CN112274794B

CN112274794B - Face mask

Info

Publication number: CN112274794B
Application number: CN202010704286.7A
Authority: CN
Inventors: R·A·H·雷克斯; 陈伟忠; 潘雯
Original assignee: Koninklijke Philips NV
Current assignee: Koninklijke Philips NV
Priority date: 2019-07-22
Filing date: 2020-07-21
Publication date: 2023-06-30
Anticipated expiration: 2040-07-21
Also published as: CN112274794A; WO2021013663A1; EP3846913B1; CN213374825U; KR102391451B1; EP3846913A1; KR20210057823A; JP2022530695A

Abstract

A mask has a shell and a filter member. A fan module is used, defining an active mask. When the mask is donned by a user, a mask cavity is defined within the filter member and a chamber is defined between the housing and the filter member. The battery module is positioned within the chamber.

Description

Face mask

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a mask for providing contaminant filtration.

Background

Air pollution is a global problem. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 400 tens of thousands of people die each year from air pollution. Part of this problem is the outdoor air quality of the city. Approximately 300 cities affected by smoke do not meet the national air quality standard.

Official outdoor air quality standards define particulate matter concentration as mass per unit volume (e.g., μg/m ³ ). One particular problem is the fact that particles (calledIs "PM 2.5") because they can permeate into the gas exchange areas (alveoli) of the lungs and are very small particles #<100 nm) may pass through the lungs to affect other organs.

Since this problem is not significantly improved in a short period of time, a common method of dealing with this problem is to wear a mask, which provides cleaner air by filtration, and in recent years, the market for masks in china and other areas has grown considerably.

Such a mask may be made of a material that is a contaminant particulate filter, or may have a filter for only a portion of the mask surface, and the filter may be replaced when it becomes clogged.

However, during use, the temperature and relative humidity inside the mask increases, and a pressure difference between the inside and the outside of the mask is added, which makes breathing uncomfortable. This may be partially alleviated by providing an outlet valve or check valve that allows exhaled air to escape from the mask with little resistance, but requires inhaled air to be drawn through the filter. To enhance comfort and effectiveness, a fan may be added to the mask that draws air through the filter and/or provides assistance in exhaling.

One possible benefit to the wearer from using a fan powered mask is that the slight pressure on the lungs caused by inhalation against the filter resistance in a conventional unpowered mask is reduced. In addition, in conventional unpowered masks, inhalation also causes a slight pressure drop within the mask, resulting in leakage of contaminants into the mask, which may be dangerous if the contaminants are toxic substances.

Therefore, the fan auxiliary mask can improve breathing comfort by reducing temperature, humidity and respiratory resistance.

In one arrangement, an inlet (i.e., suction) fan may be used to provide continuous intake of air. In this way, the slight pressure on the lungs caused by inhalation overcoming the filter resistance in a conventional unpowered mask is relieved. A steady flow of air may then be provided to the face, and a slight positive pressure may be provided, for example, to ensure that any leakage is outward rather than inward. However, this adds additional resistance to breathing during exhalation.

In another arrangement, a vented (i.e., expiratory) fan may be used to provide a continuous release of air. Instead, this provides respiratory assistance when exhaling. The exhalation fan may be used in conjunction with a series check valve so that no air flow through the fan enters the mask.

The fan again establishes a continuous air flow through the mask. Air is drawn into the mask cavity through the filter by flow caused by a fan or by inhalation. This improves the comfort of the wearer.

Another option is to provide both the inlet fan and the exhaust fan and to synchronize the timing of the control of the fans with the user's breathing cycle. The respiratory cycle may be measured based on pressure (or differential pressure) measurements. This improves control of temperature and humidity and reduces respiratory resistance during inspiration and expiration.

Thus, several types of masks are available for protecting against daily exposure to air pollutants, including passive masks, passive masks with exhalation valves, and masks with at least one active fan.

The present invention relates generally to active masks. They are battery powered devices and battery life is critical. In particular, it is desirable to obtain the longest battery life from a given battery quality. One problem is that the performance of the battery depends on temperature. This is particularly problematic for masks, as they are used outdoors and are required throughout the year.

Disclosure of Invention

The invention is defined by the claims.

According to an example of an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a mask comprising:

a housing;

a filter member for mounting inside the housing, wherein when the mask is worn by a user, a mask cavity is defined between the filter member and the face of the user, and a chamber is defined between the housing and the filter member;

a fan module for generating a flow between the mask cavity and the surrounding environment; and

the battery module is provided with a plurality of battery cells,

wherein the battery module is located within the chamber.

Accordingly, the present invention relates to a mask design having a two-layer structure of a filter member and a shell. The filter member is flexible (so that it can conform to the contours of the user's face).

The mask design forms a chamber between the filter member and the housing. A portion of the wearer's exhaled air passes through the chamber. As a result, the chamber is also maintained at a higher temperature during cold periods, as the user's breath continuously supplements the air content in the chamber. By placing the battery module within the chamber, the battery module is exposed to higher temperatures and therefore has a longer life under such conditions.

The battery module is preferably located in the path of the user's exhaled air when the user is wearing the mask. In this way, the heat of the user's exhaled air is directly used to heat the battery module.

The battery module is located, for example, in the front region of the face mask. Meaning that it is the general area in front of the mouth and nose, not the top, bottom or sides of the mask. In this way, it is in the path of the air exhaled from the user's nose or mouth.

The battery module and the fan module are, for example, independent units mounted separately from each other. By separating the fan module from the battery module (powering the fan module), heavy components are avoided from concentrating on the individual locations of the mask.

The mask body, for example, includes opposed sides adapted to face at least partially laterally outward when the mask is worn by a user, the fan assembly being mounted at one of the opposed sides, and the battery module being mounted at the other of the opposed sides.

By providing the fan module and the battery module on opposite sides, balancing is improved.

The fan module preferably includes an exhaust fan for exhausting air from the mask cavity. However, only a portion of the exhaled air passes through the fan; the other part passes through the chamber and thereby increases the chamber temperature. Thus, even with the use of an exhalation fan, the exhaled air can still be used for battery heating.

The fan module may include a centrifugal fan having an axial inlet in communication with the interior of the mask cavity and a radial outlet outside the mask cavity. The centrifugal fan is compact and the radial outlets can be easily hidden from view to provide the desired aesthetic appearance.

The battery module is, for example, part of a control unit that further comprises a fan control circuit for the fan module.

The electrical connector is preferably disposed between the fan module and the battery module within the chamber. The electrical connection forms, for example, a bridge between opposite sides of the mask. The battery module (or control unit) is attached, for example, to the inner surface of the housing or is removably attached to the filter member.

The filter member may include a first connector portion and the fan module may include a second connector portion for connection to the first connector portion to releasably secure the fan module to the filter member. Thus, the fan module may be detached from the filter member so that the filter member may be replaced or cleaned without the need to replace the fan module.

The first and second connector portions are, for example, push-fit together to enable attachment and detachment of the filter member to and from the fan module. This facilitates assembly and disassembly.

The housing has, for example, an opening, and the fan module extends through the chamber and through the opening in the housing. This is one way of mounting the module with the housing, which is mounted on the fan module. This provides a simple assembly method.

The fan module may include a third connector portion and the housing may include a fourth connector portion for connection to the third connector portion to secure the housing to the fan module, wherein the fan module protrudes through the opening.

This further coupling between the fan module and the housing, e.g. around the inner edge of the opening in the housing, provides a positional positioning of the fan module relative to the position of the housing. Thus, the air flow characteristics into and out of the fan module remain consistent regardless of any shape adjustment of the flexible filter member. The set of connector portions may also prevent leakage and improve user comfort.

The third connector portion may be a push fit with the fourth connector portion.

These and other aspects of the invention will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the embodiments described hereinafter.

Drawings

For a better understanding of the invention, and to show more clearly how the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example only, to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates one example of a mask design to which the present invention may be applied;

fig. 2 shows the design of fig. 1 in an assembled state from a front side;

FIG. 3 shows the design of FIG. 1 in an assembled state from opposite front sides;

FIG. 4 is used to illustrate the manner in which components are connected to the wearer, and shows an alternative design;

FIG. 5 shows battery temperature measurements and ambient temperature for a mask design according to the present invention;

FIG. 6 shows the outlet of a centrifugal fan;

FIG. 7 shows a first cross-sectional view of the design of the third and fourth connector portions;

FIG. 8 shows a second cross-sectional view of the design of FIG. 7; and

fig. 9 shows a possible design of the first and second connector parts.

Detailed Description

The present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating exemplary embodiments of the apparatus, system, and method, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the apparatus, system, and method of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the figures are merely schematic and are not drawn to scale. It should also be understood that the same reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to indicate the same or similar parts.

The present invention provides a mask having a shell and a filter member received within the shell. A fan module is used, thereby defining an active mask. When the mask is donned by the user, a mask cavity is defined inside the filter member (i.e., between the filter member and the user's face), and a chamber is defined between the housing and the filter member. The battery module is located within the chamber.

Fig. 1 shows an example of a mask design according to the invention. The mask 10 is shown in exploded form and includes a housing 12 that serves as a mask body and a filter member 14 that is mounted inside the housing (i.e., on the side of the housing facing the user's face). The housing is rigid or semi-rigid with the ear strap 13 and the filter member 14 is formed of, for example, fabric and is therefore easily deformable so that the outer edge can match the shape of the wearer's face.

The housing is porous so that air can flow through the housing. The shell improves the appearance of the mask. The housing may be made of a material that is itself porous, for example, it may be an air mesh, polyurethane layer, cotton blend fabric, or other porous material. However, it may alternatively be made of a non-porous material (e.g. a plastics material), but with openings allowing air flow. The gap around the edge of the housing between the housing and the filter member may alternatively or additionally be used to enable air flow.

The invention is based on the recognition that a chamber 15 is defined between the housing 12 and the filter member 14 and can be used to provide protection for the battery, in particular by increasing the temperature of the battery during winter. The chamber 15 is an air chamber around the battery in which hot air is partially trapped. Furthermore, the placement of the battery is preferably selected so that it is in the path of the user's exhaled air and is thereby most effectively heated by the exhaled air.

The filter member 14 is sealed around the connector module 16. The connector module 16 is for connection to a fan module 20, in particular a corresponding connector portion 17 of the fan module. The connection may be circular such that it allows relative rotation between the fan module 20 and the filter member 14. The fan module includes a centrifugal fan. The centrifugal fan has a small form factor and is able to overcome the flow resistance of the check valve.

The fan module is typically used to generate a flow between the mask cavity and the surrounding environment (i.e., air outside of the housing 12).

In this particular example, the connector module 16 includes a check valve. The connector module 16 and the fan module 20 may be considered together to constitute a fan assembly, and the two modules may be manually connected together and separated, for example by a simple push fit. For example, a lip around one portion may mate with a recess around another portion.

The control module 18 is coupled to the exterior of the filter member 14. The control module includes a fan module 20 and a control unit 22 of the fan assembly. The control unit includes a battery module and other control circuitry. The control unit 22 is located inside the housing (i.e. on the side facing the face of the user) and outside the filter member (i.e. on the side facing away from the face of the user) and is thus located in the chamber 15 defined between these two parts.

When the user wears the mask, the control unit 22 and thus the battery module is located in the path of the user's exhaled air. For this purpose, it is positioned in the front region of the mask. The fan module of the design shown is biased to one side and the control unit is biased to the opposite side. However, they are both located generally in front of the user's mouth and/or nose. The mask has side regions that overlie the cheeks of the user and are connected to ear straps 13, a top region that extends over the nose of the user, a bottom region that extends under the mouth (and chin) of the user, and a front region that defines the boundaries of the top, bottom and side regions. The battery module is located in the front region. The front region of the housing may for example be considered as a region corresponding to 50% or even 33% of the total surface area of the housing. The front region is symmetrical about a vertical centre line and for example has a width of less than 60% or 50% of the total width of the housing. For example, the height of the front region is less than 60% or 50% of the total height of the housing.

The control unit 22 comprises, for example, a sensor. Note that the control circuit may alternatively be located on the fan module side and integrated into the fan module. Accordingly, various additional circuit elements and battery modules may be divided between the fan module and the control unit in different ways.

There may be a single module containing all of the components. In the more preferred example shown, the battery module is separate and remote from the fan module. This means that the weight of the component can be divided between different positions to provide better balance of the mask and reduce local loads.

This also means that the battery module is in an area that is not directly exposed to the exhaust flow driven by the fan (i.e., flow through the fan) but is exposed to the exhaled air that has passed through the filter. Thus, the battery module is located in a chamber that is at least partially insulated and thereby able to maintain a higher temperature caused by the gas exhaled by the user. For example, the air may have a lower moisture content due to the action of the filter member.

Thereby, the battery module of the control unit is protected from the surrounding environment by the housing 12 and is exposed to the breathing air of the user downstream of the filter member. This enables the battery module to be maintained at a higher temperature with respect to the surrounding environment.

The connector module 16 is permanently secured to the filter member 14 for disposal with the filter member 14 when the filter is replaced. The fan module 20 of the fan assembly is reusable and includes (at least) a fan drive circuit and a fan impeller.

The housing 12 has an opening 24 that receives the fan module 20 of the fan assembly.

The inner surface of the housing may also have a receiving docking area for the control unit 22, or may have a receiving docking area 26 (shown in fig. 1) on the outer surface of the filter member for positioning the control unit 22. The control unit may be connected to the filter member or housing by magnetic coupling or alternatively by mechanical alignment features.

An electrical connector 28 in the form of a bridge provides an electrical connection between the control unit 22 and the fan module 20 of the fan assembly for transmitting power and control signals.

The fan module 20 and control unit 22 of the fan assembly are located on opposite sides of the mask, one on each side of the wearer's nose. This provides a balanced weight distribution. By providing two modules, the weight of each individual part is reduced, thereby reducing the load at any one location.

In a preferred design, the fan module is an exhaust fan. In one of the simplest designs, it operates continuously to provide a continuous supply of air to the face (using air inhaled through a mask filter). This provides temperature and humidity control. However, it may be operated in synchronization with the wearer's breath (with appropriate breath sensing), and it may be controlled bi-directionally. Alternatively, there may be separate inlet fans and exhaust fans, for example one on each side.

Preferably, an exhaust fan is used. This means that the fan does not need a filter to reduce the air flow just before or after the fan. The user also finds the air blowing on the face uncomfortable. The fan should be made waterproof because the exhaled air is moist and condensation can form at the air outlet and the fan.

Since the invention relates in particular to the location of the battery module, all known fan control options can be applied.

Fig. 2 shows the design of fig. 1 in an assembled state from one front side, and fig. 3 shows the design of fig. 1 in an assembled state from the opposite front side.

The mask shown is designed in a V-shape when viewed from above. Thus, it has two opposite sides, and a ridge between the opposite sides.

Fig. 4 serves to illustrate the way in which the components are connected to the wearer and shows another design, i.e. the control circuit is located on the fan module side and only the battery module 23 is located on the opposite side.

The wearer's face 30 is shown in cross-section from above.

The filter member 14 is connected to the housing 12 by a fastener 32. For example, these fasteners are push-fit snaps. The outer periphery of the filter member is also provided with an inwardly projecting seal 34 to form a substantially enclosed space between the filter member and the face 30.

When inhaling, air is drawn through the filter member 14 as indicated by arrow 36. The exhaust fan may be operated during this time to provide flow 38, or the exhaust fan may be turned off to save power. When exhaling, the exhaust fan operates to create a flow 38, but there is also an outward flow through the filter member, as indicated by arrow 40.

This flow 40 heats the chamber 15 between the filter member 14 and the housing 12.

The flow 36 may also continue (depending on the way the fan is operated), but at this point the flow is not sucked in but circulated out by the fan. Respiratory comfort is improved, in particular because the fan removes exhaled air from the mask cavity and thus prevents re-breathing (re-circulation) of previously exhaled and thus stale air.

The fan module may, for example, include a fan, a one-way check valve, and a printed circuit board carrying control circuitry. The fan is located at the top of the check valve.

In the example of fig. 4, the connector module 16 and the fan module 20 are again separable so that the filter member can be replaced (or cleaned) when the module is reused.

Fig. 5 shows a battery temperature measurement profile 42 and an ambient temperature profile 44 over time for a mask design according to the present invention. The mask is used in a-10 degree environment and is taken into the room and removed at time t 1.

In this example, the battery temperature is considered to be maintained at a temperature between 15 and 20 degrees above ambient temperature.

In the preferred design shown, the fan module comprises a centrifugal fan having an axial inlet located inside the mask cavity and a radial outlet located outside the mask cavity.

Fig. 6 shows a front view of the mask and shows the radial outlet 50. For example, the location of the exit is selected such that the exit is not visible from the front and above the mask body, i.e., from the possible locations of the eyes of another person. For example, the radial outlet may face downward or rearward (i.e., rearward toward the user).

In the basic design, the fan module 20 protrudes through an opening in the housing, but is a loose fit in the opening. It has been found that movement of the fan module results in different flow characteristics, for example, because the outlet flow may impinge on the housing, creating altered turbulence.

Accordingly, it is preferable to provide additional connection between the fan module 20 and the housing 12, particularly around the inner edge of the opening 24 in the housing 12. The use of a rim around the opening 24 in the housing also provides stability to the edges of the opening.

Fig. 7 shows one design example of the design of the connection means around the opening in the housing. Fig. 8 shows a cross section along line VII-VII to illustrate the connection between the fan module and the housing.

Fig. 7 shows a housing 12 having a main structural layer 60.

The mask has four connector portions.

The filter member 14 includes a first connector portion 16 (i.e., a connector module) and the fan module 20 includes a second connector portion 17 for connection to the first connector portion, thereby securing the fan module 20 to the filter member 14. These parts are shown in fig. 1 and fig. 7 and 8.

The fan module also has a third connector portion 70, as shown in fig. 8.

The housing 12 has a fourth connector portion 72 for connection to the third connector portion 70 to secure the housing 12 to the fan module 20, which protrudes through the opening.

The fan module is thus connected to the filter in the manner already explained above, and there is a further coupling between the fan module and the housing. In this way, the fan module is fixed in position relative to the housing. Thus, the air flow characteristics into and out of the fan module remain consistent regardless of any shape adjustment of the flexible filter member.

The fourth connector portion 72 in the illustrated example includes a ring around the inner edge of the opening 24. During mask assembly, fan module 20 is pushed through opening 24, and then it is locked in a fixed position.

Note that the connection is not intended to be released by the user, as the fan module and housing may remain attached while the filter member is removed for cleaning. However, the connection may be reversible, e.g. the user may have a different cover design.

The fourth connector portion may be a single piece, but for ease of assembly, the illustrated example has a fourth connector portion with a first ring 74 located outside the housing and a second ring 76 located inside the housing. The structural layer 60 is sandwiched between the first ring and the second ring. Thus, the first and second loops provide a termination for the opening 24 in the structural layer 60. The structural layer 60 may have some flexibility but is more rigid than the filter member.

The first ring 74 and the second ring 76 may be mechanically snapped together, or glued or welded together (e.g., by ultrasonic waves). They are plastic parts. For example, they may be formed of thermoplastic materials suitable for ultrasonic welding, such as Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS). Other plastics, such as polypropylene or polycarbonate, may also be used.

The first and

second connector portions

16, 17 are push fit together to enable the filter member to be attached and detached from the fan module as described above. The third connector portion 70 is also a push fit with the fourth connector portion 72. This allows for easy assembly of the fan module to the housing.

The third connector portion 70 is, for example, a recess surrounding the outer side wall of the fan module and the fourth connector portion 72 includes a set of resilient lugs 78, more preferably for engagement with the recess. This provides a snap-fit connection. The recess may completely surround the outer side wall or there may be only a set of recess portions located at the location of the resilient lugs.

Fig. 8 shows the arrangement of lugs and recesses in more detail. The resilient lugs 78 are biased outwardly (i.e., toward the center of the opening). It is pushed back by inserting the fan module and then it springs back into the recess 70. There may be a set of lugs, for example three or more, around the opening. However, continuous lugs are also possible.

The appearance of the first ring 74 (which is visible) is consistent so that the lug design does not detract from the visual appearance. The second ring 76 has a lug-forming region in which the connection between the first and second rings is interrupted. In the example shown, the lugs are located at the ends of the folded legs and the folded legs extend into cavities formed in the first ring 74, as shown in fig. 8.

When the fan module is in place, it protrudes through the opening, with the radial outlet 50 being located outside the housing, for example extending outwardly beyond the outermost surface of the first ring 74. Thus, the radial outlet is positioned to minimize obstruction to outlet flow. Alternatively, however, as schematically illustrated in fig. 6, the radial outlets are positioned in a desired positional relationship with the flow deflecting member 80.

Possible designs of the third and fourth connector portions are described above. For completeness, fig. 9 shows a possible design of the first and second connector parts. In fig. 9, the third and fourth connector portions are only schematically represented as

units

70, 72.

The fan module 20 of the fan assembly includes a main housing 86, an outer housing 82, a fan control circuit board 84, and a fan motor 88. There is also a fan wheel (not shown).

In this example, the connector module 16 includes an annular channel 90 and the fan module includes a spring biased engagement feature 92.

The left hand view of fig. 9 shows the connector module 16 and the fan module 20 separated, and the right hand view shows the connector module and the fan module coupled together. When coupled together, the features 92 engage with the annular channel 90, thereby attaching the connector module to the fan module by a push fit.

The connector module 16 is connected to the filter member 14, for example by ultrasonic welding, to form a seal around the connector module 16. In this example, the connector module 16 defines a check valve 94, such as a rubber flap valve.

The annular channel 90 forms a ring 96 of larger diameter over the channel. When connector module 16 is pushed into fan module 20 (arrows are only intended to show relative movement), feature 92 is deflected radially outward by ring 96 and then snaps back into channel 90.

Because the channel is annular, the two modules can rotate relative to each other. Thus, the connection can be made without the need for precise angular alignment. This also means that the forces exerted on the filter member are small, e.g. no significant twisting forces which might damage the filter material.

In the example shown, the feature 92 comprises a tab. The lug includes a support arm and a head. The head is designed to fit into the channel and the support arm provides a spring bias radially inward. The main housing 86 is designed to provide room for the lugs to deflect outwardly as they ride on the ring 96 during coupling.

There may be only two diametrically opposed lugs, or more preferably a set of three lugs, or there may be more than three lugs. The annular channel need not be continuous. The fan module 20 has the correct orientation, in particular with the electrical connector bridge 28 in the correct position. Thus, only some angular freedom for adjustment is required, not full angular control. Thus, the annular channels may comprise a set of annular channel portions (one for each lug), but they need not form a continuous channel.

Of course, the channels and lugs may be interchanged, with the channels on the fan module and lugs on the connector module.

The feature 92 is preferably metal to provide higher elasticity and durability than plastic features.

The use of a spring biased connection rather than an interference fit allows for periodic filter replacement (or separation for cleaning).

The filter member 14 may be attached to the housing in any suitable manner, and the illustrated snaps are by way of example only. Preferably, a push-fit connection is used, as this allows the filter member to be easily connected and disconnected from the housing.

The above description relates to one design of a mask, in particular having a fan module protruding from a filter member through an opening in the housing. However, other configurations are possible, such as the fan module being mounted outside the housing.

Variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art in practicing the claimed invention, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage. If the term "adapted to" is used in the claims or specification, it should be noted that the term "adapted to" is intended to be equivalent to the term "configured to". Any reference signs in the claims shall not be construed as limiting the scope.

Claims

1. A mask (10) comprising:

a housing (12);

a filter member (14) for mounting inside the housing (12), wherein a mask cavity is defined between the filter member (14) and the face of the user and a chamber (15) is defined between the housing (12) and the filter member (14) when the mask is worn by the user;

a fan module (20) for generating a flow between the mask cavity and the surrounding environment; and

a battery module (23),

wherein the battery module (23) is positioned within the chamber (15).

2. The mask (10) according to claim 1, wherein the battery module (23) is positioned in the path of exhaled air of the user when the mask (10) is worn by the user.

3. The mask (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the battery module (23) is positioned in a front region of the mask (10).

4. The mask (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the battery module (23) and the fan module (20) are separate units mounted separately from each other.

5. The mask (10) according to claim 4, wherein the mask body includes opposite sides adapted to face at least partially laterally outward when the mask (10) is worn by a user, the fan module (20) being mounted at one of the opposite sides, and the battery module (23) being mounted at the other of the opposite sides.

6. The mask (10) of claim 1, 2 or 5, wherein the fan module (20) comprises an exhaust fan for exhausting air from the mask cavity.

7. The mask (10) according to claim 6, wherein the fan module (20) comprises a centrifugal fan having an axial inlet in communication with an interior of the mask cavity and a radial outlet (50) external to the mask cavity.

8. The mask (10) of claim 1, 2, 5 or 7, wherein the battery module (23) is part of a control unit (22), wherein the control unit (22) further comprises a control circuit for the fan module (20).

9. The mask (10) of claim 1, 2, 5 or 7, comprising an electrical connector (28) located within the chamber (15) between the fan module (20) and the battery module (23).

10. The face mask (10) according to claim 8, wherein the battery module (23) is:

is attached to the interior of the housing (12); or alternatively

Is removably attached to the filter member (14).

11. The mask (10) of claim 1, 2, 5, 7 or 10, wherein the filter member (14) comprises a first connector portion (16) and the fan module (20) comprises a second connector portion (17) for connection to the first connector portion (16) to thereby releasably secure the fan module (20) to the filter member (14).

12. The mask (10) of claim 11, wherein the first and second connector portions (16, 17) are push fit together to enable the filter member (14) to be attached to the fan module (20) and detached from the fan module (20).

13. The mask (10) of claim 1, 2, 5, 7, 10, or 12, wherein the housing (12) has an opening (24), and wherein the fan module (20) extends through the chamber (15) and through the opening (24) in the housing (12).

14. The mask (10) according to claim 13, wherein the fan module (20) includes a third connector portion (70) and the housing (12) includes a fourth connector portion (72) for connecting to the third connector portion (70) to thereby secure the housing (12) to the fan module (20), wherein the fan module (20) protrudes through the opening (24).

15. The mask (10) according to claim 14, wherein the third connector portion (70) and the fourth connector portion (72) are push-fit.