Respiratory protection equipment, respiratory protection system, and management method

Abstract

To provide a respiratory protector, a respiratory protection system, and a management method capable of assisting appropriate execution of equipment management for stably supplying filtration air to an operator or safety management for securing safety of work executed while receiving supply of filtration air even remotely.SOLUTION: A respiratory protector 1 includes a protector body 10 for covering the face of an operator, an air filter 21, a fan unit 20 including an electric fan 22, a detection part 30, a first control part 40, and a first communication part 50. The detection part 30 detects a physical amount on at least one of a work environment of the operator, an action state of the operator, and an operation state of the electric fan 22. The first control part 40 controls the electric fan 22 on the basis of a result of the detection by the detection part 30. The first communication part 50 transmits first information indicating the result of the detection by the detection part 30 or second information on an operation amount for a control object of the first control part 40 to an external device.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a respiratory protective equipment that supplies filtered air filtered by an air filter to a worker, a respiratory protective equipment management system that performs equipment management of such respiratory protective equipment, or safety management of work using such respiratory protective equipment, and a management method. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a respiratory protective device that includes a protective device main body and an electric fan as a respiratory protective device that supplies filtered air filtered by an air filter to a worker working in a dusty environment such as a welding site. The protective device main body covers the head and face of the worker. The electric fan sends filtered air to the protective device main body through a hose. According to the respiratory protective device described in Patent Document 1, filtered air filtered by an air filter can be supplied to a worker in a dusty environment such as a welding site, thereby protecting the worker. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-119889 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the respiratory protective equipment described in Patent Document 1 requires equipment management, such as replacing clogged air filters at appropriate times, fully charging batteries so that the electric fan can continue to blow air until the end of work, and replacing old batteries. Equipment management such as that described above takes a long time when there are many pieces of equipment to be managed, and the reality is that air filters and batteries are replaced at the discretion of each worker. For example, in the case of air filters, each worker visually judges whether they are clogged, and replacement of air filters is not performed according to a uniform standard.

[0005] Furthermore, at work sites where temperatures are high, such as welding sites, safety management is required, such as optimizing work schedules to prevent accidents caused by excessive fatigue of workers and checking whether each worker is incapacitated due to heat stroke, etc. However, managers involved in the above-mentioned safety management are often engaged in other work in locations far from the work site, and may not be able to respond quickly when a worker is in danger.

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a respiratory protective device, a respiratory protective system, and a management method that can assist in appropriately managing equipment to stably supply filtered air to workers, or managing safety to ensure the safety of work performed while receiving a supply of filtered air, even from a remote location. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The respiratory protective equipment disclosed in the present application includes a protective equipment body, a fan unit, a detection unit, a first control unit, and a first communication unit. The protective equipment body covers the face of a worker. The fan unit includes an air filter and an electric fan. The air filter filters air. The electric fan blows filtered air to the protective equipment body through a ventilation means such as a hose. The filtered air is the air filtered by the air filter. The detection unit is provided in the fan unit and detects a physical quantity related to at least one of the work environment of the worker, the behavioral state of the worker, and the operating state of the electric fan. The first control unit controls the electric fan based on the detection result of the detection unit. The first communication unit transmits first information indicating the detection result of the detection unit or second information related to the operation amount to the control target of the first control unit to an external device having an information output means.

[0008] In the respiratory protective equipment disclosed in the present application, the detection unit includes an air volume sensor. The air volume sensor detects the supply volume of the filtered air blown to the protective equipment body via the ventilation means. The first control unit adjusts the amount of power supplied to the electric fan based on a detection result of the air volume sensor so that the supply volume of the filtered air becomes a predetermined reference air volume. The first communication unit transmits the second information indicating an adjustment amount of the amount of power adjusted by the first control unit to the external device as replacement time related information. The replacement time related information is information related to the replacement time of the air filter.

[0009] The respiratory protective equipment disclosed herein further includes a power supply unit. The power supply unit has at least one battery and supplies power to the electric fan. In the respiratory protective equipment disclosed herein, the detection unit includes a voltage sensor. The voltage sensor detects a terminal voltage of the at least one battery. The first communication unit transmits the first information indicating the terminal voltage detected by the voltage sensor to the external device as remaining amount related information. The remaining amount related information is information related to the remaining amount of the at least one battery.

[0010] In the respiratory protective equipment disclosed herein, the detection unit includes an acceleration sensor. The acceleration sensor detects acceleration of the fan unit. The first communication unit transmits the first information indicating the acceleration detected by the acceleration sensor to the external device as immobility determination information. The immobility determination information is information for determining whether the worker has fallen and is immobile.

[0011] In the respiratory protective equipment disclosed in the present application, the detection unit includes a temperature sensor. The temperature sensor detects an air temperature in the work environment of the worker. The first communication unit transmits the first information indicating the air temperature detected by the temperature sensor to the external device as heat index related information. The heat index related information is information related to calculation of a heat index.

[0012] The respiratory protection system disclosed in the present application includes the above-mentioned respiratory protective equipment and a management device as the external device. The management device has a second communication unit, an information output unit as the information output means, and a second control unit. The second communication unit receives the first information or the second information transmitted by the first communication unit. The information output unit outputs third information related to at least one of the work environment of the worker, the behavioral state of the worker, and the operating state of the electric fan as visual information or audio information. The second control unit controls the information output unit to output the third information based on the first information or the second information received by the second communication unit.

[0013] In the respiratory protection system disclosed herein, the second communication unit receives the second information indicating the adjustment amount of the amount of power as the replacement time related information. The second control unit controls the information output unit to output replacement warning information as the third information when the adjustment amount indicated by the second information becomes equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold for determining whether the air filter is clogged. The predetermined threshold is a threshold for determining whether the air filter is clogged. The replacement warning information is information that prompts replacement of the air filter.

[0014] In the respiratory protection system disclosed in the present application, the second communication unit receives the first information indicating the acceleration as incapacity determination information. The incapacity determination information is information for determining whether the worker has fallen and is incapacitated. The second control unit controls the information output unit to output incapacity warning information as the third information when a change in the acceleration indicated by the first information matches a predetermined incapacity determination pattern. The incapacity determination pattern is a pattern indicating that the worker has fallen and is incapacitated. The incapacity warning information is information for warning that the worker has fallen and is incapacitated.

[0015] The management method disclosed in the present application is a management method for performing equipment management for stably supplying filtered air to a worker using the respiratory protective equipment disclosed in the present application, or safety management for ensuring the safety of work performed while receiving a supply of filtered air, and includes a first step, a second step, and a third step. The first step is a step of receiving the first information or the second information transmitted by the first communication unit. The second step is a step of outputting third information related to at least one of the work environment of the worker, the behavioral state of the worker, and the operating state of the electric fan as visual information or audio information by the information output means. The third step is a step of controlling the information output means to output the third information based on the first information or the second information received in the first step. Effect of the Invention

[0016] The respiratory protective equipment, respiratory protective system, and management method of the present invention can assist in appropriate remote management of equipment to ensure a stable supply of filtered air to workers, or safety management to ensure the safety of work performed while receiving a supply of filtered air. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing a respiratory protection system including a respiratory protective device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a respiratory protective device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a fan unit of the respiratory protective device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing a detection unit of the respiratory protective equipment according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 5] 4 is a graph showing the relationship between the degree of clogging of an air filter, the rotation speed of an electric fan, and the amount of power supplied to the electric fan. FIG. [Figure 6]1 is a graph showing the relationship between the degree of clogging of an air filter, the airflow rate of an electric fan, and the reference airflow rate. [Figure 7] 4 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of output from an information output unit according to the embodiment; FIG. [Figure 8] 11 is a graph showing detection results of an acceleration sensor for an immobilization determination pattern for determining whether or not a worker has fallen and become immobile. FIG. [Figure 9] 4 is a flowchart illustrating a main process in a respiratory protection system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] 4 is a flowchart illustrating a fan control process in a respiratory protection system according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0018] Hereinafter, a respiratory protective device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiment described below is a preferred specific example for carrying out the present invention, and therefore various technical limitations are imposed thereon, but the present invention is not limited to this embodiment unless otherwise specified in the following description to the effect that the invention is limited thereto.

[0019] <Embodiment> Hereinafter, a respiratory protective device, a respiratory protective system, and a management method according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 1 to Fig. 4. Fig. 1 is a functional block diagram showing a respiratory protective system including a respiratory protective device according to an embodiment. Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing a respiratory protective device according to an embodiment. Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing a fan unit of the respiratory protective device according to an embodiment. Fig. 4 is a functional block diagram showing a detection unit of the respiratory protective device according to an embodiment.

[0020] 1 and 2, a respiratory protection system according to an embodiment includes a respiratory protective device 1, a management terminal 2 as a management device, an external storage device such as a cloud server 3, and an external terminal 4 such as a smartphone 4A and a personal computer 4B. The external terminal 4 may be any computer, such as a tablet or a laptop.

[0021] The respiratory protective equipment 1 is designed to supply filtered air to a worker in dusty environments such as welding factories and welding sites to protect the worker, and includes a protective equipment main body 10, a fan unit 20, a detection unit 30, a first control unit 40, a first communication unit 50, and a first memory unit 60.

[0022] The protective gear body 10 covers the face of the worker. In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 2, the protective gear body 10 includes a helmet 11, a face shield 12, a sealing hood 13, and a wind inlet 14, and covers the face by accommodating the entire head, including the face and head, of the wearer inside. The wind inlet 14 is provided in the helmet 11.

[0023] 2, the face shield 12 has a lens 12a and a frame body 12b. The lens 12a is airtightly attached to the frame body 12b. The frame body 12b is supported by the helmet 11 by a rotating hinge 12c so as to be vertically rotatable, and supports the lens 12a.

[0024] The helmet 11 and the frame 12b are in airtight contact, and filtered air is introduced into the internal space of the protective equipment body 10 surrounded by the helmet 11, the face shield 12, and the sealing hood 13 through the air inlet 14, and the filtered air is supplied to the worker. The filtered air is air that has been filtered by an air filter 21, which will be described later. The sealing hood 13 has an opening (not shown) through which the wearer's neck passes, and by tightening the tightening string 13a, the gap between the opening of the sealing hood 13 and the neck can be reduced.

[0025] 3, the fan unit 20 includes an air filter 21 and an electric fan 22. The fan unit 20 also includes a unit body 24, a filter cover 25, a power supply unit 26, and a pre-filter 27.

[0026] The air filter 21 filters air. In this embodiment, the air filter 21 includes a filter body 21a made of nonwoven fabric and a filter frame 21b that supports the filter body 21a. In this embodiment, the filter frame 21b is made of resin and is integrally molded with the filter body 21a.

[0027] The electric fan 22 blows filtered air through ventilation means such as a hose 23 to the protector body 10. In this embodiment, the rotation speed of the electric fan 22 is adjusted by adjusting the current to the electric fan 22 by a pulse width modulation method, thereby adjusting the amount of power EQ supplied to the electric fan 22.

[0028] 2 and 3, the hose 23 has an air-receiving side connecting portion 23a and an air-blowing side connecting portion 23b at both ends. The air-receiving side connecting portion 23a is connected to the air-receiving port 14, and the air-blowing side connecting portion 23b is connected to the air-blowing port 24a of the fan unit 20.

[0029] 3, the unit body 24 incorporates the electric fan 22 and power supply unit 26, and has the above-mentioned air outlet 24a, adjustment knob 24b, and fan-side output unit 24c. The adjustment knob 24b receives an operation to turn on and off the power supply of the electric fan 22, and an operation to adjust the airflow (supply airflow SV). The fan-side output unit 24c outputs various information as visual or audible information, such as the airflow of the electric fan 22, whether the air filter 21 is clogged, the remaining battery charge in the power supply unit 26, the communication status of the first communication unit 50, and information on whether various alarms described below have been issued, and can be formed of an indicator, a liquid crystal panel, a speaker, or the like.

[0030] Filter cover 25 has air inlet 25a and holds air filter 21 in the air supply path from inlet 25a to electric fan 22. Filter cover 25 is detachable from unit body 24, and can be removed from unit body 24 by operating removal button 25b.

[0031] The power supply unit 26 has at least one battery and supplies power to each component of the fan unit 20 including the electric fan 22. In this embodiment, the power supply unit 26 includes two batteries, a first battery 26a and a second battery 26b, and is held inside the unit body 24 by a battery lid 26c. In this embodiment, the first battery 26a and the second battery 26b supply power to the electric fan 22, etc. in a switching manner, such that the battery with the lower terminal voltage TV supplies power to the electric fan 22, etc., and when the terminal voltage TV drops to a predetermined voltage, the other battery starts supplying power.

[0032] The pre-filter 27 is disposed in the air supply path from the air inlet 25a to the air filter 21, and protects the air filter 21 from spatters, for example, at a welding site.

[0033] The detector 30 is provided in the fan unit 20 and detects a physical quantity related to at least one of the working environment of the worker, the behavioral state of the worker, and the operating state of the electric fan 22.

[0034] 4, in the embodiment, the detection unit 30 includes an air flow sensor 31, a voltage sensor 32, a six-axis acceleration sensor 33, and a temperature sensor 34. The acceleration sensor 33 may be a three-axis sensor. The detection unit 30 may further include a humidity sensor, a light sensor, and the like.

[0035] The air volume sensor 31 detects the supply volume SV of filtered air sent to the protector body 10 via ventilation means such as the hose 23. The voltage sensor 32 detects the terminal voltage TV of the first battery 26a and the second battery 26b. The acceleration sensor 33 detects the acceleration AR of the fan unit 20 that moves in conjunction with the movement of the worker. The temperature sensor 34 detects the air temperature TP in the worker's working environment.

[0036] The first control unit 40 controls the electric fan 22 based on the detection result of the detection unit 30. In this embodiment, the first control unit 40 is formed of a microcomputer, and adjusts the amount of power EQ supplied from the power supply unit 26 to the electric fan 22 by, for example, a pulse width modulation method based on the detection result of the air volume sensor 31 so that the supply air volume SV of filtered air becomes a predetermined reference air volume RV. In this embodiment, the reference air volume RV is set by the first control unit 40 in response to the operation of the adjustment knob 24b.

[0037] The first communication unit 50 transmits first information indicating the detection result of the detection unit 30, or second information related to the amount of operation of the first control unit 40 on the control target to the management terminal 2, which is an external device in the claims. The communication method for transmitting the first information or the second information from the first communication unit 50 to the management terminal 2 may be wired communication using a wired LAN or the like, or wireless communication using a wireless LAN, a wireless telephone line, or the like. However, in order to improve operability, it is preferable that at least the first communication unit 50 has a wireless communication function such as Wi-Fi.

[0038] In the embodiment, the first communication unit 50 transmits first information indicating the supply air volume SV detected by the air volume sensor 31 to the management terminal 2, and transmits second information indicating the adjustment amount DA of the power amount EQ, which is the operation amount for the control object of the first control unit 40, as replacement time related information RI1 to the management terminal 2. The replacement time related information RI1 is information related to the replacement time of the air filter 21.

[0039] Moreover, the first communication unit 50 transmits first information indicating the terminal voltage TV detected by the voltage sensor 32 as remaining amount related information RI2 to the management terminal 2. The remaining amount related information RI2 is information related to the remaining amounts or the charging states [%] of the first battery 26a and the second battery 26b.

[0040] Furthermore, the first communication unit 50 transmits first information indicating the acceleration AR detected by the acceleration sensor 33 as immobility determination information RI3 to the management terminal 2. The immobility determination information RI3 is information for determining whether or not the worker has fallen and is immobile.

[0041] Furthermore, the first communication unit 50 transmits the first information indicating the air temperature TP detected by the temperature sensor 34 as heat index related information RI4 to the management terminal 2. The heat index related information RI4 is information related to the calculation of the heat index.

[0042] The first storage section 60 stores various programs such as a drive control program for the electric fan 22 and a discharge control program for the power supply section 26, as well as various data such as an initial duty ratio (rpm, current value) corresponding to each reference air volume RV designated by operating the adjustment knob 24b, an increase value for each step when the duty ratio is increased stepwise as described later, and initialization data used in an initialization process performed when the fan unit 20 is powered on. The programs and data stored in the first storage section 60 are read out by the first control section 40 at any time as necessary.

[0043] Next, the management terminal 2, the external terminal 4, and the management method according to the embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 5 to 8 in addition to Figs. 1 to 4 described above. Fig. 5 is a graph showing the relationship between the degree of clogging of the air filter, the rotation speed of the electric fan, and the amount of power supplied to the electric fan. Fig. 6 is a graph showing the relationship between the degree of clogging of the air filter, the airflow (supply airflow) of the electric fan, and the reference airflow. Fig. 7 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of output in the information output unit according to the embodiment. Fig. 8 is a graph showing the detection result of an acceleration sensor for an inability to act judgment pattern for judging whether or not a worker has fallen and become incapacitated.

[0044] 1, the management terminal 2 has a second communication unit 70, a management side output unit 80 as an information output unit which is an information output means, a second control unit 90, and a second storage unit 100. In an embodiment, the management terminal 2 is realized by installing an app or software including a program for causing a computer to function as each unit described below on a general-purpose terminal such as a smartphone, tablet, personal computer, or notebook computer. The same is true for the external terminal 4. Thus, the respiratory protection system and management method of the present invention include cases where they are realized by an app or software.

[0045] When the respiratory protection system and management method of the present invention are realized by an app or software, the programs constituting the app or software may be recorded on a removable medium such as a CD-ROM or a USB memory and distributed to users, or may be distributed by being downloaded via a network to a user's computer such as the management terminal 2 or the external terminal 4. Furthermore, these programs may be provided to a user's computer as a web service via a network without being downloaded.

[0046] In addition, in this specification, the terms "part", "means", "apparatus", and "system" do not simply mean physical means, but also include cases where the functions of the "part", "means", "apparatus", and "system" are realized by software. Furthermore, the functions of one "part", "means", "apparatus", or "system" may be realized by two or more physical means or devices, and the functions of two or more "parts", "means", "apparatus", or "system" may be realized by one physical means or device.

[0047] The second communication unit 70 receives the first information or the second information transmitted by the first communication unit 50. The communication method by which the second communication unit receives the first information or the second information from the first communication unit 50 may be wired communication using a wired LAN or the like, or wireless communication using a wireless LAN, a wireless telephone line, or the like. However, particularly when the management terminal 2 is a portable terminal such as a smartphone or a notebook computer, for the convenience of the administrator, it is preferable that the second communication unit 70 has a wireless communication function such as Wi-Fi.

[0048] In the embodiment, the second communication unit 70 receives first information indicating the supply air volume SV detected by the air volume sensor 31, and receives second information indicating the adjustment amount DA of the power amount EQ as replacement time related information RI1. The second communication unit 70 also receives first information indicating the terminal voltage TV detected by the voltage sensor 32 as remaining amount related information RI2. Furthermore, the second communication unit 70 receives first information indicating the acceleration AR detected by the acceleration sensor 33 as immobility determination information RI3. Furthermore, the second communication unit 70 receives first information indicating the air temperature TP detected by the temperature sensor 34 as heat index related information RI4.

[0049] Furthermore, in the embodiment, the second communication unit 70 transmits the first information, the second information, and the third information to an external storage device such as the cloud server 3. The external storage device such as the cloud server 3 stores the first information, the second information, or the third information transmitted by the second communication unit 70.

[0050] The management side output unit 80 outputs, as visual information or audio information, the third information relating to at least one of the working environment of the worker, the working state of the worker, and the operating state of the electric fan 22. The management side output unit 80 can be formed by a monitor, a liquid crystal screen, a speaker, or the like included in the management terminal 2.

[0051] The second control unit 90 controls the management side output unit 80 to output the third information based on the first information or the second information received by the second communication unit 70. Hereinafter, the controls performed by the first control unit 40 and the second control unit 90 will be described.

[0052] 5, the greater the degree of clogging of the air filter 21, the greater the airflow resistance [Pa] of the electric fan 22. Therefore, in order to maintain the supply air volume SV at the reference air volume RV, the greater the degree of clogging of the air filter 21, the higher the rotation speed [rpm] of the electric fan 22 must be, and the greater the amount of power EQ (e.g., current value [mA]) supplied to the electric fan 22 must be.

[0053] As a result, as shown in FIG. 6, when the first control unit 40 is performing control to adjust the amount of power EQ supplied to the electric fan 22 so as to maintain the supply air volume SV at the reference air volume RV, if the air filter 21 becomes too clogged and it is no longer possible to increase the amount of power EQ supplied to the electric fan 22 so as to maintain the supply air volume SV at the reference air volume RV, the supply air volume SV will drop significantly.

[0054] Therefore, as shown in Fig. 5, when the adjustment amount DA for the power amount EQ becomes equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value TS, the second control unit 90 controls the management side output unit 80 to output replacement warning information I1 as the third information, as shown in Fig. 7. The threshold value TS is a threshold value for determining whether the air filter 21 is clogged.

[0055] As shown in FIG. 7, replacement warning information I1 is information that prompts the user to replace the air filter 21, and may be visual information that prompts the user to replace the air filter 21 by displaying a sentence such as "The air filter is clogged, so please replace it" or by flashing a screen, or the like; and may be auditory information that prompts the user to replace the air filter 21 by conveying the sentence as described above by voice, or may be a predetermined alarm sound, or the like.

[0056] 7, the second control unit 90 controls the management side output unit 80 to output immobility warning information I2 as the third information when the change in acceleration AR indicated by the first information matches a predetermined immobility determination pattern JP. The predetermined immobility determination pattern JP is a pattern indicating that the worker has fallen and is immobile.

[0057] The inability to move warning information I2 is information to warn that a worker has fallen and is incapacitated, and may be visual information that informs the user that the worker has fallen and is incapacitated by displaying a sentence such as "The worker has fallen and is incapacitated" or by flashing a screen, or may be auditory information that informs the user that the worker has fallen and is incapacitated by displaying a sentence such as the above sentence in audio form, or may be information that informs the user that the worker has fallen and is incapacitated by sounding a predetermined alarm sound, etc.

[0058] 8 shows the change in acceleration AR when a worker actually wears respiratory protective equipment 1, falls, and stops. The incapacity determination pattern JP has the following conditions a, b, and c, and when the change in acceleration AR satisfies conditions a, b, and c, the change in acceleration AR matches the incapacity determination pattern JP, and it is determined that the worker has fallen and is incapacitated.

[0059] As shown in FIG. 8, the inability to act judgment pattern JP has three conditions: condition a: at a certain time t0, the resultant acceleration A(g) of the acceleration X(g) in the forward / backward direction (left / right direction in FIG. 3), the acceleration Y(g) in the vertical direction, and the acceleration Z(g) in the horizontal direction of the fan unit 20 is less than or equal to the first judgment reference value FJA[g] (g: gravitational acceleration); condition b: within the first judgment time IJT[s] from time t0, the resultant acceleration A(g) is greater than or equal to the second judgment reference value IJA[g]; and condition c: after the second judgment time TJT[s] has elapsed from time t0, the vertical acceleration Y(g) is less than or equal to the third judgment reference value TJA[g] for a third judgment time TTL[s] and the resultant acceleration A(g) is within the range of (1±0.05) g.

[0060] The first judgment reference value FJA[g] is a reference value for detecting the fall of an object, and may be set to an acceleration smaller than 1.0 g, but is preferably set to an acceleration of 0.8 g or less in order to prevent erroneous detection, and is more preferably set to an acceleration of 0.5 g or more and 0.8 g or less, and is even more preferably set to an acceleration of 0.7 g or more and 0.8 g or less. The first judgment time IJT[s] is a time for ensuring a causal relationship between the fall of an object and a subsequent collision with the ground, and may be set to a time of 0.8 seconds or more and 1.2 seconds or less, but is preferably set to a time of 0.9 seconds or more and 1.1 seconds or less in order to prevent erroneous detection.

[0061] The second judgment reference value IJA[g] is a reference value for detecting the collision of a dropped object with the ground, and may be set to an acceleration of 2.5 g or more and 4.5 g or less, but is preferably set to an acceleration of 3.0 g or more and 4.0 g or less to prevent erroneous detection. The second judgment time TJT[s] is a time for waiting for the impact of the collision to subside, and may be set to a time of 1.8 seconds or more and 2.2 seconds or less, but is preferably set to a time of 1.9 seconds or more and 2.1 seconds or less to prevent erroneous detection.

[0062] The third determination time TTL[s] is a time for determining whether an object is stationary or not, and may be set to a time between 1.8 seconds and 2.2 seconds, but is preferably set to a time between 1.9 seconds and 2.1 seconds to prevent erroneous determination. The third determination reference value TJA[g] is a reference value for detecting the rollover of an object, and may be set to an acceleration between 0.40g and 0.60g, but is preferably set to an acceleration between 0.45g and 0.55g to prevent erroneous detection.

[0063] In other words, condition a indicates an accelerated movement of the fan unit 20 in the direction of gravity, condition b indicates an impact on the fan unit 20, and condition c indicates that the fan unit 20 is tilted at a predetermined angle or more and is stationary. Therefore, in the embodiment, when the detection result of the acceleration sensor 33 matches the immobilization determination pattern JP indicating an accelerated movement of the fan unit 20 in the direction of gravity, the subsequent occurrence of an impact on the fan unit 20, and the subsequent inclination of the fan unit 20 at a predetermined angle or more and stationary, the second control unit 90 controls the management side output unit 80 to output immobilization warning information I2 as the third information.

[0064] Also, in an embodiment, the second control unit 90 controls the management side output unit 80 to output the remaining capacity (charge state [%]) of the first battery 26a and the second battery 26b as visual information or auditory information based on the terminal voltage TV indicated by the first information.

[0065] 7, the second control unit 90 controls the management side output unit 80 to output charging warning information I3 as visual or auditory information as the third information when the terminal voltages TV of both the first battery 26a and the second battery 26b indicated by the first information drop to a predetermined voltage or lower. The charging warning information I3 is information about the remaining capacity of the first battery 26a and the second battery 26b, or information encouraging charging of the first battery 26a and the second battery 26b.

[0066] In addition, the second control unit 90 may control the management side output unit 80 to output battery replacement warning information related to replacement of the first battery 26a and the second battery 26b (e.g., "Please replace the battery immediately.") as visual information or audio information when the capacity of the first battery 26a and the second battery 26b decreases by a predetermined percentage from the initial capacity.

[0067] Furthermore, the second control unit 90 calculates a heat index related to heat stroke based on the information indicating the air temperature TP indicated by the first information, and controls the management side output unit 80 to output heat stroke warning information I4 related to a work schedule and a heat stroke warning as visual or auditory information as the third information, as shown in Fig. 7. The heat index (WBGT) can be calculated using the following formula: WBGT = 0.735 x TP + 0.0374 x RH + 0.0029 x TP x RH - 4.064, where RH is relative humidity.

[0068] Next, a management method according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. The management method according to the embodiment is a management method for performing equipment management for stably supplying filtered air to a worker using respiratory protective equipment 1, or safety management for ensuring the safety of work performed while receiving a supply of filtered air, and includes a first step, a second step, and a third step.

[0069] The first step is a step of receiving the first information or the second information transmitted by the first communication unit 50, and the details of the contents are the same as those of the operation of the second communication unit 70 described above. The second step is a step of outputting third information related to at least one of the worker's working environment, the worker's behavioral state, and the operating state of the electric fan, and the details of the contents are the same as those of the operation of the management side output unit 80 described above. The third step is a step of controlling the information output means to output the third information based on the first information or the second information received in the second step, and the details of the contents are the same as those of the operation of the second control unit 90 described above.

[0070] Next, the external terminal 4, such as a smartphone 4A and a personal computer 4B, will be described with reference to FIG.

[0071] The external terminal 4 has a third communication unit 110, an external output unit 120, a third control unit 130, and a third storage unit 140. In the embodiment, the external terminal 4 is realized by installing an app or software including a program for making a computer function as each unit described below, similar to the management terminal 2. The method of providing the app or software is also similar to that of the management terminal 2.

[0072] The third communication unit 110 receives the first information, the second information, or the third information from an external storage device such as the second communication unit 70 of the management terminal 2 or the cloud server 3. The external output unit 120 includes a monitor device, a liquid crystal panel, a speaker, etc., and outputs the first information, the second information, or the third information as visual information or auditory information. The third control unit 130 controls the external output unit 120 to output the first information, the second information, or the third information as visual information or auditory information. The third storage unit 140 stores various programs and various data.

[0073] Next, a control flow in the embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 9 and 10 in addition to Figures 1 to 8. Figure 9 is a flowchart showing a main process in the respiratory protection system according to the embodiment. Figure 10 is a flowchart showing a fan control process in the respiratory protection system according to the embodiment.

[0074] In step S1 of the main process shown in FIG. 9, the power switch of the fan unit 20 is turned on by the adjustment knob 24b, and predetermined initialization processes such as reading of a control program and control data from the first storage unit 60 to the first control unit 40 are performed.

[0075] In step S2 of the main process shown in Fig. 9, a predetermined input control process is performed. In the input control process of step S2, the airflow volume designated by the adjustment knob 24b is read, and whether or not the air filter 21 is set correctly is determined, for example, by the detection result of an optical sensor. In this embodiment, the airflow volume is switched in stages, for example, to "weak," "medium," "strong," and "strongest."

[0076] 9, it is determined whether or not the power switch of the fan unit 20 is on. If the power switch is on, the process proceeds to step S4, and if not, the process proceeds to step S8.

[0077] In step S4 of the main process shown in FIG. 9, various interrupt processes, such as an interrupt process for controlling the rotation speed of the electric fan 22 by, for example, a pulse width modulation method, are started.

[0078] In step S5 of the main process shown in Fig. 9, a predetermined battery control is executed. In the battery control in step S5, the battery having the lower terminal voltage TV is selected from the first battery 26a and the second battery 26b, and power supply is started.

[0079] A predetermined fan control process is executed in step S6 of the main process shown in Fig. 9. The fan control process in step S6 will be outlined below with reference to Fig. 10.

[0080] As shown in FIG. 10, in the fan control process of step S6, it is determined whether or not the air filter 21 is attached (step S11), and if it is not attached ("No" in step S11), an alarm is issued, the power supply to the electric fan 22 is stopped, and the electric fan 22 is stopped (step S13).

[0081] When the air filter 21 is attached (Yes in step S11), a reference air volume RV, which is a set value of the air volume input in the input control of step S2, is read (step S14), an initial value D1 of the amount of power EQ (duty ratio (DYTY ratio)) supplied to the electric fan 22 is determined according to the reference air volume RV (step S15), and the operation of the electric fan 22 is started at a predetermined initial current value A1 and initial rotation speed R1 (step S16). The initial current value A1, the initial rotation speed R1, the respective set current values ​​A2, A3, A4, and the respective set rotation speeds R2, R3, R4, which will be described later, are stored in advance in the first storage unit 60 as a rotation speed-current value table for each air volume (e.g., "weak", "medium", "strong", "strongest") switched by the adjustment knob 24b.

[0082] After the operation of the electric fan 22 has started, when the actual rotation speed is greater than the initial rotation speed R1 by a predetermined amount or more and the actual current value is smaller than the initial current value A1 by a predetermined amount or more, it is determined that the supply air volume SV does not reach the reference air volume RV ("y1" in step S17), and the amount of power EQ (duty ratio) supplied to the electric fan is increased stepwise (steps S18 and S21).

[0083] When the actual supply air volume SV does not reach the reference air volume RV even after being increased stepwise a fixed number of times ("y1" in steps S20 and S23), the second control unit 90 assumes that the adjustment amount DA has exceeded the threshold value TS and controls the management side output unit 80 to output replacement warning information I1, which is an alarm regarding the replacement of the air filter 21 (step S24). As long as no improvement in clogging is observed, operation continues at a slightly larger current value while keeping the replacement warning information I1 output (loop from steps S25, S26 to step S24).

[0084] If, as a result of gradually increasing the amount of electric power EQ (duty ratio) supplied to the electric fan (steps S18 and S21), the actual rotation speed is lower than each of the set rotation speeds R2, R3 by a predetermined amount or more and the actual current value is higher than each of the set current values ​​A2, A3 by a predetermined amount or more ("y2" in step S20 or step S23), it is determined that clogging has been improved and the amount of electric power EQ (duty ratio) supplied to the electric fan is gradually decreased (step S18 or step S15).

[0085] Furthermore, when the actual rotation speed is lower than the initial rotation speed R1 by a predetermined amount or more and the actual current value is greater than the initial current value A1 by a predetermined amount or more ("y2" in step S17), the second control unit 90 determines that clogging has occurred and controls the management side output unit 80 to output replacement warning information I1, which is an alarm regarding replacement of the air filter 21 (step S24), and continues operation at a slightly larger current value while continuing to output replacement warning information I1 unless improvement in the clogging is observed (loop to steps S25, S26, and S24).

[0086] Incidentally, since it is considered unlikely that any improvement in clogging will actually occur, when the replacement warning information I1 is output in step S24, it is also possible to stop the fan control process and simply continue to issue the alarm.

[0087] Returning to the main process shown in Fig. 9, in step S7, a predetermined output control process is executed. In the output control process of step S7, the second control unit 90 controls the management side output unit 80 to output various information including replacement warning information I1, immobility warning information I2, charging warning information I3, and heat stroke warning information I4. In step S8, it is determined whether a predetermined time (e.g., 2 seconds) has elapsed, and if the predetermined time has elapsed, the device goes into a sleep state (step S9), and the process ends.

[0088] As described above with reference to Figures 1 to 10, according to the respiratory protective equipment of the embodiment, the detection unit 30 detects a physical quantity related to at least one of the working environment of the worker, the behavioral state of the worker, and the operating state of the electric fan 22, the first control unit 40 controls the electric fan 22 based on the detection result of the detection unit 30, and the first communication unit 50 transmits the first information indicating the detection result of the detection unit 30 or the second information related to the operation amount of the control target of the first control unit 40 to the management terminal 2 as a management device which is an external device in the claims. Therefore, it is possible to assist in appropriately performing equipment management for stably supplying filtered air to the worker, or safety management for ensuring the safety of work performed while receiving a supply of filtered air, even remotely.

[0089] 1 to 10, in the respiratory protective device of the embodiment, the detection unit 30 includes an air volume sensor 31 that detects the supply air volume SV of filtered air, the first control unit 40 adjusts the amount of electric power EQ supplied to the electric fan 22 based on the detection result of the air volume sensor 31 so that the supply air volume SV becomes a predetermined reference air volume RV, and the first communication unit 50 transmits second information indicating the adjustment amount DA of the amount of electric power EQ adjusted by the first control unit 40 to the management terminal 2 as replacement time related information RI1. The replacement time related information RI1 is information related to the replacement time of the air filter.

[0090] Therefore, according to the respiratory protective equipment of the embodiment, an external device placed remotely can know the degree of clogging of the air filter 21 based on the adjustment amount DA of the power amount EQ for adjusting the supply air volume SV to the reference air volume RV, and this can assist in more appropriate equipment management, even remotely, to steadily supply filtered air to the worker.

[0091] For example, the amount of power EQ at which the supply air volume SV becomes the reference air volume RV when the air filter 21 is not clogged is set to the amount of power EQ0, and the amount of power EQ at which the actual supply air volume SV becomes the reference air volume RV is set to the amount of power EQ1. In this case, the adjustment amount DA of the amount of power EQ is DA:(EQ1-EQ0), and if the adjustment amount DA is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value TS for determining whether the air filter 21 is clogged, an external device placed remotely can know that the air filter 21 is clogged and needs to be replaced, thereby assisting in more appropriately managing the equipment to stably supply filtered air to the operator even remotely.

[0092] As described with reference to Figs. 1 to 10, in the respiratory protective equipment of the embodiment, the detection unit 30 includes a voltage sensor 32, which detects the terminal voltage TV of the first battery 26a and the second battery 26b, and the first communication unit 50 transmits first information indicating the terminal voltage TV detected by the voltage sensor 32 as remaining amount related information RI2 to the management terminal 2. The remaining amount related information RI2 is information related to the remaining amounts of the first battery 26a and the second battery 26b. Therefore, in the respiratory protective equipment of the embodiment, the remaining amounts of the first battery 26a and the second battery 26b can be confirmed on an external device placed remotely, and it is possible to assist in more appropriate equipment management for stably supplying filtered air to the worker even from a remote location.

[0093] As described with reference to Figs. 1 to 10, in the respiratory protective equipment of the embodiment, the detection unit 30 includes an acceleration sensor 33, which detects the acceleration AR of the fan unit 20, and the first communication unit 50 transmits the first information indicating the acceleration AR as the incapacity determination information RI3 to the management terminal 2 serving as an external device. The incapacity determination information RI3 is information for determining whether or not the worker has fallen and is incapacitated. Therefore, in the respiratory protective equipment of the embodiment, it is possible to check whether or not the worker has fallen and is incapacitated in an external device placed remotely, enabling a rapid response in the event of a crisis involving the worker, and helping to more appropriately perform safety management for ensuring the safety of work performed while receiving a supply of filtered air, even from a remote location.

[0094] As described with reference to Figs. 1 to 10, in the respiratory protective equipment of the embodiment, the detection unit 30 includes a temperature sensor 34, which detects the air temperature TP in the work environment of the worker, and the first communication unit 50 transmits the first information indicating the air temperature TP detected by the temperature sensor 34 as heat index related information RI4 to the management terminal 2 serving as an external device. The heat index related information RI4 is information related to the calculation of the heat index. Therefore, in the respiratory protective equipment of the embodiment, the heat index at the work site can be calculated in an external device placed remotely, and a work schedule such as a desired work time length and rest intervals set in advance for each worker can be formulated based on the calculated heat index, and safety management for ensuring the safety of work performed while receiving a supply of filtered air can be more appropriately performed even remotely.

[0095] 1 to 10, in the respiratory protection system and the management method of the embodiment, the second communication unit 70 of the management terminal 2 as a management device receives the first information indicating the detection result of the detection unit 30 or the second information related to the operation amount of the control target of the first control unit 40 transmitted by the first communication unit 50, the management side output unit 80 outputs the third information related to at least one of the working environment of the worker, the behavioral state of the worker, and the operating state of the electric fan 22 as visual information or audio information, and the second control unit 90 controls the management side output unit 80 to output the third information based on the first information or the second information received by the second communication unit 70. Therefore, in the respiratory protection system and the management method of the embodiment, the management terminal 2 placed remotely can be assisted in appropriately performing equipment management for stably supplying filtered air to the worker or safety management for ensuring the safety of the work performed while receiving the supply of filtered air, even from a remote location.

[0096] 1 to 10, in the respiratory protection system and management method of the embodiment, when the adjustment amount DA indicated by the second information becomes equal to or greater than the threshold value TS, the second control unit 90 controls the management side output unit 80 to output replacement warning information I1 related to the timing of replacing the air filter as the third information. The threshold value TS is a threshold value for determining clogging of the air filter 21. Therefore, it is possible to accurately determine whether the air filter 21 is clogged based on scientific evidence, replace the air filter 21 at the optimal time, and assist in more appropriate equipment management for stably supplying filtered air to the operator even remotely.

[0097] As described with reference to Figures 1 to 10, in the respiratory protection system and management method of the embodiment, the second control unit controls the management output unit 80 to output immobility warning information I2 as the third information when the change in acceleration AR indicated by the first information matches a predetermined immobility judgment pattern JP. The immobility judgment pattern JP indicates that the worker has fallen and is immobile. Therefore, it is possible to know on the remotely placed management terminal 2 that the worker has fallen and is immobile due to heat stroke or the like, and it is possible to respond quickly when the worker is in danger, and it is possible to assist in more appropriate safety management to ensure the safety of work performed while receiving a supply of filtered air, even from a remote location.

[0098] The embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the drawings (FIGS. 1 to 10). However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be embodied in various forms without departing from the spirit of the present invention (for example, the following (1)).

[0099] (1) In the above embodiment, the second control unit 90 controls the management side output unit 80 to output replacement warning information I1 as the third information when the adjustment amount DA for the power amount EQ becomes equal to or greater than the threshold value TS. However, the second control unit 90 may also control the management side output unit 80 to output replacement warning information I1 as the third information when the actual supply air volume SV drops by a certain amount or more from the supply air volume SV expected at a given power amount EQ. [Explanation of symbols]

[0100] SV…supply air volume RV…Reference air volume EQ…Power amount DA…Adjustment amount JP…Inability to act pattern I1…Exchange Notice Information I2…Incapacity warning information RI1…Replacement information RI2: Remaining amount information RI3…Incapacity determination information RI4…heat index related information 1...Respiratory protection equipment 2. Management terminal 10…Protective equipment body 20…Fan unit 21…Air filter 22...Electric fan 23…Hose 26...Power supply section 26a…1st battery 26b…Second battery 30…Detection section 31...Air flow sensor 32…Voltage sensor 33...Accelerometer 34...Temperature sensor 40...First control section 50…1st Communications Department 70…Second Communications Department 80...Management side output unit (information output means, information output unit) 90...Second control section

Claims

1. A protective equipment body that covers the worker's face; A fan unit including an electric fan and an air filter for filtering air, the electric fan blowing filtered air, which is the air filtered by the air filter, to the protective equipment body through a hose that is a ventilation means; a detection unit provided in the fan unit and configured to detect a physical quantity related to at least one of a working environment of the worker, a behavioral state of the worker, and an operating state of the electric fan; a first control unit provided in the fan unit and controlling the electric fan based on a detection result of the detection unit; a first communication section provided in the fan unit and transmitting, to an external device having an information output means, first information indicating a detection result of the detection section or second information relating to an amount of operation of a control target of the first control section; A respiratory protective device comprising: The detection unit includes an air volume sensor that detects the supply volume of the filtered air sent to the protective equipment body through the hose that is the ventilation means, The first control unit adjusts an amount of power supplied to the electric fan based on a detection result of the air volume sensor so that the supply air volume of the filtered air becomes a predetermined reference air volume, The first communication unit transmits the second information indicating an adjustment amount of the amount of power adjusted by the first control unit to the external device as replacement time related information related to a replacement time of the air filter.

2. a power supply unit having at least one battery and supplying power to the electric fan; the detection unit includes a voltage sensor that detects a terminal voltage of the at least one battery; 2. The respiratory protective equipment according to claim 1, wherein the first communication unit transmits the first information indicating the terminal voltage detected by the voltage sensor to the external device as remaining amount related information relating to a remaining amount of the at least one battery.

3. the detection unit includes an acceleration sensor that detects acceleration of the fan unit caused by movement of the worker, 3. The respiratory protective equipment according to claim 1, wherein the first communication unit transmits the first information indicating the acceleration detected by the acceleration sensor to the external device as immobility determination information for determining whether the worker has fallen and is immobile.

4. the detection unit includes a temperature sensor that detects an air temperature in the work environment of the worker, 4. The respiratory protective equipment according to claim 1, wherein the first communication unit transmits the first information indicating the air temperature detected by the temperature sensor to the external device as heat index related information related to calculation of a heat index.

5. A respiratory protective device according to any one of claims 1 to 4; a second communication unit that receives the first information or the second information transmitted by the first communication unit; an information output unit that outputs third information related to at least one of a working environment of the worker, a behavioral state of the worker, and an operating state of the electric fan as visual information or audio information; and a second control unit that controls the information output unit to output the third information based on the first information or the second information received by the second communication unit. A respiratory protection system comprising: The detection unit includes an air volume sensor that detects the supply volume of the filtered air blown to the protective equipment body through the hose that is the ventilation means, The first control unit adjusts the amount of power supplied to the electric fan based on a detection result of the air volume sensor so that the supply air volume of the filtered air becomes a predetermined reference air volume, the first communication unit transmits the second information indicating an adjustment amount of the amount of power adjusted by the first control unit to the management device as replacement time related information related to a replacement time of the air filter; The second communication unit receives the second information indicating the adjustment amount of the amount of power as the replacement time related information, the second control unit controls the information output unit to output, as the third information, replacement warning information that prompts the user to replace an air filter when the adjustment amount indicated by the second information becomes equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold for determining whether the air filter is clogged.

6. the detection unit includes an acceleration sensor that detects an acceleration of the fan unit, the first communication unit transmits the first information indicating the acceleration detected by the acceleration sensor to the management device as incapacity determination information for determining whether the worker has fallen and is incapacitated; The second communication unit receives the first information indicating the acceleration as incapacity determination information for determining whether the worker has fallen and is incapacitated, 6. The respiratory protection system according to claim 5, wherein the second control unit controls the information output unit to output, as the third information, immobility warning information that warns that the worker has fallen and is incapacitated, when the change in acceleration indicated by the first information matches a predetermined immobility determination pattern that indicates that the worker has fallen and is incapacitated.

7. A management method for performing equipment management for steadily supplying filtered air to a worker, or safety management for ensuring the safety of work performed while receiving a supply of filtered air, using the respiratory protection system of claim 5, comprising: a first step of receiving the first information or the second information transmitted by the first communication unit; a second step of outputting third information relating to at least one of a working environment of the worker, a behavioral state of the worker, and an operating state of the electric fan as visual information or audio information by the information output means; a third step of controlling the information output means to output the third information based on the first information or the second information received in the first step; A management method comprising: The detection unit includes an air volume sensor that detects the supply volume of the filtered air sent to the protective equipment body through the hose that is the ventilation means, The first control unit adjusts an amount of power supplied to the electric fan based on a detection result of the air volume sensor so that the supply air volume of the filtered air becomes a predetermined reference air volume, the first communication unit transmits the second information indicating an adjustment amount of the amount of power adjusted by the first control unit to the management device as replacement time related information related to a replacement time of the air filter; The second communication unit receives the second information indicating the adjustment amount of the amount of power as the replacement time related information, A management method in which the second control unit controls the information output unit to output, as the third information, replacement warning information encouraging replacement of the air filter when the adjustment amount indicated by the second information becomes equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold for determining whether the air filter is clogged.

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