Mask with noise attenuation

Abstract

The invention relates to a mask with noise attenuation. Various illustrative systems, devices, and methods for a mask are provided. Generally, the mask is configured to provide cooling therapy to a user wearing the mask. In an exemplary embodiment, the mask includes a thermoelectric cooling device, such as a Peltier device, a thermoelectric cooler (TEC), or other thermoelectric cooling device. The mask includes a fan configured to blow air configured to dissipate heat generated by the thermoelectric cooling device. The mask includes a noise attenuation system configured to attenuate noise generated by the use of the fan that is radiated into the environment and thus heard by the user.

Description

[0001] Cross - Reference to Related Applications

[0002] This application claims priority to U.S. Patent Application No. 18 / 411,644, filed on January 12, 2024, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] This disclosure generally relates to a face mask with noise attenuation. Background Art

[0004] For various health and / or aesthetic reasons, cooling can be applied to the skin on a user's face. A face mask worn by the user can be used to apply the cooling. Some face masks include Peltier coolers to generate the cooling delivered to the user's face. However, Peltier coolers also generate heat. The heat can adversely interfere with the cooling effect provided by the face mask.

[0005] Accordingly, there is still a need for improved devices, systems, and methods for face masks. Summary of the Invention

[0006] Generally, systems, devices, and methods for a face mask are provided.

[0007] In one aspect, a device with noise attenuation is provided. In one embodiment, the device includes a face mask configured to be worn on a user's face. The face mask includes: a first air inlet through which air outside the face mask is configured to enter a first flow path; an air outlet through which the air is configured to leave the first flow path to exit the face mask; a first thermoelectric cooling device configured to generate cooling and generate heat; a first fan configured to cause air to enter the face mask through the first air inlet, flow along the first flow path from the first air inlet to the first fan, and flow from the first fan along the first flow path to the air outlet; and at least one of the following: a first flared acoustic waveguide located at the first air inlet; a first acoustic chamber along the first flow path and located between the first air inlet and the first fan; and a first tortuous path along the first flow path and located between the first fan and the air outlet. With the face mask worn by the user, the cooling is configured to be applied to the user's face. The air flowing along the first flow path is configured to dissipate the heat.

[0008] The device can be varied in any number of ways. For example, the face mask can include at least the first acoustic chamber; the first acoustic chamber can include a first chamber, a second chamber, and a third chamber; air can be configured to flow from the first air inlet to the first chamber, from the first chamber to the second chamber, and from the second chamber to the third chamber; the second chamber can be enlarged compared to the first chamber and the third chamber.

[0009] For another example, the face mask can include at least the first meandering path, and the first meandering path can define a plurality of twists and turns along the first flow path.

[0010] For yet another example, the face mask can include at least the first flared acoustic waveguide, and the first flared acoustic waveguide can be located at the interface between the first air flow path and the first air inlet.

[0011] For yet another example, the first air inlet and the air outlet can be located at the bottom of the face mask.

[0012] For another example, the face mask can further include a first heat sink facing the first thermoelectric cooling device and located downstream of the first fan, such that the first fan is configured to blow air toward the first heat sink.

[0013] For yet another example, the face mask can further include a second flared acoustic waveguide located at the air outlet.

[0014] For yet another example, the face mask can include at least two of the following: the first flared acoustic waveguide, the first acoustic chamber, and the first meandering path.

[0015] For yet another example, the face mask can include all of the following: the first flared acoustic waveguide, the first acoustic chamber, and the first meandering path.

[0016] For another example, the face mask may further include: a second air inlet through which air outside the face mask is configured to enter a second flow path; a second thermoelectric cooling device configured to generate cooling and generate heat; a second fan configured to cause air to enter the face mask through the second air inlet and flow from the second air inlet to the second fan along the second flow path, and from the second fan to the air outlet along the second flow path; and at least one of the following: a second flared acoustic waveguide located at the second air inlet; a second acoustic chamber along the second flow path and located between the second air inlet and the second fan; and a second meandering path along the second flow path and located between the second fan and the air outlet; in the case where the user wears the face mask, the cooling generated by the second thermoelectric cooling device may be configured to be applied to the user's face; and the air flowing along the second flow path may be configured to dissipate the heat generated by the second thermoelectric cooling device.In addition, the face mask may include at least the first acoustic chamber and the second acoustic chamber; the first acoustic chamber may be a mirror image of the second acoustic chamber; the first acoustic chamber may include a first chamber, a second chamber, and a third chamber; the second acoustic chamber may include a fourth chamber, a fifth chamber, and a sixth chamber; air may be configured to flow from the first air inlet to the first chamber, from the first chamber to the second chamber, and from the second chamber to the third chamber; the second chamber may be enlarged compared to the first chamber and the third chamber; air may be configured to flow from the second air inlet to the fourth chamber, from the fourth chamber to the fifth chamber, and from the fifth chamber to the sixth chamber; and the fifth chamber may be enlarged compared to the fourth chamber and the sixth chamber; the face mask may include at least the first zigzag path and the second zigzag path; the first zigzag path may be a mirror image of the second zigzag path; the first zigzag path may define a first plurality of twists and turns along the first flow path; the second zigzag path may define a second plurality of twists and turns along the second flow path; the face mask may include at least the first flared acoustic waveguide and the second flared acoustic waveguide; the first flared acoustic waveguide may be located at the interface between the first air flow path and the first air inlet, and the second flared acoustic waveguide may be located at the interface between the second air flow path and the second air inlet; the first air inlet, the second air inlet, and the air outlet may be located at the bottom of the face mask; the air outlet may be one of the following: a shared outlet through which air is configured to leave each of the first air flow path and the second air flow path, and a first air outlet and a second air outlet through which air is configured to flow from the first air flow path through the first air outlet and from the second air flow path through the second air outlet; the face mask may further include a first radiator and a second radiator, the first radiator facing the first thermoelectric cooling device and located downstream of the first fan such that the first fan is configured to blow air towards the first radiator, and the second radiator facing the second thermoelectric cooling device and located downstream of the second fan such that the second fan is configured to blow air towards the second radiator; the face mask may include at least two of the following: the first flared acoustic waveguide, the first acoustic chamber, and the first zigzag path; and / or the face mask may include at least two of the following: the second flared acoustic waveguide, the second acoustic chamber, and the second zigzag path. In addition, the face mask may include all of the following: the first flared acoustic waveguide, the first acoustic chamber, and the first zigzag path; and the face mask may include all of the following: the second flared acoustic waveguide, the second acoustic chamber, and the second zigzag path.

[0017] In another embodiment, the device with noise attenuation includes a face mask configured to be worn on a user's face. The face mask includes a first thermoelectric cooling device configured to generate cooling and generate heat. When the user wears the face mask, the cooling generated by the first thermoelectric cooling device is configured to be applied to the user's face. The face mask further includes: a first fan configured to cause a first air flow configured to dissipate the heat generated by the first thermoelectric cooling device; a first noise attenuation system configured to attenuate the noise caused by the first fan; and a second thermoelectric cooling device configured to generate cooling and generate heat. When the user wears the face mask, the cooling generated by the second thermoelectric cooling device is configured to be applied to the user's face. The face mask further includes a second fan configured to cause a second air flow configured to dissipate the heat generated by the second thermoelectric cooling device; a second noise attenuation system configured to attenuate the noise caused by the second fan.

[0018] The device can have any number of variations. For example, the first noise attenuation system can include at least one of the following: a first flared acoustic waveguide, a first acoustic chamber, and a first meandering path; and the second noise attenuation system can include at least one of the following: a second flared acoustic waveguide, a second acoustic chamber, and a second meandering path.

[0019] For another example, the first noise attenuation system can include at least two of the following: a first flared acoustic waveguide, a first acoustic chamber, and a first meandering path; and the second noise attenuation system can include at least two of the following: a second flared acoustic waveguide, a second acoustic chamber, and a second meandering path.

[0020] For yet another example, the first noise attenuation system can include a first flared acoustic waveguide, a first acoustic chamber, and a first meandering path, and the second noise attenuation system can include a second flared acoustic waveguide, a second acoustic chamber, and a second meandering path.

[0021] In another aspect, a method is provided. In one embodiment, the method includes: operating a first fan of a face mask worn on a user's face, and using a first noise attenuation system of the face mask to attenuate the noise caused by the operation of the fan.

[0022] The method can vary in any number of ways. For example, the face mask can include any one or more features of the above-described device with noise attenuation. Description of the Drawings

[0023] The present disclosure will be more fully understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0024] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a face mask;

[0025] Figure 2 is Figure 1 a perspective view of an intermediate housing of the face mask;

[0026] Figure 3 is Figure 1 a perspective view of a part of the face mask;

[0027] Figure 4 is Figure 1 a perspective view of another part of the face mask;

[0028] Figure 5 is Figure 1 a perspective view of an embodiment of a control unit operatively coupled to the face mask;

[0029] Figure 6 is Figure 2 a perspective view of a part of the face mask, showing an example location of a printed circuit board (PCB) of the face mask;

[0030] Figure 7 is Figure 1 a schematic view of an acoustic chamber of the face mask;

[0031] Figure 8 is a graph showing the relationship between transmission loss and frequency;

[0032] Figure 9 is a graph showing the relationship between transmission coefficient and frequency;

[0033] Figure 10 is another graph showing the relationship between transmission loss and frequency;

[0034] Figure 11 is a graph showing the relationship between A-weighted sound pressure level and frequency;

[0035] Figure 12 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the face mask;

[0036] Figure 13A is Figure 12 a perspective view of an intermediate housing of the face mask;

[0037] Figure 13B is Figure 13A another perspective view of the intermediate housing;

[0038] Figure 14 is Figure 12A perspective view of a portion of the face mask; and

[0039] Figure 15 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a control unit operably coupled to the Figure 12 face mask. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0040] Certain embodiments will now be described to provide an overall understanding of the structure, function, manufacture, and use of the devices, systems, and methods disclosed herein. One or more examples of these embodiments are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Those skilled in the art will understand that the devices, systems, and methods specifically described herein and illustrated in the accompanying drawings are non-limiting embodiments, and the scope of the present invention is defined only by the claims. Features shown or described in connection with one exemplary embodiment may be combined with features of other embodiments. Such modifications and variations are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention.

[0041] In addition, in the present disclosure, components with similar names in embodiments generally have similar features, and thus, in a particular embodiment, it is not necessary to fully elaborate on each feature of each component with a similar name. Further, in the description of the systems, devices, and methods disclosed herein, where linear dimensions or circular dimensions are used, such dimensions are not intended to limit the types of shapes that can be used in connection with such systems, devices, and methods. Those skilled in the art will recognize that for any geometry, the equivalents of such linear dimensions and circular dimensions can be readily determined.

[0042] Various illustrative systems, devices, and methods for a face mask are provided. Generally, the face mask is configured to provide a cooling treatment to a user wearing the face mask. In an exemplary embodiment, the face mask includes a thermoelectric cooling device, such as a Peltier device, a thermoelectric cooler (TEC), or other thermoelectric cooling device. The thermoelectric cooling device is configured to generate heat through the thermoelectric effect, where a heat flux is generated at the junction of two different types of materials. The heat flux forms a cold zone and a hot zone. The cold zone is configured to face the user's face to provide cold energy to the user's skin. The hot zone generates heat energy, and the face mask is configured to dissipate the heat energy to help prevent the heat from interfering adversely with the cooling provided to the user by the face mask. Dissipating the heat generated by the thermoelectric cooling device can help prevent the heat from interfering adversely with the cooling effect provided by the face mask.

[0043] The face mask includes a fan configured to blow air configured to dissipate heat generated by a thermoelectric cooling device. However, using the fan generates noise that may irritate the user wearing the face mask, thereby reducing the user experience, particularly because the face mask is located near the user's ears. The face mask includes a noise attenuation system configured to attenuate the noise radiated into the environment and heard by the user due to the use of the fan. The noise attenuation system is configured to automatically attenuate the noise, so the user does not need to take any specific actions specific to reducing the noise. Thus, whenever the face mask is worn on the user's face and the fan is operating, the noise heard by the user can be automatically reduced, thereby improving the user experience. In embodiments where the face mask includes more than one fan, the face mask may include a plurality of noise attenuation systems (one noise attenuation system for each fan) so that the noise generated by all the fans can be attenuated.

[0044] In an exemplary embodiment, the noise attenuation system includes an acoustic chamber located upstream of the fan and a tortuous gas path located downstream of the fan. The acoustic chamber is located near the air inlet through which air enters the face mask, for example, under the force provided by the fan, and the acoustic chamber is positioned along the air inflow path along which air flows from the air inlet to the fan. The dimensions of the acoustic chamber are tuned to minimize noise in a desired frequency band (e.g., a frequency band sensitive to human hearing). The air entering the air inlet and flowing along the air inflow path causes noise that the user would easily hear in the absence of an acoustic chamber to attenuate the noise, thereby reducing, if not eliminating, the annoying noise caused by the air inflow for the user.

[0045] The tortuous air path is located near the air outlet through which air exits the face mask, for example, under the force provided by the fan, and the tortuous air path defines at least a portion of the air outflow path along which air flows from the fan to the air outlet. The tortuous air path has a number of twists and turns that help attenuate the noise of the air flowing through it.

[0046] A noise attenuation system including an acoustic chamber upstream of the fan and a tortuous air path downstream of the fan is merely an example. In some embodiments, the noise attenuation system includes an acoustic chamber downstream of the fan and a tortuous air path upstream of the fan. In some embodiments, the noise attenuation system includes a first acoustic chamber and a first tortuous air path upstream of the fan, and a second acoustic chamber and a second tortuous air path downstream of the fan. In some embodiments, the noise attenuation system includes a first acoustic chamber upstream of the fan and a second acoustic chamber and a tortuous air path downstream of the fan. In some embodiments, the noise attenuation system includes a first tortuous air path upstream of the fan and an acoustic chamber and a second tortuous air path downstream of the fan. In some embodiments, the noise attenuation system includes a first acoustic chamber and a tortuous air path upstream of the fan and a second acoustic chamber downstream of the fan. In some embodiments, the noise attenuation system includes an acoustic chamber and a first tortuous air path upstream of the fan and a second tortuous air path downstream of the fan.

[0047] A noise attenuation system including at least one of an acoustic chamber and a tortuous air path along each of an inlet air path and an outlet air path is configured to help reduce noise caused by each of air inflow and air outflow. However, in some embodiments, for example due to space limitations of a particular face mask, cost limitations of a particular face mask, or other reasons, the noise attenuation system includes at least one of an acoustic chamber and a tortuous air path only along one of the inlet air path and the outlet air path. For example, the noise attenuation system may include an acoustic chamber upstream of the fan. For another example, the noise attenuation system may include an acoustic chamber downstream of the fan. For yet another example, the noise attenuation system may include a tortuous air path upstream of the fan. For still another example, the noise attenuation system may include a tortuous air path downstream of the fan. For another example, the noise attenuation system may include an acoustic chamber and a tortuous air path upstream of the fan. For yet another example, the noise attenuation system may include an acoustic chamber and a tortuous air path downstream of the fan.

[0048] In some embodiments, the noise attenuation system includes, in addition to at least one of an acoustic chamber and a tortuous air path, a flared acoustic waveguide located at the air inlet and / or a flared acoustic waveguide located at the air outlet. The flared acoustic waveguide at the air inlet is located at the interface between the air inflow path and the external environment from which air flows into the mask. Thus, the flared acoustic waveguide at the air inlet can reduce the low-frequency sound radiation into the external environment from the air inlet and thus reduce the low-frequency sound radiation to the user's ears. The flared acoustic waveguide at the air outlet is located at the interface between the air outflow path and the external environment to which air exits from the mask. Thus, the flared acoustic waveguide at the air outlet can reduce the low-frequency sound radiation into the external environment from the air outlet and thus reduce the low-frequency sound radiation to the user's ears.

[0049] In an exemplary embodiment, both the air inlet and the air outlet of the mask are located at the bottom of the mask, regardless of whether the noise attenuation system includes at least one flared acoustic waveguide. Thus, the noise from the air entering the air inlet and the noise from the air exiting the air outlet can be directed away from the user's ears located on the opposite left and right sides of the mask. Higher frequencies are more directional in nature than lower frequencies and thus higher frequencies tend to travel in a straight line. Thus, the noise at higher frequencies may be more likely to be directed away from the user's ears by at least one flared acoustic waveguide. In some embodiments, one or both of the air inlet and the air outlet are not located at the bottom of the mask but at the top of the mask, and one or both of the air inlet and the air outlet being located at the top of the mask are configured to direct air away from the user's ears similar to when they are located at the bottom of the mask.

[0050] Figure 1 An exemplary embodiment of a facial covering device (also referred to herein as a "mask" or a "hood") 100 is shown, which is configured to provide a cooling treatment to a user wearing the facial covering device 100. In the illustrated embodiment, the facial covering device 100 is also configured to provide a light treatment. The methods, systems, and devices described herein also apply to facial covering devices configured to provide a cooling treatment and not configured to provide a light treatment.

[0051] The hood 100 includes a base 102 and a support 104 attached to the base 102. The base 102 is configured to be worn on the user's face. The support 104 is configured to be worn on the user's head to support the hood 100 and thus support the base 102 on the user's head.

[0052] The support member 104 can have various configurations. For example, the support member 104 can include a hat-like cap configured to be worn on a user's head. For another example, as in the illustrated embodiment, the support member 104 can include a strap assembly that includes a first strap 104a and a second strap (obscured in Figure 1 and Figure 2 ) attached to the first strap 104a. The first strap 104a is the upper portion of the strap assembly and is configured to be worn on top of the user's head and extend front to back along the top of the user's head. The second strap is the lower portion of the strap assembly and is configured to be worn around a partial circumference of the user's head and extend generally horizontally along the partial circumference of the user's head. The extension of the second strap may not be precisely horizontal, but can still be considered generally horizontal, depending on the particular user's head and how the user positions the second strap. In an exemplary embodiment, the first strap 104 and the second strap are made of a flexible material (e.g., textile, plastic, or a combination thereof), which can help the first strap 104a and the second strap to comfortably conform to the size and shape of a particular user's head.

[0053] In some embodiments, the strap assembly includes padding (e.g., foam, air pocket, or other padding) configured to be positioned between the user's head and each of the straps of the strap assembly to provide enhanced user comfort.

[0054] The strap assembly includes an adjustment mechanism (e.g., buckle, snap, Velcro, or other adjustment mechanism) configured to allow the user to manually adjust the first strap 104a and the second strap to help fit and comfortably adapt the cover 100 to the user. In other embodiments, the strap assembly is self-adjusting, such as by making the straps of the strap assembly elastic members similar to an elastic headband.

[0055] As Figures 1 to 3 shown, the base 102 includes an outer housing 106, an inner housing 108, and an intermediate housing 110 located between the outer housing 106 and the inner housing 108. The intermediate housing 110 is in Figure 3is only partially shown, showing the upper part of the intermediate housing 110. In an exemplary embodiment, the base 102 is made of a rigid material (e.g., plastic, metal, or a combination thereof), which can help prevent the cover 100 from bending, deflecting, twisting, or otherwise breaking, and / or can help prevent the first air inlet path 112a and the second air inlet path, and the first air outlet path 114a and the second air outlet path 114b of the cover from deforming, twisting, or otherwise being at least partially blocked to impede air flow, where the first air inlet path 112a and the second air inlet path, and the first air outlet path 114a and the second air outlet path 114b are defined by ducts formed between the outer housing 106 and the inner housing 108. The second air inlet path is obscured in the figure.

[0056] The base 102 has a plurality of openings 116a, 116b, 118, 120 formed therein, each of the plurality of openings corresponding to a facial feature and configured to at least partially align with the facial feature when the user wears the cover 100. In this way, when the user wears the cover 100, each of the plurality of openings 116a, 116b, 118, 120 will at least partially align with the user's facial feature. Each of the plurality of openings 116a, 116b, 118, 120 is formed through the outer housing 106, the inner housing 108, and the intermediate housing 110. The plurality of openings include: a first eye opening 116a configured to at least partially align with the right eye of a user wearing the cover 100; a second eye opening 116b configured to at least partially align with the left eye of a user wearing the cover 100; a nose opening 118 configured to at least partially align with the nose of a user wearing the cover 100; and a mouth opening 120 configured to at least partially align with the mouth of a user wearing the cover 100. The first eye opening 116a and the second eye opening 116b are configured to allow the user to see when wearing the cover 100, and the cover 100 does not prevent the user from seeing anything other than the inner surface of the cover 100 (e.g., the inner surface of the inner housing 108). The nose opening 118 is configured to allow the user to easily use their nose when the user is wearing the cover 100, e.g., for breathing, etc. The mouth opening 120 is configured to allow the user to easily use their mouth when the user is wearing the cover 100, e.g., breathing, drinking, eating, etc.

[0057] In the illustrated embodiment, all of the openings 116a, 116b, 118, 120 among the plurality of openings are unobstructed openings. In other embodiments, one or more of the openings 116a, 116b, 118, 120 among the plurality of openings may be at least partially obstructed, for example, at least partially obstructed by a mesh member, a transparent polymer sheet, or other obstructing elements.

[0058] In the illustrated embodiment, the base 102 is configured to substantially cover the entire face of the user when the user is wearing the mask 100. The base 102 may not completely cover the face of a particular user, depending on the size and shape of the particular user's face, but the base 102 has a size configured to cover the faces of most potential users of the mask 100. The base 102 thus includes the openings 116a, 116b, 118, 120 for all of the user's eyes, nose, and mouth. In some embodiments, the base 102 is configured to partially cover the user's face, such as covering only the upper half of the user's face, covering only the lower half of the user's face, covering the user's face except for the left and right cheeks, or other partial covering configurations. In such embodiments, the base 102 may not have at least one of the eye openings 116a, 116b, the nose opening 118, and the mouth opening 120, depending on the position where the mask 100 is intended to be placed on the user's face.

[0059] The outer housing 106 defines the outer surface of the mask 100, which faces away from the user's face when the user is wearing the mask 100. The inner housing 108 defines the inner surface of the mask 100, which faces towards the user's face when the user is wearing the mask 100. The intermediate housing 110 is sandwiched between the outer housing 106 and the inner housing 108. Figure 2 and Figure 3 A plurality of internal connection points 122 are shown, at which the outer housing 106, the inner housing 108, and the intermediate housing 110 are configured to be firmly attached together, for example, by using pins, adhesives, welding, etc. The illustrated mask 100 includes eight internal connection points 122, but other numbers of internal connection points 122 may also be used.

[0060] The lamp assembly is located on the intermediate housing 110. The lamp assembly is configured to apply light therapy to a user wearing the mask 100. The lamp assembly includes a plurality of lamps 124 spaced apart from each other on the intermediate housing 110 in a pattern (e.g., a grid pattern, a random pattern, or other pattern). Figure 3 Only some of the lamps 124 of the mask are shown.

[0061] The lamp 124 is configured to be selectively turned on by a user to provide light therapy and selectively turned off by the user to not provide light therapy. In the illustrated embodiment, the lamp 124 is a light emitting diode (LED). For example, the number of lamps 124 may be: in the range between ten and two hundred; in the range between fifty and one hundred and fifty; in the range between sixty and one hundred; in the range between seventy-five and eighty-five; fifty; seventy-five; eighty; eighty-five; or other numbers.

[0062] Each of the plurality of lamps 124 is configured to emit light of a predetermined wavelength, and the light of the predetermined wavelength is configured to facilitate various light therapies (e.g., one or more of anti-aging therapy and anti-breakout therapy). The predetermined wavelength may be, for example, a wavelength in the range of about 300 nm to about 1000 nm. The light emitted by the plurality of lamps 124 is configured to reach one or more layers of the skin (e.g., the epidermis, dermis, and / or subcutaneous tissue) of a user wearing the hood 100. The one or more layers of skin that the light reaches correspond to the wavelength. For example, light of a longer wavelength is configured to reach deeper layers of the skin than light of a shorter wavelength. In some embodiments, the wavelength of the light emitted by the lamp 124 is configured to be adjustable, for example, by a user manually selecting the wavelength and one or more of the following wireless computing devices: the wireless computing device is configured to wirelessly communicate with the controller of the facial covering device 100 to allow the user to manually select the wavelength.

[0063] As Figure 5 shown, the control unit 126 is connected to the hood 100. The control unit 126 is configured to allow a user to control various functions of the hood 100. The control in the illustrated embodiment includes control of light therapy (e.g., turning on / off the lamp 124 and adjusting the wavelength of the light) and control of cooling therapy (e.g., turning on / off the cooling therapy and adjusting the cooling intensity). The control unit 126 is connected to the hood 100 by a cable 128. Figure 5 It is shown that one end of the cable 128 is connected to the control unit 126. Figure 1 、 Figure 2 and Figure 4 It is shown that the other opposite end of the cable 128 is connected to the hood 100.

[0064] In the illustrated embodiment, the control unit 126 is a dedicated control unit for the hood 100 and thus cannot control other hoods 100 or other devices. In other embodiments, the control unit 126 is a dedicated control unit for the hood 100 but is, for example, a wireless remote control wirelessly connected to the hood 100 via Bluetooth or other wireless communication protocols. In still other embodiments, the control unit 126 is not a dedicated control unit for the hood 100 and can control other hoods and / or other devices. Examples of non-dedicated control units include: mobile phones, mobile tablets, and other computing devices configured to wirelessly communicate with the hood 100.

[0065] The control unit 126 includes (obscured in Figure 5 ), a power source (e.g., a battery or other power source) configured to supply power to the light 124 of the hood 100 and the cooling system of the hood 100, which will be discussed further below. The control unit 126 including the power source can help reduce the weight and / or volume of the hood 100, which can provide a better user experience. In other embodiments, the hood 100 rather than the control unit 126 includes the power source, or in addition to the control unit 126, the hood 100 also includes the power source.

[0066] The hood 100 includes a controller (e.g., a processor, a microcontroller, or other electronic controller) configured to operably communicate with the control unit 126. In an exemplary embodiment, the hood 100 includes a printed circuit board (PCB) that includes the controller. Figure 6 Two example positions of the PCBs 130a, 130b are shown. Each of these positions is on the outer surface of the inner housing 108 (e.g., the surface facing away from the user's face when the user is wearing the hood 100), but the PCB and thus the controller can be fixed elsewhere on the hood 100. Figure 6 It is shown that the PCB 130a is located in the upper part of the hood 100 in the forehead region of the hood 100. Due to the relatively large surface area in the forehead region of the hood 100, the location of the PCB 130a in the upper part can allow the controller and associated PCB components (e.g., memory, bus, transceiver, or other wireless communication units, etc.) to be larger and thus more powerful. Figure 6 It is shown that the PCB 130b is located in the lower part of the hood 100 in the chin region of the hood 100. The cable 128 extends from the lower part of the hood 100, so the location of the PCB 130b in the lower part can simplify the manufacture of the hood 100 for the operable coupling of the control unit 126 and the controller.

[0067] In some embodiments, the control unit 126 rather than the hood 100 includes the PCB and thus includes the controller.

[0068] As described above, the mask 100 includes a cooling system configured to provide a cooling treatment (e.g., one or more of an anti-aging treatment and an anti-breakage treatment) to a user wearing the mask 100. As in the illustrated embodiment, as Figure 2 and Figure 4 shown, the cooling system may include a fan 130, a thermoelectric cooling device 132 (e.g., a Peltier device, a TEC, or other thermoelectric cooling device), and a heat sink 134. In the illustrated embodiment, the thermoelectric cooling device 132 is a Peltier device.

[0069] The mask 100 may include a single cooling system or, as in the illustrated embodiment, may include multiple cooling systems. The illustrated mask 100 includes two cooling systems, namely a first cooling system and a second cooling system. The first cooling system is associated with the right side of the mask 100 and thus is associated with the right side of the user's face when the mask 100 is positioned on the user's face. The second cooling system is associated with the left side of the mask 100 and thus is associated with the left side of the user's face when the mask 100 is positioned on the user's face. Thus, the mask 100 includes a first fan 130 and a second fan, a first thermoelectric cooling device 132 and a second thermoelectric cooling device, and a first heat sink 134 and a second heat sink. The second fan and the second thermoelectric cooling device are obscured in the figure. The first cooling system and the second cooling system are similarly configured and used, and thus will not be described specifically for each cooling system, where the features described for the first cooling system are similarly applied to the second cooling system.

[0070] As will be understood by those skilled in the art, the first thermoelectric cooling device 132 is configured to generate heat through the thermoelectric effect, where a heat flux is generated at the junction of two different types of materials. This heat flux forms a cold zone and a hot zone. The cold zone is configured to face the user's face when the mask 100 is positioned on the user's face to provide cold energy to the user's skin. The hot zone is configured to face away from the user's face when the mask 100 is positioned on the user's face to urge heat away from the user's skin. The first heat sink 134 faces the hot zone of the first thermoelectric cooling device 132 to assist the first heat sink 134 in receiving thermal energy from the first thermoelectric cooling device 132 (e.g., from the hot zone of the first thermoelectric cooling device 132) to help prevent heat from being applied to the user's face or to help prevent interference with the cooling effect provided to the user's skin via the first thermoelectric cooling device 132.

[0071] The radiator 134 is located downstream of the first fan 130. The first fan 130 is configured to blow air towards the first radiator 134. Accordingly, the first fan 130 is configured to assist in dissipating the heat generated by the thermoelectric cooling device 132. Thus, the heat is urged away from the first radiator 134 and out of the enclosure 100. The first fan 130 is operatively coupled to the controller of the enclosure to allow the controller to control the first fan 130 (e.g., control the on / off state of the first fan 130, etc.).

[0072] The enclosure 100 includes a first air inlet path 112a and a first air outlet path 114a. Air enters the enclosure 100 through the first air inlet 136a along the first air inlet path 112a and travels to the first fan 130. The air travels from the first fan 130 to the first radiator 134 along the first air outlet path 114a and exits the enclosure 100 through the air outlet 138. Accordingly, the first air inlet path 112a and the first air outlet path 114a define an air flow path from the first air inlet 136a through the enclosure 100 to the air outlet 138.

[0073] The air outlet 138 is a shared air outlet and is also the outlet of the second air outlet path 114b of the enclosure. The second air inlet is obscured in the figure, and air is configured to enter the second air inlet path through the second air inlet. In other embodiments, the enclosure 100 may have separate air outlets for each of the first air outlet path and the second air outlet path.

[0074] As Figure 2 and Figure 4 shown, the first air inlet 136a, the second air inlet, and the air outlet 138 are located at the bottom of the enclosure 100. Accordingly, as Figure 1 shown, when viewed from the front of the enclosure 100, the first air inlet 136a, the second air inlet, and the air outlet 138 are not visible, which can improve the aesthetics of the enclosure 100. In other embodiments, any one or more of the first air inlet 136a, the second air inlet, and the air outlet 138 may be located at the top of the enclosure 100 instead of at the bottom of the enclosure 100, and thus may similarly not be visible when viewed from the front of the enclosure 100.

[0075] As discussed herein, the operation of the first fan 130 and the second fan (e.g., when the fan 130 is turned on and air is flowing along the first air flow path and the second air flow path) generates noise that may irritate the user wearing the hood 100. The hood 100 includes a first noise attenuation system and a second noise attenuation system respectively associated with the first fan 130 and the second fan. The first noise attenuation system and the second noise attenuation system are configured to attenuate the noise radiated into the environment due to the use of the first fan 130 and the second fan, respectively. The first noise attenuation system and the second noise attenuation system are similarly configured and used, so each noise attenuation system will not be described specifically, and the features described for the first noise attenuation system are similarly applied to the second noise attenuation system.

[0076] In the illustrated embodiment, as Figure 2 and Figure 4 shown, each of the first noise attenuation system and the second noise attenuation system includes an acoustic chamber 140 located upstream of its associated fan 130 and a tortuous air path 142 located downstream of its associated fan 130. The second acoustic chamber associated with the second air flow path is occluded in the figure.

[0077] The first acoustic chamber 140 is generally configured as a muffler that is configured to attenuate sound. As Figure 2 and Figure 4 shown, the first acoustic chamber 140 is located near the air inlet 136a. Thus, air is configured to enter the first air inlet 136a and flow into the first acoustic chamber 140.

[0078] As Figure 2 and Figure 4 shown, the inner housing 108 forms the inner side of the first acoustic chamber 140. The middle housing 110 and / or the outer housing 106 form the outer side of the first acoustic chamber 140. The inlet end of the first acoustic chamber 140 in fluid communication with the first air inlet 136a is open to allow sound energy to enter the first acoustic chamber 140. The outlet end of the first acoustic chamber 140 is open to allow sound energy to leave the first acoustic chamber 140 in the direction towards the first fan 130.

[0079] As Figure 7 shown, the first acoustic chamber 140 includes an inlet chamber 140a, an outlet chamber 140b, and a central chamber 140c. The central chamber 140c is located between the inlet chamber 140a and the outlet chamber 140b and is in fluid communication with the inlet chamber 140a and the outlet chamber 140b. Since the central chamber 140c has a width Wc that is larger or expanded compared to the width Wa of the inlet chamber 140a and the width Wb of the outlet chamber 140b, the central chamber 140c is also referred to herein as the "expanded chamber".

[0080] The direction of air flow through the first acoustic chamber 140 is shown by arrows in Figure 7 . Air entering the cover 100 through the first air inlet 136a is configured to enter the first acoustic chamber 140 at the inlet chamber 140a, flow through the inlet chamber 140a to the central chamber 140c, flow through the central chamber 140c to the outlet chamber 140b, and pass through the outlet chamber 140b to the first fan 130.

[0081] The difference in cross-sectional area of each adjacent chamber 140a, 140b, 140c of the first acoustic chamber 140 creates a difference in acoustic impedance at each chamber interface (e.g., the interface between the inlet chamber 140a and the central chamber 140c and the interface between the central chamber 140c and the outlet chamber 140b). The difference in acoustic impedance causes some frequencies to be transmitted while other frequencies (e.g., in the direction towards the first air inlet 136a) are reflected back to the source. Thus, the first acoustic chamber 140 can act as a low-pass filter that only allows low frequencies to pass through. In the case where the first fan 130 is turned on so that air is drawn into the cover 100 through the first air inlet 136a, the first acoustic chamber 140 can thus significantly reduce the sound pressure transmitted from the cover 100 to the user wearing the cover 100.

[0082] The dimensions of the first acoustic chamber 140 are adjusted to minimize noise in a desired frequency band (e.g., a frequency band sensitive to human hearing). Humans are more sensitive to sound frequencies between 2000 Hertz (Hz) and 5000 Hz. Thus, in an exemplary embodiment, the dimensions of the first acoustic chamber 140 are selected to reduce noise in the sound frequency range between 2000 Hz and 5000 Hz.

[0083] As Figure 7 shown, in the illustrated embodiment, each of the inlet chamber 140a, the outlet chamber 140b, and the central chamber 140c substantially has a rectangular cross-sectional shape. Those skilled in the art will understand that the shape may not be precisely this shape, but can still be considered substantially this shape due to any number of reasons such as manufacturing tolerances and sensitivities of measurement equipment. As described above, and as Figure 7 shown, the inlet chamber 140a has a width Wa, the outlet chamber 140b has a width Wb, and the central chamber 140c has a width Wc. As Figure 4 and Figure 7 shown, the inlet chamber 140a has a length La and a height Ha, the outlet chamber 140b has a length Lb and a height Hb, and the central chamber 140c has a length Lc and a height Hc.

[0084] In an exemplary embodiment, the width Wa of the inlet chamber and the width Wb of the outlet chamber are both approximately 25.4 millimeters (mm), the width Wc of the central chamber is approximately 60.5 mm, the height Ha of the inlet chamber, the height Hb of the outlet chamber, and the height Hc of the central chamber are all approximately 3 mm, and the length Lc of the central chamber 140c is approximately 25.3 mm. As Figure 8 shown therein, such dimensions tune the acoustic chamber 140 to 3500 Hz, at which a noise reduction peak of approximately 3 decibels (dB) is achieved. Approximately 3500 Hz is midway between 2000 Hz and 5000 Hz and is the frequency at which the length Lc of the central chamber 140c matches 1 / 4 of its wavelength. Changing the length Lc of the central chamber 140c changes the position at which the peak of the graph curve appears, in other words, changes the position at which the acoustic chamber 140 is tuned. The amplitude of noise reduction can also be adjusted by changing the ratio of the width Wc of the central chamber to the widths Wa of the inlet chamber and Wb of the outlet chamber. The higher this ratio, the more noise reduction is achieved. In the example above, the ratio of the width Wc of the central chamber to the widths Wa of the inlet chamber and Wb of the outlet chamber is 2.4, i.e., 60.5 / 25.4. Thus, in an exemplary embodiment, to tune the first acoustic chamber 140 to maximize noise reduction in the 2000 Hz to 5000 Hz range where humans are most sensitive, the ratio of the width Wc of the central chamber to the widths Wa of the inlet chamber and Wb of the outlet chamber is selected to be at least approximately 2 (e.g., approximately 2.4).

[0085] In other embodiments, the first acoustic chamber 140 may include two or more central chambers, each central chamber being connected to an inlet chamber / outlet chamber having a significantly larger or smaller cross-sectional area to provide a difference in acoustic impedance. For example, the first acoustic chamber 140 may include an inlet chamber fluidly connected to a first central chamber, the first central chamber fluidly connected to a first outlet chamber, the first outlet chamber fluidly connected to a second central chamber, the second central chamber fluidly connected to a second outlet chamber, and air flows through the second outlet chamber to the first fan 130.

[0086] In some embodiments, the first acoustic chamber 140 may include internal baffles or other internal structures configured to direct acoustic energy through the first acoustic chamber 140 as desired.

[0087] For example, acoustic chambers and acoustic energy are further discussed in U.S. Non - Provisional Patent Application No. 18 / 103,720, entitled "Acoustic Muffler For A Motorized Food Processing Device", filed on January 31, 2023, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0088] The first tortuous air path and the second tortuous air path 142 are generally configured to provide a physical barrier to acoustic energy, thereby preventing sound from escaping, such as leaving the housing 100 through the air outlet 138. As Figure 2 and Figure 4 shown, both the first tortuous air path and the second tortuous air path 142 are located near the air outlet 138. Thus, air is configured to enter the first and second tortuous air paths and flow out through the air outlet 138. The first tortuous air path and the second tortuous air path 142 are mirror images of each other and are joined together near the air outlet 138.

[0089] Both the first tortuous air path and the second tortuous air path 142 have a plurality of twists and turns, each of which contributes to attenuating the noise of the air flowing therethrough. Each twist and turn provides a physical barrier against which acoustic energy will impinge, and some of the acoustic energy bounces backward (e.g., away from the air outlet 138). The sound that bounces backward may interfere with itself to further reduce the noise. In addition, the twists and turns lengthen the path between two points (e.g., the path between the first fan 130 and the air outlet 138 and the path between the second fan and the air outlet 138), such that the sound must travel a longer distance to leave the housing 100. A longer path distance inherently reduces noise more than a shorter distance. In the illustrated embodiment, each of the first tortuous air path and the second tortuous air path 142 is generally an S - shape having two twists and turns each less than 90 degrees (e.g., an angle greater than about 20 degrees and less than about 90 degrees). An angle greater than 90 degrees does not provide an effective physical barrier and thus does not provide effective noise reduction. In other embodiments, each of the first tortuous air path and the second tortuous air path may have a different number of twists and turns.

[0090] In the illustrated embodiment, the first noise attenuation system and the second noise attenuation system each further include a flared acoustic waveguide. The first noise attenuation system includes a first flared acoustic waveguide 144a at the first air inlet 136a and a second flared acoustic waveguide 146 at the air outlet 138. The first flared acoustic waveguide 144a is located at the interface between the first air inflow path and the external environment from which air flows into the first air inlet 136a. The second flared acoustic waveguide 146 is located at the interface between the first air outflow path and the second air outflow path and the external environment to which air flows out from the air outlet 138. Each of the first flared acoustic waveguide 144a and the second flared acoustic waveguide 146 is configured to form an outwardly flared portion of the duct of the first air inflow path and the air outflow path, respectively. Thus, the first flared acoustic waveguide 144a has a width that expands outwardly from the width Wa of the inlet cavity 140a so as to increase to be greater than the width Wa of the inlet cavity.

[0091] The second noise attenuation system includes a third flared acoustic waveguide (obscured in the figure) at the second air inlet and the second flared acoustic waveguide 146 at the air outlet 138. The third flared acoustic waveguide is located at the interface between the second air inflow path and the external environment from which air flows into the second air inlet. The third flared acoustic waveguide is configured as an outwardly flared portion of the second air inflow path. The third flared acoustic waveguide has a width that expands outwardly from the width of the second inlet cavity so as to increase to be greater than the width of the second outlet cavity (in the illustrated embodiment, since the first air inflow path and the second air inflow path are mirror images of each other, the width of the second outlet cavity is the same as the width Wa of the first outlet cavity).

[0092] The first flared acoustic waveguide 144a, the second flared acoustic waveguide 146, and the third flared acoustic waveguide act as acoustic horns (also referred to herein as "horns") at their respective interfaces. An acoustic horn increases the sound radiation into the environment (e.g., the flare at the end of a trumpet and a megaphone). However, the first noise attenuation system and the second noise attenuation system including the first flared acoustic waveguide 144a, the second flared acoustic waveguide 146, and the third flared acoustic waveguide are configured to reduce noise, rather than increase noise as in, for example, a trumpet and a megaphone. The geometries of the first flared acoustic waveguide 144a, the second flared acoustic waveguide 146, and the third flared acoustic waveguide are configured not to allow sound below certain frequencies to propagate because as the frequency of the sound decreases, the phase velocity of the sound wave will become imaginary. When the phase velocity becomes imaginary, the sound wave becomes evanescent such that the sound wave can no longer propagate but decays exponentially. The frequency at which the transition from a traveling wave to an evanescent wave occurs is called the horn cutoff frequency. Thus, the first flared acoustic waveguide 144a, the second flared acoustic waveguide 146, and the third flared acoustic waveguide are configured such that the cutoff frequency (e.g., in the case where the acoustic horn transmission coefficient is zero) is higher than the target frequency, which is undesirable for radiation, such that the sound wave cannot propagate downward along the acoustic horn in the first place. The acoustic horn transmission coefficient is a number from zero to one that describes the ratio of the sound that can propagate downward along the acoustic horn when compared to a straight tube having the same cross-sectional area as the opening of the acoustic horn.

[0093] The operation of the first fan and the second fan 130 provides low-frequency noise that is not desired by the user of the enclosure 100. Figure 9 One embodiment of the acoustic horn transmission coefficients for the first flared acoustic waveguide 144a and the third flared acoustic waveguide located at the first air inlet 136a and the second air inlet, respectively, is shown. For frequencies below 5000 Hz, the transmission coefficient of the acoustic horn is less than one. Thus, if instead of the first flared acoustic waveguide 144a and the third flared acoustic waveguide, there were straight tubes having the same cross-sectional area, more sound below 5000 Hz would leave the enclosure 100 through the first air inlet 136a and the second air inlet, and thus more noise would be generated and heard by the user wearing the enclosure 100. Below approximately 1000 Hz, the sound that can enter the first air inlet 136a and the second air inlet decreases sharply anyway. At approximately 700 Hz, the acoustic horn transmission coefficient is zero, e.g., the horn can no longer support the propagation of waves below approximately 700 Hz at all.

[0094] The following differential equation (Webster horn equation) is used to solve for Figure 9Calculation of the transmission coefficient shown in the figure, where the equation uses the Wentzel-Kramers-Brillouin method to control the plane wave in the horn. In the following equation, y describes the radius of the horn, which is a function of the distance x along the axis of the horn. Additionally, k0 describes the wave number of the tube with a constant cross-section, which is defined as the ratio of the angular frequency to the speed of sound. Thus, the transmission coefficient is a frequency-dependent quantity. This method requires a circular horn. The first flared acoustic waveguide 144a and the third flared acoustic waveguide are not circular, but the following formula provides an acceptable approximate calculation.

[0095] Equation 1

[0096]

[0097] The transmission coefficients of not all horns drop to zero. For example, a conical horn (whose cross-sectional area varies linearly with its distance) has no cut-off frequency. However, horns with a cross-sectional area that varies quadratically or exponentially with distance will have a cut-off frequency. For the first flared acoustic waveguide 144a and the third flared acoustic waveguide, the width (w) of the horn can be approximately calculated using the following quadratic equation. In this equation, both x and w are in mm.

[0098] Equation 2

[0099] w 入口 = 0.0057x 2 + 0.1734x + 26.164

[0100] Each acoustic horn of the cover (e.g., cover 100) can have an exponential function (Equation 1) or a quadratic area function (Equation 2) because each acoustic horn will have a cut-off frequency such that each acoustic horn suppresses low-frequency sound radiation.

[0101] Figure 10 Shows a comparison of the acoustic transmission loss of the embodiment of the first air inlet 136a in the case of having the first flared acoustic waveguide 144a (the "flared w horn" line in the graph, e.g., cover 100 includes the first acoustic chamber 140 and the first flared acoustic waveguide 144a) and the acoustic transmission loss of the embodiment of the first air inlet 136a in the case of not having the first flared acoustic waveguide 144a (the "only flared" line in the graph, e.g., cover 100 includes the first acoustic chamber 140 but does not include the first flared acoustic waveguide 144a). Figure 10 Shows that there is a difference between the cover 100 including the first flared acoustic waveguide 144a and the cover 100 not including the first flared acoustic waveguide 144a. Figure 10 Shows that there is a difference before approximately 5000 Hz, and after approximately 5000 Hz, the lines of the two versions are basically the same. AsFigure 9 As shown, at approximately 5000 Hz, the transmission coefficient again becomes one, and thus the behavior above this point is expected to be the same (excluding radiation effects). Figure 10 Also shown is the enhancement of low-frequency noise reduction in the range of approximately 1500 Hz to approximately 3500 Hz using the first flared acoustic waveguide 144a.

[0102] Figure 11 A typical spectrum of the first fan 130 is shown. As Figure 11 shown, the generated noise is mostly low-frequency noise below approximately 3000 Hz. In an exemplary embodiment, to reduce the noise, the first noise attenuation system associated with the air inlet 136a and the first air inflow path is adjusted to more effectively reduce the noise in this frequency band below approximately 3000 Hz. For example, the tube cut-off frequency is below approximately 3000 Hz, the horn cut-off frequency is below approximately 1000 Hz, and the length Lc of the enlarged chamber 140c is approximately 25.3 mm to center the noise reduction frequency band at approximately 3500 Hz. Figure 11 Also shown is a sharp high-frequency attenuation. Thus, even though the acoustic horn improves the radiation efficiency at higher frequencies, the first fan 130 does not generate much high-frequency noise.

[0103] Figure 12 Another embodiment of the mask 200 configured to provide a cooling treatment to a user wearing the mask 200 is shown. The mask 200 in this shown embodiment is also configured to provide a light treatment.

[0104] Figure 12 The mask 200 in Figure 1 is generally configured and used similarly to Figure 12 the mask 100, and Figure 14 the mask 200 in Figure 13A and Figure 13B includes: a base 202 that includes an outer housing 206, an inner housing 208 (shown in Figure 12 ), and an intermediate housing 210 (shown in Figure 12 ); a support 204 that includes a first strap 204a and a second strap 204b; a first air inflow path and a second air inflow path (obscured in Figure 12 ), a first air outflow path and a second air outflow path (obscured in Figure 12 ); a plurality of openings that include a first eye opening 216a, a second eye opening 216b, a nose opening 218, and a mouth opening 220; a plurality of internal connection points (obscured in Figure 12 ); a lamp assembly that includes a plurality of lamps 224 (shown in Figure 13A and Figure 13B ); a PCB (shown in Figure 12(obscured in); the first cooling system and the second cooling system (in Figure 12 (obscured in), the first cooling system and the second cooling system each include a fan (although a fan support 231 configured to hold the fan is shown in Figure 14 (but the fan is obscured in Figure 12 ), a thermoelectric cooling device, and a radiator; a first air inlet and a second air inlet (in Figure 12 (obscured in), a shared air outlet (in Figure 12 (obscured in), and a first noise attenuation system and a second noise attenuation system (in Figure 12 (obscured in), the first noise attenuation system and the second noise attenuation system each include an acoustic chamber, a tortuous path, and a flared acoustic waveguide. The control unit 226 (shown in Figure 15 ) is operably coupled to the face mask 200 using a cable 228 and is generally configured and used similarly to the control unit 126 of Figure 5 .

[0105] Figure 12 Each of the first acoustic chamber and the second acoustic chamber of the face mask 200 of Figure 1 is generally configured and used similarly to the first acoustic chamber 140 and the second acoustic chamber of the hood 100 of Figure 14 but each has a different shape from the first acoustic chamber 140 and the second acoustic chamber as shown in Figure 14 . As shown in Figure 14 , the first acoustic chamber 240 includes an inlet chamber 240a, an outlet chamber 240b, and a central chamber 240c located between the inlet chamber 240a and the outlet chamber 240b and in fluid communication with the inlet chamber 240a and the outlet chamber 240b. The second acoustic chamber is a mirror image of the first acoustic chamber 240. In the illustrated embodiment, the central chamber 240c laterally expands only to one side relative to the inlet chamber 240a and the outlet chamber 240b. Figure 1 The central chamber 140c of the hood 100 of Figure 1 laterally expands to the left and right relative to the inlet chamber 240a and the outlet chamber 240b. Figure 14 The central chamber 240c of Figure 14 laterally expands to the left (e.g., toward the left side of the face mask 200 (e.g., the side of the face mask 200 configured to be worn on the left side of the user's face)), but the lateral expansion can alternatively be to the right. As discussed above, in an exemplary embodiment, to tune the first acoustic chamber 240 to maximize noise reduction in the range between 2000 Hz and 5000 Hz where humans are most sensitive, the ratio of the width of the central chamber 240c to the widths of the inlet chamber 240a and the outlet chamber 240b is selected to be at least about 2 (e.g., about 2.4).

[0106] The subject matter described herein can be implemented in analog electronic circuits, digital electronic circuits, and / or in computer software, firmware, or hardware (including the structural means disclosed in this specification and their structural equivalents or combinations thereof). The subject matter described herein can be implemented as one or more computer program products (e.g., one or more computer programs tangibly embodied in an information carrier (e.g., in a machine-readable storage device) or embodied in a propagated signal) to be executed or to control the operation of a data processing apparatus (e.g., a programmable processor, a computer, or multiple computers). A computer program (also referred to as a program, algorithm, software, software application, or code) can be written in any form of programming language (including a compiled or interpreted language), and the computer program can be deployed in any form (including as a stand-alone program or as a module, component, subroutine, or other unit suitable for use in a computing environment). A computer program does not necessarily correspond to a file. The program can be stored in a portion of a file that holds other programs or data, in a single file dedicated to the program being discussed, or in multiple cooperating files (e.g., files that store one or more modules, subroutines, or portions of code).

[0107] The processes and logic flows described in this specification (including the method steps of the subject matter described herein) can be performed by one or more programmable processors that execute one or more computer programs to perform the functions of the subject matter described herein by operating on input data and generating output. The processes and logic flows can also be performed by apparatus of the subject matter described herein, which can be implemented as special purpose logic circuitry (e.g., a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC)).

[0108] For example, processors suitable for executing computer programs include both general and special purpose microprocessors, as well as any one or more processors of any type of digital computer. Generally, a processor will receive instructions and data from a read only memory or a random access memory or both. The basic elements of a computer are a processor for executing the instructions and one or more storage devices for storing the instructions and data. Generally, a computer will also include one or more mass storage devices for storing data (e.g., magnetic disks, magneto-optical disks, or optical disks), or the computer will also be operatively coupled to the one or more mass storage devices to receive data from or transfer data to the one or more mass storage devices, or both. Information carriers suitable for containing computer program instructions and data include all forms of non-volatile memory, including by way of example semiconductor storage devices (e.g., erasable programmable read only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM), and flash memory devices). The processor and the memory can be supplemented by, or incorporated in, special purpose logic circuitry.

[0109] The techniques described herein may be implemented using one or more modules. As used herein, the term "module" refers to computing software, firmware, hardware, and / or various combinations thereof. However, a module should at least not be construed as software that is not implemented on hardware, firmware, nor should a module be construed as software that is not recorded on a non-transitory processor-readable recording medium (i.e., a module itself is not software). In fact, a "module" should always be construed to include at least some physical, non-transitory hardware (e.g., a portion of a processor or a computer). Two different modules may share the same physical hardware (e.g., two different modules may use the same processor). The modules described herein may be combined, integrated, separated, and / or replicated to support various applications. In addition, functions described as being performed at a particular module may be performed at one or more other modules and / or by one or more other devices to replace or supplement the functions performed at the particular module.

[0110] Those skilled in the art will further appreciate the features and advantages of these devices, systems, and methods based on the above embodiments. Accordingly, the disclosure is not limited to what has been particularly shown and described except as indicated by the appended claims, and all publications and references cited herein are hereby expressly incorporated by reference in their entirety for all purposes.

[0111] The above has described the disclosure only by way of example within the context of the overall disclosure provided herein. It should be understood that modifications may be made within the spirit and scope of the claims without departing from the overall scope of the disclosure.

Claims

1. A device with noise attenuation, the device comprising: A face mask configured to be worn on a user's face, the face mask comprising: A first air inlet through which air outside the face mask is configured to enter a first flow path; An air outlet through which the air is configured to leave the first flow path to exit the face mask; A first thermoelectric cooling device configured to generate cooling and generate heat; A first fan configured to cause air to enter the face mask through the first air inlet, flow along the first flow path from the first air inlet to the first fan, and flow from the first fan along the first flow path to the air outlet; and At least one of the following: A first flared acoustic waveguide located at the first air inlet; A first acoustic chamber along the first flow path and located between the first air inlet and the first fan; and A first meandering path along the first flow path and located between the first fan and the air outlet; Wherein, when the user wears the face mask, the cooling is configured to be applied to the user's face; and The air flowing along the first flow path is configured to dissipate the heat.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein The face mask includes at least the first acoustic chamber; The first acoustic chamber includes a first chamber, a second chamber, and a third chamber; Air is configured to flow from the first air inlet to the first chamber, from the first chamber to the second chamber, and from the second chamber to the third chamber; and The second chamber is enlarged compared to the first chamber and the third chamber.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein The face mask includes at least the first meandering path; and The first meandering path defines a plurality of twists and turns along the first flow path.

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein The face mask includes at least the first flared acoustic waveguide; and The first flared acoustic waveguide is located at the interface between the first flow path and the first air inlet.

5. The device according to claim 1, wherein The first air inlet and the air outlet are located at the bottom of the face mask.

6. The device according to claim 1, wherein The face mask further includes a first radiator facing the first thermoelectric cooling device and located downstream of the first fan, such that the first fan is configured to blow air towards the first radiator.

7. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein The face mask further includes a second flared acoustic waveguide located at the air outlet.

8. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, The face mask includes at least two of the following: the first flared acoustic waveguide, the first acoustic chamber, and the first meandering path.

9. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein The face mask includes all of the following: the first flared acoustic waveguide, the first acoustic chamber, and the first meandering path.

10. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein The face mask further includes: A second air inlet through which air outside the face mask is configured to enter a second flow path; A second thermoelectric cooling device configured to generate cooling and generate heat; A second fan configured to cause air to enter the face mask through the second air inlet, flow along the second flow path from the second air inlet to the second fan, and flow from the second fan along the second flow path to the air outlet; and At least one of the following: A second flared acoustic waveguide located at the second air inlet, A second acoustic chamber along the second flow path and located between the second air inlet and the second fan, and A second tortuous path along the second flow path and located between the second fan and the air outlet; When the user wears the face mask, the cooling generated by the second thermoelectric cooling device is configured to be applied to the user's face; and The air flowing along the second flow path is configured to dissipate the heat generated by the second thermoelectric cooling device.

11. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein, The face mask includes at least the first acoustic chamber and the second acoustic chamber; The first acoustic chamber is a mirror image of the second acoustic chamber; The first acoustic chamber includes a first chamber, a second chamber, and a third chamber; The second acoustic chamber includes a fourth chamber, a fifth chamber, and a sixth chamber; Air is configured to flow from the first air inlet to the first chamber, from the first chamber to the second chamber, and from the second chamber to the third chamber; The second chamber is enlarged compared to the first chamber and the third chamber; Air is configured to flow from the second air inlet to the fourth chamber, from the fourth chamber to the fifth chamber, and from the fifth chamber to the sixth chamber; and The fifth chamber is enlarged compared to the fourth chamber and the sixth chamber.

12. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein, The face mask includes at least the first tortuous path and the second tortuous path; The first tortuous path is a mirror image of the second tortuous path; The first tortuous path defines a first plurality of twists and turns along the first flow path; and The second tortuous path defines a second plurality of twists and turns along the second flow path.

13. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein, The face mask includes at least the first flared acoustic waveguide and the second flared acoustic waveguide; The first flared acoustic waveguide is located at the interface between the first flow path and the first air inlet; and The second flared acoustic waveguide is located at the interface between the second flow path and the second air inlet.

14. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein The first air inlet, the second air inlet, and the air outlet are located at the bottom of the face mask.

15. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein The air outlet is one of the following: A shared outlet through which air is configured to leave each of the first flow path and the second flow path, and A first air outlet and a second air outlet through which air is configured to flow from the first flow path through the first air outlet and from the second flow path through the second air outlet.

16. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein The face mask further includes: A first radiator, the first radiator facing the first thermoelectric cooling device and located downstream of the first fan, such that the first fan is configured to blow air toward the first radiator; and A second radiator, the second radiator facing the second thermoelectric cooling device and located downstream of the second fan, such that the second fan is configured to blow air toward the second radiator.

17. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein, The face mask includes at least two of the following: the first flared acoustic waveguide, the first acoustic chamber, and the first meandering path; and The face mask includes at least two of the following: the second flared acoustic waveguide, the second acoustic chamber, and the second meandering path.

18. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein The face mask includes all of the following: the first flared acoustic waveguide, the first acoustic chamber, and the first meandering path; and The face mask includes all of the following: the second flared acoustic waveguide, the second acoustic chamber, and the second meandering path.

19. A device with noise attenuation, the device comprising: A face mask configured to be worn on a user's face, the face mask comprising: A first thermoelectric cooling device configured to produce cooling and produce heat, and in the case where the user wears the face mask, the cooling produced by the first thermoelectric cooling device is configured to be applied to the user's face, A first fan configured to cause a first air flow, the first air flow being configured to dissipate the heat produced by the first thermoelectric cooling device, A first noise attenuation system configured to attenuate the noise caused by the first fan, A second thermoelectric cooling device configured to produce cooling and produce heat, and in the case where the user wears the face mask, the cooling produced by the second thermoelectric cooling device is configured to be applied to the user's face, A second fan configured to cause a second air flow, the second air flow being configured to dissipate the heat produced by the second thermoelectric cooling device; and A second noise attenuation system configured to attenuate the noise caused by the second fan.

20. The device according to claim 19, wherein, The first noise attenuation system includes at least one of the following: a first flared acoustic waveguide, a first acoustic chamber, and a first meandering path; and The second noise attenuation system includes at least one of the following: a second flared acoustic waveguide, a second acoustic chamber, and a second meandering path.

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