Respiratory Protective Equipment Remote Monitoring via Sensor Feedback

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing respiratory protective equipment for operators in dusty environments, such as welding sites, requires manual management of air filters and battery charging, which is time-consuming and inefficient, especially when performed remotely, and lacks real-time safety monitoring for operator health and equipment functionality.

Innovation Solution

The equipment integrates sensors for air volume, voltage, acceleration, and temperature, along with communication devices to remotely monitor and control the air supply, battery status, and alert for filter clogging and operator safety, enabling automated adjustments and alerts for equipment management and safety management from a remote location.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If manual management of air filters and battery charging is performed, then equipment management can be conducted, but it is time-consuming and inefficient especially when performed remotely

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveequipment management efficiencyVSAvoidtime for filter replacement and battery charging

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system incorporates sensors that continuously monitor air filter clogging status and battery charge levels, automatically transmitting data to a remote server. This feedback mechanism eliminates the need for manual checking and enables automated management decisions based on real-time equipment status.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The equipment performs self-monitoring and self-reporting of its status through integrated sensors and communication modules. The system automatically detects when filters need replacement or when batteries require charging, and communicates this information remotely without human intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If equipment management is performed manually by individual operators, then filter and battery replacement can be conducted, but the replacement is not performed according to a uniform standard

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuniformity of maintenance standardVSAvoidmanual determination process

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor system provides objective, quantifiable data about filter clogging status and battery charge levels, replacing subjective visual inspection. This standardized measurement approach ensures consistent maintenance decisions across all operators and equipment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

Manual visual inspection and judgment are replaced with automated electronic sensors and digital communication systems. The mechanical process of operators checking equipment is substituted with electronic monitoring and automated data transmission to the server.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If safety management is performed by an administrator at a separate location, then safety monitoring can be conducted, but the administrator cannot quickly take measures in a crisis

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesafety monitoring capabilityVSAvoidresponse time to operator crisis

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously monitors operator status through sensors and immediately transmits abnormal data to the remote server. This real-time feedback enables the administrator to detect crises instantly and respond immediately, eliminating the delay associated with periodic manual checks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The monitoring system operates continuously without interruption, constantly tracking equipment status and operator conditions. This continuous surveillance ensures that no safety issues are missed and enables immediate detection and response to any emerging problems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

4Reliability

If multiple sensors and communication devices are integrated, then remote monitoring and control capability is enhanced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveremote management capabilityVSAvoidnumber of integrated components

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The server system performs multiple functions including data reception, analysis, storage, and communication. By consolidating these functions into a single multi-functional platform, the system reduces overall complexity despite incorporating multiple sensors and communication devices at the equipment level.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20230128743A1Protective equipment for respiration, protective system for respiration, and management method

Publication Date: 2023.04.27 SWANS

AI summary

A protective system for respiration, and a management method facilitates stably supplying filtered air for safety such that the equipment management or the safety management can be performed remotely. The protective equipment includes a main body that covers the face of an operator, a fan unit including an air filter and an electric fan, a detecting section, a first control section, and a first communication section. The detecting section detects a physical quantity concerning at least one of a work environment of the operator, an action state of the operator, and an operation state of the electric fan. The first control section controls the electric fan based on a detection result of the detecting section. The first communication section transmits first information indicating a detection result of the detecting section or second information concerning an operation amount on a control target of the first control section to an external device.