Patent ID: 12188685

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein the same reference numerals have been used to identify the same or similar elements throughout the several views.

Hereinafter, the exemplary embodiment of a hygiene management device for an entrance hall of the present disclosure will be described with reference toFIGS.1to30.

Prior to description, the hygiene management device for an entrance hall according to the embodiment of the present disclosure may be installed in an entrance space through which a person goes into and out of an indoor space.

For example, when the hygiene management device of the present disclosure is installed for a residential space, the hygiene management device may be installed in a vestibule. That is, the vestibule may be the entrance space.

When the hygiene management device for an entrance hall is used for an office space, the hygiene management device may be installed in space provided in the entrance hall of the associated office space.

FIGS.1and2are front and rear perspective views respectively illustrating the hygiene management device for an entrance hall according to the embodiment of the present invention, andFIG.3is a side view illustrating the hygiene management device for an entrance hall according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Furthermore,FIG.4is a front view illustrating the hygiene management device for an entrance hall according to the embodiment of the present invention,FIG.5is a rear view illustrating the hygiene management device for an entrance hall according to the embodiment of the present invention, andFIG.6is a sectional view illustrating the hygiene management device for an entrance hall according to the embodiment of the present invention.

As illustrated in these drawings, the hygiene management device for an entrance hall according to the embodiment of the present invention may include an air discharger500. Particularly, the air discharger500may be configured to discharge air from positions around a person toward the person.

In addition, the air discharger500may partially discharge air in consideration of a person's height. Accordingly, unnecessary air discharge may be prevented.

In addition, the air discharger500may be configured to adjust an air discharge angle upward/downward in consideration of a person's face position. Accordingly, complaint caused by air discharged to a person's face may be prevented.

Hereinafter, each component of the hygiene management device for an entrance hall having such characteristics according to the embodiment of the present disclosure will be described more in detail.

First, the hygiene management device for an entrance hall according to the embodiment of the present disclosure may include a fan assembly300.

The fan assembly300is a device which generates an air blowing force, as known in the art.

As illustrated inFIG.6, such a fan assembly300may include a fan housing310and a blower fan320.

The fan housing310may constitute the exterior of the fan assembly300, and the blower fan320may be installed inside the fan housing310.

An inlet through which air is introduced may be formed in the side wall of the fan housing310, and an outlet through which air is discharged may be formed in the circumferential surface of the fan housing310. In addition, the blower fan320may be configured as a centrifugal fan which introduces air into the fan housing310in an axial direction thereof and then discharges the air in a radial direction thereof. That is, the blower fan320may be configured to introduce air through the side wall of the fan housing310and then to discharge the air to the circumference thereof. However, the blow fan320may be any type of fan. The blower fan320may be operated by a fan motor installed inside or outside of the fan housing310.

Next, the hygiene management device for an entrance hall according to the embodiment of the present disclosure may include a duct unit400.

The duct unit400serves to guide an air flow formed in the fan assembly300to the upper portion of the entrance space.

The duct unit400may include a first duct410and a second duct420.

Here, the first duct410may extend along the side wall of the entrance space, and a first inlet412of the first duct410may be connected to the circumferential surface (the outlet) of the fan housing310.

The first inlet412of the first duct410may be formed in the lower end of the first duct410and may be connected to the circumferential surface of the fan housing310.

In this case, as illustrated inFIGS.2and5, the connection part of the first inlet412of the first duct410with the fan housing310may be narrower than other parts of the first inlet412, or the first inlet412may be configured to become narrower gradually toward the connection part of the first inlet412with the fan housing310.

In addition, the second duct420may be located at the ceiling of the entrance space (or near the ceiling of the entrance space) and may be configured to receive air flowing through the first duct410(i.e., by being directly connected to the first duct410). To this end, the first end of the second duct420may be connected to the first duct410.

Furthermore, the second duct420may be located at the upper side of a person (i.e., above a person).

Next, the hygiene management device for an entrance hall according to the embodiment of the present disclosure may include an air management module200.

The air management module200may remove foreign matter and moisture in the air flowing to the duct unit400(i.e., the air management module200may remove contaminants and other foreign matter and moisture in the air prior to the air flowing into the duct unit400).

Such an air management module200may include a filter housing220.

At least one filter223may be installed in the filter housing220, and any type of filter may be used, such as a HEPA filter, a pleated filter and the like.

In addition, the air management module200may include a fixed connection duct210. In this case, the fixed connection duct210is a duct that guides the flow of air into the filter housing220.

The fixed connection duct210may be formed to extend from the filter housing220. Specifically, the fixed connection duct210may be formed to extend from the lower end of the filter housing220.

The fixed connection duct210may be connected to a footrest520to be described later and may guide air introduced through the footrest520to the filter housing220.

Additionally, the air management module200may be configured to manage the humidity and temperature of air to be supplied to the duct unit400. To this end, a heat exchanger may be provided on the rear end of the fixed connection duct210. That is, air passing through the filter(s)223may flow through the heat exchanger to the fan assembly300. Of course, a heater may be used instead of the heat exchanger.

In addition, the air outlet of the filter housing220may communicate with the air inlet of the fan housing310constituting the fan assembly300. That is, while air passes through the filter housing220, the foreign matter of the air may be removed and then the air may pass through the fan housing310.

Next, the hygiene management device for an entrance hall according to the embodiment of the present disclosure may include the air discharger500.

The air discharger500is a device configured to receive air from the second duct420and discharge the air toward a person.

FIG.6is a sectional view illustrating the hygiene management device for an entrance hall according to the embodiment of the present invention, andFIG.8is a front perspective view of the hygiene management device for an entrance hall according to the embodiment of the present invention from which the duct unit is omitted.

As illustrated in these drawings, the air discharger500may include a top plate510, the footrest520, and a pillar frame530.

The top plate510constituting the air discharger500may be located at the upper side of a person and may be provided as the ceiling part of the air discharger500.

The top plate510may be configured integrally with the second duct420constituting the duct unit400, or may be provided separately from the second duct420and configured to be fixed to the second duct420(i.e., directly fixed to the second duct420).

In addition, the top plate510may be installed to be embedded in the ceiling of the entrance space.

In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the top plate510is configured to be located under the second duct420and support the second duct420, as shown inFIG.6. That is, the second duct420of the duct unit400may be configured to be supported by the top plate510.

In addition, the top plate510may be configured to have a flat plate structure and may be formed in a rectangular, circular, or polygonal shape when viewed from the lower side thereof. In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the top plate510is configured as a flat plate having a rectangular shape, as an example.

Furthermore, the footrest520constituting the air discharger500is a part on which a person climbs from the bottom of the entrance space.

Such a footrest520may be located to face the top plate510. The footrest520may be configured to have an area for a person to climb. In this case, the footrest520may be embedded in the bottom of the entrance space or mounted on the bottom of the entrance space.

FIG.9is a perspective view illustrating the footrest, andFIG.10is a cutaway perspective view illustrating the important part of the inner structure of the footrest. Furthermore,FIG.11is a perspective view of the important part of the inner structure of the footrest, andFIG.12is a sectional view of the important part of the inner structure of the footrest.

In these drawings, the footrest520is formed in the shape of a rectangular plate. However, according to the shape of the entrance space, the footrest520may have plate shapes having various shapes, such as a circle, an oval, a track type, and a polygon. Of course, at least one person may be located on the footrest520at the same time.

In addition, the footrest520may be configured to introduce the air of the entrance space to the footrest520by the operation of the fan assembly300. That is, air introduction force generated by the operation of the fan assembly300may be supplied into the entrance space through the footrest520.

To this end, the footrest520may include a base plate521, a perimeter frame522, and a plurality of support bars523.

Here, the base plate521may constitute the frame of the associated footrest520. That is, the base plate521may constitute the bottom of the footrest520.

In addition, an introduction flow path521amay be formed in the upper surface of the base plate521. The introduction flow path521amay be configured as a depressed groove such that air flows toward the air management module200.

The introduction flow path521amay include multiple introduction flow paths formed side by side to be spaced apart from each other.

Such introduction flow paths521amay be formed in the entire portion of the base plate521, or may be formed only in a portion of the base plate521. In the embodiment of the present disclosure, it is exemplified that the introduction flow paths521aare formed in an introduction area having a predetermined area. The introduction area may have an area large enough for at least one person to stand on.

The introduction flow path521amay extend to the perimeter frame522of an edge of the base plate521and may be provided in plural. Specifically, the introduction flow path521amay be configured to guide the flow of air toward the perimeter frame522located at the connection part of the introduction flow path521awith the air management module200.

The perimeter frame522may be formed by surrounding the edge of the base plate521.

A communication flow path522amay be formed in the perimeter frame522to communicate with each of the introduction flow paths521aor less than all of the introduction flow paths521a.

In addition, the fixed connection duct210of the air management module200may be connected to the communication flow path522aand may be provided directly between the communication flow path522aand the filter housing220. Specifically, the inlet of the fixed connection duct210may be installed to pass through the perimeter frame522so as to communicate with the communication flow path522a.Accordingly, air flowing through each of the introduction flow paths521amay be supplied to the communication flow path522aand then may be supplied to the air management module200through the fixed connection duct210.

The support bar523may include multiple support bars523, and the supports bars523may be installed to be parallel to the introduction flow paths521aformed in the upper surface of the base plate521. Further, the support bars523may be spaced from one another by a predetermined distance and may be spaced apart by one another by a guide rib524, which is described below.

Each support bar523may be configured as a rectangular tube having a rectangular cross-section but may have any shape. That is, each support bar523may have a hollow shape to secure durability against external forces and reduce the weight of the entirety of the footrest520(i.e., have sufficient strength to resist external forces, such as the force due to a user standing on the footrest520).

Particularly, each of the support bars523may be disposed to be spaced apart from each other and the introduction flow path521amay be formed to be located at the lower portion of a gap between the support bars523. There may a plurality of introduction flow paths521, with each introduction flow path521being positioned below two adjacent support bars523. That is, dust or foreign matter falling from a person may pass through the gap of each of the support bars523and may, together with air, be transferred to the introduction flow path521a.

In this case, an introduction slot523amay be formed in the gap between the support bars523adjacent to each other and may be configured such that air inside the entrance space is introduced into the introduction flow path521athrough the introduction slot523a.That is, air may pass through the introduction slot523alocated between the support bars523adjacent to each other.

The introduction slot523amay a width corresponding to the thickness of the support bar523, and foreign matter larger than the width of the introduction slot523amay be prevented from being introduced into the introduction flow path521a.That is, the support bar523may function as a kind of filter which prevents relatively large foreign matter from being introduced into the introduction flow path521a.

Of course, as the width of the introduction slot523a(an interval between the support bars) increases, air introduction force acting on a side far from the communication flow path522ain the associated introduction slot523amay decrease. In consideration of such air introduction force, the width of the introduction slot523ais preferably determined.

In addition, a guide rib524may be provided between each of the support bars523. The guide rib524may define an interval between each of the support bars523. That is, the thickness of the guide rib524may be an interval between the support bars523or the width of the introduction slot523a.

In this case, the guide rib524may be partially provided between the support bars523, and may be provided only in one portion between the support bars523. Preferably, the guide rib524may be configured to have length shorter than the length of the support bar523.

A UV light source525(seeFIG.10) for generating ultraviolet rays for sterilization and disinfection may be provided in at least a portion between the support bars523. However, any alternative light source525may be used. The UV light source525may be mounted to a substrate526, and the substrate526may be located in a portion of the introduction flow path521a.

The substrate526may be installed on the upper surface of the base plate521. Specifically, the substrate526may be placed on a position on the upper surface of the base plate521and between the introduction flow paths521a.In this case, the UV light source525may be located between the support bars523under which the substrate526is installed. That is, a gap between the support bars523located at the upper side of the introduction flow path521amay communicate with the associated introduction flow path521a,and the UV light source525may be located between the support bars523placed on the upper surface of the base plate521.

In addition, the UV light source525may provide a UV ray (or a plurality of UV rays) through a light guide plate528, and the light guide plate528may be inserted into a gap between the support bars523between which the associated UV light source525is located.

Furthermore, the pillar frame530constituting the air discharger500is a part which connects the top plate510with the footrest520and discharges air to a person.

Of course, the pillar frame530may function to support the top plate510.

Such a pillar frame530may include a plurality of pillar frames. The plurality of pillar frames530may be installed on at least two corners, respectively, of the top plate510or the footrest520. In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the pillar frames530are installed on the four corners of each of the top plate510and the corners of the footrest520and may extend between the corners of the top plate510and the corners of the footrest520, as an example.

A discharge nozzle part540which discharges air may be provided on the pillar frame530. That is, after air guided by the duct unit400flows through the pillar frame530, the air may be discharged through the discharge nozzle part540to a person.

Such a discharge nozzle part540may include a plurality of discharge nozzle parts, wherein the discharge nozzle parts may be located on the associated pillar frame530to be spaced apart from each other in the vertical direction of the associated pillar frame530. That is, a sufficient amount of air may be discharged to all of a person's upper and lower bodies.

The discharge nozzle parts540may be configured to have the same sizes, or to have sizes different from each other. For example, when it is considered that there may be more foreign matter on a person's body than on the person's head, a discharge nozzle part located at the center portion of the pillar frame530may be configured to discharge more air than discharge nozzle parts located at other portions of the pillar frame530.

FIGS.13to20illustrate the installed structure of the discharge nozzle parts540.

Each of the discharge nozzle parts540may be configured such that air is selectively supplied thereto. That is, only some discharge nozzle parts540may be controlled to discharge air or alternatively, all of the nozzle parts540may be controlled to discharge air.

Such a selective air discharge structure may prevent air from being discharged to a person's face such that discomfort and unpleasantness caused by air discharged to respiratory organs (a mouth and a nose) can be prevented.

To this end, the air discharger500may include a detector550which detects a person's height or face position.

The detector550may be configured as a face recognition camera. That is, the position of a person's face or a person's height may be detected by the detector550. Of course, the detector550may be configured to include a plurality of optical sensors so as to detect a person's height.

The detector550described above may be provided in each of the discharge nozzle parts540. That is, the detector550may be provided in each of the discharge nozzle parts540so as to more accurately detect person's height and face position.

The detector550may be provided in the pillar frame530, may be provided in the entrance hall, or may be provided in both the pillar frame530and the discharge nozzle part540.

In addition, the detector550may also detect whether a person has entered. For example, when a person is detected by the detector550, the blower fan320may be configured to be operated.

Furthermore, each of the discharge nozzle parts540may be configured to adjust the upward/downward discharge direction of air (i.e., the vertical direction in which the pillar frame530extends in). That is, due to the selective operation control of each of the discharge nozzle parts540, unnecessary air discharge toward a position higher than a person's height may be prevented, and due to the discharge direction adjustment of each of the discharge nozzle parts540, air discharge directly to a person's respiratory organ (i.e., air discharged directly to a person's mouth or face) may be prevented.

For example, when a person is a short person, such as a child, among a plurality of discharge nozzle parts540, a discharge nozzle part540located at a position higher than the height of the associated person may not discharge air. In addition, the discharge nozzle part540located at the same height as a person's face or at a height similar thereto may be prevented from discharging air to the person's face through the angle adjustment of the discharge nozzle part540.

To this end, the discharge nozzle part540may include a discharge casing542in which a discharge hole541through which air is discharged is formed. In this case, an exposure hole531may be formed in the pillar frame530, and the discharge casing542may be installed to be exposed to the outside (a side at which a person is positioned) of the pillar frame530by passing through the exposure hole531.

The discharge casing542may be configured to receive air from an air transfer duct543. The air transfer duct543is a duct which receives air from the second duct420and transfers the air to the discharge casing542, and may be installed along the inside of the pillar frame530.

The air transfer duct543may be configured to receive air from the second duct420through a guide tube421. For example, the guide tube421extending from the second duct420may be connected to the air transfer duct543. A plurality of guide tubes421may be provided, with each guide tube421installed to pass through a respective one of the corners of the top plate510by protruding from the lower surface of the second duct420. That is, the plurality of guide tubes421pass through the corners of the top plate510(i.e., four corners of the top plate510).

In this case, a through hole511may be formed in each of the corners of the top plate510such that the guide tube421passes through the through hole511, and in the upper surface of the pillar frame530, a portion facing the through hole511may be formed to be open.

Furthermore, the guide tube421and the air transfer duct543may be connected to each other directly or by a separate bendable tube.

Furthermore, the air transfer duct543may be configured to have a plurality of branch pipes543a(seeFIG.18) connected respectively to the discharge casings542. That is, each of the branch pipes543abranching from the air transfer duct543may be connected to each of the discharge casings542, respectively.

Particularly, a flow path opening/closing valve544configured to open/close the associated flow path may be provided in the connection portion of the branch pipe543awith the discharge casing542. The flow path opening/closing valve544may be configured as a valve operated by electrical control. For example, as illustrated in the drawing, the flow path opening/closing valve544may be configured as a shutter structure operated by a motor544a, and may be configured as a solenoid valve, or any other known valve.

Of course, the flow path opening/closing valve544may be configured to manually or automatically close or open the flow path.

Furthermore, the discharge casing542may be installed to perform the upward/downward inclination adjustment. That is, a rotation shaft542amay be mounted to each of the opposite wall surfaces of the discharge casing542such that the discharge casing542rotates upward/downward in the portion of the pillar frame530in which the exposure hole531is formed.

The connection portion between the branch pipe543aof the air transfer duct543and the discharge casing542may be configured to be bendable. Of course, the entirety of the air transfer duct543may be formed of a bendable material. For example, the air transfer duct543may be configured as a corrugated pipe or hose.

The discharge casing542may be configured such that the upward/downward inclination adjustment thereof is performed by a nozzle angle adjustment part560. That is, a user does not manipulate the angle of the discharge casing542, but the discharge casing542may be configured such that the angle of the discharge casing542is automatically adjusted by the nozzle angle adjustment part560.

The nozzle angle adjustment part560may be configured to rotate the rotation shaft542amounted to the discharge casing542clockwise/counterclockwise. Specifically, the nozzle angle adjustment part560may include an angle adjustment motor561, wherein the angle adjustment motor561may be connected to the rotation shaft542adirectly or by a power transmission member562such that power is transmitted therebetween.

In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the angle adjustment motor561is configured to transmit power to the rotation shaft542athrough the power transmission member562, as an example. In this case, the power transmission member562may be a chain or a belt. The angle adjustment motor561and the rotation shaft542amay be configured to be engaged with each other by gears, such that power is transmitted therebetween.

Particularly, the angle adjustment motor561of the nozzle angle adjustment part560may be configured to be provided in each of the discharge nozzle parts540. That is, since an air discharge angle is required to be changed according to a person's height or face position, each of the discharge nozzle parts540is preferably provided with the angle adjustment motor561.

One angle adjustment motor561may be configured to simultaneously operate a plurality of discharge nozzle parts540(discharge casings) provided in the associated pillar frame530.

The discharge casing542may be configured to be inclined upward and downward by an actuator or a structure using hydraulic pressure.

FIGS.21to30illustrate the rotation structure of the pillar frame530.

As illustrated in these drawings, the pillar frame530may be configured to rotate toward opposite sides relative to the top plate510or the footrest520.

That is, the upper surface of the pillar frame530may be rotate toward opposite sides relative to the top plate510, or the lower surface of the pillar frame530may be configured to rotate toward opposite sides relative to the footrest520. Accordingly, the pillar frame530may continuously discharge air toward a person when the person passes the hygiene management device for an entrance hall, such that contaminants are efficiently removed from the person.

All of the plurality of pillar frames530may be configured to rotate toward opposite sides. That is, according to the position of a person, the discharge nozzle part540(or the discharge hole) provided on each of the pillar frames530may discharge air toward the person. Accordingly, even if a person is located at one side of the upper surface of the footrest520, air may be discharged toward the person.

Furthermore, to rotate the pillar frame530, a pillar rotating part570may be provided on the upper surface of the top plate510.

The pillar rotating part570may include a rotary motor571and may be configured to adjust the rotation angle of the pillar frame530. That is, due to the operation of the rotary motor571, the pillar frame530may rotate toward opposite sides relative to the top plate510or the footrest520such that the discharge nozzle part540(or the discharge hole) is directed to a person. Accordingly, even if a person passes the hygiene management device for an entrance hall without stopping, the discharge nozzle part540may move to be directed toward the person so as to discharge a sufficient amount of air toward the person. Of course, even if a person moves to any one side of the footrest520, a sufficient amount of air may be discharged to the person.

In the pillar frames530, only some pillar frames530may be configured to rotate toward opposite sides. For example, two pillar frames530located at the opposite sides of the front side relative to the moving direction of a person may be fixedly located to face each other, and two pillar frames530located at the opposite sides of the rear side relative to the moving direction thereof may be configured to rotate. Alternatively, the two pillar frames530located at the opposite sides of the front side may be configured to rotate, and the two pillar frames530located at the opposite sides of the rear side may be fixedly located to face each other.

The pillar rotating part570may include rollers572a,572b,573a,and573b.

That is, the rotation of the pillar frame530may be supported by the rollers572a,572b,573a,and573b.

These rollers572aand572b,or573aand573bmay be provided on at least one of the surface of the pillar frame530opposing to the top plate510and the surface of the pillar frame530opposing to the footrest520, respectively.

For example, the upper rollers572aand572bmay be provided on the upper surface of the pillar frame530. In this case, upper guide grooves512aand512bmay be formed in the top plate510such that the upper rollers572aand572bare received in the upper guide grooves512aand512b,respectively, to move.

Alternatively, lower rollers573aand573bmay be provided on the lower surface of the pillar frame530. In this case, lower guide grooves527aand527bmay be formed in the footrest520such that the lower rollers573aand573bare received in the lower guide grooves527aand527b,respectively, to move.

It may be preferable that the upper rollers572aand572b, and the lower rollers573aand573bare provided on the upper and lower surfaces, respectively, of the associated pillar frame530such that the pillar frame530rotates uniformly in upper and lower portions thereof.

Particularly, the rollers572aand572bof the upper surface of the pillar frame530, and the rollers573aand573bof the lower surface of the pillar frame530may include a plurality of rollers, respectively, and the rollers572aand573a,and572band573bof the surfaces may be configured to move respectively in different directions. For example, the rollers572aand573aof the upper and lower surfaces, respectively, may be configured to move respectively along the guide groove512aand527aformed in the respective sides of the top plate510and the footrest520, and the other rollers572band573bof the upper and lower surfaces, respectively, may be configured to move respectively along the guide grooves512band527bformed in the respective other sides of the top plate510and the footrest520.

Due to the arrangement of each of the rollers572a,572b,573a,and573b,when a person passes between two pillar frames530, the two pillar frames530may be located to face each other, and after a person passes between two pillar frames530, the two pillar frames530may rotate and may be located to be directed to the person.

The pillar rotating part570may include a drive member574which transmits the driving force of the rotary motor571to any one roller572a.

That is, at least any one roller572aor573aof the rollers572a,572b,573a,and573bof the pillar frame530may be configured to receive power through the rotary motor571and the drive member574.

In this case, due to a drive member case575, the drive member574may rotate along a predetermined path to forcibly rotate any one roller572a.In addition, a rack gear may be formed on the inner surface of any one upper guide groove512a,and the upper roller572amay be configured as a pinion gear engaging with the rack gear.

That is, the roller572amay be configured to be forcibly rotated by the drive member574and to move along the rack gear. In this case, the roller572bof the associated pillar frame530may be installed to roll along the inner surface of the upper guide groove512b(a groove formed in a direction perpendicular to the one upper guide groove).

The roller572amay be configured to be forcibly moved along any one side of the top plate510by an actuator such that the associated pillar frame530can rotate at the corner of the top plate510.

Any one roller572amay be connected to the rotary motor571by a chain or gear so as to receive the power of the rotary motor571.

Meanwhile, the hygiene management device for an entrance hall according to the embodiment of the present disclosure may include a controller (i.e., a hardware embedded processor).

The controller may be configured to acquire various information for hygiene management through various hardware embedded sensors and to control the operation of each operation element by using the acquired information.

For example, the controller may check whether a person enters, the person's height or face position, and the person's position through information detected by the detector550.

The controller may control air blowing and the rotation of each of the pillar frames530. That is, the blower fan320and the rotary motor571maybe operated by the control of the controller.

The controller may control an air discharge direction. That is, the angle adjustment motor561maybe operated by the control of the controller.

The controller may control the air discharge of the discharge nozzle part540according to a person's height. That is, the controller may control the flow path opening/closing valve544provided in each of the discharge nozzle parts540such that air can be selectively discharged through each of the discharge nozzle parts540.

Various embodiments described herein may be implemented in a computer-readable medium using, for example, software, hardware, or some combination thereof. For example, the embodiments described herein may be implemented within one or more of Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), Digital Signal Processors (DSPs), Digital Signal Processing Devices (DSPDs), Programmable Logic Devices (PLDs), Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), processors, controllers, micro-controllers, microprocessors, other electronic units designed to perform the functions described herein, or a selective combination thereof. In some cases, such embodiments are implemented by the controller. That is, the controller is a hardware-embedded processor executing the appropriate algorithms (e.g., flowcharts) for performing the described functions and thus has sufficient structure. Also, the embodiments such as procedures and functions may be implemented together with separate software modules each of which performs at least one of functions and operations. The software codes can be implemented with a software application written in any suitable programming language. Also, the software codes can be stored in the memory and executed by the controller, thus making the controller a type of special purpose controller specifically configured to carry out the described functions and algorithms. Thus, the components shown in the drawings have sufficient structure to implement the appropriate algorithms for performing the described functions.

Hereinafter, the operation of the hygiene management device for an entrance hall according to the embodiment of the present disclosure described above will be described.

When a person enters the entrance space and stands on the footrest520, the detector550may detect the person.

Of course, the person may be detected by a sensor in addition to the detector550. For example, a sensor which detects the opening of an entrance door (an outside door) or a motion sensor provided in the entrance space may detect the entering of a person, as known in the art.

In addition, when the entering of a person is detected by the detector550, the controller may operate the blower fan320on the basis of the detected information. Accordingly, the air blowing force may be generated. Of course, from the time when the outside door is opened, the controller may control the blower fan320such that the blower fan320is operated.

Furthermore, when the air blowing force is generated due to the operation of the blower fan320, air introduction force is transmitted through the air management module200and the footrest520to the entrance space, and thus the air of the entrance space may be transferred through the introduction flow paths521aof the footrest520to the air management module200.

That is, the air may flow through the introduction slots523alocated between the support bars523of the footrest520into the introduction flow paths521a,and may be collected in the communication flow path522a,and then may be transferred through the fixed connection duct210to the air management module200.

Furthermore, while the air transferred to the air management module200flows through the filter housing220, the air may pass through the filters223. In this case, while the air passes through the filters223, foreign matter and moisture contained in the air may be removed.

In addition, while the air passing sequentially through the filters223passes through the heat exchanger or heater, the temperature of the air may rise (lower) to preset temperature.

Continuously, the air may be introduced through the filter housing220into the fan housing310. Additionally, the air introduced into the fan housing310, by the guidance of the blower fan320, may pass through the associated fan housing310and may be supplied sequentially to the first duct410and the second duct420.

In addition, the air supplied to the second duct420may be supplied through the guide tubes421to the air transfer duct543located in each of the pillar frames530. Continuously, the air supplied to the air transfer duct543may be supplied through each of the branch pipes543ainto the discharge casing542of each of the discharge nozzle parts540, and then may be discharged through the discharge hole541to a person.

Furthermore, the discharged air may be introduced back to the introduction flow path521aof the footrest520and then may flow sequentially through the air management module200, the fan assembly300, and the duct unit400. In this manner, air circulation may be repeatedly performed.

Accordingly, dust, moisture, contaminants introduced to the entrance space by being attached to a person's clothes, shoes, or body may be removed in the entrance space, and the person may enter an indoor area with the contaminants removed.

Meanwhile, when the hygiene management of a person described above is performed, the detector550may detect a person's height or face position, and information on the detected height or face position may be transmitted to the controller.

In addition, the controller may determine the associated person's position on the basis of the person's height or face position information. That is, the controller may determine where the person is located on the top surface of the footrest520with the information which the controller has acquired.

Furthermore, after completing determination on the person's height or face position and the person's position, the controller may control the opposite side rotations of each of the pillar frames530on the basis of the determined information. That is, the controller may control the operation of each of the rotary motors571to adjust the opposite side rotation angles of each of the pillar frames530such that the discharge hole541of the discharge nozzle part540is directed to a person.

Accordingly, a sufficient amount of air may be discharged toward a person regardless of a position at which the person is standing for hygiene management. Of course, even when at least two persons enter at the same time, a sufficient amount of air may be discharged to the two persons.

In addition, the controller may control the operation of each of the flow path opening/closing valves544such that the discharge hole541of the discharge nozzle part540which discharges air to a position above a person's height is closed. That is, air may not be discharged to the discharge nozzle part540located at the same or higher position than a person's height. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent unnecessary air discharge and perform intensive air discharge to a person.

In addition, the controller may control the operation of each of the angle adjustment motors561such that the discharge hole541of the discharge nozzle part540is not directed to a person's face. That is, air may not be discharged to a person's face to prevent the person from feeling unpleasant.

Meanwhile, the controller may control the operation of the discharge nozzle part540according to the movement of a person.

That is, the controller may continuously check a person's position and height or face position through the detector550, and may continuously control each of the rotary motors571and each of the angle adjustment motors561on the basis of the checked person's position and height or face position.

Accordingly, even if a person passes through the hygiene management device without stopping, the hygiene management device may discharge a sufficient amount of air to the person, and may remove as many contaminants as possible from the person.

Finally, in the hygiene management device for an entrance hall of the present disclosure, air may be discharged to a person at a plurality of positions around the person, so contaminants such as dust attached to the clothing of a person may be efficiently removed.

Furthermore, in the hygiene management device for an entrance hall of the present disclosure, air may be discharged in consideration of a person's height, and thus may not be discharged to a position above the person's height, so unnecessary air discharge may be prevented. That is, it is possible to perform intensive air discharge to a person, so the performance of removing foreign matter attached to the clothing of the person may be improved.

Furthermore, in the hygiene management device for an entrance hall of the present disclosure, air may be discharged in consideration of a person's face position, so the person may be prevented from having difficulty in breathing or feeling unpleasant due to air discharge.

Furthermore, in the hygiene management device for an entrance hall of the present disclosure, each of the pillar frames530may be installed to be rotatable toward opposite sides, so air may be discharged to a person regardless of a position at which the person is standing.

Furthermore, in the hygiene management device for an entrance hall of the present disclosure, each of the pillar frames530may be installed to be rotatable toward opposite sides, so even if a person is moving without stopping, air may be discharged to the person.

Meanwhile, in the hygiene management device for an entrance hall of the present disclosure, air may be discharged even through the top plate.

For example, a separate air duct connecting the inner space of the second duct with the top plate may be provided, so air may be discharged even to the top plate.

A blower fan may be provided in the air duct, so when required, air may be discharged to the top plate, or the pressure of air discharged from the top plate may be controlled.

When the air duct and the blower fan are added, in consideration of a person's height, the amount or pressure of air discharged from the top plate may be controlled. That is, air may be discharged at high pressure to a short person such that a sufficient amount of air is discharged to the person. Air may be discharged at low pressure to a tall person such that giving discomfort to the person due to excessive air discharge can be prevented.

Accordingly, the hygiene management device for an entrance hall of the present disclosure may be variously embodied.

The present invention being thus described, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the present invention, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims.