Wearable Air Purifier Venting for Headgear Heat Relief
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wearable air purifiers face issues with thermal discomfort due to prolonged use, particularly in regions of skin contact such as the headband and earpieces, leading to perspiration.
Innovation Solution
The wearable air purifier incorporates a dual airflow path system, with one path directing airflow to the air delivery mask and another path through the headgear, specifically the headband and earpieces, to provide cooling effects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a wearable air purifier delivers purified air to the user, then air purification effectiveness is improved, but thermal discomfort and perspiration increase during prolonged use
Solution Approach 1:
The airflow system is segmented into two distinct paths: a first airflow path through the air delivery mask for purification delivery, and a second airflow path through the headgear for cooling. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each function without compromise.
Solution Approach 2:
The fan serves multiple functions by directing airflow through two different paths - one for air purification delivery and another for thermal cooling of the headgear. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate cooling components.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a cooling airflow path is added to the headgear, then thermal comfort is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling airflow path is merged with the existing headgear structure, utilizing the same fan and integrating cooling channels into the headband and earpiece components. This combines purification and cooling functions within a unified structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The existing fan is made multi-functional by configuring it to supply airflow to both the air delivery mask and the headgear cooling paths, eliminating the need for a separate cooling fan and reducing overall system complexity.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If airflow is directed through the headband and earpieces, then cooling effectiveness is improved, but weight and size may increase
Solution Approach 1:
Cooling airflow is directed specifically to the regions where thermal discomfort occurs - the headband and earpiece areas - rather than providing uniform cooling throughout the entire device. This localized approach maximizes cooling effectiveness where needed while minimizing additional weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling function is extracted as a separate airflow path that utilizes the existing fan capacity, rather than adding a complete separate cooling system. This extracts only the necessary cooling capability without proportionally increasing overall device weight and size.
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 dual airflow path system effectively reduces thermal discomfort by cooling the head and ear regions, enhancing user comfort during prolonged use.
Implementation Method 1
a fan configured to direct airflow to the first airflow path and the second airflow path
Implementation Method 2
the headgear defines a second airflow path... the path portion may direct airflow into an ear chamber defined by the earpiece. This cools an ear of the user directly. Alternatively, the path portion may direct airflow to an ear cushion of the earpiece, which cools the area of skin contact
Data Source
AI summary
A wearable air purifier is provided and includes a headgear, an air delivery mask, and a fan. The air delivery mask is connected to the headgear and bounds an air delivery region. The air delivery mask is further configured to define a first airflow path to deliver a flow of air to the air delivery region. The headgear defines a second airflow path. The fan is configured to direct airflow to the first airflow path and the second airflow path.