KR102191547B1 - Sterilization module and home appliance including the same - Google Patents

Abstract

The sterilization module according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention is mounted inside the housing of the home appliance to sterilize the fluid passing through the housing. The sterilization module includes an annular frame having an opening through which the fluid passes, at least one light emitting diode unit disposed on an inner circumferential surface of the frame, at least one radiating part extending from an outer circumferential surface of the frame, and It extends from the outer circumferential surface of the frame, and includes at least one mounting portion for fixing the frame to the inside of the housing.

Description

Sterilization module and home appliance including the same {STERILIZATION MODULE AND HOME APPLIANCE INCLUDING THE SAME}

The present invention relates to a sterilization module, and more particularly, to a sterilization module and a home appliance for sterilizing microorganisms in a fluid such as air using an ultraviolet light emitting diode.

An air purifier is a device that purifies the inhaled air and discharges the purified air. It is capable of inhaling contaminated air with a fan to collect dust and bacteria, and to deodorize various odors such as body odor.

Recently, as interest in air quality has increased due to an increase in fine dust, etc., research on a method for various home appliances to perform an air cleaning function is increasing.

On the other hand, there is an increasing demand for not only removing dust, but also sterilizing bacteria and various bacteria contained in the air.

To this end, methods of sterilizing the bacteria or various bacteria using ultraviolet rays (Ultra Violet (UV)) have been proposed. Conventionally, ultraviolet lamps have been mainly used, but ultraviolet lamps have limitations in shape and area. Accordingly, in recent years, a method of utilizing an ultraviolet light emitting diode (UV LED) emitting ultraviolet light has been studied.

Such an ultraviolet light-emitting diode generates heat when ultraviolet light is emitted, and as the temperature increases due to the generated heat, the emission efficiency of ultraviolet light may rapidly decrease. Therefore, excellent heat dissipation performance for the ultraviolet light emitting diode may be required.

In this regard, prior art 1 (Korean Patent Publication No. 10-1142638, registered on April 26, 2012) is an ultraviolet LED sterilization care device that radiates heat generated from an ultraviolet LED lamp to the outside using a heat dissipation component. Is disclosed.

However, according to the prior art 1, a ventilator is included as a heat dissipation component, and the home appliance in which the ultraviolet LED sterilization care device can be installed may be limited depending on the size of the ventilator, and a flow path design in the home appliance may be additionally required. . In addition, a structure for mounting the ultraviolet LED sterilization care device in a product has not been disclosed.

Korean Patent Publication No. 10-1142638 (registered on April 26, 2012)

The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a sterilization module capable of minimizing the volume of a mounting portion for mounting an ultraviolet light emitting diode in a home appliance and a heat radiating portion for heat dissipation of the ultraviolet light emitting diode.

Another problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a sterilization module capable of ensuring sterilization performance while minimizing the flow resistance of a fluid and a home appliance including the same.

The sterilization module according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a ring-shaped frame having an opening through which fluid passes, at least one radiating portion extending from an outer circumferential surface of the frame, and extending from an outer circumferential surface of the frame. At least one mounting portion for mounting the module to the home appliance is integrally formed, thereby minimizing an increase in volume for implementing each of the mounting portion and the heat dissipating portion. At least one light emitting diode unit may be disposed on the inner peripheral surface of the frame.

The at least one heat dissipation part may be formed at a position corresponding to the at least one light emitting diode unit to discharge heat generated from the light emitting diode unit to the outside.

The at least one light emitting diode unit may include an ultraviolet light emitting diode emitting ultraviolet light and sterilize the fluid passing through the opening.

Depending on the embodiment, the at least one heat dissipation unit may have a streamlined surface facing a direction in which the fluid is introduced to reduce air resistance.

The at least one mounting portion may include a mounting protrusion fitted into a mounting groove formed on an inner wall of the housing of the home appliance. The length of the mounting protrusion is formed to be longer than the length of the heat dissipating part and spaced apart between the heat dissipating part and the inner wall of the housing, thereby minimizing the flow of fluid or forming a vortex.

The length of the at least one mounting portion is formed to be shorter than the distance between the inner circumferential surface of the frame and the center of the opening, so that a larger amount of fluid may pass through the opening.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the sterilization module is integrally formed with a mounting part for mounting an ultraviolet light emitting diode in a home appliance and a heat dissipating part for heat dissipation of the ultraviolet light emitting diode, thereby increasing the volume according to the implementation of the mounting part and the radiating part. Can be minimized.

In addition, the heat dissipation unit is formed at a position corresponding to the ultraviolet light emitting diode, so that heat generated from the ultraviolet light emitting diode can be effectively discharged to the outside.

In addition, since the heat dissipation unit has a surface facing the inlet port in a streamlined shape, interference with the flow of fluid can be minimized.

In addition, the mounting portion is formed to be longer than the heat dissipation portion, thereby allowing a smooth flow of fluid by spaced apart between the heat dissipating portion and the inner wall of the housing and minimizing the occurrence of eddy currents.

In addition, the length of the mounting portion is formed shorter than the distance between the inner circumferential surface of the frame and the center of the opening of the frame, so that a larger amount of fluid passes through the opening, thereby maximizing sterilization performance.

1 is a perspective view of a sterilization module according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a view showing an ultraviolet light emitting diode unit of the sterilization module according to an embodiment of the present invention.
3 is a view for explaining a heat dissipation fin of the sterilization module according to an embodiment of the present invention.
4 is a view showing another form of the heat dissipation fin included in the sterilization module of the present invention.
5 and 6 are views showing examples of a structure in which a sterilization module according to an embodiment of the present invention is fixed in a housing of a home appliance.
7 is an exemplary view showing an air purifier as an example of a home appliance including a sterilization module according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments disclosed in the present specification will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The accompanying drawings are only for making it easier to understand the embodiments disclosed in the present specification, and the technical idea disclosed in the present specification is not limited by the accompanying drawings, and all changes and equivalents included in the spirit and scope of the present invention It should be understood to include water or substitutes.

1 is a perspective view of a sterilization module according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a view showing an ultraviolet light emitting diode unit of the sterilization module according to an embodiment of the present invention. 3 is a view for explaining a heat dissipation fin of the sterilization module according to an embodiment of the present invention. 4 is a view showing another form of the radiating fin included in the sterilization module of the present invention.

The sterilization module may be included in various home appliances that process (cooling, heating, sterilizing, purifying, etc.) and discharged the introduced air, such as an air purifier, air sterilizer, air conditioner, and other blowing devices. The sterilization module included in the home appliance may sterilize microorganisms present in the introduced air to provide purified air to a user.

Hereinafter, embodiments in which the sterilization module 10 sterilizes air passing through a flow path (duct or housing) in a home appliance will be described in the present specification. However, according to an embodiment, the sterilization module 10 may be mounted in a home appliance (eg, a water purifier) having a flow path (duct or housing) through which water flows, and sterilize microorganisms present in water. That is, the sterilization module 10 may sterilize microorganisms or bacteria contained in a fluid (air or water, etc.) passing through the home appliance.

Meanwhile, in the present specification, the sterilization module 10 is shown to have a polygonal ring (or circular ring) shape, but according to the embodiment, the sterilization module 10 is a flow path (duct or housing) through which air flows in the home appliance. ) Can be implemented in various forms depending on the structure or shape.

Referring to FIG. 1, the sterilization module 10 may include at least one ultraviolet light emitting diode unit 11 and a body 12.

At least one ultraviolet light emitting diode unit 11 may provide purified air by sterilizing microorganisms or bacteria in air passing through a flow path (duct or housing) in the home appliance. In the present specification, the sterilization module 10 is shown to include five ultraviolet light emitting diode units, but the number of ultraviolet light emitting diode units is not limited thereto.

Referring to FIG. 2, each of the at least one ultraviolet light emitting diode unit 11 includes a substrate 111 and an ultraviolet-light emitting diode (UV LED) emitting ultraviolet light for sterilization of air. ; 112) may be included.

A circuit for controlling light emission of the UV LED 112 may be formed on the substrate 111. The substrate 111 may be implemented as a printed circuit board (PCB).

For example, the substrate 111 may be fastened to and fixed to the frame 122 of the main body 12. To this end, at least one fastening groove 113 may be formed in the substrate 111. Each of the at least one fastening groove 113 may correspond to a fastening groove formed in the frame 122. The substrate 111 may be fastened to the frame 122 as fastening means such as fastening screws (not shown) are inserted into the fastening groove 113.

The UV LED 112 may be mounted on the substrate 111 to emit ultraviolet light for sterilizing air.

Typically, the ultraviolet light can be subdivided according to the length of the wavelength. For example, ultraviolet light may be divided into UV-A having a wavelength of 320 nm to 400 nm, UV-B having a wavelength of 280 nm to 320 nm, and UV-C having a wavelength of 200 to 280 nm.

Among them, UV-C, which is a short-wavelength ultraviolet ray, has the property of destroying bacterial DNA and causing a chemical reaction to special substances, so it can be effectively used for sterilization, removal of surface or water contamination, and curing.

Accordingly, the UV LED 112 included in the UV light emitting diode unit 11 may be an LED that emits light in an ultraviolet wavelength region, and more preferably, UV-C that emits light of UVC wavelength excellent in sterilization effect. It can be an LED.

According to an embodiment, the ultraviolet light emitting diode unit 11 may further include a concave lens (not shown) for dispersing ultraviolet light emitted from the UV LED 112 to increase an emission area of the ultraviolet light.

The body 12 may include a frame 122, at least one radiating part 124, and at least one mounting part 126. In particular, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the frame 122, at least one heat dissipation unit 124, and at least one mounting unit 126 constituting the body 12 may be integrally formed. The body 12 may be implemented with a material having high thermal conductivity. In addition, the body 12 may be implemented with a material having a high reflectivity in order to reflect the ultraviolet light emitted from the UV LED 112 to various locations. For example, the body 12 may be implemented with a metal such as aluminum, but is not limited thereto.

The frame 122 may have a ring shape or a tube (tube) shape as a whole. As the frame 122 has a ring or tubular shape, an opening may be formed inside the frame 122. Accordingly, when the air introduced through the air inlet of the home appliance moves inside the flow path (housing or duct), flow disturbance due to the frame 122 can be minimized. In this specification, the frame 122 is shown to have a polygonal ring shape, but according to embodiments, the frame 122 may have various shapes such as a circular ring shape.

At least one infrared light emitting diode unit 11 may be fastened to the inner peripheral surface of the frame 122. In this case, the UV LED 112 may be disposed to face the inside of the sterilization module 10 or the body 12 as shown in FIG. 1 to emit ultraviolet light.

As will be described later in FIGS. 5 and 6, when the sterilization module 10 is installed in the housing (or duct) 500 of the home appliance, and air passes through, the sterilization module 10 passes through the inside (opening) of the sterilization module 10. The amount of air may be greater than the amount of air passing through the area between the inner peripheral surface of the housing 500 and the sterilization module 10. That is, the UV LED 112 emits ultraviolet light toward the inside of the sterilization module 10 through which a large amount of air passes, so that sterilization is effectively performed.

In addition, as described above, since the frame 122 is implemented with a metal such as aluminum having excellent reflectivity, the ultraviolet light emitted by the UV LED 112 can be reflected to various areas. Accordingly, microorganisms in the air passing through the area between the inner peripheral surface of the housing 500 and the sterilization module 10 may be sterilized.

Meanwhile, when the UV LED 112 emits ultraviolet light, heat is generated, and accordingly, the temperature of the UV LED 112 may increase. As the temperature of the UV LED 112 increases, the light output performance of the UV LED 112 rapidly decreases, and the lifespan may also decrease. Accordingly, a heat dissipation structure for minimizing an increase in temperature of the UV LED 112 is required.

Each of the at least one radiating unit 124 may include a plurality of radiating plates for dissipating heat generated when the UV LED 112 is driven to the outside. As shown in FIG. 1, the plurality of heat sinks are formed parallel to the flow direction of air, so that interference with the flow of air can be minimized. According to an embodiment, each of the at least one radiating part 124 may include a plurality of radiating fins instead of the plurality of radiating plates.

The heat dissipation part 124 may be formed to extend outward from the outer peripheral surface of the frame 122. For example, the plurality of heat sinks (or fins) may extend in a direction perpendicular to the outer circumferential surface.

The ultraviolet light emitting diode unit 11 may be fastened to the inner circumferential surface of the frame 122 corresponding to the position of the heat dissipation unit 124. Accordingly, heat generated from the UV LED 112 may be radiated to the outside through the substrate 111, the frame 122, and the heat dissipation unit 124.

Meanwhile, referring to FIG. 3, the heat dissipation performance of the heat dissipation unit 124 is an extended length of a heat dissipation plate (or a heat dissipation fin) (extended length from the outer circumferential surface of the frame 122; L), a distance D between the heat dissipating plates, and It may be related to the thickness (T) of the heat sink. For example, the heat dissipation performance of the heat dissipation unit 124 may increase as the extension length (L) of the heat dissipation plate increases and the thickness (T) increases, and if the distance (D) is about 1 to 1.5 mm, the heat dissipation performance may be maximum. have.

However, as the extension length L of the heat sink increases, the opening area of the sterilization module 10 decreases, so that sterilization performance may decrease. In addition, as will be described later in FIG. 5, in order to minimize flow disturbance due to generation of eddy currents when air passes between the housing 500 and the sterilization module 10, the heat sink is formed of the housing (or duct 500). It may have a length spaced apart from the inner wall by a predetermined distance or more. That is, the extension length L of the heat sink may be set based on an opening area of the sterilization module 10 and a distance to the housing 500.

Meanwhile, in FIGS. 1 to 3, the front surface of the heat dissipation unit 124 is formed perpendicular to the air flow direction based on the air flow direction, so that turbulence may occur or the flow rate may be reduced.

Referring to FIG. 4, according to an embodiment, the front surface of the heat dissipation unit 125 is formed in a streamlined shape to reduce the air resistance coefficient. Specifically, the front surface may be formed in a streamlined shape rounded to the rear as it moves away from the outer circumferential surface of the frame 122. Accordingly, the generation of the turbulence or the decrease in the flow rate is minimized, so that the flow of air is smooth, and the heat dissipation effect may also be increased.

At least one mounting portion 126 may mount the sterilization module 10 in the housing 500 of the home appliance.

For example, each of the at least one mounting portion may be formed to extend from the outer circumferential surface of the frame 122. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, the mounting portion may be implemented as a mounting protrusion 126 extending by a predetermined length in a vertical direction from the outer circumferential surface of the frame 122.

In FIG. 1, for convenience of explanation, the extension length of the mounting protrusion 126 is shown to be shorter than the length L of the heat dissipation part 124, but as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the extension of the mounting protrusion 126 The length may be longer than the extended length L of the heat dissipation part 124. Accordingly, a space is formed between the heat dissipation unit 124 and the housing 500, so that interference with the flow of air can be minimized.

Further, the length of the mounting protrusion 126 may be longer than the distance between the inner peripheral surface of the frame 122 and the center position (center of the opening) of the frame 122. Accordingly, when the sterilization module 10 is mounted on the housing 500, the amount of air passing through the opening of the frame 122 passes between the outer circumferential surface of the frame 122 and the inner wall of the housing 500. Since it is larger than the amount of air, the sterilization effect of the sterilization module 10 can be increased.

The mounting protrusion 126 is fitted into a mounting groove provided in the inner wall of the housing 500 of the home appliance, so that the sterilization module 10 may be mounted inside the housing 500.

Various embodiments in which the sterilization module 10 is fixed inside the housing 500 of the home appliance will be described in more detail below with reference to FIGS. 5 to 6.

5 and 6 are views showing examples of a structure in which a sterilization module according to an embodiment of the present invention is fixed in a housing of a home appliance.

In the following drawings, a flow path (housing or duct) 500 through which air inside the home appliance passes is assumed to be cylindrical. In the housing 500, an inlet 502 through which air is introduced and a discharge port 504 through which air sterilized by the sterilization module 10 is discharged may be formed.

Referring to FIG. 5, a mounting groove 506 corresponding to the mounting protrusion 126 may be formed in the inner wall of the housing 500.

The mounting protrusion 126 may be fitted into the mounting groove 506. In this case, since the length of the heat dissipation part 124 is shorter than the length of the mounting protrusion 126, the heat dissipation part 124 and the inner wall of the housing 500 may be separated by a predetermined distance.

Meanwhile, because the UV LED 112 emits ultraviolet light toward the center of the opening of the frame 122, the ultraviolet light emitted from the UV LED 112 is inside the frame 122, that is, facing the UV LED 112. It may be irradiated to the inner circumferential surface of the frame 122. Since the frame 122 is made of a metal (aluminum, etc.) having excellent reflectivity, it is possible to reflect ultraviolet light emitted from the UV LED 112 to various areas.

Accordingly, not only the air passing through the inner periphery of the frame 122 can be sterilized, but also the air passing through the outer periphery of the frame 122, that is, the space between the frame 122 and the inner wall of the housing 500 may be sterilized.

According to an embodiment, referring to FIG. 6, the main body 12 of the sterilization module 10 may further include a mounting frame 128 connected to the mounting protrusion 126. In this case, the frame 122, the radiating part 124, the mounting protrusion 126, and the mounting frame 128 may all be integrally formed.

The outer circumferential surface of the mounting frame 128 may be formed to correspond in shape and size to the inner wall of the housing 500. The mounting frame 128 may be fixed to the inner wall of the housing 500 through a separate fixing means (fixing screw, adhesive, etc.). As the mounting frame 128 is fixed to the inner wall of the housing 500, the sterilization module 10 can be mounted in the home appliance.

7 is an exemplary view showing an air purifier as an example of a home appliance including a sterilization module according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The air purifier 700 shown in FIG. 7 is only an example of a home appliance including the sterilization module 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention, and the home appliance including the sterilization module 10 is shown in FIG. 7. It is not limited to the air purifier 700.

Referring to FIG. 7, the air purifier 600 may include various components for purifying air in an indoor space. For example, the air purifier 700 according to an embodiment is provided under the blower 710, the blower 710 for generating air flow, and is generated from the base 720 and the blower 710 placed on the ground. The flow conversion device 730 for changing the discharge direction of the air flow, and the input/output device 740 for receiving a user input for controlling the operation of the air purifier 700 or outputting information related to the operation of the air purifier 700 ) Can be included.

The sterilization module 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention is disposed in the blowing device 710 to sterilize microorganisms in the air passing through the flow path in the blowing device 710.

Specifically, referring to an example of the cross section of the blowing device 710, the blowing device 710 includes a fan module 712 that generates a flow of air, and dust collection or deodorization of air sucked by the blowing device 710. It may include a filter module 716 that purifies the air through. The sterilization module 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention may be disposed between the fan module 712 and the filter module 716.

The fan module 712 includes a hub coupled with a rotation shaft 715 of a fan motor (not shown), a shroud 713 disposed to be spaced apart from the hub, and a plurality of blades disposed between the hub and the shroud 713 714 may be included. That is, a plurality of blades 714 rotates as the fan motor is driven, and air flow may occur as the blades 714 rotate. Air may be sucked into the blower 710 through an inlet formed on the side wall of the base 720 or the filter module 716, and may flow upward and be discharged to the outside.

Air sucked into the blower 710 may be filtered by at least one filter included in the filter module 716. The at least one filter may be provided in a cylindrical shape and may have a filter surface for filtering air. For example, the filter module 716 may include a dust collection filter (such as an electric dust collection filter) that collects dust or foreign matter in the air, and a deodorization filter that performs a deodorization function, but is not limited thereto. When the filter module 716 includes a dust collection filter and a deodorization filter, dust or foreign matter may be filtered while the inhaled air passes through the dust collection filter, and odors and the like may be filtered while passing through the deodorization filter.

The air filtered by the filter module 716 may be sterilized while passing through the sterilization module 10. As described above in FIGS. 5 to 6, the UV LED 112 of the sterilization module 10 is disposed closer to the inner wall of the blower 710 than the center of the inner flow path (duct) of the blower 710 , It may be arranged to face the center of the inner flow path. Accordingly, the UV LED 112 may sterilize the air passing through the frame 122 of the sterilization module 10. On the other hand, the frame 122 is implemented with a high reflectivity material (aluminum, etc.), so the ultraviolet light emitted from the UV LED 112 is reflected by the frame 122, to the air passing through the outside of the frame 122 Sterilization can be carried out.

The above description is merely illustrative of the technical idea of the present invention, and those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains will be able to make various modifications and variations without departing from the essential characteristics of the present invention.

Accordingly, the embodiments disclosed in the present invention are not intended to limit the technical idea of the present invention, but to explain the technical idea, and the scope of the technical idea of the present invention is not limited by these embodiments.

The scope of protection of the present invention should be interpreted by the following claims, and all technical ideas within the scope equivalent thereto should be interpreted as being included in the scope of the present invention.

Claims (12)

In the sterilization module mounted inside the housing of the home appliance, sterilizing the fluid passing through the housing,
A ring-shaped frame having an opening through which the fluid passes;
At least one light emitting diode unit disposed on the inner peripheral surface of the frame;
At least one radiating part extending from the outer circumferential surface of the frame; And
It extends from the outer circumferential surface of the frame, and includes at least one mounting portion for fixing the frame to the inside of the housing,
Each of the at least one radiating part,
Including a plurality of heat sinks or heat sink fins,
The plurality of heat sinks or heat sinks are formed parallel to the flow direction of the fluid.
Sterilization module. The method of claim 1,
Each of the at least one radiating part,
A sterilization module formed by extending from an outer circumferential surface at a position corresponding to the inner circumferential surface on which each of the at least one light emitting diode unit is disposed. The method of claim 1,
Each of the at least one light emitting diode unit,
A substrate fastened to the inner peripheral surface of the frame; And
A sterilization module including an ultraviolet light emitting diode mounted on the substrate to face the opening and emitting ultraviolet light. The method of claim 3,
The ultraviolet light emitting diode,
A sterilization module that emits ultraviolet light in the UVC (Ultraviolet C) wavelength range. The method of claim 1,
A sterilization module in which a surface facing the inlet through which the fluid flows is formed in a streamlined shape. The method of claim 1,
Each of the at least one mounting portion,
A sterilization module including a mounting protrusion fitted into a mounting groove in the housing. The method of claim 1,
An extension length of each of the at least one mounting portion is longer than an extension length of each of the at least one heat dissipation portion. The method of claim 1,
The extension length of each of the at least one mounting portion is shorter than a distance between the inner peripheral surface of the frame and the center of the opening. The method of claim 1,
The at least one mounting portion,
A mounting protrusion extending from the outer peripheral surface of the frame; And
Includes a mounting frame connected to the mounting projection,
The mounting frame is a sterilization module formed to correspond to the inner wall of the housing. The method of claim 1,
The frame, the at least one heat dissipation part, and the at least one mounting part are sterilization module implemented by aluminum material. The sterilization module according to claim 1; And
Home appliance including a housing in which the sterilization module is disposed inside and a flow path through which a fluid flows is formed. The method of claim 11,
The at least one mounting portion includes a mounting protrusion,
A home appliance in which at least one mounting groove into which the mounting protrusion is fitted is formed on an inner wall of the housing.

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