Wearable Mask Edge-Lit Illumination via Temple LED Cradle
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wearable illuminating masks are uncomfortable for wearers and lack an aesthetically pleasing 'edge-lit' effect, as they typically illuminate the entire mask surface rather than specific designed portions and require LED strips around the outer edge.
Innovation Solution
A wearable mask design featuring a concave facepiece with etched portions for refracted light illumination, c-shaped supports for precise LED placement, and adjustable straps with a battery-powered mechanism and remote control functionality, creating an 'edge-lit' effect without external LED strips.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If LED strips are placed around the outer surface of the mask, then the entire mask illuminates, but the aesthetic quality deteriorates due to lack of edge-lit effect
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the LED light source from the traditional strip configuration and relocates it to the temple base structure. By removing the LED strip from the mask surface and placing it in the temple base with c-shaped supports, the design achieves edge-lit effect without requiring external LED strips on the mask, thereby improving aesthetic quality while maintaining illumination functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The temple base acts as an intermediary structure that houses and positions the LED. The c-shaped supports within the temple base serve as a mediator to cradle and orient the LED, enabling precise positioning that creates the desired edge-lit effect on the mask without direct attachment of LED strips to the mask surface
2Illumination intensity
If LED strips are used around the outer edge, then illumination is achieved, but device complexity increases due to external strip requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the LED housing function into the temple base structure. The temple base now serves dual purposes: supporting the mask on the head and housing the LED with c-shaped supports. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate external LED strip structures, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining illumination capability
Solution Approach 2:
The temple base is designed as a multi-functional component that simultaneously provides structural support for the mask and houses the LED illumination system. The c-shaped supports within the temple base serve both as structural elements and as LED mounting cradles, enabling the same component to perform multiple functions and reduce overall system complexity
3Area of stationary object
If the entire mask illuminates, then coverage is maximized, but manufacturing precision requirements increase for uniform illumination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by illuminating specific portions of the mask rather than the entire surface. The LED positioned in the temple base creates focused illumination on particular areas of the mask, allowing for selective highlighting of design elements. This approach reduces manufacturing precision requirements compared to achieving uniform illumination across the entire mask surface
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 mask provides a comfortable, aesthetically superior illumination experience by highlighting specific designs and patterns on the facepiece, creating a seamless integration with the wearer's appearance while using fewer LEDs and offering remote control operation.
Implementation Method 1
LEDs connected to the c-shaped supports
Implementation Method 2
etched portions for refracted light illumination
Data Source
AI summary
A wearable, illuminating mask including a facepiece with slots located in side edges of the facepiece, wherein the facepiece is connected to bases of temples, wherein each base of temples includes a front and back cover that are attachable to one another. The front and back covers each include an inner wall portion, which portions each comprise a c-shaped support. These c-shaped supports extend towards each other when the front and back covers are connected together and form a cradle that align an LED with the slots of the facepiece, so as to illuminate the mask at specifically designed portions.