In-Mask Display System for Harsh Environments
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing personal safety masks with display systems face challenges in harsh environments, such as obscured vision and display malfunction due to environmental conditions, and weight and field of view obstructions when integrating displays within the facepiece.
Innovation Solution
A mask design featuring an in-mask display system with a feedback system, including a display apparatus between the lens and facepiece, a power source, and a recording device external to the lens, allowing for data communication and thermal imaging capabilities through a camera, which provides visual feedback and information to the user without obstructing the field of view.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a display is provided exterior to the facepiece, then the display can be positioned away from the user's face, but smoke or environmental conditions can obscure the user's vision of the display
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an optical system including mirrors and lenses as intermediaries to relay the display image from an external position to the user's eye. The display is positioned exterior to the facepiece for ease of access and environmental protection, while optical elements (first mirror, second mirror, lens) act as mediators to transmit the visual information through the facepiece without obstructing the user's direct field of view.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a display is positioned in the vicinity of the facepiece, then the field of view is less obstructed, but the display may be affected by harsh environmental conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The optical system serves as a protective intermediary, allowing the display to be positioned in a relatively protected area while maintaining visual accessibility. The optical elements transmit the display image to the user without exposing the display itself to harsh environmental conditions such as smoke, heat, and physical damage risks.
Solution Approach 2:
The system separates the display function from the viewing function. The display can be positioned in a protected location away from direct environmental exposure, while the optical system segments the visual transmission path through mirrors and lenses to deliver the image to the user's eye without requiring the display to be in the user's direct field of view.
3Reliability
If a display is provided within the interior of the facepiece, then environmental effects on the display are minimized, but the weight of the facepiece increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses optical elements (mirrors and lenses) as intermediaries to transmit the display image, allowing the display to be positioned exterior to the facepiece. This eliminates the need to integrate heavy display components within the facepiece interior, thereby reducing overall weight while still protecting the display from environmental conditions through the optical transmission path.
4Reliability
If a display is provided within the interior of the facepiece, then the display is protected from environmental conditions, but the center of gravity of the facepiece is adversely affected
Solution Approach 1:
The optical system acts as a mediator that allows the display to be positioned exterior to the facepiece, thereby maintaining a more favorable center of gravity. The mirrors and lenses transmit the image from the external display position to the user's eye, protecting the display from environmental conditions without requiring it to be integrated into the facepiece interior where it would shift the center of gravity.
5Reliability
If a display is provided within the interior of the facepiece, then the display is protected from environmental conditions, but the cost of the facepiece increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs optical elements as intermediaries to transmit the display image from an external position, which can be more cost-effective than integrating a protected display system within the facepiece interior. The optical components (mirrors and lenses) are relatively simple and inexpensive compared to the engineering required to protect and integrate a display within the constrained facepiece environment.
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 provides critical information to the user in harsh environments while maintaining a clear field of view and reducing weight and environmental impact on the display system, enhancing safety and usability.
Implementation Method 1
A mask design featuring an in-mask display system with a feedback system, including a display apparatus between the lens and facepiece, a power source, and a recording device external to the lens, allowing for data communication and thermal imaging capabilities through a camera
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
Disclosed herein is an in-mask display or feedback system having a lens coupled to a face blank of the mask, the lens covering a facepiece. The feedback system includes a display apparatus coupled to the facepiece, and disposed within an interior of the mask, the display apparatus being powered by a first power source coupled to a housing of the display apparatus. The feedback system further includes a recording device (e.g., a camera) coupled to the face blank, the recording device operable to communicate data (e.g., wirelessly or wired) with the display apparatus. In some approaches, the recording device is powered by a second power source. In other approaches, the first power source provides power to both the recording device and the display apparatus. In another approach, the display apparatus includes an adjustment aperture formed therethrough to allow adjustment of an eye piece housing a display.