Activated carbon absorber

TECHNICAL AREA

0001The present invention relates to an activated carbon absorber, in particular an activated carbon absorber for use by a user of a ventilated respirator or respirator.

TECHNICAL BACKGROUND

Technological background

0002During painting processes, which are carried out by means of spray guns, which are operated with compressed air and using solvents, it inevitably results in a so-called "overspray". This means that the operating room is loaded with an undesirable amount of paint or paint droplets, which is also very harmful to the human body. For this reason, health protection is necessary for the worker. Respiratory protective hoods, which can preferably be fastened over the entire head and in particular in front of the entire face of the worker, are excellently suited for this purpose and offer maximum health protection. Such breathing hoods are usually compressed air-fed independently of the ambient air. For this purpose, compressed air is initially as a rule fed to an air treatment system, which first comprises a single-stage or multi-stage filter system. The filtered air is then fed via a compressed air hose to a waistband or hip belt, which is usually equipped with at least one further air treatment module. An air treatment module may be an activated carbon absorber, another air treatment module may be an air heater or a humidifier. With the help of the activated carbon absorber module unwanted vapors and gases can be removed, which may still be contained in the compressed air. And an air heater module and / or a humidifier module can provide further health and well-being benefits. A further advantageous embodiment is to attach an air control and distributor module on the waistband or hip belt. The entire structure is commonly referred to as a belt unit. Such an advantageous belt unit is for use in a respirator with the product name "Vision 2000" SATA GmbH & Co. KG known.

0003Today's respiratory protection users place increased demands on ensuring health protection and ease of use. On the other hand, manufacturers and suppliers want products that are as easy to produce as possible, easy to assemble and, if necessary, easy to disassemble.

Object of the invention

0004The object of the invention is to show a way how the aforementioned problems can be solved.

Solution to the problem of the invention

0005The object of the invention is achieved by an activated carbon unit having the features of claim 1. The housing according to the invention of the activated carbon absorber module is easy to assemble, assemble, handle and disassemble.

Brief description of the drawings

0006The accompanying drawings form a part of the present specification and are provided for further understanding of the present invention. They illustrate possible embodiments of the present invention and serve to explain the principles of the present invention together with the description. In the accompanying drawings, like components are designated by the same reference numerals.

0007The drawings show the following:<ul id="ul0001" list-style="none" compact="compact"><li><figref idref="f0001">Fig. 1A</figref> illustrates the front part of the activated carbon absorber according to an embodiment of the present invention,</li><li><figref idref="f0002">Fig. 1B</figref> Figure 11 illustrates the back side of the activated carbon absorber according to an embodiment of the present invention;</li><li><figref idref="f0003">Fig. 2A</figref> shows an assembly drawing of the activated carbon absorber according to an embodiment of the present invention with its fastening unit,</li><li><figref idref="f0004">Fig. 2B</figref> shows another view of the assembly drawing,</li><li><figref idref="f0005">Fig. 3A</figref> illustrates the fastening unit closer,</li><li><figref idref="f0006">Fig. 3B</figref> shows a different view of the fastening unit,</li><li><figref idref="f0007">Fig. 4</figref> shows the attachment of the activated carbon absorber to a hip belt,</li><li><figref idref="f0008">Fig. 5</figref> shows the view of the removal of the activated carbon absorber from the hip belt,</li><li><figref idref="f0009">Figs. 6A ~ 6B</figref> show the activated carbon absorber in five different rotational angle position according to an embodiment of the present invention,</li><li><figref idref="f0010">Fig. 7</figref> shows the hip belt individually, and</li><li><figref idref="f0011">Fig. 8</figref> shows a particularly preferred embodiment of the activated carbon absorber according to the present invention.</li></ul>

Detailed description of the embodiments

0008The following detailed description is to be understood with reference to the drawings, which form a part of the specification, and which is an exemplary illustration of the possibilities offered by the invention. In the drawings, directions are to be understood as above, below, inside and outside with reference to the drawings described. Components of the embodiments of the invention may be arranged in several different directions so that the directional indications are used for illustration only and thus are not intended to imply limits. The description should also be understood to select other embodiments and structural or logical changes based on the premise that they are permitted in accordance with the scope of the invention. Therefore, the following detailed description should not be construed as limiting. It should be understood that features of the various embodiments described herein may be combined with each other unless specifically stated otherwise.

0009The activated carbon absorber 100 of the present invention is intended for use by a user of a ventilated respirator or respirator.

0010As in <figref idref="f0011">Fig. 8</figref> can be seen, the activated carbon adsorber 100 according to the invention on a filter cartridge 101, which is arranged in a special housing 2.3. The housing 2, 3 is composed of two hollow hemispheres or half shells 2 and 3. The half shells 2, 3 are connected together along a seam line 300. The compound may be a detachable or an insoluble compound. Clip-on, glued or welded joints are possible.

0011The hemispheres 2, 3 are provided on two opposite sides, each with a relatively large opening 103, one of which allows the insertion and removal of an activated carbon-containing component 101 and the other the insertion and removal of a device for temperature compensation. Each opening 103 is closed by a screw cap 104. In other embodiments, in which no device for temperature compensation or another module in the housing 2, 3 of the activated carbon absorber is to be used, in principle, a single opening 103 is sufficient.

0012In the illustrated preferred embodiment of the invention, the activated carbon is housed in a filter cartridge 101, which is formed as a tube, namely as a straight, cylindrical tube. The carbon particles are housed in the walls of the tube 101, which are closed at their ends. The outer diameter of the tube 101 is slightly smaller than the diameter of the openings 103 and the length of the tube 101 is slightly smaller than the diameter of the two housing half balls 2, 3 and the housing ball. Therefore, the tube 101 is easily inserted into the openings 103.

0013In a preferred, but not shown in the drawings variant, the tube 101 is provided at one of its two ends with a closure plate which is dimensionally matched to the dimensions of one of the two openings 103 in the housing 2, 3 of the activated carbon absorber 100 that the opening 103 can be closed by the closure plate. The closure plate may include protrusions and / or depressions as handles and / or attachment means such as a thread which may cooperate with threads on the opening 103 and / or on the screw cap 104.

0014In the in <figref idref="f0011">Fig. 8</figref> shown particularly preferred embodiment, in the cavity 1011 of the tube 101, a device for temperature compensation, respectively. an air heater / air cooler module 102 may be inserted if desired. In the presence of the temperature compensation device 102, the breathing air reaches the craftsman with a comfortable, comfortable temperature which he will choose to warm in the winter time so as not to catch a cold. In summertime, he can choose the air temperature cooler, so as not to sweat too much.

0015Like in the <figref idref="f0011">Fig. 8</figref> further indicated, the temperature compensation device 102 comprises a cylindrical hollow body 106 made of plastic with a hot air duct 1042 and with a cold air duct 1040, wherein the channels 1042 and 1040 in the longitudinal direction of the hollow body 106 adjoin one another and are in fluid communication.

0016The inner diameter of the hot air passage 1042 is made smaller than that of the cold air passage 1040; the length of the hot air duct 1042 is substantially greater than that of the cold air duct 1040. In the present embodiment, the hot air duct 1042 is about four times as long as the cold air duct 1040.

0017Around the central axis of the body 106 extends in the radial direction an air guide element or air bypass element over a large part of the total length of the hot air duct 1042. The air bypass element can also be arranged in any other suitable form. In the present embodiment, the air guide element also has a so-called star. At the cold air duct 1040, a circular disk-shaped air swirl element 141 is arranged as an air guide element, namely integrally formed. The inner diameter of the air swirl element 141 is about twice that of the cold air passage 1040. The air swirl element 141 is internally provided with a plurality of swirl elements extending in the radial direction about the central axis of the body 106, each swirl element being hollow. In the preferred embodiment, the air swirl element 141 terminates in an annular plate 144, which in the preferred embodiment shown is not fixed to the cold air duct 1040 but rather to the warm air duct 1042, in particular integrally formed on this duct 1042. The annular plate 144 has a slightly smaller diameter than the cylindrical wall of the air rotating element 141. The warm air duct 1042 and the cold air duct 1040 are connected to each other in the region of the annular plate 144; simply nested in the present embodiment and hold with interference fit. From the viewpoint of achieving a particularly good heating and cooling effect, the inner diameter of the air swirl element 141 is approximately twice that of the hot air duct 1042. The operating principle of the temperature compensation device according to the invention corresponds to a vortex or vortex tube principle and therefore need not be explained in detail here. The shown and described length / diameter ratios of hot air duct 1042 and cold air duct 1040 in the overall body 102 ensure in any case a meaningful for human use air temperature compensation.

0018In a preferred embodiment of the invention is provided to attach the activated carbon absorber 100 via a special attachment unit 4 and then via a special adapter 15 on the hip belt 200. Such a type of attachment brings the activated carbon absorber 100 in the vicinity of one of the user's hands and thus greatly increases the ease of use.

0019That in the <figref idref="f0001">Fig. 1A</figref>, <figref idref="f0002">1B</figref>, <figref idref="f0003">2A</figref>, <figref idref="f0004">2 B</figref>, <figref idref="f0007">4</figref> and <figref idref="f0008">5</figref> Although to be seen housing 2, 3 differs in outline and in certain details, although from the outline and certain details of <figref idref="f0011">Fig. 8</figref> shown housing 2, 3 from. However, essential details are the same, which is why the invention will be described below with reference to this embodiment.

0020The housing 2, 3 and this of the activated carbon absorber accordingly comprises a first half-shell 2 and a second half-shell 3. Both activated carbon absorber, ie the one after the <figref idref="f0001">Fig. 1A</figref>, <figref idref="f0002">1B</figref>, <figref idref="f0003">2A</figref>, <figref idref="f0004">2 B</figref>, <figref idref="f0007">4</figref> and <figref idref="f0008">5</figref> as well as the one after <figref idref="f0011">Fig. 8</figref>, Can be mounted on their housing 2, 3 by means of the same attachment unit 4 on a hip belt 200 and removed as needed again.

0021The activated carbon absorber 100 is provided with an air inlet connector 7 through which compressed air from an external compressed air supply can be introduced into the activated carbon absorber 100. A connector 6 for a hose or the like leading to a respirator or hood is disposed on the same side of the housing 2, 3 as the air inlet connector 7, but above this air inlet connector 7. Furthermore, a port 9 is arranged on the other side of the activated carbon absorber 100, which leads to the output of compressed air via a hose or the like to a compressed air-operated hand tool such as a paint spray gun. On the same side as this connection 9, but above it, there is a regulator 8, which serves to adjust the pressure of the air leading to the respiratory mask or hood. For safety reasons, the regulator 8 is configured such that the activated carbon absorber 100 always supplies air at a predetermined pressure to the respiratory mask or hood even when the regulator 8 is set to "minimum".

0022The connector 6 for connection with the respirator or hood and / or the connection 9 for the spray gun can be closed by a blind cover or the like when not using the activated carbon absorber 100, if desired.

0023Preferably, the activated carbon absorber 100 may be connected to a pressure gauge (not shown in the figures).

0024In a preferred embodiment, in the as in <figref idref="f0003">Fig. 2A, 2A</figref> and <figref idref="f0011">8</figref> is shown closer, the second half-shell 3 of the activated carbon absorber 100 is provided with a hinged holder 5, on which the spray gun or the breathing air hose can be maintained when the spray gun or the respirator or hood is not used. As in<figref idref="f0004">Fig. 2B</figref> 1, a first arm of the here two-armed holder 5 is attached to the activated carbon absorber 100 by means of a screw 11. The other, second arm of the holder 5 is pivotally connected to the first arm and is otherwise free. It can be rotated relative to the activated carbon absorber 100.

0025As in <figref idref="f0003">Fig. 2A</figref> indicated, the second arm of the holder 5 can be rotated at an angle between 20 ° to 90 °, preferably at an angle of 70 °. Furthermore, a first locking element 52, preferably a magnet, is provided at the free end of the second arm of the holder 5. The locking member 52 cooperates with a second locking member (preferably with a magnet) provided on the activated carbon absorber 100. In the present embodiment, the second locking element is attached to the holder 5 in the region of a plate seat 51, which is provided at the upper non-free end of the first arm of the holder 5. In summary, the holder 5 can be securely held in the folded position when not in use on the activated carbon absorber 100. And preferably, as in the<figref idref="f0003">2A</figref> and <figref idref="f0004">2 B</figref> is shown, a recessed groove 31 inserted in the second half-shell 3 of the housing. The groove 31 is dimensionally matched to the holder 5, that the second arm is flush in the retracted position in the groove 31, except for a handle 500 at the upper end.

0026The <figref idref="f0005">Fig. 3A</figref> and <figref idref="f0006">3B</figref> respectively illustrate the attachment unit 4 of the activated carbon absorber 100 in front view and rear view. The fastening unit 4 comprises connecting elements 41, 42 which are suitable for connecting the first half shell 2 of the housing of the activated carbon absorber 100 to an adapter 15 belonging to a hip belt 200 (see FIG.<figref idref="f0007">Fig. 4</figref>).

0027As in the <figref idref="f0005">Fig. 3A</figref> and <figref idref="f0006">3B</figref> shown, in the present embodiment, substantially oval shaped first connecting element 41 of the fixing unit 4 has two hollow projections 411 which are arranged above and below the connecting element 41 and projecting in the direction of the first half-shell 2 of the housing of the activated carbon absorber. A mounting hole 412 is inserted in each projection 411. The first half-shell 2 has corresponding fastening holes into which the projections 411 can be inserted. As in<figref idref="f0006">Fig. 3B</figref> Further shown, screws 11 are used, which engage through the top and bottom of the first arm of the holder 5 plate seats 51 through recessed mounting holes 53, and then through mounting holes in the first half-shell 2 and in the second half-shell 3 of the housing of the activated carbon absorber 100th At the projections 411, the fixing unit 4 is fastened by means of bolts 12. In order to obtain a particularly secure attachment, bolt seats 413 are provided for screws or the like.

0028As in <figref idref="f0006">Fig. 3B</figref> is shown, two sliding slots 421 are provided on the adapter portion 42 of the fastener 4. The adapter region 42 is circular in outline. A stopper contact 422 protrudes from the peripheral surface of the adapter portion 42 from the top of the adapter portion 42. Two parallel protrusions 421 b projecting from the circular area near the center of the adapter 42 respectively constitute the top of an inner wall 421 a for one of the two sliding slots 421. By way of this, the connection between the activated carbon absorber 100 and a hip belt 200 can be accomplished in accordance with the invention.

0029The hip belt 200 indicated in FIGS. 10 and 11 comprises a waistband 13 which is provided with a pad 14 on its inside. On its outer side, the waistband 13 is equipped with an adapter 15 for the attachment unit 4 of the activated carbon absorber 100.

0030The adapter 15 has a support plate 151 supported by the support plate 151 a mounting plate 152 and a release mechanism 153. Two guide rails 1521 are provided on the adapter 15, which are matched in position and shape to the two sliding slots 421 on the adapter region 42 of the fastening element 4. A stop member 1522 connects the two guide rails 1521 at their lower ends; the stopper 1522 and the two guide rails 1521 thus substantially form a "U" shape. Each guide rail 1521 includes a rib 1521a projecting from the mounting plate 152. The two ribs 1521a are arranged on the attachment plate 152 along the longitudinal direction of the waistband 13 and extend parallel to each other along the width direction of the waistband 13. The upper part of each rib 1521a is provided with a protrusion 1521b protruding outward in the longitudinal direction of the waist band. Each projection 1521 b defines on the mounting plate 152 a guide or clip for the slide slots 421 on the adapter portion 42 of the fastener 4.

0031The release mechanism 153 has a one-armed lever 153a and a handle 153b connected to the lever 153a. As shown in Fig. 10, the lever 153a is located in a recess of the upper part of the mounting plate 152. The lever 153a is made of a relatively flexible material, so it can be deformed when pressure is applied to the handle 153b. In the present embodiment, the lever 153 a is integrally formed with the mounting plate 152 and cut out of this plate 152. The handle 153b is integrally formed on the upper end of the lever 153a. The surface of the handle 153b in the present embodiment is larger than the surface of the lever, whereby a stop surface 153c between the handle 153b and the lever 153a is formed.

0032In <figref idref="f0007">Fig. 4</figref> It is shown in more detail how the activated carbon absorber 100 can be fastened to the hip belt 200 via the adapter 15 via the adapter region 42 of the fastening unit 4 and released therefrom again. The guide rails 1521 of the mounting plate 152 of the adapter 15 can be inserted after appropriate alignment by a downward pressure in the sliding slots 421 of the adapter portion 42 of the mounting unit 4. Then, since the protrusions 421b of the slide slots 421 and the protrusions 1521b of the guide rails 1521 are engaged, the activated carbon absorber 100 is securely fastened to the hip belt 200. The stop element 1522 on the adapter 15 restricts the sliding movements downwards, so that an undesired lowering of the activated carbon absorber 100 is prevented. The upper end of the stopper contact 422 on the attachment unit 4 prevents the abutment surface 153c of the release mechanism 153 of the adapter 15 from coming into undesirable contact with the activated carbon absorber 100.

0033As in <figref idref="f0008">Fig. 5</figref> As shown, removal of the activated charcoal absorber 100 from the hip belt 200 can be effected in a simple manner. By contacting the stopper contact 422 on the attachment unit 4 and the abutment surface 153c of the lever 153a by pressing the handle 153b in the direction of the arrow 1 (FIG.<figref idref="f0007">Fig. 4</figref>), ie towards the wearer of the hip belt 200, the release mechanism 153 is triggered and the activated carbon absorber 100 can be moved by moving it upward in the direction of the arrow 2 (FIG.<figref idref="f0008">Fig. 5</figref>) are removed.

0034Although the embodiment describes and shows only one example of slide slots 421 on the adapter portion 42 of the attachment unit 4 and guide rails 152 on the adapter 15 of the waist belt 200, on the other hand, slide slots may be provided on the adapter guide rails on the attachment unit. Other types of sliding or sliding connections or any other releasable connection such as clip or locking connections are possible.

0035As shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, the adapter 42 and the connecting member 41 of the fixing unit 4 are connected by a thin hex nut 43 and a screw 44. Since the adapter 42 is connected to the connecting member 41, the activated carbon absorber 100 (or another module attached to the fixing unit 4) can be rotated with respect to the hip belt 200 with respect to the one another (see FIG.<figref idref="f0009">FIGS. 6A to 6E</figref> the previous embodiment). This contributes to a further increase in comfort for the operator.

0036Furthermore, as in the <figref idref="f0001">Fig. 1A</figref>, <figref idref="f0002">1B</figref> and <figref idref="f0011">8</figref> The activated charcoal absorber 100 is equipped with a color code system disc 10 (CCS disc). In the present embodiment, a circular recess on the top of the housing 2.3 of the activated carbon absorber 100 is embedded, in which the also circular color code system disk 10 can be clipped.

0037Various activated carbon absorbers 100 may be personalized with a color code system disk 10 of different color. Or it can be assigned to various respiratory masks or hoods in a simple manner different activated carbon absorber. Other types of attachment and color code system shapes are of course possible.

0038The use of license plates other than color code system discs is of course possible. In any case, the safety of respiratory protective devices is further improved by means of the license plates.

0039Preferably, all elements or sub-elements of the activated carbon absorber 100 are made of plastic. In another possible embodiment, the two half-shells 2, 3 of the housing may have different colors. If the colors of the half shells are matched to the colors of the hip belt or of the adapter 15, assembly errors can be almost ruled out.

0040In a further embodiment of the invention, a connection with the activated carbon absorber can be made on the hip belt at several points. Preferably, two locations should be chosen later on the left side and the right side of the waist of the user when the hip belt is worn by the user. Then, the activated carbon absorber can be changed by users from one side to the other, which is why the belt unit can be easily used by left and right handed people.

0041Finally, it should again be emphasized that the above describes only preferred embodiments of the present invention, but does not limit the present invention thereto. For the skilled in the art, the present invention may have various modifications and changes. All changes, equivalent substitutions, improvements that fall within the spirit and principle of the present invention should be covered by the scope.