Rear-Surface Mask Airflow Layout for Lower Resistance and Noise
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional masks with air inlets on the front and outlets on the rear side experience increased flow resistance, power consumption, noise, and exposure to external substances due to frequent air flow conversions, leading to a higher risk of filter contamination and reduced durability.
Innovation Solution
A mask apparatus with inlets and outlets on the rear surface, featuring a centrifugal fan module and a filter system that purifies air before inhalation, reducing flow resistance and exposure, and incorporating a design that minimizes the need for additional cover members.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the air inlet is provided on the front side of the mask and the air outlet is provided on the rear side, then the mask structure is simple, but the flow resistance increases and power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional air inlet/outlet arrangement by placing both the air inlet and air outlet on the rear side of the mask. This reversal changes the air flow path to enter and exit from the same side, reducing the number of flow direction changes and thereby decreasing flow resistance and power consumption requirements
2Device complexity
If the air inlet is provided on the front side of the mask, then the mask structure is simple, but the flow noise increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional air inlet/outlet arrangement by placing both the air inlet and air outlet on the rear side of the mask. This reversal changes the air flow path to enter and exit from the same side, reducing the number of flow direction changes and thereby decreasing flow noise
3Device complexity
If the air inlet is provided on the front side of the mask, then the mask structure is simple, but the filter is exposed to external substances and its life is shortened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional air inlet/outlet arrangement by placing both the air inlet and air outlet on the rear side of the mask. This reversal protects the filter from direct exposure to external substances such as dust and insects that would otherwise enter through a front-facing inlet, thereby extending filter life and improving reliability
4Reliability
If an inlet cover is mounted to prevent the air inlet from being exposed to the outside, then the filter is protected, but the inlet cover may be separated or damaged by external force
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional air inlet/outlet arrangement by placing both the air inlet and air outlet on the rear side of the mask. This reversal eliminates the need for a separate inlet cover structure, as the rear-side positioning inherently protects the filter from external substances and forces while maintaining proper air flow functionality
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 rear-surface design reduces flow resistance, power consumption, and noise, while minimizing exposure to external substances and enhancing the mask's appearance, thus improving user experience and extending filter life.
Implementation Method 1
a fan module that has a front surface disposed at the seating surface and that is configured to move air through a rear surface thereof
Implementation Method 2
a filter that is disposed at a rear surface of the fan module and that is configured to purity the air introduced through the inlet before the air is suctioned into the fan module
Data Source
AI summary
A mask apparatus includes: a mask body including a rear body and a front body coupled to a front surface of the rear body and providing an inlet and an outlet, a face guard coupled to the rear body, accommodating a portion of user's face, and defining a respiration space, and an air cleaning module purifying air introduced into the inlet and supplying the purified air to the respiration space. A portion of the rear body protrudes toward the front body and defines an accommodation portion accommodating the air cleaning module, the inlet and the outlet are provided in the rear surface of the mask body to thereby introducing air into the mask body through the rear surface of the mask body and supplying the introduced air to the respiration space through the rear surface of the mask body, and the outlet is spaced apart from the inlet.