Breathing Mask with Reusable Filter and Sealing Bead
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing breathing masks are bulky, restrictive, and inefficient in protecting against aerosols, with high leakage rates, limited adjustability, and inadequate protection for others, as they do not filter exhaled infectious materials, and have complex handling and costly production.
Innovation Solution
A breathing mask design featuring a mask body, bead, and wings with a filter element that is adjustable, reversible, and made from elastomeric materials like silicone, providing a respiratory gas-tight seal and filtering inorganic and organic particles, including germs, with a compact design and transparent construction for improved visibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If masks have replaceable particle filters, then they are useful in industrial sectors, but they become bulky and greatly restrict the field of view
Solution Approach 1:
The mask is divided into a permanent mask body and separate replaceable filter elements. The filter element can be detached and replaced, allowing the mask body to remain while only the filter component is changed. This segmentation reduces the overall bulk compared to fully replaceable filter systems while maintaining reusability.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter element is designed to nest within or attach to the mask body structure. The filter element can be inserted into a receptacle or attached to the mask wings, creating a compact integrated unit when assembled that reduces the overall volume compared to external attachments.
2Ease of operation
If masks have exhalation valves, then breathing resistance is reduced, but infectious material is emitted unfiltered into the surroundings
Solution Approach 1:
The filter element serves multiple functions simultaneously: it filters both inhaled and exhaled air, providing protection for both the wearer and surrounding persons. The same filter material that protects the user from inhaling particles also prevents the user from emitting infectious materials, eliminating the need for separate filtration systems for inhalation and exhalation.
3Ease of manufacture
If masks are made with uniform sizes or shapes, then production is simplified, but leakage rates are high and adjustability is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The mask wings are designed to be flexible and adaptable, allowing the mask to dynamically adjust to different facial shapes and sizes. The mask bead and mask wings can deform and conform to the unique contours of each wearer's face, creating a customized fit that reduces leakage while maintaining simple uniform production of the base mask structure.
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 mask offers secure, adjustable, and user-friendly protection with reduced leakage and breathing resistance, effectively filtering both inhaled and exhaled particles, while being easy to disinfect and adaptable to various facial shapes, enhancing user comfort and safety.
Implementation Method 1
The filter element is configured and designed in such a way that respiratory gas can flow through it at least in some areas thereof... the filter material filters and holds back inorganic particles and/or organic particles, in particular germs from the respiratory gas
Implementation Method 2
The mask bead presses against the skin of the user during use of the breathing mask in such a way that the breathing mask terminates essentially respiratory gas tight
Data Source
AI summary
A breathing mask comprises a mask body, a mask bead, at least one mask wing, and at least one filter element. The mask bead is connected to the mask body, and the mask wing is connected to the mask body and/or the mask bead. The mask bead is formed at least in sections for contact on the skin of a user and presses against the skin of the user during use of the breathing mask in such a way that the breathing mask terminates essentially respiratory gas-tight. The mask bead includes a receptacle opening, which is configured to receive at least nose and mouth of the user during use of the breathing mask. The filter element is connected to the mask wing and is configured in such a way that respiratory gas can flow through it at least in some areas.