Mask Apparatus with Detachable Ear Hooks for Stable Fit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing masks often experience strap loosening during prolonged use, leading to a poor fit and difficulty in cleaning contaminated areas like the wearer's sweat or cosmetics, and can be confusing to assemble correctly.
Innovation Solution
The mask apparatus features a design with easily attachable and detachable ear hook portions, adjustable strap lengths, and distinct hook shapes to prevent erroneous assembly, ensuring a stable fit and easy cleaning by incorporating a neck band to connect ear hooks and maintain the mask's position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the ear hook portion is fixed to the mask body, then the mask maintains stable positioning, but it becomes difficult to clean contaminated areas and adjust strap length
Solution Approach 1:
The ear hook portion is divided into a detachable component that can be separated from the mask body. This segmentation allows the ear hook to be removed for cleaning and repositioning, while the mask body remains intact. The detachable design enables easy cleaning of contaminated areas and adjustment of strap length without compromising the overall structural integrity of the mask.
Solution Approach 2:
The ear hook portion incorporates adjustable and movable elements that allow dynamic reconfiguration. The strap length can be adjusted by moving the ear hook to different positions, and the detachable design enables dynamic removal and reattachment for cleaning purposes. This dynamic capability maintains positioning stability while providing operational flexibility.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the strap length is fixed, then the mask assembly is simple, but it cannot be adjusted to fit different users or maintain fit during prolonged use
Solution Approach 1:
The strap system is segmented into adjustable sections with the ear hook portion serving as a movable connection point. This segmentation allows independent adjustment of strap length by repositioning the ear hook along the strap, providing adaptability for different users and fit requirements while maintaining relatively simple overall assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The ear hook portion serves multiple functions: it acts as a connection point for the strap, provides length adjustment capability, and enables positioning customization. This multi-functionality achieves adaptability for different users without significantly increasing assembly complexity, as the same component performs multiple adjustment roles.
3Ease of operation
If the ear hook portion is detachable, then cleaning and adjustment become easier, but the risk of separation during use increases
Solution Approach 1:
The detachable ear hook portion incorporates preliminary connection features such as pre-positioned attachment points, alignment guides, and secure engagement mechanisms. These preliminary actions ensure that when the ear hook is reattached after cleaning, it connects reliably to the correct position, minimizing the risk of separation during use while maintaining the detachable design for easy cleaning.
4Ease of manufacture
If all hook mounting portions are identical, then manufacturing is simpler, but users may experience confusion or erroneous assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The hook mounting portions incorporate asymmetric features such as different shapes, orientations, or positioning patterns on each side of the mask. This asymmetry provides visual and physical guidance for correct assembly, preventing erroneous installation and user confusion. The asymmetric design maintains manufacturing simplicity by using straightforward geometric variations rather than complex differentiated components.
Data Source
AI summary
A mask apparatus includes a mask body, a pair of hook mounting portions at side ends of the mask body, a seal coupled to a rear surface of the mask body, and a pair of ear hook portions connected to the hook mounting portions. Each hook mounting portion includes an upper hook mounting portion, a lower hook mounting portion below the upper hook mounting portion, a hook pin at each of the upper hook mounting portion and the lower hook mounting portion, and a through-hole defined in each of the upper hook mounting portion and the lower hook mounting portion. Each ear hook portion includes a strap portion, a first hook portion connecting the strap portion to one of the upper and lower hook mounting portions, and a second hook portion connecting the strap portion to the other of the upper and lower hook mounting portions.