WEARABLE AIR PURIFIER

Abstract

A wearable air purifier including a headgear; an air purifier assembly, the air purifier assembly configured to generate a filtered airflow from an outlet aperture thereof; and a nozzle assembly connected to the headgear by a hinge assembly. The nozzle assembly includes an inlet aperture for receiving the filtered airflow from the outlet aperture of the air purifier assembly and an air outlet for emitting the filtered airflow from the nozzle assembly. The hinge assembly is configured such that the nozzle assembly is movable relative to the headgear between first and second configurations, filtered airflow is emitted from the air outlet in the first configuration and filtered airflow is not emitted from the air outlet in the second configuration.

Claims

1. A wearable air purifier comprising: a headgear; an air purifier assembly, the air purifier assembly configured to generate a filtered airflow from an outlet aperture thereof; and a nozzle assembly connected to the headgear by a hinge assembly, the nozzle assembly comprising an inlet aperture for receiving the filtered airflow from the outlet aperture of the air purifier assembly and an air outlet for emitting the filtered airflow from the nozzle assembly, wherein the hinge assembly is configured such that the nozzle assembly is movable relative to the headgear between first and second configurations, filtered airflow is emitted from the air outlet in the first configuration, and filtered airflow is not emitted from the air outlet in the second configuration.

2. The wearable air purifier as claimed in claim 1, wherein filtered airflow generated by the air purifier assembly is received by the inlet aperture of the nozzle assembly when the nozzle assembly is in the first configuration.

3. The wearable air purifier as claimed in claim 1 , wherein filtered airflow generated by the air purifier assembly is not received by the inlet aperture of the nozzle assembly when the nozzle assembly is in the first configuration.

4. The wearable air purifier as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the inlet aperture of the nozzle assembly is in fluidic communication with the outlet aperture of the air purifier assembly when the nozzle assembly is in the first configuration.

5. The wearable air purifier as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the inlet aperture of the nozzle assembly is not in fluidic communication with the outlet aperture of the air purifier assembly when the nozzle assembly is in the second configuration.

6. The wearable air purifier as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the nozzle assembly is connected to the headgear by the hinge assembly such that the nozzle assembly moves away from the headgear when moving from the first configuration to the second configuration.

7. The wearable air purifier as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the nozzle assembly is retained in the first configuration by a detent.

8. The wearable air purifier as claimed in claim 7 , wherein the detent comprises a first magnetic element and a second magnetic element that cooperates with the first magnetic element to releasably retain the nozzle assembly in the first configuration.

9. The wearable air purifier as claimed in claim 7, wherein the detent comprises a catch and a catch keeper that cooperates with the catch to releasably retain the nozzle assembly in the first configuration.

10. The wearable air purifier as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the hinge assembly comprises first and second portions rotatably connected to one another, the first portion fixedly connected to one of the nozzle assembly and the headgear, and the second portion releasably connected to the other of the headgear and the nozzle assembly.

11. The wearable air purifier as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the nozzle assembly comprises a first end connected to a first end of headgear by a first hinge, and a second opposite end connected to a second opposite end of the headgear by a second hinge.

12. A wearable air purifier comprising: a headgear; an air purifier assembly, the air purifier assembly configured to generate a filtered airflow; and a nozzle assembly comprising an inlet aperture for receiving the filtered airflow from the air purifier assembly, and an air outlet for emitting the filtered airflow from the nozzle assembly; wherein the nozzle assembly is rotatably connected to the headgear by a hinge assembly and the wearable air purifier comprises a releasable detent that inhibits rotation of the nozzle assembly relative to the headgear until the detent is released.

13. The wearable air purifier as claimed in claim 12, wherein the nozzle assembly is connected to the headgear by the hinge assembly such that the nozzle assembly moves away from the headgear from a first configuration to a second configuration when the detent is released.

14. The wearable air purifier as claimed in claim 12 , wherein the nozzle assembly is movable relative to the headgear in a plane parallel to a sagittal plane of a wearer in use.

15. The wearable air purifier as claimed in claim 12 , wherein the detent comprises a first magnetic element and a second magnetic element that cooperates with the first magnetic element to releasably inhibit rotation of the nozzle assembly relative to the headgear.

16. The wearable air purifier as claimed in claim 12 , wherein the detent comprises a catch and a catch keeper that cooperates with the catch to releasably inhibit rotation of the nozzle assembly relative to the headgear.

17. The wearable air purifier as claimed in claim 12 , wherein the hinge assembly comprises first and second portions rotatably connected to one another, the first portion fixedly connected to one of the nozzle assembly and the headgear, and the second portion releasably connected to the other of the headgear and the nozzle assembly.

18. The wearable air purifier as claimed in claim 12 , wherein the nozzle assembly comprises a first end connected to a first end of the headgear by a first hinge, and a second opposite end connected to a second opposite end of the headgear by a second hinge.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0047] Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0048] FIG. 1 is a schematic front view of a wearable air purifier according to the present invention;

[0049] FIG. 2 is a schematic rear underside view of the wearable air purifier of FIG. 1;

[0050] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the wearable air purifier of FIG. 1 with a nozzle assembly removed;

[0051] FIG. 4 is a schematic upper front view of the wearable air purifier of FIG. 1 with the nozzle assembly detached;

[0052] FIG. 5 is a schematic side view of the wearable air purifier of FIG. 1 with the nozzle assembly in a first configuration;

[0053] FIG. 6 is a schematic side view of the wearable air purifier of FIG. 1 with the nozzle assembly in a second configuration;

[0054] FIG. 7a is a schematic view of a first embodiment of a connector portion of a nozzle assembly in accordance with the present invention;

[0055] FIG. 7b is a schematic view of a second embodiment of a connector portion of a nozzle assembly in accordance with the present invention;

[0056] FIG. 7c is a schematic view of a third embodiment of a connector portion of a nozzle assembly in accordance with the present invention; and

[0057] FIG. 7d is a schematic view of a fourth embodiment of a connector portion of a nozzle assembly in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0058] A wearable air purifier, generally designated 10, is shown schematically in FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0059] The wearable air purifier 10 comprises a headgear 12, 14, 16, an air purifier assembly 42, 44, and a nozzle assembly 100.

[0060] 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 hemispherical and hollow in form.

[0061] 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.

[0062] 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.

[0063] 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 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.

[0064] 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.

[0065] 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 40and outlet apertures 43 for the air purifier assembly.

[0066] The ambient air inlet 40 provided by 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 by the respective airflow generator 44. 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 one or more filter materials chosen to provide a desired degree of filtration of air to be provided to a wearer in use.

[0067] The airflow generators 44 each comprise a motor driven impeller which draws air from the respective ambient air inlet 40, through the respective filter assembly 42, and outputs air through the respective outlet aperture 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 housings 16 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.

[0068] The nozzle assembly 100 comprises a conduit 102 having first 106 and second 108 ends. The conduit is curved between the first 106 and second 108 ends such that the conduit 102 is generally arcuate in form. The first 106 and second 108 ends comprise respective first 110 and second 112 connector portions that connect to respective ones of the first 14 and second 16 housings of the headgear, as will be described in more detail hereafter. 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.

[0069] The conduit 102 has an air outlet 120 that is provided by a plurality of apertures distributed across an air outlet region of the nozzle assembly 100, which as shown is defined by a mesh. Upper and lower surfaces of the conduit 102 comprise flow guides 122 that extend rearwardly, for example toward a void defined between the first 110 and second 112 connector portions, 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. It is envisaged that the flow guides 122 may be formed of a resiliently deformable material to allow for some deformation of the conduit 102 and such that wearer comfort is provided in the event of accidental contact with a face of a wearer in use.

[0070] The connector portions 110, 112 have curved ends that are curved to match an outer surface of the first 14 and second 16 housings. The first 110 and second 112 connector portions are generally hollow, and have inlet apertures 114 which are configured to be in direct fluid communication with outlet apertures 43 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 a first configuration. For example, there may be no components intermediate the outlet apertures 43 and the inlet apertures 114.

[0071] The connector portions 110, 112 comprise magnetic hinges 116 and magnetic detents 118 that respectively rotatably connect and retain the conduit 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. Further details of the magnetic hinges 116 will be described hereafter, but as is clear from FIGS. 5 and 6 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. 5, and a second configuration, shown in FIG. 6.

[0072] In the first configuration of FIG. 5, 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 connector portions of the conduit 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 44, it is able to pass through the outlet apertures 43, into the inlet apertures 114, and then flow through the conduit 102 to the air outlet 120 where it is provided to the wearer.

[0073] 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 connector portions of the conduit 102. Filtered airflow travels through the conduit 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.

[0074] 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.

[0075] When it is desired to move the nozzle assembly from the first configuration of FIG. 5 to the second configuration of FIG. 6, 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. 6, 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 conduit 102 to the wearer.

[0076] 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 a connector portion 110, 112 of the nozzle assembly 100. As an alternative example, the sensor 128 may be a contract switch that is closed when a connector portion 110, 112 of the nozzle assembly 100 is fully connected to the respective housing 14, 16. When the sensor 128 detects movement of a connector portion 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 a connector portion 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.

[0077] 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. 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.

[0078] 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 connector portions 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 the wearable air purifier to be used as conventional headphones when the wearer does not require a supply of filtered air.

[0079] 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.

[0080] Examples of appropriate magnetic hinges can be seen in FIGS. 7a-7c.

[0081] In the embodiment of FIG. 7a, each magnetic hinge 116 comprises a cylindrical barrel portion 134 rotatably mounted onto a pin or axle 136. The pin 136 is fixedly attached to the respective connector portions 110, 112 of the nozzle assembly 100, whilst the barrel portion 134 is formed of a magnetic material and selectively attachable to the lower magnets 126 of the first 14 and second 16 housings of the headgear.

[0082] In the embodiment of FIG. 7b, each magnetic hinge 116 comprises a barrel portion 134 rotatably mounted to the respective connector portion 110, 112 of the nozzle assembly 100 by a fork arrangement 138, with the barrel portion 134 comprising a magnet 140 for attachment to the lower magnet 126 of the housings 14, 16. The rotatable connection between the fork arrangement 138 and the barrel portion 134 enables the nozzle assembly 100 to rotate relative to the housings 14, 16, whilst the magnet 140 of the barrel portion 134 enables selective connection of the nozzle assembly 100 to the housings 14, 16.

[0083] In the embodiment of FIG. 7c, each magnetic hinge 116 comprises a leaf portion 142 rotatably attached to a knuckle 144 of the connector portion 110, 112, with the leaf portion 142 comprising a magnet 140 for attachment to the lower magnet 126 of the housings 14, 16. The rotatable connection between the leaf portion 142 and the knuckle 144 enables the nozzle assembly 100 to rotate relative to the housings 14, 16, whilst the magnet 140 of the leaf portion 142 enables selective connection of the nozzle assembly 100 to the housings 14, 16.

[0084] In the embodiments described herein, a rotational extent of the magnetic hinge 116 may be limited such that motion of the nozzle assembly 100 relative to the housings 14, 16 about the magnetic hinge 116 is limited. This may be achieved in any appropriate way, for example by controlling rotation or by providing a stop member that prevents over-rotation of the magnetic hinge 116.

[0085] 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 connector portions 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 connector portions 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 connector portions 110, 112 and the housings 14, 16.

[0086] It will also be appreciated that in some embodiments a mechanical catch mechanism may act to releasably retain the nozzle assembly 100 relative to the first 14 and second 16 housings as an alternative, or in addition to, the magnetic detents 118. For example, as shown in FIG. 7d, a catch in the form of a cantilevered hook 144 is located on the connector portion 110, 112 for releasably engaging a catch keeper in the form of a mating feature (not shown), such as a recess or loop, provided on the respective housing 14, 16. The cantilevered hook 144 is sufficiently flexible to enable release of the hook 144 from the mating feature by a wearer, whilst preventing inadvertent release.

[0087] 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.

[0088] 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 by the hinges, such that the nozzle assembly is indirectly connected to the headgear. Alternatively, the nozzle assembly may be directly connected to the headgear by the hinges 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 by the hinges and fluidically connected to the outlet apertures of the air purifier assembly by ducting that is connected to the headgear.