Respiratory Blower Layout With Upstream Air Temperature Control

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing blower devices for respiratory protection systems are not compact and do not effectively integrate temperature control, leading to discomfort and inefficiency in airflow management.

Innovation Solution

A blower device with a thermal unit positioned along the airflow upstream of the fan, integrated within a common housing unit, which can cool or heat the airflow, and includes a compact design for wear on the body, featuring a fan and thermal unit arranged side by side with defined airflow channels.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If a blower device is designed with separate temperature control components, then temperature control function is achieved, but device size and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveairflow temperature controlVSAvoiddevice structure
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the temperature control unit with the blower device into a single integrated assembly. The thermal unit is positioned upstream of the fan within the same housing, allowing temperature control and airflow generation to occur in a unified device rather than as separate components, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining both functions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The housing unit serves multiple functions simultaneously: it contains the fan for airflow generation, houses the thermal unit for temperature control, and provides defined channels for airflow guidance. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate structural components for each function, reducing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of manufacture

If thermal unit and fan are arranged separately, then ease of manufacturing is improved, but device volume increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomponent assemblyVSAvoidblower device volume
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The thermal unit is nested within the housing unit in such a way that it occupies space upstream of the fan but within the overall device envelope. The defined channels are integrated into the housing structure, allowing airflow to be guided through the thermal unit and then to the fan without requiring additional external ducting or space, thus minimizing device volume while maintaining manufacturability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Volume of moving object

If blower device is made compact, then portability and comfort are improved, but airflow management efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveblower device sizeVSAvoidairflow management efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The housing unit provides defined channels that create localized optimized airflow paths between the thermal unit and fan. These channels are specifically shaped to guide airflow efficiently through the compact device, ensuring that despite the reduced overall size, the local airflow management maintains high efficiency through proper channel geometry and flow direction control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution provides a compact, comfortable blower device that effectively temperature-controls airflow, eliminating the need for room cooling and enabling cooling of breathing air in an open space, while maintaining a compact and efficient design.

Implementation Method 1

a thermal unit (18a, 18b, 18c, 18d), which, in at least one operating state, is designed to temperature-control the airflow (16a, 16b, 16c, 16d)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentEP4653057A1Blower device, in particular for a respiratory protection system
Publication Date: 2025.11.26 OPTREL HOLDING AG
  • EP4653057A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4653057A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4653057A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a blower device for a respiratory protection system (10a), comprising a fan (14a; 14b; 14c; 14d) for generating an airflow (16a; 16b; 16c; 16d). It is proposed that the blower device includes a thermal unit (18a; 18b; 18c; 18d) which, in at least one operating state, is designed to change the temperature of the airflow (16a; 16b; 16c; 16d) and which is arranged along the airflow (16a; 16b; 16c; 16d) upstream of the fan (14a; 14b; 14c; 14d).