Oxygen Humidifier Pivotable Hatch and Diffuser Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional oxygen humidifiers face issues with cross-threading, cap misplacement, contamination, and the need for high dexterity in cap engagement due to removable caps, as well as inadequate oxygen distribution within the water container.
Innovation Solution
An oxygen humidifier design featuring a pivotable hatch that allows access to the water container without removing the cap, combined with an oxygen diffuser positioned deep within the container to ensure uniform oxygen distribution, and a pressure release valve for safety notifications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a removable cap with mating threads is used for water refilling, then access to the container for adding water is enabled, but cross-threading and mis-threading occur causing seal failure
Solution Approach 1:
The cap is divided into two functional parts: a permanent threaded portion that remains attached to the container to provide refill access, and a removable lid portion that seals the opening. This segmentation eliminates cross-threading issues while maintaining ease of refilling.
Solution Approach 2:
The removable lid portion is nested within the permanent cap structure. The lid fits inside the cap's opening and provides the sealing function, while the cap's threaded portion remains permanently engaged with the container.
2Ease of operation
If a removable cap is completely detached from the container, then water refilling is enabled, but the cap is prone to misplacement, loss, and contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The cap system is segmented into a permanent base portion that stays attached to the container and a removable lid portion. Only the small lid needs to be handled during refilling, reducing the risk of loss and contamination compared to removing an entire large cap.
3Ease of operation
If threaded engagement between cap and container is used, then removable access is achieved, but a relatively high level of dexterity and manual involvement is required
Solution Approach 1:
The threading mechanism is segmented so that only the small lid portion requires threaded engagement, not the entire cap assembly. This reduces the complexity of manual manipulation needed during refilling operations.
4Device complexity
If oxygen is released into the water without a diffuser, then the structure is simple, but oxygen accumulates at the sides of the container rather than distributing uniformly
Solution Approach 1:
The oxygen release system uses local quality by positioning the diffuser at a specific location (deep within the container away from sidewalls) and giving it a specific structure (patterned outlet channels) to achieve uniform distribution, while the rest of the container remains simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The diffuser acts as an intermediary device between the oxygen inlet and the water. It mediates the oxygen release process by distributing it through patterned channels, ensuring uniform distribution throughout the water volume.
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 eliminates cross-threading and cap misplacement issues, simplifies water refilling, and enhances oxygen distribution, providing a more user-friendly and effective humidification process.
Implementation Method 1
The oxygen diffuser has an patterned arrangement of a plurality of outlet channels for widely and uniformly dispersing oxygen into the water away from the sidewall
Implementation Method 2
As the dry oxygen is released into the water and filters up to the surface of the water, water molecules diffuse into the dry oxygen
Data Source
AI summary
According to one specific embodiment, an oxygen humidifier includes a container that defines an interior space. The oxygen humidifier also includes a top portion that is permanently coupled to the container. The top portion includes an opening for accessing the interior space of the container. The humidifier further includes a lid portion that is movably coupled to the top portion. The lid portion is configured to move between a closed configuration and an open configuration. In the closed configuration, the lid portion seals the opening, and in the open configuration, the lid portion allows access to the interior space through the opening. The oxygen humidifier additionally includes an oxygen diffuser positioned within the interior space.