Face Mask Sealing Member for Lateral Stability and Leak Prevention
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing face masks struggle to create an effective seal against the varying contours of the face, leading to potential air leaks and discomfort, especially during movement, which can compromise the filtration efficiency and wearer comfort.
Innovation Solution
A filter mask design featuring a support frame with a sealing member fixed to it, which includes a shield and ribs to provide rigidity and maintain the filter's shape, along with a sealing member that extends laterally across the cheeks for enhanced stability and comfort, ensuring a secure fit and efficient air filtration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a cushion seal formed of resilient material is used to seal against the face, then the mask can conform to varying contours of the face, but the seal can become dislodged during movement and may be prone to lateral displacement
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing member is formed as a thin, flexible membrane that can conform to the varying contours of the face while maintaining its position. The thin film structure provides adaptability to different facial shapes without the bulk and instability of thick cushion seals, resolving the contradiction between conformability and stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing member is integrated directly with the mask body in a unified structure, eliminating separate cushion components that can become dislodged. This merging of the seal with the mask body ensures that the sealing function remains stable during movement while still adapting to facial contours.
2Ease of operation
If the filter media is placed close to the face for comfort, then wearer comfort is improved, but the filter media is prone to degradation and contamination
Solution Approach 1:
A thin sealing member is positioned between the filter media and the face, creating a barrier that protects the filter from direct contact with the skin while maintaining close proximity for comfort. This thin film seal prevents degradation and contamination of the filter media.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing member acts as an intermediary element between the filter media and the wearer's face, allowing the filter to remain close to the face for comfort while preventing direct contact that would cause contamination and degradation.
3Reliability
If the mask is designed to extend laterally across the cheeks for stability, then lateral displacement is prevented, but the mask structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The cheek portions are integrated into the mask body as a continuous, unified structure rather than separate components. This merging provides lateral stability to prevent displacement while avoiding the complexity of additional separate parts, fasteners, or adjustment mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The mask body serves multiple functions: it provides the sealing surface, structural support, and lateral stabilization through its extended cheek portions. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional specialized components, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining stability.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4a~4b
AI summary
Face masks, including filter masks, and methods for their production. The disclosed masks include a face mask comprising a mask body that defines a cavity for accommodating the nose and mouth of a wearer and a sealing member depending from the mask body for engagement with the wearer's face, the mask body comprising a filter and a gas inlet, the filter being located in a first region of the mask body and the gas inlet being located in a second region of the mask body; and a nasal portion for accommodating the nose of the wearer, a mouth portion for accommodating the mouth of the wearer, and cheek portions extending laterally across the wearer's cheeks.