Breathing Protector Valve Mechanism Using Resilient Filter Spring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing breathing protectors for laryngectomized or tracheotomized individuals face challenges in maximizing moisturizing effect while maintaining a small size, minimizing resistance, and preventing contamination during speech without using glue or straining the heat-moisture exchanger, and require a simpler spring mechanism to manufacture.
Innovation Solution
A breathing protector design featuring a resilient heat-moisture exchanging filter that automatically opens the lid, utilizing radial or diagonal arms and a valve mechanism with a rail and ribs to maximize filter volume and prevent accidental closure, and incorporating a flexible cover to reduce strain and contamination risks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a large surface area heat-moisture exchanger is used to maximize moisturizing effect, then the filtering efficiency is improved, but the device size increases and resistance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heat-moisture exchanger is nested within the housing structure with radial or diagonal arms that fold or collapse when the lid closes, allowing a large surface area filter to be contained within a compact device footprint. The filter material is arranged in a space-efficient configuration that maximizes surface area within the limited volume of the housing.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat-moisture exchanger incorporates a resilient or flexible structure that can dynamically change its configuration. When the lid is open, the filter expands to provide maximum surface area for moisturizing and filtering. When the lid closes during speech, the filter compresses or folds to minimize resistance and accommodate the closed state.
2Ease of operation
If a traditional spring mechanism and piston are used to control the lid, then the lid can be opened and closed, but the effective volume of the filter is decreased and manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spring mechanism is merged with the heat-moisture exchanger structure itself. The resilient filter material serves dual purposes: as the filtering/moisturizing medium and as the return mechanism that pushes the lid open. This eliminates the need for a separate piston and spring assembly, maximizing the filter volume and simplifying manufacturing.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat-moisture exchanger structure performs multiple functions: filtering, moisturizing, and providing the mechanical force to open the lid. The radial or diagonal arms of the exchanger act as both structural support and as the mechanism that cooperates with the valve seat to control lid movement, eliminating the need for dedicated closing mechanisms.
3Ease of operation
If the lid is held closed by finger pressure during speech, then speech is enabled, but the filter becomes contaminated by transfer of impurities from the finger
Solution Approach 1:
A flexible cover or membrane is introduced as an intermediary between the user's finger and the filter. This cover allows the user to press on it to close the lid during speech, while preventing direct contact between the finger and the filter, thus avoiding contamination. The cover acts as a barrier that transmits the closing force without transferring impurities.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible cover is made of a thin, deformable material that can be pressed by the finger to close the lid but maintains a barrier function. This thin film allows mechanical force transmission while preventing contamination, enabling speech capability without compromising filter cleanliness.
4Reliability
If a centralized piston and spring mechanism is used to close the lid, then the lid can be secured, but the risk of accidental occlusion increases and the mechanism is more complex to manufacture
Solution Approach 1:
The closing mechanism is segmented into multiple radial or diagonal arms distributed around the housing rather than a single centralized piston. Each arm can independently engage with the valve seat, distributing the closing force and reducing the risk of complete occlusion. This segmented approach simplifies manufacturing compared to a complex centralized mechanism while maintaining secure closure.
Solution Approach 2:
The radial or diagonal arms are asymmetrically arranged around the housing, with each arm positioned to engage with corresponding features on the valve seat. This asymmetric configuration provides stable, secure closure while preventing accidental occlusion, as the arms are designed to engage in a specific sequence or configuration that requires intentional user action rather than accidental activation.
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 design achieves enhanced moisturizing and filtering efficiency with reduced resistance, allows for easy closure during speech without contamination, and simplifies manufacturing by using a resilient filter as both a heat-moisture exchanger and return spring, ensuring the device remains secure and functional.
Implementation Method 1
The convoluted passages and rich blood supply serve to increase both the temperature and humidity of the inhaled air
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 resiliency of the heat-moisture exchanging filter forces the lid into the open position
Data Source
AI summary
A breathing protector to be fitted in a tracheostoma is provided. The breathing protector comprises a filter housing (100, 200, 300) with a central axis, a distal end, a proximal end, a first opening (101, 201, 301), and a second opening (102, 202, 302), wherein said second opening (102, 202, 302) is located in a proximal end of said filter housing (100, 200, 300), and said first opening (101, 201, 301) is located distally of said second opening (102, 202, 302), such that said first opening (101, 201, 301) is located upstream said second opening (102, 202, 302) during inhalation. The breathing protector further comprises a heat-moisture exchanging filter (103, 203, 303) received in said filter housing (100, 200, 300), wherein said heat-moisture exchanging filter (103, 203, 303) is resilient; a valve seat (105, 205, 305) around said first opening (101, 201, 301); a rail, located circumferentially of said valve seat (105, 205, 305), extending axially and distally from said first opening (101, 201, 301), said rail having at least one aperture (108, 208, 308) in the side wall thereof; a valve member (109, 209, 309), arranged in a transversal plane to the central axis, adapted to closingly engage with the valve seat (105, 205, 305) in a closed position, said valve member (109, 209, 309) being reciprocatingly arranged within said rail (106, 206, 306) between the closed position and an open position; and a return spring pressing the valve member (109, 209, 309) axially and distally into the open position, wherein the heat-moisture exchanging filter (103, 203) is the return spring.