JP2022510846A - Automatic power control mask - Google Patents

Abstract

An electric mask is presented, the electric mask of which turns off power to the electrical components of the mask 100 when the mask 100 is folded around a fold line and / or when the fold of the mask 100 is unfolded. It has a mechanism 101 configured to switch on the power of. Further, a method 200 for controlling the power supply of the power mask is presented.

Description

The present invention relates to masks such as contaminating masks. In particular, the present invention relates to a power saving technique for an electric auxiliary mask such as a mask with a fan.

A fan-operated mask is a battery-operated device. It is desirable to minimize power consumption. The problem with these masks is that the fan stays on when the mask is not worn. This leads to unnecessary power consumption. When a user wears a mask, this user typically activates a switch to power on the fan. This switch increases the cost of the mask, takes up space, and is cumbersome to switch on and off. An automatic electronic switch on / off function will solve these problems.

CN203852758U discloses a mask with an automatic electronic switch on / off function in which the mask is folded using a rotary hinge.

Therefore, it is possible to detect whether or not the mask is worn, and it is possible to detect the transition from the wearing state to the non-wearing state and / or the transition from the non-wearing state to the wearing state. It is desirable to have a low cost solution to do so.

Throughout the specification, "folding" is mentioned. As used herein, "folding" means bending the material onto itself so that one portion of the material, for example a flexible material, completely or partially covers the other portion. Means. "Bending" means changing the shape of the material into a smaller, more portable shape. "Bending" includes bending or winding the material of the mask. The material may be a sheet that is continuous across the fold line, or it may be two material sheets that are connected and define the fold line. The fold line is a region of the material, such as an integrated region forming a living hinge or a connecting line between two adjacent material portions, around which the mask selectively deforms, ie. Fold when the user folds the mask. The fold line is, for example, a straight line to act as a hinge line, but does not require an additional mechanical hinge structure.

The present invention is defined by the claims.

In a first aspect, the present invention provides an electric mask, which is a motorized mask.
Switch mechanism,
Electrical component,
The switch mechanism has a folding wire for easy bending of the mask and a power source for supplying power to the electric component.
When the mask is folded around the bend line, the power to the electrical component is turned off, and / or when the mask unfolds the bend around the bend line, the power to the electrical component is turned on. It is configured to do.

In this first aspect of the invention, the power of the mask is turned off when the mask is folded around the fold line, and / or the power of the mask is turned on when the fold of the mask is unfolded. An electric mask with a configured mechanism (ie, a switch mechanism) is presented.

Accordingly, in certain embodiments, an electric mask is presented having a mechanism configured to turn off power to the electrical components of the mask when the mask is bent.

In another embodiment, an electric mask is presented that has a mechanism configured to power on the electrical components of the mask when unfolding the mask.

In another embodiment, it is configured to turn off power to the electrical components of the mask when the mask is folded, and turn on power to the electrical components of the mask when unfolding the mask. An electric mask having the mechanism to be used is presented.

According to one embodiment, the electrical component is a ventilation unit for ventilating the mask.

According to one embodiment, the mechanism is placed on or incorporated into the mask, eg, incorporated into the material of the mask.

According to one embodiment, the mask has one or more fold lines for easy fold of the mask. For example, the fold line may be a single or multiple lines that allow easy folding of the mask.

According to one embodiment, the mask comprises an air filter material.

According to one embodiment, the mechanism is such that when the mask is folded, these two elements are joined or joined, and when the mask is unfolded, the two elements are separated or separated from each other. It has two elements that are placed or positioned in / on the mask, the mechanism being that when the two elements are joined or coupled, the mask is powered off and / or the two elements are The masks are configured to be powered on when they are separated or separated from each other.

Thus, according to one embodiment, the mechanism ensures that when the mask is folded, the two elements join or join, and when the mask is unfolded, the two elements separate or separate from each other. It has two elements arranged and the mechanism is configured such that the power of the mask is turned off when the two elements are joined or coupled. According to one embodiment, the mechanism is such that when the mask is folded, the two elements are joined or joined, and when the mask is unfolded, the two elements are separated or separated from each other. Having two elements arranged, the mechanism is configured to turn on the power of the mask when the two elements are separated or separated from each other.

According to one embodiment, the mechanism is such that when the mask is folded, the two elements are joined or coupled to each other, and when the mask is unfolded, the two elements are separated or separated from each other. It has two elements arranged, the mechanism said, when the two elements are joined or coupled, the power of the mask is turned off, and the two elements are separated or separated from each other. The mask is configured to be powered on.

According to one embodiment, the two elements have magnetic properties that allow easy attachment to each other so that the elements attract each other.

According to one embodiment, the mechanism is bendable or bendable, the mechanism turns off the power of the mask when the mechanism itself is bent or bent, and / or the mechanism is of the mechanism. Turn on the mask power when unfolding.

Thus, according to one embodiment, the mechanism is bendable or bendable, and the mechanism turns off the power of the mask when the mechanism is bent or bent. According to one embodiment, the mechanism is bendable or bendable, and when unfolding the mechanism, the mechanism turns on the power of the mask. According to one embodiment, the mechanism is bendable or bendable, and when the mechanism is bent or bent, the mechanism turns off the power of the mask and bends the mechanism. When unfolded, the mechanism turns on the power of the mass.

According to one embodiment, the mechanism comprises a sensor for determining the folded state of the mask, the mask being folded or unfolded. Depending on the state of bending, the power of the mask is turned on or off. According to one embodiment, the sensor is an optical sensor. According to one embodiment, the sensor is a proximity sensor.

According to one embodiment, the mask is a contamination mask, eg, a stand-alone contamination mask.

In the second aspect of the present invention, a method for controlling the electric power of the electric mask is presented, and this method is described.
Steps to determine if the mask is in the folded or unfolded state,
If it is determined that the mask is folded, the power of the mask is turned off, and / or if it is determined that the folding of the mask is unfolded, the power of the mask is turned on. To.

Thus, in certain embodiments, the method comprises the step of determining whether the mask is in a folded or unfolded state, and if the mask is folded, the power of the mask is turned off. do. In another embodiment, the method comprises the step of determining whether the mask is in a folded state or an unfolded state, and if the mask folds are unfolded, the power of the mask is applied. Turn on. In another embodiment, the method comprises a step of determining whether the mask is in a folded state or an unfolded state, and if the mask is folded, the power of the mask is turned off. And if the mask is unfolded, power on the mask.

Specific and preferred embodiments of the invention are set forth in the accompanying independent and dependent claims. The characteristics of the dependent claim may be combined with the characteristics of the independent claim and the characteristics of the other dependent claims, as required and not only explicitly stated in the claims.

These and other aspects of the invention will be apparent from the embodiments described below and will be described with reference to these embodiments.

FIG. 1 shows a mask as described in the present disclosure, which is worn by the user. FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of the components of the mask. FIG. 3 shows a mask with widened folds as described in the present disclosure. FIG. 4 shows a folded mask as described in the present disclosure. FIG. 5 shows a block diagram of a method of controlling the power of the mask.

The drawings are merely schematic and non-limiting. In the drawings, some sizes of the elements are exaggerated for illustration purposes and are not drawn to scale.

The reference code in the claims shall not be construed as limiting its scope.

In different drawings, the same reference numerals refer to the same or similar elements.

The present disclosure presents an electric mask that provides automatic operation and / or non-operation of the mask's power supply when the mask is folded or unfolded. Therefore, depending on the particular realization, the mask may have both an automatic power-off function, an automatic power-on function, or an automatic power-on and power-off function, depending on the bending state of the mask. It may be included. Detailed embodiments are described below.

In the first aspect of the present invention, an electric mask is presented. The mask may be a contaminating mask, so the mask has an air filter that filters the air entering the mask. In certain embodiments, the mask is made from an air filter material. Such air filter materials can filter harmful pollutants such as traffic pollution, PM2.5 or large particles such as pollen from the air. This filter is capable of filtering bacteria, viruses or other microorganisms. The mask may cover the user's mouth and / or nose. When worn, the mask forms a mask chamber that is sealed with the user's face.

In certain embodiments, the mask has a mechanism configured to turn off the power of the mask when it is bent, in particular to turn off the power supply to the electrical components of the mask. Therefore, when the user removes the mask and bends it, the power is automatically turned off without any other intervention from the user.

In certain embodiments, the mask has a mechanism configured to turn on the power of the mask as it unfolds the mask. Therefore, when the user unfolds the mask, the power of the mask is automatically turned on without any other intervention from the user.

In certain embodiments, the mask has a mechanism configured to turn off the power of the mask when the mask is folded, and this mechanism turns on the power of the mask when unfolding the mask. It is configured as follows.

The mechanism described above reduces the burden on the user to turn the mask on or off each time the user puts on or removes the mask. In addition, it eliminates the need for a mechanical on / off switch on the mask, which reduces the cost of the mask and extends its life. In addition, there is no inadvertent power loss as the user does not have to manually turn off the mask.

The mask has a fold line for easy folding of the mask.

In certain embodiments, the mask can be made from different parts of the material to be sewn together. This stitching allows easy bending of the mask on the stitching line. Therefore, in this example, the fold line has a sewn line. For example, the mask may be manufactured from two or more parts to be sewn together. When the mask is folded on the stitch line, the two or more portions cover each other at least partially. Instead, depending on the choice of material, different parts of the mask are attached to each other using glue, heat press or ultrasound. In this case, the resulting mask structure is a continuous sheet that deforms around the fold line. Each of these mounting techniques is practiced such that mounting areas for different parts are used to allow easy folding of the mask.

According to one embodiment, the mask is manufactured using injection molding. In certain embodiments, the soft materials in the injection molded 2D wire are configured so that they can be bent multiple times without fatigue to prevent breakage of the bend wire. At this time, the bending line may be a living hinge which is an integrated part made of the material of the mask.

According to one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the mask 100 has at least one electrical component 102. The electrical component 102 may be a ventilator that ventilates the mask 100 by allowing air to flow into and / or flow out of the mask chamber. The electrical component 102 may have sensor components such as an optical sensor, a pressure sensor, and a gas sensor. The mask 100 has a power supply 103 for supplying power to the electric component 102. The power source 103 is a battery that is preferably but not necessarily arranged on the mask 100. The power supply 103 is coupled to the electrical component 102. The mechanism 101 is present on / in the mask, and the mechanism is configured to turn off the power supplied to the electrical component 102 by the power supply 103 when the mask 100 is bent. Alternatively or additionally, the mechanism 101 is configured to turn on the power supplied to the electrical component 102 when unfolding the mask 100. Therefore, the mechanism 101 has a means for detecting the bent state of the mask 100. In other words, the mechanism 101 has means for detecting whether or not the mask 100 is bent. As shown in FIG. 2, the mechanism 101 is coupled to the power source 103 and controls the power source 103 with respect to switching the power source 103 on or off. The power source 103 is coupled to the electrical component 102 to supply power.

According to certain embodiments, the mechanism 101 is placed on or incorporated into the mask 100. For example, the mechanism 101 may be incorporated in the material of the mask 100, or may be incorporated in the material of the air filter of the mask 100, for example. The advantage of the present invention is that the mechanism 101 may be completely incorporated into the mask 100 because the portability and usability of the mask 100 are improved.

A folding line 120 for easy folding of the mask is shown in FIG. For example, the mask 100 may be made from a semi-rigid material, whereby the mask 100 has a line 120 in which the material is more compressed or the material is partially removed, whereby the bending line 120. The folding line 120, which allows easy folding of the mask 100, extends across the mask 100, thereby dividing the mask 100 into two or more portions that allow easy folding of the mask 100. As described above, the bending line may be formed by the stitch line of the mask 100.

According to one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the mechanism 101 has two elements 101a, 101b. These elements may be electrodes. These elements are equidistant on both sides of the fold line 120, as shown in FIG. These elements are arranged so that the two elements 101a and 101b are joined when the mask 100 is bent. Therefore, when the user bends the mask, the two elements 101a and 101b come into direct or indirect contact with each other. For example, when the elements 101a and 101b are incorporated in the mask material, the elements 101a and 101b are indirectly in contact with each other because the mask material is arranged between them. The two elements 101a and 101b separate from each other when unfolding the mask 100. Thus, when the user unfolds the mask 100, the previously joined elements 101a, 101b separate or separate from each other. The mechanisms 101a and 101b are configured so that when the two elements 101a and 101b are joined, the power of the mask 100 supplied by the power source is turned off. Alternatively or additionally, the mechanisms 101a, 101b are configured to turn on the power of the mask 100 when the two elements 101a, 101b are separated from each other. Control of the power source may be performed by a controller, such as a microcontroller, which is coupled to the mechanism (elements 101a, 101b, eg, electrodes) and the power source. When the controller detects that the elements 101a, 101b are in contact with or coupled to each other, the controller turns off the power. When the controller detects that the elements 101a, 101b are not in contact with each other or are separated from each other, the controller turns on the power.

According to certain embodiments, the elements 101a and 101b may have magnetic properties such that both elements attract each other, and the elements may be magnetic elements. This is advantageous because the elements 101a and 101b function as a means for keeping the mask 100 in a bent or compact state, and also as a mechanism for detecting the folded state of the mask 100. Therefore, no additional components are needed to keep the mask closed. Such magnetic elements can also be easily incorporated into the mask material. When the two elements 101a, 101b are used to detect whether the mask 100 is folded, the presence of a fold line 120, eg, a stitch line, which allows for easy folds, is easy for the two elements. It is advantageous because it enables alignment. The folded mask 100 is shown in FIG. When the mask 100 is bent so that the elements 101 are in contact with each other, are coupled to each other, or are present adjacent to each other, the elements 101 are shown to be in alignment.

According to certain embodiments, the mechanism is bendable or bendable. This mechanism is arranged within the mask so that when the mask is bent, for example, on a bend or stitch line, the mechanism bends or bends. When the mechanism bends or bends, the power of the mask is turned off. Alternatively or optionally, the mask is powered on when the mechanism is unbent or unbent. Implementations of such a mechanism have a light source coupled to the waveguide, which detects when the waveguide is bent and when light transmitted through the waveguide exits the waveguide. This waveguide is arranged in the mask so that the waveguide bends when the mask is bent. When the light exits the waveguide, this means that the mask is bent, so the power is interrupted. When the light does not come out of the waveguide, this means that the bending of the mask has been widened, so power may be running. Alternatively, the mechanism may have a material that does not have conductivity when bent, and thus when the mask is bent.

According to one embodiment, the mechanism has a sensor for determining the folded state of the mask. For example, the mechanism may be an optical sensor arranged within the mask such that the optical sensor is covered with the material of the mask when the mask is bent. Therefore, the mask is manufactured so that the material of the mask covers the sensor when the mask is folded. When the detected light is below a pre-defined threshold, this means that the mask has been bent and the power is turned off. Alternatively or optionally, when the detected light is above a pre-defined threshold, this means that the mask fold has been widened and power is turned on. For all embodiments described, the controller is coupled to the sensor and power source to control the power of this mask. Alternatively, a proximity sensor capable of detecting the material of the mask in the vicinity may be used. Instead, a detection mechanism is used, whereby the sensor detects whether a detectable element is detected or is in close proximity to the sensor. When detected, the mask is considered to be in a folded state and power is turned off. When it is not detected, it is considered that the mask is in the unfolded state and the power is operated.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, a method 200 for controlling the power supply of the electric mask as shown in the first aspect is presented. This method has a step of determining whether the mask is folded or unfolded around the fold line and turns off the power when the mask is folded (202). Alternatively or optionally, if the mask fold is widened, power on (203). The determination of whether the mask is folded is made by examining whether the two elements in the mask are joined to each other, as described above. Alternatively, as described above, this may be done by examining whether the detected light is above or below a certain threshold when the mask is folded. This may be done by examining whether the mechanism in the mask is bent. Any technique described in the first aspect of the invention may be used in the present invention to control the power of the mask.

Claims (14)

Switch mechanism,
Electrical component,
In an electric mask having a folding wire for easy bending of the mask and a power source for supplying power to the electric component, the switch mechanism is used.
When the mask is folded around the bend line, the power to the electrical component is turned off, and / or when the mask is unfolded around the bend line, the power to the electrical component is turned on. An electric mask that is configured to be. The mask according to claim 1, wherein the electrical component is a ventilation unit for ventilating the mask. The mask according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the switch mechanism is arranged on the mask or incorporated in the mask. The mask according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the mask has an air filter material. The switch mechanism has two elements arranged to join each other when the mask is folded, the two elements are separated from each other when the mask fold is unfolded, and the switch mechanism is ,
When the two elements are joined, the power of the mask to the electrical component is turned off and / or when the two elements are separated from each other, the power of the mask to the electrical component is turned on. The mask according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the mask is configured to be. The mask of claim 5, wherein the two elements have magnetic properties and attract each other. The switch mechanism is bendable, and the switch mechanism is
A claim that turns off power to the electrical component of the mask when the switch mechanism is bent and / or turns on power to the electrical component of the mask when the folding of the switch mechanism is unfolded. The mask according to any one of 1 to 4. The mask according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the switch mechanism has a sensor for determining a bent state of the mask. The mask according to claim 8, wherein the sensor is an optical sensor. The mask according to claim 8, wherein the sensor is a proximity sensor. The mask according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the mask is a mask for contamination. One of claims 1 to 11, wherein the user wearing the mask automatically switches the power on and off without intervention except for unfolding or bending the mask. The mask described in. In the method of controlling the power supply of the electric mask
Steps to determine if the mask is bent or unfolded around the fold line, and if the mask is folded around the fold line, power off the mask's electrical components. And / or a method having a step of turning on the power of the mask to the electrical component if the mask is unfolded around the bend line. 13. The method of claim 13, wherein the user wearing the mask automatically switches power on and off without intervention other than unfolding or folding the mask.

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