Face Mask with Peripheral Wall and Dual Air Paths

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional face masks do not effectively cover the eyes and the area around the nose and mouth, leaving these regions exposed to dust, viruses, and germs, thus failing to provide comprehensive protection against respiratory droplet infections.

Innovation Solution

A face mask design featuring a peripheral wall with first and second paths for air exchange, combined with a buffering member and filters, that covers the mouth, nose, and eyes, ensuring air is filtered and fresh air is provided while preventing external contaminants from reaching the face.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If conventional face masks are used, then the mouth and nose are covered, but the eyes and surrounding skin remain exposed to contaminants

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection against respiratory droplets and germsVSAvoidcoverage area on the face

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The face mask extends coverage from the traditional mouth-nose region to include the eye area and surrounding skin, effectively expanding the protected surface area in a new dimensional space on the face

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the face mask covers a larger area including eyes and surrounding skin, then protection against contaminants is improved, but breathing comfort may deteriorate due to restricted air flow

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection against dust, viruses and germsVSAvoidbreathing comfort

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The face mask is divided into multiple functional zones: a filtering portion for the mouth and nose, and a buffering portion for the eye area, with separate air flow paths that allow independent optimization of protection and breathing comfort

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The buffering member acts as an intermediary between the filtering portion and the eye area, providing a soft cushioning layer that allows air flow while maintaining protection and comfort

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If a buffering member with soft material is added to improve comfort, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewearing comfortVSAvoidstructural complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The buffering member integrates multiple functions into a single component: it provides soft cushioning for comfort, creates a sealed buffering space for protection, and facilitates air flow paths, thereby reducing the need for additional separate components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS11583709B2Face mask

Publication Date: 2023.02.21 YOND HOME CHANT ENTERPRISE CO LTD

AI summary

A face mask includes a space formed therein by a peripheral wall extending from the periphery of the space. At least one first path and at least one second path are respectively formed in the space so that outside air enters into the space via the at least one first pat, and air in the space is released from the space via the at least one second path. The face mask covers a large area of the wearer's face to reduce foreign objects from entering into the wear's body so as to reduce the chance of being infected.