Rear-Surface Respirator Mask Layout for Lower Fan Power
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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 foreign substances, leading to reduced filter life and potential damage to electrical components.
Innovation Solution
A mask design with inlets and outlets on the rear surface, incorporating a centrifugal fan and filter module, reduces flow resistance and exposure, while integrating a waterproof sleeve to protect against foreign substances and improve appearance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
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 and easy to manufacture, but the flow resistance increases and the fan power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional mask air inlet/outlet configuration by placing both the air inlet and air outlet on the rear surface of the mask body. This reversal of the traditional front-inlet/rear-outlet design reduces the number of flow conversions air must undergo, thereby decreasing flow resistance and reducing fan power consumption while maintaining manufacturing simplicity
2Device complexity
If the air inlet is provided on the front side of the mask, then the mask structure is simple, but the inlet is exposed to foreign substances and insects leading to reduced filter life
Solution Approach 1:
The patent moves the air inlet from the front surface to the rear surface of the mask body, inverting the conventional configuration. This positioning change prevents the inlet from being exposed to foreign substances and insects that would otherwise enter when the mask is worn or stored, thereby extending filter life without significantly increasing structural complexity
3Ease of operation
If the air inlet is provided on the front side of the mask, then the mask is easy to wear, but the appearance provides a bad impression and dust introduction is frequent
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the inlet position from front to rear surface. This prevents dust and foreign substances from being directly introduced into the inlet when the mask is worn or placed on surfaces, reducing harmful factor exposure while maintaining ease of operation through proper strap connection design
4Reliability
If an inlet cover is mounted to prevent air inlet exposure, then foreign substance introduction is reduced, but the inlet cover may be separated or damaged by external force
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of adding a separate inlet cover to protect the front-facing inlet, the patent inverts the inlet position to the rear surface where it is naturally protected by the mask structure itself. This eliminates the need for additional protective components while maintaining reliability and reducing device complexity
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
Significantly reduces flow resistance, minimizes exposure of inlets, enhances durability, and improves aesthetic appeal by eliminating the need for separate covers, thus increasing user satisfaction.
Implementation Method 1
a fan module that is disposed at the seating surface and that is configured to move air through a rear surface of the mask body
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 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. Each of left and right edges of the rear body provides a strap connection portion into which a strap is coupled. The strap connection portion includes: a strap recess provided at a rear surface of the rear body, a strap hole defined in the strap recess, a strap bar connecting upper and lower surfaces of the strap recess and spaced apart from the strap hole, and a waterproof sleeve extending from the front surface of the rear body along an edge of the strap hole.