UV sterilization system for vehicle

Abstract

The present invention relates to a UV sterilization system for vehicles, comprising a sterilization housing that accommodates an object to be sterilized, an LED module that emits ultraviolet light toward the object to be sterilized, and a controller that controls the operation of the LED module.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a UV sterilization system for vehicles, and more specifically, to a UV sterilization system for vehicles capable of sterilizing personal belongings such as mobile phones. Background Technology

[0002] Some of the belongings of vehicle passengers may be contaminated with bacteria or other pathogens.

[0003] For example, personal belongings of vehicle occupants, such as mobile phones or car keys, can harbor more germs or bacteria than a restroom.

[0004] If the interior of a vehicle or the passengers' belongings are contaminated with germs or bacteria, the probability of infection to the passengers increases, and consequently, the infection can spread to a wide area.

[0005] Since UV, particularly UV-C, can eliminate more than 99.9% of germs or bacteria, research is being conducted on methods using UV to sterilize germs or bacteria inside vehicles. Related published literature includes Published Patent Application No. 10-2019-0036201, Published Patent Application No. 10-2020-0042186, and Registered Patent Application No. 10-1675408. The problem to be solved

[0006] The present invention provides a UV sterilization system for vehicles capable of sterilizing personal belongings such as mobile phones. means of solving the problem

[0007] The present invention relates to a UV sterilization system for a vehicle according to an embodiment thereof, and may include a sterilization housing for accommodating an object to be sterilized, an LED module for emitting ultraviolet rays toward the object to be sterilized, and a controller for controlling the operation of the LED module.

[0008] A UV sterilization system for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include an upper reflector that reflects ultraviolet rays emitted from the LED module onto the object to be sterilized.

[0009] The upper reflector may include a plurality of reflectors configured to reflect the ultraviolet rays emitted by the LED module to the object to be sterilized.

[0010] The above plurality of reflectors may include a coating layer made of a material including aluminum.

[0011] A UV sterilization system for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include a lower LED module that emits ultraviolet rays toward the lower part of the object to be sterilized.

[0012] A UV sterilization system for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include a lower reflector that reflects ultraviolet rays emitted from the lower LED module onto the object to be sterilized.

[0013] The lower reflector may include a plurality of reflectors configured to reflect the ultraviolet rays emitted by the lower LED module to the lower part of the object to be sterilized.

[0014] The above plurality of reflectors may include a coating layer made of a material including aluminum.

[0015] A UV sterilization system for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention further includes a plurality of sensors that detect the object to be sterilized and output a corresponding signal, and the lower LED module is provided in a plurality of numbers, and the controller can operate the lower LED module corresponding to the sensor that detects the object to be sterilized among the plurality of sensors.

[0016] A UV sterilization system for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include a moving module configured to move the lower LED module in one direction.

[0017] A UV sterilization system for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include a charger mounted in the sterilization housing.

[0018] A UV sterilization system for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include a housing cover that covers the sterilization housing. Effects of the invention

[0019] According to the UV sterilization system for vehicles according to an embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to sterilize personal belongings such as mobile phones. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0020] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a UV sterilization system for a vehicle according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a UV sterilization system for a vehicle according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view along line AA of Figure 1. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view along the BB line of Figure 1. FIG. 5 is a plan view of a UV sterilization system for a vehicle according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the upper reflector of a UV sterilization system for vehicles according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a plan view of the lower sterilization section of a UV sterilization system for vehicles according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the lower reflector of a UV sterilization system for vehicles according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a plan view of the lower sterilization section of a UV sterilization system for vehicles according to another embodiment of the present invention. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0021] Below, embodiments of the present invention are described in detail with reference to the attached drawings so that those skilled in the art can easily implement the invention.

[0022] However, the present invention may be implemented in various different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein.

[0023] Parts indicated by the same reference number throughout the specification refer to the same components.

[0024] The thickness was enlarged in the drawing to clearly represent various layers and regions.

[0025] When a part such as a layer, membrane, region, or plate is said to be "on" another part, this includes not only the case where it is directly on top of the other part, but also the case where there is another part in between.

[0026] Conversely, when it is said that one part is "directly above" another part, it means that there is no other part in between.

[0027] Throughout the specification, when a part is described as "including" a certain component, this means that, unless specifically stated otherwise, it does not exclude other components but may include additional components.

[0028] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[0029] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a UV sterilization system for a vehicle according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] Referring to FIG. 1, a UV sterilization system for a vehicle according to one embodiment of the present invention may be mounted in the space between the center fascia and the console box of a vehicle, allowing easy access by the driver. However, the mounting location of the UV sterilization system for a vehicle according to one embodiment of the present invention is not limited thereto, and it may be mounted in various locations that are easily accessible to passengers other than the driver, such as the rear of the console box or the rear of the seat.

[0031] FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a UV sterilization system for a vehicle according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a UV sterilization system for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a sterilization housing (50) in which a sterilization target (60) is received, an LED module (30) that emits ultraviolet light to the sterilization target (60), and a controller (10) that controls the operation of the LED module (30).

[0033] The above LED module (30) may include, for example, an LED lamp that emits UV (ultraviolet rays) and a PCB (Printed Circuit Board). The above LED module (30) can sterilize the object to be sterilized (60) by emitting ultraviolet rays, particularly UVC wavelengths which have an excellent sterilization effect.

[0034] A UV sterilization system for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include a state measuring unit (20) comprising a switch (22) for turning ON / OFF the operation of the LED module and a plurality of sensors (24, 26, 28) described later. And, according to the output signal of the state measuring unit (20), the controller (10) can control the operation of the LED module (30), the lower LED modules (32, 34, 36) described later, and the moving module (40).

[0035] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view along line AA of Figure 1.

[0036] Referring to FIG. 3, a UV sterilization system for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include a charger (52) mounted on the sterilization housing (50).

[0037] For example, the object to be sterilized (60) may be a mobile phone, and the charger (52) may be mounted in the sterilization housing (50) to simultaneously perform charging and sterilization of the charger (52).

[0038] The above charger (52) may be a wired or wireless charger.

[0039] The above-mentioned object to be sterilized (60) may be a personal item of the driver or passenger, and may include various types of personal items such as a vehicle key, a wallet, etc.

[0040] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view along the BB line of Figure 1.

[0041] A UV sterilization system for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include a housing cover (54) that covers the sterilization housing (50).

[0042] The ultraviolet rays emitted from the above LED module (30) can be fatal to the human body's skin, eyes, etc., and the above housing cover (54) can prevent the ultraviolet rays from leaking into the vehicle interior, thereby protecting the driver and passengers.

[0043] FIG. 5 is a plan view of a UV sterilization system for a vehicle according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of an upper reflector of a UV sterilization system for a vehicle according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0044] Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, a UV sterilization system for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include an upper reflector (70) that reflects ultraviolet rays emitted from the LED module (30) to the object to be sterilized (60).

[0045] The upper reflector (70) may include a plurality of reflectors (72) configured to reflect the ultraviolet rays emitted by the LED module (30) to the object to be sterilized (60). The plurality of reflectors (72) may be inclined to reflect the ultraviolet rays of the LED module (30) directly or reflectedly to the object to be sterilized (60).

[0046] The above plurality of reflectors (72) may include a coating layer (74) made of a material including aluminum. The coating layer (74) made of a material including aluminum can effectively reflect UVC (Ultraviolet-C; short-wave ultraviolet) to enhance the sterilization effect.

[0047] FIG. 7 is a plan view of the lower sterilization section of a UV sterilization system for a vehicle according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the lower reflection section of a UV sterilization system for a vehicle according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0048] Referring to FIGS. 3, 4, 7 and 8, a UV sterilization system for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include a lower LED module (80) that emits ultraviolet rays to the lower part of the object to be sterilized (60).

[0049] Similar to the LED module (30) described above, the lower LED module (80) may include, for example, an LED lamp that emits UV (ultraviolet rays) and a PCB (Printed Circuit Board). The lower LED module (80) can sterilize the lower part of the object to be sterilized (60) by emitting ultraviolet rays, particularly UVC wavelengths which have excellent sterilization effects.

[0050] In addition, the UV sterilization system for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include a lower reflector (82) that reflects ultraviolet rays emitted from the lower LED module (80) to the object to be sterilized (60).

[0051] The lower reflector (82) may include a plurality of reflectors (84) configured to reflect the ultraviolet rays emitted by the lower LED module (80) to the lower part of the object to be sterilized (60), and the plurality of reflectors (84) may include a coating layer (86) made of a material including aluminum.

[0052] The plurality of reflectors (84) can be arranged to reflect the ultraviolet rays of the lower LED module (80), either directly or reflected, to the object to be sterilized (60), and the coating layer (86) made of a material including aluminum can effectively reflect UVC to enhance the sterilization effect.

[0053] A UV sterilization system for a vehicle according to one embodiment of the present invention may further include a support plate (88) that supports the object to be sterilized (60), and the support plate (88) may be made of a material through which ultraviolet rays can pass, such as transparent plastic, reinforced glass, etc.

[0054] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 7, a UV sterilization system for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include a plurality of sensors (22, 24, 26, 29) that detect the object to be sterilized (60) and output a corresponding signal. Additionally, the lower LED module (80) may be provided in a plurality of (32, 34, 36), and the controller (10) may operate the lower LED module (32, 34, 36) corresponding to the sensor among the plurality of sensors (22, 24, 26, 29) that detects the object to be sterilized (60).

[0055] For example, if some sensors (24, 26, 29) detect the object to be sterilized (60), the controller may operate only some lower LED modules (34, 36).

[0056] The above one or more sensors (22, 24, 26, 29) may be, for example, infrared sensors, but are not limited thereto.

[0057] Ultraviolet rays emitted from the lower LED module (80) can be fatal to the human body's skin, eyes, etc., and in particular, ultraviolet rays emitted from the lower part can be irradiated to the eyes of the driver, etc., and by operating only the lower LED module corresponding to the detected sensor, the ultraviolet rays can be prevented from leaking into the vehicle interior, thereby protecting the driver and passengers.

[0058] FIG. 9 is a plan view of the lower sterilization section of a UV sterilization system for vehicles according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0059] For the sake of convenience of understanding, in describing the vehicle UV sterilization system illustrated in FIG. 9, descriptions that overlap with the description of the vehicle UV sterilization system according to one embodiment of the present invention described in FIGs. 1 to 6 are omitted.

[0060] Referring to FIGS. 3, 4 and 9, a UV sterilization system for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include a moving module (40) configured to move a lower LED module (81) in one direction, and the lower LED module (81) may be configured in a plurality of (92, 94, 96, 98).

[0061] The above-mentioned moving module (40) may include a configuration for driving, for example, a motor or actuator, and a rail that guides the movement of the plurality of lower LED modules (92, 94, 96, 98), and such a moving module (40) may be operated by the control of the controller (10). The configuration of such a moving module (40) and the control of the controller (10) are obvious to a person skilled in the art, so a detailed description is omitted.

[0062] A UV sterilization system for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention further includes a plurality of sensors (124, 1256, 128, 129) that detect the object to be sterilized and output a corresponding signal, and the controller can operate the lower LED module (92, 94, 96, 98) corresponding to the sensor (124, 1256, 128, 129) that detects the object to be sterilized (60) among the plurality of sensors (124, 1256, 128, 129).

[0063] For example, the lower LED module (96, 98) corresponding to the sensor (124, 126) that detects the sterilization target (60) shown in FIG. 9 can be operated to prevent leakage of ultraviolet light.

[0064] As explained above, according to the UV sterilization system for vehicles according to an embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to sterilize personal belongings such as mobile phones.

[0065] In addition, according to the UV sterilization system for vehicles according to an embodiment of the present invention, when a charger is installed, it is possible to sterilize the charger simultaneously with charging the mobile phone.

[0066] Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments and includes all modifications within the scope recognized as equivalent that can be easily made by those skilled in the art from the embodiments of the present invention. Explanation of the symbols

[0067] 10: Controller 20: State measuring unit 22: Switch 24~29: Sensor 30: LED module 32~36: Bottom LED module 40: Mobile module 50: Sterilization housing 52: Charger 54: Cover 60: Object to be sterilized 70: Upper reflector 72: Reflector 74: Coating layer 80, 81: Lower sterilization section 82: Lower reflection section 84: Reflector 86: Coating layer 88: Support plate 92~96: Lower LED module 124~129: Sensors

Claims

Claim 1 A UV sterilization system for a vehicle comprising: a sterilization housing for accommodating an object to be sterilized; an LED module that emits ultraviolet light toward the object to be sterilized; a controller that controls the operation of the LED module; a lower LED module that emits ultraviolet light toward the lower part of the object to be sterilized; and a plurality of sensors that detect the object to be sterilized and output a corresponding signal; wherein the lower LED module is provided in a plurality of numbers, and the controller operates only the lower LED module corresponding to the sensor among the plurality of sensors that detects the object to be sterilized, thereby preventing ultraviolet light from leaking into the vehicle interior. Claim 2 A UV sterilization system for a vehicle according to claim 1, further comprising an upper reflector that reflects ultraviolet rays emitted from the LED module to the object to be sterilized. Claim 3 A UV sterilization system for a vehicle according to claim 2, wherein the upper reflector comprises a plurality of reflectors configured to reflect the ultraviolet rays emitted by the LED module to the object to be sterilized. Claim 4 In paragraph 3, the above plurality of reflectors is a UV sterilization system for vehicles comprising a coating layer made of a material including aluminum. Claim 5 delete Claim 6 A UV sterilization system for a vehicle according to claim 1, further comprising a lower reflector that reflects ultraviolet rays emitted from the lower LED module to the object to be sterilized. Claim 7 In claim 6, the vehicle UV sterilization system comprises a plurality of reflectors configured such that the lower reflector reflects the ultraviolet rays emitted by the lower LED module to the lower part of the object to be sterilized. Claim 8 In claim 7, the plurality of reflectors comprises a coating layer made of a material including aluminum, in a UV sterilization system for vehicles. Claim 9 delete Claim 10 A UV sterilization system for a vehicle, further comprising, in claim 1, a moving module configured to move the lower LED module in one direction. Claim 11 A UV sterilization system for a vehicle, further comprising, in claim 1, a charger mounted in the sterilization housing. Claim 12 A UV sterilization system for a vehicle, further comprising, in claim 1, a housing cover covering the sterilization housing.

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