JP7649136B2 - Irradiation device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an illumination device for handrails on passenger conveyors.

An increasing number of passengers are not holding onto the handrails when riding on people conveyors such as escalators or moving walkways, fearing infection with viruses. However, when getting on or off an escalator, colliding with a walking passenger, or during an emergency stop, passengers who are not holding onto the handrails may fall and be injured.

Special Publication No. 2007-520402 International Publication No. 2016-148389 JP 2006-193319 A

It is necessary to sterilize handrails so that people can hold them with confidence on escalators, etc. Although devices for sterilizing handrails have been reported, none of them are satisfactory (Patent Documents 1 to 3).
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT EMBODIMENT It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a sterilizing device which allows a person to grip a handrail of an escalator or the like with confidence.

The present inventors have conducted extensive research into a sterilizing device that allows passengers to grip the handrails of escalators and the like with confidence, and have surprisingly discovered that by providing a window in the sterilizing device so that passengers can visually confirm that the handrails are being sterilized, they can grip the handrails of escalators and the like with confidence.
The present invention is based on these findings.
Thus, the present invention provides
[1] An irradiation device for irradiating ultraviolet rays onto a handrail of a passenger conveyor, the device comprising an ultraviolet ray irradiation means for irradiating ultraviolet rays and a window through which light passes, the window reducing the amount of ultraviolet rays emitted from the ultraviolet ray irradiation means that travels through the window toward the outside of the device;
[2] The irradiation device according to [1], wherein the window transmits light from the ultraviolet irradiation means.
[3] The irradiation device according to [1] or [2], wherein the window has an area of 5 ^cm2 or more.
[4] The irradiation device according to any one of [1] to [3], wherein the device is installed in a folded portion of the handrail, and all or a part of the window is provided in a range between a maximum curvature region including a maximum curvature position of the folded portion of the handrail and a maximum height;
[5] The irradiation device according to any one of [1] to [4], wherein the window has a long axis in a vertical direction.
[6] The irradiation device according to any one of [1] to [5], wherein the window is inclined relative to the vertical direction so as to follow the folded-back portion of the handrail;
[7] The irradiation device according to any one of [1] to [6], wherein the lateral length of the window is longer than the width of the handrail;
[8] The irradiation device according to any one of [1] to [7], further comprising a reflective member that reflects ultraviolet light, a non-reflective area in which the reflective member is not provided is formed in a part of the periphery of the handrail, and the window is formed so as to correspond to at least a part of the non-reflective area;
[9] The irradiation device according to [8], in which the ultraviolet irradiation means is disposed on an opposing area between the window and the non-reflective area, and the handrail is located on the rear side of the ultraviolet irradiation means as viewed from the window; and [10] The irradiation device according to any one of [1] to [9], in which the ultraviolet irradiation means emits ultraviolet light in the UV-C wavelength range.
Regarding.

The sterilization device of the present invention allows passengers to hold the handrails of escalators and the like with peace of mind. In addition, the sterilization device of the present invention allows passengers to visually recognize that the handrails have been sterilized. Furthermore, the sterilization device is compact and can be installed at the entrance to an escalator or the like, yet can achieve a sufficient sterilization effect.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing one embodiment of a handrail of a passenger conveyor of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a folded portion of a handrail. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the maximum curvature position, maximum curvature area, and maximum height of the turn-back portion of the handrail. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a turn-back portion having a different maximum curvature position depending on the type of passenger conveyor. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the positions of a "window," a "reflective member," a "non-reflective area," an "ultraviolet light irradiation means," and a "handrail" in one embodiment of the present invention.

The irradiation device 3 of the present invention, which irradiates ultraviolet rays onto the handrail 1 of the passenger conveyor, comprises an ultraviolet ray irradiation means 4 for irradiating ultraviolet rays and a window 2 through which light passes, and the window reduces the amount of ultraviolet rays emitted from the ultraviolet ray irradiation means that travels through the window toward the outside of the device.

The people conveyor may be, but is not limited to, an escalator or a moving walkway.

"Light-transmitting window"
The irradiation device of the present invention has a window through which light can pass. By having a window through which light can pass, passengers on the passenger conveyor can visually sense that the handrail is being irradiated with ultraviolet light. Therefore, they can be assured that the handrail has been sterilized and can hold the handrail with peace of mind.

The window can reduce ultraviolet rays to the outside of the device. The amount of ultraviolet rays reduced is not limited to, but is, for example, 20% or more, preferably 40% or more, more preferably 60% or more, even more preferably 80% or more, and even more preferably 90% or more, and is most preferably reduced to below the detection limit. By reducing ultraviolet rays, passengers can be protected from ultraviolet rays.
Examples of window materials that reduce ultraviolet rays include UV-cut glass or UV-cut resin, glass or resin, or UV-cut film attached to resin or glass. The UV-cut glass, UV-cut resin, and UV-cut film are not limited, but include those coated with a UV-cut agent or those containing a UV-cut agent. Examples of UV-cut agents include ultraviolet absorbers such as benzotriazole-based compounds, benzophenone-based compounds, salicylic acid (SA)-based compounds, and cyanoacetic acid (CA)-based compounds, and ultraviolet scattering agents such as titanium oxide and zinc oxide.

The light visually sensed from the light-transmitting window is not limited to light containing ultraviolet light, but may be light emitted from an appealing light source that does not contain ultraviolet light (e.g., a blue LED or indicator light). A passenger senses the ultraviolet light that is sterilizing the handrail and recognizes that the handrail has been sterilized, but may also grasp the handrail when they recognize the appealing light.

The window transmits light from the ultraviolet irradiation means, including direct light or indirect light from the ultraviolet irradiation means. Although not limited thereto, the ultraviolet irradiation means, which is a light source, does not have to be visible from the window.

The area of the light-transmitting window is not particularly limited as long as passengers can sense the light, but is 5 ^cm2 or more. The lower limit of the window area is preferably 8 ^cm2 or more, more preferably 16 ^cm2 or more, even more preferably 32 ^cm2 or more, even more preferably 48 ^cm2 or more, even more preferably 64 ^cm2 or more, and most preferably 80 ^cm2 or more. The upper limit of the window area is not limited, but is 1860 ^cm2 or less, preferably 1500 ^{cm2 or less, more preferably 1000 cm2 or} less, more preferably 600 ^cm2 or less, and even more preferably 400 ^cm2 or less. By being in the above range, passengers can efficiently sense the light and recognize that the handrail has been sterilized. In addition, when two or more windows are installed, the total area of the windows may be in the above range.

In one embodiment, the surface of the handrail can be seen through the window. In another embodiment, the ultraviolet ray irradiation means can be seen through the window. In another embodiment, the ultraviolet ray radiating portion of the ultraviolet ray irradiation means and the handrail can be seen simultaneously through the window. In yet another embodiment, the ultraviolet ray radiating portion of the ultraviolet ray irradiation means and the moving handrail can be seen simultaneously through the window.

The irradiation device of the present invention is installed at the turn-back part of the handrail. In this specification, as shown in Figure 2, the turn-back part 7 of the handrail means the approximately semicircular part from the part where the handrail at the bottom of the passenger conveyor comes out to the outside to the handrail horizontal movement part at the top of the passenger conveyor.
The handrail moves at the same speed as the stairs of an escalator or the walking part of a moving walkway. Therefore, by grabbing the handrail, accidents such as falls on the stairs or the walking part can be prevented. The handrail is a single continuous structure, and the exposed upper surface part moves at the same speed as the stairs of an escalator or the walking part of a moving walkway, and the hidden lower surface part rotates in the opposite direction to the movement of the exposed stairs part. The upper surface part and the lower surface part change direction at the turn-back part 7.
The part where the handrail comes out is called the "handrail exit part". The height 8 of the handrail exit part is, but is not limited to, 100 mm to 200 mm. The height 5 of the handrail horizontal movement part is, but is not limited to, 900 mm to 1000 mm, for example, 920 mm or 950 mm.

The window is provided in whole or in part in a range between a maximum curvature region 11 including a maximum curvature position 14 of the turn-back portion of the handrail and a maximum height 9, i.e., in a window forming range 10. The maximum curvature position 14 is the position where the turn-back portion is most curved, as shown in Figure 3. The maximum curvature region 11 is a region including 5 cm below to 5 cm above the maximum curvature position 14.
4A, 4B, and 4C, the turning part bends differently depending on the type of passenger conveyor, and therefore the maximum curvature position 14 is different. However, by providing a window in the range 15 between the maximum curvature region 11 and the maximum height 9, it is possible to install a window in the upper part of the irradiation device (housing) corresponding to the upper part of the turning part.
In this specification, the "maximum height" of the handrail is substantially the same as the handrail horizontal movement section height 5 (Figure 2), which is, but is not limited to, 900mm to 1000mm, for example 920mm or 950mm.

The upper end of the housing of the irradiation device is preferably, but not limited to, the maximum height of the handrail (the height of the horizontal moving part of the handrail). However, as long as the effect of the present invention can be obtained, the upper end of the housing of the irradiation device may be higher or lower than the maximum height of the handrail. For example, it may be higher by 100 mm or lower than the maximum height of the handrail by 200 mm.
The lower end of the housing of the irradiation device is not particularly limited, but is not limited as long as the window is provided in the range between the maximum curvature area including the maximum curvature position of the folded back part of the handrail and the maximum height. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 1, it may be at the same height as the installation surface of the passenger conveyor. It may also be away from the installation surface of the passenger conveyor, in which case it is preferable to install the irradiation device by connecting it to the passenger conveyor. In this case, the height of the lower end of the housing is not limited, but is, for example, 500 mm or less, preferably 400 mm or less, more preferably 300 mm or less, and even more preferably 200 mm or less.

(Window shape)
The shape of the window is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include a rectangle, a square, a circle, an ellipse, a diamond, and an oval. The number of windows is also not limited, and a plurality of windows may be provided. For example, two or more windows of the above shapes may be provided in the vertical or horizontal direction.
In one embodiment of the present invention, the window has a long axis in the vertical direction. For example, in the case of a rectangular window, the window is installed so that the long side of the rectangle is in the vertical direction. In the case of an elliptical or oval window, the window is installed so that the long axis is in the vertical direction. Furthermore, in the case of two or more circular or square windows installed in the vertical direction, the total vertical length of the circular or square windows may be regarded as the long axis.
The length of the long axis is not particularly limited, but is, for example, 10 mm or more, preferably 50 mm or more, more preferably 80 mm or more, and even more preferably 100 mm or more. The upper limit of the length of the long axis is not particularly limited, but is 930 mm or less, preferably 800 mm or less, more preferably 600 mm or less, and even more preferably 400 mm or less.

The window is preferably, but not limited to, inclined relative to the vertical direction so as to follow the folded portion of the handrail. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, the window 2 may be installed at an angle close to parallel to the handrail at the top of the folded portion 7 of the handrail 1. By installing the window 2 in this manner, passengers on the passenger conveyor can easily visually detect light through the light-transmitting window.

The horizontal length of the window is not limited, but is preferably longer than the width of the handrail. The width of the handrail is, for example, 80 mm. Therefore, the horizontal length of the window is preferably 80 mm or more, preferably 90 mm or more, and more preferably 100 mm or more. The upper limit of the horizontal length of the window is not particularly limited, but is 200 mm or less.
In addition, when two or more circular or square windows are installed horizontally, the total horizontal length of the circular or square windows may be regarded as the horizontal length of the window.

<<Ultraviolet Ray Irradiation Means>>
The ultraviolet ray irradiation means 4 is a means for irradiating the handrail 1 with ultraviolet rays to kill pathogens such as bacteria or viruses (FIG. 1). Specifically, it includes a discharge lamp such as an ultraviolet lamp.
The discharge lamp is not particularly limited as long as it can emit ultraviolet light, but examples thereof include an excimer lamp filled with a rare gas or a mixed gas of a rare gas and a halogen gas, a mercury lamp filled with mercury, and a fluorescent UV lamp formed with a phosphor film.
Examples of rare gases filled in the excimer lamp include Xe (172 nm), Kr (146 nm), and Ar (126 nm). Examples of mixed gases of rare gas and halogen gas filled in the excimer lamp include XeCl (308 nm) and KrCl (222 nm).
Mercury filled lamps include, but are not limited to, low pressure mercury lamps (185 nm and 245 nm).
A fluorescent UV lamp having a phosphor film formed thereon can emit ultraviolet light of different wavelengths depending on the type of phosphor.
The ultraviolet ray irradiation means may be an LED element. The LED element is a light emitting diode element, which is a semiconductor element that emits light when a voltage is applied. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, an LED irradiation unit 6 may be installed along the folded portion 7 of the handrail.

The ultraviolet light emitted from the ultraviolet light irradiation means is not limited to any particular wavelength, but preferably emits ultraviolet light in the UV-C wavelength range. UV-C is ultraviolet light with a wavelength of less than 280 nm and has a strong bactericidal effect. The lower limit of the wavelength of UV-C is approximately 100 nm.

<Reflective material>
The irradiation device of the present invention preferably further comprises a reflecting member for reflecting ultraviolet rays. When the reflecting member is provided, the surface between the outer peripheries of both side surfaces including the outer periphery of the handrail is directly irradiated with ultraviolet rays emitted from the ultraviolet irradiation means. On the other hand, the surface between the inner periphery of the side surfaces of the handrail is irradiated with ultraviolet rays emitted from the ultraviolet irradiation means by being reflected by the reflecting member. The reflecting member for reflecting ultraviolet rays can be installed, for example, inside the housing of the irradiation device. As the reflecting member, a metal coating with high reflectivity, stainless steel, a mirror, or the like can be used.

One mode of installation of the reflective member is, but is not limited to, to form a non-reflective area where the reflective member is not provided around a part of the periphery of the handrail, and the window is formed to correspond to at least a part of the non-reflective area. As shown in FIG. 5, for example, a reflective member 13 is provided inside the housing 3, and a non-reflective area 12 where a reflective member is not provided can be formed in a part corresponding to the window 2 that transmits light. The non-reflective area 12 may be formed to completely match the window 2, or to overlap with it partially. In other words, by forming the window 2 to correspond to at least a part of the non-reflective area 12, passengers on the passenger conveyor can visually sense that ultraviolet rays are being irradiated from the ultraviolet irradiation means 4 onto the handrail 1.

In the case of having the window and a non-reflective area at least partially corresponding thereto, although this is not limited thereto, preferably, the ultraviolet irradiation means is arranged on the opposing area of the window and the non-reflective area, and the handrail is located on the rear side of the ultraviolet irradiation means as viewed from the window. In other words, the "window and the non-reflective area", "ultraviolet irradiation means", and "handrail" are arranged in this order from the window side of the irradiation device to the inside of the device. By arranging them in this order, the handrail is efficiently sterilized, and passengers on the passenger conveyor can visually sense that ultraviolet rays are being irradiated onto the handrail.

The irradiation device of the present invention thoroughly sterilizes the handrails of passenger conveyors such as escalators or moving walkways, and passengers can easily sense that they have been sterilized. This means that passengers do not hesitate to grip the handrails, and accidents such as falls can be prevented.

1...Handrail;
2...window;
3... Irradiation device (housing);
4... UV irradiation means;
5... Height of the handrail horizontal moving part;
6... LED irradiation unit;
7...Handrail turn-back part;
8: Height of handrail exit part;
9...Maximum height;
10...Window forming range;
11... Maximum curvature area;
12...Non-reflective area (hole);
13...Reflective member (mirror);
14... Maximum curvature position;
15... Range between maximum curvature area and maximum height;

Claims (10)

An irradiation device for irradiating ultraviolet light onto a handrail of a passenger conveyor,
The irradiation device includes an ultraviolet irradiation means for irradiating ultraviolet light and a window through which light passes,
the window reduces ultraviolet light emitted from the ultraviolet light irradiation means and directed toward the outside of the device through the window ;
An illumination device, characterized in that the surface of the handrail can be seen through the window . An irradiation device for irradiating ultraviolet light onto a handrail of a passenger conveyor,
The irradiation device includes an ultraviolet irradiation means for irradiating ultraviolet light and a window through which light passes,
the window reduces ultraviolet light emitted from the ultraviolet light irradiation means and directed toward the outside of the device through the window, the window transmits light from the ultraviolet light irradiation means, and the ultraviolet light irradiation means can be seen through the window . 3. The irradiation device according to claim 1, wherein the window has an area of 5 ^cm2 or more. The irradiation device is installed at a folded portion of the handrail,
The illumination device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein all or part of the window is provided in a range between a maximum curvature region including a position where the handrail is most curved and a maximum height of the folded portion of the handrail. The irradiation device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the window has a long axis in the vertical direction. The illumination device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the window is inclined relative to the vertical direction so as to follow the folded portion of the handrail. The illumination device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the lateral length of the window is longer than the width of the handrail. The device further includes a reflecting member that reflects ultraviolet light,
A non-reflective area is formed around a portion of the periphery of the handrail, where the reflective member is not provided,
8. The irradiation device according to claim 1, wherein the window is formed to correspond to at least a part of the non-reflective area. The ultraviolet irradiation means is disposed on an opposing area between the window and the non-reflective area,
9. The irradiation device according to claim 8, wherein the handrail is located on the rear side of the ultraviolet irradiation means when viewed from the window. The irradiation device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the ultraviolet irradiation means emits ultraviolet light in the UV-C wavelength range.