Lip Muscle Strengthening Device with Electrode Feedback

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional mouth breathing prevention devices fail to effectively strengthen lip muscles and maintain stable nasal breathing due to low exercise effect and potential lip discomfort from continuous contact.

Innovation Solution

A lip muscle strengthening device comprising an upper and lower plate with electrodes, an outer support plate, and a pressure recognition unit that allows users to voluntarily close their lips, recognizing the closed state through electrode contact and providing an alarm for release, enhancing muscle exercise and comfort.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a projection is arranged between the lips to prevent mouth breathing, then the lips are prevented from spreading, but the exercise effect of the lip muscle is low and it is difficult to stably maintain a closed state of the lips

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestability of closed lip stateVSAvoidvoluntary lip closing ability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a feedback mechanism where a sensor detects when the lips are closed and provides real-time feedback to the user through a display or alarm. This allows users to voluntarily close their lips and receive confirmation, thereby improving both the stability of the closed state and the user's ability to maintain it consciously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The device enables users to self-monitor and self-correct their lip closing behavior through the feedback system. Users can voluntarily close their lips and the system automatically detects and confirms the closed state, reducing the need for external intervention or complex mechanical constraints.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If a projection continuously maintains contact with the lips to prevent mouth breathing, then mouth breathing is inhibited, but the lips may be hurt due to friction or collision with the projection

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemouth breathing preventionVSAvoidlip injury from friction

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical projection-based system with an electronic sensing system. Instead of using a physical projection that continuously contacts and potentially injures the lips, the system uses sensors to detect lip closure and provides feedback, eliminating friction and collision injuries while maintaining mouth breathing prevention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The feedback mechanism acts as an intermediary between the user's lip closing action and the mouth breathing prevention function. Rather than direct mechanical contact, the sensor detects closure and triggers a feedback signal, mediating the interaction in a way that prevents physical injury while achieving the desired effect.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If the lips are compressed to enable nasal breathing, then malocclusion is prevented, but the user would not voluntarily close the lips forcing the lip muscle

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenasal breathing maintenanceVSAvoidlip muscle exercise effect

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The feedback mechanism motivates users to voluntarily close their lips by providing real-time confirmation when the closed state is achieved. This voluntary action naturally exercises the lip muscles, improving their strength without requiring external compression or forcing mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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 device efficiently increases lip muscle exercise while maintaining nasal breathing, preventing malocclusion by providing a comfortable and effective means to strengthen lip muscles and promote nasal breathing.

Implementation Method 1

a first electrode formed on a bottom surface of an upper plate inserted into a mouth of a user so as to be positioned below an upper lip; a second electrode formed on a top surface of a lower plate inserted into the mouth of the user so as to be positioned above a lower lip

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentUS10780316B2Lip muscle strengthening device for preventing malocclusion and improving mouth breathing

Publication Date: 2020.09.22 FES CO LTD(KR)

AI summary

A lip muscle strengthening device includes: an upper plate inserted into a mouth of a user including a first electrode formed on a bottom surface; a lower plate inserted into the mouth of the user including a second electrode formed on a top surface; an outer support plate adhered to an outer lip of the user and supporting a front end of the upper plate and a front end of the lower plate in a connected state while separating the upper plate and the lower plate from each other; and a pressure recognition unit connected to the first electrode and the second electrode and enabling the user to recognize a closed state of the mouth when the user pushes the upper plate and the lower plate with the upper lip and the lower lip and the first electrode and the second electrode contact each other.