Inhalation Device Pressure Relief Valve Safety

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Inhalation devices with compressors and aerosol generators face safety risks due to high pressures that can endanger users or cause device damage, and existing solutions require lower pressures to prevent these issues, limiting the generation of aerosols with optimal properties.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a pressure relief valve in the inhalation device to limit pressure, preventing overpressures and allowing for the generation of aerosols with optimized properties between 1.0 to 2.0 bar, which eliminates the need for additional fastening devices and enhances compressor efficiency by preventing harmful pressures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a compressor provides high pressure for aerosol generation, then aerosol properties are optimized, but user safety and device integrity are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaerosol generation efficiencyVSAvoiduser safety

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The pressure relief valve is pre-configured with a set pressure threshold that automatically activates before dangerous overpressure conditions can develop. This preliminary safety mechanism prevents the system from reaching hazardous pressure levels while still allowing optimal aerosol generation at controlled pressures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The pressure relief valve acts as an intermediary safety component between the compressor and aerosol generator. It mediates the pressure transmission, allowing optimal operating pressures to reach the aerosol generator while intercepting and relieving any excess pressure that would otherwise propagate to dangerous levels.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If pressure is limited to ensure safety, then user safety improves, but aerosol properties are suboptimal

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser safetyVSAvoidaerosol generation quality

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The pressure relief valve is configured with a set pressure that establishes an optimal operating window for aerosol generation. By setting the relief pressure at a specific threshold, the system maintains pressures high enough for effective aerosol production while preventing pressures that would compromise safety, thus optimizing both aerosol quality and user safety simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If no pressure relief valve is used, then device complexity is reduced, but overpressure damage and hose detachment occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem simplicityVSAvoidoverpressure damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The pressure relief valve is designed as a passive, self-regulating component that automatically activates when overpressure occurs, without requiring external control systems, sensors, or power sources. This self-service mechanism provides overpressure protection while adding minimal complexity to the system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Reliability

If fastening devices are used to prevent hose detachment, then connection reliability improves, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehose connection stabilityVSAvoidfastening mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The pressure relief valve converts the potentially harmful effect of overpressure into a beneficial safety feature. By deliberately providing a controlled pressure relief path, the system prevents uncontrolled hose detachment caused by excessive pressure, thereby eliminating the need for additional fastening devices while actually improving connection reliability through pressure management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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 pressure relief valve ensures user safety and device protection by managing pressure within the inhalation device, enabling the production of aerosols with optimal properties while increasing compressor efficiency and reducing the risk of damage from high pressures.

Implementation Method 1

the pressure relief valve is configured to limit a pressure in the inhalation device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure relief valve mechanism: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 2

the compressor is configured to provide a compressed gas for the aerosol generator

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Implementation Method 3

a device for nebulising, distributing and mixing liquid and powdered substances by means of a compressed gas flow, in particular for the generation of aerosols for inhalation purposes

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAerosol generation: Aerosol

Data Source

PatentUS10512737B2Inhalation device

Publication Date: 2019.12.24 PARI GMBH SPEZIALISTEN FUR EFFEKTIVE INHALATION

AI summary

An inhalation device (1) comprising a compressor (2), an aerosol generator (3) and a pressure relief valve (4), wherein the compressor (2) is configured to provide a compressed gas for the aerosol generator (3) and the pressure relief valve (4) is configured to limit a pressure in the inhalation device (1).