Gas Mask Filter Connection System with Valving Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing filter connection systems for gas masks allow contaminated air to enter the mask during filter replacement due to trapped air in the filter mount and canister, reducing the protection factor and deterring users from replacing filters in contaminated environments, which affects mission effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
A filter connection system with a valving assembly and sealing means that minimizes trapped air during filter replacement, ensuring air flows only from the filter to the mask when engaged and preventing external air from entering, using a protruding means and retainer mechanism to maintain a secure seal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional filter connection system is used, then the filter can be easily attached to the gas mask, but contaminated air is pushed into the mask during filter replacement due to trapped air in the cavities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the harmful trapped air cavities from the filter mounting system. By redesigning the connection interface to remove air pockets between the filter canister and mask body, the system prevents contamination from being pushed into the mask during filter replacement, while still maintaining easy filter attachment and detachment operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a valving assembly as an intermediary component between the filter and mask. This valving mechanism controls air flow during filter replacement, allowing the filter to be changed easily while preventing contaminated air from entering the mask interior, thus mediating between operational ease and contamination prevention.
2Productivity
If filters are replaced in a contaminated environment, then mission effectiveness is maintained, but the protection factor drops temporarily due to contamination spikes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary sealing actions before filter removal. The valving assembly is designed to seal the mask interior beforehand, and the connection system prevents air cavities from forming during the replacement process. This preliminary protective action ensures that even when filters are replaced in contaminated environments, the protection factor is maintained without temporary drops.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potentially harmful effect of air pressure differential during filter replacement into a beneficial sealing mechanism. By designing the connection system to utilize air pressure to maintain seals rather than create contamination spikes, the system allows filter replacement in contaminated environments while maintaining reliable protection, thus converting what was a harmful effect into a beneficial one.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If air cavities are completely eliminated from the mounting means, then contamination spikes are prevented, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by implementing sealing and valving features only in the specific areas where air cavities form during filter attachment. Rather than redesigning the entire mounting system, the solution focuses on critical zones around the filter-canister interface, eliminating contamination spikes while maintaining overall system simplicity and avoiding unnecessary complexity throughout the entire device.
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 system significantly reduces contamination spikes during filter replacement, maintaining a high protection factor and allowing safe filter changes in contaminated environments, as demonstrated by a comparative test showing a 0.025% leak penetration compared to 2.00% with existing systems.
Implementation Method 1
a valving assembly in communication with the protruding means, wherein the valving assembly enables air to flow from the filter to the gas mask when the retainer means retains the protruding means, and disables the air flow when the protruding means disengages from the retainer means
Implementation Method 2
a sealing means located within or adjacent to the valving assembly to prevent air from outside of the filter entering the mounting means
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides an improved filter connection system for a gas mask, comprising: a filter, a mounting means that attaches the filter to the gas mask, and a retainer means to hold the filter within the mounting means. The mounting means includes a protruding means; a valving assembly in communication with the protruding means, wherein the valving assembly enables air to flow from the fitter to the mask when the retainer means retains the protruding means, and disables air flow from the filter to the mask when the protruding means disengages from the retainer means; and a sealing means located within or adjacent to the valving assembly to prevent air from outside of the filter from entering the mounting means.