PORTABLE AIR PURIFIER WITH STERILIZATION AND DEODORIZATION FUNCTIONS

Abstract

The present invention relates to an air purifier, and in particular to a portable or vehicle-mounted air purifier. The present invention is advantageous for the effective capture and sterilization of virus particles in the air by generating OH radicals with sterilizing properties through the use of a light source and a photocatalyst containing a light-reactive material.

Description

Portable air purifier with sterilizing and deodorizing functions

[0001] The present invention relates to an air purifier, and more particularly, to a portable or vehicle air purifier.

[0002]

[0003] Indoor air contains various biological contaminants (e.g., influenza virus, coronavirus, MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus), mold, allergens (such as dead ticks or feces, allergens from pets), and air pollutants such as active oxygen, which are harmful to the human body. In particular, the concentration is higher in enclosed indoor spaces, such as inside vehicles or hospital rooms, and there are many cases of damage caused by pollutants contained in indoor air. In particular, due to the aftermath of the COVID-19 virus, people around the world are becoming more interested in sterilizing indoor spaces.

[0004] To address these issues, many air purifiers have been developed to sterilize and deodorize indoor spaces. Most of them were dry filter types based on HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filters. While HEPA filters have a high efficiency in removing fine dust, their sterilization effect on airborne microorganisms is very low. This necessitates the installation of additional sterilization components, which increases manufacturing costs. Furthermore, over long periods of use, particles such as fine dust accumulate on the filter, reducing air purification efficiency and encouraging the growth of microorganisms. Furthermore, high filter replacement costs persist, and the dense nature of the filter makes it unsuitable for handling large volumes of air.

[0005]

[0006] The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and the purpose of the present invention is to provide a portable air purifier that provides a sterilization and deodorization function by applying a photocatalyst including a light source and a material that reacts to the light source to generate OH radicals with a sterilization function, thereby easily capturing and sterilizing even viruses floating in the air.

[0007]

[0008] In order to solve the above-described problem, a portable air purifier providing a sterilization and deodorization function according to one embodiment of the present invention is characterized by including a substrate including at least one light source, at least one photocatalyst receiving light from the light source, and a photocatalyst including an inner housing for fixing the photocatalyst and having one end of the substrate joined to the center of one surface, a central housing for fixing and supporting the photocatalyst, and a fan coupled to one end of the central housing for exhausting air passing through the photocatalyst to the outside.

[0009] In addition, the substrate portion is characterized in that each light source is arranged at a predetermined interval in the direction in which the substrate portion extends.

[0010] In addition, the inner housing includes a holder on one side of which one end of the photocatalyst is fitted, the substrate portion and the photocatalyst are coupled to one side of the inner housing, and the photocatalyst is characterized in that it extends from one side of the inner housing by a predetermined length.

[0011] Additionally, the inner housing is characterized by further including an insertion portion, which is a protrusion and a recess or a groove, that fits into a vehicle cup holder on the other side.

[0012] In addition, the central housing includes a photocatalyst support that is coupled to the other end or side of the photocatalyst at the other end, and the photocatalyst support is characterized in that it includes a slit on one side that corresponds to the shape of the side edge of the photocatalyst so that the photocatalyst is fitted therein.

[0013] In addition, it further includes a lower housing that surrounds and protects the side of the photocatalyst and the central housing, and the lower housing is characterized by including an inlet hole through which external air is introduced into the side.

[0014] In addition, the inlet hole is characterized by being formed at a position corresponding to the photocatalyst.

[0015] Additionally, the lower housing is characterized by including a non-slip pad having a friction coefficient of a predetermined level or higher on one surface.

[0016] Additionally, the lower housing is characterized in that the other end is coupled so as to be spaced apart from the other surface of the inner housing by a predetermined distance.

[0017] In addition, the invention further includes a control unit for controlling the intensity of the fan, the fan includes a lamp coupled to one side, and the control unit classifies sections based on the intensity of the fan, stores unique color information for each classified section, and controls the lamp so that the lamp outputs a unique color of the section corresponding to the control value of the intensity of the fan.

[0018] In addition, it further includes an upper housing that surrounds and protects the side of the photocatalyst and the central housing and has one side joined to the lower housing, and the upper housing is characterized in that it includes an exhaust baffle formed at a position spaced apart from the fan, through which internal air exhausted from the fan is exhausted.

[0019] Additionally, the upper housing is characterized in that the inner diameter of the other end is larger than the average inner diameter of the portion where the exhaust baffle is formed.

[0020]

[0021] The portable air purifier of the present invention, which provides a sterilizing and deodorizing function by the above-described configuration, applies a photocatalyst containing a light source and a material that reacts to the light source to the portable air purifier, thereby generating OH radicals with a sterilizing function, thereby having the effect of easily capturing and sterilizing even viruses floating in the air.

[0022]

[0023] Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a portable air purifier providing a sterilizing and deodorizing function of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 2 is a plan view illustrating the operation of a portable air purifier providing the sterilization and deodorization functions of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 3 is a perspective view showing the substrate portion of the present invention.

[0026] Fig. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a photocatalyst part of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 5 is an exploded perspective view showing the coupling relationship between the photocatalyst part and the central housing of the present invention.

[0028] Figure 6 is a partial plan view showing the lower housing of the present invention.

[0029] Figure 7 is a partial perspective view illustrating a fan of the present invention.

[0030] Figure 8 is a partial perspective view showing the upper housing of the present invention.

[0031] Figure 9 is a plan view showing the coupling relationship between the upper housing and the fan of the present invention.

[0032]

[0033] Hereinafter, the technical concept of the present invention will be described in more detail using the attached drawings. Prior to this, it should be noted that the terms and words used in this specification and claims should not be construed as limited to their conventional or dictionary meanings. Based on the principle that the inventor can appropriately define the concept of a term to best explain his or her invention, they should be interpreted in a way that aligns with the technical concept of the present invention.

[0034] Hereinafter, a portable air purifier (1000) providing the sterilization and deodorization function of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0035] As illustrated in FIG. 1, a portable air purifier (1000) providing a sterilizing and deodorizing function of the present invention may include a columnar substrate portion (100) including at least one light source (110), and a photocatalyst portion (200) that receives light from the substrate portion (100). The photocatalyst portion (200) may include at least one photocatalyst (210) that receives light from the light source (110), and an internal housing (220) that fixes the photocatalyst (210) and has one end of the substrate portion (100) coupled to the center of one surface. At this time, the photocatalyst (210) may include a material (TiO₂, WO₃) that can react with the light source.

[0036] In addition, the portable air purifier (1000) providing the sterilization and deodorization function of the present invention may include a central housing (300) that fixes and supports the photocatalyst (200), and a fan (400) coupled to one end of the central housing (300) to discharge air that has passed through the photocatalyst (210) to the outside. By mounting the fan (400) on the central housing (300), the fan (400) is positioned at the center of the portable air purifier (1000) providing the sterilization and deodorization function, and a stable wind volume can be secured for the inflow of external air and the outflow of internal air.

[0037] In addition, it may include an upper housing (600) that surrounds and protects the outer surface of the central housing (300) and the photocatalyst unit (200), and a lower housing (500). At this time, one end of the upper housing (600) and the other end of the lower housing (500) may be coupled to each other, and one end of the upper housing (600) may be the lower end of the upper housing (600) based on FIG. 1, and the other end of the lower housing (500) may be the upper end of the lower housing (500) based on FIG. 1. In this way, the upper housing (600) and the lower housing (500) are coupled to each other to form a space inside, and the central housing (300), the fan (400), the photocatalyst unit (200), and the substrate unit (100) may be inserted into the formed internal space.

[0038] According to the above-described configuration, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the portable air purifier (1000) providing the sterilization and deodorization function of the present invention can generate a flow from the lower housing (500) side to the upper housing (600) side by rotating the fan (400), and external air can be introduced through the inlet hole (510) formed in the lower housing (500), pass through the photocatalyst unit (200), be sterilized and deodorized, and then be delivered back to the outside through the fan (400) and the upper housing (600). Accordingly, the portable air purifier (1000) providing the sterilization and deodorization function of the present invention can sterilize microorganisms such as mold and viruses floating in the air of an indoor space in which it is placed.

[0039]

[0040] Hereinafter, the substrate portion (100) and the photocatalyst portion (200) of the present invention and their bonding relationship will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4.

[0041] As illustrated in FIG. 3, the substrate portion (100) may have a light source (110) arranged on the side. At this time, as described above, the substrate portion (100) may have a columnar shape extending in one direction, and each light source (110) may be arranged at a predetermined interval in the direction in which the substrate portion (100) extends.

[0042] Additionally, the substrate portion (100) may include a support plate coupled to one end. The support plate may be a plane perpendicular to the direction in which the substrate portion (100) extends. Such a support plate may be coupled to the center of the inner housing (220), so that when one end surface of the lower housing (500) contacts the ground, the direction in which the substrate portion (100) extends may be perpendicular to the ground.

[0043] In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the inner housing (220) may include a holder (221) on one surface of which one end of the photocatalyst (210) is fitted. The holder (221) may have a groove formed into which the photocatalyst (210) can be fitted, and may be of a type that wraps and fixes not only one end of the photocatalyst (210) but also a side end in contact with the one end. Accordingly, the substrate portion (100) and the photocatalyst (210) may be coupled in a direction perpendicular to one surface of the inner housing (220), and one surface of the inner housing (220) may be a surface parallel to the ground when one end of the lower housing (500) is positioned on the ground. Accordingly, the photocatalyst (210) may extend by a predetermined length in a direction perpendicular to one surface of the inner housing (220).

[0044] At this time, if the substrate portion (100) formed in the shape of a pillar is an n-angled pillar, each side surface of the substrate portion (100) and one surface of the photocatalyst (210) may be arranged in a one-to-one correspondence and facing each other. Alternatively, if the substrate portion (100) is extended in a cylindrical shape, the photocatalyst (210) may be formed in a cylindrical shape with a space formed inside, and the substrate portion (100) may be arranged at the center thereof. Alternatively, the photocatalysts (210) may be arranged more densely so that one surface of the light source (110) arranged on the side surface of the substrate portion (100) corresponds to the photocatalyst (210). By arranging the photocatalyst (210) and the substrate portion (100) in this way, the reaction efficiency of the photocatalyst (210) can be increased.

[0045] Furthermore, as an embodiment, the inner housing (220) may further include an insertion portion, which is a protrusion and a groove or a groove that is fit-fitted to a vehicle cup holder (221) on the other surface. The insertion portion may be formed on the other surface of the inner housing (220), and the shape of the insertion portion may be flexibly changed and applied depending on the type of vehicle to which the portable air purifier (1000) providing the sterilization and deodorization function of the present invention is applied. By including the insertion portion, the portable air purifier (1000) providing the sterilization and deodorization function of the present invention can be easily applied to a vehicle, which is a special indoor environment.

[0046]

[0047] Hereinafter, the coupling relationship between the photocatalyst part (200) and the central housing (300) of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. 5.

[0048] As illustrated in FIG. 5, the central housing (300) may include a photocatalyst support (310) at the other end. The photocatalyst support (310) may be coupled to the other end or side of the photocatalyst (210). The photocatalyst support (310) may be formed to extend in a columnar shape from the other end surface of the central housing (300), and may be formed to be the same number as the number of photocatalysts (210) and the number of holders (221). In addition, the photocatalyst support (310) may include a slit (311) on one surface that corresponds to the shape of a side edge of the photocatalyst (210) so that the photocatalyst (210) is fitted therein.

[0049] That is, it is sandwiched between each photocatalyst (210) to support the lateral vibration of the photocatalyst (210). Accordingly, not only is the position of the photocatalyst (210) supported more stably, thereby increasing portability, but also the light generated from the light source (110) of the substrate (100) is minimized from being irradiated to the outside of the portable air purifier (1000) that provides sterilization and deodorization functions, thereby reducing inconvenience in use.

[0050]

[0051] Hereinafter, the coupling relationship between the lower housing (500) of the present invention and other components will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. 6.

[0052] As illustrated in FIG. 6, the portable air purifier (1000) providing the sterilization and deodorization function of the present invention further includes a lower housing (500) that surrounds and protects the side of the photocatalyst unit (200) and the central housing (300), and the lower housing (500) may include an inlet hole (510) through which external air is introduced on the side. The inlet hole (510) may be formed at a position corresponding to the photocatalyst (210). Accordingly, the probability of external air passing through the photocatalyst (210) may be increased. The inlet hole (510) may be formed so that small micro-holes are continuously arranged in a certain shape.

[0053] In more detail, the inlet hole (510) may be formed in an elongated shape rather than a circle, and adjacent inlet holes (510) may be arranged so that their extension directions are perpendicular to each other, so that the shape of the entire inlet hole (510) may be formed in a lattice shape. In addition, such a lattice shape may be arranged only in a predetermined area on the side of the lower housing (500), and this area may be a position corresponding to the photocatalyst (210) as described above, and the areas where each lattice shape is formed may be positioned at a constant interval from each other.

[0054] In addition, the lower housing (500) may include a non-slip pad (520) having a friction coefficient greater than a predetermined value on one side. Accordingly, slipping of the lower housing (500) can be prevented when one side is positioned on the ground. Since the portable air purifier (1000) providing a sterilizing and deodorizing function of the present invention has a relatively heavy fan (400), a substrate (100), a photocatalyst (200), etc., located at the center rather than the bottom, by including such a non-slip pad (520), when the portable air purifier (1000) providing a sterilizing and deodorizing function of the present invention is applied to a vehicle, the vehicle's posture can be prevented from collapsing during driving.

[0055] Here, the lower housing (500) may further include an insertion portion, which is a protrusion and a groove or a groove that is fitted into a vehicle cup holder (221). The shape of the insertion portion may be flexibly changed and applied depending on the type of vehicle to which the portable air purifier (1000) providing the sterilization and deodorization function of the present invention is applied. By including the insertion portion, the portable air purifier (1000) providing the sterilization and deodorization function of the present invention can be easily applied to a vehicle, which is a special indoor environment.

[0056] In addition, the lower housing (500) may be coupled so that the other end is spaced apart from the other surface of the inner housing (220) by a predetermined distance. That is, the lower housing (500) may have a groove or a protrusion formed inside so that the inner housing (220) or the center housing (300) is fixed by being hung on the inside of the lower housing (500). The distance between the other end surface of the lower housing (500) and the other surface of the inner housing (220) may be determined according to the light irradiation angle of the light source (110) of the substrate (100). Accordingly, the filtering efficiency may be increased.

[0057]

[0058] Below, the fan (400) and the control unit that controls it will be described with reference to FIG. 7.

[0059] As illustrated in FIG. 7, the fan (400) may include a lamp (410) coupled to one surface. The lamp (410) may be an LED lamp (410), and the lamp (410) may irradiate light toward one side of the fan (400), that is, toward the upper housing (600). In addition, the portable air purifier (1000) providing the sterilization and deodorization function of the present invention further includes a control unit that controls the intensity of the fan (400), and the control unit may classify sections based on the intensity of the fan (400), store unique color information for each classified section, and control the lamp (410) so that the unique color of the section corresponding to the control value of the intensity of the fan (400) is output. Accordingly, the upper housing (600) may have a pupil formed on the outer surface through which light can pass so that the user can recognize the light of the lamp (410). Accordingly, the user can more intuitively recognize whether the portable air purifier (1000) providing the sterilization and deodorization function of the present invention is operating, the operating intensity (= cleanliness of the internal air), etc. In addition, the aesthetics can be improved by changing the color according to the operating intensity of the fan (400).

[0060]

[0061] Hereinafter, the upper housing (600) of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9.

[0062] As illustrated in FIG. 8, the portable air purifier (1000) providing the sterilizing and deodorizing function of the present invention may further include an upper housing (600) whose end is coupled to the other end of the lower housing (500). As described above, the upper housing (600) may include a cavity on its outer surface through which light from the lamp (410) is transmitted. In addition, the upper housing (600) may have an open end, allowing internal air discharged from the fan (400) to be discharged through the other end.

[0063] In addition, the upper housing (600) may include an exhaust baffle (610) formed at a predetermined distance from the fan (400) inside. The exhaust baffle (610) may be formed in an assembly-type manner and may be formed to be detachable from the upper housing (600). By including the exhaust baffle (610), the fan (400) can be primarily protected from risk factors applied to the fan (400). In addition, the exhaust baffle (610) can improve aesthetics by blending in with the light of the above-described lamp (410).

[0064] In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 9, the upper housing (600) may be formed to have a narrow inner diameter at the center. More specifically, the inner diameter of the other end may be larger than the average inner diameter of the portion where the exhaust baffle (610) is formed. Accordingly, the portable air purifier (1000) providing the sterilization and deodorization function of the present invention may have a shape reminiscent of a vase, thereby enhancing aesthetics when placed indoors. In addition, when the internal air delivered from the fan (400) flows out to the other side of the upper housing (600), it can be induced to flow from an area with a narrow inner diameter to a wide area (the other end), thereby spreading the sterilized and deodorized air to a wider area. Accordingly, sterilization and deodorization of indoor air can be efficiently performed.

[0065]

[0066] The technical concept of the present invention should not be construed solely based on the above-described embodiments. The scope of application is diverse, and various modifications and variations are possible within the scope of those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention as claimed in the claims. Therefore, such improvements and modifications, as long as they are obvious to those skilled in the art, fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A substrate portion including at least one light source; At least one photocatalyst receiving light from the light source, and A photocatalyst part including an inner housing to which one end of the substrate part is connected at the center of one side while fixing the photocatalyst; A central housing that fixes and supports the photocatalyst portion; and A portable air purifier providing a sterilizing and deodorizing function, characterized by including a fan coupled to one end of the central housing and discharging air that has passed through the photocatalyst to the outside.

2. In paragraph 1, The above substrate portion, A portable air purifier providing a sterilizing and deodorizing function, characterized in that each of the light sources is arranged at a predetermined interval in the direction in which the substrate extends.

3. In paragraph 1, The above inner housing, A holder is included on one side of which one end of the photocatalyst is fitted, The above substrate and the photocatalyst are bonded to one surface of the inner housing, A portable air purifier providing a sterilizing and deodorizing function, wherein the photocatalyst extends a predetermined length from one side of the inner housing.

4. In paragraph 1, The above inner housing, A portable air purifier characterized in that it further includes an insertion portion which is a protrusion and a groove or a groove that fits into a vehicle cup holder on the surface.

5. In paragraph 1, The above central housing, Including a photocatalyst support member coupled to the other end or side of the photocatalyst at the other end, The above photocatalyst support, A portable air purifier providing a sterilizing and deodorizing function, characterized in that it includes a slit on one side corresponding to the shape of the side edge of the photocatalyst so that the photocatalyst is fitted therein.

6. In paragraph 1, Further comprising a lower housing that surrounds and protects the side of the photocatalyst and the central housing; The above lower housing, A portable air purifier providing sterilization and deodorization functions, characterized by including an inlet hole through which outside air is introduced on the side.

7. In paragraph 6, The above inlet hole is, A portable air purifier providing a sterilizing and deodorizing function, characterized in that it is formed at a position corresponding to the above photocatalyst.

8. In paragraph 6, The above lower housing, A portable air purifier providing sterilization and deodorization functions, characterized in that it includes a non-slip pad having a friction coefficient of a predetermined level or higher on one side.

9. In paragraph 6, The above lower housing, A portable air purifier providing a sterilizing and deodorizing function, characterized in that the other end is coupled so as to be spaced apart from the other surface of the inner housing by a predetermined distance.

10. In paragraph 1, Further comprising a control unit for controlling the above fan; The above fan includes a lamp coupled to one side, The above control unit, Classify the sections based on the strength of the above fan, and store unique color information for each classified section. A portable air purifier providing a sterilization and deodorization function, characterized in that the lamp is controlled so that the lamp outputs a unique color in a section corresponding to the control value of the fan strength.

11. In paragraph 6, Further comprising an upper housing that surrounds and protects the side of the photocatalyst and the central housing and has one side joined to the lower housing; The above upper housing, A portable air purifier providing a sterilizing and deodorizing function, characterized in that it includes an exhaust baffle formed at a position spaced apart from the fan, through which internal air discharged from the fan is discharged.

12. In paragraph 11, The above upper housing, Than the average inner diameter of the part where the above discharge baffle is formed, A portable air purifier providing sterilization and deodorization functions, characterized by a larger inner diameter at the other end.

Images