Evaluation system, device and method for service life of disposable masks

Abstract

The present invention relates to the technical field of masks, and more specifically to an evaluation system, device and method for the service life of disposable masks, comprising: a sensor arranged on the inner side of the mask, which is used to obtain at least the air pressure parameters of the environment between the mask and the face when the mask is worn on the user's face; a microprocessor, which determines the breathing behavior and records the number of breaths according to the environmental air pressure parameters obtained by the sensor; a display module, which is used to display the current service life status of the mask; and a power module, which is used to power the sensor, the microprocessor and the display module. The present invention clamps a compact and lightweight wearable device on the nose clip of a disposable mask, detects the number of breaths of the user, the degree of mask obstruction, etc. through a single or fusion sensor, and transmits the service life information to the user, which can help the human society in the current epidemic situation to use disposable mask products more reasonably and efficiently.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of masks, and in particular to an evaluation system, device and method for the service life of disposable masks. Background Art

[0002] Wearing masks has played an obvious role in blocking the spread of global pandemics, but the continued consumption of disposable masks is also constantly challenging the resource and environmental security of human society. Discarding disposable masks before the end of their service life will undoubtedly cause considerable waste of resources and environmental costs; but if disposable masks that have reached the end of their service life are continuously used, it is likely to have adverse effects on the health of the wearer.

[0003] In view of this, considering proposing a device that helps users judge the service life of disposable masks to decide when to replace the disposable masks, which not only has economic significance, but also social significance. Summary of the invention

[0004] The present invention aims to provide an evaluation system for the service life of disposable masks, comprising:

[0005] The sensor disposed on the inner side of the mask is used to obtain at least the air pressure parameter of the environment between the mask and the face when the mask is worn on the user's face;

[0006] A microprocessor determines the breathing behavior and records the number of breaths based on the ambient air pressure parameters obtained by the sensor;

[0007] A display module is used to display the current service life status of the mask;

[0008] Power module, used to power the sensor, microprocessor and display module.

[0009] Preferably, the sensor includes a single sensor or a fusion sensor, the single sensor is used to obtain the air pressure parameters of the environment between the mask and the face, and the fusion sensor is used to obtain the air pressure parameters of the environment between the mask and the face, the humidity parameters of the mask, and the dielectric constant parameters of the mask.

[0010] Preferably, the display module includes an LED light source and / or a Bluetooth output module, and the Bluetooth output module is connected to the mobile terminal signal so that the mobile terminal displays the mask life information.

[0011] The present invention proposes another technical solution, a disposable mask service life evaluation device including the evaluation system for the service life of a disposable mask in the above solution, comprising:

[0012] A clamping element, which provides a carrier for the sensor, microprocessor, display module and power module to be loaded on the mask;

[0013] Wherein, the clamping element can be clamped on the upper edge of the mask.

[0014] Preferably, the sensor is arranged at a first end of the clamping element, located inside the mask; and the display module is arranged at a second end of the clamping element, located outside the mask.

[0015] Preferably, the clamping element comprises memory metal, and the outside of the clamping element, sensor, microprocessor, display module and power module are wrapped with a silica gel coating layer.

[0016] Preferably, the clamping element is a U-shaped folding structure, wherein the thickness of the contact portion between the U-shaped folding structure and the upper edge of the mask is less than 1 mm.

[0017] The present invention proposes another technical solution, a method for evaluating the service life of a disposable mask, comprising the following steps:

[0018] Step 1, obtaining the air pressure parameters of the space environment between the mask and the face, and obtaining an air pressure change curve;

[0019] Step 2: Obtain the difference between the peak and the trough of the air pressure change curve. When the difference reaches a set threshold, it is determined as a breathing behavior;

[0020] Step 3: Accumulate the number of breathing behaviors in step 2, and when the number of breathing behaviors exceeds a set threshold, send a reminder signal to the user.

[0021] Preferably, in step 1, the humidity parameter of the space environment between the mask and the face is obtained, and when the humidity is higher than a preset value and remains at a preset time, a reminder signal is sent to the user.

[0022] Preferably, in step 1, the dielectric constant of the space environment between the mask and the face is obtained to determine the electrostatic adsorption capacity of the mask, and when the dielectric constant is lower than a preset value, a reminder signal is sent to the user.

[0023] Preferably, in step 2, if the difference between the peak and the trough of the variation curve does not exceed the set threshold at this time, the median air pressure of the previous breathing behavior is used as the reference air pressure for judging the peak and trough of this time.

[0024] It should be understood that all combinations of the aforementioned concepts and the additional concepts described in more detail below can be considered as part of the inventive subject matter of the present disclosure as long as such concepts are not mutually inconsistent. In addition, all combinations of the claimed subject matter are considered as part of the inventive subject matter of the present disclosure.

[0025] The foregoing and other aspects, embodiments and features of the present invention can be more fully understood from the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Other additional aspects of the present invention, such as the features and / or beneficial effects of the exemplary embodiments, will be apparent from the following description or learned from the practice of the specific embodiments according to the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] The drawings are not intended to be drawn to scale. In the drawings, each identical or nearly identical component shown in various figures may be represented by the same reference numeral. For clarity, not every component is labeled in every figure. Embodiments of various aspects of the present invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0027] Figure 1 1 is a system block diagram of an evaluation system for the service life of a disposable mask shown in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a disposable mask service life assessment device shown in an embodiment of the present invention being installed on a mask;

[0029] Figure 3 It is a flow chart of a method for evaluating the service life of a disposable mask shown in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 4 is a flow chart of air pressure reference tracking shown in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0031] Figure 5 2 is an example diagram of tracking the number of respirations and the atmospheric pressure reference shown in an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] In order to better understand the technical content of the present invention, specific embodiments are described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0033] Various aspects of the invention are described in this disclosure with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which many illustrative embodiments are shown. The embodiments of the present disclosure are not necessarily intended to include all aspects of the invention. It should be understood that the various concepts and embodiments introduced above, as well as those described in more detail below, can be implemented in many ways in any system and method for evaluating the service life of a disposable mask, because the concepts and embodiments disclosed in the present invention are not limited to any implementation. In addition, some aspects of the present disclosure can be used alone or in any appropriate combination with other aspects of the present disclosure.

[0034] At present, the testing of disposable masks, whether in the United States or European standards, specifies the use of the American TSI-8130Automated Filter Testers instrument for testing, and ultimately outputs flow rate, resistance, and transmittance. However, this method is only suitable for professionals in a test environment and cannot be used to evaluate disposable masks in daily use.

[0035] Disposable masks filter dust mainly through the filter cloth in the middle. Meltblown cloth has the characteristic of electrostatic charge, which can absorb very small particles. The inventor found that in daily use, the number of breaths, humidity or the dielectric constant of the filter cloth itself are related to its filtering efficiency, and ultimately affect the flow rate, resistance and permeability.

[0036] The purpose of the present invention is to judge the service life of disposable mask products, especially KN95 / FFP2, by using at least one sensor or fusion sensor to judge the status of disposable mask products in use, such as the number of breaths experienced, the dielectric constant (water content) of the meltblown cloth and / or the humidity in the mask environment, and transmit the remaining service life information, such as the remaining number of breaths or the use time, to the user, so as to help the user determine the use status of the mask and extend the service life of the mask as reasonably as possible.

[0037] As an important indicator of the remaining life of the mask, the recommended number of breaths for FFP2 / KN95 disposable masks is 50,000. The air pressure sensor can measure the number of breaths of the user after wearing the mask with high accuracy. At the same time, it is necessary to exclude the impact of altitude changes (climbing stairs, mountaineering, entering tunnels, etc.) and environmental air pressure changes (indoor / outdoor, inside / outside the car, etc.) on the measurement.

[0038]

Mask life assessment system

[0039] Combination Figure 1 As shown, the present invention aims to provide an evaluation system suitable for the service life of disposable masks, comprising:

[0040] The sensor disposed on the inner side of the mask is used to obtain at least the air pressure parameter of the environment between the mask and the face when the mask is worn on the user's face;

[0041] A microprocessor determines the breathing behavior and records the number of breaths based on the ambient air pressure parameters obtained by the sensor;

[0042] A display module is used to display the current service life status of the mask;

[0043] Power module, used to power the sensor, microprocessor and display module.

[0044] When the mask is worn by the user, a relatively closed space environment is formed between the mask and the face. The internal air pressure changes with breathing. Therefore, a pressure sensor is set on the inside of the mask to obtain the air pressure parameters of the environment between the mask and the face.

[0045] In an optional embodiment, the sensor includes a single sensor, which is a pressure sensor for obtaining air pressure parameters of the environment between the mask and the face.

[0046] In other embodiments, the sensor includes a fusion sensor, which is used to obtain air pressure parameters of the environment between the mask and the face, humidity parameters of the mask, and dielectric constant parameters of the mask.

[0047] Furthermore, the microprocessor performs data processing on the obtained air pressure parameters, and obtains the peak and trough data according to the formed air pressure curve. The microprocessor determines that a peak and trough occur as a breathing behavior, and records the parameters of the breathing behavior, such as the time experienced by the breathing behavior, the median data of the pressure curve, etc.

[0048] When the recorded breathing behavior reaches a preset value, the display module is used to display the breathing number information so that the wearer can see it intuitively.

[0049] In an optional embodiment, the display module includes an LED light source, and the LED light source is set to be always on when the number of breathing times is one thousand, or the LED light source is set to several colors, such as red, yellow and green, where green represents a longer life, yellow represents less than five thousand times, and red represents that the number of times is exhausted and needs to be replaced immediately.

[0050] In an optional embodiment, the display module includes a Bluetooth output module, which is connected to the mobile terminal signal so that the mobile terminal displays the mask life information.

[0051] Specifically, the mobile terminal is a mobile phone, tablet or smart watch equipped with a corresponding app. For every fixed number of breathing times, such as one hundred times, the Bluetooth communication is triggered once, and the number of breathing times of the mask is uploaded to the app for the user to view. In addition, the humidity parameters of the mask and the dielectric constant parameter information of the mask can also be uploaded.

[0052] In an optional embodiment, the display module includes an LED light source and a Bluetooth output module. The Bluetooth output module is connected to the mobile terminal signal so that the mobile terminal displays the mask life information, and the LED light source is used to display the alarm signal.

[0053]

Mask life evaluation device

[0054] Combination Figure 2As shown, the present invention proposes another technical solution, a disposable mask service life evaluation device including the evaluation system for the service life of a disposable mask in the above-mentioned solution, comprising:

[0055] A clamping element, which provides a carrier for the sensor, microprocessor, display module and power module to be loaded on the mask;

[0056] Wherein, the clamping element can be clamped on the upper edge of the mask.

[0057] Since most disposable masks are flexible, in order to detect the internal environment of the mask and the face, the pressure sensor needs to be placed on the inside of the mask and kept in a stable state, and the sensor can be easily removed. In this solution, a clamping element is used as a carrier for the sensor, microprocessor, display module and power module to be loaded on the mask, and the clamping element can be clamped on the upper edge of the mask.

[0058] In this way, since the upper edge of the mask has a metal strip that shapes the upper contour of the mask, the clamping element can be clamped on the upper edge of the mask to maintain a relatively stable position, and it is convenient to remove the device for repeated use.

[0059] In an optional embodiment, the sensor includes a single sensor, which is a pressure sensor for obtaining air pressure parameters of the environment between the mask and the face.

[0060] In other embodiments, the sensor includes a fusion sensor, which is used to obtain air pressure parameters of the environment between the mask and the face, humidity parameters of the mask, and dielectric constant parameters of the mask.

[0061] The microprocessor processes the obtained air pressure parameters and obtains the peak and trough data according to the formed air pressure curve. The microprocessor determines that a peak and trough occurs as a breathing behavior and records the parameters of the breathing behavior, such as the time experienced by the breathing behavior, the median data of the pressure curve, etc.

[0062] In an optional embodiment, the selected sensor and microprocessor are both 2-3 mm in size, and the power supply part uses a flexible battery to ensure that the overall structure of the device is very compact. Preferably, the sensor, microprocessor, display module, and flexible battery are distributed on both sides of the clamping element to ensure balanced mating.

[0063] In a preferred example, the sensor is arranged at the first end of the clamping element, located inside the mask; the display module is arranged at the second end of the clamping element, located outside the mask. In this way, the sensor can accurately measure the internal air pressure in the mask, and the display module is outside, so that the alarm signal issued can be more easily perceived by the user.

[0064] In an optional embodiment, the clamping element includes memory metal, and the outside of the clamping element, sensor, microprocessor, display module and power module are wrapped with a silicone coating layer.

[0065] In this way, due to the flexible silicone coating, the maximum thickness is less than 2mm, and the thickness in most parts is less than 1mm. The size, thickness, material, clamping method, etc. ensure that it neither affects the wearing experience of the mask nor the degree of fit with the user's face.

[0066] In addition, silicone can seal and protect the internal components, with only the sensor part having holes and a waterproof and breathable membrane, so that it can be reused after external disinfection with alcohol.

[0067] Preferably, the clamping element is a U-shaped folding structure, wherein the thickness of the U-shaped folding structure in contact with the upper edge of the mask is less than 1 mm. The memory metal is repeatedly folded and clamped on one side of the top of the mask, either left or right, so that it is easy to wear on the mask without affecting the sealing and wearing comfort of the mask.

[0068]

Mask life assessment method

[0069] Combination Figure 3 As shown, the present invention proposes another technical solution, a method for evaluating the service life of a disposable mask, comprising the following steps:

[0070] Step 1, obtaining the air pressure parameters of the space environment between the mask and the face, and obtaining an air pressure change curve;

[0071] Step 2: Obtain the difference between the peak and the trough of the air pressure change curve. When the difference reaches a set threshold, it is determined as a breathing behavior;

[0072] Step 3: Accumulate the number of breathing behaviors in step 2, and when the number of breathing behaviors exceeds a set threshold, send a reminder signal to the user.

[0073] Inhalation and exhalation affect air pressure in opposite directions. When the user inhales, the air pressure in the relatively closed mask environment drops, and when the user exhales, the air pressure rises. By determining whether the difference between each air pressure peak and trough reaches the set threshold, the processor can determine whether a breathing behavior has occurred.

[0074] Furthermore, when the external environment changes, the highest and lowest air pressures in each breathing mask and the difference between the highest and lowest air pressures will also change. The air pressure change may even cause the next inhalation pressure to be higher than the previous exhalation pressure. Therefore, under different external environmental air pressures, the condition for judging a breathing behavior, that is, the set threshold of the difference between the air pressure peak and trough, also needs to change to make the judgment more accurate.

[0075] When judging breathing, if the difference between the peak and trough of the change curve does not exceed the set threshold, the median pressure of the previous breathing behavior is used as the reference pressure for judging the peak and trough of this time. The reference pressure fluctuates greatly due to factors such as weather, altitude, and closed space (indoors, in cars), and a reference tracking algorithm is needed to eliminate the impact of the above changes on the judgment of breathing times.

[0076] Further, combined with Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, the breathing behavior is continuous, and the baseline tracking algorithm process is to start the air pressure measurement, calculate whether the peak and valley values ​​of the air pressure of each breath reach the set threshold, if not, use direct difference iteration to determine the range of the peak or valley value until a breath is judged, and after a breath, the peak and valley values ​​of the air pressure output of each breath are averaged to obtain the current baseline air pressure.

[0077] In this way, by tracking the changing trend of the reference air pressure, the difference between the latter reference air pressure and the previous reference air pressure is used to determine whether a large air pressure fluctuation has occurred, and then to infer whether the user has entered or exited a closed space, or whether there have been drastic changes in weather or altitude. Different reference air pressures are used to obtain new thresholds for the difference between peak and valley pressures for judging breathing behavior under different reference air pressures, so as to improve the accuracy of judging breathing behavior.

[0078] In addition, the user's breathing frequency can be judged by the frequency of air pressure fluctuations, and abnormal situations (too high or too low breathing frequency) can be reminded.

[0079] Further, combined with Figure 3 As shown, in addition to breath counting, other sensors can also be used to determine the service life of the mask. In an optional embodiment, in step 1, the humidity parameters of the space environment between the mask and the face are obtained. When the humidity is higher than a preset value and remains at a preset time, a reminder signal is sent to the user.

[0080] In this embodiment, when the relative humidity value exceeds 90% and continues to rise for more than 30 seconds, even if the number of breathing times is judged to be far from 50,000 times, it is necessary to prompt the user to change it in different states.

[0081] In other embodiments, in step 1, the dielectric constant of the space environment between the mask and the face is obtained to determine the electrostatic adsorption capacity of the mask, and when the dielectric constant is lower than a preset value, a reminder signal is sent to the user.

[0082] In step 3, an optical signal or an electronic signal is transmitted to a smart terminal for prompting a user.

[0083] In an optional embodiment, an LED light source is used to remind the user. The LED light source is set to be always on when there are one thousand breathing times left. Alternatively, the LED light source is set to several colors, such as red, yellow, and green. Green represents a longer lifespan, yellow represents less than five thousand times, and red represents that the number of times has been exhausted and needs to be replaced immediately.

[0084] In an optional embodiment, a signal is sent to the user via Bluetooth transmission, and the Bluetooth output module is connected to the mobile terminal signal, so that the mobile terminal displays the mask life information.

[0085] Specifically, the mobile terminal is a mobile phone, tablet or smart watch equipped with a corresponding app. For every fixed number of breathing times, such as one hundred times, the Bluetooth communication is triggered once, and the number of breathing times of the mask is uploaded to the app for the user to view. In addition, the humidity parameters of the mask and the dielectric constant parameter information of the mask can also be uploaded.

[0086] In combination with the above embodiments, the present invention clamps a compact and lightweight wearable device on the nose clip of a disposable mask, detects the number of breaths of the user, the degree of mask blockage, etc. through a single or fusion sensor, and transmits the service life information (such as the remaining number of breaths) to the user, which can help the human society in the current epidemic situation to use disposable mask products more reasonably and efficiently.

[0087] Although the present invention has been disclosed as above with preferred embodiments, it is not intended to limit the present invention. A person with ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the present invention belongs may make various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the protection scope of the present invention shall be determined by the definition of the claims.

Claims

1. An evaluation system for the service life of disposable masks, characterized in that: include: The sensor disposed on the inner side of the mask is used to obtain at least the air pressure parameter of the environment between the mask and the face when the mask is worn on the user's face; A microprocessor determines the breathing behavior and records the number of breaths based on the ambient air pressure parameters obtained by the sensor; A display module is used to display the current service life status of the mask; A power module, used to power the sensor, microprocessor and display module; The sensor includes a single sensor or a fusion sensor, the single sensor is used to obtain the air pressure parameter of the environment between the mask and the face, and the fusion sensor is used to obtain the air pressure parameter of the environment between the mask and the face, the humidity parameter of the mask, and the dielectric constant parameter of the mask; The microprocessor processes the obtained air pressure parameters, obtains the data of the peak and the trough according to the formed air pressure curve, and determines that the occurrence of a peak and a trough is a breathing behavior according to the microprocessor, and records the parameters of the breathing behavior; The parameters include the time taken for the breathing behavior and the median data of the pressure curve; The display module is configured to display information on the number of breaths when the breathing behavior recorded by the microprocessor reaches a preset value.

2. The evaluation system for the service life of disposable masks according to claim 1, characterized in that: The display module includes an LED light source and / or a Bluetooth output module, and the Bluetooth output module is connected to the mobile terminal signal so that the mobile terminal displays the mask life information.

3. A disposable mask service life assessment device comprising the assessment system for disposable mask service life according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that: include: A clamping element, which provides a carrier for the sensor, microprocessor, display module and power module to be loaded on the mask; Wherein, the clamping element can be clamped on the upper edge of the mask.

4. The disposable mask service life evaluation device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The sensor is arranged at the first end of the clamping element, and is located inside the mask; and the display module is arranged at the second end of the clamping element, and is located outside the mask.

5. The disposable mask service life evaluation device according to claim 4, characterized in that, The clamping element comprises memory metal, and the outside of the clamping element, sensor, microprocessor, display module and power module are wrapped with a silica gel coating layer.

6. The disposable mask service life evaluation device according to claim 3, 4 or 5, characterized in that: The clamping element is a U-shaped folding structure, wherein the thickness of the contact portion between the U-shaped folding structure and the upper edge of the mask is less than 1 mm.

7. An evaluation method for the service life of a disposable mask based on the evaluation system for the service life of a disposable mask according to claim 1, characterized in that: The following steps are involved: Step 1, obtaining the air pressure parameters of the space environment between the mask and the face, and obtaining an air pressure change curve; Step 2: Obtain the difference between the peak and the trough of the air pressure change curve. When the difference reaches a set threshold, it is determined as a breathing behavior; Step 3: Accumulate the number of breathing behaviors in step 2, and when the number of breathing behaviors exceeds a set threshold, send a reminder signal to the user.

8. The method for evaluating the service life of a disposable mask according to claim 7, characterized in that: In step 1, the humidity parameter of the space environment between the mask and the face is obtained. When the humidity is higher than a preset value and remains for a preset time, a reminder signal is sent to the user.

9. The evaluation method for the service life of a disposable mask according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that: In step 1, the dielectric constant of the space environment between the mask and the face is obtained to determine the electrostatic adsorption capacity of the mask. When the dielectric constant is lower than a preset value, a reminder signal is sent to the user.

10. The method for evaluating the service life of a disposable mask according to claim 7, characterized in that: In step 2, if the difference between the peak and the trough of the change curve does not exceed the set threshold, the median pressure of the previous breathing behavior is used as the reference pressure for judging the peak and trough of this time.

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