U-Shaped Face Shield Sealing for Purified Airflow Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing face shields are heavy, costly, and complex to use, limiting the mobility and efficiency of healthcare workers, and they do not adequately protect the eyes, nose, and mouth from airborne contaminants like viruses and allergens.
Innovation Solution
A lightweight, adaptable face shield with a U-shaped design that seals tightly to the temples, integrated with a headgear and air purifying system, providing a streamlined airflow over the eyes, nose, and mouth, using a rotating pleated filter and outlet nozzles to distribute purified air.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional face protection gear is used, then protection against airborne contaminants is improved, but weight and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The face shield is divided into separate functional components: a headgear portion, a face shield portion, and an air supply system. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently for its specific function while maintaining overall light weight and effectiveness against airborne contaminants.
Solution Approach 2:
A powered air blower is introduced as an intermediary device that generates a controlled air stream between the face shield and the user's face. This intermediary air flow provides the necessary protection against airborne contaminants without requiring the face shield itself to be heavy or complex.
2Reliability
If traditional face protection gear is used, then protection against airborne contaminants is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The air supply system is designed to be self-regulating through negative feedback control, automatically adjusting air flow based on sensor input from CO2 detectors and temperature sensors. This eliminates the need for manual adjustment and complex user intervention, improving ease of operation while maintaining reliable protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates sensors that continuously monitor environmental conditions and adjust the air blower operation accordingly. This feedback mechanism ensures effective protection against airborne contaminants while keeping the system simple to use, as it automatically adapts to changing conditions without user input.
3Reliability
If traditional face protection gear is used, then protection against airborne contaminants is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The face shield integrates multiple functions into a single device: it provides physical barrier protection, houses an air supply system, incorporates sensing capabilities, and includes communication features. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate devices and simplifies the overall system while maintaining reliable protection against airborne contaminants.
4Ease of operation
If lightweight face shield is used, then ease of operation is improved, but sealing contact with temple areas deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The face shield incorporates adjustable parameters including elastic properties and geometric dimensions that can be modified to achieve optimal sealing contact with temple areas while maintaining lightweight construction. This allows the shield to adapt to different user anatomies without compromising either sealing effectiveness or weight.
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 face shield offers effective protection against airborne contaminants while maintaining user comfort and mobility by reducing draft and power consumption, with improved air filtration efficiency and adaptability to various head shapes.
Implementation Method 1
being provided with a pre-shaped U-shape which will provide a pinching effect causing the face shield to connect in an air tight manner to the users temple areas and downwards due to local stress along the z axis in the shield
Implementation Method 2
using a rotating pleated filter and outlet nozzles to distribute purified air
Data Source
Figure 1A~1C
Figure 1D~1H
Figure 1I~2
AI summary
The disclosure relates to a face shield (1) for being arranged in front of a portion of the face of a user (30), comprising: fastening means, a headgear (2), wherein the fastening means (3) attach the upper portion of the face shield (1) to the headgear (2), being characterized by: the face shield (1): being adaptable to a head shape of a user (30), the face shield (1) provides a sealing contact with the temple areas and extending along a longitudinal z axis (40) downward from the headgear (2), and being provided with a pre-shaped U-shape which will provide a pinching effect causing the face shield to connect in an air tight manner to the users temple areas and downwards due to local stress along the z axis (40) in the shield (1), thus adapting to different head profiles along the z-axis (40) when arranged over the face for providing a channel able to lead an airstream (25) past the eyes, nose and mouth of the user.