Breathing Mask Debris Deflector Gap Closure
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing protective eyewear and breathing masks leave a gap that allows airborne particulate debris to penetrate and harm dental professionals' eyes, and prior solutions are bulky, interfere with vision, or cause visual distortion.
Innovation Solution
A breathing mask with debris deflectors positioned to close the gap between the mask and eyewear, made of flexible materials like polycarbonate, which deflects debris without interfering with the wearer's field of vision and can be adapted for various mask types.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If half-face protective shields are used to protect eyes and forehead, then protection against debris is improved, but the device becomes bulky and interferes with field of vision
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential protective function needed to close the gap between eyewear and mask, rather than using a full half-face shield. The debris deflector is a minimalistic component that removes only the specific harmful element (the gap) without the bulk and visual interference of complete shields.
Solution Approach 2:
The debris deflector applies protection locally only where needed - at the gap between eyewear and mask - rather than covering the entire face. This localized approach provides sufficient protection against debris while maintaining clear field of vision and avoiding the bulkiness of full-face shields.
2Reliability
If transparent protective shields are used, then protection against splashing fluids is improved, but visual distortion and glare occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the transparent shield component entirely and replaces it with a minimal debris deflector that does not create visual distortion or glare, while still providing protection against splashing fluids through its strategic positioning to close the gap.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a large transparent shield that causes visual distortion, the patent applies a small debris deflector locally at the critical gap area, providing fluid protection only where needed without interfering with the wearer's vision quality.
3Ease of operation
If breathing masks with no protective shields are used in combination with protective eyewear, then ease of operation is improved, but a gap remains open allowing debris to penetrate
Solution Approach 1:
The debris deflector serves as an intermediary element between the protective eyewear and the breathing mask, filling the gap that would otherwise allow debris penetration. This intermediate component maintains the ease of wearing simple separate pieces while preventing the harmful gap.
Solution Approach 2:
The debris deflector is constructed from flexible materials that can conform to the space between eyewear and mask, creating an effective barrier against debris while maintaining comfort and ease of operation. The flexible nature allows it to adapt to different wear configurations.
Data Source
AI summary
A breathing mask with debris deflector features small debris deflectors that close the gaps between the bottom profile of the eyewear worn by the user and the mask face-contacting perimeter. The debris deflectors are positioned, oriented and profiled to prevent fine debris from reaching and harming the eyes of the mask wearer without interfering with the field of vision of the wearer or causing visual glare.