KR102466855B1 - Robot apparatus for air sterilizing - Google Patents

Abstract

It relates to an air sterilization robot device that sterilizes air while moving within a predetermined sterilization zone, comprising: a robot body capable of autonomous driving and moving within the sterilization zone; While being coupled to the robot body and moving together with the robot body, the air around the robot body is sucked in through an intake port and discharged through an exhaust port. an intake unit formed; It is coupled to the intake unit to provide a discharge path for air discharged from the exhaust port of the intake unit, sterilizes the air in the discharge path while providing a catalytic reaction by a light source to the discharge path, and sterilizes the air in the discharge path through the light source around the robot body. Sterilization unit for sterilizing; and a control unit controlling operations of the robot body, the intake unit, and the sterilization unit.

Description

Air sterilization robot device {ROBOT APPARATUS FOR AIR STERILIZING}

Embodiments disclosed in this specification relate to an air sterilization robot device, and more particularly, to an air sterilization device that can sterilize and provide surrounding air to a sterilization target while moving within a predetermined sterilization zone.

As industrialization progresses and urbanization and population density accelerate, the problem of air pollution that humans breathe every day is becoming more and more serious day by day. As the concentration of pathogenic microscopic substances such as viruses and bacteria in the air increases, people's desire to breathe clean air is getting stronger.

In particular, indoor spaces such as industrial warehouses or offices should be periodically sterilized after work is finished.

Conventionally, in order to perform the sterilization work as described above, the sterilization work is very cumbersome and incomplete because the worker directly moves the sterilization zone while performing the sterilization.

Therefore, recently, a technology for sterilizing a sterilization zone through autonomous driving of a robot has been proposed.

As a related prior art, there is an ultraviolet sterilization mobile robot device and system disclosed in Korean Patent Registration No. 10-1742489.

The prior art is configured to perform sterilization using ultraviolet rays while driving the robot.

However, the prior art as described above only performs sterilization using ultraviolet rays and has a limitation in that it cannot sterilize the air in the sterilization zone.

Therefore, a technique for solving the above problems has been required.

On the other hand, the above-mentioned background art is technical information that the inventor possessed for derivation of the present invention or acquired in the process of derivation of the present invention, and cannot necessarily be said to be known art disclosed to the general public prior to filing the present invention. .

Embodiments disclosed in this specification are intended to provide an air sterilization robot device that can sterilize and provide air around a sterilization target through autonomous driving of the robot body and at the same time sterilize the sterilization target with a light source.

Specifically, the object of the embodiments disclosed herein is to provide an air sterilization robot device capable of sterilizing air around a sterilization target through direct sterilization by a sterilization lamp and a photocatalytic reaction through a light source of the sterilization lamp. to be.

In addition, in the embodiments disclosed herein, by introducing air at a relatively low height to sterilize and then discharging it at a relatively high height, the air at the bottom of the sterilization zone is introduced, sterilized, and then discharged to the top of the sterilization zone. Its object is to provide an air sterilization robot device capable of sterilizing polluted air that has sunk toward the bottom.

In addition, the embodiments disclosed in this specification are intended to provide an air sterilization robot device capable of filtering foreign substances in the air in the process of sucking air in a sterilization zone.

In addition, an object of the embodiments disclosed in this specification is to provide an air sterilization robot device capable of supporting a photocatalyst filter unit and a sterilization lamp in a robust and simple structure.

In addition, an object of the embodiments disclosed herein is to provide an air sterilization robot device capable of efficiently controlling the operation time of a sterilization unit.

As a technical means for achieving the above-described technical problem, according to an embodiment of an air sterilization robot device, an air sterilization robot device that sterilizes air while moving within a predetermined sterilization zone is formed to be capable of autonomous driving. A robot body moving within the sterilization zone; While being coupled to the robot body and moving together with the robot body, the air around the robot body is sucked in through an intake port and discharged through an exhaust port. an intake unit formed; It is coupled to the intake unit to provide a discharge path for air discharged from the exhaust port of the intake unit, sterilizes the air in the discharge path while providing a catalytic reaction by a light source to the discharge path, and sterilizes the air in the discharge path through the light source around the robot body. Sterilization unit for sterilizing; and a control unit controlling operations of the robot body, the intake unit, and the sterilization unit.

In addition, the intake unit may include an intake fan that provides suction force while being operated by a power source; and

The intake fan is accommodated in a state installed in the robot body, and at least one intake port is formed on the outside of the intake fan, and the exhaust port is formed on the upper part of the intake fan to discharge the air sucked into the intake port to the exhaust port. It may include an intake housing in which the sterilization unit is installed along the outer edge of the exhaust port.

In addition, the intake housing is formed in a cylindrical shape to accommodate the intake fan at the center of the cylinder, the intake vents are formed in a radial shape along the outer edge of the intake fan to suck air in a horizontal direction, and the exhaust vents are located above the intake fan. It is formed in and can discharge air in a vertical direction.

The intake unit may further include an intake filter detachably installed in the intake port to filter foreign substances in the air flowing into the intake port.

In addition, the sterilization unit is formed in a cylindrical shape, the lower end of both ends in the longitudinal direction is connected to the exhaust port of the intake unit to form the discharge path in the vertical direction, and is a material that has pores and causes a photocatalytic reaction by a light source. a photocatalytic filter unit formed; The photocatalyst filter has a length corresponding to the photocatalyst filter, is installed along the circumference of the photocatalyst filter, and is operated by power supplied through sockets provided at the lower end and the upper end in the longitudinal direction, respectively, to maintain the photocatalyst filter unit and the robot body. At least one germicidal lamp providing a light source to the surroundings; and a support member supporting the photocatalytic filter unit and the germicidal lamp.

In addition, the photocatalytic filter unit may include a mesh filter formed of glass fibers having a net structure and sterilizing air through a catalytic reaction by a light source of the germicidal lamp; and a filter frame formed in a cylindrical frame shape to support the mesh filter in a cylindrical shape.

In addition, the support member may include a support frame formed in the form of a cylindrical frame and accommodating the photocatalyst filter unit therein and supporting the photocatalyst filter unit; and a support rim formed in a ring shape at an upper end of the support frame to support the socket provided at an upper end of the germicidal lamp.

In addition, the support member may include a rim cover covering the support rim; and a reinforcing frame connecting the rim cover and the intake unit and reinforcing a supporting force.

In addition, the control unit controls the robot body to bring the robot body close to the sterilization target located in the sterilization zone, and then operates the intake unit and the sterilization unit for a set operating time, the robot body and the sterilization target. The operation time may be set based on the distance of and the intensity of the light source provided from the sterilization unit.

According to any one of the above-described problem solving means, an air sterilization robot device capable of sterilizing and providing air around a sterilization target through autonomous driving of the robot body and sterilizing the sterilization target with a light source can be presented.

Specifically, according to any one of the above-described problem solving means, since the sterilization unit provides a light source to the discharge path while providing a discharge path for the intake unit, the sterilization target is directly sterilized by the light source and the air around the sterilization target is discharged. An air sterilization robot device that can be discharged in a sterilized state in the process can be presented.

In particular, according to any one of the above-described problem solving means, the intake port of the intake unit is provided at a relatively low height to suck in air in a horizontal state, and the exhaust port is provided at a height higher than the intake port to discharge air in a vertical state, so sterilization is performed. Contaminated air that has settled toward the bottom of the zone can be smoothly sterilized and provided.

Further, according to any one of the above-described means for solving the problem, since the intake filter composed of a pre-filter is provided in the intake port of the intake unit, foreign substances in the air flowing into the intake port can be filtered.

In addition, according to any one of the above-described problem solving means, since the photocatalytic filter unit and the sterilizing lamp constituting the sterilization unit are supported by the support frame and the support rim constituting the support member, they can be firmly installed without a separate support.

In addition, according to any one of the above-described problem solving means, since the control unit controls the operation of the sterilization unit based on the distance to the sterilization target and the intensity of the light source, sterilization can be efficiently performed without excessive or insufficient.

Effects obtainable from the disclosed embodiments are not limited to those mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned are clear to those skilled in the art from the description below to which the disclosed embodiments belong. will be understandable.

1 is an overall perspective view showing the configuration of an air sterilization robot device according to an embodiment.
2 is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of an intake unit of an air sterilization robot device according to an embodiment.
3 and 4 are exploded perspective views showing configurations of an intake unit and a sterilization unit of an air sterilization robot device according to an embodiment.
5 is a perspective view illustrating a support member of an air sterilization robot device according to an embodiment.
6 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an air sterilization robot device according to an embodiment.

Hereinafter, various embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Embodiments described below may be modified and implemented in various different forms. In order to more clearly describe the characteristics of the embodiments, detailed descriptions of matters widely known to those skilled in the art to which the following embodiments belong are omitted. And, in the drawings, parts irrelevant to the description of the embodiments are omitted, and similar reference numerals are attached to similar parts throughout the specification.

Throughout the specification, when a component is said to be “connected” to another component, this includes not only the case of being “directly connected” but also the case of being “connected with another component intervening therebetween”. In addition, when a certain component "includes" a certain component, this means that other components may be further included without excluding other components unless otherwise specified.

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is an overall perspective view showing the configuration of an air sterilization robot device according to an embodiment, FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of an intake unit of the air sterilization robot device according to an embodiment, and FIGS. 3 and 4 are one It is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of the intake unit and sterilization unit of the air sterilization robot device according to the embodiment. 5 is a perspective view showing a support member of an air sterilization robot device according to an embodiment, and FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an air sterilization robot device according to an embodiment.

An air sterilization robot device 10 according to an embodiment sterilizes air while moving in a sterilization area such as a warehouse or office of an industrial enterprise, and includes a robot body 100 and an intake unit as shown in FIGS. 1 and 6 200, it may be configured to include a sterilization unit 300 and a control unit 400.

The robot body 100 is formed to be capable of autonomous driving and is a component that moves an intake unit 200 and a sterilization unit 300 to be described later while moving within a sterilization zone.

The robot body 100 can travel by driving the wheels 110 provided at the lower part, and can travel in the sterilization area while driving under user control or operating through a preset driving program.

For example, the robot body 100 may have a detection sensor or a depth camera provided outside the housing, and travel while detecting the sterilization area through the detection sensor while detecting the distance to the sterilization target through the depth camera. can

In addition, the robot body 100 may travel along the travel line while detecting the travel line provided in the sterilization area with a sensor.

In addition, the robot body 100 may be applied to any configuration as long as it is configured to travel in a predetermined area.

The intake unit 200 sucks air around the robot body 100 through the intake port 200a and discharges it through the exhaust port 200b while moving along with the robot body 100 while being coupled to the robot body 100. It is a component that allows sterilization of air by the sterilization unit 300 to be described later in the process.

In this intake unit 200, the intake port 200a is formed at a relatively low height, and the exhaust port 200b is formed at a relatively higher height than the intake port 200a to suck air from the bottom surface of the sterilization zone to the top. can be ejected.

Specifically, the intake unit 200 may include an intake fan 210 and an intake housing 220 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 .

The intake fan 210 is a component that provides suction power while operating by power under the control of the control unit 400 .

The intake fan 210 may be installed in the intake housing 220 through the motor bracket 213 together with the fan motor 211 and the plurality of ballasts 212, and rotated by the fan motor 211 to the robot body ( 100) Surrounding air may be forcibly introduced into the intake port 200a and discharged through the exhaust port 200b.

Here, the intake fan 210 is composed of a centrifugal fan, as shown in FIG. 2, so that air can be sucked in in a horizontal direction and then discharged in a vertical direction.

As shown in FIG. It may be composed of the housing body 221 and the housing cover 222 as well.

Specifically, the housing body 221 accommodates the intake fan 210 while forming an enclosure together with the housing cover 222, and as shown in FIG. 2, the upper surface of the robot body 100 through the bottom plate 221a. , and at least one intake port 200a may be formed outside the intake fan 210 .

In addition, the housing cover 222 may be coupled to the upper portion of the housing body 221 to form an exhaust port 200b on the upper portion of the intake fan 210, and a sterilization unit 300 described later along the outer circumference of the exhaust port 200b can be installed.

That is, in the intake housing 220, the intake port 200a is formed at a lower height than the exhaust port 200b, so that contaminated air that has settled on the bottom surface of the sterilization zone can be sucked in and then discharged through the upper exhaust port 200b. .

Here, the intake housing 220 is formed in a cylindrical shape so that the intake fan 210 can be accommodated in the center of the cylinder.

In this case, a plurality of inlet ports 200a are formed radially along the outer edge of the intake fan 210 to suck air in a horizontal direction, and the exhaust outlet 200b is formed on the upper part of the intake fan 210 to be vertical. direction can be emitted.

That is, the intake housing 220 may intake air in a horizontal direction through the intake port 200a at a relatively low position and discharge it in a vertical direction through the exhaust port 200b at a relatively high position.

Here, the intake port 200a may be formed in a shape in which the cross-sectional area becomes narrower toward the center of the intake housing 220, as shown in FIG. 2, and the intake filter 230 may be detachably coupled to the end. .

The air intake filter 230 is a component for filtering foreign substances in the air flowing into the intake port 200a, and may be composed of a conventional pre-filter, and may be detachably coupled to at least one of both ends of the intake port 200a. .

The sterilization unit 300 forms a discharge path for air discharged from the exhaust port 200b of the intake unit 200, sterilizes the air in the discharge path through a catalytic reaction by a light source, and at the same time cleans the robot body 100 through a light source. It is a component that directly sterilizes the surrounding air.

Specifically, the sterilization unit 300 may include a photocatalyst filter unit 310, a sterilization lamp 320, and a support member 330 as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 .

The photocatalytic filter unit 310 is a component for sterilizing air in the discharge path by causing a photocatalytic reaction by the light source of the germicidal lamp 320 while forming the discharge path of the above-described intake unit 200.

The photocatalytic filter unit 310 is formed in a long cylindrical shape, and its lower end is connected to the exhaust port 200b of the intake unit 200 to form a vertical discharge path, and a photocatalytic reaction is caused by a light source while holding a child. material can be formed.

Specifically, the photocatalytic filter unit 310 may include a mesh filter 311 and a filter frame 312 as shown in FIG. 3 .

The mesh filter 311 is formed of glass fiber having a mesh structure, and is coupled to the outer circumferential surface of a filter frame 312 to be described later in a wound state, forming a cylindrical shape together with the filter frame 312 to form a discharge passage of the intake unit 100. can form

The mesh filter 311 is formed in a network structure so that pores are formed to filter air through the pores, and a photocatalyst such as titanium dioxide is coated to sterilize air through a photocatalytic reaction by the light source of the sterilizing lamp 320. can do.

The filter frame 312 is a component for supporting the mesh filter 311 in a cylindrical shape.

The filter frame 312 may include a pair of ring frames 312a and a plurality of connecting bars 312b connecting the ring frames 312a to have a cylindrical frame shape.

Here, the filter frame 312 can fix the mesh filter 311 in a cylindrical shape by protruding at predetermined intervals along the longitudinal direction of the connecting bar 312b and being inserted into the mesh filter 311. have.

The germicidal lamp 320 provides a light source to the photocatalytic filter unit 310 to induce a photocatalytic reaction of the mesh filter 311 to sterilize the air in the discharge path, and at the same time provides a light source to the periphery of the robot body 100 to make the robot It is a component that directly sterilizes the surrounding air of the main body 100.

The germicidal lamp 320 is composed of a UVC lamp having a length corresponding to the photocatalytic filter unit 310 and can provide a light source of a fixed bandwidth, and is coupled to sockets 321 provided at both ends in the longitudinal direction, respectively. It is possible to provide a light source while operating by power supply by the control unit 400 to be described later.

Here, the germicidal lamps 320 may be disposed along the outer circumference of the photocatalytic filter unit 310 while forming a plurality.

The support member 330 is a component for supporting the photocatalytic filter unit 310 and the germicidal lamp 320 described above.

Specifically, the support member 330 may include a support frame 331 and a support rim 332 as shown in FIG. 4 .

The support frame 331 is a component that supports the photocatalytic filter unit 310 while accommodating the aforementioned photocatalytic filter unit 310 therein.

The support frame 331 is formed in a cylindrical frame shape having a larger inner diameter than the filter frame 312 described above, so that the photocatalytic filter unit 310 can be accommodated therein.

Accordingly, the mesh filter 311 constituting the photocatalytic filter unit 310 is supported together with the filter frame 312 in a state accommodated inside the support frame 331, so that it has a cylindrical shape even when separated from the filter frame 312. can keep

The support rim 332 is a component for supporting the above-described germicidal lamp 320, and may be formed of an annular plate and fixed to an upper end of the support frame 331.

The support rim 332 may support the germicidal lamp 320 while being fixed in close contact with the socket 321 provided at the upper end of the germicidal lamp 320 .

Meanwhile, the support member 330 may further include a rim cover 333 and a reinforcing frame 334 as shown in FIG. 5 .

The rim cover 333 may cover the support rim 332 by forming an accommodation space corresponding to the support rim 332 .

The reinforcing frame 334 is a component for reinforcing the bearing capacity of the support frame 331, and is formed in a bar shape having a predetermined length, so that both ends in the longitudinal direction are respectively connected to the rim cover 333 and the intake unit 200. It is coupled to the intake housing 220 so that the rim cover 333 and the intake housing 220 may be connected.

Accordingly, in the support frame 331, the rim cover 333 attached to the support rim 332 is connected to the intake housing 220 by the reinforcing frame 334, so that the sterilization lamp 320 and the sterilizing lamp 320 are firmly fixed. The photocatalytic filter unit 310 may be supported.

The control unit 400 is a component that controls the operation of the intake fan 210 constituting the robot body 100 and the intake unit 200 and the germicidal lamp 320 constituting the sterilization unit 300.

The control unit 400 may be configured as a processor and built into the robot body 100, and may be provided in a separate server and connected to the robot body 100 wirelessly.

The control unit 400 can move the robot body 100 in the sterilization zone while controlling the robot body 100 to approach the sterilization target, and operate the intake fan 210 and the sterilization lamp 320 for a set operating time to allow the robot body 100 to move. The periphery of the main body 100 or the sterilization target can be sterilized.

Here, in controlling the operating time of the intake fan 210 and the sterilization lamp 320, the control unit 400 controls the intake fan 210 and the sterilization lamp 320 based on the distance from the sterilization target and the intensity of the light source by the sterilization lamp 320. The operation time of the lamp 320 can be controlled.

Specifically, the control unit 400 may control the operation time of the intake fan 210 and the sterilization lamp 320 in inverse proportion to the closer the distance to the sterilization target or the stronger the intensity of the light source.

The operation and operation of the air sterilization robot device 10 according to an embodiment including the above components will be described.

The robot body 100 may approach the sterilization target by detecting the sterilization target through a sensor or a depth camera while moving in the sterilization area under the control of the controller 400 .

After the robot body 100 approaches the sterilization target, the intake unit 200 sucks the air around the sterilization target through the intake port 200a through the intake fan 210 operated by the control unit 400 to discharge the exhaust port 200b. emit with

At this time, the intake unit 200 has an intake port 200a formed in a horizontal direction at a relatively low position to suck in contaminated air that has settled on the floor around the sterilization target, and then an exhaust port formed vertically at a relatively high position ( 200b).

The sterilization unit 300 provides a light source through the sterilization lamp 320 operated by the control unit 400 while guiding the polluted air discharged from the exhaust port 200b in a vertical direction through the photocatalytic filter unit 310.

Accordingly, the photocatalytic filter unit 310 can sterilize the air discharged from the exhaust port 200b while causing a photocatalytic reaction by the light source.

In addition, the sterilization lamp 320 directly sterilizes the air around the sterilization target by providing a light source to the outside of the photocatalytic filter unit 310 .

The control unit 400 can move the robot body 100 after operating the suction fan 210 and the sterilizing lamp 320 for a set time by detecting the distance to the sterilization target or the intensity of the sterilizing lamp 320.

As described above, according to the air sterilization robot device 10 according to an embodiment, since the sterilization unit 300 provides a discharge path of the intake unit 200 and provides a light source to the discharge path, the sterilization target by the light source Along with the direct sterilization of the sterilization target, the air around the sterilization target can be discharged in a sterilized state in the process of being discharged.

The above-described embodiments are for illustrative purposes, and those skilled in the art to which the above-described embodiments belong can easily transform into other specific forms without changing the technical spirit or essential features of the above-described embodiments. You will understand. Therefore, it should be understood that the above-described embodiments are illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. For example, each component described as a single type may be implemented in a distributed manner, and similarly, components described as distributed may be implemented in a combined form.

The scope to be protected through this specification is indicated by the following claims rather than the detailed description above, and should be construed to include all changes or modifications derived from the meaning and scope of the claims and equivalent concepts thereof. .

10: air sterilization robot device
100: robot body
200: intake unit
220a: intake port
220b: exhaust port
210: intake fan
220: intake housing
230: intake filter
300: sterilization unit
310: photocatalyst filter unit
311: mesh filter
312: filter frame
320: germicidal lamp
321: socket
330: support member
331: support frame
332: support rim
333: rim cover
334: reinforcement frame
400: control unit

Claims (9)

In the air sterilization robot device for sterilizing air while moving within a predetermined sterilization zone,
a robot body capable of autonomous driving and moving within the sterilization zone;
While being coupled to the robot body and moving together with the robot body, air around the robot body is sucked in through an intake port and discharged through an exhaust port. an intake unit formed;
It is coupled to the intake unit to provide a discharge path for air discharged from the exhaust port of the intake unit, sterilizes the air in the discharge path while providing a catalytic reaction by a light source to the discharge path, and sterilizes the air in the discharge path through the light source around the robot body. Sterilization unit for sterilizing; and
It includes a control unit for controlling the operation of the robot body, the intake unit, and the sterilization unit,
The sterilization unit,
A photocatalytic filter unit formed in a cylindrical shape, having lower ends of both ends in the longitudinal direction connected to the exhaust port of the intake unit to form the discharge path in the vertical direction, and having pores and formed of a material that causes a photocatalytic reaction by a light source;
The photocatalyst filter has a length corresponding to the photocatalyst filter, is installed along the circumference of the photocatalyst filter, and is operated by power supplied through sockets provided at the lower end and the upper end in the longitudinal direction, respectively, to maintain the photocatalyst filter unit and the robot body. At least one germicidal lamp providing a light source to the surroundings; and
A support member supporting the photocatalytic filter unit and the germicidal lamp,
The support member is
a support frame formed in the form of a cylindrical frame and accommodating the photocatalyst filter unit therein and supporting the photocatalyst filter unit; and
An air sterilization robot device comprising a support rim formed in a ring shape at an upper end of the support frame and supporting the socket provided at an upper end of the sterilization lamp.
According to claim 1,
The intake unit is
An intake fan that provides suction power while being operated by a power source; and
The intake fan is accommodated in a state installed in the robot body, and at least one intake port is formed on the outside of the intake fan, and the exhaust port is formed on the upper part of the intake fan to discharge the air sucked into the intake port to the exhaust port. An air sterilization robot device comprising an intake housing in which the sterilization unit is installed along the outer edge of the exhaust port.
According to claim 2,
The intake housing,
It is formed in a cylindrical shape to accommodate the intake fan at the center of the cylinder, the intake vents are formed radially along the outer edge of the intake fan to suck in air in a horizontal direction, and the exhaust vents are formed on the top of the intake fan to direct air in a vertical direction. Discharging, air sterilization robot device.
According to claim 2,
The intake unit is
An air sterilization robot device further comprising an intake filter detachably installed in the intake port to filter foreign substances in the air flowing into the intake port.
delete According to claim 1,
The photocatalytic filter unit,
a mesh filter formed of glass fibers having a network structure and sterilizing air through a catalytic reaction by a light source of the sterilizing lamp; and
An air sterilization robot device comprising a filter frame formed in a cylindrical frame shape to support the mesh filter in a cylindrical shape.
delete According to claim 1,
The support member is
a rim cover covering the support rim; and
The air sterilization robot device further comprises a reinforcing frame connecting the rim cover and the intake unit while reinforcing a supporting force.
According to claim 1,
The control unit,
After controlling the robot body to approach the robot body to the sterilization target located in the sterilization zone, the intake unit and the sterilization unit are operated for a set operating time, and the distance between the robot body and the sterilization target and the sterilization unit An air sterilization robot device for setting the operation time based on the intensity of the light source provided from.

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