Mask Latch Mechanism Preventing Cord Shift
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional masks with latches for fastening cords often experience shifting of the fastening cord when worn, leading to discomfort and potential slippage, especially when adjusting the cord length.
Innovation Solution
A mask with a latch design featuring a first latching part and a second latching part positioned on the end edge, with a guide channel and insertion through hole, where the first latching hole and second latching hole are directed oppositely in the lateral direction, providing enhanced stability and preventing vertical shifting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the fastening cord is latched only in the upper and lower hook parts, then the mask can be assembled simply, but the fastening cord may slide downward and shift position when the wearer moves their mouth
Solution Approach 1:
The latch is divided into multiple functional parts: upper and lower hook parts for basic latching, guide channels for cord guidance, and latching holes for secure engagement. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function while working together to prevent cord slippage and position shifting.
2Reliability
If the pulling force of the upper portion of the fastening cord is increased to prevent position shift, then the position stability improves, but the upper side of the ear may be rubbed and create discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The guide channel acts as an intermediary structure that directs the fastening cord along a controlled path. By guiding the cord through the channel to the latching hole, the system achieves position stability without requiring excessive pulling force, thereby preventing ear discomfort.
3Ease of operation
If the guide channel is made large enough to enable entry and exit of the fastening cord, then the ease of operation improves, but the fastening cord may slip out through the guide channel when pulled
Solution Approach 1:
The latch structure is segmented into the guide channel for cord passage and the latching hole for secure engagement. This separation allows the guide channel to be sufficiently large for easy cord insertion and adjustment, while the latching hole provides a secure anchoring point that prevents the cord from slipping out.
4Reliability
If the first latching hole and second latching hole are positioned to latch both fastening cords, then the latching function is improved, but the fastening cord may still shift vertically
Solution Approach 1:
The latch structure incorporates horizontal positioning features (guide channels extending from lateral edges, latching holes directed in opposite lateral directions) that constrain the fastening cords in the lateral dimension. This horizontal constraint prevents vertical shifting of the cords while maintaining effective latching.
Data Source
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AI summary
There is provided a mask provided with a latch that can maintain a latched state of fastening cords and suppress offsetting when the mask is worn. A latch (10) of a mask (1) is in the form of an oblong thin sheet, and includes a first latching part (20) for disengageably latching one fastening cord (4) of the mask (1) and a second latching part (30) positioned on the second end edge (14) side of the first latching part (20), having an insertion through hole (31) for inserting the other fastening cord (3) of the mask (1) in advance. The first latching part (20) has a guide channel (21) extending from the first lateral edge (11) and a first latching hole (22) connected to the guide channel (21), and the second latching part (30) has a second latching hole (32) communicating with the insertion through hole (31), and having an outer shape smaller than that, and the first latching hole (22) and the second latching hole (32) are directed in directions opposed to one another in a lateral direction (X) .