Humidifier reservoir
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current respiratory treatment devices for disorders like Obstructive Sleep Apnea, Cheyne-Stokes Respiration, Obesity Hyperventilation Syndrome, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, and Neuromuscular Diseases face challenges with comfort, cost, ease of use, and manufacturability, particularly due to issues with patient interfaces and humidification systems.
Innovation Solution
The development of a respiratory treatment system that includes a patient interface and a humidifier with a reservoir design that varies thermal engagement between a heater plate and a conductive portion based on air pressure, enhancing comfort and efficiency while preventing overfilling, and incorporating a compliant portion for improved thermal contact and ease of use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a rigid seal is used between reservoir base and lid, then sealing reliability is improved, but device complexity and difficulty of assembly increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible seal member comprising a radially extending flange and an axially extending lip that flexibly engages between the base and lid. This flexible membrane structure provides reliable sealing while accommodating manufacturing tolerances and simplifying assembly, eliminating the need for complex rigid sealing mechanisms.
2Productivity
If thermal contact between heater plate and reservoir is maximized, then humidification efficiency is improved, but risk of overheating and overfilling increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a biasing mechanism that dynamically adjusts the thermal engagement between the heater plate and reservoir base. The spring-loaded or resilient biasing element maintains optimal thermal contact for efficient humidification while automatically reducing contact pressure under excessive heat conditions, preventing overheating and overfilling through dynamic adaptation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the thermal contact parameter dynamically through the biasing mechanism. By varying the contact pressure between heater plate and reservoir base according to operating conditions, the system optimizes heat transfer efficiency while preventing harmful overheating effects.
3Manufacturing precision
If fixed thermal engagement is used between heater plate and reservoir, then manufacturing precision is improved, but adaptability to different operating conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient biasing mechanism transforms fixed thermal engagement into a dynamic system that automatically adapts to varying operating conditions including air pressure changes. The spring-loaded design maintains consistent thermal contact without requiring high manufacturing precision, accommodating tolerances while providing adaptability.
4Reliability
If complex retention mechanisms are used to secure reservoir to dock, then reliability of connection is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The retainer is segmented into resilient arms with latch features that independently engage with corresponding features on the dock. This segmentation allows simple snap-fit installation while maintaining reliable connection, enabling easy user operation without complex mechanisms.
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 system provides improved comfort and efficacy in treating respiratory disorders by optimizing air pressure delivery and humidification, reducing costs, and enhancing manufacturability through innovative design features.
Implementation Method 1
a compressible resilient portion configured to seal between the base and the lid
Implementation Method 2
with a reaction force to the compression of the compressible resilient portion urging the protrusion and the recess into engagement with one another
Data Source
AI summary
A reservoir configured to retain a volume of liquid for use in an apparatus for humidifying a flow of pressurised air comprises a base portion and a lid portion. The reservoir may be configured to improve its level of thermal contact to the heater plate using the flow of pressurised air. The reservoir may be configured to improve thermal contact between the reservoir and the heater plate by pre-compression upon engagement of the reservoir with the humidifier. The reservoir may comprise a removable intermediate portion, which may include the inlet tube and/or the outlet tube, for improved access for cleaning. The reservoir may also be configured to prevent overfilling. Overfill prevention features in the reservoir may include defined flow egress paths and/or formation of air locks.