BG4432U1 - Personal air disinfection device which includes a half-mask with a respiratory chamber - Google Patents

Abstract

The personal air disinfection device according to the present utility model comprises a transparent half-mask (1) and a UVC LED disinfection module (2) for disinfecting air streams, wherein said module includes UVC LEDs (3) connected to a power supply unit and to an air chamber (12) which has internal walls coated with some reflective material the reflection factor of which in the UVC spectrum is above 70 %, and a transparent removable barrier (10) placed between the UVC LEDs (3) and the air chamber (12). The device features high rate of disinfection and ease of use.

Description

The utility model relates to a personal air disinfection device comprising a half-mask with a breathing chamber that does not impede breathing and provides protection, upon inhalation and exhalation, from airborne infectious diseases. The utility model is used, in particular, in the field of personal protection in medicine, diagnostics and elsewhere, both in open and closed spaces.

Prior art

In cases of an airborne infectious disease pandemic, various methods of sterilization and disinfection are needed to reduce the spread of infection and the likelihood of a person becoming infected. A widely used disinfection method in the prior art is the use of ultraviolet radiation, in particular UVC radiation. The ways of using this radiation are different, such as, for example, KR 20180067992 A describes a solution that is used as a device for sterilizing a bed, a device for mounting an air conditioner to sterilize passing air, a device for sterilizing a liquid in a cup, a device for sterilizing items in a wardrobe.

For personal protection of inhaled and exhaled air, half-face masks are used, which cover a person's nose and mouth. After studying the size of the viruses, the World Health Organization concluded that these personal protective equipment are adequate to protect the user from infection in terms of respiratory protection. For them, the harmonized standard, EN 149:2001 + A1:2009 has foreseen the possibility of the following three classes of protection:

- FFP1 type masks that filter 50% of the outside air,

- FFP2 masks that filter 92% of outside air,

- FFP3 masks that filter 98% of outside air.

It is noted that there is no 100% filtration of outside air when using them and there is always a danger of so-called "leakage" of outside air when inhaled. In general, masks are made of textiles that are opaque and allow viruses from the environment to pass through them when inhaled, and be released by the user when exhaled. In addition, this type of mask causes suffocation due to an increase in the concentration of carbon dioxide and the creation of a micro-environment. Also, when speaking, outside air enters between the person's face and the contours of the half mask during inhalation and some of the exhaled air escapes.

From the prior art, a solution for personal protection against viruses is known, which is a half mask with a main protective body for hermetically fitting a face with sealing zones at the end, in which an air body is formed an air cavity to provide a space in front of the mouth and nose of a user, as in the sealing area of the half-mask, UV LED diodes are located for continuous disinfection of the passing air flow, connected to a source of electricity. High efficiency UVC radiation is used. A disadvantage of this solution is the need for very careful operation on the part of the user in order not to irradiate his face, as well as the danger of incorrect or incorrect installation, which leads to a high degree of risk for device failure and human health. Another disadvantage is that the disinfection takes place after the particulate filters and thus does not ensure the destruction of bacteria, viruses and other microorganisms that accumulate in the filter part and lead to contamination of the system.

Technical nature of the utility model

The object of the utility model is to provide an innovative design of a personal air disinfection device with a half mask for personal protection, which does not impede breathing and has increased capabilities for sterilizing the air passing through it, and is more comfortable to wear by user.

This task is solved by creating a personal air disinfection device, including a half mask with a UVC LED module for air flow disinfection, according to the utility model. The half mask has a main protective body for hermetically fitting the face with sealing zones at the end, in which an air body is formed an air cavity to provide space in front of the face and nose of a user. The half mask is connected via an air duct to the UVC LED module. The UVC LED Airflow Disinfection Module includes UVC LEDs connected to a power supply and a disinfection air chamber in which internal baffles are formed. The power supply includes a UV-LED driver to provide current and a source of electricity, such as a rechargeable battery with a charging connector or another type of battery, such as a lithium-ion battery. The disinfection air chamber has at least one air inlet/outlet to the outside environment and at least one air inlet/outlet to the half mask cavity. The air chamber has internal walls, which, together with the partitions, are covered with a reflective material with a reflection coefficient in the UVC spectrum of more than 70%. The UVC LED air flow disinfection module also includes a transparent barrier located between the UVC LEDs and the air chamber, which ensures the passage of UVC radiation from the diodes to the air passing through the air chamber. The transparent partition together with the internal partitions forms a labyrinth structure of the air chamber. The transparent baffle may be removable to facilitate the assembly process of the UVC LED module.

In a preferred embodiment of the utility model, the reflective material is magnesium fluoride (MgF ₂ ) or polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), but may alternatively be any other suitable material.

The high level of disinfection of the air flow is obtained by using the multiple reflections of the UVC radiant flow and lengthening the path and swirling of the inhaled and exhaled air.

In one embodiment, the half mask and the UVC LED airflow disinfection module are connected directly to each other.

In another embodiment, the UVC LED airflow disinfection module includes fasteners for attachment to a human body and a flexible air passage hose passing from the air inlet/outlet to an outside environment of the UVC LED module to the inlet/outlet on the half mask. The means of attachment may be a belt and/or straps, or other suitable means.

Preferably, the half mask is made of a transparent material, for example PVC, to provide visualization of the part of a person's face covered by the half mask.

Preferably, the personal air sanitizing device includes a means for turning the UVC LED module on and off, providing the ability to use the UVC LED module as per the user's choice, and thus save energy when such use is not required.

Advantages of the utility model are that it has the following features:

- removal of viruses, bacteria, microbes, including Covid19 viruses, from inhaled and exhaled air by active irradiation with UVC LED radiant flow;

- regulation of the intensity of the radiant flow depending on the flow rate of inhaled and exhaled air;

- removing the high humidity of the exhaled air and thus limiting the condensation on the walls of the UVC LED camera;

- limiting the possibility of "suction" between the half-mask and the individual's face during inhalation and "exhalation" of air between the half-mask and the face during exhalation;

- sensitive limitation of "air" resistance during inhalation and exhalation, that is, facilitation of the process of inhalation and exhalation.

Explanation of the attached figures

Figure 1 represents a preferred embodiment of the utility model in which the personal air disinfection device is used with a clear eye mask.

Figure 2 is an exploded view of a preferred embodiment of the UVC LED module.

Figure 3 is a sectional view of a preferred embodiment of the UVC LED module.

List of reference numbers

Half face mask;

2. UVC LED air flow disinfection module;

3. UVC LEDs;

4. UV-LED driver;

5. Coupling for charging from a stationary power supply device;

6. Means for turning the UVC LED module on and off;

7. Accumulator battery;

8. Internal partitions;

9. Air inlet/outlet to the half mask cavity;

10. Transparent barrier;

11. Inlet/outlet for air to the outside environment;

12. Air chamber through which the inhaled and exhaled air passes.

Example implementation of the utility model

The personal air disinfection device, according to the utility model, includes a transparent half mask 1, connected via an air channel is a UVC LED module 2 for air flow disinfection.

The transparent half mask 1 may be made of PVC or other suitable material. It is placed over the user's nose and mouth in such a way as to allow free movement of the lower jaw when speaking, and so that no "leakage" occurs during inhalation between the person's face and the half mask 1, thus preventing pass air both inhaling and exhaling. The transparent material eliminates the possibility that the half mask 1 provides a certain degree of anonymity to the person wearing it. In addition, it helps to better perceive the speech, seeing the movement of the lips.

The air channel is formed by the air inlet/outlet 9 of the UVC LED module 2 connected to the inlet/outlet of the half-mask 1 and the cavity of the half-mask 1.

At the front, in the lower part (i.e. under the lower jaw of the user) of the face half mask 1, the UVC LED module 2 is installed for the disinfection of inhaled and exhaled air, which is disinfected with an appropriate dose of UVC radiant flux, depending on the flow rate of inhalations and exhaled air. The UVC LED module consists of a PVC air chamber 12 having baffles forming a wavy maze-like structure. The air chamber 12 has inner walls coated with a high UVC reflection coefficient, such as magnesium fluoride (MgF2) or polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) - materials that provide a UVC reflection coefficient of about 90% at a wavelength λ = between 260 and 270 nm , for example 265 nm. In this way, multiple reflections of the UVC radiant flux are provided inside the chamber 12, between its walls. In the middle of the UVC LED module there is a removable transparent partition 10 made of transparent quartz glass, through which the path of inhaled and exhaled air is extended, and which does not interfere with the multiple reflections of the UVC radiant flow between the walls of the chamber 12, but on the contrary - passes the UVC LED the radiant flow of diodes 3 and the reflected radiant flow and, together with the shape of the chamber 12, swirls the inhaled and exhaled air, as a result of the direction of the air flows and their swirling, they pass in close proximity to the emitting surface of the diodes 3. In this way, determined an amount of air (breathed and exhaled) is irradiated twice by the direct UVC radiant flux, and repeatedly by the radiant flux resulting from multiple reflections, thus obtaining an "amplifier" of the UVC radiant flux. The path of the inhaled and exhaled air is extended in the UVC LED module 2, and the air is also swirled, by a removable transparent partition 10 and the labyrinth shape of the air chamber 12 for disinfection, in which the internal partitions 8 are formed, as seen in figure 3 Thus, the air is directed to pass in close proximity to the emitting surface of the UVC LED diodes 3 of the UVC LED module, which have a maximum spectral emission at a wavelength λ = between 260 and 270 nm, for example 265 nm. This is the wavelength recommended for the destruction of the Covid virus in technical report REPORT No. 155:2003 of the CIE (International Commission on Illumination). In REPORT No. 155:2003, a dose of 10^20 mJ/cm ² of the radiant flux is recommended for the destruction of Covid 19 in air decontamination, providing 99.9% protection from Covid 19. The design of the device, according to the utility model, provides irradiation of the air stream for at least one millisecond, which ensures the high degree of disinfection of the air stream. This is how 99.9% protection from the Covid 19 virus is achieved, both on inhalations and on exhaled air.

The useful model uses the natural circulation of the volume of inhaled air, which carries with it bacteria, viruses and other microorganisms. The air passes through the UVC LED Airflow Disinfection Unit 2, where pathogenic organisms in the airflow are passed through strong UVC radiation, thus neutralizing and destroying them. Thus, the well-known effect of ultraviolet UVC radiation to destroy viruses, microbes, molds and bacteria with very high efficiency is applied to the inhaled air.

As shown in Figure 2, the UVC LED module also includes:

- UV - LED DC - DC driver 4, which provides the current supply to the LEDs;

- rechargeable battery 7, providing autonomous power supply to the UVC LED module with the necessary duration of operation, depending on the field of application;

- connector 5, in which a cable of a stationary power supply device is placed, which ensures the operation of the LEDs 3 and charges the battery 7,

- means 6 for turning on and off the UVC LED module, which can be an electrical switch or a sensor. It can be connected to signal LEDs, for example, when the module is switched on, a green signal LED lights up, and when the charge in the battery 7 falls below a certain limit, a red signal LED lights up.

In cases where the UVC LED module is not permanently attached to the half-mask 1, there are the following additional elements: a flexible hose through which the inhaled and exhaled air passes, and a belt or straps through which the UVC LED module is attached to a person's body, and can to be carried on the back or on the chest. This fastening is required for masks for individuals with a large volume of inhaled air > 3000 cm ³ , or other special designs.

It is possible for the half mask 1 to be used together with a transparent mask covering the user's eyes to prevent contamination through the eyes, as shown in figure 1. The two masks are not connected to each other and adhere separately from each other to the face. In this way, sweating of the eye mask is avoided.

In order to properly construct the personal disinfection device that is the object of the utility model and to achieve its purpose, the appropriate size of the half mask 1 must be selected according to the size and shape of the face of a user, and the maximum volume of inhaled air must be determined. Half masks can be produced in different sizes (similar to garment sizes) depending on the dimensions of the human face (the profile and dimensions of the individual's face) and the volume of air inhaled by each individual. The inhaled and exhaled air "enters and leaves" the air chamber 12 of the UVC LED module through an opening 11 with a cross-section > 2 st ² , thereby not making breathing difficult. This type of half mask can be worked continuously within one work shift (8-10 hours) without breathing difficulties, unlike half masks combined with filters.

The maximum volume of inspired air varies widely by calculating inspired and expired air volume, inspiratory reserve volume (IRV), expiratory reserve volume (ERV), residual volume (REV), minute tidal volume (MVR), and H exposure in a given point located inside the volume of the air chamber 12.

Depending on conditions and changes in lung volume and capacity, a person can inhale or exhale different volumes of air. The volume of air inhaled can vary, for example, from 200 to 2000 ml, and the volume of air a person exhales can be 500 ml at one time, 1500 ml at another time, and so on.

Tidal volume (TIV) is the volume of air that enters the lungs during each calm inhalation or exhalation. For an adult, this volume is usually 500 ml.

Inspiratory reserve volume (IRV) is called the amount of air that a person can additionally absorb after a single breath, with maximum inspiratory effort. IRO can vary between 2 and 3.3 l.

Expiratory reserve volume (ERV) is the volume of air that a person exhales with maximum expiratory effort after a single exhalation. ERO can vary between 0.7 and 1 l.

Residual volume (REV) is the volume of air that remains in the lungs after maximal exhalation. OO can vary between 1.1 and 1.2 l.

In healthy, young people, the maximum pulmonary (voluntary) ventilation in 1 min reaches 15 l/min. At rest, a person takes 12 to 14 breaths per minute. The volume of air that is inhaled in 1 min is called the minute respiratory volume (MIV), which is 6 1. Under stress, the number of breaths increases to 18 times per minute.

The upper limit of the breath rate is 18 breaths per minute. This ensures that the half mask will provide 99.9% protection even with accelerated breathing.

According to the Bousen-Roscoe law described in CIE Technical Report 106-1993, the photochemical reaction shows a reciprocity between irradiance (exposure rate) and exposure duration. The law states that a given mJ/cm ² irradiance must be present to produce a given response regardless of the duration of exposure over a wide range, examples of which are given below.

When using the air disinfection device, according to the utility model, on inhalation, the air passes through the air chamber 12, in which UVC exposure is provided with λ _max = 265 nm of air irradiation (N.o) > 25 mJ/cm ² , according to technical report CIE REPORT 155:2003. This dose is a guarantee that the Covid 19 virus will be destroyed with a probability of 99.9%. Exhaled air, which is in a smaller amount than inhaled air, also passes through the UVC LED air chamber 12 and receives a radiation exposure (N.o) > 30 mJ/cm ² . This increased exposure to exhalation radiation to some extent compensates for the increased resistance of the virus to the increased humidity typical of exhaled air. In fact, using the useful model, the increased humidity in the exhaled air is limited, using the heat released by the UVC LEDs 3. All this leads to a 99.9% guarantee that the exhaled air of a virus-carrying person will not contain the Covid 19 virus It is the exhaled air from virus carriers that is the most common cause of the spread of Covid 19.

The radiation exposure value (Neo) is obtained by integrating the spherical (volumetric) radiation Ee.o by the time provided for irradiation. Spherical irradiance is the total radiant flux (from all directions) passing through a small transparent imaginary spherical target containing the point of interest divided by the cross section of this target. Accordingly, the integrated product of the spherical (bulk) irradiation and the duration of the irradiation t is described by H _{e o} = J Ee.o x Δt or a simplified expression H _{e o} = Ee.ot, when the volume irradiation rate is constant during the considered period of time. The unit for measuring exposure is mJ/cm ² .

An embodiment of the construction of the utility model is presented below:

When using a radiant flux "amplifier" with a reflection coefficient of the walls of the air chamber 12 R _uvc = 0.90 and taking into account the zero reflection of the inlet and outlet openings 11 of the air chamber 12 is a total area of 2 cm ² and reflection coefficients of the luminous surfaces of the LEDs R _led = 0.7, an amplification factor of the UVC radiant flux in the air chamber is obtained 12 K _y = 3 . With volume of inhaled air Q _in d = 1500 cm ³ (typical volume of inhalation of the main part of people) and volume of the air chamber 12 of 20 cm ³ , the amount of dead air is about 15 s m ³ (dead air is the amount exhaled air that is rebreathed i.e. the amount of air that is in the air chamber 12). The number of breaths is assumed to be 18 breaths/minute, which corresponds to an intense load (work). The ratio of fresh air to dead air is 75/1, which is acceptable from a practical point of view. Ratio of the electrical power of the used LEDs 3 to the power of the emitted UVC radiant flux is Pied/ Pled uvc = 30. According to the above output conditions, the electrical power of the UVC LEDs 3 for the specific case is Pled uvc = 4 W, and through this electrical power is provided inhalation exposure H _is . _{o vd} = 25 mJ/st ² and exhalation exposure H H _e . _{o ed} = 30 mJ/st ² The value of exposure during air decontamination according to CIE REPORT 155:2003 is Ne.o = 10 - 20 mJ/st ² , with these exposure values achieving 99.9% protection from Covid19. Numerous technical solutions are possible based on the foundation of the utility model presented.

The battery capacity 7 Qb in Wh can vary according to the needs, being determined by the installed power of the UVC LEDs 3 plus the power losses in the DC - DC driver:

Pled = Rled uvc+ ΔPdr. [W] and from the required time for autonomous operation T _a in hours:

Qb = Pled x Ta [Wh].

The multiple reflections from the inner walls of the air chamber 12 of UVC radiation with λ _mα x = 265 nm can reduce the required installed power of the UVC LED and consequently the capacity of the battery 7 for autonomous power supply by more than 10 times.

The reference numbers of the technical features are included in the claims only for the purpose of increasing the comprehensibility of the claims and, therefore, these reference numbers do not have any limiting effect on the interpretation of the elements indicated by these reference numbers.

Claims (1)

A personal air disinfection device comprising a half-mask with a breathing chamber and a disinfecting UVC LED airflow disinfection module, wherein the half-mask has a main protective body for hermetically fitting a face with sealing zones at the end, in which the air body is formed an air cavity for providing a space in front of a user's mouth and nose, wherein the UVC LED module (2) for air flow disinfection includes UVC LEDs (3) connected to a power supply, characterized in that the half mask (1) is connected via an air channel with the UVC LED module (2), which also includes an air chamber (12) for disinfection, in which internal partitions (8) are formed, in which the power supply includes a UV - LED driver (4) to provide a current supply and a source of electricity, wherein the air chamber (12) for disinfection has at least one inlet/outlet (11) for air to the outside environment and at least one inlet/outlet (9) for air to the cavity of the half mask, wherein the air chamber (12) has inner walls , which together with the baffles (8) are coated with a reflective material with a reflectance factor in the UVC spectrum above 70%, and wherein the UVC LED module (2) for air flow disinfection also includes a transparent baffle (10) located between the UVC LEDs the diodes (3) and the air chamber (12), which transparent partition (10) together with the partitions (8) forms a labyrinth structure of the air chamber (12)