Breathing Protector Filter Housing Nested Design
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing breathing protectors for laryngectomized or tracheotomized individuals face challenges in providing a compact, effective heat-moisture exchange and bacterial filtration while minimizing dead space and avoiding contamination, with current designs often being cumbersome, costly to manufacture, and prone to clogging.
Innovation Solution
A breathing protector design comprising a filter housing with an inner and outer housing part, a tracheal tube fitting, and a support structure, where the filter body is arranged between the support structure and the outer housing part, allowing for easy assembly and minimizing contact with contaminants, and using a breathing protector assembling tool to align and secure the components without adhesives.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the filter body is positioned to maximize filtration surface area, then the filtering effect is improved, but the device size and dead space increase
Solution Approach 1:
The filter body is nested within the housing structure, with the support structure extending into the housing to hold the filter body in a compact arrangement. This allows the filter to be positioned efficiently within the limited space of the breathing protector, maximizing filtration surface area without proportionally increasing the overall device volume.
2Reliability
If the filter body is positioned to maximize filtration surface area, then the filtering effect is improved, but the resistance over the device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure is designed with specific geometric features including extensions and positioning elements that create localized support zones. This allows the filter body to be held at optimal positions where airflow can pass efficiently through different sections of the filter, maintaining good filtering effect while minimizing overall resistance to airflow through the device.
3Ease of manufacture
If adhesives are used to secure the filter body, then the manufacturing process is simplified, but the risk of contamination and clogging increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the adhesive component from the assembly process. Instead of using adhesives to secure the filter body, the design employs a mechanical support structure with extensions that physically hold the filter body in position. This removes the source of potential contamination and clogging associated with adhesives while maintaining secure filter positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The support structure acts as an intermediary element between the housing and the filter body. Rather than directly bonding the filter to the housing with adhesive, the support structure mediates the connection through mechanical means, providing secure mounting while preventing contamination pathways that would exist with adhesive bonding.
4Volume of stationary object
If the device is designed to be compact for children, then the dead space is reduced, but the filtration surface area is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The filter body is positioned and oriented within the housing to utilize three-dimensional space efficiently. The support structure enables the filter to be arranged in a configuration that maximizes its surface area exposure to airflow without increasing the external dimensions of the device, allowing adequate filtration capability in a compact form factor suitable for children.
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 solution results in a compact, efficient breathing protector with reduced dead space, effective filtration, and simplified manufacturing, making it suitable for children and reducing the risk of contamination and manufacturing costs.
Implementation Method 1
the convoluted passages and rich blood supply serve to increase both the temperature and humidity of the inhaled air to minimise the differential in these parameters with those of the surface of the lungs
Implementation Method 2
Normally some heat and moisture is also captured from exhaled air prior to its release to the atmosphere
Implementation Method 3
The mucous lining of the nasal passages also serves to remove particulate matter, such as fine dust particles, pollutants and microorganisms, from the inhaled air
Data Source
AI summary
A breathing protector for a tracheostoma is provided. The breathing protector comprises an inlet and an outlet, such that an air flow in use will pass from the surroundings of the user through said inlet to said outlet, into trachea of said user. Further, it comprises a filter housing, said filter housing comprising an inner housing part, an outer housing part, and a filter body. The inner housing part, comprising the outlet, a tracheal tube fitting and a support structure extends longitudinally and distally from the tracheal tube fitting. A base plate is arranged in a proximal zone of the tracheal tube fitting, said base plate extending radially outwards from the tracheal tube fitting. The outer housing par, comprising the inlet, forms a cage enclosing the support structure. The filter body is arranged between the support structure and the outer housing part. An assembly tool and an assembly method thereof are also provided.