WO2021145531A1

WO2021145531A1 - Shoe management device

Info

Publication number: WO2021145531A1
Application number: PCT/KR2020/012434
Authority: WO
Inventors: Seong Woo An; Seok Kyu Kang; Hee Su Yang; Min Kyu Oh; Su Young Lee; Ja Yoen Kim; Hwa Yun CHOI
Original assignee: Lg Electronics Inc.
Priority date: 2020-01-17
Filing date: 2020-09-15
Publication date: 2021-07-22
Also published as: KR20210093104A

Abstract

A shoe management device is proposed. A housing (10) constitute the appearance of the shoe management device, and an inner space (16) in a housing body (12) is opened and closed by a cover (14). Dust and foreign matters on the lower surface and the lower portion of an outer surface of a shoe located in the inner space (16) may be removed by agitators (32), and dust and foreign matters of the upper portion thereof may be removed by an air flow provided by the air flow generation part (50). In addition, moisture and germs inside the shoe are removed by hot air, an ultraviolet ray, and plasma ions provided by a care unit (40). The shoe management device can manage the shoe cleaner and hygienically.

Description

SHOE MANAGEMENT DEVICE

The present disclosure generally relates to a shoe management device. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a shoe management device which allows an optimal condition for using shoes to be realized.

Shoes are necessary items in modern life, and most modern people wear shoes all day. Modern people living in a city usually use a pair of shoes during the day, and in many cases, the pair of shoes continues to be used for many days.

There are various types of shoes, but modern people living in urban areas usually use shoes that cover the entirety of each foot. Accordingly, after the shoes are used all day, body fluids such as sweat coming out of the feet of the human body remain inside the shoes, so there are many cases in which increasing humidity and body temperature of a person causes many bacteria to multiply inside the shoes and generate odor therein.

In addition, dirt, dust, and various foreign substances smear the bottoms or outer surfaces of shoes. Such foreign substances promote the aging of the shoes and make appearance thereof messy. Generally, the dirt or foreign matters of relatively large sizes are attached to the bottom of the shoes, and moisture, fine dirt, or dust is attached to the exterior surfaces of the shoes.

Even in prior arts, many devices for the management of shoes have been provided, but nothing is provided to simultaneously remove dirt, dust, foreign matter, bacteria, odor, and moisture. For example, in Korean Patent Application No. 10-2012-0122910, a device capable of removing moisture and odor in shoes is disclosed, but the device cannot remove dust on the exterior of the shoes.

In Korean Utility Model Registration No. 20-0393879, each of insert members inserted into shoes for the hygiene management of the shoes has a dehumidifying function, an antibacterial function, a deodorizing function, and a fragrance diffusion function, but did not have the function of removing dust on the exteriors of the shoes. The same problem remains even in Korean Utility Model Registration No. 20-0283178, and Korean Utility Model Application Publication No. 20-2009-0001858.

A device proposed in Korean Patent Application Publication No. 10-2008-0055288 has a sterilization function using a photocatalyst and a drying function using a heater. However, the device cannot remove dust on the exteriors of the shoes, and is not suitable for home use due to the large size thereof.

Accordingly, the present disclosure has been made keeping in mind the above problems occurring in the related art, and the present disclosure is intended to propose a shoe management device, wherein air is discharged to an inner space, so foreign matters such as dirt on the surface of a shoe can be removed and temperature, humidity, and odor inside the shoe can be optimized.

In addition, the present disclosure is intended to propose a shoe management device, wherein air is discharged to the inner space with a shoe placed in the inner space separated from the outside so that foreign matters on the shoe are removed.

Furthermore, the present disclosure is intended to propose a shoe management device, which does not affect the air quality of indoor space at which the shoe management device is located.

Additionally, the present disclosure is intended to propose a shoe management device, wherein the use of space inside a housing is maximized.

In addition, the present disclosure is intended to propose a shoe management device, in which the inside of a shoe is sterilized and disinfected by using plasma ions.

In order to achieve the above objectives, according to one aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a shoe management device including an air flow generation part provided in an inner space of a housing, wherein air is discharged to a shoe arranged in the inner space, and allows foreign matters to be removed from the shoe so as to hygienically manage the outer portion of the shoe.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a care unit inserted into the shoe may be mounted in the inner space of the housing and may sterilize the shoe. According to such a present disclosure, the sterilization may be performed inside the shoe so that the inside of the shoe may be managed hygienically.

According to the present disclosure, a fan motor may be located at a position adjacent to an introduction hole through which external air is introduced, and a discharge nozzle may be configured to incline toward the shoe and discharge air thereto. Accordingly, the air supplied by the fan motor may be more uniformly transmitted to the discharge nozzles.

According to the present disclosure, the discharge nozzle may have multiple nozzle holes in an area of a straight line thereof to correspond to each of a left shoe and a right shoe, the diameter of each of the nozzle holes being configured to be larger as a distance between the nozzle hole and the fan motor increases. Accordingly, air may be uniformly discharged from the entirety of the discharge nozzle, and be uniformly transmitted to the surface of the shoe, so foreign matters may be removed therefrom.

According to the present disclosure, an outlet filter and a fragrance sheet may be located at the entrance of a discharge opening through which air circulating in the inner space is discharged to the outside, whereby the air discharged to the outside may have no dust therein, and have fragrance added thereto.

According to the present disclosure, a discharge fan may be configured to be provided in the discharge opening so that the air of the inner space is discharged through the discharge opening to the outside. Accordingly, the air may be more rapidly discharged through the discharge opening.

According to the present disclosure, the air circulating in the inner space may flow into the air flow generation part through a flow path formed in a wall of the housing, and the outlet filter may be provided in the flow path. Accordingly, since air purifying the shoe is not transmitted to the outside, the air may not affect an indoor space in which a shoe management device is mounted, and the circulating air may be purified by the outlet filter, so the dust removal of the shoe may be facilitated.

According to the present disclosure, a circulation fan may be mounted in the flow path, and the air of the inner space may flow to the air flow generation part. Accordingly, the air may purify the shoe by circulating more efficiently inside the shoe management device.

According to the present disclosure, the shoe management device may further include agitators removing foreign matters on the shoe, each of the agitators having multiple elastically transformable removal ribs provided at predetermined angular intervals on an outer surface thereof, whereby dust or foreign matters on the lower surface of the shoe may be more efficiently removed.

According to the present disclosure, the housing may include: a housing body having the inner space therein, and a cover mounted to the housing body to rotate relative to a hinge thereof and opening and closing the inner space, the cover having the air flow generation part mounted thereto, whereby the inner space of the housing may be efficiently used and thus the size of the housing may be minimized.

According to still another aspect of the present disclosure, the air flow generation part having the fan motor may be provided in the inner space of the housing; be configured in a downward vertical direction toward the shoe located in the inner space; and discharge air in the downward vertical direction toward the shoe so that dust or foreign matters are removed from the shoe, and the care unit may be configured to be inserted into the shoe and to perform sterilization thereof. According to such a present disclosure, the air may be discharged in the downward vertical direction from the discharge nozzle toward the shoe, so that dust or foreign matters on the surface of the shoe may be more securely removed. Sterilization of the inside of the shoe may be performed, so that the inside and outside of the shoe can be hygienically managed.

According to still further another aspect of the present disclosure, the air may be discharged to the shoe in the inner space of the housing through the discharge nozzle of the air flow generation part. To this end, the circulation fan transmitting air circulating in the inner space to the air flow generation part may be located in the flow path formed in the housing, and the care unit may be provided on the inner surface of the inner space, the care unit being inserted into the shoe and sterilizing and disinfecting the inside of the shoe. According to such a configuration, the air circulating in the inner space may flow more rapidly, and recirculate through the inner space, whereby the air of the inner space may not flow to indoor space in which the shoe management device is mounted, and may not affect the air of the indoor space.

According to the present disclosure, the outlet filter removing foreign matters in the air may be mounted in the flow path in which the circulation fan is mounted so that there is no dust or foreign matters in the air circulating in the inner space, whereby the shoe may be managed to be cleaner.

The embodiments disclosed herein have at least one of the following effects.

In the shoe management device, at least the care unit and the air flow generation part are provided in the housing, so dust or foreign matters on the surface of a shoe can be removed by an air flow inside the inner space of the housing, and dehumidification, sterilization, and disinfection inside the shoe can be performed by the care unit, thereby managing the shoe more hygienically.

Particularly, in the shoe management device, the air flow generation part generates an air flow in the inner space to manage a shoe, so foreign matters and moisture on the surface of the shoe can be removed, thereby making the appearance of the shoe neater.

In the shoe management device, the shoe is inserted into the housing body having the inner space opened and closed by the cover, and dust, moisture, and bacteria on the shoe are removed, wherein the removed dust, moisture, and bacteria are not transmitted to the outside. That is, the outlet filter and/or the fragrance sheet is mounted at a position at which air is discharged in the inner space to remove foreign matters in the air, and the air is transmitted to the indoor space by adding fragrance thereto, or the air from which the foreign matters are removed is circulated through the inner space, and is not transmitted to the outside. Accordingly, space in which the shoe management device of the present disclosure is used is not affected by the odor of the shoe or foreign matters thereon.

In the shoe management device, the care unit is located in the inner space of the housing, and the air flow generation part having the discharge nozzle discharging air to the surface of the shoe is provided on the lower surface of the cover so that the air flow generation part is not interfered with the care unit. Due to such a configuration, the size of the housing of the shoe management device according to the present disclosure is minimized.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating the appearance of a shoe management device according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view illustrating components of the shoe management device illustrated FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view illustrating the inside of the shoe management device illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating the inside of a housing of the shoe management device illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating an internal frame constituting the shoe management device illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating the configuration of agitators constituting the shoe management device illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating the configuration of a care unit constituting the shoe management device illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view illustrating the operation state of the shoe management device illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view illustrating the configuration of a shoe management device according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 10 is a sectional view illustrating the operation state of the shoe management device illustrated in FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a sectional view illustrating the configuration of a shoe management device according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 12 is a sectional view illustrating the operation state of the shoe management device illustrated in FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a sectional view illustrating the configuration of a shoe management device according to a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 14 is a sectional view illustrating the operation state of the shoe management device illustrated in FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a sectional view illustrating the configuration of a shoe management device according to a fifth embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 16 a sectional view illustrating the operation state of the shoe management device illustrated in FIG. 15.

Hereinafter, some embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that in adding reference numerals to the components of each drawing, the same components have the same reference numerals when possible, even if they are displayed on different drawings. In addition, in describing the embodiments of the present disclosure, when it is determined that a detailed description of a related known configuration or function interferes with the understanding of the present disclosure, the detailed description is omitted.

In addition, in describing the components of the embodiments of the present disclosure, terms such as first, second, A, B, a, and b may be used. These terms are only for distinguishing the components from other components, and the nature, order, or order of each of the components is not limited to the terms. When a component is described as being "connected" or "coupled" to another component, that component may be directly connected to or coupled to the another component. However, it should be understood that another component may be "connected" or "coupled" to each component therebetween.

In the drawings, the embodiments of a shoe management device of the present disclosure are illustrated. As illustrated in FIG. 1, a housing 10 may constitute the appearance of the shoe management device according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. The housing 10 may include a housing body 12, and a cover 14 covering an open upper portion of the housing body 12. In the embodiment, the housing body 12 may have a hexahedral shape, and may have an inner space 16 therein so that a shoe is inserted thereinto. The inner space 16 may be opened and closed by the cover 14. The cover 14 may have a hinge 14' at an end portion thereof as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3, and may open and close the inner space 16 by being rotated relative to the hinge 14'.

In the embodiment, the housing 10 may have a hexahedral shape as a whole, and a user may sit on the cover 14. Accordingly, the housing 10 may function as a chair. The user takes out managed shoes from the inner space 16, and covers the cover 14, and may wear the shoes while sitting on the cover 14.

In the embodiment, legs 18 may be provided on the lower end portion of the housing 10. The legs 18 allow the cover 14 to have at least a predetermined height from a ground on which the housing 10 is located. That is, since the length of each of the legs 18 is preset as a specific value, the height of the cover 14 from the ground may be the height of a normal chair. That is, when the height of the housing 10 is relatively low, the legs 18 may be arranged beneath the housing 10 so that the housing 10 may function as a chair. When the height of the housing 10 is relatively high, the leg 18 may be made to have a relatively short length or may not be arranged beneath the housing 10 so that the housing 10 may function as a chair.

A tray opening 20 may be formed in a lower portion of an outer surface of the housing 10. A tray 22 for foreign matters may be inserted into and taken out from the tray opening 20 as a drawer. The tray 22 may be provided on the bottom of the inner space 16, and be a portion in which foreign matters falling from a shoe collect. The tray 22 may be configured to occupy almost the entire bottom of the inner space 16. Foreign matters removed from the shoe by the operation of agitators 32 to be described below may collect in the tray 22.

An internal frame 24 surrounding the inner surface of the lower end of the inner space 16 of the housing 10 may be provided. In the embodiment, the internal frame 24 may be configured in a square grid shape as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 5. The internal frame 24 may have a first end member 26 and a second end member 26' extending parallel to each other, and may be configured as the square grid shape by two side end members 27 connecting the first end member 26 and the second end member 26' to each other. The internal frame 24 may be mounted in the housing 10 by surrounding the inner surface of the lower end of the inner space 16.

A dividing member 28 may be provided to connect the middle portions of the first end member 26 and the second end member 26' to each other. A right shoe and a left shoe may be located at opposite sides of the dividing member 28 relative thereto. Multiple curved grooves 27' may be formed in the lower ends of the side end members 27. Due to the curved grooves 27', the interference of the side end members 27 with the agitators 32 to be described below may be prevented, and the removal ribs 34 of the agitators 32 may be more in contact with the bottoms and outer surfaces of the shoes.

Multiple first support members 30 and multiple second support member 30' may be provided in the internal frame 24. The first support members 30 and the second support members 30' may be configured to be orthogonal to each other. Opposite ends of the first support member 30 may be coupled to the first end member 26 and the second end member 26', and opposite ends of the second support member 30' may be coupled to the side end members 27. The second support member 30' may be provided by passing through the dividing member 28. A shoe may be supported by the first support member 30 and the second support member 30', and may not be directly supported by the agitators 32 to be described below. Curved portions may be provided in the first support member 30, and each of the curved portions may be located in a gap between the agitators 32.

The multiple agitators 32 may be mounted in space defined by the internal frame 24. Each of the agitators 32 may have a cylindrical shape, and multiple removal ribs 34 may be provided on the circumference of an outer surface of the agitator. The removal ribs 34 may be made of elastic materials and be provided at predetermined angular intervals on the outer surface of the agitator 32. The removal ribs 34 may move while being in close contact with the lower surface and outer surface of the shoe by the rotation of the agitator 32 and remove foreign matters on the shoe. In the embodiment, four removal ribs 34 may be provided on one agitator 32, but the number of the removal ribs may be vary. Each of the removal ribs 34 may not be straight, but may be curved. Since the removal ribs 34 are configured to be curved, the removal ribs 34 may more efficiently remove foreign matters on the shoe.

For reference, the agitators 32 are not required to be used. For example, when foreign matters on the lower surface and side surfaces of the shoe are not required to be removed, the agitators 32 may not be used.

In the embodiment, the agitators 32 may extend parallel to the first end member 26 and the second end member 26', and may be provided at the opposite sides of the dividing member 28 relative thereto. Accordingly, multiple agitators 32 may be arranged in two columns between the first end member 26 and the second end member 26'. In the embodiment, for convenience, configuration for the driving of the agitator 32 is not shown. The multiple agitators 32 may be connected to a gear train, and may be driven by using power generated by one or two driving sources. In the present disclosure, the agitators 32 adjacent to each other in one column may be rotated in directions opposite to each other. Accordingly, since the agitators 32 adjacent to each other are rotated in the directions opposite to each other, the rotational forces of the agitators 32 may not be applied to a shoe only in one direction, so the shoe may be prevented from moving in one direction inside the inner space 16.

A holding column 36 may be mounted to the internal frame 24 or the inner surface of the housing 10. The height of the holding column 36 may be adjusted inside the housing 10. The height of the holding column 36 may be manually adjusted, or may be automatically adjusted by a motor. In this specification, configuration for the height adjustment of the holding column 36 is not illustrated for convenience. A hook 38 may be provided on a front end of the holding column 36. A care unit 40 to be describe below may be hung on the hook 38.

The care unit 40 may be provided by being hung on the hook 38 of the holding column 36 in the inner space 16 of the housing 10. When viewed from the front, the care unit 40 may have a handle 43 protruding from a body part 41 extending to opposite sides toward the front. Extension parts 45 and 45' may be provided by extending downward at opposite ends of the body part 41, and operation performance parts 47 and 47' may protrude at the front ends of the extension parts 45 and 45', respectively, in the same direction as the protruding direction of the handle 43. The operation performance parts 47 and 47' may perform various functions performed by the care unit 40.

A sterilization emitter 48 may be provided on each of the front ends of the operation performance parts 47 and 47'. For example, the sterilization emitter 48 may include at least one ultraviolet (UV) light emitting diode (LED). The sterilization emitter 48 may emit ultraviolet light such as UV-C light (for example, light having a wavelength between 220nm and 280nm) intended to kill or inactivate bacteria or other microorganisms. The sterilization emitter 48 can prevent microorganisms from propagating by sterilization, and can also have an odor prevention effect. The sterilization emitter 48 kills or inactivates bacteria inside a shoe, and may be applied mainly to bacteria floating in space inside the shoe. Of course, the sterilization emitter 48 may also be applied to bacteria on the inner surface of the shoe.

A first discharge part 49 and a second discharge part 49' may be provided at the upper portion and the lower portion, respectively, of each of the operation performance parts 47 and 47'. The first discharge part 49 and the second discharge part 49' may discharge matter needed to manage shoes. For example, hot air may be discharged through the first discharge part 49, and plasma ions may be discharged through the second discharge part 49'. The hot air discharged through the first discharge part 49 may perform a drying function, and the plasma ions discharged through the second discharge part 49' may perform sterilization and deodorization functions. For reference, the plasma ions may also kill or inactivate bacteria inside a shoe, and be applied mainly to bacteria attached to the inner surface of the shoe. Of course, the plasma ions may also be applied to bacteria floating in space inside the shoe.

Only hot air may be simultaneously discharged through the first discharge part 49 and the second discharge part 49', or only plasma ions may be simultaneously discharged therethrough. As described above, the hot air may be discharged through the first discharge part 49, and the plasma ions may be discharged through the second discharge part 49'.

Here, the hot air and the plasma ions may be generated by the care unit 40, or hot air or plasma ions generated by components located inside the housing 10 may be transmitted to the care unit 40 through a tube connected thereto, and may be discharged through the first discharge part 49 and the second discharge part 49'. The operation performance parts 47 and 47' may protrude parallel to each other, and be inserted into a pair of shoes and may perform necessary functions.

An air flow generation part 50 may be provided inside the housing 10. The air flow generation part 50 may allow air to flow in the inner space 16. The air flow generated by the air flow generation part 50 may remove relatively fine foreign matters such as dust on the outer surface of a shoe. Furthermore, the air flow generation part 50 may function to circulate the hot air having moisture discharged from the care unit 40.

The air flow generation part 50 may be mounted to the lower surface of the cover 14. A dividing cover 51 may constitute the appearance of the air flow generation part 50. The dividing cover 51 may cover components constituting the air flow generation part 50 so that the components may not be exposed to the outside. The dividing cover 51 may define a predetermined space in cooperation with the lower surface of the cover 14. A discharge surface 51' may be provided on an outer surface of the dividing cover 51. The discharge surface 51' may be configured to incline toward a shoe in the inner space 16.

A fan motor 52 may be mounted in the predetermined space defined by the dividing cover 51. The fan motor 52 may be mounted at a position adjacent to an introduction hole 58 to be described below. Here, the fan motor 52 may be mounted at a position adjacent to a wall constituting the inner surface of the housing 10.

The position of the fan motor 52 may be adjacent to the position of the introduction hole 58, and an air guide duct 54 guiding an air flow may be located in the space defined by the dividing cover 51 at a position between the fan motor 52 and discharge nozzles 56 located on the discharge surface 51'. The air guide duct 54 may have a flow sectional area of gradually becoming larger toward the discharge surface 51' from the fan motor 52.

Two fan motors 52 and two air guide ducts 54 may be provided in the present disclosure. This is intended to provide air separately to the right shoe and the left shoe through separate fan motors 52 and separate air guide ducts 54. Accordingly, when only one shoe of a pair of shoes is required to be managed, for example, when only a right shoe is required to be managed, only one fan motor 52 corresponding thereto may be driven to manage the shoe.

The discharge nozzles 56 may be provided on the discharge surface 51' of the dividing cover 51. In the embodiment, the discharge nozzles 56 may be configured to be longitudinally in straight lines along the discharge surface 51'. Multiple nozzle holes (not shown) may be formed in the area of a straight line of each of the discharge nozzles 56. Two discharge nozzles 56 may be provided in the straight lines to correspond to the right shoe and the left shoe. A diameter of each of the nozzle holes formed in the discharge nozzle 56 is preferably configured to be larger as a distance between the nozzle hole and the fan motor 52 increases. This is intended to uniformly discharge air in the entire area of the discharge nozzle 56.

The introduction hole 58 may be formed to be open in an outer surface of the housing 10. The introduction hole 58 may be a flow path through which air flows to the fan motor 52 in the space defined by the dividing cover 51. The air may flow to the fan motor 52 through the flow path located in the wall in which the introduction hole 58 is formed. An inlet filter 59 may be provided at the entrance of the fan motor 52 so that when external air flows in, foreign matters such as dust are prevented from entering. As the inlet filter 59, a pre filter capable of filtering dust may be used.

A discharge opening 60 may be formed to be open in an outer surface of the housing 10. The discharge opening 60 may be a portion through which air flowing through the inner space 16 is discharged to the outside of the inner space 16. The discharge opening 60 may communicate with the inner space 16 by being formed through the wall of the housing 10. The air flowing through the inner space 16 may be discharged to the outside through the discharge opening 60. A separate discharge fan 62 may be provided in the discharge opening 60. The discharge fan 62 is intended to more rapidly discharge the air in the inner space 16 to the outside. When the discharge fan 62 is used, the air of the inner space 16 can be efficiently discharged to the outside. For reference, as long as air can efficiently flow through the discharge opening 60 even without the discharge fan 62 depending on design conditions of the shoe management device, the discharge fan 62 may not be used.

An outlet filter 64 may be provided in the discharge opening 60. The outlet filter 64 is intended to remove the dust or foreign matters of the air discharged from the inner space 16 to the outside. This is intended to prevent the dust or foreign matters removed from a shoe from being transmitted to the indoor space located at the outside of the housing 10 when the shoe management device of the present disclosure is used indoors. As the outlet filter 64, a pre filter may be used to filter dust or foreign matter, and a HEPA (High-efficiency particulate air) filter, together with the pre filter, may be used to remove odor.

Meanwhile, a fragrance sheet 66 may be provided together with the outlet filter 64. The fragrance sheet 66 is intended to provide fragrance to air discharged through the discharge opening 60. When the fragrance sheet 66 is mounted in the discharge opening 60, a desired fragrance can be transmitted to the indoor space of the outside of the housing 10.

In addition, a component may be provided in the inner space 16 of the housing 10 to absorb moisture. Although not shown, a moisture absorbent may be provided at a position of a component of a side of the tray 22, and may remove moisture existing in the inner space 16. The moisture absorbent absorbing at least a predetermined amount of moisture may be replaced by taking out the tray 22 to the outside of the housing 10.

Next, in FIG. 9, a second embodiment of the present disclosure is illustrated. The components of a shoe management device according to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 9 will be described by assigning reference numerals between 100 and 200 to the components corresponding to the components of the device according to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1. In the embodiment, air flowing through an inner space 116 of a housing body 112 may not be discharged to the outside of a housing 110, but flow through the flow path formed in the wall of the housing 110 back to an air flow generation part 150. Accordingly, there may be no separate discharge opening (the discharge opening 60 open toward the outer surface of the housing in the first embodiment) in the housing 110. Of course, with the discharge opening 60 provided, a separate door may be provided in the inside or outside of the discharge opening 60, and the discharge opening 60 may be opened and closed as required.

In the embodiment, a fan motor 152 constituting the air flow generation part 150 may be mounted at a position adjacent to an introduction hole 158, and air flow generated by the fan motor 152 may be guided along an air guide duct 154, and be discharged to the inner space 116 of the housing 110 through a discharge nozzle 156 formed on a dividing cover 151.

A circulation fan 162 may be used so that the air flowing through the inner space 116 flows to the air flow generation part 150 and again flows through the inner space 116. The circulation fan 162 may be mounted in the flow path located in the wall in which the introduction hole 158 is formed, and flow air to the air flow generation part 150. A circulation filter 164 may be provided at the entrance of the circulation fan 162, and filter dust and/or odor generated in the inner space 116. As the circulation filter 164, a pre filter and/or a HEPA (High-efficiency particulate air) filter may be used. For reference, as long as an air flow is efficiently performed even without the circulation fan 162, the circulation fan 162 may not be used.

A tray 122 for foreign matters may be provided at the lower portion of the inner space 116; agitators 132 may be provided on the tray 122; and a care unit 140 inserted into the inside of a shoe may be located in the inner space 116. A reference numeral 118 refers to legs.

In FIG. 11, a third embodiment of the present disclosure is illustrated. The components of the device according to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 11 will be described by assigning reference numerals between 200 and 300 to the components corresponding to the components of the device according to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1. In the embodiment, an introduction hole 258 through which air of the outside is introduced to an inner space 216 may be formed in an outer surface of a housing body 212, and a discharge opening 260 through which the air flowing through the inner space 216 is discharged to the outside may also be formed in an outer surface of the housing body 212.

An air flow generation part 250 may be provided for the air flow in a housing 210, and a fan motor 252 constituting the air flow generation part 250 may be located at an inner portion of the air flow generation part 250 located at a position relatively far from the introduction hole 258. An air flow generated by the fan motor 252 may be guided along an air guide duct 254, and lead to a discharge nozzle 256 located on a dividing cover 251. In the embodiment, the fan motor 252 may be provided on the dividing cover 251 located at a position adjacent to the discharge nozzle 256. The air guide duct 254 guiding air to the discharge nozzle 256 located on the dividing cover 251 may extend longitudinally in a straight line to correspond to the discharge nozzle 256 formed longitudinally in a straight line. The diameter of each of nozzle holes formed in the discharge nozzle 256 may be configured to be larger as a distance between the nozzle hole and the fan motor 252 increases.

A discharge fan 262 may be provided in the discharge opening 260 formed to be open in an outer surface of the housing body 212. The discharge fan 262 may discharge the air of the inner space 216 to the outside. For reference, the discharge fan 262 may not be used depending on design conditions of the shoe management device. An outlet filter 264 may be provided at a position adjacent to the discharge fan 262. As the outlet filter 264, a pre filter filtering dust and foreign matters and/or a HEPA (High-efficiency particulate air) filter removing odor may be used. A fragrance sheet 266 may also be provided at a position adjacent to the discharge opening 260. The fragrance sheet 266 allows fragrance to be mixed with air discharged through the discharge opening 260.

The tray 222 may be provided at the lower portion of the inner space 216; agitators 232 may be provided on the tray 222 for foreign matter; and a care unit 240 inserted into a shoe may be located in the inner space 216. A reference numeral 218 refers to legs.

In FIG. 13, a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure is illustrated. In the embodiment, the components of a shoe management device according to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 13 will be described by assigning reference numerals between 300 and 400 to the components corresponding to the components of the device according to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1. In the embodiment, an introduction hole 358 through which air of the outside is introduced to an inner space 316 may be provided at an outer surface of a housing body 312. The air flowing through the inner space 316 may be transmitted to an air flow generation part 350, and recirculate through the inner space 316.

The air flow generation part 350 may be provided for the air flow in the housing 310, and a fan motor 352 constituting the air flow generation part 350 may be located at an inner portion of the air flow generation part 350 relatively far away from the introduction hole 358. The air flow generated by the fan motor 352 may be guided along an air guide duct 354, and lead to a discharge nozzle 356 on a dividing cover 351. In the embodiment, the fan motor 352 may be provided on the dividing cover 351 located at a position adjacent to the discharge nozzle 356. The air guide duct 354 guiding air to the discharge nozzle 356 located on the dividing cover 351 may extend longitudinally in one direction to correspond to the discharge nozzle 356 formed longitudinally in a straight line. The diameter of each of nozzle holes formed in the discharge nozzle 356 may be configured to be larger as a distance between the nozzle hole and the fan motor 352 increases.

A circulation fan 362 may be provided so that the air flowing through the inner space 316 is transmitted to the air flow generation part 350 and again flows through the inner space 316. The circulation fan 362 may be provided in the flow path formed in the wall in which the introduction hole 358 is formed and flow air to the air flow generation part 350. Of course, as long as air circulation is efficiently performed even without the circulation fan 362, the circulation fan 362 may not be used.

The circulation filter 364 may be provided at the entrance of the circulation fan 362 and filter dust generated in the inner space 316. As the circulation filter 364, a pre filter and/or a HEPA (High-efficiency particulate air) filter may be used.

A tray 322 for foreign matters may be provided at the lower portion of the inner space 316; agitators 332 may be provided on the tray 322; and a care unit 340 inserted into a shoe may be located in the inner space 316. Reference numeral 318 refers to legs.

In FIG. 15, a fifth embodiment of the present disclosure is illustrated. In the embodiment, the components of a shoe management device according to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 15 will be described by assigning reference numerals between 400 and 500 to the components corresponding to the components of the device according to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1. In the embodiment, an introduction hole 458 through which air of the outside is introduced to an inner space 416 may be formed in an outer surface of a housing body 412, and a discharge opening 460 through which the air flowing through the inner space 416 is discharged to the outside may also be formed in an outer surface of the housing body 412.

In the embodiment, an air flow generation part 450 may be provided for the air flow inside the housing 410, and a discharge surface 451' of a dividing cover 451 constituting the appearance of the air flow generation part 450 may directly face agitators 432 located under the discharge surface 451'. That is, the discharge surface 451' may not be inclined as in the previous embodiments, but be parallel to the bottom surface of the housing 410. Accordingly, air discharged through a discharge nozzle 456 of the discharge surface 451' may flow directly downward toward a shoe without inclining toward the shoe.

In the embodiment, a fan motor 452 constituting the air flow generation part 450 is located at an inner portion of the air flow generation part 450 relatively far from the introduction hole 458, but the fan motor 452 may be located at a position adjacent to the introduction hole 458.

In the embodiment, a discharge fan 462 may be provided in the discharge opening 460 formed to be open in an outer surface of the housing body 412. The discharge fan 462 may discharge the air of the inner space 416 to the outside. For reference, as long as the air flow through the discharge opening 460 is performed even without the discharge fan 462, the discharge fan 462 may not be used.

An outlet filter 464 may be provided at a position adjacent to the discharge fan 462. As the outlet filter 464, a pre filter filtering dust and foreign matters and/or HEPA (High-efficiency particulate air) filter removing odor may be used. A fragrance sheet 466 may also be provided at a position adjacent to the discharge opening 460. The fragrance sheet 466 allows fragrance to be mixed with the air discharged through the discharge opening 460.

Meanwhile, without the discharge opening 460, the discharge fan 462 may be used as the circulation fan so that air circulating in the inner space 416 may be transmitted to the air flow generation part 450 and recirculate through the inner space 416.

Hereinafter, the operation of the shoe management device having the configuration described above according the embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail.

First, the operation of the shoe management device illustrated in FIG. 1 with reference to FIG. 8 will be described.

A user opens the cover 14, and inserts shoes into the inner space 16. The shoes are located on the first support member 30 and the second support member 30' of the internal frame 24. The operation performance parts 47 and 47' of the care unit 40 may be inserted into the right shoe and the left shoe located in the inner space 16, respectively. The installation position of the care unit 40 may be changed by adjusting the height of the holding column 36 according to the height of each of the shoes. Accordingly, the operation performance parts 47 and 47' of the care unit 40 may be accurately located inside the shoes.

In such a state, when the cover 14 is closed, the inner space 16 may be isolated from the outside, and the discharge surface 51' which is a surface of the dividing cover 51 of the air flow generation part 50 may face the upper portion of the shoe as illustrated in FIG. 8. Accordingly, the discharge nozzles 56 located on the discharge surface 51' may be located at positions corresponding to the left shoe and the right shoe. For reference, when the cover 14 is closed, the closing of the cover 14 is detected, and the operation of the shoe management device may be performed.

The operation of the shoe management device is divided into three major operations. That is, there are the operations of the agitators 32, the care unit 40, and the air flow generation part 50. First, as for the operation of the agitators 32, due to the rotations of the agitators 32, the removal ribs 34 may scrape the lower surface of a shoe, and remove foreign matters such as dirt or dust. The agitators 32 adjacent to each other may remove foreign matters on the lower surface of the shoe while rotating in directions opposite to each other. In this case, the shoe may be prevented from being moved to the upper portion of the inner space 16 by the care unit 40, and due to the rotations of the agitators 32 in directions opposite to each other, the shoe may be prevented from being moved forward and backward. Accordingly, while the shoe is located on the internal frame 24, foreign matters on the lower surface of the shoe may be efficiently removed.

While the agitators 32 operate, foreign matters removed from a shoe may fall by weight, and be transmitted onto the tray 22. Much foreign matters may fall on the tray 22. After being used for a predetermined time, the tray 22 may be taken out to the outside of the housing 10 so that the foreign matters are removed therefrom, and may be inserted back into the inner space 16 through the tray opening 20.

In addition, foreign matters or dirt on the lower end portions of side surfaces of the shoe as well as on the lower surface of the shoe may be removed by the operations of the agitators 32. This is because each of the removal ribs 32 is made of an elastic material and an end portion of a side of the removal rib 32 can reach a lower end portion of a side surface of the shoe.

Second, the moisture of the inside of the shoe may be removed, or sterilization and deodorization may be performed by the operation of the care unit 40. When hot air is discharged through the first discharge part 49 with the operation performance part 47 of the care unit 40 located inside the shoe, the hot air may be transmitted to the inside of the shoe, and dry the inside thereof. The hot air having moisture therein may flow to the inner space 16 outside of the shoe, and flow therein together with the air flow generated by the air flow generation part 150 in the inner space 16.

The sterilization emitter 48 of the care unit 40 may perform sterilization inside the shoe. The sterilization emitter 48 may make the inside of the shoe more hygienic by killing germs such as bacteria living inside the shoe, or by reducing the activity thereof. The sterilization emitter 48 may be located at the front end of the operation performance part 47, and enter deeper inside the shoe, whereby sterilization and deodorization may be performed up to the front end of the inside of the shoe. The sterilization emitter 48 may be used mainly to remove bacteria floating in the inner space of the shoe.

Next, plasma ions may be discharged through the second discharge part 49' located in the operation performance part 47 of the care unit 40, whereby sterilization and deodorization of the inside of the shoe may be performed. Particularly, the plasma ions may flow up to a position at which the sterilization emitter 48 cannot reach, and sterilize and deodorize every corner of the inside of the shoe. For reference, the plasma ions may be used mainly to remove bacteria attached to the inner surface of the shoe.

In addition, the hot air and the plasma ions have been described to be discharged through the first discharge part 49 and the second discharge part 49', respectively, but the hot air may be discharged simultaneously through the first discharge part 49 and the second discharge part 49', and later the plasma ions may be discharged simultaneously through the first discharge part 49 and the second discharge part 49'.

Third, due to the operation of the air flow generation part 50, foreign matters such as dust on the surface of a shoe can be removed. The foreign matters such as dust removed by the air flow generation part 50 may be finer than foreign matters removed by the agitators 32. The flow of air may be generated by the fan motor 52 of the air flow generation part 50, and the air may be discharged through the discharge nozzle 56 and hit the outer surface of a shoe. Due to such action, relatively large foreign matters may be removed from and fall from the shoe and be transmitted to the tray 22 by the agitators 32, whereas fine dust which can flow along with the air flow may be removed by the air flow generated by the air flow generation part 50.

The air discharged to the shoe by being discharged through the discharge nozzle 56 may be discharged through the discharge opening 60 to the outside of the housing 10 as illustrated with arrows in FIG. 8. In this case, while the air passes through the outlet filter 64, foreign matters contained in the air may be removed, and odor may also be removed. With fragrance mixed with the air by the fragrance sheet 66 while the air passes through the discharge opening 60, the air may be discharged through the discharge opening 60 by the discharge fan 62.

In addition, when the moisture absorbent is arranged at a side inside the housing 10, moisture in the shoe may be absorbed and removed by the moisture absorbent. Accordingly, the moisture may not be transmitted to the outside through the discharge opening 60, whereby the environment of space in which the device of the present disclosure is located may be maintained pleasant.

Here, the air flow generated by the fan motor 52 of the air flow generation part 50 will be described briefly. When the fan motor 52 is operated, the air of the outside may be introduced to the inner space through the introduction hole 58. When the air flows to the fan motor 52, the air may pass through the inlet filter 59, and foreign matters of the air may be removed. The air flow generated by the fan motor 52 may be guided along the air guide duct 54, and be discharged through the discharge nozzle 56. The diameter of each of the nozzle holes of the discharge nozzle 56 may be preset in consideration of the distance between the nozzle hole and the fan motor 52, so the air may be almost uniformly discharged in the entire area of the discharge nozzle 56.

Accordingly, in the present disclosure, foreign matters such as dust may be removed, and dehumidification, deodorization, and sterilization may be performed by the operations of the agitator 32, the care unit 40, and the air flow generation part 50 inside the inner space 16 of the housing 10, whereby a shoe can be more hygienically managed.

Next, the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 9 will be described with reference to FIG. 10.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 9, the operations of the agitators 132 and the care unit 140 are the same as the operations of the agitators and the care unit in the earlier embodiment, so the air flow generated by the air flow generation part 150 will be described below.

The air flow generated by the fan motor 152 of the air flow generation part 150 may be guided by the air guide duct 154, and be transmitted to the discharge nozzle 156. The air discharged from the discharge nozzle 156 may be transmitted to the surface of a shoe in the inner space 116, and carry dust on the surface of the shoe and absorb moisture thereon to circulate together therewith. The air flow may not be transmitted from the inner space 116 to the outside, and may be transmitted back to the fan motor 152 by the circulation fan 162 located in the flow path formed in the wall of the housing 110 as illustrated in FIG. 10. In this case, foreign matters and/or odor in the air may be removed by the circulation filter 164.

In addition, when the air flows to the fan motor 152, foreign matters may be removed again by an inlet filter 159. The air passing through the inlet filter 159 may include external air introduced through the introduction hole 158 as well as air circulating in the inner space 116. These air may be purified while passing through the inlet filter 159; may be pressed by the fan motor 152; may be guided along the air guide duct 154; and may be discharged to the inner space 116 through the discharge nozzle 156, whereby as described above, moisture and foreign matters of the surface of a shoe may be removed.

Next, the operation of the shoe management device according to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 11 will be described with reference to FIG. 12. Here, the operations of the agitators 232 and the care unit 240 are the same as the operations of the agitators 32 and the care unit 40, so the description thereof will be omitted for convenience.

In the embodiment, due to the operation of the air flow generation part 250, foreign matters such as dust on the surface of a shoe may be removed. The foreign matters such as dust removed by the air flow generation part 250 may be finer than foreign matters removed by the agitators 232. Here, the air flow may be generated by the fan motor 252, and the air may be discharged through the discharge nozzle 56 and hit the outer surface of a shoe. Due to such action, relatively large foreign matters may be removed from and fall from the shoe and be transmitted onto the tray 222 by the agitators 232, whereas fine dust which can flow along with the air flow may be removed by the air flow generated by the air flow generation part 250.

The air discharged to the shoe by being discharged through the discharge nozzle 256 may be discharged through the discharge opening 260 to the outside of the housing 210 as illustrated with arrows in FIG. 12. In this case, while the air passes through the outlet filter 264, foreign matters contained in the air may be removed, and odor may also be removed. With fragrance mixed with the air by the fragrance sheet 266 while the air passes through the discharge opening 260, the air may be discharged through the discharge opening 260 by the discharge fan 262.

Accordingly, although the air of the inner space 216 is discharged to the outside of the housing 210, the air may not include moisture, dust, and odor, and the fragrance provided by the fragrance sheet 266 may be transmitted to the indoor space, whereby the indoor space can be maintained pleasant.

Next, the operation of the shoe management device according to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 13 will be described with reference to FIG. 14.

In the embodiment, the operations of the agitators 332 and the care unit 340 are the same as the operations of the agitators 32 and the care unit 40, so the description thereof will be omitted for convenience.

An air flow generated by the fan motor 352 of the air flow generation part 350 may be guided by the air guide duct 354, and be transmitted to the discharge nozzle 356. The air discharged through the discharge nozzle 356 may be transmitted to the surface of the shoe in the inner space 316, and carry dust on the surface of the shoe and absorb moisture thereon to circulate together therewith. The air flow may not be transmitted from the inner space 316 to the outside, and be transmitted back to the fan motor 352 by the circulation fan 362 located in the flow path formed in the wall of the housing 310 as illustrated in FIG. 14. In this case, foreign matters and/or odor in the air may be removed by the circulation filter 364.

In addition, when the air flows to the fan motor 352, foreign matters may be removed again by an inlet filter 359. The air passing through the inlet filter 359 may include external air introduced through the introduction hole 358 as well as air circulating in the inner space 316. These air may be purified while passing through the inlet filter 359; may be pressed by the fan motor 352; may be guided along the air guide duct 354; and may be discharged to the inner space 316 through the discharge nozzle 356, whereby as described above, moisture and foreign matters of the surface of a shoe may be removed.

Next, the operation of the shoe management device according to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 15 will be described with reference to FIG. 16. In the embodiment, the discharge surface 451' of the dividing cover 451 may be configured to have no inclination and be parallel to the agitators 432 on the bottom of the housing 410. Accordingly, air discharged through the discharge nozzle 456 located on the discharge surface 451' may flow vertically downward in the inner space 416, and remove dust and foreign matters on the surface of a shoe. Large foreign matters of the removed foreign matters may fall on a tray 422 for foreign matter, whereas, due to the operation of the discharge fan 462, fine foreign matters of the removed foreign matters may flow out of the inner space 416 together with the air.

In this process, the outlet filter 464 may filter the foreign matters in the air before the air flows to the outside of the housing 410, and when the fragrance sheet 466 is used, air mixed with fragrance may be transmitted to the indoor space.

In the above, although all components constituting the shoe management device of the present disclosure are described as being coupled to each other into one to be operated, the present disclosure is not necessarily limited to these embodiments. That is, within the scope of the present disclosure, all of its components may operate by being selectively coupled to each other into at least one. In addition, the terms "include", "constitute", or "have" as described above mean that the corresponding components may be included, unless otherwise stated, and it should be interpreted that other components may be further included, not excluded. All terms, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meaning as generally understood by those skilled in the art to which the present disclosure belongs, unless otherwise defined. Commonly used terms, such as those defined in the dictionary, should be interpreted as being consistent with the contextual meaning of the related art, and should not be interpreted as an ideal or excessively formal meaning unless explicitly defined in the present disclosure.

The above description is merely illustrative of the technical idea of the present disclosure, and those having ordinary skills in the technical field to which the present disclosure belongs can make various modifications and variations without departing from the essential characteristics of the present disclosure. Accordingly, the embodiments disclosed in the present disclosure are not intended to limit the technical idea of the present disclosure, but to explain the technical spirit, and the scope of the technical idea of the present disclosure is not limited to these embodiments. The scope of protection of the present disclosure should be interpreted by the claims below, and all technical ideas within the scope equivalent thereto should be interpreted as being included in the scope of the present disclosure.

For reference, in the illustrated embodiments, the fan motor 52 may be provided in the housing 10 to move air in the inner space 16 of the housing 10. However, instead of the fan motor 52, the circulation fan may be provided in the flow path located in the wall of the housing 10 so as to allow the air flow to be performed in the entirety of the inner space of the housing 10. This case may be applied to the configuration having no discharge opening among the various embodiments described above, and the air pressed by the circulation fan may be discharged through the discharge nozzle to the inner space 16 so that air flowing through the inner space 16 recirculates in the inner space 16.

Claims

A shoe management device comprising:

a housing having an inner space in which a shoe is located;

an air flow generation part located inside the housing, and having a fan motor introducing air from an outside into the inner space, and a discharge nozzle configured to discharge the air introduced by the fan motor toward the shoe; and

a care unit provided at an inner surface of the inner space and configured to be inserted into the shoe and to sterilize and disinfect the inside of the shoe.
The device of claim 1, wherein the fan motor is provided in a wall of the housing such that the fan motor is located at a position adjacent to an introduction hole through which the air of the outside is introduced, and the discharge nozzle is configured to slantingly discharge the air toward the shoe.
The device of claim 2, wherein the discharge nozzle has multiple nozzle holes in an area of a straight line thereof to correspond to each of a left shoe and a right shoe, a diameter of each of the nozzle holes being configured to be larger as a distance between the nozzle hole and the fan motor increases.
The device of claim 3, wherein a discharge opening configured to discharge the air circulating in the inner space to the outside is located in the wall of the housing, and an outlet filter and a fragrance sheet are located at an entrance of the discharge opening.
The device of claim 4, wherein a discharge fan is provided at a location inside the discharge opening so that the air of the inner space is discharged through the discharge opening to the outside.
The device of claim 3, wherein the air circulating in the inner space flows to the air flow generation part through a flow path formed in the wall of the housing, and an outlet filter is located in the flow path.
The device of claim 4, wherein a circulation fan is provided at a location inside a flow path so that the air of the inner space flows to the air flow generation part.
The device of claim 7, wherein the outlet filter configured to remove foreign matters in the air is located in the flow path in which the circulation fan is located.
The device of claim 1, further comprising:

agitators located at a bottom of the inner space and removing foreign matters on the shoe, each of the agitators having multiple elastically transformable removal ribs provided at predetermined angular intervals on an outer surface thereof.
The device of claim 1, wherein the housing comprises: a housing body having the inner space therein, and a cover mounted to the housing body to rotate relative to a hinge thereof and opening and closing the inner space, the cover having the air flow generation part mounted thereto.