Breathing Mask Cushion with Segmented Support and Thin Membrane
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing breathing masks with single-membrane cushions face challenges in achieving both comfort and effective sealing, often resulting in air leakage due to insufficient support force, which can cause discomfort and treatment failure.
Innovation Solution
A cushion design featuring a thin membrane face contact portion with outwardly and inwardly extending portions that form sealing areas, a support portion with a pressure support and contact support structure, and a connection portion that reduces the required support force while maintaining a firm seal, using a flexible material to accommodate irregular facial shapes and reduce pressure on sensitive areas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the pressure between the cushion and the face is increased to achieve firm sealing, then the sealing reliability is improved, but the comfort level deteriorates due to excessive contact stress causing marks, red spots and ulcers
Solution Approach 1:
The cushion is divided into a support portion and a face contact portion made of different materials with different properties. The support portion uses a first material optimized for structural support, while the face contact portion uses a second material specifically designed for comfortable facial contact, allowing each portion to be optimized for its specific function without compromise
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the cushion are made with different material properties tailored to their specific functions. The face contact portion has different physical characteristics (softer, more compliant) compared to the support portion, creating local optimization where each area has the quality needed for its particular role in the sealing system
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the pressure between the cushion and the face is reduced to improve comfort, then the comfort level is improved, but the sealing reliability deteriorates due to air leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The cushion is divided into a support portion and a face contact portion made of different materials with different properties. The support portion uses a first material optimized for structural support, while the face contact portion uses a second material specifically designed for comfortable facial contact, allowing each portion to be optimized for its specific function without compromise
Solution Approach 2:
The cushion is constructed as a composite structure combining two different materials: a first material for the support portion and a second material for the face contact portion. This composite construction allows the system to simultaneously achieve firm sealing through the support structure and comfortable low-stress contact through the specialized face contact material
3Ease of manufacture
If a single-membrane cushion structure is used to simplify manufacturing, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the sealing reliability deteriorates due to insufficient support force
Solution Approach 1:
The cushion is divided into a support portion and a face contact portion made of different materials with different properties. The support portion uses a first material optimized for structural support, while the face contact portion uses a second material specifically designed for comfortable facial contact, allowing each portion to be optimized for its specific function without compromise
Solution Approach 2:
The cushion is constructed as a composite structure combining two different materials: a first material for the support portion and a second material for the face contact portion. This composite construction allows the system to simultaneously achieve firm sealing through the support structure and comfortable low-stress contact through the specialized face contact material
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 cushion provides a reliable and comfortable sealing solution by forming multiple sealing points and areas, minimizing air leakage and reducing facial irritation, allowing for longer treatment sessions with improved patient comfort and treatment efficacy.
Implementation Method 1
the face contact portion is formed by a thin membrane... using a flexible material to accommodate irregular facial shapes
Implementation Method 2
If a firm sealing is required, the pressure on the contact between the cushion and the face should be increased
Data Source
AI summary
A cushion for a breathing mask and a breathing mask. The cushion includes a connection portion for connecting to a frame or an elbow assembly of the breathing mask; a face contact portion for getting in contact with the face of a patient, wherein the face contact portion is formed by a thin membrane; and a support portion which is connected between the connection portion and the face contact portion, wherein the face contact portion has an outwardly extending portion which extends from the support portion to the exterior of the cushion and an inwardly extending portion which extends from the outer circumference side of the outwardly extending portion to the interior of the cushion in at least partial area.