Mask Pressure Sensor Protection Plate Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional masks with pressure sensors for breathing pattern analysis often suffer from sensor contamination and malfunction due to direct exposure to moisture and air flow, leading to inaccurate pressure readings and discomfort during breathing.
Innovation Solution
A mask apparatus with a pressure sensor positioned to avoid direct exposure to moisture, featuring a sensor mounting portion that guides air flow away from the sensor, allowing accurate pressure sensing and stable sensor operation while varying fan rotation speed based on breathing patterns.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the pressure sensor is disposed inside the mask portion to be exposed for sensing breathing pressure, then the breathing pattern can be sensed accurately, but the sensor is directly exposed to moisture and air flow causing contamination and malfunction
Solution Approach 1:
A sensor protection plate is introduced as an intermediary component between the pressure sensor and the breathing environment. The protection plate has a sensor opening that allows pressure sensing while preventing direct exposure to moisture and air flow. This intermediary structure resolves the contradiction by enabling measurement function while protecting the sensor from harmful factors.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor protection plate creates a localized protected environment for the pressure sensor while maintaining opening for pressure sensing. The local quality change allows the sensor area to have different exposure characteristics than the rest of the mask interior, providing protection where needed while maintaining sensing capability.
2Reliability
If the pressure sensor is positioned to avoid direct exposure to moisture, then sensor reliability improves, but measurement precision may be compromised due to indirect sensing
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor protection plate acts as a mediator that transmits pressure information from the breathing environment to the protected sensor. The plate's opening allows pressure changes to be sensed while the plate structure itself blocks direct moisture contact, achieving both protection and accurate measurement.
3Ease of operation
If the fan rotation speed is increased to improve air intake during inhalation, then breathing comfort improves, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fan rotation speed is made dynamic and adjustable based on detected breathing patterns. The control unit increases fan speed during inhalation to improve breathing comfort and decreases it during exhalation or when not needed, optimizing energy consumption while maintaining breathing ease when required.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from the pressure sensor to detect breathing patterns and automatically adjusts fan rotation speed accordingly. This feedback mechanism ensures the fan provides necessary assistance during inhalation while consuming minimal energy during exhalation or idle periods.
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 ensures accurate pressure sensing and comfortable breathing by preventing sensor contamination and optimizing fan speed according to the user's breathing state, enhancing the mask's functionality and user experience.
Implementation Method 1
a pressure sensor disposed in the opening and configured to sense air pressure in the breathing space
Implementation Method 2
a fan module disposed at the body front surface
Data Source
AI summary
A mask apparatus includes a mask body including a body front surface and a body rear surface configured to cover at least a portion of a user's face, a fan module disposed at the body front surface, a mask body cover that is coupled to the mask body and defines an inner space accommodating the fan module, a seal coupled to the body rear surface and configured to define a breathing space between the mask body and the user's face. The mask body defines an opening that passes through the mask body and that connects the inner space of the mask body cover to the breathing space. A pressure sensor is disposed in the opening and configured to sense air pressure in the breathing space.