Respiratory Mask Ball Joint Segmentation for Hygiene
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Respiratory masks face issues with dirt buildup in ball joints, limited size options to fit varying facial geometries, and uncomfortable, heavy headgear, which affect hygiene and user fit.
Innovation Solution
A PAP kit with interchangeable masks and headgear, featuring a removable ball jointed elbow and spacer fabric headgear, designed to accommodate different facial geometries through adjustable sizes based on population-specific data, and an automatically adjusting headgear for improved comfort and hygiene.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the ball joint is permanently connected to ensure structural integrity, then the mask maintains its shape and connection strength, but dirt and cleaning products build up in the connection making cleaning difficult and affecting hygiene
Solution Approach 1:
The ball joint is designed as a removable component that can be separated from the socket. This segmentation allows the ball joint to be taken out for thorough cleaning and sterilization, eliminating the dirt buildup problem while maintaining connection strength when assembled. The removable design enables regular maintenance without compromising the structural integrity during use.
2Ease of manufacture
If fixed mask sizes are used to simplify manufacturing, then production costs and tooling are reduced, but a single size cannot accommodate all facial geometries resulting in poor fit
Solution Approach 1:
The mask is divided into separate components including the mask body, headgear, and cushion that can be manufactured in standard sizes and then customized through assembly. This allows simplified manufacturing of individual components while enabling custom fits through different size combinations and adjustments.
Solution Approach 2:
The mask incorporates adjustable elements such as headgear with multiple attachment positions and a removable ball joint that can be repositioned. These dynamic features allow the same mask components to adapt to different facial geometries, providing a custom fit without requiring custom-manufactured masks for each user.
3Strength
If traditional heavy and bulky headgear is used to provide structural support, then the mask maintains its shape and provides adequate coverage, but user comfort is reduced due to weight and heat
Solution Approach 1:
The headgear utilizes flexible, lightweight materials that can conform to the user's head shape while providing adequate structural support. The spacer fabric and flexible construction allow the headgear to maintain mask shape and provide coverage without the heavy bulk of traditional designs, improving user comfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The headgear provides structural support only where needed through strategically placed reinforcement elements and adjustable components. This localized approach to structural support reduces unnecessary weight in areas where it is not required, while maintaining adequate mask shape and coverage through minimal necessary structure.
4Ease of manufacture
If the ball joint is made removable for cleaning purposes, then hygiene is improved and cleaning accessibility is enhanced, but considerable force is required for removal and permanent damage may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The ball joint is designed as a removable component that can be separated from the socket. This segmentation allows the ball joint to be taken out for thorough cleaning and sterilization, eliminating the dirt buildup problem while maintaining connection strength when assembled. The removable design enables regular maintenance without compromising the structural integrity during use.
Data Source
AI summary
A respiratory mask for providing positive pressure therapy having ball jointed elbow, one or more detachable forehead pieces and headgear comprising a spacer fabric region is disclosed herein. The elbow is configured to be removable when oriented to a predetermined position. The forehead pieces are provided in one or more sizes. The spacer fabric region comprises two or more layers wherein the raw edges are turned to the inside of the layers. The seal comprises features that improves seal performance and accommodates a wider variety of facial geometries.