Breathing Filter Assembly with Integrated Nose Tubes

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing breathing devices, such as air filtering masks, often fail to effectively filter air through both the mouth and nostrils simultaneously, leaving users exposed to pollutants, especially in industrial or allergen-prone environments.

Innovation Solution

A breathing device comprising a mouthpiece with integrated nose tubes and a removably insertable air filter made of permeable material, which extends into both the mouthpiece and nose tubes to filter inhaled air, ensuring comprehensive air filtration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a traditional air filtering mask is used, then it can filter air through the mouth, but it fails to effectively filter air through the nostrils simultaneously

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepollutant exposureVSAvoidfiltration coverage

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The breathing device is segmented into separate pathways for mouth and nose, with the filter extending into both the mouthpiece and nose tubes. This segmentation allows independent filtration coverage for each breathing route, ensuring that pollutants are filtered regardless of which pathway the user takes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The single filter unit serves multiple functions by extending into both the mouthpiece and nose tubes simultaneously. This multi-functional design allows one filter to protect both oral and nasal breathing pathways, eliminating the need for separate filters for each route.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a remote filtering unit is used, then it can supply filtered air to the face mask, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepollutant exposureVSAvoidsystem structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The filter is merged with the breathing device housing, eliminating the need for a separate remote filtering unit. The filter extends directly into the mouthpiece and nose tubes within the same housing, creating an integrated system that is simpler and more compact than remote filtration designs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The filter is nested within the breathing device housing, with the filter media positioned inside the housing structure and extending into the breathing pathways. This nesting arrangement consolidates multiple components into a single compact unit, reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If an air filter extends into the nostrils, then it can filter air breathed through the nostrils, but the ease of operation and cleaning is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepollutant exposureVSAvoidcleaning accessibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The filter is designed as a removable component that can be extracted from the housing for cleaning or replacement. This extraction capability allows users to access and maintain the filter without disassembling the entire device, preserving ease of operation while maintaining filtration effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The filter design incorporates dynamic accessibility, allowing the filter to be removed and reinserted as needed. This dynamic feature enables easy cleaning and maintenance while the filter remains positioned to effectively filter air through both mouth and nose pathways during use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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

The device provides effective filtration of air through both the mouth and nostrils, enhancing user safety in polluted environments by ensuring cleaner breathing air, with the filter being easily replaceable and the device optionally accompanied by a carrying case and disinfecting wipes for maintenance.

Implementation Method 1

The filter is comprised of an air permeable material to pass air therethrough for breathing

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPermeation: Permeation

Implementation Method 2

The filter extends into the mouthpiece and each of the nose tubes to filter air inhaled through the user's mouth or the user's nose

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Data Source

PatentUS11504555B2Breathing filter assembly

Publication Date: 2022.11.22 ZIMMER ROBERT

AI summary

A breathing filter assembly for filtering breathing air includes a breathing unit that includes a mouthpiece that can be placed in a user's mouth. The breathing unit includes a pair of nose tubes that can each be positioned in a respective one of the user's nostrils when the mouthpiece is positioned in the user's mouth. A filter is removably insertable into the breathing unit. The filter is made of an air permeable material to pass air therethrough for breathing. The filter extends into the mouthpiece and each of the nose tubes to filter air inhaled through the user's mouth or the user's nose.