Frameless Respiratory Mask Rigid Ring Shroud Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
The complexity of traditional respiratory masks leads to difficulties in assembly, patient discomfort, and gas leaks due to incorrect component connection and disassembly for cleaning.
Innovation Solution
A frameless respiratory mask design featuring a shroud directly removably attached to a rigid ring, which is integrally attached to a flexible cushion, simplifying assembly and disassembly while maintaining gas tightness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a traditional respiratory mask architecture with mask body, frame, shroud, and cushion is used, then structural stability and support are improved, but device complexity increases making assembly difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the mask body and frame from the traditional respiratory mask architecture, extracting only the essential components (shroud and cushion) needed for functionality. This simplification reduces device complexity while maintaining structural stability through direct attachment of the shroud to the cushion via a rigid ring, eliminating unnecessary intermediate structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the shroud and cushion into a more integrated structure by directly attaching the shroud to the rigid ring that is itself attached to the cushion. This merging eliminates the need for separate mask body and frame components, reducing assembly steps and device complexity while preserving structural integrity through the direct connection path.
2Ease of repair
If multiple components (shroud, mask body, cushion) are used in traditional masks, then functional separation and cleaning ease are improved, but assembly errors and gas leaks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The rigid ring serves as an intermediary component between the shroud and the cushion, providing a standardized interface for connection. This intermediary ensures proper alignment and secure attachment, preventing assembly errors that could lead to gas leaks, while still allowing the shroud to be removed for cleaning purposes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent maintains functional separation by allowing the shroud to be detachably attached to the rigid ring, enabling easy removal for cleaning. However, the rigid ring provides a standardized connection interface that ensures proper reassembly and gas tightness, balancing ease of cleaning with reliability.
3Device complexity
If a frameless design with direct shroud-to-cushion attachment is used, then device complexity and assembly difficulty are reduced, but structural support and positioning accuracy may worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The rigid ring is pre-attached to the cushion in a fixed position, establishing a predetermined attachment location for the shroud. This preliminary action ensures that when the shroud is attached, it is automatically positioned correctly relative to the cushion, maintaining positioning accuracy without requiring complex alignment procedures during assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The rigid ring acts as an intermediary that provides a stable attachment interface between the shroud and cushion, ensuring accurate positioning. The ring's rigid structure maintains the geometric relationship between components, preventing misalignment while keeping the overall design simple and frameless.
Data Source
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AI summary
A frameless respiratory mask (1), such as a nasal or facial mask, comprising a shroud (2) comprising an upper arm (20) projecting upwardly and two lateral arms (21) projecting laterally, the upper arm (20) and the two lateral arms (21) being arranged around a central opening (22) traversing the shroud (2), the upper arm (20) and the two lateral arms (21) each comprising a free end (23) with headgear connection structures (24) adapted for connecting a headgear thereto; a rigid ring (4) traversed by an inner passage (40); and a flexible cushion (3) defining a breathing chamber (30), said breathing chamber (30) comprising a gas orifice (31), and a rear opening (32) adapted for receiving at least a part of a patient's face. The rigid ring (4) is sandwiched between the shroud (2) and the flexible cushion (3). The shroud (2) is removably attached directly to the rigid ring (4) and/or to the flexible cushion (3). The gas orifice (31) of the flexible cushion (3) is coaxially arranged and in fluid communication with the central opening (22) of the shroud (2). The respiratory mask of the present invention is useable for treatment of a respiratory disorders or conditions.