Device for Supply of Breathing Air to a Breathing Air Region

A device for supplying breathing air to a breathing air region has an air purification unit with filter unit and blower unit. First areal outflow regions with air outlet openings and having a first surface area are provided. The air purification unit supplies breathing air to the first areal outflow regions and the breathing air flows out in an outflow direction. Areal boundary devices with a second surface area are provided. The areal boundary devices are arranged opposite the first areal outflow regions such that each first areal outflow region has one of the areal boundary devices positioned opposite thereto at an angle of less than 10°. The second surface area of the areal boundary device corresponds at least to the first surface area of the first areal outflow region. The breathing air region is located between the areal boundary device and the first areal outflow region.

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Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a device for supply of breathing air to a breathing air region, wherein the device comprises an air purification unit comprising a filter unit and a blower unit, wherein the device comprises at least one areal outflow region for breathing air with at least two air outlet openings to which the air purification unit supplies purified breathing air, wherein the breathing air flows out of the outflow region in an outflow direction, wherein opposite to the outflow region an areal boundary device is arranged whose surface area corresponds at least to the surface area of the outflow region and which is positioned relative to the outflow region at an angle of less than 10°, and wherein the breathing air region is located between the boundary device and the outflow region.

WO 96/39 905 discloses a device for supply of breathing air to a child's bed. At all sides of the bed as well as the mattress, the device comprises air outlet openings through which the air is flowing into the interior of the bed.

It is an object of the invention to provide a device for supply of breathing air to a breathing air region which has a simple configuration and whose operation is comfortable for the user.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, this is achieved in that the device comprises an areal boundary device opposite each outflow region.

It has been found that it is pleasant for the user when the flow velocity of the air in the breathing air region is comparatively minimal. In this way, it is prevented that the user has the impression of an air draft. At the same time, a supply of a comparatively high quantity of breathing air into the breathing air region is desirable in order to ensure that unpurified air cannot reach the breathing air region. In order to supply great quantities of breathing air with minimal flow velocity, outflow regions with very large surface areas are however required and this makes such devices complex.

It has now been found that the breathing air which is exiting from the outflow region can be decelerated in a simple way when opposite each outflow region an areal boundary device is arranged. The boundary device decelerates the air stream which is exiting from the outflow region so that between the outflow region and the boundary device a zone with purified air is formed which flows at minimal flow velocity. This zone with minimal flow velocity forms the breathing air region.

The outflow velocity of the breathing air from the outflow region is advantageously greater than the flow velocity of the air in the breathing air region and amounts in particular to at least twice the flow velocity of the air in the breathing air region. Since the outflow velocity from the outflow region is significantly greater than the flow velocity of the air in the breathing air region, the outflow velocity can be selected to be comparatively large without causing the user to experience an unpleasant sensation of air draft. Accordingly, with one or a plurality of outflow regions with comparatively minimal surface area, a high volumetric flow of air into the breathing air region can be achieved so that a sufficient quantity of purified breathing air is supplied to the breathing air region. The breathing air region is advantageously open relative to the environment. Air from the breathing air region flows however out of the breathing air region into the environment and displaces thereby the ambient air. In this way, it is prevented that unpurified ambient air can penetrate into the breathing air region. In a preferred embodiment, no structural devices are provided which separate the breathing air region from the environment. In this way, it is ensured that the user is not impaired by the device for supply of breathing air. Accordingly, since a defined breathing air region between outflow region and boundary device is formed, the quantity of air to be purified can be kept relatively small. In this way, an effective purification of the breathing air with simple means is achieved. Due to the comparatively minimal air quantity to be purified, the user has purified breathing air available to him already after a very short operating time of the device. In contrast to air purification devices that, for example, purify the entire air quantity present within a room, no prolonged preparation time is required for purifying the entire air quantity contained in a room since, according to the invention, only the quantity of breathing air which is supplied to the breathing air region must be purified.

Advantageously, when operating the device in stationary ambient air, the flow velocity which is reached in the breathing air region as a result of the breathing air exiting from the at least one outflow region amounts to less than 0.1 m/s. Advantageously, the flow velocity in the breathing air region amounts to 0.05 m/s to 0.1 m/s. In this way, it is avoided that the user has the impression of an air draft and that the mucous membranes dry out excessively. The outflow velocity of the breathing air from the outflow region amounts advantageously to at least 0.2 m/s. In this way, a sufficiently large volumetric flow into the breathing air region is ensured. By means of the large quantity of breathing air which is flowing out of the breathing air region, penetration of unpurified ambient air into the breathing air region can be avoided in a simple way. In preferred embodiment, the outflow velocity amounts to 0.2 m/s to 2.5 m/s. The specified flow velocities relate in this context to a room temperature of 18° C. to 23° C. and a relative air humidity of 30% to 65%.

In an advantageous embodiment, the outflow region and the boundary device are arranged parallel to each other. The boundary device is advantageously arranged perpendicular relative to the outflow direction from the outflow region so that the breathing air exiting from the outflow region is decelerated by the boundary device and a lateral escape of the breathing air is substantially avoided.

Advantageously, the outflow region and the boundary device are embodied mirror symmetrical to a mirror plane which is dividing the breathing air region and is extending transverse to the outflow direction.

In an advantageous embodiment, the boundary device is formed by a second areal outflow region. The breathing air stream exiting from the first outflow region and the breathing air stream exiting from the second outflow region flow advantageously approximately parallel to each other and meet each other head-on so that an optimal deceleration of the air streams results. Preferably, the surface area of the first outflow region and the surface area of the second outflow region are identical. The two outflow regions are preferably designed to be congruent relative to each other. In a particular advantageous embodiment, the outflow regions, in a viewing direction parallel to the connecting line of the geometric centers of the two outflow regions, are positioned completely congruent relative to each other. In a particularly preferred embodiment, each outflow region has correlated therewith an oppositely positioned, congruently embodied second outflow region. Since each outflow region has an oppositely positioned, congruently configured second outflow region correlated therewith, each air stream which is flowing into the breathing air region is decelerated by an oppositely oriented air stream. Due to the symmetric arrangement, laterally escaping air streams that could produce greater flow velocities are substantially avoided.

Due to the arrangement of a boundary device opposite each outflow region, the surface area of the outflow region can be selected to be comparatively small. Preferably, the surface area of the outflow region is matched to the distance between outflow region and boundary device. Advantageously, the ratio of the square of the distance between the outflow region and the boundary device, measured in centimeters, relative to the surface area of the outflow region measured in square centimeters amounts to approximately 5 to approximately 25. The square of the distance divided by the surface area amounts therefore to approximately 5 to approximately 25. It has been found that in particular for a small distance of the outflow regions relative to each other, as is the case, for example, for portable devices for supply of breathing air to the nose and mouth of a user, a ratio of approximately 15 to approximately 25 is advantageous. The ratio of the square of the distance to the surface area of approximately 15 to approximately 25 is in particular provided for a distance of approximately 5 cm to approximately 20 cm, in particular of approximately 10 cm to approximately 15 cm. At a great distance of the outflow regions relative to each other, as is the case, for example, in devices for supply of breathing air to a bed, in particular a ratio of 5 to 15, preferably of 5 to 10, is advantageous. A ratio in this range is in particular provided for a distance of approximately 50 cm to 240 cm.

Advantageously, at least one outflow region is designed so large that at least the front side of the head of a user, preferably the entire head of the user, is completely located within the breathing air region. In this context, it is advantageously provided that at least one outflow region, in particular all outflow regions, have a surface area of at least 400 cm2, respectively. The surface area of the outflow regions is advantageously designed such that substantially only the head of one or several users is located in the breathing air region. The body of the user is advantageously located outside of the breathing air region so that the outflow regions must be selected to be comparatively small.

Advantageously, the outflow velocity is matched to the distance between the outflow region and the boundary device. The ratio of the distance between the outflow region and the boundary device, measured in cm, and the outflow velocity, measured in cm/s, is advantageously at least 1.0.

A simple embodiment results when at least one outflow region, in particular all outflow regions, are of a flat design. In this way, a comparatively homogenous deceleration of the breathing air which is exiting from the outflow region can be achieved. However, it can also be advantageous to configure at least one outflow region in a curved shape. In a preferred embodiment, the outflow regions are designed such that the smallest dimension of at least one outflow region, in particular of each outflow region, amounts to at least 20 cm, in particular at least 25 cm. Since the outflow region neither with respect to height nor with respect to width amounts to less than 20 cm, a sufficiently large breathing air region can be produced and turbulences and mixing with the surrounding unpurified air can be substantially avoided at least at the center of the breathing air region so that it is ensured that a user breathes only purified breathing air. This is provided in particular for devices for supply of breathing air provided at a bed of a user. For portable devices, it can also be provided that the smallest dimension of the outflow region is smaller than 20 cm.

The region of the device which is upstream of the outflow region is advantageously designed for producing laminar flow in the outflow region. For this purpose, several ribs can be arranged in the region upstream of the outflow region. The ribs divide the outflow region advantageously into several elongate air outlet openings. Preferably, the ribs are arranged transverse to the flow direction in the channel which is extending to the outflow region. The length of the ribs increases preferably with increasing distance away from the air source, in particular a blower, measured in the flow direction.

In an alternative embodiment, a multitude of air outlet openings neighboring each other can be provided that are supplied via individual channels with breathing air. In this way, a laminar flow can be produced in a simple way at the exit from the outflow region. The individual channels can be formed, for example, by tubes or by a grid structure.

In an alternative embodiment, it is provided that at the outflow region a (knitted) spacer fabric is arranged that is covered in particular by a fabric. By means of the (knitted) spacer fabric, a constant pressure is produced upstream of the outflow region that leads to a laminar flow from the outflow region.

Advantageously, at least one outflow region comprises a multitude of air outlet openings. Preferably, at least four, in particular at least 16, air outlet openings per square centimeter are provided. In a preferred embodiment, the air outlet openings are embodied within a fabric.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of a device for supply of breathing air arranged at a bed of a user.

FIG. 2 is a schematic section view of an outflow region of the device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective section illustration of the breathing air supply device in the outflow region.

FIG. 4 is a perspective illustration of an embodiment of the device for supply of breathing air.

FIG. 5 is a perspective illustration of another embodiment of the device for supply of breathing air.

FIG. 6 is a perspective illustration of yet another embodiment of the device for supply of breathing air.

FIG. 7 is a perspective illustration of an embodiment of the configuration of the outflow region of the device for supply of breathing air.

FIG. 8 is a perspective illustration of another embodiment of a configuration of the outflow region of the device for supply of breathing air.

FIG. 9 is a perspective illustration of yet another embodiment of the configuration of the outflow region of the device for supply of breathing air.

 DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of a device 1 for supply of breathing air to a breathing air region 12. In the embodiment, the breathing air region 12 is provided above a bed 9. FIG. 1 shows schematically a person 10 on a bed 9. The breathing air region 12 surrounds the head 11 of the person 10 completely. The device 1 supplies breathing air to the breathing air region 12. The supply of breathing air is realized in such a way that in the breathing air region 12 a region with reduced flow velocity is formed. In this way, it is avoided that the surface of the skin of the user is cooled, that the user experiences an uncomfortable air draft, or that the user catches cold.

The device 1 comprises two outflow regions 7 and 8 to which purified breathing air is supplied. For purifying and conveying the breathing air, an air purification unit 2 is provided which is positioned underneath the bed 9 in the embodiment. The air purification unit 2 comprises a schematically indicated filter unit 3, a schematically indicated blower unit 4, as well as a schematically illustrated energy supply unit 5. The energy supply unit 5 can be, for example, in the form of batteries or rechargeable battery packs. However, it can also be provided that the energy supply unit 5 comprises an electric cable for connection to an external energy supply. The air purification unit 2 comprises a housing from which two air channels 6 are extending. In the embodiment, the air channels 6 are of a flat configuration and the horizontally measured width of the air channels 6 corresponds approximately to the width of the outflow regions 7 and 8. The air channels 6 can be formed as channels with a solid wall. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the air channels 6 are however comprised of air-impermeable flexible material, for example, plastic film, coated fabric or the like.

The device 1 comprises precisely two outflow regions 7 and 8 which are positioned opposite each other. The outflow regions 7 and 8 are arranged at opposite sides of the head 11 of the person 10. Both outflow regions 7 and 8 are of identical size and approximately arranged parallel to each other. The angle α at which the two outflow regions 7 and 8 are positioned relative to each other amounts to less than 10°, in particular less than 5°. The outflow regions have a distance d relative to each other that is advantageously matched to the width of the bed 9. The distance d amounts advantageously to 120% of the width of the bed 9. It is particularly advantageous when the distance d is selected to correspond to the width of the mattress of the bed 9.

The purified breathing air flows in outflow direction 14 from the outflow region 7. The purified breathing air flows in outflow direction 15 from the outflow region 8. The outflow directions 14 and 15 are oriented opposite to each other and extend advantageously at an angle relative to each other that is less than 10°. Advantageously, the outflow directions 14 and 15 are parallel to each other. The air streams from the outflow regions 7 and 8 flow toward each other, as indicated schematically by arrows 26. The flow velocity of the air streams from the two outflow regions 7 and 8 is identical in the embodiment so that the air streams meet centrally between the outflow regions 7 and 8. In the region in which the air streams meet each other, the air streams are decelerated and the breathing air region 12 is created. In the breathing air region 12, the flow velocity is less than the outflow velocity from the outflow regions 7 and 8. The head 11 of the user in the embodiment is completely located in the breathing air region 12. In order to avoid the generation of turbulences or an asymmetric configuration of the breathing air region 12 and in order to prevent that air escapes laterally, the outflow regions 7 and 8 are embodied symmetric to a symmetry plane 16. The symmetry plane 16 extends centrally between the outflow regions 7 and 8 through the breathing air region 12. In the side view illustrated in FIG. 1, the symmetry plane 16 forms the bisecting line of the angle α between the outflow regions 7 and 8. The symmetry plane 16 is positioned approximately perpendicular to the outflow directions 14 and 15. The breathing air region 12 in the embodiment is open at all sides. It can however also be provided that the breathing air region 12 is delimited in downward direction by the bed 9. Preferably, the breathing air region 12 is open in at least two spatial directions that are extending perpendicular to the outflow directions 14 and 15. In the embodiment, the breathing air region 12 is open in upward direction as well as to the front and to the rear in the illustration.

The outflow velocity of the breathing air from the outflow regions 7 and 8 amounts advantageously to at least 0.2 m/s. In order to achieve a noise development as low as possible, it is advantageously provided that the outflow velocity amounts to 0.2 m/s to 0.3 m/s. In particular at greater distance d of the outflow regions 7 and 8 relative to each other, the outflow velocity can also be significantly greater however. Advantageously, the outflow velocity amounts to 0.2 m/s to 2.0 m/s. The specified flow velocities relate in this context to room temperatures of 18° C. to 23° C. and a relative air humidity of 30% to 65%. An adaptation of the flow velocities is provided advantageously for deviating temperature and/or air humidity. The ratio of the square of the distance d to the surface area of the outflow region 7 or 8 amounts advantageously to approximately 5 to approximately 25, preferably from approximately 5 to approximately 15, more preferred from approximately 5 to approximately 10.

FIG. 2 shows schematically an air channel 6 as well as the first outflow region 7 in section view. The air channel 6 is bounded by a boundary wall 13. The boundary wall 13 can be formed of a shape-stable material, for example, a plastic housing. The boundary wall 13 can however also be formed by an air-impermeable, in particular coated, fabric, film or the like. The air channel 6 has a width e measured perpendicular to the flow direction. The width e is significantly smaller than height c of the outflow region 7. In the embodiment, the width e amounts to less than half of the height c.

In the embodiment, the outflow region 7 is covered by fabric 17. In the fabric 17 a plurality of passages 18 are formed which are schematically shown in FIG. 2. The passages 18 open through air outlet openings 19 into the environment. Via the passages 18, the purified breathing air passes through the air outlet openings 19 in outflow direction 14 into the environment. The diameter of the individual air outlet openings 19 amounts advantageously to less than 0.5 mm. Preferably, each outflow region 7, 8 comprises at least 10,000 air outlet openings 19. Instead of the fabric 17, the air outlet openings 19 can also be formed by individual openings, for example, openings in a perforated film or the like.

In the embodiment, a spacer fabric 20 through which the breathing air can flow uniformly is arranged in the air channel 6. In this way, the entire surface area of the outflow region 7 is comparatively uniformly supplied with purified breathing air.

FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of a spacer fabric 20 in detail. The spacer fabric 20 has air-impermeable material 21 at the side which is facing away from the first outflow region 7. At the outflow region 7, the fabric 17 is provided that is in the form of air-permeable material. Alternatively, also a perforated plastic film or the like can be provided. The spacer fabric 20 comprises a first side 22 that is facing the outflow region 7 as well as a second side 23 which is facing the air-impermeable material 21. The spacer fabric 20 can fill the space between the air-impermeable material 21 and the fabric 17 (FIG. 2) or can be positioned at a minimal distance thereto. Between the first side 22 and the second side 23, transverse threads 24 of the spacer fabric 20 are extending. The spacer fabric 20 is preferably a knitted spacer fabric. Material and thread size of the spacer fabric 20 are advantageously selected such that the spacer fabric 20 is substantially shape-stable and ensures that a distance between the two longitudinal sides of the air channel 6 is maintained for the usual forces that are acting on the air channel.

The volumetric flow through the outflow regions 7 and 8 amounts advantageously in total to 0.01 m3/s to 0.2 m3/s. Advantageously, a purification efficiency of at least 95%, in particular up to 98%, of the particles is achieved.

FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of a device 1 for supply of breathing air in which the two outflow regions 7 and 8 are arranged at a distance d of somewhat more than 2 m relative to each other. Here, the outflow regions 7 and 8 are also arranged approximately parallel to each other and are thus positioned at an angle of less than 10° relative to each other. When viewed in a viewing direction of the connection of the geometric centers of the two outflow regions 7 and 8 as indicated by arrow 25, the two outflow regions 7 and 8 are congruent relative to each other. The outflow regions 7 and 8 comprise each a surface area A which advantageously amounts to at least 400 cm2. The ratio of the square of the distance d relative to the surface area A, i.e., d2/A, amounts advantageously to approximately 5 to approximately 25, preferably from approximately 5 to approximately 15, preferably from approximately 5 to approximately 10. Each outflow region 7, 8 comprises a width b as well as a height c. The width b and the height c are perpendicular to each other and are measured perpendicular to the width e, not shown in FIG. 4 but illustrated in FIG. 2. In the embodiment according to FIG. 4, the height c is smaller than the width b. The width e (FIG. 2) is significantly smaller than the height c and the width b. In the embodiment, the outflow regions 7 and 8 have an approximately rectangular configuration. The height c in the embodiment according to FIG. 4 represents the smallest extension of the two-dimensional outflow regions 7, 8. The height c amounts advantageously to at least 20 cm, in particular at least 25 cm. In this way, it can be ensured that the breathing air region 12 which is formed between the outflow regions 7 and 8 is sufficiently large so that the head of a user or the heads of several users are arranged completely within the breathing air region 12. In the embodiment, the breathing air regions 7 and 8 are arranged approximately vertical and at both sides of the bed 9 at the level of the head of a user. The width b is advantageously smaller than 50 cm, in particular smaller than 40 cm. The upper body and the legs of the user are thus located substantially or completely outside of the breathing air region 12.

FIG. 5 shows a further embodiment that has a third outflow region 27 in addition to the oppositely arranged outflow regions 7 and 8. The third outflow region 27 is arranged opposite to a boundary surface 28 and is positioned at an angle of less than 10° thereto. Preferably, the outflow region 27 and the boundary surface 28 are positioned parallel to each other. In the embodiment, the outflow regions 7 and 8 are arranged and configured symmetrical to a symmetry plane that intersects the outflow region 27 and the boundary surface 28 centrally. The outflow region 27 is also arranged and embodied symmetrical to this symmetry plane. The boundary surface 28 can be, for example, the top side of a bed above which the device 1 is arranged. Between the outflow regions 7 and 8, a breathing air region 12 is formed which is indicated schematically in FIG. 5. From the outflow region 27 the breathing air flows in outflow direction 29 which is perpendicular to the flow directions 14 and 15 in the embodiment. The outflow direction 29 is preferably oriented perpendicular to the boundary surface 28 and is positioned relative thereto at an angle of at least 80°. The air which is exiting from the third outflow region 27 and the boundary surface 28 ensure that the breathing air cannot escape from the breathing air region 12 in upward or downward direction in the illustration of FIG. 5. The outflowing fresh air displaces in this context the contaminated ambient air so that a high purification efficiency is achieved.

FIG. 6 shows a further embodiment of a device 1 for supply of breathing air. The device 1 of FIG. 6 is a mobile device which is carried by a user. In this way, the user is permanently supplied with purified fresh air while the user is moving about. The two outflow regions 7 and 8 are arranged at either side of the face of the person 10 in such a way that the region of nose and mouth of the person 10 is located in the breathing air region 12 which is formed between the outflow regions 7 and 8. The outflow regions 7, 8 have a distanced relative to each other which is advantageously 5 cm to 20 cm, in particular 10 cm to 15 cm. The ratio of the square of the distance d relative to the surface A of an outflow region 7 or 8 amounts advantageously to approximately 5 to approximately 25, preferably from approximately 15 to approximately 25. In the embodiment, a surface area A that amounts to approximately 5 cm2 is provided for each outflow region 7 so that a ratio d2/A of 20 results for a distance d of 10 cm.

In all embodiments, the distance d—measured in cm—between the outflow regions 7, 8, 27 and the correlated boundary surface 28 or the correlated outflow region 7, 8 divided by the outflow velocity measured in cm/s is at least 1.0. The surface area A (FIG. 4) of at least one, in particular of all outflow regions 7, 8, 27 amounts advantageously to at least 400 cm2, respectively, in particular for stationary applications such as in connection with a bed 9. The ratio of the square of the distance d between the outflow region 7, 8, 27 and the boundary device, measured in cm, relative to the surface area A of the outflow region 7, 8, 27, measured in cm2, amounts advantageously to approximately 5 to approximately 25.

In all embodiments, in particular in the embodiment of FIG. 6, it can be additionally provided that one or several shielding air streams are formed which separate the breathing air region 12 from the environment. The shielding air streams are advantageously not formed by areal outflow regions but by narrow elongate outflow openings so that a high flow velocity of the shielding air stream is achieved.

FIG. 7 shows an embodiment of an outflow region 7 which is formed at the end of an air channel 6. The outflow region 7 is of an areal configuration and comprises a plurality of elongate air outlet openings 19. The oppositely positioned outflow region 8, not illustrated in FIG. 7, is advantageously identically embodied. In the embodiment, the air outlet openings 19 extend parallel to the flow direction 31 in the air channel 6 across the entire height c of the outflow region 7. The air outlet openings 19 are of elongate configuration wherein the height of the air outlet openings 19 amounts to more than twice the width, respectively. In the embodiment, a total of ten individual air outlet openings 19 are provided which are separated from each other by ribs 30. A different number of air outlet openings 19 can be advantageous also. The number of the ribs 30 and the distance of the ribs 30 relative to each other between which the air outlet openings 19 are formed are advantageously selected such that at the outlet region 7 a laminar flow is produced which is exiting from the outflow region 7 in the outflow direction 14. In the embodiment, the ribs 30 have a width f which is measured in the outflow direction 14 and is smaller than the width e of the air channel 6. Thus, the ribs 30 do not extend to the backside of the air channel 6 which is arranged opposite the outflow region 7. However it can be advantageous that the ribs 30 extend across the entire width e of the air channel 6.

In the embodiment according to FIG. 8, the outflow region 7 is formed by a plurality of individual air outlet openings 19 which each have a circular cross section. The air outlet openings 19 are formed by end faces of tubes 32. The tubes 32 in the embodiment are approximately bent in an L shape and deflect the breathing air from a flow direction 31 in which the breathing air flows through the air channel 6 (FIG. 7) into an outflow direction 14 which is perpendicular thereto. In the embodiment, there are 36 air outlet openings 19 provided. Advantageous numbers of air outlet openings 19 can range from 10 to 100 air outlet openings 19. It can be provided that the tubes 32 are arranged in an air channel 6. In an alternative advantageous embodiment, the tubes 32 can be connected to an air channel 6 and can form a continuation of the air channel all the way to the outflow region 7.

FIG. 9 shows a further embodiment of the configuration of the outlet region 7. The outflow region 7 is divided into a total of five air outlet openings 19 whose greatest extension is perpendicular to the flow direction 31 in the air channel 6, respectively. The outflow region 7 is divided by ribs 30, 30′, 30″, 30′″ into air outlet openings 19. In the embodiment, five air outlet openings 19 are provided. A different number of air outlet openings 19 can however also be advantageous. The rib 30′″ that is the leading one relative to the flow direction 31 has a width f′″ that amounts to less than half of the width e of the air channel 6. The rib 30″ which is following in the flow direction 31 has a width f″ which is greater than the width f′″. In the embodiment, the rib 30″ extends across approximately half of the width of the interior of the air channel 6. The ribs 30′″ and 30″ have a distance g relative to each other that is significantly greater than the difference between the width f″ and f′″. Advantageously, the distance g amounts to two times to ten times the difference of the distances f″ and f′″.

In flow direction 31, a rib 30′ with a width f′ follows the rib 30″ and projects into the air channel 6. A rib 30 follows the rib 30′ and has a width f. The rib 30 also does not extend across the entire width of the interior of the air channel 6. In the embodiment, the distance g between the ribs 30, 30′, 30″, 30″ following each other in the flow direction 31 is constant. Also, the difference of the widths f, f′, f″, f′″ between ribs 30, 30′, 30″, 30′″ following each other in the flow direction 31 is identical. In a preferred configuration, the ratio between the difference of the widths f, f′, f″, f′″ and the distance g provided for all ribs 30, 30′, 30″, 30′″ that are following each other is identical.

Since the ribs 30, 30′, 30″, 30′″ are projecting with different lengths into the air channel 6, a portion of the air stream is branched respectively from the air channel 6 and guided to an air outlet opening 19. The ribs 30, 30′, 30″, 30′″ are slanted relative to the flow direction 31 by less than 90°, in a preferred embodiment they are slightly bent, so that a gentle deflection of the air stream results. The configuration of the ribs 30, 30′, 30″, 30′″ is such that the breathing air flows as a laminar flow from the outflow region 7 in outflow direction 14.

The specification incorporates by reference the entire disclosure of European priority document 17 001 202.5 having a filing date of Jul. 13, 2017.

While specific embodiments of the invention have been shown and described in detail to illustrate the inventive principles, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise without departing from such principles.

Claims

1. A device for supply of breathing air to a breathing air region, the device comprising:

an air purification unit comprising a filter unit and a blower unit;
one or more first areal outflow regions each comprising at least two air outlet openings and each comprising a first surface area, wherein the air purification unit is configured to supply purified breathing air to the one or more first areal outflow regions and wherein the purified breathing air flows out of the one or more first areal outflow regions in an outflow direction;
one or more areal boundary devices, each having a second surface area that corresponds at least to the first surface area;
wherein each one of the first areal outflow regions has associated therewith, and arranged opposite thereto at an angle of less than 10°, one of the areal boundary devices, respectively;
wherein the breathing air region is located between the one or more areal boundary devices and the one or more first areal outflow regions.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein an outflow velocity of the purified breathing air from the one or more first area outflow regions is greater than a flow velocity of the purified breathing air in the breathing air region.

3. The device according to claim 2, wherein, when the device is operating in an environment of stationary ambient air, the flow velocity reached in the breathing air region due to the purified breathing air flowing out of the one or more first areal outflow regions amounts to less than 0.1 m/s.

4. The device according to claim 2, wherein the outflow velocity of the purified breathing air amounts to at least 0.2 m/s.

5. The device according to claim 1, wherein the one or more areal boundary devices are arranged perpendicular to the outflow direction from the one or more first areal outflow regions.

6. The device according to claim 1, wherein the first areal outflow region and the areal boundary region associated therewith and arranged opposite thereto are arranged mirror symmetrical to a symmetry plane relative to each other, wherein the symmetry plan divides the breathing air region and extends transverse to the outflow direction.

7. The device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the areal boundary devices is a second areal outflow region.

8. The device according to claim 7, wherein the surface area of the first areal outflow region and the surface area of the second areal outflow region are identical.

9. The device according to claim 7, wherein the first and second areal outflow regions are congruent relative to each other.

10. The device according to claim 7, wherein the first areal outflow regions each have a congruently embodied second areal outflow region positioned opposite thereto.

11. The device according to claim 1, wherein a ratio of a square of a distance between the first areal outflow region and the areal boundary device associated therewith, measured in centimeters, relative to a surface area of the first areal outflow region measured in cm2 amounts to approximately 5 to approximately 25.

12. The device according to claim 1, wherein the first areal outflow region has a surface area of at least 400 cm2.

13. The device according to claim 1, wherein a ratio of a distance between the first areal outlet region and the areal boundary device associated therewith, measured in centimeters, and an outflow velocity of the purified breathing air from the first areal outlet region, measured in centimeters per second, amounts to at least 1.0.

14. The device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the first areal outflow regions is flat.

15. The device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the first areal outflow regions comprises a multitude of the air outlet openings.

16. The device according to claim 15, wherein the multitude of the air outlet openings are embodied in a fabric.

Patent History
Publication number: 20190014915
Type: Application
Filed: Dec 1, 2017
Publication Date: Jan 17, 2019
Inventor: Mark Ital (Stuttgart)
Application Number: 15/828,453
Classifications
International Classification: A47C 21/04 (20060101);