Patent Description:
A vehicle is used as a means for transportation which is frequently used by people. In addition, as interest in the COVID-<NUM> pandemic and car sharing has been growing, interest in improvement of people's hygiene is growing.

Accordingly, there is a need to regularly sterilize an interior of a vehicle for public hygiene.

Currently, although an automated cleaning system for cleaning an exterior of a vehicle is widely used as an apparatus for maintaining the cleanness of the vehicle, since the automated cleaning system uses water or washing liquid in a liquid state, there is a limitation in the means for cleaning a vehicle interior.

Accordingly, a simple and efficient means for sterilizing the vehicle interior is required in order not only to clean a vehicle exterior for maintaining the cleanness thereof but also to maintain the cleanness of the interior.

However, most disinfection devices for disinfecting a vehicle interior are devices for simply disinfecting a vehicle using simple spray devices.

Accordingly, a vehicle sterilizing apparatus capable of improving the cleanness of a vehicle interior, the ease of assembly for after sales service (A/S), and a degree of design freedom is required.

<CIT> and <CIT> disclose stand-alone sterilizing apparatuses including a housing including an inlet port, an outlet port, a flow channel connecting the inlet port and the outlet port, and a hole communicating with the flow channel, a filter module disposed in the flow channel, a sterilization unit which emits ultraviolet rays toward the filter module, and a fan which moves air introduced through the inlet port to the outlet port, in which the filter module is inserted into and installed in the housing through the hole. <CIT> discloses a stand-alone sterilizing apparatus with an integrated Bluetooth speaker. <CIT> discloses a sterilizing apparatus for a bioreactor for sterilization and removal of ammonia in farms.

<CIT> discloses a rear parcel shelf device for an automobile which is used by being mounted on the upper surface of a rear parcel panel formed integrally with the automobile body. The device comprises a cover, a pad with a speaker and an air cleaner formed by a dust collection deodorizing filter through which air is forced to pass.

The present invention is also directed to providing a cockpit module including a vehicle sterilizing apparatus, which is independently driven using a separate flow channel distinguished from a vehicle air conditioner.

The present invention is also directed to providing a cockpit module including a vehicle sterilizing apparatus with improved ease of filter module replacement.

Objectives to be solved by the present invention is not limited to the above-described objectives, and other objectives, which are not described above, will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art through a description below.

According to the present invention according to claim <NUM>, there is provided a cockpit module including a crash pad, a sterilizing apparatus detachably disposed on the crash pad, a speaker disposed on the crash pad, and a cover disposed to cover the speaker. The cover may have a hole disposed to face an inlet port and an outlet port of the sterilizing apparatus; the sterilizing apparatus including a housing including an inlet port, an outlet port, a flow channel connecting the inlet port and the outlet port, and a hole communicating with the flow channel, a filter module disposed in the flow channel, a sterilization unit which emits ultraviolet rays toward the filter module, and a fan which moves air introduced through the inlet port to the outlet port, in which the filter module is inserted into and installed in the housing through the hole.

In this case, the filter module may include a filter bracket, a filter disposed on the filter bracket, and a support member which fixes the filter to the filter bracket, in which the filter may be disposed between the fan and the sterilization unit.

The filter bracket may include a plate portion, a wall portion extending downward from the plate portion, and a plurality of guide protrusions protruding from a side surface of the wall portion, in which the guide protrusion disposed at a lowermost end among the plurality of guide protrusions may be disposed to have a predetermined difference in height when compared to a lower surface of the wall portion.

The housing may include a first guide protruding from a bottom surface thereof, and the first guide may guide an arrangement of the filter module.

The cockpit module may include a first substrate and at least one light source which is mounted on the first substrate and emits the ultraviolet rays toward the filter of the filter module, in which the first substrate may be disposed at a predetermined height due to a second guide protruding from a bottom surface of the housing.

The first substrate may include a metal material.

The cockpit module may further include a cover disposed to cover the inlet port and the outlet port One region of the cover may be disposed to overlap a speaker.

The filter module may include a filter bracket, a filter disposed on the filter bracket, and a second support member which fixes the filter to the filter bracket, in which the sterilization unit may be disposed between the filter and the fan.

In this case, the second support member may have a quadrangular frame shape and include a hole at a center thereof.

The cockpit module may further include a control unit electrically connected to the sterilization unit and the fan, in which a second substrate of the control unit may be disposed in a lower portion of the inlet port.

The cockpit module may further include a control unit electrically connected to the sterilization unit and the fan, in which a guide coupled to the control unit may include a protruding portion and a groove, and one side wall surface of the protruding portion may be coplanar with one side wall surface constituting the inlet port.

The second substrate on which a plurality of elements are disposed may be disposed to be spaced apart from the first substrate, and a size of the second substrate may be greater than a size of the first substrate.

The fan disposed to face the second substrate may be disposed as a plurality of fans in the housing, and the control unit individually controls the plurality of the fans.

The second substrate may be electrically connected to the sterilization unit and the fan by a wire, and the housing may include a guide wall so that the wire bypasses the fan and is connected to the sterilization unit.

Meanwhile, the filter may be a photocatalytic filter which reacts to the ultraviolet rays.

Since the present invention allows various changes and has many embodiments, specific embodiments will be illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described. However, this is not intended to limit the present invention to the specific embodiments, and it is to be appreciated that all changes, equivalents, and substitutes that fall within the technical scope of the present invention are encompassed in the present invention.

Although the terms "first," "second," and the like may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another element. For example, a second element could be termed a first element, and a first element could similarly be termed a second element without departing from the scope of the present invention. The term "and/or" includes any one or any combination among a plurality of associated listed items.

When an element is referred to as being "connected" or "coupled" to another element, it will be understood that the element can be directly connected or coupled to another element, or other elements may be present therebetween. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being "directly connected" or "directly coupled" to another element, it will be understood that there are no intervening elements.

In a description of the embodiment, in a case in which any one element is described as being formed on or under another element, such a description includes both a case in which the two elements are formed to be in direct contact with each other and a case in which the two elements are in indirect contact with each other such that one or more other elements are interposed between the two elements. In addition, when one element is described as being formed on or under another element, such a description may include a case in which the one element is formed at an upper side or a lower side with respect to another element.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the present invention. The singular forms are intended to include the plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In the present specification, it should be further understood that the terms "comprise," "comprising," "include," and/or "including," when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, numbers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms including technical and scientific terms used herein have meanings which are the same as meanings generally understood by those skilled in the art. Terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having meanings that are consistent with their meanings in the contexts of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined here.

Hereinafter, when embodiments are described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, components that are the same or correspond to each other will be denoted by the same reference numerals regardless of the reference numerals, and redundant descriptions will be omitted.

As interest in improvement of occupant hygiene increases, a vehicle may include a separate sterilizing apparatus in addition to an air conditioner providing a conditioned environment to a vehicle interior. In this case, the air conditioner may adjust a temperature, a humidity, cleanliness, and air ventilation using a heat exchanger and the like, such as an evaporator and a heater.

However, since the sterilizing apparatus is formed to have a predetermined size, there is a problem in that a degree of design freedom of the vehicle interior is reduced.

Accordingly, since the vehicle sterilizing apparatus according to an embodiment is disposed in a cockpit module, vehicle interior hygiene and a degree of design freedom may be improved.

Specifically, since the sterilizing apparatus may be detachably disposed on a lower portion of the crash pad, a degree of design freedom of the vehicle interior is secured, and occupant hygiene and convenience of maintenance may be improved. In this case, the cockpit module may be provided as a module which is disposed in front of a driver seat and a passenger seat so that an engine room is partitioned from the vehicle interior. In addition, a steering wheel, an instrument panel, a glove box, an airbag apparatus, a display device, an audio device, a duct of an air conditioner, and the like may be installed in the cockpit module.

<FIG> is a view illustrating a cockpit module in which a vehicle sterilizing apparatus according to an embodiment is disposed. In addition, <FIG> shows views illustrating an arrangement relationship between the vehicle sterilizing apparatus according to the embodiment, a speaker, and a cover, wherein <FIG> is the view illustrating the vehicle sterilizing apparatus according to the embodiment in which the cover is disposed, and <FIG> is the view illustrating the vehicle sterilizing apparatus according to the embodiment from which the cover is removed. In addition, <FIG> is a view illustrating replacement of a filter module disposed in a vehicle sterilizing apparatus according to an embodiment.

In this case, an X direction illustrated in <FIG> may be a front-rear direction, and a Z direction may be a vertical direction. In addition, a Y direction illustrated in <FIG> may be a vehicle width direction or left-right direction. In addition, the vertical direction may include an upward direction toward a ceiling of a vehicle and a downward direction opposite to the upward direction. In addition, the front-rear direction may include a forward direction and a rearward direction opposite to the forward direction based on a main driving direction of the vehicle. In addition, an arrow illustrated in <FIG> may denote a flow of air.

In addition, a reference character "D" illustrated in <FIG> may denote a duct connected to a vehicle air conditioner, and a reference character "M" may denote a display device such as a monitor disposed so that an occupant may check information of the vehicle. In addition, a reference character "WS" illustrated in <FIG> may denote a windshield of the vehicle. In this case, the windshield may be referred to as a front glass. In addition, a reference character "G" illustrated in <FIG> may denote a glove box.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the cockpit module according to the embodiment may include a speaker S disposed in a crash pad P, a cover C disposed to cover the speaker S, and a vehicle sterilizing apparatus <NUM> or 1a according to the embodiment disposed on a lower portion of the crash pad P. In this case, the crash pad P may be referred to as a dashboard.

Since the sterilizing apparatus <NUM> or 1a is disposed to be hidden by the crash pad P and the cover C, the sterilizing apparatus <NUM> or 1a may not occupy a separate space in a vehicle interior. Accordingly, the sterilizing apparatus <NUM> or 1a may improve a degree of design freedom of the vehicle interior.

The cover C may be disposed on the speaker S and may include a plurality of holes H. Accordingly, a sound generated by the speaker S may be transmitted to the vehicle interior through the holes H. In this case, an inlet port <NUM> and an outlet port <NUM> of the sterilizing apparatus <NUM> or 1a may share the holes H of the cover C along with the speaker S. As illustrated in <FIG>, some of the holes H may be disposed to overlap the inlet port <NUM> and the outlet port <NUM> in the vertical direction.

In addition, the sterilizing apparatus <NUM> or 1a may be disposed in front of the monitor M and may sterilize air flowing above the crash pad P.

In addition, the sterilizing apparatus <NUM> or 1a may be disposed to be spaced apart from the duct D. Accordingly, the sterilizing apparatus <NUM> or 1a may be used as a separate air conditioner in addition to the air conditioner. That is, the sterilizing apparatus <NUM> or 1a may be independently driven. For example, since the sterilizing apparatus <NUM> or 1a may include the filter module and may be separately disposed from the duct D, the sterilizing apparatus <NUM> or 1a may be used as an independently driven auxiliary air conditioner.

Furthermore, since the sterilizing apparatus <NUM> or 1a may further include a heat exchanger (not shown) disposed therein, the sterilizing apparatus <NUM> or 1a may also adjust a temperature of air in the vehicle interior. In this case, a positive temperature coefficient (PTC) heater or the like may be used as the heat exchanger.

Meanwhile, the sterilizing apparatus <NUM> or 1a may include the inlet port <NUM> and the outlet port <NUM>, and the inlet port <NUM> may be disposed behind the outlet port <NUM>. That is, the inlet port <NUM> may be disposed to be closer to the vehicle interior or occupant than the outlet port <NUM> to improve a sterilization effect.

In addition, as illustrated in <FIG>, the outlet port <NUM> may be disposed to be closer to the windshield WS than the inlet port <NUM>. Accordingly, air discharged through the outlet port <NUM> is guided by the windshield WS to be spread in the vehicle interior. In this case, since the air may be mixed with air discharged through the duct D and may circulate in the vehicle interior, circularity of the air discharged through the outlet port <NUM> may be improved.

In addition, when the cover C is removed, a filter module <NUM> of the sterilizing apparatus <NUM> or 1a may be exposed. Accordingly, as illustrated in <FIG>, the filter module <NUM> may be easily replaced in the sterilizing apparatus <NUM> or 1a.

<FIG> is a perspective view illustrating a vehicle sterilizing apparatus according to a first embodiment, <FIG> is an exploded perspective view illustrating the vehicle sterilizing apparatus according to the first embodiment, <FIG> is a cross-sectional view illustrating the vehicle sterilizing apparatus according to the first embodiment, <FIG> is a perspective view illustrating a housing of the vehicle sterilizing apparatus according to the first embodiment, <FIG> is a plan view illustrating the housing of the vehicle sterilizing apparatus according to the first embodiment, <FIG> is a bottom perspective view illustrating an upper housing of the vehicle sterilizing apparatus according to the first embodiment, and <FIG> is a perspective view illustrating a lower housing of the vehicle sterilizing apparatus according to the first embodiment.

Referring to <FIG>, a sterilizing apparatus <NUM> according to the embodiment may include a housing <NUM> including a flow channel CH formed therein to connect an inlet port <NUM> and an outlet port <NUM> and a hole <NUM> formed to communicate with the flow channel CH, a filter module <NUM> which filters air in the flow channel CH, a sterilization unit <NUM> which sterilizes a filter <NUM> of the filter module <NUM>, fans <NUM> which move air introduced through the inlet port <NUM> to the outlet port <NUM>, and a control unit <NUM>. In this case, the control unit <NUM> may be electrically connected to the sterilization unit <NUM> and the fan <NUM> using wires W. In addition, the hole <NUM> may be referred to as a first hole, an insertion hole, or a first guide hole.

In this case, the filter module <NUM> may be detachably disposed in the housing <NUM> through the hole <NUM>. Accordingly, the filter module <NUM> may be easily replaced. For example, a cover C is removed from a crash pad P, since the filter module <NUM> disposed in the hole <NUM> is exposed, the filter module <NUM> may be easily replaced.

The housing <NUM> may form an exterior of the sterilizing apparatus <NUM>. In addition, the housing <NUM> may be detachably disposed on the crash pad P.

In addition, the housing <NUM> may include the inlet port <NUM>, the outlet port <NUM>, and the flow channel CH which connects the inlet port <NUM> and the outlet port <NUM>. In addition, the housing <NUM> may include the hole <NUM> disposed between the inlet port <NUM> and the outlet port <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the housing <NUM> may be formed in a "U" shape such that the inlet port <NUM> and the outlet port <NUM> are disposed to face the cover C.

The hole <NUM> may be formed to communicate with the flow channel CH to replace the filter module <NUM> and disposed between the inlet port <NUM> and the outlet port <NUM> so that the housing <NUM> may be implemented with a compact size.

The hole <NUM> may be disposed at a lower level than the inlet port <NUM> and the outlet port <NUM> based on an inner bottom surface of the housing <NUM>. Accordingly, an upper surface 211a of a filter bracket <NUM> of the filter module <NUM> may be disposed to be coplanar with the inlet port <NUM> and the outlet port <NUM>. In this case, the plane may be a virtual surface and may be a lower surface of the cover C. Accordingly, the upper surface 211a may support the cover C.

In addition, the housing <NUM> may include a plurality of guides which guide an arrangement of the filter module <NUM>, the sterilization unit <NUM>, the fan <NUM>, the control unit <NUM>, and the wires W. In this case, the guides may be provided as various shapes such as groove, wall, protrusion, and hole shapes.

The housing <NUM> may include a first guide <NUM> which guides an arrangement of the filter module <NUM>.

The first guide <NUM> may be formed as a plurality of first guides <NUM> to protrude from a bottom surface <NUM> of the housing <NUM>. In addition, the first guide <NUM> may support the filter module <NUM>.

The housing <NUM> may include a second guide <NUM> which guides an arrangement of the sterilization unit <NUM>.

The second guide <NUM> may include a first protruding portion <NUM> formed to protrude from the bottom surface <NUM> of the housing <NUM> and a first groove <NUM>. In this case, the second guide <NUM> may be formed as two second guides <NUM> to face each other and to be spaced apart from each other in a Y direction. In addition, the second guide <NUM> may be formed to protrude from one side surface of the first guide <NUM> constituting the flow channel CH.

In addition, referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the second guide <NUM> may be disposed to overlap a wall surface <NUM> at one side, which constitutes the outlet port <NUM>, in a vertical direction. Accordingly, light leakage of light emitted from the sterilization unit <NUM> through the outlet port <NUM> may be minimized. In this case, the wall surface <NUM> may be referred to as a first outlet port surface, and the first outlet port surface may be a surface disposed adjacent to the filter module <NUM>.

The first protruding portion <NUM> is formed to protrude from the bottom surface <NUM> of the housing <NUM> to allow the sterilization unit <NUM> to be positioned at a predetermined height.

The first groove <NUM> may be formed in an end portion of an upper side of the first protruding portion <NUM>. In addition, one side of the sterilization unit <NUM> may be coupled to the first groove <NUM>.

The housing <NUM> may include a third guide <NUM> which guides an arrangement of the fan <NUM>.

The third guide <NUM> may be formed to protrude from the bottom surface <NUM> of the housing <NUM>. In this case, the third guide <NUM> may be formed as a plurality of third guides <NUM> to correspond to the number of the fans <NUM> to support the fans <NUM>.

The housing <NUM> may include a fourth guide <NUM> which guides an arrangement of the control unit <NUM>.

The fourth guide <NUM> may include a second protruding portion <NUM>, which is formed to protrude from the bottom surface <NUM> of the housing <NUM>, and a second groove <NUM>. In this case, the fourth guide <NUM> may be formed as two fourth guides <NUM> to face each other and to be spaced apart from each other in the Y direction.

In addition, the fourth guide <NUM> may be disposed to be adjacent to a wall surface <NUM> at the other side which constitutes the outlet port <NUM>. Accordingly, the fourth guide <NUM> and the control unit <NUM> coupled to the fourth guide <NUM> may minimize interference with air discharged through the outlet port <NUM>. In this case, the wall surface <NUM> may be referred to as a second outlet port surface, and the second outlet port surface may be a surface disposed to face the first outlet port surface.

The second protruding portion <NUM> may be formed to protrude from the bottom surface <NUM> of the housing <NUM> to allow the control unit <NUM> to be positioned at a predetermined height.

The second groove <NUM> may be concavely formed downward from an end portion of an upper side of the second protruding portion <NUM>. In addition, one side of the control unit <NUM> may be coupled to the second groove <NUM>.

The housing <NUM> may guide an arrangement of the wire W connected to the control unit <NUM> using a fifth guide. In this case, the fifth guide may be provided as a cut portion <NUM> formed in the first guide <NUM> and a hole <NUM>. In this case, the hole <NUM> may be referred to as a second hole or second guide hole.

Accordingly, the wire W may bypass the sterilization unit <NUM>, the fan <NUM>, and the like through the fifth guide and may be connected to the fan <NUM>. For example, the wire W electrically connecting the control unit <NUM> and the fan <NUM> may bypass the sterilization unit <NUM> and an end portion of the fan <NUM> in a width direction and may be connected to the fan <NUM>.

Meanwhile, the housing <NUM> may be formed of at least two members for the sake of convenience in maintenance of components disposed therein.

Referring to <FIG>, the housing <NUM> may include an upper housing <NUM>-<NUM> and a lower housing <NUM>-<NUM>. In this case, in order to distinguish the upper housing <NUM>-<NUM> and the lower housing <NUM>-<NUM> from those of a sterilizing apparatus according to a second embodiment, the upper housing <NUM>-<NUM> may be referred to as a first upper housing, and the lower housing <NUM>-<NUM> may be referred to as a first lower housing.

In the upper housing <NUM>-<NUM>, the inlet port <NUM>, the outlet port <NUM>, the hole <NUM>, the first guide <NUM>, and the third guide <NUM> may be formed.

In the lower housing <NUM>-<NUM>, the first guide <NUM> to the fifth guide may be formed.

Meanwhile, the upper housing <NUM>-<NUM> and the lower housing <NUM>-<NUM> may be coupled using a fastening member such as a bolt.

The filter module <NUM> may be provided as one module that is detachable from the housing <NUM> to be easily replaced. For example, the filter module <NUM> may be detachably disposed in the housing <NUM> through the hole <NUM> formed in the upper housing <NUM>-<NUM>.

The filter <NUM> of the filter module <NUM> may filter foreign substances from air introduced into the housing <NUM>. In addition, the filter <NUM> of the filter module <NUM> may sterilize the air. In this case, the filter <NUM> of the filter module <NUM> may be a photocatalytic filter. For example, as ultraviolet (UV) rays are emitted from the sterilization unit <NUM>, the photocatalytic filter may sterilize the air in response to the UV rays.

In addition, the filter module <NUM> may be disposed between the sterilization unit <NUM> and the fan <NUM> based on a flow of air.

<FIG> is a front view illustrating the filter module disposed in the vehicle sterilizing apparatus according to the first embodiment, and <FIG> is an exploded perspective view illustrating the filter module disposed in the vehicle sterilizing apparatus according to the first embodiment.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the filter module <NUM> according to the first embodiment may include the filter bracket <NUM>, the filter <NUM> disposed on the filter bracket <NUM>, and a support member <NUM> which fixes the filter to the filter bracket <NUM>. In this case, the support member <NUM> may be referred to as a first support member.

The filter bracket <NUM> may support the filter <NUM>.

In addition, the filter bracket <NUM> may include a plate portion <NUM>, a wall portion <NUM> extending downward from the plate portion <NUM>, and a guide protrusion <NUM> formed to protrude from a side surface of the wall portion <NUM>. In this case, the plate portion <NUM>, the wall portion <NUM>, and the guide protrusion <NUM> may be integrally formed to minimize an assembly tolerance which may be generated when the filter module <NUM> is assembled to the housing <NUM>.

The plate portion <NUM> may be formed in a plate shape. In addition, the plate portion <NUM> may be disposed between the inlet port <NUM> and the outlet port <NUM>. In this case, an upper surface of the plate portion <NUM> may be coplanar with the inlet port <NUM> and the outlet port <NUM>. Accordingly, the plate portion <NUM> may support the cover C. In this case, an example in which the upper surface of the plate portion <NUM> is disposed to be coplanar with the inlet port <NUM> and the outlet port <NUM> is illustrated, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

The wall portion <NUM> may be formed in a quadrangular frame shape in which a hole is formed at a center thereof. Accordingly, the filter <NUM> may be disposed in the hole.

The guide protrusion <NUM> may guide an arrangement of the filter module <NUM> coupled to the housing <NUM>.

The guide protrusion <NUM> may be formed to protrude from the side surface of the wall portion <NUM> in the width direction. In this case, an end portion of the guide protrusion <NUM> may be formed as a curved surface.

In addition, the guide protrusion <NUM> may be formed as a plurality of guide protrusions <NUM>. In this case, the guide protrusion <NUM> disposed at a lowermost end may be disposed to have a predetermined difference in height when compared to a lower surface 212a of the wall portion <NUM>. That is, the guide protrusion <NUM> disposed at the lowermost end may be spaced apart from the lower surface 212a. Accordingly, a predetermined space SP may be formed under the guide protrusion <NUM> disposed at the lowermost end, and the wire W may be disposed in the space SP.

That is, the filter module <NUM> is disposed between the sterilization unit <NUM> and the fan <NUM> based on a flow of air, and the space SP is needed to electrically connect the control unit <NUM> and the fan <NUM> using the wire W. Accordingly, the space SP may be used as a path through which the wire W bypasses without being interfered with by the filter module <NUM>. Accordingly, the wire W may electrically connect the fan <NUM> and the control unit <NUM> using the space SP.

The filter <NUM> may be a photocatalytic filter which reacts to UV rays. In this case, the filter <NUM> may be formed in a form in which ceramic silica (SiO<NUM>), which is a base material, is coated with titanium dioxide (TiO<NUM>) which is a photocatalyst.

The first support member <NUM> may be coupled to the wall portion <NUM> using a fastening member such as a bolt. Accordingly, the first support member <NUM> may fix the filter <NUM> disposed on the wall portion <NUM>.

The first support member <NUM> may be formed in a bar shape. Accordingly, the first support member <NUM> is advantageous in securing a space when compared to a second support member 230a which will be described below.

The sterilization unit <NUM> may emit UV rays to the filter <NUM> to facilitate a sterilizing effect of the filter <NUM>.

The sterilization unit <NUM> may be inserted into and installed in the second guide <NUM>.

<FIG> is a perspective view illustrating the sterilization unit disposed in the vehicle sterilizing apparatus according to the first embodiment.

Referring to <FIG>, the sterilization unit <NUM> may include a first substrate <NUM> and one or more light sources <NUM> mounted on the first substrate <NUM>.

The first substrate <NUM> may be positioned at a preset position using the second guide <NUM>.

In addition, the first substrate <NUM> may be electrically connected to the control unit <NUM> by the wire W.

The light source <NUM> may emit UV rays toward the filter <NUM> to activate sterilization of the filter <NUM> while sterilizing air. For example, the light source <NUM> may be provided as an UV light emitting diode (LED) capable of emitting UV rays to activate the photocatalyst of the filter <NUM>. In this case, in order to prevent damage such as deformation due to heat of the UV LED, the first substrate <NUM> may include a metal material. Accordingly, the first substrate <NUM> may be referred to as a metal printed circuit board (PCB).

In addition, a plurality of light sources <NUM> may be disposed on the first substrate <NUM> in order to improve sterilization capability.

The fan <NUM> is disposed on the flow channel CH and allows air introduced through the inlet port <NUM> to be discharged through the outlet port <NUM>. In this case, the fan <NUM> may be referred to as a blower and may be rotated by an actuator (not shown) such as a motor.

As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the fan <NUM> may be disposed to be parallel to the filter module <NUM>.

The fan <NUM> may be disposed as a plurality of fans <NUM>. Accordingly, since the plurality of the fans <NUM> are individually replaceable, maintenance costs may be reduced.

In addition, since the plurality of the fans <NUM> are individually controlled by the control unit <NUM>, air suction performance may be adjusted. For example, when a plurality of occupants ride a vehicle, the sterilizing apparatus <NUM> may drive the plurality of the fans <NUM> to improve sterilizing and filtering performance. Furthermore, the sterilizing apparatus <NUM> may adjust a volume of air discharged through the outlet port <NUM> by driving only some of the plurality of the fans <NUM>.

The control unit <NUM> may be electrically connected to the sterilization unit <NUM> and the fan <NUM> and may control the sterilization unit <NUM> and the fan <NUM> to be driven.

Referring to <FIG>, the control unit <NUM> may be disposed in a lower portion of the outlet port <NUM>.

<FIG> is a perspective view illustrating the control unit disposed in the vehicle sterilizing apparatus according to the first embodiment.

Referring to <FIG>, the control unit <NUM> may include a second substrate <NUM> and a plurality of elements <NUM> mounted on the second substrate <NUM>.

The second substrate <NUM> may be electrically connected to the sterilization unit <NUM>, the fan <NUM>, and the like through the wires W. In addition, external power may be applied to the second substrate <NUM> through a connection device such as a connector.

The second substrate <NUM> may be disposed to be spaced apart from the first substrate <NUM> of the sterilization unit <NUM>. In addition, the first substrate <NUM> and the second substrate <NUM> may be electrically connected using the wire W.

In addition, the plurality of elements <NUM> may be disposed on the second substrate <NUM>. Accordingly, the second substrate <NUM> may be formed to have a size greater than a size of the first substrate <NUM>. In this case, the second substrate <NUM> may be disposed to be adjacent to the wall surface <NUM> at the other side in order to minimize interference with an air flow. In this case, the term "adjacent" may mean that the second substrate <NUM> is disposed as close as possible to the wall surface <NUM> at the other side at a predetermined distance in consideration of a size of the element <NUM>.

Accordingly, in the sterilizing apparatus <NUM>, since the first substrate <NUM>, on which only the light source <NUM> is disposed, and the second substrate <NUM>, on which the elements <NUM>, are disposed are disposed separately, the size of the first substrate <NUM> may be reduced to be smaller than the size of the second substrate <NUM>. That is, the size of the first substrate <NUM> may be reduced by arranging the plurality of elements <NUM> on the second substrate <NUM>.

Accordingly, the sterilizing apparatus <NUM> may minimize the influence of the first substrate <NUM> on a flow of air.

<FIG> are views illustrating an assembly process of the vehicle sterilizing apparatus according to the first embodiment.

Hereinafter, the assembly process of the vehicle sterilizing apparatus according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to <FIG>.

<FIG> is a view illustrating an arrangement relationship between the lower housing, the sterilization unit, the fan, and the control unit which are disposed in the vehicle sterilizing apparatus according to the first embodiment.

Referring to <FIG>, the sterilization unit <NUM>, the fan <NUM>, and the control unit <NUM> may be coupled to an inner portion of the lower housing <NUM>-<NUM> using the plurality of guides formed in the lower housing <NUM>-<NUM>.

<FIG> is a view illustrating an arrangement relationship between the upper housing and the lower housing which are disposed in the vehicle sterilizing apparatus according to the first embodiment.

Referring to <FIG>, the upper housing <NUM>-<NUM> may be coupled to an upper portion of the lower housing <NUM>-<NUM> to which the sterilization unit <NUM>, the fan <NUM>, and the control unit <NUM> are coupled. Accordingly, the housing <NUM> is formed by coupling the upper housing <NUM>-<NUM> and the lower housing <NUM>-<NUM>. In addition, by the coupling, the flow channel CH through which air flows is formed in the housing <NUM>. In addition, the sterilization unit <NUM>, the fan <NUM>, and the control unit <NUM> are disposed in the flow channel CH.

<FIG> is a view illustrating an arrangement relationship between the housing and the filter module which are disposed in the vehicle sterilizing apparatus according to the first embodiment.

Referring to <FIG>, the filter module <NUM> may be detachably disposed in the housing <NUM> through the hole <NUM> of the housing <NUM>.

<FIG> is a view illustrating a duct member disposed in the vehicle sterilizing apparatus according to the first embodiment.

Light emitted from the light source <NUM> may be reflected by the filter module <NUM>, and light leakage may occur through the outlet port <NUM>. In this case, the "light leakage" may be light leaking through the outlet port <NUM>.

In addition, an occupant detects the light leakage through the hole H of the cover C and thus feels uncomfortable.

Accordingly, the sterilizing apparatus <NUM> may prevent the light leakage using a duct member <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the duct member <NUM> may be disposed on the outlet port <NUM> to prevent the light leakage. In this case, the duct member <NUM> may be formed in a tube shape in order to maintain a flow of air discharged through the outlet port <NUM>. Accordingly, the duct member <NUM> may be disposed between the cover C and the outlet port <NUM> to allow the hole H of the cover C to communicate with the outlet port <NUM>.

The duct member <NUM> may also be disposed on the inlet port <NUM> in order to support the cover C formed in the plate shape.

<FIG> is a perspective view illustrating a vehicle sterilizing apparatus according to a second embodiment, <FIG> is an exploded perspective view illustrating the vehicle sterilizing apparatus according to the second embodiment, <FIG> is a cross-sectional view illustrating the vehicle sterilizing apparatus according to the second embodiment, <FIG> is a bottom perspective view illustrating an upper housing of the vehicle sterilizing apparatus according to the second embodiment, <FIG> is a perspective view illustrating a lower housing of the vehicle sterilizing apparatus according to the second embodiment, <FIG> is a plan view illustrating the lower housing of the vehicle sterilizing apparatus according to the second embodiment, and <FIG> is a plan view illustrating the lower housing, a sterilization unit, and a fan of the vehicle sterilizing apparatus according to the second embodiment.

In the description of a sterilizing apparatus 1a according to the second embodiment, in the case of the same reference number referring to the same component described when the sterilizing apparatus <NUM> according to the first embodiment is described, the redundant description thereof will be omitted.

When the sterilizing apparatus <NUM> according to the first embodiment and the sterilizing apparatus 1a according to the second embodiment are compared with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, the sterilizing apparatus 1a according to the second embodiment differs in an arrangement relationship between components disposed in a housing. Accordingly, in the sterilizing apparatus 1a according to the second embodiment, a structure of a housing 100a, a structure of a filter module 200a, and the like may differ from those of the sterilizing apparatus <NUM> according to the first embodiment.

Particularly, the sterilizing apparatus 1a according to the second embodiment differs from the sterilizing apparatus <NUM> according to the first embodiment in that a sterilization unit <NUM> is disposed between a filter <NUM> and fans <NUM> based on a flow of air in order to prevent a phenomenon in which light leakage occurs through an outlet port <NUM>. In addition, the sterilizing apparatus 1a according to the second embodiment differs from the sterilizing apparatus <NUM> according to the first embodiment in that a control unit <NUM> is disposed in an inlet port <NUM> in consideration of electrical connection of the sterilization unit <NUM> and the control unit <NUM>. In addition, due to such a difference in layout, the housing 100a and the filter module 200a may be changed structurally.

The sterilizing apparatus 1a according to the second embodiment may include a flow channel CH formed therein to connect the inlet port <NUM> and the outlet port <NUM>, the housing 100a including a hole <NUM> formed to communicate with the flow channel CH, the filter module 200a which filters air in the flow channel CH, the sterilization unit <NUM> which sterilizes the filter <NUM> of the filter module 200a, the fans <NUM> which move air introduced through the inlet port <NUM> to the outlet port <NUM>, and the control unit <NUM>.

In this case, the filter module 200a may be detachably disposed in the housing 100a through the hole <NUM>.

The housing 100a may form an exterior of the sterilizing apparatus 1a. In addition, the housing 100a may be detachably disposed on a crash pad P in consideration of assemblability.

The housing 100a may include the inlet port <NUM>, the outlet port <NUM>, the flow channel CH connecting the inlet port <NUM> and the outlet port <NUM>, the hole <NUM> disposed between the inlet port <NUM> and the outlet port <NUM>, and a plurality of guides which guide an arrangement of the filter module 200a, an arrangement of the sterilization unit <NUM>, an arrangement of the fan <NUM>, an arrangement of the control unit <NUM>, and an arrangement of wires W.

The housing 100a may include a first guide <NUM> which guides the arrangement of the filter module 200a.

The first guide <NUM> may be formed as a plurality of first guides <NUM> to protrude from a bottom surface <NUM> of the housing 100a. In addition, the first guide <NUM> may support the filter module 200a.

The housing 100a may include a second guide <NUM> which guides the arrangement of the sterilization unit <NUM> and a third guide <NUM> which guides the arrangement of the fan <NUM>. In this case, the second guide <NUM> may be disposed between the first guide <NUM> and the third guide <NUM> based on a flow of air.

The second guide <NUM> may include a first protruding portion <NUM> formed to protrude from the bottom surface <NUM> of the housing 100a and a first groove <NUM>.

The third guide <NUM> may be formed to protrude from the bottom surface <NUM> of the housing 100a. In this case, the third guide <NUM> may be formed as a plurality of third guides <NUM> to correspond to the number of the fans <NUM> and may support the fans <NUM>.

The housing 100a may include a fourth guide <NUM> which guides the arrangement of the control unit <NUM>. In this case, the fourth guide <NUM> may include a second protruding portion <NUM> formed to protrude from the bottom surface <NUM> of the housing 100a and a second groove <NUM>.

A one side wall surface of the protruding portion <NUM> may be coplanar with a wall surface <NUM> at one side constituting the inlet port <NUM>. That is, the one side wall surface of the protruding portion <NUM> may be disposed to be coplanar with the wall surface <NUM> at one side constituting the inlet port <NUM>. Accordingly, the fourth guide <NUM> and the control unit <NUM> coupled to the fourth guide <NUM> may minimize the interference with air suctioned through the inlet port <NUM>. In this case, the wall surface <NUM> may be referred to as a first inlet port surface.

The housing <NUM> may guide the arrangement of the wire W connected to the control unit <NUM> using a fifth guide. In this case, the fifth guide may be a guide wall <NUM> formed to protrude from the bottom surface <NUM> of the housing 100a. In this case, the guide wall <NUM> may be formed in a plate shape.

In addition, the guide wall <NUM> may be disposed to be spaced apart from one inner side surface of the housing 100a at a predetermined distance in a Y direction. As illustrated in <FIG>, the wire W may bypass the fan <NUM> through the guide wall <NUM> and may be connected to the sterilization unit <NUM>. For example, the wire W electrically connecting the control unit <NUM> and the sterilization unit <NUM> may bypass an end portion of the fan <NUM> in a width direction and may be connected to the sterilization unit <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the housing 100a may include an upper housing 100a-<NUM> and a lower housing 100a-<NUM>. In this case, in order to distinguish the upper housing 100a-<NUM> and the lower housing 100a-<NUM> from those of the sterilizing apparatus according to the first embodiment, the upper housing 100a-<NUM> may be referred to as a second upper housing, and the lower housing 100a-<NUM> may be referred to as a second lower housing.

The inlet port <NUM>, the outlet port <NUM>, the hole <NUM>, and the first guide <NUM> may be formed in the upper housing 100a-<NUM>.

The first guide <NUM> to the fourth guide <NUM> and the guide wall <NUM> may be formed in the lower housing <NUM>-<NUM>.

<FIG> is a front view illustrating the filter module disposed in the vehicle sterilizing apparatus according to the second embodiment, and <FIG> is an exploded perspective view illustrating the filter module disposed in the vehicle sterilizing apparatus according to the second embodiment.

In the description of the filter module 200a of the vehicle sterilizing apparatus 1a according to the second embodiment with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, in the case of the same reference number referring to the same component described when the filter module <NUM> of the sterilizing apparatus <NUM> according to the first embodiment is described, the redundant description thereof will be omitted.

The filter module 200a may include a filter bracket <NUM>, a filter <NUM> disposed on the filter bracket <NUM>, and a support member 230a which fixes the filter <NUM> to the filter bracket <NUM>. In this case, the support member 230a may be referred to as a second support member.

The filter bracket <NUM> may include a plate portion <NUM>, a wall portion <NUM> extending downward from the plate portion <NUM>, and a guide protrusion <NUM> formed to protrude from a side wall of the wall portion <NUM>.

However, the guide protrusion <NUM> of the filter module 200a differs from that of the filter module <NUM> of the vehicle sterilizing apparatus <NUM> according to the first embodiment in that the space SP is not formed.

The second support member 230a may be coupled to the wall portion <NUM> using a fastening member such as a bolt. Accordingly, the second support member 230a may fix the filter <NUM> disposed on the wall portion <NUM>.

The second support member 230a may be formed in a frame shape in which a hole <NUM> is formed at a center thereof. For example, the second support member 230a may be formed in a quadrangular frame shape in which the hole <NUM> is formed at the center thereof. Accordingly, the second support member 230a is advantageous in terms of assemblability and fixability when compared to the first support member <NUM>.

<FIG> is a perspective view illustrating the control unit disposed in the vehicle sterilizing apparatus according to the second embodiment.

Referring to <FIG>, the control unit <NUM> may include a second substrate <NUM> and a plurality of elements <NUM> mounted on the second substrate <NUM>. In addition, as illustrated in <FIG>, the second substrate <NUM> may be disposed to face the fan <NUM>.

The second substrate <NUM> may be disposed to be spaced apart from a first substrate <NUM> of the sterilization unit <NUM>. In addition, the first substrate <NUM> and the second substrate <NUM> may be electrically connected using the wire W which by passes the fan <NUM> through the guide wall <NUM>.

In addition, a groove may be concavely formed in the housing 100a in an X direction in consideration of the plurality of elements <NUM> of the second substrate <NUM>. Accordingly, in the housing 100a, the element <NUM> may be prevented from interfering with a flow of air using an accommodation space SP1 formed in the groove.

<FIG> are views illustrating an assembly process of the vehicle sterilizing apparatus according to the second embodiment.

Hereinafter, the assembly process of the vehicle sterilizing apparatus according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to <FIG>.

<FIG> is a view illustrating an arrangement relationship between the lower housing, the sterilization unit, the fan, and the control unit which are disposed in the vehicle sterilizing apparatus according to the second embodiment.

Referring to <FIG>, the sterilization unit <NUM>, the fan <NUM>, and the control unit <NUM> may be coupled to an inner portion of the lower housing 100a-<NUM> using the plurality of guides formed in the lower housing 100a-<NUM>.

<FIG> is a view illustrating an arrangement relationship between the upper housing and the lower housing which are disposed in the vehicle sterilizing apparatus according to the second embodiment.

Referring to <FIG>, the upper housing 100a-<NUM> may be coupled to an upper portion of the lower housing 100a-<NUM> to which the sterilization unit <NUM>, the fan <NUM>, and the control unit <NUM> are coupled. Accordingly, the housing 100a is formed by coupling the upper housing 100a-<NUM> and the lower housing 100a-<NUM>. In addition, by the coupling, the flow channel CH through which air flows is formed in the housing 100a. In addition, the sterilization unit <NUM>, the fan <NUM>, and the control unit <NUM> are disposed in the flow channel CH.

<FIG> is a view illustrating an arrangement relationship between the housing and the filter module which are disposed in the vehicle sterilizing apparatus according to the second embodiment.

Referring to <FIG>, the filter module 200a may be inserted into and installed in the housing 100a through the hole <NUM> of the housing 100a.

According to the embodiments, a sterilizing apparatus, which sterilizes and filters air in a cockpit module, can be implemented to improve vehicle interior hygiene.

According to the embodiments, the sterilizing apparatus can be detachably installed in the cockpit module in addition to a conventional air conditioner and may be disposed under a speaker cover. Accordingly, a degree of design freedom of the cockpit module can be improved according to the embodiments.

According to the embodiments, the marketability of a vehicle can be improved by improving the convenience of replacing the filter module.

Various useful advantages and effects of the embodiments are not limited to the above-described contents and may be more easily understood in the above-described detailed specific descriptions of the embodiments of the present invention.

Claim 1:
A cockpit module comprising;
a crash pad (P);
a sterilizing apparatus;
a speaker (S) disposed on the crash pad (P); and
a cover (C) disposed to cover the speaker (S),
wherein the sterilizing apparatus detachably disposed on the crash pad (P), and
the cover (C) includes a hole (H) disposed to face an inlet port (<NUM>) and an outlet port (<NUM>) of the sterilizing apparatus;
the sterilizing apparatus comprising:
a housing (<NUM>, 100a) including an inlet port (<NUM>), an outlet port (<NUM>), a flow channel (CH) connecting the inlet port (<NUM>) and the outlet port (<NUM>), and a hole (<NUM>) communicating with the flow channel (CH);
a filter module (<NUM>, 200a) disposed in the flow channel (CH);
a sterilization unit (<NUM>) configured to emit ultraviolet rays toward the filter module (<NUM>, 200a); and
a fan (<NUM>) configured to move air introduced through the inlet port (<NUM>) to the outlet port (<NUM>),
wherein the filter module (<NUM>, 200a) is inserted into and installed in the housing (<NUM>, 100a) through the hole (<NUM>).