Nasal Mask With Hinged Odor Filter
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing nasal masks fail to effectively filter ambient air and neutralize odors before they enter the nasal passageway, leading to potential health issues and discomfort, especially in environments with unpleasant smells.
Innovation Solution
A specially configured nostril-shielding nasal mask with an adjustable body, featuring a top portion with an arcuate anterior and posterior section, a hinge mechanism, and a bottom portion with apertures for a scented or odor-neutralizing air filter, which can be pivoted to align with the nostrils, ensuring effective filtration and odor neutralization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a nasal mask is designed to cover the nose bridge and nostrils, then air filtration and odor neutralization are improved, but the device complexity increases due to multiple components including hinge mechanism and adjustable sections
Solution Approach 1:
The nasal mask is divided into a top portion with arcuate anterior and posterior sections and a bottom portion with apertures, connected by a hinge mechanism. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function while maintaining overall effectiveness in filtering air and neutralizing odors.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge mechanism enables the bottom portion to pivot between a raised non-operating position and a lowered operating position. This dynamic adjustment allows the mask to adapt to different usage scenarios, improving air filtration when needed while reducing complexity exposure when not in use.
2Ease of operation
If the bottom portion is designed to pivot between raised and lowered positions, then ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases due to the hinge and fastener mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge mechanism allows the bottom portion to pivot freely between raised and lowered positions, enabling easy adjustment and operation. The dynamic design lets users quickly transition between operating states without complex controls.
Solution Approach 2:
The fasteners automatically maintain the top and bottom portions in their proper positions when abutted against the nose bridge and nostrils. The mechanism self-regulates to keep the mask in the correct operating position without requiring additional adjustment actions from the user.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the mask body is made adjustable to fit different users, then adaptability is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The mask is segmented into top and bottom portions that can be independently adjusted. The arcuate anterior and posterior sections can be positioned to accommodate different nose shapes and sizes, providing adaptability without requiring high-precision custom manufacturing for each user.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustable design allows the mask to accommodate variations in user anatomy by changing its physical parameters such as position and orientation of the top and bottom portions. This provides versatility while maintaining standard manufacturing tolerances.
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 nasal mask provides effective filtration and odor neutralization, ensuring clean air enters the nasal passageway while being lightweight, durable, and versatile for various applications, including environments with strong odors.
Implementation Method 1
a scented and/or odor neutralizing air filter removably inserted into the bottom portion
Data Source
AI summary
A nostril-shielding nasal mask includes a body including a top portion provided with an arcuate anterior section and arcuate posterior section engaged therewith, a hinge attached to the top portion, a bottom portion attached to the hinge and including a apertures aligned with the nostrils of the user, a scented and/or odor neutralizing air filter removably inserted into the bottom portion, and fasteners attached to the top portion and the bottom portion wherein the fasteners are configured to maintain the top portion and the bottom portion directly abutted against the nose bridge of the user and the nostrils of the user. The fasteners maintain the bottom portion at a first raised, non-operating position and a second lowered, operating position. The arcuate anterior section is engaged with the bottom portion when the bottom portion is disposed at the second lowered, operating position.