Custom-controllable powered respirator face mask

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11541255-B2
Application number	US-201616336945-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 29, 2016
Priority date	Sep 29, 2016
Publication date	Jan 3, 2023
Grant date	Jan 3, 2023

Abstract

Embodiments relate generally to respirator face masks, and specifically to powered face masks which may be custom-controllable to better provide for the specific air needs of the individual user wearing the mask. For example, the face mask embodiments typically include a filter and a motorized fan, both generally located on the face mask itself, along with a processor. The processor then may use inputs, for example specific to the user and/or the environment, to control the fan speed. Thus, the fan speed of the face mask may be custom controlled to provide the appropriate amount of filtered air as the specific user needs it.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A filtration mask comprising:
a filter;
a motorized fan configured to direct air through the filter into the filtration mask, wherein the motorized fan is variable speed;
a housing configured to support the filter and the motorized fan, the housing comprising an outer shell and an inner shell, wherein the outer shell and the inner shell each define one or more apertures to allow air flow from an external environment of the filtration mask through the filtration mask to a user of the filtration mask;
an exhalation valve mounted on an outer surface of the inner shell and operable to direct exhaled air outward from the inner shell while preventing an entrance of air through the exhalation valve;
a hall sensor mounted on the outer surface of the inner shell and in proximity to the exhalation valve, the hall sensor configured to generate customization data comprising a breathing frequency of the user; and
a processor communicably coupled with the hall sensor and the motorized fan, the processor configured to:
receive the customization data; and
modify a speed of the motorized fan based upon the customization data comprising the breathing frequency of the user so as to modify a speed of the air directed through the filter and into the filtration mask.

2. The filtration mask of claim 1 , wherein the processor is further configured to determine a walking speed or heart rate of the user based upon the breathing frequency.

3. The filtration mask of claim 1 , further comprising a particulate matter (PM) 2.5 sensor configured to generate customization data indicative of particulates which have passed through the filter.

4. The filtration mask of claim 3 , wherein the processor is further configured to compare detected particulates within the filtration mask to pollution data from the Internet and to provide the user with an indication of an effectiveness of the filter.

5. The filtration mask of claim 1 , wherein the housing further comprises a middle shell located between the filter and the motorized fan, the middle shell comprising one or more apertures over which the filter is mounted.

6. The filtration mask of claim 5 , wherein the outer shell substantially covers a portion of the inner shell upon which the middle shell is positioned.

7. A system comprising the filtration mask of claim 1 , the system further comprising an interface device, wherein the processor further comprises a wireless receiver, and wherein the interface device is configured to interface with a wireless device that allows a user to input customization data for transmission to the processor.

8. The filtration mask of claim 7 , wherein the wireless receiver is further configured to wirelessly retrieve customization data.

9. The filtration mask of claim 1 , wherein the customization data is indicative of a humidity of an external environment of the filtration mask.

10. The filtration mask of claim 1 , wherein the customization data is indicative of a temperature of an external environment of the filtration mask.

11. The filtration mask of claim 1 , wherein the customization data is indicative of a heart rate of a user of the filtration mask.

12. The filtration mask of claim 1 , wherein customization data is indicative of a pressure of an external environment of the filtration mask.

13. The filtration mask of claim 1 , wherein the customization data is indicative of a physical location of a user of the filtration mask.

14. The filtration mask of claim 1 , wherein the customization data is indicative of a walking speed of a user of the filtration mask.

15. The filtration mask of claim 1 , wherein the customization data is indicative of a height, weight, or age of a user associated with the filtration mask.

16. The filtration mask of claim 1 , further comprising a battery configured to power one or more of the processor and the motorized fan.

17. The filtration mask of claim 16 , wherein the processor is further configured to modify the speed of the motorized fan at least in part based upon a battery life of the battery.

18. The filtration mask of claim 1 , wherein the outer shell is configured to cover the outer surface of the inner shell on which the hall sensor and the exhalation valve are supported.

19. A method of controlling a filtration mask, the mask comprising:
a filter;
a motorized fan configured to direct air through the filter into the filtration mask, wherein the motorized fan is variable speed;
a housing configured to support the filter and the motorized fan, the housing comprising an outer shell and an inner shell, wherein the outer shell and the inner shell each define one or more apertures to allow air flow from an external environment of the filtration mask through the filtration mask to a user of the filtration mask;
an exhalation valve mounted on an outer surface of the inner shell and operable to direct exhaled air outward from the inner shell while preventing an entrance of air through the exhalation valve;
a hall sensor mounted on the outer surface of the inner shell and in proximity to the exhalation valve, the hall sensor configured to generate customization data comprising a breathing frequency of the user, the method comprising:

receiving, by a processor of the filtration mask communicably coupled with the hall sensor and the motorized fan, the customization data; and
modifying a speed of the motorized fan speed by the processor based on the customization data comprising the breathing frequency of the user so as to modify a speed of air directed through the filter and into the filtration mask.

20. The method of claim 19 , wherein modifying the speed of the motorized fan further comprises:
determining, by the processor, an appropriate fan speed and generating a corresponding output signal based on the customization data; and
transmitting, by the processor, the output signal to the motorized fan.

Assignees

• Honeywell Int Inc

Inventors

• Shen Jiali
• Xiang Hongbing
• Chen Matthew
• Shen Jerry
• Hua Yiming

Classifications

• A62B9/006

  Indicators or warning devices, e.g. of low pressure, contamination · CPC title

• A62B9/00

  Component parts for respiratory or breathing apparatus (A62B19/00, A62B21/00, A62B23/00 take precedence) · CPC title

• A62B18/088

  Devices for indicating filter saturation · CPC title

• A62B7/10

  with filter elements · CPC title

• A62B18/006 Primary

  with pumps for forced ventilation (A62B18/045 takes precedence) · CPC title