Rotatable Face Mask Valve with Adjustable Airflow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current face masks with breathing valves can cause discomfort due to humidity and may allow hazardous substances to enter when not in use, and their complex structure and high production cost limit their application to professional fields.
Innovation Solution
A rotatably adjustable face mask valve with a valve seat and cover that can be aligned in any direction, featuring a movable member and fixed member with protruded blocks and guide grooves, allowing for adjustable airflow and aesthetic design, enabling users to control exhaled air discharge and prevent substance adsorption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a breathing valve is added to the face mask to allow air circulation and reduce humidity, then user comfort is improved, but hazardous substances may enter through the valve opening and be adsorbed on the filter when not in use
Solution Approach 1:
The valve cover is designed with a movable member that can rotate between different positions to dynamically change the valve state. The movable member includes a pressing portion that can press against the flap to close the valve or allow it to open for breathing, enabling the system to adapt between closed and open states based on usage needs
Solution Approach 2:
The flap is designed to automatically close the valve opening when not in use through its own elastic deformation. The flap can deform under exhaled air pressure to open the valve for breathing, and naturally returns to its closed position when air pressure is removed, eliminating the need for manual intervention
2Ease of operation
If a breathing valve with regulating structure is implemented, then airflow control is improved, but device complexity and production cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The valve assembly is divided into distinct functional components: a valve seat with opening, a movable valve cover with pressing portion, and a separate flap. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently while simplifying the overall structure and reducing manufacturing complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The valve cover incorporates a movable member that can rotate to different positions (closed position where pressing portion contacts flap, and open position where it separates from flap). This dynamic positioning capability provides airflow control without requiring complex regulating mechanisms, achieving functionality through simple rotational movement
3Productivity
If the valve cover allows alignment in any cardinal direction, then assembly flexibility and productivity are improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The engaging sections are designed with asymmetric features including stoppers positioned at specific locations and guide grooves oriented in particular directions. These asymmetric elements guide the movable member into correct alignment during assembly while allowing the valve cover to be rotated to any cardinal direction for flexible positioning
Solution Approach 2:
The guide grooves act as intermediary elements that facilitate precise alignment between the movable member and valve seat. The grooves guide the pressing portion along a predetermined path, ensuring accurate engagement while allowing rotational flexibility, thus mediating between precision requirements and assembly flexibility
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 a comfortable, adjustable, and aesthetically pleasing face mask valve that effectively manages airflow and prevents hazardous substance entry, enhancing user safety and productivity while reducing production costs.
Implementation Method 1
a movable member being rotatable to change its height position relative to the fixed member
Implementation Method 2
a pressing portion of the movable member is located at a closed position to contact with the flap
Implementation Method 3
the flap being deformable by a user's exhaled air to thereby change the opening from a blocked state into a circulating state
Data Source
AI summary
A rotatably adjustable face mask valve includes a valve seat, a flap and a valve cover. The valve cover includes a fixed member and a movable member that is movable to different height positions relative to the fixed member and includes a pressing portion. When a user holds and rotates the movable member, the pressing portion is movable between a closed position of pressing against the flap, and an open position of separating from the flap. An opening on the valve seat is constantly in a blocked state when the pressing portion is in the closed position, or is subject to user's exhalation to change between the blocked state and a circulating state when the pressing portion is in the open position. Thus, the user may adjust the usage state of the face mask valve according to personal need and change the way the exhaled air leaves the face mask.