DE102022123988B3 - Device for testing the tightness of a respiratory mask - Google Patents

Abstract

According to the invention, a device for testing the tightness of a respiratory mask is provided, which has a device body that can be inserted into a connection opening of the respiratory mask. The device body has a passage which, when inserted, fluidly connects an interior of the respiratory mask with an environment. The device also has a shut-off device, wherein the shut-off device is set up to close the passage in the idle state and the shut-off device is set up to automatically open the passage when a predetermined pressure difference between the interior and the environment is exceeded. A predetermined pressure difference is understood to mean the amount of a pressure difference.

Description

The present invention relates to a device for testing the tightness of a respiratory mask.

There is a general need to be able to check the tightness of a respiratory protection brand. For this purpose, devices for checking the tightness of a respiratory mask are known.

A known device for testing the tightness of a respiratory mask is a fully automatic testing device, having an artificial head on which a respiratory mask to be tested can be placed and having an artificial lung, which, for example, simulates breathing on a compressed air breathing apparatus. The testing device can check the mask to be tested for leaks, i.e. structural tightness of the respiratory mask and the tight fit of the respiratory mask. Such fully automatic testing devices are complicated to use and expensive to manufacture.

For example, describes the DE 19 43 741 U a device for testing the tightness of the face seal of respiratory masks.

The present invention is therefore based on the object of providing a device for testing the tightness of a respiratory mask, which is easy to use and can be provided in a simple manner.

The device according to claim 1 solves these and other tasks.

Advantageous refinements are the subject of the dependent claims.

According to the invention, a device for testing the tightness of a respiratory mask is provided, which has a device body that can be inserted into a connection opening of the respiratory mask. The device body has a passage which, when inserted, is designed to fluidly connect an interior of the respiratory mask with an environment. The device also has a shut-off device, wherein the shut-off device is set up to close the passage in a resting state and wherein the shut-off device is set up to automatically open the passage when a predetermined pressure difference between the interior and the environment is exceeded. The device further has a pressure gauge which is set up to visibly display a current pressure in the interior of the respiratory mask for a user of the device.

A predetermined pressure difference is understood to mean the predetermined amount of a pressure difference, i.e. the pressure difference between the interior and the surroundings can be both a positive and a negative value.

According to the invention, tightness includes the tightness of the respiratory mask, i.e. the structural tightness of the respiratory mask and the tight fit of the mask when worn by a user as well as, if applicable, the tightness of connected gas-conducting elements, i.e. any property of the mask-user system (and possibly gas conduction) that is too can lead to a leak.

According to the invention, automatic opening is understood to mean opening that does not require any manual operation from the user.

The type of respiratory mask into which the device according to the invention can be used is not limited, as long as the respiratory mask has at least one connection opening. In particular, a respirator mask refers to both the field of personal protective equipment and medical respirators.

According to the invention, the device is particularly suitable for use with full masks and half masks.

Furthermore, the device according to the invention is also suitable for respiratory masks with one-way breathing and respiratory masks with two-way breathing.

In respirators with two-way breathing, inhaled and exhaled air are passed separately through an inhalation opening and a separate exhalation opening, for example with the help of valves. Respiratory masks with two-way breathing therefore have two connection openings in the sense of the invention.

With disposable breathing masks, inhaled and exhaled air are passed through the same opening. Respiratory masks with disposable breathing therefore only have one connection opening within the meaning of the invention.

In the case of respiratory masks with disposable breathing, it is preferred that the device according to the invention further has an integrated exhalation valve.

Furthermore, the device according to the invention is also suitable for respiratory masks that are set up to be operated with a normal pressure in the interior (normal pressure masks) and Respiratory masks that are designed to be operated with overpressure in the interior (overpressure masks), e.g. B. Respiratory masks for compressed air breathing apparatus.

According to the invention, a shut-off device is understood to mean a component that is suitable for opening and closing the passage in terms of fluid flow. Examples of shut-off devices according to the invention are slides, flaps and valves.

The device according to the invention solves the above problem in an advantageous manner. The device is easy to use because, apart from the device, no other complex components are required to check the tightness. In particular, no regulator needs to be provided.

The device according to the invention can also be provided with a simple structure and thus in a simple manner and can also be produced inexpensively.

Furthermore, the device according to the invention does not require a complex testing procedure, but can be carried out by a user in a simple manner.

In this respect, the device according to the invention can be inserted into the respiratory mask to be tested to test the tightness of the respiratory mask. This can be done, for example, by a user putting on the respiratory mask to be tested and inserting the device into the connection opening. The user can then (partially) inhale to create a negative pressure in the respirator relative to the environment or (partially) exhale to create a positive pressure in the respirator relative to the environment. The instantaneous (differential) pressure achieved in this way in the interior of the respiratory mask compared to the surroundings can then be read by the user from the pressure gauge. By observing whether the current pressure changes during the duration of the test, i.e. while the user stops inhaling or exhaling, a qualitative statement can be made as to whether there is a leak.

The shut-off device can open automatically as a result of a continuation of inhalation or exhalation and a predetermined pressure difference in the interior compared to the environment is thereby exceeded. This represents a particularly simple variant to end the leak test and allow the user to continue breathing.

For example, the shut-off device can provide the idle state of the shut-off device by means of a restoring element, such as a spring or a weight. In this case, the shut-off device is set up to open automatically when a restoring force that corresponds to the predetermined pressure difference is exceeded.

Alternatively, the shut-off device can be controlled by an actuator that is connected to a control device. The control unit can, for example, cause the actuator to open the shut-off device after a predetermined test period has elapsed.

The pressure gauge on the device preferably has a display unit, for example a scale, for reading the current pressure. The display that is visible to the user can be achieved by orienting the display unit in the direction of the user's field of vision when the device is in the inserted state.

In the simplest case, the pressure gauge can be provided as an analog pressure gauge with an integrated pressure display, e.g. using a scale.

The pressure gauge is preferably set up to generate measured values which correspond to the current internal pressure in the interior compared to a predetermined zero point, preferably predeterminable by a user. In another embodiment, the meter values can also correspond to a differential pressure between the environment and the interior. and

In one embodiment, the measured values can be transmitted via signaling to a receiving unit by means of a transmitting unit. The receiving unit can be set up to display the measured values visibly for the user, for example by the receiving unit providing the measured values for a display unit that is visible to the user. The signaling transmission can be wireless or wired. The receiving unit is particularly preferably a portable device with a corresponding display unit, for example a smartphone, a tablet or the like.

The predetermined pressure difference preferably corresponds to an excess pressure in the interior.

In this embodiment, the testing process can be further simplified, particularly for overpressure masks. Breathing air provided with excess pressure can be used to initially generate an excess pressure in the interior of the mask, which is preferably slightly below the predetermined pressure difference or corresponds to it to the maximum, so that the shut-off device not yet opened. The user of the mask therefore does not have to provide the pressure difference required to check the tightness by inhaling or exhaling, nor does he have to cause the shut-off device to open through his own breathing. Rather, the shut-off device can be caused to open automatically by providing an overpressure that exceeds the predetermined pressure difference. The user only has to hold his breath for a test period and observe the current pressure in the interior during the test period in order to check the tightness of the respiratory mask, preferably including the gas-carrying paths to the breathing air source, for example a regulator.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the device can be designed to accommodate a supply air hose from a breathing air source. The device can therefore accommodate, for example, the supply air hose of a regulator. This means that masks that do not have an independent holder for a supply air hose can also be tested for leaks using overpressure.

The predetermined pressure difference preferably corresponds to a negative pressure in the interior.

In this way an alternative device can be provided. This is particularly suitable, for example, for masks that are set up for two-way breathing. In such masks, the device body can be inserted into an inhalation opening of the mask and, when the predetermined pressure difference is exceeded, allows inhalation through the inhalation opening, whereas when exhaling, the breathing air flows out of an exhalation opening of the mask.

The predetermined pressure difference is preferably not more than 160 mbar, preferably not more than 50 mbar, particularly preferably 10 mbar.

In the context of the invention, it was recognized that such a pressure difference is a suitable value so that the user can conveniently provide the test pressure by partially inhaling or exhaling and at the same time can cause the shut-off device to open automatically by subsequently completely inhaling or exhaling. The usability of the device is thus improved.

The shut-off device is preferably a valve, preferably a spring-loaded valve.

Valves or spring-loaded valves are inexpensive components that are easy to integrate into the device and require little maintenance. The device can thus be provided in a particularly simple and inexpensive manner.

In a variant, the valve can be provided as a check valve in order to be able to remain in the inhalation opening of the mask during normal operation of a mask with two-way breathing. This advantageously increases the possible applications of the device.

The device preferably also has a protective element, wherein the protective element is designed to prevent foreign bodies from penetrating into the passage.

The robustness of the device can thus be advantageously increased. In the simplest case, the protective element is designed to prevent the penetration of larger, unwanted foreign bodies, for example fingers. Depending on the application, the protective element can also be designed to prevent the penetration of smaller, unwanted foreign bodies, for example dust, for example by the protective element being a filter.

Preferably, the valve (or the spring-loaded valve) has a valve closure element which is designed to rest sealingly on a sealing surface, the valve closure element or the protective element having a mandrel in order to guide the valve closure element.

The robustness of the device can be increased because the valve has a valve closure element that is guided securely along the mandrel due to such a design.

Preferably, the protective element is set up to form the sealing surface. In this case, the structure of the device can be further simplified.

The device preferably has a releasable latching element, the latching element being designed to releasably fix the shut-off element or the valve in the open position.

In this case, the usability of the device can be further simplified by the shut-off device or the valve remaining in the open state after the leak test has been carried out. The user can then continue breathing for a desired period of time without affecting the inhalation and exhalation resistance.

Preferably, the device body can be inserted into the respiratory mask by means of an adapter piece, the adapter piece preferably being replaceable.

This advantageously makes it possible to provide compatibility of the device with respiratory masks from different manufacturers.

The adapter piece can be provided with different connection geometries to accommodate different respiratory masks. The device can therefore, for example, be manufactured with exactly a specific geometry, which advantageously reduces the manufacturing costs due to the low variety of shapes. Only the adapter piece, in the simplest case just another component, has to be manufactured with a geometry that is adapted to the different masks and thus with a certain variety of shapes. Overall, compatibility can be achieved in a simple and inexpensive way.

The device preferably has an emergency release which is designed to fluidly connect the interior of the mask to the environment in response to an input from the user. For example, the device can have a side channel with an emergency shut-off device. In this case, the side channel also connects the passage with the environment, but on a different flow path than the shut-off device. In this case, the emergency shut-off device is set up to close the side channel in a normal operating state and to open it in response to the user's input, i.e. in an emergency. The emergency shut-off device, if present, can be constructed similarly to the shut-off device. The emergency shut-off device can in particular be a flap or a valve that can be opened manually by the user in an emergency.

• 1 eine schematische Schnittansicht einer Ausführungsform der Vorrichtung,
• 2 eine schematische Schnittansicht einer weiteren Ausführungsform der Vorrichtung,
• 3 eine schematische Schnittansicht einer weiteren Ausführungsform der Vorrichtung,
• 4 eine schematische Schnittansicht einer weiteren Ausführungsform der Vorrichtung,
• 5 eine schematische Schnittansicht einer weiteren Ausführungsform der Vorrichtung,
• 6 eine perspektivische Detail-Schnittansicht einer Ausführungsform der Vorrichtung,
• 7 eine Draufsicht einer Ausführungsform eines Schutzelements.

These and other advantages and features also emerge from the following description of the figures. This shows

• 1 a schematic sectional view of an embodiment of the device,
• 2 a schematic sectional view of a further embodiment of the device,
• 3 a schematic sectional view of a further embodiment of the device,
• 4 a schematic sectional view of a further embodiment of the device,
• 5 a schematic sectional view of a further embodiment of the device,
• 6 a perspective detailed sectional view of an embodiment of the device,
• 7 a top view of an embodiment of a protective element.

As in 1 until 6 shown, according to the invention a device 1 for checking the tightness of a respiratory mask 2 is provided.

The respiratory mask 2 is only in 1 indicated schematically with dashed lines.

The device 1 has a device body 10 which can be inserted into a connection opening 20 of the respiratory mask 2.

The connection opening 20 can, for example, be an inhalation or exhalation opening of the respiratory mask 2.

The device body 10 has a passage D, which is designed to fluidly connect an interior space I of the respiratory mask with an environment U when inserted. The device 1 also has a shut-off device 11, the shut-off device 11 being set up to close the passage in the idle state.

The shut-off device 11 is also set up to automatically open the passage D when a predetermined pressure difference between the interior I and the environment U is exceeded.

In addition, the device 1 has a pressure gauge 12, which is set up to visibly display the current pressure in the interior I of the respiratory mask 2 for a user of the device 1.

The pressure gauge 12 can, as in 5 shown, in the direction of view of the user (i.e. in a plane perpendicular to the viewing plane in 5 ) be arranged and, for example, have a scale to visibly display the pressure.

The leak test is therefore carried out, for example, by the user inserting the device 1 into the connection opening 20 of the breathing mask 2. The user can then inhale (in the embodiments according to 1 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 ) or exhale (in the embodiment according to 2 ) to create a negative pressure or positive pressure in the interior I compared to the environment U and maintain this pressure difference by holding the air for a test period. By reading the current pressure in the interior I from the pressure gauge 12, the user can determine whether a change in pressure is taking place. If there is a change in pressure, there is a leak, ie there is some type of leak. If there is no change in pressure, the respiratory mask is tight.

In the illustrated embodiments, the shut-off element 11 is caused to open by subsequent complete inhalation or exhalation, ie by the associated exceeding of the predetermined pressure difference.

In the embodiments shown, the predetermined pressure difference is preferably not more than 160 mbar, particularly preferably not more than 50 mbar, very particularly preferably 10 mbar.

In the illustrated embodiments according to 1 until 6 the shut-off element 11 is a valve 11, in particular a spring-loaded valve 11.

As shown, the valve 11 preferably has a spring 19, which is arranged and set up in such a way that the valve 11 is closed in the idle state. By appropriately selecting the spring 19, the predetermined pressure difference at which the valve 11 opens can be set. In the simplest case, the spring 19 can be a spiral spring, as shown. However, other designs are also suitable.

In the simplest and preferred case, in 1 until 6 is shown, the valve 11 has a valve closure element 15, which is designed to rest on a sealing surface 16 of the device body 10 in a sealing manner. The valve closure element 15 can open the passage D by a movement away from the sealing surface 16 in order to fluidly connect the interior I with the environment U via the passage D.

In the embodiment according to 1 In the resting state, the spring 19, for example, exerts a force to the left (in relation to the illustration), so that the valve closure element 15 is pulled sealingly against the sealing surface 16.

In the embodiment according to 2 In the resting state, the spring 19, for example, exerts a force to the right (in relation to the illustration), so that the valve closure element 15 is pulled against the sealing surface 16.

In the embodiments according to 3 , 4 , 5 and 6 In the resting state, the spring 19, for example, exerts a force to the left (in relation to the illustration), so that the valve closure element 15 is pressed sealingly against the sealing surface 16. For this purpose, the spring 19 is supported, for example, on a support element 18, which can be arranged in the passage D. In this case, support element 18 is permeable to flow, for example, in that the support element 18 has one or more bores. In the examples shown 3 until 8th the support element 18 has a central bore.

As in 3 until 7 shown, the device 1 can have a protective element 13, the protective element 13 being designed to prevent foreign bodies from entering the passage D. The protective element 13 can seal the passage D to the environment U in a gas-permeable manner, as shown.

In an in 7 In the example shown, the protective element 13 can have the shape of a cylinder with a plurality (in the example: three) of interconnected struts, which prevent penetration by, for example, a user's fingers. In an embodiment not shown, the protective element 13 can be a grid.

Special preferred and in 3 until 6 it is shown that the protective element 13 provides the sealing surface 16. In the closed state of the valve 11, the valve closure element 15 preferably lies against or on the sealing surface 16 of the protective element 13 in a sealing manner. Alternative and in 1 and 2 shown, for example, the device body 10 can provide the sealing surface 16.

The protective element 13 or - as in 5 and 6 shown - the valve closure element 15 can have a mandrel 14 to guide the valve closure element 15. This mandrel 14 can, for example, be inserted into a recess in the protective element 13 (shown in 5 , 6 , 7 ) intervene and can be moved relative to it, for example in a sliding manner.

In an in 4 Illustrated embodiment, the device 1 can have a detachable locking element 17. The locking element 17 can be set up to releasably fix the shut-off element 11, i.e. the valve 11 in the examples shown, in the open position.

The locking element 17 can, as in 4 shown, for example, be formed by a plurality of locking lugs 17a and a plurality of projections 17b. The locking element 17 can have a locking effect, for example, in that the locking lugs 17a engage behind corresponding projections 17b.

The locking element 17 can also have a locking effect in another way, for example by magnetic force.

The locking element 17 is designed to be detachable, so that the locking or fixing is reversible. To release the fixation you can do this, for example Buttons may be provided on the device 1. For example, if present, the locking lugs 17a and/or the projections 17b can move apart mechanically in order to release the fixation.

It is essential that the fluidic connection between the interior I and the environment U is provided in the locked or fixed position. This can be achieved, for example, by spacing the locking lugs 17a from one another in order to enable gas flow past the valve closure element 15 and through the gap thus formed between the projections 17b and the valve closure element 15.

It is preferred and in 5 It can be seen that the device body 10 can be inserted into the respiratory mask 2 by means of an adapter piece 30. Furthermore, the adapter piece 30 is preferably interchangeable.

This allows the device 1 to be used with a variety of mask types, which may have differently shaped connection openings 20. For this purpose, as explained at the beginning, only the adapter piece 30 must be provided correspondingly with the corresponding connection opening 20. In the in 5 In the example shown, device body 10 and adapter piece 30 are connected to one another via a thread pairing, not shown. However, other types of connection are also conceivable.

In 5 , 6 It is shown that a seal can be arranged between the protective element 13 and the device body 10. The embodiment shown is an O-ring.

All features disclosed herein can be combined with one another, provided this is not contradictory or involves alternatives.

Reference symbol list

1

contraption

2

Respirator mask

10

Device body

11

Shut-off device, valve

12

manometer

13

Protective element

14

mandrel

15

Valve closure element

16

sealing surface

17, 17a, 17b

Locking element

17a

detent nose

17b

head Start

18

Support element

19

Feather

20

Connection opening

30

Adapter piece

D

passage

U

Vicinity

I

inner space

Claims (9)

Device (1) for testing the tightness of a respiratory mask (2), comprising: - a device body (10) which can be inserted into a connection opening (20) of the breathing mask (2), wherein the device body (10) has a passage (D) which, when inserted, is designed to fluidly connect an interior space (I) of the respiratory mask (2) with an environment (U), - a shut-off device (11), wherein the shut-off device (11) is set up to close the passage (D) in a resting state, and wherein the shut-off element (11) is set up to automatically open the passage (D) when a predetermined pressure difference between the interior (I) and the environment (U) is exceeded, and - a pressure gauge (12) which is set up to visibly display a current pressure in the interior (I) of the respiratory mask (2) for a user of the device (1). Device (1) according to Claim 1 , wherein the predetermined pressure difference corresponds to an overpressure in the interior (I). Device (1) according to Claim 1 , wherein the predetermined pressure difference corresponds to a negative pressure in the interior (I). Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the shut-off element (11) is a valve (11). Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a protective element (13), wherein the protective element (13) is designed to prevent foreign bodies from penetrating into the passage (D). Device (1) according to Claim 4 or 5 , wherein the valve (11) has a valve closure element (15) which is designed to rest sealingly on a sealing surface (16), and wherein the valve closure element (15) or that Protective element (13) has a mandrel (14) to guide the valve closure element (15). Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the device (1) has a releasable locking element (17, 17a, 17b), and wherein the locking element (17, 17a, 17b) is set up, the shut-off element (11), in the case of Claim 4 the valve (11) can be releasably fixed in the open position. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the device body (10) can be inserted into the respiratory mask (2) by means of an adapter piece (30). Device (1) according to Claim 8 , whereby the adapter piece (30) is replaceable.

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