KR20230130232A - Touchless display apparatus and the air cleaner using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention discloses a touchless display device comprising a body forming an exterior, and a PIR sensor disposed on the upper surface of the body to input a signal in a non-contact manner.

Description

Touchless display device and air purifier equipped with same {TOUCHLESS DISPLAY APPARATUS AND THE AIR CLEANER USING THE SAME }

The present invention relates to an air purifier having a touchless display device, and more specifically, to a touchless display device that utilizes a passive infrared sensor (PIR) to control functions without the user touching the keys. and an air purifier equipped with such a touchless display device.

In Korea, where fine dust and yellow dust are severe, air purifiers have now become one of the essential home appliances, and the functions of air purifiers are also becoming more diverse according to the needs of consumers. In general, air purifiers allow users to control air volume and select modes through touch buttons.

However, due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the risk of viruses and bacteria has increased, and 'Untact' has become a trend to prevent infection through physical contact. In addition, interest in hygiene management has been maximized, such as covering handles and buttons with antibacterial film in spaces used by the public and spraying disinfectant when using carts in supermarkets.

However, despite this trend, there is a problem with existing air purifiers that requires users to operate them by directly touching the contact buttons on the display unit. In private homes, contact-type touch buttons are not a problem, but in places where they are exposed to an unspecified number of people, such as stores or restaurants, it is very uncomfortable to operate the device and you cannot help but be concerned about what people around you think.

To solve this problem, Republic of Korea Patent No. 10-2293931, 'Button device capable of simultaneous contact and non-contact use and recognition method thereof' (hereinafter referred to as 'Patent Document 1'), detects access to the user's body through an infrared light sensor. A technology for detecting and generating an input signal is being disclosed.

However, since Patent Document 1 uses an active infrared detection sensor, there is a problem that there is a limit to inputting various signals using multiple buttons.

Republic of Korea Patent No. 10-2136737, 'Button device that can be used simultaneously with contact and non-contact and its recognition method' (hereinafter referred to as 'Patent Document 1'), detects the user's body approach through an infrared optical sensor and generates an input signal. technology, but uses an active infrared sensor (AIR). However, since Patent Document 1 uses an active infrared detection sensor, there is a limit to signal input through a combination of multiple sensors.

Republic of Korea Patent No. 10-2136737 'Non-contact button input device' (hereinafter referred to as 'Patent Document 2') discloses a technology for sensing the user's motion and controlling the device using a plurality of non-contact buttons, but Patent Document 1 Likewise, because it uses an active infrared detection sensor, there are limits to signal input through the combination of multiple sensors.

In order to overcome the limitations of these prior technologies and implement non-contact device control, technology using PIR sensors is being researched.

Republic of Korea Patent No. 10-2293931 Republic of Korea Patent No. 10-2136737

The purpose of the present invention was to provide an air purifier whose functions can be controlled in a non-contact manner by applying a passive infrared sensor (PIR).

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention discloses a touchless display device that includes a body forming the exterior, and a PIR sensor disposed on the upper surface of the body to input a signal in a non-contact manner. .

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the PIR sensor includes a first sensor that detects that the user's finger is placed upward and generates a signal, and is disposed spaced apart from the first sensor and detects that the user's finger is placed upward. Disclosed is a touchless display device comprising a second sensor that generates a signal.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a touchless display device including a control unit configured to combine signals from the first sensor and the second sensor and perform functions according to the combination of signals is disclosed.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the combination of the signals includes a case where only a signal from the first sensor exists, a case where only a signal from the second sensor exists, and a case where signals from the first sensor and the second sensor exist simultaneously. Disclosed is a touchless display device characterized in that:

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a touchless display device is disclosed, wherein the signal is generated when the user's finger is sensed for more than a certain period of time.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the first sensor includes a first sensing unit that detects infrared rays and a first cover member that protects the first sensing unit and expands the sensing range, and the second sensor detects infrared rays. Disclosed is a touchless display device comprising a second sensing unit that senses and a second cover member that protects the second sensing unit and expands the sensing range.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the first and second cover members create a (d) sensing area where the (a) sensing area of the first sensing unit and the (b) sensing area of the second sensing unit overlap. Disclosed is a touchless display device comprising a first and second lens.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the control unit changes the area where the signal is detected from (a) sensing area to (b) sensing area, (a) sensing area, (d) sensing area, (c) Disclosed is a touchless display device that performs different functions when the sensing area is sequentially changed.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a touchless display device is disclosed, further comprising a third sensor that is spaced apart from the second sensor and generates a signal by detecting that the user's finger is placed above. .

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the third sensor includes a third sensing unit that detects infrared rays, and a third cover member that protects the third sensing unit and expands the sensing range, and the third cover member Discloses a touchless display device comprising a third lens that generates a (e) sensing area where the (b) sensing area of the second sensing unit and the (c) sensing area of the third sensing unit overlap. .

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the control unit is operated when the area where the signal is detected is changed from (a) sensing area and (b) sensing area to (b) sensing area and (c) sensing area, (a) A touch characterized in that it performs different functions when sequentially changed into the sensing area, (b) sensing area, (d) sensing area and (e) sensing area, (b) sensing area, and (c) sensing area. Discloses a lease display device.

In addition, the present invention includes a housing having a fine dust filter inside, a control unit that performs the functions of the device, and a control unit that is mounted on the outside of the housing so that the user can transmit operating force to the control unit without touching the device. An air purifier comprising a touchless display device is disclosed.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the touchless display device discloses an air purifier characterized in that it includes a plurality of PIR sensors that generate a signal by detecting that the user's finger is placed upward.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the PIR sensors include a first sensor and a second sensor spaced apart from each other, and the control unit performs different functions depending on the combination of signals detected by the first sensor and the second sensor. Disclosed is an air purifier characterized in that it performs the operation.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, an air purifier is disclosed wherein the PIR sensors generate a signal when the user's finger is detected for more than a certain period of time.

According to embodiments of the present invention, the following improved effects can be expected.

First, it complements the limitations and shortcomings of the air purifier's physical control buttons and allows the product to be used more cleanly from viruses and bacteria.

Second, by using a PIR sensor to detect the movement of an object or object that emits infrared rays, it becomes possible to operate the product in a non-touch manner without the need to detect motion using a camera.

Third, it is possible to implement various functions by complexly recognizing multiple PIR sensors.

The effects that can be expected from the present invention are not limited to those mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned will also be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description below.

Figure 1 is a diagram showing the external appearance of an air purifier according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 2 is a view from above of a touchless display device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 3 is a conceptual diagram showing the internal structure of a touchless display device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of use of the touchless display device shown in FIG. 3.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing another example of use of the touchless display device shown in FIG. 3.
Figure 6 is a conceptual diagram showing the internal structure of a touchless display device according to another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of using the touchless display device shown in FIG. 6.
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing another example of use of the touchless display device shown in FIG. 6.

Hereinafter, embodiments disclosed in the present specification will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. However, identical or similar components will be assigned the same reference numbers regardless of reference numerals, and duplicate descriptions thereof will be omitted. The suffix "part" for the components used in the following description is given or used interchangeably only considering the ease of preparing the specification, and does not have a distinct meaning or role in itself. Additionally, in describing the embodiments disclosed in this specification, if it is determined that detailed descriptions of related known technologies may obscure the gist of the embodiments disclosed in this specification, the detailed descriptions will be omitted. In addition, it should be noted that the attached drawings are only intended to facilitate easy understanding of the embodiments disclosed in this specification, and should not be construed as limiting the technical idea disclosed in this specification by the attached drawings.

Terms containing ordinal numbers, such as first, second, etc., may be used to describe various components, but the components are not limited by the terms. The above terms are used only for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another.

When a component is said to be "connected" or "connected" to another component, it is understood that it may be directly connected to or connected to the other component, but that other components may exist in between. It should be. On the other hand, when it is mentioned that a component is “directly connected” or “directly connected” to another component, it should be understood that there are no other components in between.

Singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

In this application, terms such as “comprise” or “have” are intended to designate the presence of features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof described in the specification, but are not intended to indicate the presence of one or more other features. It should be understood that this does not exclude in advance the possibility of the existence or addition of elements, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

Figure 1 is a diagram showing the external appearance of an air purifier 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, the air purifier 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a housing 11 formed with suction holes that guide external air to the internal flow path, dust contained in the air guided to the internal flow path, A dust collection filter that collects and removes other foreign substances, a photocatalyst module that sterilizes and deodorizes the air introduced into the internal passage through the photochemical reaction of the photocatalyst, a blowing unit that blows the air contained in the internal passage, and a blowing unit It may include a discharge unit that discharges the air blown by the device to the outside, and an input/output module for inputting and outputting information.

The air purifier 10 purifies and sterilizes air sucked from the outside through suction holes located on at least one of the side and bottom surfaces of the housing 11 using a dust collection filter and a photocatalyst module, and then discharges air located on the upper surface of the housing 11. It is desirable to have a tower-type air purifier that discharges air to the outside through the holes 15, but it is not limited to this.

For convenience of explanation, the present invention will be described below based on the case where the air purifier 10 is configured as a tower-type air purifier.

First, the housing 11 is a device for installing and accommodating various parts included in the air purifier 10.

The structure of the housing 11 is not particularly limited. For example, the housing 11 may include a cylindrical filter automatic rotation device, a housing body that provides space for installing and accommodating various parts, and a support bar connecting the base and the housing body to support the housing body. You can.

Inside the housing 11, an internal flow path is formed through which air sucked from the outside through the suction holes of the housing main body flows toward the discharge holes 15 of the discharge unit. Additionally, the internal flow path is formed in the inner space of the housing 11 partitioned by supports, and may include a flow path through which air introduced from the outside through the suction holes flows.

The discharge unit is a device for discharging air blown by a blowing fan to the outside. The structure of the discharge unit is not particularly limited. For example, the discharge unit may include a discharge grill, a guide vane, an auxiliary grill, etc.

The discharge grill is provided to discharge air to the outside and prevent contaminants and other liquid or solid external objects from entering the internal flow path.

Additionally, the discharge grill may have a module seating groove in which the input/output module is seated, and discharge holes 15 that discharge air to the outside.

As shown, the air purifier according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a touchless display device 100 for controlling functions at the top of the product.

Hereinafter, the structure of the touchless display device 100 and methods for controlling a product using the touchless display device 100 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 2 to 8.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the touchless display device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention as viewed from above, and FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram showing the internal structure of the touchless display device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of use of the touchless display device 100 shown in FIG. 3, and FIG. 5 is a diagram showing another example of use of the touchless display device 100 shown in FIG. 3.

Referring to FIG. 2, a display device 100 may be present at the top of the air purifier 10.

The display device 100 may include a body 101 that forms the exterior of the device, a display unit that displays the current operating state of the device, and buttons for operating the device. The buttons can be resistive buttons, capacitive buttons, or touchless buttons using PIR sensors. Additionally, according to an embodiment of the present invention, a pressure-sensitive/capacitive button and a touchless button may be placed together. However, for convenience of explanation, only the touchless button will be described below.

The display device 100 may be equipped with a PIR sensor capable of detecting the user's hand. As shown, the PIR sensor may include a first sensor 110, a second sensor 120, and a third sensor 130 that are arranged to be spaced apart from each other. The drawing shows three PIR sensors, but more or fewer sensors may be included as needed.

The PIR sensor detects infrared rays emitted from the human body and generates a control signal. Therefore, users can control the product simply by placing their hand above the PIR sensor without having to touch buttons.

Referring to FIG. 3, the first to third sensors 130 are connected to the control unit 200 to control the device through a combination of signals.

Cover members 112, 122, and 132 may be disposed on the surfaces of the first to third sensors 110, 120, and 130 to protect the sensors. The cover member may be made of glass or synthetic resin, and may include a lens to expand the sensing range of the PIR sensors 111, 121, and 131.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a delay function that can be implemented in a mechanical switch can be implemented. Unlike touching the button, which is briefly pressed once by hand, it causes a delay of several seconds on the button and allows the user to enter a specific mode, such as line test mode, which is not used by general consumers. For example, when an object emitting infrared rays is detected by the PIR sensor, the program's delay function can function as a 'press' function of a mechanical switch for a certain period of time. This delay function can be used when the product is turned on/off.

Additionally, other functions can be implemented by recognizing PIR sensors in combination. For example, when naming the first sensor 110, the second sensor 120, and the third sensor 130 from the left, the first sensor 110, the second sensor 120, and the second sensor 120 ) and the third sensor 130, the first sensor 110, and the third sensor 130 can be simultaneously recognized to implement another mode.

Additionally, a new function can be executed by moving a finger placed on one sensor to another sensor. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, it is possible to move the finger on the first sensor 110 over the second sensor 120 (moving from position I to position II) to execute the function matched to this movement. .

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the air purifier 10 may include a basic mode and a setting change mode.

In basic mode, power ON/OFF, wind volume control mode entry, mode change entry, and Wi-Fi settings can be implemented through a combination of three PIR sensors.

To describe the power ON/OFF embodiment, after plugging in the power cord and hearing a buzzer sound, hold your hand on the first sensor 110 for 3 seconds and the air purifier 10 starts operating with an additional buzzer sound. While the air purifier 10 is operating, if you hold your hand on the first sensor 110 for 3 seconds, the power turns off with a buzzer sound.

To explain the embodiment of entering the wind volume control mode, in order to adjust the air volume, you must enter the air volume control mode. If you hold your hand on the second sensor 120 for 2 seconds while the power is on, the wind volume control mode is entered with a buzzer sound. .

To describe an embodiment of entering automatic mode and concentrated mode, in order to enter automatic/focused mode, keep your hand on the third sensor 130 for 2 seconds while turning on the power. Once recognized for 2 seconds, it enters automatic/focus mode with a buzzer sound.

To describe the Wi-Fi ON/OFF embodiment, the Wi-Fi ON/OFF function is entered by simultaneously holding the hand on the first sensor 110 and the third sensor 130 for 3 seconds in a power-on state.

The setting change mode is a mode used to adjust the air volume in the basic mode or fine-tune the automatic/focused mode. Configuration change mode enables functional refinement while using the minimum number of PIR sensors.

For example, when entering the wind volume control mode (recognition of the second sensor 120 for 2 seconds in the basic mode), a notification is generated with a buzzer sound or LED color, and the setting change mode can be entered. Airflow can generally be classified into four levels: sleeping, low, medium, and high, and the initial mode is set to 'low'. After entering the wind volume control mode, if you place your hand on the first sensor 110, the mode changes to sleep. Conversely, when you place your hand on the second sensor 120, it changes to medium. After all changes, you must place your hand on the third sensor 130 for 2 seconds and confirm the set to exit the air volume control mode.

For example, based on 'weak', when the first sensor 110 recognizes it, it rotates from 'weak' -> 'sleeping' -> 'strong' -> 'medium' -> 'weak', and based on 'weak', the 2 When the sensor 120 recognizes it, it can be rotated from ‘weak’ -> ‘medium’ –> ‘strong’ –> ‘sleeping’ –> ‘weak’.

Similarly, automatic/focus mode can also be entered. In the basic mode, when the third sensor 130 is recognized for 2 seconds, a buzzer sound or LED color change notification is generated, and automatic/focused mode can be selected. As with wind volume control, select 'Auto/Focus' mode with the first sensor 110 and the second sensor 120, and place your hand on the third sensor 130 for 2 seconds to complete the setting.

In addition to the embodiments described above, there are many different ways to utilize the air purifier 10 to which the touchless display device 100 is applied. It can be customized according to the user's convenience through the time required for setting (seconds) and the ON/OFF combination of the PIR sensor. Additionally, additional button combinations are possible through sequential application of the ON/OFF sequence. The significance of the present invention is to avoid using the product by touching it by various people through the PIR sensor and to aim for the 'Untact' trend that can avoid the risk of viruses and bacteria such as COVID-19.

FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram showing the internal structure of a touchless display device 100 according to another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of use of the touchless display device 100 shown in FIG. 6. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating another example of use of the touchless display device 100 shown in FIG. 6.

Referring to FIG. 6, the first to third sensors 130 are connected to the control unit 200 to control the device through a combination of signals.

Cover members 112, 122, and 132 may be disposed on the surfaces of the first to third sensors 110, 120, and 130 to protect the sensors. The cover member may be made of glass or synthetic resin, and may include a lens to expand the sensing range of the PIR sensors 111, 121, and 131.

As shown, the first sensor 110 can detect area A, the second sensor 120 can detect area B, and the third sensor 130 can detect area C. At this time, the sensing angle of each sensor is increased by the sensing range expansion lens, so that the d area, which is sensed by the first sensor 110 and the second sensor 120, and the second sensor 120 and the third sensor 130 are An e area that is sensed together is created.

The control unit 200 can identify the area through which the user's hand passes and more accurately detect the movement of the hand. For example, if the sensing of area a is changed to sensing of area b, this may be the case where the user wants to use the second sensor 120 button after using the first sensor 110 button. If area d does not exist, it is difficult to accurately confirm and distinguish whether this movement is a finger sliding movement or a finger change.

On the other hand, in this embodiment, the control unit 200 confirms that sensing is performed in the order of area a -> area d -> area b, thereby confirming that the action of swiping the finger to the right was taken.

In another embodiment, it is possible to input a new signal using two fingers simultaneously.

Referring to FIG. 7, the user can overlap two fingers on the first sensor 110 and the second sensor 120 to generate a signal as if two buttons were pressed simultaneously. Likewise, it is also possible to input a signal by overlapping two fingers on the second sensor 120 and the third sensor 130.

When using two fingers in this way, it is possible to generate an independent signal by sliding the two fingers from position I to position II, as shown in Figure 8.

According to the above embodiment, the user can generate various combinations of signals using 1 to 3 fingers, so it is possible to use all functions of the device without a separate touch button.

According to the embodiments of the present invention described above, it complements the limitations and shortcomings of the physical control panel buttons of the air purifier, allows the product to be used more cleanly from viruses and bacteria, and uses a PIR sensor to emit infrared rays or By being able to detect the movement of an object, the product can be operated in a non-touch manner without the need for motion detection using a camera, and various functions can be implemented by complexly recognizing multiple PIR sensors. Quantitatively and qualitatively improved effects can be expected.

The embodiments described in this specification and the accompanying drawings merely illustratively illustrate some of the technical ideas included in the present invention. Accordingly, the embodiments disclosed in this specification are not intended to limit the technical idea of the present invention, but rather to explain it, and therefore, it is obvious that the scope of the technical idea of the present invention is not limited by these embodiments. All modifications and specific embodiments that can be easily inferred by a person skilled in the art within the scope of the technical idea included in the specification and drawings of the present invention should be construed as being included in the scope of the present invention.

10: Air purifier
11: housing
15: discharge hole
100: Touchless display device
101: body
110: first sensor
111: PIR sensing unit
112: cover member
120: second sensor
121: PIR sensing unit
122: cover member
130: third sensor
131: PIR sensing unit
132: cover member
200: control unit

Claims (15)

Body forming the exterior; and
A touchless display device comprising a PIR sensor disposed on the upper surface of the body and configured to input a signal in a non-contact manner. According to paragraph 1,
The PIR sensor is,
a first sensor that generates a signal by detecting that the user's finger is placed upward; and
A touchless display device comprising a second sensor that is spaced apart from the first sensor and generates a signal by detecting that the user's finger is placed above. According to paragraph 2,
A touchless display device comprising a control unit formed to combine signals from the first sensor and the second sensor and perform functions according to the combination of signals. According to paragraph 3,
The combination of the above signals is,
A touchless display device comprising a case where only a signal from the first sensor exists, a case where only a signal from the second sensor exists, and a case where signals from the first sensor and the second sensor exist simultaneously. According to paragraph 3,
The signal is,
A touchless display device that is generated when the user's finger is detected for more than a certain period of time. According to paragraph 3,
The first sensor includes a first sensing unit that detects infrared rays and a first cover member that protects the first sensing unit and expands the sensing range,
The second sensor is a touchless display device comprising a second sensing unit that detects infrared rays and a second cover member that protects the second sensing unit and expands the sensing range. According to clause 6,
The first and second cover members,
A touchless display device comprising first and second lenses that generate a (d) sensing area where (a) the sensing area of the first sensing unit and (b) the sensing area of the second sensing unit overlap. In clause 7,
The control unit,
Different functions when the area where the signal is detected changes from (a) sensing area to (b) sensing area, and when it changes sequentially from (a) sensing area, (d) sensing area, and (c) sensing area. A touchless display device characterized in that it performs. According to clause 8,
A touchless display device further comprising a third sensor that is spaced apart from the second sensor and generates a signal by detecting that the user's finger is placed above. According to clause 9,
The third sensor is,
A third sensing unit that detects infrared rays; and
It includes a third cover member that protects the third sensing unit and expands the sensing range,
The third cover member,
A touchless display device comprising a third lens that generates a (e) sensing area where the (b) sensing area of the second sensing unit and the (c) sensing area of the third sensing unit overlap. According to clause 10,
The control unit,
When the area where the signal is detected changes from (a) sensing area and (b) sensing area to (b) sensing area and (c) sensing area, (a) sensing area and (b) sensing area, (d) A touchless display device characterized in that it performs different functions when sequentially changed into a sensing area, (e) sensing area, (b) sensing area, and (c) sensing area. A housing having a fine dust filter inside;
a control unit that performs the functions of the device; and
An air purifier comprising a touchless display device mounted on the outside of the housing so that a user can transmit operating commands to the control unit without touching the device. According to clause 12,
The touchless display device,
An air purifier comprising a plurality of PIR sensors that generate a signal by detecting that the user's finger is placed upward. According to clause 13,
The PIR sensors include a first sensor and a second sensor spaced apart from each other,
The air purifier is characterized in that the control unit performs different functions depending on a combination of signals detected by the first sensor and the second sensor. According to clause 14,
The PIR sensors are,
An air purifier that generates a signal when the user's finger is detected for more than a certain period of time.