Patent ID: 12226541

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

For illustrative purpose only, embodiments of the present invention disclosed herein will be described in terms of specific structures and functions. The embodiments of the present invention may be implemented in various ways and therefore should not be construed as limiting the present invention.

Various modifications may be made in various ways to the embodiments of the present invention. Among these, specific embodiments will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, this description does not limit the embodiments of the present invention to the disclosed specific embodiments. All alterations, equivalents, and substitutes that are included within the technical idea of the present invention should be understood as falling within the scope of the present invention.

The terms first, second, and so on may be used to describe various constituent elements but should not limit these constituent elements. These terms are only used to distinguish one constituent element from another. For instance, a first constituent element may be termed a second constituent element without departing from the scope of each claim that defines the present invention. Likewise, the second constituent element may also be termed the first constituent element.

It should be understood that, when a constituent element is referred to as being “coupled to” or “connected to” a different constituent element, the constituent element may be coupled to or connected to the different constituent element, or an intervening constituent element may also be present therebetween. In contrast, it should be understood that, when a constituent element is referred to as being “directly coupled to” or “directly connected to” a different constituent element, no intervening constituent element is present therebetween. Expressions describing a relationship between constituent elements, such as “between” and “directly between”, and “adjacent to” and “directly adjacent to”, should be construed in the same manner.

The terms used herein are only for describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the present invention. A noun in the singular is construed as that in the plural, except as distinctively expressed in context. It should be understood that, throughout the present specification, the term “include”, “have”, or the like is intended to indicate that a feature, a number, a step, an operation, a constituent element, a component, or any combination thereof is present, without precluding the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, constituent elements, or any combination thereof.

Unless otherwise defined, each of all terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, has the same meaning as is normally understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains. The term as defined in commonly used dictionaries should be construed as having the same meaning in context as that in the related art and, unless otherwise explicitly defined in the present specification, should not be construed as having an excessively implied meaning or a purely literal meaning.

Preferable embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The same reference numbers refer to the same constituent elements throughout the drawings.

FIG.1illustrates a vehicle equipped with a system for eliminating a virus within a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention.FIG.2illustrates a configuration of the system for eliminating a virus within a vehicle according to the embodiment of the present invention.

With reference toFIGS.1and2, the system for eliminating a virus within a vehicle according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a sterilizer10, a detection sensor20, and a sterilization controller30. The sterilizer10is positioned within a vehicle and eliminates a virus while the sterilizer10operates. The detection sensor20detects whether or not an occupant is present within the vehicle. The sterilization controller30controls operation of the sterilizer10with a preset operation profile on the basis of a result of the detection sensor20detecting whether or not the occupant is present within the vehicle.

The sterilizer10may be a device that eliminates a microbe that is spread into the vehicle or be a device that eliminates particularly a virus that is spread in the vehicle. The elimination here of the virus includes all preventive actions for making it impossible for the virus to integrate into a host, such as destroying or deactivating the virus.

The detection sensor20detects whether or not the occupant is present within the vehicle. Occupants here include a human, a family pet, and a domestic or tamed animal.

The detection sensor20, for example, may be a pressure sensor installed in a seat, a camera sensor that photographs the inside of the vehicle, or a thermal detection sensor20.

Furthermore, the detection sensor20may be a gas detection sensor20that detects a concentration of carbon dioxide. The detection sensor20detects a change in the concentration of carbon dioxide within the vehicle and thus detects whether or not an occupant is present.

In a case where the detection sensor20detects that an occupant is not present, the sterilization controller30controls the operation of the sterilizer10with the preset operation profile.

The present operation profile here includes the time, the sterilization level, and the like for the operation of the sterilizer10, such as an ultraviolet light generator11or an ozone generator12that will be described below.

Particularly, the preset operation profile may be changed depending on an elimination condition that will be described below. According to an embodiment, the preset operation profile may be changed according to the number of occupants in the vehicle, the time for which the occupant is present within the vehicle, and the like.

The sterilization controller30according to the embodiment of the present invention is realized by a nonvolatile memory (not illustrated) and a processor (not illustrated). The nonvolatile memory stores data associated with an algorithm developed to control operation of each of various components of the vehicle or with a software command for executing the algorithm. The processor performs a below-described operation using the data stored in the memory. The memory and processor described here are realized as individual chips. Alternatively, the memory and processor may be realized as a single integrated chip. The processor may include one or more processors.

Additionally, a vehicle controller40determines whether or not an elimination condition for eliminating a virus spread into a vehicle is satisfied.

According to an embodiment, the elimination condition may be that an occupant should be present within a vehicle for a preset time or longer and then should get off the vehicle. The vehicle here may be a driverless vehicle, such as a robotaxi. In this case, when an occupant gets off the vehicle and a door is closed, the elimination condition is satisfied.

The sterilizer10may be an ultraviolet light generator11emitting UV-C light into the vehicle. The ultraviolet light generator11may be an ultraviolet light lamp that generates ultraviolet light and emits the generated ultraviolet light into the vehicle.

The UV-C light has a wavelength of 100 nm to 280 nm and is known to be particularly effective in eliminating a virus.

The sterilizer10may be an ozone generator12that generates ozone gas and introduces the generated ozone gas into the vehicle.

The ozone generator12, mounted inside the vehicle, independently generates ozone gas inside the vehicle or supplies ozone gas generated outside the vehicle into the vehicle.

When ozone decomposes to molecular oxygen, this molecular oxygen reacts with another substance for its oxidation. A bacterium, a microbe, or a virus is eliminated using this property of ozone.

According to an embodiment, the sterilization controller30sequentially enables the ozone generator12and the ultraviolet light generator11to operate. Thus, the ozone gas within the vehicle is eliminated with the ultralight light.

The sterilization controller30first enables the ozone generator12to operate to introduce ozone gas into the vehicle. After a preset operating time has elapsed, the sterilization controller30enables the ultraviolet light generator11to operate.

The ultraviolet light generator11emits ultraviolet light into the vehicle, and thus the ozone gas introduced into the vehicle decomposes into oxygen. Accordingly, the ozone gas is eliminated without being discharged out of the vehicle.

According to another embodiment, an air conditioning system in the vehicle is enabled to operate in a mode in which outdoor air flows into and out of the vehicle, and thus the ozone gas within the vehicle is eliminated.

The system for eliminating a virus within a vehicle may further include an ozone sensor70and a vehicle controller40. The ozone sensor70detects a concentration of ozone within the vehicle. The vehicle controller40determines an operating state of the sterilizer10on the basis of the concentration of ozone, detected by the ozone sensor70.

The ozone sensor70detects the concentration of ozone gas in inside air within the vehicle. When the concentration of ozone gas is equal to or lower than a preset concentration X, the vehicle controller40determines that the operation of the sterilizer10is completed. Conversely, when the concentration of zone is higher than the preset concentration X, the vehicle controller40determines that the operation of the sterilizer10is not completed and that a state of being harmful to a human body is thus maintained.

According to another embodiment, the sterilization controller30selectively activates any one of the ozone generator12and the ultraviolet light generator11, depending on a condition for operating the sterilizer10.

The condition here for operating the sterilizer10is any one of the following: malfunctioning of one or both of the ozone generator12and the ultraviolet light generator11, limiting of the time for sterilization, and satisfying of the above-described elimination condition for eliminating a virus.

According to an embodiment, in a case where the time for sterilization is limited, the ultraviolet light generator11is enabled to operate. Conversely, in a case where the time for sterilization is equal to or longer than a preset time limit, the ozone generator12is enabled to operate.

The system for eliminating a virus within a vehicle may further include a locking device60and a vehicle controller40. The locking device60enables or disables opening of a door of the vehicle. While the sterilizer10operates, the vehicle controller40controls the locking device60to disable the opening of the door of the vehicle.

The locking device60is a device that is controlled by the vehicle controller40and operates to enable or disable the opening of the door of the vehicle. In a state where the sterilizer10operates, the vehicle controller40controls the locking device60to disable the opening of the door of the vehicle.

In order to eliminate a virus, the sterilizer10generates ultraviolet light, ozone gas, or the like that has the likelihood of having a harmful effect on the human body. Therefore, in a state where the sterilizer10operates, the opening of the door of the vehicle is disabled to prevent a person from entering the vehicle.

The system for eliminating a virus within a vehicle may further include a door sensor50and a vehicle controller40. The door sensor50detects whether or not the door of the vehicle is opened. When the door sensor50detects that the door of the vehicle is opened, the vehicle controller40controls the sterilization controller30to interrupt the operation of the sterilizer10.

Although controlled by the locking device60, the door sensor50detects whether or not the door of the vehicle is opened. When the door sensor50detects that the door of the vehicle is opened, the vehicle controller40controls the sterilization controller30to immediately interrupt the operation of the sterilizer10.

Additionally, when the door sensor50detects that the door of the vehicle is opened, the vehicle controller40provides a health warning to the occupant inside the vehicle or to the outside.

Specifically, the vehicle controller40is connected to a warning provision device90. While the sterilizer10operates, when it is detected that the door of the vehicle is opened, the vehicle controller40controls the warning provision device90to provide the health warning to the occupant inside the vehicle or to the outside.

According to an embodiment, the warning provision device90may be a lamp, a horn, a speaker, or the like that is installed in the vehicle. The warning provision device90provides a visual health warning, an audio health warning, or the like to the occupant inside the vehicle or to the outside.

The system for eliminating a virus within a vehicle may further include a vehicle controller40that indicates an operating state of the sterilizer10to the outside or transmits operating data thereof to the outside.

Specifically, the vehicle controller40is connected to the warning provision device90and controls the warning provision device90to indicate the operating state of the sterilizer10to the outside. Alternatively, the vehicle controller40is connected to a communication device80and controls the communication device80to transmit the operating data to the outside.

According to an embodiment, the warning provision device90may be a lamp attached to the outside of the vehicle. The operation state of the sterilizer10is indicated by changing a color of light emitted from the lamp.

According to an embodiment, the communication device80may be a device that wirelessly communicates with a remote vehicle control system S. Particularly, the operating data of the sterilizer10is transmitted to the remote vehicle control system S.

According to an embodiment, the vehicle may be an autonomous vehicle that is controlled by the remote vehicle control system S. The remote vehicle control system S may be a service platform that provides an autonomous taxi service. In a case where it is determined on the basis of the received operating data of the sterilizer10that the operating state of the sterilizer10is a completely sterilized state, the remote control system S performs matching to a new occupant (customer).

FIG.3is a flowchart illustrating a method of eliminating a virus within a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention.

With reference toFIG.3, the method of eliminating a virus within a vehicle according to the embodiment of the present invention includes Step S100of determining whether or not an elimination condition for eliminating a virus spread into a vehicle is satisfied, Step S200of detecting whether or not an occupant is present within the vehicle, when the elimination condition is satisfied, and Step S300of controlling operation of a sterilizer eliminating the virus spread within the vehicle, with a preset operation profile, on the basis of a result of the detection of whether or not the occupant is present within the vehicle.

In Step S300of controlling operation of a sterilizer, an ultraviolet light generator emitting UV-C light into the vehicle may be enabled to operate (S330).

In Step S300of controlling operation of a sterilizer, ozone gas may be generated and the generated ozone gas is introduced into the vehicle (S320).

Step S300of controlling operation of a sterilizer may include Step S320of generating ozone gas and introducing the generated ozone gas into the vehicle, and Step S330of enabling an ultraviolet light generator emitting the UV-C light into the vehicle to operate and thus eliminating the zone gas.

The method of eliminating a virus within a vehicle may further include Step S400of detecting a concentration of ozone gas within the vehicle, and Step S500of determining an operating state of the sterilizer on the basis of the concentration of ozone, detected by an ozone sensor. Step S400and Step S500are performed subsequently to Step S300of controlling operation of a sterilizer.

In Step S300of controlling operation of a sterilizer, depending on a condition for operating the sterilizer, the ultraviolet light generator emitting the UV-C light into the vehicle may be selectively generated (S330), or ozone gas may be generated and the generated ozone gas may be introduced into the vehicle (S320).

Particularly, Step S300of controlling operation of a sterilizer may include Step S310of closing a door of the vehicle before introducing the ozone gas (S320) or before emitting the UV-C light (S330).

In Step S300of controlling operation of a sterilizer, while the sterilizer operates, a locking device may be controlled to disable opening of the door of the vehicle (S310).

In Step S300of controlling operation of a sterilizer, when a door sensor detects that the door of the vehicle is opened, the operation of the sterilizer may be interrupted (S350).

In Step S300of controlling operation of a sterilizer, when the door sensor detects that the door of the vehicle is opened, a health warning may be provided to the occupant inside the vehicle or to the outside (S350).

The method of eliminating a virus within a vehicle may further include Step S600of indicating an operating state of the sterilizer to the outside or transmitting operating data thereof to the outside. Step S600is performed subsequently to Step S300of controlling operation of the sterilizer.

The specific embodiments of the present invention are illustrated and described, and it would be obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art that various modifications and alterations are possibly made to the present invention without departing from the technical idea of the present invention that is claimed in the following claims.