KR20240037726A - UV-C lamp device of mobile robot for sterilization - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention includes a body mounted on the lower part of a mobile robot and having an opening formed in the lower part; a UV-C lamp disposed inside the body and generating short-wavelength ultraviolet light; It relates to a UV-C lamp device for a mobile robot for quarantine, including an optical path forming unit that forms an optical path so that the light generated by the UV-C lamp is output to the opening.

Description

UV-C lamp device of mobile robot for quarantine {UV-C lamp device of mobile robot for sterilization}

The present invention relates to a UV-C lamp device for a mobile robot for quarantine.

Recently, robots have been used not only in industrial settings but also in general buildings such as homes, offices, and government offices as household chores and office assistants. These robots perform their unique functions while moving in space. Examples include cleaning robots, guidance robots, crime prevention robots, and quarantine robots.

As a type of quarantine robot, there is also research on a mobile robot equipped with an ultraviolet sterilizing lamp, such as Korean Patent No. 10-1742489. In particular, a technology that irradiates UV-C light on the floor while the mobile robot moves has also been developed. I'm losing.

When a mobile robot irradiates UV-C light on the floor while autonomously driving or moving along a set path, various foreign substances on the floor contaminate the light output unit, which reduces the sterilizing power when the mobile robot is operated for a long time.

Korean Patent No. 10-1742489

In order to solve the above problems, the purpose of the present invention is to provide a UV-C lamp device for a mobile robot for quarantine that prevents contamination of the UV-C lamp by foreign substances on the floor.

Additionally, the present invention aims to provide a mobile robot including the UV-C lamp device.

The problems of the present invention are not limited to the problems mentioned above, and other problems not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description below.

In order to achieve the above object, the UV-C lamp device of the mobile robot for quarantine according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a body mounted on the lower part of the main body of the mobile robot and having an opening formed in the lower part; a UV-C lamp disposed inside the body and generating short-wave ultraviolet light; and an optical path forming unit that forms an optical path so that the light generated by the UV-C lamp is output through the opening.

The optical path forming portion is arranged to surround three of the sides of the cylindrical UV-C lamp, forming an optical path so that the light generated from the UV-C lamp is directed toward the forward or backward direction of the mobile robot. forming an inner reflector; and an outer reflector forming an optical path so that the light reflected from the inner reflector is directed downward to the mobile robot through the opening.

The UV-C lamp device of the mobile robot for quarantine according to an embodiment of the present invention further includes a bracket fixed to the lower part of the body, wherein the inner reflector is fixed to the first side of the bracket, and the first a first inner reflector forming an optical path so that the light generated from the lamp is directed toward the forward direction of the mobile robot; and a second inner reflector fixed to the second surface of the bracket and forming an optical path so that light generated by the second lamp is directed toward the backward direction of the mobile robot.

The outer reflector includes a first reflector that reflects light reflected from the first inner reflector toward the first opening; a second reflector that reflects light reflected from the second inner reflector toward the second opening; and a coupling part located above the first inner reflector and the second inner reflector and coupled to the upper part of the bracket to fix the postures of the first reflector and the second reflector. It is formed integrally with the first reflector and the second reflector.

The UV-C lamp is disposed at a point away from the opening in the vertical direction.

Specific details of other embodiments are included in the detailed description and drawings.

According to the present invention, one or more of the following effects are achieved.

First, by preventing contamination of the UV-C lamp by foreign substances on the floor, the sterilizing power is maintained even when the mobile robot is used for a long time.

Second, the inner and outer reflectors can be cleaned more easily than UV-C lamps, which makes maintenance of the mobile robot easier.

Third, there is an effect of increasing light efficiency by concentrating the light generated from the UV-C lamp through the inner reflector and outputting it to the outside of the UV-C lamp device through the outer reflector.

The effects of the present invention are not limited to the effects mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description of the claims.

Figure 1 is a diagram showing the appearance of a mobile robot for quarantine according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 2 is a view from below of the quarantine mobile robot of Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a perspective view of a UV-C lamp device of a mobile robot for quarantine according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of the UV-C lamp device of the mobile robot for quarantine according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 5 is a diagram showing an outer reflector according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 6 is a diagram showing an inner reflector and UV-C lamp device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 7 is a diagram referenced for explaining an optical path according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 8 is a diagram referenced for explaining a light irradiation area according to an embodiment of the present invention.

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 suffixes “module” and “part” for components used in the following description are given or used interchangeably only for the ease of preparing the specification, and do not have distinct meanings or roles in themselves. 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, the attached drawings are only for easy understanding of the embodiments disclosed in this specification, and the technical idea disclosed in this specification is not limited by the attached drawings, and all changes included in the spirit and technical scope of the present invention are not limited. , should be understood to include equivalents or substitutes.

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 appearance of a mobile robot for quarantine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a view from below of the quarantine mobile robot of Figure 1.

Referring to the drawings, the quarantine mobile robot 100 can perform sterilization or disinfection operations while traveling in space.

The quarantine mobile robot 100 can drive autonomously. The quarantine mobile robot 100 can travel along a designated route. The quarantine mobile robot 100 can travel according to remote signals.

The quarantine mobile robot 100 can perform sterilization or disinfection operations using short-wavelength ultraviolet light (UV-C). The quarantine mobile robot 100 may include a UV-C lamp device 200.

The quarantine mobile robot 100 may include a main body 110 and a UV-C lamp device 200. The main body 110 may include a body that forms the exterior of the mobile robot 100, a driving unit (including wheels), a control unit, a sensor unit, a communication unit, an HMI, a power unit, etc.

The UV-C lamp device 200 can perform sterilization or disinfection operations by outputting short-wavelength ultraviolet light (UV-C) to the outside of the quarantine mobile robot 100 based on a control signal provided from the control unit. there is.

The UV-C lamp device 200 may be mounted on the lower part of the main body 110. The UV-C lamp device 200 can perform a floor sterilization or disinfection operation in the space where the quarantine mobile robot 100 is located by irradiating ultraviolet light below the main body 100.

The quarantine mobile robot 100 can travel while the UV-C lamp device 200 irradiates ultraviolet light toward the floor. Through this, quarantine inside the building can be easily performed.

As the quarantine mobile robot 100 moves, various foreign substances on the floor splash and contaminate the UV-C lamp. If ultraviolet light is output while the UV-C lamp is covered with foreign substances, the amount of light output decreases, causing a problem in that the sterilizing power decreases. Additionally, if liquid foreign matter splashes onto the electrical connection of the UV-C lamp, it may cause a malfunction.

Meanwhile, in this specification, the front may be defined as the direction the mobile robot faces when traveling forward, and the rear may be defined as the direction opposite to the front. When describing directions in the components described in this specification, the forward traveling direction of the mobile robot may be described as forward and the backward traveling direction may be described as backward.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a UV-C lamp device of a mobile robot for quarantine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of the UV-C lamp device of the mobile robot for quarantine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 5 is a diagram showing an outer reflector according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 6 is a diagram showing an inner reflector and UV-C lamp device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to the drawing, the UV-C lamp device 200 of the mobile robot for quarantine may include a body 210, a bracket 220, a UV-C lamp 230, and optical path forming parts 240 and 250. You can.

The body 210 may be mounted on the lower part of the main body 110 of the mobile robot for quarantine. The body 210 may have a plurality of arms 211 formed on its side. The plurality of arms 211 may be coupled to the main body 110 using a known coupling method.

The body 210 forms the overall exterior of the UV-C lamp device 200 and can secure a space to accommodate each component of the UV-C lamp device 200.

The body 210 may include a plate and a frame formed around the plate.

A bracket 220, a UV-C lamp 230, and optical path forming parts 240 and 250 may be attached to the plate of the body 210.

A plurality of arms 211 may extend outward from one point of the frame of the body 210. The plurality of arms 211 may include a coupling portion coupled to the main body 110. A space may be formed inside the plurality of arms 211. A wire for electrical connection with a UV-C lamp may be placed in the space formed inside the plurality of arms 211. Through the wire, the UV-C lamp and the power supply can be connected. Additionally, the UV-C lamp and the control unit can be connected through the wire.

Openings OP1, OP2, OP3, OP4, OP5, and OP6 may be formed in the lower part of the body 210. Openings OP1, OP2, OP3, OP4, OP5, and OP6 may be formed in the plate of the body 210. The openings OP1, OP2, OP3, OP4, OP5, and OP6 may be formed as many as the number of UV-C lamps. The openings OP1, OP2, OP3, OP4, OP5, and OP6 may be used as a passage for outputting light generated inside the body 210 to the outside of the body 210. The UV-C lamp device 200 can irradiate ultraviolet light toward the floor through the openings OP1, OP2, OP3, OP4, OP5, and OP6.

The bracket 220 may be fixed to the lower part of the body 210. For example, the bracket 220 includes fixing parts on both sides, and can be fixed to the lower part of the body 210 by inserting the fixing parts into protrusions formed on the plate of the body 210.

The bracket 220 may fix the UV-C lamp 230 and the optical path forming parts 240 and 250 to the body 210. Holes for fixing the UV-C lamp 230 and the inner reflector 240 may be formed on the front and rear sides of the bracket 220, respectively. A hole for fixing the outer reflector 240 may be formed on the upper surface of the bracket 220.

Meanwhile, the bracket 220 may be provided in plural pieces. The bracket 220 may be provided in half the number of UV-C lamps 230. For example, when including six UV-C lamps 230, the UV-C lamp device 200 may include three brackets 220.

UV-C lamp 230 may be placed inside the body 210. The UV-C lamp 230 may be placed inside the body 210 via the bracket 220. UV-C lamp 230 may be attached to the front and rear of the bracket 220. For example, the UV-C lamp 230 may be attached to the bracket 220 through a hole formed on the front or back of the bracket 220.

The UV-C lamp 230 can generate short-wavelength ultraviolet light.

The UV-C lamp 230 may be placed at a point away from the openings OP1, OP2, OP3, OP4, OP5, and OP6 in the vertical direction. In this way, the UV-C lamp 230 is arranged diagonally based on the direction perpendicular to the openings (OP1, OP2, OP3, OP4, OP5, OP6), thereby forming the openings (OP1, OP2, OP3, OP4, OP5, OP6). When foreign substances enter through the UV-C lamp 230, direct contamination can be prevented.

The UV-C lamp 230 may have a substantially cylindrical shape.

The optical path forming units 240 and 250 may form an optical path so that the light generated by the UV-C lamp 230 is output to the openings OP1, OP2, OP3, OP4, OP5, and OP6. The optical path forming units 240 and 250 can reflect the light generated from the UV-C lamp 230 at least once and irradiate it to the floor through the openings OP1, OP2, OP3, OP4, OP5, and OP6. .

The optical path forming units 240 and 250 may include an inner reflector 240 and an outer reflector 250.

The inner reflector 240 is arranged to surround three of the sides of the cylindrical UV-C lamp 230, so that the light generated from the UV-C lamp is directed toward the forward or backward direction of the mobile robot 100. An optical path can be formed to do so.

The inner reflector 240 may include a first inner reflector 241 and a second inner reflector 242.

The first inner reflector 241 is fixed to the first surface of the first bracket 221 and forms an optical path so that the light generated by the first lamp 231 is directed toward the forward direction of the mobile robot 100. You can.

The first inner reflector 241 may be disposed with its back to the second inner reflector 242 and the first bracket 221 between them.

The second inner reflector 242 is fixed to the second surface of the first bracket 222 and forms an optical path so that the light generated by the second lamp 231 is directed toward the backward direction of the mobile robot 100. You can.

The second inner reflector 242 may be disposed with its back to the first inner reflector 241 and the first bracket 221 between them.

The inner reflector 240 may further include a third inner reflector 243 and a fourth inner reflector 244.

The third inner reflector 243 is fixed to the first surface of the second bracket 222 and forms an optical path so that the light generated by the third lamp 233 is directed toward the forward direction of the mobile robot 100. You can.

The third inner reflector 243 may be disposed with its back to the fourth inner reflector 244 and the second bracket 222 between them.

The fourth inner reflector 244 is fixed to the second surface of the second bracket 222 and forms an optical path so that the light generated by the fourth lamp 234 is directed toward the backward direction of the mobile robot 100. You can.

The fourth inner reflector 244 may be disposed with its back to the third inner reflector 243 and the second bracket 222 between them.

The inner reflector 240 may further include a fifth inner reflector 245 and a sixth inner reflector 256.

The fifth inner reflector 245 is fixed to the first surface of the third bracket 223 and forms an optical path so that the light generated by the fifth lamp 235 is directed toward the forward direction of the mobile robot 100. You can.

The fifth inner reflector 245 may be disposed with its back to the sixth inner reflector 246 and the third bracket 223 between them.

The sixth inner reflector 246 is fixed to the second surface of the third bracket 223 and forms an optical path so that the light generated by the sixth lamp 236 is directed toward the backward direction of the mobile robot 100. You can.

The sixth inner reflector 246 may be disposed with its back to the fifth inner reflector 245 and the third bracket 223 between them.

The outer reflector 250 may form an optical path so that the light reflected from the inner reflector 240 is directed downward to the mobile robot 100 through the opening.

The outer reflector 250 may include a first reflector 261, a second reflector 262, and a coupling portion 263.

The first reflector 261 may reflect light reflected from the first inner reflector 241 toward the first opening OP1.

The second reflector 262 may reflect light reflected from the second inner reflector 242 toward the second opening OP2.

The coupling portion 263 is located above the first inner reflector 241 and the second inner reflector 243, and uses a first bracket to fix the posture of the first reflector 261 and the second reflector 262. It can be coupled to the top of (221).

The coupling portion 263 may be formed integrally with the first reflection portion 261 and the second reflection portion 262.

Figure 7 is a diagram referenced for explaining an optical path according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 7 shows a portion of a side cross-section of a UV-C lamp device.

Referring to the drawing, the UV-C lamp 230 can convert electrical energy into short-wavelength ultraviolet light. Short-wavelength ultraviolet light is effective in eradicating bacteria and viruses.

The inner reflector 240 surrounds three of the sides of the UV-C lamp 230 and can guide light to be concentrated on the remaining side. For example, the inner reflector 240 may guide the light output from the UV-C lamp 230 to be collected in the forward direction of the mobile robot 100 or the backward direction of the mobile robot 100.

Meanwhile, when viewed from the side, both ends of the inner reflector 240 may extend in the vertical direction to the starting point (OPS) of the opening (OP) so as not to obscure the opening (OP) in the vertical direction. Because of this, the inner reflector 240 can reflect light toward the outer reflector 250 or the floor as much as possible without blocking the light from the UV-C lamp 230 directly toward the floor.

The outer reflector 240 may reflect incident light toward the opening OP. For this purpose, the first reflection part 261 or the second reflection part 262 of the outer reflector 240 preferably has an inner angle of 120 degrees with the coupling part 263. By having an inner angle of 120 degrees, light reflected in the forward or backward direction of the mobile robot 100 can be reflected to the floor through the opening OP as much as possible.

Meanwhile, the outer reflector 250 may further include a first wing 264 and a second wing 265.

The first wing 264 extends in the direction in which the light reflected by the inner reflector 240 is directed while forming a predetermined angle (for example, 120 degrees) at the end of the first reflector 261. You can. For example, when the inner reflector 240 reflects light in the forward direction of the mobile robot 100, the first wing 264 may extend toward the forward direction of the mobile robot. For example, when the inner reflector 240 reflects light in the backward direction of the mobile robot 100, the first wing 264 may extend toward the backward direction of the mobile robot. The first wing 264 may be coupled to the plate of the body 210.

Meanwhile, the end of the first reflector 261 may meet the end point OPE of the opening OP. The first wing 264 may meet the plate of the body 210 from the end point OPE of the opening OP.

The second wing 264 is formed symmetrically to the first wing 264, and can be explained based on the information about the first wing 264.

Due to the provision of the inner reflector 240 and the outer reflector 250, when viewed from above, the light reflected by the inner reflector 240 in the opening OP is directed to the floor area R spaced a predetermined distance away from the light. can be investigated. That is, when viewed from above, the opening OP and the irradiation area R may differ by a predetermined distance in the forward or backward direction of the mobile robot 100.

Due to the provision of the inner reflector 240 and the outer reflector 250, the distance value of the opening OP from the floor is reflected and the area of the light irradiated to the irradiation area R is larger than that of the opening OP. Because of this, short-wavelength ultraviolet light can be irradiated to a larger area, which has the effect of increasing the sterilization operation efficiency of the mobile robot 100.

Figure 8 is a diagram referenced for explaining a light irradiation area according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to the drawing, when the light generated from the first UV-C lamp 231 passes through the optical path forming parts 241 and 251 and is output through the opening OP1, a rectangular first optical pattern R1 is formed on the bottom. This is formed. The light generated through the second to sixth UV-C lamps 232, 233, 234, 235, and 236 can form rectangular second to sixth light patterns (R2, R3, R4, R5, and R6). . Since the optical pattern is formed in a rectangular shape, the mobile robot 100 can sterilize the entire floor without missing areas while traveling.

Meanwhile, when viewed from above, the first optical pattern is formed up to a point away from the main body 210, and the sixth optical pattern is also formed up to a point away from the main body 210. Due to the first and sixth optical patterns, the mobile robot 100 can sterilize even the floor area close to the wall or object even when it is not completely attached to the wall or object, so the mobile robot 100 can sterilize the wall or object. Accidents colliding with objects can be prevented.

Meanwhile, the mobile robot 100 may include a variable suspension. The variable suspension raises and lowers the main body 110 and the UV-C lamp device 200 when the mobile robot 100 approaches a wall or object, according to the control of the control unit, and when the mobile robot 100 moves away from the wall or object, the main body ( 110) and the UV-C lamp device 200 can be lowered.

The UV-C lamp 230 and the optical path forming parts 240 and 250 may be raised or lowered according to the operation of the variable suspension. For example, when the mobile robot 100 approaches a wall or object within a preset distance, the UV-C lamp 230 and the optical path forming units 240 and 250 may be raised and lowered. When the mobile robot 100 moves away from a wall or object by a preset distance or more, the UV-C lamp 230 and the optical path forming parts 240 and 250 may descend.

As the UV-C lamp 230 and the light path forming parts 240 and 250 rise and fall, the light irradiation area may increase or decrease. For example, when the mobile robot 100 approaches a wall or object, the UV-C lamp 230 and the optical path forming parts 240 and 250 are raised and lowered to increase the light irradiation area. Because of this, the mobile robot 100 can perform sterilization operations in every corner while preventing the risk of collision with walls or objects. Additionally, when the mobile robot 100 moves away from the wall or object, the UV-C lamp 230 and the optical path forming parts 240 and 250 descend to increase the amount of light irradiated per unit area. Because of this, efficient sterilization can be performed while the distance from the wall or object is secured.

The above detailed description should not be construed as restrictive in any respect and should be considered illustrative. The scope of the present invention should be determined by reasonable interpretation of the appended claims, and all changes within the equivalent scope of the present invention are included in the scope of the present invention.

100: Mobile robot for quarantine
110: main body
200: UV-C lamp device

Claims (5)

A body mounted on the lower part of the mobile robot and having an opening formed in the lower part;
a UV-C lamp disposed inside the body and generating short-wavelength ultraviolet light;
A UV-C lamp device for a mobile robot for quarantine, comprising: an optical path forming unit that forms an optical path so that the light generated by the UV-C lamp is output to the opening. According to clause 1,
The optical path forming unit,
An inner reflector arranged to surround three of the cylindrical sides of the UV-C lamp to form an optical path so that light generated from the UV-C lamp is directed toward the forward or backward direction of the mobile robot; and
An outer reflector forming an optical path so that the light reflected from the inner reflector is directed downward to the mobile robot through the opening. According to clause 1,
It further includes a bracket fixed to the lower part of the body,
The inner reflector is,
a first inner reflector fixed to the first surface of the bracket and forming an optical path so that light generated by the first lamp is directed toward the forward direction of the mobile robot;
A second inner reflector fixed to the second surface of the bracket and forming an optical path so that the light generated from the second lamp is directed toward the backward direction of the mobile robot. UV-C lamp device of the mobile robot for quarantine comprising a. . According to clause 3,
The outer reflector is,
a first reflector that reflects light reflected from the first inner reflector toward the first opening;
a second reflector that reflects light reflected from the second inner reflector toward the second opening; and
A coupling part located above the first inner reflector and the second inner reflector and coupled to the upper part of the bracket to fix the postures of the first and second reflectors,
The coupling part,
A UV-C lamp device for a mobile robot for quarantine that is formed integrally with the first reflector and the second reflector. According to clause 1,
The UV-C lamp is,
UV-C lamp device of a mobile robot for quarantine placed at a point away from the opening in the vertical direction.