Full Face Mask Inlet Air Filter Adapter
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional full face diving masks do not allow unfiltered external air to be breathed without forced channelling, limiting their use in environments with pathogens like viruses, necessitating a modification to incorporate air filtration.
Innovation Solution
An adapter is integrated into the mask's breathing tube housing to attach a filtering system, ensuring filtered air is inhaled while preventing exhaled air from re-entering the filter, with a non-return valve and a filter attachment mechanism that complies with standards like 148-1, 148-2, 148-3, and bayonet systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a filter is attached to the mask to filter external air, then the mask can be used in environments with pathogens, but the device complexity increases due to the need for adapter and filter attachment mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The mask system is divided into modular components: the base mask, an adapter that attaches to the mask's breathing tube housing, and a detachable filter. This segmentation allows the filter to be added only when needed for pathogen protection, maintaining the simplicity of the basic mask while enabling filtration capability when required.
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter serves multiple functions: it provides a mounting interface for the filter, maintains the breathing passage, and allows the mask to function both with and without filtration. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated filtered and unfiltered mask systems.
2Ease of operation
If a filter is positioned above the user's head, then head and neck mobility is improved, but the device complexity increases due to the adapter mechanism required
Solution Approach 1:
The filter is repositioned from the traditional lower position (near the mouth) to an upper position (above the head) by utilizing the vertical space through the adapter mounted on the breathing tube housing. This dimensional change in filter placement eliminates the filter from the user's field of view and allows unrestricted head and neck movement while maintaining filtration function.
3Reliability
If a non-return valve is installed to prevent exhaled air from re-entering the filter, then filter contamination is prevented, but the inspiratory effort may increase
Solution Approach 1:
The non-return valve acts as an intermediary element in the breathing passage that selectively allows air flow in one direction (inhalation through the filter) while blocking reverse flow (exhalation back into the filter). The valve is designed to minimize flow resistance during inhalation, preventing significant increase in inspiratory effort while effectively preventing exhaled air from contaminating the filter.
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 solution enables the use of the mask in environments with pathogens by filtering inhaled air effectively, maintaining low inspiratory effort and allowing greater head and neck mobility due to the filter's position above the user's head, while preventing exhaled air from re-entering the filter.
Implementation Method 1
a filter adapted to filter the air during the suction phase inside the mask
Implementation Method 2
designed to allow the passage of air only in the desired direction of inspiration
Data Source
Figure 1~5
Figure 3~4
AI summary
Full face mask equipped with an inlet air filter comprising a transparent visor (2), a frame or strap (3), a preferably rubber gasket designed to guarantee water tightness and appropriate straps (4) to fit the mask on the face. The mask comprises a fitting (8) which engages on the upper part of the mask in an inspiration mouth (5) and which allows the flow of air to enter the space created between the frame and the viewer, this fitting comprising a coupling portion (81) to this mouth and on the opposite side a seat (82) for the attachment of a filtering system (F) of the air entering the mask.