Adjustable Mask With Dial Length Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Workers engaged in prolonged activities like welding face challenges with traditional masks that obstruct breathing and conversation, requiring frequent removal and re-wearing, which increases exposure to harmful substances.

Innovation Solution

A mask design featuring adjustable length members and dials allows for rapid donning and doffing, maintaining a secure fit while allowing temporary release for breathing or conversation without complete removal, utilizing a combination of wires, straps, and buckles for easy operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the mask is worn close to the face to block harmful substances, then the protection effectiveness is improved, but the worker has difficulty in breathing and conversation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection effectivenessVSAvoidbreathing and conversation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The mask is divided into a main body portion that contacts the face for protection and a head band portion that wraps around the head for securing. This segmentation allows the protective function to be maintained while the securing mechanism provides adjustment capability for breathing comfort.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If the mask is worn for a long period of time, then the work continuity is improved, but the worker has to frequently take off the mask for breathing or conversation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvework continuityVSAvoidtime for removal and re-wearing
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The mask incorporates adjustable length members with dials and length adjustment members that allow dynamic adjustment of the mask's fit and position. This dynamic capability enables the worker to quickly adjust the mask during use without complete removal, maintaining protection while accommodating breathing and conversation needs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If the mask operations are simplified for easy donning and doffing, then the ease of operation is improved, but the mask may be completely separated from the worker

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedonning and doffing easeVSAvoidmask separation control
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The adjustable length members with dials provide controlled adjustability, allowing the mask to be easily put on and taken off while maintaining constant distance from the face through the adjustment mechanism. The dial-based adjustment enables precise control over the mask positioning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The mask uses adjustable length members that change the physical parameters (length) of the connecting elements between the mask body and head band. By adjusting these length parameters, the mask maintains optimal positioning while allowing easy donning and doffing operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4249080A1Mask provided with dial
Publication Date: 2023.09.27 OTOS WING
  • EP4249080A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4249080A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4249080A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A mask includes a main body arranged on a face of a wearer, a first dial provided on the main body, a first length member connected to the first dial, a length adjustment member spaced apart from the main body and arranged in a lengthwise direction of the first length member, and a second length member connected to the length adjustment member, wherein a length of the first length member is adjusted by an operation of the first dial, and a length of the second length member is adjusted by an operation of the length adjustment member.