Breathable Mask Airflow Separation to Prevent CO2 Buildup
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current snorkeling masks force users to breathe through their mouths, leading to unbalanced equipment, entanglement issues, and rapid mixing of inhalation and exhalation air, which can cause hypoxia and water accumulation, compromising safety and comfort.
Innovation Solution
A breathable mask design with separate intake and exhaust passages, a nasal connecting portion with a purge valve, and a three-way connector allowing independent airflow paths for nose and mouth breathing, with hard or soft materials to resist water pressure and prevent air mixing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single breathing tube is used for both inhalation and exhalation, then the device complexity is reduced, but the airflow becomes mixed causing carbon dioxide concentration to increase
Solution Approach 1:
The single breathing tube is segmented into separate inhalation and exhalation conduits. The inhalation conduit allows fresh air to enter the mask, while the exhalation conduit directs exhaled air away from the mask, preventing carbon dioxide accumulation. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by maintaining simple overall structure while achieving functional separation of airflows.
2Device complexity
If the breathing tube is connected close to the head strap, then the connection is simplified, but the head strap becomes entangled with hair increasing operational difficulty
Solution Approach 1:
The breathing tube connection is extracted from the head strap area and repositioned to connect directly to the mask frame at a location远离 the head strap. This eliminates the entanglement problem between the head strap and hair while maintaining simplified connection structure, resolving the contradiction between device simplicity and ease of operation.
3Ease of operation
If the nasal covering portion is made of soft material, then the comfort is improved, but water pressure causes automatic nose pinching hindering breathing
Solution Approach 1:
The nasal covering portion uses a composite material structure with a rigid support layer and a soft comfort layer. The rigid layer resists water pressure to prevent nose pinching, while the soft layer maintains comfort against the skin. This local quality differentiation resolves the contradiction between comfort and breathing reliability under water pressure.
4Shape
If the mask covers only eyes and nose, then the fit is improved, but the mouth is exposed to water creating safety concerns
Solution Approach 1:
The mask is designed with multi-functionality to cover both the nose and mouth areas, creating a universal protective barrier. This extended coverage maintains good facial fit while protecting the mouth from water exposure, resolving the contradiction between fit quality and safety from water exposure.
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
Ensures safe, comfortable breathing by separating fresh and exhaled air, preventing carbon dioxide buildup, and effectively draining water, enhancing user safety and comfort during snorkeling.
Implementation Method 1
The intake passage is provided with a first one-way valve, wherein the first one-way valve is disposed on the partition, and the first one-way valve is provided for external fresh air to enter the lower chamber through the intake passage
Implementation Method 2
The exhaust passage is formed between the exhaust conduit and the lower chamber, and the exhaust passage is provided for dirty air exhaled by the user to pass through and be discharged outside
Implementation Method 3
a purge valve is provided to store water leaking in the mask so that the water stays away from the nostrils and can be effectively discharged through the purge valve
Data Source
AI summary
A breathable mask includes a body having a main frame, a lens, and a waterproof sealing skirt. The waterproof sealing skirt has a partition dividing the interior of the body into an upper chamber that shields the eyes and a lower chamber that shields the nose, and arranges independent air intake passages and exhaust passages to separate the fresh air inhaled and the dirty air exhaled. Alternatively, a nasal connecting portion having a purge valve can be provided in fluid communication with the lower chamber. It is also possible to provide a three-way connector having a nasal connecting portion, a mouth portion, and a drain portion in fluid communication with one another, wherein the nasal connecting portion is in fluid communication with the lower chamber. The mouth connecting portion is adapted to be contained in the user's mouth when the user well wears the breathable mask.