Eyeglasses With Air Plenum And HEPA Filter For Allergen Displacement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Eye allergies caused by airborne allergens such as pollen and dust result in significant irritation and discomfort, with existing preventative measures being either ineffective or inconvenient, such as staying indoors or wearing sunglasses.
Innovation Solution
Modified eyeglasses with a lens support structure and ear pieces that include a HEPA filter and micro blowers to direct filtered air towards the eyes, minimizing contact with allergens by displacing non-filtered air and providing comfort and adjustability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional eyeglasses are used without filtration, then the structure remains simple and lightweight, but allergens such as pollen and dust directly contact the eyes causing irritation
Solution Approach 1:
The eyeglasses are divided into functional segments: a lens support structure with an air plenum chamber, separate HEPA filter components, and integrated micro blowers. This segmentation allows the filtration system to be added without completely redesigning the eyeglass framework, maintaining relative simplicity while providing protective functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
Filtered air acts as an intermediary substance between the external environment and the wearer's eyes. The HEPA filter and micro blower system creates a barrier layer of clean air that displaces allergens, preventing direct contact with the eyes without requiring physical contact lenses or surgical intervention.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If filtered air is directed toward the eyes using blowers and filters, then allergen contact is minimized, but the device complexity and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
Miniaturized micro blowers and thin-film HEPA filters are used to minimize the mass of the filtration components. The air plenum chamber is integrated into the existing lens support structure, optimizing the distribution of filtered air while minimizing additional weight. The system is designed to provide adequate filtration with the smallest possible components.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed eyeglass design is used, then manufacturing is simple, but the device cannot adapt to different wearers or prescription needs
Solution Approach 1:
The eyeglasses incorporate adjustable elements including temple arms that can be bent to different angles, nose pads that can be repositioned, and an air plenum chamber with variable orifice configurations. These dynamic features allow the same basic design to be customized for different facial geometries and prescription requirements without requiring completely different manufacturing molds.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If micro blowers are integrated into the eyeglasses, then filtered air is delivered to the eyes, but energy consumption and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
Ultra-low-power micro blowers operating at minimal voltage and current are selected to reduce energy consumption. The system is designed to operate intermittently or at low flow rates when possible, with the air plenum chamber and orifice system optimized to maximize airflow efficiency and minimize the energy required to generate sufficient air pressure for allergen displacement.
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 solution effectively reduces eye irritation by flooding the air space between the eyeglasses and the eyes with filtered air, providing relief from allergens while being lightweight and adjustable for comfort.
Implementation Method 1
A blower or fan draws air through an HEPA filter and into the air plenum
Implementation Method 2
A blower or fan draws air through an HEPA filter and into the air plenum. The lens support structure of the eyeglasses includes a bottom wall having a plurality of spaced apart orifices formed therein and which are in communication with the air plenum
Data Source
AI summary
A pair of eyeglasses includes a lens support structure having an elongated cavity formed therein that defines an air plenum extending transversely across the lens support structure. Air blowers are situated at opposite axial ends of the lens support structure and generate pressurized air into the elongated cavity. A HEPA filter is situated within the elongated cavity. A plurality of orifices formed in a bottom surface of the lens support structure directs pressurized air from the elongated cavity into the space between the eyeglass lens and the eyes of a user to displace allergens. Electronic circuitry, including a battery and switch, is situated within the lens support structure and operates the blowers. A status indicator is situated on the lens support structure to provide a visual indication of the operational state of the blowers and condition of the battery.