Personal protective breathing screen

Abstract

A personal protective breathing screen contains a support structure (1) to be worn by a user, on which at least one pair of ultrasonic atomizers with a piezoelectric transducer for generating a water mist is placed, while the ultrasonic atomizers are oriented towards each other in mutually intersecting directions for generating a water mist in the area in front of the user's respiratory tract.

Description

[0001] Personal protective breathing screen

[0002] Field of technology

[0003] The invention relates to a personal protective breathing screen, a terminal protective device enabling creating an air shield and breathing of clean air. The invention falls within the field of personal protective and hygienic needs of people.

[0004] Prior art

[0005] Currently, the world's population is exposed to various types of air pollution, whether caused by smog, dust, pollen or microorganisms causing respiratory diseases. To solve this problem, there are fixed technical protective devices such as protective masks, fixed shields or respirators, which, however, do not ensure an active supply of fresh air, which causes impaired breathing. Neither do they allow consumption of food or sufficient social interaction (facial expressions, clear verbal communication, etc.).

[0006] In the state of the art, there are already solutions known where the protective zone for breathing of clean air and also the zone for preventing inhalation of contaminated air is provided by an air shield, which to a certain extent eliminates the above stated shortcomings of fixed protective equipment. There are a number of solutions for creating a mobile air shield in front of the respiratory tract, but all of them face the common problem of providing a sufficiently strong flow of filtered air to create a safe protective air shield, but in such a way that such a device is not very noisy, large, heavy and uncomfortable for usual wear.

[0007] The current state of the art does not allow for the fulfillment of these conflicting requirements.

[0008] The aim of the proposed solution for protecting the human respiratory tract in an environment with polluted air is such a method of protecting the individual that would allow natural breathing of clean air without the need to cover the respiratory tract, which would allow natural social interaction as well as the consumption of food or drink, while significantly eliminating the shortcomings of the prior art.

[0009] The essence of the invention

[0010] The above stated aim is achieved by a protective breathing screen according to the present invention, the essence of which lies in the fact that it contains a support structure to be worn by a user, on which at least one pair of ultrasonic atomizers with a piezoelectric transducer for generating a water mist is placed, while the ultrasonic atomizers are oriented towards each other in mutually intersecting directions for generating a water mist in the area in front of the user's respiratory tract.

[0011] Preferably, the ultrasonic atomizers are adjustably positioned in relation to each other with respect to changing the angle of intersection of the directions of generating a water mist.

[0012] Preferably, the support structure can be formed by a neck part forming two lateral arms, while on each arm of the neck part a lateral, cheek part is placed, extending from the arm of the neck part, transversely to the respective arm. In the neck part, a water reservoir with a pump and water distributions to the lateral, cheek parts, is placed. In each cheek part, at least one ultrasonic atomizer with a piezoelectric transducer for generating a water mist is placed on its inner side in mutually intersecting directions from the lateral, cheek parts in the area in front of the user's respiratory tract. Preferably, the lateral, cheek parts are adjustably positioned in relation to each other with respect to changing the angle of intersection of the directions of generating a water mist.

[0013] Preferably, a source of UV-C light is placed on the support structure, directed into the space in which the ultrasonic atomizers generate a water mist.

[0014] Overview of the figures in the drawings

[0015] The invention is explained in more detail by means of the figures in the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 schematically shows a side view of a personal protective breathing screen according to one example of embodiment of the present invention, showing its positioning on the neck of the user, and Fig. 2 schematically shows a top view of a personal protective breathing screen according to the present invention from Fig. 1, schematically showing only the facial part of the user.

[0016] Examples of embodiments of the invention

[0017] The personal protective breathing screen according to the present invention essentially contains a support structure 1 to be worn by a user, on which at least one pair of ultrasonic atomizers with a piezoelectric transducer for generating a water mist is placed. The ultrasonic atomizers are thereby oriented towards each other in mutually intersecting directions for generating a water mist in the area in front of the user's respiratory tract.

[0018] In one particular exemplary embodiment, illustrated in the figures, the personal protective breathing screen according to the present invention contains a support structure 1, which is preferably formed by an open neck part 2 forming two lateral arms 3. The support structure is essentially of "U" shape in a plan view. On the support structure 1, in this example on each arm 3 of the neck part 2, the lateral, cheek part 4 is placed, extending from the arm of the neck part 2, transversely to the respective arm 3 of the neck part 2.

[0019] In the neck part 2, a water reservoir with a pump and water distributions to the lateral, cheek parts 4, is placed. In each cheek part 4, at least one ultrasonic atomizer with a piezoelectric transducer for generating a water mist is placed on its inner side in mutually intersecting directions from the lateral, cheek parts 4 in the area in front of the user's respiratory tract.

[0020] In the particular example of an embodiment, the pump may be, for example, a commonly available circulation pump with small dimensions, preferably up to 45 mm x 24 mm (height x diameter), flow rate of 80 l / hour, an operating voltage of 3V to 6V and an operating current of 180mA. The ultrasonic atomizer may be, for example, a commonly available ultrasonic atomizer with a piezoelectric transducer with small dimensions, preferably up to 46x20x17mm, an operating voltage of 3V to 6V and an operating current of 300mA, an ultrasonic transducer power of 1.5W and a frequency of 110kHz.

[0021] In the particular example of an embodiment, the personal protective breathing screen may preferably contain two pairs of ultrasonic atomizers with piezoelectric transducers for generating a water mist, one pair of ultrasonic atomizers in one cheek part 4. The water consumption in such an arrangement is about 100 ml per hour and four ultrasonic atomizers with a pump have a consumption of about 5W. This assembly can then be powered, for example, by one battery cell with a capacity of 3450 mAh, while this device would be able to operate for about 5 hours.

[0022] The power supply of the device, personal protective breathing screen according to the invention, can be placed on the support structure 1 itself, or separately outside this structure 1 and connected by external wires to the device. The personal protective breathing screen according to the present invention enables breathing and the creation of an air shield in front of the user's respiratory tract. The ultrasonic piezoelectric transducer converts electrical energy into mechanical energy (sound vibrations) using the piezoelectric effect. Water applied to the diaphragm of the piezoelectric transducer vibrating at an ultrasonic frequency creates water droplets that silently leave the diaphragm in the form of a stream of extremely fine water mist of droplets with a diameter of approximately one micron, which quickly evaporates into the air.

[0023] The support structure 1 provides for the placement of at least one pair of ultrasonic atomizers on the sides of the face, preferably in the space at the level between the nose and the mouth, while these ultrasonic atomizers are oriented towards each other so that two essentially planar streams 6 of water mist impinging on each other from the left and right are directed away from the face, while a part of the reflected stream 6 of mist is directed into the space in front of the mouth and nose. The volume of water mist in front of the nose and mouth can be changed as needed by changing the mutual angle between the ultrasonic atomizers, for example in the range of 40 to 160 degrees. For this reason, it is then preferred if the ultrasonic atomizers are adjustably arranged in relation to each other. In the particular example of an embodiment shown in the figures, this can be preferably achieved by adjustable, for example, rotatory placing the side cheek parts 4 on the support structure 1.

[0024] The attachment of the support structure 1 to the user's body may be specifically solved, for example, in the form of the above described "U" element around the neck, or around the head, when the support structure is appropriately adapted for wearing on or around the head, while it does not necessarily need to exhibit the described "U" shape preferred for the neck part, or in another suitable way.

[0025] The originality of this solution lies in the unique principle of generating clean air from water directly in the area in front of the breathing holes. This means that there is no need to spend energy on complicated cleaning of the ambient air, which is noisy, energy-intensive, not very effective, difficult to maintain, clean and replace filters. Another unique element lies in the structure creating an air protective shield in front of the face by the flow of two partially oppositely directed, essentially planar streams 6 of water mist. When these two streams 6 meet, a small portion of the mist is reflected towards the space 5 in front of the mouth and nose, which ensures the supply of clean air and the expulsion of contaminated air from the space in front of the breathing holes. The main part of the volume of water mist is directed away from the breathing holes in the form of a small cloud 7, which creates a first buffer zone in front of the face to capture any contamination. The second buffer zone is represented by two essentially planar streams 6 of water mist protecting the breathing holes from the left and right.

[0026] A two-level air screen protects people from inhaling unhealthy outdoor air contaminated with smog, dust, pollen or microorganisms. Its effectiveness against microorganisms can be further preferably enhanced by illuminating the water mist cloud with UV-C light, which kills 99.99% of viruses and bacteria and is not dangerous to people at a frequency of 220 nm. Another exemplary embodiment of a personal protective breathing screen may also contain a source of UV-C light placed on the support structure 1 and directed into the space in which the ultrasonic atomizers generate a water mist.

[0027] Further unique possibilities are provided by water as a carrier medium. By heating or cooling water, it is possible to simply generate warm or cold mist in cold or too warm weather, which will ensure more comfortable breathing in winter or hot summer. In the same way, for therapeutic use, it is possible to change its pH or to supplement e.g. polyphenols, which create a so-called protective shield on the mucous membranes against the penetration of viruses and bacteria. It is also very easy to add essential oils or medicinal substances for allergy sufferers or asthmatics to the water, which will ensure their protection and at the same time therapy, even in the outdoor environment: in the city, in nature or in transport vehicles.

[0028] The solution is universal, it is also possible to use it in combination with adapters, for example with a mask or fixed shield to ensure the supply of fresh, unexhaled air even in the case of using fixed protection.

[0029] The benefits of the proposed solution are: supply of clean and fresh air, elimination of inhalation of exhaled air, possibility of normal social life including work and sports even in a contaminated environment (smog, dust, pollen, viruses and bacteria), noiselessness, mobility, and possibly also therapeutic functions.

[0030] It is understood that the above stated exemplary embodiments of personal protective breathing screen according to the invention are presented for illustration, while not exhausting all the possibilities of further embodiments within the essence of the present invention. Those skilled in the art will find, or be able to discover, using no more than routine experimentation, many equivalents to the specific embodiments of the solution according to the present invention. Such equivalents will also fall within the scope of the claims.

[0031] For those skilled in the art, it is not a problem to optimally design the structural embodiment of the personal protective breathing screen according to the present invention, enabling breathing and creating an air shield, therefore some features, such as shape, attachment of individual structural or functional elements, or material, etc. have not been described in detail.

[0032] Industrial applicability

[0033] The personal protective breathing screen according to the present invention, enabling breathing and creating an air shield according to the present invention, is intended mainly for the personal needs of people in everyday life during periods of viral pandemics, for allergy sufferers, asthmatics, people in cities with high concentrations of dust and smog and for medical personnel, shop assistants in stores, people in outpatient waiting rooms, workers in contaminated or dusty environments, drivers and passengers in buses, trains and airplanes, police officers, motorcyclists, cyclists, etc.

Claims

CLAIMS1. Personal protective breathing screen characterized in that it contains a support structure (1) to be worn by a user, on which at least one pair of ultrasonic atomizers with a piezoelectric transducer for generating a water mist is placed, while the ultrasonic atomizers are oriented towards each other in mutually intersecting directions for generating a water mist in the area in front of the user's respiratory tract.

2. Personal protective breathing screen according to claim 1, characterized in that the ultrasonic atomizers are adjustably positioned in relation to each other with respect to changing the angle of intersection of the directions of generating a water mist.

3. Personal protective breathing screen according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the support structure (1) is formed by a neck part (2) forming two lateral arms (3), while on each arm (3) of the neck part (2) the lateral, cheek part (4) is placed, extending from the arm (3) of the neck part (2), transversely to the respective arm (3), In the neck part (2), a water reservoir with a pump and water distributions to the lateral, cheek parts (4), is placed, while in each cheek part (4), at least one ultrasonic atomizer with a piezoelectric transducer for generating a water mist is placed on its inner side in mutually intersecting directions from the lateral, cheek parts (4) in the area in front of the user's respiratory tract.

4. Personal protective breathing screen according to claim 3, characterized in that the lateral, cheek parts (4) are adjustably positioned in relation to each other with respect to changing the angle of intersection of the directions of generating a water mist.

5. Personal protective breathing screen according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a source of UV-C light is placed on the support structure 1, directed into the space in which the ultrasonic atomizers generate a water mist.

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