UVGI Mask with Active Airflow and Sanitization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current disposable face masks pose health hazards due to inadequate safety and comfort, as they retain heat and moisture, and are difficult to breathe and speak through.
Innovation Solution
A personal protective equipment system incorporating a mask with an ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI) stage, featuring air intake and exit chambers with UV LED circuits, fans, and a transparent shield for improved air flow and sanitation, along with optional features like particulate filters and voice amplification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If disposable face masks are used, then protection against pathogens is provided, but breathing difficulty and moisture retention increase
Solution Approach 1:
The mask is divided into multiple functional layers including a transparent shield, frame, interior volume, and separate air handling system with intake and exhaust pathways. This segmentation allows each layer to perform its specific function while maintaining overall breathing comfort and pathogen protection.
Solution Approach 2:
A transparent shield is introduced as an intermediary element between the user's face and the external environment. This shield provides pathogen protection while allowing visibility and being integrated with a frame that houses air handling components to improve breathing comfort.
2Reliability
If traditional masks are used, then pathogen barrier function is achieved, but heat and moisture retention worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The mask incorporates a fan-driven pneumatic system that actively moves air through intake pathways, across UV irradiation chambers, and through the interior volume to the exhaust. This active air movement prevents heat and moisture buildup while maintaining pathogen barrier function through controlled airflow and filtration.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the mask have specialized functions: the transparent shield provides protection and visibility, the frame houses air handling components, the interior volume provides sealed interaction space, and specific pathways are dedicated to air intake and exhaust. This local specialization optimizes both pathogen protection and thermal comfort.
3Reliability
If UVGI stage is added to mask, then air sanitization is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The UVGI stage is merged with the air handling system of the mask. UV LEDs are integrated into the frame structure, positioned to irradiate air in the interior volume and exhaust pathways. This combination achieves air sanitization while utilizing existing mask components rather than adding completely separate systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The frame serves multiple functions: it provides structural support for the transparent shield, houses the air intake and exhaust pathways, contains the UVGI irradiation chambers, and supports the fan assembly. This multi-functionality reduces overall device complexity by eliminating the need for separate components for each function.
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
Enhances user safety and comfort by providing sanitized air and effective UV irradiation of inhaled and exhaled air, reducing the risk of infection and improving breathing and communication.
Implementation Method 1
a first UV LED circuit array disposed within the entry chamber, the first UV LED circuit functions to irradiate a volume of air passing through the entry chamber
Implementation Method 2
a fan in the UVGI to drive the volume of air to pass through the intended personal protective equipment
Data Source
AI summary
A personal protective equipment system including a face mask and an ultraviolet germicidal irradiation stage to irradiate incoming volume of air before being introduced to the user. There is included a flexible printed circuit enclosed within a housing of the face mask, the flexible printed circuit having an array of UV LED circuits. A fan is provided to drive the volume of air through a passage within the mask.