JP7822650B2 - Airflow Sterilizer - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an air flow sterilization device.

As infectious disease prevention measures become increasingly important, medical settings are demanding a simpler and more complete way to ensure clean air around medical personnel and patients, in addition to traditional whole-room air conditioning. For example, there is a need to ensure the safety of the medical environment by suctioning and purifying patient exhaled air before it disperses, and a need to ensure the safety and security of medical personnel by blowing clean air into relatively small spaces around medical personnel. Comparing these applications to indoor air conditioning, while conventional air sterilization devices are whole-room air conditioning systems, these systems sterilize (including sterilization) small spaces around each medical personnel and sterilize the exhaled breath of individual patients. This can be described as "personal sterilization," akin to "personal air conditioning," which has recently attracted attention in the air conditioning field.
In this application, the term "sterilization" is used to mean not only the killing of microorganisms, viruses, etc., but also their inactivation.

To meet this demand, a compact airflow sterilization device with high sterilization efficiency is needed. One such device is proposed in Patent Document 1. Patent Document 1 proposes a compact, efficient ultraviolet irradiation device that creates a Poiseuille distribution flow (Poiseuille flow) with a high flow velocity in the center, and irradiates the fluid with ultraviolet light using a light-emitting element with an intensity distribution in which ultraviolet light intensity is high near the center.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2019-188127

Poiseuille flow is a type of laminar flow in which the velocity distribution is quadratic when flowing through a long circular pipe. The central velocity is twice the average velocity. Creating Poiseuille flow requires a long circular pipe, making miniaturization difficult. Patent Document 1, however, claims that a Poiseuille-like flow can be achieved in a short distance by using a plate (6) with an aperture ratio (6a) that is designed to accommodate the apertures. However, in Figure 9 (flow velocity distribution) of this document, the high velocity occurs in the narrow central portion, while the light intensity distribution in Figure 8 (light intensity distribution) is rather flat in the radial direction. Therefore, the two are not inversely proportional to each other, and the intended effect of constructing a complex device that aims for a Poiseuille-like flow is not being realized.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an airflow sterilizer that has high sterilization efficiency, is small in size, and has a simple structure.

[1] The air flow sterilization device of the present invention comprises a cylindrical sterilization section that constitutes a sterilization chamber extending in the direction of the main axis of air flow; a light-emitting element that is provided within the sterilization chamber and is capable of irradiating ultraviolet light toward the air flowing through the sterilization chamber; an air inlet section that is provided on one side of the cylindrical sterilization section and allows air to flow into the sterilization chamber; and an air outlet section that is provided on the other side of the cylindrical sterilization section and allows air to flow out of the sterilization chamber; the air inlet section has a plurality of void layers formed in a layered pattern whose main components are a plurality of concentric vertical void layers extending in the direction of the main axis and a bottom void layer that is connected to each of the vertical void layers and extends in a sub-axis direction perpendicular to the main axis; and the plurality of void layers are configured so that air in the bottom void layers flows into the sterilization chamber at a constant speed through the vertical void layers.

The airflow sterilization device of the present invention comprises a cylindrical sterilization section (forming a sterilization chamber), a light-emitting element (located within the sterilization chamber and capable of irradiating ultraviolet light), an air inlet section (for air entering the sterilization chamber), and an air outlet section (for air exiting the sterilization chamber). The air inlet section has multiple void layers formed in layers, each of which primarily comprises a vertical void layer (extending concentrically in the main axis direction) and a bottom void layer (extending in the secondary axis direction). Air from each bottom void layer flows into the sterilization chamber through each vertical void layer at approximately the same direction and speed. This configuration ensures that, when viewed from a cross section in the secondary axis direction, the air flow in the main axis direction has approximately the same flow velocity and direction (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "uniform flow") at any point on the cross section, thereby virtually eliminating the occurrence of dead water areas where air circulates in the same place. Air that flows into the sterilization chamber is sterilized by ultraviolet light emitted from the light-emitting element without stagnation and then exits the chamber.
Therefore, the volume of the sterilization chamber can be reduced and there is almost no air stagnation (dead water area), making it possible to provide an air flow sterilizer with high sterilization efficiency, a small size and a simple structure.

[13] The air flow sterilization device of the present invention comprises a cylindrical sterilizing section that constitutes a sterilization chamber extending in the direction of the main axis of air flow; a light-emitting element that is provided within the sterilization chamber and is capable of irradiating ultraviolet light toward the air flowing through the sterilization chamber; an air inlet section that is provided on one side of the cylindrical sterilizing section and allows air to flow into the sterilization chamber; and an air outlet section that is provided on the other side of the cylindrical sterilizing section and allows air to flow out of the sterilization chamber; the air inlet section has a gap layer whose main components are a vertical gap layer extending in the direction of the main axis and a bottom gap layer that is connected to each vertical gap layer and extends in a sub-axis direction perpendicular to the main axis; the gap layer is configured so that air from the bottom gap layer flows into the sterilization chamber through the vertical gap layer; the sterilization chamber is configured so that the cross-sectional area in the sub-axis direction gradually decreases from the air inlet section toward the air outlet section; and a cone-shaped member with an apex pointing toward the other side is provided in the center of one side of the sterilization chamber.

In the airflow sterilizer of the present invention, air that flows into the bottom gap layer of the air inlet section is redirected toward the sterilization chamber by the conical member, is guided into the sterilization chamber through the vertical gap layer, and flows toward the air outlet section through the sterilization chamber, which is designed so that the cross-sectional area in the minor axis direction gradually decreases. As a result, air is sterilized by the ultraviolet rays irradiated by the light-emitting element with almost no stagnation (dead water area) occurring in the sterilization chamber.
Therefore, it is possible to provide an airflow sterilizer that has high sterilization efficiency, is small in size, and has a simple structure.

[18] The air flow sterilization device of the present invention comprises a cylindrical sterilization section that constitutes a sterilization chamber extending in the main axis direction of air flow; a light-emitting element that is provided within the sterilization chamber and is capable of irradiating ultraviolet light toward the air flow flowing through the sterilization chamber; an air inlet section that is provided on one side of the cylindrical sterilization section and allows air to flow into the sterilization chamber; and an air outlet section that is provided on the other side of the cylindrical sterilization section and allows air to flow out of the sterilization chamber, wherein the air inlet section has a void layer whose main components are a vertical void layer extending in the main axis direction and a bottom void layer that is connected to each vertical void layer and extends in a sub-axis direction perpendicular to the main axis, and the void layer is configured so that air in the bottom void layer flows into the sterilization chamber through the vertical void layer.

According to this air flow sterilization device, the device comprises a cylindrical sterilization section, a light-emitting element, an air inlet section, and an air outlet section. The air inlet section has a gap layer whose main components are a vertical gap layer and a bottom gap layer. The gap layer is configured so that air from the bottom gap layer flows into the sterilization chamber through the vertical gap layer. Therefore, the air is sterilized by ultraviolet light irradiated from the light-emitting element with almost no stagnation (dead water area) occurring in the sterilization chamber.
Therefore, it is possible to provide an airflow sterilizer that has high sterilization efficiency, is small in size, and has a simple structure.

1 is a diagram illustrating the basic concept of the airflow sterilizer of the present invention. FIG. 1A is a diagram illustrating an overview of an airflow sterilization device 1A according to a first embodiment. FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the flow of air in the airflow sterilizer 1A according to the first embodiment. 1A is a diagram illustrating an air inlet section 2 of an airflow sterilizer 1A according to a first embodiment. FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a simulation of airflow in the cylindrical sterilization section 3 of the airflow sterilization device 1A according to the first embodiment. 1A and 1B are diagrams illustrating a sterilization test (experiment) of the airflow sterilization device 1A according to the first embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining an airflow sterilization device 1B according to a second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining an airflow sterilization device 1C according to a third embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining an airflow sterilization device 1D according to a fourth embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining an airflow sterilization device 1E according to a fifth embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining an airflow sterilization device 1F according to a sixth embodiment. FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining an airflow sterilization device 1G according to a seventh embodiment. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a modified example of the airflow sterilizer 1G according to the seventh embodiment. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a modified example of the airflow sterilizer 1H according to the eighth embodiment. FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining an airflow sterilization device 1I according to a ninth embodiment.

The airflow sterilizer of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Each drawing is a schematic diagram and does not necessarily accurately reflect the actual structure or configuration. Each embodiment does not limit the scope of the claims. Not all of the elements and combinations thereof described in each embodiment are essential to the present invention. Components that are considered to be substantially equivalent will be designated by the same reference numerals across embodiments, and repeated description may be omitted.
In the explanation of Patent Document 1, the symbols in the document are used as they are, and therefore may overlap in part with the symbols used in the explanation of the present invention. To distinguish between the two, the symbols used in the explanation of Patent Document 1 are enclosed in parentheses, such as "(symbol)." The symbols used in the explanation of the present invention are used without parentheses.

[Basic concept]
Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating the basic concept of the airflow sterilizer of the present invention: Figure 1(a) is a diagram illustrating the airflow in a sterilization chamber 35 (container, length x width x height: a x b x h) used in the airflow sterilizer of the present invention, and Figure 1(b) is a diagram illustrating the airflow in a sterilization chamber 35 of a comparative example.

In Fig. 1(a), air flows in through an inlet 131 in a straight line and flows out through an outlet 132. In contrast, in Fig. 1(b), because of the presence of a partition wall 135, air flowing in through the inlet 131 flows upward, then turns downward at the top wall, and then turns upward at the bottom wall, forming a serpentine flow before flowing out through the outlet 132. Reference numeral 134 denotes an imaginary flow tube.
In FIG. 1(a), there is no dead water area, but in FIG. 1(b), a dead water area 136 occurs.
Here is an explanation. A "dead water region" is a region where a viscous fluid in the wake of an object or around a corner separates from a solid wall to form a vortex region, and is almost stationary when the time average value is taken (reference: "Fluid Mechanics (Part 1)" by Imai Isao, Shokabo, 1973). Figure 1(b) shows an example of the shape, location, number, etc. of dead water regions.

[explanation]
Since the irradiance (J/ ^m2 ) received by the airflow is the irradiated light flux (W/ ^m2 ) multiplied by the transit time (sec) through the irradiation container (sterilization chamber 35), attempts have been made to make the transit time as long as possible for the target air flow rate _Q0 ( ^m3 /sec). For example, attempts have been made to divide the sterilization chamber 35 (container) with several partitions to make the air flow meander, or to generate a spiral flow within the sterilization chamber 35 (container).

In general, when the volume of the irradiation container (sterilization chamber 35) is V ₀ (m ³ ) and the flow rate of the air flow is Q ₀ (m ³ /sec), the mean transit time τ (sec) of the air flow is given by
τ=V ₀ /Q ₀ ...(1)
(W. Kowalski, "Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation Handbook", Chapter 8, "Airstream Disinfection", Springer, (2009)).
As an example of this, consider the case where light is irradiated onto a flow in a rectangular container (sterilization chamber 35) (see Figures 1(a) and 1(b)). The flow is assumed to be incompressible and steady. We compare a case where there is no partition or the like inside (Figure 1(a)) with a case where there is a flat partition 135 inside that allows light to pass through, creating a meandering internal flow path (Figure 1(b)). In both cases of Figures 1(a) and (b), the flow rate is assumed to be _Q0 ( ^m3 /min). In the following, to consider the effect of the flow field inside the container, we assume that the luminous flux (W/ ^m2 ) distribution of the direct light irradiated from the light emitter is uniform inside the container.

In the case of Figure 1(a), the cross-sectional area of the flow path is _S1 = ab, so the flow velocity _v1 in the flow direction is _v1 = _Q0 / ab. Therefore, it is clear that the air flow passage time (τ) in this case is τ = h/ _v1 = abh/ _Q0 = _V0 / _Q0 , or in other words, is equal to equation (1).

Next, in preparation for the analysis of Figure 1(b), the flow field is divided into n "flow tubes 134" (a "flow tube 134" is a tube formed by a group of streamlines passing through each point on a small closed curve drawn within the flow field; no streamlines cross this flow tube 134) (Quoted from "Fluid Mechanics," by Mikio Hino, Asakura Shoten, 1992). If the flow rate of the i-th flow tube 134 is _qi , this flow rate is constant in the flow direction by the definition of the flow tube 134, and if the inlet end of the flow tube 134 is placed without any gaps on the inlet surface (bottom surface) of the container (sterilization chamber 35), then _Σiqi = _{Q0 .} This flow tube 134 is also divided into infinitesimal sections in the flow direction, and if the length of the j-th infinitesimal section is Δh _i,j and the flow path area is ΔS _i,j , then the flow velocity v _i,j in this section is v _i,j = _qi /ΔS _i,j . Therefore, the transit time through the infinitesimal section Δh _i,j is
Δτ _i,j =Δh _i,j / v _i,j =Δh _i,j ×ΔS _i,j /q _i =ΔV _i,j /q _i... (2)
(ΔV _i,j is the volume of this small section).

Next, by adding up the transit times from the inlet to the outlet for this flow tube i, the transit time for the entire flow tube _i is:
τ _i =Σ _j Δτ _i,j =Σ _j ΔV _i,j /q _i =V _i /q _i ...(3)
(V _i is the volume of flow tube i).
Now, if we introduce the overall mean transit time <τ> as a weighted average of the transit times of each flow tube 134 with respect to the flow rate q _i , we get
<τ>=Σ _i τ _i ×q _i /Q ₀ =(Σ _i V _i )/Q ₀ ...(4)
As a result, Σ _i ΔV _i =V ₀ , and therefore the same relationship as equation (1) is obtained.

Next, consider the case where the vessel (sterilization chamber 35) is divided by several partitions 135 and the flow is meandering, as shown in Figure 1(b). In Figure 1(b), air flows in from the lower left and out to the upper right. In this case, the relationship expressed by Equation (4) is also obtained. However, if the flow is not linear, dead water regions, as shown in Figure 1(b), typically occur at the corners of the vessel (sterilization chamber 35) and the edges of the partitions 135. As a result, some areas of the flow tube 134 are not filled, resulting in (Σ _i ΔV _i ) < V ₀ . This means that the transit time is inevitably shorter than that of a simple vessel. On the other hand, in the case of a flow without sharp corners, such as a spiral flow, even if the dead water regions 136 can be eliminated so that (Σ _i ΔV _i ) = V ₀ , the average transit time for a given volume and flow rate still reverts to Equation (1), and the transit time cannot be greater than that of the linear flow shown in Figure 1(a).

In light of the above, in this application, the irradiation container (sterilization chamber 35) has a simple shape without any stirring plates or spiral flow paths, and by providing a newly devised air inlet section 2 (see Figure 2), it is possible to achieve as uniform a flow rate as possible within the cross section at the entrance to the irradiation section (sterilization chamber 35), and by passing this through the irradiation container (sterilization chamber 35), it is possible to achieve as long a transit time as possible for a given volume and flow rate, i.e., a long irradiation time.

[Embodiment 1]
2A and 2B are diagrams shown to explain the outline of the airflow sterilization device 1A according to embodiment 1. Fig. 2A is an external perspective view of the airflow sterilization device 1A, and Fig. 2B is a cross-sectional perspective view.
3 is a diagram illustrating the flow of air (the symbol "air" is the same as the English spelling of air) in the airflow sterilizer 1A according to embodiment 1, and is a diagram showing a cross section of the airflow sterilizer 1A. For ease of understanding, arrows are used to highlight and enlarge parts.
Fig. 4 is a diagram for explaining the air inlet section 2 of the airflow sterilizer 1A according to embodiment 1. Fig. 4(a) is an external perspective view of the air inlet section 2, Fig. 4(b) is a plan view, and Fig. 4(c) is a cross-sectional view. The air inlet section 2 may also be referred to as a "flow straightening section."

3, the air inlet section 2 is drawn larger than the cylindrical sterilizing section 3 in comparison with FIG. 2 for the sake of explanation (the same applies to FIGS. 7 and 8 described later).
In some parts of Figures 3 and 4, the air inlet portion constituent material 21z is shaded to make the air gap layer 21 easier to see (the same applies to Figures 7 and 8 described later).

[Overall configuration of airflow sterilizer 1A]
As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the air flow sterilization device 1A according to the first embodiment comprises a cylindrical sterilization section 3 that constitutes a sterilization chamber 35 extending in the direction of the main axis of the air flow (the direction connecting the air inlet section 2 and the air outlet section 4), a light-emitting element 5 that is provided within the sterilization chamber 35 and that is capable of irradiating ultraviolet light toward the air (air flow) flowing through the sterilization chamber 35, an air inlet section 2 that is provided on one side of the cylindrical sterilization section 3 and that introduces air into the sterilization chamber 35, and a light-emitting element 5 that is provided on the other side of the cylindrical sterilization section 3. and an air outlet section 4 for discharging air from the sterilization chamber 35. The air inlet section 2 has a plurality of void layers 21 formed in layers whose main components are a plurality of concentric vertical void layers 21a extending in the main axis direction and bottom void layers 21b communicating with each vertical void layer 21a and extending in the sub-axis direction perpendicular to the main axis, and the plurality of void layers 21 are configured so that air in the bottom void layers 21b flows into the sterilization chamber 35 at a constant speed through the vertical void layers 21a.
"Constant velocity" means that the velocity is the same at any point in the cross section in the minor axis direction. This includes cases where the velocity is strictly constant as well as cases where the velocity is almost constant. Also, the direction of the air at any point is almost the same as the major axis.
The cylindrical sterilizing section 3 has a cylindrical shape.

[Air inlet section 2]
The air inlet section 2 is provided on one side (the bottom in FIG. 2 ) of the cylindrical sterilizer 3 (sterilization chamber 35) and allows air to flow into the sterilization chamber 35. The air that flows into the sterilization chamber 35 is sterilized by ultraviolet light emitted from the light-emitting element 5. The air outlet section 4 is provided on the other side (the top in FIG. 2 ) of the cylindrical sterilizer 3 and allows the air sterilized in the sterilization chamber 35 to flow out.

The air inlet section 2 has a layered void layer 21 whose main components are vertical void layers 21a and bottom void layers 21b that communicate with each vertical void layer 21a. Each of the multiple vertical void layers 21a extends in the major axis direction and is formed concentrically in a plan view (see Figure 4). Each bottom void layer 21b, which extends in the minor axis direction, communicates with each vertical void layer 21a through a connecting portion 21c. The air inlet section 2 has a structure similar to a stack of open-top boaters of different diameters, with the gaps between them serving as void layers 21 (the gaps in the brim are bottom void layers 21b, and the cylindrical crown portion is vertical void layers 21a).

The air that has entered each bottom gap layer 21b passes through each vertical gap layer 21a and flows into the cylindrical sterilizing section 3 (sterilizing chamber 35) at a uniform speed.
In this specification, the air outlet 4 side when positioned at the center (in the main axis direction) of the sterilization chamber 35 may be referred to as the upper side, upper portion, upward direction, above, or the like, and the air inlet 2 side may be referred to as the lower side, lower portion, downward direction, below, or the like.

Air surrounding the airflow sterilizer 1A is sucked into the bottom gap layer 21b, travels in the secondary axis direction toward the center of the concentric circle, then changes direction to the primary axis direction at the vertical gap layer 21a and flows into the sterilization chamber 35. The air that flows into the sterilization chamber 35 at a constant speed flows uniformly within the chamber 35 and is sterilized by ultraviolet light emitted from the linear light-emitting element 5. The sterilized air then flows into the air outlet 4 and is discharged to the outside.

The concentric vertical void layer outlets 21f are preferably configured to cover almost the entire lower surface of the sterilization chamber 35 (the surface where multiple vertical void layer outlets 21f are located; the surface in the sub-axial direction). In embodiment 1, as shown in Figure 3, the outermost vertical void layer outlet 21f (its outer wall) of the concentric vertical void layer outlets 21f is configured to be on the same surface as the inner wall of the sterilization chamber 35 (the inner surface of the step in the main axial direction). Note that if the diameters of the two differ (resulting in a step), it is preferable that the diameter of the outer wall of the outermost vertical void layer outlet 21f be smaller than the diameter of the inner wall of the sterilization chamber 35. Furthermore, the area enclosed by (the outer wall of) the outermost vertical void layer outlet 21f (the area of the plane in the sub-axial direction) is preferably 90% or more of the area enclosed by the inner wall of the sterilization chamber 35, and more preferably 95% or more.

In the air flow sterilization device 1A of embodiment 1, it is preferable that the outer diameter L1 of the sub-axial cross section at the location of the bottom gap layer 21b of the air inlet section 2 is larger than the inner diameter L2 of the sub-axial cross section at the location where air flows in from the air inlet section 2 of the sterilization chamber 35 (see Figure 3).

If the multiple void layers 21 constituting the air inlet section 2 have a simple shape (for example, a shape consisting of only concentric vertical void layers 21a and no bottom void layers 21b), the speed of the air flowing into the sterilization chamber 35 from each void layer 21 can be made the same by configuring the inlet area/outlet area (ratio) of each void layer 21 to be the same. However, because the air inlet section 2 has the bottom void layer 21b and has an overall boater-like shape, and because multiple void layers 21 are formed in a small solid body, the air in the void layers 21 generates a complex flow.
To make the speed of the air flowing into the sterilization chamber 35 from each void layer 21 approximately the same, the ratio of the inlet area (21S1) to the outlet area (21S2) of each void layer 21 is set to be within a predetermined range greater than 1.0 so that the pressure loss due to the acceleration of the air flow in each void layer is approximately equal.

Therefore, in the air flow sterilization device 1A of embodiment 1, it is preferable that the multiple void layers 21 are configured so that the ratio (21S1/21S2) of the area 21S1 of the bottom void layer inlet 21e to the area 21S2 of the vertical void layer outlet 21f of each void layer 21 is within a predetermined range (falls within a predetermined range) (see Figure 3).
The area 21S1 of the bottom void layer inlet 21e can be calculated by multiplying the gap width w of the bottom void layer inlet 21e by the perimeter of the bottom void layer inlet 21e. The area 21S2 of the vertical void layer outlet 21f can be calculated by multiplying the gap width w of the vertical void layer outlet 21f by the perimeter of the vertical void layer outlet 21f.
The area ratio (21S1/21S2) is, for example, in the range of 1.05 to 7.0, preferably 1.05 to 6.0. The area ratio may be smallest in the uppermost layer (the outermost layer; see Figures 3 and 4) and gradually increase toward the lowermost layer.

Here, the bottom layer and layers near the bottom layer may be treated as exceptions (excluded) with respect to the area ratio. This is because the outlet area 21S2 in these layers is smaller than that of other layers (e.g., the top layer). For example, the bottom layer may be designated the lower first layer, and the layer adjacent to the bottom layer may be designated the lower second layer. These two layers may be excluded, and the area ratio (21S1/21S2) for the other layers may be set to a range of 1.05 to 7.0, preferably 1.05 to 6.0, more preferably 1.05 to 5.0, even more preferably 1.05 to 4.0, even more preferably 1.05 to 3.0, and even more preferably 1.05 to 2.0.
It is more preferable that the inlet area 21S1 is greater than the outlet area 21S2.

For example, if the air gap layer 21 is composed of six layers, the area ratio (21S1/21S2) can be set within a certain range by excluding the bottom two layers. The area ratios (21S1/21S2) can be set, for example, to approximately 1.1, 1.2, 1.5, and 1.7, starting from the top layer. This results in the area ratios of these layers falling within a range of approximately 1.1 to 2.0. The area ratios of the excluded bottom two layers can also be set, for example, to 2.8 and 5.0, starting from the top layer.
The outlet area 21S2 of the bottom layer (or the bottom layer and layers near the bottom layer) is smaller than that of other layers (such as the top layer), and the air volume is small. Therefore, the air speed in the sterilization chamber 35 is affected by the air speed in other layers and tends to follow the affected air speed.

In the air flow sterilization device 1A of embodiment 1, it is preferable that the hem gap layer 21b is configured so that its gap width w (in other words, cross-sectional area) is constant or gradually narrows from the hem gap layer inlet 21e toward the connecting portion 21c between the hem gap layer 21b and the vertical gap layer 21a (see Figure 3).
The gap width w can be changed, for example, by changing the thickness of the air inlet portion constituent material 21z (plastic resin, metal, etc.) that constitutes the air inlet portion 2.
Alternatively, the gap width w may not be gradually narrowed but may remain unchanged (the gap width w may be kept constant).

In the airflow sterilizer 1A according to the first embodiment, the vertical gap layer 21a is configured so that its gap width w (in other words, cross-sectional area) does not change (see FIG. 3).
In the air flow sterilization device 1A according to embodiment 1, the gap width w is constant or gradually narrows from the bottom gap layer inlet 21e toward the communicating portion 21c, and the narrowed gap width w remains unchanged in the vertical gap layer 21a.

In the air flow sterilizer 1A according to embodiment 1, it is preferable that the central concentric void layer 21 is provided with a cone-shaped member 21d (cone-shaped member, cone-shaped protrusion, cone-shaped protrusion) at the communicating portion 21c, the apex of which is in the direction of the vertical void layer outlet 21f (see Figure 3).
The cone shape of the cone-shaped member 21d (cone-shaped member) is preferably a circular cone, more preferably a right circular cone. The cone-shaped (e.g., cone) side may be concave, for example, like a gently sloping mountain, with the side slope being steep near the apex and becoming gentler toward the base.

[Spacer 21g]
4(a) and 4(b), in the airflow sterilization device 1A according to embodiment 1, spacers 21g are provided in the gap layers 21 to maintain the gap width w between the multiple gap layers 21. In embodiment 1, the spacers 21g are provided in both the vertical gap layers 21a and the bottom gap layers 21b, but they may be provided only in the vertical gap layers 21a or only in the bottom gap layers 21b. Note that the spacers 21g are not essential, and for example, when the air inlet portion constituent material 21z that constitutes the air inlet portion 2 is a rigid resin, metal, or the like that does not lose its shape, the spacers 21g may not be provided.

[Manufacturing of air inlet section 2]
The air inlet section 2 is manufactured by three-dimensionally shaping the cross-sectional shape by stacking it based on three-dimensional data created using three-dimensional software such as three-dimensional CAD (Computer Aided Design) or three-dimensional CG (Computer Graphics). Note that the air inlet section 2 including multiple gap layers 21 may also be manufactured by stacking parts that have been machined into predetermined shapes.

[Cylindrical sterilization section 3]
The cylindrical sterilization section 3 shown in Figure 2 etc. is provided between the air inlet section 2 (one side of the cylindrical sterilization section 3 in the main axis direction) and the air outlet section 4 (the other side of the cylindrical sterilization section 3 in the main axis direction). The inside of the cylindrical tube 30 forms a sterilization chamber 35. The cylindrical sterilization section 3 (tube 30) extends in the main axis direction, and the sterilization chamber 35 is provided along it. A light-emitting element 5 is provided (disposed) within the sterilization chamber 35. Air flows from the air inlet section 2 into the sterilization chamber 35, and ultraviolet light is irradiated from the light-emitting element 5 toward the air flowing through the sterilization chamber 35, sterilizing the air.

In the air flow sterilizer 1A according to the first embodiment, it is preferable that the cross-sectional area of the sterilization chamber 35 in the minor axis direction does not change in the major axis direction, or gradually decreases from the air inlet 2 to the air outlet 4.
In the first embodiment, the sterilization chamber 35 is configured so that its cross-sectional area in the minor axis direction does not change in the major axis direction (see Figures 2 and 3). In other words, the inner diameter L2 of the sterilization chamber 35 shown in Figure 3 does not change in the major axis direction (and therefore the cross-sectional area in the minor axis direction does not change).
An example in which the cross-sectional area in the counter-axis direction is gradually reduced from the air inlet portion 2 toward the air outlet portion 4 will be described later.

[Light reflecting section 31]
As shown in Figure 2 and other figures, a light reflector 31 is formed on the wall (side wall) of the sterilization chamber 35. The light reflector 31 can be formed by (a) installing a light reflector (e.g., an aluminum plate, stainless steel plate, etc. with a light-reflecting surface) separate from the wall (cylinder 30, inner wall) constituting the sterilization chamber 35, (b) forming a light-reflecting layer on the wall (inner surface of the cylinder 30) by spraying, brushing, sputtering, etc., a transparent paint or transparent adhesive containing powder of silver, aluminum, copper, etc., or (c) constructing the wall (cylinder 30) constituting the sterilization chamber 35 from an aluminum plate, copper plate, stainless steel plate, etc. and subjecting the wall side to a light-reflecting surface treatment (metal surface treatment), or the like. The light reflection can be, for example, specular reflection or diffuse reflection.

Although the light reflecting section 31 is not essential, if the light reflecting section 31 is present, the air in the sterilization chamber 35 is irradiated with ultraviolet light reflected by the light reflecting section 31 in addition to the ultraviolet light directly emitted from the light emitting element, which makes it possible to further improve the sterilization efficiency. It is also possible to further reduce the size of the airflow sterilizer 1A or simplify its structure.
In addition, if a light reflecting section 31 is formed on the wall of the sterilization chamber 35, or if a perforated plate 6 configured to reflect light is provided, the ratio of direct light from the light-emitting element 5 to reflected light may be set to, for example, approximately 1:1.

[Perforated plate 6]
The air flow sterilizer 1A according to the first embodiment further comprises a perforated plate 6 arranged near the air inlet 2 or near the air outlet 4 of the sterilization chamber 35, and it is preferable that at least the surface of the perforated plate 6 facing the inside of the sterilization chamber 35 is configured to be reflective.

Explaining with reference to the drawings, as shown in Figure 2 etc., the perforated plate 6 may be placed on the lower side (see Figure 2, on the air inlet 2 side) or upper side (see Figure 2, on the air outlet 4 side) of the sterilization chamber 35. The perforated plate 6 is a plate with many holes formed therein. The surface facing the light-emitting element 5 (inside the sterilization chamber 35) is light-reflecting (specular reflection or diffuse reflection). For example, the perforated plate 6 is a plate with many holes formed therein, made of stainless steel, aluminum, copper, plastic resin or the like with a light-reflecting surface.
The aperture ratio (the ratio of apertures to the total area) is, for example, 10 to 60%, preferably 15 to 50%, and more preferably 20 to 40%. The smaller the aperture ratio, the greater the light reflection ratio, but the greater the pressure loss of the air flow.

A large number of holes are formed in the perforated plate 6, and the opening ratio and the blowing force of the fan 43 are adjusted so that the flow of air flowing into the sterilization chamber 35 from the air inlet section 2 (vertical gap layer outlet 21f) is not obstructed.
When the perforated plate 6 is on the lower side, the ultraviolet rays escaping to the air inlet 2 are reflected and irradiated onto the air in the sterilization chamber 35. When the perforated plate 6 is on the upper side, the ultraviolet rays escaping to the air outlet 4 are reflected and irradiated onto the air in the sterilization chamber 35.

When the perforated plate 6 is provided, it may be provided on both the upper and lower sides, only on the upper side, or only on the lower side.
When the perforated plates 6 are provided on both the upper and lower sides and the walls (side walls) of the sterilization chamber 35 also have light reflecting portions 31, the ultraviolet light from the light-emitting elements 5 is confined within the sterilization chamber 35, and the air in the sterilization chamber 35 can be further irradiated with ultraviolet light.
If the perforated plate 6 is only on the upper side and not on the lower side, the ultraviolet light is reflected by the upper side, while bacteria, viruses, etc. in the air before sterilization do not adhere to the lower perforated plate 6.

Although the perforated plate 6 is not required, if it is present, the air in the sterilization chamber 35 will be irradiated with ultraviolet light reflected by the perforated plate 6 in addition to the ultraviolet light directly emitted from the light-emitting element, which will result in an air flow sterilization device 1A that is more efficient at sterilization and has a small, simple structure.

[Light-emitting element 5]
In the airflow sterilizer 1A according to the first embodiment, the light-emitting element 5 preferably has a linear or annular shape.
2 and the like has a linear shape. The term "linear" refers to the shape of the light-emitting element 5 when viewed as a whole, and includes cases where the shape of the light-emitting element 5 is a long, thin cylinder (Embodiment 1), as well as cases where the light-emitting element 5 is a so-called U-tube that is linear when viewed as a whole. Cases where the light-emitting element 5 has an annular shape will be described later.

The light-emitting element 5 is capable of irradiating ultraviolet light toward the air flowing through the sterilization chamber 35. The ultraviolet irradiation intensity is uniform across the linear light-emitting element (the linear light-emitting element within the sterilization chamber 35). "Uniform" does not mean that the emitted light illuminance is strictly the same regardless of the emitting location, but rather that it is approximately the same. For example, if the average irradiation intensity of the entire linear light-emitting element within the sterilization chamber 35 is 100, then the irradiation intensity of any emitting location (within the sterilization chamber 35) is within the range of 70 to 130 (more preferably 80 to 120, and even more preferably 90 to 110). Examples of light-emitting elements 5 that generate ultraviolet light include mercury lamps (low-pressure mercury lamps, etc.), pulsed xenon tubes, excimer lamps, and light-emitting diodes (multiple LED elements arranged linearly or flatly). Pulsed xenon tubes can emit powerful pulsed light in a short period of time and have a high light output per tube length, making them suitable for miniaturizing devices.

[Arrangement (Installation) of Light-Emitting Element 5]
In the airflow sterilizer 1A according to the first embodiment, the light-emitting elements 5 are preferably arranged (in the sterilization chamber 35) so that, if the light-emitting elements 5 have a linear shape, the linear direction thereof, or if the light-emitting elements 5 have a ring shape, the normal direction to the surface enclosed by the ring is the major axis direction, the minor axis direction, or an intermediate direction therebetween (see FIG. 2 ).
FIG. 2 shows a state in which the light emitting element 5 is arranged so that when the light emitting element 5 has a linear shape, the linear direction is the minor axis direction.
The arrangement of the light-emitting element 5 when it is linear in shape and arranged so that the linear direction is the main axis direction or a direction intermediate between the main axis direction and the sub-axis direction, or when it is annular in shape, will be described in other embodiments.

In the air flow sterilization device 1A of embodiment 1, multiple linear light-emitting elements 5 are used as the light-emitting elements 5, and these multiple light-emitting elements 5 are arranged so that they intersect (for example, form a cross shape) when viewed from the main axis direction.

Referring to Figure 2(b), two linear light-emitting elements 5 are arranged inside the sterilization chamber 35. One is arranged along the sub-axis direction, with its linear direction running from the bottom right to the top left on the drawing, and the other is arranged along the sub-axis direction, running from the top right to the bottom left on the drawing. The two are installed at different heights (installation positions in the main axis direction) to avoid collisions between them. When viewed from the main axis direction (when viewed in a plan view), they are arranged so that they intersect (for example, forming a cross shape).

When three or more linear light-emitting elements 5 are used, (1) they may all be arranged so that they intersect with each other, or (2) some of them may be arranged in the same direction. For example, when three linear light-emitting elements 5 are used, (1) the linear directions of the three light-emitting elements 5 may be shifted by 60 degrees, or (2) two may be arranged in the same direction and the remaining one may be shifted by 90 degrees. When arranged in the same direction, they may be arranged parallel to each other at the same height, or at different heights. The same applies when four or more light-emitting elements are used.

[Electrical connector 51]
2(a) and 2(b) , the reference numeral 51 denotes an electrical connector for the light-emitting element 5. For example, this is a socket, plug, connector, or the like for connecting the electrodes of the light-emitting element 5, such as a mercury lamp or excimer lamp, to a power source. The electrical connector 51 is preferably installed outside the cylindrical sterilizing unit 3. This is because if it is installed inside the sterilizing chamber 35, a dead water region is likely to occur, and ultraviolet irradiation is hindered.
Furthermore, the drive circuit for the light-emitting element 5 may be a part of the electrical connector 51 or may be attached to the electrical connector 51 (for example, built into the electrical connector 51).

[Air Outlet Portion 4]
The air outlet section 4 shown in Figure 2 and elsewhere mainly comprises an exhaust tube 41 and a fan 43 installed within the exhaust tube 41. The fan 43 is attached to the exhaust tube 41 with a fan mounting bracket 43k. The exhaust tube 41 has the same shape as the cylindrical sterilization section 3 on the side facing the cylindrical sterilization section 3, and the inner surface of the exhaust tube 41 and the inner surface of the sterilization chamber 35 are smoothly connected. The side of the exhaust tube 41 opposite the cylindrical sterilization section 3 has a conical shape with a gradually decreasing diameter, terminating in a cylinder with a smaller diameter. This also serves to stabilize the air flow. The fan 43 is installed in the small-diameter cylinder. The fan 43 exhausts air from the sterilization chamber 35 out of the exhaust tube 41.

[Frame 71]
In Figure 2(a), the reference numeral 71 denotes a frame (part of the frame). It is primarily intended to ensure the strength of the air inlet section 2. It is made of a high-strength material such as stainless steel plate or epoxy resin. The frame 71 is provided on the outside of the air inlet section 2, surrounding it. The frame 71 has multiple air vents for air circulation. Although these air vents are shown extending circumferentially in the drawing, they may also be formed to extend vertically. The frame 71 is installed in close contact with the bottom void layer inlet 21e or with a gap between it and the bottom void layer inlet. Note that the frame 71 is not necessarily required, for example, if the air inlet section 2 is sturdy.

[Simulation]
5A and 5B are diagrams illustrating a simulation of airflow within the cylindrical sterilization section 3 of the airflow sterilization device 1A according to embodiment 1. FIG. 5A is a simulation diagram viewed from the sub-axis direction, and FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional simulation diagram taken along the sub-axis direction. The vector direction indicates the direction of the airflow (air). The airflow speed is color-coded in the original drawing, but is displayed in black and white in the patent drawings. In the original drawing, the speed is uniform and has approximately the same color (single color) within the sterilization chamber 35 (the meaning of the vector direction and the fact that the original drawing is colored are the same in FIGS. 12C and 14B, described below).

As shown in FIG. 5( a ), it can be seen that the air flows at a substantially uniform flow rate in the axial direction at any point within the sterilization chamber 35 .
Furthermore, as shown in Figure 5(b), when viewed in cross section, it can be seen that the speed (and direction) of the air is almost the same at any point on the cross section, whether it is the air inlet 2 side, the air outlet 4 side, or any point in between.

[Sterilization test (experiment)]
FIG. 6 is a diagram (table) for explaining a sterilization test (experiment) of the airflow sterilization device 1A according to embodiment 1. Specifically, the results show the results of measuring the sterilization performance of the airflow sterilization device 1A according to embodiment 1 as a test product. Staphylococcus aureus was used as the test bacteria. Test conditions (1) to (4) (four types) are shown on the left, and the test results are shown on the right. The test conditions on the left varied the light source and air volume (air volume within the sterilization chamber 35). A linear low-pressure mercury lamp (Iwasaki Electric, UGL15-2) was used as the light source (light-emitting element 5). Two low-pressure mercury lamps were arranged parallel to each other in the minor axis direction (passing approximately near the main axis center) within the cylindrical sterilization chamber 35, and another lamp was arranged perpendicular to the two lamps in the major axis direction to form a cross shape (a total of three lamps). The air volume within the sterilization chamber 35 was as shown in FIG. 6.
The sterilization chamber 35 has a cylindrical shape with an inner diameter of about 30 cm and a height of about 40 cm. The air inlet section 2 has a cylindrical shape with an outer diameter of about 40 cm and a height of about 20 cm. The air gap layer 21 has six layers.

Test condition (1) is when the light source is off, and no sterilization occurs in the sterilization chamber 35. (2) is when only one of the parallel-arranged poles is illuminated, and ultraviolet light is irradiated onto the airflow in the sterilization chamber 35. (3) is when one of the two parallel-arranged poles and the other pole arranged perpendicular to it (a total of two poles) are illuminated. (4) is when all three poles are illuminated. The air volume in the sterilization chamber 35 is as shown in Figure 6.

The right side of Figure 6 shows the average value of the results of three tests conducted under each test condition. "CFU" in the airborne bacteria count column stands for colony forming unit, a unit that represents the number of viable bacteria (the number of living bacteria). "CFU/30 L-air" is the CFU in 30 liters of air. In each case, when no viable bacteria were detected, the viable bacteria count was 3 or less, and this is recorded as "<3." The reduction rate column on the right side shows the extent to which the airborne bacteria count was reduced by sterilization. This indicates that the CFU test result had 9s to the third decimal point.
As is clear from the test results, an excellent bactericidal effect was obtained.

In addition, when a similar test was conducted using bacteriophage MS2 (a virus) instead of Staphylococcus aureus (bacteria) and changing the number of light sources and air volume, an excellent bactericidal effect was obtained, just as in the case of Staphylococcus aureus.

[Effects of the First Embodiment]
According to the air flow sterilization device 1A of embodiment 1, air flows into the sterilization chamber 35 from the air inlet section 2 which is provided with a plurality of concentric void layers 21. The air inlet section 2 has a plurality of void layers 21 formed in a layered shape whose main components are a plurality of concentric vertical void layers 21a and bottom void layers 21b which are connected to each of the vertical void layers 21a and extend in the minor axial direction. The plurality of void layers 21 are configured so that the air in the bottom void layers 21b flows into the cylindrical sterilization section 3 in the major axial direction through the vertical void layers 21a at a uniform speed. Therefore, there are almost no dead water areas within the sterilization chamber 35 and the air (air flow) which flows as a uniform flow within the sterilization chamber 35 is irradiated with ultraviolet light by the linear light-emitting element.
Therefore, the sterilization efficiency of the air flowing into the sterilization chamber 35 is high. In addition, since there is almost no dead water area in the flow inside the sterilization chamber 35, it is possible to provide an air flow sterilization device 1A with a small and simple structure. For example, it is possible to make it a portable or easily movable device.

In addition, in the air flow sterilization device 1A according to embodiment 1, the outer diameter L1 of the sub-axial cross section at the location of the bottom gap layer 21b in the air inlet section 2 is configured to be larger than the inner diameter L2 of the sub-axial cross section at the location where air flows in from the air inlet section 2 of the sterilization chamber 35. This allows the length of the bottom gap layer 21b between the bottom gap layer inlet 21e and the communication section 21c to be increased. This further accelerates the air in the bottom gap layer 21b, allowing it to flow into the sterilization chamber 35 at a more stable speed.

Furthermore, according to the air flow sterilization device 1A of embodiment 1, the multiple void layers 21 are configured so that the ratio between the area 21S1 of the bottom void layer inlet 21e of each void layer 21 and the area 21S2 of the vertical void layer outlet 21f is within a predetermined range, thereby making it possible to make the speed of the air flowing into the tubular sterilization section 3 from the vertical void layer outlet 21f of each void layer 21 even more uniform.

Furthermore, in the air flow sterilization device 1A according to embodiment 1, the bottom gap layer 21b is configured so that its gap width w is constant or gradually narrows from the bottom gap layer inlet 21e toward the connecting portion 21c between the bottom gap layer 21b and the vertical gap layer 21a. Therefore, air entering from the bottom gap layer inlet 21e is accelerated toward the vertical gap layer 21a. This makes it even more possible for air passing through the vertical gap layer 21a and exiting from the vertical gap layer outlet 21f to flow stably into the cylindrical sterilization section 3 at a predetermined speed.

Furthermore, according to the air flow sterilization device 1A of embodiment 1, the vertical void layer 21a is configured so that the gap width w does not change in the vertical direction, so that air that enters the vertical void layer 21a from the bottom void layer 21b at a predetermined speed can be redirected to the main axis direction without slowing down and can flow into the tubular sterilization section 3 from the vertical void layer outlet 21f.

Furthermore, according to the air flow sterilization device 1A of embodiment 1, the central concentric vertical void layer 21a is provided with a cone-shaped member 21d (conical member) at the connecting portion 21c with the bottom void layer 21b, with the apex facing the vertical void layer outlet 21f. This makes it even more possible for air heading toward the center (center of the concentric circle) of the bottom void layer 21b to change direction in the main axis direction and proceed toward the sterilization chamber 35 without colliding with air coming from the opposite direction at the center and canceling out the speed.

Furthermore, according to the airflow sterilization device 1A of embodiment 1, the sterilization chamber 35 is configured so that the cross-sectional area in the sub-axis direction does not change in the main axis direction or gradually decreases from the air inlet 2 toward the air outlet 4, making it easier to maintain a constant speed and direction of air in the sterilization chamber 35. Furthermore, if the cross-sectional area in the sub-axis direction does not change in the main axis direction, it becomes possible to further simplify the structure of the sterilization chamber 35.

Furthermore, the air flow sterilization device 1A of embodiment 1 further includes a perforated plate 6 arranged near the air inlet section 2 or near the air outlet section 4 of the sterilization chamber 35, and this perforated plate 6 is configured so that at least the surface facing the inside of the sterilization chamber 35 is reflective, thereby making it even more possible to prevent ultraviolet rays UV from escaping from the air inlet section 2 or the air outlet section 4.

Furthermore, according to the air flow sterilization device 1A of embodiment 1, if the shape of the light-emitting element 5 is linear or annular, it is not a special shape, making it easier to obtain commercially available products or manufacture them.

Furthermore, with the airflow sterilization device 1A of embodiment 1, the light-emitting element 5 is positioned so that, if it is linear, its linear direction, or if it is annular, the normal direction to the surface enclosed by the ring, is the major axis direction, the minor axis direction, or an intermediate direction between these. This makes it even more possible to provide a device with flexible structure, size, etc., depending on the length of the light-emitting element 5, the size of the cylindrical sterilization unit 3 (sterilization chamber 35), etc. For example, if the linear direction is positioned so that it is the minor axis direction, the length of the light-emitting element 5 and the length of the cylindrical sterilization unit 3 (the length of the major axis direction of the sterilization chamber 35) can be independent, and therefore it is not necessary to match the length of the cylindrical sterilization unit 3 (the length of the major axis direction of the sterilization chamber 35) to the length of the light-emitting element 5.

In the air flow sterilization device 1A of embodiment 1, multiple linear light-emitting elements 5 are used as the light-emitting elements 5, and when these multiple light-emitting elements 5 are arranged so that they intersect (for example, in a cross shape) when viewed from the main axis direction, air that would be far from the light-emitting elements 5 in a non-intersecting arrangement (for example, air near the wall of the sterilization chamber 35 in the secondary axis direction from the center/main axis position of the linear light-emitting elements 5) also comes closer to the light-emitting elements 5, making it possible to further improve sterilization efficiency.

[Embodiment 2]
7A and 7B are diagrams illustrating an airflow sterilization device 1B according to embodiment 2. The diagrams show linear light-emitting elements 5 arranged in a sterilization chamber 35 so that the linear direction of the light-emitting elements 5 coincides with the main axis direction of the cylindrical sterilization section 3 (sterilization chamber 35), with Fig. 7A showing a case where an elongated linear light-emitting element 5 is used, Fig. 7B showing a case where a U-shaped but linear light-emitting element 5 is used overall, and Fig. 7C showing a case where a linear light-emitting element 5 is suspended.

The air flow sterilization device 1B of embodiment 2 is basically the same as the air flow sterilization device 1A of embodiment 1, except that the linear light-emitting element 5 is arranged within the sterilization chamber 35 so that its linear direction is the main axis direction of the tubular sterilization section 3 (sterilization chamber 35) (in embodiment 1, it is arranged in the secondary axis direction).

In the example shown in Figure 7(a), the light-emitting element 5 is placed at the center of the minor axis cross section (circle) of the sterilization chamber 35, with the linear direction being the up-down direction (major axis direction). Electrical connectors 51 are placed on both sides of the linear light-emitting element 5. One electrical connector 51 is placed on the lower outside of the air inlet section 2, and the other is placed inside the exhaust pipe 41 of the air outlet section 4. The void layer 21 (vertical void layer 21a) at the concentric center of the air inlet section 2 serves as a passageway for the light-emitting element 5.

In the example shown in Figure 7(b), the electrical connector 51 is placed on one side of the linear (U-shaped) light-emitting element 5, on the lower outside of the air inlet section 2. Unlike Figure 7(a), the other electrical connector 51 is not required. Other aspects are almost the same as Figure 7(a), and so further explanation will be omitted.

7(c), a linear light emitting element 5, such as an arc tube or an element equipped with a plurality of LED elements, is suspended so that the linear direction is the main axis direction. The light emitting element 5 is held by a holder 53, connected to a fixed anchor 55 by a fixing member 54, and suspended. The light emitting element 5 and the electrical connector 51 are connected by a wire 52, and the wire 52 transmits, for example, a drive signal from a drive circuit in the electrical connector 51 to the light emitting element 5.
In other respects than those mentioned above, the aspects described in the first embodiment are also applied to the second embodiment as they are.

[Effects of the Second Embodiment]
In the airflow sterilization device 1B of embodiment 2, the linear light-emitting elements 5 are arranged so that their linear direction is the main axis direction of the cylindrical sterilization section 3 (sterilization chamber 35). Therefore, the air is sterilized by ultraviolet light with strong irradiation intensity centered on the light-emitting element at the center of the concentric circle (in the cross section of the sterilization chamber 35 in the minor axis direction) throughout the time the air moves from bottom to top within the sterilization chamber 35.
The airflow sterilization device 1B of embodiment 2 is similar to the airflow sterilization device 1A of embodiment 1 except for the arrangement of the linear light-emitting elements 5, and therefore has the corresponding effects of the airflow sterilization device 1A of embodiment 1.

[Embodiment 3]
FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining an airflow sterilizer 1C according to the third embodiment.
The airflow sterilizer 1C of embodiment 3 is basically the same as the airflow sterilizer 1A of embodiment 1, except that the linear light-emitting element 5 is arranged in the sterilization chamber 35 so that its linear direction is midway between the main axis and the sub-axis directions of the cylindrical sterilization section 3 (sterilization chamber 35) (in embodiment 1, it is arranged in the sub-axis direction).

In the example shown in Figure 8, the light emitting elements 5 are arranged so that the linear direction is midway between the vertical direction (main axis direction) and the horizontal direction (sub-axis direction). It is an oblique direction when viewed from the sub-axis direction. Electrical connectors 51 are arranged on both sides of the linear light emitting elements 5. One electrical connector 51 is arranged on the lower outside of the tube 30, and the other is arranged on the upper outside of the opposite tube 30.
In other respects than those mentioned above, the aspects described in the first embodiment are also applied to the second embodiment as they are.

[Effects of the Third Embodiment]
In the airflow sterilization device 1C of embodiment 3, the linear light-emitting elements 5 are arranged so that their linear direction is midway between the major axis and minor axis directions of the cylindrical sterilization section 3 (sterilization chamber 35), so that if the shape or size of the sterilization chamber 35 (cylinder 30) is the same, it is possible to arrange longer light-emitting elements 5 inside the sterilization chamber 35. Furthermore, the air inside the sterilization chamber 35 is sterilized by the ultraviolet light emitted by the long light-emitting elements 5 with stronger irradiation intensity, enabling more efficient sterilization.
The airflow sterilization device 1C of embodiment 3 is similar to the airflow sterilization device 1A of embodiment 1 except for the oblique arrangement of the linear light-emitting elements 5, and therefore has the corresponding effects of the airflow sterilization device 1A of embodiment 1.

[Embodiment 4]
FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining an airflow sterilization device 1D according to the fourth embodiment.
The airflow sterilization device 1D of embodiment 4 is basically the same as the airflow sterilization device 1A of embodiment 1, except that embodiment 1 uses a linear light-emitting element 5, whereas embodiment 4 uses a ring-shaped light-emitting element 5.

9, the annular light-emitting element 5 is arranged so that the normal direction of the surface surrounded by the ring is the major axis direction (in other words, the surface surrounded by the ring is arranged so that the minor axis direction is the surface surrounded by the ring), and the major axis passes through the surface surrounded by the ring. The annular light-emitting element 5 is held by a holding tool 53, and is connected and fixed to a fixed anchor 55 by a fixing member 54. The light-emitting element 5 and the electrical connector 51 are connected by wiring 52.
The ring may be arranged so that the normal direction to the surface surrounded by the ring is the minor axis direction or a direction intermediate between the major axis direction and the minor axis direction (not shown).
In other respects than those mentioned above, the aspects described in the first embodiment are also applied to the fourth embodiment.

[Effects of the Fourth Embodiment]
In the airflow sterilization device 1D according to the fourth embodiment, the light-emitting element 5 has an annular shape, which makes it easier to irradiate the air flowing through the sterilization chamber 35 evenly.
The airflow sterilization device 1D of embodiment 4 is similar to the airflow sterilization device 1A of embodiment 1 except for the annular shape of the light-emitting elements 5 and their arrangement, and therefore has the corresponding effects of the airflow sterilization device 1A of embodiment 1.

[Embodiment 5]
FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining an airflow sterilization device 1E according to a fifth embodiment, showing a cross section of the airflow sterilization device 1E.
The air flow sterilizer 1E according to the fifth embodiment is basically the same as the air flow sterilizer 1A according to the first embodiment, but differs in that the cross-sectional area of the sterilization chamber 35 in the minor axis direction does not change along the major axis direction in the first embodiment, whereas in the fifth embodiment, the cross-sectional area gradually decreases from the air inlet 2 toward the air outlet 4.

The following description will be given using the drawings. In the air flow sterilizer 1E shown in Figure 10, the sterilization chamber 35 has a cylindrical shape with an inner diameter that gradually decreases from the air inlet 2 toward the air outlet 4 (the cross section is trapezoidal). In other words, the inner diameter L2 of the sterilization chamber 35 near the air inlet 2 is greater than the inner diameter L3 near the air outlet 4. Accordingly, the cross-sectional area in the minor axis direction gradually decreases. Air near the inner wall of the sterilization chamber 35 flows toward the air outlet 4 along the inner wall. Reference numeral 57 denotes a control device installed in the space created outside.
In other respects than those mentioned above, the aspects described in the first embodiment are also applied to the fifth embodiment.

[Effects of the Fifth Embodiment]
According to the airflow sterilization device 1E of the fifth embodiment, the flow of air flowing through the sterilization chamber 35 can be further stabilized.
The air flow sterilizer 1E of embodiment 5 is similar to the air flow sterilizer 1A of embodiment 1 except that the cross-sectional area in the sub-axial direction of the sterilization chamber 35 is configured to gradually decrease from the air inlet section 2 toward the air outlet section 4, and therefore has the corresponding effects of the air flow sterilizer 1A of embodiment 1.

[Embodiment 6]
11A and 11B are diagrams for explaining an airflow sterilizer 1F according to embodiment 6. Fig. 11A is a cross-sectional front view of the airflow sterilizer 1F, and Fig. 11B is a cross-sectional perspective view.
The air flow sterilizer 1F according to the sixth embodiment is basically the same as the air flow sterilizer 1E according to the fifth embodiment (see FIG. 10 ), but differs in that the air inlet section 2 is made up of a plurality of air gap layers 21 in the fifth embodiment, whereas the air inlet section 2 is made up of a single air gap layer 21 in the sixth embodiment (in other words, the air inlet section 2 is made up of the lowest layer of the plurality of air gap layers 21 shown in FIG. 10 ).

As shown in FIG. 11, the airflow sterilization device 1F according to embodiment 6 comprises a cylindrical sterilization section 3 that constitutes a sterilization chamber 35 extending in the direction of the main axis of air flow, a light-emitting element 5 that is provided within the sterilization chamber and is capable of irradiating ultraviolet light toward the air flowing through the sterilization chamber 35, an air inlet section 2 that is provided on one side of the cylindrical sterilization section 3 and that allows air to flow into the sterilization chamber 35, and an air outlet section 4 that is provided on the other side of the cylindrical sterilization section 3 and that allows air to flow out of the sterilization chamber 35. The air inlet section 2 has a vertical gap layer 21a that extends in the direction of the main axis. The sterilization chamber 35 has a void layer 21 whose main components are a bottom void layer 21b that is connected to each vertical void layer 21a and extends in a sub-axial direction perpendicular to the main axis, and a cone-shaped member 21d provided in the center so that its apex is in the direction of the other side, and the air in the bottom void layer 21b is guided by the cone-shaped member 21d and flows into the sterilization chamber 35 through the vertical void layer 21a, and the sterilization chamber 35 is configured so that the cross-sectional area in the sub-axial direction gradually decreases from the air inlet section 2 to the air outlet section 4.

The sterilization chamber 35 has a cylindrical shape, and is configured so that its cross-sectional area (inner diameter) in the minor axis direction gradually decreases (see FIGS. 11(a) and 11(b)).
11(b) denotes a reinforcing pillar 72 that supports the cylindrical sterilization part 3. One or more reinforcing pillars 72 are provided around the cylindrical sterilization part 3 so as to surround the cylindrical sterilization part 3. The reinforcing pillar 72 is not an essential component.

[Cone-shaped member 21d]
The cone-shaped member 21d has a conical shape. The cone-shaped member 21d is configured to be located in the center of the air inlet section 2, with its apex positioned near the lower perforated plate 6 (slightly below the perforated plate 6 or in contact with the perforated plate 6). In other words, the cone-shaped member 21d is configured so that its apex does not enter the sterilization chamber 35.
(As will be described later, the apex of the cone-shaped member 21d may be configured so as not to enter the sterilization chamber 35, or so as to enter the sterilization chamber 35.)

[R forming part 21r]
In the airflow sterilizer 1F according to the sixth embodiment, the outer inner wall 21i of the air gap layer 21 and the inner wall 35i of the sterilization chamber are configured so that their directions change smoothly from the minor axis direction to the major axis direction near the connection between the air gap layer 21 and the sterilization chamber 35 (the peripheral area including the connection). In other words, an R-forming portion 21r with rounded corners (a rounded surface with rounded corners) is provided near the connection.

[Light-emitting element 5 (using LED element)]
In the airflow sterilizer 1F of embodiment 6, LED elements are used as the light-emitting elements 5, and the LED elements are arranged along the inner wall 35i of the sterilization chamber (in this specification, the terms "use" and "in use" are used almost synonymously).
The multiple light-emitting elements 5 (LED elements) are mounted on an LED mounting substrate 56, which is an elongated flexible substrate. The LED mounting substrate 56 is affixed to the sterilization chamber inner wall 35i and installed with screws or the like, with the LED element arrangement direction (the longitudinal direction of the LED mounting substrate 56) aligned along the main axis. Therefore, the multiple light-emitting elements 5 (LED elements) are arranged along the main axis (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "vertical arrangement"), and ultraviolet light is irradiated from the light-emitting elements 5 toward the inside of the sterilization chamber 35.
It is preferable to provide two or more LED-mounted substrates 56 each having a light-emitting element 5 mounted thereon. For example, when there are two, they are installed at opposing positions on the sterilization chamber inner wall 35i across the main axis. When there are three or more, they are installed at equally divided angular positions on the circumference (sterilization chamber inner wall 35i) centered on the main axis. In Figures 11(a) and (b), only one LED-mounted substrate 56 is shown, and the other LED-mounted substrates 56 are not shown.

The LED element (light-emitting element 5) is mounted on the LED-mounted substrate 56 by, for example, placing a chip LED (surface-mounted LED) on a flexible substrate with wiring, and soldering the wiring on the flexible substrate to the electrodes (anode electrode, cathode electrode) of the chip LED. A chip LED is an LED that functions as an LED component. It is an LED package in which an LED element is mounted on a small substrate and coated with insulating resin.
Instead of soldering, adhesion using a conductive adhesive, wire bonding, or the like may be used.
Instead of the chip LED, a so-called bullet-type LED, a Flux LED, or a COB (chip on board) LED may be used, or a silicon substrate on which an LED is formed may be used.

Furthermore, an insulating resin may be coated on the light-emitting element mounting surface of the LED mounting substrate 56 on which the light-emitting element 5 (LED element) is mounted. The location of the sterilization chamber inner wall 35i where the LED mounting substrate 56 is installed may be coated with insulating resin so as to cover the LED mounting substrate 56 and the surrounding sterilization chamber inner wall 35i. The entire sterilization chamber inner wall 35i on which the LED mounting substrate 56 is installed may be coated with insulating resin.
In this way, the insulation is improved. Furthermore, the arrangement of the light-emitting elements 5 and the installation of the LED mounting board 56 have almost no effect on the air flow inside the sterilization chamber 35, but the effect of unevenness caused by the arrangement of the light-emitting elements 5 (LED elements) and the installation of the LED mounting board 56 can be further reduced.
(The explanation in the section [Light-emitting element 5 (using LED element)] also applies to the airflow sterilization device 1G in FIG. 12(b) described later.)

[Effects of the Sixth Embodiment]
In the air flow sterilizer 1F of embodiment 6, air that has flowed into the bottom gap layer 21b of the air inlet section 2 is changed in direction by the cone-shaped member 21d toward the sterilization chamber 35, is guided through the vertical gap layer 21a into the sterilization chamber 35, and flows toward the air outlet section 4 inside the sterilization chamber 35, which is configured so that the cross-sectional area in the minor axis direction gradually decreases. As a result, the air is sterilized by the ultraviolet rays irradiated from the light-emitting element 5, with almost no stagnation (dead water area) occurring within the sterilization chamber 35.
Therefore, it is possible to provide an air flow sterilizer 1F that has high sterilization efficiency, is small in size, and has a simple structure.

Furthermore, according to the air flow sterilization device 1F of embodiment 6, an R-forming portion 21r is provided near the connection between the void layer 21 and the sterilization chamber 35, so that air flows smoothly even at this location, making it possible to further suppress the occurrence of stagnation (dead water area).

Furthermore, according to the airflow sterilization device 1F of embodiment 6, an LED element is used as the light-emitting element 5, so that a small light-emitting element 5 can be used, and the influence of the presence of the light-emitting element 5 on the air flow can be almost eliminated.
Furthermore, for example, by not using mercury, it is possible to avoid the environmental problem.
Furthermore, when the LED elements (light-emitting elements 5) are arranged along the inner wall 35i of the sterilization chamber, the air flowing through the sterilization chamber 35 can be sterilized by irradiating it with ultraviolet light from the periphery.

In addition, the air flow sterilization device 1F of embodiment 6 is similar to the air flow sterilization device 1E of embodiment 5 except that the air gap layer 21 is made into a single layer (the air inlet section 2 is simplified), and therefore has the relevant effects of the air flow sterilization device 1E of embodiment 5.

The sixth embodiment can also be interpreted as follows.
When multiple void layers 21 are used as in the first (to fourth) embodiments, it is possible to generate a flow that causes almost no stagnation (dead water area) in the sterilization chamber 35, but in the sixth embodiment, instead, the air inlet section 2 is formed from the lowest void layer 21 (in other words, the lowest void layer 21 is configured to be enlarged relative to the air inlet section 2), resulting in a simplified structure. Along with the simplification, the size of the central cone-shaped member 21d relative to the void layer 21 is also increased.
Furthermore, as in the first to fourth embodiments, in order to generate a flow that causes almost no stagnation (dead water area) within the sterilization chamber 35, the cross-sectional area of the sterilization chamber 35 in the counter-axial direction is gradually reduced from the air inlet 2 to the air outlet 4.
By doing this, even though the air inlet section 2 is simplified, it is possible to create a flow that causes almost no stagnation (dead water area), just like when it is constructed with multiple air gap layers 21.

By gradually reducing the cross-sectional area in the sub-axial direction toward the air outlet 4, the flow velocity toward the air outlet 4 increases and the irradiation time decreases compared to when this is not done. While the sterilization rate decreases slightly, this can be compensated for, for example, by increasing the light intensity from the light-emitting element 5 or by reducing the airflow power of the fan 43 to slow the flow velocity.

[Embodiment 7]
Figure 12 is a diagram for explaining an airflow sterilizer 1G according to embodiment 7. Figure 12(a) is a cross-sectional front view of the airflow sterilizer 1G, Figure 12(b) is a cross-sectional perspective view, and Figure 12(c) is a diagram for explaining airflow simulation.
The airflow sterilizer 1G of embodiment 7 is basically the same as the airflow sterilizer 1F of embodiment 6, except that in embodiment 6 the cone-shaped member 21d (cone-shaped) is configured so that its apex is located near the sterilization chamber 35, whereas in embodiment 7 the apex of the cone-shaped member 21d is configured to protrude into the sterilization chamber 35 so as to be located inside the sterilization chamber 35 (see Figures 12(a) and (b)).

The cone-shaped cone member 21d is configured in the center of the air inlet section 2, with its apex positioned above the lower perforated plate 6. In other words, the cone-shaped member 21d is configured so that its apex protrudes into the interior of the sterilization chamber 35. The perforated plate 6 has a hole formed at the point where the cone-shaped member 21d protrudes into the interior of the sterilization chamber 35.

Figure 12(c) is a diagram used to explain a simulation of airflow within the cylindrical sterilization section 3 of the airflow sterilization device 1G. As shown in Figure 12(c), it can be seen that air flows at a substantially uniform flow rate in the axial direction at any location within the sterilization chamber 35.

[Modification of Air Flow Sterilizer 1G]
13(a) and 13(b) are diagrams illustrating modifications of the airflow sterilizer 1G according to embodiment 7. These are basically the same as the airflow sterilizer 1G shown in Fig. 12, but differ in the arrangement of the LED elements that are the light-emitting elements 5.
The explanation in the section "Light-emitting element 5 (using LED element)" of embodiment 6 regarding the light-emitting element 5 and the like basically applies to the airflow sterilization device 1G of Figures 13(a) and 13(b) as well, except for the arrangement of the light-emitting element 5.

In the airflow sterilization device 1G in FIG. 13(a), multiple light-emitting elements 5 (LED elements) are arranged in a ring shape (circularly surrounding the main axis) on the inner wall 35i of the sterilization chamber (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "ring-shaped arrangement").
A plurality of LED elements (light-emitting elements 5) are mounted on an elongated LED mounting substrate 56, and the LED mounting substrate 56 is installed on the inner wall 35i of the sterilization chamber so that the LED mounting substrate 56 forms a ring shape surrounding the main axis.
The air flowing in the sterilization chamber 35 in the direction of the main axis is sterilized by ultraviolet light emitted in the direction of the main axis from a plurality of LED elements (light-emitting elements 5) arranged in a ring shape surrounding the main axis.
Although FIG. 13( a ) shows only one LED mounting substrate 56 on which a light-emitting element 5 is mounted, multiple LED mounting substrates 56 may be arranged at different positions along the main axis direction.

In the airflow sterilization device 1G shown in Figure 13(b), multiple light-emitting elements 5 (LED elements) are arranged on a thin, columnar LED mounting substrate 56, and are positioned at the center (center along the main axis) of the sterilization chamber 35 (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "central arrangement"). The LED mounting substrate 56 has a thin, columnar shape and is placed on top of the cone-shaped member 21d. In this example, as shown, the LED mounting substrate 56 is cylindrical, with the outer diameter of the cylinder remaining almost constant along the main axis and gradually decreasing toward the air outlet 4. The thin, columnar shape is used to avoid the risk of large vortices. The apex position (main axis direction position) of the thin column is closer to the air outlet 4 than the apex position of the cone-shaped member 21d. The light-emitting elements 5 are arranged on the thin, columnar LED mounting substrate 56 in a linear manner along the main axis (vertical arrangement), a circular arrangement surrounding the main axis (annular arrangement), an all-over arrangement, or the like.

The LED mounting substrate 56 formed into a thin pillar shape may be made of, for example, a flexible substrate, and the LED elements may be mounted by soldering or the like in a flat state, and then formed into a thin pillar shape. Alternatively, the LED elements may be mounted by soldering or the like on the LED mounting substrate 56 that has already been formed into a thin pillar shape.
The LED mounting substrate 56 formed in a thin column shape may be installed on the cone-shaped member 21 d in a replaceable manner. If the LED mounting substrate 56 is replaceable, it will be easy to replace it with one having a different thin column shape or one having a different arrangement of the light-emitting elements 5.

As the air inside the sterilization chamber 35 flows from the air inlet 2 side to the air outlet 4 side, it is sterilized by ultraviolet light emitted from the LED element (centrally located) mounted on the outside of the thin, columnar LED mounting board 56.

The air flow in the air flow sterilizer 1G of FIG. 13(a) is naturally similar to the simulation diagram shown in FIG. 12(c).
The air flow in the airflow sterilizer 1G in Fig. 13(b) is also similar to the simulation diagram shown in Fig. 12(c). This is because the LED-mounted substrate 56 installed in the center of the sterilization chamber 35 is thin, so there is almost no stagnation (dead water area) (the same applies to the airflow sterilizer 1H according to embodiment 8, which will be described later using Fig. 14). Therefore, even if a thin, columnar LED-mounted substrate 56 extending in the main axis direction is located in the center of the sterilization chamber 35, it has almost no effect.

[Effects of the Seventh Embodiment]
In the air flow sterilizer 1G according to the seventh embodiment, if the apex of the cone-shaped member 21d is configured to protrude into the sterilization chamber 35 so as to be positioned inside the sterilization chamber 35, the air that flows into the void layer 21 is more smoothly guided to the inside of the sterilization chamber 35 by the cone-shaped member 21d, making it even less likely that stagnation (dead water area) will occur.

In addition, multiple light-emitting elements 5 (LED elements) may be arranged in a spiral shape (a spiral shape along the main axis direction from the air inlet section 2 to the air outlet section 4) on the sterilization chamber inner wall 35i (hereinafter sometimes referred to as a "spiral arrangement") (not shown).

The air flow sterilization device 1G of embodiment 7 is similar to the air flow sterilization device 1F of embodiment 6 except that the apex of the conical member 21d is configured to protrude into the sterilization chamber 35 so as to be located inside the sterilization chamber 35, and therefore has the relevant effects of the air flow sterilization device 1F of embodiment 6.

[Embodiment 8]
Figure 14 is a diagram for explaining an airflow sterilization device 1H according to embodiment 8. Figure 14(a) is a cross-sectional front view of the airflow sterilization device 1H, and Figure 14(b) is a diagram for explaining an airflow simulation.
The airflow sterilizer 1H according to embodiment 8 is basically the same as the airflow sterilizer 1G according to embodiment 7, except that embodiment 7 uses LED elements as the light-emitting elements 5, whereas embodiment 8 uses linear light-emitting elements 5. The linear light-emitting elements 5 are tubes such as fluorescent tubes having a predetermined diameter.
That is, in the air flow sterilizer 1H according to embodiment 8, linear light-emitting elements are used as the light-emitting elements 5, and the linear light-emitting elements are arranged along the main axis direction (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as "linear central arrangement").

As shown in Figure 14(a), the light-emitting element 5 is a two-piece straight tube (a single, straight piece) connected together (a so-called two-piece bridge, similar to a twin fluorescent lamp), and when viewed as a whole, a linear (shaped) light-emitting element 5 (in other words, a light-emitting element 5 extending linearly in the main axis direction) is used. The linear light-emitting element is arranged in the center of the sterilization chamber 35 along the main axis direction. The light-emitting element 5 has a tubular shape like a fluorescent tube. The light-emitting element 5 has a linear shape extending in the main axis direction as a whole.

A base is provided on the air inlet 2 side of the light-emitting element 5, and an electrode terminal protrudes from the bottom side (not shown). The bottom (base) of the base is placed on the cone-shaped member 21d, and the side of the base smoothly connects with the inclined surface of the cone-shaped member 21d. The electrode terminal (male) protruding outside the base of the light-emitting element 5 is detachably attached to a power supply socket (female) embedded in the top of the cone-shaped member 21d (not shown).
As described above, the light-emitting elements 5 arranged along the main axis direction in the sterilization chamber 35 (light-emitting elements 5 extending linearly along the main axis direction) have almost no effect on the air flow in the sterilization chamber 35.
If necessary, a plurality of light-emitting elements 5 whose tips are connected by a bridge as shown in FIG. 14(a) may be used (placed).

As shown in the air flow simulation diagram in Figure 14(b), it can be seen that air flows at an almost uniform flow rate in the axial direction at any location within the sterilization chamber 35.

[Effects of the Eighth Embodiment]
In the air flow sterilization device 1H of embodiment 8, linear light-emitting elements are used as the light-emitting elements 5, and the linear light-emitting elements are arranged along the main axis direction. Therefore, air moving through the sterilization chamber 35 can be sterilized efficiently by irradiating it with ultraviolet light radially from the center (main axis side).
If a tubular light emitting element such as a fluorescent tube is used as the linear light emitting element 5, various types of such light emitting elements are commercially available and are therefore easily available. In addition, it is possible to increase the amount of irradiated light by utilizing a large tube area, thereby enhancing the sterilizing power.

In addition, the air flow sterilization device 1H of embodiment 8 is similar to the air flow sterilization device 1G of embodiment 7 except that it uses linear light emitting elements 5 (fluorescent tube type) as the light emitting elements 5, and therefore has the corresponding effects of the air flow sterilization device 1G of embodiment 7.

In addition, in embodiments 1 to 5 (Figs. 2 to 10), the LED elements described in embodiments 6 to 7 (Figs. 11 to 13) may also be used as the light-emitting element 5. In such cases, the explanations in embodiments 6 to 7 apply to the arrangement of the LED elements, etc. Furthermore, the explanations in "Combinations of arrangements of light-emitting element 5, etc." apply to the combinations of arrangements, etc.

In addition, in embodiments 1 to 5 (Figures 2 to 10), a straight tube similar to the twin fluorescent lamp described in embodiment 8 (Figure 14) may be used as the light-emitting element 5.

Furthermore, in embodiments 1 to 5 (Figures 2 to 10), as in embodiments 6 to 7 (Figures 11 to 13), the air inlet section 2 may be constructed of the lowest void layer 21 (one layer), with a cone-shaped member 21d (cone-shaped protrusion) provided in the center.

[Arrangement Combination of Light-Emitting Elements 5]
Furthermore, the arrangement of the light-emitting elements 5 may be a combination of the arrangements of the seventh and eighth embodiments (see FIGS. 12 to 14).
For example, LED elements are used as the light-emitting elements 5, and the arrangement of the light-emitting elements 5 is a combination of a vertical arrangement and a central arrangement, a combination of a circular arrangement and a central arrangement, or a combination of a spiral arrangement and a central arrangement. In this case, the arrangement of the light-emitting elements 5 may be such that both are vertically arranged, a circular arrangement, one is vertically arranged and the other is circularly arranged, etc.
Alternatively, LED elements and linear light-emitting elements 5 (see embodiment 8, Figure 14) may be used as the light-emitting elements 5, and an arrangement may be made in which a linear central arrangement and a vertical arrangement are combined, a linear central arrangement and a ring-shaped arrangement are combined, or a linear central arrangement and a spiral arrangement are combined.
The explanations from [Embodiment 7] onwards up to the beginning of the main text can also be applied to Embodiment 6, in which the apex position of the cone-shaped member 21d is different. In this case, the apex position of the cone-shaped member 21d is assumed to be low as shown in Figure 11, and the rest of the explanations remain applicable.

To summarize the configuration common to the embodiments described above, the air flow sterilization device (1A-1H) of the present invention comprises a cylindrical sterilization section 3 that constitutes a sterilization chamber 35 extending in the main axis direction of air flow; a light-emitting element 5 that is provided within the sterilization chamber and is capable of irradiating ultraviolet light toward the air flowing through the sterilization chamber 35; an air inlet section 2 that is provided on one side of the cylindrical sterilization section 3 and allows air to flow into the sterilization chamber 35; and an air outlet section 4 that is provided on the other side of the cylindrical sterilization section 3 and allows air to flow out of the sterilization chamber 35. The air inlet section 2 has a void layer 21 whose main components are vertical void layers 21a that extend in the main axis direction and bottom void layers 21b that are connected to each vertical void layer 21a and extend in a sub-axis direction perpendicular to the main axis, and the void layer 21 is configured so that air in the bottom void layer 21b flows into the sterilization chamber 35 through the vertical void layer 21a.

According to the air flow sterilization device (1A to 1H), the device comprises a cylindrical sterilization section 3, a light-emitting element 5, an air inlet section 2, and an air outlet section 4. The air inlet section 2 has a gap layer 21 whose main components are a vertical gap layer 21a and a bottom gap layer 21b. The gap layer 21 is configured so that air in the bottom gap layer 21b flows into the sterilization chamber 35 through the vertical gap layer 21a. Therefore, the air is sterilized by the ultraviolet light irradiated from the light-emitting element 5, with almost no stagnation (dead water area) occurring in the sterilization chamber 35.
Therefore, it is possible to make the air flow sterilizer (1A to 1H) highly efficient at sterilization and small in size and simple in structure.

Furthermore, if the air flow sterilization device further includes a cone-shaped member 21d (cone-shaped protrusion) and, if necessary, is configured so that the cross-sectional area of the sterilization chamber 35 in the sub-axial direction gradually decreases from the air inlet section 2 toward the air outlet section 4, an even smaller and simpler structure can be achieved.

[Embodiment 9]
FIG. 15 is a diagram for explaining an airflow sterilizer 1I according to a ninth embodiment.
The air flow sterilizer 1I of embodiment 9 is basically the same as the air flow sterilizer 1A of embodiment 1, but differs in that a plurality of perforated plates 6 are stacked, and the stacked perforated plates 6 are configured so that at least some of the openings 65 and non-openings 66 overlap (overlap).

The following diagram will be used to explain. The airflow sterilizer 1I in Figure 15 uses two perforated plates (61, 62). Each plate has an opening 65 and a non-opening 66 (the opening 65 is circular). In both perforated plates 61 and 62, the diameter L65 (opening diameter) of the opening 65 is smaller than the distance L67 (non-opening 66) between adjacent openings 65. The perforated plates 61 and 62 are arranged so that the non-opening 66 of the perforated plate 62 is visible below the opening 65 of the perforated plate 61 when viewed from above, and the openings 65 of the perforated plate 61 and the non-opening 66 of the perforated plate 62 overlap (vertically overlap). A gap 67 is provided between the perforated plates 61 and 62 to allow air to pass from below to above. At least the upper surfaces of the perforated plates 61 and 62 are reflectively finished.

Above the perforated plate 61 is the sterilization chamber 35, where the light-emitting element 5 is placed and emits ultraviolet light. The ultraviolet light emitted from the light-emitting element 5 is reflected by the non-opening 66 of the perforated plate 61. The ultraviolet light that enters the opening 65 of the perforated plate 61 is reflected by the non-opening 66 of the perforated plate 62.

While FIG. 15 illustrates the case where the perforated plates (61, 62) are provided on the air inlet 2 side of the sterilization chamber 35, the same applies when the perforated plates (61, 62) are provided on the air outlet 4 side of the sterilization chamber 35. The openings 65 are not limited to being circular, but may be square, rectangular, triangular, pentagonal, hexagonal, or other shapes. The shapes of the openings 65 (non-openings 66) of the perforated plates 61, 62 may be different. The overlap between the openings 65 of the perforated plate 61 and the non-openings 66 of the perforated plate 62 may be partial, rather than complete. The number of perforated plates (61, 62) is not limited to two, but may be three or more. When stacking perforated plates 6, two to three is preferable, taking into consideration the air flow. The diameters L65 (opening diameters) and the distances L67 between adjacent openings 65 of the multiple perforated plates (61, 62) may be the same, or may be different.
In other respects than those mentioned above, the aspects described in the first embodiment are also applied to the ninth embodiment.

[Effects of Embodiment 9]
In the airflow sterilization device 1I according to the ninth embodiment, a plurality of perforated plates 6 are stacked, and the stacked perforated plates 6 are configured so that at least some of the openings 65 and non-openings 66 overlap (overlap), so that ultraviolet light entering the openings 65 of one perforated plate is reflected by the non-openings 66 of the other perforated plates. This makes it possible to suppress the escape of ultraviolet light from the openings 65, thereby achieving more efficient sterilization.
The air flow sterilizer 1I of embodiment 9 is similar to the air flow sterilizer 1A of embodiment 1 except for the arrangement of multiple overlapping perforated plates, and therefore has the corresponding effects of the air flow sterilizer 1A of embodiment 1.

[Embodiment 10]
Embodiment 10 is an embodiment of an air sterilization system using an airflow sterilizer 1A (not shown). The air sterilization system includes the airflow sterilizer 1A and an air guide that guides sterilized air flowing out from the airflow sterilizer 1A. The airflow sterilizer 1A is installed, for example, on a circular, square, or other dining table, a conference table, a desk where a doctor and patient face each other, or on the floor nearby. The airflow sterilizer 1A may be installed in the orientation shown in FIG. 2 or horizontally. The sterilized air flowing upward from the air outlet 4 of the airflow sterilizer 1A is blown to a desired location by an air guide, such as a parasol or umbrella with a guide surface facing downward, or an air duct that blows out sterilized air.

[Effects of the Tenth Embodiment]
With the above air sterilization system, for example, exhaled breath from a sick person is sucked in through the air inlet 2 of the airflow sterilization device 1A, sterilized in the sterilization chamber 35, and released upward from the air outlet 4 after being sterilized, while being guided to a predetermined location by the air guide. Therefore, at least one of the following (1) to (3) is possible: (1) when eating with multiple people, eating in a clean environment reduces the risk of infection; (2) when holding a meeting, the risk of infection can be reduced; and (3) in medical settings, when a doctor (healthcare worker) and a patient are face-to-face during treatment, bacteria and viruses emitted from the patient can be sucked in and sterilized on the spot, and sterilized clean air can be continuously blown around the doctor to ensure the doctor's safety.

The present invention has been described above based on the above embodiments, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. It can be implemented in various ways without departing from the spirit of the invention, and for example, the following modifications are also possible:

(1) In the above-mentioned first embodiment, the tube 30 (cylindrical sterilization section 3, sterilization chamber 35) has a cylindrical shape (a cylinder with a perfectly circular cross section in the sub-axis direction), but the shape of the tube 30 is not limited to this cylindrical shape. For example, the cross section in the sub-axis direction may be a polygonal shape such as an ellipse, square, rectangle, triangle, pentagon, or hexagon.

(2) In the above-mentioned embodiment 1, the bottom void layer inlet 21e is provided on the side surface of the tubular (cylindrical) air inlet section 2, but the location where the bottom void layer inlet 21e is provided is not limited to the side surface. For example, the bottom void layer inlet 21e may be provided in a distributed manner on the side surface and bottom surface.

(3) In the above embodiment 1, the air inlet section 2 has a cylindrical shape with a diameter that is approximately the same in the vertical direction, and multiple layered bottom gap layer inlets 21e are provided on the side surface (see Figure 4, etc.). However, the cylindrical shape may have a diameter that changes, for example, being larger at the bottom and gradually decreasing toward the top, or being smaller at the bottom and gradually increasing toward the top, and multiple layered bottom gap layer inlets 21e may be provided on the side surface.

(4) In the above embodiment 1, a porous material (such as a sponge) may be used as a substitute for the certain straightening action performed by the perforated plate 6 (the action of averaging the speed of air exiting the sterilization chamber 35 from the multiple vertical void layer outlets 21f).

(5) In the first embodiment, a plurality of linear light emitting elements 5 are arranged to intersect with each other. However, only one linear light emitting element 5 may be arranged in the sub-axis direction.
Alternatively, a plurality of linear light emitting elements 5 may be arranged in the same direction. In this case, they may be arranged at different installation heights or at the same installation height (for example, arranged in parallel).

(6) In the above embodiments 1 to 6, the shape of the light-emitting element 5 was linear or annular, but the shape may also be spiral. However, spiral shapes can generally be classified as linear, annular, or both linear and annular.

(7) The airflow sterilization devices (1A to 1I) of the above-mentioned embodiments 1 to 9 may be used alone, or may be used as modules or sterilization units that are incorporated into air conditioning systems or into the walls, floors, ceilings, windows, etc. of houses.
The device may be used in the position shown in FIG. 2, but may also be used upside down or on its side.

(8) In the air flow sterilization devices (1A-1I) of the above embodiments 1 to 9, the term "gas" may be used instead of "air." This "gas" refers to general gases such as air, oxygen, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and nitrogen. Alternatively, the term "liquid" may be used instead of "air." This "liquid" refers to general liquids such as water and oil. Alternatively, the term "fluid" may be used instead of "air." This "fluid" refers to general fluids including the above "gas" and "liquid."

1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E, 1F, 1G, 1H, 1I...Air flow sterilization device, 2...Air inlet section, 3...Cylindrical sterilization section, 4...Air outlet section, 5...Light emitting element, 6, 61, 62...Perforated plate, 21...Void layer, 21a...Vertical void layer, 21b...Bottom void layer, 21c...Communicating section, 21d...Conical member, 21e...Bottom void layer inlet, 21f...Vertical void layer outlet, 21g...Spacer, 21i...Outer inner wall of void layer, 21r...R-forming section, w...Gap width, 121S1...Bottom void layer inlet area, 21S2...Vertical void layer outlet area, 21z...Air inlet section constituent material 30...tube, 31...light reflecting section, 35...sterilization chamber, 35i...sterilization chamber wall, 131...inlet, 132...outlet, 134...flow tube, 135...partition wall, 136...dead water area, 41...exhaust tube, 43...fan, 43k...fan mounting fixture, 51...electrical connector, 52...wiring, 53...gripping device, 54...fixing member, 55...fixing anchor, 56...LED mounting board, 57...control device, 6...perforated plate, 65...opening, 66...non-opening, 71...frame, 72...reinforcing column, air...air, UV...ultraviolet light, L1...outer diameter of air inlet section, L2, L3...diameter of sterilization chamber

Claims (18)

a cylindrical sterilizing section that forms a sterilizing chamber extending in the direction of the main axis of air flow;
a light-emitting element provided in the sterilization chamber and capable of irradiating ultraviolet light toward the air flowing through the sterilization chamber;
an air inlet section provided on one side of the cylindrical sterilization section for introducing air into the sterilization chamber;
an air outlet portion provided on the other side of the cylindrical sterilization portion to allow air to flow out of the sterilization chamber;
Equipped with
The air inlet section is
An air flow sterilization device having a plurality of laminar void layers whose main components are a plurality of concentric vertical void layers extending in the main axis direction and a bottom void layer communicating with each of the vertical void layers and extending in a sub-axis direction perpendicular to the main axis, wherein the plurality of void layers are configured so that air in the bottom void layer passes through the vertical void layer and flows into the sterilization chamber at a constant speed. 2. The airflow sterilizer of claim 1,
The outer diameter of the cross section in the minor axis direction at a location where the bottom gap layer of the air inlet portion is located is
An air flow sterilizer, characterized in that the diameter of the air flow passage is larger than the inner diameter of the cross section in the minor axis direction at the point where the air flows in from the air inlet port of the sterilization chamber. 2. The airflow sterilizer of claim 1,
An air flow sterilizer, characterized in that the plurality of gap layers are configured so that the ratio of the area of the bottom gap layer inlet to the area of the vertical gap layer outlet is within a predetermined range. 4. The airflow sterilizer of claim 3 ,
The air flow sterilizer is characterized in that the bottom gap layer is configured so that the gap width is constant or gradually narrows from the bottom gap layer inlet toward the connecting part between the bottom gap layer and the vertical gap layer.
2. The airflow sterilizer of claim 1,
An airflow sterilizer, characterized in that the vertical gap layer is configured so that the gap width does not change. 5. The airflow sterilizer of claim 4 ,
An air flow sterilizer, characterized in that the central concentric void layer is provided with a cone-shaped member at the communicating part, the apex of which is in the direction of the outlet of the vertical void layer. 2. The airflow sterilizer of claim 1,
The sterilization chamber is configured so that the cross-sectional area in the minor axis direction does not change along the major axis direction or gradually decreases from the air inlet port toward the air outlet port. 2. The airflow sterilizer of claim 1,
The sterilization chamber further includes a perforated plate disposed near the air inlet or the air outlet of the sterilization chamber,
An airflow sterilizer, characterized in that the perforated plate is configured so that at least the surface facing the inside of the sterilization chamber is reflective. 9. The airflow sterilizer of claim 8,
An airflow sterilizer, characterized in that a plurality of the perforated plates are stacked, and the stacked perforated plates are configured so that at least some of the openings and non-openings overlap. 2. The airflow sterilizer of claim 1,
The airflow sterilizer, characterized in that the light emitting element has a linear or annular shape. 11. The airflow sterilizer of claim 10,
the light-emitting element is arranged so that, when the light-emitting element is linear, the linear direction thereof, or when the light-emitting element is annular, the normal direction of the surface surrounded by the annular ring, is the direction of the major axis, the minor axis, or an intermediate direction therebetween. 11. The airflow sterilizer of claim 10,
The airflow sterilizer according to claim 1, wherein the light emitting elements are a plurality of linear light emitting elements, and the plurality of light emitting elements are arranged so as to intersect when viewed from the main axis direction. a cylindrical sterilizing section that forms a sterilizing chamber extending in the direction of the main axis of air flow;
a light-emitting element provided in the sterilization chamber and capable of irradiating ultraviolet light toward the air flowing through the sterilization chamber;
an air inlet section provided on one side of the cylindrical sterilization section for introducing air into the sterilization chamber;
an air outlet portion provided on the other side of the cylindrical sterilization portion to allow air to flow out of the sterilization chamber;
Equipped with
The air inlet section is
a gap layer having as its main components a vertical gap layer extending in the main axis direction, a bottom gap layer communicating with each of the vertical gap layers and extending in a sub-axis direction perpendicular to the main axis, and a cone-shaped member provided in the center so as to have an apex in the direction of the other side, and configured so that air in the bottom gap layer is guided by the cone-shaped member and flows into the sterilization chamber through the vertical gap layer,
The air flow sterilizer, characterized in that the sterilization chamber is configured so that the cross-sectional area in the sub-axial direction gradually decreases from the air inlet port toward the air outlet port. 14. The airflow sterilizer of claim 13,
an outer inner wall of the air gap layer and an inner wall of the sterilization chamber are configured so that their direction gradually changes from the minor axis direction to the major axis direction near the connection between the air gap layer and the sterilization chamber. 14. The airflow sterilizer of claim 13,
The air flow sterilizer, characterized in that the cone-shaped member is configured to protrude into the sterilization chamber so that the apex is located inside the sterilization chamber. 14. The airflow sterilizer of claim 13,
An airflow sterilizer, characterized in that LED elements are used as the light-emitting elements, and the LED elements are arranged along the inner wall of the sterilization chamber. 14. The airflow sterilizer of claim 13,
An airflow sterilizer, characterized in that linear light-emitting elements are used as the light-emitting elements, and the linear light-emitting elements are arranged along the main axis. a cylindrical sterilizing section that forms a sterilizing chamber extending in the direction of the main axis of air flow;
a light-emitting element provided in the sterilization chamber and capable of irradiating ultraviolet light toward the air flowing through the sterilization chamber;
an air inlet section provided on one side of the cylindrical sterilization section for introducing air into the sterilization chamber;
an air outlet portion provided on the other side of the cylindrical sterilization portion to allow air to flow out of the sterilization chamber;
Equipped with
The air inlet section is
An air flow sterilization device having a gap layer whose main components are vertical gap layers extending in the main axis direction and bottom gap layers communicating with each vertical gap layer and extending in the sub-axis direction perpendicular to the main axis, wherein the gap layers are configured so that air in the bottom gap layer flows into the sterilization chamber through the vertical gap layers.