DE102020112450A1 - Monitoring module for mouth-nose protection and mouth-nose protection device - Google Patents

Abstract

The monitoring module (6) is set up to be arranged on a mouth-nose protector, the mouth-nose protector being designed as a half face mask and one or more layers of paper and / or one or more layers of fabric to cover a mouth-nose area of a user having. The monitoring module (6) has an electronic circuit (61) for monitoring the use of the mouth and nose protection. The monitoring module (6) further comprises a voltage supply unit (64) for at least the electronic circuit (61), the voltage supply unit (64) having a solid-state accumulator without electrolytes. The monitoring module (6) can be mechanically coupled to the mouth and nose protection, in particular can be mechanically coupled in a detachable manner.

Description

The invention relates to a monitoring module for mouth and nose protection and an mouth and nose protection device which comprises mouth and nose protection and the monitoring module.

Medical half face masks and makeshift mouth and nose masks are a means of reducing the transmission of pathogens to others through secretion droplets. They serve for external protection. Particle-filtering half masks also protect against inhalation of particles and aqueous or oily aerosols, depending on the version.

Such masks lose their effectiveness when the mask is moistened. For medical masks, for example, there is a recommendation that they should be disposed of and replaced if possible after each use, but if necessary after a maximum of eight hours or as soon as they have become damp. The particle-filtering half masks are intended for a work shift of eight hours or for reuse, depending on the classification.

For makeshift mouth and nose masks, there is a recommendation that they should be removed and replaced as soon as they become damp and should be replaced after a maximum of one day. Since it is difficult for a user of such half masks to evaluate the moisture content of the mask, the user only has a specific recommendation to change the mask after a certain time. However, masks that are changed too often represent a cost factor and pollute the environment. On the other hand, masks that are changed too seldom pose a health risk.

The object on which the invention is based is to provide an inexpensive and easily reusable monitoring module for an mouth and nose protection device and an mouth and nose protection device that enable a user of the mouth and nose protection device to have a needs-adapted Indication to replace the mouth and nose protection is given.

The object is achieved by the features of the independent patent claims. Advantageous further developments of the invention are characterized in the subclaims.

According to a first aspect, the invention is characterized by a monitoring module for arrangement on a mouth and nose protector, the mouth and nose protector being designed as a half face mask and one or more layers of paper and / or one or more layers of fabric for covering a mouth. Has nasal area of a user. The monitoring module has an electronic circuit for monitoring the use of the mouth and nose protection. Furthermore, the monitoring module comprises a voltage supply unit for at least the electronic circuit, the voltage supply unit having a solid-state accumulator without electrolytes. The monitoring module can be mechanically coupled to the mouth and nose protection, in particular can be mechanically coupled in a detachable manner.

Mouth and nose protection in the context of the invention are half face masks that have one or more layers of paper and / or one or more layers of fleece and / or one or more layers of fabric to cover a mouth and nose area, which are provided with binding or rubber bands be fixed at the back of the head or behind the ears of the user.

These include in particular medical half face masks, makeshift mouth and nose masks and particle filtering half masks (English filtering face piece).

Medical half face masks are also known as surgical masks, medical face masks, clinic masks, surgical face masks or hygiene masks. The makeshift face-to-face masks are also known as community masks, face-to-face masks, everyday masks or makeshift masks. The particle-filtering half masks are also called fine dust masks, dust masks, respirators or FFP masks.

Advantageously, the above-described monitoring module can provide mouth and nose protection with one or more demand-oriented monitoring functions. As a result, unnecessary waste and, if there is a great need for such face masks, a scarcity of resources can be reduced or prevented. In particular, a health risk due to the use of masks that are no longer functional can be reduced.

The solid-state accumulator enables a very safe application, since the risk of explosion, flammability and leakage of electrolytes can be excluded. Because the solid-state accumulator can be recharged, the electronic circuit can be reused together with the accumulator, which can be installed as a module, which makes a considerable contribution to reducing costs. In particular, this enables such modules to be re-used for a large number of masks, each of which is thrown away after its use.

In an advantageous embodiment according to the first aspect, the solid-state accumulator is designed as a surface-mounted component, in English surface-mounted device. In particular, the housing of the solid-state accumulator can correspond to a specific standard. This enables all of the components, not just those of the electronic circuit, but also the power supply, to be assembled in a surface mount process. In particular, the solid-state accumulator can also be soldered together with components of the electronic circuit by means of reflow soldering. Furthermore, a very compact design can be realized as a result, and the wearing comfort of the mouth and nose protection device cannot be influenced.

In a further advantageous embodiment according to the first aspect, all of the electronic and electrical components of the monitoring module are arranged on a single printed circuit board and / or are jointly coated with a fluid-tight potting compound. By potting the components, they are particularly well protected from damage and soiling and handling, for example placing them on the mouth and nose protection, cleaning and / or disinfecting, is much easier for the user.

In a further advantageous embodiment according to the first aspect, the monitoring module has a connecting element which enables a releasable mechanical coupling of the monitoring module to the mouth and nose protection.

In a further advantageous embodiment according to the first aspect, the electronic circuit has a computing unit which includes a timer and / or a counter.

In a further advantageous embodiment according to the first aspect, the computing unit is designed to activate the timer as a function of an activation signal provided and to generate and provide a first reminder signal when the timer exceeds a predetermined time limit. As a result, it is easily possible to automatically provide a reminder and / or request to change the mouth and nose protection for a user, for example after a recommended or prescribed maximum period of use of the mouth and nose protector.

In a further advantageous embodiment according to the first aspect, the computing unit is designed to increment the counter as a function of a provided counting signal and, if the counter exceeds a predetermined number, to generate and provide a second reminder signal. As a result, it is easily possible to automatically provide a reminder and / or request to change the mouth and nose protection for a user, for example after a certain number of times the mouth and nose protection has been removed and put on.

In a further advantageous embodiment according to the first aspect, the monitoring module has a wireless communication interface which is designed to transmit the first and / or second reminder signal provided by the computing unit to a specified terminal. This enables a convenient reminder for the user. A complex evaluation of the reminder signal for user-friendly visual and / or acoustic and / or haptic signaling of the reminder can be relocated to the terminal.

In a further advantageous embodiment according to the first aspect, the monitoring module has a charging unit for charging the solid-state accumulator. This enables the solid-state accumulator to have a smaller energy storage capacity and can thus be made much smaller.

In a further advantageous embodiment according to the first aspect, the charging unit has a passive charging connection.

In a further advantageous embodiment according to the first aspect, the charging unit has an energy harvesting unit. An energy harvesting unit within the meaning of the invention is designed to obtain small amounts of electrical energy from a source such as, for example, ambient temperature, vibrations, air currents or radiant energy.

In a further advantageous embodiment according to the first aspect, the monitoring unit has at least one first sensor element or the at least one sensor element is assigned to the monitoring module, the at least one first sensor element being set up to provide a sensor signal that is suitable for detecting breathing processes of a user . This makes it possible, on the one hand, to recognize whether the mouth-nose protection is being worn and / or to count the breathing processes in order to determine how long it has been worn. It also makes it possible to estimate the moisture penetration of the mouth and nose protection.

• - als ein Temperatursensorelement ausgebildet und eingerichtet, ein Sensorsignal bereitzustellen, das repräsentativ ist für eine Temperatur einer Luft, die sich zwischen einer Gesichtsoberfläche im Mund-Nasen-Bereich des Benutzers und dem Mund-Nasen-Schutzes befindet, oder
• - als ein Feuchtigkeitssensorelement ausgebildet und eingerichtet, ein Sensorsignal bereitzustellen, das repräsentativ ist für eine Luftfeuchtigkeit der Luft, die sich zwischen einer Gesichtsoberfläche im Mund-Nasen-Bereich des Benutzers und des Mund-Nasen-Schutzes befindet, oder
• - als ein Drucksensorelement ausgebildet und eingerichtet, ein Sensorsignal bereitzustellen, das repräsentativ ist für einen Luftdruck der Luft, die sich zwischen einer Gesichtsoberfläche im Mund-Nasen-Bereich des Benutzers und dem Mund-Nasen-Schutz befindet, oder
• - als ein Kohlendioxid-Gas-Sensorelement ausgebildet und eingerichtet, ein Sensorsignal bereitzustellen, das repräsentativ ist für eine Kohlendioxid-Konzentration der Luft, die sich zwischen einer Gesichtsoberfläche im Mund-Nasen-Bereich des Benutzers und dem Schutzelement des Mund-Nasen-Schutzes befindet, oder
• - als ein Schallwandler-Sensorelement ausgebildet und eingerichtet, ein Sensorsignal bereitzustellen, das repräsentativ ist für ein Atemzugsgeräusch und/oder Atemausstoßungsgeräusch des Benutzers der Mund-Nasen-Schutzvorrichtung oder
• - als ein Wärmeleitfähigkeits-Sensorelement ausgebildet und eingerichtet, ein Sensorsignal bereitzustellen, das repräsentativ ist für eine Wärmeleitfähigkeit der Luft, die sich zwischen einer Gesichtsoberfläche im Mund-Nasen-Bereich des Benutzers und dem Schutzelement des Mund-Nasen-Schutzes befindet.

In a further advantageous embodiment according to the first aspect, this is at least one first sensor element

• - designed as a temperature sensor element and set up to provide a sensor signal that is representative of a temperature of an air that is located between a face surface in the mouth and nose area of the user and the mouth and nose protection, or
• - Designed as a moisture sensor element and set up to provide a sensor signal that is representative of a humidity of the air that is located between a face surface in the mouth and nose area of the user and the mouth and nose protection, or
• - Designed as a pressure sensor element and set up to provide a sensor signal that is representative of an air pressure of the air that is located between a face surface in the mouth and nose area of the user and the mouth and nose protection, or
• - Designed as a carbon dioxide gas sensor element and set up to provide a sensor signal that is representative of a carbon dioxide concentration of the air that is located between a face surface in the mouth and nose area of the user and the protective element of the mouth and nose protection , or
• - Designed as a sound transducer sensor element and set up to provide a sensor signal that is representative of a breath noise and / or breath expulsion noise of the user of the mouth and nose protection device or
• - Designed as a thermal conductivity sensor element and set up to provide a sensor signal which is representative of a thermal conductivity of the air that is located between a face surface in the mouth and nose area of the user and the protective element of the mouth and nose protection.

The temperature sensor element enables temperature differences between inhaled air and exhaled air to be detected. The moisture sensor element enables moisture differences in the inhaled and exhaled air to be detected. The pressure sensor element makes it possible to detect pressure differences in the air in the inhaled and exhaled air. The carbon dioxide gas sensor element makes it possible to detect differences in carbon dioxide concentration in the inhaled and exhaled air. The thermal conductivity sensor element makes it possible to detect differences in thermal conductivity in the inhaled and exhaled air.

The monitoring module can use one or more, in particular several different, sensor elements that provide corresponding sensor signals. The evaluation of several sensor signals makes it possible to use a correlated occurrence of the corresponding sensor signals in order to make the counting of the respiratory processes more robust against environmental influences.

In a further advantageous embodiment according to the first aspect, the monitoring module has at least one second sensor element or the at least one second sensor element is assigned to the monitoring module, the at least one second sensor element being set up to provide a sensor signal that is used to detect whether the oral cavity Nose protection placed in the mouth and nose area of the user or not is suitable. On the one hand, this makes it possible to recognize whether the mouth-nose protection is being worn and / or to determine how long it has been worn.

• - als ein Drucksensorelement ausgebildet und eingerichtet, ein Sensorsignal bereitzustellen, das repräsentativ ist für einen Anpressdruck des Mund-Nasen-Schutzes an ein Gesicht des Benutzers oder
• - als ein Kraftsensorelement ausgebildet und eingerichtet, ein Sensorsignal bereitzustellen, das repräsentativ ist für eine Anpresskraft des Mund-Nasen-Schutzes an ein Gesicht des Benutzers oder
• - als ein Dehnungssensorelement ausgebildet und eingerichtet, ein Sensorsignal bereitzustellen, das repräsentativ ist für eine Dehnung eines Bandes, das an dem Mund-Nasen-Schutz angeordnet ist und zur Fixierung des Mund-Nasen-Schutzes an einem Kopf des Benutzers dient.

In a further advantageous embodiment according to the first aspect, the at least one second sensor element is

• - Designed as a pressure sensor element and set up to provide a sensor signal that is representative of a contact pressure of the mouth and nose protection against a face of the user or
• - Designed as a force sensor element and set up to provide a sensor signal that is representative of a contact pressure of the mouth and nose protection against a face of the user or
• - Designed as a strain sensor element and set up to provide a sensor signal which is representative of a strain of a strap which is arranged on the mouth and nose protector and is used to fix the mouth and nose protector on a head of the user.

The pressure sensor element makes it possible, for example in the case of an arrangement in the area of the nasal bone, to detect a contact pressure.

The force sensor element enables a contact force to be detected, for example in the case of an arrangement in the region of the nasal bone. The expansion sensor element enables the expansion of fixing straps to be detected.

• - abhängig von dem Sensorsignal, das von dem ersten Sensorelement bereitgestellt wird, einen Atemvorgang des Benutzers zu detektieren, und/oder
• - abhängig von dem Sensorsignal, das von dem zweiten Sensorelement bereitgestellt wird, zu detektieren, ob der Mund-Nasen-Schutz fixiert getragen wird. Hierbei wird davon ausgegangen, dass, wenn der Mund-Nasen-Schutz nicht getragen wird, kein Druck oder keine Kraft oder Zugspannung auf den Mund-Nasen-Schutz ausgeübt wird.

In a further advantageous embodiment according to the first aspect, the monitoring module has a detection unit which is designed to

• - to detect a breathing process of the user depending on the sensor signal which is provided by the first sensor element, and / or
• to detect whether the mouth and nose protection is being worn in a fixed manner, depending on the sensor signal that is provided by the second sensor element. It is assumed that that when the mouth and nose mask is not worn, no pressure, force or tension is exerted on the mouth and nose mask.

In a further advantageous embodiment according to the first aspect, the detection unit is designed to provide a detection signal that represents detected breathing processes and / or detected putting on processes and / or detected taking off processes and / or detected wearing processes of the mouth and nose mask. The computing unit is designed to receive the detection signal and to determine the activation signal and / or the counting signal as a function of the detection signal.

According to a second aspect, the invention is characterized by a mouth and nose protection device, which has an mouth and nose protection that is designed as a half face mask and one or more layers of paper and / or one or more layers of fabric to cover an mouth and nose area of a user, and comprises a monitoring module according to the first aspect, wherein the monitoring module is arranged on the mouth and nose protection. Here, advantageous configurations of the first aspect also apply to the second aspect.

The mouth and nose protection device thus makes it possible to recognize the beginning and / or an end of wearing the mouth and nose protection and to indicate the need to change the mask after a predetermined time.

As an alternative or in addition, the mouth and nose protection device thus enables the user's breathing in the mouth and nose protection or the putting on and / or removal of the mouth and nose protection to be counted and, after a certain number of breathing procedures, a need to change the mask to display.

Embodiments of the invention are explained below with reference to the schematic drawings.

• 1 eine beispielhafte Ausführungsform einer Mund-Nasen-Schutzvorrichtung und
• 2 ein schematisches Blockschaltbild eines Überwachungsmoduls für die Mund-Nasen-Schutzvorrichtung.

Show it:

• 1 an exemplary embodiment of a mouth and nose protection device and
• 2 a schematic block diagram of a monitoring module for the mouth and nose protection device.

Elements of the same construction or function are provided with the same reference symbols in all the figures.

1 shows an exemplary embodiment of a mouth and nose protection device 1 . The mouth and nose protection device 1 has a mouth and nose protection and a monitoring module 6th on. Optionally, the mouth and nose protection device 1 a bar code and / or quick response code (QR code) 8th on.

The mouth and nose protection is, for example, a medical half face mask. Alternatively, the mouth and nose protection is a makeshift mouth and nose mask or a particle-filtering half face mask. A makeshift full face mask is a tailored piece of cloth that is worn over the chin, mouth and nose. It usually consists of cotton fabric that is sewn in folds or tailored to the shape of the face.

The mouth and nose protection in 1 has a protective element 2 and one or more tie straps or one or more flexible straps such as rubber bands 4th , on. The protective element 2 has one or more paper layers and / or one or more fleece layers and / or one or more fabric layers and is used to cover a mouth and a nose of a user. The tapes allow the protective element 2 held in the mouth and nose area. The straps are attached to the back of the head or behind the ears, for example.

The protective element is preferably 2 configured to cover a user's nose, mouth and chin.

The monitoring module 6th is preferably arranged in an edge region of the mouth and nose protection.

2 shows a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of the monitoring module 6th .

The monitoring module 6th includes an electronic circuit 61 and a power supply unit 64 with a solid state accumulator. The electronic circuit 61 preferably comprises a computing unit. The monitoring module also includes, for example, a wireless communication interface 62 and / or a loading unit 64 . In an optional embodiment, the monitoring module comprises 6th a sensor unit 68 with at least one sensor element 681 , 682 and / or a detection unit. Alternatively or additionally, the sensor unit 68 the monitoring module 6th be assigned and, for example, detached from the monitoring module 6th be arranged on the mouth and nose protection.

The computing unit has, for example, a microprocessor or a microcontroller. In particular, the computing unit has a timer and / or a counter. The computing unit is designed, for example, to activate the timer as a function of an activation signal provided and, if the timer exceeds a predetermined time limit, to generate and provide a first reminder signal. As an alternative or in addition, the computing unit is designed, for example, to increment the counter as a function of a provided counting signal and, if the counter exceeds a predetermined number, to generate a second reminder signal.

The wireless communication interface 62 includes, for example, a Bluetooth interface and / or an infrared interface and / or an ultrasound interface. For example, the computing unit is designed to communicate via the wireless communication interface 62 to control. The monitoring module 6th is thus set up, for example, to communicate with a specific terminal, for example a smartphone, an information center, etc. and to send reminder signals and / or reminder messages to the terminal. The monitoring module 6th is designed, for example, to connect to the terminal, referred to as pairing in English. This connection can be used to generate the activation signal for the timer.

The in 1 QR code shown 8th or barcode can be used, for example, to initialize and activate the monitoring module 6th to simplify. For example, the QR code 8th Include specification data of the mouth and nose protection and / or a product identification, so that a connection can be initiated by scanning the code.

The charging unit is used to charge the accumulator. The charging unit includes, for example, a passive shop connector. The passive charging connection can be set up, for example, to connect a universal serial bus cable or comprise a wireless charging film and / or a power converter. Alternatively or additionally, the charging unit has, for example, an energy harvesting unit.

The accumulator is preferably designed as a surface-mounted component.

The monitoring module 6th preferably has a single printed circuit board on which all electronic and electrical components of the monitoring module 6th are arranged. The monitoring module 6th preferably has a housing or an encapsulation. In particular, the housing can be formed by a fluid-tight potting compound.

The monitoring module 6th includes, for example, a connecting element that provides a releasable mechanical coupling of the monitoring module 6th with the mouth and nose protection. The connecting device comprises, for example, a clamp and / or a clamp and / or a retaining clip and / or a magnetic lock.

In an optional embodiment, the monitoring module comprises 6th a first sensor element which is arranged on the mouth and nose protector and is set up to provide a sensor signal which is suitable for detecting breathing processes of a user. With the aid of an evaluation, for example in the computing unit, this makes it possible, on the one hand, to recognize whether the mouth-nose protection is being worn and / or to count the breathing processes in order to determine how long it was worn. It also makes it possible to estimate the moisture penetration of the mouth and nose protection.

The first sensor element comprises, for example, a temperature sensor element and / or a humidity sensor element and a pressure sensor element and / or a carbon dioxide gas sensor element and / or a sound transducer sensor element or a microphone and / or a thermal conductivity sensor element.

In a further optional refinement, the monitoring module comprises 6th alternatively or in addition to the first sensor element, a second sensor element which is arranged on the mouth and nose protector and is set up to provide a sensor signal that is used to detect whether or not the mouth and nose protector is arranged in the mouth and nose region of the user , suitable is. With the aid of an evaluation, for example in the computing unit, this makes it possible, on the one hand, to recognize whether the mouth and nose protection is being worn and / or to determine how long it has been worn.

The second sensor element comprises, for example, a pressure sensor element and / or a force sensor element and / or a strain sensor element.

The sensor elements can be used both for monitoring the use of the mouth and nose protection. Alternatively, the sensor elements can be used for further analyzes and monitoring functions.

Advantageously, by means of the monitoring module 6th a mouth and nose protection device 1 can be made available with one or more demand-oriented monitoring functions. The monitoring module 6th makes it possible to optimize the service life of a mouth-nose protection, both with a single use and with multiple uses of the mouth-nose protection.

The description on the basis of the exemplary embodiments is not restricted to the invention. Rather, the invention encompasses every new feature and every combination of features, which in particular includes every combination of features in the patent claims, even if this feature or this combination itself is not explicitly specified in the patent claims or exemplary embodiments.

List of reference symbols

1

Mouth and nose protection device

2

Protective element

4th

Elastic band

6th

Monitoring module

8th

QR code

61

electronic switch

62

Wireless communication interface

64

Power supply unit

66

Loading unit

68

Sensor unit

681

first sensor element

682

second sensor element

Claims (15)

Monitoring module (6) for arrangement on a mouth and nose protection, the mouth and nose protection being designed as a half face mask and having one or more layers of paper and / or one or more layers of material to cover a mouth and nose area of a user and that Monitoring module (6) can be mechanically coupled to the mouth and nose protection and - An electronic circuit (61) for monitoring the use of the mouth and nose protection and - comprises a voltage supply unit (64) for at least the electronic circuit (61), the voltage supply unit (64) having a solid-state accumulator without electrolytes. Monitoring module (6) Claim 1 , wherein the solid-state accumulator is designed as a surface-mounted component. Monitoring module (6) Claim 1 or 2 , wherein all electrical and electronic components of the monitoring module (6) are arranged on a single printed circuit board and / or are jointly coated with a fluid-tight potting compound. Monitoring module (6) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the electronic circuit (61) has a computing unit which has a timer and / or a counter. Monitoring module (6) Claim 4 , in which the computing unit is designed to activate the timer as a function of an activation signal provided and, if the timer exceeds a predetermined time limit, to generate and provide a first reminder signal. Monitoring module (6) Claim 4 or 5 , in which the arithmetic unit is designed to increment the counter as a function of a provided counting signal and, if the counter exceeds a predetermined number, to generate and provide a second reminder signal. Monitoring module (6) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the monitoring module (6) has a wireless communication interface (62) which is designed to transmit the first and / or second reminder signal provided by the computing unit to a specified terminal. Monitoring module (6) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the monitoring module (6) has a charging unit (66) for charging the accumulator. Monitoring module (6) Claim 8 , in which the charging unit (66) has a passive shop connector. Monitoring module (6) Claim 8 or 9 wherein the loading unit (66) comprises an energy harvesting unit. Monitoring module (6) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the monitoring module (6) has at least one first sensor element (681) or the monitoring module (6) is assigned the first sensor element (681), the first sensor element (681) being attached to the mouth -Nose protection is set up to provide a sensor signal that is suitable for a detection of breathing processes of a user. Monitoring module (6) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the monitoring module (6) has at least one second sensor element (682) or the second sensor element (682) is assigned to the monitoring module (6), the first sensor element being connected to the mouth-nose Protection is set up, a sensor signal to provide which is suitable for a detection of whether or not the mouth and nose protection is arranged in the mouth and nose area of the user. Monitoring module (6) Claim 11 or 12th , wherein the monitoring module (6) has a detection unit which is designed - depending on the sensor signal provided by the first sensor element (681) to detect a breathing process of the user, and / or - depending on the sensor signal sent by the second sensor element (682) is provided to detect whether the mouth and nose mask is being worn in a fixed manner. Monitoring module (6) Claim 13 wherein - the detection unit is designed to provide a detection signal that detects breathing processes and / or detected putting on processes and / or detected putting down processes and / or detected wearing processes of the mouth and nose protection represents, and - the computing unit is designed to receive the detection signal and to determine the activation signal and / or the counting signal as a function of the detection signal. Oral and nose protection device (1) having a mouth and nose protection which is designed as a half face mask and has one or more layers of paper and / or one or more layers of fabric to cover a mouth and nose area of a user, and a monitoring module (6 ) after one of the Claims 1 until 14th , which is arranged on the mouth and nose protection.

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