JPH09253182A - Ozone sterilizer - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Abstract] [Problem] To easily check the deterioration of the ozone sensor,
To provide an ozone sterilizer capable of ensuring highly safe operation. SOLUTION: A first signal V1 of a level corresponding to the ozone concentration detected by an ozone sensor 13 for detecting an ozone concentration in a sterilization booth 2 and a first signal in a predetermined low level state after completion of sterilization The level of the second signal V2 for determining whether the level of V1 is normal is compared, an alarm is output according to the comparison result, and the operation of the ozone sterilizer 1 is prevented from being started. When the level difference is large, the ozone decomposition operation is performed for a certain period of time, the level difference is checked again, an alarm is output according to the result, and the operation of the ozone sterilizer 1 is not started.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ozone sterilizer for increasing the ozone concentration of air in a sterilization booth during sterilization treatment and decreasing the ozone concentration of air in the sterilization booth when sterilization treatment is completed. It is a thing.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An ozone sterilizer of this type has a sterilization booth and an ozone generator, and a chamber provided adjacent to the sterilization booth sucks air in the sterilization booth into air sucked into the chamber. By repeating the process of mixing ozone from the ozone generator and exhausting it to the sterilization booth, the ozone concentration in the sterilization booth is raised to the level required for the sterilization process, and the sterilization process is performed in the sterilization booth. There is. And when the sterilization process is completed,
The ozone-containing air having a high concentration from the sterilization booth is sucked into the chamber again, the ozone is decomposed by the ozone decomposition catalyst, and then the exhausted air is discharged to the sterilization booth. 1 pp
Post-processing is performed to reduce the environmental standard value to less than m.
Then, whether or not the ozone concentration has dropped to a level that does not affect the human body is detected by an ozone sensor provided in the chamber. Therefore, the ozone sensor has an extremely low concentration of ozone (0.1%) to determine the end of the ozone decomposition operation.
However, such ozone sensors capable of detecting low concentrations are currently practically limited to semiconductor ozone sensors in terms of cost and shape.

[0003]

However, due to the mechanism of ozone detection, the semiconductor ozone sensor has the property that its characteristics do not recover when exposed to ozone of high concentration (about 10 ppm or more) in principle. are doing. Therefore, due to exposure to high concentration (about 200 ppm) of ozone in the chamber during operation in the sterilization mode, the characteristics of the semiconductor ozone sensor deteriorates while the device is in use. As a result, there is a possibility that environmental safety cannot be ensured even if ozone is decomposed until it falls below the environmental standard by relying on the ozone sensor provided in the chamber.

As described above, in the conventional ozone sterilizer, safety is ensured by decomposing ozone in the sterilization booth until it becomes equal to or lower than the environmental standard value by relying on the ozone sensor at the end of operation. In this sense, it plays an extremely important role in safety. However, in the conventional ozone sterilizer, as described above, the ozone sensor does not have a means for judging whether or not the ozone sensor is normal only by relying on the reliability of the ozone sensor alone. There was a problem in ensuring the safety of the environment.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an ozone sterilizer capable of solving the above-mentioned problems in the prior art and ensuring a highly safe operation.

[0006]

The features of the invention of claim 1 for solving the above-mentioned problems are as follows: a sterilization booth, an ozone generator, and ozone from the ozone generator in the air in the sterilization booth during sterilization. For producing an environment for sterilization with a predetermined ozone concentration in the sterilization booth and for performing an ozone decomposition process to return the ozone concentration of the air in the sterilization booth to a predetermined low level after the sterilization is completed. In an ozone sterilization apparatus including a processing chamber, an ozone sensor for detecting an ozone concentration in the sterilization booth is included, and a first level having a level corresponding to the ozone concentration in the sterilization booth is included.
A first circuit for outputting a signal, and a signal output means for outputting a second signal of a predetermined constant level for determining whether or not the level of the first signal in the predetermined low level state is normal Detecting means for detecting a level difference between the first signal and the second signal when the ozone sterilizer starts operating in response to the first signal and the second signal, and the level responding to the detecting means When the difference is equal to or more than a predetermined value, an alarm / control means for outputting an alarm and preventing the operation of the ozone sterilizer from being started is provided.

According to this structure, it is possible to check whether or not a problem has occurred in the characteristics of the ozone sensor by comparing the levels of the first signal and the second signal when the operation of the ozone sterilizer is started. That is, when the ozone sensor is exposed to a high concentration of ozone necessary for sterilization, the level of the first signal becomes higher than a predetermined level for the actual ozone concentration at that time, and the first signal and the second signal When the difference in level becomes equal to or greater than a predetermined value, an alarm is output by the alarm / control means, and the operator can be informed of the deterioration of the characteristics of the ozone sensor and the inspection can be prompted. At the same time, ensure that the ozone sterilizer does not start operating,
Ensure the safety of the environment. The second signal is set with reference to the average value of normal ozone concentrations in nature.

A second aspect of the present invention is characterized by a sterilization booth,
Ozone generator, and during sterilization, the ozone from the ozone generator is mixed into the air in the sterilization booth to create a sterilization environment with a predetermined ozone concentration in the sterilization booth and after the sterilization, the sterilization booth In an ozone sterilizer equipped with a processing chamber for performing ozone decomposition processing so as to return the ozone concentration of the air to a predetermined low level state,
A first circuit that includes an ozone sensor for detecting the ozone concentration in the sterilization booth and outputs a first signal having a level according to the ozone concentration in the sterilization booth; and the first circuit in the predetermined low level state. Signal output means for outputting a second signal of a predetermined constant level for determining whether or not the signal level is normal, and operation of the ozone sterilizer in response to the first signal and the second signal. The first at the beginning
Detection means for detecting a level difference between the signal and the second signal; and, in response to the detection means, if the level difference is a predetermined value or more, ozone decomposition in the chamber prior to the start of operation of the ozone sterilizer. An operation control means for performing the operation only for a certain time, and an alarm is output when the level difference between the first signal and the second signal after the end of the ozone decomposition operation by the operation control means is a predetermined value or more. And an alarm / control means for preventing the operation of the ozone sterilizer from being started.

In this configuration, when the level difference between the first signal and the second signal exceeds a predetermined value, the operation control means first performs the ozone decomposing operation in the chamber for a predetermined time, and then again the level difference. Is checked. If the level difference is still more than the specified value even after the ozone decomposing operation is performed for a certain period of time, an alarm is output by the alarm / control means to notify the operator of the deterioration of the characteristics of the ozone sensor and to prompt that point. You can At the same time, the operation of the ozone sterilizer is prevented from starting and the safety of the environment is ensured.

After performing the ozone decomposition operation as described above,
The reason for re-checking and confirming the abnormality of the sensor will be described below. In the invention of claim 1, since the ozone sensor 1 is in a normal environment before the operation is started, there should be no large level difference with the second signal. At this time, the level difference with the second signal is a constant value. It is judged that the above is an abnormality of the sensor. However, it is not guaranteed that the ozone sensor is in a normal environment before the start of operation. For example, if a power failure occurs during operation of this equipment and ozone decomposition is not stopped and then you try to start the next operation again, the ozone concentration in the sterilization booth must be above the environmental standard. Is fully conceivable. In consideration of this point, in the invention of claim 2, the ozone decomposing operation is performed once, and the abnormality is determined only when the detected concentration of the sensor does not decrease.

A third aspect of the present invention is characterized by a sterilization booth,
Ozone generator, and during sterilization, the ozone from the ozone generator is mixed into the air in the sterilization booth to create a sterilization environment with a predetermined ozone concentration in the sterilization booth and after the sterilization, the sterilization booth In an ozone sterilizer equipped with a processing chamber for performing ozone decomposition processing so as to return the ozone concentration of the air to a predetermined low level state,
A first circuit that includes an ozone sensor for detecting the ozone concentration in the sterilization booth and outputs a first signal having a level according to the ozone concentration in the sterilization booth; and the first circuit in the predetermined low level state. Signal output means for outputting a second signal of a predetermined constant level for determining whether or not the signal level is normal, and operation of the ozone sterilizer in response to the first signal and the second signal. The first at the beginning
Detecting means for detecting a level difference between the signal and the second signal, and in response to the detecting means, an alarm is output and the operation of the ozone sterilizer is not started when the level difference is a predetermined value or more. The alarm / control means and the decomposition operation control means for performing the ozone decomposition operation in the chamber for a predetermined time in response to the output of the alarm.

According to the third aspect of the invention, it is possible to check whether or not the characteristic of the ozone sensor has failed by comparing the levels of the first signal and the second signal when the operation of the ozone sterilizer is started. When the level difference between the first signal and the second signal exceeds a predetermined value, an alarm is output by the alarm / control means, and the operator can be informed of the deterioration of the characteristics of the ozone sensor and the inspection can be prompted. . At the same time, the operation of the ozone sterilizer should not be started. Further, in response to the output of the alarm, the decomposition operation control means carries out the decomposition operation of ozone in the chamber for a predetermined time to ensure the environmental safety.

[0013]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION An example of an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an example of an embodiment of an ozone sterilizer according to the present invention. The ozone sterilizer 1 includes a sterilization booth 2, an ozone generator 3, and ozone from the ozone generator 3 in air in the sterilization booth 2 during sterilization to create a sterilization environment having a predetermined ozone concentration in the sterilization booth 2. And a processing chamber 4 for performing ozone decomposition processing so that the ozone concentration of the air in the sterilization booth 2 is returned to a predetermined low level state after the sterilization is completed. The ozone generator 3 and the processing chamber 4 are provided with an ultrasonic humidifier 5, a humidity detector 6, a power supply 7 and a controller 8 for controlling the operations of the ozone sterilizer 1, and a protective space 10 formed by an outer panel 9 of the apparatus. It is stored inside. A cooling fan 12 driven by a motor 11 is provided on the device outer plate 9.
Is attached, and the heat generated from various devices provided in the device outer plate 9 is released to the outside.

The processing chamber 4 is in communication with the sterilization booth 2 through the suction duct portion 4A and the blowing duct portion 4B, and the air in the sterilization booth 2 is sucked into the processing chamber 4 through the suction duct portion 4A for processing. The air treated in the chamber 4 can be blown out into the sterilization booth 2 through the blowout duct portion 4B.

A suction passage 4 is provided inside the processing chamber 4.
C, ozone decomposition chamber 4D, outlet passage 4E, suction passage 4
A communication passage 4F for sending the suction air from C to the blow-out passage 4E is formed. An ozone decomposition catalyst 4G is arranged in the ozone decomposition chamber 4D, and a blower fan 4I driven by a motor 4H is arranged in the blowout passage 4E. A first damper 4J is provided between the suction passage 4C and the communication passage 4F, and a second damper 4K is provided in the ozone decomposition chamber 4D at a position facing the suction duct portion 4A.

The ultrasonic humidifier 5 has a well-known structure including a humidifying water tank 5A, a humidifier power source 5B and an ultrasonic humidifier 5C, and fine particles of water atomized in the ultrasonic humidifier 5C. Blows through the humidifying hose 5D to the passage 4E
It is configured to be sent inside. On the other hand, the ozone generator 3 is supplied with a high voltage from the high voltage power source 3A,
Ozone is generated using oxygen supplied from the outside via the oxygen hose 3B, and the ozone generated here is sent to the vicinity of the outlet of the blowout passage 4E via the ozone hose 3C.

The opening and closing of the first damper 4J and the second damper 4K is controlled by the controller 8. When performing sterilization in the sterilization booth 2, the first damper 4J is opened and the second damper 4K is opened.
Is closed. In this state, the blower fan 4I is the motor 4H
The air in the sterilization booth 2 is sent from the blowing passage 4C through the communicating passage 4F to the blowing passage 4E, where the humidified air from the ultrasonic humidifying device 5 and the ozone from the ozone generator 3 are rotated. Sterilization booth 2 mixed with
Return to As a result, the ozone concentration in the sterilization booth 2 can be set to a required high concentration required for sterilization (for example, about 200 ppm)).

On the other hand, when the sterilization process is completed in the sterilization booth 2, the first damper 4J is closed and the second damper 4K is closed.
Is opened and the end operation is performed. In this state, the air from the sterilization booth 2 is guided to the ozone decomposition chamber 4D, where ozone contained in the air is decomposed by the ozone decomposition catalyst 4G, and the air whose ozone concentration has decreased is blown by the blower fan 4I.
Then, it is guided to the blowing passage 4E and returns to the sterilization booth 2. By circulating the air in the sterilization booth 2 in the processing chamber 4 in this manner, the ozone concentration is reduced to the environmental standard value that does not affect the human body.

In order to be able to check the ozone concentration of the air in the sterilization booth 2, in this embodiment, an ozone sensor 13 is provided near the inlet in the blowing passage 4C. However, ozone sensor 1
The arrangement position of 3 is not limited to the configuration of this embodiment, and may be provided at any other appropriate position. The ozone sensor 13 is for detecting the ozone concentration of the air sent from the sterilization booth 2 into the processing chamber 4 through the suction duct portion 4A, and sterilization is performed as a result of performing the ozone decomposition operation as described above. Environmental standard value (for example, 0.1 ppm) within the range where ozone concentration in booth 2 does not affect human body
It is checked using the ozone sensor 13 whether or not the value becomes less than). Ozone sensor 13 suitable for such applications
As this, in the present embodiment, a semiconductor ozone sensor whose resistance value changes according to the ozone concentration is used. Note that the reference numeral 6A indicates the blowing passage 4
A humidity sensor for detecting the humidity of the air in C,
The humidity sensor 6A is connected to the humidity detector 6.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged detailed view of the connecting structure between the sterilization booth 2 and the processing chamber 4 by the suction duct section 4A and the blowing duct section 4B. The suction duct portion 4A is formed by connecting the first connection port 21 integrally provided with the sterilization booth 2 and the suction side connection port 4X integrally provided with the processing chamber 4 with the flexible pipe 14. One end of the flexible pipe 14 has a first connection port 21.
It fits tightly. On the other hand, flexible pipe 1
The other end of 4 is fitted to the suction side connection port 4X so as to extend to the inside of the device outer plate 9, and the flexible pipe 1
The fitting portion between the suction pipe 4 and the suction side connecting port 4X is fastened from the outside of the flexible pipe 14 by a fastening band 15 so as not to be easily separated. Blowing duct part 4
B is the second connection port 22 provided integrally with the sterilization booth 2.
And outlet side connection port 4Y provided integrally with the processing chamber 4
And are connected by a flexible pipe 16. One end of the flexible pipe 16 is tightly fitted with the second connection port 22. On the other hand, the other end of the flexible pipe 16 is fitted to the outlet side connecting port 4Y so as to extend to the inside of the device outer plate 9, and the fitting portion between the flexible pipe 16 and the outlet side connecting port 4Y can be easily carried out. It is fastened from the outside of the flexible pipe 16 by a fastening band 17 so as not to come off.

Suction duct portion 4A and blowout duct portion 4
Since B is configured as described above, even if the tightening by the tightening bands 15 and / or 17 is loose, between the flexible pipe 14 and the suction side connecting port 4X, or between the flexible pipe 16 and the blowing side connecting port 4Y. Ozone leaking from the space is contained in the protective space 10 formed by the device outer plate 9, so that it is safe without immediately increasing the ozone concentration outside the ozone sterilization device 1. Since the specific gravity of ozone is larger than that of air, the leaked ozone moves downward along the device outer plate 9. Device outer plate 9
An auxiliary ozone sensor 18 for detecting ozone leakage is provided in the lower part of the (see FIG. 1), and the auxiliary ozone sensor 18 can easily detect ozone leakage. When the generation of leaked ozone is detected by the auxiliary ozone sensor 18, an alarm to that effect is issued and the ozone decomposition operation can be forcibly started.

Next, the structure of the main part of the control system of the ozone sterilizer 1 shown in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

The control system of the ozone sterilizer 1 comprises a microcomputer device 22 driven by a stabilized low voltage VC supplied between the positive output terminal 21A and the negative output terminal 21B of the stabilized power supply circuit 21. There is. One end of the semiconductor ozone sensor 13 is connected to the ground, and the other end is connected to the positive output terminal 21A via the resistor 23. Therefore, from the connection point between the ozone sensor 13 and the resistor 23, the first voltage signal V1 having a level according to the ozone concentration of the air passing through the blowing passage 4C is output, and the first voltage signal V1 is output.
The voltage signal V1 is input to the microcomputer device 22.

By the ozone decomposition operation in the processing chamber 4 which is executed when the sterilization process is completed in the sterilization booth 2, the ozone concentration of the air in the sterilization booth 2 is at a predetermined low level, for example, an environmental standard that does not affect the human body. The value 0.
In order to be able to confirm whether or not it has dropped to 1 ppm based on the first voltage signal V1, in the present embodiment, when the ozone concentration in the blowing passage 4C becomes a predetermined low level There is provided a voltage generation circuit 24 for outputting the second voltage signal V2 having a level equal to the design level value of the first voltage signal V1. Voltage generation circuit 2
4 is configured as a resistance voltage dividing circuit formed by connecting resistors 25 and 26 in series, and the second voltage signal V2 is input to the microcomputer device 22.

A resistor 27 and a light emitting diode 28 for alarm are connected in series between the output terminal 22A of the microcomputer device 22 and the positive output terminal 21A of the stabilized power supply circuit 21. The light emitting diode 28 is lit in response to the output alarm signal AL, which will be described in detail later.
In addition to the first voltage signal V1 and the second voltage signal V2, various input signals IS necessary for operation control of the ozone sterilizer 1 are input to the microcomputer device 22. An output signal OS according to the calculation result is output for the operation control of the ozone sterilizer 1. However, these signals IS and OS are the same as the signals used in the conventional apparatus of this kind, and the normal operation itself by these signals IS and OS is known per se, and therefore a detailed description thereof will be given here. Is omitted.

Next, the operation control of the ozone sterilizer 1 by the control system shown in FIG. 3 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG.
Is stored in a memory (not shown) in the microcomputer device 22 of FIG.
3 is a flowchart showing a control program executed in 2. This control program is started and executed in response to turning on a power switch (not shown) of the ozone sterilizer 1. When the control program is activated, first, initialization processing is performed in step 31, and step 32 is performed.
The first voltage signal V1 and the second voltage signal V2 are input at
In step 33, the level comparison between the first voltage signal V1 and the second voltage signal V2 is performed. In step 34, the level difference | V1-V2 | between the first voltage signal V1 and the second voltage signal V2
Is determined to be equal to or less than the predetermined value K. Level difference ｜
If V1-V2 | is less than or equal to the predetermined value K, the determination result in step 34 is YES, and normal control is performed in step 35. That is, the ozone concentration in the sterilization booth 2 is increased to a high level necessary for sterilization, and when the sterilization process is completed, the ozone concentration in the sterilization booth 2 is lowered to an environmental standard value that does not affect the human body. Disassembly operation is performed. Then, the execution of this control program ends.

On the other hand, if the decision result in the step 34 is NO, the ozone concentration in the blowing passage 4C exceeds a predetermined low level which is considered not to affect the human body before the operation is started. Or the ozone sensor 13
It means that the characteristics of are abnormal. Therefore, in this case, the abnormal time processing step 40 is executed. In the case of the embodiment of the invention of claim 1 shown in FIG. 4, in step 40A, an alarm signal AL is output, thereby turning on the light emitting diode 28 (see FIG. 3),
Notify the operator that the ozone concentration is high.
Then, in the next step 40B, the ozone sterilizer 1
The control for prohibiting the start of the operation is performed, and the execution of this control program ends.

Here, the determination result of step 34 is NO (1) when the ozone concentration is actually a predetermined low level or higher for some reason, (2) the ozone concentration is a predetermined low level. Although smaller, when the ozone sensor 13 is exposed to high-concentration ozone and characteristics are deteriorated and the first signal V1 of a level corresponding to a concentration different from the actual ozone concentration is output, there are two possibilities. To be

Therefore, according to this structure, whether or not the characteristic of the ozone sensor 13 is defective by comparing the levels of the first voltage signal V1 and the second voltage signal V2 at the time of starting the operation of the ozone sterilizer 1. Can be checked. That is, when the ozone sensor 13 is exposed to high-concentration ozone required for sterilization, and the level of the first voltage signal V1 deviates from the predetermined level relative to the actual ozone concentration at that time by a predetermined value or more, an alarm is output. As a result, the operator can be notified of the deterioration of the characteristics of the ozone sensor 13 and the inspection can be prompted. At the same time, the operation of the ozone sterilizer 1 is prevented from being started, and the environmental safety can be secured.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing another form of the abnormal condition process. The abnormal time process according to the flowchart of FIG. 5 is for explaining an example of the embodiment of the invention of claim 2. In the case of the invention of claim 2, parts other than the abnormal time process 50 shown in FIG. 5 are the same as those shown in FIGS. The abnormal time process 50 shown in FIG. 5 will be described. When the abnormal time process 50 is entered, the ozone decomposition operation is first started in step 50A, and step 50B is started.
After the ozone decomposition operation was started at a certain time (for example, 3
It is determined whether 0 minutes) has elapsed. When the fixed time has not elapsed, the determination result of step 50B is NO, and the execution of step 50B is repeated. Step 50 when a certain time has passed since the ozone decomposition operation was started
The determination result of B is YES, and the ozone decomposition operation is stopped in step 50C.

That is, when the ozone concentration in the blowing passage 4C exceeds the predetermined environmental standard value at the start of the operation of the ozone sterilizer 1, the ozone decomposing operation is performed for the predetermined constant time as described above. The purpose is to reduce the ozone concentration.

Then, in step 50D, the first voltage signal V1 and the second voltage signal V2 are input again to detect the level difference, and in step 50E, the level difference between the first voltage signal V1 and the second voltage signal V2 is detected. It is determined whether or not | V1-V2 | is equal to or less than the predetermined value K. If the level difference | V1-V2 | is less than or equal to the predetermined value K, the determination result of step 50E is YES.
Then, the routine proceeds to step 35, where normal control is performed. That is, the operation of the ozone sterilizer 1 is started after it is confirmed that the ozone concentration in the sterilization booth 2 has dropped to the environmental standard value that does not affect the human body.

On the other hand, if the decision result in the step 50E is NO, it is said that the ozone concentration in the blowing passage 4C does not affect the human body even though the ozone decomposing operation is carried out for a certain period of time. Means that the specified low level is exceeded. Therefore, in step 50F, the alarm signal AL is output, which causes the light emitting diode 28 to
(See FIG. 3) is lit to inform the operator that the ozone concentration is high or the characteristics of the ozone sensor 13 are abnormal. And the next step 50G
In step 3, control is performed to prohibit the start of operation of the ozone sterilizer 1, and the execution of this control program ends.

Here, the determination result of step 50E is NO.
This means that (1) when the ozone concentration is actually higher than a predetermined low level for some reason, (2) the ozone concentration is smaller than the predetermined low level, but the ozone sensor 13 changes to a high concentration ozone. When exposed, characteristic deterioration occurs and the first signal V1 at a level corresponding to a concentration different from the actual ozone concentration
When is output, there are two possible ways.

Therefore, according to this structure, when the level difference between the first voltage signal V1 and the second voltage signal V2 becomes a predetermined value or more, the ozone decomposing operation is performed in the processing chamber 4 for a certain time. After that, the level difference is checked again. If the level difference is still more than the predetermined value even after the ozone decomposing operation is performed for a certain period of time, an alarm is output by turning on the light emitting diode 28 to notify the operator of the deterioration of the characteristics of the ozone sensor 13. The inspection can be prompted. At the same time, the operation of the ozone sterilizer 1 is prevented from being started, and the environmental safety is ensured. The reason why the configuration in which the abnormality of the ozone sensor 13 is determined by rechecking after the ozone decomposition operation is performed as described above is as described above, and thus the defect determination of the ozone sensor 13 can be performed more reliably. it can.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing another embodiment of the abnormal condition processing. The abnormal time process according to the flowchart of FIG. 6 is for explaining an example of the embodiment of the invention of claim 3. In the case of the invention of claim 3, parts other than the abnormal time processing 60 shown in FIG.
Through are the same as those shown in FIG. The abnormal time process 60 shown in FIG. 6 will be described. First, in step 60A, an alarm signal AL is output to turn on the light emitting diode 28 (see FIG. 3) to notify the operator that the ozone concentration is high. . And next step 6
At 0B, control for prohibiting the start of operation of the ozone sterilizer 1 is performed.

Here, the determination result of step 34 is NO (1) when the ozone concentration is actually above a predetermined low level for some reason, and (2) the ozone concentration is below a predetermined low level. Although smaller, when the ozone sensor 13 is exposed to high-concentration ozone and characteristics are deteriorated and the first signal V1 of a level corresponding to a concentration different from the actual ozone concentration is output, there are two possibilities. To be

In the next step 60C, the ozone decomposing operation is started, and in step 60D, it is judged whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the ozone decomposing operation was started.
If the fixed time has not elapsed, the determination result of step 60D is NO, and the execution of step 60D is repeated. When a fixed time has elapsed since the ozone decomposition operation was started, the determination result of step 60D is YES, the ozone decomposition operation is stopped in step 60E, and the execution of the control program ends.

That is, if the ozone concentration in the blowing passage 4C exceeds a predetermined environmental standard value before the operation of the ozone sterilizer 1, the alarm is output and the operation of the ozone sterilizer 1 is started. The purpose is to perform a process for reducing the ozone concentration by performing an ozone decomposing operation for a predetermined period of time in a state where the above is prohibited.

According to this structure, before the operation of the ozone sterilizer 1, the level comparison between the first voltage signal V1 and the second voltage signal V2 is performed to check whether the characteristic of the ozone sensor 13 is defective. can do.
When the level difference between the first voltage signal V1 and the second voltage signal V2 becomes equal to or greater than a predetermined value, an alarm is output by turning on the light emitting diode 28 to notify the operator of the deterioration of the characteristics of the ozone sensor 13 and prompt the operator to check the deterioration. be able to. At the same time, the operation of the ozone sterilizer 1 is prevented from being started to ensure safety. Further, in response to the output of the alarm, the ozone decomposing operation is performed in the processing chamber 4 for a certain period of time,
The safety of the environment can be secured.

[0042]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the ozone sensor is exposed to a high concentration of ozone necessary for sterilization so that the level of the first signal becomes a predetermined level relative to the actual ozone concentration at that time. Different, the first signal and the second
When the level difference from the signal exceeds a predetermined value, an alarm is output by the alarm / control means, and the operator can be notified of the deterioration of the characteristics of the ozone sensor and the inspection can be prompted. At the same time, the operation of the ozone sterilizer is prevented from being started, and the safety of the environment is secured, so that highly safe operation can be secured.

According to the invention of claim 2, the first signal and the second signal
When the level difference from the signal exceeds a predetermined value, the operation control means first performs the ozone decomposing operation in the chamber for a certain time, and then the level difference is checked again, and the ozone decomposing operation is performed for a certain time. If the level difference is still equal to or more than the predetermined value even after performing only the above, an alarm is output by the alarm / control means, and the operator can be informed of the deterioration of the characteristics of the ozone sensor and the inspection thereof can be prompted. At the same time, the operation of the ozone sterilizer is prevented from being started, and the environmental safety can be secured. As a result, highly safe operation can be ensured.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, by comparing the levels of the first signal and the second signal at the time of starting the operation of the ozone sterilizer, it is possible to check whether or not the characteristic of the ozone sensor has failed. Therefore, when the level difference between the first signal and the second signal exceeds a predetermined value, an alarm is output by the alarm / control means, and the operator can be informed of the deterioration of the characteristics of the ozone sensor and the inspection thereof can be prompted. At the same time, the operation start of the ozone sterilizer is prohibited, and further, in response to the output of the alarm, the decomposition operation control means performs the decomposition operation of ozone in the chamber for a certain period of time to ensure the environmental safety. . As a result, highly safe operation can be ensured.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an example of an embodiment of an ozone sterilizer according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged detail view of an essential part showing in detail the configurations of a suction duct portion and a blowout duct portion of the ozone sterilizer of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram showing a control system of the ozone sterilizer of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a control program executed by the microcomputer device shown in FIG. 3 for explaining the embodiment of the invention of claim 1;

5 is a flowchart showing a main part of a control program executed by the microcomputer device shown in FIG. 3 for explaining the embodiment of the invention of claim 2;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an essential part of a control program executed by the microcomputer device shown in FIG. 3, for explaining the embodiment of the invention of claim 3;

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Ozone Sterilization Device 2 Sterilization Booth 3 Ozone Generator 4 Processing Chamber 8 Control Device 13 Ozone Sensor 22 Microcomputer Device V1 First Voltage Signal V2 Second Voltage Signal 24 Voltage Generation Circuit 28 Light Emitting Diode AL Alarm Signal

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A sterilization booth, an ozone generator, and at the time of sterilization, ozone from the ozone generator is mixed into air in the sterilization booth to generate a sterilization environment having a predetermined ozone concentration in the sterilization booth. With the ozone sterilizer equipped with a processing chamber for performing ozone decomposition treatment so as to return the ozone concentration of the air in the sterilization booth to a predetermined low level state after sterilization, the ozone concentration in the sterilization booth is detected. A first circuit that includes an ozone sensor for outputting a first signal having a level corresponding to the ozone concentration in the sterilization booth; and whether the level of the first signal in the predetermined low level state is normal or not. Signal output means for outputting a second signal of a predetermined constant level for discrimination, and operation start of the ozone sterilizer in response to the first signal and the second signal Sometimes a detecting means for detecting a level difference between the first signal and the second signal, and in response to the detecting means, when the level difference is a predetermined value or more, outputs an alarm and operates the ozone sterilizer. An ozone sterilizer equipped with an alarm / control means for preventing the start of the ozone sterilization. 2. A sterilization booth, an ozone generator, and at the time of sterilization, ozone from the ozone generator is mixed with air in the sterilization booth to generate a sterilization environment having a predetermined ozone concentration in the sterilization booth. With the ozone sterilizer equipped with a processing chamber for performing ozone decomposition treatment so as to return the ozone concentration of the air in the sterilization booth to a predetermined low level state after sterilization, the ozone concentration in the sterilization booth is detected. A first circuit that includes an ozone sensor for outputting a first signal having a level corresponding to the ozone concentration in the sterilization booth; and whether the level of the first signal in the predetermined low level state is normal or not. Signal output means for outputting a second signal of a predetermined constant level for discrimination, and operation start of the ozone sterilizer in response to the first signal and the second signal Sometimes a detecting means for detecting a level difference between the first signal and the second signal, and in response to the detecting means, when the level difference is equal to or more than a predetermined value, the ozone sterilizer is operated before the operation is started. Operation control means for causing the ozone decomposition operation to be performed in the chamber for a fixed time, and the first control after the ozone decomposition operation by the operation control means is completed.
When the level difference between the signal and the second signal is equal to or more than a predetermined value, an alarm is output and an alarm / control unit is provided to prevent the operation of the ozone sterilizer from being started. Sterilizer. 3. A sterilization booth, an ozone generator, and at the time of sterilization, ozone from the ozone generator is mixed into air in the sterilization booth to generate a sterilization environment having a predetermined ozone concentration in the sterilization booth. With the ozone sterilizer equipped with a processing chamber for performing ozone decomposition treatment so as to return the ozone concentration of the air in the sterilization booth to a predetermined low level state after sterilization, the ozone concentration in the sterilization booth is detected. A first circuit that includes an ozone sensor for outputting a first signal having a level corresponding to the ozone concentration in the sterilization booth; and whether the level of the first signal in the predetermined low level state is normal or not. Signal output means for outputting a second signal of a predetermined constant level for discrimination, and operation start of the ozone sterilizer in response to the first signal and the second signal Sometimes a detecting means for detecting a level difference between the first signal and the second signal, and in response to the detecting means, when the level difference is a predetermined value or more, outputs an alarm and operates the ozone sterilizer. The ozone sterilization apparatus is provided with alarm / control means for preventing the start of the operation, and decomposition operation control means for causing the ozone decomposition operation in the chamber for a predetermined time in response to the output of the alarm. .