Protective Eyewear with Removable Filter Assembly for Pathogen Filtration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing protective eyewear either allows unventilated air, leading to potential infection from airborne pathogens or causes fogging due to lack of airflow, and often fails to integrate seamlessly with other personal protection equipment, causing fitment issues and discomfort.

Innovation Solution

A protective eyewear design that includes a removable filter assembly to allow oxygen flow while filtering pathogens, an accessory receiving extension for integrating with other PPEs, and a lower frame accommodating a face mask, along with a detachable face shield for enhanced protection and comfort.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If closed eyewear protection is used to seal eyes from pathogens, then protection from airborne pathogens is improved, but air passage to cornea is blocked causing fogging and tissue damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection from airborne pathogensVSAvoidair passage to cornea

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a filter assembly with porous filtering material that allows oxygen and water vapor to pass through while blocking pathogens. The porous structure enables selective permeability - small molecules like O2 and H2O can diffuse through the pores, while larger pathogen particles are captured by the filter media, thus resolving the contradiction between pathogen protection and corneal oxygenation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates different zones within the eyewear system: the filter assembly provides pathogen blocking in the air intake path, while the corneal access features (perforations or open structures) provide localized oxygen access directly to the cornea. This spatial differentiation of functions allows simultaneous pathogen protection and oxygen supply.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Ease of operation

If open safety glasses are used to allow air flow, then oxygen access to cornea is maintained, but protection from airborne pathogens is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveair passage to corneaVSAvoidprotection from airborne pathogens

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the functions of open eyewear (for oxygen access) and filtered respiratory protection (for pathogen blocking) into a single integrated system. The filter assembly is incorporated into the eyewear frame, combining the air-permeable structure needed for corneal oxygenation with pathogen-filtering capability, thus achieving both goals simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If multiple PPE devices are used for comprehensive protection, then protection coverage is improved, but fitment compatibility and comfort are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomprehensive protectionVSAvoidfitment compatibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The eyewear is designed with multiple integrated functions: it provides eye protection, incorporates a removable filter assembly for respiratory protection, includes corneal access features for oxygenation, and offers attachment points for additional PPE. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate devices and improves compatibility among different protective equipment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The filter assembly is designed as a removable, modular component that can be attached to or detached from the eyewear frame. This segmentation allows the filter to be independently replaced, cleaned, or adjusted without affecting the rest of the eyewear system, improving versatility and adaptability while maintaining comprehensive protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 solution provides effective filtration of airborne pathogens while maintaining oxygen flow to the cornea, integrates seamlessly with other PPEs for synergistic protection, and prevents fogging, ensuring comfort and practicality during prolonged use.

Implementation Method 1

filter air to remove particles of a size as determined by the pore size of the filters

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPore size filtration: Filter (physical)

Implementation Method 2

the cornea can still receive oxygen

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPermeation: Permeation

Data Source

PatentUS11096827B1PPE integrative protective eyewear

Publication Date: 2021.08.24 KONO ALVIN

AI summary

In one aspect, the invention provides protective eyewear comprising at least one removable filter assembly allowing ambient air to circulate to the eye while filtering out pathogens and other particles. In another aspect, the protective eyewear is adapted to removably receive and secure multiple PPE accessories, including for example face shields and face masks. Together with the protective eyewear, the PPE accessories are fastened to the user through a single head strap. The eyewear can accommodate normal or prescription lenses and is configured with a rigid frame and flexible seal to provide a snug, airtight fit.