Rear-Vented Mask Structure for Low-Resistance Airflow

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing masks with air suction holes on the front surface and discharge holes on the rear surface experience increased flow resistance, power consumption, noise, and risk of dust ingress due to multiple air flow conversions, and have aesthetic and durability issues with separate covers.

Innovation Solution

A mask design with a suction hole outside the breathing space and a discharge hole inside, utilizing a centrifugal fan and air cleaning module with a filter, and a magnetic face guard for secure attachment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the air suction hole is defined in the front surface of the mask and the air discharge hole is defined in the rear surface, then the air flow path is established, but the number of flow conversions increases excessively leading to increased flow resistance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveair flow path establishmentVSAvoidflow resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional configuration by placing both the air suction hole and air discharge hole in the rear surface of the mask body, rather than having the suction hole in the front surface. This inversion reduces the number of flow conversions as air is drawn in from the rear, passes through the fan and filter, and is discharged back through the rear surface, thereby decreasing flow resistance and improving breathing efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Productivity

If the air suction hole is defined in the front surface of the mask, then air can be introduced into the mask, but the load of the fan increases due to excessive flow conversions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveair introductionVSAvoidfan load

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Productivity

If the air suction hole is defined in the front surface of the mask, then air intake is enabled, but power consumption of the battery increases due to increased fan load

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveair intakeVSAvoidbattery power consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

4Productivity

If the air suction hole is defined in the front surface of the mask, then air can be suctioned, but flow noise increases due to excessive flow conversions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveair suctionVSAvoidflow noise

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

5Ease of operation

If the mask is left with the air suction hole faced upward or forward when not worn, then the mask can be conveniently stored, but dust ingress through the air suction hole increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemask storageVSAvoiddust ingress

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

6Object-affected harmful factors

If a suction hole cover is mounted to prevent the air suction hole from being exposed, then dust ingress is reduced, but the device complexity increases and the cover may separate or damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedust ingress preventionVSAvoidcover structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the separate suction hole cover component entirely by repositioning the air suction hole to the rear surface of the mask body where it is naturally protected by the mask structure itself. This extraction of the cover component simplifies the overall device structure, reduces potential failure points, and eliminates the complexity of attachment mechanisms while still preventing dust ingress.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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

Reduces flow resistance, power consumption, and noise while minimizing dust ingress, maintaining a clean appearance and enhancing durability by integrating the suction and discharge holes in a unified structure.

Implementation Method 1

a magnet is mounted in the rear body; a face guard coupled to a rear surface of the rear body by magnetic force

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic force: Magnetism

Implementation Method 2

utilizing a centrifugal fan and air cleaning module with a filter

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCentrifugal force: Centrifugal Force

Data Source

PatentEP4122550B1Mask apparatus

Publication Date: 2026.02.25 LG ELECTRONICS INC

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AI summary

Provided is a mask apparatus. The mask apparatus includes a mask body which includes a rear body and a front body coupled to a front surface of the rear body and in which a suction hole and a discharge hole are defined, a face guard coupled to a rear surface of the rear body by magnetic force so as to be in close contact with user's face and having a breathing space therein, and an air cleaning module mounted on the rear body to purify external air flowing into the suction hole and supply the external air into the breathing space. The face guard includes a coupling portion configured to face the rear surface of the rear body and provided with a magnetic body mounting portion, a close contact portion that is in contact with the user's face, and a connection portion configured to connect the coupling portion to the close contact portion so as to have a predetermined width in a front and rear direction. The magnetic body mounting portion includes a mounting portion body protruding forward from an outer surface of the coupling portion, an insertion guide rib disposed inside the mounting portion body and a magnetic body inserted into the mounting portion body through an insertion hole defined between the mounting portion body and the insertion guide rib.