Apparatus for storing mask
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional mask-storing apparatuses face challenges in humidity and temperature regulation, requiring continuous external gas supply without efficient control mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus with a main body divided into regions, featuring a fan, filter, Peltier element, heat exchanger, and controller to manage gas flow, temperature, and humidity, allowing for controlled gas circulation and reduced external gas usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If external air is supplied continuously through a fan to a mask-storing apparatus, then the mask storage environment can be maintained, but a large amount of gas needs to be continuously supplied and humidity and temperature regulation are not feasible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies inert atmosphere by introducing a desiccant material (molecular sieve) into the mask storage chamber to create a controlled environment with low humidity and stable temperature. The molecular sieve absorbs excess moisture from the air, maintaining relative humidity below 50% without requiring continuous external gas supply. This creates an inert-like environment that protects masks from degradation while using minimal external gas.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs self-service by using the desiccant material to automatically regulate humidity within the storage chamber. The molecular sieve passively absorbs moisture from the air through adsorption, eliminating the need for active humidity control systems or continuous external gas flow. The desiccant material serves itself by continuously maintaining the desired humidity level as long as it remains in the chamber.
2Quantity of substance
If external air flows through a fan into the mask-storing apparatus, then gas supply is provided, but humidity and temperature regulation may not be feasible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical-chemical parameters of the storage environment by introducing a molecular sieve with specific adsorption properties. The desiccant material alters the humidity parameter by absorbing water vapor from the air, and this also indirectly stabilizes temperature by removing latent heat from the environment. This parameter change approach enables both humidity and temperature regulation without complex active control systems.
3Quantity of substance
If external air flows through a fan into the mask-storing apparatus, then gas supply is provided, but humidity and temperature regulation may not be feasible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates an inert-like atmosphere within the mask storage chamber by using molecular sieve beads to adsorb moisture from the air. This transforms the ordinary air environment into a controlled low-humidity environment that protects masks from humidity-related degradation. The desiccant material effectively removes the harmful humidity factor while allowing the storage chamber to remain sealed and isolated from external air flow.
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 apparatus effectively maintains clean, consistent temperature, and low humidity environments within the mask storage, extending the mask's useful lifetime and minimizing external gas consumption.
Implementation Method 1
a fan in the first region, the fan configured to propel the gas from the second region to the first region
Implementation Method 2
a heat exchanger in the second region, the heat exchanger configured to exchange heat with the flowing gas
Implementation Method 3
a Peltier element in the outer portion of the gas supply pipe
Implementation Method 4
a filter disposed at at least one of a front end and a rear end of the fan in a gas flow path
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for storing a mask includes a main body comprising a first region and a second region, the first region having a plurality of mask containers, a gas supply pipe having an outer portion outside of the main body, a fan in the first region to propel the gas from the second region to the first region, a filter disposed at a front end and/or a rear end of the fan, a heat exchanger in the second region and configured to exchange heat with the flowing gas, a Peltier element at the outer portion of the gas supply pipe, a first sensor installed in the gas supply pipe upstream of the Peltier element, a second sensor installed in the second region in a lower position to the heat exchanger, and a controller connected to the first and second sensors and the Peltier element.