Ergonomic Air Filtration Device with 3D V-Pleats
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing respiratory protective masks and respirators often restrict natural breathing, cause discomfort due to facial movement limitations, and fail to provide complete protection from airborne contaminants, leading to potential exposure issues.
Innovation Solution
An ergonomic protective air filtration device featuring a stack of air-permeable materials with three-dimensional V-shaped pleats and a retaining mechanism that securely fits over the nose and mouth, providing a breathing chamber with enhanced filtration efficiency and comfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional masks and respirators are used to provide respiratory protection, then filtration of airborne contaminants is achieved, but natural breathing is restricted and facial movement is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces three-dimensional V-shaped pleats that extend from the periphery into the layered structure, creating a convex body with increased surface area. This dimensional transformation allows the filtration media to expand into the breathing chamber space, providing effective filtration while maintaining adequate airflow pathways that reduce breathing resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The device divides the breathing chamber into multiple segments created by the V-shaped pleats, which partition the internal space while maintaining airflow. The layered structure is also segmented with multiple filtration layers positioned at different depths, allowing air to pass through multiple filtering surfaces without creating excessive resistance.
2Reliability
If high barrier masks are used to block contaminants, then protection level is improved, but heat accumulates in the breathing chamber causing discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different properties to different regions of the device. The V-shaped pleats create localized channels and void spaces within the breathing chamber that facilitate heat dissipation, while the peripheral layers maintain high filtration efficiency. This spatial differentiation allows simultaneous achievement of high protection and thermal comfort.
3Reliability
If respirators are properly fitted to exceed protection levels, then seal and protection are improved, but facial movement is restrained and speech is affected
Solution Approach 1:
The device employs a dynamic sealing mechanism where the elastic layers and V-shaped pleats can deform and adapt to facial movements. The retaining means secures the device while allowing controlled movement, maintaining the seal during speech and facial expressions without requiring excessive tightness that would restrict natural movement.
4Reliability
If filtration layers are increased to improve particle filtering, then filtration efficiency is improved, but air flow resistance increases making inhalation and exhalation difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the filtration structure from a flat two-dimensional arrangement to a three-dimensional configuration with V-shaped pleats extending into the breathing chamber. This creates multiple filtration surfaces that air can access sequentially, increasing the effective filtration area without proportionally increasing the pressure drop, as air flows through a distributed network of pathways rather than a single thick barrier.
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 device offers reduced air resistance, improved breathability, and effective filtration of submicron particles and biological agents, ensuring a snug fit and unrestricted facial movement while maintaining high respiratory protection levels.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of three-dimensional V-shaped pleats extending from the periphery and into the arrangement of layers to form a convex body
Implementation Method 2
an arrangement of at least two layers of an air permeable material
Implementation Method 3
a retaining means engaging the convex body of the device to secure the device to a face of a wearer and to create a breathing chamber
Data Source
AI summary
Ergonomic protective air filtration devices and methods for manufacturing the same are disclosed herein. An ergonomic protective air filtration device includes a stack of at least two layers of an air permeable material, the stack forming a body, a periphery, and a back; a plurality of intersecting three-dimensional V-shaped pleats extending from the periphery and into the stack of layers, so the back of the device defines a breathing chamber adapted to cover a mouth and a nose of the wearer; and a retaining means engaging the body of the device to secure the device to a face of the wearer and to create the breathing chamber. The ergonomic protective air filtration device provides protection against contaminated droplets, fluid splashes, solid particulates, pathogenic microorganisms, or aerosoled air pollutions.