ES2922152A1 - Virus spread protection system in Office jobs (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding) - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention refers to a system of protection against virus spread in an office workplace in a diaphan air (2), an air drive mouth (3, 12) connected to the air drive (2) driving and located in an upper and previous area of the workplace, an air extraction duct (9), a Air extraction mouth (8) connected to the air extraction duct (9) and located in a lower and previous area of the workplace, and a barrier (1, 5) in a perimeter area that defines the workplace of Office, where the barrier (1, 5) avoids the passage of contaminated air between the two areas it delimits. (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding)

Description

DESCRIPTION

PROTECTION SYSTEM AGAINST THE SPREAD OF VIRUSES IN

OFFICE JOBS

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a protection system against virus contagion in workplaces consisting of a chair and a table, typically in an office.

The invention basically consists of the collection of presumably contaminated air in extraction openings close to the ground, in the filtering of this air and in the supply of clean air to the people who are in the workstations.

The present invention, exposed in a more developed way, achieves:

- The provision of clean air to people who are in work, in order to prevent them from suffering from virus infection.

- The collection of presumably contaminated air from a level close to the ground, in order to clean the air in the room from areas away from the nose and mouth of the occupants.

- The generation of descending air currents, so that possible viruses and other contaminants move to levels below the nose and mouth of the occupants.

- The generation of shielding around the workstation by means of physical barriers or by means of downward air currents, so that the viruses potentially generated by the person who occupies the workstation do not reach other occupants and that the viruses generated by other occupants do not reach the person occupying the workstation.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION AND TECHNICAL PROBLEM TO SOLVE The quality of the air in interior spaces in general and in work areas in particular is of great importance due to the influence it has on the health, comfort, well-being and productivity of people .

The current epidemic has not only not downplayed the importance of indoor air quality, but has given it even more prominence, since the virus that causes the COVID-19 disease can perfectly be treated as an air pollutant, which must be eliminated immediately. interior spaces as much as possible or at least it should be prevented from reaching people's respiratory tract.

The solutions that are usually being adopted to minimize the presence of viruses in interior spaces consist of modifying the instructions of the air conditioning and ventilation systems in order to maximize the contribution of outside air, in the replacement or complementation of existing filters by other more efficient filtration systems capable of retaining or nullifying viruses, and in opening windows in areas occupied by people.

In addition, as a complement or replacement of the previous solutions, one of the most common actions is the incorporation of portable air purifiers in occupied areas, which, by filtering the air inside the purifier, manage to reduce the concentration of viruses and other contaminants. in the rooms in which they are located.

The drawback of the above solutions is that, although they reduce the concentration of viruses and contaminants in general in the room, they are unable to prevent the viral load that an infected person can generate from reaching another person who is close to them.

The present invention avoids these drawbacks by means of a system that isolates the environment of an employee's workplace to prevent air from being exchanged with the rest of the office.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In order to achieve the objectives and avoid the drawbacks mentioned above, the present invention describes a protection system against the spread of viruses in office workstations, which not only contributes to reducing the concentration of viruses and other pollutants in the air of the stay, but also prevents the person who is in the workplace from contaminating a person close to him, and that the person who is in the workplace is contaminated by a person close to him.

The work station is made up of at least one table, although it typically also includes a chair.

The system of the invention is not focused on an isolated workstation, but on an open office where several workstations are located, located in proximity, and may even be joined, so that the object of the invention focuses on isolation. of each of these workstations with respect to the rest of the office environment.

The system comprises basic elements common to all solutions, including the following:

- A clean air supply duct.

- A clean air outlet, from which the clean air stream connected to the air outlet duct originates and is located in an upper and front area of the workstation.

- An air extraction duct.

- An air extraction port close to the ground, from which potentially contaminated air is collected, connected to the air extraction duct and located in a lower and anterior area of the workstation.

- One or more perimeter barriers to the workstation, by means of screens or by means of descending air currents that prevent the spread of viruses between the person who is in the workstation and a person close to sight or vice versa.

In addition, there are a series of elements that can form part of the described protection system, be external to it or belong to the air conditioning or ventilation system of the room or building, such as:

- An element for driving air or a fan, which causes air to exit through the delivery mouth and air to enter the extraction mouth.

- An air filtering element responsible for removing viruses and other contaminants from the circulating air.

There are different possible combinations of descending air currents around the workstation, generated in clean air outlets, so that these currents generate perimeter barriers that prevent the spread of viruses through them.

There are different combinations of potentially contaminated air extraction outlets

There are different combinations of perimeter screens around the workplace that prevent the spread of viruses through them.

The activation of the air impeller or fan, which generates the collection of potentially contaminated air, the movement and filtering of the air and the supply of clean air, can be carried out by means of a switch, presence detector, air quality probe, probe for the potential presence of virus or timer.

Perimeter barriers, such as bulkheads or downdrafts, may exist in the following locations:

- On the end of the table in front of the person at the workstation.

- On the sides of the table in the case of individual workstations or on the table between two workstations in the case of multiple workstations, one next to the other on the same table.

- Behind the person who is in the workplace.

Likewise, there may be a physical barrier or ceiling over the workstation, in order to improve the flow of air currents generated by the protection system against virus contagion, and to prevent other air currents, such as generated by the air conditioning installation in the area where the workstation is located, may have a negative influence on the planned protection against virus contagion.

The air supply mouth is preferably directed towards a central area of the workstation that creates a circulating air current to become an air extraction current when directed to the air extraction mouth. It can also incorporate a vertical discharge duct connected to the air discharge duct and an additional air extraction duct connected to an additional air extraction duct that connects with the air extraction duct (9) with the two ducts being vertically aligned. , in order to form the protection barrier by means of a vertical current of air. In this case, the vertical air discharge mouth is optional, creating extraction air currents also with the additional extraction mouth only.

In addition, the system can incorporate a ceiling and an upper air discharge duct, connected to the air discharge duct, which includes a vertical air discharge mouth located in a rear area of the workstation, forcing the creation of a draft of air circulation that becomes an extraction current when directed to the air extraction mouth. The upper air discharge duct can be found around the perimeter of the ceiling and located above or below it and is preferably collapsible, so that it can be removed when such a closed space is not considered necessary. In this case, in addition to the upper duct, the system can incorporate two side ducts with vertical outlets to create a vertical air current around the entire periphery of the workstation as a barrier.

The system can also incorporate a lateral air extraction port located on each of the sides of the table.

On the other hand, if the workstations are located next to each other, they can be separated by side partitions.

Ultimately, the objective is that the system provides clean air to the workplace, which also includes the collection of potentially stale air, and has means that act as a perimeter barrier with respect to the rest of the space in which it is located.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

To complete the description of the invention and in order to help a better understanding of its characteristics, according to a preferred embodiment of the same, a set of drawings is attached where, by way of illustration and not limitation, represented the following figures.

Figure 1 represents a side view of a workstation with an element for supplying air and another for extracting air, where the isolation of the work table in the front area is by means of a screen.

Figure 2 represents a side view of a workstation with an air supply element and an extraction element, where the isolation of the work table in the front area is by means of an air curtain generated between an air supply mouth descending vertical and an extraction mouth on the edge of the table located under the impulsion mouth.

Figure 3 represents the view of Figure 1 including two workstations facing each other and separated by a partition.

Figure 4 represents the view of Figure 3 but uniting the two independent air supply ducts into a single one with two air supply openings and the two independent air extraction ducts into a single one with two air extraction openings. .

Figure 5 represents a plan view of multiple workstations on a single table where a single discharge duct is used with an air discharge mouth for each workstation.

Figure 6 represents the view of figure 1 where an additional air extraction mouth has been added to the front end of the table and an additional extraction duct that connects the additional extraction mouth with the air extraction duct.

Figure 7 represents the view of figure 6 where an air discharge mouth has been added to improve the sweeping of possibly contaminated air by generating an air curtain from the additional vertical air discharge mouth to the additional air discharge mouth. Air extraction at the front end of the table.

Figure 8 represents the view of figure 1 where a ceiling and an upper duct located on the ceiling with a vertical air discharge mouth have been added to create a protection barrier in the rear area of the workstation.

Figure 9 represents the view of Figure 8 where the upper duct is located below the ceiling.

Figure 10 represents a plan view of Figure 8 to show that the upper impulsion duct runs around the perimeter of the ceiling.

Figure 11 represents the view of Figure 8 showing the roof and the upper duct folded down.

Figure 12 represents the view of figure 8 where the air outlet is not directed towards the work station but only vertically towards the additional extraction duct located at the front end of the table.

Figure 13 represents the view of figure 12 where two lateral ducts have been added, one for each side of the roof. with vertical outlets at the height of the upper outlet.

Figure 14 represents a plan view of Figure 13, showing the discharge ducts on the front end of the table, the additional discharge ducts located laterally and the upper discharge duct.

Figure 15 represents the view of figure 13 where extraction mouths have been incorporated on the side of the table.

Figure 16 represents a plan view of Figure 15, showing the extraction ducts at the front end and the sides of the table.

Figure 17 represents the view of figure 15 where an air delivery mouth has been added directed at the person in the workstation.

Figure 18 represents a perspective view of Figure 15 although instead of using punctual air supply intakes, linear grids have been used.

Figure 19 represents a plan view of Figure 16 for several workstations separated by side screens.

Figure 20 represents a side view of Figure 19 to show the side screen.

Below is a list of the references used in the

figures:

1. Screen.

2. Air supply duct

3. Directed air outlet

4. Air stream directed at the person at the workstation.

5. Vertical air current.

6. Circulating air stream.

7. Exhaust air flow.

8. Air extraction mouth.

9. Air extraction duct.

10. Additional air extraction duct.

11. Additional air extraction mouth.

12. Vertical air discharge mouth.

13. Upper impulsion duct.

14. Lateral extraction mouth.

15. Roof.

16. Lateral air discharge duct.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

To achieve the objectives indicated in previous sections, the invention consists of a protection system against the spread of viruses in workplaces by providing clean air to the person who occupies the workplace, and the generation of barriers by means of screens and /or by generating air currents around the workstation, which prevent the spread of a virus between the person who occupies the workstation and other people who may be nearby.

The generation and supply of clean air, as well as the extraction of stale air or even the air filtering system for recirculation, can be carried out in equipment external to the invention, such as a new or external air conditioning, ventilation or filtering system. or a filtering and air supply and extraction system, such as a fan, that is incorporated into the protection system against the spread of a virus.

The air currents generated have a descending flow, that is, there is a supply of clean air from an upper area and collection of potentially contaminated air from a lower area, in order to contribute to greater efficiency in cleaning and renewing the air in the room. work place in the ranch. It must be taken into account that the virus particles generally tend to descend within the volumes of air, so it is more efficient to locate the extraction outlets in the lowest areas.

In addition, the descending air current is effective as a protective barrier against the passage of a virus, since the direction of drag of the air current is the same as the downward trend that particles with viruses found in the environment generally have. air.

The basic configuration of the invention consists of the following elements:

- A drive duct (2) for clean air.

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- A clean air outlet (3), from which a stream of clean air (4) originates from the outlet duct (2) that is projected onto the person in the workplace,

- A plenum or extraction duct (9).

- An air extraction mouth (8) close to the ground, from which potentially contaminated air is collected.

In this basic configuration, the directed stream (4) of clean air projected onto the person provides the person with virus-free air.

In addition, this directed current (4) of clean air in turn generates a circulating air current (6), descending around the workstation, which performs the barrier effect against the passage of viruses, to which the mouth of the extraction (8) in the lower part of the workstation.

On the other hand, there are also screens (1) or vertical air currents (5) for the generation of screens.

In this way, on the one hand, virus-free air is provided to the person occupying the workstation, and on the other hand, a barrier is generated by means of screens and/or air currents around the workstation that protects the person from the virus. workplace from viruses that people close to you can generate and vice versa.

Figure 1 represents a side view of a workstation, in which clean air comes from an impulsion duct (2) which, through the air impulsion mouth (3), generates a directed current (4) of air. that is projected onto the person sitting at the workstation, while generating a current of circulating air (6) which, as it moves forward, can also carry viruses and other contaminants until it becomes a current of potentially contaminated extraction air (7) that is introduced through the air extraction mouth (8), located close to the ground, to be directed by the air extraction duct (9) to an air filtering area that again It will take the already clean air to the discharge duct (2). The figure also shows a vertical screen (1) at the end of the table in front of the person, which prevents the passage of contaminated air through this area.

Figure 2 represents an alternative embodiment to the one shown in Figure 1, where the vertical screen (1) has been replaced by a vertical outlet (12) for descending air, connected to the outlet duct (2) and an additional extraction mouth (11) at the end of the table, connected to the extraction duct (9) by means of an additional extraction duct (10), so that the new descending vertical current (5) generates an air curtain which performs the same protection function as the screen (1), minimizing the passage of contaminated air through this area in both directions.

Figure 3 represents two workstations like the one shown in figure 1, facing each other and separated by a single partition (1). In this configuration, the function of the partition (1) that is between the facing tables is very important.

Figure 4 represents the view of Figure 3, in which the two impulsion ducts (2) have been unified into a single impulsion duct (2) with two directed air impulsion mouths (3), and also the two extraction ducts (9) in a single extraction duct (9), also with two air extraction mouths (8).

Figure 5 represents a plan view of Figure 4, although multiple workstations facing each other in pairs have been added, so that the same discharge duct (2) serves to distribute the supply air to all the workstations, each one using a clean air delivery port (3) and an extraction port (8) in the lower area. In this case, the extraction duct (9) can be individual for each workstation or they can all be connected to each other, just like the discharge duct (2). Neither the extraction mouth (8) nor the extraction conduit (9) have been represented in the figure because they are in the lower area and are not visible.

In figure 6, in addition to the partition (1), in the embodiment shown in figure 1 the additional extraction mouth (11) has been included together with the additional extraction duct (10) mentioned in the embodiment of figure 4, located at the end of the table opposite to the location of the person in the workstation and that communicates with the extraction air duct (9). In this way, a new extraction current (7) of descending air is generated in addition to the current of air from circulation (6), which can collect potentially contaminated air, prior to being sucked through the additional extraction mouth (11).

Figure 7 represents the embodiment shown in figure 6, to which a vertical air discharge mouth (12) has been added, located next to the discharge duct (2), oriented vertically downwards, so that it generates a downward vertical air current (5) in the form of a curtain until it reaches the additional air extraction mouth (11) located at the end of the table.

Figure 8 represents the embodiment shown in figure 1, to which a roof (15) and a vertical air discharge mouth (12) have been added, located behind the user of the workstation, which reaches air through the upper discharge duct (13), so that a vertical air current (5) is generated that causes the effect of a barrier against the passage of viruses and contaminants through it and, together with the air current directed air (4) create a circulating air current (6) that becomes an extraction current (7) to move the potentially contaminated air towards the extraction mouth (8) and thus be filtered.

Figure 9 represents an alternative embodiment to the one shown in Figure 8, where the upper impulsion duct (13) is located below the ceiling (15) instead of being above it.

Figure 10 represents a plan view of the embodiment shown in figure 8, in which the roof (15) can be transparent or opaque, and the upper discharge duct (13), which reaches the discharge mouth vertical air (12), runs along the perimeter of the ceiling (15).

Figure 11 represents the embodiment shown in figure 8, in which both the roof (15) and the upper discharge duct (13) have been lowered.

Figure 12 represents the embodiment shown in figure 8, in which instead of the directed air outlet (3), which projects air directly at the person, the additional air extraction outlet (11) is incorporated. ) at the end of the table in front of the worker and the vertical outlet (12) of descending air on said outlet

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extraction (11), so that a downward vertical air current (5) is generated from the vertical impulsion mouth (12) to the additional extraction mouth (11).

Figure 13 represents the form of embodiment shown in figure 12, to which some lateral discharge ducts (16) have been added, one on each side, which incorporate vertical discharge mouths (12) for air at a height similar to the one that incorporates the upper discharge duct (13), so that descending air currents are generated on each side of the person who is in the workstation or, in the case of two adjoining workstations, a current is generated vertical air (5) descending between them, the objective of the vertical air currents (5), being to act as a barrier against the passage of viruses through them, as indicated in the embodiment shown in figure 2.

Figure 14 represents a plan view of Figure 13, in which a vertical air discharge mouth (12) has been shown for each section of the lateral (16) and upper (13) discharge duct. These outlets (12) direct the clean air towards the end of the table, in front of the worker, towards the back of the worker and on the sides of the workstation (22), generating the corresponding vertical air currents (5) .

Figure 15 represents the embodiment shown in figure 13, to which side extraction openings (14) have been added, located on the edges of the table and communicating with the extraction duct (9), which give rise to into a potentially contaminated exhaust air stream (7).

Figure 16 represents a plan view of the embodiment shown in figure 15, in which the side air extraction vents (14) and the additional extraction vent (11) can be seen, located in the front area of the the table, with the extraction currents of potentially contaminated air (7) that reaches them. The vertical screen (1) is also shown.

Figure 17 represents the form of embodiment shown in figure 15, to which has been added the outlet for blowing air directed (3) towards the person.

Figure 18 represents a perspective view of the embodiment shown in figure 15, although instead of using punctual air supply intakes, linear grids have been used with the intention of creating a more effective air curtain for insulation.

Figure 19 represents a plan view of Figure 15 with several contiguous workstations, one after the other, in which the side separation partitions (1) between contiguous workstations can also be seen.

Figure 20 represents a side view of the form of representation shown in figure 19, in which the lateral partition (1) that physically separates some stations from others can be seen, identical to the front partition, although it may have a different geometry. .

Finally, it should be noted that the present invention should not be limited to the embodiment described here. Other configurations can be made by those skilled in the art in view of the present description. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is defined by the following claims.

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Claims (15)

1. - Protection system against virus contagion in an office workstation, comprising a table, located in an open room and selected from a plurality of positions with similar conditions, comprising an air drive element and a air filtering element, with the ability to prevent the circulation of viruses and other contaminants, the system being characterized in that it additionally comprises: - An air supply duct (2), - An air outlet (3, 12) connected to the air outlet duct (2) and located in an upper and front area of the workstation, - An air extraction duct (9), - An air extraction mouth (8) connected to the air extraction duct (9) and located in a lower and anterior area of the workstation, and - A barrier (1, 5) in a perimeter area that defines the office workstation, where the barrier (1, 5) prevents the passage of contaminated air between the two areas it delimits. 2. - Protection system against virus contagion in an office workstation, according to claim 1, characterized in that the air delivery mouth is an air delivery mouth directed (3) towards a central area of the post that creates an air circulation current (6) to become an air extraction current (7) when directed to the air extraction mouth (8). 3. - Protection system against virus infection in an office workplace, according to claim 2, characterized in that the barrier is a partition (1). 4. - Protection system against virus contagion in an office workplace, according to claim 2, characterized in that it comprises a vertical air discharge mouth (12) connected to the discharge duct (2) of air and a additional air extraction duct (11) connected to an additional air extraction duct (10) that connects with the air extraction duct (9), the two vents (11, 12) being vertically aligned, so that the barrier it is a vertical stream of air (5). 1 5. - Protection system against virus contagion in an office workplace, according to claim 3, characterized in that it comprises an additional air extraction mouth (11) connected to an additional air extraction duct (10) that connects with the air extraction duct (9), so that an air circulation current (6) is generated that becomes an extraction current (7) when it is directed to the additional air extraction mouth (11 ). 6. - Protection system against virus contagion in an office workplace, according to claim 5, characterized in that it further comprises a vertical air discharge mouth (12) vertically aligned with the additional air extraction mouth ( 11) to reinforce the air extraction. 7. - Protection system against virus contagion in an office workplace, according to claim 3, characterized in that it comprises a ceiling (15) and an upper air discharge duct (13), connected to the discharge duct (2), which includes a vertical air supply mouth (12) located in a rear area of the workstation, forcing the creation of an air circulation current (6) that becomes an extraction current ( 7) when going to the air extraction mouth (8). 8. - Protection system against virus contagion in an office workplace, according to claim 7, characterized in that the upper air discharge duct (13) is located in a perimeter area of the ceiling (15). 9. - Protection system against the spread of viruses in an office workplace, according to claim 7 and 8, characterized in that the ceiling and the upper discharge duct (13) are collapsible. 10. - Protection system against virus contagion in an office workplace, according to claim 7, characterized in that it comprises a vertical air discharge mouth (12) connected to the air discharge duct (2) and a additional air extraction mouth (11), vertically aligned with the vertical air discharge mouth (12) and connected to an additional air extraction duct (10) that connects with the air extraction duct (9). 11. - Protection system against virus contagion in an office workplace, according to claim 10, characterized in that it comprises two lateral air discharge ducts (16) with vertical air discharge outlets (12) that, Together with the upper discharge duct (13) and the discharge duct (2), they create a vertical air current (5) along the entire periphery of the workstation as a barrier. 12. - Protection system against the spread of viruses in an office workplace, according to claim 10, characterized in that it comprises two lateral air extraction mouths (14) located on each side of the table. 13. - Protection system against the spread of viruses in an office workplace, according to claim 10, characterized in that it comprises an outlet for directing air (3) towards a central area of the workplace. 14. - Protection system against the spread of viruses in an office workplace, according to claim 10, characterized in that it comprises a screen (1) located on one side of the table to isolate itself from another adjacent workplace. 15. - Protection system against the spread of viruses in an office workplace, according to claim 10, characterized in that it comprises two partitions (1) located on each side of the table to isolate itself from other workstations contiguous. 1