 150 has an ultraviolet light-emitting element 100 inside and is sealed with a waterproof board 155 that transmits ultraviolet light UV, making it watertight from the outside. The ultraviolet light UV emitted from the ultraviolet light-emitting element 100 passes through the waterproof board 155 and is irradiated into the sterilization chamber 320, where it can sterilize the water W in the sterilization chamber 320.

[0040] The water W that flows in from the inlet 315 first flows into the cooling chamber 340 and cools the light-emitting units 150 inside the cooling chamber 340. The water W inside the cooling chamber 340 flows into the sterilization chamber 320 from the inlet 321a. The water W that flows into the sterilization chamber 320 is sterilized by ultraviolet light UV emitted from the ultraviolet light-emitting element 100. The sterilized water W passes through the outlet 324 and is discharged to the outside from the outlet 335.

[0041] The flow of water W is indicated by arrows in Figure 7. As in the first embodiment, water W flows into sterilization chamber 320 from inlet 321a along wall 321, and is controlled to flow toward the center in a swirling manner due to negative pressure at the center of sterilization chamber 320. As a result, water W flows in a swirling manner from inlet 321a to outlet 324, and ultraviolet light UV is repeatedly emitted from ultraviolet light-emitting element 100. By controlling the water W to swirl, it is possible to ensure the flow path length without increasing its length, thereby increasing the sterilization time. This makes it possible to provide an ultraviolet sterilization device with excellent ultraviolet light irradiation performance and high sterilization effect.

[0042] [Advantages of the embodiment of the present invention] The ultraviolet sterilization device 1 according to the first embodiment of the invention comprises an ultraviolet light-emitting element 100 and an apparatus main body 200 having an internal sterilization chamber 220 for containing water W to be sterilized by ultraviolet light UV emitted by the ultraviolet light-emitting element 100. The apparatus main body 200 is composed of a bottomed, box-shaped main body 210 having a cylindrical sidewall 211 and a bottom 212, and an upper plate 230 covering the upper part of the sidewall 211. The ultraviolet light-emitting element 100 is arranged along the circumferential direction R of the sidewall 211 or along the bottom 212 and upper plate 230. The ultraviolet light UV is irradiated toward the sterilization chamber 220. The center of the sterilization chamber 220, the sidewall 211, is provided with an inlet 215 for allowing the water W to be sterilized to flow into the sterilization chamber 220 along the circumferential direction R of the sidewall 211. The upper plate 230 is formed with an outlet 235 for removing the water W sterilized by the ultraviolet light-emitting element 100. (1) The outlet 235 can be positioned anywhere, but is preferably formed in the center of the upper plate 230. As a result, water W flows circumferentially around the side wall 211, swirling in the direction T toward the center, or center line L, of the sterilization chamber 220, and is discharged from the outlet 235, which is the center of the vortex. This configuration allows the water to swirl in the circumferential direction within the sterilization chamber, which is a treatment tank. Furthermore, water W that flows into the sterilization chamber 220 from the inlet 215 flows circumferentially around the side wall 211, swirling in the direction T toward the center, or center line L, of the sterilization chamber 220, and is discharged from the outlet 235, which is the center of the vortex. In other words, a negative pressure structure can be achieved in which water pressure decreases from the inner wall of the side wall 211 toward the center, or center line L, of the sterilization chamber 220. This rectifies the water flow within the treatment tank, uniforming its residence time, reducing irradiation unevenness and stabilizing sterilization performance. This makes it possible to miniaturize the housing and simplify its structure, which reduces variations in sterilization effectiveness. (2) In this embodiment, the device main body 200 has a flat shape. That is, the main body 210 has a cylindrical, flat shape, i.e., a disk shape. With this configuration, the water flow can be made to swirl in the circumferential direction in the sterilization chamber, which is the treatment tank, and the flow can be easily rectified. (3) The ultraviolet light-emitting element 100 is arranged along the circumferential direction R of the sidewall 211, or along the bottom 212 or upper plate 230, and irradiates ultraviolet light (UV) toward the sterilization chamber 220. This configuration allows the water (W) to pass near the light source multiple times, eliminating the need for light distribution control technology and shortening the irradiation distance compared to conventional technology. Furthermore, the amount of water flowing from the inlet to the outlet is reduced, and ultraviolet light (UV) is irradiated repeatedly while swirling, ensuring a stable amount of UV light necessary for sterilization. The outlet is axially positioned, with water discharged from the center of the vortex. By positioning the light source circumferentially and facing the center, irradiation continues until the water is discharged. This allows for an increased irradiation time of ultraviolet light (UV), which is expected to improve sterilization performance. (4) Furthermore, by providing an inlet in the tangential direction of the circumference, the flow is controlled to swirl around the center of the flow, which allows for more time for sterilization. Furthermore, by creating a swirl, the length of the flow path does not need to be extended or enlarged, allowing the ultraviolet sterilization device 1 to be made smaller.

[0043] The ultraviolet sterilization device 2 according to the second embodiment has a connecting main body 250 equipped with a cylindrical connecting sidewall 251 and a connecting bottom 252 formed with a communication port 256 that connects the sterilization chambers 220 arranged one above the other, and is configured in multiple stages with the main body 210 and upper plate 230 of the first embodiment and the connecting main body 250 stacked in the required number of stages. This provides the following effects in addition to the effects of the ultraviolet sterilization device 1 according to the first embodiment. (5) The connecting body 250 can be stacked in the required number of layers to configure the ultraviolet sterilization device 2. Therefore, the water W is irradiated with ultraviolet rays UV over multiple layers, which further increases the sterilization time and can be expected to further improve sterilization performance. (6) Furthermore, in the ultraviolet sterilization device 3 according to the third embodiment, the device main body 300, which corresponds to the device main body of the ultraviolet sterilization device according to the first and second embodiments, has a cooling chamber in addition to the sterilization chamber 320. The water W cools the ultraviolet light-emitting element 100 in the cooling chamber before flowing into the sterilization chamber 320. The water W flowing in through the inlet 315 first flows into the cooling chamber 340 and cools the light-emitting unit 150 in the cooling chamber 340. The water W used for cooling then flows into the sterilization chamber 320 through the inlet 321a. This allows cooling by using the water W to be sterilized, without the need for separate cooling means for the ultraviolet light-emitting element 100 and the light-emitting unit 150. This makes it possible to increase the light-emitting power of the ultraviolet light-emitting element 100, thereby providing an ultraviolet sterilization device with excellent ultraviolet light irradiation performance and high sterilization effect.

[0044] As an example, the optical output per module of the ultraviolet light emitting element 100 is 50 mW, and the ultraviolet irradiation energy density is 12 mJ / cm. 2 , compared to the single-stage UV sterilizer 1 with a water flow rate of 5 L / min, the three-stage UV sterilizer 2 has a three-stage configuration with a water flow rate of 15 L / min and 12 mJ / cm 2 It can be driven by.

[0045] Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment and various modifications are possible within the scope of the gist of the invention. In the present embodiment, an example in which a single-stage or multiple-stage ultraviolet sterilization device is installed vertically has been described, but for example, a single-stage or multiple-stage ultraviolet sterilization device may also be installed horizontally.

[0046] Furthermore, the above-described embodiments do not limit the scope of the invention as claimed, and it should be noted that not all of the combinations of features described in the embodiments are necessarily essential to the means for solving the problems of the invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0047] 1, 2, 3...UV sterilizer, 100... ultraviolet light emitting element, 110... package, 120... LED element, 130... reflector, 155... waterproof plate, 200... device main body, 210... main body, 211... side wall, 212... bottom, 213... UV reflector, 215... inlet, 220... sterilization chamber, 230... upper plate, 235... outlet 250...Connection main body part, 251...Connection side wall part, 252...Connection bottom part, 255...Inflow port, 256...Communication port 300...apparatus main body, 310...main body, 311...side wall, 312...bottom, 315...inlet, 320...sterilization chamber, 321...wall, 321a...inlet, 322...top plate, 323...bottom plate, 324...outlet, 325...output opening, 330...upper cover, 335...outlet, 340...cooling chamber D...inner diameter, H...side wall height, L...center line, R...circumferential direction, T...spiral direction, UV...ultraviolet rays, W...water

Claims

1. an ultraviolet light-emitting element; an apparatus main body having a sterilization chamber therein for storing water to be sterilized by ultraviolet light emitted by the ultraviolet light-emitting element; the device main body is composed of a bottomed box-shaped main body having a cylindrical side wall and a bottom, and an upper plate covering an upper portion of the side wall, The ultraviolet light emitting element is arranged in a circumferential direction of the side wall portion or along the bottom portion or the upper plate portion, and the ultraviolet light is irradiated in a direction toward the sterilization chamber, The side wall portion is provided with an inlet for allowing the water to be sterilized to flow into the sterilization chamber along a circumferential direction of the side wall portion, an outlet for taking out water sterilized by the ultraviolet light-emitting element is formed at the center of the upper plate; The water flowing into the sterilization chamber from the inlet flows in a vortex along the circumferential direction of the side wall portion, with the center of the sterilization chamber as the vortex center, creating a negative pressure structure in which water pressure decreases from the inner wall of the side wall portion toward the center. Ultraviolet sterilizer.

2. the device main body has a flat shape, an inner diameter D of the inner wall of the side wall portion; a side wall height H of the side wall portion; is expressed as follows: D≧2H The ultraviolet sterilization device according to claim 1 , which satisfies the above.

3. a connecting main body portion including a cylindrical connecting side wall portion and a connecting bottom portion having a communication port formed therein for communicating the sterilization chambers arranged one above the other, An ultraviolet sterilization device having a multi-stage configuration including the main body portion according to claim 1, the upper plate portion, and the connecting main body portion stacked a predetermined number of times.

4. 2. The ultraviolet sterilization device according to claim 1, wherein the device main body has a cooling chamber in addition to the sterilization chamber, and the water cools the ultraviolet light-emitting element in the cooling chamber before flowing into the sterilization chamber.

Images