Flexible Forehead Support for Respiratory Masks

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing forehead supports for respiratory masks can be difficult for patients to adjust correctly due to lack of dexterity or visibility issues, leading to discomfort and inadequate sealing, and they often require complex designs and multiple components, increasing costs and assembly time.

Innovation Solution

A flexible and resilient forehead support that auto-fits by using materials with varying spring constants and recesses, allowing for automatic adjustment and reduced complexity in design, eliminating the need for intricate adjustment mechanisms and multiple parts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a typical adjustable forehead support uses multiple components and intricate adjustment mechanisms, then it can be adjusted to fit different patients, but it increases design complexity, manufacturing cost, and assembly time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadjustability to different patientsVSAvoidnumber of components and assembly steps

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple adjustment mechanisms and components into a single integrated resilient element. The forehead support uses one piece of resilient material that performs multiple functions: positioning, adjustment, and fitting, eliminating the need for separate adjustment mechanisms and reducing assembly complexity while maintaining adaptability to different patients

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The resilient element serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as the forehead support structure, provides adjustment capability through its elastic properties, and enables fitting to different patient faces. This multi-functionality reduces the number of components needed while maintaining versatility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a typical adjustable forehead support requires manual adjustment by the patient, then it can be customized to their face, but it is difficult for patients who lack dexterity or have poor visibility

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecustomization to patient faceVSAvoiddifficulty of adjustment for patients

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The resilient forehead support automatically adjusts and fits to the patient's face without requiring manual intervention. The elastic material naturally conforms to the patient's facial contours and maintains the cushion in the correct position, eliminating the need for patients to perform adjustment operations while still achieving customization

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Stability of the object's composition

If the forehead support uses a rigid structure to maintain position, then it provides stable support, but it cannot accommodate asymmetric facial profiles or provide sufficient flexibility

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveposition stability of cushionVSAvoidflexibility for asymmetric faces

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical parameter of the forehead support from rigid to resilient, using elastic material that can deform and adapt to asymmetric facial profiles while maintaining stable support. The resilient material provides the necessary flexibility to accommodate different face shapes while still maintaining cushion position stability through its elastic recovery

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 auto-fitting forehead support enhances patient comfort by ensuring a proper seal without excessive force on sensitive areas, reduces design and assembly costs, and simplifies the fitting process, while maintaining flexibility to accommodate asymmetric facial profiles.

Implementation Method 1

A flexible and resilient forehead support that auto-fits by using materials with varying spring constants and recesses

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

using materials with varying spring constants and recesses, allowing for automatic adjustment

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpring constant: Hooke's Law

Data Source

PatentUS10173024B2Flexible forehead support

Publication Date: 2019.01.08 RESMED PTY LTD

AI summary

A respiratory mask includes a mask frame and a forehead support provided to the mask frame. The forehead support includes a base extending from the frame. The base includes a flexible portion along at least a portion of its length including a material and/or physical characteristic that allows the base to flex from an original, unloaded position.