Personal Protected-Air System with Head Rings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing face masks, while reducing airborne pathogen transmission, can be uncomfortable and lead to incorrect or premature removal due to difficulty in breathing and lack of fresh air, thereby negating their protective benefits in environments with high infectious pathogen risks.
Innovation Solution
A personal protected-air system comprising a top ring with a port for receiving filtered air, a manifold, and vents for distribution around the head, combined with an open-ended sleeve and a bottom ring for air passage, providing a continuous supply of fresh and filtered air, designed for use during vehicle travel and in crowded environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a face mask is worn to reduce airborne pathogen transmission, then protection from infectious pathogens is improved, but breathing comfort and air freshness deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the protective function into separate components: the headwear with integrated air supply provides protection, while the breathable fabric mask provides additional filtration. This segmentation allows each component to optimize its function without compromising the other, solving the contradiction between protection and breathing comfort
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary air supply mechanism (battery-powered fan and filter assembly) that delivers fresh filtered air to the wearer. This intermediary device mediates between the contaminated environment and the wearer's breathing zone, providing both protection and breathing comfort simultaneously
2Reliability
If a face mask is worn to reduce airborne pathogen transmission, then protection from infectious pathogens is improved, but mask wear compliance deteriorates due to discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the active protection function (air supply) from the passive barrier function (fabric mask), the system allows users to wear the comfortable fabric mask for extended periods while the integrated air supply provides continuous protection, thereby extending effective wear duration
Solution Approach 2:
The battery-powered air supply system operates autonomously to provide continuous fresh air delivery, eliminating the need for users to frequently adjust or remove their masks for comfort, thus extending wear duration and maintaining compliance
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 effectively protects users from airborne infectious pathogens by providing a comfortable and continuous supply of fresh air, reducing the risk of infection while avoiding the drawbacks of traditional face masks.
Implementation Method 1
a HEPA filter in air-tight fluid communication with the fan motor such that the fan motor draws ambient air through the HEPA filter
Implementation Method 2
a heated element adapted to vaporize a liquid hand sanitizer
Implementation Method 3
a UV light source adapted to inactivate airborne viruses and bacteria
Data Source
AI summary
A personal protected-air system includes first and second rings, and a sleeve coupled on each end thereof to one of the rings. The first ring includes a port for receiving filtered air under pressure, a manifold in fluid communication with the port, and vents in fluid communication with the manifold and the interior region of the sleeve. The sleeve includes a transparent region. In use, the second ring fits over a user's head, the sleeve encases the user's head, and the first ring rests on a top portion of the user's head. The second ring includes an air passage providing fluid communication between an ambient environment and the interior region of the sleeve.