Respiratory Mask With Forced Airflow For CO2 Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Facial masks often cause stuffiness due to inadequate airflow and poor carbon dioxide release, making it difficult to breathe comfortably, and they can be heavy and obstructive, limiting conversation and increasing contaminant inhalation from front sources.
Innovation Solution
A facial mask design with a space between the mask and the face for air storage, incorporating a purified air supply system with an inlet and outlet that creates a forced airflow, allowing for comfortable breathing and carbon dioxide release, while being lightweight and reducing contaminant inflow by positioning the air supply unit on the neck.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a facial mask is made to fit tightly to protect the respiratory system, then protection from contaminants is improved, but breathing comfort deteriorates due to stuffiness and poor air flow
Solution Approach 1:
The mask is divided into separate functional zones: an inlet zone for introducing fresh air, an outlet zone for expelling carbon dioxide, and a filtration zone. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each function - tight sealing for protection while dedicated air channels for comfortable breathing
Solution Approach 2:
A blower device acts as an intermediary mechanism to actively manage air flow. It introduces fresh air through the inlet and facilitates carbon dioxide expulsion through the outlet, mediating between the conflicting requirements of tight sealing and comfortable breathing
2Ease of operation
If a blower or fan is used to introduce outside air into the mask, then breathing comfort is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The blower device is designed to be worn on the user's body (chest or back) rather than being integrated into the mask itself. This allows the air supply function to be provided by a separate, body-worn unit that automatically serves the mask, reducing the complexity of the mask structure while maintaining comfortable breathing
3Ease of operation
If the mask body weight is reduced to make it comfortable to wear, then ease of operation is improved, but the ability to provide sufficient air flow may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into a lightweight mask body worn on the face and a separate air supply unit worn on the body. This separation allows the mask to be as light as possible while the air flow function is provided by the external blower device, maintaining both wearing comfort and air flow sufficiency
4Ease of operation
If the outlet is positioned to allow conversation and phone use, then ease of operation is improved, but carbon dioxide release efficiency may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The outlet is strategically positioned on the side of the mask body rather than at the center back. This local positioning allows air to be expelled laterally, creating a flow path that facilitates conversation and phone use while still maintaining effective carbon dioxide removal from the respiratory system
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 design enables easier inhalation and exhalation with immediate carbon dioxide expulsion, allows for conversation, and minimizes contaminant intake from front sources by maintaining a lightweight and effective airflow system.
Implementation Method 1
when the user wears the mask body and the purified air supply means operates, the purified air flow from the inlet of the inlet part to the outlet of the outlet part forms a forced flow by pressure supplied by the purified air supply means into the space
Data Source
AI summary
A facial mask device 1000 according to the present invention has a mask body 500 worn in close contact with the user's face and a space S is formed between inside of the mask body 500 and the user's face for storing air for the user's respiration. The mask body 500 has an inlet part 530 having an inlet 538 through which the purified air supplied by the purified air supply means is supplied into the space S and an outlet part 360 having an outlet 364 through which the purified air supplied into the space S is discharged.