RESPIRATORY MASK AND FILTER HOUSING FOR A RESPIRATORY MASK

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a filter holder capable of accommodating at least one filter unit. The filter holder and the accommodated filter unit are part of a respiratory mask.

[0002] With the help of such a respirator, a user can stay and work in an environment where the ambient air is contaminated by droplets and / or particles and / or harmful gases. The or each filter unit of the respirator filters out pollutants from the ambient air. The user is therefore supplied with purified ambient air. The user is not required to carry a separate source of breathing air, such as an oxygen cylinder. The respirator can be used, for example, in a paint shop, in a mine, on a construction site, or for rescue in the event of a fire.

[0003] The filter housing 7 of DE 93001811 U1 has a front plate 22 with a plurality of air inlet openings 23 on one inlet side. Behind the front plate 22, a plurality of baffle plates 24 are arranged, each baffle plate 24 being arranged behind a respective air inlet opening 23. Fluid entering through the air inlet opening 23 is deflected by the baffle plate 24.

[0004] The pressure-resistant filter housing a of DE 734496 accommodates a filter d and has an inlet opening in the form of an inlet nozzle b. Viewed in the inlet direction, behind the inlet nozzle b, several baffle plates c are arranged one behind the other, with each baffle plate c consisting of fan-shaped blades. With increasing distance from the flow axis, the free cross-sections become larger. The baffle plates c are arranged offset one behind the other. This deflects the flowing air several times, and particles are thrown against the baffle plates c.

[0005] Figure 6 WO 2017 / 004313 A1 shows a respiratory mask (respirator 300) with two filter housings (filter cartridge housings 60), each accommodating a filter cartridge 1. Each filter housing 60 has a front side (61) and a rear side (62). A portion (second housing portion 65) at the rear side 62 has an area 63 with many air passages and can be opened and closed relative to the rest of the filter housing (first housing portion 64). A portion 56 of the rest 64 has an area 52 with several openings and presses the filter cartridge 1 into a receiving structure 66, see Figure 9 and Figure 11. The openings in areas 63 and 52 may coincide, but this is not necessary.

[0006] The invention is based on the object of providing a filter holder for receiving a filter element for a respiratory mask, which protects the received filter element against contamination and is constructed more simply than known filter holders which include protection against contamination.

[0007] The invention is achieved by a filter holder having the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments are specified in the subclaims. References used therein indicate the further development of the subject matter of the main claim by the features of the respective subclaim and are not to be understood as a waiver of independent, objective protection for the feature combinations of the referenced subclaims. Furthermore, with regard to the interpretation of the claims, if a feature is specified in more detail in a subordinate claim, it must be assumed that no such limitation is present in the respective preceding claims. The filter holder according to the invention is capable of accommodating at least one filter element, wherein the filter holder and this filter element belong to a respiratory mask.

[0008] An inlet side of the filter holder faces the inflowing fluid. On this inlet side, the filter holder comprises at least two flat impact elements. These two or at least two impact elements are arranged parallel to one another and at a distance from one another. Viewed in an inflow direction of inflowing fluid, the two impact elements are arranged one behind the other, so that a front and a rear impact element are formed. The or each received filter element is arranged behind the rear impact element and thus behind both impact elements. Each impact element comprises a plurality of longitudinal webs. At least one opening is formed between each two adjacent longitudinal webs of an impact element. This opening is permeable to inflowing fluid. It is possible for a plurality of permeable openings to be formed between two adjacent longitudinal webs.

[0009] Viewed in the direction of fluid flow into the filter receptacle, each opening in the front impact element is laterally offset relative to each opening in the or at least one rear impact element. "Laterally offset" means that, in the inflow direction, a longitudinal web follows an opening and / or an opening follows a longitudinal web. This creates at least one fluid channel for incoming fluid. This fluid channel passes through an opening in the front impact element and through a laterally offset opening in the rear impact element.

[0010] Thanks to the openings in the two impact elements, ambient air can reach a filter element from the inlet side. The filter element can purify the ambient air. The user can supply themselves with purified breathing air through their own breathing effort. Thanks to a respirator with the filter unit, the user is not required to wear a breathing air supply.

[0011] Through the openings in the impact elements, not only ambient gaseous air but also solid and liquid particles from the inlet side enter the interior of the filter holder, such as splash water, paint spray, dust particles, or other coarse particles. If these solid and liquid particles reach a retained filter element, they contribute to its contamination. This reduces the filter element's filtration capacity. Furthermore, the breathing resistance that the wearer of the respirator must overcome increases.

[0012] One way to avoid this undesirable effect is to protect the installed filter element with an externally accessible pre-filter. This pre-filter filters out solid and liquid particles from the incoming ambient air. Thanks to the pre-filter, the actual filter element, or any filter element located behind the pre-filter in the inflow direction, can be used for a longer period of time.

[0013] A disadvantage of such a prefilter is that the filter holder then requires an additional prefilter mount. Furthermore, the prefilter must be replaced relatively frequently, which reduces availability due to the required breaks in use. A user must carry multiple prefilters with them.

[0014] The invention achieves the advantage of at least partially protecting a received filter element from solid and liquid particles without the need for a separate prefilter. Rather, the at least two impact elements with laterally offset openings themselves function as prefilters. Because no prefilter needs to be replaced, the availability of a respirator mask with a filter housing according to the invention increases. However, the invention can also be used in combination with a separate prefilter.

[0015] A prefilter increases breathing resistance and the weight of the filter holder, especially if the prefilter absorbs or otherwise collects particles. The invention also avoids these disadvantages. A further advantage of a filter holder according to the invention without a prefilter compared to a filter holder with a prefilter is that a filter holder without a prefilter is easier to manufacture. This is because when manufacturing a filter holder according to the invention, it is not necessary to install a holder for a prefilter.

[0016] A solid or liquid particle flowing from the inlet side, along with the ambient air, into the interior of the filter holder according to the invention cannot impinge directly on a retained filter element. Rather, this particle is deflected laterally thanks to the laterally offset openings and the curved inlet channel(s). As a result, in many cases the particle either gets caught or stuck to a longitudinal web or another component of the filter holder, or is reflected back out from the filter holder. In other cases, the particle is at least deflected and impinges on the filter element with reduced kinetic energy. The filter holder itself functions as a first separation stage for liquid and solid particles.

[0017] The invention offers several degrees of freedom for adapting the filter holder to a given requirement. For example, the width of a longitudinal web, the width of an opening, the lateral offset between the front and rear openings, and the distance between the front and rear impact elements can be changed so that, on the one hand, breathing resistance remains as low as possible and, on the other hand, as few particles as possible can impact a held filter element. The distance between the front and rear impact elements is preferably between 1.5 mm and 2.5 mm. The distance between two longitudinal webs, and thus the width of an opening between these two longitudinal webs, is preferably between 2 mm and 3 mm.

[0018] Preferably, each opening of the rear impact element is arranged behind a longitudinal web of the front impact element. Thanks to the lateral offset and in particular this preferred embodiment, no straight fluid channel is formed from the outside to a received filter element. Rather, each fluid channel is bent at least once, so that incoming ambient air is deflected and preferably swirled. This embodiment further reduces the risk of an incoming particle reaching the received filter element.

[0019] According to the invention, each impact element comprises a plurality of longitudinal webs. According to the invention, at least one impact element comprises a plurality of transverse webs. These transverse webs are perpendicular or oblique to the longitudinal webs of this impact element. Preferably, the transverse webs and the longitudinal webs of this impact element lie in a plane or surface, thus forming a lattice structure. According to the invention, the transverse webs of this impact element are each mechanically connected to a longitudinal web of the other impact element. This design results in particularly high mechanical stability of the filter holder. The risk is reduced that external mechanical stress will lead to damage or even breakage of the outer impact element.

[0020] In addition to the at least two impact elements, the filter receptacle preferably comprises a circumferential wall. This circumferential wall preferably completely surrounds a section with the two impact elements and a received filter element. The circumferential wall is firmly connected to at least one impact element, preferably to both impact elements. The circumferential wall and the two impact elements together at least partially enclose a space in which a filter element is received or can be received.

[0021] In a further development of this embodiment, the surrounding wall and a section with the two impact elements are formed as a single piece, which further increases mechanical stability. These components are preferably even monolithic, meaning they are manufactured in a single process step. This process step includes, for example, injection molding or overmolding. This design leads to rapid and cost-effective production.

[0022] Various geometric shapes of the longitudinal webs and thus of the openings are possible, whereby the filter holder according to the invention can also have a combination of several geometric shapes. By selecting a desired geometric shape, the filter holder can be adapted to the intended application conditions.

[0023] In one embodiment, the filter receptacle according to the invention is part of a filter housing. This filter housing further comprises a counter element, which is firmly connected to the filter receptacle according to the invention. The filter receptacle and the counter element together enclose a fluid-tight space. At least one filter element is accommodated or can be accommodated in this space. Preferably, the filter element is firmly connected to the filter receptacle, for example, using assembly foam or another adhesive connection, or by adhesive welding.

[0024] A filter unit comprises a filter housing with a filter receptacle according to the invention and at least one filter element arranged inside this filter housing. A respiratory mask comprises a mask body and at least one filter unit with a filter receptacle according to the invention. The mask body can be placed against the face of a wearer. The or each filter unit of the respiratory mask is in fluid communication with the interior of the mask body.

[0025] The invention is described below using an exemplary embodiment. In the following: Figure 1 shows a respiratory mask with a mask body and two filter units; Figure 2 shows a sectional view of a filter holder according to the invention; Figure 3 shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of a filter holder; Figure 4 shows a second embodiment of a filter holder in a view from the inside; Figure 5 shows a sectional view of the second embodiment of Figure 4 ; Figure 6 shows a perspective view of a third embodiment of a filter holder; Figure 7 shows a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of a filter holder; Figure 8 shows a sectional view of the fourth embodiment of Figure 7 ; Figure 9 shows a perspective view of a fifth embodiment of a filter holder; Figure 10 shows a perspective view of a sixth embodiment of a filter holder.

[0026] Figure 1shows a respirator mask 10 configured as a full-face mask and comprising a mask body 12 that can be positioned on the wearer's face and held on the head by straps (not shown). A respirator mask 10 according to the invention can also be configured as a half mask or quarter mask. Thanks to the respirator mask 10, a user can stay in a contaminated environment without requiring a separate breathing air supply. The respirator mask 10 filters harmful droplets, particles, and gases from the incoming ambient air. The user inhales filtered air.

[0027] The respirator mask 10 from Figure 1further comprises a centrally arranged filter unit 15 and two laterally arranged filter units 13. Each filter unit 13, 15 comprises a filter holder 16 and a counter element 17. The filter holder 16 and the counter element 17 are firmly and fluid-tightly connected to one another, for example by a welded connection, and together form a filter housing which encloses an interior space in which at least one filter element 14 is accommodated. This filter element 14 is in Figure 2 and is designed, for example, as a particle filter or coarse dust filter. The filter element 14 is firmly mounted inside the filter holder 16, for example, using mounting foam or another adhesive connection.

[0028] It is possible for two different filter elements 14 to be arranged one behind the other in the filter housing 16, 17, for example, first a coarse dust filter followed by a particle filter. The filter unit 13 can thus be designed as a particle filter that protects against particles in solid and liquid form (droplets) and acts as a splash guard against liquid particles. The filter unit 13 can also be designed as a combination filter that also protects against particles in solid and liquid form and additionally against vapors and gases.

[0029] Each laterally arranged filter unit 13 is attached to the mask body 12, for example, using a bayonet lock. This bayonet lock is preferably arranged in the counter element 17. The centrally arranged filter unit 15 is also attached to the mask body 12 using a bayonet lock or, for example, a screw lock. The three filter units 13, 15 are fluidly connected to the interior of the mask body 12.

[0030] Figure 2 to Figure 10 show different designs of a single filter holder 16. This belongs to a filter unit 13, 15. The following components of the filter holder 16 are shown: the inflow direction E, in which fluid flows from outside into the filter unit 13 with the filter holder 16, the inlet side 18 and the outlet side 20 with respect to the inflow direction E, a received filter element 14, a front impact element 22, a rear impact element 24 and a circumferential wall 29, on which a plurality of projections 30 are mounted on the outside, which make it easier to rotate the filter holder 16.

[0031] The designations "front" and "rear" impact element refer to the inflow direction E. The impact elements 22 and 24 are arranged one behind the other, viewed in the inflow direction E. It is also possible for more than two impact elements to be arranged one behind the other.

[0032] The front impact element 22 comprises a plurality of front longitudinal webs 26.1, each extending in a longitudinal direction which is perpendicular to the plane of the drawing of Figure 2stands and horizontally in the drawing planes of Figure 4 and Figure 5 The rear impact element 24 comprises a plurality of rear longitudinal webs 26.2, which are arranged parallel to the front longitudinal webs 26.1. Between two adjacent front longitudinal webs 26.1, a slot-shaped opening Ö1 is formed, and between two adjacent rear longitudinal webs 26.2, a slot-shaped opening Ö2 is formed. The openings Ö1 of the front impact element 22 are laterally offset relative to the openings Ö2 of the rear impact element 24, which in the sectional view of Figure 2can be clearly seen. Each front opening Ö1 and at least one adjacent rear opening Ö2 belong together to a fluid channel F1, ..., which is curved due to the lateral offset of the front openings Ö1 relative to the rear openings Ö2. Each fluid channel F1, ... deflects an air flow flowing in from the inlet side 18 at least once. This deflection leads to turbulent eddies in the flow of incoming ambient air.

[0033] The longitudinal webs 26.1 of the front impact element 22 are also laterally offset relative to the longitudinal webs 26.2 of the rear impact element 24. In a viewing direction parallel to the inflow direction E, there is a rear longitudinal web 26.2 behind each front opening Ö1, but no rear opening Ö2. An inflowing fluid, in particular ambient air, can contain liquid droplets or larger particles, for example dust particles. A droplet or particle either strikes a front longitudinal web 26.1 or passes through a front opening Ö1 and then strikes a rear longitudinal web 26.2. In any case, the droplet or particle strikes a longitudinal web 26.1 or 26.2 - or an area outside the openings Ö1, Ö2. In many cases, the droplet or particle adheres or sticks to this longitudinal web 26.1 or 26.2 or is reflected.In any case, the speed of movement of the droplet or particle is reduced so that droplets or particles do not hit the filter unit 13 at all or only at a reduced speed.

[0034] In one embodiment, the front impact element 22 is firmly connected to the circumferential wall 29, cf. Figure 2 The rear impact element 24 is fixedly connected to the front impact element 22. Or both impact elements 22, 24 are directly connected to the wall 29. Preferably, the impact elements 22 and 24 as well as the wall 29 are formed as a single component, i.e., in one piece, particularly preferably even monolithic, i.e., this single component 22, 24, 29 is manufactured in a single process step, for example, by injection molding.

[0035] The longitudinal webs 26.1, 26.2 and thus the resulting openings Ö1, Ö2 can have different shapes. According to the first embodiment, the Figure 3 shows, each front longitudinal web 26.1 has the shape of a bar, and each rear longitudinal web 26.2 (in Figure 3 not shown) also has the shape of a rod. The filter holder 16 of the first embodiment has a circular shape, and each impact element 22, 24 extends in a plane.

[0036] The filter holder of the second embodiment, which is Figure 4 and Figure 5 The one shown has an oval, tapered shape. This design is particularly well adapted to the shape of the wearer's face. Figure 4 shows the second embodiment in a viewing direction which is opposite to the inflow direction E, ie the inflow direction E is perpendicular to the plane of the drawing of Figure 4 . Figure 5 shows the second design in a sectional view, and the inflow direction E lies in the plane of the drawing of Figure 5 . As in Figure 5As can be seen, the two impact elements 22, 24 are curved outward. The filter unit fits better in a user's hand than a filter unit with a flat front surface. The curved longitudinal webs 26.1, 26.2 are also rod-shaped, but not parallel to each other. Rather, two adjacent longitudinal webs 26.1 or 26.2 form an acute angle of preferably less than 10° between them.

[0037] According to the invention, the rear impact element 24 comprises, in addition to the longitudinal webs 26.2, a plurality of transverse webs 27.2, which are firmly connected to the rear longitudinal webs 26.2, thus forming a lattice structure. Several mechanical connecting elements 28 connect the transverse webs 27.2 to the front longitudinal webs 26.1 and extend parallel to the inflow direction E. Viewed in the direction of view from Figure 4The front impact element 22 is arranged behind the rear impact element 24, and the front openings Ö1 and the filter element 14 are indicated by dashed lines. This design results in particularly high mechanical stability.

[0038] In the third embodiment, which is Figure 6 As shown, the front impact element 22 comprises, in addition to the front longitudinal webs 26.1, several transverse webs 27.1. The front openings Ö1 thus form a matrix structure with rows and columns. The rear impact element 24, which in the illustration of Figure 6 is covered by the front impact element 22, may also have a matrix structure with rows and columns or have a different structure.

[0039] Figure 7 and Figure 8show a fourth embodiment in which the front longitudinal webs 26.1 and thus also the front openings Ö1 radiate from a center point M. The inflow direction E is perpendicular to the plane of the drawing of Figure 7 and lies in the plane of Figure 8 The rear impact element 24 may also have longitudinal webs radiating from a center point or may have a different structure.

[0040] In the fifth embodiment of Figure 9 The front longitudinal webs 26.1 have the shape of circles or circular segments. These circles or circular segments are arranged concentrically around the center point M. The rear impact element 24 can also have such circles or circular segments or have a different structure. The filter holder 16, in turn, has an oval shape that tapers in one direction.

[0041] In the sixth embodiment according to Figure 10The front longitudinal webs 26.1 and the resulting front openings Ö1 are again rod-shaped. Several longitudinal webs 26.1 are arranged parallel to each other, and further longitudinal webs 26.1 radiate from the center point M. LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS

[0042] 10 Respiratory mask, comprising the mask body 12 and two filter units 13 12 Respiratory mask body 10 13 Laterally arranged filter unit of the respiratory mask 10, attached to the mask body 12, comprises a filter holder 16, a counter element 17 and a filter element 14 14 Filter element, inserted into the filter holder 16 15 centrally arranged filter unit, attached to the mask body 12 16 Filter holder, holds the filter element 14, includes the impact elements 22 and 24 as well as the wall 29 17 Counter element, firmly connected to the filter holder 16 18 Inlet side of the filter housing 16 20 Outlet side of the filter housing 16 22 front impact element, comprises several front longitudinal bars 26.1 24 rear impact element, comprising several rear longitudinal webs 26.2 26.1 Longitudinal webs of the front impact element 22 26.2 Longitudinal webs of the rear impact element 24 27.1 Crossbars of the front impact element 24 27.2 Crossbars of the rear impact element 24 28 mechanical connecting elements between the rear transverse webs 27.2 and the front longitudinal webs 26.1 29 circumferential wall of the filter holder 16, firmly connected to the two impact elements 22 and 24 30 Projections on the outside of the wall 29 E Inflow direction of fluid into the filter unit 13 F1, ... Fluid channels through the two impact elements 22, 24, lead through an outer opening Ö1 and an inner opening Ö2 M Center of the circular front impact element 22 of the fourth embodiment

Claims

1. Filter holder (16) for holding at least one filter element (14) for a respiratory mask (10), wherein the filter holder (16) comprises two flat impact elements (22, 24) on an inlet side (18) that faces the inflowing fluid, wherein the two impact elements (22, 24) are arranged - in parallel with one another, - at a distance from one another and - viewed in an inflow direction (E) of inflowing fluid, one behind the other and in front of a held filter element (14), wherein each impact element (22, 24) comprises a plurality of longitudinal ribs (26.1, 26.2), wherein one impact element (24) comprises a plurality of transverse ribs (27.2) which are perpendicular or oblique to the longitudinal ribs (26.2) of this impact element (24), wherein a plurality of mechanical connecting elements (28) mechanically connect the transverse ribs (27.2) in each case to at least one longitudinal rib (26.1) of the other impact element (22), wherein the connecting elements (28) extend in parallel with the inflow direction (E), wherein at least one opening (Ö1, Ö2) permeable to inflowing fluid is formed between in each case two adjacent longitudinal ribs (26.1, 26.2) of an impact element (22, 24), wherein each opening (Ö1) in one impact element (22) - viewed in the inflow direction (E) - is arranged so as to be laterally offset relative to each opening (Ö2) in the other impact element (24) and wherein at least one fluid channel (F1, ...) is formed which leads through an opening (Ö1) in one impact element (22) and through a laterally offset opening (Ö2) in the or another impact element (24).

2. Filter holder (16) according to claim 1, characterized in that each opening (Ö2) of the or of a - viewed in the inflow direction (E) - rear impact element (24) is arranged behind a longitudinal rib (26.1) of the front impact element (22).

3. Filter holder (16) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the - viewed in the inflow direction (E) - rear impact element (24) comprises the transverse ribs (27.2) and the mechanical connecting elements (28) mechanically connect the transverse ribs (27.2) in each case to at least one longitudinal rib of the front impact element (22).

4. Filter holder (16) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the filter holder (16) comprises a circumferential wall (29), wherein the circumferential wall (29) - surrounds the two impact elements (22, 24) and - is rigidly connected to at least one impact element (22, 24) and wherein the circumferential wall (29) and the two impact elements (22, 24) together at least partially enclose a space for holding at least one filter element (14).

5. Filter holder (16) according to claim 4, characterized in that the circumferential wall (29) and the two impact elements (22, 24) are formed in one piece, and in particular are produced by an injection molding process.

6. Filter holder (16) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the or at least two longitudinal ribs (26.1, 26.2) and / or openings (Ö1, Ö2) of at least one impact element (22, 24) extend radially outwards from an axis (M) of the filter holder (16).

7. Filter holder (16) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the or at least two longitudinal ribs (26.1, 26.2) and / or openings (Ö1, Ö2) of at least one impact element (22, 24) are arranged in parallel with one another or enclose an angle of at most 10°.

8. Filter holder (16) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the or at least two longitudinal ribs (26.1, 26.2) and / or openings (Ö1, Ö2) of at least one impact element (22, 24) are arranged concentrically around a point (M) on this impact element (22, 24).

9. Filter holder (16) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the or at least four longitudinal ribs (26.1, 26.2) and / or openings (Ö1, Ö2) of at least one impact element (22, 24) are arranged in a matrix-like manner in rows and columns.

10. Filter housing comprising - a filter holder (16) according to any of the preceding claims, and - a counter element (17) which is connected to the filter holder (16), wherein the filter holder (16) and the counter element (17) together enclose a space for holding at least one filter element (14) in a completely fluid-tight manner.

11. Filter unit (13, 15) comprising a filter housing according to claim 10 and at least one filter element (14), wherein the or each filter element (14) is held in the space enclosed by the filter holder (16) and the counter element (17).

12. Respiratory mask (10) comprising - a mask body (12) which can be placed on the face of a wearer of the respiratory mask (10), and - at least one filter unit (13, 15) according to claim 11, wherein the or each filter unit (13, 15) is in fluid communication with the mask body (12).