Apparatus for automatically treating excrement and controlling method thereof

An apparatus for automatically treating the excrement comprises a mounting unit, a control device unit, and a washing water supply path which is connected from the washing water supply part to the mounting unit. The washing water supply part comprises a washing water storage tank in which the washing water is stored. A pump is operated in a forward or in a reverse direction to supply the washing water of the washing water storage tank to the mounting unit, or collecting the residual washing water in the washing water supply path to the washing water storage tank. An instantaneous water heater provides on the washing water supply path to heat the washing water a control portion which controls the operations of the pump in the forward direction or the reverse direction.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an apparatus for automatically treating excrement capable of receiving excrement of a patient and automatically treating the excrement and a controlling method thereof, and more particularly, to an apparatus for automatically treating excrement which can spray warm washing water from an initial washing operation in a bidet and easily perform a drainage processing on the residual washing water in a washing water storage tank for separation or storage of an apparatus, and a controlling method thereof. Further, the present invention relates to an apparatus for automatically treating excrement which reduces a load of a pump for sucking excrement and air, improves filtering performance of a filter unit, and has a structure in which a filter is easily replaced by simplifying a coupling structure of the filter unit.

BACKGROUND ART

An excrement treating apparatus which can automatically treat excrement generally for patients who cannot independently treat excrement due to having a surgical operation, and the like, in a hospital or the aged who cannot move freely has been developed.

The excrement treating apparatus includes a mounting unit having a shape of a diaper to surround hips of a patient so as to receive excrement of a patient, and a control device unit for making a control so as to vacuum suck and then store the excrement of the mounting unit or supply washing water or washing air for washing the excrement and a bidet to the mounting unit.

The control device unit includes a washing water storage tank in which the washing water is stored, a pump which pressurizes the washing water of the washing water storage tank and supplies the pressurized washing water to the mounting unit, and an instantaneous water heater which heats the washing water supplied to the mounting unit to a warm state.

Further, a path connection member for detachably connecting connection tubes, such as an excrement suction line, a supply line of the washing water and the washing air, and a bidet nozzle line, to the mounting unit is mounted on the control device unit.

However, in the excrement treating apparatus in the related art, in an initial washing operation stage in the bidet, the residual washing water in a washing water supply path between the bidet nozzle and the instantaneous water heater is sprayed through the bidet nozzle in a cold state without passing through the instantaneous water heater, so that there is a problem of giving an unpleasant feeling to a user.

Further, when a connector of connection tubes between the mounting unit and the path connection member is separated to replace the mounting unit in a case where the excrement treating apparatus is moved or stored or a patient is changed, there is a problem in that the residual washing water in the connection tubes is poured into a floor, so that a neighboring environment becomes dirty.

In the meantime, when the excrement treating apparatus is not used and is stored, it is necessary to withdraw a water tank which is inserted in the washing water storage tank to the outside, and drain and dry the stagnant washing water at the bottom of an inside of the washing water storage tank in order to prevent the propagation of bacteria and generation of decomposition in the washing water storage tank.

However, the excrement treating apparatus in the related art has a structure in which the stagnant washing water in the washing water storage tank is not easily drained, so that there is a problem in that a lot of time and effort is needed for a drying operation of the washing water storage tank.

Further, in the related art, one commercially available pump is used in order to supply the washing water of the washing water storage tank to the mounting unit, but there is a problem in that a gushing pressure of the washing water is at a lower level than an appropriate level, so that washing efficiency is deteriorated, and a lot of expense is consumed to develop a separate dedicated pump appropriate to be applied to the excrement treating apparatus in order to increase a gushing pressure of the washing water.

In the meantime, the control device unit includes an excrement storage unit which sucks the excrement through the excrement suction line and then stores the excrement, a filter unit connected to the excrement storage unit to purify the sucked air, and an excrement suction unit connected to the filter unit to provide suction force for vacuum suction of the excrement.

Filtering performance of the filter unit is determined according to a contact area and a time in and at which foreign substances are collected in a filter. In the related art, the filter unit having a structure in which a filter is elongated in a flow direction of air passing the filter in order to obtain the purified air in which the foreign substances and smell are removed by maximally filtering the foreign substances included in the sucked air is used.

However, when the filter is elongated as described, the pressure loss of the air is increased, so that there is a problem in that a load of a motor for operating a pump of the excrement suction unit is increased in order to obtain a desired degree of vacuum.

Further, although the filter unit of the excrement treating apparatus includes consumable components which need to be replaced after the use for a predetermined time, a coupling structure of the components included in the filter unit is complex in the related art, so that there is a problem in that it is difficult and it takes much time to replace the components.

DISCLOSURE

Technical Problem

The present invention has been made in order to solve the problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for automatically treating excrement which can supply heated warm washing water from an initial washing operation in a bidet, and a controlling method thereof.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for automatically treating excrement which can prevent water from being poured from a connection portion even though the mounting unit is separated from the connection tubes for connecting a path connection member when the apparatus for treating excrement is moved or stored, or a user is changed, and a controlling method thereof.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for automatically treating excrement in which a drainage processing is easily performed on stagnant washing water inside a washing water storage tank when the apparatus is stored, and a controlling method thereof.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for automatically treating excrement which can reduce a load of a pump used for suction of excrement and air and improve filtering performance.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for automatically treating excrement having a coupling structure in which a filter that is a consumable component is easily replaced.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for automatically treating excrement which is configured such that a constituent component of a filter unit is separable in order to easily replace a filter, and can prevent a leakage of air from a separated boundary portion.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for automatically treating excrement which can automatically prevent a worker from being directly exposed to light of an ultraviolet lamp included in a filter unit during a replacement operation of a filter.

Technical Solution

In order to accomplish the aforementioned object, the present invention provides an apparatus for automatically treating excrement including a mounting unit1for receiving excrement of a patient, a control device unit2including a washing water supply unit50configured to supply washing water for washing excrement and a bidet to the mounting unit1, and a washing water supply path connected from the washing water supply unit50to the mounting unit1, the washing water supply unit50including: a washing water storage tank51in which the washing water is stored; pumps52operated in a forward direction so as to supply the washing water of the washing water storage tank51to the mounting unit1, or operated in a reverse direction so as to collect the residual washing water inside the washing water supply path to the washing water storage tank51; an instantaneous water heater provided on the washing water supply path to heat the washing water supplied to the mounting unit1; and a controller configured to control the pump52to be operated in the forward direction or the reverse direction, the controller instantly controlling the pump52to be operated in the forward direction when the excrement is detected in the mounting unit1, and controlling the pump52to be operated in the reverse direction for a set time so as to collect the residual washing water in the washing water supply path before the instantaneous water heater53after an operation of treating the excrement is completed.

Further, the apparatus for automatically treating excrement may further include an excrement receiving unit10for receiving the excrement of the patient, an excrement storage unit20configured to suck the excrement of the excrement receiving unit10through an excrement suction line61and then store the sucked excrement, a filter unit30connected to the excrement storage unit20and configured to purify sucked air, and an excrement suction unit40connected to the filter unit30and configured to provide suction force for vacuum sucking the excrement, in which the filter unit30includes: an upper cover310including a coupler25communicated with the excrement storage unit20; a first filter unit320including activated carbon filled therein so that pollutants are collected while air introduced through the coupler25passes through; a second filter unit330configured to filter dust of the activated carbon contained in air passing through the first filter unit320; a main body340having an upper part opened/closed by the upper cover310, accommodating the first filter unit320and the second filter unit330therein, and having an opened lower part; and a bottom frame350on which the main body340is seated, the bottom frame350including ultraviolet lamps351for sterilizing the air passing through the second filter unit330.

A method of controlling an apparatus for automatically treating excrement of the present invention, the apparatus including a mounting unit1for receiving excrement of a patient, a control device unit2including a washing water supply unit50configured to supply washing water for washing excrement and a bidet to the mounting unit1, and a washing water supply path connected from the washing water supply unit50to the mounting unit1, includes operating pumps52included in the washing water supply unit50in a reverse direction of a supply direction of the washing water for a set time after an operation of treating the excrement is completed, and collecting the residual washing water in a washing water supply path connected from the mounting unit1to the washing water storage tank51before an instantaneous water heater53provided on the washing water supply path.

Advantageous Effects

According to the present invention, the pumps are operated in a reverse direction of a water supply direction for a set time after an operation of treating excrement is completed, so that the cold washing water stagnant in the washing water supply path is collected before the instantaneous water heater to become in a standby state, and the pumps are instantly operated in a water supply direction when the excrement is detected in the excrement receiving unit of the mounting unit, so that the washing water for excrement washing and bidet washing is supplied to the mounting unit, and thus there is an advantage in that a heated warm washing water may be supplied by making washing water pass through the instantaneous water heater from an initial washing operation in the bidet.

Further, there is an advantage in that when the apparatus for treating excrement is moved or stored, or the mounting unit is replaced because a user is changed, the residual washing water in the washing water supply path is collected before the instantaneous water heater, so that it is possible to prevent a neighboring environment from becoming dirty caused by overflow of the washing water even though a connector of the connection tubes is separated from a path connection member.

Further, there is an advantage in that the drain line returning to the washing water storage tank is provided on the washing water supply line, so that the drainage processing may be easily performed on the stagnant washing water in the washing water storage tank, and the pumps are arranged in a dual parallel structure, so that gushing pressure of the washing water is increased by using a commercially available pump even without newly developing a separate dedicated pump, thereby improving cleaning power.

Further, a thickness of the filter unit through which the air passes is formed to be short in a path direction of the air and an area of the filter unit through which the air passes is formed to be wide, so that a time for which pollutants are collected in activated carbon increases by decreasing flow velocity by which the air passes and pressure loss, thereby being capable of reducing a load of the pump for providing suction force and improving filtering performance of the filter.

Further, there is an advantage in that a coupling structure between the constituent components inside the filter unit is simplified, so that the filter is easily replaced.

Further, there is an advantage in that the flow of the air is induced so that the air introduced in the filter unit sequentially passes through the first filter unit and the second filter unit even while a structure in which the first filter unit and the second filter unit are accommodated inside the main body is simply configured.

Further, when the main body is separated from the bottom frame during the replacement operation of the filter, the power supplied to the ultraviolet lamp is automatically blocked, so that there is an effect in that direct irradiation of light of the ultraviolet lamp harmful to a human body to an operator may be prevented in advance.

MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, a configuration and an operational effect of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1is a diagram schematically illustrating an apparatus for automatically treating excrement according to the present invention.

The apparatus for automatically treating excrement of the present invention includes a mounting unit1for receiving excrement of a patient, and a control device unit2for controlling so as to vacuum suck and then store the excrement of the mounting unit1or supply washing water and washing air to the mounting unit1.

The mounting unit1includes an excrement receiving unit10in which the excrement of the patient is stagnant, a washing water spray nozzle11for spraying a mixture of the air and the washing water toward the excrement receiving unit10, and bidet nozzles12aand12bfor spraying the washing water to the anus and genital area of the patient in an inside thereof.

The control device unit2includes an excrement storage unit20for sucking and then storing the excrement of the excrement receiving unit10through an excrement suction line61, a filter unit30connected to the excrement storage unit20to purify the sucked air, an excrement suction unit40connected to the filter unit30to provide suction force for vacuum sucking the excrement, a washing water supply unit50for supplying the washing water for washing excrement and the bidet, and an air discharging unit70for making the air passing the excrement suction unit40pass through air filtering members74aand74band then discharge the passed air to the outside.

The nozzles of the mounting unit1are connected with a path of the air and the washing water.

First, the washing water spray nozzle11is connected with a washing air supply line64connected to an outlet side of the excrement suction unit40and a washing water supply line62connected to the washing water supply unit50. Accordingly, the air and the washing water are mixed, and then supplied to the washing water spray nozzle11.

The bidet nozzles12aand12binclude an upper bidet nozzle12aand a lower bidet nozzle12b, and are connected to a bidet nozzle line63connected to the washing water supply unit50.

The excrement sucked by the suction force of the excrement suction unit40flows in the excrement storage unit20through the excrement suction line61, and an internal space of the excrement storage unit20is connected with an inlet side of the filter unit30through a coupler25.

The air in the internal space of the excrement storage unit20flows in the filter unit30, so that the filter unit30removes foreign substances and smell and discharges purified air toward the excrement suction unit40.

The excrement suction unit40includes a vacuum pump connected to an outlet side of the filter unit30. The air discharged from the vacuum pump may be heated by a heater.

The washing water supply unit50includes a washing water storage tank51in which the washing water is stored, a pump52for supplying the washing water of the washing water storage tank51toward the mounting unit1, an instantaneous water heater53for heating the washing water to a warm state, and a plurality of valves54for selectively supplying the washing water to any one of the washing water supply line62or the bidet nozzle line63.

A portion indicated by “A” inFIG. 1represents a path connection portion for connecting the plurality of tubes61,62,63, and64between the mounting unit1and the control device unit2.

FIGS. 2 and 3are perspective views illustrating the mounting unit of the present invention at different angles.

The mounting unit1includes a path connection unit100connected to the plurality of tubes61,62,63, and64to provide a path of the washing water or the air to the path, a mounting member110installed in a front side of the path connection unit110so as to be in close contact with the hips of the patient and made of an elastic material, and an excrement storage main body120coupled to a lower part of the mounting member110to form the excrement receiving unit10so as to receive the excrement of the patient.

The path connection unit100includes first to fifth couplers101,102,103,104, and105connected with the excrement suction line61, the washing water supply line62, the bidet nozzle line63, and the washing air supply line64.

FIG. 4is a perspective view illustrating the control device unit of the present invention, andFIG. 5is a perspective view illustrating the path connection member illustrated inFIG. 4.

Referring toFIG. 4, the control device unit2includes a case2ain which constituent components, such as the excrement storage unit20, the filter unit30, the excrement suction unit40, and the washing water supply unit50, are accommodated therein, and a cover2bcovering an upper part of the case2a. A recess2cis formed at one side of an upper end portion of the case2a, and the plurality of tubes61,62,63, and64passes through the recess2c.

A path connection member15in which plurality of tubes61,62,63, and64are connected to form the path of the washing water and the air and the excrement therein is installed at an inward side of the recess2c.

Referring toFIG. 5, an excrement inlet152connected with the excrement suction line61, and washing water and air couplers154a,154b,154c, and154dconnected to the washing water supply line62, the bidet nozzle line63, and the washing air supply line64, respectively, protrudes from a front surface of a body151of the path connection member15.

An excrement outlet153through which the excrement introduced from the excrement inlet152is discharged is formed on a rear surface of the body151of the path connection member15, and a plurality of protrusions155a,155b,155c, and155dfor forming air and washing water paths protrudes from a lower surface of the body151of the path connection member15.

The excrement suction line61, the washing water supply line62, the bidet nozzle line63, and the washing air supply line64connected to the couplers101,102,103,104, and105of the path connection unit100are detachably and separably coupled to the excrement inlet152and the couplers154a,154b,154c, and154dformed on the front surface of the path connection member15.

The washing water and air couplers154a,154b,154c,and154dand the protrusions154a,154b,154c, and154dare communicated inside the path connection member15.

Hereinafter, a configuration of the washing water supply unit50connected to the path connection member15will be described.

FIG. 6is a view illustrating the washing water supply unit and a supply path and a collection path of the washing water of the apparatus for automatically treating excrement according to the present invention, andFIG. 7is a view for describing a process of performing a drainage processing on the washing water inside a washing water storage tank in the apparatus for automatically treating excrement according to the present invention.

Referring toFIG. 6, the washing water supply unit50of the present invention includes a washing water storage tank51in which the washing water is stored, a pump52operated in a forward direction or a reverse direction so as to pressurize and supply the washing water of the washing water storage tank51toward the mounting unit1or collect the residual washing water within the washing water supply path, and an instantaneous water heater53for heating the washing water that is pressurized by the pump52and supplied toward the mounting unit1.

Here, the “washing water supply path” designates all paths of the washing water connected from the washing water storage tank51of the washing water supply unit50to the mounting unit1.

The washing water storage tank51may be configured such that a water tank510storing the washing water is inserted upside down so that a stopper thereof heads down, and thus an inside lower part of the washing water storage tank51is filled with the washing water. Two inlet and outlet51aand51bthrough which the washing water passes are formed on a bottom surface of the washing water storage tank51, and are connected to a first washing water supply line621and a second washing water supply line622, respectively.

Pumps52(521and522) are installed in the first washing water supply line621and the second washing water supply line622. In the present invention, the two pumps52are arranged in parallel, so that a gushing pressure of the washing water is increased, thereby increasing washing efficiency, compared to a case in which one pump is disposed in the related art.

The first washing water supply line621and the second washing water supply line622are connected to a third washing water supply line623, and a first valve54afor switching a supply path of the washing water to a fourth washing water supply line624or a drain line625is installed at an end portion of the third washing water supply line623.

The drain line625is connected from the first valve54ato the washing water storage tank51, and a drain coupler51cformed at an end portion thereof is fixedly installed while penetrating a bottom surface of the washing water storage tank51.

As illustrated inFIG. 6, a connector51dof a drain connection line626extending from an inside to an outside of the washing water storage unit51during performing the drainage processing on the washing water stagnant in the washing water storage tank51may be detachably coupled to the drain coupler51c.

The instantaneous water heater53is installed on the third washing water supply line623to heat the washing water supplied toward the mounting unit1by the pumps52. The instantaneous water heater53may be installed on the fourth washing water supply line624.

A second valve54bfor switching the supply path of the washing water to the washing water supply line62or the bidet nozzle line63is installed at an end portion of the fourth washing water supply line624.

The washing water supply line62is connected to the coupler103of the mounting unit1via the protrusion155cand the coupler154cof the path connection member15.

The bidet nozzle line63includes a third valve54cat an end portion thereof, so that the bidet nozzle line63is branched into a first bidet nozzle line63aand a second bidet nozzle line63bhaving different vertical spray heights and connected to the first coupler101of the mounting unit1via the protrusion155aand the coupler154aof the path connection member15.

In the meantime, the control device unit2includes a controller (not illustrated) for controlling a forward directional or reverse directional operation of the pumps52and a switching direction in each of the first to third valves54a,54b, and54caccording to an operation mode of the apparatus for automatically treating excrement.

Hereinafter, a bidet washing method using the apparatus for automatically treating excrement configured as described above will be described.

When excrement is detected by a sensor (not illustrated) included in the excrement receiving unit10inside the mounting unit1, the controller operates the pumps52in a forward direction to supply washing water for washing the excrement and the bidet toward the mounting unit1.

In this case, an opening/closing direction of the first valve54ais set so that the third washing water supply line623is connected to the fourth washing water supply line624, an opening/closing direction of the second valve54bis set so that the fourth washing water supply line624is connected to the washing water supply line62or the fourth washing water supply line624is connected to the bidet nozzle line63for a predetermined time, and in a state where the second valve54bis set so as to be connected toward the bidet nozzle line63, an opening/closing direction of the third valve54cis set so that the bidet nozzle line63is connected to the first bidet nozzle line63aor the bidet nozzle line63is connected to the second bidet nozzle line63bfor a predetermined time.

Accordingly, the washing water of the washing water storage tank51is supplied to the washing water spray nozzle11and the bidet nozzles12aand12bof the mounting unit1to perform the excrement washing and the bidet washing.

After an excrement treating operation including the excrement washing and the bidet washing is completed, the controller controls the pumps52to collect the residual washing water in the washing water supply path before the instantaneous water heater53by operating the pumps52in a reverse direction for a set time. When the collection of the washing water is completed, a standby state is continued until excrement is detected later, and when excrement is detected in the mounting unit1, the aforementioned process is repeatedly performed.

As described above, in the present invention, when the excrement is washed and the bidet is washed, the washing water is in a collected state before the instantaneous water heater53, so that when the pumps52are operated in the forward direction that is a supply direction of the washing water, the washing water collected in the washing water supply path before the instantaneous water heater53and the washing water inside the washing water storage tank51is heated to a warm state via the instantaneous water heater53to be supplied toward the mounting unit1.

Accordingly, the bidet washing may be performed by the warm washing water heated via the instantaneous water heater53from the initial washing operation in the bidet, so that it is possible to resolve a problem of giving an unpleasant feeling to a user due to the supply of cold water at an initial washing stage in a bidet in the related art.

In the meantime, the controller may be configured so as to stop an operation of the apparatus through an manipulation of a separate switching means (not illustrated) in a state where the residual washing water in the washing water supply path is collected in the initial washing stage in the bidet, and in this case, even though the plurality of connection tubes61,62,63, and64fastened to the path connection member15is separated, the washing water may be prevented from being poured.

Hereinafter, a method of draining the residual washing water inside the washing water storage tank by using the apparatus for automatically treating excrement will be described with reference toFIG. 7.

When the apparatus for automatically treating excrement is stored without being used for a long time, it is necessary to perform a drainage processing on the washing water stored inside the washing water storage tank51.

In this case, when the water tank510inserted in the washing water storage tank51is withdrawn to the outside, the washing water is stagnant at a bottom inside the washing water storage tank51.

In this state, the connector51dof the drain connection line626is fastened to the drain coupler51cof the drain line625installed so as to pass through the bottom of the washing water storage tank51. An opposite end portion of the connector51dof the drain connection line626may be connected to a separate container for receiving the drained washing water or a drain.

In a next step, when a washing water drainage mode is operated, in the first valve54a, the flow path is set so that the path of the washing water heads from the third washing water supply line623to the drain line625, and when the pumps52are operated in the forward direction, the washing water stagnant inside the washing water storage tank51is drain-processed to the outside of the washing water storage tank51sequentially via the first and second washing water supply lines621and622, the pumps52, the third washing water supply line623, the drain line625, and the drain connection line626.

As described above, the drain line625is installed so as to be connected from the first valve54ato the bottom of the washing water storage tank51, and the connector51dof the drain connection line626is coupled to the drain coupler51cof the drain line625during the drainage processing, so that the drainage processing may be easily performed on the washing water inside the washing water storage tank51.

Hereinafter, a structure of the filter unit according to the present invention will be described with reference toFIGS. 8 to 15.

FIG. 8is a perspective view of an exterior of the control device unit of the present invention, andFIG. 9is a cross-sectional view taken along A-A ofFIG. 8.

The control device unit2includes an upper case2a′ provided with a space in which the constituent components, such as the excrement storage unit20and the filter unit30, are accommodated, and a lower case2a″ assembled with a lower part of the upper case2a′ to configure an exterior of the control device unit2and accommodating the constituent components, such as the excrement suction unit40and the washing water supply unit50therein.

A path coupler6through which the washing water supply line62, the bidet nozzle line63, and the washing air supply line64illustrated inFIG. 1pass is formed at one side of the upper case2a′, and an excrement path coupler21in which the excrement flows is formed at one side of the excrement storage unit20accommodated closely to the path coupler6.

Polluted air in the internal space of the excrement storage unit20is sucked to the filter unit30through the coupler25formed at one side of an upper part of an inner side of the excrement storage unit20.

FIGS. 10 and 11are perspective views of the filter unit of the present invention, andFIG. 12is an exploded perspective view of the filter unit of the present invention.

The apparatus for automatically treating excrement of the present invention is characterized by including the filter unit30which minimizes a used load of the pump of the excrement suction unit40and the motor for driving the pump in a process of sucking the excrement and the air of the mounting unit1, storing the excrement in the excrement storage unit20, and purifying and circulating the polluted air in the internal space of the excrement storage unit20by making the polluted air pass through the filter unit30, and has an easily assemblable/disassemblable structure.

Referring toFIGS. 10 and 11, the filter unit30is characterized in that an entire shape thereof has a wider transverse sectional area perpendicular to the path direction of the air connected from the upper coupler25to a lower air outlet353than a longitudinal sectional area parallel to the path direction.

In this case, a length of the path direction of the air is formed to be short, so that it is possible to decrease a loss of pressure of the air passing between the coupler25of the filter unit30and the air outlet353and reduce a load of the excrement suction unit40. Further, the deterioration of the filtering performance caused by the decrease of the time for which the air passes through the inside of the filter unit30may be compensated for by forming the wide transverse sectional area and sufficiently securing a contact area with the air.

Referring toFIG. 12, the filter unit30includes an upper cover310including the coupler25and a grip portion311formed on an upper part thereof, a first filter unit320filled with activated carbon to filter pollutants while the air introduced through the coupler25passes through the first filter unit320therein, a second filter unit330for filtering dust of the activated carbon contained in the air passing through the first filter unit320, a main body340having an upper part opened/closed by the upper cover310, accommodating the first filter unit320and the second filter unit330therein, and having an opened lower part, and a bottom frame350having an upper surface on which the main body340is seated and including ultraviolet lamps351for sterilizing the air passing through the second filter unit330.

The air sucked through the coupler25of the upper cover310as described above goes through a sterilizing process by light emission of the ultraviolet lamps351after the pollutants and bad smell are removed while sequentially passing the first filter unit320and the second filter unit330, and then discharged to the excrement suction unit40through the air outlet353of the bottom frame350.

The first filter unit320is vertically separated so that an upper slit member321is detachably coupled to a lower slit member322.

A plurality of “U” shaped fastening members321bis formed at a circumference of a side of the upper slit member321by intervals, and a plurality of protrusions322bdetachably coupled to the fastening members321bmay be formed in a circumference of an upper part of the lower slit member322.

A plurality of slits321aand322ais densely formed in the upper slit member321and the lower slit member322, and an inside of the lower slit member322is filled with activated carbon323surrounded by nonwoven fabrics324and325(seeFIG. 14). Accordingly, the pollutants contained in the air passing through the upper slit member321are collected while passing through the activated carbon323filled inside the lower slit member322having a structure of a wide transverse area at a low speed, and the air in which the pollutants are removed passes through the slit322aformed on the bottom surface of the lower slit member322and flows in the second filter unit330formed at a lower side.

The second filter unit330is for filtering fine dust of the activated carbon323contained in the air passing through the first filter unit320, and may be installed so that a HEPA filter shaped like a thin filter paper is wrinkled and connected in a vertical direction so as to increase a contact area with the air.

The first filter unit320and the second filter unit330are accommodated up and down inside the main body230, the upper cover10and edge portions of an upper border of the main body340are coupled by coupling members313, such as screws, while being penetrated upward and downward, and the main body340is seated on an upper surface of the bottom frame350.

The ultraviolet lamps351for sterilization and a wiring for supplying power are mounted in the bottom frame350, and switch units352for automatically turning on or off power supplied to the ultraviolet lamps351according to the coupling/separation of the main body340and the bottom frame350are included in the bottom frame350.

That is, in a state where the main body340is seated on the bottom frame350, a pressing portion of an upper end of the switch unit352at a lower end of the main boy340is pressed downward, so that power connection terminals are electrically connected and thus the power supplied to the ultraviolet lamp351becomes an ON state, and in a state where the main body340is separated from the bottom frame350, the pressing portion of the switch unit352is move upward, so that the power connection terminals are disconnected and thus the power supplied to the ultraviolet lamp351becomes an OFF state.

As described above, the ultraviolet lamp351is configured so as to be automatically turned off when grasping a grip portion311of the upper cover310and lifting the main body340coupled by the coupling members313toward the upper side of the bottom frame350in order to replace the constituent component inside the filter unit30, so that damage to a body caused by direct exposure of light of the ultraviolet ray lamp351to the eyes of an operator may be automatically prevented in advance.

Further, a pressure sensor354for measuring a degree of vacuum of air may be included inside the filter unit30, for example, the bottom frame350. The block or leakage of the sucked air flow may be determined based on the degree of vacuum measured by the pressure sensor354.

Hereinafter, a coupling structure between the constituent components of the filter unit30will be described.

FIGS. 13 and 14are a cut perspective view and a cross sectional view taken along B-B ofFIG. 10.

First, in a coupling structure between the upper cover310and the main body340, in addition to the coupling by the coupling members313penetrating vertically the edge portions of the border at which a lower end portion of the upper cover310is in contact with an upper end portion of the main body340as described above, in order to maintain sealing in a coupled state, a seating recess312is formed at a border of the lower end of the upper cover310and a seated protrusion341inserted in the seating recess312is formed at a border of the upper end of the main body340. Further, a sealing member315is interposed inside the seating recess312and the sealing member315is compressed against an upper end of the seated protrusion341, so that the sealing at a connection portion between the upper cover310and the main body340is maintained.

Next, in a coupling structure between the upper slit member321and the lower slit member322of the first filter unit320, in addition to the coupling between the fastening member321bformed at the circumference of the side of the upper slit member321and the protrusion322bformed at the circumference of the upper portion of the lower slit member322as described above, fitted units321cand322cin which a protrusion and an insertion recess having matched shapes are cross-coupled to each other may be formed at a border of a lower end of the upper slit member321and a border of an upper end of the lower slit member322.

In describing a structure in which the first filter unit320and the second filter unit330are accommodated inside the main body340, a holding portion343in which a flange portion332protruding from a border of the upper end of the second filter unit330in a lateral direction is seated is formed inside the main body340, so that the second filter unit330is laid on an upper end of the holding portion343.

Further, a protrusion322dprotruding downward so as to be in contact along an upper surface of the flange portion332of the second filter unit330is formed on a lower surface of the first filter unit320, so that the sealing between a border of a lower surface of the first filter unit320and the flange portion332of the second filter unit330is maintained. Accordingly, the air flowing inside the main body340through the coupler25at an upper part of the filter unit30is prevented from first flowing in the second filter unit330without passing through the first filter unit320, and the path is formed so that the air sequentially passes through the first filter unit320and the second filter unit330.

As described above, in the present invention, the second filter unit330is held on the holding portion343without a separate fastening means and the first filter unit320is laid on the second filter unit330, so that the first filter unit320and the second filter unit330may be easily accommodated inside the main body340, and further a leakage of air from a gap of a connected portion may be effectively prevented.

In the meantime, in describing the coupling structure between the main body340and the bottom frame350, a flat lower contact portion342having a predetermined width is formed at a border of a lower end of the main body340, and a main body seating portion353made of an elastic material, such as rubber, shaped like a letter “Y” in which the lower contact portion342is seated is formed at a border of the bottom frame350. Accordingly, when the lower contact portion342of the main body340is seated on the main body seating portion353of the bottom frame359, an upper portion of the main body seating portion353is pressurized and elastically deformed by a load of the main body340, so that the lower contact portion342is in close contact with the main body seating portion353.

FIG. 7is an in-use state view for describing a process of replacing the filter unit according to the present invention.

When an operator grasps and lifts up the grip portion311of the upper cover310in order to replace the constituent component inside the filter unit30, the upper cover310and the main body340coupled by the coupling members313and the first filter unit320and the second filter unit330accommodated inside the main body340are lifted up together, to be separated from the bottom frame350.

Simultaneously, the power connection is blocked by the switch unit352, so that the ultraviolet lamp351is turned off as described above.

As described above, after the upper cover310and the main body340are withdrawn outside the apparatus for automatically treating excrement, the first filter unit320and the second filter unit330are easily separated by only an operation of disjointing the coupling members313fastened between the upper cover310and the main body340and lifting up the first filter unit320and the second filter unit330accommodated inside the main body340, so that the component may be replaced with a new component.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The apparatus for automatically treating excrement and the controlling method thereof provided in the present invention can supply heated warm washing water from an initial washing operation in a bidet, reduce a load of a pump used for sucking excrement and air, and improve filtering performance, thereby having an advantage for the industrial applicability.