Sleep Mask With Foldable Forehead Flap
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sleep mask devices do not effectively allow users to comfortably rest their forehead against a support while sleeping in a seated position, as they lack a functional flap portion to provide adequate cushioning and support.
Innovation Solution
A sleep mask with a foldable flap portion that can be positioned against the forehead, combined with elastomeric straps for secure fitting, enabling users to rest comfortably against a support object, such as a seat backrest, while sleeping in a seated position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional sleep mask without a flap portion is used, then the device structure remains simple, but the user cannot comfortably rest their forehead against a support while sleeping in a seated position
Solution Approach 1:
The sleep mask is divided into distinct functional portions: a face portion that covers the eyes and a separate foldable flap portion that can be deployed to rest against the forehead. This segmentation allows the forehead support function to be added without redesigning the entire mask structure, resolving the contradiction between enhanced comfort and structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The flap portion is designed to be foldable between a stored position (against the face portion) and a deployed position (resting against the forehead). This dynamic configuration allows the device to adapt to different user needs - providing forehead support when required while maintaining a compact form when the support function is not needed, thus balancing comfort enhancement with structural simplicity.
2Ease of operation
If a foldable flap portion is added to the sleep mask, then the user can comfortably rest their forehead against a support, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The foldable flap portion is integrated with the face portion of the sleep mask, combining the eye-covering function and the forehead-support function into a single unified device. This merging approach allows the added functionality to be incorporated without requiring separate components or accessories, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while still providing forehead support comfort.
3Ease of operation
If the flap portion is always deployed, then the forehead support is always available, but the sleep mask becomes bulkier and less portable
Solution Approach 1:
The flap portion's foldable design enables it to transition between a deployed state (providing forehead support) and a stored state (compact and portable). When not in use, the flap folds against the face portion, minimizing the overall volume of the sleep mask for easy storage and portability, while maintaining full functionality when needed.
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 sleep mask provides enhanced comfort and support for users sleeping in seated positions by cushioning the forehead with a deployable flap portion, improving sleep quality by accommodating the natural need for headrest during daylight hours.
Implementation Method 1
A pair of elastomeric straps is each coupled to the sleep mask thereby facilitating the pair of elastomeric straps to be worn around the user's head for retaining the sleep mask on the user's face
Data Source
AI summary
A sleep mask assembly includes a sleep mask that is wearable on a user's face such that the sleep mask covers the user's eyes. The sleep mask has a face portion and a flap portion. The face portion rests against the user's face when the sleep mask is worn. The flap portion is positionable in a deployed position has the flap portion resting against the user's forehead to facilitate the user to comfortably rest their forehead against a support object when the user is sleeping in a sitting position. The flap portion is positionable in a stored position having the flap portion resting against the face portion. A pair of elastomeric straps is each coupled to the sleep mask thereby facilitating the pair of elastomeric straps to be worn around the user's head for retaining the sleep mask on the user's face.