Filter Mask Strap Assembly with Flared Connectors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional filter masks often cause discomfort due to pressure distribution issues and lack of adjustability, and they may obstruct the view of a wearer's face, making it difficult for medical professionals to examine patients effectively.
Innovation Solution
A filter mask design featuring a strap assembly with flared rigid portions to reduce pressure and improve adjustability, along with a transparent face plate that allows for unobstructed facial visibility, and a sealing member that conforms to individual faces for enhanced sealing and comfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional filter mask uses a simple strap design, then the mask structure is simple, but the pressure distribution is poor and adjustability is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The strap assembly is divided into multiple functional segments: a top strap, two side straps, and four connector members (two at the top corners and two at the bottom corners of the mask body). Each connector member includes a flared rigid portion and a flexible portion. This segmentation allows independent adjustment of each strap segment, enabling customized pressure distribution and fit across different head shapes and sizes while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through modular construction.
Solution Approach 2:
The strap assembly incorporates dynamic elements including flexible portions in the connector members that allow movement and adaptation, and adjustable mechanisms (such as sliders or buckles) in the straps that enable users to dynamically adjust the tension and positioning. This dynamic design provides adaptability to different users and conditions while the overall structure remains manageable through standardized components.
2Ease of manufacture
If a filter mask uses a opaque design, then the mask provides complete coverage, but it obstructs the view of the wearer's face
Solution Approach 1:
The mask body is designed with differentiated optical properties in different regions. The front portion containing the air treatment member and the areas requiring visibility are made transparent or translucent, while the side and rear portions that require complete coverage for filtration and protection remain opaque. This local quality differentiation allows the mask to provide complete facial coverage for health reasons while maintaining visibility of the wearer's face for communication and identification purposes.
3Stability of the object's composition
If a filter mask uses a rigid strap connector, then the connector provides structural stability, but it causes increased pressure on the head
Solution Approach 1:
The connector members are designed with heterogeneous structural properties: the flared portions are made rigid to provide stable attachment points and maintain structural integrity, while the portions contacting the head are made flexible or cushioned to reduce pressure. This local quality differentiation within the same component allows simultaneous achievement of stability and comfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The flared rigid portions of the connector members are designed to distribute the load from the straps over a larger area of the head before the force is transmitted to the mask body. This geometric design acts as a built-in cushioning mechanism that prevents concentrated pressure points while maintaining the structural stability needed for secure mask attachment.
Data Source
AI summary
A filter mask for biological material has a mask body and a strap assembly having first and second connectors each having a flared rigid portion for receiving a top strap.