EP3932493B1 - Oxygen self rescue device and method for an oxygen self rescue device - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to an oxygen self-rescuer and a method for setting up a breathing bag of an oxygen self-rescuer during a transition from an unused, collapsed state of the oxygen self-rescuer to a used, expanded state of the oxygen self-rescuer.

The use of an oxygen self-rescuer is known, for example in mining. If toxic fumes suddenly appear, this serves to provide the user with oxygen for a short period of time so that they can continue to breathe in non-toxic oxygen on their way out of the toxic fumes and into an area with fresh air. Since such accidents involving escaping toxic fumes are typically rare, such an oxygen self-rescuer usually has to be worn for a long period of several years before it is used or replaced.

Since the user usually cannot remember the contents of an instruction manual in such an alarm situation, the use of the oxygen self-rescuer must be intuitive and robust against user errors.

The structure of an oxygen self-rescuer is basically known, consisting of a breathing bag, a mouthpiece and a hose part that connects the mouthpiece to the breathing bag.

In DE 196 52 074 A1 It is described that a manually operable starting device is provided in such an arrangement for generating the oxygen. This oxygen is brought into the breathing bag so that the user can inhale it through the mouthpiece.

Furthermore, the use of a chlorate candle is known, which releases oxygen in an exothermic reaction, this oxygen also being brought into the breathing bag. The chlorate candle is activated by the user exhaling into the breathing bag.

In US 4,817,597 A A self-contained, oxygen-generating breathing apparatus is disclosed which has a breathing bag. If the breathing bag is made of a flexible material, a coil spring of appropriate shape inside the resuscitator can cause the resuscitator to automatically expand when the respirator is removed from a cover before use, thereby storing the air required for the first ventilation.

The object of the present invention is to provide an improved oxygen self-rescuer, in particular a particularly robust and easy-to-use oxygen self-rescuer.

According to the invention, to solve this problem, an oxygen self-rescuer with a gas cartridge, a mouthpiece, a hose connecting the gas cartridge and the mouthpiece, a breathing bag which is hydrodynamically connected to the gas cartridge and the hose, and a spring arrangement is proposed.

The spring assembly is disposed within the breathing bag, the spring assembly comprising at least one spring attached to the breathing bag and/or the gas cartridge, and wherein the spring assembly is in a preloaded spring state in an unused, collapsed state of the oxygen self-rescuer. In this case, during an externally triggered transition from the unused, packed state of the oxygen self-rescuer to a used, expanded state of the oxygen self-rescuer, the spring arrangement leaves the prestressed spring state in such a way that the spring arrangement raises the breathing bag and thereby generates a negative pressure within the breathing bag, so that the negative pressure allows breathable gas into guides the breathing bag and thereby prepares it for ventilation of a user of the oxygen self-rescuer.

As part of the invention, it was recognized that ventilation of the user should be carried out more intuitively than is the case with common oxygen self-rescuers. In particular, it should be avoided that the oxygen self-rescuer only becomes usable by initially exhaling into the breathing bag, since a user could intuitively try in vain to inhale directly breathable gas. Against this background, it was recognized that it is necessary Mechanically set up the breathing bag so that the user does not initially breathe against resistance, but can continue with his usual breathing rhythm right from the start. To solve this problem, the spring arrangement is proposed according to the invention, which ensures a reliable, mechanical erection of the breathing bag during the transition to the used, expanded state of the oxygen self-rescuer.

The oxygen self-rescuer according to the invention therefore advantageously enables automated mechanical erection of the breathing bag, even after the oxygen self-rescuer has been in the unused, packed state for many years. Even if the breathing bag should remain comparatively rigid in the unused, packed state due to its material properties, the spring arrangement allows a reliable transition to the used, expanded state of the oxygen self-rescuer without additional effort on the part of the user. In particular, a particularly forceful blowing into the breathing bag, as might be necessary with commercially available oxygen self-rescuers, is avoided.

The invention is particularly robust by using a preloaded spring arrangement, since the preloaded spring state in the metallic materials preferably used for such a spring arrangement reliably receives a spring force over many years, which, when resolved externally, ensures the transition to the extended state and the exit from the tensioned spring state.

The transition from the unused to the used state of the oxygen self-rescuer can be triggered externally, for example, by removing the oxygen self-rescuer from a casing, such as a bag, a bowl, a can or another such casing. The need for such manual removal can be indicated to the user, for example, by an alarm at his workplace.

The raising of the breathing bag by the spring arrangement provides a breathable gas volume which can be at least partially inhaled by the user of the oxygen self-rescuer when putting on the mouthpiece. According to the invention, the gas cartridge provides an oxygen-containing gas, which is fed into the breathing bag and protects the user from having to inhale only his own exhaled air over several breaths. The gas cartridge can be activated, for example, via the user's inhaled air, via manual operation or via a process correlated with the externally triggered transition in order to provide the oxygen-containing gas after activation.

The hydrodynamic connection between the breathing bag, gas cartridge and hose is designed in such a way that the oxygen-containing gas, which is provided by the gas cartridge in the breathing bag, can be inhaled via the mouthpiece on the hose. Furthermore, this hydrodynamic connection allows the negative pressure generated by raising the breathing bag to direct breathable gas from the environment of the oxygen self-rescuer into the breathing bag. The fact that there may be poisonous gas in the environment is not a problem here, since only a single additional breath is taken with the ambient air, which is probably not immediately enriched with poisonous gas.

The speed at which the breathing bag is erected by the spring assembly depends on the preload of the spring assembly in the preloaded spring state. Preferably, the pretension is selected such that the breathing bag stands up sufficiently straight after the externally triggered transition, for example directly after removal from a corresponding cover for the oxygen self-rescuer, in order to enable the user to breathe in.

Another advantage of using a spring arrangement is the reusability of the spring arrangement for erecting the breathing bag after a single use of the oxygen self-rescuer. All you have to do is provide the preloaded spring state again and, for example, through a suitable covering can be fixed in order to be able to use the spring arrangement again according to the invention. Only replacing the gas cartridge is necessary to reuse the oxygen self-rescuer.

The exact structure of a suitable gas cartridge is known to those skilled in the art given the gas cartridges already on the market and is therefore not explained in detail below.

Further features of the oxygen self-rescuer according to the invention and preferred embodiments of the oxygen self-rescuer according to the invention are described below.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the oxygen self-rescuer, the spring arrangement is shaped so flat in the pre-tensioned spring state that the pre-tensioned state supports a small internal volume of the breathing bag compared to the used, expanded state, in particular that a small pack size of the oxygen self-rescuer in the unused, packed state compared to the used extended state is supported. Preferably, the spring arrangement is essentially flat in the prestressed spring state and, in the extended state, is larger in at least one spatial direction than in the prestressed spring state. This advantageously makes it possible for the breathing bag to be stretched at least in the one spatial direction in which the extended spring state of the spring arrangement is greater than in the pre-tensioned spring state, thereby generating a negative pressure which leads breathable gas from the ambient air into the breathing bag.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the spring arrangement erects the breathing bag between the prestressed spring state and a relaxed spring state of the spring arrangement, wherein in the final relaxed spring state the breathing bag is not erected by the spring arrangement. This particularly advantageously ensures that the user exhales the breathable gas when inhaling the breathing bag does not have to breathe against the resistance of the spring arrangement. According to the invention, in this embodiment the breathing bag is erected so that a gas volume is available to a user for inhalation, but the erected shape of the breathing bag is no longer supported by the spring arrangement after the spring arrangement has reached its relaxed spring state. However, support of the breathing bag by the spring arrangement is no longer necessary even after an initial erection, since a breathable gas introduced at the beginning keeps the breathing bag at least partially erect and then the breathing bag regularly changes its shape in the course of the user's ventilation without being erected again to have to be.

The spring arrangement according to the invention has at least two mutually movable legs of the spring arrangement, the two movable legs being arranged relative to one another in the prestressed spring state in such a way that a torsion spring arranged between the two legs is in a prestressed state. During the transition from the prestressed spring state to the relaxed spring state, the legs preferably move relative to one another in such a way that the torsion spring comes into a relaxed state. The use of a torsion spring with at least two legs is advantageous because such a spring arrangement is particularly simple and inexpensive to manufacture. Preferably, the spring assembly of this embodiment is made of metal. In a supplementary embodiment, a compression spring is used.

In a preferred variant of the previous embodiment, the two legs are formed at an acute angle to one another in the pre-stressed spring state, with the two legs being formed at an obtuse angle or stretched towards one another in the relaxed spring state. Such a transition from an acute-angled arrangement to an obtuse-angled arrangement, in an arrangement in between, enables the breathing bag to be at least partially erected by the pressure of at least one of the two legs.

In a preferred embodiment, the spring arrangement has two opposite springs, in particular two opposite torsion springs, which form a pair of springs of the spring arrangement. Such a spring arrangement can set up the breathing bag particularly quickly and reliably, especially after a long storage period in the pre-stressed spring state. In a variant of this embodiment, the spring arrangement has more than two torsion springs. In this embodiment, the oxygen self-rescuer particularly preferably has a spring arrangement which comprises at least two pairs of springs. This means that more spring force can be provided to raise the breathing bag compared to a pair of springs. The use of at least two pairs of springs also allows the breathing bag to be raised in different directions. Finally, the use of several pairs of springs allows a certain level of reliability if a torsion spring breaks, for example during storage. Furthermore, using several pairs of springs can prevent the breathing bag from sticking to itself, for example due to adhesion forces, thereby providing a reduced internal volume. For example shows Fig. 7 Such a spring arrangement, which uses several pairs of springs to raise the breathing bag particularly reliably against any adhesion forces that may be present.

In a particularly preferred variant of the preceding embodiment and/or in a particularly preferred example of the preceding variants, the spring arrangement between the two springs of at least one pair of springs is arcuate, triangular, rectangular or U-shaped. Such a structure of the spring arrangement enables a particularly robust design of the oxygen self-rescuer. In particular, such a structure allows a distributed force to be applied to the breathing bag, which puts less strain on the material of the breathing bag than a point force applied by just one leg of the spring arrangement. In an example of this variant, a plate can be arranged over the at least two legs of the spring arrangement and the arc shape, the triangular shape, the rectangular shape or the U shape, which raises the breathing bag during the externally triggered transition into the used expanded state.

The spring arrangement is preferably formed in one piece. Such a one-piece spring arrangement can be manufactured particularly easily and is particularly robust in use. In particular, there is no need for a connection between components of the spring assembly, which may develop a defect, for example break, over the years of storage. Preferably, the spring arrangement is formed from at least one metallic wire.

In an embodiment according to the invention, the spring arrangement is attached to a housing of the gas cartridge. This enables a particularly robust and reliable attachment of the spring arrangement within the oxygen self-rescuer. Preferably, the spring arrangement is connected to the housing of the gas cartridge via a chemical or non-positive connection, in particular via a screw connection, a welded connection or an adhesive bond.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the negative pressure leads breathable gas into the breathing bag via the mouthpiece, the gas cartridge and/or a breathing bag valve. The breathing bag valve is preferably a valve provided on the breathing bag, which enables gas exchange between the environment and the internal volume of the breathing bag in at least one direction. Particularly preferably, the breathing bag valve is a valve that allows both a gas flow from the environment into the breathing bag in order to guide breathable gas into the breathing bag when the negative pressure is present, and also allows a gas flow from the breathing bag into the environment, for example Avoid excess pressure within the breathing bag. Preferably, a gas flow in one of the two directions is only permitted through the breathing bag valve if there is a minimum gas pressure in the respective direction. In this sense, the breathing bag valve is preferably a combination of a pressure relief valve and a vacuum valve. In a supplementary and/or alternative variant, the breathing bag has both an overpressure valve and a negative pressure valve. Preferably, even in the case of only one possible gas flow direction of the breathing bag valve, the gas flow is only permitted if there is a minimum gas pressure for one possible direction.

The breathing bag is preferably made from a polyurethane film. This makes the breathing bag advantageously particularly robust. Alternatively or additionally, the breathing bag is formed from a laminated fabric, in particular a laminated fabric which has threads that are electrically conductive. The breathing bag is designed to be antistatic thanks to electrically conductive threads. This prevents the breathing bag from being electrically charged.

The invention further relates to a system consisting of the oxygen self-rescuer according to at least one of the preceding embodiments and a casing of the oxygen self-rescuer. The casing of the oxygen self-rescuer is designed to provide a permanent container for the unused, packed state of the oxygen self-rescuer, in which the spring arrangement remains in the pre-stressed spring state. In particular, due to its dimensions, the casing is designed to surround the pack size of the oxygen self-rescuer in the unused, packed state, whereas the oxygen self-rescuer cannot be arranged within the casing in the used, expanded state of the oxygen self-rescuer.

The enclosure is preferably a bag, box, can, sealed bag or the like. Preferably, the casing is made of a robust material that is resistant to environmental influences, such as a metal or a plastic.

• Bereitstellen der Federanordnung in einem vorgespannten Federzustand der Federanordnung innerhalb des Atembeutels für den ungenutzten zusammengepackten Zustand des Sauerstoffselbstretters;
• Fixieren des Sauerstoffselbstretters in dem ungenutzten zusammengepackten Zustand;
• Auslösen des Übergangs in den genutzten ausgedehnten Zustand des Sauerstoffselbstretters;
• automatisiertes Verlassen des vorgespannten Federzustands durch die Federanordnung aufgrund einer Federarbeit mindestens einer Feder der Federanordnung derart, dass die Federanordnung den Atembeutel aufrichtet und dabei einen Unterdruck innerhalb des Atembeutels erzeugt, so dass der Unterdruck atembares Gas aus der Umgebung des Sauerstoffselbstretters in den Atembeutel führt und diesen dadurch für eine Beatmung eines Anwenders des Sauerstoffselbstretters vorbereitet.

According to a further aspect of the invention, in order to solve the above-mentioned object, a method for setting up the breathing bag of an oxygen self-rescuer according to the invention is proposed during a transition from the unused, packed state of the oxygen self-rescuer to the used, expanded state of the oxygen self-rescuer. The method according to the invention has the following steps:

• Providing the spring assembly in a preloaded spring state of the spring assembly within the breathing bag for the unused, collapsed state of the oxygen self-rescuer;
• fixing the oxygen self-rescuer in the unused, packed state;
• Initiating the transition to the utilized extended state of the oxygen self-rescuer;
• automated exit from the preloaded spring state by the spring arrangement due to spring work of at least one spring of the spring arrangement in such a way that the spring arrangement erects the breathing bag and thereby generates a negative pressure within the breathing bag, so that the negative pressure leads breathable gas from the environment of the oxygen self-rescuer into the breathing bag and this thereby prepared for ventilation of a user of the oxygen self-rescuer.

The method according to the further aspect of the invention has the advantages of the oxygen self-rescuer according to the invention. In particular, the automated exit from the preloaded spring state by the spring arrangement allows a particularly simple use of the spring arrangement, in particular a particularly simple implementation of the method according to the invention, since no further manual step is required apart from triggering, preferably manually triggering, the transition into the used extended state of the oxygen self-rescuer is necessary.

In a preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, a final step involves reaching a final relaxed spring state of the spring arrangement, in which the breathing bag is not erected by the spring arrangement. In this embodiment, it is advantageously avoided that the user of the oxygen self-rescuer has to breathe against the spring force of the spring arrangement during ventilation. In this embodiment, the breathing bag is erected in order to bring breathable gas into the breathing bag by means of a negative pressure generated in the process, but this breathable gas can be exhaled from the breathing bag by the user without striking the erect spring assembly breathe, since the spring arrangement is no longer able to straighten when the spring arrangement is in a relaxed state.

Fig. 1

eine schematische Darstellung eines ersten Ausführungsbeispiels eines erfindungsgemäßen Sauerstoffselbstretters;

Figs. 2, 3

eine jeweilige schematische Darstellung des ersten Ausführungsbeispiels des erfindungsgemäßen Sauerstoffselbstretters im zusammengepackten Zustand mit Umhüllung (Fig. 2) und im entspannten Zustand der Federanordnung des Sauerstoffselbstretters (Fig. 3);

Figs. 4, 5

eine jeweilige schematische Darstellung einer erfindungsgemäßen Federanordnung, wobei die Federanordnung zwischen zwei Federn eines Federpaares rechteckförmig (Fig. 4) und bogenförmig (Fig. 5) ist;

Fig. 6

eine schematische Darstellung eines zweiten Ausführungsbeispiels eines erfindungsgemäßen Sauerstoffselbstretters;

Fig. 7

eine schematische Darstellung eines dritten Ausführungsbeispiels eines erfindungsgemäßen Sauerstoffselbstretters;

Fig. 8

ein Flussdiagramm eines Ausführungsbeispiels eines erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens gemäß einem weiteren Aspekt der Erfindung.

The invention will now be explained in more detail using advantageous exemplary embodiments shown schematically in the figures. Of these show in detail:

Fig. 1

a schematic representation of a first embodiment of an oxygen self-rescuer according to the invention;

Figs. 2, 3

a respective schematic representation of the first exemplary embodiment of the oxygen self-rescuer according to the invention in the packed state with covering ( Fig. 2 ) and in the relaxed state of the spring arrangement of the oxygen self-rescuer ( Fig. 3 );

Figs. 4, 5

a respective schematic representation of a spring arrangement according to the invention, the spring arrangement between two springs of a pair of springs being rectangular ( Fig. 4 ) and arcuate ( Fig. 5 ) is;

Fig. 6

a schematic representation of a second embodiment of an oxygen self-rescuer according to the invention;

Fig. 7

a schematic representation of a third embodiment of an oxygen self-rescuer according to the invention;

Fig. 8

a flowchart of an exemplary embodiment of a method according to the invention according to a further aspect of the invention.

Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of a first exemplary embodiment of an oxygen self-rescuer 100 according to the invention.

The oxygen self-rescuer 100 includes a gas cartridge 110, a mouthpiece 120, a hose 130 connecting the gas cartridge 110 and the mouthpiece 120, as well as a breathing bag 140 and a spring arrangement 150.

The gas cartridge 110 has a gas outlet 112, which leads a gas to be provided by the gas cartridge into the breathing bag 140. The exact structure of the gas cartridge 110 is known to those skilled in the art and is therefore not explained in detail here.

The mouthpiece 120 may be a mouthpiece that is merely placed over the mouth of a user of the oxygen self-rescuer 100, or the mouthpiece 120 may not be a mouthpiece that is placed over the mouth and nose of the user of the oxygen self-rescuer 100.

In the exemplary embodiment shown, mouthpiece 120 and hose 130 are formed together in one piece from a flexible material, such as a plastic, in particular an elastomer. In an alternative embodiment, the mouthpiece is arranged on the hose via a suitable connection, with the hose and/or mouthpiece preferably being formed at least partially from a flexible material, such as a plastic, in particular an elastomer.

In the exemplary embodiment shown, the breathing bag 140 is permanently attached to a housing 114 of the gas cartridge 110, preferably attached in an airtight manner, in particular glued or positively connected. The attachment is arranged on the housing 114 in such a way that the gas to be provided passes through the gas outlet 112 into the breathing bag 140 and then reaches the user of the oxygen self-rescuer 100 via the hose 130 and the mouthpiece 120. In this sense, the breathing bag 140 is hydrodynamically connected to the gas cartridge 110 and the hose 130.

According to the invention, the spring arrangement 150 is located inside the breathing bag 140. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the spring arrangement 150 consists of at least a first leg 151 of the spring arrangement 150 and a second leg 152 of the spring arrangement 150, wherein the two legs 151, 152 are connected to one another via a torsion spring 153. In an exemplary embodiment, not shown, the spring arrangement comprises a compression spring. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the spring arrangement 150 is permanently attached to the housing 114 of the gas cartridge 110 via the first leg 151. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the fastening takes place via a screw connection, via a welded connection or via gluing. In the in Fig. 6 In the second exemplary embodiment shown, the spring arrangement is attached alternatively or additionally to the breathing bag.

The spring arrangement 150 is designed such that it is in an unused, packed state of the oxygen self-rescuer, for example in Fig. 2 is shown, is in a preloaded spring state. In this case, during an externally triggered transition from the unused, packed state of the oxygen self-rescuer 100 to a used, expanded state of the oxygen self-rescuer 100, the spring arrangement 150 leaves the preloaded spring state in such a way that the spring arrangement raises the breathing bag 140 and thereby generates a negative pressure within the breathing bag 140. In Fig. 1 What is shown is exactly the state in which the breathing bag 140 is straightened up over the second leg 152 by the spring arrangement 150. This erection of the breathing bag 140 creates a negative pressure that leads breathable gas into the breathing bag 140 and thereby prepares it for ventilation of a user of the oxygen self-rescuer 100.

In the in Fig. 1 In the illustrated state of the spring arrangement 150, the second leg 152 moves straight away from the first leg 151 towards the gas outlet 112. The exact course of this movement is determined in combination with the Figures 2 and 3 explained.

In the spring arrangement 150 shown, the preload is generated by the two legs 151, 152 being moved relative to one another in such a way that the torsion spring 153 is preloaded. The movement towards the expanded state of the oxygen self-rescuer 100 takes place through a Movement of the two legs 151, 152 against each other such that the torsion spring 153 is finally in a relaxed state.

According to the invention, the spring arrangement consists of at least one spring. In the exemplary embodiment shown, two opposing torsion springs 153 are used, which lie one behind the other due to the schematic illustration on the side. The possible structure of the spring arrangement 150 is, for example, by Fig. 4 or 5 shown. The spring arrangement 150 is preferably formed in one piece from a metal wire.

In the exemplary embodiment shown, the negative pressure in the breathing bag 140, which is created by raising the spring arrangement 150, is compensated for by drawing breathable gas from the environment 160 through the mouthpiece 120 and the hose 130 into the breathing bag 140.

In the exemplary embodiment shown, the two legs 151, 152 are each at least 5 cm, in particular at least 10 cm, preferably at least 15 cm long. A certain length of the two legs 151, 152 is necessary in order to provide a gas volume within the breathing bag 140 that is sufficient for one inhalation by the user of the oxygen self-rescuer 100.

After inhaling the provided breathable gas, the user would breathe back into the breathing bag and the exhaled air would be supplemented by the oxygen-containing gas provided by the gas cartridge 110. In addition, part of the gas can be released via a supplementary pressure relief valve (not shown) on the breathing bag 140 within the breathing bag, i.e. in particular part of the gas exhaled by the user, leaves the gas circuit of the oxygen self-rescuer 100 again.

Figures 2 and 3 show a respective schematic representation of the first exemplary embodiment of the oxygen self-rescuer 100 according to the invention packed state with wrapping 170 ( Fig. 2 ) and in the relaxed state of the spring arrangement 150 of the oxygen self-rescuer 100 ( Fig. 3 ).

The in Fig. 2 The packed state shown is the state that has existed for years during storage and work with the oxygen self-rescuer without a corresponding alarm situation that would indicate use of the oxygen self-rescuer. Only the mouthpiece 120 and the hose 130 are preferably also arranged within the casing 170 and are only shown here in the removed state for reasons of clarity. The casing 170 is shown schematically. In the exemplary embodiment shown, this is a can, in particular a can made of metal or plastic. In an exemplary embodiment, not shown, the covering is a lockable bag, a lockable box or the like.

In this packed state, the spring assembly 150 is in the preloaded spring state. In the exemplary embodiment shown, this pre-stressed spring state is characterized by the fact that the two legs 151, 152 are bent towards each other and accordingly point in the same direction. This results in a particularly small internal volume 142 of the breathing bag 140. This small internal volume 142 enables a small pack size of the oxygen self-rescuer 100, so that it can only be arranged in the inner region 172 of the casing 170. After arranging the oxygen self-rescuer 100 within the inner region 172 of the casing 170, the spring arrangement 150 can no longer leave the preloaded spring state shown, since the spring force acts against the casing 170 via the breathing bag 140 and this casing 170 is strong enough to withstand this spring force to endure.

The length L of the oxygen self-rescuer 100 in the unused, packed state is less than 50 cm, in particular less than 30 cm, preferably less than 20 cm. The width B of the oxygen self-rescuer 100 in the unused, packed state is less than 20 cm, in particular less than 15 cm, preferably less than 10cm. The depth of the oxygen self-rescuer 100 in the unused, packed state, which is not shown due to the perspective shown, is less than 30 cm, in particular less than 20 cm, preferably less than 16 cm.

Only by manually triggering the transition from the unused, packed state Fig. 2 in the used extended condition Fig. 3 The spring assembly 150 can leave the preloaded spring state. This externally triggered transition is preferably realized by manually pulling the oxygen self-rescuer 100 out of the casing 170. In an exemplary embodiment (not shown), instead of the casing, a rigid bracket which only partially surrounds the oxygen self-rescuer is used, which is removed from the oxygen self-rescuer in the event of an alarm and thereby triggers the transition from the unused, collapsed state to the used, expanded state.

After the oxygen self-rescuer 100 is pulled out of the casing 170, the spring arrangement 150 leaves the preloaded spring state in that the second leg 152 moves away from the first leg 151 due to the spring force of the torsion spring 153. As a result, the spring arrangement 150 leaves the prestressed state in which the two legs 151, 152 are formed at an acute angle to one another and moves over the in Fig. 1 shown state to the final relaxed state of the spring arrangement 150, which is in Fig. 3 is shown. In the relaxed spring state, the two legs 151, 152 are at an obtuse angle or stretched relative to one another.

Furthermore, it can be seen that the breathing bag 140 is not erected by the spring arrangement 150 in the relaxed spring state. This is particularly advantageous since the user 180 does not have to breathe against resistance caused by the spring arrangement 150 when intuitively inhaling the gas within the breathing bag 140, as is the case for example with the in Fig. 1 illustrated state of the spring arrangement 150 could be the case.

Figures 4 and 5 show a respective schematic representation of a spring arrangement 400, 500 according to the invention, the spring arrangement 400 being rectangular between two springs 453, 456, 553, 556 of a pair of springs ( Fig. 4 ) and arcuate ( Fig. 5 ) is.

The spring assembly 400 Fig. 4 is characterized in that two torsion springs 453, 456 lie opposite each other and are connected to one another via two legs 451, 454 and a rectangular structure 457 in between. As a result, the two torsion springs 453, 456 form a pair of springs of this spring arrangement 400. The two legs 452, 455 of the two torsion springs 453, 456 pointing away from the rectangular structure 457 are not connected to one another. These two legs 452, 455 are in the similar spring arrangement 150 of the oxygen self-rescuer 100 Fig. 1 screwed, glued or connected in some other way to the housing of the gas cartridge. In a further exemplary embodiment, these two legs 452, 455 of the spring pair are glued, sewn or connected in some other way to the breathing bag.

The spring assembly 500 Fig. 5 is characterized in that, as already described for the spring arrangement 400, two torsion springs 553, 556 lie opposite one another and are connected to one another via a rectangular structure 557. The only difference compared to the spring arrangement 400 is that the two further legs 452, 455 are connected to one another via a further structure, namely an arcuate structure 558. The structure of the spring arrangement 500 prevents any point loading of the breathing bag and/or the gas cartridge, in particular the housing of the gas cartridge. Rather, the corresponding structure between the legs of a respective spring ensures a more uniform application of the existing spring force.

In the Figures 4 and 5 a preloaded spring state of the respective spring arrangement 400, 500 is shown.

The two spring arrangements 400 and 500 are each formed by a metallic wire. In principle, the invention can also be implemented by differently shaped spring arrangements, whereby the spring arrangement according to the invention must be able to maintain the pre-stressed spring state over a long period of time without structural damage to the spring in order to finally erect the breathing bag after the externally triggered transition to effect. Preferably, the spring arrangement according to the invention is at least partially formed from a metal.

The two in the Figures 4 and 5 Spring arrangements shown are made in one piece.

Fig. 6 shows a schematic representation of a second embodiment of an oxygen self-rescuer 600 according to the invention.

The oxygen self-rescuer 600 differs from the in Fig. 1 shown oxygen self-rescuer 100 that the spring arrangement 650 is connected to the breathing bag 640. In the exemplary embodiment shown, this connection is realized via a seam. The breathing bag 640 is sewn to the second leg 652. In an exemplary embodiment, not shown, a connection between the spring arrangement and the breathing bag takes place via adhesive or another connection. In the illustrated embodiment, the spring arrangement 650 is not connected to the gas cartridge 110. In an exemplary embodiment, not shown, the spring arrangement is connected to both the breathing bag and the gas cartridge of the oxygen self-rescuer.

Furthermore, the oxygen self-rescuer 600 differs from the oxygen self-rescuer 100 in that the breathing bag 640 surrounds the entire gas cartridge 110. The gas cartridge 110 is thus located in the inner volume 642 of the breathing bag 640. Via a connection (not shown) between Breathing bag 640 and gas cartridge 110, the gas cartridge 110 is held in a predetermined position relative to the breathing bag 640. In an exemplary embodiment, not shown, the gas cartridge lies within the breathing bag without a permanent connection to the breathing bag.

Finally, the oxygen self-rescuer 600 differs from the oxygen self-rescuer 100 in that the breathing bag 640 has a breathing bag valve 644, which is both a pressure relief valve and a vacuum valve. The vacuum valve allows the breathable gas to be guided from the environment 160 via the breathing bag valve 644 into the breathing bag 640, while the spring arrangement 650 erects the breathing bag 640 from the preloaded spring state. This creates a negative pressure in the breathing bag 640, which leads to the vacuum valve opening above a predetermined threshold value. During the ventilation of the user after the initial erection of the breathing bag, both the user's exhaled air and the oxygen-containing gas provided via the gas cartridge 110 are brought into the breathing bag 640, so that any excess pressure within the breathing bag 640 is relieved by the pressure relief valve of the breathing bag valve 644 is advantageously avoided.

Fig. 7 shows a schematic representation of a third embodiment of an oxygen self-rescuer 700 according to the invention.

The oxygen self-rescuer 700 differs from the in Fig. 1 illustrated oxygen self-rescuer 100 in that the spring arrangement 750 has two pairs of springs of opposite torsion springs 753, 759. Behind the torsion springs 753, 759 shown there is a further torsion spring in the manner shown in the Figures 4 and 5 is shown. The spring arrangement 750 therefore comprises four torsion springs 753, 759. The resulting unfolding of two opposite pairs of legs enables the provision of an erect breathing bag 740 with a corresponding gas volume of breathable gas in a particularly reliable manner. This prevents the breathing bag from sticking to the spring arrangement via the two pairs of legs, thereby increasing the internal volume 742 of the breathing bag 740 would be reduced. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the spring arrangement 750 is attached to the gas cartridge 710, in particular to the housing 714 of the gas cartridge 710, via a connecting structure 790. The connection structure 790 is glued, welded, screwed or attached in some other way to the gas cartridge 710. The connection structure 790 may include, for example, a mounting rail or a system of mounting rails.

Furthermore, the oxygen self-rescuer 700 differs from the oxygen self-rescuer 100 in that the gas cartridge 710 is operated manually via a user interface 716. In the illustrated embodiment, the user interface 716 is a button. In an exemplary embodiment, not shown, such a user interface of the gas cartridge is a switch, such as a toggle switch, or a rotatable adjusting wheel.

In an exemplary embodiment, not shown, the spring arrangement comprises a plurality of spring components which are fastened separately from one another in the breathing bag and/or on the breathing bag, each of which has at least one spring. Such a further spring component can, for example, cover the remaining spring arrangement from the one in Figs. 4 and 5 The type shown provides additional support, for example by raising another area of the breathing bag.

Fig. 8 shows a flowchart of an exemplary embodiment of a method 800 according to the invention according to a further aspect of the invention.

The method 800 according to the invention is designed to set up a breathing bag of an oxygen self-rescuer during a transition from an unused, packed state of the oxygen self-rescuer to a used, expanded state of the oxygen self-rescuer. It has the process steps described below.

A first step 810 includes providing a spring assembly in a preloaded spring state of the spring assembly within the breathing bag for the unused, collapsed state of the oxygen self-rescuer.

A subsequent step 820 includes fixing the oxygen self-rescuer in the unused, collapsed state.

A next step 830 includes triggering the transition to the utilized extended state of the oxygen self-rescuer.

A final step 840 immediately following step 830 includes an automated exit from the preloaded spring state by the spring arrangement due to spring work of at least one spring of the spring arrangement in such a way that the spring arrangement raises the breathing bag and thereby generates a negative pressure within the breathing bag, so that the negative pressure makes the breathing bag breathable Gas leads into the breathing bag and thereby prepares it for ventilation of a user of the oxygen self-rescuer.

As part of the method according to the invention, the specified steps 810, 820, 830, 840 always follow one another in the order shown. Preferably, steps 810 and 820 are carried out immediately one after the other. So after providing the spring arrangement in the preloaded state, this state is fixed in the unused, packed state. These two steps can be carried out by the manufacturer of the oxygen self-rescuer as part of production. Alternatively or additionally, the two steps 810 and 820 can be carried out after the oxygen self-rescuer has been used in order to make it ready for use again.

A few years may pass between step 820 and step 830. If the oxygen self-rescuer is not used, the final steps 830 and 840 are not carried out at all after steps 810 and 820. Only in the event that the oxygen self-rescuer is used, for example due to an alarm at the workplace, such as in a mine, step 830 takes place. In order to protect the user of the oxygen self-rescuer from the danger of, for example, toxic gases in the environment, short-term ventilation of the user should be made possible by triggering the transition to the used extended state.

Step 840 occurs automatically immediately after step 830, since the spring arrangement is now no longer held in the pre-stressed spring state, so that it leaves this pre-stressed state and thereby erects the breathing bag.

As a result, breathable gas can be provided quickly and reliably in the breathing bag for the user of the oxygen self-rescuer. By manually or automatically activating the gas cartridge of the oxygen self-rescuer, the gas inside the breathing bag is enriched with oxygen.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the method 800 according to the invention, a final step after step 840 includes reaching a final relaxed spring state of the spring arrangement, in which the breathing bag is not erected by the spring arrangement. During this final step, the breathing bag remains erect due to the gas introduced into the breathing bag by the negative pressure, without the spring assembly having to support this erect position of the breathing bag. Because the spring arrangement no longer raises the breathing bag, the breathing bag can be moved as part of ventilation without the spring force of the spring arrangement hindering the user's breathing.

Preferably less than 10 seconds, in particular less than 8 seconds, particularly preferably less than 5 seconds pass between step 840 and reaching the relaxed spring state.

Reference symbol list

100, 600, 700

Oxygen self-rescuer

110, 710

gas cartridge

112

Gas outlet

114,714

Housing

120

Mouthpiece

130

Hose

140, 640, 740

breathing bag

142, 642, 742

Internal volume of the breathing bag

150, 400, 500, 650, 750

Spring arrangement

151, 451

first leg of the spring arrangement

152, 452, 552, 652

second leg of the spring arrangement

153, 453, 553, 753

Torsion spring

160

Vicinity

170

wrapping

172

inner area of the casing

180

user

456, 556

another torsion spring

454

another first leg

455, 555

another second leg

457, 557

rectangular structure

558

arch-shaped structure

644

Breathing bag valve

716

User interface

759

another torsion spring of another pair of springs

790

Connection structure

800

Proceedings

810, 820, 830, 840

Procedural steps

L

Length of the oxygen self-rescuer

b

Width of the oxygen self-rescuer

Claims (12)

1. Oxygen self rescue device (100), having

   - a gas cartridge (110),

   - a mouthpiece (120),

   - a tube (130) connecting the gas cartridge (110) and the mouthpiece (120),

   - a breathing bag (140) which is hydrodynamically connected to the gas cartridge (110) and to the tube (130), and

   - a spring assembly (150) within the breathing bag (140),

   wherein the spring assembly (150) comprises at least one spring (153) which is fastened to the breathing bag (140) and/or to the gas cartridge (110), and wherein, in an unused, packed-together state of the oxygen self rescue device (100), the spring assembly (150) is in a pretensioned spring state, and

   wherein, in the event of an externally triggered transition from the unused, packed-together state of the oxygen self rescue device (100) into a used, extended state of the oxygen self rescue device (100), the spring assembly (150) leaves the pretensioned spring state in such a manner that the spring assembly (150) sets the breathing bag (140) upright and, in the process, generates a negative pressure within the breathing bag (140) such that the negative pressure conducts breathable gas into the breathing bag (140) and thereby prepares the latter for ventilation of a user (180) of the oxygen self rescue device (100), and

   wherein the spring assembly (150) has at least two mutually movable legs (151, 152) of the spring assembly (150), and

   wherein, in the pretensioned spring state, the two movable legs (151, 152) are arranged relative to each other in such a manner that a torsion spring (153) arranged between the two legs (151, 152) is in a pretensioned state, and

   wherein, during the transition from the pretensioned spring state into the relaxed spring state, the legs (151, 152) move relative to each other in such a manner that the torsion spring (153) passes into a relaxed state.
2. Oxygen self rescue device (100) according to Claim 1, wherein the spring assembly has a flat shape in the pretensioned spring state such that a small internal volume (142) of the breathing bag (140) compared to the used, expanded state is supported by the pretensioned state, in particular in that a small packing size of the oxygen self rescue device (100) is supported in the unused, packed-together state compared to the used, expanded state.
3. Oxygen self rescue device (100) according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the spring assembly (150) sets the breathing bag (140) upright between the pretensioned spring state and a relaxed spring state of the spring assembly (150), and wherein, in the finally present, relaxed spring state, the breathing bag (140) is not set upright by the spring assembly (150).
4. Oxygen self rescue device (100) according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the two legs (151, 152) are formed at an acute angle to each other in the pretensioned spring state, and wherein the two legs (151, 152) are formed at an obtuse angle or extended with respect to each other in the relaxed spring state.
5. Oxygen self rescue device (100) according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the spring assembly (400) has two opposite springs (453, 456), in particular two opposite torsion springs, which form a pair of springs of the spring assembly (400).
6. Oxygen self rescue device (700) according to Claim 5, wherein the spring assembly (750) has at least two pairs of springs.
7. Oxygen self rescue device (100) according to Claim 5 or 6, wherein the spring assembly (400, 500) is arcuate (558), triangular, rectangular (457, 557) or U-shaped between the two springs (453, 456, 553, 556) of at least one pair of springs.
8. Oxygen self rescue device (100) according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the spring assembly (150) is formed in one piece.
9. Oxygen self rescue device (100) according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the spring assembly (150) is fastened to a housing (114) of the gas cartridge (110).
10. Oxygen self rescue device (100) according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the negative pressure conducts breathable gas into the breathing bag (140, 640) via the mouthpiece (120), the gas cartridge (110) and/or a breathing bag valve (644).
11. Method (800) for setting up the breathing bag (140) of an oxygen self rescue device (100) according to one of the preceding claims during a transfer from the unused, packed-together state of the oxygen self rescue device (100) into the used, expanded state of the oxygen self rescue device (100), comprising the steps of

    - providing the spring assembly (150) in a pretensioned spring state of the spring assembly (150) within the breathing bag (140) for the unused, packed-together state of the oxygen self rescue device (100);

    - fixing the oxygen self rescue device (100) in the unused, packed-together state;

    - triggering the transfer into the used, expanded state of the oxygen self rescue device (100);

    - automated leaving of the pretensioned spring state by the spring assembly (150) owing to work of at least one spring (153) of the spring assembly (150) in such a manner that the spring assembly (150) sets the breathing bag (140) upright and, in the process, generates a negative pressure within the breathing bag (140) such that the negative pressure conducts breathable gas from the surroundings of the oxygen self rescue device (100) into the breathing bag (140) and thereby prepares the latter for ventilation of a user (180) of the oxygen self rescue device (100).
12. Method (800) according to Claim 11, wherein a final step comprises reaching a finally present, relaxed spring state of the spring assembly (150), in which the breathing bag (140) is not set upright by the spring assembly (150).

Images