Integrated Humidifier Chamber and Lid Design for Respiratory Blower
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current integrated blower/humidifier systems for respiratory assistance are cumbersome for refilling and cleaning, particularly at night, and face issues with water spillage affecting electronic controls, while the compact design hampers heat dissipation and travel convenience due to forgotten humidifier chamber contents.
Innovation Solution
A blower unit with an integrated humidifier compartment and a cooling air flow over the power supply unit, a top-fill humidifier chamber design with a baffle to prevent water splashing, and a carry case that prevents closure with the lid on, ensuring the chamber is emptied before transport.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the blower unit and humidifier unit are integrated into a compact design, then the device size is reduced and space efficiency is improved, but heat dissipation becomes difficult and electronic controls are vulnerable to water spillage
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated unit is divided into distinct functional zones: an electronic controls section with raised positioning and water barrier, a humidifier chamber section, and a heat dissipation section with vents. This segmentation allows each zone to address its specific functional requirements while maintaining overall integration.
Solution Approach 2:
A water barrier or barrier structure is introduced as an intermediary element between the humidifier chamber and electronic controls. This barrier prevents water spillage from reaching electronic components while maintaining the compact integrated design.
2Volume of moving object
If the humidifier chamber is enclosed within the blower unit, then the system becomes more compact, but refilling and cleaning operations become cumbersome especially during nighttime use
Solution Approach 1:
The humidifier chamber is pre-configured with a removable lid and integrated fill port that provides direct access to the water reservoir. This preliminary design arrangement enables users to quickly refill and clean the chamber without disassembling multiple components, especially important for nighttime use.
3Device complexity
If the device is designed as a single integrated unit, then assembly is simplified and portability is improved, but the humidifier chamber cannot be easily removed for cleaning and maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated unit employs a modular design where the humidifier chamber is a separate, removable component from the blower unit. This segmentation allows the chamber to be easily detached for cleaning and maintenance while maintaining the overall integrated structure during normal operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection between the humidifier chamber and blower unit is designed to be dynamically changeable - firmly connected during operation for integrated functionality, but easily separable when cleaning or maintenance is required. This is achieved through removable lids and snap-fit or bayonet-style connectors.
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
Facilitates easier and safer refilling and cleaning, improves heat dissipation within the compact design, and ensures the humidifier chamber is emptied for travel, enhancing user convenience and device reliability.
Implementation Method 1
a cooling air flow over the power supply unit
Implementation Method 2
a baffle to prevent water splashing
Data Source
AI summary
A blower unit for use as part of an integrated blower/humidification system is described. The blower unit has an outer casing, which encloses and forms part of the blower unit, the casing including an air inlet vent. The blower unit further includes a humidifier compartment for receiving a humidifier unit with a separate gases inlet and outlet, the compartment having a heater base for heating the contents of the humidifier unit. The compartment also has a blower inlet port which aligns with the humidifier unit inlet in use, the blower providing a gases path through the casing between the inlet vent and the inlet port. The blower unit also includes a fan for providing a pressurised gases stream along the gases path, and a power supply unit for powering the fan. The gases path is routed over the power supply unit in order to provide a cooling air flow.