3D Mask Folding Structure for Low Breathing Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional 3D masks suffer from high breathing resistance and limited contact area due to the presence of folds, which restricts their ventilation and comfort.
Innovation Solution
A 3D mask design featuring longitudinal folding lines and adjustable components that allow for folding and unfolding to maximize breathing area and provide increased supporting force, with a mask string for customizable tightness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If folds are provided at specific locations to hold supporting space, then the mask maintains 3D structure, but the contact area with external environment is limited resulting in high breathing resistance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces longitudinal folding lines that extend from the upper edge to the lower edge of the front blocking piece, creating three-dimensional folded portions that add vertical dimension to the mask structure. This enables the mask to maintain supporting space while increasing the effective breathing area through the folded configurations
Solution Approach 2:
The folded portions are formed by repeatedly bending the front blocking piece along alternating inner and outer folding lines, creating nested folded structures. The second bending distance is larger than the first bending distance, forming fold openings that are nested within the overall mask structure, maximizing breathing area within the target transverse length
2Length of stationary object
If the front blocking piece is folded to reduce transverse length, then the mask fits better, but the breathing area is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the flat front blocking piece into a three-dimensional structure by creating folded portions with longitudinal folding lines. This dimensional transformation allows the mask to achieve a target transverse length that matches the shielding pieces while maintaining a large effective breathing area through the folded configurations
Solution Approach 2:
The front blocking piece is divided into multiple folded portions, each with alternating inner and outer folding lines. This segmentation creates multiple fold openings that collectively provide sufficient breathing area while reducing the overall transverse length to match the shielding pieces
3Adaptability or versatility
If the mask string is adjustable, then the mask adapts to different head profiles, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mask string is designed as an adjustable component that can be modified in length to accommodate different user head profiles. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the same mask structure to fit various users without requiring multiple sizes or complex customization mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustable mask string serves multiple functions: it secures the mask to the user's head, allows for size adjustment to accommodate different head profiles, and maintains the mask in the desired position. This single component performs multiple roles, reducing the need for additional specialized parts
Data Source
AI summary
A three-dimensional (3D) mask includes a front blocking piece, and bendable upper and lower shielding pieces connected to an upper and a lower edge of the front blocking piece, respectively. When the upper and lower shielding pieces are unfolded from the front blocking piece, the three pieces together define a covering space for accommodating a user's mouth and nose. The front blocking piece includes at least one longitudinal folding line that changes an original transverse length of the front blocking piece into a target transverse length matching the length of the upper and lower shielding pieces and enables the front blocking piece to have increased air contact area within limited transverse length and accordingly, reduced breathing resistance. The longitudinal folding line also provides the covering space with increased supporting force, preventing the 3D mask from collapsing easily when the user breathes.