KR102250587B1 - Sterilizing module and home appliance including the same - Google Patents

Abstract

The sterilization module according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a ring-shaped frame, a plurality of light-emitting diode units connected to the frame and each provided with an ultraviolet light-emitting diode, and a plurality of blades connected to the inner circumferential surface of the frame, It is disposed in the center of the frame and includes a fan unit provided with a hub connected to the plurality of blades.

Description

Sterilization module and home appliance including the same {STERILIZING 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 contaminated air using ultraviolet rays.

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 fine dust and bacteria by a filter, 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, in addition to the removal of fine dust, the demand for sterilization of bacteria and various bacteria contained in the air is also increasing.

To this end, methods for sterilizing the bacteria or various bacteria using ultraviolet rays (Ultra Violet (UV)) have been proposed.

In the conventional case, there has been a home appliance that provides a sterilization function using an ultraviolet lamp, but there is a problem that the ultraviolet lamp is difficult to be effectively disposed in the home appliance due to limitations in size and shape.

Therefore, in recent years, a method of providing a sterilization function using a UV LED emitting ultraviolet light has been studied. For example, prior art 1 (Korean Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 10-2012-0077724, published on July 10, 2012) is an air sterilization device using a UV LED and a photocatalyst, and a UV LED is provided in each module. Disclosed is an air sterilization device that is configured to be sterilized by a photocatalyst and is easily expanded by connecting modules.

However, according to the prior art 1, the UV LED is fixedly installed at a specific location of the module, so there is a limit to the irradiation area of the UV light, and there is no means for dissipating the heat generated from the UV LED. It may cause a problem of rapidly decreasing the performance of the device.

In addition, when a large number of expensive UV LEDs are placed in a home appliance, the cost of the product is excessively increased. Therefore, it is necessary to implement a sterilization module capable of providing an effective sterilization function while placing a minimum number of UV LEDs in the home appliance.

Korean Patent Application Publication No. 10-2012-0077724 (published on July 10, 2012)

The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a sterilization module capable of maximizing the sterilization effect of air using a minimum of UV LEDs, and a home appliance including the same.

Another problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a general-purpose sterilization module for various home appliances having different sizes of flow paths or ducts through which air passes.

Another problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a sterilization module that can more effectively dissipate heat generated from UV LEDs.

The sterilization module according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of light-emitting diode units disposed in a duct of a home appliance, connected to a ring-shaped frame, each having an ultraviolet light-emitting diode, and a fan unit connected to the inner periphery of the frame. . The fan unit rotates the sterilization module when air flows in the duct, thereby increasing the light irradiation area of the ultraviolet light emitting diode.

According to an embodiment, the plurality of light-emitting diode units are rotatably connected to the frame and include a rotating body on which the ultraviolet light-emitting diode is mounted on one surface of the ultraviolet light-emitting diode when a sterilization module is installed in the duct. The light irradiation direction can be adjusted to the optimum direction.

According to an embodiment, each of the plurality of light emitting diode units further includes a heat sink mounted to face the ultraviolet light emitting diode based on the rotating body, and at least a part of the rotating body includes a metal material to emit ultraviolet light. The heat generated from the diode can be dissipated more effectively.

According to an embodiment, each of the plurality of light emitting diode units may further include a concave lens mounted on the rotating body to surround the ultraviolet light emitting diode, and may disperse ultraviolet light emitted from the ultraviolet light emitting diode over a wide area. .

According to an embodiment, the sterilization module further includes a support device for fixing the sterilization module in the duct, including a rotation shaft and a plurality of supports connected to both ends of the rotation shaft, and the rotation shaft at the center of the hub This penetrating through hole is formed. Accordingly, when air flows inside the duct, the sterilization module may rotate based on the rotation axis.

Depending on the embodiment, at least one of the frame and the fan unit may be implemented as a transparent material or include a light reflecting material to irradiate light emitted from the ultraviolet light emitting diode to various areas.

A home appliance according to an embodiment of the present invention includes the sterilization module, a duct in which the sterilization module is disposed, and a duct through which air flows, and a fan module that generates the flow of air.

The sterilization module, based on the ratio between the diameter of the frame and the diameter of the duct, is installed by rotating the body so that the ultraviolet light emitting diode is directed toward the center of the frame or toward the inner wall of the duct, It enables effective sterilization of the flowing air.

According to an embodiment, the sterilization module is disposed between the fan module and the filter module, and is disposed behind the filter module based on the flow direction of air, so that the efficiency of the ultraviolet light emitting diode can be prevented from deteriorating due to dust or foreign matter. have.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, since the sterilization module includes a fan unit and irradiates ultraviolet light while rotating by a differential pressure generated when air flows, sterilization performance can be maximized with a minimum of UV LEDs.

In addition, the sterilization module includes a concave lens that increases the irradiation area of ultraviolet light emitted from the UV LED, and the frame and fan unit are implemented with a transparent material or include a light reflective material, so that ultraviolet light is effectively applied to various areas. Can be investigated.

In addition, since the sterilization module may be installed by adjusting the light irradiation direction of the UV LED based on the size of the duct of the home appliance, it may be universally provided to various home appliances.

In addition, in the sterilization module, the heat dissipation plate for heat dissipation of the UV LED is disposed to face each other with the UV LED based on the rotating body, thereby minimizing the transfer of heat radiated to the outside through the heat sink to the UV LED.

1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a sterilization module according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a front view of the inlet side of the sterilization module according to an embodiment of the present invention.
3 is a view showing a light emitting diode unit included in the sterilization module according to an embodiment of the present invention.
4 and 5 are views showing examples in which a sterilization module according to an embodiment of the present invention is disposed in a home appliance.
6 is an exemplary view showing an air purifier 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 showing the appearance of a sterilization module according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a front view of an inlet side of a sterilization module according to an embodiment of the present invention. 3 is a view showing a light emitting diode unit included in the sterilization module according to an embodiment of the present invention.

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

Hereinafter, in the present specification, the sterilization module 10 is shown to have a circular shape (disc type), but according to an embodiment, the sterilization module 10 may be implemented in various shapes such as a square according to the duct structure or shape of the home appliance. have.

1 and 2, the sterilization module 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a frame 11, at least one light emitting diode unit 12, and a fan unit 13.

The frame 11 may form the overall appearance of the sterilization module 10 to which each component of the sterilization module 10 is connected. For example, the frame 11 may have a ring (or ring) shape or a tube (tube) shape. When the frame 11 has a ring shape, the sterilization module 10 may have a circular or disc-shaped appearance as a whole. As the frame 11 has a ring shape, an opening is formed in the inner periphery of the frame 11, so that interference by the frame 11 can be minimized when the air introduced through the inlet of the home appliance moves. In the present specification, the frame 11 is shown to have a circular ring shape, but according to embodiments, the frame 11 may have a polygonal ring shape.

Meanwhile, as shown in FIG. 1, the inner circumferential surface, the outer circumferential surface, and at least one surface between the inner circumferential surface and the outer circumferential surface of the frame 11 may be formed as a flat surface, but this is not necessarily the case. For example, when the frame 11 has four sides, a cross section of the frame 11 cut from the outer to the inner side may have a rectangular shape.

The frame 11 is implemented with a transparent material (eg, plastic, etc.) that transmits ultraviolet light, thereby preventing a problem in that the ultraviolet light is not smoothly irradiated to a partial area by the frame 11. According to the embodiment, a material that reflects ultraviolet light, such as a light reflective film (aluminum film, etc.) or a light reflective paint, is provided on the surface of the frame 11 to transfer the ultraviolet light emitted from the UV LED 122 to various positions. You can also reflect it.

Depending on the embodiment, the frame 11 may be divided into a plurality of sub-frames, and the light emitting diode unit 12 may be connected between the plurality of sub-frames. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the light emitting diode unit 12 and the sub-frame may be alternately connected.

Each of the at least one light emitting diode unit 12 includes a rotating body 121 rotatably connected to the frame 11 (or sub-frame), and an ultraviolet light emitting diode emitting ultraviolet light for sterilization of air. diode (UV LED); 122).

Meanwhile, the number of LED units 12 and the number of sub-frames may be the same, but this is not necessarily the case.

The rotating body 121 may have a polygonal column or cylindrical shape. For example, when the cross section of the frame 11 has a rectangular shape, the shape of the rotating body 121 may have a rectangular column shape, but this is not necessarily the case.

The UV LED 122 may be mounted on the rotating body 121. The UV LED 122 may be mounted on one surface of the rotating body 121 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 122 included in the light emitting diode unit 12 may be an LED that emits light in an ultraviolet wavelength range, and more preferably, a UV-C LED that emits light of a UVC wavelength excellent in sterilization effect. Can be

Meanwhile, the rotating body 121 is rotatably connected between a plurality of sub-frames, and is mounted on one side of the rotating body 121 according to the rotation angle of the rotating body 121 when the sterilization module 10 is installed. The direction in which the UV LED 122 is directed may be determined. This will be described later with reference to FIGS. 4 to 5.

In the light emitting diode unit 12, as the light output of the UV LED 122 increases, the sterilization performance may be improved. However, as the light output increases, heat generation of the UV LED 122 increases, so that the temperature of the UV LED 122 may increase. As the temperature of the UV LED 122 increases, the light output performance of the UV LED 122 decreases, and the lifespan may also decrease. Accordingly, a heat dissipation structure for minimizing an increase in temperature of the UV LED 122 is required.

The light emitting diode unit 12 may further include a heat sink 123 for dissipating heat generated when the UV LED 122 emits ultraviolet light to the outside.

In the case of a general heat dissipation structure, the heat dissipation plate may be disposed to contact the UV LED 122. However, in the case of the present invention, the heat sink 123 is disposed so as to face the UV LED 122 based on the rotating body 121 (for example, disposed on the opposite surface to the UV LED 122), and thus the UV LED 122 and They can be arranged spaced apart. As shown in FIG. 3, when the UV LED 122 is mounted on one surface of the rotating body 121, the heat sink 123 may be mounted on the opposite surface of the rotating body 121 opposite to the one surface. have. In this case, in order to transfer heat generated from the UV LED 122 to the heat sink 123, the rotating body 121 may be implemented with a material having excellent thermal conductivity (eg, a metal material).

That is, since the heat sink 123 and the UV LED 122 are disposed to face each other based on the rotating body 121, the heat dissipation rate of the UV LED 122 is lowered by the heat radiated to the outside through the heat sink 123. The phenomenon can be prevented.

On the other hand, in FIGS. 1 to 3, each corner and vertex of the heat sink 123 are shown in an angled form, but according to the embodiment, each corner and vertex of the heat sink 123 are formed to be rounded, thereby reducing resistance when air flows. Can be reduced.

According to an embodiment, the light emitting diode unit 12 may further include a concave lens 124 for increasing an emission area of the ultraviolet light by dispersing the ultraviolet light emitted from the UV LED 122.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the concave lens 124 is mounted on the rotating body 121 to surround the UV LED 122, thereby dispersing the ultraviolet light emitted from the UV LED 122. In addition, the concave lens 124 wraps the UV LED 122 and shields it from the outside, thereby effectively protecting the UV LED 122 from the outside.

On the other hand, the rotating body 121 is rotatably connected to the frame 11, it is possible to adjust the direction in which the UV LED 122 is directed. That is, when installing the sterilization module 10 in the home appliance, the installer may rotate and fix the rotating body 121 so that the UV LED 122 faces the optimum position. In order for the rotating body 121 to rotate with respect to the frame 11, a rotating structure may be implemented between the frame 11 and the rotating body 121.

Referring to FIG. 3 as an example of a rotation structure implemented to rotate the rotation body 121 with respect to the frame 11.

Referring to a simple example illustrated in FIG. 3, a rotating protrusion 125 may be formed on each of both surfaces of the rotating body 121 in contact with the frame 11. In this case, a receiving groove (not shown) corresponding to the rotation protrusion 125 may be formed in the frame 11. That is, the rotating structure may include the rotating protrusion 125 and the receiving groove.

That is, when the sterilization module 10 is manufactured, the rotating protrusion 125 is accommodated in the receiving groove so that the rotating body 121 may be rotatably connected to the frame 11. Further, although not shown, an electric wire is disposed inside the rotating body 121 and the frame 11, and terminals for power transmission may be provided in each of the rotating protrusion 125 and the receiving groove. When the rotating protrusion 125 is accommodated in the receiving groove, the terminals may contact each other, and as a result, power may be transmitted to the UV LED 122.

Depending on the embodiment, the rotation protrusion 125 and the receiving groove may be implemented in various known forms. Meanwhile, according to an embodiment, a rotating protrusion may be formed in the frame 11 and a receiving groove may be formed in the rotating body 121.

In addition, the rotation protrusion 125 and the receiving groove may be formed to limit the rotation angle of the rotation body 121 or may be formed to be fixed at specific positions during rotation.

The fan unit 13 is rotated by a differential pressure generated when air flows as the main fan of the home appliance (for example, the fan module 612 of FIG. 6) rotates, thereby rotating the sterilization module 10. have.

The fan unit 13 may include a plurality of blades 131 and a hub 132 to which the plurality of blades 131 are connected.

The plurality of blades 131 may be connected to the frame 11. That is, each of the plurality of blades 131 may be connected between the frame 11 and the hub 132. As shown in FIG. 2, each of the plurality of blades 131 may be connected to the frame 11 by a connecting member 134, but a part of the blade may be directly connected to the frame 11 according to embodiments. .

The plurality of blades 131 may rotate by a differential pressure according to the flow of the air, thereby rotating the sterilization module 10. As the sterilization module 10 rotates, the ultraviolet light irradiation area of the UV LED 122 may increase.

Meanwhile, the number of UV LEDs 122 provided in the sterilization module 10 may be related to the rotation speed of the sterilization module 10. For example, as the rotational speed of the sterilization module 10 decreases, the amount of ultraviolet light irradiated to a specific area decreases, so the number of UV LEDs 122 provided in the sterilization module 10 may increase.

A through hole 133 through which the rotation shaft 142 of the support device 141 and 142 in FIG. 4 passes may be formed in the center of the hub 132. That is, the sterilization module 10 is installed in the home appliance by the support devices 141 and 142, and may rotate around the rotation shaft 142 when a differential pressure occurs due to the flow of the air.

Like the frame 11, the plurality of blades 131 and the hub 132 are implemented with a transparent material (eg, plastic, etc.) that transmits ultraviolet light, or a light reflective film (aluminum film, etc.) or light reflection on the surface. A material that reflects ultraviolet light, such as a paint, may be provided.

Meanwhile, although not shown, a wire (not shown) may be provided inside or on one surface of the fan unit 13, and terminals connected to the wire may be formed on each contact surface of the frame 11 and the connecting member 134. That is, as the frame 11 and the connecting member 134 are connected, the wire of the fan unit 13 and the UV LED 122 may be electrically connected. In addition, the electric wire of the fan unit 13 is electrically connected to the electric wire provided in the support devices 141 and 142 to be described later, so that electric power may be transmitted from the home appliance through the support devices 141 and 142.

4 and 5 are views showing examples in which a sterilization module according to an embodiment of the present invention is disposed in a home appliance.

In the following drawings, the sterilization module 10 is implemented in a circular shape (disc type), and the internal duct (channel) of the home appliance is described assuming that it has a cylindrical shape. In addition, for convenience of explanation, the sterilization module 10 is shown to include two light emitting diode units 12, but the number of light emitting diode units 12 is not limited thereto.

Meanwhile, in FIGS. 4 to 6, the sterilization module 10 in which the fan unit 13 is omitted is shown, but this is also for convenience of explanation, and the sterilization module 10 according to the present embodiment includes FIGS. 1 to 6. As shown in Fig. 2, a fan unit 13 is provided.

4 and 5, the sterilization module 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention may be mounted and provided in various home appliances.

The sterilization module 10 may be installed to be rotatable in an internal flow path (eg, duct 20) of the home appliance. To this end, support devices 141 and 142 may be provided in the duct 20. The support devices 141 and 142 may be provided as a component of the sterilization module 10, but may be a configuration separate from the sterilization module 10 according to embodiments.

The support devices 141 and 142 may include a support 141 and a rotation shaft 142. At least one support 141 may be formed at each of the front and rear sides of the sterilization module 10. Both ends of the support 141 may be fastened or mounted to the duct 20 to be fixed. The support 141 may be implemented in the form of a bar having a narrow width in order to minimize disturbance of air flow, but is not limited thereto.

The rotation shaft 142 may be formed to connect the support 141 provided at the front and rear of the sterilization module 10. In particular, the rotating shaft 142 passes through the through hole 133 of the hub 132 included in the fan unit 13 of the sterilization module 10 and is connected to each of the supports 141, thereby fixing the sterilization module 10 can do. The rotation shaft 142 may be located in the center of the inner space of the duct 20, and as a result, the sterilization module 10 may be disposed to be spaced apart from each other by the same distance as the inner circumferential surface of the duct 20.

Although not shown, an electric wire for transmitting power may be included in the support 141 and the rotation shaft 142. The electric wire is connected to the electric wire provided in the fan unit 13 by a terminal or the like, so that electric power provided from the home appliance may be transmitted to the UV LED 122 through the fan unit 13 and the frame 11.

Meanwhile, the home appliance may have different sizes (diameters, etc.) of internal flow paths (eg, ducts) through which air flows according to type, installation area, performance, and the like.

When the sterilization module 10 is installed in the duct of the home appliance, the UV LED 122 may be located closer to the center of the duct as the diameter (inner diameter) of the duct increases, and the smaller the diameter, the closer to the inner wall of the duct. I can.

When the UV LED 122 is located close to the center of the duct, the amount of air passing through the space between the UV LED 122 and the center of the duct (the inside of the frame 11) among the air passing through the duct is the UV LED 122 ) May be less than the amount of air passing through the space between the inner wall of the duct (outside of the frame 11). Therefore, it may be effective in the sterilization performance that the UV LED 122 is disposed to face the inner wall of the duct.

On the other hand, when the UV LED 122 is located close to the inner wall of the duct, the amount of air passing through the inner periphery of the frame 11 among the air passing through the duct may be greater than the amount of air passing through the outer periphery of the frame 11. have. Therefore, it may be effective in the sterilization performance that the UV LED 122 is disposed to face the center of the duct.

That is, in order to maximize the sterilization performance of the sterilization module 10, the direction in which the UV LED 122 is directed should be determined based on the relationship (ratio) between the diameter (inner diameter) of the duct and the diameter of the sterilization module 10.

Referring to FIG. 4 based on this, for example, when the ratio of the diameter of the sterilization module 10 to the diameter (inner diameter; D2) of the duct 20 (eg, the outer diameter of the frame 11; D1) is greater than or equal to the reference ratio, The rotating body 121 of the sterilization module 10 installed in the duct 20 may be fixed while being rotated so that the UV LED 122 faces the center of the duct 20.

The UV LED 122 may emit ultraviolet light toward the center of the duct 20 as power is supplied. The ultraviolet light emitted from the UV LED 122 may be dispersed by the concave lens 124 and an emission area may be enlarged according to the rotation of the sterilization module 10.

On the other hand, since the UV LED 122 is directed toward the center of the duct 20, the ultraviolet light is irradiated to the inside of the frame 11, that is, the fan unit 13 and the frame 11 facing the UV LED 122. I can. That is, in the embodiment of FIG. 4, the amount of air passing through the inner periphery of the frame 11 among the air passing through the sterilization module 10 is greater than the amount of air passing through the outer periphery of the frame 11. Sterilization can be done more effectively.

In addition, as described above, when the fan unit 13 and the frame 11 are made of a transparent material that transmits ultraviolet light, the ultraviolet light passes through the fan unit 13 and the frame 11 and passes through the frame 11. It can also be irradiated to the outer wall, that is, the inner wall of the duct 20. Alternatively, when a light reflecting material (such as an aluminum film) is present on the surfaces of the fan unit 13 and the frame 11, the ultraviolet light may be reflected to various areas by the light reflecting material. Accordingly, not only the air passing through the inner periphery of the frame 11 can be sterilized, but also the air passing through the outer periphery of the frame 11, that is, the space between the frame 11 and the inner wall of the duct 20 can be effectively sterilized. .

On the other hand, referring to Figure 5, when the ratio of the diameter (D3) of the sterilization module 10 to the diameter (inner diameter; D4) of the duct 20 is less than the reference ratio, the sterilization module 10 installed in the duct 20 ) Of the rotating body 121 may be fixed while being rotated so that the UV LED 122 faces the inner wall of the duct 20.

The UV LED 122 may emit ultraviolet light toward the inner wall of the duct 20 as power is supplied. The ultraviolet light emitted from the UV LED 122 may be dispersed by the concave lens 124 and an emission area may be enlarged according to the rotation of the sterilization module 10.

The UV LED 122 may emit ultraviolet light toward the center of the duct 20 as power is supplied. The ultraviolet light emitted from the UV LED 122 may be dispersed by the concave lens 124 and an emission area may be enlarged according to the rotation of the sterilization module 10.

Meanwhile, since the UV LED 122 is directed toward the inner wall of the duct 20, the ultraviolet light may be irradiated to the inner wall of the duct 20. That is, in the embodiment of FIG. 5, the amount of air passing through the outer periphery of the frame 11 among the air passing through the sterilization module 10 is greater than the amount of air passing through the inner periphery of the frame 11. Sterilization can be done more effectively.

According to an embodiment, a light reflective material (eg, light reflective film 201) may be present on the inner wall of the duct 20. Accordingly, the ultraviolet light irradiated to the inner wall of the duct 20 may be reflected by the light reflecting film 201 and irradiated toward the center of the duct 20. Accordingly, not only the air passing through the outer periphery of the frame 11 can be sterilized, but also the air passing through the inner periphery of the frame 11, that is, the central portion of the duct 20 can be effectively sterilized. Although not shown, the light reflective film 201 may also be formed on the inner wall of the duct 20 of FIG. 4.

That is, the sterilization module 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention can be installed by adjusting the light irradiation direction of the UV LED 122 based on the size (diameter) of the inner flow path (duct) of the home appliance, It is possible to provide a generalized sterilization module for appliances.

Meanwhile, in FIGS. 4 and 5, an exemplary embodiment in which a plurality of UV LEDs 122 are collectively installed to face the inner periphery of the frame 11 or to the outer periphery of the frame 11 is illustrated, but is not limited thereto. , Each or at least some of the plurality of UV LEDs 122 may be installed to face different directions.

6 is an exemplary view showing an air purifier including a sterilization module according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The air purifier 600 shown in FIG. 6 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. 6. It is not limited only to the air purifier 600.

Referring to FIG. 6, the air purifier 600 may include various components for purifying air in an indoor space. For example, the air purifier 600 according to an embodiment is provided under the blower 610 for generating air flow, the blower 610, and is generated from the base 620 and the blower 610 placed on the ground. The flow conversion device 630 for changing the discharge direction of the air flow, and the input/output device 640 for receiving a user input for controlling the operation of the air purifier 600 or outputting information related to the operation of the air purifier 600 ) Can be included.

The sterilization module 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention is disposed in the blowing device 610 to sterilize microorganisms in the air passing through the flow path in the blowing device 610.

Specifically, referring to an example of the cross section of the blowing device 610, the blowing device 610 includes a fan module 612 that generates a flow of air, and dust collection or deodorization of the air sucked by the blowing device 610. It may include a filter module 616 that purifies the air through. The sterilization module 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention may be disposed between the fan module 612 and the filter module 616.

The fan module 612 includes a hub coupled with a rotation shaft 615 of a fan motor (not shown), a shroud 613 disposed to be spaced apart from the hub, and a plurality of blades disposed between the hub and the shroud 613 (614) may be included. That is, a plurality of blades 614 may rotate as the fan motor is driven, and air may flow according to the rotation of the blades 614. Air may be sucked into the blower 610 through an inlet formed on the side wall of the base 620 or the filter module 616, and may flow upward and be discharged to the outside.

Air sucked into the blower 610 may be filtered by at least one filter included in the filter module 616. 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 616 may include a dust collection filter (electric dust collection filter, etc.) 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 616 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.

Air filtered by the filter module 616 may be sterilized while passing through the sterilization module 10. 4 to 5, the direction in which the UV LED 122 of the sterilization module 10 is directed is the diameter (inner diameter) of the inner duct (channel) of the air purifier 600 and the diameter of the sterilization module 10 (For example, it may be determined according to the ratio between the outer diameter of the frame 11). For example, in FIG. 6, when the diameter of the inner duct of the air purifier 600 is about 1.3 times the diameter of the sterilization module 10, the sterilization module 10 has the UV LED 122 facing the inside of the sterilization module 10. The rotating body 121 may be rotated so as to be installed.

Since the optimal direction of the UV LED 122 is determined and installed according to this ratio, effective sterilization performance can be provided. In addition, the sterilization module 10 is universally applicable to home appliances having various inner duct diameters.

The sterilization module 10 may be rotated according to the flow of air generated when the fan module 612 is driven. As the sterilization module 10 rotates, the ultraviolet light irradiation area of the UV LED 122 is enlarged, so that air passing through the sterilization module 10 can be sterilized more effectively.

On the other hand, since the sterilization module 10 is disposed at the rear of the filter module 616 based on the flow direction of air, dust or foreign matter adheres to the UV LED 122 of the sterilization module 10 to reduce sterilization performance. Can be prevented. In addition, since dust or foreign matter is prevented from adhering to the heat sink 123, a decrease in heat radiation performance can be effectively prevented.

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

Claims (16)

An annular frame;
A plurality of light emitting diode units connected to the frame and each provided with ultraviolet light emitting diodes; And
A fan unit including a plurality of blades connected to the inner circumferential surface of the frame, and a hub disposed in the center of the frame and connected to the plurality of blades,
The frame and the plurality of light emitting diode units are connected to the plurality of blades and rotated together according to the rotation of the plurality of blades. The method of claim 1,
The plurality of light emitting diode units are rotatably connected to the frame sterilization module. The method of claim 2,
The frame includes a plurality of sub-frames,
A sterilization module in which the plurality of light emitting diode units and the plurality of sub-frames are alternately connected. The method of claim 2,
Each of the plurality of light emitting diode units,
A rotating body rotatably connected to the frame; And
A sterilization module comprising an ultraviolet light emitting diode mounted on one surface of the rotating body and changing an emission direction of ultraviolet light in response to the rotation of the rotating body. The method of claim 4,
Each of the plurality of light emitting diode units,
Further comprising a heat sink mounted on the opposite surface of the one surface of the rotating body,
At least a portion of the rotating body is a sterilization module comprising a metal material. The method of claim 4,
Each of the plurality of light emitting diode units,
A sterilization module further comprising a concave lens mounted on the rotating body to surround the ultraviolet light emitting diode. The method of claim 1,
The hub,
A sterilization module in which a through hole through which a rotation shaft for rotation of the sterilization module passes is formed in the center. The method of claim 7,
Further comprising a support device comprising a plurality of supports connected to the rotation shaft and both ends of the rotation shaft,
Each of the plurality of supports is a sterilization module having both ends connected to the inner wall of the duct of the home appliance. The method of claim 1,
At least one of the frame and the fan unit is a sterilization module implemented with a transparent material. The method of claim 1,
At least one of the frame and the fan unit includes a light reflective material. An annular frame;
A plurality of light emitting diode units connected to the frame and each provided with ultraviolet light emitting diodes; And
A sterilization module including a fan unit including a plurality of blades connected to the inner circumferential surface of the frame, and a hub disposed in the center of the frame and connected to the plurality of blades;
A duct in which the sterilization module is disposed and through which air flows; And
Including a fan module for generating the flow of the air,
The frame and the plurality of light emitting diode units are connected to the plurality of blades, and the home appliance rotates together according to the rotation of the plurality of blades. The method of claim 11,
Each of the plurality of light emitting diode units,
A rotating body rotatably connected to the frame; And
A home appliance comprising an ultraviolet light emitting diode mounted on one surface of the rotating body and changing an emission direction of ultraviolet light in response to the rotation of the rotating body. The method of claim 12,
The sterilization module,
Based on a ratio between the diameter of the frame and the diameter of the duct, the rotating body is installed to rotate so that the ultraviolet light emitting diode faces the center of the frame or the inner wall of the duct. The method of claim 11,
Further comprising a support device including a rotation shaft, and a plurality of supports connected to both ends of the rotation shaft,
In the center of the hub, a through hole through which the rotation shaft passes is formed,
Each of the plurality of supports is a home appliance having both ends connected to the inner wall of the duct. The method of claim 14,
The sterilization module is a home appliance that rotates about the rotation axis based on the flow of the air. The method of claim 11,
Further comprising a filter module for purifying the air introduced into the interior,
The sterilization module is a home appliance disposed between the fan module and the filter module.

Images