Patent Publication Number: US-2019184212-A1

Title: Housing of a closed circuit breathing apparatus

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 of European Application 17 208 384.2, filed Dec. 19, 2017, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention is related to a housing of a closed circuit breathing apparatus, an electronic device for a closed circuit breathing apparatus, a closed circuit breathing apparatus with such a housing as well as a method for assembling a closed circuit breathing apparatus. 
     BACKGROUND 
     It is generally known that closed circuit breathing apparatuses are used for protecting people in an unhealthy environment. To achieve that, the closed circuit breathing apparatus comprises several breathing components which are located inside of a housing of the closed circuit breathing apparatus. To enable a long use time for such a closed circuit breathing apparatus, the breathing components can, for example, comprise a CO 2  absorption component, a cooling component or a gas bottle for refilling breathing gas. To make sure that the user of the closed circuit breathing apparatus can use a breathable gas over a long period of time, the gas bottle is usually filled with oxygen, in particular pure oxygen. This leads to a situation wherein inside of the housing, an oxygen-enriched atmosphere is located. Due to the fact that usage of the closed circuit breathing apparatus in unhealthy environments can lead to the danger of explosion, the enriched oxygen atmosphere inside of the housing increases that danger. In particular, the presence of the enriched oxygen inside of the housing in combination with possibly explodable gases outside of the housing leads to a high danger of explosion, in particular with relation to the use of electronic components or battery modules. 
     US 2006/0201509 A1 discloses a self-contained breathing apparatus with a housing and a socket for receiving an electronic controller module. In the area of the socket, the housing is interrupted for allowing fluid communication between oxygen sensors of the module ant an inside of the housing. 
     To make sure that the risk of explosion is reduced significantly for the user of a closed-circuit breathing apparatus, commonly known housings comprise an electronic device in a complex and cost intensive manner, which is protected against explosion. Such a configuration is also called an EX-protected configuration. An-other possible solution is the integration of the electronic device in a handheld portion of the closed circuit breathing apparatus. Such a solution leads to the deficiencies that the handheld portion is bigger and heavier than without the integration of such an electronic device. The usability and the comfort of usage of such a closed circuit breathing apparatus is therefore reduced. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the present invention to overcome aforesaid problems. In particular, it is an object of the present invention to provide a cost-efficient and easy way for the configuration of the electric device in a dangerous and in particular, explosive atmosphere by the use of a closed circuit breathing apparatus. 
     Aforesaid object is achieved by a housing according to the invention, an electric device according to the invention, a closed circuit breathing apparatus according to the invention and a method according to the invention. 
     One aspect of the present invention is related to a housing of a closed circuit breathing apparatus. Such a housing comprises a primary wall covering a component space for receiving breathing components of the closed circuit breathing apparatus. The housing further comprises a secondary wall covering a device space at least partly inside of the components space. That device space is sealed against the component space and is configured to receive an electric device. Moreover, the device space comprises a device opening to the surrounding of the housing for inserting the electric device. 
     The core idea of the present invention is to provide a housing which combines the storage possibility of the breathing components on one side, and the electric device on the other side. Due to the fact that at least one of the breathing components usually comprises a gas bottle with the breathing oxygen, the content of the housing, in particular the component space, is an oxygen-enriched atmosphere and therefore comprises an enriched danger of explosion. To achieve an integration of the electric device in this case, a separate device space is located also inside the housing and particularly integrated in the component space. Inside of that device space, an electric device can be inserted. Such an electric device is, for example, configured to carry out some algorithms or to comprise sensors for detecting operational state or even the presence of some breathing components. 
     To make sure that the electric device is not correlated with any explosion danger, the device space is sealed against the component space. The sealing takes place in a gas-sealed manner such that now the oxygen-enriched atmosphere inside of the component space is in no contact with the device space and therefore is in no contact with the electric device inserted in such a device space. 
     Based on aforesaid general idea, the housing is provided in a very integrated manner. In contrast to state-of-the-art solutions, the electric device can be integrated in the housing. But contrary to present solutions, in which the electric device has to be configured in an EX-protected manner, in this case, the protection against the oxygen enriched atmosphere of the interior of the housing is provided by the secondary wall. The secondary wall therefore is an easy and cost efficient manner, for example produced by injection molding with a plastic material, to provide the sealing functionality between the component space on one side and the device space on the other side. Based on that sealing functionality, the electric device can be configured more freely and in particular, in a more cost efficient way, to avoid EX-protection configuration for that electric device. 
     Moreover, to increase the easy access to the electric device and also to enable the user of the closed circuit breathing apparatus for an easy mounting process, the device space is accessible from the surrounding of the housing directly through the device opening. In particular, the device opening comprises a geometrical relation to the outer contour of the electric device. Therefore, the electric device can be form-fitted into the device opening and thus into the device space. 
     Besides the easy adaption and the easy mounting process, there is no limitation as to EX-protected configuration of the electric elements inside of the electric device. Moreover, the integration of the electric device into the housing provides a mechanical protection against mechanical impact and/or vibration. Therefore, the electric elements are protected in a better manner and therefore can be used in even more unhealthy and in particular, mechanically challenging environments. 
     It could be of advantage, if according to the present invention, the housing comprises a mounting interface provided for reversibly mounting the electric device in a mounting position inside of the device space. That mounting can, for example, be carried out by screws or snap-fit elements. For cleaning of the housing or other parts of the breathing components, the electric device therefore can easily be removed from the housing by just demounting it from the mounting interface and moving it out through the device opening. Moreover, this is an easy access to exchange the parts of the electric elements, for example, to exchange or reload batteries. Also, the extraction of the electric device to charge internal batteries can be carried out easily by the provision of a reversibly mounting interface. 
     It is further of advantage, if according to the present invention, the housing is characterized in that the device space is located at a central area of the component space, in particular, surrounded completely or essentially completely by the component space. The location in a center area of the component space provides a further protection as to mechanical impact or vibration. Moreover, the integration is in close proximity to different breathing components such that a detection, which is discussed in more detail later, can be carried out more freely and more easily. 
     It is further of advantage that, according to the present invention, the housing is characterized in that in the device space, a device interface is located for an electric connection to the electric device inserted in the device space. Such an electric connection can, for example, comprise some plugs which are unplugged by the extraction of the electric device and which are plugged in by the insertion of the electric device. Also, in this case, a snap-fit solution can be used for such a device interface. The device interface can be used for electric communication as well as for fluid communication or for a communication connection. Also, the connection to a separate handheld used by the user of the closed circuit breathing apparatus is possible according to this embodiment of the present invention. 
     It is further of advantage, that according to the present invention, the housing can be characterized in that the secondary wall comprises guiding elements to guide the electric device during insertion into the device space in a mounting position, in particular, in which an electric connection with a device interface is enabled. To guide the electric device, a drawer system can be used, in particular, across the full length of the secondary wall. The guiding elements in particular are located on two opposing sides of the secondary wall to provide an easy and cost-efficient solution for that guiding functionality. These guiding elements, for example, can be located in a symmetric or essentially symmetric way on both sides of the secondary wall. 
     It is further of advantage that according to the present invention, the housing can be characterized in that the primary wall comprises a carrying side facing the back of a user carrying the closed circuit breathing apparatus wherein the device opening is located at least partly, in particular completely, at the carrying side of the primary wall. Usually, closed circuit breathing apparatuses are used as a backpack on the back of a user. The location of the device opening on the carrying side leads to a situation wherein during use, the back of the user covers the device opening. Therefore, an additional protection is achieved for the electric device which is now enclosed from one side by the back of the user and by the rest of the sides from the housing and the breathing components, in particular by the surrounding component space. 
     Further advances can be achieved if a housing, according to the present invention, is characterized in that the primary wall and the secondary wall are formed integrally or essentially integrally. This can be achieved, for example, by the use of injection molding, in particular, under the usage of a plastic material. The two walls, namely, the primary wall and the secondary wall therefore, can be configured to be monolithic and be provided in a cost-efficient and easy manner. Of course, it is also possible that besides an integral configuration, separate and different materials can be used at least partly for the primary wall on one side, and the secondary wall on the other side. 
     A further aspect of the present invention is an electric device for a closed circuit breathing apparatus to be inserted into a device space of an inventive housing. Such an electric device comprises electric elements and the device wall covering the electric elements wherein the device wall is orientated to align at least partly with the secondary wall of the housing in a mounting position. Due to the use of the electric device inside of the device space of an inventive housing, the electric device comes along with the same advantages discussed in detail with respect to the inventive housing. The electric elements can, for example, comprise sensors, alarming elements, calculating elements or battery modules. 
     Further advantages can be achieved if an inventive electric device is characterized in that the electric elements comprise a component detection module for detecting at least one breathing component located in the component space in the housing. A component detection module can, for example, comprise an RFID solution. For example, the breathing component can comprise an RFID tag, in particular, a passive RFID tag. A respective and correlated component detection module therefore can activate the passive RFID tag in proximity of itself such that now the general information of the presence of that breathing component can be recognized by the electric element, respectively the electric device. Also, a communication about operational state or the sort of the breathing component is possible with the component detection module of this embodiment. In particular, the presence of necessary breathing elements such that a CO 2  absorber, a cooler, or a gas bottle (such as an oxygen bottle) for providing/supplementing oxygen, can be provided by this embodiment. 
     It is further of advantage if an electric device, according to the present invention, is characterized in that the device wall comprises a closure section, closing the device opening of the device space in the mounting position. This means that the closure section correlates with the device opening in a geometric manner. After inserting the electric device inside of the device space, the closure section of the device wall closes the device opening fully or at least partly fully. The device wall and the closure section therefore have the same geometric size as the free size of the device opening. 
     It is possible that, according to the embodiment described above, the electric device is characterized in that a signaling element is located at the closure section for signaling an operational state of the electric elements. This can, for example, be correlated with a sensor activity, the operation state of different electric elements, or the battery level of some battery modules of the electric device. An easy and cost-efficient solution for that signaling element is, for example, the use of LEDs. 
     A further aspect of the present invention is a closed circuit breathing apparatus with a housing according to the present invention. The closed circuit breathing apparatus comprises at least one breathing component which is located inside of the component space and at least one electric device which is located inside of the device space. Therefore, an inventive closed circuit breathing apparatus comes along with the same advantages discussed in detail with respect to the inventive housing, as well as with respect to the inventive electric device. The components which are located inside of a housing of the closed circuit breathing apparatus comprise a CO 2  absorption component, a cooling component and a gas bottle for refilling breathing gas. To make sure that the user of the closed circuit breathing apparatus can use a breathable gas over a long period of time, the gas bottle is advantageously filled with oxygen, in particular pure oxygen. 
     A further aspect of the present invention is a method for assembling a closed circuit breathing apparatus according to the present invention, comprising the following steps:
         inserting the electric device through the device opening in the device space in a   mounting position, mounting the inserted electric device in the mounting position.       

     Due to the provision of an inventive closed circuit breathing apparatus, the inventive method comes along with the same advantages as discussed in detail with respect to the inventive housing, the inventive electric device, as well as the inventive closed circuit breathing apparatus. 
     The present invention is discussed in more detail with respect to the accompanying drawings. The various features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and specific objects attained by its uses, reference is made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In the drawings: 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic view of a first embodiment of an inventive housing without the electric device; 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic view of the embodiment according to  FIG. 1  with the integrated electric device; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of one embodiment of an electrical device; 
         FIG. 4  is a side view of the embodiment according to  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the embodiment according to  FIGS. 3 and 4  inserted in a housing of a closed circuit breathing apparatus; and 
         FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional side view of the embodiment according to  FIG. 5 . 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring to the drawings,  FIGS. 1 and 2  show a first embodiment of an inventive housing  10 . In  FIG. 1 , the housing  10  of a closed circuit breathing apparatus  200  comprises a primary wall  20 , surrounding the component space  30 . Inside of the component space  30  in this case several breathing components  210  are located and shown in a schematic manner. In particular, this breathing components  210  comprise a cooler, a breathing bag, a gas bottle (such as an oxygen bottle) as well as a CO 2  absorber. 
     In a center area of the component space  30 , a secondary wall  40  seals a separate device space  50  from the component space  30 . The correlation and the possibility of the insertion of the electric device  100  is discussed later. 
       FIG. 2  shows how the integration of the electric device  100  can take place. The electric device  100  is now inserted in the device space  50  and therefore the electric device  100  is surrounded by the secondary wall  40  and thereby sealed against the breathing components  210  inside of the component space  30 . One of the electric elements  110  is a component detection module  112  which can now communicate, for example, with a passive RFID tag on the breathing component  210  on the left side. The presence of that breathing component  210  or even the operational state of that breathing component  210  can therefore be communicated to the electric device  100 . 
       FIGS. 3 and 4  show one possibility of an electric device  100 . This electric device  100  comprises device walls  120  which can be aligned with the secondary wall  40  inside of the housing  10 . A closure section  122  is correlated in a geometrical manner with the respective device opening  52  of the device space  50 . To make sure that even without the extraction of the electric device  100  the operational state of some of the electric elements  110 , for example, the battery charge status of the battery modules can be signaled, a signaling element  130  is located on the closure section  122 . 
     The integration of the electric device  110  of the embodiment according to  FIGS. 3 and 4  can be seen in  FIGS. 5 and 6 .  FIG. 5  now shows the housing  10  facing the carrying side  22  of their primary wall  20 . Into a device opening  52 , the electric device  100  is inserted by closing the device opening  52  with the closure section  122 . In the cross-sectional view according to  FIG. 6 , the correlation inside of the housing  10  is shown. The device wall  120  aligns with the secondary wall  40 . To mount the electric device  100  in the position, according to  FIG. 6 , screws are used as a mounting interface  54  in an upper and lower section. Moreover, electric elements  110  in form of battery modules can be seen. To make sure that in an easy and cost efficient manner an electric or a fluid communication can take place, a device interface  56  can be seen inside of the device space  50 . To provide an easy and cost-efficient mounting procedure, guiding elements  52  are located at the secondary wall  40  to guide the electric device  100  during the move in the mounting position which is described and shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 . 
     Of course, aforesaid description of the accompanying drawings is only by way of detail and example. Specific features of each aspect of the present invention and the figures can be combined with each other if of technical sense. 
     While specific embodiments of the invention have been shown and described in detail to illustrate the application of the principles of the invention, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise without departing from such principles.