Breathing Motion Simulator Cover Guidance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing breathing motion simulators produce operational noise, which is cumbersome in devices designed for quiet environments such as relaxation devices.
Innovation Solution
A breathing motion simulator with a cover guidance system comprising living hinge units that allow translational movement of a cover plate, reducing operational noise and enabling a smaller actuator system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If a breathing motion simulator uses a pump and bladder system to generate repetitive expanding and retracting motion, then the breathing simulation function is achieved, but operational noise is produced which is cumbersome in quiet environments
Solution Approach 1:
The pump is extracted from the housing and positioned externally, separated from the breathing motion simulator components. This removal isolates the noise-generating element from the quiet simulation environment, allowing the bladder to expand and retract without the pump's operational noise interfering with the breathing simulation function.
Solution Approach 2:
A fluid conduit acts as an intermediary between the externally positioned pump and the bladder. The conduit transmits fluid pressure changes from the pump to the bladder without requiring direct mechanical connection, thereby isolating the noise source while maintaining the functional relationship needed for breathing simulation.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If a pump is positioned inside the housing connected to the bladder, then the breathing motion is generated, but vibrations are produced that may affect operation
Solution Approach 1:
The pump is extracted from the housing and repositioned externally. This physical separation removes the vibration source from the simulator's operational environment, preventing vibrations from affecting the breathing motion generation while allowing the pump to continue driving the bladder's expansion and contraction cycles.
Solution Approach 2:
The fluid conduit serves as a mediator that transmits the pump's output to the bladder without direct mechanical coupling. This intermediary connection allows the pump to generate the necessary pressure changes for breathing motion while isolating the vibration-prone pump mechanism from the sensitive simulation components.
3Quantity of substance
If a standard pump system is used for the bladder, then fluid supply is achieved, but the device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a conventional pump design, the invention employs a peristaltic pumping mechanism that uses a rotating roller to compress and advance fluid through a flexible tube. This copied biological pumping action achieves fluid supply with a compact, space-efficient structure that does not increase device size significantly.
Solution Approach 2:
The peristaltic pump utilizes a flexible fluid conduit that can be compressed by the rotating roller. This flexible tube design replaces rigid pump components with thin-walled, collapsible structures that occupy minimal space while maintaining effective fluid transport capability for the bladder.
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 more silent operation, allowing the simulator to be effectively used in relaxation devices like sleep inducers without disturbing the user, and enabling accurate monitoring of physiological characteristics.
Implementation Method 1
The cover guidance comprises at least a first living hinge unit and a second living hinge unit oriented in a non-parallel direction with respect other, wherein each living hinge unit comprises at least three stacked living hinges defining a set of three pivot axes in parallel for allowing a translational movement of the cover plate
Implementation Method 2
an actuator system comprising an inflatable bladder for generating a motion resembling a breathing motion and a pump unit including a pump for supplying air to the bladder
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
Breathing motion simulator (1) for simulating an expanding and retracting movement of a live breathing, comprising a pump (130) and an inflatable bladder (12) for generating a repetitive motion resembling a breathing motion. The simulator (1) comprises a cover plate (11) positioned across the bladder (12) and a cover guidance (14) for linearly guiding the cover plate with respect to a base body (10). The cover guidance (14) comprises at least a first living hinge unit and a second living hinge unit (141, 142) oriented in a non-parallel direction with respect to each other for constraining a rotational movement of the cover plate, wherein each living hinge unit (140) comprises at least three stacked living hinges (151, 152, 153) defining a set of three pivot axes in parallel for allowing a translational movement of the cover plate (11), such that the cover guidance (14) enables a linear movement of the cover plate (11).