Facial Mask Deflecting Lip Laminar Airflow Shield
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing respiratory facial masks often compromise comfort, practicality, and visibility due to complex designs that fail to effectively protect ocular regions from contaminants, leading to issues like fogging and reduced visibility.
Innovation Solution
A facial mask assembly that channels two separate airflows, one creating a laminar airflow as an air shield for uncovered face regions and another for oxygenation of naso-buccal passages, using a deflecting air path and air chamber configuration with adjustable components to enhance protection and comfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a complex mask design is used to protect all facial regions, then protection coverage is improved, but device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The mask is divided into two functional segments: a main hull covering naso-buccal passages and an outer hull providing additional coverage. The deflecting lip is separated as a distinct component extending from the main hull. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function while simplifying the overall design and making it more manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The facial mask assembly performs multiple functions through its design: the main hull provides naso-buccal coverage, the outer hull extends protection, the deflecting lip generates laminar airflow, and the air chamber supplies oxygenated air. This multi-functionality achieves comprehensive protection without requiring multiple separate devices.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the mask covers the ocular region, then protection coverage is improved, but visibility deteriorates due to fogging
Solution Approach 1:
The ocular region is extracted from the sealed mask coverage area. The mask covers naso-buccal passages and extends to the jawline but deliberately excludes the eyes, allowing clear visibility while maintaining protection through the deflecting lip's laminar airflow barrier.
Solution Approach 2:
The deflecting lip acts as an intermediary element that generates a laminar airflow barrier between the protected air chamber and the uncovered face regions. This airflow mediator prevents contaminant transfer to the eyes without requiring direct mask coverage, thus maintaining visibility.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a deflecting lip is added to create laminar airflow, then protection of uncovered regions is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The deflecting lip is merged with the main hull as an integrated component rather than a separate attachment. This combining of elements achieves the laminar airflow protection function while minimizing additional complexity, as the lip utilizes the existing structural framework of the main hull.
4Adaptability or versatility
If air inlets and outlets are added for airflow control, then functionality is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Air inlets and outlets are strategically positioned at specific locations on the main hull and outer hull to optimize airflow patterns. The first air inlet is positioned to feed the deflecting lip, while the second air inlet supplies the air chamber. This localized placement achieves effective airflow control without requiring complex distributed systems throughout the entire mask structure.
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 protects uncovered face regions from contaminants while maintaining user comfort and visibility by creating a laminar airflow shield and ensuring adequate oxygenation, addressing the limitations of existing mask designs.
Implementation Method 1
the deflecting air path is configured to convert the first body of air into a laminar airflow, thereby forming an air shield to uncovered face regions
Data Source
AI summary
A facial mask assembly and related method for preventing exposure of a user's face to ambient air contaminants via aerosol by dispensing at least one laminar airflow serving as a face air shield, and another airflow to naso-buccal passages of the user via an air chamber. The at least on laminar airflow is formed along a deflecting lip at a given angle, with the deflecting lip extending from an edge of a main component of the facial mask assembly that covers the naso-buccal passages and defines the air chamber. The assembly can further include a deflection wall that dispenses a secondary laminar airflow and directs expelled air from the assembly between the laminar airflow and the secondary laminar airflow.