Elastic Nose Bridge for Light-Sealed Sleep Mask
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sleep facilitating devices, such as eye masks and earplugs, are ineffective in blocking external light and sound due to design flaws like light leakage, slippage, and durability issues, and fail to provide a consistent sleeping environment regardless of external stimuli.
Innovation Solution
A wearable head device with a head band, light-reducing means featuring an elastic nose bridge that conforms to the nose, and sound-attenuating ear cups made of foam or fleece, designed to securely fit around the head using elastic materials and a hook-and-loop fastening system, ensuring effective blocking of light and sound.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If traditional eye masks are worn over the eyes to reduce external light, then light blocking is improved, but light leakage occurs at the edges and nose bridge area due to poor contouring
Solution Approach 1:
The nose bridge portion is made of elastic material that flexes and stretches to conform to the unique contour of the user's nose bridge, creating a custom-fit seal that prevents light leakage without requiring multiple sizes or contoured rigid structures
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic material changes its physical parameters (shape, size, contour) in response to the nose bridge it encounters, allowing the same one-size-fits-all component to adapt to different facial geometries and seal effectively against light leakage
2Ease of operation
If elasticated head straps are used to hold the blindfold in place, then initial securing is improved, but the device slips out of position during use due to insufficient pressure and size limitations
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic nose bridge portion acts as a mechanical anchor that locks the device in position by conforming to the nose bridge contour, preventing slippage during sleep movements without requiring tight head straps or multiple size options
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic material automatically adjusts and maintains optimal pressure on the nose bridge throughout use, self-regulating to keep the device securely positioned without requiring external adjustment mechanisms or multiple components
3Ease of manufacture
If traditional eye masks with straps and components are used, then basic functionality is achieved, but the device deteriorates quickly due to tearing and fraying especially during travel
Solution Approach 1:
The nose bridge portion is integrated as an inherent part of the eye mask structure rather than a separate component, eliminating weak points where components could detach or fray while maintaining all necessary functional elements
Solution Approach 2:
The use of elastic material for the nose bridge portion creates a more durable construction that resists tearing and fraying compared to traditional fabric-only or component-based designs, especially under the stress of travel and repeated use
4Object-affected harmful factors
If earplugs are used to attenuate external sound, then noise reduction is improved, but the earplugs fall out during sleep especially when sleeping on the side
Solution Approach 1:
The sound-attenuating ear cups are merged with the head band structure, creating a unified device that cannot easily detach during sleep, eliminating the retention problem of separate earplugs while maintaining noise reduction functionality
5Object-affected harmful factors
If earplugs are used for sound attenuation, then noise reduction is achieved, but hygiene issues arise due to difficulty in cleaning and keeping loose earplugs
Solution Approach 1:
The ear cups are integrated into the head band as a single washable unit, allowing the entire device to be easily cleaned without worrying about losing small components or maintaining hygiene of separate earplugs
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated design allows the entire device including ear cups to be washed and reused without degradation of functionality, maintaining hygiene through easy cleaning while eliminating the risk of losing components
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 consistent protection from external light and sound, securely fits on the head, and is comfortable and durable, addressing the limitations of prior devices by reducing light seepage and noise intrusion.
Implementation Method 1
the nose bridge portion comprising an elasticated material, different to the material of the head band, the material being such that, when the nose bridge portion is arranged over the nose of the wearer, the elastic material is caused to stretch transversely across the width of the nose of the wearer and thereby to contract longitudinally
Implementation Method 2
sound-attenuating ear cups made of foam or fleece
Data Source
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AI summary
A device (1) wearable on the head of a user, the device comprising; light-reducing means (2) comprising one or more eye portions (3) configured to be arranged over the eyes of the wearer to reduce the amount of external light reaching the eyes of the wearer; wherein the light-reducing means (2) further comprises a nose bridge portion (16) configured to be arranged over the nose of the wearer, the nose bridge portion (16) comprising an elastic material configured such that, when the nose bridge portion is arranged over the nose of the wearer, the elastic material is caused to stretch transversely across the width of the nose of the wearer and thereby to contract substantially longitudinally. Sound-attenuating means (17) comprising eat cups (18) are also optionally provided for reducing noice deliverable to the ears of a wearer.