Face Mask Air Filter with UV Lamp and Centrifugal Fan
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional face masks suffer from poor ventilation, incomplete expulsion of foul air, and lack of fresh air inhalation due to their non-washable and non-reusable nature, leading to compromised breathing quality.
Innovation Solution
A combination face mask and air filter system incorporating a centrifugal fan, UV lamp, filter element, power supply, and adjustable strap, which provides clean air, removes moisture and heat, and maintains cleanliness by forcing foul air out, using a centrifugal fan and UV light to enhance air quality and comfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional face masks are made from non-woven material and discarded after each use, then they can prevent infections by catching bacteria, but they have poor ventilation and incomplete foul air expulsion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines a face mask with an air filter system into a single integrated device. The air filter unit includes a centrifugal fan, filter element, and housing that attaches to the face mask, creating a unified respiratory protection system that provides both filtration and active ventilation functions simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a centrifugal fan to create pneumatic flow that actively draws clean air through the filter element and forces foul air out of the mask. This pneumatic mechanism overcomes the passive ventilation limitations of conventional masks by using mechanical air movement to ensure continuous fresh air supply and complete foul air expulsion.
2Reliability
If conventional face masks are discarded after each use, then they maintain cleanliness, but they are not reusable and compromise breathing quality over time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables recovery and reuse of the face mask through the integrated air filter system. The filter element captures contaminants that would otherwise accumulate on the mask, allowing the mask to be cleaned and reused multiple times while maintaining its protective function and breathing quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The air filter system operates continuously to maintain mask cleanliness by filtering incoming air and expelling foul air. This continuous action ensures the mask interior remains clean during extended use periods, enabling reuse without compromising hygiene or breathing quality.
3Device complexity
If conventional face masks lack active air filtration, then they are simple in design, but they allow incomplete foul air expulsion and compromised fresh air inhalation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges a face mask with an air filter unit into a single device. The air filter unit contains a centrifugal fan, filter element, power supply, and control circuitry integrated with the mask structure, creating a unified system that provides both protective and ventilatory functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated device performs multiple functions simultaneously: filtration of incoming air, expulsion of foul air, UV sterilization, and moisture management. This multi-functionality addresses the limitations of simple masks by incorporating active air management capabilities while maintaining wearability and protection.
4Ease of manufacture
If conventional face masks do not have UV sterilization, then they are simpler to manufacture, but they cannot inactivate bacteria, viruses, and protozoa
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines UV sterilization functionality with the face mask by integrating a UV lamp into the air filter unit. The UV lamp is positioned to irradiate the mask interior and incoming air, providing pathogen inactivation as part of the overall air treatment system.
Solution Approach 2:
The UV lamp is integrated into the pneumatic flow path of the air filter system. Clean air passes through the UV irradiation zone before reaching the wearer, ensuring that the sterilized air is delivered through the mask while the UV lamp remains protected within the air filter housing.
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 ensures improved air quality, comfort, and prolonged mask cleanliness by providing clean air that expels foul air, inactivates bacteria and viruses, and maintains freshness, making the face mask more durable and effective.
Implementation Method 1
an ultraviolet (UV) lamp... the UV light being capable of inactivating bacteria, viruses, and protozoa
Implementation Method 2
an air filter including a centrifugal fan... the centrifugal fan includes an inlet and an outlet... the clean air drawn into the face mask can completely force foul air out of inside of the face mask
Data Source
AI summary
A combination face mask and air filter includes a face mask; an air filter including a centrifugal fan, a circuit board, a filter element, a power supply, a housing for enclosing the centrifugal fan, the circuit board, the filter element, and the power supply, a cover releasably secured to the housing, and a UV lamp; a tube having a first end attached to the face mask; and a strap having two ends attached to the housing. The centrifugal fan includes an inlet and an outlet. The UV lamp is disposed at the outlet of the centrifugal fan. A second end of the tube passes through the housing to communicate with the outlet of the centrifugal fan.