SE2051134A1 - Fan control program selection - Google Patents

Fan control program selection

Info

Publication number
SE2051134A1
SE2051134A1 SE2051134A SE2051134A SE2051134A1 SE 2051134 A1 SE2051134 A1 SE 2051134A1 SE 2051134 A SE2051134 A SE 2051134A SE 2051134 A SE2051134 A SE 2051134A SE 2051134 A1 SE2051134 A1 SE 2051134A1
Authority
SE
Sweden
Prior art keywords
respirator
fan
filter
control program
user
Prior art date
Application number
SE2051134A
Other languages
Swedish (sv)
Other versions
SE545835C2 (en
Inventor
Mikael Klockseth
Original Assignee
Tiki Safety Ab
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Tiki Safety Ab filed Critical Tiki Safety Ab
Priority to SE2051134A priority Critical patent/SE545835C2/en
Publication of SE2051134A1 publication Critical patent/SE2051134A1/en
Publication of SE545835C2 publication Critical patent/SE545835C2/en

Links

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A62—LIFE-SAVING; FIRE-FIGHTING
    • A62B—DEVICES, APPARATUS OR METHODS FOR LIFE-SAVING
    • A62B18/00—Breathing masks or helmets, e.g. affording protection against chemical agents or for use at high altitudes or incorporating a pump or compressor for reducing the inhalation effort
    • A62B18/02—Masks
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A62—LIFE-SAVING; FIRE-FIGHTING
    • A62B—DEVICES, APPARATUS OR METHODS FOR LIFE-SAVING
    • A62B18/00—Breathing masks or helmets, e.g. affording protection against chemical agents or for use at high altitudes or incorporating a pump or compressor for reducing the inhalation effort
    • A62B18/08—Component parts for gas-masks or gas-helmets, e.g. windows, straps, speech transmitters, signal-devices
    • A62B18/088—Devices for indicating filter saturation
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A62—LIFE-SAVING; FIRE-FIGHTING
    • A62B—DEVICES, APPARATUS OR METHODS FOR LIFE-SAVING
    • A62B7/00—Respiratory apparatus
    • A62B7/10—Respiratory apparatus with filter elements
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A42—HEADWEAR
    • A42B—HATS; HEAD COVERINGS
    • A42B3/00—Helmets; Helmet covers ; Other protective head coverings
    • A42B3/04—Parts, details or accessories of helmets
    • A42B3/28—Ventilating arrangements
    • A42B3/286—Ventilating arrangements with forced flow, e.g. by a fan
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
    • A61M16/00—Devices for influencing the respiratory system of patients by gas treatment, e.g. mouth-to-mouth respiration; Tracheal tubes
    • A61M16/06—Respiratory or anaesthetic masks
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A62—LIFE-SAVING; FIRE-FIGHTING
    • A62B—DEVICES, APPARATUS OR METHODS FOR LIFE-SAVING
    • A62B18/00—Breathing masks or helmets, e.g. affording protection against chemical agents or for use at high altitudes or incorporating a pump or compressor for reducing the inhalation effort
    • A62B18/08—Component parts for gas-masks or gas-helmets, e.g. windows, straps, speech transmitters, signal-devices
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A62—LIFE-SAVING; FIRE-FIGHTING
    • A62B—DEVICES, APPARATUS OR METHODS FOR LIFE-SAVING
    • A62B23/00—Filters for breathing-protection purposes
    • A62B23/02—Filters for breathing-protection purposes for respirators
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F04—POSITIVE - DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS FOR LIQUIDS OR ELASTIC FLUIDS
    • F04D—NON-POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT PUMPS
    • F04D27/00—Control, e.g. regulation, of pumps, pumping installations or pumping systems specially adapted for elastic fluids
    • F04D27/004—Control, e.g. regulation, of pumps, pumping installations or pumping systems specially adapted for elastic fluids by varying driving speed

Landscapes

  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Pulmonology (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
  • Emergency Management (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Zoology (AREA)
  • Respiratory Apparatuses And Protective Means (AREA)

Abstract

FAN CONTROL PROGRAM SELECTIONThe present disclosure relates to a method of selecting a fan control program (24) of a respirator (10) and a respirator (10) performing the method.In an aspect, a respirator (10) is provided comprising a mask (11), a filter (12b) and a fan unit (13) comprising a fan (15) configured to draw air inside the mask (11) of the respirator (10) via the filter (12b) and a controller (17) configured to control the speed of the fan (15) to create an airflow through the filter (12b), the fan unit (13) being configured to store information indicating at least one respirator regulation with which the respirator complies and at least one fan control program (24) to be executed by the controller (17) in accordance with said at least one respirator regulation for controlling the speed of the fan (15).

Description

FAN CONTROL PROGRAM SELECTION TECHNICAL FIELD 1. 1. id="p-1" id="p-1" id="p-1" id="p-1" id="p-1" id="p-1" id="p-1" id="p-1" id="p-1" id="p-1"
[0001] The present disclosure relates to a method of selecting a fan control program of a respirator and a respirator performing the method.
BACKGROUND 2. 2. id="p-2" id="p-2" id="p-2" id="p-2" id="p-2" id="p-2" id="p-2" id="p-2" id="p-2" id="p-2"
[0002] In challenging and health-hazardous environments where protectionagainst airborne pollutants (such as e.g. particles and bacteria) is crucial, a protectiverespirator in the form of a ventilated mask fitted over the face of a user is commonly used. 3. 3. id="p-3" id="p-3" id="p-3" id="p-3" id="p-3" id="p-3" id="p-3" id="p-3" id="p-3" id="p-3"
[0003] These are used for instance in the construction sector to protect againstdust, fumes and radium emanation, by relief workers for protection against viruses, in pharmaceutical industry laboratories, etc. 4. 4. id="p-4" id="p-4" id="p-4" id="p-4" id="p-4" id="p-4" id="p-4" id="p-4" id="p-4" id="p-4"
[0004] In these protective respirators, a fan or blower draws air into the mask viaa filter. Thus, ambient polluted air is drawn into the fan and purified as it passesthrough the filter, which purified air is inhaled by the user. Excess air exits the mask via an air outlet. . . id="p-5" id="p-5" id="p-5" id="p-5" id="p-5" id="p-5" id="p-5" id="p-5" id="p-5" id="p-5"
[0005] Now, the respirator must comply with a great number of regulations, bothin terms of field of applications and in terms of national jurisdictions, which is acomplicated process as regards technical functions that a respirator must be capable of providing depending on the particular jurisdiction.
SUMMARY 6. 6. id="p-6" id="p-6" id="p-6" id="p-6" id="p-6" id="p-6" id="p-6" id="p-6" id="p-6" id="p-6"
[0006] One objective is to solve, or at least mitigate, this problem and thus toprovide an improved respirator being capable of catering to different national jurisdictions. 7. 7. id="p-7" id="p-7" id="p-7" id="p-7" id="p-7" id="p-7" id="p-7" id="p-7" id="p-7" id="p-7"
[0007] In an aspect, this objective is attained by a respirator comprising a mask, afilter and a fan unit comprising a fan configured to draw air inside the mask of therespirator via the filter and a controller configured to control the speed of the fan tocreate an airflow through the filter. The fan unit is configured to store information indicating at least one respirator regulation with which the respirator complies and at least one fan control program to be executed by the controller in accordance with said at least one respirator regulation for controlling the speed of the fan. 8. 8. id="p-8" id="p-8" id="p-8" id="p-8" id="p-8" id="p-8" id="p-8" id="p-8" id="p-8" id="p-8"
[0008] In an embodiment, the respirator regulation constitutes a national regulation stipulating requirements for the respirator. 9. 9. id="p-9" id="p-9" id="p-9" id="p-9" id="p-9" id="p-9" id="p-9" id="p-9" id="p-9" id="p-9"
[0009] In an embodiment, the fan unit comprises a memory configured to store the at least one fan control program. . . id="p-10" id="p-10" id="p-10" id="p-10" id="p-10" id="p-10" id="p-10" id="p-10" id="p-10" id="p-10"
[0010] In an embodiment, the fan unit comprises a battery configured to store the at least one fan control program. 11. 11. id="p-11" id="p-11" id="p-11" id="p-11" id="p-11" id="p-11" id="p-11" id="p-11" id="p-11" id="p-11"
[0011] In an embodiment, the controller further comprises a wirelesscommunication interface via which information can be communicated to / from the respirator. 12. 12. id="p-12" id="p-12" id="p-12" id="p-12" id="p-12" id="p-12" id="p-12" id="p-12" id="p-12" id="p-12"
[0012] In an embodiment, the wireless communication interface is configured towirelessly acquire, from the filter comprising a wireless communication interface,information indicating type of the filter being used, and to select a fan control program to be executed for the indicated filter type. 13. 13. id="p-13" id="p-13" id="p-13" id="p-13" id="p-13" id="p-13" id="p-13" id="p-13" id="p-13" id="p-13"
[0013] In an embodiment, the controller is further configured to select a fan control program to be executed for a particular type of user wearing the respirator. 14. 14. id="p-14" id="p-14" id="p-14" id="p-14" id="p-14" id="p-14" id="p-14" id="p-14" id="p-14" id="p-14"
[0014] In an embodiment, the controller is further configured to select a first fancontrol program to be executed for a first type of user wearing the respirator and asecond fan control program to be executed for a second type of user wearing the respirator. . . id="p-15" id="p-15" id="p-15" id="p-15" id="p-15" id="p-15" id="p-15" id="p-15" id="p-15" id="p-15"
[0015] In an embodiment the respirator further comprises a selector configured to be operated by a user can to select the user type. 16. 16. id="p-16" id="p-16" id="p-16" id="p-16" id="p-16" id="p-16" id="p-16" id="p-16" id="p-16" id="p-16"
[0016] In an embodiment, the wireless communication interface is configured to receive information indicating the user type. 17. 17. id="p-17" id="p-17" id="p-17" id="p-17" id="p-17" id="p-17" id="p-17" id="p-17" id="p-17" id="p-17"
[0017] In a further aspect, a respirator maintenance station is providedcomprising a work station configured to communicate with the respirator via the wireless communication interface.
In an embodiment, the respirator maintenance station further comprises aninformation input device configured to receive information from a user regarding one or more of selected fan control program, selected filter type, selected user type, or 3 selected application area for the respirator, which information is communicated tothe respirator via the wireless communication interface to select a fan control program (24) to be executed based on the received information. 18. 18. id="p-18" id="p-18" id="p-18" id="p-18" id="p-18" id="p-18" id="p-18" id="p-18" id="p-18" id="p-18"
[0018] Generally, all terms used in the claims are to be interpreted according totheir ordinary meaning in the technical field, unless explicitly defined otherwiseherein. All references to "a/ an/ the element, apparatus, component, means, step, etc."are to be interpreted openly as referring to at least one instance of the element,apparatus, component, means, step, etc., unless explicitly stated otherwise. The stepsof any method disclosed herein do not have to be performed in the exact order disclosed, unless explicitly stated.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAVVINGS 19. 19. id="p-19" id="p-19" id="p-19" id="p-19" id="p-19" id="p-19" id="p-19" id="p-19" id="p-19" id="p-19"
[0019] Aspects and embodiments are now described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: . . id="p-20" id="p-20" id="p-20" id="p-20" id="p-20" id="p-20" id="p-20" id="p-20" id="p-20" id="p-20"
[0020] Figure 1a illustrates an example of a protective respirator in which embodiments may be implemented; 21. 21. id="p-21" id="p-21" id="p-21" id="p-21" id="p-21" id="p-21" id="p-21" id="p-21" id="p-21" id="p-21"
[0021] Figure 1b illustrates the protective respirator of Figure 1a in an explodedview; 22. 22. id="p-22" id="p-22" id="p-22" id="p-22" id="p-22" id="p-22" id="p-22" id="p-22" id="p-22" id="p-22"
[0022] Figure 2 schematic illustrates a filter arranged in a filter housing removably attached to a fan unit according to an embodiment; and 23. 23. id="p-23" id="p-23" id="p-23" id="p-23" id="p-23" id="p-23" id="p-23" id="p-23" id="p-23" id="p-23"
[0023] Figure 3 schematic illustrates a filter arranged in a filter housing removably attached to a fan unit according to a further embodiment; and 24. 24. id="p-24" id="p-24" id="p-24" id="p-24" id="p-24" id="p-24" id="p-24" id="p-24" id="p-24" id="p-24"
[0024] Figure 4 illustrates the respirator in an embodiment, where a filter is equipped with a wireless communication interface.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION . . id="p-25" id="p-25" id="p-25" id="p-25" id="p-25" id="p-25" id="p-25" id="p-25" id="p-25" id="p-25"
[0025] The aspects of the present disclosure will now be described more fullyhereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which certain embodiments of the invention are shown. 26. 26. id="p-26" id="p-26" id="p-26" id="p-26" id="p-26" id="p-26" id="p-26" id="p-26" id="p-26" id="p-26"
[0026] These aspects may, however, be embodied in many different forms andshould not be construed as limiting; rather, these embodiments are provided by way of example so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and to fully convey 4 the scope of all aspects of invention to those skilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout the description. 27. 27. id="p-27" id="p-27" id="p-27" id="p-27" id="p-27" id="p-27" id="p-27" id="p-27" id="p-27" id="p-27"
[0027] Figure 1a illustrates an example protective respirator 10 in whichembodiments may be implemented. This is an example only and other respirator designs may be envisaged. Figure 1b shows the respirator 10 in an exploded view. 28. 28. id="p-28" id="p-28" id="p-28" id="p-28" id="p-28" id="p-28" id="p-28" id="p-28" id="p-28" id="p-28"
[0028] The respirator 10 comprises a face mask 11 to be fitted over the face of theuser 20. The respirator further comprises a filter unit 12 arranged on top of a fan unit13 arranged to draw ambient air from the outside to the inside of the mask 11 via thefilter unit 12 comprising a filter housing accommodating a filter, which filterseparates any pollutants from the air flow and supplies the user 20 with filtered,purified air. Excess air will exit the mask 11 via air outlet 14. As can be seen, the mask11 may be fitted to the face of the user 20 using straps 30 to avoid any polluted air entering the mask 11. 29. 29. id="p-29" id="p-29" id="p-29" id="p-29" id="p-29" id="p-29" id="p-29" id="p-29" id="p-29" id="p-29"
[0029] Figure 2 shows a more detailed schematic illustration of the respirator 10.The filter unit 12 comprises a filter 12b arranged in a filter housing 12a removablyattached to the fan unit 13. Further, the filter unit 12 is detachable from the fan unit13 and thus the mask 11, such that an old filter unit can be changed to a new filter unit. . . id="p-30" id="p-30" id="p-30" id="p-30" id="p-30" id="p-30" id="p-30" id="p-30" id="p-30" id="p-30"
[0030] As can be seen, an air flow indicated with a dotted line passes through thefilter unit 12, being removably attached (for instance via a bayonet socket) to the filterunit 13, and into the mask 11. The polluted air outside the mask 11 is thus purified after having passed the filter 12b for supply to a user of the respirator 10. 31. 31. id="p-31" id="p-31" id="p-31" id="p-31" id="p-31" id="p-31" id="p-31" id="p-31" id="p-31" id="p-31"
[0031] The fan unit 13 comprises fan housing 13a accommodating a fan 15 forcausing the air flow, and a fan motor 16 for rotating the fan 15 to create the air flow.The fan unit 13 further comprises a controller 17, such as microprocessor, whichcontrols the fan motor 16 to supply power to the fan 15 in order to speed up/ slowdown its rotation and thus increase/ decrease the rate of the airflow through the fan15 and thus the filter 12b. 32. 32. id="p-32" id="p-32" id="p-32" id="p-32" id="p-32" id="p-32" id="p-32" id="p-32" id="p-32" id="p-32"
[0032] The fan unit 13 further comprises a memory 25 storing data and one ormore computer programs 24 in the form of e.g. fan control programs executed by the controller 17. 33. 33. id="p-33" id="p-33" id="p-33" id="p-33" id="p-33" id="p-33" id="p-33" id="p-33" id="p-33" id="p-33"
[0033] Further, the fan unit 13 comprises a pressure sensor 18 configured to measure the pressure inside the mask 11. 34. 34. id="p-34" id="p-34" id="p-34" id="p-34" id="p-34" id="p-34" id="p-34" id="p-34" id="p-34" id="p-34"
[0034] Preferably, a sensor which measures relative pressure is used, i.e. a sensormeasuring the pressure outside and inside the mask 11. With a relative-pressuremeasuring sensor, there is no need to calibrate the sensor (unless the respirator is tobe used at high altitude); effectively, a relative-pressure measuring sensor measures the inside pressure corrected to ambient, outside conditions. . . id="p-35" id="p-35" id="p-35" id="p-35" id="p-35" id="p-35" id="p-35" id="p-35" id="p-35" id="p-35"
[0035] The fan unit 13 further comprises an internally or externally arrangedrechargeable battery 19 for powering active components of the respirator 10. That is,the battery 19 may be integrated with the fan unit 13 or arranged external to the fanunit 13. As is understood, the battery 19 is connected to all component of the respirator Which requires powering. 36. 36. id="p-36" id="p-36" id="p-36" id="p-36" id="p-36" id="p-36" id="p-36" id="p-36" id="p-36" id="p-36"
[0036] The respirator 10 of this embodiment is a positive pressure respirator. In a positive pressure respirator, the air pressure inside the mask 11 is greater than the air pressure outside the mask 11. If the seal between the user"s face and the mask 11 is nottight, air leaks away from the user"s face, which is highly desirable in case the air carries hazardous fumes or a severe virus such as e.g. Ebola. 37. 37. id="p-37" id="p-37" id="p-37" id="p-37" id="p-37" id="p-37" id="p-37" id="p-37" id="p-37" id="p-37"
[0037] Typically, the controller 17 will be programmed to control the speed of thefan 15 such that a target pressure level of e.g. around 0.2 mPa is attained inside themask 11. Advantageously, a lower (but still positive) pressure inside the mask 11requires a lower fan speed, which saves energy of the battery 19. It may be envisaged that the target pressure level is set slightly higher, such as at 0.5 mPa. 38. 38. id="p-38" id="p-38" id="p-38" id="p-38" id="p-38" id="p-38" id="p-38" id="p-38" id="p-38" id="p-38"
[0038] Now, assuming for instance that in a particular country such as the US, arespirator 10 is to be used at a construction site. In such an environment the fan 15 ofthe respirator 10 must be controlled to operate at a particular minimum fan speed inorder to cause a minimum airflow rate through the mask 11, which minimum airflowrate is stipulated in national regulations for the respirator 10. Hence, therequirements for fan control generally differs depending in the national regulations,where for instance the US has one regulation, Japan has another, the EuropeanUnion (EU) has a third, and so on. It may be envisaged that two or more countries have the same or at least similar respirator regulations. 39. 39. id="p-39" id="p-39" id="p-39" id="p-39" id="p-39" id="p-39" id="p-39" id="p-39" id="p-39" id="p-39"
[0039] Moreover, a number of factors must be taken into account whencontrolling the fan 15. For instance, depending on whether the user 20 is bearded or clean-shaved, a different fan control program must be executed by the controller 17 for controlling the fan motor 16 and thus ultimately the rotational speed of the fan 15. 40. 40. id="p-40" id="p-40" id="p-40" id="p-40" id="p-40" id="p-40" id="p-40" id="p-40" id="p-40" id="p-40"
[0040] In case the user 20 is bearded, the mask 11 will not be as closely fitted tothe face of thus user 20 as in the case when the user 20 is clean-shaved. This willaffect the pressure inside the mask 11 and to compensate for the pressure loss in thecase with a bearded user, the fan speed must be increased in order to increase the pressure inside the mask. 41. 41. id="p-41" id="p-41" id="p-41" id="p-41" id="p-41" id="p-41" id="p-41" id="p-41" id="p-41" id="p-41"
[0041] Hence, while one national regulation e.g. may stipulate that the airflowrate should be at least 160 litre/ minute in case the user 20 is bearded, anothernational regulation may stipulate that the airflow rate should be at least 175 litre/ minute. The respirator must - for the security of the user - at all times comply with the national regulations. 42. 42. id="p-42" id="p-42" id="p-42" id="p-42" id="p-42" id="p-42" id="p-42" id="p-42" id="p-42" id="p-42"
[0042] In another example, assuming the respirator is to be used e.g. in Japanalong with a carbon filter 12b attached to the mask 11. According to Japaneserespirator regulations, in case a carbon filter 12b is used, the fan 15 must be turnedoff such that no other airflow than that caused by the breathing of the user isattained. This is since carbon filters usually are employed in environments with a high amount of pollutants. 43. 43. id="p-43" id="p-43" id="p-43" id="p-43" id="p-43" id="p-43" id="p-43" id="p-43" id="p-43" id="p-43"
[0043] In such an environment, the airflow through the carbon filter 12b shouldbe low in order to support the adsorbing effect of the filter. Thus, with this filter configuration in Japan, the fan 15 should be turned off at all times. 44. 44. id="p-44" id="p-44" id="p-44" id="p-44" id="p-44" id="p-44" id="p-44" id="p-44" id="p-44" id="p-44"
[0044] It is noted that the mask 11 itself and the filter unit 12 typically are not required to comply with national regulations. 45. 45. id="p-45" id="p-45" id="p-45" id="p-45" id="p-45" id="p-45" id="p-45" id="p-45" id="p-45" id="p-45"
[0045] Rather, the filter unit 12 (and thus the filter 12b) and the mask 11 are adapted to the particular application in which the respirator 11 is to be used. 46. 46. id="p-46" id="p-46" id="p-46" id="p-46" id="p-46" id="p-46" id="p-46" id="p-46" id="p-46" id="p-46"
[0046] For instance, if the respirator 10 is to be used in a fire-fightingenvironment, the mask 11 must be heat-resistant; in case the respirator 10 is to beused during clearing of asbestos, the filter 12b must be capable of providing a highdegree of air purification, while if the respirator 10 is to be used during surgery, it must be light-weight, etc. 7 47. 47. id="p-47" id="p-47" id="p-47" id="p-47" id="p-47" id="p-47" id="p-47" id="p-47" id="p-47" id="p-47"
[0047] In order to overcome the above-described problems associated withnational regulations, an embodiment proposes to provide the fan unit 13 withinformation indicating which national regulation(s) the fan unit 13 complies with andfurther which fan control program is to be used by the fan 15 for complying with saidnational regulation(s). The information and the fan control program 24 may e.g. bestored in the memory 25 connected to the controller 17, or in the battery 19 which may be equipped with a memory. 48. 48. id="p-48" id="p-48" id="p-48" id="p-48" id="p-48" id="p-48" id="p-48" id="p-48" id="p-48" id="p-48"
[0048] Hence, in line with the previously described example envisaging thebearded and clean-shaved users at a US construction site, one fan unit 13 may storeinformation in the memory 25 that the fan unit 13 and thus the respirator 10 indeedcomply with US respirator regulations and that a particular fan control program 24("program1") stored in the memory 25 is to be applied by the controller 17 forbearded users. A bearded user may then select a respirator 10 accommodating thisparticular filter unit 13 or alternatively equip a mask 11 with this particular filter unit13 such that a fan control program adapted to the bearded user indeed is executed by the controller 17. 49. 49. id="p-49" id="p-49" id="p-49" id="p-49" id="p-49" id="p-49" id="p-49" id="p-49" id="p-49" id="p-49"
[0049] Similarly, another fan unit 13 may store information in the memory thatthe fan unit 13 and thus the respirator 10 comply with US respirator regulations andthat a particular fan control program 24 ("program2") stored in the memory 25 is tobe applied by the controller 17 for clean-shaved users. A clean-shaved user may thenselect a respirator 10 accommodating this particular filter unit 13 or alternativelyequip a mask 11 with this particular filter unit 13 such that a fan control program adapted to the clean-shaved user is executed by the controller 17. 50. 50. id="p-50" id="p-50" id="p-50" id="p-50" id="p-50" id="p-50" id="p-50" id="p-50" id="p-50" id="p-50"
[0050] In a further embodiment, it may be envisaged that both program1 forbearded users and program2 for clean-shaved uses are stored in the memory 25 of filter unit 13 (or in the battery 19). 51. 51. id="p-51" id="p-51" id="p-51" id="p-51" id="p-51" id="p-51" id="p-51" id="p-51" id="p-51" id="p-51"
[0051] In such embodiment, the user will select which one of the two programs tobe executed by the controller 17 depending on in which of the two categories the user belongs. A number of alternatives for performing this selection may be envisaged. 52. 52. id="p-52" id="p-52" id="p-52" id="p-52" id="p-52" id="p-52" id="p-52" id="p-52" id="p-52" id="p-52"
[0052] In a first scenario, the user 20 selects a fan control program by a simple keypress on the fan unit 13. In other words, depending on the category in which the 8 user belongs (i.e. bearded or clean-shaved), the two alternatives are given for the user to select via the keypress. 53. 53. id="p-53" id="p-53" id="p-53" id="p-53" id="p-53" id="p-53" id="p-53" id="p-53" id="p-53" id="p-53"
[0053] As a result, when the user attaches the mask 11 to his face and starts thefan, the controller 17 will download the selected program 24 from the memory 25 andsend a control signal to the fan motor 16 to start rotating the fan 15 in accordancewith the selected program - i.e. either program1 or program2 - in order to create anairflow through the filter unit 12 and the fan 15 for supplying purified air for the user to inhale. 54. 54. id="p-54" id="p-54" id="p-54" id="p-54" id="p-54" id="p-54" id="p-54" id="p-54" id="p-54" id="p-54"
[0054] In a second scenario, with reference to Figure 3, the fan unit 13 and/ or thecontroller 17 may be provided with a communication interface 21, preferably capableof wireless communication, such as a power-efficient radio-frequency identification(RFID) interface, a near-field communication (NFC) interface or a Bluetooth interface. 55. 55. id="p-55" id="p-55" id="p-55" id="p-55" id="p-55" id="p-55" id="p-55" id="p-55" id="p-55" id="p-55"
[0055] Upon a user starting his work shift, he may swipe the fan unit 13 over afilter maintenance station 22 (in the form of e.g. a work station such as a computer)being located in connection to a store facility where the respirators are kept when notin use, the filter maintenance station 22 also being equipped with an appropriate interface. such as RFID or Bluetooth. 56. 56. id="p-56" id="p-56" id="p-56" id="p-56" id="p-56" id="p-56" id="p-56" id="p-56" id="p-56" id="p-56"
[0056] The user may thus via an information input device such as a keyboard ortouch screen of the filter maintenance station 22 select which one of the two fancontrol programs to use, either program1 ("bearded") or program2 ("clean-shaved"),wherein the filter maintenance station 22 signals to the fan unit 13 via the communication interface 21 which particular control program to use. 57. 57. id="p-57" id="p-57" id="p-57" id="p-57" id="p-57" id="p-57" id="p-57" id="p-57" id="p-57" id="p-57"
[0057] As is understood, the filter maintenance station 22 may inform the user of any available fan control programs being stored in the memory 25. 58. 58. id="p-58" id="p-58" id="p-58" id="p-58" id="p-58" id="p-58" id="p-58" id="p-58" id="p-58" id="p-58"
[0058] In still a further embodiment, the filter maintenance station 22 may inaddition to identifying available fan control programs further identify the type offilter being used, which assumes that the filter unit 12 is capable of communicating that information to the filter maintenance station 22. 59. 59. id="p-59" id="p-59" id="p-59" id="p-59" id="p-59" id="p-59" id="p-59" id="p-59" id="p-59" id="p-59"
[0059] In line with one of the previously given examples, assuming that the filter maintenance station 22 concludes that the fan unit 13 complies with Japanese 9 regulations, it may further conclude from information received from the filter unit 12 that the filter 12b used is a carbon filter. 60. 60. id="p-60" id="p-60" id="p-60" id="p-60" id="p-60" id="p-60" id="p-60" id="p-60" id="p-60" id="p-60"
[0060] As a result, the filter maintenance station 22 may instruct the controller 17of the fan unit 13 to not start the fan 15 (or possibly select a fan control programwhich runs the fan at a very low speed). Advantageously, with such an embodiment,not only national respirator regulations are considered for selecting a fan control program, but further the filter type is taken into account. 61. 61. id="p-61" id="p-61" id="p-61" id="p-61" id="p-61" id="p-61" id="p-61" id="p-61" id="p-61" id="p-61"
[0061] In yet another embodiment, it is envisaged that the user enters into thefilter maintenance station 22 a particular field of application for the respirator 10. Forinstance, it may be assumed that the mask and filter is the same for two differentwork environments, such as e.g. work at a construction site versus work in mine, butthat a different fan control program is executed for the respective environment - say "program3" for the construction site and "program4" for the mine. 62. 62. id="p-62" id="p-62" id="p-62" id="p-62" id="p-62" id="p-62" id="p-62" id="p-62" id="p-62" id="p-62"
[0062] The user will thus select program4 being indicated on a screen of the filter maintenance station 22 as the "mine program", in case the user is the start a miningwork shift. 63. 63. id="p-63" id="p-63" id="p-63" id="p-63" id="p-63" id="p-63" id="p-63" id="p-63" id="p-63" id="p-63"
[0063] Thus, the user may enter any type of information via the filtermaintenance station 22 based on which the controller 17 of the respirator will selectan appropriate fan control program 24, such as one or more of selected fan controlprogram, selected filter type, selected user type, selected application area for the respirator 10, etc. 64. 64. id="p-64" id="p-64" id="p-64" id="p-64" id="p-64" id="p-64" id="p-64" id="p-64" id="p-64" id="p-64"
[0064] Figure 4 illustrates a further embodiment where the filter 12b or the filterunit 12 is equipped with intelligence in the form of a near-field communication (NFC)interface 23 , an RFID interface or even a Bluetooth interface. Further, a small memory of the NFC interface 23 may store information identifying filter type. 65. 65. id="p-65" id="p-65" id="p-65" id="p-65" id="p-65" id="p-65" id="p-65" id="p-65" id="p-65" id="p-65"
[0065] If the filter 12b or the filter unit 12b is equipped with such wirelesscommunication interface 23, the interface 21 of the fan unit may determine whichtype of filter 12b is being used from information received from the filter 12b via the wireless communication interface 23.. 66. 66. id="p-66" id="p-66" id="p-66" id="p-66" id="p-66" id="p-66" id="p-66" id="p-66" id="p-66" id="p-66"
[0066] As previously discussed, assuming the respirator 10is to be used e.g. inJapan along with a carbon filter 12b attached to the mask 11. According to Japanese respirator regulations, in case a carbon filter 12b is used, the fan 15 must be turned 1O off such that no other airflow than that caused by the breathing of the user isattained. This is since carbon filters usually are employed in environments with a high amount of pollutants. 67. 67. id="p-67" id="p-67" id="p-67" id="p-67" id="p-67" id="p-67" id="p-67" id="p-67" id="p-67" id="p-67"
[0067] In such an environment, the airflow through the carbon filter 12b shouldbe low in order to support the adsorbing effect of the filter. Thus, with this filterconfiguration in Japan, the fan 15 should be turned off at all times. By acquiringinformation from the memory 25 indicating that Japanese regulations are to ecomplied with, and from the interface 23 that the filter 12b indeed is a carbon filter, the controller will thus turn off the fan 15. 68. 68. id="p-68" id="p-68" id="p-68" id="p-68" id="p-68" id="p-68" id="p-68" id="p-68" id="p-68" id="p-68"
[0068] It may thus be advantageous that the filter 12b can inform the fan unit 13(and thus the controller 17) which type of filter it is. 69. 69. id="p-69" id="p-69" id="p-69" id="p-69" id="p-69" id="p-69" id="p-69" id="p-69" id="p-69" id="p-69"
[0069] The aspects of the present disclosure have mainly been described abovewith reference to a few embodiments and examples thereof. However, as is readilyappreciated by a person skilled in the art, other embodiments than the ones disclosedabove are equally possible within the scope of the invention, as defined by the appended patent claims. 70. 70. id="p-70" id="p-70" id="p-70" id="p-70" id="p-70" id="p-70" id="p-70" id="p-70" id="p-70" id="p-70"
[0070] Thus, while various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein,other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Thevarious aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustrationand are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims.

Claims (12)

1. A respirator (10) comprising a mask (11), a filter (12b) and a fan unit (13)comprising a fan (15) configured to draw air inside the mask (11) of the respirator(10) via the filter (12b) and a controller (17) configured to control the speed of the fan(15) to create an airflow through the filter (12b), the fan unit (13) being configured to:store information indicating at least one respirator regulation with which therespirator complies and at least one fan control program (24) to be executed by thecontroller (17) in accordance with said at least one respirator regulation for controlling the speed of the fan (15).
2. The respirator (10) of claim 1, the respirator regulation constituting a national regulation stipulating requirements for the respirator.
3. The respirator (10) of claims 1 or 2, the fan unit (13) comprising a memory (25) configured to store the at least one fan control program (24).
4. The respirator (10) of claims 1 or 2, the fan unit (13) comprising a battery (19) configured to store the at least one fan control program (24).
5. The respirator (10) of any one of the preceding claims, the controller (17) furthercomprising a wireless communication interface (21) via which information can be communicated to / from the respirator (10).
6. The respirator (10) of claim 5, the wireless communication interface (21) beingconfigured to: wirelessly acquire, from the filter (12b) comprising a wireless communicationinterface (23), information indicating type of the filter being used; and select a fan control program (24) to be executed for the indicated filter type.
7. The respirator (10) of any one of the preceding claims, the controller (17) furtherbeing configured to select a fan control program (24) to be executed for a particular type of user wearing the respirator (10).
8. The respirator (10) of any one of the preceding claims, the controller (17) furtherbeing configured to select a first fan control program to be executed for a first type ofuser wearing the respirator (10) and a second fan control program to be executed for a second type of user wearing the respirator (10). 12
9. The respirator (10) of claim 8, further comprising a selector configured to be operated by a user can to select the user type.
10. The respirator (10) of claim 5, the wireless communication interface (21) being configured to receive information indicating the user type.
11. A respirator maintenance station (22) configured to communicate with the respirator (10) of claim 5 via the wireless communication interface (21).
12. The respirator maintenance station (22) of claim 11, further comprising aninformation input device configured to receive information from a user regarding oneor more of selected fan control program, selected filter type, selected user type, orselected application area for the respirator (10), which information is communicatedto the respirator (10) via the wireless communication interface (21) to select a fan control program (24) to be executed based on the received information.
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Citations (7)

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US20070163588A1 (en) * 2005-11-08 2007-07-19 Jack Hebrank Respirators for Delivering Clean Air to an Individual User
GB2472592A (en) * 2009-08-11 2011-02-16 3M Innovative Properties Co A control unit for respirator
US20130104900A1 (en) * 2011-11-02 2013-05-02 Honeywell International Inc. Respirators with a sacrificial cartridge for end of service life indication
CN206275935U (en) * 2016-12-07 2017-06-27 王天尊 A kind of portable air cleaner
US10052504B2 (en) * 2012-08-29 2018-08-21 Dräger Safety AG & Co. KGaA System as well as process for transmitting data and/or device-specific parameters between a blower filter device of a blower filter system and a computer
WO2019088962A1 (en) * 2016-10-14 2019-05-09 3M Innovative Properties Company Context-based programmable safety rules for personal protective equipment
CN111298314A (en) * 2020-03-20 2020-06-19 中山市赛恩电器科技有限公司 Respiratory protection device and protection wearing system

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* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20070163588A1 (en) * 2005-11-08 2007-07-19 Jack Hebrank Respirators for Delivering Clean Air to an Individual User
GB2472592A (en) * 2009-08-11 2011-02-16 3M Innovative Properties Co A control unit for respirator
US20130104900A1 (en) * 2011-11-02 2013-05-02 Honeywell International Inc. Respirators with a sacrificial cartridge for end of service life indication
US10052504B2 (en) * 2012-08-29 2018-08-21 Dräger Safety AG & Co. KGaA System as well as process for transmitting data and/or device-specific parameters between a blower filter device of a blower filter system and a computer
WO2019088962A1 (en) * 2016-10-14 2019-05-09 3M Innovative Properties Company Context-based programmable safety rules for personal protective equipment
CN206275935U (en) * 2016-12-07 2017-06-27 王天尊 A kind of portable air cleaner
CN111298314A (en) * 2020-03-20 2020-06-19 中山市赛恩电器科技有限公司 Respiratory protection device and protection wearing system

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