CN115666731A

CN115666731A - Wearable air delivery equipment

Info

Publication number: CN115666731A
Application number: CN202180035881.9A
Authority: CN
Inventors: M.利特; C.孟席斯-威尔逊
Original assignee: Dyson Technology Ltd
Current assignee: Dyson Technology Ltd
Priority date: 2020-05-18
Filing date: 2021-03-11
Publication date: 2023-01-31
Also published as: GB2595232A; WO2021234339A1; GB202007320D0; GB2595232B

Abstract

A wearable air delivery device (10), comprising: a hood (12, 14, 16); and a nozzle assembly (100) supported by the hood (12, 14, 16), the nozzle assembly (100) comprising a conduit (102) for receiving the air flow and an outlet region (126, 1282) comprising a plurality of apertures (122) defining air outlets for ejecting the air flow from the nozzle assembly, wherein the outlet region has an open area of 15% to 28% or 4500mm2 to 6900mm 2.

Description

Wearable air delivery equipment

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a wearable air delivery device, and a nozzle assembly for such a wearable air delivery device.

Background

Air pollution is an increasing problem, and a variety of air pollutants are known or suspected to be harmful to human health. The adverse effects that air pollution may cause depend on the type and concentration of the pollutants, and the length of exposure to the polluted air. For example, high levels of air pollution can lead to immediate health problems, such as increased cardiovascular and respiratory disease, while prolonged exposure to contaminated air can produce permanent health effects, such as loss of lung capacity and decreased lung function, as well as the development of diseases, such as asthma, bronchitis, emphysema, and possibly cancer.

Where air pollution levels are particularly high, many people have recognized the benefit of minimizing their exposure to these pollutants and therefore have begun wearing face masks with the goal of filtering out at least some of the pollutants present in the air before it reaches the mouth and nose. There have also been various attempts to develop air purifiers that can be worn by a user without covering the wearer's mouth and nose. For example, there are wearable air purifiers of various designs that are worn around the neck of a wearer and that produce air jets that face upward toward the mouth and nose of the wearer. It is important for such wearable air purifiers to provide a wearer with non-contaminated air throughout the life of the purifier.

Disclosure of Invention

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a wearable air delivery device comprising: a head cover; and a nozzle assembly supported by the hood, the nozzle assembly including a conduit for receiving the air flow and an outlet region including a plurality of apertures defining air outlets for ejecting the air flow from the nozzle assembly, wherein the outlet region has an open area of 15% to 28%.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a nozzle assembly for a wearable air delivery apparatus, the nozzle assembly comprising a conduit for receiving an air flow and an exit region comprising a plurality of apertures defining air outlets for ejecting the air flow from the nozzle assembly, wherein the exit region has an open area of from 15% to 28%.

According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a wearable air purifier comprising a hood, an air purifier assembly and a nozzle assembly supported by the hood, the air purifier assembly being configured to produce a filtered airflow from an outlet aperture thereof. The nozzle assembly includes an inlet aperture for receiving the filtered airflow from the outlet aperture of the air cleaner assembly, a conduit for receiving the filtered airflow, and an outlet area including a plurality of apertures defining an air outlet for ejecting the filtered airflow from the nozzle assembly, wherein the outlet area has an open area of 15% to 28%.

The outlet region may comprise from 18% to 25% or about 18% open area. The exit zone may comprise from 4500mm defined by the holes ² To 6900mm ² From 4700mm ² To 6700mm ² Or about 5700mm ² Total open area of (a). The plurality of pores may have a pore size (e.g., width or diameter) from 50 μm to 150 μm. The plurality of apertures may be provided by perforations provided in the outlet area or by a web extending across the outlet area.

The outlet region may have a maximum length of at least 90mm, 100mm to 130mm or about 125 mm. The outlet region may have a maximum height of at least 50mm, 50mm to 65mm or about 60 mm.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a wearable air delivery device comprising: a head cover; and a nozzle assembly supported by the hood, the nozzle assembly comprising a conduit for receiving the air flow and an exit region comprising a plurality of holes defining air outlets for ejecting the air flow from the nozzle assembly, wherein the exit region has 4500mm defined by the holes ² To 6900mm ² Total open area of (a).

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention there is provided a nozzle assembly for a wearable air delivery apparatus, the nozzle assembly comprising a conduit for receiving an air flow and an exit region comprising a plurality of holes defining air outlets for ejecting the air flow from the nozzle assembly, wherein the exit region has 4500mm defined by the holes ² To 6900mm ² Total open area of (a).

According to a sixth aspect of the invention, there is provided a wearable air purifier comprising a hood, an air purifier assembly and a nozzle assembly supported by the hood, the air purifier assembly being configured to generate a filtered airflow from an outlet aperture thereof. The nozzle assembly includes an inlet aperture for receiving the filtered airflow from the outlet aperture of the air cleaner assembly, a conduit for receiving the filtered airflow, and an outlet area including a plurality of apertures defining air outlets for ejecting the filtered airflow from the nozzle assembly, wherein the outlet area has 4500mm defined by the apertures ² To 6900mm ² Total open area of (a).

The outlet region may comprise from 15% to 28%, from 18% to 25% or about 18% open area. The exit region may comprise from 4700mm defined by a hole ² To 6700mm ² Or about 5700mm ² Total open area of (a). The plurality of pores may have a pore size (e.g., width or diameter) from 50 μm to 150 μm. The plurality of apertures may be provided by perforations provided in the outlet area or by a web extending across the outlet area.

Features of aspects of the invention may be equally applied to other aspects of the invention where appropriate.

Drawings

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

fig. 1 is a schematic front view of a wearable air purifier according to the invention;

fig. 2 is a schematic rear underside view of the wearable air purifier of fig. 1;

fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the wearable air purifier of fig. 1 with the nozzle assembly removed;

fig. 4 is a schematic rear view of a nozzle assembly of the wearable air purifier of fig. 1 and 2 in an exploded configuration; and

fig. 5 is a schematic rear view of a nozzle assembly of the wearable air purifier of fig. 1 and 2 in an assembled configuration.

Detailed Description

A wearable air purifier, generally designated 10, is schematically illustrated in fig. 1 and 2.

The wearable air purifier includes a

hood

12,14,16, a

purifier assembly

42, 44, and a nozzle assembly 100.

The hood is in the form of a headset and includes a headband 12 and first and

second shells

14,16 connected to respective ends of the headband 12. The headband 12 is generally elongate and arcuate and is configured to cover the top of the wearer's head and both sides of the wearer's head in use. The first housing 14 and the second housing 16 comprise ear cups, such as are commonly used in so-called "earhook" headsets, which are generally hemispherical and hollow in form.

The headband 12 has a first end portion 18, a second end portion 20, and a central portion 22. Each of the first end portion 18 and the second end portion 20 is connected to the central portion 22 by an extension mechanism. As shown in fig. 1 and 2, each extension mechanism includes an arm 24, the arm 24 engaging teeth inside the first and

second end portions

18, 20 to form a ratchet mechanism that enables the wearer to adjust the length of the headband 12. To this end, the teeth, the spacing between the teeth and the opposing wall, or the arms 24 themselves, may be sufficiently resilient to provide the required retention force.

The first and

second end portions

18, 20 of the headband 12 each include a hollow shell 26. The hollow housing 26 defines a battery compartment for receiving one or more batteries therein. It should be understood that the battery may be removed from the hollow housing 26 or may remain in the hollow housing 26 during normal use. In the case where the batteries are replaceable and intended to be removed from the hollow housing 26, the hollow housing 26 may, for example, include a releasable door or cover to enable access to the interior of the hollow housing 26. Where the battery is rechargeable and is intended to remain within the hollow housing 26 in normal use, the hollow housing 26, or indeed other components of the wearable air purifier 10, may include at least one charging port to enable recharging of the battery.

The first and

second end portions

18, 20 of the headband 12 are connected to the first and

second housings

14,16, respectively. In some examples, the first and

second end portions

18, 20 of the headband 12 are connected to respective ones of the first and

second shells

14,16 such that relative movement between the first and

second end portions

18, 20 of the headband 12 and the respective first and

second shells

14,16 is enabled. As shown in fig. 1, a pivot pin 28 is used for this connection, but those skilled in the art will appreciate that other forms of connection are possible. To enable the batteries within the hollow housings 26 of the first and

second end portions

18, 20 of the headband 12 to be electrically connected to components inside the first and

second housings

14,16, the rotation pin 28 is hollow, for example, to allow wires or the like to pass therethrough.

As shown in fig. 3, each

housing

14,16 houses a speaker assembly 32 and includes an annular cushion 34, the cushion 34 configured to surround an ear of a wearer of the wearable air purifier 10. The details of the speaker assembly 32 are not relevant to the present invention and therefore will not be described here for the sake of brevity, but those skilled in the art will recognize that any suitable speaker assembly may be selected. In use, the speaker assembly 32 housed within the first and

second housings

14,16 is configured to receive power from all of the

batteries

36, 38. An electrical power transmission line (not shown) passes through the headband 12 between the first and

second end portions

18, 20, such as through the central portion 22 and the arm 24. This arrangement increases the flexibility of power distribution among the speaker assemblies 32. In other embodiments, the speaker assemblies 32 housed within the first and

second housings

14,16 may be configured to receive electrical energy from

batteries

36, 38 located in the first and

second end portions

18, 20, respectively, of the headband 12. For example, the speaker assembly 32 housed within the first housing 14 may be configured to be powered by a battery 36 within the first end portion 18 of the headband 12, while the speaker assembly 32 housed within the second housing 16 may be configured to be powered by a battery 38 within the second end portion 20 of the headband 12.

As shown in fig. 3, the first 14 and second 16 housings of the hood also house the filter assembly 42 and airflow generator 44 of the air cleaner assembly. Each

housing

14,16 also provides an ambient air inlet 40 and an outlet aperture (not shown) for the air cleaner assembly.

The ambient air inlet 40 provided by each of the first and

second housings

14,16 includes a plurality of apertures through which air may be drawn into the interior of the

housings

14, 16. Each filter assembly 42 is disposed within the

respective housing

14,16 between the ambient air inlet 40 and the respective airflow generator 44. Each filter assembly 42 includes filter material selected to provide a desired degree of air filtration to the wearer in use.

Each airflow generator 44 includes a motor-driven impeller that draws air from a respective ambient air inlet 40 through a respective filter assembly 42 and outputs the air through a respective outlet aperture (not shown) of the air cleaner assembly provided by the

respective housing

14, 16. The airflow generator 44 in the first and

second housings

14,16 is configured to receive power from all of the

batteries

36, 38. As described above with respect to the speaker assembly 32, an electrical power transmission line (not shown) passes through the headband 12. In other embodiments, the airflow generator 44 within the first housing 14 may be configured to be powered by the batteries 36 within the first end portion 18 of the headgear 12, while the airflow generator 44 within the second housing 16 may be configured to be powered by the batteries 38 within the second end portion 20 of the headgear 12.

In fig. 1 and 2, the nozzle assembly 100 is shown attached to the nose cap, and in fig. 4 and 5, the nozzle assembly 100 is shown separated from the remainder of the nose cap.

The nozzle assembly 100 includes a conduit 102 and an outlet body 104. The conduit 102 has a first end 106 and a second end 108 and is bent between the first end 106 and the second end 108 such that the conduit 102 is generally arcuate. The first end 106 and the second end 108 include respective first 110 and second 112 connector portions that connect to respective ones of the first 14 and second 16 housings of the hood. When the nozzle assembly 100 is connected to the first and

second housings

14,16 and the headgear is worn by the wearer, the nozzle assembly 100 is configured to extend in front of the wearer's face, particularly in the mouth and lower nose regions of the wearer, without contacting the wearer's face.

As shown in fig. 4, the

connector portions

110, 112 have curved ends that are curved to match the outer surfaces of the first and

second housings

14, 16. The first and

second connector portions

110, 112 are generally hollow and have inlet apertures 114, the inlet apertures 114 being configured to be in fluid communication with outlet apertures provided by the first and

second housings

14,16 of the purifier assembly when the conduit 102 is connected to the first and

second housings

14, 16. As shown, the

connector portions

110, 112 include a hinge 116 and a magnetic detent 118 that rotatably couple and retain the catheter 102 relative to the first housing 14 and the second housing 16, respectively. It should be understood that other forms of connection, such as fixed, removable and/or detachable, are also contemplated.

The catheter 102 also includes a main body portion 120 extending between the first connector portion 110 and the second connector portion 112. The body portion 120 is arcuate, generally hollow, and has a body bore 122, the body bore 122 facing inwardly toward the gap defined between the first end 106 and the second end 108 of the conduit 102. Specifically, the body portion 120 includes a rearward facing sidewall 121, such as a wall facing inwardly toward the gap defined between the first end 106 and the second end 108, and a forward facing sidewall 123, such as a wall facing outwardly away from the gap defined between the first end 106 and the second end 108. The outlet body 104 is shaped and sized to fit over the body aperture 122, such as such that an edge of the outlet body 104 overlaps a perimeter of the body aperture 122. The upper and lower surfaces of the body portion 120 include rearwardly extending airflow guides 124, for example extending towards the gap defined between the first and second ends 106, 108 of the conduit 102, and for directing, in use, the filtered airflow emitted from the nozzle assembly 100 towards the mouth and nose regions of the wearer's face. It is contemplated that the flow guide 124 may be formed of an elastically deformable material to provide comfort to the wearer in the event of accidental contact with the wearer's face during use.

The outlet body 104 is generally arcuate, with the curvature of the outlet body 104 generally matching the curvature of the body portion 120 of the conduit 102. The outlet body 104 includes a frame 125 defining an aperture and a mesh 127 supported by the frame 125 to cover the aperture. The frame 125 of the outlet body 104 then further comprises a divider 130 which divides the aperture into a first air outlet portion 126 and a second air outlet portion 128. The outlet body 104 is shaped and dimensioned to fit over the body bore 122 onto the conduit 102, and the outlet body 104 and conduit 102 together define a flow passage between the inlet bore 114 and the

air outlet portions

126, 128. The divider 130 is shaped and dimensioned such that it divides the flow passage into first and second flow passage sections such that, in use, the first and second filtered air streams flow through the nozzle assembly 100 and are then delivered to the wearer via the

air outlet regions

126, 128.

The mesh 127 defines an array of apertures distributed over the first air outlet portion 126 and the second air outlet portion 128, wherein the plurality of apertures each have an aperture size (e.g., width or diameter) from 50 μm to 150 μm. The apertures thereby define an air outlet of the nozzle assembly 100 through which the filtered airflow is ejected from the wearable air purifier 10. For example, the mesh may be provided by a woven open mesh fabric comprising fibers of a material that is preferably highly moisture and chemical resistant, such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET). The net of the first and second air outlet portions 126,128 thus constitutes an outlet region of the outlet body 104 having a maximum length (L) of about 125mm _max ) (i.e., the arc length of the exit region when bent) and a maximum height (H) of about 60mm _max ). However, the maximum length may be at least 90mm, and preferably any value from 100mm to 130mm, and the maximum height may be at least 50mm, and preferably any value from 50mm to 65 mm.

The outlet region of the outlet body 104 has about 5700mm defined by a bore ² And about 18% open area. However, the total open area may be from 4500mm ² To 6900mm ² Preferably from 4700mm ² To 6700mm ² And the open area may be any value from 15% to 28%, preferably any value from 18% to 25%. These features of the outlet region of the outlet body 104 enable the nozzle assembly 100 to have a large area, high restricted air outlet that produces a low velocity filtered air zone that covers the wearer's faceTo reduce their exposure to ambient air and to minimize the potentially harmful effects of crosswind.

Alternatively, the outlet body 104 may comprise a panel rather than a frame, wherein the outlet area of the outlet body 104 is defined by an array of holes formed in the outlet body 104, for example by micro-drilling.

It will be appreciated that a tight fit between the conduit 102 and the outlet body 104 is desired, both for mechanical retention and to prevent leakage, and thus in some embodiments the outlet body 104 fits onto the conduit 102 over the body bore 122 with a friction fit. Where retained with only a friction fit, the outlet body 104 may include a removal feature that a user may grasp to facilitate removal of the outlet body 104 from the body aperture 122. In some embodiments, a seal (not shown) may be provided to enhance fit and/or reduce air leakage between the conduit 102 and the outlet body 104. As shown in fig. 4 and 5, the conduit 102 is provided with a plurality of catches 134, such as flexible cantilevered hooks, located near the edges of the body aperture 122 and cooperating with features of the outlet body 104 to releasably retain the outlet body 104 relative to the conduit 102. This may further enhance the safety of the connection of the outlet body 104 to the conduit 102. In use, the catch 134 is located out of the flow path of the filtered airflow through the nozzle assembly 100.

The releasable connection between the conduit 102 and the outlet body 104 may allow the outlet body 104 to be easily removed and detached from the conduit 102 to allow cleaning of the outlet body 104. For example, the outlet body 104 may be separate from the conduit 102 and placed in a cleaning solution, or placed under UV light, which may eliminate bacteria and/or other contaminants from the outlet body 104, thereby ensuring that the filtered airflow emitted from the nozzle assembly 100 is as clean as possible for the wearer in use. Further, such an arrangement may facilitate cleaning of the conduit 102, and in some examples, may facilitate access to the interior of the conduit 102 for cleaning, such as via the body aperture 122.

In use, the hood is positioned on the head of the wearer such that the first and

second housings

14,16 are over the wearer's ears and the nozzle assembly 100 extends in front of the mouth and lower nose regions of the wearer's face without contacting the wearer's face. The airflow generator 44 may be actuated to draw air through the ambient air inlet 40 provided by each of the first and

second housings

14,16, through the filter assembly 42, and to discharge a filtered airflow through the outlet apertures into the inlet apertures 114 of the first and

second connector portions

110, 112 of the conduit 102. The filtered airflow passes through the conduit as first and second filtered airflows and is delivered from the nozzle assembly 100 to the wearer of the wearable air purifier 10 via the first 126 and second 128 air outlet portions. The speaker assembly 32 may provide audio data to the user, for example in the form of music or the like, and may alternatively or additionally provide noise cancellation for noise caused by operation of the airflow generator 44.

Although two airflow generators 44 are described herein, each feeding one end of the nozzle assembly 100, it should be understood that in alternative embodiments, only a single airflow generator 44 may be provided, which may feed both ends or one end of the nozzle assembly 100. In such embodiments, the nozzle assembly 100 may still include the conduit 102 and the releasable outlet body 104.

Furthermore, in the illustrated embodiment, the filter assembly 42 and airflow generator 44 of the air cleaner assembly are housed within the

housings

14,16 of the hood (i.e., form an ear cup) and are therefore integral/built-in to the hood such that the ambient air inlet 40 and outlet apertures 43 of the air cleaner assembly are provided by these

housings

14, 16. However, it will be appreciated that in some embodiments the filter assembly 42 and airflow generator 44 of the air cleaner assembly may be housed in their respective different cleaner assembly housings, with the ambient air inlet and outlet apertures of the air cleaner assembly being provided by these cleaner assembly housings.

In such embodiments, the purifier assembly housing may or may not be supported by the hood. For a purifier assembly housing supported by a hood, the nozzle assembly may be directly connected to the outlet aperture of the air purifier assembly such that the nozzle assembly is indirectly connected to the hood. Alternatively, the nozzle assembly may be directly connected to the hood and fluidly connected to the outlet aperture of the air cleaner assembly by tubing connected to the hood. For a purifier assembly housing that is not supported by the hood, but is worn elsewhere on the wearer's body (e.g., on a belt or around the wearer's neck), the nozzle assembly may be directly connected to the hood and fluidly connected to the outlet aperture of the air purifier assembly via a conduit connected to the hood.

Claims

1. A wearable air delivery apparatus, comprising:

a head cover; and

a nozzle assembly supported by the hood, the nozzle assembly including a conduit for receiving an air flow and an outlet area including a plurality of apertures defining air outlets for ejecting the air flow from the nozzle assembly, wherein the outlet area has an open area of 15% to 28%.

2. The wearable air delivery apparatus of claim 1, wherein the exit area has an open area from 18% to 25%.

3. The wearable air delivery apparatus of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the exit area has an open area of approximately 18%.

4. Wearable air delivery apparatus according to any of the previous claims, wherein the exit area has a width defined by the hole of from 4500mm ² To 6900mm ² Total open area of (a).

5. Wearable air delivery apparatus according to any of the previous claims, wherein the exit area has a size of from 4700mm ² To 6700mm ² Total open area of (a).

6. Wearable air according to any of the previous claimsA delivery apparatus, wherein the exit area has approximately 5700mm ² Total open area of (a).

7. Wearable air delivery device according to any of the previous claims, wherein the plurality of holes may have a hole size from 50 to 150 μ ι η.

8. Wearable air delivery device according to any of the previous claims, wherein the plurality of holes are provided by any of:

a perforation disposed within the exit region; and

a web extending across the outlet area.

9. Wearable air delivery device according to any of the previous claims, wherein the exit area has a maximum length of at least 90mm and a maximum height of at least 50 mm.

10. A nozzle assembly for a wearable air delivery apparatus, the nozzle assembly comprising:

a conduit for receiving a gas stream, an

An outlet region comprising a plurality of apertures defining air outlets for ejecting an air flow from the nozzle assembly, wherein the outlet region has an open area of from 15% to 28%.

11. A wearable air purifier, comprising:

a head cover;

an air purifier assembly configured to produce a filtered airflow from an outlet aperture thereof; and

a nozzle assembly supported by the hood, the nozzle assembly including an inlet aperture for receiving the filtered airflow from the outlet aperture of the air cleaner assembly, a conduit for receiving the filtered airflow, and an outlet area including a plurality of apertures defining an air outlet for ejecting the filtered airflow from the nozzle assembly, wherein the outlet area has an open area of 15% to 28%.

12. A wearable air delivery apparatus, comprising:

a head cover; and

a nozzle assembly supported by the hood, the nozzle assembly comprising a conduit for receiving an air flow and an exit region comprising a plurality of holes defining air outlets for ejecting the air flow from the nozzle assembly, wherein the exit region has 4500mm defined by the holes ² To 6900mm ² Total open area of (a).

13. The wearable air delivery apparatus of claim 12, wherein the exit area has an open area from 15% to 28%.

14. The wearable air delivery apparatus of claim 12 or claim 13, wherein the exit area has an open area of from 18% to 25%.

15. The wearable air delivery apparatus of any of claims 12-14, wherein the exit area has an open area of approximately 18%.

16. Wearable air delivery device according to any of claims 12 to 15, wherein the exit area has from 4700mm ² To 6700mm ² Total open area of (a).

17. The wearable air delivery apparatus of any of claims 12-16, wherein the exit area has approximately 5700mm ² Total open area of (a).

18. The wearable air delivery apparatus of any of claims 12-17, wherein the plurality of holes can have a hole size from 50 μ ι η to 150 μ ι η.

19. The wearable air delivery apparatus of any of claims 12-18, wherein the plurality of holes are provided by any of:

a perforation disposed within the exit region; and

a web extending across the outlet area.

20. The wearable air delivery apparatus of any of claims 12-19, wherein the exit area has a maximum length of at least 90mm and a maximum height of at least 50 mm.

21. A nozzle assembly for a wearable air delivery apparatus, the nozzle assembly comprising:

a conduit for receiving a gas flow, an

An exit area comprising a plurality of holes defining air outlets for ejecting an air stream from the nozzle assembly, wherein the exit area has an air outlet defined by the holes of from 4500mm ² To 6900mm ² Total open area of (a).

22. A wearable air purifier, comprising:

a head cover;

a nozzle assembly supported by the hood, the nozzle assembly including an inlet aperture for receiving a filtered airflow from an outlet aperture of the air cleaner assembly, a conduit for receiving the filtered airflow, and an outlet area including a plurality of apertures defining an air outlet for ejecting the filtered airflow from the nozzle assembly, wherein the outlet area has an 4500mm defined aperture ² To 6900mm ² Total open area of (a).