Breathable Mask with Segmented Bridge for Snorkeling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current full-face snorkel masks suffer from incomplete air purification due to residual carbon dioxide and water accumulation, leading to discomfort and difficulty in draining water while snorkeling, as the existing designs fail to effectively separate inhalation and exhalation pathways and handle water pressure.

Innovation Solution

A breathable mask design featuring a bridge in the lower chamber that divides it into nasal and mouth chambers, allowing independent airflow paths with one-way valves to ensure clean inhalation and efficient exhalation, and a waterproof sealing skirt that includes a purge valve to manage water drainage without splashing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the lower chamber is used as a single shared space for both mouth and nose, then the mask structure is simpler, but water accumulates and splashes back to nostrils when exhaling forcefully

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemask structureVSAvoidwater splash to nostrils

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The lower chamber is divided into two separate chambers: a mouth chamber for the mouth and a nasal chamber for the nose. This segmentation prevents water that accumulates in the mouth chamber from splashing back to the nostrils during forceful exhalation, while maintaining overall structural simplicity of the mask.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Device complexity

If the intake and exhaust passages are shared in the lower chamber, then the mask structure is simpler, but carbon dioxide accumulates and is re-inhaled

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveairflow path structureVSAvoidcarbon dioxide accumulation

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The lower chamber is segmented into a mouth chamber with exhaust passages and a nasal chamber with intake passages. This separation ensures that exhaled carbon dioxide-rich air is discharged through exhaust passages in the mouth chamber and does not mix with or get re-inhaled through intake passages in the nasal chamber, eliminating CO2 accumulation while keeping the overall mask structure simple.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Strength

If hard parts are added to strengthen the mask front, then the mask strength increases, but the soft covering portion collapses under water pressure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemask front strengthVSAvoidsoft covering integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The bridge is segmented into a hard portion and a soft covering portion. The hard portion provides structural support to prevent collapse under water pressure, while the soft covering portion maintains comfort and seal against the user's face. This segmentation allows the mask front to maintain strength without compromising the integrity of the soft covering.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Productivity

If the user raises the head to drain water through the purge valve, then water drainage is effective, but energy consumption increases and snorkeling fun is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater drainage efficiencyVSAvoiduser energy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The lower chamber is segmented into separate mouth and nasal chambers, allowing water to drain directly from the mouth chamber through the purge valve positioned at the front of the mouth area. This eliminates the need to raise the head for effective drainage, reducing energy consumption and maintaining snorkeling enjoyment while ensuring efficient water removal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This design ensures nearly 100% fresh air inhalation, reduces water accumulation, and allows for easy water drainage without surfacing, enhancing user comfort and snorkeling experience by maintaining mask integrity under pressure.

Implementation Method 1

providing a one-way valve on the opening(s) only allowing fluid to flow from the nasal chamber to the mouth chamber

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOne-way valve mechanism: Valve

Implementation Method 2

the lower chamber is further divided into a nasal chamber and mouth chamber, wherein the intake air flow is guided to the nasal chamber, the exhaust air flow is guided from the nasal chamber or the mouth chamber

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid flow separation:

Implementation Method 3

a waterproof sealing skirt that includes a purge valve to manage water drainage without splashing

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectWaterproof sealing:

Data Source

PatentUS20230312067A1Breathable mask, and structure of its body

Publication Date: 2023.10.05 QBAS CO LTD

AI summary

A breathable mask (10, 20, 30, 40, 50) has a body including a main frame (13, 23, 33, 43, 53), a lens (14, 24, 34, 44, 54) and a waterproof sealing skirt (15, 25, 35, 45, 55). The waterproof sealing skirt has a partition, which divides the interior of the body into an upper chamber (17, 27, 37, 47, 57) and a lower chamber (18, 28, 38, 48, 58). A bridge (151, 252, 351, 451, 551) is provided to further divide the lower chamber into a nasal chamber (181, 281, 381, 481, 581) and a mouth chamber (182, 282, 382, 482, 582) under the nasal chamber. When the user puts on the mask, his/her nose and mouth are accommodated in the nasal chamber and the mouth chamber, respectively. The nasal chamber and the mouth chamber are capable of being in fluid communication through the bridge.