Respiratory Half-Mask Strap Guide for Stable Sealing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Respiratory half-masks face challenges in ensuring simple, rapid donning and doffing, high usage comfort, and reliable sealing, especially under physical stress and with heavy filters, due to limited secure fit and potential slippage, as existing designs either provide unstable holding or require complex adjustments and additional straps.
Innovation Solution
A respiratory half-mask with a movable clamping element on the strap guide part that secures the side straps in the usage position, forming a four-point connection for stable sealing, and optional strap friction webs to prevent displacement, allowing easy adjustment and reliable holding without loose ends.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the side straps are tensioned to brace the mask body on the face, then the secure fit and reliable sealing are improved, but the loose ends of the side straps hanging down are perceived as interfering and the adjustment becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The interfering loose ends of the side straps are extracted from the system by introducing a strap guide part that receives and guides the straps, eliminating the hanging loose ends that interfere with the user while maintaining the necessary tension for reliable sealing
Solution Approach 2:
A strap guide part is introduced as an intermediary component between the side straps and the mask body. This strap guide part provides a structured path for the straps, allowing them to be tensioned effectively for sealing while preventing the loose ends from hanging down and interfering with the user
2Productivity
If the mask body is moved along the side straps from covering position to exposed position, then the simple and rapid donning and doffing is improved, but the secure fit and reliable sealing are limited due to mask body slippage under filter weight and physical stress
Solution Approach 1:
The strap guide part is pre-configured with guide channels and friction surfaces that prepare the side straps for effective tensioning. When the mask is in the covering position, the strap guide part ensures the straps are properly positioned to maintain sealing, preventing slippage even under filter weight and physical stress while allowing rapid movement between positions
3Reliability
If frictional forces are increased on the side straps in lateral strap guides to prevent self-slippage, then the reliable sealing is improved, but the simple and rapid adjustment is compromised and wear or damage to the side straps increases
Solution Approach 1:
Frictional engagement is applied locally and selectively in the strap guide part where needed to prevent slippage and maintain sealing, rather than throughout the entire strap system. This localized friction application provides reliable sealing without requiring complex adjustment mechanisms and minimizes wear on the side straps by concentrating the frictional force only where necessary
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 ensures the mask remains securely in place under physical stress and heavy filter weight, maintaining reliable respiratory protection while allowing easy adjustment and temporary removal without compromising sealing.
Implementation Method 1
The side straps fastened to a head support are each guided in an upper guide and in a lower guide and are guided from the upper guide to the obliquely opposite lower guide so that they cross over each other
Implementation Method 2
strap friction webs to prevent displacement
Implementation Method 3
A movable or adjustable clamping element is attached to the strap guide part in order to clamp the side straps by actuating the clamping element in the mouth and nose covering position of the mask body on the strap guide part and thereby fix the mask body in the usage position
Data Source
AI summary
A respiratory half-mask, including a mask body having a front or side filters, and exhalation valves, a head support with two side straps emanating from support, and a strap guide part fastened on the mask body for sliding the mask body along the side straps from a usage position for covering a mouth and a nose of the user into a position for exposing the face of the user. At least one clamping element is adjustably attached to the strap guide part for clamping the side straps to the strap guide part and for fixing the mask body on the two side straps in a usage position.