Adjustable Mask Forehead Support With Pivoting Rail for Secure Fit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing forehead supports for masks are often not adjustable, bulky, or have complicated designs, leading to an insecure and uncomfortable fit, which is crucial for maintaining a gas-tight connection between the mask and the patient's face during ventilation.
Innovation Solution
A forehead support adjustment mechanism comprising a support arm, cushion holder, connecting element, rail with guide grooves, and sliding element, allowing for pivoting of the forehead support about a pivot axis through a sliding mechanism, with discrete markings for precise positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing forehead supports are used, then the mask can be worn, but the fit is insecure and uncomfortable due to lack of adjustability
Solution Approach 1:
The forehead support is transformed from a fixed structure to a dynamic, adjustable one through the sliding mechanism. The support arm can be positioned at multiple discrete locations along the rail using the sliding element with locking feature, allowing adaptation to different forehead shapes and sizes while maintaining secure fit.
2Device complexity
If existing forehead supports are used, then the mask structure is simple, but the design is bulky and complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The forehead support is divided into functional segments: the support arm, the rail with guide grooves, the sliding element with pin and guide element, and the locking mechanism. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently while keeping the overall design compact and avoiding bulkiness.
Solution Approach 2:
The sliding element is inserted into the rail structure, and the pin is mounted within the sliding element. The guide element is positioned within the guide groove. This nested arrangement minimizes the overall footprint and eliminates the need for separate mounting structures, maintaining design simplicity.
3Measurement precision
If existing forehead supports are used, then the mask can be worn, but precise positioning is difficult without alignment markings
Solution Approach 1:
Discrete markings are provided on the rail or support arm to indicate specific pivot positions. These visual indicators (which may use color contrast or symbolic markings) enable precise positioning of the forehead support by allowing the user to align the support at predetermined locations along the rail, ensuring optimal fit and comfort.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a forehead support adjustment for a mask (1), wherein the forehead support adjustment comprises at least one forehead support (5) consisting of a support arm (6) and a pad holder (9), a connecting element (16), a rail (17) with at least one guide groove (20), and a sliding element (10), and wherein the sliding element has at least one sliding plate (26), at least one pin (25), and a guide element (29), wherein the at least one pin is rotatably and slidably mounted in the at least one guide groove of the rail, and wherein the sliding element is movably connected to the support arm. The forehead support adjustment is characterized in that the forehead support adjustment is arranged such that moving the sliding element along the rail causes the forehead support to pivot about at least one pivot axis D.