JP7653720B2 - Irradiation device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an illumination device that uses an LED as a light source.

Conventionally, there are black light fluorescent lamps that emit ultraviolet rays.
In recent years, irradiation devices that use LEDs for emitting ultraviolet light have been proposed as an alternative to conventional ultraviolet lamps (for example, see Patent Document 1).
This irradiation device includes a housing having a cylindrical exterior shape composed of a translucent cover having a C-shaped cross section and a bow-shaped base member that covers the opening of the translucent cover, an LED module having a plurality of LEDs that emit ultraviolet light mounted on a mounting board and housed within the housing, a base member attached to an end of the housing, and a lighting circuit that receives power from the base member to light up the LED module.

JP 2016-167589 A

In Patent Document 1, there is a possibility that the resin translucent cover may crack.
An object of the present invention is to provide an irradiation device in which the member equivalent to the light-transmitting cover is less likely to crack.

The present invention comprises an LED module having one or more LEDs that irradiate ultraviolet light, and a translucent cover member that covers at least one of the one or more LEDs, the translucent cover member being a cylindrical resin tube that can be deformed without cracking.

The present invention reduces the possibility of the translucent cover member cracking.

1A and 1B are external perspective views of an irradiation device according to a first embodiment, in which FIG. 1A shows an assembled (completed) state and FIG. 1A and 1B are cross sections of the irradiation device, where (a) is a cross section along the longitudinal direction and (b) is a cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. FIG. 2 is a circuit configuration diagram of the first embodiment. FIG. 11 is a circuit configuration diagram of a second embodiment.

＜Overview＞
A first irradiation device according to one aspect of the present invention comprises an LED module having one or more LEDs that irradiate ultraviolet light, and a light-transmitting cover member that covers at least one of the one or more LEDs, wherein the light-transmitting cover member is a cylindrical resin tube that can be deformed without cracking.
The second irradiation device is the first irradiation device, in which the LED module is mounted on a base member, and the LED module and the base member are disposed within the resin tube.
The third irradiation device is the first irradiation device, and is mounted on a base member with the LED module housed in the resin tube.

<Embodiment>
First Embodiment
1. Overall Configuration The irradiation device 1 has an LED module 3 equipped with LED elements (hereinafter referred to as LEDs) 13 that irradiate ultraviolet light, a base member 5 for mounting the LED module 3, a light-transmitting cover member 7 that covers the LED module 3, a base member 9 for receiving power from a socket of the device body, and a rectifier circuit 11 (see FIG. 3 ) provided in a conductive path that electrically connects the base member 9 and the LED module 3.
The light-transmitting cover member 7 here transmits light emitted from the LED module 3 and is deformable without cracking.
As shown in FIG. 3, the irradiation device 1 is detachably attached to an instrument body 51 when in use.

2. Irradiation Device (1) LED Module As shown in Fig. 2, the LED module 35 includes a substrate 15 and a plurality of LEDs 13. The LED module 3 here has an elongated shape. In other words, the irradiation device 1 also has an elongated shape.
The substrate 15 has connection terminals and conductive paths (wiring patterns). The substrate 15 may be a composite material plate such as glass epoxy.
The LED 13 irradiates ultraviolet light with a wavelength of 100 nm or more and 280 nm or less (so-called ultraviolet C wave (UV-C)), ultraviolet light with a wavelength of more than 280 nm and 315 nm or less (so-called ultraviolet B wave (UV-B)), or ultraviolet light with a wavelength of more than 315 nm and 405 nm or less (so-called ultraviolet A wave (UV-A)).
Ultraviolet-C rays can be used for sterilization and as a light source for image inspection. Ultraviolet-B rays can be effective in preventing fruit diseases. Ultraviolet-A rays can be used for resin hardening, photocatalysis, image inspection, etc. These are just a few examples.
The rated power of the LED 13 is equal to or greater than 1 W and less than 5 W, and a current lower than the rated current value is supplied to the LED 13 .
The LEDs 13 are mounted at intervals (including equal intervals and unequal intervals) in the longitudinal direction. The intervals are preferably in the range of 10 mm to 120 mm. The intervals are preferably in the range of 3 times to 40 times the length of one side of the LEDs 13 when viewed in plan (the average value of the short and long sides in the case of a rectangular shape).
This increases the spacing between the LEDs 13, making it possible to suppress a rise in temperature of the LEDs 13.

(2) Base Member The base member 5 has an elongated shape. Both ends of the base member 5 are fixed to the base member 9. The base member 5 can be connected to the base member 9 by, for example, screws, rivets, adhesive, welding, an engagement structure, or the like. Here, screws (not shown) are used.
The base member 5 is made of a resin material or a metal material (e.g., aluminum, steel, iron, etc.). In the case of a metal material, an extruded product or a drawn product can be used. In order to dissipate heat from the LEDs 13, a metal material is preferable, and has a heat sink function.
The base member 5 has a flat surface, and the LED module 3 is mounted on the flat surface. The LED module 3 is fixed to the flat surface by screws, adhesive, double-sided tape, or the like.
The base member 5 has a protruding portion 19 that protrudes rearward from the rear surface of a plate-like portion 17 having a flat surface on its front surface. The protruding portion 19 extends in the longitudinal direction. There are a plurality of protruding portions 19, which are provided at intervals in the lateral direction. The protruding portions 19 are ribbed. If heat dissipation is not a consideration, the protruding portions 19 may be omitted.
2B, the outer peripheral surface of the base member 5 has a shape similar to that of the inner peripheral surface of the holding portion 27 of the nozzle member 9. This makes it possible to reduce wobbling between the base member 5 and the nozzle member 9.

(3) Light-transmitting cover member The light-transmitting cover member 7 is a resin tube made of a resin material that transmits ultraviolet light. This allows for a light-transmitting cover member to be lighter than a glass tube (quartz or borosilicate) or a resin tube such as acrylic.
A resin tube will deform without cracking when a load such as a three-point bend is applied to the central axis of the tube, when a load is applied that bends the central axis 90 degrees, or when a load is applied that crushes the tube from a direction perpendicular to the central axis (radial direction).
This makes it possible to prevent the light-transmitting cover member 7 from breaking even if an object hits the irradiation device 1 .

When the light emitted by the LED is ultraviolet light (UV-A, B, C) or visible light, fluororesin, PET resin, etc. can be used for the resin tube.
The thickness of the resin tube is preferably in the range of 0.1 mm to less than 2.0 mm, 0.1 mm to less than 1.0 mm, or 0.2 mm to 0.5 mm. This makes it possible to suppress a decrease in the light extraction efficiency when the light emitted from the LED 13 is extracted to the outside of the irradiation device 1. If the thickness is 0.2 mm or more, the LED 13 can be prevented from being damaged even if an object hits the internal LED 13 through the resin tube. Also, if the thickness is 2.0 mm or more, the LED 13 becomes heavy and the light extraction efficiency decreases.
The diameter of the resin tube is preferably in the range of 5 mm to 50 mm, and more preferably in the range of 10 mm to 40 mm. In particular, the lamps (e.g., ultraviolet fluorescent lamps) equipped with a pair of filament electrodes that the product of the present invention replaces have a diameter of 15.5 mm to 32.5 mm, making them easy to replace.

The resin used for the resin tube is preferably a material that does not break in the impact test (Izod) of the ASTM test D256A, so that the resin tube is not easily broken even if an object hits it.
The flexural modulus (ASTM test D790) is preferably 0.3 to 0.9 GPa, which can improve the workability when inserting the LED module 3 or the like into the resin tube.
The specific gravity (ASTM test D792) is preferably 2.0 to 2.3, which allows for weight reduction.

(4) Base Member The base member 9 has an attachment function for detachably attaching the irradiation device 1 to the fixture body 51, and a power receiving function for receiving power from the fixture body 51. In addition, considering that the base member 9 has an attachment function and a power receiving function, it can be said to be a connecting member (the shape is not particularly limited) that electrically and mechanically connects.
The base member 9 here is a so-called G type, and has a pair of conductive pins 23, a main body portion 25 that holds the conductive pins 23, and a holding portion 27 that holds the base member 5 by connecting to both longitudinal ends of the base member 5.
That is, the conductive pin 23 penetrates the main body 25. The holding portion 27 is tubular, here cylindrical, into which the end of the base member 5 is inserted. The screw that connects the base member 5 and the base member 9 is inserted longitudinally through the through hole 25a of the main body 25 and screwed between the pair of protruding portions 19 of the base member 5.

A light-transmitting cover member 7 is fixed to the outer periphery (or inner periphery) of the holding part 27. Specifically, the end of the resin tube is fixed to the outer periphery (or inner periphery) of the holding part 27 with adhesive, double-sided tape, etc., and when the resin tube is fixed to the outer periphery of the holding part 27, a rubber band can be used. It is preferable to provide adhesive around the entire outer periphery (or inner periphery) of the holding part 27. This improves the airtightness inside the tube and provides waterproof and dustproof functions, such as preventing the intrusion of insects, etc.

(5) Rectifier Circuit The rectifier circuit 11 connects the base members 9 and the LED module 3, as shown in Fig. 3. Here, the rectifier circuit 11 is configured with a bridge diode 29. The bridge diode 29 is connected to the conductive pins 23 of a pair of base members 9 and the connection terminal of the LED module 3. Note that the pair of conductive pins 23 of one base member 9 is connected (shorted).

3, the fixture body 51 includes a pair of mounting members 53 to which the base member 9 of the irradiation device 1 is attached, a ballast 55 connected to one connection terminal 53a of the pair of mounting members 53, and a glow lamp 57 connected to the other connection terminal 53b of the mounting members 53. The fixture body 51 here is a fixture body to which a conventional fluorescent lamp, black light, etc. can be attached, and a copper-iron type starter type is used as the ballast 55.
The mounting member 53 is a socket having connection terminals 53a, 53b in insertion grooves into which the pair of conductive pins 23 are inserted.
The ballast 55 is connected to a commercial power source.

4. Use of the Irradiation Device The irradiation device 1 is attached to the fixture body 51 by attaching the base member 9 to the mounting member (socket) 53.
When the power switch of the device body 51 is turned on, power is supplied to the base member 9 via the mounting member 53. Current also flows through the glow lamp only immediately after the switch is turned on, but this does not affect the lighting of the irradiation device 1. In the irradiation device 1 that irradiates ultraviolet rays, the length of time from when the switch is turned on to when the device lights up does not matter in actual use.
The supplied AC power is converted into DC power by the rectifier circuit 11 , and the DC power is supplied to the LED module 3 .

The irradiation device 1 does not include a smoothing circuit that smoothes the direct current rectified by the rectifier circuit 11, or a circuit with a function equivalent thereto, or an electronic element (electrical component) (hereinafter, these are referred to as "circuits, etc."). Therefore, even if the irradiation device 1 has a very simple circuit configuration, it can irradiate ultraviolet rays. Note that, since there is no smoothing circuit, flickering occurs. Although this flickering is problematic for general lighting applications, it is not a problem in practical use for devices that irradiate ultraviolet rays. For example, the irradiation device 1 irradiates ultraviolet rays onto objects within a box, and does not irradiate objects that people see, so light flickering is not a problem.

Second Embodiment
The irradiation device 1 of the first embodiment is assumed to be mounted on a fixture body 51 having a starter-type ballast 55. For this reason, the irradiation device 1 includes only a rectifier circuit 11.
The irradiation device 101 of the second embodiment is a device that can be used even when attached to a fixture body that includes an inverter stabilizer other than the starter-type stabilizer 55.
The irradiation device 101 includes a rectifier circuit 11, but does not include a smoothing circuit or a circuit with a function equivalent thereto.

The irradiation device 101 includes a high-speed diode 111. This prevents the low-speed bridge diode 29 from generating heat, and allows the device to be used in the main body of an inverter stabilizer. The high-speed diode 111 is provided between the output terminal of the rectifier circuit 11 and the input terminal of the LED module 3.
If the LED modules 3 (when there are multiple LED modules) or the LEDs 13 are connected in series, the high-speed diode 111 may be connected at any position from the output terminal (positive side) of the bridge diode 29 to the input terminal (negative side) via the LED modules 3. If the LED modules 3 (when there are multiple LED modules) or the LEDs 13 are connected in parallel, the high-speed diode 111 may be connected at any position before or after the LED modules 3 or the LEDs 13 (however, when installed inside the LED modules 3, it is preferable to provide the high-speed diode 111 in each parallel section).

When the ballast of the fixture body detects the load of the irradiating device 101, the irradiating device 101 is provided with a load 113 for the ballast. The load 113 is, for example, a resistor (e.g., a filament resistor) connected between one conductive pin 23 of the base member 9 and the rectifier circuit 11.

The illumination device 101 may include a resettable fuse 115 for preventing a short circuit in a one-sided power supply device. The resettable fuse 115 is connected between the other conductive pin 23 and the rectifier circuit 11.
In addition, in the case of a thin tube G5 base type that does not have a built-in power source between the conductive pins on both sides, a total of three resettable fuses 115 are installed, assuming that 100 V is applied to both ends, and in the case of a type with a built-in power source (G13 base type), two are installed on each side.

The illumination device 101 may also include a noise suppression capacitor 117. Here, the capacitor 117 is provided across the output of the bridge diode 29. More specifically, it is connected across the input/output of the fast diode 111.
The irradiation device 101 may include a protection element 119 for when 100 V is directly applied to the base member 9. The protection element 119 is provided between at least one of the base members 9 and the rectifier circuit 11.
At least one of the resettable fuse 115, the noise prevention capacitor 117, and the protective element 119 may be provided in the irradiation device 1 of the first embodiment.

<Example>
1. Example 1
The irradiation device 1 has a diameter of 15.5 mm and a total length of 210.5 mm, and is equivalent to a 6 W germicidal lamp (for UV-C) or a black light (for UV-A). Note that the total length does not include the conductive pin 33 extending from the main body 25.
The number of LEDs is six. The LEDs 13 are rectangular with sides of 3 mm in plan view. The rated power of the LEDs 13 is 2 W, and the rated current is 350 mA. The input current is 175 mA, which is 50% of the rated current. The pitch of the LEDs 13 is 27 mm. The wavelength of the ultraviolet light is 280 nm. The life of the irradiation device 1 is 12,000 hours.
The light-transmitting cover member 7 is a cylindrical tube made of fluororesin (PTFE or PFA) and has a thickness of 0.5 mm.

2. Example 2
The irradiation device 1 has a diameter of 32.5 mm, a total length of 580 mm, and is equivalent to a 20 W germicidal lamp (for UV-C) or a black light (for UV-A). Note that the total length does not include the conductive pin 33 extending from the main body 25.
The number of LEDs is nine. The LEDs 13 are rectangular with sides of 3 mm in plan view. The rated power of the LEDs 13 is 2 W, and the rated current is 350 mA. The input current is 200 mA, which is 57% of the rated current. The pitch of the LEDs 13 is 56 mm. The wavelength of the ultraviolet light is 280 nm. The life of the irradiation device 1 is 12,000 hours.
The light-transmitting cover member 7 is a cylindrical tube made of fluororesin (PTFE or PFA) and has a thickness of 0.2 mm.

<Modification>
Although the irradiation device according to the embodiment has been described, it is not limited to this embodiment, and may be modified as follows. In addition, the embodiment and the modified examples may be combined, or the modified examples may be combined with each other. In addition, examples not described in the embodiment or modified examples, and design changes within the scope of the gist of the present invention are also included in the present invention.

1. Irradiation device (1) The irradiation device 1 according to the embodiment can replace current black light fluorescent lamps and germicidal lamps by appropriately setting the wavelength of light emitted by the LED 13. In other words, the irradiation device 1 can be used by being detachably attached to the device body by being provided with a base member (connecting member) that corresponds to the device body 51 to which the current black light fluorescent lamp or germicidal lamp is attached.
The base member may be of G13 type, G5 type, or the like, but may be of other types.

(2) Although the irradiation device 1 of the embodiment is assumed to be detachably attached to the fixture body 51, the irradiation device may be non-detachably built into the fixture body.
In other words, the lighting device at least includes an LED (wavelength range includes ultraviolet, white, blue, green, red, infrared, etc.) module, a base member on which the LED module is arranged, and a cylindrical light-transmitting cover member (plastic tube) that houses the LED module and the base member, and may also include a support member that supports the base member in a fixed state, and a circuit unit for supplying power to the LED module.
The circuit unit includes at least a rectifier circuit (diode bridge) as in the embodiment. Note that if flickering when the output of the rectifier circuit becomes 0 does not cause a problem in practical use, the circuit unit does not need to include a smoothing circuit or a circuit having a function equivalent to a smoothing circuit, but if it does cause a problem (for example, when the application is general lighting), the circuit unit includes a smoothing circuit or a circuit having a function equivalent to the smoothing circuit.

(3) The irradiation device 1 has a straight tube shape that makes it easy to insert and position the LED module 3 and base member 5 inside the resin tube, but it may also have, for example, a "U" shape, an "L" shape, a circular ring shape with a portion removed, or a polygonal ring shape.

2. LED Module The LED 13 is a so-called power LED having a rated power of 1 W or more, but an LED element having a rated power of less than 1 W may also be used.
The current of the LED 13 is preferably in the range of 40 to 60% of the rated current, which can increase the light emission efficiency and achieve a long life of 12,000 hours or more.
The LEDs 13 may have one or more types of light wavelengths. For example, by having two types of ultraviolet C and ultraviolet A rays, the sterilization function can be enhanced by using the LEDs as a double light source for sterilization by UV-C and photocatalysis by UV-A.
There may be one or more LED modules 3. There may be one or more LEDs 13 in one LED module 3. When there are multiple LED modules 3, it is sufficient that one or more LEDs in at least one LED module 3 are covered with a resin tube.

3. Resin Tube The rigidity of the resin tube is not particularly limited, but it is preferable that the resin tube has shape retention.
Here, shape retention refers to the fact that the circumferential surface does not become recessed or sunken when the irradiation device 1 is in use (in this embodiment, when attached to the instrument body).
The resin tube absorbs light from the LED 13, so from the viewpoint of light extraction efficiency, it is preferable that the thickness is thin. Since the shape retention is poor as the thickness becomes thinner, the shape retention depends on the diameter of the tube. Also, the thicker the tube, the easier it is to attach to the fixture. For this reason, the thickness of the resin tube is at least a thickness that can maintain the cylindrical shape, and is preferably no more than a thickness obtained by adding 2 mm to the thickness.
The cross-sectional shape of the resin tube may be a circle, an ellipse, an oval, a polygon, etc. By using the resin tube, the insertion of the base member, etc. can be easily performed.

<Invention>
The embodiments and modifications include the following inventions.
<Invention 1>
1. Prior Art Conventionally, there have been black light fluorescent lamps that emit ultraviolet rays.
In recent years, irradiation devices that use LEDs to irradiate ultraviolet rays have been proposed as an alternative to conventional ultraviolet lamps (for example, JP 2016-167589 A).
This irradiation device includes a housing having a cylindrical exterior shape composed of a translucent cover having a C-shaped cross section and a bow-shaped base member that covers the opening of the translucent cover, an LED module having a plurality of LEDs that emit ultraviolet light mounted on a mounting board and housed within the housing, a base member attached to an end of the housing, and a lighting circuit that receives power from the base member to light up the LED module.
2. Problems With the above-described irradiation device, there is a possibility that the resin translucent cover may crack.
The problem that Invention 1 is trying to solve is to provide an irradiation device in which the light-transmitting cover member is less likely to crack.
3. Means for solving the problem The irradiation device according to the first aspect of the invention comprises an LED module having one or more LEDs that irradiate ultraviolet light, and a light-transmitting cover member that covers at least one of the one or more LEDs, the light-transmitting cover member being a cylindrical resin tube that is deformable without cracking.
This makes it possible to obtain an illumination device in which the light-transmitting cover member is less likely to crack.
Furthermore, by using a resin tube, the wall thickness can be made thin, which allows UV-C to pass through.
4. Others (1) The problem of cracks in the light-transmitting cover member is particularly prominent in lighting devices used as general lighting in factories for food, precision machinery, semiconductors, etc., and Invention 1 can also be applied to general lighting.
In other words, the irradiation device of the invention corresponding to Invention 1 comprises an LED module having one or more LEDs that irradiate visible light, and a light-transmitting cover member that covers the LED module, and the light-transmitting cover member is a cylindrical resin tube that can be deformed without cracking.
(2) Conventionally, quartz or borosilicate glass is required to transmit UV-C, but by using a thin resin tube, UV-C can be transmitted. This makes it possible to obtain a novel UV-C irradiation device that does not use quartz or borosilicate glass in an irradiation device that irradiates UV-C.

<Invention 2>
1. Prior Art Conventionally, as a lighting fixture for preventing damage to a light source due to an impact from an external object, for example, a light source protection cover provided with a cover member for covering a light source (lamp) and a cover fixing member for fixing the cover member has been proposed (for example, JP 2006-204203 A).
A light source, such as a fluorescent lamp having a glass tube, is housed and protected within the light source protection cover.
2. Issues The glass tube, which is susceptible to breakage due to impact, is protected by a light source protection cover, which makes the lighting fixture heavy.
This problem also applies to light sources for general illumination that emit white light.
The problem to be solved by Invention 2 is to provide an irradiation device that is less prone to breakage and can be made lightweight.
3. Means for solving the problem The irradiation device according to the second aspect of the present invention comprises a cylindrical light-transmitting cover member that is deformable without breaking, and an LED module having one or a plurality of LEDs, the LED module being disposed within the light-transmitting cover.
This provides an illumination device that is less prone to breakage and is lightweight. It is preferable that nothing other than air or an object having a light transmittance of 80% or more exists between the LED module and the light-transmitting cover member.
In the irradiation device according to the second aspect of the present invention, the wavelength of the light irradiated by the LED is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, ultraviolet light (including A, B, and C), visible light, or the like.

<Invention 3>
1. Prior Art Conventionally, LED lighting devices including a rectifier circuit, a smoothing capacitor, and the like have been proposed as circuits for making an LED emit light (for example, JP 2015-011868 A).
2. Problems The above LED lighting device has a problem in that the circuitry becomes complicated.
The problem to be solved by the invention 3 is to provide an irradiation device having a simple circuit configuration.
3. Means for solving the problems The irradiation device according to the third aspect of the invention includes a connection member for receiving power from the fixture body, an LED module for emitting ultraviolet light, and a rectifier circuit provided on a conductive path connecting the connection member and the LED module, but does not include a smoothing circuit.
This makes it possible to obtain an irradiation device with a simple circuit configuration.
In addition, when visible light is used, illumination devices for general lighting purposes will flicker, making it impossible to fulfill the original purpose of lighting. In addition, due to regulations imposed by the Electrical Appliance and Material Safety Act (PSE) which are intended to prevent this, illumination devices for general lighting purposes cannot be configured without a smoothing circuit.

＜Other＞
Inventions 1 to 3 may include the configurations described in the embodiments, or may be a combination of the configurations of Inventions 1 to 3. In addition, the irradiation device of each invention may be a so-called irradiation device that is detachably attached to the instrument body, or may be an irradiation device that is integrated (built into) the instrument body.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Irradiation device 3 LED module 5 Base member 7 Light-transmitting cover member 9 Base member 11 Rectifier circuit 13 LED

Claims (2)

an LED module including one or more LEDs for emitting ultraviolet light;
a light-transmitting cover member that covers at least one of the one or more LEDs,
the light-transmitting cover member is a cylindrical resin tube,
The resin tube is capable of deforming without cracking when a three-point bending load is applied to its central axis, when a load is applied to bend the central axis by 90 degrees, or when a load is applied to crush the resin tube from a direction perpendicular to the central axis .
Irradiation device. The LED module is mounted on a base member,
The LED module and the base member are disposed in the resin tube.
2. The illumination device according to claim 1.

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