JP4667671B2 - UV light source cover and UV irradiation device - Google Patents

Description

【００３１】
このように、ＦＥＰは炭素原子とフッ素原子のみから構成されており、炭素とフッ素の結合力が非常に強いため、熱的、電気的、化学的に極めて安定な特性を有している。その結果、極低温から高温まで広い温度範囲で電気的、化学的、機械的用途に優れた性能を示している。更に、ＦＥＰはＴＦＥに比べて溶融粘度が低いため、通常の熱可塑性樹脂と同様に押出、射出、圧縮などの溶融成形を行うことができる、という特性を有している。
【００３２】
また、ＰＦＡは、テトラフルオロエチレンとパーフルオロアルキルビニルエーテルの共重合体で、炭素原子とフッ素原子よりなる主鎖にパーフルオロアルコキシ基が結合した次のような分子構造を持っている。

【００３３】
このように、ＰＦＡは炭素とフッ素及び酸素とが強い原子間結合力によって結びついているため、極低温から高温まで広い温度範囲でＰＴＦＥと殆ど同じ優れた性能を有している。このＰＦＡは、ＦＥＰに比べて高温での機械的強度に優れ、成形性も良く、溶融成形することができ、射出、押出、ブロー・トランスファー、圧縮成形などで容易に成形加工を行うことができる、という特性を有している。
【００３４】
この他にも、紫外線光源カバー２２に用いることができる紫外線透過性樹脂としては、代表的なものとして「テフロン（登録商標）」の商品名で知られているポリテトラフルオロエチレン｛以下「ＰＴＦＥ」という、分子構造は（ＣＦ₂-ＣＦ₂)_n ｝や、ポリクロロトリフルオロエチレン｛以下「ＰＣＴＦＥ」という、分子構造は（ＣＦ₂-ＣＦＣ１）_n ｝、ポリフッ化ビニリデン｛以下「ＰＶＤＦ」という、分子構造は（ＣＨ₂-ＣＦ₂)_n ｝等を挙げることができる。
【００３５】
ＰＴＦＥは、テトラフルオロエチレンをラジカル重合したもので、成形用粉末とディスパージョンに大別される。ＰＴＦＥは白色ろう状結晶性熱可塑性樹脂であり、融点は３２７℃とされているが、実際には３３５〜３４０℃でないと融解せず、また、３８０℃でも粘度が１０¹¹ポイズもあって流動しないので、一般的なプラスチックの成形法が適用できず、普通は常温で成形粉を圧縮成形後、３６０〜３８０℃の炉中でシンタする方法がとられる。このＰＴＦＥは、プラスチックの中では耐高温特性の極めて優れた材料であるが、３８０℃以上では徐々に分解する。
【００３６】
ＰＣＴＦＥは、クロロトリフルオロエチレンを重合した分子量100000〜800000の結晶性熱可塑性樹脂であり、白色の成形用粉末或いはペレットとして、また、ディスパージョンの形で市販されている。ＰＣＴＦＥの融点は２１２〜２１７℃で、ＰＴＦＥと異なり、融点以上の温度で流動するため、一般に、圧縮、押出或いは射出成形が可能である。このＰＣＴＦＥは、耐高温特性の優れた材料であるが、２６０℃以上では徐々に解重合する。
【００３７】
また、ＰＶＤＦは、フッ化ビニリデンをラジカル重合したもので、平均分子量は250000〜1000000 であり、透明乃至乳白色の結晶性の熱可塑性樹脂である。分子量によって異なるが、ＰＶＤＦの融点は１６５〜１８５℃であり、通常の成形法が適用できる。このＰＶＤＦは、他のフッ素樹脂に比べて引張強さ等の力学的性質が優れているが、誘電特性は若干劣る。尚、これらの紫外線透過性樹脂は、その色のいかんを問うものではなく、また、透明・半透明の別等も問われるものではない。
【００３８】
このような紫外線光源カバー２２のカバー部２２ａの肉厚としては、紫外線透過性の観点から考えるとなるべく薄い方がよいが、強度の点を考えると厚い方がよく、その厚みの範囲としては０．０５ｍｍ〜５．０ｍｍの範囲内で適用することができ、好ましくは０．２ｍｍ〜１．２ｍｍ程度である。例えば、カバー部２２ａの肉厚として０．５ｍｍを適用すると、その紫外線透過率は石英ガラスの紫外線透過率の５０％になる。また、カバー部２２ａの肉厚を０．２ｍｍにすると、その紫外線透過率は石英ガラスの透過率の７５％になる。
【００３９】
この第１の実施例のように、紫外線光源カバー２２のカバー部２２ａの全体を紫外線透過性フッ素樹脂で薄肉に形成することにより、紫外線の透過率を高くして多量の紫外線を透過させることができる。これにより、カバー部２２ａの材質によって遮られる紫外線の量を少なくして、紫外線ランプ２１から放射される紫外線を多量に且つ効率良く放射させることができる。その一方、カバー部２２ａには補強部としての環状溝が複数設けられているため、カバー部２２ａ全体の肉厚が薄くても、その強度を高めて十分な耐久性を付与することができる。
【００４０】
尚、上述した第１の実施例では、紫外線光源カバー２２のカバー部２２ａの形状として有底の円筒体を適用した例について説明したが、四角形その他の多角形であっても良く、また円錐形、円錐台形等であっても良い。更に、球形若しくは半球形、或いは六面体、八面体、十六面体その他の殻状をなす中空体であってもよい。
【００４１】
このような紫外線光源カバー２２が着脱自在に装着されるリング状の取付フランジ２４は、図１に示すような構成を有している。即ち、取付フランジ２４には、一面側に突出するカバー嵌合部２４ａと、他面側に突出する支持具嵌合部２４ｂとが設けられている。カバー嵌合部２４ａ及び支持具嵌合部２４ｂは共にリング状の突起部からなり、支持具嵌合部２４ｂはカバー嵌合部２４ａよりも小径とされている。カバー嵌合部２４ａの内周面には、紫外線光源カバー２２のネジ部２７ａが螺合されるカバー用ネジ部２９ａが設けられている。また、支持具嵌合部２４ｂの外周面には、ランプ支持具２３が螺合される支持具用ネジ部２９ｂが設けられている。
【００４２】
ランプ支持具２３は、図１に示すように、それぞれリング状をなす上部リング３１と金網リング３２と下部リング３３とキャップナット３４とスリーブ３５等を備えて構成されている。上部リング３１の外周面の上部にはネジ部３１ａが設けられている。更に、上部リング３１の内周面の下部には内側に突出するフランジ部３１ｂが設けられており、このフランジ部３１ｂの内側にスリーブ３５を収納するための凹部が形成されている。金網リング３２は、その上端縁が上部リング３１の外周面下部に嵌合固定され、また、下端縁が下部リング３３の外周面上部に嵌合固定されている。金網リング３２の両側嵌合部は、はんだ付けや接着剤や溶接その他の固着手段によって各リング３１，３３に固着すると良い。
【００４３】
金網リング３２は、ランプ支持具２３の内外に空気を流通させ、紫外線ランプ２１から放射される熱を外部に排出する等を目的とするものである。この金網リング３２は、紫外線ランプ２１を装着した状態において、フィラメント２１ｄの近傍に配置されるように構成されており、紫外線ランプ２１のうち最も高温になるフィラメント２１ｄの近傍で空気を流通させて熱を外部に逃がすことができるようにしている。この金網リング３２を空気が内外に通過することにより、紫外線光源カバー２２内の自然冷却を行うことができる。尚、金網リング３２の材料としてはパンチングボードを用いることもできる。
【００４４】
この金網リング３２には、側方に突出するノズル３６が設けられている。このノズル３６に、例えばバキューム装置を接続することにより、紫外線光源カバー２２内の空気を吸引して強制的に冷却することができる。また、ノズル３６に、例えば送風装置を接続することにより、紫外線光源カバー２２内に空気を圧送して強制的に空気の流れを作り、紫外線光源カバー２２の内部を強制的に冷却することができる。
【００４５】
下部リング３３の内周面の下部には、取付フランジ２４の支持具用ネジ部２９ｂに螺合するためのネジ部３３ａが設けられている。このネジ部３３ａを設けることによって下部リング３３の内部には、上部側の穴径を小さくした段部が設けられている。この段部によって保護枠体３７が、紫外線光源カバー２２の内側に挿入された状態で挟持されて取り付けられる。３８は、取付フランジ２４に装着された紫外線ランプ２１の装着部を覆って保護する保護シートである。
【００４６】
保護枠体３７は、補強部材の第１の具体例を示すもので、Ｕ字状に形成された２本の枠体片３７ａ，３７ｂと、この２本の枠体片３７ａ，３７ｂの開口側の端部を固定する固定リング３７ｃとから構成されている。この保護枠体３７は、外力等によって紫外線光源カバー２２が所定以上に弾性変形するのを防止するためのもので、カバー部２２ａが所定以上に弾性変形して紫外線ランプ２１のランプ部２１ａを押圧し、このランプ部２１ａを破損させるのを防止する。
【００４７】
この保護枠体３７の固定リング３７ｃは、取付フランジ２４の支持具嵌合部２４ｂに見合う大きさとして、その端面上に載置可能とされている。更に、固定リング３７ｃは支持具嵌合部２４ｂに対して嵌合自在とされていて、着脱自在に構成されている。２本の枠体片３７ａ，３７ｂは、互いに直交させるように９０°回転変位した状態に組み合わされており、その開放側の４箇所の基端は略９０°の間隔をあけて略等間隔に配置されて、固定リング３７ｃの内面に溶接等の固着手段により固定されて一体に形成されている。
【００４８】
また、ランプ支持具２３の上部リング３１には、スリーブ３５を介して紫外線ランプ２１が支持される。スリーブ３５は、電極部２１ｂが嵌合される穴を有するリング体からなり、上部リング３１の内フランジ３１ｂ上に載置される。この上部リング３１に対するスリーブ３５及び紫外線ランプ２１の抜け出しがキャップナット３４によって防止されている。キャップナット３４は、ソケット部２１ｃが挿通される貫通穴３９が中央部に設けられた端面部３４ａと、内周面にネジ部が設けられた円筒部３４ｂとを有するリング体からなり、その外周面には滑り止め用のローレット加工が施されている。
【００４９】
図１において、４０は、キャップナット３４と紫外線ランプ２１の電極部２１ｂ等との間に介在されるシートパッキンである。４１は、紫外線光源カバー２２のカバー部２２ａと固定部２２ｂとの間に装着されるＯ−リングである。また、４２は、紫外線光源カバー２２の固定部２２ｂと取付フランジ２４との間に介在されるシールパッキンである。更に、４３は、ランプ支持具２３の下部リング３３と保護枠体３７の固定リング３７ｃとの間に介在されるシートパッキンである。
【００５０】
上述した取付フランジ２４と、ランプ支持具２３の上部リング３１、金網リング３２、下部リング３３及びキャップナット３４と、保護枠体３７の枠体片３７ａ，３７ｂ及び固定リング３７ｃの材質としては、ステンレス鋼が好適であるが、スチール鋼その他の金属を用いることもできる。また、スリーブ３５と、保護シート３８と、シートパッキン４３の材質としては、紫外線透過性樹脂（例えばテフロン（登録商標）等）が好適であるが、その他のエンジニアリングプラスチックを用いることもできる。
【００５１】
更に、シートパッキン４０と、Ｏ−リング４１と、シールパッキン４２の材質としては、例えば、ニトリルゴムその他のシール用プラスチックを用いることができる。尚、上述した上部リング３１とキャップナット３４とによって、紫外線ランプ２１のためのランプ支持手段が構成されている。
【００５２】
このような構成を有する紫外線照射装置２０は、例えば、次のようにして組立及び分解作業を行うことができる。組立作業は、まず、取付フランジ２４に紫外線保護カバー２２を取り付ける。即ち、取付フランジ２４のカバー嵌合部２４ａのカバー用ネジ部２９ａに、紫外線保護カバー２２の固定部２２ｂに設けたネジ部２７ａを螺合させて締めつける。
【００５３】
このとき、紫外線保護カバー２２のカバー部２２ａと固定部２２ｂの環状凸部２７ｂとの間に予めＯ−リング４１を装着しておき、紫外線保護カバー２２の締め込みによってＯ−リング４１が弾性変形するように構成する。このＯ−リング４１の弾性変形により、紫外線保護カバー２２の緩みを防止することができる。尚、保護シート３８は、予め取付フランジ２４に取り付けておいても良く、また、紫外線保護カバー２２の装着後に取り付けるようにしても良い。
【００５４】
次に、取付フランジ２４に保護枠体３７を取り付ける。即ち、取付フランジ２４の支持具嵌合部２４ｂの穴に保護枠体３７の枠体片３７ａ，３７ｂを挿入する。この枠体片３７ａ，３７ｂを穴内に完全に挿入し、固定リング３７ｃを支持具嵌合部２４ｂの端面に載置させる。その後、支持具嵌合部２４ｂのネジ部３３ａに、ランプ支持具２３の下部リング３３のネジ部を螺合させて締めつける。これにより、下部リング３３と支持具嵌合部２４ｂによって固定リング３７ｃが挟持されて固定される。
【００５５】
次に、取付フランジ２４に取り付けられたランプ支持具２３に紫外線ランプ２１を装着する。即ち、ランプ支持具２３の上部リング３１の穴内にスリーブ３５を収納した後、このスリーブ３５の穴内に紫外線ランプ２１のランプ部２１ａを挿入する。これにより、内フランジ３１ｂによってスリーブ３５及び電極部２１ｂが支持される。この電極部２１ｂ及びスリーブ３５に１又は２以上のシートパッキン４０を重ね合わせる。
【００５６】
更に、貫通穴３９にランプコード２５を挿通させたキャップナット３４を重ね合わせ、円筒部３４ｂの内周面に設けたネジ部を上部リング３１のネジ部２１ａに螺合させる。このキャップナット３４の締め込みにより電極部２１ｂが挟持され、図１に示すような状態に組み立てられて、紫外線照射装置２０の組立作業が完了する。
【００５７】
この紫外線照射装置２０の分解作業は、上述した組立作業と逆の作業によって行うことができる。まず、キャップナット３４を緩めて取り除く。その後、ソケット部２１ｃを持って上方へ引き抜くことにより、紫外線ランプ２１を簡単に取り出すことができる。従って、紫外線ランプ２１の交換作業を簡単に行うことができる。
【００５８】
次に、ランプ支持具２３を緩み方向に回して取付フランジ２４から取り外す。これにより、保護枠体３７の取り出しが可能となり、固定リング３７ｃ側から引き抜くことによって保護枠体３７を取り出すことができる。また、取付フランジ２４に対して紫外線光源カバー２２を緩み方向に回すことにより、紫外線光源カバー２２を取り外すことができる。
【００５９】
このような構成を有する紫外線照射装置２０は、例えば、図４及び図５に示すような取付具の一具体例を示すクランプバンド５０を用いることにより、各種装置の所定位置に取り付けられて使用に供される。図４に示すように、クランプバンド５０は、一対のクランプ片５１，５２と、両クランプ片５１，５２間を回動自在に連結する一対の連結片５３，５３と、一方のクランプ片５１に揺動可能に取り付けられたクランプ軸５４と、このクランプ軸５４に螺合されたクランプナット５５とを有している。
【００６０】
各クランプ片５１，５２は、断面形状が略コ字状をなす半円形の部材からなり、互いの凹側を対向させて全体として環状に形成されている。一対のクランプ片５１，５２の一方の端部間には、これを上下から挟むように一対の連結片５３，５３が掛け渡されている。図５に示すように、一対の連結片５３，５３と各クランプ片５１，５２との間には、これらの間を回動自在に連結するヒンジピン５６が貫通されている。各クランプ片５１，５２の他方の端部には、半径方向外側に突出する支杆部５１ａ，５２ａがそれぞれ設けられている。そして、一方の支杆部５１ａには、軸ピン５７によってクランプ軸５４の基端が回動自在に支持されている。
【００６１】
このクランプ軸５４に対応して他方の支杆部５２ａには、クランプ軸５４が挿脱される軸通し溝が設けられている。この軸通し溝は、支杆部５２ａの外側端に開口されると共に半径方向内側に延在されている。従って、クランプ軸５４は、図４において、実線で示す支杆部５２ａに係合された位置と、二点鎖線で示す外側に９０°回動された位置との間を揺動変位自在に構成されている。このクランプ軸５４の先端側にクランプナット５５が螺合されている。
【００６２】
このような構成を有するクランプバンド５０の使用に際して、紫外線照射装置２０が取り付けられる装置の側には、上述した取付フランジ２４と略同様の形状を有する固定フランジ５８が設けられる。固定フランジ５８は、取付フランジ２４と上下対称形状となるように形成されており、リング部分の下面には半径方向外側に薄肉となるテーパ部が設けられている。このように、両フランジ２４，５８にそれぞれテーパ部を設けることにより、クランプバンド５０の使用に際し、一対のクランプ片５１，５２の締め込み時にくさび効果を生じさせ、両フランジ２４，５８間を強固に締付固定することができる。尚、両フランジ２４，５８の接触面間には、例えばヘルール等のような密着手段を設けることが好ましい。
【００６３】
この紫外線照射装置２０が使用される装置としては、例えば、飲料水を蓄える貯水タンク、果汁や飲食品・薬液や薬品等を殺菌したり充填したりするための装置、医療関係のクリーンルーム、その他各種の紫外線照射装置・紫外線照射機械に適用されるもので、紫外線による殺菌処理や、合成・分解等の化学反応による処理等が行われる各種の装置を挙げることができる。
【００６４】
この紫外線照射装置２０は、例えば、次のようにして使用することができる。クランプバンド５０を使用して紫外線照射装置２０を各種装置の所定位置に取り付け、ランプコード２５を電源に接続し、紫外線ランプ２１に通電する。これにより、フィラメント２１ｄに電流が流れてランプ部２１ａが発光し、このランプ部２１ａから紫外線が放射される。放射された紫外線は、紫外線光源カバー２２のカバー部２２ａから外部に放射され、紫外線による殺菌や化学反応等の処理に供される。
【００６５】
この場合、紫外線ランプ２１が紫外線光源カバー２２内に収納されて保護されているため、例えば、紫外線ランプ２１の寿命等によってランプ部２１ａが破損したような場合にも、ランプ部２１ａのガラス片が紫外線光源カバー２２内に保持され、カバー部２２ａを透過して外部に飛び散ることがない。そのため、ガラス片が紫外線処理の対象物である飲料水や食品、薬品等の中に入り込むおそれがなく、安全性の高い紫外線処理を実行することができる。
【００６６】
また、紫外線光源カバー２２内には保護枠体３７が収納されており、この保護枠体３７の内側に紫外線ランプ２１のランプ部２１ａが収納されているため、カバー部２２ａの所定量以上の変形を防止することができる。そのため、紫外線透過性フッ素樹脂（上述したＦＥＰやＰＦＡ等）であっても、これを使用して薄肉の紫外線光源カバー２２を形成することができる。しかも、ＦＥＰやＰＦＡは紫外線に対して安定しており、高温から低温までの広い温度範囲で電気的、化学的、機械的に優れた特性を有するために、紫外線の放射効率を大きく減少させることがない。
【００６７】
その一方、ＦＥＰ及びＰＦＡはブロー成形性に若干問題を有するが、本実施例のように、ＦＥＰ又はＰＦＡで形成されたパイプ状素材の一端を閉じ合わせ、その合わせ目を溶融させて溶着することにより、図３Ａ〜Ｃに示すように、その端部をしっかりと閉じ合わせて密閉することができる。従って、成形性に優れ、紫外線を良く透過できる紫外線光源カバー２２を容易に製造することができる。
【００６８】
この紫外線照射装置２０は、自然冷却によって紫外線ランプ２１の温度上昇を抑制することができる。即ち、紫外線ランプ２１の電極部２１ｂを保持するランプ支持具２３に金網リング（パンチングボードを含む。）３２が設けられているため、この金網リング３２を介して紫外線光源カバー２２の内外に空気を自由に通過させることができる。そのため、この金網リング３２を通過する空気の流れによって紫外線ランプ２１の、最も発熱量の大きいフィラメント２１ｄの有るランプ部２１ａの根元部分を冷却することができる。
【００６９】
この自然冷却の場合、ランプ部２１ａの温度が許容以上に高く上がり過ぎると、次のような影響を受けることになる。例えば、タンク内に収納されている物質が水である場合には、水中に含まれているカルシュム（Ｃａ）や鉄（Ｆｅ）或いはシリカゲル（SiO₂・nH₂O）等の焼付けが発生し、温水で洗浄しても汚れが落ち難くなる。また、タンク内に収納されている物質が糖分を含んでいるもの、油分を含んでいるもの、醤油や調味料、化学薬品、乳化剤等である場合も、同様に焼付けが発生して汚れが強固になる。
【００７０】
この点に関して、本実施例のようにＦＥＰ又はＰＦＡで紫外線光源カバー２２を形成したことにより、石英を用いて紫外線光源カバーを形成した場合に比べて、温度上昇の変化を小さなものとすることができた。これは、材質として石英や金属を用いる場合には、これらに紫外線が照射されることによって石英や金属の分子が振動し、その振動により熱が発生して、その熱が水や糖分等に含まれる物質に影響を与え、これが原因で上述した焼付けが発生したり、汚れが強固に付着し易くなること等が考えられる。
【００７１】
これに対して、ＦＥＰ又はＰＦＡで形成した場合には、紫外線の殺菌作用がある波長２００ｎｍから４００ｎｍの範囲は勿論のこと、４００ｎｍ以上太陽光の波長である４８０ｎｍから８００ｎｍの電磁波においても、これを十分に透過させることができるため、紫外線光源カバー２２の温度上昇が小さくて済むことが明らかになった。これにより、ＦＥＰ又はＰＦＡで形成した紫外線光源カバー２２の場合には、その外側に生じる汚れや焼付け現象が、石英ガラスに比べて非常に小さくなることが確認された。
【００７２】
また、金網リング３２に設けたノズル３６にバキューム装置或いは送風装置を接続することにより、紫外線光源カバー２２内の空気を強制的に吸引し、或いは紫外線光源カバー２２内に空気を強制的に圧送して、カバー内の熱を外部により効率良く放出することができる。これにより、ランプ部２１ａの温度が必要以上に高くなるのを抑制して、紫外線の放射効率を高く維持することができる。
【００７３】
尚、紫外線光源カバー２２の内部にファンを配設し、そのファンでカバー内に空気の対流を生じさせて強制的に冷却する構成とすることもできる。また、温度センサを用いて金網リング３２内や紫外線光源カバー２２内の温度を検出し、その内部が所定温度以上に高くなったときに、上記ファンを作動させたり、バキューム装置による空気の吸引動作、或いは空気の圧送動作を行う構成とすることもできる。
【００７４】
図６〜図８には、本発明に係る紫外線照射装置の第２の実施例を示す。この第２の実施例に示す紫外線照射装置６０は、上述した第１の実施例における紫外線光源カバーであるカバー本体２２等の第２の実施例を示すものである。尚、図６〜図８において、図１等に示した第１の実施例と同一部分には同一の符号を付してそれらの説明は省略する。
【００７５】
この第２の実施例として示す紫外線光源カバーは、紫外線ランプ２１のランプ部２１ａを覆うカバー本体６１と、このカバー本体６１の内側に配置されてカバー本体６１を補強する補強部材の第１の具体例を示す保護金網６２とから構成されている。
【００７６】
カバー本体６１は、カバー部６１ａと固定部であるフランジ部６１ｂとからなり、カバー部６１ａの構成は紫外線光源カバー２２のカバー部２２ａと同一であるが、その固定部２２ｂとは固定部の構成が異なっている。即ち、カバー本体６１のフランジ部６１ｂは、半径方向外側に展開されたリング状の外フランジからなり、このフランジ部６１ｂによってカバー本体６１が取付フランジ６６側に固定される。このカバー本体６１の材質は、上述した実施例と同様にＦＥＰ又はＰＦＡが好ましいが、その他の紫外線透過性フッ素樹脂を用いることもできる。
【００７７】
保護金網６２は、金属製の金網によって試験管状に形成された金網本体６２ａと、この金網本体６２ａの開口側の端部に設けられたリング状のフランジ部６２ｂとから構成されている。金網本体６２ａの外径はカバー本体６１の内径よりも若干小径とされていて、その金網本体６２ａの開口端にフランジ部６２ｂが外側に展開するように固定されている。この金網本体６２ａ及びフランジ部６２ｂの材質としてはステンレス鋼（ＳＵＳ）が好適であるが、スチール鋼その他の金属を用いることもできる。
【００７８】
ランプ支持具６３は、上述した第１実施例のランプ支持具２３のうち、上部リング３１と金網リング３２とキャップナット３４とスリーブ３５とが同一であって、異なるところは下部リング６４である。下部リング６４は、一端側に外向きのフランジ部６４ａが設けられたリング状の部材からなり、フランジ部６４ａと反対側に金網リング３２が嵌合固定されている。下部リング６４のフランジ部６４ａの外径は保護金網６２のフランジ部６２ｂの外径と略同一とされていて、組立時には互いに面方向に対向される。
【００７９】
図８において、符号６５ａ、６５ｂ及び６５ｃは、それぞれリング状に形成された押パッキンであり、６５ｄは、同じくリング状に形成された押シートである。第１の押パッキン６５ａは、カバー本体６１のフランジ部６１ｂの下面に配置される。第２の押パッキン６５ｂはフランジ部６１ｂの上に載置され、この第２の押パッキン６５ｂの上に保護金網６２のフランジ部６２ｂが載置される。第３の押パッキン６５ｃはフランジ部６２ｂの上に載置され、この第３の押パッキン６５ｃの上に下部リング６４のフランジ部６４ａが載置される。更に、フランジ部６４ａの上に押シート６５ｄが載置される。
【００８０】
このように積層されたフランジ部６１ｂ，６２ｂ，６４ａ等が、取付具の第２の実施例を示すリング状の部材からなる取付フランジ６６及び取付ナット６７により挟持されている。取付フランジ６６は、上面の外周縁にテーパ面が設けられたリング状をなす固定部６６ａと、この固定部６６ａの上面に一体に設けられた同じくリング状をなす支持部６６ｂとを有している。取付フランジ６６の支持部６６ｂには、内面に設けられたリング状の凹部からなる支持穴６８ａと、外面に設けられたネジ部６８ｂとが形成されている。
【００８１】
また、取付ナット６７は、中央部に貫通穴６９ａが設けられたリング状をなす端面部６７ａと、この端面部６７ａの外周縁に連続して一面側に突出された同じくリング状をなす円筒部６７ｂとを有している。そして、円筒部６７ｂの内周面に、取付フランジ６６のネジ部６８ｂと螺合されるネジ部６９ｂとが形成されている。この取付フランジ６６の支持穴６８ａ内にフランジ部６１ｂ，６２ｂ，６４ａ等が積層状態で収納され、取付ナット６７の締め込みにより取付フランジ６６との間で挟持されて、紫外線光源カバー６１等が一体的に組み立てられて紫外線照射装置６０が構成されている。
【００８２】
尚、下部リング６４、取付フランジ６６及び取付ナット６７の材質としては、例えば、ステンレス鋼（ＳＵＳ３０４等）が好適であるが、スチール鋼その他の金属は勿論のこと、紫外線に強いエンジニアリングプラスチックを用いることもできる。また、押パッキン６５ａ〜６５ｃ及び押シート６５ｄの材質としては、紫外線に強いフッ素樹脂等が好適であるが、その他のシール用パッキンとして使用できるプラスチックを用いることもできる。他の構成は、上述した第１の実施例と同様である。
【００８３】
このような構成を有する第２の実施例に係る紫外線照射装置６０によっても、上述した紫外線照射装置２０と同様の効果を得ることができる。尚、この紫外線照射装置６０を、例えば貯水タンク等の他の装置に取り付ける手段は、第１の実施例と同様にクランプバンド５０によって行われる。
【００８４】
図９及び図１０には、本発明に係る紫外線照射装置の第３の実施例を示す。この第３の実施例に示す紫外線照射装置７０は、上述した第２の実施例におけるランプ支持具６３及び取付フランジ６６等に対応する第３の実施例を示すものである。尚、図９，図１０において、図６等に示した構成と同一部分には同一の符号を付してそれらの説明は省略する。
【００８５】
紫外線照射装置７０において、紫外線光源カバーを構成するカバー本体６１及び補強部材である保護金網６２は同一のものである。一方、ランプ支持具７１は、取付フランジ７２に固定されるベースプレート７３と、このベースプレート７３に固定される複数（本実施例では４個であるが、３個でも良く、また５個以上でも良い。）のスペーサブロック７４と、これらのスペーサブロック７４に固定されるランプ固定板７５と、ベースプレート７３に固定される紫外線遮蔽カバー７６と、ベースプレート７３と保護金網６２のフランジ部６２ｂとの間に介在される押リング７７等から構成されている。
【００８６】
ベースプレート７３はリング状の板材で構成されており、その内周縁の近傍にはスペーサブロック７４を取り付けるための複数のネジ穴が設けられている。複数のネジ穴は周方向に略等間隔に設けられており、これらのネジ穴に対応する挿通穴がランプ固定板７５の対応する位置に設けられている。更に、ランプ固定板７５には、空気を通過させるための複数の空気抜き穴７５ａが設けられている。このランプ固定板７５の中央部には中央穴７５ｂが設けられており、この中央穴７５ｂにランプ部２１ａを挿入した状態で紫外線ランプ２１Ａがランプ固定板７５に着脱可能に固定されている。
【００８７】
尚、ランプ固定板７５は、電極部２１ｂと一体ものとして構成しても良い。更に、ベースプレート７３とランプ固定板７５との隙間をスペーサブロック７４によって十分に大きく確保できる場合には、ランプ固定板７５の空気抜き穴７５ａは設ける必要が無い。また、スペーサブロック７４を溶接等の固着手段によって予めベースプレート７３に一体に固定しておくことにより、スペーサブロック７４の脱落を防止して紛失するおそれをなくすことができる。
【００８８】
また、各スペーサブロック７４には挿通穴が設けられており、ランプ固定板７５の各挿通穴とスペーサブロック７４の挿通穴とを貫通してベースプレート７３の各ネジ穴に螺合される複数の固定ネジ７８ａによってランプ固定板７５が、スペーサブロック７４を介してベースプレート７３にネジ止めされて固定されている。従って、ベースプレート７３とランプ固定板７５との間にはスペーサブロック７４による隙間が設定されており、この隙間とランプ固定板７５に設けた空気抜き穴７５ａとによって紫外線光源カバーの内外を連通する開口部が形成されている。ランプ固定板７５のカバー本体６１側の面は、紫外線を反射する反射面とすることが好ましい。
【００８９】
更に、ベースプレート７３の上面には、ランプ固定板７５を囲うように紫外線遮蔽カバー７６が載置されている。紫外線遮蔽カバー７６は、一端に外向きのフランジ部７６ａが設けられた円筒体からなり、そのフランジ部７６ａ側には空気を通過させるための複数の空気穴７６ｂが設けられている。そして、フランジ部７６ａを貫通する複数の固定ネジ７８ｂによって紫外線遮蔽カバー７６が、ベースプレート７３上に締付固定されている。このベースプレート７３は、固定ネジ７８ｂによって同時に、取付フランジ７２に締付固定されている。
【００９０】
取付フランジ７２は、上面の外周縁にテーパ面が設けられたリング状をなす固定部７２ａと、この固定部７２ａの上面に一体に設けられた同じくリング状をなす支持部７２ｂとを有している。取付フランジ７２の支持部７２ｂは、半径方向外側に展開された外フランジを有し、この支持部７２ｂ上にベースプレート７３の外周縁が重ね合わされている。そして、フランジ部７６ａ及びベースプレート７３を貫通して支持部７２ｂに螺合する固定ネジ７８ｂにより、紫外線遮蔽カバー７６及びベースプレート７３が取付フランジ７２に締付固定されている。
【００９１】
この取付フランジ７２の支持部７２ｂの内側に設けられた支持穴７２ｃには、カバー本体６１のフランジ部６１ｂと保護金網６２のフランジ部６２ｂと押リング７７等が積層状態で収納される。図９において、符号７９ａはＯ−リング、７９ｂはリング状に形成された押パッキン、７９ｃ及び７９ｄは、同じくリング状に形成された押シートである。
【００９２】
また、取付フランジ７２の支持穴７２ｃの底にはＯ−リング７９ａが収納され、このＯ−リング７９ａの上にカバー本体６１のフランジ部６１ｂが載置される。フランジ部６１ｂの上には保護金網６２のフランジ部６２ｂが載置され、このフランジ部６２ｂの上に第１の押シート７９ｃが載置される。更に、第１の押シート７９ｃの上には押リング７７が載置され、この押リング７７の上に第２の押シート７９ｄが載置される。
【００９３】
このように積層されたフランジ部６１ｂ，６２ｂ，６４ａ等が、取付具の第３の実施例を示すリング状の部材からなる取付フランジ７２とベースプレート７３とによって挟持される。即ち、固定ネジ７８ｂの締め込みにより、積層状態のフランジ部６１ｂ，６２ｂ，６４ａ等が取付フランジ７２とベースプレート７３との間で挟持され、これによりカバー本体６１等が一体的に組み立てられて紫外線照射装置７０が構成されている。
【００９４】
尚、紫外線ランプ２１Ａのランプ部２１ａは、フィラメント２１ｄ側の１箇所若しくは２〜４箇所において連結部２１ｅによっても連通されている。この連結部２１ｅは、ランプ点灯によるガラス管の振動防止を目的として設けたもので、同質の石英材料で棒状に形成して両端がガラス管に溶着されている。また、紫外線ランプ２１Ｂとしては、図１９Ａ〜Ｃに示すような構成とすることができる。この紫外線ランプ２１Ｂは、ランプ部２１ａのＵ字状をなすガラス管を中途部から電極部２１ｂ側に折り返したものである。ガラス管をこのように形成することにより、１本のガラス管を４本のガラス管のように見せることができ、大きさの割りに発光部分の大きな紫外線ランプを得ることができる。他の構成は、上述した第２の実施例と同様である。
【００９５】
この第３の実施例の場合には、スペーサブロック７４の高さを変えることによりベースプレート７３とランプ固定板７５との間の開口部の大きさを広狭自由に調整することができる。更に、この実施例では、開口部とランプ固定板７５の空気抜き穴７５ａとを設けたことにより、カバー本体６１の内外に空気の自然な対流を作ることができ、この空気の対流によりカバー内の熱を外部に放出して、紫外線ランプ２１Ａの温度上昇を抑制することができる。
【００９６】
図１１〜図１７には、本発明に係る紫外線照射装置の第４の実施例を示す。この第４の実施例に示す紫外線照射装置８０は、紫外線光源の第３の具体例を示す紫外線ランプ８１と、紫外線光源カバーを構成するカバー本体８２及び保護金網８３と、ランプ支持具８４と、このランプ支持具８４を介して紫外線ランプ８１を所定位置に取り付けるための取付フランジ８５と、この取付フランジ８５の上面側を覆う防護カバー８６等を備えて構成されている。
【００９７】
紫外線ランプ８１は、石英ガラス管をコイル状に巻回するようにして形成されたランプ部８１ａと、このランプ部８１ａのフィラメント側の両端に取り付けられた２個のランプ固定具８１ｂ，８１ｂと、これらのランプ固定具８１ｂを固定支持するランプ固定板８１ｃとを有し、各ランプ固定具８１ｂに２本のランプコード８７の各一端が接続されている。ランプ部８１ａは、略直線的に延在された直線部８１a₁と、この直線部８１a₁の周囲を螺旋状に巻回するように延在された螺旋部８１a₂とを有し、これらの先端部において互いに連通されて一体に構成されている。
【００９８】
紫外線ランプ８１のランプ固定板８１ｃは円盤状の板体からなり、その中央部において所定の間隔をあけて設けた２個の挿通穴にランプ部８１ａの両端が挿通されている。そして、ランプ固定板８１ｃのランプ部８１ａと反対側に２個のランプ固定具８１ｂが配置され、これらのランプ固定具８１ｂが接着剤その他の固着手段によってランプ固定板８１ｃに固定されている。尚、ランプ固定具８１ｂは、その直径を大きくする等して１個だけで形成しても良い。
【００９９】
紫外線光源カバーのカバー本体８２は、図１５〜図１７に示すような構成を有している。即ち、カバー本体８２は、略一定の肉厚で薄く形成された底のある筒状（有底筒状）のカバー部８２ａと、このカバー部８２ａの開口端に設けられた固定部８２ｂとからなり、固定部８２ｂの内側に設定された開口穴２６からランプ部８１ａが出し入れされる。カバー部８２ａには、その強度を増加させるための補強部の他の具体例を示す環状突条８８ａ及び複数の縦突条８８ｂと、肉厚を厚くして強度を高めた補強部としての厚肉部８８ｃとが設けられている。
【０１００】
補強部としての環状突条８８ａは、カバー部８２ａの軸方向略中央部において周方向へ連続する凸部として形成されている。これとは逆に、周方向へ連続する凹部からなる環状溝として補強部を形成してもよい。また、各縦突条８８ｂは、周方向に略等間隔に配置されていると共に所定幅で軸方向へ直線状に延在する凸部として形成されている。これとは逆に、軸方向へ連続する凹部からなる長溝として補強部を形成してもよく、また、軸方向に沿って螺旋状に連続する螺旋突条若しくは螺旋溝として形成してもよい。更に、補強部としては、多数の半球状に突出する半球凸部或いは半球状に凹む半球凹部として形成することもできる。
【０１０１】
カバー本体８２の固定部８２ｂには、図１７Ａに拡大して示すように、取付フランジ８５に対する密着性を高めるための座面８２b₁を設けると良い。一般に、射出成形等によって成形された合成樹脂の表面はある程度の凹凸が存在するため、その凹凸を無くして平滑面とした座面８２b₁を設けることにより、取付フランジ８５との密着性を高めて、その座面８２b₁からの紫外線や空気その他の漏れを防止することができる。
【０１０２】
保護金網８３は、有底筒状の金網本体８３ａと、この金網本体８３ａの開口側の端部に設けられたフランジ部８３ｂとからなる。金網本体８３ａは、カバー本体８２のカバー部８３ａ内に緩く嵌合される大きさとされていて、フランジ部８３ｂの外径は固定部８２ｂの外径と略同一とされている。フランジ部８３ｂは固定部８２ｂの上に載置され、この積層状態で取付フランジ８５の凹陥部内に収納されている。
【０１０３】
取付フランジ８５は、略矩形とされた板体からなり、その中央部にカバー部８３ａが挿通される貫通穴８５ａが設けられている。図１４に拡大して示すように、取付フランジ８５の貫通穴８５ａの周縁には、固定部８２ｂ及びフランジ部８３ｂが収納される円形の第１の凹陥部８５ｂと、次に述べるベースリング等が収納される第２の凹陥部８５ｃとが同心上に設けられている。第１の凹陥部８５ｂには、環状溝に収納された０−リング８９が設けられており、この０−リング８９が固定部８２ｂの座面８２b₁に圧接される。
【０１０４】
更に、固定部８２ｂ及びフランジ部８３ｂの外周縁には、断面Ｌ字状に形成されたパッキン９０ａが装着されている。尚、フランジ部８３ｂの下面に押しパッキンを配置し、このパッキンをフランジ部８３ｂで押すことも可能であり、かかる構成とすることによりパッキン９０ａが不要となる。
【０１０５】
また、第２の凹陥部８５ｃには、パッキン９０ｂとベースリング９１とが収納されている。パッキン９０ｂはパッキン９０ａの上に載置され、ベースリング９１及びパッキン９０ｂを貫通する固定ネジ９２ａの締め込みによりこれらが取付フランジ８５に固定されている。そして、パッキン９０ｂを介して作用するベースリング９１の押圧力によりパッキン９０ａ及び０−リング８９が上下からフランジ部８３ｂ及び固定部８２ｂに圧接され、弾性的に挟持されている。
【０１０６】
ランプ支持具８４は、リング状をなすベースリング９１と、このベースリング９１の上端縁に固定された同じくリング状をなす支持リング９３と、虫やゴミ等の侵入を防止するフィルタ９４等を備えている。ベースリング９１の内周縁には上方に立ち上げられたリング状の円筒部９１ａが設けられており、この円筒部９１ａには周方向に適当な間隔をあけて複数の開口穴９１ｂが設けられている。この開口穴９１ｂの外側にフィルタ９４がそれそれ貼着されている。そして、支持リング９３の上に紫外線ランプ８１のランプ固定板８１ｃが載置されており、このランプ固定板８１ｃが固定ネジ９２ｂによって支持リング９３に締付固定されている。
【０１０７】
更に、ベースリング９１の円筒部９１ａには、側方に突出する空気を流通させるためのノズル９１ｃが設けられている。このノズル９１ｃ及び複数のフィルタ９４によって空気がカバー本体８２の内外に流動し、その空気が外に流出する際にカバー本体８２内の熱が外部に放出される。これにより、紫外線ランプ８１の自然冷却が行われ、その温度上昇を抑制することができる。尚、ノズル９１ｃにバキュウーム装置や送風装置を接続し、カバー本体８２内の空気を吸引したり、カバー本体８２内に空気を圧送することにより、カバー本体８２内を強制的に冷却して、紫外線ランプ８１の冷却効率を高めることができる。
【０１０８】
また、図１１に示すように、取付フランジ８５には防護カバー８６が着脱自在に取り付けられている。図１３に示すように、取付フランジ８５は略正方形とされていて、その四隅には適当な大きさの隙間を有する金網やパンチングボード等によって形成された通気部８６ａが設けられている。また、防護カバー８６は、下面側が開口された四角形の箱体からなり、その底面を除く５面は、適当な大きさの隙間を有する金網やパンチングボード等によって形成されている。この防護カバー８６は、空気の通過を可能とすると共に虫やゴミ等の侵入を防止する役目を有するもので、取付フランジ８５の上面全体を覆う構成とされている。
【０１０９】
この防護カバー８６は、側方から螺合される複数の止めネジ９５によって締付固定自在とされている。そして、防護カバー８６の開口側の周縁部には、取付フランジ８５に対する深さ方向の位置決めをなす複数の位置決め片８６ａが設けられている。更に、防護カバー８６には、受け口を内部に開口させた状態でソケット９６が取り付けられている。ソケット９６には、電源に接続される接続ケーブル９６ａの一端が接続されている。このソケット９６には、上述したランプコード８７の先端に取り付けられたコネクタ９７が着脱可能に接続されている。尚、上述したベースリング９１と支持リング９３と固定ネジ９２ｂとによって、紫外線ランプ８１のためのランプ支持手段が構成されている。
【０１１０】
このような構成を有する紫外線照射装置８０は、例えば、図１４に示すように、貯水タンク９８の取付部９８ａに載置され、取付ボルト９９等の固着手段によって着脱可能に取り付けられる。そのため、取付フランジ８５には、取付ボルト９９の軸部が挿通される複数の挿通孔８５ｄが設けられている。このように紫外線照射装置８０を貯水タンク９８に取り付けると、紫外線光源カバーの略全体がタンク内に挿入され、紫外線ランプ８１のランプ部８１ａの略全体がタンク内に位置することになる。このような構成を有する紫外線照射装置８０によれば、上述した紫外線照射装置２０，６０及び７０と同様の効果を得ることができる。
【０１１１】
図１８には、本発明に係る紫外線照射装置の第５の実施例を示す。この第５の実施例に示す紫外線照射装置１００は、上述した第４の実施例におけるランプ支持具８４及び防護カバー８６の変形実施例を示す。尚、図１８において、図１１に示した第４の実施例と同一部分には同一の符号を付してそれらの説明は省略する。
【０１１２】
この実施例に係るランプ支持具１０１は、上述した図９に示す第３の実施例に係るスペーサブロック７４を用いて紫外線ランプ８１の放熱効果を高めるように構成したものである。ランプ支持具１０１は、取付フランジ８５に固定されるベースリング９１と、このベースリング９１に取り付けられる支持リング９３と、この支持リング９３に固定される複数（本実施例では４個）のスペーサブロック７４等から構成されている。即ち、ランプ支持具１０１は、紫外線ランプ８１のランプ固定板８１ｃと支持リング９３との間に複数のスペーサブロック７４を介在させたものである。スペーサブロック７４は、ランプ固定板８１ｃ及びスペーサブロック７４を貫通する固定ネジ９２ｂによって支持リング９３に固定されている。
【０１１３】
また、防護カバー１０２は、下面を除く５面が板材によって形成された四角形の箱体からなり、その４面の側面には、適当な大きさの通気口（ルーファー体）１０３がそれぞれ設けられている。各通気口１０３の内側は、金網やパンチングボード等の通気性を有する網部材１０４によって覆われており、これにより、空気が内外に流通するのを可能とすると共に、雨や虫等が入り込むのを防止又は抑制している。
【０１１４】
この実施例によれば、上述した第３の実施例と同様に、スペーサブロック７４の高さを変えてベースリング９３とランプ固定板８１ｃとの間の開口部の大きさを広狭調整することにより、カバー本体８２の内外に流通する空気量を変えて冷却効率を変えることができる。また、防護カバー１０２は、雨等が入り難い板材で形成されているため、雨の掛かり易いところに設置される装置に用いて効果的である。尚、防護カバー８６，１０２は、取付フランジ８５の上に載置させて取り付ける構成とすることもできる。
【０１１５】
このように、本発明の紫外線照射装置に係る紫外線光源カバーによれば、紫外線透過性フッ素樹脂（ＦＥＰ、ＰＦＡ等）で形成されたカバー本体２２，６１，８２の大部分をなすカバー部２２ａ，６１ａ，８２ａが薄肉に形成されているため、カバー部２２ａ，６１ａ，８２ａによる紫外線の透過率を高くして多量の紫外線を透過させることができる。そのため、カバー部２２ａ，６１ａ，８２ａによって遮られる紫外線の量を少なくして、紫外線ランプ２１，２１Ａ，８１から放射される紫外線を多量に且つ効率良く外部に放射させることができる。そして、必要に応じてカバー部２２ａ，６１ａ，８２ａには、凹凸を設けたり肉厚を変える等して強度を強くした補強部を設けることにより、カバー本体２２，６１，８２の強度を高めて十分な強度を付与することができる。
【０１１６】
以上説明したが、本発明は上述した実施例に限定して使用されるものではなく、上述した貯水タンク内の殺菌は勿論のこと、例えば、地下又は地上建物上に設置された受水槽内の殺菌、ダクトの殺菌、清涼飲料水や果汁飲料或いは加工食品等の殺菌、これら飲料等の製造ラインに設置される洗浄装置、充填装置、冷却装置、医療機械、半導体製造機、クリーンルーム、浴槽その他各種の装置、機械、器具の殺菌、滅菌等に使用される紫外線光源カバー及び紫外線照射装置として用いて好適なものである。このように、本発明は、その趣旨を逸脱しない範囲で種々変更できるものである。
【０１１７】
【発明の効果】
以上説明したように、本発明の紫外線光源カバーによれば、パイプの一端を閉じ合わせて溶着することによって密閉されたカバー部を形成し、他端に形成した固定部によってカバー本体を所定位置に取り付ける構成としたため、紫外線に強いフッ素樹脂系の紫外線透過性樹脂を用いてカバー本体を形成することができ、このカバー本体で紫外線光源を覆って保護することができる。しかも、紫外線の透過率を高くして多量の紫外線を透過させることができ、石英ガラスと違って蓄熱率が低いために、石英ガラスよりも汚れや焼付け、乾燥が起こり難い。従って、カバー部に蓄熱される紫外線（電磁波）の量を少なくして、紫外線ランプから放射される紫外線を多量に且つ効率良く外部に放射させることができ、表面の乾燥や焼付け、汚れの付着を減少させることができるという効果を得ることができる。
【０１１８】
また、本出願の紫外線照射装置によれば、紫外線に強いフッ素樹脂系の紫外線透過性樹脂を用いて紫外線光源カバーを形成し、この紫外線光源カバーを用いて紫外線光源を覆う構成としたため、外部からの入力等によっても紫外線光源カバーが破壊され難く、紫外線光源をしっかりと保護することができる。更に、必要に応じてカバー部に、凹凸を設けたり肉厚を変える等して強度を強くした補強部を設けることにより、カバー本体の強度を高めて十分な強度を付与することができ、外力に対して損傷のし難い紫外線光源カバーを有する紫外線照射装置を提供することができる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明の紫外線照射装置の第１の実施例を示すもので、中央部分を縦方向に断面した説明図である。
【図２】図１に示す紫外線照射装置の正面図である。
【図３】図１に示す紫外線照射装置に係るカバー本体を示すもので、同図Ａは正面図、同図Ｂは縦断面図、同図Ｃは底面図である。
【図４】図１に示す紫外線照射装置を取り付けるためのクランプバンドを示す平面図である。
【図５】図４に示すクランプバンドを縦方向に断面した説明図である。
【図６】本発明の紫外線照射装置の第２の実施例を示すもので、中央部分を縦方向に断面した説明図である。
【図７】図６に示す紫外線照射装置に係るランプ支持具の一部を分解して断面して示す説明図である。
【図８】図６に示す紫外線照射装置の要部を拡大して示す説明図である。
【図９】本発明の紫外線照射装置の第３の実施例を示すもので、中央部分を縦方向に断面した説明図である。
【図１０】図９に示す紫外線照射装置に係るランプ支持具を分解して示す説明図である。
【図１１】本発明の紫外線照射装置の第４の実施例を示すもので、中央部分から右半分を縦方向に断面した説明図である。
【図１２】図１１に示す紫外線照射装置の平面図である。
【図１３】図１１に示す紫外線照射装置の底面図である。
【図１４】図１１に示す紫外線照射装置の要部を拡大して示す説明図である。
【図１５】図１１に示す紫外線照射装置に係るカバー本体を示すもので、中央部分から右半分を縦方向に断面した説明図である。
【図１６】図１５に示すカバー本体のＳ−Ｓ線断面図である。
【図１７】図１５及び図１６に示すカバー本体の要部を示すもので、同図Ａは図１５のＴ部分を拡大した断面図、同図Ｂは図１５のＵ部分を拡大した断面図、同図Ｃは図１５のＶ部分を拡大した断面図、同図Ｄは図１６のＷ部分を拡大した断面図である。
【図１８】本発明の紫外線照射装置の第５の実施例を示すもので、中央部分から右半分を縦方向に断面した説明図である。
【図１９】本発明の紫外線照射装置に係る紫外線ランプの他の実施例を示すもので、同図Ａは正面図、同図Ｂは側面図、同図Ｃは平面図である。
【図２０】従来の紫外線照射装置の第１の例を示す縦断面図である。
【図２１】従来の紫外線照射装置の第２の例を示す縦断面図である。
【符号の説明】
２０，６０，７０，８０，１００ 紫外線照射装置、 ２１，２１Ａ，８１ 紫外線ランプ、 ２１ａ，８１ａ ランプ部、 ２２ａ，６１ａ，８２ｂ カバー部、 ２２ｂ，６１ｂ，８２ｂ 固定部（固定手段）、 ２２ｄ 接合部、 ２３，６３，７１，８４，１０１ ランプ支持具、 ２４，６６，７２，８５ 取付フランジ、 ２７ａ ネジ部（固定手段）、 ２８ 環状溝（補強部）、 ３２ 金網リング、 ３４ キャップナット、 ３６，９１ｃ ノズル、 ３７保護枠体（補強部材）、 ５０ クランプバンド（取付具）、 ６１，８２ カバー本体、 ６２，８３ 保護金網、 ７３ ベースプレート、 ７４ スペーサブロック、 ７５，８１ｃ ランプ固定板、 ７６ 紫外線遮蔽カバー、 ８６，１０２ 防護カバー、 ９１ ベースリング、 ９３ 支持リング[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an ultraviolet light source cover that covers and protects an ultraviolet light source that emits ultraviolet light, and an ultraviolet irradiation device including the ultraviolet light source cover, and in particular, the ultraviolet light source cover is replaced with a part of carbon atoms of a main chain of a fluororesin. It is formed in the shape of a pipe with a UV transparent fluororesin having a structure in which groups are bonded, and a cover portion sealed by welding one end of the pipe closed and provided, and a fixing means at the other end The present invention relates to an ultraviolet light source cover provided with a fixing portion and an ultraviolet irradiation device provided with the cover.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, ultraviolet light sources that emit ultraviolet light are generally used in various fields for the purpose of sterilizing drinking water, soft drinks, fruit juice beverages, other beverages, processed foods, and the like. In general, an ultraviolet light source cover is attached to such an ultraviolet light source, and mercury or glass fragments may enter into drinking water, food, or other objects due to damage to an ultraviolet lamp, which is an ultraviolet light source, for example. In addition, it prevents the occurrence of problems such as dust and dirt in the air adhering to the ultraviolet light source and decreasing the ultraviolet emissivity.
[0003]
As a conventional ultraviolet light source cover for such an ultraviolet light source, for example, the patent applicant previously filed and described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 1-195859 (Japanese Patent Publication No. 4-66589). Something like that is known. The ultraviolet light source cover is used for a sterilization apparatus suitable for sterilizing water or the like stored in a tank, for example.
[0004]
FIG. 1 of the above publication is shown as FIG. 20 of this application. The sterilizing apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 20 includes a tank 2 that stores a fluid to be sterilized, and a blocking plate 4 that is an ultraviolet light source cover is provided so as to cover a window hole 3 formed in a part of the tank 2. It is attached. The blocking plate 4 is made of a transmitting material such as quartz glass that transmits sterilizable irradiation rays such as ultraviolet rays. The closing plate 4 is fitted into a mounting portion 2 a provided on the upper surface of the tank 2, and the flange portion 5 a of the lamp housing 5 is overlapped with the peripheral portion of the closing plate 4. The lamp housing 5 is fixed to the tank 2 by screwing the flange portion 5a to the attachment portion 2a with the tightening screw 6a.
[0005]
The lamp housing 5 is formed in a cylindrical shape corresponding to the window hole 3, and a central hole 5 c into which the lamp 7 for generating irradiation rays is taken in and out is provided at the upper end edge 5 b on the opposite side to the flange portion 5 a. ing. The lamp 7 is fixed to the reflecting plate 8, and the lamp 7 is screwed into the upper end edge 5 b with the tightening screw 6 b in a state where the lamp 7 is inserted from the central hole 5 c, so that the lamp 7 is placed in the lamp housing 5. It is arranged so that. Further, the reflecting plate 8 is provided with a plurality of air holes 8 a that allow the inside and outside of the lamp housing 5 to communicate with each other.
[0006]
Thus, by covering the lamp 7 by partitioning the inside of the tank 2 and the inside of the lamp housing 5 with the closing plate 4, the water in the tank 2 is prevented from splashing on the lamp 7, and the lamp 7 is damaged, The ultraviolet light source is protected by preventing lamp fragments and the like caused by the breakage of 7 from being scattered around.
[0007]
However, in such a conventional ultraviolet light source cover, quartz or fluororesin resistant to ultraviolet rays that does not deteriorate even when irradiated with ultraviolet rays is used as the material of the closing plate 4 for protecting the lamp 7. The sterilizer is configured by fitting the closing plate 4 into a recess provided in the mounting portion 2 a of the tank 2. Therefore, the closing plate 4 is set substantially on the same plane as the inner surface of the tank 2, and the lamp 7 that emits ultraviolet rays is disposed outside the closing plate 4, so that the ultraviolet irradiation range is narrowed in the tank 2. .
[0008]
Therefore, as indicated by the symbol A in FIG. 20, there is a region in the tank 2 that is not irradiated with the ultraviolet rays emitted from the lamp 7, and in the non-irradiated region A, a sterilizing action by ultraviolet rays cannot be obtained. It was. As a result, when a non-irradiation region A where a part of the fluid stored in the tank 2 is not irradiated with ultraviolet rays is generated, not only the fluid in the non-irradiation region A can be subjected to ultraviolet sterilization, but also the non-irradiation region There was a problem that mold and bacteria adhering to the tank 2 in A were allowed to propagate, and it became unsanitary.
[0009]
Therefore, the applicant has improved the sterilization apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 20 and completed the sterilization apparatus as shown in FIG. The sterilizer 10 shown in FIG. 21 has an ultraviolet light source cover 11 formed of a pipe-shaped quartz glass tube whose one end protrudes in a hemispherical shape and is closed, and the closed end side of the ultraviolet light source cover 11 is connected to the window hole 3. Projecting into the tank 2. A cover mounting member 12 is fixed to the window hole 3 by a fastening screw 6 c, and an opening end of the ultraviolet light source cover 11 is inserted through an O-ring 13 into a through hole 12 a that penetrates the center portion of the cover mounting member 12. Elastically supported. The opening end of the ultraviolet light source cover 11 is pressed by a fastening member 14 screwed into the cover mounting member 12, thereby preventing the ultraviolet light source cover 11 from coming off.
[0010]
A lamp housing 15 is fitted to the tightening member 14, and is fastened and fixed by a tightening screw 6d. The lamp housing 15 has a cylindrical shape opened at one end, and a closing cap 16 is integrally attached to the side opposite to the fastening member 14 side. A socket 18 to which the power cord 17 is connected is fixed to the central portion of the closing cap 16. A plug 19 a of a lamp 19 is connected to the socket 18. A plurality of filaments 19b are attached to the plug 19a, and these filaments 19b are sealed in an irradiation ray generating tube 19c formed in a U shape. The irradiation line generating tube 19 c of the lamp 19 is inserted into the ultraviolet light source cover 11.
[0011]
Thus, by inserting the irradiation line generating tube 19c of the lamp 19 into the ultraviolet light source cover 11 protruding into the tank 2, and projecting the irradiation line generating tube 19c into the tank 2, not only in front of the lamp 19, Irradiation radiation can be emitted also to the side and rear. As a result, it is possible to eliminate an area in the tank 2 where the irradiation rays such as ultraviolet rays emitted from the lamp 7 are not irradiated, and not only the stored fluid but also the inner surface of the tank 2 itself is irradiated with ultraviolet rays. The sterilization action by ultraviolet rays can be performed, and the fluid can always be maintained in a sanitary state.
[0012]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the conventional sterilization apparatus 10 as shown in FIG. 21, quartz glass resistant to ultraviolet rays is used as a material of the ultraviolet light source cover 11 for protecting the lamp 19, and this ultraviolet light source cover made of quartz glass is used. 11 is inserted into the tank 2. For example, when an impact force due to a collision of fluid stored in the tank 2 or a stress due to a sudden temperature change in the tank 2 is applied to the ultraviolet light source cover 11, The ultraviolet light source cover 11 itself may be damaged. As a result, when the ultraviolet light source cover 11 is broken, there is a problem that the initial purpose of protecting the lamp 19 cannot be achieved.
[0013]
The present invention has been made in order to solve such problems, and an ultraviolet ray formed of a material having a strength capable of withstanding even when an external force is applied or when a sudden temperature change occurs. By providing a light source cover and an ultraviolet irradiation device including the ultraviolet light source cover, the ultraviolet light source can be securely protected by being hardly damaged by an external input or the like, thereby solving the above-described problems. The purpose is that.
[0014]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the above object, the ultraviolet light source cover of the present application is such that the cover body covering the ultraviolet light source that emits ultraviolet light is replaced with a part of carbon atoms of the main chain of the fluororesin. In an ultraviolet light source cover formed of an ultraviolet light transmissive resin having a structure in which a group is bonded, the cover body has one end of a pipe formed in an appropriate length. , The end faces are brought into contact with each other Formed by welding Closed by joint A cover part and a fixing part having fixing means formed at the other end of the pipe are provided. The end portion provided with the joint portion of the cover portion is formed as a smooth surface without unevenness with a substantially uniform thickness or as an uneven surface with unevenness, except for the end portion provided with the cover portion joint portion. The thickness is changed to form the thick part as the reinforcing part, or the uneven part is formed as the reinforcing part. It is characterized by that.
[0015]
The ultraviolet irradiation device of the present application includes an ultraviolet light source that emits ultraviolet light and an ultraviolet light source cover that covers the ultraviolet light source, and the ultraviolet light source cover has a substituent on a part of carbon atoms of the main chain of the fluororesin. In an ultraviolet irradiation device formed of an ultraviolet light transmissive resin having a combined structure and transmitting ultraviolet light, the ultraviolet light source cover has one end of a pipe formed in an appropriate length. , The end faces are brought into contact with each other Formed by welding Closed by joint A cover part and a fixing part having fixing means formed at the other end of the pipe are provided. The end portion provided with the joint portion of the cover portion is formed as a smooth surface without unevenness with a substantially uniform thickness or as an uneven surface with unevenness, except for the end portion provided with the cover portion joint portion. The thickness is changed to form the thick part as the reinforcing part, or the uneven part is formed as the reinforcing part. It is characterized by that.
[0016]
By configuring as described above, in the ultraviolet light source cover of the present application, one end of the pipe is , The end faces are brought into contact with each other A sealed cover part is formed by welding, and the cover main body can be attached to a predetermined position by a fixing part formed at the other end. As a result, the cover main body can be formed using a fluororesin-based ultraviolet transparent resin resistant to ultraviolet rays, and the cover main body can cover and protect the ultraviolet light source.
[0017]
Further, in the ultraviolet irradiation device of the present application, an ultraviolet light source cover is formed using a fluororesin-based ultraviolet transparent resin that is resistant to ultraviolet light, and the ultraviolet light source cover is covered using this ultraviolet light source cover, so that input from the outside, etc. As a result, the ultraviolet light source cover is not easily broken, and the ultraviolet light source can be securely protected.
[0018]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. 1 to 5 show a first embodiment of the ultraviolet irradiation apparatus of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view, FIG. 2 is a front view, and FIGS. 3A to 3C are first embodiments of an ultraviolet light source cover. FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a mounting state of the clamp band, and FIG. 5 is a front view of the same. FIGS. 6 to 8 show a second embodiment of the ultraviolet irradiation apparatus of the present invention, FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view, FIG. 7 is a partial sectional front view of a lamp support, and FIG. FIG.
[0019]
9 and 10 show a third embodiment of the ultraviolet irradiation device of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a longitudinal sectional view, and FIG. 10 is an exploded front view of a lamp support. 11 to 17 show a fourth embodiment of the ultraviolet irradiation apparatus of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a longitudinal half sectional view, FIG. 12 is a plan view, FIG. 13 is a bottom view, and FIG. FIG. 15 is a longitudinal half sectional view of the ultraviolet light source cover, FIG. 16 is a sectional view taken along the line S-S of the ultraviolet light source cover shown in FIG. 15, and FIGS. It is sectional drawing of each of the U part, the V part, and the W part of FIG. Further, FIG. 18 is a longitudinal half sectional view showing a fifth embodiment of the ultraviolet irradiation device of the present invention, and FIGS. 19A to 19C are a front view, a side view and a plan view showing a fourth embodiment of the ultraviolet lamp.
[0020]
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the ultraviolet irradiation device 20 according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes an ultraviolet lamp 21 showing a first specific example of an ultraviolet light source that emits ultraviolet rays, An ultraviolet light source cover 22 formed of an ultraviolet transmissive resin that covers the light emitting portion, a lamp support 23 that supports the ultraviolet lamp 21, and an ultraviolet lamp 21 that is attached to a predetermined mounting location via the lamp support 23. A mounting flange 24 and the like are provided.
[0021]
The ultraviolet lamp 21 generates ultraviolet rays having a strong line spectrum at least in the wavelength range from 240 nm to 300 nm, particularly in the vicinity of 254 nm, among ultraviolet rays having a wavelength range of 180 nm (nanometer) to 400 nm. The ultraviolet light source is common to the second to fifth embodiments to be described later, and any light source capable of generating an electromagnetic wave including ultraviolet light may be used. For example, a fluorescent lamp, a high pressure mercury lamp, an ultrahigh pressure mercury lamp, a low pressure mercury lamp A light source such as an ultra-low pressure mercury lamp or a xenon lamp can be used. Further, as the ultraviolet light source, a semiconductor light emitting element that emits laser light can be used, as well as an electromagnetic wave including ultraviolet light from the other end connected to the semiconductor light emitting element or the light source as described above. This includes light emission by an optical fiber that emits light.
[0022]
The ultraviolet lamp 21 includes a lamp portion 21a formed of a material that transmits ultraviolet rays, an electrode portion 21b that is a lamp fixture fixed to one end of the lamp portion 21a, and the opposite of the lamp portion 21a of the electrode portion 21b. And a socket portion 21c provided on the side. The lamp portion 21a of the ultraviolet lamp 21 is formed by bending a pipe-like long and thin quartz glass tube into a U-shape, and the base end opposite to the bent portion is fixed to the electrode portion 21b so as to be integrated. Has been. A plurality of filaments 21d are attached to the electrode portion 21b, and these filaments 21d are sealed in a lamp portion 21a formed in a U shape.
[0023]
The lamp portion 21a of the ultraviolet lamp 21 is filled with, for example, mercury and argon gas, so that a discharge lamp is formed as a whole. The electrode portion 21b of the ultraviolet lamp 21 is electrically connected to the socket portion 21c. The lamp cord 25 is connected to the socket portion 21 c of the ultraviolet lamp 21. Electric power from the power source is supplied to the ultraviolet lamp 21 through the lamp cord 25, whereby electromagnetic waves including ultraviolet rays are radiated from the lamp portion 21a. The lamp portion 21 a is inserted into the ultraviolet light source cover 22.
[0024]
The ultraviolet light source cover 22 has a configuration as shown in FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C. That is, the ultraviolet light source cover 22 includes a cover body shaped like a shell, and the cover body has a cover portion 22a for radiating ultraviolet rays emitted from the inserted ultraviolet lamp 21 to the outside, and the cover portion 22a. And a fixed portion 22b integrally formed continuously. And the opening hole 26 in which the lamp | ramp part 21a is inserted is provided in the end surface at the side of the fixing | fixed part 22b of a cover main body.
[0025]
The ultraviolet light source cover 22 is formed of a thin pipe-shaped hollow cylinder whose wall thickness is substantially constant, and hemispherical by closing and welding one end of the hollow cylinder in the axial direction. A spherical portion 22c is formed. In this way, by closing one end of the hollow cylinder in the axial direction and welding it in a hemispherical shape, generally, the spherical portion 22c is formed with a joining portion 22d in which the joining surfaces are continuous in a single character. A cylindrical fixing portion 22b having a diameter slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the cover portion 22a is formed at the other axial end of the hollow cylinder.
[0026]
The fixing portion 22b of the ultraviolet light source cover 22 is provided with a screw portion 27a for detachably attaching the ultraviolet light source cover 22 to the mounting flange 24 and an annular convex portion 27b for holding an O-ring described later. ing. A plurality of annular grooves 28 showing a first specific example of a reinforcing portion for increasing the strength of the ultraviolet light source cover 22 are provided on the outer surface of the cover portion 22a. Each annular groove 28 is continuous in the circumferential direction, and the plurality of annular grooves 28 are arranged at substantially equal intervals in the axial direction of the cover body.
[0027]
In addition, the cover part 22a can also be formed as a smooth surface without unevenness, such as the annular groove 28, as a whole. Further, the plurality of annular grooves 28 may be annular ridges projecting to the surface side. Furthermore, a spiral groove or a spiral ridge extending in a spiral shape may be used.
[0028]
The ultraviolet light source cover 22 having such a configuration can be manufactured, for example, as follows. A concave portion corresponding to the outer shape of the ultraviolet light source cover 22 is formed in half on each joint surface of the split mold, and a shell-shaped space corresponding to one ultraviolet light source cover 22 is formed by two molds. A heating device is combined with the divided mold, and the hollow portion of the material is heated to a predetermined temperature to plastically deform a predetermined portion so that the fixing portion 22b and the annular groove 28 can be formed. Furthermore, only the heating temperature of the spherical surface portion 22c is configured to be raised to a predetermined temperature so that the hollow surfaces of the material can be melted and the end faces that are abutted can be welded together.
[0029]
As a material of the ultraviolet light source cover 22 having the above-described configuration (the same applies to an ultraviolet light source cover described later), an ultraviolet transmissive resin that transmits ultraviolet rays having a wavelength range of about 180 nm (nanometers) to 400 nm is applied. be able to. Preferable specific examples of the ultraviolet light transmissive resin include, for example, a copolymer resin of tetrafluoroethylene and propylene hexafluoride (hereinafter referred to as “FEP”) and a copolymer of tetrafluoroethylene and perfluoroalkyl vinyl ether. Examples thereof include a polymer resin (hereinafter referred to as “PFA”).
[0030]
FEP is composed of carbon atoms and fluorine atoms in the same manner as tetrafluoroethylene resin (TFE), and a part of fluorine atoms bonded to carbon of the main chain is converted to a trifluoromethyl group (—CF _Three ) With the following molecular structure.

[0031]
As described above, FEP is composed only of carbon atoms and fluorine atoms, and has a very strong bonding force between carbon and fluorine, and thus has extremely stable characteristics thermally, electrically, and chemically. As a result, it exhibits excellent performance in electrical, chemical and mechanical applications over a wide temperature range from extremely low to high temperatures. Further, since FEP has a lower melt viscosity than TFE, FEP has a characteristic that it can be subjected to melt molding such as extrusion, injection, and compression in the same manner as a normal thermoplastic resin.
[0032]
PFA is a copolymer of tetrafluoroethylene and perfluoroalkyl vinyl ether, and has the following molecular structure in which a perfluoroalkoxy group is bonded to the main chain composed of carbon atoms and fluorine atoms.

[0033]
As described above, since PFA combines carbon, fluorine, and oxygen by a strong interatomic bonding force, it has almost the same excellent performance as PTFE in a wide temperature range from a very low temperature to a high temperature. This PFA is superior in mechanical strength at high temperatures compared to FEP, has good moldability, can be melt-molded, and can be easily molded by injection, extrusion, blow-transfer, compression molding, etc. It has the characteristic of.
[0034]
In addition, as a typical ultraviolet transmissive resin that can be used for the ultraviolet light source cover 22, polytetrafluoroethylene known under the trade name “Teflon (registered trademark)” {hereinafter “PTFE” The molecular structure is (CF ₂ -CF ₂ ) _n } Or polychlorotrifluoroethylene {hereinafter referred to as “PCTFE”, the molecular structure is (CF ₂ -CFC1) _n }, Polyvinylidene fluoride {hereinafter referred to as “PVDF”, the molecular structure is (CH ₂ -CF ₂ ) _n } Etc. can be mentioned.
[0035]
PTFE is a radical polymerization of tetrafluoroethylene and is roughly classified into a molding powder and a dispersion. PTFE is a white waxy crystalline thermoplastic resin having a melting point of 327 ° C., but in practice it does not melt unless it is 335 to 340 ° C., and the viscosity is 10 at 380 ° C. ¹¹ Since it does not flow due to a poise, a general plastic molding method cannot be applied. Usually, a molding powder is compression molded at room temperature and then sintered in a furnace at 360 to 380 ° C. This PTFE is a material having extremely high temperature resistance among plastics, but gradually decomposes at 380 ° C. or higher.
[0036]
PCTFE is a crystalline thermoplastic resin obtained by polymerizing chlorotrifluoroethylene and having a molecular weight of 100000 to 800,000, and is commercially available as white molding powder or pellets or in the form of a dispersion. PCTFE has a melting point of 212 to 217 ° C., and unlike PTFE, it flows at a temperature equal to or higher than the melting point. Therefore, compression, extrusion or injection molding is generally possible. This PCTFE is a material having excellent high temperature resistance, but gradually depolymerizes at 260 ° C. or higher.
[0037]
PVDF is obtained by radical polymerization of vinylidene fluoride, has an average molecular weight of 250000-100,000, and is a transparent or milky white crystalline thermoplastic resin. Although it varies depending on the molecular weight, the melting point of PVDF is 165 to 185 ° C., and a normal molding method can be applied. This PVDF is superior in mechanical properties such as tensile strength compared to other fluororesins, but its dielectric properties are slightly inferior. In addition, these ultraviolet light transmissive resins do not ask about the color, and it does not ask whether it is transparent or translucent.
[0038]
The thickness of the cover portion 22a of the ultraviolet light source cover 22 is preferably as thin as possible from the viewpoint of ultraviolet transmittance, but is thicker from the viewpoint of strength, and the thickness range is 0. It can be applied within a range of .05 mm to 5.0 mm, preferably about 0.2 mm to 1.2 mm. For example, when 0.5 mm is applied as the thickness of the cover portion 22a, the ultraviolet transmittance is 50% of the ultraviolet transmittance of quartz glass. Further, when the thickness of the cover portion 22a is 0.2 mm, the ultraviolet transmittance is 75% of the transmittance of quartz glass.
[0039]
As in the first embodiment, the entire cover portion 22a of the ultraviolet light source cover 22 is formed thin with an ultraviolet transmissive fluororesin, thereby increasing the transmittance of ultraviolet rays and transmitting a large amount of ultraviolet rays. it can. Thereby, the amount of ultraviolet rays blocked by the material of the cover portion 22a can be reduced, and a large amount of ultraviolet rays emitted from the ultraviolet lamp 21 can be emitted efficiently. On the other hand, since the cover portion 22a is provided with a plurality of annular grooves as reinforcing portions, even if the entire cover portion 22a is thin, its strength can be increased and sufficient durability can be imparted.
[0040]
In the first embodiment described above, an example in which a bottomed cylindrical body is applied as the shape of the cover portion 22a of the ultraviolet light source cover 22 has been described. However, a rectangular or other polygonal shape may be used, and a conical shape may be used. It may be a truncated cone or the like. Further, it may be a spherical or hemispherical shape, or a hexahedron, octahedron, hexahedron or other hollow shell.
[0041]
A ring-shaped mounting flange 24 to which such an ultraviolet light source cover 22 is detachably mounted has a configuration as shown in FIG. That is, the mounting flange 24 is provided with a cover fitting portion 24a that protrudes to one surface side and a support fitting fitting portion 24b that protrudes to the other surface side. Both the cover fitting portion 24a and the support fitting fitting portion 24b are made of ring-shaped protrusions, and the support fitting fitting portion 24b has a smaller diameter than the cover fitting portion 24a. A cover screw portion 29a to which the screw portion 27a of the ultraviolet light source cover 22 is screwed is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the cover fitting portion 24a. Further, on the outer peripheral surface of the support fitting portion 24b, a support screw portion 29b to which the lamp support 23 is screwed is provided.
[0042]
As shown in FIG. 1, the lamp support 23 includes an upper ring 31, a metal mesh ring 32, a lower ring 33, a cap nut 34, a sleeve 35, and the like each having a ring shape. A screw part 31 a is provided on the upper part of the outer peripheral surface of the upper ring 31. Further, a flange portion 31b protruding inward is provided at the lower portion of the inner peripheral surface of the upper ring 31, and a recess for accommodating the sleeve 35 is formed inside the flange portion 31b. The wire mesh ring 32 has an upper end edge fitted and fixed to the lower part of the outer peripheral surface of the upper ring 31, and a lower end edge fitted and fixed to the upper part of the outer peripheral surface of the lower ring 33. The fitting portions on both sides of the metal mesh ring 32 are preferably fixed to the rings 31 and 33 by soldering, adhesive, welding or other fixing means.
[0043]
The metal mesh ring 32 is intended to distribute air inside and outside the lamp support 23 and to discharge heat radiated from the ultraviolet lamp 21 to the outside. The wire mesh ring 32 is configured to be disposed in the vicinity of the filament 21d in a state where the ultraviolet lamp 21 is mounted, and heat is generated by circulating air in the vicinity of the filament 21d having the highest temperature in the ultraviolet lamp 21. Can be released to the outside. When the air passes through the wire mesh ring 32, the inside of the ultraviolet light source cover 22 can be naturally cooled. A punching board can be used as the material of the wire mesh ring 32.
[0044]
The wire mesh ring 32 is provided with a nozzle 36 that protrudes laterally. By connecting, for example, a vacuum device to the nozzle 36, the air in the ultraviolet light source cover 22 can be sucked and forcedly cooled. Further, for example, by connecting a blower to the nozzle 36, air can be forced into the ultraviolet light source cover 22 to create a flow of air, and the inside of the ultraviolet light source cover 22 can be forcibly cooled. .
[0045]
A screw portion 33 a for screwing into the support screw portion 29 b of the mounting flange 24 is provided at the lower portion of the inner peripheral surface of the lower ring 33. By providing the threaded portion 33a, a step portion having a smaller diameter on the upper side is provided inside the lower ring 33. The protective frame body 37 is sandwiched and attached by being inserted into the ultraviolet light source cover 22 by the stepped portion. Reference numeral 38 denotes a protective sheet that covers and protects the mounting portion of the ultraviolet lamp 21 mounted on the mounting flange 24.
[0046]
The protective frame 37 is a first specific example of a reinforcing member, and includes two frame pieces 37a and 37b formed in a U-shape, and the opening side of the two frame pieces 37a and 37b. It is comprised from the fixing ring 37c which fixes the edge part. The protective frame 37 is for preventing the ultraviolet light source cover 22 from being elastically deformed more than a predetermined amount due to an external force or the like, and the cover portion 22a is elastically deformed more than a predetermined amount to press the lamp portion 21a of the ultraviolet lamp 21. This prevents the lamp portion 21a from being damaged.
[0047]
The fixing ring 37c of the protective frame body 37 can be placed on the end surface with a size suitable for the support fitting portion 24b of the mounting flange 24. Furthermore, the fixing ring 37c can be freely fitted to the support fitting portion 24b, and is configured to be detachable. The two frame pieces 37a and 37b are combined so as to be rotated and displaced by 90 ° so as to be orthogonal to each other, and the four base ends on the open side are spaced at substantially equal intervals by approximately 90 °. Arranged and fixed integrally to the inner surface of the fixing ring 37c by fixing means such as welding.
[0048]
The ultraviolet lamp 21 is supported on the upper ring 31 of the lamp support 23 via a sleeve 35. The sleeve 35 is formed of a ring body having a hole into which the electrode portion 21 b is fitted, and is placed on the inner flange 31 b of the upper ring 31. The sleeve 35 and the ultraviolet lamp 21 are prevented from coming off from the upper ring 31 by the cap nut 34. The cap nut 34 is formed of a ring body having an end surface portion 34a in which a through hole 39 into which the socket portion 21c is inserted is provided in the center portion, and a cylindrical portion 34b in which a screw portion is provided on the inner peripheral surface. The surface is knurled to prevent slipping.
[0049]
In FIG. 1, reference numeral 40 denotes a sheet packing interposed between the cap nut 34 and the electrode portion 21 b of the ultraviolet lamp 21. Reference numeral 41 denotes an O-ring mounted between the cover portion 22a and the fixed portion 22b of the ultraviolet light source cover 22. Reference numeral 42 denotes a seal packing interposed between the fixing portion 22 b of the ultraviolet light source cover 22 and the mounting flange 24. Further, 43 is a sheet packing interposed between the lower ring 33 of the lamp support 23 and the fixing ring 37c of the protective frame 37.
[0050]
The material of the mounting flange 24, the upper ring 31, the metal mesh ring 32, the lower ring 33 and the cap nut 34 of the lamp support 23, and the frame pieces 37a and 37b and the fixing ring 37c of the protective frame 37 are stainless steel. Steel is preferred, but steel steel or other metals can also be used. Further, as a material for the sleeve 35, the protective sheet 38, and the sheet packing 43, an ultraviolet transmissive resin (for example, Teflon (registered trademark)) is preferable, but other engineering plastics can also be used.
[0051]
Furthermore, as a material of the sheet packing 40, the O-ring 41, and the seal packing 42, for example, nitrile rubber or other sealing plastic can be used. The upper ring 31 and the cap nut 34 described above constitute a lamp support means for the ultraviolet lamp 21.
[0052]
The ultraviolet irradiation device 20 having such a configuration can be assembled and disassembled as follows, for example. In the assembly work, first, the ultraviolet protection cover 22 is attached to the attachment flange 24. That is, the screw portion 27a provided on the fixing portion 22b of the ultraviolet protection cover 22 is screwed into the cover screw portion 29a of the cover fitting portion 24a of the mounting flange 24 and tightened.
[0053]
At this time, an O-ring 41 is attached in advance between the cover portion 22 a of the ultraviolet protection cover 22 and the annular convex portion 27 b of the fixing portion 22 b, and the O-ring 41 is elastically deformed by tightening the ultraviolet protection cover 22. To be configured. The elastic deformation of the O-ring 41 can prevent the ultraviolet protective cover 22 from loosening. The protective sheet 38 may be attached to the mounting flange 24 in advance, or may be attached after the ultraviolet protective cover 22 is attached.
[0054]
Next, the protective frame body 37 is attached to the attachment flange 24. That is, the frame pieces 37 a and 37 b of the protective frame 37 are inserted into the holes of the support fitting fitting portions 24 b of the mounting flange 24. The frame pieces 37a and 37b are completely inserted into the holes, and the fixing ring 37c is placed on the end face of the support fitting portion 24b. Thereafter, the screw portion of the lower ring 33 of the lamp support 23 is screwed into the screw portion 33a of the support fitting portion 24b and tightened. Thereby, the fixing ring 37c is clamped and fixed by the lower ring 33 and the support fitting part 24b.
[0055]
Next, the ultraviolet lamp 21 is attached to the lamp support 23 attached to the attachment flange 24. That is, after the sleeve 35 is accommodated in the hole of the upper ring 31 of the lamp support 23, the lamp portion 21 a of the ultraviolet lamp 21 is inserted into the hole of the sleeve 35. Thereby, the sleeve 35 and the electrode part 21b are supported by the inner flange 31b. One or more sheet packings 40 are overlaid on the electrode portion 21 b and the sleeve 35.
[0056]
Further, the cap nut 34 with the lamp cord 25 inserted through the through hole 39 is overlapped, and the screw portion provided on the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 34 b is screwed into the screw portion 21 a of the upper ring 31. By tightening the cap nut 34, the electrode portion 21b is clamped and assembled in a state as shown in FIG. 1, and the assembly work of the ultraviolet irradiation device 20 is completed.
[0057]
The disassembling work of the ultraviolet irradiation device 20 can be performed by a work reverse to the assembling work described above. First, the cap nut 34 is loosened and removed. Thereafter, the ultraviolet lamp 21 can be easily taken out by holding the socket portion 21c and pulling it upward. Therefore, the replacement work of the ultraviolet lamp 21 can be easily performed.
[0058]
Next, the lamp support 23 is turned in the loosening direction and removed from the mounting flange 24. Accordingly, the protective frame body 37 can be taken out, and the protective frame body 37 can be taken out by being pulled out from the fixing ring 37c side. Further, the ultraviolet light source cover 22 can be removed by turning the ultraviolet light source cover 22 in the loosening direction with respect to the mounting flange 24.
[0059]
The ultraviolet irradiation device 20 having such a configuration is used by being attached to a predetermined position of various devices by using a clamp band 50 showing a specific example of a fixture as shown in FIGS. Provided. As shown in FIG. 4, the clamp band 50 includes a pair of clamp pieces 51, 52, a pair of connection pieces 53, 53 that rotatably connect the clamp pieces 51, 52, and one clamp piece 51. A clamp shaft 54 is mounted so as to be swingable, and a clamp nut 55 is screwed onto the clamp shaft 54.
[0060]
Each of the clamp pieces 51 and 52 is made of a semicircular member having a substantially U-shaped cross section, and is formed in an annular shape as a whole with the concave sides facing each other. A pair of connecting pieces 53 and 53 are spanned between one end portions of the pair of clamp pieces 51 and 52 so as to sandwich the clamp pieces 51 and 52 from above and below. As shown in FIG. 5, between the pair of connecting pieces 53, 53 and the clamp pieces 51, 52, a hinge pin 56 is rotatably connected so as to be rotatable. At the other end of each clamp piece 51, 52, support portions 51a, 52a projecting outward in the radial direction are respectively provided. Then, the base end of the clamp shaft 54 is rotatably supported by the one support portion 51a by the shaft pin 57.
[0061]
Corresponding to the clamp shaft 54, the other support portion 52a is provided with a shaft through groove into which the clamp shaft 54 is inserted and removed. The shaft groove is opened at the outer end of the support portion 52a and extends radially inward. Accordingly, in FIG. 4, the clamp shaft 54 is configured to be swingable and displaceable between a position engaged with the support portion 52a indicated by a solid line and a position rotated 90 ° outward indicated by a two-dot chain line. Has been. A clamp nut 55 is screwed to the tip end side of the clamp shaft 54.
[0062]
When the clamp band 50 having such a configuration is used, a fixing flange 58 having substantially the same shape as the mounting flange 24 described above is provided on the side of the device to which the ultraviolet irradiation device 20 is mounted. The fixing flange 58 is formed so as to be vertically symmetrical with the mounting flange 24, and a tapered portion which is thin on the radially outer side is provided on the lower surface of the ring portion. As described above, by providing the flange portions 24 and 58 with the tapered portions, when the clamp band 50 is used, a wedge effect is produced when the pair of clamp pieces 51 and 52 are tightened, and the gap between the flanges 24 and 58 is strengthened. It can be fastened and fixed to. In addition, it is preferable to provide contact | adherence means, such as a ferrule, between the contact surfaces of both the flanges 24 and 58, for example.
[0063]
Examples of the apparatus in which the ultraviolet irradiation device 20 is used include, for example, a water storage tank for storing drinking water, a device for sterilizing and filling fruit juice, food / drinks, chemicals, medicines, etc., medical-related clean rooms, and various other types. Examples of the apparatus that can be applied to the ultraviolet irradiation apparatus and the ultraviolet irradiation machine in which ultraviolet light sterilization treatment, chemical treatment such as synthesis and decomposition, and the like are performed.
[0064]
This ultraviolet irradiation device 20 can be used as follows, for example. The ultraviolet irradiation device 20 is attached to a predetermined position of various devices using the clamp band 50, the lamp cord 25 is connected to a power source, and the ultraviolet lamp 21 is energized. As a result, a current flows through the filament 21d, the lamp portion 21a emits light, and ultraviolet rays are emitted from the lamp portion 21a. The emitted ultraviolet light is radiated to the outside from the cover portion 22a of the ultraviolet light source cover 22, and is subjected to processing such as sterilization and chemical reaction by ultraviolet light.
[0065]
In this case, since the ultraviolet lamp 21 is housed and protected in the ultraviolet light source cover 22, for example, even when the lamp part 21a is damaged due to the life of the ultraviolet lamp 21, the glass piece of the lamp part 21a is It is held in the ultraviolet light source cover 22, and does not pass through the cover portion 22a and scatter outside. Therefore, there is no possibility that the glass piece enters the drinking water, food, medicine, etc., which are the objects of the ultraviolet treatment, and the highly safe ultraviolet treatment can be performed.
[0066]
Further, a protective frame body 37 is accommodated in the ultraviolet light source cover 22, and the lamp portion 21a of the ultraviolet lamp 21 is accommodated inside the protective frame body 37. Therefore, the cover portion 22a is deformed by a predetermined amount or more. Can be prevented. Therefore, even if it is an ultraviolet transparent fluororesin (FEP, PFA, etc. mentioned above), the thin ultraviolet light source cover 22 can be formed using this. In addition, FEP and PFA are stable against ultraviolet rays and have excellent electrical, chemical, and mechanical properties over a wide temperature range from high to low temperatures, greatly reducing the radiation efficiency of ultraviolet rays. There is no.
[0067]
On the other hand, although FEP and PFA have some problems in blow moldability, as in this embodiment, one end of a pipe-shaped material formed of FEP or PFA is closed, and the joint is melted and welded. Thus, as shown in FIGS. 3A to 3C, the end portions can be tightly closed and sealed. Therefore, it is possible to easily manufacture the ultraviolet light source cover 22 that has excellent moldability and can transmit ultraviolet rays well.
[0068]
This ultraviolet irradiation device 20 can suppress the temperature rise of the ultraviolet lamp 21 by natural cooling. That is, since a wire mesh ring (including a punching board) 32 is provided on the lamp support 23 that holds the electrode portion 21 b of the ultraviolet lamp 21, air is passed through the wire mesh ring 32 to the inside and outside of the ultraviolet light source cover 22. It can be passed freely. Therefore, the root portion of the lamp portion 21 a having the filament 21 d having the largest calorific value of the ultraviolet lamp 21 can be cooled by the flow of air passing through the wire mesh ring 32.
[0069]
In the case of this natural cooling, if the temperature of the lamp portion 21a rises excessively higher than allowable, the following effects will be received. For example, when the substance stored in the tank is water, calcium (Ca), iron (Fe), silica gel (SiO 2) contained in the water ₂ ・ NH ₂ O) and other seizures occur, making it difficult to remove dirt even after washing with warm water. Also, if the substance contained in the tank contains sugar, oil, soy sauce, seasoning, chemicals, emulsifiers, etc., baking will occur in the same way and the dirt will be strong. become.
[0070]
In this regard, by forming the ultraviolet light source cover 22 with FEP or PFA as in this embodiment, the change in temperature rise can be made smaller than when the ultraviolet light source cover is formed using quartz. did it. This is because when quartz or metal is used as the material, quartz or metal molecules vibrate when they are irradiated with ultraviolet light, and heat is generated by the vibration, and the heat is contained in water or sugar. It is conceivable that the above-described seizure may occur due to the influence of the substances to be produced, and the dirt may easily adhere to the dirt.
[0071]
On the other hand, when it is formed of FEP or PFA, not only the wavelength range of 200 nm to 400 nm with ultraviolet germicidal action, but also the electromagnetic wave of 480 nm to 800 nm which is the wavelength of sunlight of 400 nm or more is used. It has become clear that the temperature rise of the ultraviolet light source cover 22 can be small because it can be sufficiently transmitted. Thereby, in the case of the ultraviolet light source cover 22 formed of FEP or PFA, it was confirmed that the stains and the baking phenomenon generated on the outside thereof are much smaller than those of quartz glass.
[0072]
Further, by connecting a vacuum device or a blower to the nozzle 36 provided on the wire mesh ring 32, the air in the ultraviolet light source cover 22 is forcibly sucked, or the air is forcibly pumped into the ultraviolet light source cover 22. Thus, the heat in the cover can be released more efficiently to the outside. Thereby, it can suppress that the temperature of the lamp | ramp part 21a becomes high more than necessary, and can maintain the radiation efficiency of an ultraviolet-ray high.
[0073]
Note that a fan may be provided inside the ultraviolet light source cover 22, and the fan may be forced to cool by generating air convection in the cover. Further, the temperature in the wire mesh ring 32 and the ultraviolet light source cover 22 is detected using a temperature sensor, and when the interior becomes higher than a predetermined temperature, the fan is operated, or the air is sucked by a vacuum device. Or it can also be set as the structure which performs the pumping operation | movement of air.
[0074]
6 to 8 show a second embodiment of the ultraviolet irradiation apparatus according to the present invention. The ultraviolet irradiation device 60 shown in the second embodiment shows a second embodiment of the cover main body 22 and the like that are the ultraviolet light source cover in the first embodiment described above. 6 to 8, the same parts as those of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 and the like are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.
[0075]
The ultraviolet light source cover shown as the second embodiment is a cover body 61 that covers the lamp portion 21a of the ultraviolet lamp 21, and a first specific example of a reinforcing member that is disposed inside the cover body 61 and reinforces the cover body 61. It is comprised from the protection wire mesh 62 which shows an example.
[0076]
The cover main body 61 includes a cover portion 61a and a flange portion 61b that is a fixing portion. The cover portion 61a has the same configuration as the cover portion 22a of the ultraviolet light source cover 22, but the fixing portion 22b is a configuration of the fixing portion. Is different. That is, the flange portion 61b of the cover main body 61 is composed of a ring-shaped outer flange developed outward in the radial direction, and the cover main body 61 is fixed to the mounting flange 66 side by the flange portion 61b. The material of the cover body 61 is preferably FEP or PFA as in the above-described embodiment, but other ultraviolet light transmissive fluororesins can also be used.
[0077]
The protective wire mesh 62 is composed of a wire mesh main body 62a formed in a test tube shape by a metal wire mesh, and a ring-shaped flange portion 62b provided at an end of the wire mesh main body 62a on the opening side. The outer diameter of the wire net main body 62a is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the cover main body 61, and the flange portion 62b is fixed to the opening end of the metal net main body 62a so as to expand outward. Stainless steel (SUS) is suitable for the material of the wire net main body 62a and the flange portion 62b, but steel steel and other metals can also be used.
[0078]
In the lamp support 63, the upper ring 31, the metal mesh ring 32, the cap nut 34, and the sleeve 35 are the same in the lamp support 23 of the first embodiment described above, but the lower ring 64 is different. The lower ring 64 is made of a ring-shaped member provided with an outward flange portion 64a on one end side, and the wire mesh ring 32 is fitted and fixed to the opposite side of the flange portion 64a. The outer diameter of the flange portion 64a of the lower ring 64 is substantially the same as the outer diameter of the flange portion 62b of the protective wire mesh 62 and faces each other in the surface direction during assembly.
[0079]
In FIG. 8, reference numerals 65 a, 65 b and 65 c are press packings each formed in a ring shape, and 65 d is a press sheet similarly formed in a ring shape. The first pressing packing 65 a is disposed on the lower surface of the flange portion 61 b of the cover main body 61. The second push packing 65b is placed on the flange portion 61b, and the flange portion 62b of the protective wire mesh 62 is placed on the second push packing 65b. The third push packing 65c is placed on the flange portion 62b, and the flange portion 64a of the lower ring 64 is placed on the third push packing 65c. Further, the pressing sheet 65d is placed on the flange portion 64a.
[0080]
The flange portions 61b, 62b, 64a and the like stacked in this way are sandwiched by a mounting flange 66 and a mounting nut 67 made of a ring-shaped member showing the second embodiment of the mounting tool. The mounting flange 66 includes a ring-shaped fixed portion 66a having a tapered surface provided on the outer peripheral edge of the upper surface, and a ring-shaped support portion 66b provided integrally on the upper surface of the fixed portion 66a. Yes. The support portion 66b of the mounting flange 66 is formed with a support hole 68a formed of a ring-shaped recess provided on the inner surface and a screw portion 68b provided on the outer surface.
[0081]
The mounting nut 67 includes a ring-shaped end surface portion 67a having a through-hole 69a provided in the center portion, and a cylindrical portion having the same ring shape that protrudes to one surface continuously from the outer peripheral edge of the end surface portion 67a. 67b. A screw portion 69b that is screwed with the screw portion 68b of the mounting flange 66 is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 67b. The flange portions 61b, 62b, 64a and the like are housed in a stacked state in the support hole 68a of the mounting flange 66, and are sandwiched between the mounting flange 66 by tightening the mounting nut 67 so that the ultraviolet light source cover 61 and the like are integrated. As a result, the ultraviolet irradiation device 60 is constructed.
[0082]
As the material of the lower ring 64, the mounting flange 66, and the mounting nut 67, for example, stainless steel (SUS304, etc.) is suitable. However, not only steel steel and other metals but also engineering plastics resistant to ultraviolet rays should be used. You can also. Further, as the material of the pressing packings 65a to 65c and the pressing sheet 65d, a fluororesin resistant to ultraviolet rays is suitable, but other plastics that can be used as sealing packing can also be used. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment described above.
[0083]
Also with the ultraviolet irradiation device 60 according to the second embodiment having such a configuration, the same effect as that of the ultraviolet irradiation device 20 described above can be obtained. The means for attaching the ultraviolet irradiation device 60 to another device such as a water storage tank is performed by the clamp band 50 as in the first embodiment.
[0084]
9 and 10 show a third embodiment of the ultraviolet irradiation apparatus according to the present invention. The ultraviolet irradiation device 70 shown in the third embodiment shows a third embodiment corresponding to the lamp support 63 and the mounting flange 66 in the second embodiment described above. 9 and 10, the same components as those shown in FIG. 6 and the like are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.
[0085]
In the ultraviolet irradiation device 70, the cover main body 61 constituting the ultraviolet light source cover and the protective wire mesh 62 as a reinforcing member are the same. On the other hand, the lamp support 71 includes a base plate 73 fixed to the mounting flange 72 and a plurality (four in this embodiment, but three or five or more) fixed to the base plate 73. ) Spacer blocks 74, a lamp fixing plate 75 fixed to these spacer blocks 74, an ultraviolet shielding cover 76 fixed to the base plate 73, and the base plate 73 and the flange portion 62 b of the protective metal mesh 62. And a push ring 77 or the like.
[0086]
The base plate 73 is made of a ring-shaped plate material, and a plurality of screw holes for attaching the spacer block 74 are provided in the vicinity of the inner peripheral edge thereof. The plurality of screw holes are provided at substantially equal intervals in the circumferential direction, and insertion holes corresponding to these screw holes are provided at corresponding positions on the lamp fixing plate 75. Further, the lamp fixing plate 75 is provided with a plurality of air vent holes 75a for allowing air to pass therethrough. A central hole 75b is provided in the central portion of the lamp fixing plate 75, and the ultraviolet lamp 21A is detachably fixed to the lamp fixing plate 75 with the lamp portion 21a being inserted into the central hole 75b.
[0087]
The lamp fixing plate 75 may be configured integrally with the electrode portion 21b. Further, when the gap between the base plate 73 and the lamp fixing plate 75 can be secured sufficiently by the spacer block 74, it is not necessary to provide the air vent hole 75a of the lamp fixing plate 75. Further, by fixing the spacer block 74 integrally to the base plate 73 in advance by fixing means such as welding, it is possible to prevent the spacer block 74 from falling off and to be lost.
[0088]
Further, each spacer block 74 is provided with an insertion hole, and a plurality of fixings that are threaded into the respective screw holes of the base plate 73 through the insertion holes of the lamp fixing plate 75 and the insertion holes of the spacer block 74. The lamp fixing plate 75 is screwed and fixed to the base plate 73 via the spacer block 74 by screws 78a. Accordingly, a gap by the spacer block 74 is set between the base plate 73 and the lamp fixing plate 75, and an opening that communicates the inside and outside of the ultraviolet light source cover by this gap and an air vent hole 75a provided in the lamp fixing plate 75. Is formed. The surface of the lamp fixing plate 75 on the cover body 61 side is preferably a reflective surface that reflects ultraviolet rays.
[0089]
Further, an ultraviolet shielding cover 76 is placed on the upper surface of the base plate 73 so as to surround the lamp fixing plate 75. The ultraviolet shielding cover 76 is formed of a cylindrical body provided with an outward flange portion 76a at one end, and a plurality of air holes 76b for allowing air to pass therethrough are provided on the flange portion 76a side. The ultraviolet shielding cover 76 is fastened and fixed on the base plate 73 by a plurality of fixing screws 78b penetrating the flange portion 76a. The base plate 73 is simultaneously fastened and fixed to the mounting flange 72 by a fixing screw 78b.
[0090]
The mounting flange 72 includes a ring-shaped fixed portion 72a having a tapered surface provided on the outer peripheral edge of the upper surface, and a ring-shaped support portion 72b provided integrally with the upper surface of the fixed portion 72a. Yes. The support portion 72b of the mounting flange 72 has an outer flange developed outward in the radial direction, and the outer peripheral edge of the base plate 73 is overlaid on the support portion 72b. The ultraviolet shielding cover 76 and the base plate 73 are fastened and fixed to the mounting flange 72 by a fixing screw 78b that passes through the flange portion 76a and the base plate 73 and is screwed to the support portion 72b.
[0091]
In the support hole 72c provided inside the support portion 72b of the mounting flange 72, the flange portion 61b of the cover main body 61, the flange portion 62b of the protective metal mesh 62, the push ring 77, and the like are stored in a stacked state. In FIG. 9, reference numeral 79 a is an O-ring, 79 b is a pressing packing formed in a ring shape, and 79 c and 79 d are pressing sheets similarly formed in a ring shape.
[0092]
An O-ring 79a is accommodated in the bottom of the support hole 72c of the mounting flange 72, and the flange portion 61b of the cover body 61 is placed on the O-ring 79a. The flange 62b of the protective metal mesh 62 is placed on the flange 61b, and the first pressing sheet 79c is placed on the flange 62b. Further, a push ring 77 is placed on the first push sheet 79 c, and a second push sheet 79 d is placed on the push ring 77.
[0093]
The flange portions 61b, 62b, 64a and the like laminated in this manner are sandwiched between a mounting flange 72 and a base plate 73 made of a ring-shaped member showing a third embodiment of the fixture. That is, by tightening the fixing screw 78b, the laminated flange portions 61b, 62b, 64a and the like are sandwiched between the mounting flange 72 and the base plate 73, whereby the cover main body 61 and the like are integrally assembled and irradiated with ultraviolet rays. A device 70 is configured.
[0094]
The lamp portion 21a of the ultraviolet lamp 21A is also communicated by a connecting portion 21e at one or two to four locations on the filament 21d side. The connecting portion 21e is provided for the purpose of preventing the glass tube from vibrating when the lamp is turned on. The connecting portion 21e is formed into a rod shape with the same quality quartz material and both ends are welded to the glass tube. Further, the ultraviolet lamp 21B can be configured as shown in FIGS. The ultraviolet lamp 21B is obtained by folding a U-shaped glass tube of the lamp part 21a from the middle part to the electrode part 21b side. By forming the glass tube in this way, one glass tube can be made to look like four glass tubes, and an ultraviolet lamp having a large light emitting portion can be obtained for its size. Other configurations are the same as those of the second embodiment described above.
[0095]
In the case of the third embodiment, the size of the opening between the base plate 73 and the lamp fixing plate 75 can be freely adjusted by changing the height of the spacer block 74. Furthermore, in this embodiment, by providing the opening and the air vent hole 75a of the lamp fixing plate 75, a natural convection of air can be created inside and outside the cover body 61, and this convection of the air causes Heat can be released to the outside to suppress the temperature rise of the ultraviolet lamp 21A.
[0096]
11 to 17 show a fourth embodiment of the ultraviolet irradiation device according to the present invention. The ultraviolet irradiation device 80 shown in the fourth embodiment includes an ultraviolet lamp 81 showing a third specific example of the ultraviolet light source, a cover main body 82 and a protective wire mesh 83 constituting the ultraviolet light source cover, a lamp support 84, A mounting flange 85 for mounting the ultraviolet lamp 81 at a predetermined position via the lamp support 84 and a protective cover 86 covering the upper surface side of the mounting flange 85 are provided.
[0097]
The ultraviolet lamp 81 includes a lamp portion 81a formed by winding a quartz glass tube in a coil shape, and two lamp fixtures 81b and 81b attached to both ends of the lamp portion 81a on the filament side, A lamp fixing plate 81c for fixing and supporting these lamp fixing members 81b is provided, and one end of each of the two lamp cords 87 is connected to each lamp fixing member 81b. The lamp portion 81a is a straight portion 81a extending substantially linearly. ₁ And this straight part 81a ₁ A spiral portion 81a extended so as to be spirally wound around ₂ These tip portions are communicated with each other and are integrally formed.
[0098]
The lamp fixing plate 81c of the ultraviolet lamp 81 is formed of a disk-shaped plate, and both ends of the lamp portion 81a are inserted into two insertion holes provided at a predetermined interval in the center portion thereof. Two lamp fixing tools 81b are arranged on the opposite side of the lamp fixing plate 81c from the lamp portion 81a, and these lamp fixing tools 81b are fixed to the lamp fixing plate 81c by an adhesive or other fixing means. It should be noted that the lamp fixture 81b may be formed by a single piece, for example, by increasing its diameter.
[0099]
The cover main body 82 of the ultraviolet light source cover has a configuration as shown in FIGS. That is, the cover body 82 includes a bottomed cylindrical (bottomed tubular) cover portion 82a formed with a substantially constant thickness and a thin portion, and a fixing portion 82b provided at the opening end of the cover portion 82a. Thus, the lamp portion 81a is taken in and out from the opening hole 26 set inside the fixed portion 82b. The cover portion 82a includes an annular ridge 88a and a plurality of vertical ridges 88b showing other specific examples of the reinforcing portion for increasing the strength thereof, and a thickness as a reinforcing portion with increased thickness to increase the strength. A meat portion 88c is provided.
[0100]
The annular protrusion 88a as the reinforcing portion is formed as a convex portion that is continuous in the circumferential direction at a substantially central portion in the axial direction of the cover portion 82a. On the contrary, the reinforcing portion may be formed as an annular groove including a concave portion continuous in the circumferential direction. Moreover, each vertical protrusion 88b is formed as a convex part which is arrange | positioned at the substantially equal interval in the circumferential direction, and is linearly extended by the axial direction with predetermined width. On the contrary, the reinforcing portion may be formed as a long groove formed of a concave portion continuous in the axial direction, or may be formed as a spiral protrusion or spiral groove that is spirally continuous along the axial direction. Further, the reinforcing portion can be formed as a large number of hemispherical convex portions protruding in a hemispherical shape or a hemispherical concave portion recessed in a hemispherical shape.
[0101]
As shown in an enlarged view in FIG. 17A, the fixing portion 82b of the cover main body 82 has a seating surface 82b for improving the adhesion to the mounting flange 85. ₁ It is good to provide. Generally, since the surface of the synthetic resin molded by injection molding or the like has a certain degree of unevenness, the seating surface 82b is made smooth by eliminating the unevenness. ₁ To improve the adhesion to the mounting flange 85, and the seating surface 82b ₁ Can prevent leakage of ultraviolet rays, air, etc.
[0102]
The protective wire mesh 83 includes a bottomed cylindrical wire mesh body 83a and a flange portion 83b provided at an end of the wire mesh body 83a on the opening side. The metal net body 83a is sized to be loosely fitted into the cover portion 83a of the cover body 82, and the outer diameter of the flange portion 83b is substantially the same as the outer diameter of the fixed portion 82b. The flange portion 83b is placed on the fixed portion 82b, and is housed in the recessed portion of the mounting flange 85 in this stacked state.
[0103]
The attachment flange 85 is formed of a substantially rectangular plate, and a through hole 85a through which the cover portion 83a is inserted is provided at the center thereof. As shown in an enlarged view in FIG. 14, at the periphery of the through hole 85a of the mounting flange 85, a circular first recessed portion 85b in which the fixing portion 82b and the flange portion 83b are accommodated, a base ring described below, and the like. A second recessed portion 85c to be housed is provided concentrically. The first recessed portion 85b is provided with a 0-ring 89 housed in an annular groove, and the 0-ring 89 is a seating surface 82b of the fixing portion 82b. ₁ Pressure contacted.
[0104]
Further, a packing 90a having an L-shaped cross section is attached to the outer peripheral edges of the fixed portion 82b and the flange portion 83b. It is also possible to arrange a pressing packing on the lower surface of the flange portion 83b and press this packing with the flange portion 83b. With this configuration, the packing 90a is unnecessary.
[0105]
Further, the packing 90b and the base ring 91 are accommodated in the second recessed portion 85c. The packing 90b is placed on the packing 90a, and these are fixed to the mounting flange 85 by tightening a fixing screw 92a penetrating the base ring 91 and the packing 90b. The packing 90a and the 0-ring 89 are pressed against the flange portion 83b and the fixing portion 82b from above and below by the pressing force of the base ring 91 acting via the packing 90b, and are elastically sandwiched.
[0106]
The lamp support 84 includes a ring-shaped base ring 91, a ring-shaped support ring 93 fixed to the upper edge of the base ring 91, a filter 94 that prevents entry of insects and dust, and the like. ing. A ring-shaped cylindrical portion 91a raised upward is provided on the inner peripheral edge of the base ring 91, and a plurality of opening holes 91b are provided in the cylindrical portion 91a at appropriate intervals in the circumferential direction. Yes. A filter 94 is stuck to the outside of the opening hole 91b. A lamp fixing plate 81c of the ultraviolet lamp 81 is placed on the support ring 93, and the lamp fixing plate 81c is fastened and fixed to the support ring 93 by a fixing screw 92b.
[0107]
Further, the cylindrical portion 91a of the base ring 91 is provided with a nozzle 91c for circulating air protruding sideways. The nozzle 91c and the plurality of filters 94 allow air to flow in and out of the cover main body 82, and when the air flows out, heat in the cover main body 82 is released to the outside. Thereby, the natural cooling of the ultraviolet lamp 81 is performed and the temperature rise can be suppressed. In addition, a vacuum device or a blower is connected to the nozzle 91c, and the inside of the cover main body 82 is forcibly cooled by sucking the air in the cover main body 82 or pumping the air into the cover main body 82. The cooling efficiency of the lamp 81 can be increased.
[0108]
Further, as shown in FIG. 11, a protective cover 86 is detachably attached to the attachment flange 85. As shown in FIG. 13, the mounting flange 85 has a substantially square shape, and at its four corners, ventilation portions 86a formed by a wire mesh, a punching board or the like having a gap of an appropriate size are provided. The protective cover 86 is formed of a rectangular box whose lower surface is opened, and the five surfaces other than the bottom surface thereof are formed by a metal net or a punching board having a gap of an appropriate size. The protective cover 86 has a function of allowing air to pass therethrough and preventing insects and dust from entering, and is configured to cover the entire top surface of the mounting flange 85.
[0109]
The protective cover 86 can be fastened and fixed by a plurality of set screws 95 screwed from the side. A plurality of positioning pieces 86 a for positioning in the depth direction with respect to the mounting flange 85 are provided at the peripheral edge of the protective cover 86 on the opening side. Further, a socket 96 is attached to the protective cover 86 with the receiving opening opened inside. One end of a connection cable 96a connected to a power source is connected to the socket 96. The socket 96 has a connector attached to the tip of the lamp cord 87 described above. 97 Are detachably connected. The base ring 91, the support ring 93 and the fixing screw 92b described above constitute a lamp support means for the ultraviolet lamp 81.
[0110]
For example, as shown in FIG. 14, the ultraviolet irradiation device 80 having such a configuration is placed on a mounting portion 98 a of a water storage tank 98 and is detachably mounted by fixing means such as a mounting bolt 99. Therefore, the mounting flange 85 is provided with a plurality of insertion holes 85d through which the shaft portion of the mounting bolt 99 is inserted. When the ultraviolet irradiation device 80 is attached to the water storage tank 98 in this manner, substantially the entire ultraviolet light source cover is inserted into the tank, and substantially the entire lamp portion 81a of the ultraviolet lamp 81 is located in the tank. According to the ultraviolet irradiation device 80 having such a configuration, the same effects as those of the ultraviolet irradiation devices 20, 60 and 70 described above can be obtained.
[0111]
FIG. 18 shows a fifth embodiment of the ultraviolet irradiation apparatus according to the present invention. The ultraviolet irradiation device 100 shown in the fifth embodiment shows a modified embodiment of the lamp support 84 and the protective cover 86 in the fourth embodiment described above. In FIG. 18, the same parts as those in the fourth embodiment shown in FIG. 11 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.
[0112]
The lamp support 101 according to this embodiment is configured to enhance the heat radiation effect of the ultraviolet lamp 81 using the spacer block 74 according to the third embodiment shown in FIG. 9 described above. The lamp support 101 includes a base ring 91 fixed to the mounting flange 85, a support ring 93 attached to the base ring 91, and a plurality of (four in this embodiment) spacer blocks fixed to the support ring 93. 74 or the like. In other words, the lamp support 101 has a plurality of spacer blocks 74 interposed between the lamp fixing plate 81 c of the ultraviolet lamp 81 and the support ring 93. The spacer block 74 is fixed to the support ring 93 by a fixing screw 92 b penetrating the lamp fixing plate 81 c and the spacer block 74.
[0113]
Further, the protective cover 102 is formed of a rectangular box having five surfaces except for the lower surface formed of a plate material, and ventilation holes (louver bodies) 103 of appropriate sizes are provided on the four side surfaces, respectively. Yes. The inside of each air vent 103 is covered with a net member 104 having air permeability such as a wire net or a punching board, thereby allowing air to flow in and out and allowing rain and insects to enter. Is prevented or suppressed.
[0114]
According to this embodiment, similarly to the third embodiment described above, the height of the spacer block 74 is changed to adjust the size of the opening between the base ring 93 and the lamp fixing plate 81c. The cooling efficiency can be changed by changing the amount of air flowing in and out of the cover main body 82. In addition, since the protective cover 102 is formed of a plate material that is difficult for rain or the like to enter, the protective cover 102 is effective when used in a device that is installed in a place where rain easily occurs. The protective covers 86 and 102 may be mounted on the mounting flange 85.
[0115]
As described above, according to the ultraviolet light source cover according to the ultraviolet irradiation apparatus of the present invention, the cover portion 22a that constitutes most of the cover main bodies 22, 61, 82 formed of ultraviolet transparent fluororesin (FEP, PFA, etc.) Since 61a and 82a are thinly formed, the transmittance | permeability of the ultraviolet-ray by cover part 22a, 61a, 82a can be made high, and many ultraviolet rays can be permeate | transmitted. Therefore, the amount of ultraviolet rays blocked by the cover portions 22a, 61a, and 82a can be reduced, and a large amount of ultraviolet rays emitted from the ultraviolet lamps 21, 21A, and 81 can be efficiently emitted to the outside. Further, the cover portions 22a, 61a, and 82a are provided with a reinforcing portion that is strengthened by providing unevenness or changing the thickness of the cover portions 22a, 61a, and 82a as necessary, thereby increasing the strength of the cover bodies 22, 61, and 82. Sufficient strength can be imparted.
[0116]
As described above, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above, and of course the sterilization in the water storage tank described above, for example, in a water receiving tank installed on the ground or on the ground building. Sterilization, sterilization of ducts, sterilization of soft drinks, fruit juices, processed foods, etc., cleaning devices installed in the production line of these beverages, filling devices, cooling devices, medical machines, semiconductor manufacturing machines, clean rooms, bathtubs and other various types It is suitable for use as an ultraviolet light source cover and an ultraviolet irradiation device used for sterilization, sterilization, etc. As described above, the present invention can be variously modified without departing from the spirit of the present invention.
[0117]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the ultraviolet light source cover of the present invention, the sealed cover part is formed by closing and welding one end of the pipe, and the cover main body is placed at a predetermined position by the fixing part formed at the other end. Since it is configured to be attached, the cover main body can be formed using a fluororesin-based ultraviolet transmissive resin that is resistant to ultraviolet rays, and this cover main body can cover and protect the ultraviolet light source. In addition, it can transmit a large amount of ultraviolet rays by increasing the transmittance of ultraviolet rays, and unlike quartz glass, it has a low heat storage rate, so that it is less likely to cause dirt, baking and drying than quartz glass. Accordingly, the amount of ultraviolet rays (electromagnetic waves) stored in the cover part can be reduced, and a large amount of ultraviolet rays emitted from the ultraviolet lamp can be efficiently radiated to the outside, and the surface can be dried, baked, and contaminated. The effect that it can reduce can be acquired.
[0118]
In addition, according to the ultraviolet irradiation device of the present application, the ultraviolet light source cover is formed using a fluororesin-based ultraviolet transparent resin resistant to ultraviolet rays, and the ultraviolet light source is covered using this ultraviolet light source cover. The ultraviolet light source cover is not easily broken by the input of the light, and the ultraviolet light source can be securely protected. Furthermore, if necessary, the cover part can be provided with a reinforced part with increased strength by providing unevenness or changing the thickness of the cover part, thereby increasing the strength of the cover body and providing sufficient strength. Therefore, it is possible to provide an ultraviolet irradiation device having an ultraviolet light source cover that is hardly damaged.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of an ultraviolet irradiation device of the present invention, and is an explanatory view in which a central portion is sectioned in a vertical direction.
FIG. 2 is a front view of the ultraviolet irradiation device shown in FIG.
3 shows a cover main body according to the ultraviolet irradiation apparatus shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 3A is a front view, FIG. B is a longitudinal sectional view, and FIG. 3C is a bottom view.
4 is a plan view showing a clamp band for mounting the ultraviolet irradiation device shown in FIG. 1. FIG.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory view in which the clamp band shown in FIG. 4 is sectioned in the longitudinal direction.
FIG. 6 shows a second embodiment of the ultraviolet irradiation apparatus of the present invention, and is an explanatory view in which a central portion is sectioned in a vertical direction.
7 is an explanatory view showing a part of a lamp support according to the ultraviolet irradiation device shown in FIG.
FIG. 8 is an explanatory view showing an enlarged main part of the ultraviolet irradiation device shown in FIG. 6;
FIG. 9 shows a third embodiment of the ultraviolet irradiation apparatus of the present invention, and is an explanatory view in which a central portion is sectioned in a vertical direction.
FIG. 10 is an explanatory view showing an exploded lamp support according to the ultraviolet irradiation device shown in FIG. 9;
FIG. 11 shows a fourth embodiment of the ultraviolet irradiation apparatus of the present invention, and is an explanatory view in which the right half from the central portion is sectioned in the vertical direction.
12 is a plan view of the ultraviolet irradiation device shown in FIG. 11. FIG.
13 is a bottom view of the ultraviolet irradiation device shown in FIG. 11. FIG.
FIG. 14 is an explanatory view showing, in an enlarged manner, main portions of the ultraviolet irradiation device shown in FIG.
FIG. 15 is an explanatory view showing a cover body according to the ultraviolet irradiation device shown in FIG.
16 is a cross-sectional view of the cover main body shown in FIG. 15 taken along the line SS.
17 shows the main part of the cover main body shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, in which FIG. A is an enlarged sectional view of a T portion of FIG. 15, and FIG. B is an enlarged sectional view of a U portion of FIG. C is an enlarged sectional view of a V portion in FIG. 15, and FIG. D is an enlarged sectional view of a W portion in FIG.
FIG. 18 shows a fifth embodiment of the ultraviolet irradiation apparatus of the present invention, and is an explanatory view in which the right half from the central portion is sectioned in the vertical direction.
FIG. 19 shows another embodiment of the ultraviolet lamp according to the ultraviolet irradiation device of the present invention, wherein FIG. A is a front view, FIG. B is a side view, and FIG. C is a plan view.
FIG. 20 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a first example of a conventional ultraviolet irradiation device.
FIG. 21 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a second example of a conventional ultraviolet irradiation device.
[Explanation of symbols]
20, 60, 70, 80, 100 UV irradiation device, 21, 21A, 81 UV lamp, 21a, 81a lamp part, 22a, 61a, 82b cover part, 22b, 61b, 82b fixing part (fixing means), 22d joining part 23, 63, 71, 84, 101 Lamp support, 24, 66, 72, 85 Mounting flange, 27a Screw part (fixing means), 28 Annular groove (reinforcing part), 32 Wire mesh ring, 34 Cap nut, 36, 91c Nozzle, 37 Protection frame (reinforcing member), 50 Clamp band (attachment), 61, 82 Cover body, 62, 83 Protection wire mesh, 73 Base plate, 74 Spacer block, 75, 81c Lamp fixing plate, 76 UV shielding cover 86,102 Protective cover, 91 Base ring, 93 Support ring

Claims (21)

In the ultraviolet light source cover formed of an ultraviolet light transmissive resin that transmits ultraviolet light having a structure in which a substituent is bonded to a part of carbon atoms of the main chain of the fluorine resin, the cover body covering the ultraviolet light source that emits ultraviolet light,
The cover body includes a cover portion in which one end of a pipe formed in an appropriate length is closed by a joint portion formed by abutting the end surfaces and welding the end surfaces, and the other end of the pipe A fixing portion having a fixing means formed on ,
The end portion of the cover portion provided with the joining portion is formed as a smooth surface without unevenness with a substantially uniform thickness, or as an uneven surface with unevenness,
The portion of the cover portion except the end portion where the joint portion is provided is formed by changing the thickness and forming the thick portion as a reinforcing portion, or by providing unevenness and forming the uneven portion as a reinforcing portion. Features UV light source cover. The ultraviolet light source cover according to claim 1, wherein the fixing means of the fixing portion is a screw portion that is screwed into a screw portion of a fixture to which the cover body is attached. The ultraviolet light source cover according to claim 1, wherein the fixing means of the fixing portion is a flange portion for attaching to a reference surface of a fixture to which the cover body is attached. The reinforcing section is an ultraviolet light source cover according to claim 1, characterized in that it consists of one or more annular grooves or annular convex continuous in and circumferentially provided on the cover portion. The reinforcing section is an ultraviolet light source cover according to claim 1, characterized in that it consists of a spiral groove or a spiral convex continuously in a direction intersecting with and circumferentially provided on the cover portion. The reinforcing section is an ultraviolet light source cover according to claim 1, characterized in that it consists of the extended the one or more ridges or grooves in a direction substantially orthogonal to and circumferentially disposed in the cover portion. The reinforcing section is an ultraviolet light source cover according to claim 1, characterized in that a number of spherical concave or convex portion formed in the cover portion. The ultraviolet light source cover according to claim 1, wherein the cover body is provided with a cooling passage for releasing heat radiated from the ultraviolet light source to the outside. The ultraviolet transmissive resin is a copolymer of tetrafluoroethylene and propylene hexafluoride, in which a part of fluorine atoms bonded to carbon of the main chain is substituted with a trifluoromethyl group (—CF ₃ ). Or a copolymer of tetrafluoroethylene and perfluoroalkyl vinyl ether, which is a fluororesin in which a part of fluorine atoms bonded to carbon of the main chain is substituted with a perfluoroalkoxy group (—O—Rf). The ultraviolet light source cover according to claim 1, wherein: A base end is fixed to the fixing portion of the cover main body, and a distal end side continuous with the base end is inserted into the cover portion to provide a reinforcing member that prevents elastic deformation of the cover portion beyond a predetermined level. The ultraviolet light source cover according to claim 1. An ultraviolet light source that emits ultraviolet light;
An ultraviolet light source cover for covering the ultraviolet light source,
In the ultraviolet irradiation device formed of an ultraviolet light transmissive resin that transmits ultraviolet light having a structure in which the ultraviolet light source cover has a structure in which a substituent is bonded to a part of carbon atoms of the main chain of the fluororesin,
The ultraviolet light source cover includes a cover portion in which one end of a pipe formed in an appropriate length is closed by a joint portion formed by bringing the end surfaces into contact with each other and welding between the end surfaces ; A fixing portion having fixing means formed at the end ,
The end portion of the cover portion provided with the joining portion is formed as a smooth surface without unevenness with a substantially uniform thickness, or as an uneven surface with unevenness,
The portion of the cover portion except the end portion where the joint portion is provided is formed by changing the thickness and forming the thick portion as a reinforcing portion, or by providing unevenness and forming the uneven portion as a reinforcing portion. A featured ultraviolet irradiation device. The ultraviolet irradiation device according to claim 11 , wherein the fixing means of the fixing portion is a screw portion that is screwed into a screw portion of a fixture to which the ultraviolet light source cover is attached. The ultraviolet irradiation apparatus according to claim 11 , wherein the fixing means of the fixing portion is a flange portion for attaching to a reference surface of a fixture to which the ultraviolet light source cover is attached. The reinforcing portion is an ultraviolet irradiation device according to claim 11, characterized in that it comprises one or more annular grooves or annular projections continuing in and circumferentially disposed on the ultraviolet light source cover. The reinforcing portion is an ultraviolet irradiation device according to claim 11, characterized in that it comprises a spiral groove or a spiral ridge continuously in a direction intersecting with and circumferentially disposed on the ultraviolet light source cover. The reinforcing portion is an ultraviolet irradiation device according to claim 11, characterized in that it comprises a the extended one or more ridges or grooves which in a direction substantially perpendicular to the and circumferentially disposed on the ultraviolet light source cover. The reinforcing portion is an ultraviolet irradiation device according to claim 11, characterized in that it comprises a concave or convex portion of the numerous spherical provided on the ultraviolet light source cover. The ultraviolet irradiation apparatus according to claim 11 , wherein the ultraviolet light source cover is provided with a cooling passage for releasing heat radiated from the ultraviolet light source to the outside. The ultraviolet light source cover includes a cooling passage for releasing heat radiated from the ultraviolet light source to the outside, and a cooling medium is forcibly passed through the cooling passage to dissipate the heat in the ultraviolet light source cover to the outside. The ultraviolet irradiation device according to claim 11, further comprising forced cooling means for discharging. The ultraviolet light source cover is provided with a reinforcing member that has a base end fixed to the fixing portion and a distal end side continuous with the base end inserted into the cover portion to prevent elastic deformation of the cover portion beyond a predetermined level. The ultraviolet irradiation device according to claim 11 . The ultraviolet light source includes a lamp portion that emits ultraviolet rays when energized, a lamp fixture that fixes and supports the lamp portion, and a lamp fixture that supports the lamp portion in a predetermined position by detachably fixing the lamp fixture. The ultraviolet irradiation device according to claim 11, further comprising: a lamp support unit that performs the following.

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