JP2004068199A - Artificial plant - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an artificial plant capable of fully exerting the action of a photocatalyst carried on the leaf, flower and/or stem parts or the like. <P>SOLUTION: The artificial plant can efficiently exert the action of the photocatalyst even in a dark indoor space or in the night by equipping the artificial plant itself with a light-emitting diode emitting rays of light with wavelengths enabling said photocatalyst to be excited. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
[Industrial applications]
The present invention relates to artificial plants. More specifically, the present invention relates to an artificial plant using a photocatalyst.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Artificial flowers and houseplants in which a photocatalyst is supported on leaves, flowers, stems, and the like are known (JP-A-9-209208, Utility Model Registration No. 3071471). In such artificial plants, photocatalysts contained in leaves and the like are excited by irradiation with sunlight, and antibacterial and deodorizing are performed.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Since such artificial plants are usually used indoors, the light of a fluorescent lamp is exclusively used to excite the photocatalyst carried on leaves and the like. For this reason, depending on the installation location, the amount of light applied to the photocatalyst may be insufficient and a sufficiently satisfactory photocatalyst effect may not be obtained. In addition, when placed in an environment where sunlight is irradiated near a window or the like, sunlight can be used to excite the photocatalyst. However, at night or the like, such excitation of the photocatalyst by sunlight cannot be expected.
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an artificial plant that can sufficiently exert the action of a photocatalyst carried on leaves, flowers, stems, and the like.
[0004]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present inventors have intensively studied in view of the above objects. As a result, it was conceived that by providing the artificial plant itself with a semiconductor light emitting device that emits light having a wavelength capable of exciting the photocatalyst, the photocatalyst function can be efficiently exhibited even in dark indoors or at night, and completed the present invention. Reached.
The present invention has the following configuration.
A plant body supporting a photocatalyst;
A semiconductor light emitting device that emits light having a wavelength that can excite the photocatalyst,
An artificial plant comprising:
[0005]
According to the above configuration, the semiconductor light emitting element as a light source is provided in the artificial plant itself, so that it is possible to irradiate a sufficient amount of light to the photocatalyst. Further, light irradiation can be performed even at night or the like, and an effective photocatalytic action can be obtained.
[0006]
Here, the photocatalyst is a substance which is activated by light energy and oxidizes a substance on its surface to exert an antibacterial action, a deodorizing action and the like. The type of the photocatalyst that can be used is not particularly limited, and one or two or more known photocatalysts such as titanium oxide, zinc oxide, and zirconium oxide can be appropriately selected and used. Preferably, titanium oxide is used. This is because titanium oxide is particularly excellent in oxidizing power, durability and the like as compared with other photocatalysts.
[0007]
The plant body refers to leaves, stems, stems, flowers, etc. in artificial plants. These plant main parts are made of, for example, cloth, synthetic fiber, synthetic resin, or the like.
Here, the artificial plant in the present invention means an artificially produced plant, and includes artificial flowers, foliage plants, artificial trees, and the like.
A known method can be adopted as a method for supporting the photocatalyst on the plant body. For example, a method in which a solution containing a photocatalyst is applied to the surface of a plant main body such as a leaf and dried by spraying or the like can be adopted. Further, by forming a plant body such as a leaf with a photocatalyst-containing synthetic resin or the like, a photocatalyst can be carried on the plant body.
[0008]
The photocatalyst may be carried on at least a part of the plant body irradiated with the light of the LED. For example, the photocatalyst can be applied only to the surface of the plant main body in the range irradiated by the LED. A photocatalyst can be applied to the entire surface of the plant body.
[0009]
As the semiconductor light emitting element, an element that emits light having a wavelength that can excite the photocatalyst is used. A semiconductor light-emitting element is a light source suitable for continuous lighting for a long time because of its low power consumption and small heat generation and long life. In addition, since it is small, it can be installed on a small object such as an artificial flower, and there is almost no possibility that the design will be deteriorated by the installation. As a semiconductor light emitting element, a semiconductor laser can be used in addition to a semiconductor light emitting diode.
[0010]
As the semiconductor light emitting device, a group III nitride compound semiconductor light emitting device can be adopted. This is because light having a wavelength in the ultraviolet region can be emitted. Preferably, a semiconductor light emitting device having a main emission peak wavelength of about 400 nm or less is used. With such wavelengths of light, efficient excitation of the photocatalyst is possible. More preferably, a semiconductor light emitting device having a main emission peak wavelength between about 360 nm and about 400 nm is used.
[0011]
It is preferable that the semiconductor light emitting element is built in the structural portion of the plant body. For example, by arranging the semiconductor light emitting element inside the stem portion, light from the semiconductor light emitting element does not leak, and the design quality can be prevented from deteriorating. In addition, the semiconductor light emitting device can be protected from external impact and the like.
[0012]
When the plant body has a flower part, the semiconductor light emitting element can be built in the stamen-like structure part or the pistil-like structure part of the flower part. In such a configuration, the photocatalyst is supported on, for example, a petal of the flower part, so that light from a semiconductor light emitting element provided in the stamen-like structure portion or the pistil-like structure portion excites the photocatalyst. The semiconductor light emitting device may be provided on both the stamen-like structure part and the stamen-like structure part.
The flower part is composed of petals, stamens, pistils and the like, and various kinds of flower parts such as lilies, orchids and tulips can be adopted.
[0013]
The light emitted from the semiconductor light emitting element can be applied to the photocatalyst carried on the plant body via the reflector or the lens. Reflectors and lenses increase the degree of freedom of the installation position of the light source, and also enable efficient irradiation. For example, when a reflector is used, light from the semiconductor light emitting element can be reflected in a certain direction. As the reflector, a metal plate or a material formed by applying metal plating or the like to the surface of an appropriate resin can be used. When a lens is used, light from the semiconductor light emitting element can be focused or diffused. Examples of the lens material include synthetic resins such as polycarbonate, acrylic resin, and epoxy resin, and inorganic materials such as glass.
[0014]
A fan for circulating the air around the plant body may be provided. For example, a fan can be installed in a pot serving as a base for the plant body. The air in contact with the photocatalyst of the plant body is replaced by the fan, and the efficiency of deodorization and the like is improved.
[0015]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an artificial flower 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a flower portion 2 of the artificial flower 1. FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the LED unit 10 in the flower portion 2, that is, a cross-sectional view of the LED unit 10. FIG. 4 is a plan view of the LED unit 10. In FIG. 4, the case 14 is omitted for convenience of explanation.
The artificial flower 1 is roughly composed of a flower part 2, leaves 4, stems 5, and pots 6. The flower part 2 is composed of a plurality of petals 3 and pistils 8. The petals 3 are made of polyamide as a main material, and a titanium oxide layer 20 is formed on the surface thereof. The titanium oxide layer 20 is formed by spraying a titanium oxide solution on the surface of the petal 3, drying the titanium oxide solution with a drier, and repeating the process one or more times. The leaves 4 are also made of polyamide as a main material. For the stem 5 and the pistil 8, a silicone rubber containing no ultraviolet absorber was used as the common cover 12.
[0016]
An LED unit 10 is installed in the pistil 8. The LED unit 10 includes a light emitting diode 11, a substrate 13, and a case 14. The light emitting diode 11 used had a main emission peak wavelength of about 380 nm so that the titanium oxide contained in the titanium oxide layer 20 was excited, and the light emitting layer was made of a group III nitride compound semiconductor. In order to reduce the size of the LED unit 10, a chip type light emitting diode was used.
[0017]
The light emitting diode 11 is mounted on the surface of the substrate 13. The number of the light emitting diodes 11 is not particularly limited, and one or two or more are mounted on the substrate. However, it is preferable to use a number of light emitting diodes 11 that can irradiate the titanium oxide contained in the titanium oxide layer 20 with a sufficient amount of light. In this embodiment, the light emitting diodes 11 are provided on both sides of the substrate 13 one by one.
[0018]
FIG. 5 schematically shows a circuit diagram of the LED unit 10. The light emitting diode 11, the Zener diode 21, the resistor 22, and an AC-DC converter (not shown) are connected in the circuit. The AC-DC converter converts an AC current (100 V, 200 V, etc.) into a DC current (5 V, 12 V, etc.). In use, an alternating current used as a power source is converted into a direct current and supplied to each light emitting diode 11. The circuit is connected to a switch 7 provided in the bowl 6 via a harness 15, and the switch turns on and off the LED unit 10.
[0019]
The reflector 18 is provided so as to surround the light emitting diode 11. The reflector 18 is formed by plating a metal surface with Ni. The surface of the reflector 18 facing the light emitting diode 11 is curved in a mortar shape in the light extraction direction. In the present embodiment, it is provided on only one side of the substrate 13.
[0020]
The case 14 includes the light emitting diode 11 and the substrate 13. The case 14 is mainly used for protection of the light emitting diode 11, and in this embodiment, acrylic containing no ultraviolet absorber is used as a material for forming the case. In addition, an epoxy resin, a polycarbonate, a silicone rubber, a fluorine resin, or the like that does not contain an ultraviolet absorber can be used as the material of the case 14.
The cover 12 is a component part of the stem 5 and the pistil 8 and covers the LED unit 10. The upper part of the cover 12 is detachable, so that the LED unit 10 can be easily detached.
[0021]
In the artificial flower 1 configured as described above, when the power is turned on, the light emitting diode 11 emits light, and the light from the light emitting diode 11 irradiates the titanium oxide layer 20 directly or reflected by the reflector 18. When the titanium oxide contained in the titanium oxide layer 20 is excited, antibacterial action, deodorization, and the like are performed.
[0022]
Various batteries (a dry battery, a solar battery, etc.) can be used as a power supply. For example, in the case of using a solar cell, charging is performed while the titanium oxide is excited by sunlight during the daytime sunlight. At this time, the power supply of the LED unit 10 is turned off. The charged power is supplied to the LED unit 10 during the time when the light is not applied at night, and the titanium oxide is excited using the light of the light emitting diode 11. Note that such control may be performed by a timer or by an optical sensor.
[0023]
As a lighting mode of the light emitting diode 11, a light emitting diode can be intermittently turned on with a predetermined interval provided, or its luminous intensity can be changed continuously or intermittently.
[0024]
As an installation mode of the LED unit 10, as shown in FIG. 6, the light emitting diode 11 in the LED unit 10 may be directed to the center (that is, the lower side in the figure) of the flower portion 2. In this example, the light emitting diode 11 is provided on one side of the substrate 13. In this way, light does not leak from the light emitting diode 11 to the outside, so that the design can be prevented from deteriorating.
[0025]
The light of the light emitting diode 11 can be applied to the titanium oxide layer 20 via a light guide such as an optical fiber. For example, an optical fiber is installed in the stem 5 and the pistil 8, light from the light emitting diode 11 installed in the pot 6 is introduced into the optical fiber, and light is extracted from the tip of the pistil 8.
By using the optical fiber, the degree of freedom of the installation location of the light emitting diode 11 can be increased. Further, the effect of preventing the design from being deteriorated is exerted.
[0026]
The present invention is not limited to the description of the embodiment and the example of the above invention. Various modifications are included in the present invention without departing from the scope of the claims and within the scope of those skilled in the art.
[0027]
Hereinafter, the following matters will be disclosed.
(11) The artificial plant according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein a reflector is provided around the semiconductor light emitting element.
(12) The artificial plant according to any one of claims 1 to 7 and (11), further comprising a fan for circulating air around the plant body.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an artificial flower 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a flower portion 2 of the artificial flower 1. FIG.
FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the LED unit 10 in the flower section 2, that is, a cross-sectional view of the LED unit 10.
FIG. 4 is a plan view of the LED unit 10;
FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically showing a circuit diagram of the LED unit 10;
FIG. 6 is a view showing another installation mode of the LED unit 10;
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Artificial flower 2 Flower part 3 Petal 7 Switch 8 Stamen 10 LED unit 11 Light emitting diode 12 Cover 13 Substrate 14 Case 15 Harness 18 Reflector 20 Titanium oxide layer

Claims (7)

A plant body supporting a photocatalyst;
A semiconductor light emitting device that emits light having a wavelength that can excite the photocatalyst,
An artificial plant comprising: The artificial plant according to claim 1, wherein the photocatalyst is made of titanium oxide. The artificial plant according to claim 1, wherein at least a part of a surface of a leaf, a flower, a stem, or the like of the plant body is coated with the photocatalyst-containing material. The artificial plant according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the semiconductor light emitting device is built in the plant main body. The artificial plant according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the semiconductor light emitting device is a group III nitride compound semiconductor light emitting device. The artificial plant according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein a main emission peak wavelength of the semiconductor light emitting device is between about 360 nm and about 400 nm. The said plant main-body part has a flower part, The said semiconductor light-emitting element is built in the stamen-like structure part or the pistil-like structure part of this flower part, The Claim 1 characterized by the above-mentioned. An artificial plant as described.

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