Heated Face Shield Lens Assembly for Condensate Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing face shields and eyeglasses suffer from condensate buildup that obstructs visibility, particularly in challenging conditions such as during viral pandemics or in manufacturing environments, leading to safety risks.
Innovation Solution
Integration of an elongate heater with a resistive heating element and airflow system to mitigate condensate on optical lenses, ensuring clear visibility by maintaining lens clarity through heat and airflow convection.
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 assembly is integrated directly into the face shield or eyeglass frame structure, combining the heating function with the existing protective equipment. This merging approach maintains visibility by preventing condensate while avoiding the need for separate standalone heating devices, thus limiting the increase in overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The heater assembly serves multiple functions: it prevents condensate buildup on the lens, provides thermal comfort for the user, and can be integrated with various face shield or eyeglass designs. This multi-functionality justifies the added complexity by delivering multiple benefits from a single integrated component.
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 element is divided into multiple discrete heating zones or segments along the elongate heater structure. Each segment can be independently controlled or manufactured, allowing for easier assembly and manufacturing while still providing comprehensive coverage across the expansive lens surface area for effective condensate removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The heater is configured with varying heating characteristics at different locations along its length, with higher heating capacity positioned at areas most prone to condensate formation (such as the lower portion of the lens). This localized optimization provides effective condensate removal where needed most while reducing unnecessary heating in other areas, simplifying the manufacturing requirements.
3Use of energy by stationary object
If a source of airflow is added to drive air through the heating element, then heat distribution is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The airflow system is designed to utilize the user's natural breathing or facial movements to drive air through the heating element, or employs a passive convection design where heat from the heater itself creates airflow. This self-service approach improves heat distribution without requiring complex active pumping systems, thus limiting the increase in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses pneumatic principles to create controlled airflow through the heating element, utilizing pressure differentials created by the heater's operation or the user's environment. This approach achieves effective heat distribution through fluid dynamics rather than complex mechanical pumping, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining energy efficiency.
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 solution effectively prevents condensate buildup, enhancing visibility and safety by maintaining optical clarity in 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 an electrically insulative cover material encompassing the resistive heating element
Implementation Method 3
efficient heat delivery, and air flow convection and conveyance pathways on a face shield
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.