Heated Face Shield Lens With Airflow for Condensate Mitigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing face shields and eyeglasses suffer from condensate buildup that impairs visibility, especially in challenging conditions such as during viral pandemics or in manufacturing environments, due to inadequate heating and airflow systems.
Innovation Solution
Integration of an elongate heater with a resistive heating element and a source of airflow to mitigate condensate on optical lenses, using materials like PTFE tubes and Nichrome wires, along with optional forced air systems to enhance heat delivery and airflow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a heater is integrated into face shields or eyeglasses to prevent condensate buildup, then visibility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heater, airflow source, and control systems are integrated into the face shield or eyeglass frame structure, combining multiple functions (heating, air circulation, condensation removal) into a single unified device rather than separate components
Solution Approach 2:
The heated optical face protection apparatus serves multiple functions: protecting the user's face and eyes, preventing condensate buildup through heating, providing forced air circulation to remove moisture, and maintaining optical clarity across different environmental conditions
2Reliability
If an elongate heater traverses an expansive surface area of the optic lens, then condensate removal effectiveness is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heating system is divided into multiple elongate heater segments that can be independently manufactured and then assembled along the optic lens surface, allowing each segment to be produced using standard manufacturing processes while achieving comprehensive coverage when combined
Solution Approach 2:
The heater is configured with varying dimensions and positions to match the local condensate accumulation patterns on different areas of the optic lens, with greater heating capacity in regions where condensate is most likely to form
3Reliability
If a forced air system is added to enhance heat delivery and airflow convection, then condensate mitigation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A forced air system using pneumatic principles is integrated into the apparatus, utilizing air flow through channels and over the optic lens surface to enhance convective heat transfer and actively remove condensate, leveraging fluid dynamics to improve performance
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
Effectively prevents condensate buildup on lenses, ensuring clear visibility and protection by maintaining optical clarity under adverse conditions.
Implementation Method 1
The elongate heater has an elongate resistive heating element
Implementation Method 2
an outer thermally transmissive, peak temperature mitigating, and electrically insulative cover material encompassing the resistive heating element
Implementation Method 3
The source of airflow communicates with the elongate heating element and is configured to drive airflow through the elongate heating element to heat the flow of air
Data Source
AI summary
An optical face protection shield is provided having a support body, an optic lens, and an elongate heater. The support body has a user interface. The optic lens is carried by the support body over a user's face configured to protect a user. The elongate heater is carried by the optic lens so as to traverse an expansive surface area of the optic lens. The elongate heater has an elongate resistive heating element and an outer thermally transmissive, peak temperature mitigating, and an electrically insulative cover material encompassing the resistive heating element. A method is also provided.