NL2022528B1 - Haptic respiration simulator with noise reducing pump suspension - Google Patents

Abstract

Haptic respiration simulator comprising: - a pump; 5 - an accumulator for reducing noise originating from a pumping action of the pump, the accumulator being in fluid communication with an outlet of the pump; and - a pump suspension system for reducing noise originating from operation of the pump, comprising: o a tubular casing for receiving the pump unit at an inside thereof, the tubular 10 casing having a substantially closed circumferential wall that prevents at least a part of the sound waves resulting from operation of the pump to transfer outside the tubular casing; 0 an inner suspension for suspending the pump with respect to the tubular casing, the inner suspension being positioned between the pump and the 15 tubular casing; o a pair of end caps for sealing the tubular casing, and 0 an outer suspension for suspending the tubular casing with respect to a housing. 20

Description

P33701NLOO/KHO Title: Haptic respiration simulator with noise reducing pump suspension The present invention relates to a haptic respiration simulator, e.g. in the form of a pillow or a teddy, comprising a noise reducing pump suspension.

US2011/0301405 discloses a sleeping inducer in the form of a pillow or a doll, comprising a movable plate arranged inside a cover. The moving plate can repeatedly and vertically be moved by moving means. This way, the sleeping inducer can move like a lung that shrinks and expands. In another embodiment a pad filled with air is contained in the cover, between the moving plate and the cover. By moving the moving plate, the pad shrinks and expands. A user of the sleeping inducer, upon going to bed, hugs, grips or touches the sleeping inducer and has an experience resembling being hugged and slept by a mom.

Itis a disadvantage of such sleeping inducers that they produce noise or sounds by operating the moving means. This noise may be experienced as annoying by users, especially when they use the sleeping inducer to try and fall asleep more easily in an otherwise quiet bedroom.

The general object of the present invention is to at least partially eliminate the above mentioned drawback and/or to provide a usable alternative. More specifically, it is an object of the invention to provide a haptic respiration simulator that is silent, e.g. that produces sounds not exceeding average bedroom-level sounds According to the invention, this object is achieved by a haptic respiration simulator according to claim 1.

When the haptic respiration simulator is used, i.e. when the pump unit is operated, sound or noise is inherently produced. The applicant has found that this noise mainly stems from four different sources. Firstly, providing small air pulses by operating the pump unit results in a vibration of air inside an air tube that connects the pump unit with the air chamber or other components. These vibrations result in sound waves which can be heard by a user. Secondly, the pump unit may physically move when it is operated. This movement of the pump unit results in a vibration of the air that surrounds the pump unit. This vibrating air results in sound waves which can be heard by a user. Thirdly, when the pump unit is operated, it may touch other (hard) components of the haptic respiration simulator. Also this touching or hitting of (hard) components produces sounds. Fourthly, the resonating vibration

-2- of certain components of the haptic respiration simulator, activated by vibrating air, may also result in sound, just like the vibration of a speaker diaphragm. To optimally silence the haptic respiration simulator, each of these sources of noise should be prevented, reduced or dampened, such that a user of the simulator does not hear this noise while using the haptic respiration simulator. Ideally, a user cannot hear the simulator when he or she is in a silent environment, such as a bedroom, and uses the haptic respiration simulator. Preferably, the resulting noise produced by the simulator is reduced to below 40 dBA, more preferably to below 37dBA, e.g. to about 32dBA or less when measured at a position outside of the haptic respiration simulator, at a distance of 25 cm. This distance approximates the distance between ears of the user and the haptic respiration simulator in a normal or conventional operational mode of the haptic respiration simulator. As a first noise-reducing measure, the haptic respiration simulator may comprise at least one accumulator for accumulating air and for reducing noise originating from a pumping action of the pump unit, i.e. for reducing the first source of sound described in the above. When seen in flow direction, the accumulator is arranged between the pump unit and the inflatable air chamber. In other words: the accumulator is in fluid communication with an outlet of the pump unit and an inlet of the inflatable air chamber.

The accumulator accumulates or buffers air in an internal volume thereof. The accumulator receives, in operation, pulses of air from the pump unit and supplies a stream of air to the inflatable air chamber. The accumulator thus smoothens the pulse-wise supply of air by the pump unit into a more constant stream of air supplied to the inflatable air chamber. This reduces the amount of noise generated by the haptic respiration simulator. The haptic respiration simulator may further comprise a pump unit suspension system for reducing noise originating from operation of the pump unit, i.e. the second, third and fourth source of sound described in the above. The pump unit suspension system may damp sound waves resulting from physical movement of the pump unit when operated and damps or prevent sounds induced by (hard) components that touch or hit each other during operation of the pump unit. The suspension system may furthermore stabilize each component thereof to prevent it from vibrating like a speaker diaphragm.

The pump unit suspension system may comprise a tubular casing, an inner suspension, a pair of end caps, and an outer suspension. The inner suspension and the end caps are at least partly arranged inside the tubular casing, such that the tubular casing, the inner

23. suspension and the end caps together encapsulate the pump unit and prevent sound waves from transferring outside of the tubular casing. The tubular casing, which preferably has a substantially closed circumferential wall but which may have open ends to allow tubes and wires associated with the pump to protrude from the tubular casing, is more preferably thick-walled and made of a dense and heavy material such as steel (see below for more details). The inner suspension is preferably made of a less dense and less heavy material than the tubular casing (see below for more details). The use of such a double-layered sound isolation comprising a tubular casing and an inner suspension ensures that sound waves resulting from operating the pump unit must transfer trough two separate barriers before they can radially escape out of the tubular casing, out of the haptic respiration simulator, and produce sound that can be heard by a user. This double- layered sound isolation of the pump unit suspension system is more efficient than a relatively thicker layer of a single material, as the first barrier and the second barrier may advantageously each prevent the transmission of different frequencies of sound waves, while also having different critical frequencies themselves. Preferably, the tubular casing furthermore is made of a heavy, dense material such as steel, such that the pump unit suspension system is stabilized by the mere weight of the tubular casing and vibrations of components are prevented. This further prevents or reduces sound emitted by the haptic respiration simulator. The inner suspension, besides acting as a barrier for sound waves as described in the above, additionally suspends the pump unit with respect to the tubular casing and e.g. ensures that the pump unit remains at a central position in the tubular casing. The inner suspension thereby e.g. prevents the pump unit to physically touch the tubular casing when it is operated. The end caps, arranged at each end of the tubular casing, may prevent an axial transfer of sound waves outside of the tubular casing by sealing the tubular casing. A first end cap and a second end cap of the pair of end caps may be similar, e.g. having a same diameter, and being made of the same material. The two end caps of the pair of end caps may however also be different from each other, e.g. when the one end of the tube is differently shaped with respect to the other end of the tube, or e.g. made of different materials. Each of the end caps seals one end of the tube, and is arranged at that end.

The outer suspension is provided at the outside of the tubular casing, e.g. against the circumferential wall of the tubular casing and suspends the tubular casing with respect to the

-4- housing. The outer suspension is thus arranged between the tubular casing and the housing, and prevents the transfer of sound waves or vibrations from the tubular casing to the housing. Additionally, the outer suspension may provide a third barrier between sound waves originating from operation of the pump and transferred outside of the tubular casing towards ears of the user.

These combined features of an accumulator and a pump unit suspension system, as described, together help to prevent, reduce or damp the noise produced by the haptic respiration simulator when the pump unit is working, to a noise level hearable by a user that is preferably at or below bedroom-level sound, e.g. below 40 dBA, preferably below 37 dBA. In embodiments, e.g. when the pump unit may be silently operated in view of pulses of air and/or when the pump unit is able to provide a constant (silent) air stream, the accumulator may be optional.

In embodiments, e.g. when the tubular casing comprises one or two end walls, e.g. of the same material as the circumferential wall thereof, one or both of the pair of end caps may be optional.

In embodiments, e.g. when the housing is at least partially made of a soft or resilient material, e.g. at the location of the tubular casing, the outer suspension may be optional. In embodiments the inner suspension and the end caps may be integrated into a single component, as will be described in more detail below.

In embodiments, e.g. when a suspension suspends the pump unit with respect to the housing, the tubular casing may be optional. In embodiments, e.g. when all components of the haptic respiration device which are arranged inside the housing are also arranged inside the tubular casing, the tubular casing may define the housing of the haptic respiration device. The haptic respiration simulator, which is suited for relaxing a user by simulating a respiration that can be sensed by a body part, e.g. a hand, of the user, may e.g. be a sleep induction device, a stress relief device or a relaxation device. The haptic respiration simulator may e.g. be grabbed, hugged, touched, or contacted in another way by a user thereof. For example, the haptic respiration simulator may be formed as a pillow or a doll, e.g. having the peanut

-5. shape of the sleep induction device disclosed in WO2018186739. In use, the user feels a movement of the haptic respiration simulator, which movement resembles a respiration of a person. More particularly, continuous inflation and deflation of the inflatable air chamber results in a movement of the haptic respiration simulator which is recognized by the user as a simulation of a respiratory action of a human. Preferably the simulated respiration has a relatively low frequency, around the frequency that an average person has when he or she is asleep. By using the haptic respiration simulator, and experiencing the low frequency respiration simulation, a user relaxes and may e.g. fall asleep or relieve stress during a busy day.

The haptic respiration simulator comprises a housing for housing components. The housing may at least partially be made of a rigid plastic material, e.g. formed by an injection moulding process. In embodiments, the housing and/or the haptic respiration simulator has a peanut- shape. In embodiments, the housing is covered with a layer of foam material, the haptic respiration simulator e.g. having a soft touch. The housing may have in internal volume in which components of the haptic respiration simulator, e.g. the pump unit, the accumulator or accumulators, the pump unit suspension system, and electronics may be placed. The haptic respiration simulator comprises an inflatable air chamber, e.g. outside of the housing or integrated with an external wall of the housing, which is configured to simulate a respiration, e.g. of a user or a person, by repeated inflation and deflation. The inflation and deflation of the inflatable air chamber may be noticed by a user of the haptic respiration simulator when holding the simulator in hands of the user; the deflation and inflation of the air chamber resembling a respiration of a person.

The haptic respiration simulator comprises a pump unit that is positioned inside the housing. The pump unit supplies air to the accumulator and is, indirectly, in fluid communication with the inflatable air chamber, such that it can pump a volume or air into the inflatable air chamber.

In an embodiment, the tubular casing is hollow and has open ends, is made of steel and is thick-walled, i.e. has a thickness of at least 1mm, e.g. 1.5mm or 2mm. The tubular casing may be hollow to allow it to receive other components of the haptic respiration simulator therein, for example the inner suspension, the pump unit and/or the accumulator. The tubular casing may be made of thick-walled steel to prevent sound waves to escape from the tubular casing in a radial direction. When the tubular casing is heavier (i.e. made of a more dense material and/or thicker), it is more difficult for sound waves to transfer through the tubular

-6- casing. Additionally, the weight of thick-walled steel also stabilizes the tubular casing, to reduce and/or prevent resonating vibrations of any components of the haptic respiration simulator.

Alternatively, the tubular casing may also be made of other materials or have another thickness. For example, the tubular casing may be made of a material having a density that is about 1/3 of the density of steel, while being three times as thick, e.g. at least 3 mm. An example of such a material is aluminium. Of course, other materials may be chosen according to the same principle. E.g. a material that is 10% denser than steel, and 10% thinner. In an embodiment, the inner suspension comprises at least three resilient elements, arranged at different positions along the circumference of the pump unit, the at least three resilient elements suspending the pump unit about a central position in an internal volume of the tubular casing. The inner suspension may comprise at least three spring-like resilient elements, e.g. for suspending the pump unit at three or more discrete positions along the circumference of the pump unit. In an embodiment, the inner suspension comprises a resilient material, e.g. silicon, that surrounds the pump unit, at least in a circumferential direction thereof. The inner suspension may e.g. be wrapped around the pump unit, to physically separate it from the tubular casing. By wrapping the pump unit in a resilient material, the resilient material acts as a suspension for the pump unit with respect to the tubular casing. The resilient material may lie against the pump unit with one side thereof, while it may lie against an inner side of the tubular casing with another, opposing, side thereof. In an embodiment, the inner suspension and the end caps are made of the same material and are integrated with each other. For example, an inner circumferential wall of the end caps may be embodied as inner suspension. With this arrangement, the number of parts is reduced, which may result in a lower overall cost. Additionally, assembly of the pump unit suspension system may be quicker with less parts, which again may result in a lower overall cost. Furthermore, when the inner suspension and the end caps are integrated, the inner suspension may be relatively thin. As a result, the inner diameter of the tubular casing may be smaller, which saves weight. This makes the haptic respiration simulator lighter, which may be more comforting for users thereof.

-7- The inner suspension and the end caps may also be integrated while being made of different materials. For example, an end cap with integrated inner suspension may be made using a 2K injection moulding process, wherein two different materials may be used to produce the end cap..

In an embodiment, the end caps have a double-walled circumferential wall that protrudes towards the pump unit when the pump unit suspension system is assembled, an inner wall of the double-walled circumferential wall e.g. being arranged against an inner side of the tubular casing, an outer wall of the double-walled circumferential wall e.g. being arranged against an outer side of the tubular casing. The inner wall may then form the inner suspension and/or the outer wall may then form the outer suspension. This specific embodiment may result in less parts and faster assembly, saving costs. In an embodiment, the outer suspension comprises foam material, e.g. at least six blocks of foam material, provided at different locations along the circumferential wall of the tubular casing, between said wall and the housing. It is not required that the outer suspension fully surrounds the tubular casing, although this is possible. The outer suspension may comprise a number of different suspensive elements, that are positioned at several discrete locations along the circumferential wall of the tubular casing.

In an embodiment, the haptic respiration simulator further comprises a second accumulator for accumulating air and for (further) reducing noise originating from a pumping action of the pump unit, the second accumulator being in direct fluid communication with an outlet of the first accumulator and an inlet of the inflatable air chamber, and in indirect fluid communication with the pump unit. In streamwise direction, starting at the outlet of the pump unit, air may go from the pump unit to the first accumulator, then to the second accumulator, before entering the air chamber. The haptic respiration simulator may comprise more than two accumulators. The first and second accumulator may be integrated in a single component, e.g. separated by a partition. In an embodiment, at least one of the accumulators or the accumulator may be positioned inside the housing, outside of an internal volume of the tubular casing. That is, the only accumulator may be positioned outside an internal volume of the tubular casing, both or all accumulators may be positioned outside an internal volume of the tubular casing, or a subset of all accumulators may be positioned outside an internal volume of the tubular casing, while other accumulators, if present, may be positioned inside the tubular casing. When one or

-8- more of the accumulators are positioned outside the tubular casing, the internal volume of the tubular casing required to house all components may be smaller. As a result, the diameter of the tubular casing may be smaller or its length may be shorter, resulting in a lighter part. As the weight of the tubular casing may make up a significant portion of the weight of the haptic respiration simulator, e.g. 5% - 25%, reducing the weight of the tubular casing may significantly reduce the weight of the haptic respiration simulator. In an embodiment, the inflatable air chamber is positioned external of the housing, to optimally transfer the respiration simulation to a body part of a user. The inflatable air chamber may also be arranged as part of the housing. Alternatively, the air chamber may be arranged inside the housing, e.g. against a part of the housing that is made of a flexible material, such that the inflation and deflation of the air chamber can be sensed by a user. Preferably, the inflatable air chamber is positioned at the outer side of the housing.

The invention further relates to a method for relaxation of a user, wherein use is made of the haptic respiration simulator as described in the above. The invention further relates to a method for guiding a user towards a sleep state, wherein use is made of the haptic respiration simulator as described in the above.

The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the appended drawings. The drawings show practical embodiments according to the invention, which may not be interpreted as limiting the scope of the invention. Specific features may also be considered apart from the shown embodiments and may be taken into account in a broader context as a delimiting feature, not only for the shown embodiment but as a common feature for all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims. In the figures: Figure 1 schematically shows a user lying in bed while spooning and holding an embodiment of a haptic respiration simulator according to the invention; Figure 2 schematically shows a housing of the haptic respiration simulator of figure 1; Figure 3 schematically shows the inside of the housing of Figure 2; Figure 4 schematically shows a first embodiment of the pump unit and the pump unit suspension system according to the invention; Figures 5a and 5b schematically show a more detailed view of the inner suspension as shown in Figure 4 ; Figure 8 schematically shows the layout of the pump unit suspension system of Figure 4, arranged inside the housing;

-9- Figure 7 schematically shows a second embodiment of a pump unit and a pump unit suspension system according to the invention; Figure 8 schematically shows the layout of the pump unit suspension system of Figure 7, arranged inside the housing; Figure 9 schematically shows a third embodiment of a pump unit suspension system according to the invention; With reference to Figure 1 a user, person P, is shown while lying in bed. The person P spoons a haptic respiration simulator 1 and touches the haptic respiration simulator 1 with a body part BP, here a hand. The haptic respiration simulator 1 is able to simulate a respiration by alternatingly contracting and expanding as will be explained in the below. The person P is able to sense said simulated respiration with hand BP. Research shows that when the simulated respiration is relatively slow compared to an average respiration of a person P, this has a relaxing effect on the user P.

For example, the haptic respiration device 1 may be used to relax a person P, e.g. during a busy day and while sitting in a comfortable chair (not shown), by holding the haptic respiration device 1, and sensing the comforting simulated respiration.

For example, the haptic respiration device may be used to guide a person towards a sleep phase by relaxing the user. More specifically, by inducing changes in the respiration frequency of the person P, the person P may be guided towards a state of (initial) sleep.

As is visible in Figure 1, the haptic respiration device 1 may be formed as a peanut-shaped pillow, having a soft outer skin 17, e.g. comprising a layer of foam material. As will become more clear from the below, the soft outer skin 17 may function as a third suspension to dampen noise originating from operation of a pump unit, which pump unit is positioned inside the haptic respiration simulator 1. This third suspension layer helps to silence the haptic respiration simulator 1 and makes it easier for person P to fall asleep and/or to relax, besides making the haptic respiration simulator more appealing to use for a user P.

Turning to Figure 2, the haptic respiration simulator 1 is here shown without user, and without the outer soft skin. Shown here is the outer housing 11 for housing components of the haptic respiration simulator, as well as inflatable air chamber 12. As is visible, the inflatable air chamber 12 is positioned outside or external of the outer housing 11. The inflatable air chamber 12 is in fluid communication with a pump unit arranged inside the outer housing and not visible in Figure 2. The inflatable air chamber 12 is configured to simulate a respiration by

-10- repeated inflation (expansion) and deflation (contraction) of the inflatable air chamber 12. This inflation and deflation of the inflatable air chamber 12 can be sensed by a user through the outer skin of the haptic respiration simulator 1.

The housing 11 may be made of a plastic material, that is preferably formed by an injection moulding process. Air is pumped in the inflatable air chamber 12 by a pump unit. Preferably, the inflatable air chamber 12 is of a semi-permeable material, e.g. a material having small holes in it, so that the air chamber 12 automatically deflates, without the need for an air suction unit to deflate the inflatable air chamber 12. This decreases the amount of components needed. However, an air suction unit may be part of the haptic respiration simulator, e.g. to provide a better control over the respiration simulation.

Turning now to Figure 3, the inside of the housing 11 is visible, as well as the inflatable air chamber 12 which is arranged outside of the housing 11. The housing 11 houses several components of haptic respiration simulator 1, amongst which a pump unit, not visible, and the pump unit suspension system 15, of which tubular casing or tubular core 151 is well visible in Figure 3. Hence, the pump unit suspension system 15, the pump unit, and the tubular casing 151 are positioned inside the housing 11. The pump unit is contained inside tubular casing 151 and therefore hidden from sight in Figure 3. Also visible in Figure 3 is outer suspension 154, here in the form of foam material, positioned at the outside of a closed circumferential wall 1511 of the tubular casing, along different locations thereof. The foam material, here in the form of blocks, suspend the tubular casing 151 with respect to the housing 11 and is placed between the tubular casing 151 and the housing 11, inside housing 11.

However, the outer suspension 154 may also comprise a layer of suspension material, fully or partly surrounding the tubular casing 151. For example, the layer of suspension material may comprise foam.

Also visible in Figure 3 is a (second) accumulator 18, positioned inside the housing 11 and outside of the tubular casing 151. The second accumulator 16 will be described in more detail below, with reference to Figure 6.

Turning to Figure 4, an exploded view of components of the pump unit suspension system is shown. The tubular casing 151 is again shown, as well as components of the haptic respiration simulator associated with the tubular casing 151. A pair of end caps 153 is

-11 - positioned at ends 1512, 1513 of the tubular casing 151, to seal the tubular casing 151. A pump unit 13 is positioned inside the tubular casing 151, and thus inside the housing 11. Pump unit 13 is in fluid communication with accumulator 14 and suspended with respect to the tubular casing 151 via inner suspension 152A, 152B, 152C.

Also accumulator 14 and inner suspension 152A, 152B, 152C are positioned inside tubular casing 151 when the haptic respiration simulator is assembled.

The tubular casing 151 has an inner volume 1514, in which the pump unit 13 is received.

A circumferential wall 1511 of the tubular casing 151 is substantially closed, so as to prevent at least a part of the sound waves that result from an operation of the pump unit 13 to transfer outside of the tubular casing 151. In the shown embodiment, the tubular casing 151 is round.

The tubular casing 151 may however also be cylindrical, rectangular, triangular, or square, possibly with rounded edges.

The tubular casing 151 may in principle have any shape.

The tubular casing 151 is here hollow, and has open ends 1512, 1513. The circumferential wall 1511 is closed, i.e. has a continuous circumference without any holes, apertures or cut- outs to optimally prevent the escape of sound waves in a radial direction.

The circumferential wall 1511 may be made of steel, or other dense materials, e.g. metals with a density higher than steel.

The circumferential wall 1511 is here thick-walled, having a thickness of at least 1mm, e.g. 1.5mm, here at least 2.0mm.

The pump unit 13, housed inside the tubular casing 151 when the haptic respiration simulator is assembled, is in fluid communication with the inflatable air chamber, for pumping air into the inflatable air chamber.

Preferably, the pump unit 13 is an axially operated pump unit, that provides pulses of air via an outlet 131 of the pump unit 13. Although the pump unit 13 is in fluid communication with the inflatable air chamber, components of the haptic respiration simulator may be placed in between the inflatable air chamber and the pump unit 13 (when seen in a flow direction from the pump unit 13 to the inflatable air chamber). The accumulator 14 is an example of such a component that may be placed in between the inflatable air chamber and the pump unit 13. The accumulator 14 is in fluid connection with the outlet 131 of the pump unit 13, and with the inlet of the inflatable air chamber (either directly, when there is only a single, first, accumulator, or indirectly, when there is a second accumulator.

This will be explained in the below). The accumulator 14 is here positioned inside the tubular casing 151, when the haptic respiration simulator is assembled.

-12- The end caps 153 are here made of a resilient material, e.g. silicon. However, the end caps 153 may also be made of a relatively rigid material, e.g. a moulded plastic, or a metal such as steel. The end caps 153 or one of the end caps 153 may be integrated with the circumferential wall 1511 of the tubular casing 151 when the tubular casing 151 and the end caps 153 are made of the same material. When the end caps 153 are made of a relatively rigid material, but of a different material than the tubular casing 151, preferably resilient material is positioned between the end caps 153 and the tubular casing 151, such that a transfer of noise-inducing vibrations from the tubular casing 151 to the rigid end cap 153 is prevented.

Visible in one of the end caps 153 is therefore a passage hole 1535, e.g. for passage of an air tube that fluidly connects the accumulator 14 with the inflatable air chamber.

Preferably, as shown, the end caps 153 are substantially solid and completely seal the tubular casing 151, i.e. preferably the end caps do not comprise any holes through which noise may escape.

However, the pump unit 13 should also be able to suck in fresh air for pumping it into the inflatable air chamber. Visible in the other of the end caps 153, are therefore suction holes 1538, 1537, through which the pump unit 13 may receive air, e.g. via air suction tubes. When an air tube is placed in the suction hole 1536, 1537, the amount of noise that can transfer outside of the tubular casing 151 may be significantly reduced compared to when the suction hole is left open.

The inner suspension 152 for suspending the pump unit 13 with respect to the tubular casing 151 comprises here suspension member 152C and suspension shell 152A, 152B. The suspension member 152C and especially suspension shell 152A, 152B are preferably made of a material that is more resilient that the tubular casing 151. For example, when the tubular casing 151 is made of a metal, the suspension shell 152A, 152B may be made of a plastic material that is injection moulded. When the pump unit suspension system 15 is assembled, suspension shell 152A, 152B encapsulates pump unit 13, accumulator 14, and suspension member 152C.

While suspension member 152C may reduce the amount of air vibrations that result from operating the pump unit 13, by suspending pump unit 13 about a central position inside tubular casing 151, suspension shell 152A, 152B may prevent that air vibrations which do

-13- result from operation of the pump unit 13 are not, or only partially, transferred outside of tubular casing 151. The suspension member 152C of inner suspension 152 is shown in some more detail in Figures 5A and 5B. As shown, the suspension member 152C here comprises an inner circumferential wall 1525, an outer circumferential wall 1524, and at least three resilient elements 1521, 1522, 1523. The inner circumferential wall 1525 is for receiving the pump unit therein, and is connected to the outer circumferential wall 1524 via resilient elements 1521, 1522, 1523. The number of resilient elements 1521, 1522, 1523 here equals three, but of course more or less resilient elements may alternatively be chosen. However, to optimally stabilize and suspend the pump unit, at least three resilient elements are recommended. The resilient elements 1521, 1522, 1523 are arranged at different positions along the circumference of the pump unit, when the pump unit is placed inside the inner circumferential wall 1525 of the suspension member 152C, and suspend the pump unit about a central position in the internal volume of the tubular casing. Outer circumferential wall 1524 of suspension member 152C is arranged inside and against suspension shell 152A, 152B. Also accumulator 14 is arranged inside suspension shell 152A, 152C.

Returning to Figure 4, when the haptic respiration simulator is assembled, an outside of the pump unit 13 may be positioned inside the suspension shell 152A, 152B, and inside suspension member 152C, against an inside of the inner circumferential wall 1525 of suspension member 152C. The end caps 153 are positioned at open ends 1512, 1513 of the tubular casing 151, with inwardly protruding walls 1531 of the end caps 153 being positioned against an inside of the closed circumferential wall 1511 of the tubular casing. Preferably, these inwardly protruding walls 1531 slightly exceed the inner diameter of the tubular casing 151, to tightly fit the end cap 153 in the tubular casing 151. The outside of the suspension shell 152A, 152B may then positioned against the inside of the inwardly protruding walls 1531 of the end caps 153, inside tubular casing 151, between the pump unit 13 and the tubular casing 151. Outer circumferential wall 1524 of suspension member 152C and/or accumulator 14 may alternatively be placed against circumferential wall 1511 of the tubular casing 151 or against the inwardly protruding wall 1531 of end caps 153 when assembled, e.g. when suspension shell 152A, 152B is absent.

-14 - Figure 8 more schematically shows the pump unit suspension system 15 in an assembled state. All components of the pump unit suspension system 15 are here positioned inside housing 11, the only component of the haptic respiration simulator arranged outside of the housing 11 being the air chamber 12. However, as explained in the above, other components of the haptic respiration simulator, such as a foam cover, may also be positioned outside the housing 11. Positioned inside the housing 11 is a pump unit 13. When operated, the pump unit 13 produces noise. As the object of the haptic respiration simulator is to relax a user, this noise is disadvantageous, and the pump suspension unit 15 is provided to reduce the noise that originates from operating the pump unit 13, such that only a part of the noise is hearable by a user. For example, the pump unit 13 may generate a noise level of more than 50dBA when operated, the pump unit suspension system being aimed at reducing that noise level with at least 10dBA, e.g. at least 13dBA, preferably with up to 20dBA or more to an overall noise level of 40dBA or below.

Therefore, the pump unit suspension system 15 comprises a first accumulator 14 and, optionally, a second accumulator 16. Here, both accumulators 14, 16 are positioned inside the housing, with the first accumulator 14 being positioned inside an internal volume 1514 of the tubular casing 151, and the second accumulator 16 being positioned outside of the internal volume 1514 of the tubular casing 151. The pump unit 13 may provide a pulse-wise output of air, wherein these pulses of air may produce noise. To reduce this noise, the one or more accumulators 14, 16 are provided. They each store a volume of air in an internal volume thereof, and therefore smoothen the airflow through air tubes 131, 141, 161 from a pulse-wise character when the air leaves the air pump 13 to a more constant air stream when it enters the inflatable air chamber 12.

When seen in flow direction, the first accumulator 14 is positioned in between the pump unit 13 and the second accumulator 18, while being in fluid communication with the air chamber

12. When seen in flow direction, the second accumulator 16 is positioned in between the first accumulator 14 and the air chamber 12, while being in fluid communication with the air pump

13.

As indicated, air tubes 139, 149, 169 between the pump unit 13, the accumulators 14, 16 and the air chamber 12 may be made of a resilient material, to dampen, reduce or prevent the amount of noise produced inside these tubes 139, 149, 169.

Although here two accumulators 14, 16 are present, the haptic respiration simulator may alternatively comprise one accumulator 14, no accumulator, or more than two accumulators.

-15- Preferably, each of the accumulators 14, 18, if present, is positioned inside housing 11. One or more of them may additionally be positioned inside tubular casing 151, as here shown, but this is not necessary. The accumulator or accumulators may also be positioned outside of the tubular casing 151.

Positioned between the housing 11 and the tubular casing 151 is an outer suspension 154. This outer suspension 154 is here also positioned between end caps 153 and housing 11. The outer suspension 154 is here very schematically represented, and may be any type of suspension that prevents a contact between the housing 11 and tubular casing 151.

Further visible in Figure 6 is tubular casing 151, sealed by end caps 153. The end caps 153 each have a double-walled circumferential wall, comprising an outer wall 1532 positioned at the outside of the tubular casing 151 and an inner wall 1531 positioned at the inside of the tubular casing 151. The end caps 153 may be made of a resilient material, or may be suspended with respect to the tubular casing 151. Preferably, no sound waves can be transferred from the tubular casing 151 to the end caps 153. Positioned inside the tubular casing 151 is the pump unit 13 and the inner suspension 152A, 152B, 152C. The inner suspension 152A, 152B, 152C suspends the pump unit 13 with respect to the tubular casing 151, and here comprises suspension shell 152A, 152B and suspension member 152C. The suspension member 152C comprises resilient elements 1521, 1522. Inner circumferential wall 1531 of end caps 153 may prevent a physical contact between the suspension shell 152A, 152B and the tubular casing 151, to prevent sound waves to be transferred from the suspension shell 152A, 152B to the tubular casing 151.

An alternative embodiment of pump suspension system 25 is shown with reference to figures 7 — 9. Shown in figure 7 are a pump unit 13, inner suspension 252, tubular casing 151, and end caps 253. In this embodiment, the end caps 253 have a double-walled circumferential wall with inner wall 2531 and outer wall 2532 that protrude towards the pump unit 13 when the pump unit suspension system 25 is assemled. The inner wall 2531 of the end cap 253 here functions as inner suspension 252. That is, the inner suspension 252 is integrated with the end cap 253. Each of the inner walls 2531 has a length equal to approximately half the length of the tubular casing 151, such that the inner walls 2531 touch each other when the end caps 253 are placed on the tubular casing 151. In the present embodiment, the end caps 253, and also the inner suspension 252, are made of a resilient material, e.g. silicon, and surround the pump unit 13, in both circumferential and axial direction.

-16 - Whereas figure 7 shows an exploded view of the pump unit 13, end caps 253 and tubular casing 151, figure 9 shows these components in an assembled state. From figure 9, it follows that the inner wall 2531 of the double-walled circumferential wall may be arranged against an inner side of the tubular casing 151, while an outer wall 2532 of the double-walled circumferential wall may be arranged against an outer side of the tubular casing 151. As further visible from figure 8, the outer wall 2532 of the end cap 253 may function as outer suspension 254 of pump unit suspension system 25, suspending the tubular casing 151 with respect to the housing 11.

Another schematic representation of this second embodiment is provided in Figure 8. It is shown here how the end caps 253 comprise a double-walled circumferential wall, wherein an inner wall 2531 of the double-walled wall forms the inner suspension 252 of the pump unit suspension system 25, while an outer wall 2532 of the double-walled wall forms the outer suspension 254 of the pump unit suspension system 25.

Further visible are tubular casing 151, arranged around pump unit 13 and inside housing 11, an air tube 139 between pump unit 13 and accumulator 14, and an air suction tube 138 for providing fresh air to pump unit 13 even when it is fully surrounded by components of the pump unit suspension system.

To allow the pump unit 13 to obtain air more easily, one or more breathing holes may additionally be provided in the end caps 153.

It is noted that the term “comprising” (and grammatical variations thereof) is used in this specification in the inclusive sense of “having” or “including”, and not in the exclusive sense of “consisting only of”.

It is further noted that features and aspects described for or in relation with a particular embodiment may be suitably combined with features and aspects of other embodiments, unless explicitly stated otherwise.

Although the invention has been disclosed with reference to particular embodiments, from reading this description those of skilled in the art might appreciate a change or modification that may be possible from a technical point of view but which still do not depart from the scope of the invention as described above and claimed hereafter.

It will be understood by those of skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the

-17 - invention. It is in particular possible to make modifications with respect to the illustrated embodiments which are provided as exemplary embodiments. Modifications may be made within the teaching of the invention and without departing from the scope thereof to adapt a particular situation.

Therefore, the invention is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed and illustrated in the above detailed description, but the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope as described above and defined in the appended claims.

Claims (15)

-18- CONCLUSIONS A haptic breathing simulator (1) for relaxing a user by simulating a breath, the breath being detectable by a body part of the user, the haptic breathing simulator comprising: - a housing (11) for housing components of the user the haptic breathing simulator; - an inflatable air chamber (12), outside the housing (11) and arranged to simulate a breath by repeatedly inflation and deflation of the inflatable air chamber (12); - a pump unit (13), in fluid communication with the inflatable air chamber (12) and arranged to pump a volume of air into the inflatable air chamber (12), the pump unit (13) being positioned within the housing (11); - an accumulator (14) for collecting air and for reducing noise from a pumping action of the pump unit (13), the accumulator (14) in fluid communication with an outlet (131) of the pump unit (13) and with an inlet (121) of the inflatable air chamber (12); and - a pump unit suspension system (15) for reducing noise emanating from operation of the pump unit (13), the pump unit suspension system (15) comprising: o a tubular casing (151) for receiving the pump unit (151) on an inside thereof ( 15), wherein the tubular envelope (151) has a substantially closed peripheral wall (1511) that prevents at least a portion of the sound waves resulting from the functioning of the pump unit (13) from extending outward from the tubular envelope (151 ) moving, wherein the tubular sheath (151) is positioned within the housing (11); o an inner suspension (152, 252) for suspending the pump unit (13) relative to the tubular casing (151), the inner suspension (152, 252) being positioned within the tubular casing (151), between the pump unit (13 ) and the tubular sheath (151); -19- o a pair of end caps (153, 253) for closing the tubular sheath (151), disposed at ends (1512, 1513) of the tubular sheath (151), and o an outer suspension (154, 254) for the suspending the tubular sheath (151) relative to the housing (11) disposed between the tubular sheath (151) and the housing (11). The haptic breathing simulator of claim 1, wherein the tubular sheath (151) is hollow and has open ends (1512, 1513), is made of steel and is thick-walled, i.e. has a thickness of at least 1 mm. The haptic breathing simulator of claim 1 or 2, wherein the inner suspension (152) comprises at least three resilient elements (1521, 1522, 1523) disposed at different positions along the periphery of the pump unit (13), the at least three resilient elements elements (1521, 1522, 1523) suspend the pump unit (13) about a central position in an internal volume (1514) of the tubular casing (151). The haptic breathing simulator of claim 1 or 2, wherein the inner suspension (252) comprises a resilient material, e.g. silicone material surrounding the pump unit (13), at least in a circumferential direction thereof. The haptic breathing simulator of claim 4, wherein the inner suspension (252) and the end caps (153, 253) are made of the same material and integrated with each other. A haptic breathing simulator according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the end walls (153, 253) have a double-walled peripheral wall (1531, 1532, 2531, 2532) that extends towards the pump unit (13) when the pump unit suspension system (15) assembled, with an inner wall (1531, 2531) of the double-walled circumferential wall disposed against an inner side of the tubular casing (151), and an outer wall (1532, 2532) of the double-walled circumferential wall against an outside of the tubular casing ( 151) is fitted. The haptic breathing simulator of claim 6, wherein the outer suspension (154) is formed by the outer wall (1532, 2532) and / or wherein the inner suspension (252) is formed by the inner wall (1531, 2531). -20- A haptic breathing simulator according to any one of the preceding claims 1-6, wherein the outer suspension (154) comprises a foam material, e.g. at least six blocks (1541 - 1546) of foam material provided at different positions between the peripheral wall (1511) of the tubular sheath (151) and the housing (11). A haptic breathing simulator according to any preceding claim, further comprising a second accumulator (16) for collecting air and for further reducing noise emanating from a pumping action of the pump unit (13) in fluid communication with an outlet (142) ) of the first accumulator (14) and an inlet (121) of the inflatable air chamber (12). A haptic breathing simulator according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the accumulators (14, 16) or wherein the accumulator (14) is positioned within the housing (11), outside an internal volume (1514) of the tubular sheath (151). The haptic breathing simulator of any of claims 9 or 10, wherein the first accumulator (14) and the second accumulator (16) are both positioned within the housing (11), outside an internal volume (1514) of the tubular sheath (151). The haptic breathing simulator of any of claims 9 or 10, wherein the first accumulator (14) is positioned within an internal volume of the tubular sheath (151), and wherein the second accumulator (16) is positioned inside the housing (11), outside an internal volume (1514) of the tubular sheath (151). A haptic breathing simulator according to any preceding claim, wherein the inflatable air chamber (12) is positioned outside the housing (11). The haptic breathing simulator of any preceding claim, wherein the sound produced by the haptic breathing simulator is less than 40dBA. A method of relaxing a user or guiding a user into a sleep state, using a haptic breathing simulator (1) according to any preceding claim.