Patent Application
20210125468
The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for delivering notifications to workers wearing personal protective equipment.
When working in areas where there is known to be, or there is a potential of there being, dusts, fumes, gases, airborne contaminants, fall hazards, hearing hazards or any other hazards that are potentially hazardous or harmful to health, it is usual for a worker to use personal protective equipment (PPE), such as respirator or a clean air supply source. While a large variety of personal protective equipment are available, some commonly used devices include powered air purifying respirators (PAPR), self-contained breathing apparatuses, fall protection harnesses, ear muffs, face shields, and welding masks. For instance, a PAPR typically includes a blower system comprising a fan powered by an electric motor for delivering a forced flow of air through a tube to a headpiece worn by a user. A PAPR typically includes a device that draws ambient air through a filter, forces the air through a breathing tube and into a helmet or headpiece to provide filtered air to a user's breathing zone, around their nose or mouth. A self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) provides clean air from a compressed air tank through a tube or hose to the interior of a headpiece worn by a user. In some examples, various personal protective equipment may generate various types of data.
There is a desire to effectively deliver notifications to workers wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) in a work environment. The present disclosure provides systems and methods for providing notifications to the workers by delivering perceptible messages via a fluid flow (e.g., a gas flow or a scent).
In one aspect, the present disclosure describes a notification system including at least one wearable article of personal protection equipment (PPE) to be worn by a user, and a fluid notification device attached to the wearable article of PPE. The fluid notification device includes a fluid source component to release a fluid flow and a fluid flow channel being configured to direct the fluid flow from the fluid source component to the user to deliver perceptible messages. The fluid notification device further includes an electronic control unit functionally connected to the fluid source component to control the delivery of the perceptible message. The control is independent from the operation of the article of PPE. In some embodiments, delivering the fluid flow includes impinging a perceptible gas flow onto the user's skin. In some embodiments, delivering the fluid flow includes releasing one or more perceptible scents into a breathing zone provided by the PPE.
In another aspect, the present disclosure describes a method of delivering a notification to a user in a work environment. The method includes providing a wearable article of personal protection equipment (PPE) to the user; and attaching a fluid notification device to the wearable article of PPE. The fluid notification device includes a fluid source component to release a fluid flow, a fluid flow channel being configured to direct the fluid flow from the fluid source component to the user to deliver perceptible messages, and an electronic control unit functionally connected to the fluid source component to control the delivery of the perceptible message. The control is independent from the operation of the article of PPE. When receiving a notification instruction, the electronic control unit controls the fluid notification device to: release a fluid flow from the fluid source component; and direct the fluid flow via the fluid flow channel to the user to deliver a perceptible message. In some embodiments, delivering the fluid flow includes impinging a perceptible gas flow onto the user's skin. In some embodiments, delivering the fluid flow includes releasing one or more perceptible scents into a breathing zone provided by the PPE.
Various unexpected results and advantages are obtained in exemplary embodiments of the disclosure. One such advantage of exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure is that new avenues for notifications via effective delivery of perceptible messages are provided. The perceptible messages can be effectively delivered via a controlled gas flow impinged on a worker's skin, a scent delivered to a breathing zone of PPE that the worker wears, or a combination thereof.
Various aspects and advantages of exemplary embodiments of the disclosure have been summarized. The above Summary is not intended to describe each illustrated embodiment or every implementation of the present certain exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. The Drawings and the Detailed Description that follow more particularly exemplify certain preferred embodiments using the principles disclosed herein.
The disclosure may be more completely understood in consideration of the following detailed description of various embodiments of the disclosure in connection with the accompanying figures, in which:
In the drawings, like reference numerals indicate like elements. While the above-identified drawing, which may not be drawn to scale, sets forth various embodiments of the present disclosure, other embodiments are also contemplated, as noted in the Detailed Description. In all cases, this disclosure describes the presently disclosed disclosure by way of representation of exemplary embodiments and not by express limitations. It should be understood that numerous other modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled in the art, which fall within the scope and spirit of this disclosure.
The present disclosure provides notification systems and methods for notifying a user wearing personal protection equipment (PPE) in a work environment when there is any meaningful event (e.g., a safety issue, a supervisor's instruction, etc.) in the work environment.
Each PPE is configured to communicate data, such as sensed motions, events and conditions, via wireless communications. The PPE 13A-N may, for example, communicate directly with a wireless access point. As another example, each worker 10A-N may be equipped with a respective one of wearable communication hubs 14A-14M that enable and facilitate communication between the PPE 13A-N and PPEMS 6.
Each of environments 8A-B can include computing facilities (e.g., a local area network 4) by which the articles of PPE are able to communicate with PPEMS 6. PPEMS 6 can provide data acquisition, monitoring, activity logging, reporting, predictive analytics, PPE control, alert generation, etc. The environments 8A-B, may also include one or more safety stations 15 distributed throughout the environment to provide viewing stations for accessing additional information related to notifications. In addition, each of environments 8 may include computing facilities that provide an operating environment for end-user computing devices 16, 18 for interacting with PPEMS 6 via network 4. For example, each of environments 8 typically includes one or more safety managers responsible for overseeing safety compliance within the environment. Local users 20 and remote users 24 can interact with PPEMS 6 to control and actively manage many aspects of safely equipment utilized by the workers 10A-B, such as accessing and viewing usage records, analytics and reporting.
In some embodiments, the notification and response management system 2 can provide each PPE one or more notification delivery components/devices for outputting communications to the respective worker 10A-10N. Typical notification delivery components/devices may include, for example, a wearable vibration device or a light emitting device connected to a wearable hub that can alert workers when certain information is to be delivered to the workers. The typical notification delivery means such as audible notification (e.g., a speaker), visual notification (e.g., a LED), or tactile notification (e.g., vibration) may have their respective limitations. For example, the work environment may reduce the reception of notifications/alarms sent through these channels when workers are engaged with vibrating machinery, visual notifications are out of their field of focus, or auditory notifications are not heard due to loud work environment and/or hearing protection.
This disclosure describes new avenues for notifications via effective delivery of perceptible messages. The perceptible messages described herein can include, for example, a controlled gas flow impinged on a worker's skin, a scent delivered to a breathing zone of PPE that the worker wears, etc.
The fluid notification device 200 is attached to the headpiece 252 to deliver perceptible gas flow toward the ear area of the user. It is to be understood that the perceptible gas flow can be impinged on other skin locations such as, for example, a skin area below eyes, a location adjacent a nose, a lip, etc. The fluid notification device 200 includes a gas source component 210 and a tube 220. The gas source component 210 is attached to a side frame 5 of headpiece 252. The tube 220 has an inlet fluidly connected to the gas source component 210, and an outlet pointing towards the ear area of the user, as shown in
In some embodiments, one or more mechanical components can be provided to the tube 220 to control the gas flow to be delivered to the user's skin. For example, in one embodiment, a baffle can be placed in the tube 220 to mechanically introduce turbulence into the flow, which can vary the gas flow by spraying it across the skin of the recipient. In one embodiment, a rotatable component can be positioned at an orifice adjacent to the outlet of the tube 220, which can rotate upon a gas pressure and point at an angle to the direction of the tube to adjust the exit gas flow.
In some embodiments, the gas container 22 can be a gas tank containing, for example, compressed air. In some embodiments, the gas tank can be dispatchable and refilled. In some embodiments, the gas release mechanism 24 can include, for example, an actuator and a gas valve to control the gas flow from the gas tank to the tube 220. In some embodiments, the gas valve may include a flexible flap that dynamically opens in response to a gas flow. In some embodiments, the gas valve may be a gas metering valve that can meter the volume of gas flow. In some embodiments, the optional blower 23 may include a motor and a fan to blow the released gas to flow into the tube 220. In some embodiments, the electronic control unit 26 can include a microprocessor device, such as, for example, a single chip microcontroller, programmed for executing instructions received from a remote controller to control the operation of gas source component 210. For example, the electronic control unit 26 can send a control signal to an actuator of the gas release mechanism 24 to open/close the gas valve.
In some embodiments, the gas source component 210 may have a configuration of a metered-dose inhaler where an actuator (e.g., an electromechanical actuator) can be provided to activate a gas-containing canister to release a fixed amount of gas upon one activation. It is to be understood that the gas source component 210 can be configured in various forms for releasing gas from a pressurized gas container.
The electronic control unit 26 can control the release of gas from the gas source component 210 in various modes to deliver different perceptible messages. In some embodiments, the gas flow can be controlled to impinge on the user's skin as a single pulse. The duration of the pulse can be controlled, for example, via the gas release mechanism 24. The duration can may be controlled by adjusting by any suitable mechanisms such as, for example, adjusting the diameter of an exit orifice of the tube 20, etc. In some embodiments, the gas flow can be controlled to impinge on the user's skin as multiple pulses. In some embodiments, multiple gas containers can be provided which can be activated in succession to deliver multiple pulses.
In some embodiments, the gas flow from the tube 220 can be controlled, via the electronic control unit 26, the gas release mechanism 24, and the optional blower 23 to impinge on the user's skin at a predetermined flow change rate. The various flow change rates may correspond to the respective messages to be delivered to the user. The flow change rate can be adjusted by, for example, ramping up/down a motor, turning on/off the motor, running the motor on an oscillating mode, providing motors at different locations, etc.
In some embodiments, the electronic control unit 26 may receive wireless signals from a remote computing device such as, for example, the computing devices 16, 18 of
In some embodiments, the electronic control unit 26 can control the fluid notification device 200 to provide notifications that are driven by perceptible changes in air flow. Changes in airflow may include, for example, air flow speed, flow speed pulsing, air flow direction, air flow source location, air flow temperature, any combinations thereof, etc.
It is to be understood that in some preferred embodiments, the fluid notification device 200 can be controlled independently of the PAPR 250. That is, the operation of the PAPR 250, e.g., delivering filtered air to the breathing zone 7, may not be interrupted by the fluid notification device 200.
The fluid notification device 200 can be provided to any suitable articles of PPE besides the PAPR 250 of
In the embodiment of
In the embodiment of
In some embodiments, a fluid notification device may not include a separate gas container such as the gas container 22 of the fluid notification device 210 in
In some embodiments, a fluid notification device can deliver perceptible messages to a user by releasing a scent to a breathing zone of a PPE that the user wears. In the present disclosure, smell can be utilized as a channel to communicate with workers to deliver notifications. In general, humans detect odorants with olfactory receptors in the nose. Unlike most other senses, smell is not relayed through the thalamus, but is transmitted from olfactory receptors via the olfactory bulb directly to the cortex. Smell signals reach the limbic system. Emotions and memories can be easily triggered by smells. Some fluid notification devices described herein can provide scent driven olfactory notifications, which are less likely to be ignored by workers as compared to visual notifications.
The fluid notification device 300 is attached to the headpiece 352 to deliver one or more scents into the breathing zone 7″. The fluid notification device 300 includes a scent source component 310 and a tube 320. The scent source component 310 is attached to the headpiece 252. The tube 320 has an inlet fluidly connected to the scent source component 310, and an outlet pointing into the breathing zone 7″. In the depicted embodiment of
The fluid notification device 300 can be provided to any suitable articles of PPE that provide a breathing zone, besides the PAPR 350 of
In the embodiment of
In some embodiments, a fluid notification device may not include a separate tube to direct scent to a breathing zone of PPE. Instead, the fluid notification device may include a scent source component which has an opening to release scent therefrom.
In some embodiments, a fluid notification device described herein (e.g., 300 of
It is to be understood that in some preferred embodiments, the fluid notification device 300 or 300′ can be controlled independently of the PAPR 250. That is, the operation of the PAPR 350, e.g., delivering filtered air to the breathing zone 7, may not be interrupted by the attached fluid notification device.
A scent source component of a fluid notification device described herein (e.g., 310 of
In some embodiments, the fluid notification device 300 or 300′ can deliver one or more scents that have a smell associated with its intended meaning. A user can be trained to differentiate between the smell notifications with distinct meanings (e.g., low urgency events, medium urgency events, etc.).
In some embodiments, smell notifications can be used in conjunction with other types of notifications such as, for example, a gas flow notification provided by the fluid notification device 200, an audible notification (e.g., provided by a speaker), a visual notification (e.g., provided by a LED), a tactile notification (e.g., provided by a vibration device), etc.
Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing quantities or ingredients, measurement of properties and so forth used in the specification and embodiments are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term “about.” Accordingly, unless indicated to the contrary, the numerical parameters set forth in the foregoing specification and attached listing of embodiments can vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained by those skilled in the art utilizing the teachings of the present disclosure. At the very least, and not as an attempt to limit the application of the doctrine of equivalents to the scope of the claimed embodiments, each numerical parameter should at least be construed in light of the number of reported significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques.
Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure may take on various modifications and alterations without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the embodiments of the present disclosure are not to be limited to the following described exemplary embodiments, but is to be controlled by the limitations set forth in the claims and any equivalents thereof.
Exemplary embodiments are listed below. It is to be understood that any one of embodiments 1-18 and 19-23 can be combined.
Embodiment 1 is a notification system comprising:
at least one wearable article of personal protection equipment (PPE) to be worn by a user; and
a fluid notification device attached to the wearable article of PPE,
wherein the fluid notification device comprises a fluid source component to release a fluid flow and a fluid flow channel being configured to direct the fluid flow from the fluid source component to the user to deliver perceptible message, and
one or more computer processors; and
a memory comprising instructions that when executed by the one or more computer processors cause the one or more computer processors to:
providing a wearable article of personal protection equipment (PPE) to the user;
attaching a fluid notification device to the wearable article of PPE, the fluid notification device comprising a fluid source component to release a fluid flow, a fluid flow channel being configured to direct the fluid flow from the fluid source component to the user to deliver perceptible messages, and an electronic control unit functionally connected to the fluid source component to control the delivery of the perceptible message, the control being independent from the operation of the article of PPE;
when receiving a notification instruction, the electronic control unit controls the fluid notification device to:
release a fluid flow from the fluid source component; and
direct the fluid flow via the fluid flow channel to the user to deliver a perceptible message.
Embodiment 20 is the method of embodiment 19, wherein directing the fluid flow comprises impinging a gas flow onto the user's skin.
Embodiment 21 is the method of embodiment 20, further comprising providing a perceptible change to the gas flow, including one or more changes of gas flow speed, gas flow pulsing, and gas flow direction, the perceptible change being associated with the perceptible message.
Embodiment 22 is the method of any one of embodiments 19-21, wherein releasing the fluid flow comprises releasing one or more scents.
Embodiment 23 is the method of embodiment 22, wherein directing the fluid flow comprises directing the scents into a breathing zone of the PPE.
Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” “certain embodiments,” “one or more embodiments,” or “an embodiment,” whether or not including the term “exemplary” preceding the term “embodiment,” means that a particular feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the certain exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. Thus, the appearances of the phrases such as “in one or more embodiments,” “in certain embodiments,” “in one embodiment,” or “in an embodiment” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment of the certain exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, materials, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.
While the specification has described in detail certain exemplary embodiments, it will be appreciated that those skilled in the art, upon attaining an understanding of the foregoing, may readily conceive of alterations to, variations of, and equivalents to these embodiments. Accordingly, it should be understood that this disclosure is not to be unduly limited to the illustrative embodiments set forth hereinabove. In particular, as used herein, the recitation of numerical ranges by endpoints is intended to include all numbers subsumed within that range (e.g., 1 to 5 includes 1, 1.5, 2, 2.75, 3, 3.80, 4, and 5). In addition, all numbers used herein are assumed to be modified by the term “about.” Furthermore, various exemplary embodiments have been described. These and other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims.
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/IB2019/055423 | 6/26/2019 | WO | 00 |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62691358 | Jun 2018 | US |
