Respirator with self-cooling function
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202521503576.X
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-07-18
- Publication Date
- 2026-08-18
- Estimated Expiration
- 2035-07-18
AI Technical Summary
[0005]解决现有呼吸面罩因用户呼吸产热导致内部温度升高、引起佩戴不适和安全风险,且在有限空间内难以实现高效、持续、主动冷却的问题
本实用新型通过设置包含弹性储液囊、循环管道和微型泵的冷却剂循环回路,提供了一种主动冷却机制。微型泵驱动冷却剂在靠近用户面部的循环管道内持续流动,直接有效地吸收并带走呼吸产生的热量,显著降低防护罩内部温度,从而提升佩戴舒适度和安全性,解决了密闭空间内热量积聚的问题。
Smart Images

Figure CN224640237U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model belongs to the technical field of respiratory protection equipment, and in particular relates to a respiratory mask with self-cooling function. Background Technology
[0002] During use, existing breathing masks tend to accumulate heat generated by the user's breathing within the mask itself. This is primarily because the mask's sealed structure restricts heat exchange between the internal air and the external environment. Prolonged wear causes the accumulated heat to rise in the user's facial area, resulting in stuffiness and discomfort, reducing wearing comfort. This temperature rise is more pronounced in high-temperature environments or under high-intensity work conditions, potentially increasing the user's risk of heat stress and impacting continuous work capacity and safety. While attempts have been made to mitigate this problem by enhancing ventilation or using heat-dissipating materials, achieving efficient, continuous, and externally independent active cooling within a limited space while maintaining the mask's effective protective function remains a challenge. Utility Model Content
[0003] One object of the present invention is to solve at least the above-mentioned problems and / or defects, and to provide at least the advantages described below.
[0004] Another objective of this invention is to provide a breathing mask with a self-cooling function.
[0005] This addresses the problem of existing breathing masks causing internal temperature rise due to user breathing, leading to discomfort and safety risks, and the difficulty in achieving efficient, continuous, and active cooling within a limited space.
[0006] This addresses the issue of coolant backflow in the circulation loop due to pressure changes or gravity, which can lead to reduced circulation efficiency and unstable cooling performance.
[0007] Therefore, the technical solution provided by this utility model is as follows: A breathing mask with self-cooling function, comprising: The protective shield itself; A reservoir is located on top of the protective cover body. The reservoir contains coolant and has an elastic bladder structure. When it is deformed under pressure, it can drive the coolant to flow in the circulation pipe. A circulation pipe is arranged horizontally on the outside of the protective cover body. The circulation pipe is connected to both ends of the liquid storage bladder through a first pipe and a second pipe. Spiral guide fins or turbulence columns are provided on the inner wall of the circulation pipe.
[0008] The driving mechanism includes a micro pump installed on the first pipe, the second pipe, or the circulation pipe. The micro pump drives the coolant in the reservoir to flow sequentially through the reservoir, the first pipe, the circulation pipe, the second pipe, and back to the reservoir, forming a coolant circulation loop.
[0009] Preferably, in the self-cooling breathing mask, the drive mechanism further includes: A first check valve is provided on the first pipe to limit the flow direction of coolant from the reservoir to the circulation pipe; A second check valve, which is installed on the second pipe, limits the flow direction of coolant from the circulation pipe back to the reservoir.
[0010] Preferably, the self-cooling respirator further includes: A semiconductor cooling chip is located at the top of the protective cover body and disposed on the rear side of the liquid storage bladder. The cold end of the semiconductor cooling chip is attached to the outer wall of the liquid storage bladder. A heat sink is disposed on the rear side of the protective cover body. The heat sink is thermally connected to the hot end of the thermoelectric cooler. The heat sink is disposed on the rear side of the thermoelectric cooler and exposed to ambient air.
[0011] Preferably, in the self-cooling breathing mask, the liquid reservoir is a composite bladder structure, including an inner flexible leak-proof layer and an outer pressure-resistant and wear-resistant layer.
[0012] Preferably, the self-cooling breathing mask further includes a shock-absorbing bracket, wherein the micro pump is mounted on the protective cover body or the circulation pipe via the shock-absorbing bracket, and the shock-absorbing bracket is made of elastic material.
[0013] Preferably, in the self-cooling breathing mask, the coolant is a phase change material.
[0014] Preferably, in the self-cooling breathing mask, the drive mechanism further includes: A bellows, one end of which is connected to the outer surface of the reservoir, and the other end of which is connected to the mouth breathing port of the protective cover body, is provided with a third one-way valve inside the bellows, which limits the direction of airflow from the mouth breathing port to the outside of the reservoir.
[0015] Preferably, in the self-cooling breathing mask, the micropump is a piezoelectric micropump or a micro electromagnetic pump. The embodiments of this utility model include at least the following beneficial effects: This invention provides an active cooling mechanism by setting up a coolant circulation loop including an elastic reservoir, circulation pipes, and a micro-pump. The micro-pump drives the coolant to flow continuously in the circulation pipes close to the user's face, directly and effectively absorbing and carrying away the heat generated by breathing, significantly reducing the internal temperature of the protective shield, thereby improving wearing comfort and safety, and solving the problem of heat accumulation in confined spaces.
[0016] This invention ensures that the coolant flows in only a single, predetermined direction within the circulation loop by installing a first check valve and a second check valve on the first and second pipes, respectively. This effectively prevents coolant backflow or turbulence caused by pump pressure fluctuations, gravity, or external pressure, maintaining the stability and efficiency of the cooling cycle and guaranteeing a continuous and reliable cooling effect.
[0017] This invention provides an active low-temperature cold source for the coolant by adding a semiconductor cooling chip with its cold end attached to the outer wall of the reservoir and connecting the hot end to a radiator exposed to ambient air. The semiconductor cooling chip continuously pumps the heat from the coolant in the reservoir to the radiator for dissipation, significantly enhancing the system's cooling capacity and temperature reduction, solving the problems of insufficient passive cooling or ambient cooling, and achieving more sustained and effective cooling.
[0018] This invention enhances the overall performance of the reservoir by designing it as a composite structure of an inner flexible leak-proof layer and an outer pressure-resistant and wear-resistant layer. The inner layer ensures reliable sealing of the coolant without leakage, while the outer layer effectively resists material embrittlement caused by the low temperature of the cold end of the semiconductor cooling chip and the stress generated by repeated deformation. This improves the durability and reliability of the reservoir under low-temperature and deformation-prone operating conditions, extending its service life.
[0019] This invention utilizes a shock-absorbing bracket made of elastic material to mount the micro-pump, effectively isolating it from vibrations generated during operation. The shock-absorbing bracket absorbs most of the vibration energy, significantly reducing the transmission of vibration to the protective cover and the wearer's head, thus minimizing discomfort and noise perception. It also protects the micro-pump itself and pipe connections, improving the overall stability of the system.
[0020] This invention significantly improves the heat absorption capacity per unit volume of the coolant by using a phase change material as the coolant. Phase change materials absorb a large amount of latent heat near their phase change temperature, enabling them to absorb heat generated during respiration more efficiently with a smaller volume and circulation flow rate. This enhances cooling efficiency, making the entire cooling system more compact and efficient, and solving the problem of limited heat absorption capacity of conventional coolants.
[0021] This invention cleverly utilizes the airflow energy generated during user breathing by adding a bellows with one end connected to the outer surface of the reservoir and the other end connected to the breathing port, and incorporating a third one-way valve. The positive pressure airflow generated by exhalation drives the reservoir to undergo auxiliary deformation through the bellows, which, together with the micro-pump, drives the coolant circulation, effectively reducing the load on the micro-pump, lowering system energy consumption, and improving energy utilization efficiency.
[0022] Other advantages, objectives, and features of the embodiments of this utility model will be apparent in part from the following description, and in part will be understood by those skilled in the art through study and practice of the embodiments of this utility model. Attached Figure Description
[0023] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a breathing mask with self-cooling function in one of the embodiments of this utility model.
[0024] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the connection structure between the semiconductor cooling chip and the heat sink in one embodiment of this utility model.
[0025] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the connection structure of the control unit in one of the embodiments of this utility model. Detailed Implementation
[0026] The embodiments of this utility model will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, so that those skilled in the art can implement them based on the description.
[0027] This invention proposes a breathing mask with a self-cooling function, such as... Figure 1 As shown, it includes: Protective shield body 100; A liquid reservoir 1 is disposed on the top of the protective cover body 100. The liquid reservoir 1 contains coolant and has an elastic bladder structure. The circulation pipe 2 is arranged horizontally on the outside of the protective cover body 100. The circulation pipe 2 is connected to both ends of the liquid storage bladder 1 through the first pipe 3 and the second pipe 4 respectively. The inner wall of the circulation pipe 2 is provided with spiral guide fins or turbulence columns.
[0028] The driving mechanism includes a micro pump installed on the first pipe 3, the second pipe 4, or the circulation pipe 2. The micro pump drives the coolant in the reservoir 1 to flow sequentially through the reservoir 1, the first pipe 3, the circulation pipe 2, the second pipe 4, and back to the reservoir 1, forming a coolant circulation loop.
[0029] The protective shield body 100 is used to cover the user's mouth and nose area, providing basic protection. A reservoir 1 is disposed on the top of the protective shield body 100. The reservoir 1 is made of an elastic material, such as medical-grade silicone or rubber, and contains a liquid coolant, such as water, an aqueous solution of ethylene glycol, or a specific coolant. The reservoir 1 is elastic and can deform under external pressure. A circulation pipe 2 is disposed approximately horizontally around the user's face area along the outer side of the protective shield body 100. The circulation pipe 2 is made of a material with good thermal conductivity, such as metal (copper, aluminum) or thermally conductive plastic. Spiral guide fins are disposed on the inner wall of the circulation pipe 2. A first pipe 3 connects one end of the reservoir 1 to one end of the circulation pipe 2, and a second pipe 4 connects the other end of the reservoir 1 to the other end of the circulation pipe 2, thus forming a closed loop. The drive mechanism includes a micro-pump. The micro-pump is mounted on the first pipe 3. When the micro pump starts, it can drive the coolant in the reservoir 1 to flow out of the reservoir 1, flow through the first pipe 3, the circulation pipe 2, and the second pipe 4 in sequence, and finally flow back to the reservoir 1, forming a continuous coolant circulation.
[0030] When worn, the micro-pump operates, propelling the coolant through a circulation loop. As the coolant flows through the circulation pipe 2 located outside the protective shield body 100, its proximity to the internal space of the mask, coupled with its thermally conductive material and spiral guide fins enhancing heat exchange efficiency, effectively absorbs the heat generated inside the mask by the user's breathing. The cooled coolant then flows back to the reservoir 1. The elasticity of the reservoir 1 allows its internal volume to adapt to changes in coolant flow rate. The entire circulation process continuously transfers heat generated by the user's breathing from the internal area of the mask, achieving cooling of the internal space of the protective shield body 100 through the flow of coolant and heat dissipation from the pipe walls.
[0031] Existing face masks typically incorporate sacs filled with phase change materials or heat-absorbing gels inside or within the protective body 100. These sacs absorb some of the heat generated by breathing through the material's own phase change or limited thermal conduction. However, this passive approach has significant drawbacks: First, its cooling effect is limited and unsustainable; once the material reaches thermal saturation (e.g., phase change is complete), its heat absorption capacity drops sharply, failing to cope with the sustained heat generated by prolonged wear or intense breathing. Second, heat absorption mainly occurs in the localized area in contact with the sacs, resulting in uneven heat distribution within the mask's interior, with poor cooling in areas far from the sacs. Finally, due to the lack of active circulation, heat cannot be effectively transferred and dissipated from the heat source (breathing area), leading to heat accumulation inside the mask and continued discomfort for the user.
[0032] In contrast, the breathing mask provided in this embodiment introduces a forced coolant circulation system driven by a micro-pump. The coolant flows continuously within the circulation pipe 2, actively and continuously absorbing and removing heat. Specifically, the circulation pipe 2 is located on the outside of the protective mask body 100 and wraps around the face horizontally, allowing cooling to cover a wider area. The spiral guide fins on the inner wall of the circulation pipe 2 significantly increase the turbulence of the coolant flow, disrupting the thermal boundary layer of the pipe wall and greatly enhancing the heat exchange efficiency between the coolant and the pipe wall. This means that with the same coolant flow rate and pump power, more heat can be absorbed and removed; or, to achieve the same cooling effect, the power requirement of the pump can be reduced, resulting in greater energy savings. This active circulation mechanism ensures a sustained and effective cooling effect, unaffected by material thermal saturation, and continuously transfers heat generated by the user's breathing from the core area inside the mask, thereby more effectively solving the problem of internal temperature rise caused by heat accumulation and significantly improving wearing comfort.
[0033] In one embodiment of this utility model, preferably, the driving mechanism further includes: A first check valve is provided on the first pipe 3 to limit the flow direction of coolant from the reservoir 1 to the circulation pipe 2; A second check valve, disposed on the second pipe 4, limits the flow direction of coolant from the circulation pipe 2 back to the reservoir 1. In this embodiment, the drive mechanism also includes two key components. A first check valve is disposed on the first pipe 3, specifically between the outlet of the reservoir 1 and the inlet of the micropump. The internal structure of this first check valve only allows fluid to flow from the reservoir 1 towards the micropump and the circulation pipe 2; reverse flow is blocked by the valve core. A second check valve is disposed on the second pipe 4, located between the outlet of the circulation pipe 2 and the inlet of the reservoir 1. The internal structure of this second check valve only allows fluid to flow from the circulation pipe 2 back to the reservoir 1; reverse flow is prevented.
[0034] When the micro pump operates, coolant is pumped from reservoir 1, flows through the first check valve, the first pipe 3, enters the circulation pipe 2 for heat dissipation, then flows through the second pipe 4 and the second check valve, finally returning to reservoir 1. The first check valve ensures that coolant can only flow from reservoir 1 to circulation pipe 2, preventing coolant from flowing back into reservoir 1 due to pump inlet pressure fluctuations or gravity. The second check valve ensures that coolant can only flow back into reservoir 1 from circulation pipe 2, preventing coolant from flowing back into circulation pipe 2 from reservoir 1 through the second pipe 4 due to pressure changes within reservoir 1 or the coolant's own gravity.
[0035] Current technology does not incorporate any valves to control flow direction in the piping system. This design has significant drawbacks in practical use. Since the mask is worn on the user's head, breathing movements, head movements, or changes in body position can cause instantaneous pressure fluctuations in different parts of the system. For example, the increased pressure inside the mask during exhalation can affect the coolant pressure in the piping through heat conduction, and a sudden tilting of the head can alter the effect of gravity. Without flow direction control, these pressure fluctuations or gravitational changes can easily lead to unexpected backflow or localized turbulence of the coolant within the piping. This backflow or turbulence interferes with the stable flow established by the micropump, reduces the coolant circulation efficiency, decreases the effective cooling dose flowing through the heat dissipation area per unit time, and thus weakens the overall heat dissipation effect. More seriously, backflow can cause the pump to run dry or cavitate, negatively impacting the pump's lifespan and system reliability in the long term.
[0036] In contrast, this embodiment effectively solves the aforementioned problems by setting a first one-way valve and a second one-way valve at key locations. These two one-way valves act like two "checkpoints" on the coolant circulation path. The first one-way valve strictly restricts the coolant to flow only from the reservoir 1 to the circulation pipe 2, effectively eliminating the possibility of coolant flowing back into the reservoir 1 from the pipe due to a decrease in pump inlet pressure or gravity. The second one-way valve strictly restricts the coolant to flow only from the circulation pipe 2 back to the reservoir 1, preventing the coolant from flowing back into the heat dissipation area through the return pipe due to an increase in pressure inside the reservoir 1 or gravity. This design ensures that the coolant always maintains a preset unidirectional flow direction throughout the entire circulation loop, regardless of fluctuations in external pressure or changes in user position. This not only stabilizes the coolant flow rate, ensuring the stability and reliability of the circulation heat dissipation efficiency, but also protects the micro-pump from backflow impacts, improving the robustness and service life of the entire cooling system under various operating conditions.
[0037] In one embodiment of this utility model, such as Figure 2 As shown, preferably, it also includes: A semiconductor cooling chip 5 is located on the top of the protective cover body 100 and is disposed on the rear side of the liquid storage bladder 1. The cold end of the semiconductor cooling chip 5 is attached to the outer wall of the liquid storage bladder 1. A heat sink 6 is disposed on the rear side of the protective cover body 100. The heat sink 6 is thermally connected to the hot end of the thermoelectric cooler 5. The heat sink 6 is disposed on the rear side of the thermoelectric cooler 5 and exposed to ambient air. In this embodiment, the face shield also includes a thermoelectric cooler 5 and a heat sink 6. The thermoelectric cooler 5 is located in the top region of the protective cover body 100, specifically on the rear side of the reservoir 1, i.e., the side of the reservoir 1 facing away from the user's face. The thermoelectric cooler 5 has a cold end and a hot end. Its cold end is tightly attached to the outer wall of the reservoir 1 with thermally conductive grease or thermally conductive adhesive to ensure good thermal contact. The heat sink 6 is disposed on the rear side of the protective cover body 100, i.e., the side of the thermoelectric cooler 5 away from the reservoir 1. The substrate of the heat sink 6 is firmly connected to the hot end of the thermoelectric cooler 5 through a thermally conductive interface material, forming a thermal conduction path. The heat sink 6 is exposed to ambient air, and its structure typically includes metal fins to increase the heat dissipation surface area, and may optionally be equipped with a small fan for forced air cooling.
[0038] When the system is operating, a micro-pump drives the coolant to flow within the circulation pipe 2, absorbing heat from inside the shield. Simultaneously, the thermoelectric cooler 5 is energized. Its cold end temperature decreases, absorbing heat from the coolant within the reservoir 1 through the wall of the reservoir 1. Its hot end temperature increases, transferring the absorbed heat, along with the heat generated by the thermoelectric cooler 5 itself, to the radiator 6. The radiator 6 utilizes its large fins exposed to the ambient air to dissipate heat into the surrounding air through convection and radiation. In this way, the coolant within the reservoir 1 is continuously cooled by the thermoelectric cooler 5, maintaining its low temperature and thus enhancing its heat absorption capacity as it flows through the circulation pipe 2.
[0039] This embodiment provides an active low-temperature cold source for the cooling system. The thermoelectric cooler 5 actively "pumps" the heat from the coolant in the reservoir 1, allowing its temperature to be significantly lower than the ambient temperature, which cannot be achieved by relying solely on ambient heat dissipation. The radiator 6 is specifically designed to efficiently dissipate the large amount of heat generated by the hot end of the thermoelectric cooler 5 into the ambient air, solving the heat dissipation problem of the thermoelectric cooler 5 itself generating heat. This design enables the reservoir 1 to continuously provide a low-temperature state to the coolant, significantly enhancing the coolant's heat absorption capacity and the overall cooling efficiency of the system. Regardless of the ambient temperature, the system can actively create and maintain a low-temperature cold source, thereby solving the key problems of insufficient passive heat dissipation and cooling capacity being limited by ambient temperature, significantly improving the mask's continuous cooling performance in harsh environments. In one embodiment of this utility model, preferably, the reservoir 1 is a composite bladder structure, comprising an inner flexible leak-proof layer and an outer pressure-resistant and wear-resistant layer. In this embodiment, the reservoir 1 adopts a composite bladder structure. This composite bladder is composed of two layers of materials with different functions. The inner layer is a flexible leak-proof layer made of a material with excellent ductility and high sealing barrier performance, such as a medical-grade silicone rubber or fluororubber film with a specific formulation. This layer directly contacts and encapsulates the internal coolant, ensuring that the coolant does not leak. The outer layer is a pressure-resistant and wear-resistant layer, covering and adhering to the outer surface of the flexible leak-proof layer. The outer layer material is selected from materials with high mechanical strength, tear resistance, wear resistance, and environmental aging resistance, such as polyurethane elastomers, reinforced nylon, or aramid fiber reinforced rubber. This outer layer mainly withstands external pressure, friction, and possible physical impacts.
[0040] This composite reservoir 1 has an inner layer that ensures a reliable seal for the coolant during repeated deformation, while the outer layer provides protection against external mechanical stress and environmental erosion. The two layers are tightly bonded together through co-extrusion molding, lamination bonding, or other reliable composite processes.
[0041] This embodiment employs a layered composite capsule structure. By separating functions, the inner layer focuses on the most critical requirements of sealing and flexibility, using the best flexible barrier material to ensure no coolant leakage; the outer layer focuses on resisting the physical challenges of the external environment, using a high-strength, pressure-resistant, and wear-resistant material to provide robust protection. This design cleverly solves the performance limitations of a single material. The outer layer protects the inner layer from mechanical damage and wear, while the inner layer, under the protection of the outer layer, focuses on sealing and deformation. Even if the outer layer experiences some wear during long-term use, the inner layer can still maintain a seal as long as it does not penetrate. At the same time, the selection of the outer layer material can focus more on strength and low-temperature performance, effectively avoiding the risk of a single flexible material becoming brittle and prone to cracking at low temperatures. Therefore, the composite capsule structure significantly improves the reliability and service life of the reservoir 1 under complex operating conditions such as repeated deformation, low temperatures, and external mechanical stress.
[0042] In one preferred embodiment of this invention, a shock-absorbing bracket is further included. The micropump is mounted on the protective cover body 100 or the circulation pipe 2 via the shock-absorbing bracket, which is made of an elastic material. In this embodiment, the face shield also includes a shock-absorbing bracket. This shock-absorbing bracket is made of an elastic material, such as natural rubber, silicone rubber, or a thermoplastic elastomer with high damping properties. The micropump is not directly and rigidly fixed to the protective cover body 100 or the circulation pipe 2, but is mounted via this shock-absorbing bracket. Specifically, the shock-absorbing bracket is designed to accommodate and fix the micropump body, such as a base with slots or straps. The bottom of the shock-absorbing bracket is mounted on a suitable position on the protective cover body 100, such as on the side or top frame, or directly on the rigid support section of the circulation pipe 2, by means of adhesive, snap-fit, or screw connection.
[0043] When a micropump is operating, the vibrations generated by the rotation of its internal motor and impeller are transmitted to the vibration damping bracket that is in direct contact with it. Because the vibration damping bracket is made of elastic material, this material deforms under alternating stress, converting the vibration energy into heat and dissipating it, rather than transferring the vibration energy entirely to its mounting base.
[0044] This embodiment introduces a dedicated vibration-damping bracket made of elastic material. This bracket establishes a flexible, highly damped isolation layer between the micropump and the mounting base. When the micropump vibrates, the elastic material, due to its unique viscoelastic properties, absorbs and dissipates most of the vibration energy. This energy dissipation significantly reduces the amplitude and intensity of vibrations ultimately transmitted to the protective cover body 100 and the wearer's head. The deformation of the elastic material also disrupts the vibration transmission path. This invention, through the vibration-damping bracket, effectively confines vibration to a localized area of the micropump and its bracket, greatly reducing tactile and auditory discomfort for the user and significantly lowering operating noise. Simultaneously, reducing external vibration backlash transmitted to the pump body and connection points also helps protect the micropump and piping connection structure, improving the overall cooling system's operational stability and service life under long-term vibration conditions.
[0045] In one embodiment of this invention, preferably, the coolant is a phase change material. In this embodiment, the coolant is a phase change material. This phase change material is selected from substances that undergo a solid-liquid phase change within a temperature range close to human comfort, such as specific paraffin-based mixtures or inorganic salt hydrates with melting points between 35 and 37 degrees Celsius. The phase change material is encapsulated within a reservoir 1 and exists in a solid or semi-solid state when the ambient temperature is below its melting point. When a micropump drives the coolant circulation, the phase change material transitions between liquid and solid states.
[0046] This embodiment uses a phase change material (PCM) as the coolant. When a PCM undergoes a phase change, it absorbs or releases a large amount of latent heat, while its own temperature remains essentially constant near the phase change point. For example, when flowing through the heat-absorbing region, the PCM melts from a solid to a liquid state, absorbing a large amount of latent heat; when flowing back to the reservoir 1 or into the heat dissipation region, it may solidify and release heat. This mechanism of utilizing latent heat makes the heat absorption capacity per unit volume of the PCM near the phase change temperature far higher than that of a single-phase liquid relying solely on sensible heat absorption. This means that, to absorb the same amount of heat, a smaller volume of PCM is required, or the same volume of coolant can absorb more heat. This invention, by employing a PCM, significantly improves the heat storage density and heat capacity of the coolant, enabling more efficient absorption and transfer of heat generated by respiration under the limited circulation flow rate driven by a micro-pump and the small volume of the reservoir 1. This solves the problem that conventional liquid coolants have limited heat absorption capacity and cannot meet the requirements of miniaturized and efficient cooling.
[0047] In one embodiment of this utility model, preferably, the driving mechanism further includes: A bellows, one end of which is connected to the outer surface of the reservoir 1, and the other end of which is connected to the mouth breathing area of the protective cover body 100, has a third one-way valve installed inside the bellows. The third one-way valve limits the direction of airflow from the mouth breathing area to the outside of the reservoir 1. In this embodiment, the drive mechanism also includes a bellows and a third one-way valve. One end of the bellows is fixedly connected to the outer surface of the reservoir 1 via a sealing connector, and the other end of the bellows is connected to the inside of the mouth and nose coverage area of the protective cover body 100 via a pipe or interface, i.e., the area directly affected by the user's exhaled airflow. The bellows is made of a flexible, stretchable elastic material, such as medical silicone or rubber. A third one-way valve is installed in the internal airflow channel of the bellows. The internal structure of the third one-way valve is designed to allow airflow only from the mouth breathing area of the protective cover body 100 to the inside of the bellows, ultimately acting on the outer surface of the reservoir 1; reverse flow is blocked by the valve core.
[0048] When a user exhales while wearing the mask, the exhaled positive pressure airflow enters the mouth and nose area of the protective mask body 100. Part or all of the airflow, guided by the third one-way valve, passes through the bellows. As the airflow flows through the bellows, it pushes the bellows to expand and transmits pressure to the outer wall of the connected reservoir bladder 1. This pressure causes the elastic reservoir bladder 1 to deform, reducing its internal volume and thus pressurizing the coolant inside, assisting in driving the coolant flow in the circulation loop. During inhalation, the pressure inside the protective mask body 100 decreases or becomes negative, the third one-way valve closes, preventing external air or air from inside the mask from flowing back into the bellows. Simultaneously, the bellows elastically contracts and resets, preparing for the next exhalation drive. The micro-pump continues to operate, and the auxiliary driving force provided by the bellows works in conjunction with the micro-pump to maintain coolant circulation.
[0049] This embodiment incorporates a bellows drive mechanism that is linked to the user's exhaled airflow. This mechanism cleverly converts the previously wasted energy of the user's exhalation (positive pressure airflow) into auxiliary mechanical energy to drive coolant circulation. The bellows, acting as an energy converter, transforms the pressure energy of the airflow into mechanical energy that deforms the reservoir 1. A third one-way valve ensures that the exhalation energy is effectively utilized to drive the reservoir 1, while preventing reverse interference from inhalation or other situations. This invention, through the bellows and the third one-way valve, automatically generates an auxiliary thrust on the reservoir 1 with each exhalation, sharing some of the energy required to drive coolant circulation. This directly reduces the load on the micropump, lowers the power required by the micropump, and thus significantly reduces the overall power consumption of the cooling system. Without increasing the battery load, it extends the system's runtime or allows for the use of smaller, lighter batteries, improving the mask's portability and practicality, and solving the problem of high energy consumption caused by complete reliance on the micropump.
[0050] In one embodiment of this invention, preferably, the micropump is a piezoelectric micropump or a micro-electromagnetic pump. By selecting a piezoelectric micropump or a micro-electromagnetic pump, this invention significantly reduces the size and weight of the drive mechanism compared to conventional small rotary pumps or diaphragm pumps, achieving a high degree of integration into the breathing mask. More importantly, they significantly reduce operating noise and perceptible vibration, improving wearing comfort. Simultaneously, their low power consumption meets the energy efficiency requirements of portable breathing masks, helping to extend battery life or reduce battery size and weight.
[0051] In one embodiment of this utility model, as preferred, such as Figure 3 As shown, it also includes: The power supply is a rechargeable battery or an external power interface, and the power supply is connected in parallel with the semiconductor cooling chip 5 and the driving mechanism; A temperature sensor is installed on the inner wall of the reservoir 1, the inner wall of the circulation pipe 2, or the inner side of the protective cover body 100 to detect the coolant temperature or the ambient temperature and transmit the signal to the control unit. The control unit is communicatively connected to the temperature sensor and the power supply, and is used to control the start-up, shutdown and operating power of the semiconductor cooling chip 5 according to the temperature signal. The micropump is also communicatively connected to the control unit. In this embodiment, the mask also includes a power supply, a temperature sensor, and a control unit. The power supply is a rechargeable battery or an external power interface. This power supply powers both the thermoelectric cooler 5 and the micropump in the drive mechanism. The temperature sensor is located inside the protective mask body 100 near the user's face to detect the facial ambient temperature. The control unit is communicatively connected to the temperature sensor, the power supply, the thermoelectric cooler 5, and the micropump. The control unit receives the facial ambient temperature signal detected by the temperature sensor in real time.
[0052] When the user puts on the mask and activates the system, the control unit makes a judgment based on a preset temperature threshold or comfortable temperature range, combined with the received real-time temperature signal. If the detected facial ambient temperature is higher than the set target value, the control unit will issue a command to activate or increase the working power of the thermoelectric cooler 5, and simultaneously activate or maintain the operation of the micro-pump. The cold end of the thermoelectric cooler 5 cools the coolant in the reservoir 1, and the micro-pump drives the coolant to flow and absorb heat in the circulation pipe 2, working together to lower the internal temperature of the mask. When the detected temperature reaches or falls below the target value, the control unit will reduce the power of the thermoelectric cooler 5 or turn it off, and may also reduce the speed of the micro-pump or turn it off, maintaining only basic circulation or standby. The control unit continuously monitors temperature changes and dynamically adjusts the operating status of the thermoelectric cooler 5 and the micro-pump to maintain the facial ambient temperature within the set range.
[0053] This embodiment integrates a temperature sensor and an intelligent control unit to construct a closed-loop temperature feedback control system. The temperature sensor directly monitors the facial ambient temperature, which best reflects user experience. Based on this real-time temperature data, the control unit automatically decides and adjusts the power of the semiconductor cooling chip 5 and the operating status of the micro-pump. This invention achieves on-demand supply and dynamic adjustment of cooling intensity through closed-loop control. When cooling is needed, the system automatically starts or enhances cooling and circulation; when the temperature reaches a comfortable range, the system automatically reduces power or enters energy-saving standby mode. This intelligent adjustment significantly avoids discomfort caused by insufficient cooling. More importantly, it effectively eliminates excessive cooling and energy waste caused by continuous full-load operation, greatly improving energy utilization efficiency, extending battery life, and reducing noise and vibration. At the same time, maintaining the temperature within the set range also improves comfort and safety, solving the problems of slow response, poor accuracy, and high energy consumption in manual control.
[0054] Although embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed above, they are not limited to the applications listed in the specification and embodiments. It can be applied to various fields suitable for the embodiments of the present invention. Other modifications can be readily implemented by those skilled in the art. Therefore, without departing from the general concept defined by the claims and their equivalents, the embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the specific details and illustrations shown and described herein.
Claims
1. A breathing mask with a self-cooling function, characterized in that, include: The protective shield itself; A reservoir is disposed on the top of the protective cover body. The reservoir contains coolant and has an elastic bladder structure. A circulation pipe is arranged horizontally on the outside of the protective cover body, and the circulation pipe is connected to both ends of the liquid storage bladder through a first pipe and a second pipe respectively. The driving mechanism includes a micro pump installed on the first pipe, the second pipe, or the circulation pipe. The micro pump drives the coolant in the reservoir to flow sequentially through the reservoir, the first pipe, the circulation pipe, the second pipe, and back to the reservoir, forming a coolant circulation loop. A semiconductor cooling chip is located at the top of the protective cover body and disposed on the rear side of the liquid storage bladder. The cold end of the semiconductor cooling chip is attached to the outer wall of the liquid storage bladder. A heat sink is disposed on the rear side of the protective cover body. The heat sink is thermally connected to the hot end of the thermoelectric cooler. The heat sink is disposed on the rear side of the thermoelectric cooler and exposed to ambient air.
2. The breathing mask with self-cooling function as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The drive mechanism also includes: A first check valve is provided on the first pipe to limit the flow direction of coolant from the reservoir to the circulation pipe; A second check valve, which is installed on the second pipe, limits the flow direction of coolant from the circulation pipe back to the reservoir.
3. The breathing mask with self-cooling function as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The reservoir is a composite structure, comprising an inner flexible leak-proof layer and an outer pressure-resistant and wear-resistant layer.
4. The breathing mask with self-cooling function as described in claim 1, characterized in that, Also includes: A shock-absorbing bracket is provided, through which the micro-pump is mounted on the protective cover body or the circulation pipeline, and the shock-absorbing bracket is made of elastic material.
5. The breathing mask with self-cooling function as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The coolant is a phase change material.
6. The breathing mask with self-cooling function as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The drive mechanism also includes: A bellows, one end of which is connected to the outer surface of the reservoir, and the other end of which is connected to the mouth breathing port of the protective cover body, is provided with a third one-way valve inside the bellows, which limits the direction of airflow from the mouth breathing port to the outside of the reservoir.
7. The breathing mask with self-cooling function as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The micropump is a piezoelectric micropump or a micro electromagnetic pump.