WEARABLE AIR PURIFIER

Abstract

A wearable air purifier includes a headgear, an air purifier assembly, and a nozzle assembly. The air purifier assembly includes a filter and an airflow generator for generating an airflow through the filter. The nozzle assembly includes an inlet aperture configured to receive a filtered airflow from the air purifier assembly, and an air outlet for emitting the filtered airflow from the nozzle assembly. The nozzle assembly includes a first end section connected to the headgear, a second end section connected to the headgear, and a midsection connected to the first end section by a first hinge and connected to the second end section by a second hinge.

Claims

1. A wearable air purifier comprising: a headgear; an air purifier assembly, the air purifier assembly comprising a filter and an airflow generator for generating an airflow through the filter; and a nozzle assembly comprising an inlet aperture for receiving a filtered airflow from the air purifier assembly, and an air outlet for emitting the filtered airflow from the nozzle assembly; wherein the nozzle assembly comprises a first end section connected to the headgear, a second end section connected to the headgear, and a midsection connected to the first end section by a first hinge and connected to the second end section by a second hinge.

2. The wearable air purifier as claimed in claim 1, wherein the air purifier assembly is supported by the headgear.

3. The wearable air purifier as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first end section is connected to a first side of the headgear, and the second end section is connected to a second side of the headgear, the second side opposite to the first side.

4. The wearable air purifier as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first and second hinges allow rotation of the midsection relative to the respective first and second end sections in a plane parallel to a transverse plane of a wearer of the headgear in use.

5. The wearable air purifier as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first end section and the midsection each comprise a hollow body, the first end section defines at least a portion of the inlet aperture of the nozzle assembly and the midsection defines at least a portion the air outlet of the nozzle assembly.

6. The wearable air purifier as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second end section comprises a hollow body, and the second end section defines at least a portion of a further inlet aperture of the nozzle assembly.

7. The wearable air purifier as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second hinges is located outside of filtered airflow through the nozzle assembly in use.

8. The wearable air purifier as claimed in claim 1, where at least one of the first and second hinges comprises a pin received within a barrel, and the barrel comprises a slot through which filtered airflow passes in use.

9. The wearable air purifier as claimed in claim 8, wherein a flexible duct extends through the slot of the barrel, and filtered airflow flows through the flexible duct in use.

10. The wearable air purifier as claimed in claim 1, wherein the nozzle assembly comprises a first bellows portion extending between the first end section and the midsection, and a second bellows portion extending between the second end section and the midsection.

11. The wearable air purifier as claimed in claim 1, wherein the nozzle assembly comprises at least one extension mechanism for increasing a length of the nozzle assembly.

12. The wearable air purifier as claimed in claim 1, wherein the midsection comprises at least one extension mechanism for increasing a length of the nozzle assembly.

13. The wearable air purifier as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second end sections comprises an extension mechanism for increasing a length of the nozzle assembly.

14. The wearable air purifier as claimed in claim 1, wherein the midsection comprises at least one crease about which portions of the midsection can flex relative to one another in use.

15. The wearable air purifier as claimed in claim 1, wherein the airflow generator and filter are configured to provide filtered airflow to the first end section of the nozzle assembly in use.

16. The wearable air purifier as claimed in claim 1, wherein the air purifier assembly comprises a further airflow generator and a further filter configured to provide a further filtered airflow to the second end section of the nozzle assembly in use.

17. The wearable air purifier as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first end section is at least partially connected to the headgear by a third hinge, and the second end section is at least partially connected to the headgear by a fourth hinge.

18. The wearable air purifier as claimed in claim 1, wherein the nozzle assembly comprises at least one flow guide for directing filtered airflow toward a wearer in use.

19. A nozzle assembly for a wearable air purifier, the nozzle assembly comprising an inlet aperture for receiving a filtered airflow from an air purifier assembly, an air outlet for emitting the filtered airflow from the nozzle assembly, a first end section for connection to a headgear, a second end section for connection to a headgear, and a midsection connected to the first end section by a first hinge and connected to the second end section by a second hinge.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0027] FIG. 1 is a schematic front view of a wearable air purifier according to the present invention;

[0028] FIG. 2 is a schematic rear underside view of the wearable air purifier of FIG. 1;

[0029] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the wearable air purifier of FIG. 1 with a nozzle assembly removed;

[0030] FIG. 4 is a schematic upper front view of the wearable air purifier of FIG. 1 with the nozzle assembly detached;

[0031] FIG. 5 is an upper view of a nozzle assembly according to the present invention in isolation;

[0032] FIG. 6a is an upper view of first and second end sections of the nozzle assembly of FIG. 5 in a first rotational orientation;

[0033] FIG. 6b is an upper view of first and second end sections of the nozzle assembly of FIG. 5 in a second rotational orientation;

[0034] FIG. 7a is a schematic view of a first embodiment of an end section of a nozzle assembly according to the present invention;

[0035] FIG. 7b is a schematic view of a second embodiment of an end section of a nozzle assembly according to the present invention;

[0036] FIG. 7c is a schematic exploded view of a third embodiment of an end section of a nozzle assembly according to the present invention;

[0037] FIG. 8 is a schematic side view of the wearable air purifier of FIG. 1 with the nozzle assembly in a first configuration; and

[0038] FIG. 9 is a schematic side view of the wearable air purifier of FIG. 1 with the nozzle assembly in a second configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0039] A wearable air purifier, generally designated 10, is shown schematically in FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0040] The wearable air purifier 10 comprises a headgear 12, 14 16, an purifier assembly 42,44, and a nozzle assembly 100.

[0041] The headgear has the form of headphones and comprises a headband 12 and first 14 and second 16 housings connected to respective ends of the headband 12. The headband 12 is generally elongate and arcuate in form, and is configured to overlie a top of a head of a wearer, and sides of the head of the wearer, in use. The first 14 and second 16 housings then comprise ear cups such as those typically used for so-called “over-the-ear” headphones, which are generally hemi-spherical and hollow in form.

[0042] The headband 12 has a first end portion 18, a second end portion 20, and a central portion 22. Each of the first 18 and second 20 end portions are connected to the central portion 22 by an extension mechanism. Each extension mechanism comprises an arm 24 that engages with teeth internal of the first 18 and second 20 end portions to form a ratchet mechanism that enables adjustment of the length of the headband 12 by a wearer. To this end, the teeth, a spacing between the teeth and an opposing wall, or the arm 24 itself, may be sufficiently resilient to provide the required retention.

[0043] The first 18 and second 20 end portions of the headband 12 each comprise a hollow housing 26. The hollow housing 26 defines a battery compartment for receiving one or more batteries therein. It will be appreciated that batteries may be removable from the hollow housing 26, or may be intended to be retained within the hollow housing 26 during normal use. Where the batteries are replaceable and intended to be removable from the hollow housing 26, the hollow housing 26 may, for example, comprise a releasable door or cover to enable access to the interior of the hollow housing 26. Where batteries are rechargeable and intended to be retained within the hollow housing 26 in normal use, the hollow housing 26, or indeed other components of the wearable air purifier 10, may comprise at least one charge port to enable recharging of batteries.

[0044] The first 18 and second 20 end portions of the headband 12 are connected to respective ones of the first 14 and second 16 housings. In some examples, the first 18 and second 20 end portions of the headband 12 are connected to respective ones of the first 14 and second 16 housings such that relative movement is enabled between the first 18 and second 20 end portions of the headband 12 and the respective first 14 and second 16 housings. As shown in FIG. 1, a swivel pin 28 is used for such a connection, but it will be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that other forms of connection are possible. To enable electrical connection of batteries contained within the hollow housings 26 of the first 18 and second 20 end portions of the headband 12 to components internal of the first 14 and second 16 housings, the swivel pins 28 are hollow, for example to allow electrical wiring or the like to pass therethrough.

[0045] Each housing 14,16 houses a speaker assembly 32, as shown in FIG. 3, and comprises annular padding 34 configured to surround an ear of a wearer of the wearable air purifier 10. Details of the speaker assembly 32 are not pertinent to the present invention, and so will not be described here for the sake of brevity, but it will be recognised by a person skilled in the art that any appropriate speaker assembly may be chosen. In use, the speaker assemblies 32 received within the first 14 and second 16 housings are configured to receive power from all of the batteries 36,38. Power transfer wiring (not shown) runs through the headband 12 between the first 18 and second 20 end portions, for example through the central portion 22 and arms 24. Such an arrangement provides increased flexibility in power distribution between the speaker assemblies 32. In other embodiments the speaker assemblies 32 received within the first 14 and second 16 housings may be configured to receive power from batteries 36,38 disposed in respective ones of the first 18 and second 20 end portions of the headband 12. For example, a speaker assembly 32 received within the first housing 14 may be configured to be powered by the batteries 36 within the first end portion 18 of the headband 12, whilst a speaker assembly 32 received within the second housing 16 may be configured to be powered by batteries 38 within the second end portion 20 of the headband 12.

[0046] As shown in FIG. 3, the first 14 and second 16 housings of the headgear further house filter assemblies 42 and airflow generators 44 of the air purifier assembly. Each housing 14,16 then also provides ambient air inlets 40 and outlet apertures 43 for the air purifier assembly.

[0047] The ambient air inlet 40 of each of the first 14 and second 16 housings comprises a plurality of apertures through which air may be drawn into the interior of the housing 14,16. Each filter assembly 42 is disposed within a respective housing 14,16 between the ambient air inlet 40 and a respective airflow generator 44. Each filter assembly 42 comprises a filter material chosen to provide a desired degree of filtration of air to be provided to a wearer in use.

[0048] The airflow generators 44 each comprise a motor driven impeller which draw air from the respective ambient air inlet 40, through the respective filter assembly 42, and output air through the respective outlet apertures 43, of the air purifier assembly that is provided by the respective housing 14,16. The airflow generators 44 in the first 14 and second 16 housings are configured to receive power from all of the batteries 36,38. Power transfer wiring (not shown) runs through the headband 12 as described above in relation to the speaker assemblies 32. In other embodiments, the airflow generator 44 within first housing 14 may be configured to be powered by batteries 36 within the first end portion 18 of the headband 12, whilst the airflow generator 44 in the second housing 16 may be configured to be powered by batteries 38 within the second end portion 20 of the headband 12.

[0049] The nozzle assembly 100 has first 106 and second 108 ends, and is curved between the first 106 and second 108 ends such that the nozzle assembly 100 is generally arcuate in form. The first 106 and second 108 ends comprise respective first 110 and second 112 end sections that connect to respective ones of the first 14 and second 16 housings of the headgear, as will be described in more detail hereafter, and that connect to a midsection 102 of the nozzle assembly by first and second hinges 104. When the nozzle assembly 100 is connected to the first 14 and second 16 housings, and the wearable air purifier 10 is worn by a wearer, the nozzle assembly 100 is configured to extend in front of the face of the wearer, particularly the mouth and lower nasal region of the wearer, without contacting the face of the wearer.

[0050] The midsection 102 is generally hollow in form, and has an air outlet 120 that is defined by a mesh.

[0051] Upper and lower surfaces of the midsection 102 comprise flow guides 122 that extend rearwardly, for example toward a void defined between the first 110 and second 112 end sections, and act to guide filtered airflow emitted from the nozzle assembly 100 toward a mouth and nasal region of a face of a wearer in use. The flow guides 122 may be formed of a resiliently deformable material to allow for some deformation of the midsection and such that wearer comfort is provided in the event of accidental contact with a face of a wearer in use.

[0052] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, the midsection 102 includes a main body 123 having a first end and a second end, and extension mechanisms 121 that connect the first end and second end of main body 123 to the respective first and second hinges 104. The extension mechanisms 121 may take many forms, and may, for example, comprise a telescoping and/or ratchet mechanism that enables a length of the nozzle assembly 100 to be selectively increased or decreased by a wearer. The extension mechanisms 121 are hollow, and act as conduits to carry filtered airflow from the first 110 and second 112 end sections to the main body 123 of the midsection 102 in use. The first and second hinges 104 allow rotation of the midsection 102 relative to the first 110 and second 112 end sections. The midsection 102 also has a central crease or ridge 107, which may allow for some deformation of the midsection to allow for greater conformability of the nozzle assembly 100 and to accommodate motion of the nozzle assembly 100. Such an arrangement may provide flexibility in the positioning of the midsection 102, and hence the air outlet 120, relative to a face of the wearer in use, and hence may provide greater conformability and increased comfort.

[0053] Examples of alternative embodiments where the midsection 102 is rotatably connected to the first 110 and second 112 end sections by respective first and second hinges 104 are shown in FIGS. 7a-c.

[0054] In the embodiment of FIG. 7a, the second end section 112 is shown connected to the midsection 102 by both a hinge 104 and a bellows portion 105. The hinge 104 allows rotation of the midsection 102 relative to the second end section 112, whilst the bellows portion 105 is formed of a relatively flexible material, and is able to expand and contract in response to rotation about the hinge 104. The bellows portion 105 defines a conduit that enables the passage of filtered airflow from the second end section 112 to the midsection 102, whilst the hinge 104 is located externally of the bellows portion 105, such that the hinge 104 is not in contact with filtered airflow flowing through the nozzle assembly 100 in use.

[0055] In the embodiment of FIG. 7b, the first end section 110 is shown connected to the midsection 102 by a hinge 104. Here the first end section 110 defines a barrel or cylinder 109, and the midsection 102 comprises upper and lower pins (not shown) which are received within respective upper and lower apertures of the barrel 109. The barrel 109 has a slot 111 through which filtered airflow is able to pass from the first end section 110 to the midsection 102 in use. A flexible tube 125 is located within the slot 111, and projects into a hollow interior of the midsection 102. The flexible tube 125 is sealed to interior walls of the slot 111 and closely fitted to interior walls of the midsection 102 to minimise the leakage of air passing through the hinge 104.

[0056] In the embodiment of FIG. 7c, the second end section 110, 112 is shown connected to the midsection 102 by both a hinge 104 and a bellows portion 105. Here the end section 110,112 has upper 113 and lower 115 arms that engage with corresponding upper 117 and lower 119 arms of the midsection to enable relative rotation between the end section 110,112 and the midsection 102. The bellows portion 105 surrounds the interface between the arms 113,115,117,119, and the bellows portion 105 is formed of a relatively flexible material that is able to expand and contract to account for relative rotation between the end section 110,112 and the midsection 102. The bellows portion 105 defines a conduit that enables the passage of filtered airflow from the end section 110,112 to the midsection 102.

[0057] As previously mentioned, the first 110 and second 112 end sections connect to respective ones of the first 14 and second 16 housings to connect the nozzle assembly 100 to the first 14 and second 16 housings of the headgear. The first 14 and second 16 housings connect to the first 18 and second 20 end portions of the headband 12. Thus the nozzle assembly 100 is directly connected to the headgear 10. It will also be appreciated that in some embodiments the nozzle assembly 100 may be directly connected to other components of the wearable air purifier that are supported by the headgear. The nozzle assembly 100 may then be thought of as being indirectly connected to the headgear 10.

[0058] In a first configuration, the first 110 and second 112 end sections act as conduits to carry filtered airflow from the airflow generator 44 in the first 14 and second 16 housing respectively to the midsection 102 in use. To this end, the end sections 110,112 have curved ends which are curved to match an outer surface of the first 14 and second 16 housings. The first 110 and second 112 end sections are generally hollow and have inlet apertures 114 which are configured to be in direct fluid communication with outlet apertures 43 of the air purifier assembly, which are provided by the first 14 and second 16 housings, when the nozzle assembly 100 is connected to the first 14 and second 16 housings respectively and in the first configuration. For example, there may be no components intermediate the outlet apertures 43 and the inlet apertures 114 in the first configuration.

[0059] The end sections 110,112 comprise magnetic hinges 116 and magnetic detents 118 which respectively rotatably connect and retain the midsection 102 relative to the first 14 and second 16 housings. To this end, each of the first 14 and second 16 housings comprise respective upper 124 and lower 126 magnets, with the upper magnets 124 located to engage the magnetic detents 118, and the lower magnets 126 located to engage the magnetic hinges 116. As is clear from FIGS. 8 and 9 the magnetic hinges 116 enable the nozzle assembly 100 to rotate relative to the first 14 and second 16 housings. In particular, the nozzle assembly 100 is rotatable about the magnetic hinges 116 between a first configuration, shown in FIG. 8, and a second configuration, shown in FIG. 9.

[0060] In the first configuration of FIG. 8, the nozzle assembly 100 is fully connected to the first 14 and second 16 housings and is held in place by the engagement of the upper magnets 124 with the magnetic detents 118 and the magnetic hinges 116 with the lower magnets 126. The inlet apertures 114 of the first 110 and second 112 end sections of the midsection 102 are substantially aligned with, and coincident with, the outlet apertures 43 provided by the respective first 14 and second 16 housings. When filtered airflow is provided by the airflow generators, it is able to pass through the outlet apertures 43, into the inlet apertures 114, and then flow through the midsection 102 to the air outlet 120 where it is provided to the wearer.

[0061] In use, in the first configuration, the wearable air purifier 10 is located on a head of a wearer such that the first 14 and second 16 housings are located over an ear of the wearer, and the nozzle assembly 100 extends in front of a mouth and lower nasal region of the face of the wearer, without contacting the face of the wearer. The airflow generators 44 are actuable to draw air through the ambient air inlet 40 provided by each of the first 14 and second 16 housings, through the filter assemblies 42, and expel filtered airflow through the outlet apertures 43 into the inlet apertures 114 of the first 110 and second 112 end sections of the midsection 102. Filtered airflow travels through the midsection 102 as first and second filtered airflows, and is delivered from the nozzle assembly 100, via the air outlet 120, to the wearer of the wearable air purifier 10. The speaker assemblies 32 may provide audio data to a user, for example in the form of music and the like, and alternatively or additionally may provide noise cancellation for noise caused by operation of the airflow generators 44.

[0062] Although depicted here with two airflow generators 44, each feeding one end of the nozzle assembly 100, it will be appreciated that in alternative embodiments only a single airflow generator 44 may be provided, which may either feed both or one of the ends of the nozzle assembly 100.

[0063] When it is desired to move the nozzle assembly from the first configuration of FIG. 8 to the second configuration of FIG. 9, a wearer can manually rotate the nozzle assembly about the magnetic hinges 116, against and overcoming the force of attraction between the magnetic detents 118 and the upper magnets 124, such that the nozzle assembly 100 rotates downwardly relative to the wearer (i.e. in a plane parallel to a sagittal plane of a wearer), thereby increasing the angle between the nozzle assembly 100 and the first 14 and second 16 housings of the headgear. In the second configuration of FIG. 9, the nozzle assembly 100 is only partially connected to the first 14 and second 16 housings with the inlet apertures 114 spaced apart from, and misaligned with, the outlet apertures 43, such that no filtered airflow passes through the midsection 102 to the wearer.

[0064] In some embodiments, a sensor 128, an airflow generator controller 130, and a speaker assembly controller 132 are provided in at least one of the first 14 and second 16 housings (shown schematically in the first purifier assembly housing 14 in FIG. 3). For example, the sensor 128 may be a Hall sensor that is configured to sense the magnetic detent 118 of an end section 110, 112 of the nozzle assembly 100. As an alternative example, the sensor 128 may be a contract switch that is closed when an end section 110,112 of the nozzle assembly 100 is fully connected to the respective housing 14,16. When the sensor 128 detects movement of an end section 110,112 away from the respective housing 14,16, the sensor 128 communicates with the airflow generator controller 130 which controls both airflow generators 44 to stop the generation of airflow. This may provide power saving by preventing operation of the airflow generators 44 when the nozzle assembly 100 is not in a position to provide filtered airflow to the wearer, i.e. when the nozzle assembly 100 is in the second configuration. Furthermore, when the sensor 128 detects movement of an end section 110,112 away from the respective housing 14,16, the sensor 128 communicates with the speaker assembly controller 132 which controls both speaker assemblies 32 to pause or stop generation of audio content and/or noise/cancellation effects. Again, this may provide a power saving by inhibiting operation of the speaker assemblies 32 when the nozzle assembly 100 is in the second configuration, for example dipped when a wearer intends to talk.

[0065] Although shown here as having a single sensor 128, it will be appreciated that two sensors 128 may be provided, one for each end of the nozzle assembly 100. It will further be appreciated that the sensor data may cause the controllers 130,132 to control operation of one or more of the respective airflow generators 44 and speaker assemblies 32. The airflow generator controller 130 may automatically control the airflow generators 44 in response to detection of the first configuration of the nozzle assembly, or a user input may be required to start airflow generation.

[0066] It will further be appreciated that appropriate wired and/or wireless communications may be provided between the sensor 128 and the controllers 130,132, or between the controllers 130,132 and the airflow generators 44 and speaker assemblies 32, and that any appropriate form of sensor 128 that is capable of detecting whether the nozzle assembly 100 is in the first or second configurations may be utilised.

[0067] The connection between the nozzle assembly 100 and the housings 14,16 is provided by hinges such that the nozzle assembly 100 is rotatable relative to the housings 14,16, and it will be appreciated that any hinged connection may be provided. In embodiments described herein, the hinges are magnetic hinges 116, which are fixedly attached to the end sections 110,112 of the nozzle assembly 100 and releasably attached to the respective first 14 and second 16 housings via the lower magnets 126. Such a releasable connection may allow for complete removal of the nozzle assembly 100 from the first 14 and second 16 housings, which may allow for ease of cleaning of the nozzle assembly 100 and may allow for head wearable air purifier to be used as conventional headphones when the wearer does not require a supply of filtered air.

[0068] It will be appreciated that the strength of attachment between the magnetic hinges 116 and the lower magnets 126 may be greater than the strength of attachment between the magnetic detents 118 and the upper magnets 124, such that rotation about the magnetic hinges 116 is enabled without inadvertent removal of the nozzle assembly 100 in use.

[0069] In the embodiments described herein the magnetic attachments between the nozzle assembly 100 and the housings 14,16 of headgear are achieved through cooperation between magnets 118,140 provided on the end sections 110,112 of the nozzle assembly 100 and magnets provided on the housings 14,16. However it will be appreciated that in alternative embodiments the magnetic attachments between the nozzle assembly 100 and the housings 14,16 of headgear may be achieved through cooperation of magnets (i.e. permanent magnets) provided on one or other of the end sections 110,112 and the housings 14,16 and magnetic material (i.e. that is magnetically attracted to a magnet) provided on the other of the end sections 110,112 and the housings 14,16.

[0070] Furthermore, in the illustrated embodiments the filter assemblies 42 and airflow generators 44 of the air purifier assembly are housed within the housings 14,16 of the headgear (i.e. that form the earcups), and are therefore integral/built-in to the headgear such that the ambient air inlets 40 and outlet apertures 43 of the air purifier assembly are provided by these housing 14,16. However, it will be appreciated that in some embodiments the filter assemblies 42 and airflow generators 44 of the air purifier assembly may be housed within their own distinct purifier assembly housings, with the ambient air inlets and outlet apertures of the air purifier assembly then being provided by these purifier assembly housings.

[0071] In such embodiments, the purifier assembly housings then may or may not be supported by the headgear. For purifier assembly housings that are supported by the headgear, the nozzle assembly may be directly connected to the outlet apertures of the air purifier assembly, such that the nozzle assembly is indirectly connected to the headgear. Alternatively, the nozzle assembly may be directly connected to the headgear and fluidically connected to the outlet apertures of the air purifier assembly by ducting that is connected to the headgear. For purifier assembly housings that are not supported by the headgear, and are instead worn elsewhere on the body of wearer (e.g. on a belt or around the neck of the wearer), the nozzle assembly may be directly connected to the headgear and fluidically connected to the outlet apertures of the air purifier assembly by ducting that is connected to the headgear.