Nasal Mask with Hinged Scented Filter for Air Filtration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing nasal masks fail to effectively filter ambient air and prevent anaphylactic reactions, leading to incomplete treatment of rhinitis and discomfort due to inadequate air filtration and potential for foreign matter to enter the nasal cavity.
Innovation Solution
A specially configured nostril-shielding nasal mask with an adjustable body, a scented air filter, and a hinge mechanism that ensures the filter aligns with the nostrils, providing effective air filtration and comfort through a combination of arcuate and planar shapes with fasteners for secure fit and easy articulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a nasal mask is designed to cover the nose bridge and nostrils, then air filtration capability is improved, but the risk of anaphylactic reaction to foreign matters entering the nasal cavity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mask body is divided into a top portion covering the nose bridge and a bottom portion covering the nostrils, with a hinge connecting them. This segmentation allows the bottom portion to be articulated away from the nostrils when needed, enabling air filtration while reducing the risk of anaphylactic reactions by controlling contact with sensitive nasal areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge mechanism enables dynamic adjustment of the bottom portion, allowing it to articulate between a closed position (for filtration) and an open position (reducing contact with nasal cavity). This dynamic capability resolves the contradiction by providing both filtration and reduced anaphylactic risk through positional control.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If the bottom portion is articulated away from the nostrils, then the risk of anaphylactic reaction is reduced, but air filtration effectiveness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge mechanism allows the bottom portion to dynamically switch between articulated (open) and non-articulated (closed) positions. When closed, it provides effective air filtration; when articulated open, it reduces contact with the nasal cavity. This dynamic positioning resolves the contradiction between filtration effectiveness and anaphylactic risk reduction.
Solution Approach 2:
The mask enables periodic switching between filtration mode (bottom portion closed against nostrils) and safe mode (bottom portion articulated away). This periodic action allows the user to alternate between maximizing filtration and minimizing anaphylactic risk based on environmental conditions or comfort needs.
3Ease of operation
If the mask structure is made adjustable with hinge and fasteners, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mask is segmented into top and bottom portions connected by a hinge, with fasteners positioned at specific locations. This segmentation enables independent adjustment of each portion while maintaining overall structural simplicity. The hinge and fasteners are strategically placed to provide ease of operation without adding excessive complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The top portion is formed with a concave shape having arcuate anterior and posterior faces, while the bottom portion has curvilinear and rectilinear faces. These curved surfaces are designed to conform to the natural contours of the nose, improving comfort and ease of operation while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure that does not require complex mechanical components.
Data Source
AI summary
A nostril-shielding nasal mask includes an adjustable body including a top portion having a concave shape and is provided with an arcuate anterior face and arcuate posterior face opposed therefrom, a hinge attached to the top portion, and a bottom portion attached to the hinge wherein the bottom portion has a planar shape and is provided with a curvilinear anterior face and a rectilinear posterior face. Such a bottom portion further has a plurality of apertures configured to align with the nostrils of the user, respectively. The nasal mask further includes a scented air filter removably inserted into the bottom portion, and fasteners fixedly attached to the top portion and the bottom portion. Such fasteners ae configured to maintain the top portion and the bottom portion directly abutted against the nose bridge of the user and the nostrils of the user, respectively.