초록 ▼

The object of the present invention is to provide a bacterial eliminator suitable for reduction in size or lowering of cost. A UV filament lamp is preheated by a control section even when water is not flowing. Consequently, the UV filament lamp can be lit immediately upon flow of water. The lamp can

The object of the present invention is to provide a bacterial eliminator suitable for reduction in size or lowering of cost. A UV filament lamp is preheated by a control section even when water is not flowing. Consequently, the UV filament lamp can be lit immediately upon flow of water. The lamp can thereby be kept unlit when water is not flowing. Consequently, the lamp is unlikely to overheat easily when water is not flowing. Also, power consumption is reduced and lifespan of the lamp can be prolonged. If the lamp overheats and unheated water flows in, there is a possibility of the lamp being damaged. In order to avoid such damage, a special structure or material is normally required. Since overheating of the lamp can be avoided with the invention, a special structure or material for avoiding damage to the lamp due to unheated water are not necessary, or the structure can be simplified.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A bacteria eliminator for removing bacteria from water supplied from a water main or other water supply means, comprising a flow passage, a detection section, a UV filament lamp, and a control section, the flow passage allowing the passage of water sent from the water supply means, the detection

1. A bacteria eliminator for removing bacteria from water supplied from a water main or other water supply means, comprising a flow passage, a detection section, a UV filament lamp, and a control section, the flow passage allowing the passage of water sent from the water supply means, the detection section sending detection signals corresponding to flow amount of the water to the control section, and the UV filament lamp generating ultra violet light, wherein the control section has: (1) a function of causing electrical current for pre-heating to flow in the UV filament lamp when the UV filament lamp is not lit;(2) a function of lighting the UV filament lamp according to detection signals from the detection section;wherein the UV filament lamp comprises a filament and a plate enclosed by a cover, the plate initially coated with mercury amalgam, wherein the filament and the plate are electrically connected to the control section, and wherein the UV filament lamp generates ultra violet light by emitting thermoelectrons from the filament to the plate and into mercury in a vapor state enclosed in the cover;wherein the cover is constructed from ultraviolet-ray transmitting glass;wherein the control section is configured to use, as minimum electric current value for the pre-heating, electric current value which maintains the vapor state of the mercury in the UV filament lamp; andwherein the control section is configured to use, as maximum electric current value for the pre-heating, electric current value such that the thermoelectron discharge amount from the filament to the plate is sufficiently low to avoid overheating of the UV filament lamp to avoid damage to the UV filament lamp even if water supplied from the water main or the other water supply means passes through the flow passage. 2. The bacteria eliminator of claim 1, wherein there is a plurality of the UV filament lamps and the control section controls a number of UV filament lamps to be lit according to detection signals from the detection section. 3. The bacteria eliminator of claim 2, wherein the control section stores lighting times for the plurality of UV filament lamps, and when a UV filament lamp that is not lit is to be lit again the control section gives priority to lighting of a lamp that has the shortest lighting time. 4. The bacteria eliminator of claim 1, further comprising: a body, wherein the flow passage is formed passing through the body, the UV filament lamp is arranged facing the flow passage inside the body, the body is provided with an obstructing section, and the obstructing section is arranged at an inner part of the flow passage inside the body and obstructs and agitates the flow of water. 5. The bacteria eliminator of claim 1, wherein an inner surface of the flow passage around the UV filament lamp is made a reflecting surface for reflecting ultra violet light. 6. The bacteria eliminator of claim 1, wherein the control section stores accumulated lighting time for the UV filament lamp, and further, the control section generates a warning signal when the accumulated lighting time has reached, or exceeded, a threshold value. 7. The bacteria eliminator of claim 2, wherein the control section stores accumulated lighting time for the plurality of UV filament lamps, and further, the control section generates a warning signal when the accumulated lighting time has reached, or exceeded, a threshold value. 8. The bacteria eliminator of claim 3, wherein the control section stores accumulated lighting time for the plurality of UV filament lamps, and further, the control section generates a warning signal when the accumulated lighting time has reached, or exceeded, a threshold value. 9. The bacteria eliminator of claim 8, wherein the accumulated lighting time for each of the plurality of UV filament lamps is the total usage time that the UV filament lamp is turned on during at least one cycle of turning the UV filament lamp on and off. 10. The bacteria eliminator of claim 6, wherein the accumulated lighting time for each of the plurality of UV filament lamps is the total usage time that the UV filament lamp is turned on during at least one cycle of turning the UV filament lamp on and off. 11. The bacteria eliminator of claim 7, wherein the accumulated lighting time for each of the plurality of UV filament lamps is the total usage time that the UV filament lamp is turned on during at least one cycle of turning the UV filament lamp on and off.