Emergency Breathing Device Unitary Valve Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing emergency breathing devices for avalanche situations are cumbersome, unreliable, and prone to malfunction in low temperatures, often leading to asphyxia due to recirculation of carbon dioxide-rich air, and are structurally fragile.
Innovation Solution
A compact and resistant emergency breathing device with a unitary valve unit featuring slidable ball-type one-way valves made of low-density plastic, which maintains functionality in low temperatures and reduces the risk of damage, combined with a flexible pipe system and a support structure for easy transport.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If traditional breathing devices use flexible diaphragm or duckbill valves, then the device can be manufactured easily, but the valves become unreliable and prone to malfunction in low temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from flexible rubber/diaphragm to rigid plastic, and changes the operational parameter from flexible deformation to rigid sliding. This parameter change makes the valve reliable in low temperatures where flexible materials become brittle, while maintaining ease of manufacture through simple rigid component assembly
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the flexible membrane-based valve mechanism with a rigid sliding shutter mechanism. Instead of relying on elastic deformation of flexible materials, the new system uses rigid components that slide along duct walls, eliminating the temperature-sensitive flexible element while maintaining the one-way flow control function
2Ease of operation
If the device uses a branched T-shaped connection with multiple valve units, then the breathing function is improved, but the device becomes cumbersome and structurally fragile
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple separate valve units and T-shaped connections into a single integrated valve unit with a unified body. The inspiration and expiration valves are combined in one structure, eliminating the need for separate valve assemblies and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining the dual-function breathing capability
Solution Approach 2:
The unified valve unit body serves multiple functions simultaneously: it houses both the inspiration valve and expiration valve, provides structural support for the flexible pipe connections, and acts as the connection point for the mouthpiece. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed
3Ease of operation
If the valve shutters are made of flexible material to allow deformation, then the valves can operate smoothly, but they become sensitive to low temperatures and humidity freezing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from flexible rubber to rigid plastic, fundamentally altering how the valve operates. Instead of deforming elastically like flexible materials, the rigid plastic shutter slides along the duct wall. This parameter change eliminates sensitivity to low temperatures and humidity freezing while maintaining smooth operation through the sliding mechanism
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 device ensures reliable and safe breathing by preventing carbon dioxide recirculation and withstanding harsh environmental conditions, enhancing user safety during avalanches.
Implementation Method 1
a unitary valve unit (16) featuring slidable ball-type one-way valves (30, 32)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
An emergency breathing device, adapted to enable breathing below a snow mass, comprises a mouthpiece (14) connected to an intake duct (22) and to an exhaust duct (24, 28) opening into a discharge zone remote from the inspiration zone, that are associated with a valve unit (16) comprising respective one-way valves (30, 32) to allow air to be inhaled only through the intake duct (22) and air to be exhaled only through the exhaust duct (24, 28). The valve unit (16) comprises a unitary body (18, 26, 42) defining a first connection (20) to be connected to the mouthpiece (14), a second and a third connections (22a, 24a) associated with the intake duct (22) and with the exhaust duct (24, 28), respectively. The valves (30, 32), which are of the slideable shutter type, are formed in part by the second and the third connections s (22, 24), and are directed to opposite directions, so that when one of them (30, 32) is open, the other one (32, 30) is closed.