Travel Sleep Mask Head Support for Stable Vehicle Rest
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sleep masks fail to effectively secure the head in a stationary position during vehicle motion, leading to diminished sleep quality, neck pain, and potential injuries due to their bulky design and lack of ease of use.
Innovation Solution
A support mask apparatus with an opaque protective member, elastic strap, flexible cord, and adjustment mechanism that secures the head to a supporting structure, maintaining a neutral position and enhancing sleep quality by using a mask unit, pillow, and adjustable straps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing head restraint masks are used to secure the user's head, then the head can be supported in a stationary position, but the masks are bulky and difficult to use, causing embarrassment in public settings
Solution Approach 1:
The head restraint function is segmented into multiple independent components: an elastic strap that wraps around the head, a flexible cord that loops around the headrest, and an adjustment mechanism. This segmentation allows each component to be slender and unobtrusive while collectively providing stable head support, eliminating the need for a single bulky mask structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The restraint system uses dynamic, flexible elements (elastic strap and flexible cord) rather than rigid structures. These components can adapt to different head sizes and headrest shapes, providing reliable support while maintaining a slender, non-bulky appearance that is socially acceptable for public use.
2Reliability
If existing head restraint masks are used to secure the user's head, then the head can be supported in a stationary position, but the masks are difficult and awkward to use
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs dynamically adjustable components including an elastic strap with adjustable tension and a flexible cord with variable loop size. The adjustment mechanism allows users to easily modify the restraint tightness and fit, making the device simple to operate while maintaining reliable head support stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The restraint system allows users to change key parameters such as strap tension, cord loop size, and overall restraint tightness through the adjustment mechanism. This parametric adjustability enables the same slender structure to provide reliable support for different users and conditions without requiring bulky fixed-size designs.
3Ease of operation
If the head is not secured during vehicle motion, then the user can move freely, but the head sways side to side and up and down, causing neck pain and injuries
Solution Approach 1:
The restraint system applies preliminary counteracting force through the elastic strap and flexible cord configuration that anticipates and resists vehicle motion-induced head sway. The pre-tensioned elastic elements and looped cord structure create restoring forces that counteract lateral and vertical head movements before they can cause neck pain or injury, while still allowing controlled freedom of movement during normal use.
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 apparatus effectively secures the head in a stationary position, improving sleep quality and reducing the risk of neck pain and injuries by allowing users to comfortably rest in moving vehicles without the fear of embarrassment from bulky designs.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic strap comprising a first end coupled to a left edge of the protective member and a second end coupled to a right edge of the protective member, the elastic strap configured to be secured around the head of the user
Data Source
AI summary
A support mask apparatus secured to a head of a user and a supporting structure to enhance sleep quality by supporting the head in a stationary and neutral position is provided. The support mask includes an opaque protective member placed over eyes of the user, an elastic strap with a first end coupled to a left edge of the protective member and a second end coupled to a right edge of the protective member, the elastic strap able to be secured around the head of the user, a flexible cord with a first end coupled to the left edge of the protective member and a second end coupled to the right edge of the protective member, and an adjustment mechanism operably connected to the flexible cord. The adjustment mechanism enables the user to securely fasten the flexible cord around the supporting structure.