Ultraviolet irradiation device

Abstract

To provide an ultraviolet irradiation device in which a lighting state of a light source is visible from an outside.SOLUTION: An ultraviolet irradiation device includes: a storage wall which defines a space for storage of a fluid; and a light source for simultaneously irradiating the space with an ultraviolet ray and a visible light ray. The storage wall has a first transmission portion which is formed to have a thickness thinner than the other regions of the storage wall so as to transmit a part of the visible light ray with which the space is irradiated from the light source.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an ultraviolet irradiation device for irradiating a fluid with ultraviolet light.

Background Art

[0002] It is widely known that fluids such as liquids can be sterilized using ultraviolet light. For example, Patent Document 1 describes a fluid sterilization device that irradiates a fluid flowing through an axially extending flow path with ultraviolet light in the axial direction to sterilize the fluid.

[0003] Specifically, the fluid sterilization device described in Patent Document 1 includes a light source including a semiconductor light emitting element that emits ultraviolet light, and a housing having a flow path through which the fluid to be sterilized flows in the axial direction. The light source is disposed at one axial end of the housing. The housing is made of stainless steel and has a tapered structure in which the cross-sectional area of the flow path gradually increases from one end to the other end. The tapered structure has an inclination that matches the orientation angle of the semiconductor light emitting element. Further, at the other end of the housing, rectifying means for adjusting the flow of the fluid is provided.

[0004] In Patent Document 1, since the housing has a tapered structure having an inclination that matches the orientation angle of the semiconductor light emitting element, ultraviolet light can reach a position far from the light source, and by irradiating the fluid with the flow adjusted by the rectifying means with ultraviolet light, the fluid is evenly irradiated with ultraviolet light, so that the sterilization effect can be enhanced.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] However, in the fluid sterilization device described in Patent Document 1, since the housing is made of stainless steel, it is not possible to check from the outside whether the semiconductor light-emitting element is lit or not, and therefore it is not possible to determine whether the fluid is being properly sterilized or not.

[0007] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide an ultraviolet irradiation device that allows the illumination status of the light source to be visually observed from the outside. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] An ultraviolet irradiation device according to one embodiment of the present invention is an ultraviolet irradiation device for irradiating a fluid with ultraviolet light, comprising: a storage wall defining a space for storing the fluid; and a light source for simultaneously irradiating the space with ultraviolet light and visible light, wherein the storage wall is formed to be thinner than other areas of the storage wall and includes a first transparent portion for transmitting a portion of the visible light irradiated into the space from the light source. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an ultraviolet irradiation device that allows the illumination status of the light source to be visually observed from the outside. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a cross-sectional perspective view of an ultraviolet irradiation device according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 2] Figures 2A and 2B are graphs showing the relationship between the wavelength of light and the transmittance or reflectance of light in the first transmissive section with different thicknesses. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a graph showing the relationship between the wavelength of light and the transmittance of light in PP, PC, and PMMA. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the ultraviolet irradiation device according to Embodiment 2. [Figure 5] Figures 5A to 5C show the configuration of the ultraviolet irradiation device according to Embodiment 3. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] Hereinafter, an ultraviolet irradiation device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. In the following description, an example will be given in which the ultraviolet irradiation device is applied to a sterilization device for sterilizing fluids.

[0012] [Embodiment 1] (Configuration of the UV irradiation device) Figure 1 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the ultraviolet irradiation device 100 according to Embodiment 1.

[0013] As shown in Figure 1, the ultraviolet irradiation device 100 is a device for irradiating a fluid with ultraviolet light, and includes a storage wall 110 that defines a space S1 for storing the fluid, and a light source 130 for irradiating the space S1 with ultraviolet and visible light. In this embodiment, the ultraviolet irradiation device 100 further includes a cover 120 that covers the storage wall 110.

[0014] The storage wall 110 defines a space S1 for containing fluid. As will be described later, in the ultraviolet irradiation device 100 according to this embodiment, the storage wall 110 includes a first transmissive section 113. The storage wall 110 primarily reflects ultraviolet light from the light source 130 toward the space S1, and transmits a portion of the visible light to the outside through the first transmissive section 113. The configuration of the storage wall 110 is not particularly limited as long as it performs the above functions. The storage wall 110 may be a single member or may be made up of two or more members. In this embodiment, the storage wall 110 has two members: a first wall 111 and a second wall 112. Examples of the shape of the space S1 defined by the storage wall 110 (first wall 111 and second wall 112) include a spherical shape, a cylindrical shape, a prismatic shape, and other shapes. In this embodiment, the shape of the space S1 defined by the storage wall 110 (first wall 111 and second wall 112) is approximately spherical. The first wall 111 defines one approximately hemispherical shape of space S1, and the second wall 112 defines the other approximately hemispherical shape of space S1. In this embodiment, the first wall 111 also defines a part of the supply channel 114, which will be described later, and the second wall 112 also defines a part of the discharge channel 115, which will be described later. In this embodiment, the first wall 111 is located on the upstream side in the direction of fluid flow, and the second wall 112 is located on the downstream side in the direction of fluid flow. The approximately spherical space S1 is formed by joining the first wall 111 and the second wall 112.

[0015] The material of the storage wall 110 is not particularly limited as long as it is resistant to degradation by ultraviolet light and can perform the above functions. The materials of the first wall 111 and the second wall 112 may be the same or different. In this embodiment, the materials of the first wall 111 and the second wall 112 are the same. Examples of materials for the first wall 111 and the second wall 112 include polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). From the viewpoint of efficiently reflecting ultraviolet light, PTFE is preferred for the materials of the first wall 111 and the second wall 112. In this embodiment, both the first wall 111 and the second wall 112 are made of PTFE. The inner diameter of the storage wall 110 is not particularly limited, but for example, it is about 20 to 60 mm. By setting the inner diameter of the storage wall 110 to about 20 to 60 mm, the fluid inside the storage wall 110 can be sufficiently sterilized even when only one UV-C LED is used as the light source 130.

[0016] In this embodiment, the first permeable section 113 is positioned on the second wall 112, and the second wall 112 and the first permeable section 113 are molded as a single unit. Furthermore, a supply channel 114 and a discharge channel 115 are connected to the space S1.

[0017] The first transmissive portion 113 is a region formed thinner than other regions of the storage wall 110. That is, the first transmissive portion 113 is a part of the storage wall 110. The first transmissive portion 113 transmits part of the visible light irradiated from the light source 130 into the space S1 to the outside. More specifically, the first transmissive portion 113 reflects the ultraviolet light emitted from the light source 130 and transmits part of the visible light emitted from the light source 130. The position of the first transmissive portion 113 is not particularly limited. At least a part of the first transmissive portion 113 is preferably disposed on the storage wall 110 on the light source 130 side of a virtual plane passing through the centroid of the space S1 and perpendicular to the optical axes of the ultraviolet light and visible light emitted from the light source 130. That is, the first transmissive portion 113 is preferably disposed at a position where the ultraviolet light of low intensity among the ultraviolet light irradiated from the light source 130 reaches. In the present embodiment, the first transmissive portion 113 is disposed near the boundary with the first wall 111 in the first wall 112 so as to surround the substantially hemispherical space S1 defined by the second wall 112. Thereby, among the ultraviolet light emitted from the light source 130, the ultraviolet light of high intensity directly reaches the regions other than the first transmissive portion 113, so that a decrease in the sterilization effect due to the first transmissive portion 113 can be suppressed. Further, since the first transmissive portion 113 is disposed in a portion of the second wall 112 having a small thickness, the machining amount of cutting can be reduced, and the manufacturing cost can also be lowered.

[0018] The configuration of the first transmissive portion 113 is not particularly limited as long as the above functions can be exhibited. In the present embodiment, the first transmissive portion 113 is a region between the inner surface of the first recess 116 disposed on the outer surface of the storage wall 110 (second wall 112) and the inner surface of the storage wall 110 (second wall 112). The number of the first recesses 116 is not particularly limited. The number of the first recesses 116 may be one or two or more. In the present embodiment, the number of the first recesses 116 is one. The shape of the first recess 116 is not particularly limited as long as a part of the second wall 112 is formed thinner. Examples of the first recess 116 include grooves and depressions. In the present embodiment, the first recess 116 is a groove.

[0019] The shape of the groove is not particularly limited. Examples of groove shapes include grooves composed of two inner surfaces and one bottom surface. In this embodiment, the groove includes two inner surfaces and one bottom surface. That is, in this embodiment, the first transparent portion 113 is the region between the bottom surface of the groove and the inner surface of the second wall 112. The relationship between the thickness of the first transparent portion 113 and the reflectance of ultraviolet and visible light, or the transmittance of ultraviolet and visible light, will be described later.

[0020] The supply channel 114 supplies fluid to the interior (space S1) of the storage wall 110. One end of the supply channel 114 opens into space S1. The opening of the supply channel 114 to space S1 is the supply port 117. Preferably, the supply channel 114 is arranged so as to smoothly supply fluid to the interior (space S1) of the storage wall 110 along the inner surface of the storage wall 110. In this embodiment, along the direction of fluid flow in the supply channel 114 and in a cross-section including the center of gravity of space S1, at the connection point between the inner surface of the supply channel 114 and the inner surface of the storage wall 110, a part of the inner surface of the supply channel 114 is smoothly continuous with the inner surface of the storage wall 110 so as to coincide with the tangent to the inner surface of the storage wall 110 at the connection point. In this embodiment, the supply channel 114 is composed of a part of the storage wall 110 (first wall 111) and a part of the cover 120 (first cover 121).

[0021] The discharge flow path 115 discharges the fluid inside the storage wall 110 (space S1). One end of the discharge flow path 115 is open to the space S1. The opening of the discharge flow path 115 to the space S1 is the discharge port 118. The discharge flow path 115 is preferably arranged so that the fluid can be smoothly discharged along the wall of the storage wall 110 inside the storage wall 110 (space S1). In the present embodiment, along the flow direction of the fluid in the discharge flow path 115, at the connection portion between the inner surface of the discharge flow path 115 and the inner surface of the storage wall 110 in the cross section including the center of gravity of the storage wall 110, a part of the inner surface of the discharge flow path 115 is smoothly continuous with the inner surface of the storage wall 110 so as to coincide with the tangent line of the inner surface of the storage wall 110 at the connection portion. In the present embodiment, the discharge flow path 115 is constituted by a part of the storage wall 110 (second wall 112) and a part of the cover 120 (second cover 122).

[0022] The cover 120 covers the reservoir wall 110 and holds the reservoir wall 110 in place. The cover 120 has a second transparent portion 123 that transmits or diffuses visible light that has passed through the first transparent portion 113. The configuration of the cover 120 is not particularly limited as long as it can perform the above functions. The cover 120 may be one component or two or more components. In this embodiment, the cover 120 is composed of two components: a first cover 121 and a second cover 122. The material of the first cover 121 and the material of the second cover 122 may be the same or different. In this embodiment, the materials of the first cover 121 and the second cover 122 are different. In this embodiment, the first cover 121 transmits visible light. Examples of materials for the first cover 121 include polypropylene (PP), polycarbonate (PC), and polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA). In this embodiment, the material of the first cover 121 is translucent PP. Because the first cover 121 is made of PP, it can diffuse the visible light that has passed through the first transparent portion 113. Furthermore, it is preferable that the inner or outer surface of the first cover 121 be coated with polycarbonate (PC) or polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) to prevent the transmission of ultraviolet light. As will be described in detail later, PC and PMMA mainly do not transmit ultraviolet light, but mainly transmit visible light. Thus, the first cover 121 diffuses and transmits visible light with PP and reflects ultraviolet light with PC or PMMA. Examples of materials for the second cover 122 include various metals, polypropylene (PP), acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber-styrene copolymer (ABS resin), polystyrene, and acrylonitrile-styrene copolymer (AS resin). In this embodiment, the material of the second cover 122 is aluminum, from the viewpoint of functioning as a heat sink for the light source 130.

[0023] The first cover 121 has a second permeable portion 123 and covers the first wall 111. In this embodiment, the first cover 121 covers the entire first wall 111 and a portion of the second wall 112. More specifically, in this embodiment, the first cover 121 covers the entire first wall 111 and the portion of the second wall 112 where the first permeable portion 113 is located. In addition, in this embodiment, the first cover 121 defines a portion of the supply channel 114. Specifically, the first cover 121 defines the upstream side of the supply channel 114.

[0024] The second transparent portion 123 transmits or diffuses visible light that has passed through the first transparent portion 113. The configuration of the second transparent portion 123 is not particularly limited as long as it can perform the above function. In this embodiment, the second transparent portion 123 is the portion of the first cover 121 that faces the first transparent portion 113. That is, in this embodiment, the second transparent portion 123 is a part of the first cover 121 that is arranged to surround the first transparent portion 113. Therefore, it is preferable that the first cover 121 and the second transparent portion 123 are made of the same material. In this embodiment, the thickness of the second transparent portion 123 is the same as the thickness of the other parts of the first cover 121.

[0025] The second cover 122 covers the second wall 112. In this embodiment, the second cover 122 covers a portion of the second wall 112 and a portion of the first wall 111. In this embodiment, the second cover 122 defines a portion of the discharge channel 115. Specifically, the second cover 122 defines the downstream side of the discharge channel 115. The second cover 122 has a second recess 124 in which the light source 130 is located.

[0026] The light source 130 irradiates ultraviolet light onto the fluid inside the reservoir wall 110 (space S1). In this embodiment, the light source 130 simultaneously emits ultraviolet light and visible light into space S1. The light source 130 may irradiate the fluid in space S1 directly with ultraviolet light and visible light, or it may irradiate the fluid in space S1 with ultraviolet light and visible light through other members such as windows or mirrors. In this embodiment, the reservoir wall 110 wall includes a window 131 that transmits ultraviolet light and visible light, and the light source 130 irradiates space S1 with ultraviolet light and visible light through the window 131.

[0027] The type of light source 130 is not particularly limited as long as it can emit ultraviolet and visible light simultaneously. Examples of light sources 130 include light-emitting diodes (LEDs), mercury lamps, metal halide lamps, xenon lamps, and laser diodes (LDs). In this embodiment, the light source 130 is a light-emitting diode (LED). The wavelength of ultraviolet light emitted by the light source 130 is not particularly limited. From the viewpoint of effective sterilization, the wavelength of ultraviolet light emitted by the light source 130 is preferably 200 nm to 350 nm, and more preferably 200 nm to 280 nm. That is, ultraviolet C (UVC) light emitted from the light source 130 is preferred. The wavelength of visible light emitted by the light source 130 is not particularly limited. The visible light emitted by the light source 130 includes light with a wavelength of 360 nm to 830 nm and light with a wavelength of 400 nm to 480 nm. That is, the light source also emits visible light in the range of violet to blue. Examples of commercially available light sources 130 include the NCSU334A (Nichia Corporation), an ultraviolet light-emitting diode with a peak wavelength of 280 nm. Other examples of ultraviolet light-emitting diodes with a peak wavelength of 280 nm include KLARAN (Asahi Kasei Corporation) and ZEU110BEAE (Stanley Electric Co., Ltd.).

[0028] The position of the light source 130 is not particularly limited as long as it can irradiate the fluid in space S1 with ultraviolet and visible light. The light source 130 may be placed on the first wall 111 or on the second wall 112. In this embodiment, the light source 130 is placed on the second wall 112, which is configured so that the fluid flows from a supply channel 114 connected to the first wall 111 towards a discharge channel 115 connected to the second wall 112. More specifically, the light source 130 is placed inside a second recess 124 provided in the second cover 122, such that the optical axis of the light source 130 does not intersect with either the supply port 117 or the discharge port 118.

[0029] The window 131 is positioned as part of the wall surface of the storage wall 110 (second wall 112) and transmits ultraviolet and visible light emitted from the light source 130 into the interior of the storage wall 110 (space S1). The material of the window 131 is not particularly limited as long as it can transmit ultraviolet and visible light and has the necessary strength. From the viewpoint of improving sterilization performance, the material of the window 131 is preferably a material that transmits ultraviolet and visible light with wavelengths of 200 nm to 830 nm. Examples of materials for the window 131 include quartz glass, sapphire glass, barium fluoride, and calcium fluoride.

[0030] Furthermore, the shape of the window 131 is not particularly limited as long as it can allow ultraviolet and visible light emitted from the light source 130 to reach the space S1, and may be flat or shaped to match the inner surface of the storage wall 110. In this embodiment, the window 131 is flat and is located inside a recess provided in the second wall 112. The outer diameter of the window 131 is not particularly limited as long as it can allow ultraviolet and visible light emitted from the light source 130 to reach the space S1. For example, the outer diameter of the window 131 is preferably 20 to 50% of the inner diameter of the storage wall 110. By increasing the outer diameter of the window 131, ultraviolet light can be directly irradiated over a wide area of ​​the space S1. On the other hand, by decreasing the outer diameter of the window 131, the proportion of the ultraviolet reflective surface on the inner surface of the space S1 can be increased.

[0031] Next, the relationship between the thickness of the first transmissive section 113 and the light transmittance and reflectance was investigated. Here, PTFE was used as the material for the reservoir wall 110. Figure 2A is a graph showing the relationship between the wavelength of light and the light transmittance in the first transmissive section 113 with different thicknesses, and Figure 2B is a graph showing the relationship between the wavelength of light and the light reflectance in the first transmissive section 113 with different thicknesses. In Figure 2A, the horizontal axis is the wavelength of light and the vertical axis is the light transmittance. In Figure 2B, the horizontal axis is the wavelength of light and the vertical axis is the light reflectance.

[0032] In Figure 2A, the solid line represents the result when the thickness of the first transparent portion 113 is 1 mm, the dashed line represents the result when the thickness of the first transparent portion 113 is 2 mm, the dotted line represents the result when the thickness of the first transparent portion 113 is 5 mm, and the double dotted line represents the result when the thickness of the first transparent portion 113 is 7 mm. In Figure 2B, the dashed line represents the result when the thickness of the first transparent portion 113 is 2 mm, the dotted line represents the result when the thickness of the first transparent portion 113 is 5 mm, and the double dotted line represents the result when the thickness of the first transparent portion 113 is 7 mm.

[0033] As shown in Figure 2A, it can be seen that reducing the thickness of the first transmissive portion 113 increases the light transmittance, and increasing the thickness of the first transmissive portion 113 decreases the light transmittance. It can also be seen that the longer the wavelength of light, the higher the light transmittance.

[0034] As shown in Figure 2B, it can be seen that reducing the thickness of the first transmissive portion 113 increases the reflectivity of light, and increasing the thickness of the first transmissive portion 113 decreases the reflectivity of light. It can also be seen that the reflectivity of light decreases as the wavelength of light increases.

[0035] Thus, as the first transmissive portion 113 becomes thinner, the light transmittance increases and the light reflectance decreases. Conversely, as the first transmissive portion 113 becomes thicker, the light transmittance decreases and the light reflectance increases. In this way, by making the first transmissive portion 113 thinner, it is possible to transmit visible light while maintaining the reflection of ultraviolet light.

[0036] Next, the light transmittance in the second transparent section 123 was investigated. Here, the light transmittance for PP, PC, and PMMA was examined. Figure 3 is a graph showing the relationship between the wavelength of light and the light transmittance. In Figure 3, the horizontal axis is the wavelength of light, and the vertical axis is the light transmittance. In Figure 3, the thick solid line shows the results for PP, the thin solid line shows the results for PC, and the dashed line shows the results for PMMA. The thickness of PP, PC, and PMMA was set to 2 mm in all cases.

[0037] As shown in Figure 3, PP, PC, and PMMA do not transmit ultraviolet light with a wavelength of approximately 280 nm. Furthermore, PC and PMMA transmit visible light in the violet to blue range with wavelengths between 400 nm and 480 nm. Therefore, coating the surface or outer surface of translucent PP with PC and PMMA can block ultraviolet light while diffusing and transmitting visible light.

[0038] (How to use the UV irradiation device) Next, a method for using the ultraviolet irradiation device according to this embodiment will be described.

[0039] With ultraviolet and visible light simultaneously emitted from the light source 130, the fluid to be sterilized (e.g., water) is introduced into space S1 from the supply port 117, and the fluid in space S1 is removed from the discharge port 118. At this time, the fluid introduced from the supply port 117 does not move directly to the discharge port 118, but circulates spirally and remains in space S. The fluid may be moved by pressurizing the supply port 117 (supply channel 114) side, or by depressurizing the discharge port 118 (discharge channel 115) side. The ultraviolet and visible light emitted from the light source 130 has a higher intensity the smaller the emission angle with respect to the optical axis of the light source 130 (normal to the light-emitting surface), and a lower intensity the larger the emission angle. Therefore, high-intensity ultraviolet light (ultraviolet light with a small emission angle) is directly irradiated onto the fluid and reflected from the inner surface of the storage wall 110. In this case, high-intensity ultraviolet light is less likely to reach the first transmission section 113 and therefore is less likely to pass through the first transmission section 113 to the outside. On the other hand, a portion of the visible light with a small emission angle passes through the first transmission section 113 and then passes through the second transmission section 123 while diffusing. Thus, in this embodiment, a portion of the visible light passes through both the first transmission section 113 and the second transmission section 123, allowing the operator to visually confirm the lighting status of the light source 130.

[0040] (effect) As described above, the ultraviolet irradiation device 100 according to this embodiment has a first transmitting section 113 that transmits visible light and a second transmitting section 123 that transmits or diffuses visible light, so the lighting state of the light source can be seen from the outside.

[0041] [Embodiment 2] Next, the ultraviolet irradiation device 200 according to Embodiment 2 will be described. The ultraviolet irradiation device 200 according to this embodiment differs from the ultraviolet irradiation device 100 according to Embodiment 1 only in the presence or absence of the sealing member 217. Therefore, components similar to those in the ultraviolet irradiation device 100 according to Embodiment 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals and their descriptions are omitted.

[0042] (Configuration of the UV irradiation device) Figure 4 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the ultraviolet irradiation device 200 according to Embodiment 2.

[0043] As shown in Figure 4, the ultraviolet irradiation device 200 is a device for irradiating a fluid with ultraviolet light, and includes a storage wall 210 that defines a space S1 for storing the fluid, a cover 120 that covers the storage wall 110, and a light source 130 for irradiating the space S1 with ultraviolet light and visible light.

[0044] The storage wall 210 includes a first transmissive portion 113 and defines a space S1 for containing fluid. The storage wall 210 primarily reflects ultraviolet light from the light source 130 toward the space S1, and transmits a portion of the visible light to the outside through the first transmissive portion 113. The storage wall 210 has two members: a first wall 111 and a second wall 112. The first transmissive portion 113 is positioned on the second wall 112, and the second wall 112 and the first transmissive portion 113 are molded as a single unit. In this embodiment as well, it is preferable that at least a portion of the first transmissive portion 113 is positioned on the storage wall 210 side of the light source 130, relative to a virtual plane that passes through the centroid of the space S1 and is perpendicular to the optical axes of the ultraviolet and visible light irradiated by the light source 130. The first transmissive portion 113 is the region between the inner surface of the first recess 116 positioned on the outer surface of the storage wall 210 and the inner surface of the storage wall 210. In this embodiment as well, the first recess 116 is a groove.

[0045] A sealing member 217 is positioned inside the first recess 116. The sealing member 217 is positioned to contact the storage wall 210 (second wall 112) and the cover 120 (first cover 121), sealing the space between the storage wall 210 (second wall 112) and the cover 120 (first cover 121). The shape of the sealing member 217 is not particularly limited as long as it performs the above function. Examples of the shape of the sealing member 217 include a shape complementary to the first recess 116, or an O-ring. In this embodiment, the sealing member 217 is an O-ring. Since the sealing member 217 is positioned inside the first recess 116, it can be sealed liquid-tight.

[0046] The cover 120 has a second permeable portion 123 and covers the storage wall 210. In this embodiment, the cover 120 is composed of two members: a first cover 121 and a second cover 122.

[0047] (effect) As described above, the ultraviolet irradiation device 200 according to this embodiment has the same effects as the ultraviolet irradiation device 100 according to Embodiment 1. Furthermore, the ultraviolet irradiation device 200 according to this embodiment can suppress fluid leakage. Moreover, since it can prevent ultraviolet light from leaking to the outside, it is even safer.

[0048] [Embodiment 3] Next, the ultraviolet irradiation device 300 according to Embodiment 3 will be described. Components similar to those in the ultraviolet irradiation device 100 according to Embodiment 1 will be denoted by the same reference numerals and their descriptions will be omitted.

[0049] (Configuration of the UV irradiation device) Figure 5A is a perspective view of the ultraviolet irradiation device 300 according to Embodiment 3, Figure 5B is a front view, and Figure 5C is a cross-sectional view along line AA shown in Figure 5B.

[0050] As shown in Figures 5A to 5C, the ultraviolet irradiation device 300 according to this embodiment is a device for irradiating a fluid with ultraviolet light, and comprises a storage wall 310 that defines a space S2 for storing the fluid, a cover 320 that covers the storage wall 310, and a light source 130 for irradiating the space S2 with ultraviolet light and visible light.

[0051] The reservoir wall 310 includes a first permeable section 313 and defines a space S2 for containing fluid. The reservoir wall 310 primarily reflects ultraviolet light emitted from the light source 130 and transmits visible light. In this embodiment, the reservoir wall 310 is composed of a single component. The shape of the space S2 defined by the reservoir wall 310 is cylindrical.

[0052] The first transparent portion 313 is a region formed to be thinner than other regions of the storage wall 310 and is part of the storage wall 310. The first transparent portion 313 reflects ultraviolet light irradiated from the light source 130 and transmits visible light emitted from the light source 130. Preferably, at least a portion of the first transparent portion 313 is located in the storage wall 310 on the side of the light source 130 than a virtual plane that passes through the centroid of the space S2 and is perpendicular to the optical axes of the ultraviolet and visible light irradiated by the light source 130. In this embodiment, the first transparent portion 313 is arranged to surround the substantially cylindrical space S2 defined by the storage wall 310 in the circumferential direction. Of the ultraviolet light irradiated from the light source 130, the high-intensity ultraviolet light is irradiated in the axial direction of the space S2 and therefore does not reduce the sterilization effect.

[0053] In this embodiment, the first permeable portion 113 is the region between the inner surface of the first recess 316 located on the outer surface of the storage wall 110 and the inner surface of the storage wall 310. The number of first recesses 316 is not particularly limited. There may be one or two or more first recesses 316. In this embodiment, there is one first recess 316. In this embodiment, the first recess 316 is a groove and includes two inner surfaces and one bottom surface.

[0054] The supply channel 314 supplies fluid to the interior (space S2) of the storage wall 310. In this embodiment, the supply channel 314 is defined by a supply pipe 319. One end of the supply pipe 319 opens into space S2. The opening of the supply channel 314 into space S2 is the supply port 317. The supply pipe 319 is connected to the cover 320 by screwing it in.

[0055] The discharge channel 315 discharges the fluid inside the storage wall 310 (space S2). In this embodiment, the discharge channel 315 is defined by the cover 320. One end of the discharge channel 315 opens into space S2. The opening of the discharge channel 315 into space S2 is the outlet 318.

[0056] The cover 320 has a second transparent portion 323 and covers the storage wall 310. The cover 320 transmits or diffuses visible light that has passed through the first transparent portion 313. In this embodiment, the cover 320 is composed of one component of the first cover 321.

[0057] The second transparent portion 323 transmits or diffuses visible light that has passed through the first transparent portion 313. In this embodiment, the second transparent portion 323 is a part of the first cover 321 facing the first transparent portion 313.

[0058] The light source 130 simultaneously irradiates the fluid inside the reservoir wall 310 (space S2) with ultraviolet and visible light. The light source 130 may irradiate the fluid in space S2 directly with ultraviolet and visible light, or it may irradiate the fluid in space S2 with ultraviolet and visible light through other members such as windows or mirrors. In this embodiment, the reservoir wall 310 wall includes a window 331 that transmits ultraviolet and visible light, and the light source 130 irradiates space S2 with ultraviolet and visible light through the window 331.

[0059] The position of the light source 130 is not particularly limited as long as it can irradiate the fluid in space S2 with ultraviolet and visible light. In this embodiment, the light source 130 is located at one end of the reservoir wall 310.

[0060] The window 331 is positioned as part of the wall surface of the storage wall 310 and transmits ultraviolet and visible light emitted from the light source 130 into the interior (space S2) of the storage wall 310.

[0061] (effect) As described above, the ultraviolet irradiation device 300 according to this embodiment has the same effects as the ultraviolet irradiation device 100 according to Embodiment 1. [Industrial applicability]

[0062] The ultraviolet irradiation device according to this embodiment is useful for sterilizing, for example, purified water, agricultural water, food washing water, various types of washing water, bath water, swimming pool water, etc. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0063] 100, 200, 300 UV irradiation equipment 110, 210, 310 storage walls 111 1st wall 112 Second wall 113, 313 1st transparent part 114, 314 supply channels 115, 315 Discharge channel 116, 316 First recess 117, 317 supply ports 118, 318 outlet 120, 320 cover 121, 321 Cover 1 122 Second Cover 123, 323 2nd transparent part 124 Second recess 130 light source 131, 331 windows 217 Sealing member 319 Supply pipe

Claims

1. An ultraviolet irradiation device for irradiating a fluid with ultraviolet light, A storage wall that defines a space for storing the aforementioned fluid, A light source for simultaneously irradiating the aforementioned space with ultraviolet light and visible light, It has, The storage wall is formed to be thinner than other areas of the storage wall and includes a first transparent portion for transmitting a portion of the visible light irradiated into the space from the light source. Ultraviolet irradiation device.

2. The ultraviolet irradiation device according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the first transparent portion is located on the storage wall on the light source side of a virtual plane that passes through the centroid of the space and is perpendicular to the optical axis of ultraviolet and visible light emitted from the light source.

3. The ultraviolet irradiation apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the first permeable portion is the region between a recess disposed on the outer surface of the storage wall and the inner surface of the storage wall.

4. The system further includes a cover that covers the aforementioned storage wall, The cover includes a second transparent portion for transmitting or diffusing visible light that has passed through the first transparent portion. The ultraviolet irradiation device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The ultraviolet irradiation device according to claim 4, wherein the cover including the second transparent portion is formed of one type of material.

6. The invention further comprises a cover that covers the storage wall, The ultraviolet irradiation device according to claim 3, wherein a sealing member is arranged inside the recess so as to be in contact with the storage wall and the cover.

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