JP2022124566A - Uv irradiation device and ozone generation device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a UV irradiation device and an ozone generation device which are compact in size and have a sufficient insulation distance for a lamp power supply.SOLUTION: An ozone generation device 10 has an excimer lamp 20, an axial fan 30, and a power supply storage 50 that stores a lamp power supply 40. The power supply storage 50 is provided in an internal space S of a cabinet 15 in which the excimer lamp 20 is disposed and is held from a top face 15U side of the cabinet 15. The power supply storage 50 is disposed in a center side of the internal space S of the cabinet 15 and faces the axial fan 30.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to an ultraviolet irradiation device that emits ultraviolet rays using an excimer lamp and an ozone generator equipped with the ultraviolet irradiation device.

An excimer lamp can be used as a light source for an ultraviolet irradiation device that emits ultraviolet rays for deodorization or sterilization, or an ozone generator that emits ultraviolet rays (for example, a wavelength of 172 nm) to a raw material gas containing oxygen. is.

For example, a fan is provided near the bottom or side of the device to draw in outside air, and the gas flowing around the excimer lamp is irradiated with ultraviolet rays, thereby releasing gas containing ozone to the outside of the device (see Patent Documents 1 and 2). ).

Japanese Patent No. 6564663 JP-A-7-187611

An excimer lamp is equipped with a lamp power supply having a step-up transformer, in order to generate discharge by dielectric breakdown due to the application of a high-frequency high voltage. For such a lamp power supply, it is necessary to secure a sufficient distance between the wall surface of the housing and the like inside the apparatus to prevent dielectric breakdown.

However, in order to provide an ultraviolet irradiation device and an ozone generator that can be used in various environments, a more compact size device is required for easy carrying and installation. When trying to make the device compact, it is difficult to secure a sufficient distance between the lamp power supply and the housing wall surface or partition wall in the housing.

Therefore, in compact-sized ultraviolet irradiation devices and ozone generators, it is required to ensure a sufficient insulation distance against the high frequency and high voltage applied from the lamp power supply.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The ultraviolet irradiation device of the present invention can be applied to an ozone generator or the like, and includes an excimer lamp that emits ultraviolet rays and is arranged in a flow path through which a fluid flows from an inlet to an outlet; and a power source accommodating portion arranged to accommodate a lamp power source for supplying power to the excimer lamp.

The flow path here is determined by the configuration of the ultraviolet irradiation device, the configuration of the ozone generator in which the ultraviolet irradiation device is incorporated, and the like. For example, in the case of an ozone generator, a flow path can be formed within its housing. Moreover, in the case of an ultraviolet irradiation device, a channel can be formed by a tube, a jacket, or the like. A flow path can be formed wholly or partially in a space such as a housing or inside a pipe of an ozone generator or an ultraviolet irradiation device. Also, depending on the size of the power source accommodating portion relative to the space such as the housing or pipe, the power source accommodating portion may be arranged in the flow path, or the flow path may be formed according to the placement of the power source accommodating portion.

In the present invention, the power source housing section is arranged to face the fluid supply section provided on the inlet side. The term "facing arrangement" as used herein includes the case where the power source accommodation section and the fluid supply section are partially or wholly facing each other. The fluid supply unit can be configured by, for example, an axial fan.

For example, in the case where the flow path is formed entirely in the device housing or the tube, the internal power source accommodating section can be arranged closer to the center of the device than the excimer lamp. Alternatively, instead of being arranged on the central side, it may be arranged so as to face the fluid supply section on the outlet side of the channel. Further, in the case where the fluid supply unit is composed of, for example, an axial fan and is arranged coaxially with respect to a pipe or a housing, the power source storage unit is arranged with respect to the fluid supply unit on the device center side or the device outlet side. They can be arranged coaxially.

In the case of a lamp power supply including a step-up transformer, in consideration of ensuring insulation, the circuit configuration of the high voltage side of the lamp power supply is arranged on the center side and/or the inlet side of the device in the lamp power supply housing, Circuitry on the low voltage side of the lamp power supply can be located outside the device and/or on the outlet side.

In the device, various configurations are possible for the configuration held by the power source accommodating section. Considering the arrangement of the excimer lamp in the flow path, the power supply accommodating section can be configured to be held from the outflow port side at the downstream end of the apparatus. In this case, the outlet may be constituted by an opening formed around the downstream end of the device. The opening can be, for example, a plurality of openings (slit shape, etc.).

An operation unit for operating at least one of the excimer lamp and the fluid supply unit can be provided for the ultraviolet irradiation device or the ozone generation device. In the case where the power source accommodating portion is held on the outflow port side of the device, for example, the operation portion can be arranged in the central portion of the downstream end portion of the device so as to be surrounded by the outflow port.

Various configurations can be adopted for the configuration of the power source accommodating portion. For example, it is possible to adopt a configuration in which a windshield is arranged around the center of the cross section of the tubular member or device housing for the tubular member or device housing that forms the flow path. The "wind shield" here may be of a shape that functions as a mere "wind shield" as long as it suppresses the direct exposure of the lamp power supply to ozone, and may also partially or completely protect the lamp. It also includes a shape like a casing that covers the power supply. There are various shapes and materials that can be used for windshields.

Various configurations can be adopted for the shape of the windshield. It is possible to make the shape rotationally symmetrical or linearly symmetrical with respect to the axis, and it is also possible to form the cross section in a circular shape, a rectangular shape, or the like. Moreover, it is possible to form a shape in which a part of the opening is formed, and it is also possible to make the shape different between the inlet side and the outlet side. In addition, it is possible to configure various sizes with respect to the tube and the device housing.

For example, it can be tapered from the downstream side to the upstream side of the channel. In this case, if the fluid supply part is an axial fan, the diameter of the axial fan is made larger than the diameter of the fan motor part of the axial fan at the end on the outflow port side or in the middle part thereof, and the axial fan is directed toward the inlet side. It may be tapered to be smaller than the diameter of the fan motor portion.

For example, the windshield can be provided with a support for supporting the excimer lamp in the channel, and a connector for electrically connecting to the anode of the excimer lamp. In this case, the power source accommodation section, the connector, and the fluid supply section can be arranged side by side in order toward the inlet side. Alternatively, the excimer lamp may be arranged between the connector and the fluid supply section, and the power supply housing section, the connector, the excimer lamp, and the fluid supply section may be arranged in order toward the inlet side.

An ozone generating apparatus according to another aspect of the present invention can be installed, for example, directly above and/or horizontally, and includes a blower provided at the bottom of a housing and a blower disposed downstream of the blower in the housing. An excimer lamp, a lamp power supply for supplying power to the excimer lamp, and a power supply accommodating section disposed within a housing at a predetermined distance from the excimer lamp, wherein the power supply accommodating section is located downstream of the blower, It is arranged so as to face the blower.

Advantageous Effects of Invention According to the present invention, it is possible to secure a sufficient insulation distance against high frequency and high voltage applied from a lamp power supply in a compact ultraviolet irradiation device or ozone generator.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an ozone generator according to a first embodiment; FIG. It is a schematic block diagram of the ozone generator which is 2nd Embodiment. FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram of an ozone generator according to a third embodiment;

Embodiments of the present invention are described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an ozone generator according to the first embodiment.

The ozone generator 10 is an easy-to-carry, compact-sized ozone generator, and includes an excimer lamp 20 and an axial flow fan (fluid supply section) 30 in a housing 15 having a substantially rectangular cross section. The axial fan 30 provided on the bottom portion 15D of the housing 15 includes a fan motor portion 32 and fan blades 34, and the fan axis C extends vertically along the center of the cross section (viewed from above) of the housing 15. It is arranged so as to pass near the line X passing through.

The excimer lamp 20 radiates ultraviolet rays (wavelength 172 nm, for example) from the discharge generated in the discharge space of the light-emitting portion, and is arranged so that the lamp axis is along the side wall 15C of the housing 15, that is, along the vertical direction of the apparatus. there is When the axial fan 30 rotates, the inflow portion of the axial fan 30 becomes the inflow port 15A of the housing 15 and surrounding gas (here, air) flows into the housing 15 .

By rotating the axial flow fan 30, a flow path F is formed in the internal space S of the housing 15 through which gas flows from the inlet 15A toward the outlet 15B formed in the upper surface 15U of the housing 15. . Ozone is generated by irradiating the oxygen contained in the gas flowing around the excimer lamp 20 with ultraviolet rays, and the ozone-containing gas is released to the outside of the apparatus for deodorization, sterilization, and the like.

On the upper surface 15U of the housing 15, a square-shaped operation unit 18 for turning the device ON/OFF is provided in the central portion, and a plurality of slit-shaped openings are intermittently opened along the circumferential direction around the operation unit 18. An outflow port 15B composed of an opening is formed. A control section (not shown) that receives operation signals from the operation section 18 and controls the operation of the apparatus is provided below the operation section 18 held by the portion where the opening is interrupted.

A lamp power supply 40 that supplies power to the excimer lamp 20 includes a voltage conversion circuit that converts an AC voltage having a commercial power frequency to a DC voltage, a switching circuit that converts the DC voltage to a high-frequency voltage, and a step-up transformer (transformer substrate). In addition, the circuit configuration of the low voltage side is arranged on the upper surface 15U side (outlet 15B side) or the side wall 15C side of the housing 15, and the high voltage side is arranged on the center side of the internal space S of the housing 15 or on the cross section center line X side. side circuit configuration (for example, the high voltage side of a step-up transformer). It should be noted that other power supply configurations are also possible in which a frequency converter or the like is provided instead of providing a switching circuit.

The power source accommodation unit 50 includes a windshield 52 that covers the lamp power source 40 from the internal space S in the housing 15 so as to prevent the lamp power source 40 from being directly exposed to the ultraviolet rays emitted from the excimer lamp 20 and the generated ozone. Prepare. The excimer lamp 20 , the lamp power supply 40 , and the power supply housing 50 constitute the ultraviolet irradiation device 12 , and the power supply housing 50 houses the lamp power supply 40 and the control section 60 .

The windshield 52 of the power source accommodation unit 50 has a rectangular cross-section here, and forms a tapered portion 53 that tapers toward the inlet 15A side, and forms a tapered portion 53 that tapers toward the upper surface 15U of the housing 15 (outlet 15B side). It has a structure that is held at the downstream end and extends downward. However, the cross section may be circular. Further, windshield 52 is formed so that the cross-sectional center of windshield 52 is located near the cross-sectional center of housing 15 and is separated from side wall 15</b>C of housing 15 .

By arranging the power source accommodating portion 50 in the center of the internal space S of the housing 15 , the power source accommodating portion 50 faces the axial flow fan 30 in the internal space S within the housing 15 . In other words, the power source accommodating portion 50 is arranged in the gas flow formed by the axial fan 30 . In particular, the bottom portion (upstream end portion) 52F of the windshield 52 is provided at a position coaxially facing the fan motor portion 32 serving as the central portion of the axial flow fan 30 .

Furthermore, the heaviest lamp power supply 40 (especially, the step-up transformer) is arranged at a position straddling the cross-sectional center line X in the housing 15 and on the central side (upstream side) of the internal space S of the housing 15. By doing so, the center-of-gravity balance of the device is stabilized. On the other hand, the excimer lamp 20 is arranged so as to face the fan blades 34 of the axial fan 30 , faces the tapered portion 53 of the windshield 52 with a predetermined gap, and is arranged to face the cross-sectional center line X of the housing 15 from the windshield 52 . are also located on the side wall 15C side of the housing 15 .

A tapered portion 53 of the windshield 52 is provided with a support mechanism 54 that supports the excimer lamp 20 and a starting assist light source (LED) 57 . The support mechanism 54 includes a pair of holding portions 55 that hold and electrically connect the vicinity of both ends of the cathode (outer electrode) provided on the outer surface of the light emitting portion of the excimer lamp 20, and the upper end accommodates the power source. It is inserted from the outside to the inside of an opening provided in the windshield 52 of the part 50, and is electrically connected to the low voltage (ground) side of the lamp power supply 40 via a power supply line (not shown).

Alternatively, an opening may be provided in the windshield 52 of the power source accommodating portion 50, and only the holding portion 55 may be protruded from the inside of the windshield 52 to the outside (inside the flow path F) to support the excimer lamp 20. good. Alternatively, the outer electrode may be electrically connected to the low voltage (ground) side of the lamp power source 40 via a feeder line without the support mechanism 54 .

Further, in the support mechanism 54, light from a starting assist light source 57 for assisting the start of lighting of the excimer lamp is provided at a position between the pair of holding portions 55 in the vertical direction and at a predetermined distance from the surface of the excimer lamp 20. An opening is provided to support the emission to be exposed toward the excimer lamp 20 . An opening may be provided in the tapered portion 53 of the windshield 52 .

A connector 56 electrically connected to the excimer lamp 20 is provided on the bottom portion 52F of the windshield 52, and the bottom portion 52F of the windshield 52 and the fan motor portion 32 of the axial fan 30 are provided at positions facing each other with the connector 56 interposed therebetween. It is The high voltage side (lower side) of the lamp power supply 40 is connected to a connector 56, which is electrically connected via a feeder line 59 to an anode (inner electrode) provided within the light emitting portion of the excimer lamp 20. . The excimer lamp 20 can be removed and replaced by a holding portion 55 on the cathode side and by a connector 56 on the anode side.

In this embodiment, the axial fan 30 is coaxially arranged on the bottom 15D of the housing 15 to constitute a compact ozone generator 10 with a reduced length in the vertical direction. The power supply accommodating portion 50 is arranged in the same space as the internal space S in which the excimer lamp 20 is arranged, and is connected to the upper surface of the housing 15 via a portion where the slit-shaped opening of the outflow port 15B is interrupted along the circumferential direction. It is held at a predetermined position with respect to the housing 15 on the 15U side.

On the other hand, the excimer lamp 20 is supported at a predetermined position outside the power source accommodating portion 50 with respect to the flow path F via the power source accommodating portion 50 . A configuration in which the housing 15 is partitioned by a partition wall or the like and the excimer lamp 20 and the power source accommodating section 50 are arranged in separate spaces is not adopted. Further, the power source accommodating portion 50 is arranged on the central side of the internal space S of the housing 15 so as to face the axial flow fan 30 .

By arranging the power supply housing unit 50 so that the vicinity of the position across the cross-sectional center line X of the housing 15 is centered and holding it from the upper surface 15U side (outlet 15B side) of the housing 15, The high-voltage side of the lamp power supply 40 can be arranged away from the upper surface 15U and the side wall 15C of the housing 15, and the insulation distance can be easily secured regardless of the arrangement configuration of the lamp power supply 40 accompanying compactness. can.

In particular, since the connector 56 is provided on the bottom portion 52F of the windshield 52 which is the farthest from the side wall 15C of the housing 15, even if there are restrictions on the vertical and cross-sectional lengths of the housing 15 due to compactness, By maintaining a distance between the upper surface 15U and the side wall 15C of the housing 15 and the connector 56, dielectric breakdown can be reliably prevented. Insulation can also be achieved by arranging the high-voltage side portion (step-up transformer, etc.) of the lamp power supply 40 on the inlet side of the housing 15 and the low-voltage side (control circuit, etc.) on the side wall side (outside the device). It can help prevent breakage.

On the other hand, by arranging the excimer lamp 20 closer to the side wall 15C than the lateral cross-sectional center line X side of the housing 15, the flow rate of the gas flowing out from the axial flow fan 30 increases and contains a sufficient amount of ozone. Gas is generated. This is because, in the vicinity of the outlet of the axial fan 30, a backflow phenomenon occurs in a region affected by the size of the outer diameter of the fan motor portion 32 of the axial fan 30, and the excimer lamp disposed near the fan blades 34 This is because the flow rate of gas increases toward 20 and the efficiency of ozone generation increases. The bottom portion 52F of the windshield 52 is arranged so as to face the area where such a backflow phenomenon occurs.

In general, vacuum ultraviolet rays with a specific peak wavelength are easily absorbed in the atmosphere, and the ultraviolet rays emitted from the excimer lamp 20 are attenuated quickly and the intensity of the ultraviolet rays is lowered. The degree of this attenuation follows the magnitude of the absorption coefficient of ultraviolet rays in the atmosphere. In an ideal measurement environment, in the case of ultraviolet rays with a wavelength of 172 nm, the ultraviolet intensity ratio is attenuated to 50% or less when traveling about 3 mm, 20% or less at about 6 mm, and all the ultraviolet rays are absorbed at about 30 mm.

Therefore, by supporting the excimer lamp 20 with the support mechanism 54 provided on the windshield 52 in the power source accommodation unit 50, the distance from the excimer lamp 20 to the side wall 15C of the housing 15 or the windshield 52 can be reduced from the viewpoint of the ozone generation efficiency. The excimer lamp 20 can be stably supported so as to be in an optimum state. Therefore, the ultraviolet rays emitted from the excimer lamp 20 are prevented from being blocked by the side wall 15C of the housing 15 and the windshield 52, and the excimer lamp 20 can be stably arranged in the region of the flow passage F where the ozone generation efficiency is high. can.

In addition, by supporting the starting assist light source 57 with the support mechanism 54 provided on the windshield 52 of the power supply housing portion 50, the distance between the starting assist light source 57 and the excimer lamp 20 facing each other while being in spatial communication is The ultraviolet ray emitted from the excimer lamp 20 is not substantially applied to the starting assist light source 57, and the light emitted from the starting assist light source 57 is applied to the excimer lamp 20, so that the excimer lamp 20 can be stably supported.

By using the starting assist light source 57 that emits light with a longer wavelength than the wavelength of the ultraviolet rays emitted from the excimer lamp 20, and utilizing the difference in transmittance in the air depending on the wavelength, the starting assist light source 57 can be used as an excimer lamp. It is not rapidly degraded by ultraviolet rays emitted from 20. Thus, the support mechanism 54 has the function of supporting the excimer lamp 20 at a desired position in the flow path F and supporting the starting assist light source 57 at a desired position with respect to the excimer lamp 20. To prevent each position from being changed before and after lamp replacement.

The windshield 52 is formed with a tapered portion 53 that tapers toward the axial fan 30 (upstream side). As a result, even when the power source accommodating portion 50 is large with respect to the outer diameter of the fan motor portion 32 of the axial fan 30, the gas flowing out from the axial fan 30 flows along the surface of the windshield 52, It is possible to prevent itself from becoming a large flow resistance.

Furthermore, by forming the windshield 52 of the power source accommodating portion 50 up to the upper surface 15U side of the housing 15 and forming the outflow port 15B around the power source accommodating portion 50, it is possible to set the area of the operation portion 18 widely. In addition, it is possible to house the control section provided below the operation section 18 in the power supply housing section 50 .

Next, an ozone generator of a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In the second embodiment, the power source accommodating portion has a rectangular parallelepiped shape. Other configurations are substantially the same as those of the first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of an ozone generator according to a second embodiment. The power supply housing portion 50' has a windshield 52' with a constant cross-sectional size and does not form a tapered portion. Further, an operation section 18 ′ is provided on the outer surface of the housing 15 . Since the windshield 52' does not take up space on the upper surface 15U side of the housing 15, the size of the opening 15B is increased, and the gas supplied from the axial fan 30 easily flows in the flow path F, increasing the flow rate. can.

Next, an ozone generator according to a third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In the third embodiment, the bottom portion 52F″ of the windshield 52″ and the fan motor portion 32 of the axial fan 30 are provided at positions facing each other with the connector 56″ and the excimer lamp 20 interposed therebetween. are substantially the same as in the second embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram of an ozone generator according to a third embodiment. By coaxially arranging the windshield 52″, connector 56″, excimer lamp 20, and axial fan 30, the upper surface 15U and side wall 15C of the housing 15 can be achieved even if the length in the cross-sectional direction is limited by compactness. On the other hand, dielectric breakdown can be reliably prevented by keeping a distance between the connector 56'' and the excimer lamp 20, especially the outer electrode.

As for the excimer lamp, the lamp axis may be arranged along the vertical direction of the housing, that is, along the direction different from the flow path. If a certain distance from the side wall of the housing can be secured, it is possible to arrange the connector at a location other than the bottom of the windshield.

The ozonizers shown in the first, second and third embodiments are equipped with an axial fan and an ultraviolet irradiation device in the housing, and a gas containing oxygen flows in the housing. It is also possible to configure as an ultraviolet irradiating device that irradiates ultraviolet rays to.

For example, it is possible to install an ultraviolet irradiation device in which a fluid supply unit such as a blower is arranged upstream of the flow pipe, and an excimer lamp and a power supply housing are arranged in the flow pipe. Further, it is also possible to install an axial fan in a tubular member (flow pipe) and install an ultraviolet irradiating device having an excimer lamp and a power supply housing on the downstream side thereof. It is possible to irradiate not only gases but also fluids including liquids with ultraviolet rays.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 10 ozone generator 12 ultraviolet irradiation device 15 housing 20 excimer lamp 30 axial fan (fluid supply unit)
40 lamp power supply 50 power supply housing 52 windshield 56 connector 57 starting auxiliary light source (LED)
F flow path

Claims (11)

an excimer lamp that emits ultraviolet rays and is arranged in a flow path through which a fluid flows from an inlet to an outlet;
a power source accommodating portion arranged at a predetermined distance from the excimer lamp and accommodating a lamp power source for supplying power to the excimer lamp;
An ultraviolet irradiating device, wherein the power source accommodating section is arranged so as to face a fluid supply section provided on the inlet side. 2. The ultraviolet irradiation device according to claim 1, wherein the power supply accommodating portion is arranged on the device center side and/or the outlet side of the excimer lamp so as to face the fluid supply portion. the power supply housing is held from the outflow port side at the downstream end,
3. The ultraviolet irradiation device according to claim 1, wherein said outflow port is constituted by an opening formed around said downstream end. 4. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein an operation portion for operating at least one of the excimer lamp and the fluid supply portion is arranged in a central portion of the downstream end portion of the device so as to be surrounded by the outflow port. UV irradiation device. further comprising a tubular member or device housing that forms the flow path,
5. The ultraviolet irradiation device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said power source accommodating portion has a windshield arranged around the center of the cross section of said tubular member or device housing. 6. The ultraviolet irradiation according to claim 5, wherein the windshield is provided with a support portion for supporting the excimer lamp in the flow path, and a connector for electrically connecting to an anode of the excimer lamp. Device. The connector is provided at an upstream end of the windshield,
7. The ultraviolet irradiation device according to claim 6, wherein said power supply housing portion, said connector, and said fluid supply portion are arranged in order toward said inlet side. The connector is provided at an upstream end of the windshield,
the excimer lamp is provided between the connector and the fluid supply,
7. The ultraviolet irradiation device according to claim 6, wherein said power supply housing portion, said connector, said excimer lamp, and said fluid supply portion are arranged in order toward said inlet side. 9. The ultraviolet irradiation device according to any one of claims 5 to 8, wherein the windshield has a tapered shape that tapers from the downstream side to the upstream side of the flow path. wherein the lamp power supply includes a step-up transformer;
A circuit configuration on the high voltage side of the lamp power supply is arranged on the center side of the device and/or on the inlet side,
10. The ultraviolet irradiation device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein a circuit configuration on the low voltage side of said lamp power supply is arranged outside the device and/or on the outlet side. a blower provided at the bottom of the housing;
an excimer lamp arranged downstream of the blower in the housing;
a power source accommodating portion that accommodates a lamp power source that supplies power to the excimer lamp and that is arranged within the housing with a predetermined distance from the excimer lamp;
The ozonizer according to claim 1, wherein the power supply accommodating section is arranged downstream of the blower so as to face the blower.

Images