Foldable Breathing Mask With Embossed Fold Lines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Rigid breathing masks that retain their shape during use are difficult to store due to their tendency to return to their original form, causing them to jam in pockets and making removal challenging.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating predefined fold lines, particularly embossed lines that run crosswise to each other, allowing the mask to be folded for storage without compromising rigidity, especially during inhalation, and using a mould with ribs to form these lines during the deep-drawing process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the mask body is made rigid to retain its shape during use, then the mask maintains structural integrity and breathing hollow during inhalation, but the mask becomes difficult to store and jams in pockets
Solution Approach 1:
The mask body is divided into multiple sections by predefined fold lines that segment the rigid structure into foldable units, allowing the mask to be collapsed for storage while maintaining rigidity during use
2Strength
If the mask body is made rigid to prevent collapse during inhalation, then the breathing hollow is maintained, but the mask constantly attempts to return to its original form making removal from pockets difficult
Solution Approach 1:
Fold lines are pre-defined and embossed in the mask body during manufacturing, preparing the structure in advance to allow easy folding and unfolding without requiring forceful manipulation during storage or removal
3Ease of operation
If fold lines are added to enable folding for storage, then the mask becomes easier to store, but the rigidity of the mask body may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The mask body has different properties in different regions: fold lines create localized flexible zones that allow folding, while the remaining areas maintain full rigidity to preserve mask shape and breathing hollow during use
4Stability of the object's composition
If embossed fold lines are used instead of joining seams, then the mask can be folded while maintaining rigidity, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The fold line embossing process is merged with the existing deep-drawing manufacturing process, allowing fold lines to be created in the same operation that forms the mask body shape, without adding separate manufacturing steps
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
Enables easy storage and retrieval of the mask while maintaining rigidity during use, with embossed lines being durable and easy to manufacture, and the fold direction being intuitive for space-saving folding.
Implementation Method 1
The predefined fold line ensures that the force needed to return to the original shape is reduced without reduction of rigidity
Implementation Method 2
it is sufficient to unfold the mask body if light pressure is applied on the outside of the storage folding (i.e. the inside of the domed area), in order that the domed area springs back to its original form
Data Source
AI summary
A foldable breathing mask formed with a deep-drawn mask body and sufficiently rigid so as to retain its shape and including at least one fold line for a storage folding of the mask body is a predefined manner.