Integrated Face Mask and Eye Shield with UV-C Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current dust masks and protective devices often fail to form an airtight seal around the mouth and nose, do not adequately protect the eyes, and can be cumbersome, leading to reduced user compliance in environments where protection is needed, such as during cleaning or medical procedures.
Innovation Solution
A protection device with a filter assembly, eye shield, and frame assembly that forms sealed compartments around the mouth, nose, and eyes, incorporating a lens assembly with magnification and light-blocking capabilities, and a communication circuit with UV-C LEDs for enhanced protection and ease of use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a traditional dust mask is used, then the mouth and nose are protected from airborne material, but the device fails to form an airtight seal and does not protect the eyes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines a face mask and eye shield into a single integrated protection device. The eye shield assembly is coupled to the face mask to form a continuous sealed structure, ensuring that both the respiratory area and eyes are protected simultaneously with a unified airtight seal against airborne materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The protection device serves multiple functions: it protects the mouth and nose from inhalation of airborne material through the filter assembly, simultaneously protects the eyes through the integrated eye shield assembly, and maintains communication capabilities through the transparent shield design. This multi-functional approach resolves the limitation of traditional single-purpose masks.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a protective device with full face coverage is used, then complete protection is achieved, but communication becomes difficult and less personal
Solution Approach 1:
The eye shield assembly is made optically transparent in the regions corresponding to the eyes, allowing visual communication while maintaining protection. This localized transparency enables the wearer to see and be seen, facilitating natural eye contact and communication without compromising the sealed protection of the entire device.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a mask and eye shield are worn separately, then protection is provided, but the device complexity increases and compliance decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the eye shield assembly and face mask into a single unified device with shared structural components. The frame assembly serves both the mask and eye shield portions, and the seals are continuous across both areas, reducing the number of separate components while maintaining comprehensive protection.
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 device provides complete isolation of the user's eyes, nose, and mouth from airborne materials, enhances communication, and includes active protection against viruses, improving user compliance and safety while reducing waste through reusable components.
Implementation Method 1
a communication circuit with UV-C LEDs for enhanced protection
Data Source
AI summary
A protection device for preventing exposure to undesired airborne material. The device including a filter assembly having a filter, and a proximal and a distal layer configured to hold the filter sandwiched between the proximal layer and the distal layer, a one-way valve positioned in the filter assembly and coupled to the proximal layer of the filter assembly, and a seal positioned along a peripheral edge of the filter assembly, the filter assembly and the seal defining a first safety compartment for enclosing a user's mouth and nose. The device can include an eye shield assembly having a skirt extending from the filter assembly and positioned distal to the seal, an optically transparent eye shield coupled to the skirt to form a continuous surface from the filter assembly to a top portion of the eye shield, and a frame coupled to the frame assembly and eye shield assembly.