Furniture assembly for pet having embedded UV sterilization unit

Abstract

The present invention comprises: a furniture main body assembled from a plurality of wooden panels; and a sterilization zone formed in a portion of the furniture main body and provided with at least one drying unit and an ultraviolet sterilization module to dry and sterilize an accommodated pet. Since the sterilization zone is formed in a portion of the furniture main body, the fur of the pet can be sterilized and disinfected with ultraviolet rays while being dried, and thus hygiene can be improved.

Description

Pet furniture assembly with built-in UV sterilization unit

[0001] The present invention relates to sterilizing furniture, and more particularly, to a furniture assembly for pets having a built-in ultraviolet sterilizing unit with a sterilizing function.

[0002] In general, to keep your pet clean, you either ask a pet shop to bathe your pet or you bathe your pet yourself. However, if you do not dry the fur well after bathing, it can cause colds or skin diseases.

[0003] On the other hand, using a hair dryer or pet drying unit for drying has the disadvantage of not being able to capture the hair that falls out during the drying process and taking a long time to dry.

[0004] Accordingly, various pet drying devices that can dry pet fur while keeping the pet inside are being released.

[0005] Figure 1 is a configuration diagram of a conventional pet drying device. The conventional pet drying device includes a main body (1) having a pet receiving space (6) inside, a motor fan (2) installed on the upper part of the main body (1) to blow air into the receiving space (6), and a litter plate (9) installed on the lower part of the main body (1).

[0006] Here, the motor fan (2) is equipped with a heater (3), a communication port (5), and a ventilation guide plate (4). The ventilation guide plate (4) causes the air discharged from the motor fan (2) to move downward along the inner wall of the receiving space (6) and then upward toward the communication port (5) around the companion animal.

[0007] In addition, a ventilation hole (8) is formed on the side of the main body (1) to connect the receiving space (6) with the outside to facilitate breathing of the pet contained during the dryer operation, and to discharge the hot and humid air inside and inhale the dry air outside.

[0008] That is, when the operating status is set through the control panel (7) while the pet is placed in the receiving space (6) and then the operating state is set, the pet's fur can be quickly dried by the warm air as the air inside the receiving space (6) is transported by the motor fan (2) and heated by the heater (3).

[0009] However, conventional pet dryers only provide the function of easily drying pet hair with warm air, and do not have the function of sterilizing pets.

[0010] In other words, households with pets provide a favorable environment for bacteria (such as Salmonella and Leptospira, which are found in animal feces) to thrive due to their fur and secretions. Therefore, furry animals like dogs and cats, which are popular pets, are ideal for bacterial growth.

[0011] Therefore, conventional pet dryers are required to have both sterilization and drying functions to eradicate various bacteria, fungi, tuberculosis bacteria, viruses, and various odors that are easily transmitted.

[0012] <Prior Document 1>: Republic of Korea Patent Publication No. 10-2008-0068977 (Published: July 25, 2008)

[0013] The present invention was created to solve the above problems, and the purpose of the present invention is to provide a furniture assembly for pets with an internalized ultraviolet sterilization unit that can be installed internally within a panel, thereby improving space utilization during furniture manufacturing.

[0014] According to one embodiment of the present invention for achieving the above purpose, there is provided a furniture body formed by assembling a plurality of wooden panels; And a sterilization zone having at least one drying unit and an ultraviolet sterilization module configured to dry and sterilize a pet accommodated in a part of the furniture body, wherein the ultraviolet sterilization module comprises a module body having at least one mounting hole formed therein, an ultraviolet irradiation unit that irradiates ultraviolet rays to the pet, an illuminance sensor that automatically operates the ultraviolet irradiation unit when detecting the entry and exit of the pet, an on / off switch unit that manually operates the ultraviolet irradiation unit, and a power connection unit that supplies constant power to the module body, wherein the ultraviolet irradiation unit has a UV-C LED and a UV-A LED, and a foreign matter removal unit that sucks in foreign matters of the pet and discharges them to the outside is installed on the bottom of the furniture body, and the wood panel is formed with a cover plate having a plurality of penetration holes formed therein, and a base plate having a module mounting groove formed therein in which the cover plate is mounted upward and a UV sterilization unit is mounted, and a module mounting groove for installing the UV sterilization unit on the base plate is formed, and on the side of the base plate, an on / off switch and an operation lamp of the UV sterilization unit are mounted so as to be exposed. A pet furniture assembly is provided that has a built-in ultraviolet sterilization unit with a mounting hole formed therein.

[0015] The above foreign substance removal unit may include a plurality of opening and closing shutters provided on the upper surface, a discharge pipe installed at the bottom edge of the furniture body to suck up the foreign substances, an opening and closing driving unit that performs opening and closing operation of the opening and closing shutters, and a vacuum suction unit connected to the end of the discharge pipe to provide suction force within the discharge pipe to suck up foreign substances of the pet.

[0016] The above vacuum suction unit is a portable vacuum cleaner, and a connection adapter for connecting a nozzle of the portable vacuum cleaner may be provided at the end of the discharge pipe.

[0017] A reflective member that reflects a portion of the ultraviolet rays irradiated from the ultraviolet irradiation unit toward the companion animal may be installed in the above sterilization zone, and the UV-A LED may irradiate ultraviolet rays in the 405 nm band to react with porphyrin contained in bacteria to kill the bacteria.

[0018] Additionally, the solutions to the aforementioned problems do not enumerate all features of the present invention. The various features of the present invention, along with their corresponding advantages and effects, can be understood in more detail by referring to the specific embodiments below.

[0019] According to the present invention, an ultraviolet sterilization unit can be internalized and installed inside a panel, thereby increasing space utilization during furniture manufacturing and improving constructability.

[0020] In addition, by configuring a sterilization zone in part of the furniture body, UV-A is directly irradiated onto the pet during the drying process to ensure safe sterilization of the pet during the drying process, and after drying, UV-C is irradiated onto the sterilization zone to thoroughly sterilize and disinfect the sterilization zone, which has the effect of improving hygiene.

[0021] Figure 1 is a configuration diagram of a conventional pet drying device.

[0022] Figure 2 is a perspective view of a pet furniture assembly having an internalized ultraviolet sterilization unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 3 is an operating state diagram of a pet furniture assembly having an internalized ultraviolet sterilization unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 4 is a configuration diagram of a foreign substance removal unit of a pet furniture assembly having an internalized ultraviolet sterilization unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 5 is an operating state diagram of a pet furniture assembly having an internalized ultraviolet sterilization unit according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 6 is a perspective view of an ultraviolet sterilization unit according to the present invention.

[0027] Figure 7 is a perspective view of the cover plate separated from the module body of the ultraviolet sterilization unit according to the present invention.

[0028] Figure 8 is a state diagram showing the sterilization operation of a pet furniture assembly in which an ultraviolet sterilization unit according to the present invention is built in.

[0029] Figure 9 is a process diagram of a method for manufacturing a module body of a pet furniture assembly having an internalized ultraviolet sterilization unit according to the present invention.

[0030] Figure 10 is an exploded perspective view showing the structure of a wooden panel of a pet furniture assembly in which an ultraviolet sterilization unit according to the present invention is built in, and

[0031] Fig. 11 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the base plate of the wooden panel of a pet furniture assembly having an internalized ultraviolet sterilization unit according to the present invention.

[0032] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[0033] Referring to FIG. 2, a furniture assembly for a companion animal having an internalized ultraviolet sterilization unit of the present invention comprises a furniture body (100) designed for a companion animal (P) such as a cat or a dog, and a sterilization zone (R) in which a sterilization module (10) is installed on a portion of the furniture body (100). In addition, a litter box (230) is provided on the bottom side of the furniture body (100).

[0034] Here, the furniture body (100) is provided in the form of wooden furniture composed of a number of wooden panels in various shapes according to purpose and design. In addition, the location of the sterilization zone (R) can be provided in various spaces of the furniture body (100) according to the needs of the consumer.

[0035] Referring to Fig. 3, a hot air blower (200) is installed at the top of the sterilization zone (R) to dry the fur of the pet (P) housed therein. In addition, the wind blown from the hot air blower (200) is filtered through a filter member (F) and discharged to the outside air or recirculated toward the hot air blower (200).

[0036] Meanwhile, a module body (10) for ultraviolet sterilization of companion animals (P) is installed on a portion of the upper side of the sterilization zone (R). In addition, at least one reflective member (400) is installed inside the sterilization zone (R) so that ultraviolet rays irradiated from the module body (10) are uniformly irradiated to the entire companion animal (P) accommodated therein. In addition, a door (D) partially made of a transparent material is installed in front of the sterilization zone (R). Therefore, companion animals (P) can enter and exit the sterilization zone (R) through this door (D).

[0037] Meanwhile, a foreign substance removal unit (600) is installed on the bottom of the furniture body (100) to suck up foreign substances (hair or contaminants, etc.) of the pet (P) and discharge them to the outside.

[0038] Specifically, the foreign substance removal unit (600) has a plurality of openings formed on the upper surface of the discharge pipe (610), as shown in FIG. 4, and an opening part (620) having an opening / closing shutter (615) installed in the openings is provided. The opening / closing part (620) is installed on both edges of the bottom of the furniture body (100) and has the function of sucking up pet hair (P) or other contaminants. Here, an opening / closing drive part (630) for automatic opening / closing of the opening / closing shutter (615) is provided. The opening / closing drive part (630) includes a shutter driving shaft (631) connected to a driving motor (M) via a gear, as shown in FIG. 4. That is, by rotating the shutter driving shaft (631) clockwise or counterclockwise by the driving motor (M), the opening / closing shutter (615) on the upper surface of the discharge pipe (61) is opened and closed. Through this, the opening of the discharge pipe (610) can be opened and closed.

[0039] Here, the opening / closing shutter (615) may be provided in a state in which a flexible metal plate is applied and wound around a shutter driving shaft (631). Accordingly, a plurality of openings formed on the upper surface of the discharge pipe (61) can be easily opened and closed by rotation of the shutter driving shaft (631).

[0040] Meanwhile, a vacuum suction unit (500) is connected to the end of the discharge pipe (610) to provide suction power within the discharge pipe (610), thereby allowing the suction of pet hair or other foreign substances from within the sterilization zone (R).

[0041] Here, the vacuum suction unit (500) can be applied to a portable vacuum cleaner mainly used at home. In this case, a connection adapter (650) is installed at the end of the discharge pipe (610) so that the nozzle of the portable vacuum cleaner can be easily connected and used.

[0042] Referring to Fig. 5, as another embodiment, drying units (210, 220) are installed on each side of the sterilization zone (R) to provide a configuration for drying the fur of a companion animal (P). Meanwhile, these drying units (210, 220) and the ultraviolet sterilization module can be automatically operated by a light sensor (12; see Fig. 3) or manually operated through a separate operation panel (300). Here, the operation panel (300) can provide a locking function for the door (D).

[0043] Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, the ultraviolet sterilization module is constructed of wood and includes a power connector (40) for supplying power to the module body (10). Specifically, the module body (10) may be constructed of a rectangular wooden box. That is, by constructing the module body (10) out of wood, it is utilized as an environmentally friendly design element.

[0044] Meanwhile, a first ultraviolet irradiation part (11a) and a second ultraviolet irradiation part (11b) are formed on the upper surface of the module body (10), and an illuminance sensor (12) is installed between them. In addition, a first fixing part (13) and a second fixing part (14) are formed on both sides of the module body (10). Here, a first mounting hole (13h) and a second mounting hole (14h) are formed in the first fixing part (13) and the second fixing part (14).

[0045] In addition, the module body (10) is provided with an operation display unit (20) to display the operating status of the ultraviolet irradiation unit on the outside of the furniture. In addition, an on / off switch unit (30) is provided to operate the module body when pressed by an external force.

[0046] Meanwhile, the module body (10) is provided with a panel mount portion (45), and this panel mount portion (45) is connected to a power connection portion (40). In this embodiment, a method of providing power via a wire has been exemplified. However, this is not limited thereto, and the module body (10) of the present invention may be provided with a charging power source (a USB charging type power source).

[0047] In this way, the operation display unit (20), the on / off switch unit (30), and the panel mount unit (45) connected to the power connection unit (40) are each connected to the module body (10) via cables.

[0048] Meanwhile, a first ultraviolet irradiation section (11a) and a second ultraviolet irradiation section (11b) are formed on the upper surface of the module body (10).

[0049] Here, the UV irradiation section (11a, 11b) can be applied with a UV-C LED of 100 nm to 280 nm. Accordingly, pathogenic bacteria such as Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Vibrio, Salmonella, and botulinum toxin remaining in the sterilization zone (R) as well as general bacteria can be efficiently killed.

[0050] Additionally, the light sensor (12) is used to detect the entry and exit of a pet (P) into the sterilization zone (R) and automatically operate the ultraviolet irradiation unit (11a, 11b).

[0051] Referring to Fig. 7, the module body (10) is formed with a mounting area (10b) of a certain space inside so that a PCB (50) can be inserted therein, and a cover plate (10a) is detachably mounted on the upper portion of the mounting area (10b). Through this configuration, maintenance performance after installation can be improved. The module body (10) of the present invention is made of wood, and is provided with a structure in which the cover plate (10a) is detachably installed on the cover mounting portion (16) of the module body (10) to improve maintainability. In addition, an interface terminal portion (55) is provided on the PCB (50), and an operation display portion (20), an on-off switch portion (30), and a panel mount portion (45) are each electrically connected through the interface terminal portion (55).

[0052] Referring to Fig. 8, the ultraviolet sterilization module of the present invention having the above-described configuration can be easily installed, for example, via fixing bolts (B1, B2) on the lower surface of the furniture body (100). In this way, the module body (10) can be easily installed in various locations of existing furniture.

[0053] In addition, when a companion animal (P) is accommodated in a sterilization zone (R), the light sensor (12) detects this and operates multiple ultraviolet irradiation units (11a, 11b) via the control unit. This allows sterilization of bacteria or viruses remaining in the companion animal (P). Here, the ultraviolet irradiation time and cycle of the ultraviolet irradiation units (11a, 11b) can be adjusted and applied according to the required sterilization settings. For example, the ultraviolet sterilization operation can be set to approximately 5 minutes and then turned off.

[0054] In addition, the ultraviolet sterilization operation can be applied in parallel with the light sensor detection mode using the light sensor (12) or the external switch mode using the on / off switch (30). For example, the operation can be set to the light sensor detection mode at first, and then the operation can be set to the switch mode when the on / off switch (30) is operated.

[0055] As another example, since the light sensor detection mode operates according to the illuminance, in this case, a separate on / off switch unit (30) can be excluded, and also, when the illuminance decreases through the illuminance sensor (12), the sterilization mode can be set to on, and when it becomes bright again, the sterilization mode can be controlled to be turned off. In addition, in this case, when an on signal is received from the on / off switch unit (30), the on / off setting can be made regardless of the detection signal of the illuminance sensor (12). In addition, the operation display unit (20) can inform the user of the operating status by lighting up the on / off setting.

[0056] Meanwhile, the inside of the module body (10) may be equipped with a UV-C LED having a wavelength range of 100 to 280 nm and a UV-A LED having a wavelength range of 320 to 405 nm. In this case, the on-off switch unit (30) can be operated to control the UV-C LED on and off, and the light sensor (12) can be operated to control the UV-A LED on and off.

[0057] UV-C wavelengths generally range from 100 to 280 nm, and generally have the greatest sterilizing power (DNA destruction power) in the 265 nm band, but they are harmful to the human body and have high power consumption. On the other hand, UV-A wavelengths range from 320 to 405 nm, and among these, the 405 nm band has the characteristic of reacting with porphyrin contained in bacteria and decomposing them. However, UV-A requires continuous irradiation for a long time (e.g., 10 to 20 hours) in exchange for low power consumption.

[0058] Therefore, in this embodiment, the entry and exit of a companion animal (P) is detected through a light sensor (12) and the UV-A LED (19b) is automatically turned on and off to sterilize the companion animal (P) in the sterilization zone (R). In this case, by configuring the front of the sterilization zone (R) with a transparent material, it is possible to intuitively recognize from the outside that the inside of the sterilization zone (R) is being sterilized.

[0059] Meanwhile, while UV-C LED has strong sterilizing power, it can be harmful to companion animals (P) if exposed for a long time. Therefore, in the present invention, UV-A LED (19b) is directly irradiated on companion animals (P) to ensure safe sterilization. Afterwards, when companion animals (P) leave the sterilization zone (R), UV-C LED can be activated through the on / off switch (30) or the light sensor (12) to sterilize bacteria or viruses remaining in the sterilization zone (R).

[0060] Also, although not shown, the module body (10) can be configured in multiple units. Here, multiple UV-C LEDs can be installed in one module body, and multiple UV-A LEDs can be installed in another module body.

[0061] Referring to FIG. 9, a method for manufacturing the module body of a pet furniture assembly having an internalized ultraviolet sterilization unit of the present invention is as follows.

[0062] First, a design setting step (S10) of the module body is performed in which the computing device sets the design of the module body.

[0063] Next, a module rendering output step (S20) is performed, in which an image of a rendered module body based on the furniture design input by the design server is output to the computing device. Subsequently, a design drawing generation step (S30) is performed, in which the design server generates a design drawing required for cutting components constituting an assembled module from a wooden master for component manufacturing based on the rendered module image.

[0064] Next, a CNC machining step (S40) is performed, where the design drawing is converted into a code that can be recognized by a CNC machine and provided to the CNC machine to process the module body. Subsequently, through an assembly process, a UV irradiation unit is attached to the module body formed in the CNC machining step, thereby manufacturing a finished product.

[0065] Meanwhile, referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, in the pet furniture assembly in which the ultraviolet sterilization unit of the present invention is internalized, some of the wooden panels are provided in a configuration in which the sterilization module is installed internally.

[0066] Specifically, the wood panel is formed by combining a cover plate (710) having a plurality of penetration holes (711) formed therein and a base plate (720) having a module mounting groove (721, 722) formed therein where the cover plate (710) is mounted on the upper side and an ultraviolet sterilization unit (800) is mounted thereon.

[0067] That is, a module mounting groove (721, 722) for installing an ultraviolet sterilization unit (800) is formed on the base plate (720), and a lamp mounting hole (726) and a switch mounting hole (725) are formed on the side of the base plate (720) so that the on / off switch (820) and the operating lamp (830) of the ultraviolet sterilization unit (800) are mounted so as to be exposed.

[0068] In this way, the wood panel of the present invention can be installed by internalizing an ultraviolet sterilization unit (820) inside the panel, thereby increasing space utilization during furniture manufacturing and improving constructability.

[0069] Although the present invention has been illustrated and described above with respect to specific embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains can make various modifications and implement the present invention without departing from the gist of the technical idea of ​​the present invention described in the claims below.

Claims

1. A furniture body made up of multiple assembled wooden panels; and A sterilization zone is provided with at least one drying unit and an ultraviolet sterilization module to dry and sterilize pets housed in a part of the above furniture body, The above ultraviolet sterilization module comprises a module body having at least one mounting hole formed therein, an ultraviolet irradiation unit that irradiates ultraviolet rays to the pet, a light sensor that automatically operates the ultraviolet irradiation unit when detecting the entry and exit of the pet, an on / off switch unit that manually operates the ultraviolet irradiation unit, and a power connection unit that supplies constant power to the module body. The above ultraviolet irradiation unit is equipped with a UV-C LED and a UV-A LED, A foreign substance removal unit is installed on the bottom of the above furniture body to suck up foreign substances from pets and discharge them to the outside. The above wooden panel is formed by combining a cover plate having a plurality of penetration holes and a base plate having a module mounting groove formed so that the cover plate is mounted on the upper side and an ultraviolet sterilization unit is mounted thereon. A pet furniture assembly having an internal ultraviolet sterilization unit, characterized in that a module mounting groove for installing an ultraviolet sterilization unit is formed on the base plate, and a lamp mounting hole and a switch mounting hole are formed on the side of the base plate so that the on / off switch and the operating lamp of the ultraviolet sterilization unit are mounted so as to be exposed.

2. In paragraph 1, The above foreign substance removal unit has a plurality of opening and closing shutters provided on the upper surface and an exhaust pipe installed at the bottom edge of the furniture body to suck up the foreign substances. An opening / closing driving unit that performs the opening / closing operation of the above opening / closing shutter, and A pet furniture assembly having an internal ultraviolet sterilization unit, characterized in that it comprises a vacuum suction unit that is connected to the end of the discharge pipe and provides suction force within the discharge pipe to suck up foreign substances of the pet.

3. In paragraph 2, The above vacuum suction unit is a portable vacuum cleaner, A pet furniture assembly having a built-in ultraviolet sterilization unit, characterized in that a connection adapter for connecting a nozzle of the portable vacuum cleaner is provided at the end of the discharge pipe.

4. In paragraph 1, In the above sterilization zone, a reflective member is installed to reflect a portion of the ultraviolet rays irradiated from the ultraviolet irradiation unit toward the companion animal. The above UV-A LED is a pet furniture assembly having an internalized UV sterilization unit characterized in that it kills bacteria by reacting with porphyrin contained in bacteria by irradiating ultraviolet rays in the 405 nm band.

Images