Mask Bead Structure Balancing Facial Fit and Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional mask beads made of soft materials provide comfort and adaptability but compromise the supporting function, leading to reduced effectiveness in supporting the mask body against the face.
Innovation Solution
A mask bead design featuring a nose bridge region, side regions, and a base region, with a support structure and reinforcement points, made from a skin-compatible material like silicone, and produced through multi-component injection molding to combine stiffness and resilience, enhancing the supporting function while maintaining comfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the mask bead is made of soft material with reduced strength, then the wearing comfort and adaptability to facial contours are improved, but the supporting function deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The mask bead is designed with different wall thicknesses in different regions: the nose bridge region has a wall thickness of 0.2-0.7mm for comfort and adaptability, while the base region has a wall thickness of 0.5-1.2mm for supporting function. This local differentiation allows each region to perform its specific function optimally without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
The mask bead is produced through multi-component injection molding, combining different materials with varying degrees of hardness. This creates a composite structure where softer materials provide comfort and adaptability while harder materials provide structural support and strength.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the mask bead is made of soft material with reduced strength, then the adaptability to facial contours is improved, but the supporting function deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The mask bead is designed with different wall thicknesses in different regions: the nose bridge region has a wall thickness of 0.2-0.7mm for comfort and adaptability, while the base region has a wall thickness of 0.5-1.2mm for supporting function. This local differentiation allows each region to perform its specific function optimally without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
The mask bead is produced through multi-component injection molding, combining different materials with varying degrees of hardness. This creates a composite structure where softer materials provide comfort and adaptability while harder materials provide structural support and strength.
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 enhanced mask bead design provides improved support and adaptability to facial contours, ensuring a secure fit and comfort for patients using nasal or full-face masks.
Implementation Method 1
produced through multi-component injection molding to combine stiffness and resilience
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a mask bead for a patient interface, comprising a nose bridge region, at least one side region, a base region, a mask bead attachment, and a bearing region on the patient. The bearing region extends from the side regions and the base region and also the nose bridge region to an opening and is designed as a sealing lip which frames the central opening which serves at least for the introduction of the nose of the patient. The mask bead is formed from at least one elastic material and comprises at least one support structure in the mask bead, which support structure is designed to in part face the bearing region and to in part face the mask bead attachment.