UVC LED Face Mask Modules Near Rotational Axes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing protective masks that combine mechanical air filtration and UVC exposure are uncomfortable due to added weight and moment of inertia, which affects compliance, as the UVC light sources and supporting components are typically located in front of the wearer's face.
Innovation Solution
A reusable protective mask design with UVC LEDs and supporting elements packaged in modules located on both sides of the mask, close to the head's rotational axes, minimizing angular momentum and using a replaceable air filter with a flow rate sensor and controller to optimize UVC exposure and battery life, while maintaining transparency for improved communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If UVC light sources and supporting components are located in front of the wearer's face, then UVC exposure effectiveness is improved, but weight and moment of inertia increase causing discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional placement of UVC light sources by moving them from the front of the face to the back of the mask, near the wearer's ears. This inversion maintains UVC exposure effectiveness while eliminating the front-heaviness that causes discomfort and reduces compliance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent repositions components from a frontal arrangement to a lateral/rear arrangement along the jawline. This spatial reconfiguration moves the weight distribution from the front of the face to the sides and back, reducing the moment of inertia and improving wearing comfort.
2Ease of operation
If mask is made translucent or transparent for communication, then facial expression visibility is improved, but UVC light transmission may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The mask is segmented into distinct functional zones: translucent/transparent panels for communication and communication, and dedicated UVC exposure chambers with reflective surfaces for pathogen inactivation. This segmentation allows each zone to optimize its specific function without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces reflective surfaces and dedicated UVC chambers as intermediaries between the external environment and the wearer's face. These intermediaries ensure that UVC light is effectively delivered to inactivate pathogens while the translucent mask material allows communication to proceed uninterrupted.
3Ease of operation
If UVC LEDs and supporting elements are packaged in modules on both sides of the mask, then moment of inertia is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the UVC LED, heat sink, flow rate sensor, and control electronics into integrated modules that can be manufactured as single units. This consolidation reduces the number of separate components and simplifies assembly, offsetting the complexity increase from adding modular units to both sides of the mask.
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 provides effective mechanical air filtration and UVC exposure with reduced discomfort, improved positioning, and enhanced communication, ensuring secure fit and efficient pathogen inactivation with minimal turbulence and extended battery life.
Implementation Method 1
UVC LEDs are used along with electronics and other hardware needed for operation
Implementation Method 2
UVC radiation inactivates pathogens by modifying their genetic material, DNA and RNA
Implementation Method 3
The flow chamber has a reflective inner coating or separate liner to reflect the UVC light
Implementation Method 4
The module includes an air flow rate sensor and a controller
Data Source
AI summary
A protective mask for filtering out and effectively killing harmful organisms includes a transparent or translucent covering for the wearer's mouth. One or more resilient straps hold the covering over the wearer's mouth. Two modules, one at each edge of the covering, are located behind the edge of the eye sockets to reduce the moment of inertia when the wearer turns her head or moves her head up or down. Each module contains two UVC LEDs injecting light into a reflective chamber. A flow rate sensor in the chamber detects a flow rate of inhaled and exhaled air, and a controller supplies current to the LEDs generally proportional to the air flow. To remove heat from the LEDs, the LEDs are thermally coupled to heat sinks, a thermally conductive body of the modules, a thermally conductive grill, a thermally conductive receptacle for the modules, and thermally conductive straps.