Compressor Noise Reduction via Flexible Hose Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional therapy devices for the upper respiratory tract, such as TNI and CPAP devices, face issues with noise generation due to side channel compressors, skin irritation from masks, and inefficiency in pressure generation, leading to patient acceptance and operational challenges.
Innovation Solution
The use of flexible connecting hoses between silencers and the compressor to conduct air while minimizing structure-borne noise, combined with a soundproof housing and tuned silencers to attenuate specific sound frequencies, along with an external heat sink for improved cooling and sound insulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stress or pressure
If side channel compressors are used to generate higher pressures for TNI devices, then pressure generation capability is improved, but noise level increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the noise-generating components (side channel compressor) from the main device by placing it in a separate, acoustically isolated housing. The compressor is physically separated from the patient interface and main device body, allowing its noise to be contained and treated independently through acoustic insulation and damping materials in the housing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces acoustic insulation materials and damping elements as intermediaries between the noise source (compressor) and the surrounding environment. These intermediary materials absorb and dissipate sound waves, preventing noise transmission while allowing the compressor to maintain its high-pressure generation capability.
2Stress or pressure
If side channel compressors operate at higher pressures, then pressure generation is improved, but cooling efficiency deteriorates due to lower efficiency compared to centrifugal fans
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the thermal management system into dedicated cooling channels and heat dissipation pathways within the compressor housing. Separate air intake and exhaust channels are provided, allowing optimized airflow patterns that improve cooling efficiency despite the compressor's inherently lower efficiency compared to centrifugal fans.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent addresses the cooling challenge by adding spatial dimensions to the heat dissipation system through external cooling fins and multi-directional airflow channels. This three-dimensional cooling approach increases the surface area for heat transfer and creates multiple pathways for hot air evacuation, compensating for the compressor's lower efficiency.
3Temperature
If cooling fins are added to the side channel compressor housing, then cooling capability is improved, but structure-borne noise transmission increases due to excited oscillations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies damping materials and acoustic insulation layers to the compressor housing and cooling fin structures before noise can be generated and transmitted. These pre-applied cushioning materials absorb vibrational energy and prevent structure-borne noise from propagating to the main device body and patient interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite construction for the compressor housing, combining rigid structural elements (for cooling fin support) with acoustic damping materials and vibration isolation layers. This composite approach allows the housing to maintain structural integrity for effective cooling while simultaneously suppressing structure-borne noise transmission through the integrated damping and isolation materials.
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
This configuration reduces noise transmission, enhances patient comfort by minimizing skin irritation, and improves the efficiency of pressure generation, resulting in a more effective and acceptable therapy device.
Implementation Method 1
Flexible connecting hoses between a front silencer and a compressor as well as the rear silencer and the front silencer can in a surprisingly advantageous manner take over both the conduction of air and the mechanical mounting of the front silencer and the compressor, while the transmission of structure-borne noise is kept low.
Implementation Method 2
tuned silencers to attenuate specific sound frequencies
Implementation Method 3
tuned silencers to attenuate specific sound frequencies
Implementation Method 4
soundproof housing and tuned silencers to attenuate specific sound frequencies
Implementation Method 5
external heat sink for improved cooling and sound insulation
Implementation Method 6
external heat sink for improved cooling and sound insulation
Implementation Method 7
external heat sink for improved cooling and sound insulation
Implementation Method 8
Side channel blowers are more suitable for TNI devices due to the smaller hose diameters and the resulting higher pressures at the inlet of the nasal cannula of 150 mbar
Implementation Method 9
This increases the pressure in the respiratory tract by a few mbar above the ambient pressure
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention relates to a conducting unit for gas, comprising a compressor (101) in a soundproof housing (20, 40) that is provided with an intake port (27, 66) and a blow-off port (24, 69, 70). An intake tube (96) can connect the intake port to the inlet of the compressor while a discharge tube (96) can connect the blow-off port to the outlet of the compressor. A sound absorber (60, 80) encompassing an inlet chamber (73, 97) and an outlet chamber (74, 98) can be accommodated in the soundproof housing. The internal walls of the soundproof housing can be lined with neoprene while metal sheets (131, 133) can be mounted between the soundproof housing and the compressor. An internal cooling member (42) and an internal fan (48, 49) can cool the compressor. A cooling member (41) can form one side (40) of the soundproof housing. An external fan (7) can cool the cooling member. Blind tubes can be used at the inlet and the outlet for absorbing tonal noise. The invention further relates to corresponding conducting methods.