Hygienic Sleep Mask Electro-Optical Core Subassembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sleep and wake therapy devices are costly, uncomfortable, and lack hygiene maintenance options, with limited effectiveness in simulating natural sunrise and sunset rhythms, making them unaffordable and inefficient for assimilating sleep/wake cycles with nature.
Innovation Solution
A low-cost, hygienic sleep and wake eye mask with a programmable tone generator and removable electro-optical core subassembly using full-spectrum LED light panels to simulate sunrise and sunset modes, allowing for remote control and easy cleaning or replacement of components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If existing sleep and wake therapy devices include time and alarm displays, multiple time and alarm set buttons and switches, and Bluetooth communication interfaces, then the device functionality is enhanced, but the cost increases significantly making it unaffordable for many consumers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes complex electronics (displays, multiple buttons, Bluetooth interfaces) from the eye mask device, retaining only essential functionality through a simple button interface and basic controller, thereby dramatically reducing manufacturing cost while preserving core sleep and wake therapy functions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a simple, low-cost controller design that can be easily manufactured and potentially replaced, using basic electronic components rather than expensive integrated systems, making the device accessible to consumers with limited budgets
2Device complexity
If existing sleep masks use fixed electronic components and integrated controllers, then the device structure is simplified, but hygiene maintenance becomes difficult requiring product replacement or compromise use of soiled masks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the eye mask into separable components: a removable cover portion that contacts the face and can be detached for cleaning, and a permanent electronic controller portion housing the essential electronics. This segmentation allows the cover to be washed and sanitized independently without damaging the electronic components
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the electronic controller from the fabric cover, placing it in a separate protective housing that can be detached. This allows the cover portion to be removed for washing while the electronic components remain protected and dry, solving the hygiene maintenance problem
3Ease of manufacture
If existing sleep masks use white LEDs and simple intensity control, then the device cost is reduced, but the ability to simulate natural sunrise and sunset rhythms is limited reducing effectiveness in assimilating sleep/wake cycles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses full-spectrum LED light panels that can emit different spectral compositions (blue-enriched for sunrise simulation, red-enriched for sunset simulation) by changing the operational parameters of the LEDs, thereby effectively simulating natural light rhythms without requiring expensive specialized light sources
4Adaptability or versatility
If existing sleep masks include multiple electronic components and integrated circuits, then the device functionality is enhanced, but the device becomes heavy and cumbersome reducing comfort during use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes unnecessary electronic components (displays, multiple buttons, Bluetooth modules) from the device, retaining only the essential controller and light-emitting components, thereby significantly reducing the overall weight and improving comfort during extended wear
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 provides an affordable, comfortable, and effective means to align sleep/wake cycles with natural rhythms, ensuring hygiene and versatility through remote programmability and easy maintenance, enhancing the user's ability to wake up and fall asleep in sync with nature.
Implementation Method 1
full-spectrum LED light panels cooperative to provide full-spectrum light fields of intensity sufficient to be biologically effective
Implementation Method 2
blue- and red-shifted spectra confronting the eyes when the mask is worn about the head respectively to simulate sunrise and sunset
Data Source
AI summary
An eye mask for use to wake up and/or to go to sleep provides ease of cleaning or replacement without damaging electrical or optical components; different user selectable sunrise and sunset illumination modes respectively having blue-shifted and red-shifted spectra simulating natural sunrises and sunsets to assimilate the sleep/wake cycle to the natural rhythms of day and night; sunset and/or sunrise illumination modes that oscillate with fixed period or sequentially changing periods that correspond to brainwave frequencies that respectively facilitate going to sleep and/or waking and synergistically co-operate with corresponding sunset or sunrise light fields to help the user to fall into restful sleep or to awake refreshed and alert; and audio tone programming of illumination mode and treatment time and/or duration of therapy by a remote tone control generator.