DE3931682A1 - Protective respirator with air distributor - has collapsible filter to reduce vol of respirator air preparation and distributor chamber, when not used - Google Patents

Abstract

The respirator is packed in a flat container (1), when not in use. When required for use the hood (10) is pulled out of the container, with a sealing ring (9) fitting around the wearer's nose, mouth and chin. The respirator has a filter (3) for the air cleaning. When the respirator is not in use, the filter is compressed in concertina fashion. When in use, the cover (2) is pushed outwards by a spring (22) so that the volu. of the air distributor chamber is increased and the filter is extended in the axial direction. USE/ADVANTAGE - For aircraft and other confined spaces, with compact and reliable design.

Description

The invention relates to a breathing apparatus with a Breathing air treatment unit and an associated Air distribution chamber.

Should such a respirator for a possible Use in confined spaces, such as in an airplane, are kept ready small dimensions, especially a small one Overall height, the packaged device is crucial Importance.

It is general for breathing apparatus with a breathing bag commonly used, as well as masks, rubber tubes, Mouthpieces to save space when ready to be accommodated in the device in a folded form. The other breathing gas components are, however conventional devices rigidly built and allow no further reduction in construction volume in the Ready state.

From DE-PS 32 36 028 is an escape filter device become known, in the packaged state Using a breathing filter to reduce the overall height of a guide part pushed into the breathing mask is.

The disadvantage of this device is that the filter is rigid is built, and thus the height of the packaged Device not less than the height of the filter can be.

The object of the invention is a breathing apparatus specify the overall height of the packaging or is as low as possible in standby mode.

The problem is solved in that free air spaces in the breathing air treatment unit and / or the associated air distribution chamber in the Ready state of the breathing apparatus in your Volume are reduced.

The breathing air treatment unit of a breathing apparatus can be designed as a breathing air filter (suspended matter filter, gas filter), as a chemical cartridge that regenerates the breathing air, or as a catalyst cartridge for converting inhaled CO harmless CO ₂ . It is provided with an air distribution chamber for a uniform flow through the breathing air treatment unit.

One idea of the invention is this Air distribution chamber in the packed state of the Flatten the breathing apparatus, and so the overall height to reduce. Only when the device is started up the height of the air distribution chamber to the Function brought the necessary value.

Another possibility is the height of the packaged To reduce breathing apparatus is in the Flattening of the air filter. A as bellows-shaped paper filter Particulate filter can be very when not in use squeeze flat, making a significant Reduction of the overall height is connected. At Commissioning of the breathing apparatus will be HEPA filter unfolds, reducing the individual  Layers of paper free of the air to be filtered can be flowed through. Also fibrous filter fabrics such as filter wadding, activated carbon fibers or Foam-like substances can be used when not in use compress considerably. When the These fibers are then used again with a respirator loosened up. This leaves enough free space Air spaces exist between the fibers, so that too filtering air with low flow resistance can flow through and the active surfaces of the Fibers are freely accessible.

Foam filters can also be used when not in use their volume can be significantly reduced.

The filter materials do not necessarily have to be elastic. The necessary strength to Loosening of the filter material at Commissioning can also be done by a suitable Tools such as a spring can be applied.

Also for respiratory protective devices with a chemical cartridge to regenerate the air we breathe Invention idea applicable. On the one hand, the Reduce air distribution chamber in its height, such as already described using the example of the filter devices. To the others are also conceivable instead of a fixed volume Chemical fill a compressible chemical filling use, and thereby also the chemical cartridge in to make their overall height reducible. The compressible Chemical filling is in the form of a compressible Carrier matix, such as foam or fibers, with stored chemical particles conceivable. Even with the Chemical coated fibers can be used come.  

The advantages achieved with the invention are one in the significantly reduced overall height of the packed respirator. This makes it possible the device in tightly confined spaces to store. On the other hand, through the pressed storage of filter materials such as Activated carbon fibers through Vibrating loads caused abrasion considerably reduced. The filters hardly collect dust retain their full filter effect over a long period.

An embodiment of the invention is in the Drawing is shown schematically and is in described below.

Show it:

Fig. 1 shows the section through a breathing apparatus in the state of use.

Fig. 2 shows the section through the same device in the standby state.

The components of the device are installed in a two-part housing consisting of a cover ( 1 ) and base ( 2 ). The main components of the device are a particulate filter ( 3 ), a catalyst cartridge ( 4 ) as a breathing air treatment unit, an air distribution chamber in front of ( 5 ) and behind ( 6 ) the catalyst cartridge ( 4 ), a heat protection filter ( 7 ), an exhalation valve ( 8 ) Sealing bead ( 9 ) and a hood ( 10 ) with neck seal ( 11 ) and viewing window ( 12 ).

When using the device, the hood ( 10 ) is pulled over the head ( 13 ) of the user. The neck seal ( 11 ) closes off the interior of the hood from the surroundings. Tapes, not shown, press the sealing bead ( 9 ) against the face of the user. The user's mouth and nose lie within the space delimited by the sealing bead.

When inhaled, ambient air flows through the housing opening ( 14 ). It flows through the paper layers of the suspended matter filter ( 3 ) and is freed of suspended matter here. A flexible film ( 26 ) separates the space around the particulate filter ( 3 ) from the other rooms of the device. The air enters the air distribution chamber ( 5 ) through the opening ( 15 ) and then flows flatly through the catalyst cartridge ( 4 ). Any carbon monoxide present in it is catalytically oxidized to carbon dioxide. The air then enters the air distribution chamber ( 6 ) and further via the channel ( 16 ) and the opening ( 17 ) into the heat filter ( 7 ). The air heated by the oxidation is cooled here. The air that has passed through the heat filter is inhaled by the user.

The exhaled air passes through the heat filter ( 7 ) again, cools it down and then leaves the device via the exhalation valve ( 8 ) arranged in a ring around the stopper ( 20 ) by the sealing lip ( 23 ) towards the housing cover due to the gas pressure building up ( 1 ) is pressed, and then the gas flows past the sealing lip ( 23 ) through the bores ( 24 ) to the outside.

Fig. 2 shows the breathing apparatus in the standby state.

Housing cover ( 1 ) and bottom ( 2 ) are pushed against each other, the opening ( 14 ) is closed. The particulate filter ( 3 ) is folded flat. The catalyst cartridge ( 4 ), which is displaceably held in the housing by a sealing ring ( 25 ), is pushed onto the floor ( 2 ) against the resistance of the leaf spring ( 18 ), as a result of which the height of the air distribution chamber ( 6 ) is greatly reduced. The plugs ( 19 ) and ( 20 ) close the openings ( 15 ) and ( 17 ) in a water vapor-tight manner. This is necessary because the catalyst material in the cartridge ( 4 ) is highly hygroscopic and would be useless without the protective measure during storage of the device due to water absorbed from the ambient air.

The heat protection filter ( 7 ), which consists of elastic metal wool, is pressed flat against the housing cover ( 1 ). This leaves enough space in the upper part of the housing for the multi-fold hood ( 10 ) with neck seal ( 11 ) and viewing window ( 12 ).

The breathing apparatus is held in the flat form described by compressive forces which are applied by an outer packaging ( 21 ) or the walls of the storage space in which it is stored.

If the respirator is removed from the packaging or storage space, the device opens automatically due to the forces of the springs ( 18 ) and ( 22 ). The particulate filter ( 3 ) unfolds, the openings ( 15 ) and ( 17 ) are opened, the air distribution chamber ( 6 ) takes on its desired height and the heat protection filter ( 7 ) expands. The device is now ready for use.

Claims (10)

1. Respiratory protection device with a breathing air treatment unit and an associated air distribution chamber, which serves to distribute the air evenly over the area of the breathing air treatment unit provided for through-flow, characterized in that free air spaces in the breathing air treatment unit ( 4 ) and / or the air distribution chamber ( 6 ) in The standby state of the breathing apparatus is reduced in volume and can be increased to its operating volume in order to achieve the operating state. 2. Breathing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the breathing air treatment unit ( 4 ) contains a compressible filter material containing breathing air filter ( 3 ). 3. Respiratory protection device according to claim 2, characterized in that a bellows-shaped paper filter ( 3 ) is provided as compressible filter material. 4. Respiratory protection device according to claim 2, characterized in that a fibrous filter material is provided as compressible filter material ( 3 ). 5. Respiratory protection device according to claim 2, characterized in that filter wool is provided as compressible filter material ( 3 ). 6. Respiratory protection device according to claim 2, characterized in that activated carbon fibers are provided as compressible filter material ( 3 ). 7. Respiratory protection device according to claim 2, characterized in that a foam serving as a carrier matrix for a chemical regenerating the respiratory gas is provided as the compressible filter material ( 3 ). 8. Respiratory protection device according to claim 1, characterized in that the breathing air treatment unit ( 4 ) is designed as a chemical cartridge containing a compressible chemical filling for regeneration of the breathing air. 9. Respiratory protection device according to claim 8, characterized characterized that the compressible Chemical filling from a compressible Carrier matrix and embedded therein Chemical particles exist. 10. Respiratory protection device according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that an outer casing ( 21 ) receiving the device in the standby state is provided, which cancels the effect of the devices ( 18 , 22 ) provided for increasing the volume, and when the device is removed changes to the operating state.