JP5658441B2 - Drainage device for sanitary equipment - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a drainage device for a sanitary instrument having an ultraviolet LED as a means for disinfecting bacteria.

  At present, countermeasures against infectious diseases associated with the epidemic of infectious diseases caused by infection with pathogens such as viruses and bacteria and the increase in the elderly with weak resistance are regarded as social problems. Against this background, improving the hygienic environment in familiar living spaces makes resident's health management more sophisticated, and also makes it easier to maintain and manage living spaces, making it more secure and comfortable. Contribute to the realization of life.

  The hygienic environment tends to deteriorate in the living space around the water such as kitchens, washrooms and baths. In particular, in the drainage section of sanitary appliances around the water, for example, food stains in the kitchen, sebum and soap stains adhere to the bathroom and bath, etc., and mold, bacteria, etc. propagate as nutrients. In addition, a biofilm (slime) that is produced when bacteria are prevented from drying out and proliferate easily adheres to the drainage part. Biofilms have various germs inside and can also be a source of malodor due to the propagation of germs. Furthermore, biofilms can also serve as a hotbed for pathogenic microorganisms. Therefore, sterilization / disinfection of not only pathogenic microorganisms but also bacteria that produce biofilms in the drainage section of the sanitary appliance can make the sanitary environment in the living space more preferable.

  As sterilization / disinfection methods for this type of bacteria, heat sterilization, chemical sterilization using chemicals such as chlorine, and ultraviolet disinfection by ultraviolet irradiation have been known. Among these, ultraviolet disinfection irradiates bacteria with ultraviolet rays and acts on nucleic acids (DNA and RNA) that control the genetic information of the bacteria to cause a photochemical reaction. The photochemical reaction causes damage to part of the nucleic acid of the bacteria, and it is said that the bacteria are inactivated due to metabolic abnormality because transcription control from the gene is delayed. Therefore, unlike bacterial drug sterilization using drugs, unnecessary drug residues and resistant bacteria are not produced. Also, the ultraviolet irradiation device used for ultraviolet disinfection is widely used because it does not require a cooling system like the heat sterilization device used for heat sterilization, has a simple structure, and can be manufactured at a relatively low cost. Yes.

  Usually, an ultraviolet irradiation apparatus uses a low-pressure mercury lamp (main emission line spectrum: 253.7 nm) as a light source for irradiating ultraviolet rays. The low-pressure mercury lamp can efficiently emit ultraviolet light having a high disinfection effect in accordance with the absorption band of the absorption spectrum of bacterial nucleic acid.

  By the way, in recent years, ultraviolet light emitting diodes (hereinafter referred to as ultraviolet LEDs) capable of emitting light in the ultraviolet region such as near ultraviolet rays and far ultraviolet rays have been actively researched and developed as light sources for irradiating ultraviolet rays. The research and development of ultraviolet LEDs are remarkable, and some of them have already been put into practical use as the light output increases. Such an ultraviolet LED does not need to enclose mercury in a quartz tube that efficiently transmits ultraviolet rays unlike a low-pressure mercury lamp, and therefore has little load on the environment and is less likely to be damaged. Further, the ultraviolet LED does not require a high voltage unlike a low-pressure mercury lamp. Therefore, the ultraviolet LED takes advantage of the small size, light weight, and low power consumption, and can be used in a small space where it is difficult to install with a low-pressure mercury lamp.

  For example, FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 show the vicinity of a drainage groove of a bathroom washroom 10a as an example of a sanitary appliance drainage device equipped with an ultraviolet LED. 3 and 4 show a drainage portion 1 having a drainage port 2 through which drainage flows and connected to a drainage pipe for discharging the drainage, and a plurality of ultraviolet LEDs 4 for irradiating ultraviolet rays for disinfecting the inside of the drainage portion 1. There has been proposed a drainage device 10 ′, 10 ″ for a sanitary instrument having an ultraviolet irradiating unit 5 and a grating 6 ′ and a pan 6 ″ provided with the ultraviolet irradiating unit 5 and covering the drain port 2 ( Patent Document 1). A hair catcher 21 is provided on the inner bottom surface of the drainage unit 1 so that hair does not flow into the drainage pipe.

  In addition, as a sanitary appliance, there has also been proposed a device provided with an ultraviolet irradiation unit including an ultraviolet LED capable of irradiating ultraviolet rays at a drain of a kitchen sink (Patent Document 2).

  Furthermore, in urinals and bathrooms, bell traps are usually provided to prevent the spread of bad odors from the drain pipe into the room by using a bowl-shaped lid to prevent the middle of the drainage path with water. There has also been proposed a drainage device for sanitary appliances equipped with an ultraviolet LED on the bell-shaped lid of the bell trap (Patent Document 3).

JP 2001-95699 A JP 2006-183241 A JP 2006-274572 A

  By the way, the ultraviolet LED 4 is a semiconductor light emitting element, and in principle, there is no unlighting due to electrode consumption unlike a low-pressure mercury lamp. Therefore, the ultraviolet LED 4 has a long life compared to a low-pressure mercury lamp or the like. Further, the ultraviolet LED 4 is relatively easily driven and controlled by pulse lighting, and can be lit at a high output for a long time.

  However, the ultraviolet LED 4 tends to gradually decrease the intensity of the irradiated ultraviolet light due to deterioration due to use. Therefore, when the ultraviolet LED 4 is used for the ultraviolet irradiation unit 5 of the drainage devices 10 ′ and 10 ″ for the sanitary ware, the ultraviolet LED 4 of the ultraviolet irradiation unit 5 is drained over time even if the ultraviolet LED 4 is lit. The intensity | strength of the ultraviolet-ray irradiated to the inside of the part 1 may become low, and the problem that the disinfection effect expected with respect to bacteria etc. may not fully be acquired may be produced.

  Further, the light emitted from the ultraviolet LED 4 basically has a narrow emission spectrum and a small visible light component. Moreover, since the light irradiated from ultraviolet LED4 is an ultraviolet-ray, it cannot be visually recognized directly.

  Therefore, there is also a problem that it is difficult for the user to determine whether or not the ultraviolet ray irradiation unit 5 has obtained a sufficient disinfecting ultraviolet ray inside the drainage unit 1 due to deterioration, failure or dirt of the ultraviolet LED 4. .

  The present invention has been made in view of the above reasons, and its purpose is to obtain a certain disinfecting effect for a long period of time by using a photodetector that detects the intensity of ultraviolet rays irradiated from the ultraviolet irradiation section. It is to provide a drainage device for a possible sanitary instrument.

The invention according to claim 1 is an ultraviolet irradiating unit comprising a drainage unit having a drainage port through which drainage flows and connected to a drainage pipe for discharging the drainage, and an ultraviolet LED for irradiating ultraviolet rays for disinfecting the inside of the drainage unit. A drainage device for a sanitary instrument, the photodetector detecting the intensity of the ultraviolet rays irradiated from the ultraviolet irradiation section into the drainage section, and the detection value detected by the photodetector And a control circuit unit that feedback-controls the ultraviolet LED so that the light output irradiated from the ultraviolet irradiation unit to the inside of the drainage unit is constant, and the control circuit unit determines feedback control. are those performed by current increase and decrease when the voltage is driven, and an upper limit to the amount of current flowing to advance the ultraviolet LED, the intensity of the ultraviolet rays detected by the light detector predetermined If the value below and having a notification unit that notifies the user to prompt the replacement of the ultraviolet LED.

  According to the present invention, by using the photodetector that detects the intensity of the ultraviolet rays irradiated from the ultraviolet irradiation section, a drainage device for a sanitary instrument that can be used for obtaining a certain disinfecting effect for a long period of time is obtained. be able to. More specifically, the intensity change of the ultraviolet ray can be known by detecting the intensity of the ultraviolet ray irradiated from the ultraviolet LED of the ultraviolet ray irradiating part to the inside of the drainage part, and used for controlling the driving of the ultraviolet LED. can do.

Further, according to the present invention, it is detected by the photodetector that the intensity of the ultraviolet ray irradiated from the ultraviolet ray irradiating unit is reduced due to factors such as deterioration of the ultraviolet LED, and the control circuit unit detects the ultraviolet LED. By performing feedback control of the light output, a drainage device for a sanitary instrument that can maintain a constant disinfection effect for a long period of time can be obtained . Furthermore, according to the present invention, the notification unit is configured such that, for example, when the ultraviolet LED is excessively deteriorated or fails to light up, the intensity of the ultraviolet ray detected by the photodetector is equal to or less than a predetermined value. It is possible to provide a drainage device for a sanitary instrument that can inform the user of the fact that the UV LED has fallen down and can prompt the user to replace the ultraviolet LED.

The invention different from the present application is an ultraviolet irradiating unit comprising a drainage unit having a drainage port through which drainage flows and connected to a drainage pipe for discharging the drainage, and an ultraviolet LED for irradiating ultraviolet rays for disinfecting the inside of the drainage unit. A drainage device for a sanitary instrument, the photodetector detecting the intensity of the ultraviolet rays irradiated from the ultraviolet irradiation section into the drainage section, and the detection value detected by the photodetector And a control circuit unit that feedback-controls the driving time of the ultraviolet LED so that the ultraviolet ray irradiated from the ultraviolet ray irradiation unit to the inside of the drainage unit has a predetermined ultraviolet ray irradiation amount necessary for disinfection. It is characterized by.

According to the present invention, by using the photodetector that detects the intensity of the ultraviolet rays irradiated from the ultraviolet irradiation section, a drainage device for a sanitary instrument that can be used for obtaining a certain disinfecting effect for a long period of time is obtained. be able to. More specifically, the intensity change of the ultraviolet ray can be known by detecting the intensity of the ultraviolet ray irradiated from the ultraviolet LED of the ultraviolet ray irradiating part to the inside of the drainage part, and used for controlling the driving of the ultraviolet LED. can do. Further, according to this invention, to detect the intensity of the ultraviolet rays irradiated from the ultraviolet irradiation unit is lowered by factors such as the deterioration of the ultraviolet LED at the photodetector, the control circuit section of the ultraviolet LED By performing feedback control of the driving time, it is possible to provide a drainage device for a sanitary instrument that can maintain a constant disinfection effect for a long period of time.

  In addition, the disinfection of bacteria basically reduces the intensity of the ultraviolet rays irradiated from the ultraviolet irradiation section if the ultraviolet irradiation amount (product of the ultraviolet illuminance on the irradiated surface and the ultraviolet irradiation time) is constant. This is because the same level of disinfection effect can be maintained by increasing the driving time of the ultraviolet LED of the ultraviolet irradiation unit.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, the notification unit is a display unit.

  According to the present invention, the display unit can be a drainage device for a sanitary instrument that can prompt the user to visually replace the ultraviolet LED or the like.

The invention of claim 3 is the invention according to claim 1 or billed to claim 2, the shield for shielding the ultraviolet, characterized by comprising covering the drainage port.

  Thereby, it is possible to suppress the leakage of the ultraviolet rays from the drain port of the drainage part, and to enhance the disinfection effect of bacteria inside the drainage part by confining the ultraviolet rays inside the drainage part. It becomes.

  The invention of claim 1 provides a drainage device for a sanitary instrument that can be used to obtain a certain disinfecting effect for a long period of time by using a photodetector that detects the intensity of ultraviolet rays irradiated from an ultraviolet irradiation unit. There is a remarkable effect of being able to.

It is a schematic cross section which shows the drainage device for sanitary instruments of Embodiment 1. It is a principal part schematic sectional drawing of the drainage device for sanitary instruments of Embodiment 2. FIG. It is a schematic perspective view which shows the drainage device for the conventional sanitary instruments. It is a schematic perspective view which shows the drainage device for another conventional sanitary ware.

(Embodiment 1)
Hereinafter, the drainage device for sanitary instruments of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  1 is provided for the purpose of surface drainage, for example, in a bathroom washroom, and is connected to a drain pipe 3 having a drain port 2 through which drainage flows and discharging the drainage. And a UV irradiation unit 5 having a plurality of UV LEDs 4 for irradiating UV light for disinfecting the inside of the drainage unit 1. In the drainage device 10 of the present embodiment, a photodetector 7 that detects the intensity of the ultraviolet rays irradiated from the ultraviolet irradiation unit 5 into the drainage unit 1 is provided. The drain port 2 is covered with a shield 6 that shields the ultraviolet rays.

  The drainage part 1 in the drainage device 10 for sanitary instruments of this embodiment is connected to a drainage pipe 3 that has a drainage port 2 through which drainage flows and discharges the drainage. The drainage portion 1 is, for example, a rectangular or cylindrical shape having a through hole through which the drainage flows into the drainage pipe 3 in the central portion on the inner bottom surface side that is open and has a lower surface so that the drainage can flow in. Can be formed into a container. In the drainage part 1 of this embodiment, the hollow 3a which can accommodate the ultraviolet irradiation part 5 mentioned later is formed in a part of inner wall surface in the said container. Further, the upper surface of the drainage unit 1 is a rectangular plate that covers the drainage port 2 of the drainage unit 1 and shields the ultraviolet rays irradiated from the ultraviolet irradiation unit 5 from leaking from the inside of the drainage unit 1 to the outside. A recess 10b having a stepped cross section for holding the shield 6 is formed. The drainage port 2 of the drainage unit 1 is partially larger than the shield 6, and the drainage flows into the drainage unit 1 from the end of the drainage port 2 not covered with the shield 6. The waste water that has flowed into the drainage portion 1 is discharged to the outside through the drainage pipe 3 from the through hole provided in the central portion on the inner bottom surface side of the container.

  Such a drainage unit 1 is only required to have a drainage port 2 through which the drainage flows and to be connected to a drainage pipe 3 from which the drainage is discharged. In addition to drainage grooves in a bathroom washroom, a sink in a kitchen, a washroom It can also be used as a drainage hole, disposer (garbage crusher) body, kitchen, bathroom and toilet traps. Therefore, the size, shape, and material of the drainage unit 1 can be variously selected according to the application. Similarly, the shape and size of the tubular part of the drainage part 1 that extends from the central part of the drainage port 2 and the drainage part 1 on the inner bottom surface side and is connected to the drainage pipe 3 can be appropriately set. In FIG. 1, the drainage pipe 3 and the tubular portion of the drainage section 1 connected to the drainage pipe 3 are illustrated as one piece continuously.

  As the material of the drainage unit 1, in consideration of corrosivity and durability, for example, pottery, plastic, glass fiber reinforced polyester, enamel having a glass crystal formed on a metal surface, or the like can be used. The drainage unit 1 is made of a material such as stainless steel that efficiently reflects the ultraviolet rays irradiated from the ultraviolet LED 4 of the ultraviolet irradiation unit 5 by reflecting the ultraviolet rays inside the drainage unit 1 and effectively using the ultraviolet rays. It can also be formed.

  Further, the drainage unit 1 of the drainage device 10 can be provided with a trap for preventing malodors and insects from the drainage pipe 3. The trap may be formed of a bell type trap that is a kind of non-siphon type trap using the drainage unit 1 itself. Further, a part of the tubular part of the drainage part 1 connected to the drainage pipe 3 is an S trap with an S-shaped sideways, a U-shaped U trap or a P trap that directs the drainage pipe 3 to a wall surface of a building, etc. A siphon type trap or the like may be used. Further, in the drainage part 1 of the drainage device 10, a net-shaped object such as a hair catcher is appropriately provided in the drainage port 2 or the through hole so that fixed objects such as hair do not flow from the drainage part 1 to the drainage pipe 3. May be.

  Next, the ultraviolet irradiation unit 5 in the drainage device 10 for sanitary appliances of the present embodiment irradiates the inside of the drainage unit 1 with the ultraviolet rays, and produces bacteria that produce pathogenic microorganisms and biofilms in the drainage unit 1. Can be disinfected. In the present embodiment, a plurality of ultraviolet LEDs 4 capable of emitting a plurality of deep ultraviolet rays along the depth direction of the inner wall surface of the drainage unit 1 are mounted and disposed in a recess 3 a formed on the inner wall surface of the drainage unit 1. I am letting. The ultraviolet ray LED 4 of the ultraviolet ray irradiation unit 5 is not directly in contact with the drainage or the like flowing in from the drainage port 2 of the drainage unit 1, and the ultraviolet ray transmissive protective plate 11 (for example, covering the depression 3 a on the inner wall surface of the drainage unit 1) It is hermetically sealed with quartz glass or UV transparent acrylic resin. A plurality of ultraviolet irradiation units 5 may be provided inside the drainage unit 1 according to the shape and size of the drainage unit 1. Further, the position of the ultraviolet irradiation unit 5 is not necessarily provided on the inner wall surface of the drainage unit 1. If the inside of the drainage unit 1 can be sterilized, it is provided on the shield 6 that covers the drainage port 2 of the drainage unit 1. Alternatively, it may be provided on the inner bottom surface side of the drainage part 1. Further, the ultraviolet LED 4 of the ultraviolet irradiation unit 5 only needs to be able to irradiate the ultraviolet light inside the drainage unit 1, and is not necessarily provided inside the drainage unit 1. In this case, the ultraviolet irradiation unit 5 may be formed separately from the drainage unit 1 and may irradiate the inside of the drainage unit 1 with ultraviolet rays through an optical fiber optically connected to the ultraviolet LED 4 of the ultraviolet irradiation unit 5. .

  As the ultraviolet LED 4 of the ultraviolet irradiation unit 5 in the drainage device 10 for sanitary ware according to the present embodiment, one having an emission wavelength of 380 nm or less that irradiates the inside of the drainage unit 1 can be used. It is preferable that the ultraviolet light emission wavelength of the ultraviolet LED 4 irradiated to disinfect bacteria more efficiently is 300 nm or less. The ultraviolet LED 4 emits the ultraviolet light having an emission wavelength of 250 nm to 280 nm in particular, although it depends on the type (size, shape, etc.) of the bacteria and the state of the drainage part 1 in order to disinfect bacteria by irradiation with the ultraviolet light. More preferably.

  Usually, light absorption of DNA such as bacteria has an absorption peak in the vicinity of a wavelength of 260 nm. Therefore, it is considered that by irradiating the bacteria with the ultraviolet rays having a wavelength of about 250 nm to about 280 nm, a photochemical reaction can be efficiently generated in the bacterial DNA and the sterilizing effect of the bacteria can be enhanced.

  The number of UV LEDs 4 and the installation interval of the UV LEDs 4 can be appropriately set according to the size and shape of the drainage unit 1. Further, in the case where the ultraviolet irradiation unit 5 includes a plurality of ultraviolet LEDs 4, it is not always necessary to use only the same kind of ultraviolet LEDs 4. For example, even if the ultraviolet light emission wavelength or light output irradiated to each ultraviolet LED 4 is changed. Good.

  Such an ultraviolet LED 4 can use a semiconductor light emitting device using a nitride semiconductor material such as AlN, AlGaN, or AlInGaN as a light emitting layer or a semiconductor light emitting device using a diamond thin film as a light emitting layer. Moreover, the ultraviolet LED 4 can also adjust the emission wavelength of ultraviolet rays by the composition ratio of the light emitting layer. When a nitride semiconductor material is used for the light emitting layer of the ultraviolet LED 4, the emission wavelength of the ultraviolet light can be shortened as the Al content is increased. On the other hand, the spectral characteristics in the disinfection action of bacteria tend to be strong in the vicinity of about 260 nm, and decrease in the disinfection action of bacteria with a peak at about 260 nm. Therefore, what is necessary is just to set the light emission wavelength of the said ultraviolet-ray which the ultraviolet LED 4 irradiates to 260 nm.

  However, in the ultraviolet LED 4 using a nitride semiconductor material for the light emitting layer, the crystallinity of the light emitting layer tends to deteriorate as the Al content in the light emitting layer increases. For this reason, the ultraviolet LED 4 on the short wavelength side tends to have a lower intensity of the ultraviolet light emitted from the ultraviolet LED 4 than the ultraviolet LED 4 that emits light on the longer wavelength side.

  In order to increase the intensity of the ultraviolet rays emitted from the ultraviolet irradiation unit 5 and enhance the disinfection action, a plurality of ultraviolet LEDs 4 having a light emission wavelength near 260 nm may be connected in series, or connected in parallel or in series and parallel. The output may be improved. In addition, since the ultraviolet LED 4 is relatively easy to drive, the output can be increased as an instantaneous value compared to the case of static lighting by dynamic lighting. The ultraviolet LED 4 can also reduce power consumption by pulse driving.

  As such an ultraviolet LED 4, a metal can package or a ceramic package in which the light emitting element is mounted may be used, or the bare chip light emitting element may be used.

  The spectrum of the main emission wavelength of the ultraviolet light emitted from the ultraviolet LED 4 is generally wider than the spectral line of mercury emitted from a low-pressure mercury lamp or the like. Therefore, the ultraviolet rays irradiated by the ultraviolet LED 4 can increase the amount of ultraviolet rays absorbed by the bacteria. Further, even if the emission wavelength emitted from the ultraviolet LED 4 is in a relatively long wavelength range of, for example, about 355 nm to 375 nm in the near ultraviolet range, and the emission spectrum has a low disinfection action against bacteria, In some cases, the disinfection effect can be enhanced by condensing the light with a convex lens or the like.

Furthermore, it is also possible to sterilize bacteria in contact with the photocatalyst by the oxidizing action of the photocatalyst by using the near-ultraviolet ray irradiated from the ultraviolet LED4 to activate the photocatalyst of the powder made of TiO ₂ material or ZnO material. It is. In addition, by using an ultraviolet LED 4 that uses InAlGaN or the like capable of emitting light in the deep ultraviolet region for the light emitting layer, the disinfection effect is enhanced not by sterilization by oxidation using the photocatalyst but by bacterial photochemical reaction even if the output is weak. You can also. In particular, by setting the emission wavelength of the ultraviolet light emitted from the ultraviolet LED 4 between 250 nm and 280 nm, bacteria and the like can be efficiently disinfected directly without providing the photocatalyst on the inner wall surface of the drainage part 1. it can. Thereby, the drainage device 10 can also disinfect bacteria scattered in the internal space of the drainage unit 1 by irradiation of the ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet LED 4. Further, the drainage device 10 can disinfect bacteria with a simpler configuration without using the photocatalyst in the drainage section 1.

  Next, the shielding body 6 in the sanitary appliance drainage device 10 of the present embodiment is configured such that the ultraviolet rays irradiated from the ultraviolet LED 4 of the ultraviolet irradiation unit 5 to the inside of the drainage unit 1 of the drainage device 10 are drainage ports 2 of the drainage unit 1. It is possible to suppress leakage from the outside to the outside. In the shield 6 of this embodiment, it is formed in a rectangular plate shape, and is held by a recess 10b having a stepped cross section formed in the peripheral portion of the drain port 2 of the drain portion 1.

  Such a shield 6 can be formed in various shapes depending on the shape, size, number, and the like of the drain port 2 of the drain portion 1. Therefore, for example, the shield 6 may be used as an eye plate or a grating provided in a drainage groove such as a bathroom washroom for the purpose of surface drainage, or a bowl-shaped lid in a bell trap.

The shield 6 can be formed of a material that reflects or absorbs the ultraviolet light irradiated by the ultraviolet LED 4. As the material of the shield 6, galvanized iron, stainless steel, aluminum or FRP (Fiber Reinforced Plastics) material can be used. The shield 6 may be effectively used by forming irregularities on one surface side facing the inside of the drainage part 1 and reflecting and scattering the ultraviolet rays irradiated by the ultraviolet LED 4 inside the drainage part 1. Furthermore, the one surface side of the shield 6 may be formed with TiO ₂ or ZnO fine particles functioning as the photocatalyst in a film shape.

  The shield 6 may be used in a state where it is always installed at the drain 2 of the drainage unit 1, for example, the shield 6 completely closes the drainage 2 of the drainage 1 with the shield 6 and only when the ultraviolet rays are irradiated. It may be used for

  The photodetector 7 used in the sanitary appliance drainage device 10 of the present embodiment is capable of detecting the intensity of the ultraviolet rays irradiated from the ultraviolet LED 4 of the ultraviolet irradiation unit 5 into the drainage unit 1. Therefore, it can be formed by a light receiving element such as a photodiode or a phototransistor using Si, GaAsP, ZnO, a nitride semiconductor material, or the like. Such a light detector 7 may be a metal can package or ceramic package in which the light receiving element is mounted, or may be a bare chip light receiving element. The photodetector 7 in the present embodiment is arranged in substantially the same plane as the ultraviolet LED 4 in the ultraviolet irradiation unit 5 provided on the inner wall of the drainage unit 1. The photodetector 7 can detect the ultraviolet rays that the ultraviolet LED 4 irradiates inside the drainage unit 1 and is reflected by the inner wall surface of the drainage unit 1 facing the ultraviolet LED 4.

  In addition, the photodetector 7 should just detect the intensity | strength of the said ultraviolet-ray irradiated in the inside of the waste_water | drain part 1 from ultraviolet LED4 of the ultraviolet irradiation part 5. FIG. Therefore, the photodetector 7 may be disposed in the ultraviolet irradiation unit 5 or may be provided separately from the ultraviolet irradiation unit 5. The photodetector 7 can also increase the sensor sensitivity by arranging the ultraviolet LED 4 and the photodetector 7 to face each other. Further, the sensor sensitivity may be improved by using a plurality of photodetectors 7. Similarly to the ultraviolet LED 4, the photodetector 7 is not necessarily provided on the inner wall surface of the drainage unit 1, and may be provided on the shield 6 that covers the drainage port 2 of the drainage unit 1. It may be provided on the inner bottom side. Further, the photodetector 7 itself is not necessarily provided inside the drainage unit 1. In this case, the photodetector 7 is provided separately from the drainage unit 1 and an optical fiber is disposed so that the ultraviolet rays inside the drainage unit 1 can be detected, and detection is performed outside the drainage unit 1 via the optical fiber. You may go.

  The drainage device 10 for sanitary appliances of the present embodiment includes a control circuit unit 8 that drives and controls lighting of the ultraviolet rays that the ultraviolet LED 4 of the ultraviolet irradiation unit 5 irradiates inside the drainage unit 1. The control circuit unit 8 is electrically connected to a power source unit 9 such as a commercial power source or a battery, and is connected so that current from the power source unit 9 can be supplied to the ultraviolet LED 4 of the ultraviolet irradiation unit 5 via the control circuit unit 8. Yes. The control circuit unit 8 has a built-in lighting circuit unit for lighting the ultraviolet LED 4 and is configured to be able to feedback-control the lighting drive of the ultraviolet LED 4 based on the detection value detected by the photodetector 7. The ultraviolet LED 4 is feedback-controlled by the control circuit unit 8 by increasing / decreasing the amount of current during constant voltage driving, increasing / decreasing the lighting time and increasing / decreasing the lighting interval during pulse lighting driving, and the like.

  Further, the control circuit unit 8 may be provided with a synchronization circuit so that the photodetector 7 can detect the intensity of the ultraviolet light in synchronization with the lighting drive of the ultraviolet LED 4. The control circuit unit 8 may include a comparison circuit and a timer circuit for controlling the lighting drive of the ultraviolet LED 4 based on the detection value of the photodetector 7. Further, the control circuit unit 8 can incorporate a storage unit and store a predetermined value set in advance for comparison with a detection value detected by the photodetector 7. Such a control circuit unit 8 may be appropriately configured using a microcomputer or the like.

  Here, the photodetector 7 need not always detect the intensity of the ultraviolet light from the ultraviolet LED 4 of the drainage device 10. Therefore, the photodetector 7 is provided with, for example, a timer circuit or a synchronization circuit in the control circuit unit 8 of the drainage device 10 so that the ultraviolet LED 4 detects the ultraviolet rays inside the drainage unit 1 at regular intervals. Good. In addition, when the ultraviolet LED 4 irradiates the ultraviolet ray for a predetermined time, the photodetector 7 may individually detect the ultraviolet ray immediately after the start of the ultraviolet ray irradiation, after the irradiation for a predetermined time, and immediately before the end of the ultraviolet ray irradiation. Is possible.

  Next, the notification unit in the sanitary appliance drainage device 10 of the present embodiment is used to prompt the replacement of the ultraviolet LED 4 when the intensity of the ultraviolet ray detected by the photodetector 7 is not more than a predetermined value. To notify the person. The notification unit may at least notify the user of information related to the ultraviolet rays emitted from the ultraviolet LED 4 of the ultraviolet irradiation unit 5. Examples of the information notified by the notification unit include information on proper lighting driving of the ultraviolet LED 4 such as lighting of the ultraviolet LED 4, deterioration of the ultraviolet LED 4, failure of the ultraviolet LED 4, and replacement of the ultraviolet LED 4. Examples of the notification unit include voice notification, buzzer, visible light LED, organic EL (Organic Electro Luminescence), inorganic EL (Inorganic Electro Luminescence), and a liquid crystal device. When the display part 12 which performs the display which a user can visually recognize among the said notification parts is used, visible light LED, organic EL, inorganic EL, a liquid crystal device etc. are mentioned. The display unit 12 may be provided as appropriate in a place where the user can easily visually recognize, such as the other surface side of the shield 6. When a visible light emitter is used as the display unit 12, a visible light LED, an organic EL, an inorganic EL, or a liquid crystal device with a backlight may be used. In such a display unit 12, according to information notified to the user, the above-described ultraviolet LED 4 is appropriately turned on, the battery remaining amount display when the battery is used for the power source unit 9 described later, and the ultraviolet irradiation unit 5. , Dirt on the light receiving surface of the light detector 7, an error mode display, and the like can also be displayed.

  Next, sterilization of bacteria in the drainage device 10 for sanitary instruments of the present embodiment will be described.

  In the drainage device 10 of the present embodiment, the control circuit unit 8 is supplied with current from the power supply unit 9 to drive the ultraviolet LED 4 of the ultraviolet irradiation unit 5 to light. The ultraviolet light emitted from the ultraviolet LED 4 passes through the ultraviolet light transmissive protective plate 11 and is irradiated inside the drainage unit 1. The ultraviolet ray irradiated to the inside of the drainage unit 1 disinfects bacteria and the like inside the drainage unit 1 and a part of the ultraviolet ray is reflected by the inner wall surface of the drainage unit 1 facing the ultraviolet irradiation unit 5. Re-enter the side. The photodetector 7 provided inside the ultraviolet irradiation unit 5 can detect the ultraviolet rays reflected by the inner wall surface of the drainage unit 1.

  The control circuit unit 8 monitors the detection value detected by the photodetector 7 while the ultraviolet LED 4 of the ultraviolet irradiation unit 5 irradiates the ultraviolet light inside the drainage unit 1. Therefore, the control circuit unit 8 of the drainage device 10 determines that the detection value detected by the photodetector 7 is previously detected when the detection value detected by the photodetector 7 is smaller than the preset value of the intensity of ultraviolet rays. The drive voltage or drive current of the ultraviolet LED 4 in the ultraviolet irradiation unit 5 is increased until the set value is reached.

  That is, based on the detection value detected by the photodetector 7, the control circuit unit 8 feedback-controls the ultraviolet LED 4 so that the light output of the ultraviolet light emitted from the ultraviolet LED 4 of the ultraviolet irradiation unit 5 is constant. The disinfection effect is controlled for a long time.

  Further, the control circuit unit 8 controls the ultraviolet LED 4 so that the ultraviolet ray irradiated from the ultraviolet LED 4 of the ultraviolet irradiation unit 5 becomes a predetermined ultraviolet irradiation amount necessary for disinfection based on the detection value detected by the photodetector 7. It is also possible to control the driving time so that a constant disinfection effect can be obtained for a long time by feedback control.

Bacterial viability is exponentially proportional to effective UV illumination and irradiation time. In addition, it is known that in order to disinfect Escherichia coli, for example, ultraviolet rays having a wavelength of 253.7 nm may be irradiated with 6.6 mW · s / cm ² . Therefore, although the amount of ultraviolet irradiation necessary for disinfection of bacteria varies depending on the type of bacteria and the state of the drainage part 1, the ultraviolet light having an emission wavelength of about 254 nm is irradiated from the ultraviolet LED 4 in the above-described degree. Just do it.

  Therefore, when the control circuit unit 8 of the drainage device 10 detects that the intensity of the ultraviolet ray irradiated from the ultraviolet LED 4 to the inside of the drainage unit 1 is reduced, the preset value of the light output is set. Compare. Subsequently, the control circuit unit 8 adjusts the driving time of the ultraviolet LED 4 by a ratio corresponding to the reduced ultraviolet irradiation amount, and controls the driving of the ultraviolet LED 4 so as to lengthen the irradiation time of the ultraviolet light. The disinfecting effect can be maintained.

Further, the control circuit unit 8 of the drainage device 10 compares the detection value detected by the photodetector 7 with a predetermined value set in advance. If the detected value of the photodetector 7 is below the preset predetermined value, the control circuit unit 8, the lifetime of the ultraviolet LED 4, dirt failure of the power supply unit 9 or ultraviolet transparently resistance coercive Mamoruban 11, It is also possible to control the lighting of a visible light emitter (for example, a visible light LED capable of emitting red light) of the display unit 12 serving as a notification unit to notify the user.

  For example, when the ultraviolet LED 4 of the ultraviolet irradiation unit 5 is appropriately lit and driven, the display unit 12 is always lit in red, and when the detection value of the photodetector 7 is less than or equal to the predetermined value set in advance, Change to flashing red. Alternatively, a visible light LED capable of emitting green light and red light is used as the visible light emitter of the display unit 12, for example, the ultraviolet LED 4 of the ultraviolet irradiation unit 5 is always lit in green during proper lighting driving, When the detection value of the photodetector 7 becomes equal to or less than the predetermined value set in advance, it may be changed to red.

  The control circuit unit 8 may be used when the display unit 12 controls the display to prompt the user to replace the ultraviolet LED 4, or may be used when the ultraviolet LED 4 is feedback-controlled, or performs feedback control of the ultraviolet LED 4. It may be used when not.

When the control circuit unit 8 feedback-controls the ultraviolet LED 4 based on the detection value of the photodetector 7, the ultraviolet LED 4 is controlled so that the light output from the ultraviolet LED 4 is constant under the control of the control circuit unit 8. Is done. However, when the deterioration of the ultraviolet LED 4 progresses, the amount of current flowing through the ultraviolet LED 4 is too large. In this case, the drainage device 10 sets an upper limit on the amount of current flowing through the ultraviolet LED 4 in the control circuit unit 8 in advance, so that the intensity of the ultraviolet ray irradiated from the ultraviolet LED 4 even when the control circuit unit 8 performs feedback control. May occur only below a predetermined value. Therefore, the display unit 12 can display that the intensity of the ultraviolet rays irradiated from the ultraviolet irradiation unit 5 is equal to or less than a predetermined value based on the detection value detected by the photodetector 7. The drainage device 10 can notify the user of replacement of the ultraviolet LED 4 while the control circuit unit 8 performs feedback control of the ultraviolet LED 4.

  Thereby, the drainage device 10 can feedback-control the ultraviolet LED 4 of the ultraviolet irradiation unit 5 to maintain a predetermined disinfection action, thereby making the sanitary environment of the drainage device 10 more preferable.

  In addition, what is necessary is just to set suitably the said predetermined value which the said memory | storage part of the control circuit part 8 memorize | stores according to the structure of the waste_water | drain part 1, arrangement | positioning of ultraviolet LED4, bacteria to be disinfected.

(Embodiment 2)
The basic configuration of the sanitary appliance drainage device 10 of the present embodiment is substantially the same as that of the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the ultraviolet irradiation unit 5 and the photodetector 7 each having the ultraviolet LED 4 on the shield 6. The difference is that it has both functions. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the component similar to Embodiment 1, and description is abbreviate | omitted suitably. Moreover, in FIG. 2, the site | part corresponded to the drainage part 1 connected with the drain pipe 3 of the drainage device 10 in FIG. 1 is not illustrated.

  In this embodiment, the ultraviolet ray LED 4 that irradiates the ultraviolet ray that disinfects the inside of the drainage part 1 is used as one surface side as the drainage lid body 20 that covers the drainage port 2 into which drainage flows in the drainage device 10 for sanitary ware. And a shield 6 capable of shielding the ultraviolet rays. On the other surface side of the shield 6, a display unit 12 (for example, a visible light LED capable of emitting white light or a liquid crystal display device) and a battery 13 are displayed to prompt the user to replace the ultraviolet LED 4. The battery box 14 for storage is formed in a waterproof package shape so that it can be placed inside. The other surface side of the shield 6 is provided with a battery housing lid 16 that can be waterproofed so that the battery 13 housed in the package shape can be replaced.

Here, the drain opening lid 20 is composed of a shield 6 having a substantially circular shape in plan view, for example, so as to be able to cover the drain outlet 2 in the sink of the kitchen. The ultraviolet irradiation unit 5 provided on the one surface side of the shield 6 mounts the ultraviolet LEDs 4 formed of a plurality of can-type packages on the ultraviolet LED mounting substrate 15 in a substantially concentric shape in a plan view. . Similarly, on the same plane side as the ultraviolet irradiation unit 5 of the shield 6, a light detector 7 formed of a can type package for detecting the ultraviolet rays irradiated from the ultraviolet irradiation unit 5 to the inside of the drainage unit 1 is irradiated with light. It is provided by being mounted on the detector mounting board 17. The shield 6 is formed in a package shape that is covered with a shield cover 19 and sealed in a waterproof manner so that the ultraviolet LED mounting substrate 15 and the photodetector mounting substrate 17 can be accommodated on the one surface side of the shield 6. ing. A plurality of holes 19 a are formed in the shield cover 19. A plurality of ultraviolet LEDs 4 and photodetectors 7 are inserted and fixed in the holes 19a of the shield cover 19 so as to be waterproof. Therefore, when the drain cover 20 is put on the drain 2 of the drain 1, the drain cover 20 irradiates the ultraviolet light from the ultraviolet LED 4 to the inner bottom surface of the drain 1, and the ultraviolet is discharged. The reflected light reflected from the inner bottom surface side of the water portion 1 can be received by the photodetector 7.

Inside the package shape provided on the one surface side and the other surface side of the shield 6, the display unit 12, the ultraviolet LED mounting substrate 15, and the photodetector mounting substrate 17 are respectively connected to wirings 18, 18, 18 is electrically connected to the control circuit unit 8 via The control circuit unit 8, a battery 13 as a power supply unit 9 receives the supply of electric power from the battery box 14 which is accommodated, is controllably electrically connected to the lighting drive of the display unit 12 and the ultraviolet LED4 .

  Thereby, the user can judge whether the disinfection of sterilization is performed appropriately by the display of the display unit 12 of the drain cover 20. Further, according to the display on the display unit 12, the user can replace the ultraviolet LED 4, the battery 13, and the drain cover 20 itself at an appropriate time.

  Note that the control circuit unit 8 of the drain cover 20 in the present embodiment is moved from the ultraviolet irradiation unit 5 to the drainage unit 1 based on the detection value detected by the photodetector 7 as in the first embodiment. The ultraviolet LED 4 can be feedback controlled so that the light output to be irradiated is constant. Further, the control circuit unit 8 of the drain cover 20 is based on the detection value detected by the photodetector 7, and the ultraviolet rays irradiated from the ultraviolet irradiation unit 5 to the inside of the drainage unit 1 are required for disinfection. The driving time of the ultraviolet LED 4 can also be feedback-controlled so that the ultraviolet irradiation amount becomes the same. Furthermore, the control circuit unit 8 of the drain cover 20 is based on the detection value detected by the photodetector 7 when the intensity of the ultraviolet ray irradiated from the ultraviolet irradiation unit 5 is a predetermined value or less. It displays on the display part 12 which is a notification part so that replacement | exchange of the said ultraviolet LED4 is encouraged.

  In addition, the drainage device 10 for a sanitary instrument using the drain opening lid 20 in the present embodiment is not only used by the drain closing lid 20 alone, but may be combined with the drainage device 10 of the first embodiment. it can. That is, instead of the shield 6 of the drainage device 10 according to the first embodiment, the drain outlet lid 20 according to the present embodiment may be provided.

1 Drainage part 2 Drainage port 3 Drainage pipe 4 UV LED
5 UV irradiation unit 6 Shield 7 Photo detector 10 Drainage device

Claims (3)

For sanitary ware having a drainage port having a drainage port through which drainage flows and connected to a drainage pipe for discharging the drainage, and an ultraviolet irradiation unit having an ultraviolet LED for irradiating ultraviolet rays for disinfecting the inside of the drainage unit The drainage device of
A light detector for detecting the intensity of the ultraviolet light irradiated from the ultraviolet light irradiation part to the inside of the drainage part, and based on a detection value detected by the light detector, the ultraviolet light irradiation part to the inside of the drainage part. A control circuit unit that feedback-controls the ultraviolet LED so that the light output irradiated to the light source is constant, and the control circuit unit performs feedback control by increasing or decreasing the amount of current during constant voltage driving, An upper limit is set in advance for the amount of current flowing through the ultraviolet LED ,
A drainage device for a sanitary instrument , comprising: a notification unit for notifying a user to prompt replacement of the ultraviolet LED when the intensity of the ultraviolet ray detected by the photodetector is not more than a predetermined value . The sanitary appliance drainage device according to claim 1, wherein the notification unit is a display unit . The sanitary appliance drainage device according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the drainage port is covered with a shielding body that shields the ultraviolet rays .

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