# US 11,896,745 B2 · Deodorization module and storage device including deodorization module

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- Number: US 11,896,745 B2
- Document ID: US11896745B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 17/379,407
- Filed: 2021-07-19
- Published: 2022-01-13
- Granted: 2024-02-13
- Earliest claimed: 2016-06-02
- Assignees: Seoul Viosys Co., Ltd.
- Applicants: Seoul Viosys Co., Ltd.
- Inventors: Jae Hak Jeong; Ji Won Kim; Byeong Cheol Ju; Sang Cheol Shin; Woong Ki Jung
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11896745B2

## CPC

- A61L 9/205: {using a photocatalyst or photosensitiser}
- A61L 9/20: Ultraviolet radiation
- F25D 17/04: for circulating air, e.g. by convection
- F25D 17/042: {Air treating means within refrigerated spaces (air conditioning in general F24F)}
- A61L 2209/12: Lighting means
- F25D 2317/0415: by deodorizing
- F25D 2317/0417: using an UV-lamp
- F25D 2317/0681: Details thereof
- A61L: METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES (preservation of bodies or disinfecting characterised by the agents employed A01N; preserving, e.g. sterilising, food or foodstuffs A23; preparations for medical, dental or toiletry purposes A61K)
- F25D: REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR (refrigerated showcases A47F3/04; thermally-insulated vessels for domestic use A47J41/00; refrigerated vehicles, see the appropriate subclasses of classes B60 - B64; containers with thermal insulation in general B65D81/38; heat-transfer, heat-exchange or heat-storage materials, e.g. refrigerants, or materials for the production of heat or cold by chemical reactions other than by combustion C09K5/00; thermally-insulated vessels for liquefied or solidified gases F17C; air-conditioning or air-humidification F24F; refrigeration machines, plants, or systems F25B; cooling of instruments or comparable apparatus without refrigeration G12B)

## Abstract

A deodorization module includes a housing having a bar securing member and a substrate securing member, and formed of a reflective material, wherein each of the bar securing member and the substrate securing member protrudes inward from an inner side surface of the housing and has a groove. A photocatalyst bar is disposed such that air introduced into the housing passes through the photocatalyst bar. A light source module including a light source substrate and an ultraviolet (UV) light source is disposed on a first surface of the light source substrate, wherein the light source module is configured to emit light toward the photocatalyst bar. An external guide protrudes outward around an outer periphery of the housing.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A sterilization module comprising:
a housing including a bar fixed member and a substrate fixed member, and formed of a reflective material, wherein each of the bar fixed member and the substrate fixed member protrudes inward from an inner side surface of the housing and comprises a groove;
a photocatalyst bar disposed such that air introduced into the housing passes through the photocatalyst bar;
a light source module including a light source substrate and an ultraviolet (UV) light source disposed on a first surface of the light source substrate, wherein the light source module is configured to emit light toward the photocatalyst bar; and
an external guide protruding outward around an outer periphery of the housing such that the external guide protrudes outward around an outer periphery of the housing to thereby hold the housing in place within the external guide,
wherein the photocatalyst bar is secured in the housing by inserting a side surface of the photocatalyst bar into the groove of the bar fixed member,
wherein the light source module is secured in the housing by inserting at least of a region of the light source substrate into the groove of the substrate fixed member,
wherein the external guide is of a shape so as to enable only a first region of the sterilization module to be exposed to an external space of the housing and a second region of the sterilization module to not be exposed to an external space of the housing, and
wherein an amount of the sterilization module that is not exposed to an external space of the housing is determined based on a distance from a lower surface of the sterilization module that the external guide is fitted around the outer periphery of the housing, to the external guide.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The sterilization module according to claim 1, wherein the housing has an upper surface and a lower surface that are substantially parallel to each other and that are separated from each other by a fixed distance,
wherein the external guide is fitted around the outer periphery of the housing so as to be substantially parallel to the upper surface and the lower surface of the housing, and
wherein based on whether the external guide that is fitted around the outer periphery of the housing is moved closer to the upper surface or the lower surface of the housing results in the first region and the second region of the sterilization module being adjustable.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The sterilization module according to claim 1, wherein the external guide is fitted around the outer periphery of the housing so as to be substantially parallel to an upper surface and a lower surface of the housing.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The sterilization module according to claim 1, wherein the photocatalyst bar comprises a plurality of through-holes.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The sterilization module according to claim 1, wherein the photocatalyst bar is disposed between the light source substrate and a discharge hole.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The sterilization module according to claim 1, wherein the photocatalyst bar is formed of at least one material of a ceramic and metal.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The sterilization module according to claim 1, wherein the light source module includes a plurality of UV light sources.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The sterilization module according to claim 1, wherein the light source module further includes a plate of metal material disposed on a second surface of the light source substrate.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The sterilization module according to claim 1, further comprising spaces disposed above and below the light source module.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The sterilization module according to claim 9, wherein the air introduced into the housing moves to the photocatalyst bar through the spaces disposed above and below the light source module.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The sterilization module according to claim 1, wherein the external guide is secured in an external component providing the external space of the housing.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The sterilization module according to claim 1, further including a control region for controlling the light source module.

### Claim 13 (depends on 1)

The sterilization module according to claim 1, the bar fixed member and the substrate fixed member are formed separately from the housing.

### Claim 14

A sterilization module comprising:
a housing including a bar fixed member and a substrate fixed member, and formed of a reflective material, wherein each of the bar fixed member and the substrate fixed member protrudes inward from an inner side surface of the housing and has a groove;
a photocatalyst bar disposed such that air introduced into the housing passes through the photocatalyst bar;
a light source module including a light source substrate and at least one ultraviolet (UV) light source on a first surface of the light source substrate, the light source module configured to emit light toward the photocatalyst bar; and
an external guide protruding outward around an outer periphery of the housing,
wherein the photocatalyst bar is secured in the housing by inserting a side surface of the photocatalyst bar into the groove of the bar fixed member,
wherein side surfaces of the photocatalyst bar contact inner side surfaces of the housing, respectively,
wherein the light source module is secured in the housing by inserting at least of a region of the light source substrate into the groove of the substrate fixed member,
wherein the sterilization module is secured in an external component providing an external space of the housing by the external guide,
wherein the external guide is of a shape so as to enable only a first region of the sterilization module to be exposed to an external space of the housing and a second region of the sterilization module to not be exposed to an external space of the housing,
wherein the external guide is fitted around the outer periphery of the housing so as to be substantially parallel to an upper surface and a lower surface of the housing, and
wherein an amount of the sterilization module that is not exposed to an external space of the housing is determined based on a distance from a lower surface of the sterilization module that the external guide is fitted around the outer periphery of the housing, to the external guide.

### Claim 15 (depends on 14)

The sterilization module according to claim 14, wherein the housing has an upper surface and a lower surface that are substantially parallel to each other and that are separated from each other by a fixed distance,
wherein the external guide is fitted around the outer periphery of the housing so as to be substantially parallel to the upper surface and the lower surface of the housing, and
wherein based on whether the external guide that is fitted around the outer periphery of the housing is moved closer to the upper surface or the lower surface of the housing results in the first region and the second region of the sterilization module being adjustable.

### Claim 16 (depends on 14)

The sterilization module according to claim 14, wherein the photocatalyst bar is formed of at least one material of a ceramic and metal.

### Claim 17 (depends on 14)

The sterilization module according to claim 14, wherein the light source module further includes a plate of metal material disposed on a second surface of the light source substrate.

### Claim 18 (depends on 14)

The sterilization module according to claim 14, including:
spaces disposed above and below the light source module, and
wherein the air introduced into the housing moves to the photocatalyst bar through the spaces disposed above and below the light source module.

### Claim 19 (depends on 14)

The sterilization module according to claim 14, further including a control region for controlling the light source module.
