Snow Burial Survival Mask with Automatic CO2 Redirection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Participants in winter sports such as skiing and snowboarding face significant danger from snow burial by avalanche or tree well encounters, leading to carbon dioxide buildup and suffocation due to the lack of effective survival equipment that can automatically detect and respond to burial conditions without user intervention.
Innovation Solution
A wearable mask with integrated sensors and an air pump system that automatically detects burial conditions and redirects exhaled carbon dioxide away from the user's airways to behind their back, extending survival time and increasing chances of extraction, with optional manual activation and battery power management to ensure functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional survival equipment is used during snow burial, then basic protection is provided, but carbon dioxide buildup cannot be effectively addressed and user action is required for functionality
Solution Approach 1:
The survival mask automatically detects burial conditions through sensors (light, motion, CO2) and activates the air pump without user intervention. The system serves itself by monitoring its own environment and initiating protective actions autonomously, eliminating the need for conscious user operation during critical burial events
Solution Approach 2:
The mask incorporates multiple sensors that continuously monitor environmental conditions (light levels, motion, CO2 concentration) and provide feedback to the control system. This feedback loop enables automatic activation of the air pump when burial conditions are detected, ensuring the system responds appropriately to actual survival needs
2Duration of action of moving object
If an air pump system is added to remove CO2, then survival time is extended, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The air pump system serves multiple functions: it removes CO2 buildup from the breathing zone, provides positive pressure to prevent snow ingress, and can potentially assist with buoyancy. This multi-functionality justifies the added complexity by delivering multiple survival benefits from a single system addition
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple survival functions into a single integrated mask system: CO2 removal, breathing protection, goggle demisting, and potential buoyancy assistance. By merging these functions into one device rather than using separate equipment, the overall system complexity is reduced while maintaining comprehensive protection
3Extent of automation
If sensors and automatic activation are implemented, then user action is not required, but device complexity and power requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sensors operate in a periodic or standby mode, monitoring conditions continuously but activating the power-intensive air pump only when burial conditions are detected. This periodic operation pattern significantly reduces overall battery power consumption compared to continuous operation, while maintaining automatic detection and response capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The system monitors changes in environmental parameters (light levels, motion patterns, CO2 concentration) to detect burial conditions. By detecting parameter changes rather than maintaining constant high-power operation, the system achieves automatic activation with minimal energy consumption 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 mask significantly increases the chances of survival by automatically addressing carbon dioxide buildup during snow burial incidents, providing continuous protection and demisting of goggles to enhance visibility and safety.
Implementation Method 1
an air pump in fluid communication with the exhaust tube, such that the air pump is configured to move air from the intake port to the exhaust port
Implementation Method 2
one or more sensors that can detect a burial condition
Implementation Method 3
In addition to dangers from cold exposure, dehydration and hunger from being physically trapped in the tree well
Data Source
AI summary
A snow burial survival mask has an exhaust tube connected to a headgear. An intake port of the exhaust tube is positioned adjacent to a breathing portion of the headgear in order to intake exhaled carbon dioxide (CO2)-rich air. An air pump connected to the exhaust tube pump the exhaled air from the intake port to an exhaust port away from the user's face, extending survival time in a snow burial situation. At least one burial detection sensor such as a motion sensor, light sensor and/or CO2 sensor is configured to activate the air pump based on detection of a burial event.