Fluid sterilization device

Abstract

To provide a fluid sterilizer capable of effectively using wide-angle light of ultraviolet light applied from a light source unit and retaining a fluid within an ultraviolet light application range even with an extremely simple structure.SOLUTION: A fluid sterilizer comprises: a second flow path 30 that extends in an axial direction and that is connected to another end of a first flow path 10 through which a fluid flows from one end to the other end and opposite to the first flow path 10 with a light source unit 20 that applies ultraviolet light to the fluid therebetween; and a third flow path 40 disposed outside the light source unit 20 to pass the fluid flowing through the first flow path 10 to the second flow path 30. The first flow path 10 or the light source unit 20 is provided with a first communication part 121 communicated with the third flow path 40, and the second flow path 30 or the light source unit 20 is provided with a second communication part 311 communicated with the third flow path 40.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Various products are available that sterilize fluids (such as drinking liquids, raw water for food, or various cooling and cleaning waters for factories) by irradiating them with ultraviolet light. As related inventions, fluid sterilization devices that are installed in the fluid flow path are disclosed in, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2 listed below.

[0003] The fluid sterilization device disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a straight-tube treatment chamber extending from a first end face to a second end face, an inlet and an outlet connected to the sidewall of the treatment chamber, and a light source disposed near (outside) the first end face and the second end face, respectively. Ultraviolet light emitted from the light source passes through ultraviolet light-transmitting windows fitted in the first end face and the second end face. This allows the fluid flowing near the inlet to be irradiated with ultraviolet light of higher intensity than the fluid flowing near the outlet.

[0004] Furthermore, the fluid sterilization device disclosed in Patent Document 2 includes a first flow path extending in the longitudinal direction, a light source unit substantially opposite the first flow path and irradiating the fluid flowing in the first flow path with ultraviolet light, and a second flow path connected to the first flow path and formed around the light source unit. The fluid flowing in the second flow path flows from the front surface (light-emitting surface) of the light source unit to the back surface (surface opposite the light-emitting surface).

[0005] Furthermore, Patent Document 2 discloses an embodiment in which the inner diameter of the connection portion between the first flow path and the light source unit is made shorter than the inner diameter of the first flow path, and an offset portion recessed into the light source unit is provided in the area of ​​the light source unit facing the first flow path. This allows the fluid flowing from the first flow path to be collected in the offset portion, and by generating convection (vortex) in the fluid collected in the offset portion, it is possible to irradiate the fluid with ultraviolet light for a long period of time. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6571460 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2018-8213 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] The irradiation range of ultraviolet light emitted from a light source includes not only the area facing the light source but also the areas to the side of the light source (ultraviolet light reaching the areas to the side of the light source may be referred to as "wide-angle light" hereinafter). Therefore, if the wide-angle light can be effectively irradiated onto a fluid, the fluid can be more effectively sterilized. However, Patent Document 1 does not disclose or suggest a means for utilizing wide-angle ultraviolet light to enhance the sterilization ability of a fluid.

[0008] Furthermore, in the fluid sterilization device of Patent Document 1, if the fluid is to be irradiated with ultraviolet light including wide-angle light, the diameter of the treatment chamber needs to be increased, however, in this case the size of the treatment chamber (fluid sterilization device) becomes large.

[0009] Furthermore, in the fluid sterilization device of Patent Document 2, in order to generate convection in the fluid flowing near the light source unit, the inner diameter of the flow path inside the connecting part must be made shorter than the inner diameter of the first flow path, and a complex structure must be provided in which an offset part is provided in the light source unit, which may result in an increase in the manufacturing cost of the fluid sterilization device.

[0010] In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a fluid sterilization device that can effectively utilize the wide-angle ultraviolet light emitted from a light source unit, has an extremely simple structure, and retains fluid within the ultraviolet light irradiation range. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the fluid sterilization device according to the present invention comprises: a first flow path portion extending in the axial direction and allowing a fluid to pass from one end to the other end; a light source unit connected to the other end of the first flow path portion and configured to irradiate the fluid with ultraviolet light; a second flow path portion facing the first flow path portion across the light source unit; a third flow path portion disposed radially outward of the light source unit and configured to cause the fluid flowing in the first flow path portion to flow in the second flow path portion; Equipped with the first flow path portion or the light source unit includes a first communication portion that communicates with the third flow path portion, the second flow path portion or the light source unit includes a second communication portion that communicates with the third flow path portion, the light source unit includes an ultraviolet light transmitting window portion facing the other end of the first flow path portion, the first communication portion includes a plurality of notched communication areas cut out from a connection portion between the first flow path portion and the light source unit, a width of the ultraviolet light transmitting window portion is larger than an inner diameter of the first flow path portion so that the fluid flowing through the first flow path portion can receive ultraviolet light irradiated from the ultraviolet light transmitting window portion while passing through the first communication portion after reaching the vicinity of the ultraviolet light transmitting window portion; It is characterized by:

[0012] According to this aspect of the present invention, by providing a third flow path portion that communicates with both the first flow path portion and the second flow path portion and is disposed radially outward of the light source unit, the fluid flowing through the first flow path portion reaches the vicinity of the light source unit, then flows along the ultraviolet light emitting surface of the light source unit, and heads toward the third flow path portion, whereby the wide-angle ultraviolet light emitted from the light source unit can be irradiated onto the fluid flowing from the first flow path portion to the third flow path portion. 。

[0013] In addition, in the fluid sterilizing device according to the present invention, The third flow path portion is Consists of either polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), perfluoroethylene propene copolymer (FEP), perfluoroalkoxyalkane (PFA), or polypropylene (PP) It is characterized by:

[0015] Furthermore, the fluid sterilization device according to the present invention comprises: The third flow path section is characterized by having high reflectivity. [Effects of the Invention]

[0019] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a fluid sterilization device that can effectively utilize the wide-angle ultraviolet light emitted from the light source unit and retain the fluid within the ultraviolet light irradiation range while having an extremely simple structure, thereby improving the sterilization efficiency of the fluid. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0020] [Figure 1] 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a fluid sterilization device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a fluid sterilization device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] (a) AA cross-sectional view of Figure 1 (cross-sectional view of the first flow path section), (b) BB cross-sectional view of Figure 1 (cross-sectional view of the third flow path section), (c) CC cross-sectional view of Figure 1 (cross-sectional view of the second flow path section), (d) a composite cross-sectional view combining the AA cross-sectional view and the CC cross-sectional view. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a fluid sterilizing device according to a first modification. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a fluid sterilizing device according to a second modification. [Figure 6] 6(a) is a DD cross-sectional view of FIG. 5 (a cross-sectional view of the first flow path portion), and FIG. 6(b) is an EE cross-sectional view of FIG. 5 (a cross-sectional view of the second flow path portion). [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a fluid sterilizing device according to a third modification. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0021] [Basic example] A fluid sterilizer according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. First, a fluid sterilizer 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3. FIG. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the fluid sterilizer 1. FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the fluid sterilizer 1 (a view showing the flow of fluid in the fluid sterilizer 1). Furthermore, FIG. 3(a) is an AA cross-sectional view of FIG. 1 (a cross-sectional view of a first flow path section including a first communication section (all of the notched communication areas) described below), FIG. 3(b) is a BB cross-sectional view of FIG. 1 (a cross-sectional view of a third flow path section described below), FIG. 3(c) is a CC cross-sectional view of FIG. 1 (a cross-sectional view of a second flow path section including a second communication section (all of the notched communication areas) described below), and FIG. 3(d) is a composite cross-sectional view combining the AA cross-sectional view and the CC cross-sectional view.

[0022] As shown in Figure 1, the fluid sterilization device 1 of this embodiment comprises a first flow path section 10, a light source unit 20 connected to the other end 12 of the first flow path section 10, a second flow path section 30 facing the first flow path section 10 across the light source unit 20, and a third flow path section 40 arranged radially outward from the light source unit 20.

[0023] The first flow path section 10 has one end 11, the other end 12, and a tubular sidewall 13, and extends in the axial direction (longitudinal direction). The other end 12 of the first flow path section 10 is provided with a first communication section 121 that communicates with the third flow path section 40. When the fluid flowing through the first flow path section 10 reaches the vicinity of the other end 12, it passes through the first communication section 121 and flows through the third flow path section 40 (flow path 41) (see FIG. 2 ). Here, the first communication section 121 in this embodiment corresponds to a plurality of communication regions (notched communication regions) cut out from the other end 12 (the connection portion with the light source unit 20) toward the one end 11. The shapes (sizes) of the plurality of communication regions may all be the same or may differ from one another. However, the form of the first communication section 121 is not limited thereto.

[0024] Furthermore, the first flow path portion 10 in this embodiment is made of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), but is not limited to this. The material of the first flow path portion 10 may be a resin other than PTFE (for example, perfluoroethylene propene copolymer (FEP), perfluoroalkoxyalkane (PFA), etc.), or a metal such as stainless steel.

[0025] Next, as shown in FIG. 1, the light source unit 20 includes a light source 21 that emits ultraviolet light (e.g., light having a peak wavelength of 100 nm to 400 nm), a housing 22 that houses the light source 21, and an ultraviolet light-transmitting window portion 23 (e.g., quartz, etc.) attached to the housing 22 so as to face the other end 12 of the first flow path portion 10.

[0026] The type of light source 21 is not particularly limited, but examples include semiconductor light emitting elements such as LEDs (light emitting diodes) and laser diodes. Although the number of light sources 21 in this embodiment is one, there may be two or more. Furthermore, the light source 21 is mounted via a substrate at a predetermined location within the housing 22 so as to face the first flow path section 10.

[0027] 2, ultraviolet light emitted from the light source 21 passes through the ultraviolet light-transmitting window 23 and is emitted toward the first flow path 10. Accordingly, in addition to straight light 211 traveling toward one end 11 of the first flow path 10, wide-angle light 212 traveling obliquely toward the side wall 13 of the first flow path 10 and the third flow path 30 is emitted from the light source unit 20. Note that, in the light source unit 20, the surface facing the first flow path 10 and including the ultraviolet light-transmitting window 23 may hereinafter be referred to as the "ultraviolet light emission surface."

[0028] The relationship between the width W of the ultraviolet light-transmitting window 23 and the inner diameter R1 of the first flow path section 10 is preferably W>R1 (the width W of the ultraviolet light-transmitting window 23 is larger than the inner diameter R1 of the first flow path section 10). By setting the relationship between the width W of the ultraviolet light-transmitting window 23 and the inner diameter R1 of the first flow path section 10 as described above, the fluid flowing through the first flow path section 10 can receive ultraviolet light irradiated from the ultraviolet light-transmitting window 23 even while passing through the first communication section 121 after reaching the vicinity of the ultraviolet light-transmitting window 23. This allows the fluid to be irradiated with ultraviolet light for a longer period of time, thereby further enhancing the sterilization ability of the fluid. However, the relationship between the width W of the ultraviolet light-transmitting window 23 and the inner diameter R1 of the first flow path section 10 is not limited to this.

[0029] Next, as shown in FIG. 1 , the second flow path section 30 has one end 31, the other end 32, and a tubular sidewall 33, and extends in the axial direction (longitudinal direction). A second communication section 311 that communicates with the third flow path section 40 is provided at the one end 31 of the second flow path section 30. When the fluid flowing through the third flow path section 40 reaches the vicinity of the one end 31, it passes through the second communication section 311 and flows into the second flow path section 30 (see FIG. 2 ). Here, the second communication section 311 in this embodiment corresponds to a plurality of communication areas (notched communication areas) that are cut out from the one end 31 (the connection section with the light source unit 20) toward the other end 32. The shapes (sizes) of the plurality of communication areas may all be the same or may differ from one another. However, the form of the second communication section 311 is not limited thereto.

[0030] Furthermore, the second flow path portion 20 in this embodiment is made of PTFE, but is not limited to this. The material of the second flow path portion 30 may be a resin other than PTFE (for example, FEP, PFA, etc.), or may be a metal such as stainless steel.

[0031] 1, the third flow path section 40 is a tubular member disposed radially outward from the light source unit 20. The third flow path section 40 of this embodiment is connected to the first flow path section 10 and the second flow path section 30 via a C-ring, an O-ring, or the like. This forms a flow path 41 that connects the first flow path section 10 and the second flow path section 30 and covers the outer circumferential region of the light source unit 20.

[0032] That is, after the fluid flowing through the first flow path section 10 reaches the vicinity of the light source unit 20, it flows along the ultraviolet light emission surface of the light source unit 20 and flows into the third flow path section 40. As a result, the wide-angle ultraviolet light 212 emitted from the light source unit 20 can be irradiated onto the fluid flowing from the first flow path section 10 to the third flow path section 40 (see FIG. 2).

[0033] Furthermore, the fluid flowing from the first flow path section 10 to the third flow path section 40 passes through the first communication section 121 (a notched communication area). At this time, the fluid flows into the first communication section 121 in a concentrated manner. This causes turbulence in the vicinity of the first communication section 121, allowing the fluid to stagnate. This allows the fluid flowing from the first flow path section 10 to the third flow path section 40 to be irradiated with ultraviolet light for a long period of time. This action can enhance the sterilization ability of the fluid.

[0034] Furthermore, the fluid flowing from the third flow path section 40 to the second flow path section 30 passes through the second communication section 311 (a notched communication area). At this time, the fluid flows intensively into the second communication section 311. Therefore, turbulence occurs near the second communication section 311, causing the fluid to stagnate. This causes the fluid to stagnate in the third flow path section 40, and the heat generated in the light source 21 can be efficiently released to the outside of the light source unit 20 via the housing 22 that contacts the flow path 41.

[0035] Furthermore, the third flow path section 40 of this embodiment is preferably made of PTFE, which has high reflectivity for ultraviolet light. By making the third flow path section 40 from PTFE, the wide-angle light 212 that reaches the third flow path section 40 can be repeatedly reflected (see FIG. 2). This allows the wide-angle light 212 to be irradiated multiple times onto the fluid flowing through the third flow path section 40, thereby further improving the sterilization ability of the fluid.

[0036] However, the material of the third flow path section 40 is not limited to this. Other materials may be resins other than PTFE (for example, FEP, PFA, polypropylene (PP), etc.), or metals such as stainless steel.

[0037] 3(d), the notched communication regions in the first communication portion 121 and the notched communication regions in the second communication portion 311 are arranged alternately in the circumferential direction. More specifically, when a cross section of the first flow path portion 10 including the first communication portions 121 (all of the notched communication regions) is combined with a cross section of the second flow path portion 40 including the second communication portions 311 (all of the notched communication regions) (composite cross section in FIG. 3(d)), the first communication portions 121 and the second communication portions 311 are arranged in the circumferential direction (for example, clockwise) in the following order: first communication portion 121a, second communication portion 311a, first communication portion 121b, second communication portion 311b, ..., first communication portion 121h, second communication portion 311h.

[0038] Here, the flow path 41 of the third flow path section 40 is annular in a cross-sectional view of the third flow path section 40 (see FIG. 3(b)). Therefore, a fluid that has passed through the first communication section 121 (for example, a fluid that has passed through the first communication section 121a) can flow into any of the second communication sections 311 (any of the second communication sections 311a to 311h). At this time, all of the second communication sections 311a to 311h are spaced a predetermined distance from the first communication section 121a in the circumferential direction (the same applies to the other first communication sections 121b to 121h). This effectively prevents a short pass of the fluid from the first flow path section 10 to the second flow path section 30 via the third flow path section 40. As a result, the fluid can be retained near the notched communication area in the first communication section 121. Therefore, the fluid can be irradiated with ultraviolet light for a long period of time, and the sterilizing ability of the fluid can be further improved.

[0039] [Variation 1] Next, a first modified example of the fluid sterilizer according to this embodiment (fluid sterilizer 2) will be described with reference to Figure 4. Here, Figure 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the fluid sterilizer 2. As shown in Figure 4, in the fluid sterilizer 2, the second communication section 312 (notched communication area) is cut out from the connection between the light source unit 20 and the second flow path section 30 (one end 31) towards the light source unit 20. In other words, the second communication section 312 is provided on the light source unit 20 side. In this respect, it differs from the basic example (fluid sterilizer 1) in which the second communication section 311 was provided in the second flow path section 30.

[0040] [Variation 2] Next, a second modified example of the fluid sterilizer according to this embodiment (fluid sterilizer 3) will be described with reference to Figures 5 and 6. Figure 5 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the fluid sterilizer 3. Figure 6(a) is a DD cross-sectional view of Figure 5 (a cross-sectional view of the first flow path section 10), and Figure 6(b) is an EE cross-sectional view of Figure 5 (a cross-sectional view of the second flow path section 30).

[0041] 5 and 6, the first communication section 122 provided at the other end 12 of the first flow path section 10 corresponds to a semicircular arc-shaped communication area (the length (angle) of the arc is not limited to that shown in the figure). Also, the second communication section 313 provided at one end 31 of the second flow path section 30 corresponds to a semicircular arc-shaped communication area (the length (angle) of the arc is not limited to that shown in the figure). In this respect, it differs from the basic example (fluid sterilization device 1) in which the first communication section 121 and the second communication section 311 correspond to a plurality of notched communication areas.

[0042] [Variation 3] Next, a third modified example of the fluid sterilization device according to this embodiment (fluid sterilization device 4) will be described with reference to Fig. 7. Fig. 7 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the fluid sterilization device 4. As shown in Fig. 7, the relationship between the width W of the ultraviolet light-transmitting window 23 and the inner diameter R2 of the first flow path section 10 is W≦R2 (the width W of the ultraviolet light-transmitting window 23 is equal to or less than the inner diameter R2 of the first flow path section 10). In this respect, this differs from the basic example (fluid sterilization device 1) in which the relationship between the width W of the ultraviolet light-transmitting window 23 and the inner diameter R1 of the first flow path section 10 is W>R1.

[0043] The embodiments of the present invention have been described above in detail. However, the above description is provided to facilitate understanding of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. The present invention may be modified or improved without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Furthermore, the present invention includes equivalents thereof. [Industrial Applicability]

[0044] The fluid sterilizing device according to the present invention is used in, for example, ultraviolet light sterilizing devices, water purifiers, hot water heaters, water supply pipes, cooling water circulators, water servers, drink servers, etc. However, its uses are not limited to these. [Explanation of symbols]

[0045] 1,2,3,4… Fluid sterilizer 10...First flow path section 121,122...1st communication part 20...Light source unit 21…Light source 22...Housing 23...Ultraviolet light transmitting window 30...Second flow path section 311,312,313…Second communication part 40...Third flow path section 41...flow path of the third flow path section

Claims

1. a first flow path portion extending in the axial direction and allowing a fluid to pass from one end to the other end; a light source unit connected to the other end of the first flow path portion and configured to irradiate the fluid with ultraviolet light; a second flow path portion facing the first flow path portion across the light source unit; a third flow path portion disposed radially outward of the light source unit and configured to cause the fluid flowing in the first flow path portion to flow in the second flow path portion; Equipped with the first flow path portion or the light source unit includes a first communication portion that communicates with the third flow path portion, the second flow path portion or the light source unit includes a second communication portion that communicates with the third flow path portion, the light source unit includes an ultraviolet light transmitting window portion facing the other end of the first flow path portion, the first communication portion includes a plurality of notched communication areas cut out from a connection portion between the first flow path portion and the light source unit, a width of the ultraviolet light transmitting window portion is larger than an inner diameter of the first flow path portion so that the fluid flowing through the first flow path portion can receive ultraviolet light irradiated from the ultraviolet light transmitting window portion while passing through the first communication portion after reaching the vicinity of the ultraviolet light transmitting window portion; A fluid sterilization device characterized by:

2. The third flow path section is 2. The fluid sterilizing device of claim 1, which is made of one of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), perfluoroethylene propene copolymer (FEP), perfluoroalkoxyalkane (PFA), or polypropylene (PP).

3. A fluid sterilization device as described in Claim 2, characterized in that the third flow path section has high reflective properties.

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