KR102505735B1 - Sterilization Mode Control Method of Air Sterilization Apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

Disclosed is a method for controlling a sterilization mode of an air sterilization device. The method for controlling a sterilization mode of an air sterilization device comprises a first sensing unit, a second sensing unit, a control unit, a UV-C module, a fan, and a memory in an air sterilization device to detect whether a person enters by using the first sensing unit, and measure a surrounding noise of the air sterilization device by using the second sensing unit. Moreover, the control unit controls on/off control or mode settings of the UV-C module or the fan based on each sensing value generated by the first and second sensing units and a value previously set in the memory.

Description

Sterilization mode control method of air sterilization apparatus {Sterilization Mode Control Method of Air Sterilization Apparatus}

The following description relates to a method for controlling a sterilization mode of an air sterilizer.

Most cities are polluted with various pollutants generated from automobiles and industries due to industrial development, and many people suffer from various respiratory diseases including bronchitis. In particular, in line with the yellow dust blowing from China or the recent COVID-19 incident, many people have a high interest in supplying clean air to enclosed spaces and are trying to come up with measures to deal with air pollution. Therefore, it has become an essential phenomenon to have purification devices such as air purifiers and air sterilizers in order to drink clean air anywhere, such as at home or in public places. As one of various air purification methods, there may be an ultraviolet air sterilization method of sterilizing various pathogenic microorganisms and viruses present in the air by irradiating ultraviolet rays to the flowing air by flowing indoor air into a device.

The above background art is possessed or acquired by the inventor in the process of deriving the disclosure of the present application, and cannot necessarily be said to be known art disclosed to the general public prior to the present application.

An object of the embodiment is to provide a method for controlling a sterilization mode of an air sterilization device capable of maximizing a sterilization effect by operating according to ambient noise and presence or absence of people.

The tasks to be solved in the embodiments are not limited to the tasks mentioned above, and other tasks not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description below.

A method for controlling a sterilization mode of an air sterilizer according to an embodiment will be described. The air sterilization device includes a first sensing unit, a second sensing unit, a controller, a UV-C module, a fan, and a memory. The presence or absence of a person is detected by the first sensing unit to generate a sensing value and transmitted to the control unit, and the second sensing unit measures ambient noise of the air sterilization device to generate a sensing value and transmits the sensing value to the control unit. and the control unit controls ON/OFF or mode setting of the UV-C module or the fan based on the sensing values generated by the first and second sensing units and a preset value in the memory. It is characterized by controlling.

According to one embodiment, the method for controlling the sterilization mode of the air sterilization device maximizes the sterilization operation when no person enters or exits in a noise-sensitive place, and performs the sterilization operation when a person enters or exits in a place that is not sensitive to noise. It can be controlled in two ways according to the presence and absence of people.

Effects of the sterilization mode control method of the air sterilization apparatus according to the embodiment are not limited to those mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description below.

1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an air sterilization apparatus according to an embodiment.
2 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of an air sterilization device according to an embodiment.
3 is a flowchart illustrating mode setting control of an air sterilization apparatus according to an embodiment.
4 is a diagram illustrating mode setting control conditions of an air sterilization apparatus according to an embodiment.

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, since various changes can be made to the embodiments, the scope of the patent application is not limited or limited by these embodiments. It should be understood that all changes, equivalents or substitutes to the embodiments are included within the scope of rights.

Terms used in the examples are used only for descriptive purposes and should not be construed as limiting. Singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. In this specification, terms such as "include" or "have" are intended to designate that there is a feature, number, step, operation, component, part, or combination thereof described in the specification, but one or more other features It should be understood that the presence or addition of numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof is not precluded.

Unless defined otherwise, all terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meaning as commonly understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art to which the embodiment belongs. Terms such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with the meaning in the context of the related art, and unless explicitly defined in the present application, they should not be interpreted in an ideal or excessively formal meaning. don't

In addition, in the description with reference to the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals are given to the same components regardless of reference numerals, and overlapping descriptions thereof will be omitted. In describing the embodiment, if it is determined that a detailed description of a related known technology may unnecessarily obscure the gist of the embodiment, the detailed description will be omitted.

In addition, in describing the components of the embodiment, terms such as first, second, A, B, (a), and (b) may be used. These terms are only used to distinguish the component from other components, and the nature, order, or order of the corresponding component is not limited by the term. When an element is described as being “connected,” “coupled to,” or “connected” to another element, that element may be directly connected or connected to the other element, but there may be another element between the elements. It should be understood that may be "connected", "coupled" or "connected".

Components included in one embodiment and components including common functions will be described using the same names in other embodiments. Unless stated to the contrary, descriptions described in one embodiment may be applied to other embodiments, and detailed descriptions will be omitted to the extent of overlap.

Hereinafter, a method of controlling the sterilization mode of the air sterilization device 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4 . For reference, FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an air sterilization device 10 according to an embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of the air sterilization device 10 according to an embodiment. 3 is a flow chart showing the mode setting control (B) of the air sterilization device 10 according to an embodiment, and FIG. 4 shows the mode setting control (B) condition of the air sterilization device 10 according to an embodiment. it is a drawing

Referring to FIG. 1 , the air sterilization apparatus 10 includes a first sensing unit 100, a second sensing unit 200, a controller 300, a UV-C module 400, a fan 500, and a memory. It may be configured to include (600).

In ultraviolet (UV) sterilization, cell DNA has the highest absorption rate in the 260 nm wavelength region, so the air sterilization device 10 is classified according to the length of the wavelength: UV-A, UV-B, UV-C, Vacuum UV-C having a wavelength of 200 nm to 280 nm among UVs can be used. The UV-C can be used for sterilizing not only air but also the surface of an object, water, and the like. Although the air sterilization device 10 constitutes the UV-C module 400 with UV-C LEDs, the UV-C LEDs are not limited thereto and can be sterilized by changing the UV-C LEDs to UV-C lamps.

Referring to FIG. 2 , in the first sensing step (S100) according to an embodiment, the presence or absence of a person is detected by the first sensing unit 100 inside the air sterilization device 10 to generate a sensing value. can In this case, the first sensing unit may be composed of at least one of an infrared sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, a CMOS image sensor, a CCD image sensor, or a low-resolution image sensor capable of capturing only the shape of an infrared sensor capable of detecting motions of living creatures including humans. there is. Therefore, in the first sensing unit 100 composed of at least one sensor among the various sensors, a sensing value can be generated depending on whether or not a living being including a person approaches the environment in which the air sterilization device 10 is installed. there is. The sensed value may be Y when a living organism is detected and N when no life is detected. At this time, the generated sensing value may be transmitted from the first sensing unit 100 to the control unit 300 .

In the second sensing step ( S200 ) according to an embodiment, noise around the installation environment of the air sterilization device 10 may be measured by the second sensing unit 200 . Therefore, the sensing value generated by the second sensing unit 200 may be the ambient noise value of the sterilization device 10 . The second sensing unit 200 may include at least one sensor among a noise measurement sensor, a vibration detection sensor, a micro sensor, and an Arduino sound sensor. The ambient noise value of the installation environment of the air sterilization device 10 measured by the second sensing unit 200 may be transmitted to the controller 300 .

In the control step (S300) according to an embodiment, the controller 300 controls the UV-C provided in the air sterilization device 10 based on the sensing values generated by the first and second sensing units 100 and 200. Setting a signal for ON/OFF control (A) of the module 400 and the fan 500 and a mode capable of setting the sterilization mode of the UV-C module 400 and the fan 500 A signal that controls (B) can be generated. Accordingly, the generated signal is received by the UV-C module 400 and the fan 500 so that the UV-C module 400 and the fan 500 can be driven in a predetermined sterilization mode.

Referring to FIG. 3 , the mode setting control (B) controls to set the predetermined sterilization mode of the UV-C module 400 and the fan 500, and the sterilization mode is the UV-C module 400 ) and the first sterilization mode (M1) in which the operating intensity of the fan 500 is set to the first step, and the second sterilization mode (M1) in which the operating intensity of the UV-C module 400 or the fan 500 is set to the second step Mode (M2), a third sterilization mode (M3) in which the operating intensity of the UV-C module 400 or fan 500 is set to the third level, the UV-C module 400 or fan 500 It is controlled in one sterilization mode among the fourth sterilization modes (M4) in which the operating intensity is set to the fourth level, and the four sterilization modes can be set automatically or manually.

According to an embodiment, in the first sterilization mode (M1), the operating intensity of the UV-C module 400 and the fan 500 is controlled in the first step, wherein the first step is the UV-C module 400 and the fan 500. The C module 400 may be turned on and turned on at a brightness of less than 25% of the maximum brightness. Also, the maximum output of the UV-C module 400 may be within a range of 60 mW to 240 mW. In addition, in the first sterilization mode (M1), the fan 500 may be controlled at less than 25% of the maximum wind speed, and the maximum RPM of the fan 500 may be set to 1500 RPM to 4500 RPM.

The second sterilization mode (M2) according to an embodiment controls the operating strength of the UV-C module 400 and the fan 500 in the second step, wherein the second step is the UV-C The module 400 may be turned on, turned on at 25% to less than 50% of maximum brightness, and the fan 500 may be controlled at 25% to less than 50% of maximum wind speed.

The third sterilization mode (M3) according to an embodiment controls the operating intensity of the UV-C module 400 and the fan 500 in the third step, wherein the third step is the UV-C module 400 and the fan 500. The C module 400 may be turned on, turned on at 50% to less than 75% of maximum brightness, and the fan 500 may be controlled at 50% to less than 75% of maximum wind speed.

The fourth sterilization mode (M3) according to an embodiment controls the operating intensity of the UV-C module 400 and the fan 500 to the fourth step, wherein the fourth step is the UV-C The module 400 may be turned on, lit at 75% to 100% of maximum brightness, and the fan 500 may be controlled at 75% to 100% of maximum wind speed.

Referring to FIG. 4 , the condition for setting the air sterilization device 10 to the first sterilization mode (M1) according to an embodiment is determined by the first sensing unit 100 in the first sensing step (S100). It may be set when the presence or entry of a person is detected by the second sensing step (S200), and the noise around the installation environment of the air sterilization device 10 measured in the second sensing step (S200) is equal to or less than a preset value in the control unit 300. The preset value may be the maximum operating sound of the air sterilization device 10, for example, noise generated when the fan 500 is operated. Accordingly, the preset value may be a value within a range of 25 dB to 55 dB. At this time, the installation environment in which the air sterilization device 10 can be set to the first sterilization mode M1 may mainly include a home, an office, or a bathroom.

The condition for setting the air sterilization device 10 to the second sterilization mode (M2) according to an embodiment is the entry or presence of a person by the first sensing unit 100 in the first sensing step (S100). is detected, and it can be set when the noise around the installation environment of the air sterilization device 10 measured in the second sensing step (S200) is equal to or greater than a preset value in the control unit 300. The installation environment that can be set to the second sterilization mode (M2) may be a large-sized transportation means such as a bus or a subway with relatively high noise.

The condition for setting the air sterilization device 10 to the third sterilization mode (M3) according to an embodiment is the presence or entry of a person by the first sensing unit 100 in the first sensing step (S100). is not detected, and the noise around the installation environment of the air sterilization device 10 measured in the second sensing step (S200) is equal to or less than a preset value in the control unit 300. The installation environment that can be set to the third sterilization mode (M3) may be a space closed to noise due to a relatively narrow place. For example, it could be an elevator in a building.

The condition in which the air sterilization apparatus 10 according to an embodiment is set to the fourth sterilization mode (M4) is the presence or entry of a person by the first sensing unit 100 in the first sensing step (S100). is not detected, and the noise around the installation environment of the air sterilization device 10 measured in the second sensing step (S200) is greater than or equal to a preset value in the control unit 300.

The preset value is stored in the memory 600, and the controller 300 compares the sensed value generated by the second sensing unit 200 to control the mode setting of the air sterilization device 10 ( B) can be set.

The controller 300 according to an embodiment may be connected to the first and second sensing units 100 and 200, the UV-C module 400, the fan 500, and the memory 600 through an electric circuit. there is. In addition, the UV-C modules 400 are provided in plural in the air sterilization device 10 and may be arranged at regular intervals.

When the air sterilization device 10 is operating in the first sterilization mode (M1) or the second sterilization mode (M2) and the entry and exit of a person is not detected by the first sensing unit 100, the air sterilization device The sterilization operation of (10) may be terminated, and when the third sterilization mode (M3) or the fourth sterilization mode (M4) is being operated, when the first sensing unit 100 detects the entry of a person, the The sterilization operation of the air sterilization device 10 may end. Accordingly, the first sensing unit 100 can detect the presence or absence of a person even when the air sterilization device 10 is operating in a predetermined sterilization mode.

Therefore, the sterilization effect can be maximized by setting the sterilization mode according to the noise-sensitive place and the presence or absence of people through the first and second sensing units 100 and 200, but it is not limited thereto, and more accurately detects noise-sensitive places. A third sensing unit may be additionally configured in the air sterilization device 10 to be determined and controlled. The third sensing unit may be configured as a video camera capable of capturing images of the installation environment of the air sterilization device 10 in real time. The captured image is transmitted to an external server, and the external server may list places similar to the installation environment of the air sterilization device 10 in consideration of the similarity between objects of the captured image and transmit it to the controller 300. Therefore, the control unit 300 can more accurately determine the installation environment of the air sterilization device 10 through the received place list, so that it is more effective in setting the mode setting control (B) according to a place sensitive to noise. can be effective

As described above, although the embodiments have been described with limited drawings, those skilled in the art can apply various technical modifications and variations based on the above. For example, the described techniques may be performed in an order different from the method described, and/or components of the described system, structure, device, circuit, etc. may be combined or combined in a different form than the method described, or other components may be used. Or even if it is replaced or substituted by equivalents, appropriate results can be achieved.

Therefore, other implementations, other embodiments, and equivalents of the claims are within the scope of the following claims.

10: air sterilization device S200: second sensing step
100: first sensing unit S300: control step
200: second sensing unit A: ON/OFF control
300: control unit B: mode setting control
400: UV-C module M1: first sterilization mode
500: fan M2: second sterilization mode
600: memory M3: third sterilization mode
S100: First sensing step M4: Fourth sterilization mode

Claims (12)

In the sterilization mode control method of an air sterilization apparatus having a first sensing unit, a second sensing unit, a control unit, a UV-C module, a fan, and a memory,
a first sensing step of detecting whether or not a person enters or exits by the first sensing unit, generating a sensing value, and transmitting the sensing value to the control unit;
a second sensing step of measuring ambient noise of the air sterilization device by the second sensing unit to generate a sensed value and transmit the sensed value to the control unit; and
a control step of setting, by the control unit, ON/OFF control or mode setting control to the UV-C module or the fan based on the sensing values generated by the first and second sensing units;
including,
The mode setting control
a first sterilization mode for setting operating intensities of the UV-C module and the fan to a first level;
a second sterilization mode for setting operating intensities of the UV-C module and the fan to a second level;
a third sterilization mode for setting operating intensities of the UV-C module and the fan to a third level; and
a fourth sterilization mode for setting operating intensities of the UV-C module and the fan to a fourth level;
including,
The sterilization mode control method of the air sterilization apparatus, characterized in that the four sterilization modes are set automatically or manually.
delete According to claim 1,
The first sterilization mode is a sterilization mode of an air sterilization apparatus, characterized in that the UV-C module is turned on, lit at less than 25% of maximum brightness, and the fan is controlled to less than 25% of maximum wind speed control method.
According to claim 1,
The second sterilization mode turns on the UV-C module, lights up to 25% to less than 50% of maximum brightness, and controls the fan to 25% to less than 50% of maximum wind speed. Characterized in that Sterilization mode control method of air sterilizer.
According to claim 1,
The third sterilization mode turns on the UV-C module, lights up to less than 50% to 75% of maximum brightness, and controls the fan to less than 50% to 75% of maximum wind speed. Characterized in that Sterilization mode control method of air sterilizer.
According to claim 1,
Air sterilization, characterized in that the fourth sterilization mode turns on the UV-C module, lights up at 75% to 100% of maximum brightness, and controls the fan at 75% to 100% of maximum wind speed A method for controlling the sterilization mode of a device.
According to claim 1,
The sterilization mode of the air sterilization apparatus, characterized in that the first sterilization mode is set when the entry and exit of a person is detected in the first sensing step and the ambient noise measured in the second sensing step is equal to or less than a preset value in the control unit. control method.
According to claim 1,
The sterilization mode of the air sterilization apparatus, characterized in that the second sterilization mode is set when the entrance of a person is detected in the first sensing step and the ambient noise measured in the second sensing step is equal to or greater than a preset value in the control unit. control method.
According to claim 1,
Sterilization of the air sterilization apparatus, characterized in that set to the third sterilization mode when the entry and exit of a person is not detected in the first sensing step and the ambient noise measured in the second sensing step is equal to or less than a preset value in the control unit. mode control method.
According to claim 1,
Sterilization of the air sterilization apparatus, characterized in that controlled to the fourth sterilization mode when the entry and exit of a person is not detected in the first sensing step and the ambient noise measured in the second sensing step is equal to or greater than a preset value in the control unit. mode control method.
According to claim 1,
The method of controlling the sterilization mode of the air sterilization device, characterized in that the value preset in the control unit is a device noise value generated when the air sterilization device operates.
According to claim 1,
The sterilization mode control method of the air sterilization device, characterized in that the preset value of the air sterilization device is stored in the memory.

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