Patent Document

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This is a division of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/161,013, filed on Sep. 25, 1998, entitled “CLEANING APPARATUS USING PHOTOCATALYST”, and issued on Aug. 1, 2000, U.S. Pat. No. 6,094,767. 
     The prior foreign application of the U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/161,013 is Japanese Patent application No. H08-103131, filed on Mar. 21, 1996, and laid open on Sep. 30, 1997, Publication of unexamined patent application No.253595/1997. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The invention relates to a photocatalytic apparatus including photocatalytic material and a method for activating the photocatalytic material. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     It is known that a photocatalyst (i.e. photocatalytic material) activating by light rays with relatively short wavelength decomposes or dissolves the organic or inorganic substances, which are undesirable to humans and environments, such as bacteria, molds (i.e. fungus), nicotine, tar, tartar, colored scale, pollutants to cause environmental pollution and etc. When the substances approach to or come in contact with the photocatalyst activated by the light rays, they are subjected to oxidation and/or reduction reactions in order to be decomposed or dissolved by a photocatalyst effect, so that they are rendered harmless. 
     Typical photocatalyst is a kind of photo-activated semiconductor (i.e. photocatalytic semiconductor) such as titanium dioxide (TiO 2 ). 
     Multiple photocatalyst particles (i.e. photocatalytic particles) are used as a form of photocatalyst supported substrate, in which a layer (i.e. film) including the photocatalyst particles is fixed and supported on the substrate, a recycling of the photocatalyst particles can be easily done because the separation and collection of the photocatalyst particles are not needed. 
     For example, the publication of unexamined patent application of Japan No. 155726/1993 discloses that Titanium Dioxide layer of the photocatalyst is coated on a substrate such as metal, ceramic and glass, for the purpose of protecting a surface of the substrate from growth of bacteria. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,526,570 issued on Jul. 2, 1985 to Nakagawa et al. discloses a dental hygienic device for hygienic treatment of teeth in an oral cavity (i.e. toothbrush), which is composed of a n-type semiconductor having a photoelectric effect using photoelectric chemical reaction, in which the semiconductor is disposed on or in a main body consisting of an insertion portion and a handle. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the present invention is to provide a novel photocatalytic apparatus including photocatalytic material. 
     It is another object of the present invention is to provide a method for activating the photocatalytic material. 
     A first aspect of the present invention is a photocatalytic apparatus, which includes a substrate, fiber-like members (i.e. fibers, filaments, needles, bristles, whiskers), each of the fiber-like members including photocatalytic material, in which the fiber-like members are disposed on the substrate. 
     A second aspect of the present invention is a photocatalytic apparatus, which includes a substrate member being made of substantially transparent material, a plurality of fiber-like members, each of the fiber-like members including photocatalytic material and disposed on the substrate member, and the photocatalytic material being composed of a plurality of photocatalytic particles (i.e. powders, small elements, small pieces). 
     Each of the fiber-like members is preferably composed of a core including the photocatalytic particles. Each fiber-like member may be composed of a core and a sheath including the photocatalytic particles, instead. 
     The substrate member is preferably composed of a transparent body including light diffusing particles. The transparent body may have a first surface, a second surface and at least one side. 
     Each of the fiber-like members may be composed of a fiber-like body, a first end and a second end. The first end may be fixed on the first surface and/or the second surface and/or the side, while the second end is free end. 
     In addition to the fiber-like members including photocatalytic material, another fiber-like members excluding photocatalytic material may be used, in which both fiber-like members are disposed on the substrate. 
     A third aspect of the present invention is a method for activating photocatalytic material, which includes the step of providing a photocatalytic apparatus composed of a substrate member; a plurality of fiber-like members disposed on the substrate member, each of the fiber-like members including the photocatalytic material, irradiating light capable of activating the photocatalytic material to the fiber-like members, oxidizing/reducing one or more substances being in contact with or approaching to the fiber-like members by means of photocatalizing oxidization/reduction reactions. 
     A fourth aspect of the present invention is a method for activating photocatalytic material, which includes the step of providing a photocatalytic apparatus composed of a substantially transparent substrate member; a plurality of fiber-like members disposed on the transparent substrate member, each of the fiber-like members including photocatalytic material, introducing light capable of activating the fiber-like members into an interior of the transparent substrate member, transmitting the light in said interior; irradiating said light output from said interior to said fiber-like members, and oxidizing/reducing one or more objects being in contact with the fiber-like members by means of photocatalizing oxidization/reduction reactions. 
     At least one light guiding member may be interposed between at least one light source and the transparent substrate member from the light source to the transparent substrate in order to guide the light. 
     The light guide member may be composed of a transparent rod capable of transmitting the light. Alternatively, the light guide member may be composed of an optical fiber or an optical cable capable of transmitting the light. 
     The transparent rod may have a transparent sheath with lower refractive index than that of the transparent rod. Alternatively, the transparent rod may have a light reflective sheath made of a light reflective metal. 
     Photocatalyst material used for the present invention is a kind of photo-activated or photocatalytic semiconductor, such as Titanium Dioxide (TiO 2 ), Tungsten Dioxide (WO 2 ), Zinc Oxide (ZnO), Tin Dioxide (SnO 2 ) and Zinc Sulfide (ZnS). 
     In the U.S. Pat. No. 4,526,570 to Nakagawa et al., a only sintered or coalesced semiconductor is used and the semiconductor does not disposed on brush bristles (i.e. fiber-like members), while in the present invention photocatalytic material is disposed on the fiber-like members. Further, in the present invention photocatalytic material is preferably composed of a plurality of photocatalytic particles, which are disposed on or in the fiber-like members. 
     It should be noted that the first aspect and the third aspect of the present invention have such advantages that an effective area of capable of coming in contact with or approaching to the photocatalyst material can be easily larger than the effective area of the prior art, because the photocatalytic material, preferably in a form of the plurality of photocatalytic particles, is disposed on the plurality of fiber-like members, and this structure also means that an effective area capable of receiving the light to activate the photocatalyst material can be easily larger than the prior art. Therefore, photocatalizing oxidation/reduction reactions can be remarkably accelerated by means of the first aspect and the third aspect of the present invention. 
     Further, it should be noted that the second aspect and the fourth aspect of the present invention have such advantages, in addition to the above-mentioned advantages, that the photocatalytic material can be irradiated effectively by the light output from the interior of the transparent substrate member, in which the light once inputs to the interior and outputs effectively in order to irradiate the photocatalytic fiber-like member after transmitting inside of the interior. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     A complete understanding of the present invention may be obtained from the following explanations, in connection with the accompanying drawings; in which: 
     FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic enlarged perspective view of a cleaning head  100  in a cleaning tool  120 , explaining a first preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 illustrates a conceptual cross-sectional view of a cleaning apparatus, explaining the first preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 3 illustrates a conceptual view of a light transmission passageway in cross-section of the cleaning tool  120  as shown in FIG. 2, explaining the first preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 4 illustrates a conceptual, partially omitted, and enlarged cross-sectional view of the cleaning tool  120  explaining a light transmission passageway in cross-section, explaining the first preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 5 illustrates an enlarged cross-sectional view of a piece of brush among a group of brushes  10  in the cleaning head  100 , used in the first preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 6 illustrates a conceptual cross-sectional view of a cleaning apparatus, explaining a second preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 7 illustrates a conceptual cross-sectional view of a cleaning apparatus, explaining a third preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 8 illustrates a conceptual cross-sectional view of a cleaning apparatus  150 , explaining a fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 9 illustrates a conceptual, partially omitted, enlarged cross-sectional view of the cleaning apparatus  150  and also a light transmission passageway as shown in FIG. 8, explaining the fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 10 illustrates a conceptual, partially omitted, and enlarged cross-sectional view of a cleaning head  100 , explaining a fifth preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 11 illustrates a conceptual, partially omitted, enlarged cross-sectional view of a cleaning head  110 , explaining a seventh preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 12 illustrates a conceptual, partially omitted, and enlarged cross-sectional view of a cleaning head  112 , explaining an eighth preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 13 illustrates a conceptual cross-sectional view of a cleaning apparatus; explaining a tenth preferred embodiment of the present invention, in which the invention is applied to a vacuum cleaner; 
     FIG. 14 illustrates a schematic, partially omitted, enlarged cross-sectional view of neighborhood of a cleaning head  114  as shown in FIG. 13, explaining the tenth preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 15 illustrates a conceptual cross-sectional view, explaining an eleventh preferred embodiment of the present invention, in which the invention may be applied to a dental cleaner; and 
     FIG. 16 illustrates a conceptual cross-sectional view, explaining a twelfth preferred embodiment of the present invention, in which the invention may be applied to a dental cleaner. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings. 
     In the drawings, a relative dimension or size of each part or portion may be shown as somewhat different one to clarify an explanation of the present invention and the same parts or portions have the same reference numerals. 
     EMBODIMENT NO.1 
     Reference is made to FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 3, FIG.  4  and FIG. 5 showing a first preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 1 shows an enlarged perspective view of a cleaning head  100  in a cleaning tool  120 . FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of a cleaning apparatus. FIG. 3 shows a light transmission passageway in cross-section of the cleaning tool  120  as shown in FIG.  2 . FIG. 4 shows a partially omitted enlarged cross-sectional view of the cleaning tool  120  and a light transmission passageway. And FIG. 5 shows an enlarged cross-sectional view of a piece of brush among a group of brushes  10  in the cleaning head  100 . 
     In FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG.  3  and FIG. 4, the cleaning apparatus (or cleaning device)  120  is roughly comprised of a cleaning tool  120 , a light source  200  and an optical fiber or an optical fiber cable  300 . The cleaning tool  120  is further comprised of a cleaning head  100  and a handle  310  with rod-like shape extending from the cleaning head  100 . 
     The cleaning head  100  may further be comprised of a group of photocatalyst brushes (photocatalytic brushes)  10  and a transparent brush supporter. The group of photocatalyst brushes  10  may have multiple brushes, in which all or several brushes may include a photocatalyst. The transparent brush supporter  20  may fix ends of the photocatalyst brushes  10  and support them. It may be made of transparent material or transparent material embedding many light diffusing elements (particles)  22  (as shown in FIG.  4 ). 
     The handle  310  may be provided with a light inlet  32  (as shown in FIG.  2  and FIG. 3) which may be a hole, etc. in the most distant terminal of the handle  310  from the cleaning head  100 . It may be comprised of a transparent rod  30  with high refractive index and a transparent layer  31  with low refractive index. 
     The transparent rod  30  may be coated or covered with the transparent layer  31  around the transparent rod  30 . Since the transparent rod  30  is equivalent to a “core” of an optical fiber and the transparent layer  31  is equivalent to a “sheath” (or cladding) of the optical fiber functionally, the handle  310  is able to transmit most light rays effectively within the rod  30  with high transmission factor from the light inlet  32  to the cleaning head  100 , according to a principle of the optical fiber. Alternatively, a light reflective layer such as aluminum or nickel may be used as a substitute for the transparent sheath (layer)  31  in order to obtain similar high transmission factor. 
     The brush supporter  20  may be made of transparent material capable of transmitting well ultraviolet rays, such as fused quarts, crystal glass as transparent inorganic materials and acrylic resin, polycarbonate resin, epoxy resin and transparent fluoric resin as transparent organic plastic materials. 
     For the light diffusing elements  22  in order to give the brush supporter  20  light diffusing characteristics, conventional white pigments may be used such particles as titanium oxide, aluminum, calcium carbonate and barium carbonate. 
     A reference numeral  70  indicates an substance to be cleaned (or a cleaned substance) such as a floor, a carpet and a wall in a building or a house, and a reference numeral  72  indicates a dirty component, which is contacted or adhered on a surface of the cleaned substance  70 , as shown in FIG. 2, FIG.  3  and FIG.  4 . 
     The light source  200  emits or generates short wavelength rays including ultraviolet (UV) rays. For the light source  200 , various vacuum discharge lamps may be preferably used such as a germicidal lamp, a black light to cut visible light, a UV radiated fluorescent lamp, a halogen lamp and a conventional fluorescent lamp. A laser to emit coherent UV laser beam may also be used. 
     The germicidal lamp is a conventional low or high pressure mercury lamp using a UV transmissible glass tube such as transparent fused quarts, which emits UV light rays with short wavelength between the range from 250 nm to 280 nm (center wavelength; 253.7 nm) by discharge of mercury. 
     The black light is a kind of fluorescent lamp emitting blue color and UV light rays using a vacuum UV transmissible glass tube with a black filter to cut the UV light rays, or using a vacuum UV transmissible black filter glass tube to cut only the blue color light rays, which emits UV light rays with medium wavelength between the range from 380 nm to 300 nm by discharge of mercury. 
     The UV radiated fluorescent lamp may be used which uses a vacuum transparent glass tube without the black filter instead of the black light, which emits blue color light rays and also UV light rays with medium and long wavelength. 
     The halogen lamp is high-pressure mercury lamp adding metal halide inside the lamp tube, which emits UV light rays with medium and long wavelength. 
     Referring again to FIG. 2, a focus lens  40  and a reflector  42  positioned in rear of the focus lens  40  are installed. The light source  200 , the focus lens  40  and the reflector  42  are housed in a light box (or a lamp house)  44 . A commercial power is supplied from a power consent  48  to a light control circuit device  46  via an electric cable  47 . The light control circuit device  46  controls a lighting of the light source  200 . An optical fiber  300  may be comprised of a single number of optical fiber with a transparent core and a transparent sheath capable of transmitting UV light rays and a protective covering. Instead of the optical fiber, an optical fiber cable  300  may be used, which is comprised of multiple optical fibers capable of transmitting UV light rays and a protecting covering. The optical fiber  300  has a pair of optical fiber connectors  50  and  52  in both terminals. A light connector  50  and another light connector  52  of the optical fiber  300  are connected optically with the light inlet  32   a  of the handle  310  and with a light output of the lamp house  44 , respectively. 
     The UV light rays  60  emitting from the light source  200  are collected at the focus lens  40  and are input at the light connector  52  of the optical fiber  300 . The UV light rays  60  incident to the light connector  52  are transmitting in the optical fiber  300  to the light connector  50  and are introduced to the transparent handle  30  via the light inlet  32 . 
     For transmissible materials of short wavelength rays for the optical fiber (core and cladding)  300 , the handle  310  and the transparent brush supporter  20 , such transparent inorganic materials may be used as Fused Quarts (including more than 99.9 weight % of SiO 2 ), Sapphire, Borosilicate glass (composing SiO 2 ; 75.3, B 2 O 3 ; 13.8; ZnO; 1.4, Al 2 O 3 ; 4.3, NaO; 5.0 weight %), etc. And also for the transmissible materials of the optical fiber, such transparent organic materials may be used as Acrylic base resin such as Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) (refractive index; N≈1.49), Polycarbonate (PC) (N≈1.59) resin, Polyethylene base resin such as Polyethylene terephthalate (PETP) (N≈1.58), Polystyrene (PS) (N≈1.59) and Fluoride base resin such as Polytetra fluoroethylene (PTFE), (N≈1.35), Epoxy resin (EP) (N≈1.55-1.61), etc. It is noted that the core of the optical fiber  300  (or the equivalent members  30  and  20 ) must be selected from material with comparatively high refractive index, while the cladding of the optical fiber  300  (or the equivalent members  31 ) must be selected from material with comparatively low refractive index. It is a matter of course that the core must be selected from material with high refractive index, while the sheath must be selected from material with low refractive index. 
     The UV transmitting optical fiber or cable  300  has been put into market. Such optical fiber capable of transmitting the light rays in ultraviolet region is available from famous cable manufacturers, such as Mitsubishi Cable Industries Ltd., Japan. For photocatalyst materials including in the photocatalyst brushes  10  of the cleaning head  100 , photo-activated (i.e. photocatalytic) semiconductors may be used such as Titanium Dioxide; TiO 2  (photo activation wavelength; not more than 388 nm), Tungsten Dioxide; WO 2  (photo activation wavelength; not more than 388 nm), Zinc Oxide; ZnO photo activation wavelength; not more than 388 nm), Zinc Sulfide; ZnO photo activation wavelength; not more than 344 nm) and Tin Dioxide; SnO 2  photo activation wavelength; not more than 326 nm). 
     Especially the photo-activated Titanium Dioxide may be preferably applied for any fields, considering from that an activated power is very high, a life is long, durability is high and a safety or a harmless to a human body is certified, as it has been used for a long time safely for adding in cosmetics and foods. 
     Referring again to FIG.  3  and FIG. 4, as the UV transmissible handle  310  is set so that a refractive index N 1  of the UV transmissible rod  30  is higher than a refractive index N 2  of the UV transmissible sheath  31 , the UV light rays  61  and  62  are transmitted effectively to the cleaning head  100  reflecting or refracting repeatedly. The UV light rays  63  are incident light rays in which the light rays  61  and  62  are transmitting to the UV transmissible brush supporter  20  of the cleaning head  100 . 
     As shown in FIG. 4 (and FIG.  1  &amp; FIG.  3 ), the cleaning head  100  may have many reflective elements (or reflective particles)  22  which are embedded in the UV transmissible brush supporter  20  in order to give UV light diffusing characteristics. Therefore, the UV light rays  63  incident to the brush supporter  20  are diffused at the reflective elements  22  to become diffusing (scattering) UV light rays  64  and the diffusing UV light rays  84  partially are outgoing outside from a front surface  20   a  of the brush supporter  20 . The outgoing UV light rays  64  are incident to a group of brushes including photocatalyst (photocatalyst brushes)  10  and also incident to the dirty component  72 . 
     The UV light rays  64  incident to the photocatalyst brushes  10  are forced to activate the photocatalyst component so that the dirty component  72  (shown in FIG. 2, FIG.  3  &amp; FIG. 4) is oxidized and/or reduced by photocatalyst action, while the UV light rays  64  incident to the dirty component  72  sterilize directly the dirty component  72  by germicidal effect of the UV light rays  64 . 
     A rear surface  20   b  and a side surface  20   c  of the brush supporter  20  excluding the front surface  20   a  may be preferably coated with light transmissible layer with low refractive index or light reflecting layer in order to obtain more amount of UV light output to the photocatalyst brushes  10 . 
     FIG. 5 indicates an enlarged cross-section of a single brush or a fiber  10 A or  10 B of the group of photocatalyst brushes  10  in the cleaning head  100 , according to a preferred embodiment NO.1. 
     FIG. 5A indicates one type of the photocatalyst brush or fiber  10 . It may be comprised of a composite fiber having a core  10   a  made of conventional artificial resin fiber (or metal wire) and a sheath including a photocatalyst  10   b . The sheath is made of conventional artificial resin or rubber, in which many photocatalyst particles are embedded. FIG. 5B indicates another type of the photocatalyst brush or fiber  10  which may be comprised of a composite fiber having a core  10   c  made of a conventional artificial resin or rubber and many photocatalyst particles  10   d  embedded in the core  10   c.    
     In more detail, in the case of FIG. 5A for example, the photocatalyst brush or fiber  10  may be comprised of a conventional artificial plastic fiber  10   a  (such as polyester, acrylic and polyimide i.e. nylon) or a conventional metal wire  10   a  (such as steel, stainless steel and titanium) and a sheath  10   b  coated around the fiber or wire  10   a  having an artificial plastic compound (such as polyamide; PA, polyethylene; PE, polypropylene; PP, polystyrene; PS, silicone rubber and chloroprene rubber) in which many photocatalyst particles or photocatalyst coated particles are embedded. 
     In the case of FIG. 5B, for example, the photocatalyst brush or fiber  10  may be comprised of a conventional artificial plastic or rubber fiber  10   c  (made of polymer or rubber such as polyester, acrylic, polyimide, polyamide; PA, polyethylene; PE, polypropylene; PP, polystyrene; PS, silicone rubber and chloroprene rubber) in which many photocatalyst particles  10   d  or photocatalyst coated particles  10   d  are embedded. 
     Referring to FIG. 2, FIG.  3  and FIG. 3, operation method for the cleaning apparatus of the preferred embodiment NO.1 is mentioned in sequence as follows: 
     At first, a power consent  48  is inserted into a receptacle of a commercial power supply to operate the light control circuit device  44  and to light on the UV light source  200 ; The optical connector  52  of the optical fiber or cable  300  is optically connected with an optical inlet of the lamp house  44  and another optical connector  50  of the optical fiber or cable  300  is optically connected with an optical inlet  32  of the handle  310  in the cleaning tool  120 ; The handle  310  of the cleaning tool  120  is gripped by a human hand or hands and the brushes  10  of the cleaning head  100  is moved to sweep and make a brushing back-and/or-forth as shown as an arrow mark  74  on the surface of the cleaned substance  72  such as floors, carpets, walls and human teeth; and The dirty component  72  as mentioned above can be easily dissolved, removed and cleaned up, because the dirty component  72  is contacted or closed to with the photocatalyst brushes  10  of the cleaning head  100 , in which the photocatalyst brushes  10  is activated by radiation of the UV light rays  63  and  64  in order to oxidize and/or reduce the dirty component  72 . 
     Simultaneously, the UV rays  63  incident to the transparent brush supporter  20  are going outside from a front surface of the brush supporter  20  and radiate or illuminate directly the dirty component  72  including such as bacteria, molds etc. on the cleaned substance  70  such as floors, carpets, walls etc., in addition to radiation to the brushes  10 . 
     Therefore, when the germicidal lamp is preferably used for the UV light source  200 , the dirty component  72  including such as bacteria, molds etc. can be sterilized by a sterilizing effect of the UV rays  63 ,  64 , because it emits the UV rays between the range from 250 nm to 280 nm (center wavelength; 253.7 nm) exhibiting a strong sterilizing effect to bacteria, molds etc. 
     Accordingly, the dirty component  72  may be dissolved or sterilized indirectly by a photocatalyst effect according to activation of the photocatalyst and directly by the sterilizing effect according to radiation of the UV rays. 
     In all embodiments of the present invention, the same part or the same member has the same reference numeral. Therefore, in explaining various embodiments to be described below, different portions from the embodiment NO.1 already described are explained in detail and the portions already described are omitted as much as possible due to simplification of explanation. 
     EMBODIMENT NO.2 
     FIG. 6 shows a second preferred embodiment of the present invention, in which a cleaning apparatus is roughly comprised of a cleaning tool  130 , a light source  200 , a light control circuit device  46  and an optical fiber  300 . 
     The cleaning tool  130  is further comprised of a cleaning head  100  and a handle  320 . The handle  320  is formed as a pipe of hollow tube and it is extended from the cleaning head  100  or it is connected with the cleaning head  100 . A cleaning head  100  is further comprised of a group of brushes with a photocatalyst  10  (photocatalyst brushes) and a transparent brush supporter  20  by which the photocatalyst brushes  10  is fixed. Many light diffusing elements or particles  22  (shown in FIG. 4) may preferably be embedded in the transparent brush supporter  20 . 
     In the embodiment NO.2, one terminal of the optical fiber  300  is connected to the cleaning head  100  by such as an optical fiber connector. The optical fiber  300  is passing inside through the handle of tube  320  and is going outside and is finally connected to a light output part of a lamp house  44  by a detachable optical or light connector  52  of the optical fiber  300 . 
     UV light rays  60  emitting from the light source  200  are gathered by a focus lens  40  and, are input to the optical fiber  300  through the optical connector  52  and are arrived in the cleaning head  100  through the optical fiber  300 . In the embodiment NO.2, efficient UV rays transmission is obtained with minimum transmission loss, due to use of UV transmissible optical fiber as mentioned in the embodiment NO.1. 
     EMBODIMENT NO.3 
     FIG. 7 shows a third preferred embodiment of the present invention, in which a cleaning apparatus is roughly comprised of a cleaning tool  140 , a light source  200  and a light control circuit device  46 . 
     The cleaning tool  140  is further comprised of a cleaning head  100 , a transparent neck  100   a  of a part of the cleaning head  100  and a handle  330 . The handle  330  is formed as a pipe of hollow tube and it is extended from the transparent neck  100   a , which is enlarged as taper shape in cross-section toward the handle  330 . 
     A cleaning head  100  is further comprised of a group of brushes with a photocatalyst  10  (photocatalyst brushes) and a transparent brush supporter  20  by which the photocatalyst brushes  10  is fixed. Many light diffusing elements or particles  22  (shown in FIG. 4) may preferably be embedded in the transparent brush supporter  20 . 
     In the embodiment NO.3, a cleaning tool  140 , a light source  200 , a light control circuit device  46  and a reflector  42  are housed in a hollow portion of the handle  330 . Light rays emitting from the light source  200  are optically connected and mechanically fixed with the transparent neck  100   a  via an optical connector  74 . 
     The light control circuit device  46  is electrically connected with an electric cord  47 , an electric power supply is fed to the light control circuit device  46  via a power consent  48  and the light source  200  is lit on by an power output of the light control circuit device  46 . The UV light rays emitting from the light source  200  are gathered by the reflector  42  and introduced into a transparent brush supporter of the cleaning head  100  through the optical connector  74  and the transparent neck  100   a . In the embodiment NO.3, the cleaning apparatus becomes very compact, as most components of the cleaning apparatus are accommodated in the cleaning tool  140 . 
     EMBODIMENT NO.4 
     FIG.  8  and FIG. 9 show a third preferred embodiment of the present invention. A cleaning apparatus is roughly comprised of a cleaning tool  150 , a light source  200  and a light control circuit device  46 , similar to the embodiment NO.3. The cleaning tool  150  is further comprised of a cleaning head  100 , a transparent neck  100   a  of a part of the cleaning head  100  and a handle  330 . The handle  330  is formed as a pipe of hollow tube, in which the light source  200 , the light control circuit device  46  and a reflector are accommodated inside the hollow tube. UV light rays generating from the light source  200  are collected by a reflector  42  and are incident to the transparent neck  100   a  of taper shape. The light rays arrived at the he transparent neck  100   a  are transmitting directly to a transparent brush support  20  of the head  100  or transmitting by repeating multiple reflection  26  to the brush support  20 . Incident light rays  63  input into the brush supporter  20  are striking to at least one of many light diffusing particles  22  embedded in the brush supporter  20  and become diffusing light rays  64 . The diffusing light rays  64  radiate the photocatalyst brushes  10  by which the brushes are activated to be oxidized and/or reduced. 
     EMBODIMENT NO.5 
     In FIG. 10 showing a fifth preferred embodiment of the present invention, only blush portion of a cleaning head  100  is varied from other embodiments. The cleaning head  100  is comprised of a transparent brush supporter  20 , many light diffusing particles  22  embedded in the supporter  20  and the two kinds of brushes consisting of photocatalyst brushes with photocatalyst  10  and transparent brushes without photocatalyst  12 . In the embodiment NO.5, light diffusing rays  64  radiate directly the photocatalyst brushes  10  or radiate indirectly the photocatalyst brushes  10  through the transparent brushes without photocatalyst  12 . 
     EMBODIMENT NO.6 
     In FIG. 11 showing a sixth preferred embodiment of the present invention, a cleaning head  110  is comprised of a photocatalyst brushes  10  and a brush supporter  24  and a semiconductor light source  220  having a printed wire board  220   b  and a light emitting diode (LED) or diodes  220   a  capable of emitting short wavelength rays. The semiconductor light source  220  is embedded in the brush supporter  24  made of transparent resin and an electric power is supplied from lead wires  220   c  to the light source  220 . In this case, very small size of cleaning apparatus is obtained for use on a tooth brushing, etc. 
     EMBODIMENT NO.7 
     In FIG. 12 showing a seventh preferred embodiment of the present invention, a cleaning head  112  is comprised of photocatalyst brushes  10  and a brush supporter  25  and a semiconductor light source  230 , in which the semiconductor light source  230  is composed of a light emitting layer  230   c  sandwiched by an electrode layer  230   a  and a transparent electrode layer  230   a  capable of emitting short wavelength rays (The light source  230  is called as “EL” i.e. an elector-luminescent device). The EL  230  is embedded in the brush supporter  24  made of transparent resin. The EL  230  is lit on, when an electric power is supplied from lead wires  220   d . In this case, very small size of a cleaning apparatus is obtained for use on a tooth brushing, etc. 
     EMBODIMENT NO.8 
     Referring to FIG.  13  and FIG. 14, an eighth preferred embodiment of the invention is explained, in which a cleaning apparatus of the invention is applied to a vacuum cleaner. 
     As shown in FIG. 13, the vacuum cleaner is roughly comprised of a cleaning tool  160 , a main cleaner body  500 , a flexible hose  330  and an optical fiber cable (or optical fiber)  300 . The cleaning tool  160  is further comprised of a cleaning head (having a nozzle, a hood and a suction inlet)  114  and a tube type handle (or wand)  340 . The cleaner body  500  in the body casing accommodates a motor  500   b , a fan  500   c  rotating by the motor  500   b , a dust keeping means (i.e. a dust bag, or a dust case)  500   a , a light source  200  to emit short wavelength rays, a light control circuit device  46  and wheels (or casters)  500   d  for the cleaner body  500  to move easily on an substance to be cleaned such as floors and carpets. The cleaning head  114  accommodates a transparent brush supporter  20  and a group of brushes  10  with photocatalyst. The flexible hose  330  is connected with a terminal of the handle (or wand)  340  in a terminal of the hose  330  and a vacuum inlet of the cleaner body  500  in another terminal of the hose  330 . 
     The optical fiber cable  300  capable of transmitting short wavelength rays is connected optically with the light source  200  via an optical connector  55  at a terminal of the optical fiber cable  300  and the cleaning head  114  via another optical connector  54  at another terminal of the optical fiber cable  300 . Accordingly, short wavelength rays emitted from the light source  200  housed in the cleaner body is transmitted to the transparent brush supporter  20  housed in the cleaning head  114  via the optical fiber cable  300  and radiate the photocatalyst brushes  20  to activate photocatalyst. 
     Therefore, when the fan  500   c  is rotating according to rotation of the motor  500   b , an air pressure in a forward of the fan  500   c  is decreased and a dirty component  72  on the floor or the carpet is forced to sucked together with an air from the cleaning head  114  and the dirty component  72  is gathered inside the dust bag or dust case  500 a through the hollow of the handle  340 , the flexible hose  330 . Arrows  80  indicate airflows. 
     In FIG. 14 showing an enlarged detail of the cleaning head  114 , the cleaning head  114  is comprised of the head case  114   a , the transparent brush supporter  20  having the group of photocatalyst brushes  10  and a suction hole  114   b , a connecting pipe  114   c  to connect the handle  340  (shown in FIG. 13) a detachable optical connector  54   a  to connect between the brush supporter  20  and an optical fiber  300   a . The cleaning head  114  accommodates the brush supporter  20  with photocatalyst brushes  10  in the head case  114   a  and it is constructed to keep air tightness, when the photocatalyst brushes  10  contact or approach to the floor  70  (or carpet, etc.). The photocatalyst brushes  10  are the fibers including many photocatalyst particles  10  and they are fixed in a bottom of the brush supporter  20  as shown in FIG.  5 . 
     Referring again to FIG.  13  and FIG. 14, the optical fiber cable  300  extended from the optical fiber connector  55  in one end is connected to the optical fiber connector  54  in another end fixed at the head case  114 . The short optical fiber  300  is optically connected between the optical fiber connector  54  and the optical fiber connector  54   a.    
     Therefore, the dirty component  72  contacted or adhered on the surface of the cleaned substance  70 , for example, a floor is forced to remove from the surface by contacting (or sweeping, brushing) of the photocatalyst brushes  10  and moves to an upper portion of the head case  114   a  via the suction inlet  114   b  of the brush supporter  20  and goes out from the connecting pipe  114   c  according to the airflow  80 . Short wavelength rays transmitted in the cleaning head  114  are transmitted to the transparent brush supporter  20  and radiate the photocatalyst brushes  10 . Since the photocatalyst brushes  10  are activated by radiation of the short wavelength rays, the dirty component  72  contacted or approached with the activated photocatalyst brushes  10  is oxidized or reduced so as to clean up. 
     EMBODIMENT NO.9 
     FIG. 15 shows a ninth preferred embodiment of the invention, in which a cleaning apparatus of the invention may be applied to a dental cleaner or tooth brushing apparatus. 
     As shown in FIG. 15, the dental cleaner is roughly comprised of a teeth brushing tool  170 , a light source  200  to emit short wavelength rays (UV rays, etc.), a light control circuit device  46  and an optical fiber  300  to transmit UV light rays. The tooth brushing tool  170  is further comprised of a cleaning head  100  having a transparent brush supporter  20  to fix brushes  10  with photocatalyst and a handle  350  having a transparent rod  30  of taper shape in cross-section to transmit UV light rays, a light reflecting sheath  31  to reflect UV light rays and a light inlet  32 . The optical fiber  300  has an optical connector  50  in an end and another optical connector  52  in another end. The optical fiber  300  is connected detachably to the light inlet  32  of the transparent rod  30  in an end via the optical connector  50  and to a light incident inlet of a lamp house  44  via the optical connector  52 . 
     Short wavelength rays  60  emitted from the light source  200  is incident to the optical fiber  300  via a lens  40  and the optical connector  52  and they are transmitting in the optical fiber  300  and they become output short wavelength rays  61 . The output rays  61  are incident to the transparent handle  30  of the tooth-brushing tool  350  via the optical connector  50  and they  61  are transmitting in the transparent handle  30  and are transmitting to the cleaning head  100 . The short wavelength rays  61  incident to the cleaning head  100  are radiating the photocatalyst brushes  10 , in which a photocatalyst component is activated. 
     When a teeth brushing is done by using the tooth brushing tool  170  to surface of teeth, gums, and between teeth, etc. such dirty components inside a mouse are easily dissolved and removed according to photocatalyst action as residue or garbage of food, bacteria, molds, plaque, scale and nicotine/tar due to smoking. 
     EMBODIMENT NO.10 
     FIG. 16 shows a tenth preferred embodiment of the invention, in which a cleaning apparatus of the invention may be applied to a dental cleaner or tooth brushing apparatus, similarly to the embodiment NO.9 previously explained. 
     As shown in FIG. 16, the dental cleaner is roughly comprised of a teeth brushing tool  180 , a light source  200  to emit short wavelength rays (UV rays, etc.), a light control circuit device  46  and an optical fiber  300  to transmit UV light rays. The teeth brushing tool  180  is further comprised of a cleaning head  100  having a transparent brush supporter  20  to fix brushes  10  with photocatalyst and a handle  360  of tube connected or jointed to the cleaning head  100  at an end. The optical fiber  300  at an end is connected with the cleaning head  100 , it is passing through an inside of the tube  360  (handle), it is going outside and finally at another end it is connected with a light output inlet of a lamp house  44  by a detachable optical connector  52 . 
     Since an optical fiber cable includes multiple optical fibers, an optical cable may be used instead of an optical fiber, or vice versa in the above-mentioned embodiments. 
     This is a division of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/161,013, filed on Sep. 25,1998, and issued on Aug. 1, 2000 as U.S. Pat. No. 6,094,767. The prior foreign application of the U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/161,013 is Japanese Patent application No. H08-103131, filed on Mar. 21, 1996, laid open on Sep. 30, 1997 as Publication of unexamined patent application (i.e. Laying-open of application) No. 253595/1997. Therefore, the U.S Patent document and the Publication of unexamined patent application are hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
     While the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed, it is to be understood that various changes, modifications, combinations or equivalents will be apparent to those skilled in the related art without departing from the spirit of the present invention. 
     Therefore, the scope of the present invention is to be determined solely by the appended claims.

Technology Category: 1