Flexible Tented Nose Cover for Dynamic Facial Contour Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional face masks experience air leakage around the nose due to dynamic facial movements and varying facial contours, leading to reduced filtration efficiency and discomfort from rigidity.
Innovation Solution
A flexible tented facial cover with hinged segments, thinned portions, and air reflectors that dynamically expand to conform to the nose and cheek contours, minimizing air leakage and accommodating different facial shapes and movements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If masks are made more rigid to reduce movement and improve stability, then stability is improved, but comfort deteriorates due to restriction of facial movements
Solution Approach 1:
The mask is divided into multiple independent convolutions or pleats that can move separately. These segmented structures allow different parts of the mask to move independently, maintaining stability at the edges while allowing flexibility in the central breathing area, thus resolving the contradiction between stability and facial movement comfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The mask incorporates dynamic convolutions that can expand and contract based on facial movements. These dynamic structures adapt to changing facial contours during speaking, breathing, and other movements, maintaining both stability and comfort by adjusting to the wearer's needs in real-time.
2Ease of operation
If masks are made flexible to accommodate facial movements, then ease of operation is improved, but stability deteriorates causing masks to slip and require frequent adjustments
Solution Approach 1:
The mask perimeter is segmented into multiple convolutions that can move independently, allowing the mask to flex with facial movements while maintaining edge contact with the face. This segmentation prevents slippage by distributing movement across multiple independent elements rather than requiring the entire mask to move uniformly.
Solution Approach 2:
The mask utilizes flexible convolution structures that can bend and conform to facial contours while maintaining continuous contact with the skin. These flexible elements adapt to facial geometry changes during movement, providing both flexibility for comfort and stability through continuous surface contact.
3Reliability
If masks are made rigid to maintain shape and reduce air leakage, then air leakage is reduced, but comfort deteriorates due to restriction of facial movements
Solution Approach 1:
The mask is divided into rigid sealing edges and flexible convolution areas. The segmented design allows the perimeter sections to maintain rigid contact with the face for effective sealing and filtration, while the central convolution areas remain flexible to accommodate facial movements, thus resolving the contradiction between filtration efficiency and movement comfort.
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the mask have different rigidity properties - the edge sections are made more rigid to ensure sealing and prevent air leakage, while the central breathing area is made more flexible to allow facial movements. This local differentiation of mechanical properties resolves the contradiction between reliable sealing and movement comfort.
4Adaptability or versatility
If masks are made flexible to accommodate varying facial contours, then adaptability is improved, but reliability deteriorates allowing air to leak through gaps
Solution Approach 1:
The mask incorporates multiple independent convolutions that can adjust to different facial contours while maintaining continuous sealing. The segmented structure allows each convolution to adapt locally to facial variations, ensuring reliable sealing across diverse face shapes without compromising overall adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The mask uses flexible convolution structures that can conform to varying facial geometries while maintaining continuous contact with the skin. This flexibility ensures adaptability to different face shapes, while the continuous film structure prevents air leakage by eliminating gaps between the mask and facial contours.
Data Source
AI summary
A mask is provided that conforms to the convolutions in and around the nose and check, that can dynamically expand during facial movements, and that can reduce air leakage around the nose.