JP7085719B2 - Respiratory protective equipment with electric fan suitable for consumer use - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a new structural proposal for a half-faced body of a respiratory protective device (PAPR) with an electric fan and a film-like disposable filter medium.

With the rapid economic development of emerging countries, the social consumption of energy continues to increase. At the same time, it caused a serious air pollution problem in the living environment. Greening remodeling and replacement of the main cause energy infrastructure equipment and automobiles requires a long cycle for economic reasons. In the meantime, wearing a mask is considered to be the most realistic means of personal protection.

As is well known, the filtering ability of a mask is inversely proportional to the filtration resistance, so a mask with a high resistance and a high dust removal rate is useless for people with weak physical strength, especially those suffering from respiratory and heart diseases. As a plan to reduce breathing resistance by external force, it is conceivable to divert the dust-proof and poison-proof breathing protective equipment with an electric fan, which has already been popularized in the industrial world. However, since it is supposed to be worn in daily life in the city, it is considered that the filter medium is limited to the directly connected half-sided type.

This type of respiratory protective device is generally provided in a rigid dome-shaped casing containing an intake (mounting) duct, an electric fan, a check exhaust valve, and a control circuit board, as shown in FIG. 1 of Patent Document 1, for example. It is composed of a face body made of soft rubber and covered with a cover that fits the face, and a removable and replaceable cartridge type filter material attached to the intake duct.

The mechanism of the control system that assists breathing is that when the sensing sensor detects inspiration, more air is sent to the face through the filter material by accelerating the rotation speed of the electric fan, the positive pressure inside the face increases, and the intake resistance increases. It will be reduced. Further, when the exhaled air is detected, the positive pressure in the surface is weakened by the deceleration of the electric fan rotation speed, and the exhaled air resistance is reduced. In addition, the extension of battery operating time and the extension of the life of expensive filter media by reducing the amount of airflow, rather than the deceleration of the electric fan, are also important roles of the control system.

JP2008-119319A

The environment for wearing this type of respiratory protective equipment has been changed to a daily life in a city that is less polluted than workplaces such as mines. If all is covered, there are some issues.

One is the problem of external exposure of the filter media cartridge and intake (mounting) duct. The technological development of modern respiratory protective equipment is by no means a history that gives good memories to people. Wearing a mask with a full view of the filter media cartridge in everyday life in the city is considered to be extremely intimidating to the surroundings. We recognize that the biggest challenge is how to hide these elements externally. Speaking of standards, sports masks with exhaust valves on both cheeks of commercial products are considered to be a passing line that is accepted in daily life in the city.

Second, existing respiratory protective equipment of this type has a replaceable filter media cartridge located on the outermost side. When the appearance problem is disregarded, the structure that internally cancels the suction force by the cartridge and the intake tact is mechanically rational. However, for the wearer, the facepiece in direct contact with the skin, the intake tact, the intake fan, etc. are all exposed to the droplets. Modern hygiene is considered unsatisfactory even with a washable sponge splash pad. Due to the structure, it is desirable to replace the disposable components in the skin and contact areas.

Third, existing respiratory protective equipment of this type is heavy. The lightest weight is well over 200g without including batteries. Especially in the wearing state, most of the constituent (weight) elements are concentrated on the extension of the mouth and nose in the center of the face, and the torque load is large on the cervical spine supporting the head. For improvement, it is necessary not only to reduce the weight of each component, but also to reduce the torque by moving the position of each element closer to the neck of the fulcrum.

Fourth, due to changes in the assumed wearer and usage environment, and advances in electronic and battery technology, the focus of the control system is to improve the wearing feel, such as discharging water vapor trapped in the facet and reducing expiratory resistance, and especially high positive pressure inside the facet. There is an improvement in the problem that the valve membrane of the check-stop exhaust valve, which can withstand the pressure, must be pushed open by the wearer's expiratory pressure.

In order to solve the above problems, a completely new function and effect of the present invention will be disclosed by explaining from individual components to the connection relationship of each other's assembly.

The present invention is
A curved mask surface that covers most of the face, including the mouth, nose, and cheeks, and is three-dimensionally molded with a flexible, low-stretch airtight thin film.
A disposable mask filter that has a shape and dimensions that are substantially the same as the curved surface of the mask facet, has a curved surface with a slightly smaller curvature, and is three-dimensionally molded with a cloth-like filter material.
It has the outer shape of a bolt-shaped body with a base equipped with a crimping surface with two intervals and its crimping restraint mechanism, and has a self-contained functional structure and electrical conduction inside the hollow, and has a conduction mechanism with the outside. It has an independent part exhaust valve unit that can be disassembled as needed, and a bolt-shaped body with a base that has the same contour and dimensions as the exhaust valve unit, and the functional structure and electrical conduction are completed inside the hollow. There is an intake fan unit, which is an independent component that has a conduction mechanism with the outside and can be disassembled as needed, and a total of four crimping restraints, which are the primary components of the two pairs.

The mask facet and the mask filter are provided with two pairs of coaxial fixing holes that allow the exhaust valve unit and the intake fan unit to pass through symmetrical positions on both cheeks and match the crimping surface of the bolt-shaped body with a base. However, the diameter of the coaxial fixing hole on the mask filter is slightly small.

The mask facet and mask filter are provided with one side of an airtight annular fastener fitted to each other along the perimeter of each curved surface. The annular fastener is an airtight connecting mechanism that can be easily attached to and detached from the mating surface with as little area as possible on the peripheral side. There are multiple mechanisms such as face-to-face mounting magic tape, face-to-face mounting rail fasteners, and side-mounting wire fasteners, and the internal spacing after fitting is considered to be about 2 mm. It can be selected according to the manufacturing method of the mask face and mask filter and the properties of the materials used.

In the valley composed of the central mouth and nose tip envelope inside the curved surface of the mask surface, the mask filter is attached to the ridgeline composed of the center mouth and nose tip envelope outside the curved surface, and the spacing is fixed by a detachable fitting. It has one side that fits into each other.

The procedure for assembling the primary components of the present invention is as follows.
First, the exhaust valve unit and the intake fan unit are passed through the two coaxial fixing holes on one side of the mask facet and the mask filter from the outside of the curved surface, and are separately crimped to the two crimping surfaces on the bolt-shaped body with a base. Hold the mask facet and mask filter with a tool and fix them by crimping.

Next, the wiring provided on the inner surface of the curved surface of the mask surface is connected and conducted, and the inside of the curved surface of the mask surface and the mask filter are fitted and connected with the spacing restraint provided on the central mouth and nose tip envelope on the outside of the curved surface.

Finally, the annular fastener provided on the peripheral edge of the mask filter is fitted and connected to the mask surface to form a completed mask having a curved internal space in which the peripheral edge having a fixed gap in the center is in contact.

In the unused mask finished product, there is room in the mask surface and mask filter on the space surface, and the whole is flexible as a whole. For example, it can be transformed into two folds along the center for storage.

In the completed mask in the worn state, the expansion tension of the curved surface generated by the internal positive pressure due to the intake of the electric fan is antagonistically balanced with the binding force of the wearing in addition to the binding force of the structure, and the curved surface space is transformed into the rigidity of maintaining the shape. do.

The mask filter in the worn state has a structure that geometrically receives the internal pressure of the curved surface space from the outside of the curved surface. The mask filter inverts and expands inside the curved surface along the boundary of restraint due to internal pressure. In both cheeks, the curvature is small, and there is an exhaust valve unit and an intake fan unit that are crimped and restrained in the center, and the bulge is considered to be limited. In addition, this bulge fills the crimping restraint exposed inside the curved surface of the mask filter and gives a smooth contact feeling to the skin.

However, the envelope part at the tip of the mouth and nose is a peak of protrusions from all sides, and the crimping of the exhaust valve unit and the intake fan unit on both cheeks can only restrain the bulge in one direction. The above-mentioned spacing restraint is required to avoid the possibility that the central ridge of the mask filter will be crushed inside the curved surface and block the mouth and nose. However, the spacing restraint must not block the air flow inside the space. There are multiple options for the mechanism of the space restraint, such as rail fasteners, hooks, and snap buttons, which can be selected according to the embodiment.

Since the exhaust valve unit and the electric fan unit are arranged symmetrically on both cheeks, the outer shape and the dimensions are the same. In order not to expose the components to the outside of the curved surface of the mask surface, the head of the bolt-shaped main body with a base with a dome-shaped protective cover is left as a crimping surface on the outside of the curved surface of the mask surface, and crimping is restrained from the inside of the curved surface.

Regarding the crimping restraint mechanism, the external force to release the crimping restraint is weak, and the internal positive pressure also acts to increase the crimping force in the wearing state, so the choice of the mechanism is relatively wide. For example, there are retaining rings, circlips, wire bands, screws, etc., which can be selected according to the embodiment. However, since the mask filter is frequently replaced and the crimping mechanism is very close to the face, it is considered desirable to use a screw that has no protrusions and is easy to open and close.
The two crimping surfaces of the bolt-shaped body with a base are made into a rotating curved surface of the central axis of the coaxial fixing hole that is in direct contact with the curved surface to be crimped to improve the visual feeling in the wearing state.

Regarding the functions of the exhaust valve unit and the electric fan unit, they function in the same way as the previous plan, but they are not used inside each body because they share different functions from the outer shape of the bolt-shaped body with a thin shell base of the same dimensions. Space was created and it became possible to install new devices with additional functions.

First, a solenoid valve is added to the exhaust valve unit to forcibly open the exhaust valve membrane on the valve seat surface at the position covered by the stationary exhaust valve membrane. Along with this, it is necessary to change the valve membrane shape and valve seat arrangement. The biggest change is in the control system.

Since the wearer is a voluntary breather and can detect clear respiratory circulation and airway pressure fluctuations, the behavior of the detection sensor and related circuits in the control system with the addition of an electromagnetic valve is the same as the known prior plan. While the control policy follows breathing and detects exhalation, decelerates the inspiratory fan, lowers the intra-planetary pressure to reduce exhalation resistance, and uses the pressure change pattern and circulation time fluctuation tendency of the last dozen or so respiratory circulations. Immediately before exhalation in anticipation of exhalation, the exhaust valve membrane is forcibly opened from the electromagnetic valve, and the moisture in the surface is cleared by the time of the respiratory conversion phase. The solenoid valve is restored and the intake fan is decelerated to the limit of maintaining the positive pressure in the in-plane pressure, creating a feeling of exhalation when exposed to the atmosphere. The single prediction error is absorbed in the time of the respiratory conversion phase and is restored from the inspiratory detection.
Its effect is similar to the behavior of the ventilator's respiratory support mode.
The details of the control system belong to the field of implementation of IT technology and are not directly related to the present invention, and the details thereof are omitted here.

Second, the bottom lid of the intake fan unit, which is very close to the mouth, is placed at the center of rotation of the electric fan. Replace it with a modified conversation device and install it in the bottom space behind the intake fan.

Along with this, it is necessary to install a few mm square surface mount speaker and internal wiring on the head exposed to the outside of the mask surface of the intake fan unit. However, a much clearer conversation is possible compared to the known prior plan for transmitting sound wave vibration using a thin film module.
The details of the bottom-covered conversation device module also belong to the field of implementation in IT technology and are not directly related to the present invention, and the details thereof are omitted here.

From the above description, with the new configuration, components that are not suitable for external exposure are incorporated into the face of the soft body that fits the face, and at the same time, the parts of the skin and contact parts are also replaced with disposable parts. In addition, the area of the filter material for the entire surface of both cheeks is doubled, which leads to a slowdown of the intake fan or a change of the low-cost mask filter material.

The independent unit of the bolt-shaped body with two thin shell stands adds a rearrangement from the extension of the tip of the mouth to both cheeks to the soft facet that has been made lighter by discarding the rigidity maintaining element, giving a considerable feeling of weight loss. can get.
The exhaust valve unit with the addition of a solenoid valve and the control system associated with it can provide the wearer with a more comfortable breathing environment in a clean atmosphere than when the mask is not worn.
It is also considered that wearing a conversation device can eliminate the inconvenience of wearing a mask.

Mask face Mask filter Check valve unit and parts exploded view Intake fan unit and parts exploded view Exploded view of the whole assembly Overall view after assembly Partial cross-sectional view of the entire horizontal and vertical after assembly FIG. 1 of Patent Document 1

Hereinafter, desirable embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. 1 to 4 show primary component components and independent units that can be normally disassembled. 5 to 7 show the assembly order and the structure after assembly. The figures and explanations refer to specific materials, structures, and manufacturing methods, but are merely illustrations and are not limited thereto.

FIG. 1 shows a curved mask surface A that is three-dimensionally molded with a thin film and covers most of both cheeks including the nose and mouth, in which an airtight annular fastener for fitting connection is selected as a face-to-face annular rail fastener.

Along the peripheral edge of the curved surface of the mask surface A, one side A3 of the fitting of the mask filter B and the annular rail fastener for fitting connection is provided on the inner surface of the curved surface. In addition, it is necessary to devise the design of the rail fitting cross section so that the fitting force of the rail fasteners A3 and B3 is strong against expansion of internal pressure and weak against external unlocking.

Two coaxial fixing holes A1 and A2 are opened on the curved surface at symmetrical positions of both cheeks. The exhaust valve unit C has a mounting angle in order to prevent the mixture of exhaled air and intake air on the outside of the mask surface A, and since it is necessary to align the wiring with each unit, the circles of the coaxial fixing holes A1 and A2. There is a split on the circumference to fit a wedge that sets the mounting angle.

Along the valley of the maximum curvature at the center of the inside of the curved surface of the mask surface A, a space restraint A4 on one side of the rail fastener for fixing the distance from the mask filter B is provided in the central portion that does not completely block the curved surface space.

Wiring for conducting power and signals between the external power supply, the exhaust valve unit C, and the intake fan unit D is provided on the inner surface of the curved surface of the mask surface A. Although the wiring structure is extremely simple, the mounting space on the inner surface of the curved surface of the mask surface A is limited, and it is considered that the flexible substrate can be mounted relatively easily.

Further, the flexible substrate is pulled out from the gap between the inner surface of the curved surface and the rail fastener, and is connected to an external power line via a connector provided behind the hanging puffer fish of the wearing band. It is considered desirable to hide the external power supply line from the wearing band and hang it after the pinna so as not to affect human behavior and connect it to the battery.

The mask surface A has a structure that geometrically receives the internal pressure of the curved surface space from the inside of the curved surface. When worn, it tends to expand outward due to internal pressure, and it is necessary to suppress the elasticity of the thin film in order to maintain its appearance. If possible, there is also the option of using fiber reinforced concrete to completely reduce the stretchability of the thin film. By reducing the elasticity of the thin film, tension acts more strongly on the curved surface, and the curved surface space can maintain a more stable shape.

The mask surface A is composed of an ultra-thin curved film that is flexible, tough, and has little elasticity without leaving wrinkles, and a rail fastener that maintains a strong fit with a certain rigidity. It seems difficult to mold with the same material due to different physical characteristics requirements, but it is considered to be a relatively realistic method to perform three-dimensional molding with each material and then bond the whole as needed.

FIG. 2 shows a curved surface mask filter B three-dimensionally molded with a cloth-like filter material according to the mask surface A. The mask filter B has a slightly smaller curvature than the mask surface A, and has substantially the same shape and area.

Along the peripheral edge, a mating opposite side B3 corresponding to the face-to-face annular rail fastener A3 of the mask surface A is provided on the outer side of the curved surface, and the curved surface has a diameter coaxial with the coaxial fixing holes A1 and A2 of the mask surface A. Two slightly smaller coaxial fixing holes B1 and B3 are opened.

Along the ridgeline of the maximum curvature at the center of the outer side of the curved surface, a space restraint B4 on the opposite side of the rail fastener fitting corresponding to the space restraint A4 of the mask surface A is provided at the center portion that does not completely block the curved surface space. be.

Further, an annular face contact pad B5 having a substantially flat surface and a non-uniform width is attached along the peripheral edge inside the curved surface. Two effects of increasing the contact area and the crimping force are expected due to the binding force of the wearing band and the positive pressure inside the face piece between the annular face-contact pad B5 and the curved surface having two different curvatures of the face.

The curved surface of the mask filter B is a soft cloth-like filter material formed by stacking one or a plurality of layers of non-woven fabric having a filtering function. If it can be integrated into a cloth, the filtration function of each layer does not matter.

There are roughly two possible ways to shape the mask filter B. One is to mold the cloth-like filter material by three-dimensional sewing, and bond the separately three-dimensionally molded annular rail fastener B3, the space restraint B4, and the cut annular face-contact pad B5 to each other. The second is a cloth-like filter material obtained by adding ultra-thin fine ribs to the annular rail fastener B3 and the space restraint B4, and cutting the mask filter B into a three-dimensionally molded frame on a predetermined curved surface into a shape to be fitted into two pieces. B1 and the annular face-contact pad B5 are adhered and molded.

FIG. 3 shows the exhaust valve unit C assuming that the two crimping restraint mechanisms are screw type and the disassembly of the parts of the unit.

The through hollow hole of the bolt-shaped main body C1 with a base is an exhaust hole, and the inner surface of the second stage having a large diameter functions as a valve seat of a check exhaust valve. A dome-shaped protective cover C2 is mounted on the dome-shaped protective cover C2. A control module C3 that functions as a valve membrane attachment and an exhaust valve membrane C4 that is fixed are provided in the space inside the protective cover C2.

The control module C3 has a built-in circuit board on which a power supply circuit, a detection sensor, an intake fan rotation speed, and a control circuit for opening and closing the exhaust valve are mounted.

A solenoid valve C5 that forcibly opens the exhaust valve membrane C4 is provided at a position covered by the stationary exhaust valve membrane C4 on the valve seat surface of the bolt-shaped main body C1 with a base.

The crimping restraint F is a second stage having a large diameter and crimps the mask face piece A.

The crimping restraint G crimps the mask filter B with the first stage having a small diameter.

The exhaust valve unit C is an independent component that can be disassembled as needed, but the internal continuity is completed, and there is a connector on the cylindrical surface of the bolt-shaped main body C1 with a valve stand, and it operates if it is connected to the outside.
Since the behavior during operation has already been described in the above-mentioned disclosure of functions and effects, re-discussion here is omitted.

FIG. 4 shows the electric fan unit D assuming that the two crimping restraint mechanisms are screw type and the disassembly of the parts of the unit.

The bolt-shaped main body D1 with a base is hollow, the DC motor core D3 is fixed by ribs, and the inner surface of the step having a large diameter functions as the casing of the intake fan. Above it is a propeller D4 with a built-in DC motor rotor and a dome-shaped protective cover D2.

As an exhaust hole for the intake fan, a hole is made in the stepped cylindrical surface with a large diameter of the casing. Along with this opening, the crimping screw on the cylindrical surface was also intermittent. A reverse stop intake valve membrane D6 is installed in the fan exhaust hole.

The bottom of the bolt-shaped main body D1 with a base is sealed with a bottom lid D5. As described above, the bottom lid D5 can be replaced with the conversation device module of the additional function.

The crimping restraint F is a second stage having a large diameter and crimps the mask face piece A.

The crimping restraint G crimps the mask filter B with the first stage having a small diameter.

The electric fan unit D is an independent component that can be disassembled as needed, but the internal continuity is completed, and there is a connector on the cylindrical surface of the bolt-shaped main body D1 with a valve stand, and it operates if it is connected to the outside.
Since the behavior during operation has already been described in the above-mentioned disclosure of functions and effects, re-discussion here is omitted.

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the entire parts, and at the same time, the assembly order is also clarified.

The exhaust valve unit C is passed through the coaxial fixing hole A1 on one side of the mask surface A from the outside of the curved surface, and the mask surface A is crimped and fixed with the crimp restraint F exposed from the inside of the curved surface and the protective cover C2 exposed to the outside of the curved surface. do.

Similarly, the electric fan unit D is also passed through the coaxial fixing hole on the opposite side of the mask surface A from the outside of the curved surface, and the mask surface A is crimped and fixed with the crimping restraint F exposed from the inside of the curved surface and the protective cover D2 exposed to the outside of the curved surface. do.
Each is connected to the wiring on the inner surface of the curved surface of the mask surface A.

Next, the exhaust valve unit C and the electric fan unit D are passed through the coaxial fixing holes of the mask filter B from the outside of the curved surface, respectively, and crimped and fixed with the crimping restraint G. After connecting the space restraints A4 and B4 in the center of the curved surface, the annular fasteners A3 and B3 on the peripheral edge are fitted and sealed. After this, the assembly is completed, the standby state is set, and if it is connected to an external battery, it can be worn at any time.

6 and 7 show an overall view of the assembly completion and optional vertical and cross-sectional cross sections.

In the cross-sectional view of FIG. 7, the mask surface A and the mask filter B assembled by sandwiching the exhaust valve unit C and the electric fan unit D are restrained by crimping by the exhaust valve unit C and the electric fan unit D, and the annular fastener A3 on the peripheral edge. It can be clearly seen that due to the fitting constraint of B3, two curved surfaces having geometrically different curvatures have a fixed gap in the center and form an internal space of the curved surface in which the peripheral edges are in contact with each other.

In the standby state, there is room on the surface of the space and the whole is flexible. For example, it can be deformed by folding it in half along the center for storage.

In the wearing state, the expansion tension of the curved surface generated by the internal positive pressure due to the intake of the electric fan is in an antagonistic equilibrium with the binding force of the wearing in addition to the structural binding force of the assembly, and the curved surface space is transformed into the rigidity of maintaining the shape.

The structure is lightweight, easy to handle, and easy to store, and the filters are not limited, so it has sufficient potential not only for daily use but also for industrial use.

A Mask surface A1, A2 Coaxial fixing hole A3 Fastener A4 Spacing restraint B Mask filter B1, B2 Coaxial fixing hole B3 Fastener B4 Spacing restraint C Exhaust valve unit C1 Exhaust valve unit body C2 Dome-shaped protective cover C3 Also serves as a valve membrane mounting tool Control module C4 Exhaust valve membrane C5 Electromagnetic valve D Intake fan unit D1 Intake fan unit body D2 Dome-shaped protective cover D3 Fan motor core D4 Propeller with built-in motor rotor D5 Bottom lid or conversation device module D6 Intake fan valve membrane F Crimping fixing nut for mask facepiece G Crimping fixing nut for mask filter

Claims (2)

A curved mask surface that covers most of the face, including the mouth, nose, and cheeks, and is three-dimensionally molded with a flexible, low-stretch airtight thin film.
A disposable mask filter that has a shape and dimensions that are substantially the same as the above mask facet, has a curved surface with a slightly smaller curvature, and is three-dimensionally molded with a cloth-like filter material.
It has the outer shape of a bolt-shaped body with a base equipped with a crimping surface with two intervals and its crimping restraint mechanism, and has a self-contained functional structure and electrical conduction inside the hollow, and has a conduction mechanism with the outside. It has an independent exhaust valve unit that can be disassembled as needed and a bolt-shaped body with a base that has the same contour and dimensions as the above exhaust valve unit, and the functional structure and electrical conduction are completed inside the hollow. It has a conduction mechanism with the outside, and has a primary component of an intake fan unit, which is an independent part that can be disassembled as needed, and two pairs of four crimping restraints.
The completed mask by assembling and connecting each of the above elements
The mask facet formed by connecting the mask facet and the peripheral edge of the mask filter is an outer curved surface surface, and the mask filter is an inner curved surface surface.
Respiratory protective equipment with an electric fan, characterized by having an internal curved space with a fixed spacing in the center. The mask facet and the mask filter pass the exhaust valve unit and the intake fan unit at symmetrical positions on both cheeks, and two pairs of coaxial fixing holes matching the crimping surface of the bolt-shaped main body with a stand. Is equipped with. However, the diameter of the coaxial fixing hole on the mask filter is slightly small.
The mask facet and the mask filter are provided with one side of an airtight annular fastener fitted to each other along the periphery of each curved surface.
The mask filter is a space constraint that fixes the space to the valley formed by the central mouth and nose tip envelope inside the curved surface of the mask surface, and to the ridge line composed of the center mouth and nose tip envelope line outside the curved surface by desorbable fitting. It is provided with one side of the tool fitting to each other.
The respiratory protective device with an electric fan according to claim 1.

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