Breathing Mask Actuator for Snoring Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current sleep paraphernalia lacks an effective solution to reduce snoring, as existing devices do not adequately address the need for minimizing airflow restriction during wakefulness while providing sufficient airway pressure to prevent snoring during sleep.
Innovation Solution
A breathing mask with a flow control module, actuator, and controller that restricts exhalation airflow only when the user is asleep, using an inlet check valve and adjustable outlet port to increase airway pressure, thereby reducing snoring by stiffening the airway and stabilizing breathing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If airflow restriction is applied to increase airway pressure, then snoring is reduced, but user comfort deteriorates during wakefulness
Solution Approach 1:
The flow control module dynamically adjusts airflow restriction based on the user's state. During wakefulness, the outlet port remains open allowing free airflow and comfort. During sleep, the actuator restricts the outlet port to increase airway pressure and reduce snoring. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by applying restriction only when necessary.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller receives feedback about the user's sleep state and automatically adjusts the flow control module accordingly. When the user transitions to sleep, the controller activates the actuator to restrict airflow. This feedback mechanism ensures airflow restriction is applied only during sleep when snoring occurs, maintaining comfort during wakefulness.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If airflow restriction is increased to stabilize airway, then snoring reduction improves, but breathing resistance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flow control module applies airflow restriction locally at the outlet port while maintaining open inhalation pathways through the inlet check valve. This localized restriction increases airway pressure during exhalation to reduce snoring without significantly increasing resistance during inhalation, as the check valve provides a dedicated open path for inhalation.
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 breathing mask effectively reduces snoring by increasing airway pressure during exhalation, stabilizing the airway and extending exhalation time, while minimizing discomfort during wakefulness by allowing free airflow and adjusting restrictions based on sleep state detection.
Implementation Method 1
an inlet check valve configured to open in response to a decrease in air pressure inside the manifold
Implementation Method 2
restricting airflow out of the outlet port when the user exhales, thereby increasing pressure within the user's airway during exhalation
Data Source
AI summary
One variation of a method--for controlling a breathing mask comprising a flow control module configured to mate to nostrils of a user and comprising an actuator configured to adjust obstruction to airflow out of the flow control module--includes: accessing a wake alarm time; accessing a sleep delay duration; at a first time, receiving an indicator that the user is preparing for sleep; in response to receiving the indicator, triggering the actuator to transition from a minimum-restriction position toward a maximum-restriction position at a second time succeeding the first time by the sleep delay duration, the actuator minimally obstructing airflow out of outlet port in the minimum-restriction position and maximally obstructing airflow out of outlet port in the maximally-restriction position; and, prior to the wake alarm time, triggering the actuator to transition back to the minimum-restriction position.