PROTECTIVE HOOD ARRANGEMENT

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a protective hood arrangement according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] Employees in aseptic cleanrooms or medical intensive care units must wear suits and hoods, cleanroom masks, respirators, and safety goggles – collectively known as "personal protective equipment" (PPE) or cleanroom clothing – to prevent contamination. Problems with comfort, cooling, and, for example, fogging of eyeglass lenses often arise. An additional risk if head protection is not completely closed is the danger of infection in both directions. This is particularly important when dealing with COVID-19, where both the user of the PPE or cleanroom clothing and those around them must be protected from possible infection by the user of the PPE or cleanroom clothing. Conventional protective equipment cannot achieve this or only with great effort, so widespread use of such personal equipment is hardly feasible due to the high costs.

[0003] EP 0468188 A1 discloses a protective hood assembly comprising a flexible protective hood with a visor that covers the user's head and shoulders and is stretched over a support structure. An active air exchange system includes a fan for inhaled air and a fan for exhaled air, each with a housing and a filter permanently integrated into the protective hood. Both fans and their housings are arranged entirely within the protective hood, with the fan for exhaled air positioned in the neck area, while the fan for inhaled air is located in the rear crown area of ​​the protective hood. The protective hood completely covers the fans, with filters incorporated into the protective hood in the area of ​​the air inlet and outlet openings. Similarly, WO 2014 / 160149 A2 discloses a protective hood assembly comprising a flexible protective hood with a visor that is stretched over a support structure and covers the user's head and shoulders.A ventilation system can be used to create an airflow into the interior of the protective hood. The ventilation system is located entirely beneath the protective hood, extending from the crown area to the forehead, and is completely covered by the hood. A filter area is incorporated into the protective hood near the intake opening with inlet grille. WO 2009 / 079292 A1 is almost identical to this, with a fan located within the protective hood and completely covered by a filter.

[0004] WO 2008 / 106135 A1 discloses a surgical helmet cover assembly intended to protect the wearer from contamination occurring during operations. It consists of a hood made of flexible material with a transparent face shield, which is pulled over a surgical helmet. The hood features a hood air inlet in the rear crown area and a hood air outlet in the neck area, allowing air to circulate beneath the hood. The helmet can be equipped with a fan assembly operated through a resealable operating opening.

[0005] US 5711033 A also discloses a protective hood assembly with an airflow and filtration control system. A fan is mounted in a relatively rigid, open headgear structure. The fan is positioned to move air through channels formed in the headgear structure. A cover (or hood) with a visor is placed over the headgear structure and attached thereto such that it completely covers the headgear structure and covers at least a portion of the wearer. Filtration regions are incorporated into the cover or are constructed entirely of filtration material. The filtration regions are preferably arranged adjacent to the fans when the cover is arranged over the headgear structure. A power supply arrangement provides the power to operate the fans.

[0006] GB 2399759 A discloses a rigid helmet with an integrated air supply designed to protect the user against mechanical impacts. A fan with a pre-filter is permanently integrated into the helmet and can be mounted on the helmet's air intake.

[0007] EP 3399881 B1 shows a protective hood assembly with a flexible protective hood with a viewing window. The protective hood consists of a filter material and is stretched over a support structure. A housing for a fan for the inhaled air is integrated into the support structure and occupies an area from the apex of the assembly up to the user's forehead. A sensor assembly determines the microclimate within the protective hood and / or detects the user's activity, controlling the speed of the fan and thus the air flow accordingly.

[0008] Finally, WO 2005 / 061076 A1 discloses a self-closing filter connection for a gas mask to prevent contamination of the mask interior during filter replacement and thus increase safety. A valve biased in the closing direction closes the connection when no filter is connected. As soon as a new filter is inserted, the valve is moved to the open position, allowing air to flow through the connection again.

[0009] The object of the present invention was to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art and to provide a device in which, by means of a simple, modular arrangement that can be flexibly adapted to different areas of application, both areas on both sides of the contamination barrier are protected or the system protects against contamination in both directions and in which the user of the device is supplied with breathable air in the best possible and safe way by means of an arrangement that offers high wearing comfort and safety.

[0010] The invention relates to a protective hood assembly comprising a protective hood made of flexible, yielding material and having a viewing window, covering the head and shoulders of the user, a support structure for the protective hood, an active air exchange system with a fan, a housing for the fan arranged within the protective hood, separate from the protective hood and attached to the support structure within the protective hood, and a filter for the used air integrated into the protective hood.

[0011] To achieve the object, this protective hood arrangement is characterized by at least one unobstructed air inlet opening in the protective hood leading to the blower and by an intake nozzle for the inhaled air extending from the housing, which is sealed and guided through the air inlet opening of the protective hood on the outside thereof and a detachable connection is made between the support structure and the protective hood, wherein the air inlet opening and / or the intake nozzle are covered by a cleanroom fabric or a filter fleece, preferably by a material of protection class FFP2, or by a breathing air filter for the fresh air placed on the intake nozzle on the outside of the protective hood in front of the blower, or by a mesh cover.

[0012] The unhindered passage refers to the breathing air of the user of the assembly. Due to the design of the protective hood with the continuous air inlet opening, it can be used for a wide variety of applications. The opening can remain open, for example in clean rooms, as this ensures that no harmful material can get into the interior of the protective hood and only the room atmosphere is to be protected against contaminants originating from the user. This also makes it quick and easy to establish and ensure the correct positioning of the protective hood and housing with fan, ensuring safe and trouble-free use of the assembly. It also makes it possible to attach a breathing air filter directly to the protective hood without the need for long breathing air hoses, which would increase the volume to be disposed of.

[0013] For use in cleanrooms, a mesh cover is advantageously provided purely for mechanical protection of the blower to cover the air inlet and / or the intake port of the blower. In other applications with a contaminated external atmosphere, the opening and / or port are covered by a cleanroom fabric or filter fleece, preferably a material of protection class FFP2, or by a breathing air filter for fresh air attached to the intake port on the outside of the protective hood in front of the blower. This means that only the easily replaceable breathing air filter is located on the contaminated outside of the protective hood, while all other parts of the system are housed within the protective hood, protected from contamination. If the user of the protective hood poses a risk of infection, the entire hood can simply be safely disposed of.

[0014] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the housing is arranged internally in the area between the apex and the front of the protective hood. In this case, it is preferable for the housing to be attached at this location as well, since support devices that can be used for this purpose are usually present there. The housing is preferably attached to the front of the support structure for the protective hood assembly, since the viewing window is typically held in this area by a head strap or head frame, which can also support the weight of the housing and fan. This naturally also includes all components and assemblies directly connected to the housing and the fan, for example, the drive for the fan, a control board, a directly connected power supply, etc.

[0015] Preferably, the intake nozzle passes through an upper section of the viewing window covered by the protective hood, and the breathing air filter is preferably arranged above the visible or translucent area of ​​the viewing window.

[0016] Another embodiment of the inventive arrangement provides for the fan housing and the air intake nozzle to be located at the rear of the protective hood. This means that the housing does not impede the tilt of the head of the protective hood user, and the weight of the housing and fan does not have to be supported with every head movement. Particularly advantageous in this regard is the arrangement of the housing at the level of the neck section of the protective hood. The air inlet and any breathing air filter, if present, are also advantageously located in the neck area of ​​the protective hood.

[0017] The weight distribution and the ability of the user of the protective hood to support the weight of the blower and housing can be adjusted particularly well if a carrying frame or an arrangement with at least one carrying strap can be used underneath the protective hood and is detachably connected to the housing. Alternatively, the housing can also be detachably connected to the support structure.

[0018] A further embodiment of the invention provides a helmet located within the protective hood, to which the support structure for the housing or the housing itself with its fan and power supply unit, and preferably also the protective hood itself with its visor, are attached. This also protects the user from mechanical impacts, such as those that may occur when using the arrangement in an industrial setting.

[0019] A further embodiment of the invention provides that the housing is arranged with at least one exhaust opening for fresh air directed into the interior of the protective hood. This feature also helps to avoid unnecessarily long air ducts, which increase the effort required for decontamination or the volume to be disposed of. The exhaust opening is preferably directed towards the front of the protective hood and / or towards the visor in order to direct the fresh air as directly as possible to the user's mouth and nose and at the same time prevent the visor from fogging up. A further advantage of a concentrated air flow directed through this exhaust opening onto the mouth and nose area of ​​the user of the protective hood assembly is the removal of the exhaled, carbon dioxide-laden air. In this way, an optimal CO2 content of less than 1 vol.% can be achieved for the air available for inhalation.

[0020] In order to simplify the design and ensure the compactness of the arrangement, it can advantageously be further provided that the fan drive is integrated into its housing. A preferred embodiment is one in which a self-contained power supply unit can be coupled to the housing.

[0021] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the power supply unit is positioned remotely from the housing on the inside of the protective hood. This allows for improved weight distribution of the assembly. Preferably, the power supply unit is attached to a carrying strap or forehead strap, preferably on the rear side opposite the viewing window, allowing the user to more comfortably support the considerable weight of the power supply unit. Particularly preferably, the power supply unit is connected to the drive and control arrangement for the blower via a preferably flexible power and control cable.

[0022] Another embodiment of the invention, however, is characterized in that the housing has a receptacle for the self-contained power supply unit, which can be directly coupled to the housing. Preferably, the power supply unit can be plugged into the housing. The receptacle is preferably positioned in the region of the front side of the support structure for the protective hood arrangement and / or in the longitudinal center plane of the support structure, since here the weight distribution of the blower and power supply unit is optimally matched to the support frame, which can then support the weight of the housing and blower, as well as the power supply unit, evenly and in a balanced manner.

[0023] As a further preferred feature of the invention, at least a portion of the protective hood consists of a filter fleece, which serves as a filter for the used air, with the portion preferably being arranged on the rear side of the protective hood. Preferably, a material of at least protection class FFP2 is provided. In this embodiment, the main part of the protective hood is made of a material that is impervious to solid or liquid aerosols with negligible volatility and decomposition, as well as to germs and viruses.

[0024] If necessary, the entire protective hood can be made of a filter fleece, preferably also made of a material that meets at least the FFP2 protection class. The protective hood can also be made of a cleanroom fabric if it is intended for use exclusively in aseptic cleanrooms.

[0025] It is advantageous if, according to a further feature of the invention, the fan is connected to a control system that activates the fan after the breathing air filter is inserted. For use in clean rooms where breathing air filters are not necessary, the fan can also be activated by inserting a mesh cover, for example.

[0026] A further aspect of the invention is an improved control arrangement for the protective hood arrangement according to one of the preceding paragraphs.

[0027] In order to supply the user of the device with breathable air in the best possible and safe way, in addition to wearing comfort and flexible application, even when the user's load and thus his oxygen requirement change quickly and / or significantly, a control arrangement is proposed, characterized by a sensor unit which outputs at least one signal representing the user's respiratory rate, an evaluation unit with at least one input for the signal from the sensor unit and an output for a control signal for the blower, a control unit for the blower with an input for the control signal from the evaluation unit, wherein the evaluation unit is designed to generate a control signal for the blower which is proportional to the respiratory rate, in such a way that the amount of air conveyed by means of the blower is proportional to the respiratory rate.This means that the CO2 content of the air inside the protective equipment, which increases with increased breathing rate, can be compensated for by increasing the air flow and kept below the level that is harmful to the user.

[0028] Preferably, the air volume is in a range between 40 l / min and 100 l / min and the blower is designed in such a way that, on the one hand, it can be regulated exactly up to the two limits and, on the other hand, can ensure higher loads when conveying air volumes in the upper limit range over a longer period of time without overloading.

[0029] A simple and reliable determination of the respiratory rate can be carried out by pressure monitoring inside the protective clothing, in particular in the protective hood or other areas near the user's mouth and nose, for which purpose, according to a further embodiment of the invention, the sensor unit has a pressure sensor for the air inside the protective hood.

[0030] An extended embodiment of a control arrangement according to the invention provides that the sensor unit comprises a CO2 sensor, and the evaluation unit is designed such that if a limit value for the CO2 content within the protective hood is exceeded, the fan accelerates and / or a warning signal is generated. This provides a safety function in case the rapid regulation of pressure or breathing rate, which is adjusted to the user's breathing air requirements, fails or is malfunctioning.

[0031] In order to avoid overshooting of the control loop for the blower and thus to reduce the load on the blower, the evaluation unit is preferably designed in such a way that the control signal for the blower is only generated after a predeterminable number of shortened or extended breathing cycles.

[0032] A further safety level is provided in a preferred embodiment in that a safety algorithm is implemented in the unit which, in the event of a non-measurable and / or non-existent pressure change, initiates at least one predeterminable action, in particular initiates a warning signal and / or switches the fan into a safety mode.

[0033] Preferably, the safety algorithm is designed in such a way that in safety mode the fan is controlled to deliver an air volume of 80 l / min.

[0034] Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description, which refers to the accompanying drawings.

[0035] For a better understanding of the invention, it is explained in more detail using the following figures.

[0036] They show in a highly simplified, schematic representation: Fig. 1 a schematic view of a first embodiment of a protective hood arrangement according to the invention, viewed diagonally from the front; Fig. 2 the protective hood arrangement of the Fig. 1 without the actual protective cover itself, in a view from above; Fig. 3 the arrangement of the Fig. 2 directly from the front; Fig. 4 a vertical section along the line IV-IV of the Fig. 3 through the housing, the fan and the breathing air filter of the arrangement of the Fig. 2 ; Fig. 5a horizontal section along the line VV of the Fig. 3 through the housing, the fan and the breathing air filter of the arrangement of the Fig. 2 ; Fig. 6 a further enlarged view of a portion of the housing with the arrangement for filter detection; Fig. 7 an exploded view of the arrangement of the Fig. 2; Fig. 8 the circuit board for the filter recognition of the protective hood assembly; Fig. 9 a schematic view of a second embodiment of a protective hood assembly according to the invention from the front; Fig. 10 a side view of the housing, the breathing air filter, the receptacle for the power supply unit, the viewing window and the support structure of a further, third embodiment; Fig. 11 a longitudinal section through an assembly according Fig. 10 , adapted for cleanroom applications; Fig. 12 a schematic view of a housing and its support structure for cleanroom applications in a fourth embodiment; Fig. 13 a protective hood arrangement according to a further embodiment of the invention, viewed diagonally from behind; Fig. 14 the arrangement of the Fig. 13 from the front; Fig. 15 another embodiment of a protective hood arrangement according to the invention from the front and above; Fig. 16 a view of the housing of the blower from above; Fig. 17 a view of the housing of the Fig. 13from the front; Fig. 18 a view of another embodiment of a housing of a blower from the front; Fig. 19 a view of the housing of the Fig. 16 from the front; Fig. 20 an exploded view of the housing, fan and associated components according to Fig. 16 ; Fig. 21 a cross section through the housing and the breathing air filter according to Fig. 16 at the level of the control arrangement; Fig. 22 a schematic view of a housing and its support structure with helmet for industrial applications, with the protective hood partially removed for clarity; Fig. 23 a section through another embodiment of a protective hood arrangement according to the invention, similar to that of Fig. 22, with partially removed protective hood; Fig. 24 a view through the blower housing including the support structure of a further embodiment of a protective hood according to the invention, again adapted for clean room applications; Fig. 25 a view of the embodiment of the protective hood arrangement from the front and above, using the blower housing of the Fig. 24 ; Fig. 26a longitudinal section through the upper part of the arrangement of the Fig. 25 ; Fig. 27 a longitudinal section through the upper part of an arrangement according to Fig. 22 ; and Fig. 28 a diagram of a control arrangement.

[0037] By way of introduction, it should be noted that in the variously described embodiments, identical parts are provided with identical reference symbols or identical component designations, whereby the disclosures contained in the entire description can be applied mutatis mutandis to identical parts with identical reference symbols or identical component designations. Furthermore, the positional information chosen in the description, such as top, bottom, side, etc., refers to the directly described and illustrated figure, and if the position changes, these positional information must be applied mutatis mutandis to the new position. Finally, for the sake of clarity, it should be pointed out that, for the sake of clarity, some elements have been shown not to scale and / or enlarged and / or reduced in size to improve understanding of the structure.

[0038] The Fig. 1The exemplary embodiment of a protective hood arrangement according to the invention, shown in its entirety in an oblique front view, comprises a protective hood 1 covering the head and shoulders of the user. The barrier of the protective hood 1 is preferably made of a material that is impervious to solid or liquid aerosols with negligible volatility and decomposition, as well as to germs and viruses. This can, for example, be a nonwoven fabric made of high-density polyethylene (PE-D), such as that offered by DuPont under the brand name Tyvek®. For use in cleanrooms, a cleanroom fabric with defined filter properties and air permeability approved for cleanrooms in accordance with DIN EN ISO 14644-1 can also be used as the material for the protective hood 1.

[0039] The head section 2 of the protective hood 1 has a preferably curved, transparent viewing panel 3 at the front. A highly transparent polyester film is preferably used for the viewing panel 3. It is preferably pivotally attached to a rigid or flexible support structure 18, such as a preferably elastic or adjustable strap that runs around the user's head, by means of joints 19.

[0040] A shoulder piece 4 is attached to the head section 2. All other embodiments explained below are functionally similar, with minor design differences.

[0041] The protective hood arrangement is - as in the Fig. 2 to 7 is shown - equipped with an active air exchange system comprising a fan 6 accommodated in a housing 5, as shown in particular in Fig. 4 to 7can be clearly seen. Advantageously, the housing 5 can be manufactured using an SLS (selective laser sintering) process, i.e., an additive manufacturing process. The fan 6 is embodied here, for example, as a radial fan with a fan wheel 21 and is controlled via a circuit board 10 with a control system. The drive for the fan 6 is advantageously integrated into the housing 5, whereby an encapsulated unit can be provided.

[0042] If no external contamination is expected, such as when used in clean rooms, the air supply to the fan 6 can be through at least one opening in the protective hood 1. The fan can be attached directly to the opening or can be connected to it via at least one air line. Advantageously, this or each opening in the protective hood 1 can be covered by a preferably permanently attached filter fleece, preferably made of a material of protection class FFP2. The openings can also be used to guide breathing air into the protective hood 1 via breathing air filters 7. The edge of each of these openings can be reinforced, for example, by a plastic or metal frame.

[0043] An advantageous embodiment expands the system by a breathing air filter 7 for the fresh air, which is inserted upstream of the blower 6 - viewed in the flow direction of the drawn-in breathing air - and preferably arranged on the outside, preferably of the head section 2, of the protective hood 1. The protective hood 1 preferably also has a filter for the used air. The breathing air filter 7 is typically a commercially available, preferably screw-in P3 filter (according to EN 12941 with a very high separation efficiency) for protection against solid or liquid aerosols with negligible volatility and decomposition, as well as against germs and viruses. The use of an FFP2 filter as the breathing air filter 7 is also possible. A circuit board 22 for filter detection is arranged between the blower 6 and the connection 9 for the breathing air filter 7.It ensures that the blower 6 can only be activated after a breathing air filter 7 has been inserted and is preferably started automatically as soon as the filter 7 is inserted. The blower 6 is also switched off again via the circuit board 22 as soon as the filter 7 is removed.

[0044] In Fig. 5 and in the enlarged section of the Fig. 6a preferred embodiment for implementing filter detection is shown. The circuit board 22 provided for this purpose is fastened in the housing 5, in particular in the area of ​​the connection 9 for the filter 7, by means of screws 24, preferably made of plastic, which screws 24 are received in blind holes 25. A compression spring 26 between the head of the screw 24 and the circuit board 22 forces the circuit board away from the housing 5 in the direction of the location where the inserted filter 7 is or should be located. The correctly inserted breathing air filter 7 presses on at least one limit switch 27, which is attached to the circuit board 22 on the side opposite the compression spring 26. The circuit board 22 can be pressed slightly into the housing 5 against the action of the compression spring 26.As long as the limit switch 27 is not actuated, the fan 6 cannot be started, wherein, preferably in the case of energizing the drive of the fan 6 when the filter 7 is not inserted, a warning tone is additionally generated by means of a buzzer 28 on the circuit board 22.

[0045] According to the invention, the housing 5 is arranged inside on the front side of the protective hood 1. The housing is preferably fastened directly to the viewing window 3 in the region of its upper edge, where the viewing window 3 is held on the support structure 18, which can then also absorb the weight of the housing 5 and fan 6 as well as all components and assemblies directly connected to the housing 5 and / or the fan 6, for example the drive for the fan, a control board, a directly connected power supply, etc. A passage 20 is preferably used to fasten the housing 5, preferably through the upper section of the viewing window 3 covered by the head part 2 of the protective hood 1.

[0046] As particularly in Fig. 7As can be clearly seen, at least one connection 9 for the breathing air filter 7 is provided on the housing 5 of the blower 6. A self-closing dust cap (not shown, conventional embodiment) prevents contamination of the blower 6 when the filter 7 is removed. When the protective hood assembly is ready for use, the connection 9 lies with its annular end remote from the housing sealingly around the opening of the passage 20, through which the breathing air filter 7 can be screwed into the connection 9 or tightly placed or inserted in some other way. As a result, the breathing air filter 7 and the connection 9 are pressed firmly against the viewing window 3 and are connected to it in a sealing manner and mechanically supporting the housing 5. The breathing air filter 7 is arranged above the visible area of ​​the viewing window 3, outside the field of vision of the user of the protective hood assembly.

[0047] The used air preferably leaves the protective hood 1 not via a check valve as usual, but rather via a large-area filter, which is preferably integrated in the rear part of the protective hood 1. It will be explained further below in connection with the further embodiment of a protective hood arrangement.

[0048] Advantageously—and this applies to all embodiments of the protective hood assembly—at least one outlet opening 12 for fresh air directed into the interior of the protective hood 1 is arranged on the housing 5 of the blower 6. This outlet opening is preferably oriented toward the viewing window and is located at the end of one or more air ducts curved toward the viewing window 3. It has a wide, rectangular cross-section extending parallel to the viewing window 3 to create an air curtain that prevents fogging of the viewing window 3 and to guide CO2 away from the user, thus achieving a CO2 content in the inhaled air of less than 1 vol.%. One or more silencers or similar elements may be provided if necessary.

[0049] A self-contained power supply unit 15 can be connected to the housing to power the blower 6 and the control system circuit board 10 and / or the filter detection circuit board 22. The blower 6 and the other power consumers of the system are preferably powered by a commercially available lithium-ion battery pack. It can advantageously be operated with different air flow rates, which are calibrated from 60 to 120 l / min. The air flow remains constant throughout the entire operating time of over four hours. The oxygen content of the ambient air must be greater than 17 vol.%. The inward leakage corresponds to a maximum of 0.2% according to EN 12941.

[0050] As in Fig. 2As can be seen, the power supply unit 15 is located away from the housing 5 on the rear side of the head part 2 of the protective hood 1, in the area of ​​the back of the head of the user of the protective hood arrangement, but of course on the inside of the head part 2. It is preferably attached to the respective existing support structure 18 for the protective hood 1 and also the housing 5 and is therefore located opposite the viewing window 3. Via a preferably flexible power and control line 23 - in the Fig. 3 and 8 In the unconnected state, i.e., in the state shown protruding straight from the housing 5, the energy supply unit 15 can be connected to the drive and the control arrangement for the fan 6, whereby the connection can also be released again, for example to allow the energy supply unit 15 to be replaced.

[0051] Of course, a power supply unit can also be worn on the body, inside or outside the protective clothing, away from the hood. For example, a battery pack could be attached to a belt around the midsection and connected to the housing 5 via a cable. The battery pack could even be worn outside the suit, with the power supply being fed via a coupling piece tightly integrated into the suit and from there via a cable on the inside of the suit and the protective hood 1 to the housing 5.

[0052] When the breathing air filter 7 is inserted, which connects the housing 5 to the viewing window 3 of the protective hood 1, an interconnected arrangement of the protective hood 1 and the housing 5 as well as the support structure 18 is provided.

[0053] The protective hood 1 can only be used in combination with the blower 6. The blower 6 is inserted into the protective hood 1 in a ready-to-use state. After that, the filter 7 is screwed in, thus starting the blower 6. The user then puts on the protective hood 1 together with the housing 5 and the blower 6. The power supply unit 15 is fastened to the support structure 18, which also supports the viewing window 3 with the housing 5, and the connecting cable 23 is connected to the power supply unit 15. A coat or overalls can be put on over the surrounding collar or shoulder piece 4, thus creating a tight system. When undressing, after removing the coat, the protective hood 1 can be pulled back over the head using the clean shoulder piece 4. The protective hood assembly 1 can thus be put on and / or taken off in the shortest possible time and is quick and easy to handle.It also allows for easy, contamination-free removal of the lining without the need for additional assistance, after which the system can be sterilized using, for example, H2O2. When used correctly, a protection factor of greater than 5000 can be achieved.

[0054] A schematic view of a second embodiment of a protective hood arrangement according to the invention from the front shows the Fig. 9 This further embodiment, like that of the Fig. 1a protective hood 1 covering the head and shoulders of the user, whereby the same materials can be used as explained in connection with the first embodiment. The head part 2 of the protective hood 1 also has a preferably curved, transparent viewing window 3 at the front, and again a shoulder piece 4 is connected to the head part 2. While in the first embodiment the air filter 7 is arranged in the forehead area, typically connected to the fan 6 through the viewing window 3, the air filter 7 in the embodiment of the Figures 9 to 11 in the area between the forehead and the crown of the head part 2 of the protective hood 1 in order to optimise the weight distribution with the other components of the arrangement and thus achieve a more comfortable wearing experience.

[0055] Fig. 10shows a side view of the housing 5, the breathing air filter 7, the holder for the power supply unit, the viewing window 3 and the support structure 18 of the embodiment of the Fig. 9 The material of the protective hood 2 is also partially shown in section. The housing 5 for the fan 6 adjoins a front section 5a, which, when the protective hood 2 is in place, lies in the forehead area of ​​the user and is preferably connected to the front section of the support structure 18. Also formed on this front section 5a is a receiving housing 15a for the power supply unit 15, which is preferably arranged parallel thereto and parallel to the viewing window 3. The viewing window 3 can be attached or suspended from the receiving housing 15a via a mounting element 15b.

[0056] The housing 5 forms an angle of between 15 and 90° with the front section 5a, thus lying in the area between the upper edge of the viewing window 3 and the apex of the protective hood 2. Preferably, the housing 5 and the front section 5a form an angle of approximately 45°. A apex strap of the support structure preferably extends from the housing 5 to the back of the head. A circuit board housing 15c contains a circuit board with a control arrangement for the power supply, for the drive and control of the fan 6, as well as any other functions described in connection with the other embodiments.

[0057] If no contamination is to be expected from the outside of the protective hood arrangement, such as in clean rooms, an air filter 7 can be avoided and air can be supplied to the head part 2 of the protective hood 1 through at least one opening in the protective hood 1. Such a further embodiment of a protective hood arrangement according to the invention is shown in Fig. 11 as a vertical longitudinal section through the housing 5, the fan 6, the holder 15a for the energy supply unit 15 and the viewing window 3 and other elements explained below.

[0058] The blower 6 or the housing 5 can be attached directly to the opening with an intake nozzle 5b or pass through this opening. The intake nozzle 5b can be open, but for safety reasons and to protect the blower 6, it is preferably covered by a non-removably attached filter fleece, preferably made of a material of protection class FFP2. The edge of these openings in the protective hood 1 can be reinforced, for example, by a plastic or metal frame. The head section 2 of the protective hood 1 can also be additionally fixed to the intake nozzle 5b by means of a plastic or rubber disc 29 with a central hole, which, with a reinforcement of the edge of the central hole, comes to rest in a circumferential groove of the intake nozzle 5b.

[0059] In Fig. 12A further embodiment of a protective hood assembly is shown, with a slightly different shape of the housing 5 for the blower 6. A metal ring 33 is arranged around the opening in the disc 29 or directly in the protective hood 1, which has a corresponding unobstructed opening, and is sewn into the protective hood 1, glued to it or to the disc 29, welded, or connected in some other way that does not compromise the tightness of the assembly. Magnets 32 are arranged in the housing 5 around the intake port 5b, the outer edge of which protrudes through the protective hood 1, and fix the metal ring 33 and thus the protective hood 1 to the housing 5. An exhaust passage 35 for the conveyed breathing air, preferably formed integrally with the housing 5 or detachably mounted thereon, leads from the housing 5 directly to the front of the protective hood 1.Furthermore, the positioning of the energy supply unit 15 in the longitudinal direction of the arrangement behind the housing 5, in the upper head or vertex area of ​​the user, should be noted, which results in a better balance of the overall arrangement.

[0060] The further, in the Fig. 13 to 21 The illustrated embodiment of a protective hood assembly according to the invention also has a protective hood 1 covering the head and shoulders of the user. The head part 2 is preferably self-supporting and has a preferably curved, transparent viewing panel 3 at the front. A shoulder piece 4 is attached to the head part 2. The explanations for the first embodiment apply equally to the materials used.

[0061] Here, too, the protective hood assembly is equipped with an active air exchange system comprising a fan 6 housed in a housing 5. Furthermore, the system also includes a breathing air filter 7 for fresh air, which is inserted in front of the fan 6 and arranged on the outside, preferably of the head section 2 of the protective hood 1, and a filter in the protective hood 1 for the used air.

[0062] The used air leaves the protective hood 1 not via a check valve as usual, but via a large-area filter, which is preferably integrated in the rear part of the protective hood 1 and preferably consists of a filter fleece 8 that forms part of the rear of the head section 2 of the protective hood 1. This fleece 8 can have the same filtration properties as the breathing air filter 7 at the air inlet. Preferably, a material of at least protection class FFP2 is provided. If necessary, the entire protective hood can consist of a filter fleece, preferably also of a material of at least protection class FFP2. For applications, preferably in aseptic cleanrooms, conventional cleanroom fabrics can also be used. Such a solution can also be provided for all other protective hood arrangements according to the invention.

[0063] To ensure this filtration, the hood is preferably sealed at the neck. This ensures the protection of the surroundings, even if the user is already infected with a virus. The same type of filtration of the used air, which is discharged from the interior of the protective hood 1, is also preferably used in the two previously explained embodiments of a protective hood arrangement, as in the Fig. 1 to 12 shown as an example, for use.

[0064] The shoulder piece 4, with its enlarged chest and back bib, can also be worn outside of a jumpsuit or smock. The chest and back bib are secured around the chest with sewn-on straps. The protective hood 1 is sealed at the neck by an adjustable, elastic internal collar strap. This prevents unfiltered air from escaping through blowing out from below the shoulder piece 4 or the chest and back bib, but instead is filtered exclusively by the filter fleece 8 or other filter devices for exhaled air.

[0065] The structure of the housing 5, blower 6, and breathing air filter 7 is essentially the same as in the first embodiment. However, the arrangement of the blower 6 and the housing 5 differs significantly from the protective hood arrangement described above. During use, the blower 6 is worn on the neck inside the protective hood 1, preventing it from becoming contaminated during use.

[0066] Advantageously, at least one outlet opening 12 for fresh air is arranged on the housing 5 of the fan 6, directed into the interior of the protective hood 1, preferably toward the front of the head part 2 of the protective hood 1. A particularly preferred variant is one in which ventilation tubes 13 are connected to the housing 5, extending forwards along the sides of the head part 2, past the head of the user of the protective hood 1, toward the viewing window 3. The outlet openings 12 are then located at the outermost end of the tubes 13. Fig. 19 An exploded view shows an advantageous embodiment in which silencers 14 are inserted into the ventilation tubes 13. In these embodiments with ventilation tubes 13 on both sides, the breathing air flows past the head of the user of the protective hood assembly 1, does not irritate the eyes, and this direct air flow also prevents fogging of the visor. Furthermore, visual aids such as glasses and lenses can be worn without any problem.

[0067] The drive for the fan 6 is advantageously integrated into the housing 5, whereby an encapsulated unit can be provided. To supply power to the fan 6 and also to the circuit board 10 for the control arrangement, a self-contained power supply unit 15 can be coupled directly to the housing. For this purpose, a receptacle is provided in the housing 5, into which the power supply unit 15 can be inserted, preferably with the power supply unit 15 creating a tight seal in the receptacle in the housing 5, if necessary using sealing rings or similar precautions. Here, too, it is possible to wear a power supply unit on the body away from the hood, inside or outside the protective clothing, for example in the form of a belt-mounted battery pack inside or outside the protective clothing.Energy can also be supplied externally via a coupling piece tightly integrated into the suit.

[0068] The blower 6 or the power supply unit 15 can also be provided with a low-voltage output for a preferably electrochemical device for generating ozone and such a device can be arranged separately or integrated into the housing 5 of the blower 6.

[0069] As in Fig. 15As can be seen, the protective hood arrangement according to the invention comprises a carrying frame or a chest harness 16 as an arrangement with at least one carrying strap, which can be inserted underneath the protective hood 1. By means of conventional connecting means, for example in the form of snap fasteners 17, which can be arranged in the region of the ventilation tubes 13, the housing 5 can be detachably connected to the chest harness 16. When the breathing air filter 7 is inserted, which connects the housing 5 to the head part 2 of the protective hood 1, an interconnected arrangement of the protective hood 1, the housing 5, possibly with the ventilation tube 13, and the chest harness 16 is thus provided.

[0070] The protective hood 1 can again only be used in combination with the blower 6. After putting on the protective hood 1 together with the housing 5 and the blower 6, the user attaches the housing 5 to the breastplate 16. A coat or overall can then be put on over the surrounding collar or shoulder piece 4, thus creating a sealed system. When removing the lining, the instructions for the protective hood arrangement described above apply again.

[0071] A further embodiment of the invention according to Fig. 22 provides a helmet 30 located inside the protective hood, to which the support structure 18 for the housing 5 with the fan 6, the energy supply unit 15 and, of course, the protective hood 1 with its viewing window 3 (not shown here) itself are attached.

[0072] The basic design of the housing 5 with the blow-out passage 35 leading forwards and downwards into the area of ​​the viewing window 3 and the energy supply unit 15 positioned in the upper head area is shown in longitudinal section in Fig. 23 The embodiment shown here is provided with a typical support structure 18 comparable to a bicycle helmet and is designed for use in contaminated environments by arranging a breathing air filter 7.

[0073] A similar design, but now for use in clean rooms, is shown in the Fig. 24 , wherein the opening of the intake nozzle 5b projecting through the through-opening of the protective hood 1 is protected by a grid cover 34 to prevent the penetration of larger contaminants or fragments into the blower 6. The outermost edge of the intake nozzle 5b and the grid cover 34 are also in the view of the Fig. 25which shows the cleanroom protective hood arrangement in its entirety, as well as in the longitudinal section of the Fig. 26 .

[0074] For comparison, the Fig. 27 a comparable cross-section through a protective hood assembly (without the actual protective hood itself) with helmet 30 and designed for contaminated environments.

[0075] A further aspect of the invention is a control arrangement which ensures the user a safe supply of physiologically correct breathing air, in particular when the user's workload and thus his oxygen requirement but also the CO2 in the exhaled air change rapidly and / or significantly.

[0076] For this purpose, as in Fig. 28As shown schematically, the control arrangement 10 is equipped with or connected to a sensor unit 42 which outputs at least one signal representing the user's respiratory rate. In an evaluation unit 41, which can also be implemented by a hardware or software module of the control arrangement 10, there is at least one input for the signal from the sensor unit 42 and one output for a control signal for the blower 6, which is fed into its control unit 9 and is also connected to an input for the control signal of the evaluation unit 41. In the evaluation unit 41, a proportional control signal for the blower 6 is generated on the basis of the respiratory rate, such that the amount of air conveyed by the blower 6 is proportional to the respiratory rate.This allows the CO2 content of the air inside the protective hood 1, which increases with increased breathing rate, to be compensated for by increasing the air flow and kept below the level harmful to the user. The CO2 content of the breathing air must never exceed an average of 1 vol.%.

[0077] Preferably, the air volume is in a range between 40 l / min and 100 l / min and the blower 6 is designed in such a way that, on the one hand, it can be regulated exactly up to the two limits and, on the other hand, it can also ensure higher loads when conveying air volumes in the upper limit range over a longer period of time without overloading.

[0078] A simple and reliable determination of the respiratory rate can be achieved by monitoring the pressure inside the protective hood 1, preferably in the area near the user's mouth and nose. For this purpose, the sensor unit 42 is equipped with at least one pressure sensor 43 for the air inside the protective hood 1.

[0079] An expanded embodiment of a control arrangement according to the invention provides that the sensor unit 42 has a CO2 sensor 44, and the evaluation unit is designed such that, if a limit value for the CO2 content within the protective hood 1 is exceeded, the fan 6 is accelerated and / or a warning signal is generated. This provides a safety function in case the rapid regulation of pressure or breathing rate, which is adapted to the user's breathing air requirements, fails or is disrupted.

[0080] In order to avoid overshooting of the control circuit for the blower 6 and thus to reduce the load on the blower 6, the evaluation unit 41 is preferably designed in such a way that the control signal for the blower 6 is only generated after a predeterminable number of shortened or extended breathing cycles.

[0081] A further safety level is provided in a preferred embodiment by implementing a safety algorithm in the control unit 9 or the evaluation unit 41, which initiates at least one predeterminable action in the event of a non-measurable and / or non-existent pressure change, in particular by initiating a warning signal and / or switching the fan to a safety mode. The safety algorithm is preferably designed such that in safety mode, the fan is controlled to deliver an air flow of 80 l / min.

[0082] The embodiments show possible embodiments, whereby it should be noted at this point that the invention is not limited to the specifically illustrated embodiments thereof, but rather various combinations of the individual embodiments and even just individual features thereof are possible with one another and this possibility of variation lies within the skill of the person skilled in the art in this technical field due to the teaching of technical action by means of the objective invention. Reference symbol list 1 protective cover 31 Air intake opening 2 headboard 32 magnet 3 Viewing window 33 metal ring 4 shoulder piece 34 Grid lid 5 Housing 35 Blow-out passage 5a Front section 5b Intake manifold 6 fan 7 Breathing air filter 8 filter fleece 9 Connection 10 Control arrangement board 11 Switch 12 Exhaust opening 13 Air line tubes 14 silencer 15 Power supply unit 15a Housing 15b Mounting element 15c PCB housing 16 Carrying frame 17 Snap fasteners 18 Support structure 19 joint 20 passage 21 fan wheel 22 Filter detection board 23 connecting line 24 screw 25 blind hole 26 compression spring 27 limit switch 28 Summer 29 plastic disc 30 helmet

Claims

1. A protective hood assembly, comprising a protective hood (1) which covers the user's head and shoulders made from flexible, pliable material and with a viewing window (3), a mounting structure (18) for the protective hood (1), an active air exchange system with a fan (6) with corresponding control assembly, a housing (5) for the fan (6) arranged within and separate from the protective hood (1), which is attached to the mounting structure (18) within the protective hood (1), and a filter (8) for the used air integrated in the protective hood (1), characterized by at least one air inlet opening (31) allowing unimpeded flow-through and leading to the fan (6) in the protective hood (1), and by an inlet connecting socket (5b) emanating from the housing (5), passed in a sealed manner through the air inlet opening (31) of the protective hood (1) to the outer side thereof, forming a releasable connection between the mounting structure (18) and the protective hood (1), wherein the air inlet opening (31) and / or the inlet connecting socket (5b) is / are covered by a cleanroom fabric or filter fleece, preferably by an FFP2 protection class material, or by a breathing air filter (7) for fresh air placed on the inlet connecting socket (5b) on the outside of the protective hood (1) in front of the fan (6), or by a mesh cover (34).

2. The assembly according to Claim 1, characterized in that the housing (5) is arranged in the region between the crown and the front of the protective hood (1) and is preferably connected with the mounting structure (18) in this region.

3. The assembly according to Claim 1, characterized in that the inlet connecting socket (5b) preferably passes through an upper section of the viewing window (3) covered by the protective hood (1) and that the breathing air filter (7) is preferably arranged above the visible area of the viewing window (3).

4. The assembly according to Claim 1, characterized in that the housing (5) of the fan (6) and the air inlet opening (31) are arranged on the rear side of the protective hood (1), preferably at the level of the neck section of the protective hood (1), wherein a possible breathing air filter (7) is preferably also arranged on the rear side of the protective hood (1).

5. The assembly according to Claim 4, characterized in that a mounting frame (16) or an assembly with at least one carrying strap beneath the protective hood (1) is deployable and releasably connectable with the housing (5), or that the housing (5) is releasably connectable with the mounting structure (18).

6. The assembly according to Claim 1, characterized in that the mounting structure (18) and / or the housing (5) is / are mounted on a helmet (30) positioned within the protective hood (1).

7. The assembly according to Claim 1, characterized in that the drive of the fan (6) is integrated in the housing (5) thereof and that preferably a self-sufficient power supply unit (15) can be coupled to the housing (5).

8. The assembly according to Claim 7, characterized in that the power supply unit (15) is positioned at a distance from the housing (5) on the inner side of the protective hood (1), preferably on a carrying strap or browband, and preferably on the rear side opposite the viewing window (3), and is connected with the drive and the control assembly for the fan (6) via a preferably flexible electricity and control line (23).

9. The assembly according to Claim 8, characterized in that the housing (5) has a receptacle for the self-sufficient power supply unit (15), preferably in the longitudinal central plane of the mounting structure (18), which power supply unit (15) can be directly coupled with the housing (5), preferably by way of insertion into the housing (5).

10. The assembly according to Claim 1, characterized in that at least a partial area of the protective hood (1) is made of a filter fleece (8), preferably an FFP2 filter fleece, which acts as the filter for the used air, wherein the partial area is preferably arranged on the rear side of the protective hood (1), or that the entire protective hood (1) is made of a cleanroom fabric, preferably according to DIN EN ISO 14644-1, or a filter fleece, preferably an FFP2 filter material.

11. The assembly according to Claim 1, characterized by a sensor unit (42), which emits at least one signal representing the user's breathing rate, an evaluation unit (41) with at least one input for the signal from the sensor unit (42) and an output for a control signal for the fan, a control unit (9) for the fan (6) with an input for the control signal from the evaluation unit (41), wherein the evaluation unit is configured so as to generate a control signal proportional to the breathing rate for the fan (6) such that the air quantity propelled by means of the fan (6) is proportional to the breathing rate.

12. The assembly according to Claim 11, characterized in that the air quantity is in a range of between 40 l / min and 100 l / min.

13. The assembly according to Claim 11, characterized in that the sensor unit (42) has a pressure sensor (43) for the air within the protective hood (1).

14. The assembly according to Claim 11, characterized in that the sensor unit (42) has a CO2 sensor (44) and in that the evaluation unit is configured such that if a threshold value for the CO2 concentration within the protective hood (1) is exceeded, the fan (6) is sped up and / or a warning signal is generated.

15. The assembly according to Claim 11, characterized in that the evaluation unit (41) is configured such that the control signal for the fan (6) is only generated after a predeterminable number of shortened or extended breathing cycles.

16. The assembly according to Claim 11, characterized in that a safety algorithm is implemented in the unit which initiates at least a predeterminable action in the event of a non-detectable and / or absent pressure change, and in particular initiates a warning signal and / or switches the fan to a safety mode.

17. The assembly according to Claim 16, characterized in that in safety mode the fan (6) propels an air quantity of 80 l / min.

18. The assembly according to Claim 11, characterized in that the fan (6) is connected with a control assembly (10) which initiates operation of the fan (6) after placement of the breathing air filter (7) or the mesh cover (34) on / in the inlet connecting socket (5b), wherein the control assembly (10) is preferably integrated in the housing (5) of the fan (6).