Powered Face Shield Filtration With Positive-Pressure Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing respirators and face shields fail to effectively block both small and large-particle droplets, splashes, or splatter containing germs (viruses and bacteria) from entering the wearer's eyes, nose, or mouth, and often have issues with sealing and filtration efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A face shield with a powered air purifying respirator system that includes a clear face shield, air filtering media, a motorized fan, and a filter chamber, which draws air through a filter media via a fan to create a positive pressure condition, blocking contaminants and filtering them before they reach the wearer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If N95 respirators are used to filter small particles, then filtration efficiency is improved, but sealing around the face becomes difficult to achieve
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the protection system into two separate components: a face shield that blocks large-particle droplets and splashes, and an N95 respirator that filters small airborne particles. This segmentation allows each component to specialize in its optimal protection function without compromising the other, eliminating the need for perfect sealing while maintaining high filtration efficiency.
2Reliability
If face shields are used to block large-particle droplets, then protection against splashes is improved, but side or back splashes are not adequately protected
Solution Approach 1:
The combination system provides multi-functional protection: the face shield handles frontal large-particle protection while the N95 respirator with its elastic seal provides omnidirectional protection including sides and back. Together, they create a comprehensive protection system that covers all directions and particle sizes, making each component more versatile than alone.
3Reliability
If respirator thickness is increased to improve filtration, then filtration capability is improved, but breathing ease deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses the N95 respirator at its standard thickness optimized for filtration, while the face shield provides additional protection for large particles. This partial action approach avoids the need for excessive thickness that would compromise breathing ease, as the face shield handles the bulk of large-particle blocking while the N95 maintains optimal thinness for breathability.
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 provides effective filtration of small and large particles, maintaining a positive pressure environment to prevent exposure to contaminants, while being lightweight, economical, and allowing easy filter replacement.
Implementation Method 1
draws air through a filter media via a fan to create a positive pressure condition, blocking contaminants and filtering them before they reach the wearer
Implementation Method 2
filtering them before they reach the wearer
Data Source
AI summary
Air purifying respirator for user's having a face shield configured to shield the user's face from splatter, a head strap configured to encircle at least a portion of the users head, said head strap configured to support the face shield, at least one fan, and a fan housing positioned proximate an upper edge of the face shield, said fan housing configured to support said fan, a filter media positioned on an outer perimeter flange of the fan housing to maximizing a surface area of said filter media, a face shroud connected to a perimeter of the face shield, the face shroud configured to provide a seal between the face shield and the user's face and thus, to facilitate pulling the air through the filter media, and the fan pushes the filtered air from said fan housing to the user between said face shield and the user's face.