Exhalation Valve With Adjustable Outlet for Turbulence-Free Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing exhalation valves often cause turbulence and pressure buildup due to constrictions in the airflow path, limiting the ability to redirect airflow effectively and complicating assembly and operation.
Innovation Solution
The exhalation valve design features an adjustable outlet opening in the annular channel, allowing redirection of airflow without turbulence, facilitated by a cover that can be rotated or displaced to vary the outlet direction, and a snap connection for easy assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the outlet opening is fixed in position on the exhalation valve, then the structure is simple, but the airflow direction cannot be redirected without moving the valve itself
Solution Approach 1:
The outlet opening is made adjustable by providing multiple predetermined positions around the annular channel, allowing the airflow direction to be dynamically changed without moving the valve body. This enables adaptability in airflow redirection while maintaining a relatively simple fixed-valve structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The outlet opening is divided into multiple discrete positions arranged around the annular channel. By selecting different positions, the airflow direction can be segmented into various directions, providing versatility without requiring a completely complex adjustable mechanism.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the outlet opening is located away from the branch connection, then the valve structure is simpler, but turbulence and pressure buildup occur due to constrictions in the airflow path
Solution Approach 1:
The outlet opening is strategically positioned in the area of the branch connection where the airflow naturally exits. This local positioning ensures that the exhaled gas can leave immediately without flowing through additional constrictions, eliminating turbulence and pressure buildup at critical locations.
Solution Approach 2:
The annular channel serves as an intermediary structure that directly connects the branch connection to the outlet opening. This intermediate pathway allows smooth airflow transition without sharp constrictions, reducing turbulence and pressure buildup while maintaining efficient gas evacuation.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the outlet opening has a reduced diameter to balance pressure difference, then noise is reduced, but the flow capacity for exhaled gas is limited
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of reducing the outlet diameter to lower noise, the solution transitions to a different dimensional approach by optimizing the outlet opening's position and shape in the annular channel. The outlet opening can maintain sufficient diameter for high flow capacity while its strategic positioning and streamlined design reduce turbulence-induced noise.
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
Ensures laminar airflow and easy assembly by allowing airflow redirection without turbulence and pressure buildup, while maintaining a simple construction.
Implementation Method 1
no compressed air is applied when the patient exhales. In the latter case, the air exhaled by the patient can lift the diaphragm and escape through the outlet opening
Implementation Method 2
The snap connection can be realized by an inward-facing projection on the cover and a complementary locking recess in the wall (or vice versa)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
AI summary
The present invention relates to an exhalation valve for a respiratory set comprising: a main body (2), the main body comprising the following: a hollow through-duct (3) with an inlet (3a) and an outlet (3b), the inlet (3a) being provided to receive respiratory gas from a ventilator, and the outlet (3b) being provided to supply the respiratory gas received from the ventilator to a patient; a branch piece (4), which is arranged between the inlet (3a) and the outlet (3b) and has a free end (4a); an annular duct (5), which is delimited on the outside by a wall (5b), surrounds the branch piece (4), preferably concentrically, and likewise has a free end (5a); at least one outlet opening (6) for respiratory gas that is exhaled by the patient, returned via the outlet (3b) and branched off via the branch piece (4); a cover (7) with a connection (7a) for connecting a compressed air control line; a membrane (8), which is arranged at the free ends (4a, 5a) of the branch piece (4) and of the wall (5b) and makes it possible, depending on the pressure present on the side of the membrane (8) facing away from the respective open end (4a, 5a), for respiratory gas exhaled by the patient and branched off via the branch piece (4) to pass into the annular duct (5), wherein an outlet opening (6) which is variable in the outlet direction of the respiratory gas is provided on the annular duct (5) in the region of the branch piece (4).