Breathing Mask Test Head With Replaceable Soft Face Front

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing test heads for breathing masks lack ease of removal and mounting, fail to realistically simulate a human face, and are not adaptable to various mask sizes, making it difficult to detect sealing defects and ensuring proper protection against hazardous substances.

Innovation Solution

A test head system featuring a soft face front (SFF) made of a polyurethane compound or similar material, which is replaceable and self-adhesive, simulating human skin elasticity and friction, and a rotatable mechanism for easy handling and mounting, allowing for realistic mask size adaptation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If a fixed hard head part is used for mask testing, then structural stability is improved, but adaptability to different mask sizes deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidadaptability to different mask sizes
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The test head is divided into a fixed hard head part and a replaceable soft face front. The hard head part provides structural stability while the soft face front can be exchanged to adapt to different mask sizes and testing requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The hard head part serves as a universal base that can accommodate multiple types of soft face fronts, allowing the same structural core to support various testing configurations for different mask sizes and applications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of manufacture

If a permanent face front is used, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but ease of maintenance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidease of maintenance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The face front is made replaceable rather than permanent, allowing it to be separated from the hard head part. This enables easy maintenance by replacing worn face fronts without affecting the main structural component.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The soft face front is designed as a consumable component that can be replaced when worn or contaminated, while the expensive hard head part is recovered and reused. This extends the overall system life while maintaining ease of maintenance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #34Discarding and recovering

3Ease of operation

If a simple mounting mechanism is used, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability of attachment deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of mountingVSAvoidreliability of attachment
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting mechanism uses a dynamic spring-loaded pin system that automatically engages with positioning holes when the face front is installed. This provides both ease of operation through automatic engagement and reliability through positive mechanical locking.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The spring pin mechanism is self-actuating, requiring no additional tools or complex operations for mounting. The operator simply inserts the face front and the spring pin automatically secures it, providing both ease of use and secure attachment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 system enables easier detection of mask sealing defects, supports multiple mask sizes, and facilitates efficient testing by simulating human face characteristics, ensuring effective protection and prolonged service life with easy cleaning and maintenance.

Implementation Method 1

The gel face should be placed as a kind of layer on a fixed face front and attached. The mechanical requirements include allowing a shock and pressure stress of the mask and straps only in which the mechanical stresses are relatively low.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

The rear side may be self-adhesive, and the front side or face side is covered with a resistant film.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentEP2123330B1Test Head for Protective Mask Testing and Test Head System
Publication Date: 2015.04.22 DRAGER SAFETY AG & CO KAAA
  • EP2123330B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2123330B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2123330B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

A test head (10) for breathing mask testing includes a hard head part (12) formed of a hard material and includes a face side (18) and a soft face front (14) of a defined thickness applied to the face side (18) of the hard head part (12). The soft face front (14) has a simulated human face surface defining a mask seal contact surface (22). A breathing mask testing system is also provided including the testing head (10) including a human face surface defining a mask seal contact surface (18) and a mouth opening connected to a respiration tube (50). A testing device (32) is provided with a test head adapter (30) protruding from the testing device (32). The hard head part (12) has a support portion (29) with an adapter interface for the adapter (30). The adapter interface includes a rotational position fixing mechanism for fixing the hard head part (10) to the adapter (30) in one of a plurality of rotational positions.