Bi-Directional Exhalation Valve With Paddle Ports for Mini CPAP
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing CPAP devices are cumbersome and difficult to use, especially for sleep apnea treatment, due to the need for masks that deliver air pressure, which can cause discomfort and require frequent cleaning to prevent bacterial and viral buildup, and existing miniature CPAP devices lack efficient bi-directional valves for easy airflow in both inhalation and exhalation.
Innovation Solution
A bi-directional valve with a center chamber, side chambers, and elongated compartment, featuring bidirectional and unidirectional ports, and a paddle mechanism that allows for easy airflow in both directions, reducing resistance and improving comfort during exhalation by using a shaft to pivot paddles and control port openings, suitable for both miniature and conventional CPAP devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional CPAP device with a mask is used to deliver air pressure, then the airway can be kept open during sleep, but the device becomes cumbersome and requires frequent cleaning to prevent bacterial and viral buildup
Solution Approach 1:
The valve is divided into multiple independent chambers (first chamber, second chamber, third chamber) that can function semi-independently. Each chamber has its own paddle mechanism that can open or close ports autonomously based on pressure differentials, allowing the valve to maintain reliability while simplifying the overall structure and reducing cleaning requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The valve employs passive pressure-responsive paddle mechanisms that automatically open or close ports based on pressure differentials without requiring external control systems. The paddles are biased by springs and respond autonomously to pressure changes, eliminating the need for complex electronics and reducing maintenance needs
2Volume of moving object
If a miniature CPAP device is used to reduce size, then portability is improved, but efficient bi-directional airflow control becomes challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The valve design nests multiple chambers and paddle mechanisms within a compact cylindrical structure. The first chamber contains a paddle mechanism, the second chamber contains another paddle mechanism, and the third chamber houses the spring assembly, creating a space-efficient nested configuration that maintains full bi-directional airflow functionality in a miniature form factor
Solution Approach 2:
The valve utilizes the radial dimension by arranging chambers and ports around the circumference of the cylindrical body. Bidirectional ports are positioned at different angular locations, allowing efficient bi-directional airflow control in a compact radial layout rather than requiring linear extension
3Ease of operation
If a bi-directional valve is designed with multiple chambers and paddle mechanisms, then airflow control in both directions is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The valve employs identical paddle mechanisms in the first and second chambers, each with a paddle, spring, and biasing arrangement. This homogeneous design allows the complex functionality to be achieved through repetition of simple, standardized components rather than requiring unique complex mechanisms for each function
4Productivity
If unidirectional ports are added to provide fluid ingress, then the first mode of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bidirectional ports serve multiple functions: they allow fluid ingress during the first mode of operation when the first paddle opens, and they allow fluid egress during the second mode of operation when the second paddle opens. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated inlet and outlet ports, reducing overall port complexity while maintaining full operational capability
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 bi-directional valve enhances user comfort by reducing pressure resistance during exhalation, making CPAP devices more efficient and easier to use, while maintaining hygiene by minimizing the need for frequent cleaning and improving airflow management.
Implementation Method 1
a shaft supporting the center paddle and the plurality of side paddles along the length of the shaft, the shaft disposed in the elongated compartment of the valve body and allowed to pivot to cause the center paddle and the plurality of side paddles to open and close the input and output ports
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a bi-directional exhalation valve useful for many applications such as in CPAP devices. The exhalation valve includes a valve body having a center chamber, side chambers, and bidirectional ports coupled to the center chamber via passages and a mechanism that provides fluid ingress into the bi-directional valve in a first mode of operation or fluid egress from the bi-directional valve in a second mode of operation. Unidirectional ports are coupled to the plurality of bidirectional ports to provide providing fluid egress from the valve in the second mode of operation, and a unidirectional port provides fluid ingress into the bi-directional valve in the first mode of operation. A mechanism including a center paddle, side paddles, and a shaft are arranged in an elongated compartment of the valve body, such that the shaft is pivots and the central and side paddles open and close corresponding ones of the input and output ports.