Humidification Chamber With Hinged Integral Lid for Simplified Assembly
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing humidification chambers for respiratory assistance devices face manufacturing complexities and difficulties in integrating thermally conductive heater plates, leading to inefficient heat transfer and cumbersome assembly processes.
Innovation Solution
A humidification chamber design featuring a water tub with a cradle and hingedly coupled lid, where the water tub is formed of thermally conductive material and secured within a discontinuous cradle, allowing for efficient heat transfer and easy assembly, with integrated gas inlets and outlets for streamlined gas flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a rigid plastic receptacle with overmolded heater plate is used, then the humidification chamber structure is stable, but the manufacturing process becomes complicated and difficult to control
Solution Approach 1:
The humidification chamber is divided into separate modular components: a reusable cradle assembly and a removable water tub. The heater plate is integrated with the cradle as a separate heating element, allowing independent manufacturing and assembly. This segmentation simplifies production while maintaining structural stability through precise fit-and-fasten interfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The water tub nests within the cradle assembly, with the heater plate positioned between them. The cradle provides a supportive framework that holds the water tub in place, creating a nested configuration that simplifies assembly while ensuring stable thermal contact for efficient heating.
2Reliability
If overmolding is used to couple the heater plate, then the seal is formed, but the manufacturing process becomes complicated and difficult to control
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing interface is separated into distinct components with dedicated sealing elements. The cradle and water tub have complementary sealing surfaces with integrated O-rings or gaskets that provide reliable sealing without requiring complex overmolding processes. This allows for simpler manufacturing while maintaining seal integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
A separate sealing element (such as an O-ring or gasket) acts as an intermediary between the cradle and water tub, providing the necessary seal without requiring the sealing function to be integrated into the molding process itself. This intermediary component simplifies manufacturing while ensuring reliable sealing.
3Temperature
If the water tub is made of thermally conductive material, then heat transfer efficiency is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The water tub is constructed from composite materials that combine thermal conductivity with ease of manufacturing. A thermally conductive polymer or metal with integrated heating elements provides efficient heat transfer while maintaining manufacturability through standardized production processes. The heater plate is made of thermally conductive material that interfaces directly with the water tub for optimized thermal coupling.
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 design enhances heat transfer efficiency and simplifies manufacturing and assembly, providing a user-friendly and effective humidification solution for respiratory therapies.
Implementation Method 1
The water tub is formed of thermally conductive material... the heater plate contacts a heater pad or heater base upon which the humidification chamber rests and heats the volume of water in the chamber via conduction
Implementation Method 2
As the gases pass over the hot water, or through the heated and humidified air in the humidifier chamber, they become saturated with water vapour
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A humidification chamber (400) for humidifying gases, comprising: a water tub (452) that is configured to receive a volume of water; a lid (456); a gases inlet for receiving a flow of gases into the interior volume of the humidification chamber, the gases inlet (140) having an associated inlet conduit (142); and a gases outlet (150) through which a humidified flow of gases may exit the interior volume of the humidification chamber; the gas outlet having an associated outlet conduit (152); wherein the lid is hingedly coupled to the water tub for enclosing the water tub to define the interior volume of the humidification chamber and which is movable between a closed position in which the water tub is closed by the lid and an open position in which the water tub is open; and wherein the lid and water tub are integrally formed as a single item.