KR20130074105A - Uv led sterilizer for sterilizing water tank for house-wares, and method for the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: An ultra violet (UV) light emitting diode (LED) sterilizing apparatus and a method of the same are provided to use UV LED comprising a wavelength of UV-C (200-280 nm) and be effectively and economically used in sterilizing the water of a purifier. CONSTITUTION: An ultra violet (UV) light emitting diode (LED) sterilizing apparatus (100) comprises a water storing part, one more UV LED (120), a power supplying part (110) and a sterilization controlling part (130). The UV LED is equipped on the water storing part and sterilizes water in a UV-C wavelength of 200-280 nm. The sterilization controlling part monitors the power and the intensity of more than one UV LED and controls the sterilizing intensity of UV LED. The sterilization controlling part controls the number of UV LED which corresponds to the UV LED power and sterilizing intensity and the intensity of UV LED sterilizing intensity. [Reference numerals] (100) Ultra violet (UV) light emitting diode (LED) sterilizing apparatus; (110) Power supplying part; (130) Sterilization controlling part; (131) Power monitoring part; (132) Strength monitoring part; (133) Strength controlling part; (200) Home purifier (dehumidifier); (210) Water inflow part; (220) Water storage part

Description

UV light emitting diode sterilizer and method for household water storage {UV LED STERILIZER FOR STERILIZING WATER TANK FOR HOUSE-WARES, AND METHOD FOR THE SAME}

The present invention relates to a UV LED sterilization apparatus, and more specifically, UV LED having a wavelength band of 200 ~ 280 nm instead of UV (ultraviolet) in the sterilization system for sterilizing Bacillus and E. coli in a household water tank provided in a humidifier or water purifier A UV LED (Light Emitting Diode) sterilizer for sterilizing with an ultraviolet light emitting diode and a method thereof.

In general, the UV spectrum is divided into four: UV UV (100-200 nm), UV-C (200-280 nm), UV-B (280-315 nm), and UV-A (315-400 nm). Are distinguished. At this time, UV disinfection occurs in UV-C and UV-B. For example, LPUV is a single wavelength of 254 nm, and MPUV emits a broad wavelength including UV A, B, C and visible light. In particular, UV-C (200-280 nm) of LPUV and MPUV is used as UV which is widely used for microbial disinfection.

UV sterilizers are generally used for mercury lamps. Mercury lamps generally generate a lot of heat, and contain mercury in their interiors, which can pollute the environment. The lamps have a short life span and require periodic replacement.

Recently, with the development of UV LED technology, it has been used in various fields. Compared with the aforementioned UV lamp (mercury lamp), its size is compact, economical, requires low power, high efficiency, non-toxic and long life, Can be. In this case, the UV LED provides an optimal wavelength for disinfection instead of the 254 nm wavelength of the mercury lamp. At this time, the UV LED does not contain mercury, and the compact and robust design is durable and mobile while driving. In addition, UV LEDs do not have warm-up time for UV lamps, require low voltage and low energy, and extend their lifespan, thus reducing replacement cycles.

On the other hand, due to the distrust of constants in Korea, water purifiers are often used in connection with constants. In addition, the risk of protozoa in drinking water depends on the characteristics of the drinking water, which is 98% dependent on surface water in Korea. In general, surface water is likely to be contaminated by livestock discharges, wildlife, etc., and since downstream surface water is exposed to agricultural drainage, effluent from sewage treatment plants, domestic constant raw water has a high risk of protozoa. For example, UV disinfection is widely used for disinfecting pathogenic microorganisms including protozoa.

As described above, in the water purifier and water disinfection according to the prior art, the UV used in the microbial sterilization disinfection process mainly uses a mercury lamp, because it contains mercury inside, it may pollute the environment, Its short life requires periodic replacement. In addition, the conventional UV LED is composed of a UV-A (315 ~ 400 ㎚) wavelength lamp may be effective for E. coli, etc., but in the disinfection used only by conventional UV, Norovirus (norovirus) that requires a strong sterilization power more than E. coli Virus), Bacillus (Bacillus) and other pathogenic viruses have a weak structure.

On the other hand, as the prior art, the Republic of Korea Patent Publication No. 2010-122421 discloses an invention named "ultraviolet LED sterilizer for household appliances integration", which will be described with reference to FIG.

1 is a block diagram of a ultraviolet LED sterilizer according to the prior art.

Referring to FIG. 1, the ultraviolet LED sterilizer 10 according to the related art is a sterilizer applied to an existing home appliance and is connected to an existing home appliance. In this case, the home appliance is generally an electronic device used in a home, and may include a washing machine, a refrigerator, a water purifier, a dishwasher, a bidet, and the like.

The ultraviolet LED sterilizer 10 includes a power supply unit 11, an input unit 12, an ultraviolet LED unit 13, a storage unit 14, and a control unit 15.

The power supply unit 11 supplies power to the ultraviolet LED sterilizer 10. The power supply unit 11 converts the alternating current supplied to the home into direct current, and decompresses and outputs it to 12V suitable for the operation of the ultraviolet LED sterilizer 10. At this time, the power supply unit 11 may be used by converting the alternating current supplied to the home into a direct current, or may use a direct current power using a battery.

The input unit 12 provides a plurality of keys for operating the ultraviolet LED sterilizer 10. The input unit 12 may be a switch, a button, a pointing device such as a touch pad, or an input device such as a touch screen.

The ultraviolet LED unit 13 is a place where ultraviolet rays used for sterilization are substantially emitted, and is supplied with power from the power supply unit 11 to operate by a command of the control unit 15 to sterilize home appliances.

The storage unit 14 stores sterilization operation information suitable for a plurality of home appliances. That is, the storage unit 14 is a washing machine sterilization DB (14a), refrigerator sterilization DB (14b), water purifier sterilization DB (14c), dishwasher for storing sterilization operation information suitable for a washing machine, a refrigerator, a water purifier, a dishwasher and a bidet, respectively. A sterile DB 14d and a bidet sterile DB 14e may be included.

The control unit 15 is a microprocessor for performing overall control operations of the ultraviolet LED sterilizer 10, and among the plurality of sterilization DBs stored in the storage unit 14, a sterilization DB corresponding to the home appliance input through the input unit 12. Accordingly, the ultraviolet LED unit 13 is controlled to sterilize home appliances connected to the ultraviolet LED sterilizer 10.

The ultraviolet LED sterilizer 10 according to the related art provides an ultraviolet LED sterilizer applicable to pre-fabricated home appliances and new home appliances that are newly manufactured. However, the ultraviolet LED sterilizer 10 according to the related art has a problem in that it is difficult to sterilize pathogenic viruses such as Norovirus and Bacillus contained in water in the water tank.

On the other hand, as another prior art, the Republic of Korea Patent Publication No. 2008-23244 discloses the invention named "LED sterilization water tank", it will be described with reference to FIG.

2 is a view showing the LED sterilization water tank is installed UV lamp according to the prior art.

Figure 2 shows a tree branch UV LED lamp in the LED sterilization water tank according to the prior art, for example, a constant or irregular shape in the form of a tree branch sterilizing the water introduced into the water dispenser, water purifier, humidifier tank. The ultraviolet ray lamp insertion pipe 23 into which the ultraviolet LED lamp 22 is drawn is introduced into the tank.

UV LED (light emitting diode) lamp attached to one side of water tank or cold / hot water part that store water temporarily for users to drink or use water not only has a simple structure, but also has excellent sterilization effect, convenience and volume. It is small and easy to install, reducing energy and manufacturing costs. That is, the LED sterilization water tank equipped with the ultraviolet LED lamp according to the prior art can sterilize and quickly sterilize and disinfect the water tank in which the water of the water purifier, the bottled water and the humidifier is stored using the semiconductor ultraviolet LED lamp.

However, in the case of the LED sterilization water tank equipped with the ultraviolet LED lamp according to the prior art, there is a problem in that the sterilization efficiency is lowered by not sterilizing according to the sterilization intensity or the amount of water of the UV LED.

1) Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-91623 (published date: April 17, 208), title of the invention: "Luminescent Device" 2) Republic of Korea Patent Publication No. 2010-122421 (published: November 22, 2010), the title of the invention: "Ultraviolet LED sterilizer for household appliances integration" 3) Republic of Korea Patent Publication No. 2008-23244 (published: March 12, 2008), the title of the invention: "LED sterilization water tank" 4) US Patent Publication No. 2010-65506 (published March 12, 2008), titled “UV LED based water purification module for intermittently operable flow-through hydration systems” 5) European Patent No. 1542563 (filed September 24, 2003), titled "UV LED based water purification module for intermittently operable flow-through hydration systems" 6) Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-214241 (published: September 30, 2010), title of the invention: "Water Purifier" 7) U.S. Patent No.7641790 (registered date: Jan. 5, 2010), titled "UV LED based water purification module for intermittently operable flow-through hydration systems" 8) Republic of Korea Patent Publication No. 2010-74139 (published: July 1, 2010), the title of the invention: "ultraviolet water purification system"

The technical problem to be solved by the present invention for solving the above-mentioned problems is, by using a UV LED having a wavelength range of UV-C (200 ~ 280 nm) instead of UV (ultraviolet) using a mercury lamp, water purifier for home and small scale water It is to provide a UV LED sterilization apparatus and method for household water storage, which can perform disinfection effectively and economically.

Another technical problem to be solved by the present invention for solving the above-described problems, UV LED of the household water storage unit, which can adjust the number and sterilization intensity of the UV LED is turned on in response to the driving power and sterilization intensity of the monitored UV LED It is to provide a sterilizer and a method thereof.

As a means for achieving the above-described technical problem, the UV LED sterilization apparatus for household water storage unit according to the present invention, the water storage unit for storing the incoming water; At least one UV LED installed on one side of the water storage unit to sterilize and disinfect water at a UV-C wavelength in a range of 200 to 280 nm; A power supply unit supplying power to each of the at least one UV LED; And a sterilization control unit controlling the sterilization intensity of the UV LED by monitoring the driving power and intensity of the at least one UV LED, wherein the sterilization control unit is turned on in response to the driving power and sterilization intensity of the monitored UV LED. It is characterized by adjusting the number and sterilization intensity of the UV LED.

Here, the UV LED is characterized in sterilizing E. coli, Bacillus and pathogenic viruses in the UV-C wavelength range of 200 ~ 280nm.

Here, the sterilization control unit is characterized in that for controlling the number and the sterilization intensity of the UV LED is turned on corresponding to the amount of water stored in the water storage unit.

Here, the sterilization control unit, a power monitoring unit for monitoring the power to drive the UV LED; A strength monitoring unit for monitoring the sterilization intensity of the UV LED; And it may include a strength control unit for controlling the sterilization intensity of the UV LED according to the power and intensity monitored by the power monitoring unit and the intensity monitoring unit.

Here, the power monitoring unit, the intensity monitoring unit and the intensity control unit may be configured as one package.

Here, the water storage unit may be installed in the lower portion of the household water purifier or the upper portion of the household humidifier.

On the other hand, as another means for achieving the above-described technical problem, UV LED sterilization method of the household water storage unit according to the present invention, a) installing at least one UV LED on one side of the water storage unit in which the incoming water is stored; ; b) measuring the amount of water stored in the water reservoir; c) monitoring power and sterilization intensity for driving said at least one UV LED; d) adjusting the number and sterilization intensity of the UV LEDs to be lit in response to the power and sterilization intensity of the monitored UV LEDs; And e) sterilizing water in the water storage unit at a UV-C wavelength in the range of 200 to 280 nm according to the number and sterilization intensity of the UV LED to be lit.

Here, the step e) is characterized in that sterilizing E. coli, Bacillus and pathogenic viruses contained in the water in the water storage unit in the UV-C wavelength range of 200 ~ 280nm.

Here, in step d), the number of UV LEDs to be turned on and the sterilization intensity are controlled according to the amount of water stored in the water storage unit.

Here, in step a), the water storage unit may be installed at the bottom of the household water purifier or at the top of the domestic humidifier.

According to the present invention, by using a UV LED having a UV-C (200 ~ 280 nm) wavelength band instead of UV (ultraviolet) using a mercury lamp can be effectively and economically carried out household water purifiers and small scale water disinfection. That is, since the UV LED is small and economical, requires low power, and the lamp life cycle is semi-permanent, it is effective to disinfect household water purifiers and small scale water, and to reduce the sterilization cost.

According to the present invention, microbial inactivation of Bacillus subtilis spores, which are indicator microorganisms of E. coli and protozoa, may be performed by the sterilization of UV LEDs. That is, it has microorganism inactivation equivalent to the UV disinfection system using a conventional mercury lamp.

According to the present invention, the amount of water of the water storage unit and the number and the sterilization intensity of the UV LEDs which are turned on in correspondence to the driving power and the sterilization intensity of the monitored UV LED can be adjusted.

1 is a block diagram of a ultraviolet LED sterilizer according to the prior art.
2 is a view showing the LED sterilization water tank is installed UV lamp according to the prior art.
Figure 3 is a block diagram of a UV LED sterilization apparatus for home water storage according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 4 is a flow chart of the UV LED sterilization method of the household water storage unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.
5 is a graph showing that E-Coli is removed using a UV LED sterilization apparatus for household water storage according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 6 is a graph showing that the Bacillus (Bacillus) is removed by using a UV LED sterilization apparatus for home water storage according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings so that those skilled in the art may easily implement the present invention. The present invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. In the drawings, parts irrelevant to the description are omitted in order to clearly describe the present invention, and like reference numerals designate like parts throughout the specification.

Throughout the specification, when a part is said to "include" a certain component, it means that it can further include other components, without excluding other components unless specifically stated otherwise. Also, the term "part" or the like, as described in the specification, means a unit for processing at least one function or operation, and may be implemented by hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software.

Figure 3 is a block diagram of a UV LED sterilization apparatus for home water storage according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 3, the UV LED sterilization apparatus 100 of a household water storage unit according to an embodiment of the present invention is a UV LED sterilization apparatus of a household water storage unit, and includes a power supply unit 110 and a UV LED 120. ) And a sterilization control unit 130, wherein the sterilization control unit 130 includes a power monitoring unit 131, an intensity monitoring unit 132, and an intensity control unit 133.

The UV LED sterilizer 100 is installed in a household water purifier (or humidifier) 200 having a water inlet 210 and a water reservoir 220. For example, the UV LED sterilizer 100 is installed UV LED 120 to the purified water outlet for water disinfection in the household water purifier or UV LED 120 to the humidifying divergence for water disinfection of the home humidifier. Installed and sterilized. For convenience of description, the water storage unit 220 will be described as being included in the UV LED sterilizer 100.

The water storage unit 220 stores water introduced through the water inlet 210, and may be, for example, a water tank. That is, the water coming from the water inlet 210 is stored in the water storage unit 220 (should be mixed with each other) equipped with the UV LED 120, the water storage unit 220 should be made of water mixing .

UV LED 120 is provided with at least one, is installed on one side of the water storage unit 220 to sterilize and disinfect water in the UV-C wavelength range of 200 ~ 280nm. At this time, the UV LED 120 sterilizes E. coli, Bacillus and pathogenic viruses in the UV-C wavelength range of 200 ~ 280nm. At this time, the UV LED 120 preferably has a wavelength range of 255nm to 265nm.

The power supply unit 110 supplies power to each of the at least one UV LED 120.

The sterilization control unit 130 adjusts the sterilization intensity of the UV LED 120 by monitoring the driving power and intensity of the at least one UV LED 120. That is, the sterilization control unit 130 controls the number and sterilization intensity of the UV LEDs that are turned on in response to the driving power and sterilization intensity of the monitored UV LEDs. In addition, the sterilization control unit 130 adjusts the number and the sterilization intensity of the UV LED 120 is turned on in response to the amount of water stored in the water storage unit 220.

Specifically, the power monitoring unit 131 of the sterilization control unit 130 monitors the power to drive the UV LED 120, the intensity monitoring unit 132 of the sterilization control unit 130 is the UV LED 120 Monitor the sterilization strength of In addition, the intensity control unit 133 of the sterilization control unit 130 adjusts the sterilization intensity of the UV LED 120 according to the power and intensity monitored by the power monitoring unit 131 and the intensity monitoring unit 132. do. That is, the power monitoring unit 131 may monitor the power supplied to the UV LED 120, and the intensity monitoring unit 132 maintains the intensity of the light emitted from the UV LED 120 continuously. The intensity controller 133 adjusts the intensity of light emitted from the UV LED 120. In this case, the power monitoring unit 131, the intensity monitoring unit 132, and the intensity control unit 133 may be configured as one package.

UV LED sterilization apparatus for household water storage unit according to an embodiment of the present invention is a UV LED sterilization apparatus for water disinfection, such as a humidifier or water purifier for home use, UV (ultraviolet rays) used in all sterilization systems requiring water disinfection including a domestic humidifier or a water purifier. Instead of sterilizing with a UV LED (ultraviolet LED) having a wavelength range of UV-C (200 ~ 280nm).

In addition, in the UV LED sterilization apparatus of the household water storage unit according to an embodiment of the present invention, UV LED having a wavelength range of UV-C (200 ~ 280nm) is directly in the storage tank or faucet for storing the filter water of the domestic humidifier and water purifier. Can be used for sterilization in the last step of using drinking water. In addition, the UV LED 120 can be used for the disinfection process of all water purifiers used for microbial sterilization instead of UV, in particular, can effectively sterilize the storage tank for storing water.

In the UV LED sterilization apparatus of the household water storage unit according to the embodiment of the present invention, when UV LED is used instead of the conventional mercury lamp type UV, Bacillus which is an indicator of E-Coli and protozoa even with low light intensity (Bacillus Subtilis spore) at least 2 log inactivation of microorganisms. In other words, in the sterilization process and water disinfection of household water purifier or humidifier, using a UV LED lamp instead of a conventional UV mercury lamp, it is possible to obtain microorganism inactivation, such as UV mercury lamp, and to reduce costs. In addition, the amount of water stored in the water storage unit, the number and the sterilization intensity of the UV LED to be turned on in response to the monitoring power supply and sterilization intensity of the UV LED can be adjusted.

On the other hand, Figure 4 is an operational flow diagram of the UV LED sterilization method of the household water storage unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to Figure 4, UV LED sterilization method of the household water storage unit according to an embodiment of the present invention, first, at least one UV LED is installed on one side of the water storage unit in which water introduced through the water inlet is stored (S110). . In this case, the water storage unit may be installed in the lower portion of the household water purifier or the upper portion of the household humidifier.

Next, the amount of water stored in the water storage unit is measured (S120).

Next, the power and sterilization intensity for driving the at least one UV LED is monitored (S130).

Next, the number and the sterilization intensity of the UV LED to be turned on in response to the power and the sterilization intensity of the monitored UV LED is adjusted (S140). In addition, the number of UV LEDs to be turned on and the sterilization intensity can be adjusted according to the amount of water stored in the water storage unit.

Next, sterilize the water in the water storage unit according to the UV-C wavelength range of 200 ~ 280nm according to the number and sterilization intensity of the UV LED to be lit (S150). At this time, E. coli, Bacillus and pathogenic viruses contained in the water in the water storage unit sterilize in the UV-C wavelength range of 200 ~ 280nm.

On the other hand, Figure 5 is a graph showing the removal of E. coli (E-Coli) using the UV LED sterilization apparatus of the household water storage unit according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 6 is a household water storage unit according to an embodiment of the present invention A graph showing that Bacillus was removed using a UV LED sterilizer.

As shown in Figure 5 and 6, when using the UV LED sterilization apparatus of the household water storage unit according to an embodiment of the present invention, by the sterilization of the UV LED, E-Coli and indicator microorganisms of protozoa Microbial inactivation of Bacillus subtilis spore may be at least 2 log.

UV LED sterilization apparatus for household water storage unit according to an embodiment of the present invention, by using a UV LED having a wavelength band of UV-C (200 ~ 280 nm) instead of UV (ultraviolet) using a mercury lamp for home water purifier and small scale Water disinfection can be effectively carried out and the cost of sterilization can be reduced.

The foregoing description of the present invention is intended for illustration, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention may be easily modified in other specific forms without changing the technical spirit or essential features of the present invention. will be. It is therefore to be understood that the above-described embodiments are illustrative in all aspects and not restrictive. For example, each component described as a single entity may be distributed and implemented, and components described as being distributed may also be implemented in a combined form.

The scope of the present invention is shown by the following claims rather than the above description, and all changes or modifications derived from the meaning and scope of the claims and their equivalents should be construed as being included in the scope of the present invention. do.

100: UV LED Sterilizer
200: household water purifier (or humidifier)
110: Power supply
120: UV LED
130: sterilization control unit
210: water inlet
220: water storage unit
131: power monitoring unit
132: strength monitoring unit
133: strength adjustment

Claims (10)

In the ultraviolet light emitting diode (UV LED) sterilization device of household water storage,
A water storage unit for storing the introduced water;
At least one UV LED installed on one side of the water storage unit to sterilize and disinfect water at a UV-C wavelength in a range of 200 to 280 nm;
A power supply unit supplying power to each of the at least one UV LED; And
Sterilization control unit for controlling the sterilization intensity of the UV LED by monitoring the driving power and intensity of the at least one UV LED
Including but not limited to:
The sterilization control unit is a UV LED sterilization device for home water storage, characterized in that for controlling the number and the sterilization intensity of the UV LED is turned on in response to the driving power and sterilization intensity of the monitored UV LED. The method of claim 1,
The UV LED sterilizes Escherichia coli, Bacillus and pathogenic viruses in the UV-C wavelength range of 200 ~ 280nm, UV LED sterilization device for home storage. The method of claim 1,
The sterilization control unit is a UV LED sterilization device for home water storage, characterized in that for controlling the number and the sterilization intensity of the UV LED is turned on in response to the amount of water stored in the water storage. The method of claim 1, wherein the sterilization control unit,
A power monitoring unit for monitoring a power source for driving the UV LEDs;
A strength monitoring unit for monitoring the sterilization intensity of the UV LED; And
Strength control unit for controlling the sterilization intensity of the UV LED according to the power and intensity monitored by the power monitoring unit and the intensity monitoring unit
UV LED sterilizer for home water storage including a. 5. The method of claim 4,
UV power sterilization apparatus for the home water storage unit, characterized in that the power monitoring unit, the intensity monitoring unit and the intensity control unit is composed of a single package. The method of claim 1,
The water storage unit is a UV LED sterilizer for home water storage, characterized in that installed in the lower portion of the household water purifier or the upper part of the household humidifier. In the UV LED sterilization method of household water storage,
a) installing at least one UV LED on one side of the water storage unit in which the introduced water is stored;
b) measuring the amount of water stored in the water reservoir;
c) monitoring power and sterilization intensity for driving said at least one UV LED;
d) adjusting the number and sterilization intensity of the UV LEDs to be lit in response to the power and sterilization intensity of the monitored UV LEDs; And
e) sterilizing the water in the water storage unit according to the UV-C wavelength in the range of 200 to 280 nm according to the number and sterilization intensity of the UV LED to be lit;
UV LED sterilization method for a household water storage comprising a. The method of claim 7, wherein
The step e) is a UV LED sterilization method for home water storage, characterized in that the sterilized E. coli, Bacillus and pathogenic viruses contained in the water in the water storage in the UV-C wavelength range of 200 ~ 280nm. The method of claim 7, wherein
The UV LED sterilization method of the home water storage unit, characterized in that for adjusting the number and the sterilization intensity of the UV LED to be turned on in response to the amount of water stored in the water storage unit in step d). The method of claim 7, wherein
In the step a) the water storage unit UV LED sterilization method of the household water storage unit, characterized in that installed in the lower portion of the household water purifier or the upper part of the household humidifier.

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