Aircraft Breathing Mask Folding System for Reliable Deployment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing breathing masks for aircraft crew members face challenges in quick and reliable deployment during emergency situations, particularly due to obstacles that hinder the inflation of the harness, and lack a method to ensure proper storage and verification of the mask's position.

Innovation Solution

A breathing mask with a folding system comprising a pulling device and a guide device that allows the harness to transition from an extended to a folded position, reducing the risk of improper extension during inflation and enabling intuitive use, while a visible indicator ensures proper storage and verification.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the harness is stored without a folding system, then the storage manipulation is simple, but the harness may fold or knot improperly making verification impossible

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproper storage positionVSAvoidfolding system structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The guide device pre-positions the harness in a specific folded configuration before storage, ensuring that the harness is already in the correct state for inflation. The pulling device then maintains this pre-positioned state, eliminating the need for verification after storage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The guide device acts as an intermediary between the harness and the storage unit, controlling the folding process and ensuring proper configuration. The pulling device serves as a second intermediary that locks in the correct position, providing reliable storage without requiring complex verification mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Stability of the object's composition

If the harness is pulled to tighten during storage, then the harness stays in position, but it creates obstacles that slow inflation during emergency use

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveharness position during storageVSAvoidinflation speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The pulling device is segmented into a pulling portion that tightens the harness during storage and a releasing portion that allows rapid deployment. The guide device is segmented into guiding elements that control the folding process and releasing elements that allow quick expansion during inflation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The pulling device transitions from a static tightened state during storage to a dynamic releasing state during deployment. The guide device provides dynamic guidance during folding and dynamic release during inflation, allowing the harness to transition smoothly between stored and deployed configurations without obstacles.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If the breathing mask is designed for one-handed operation, then the crew member can continue tasks with the other hand, but the folding system must be simple to manipulate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveone-handed manipulationVSAvoidfolding system components

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The guide device is designed to guide the harness automatically during the folding process, requiring minimal manual intervention. The pulling device self-latches into position, and the gripping portion provides intuitive feedback, allowing one-handed operation without complex manipulation steps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The gripping portion features a contrasting color or visual indicator that provides immediate feedback when the harness is properly folded and latched. This visual signal allows the user to verify correct positioning at a glance without requiring complex verification procedures, maintaining simplicity for one-handed operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

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 folding system facilitates rapid and reliable deployment of the breathing mask, reducing the risk of improper inflation and allowing for quick verification of the mask's position during storage, enhancing safety and usability in emergency situations.

Implementation Method 1

The harness thus becomes longer as gas is introduced under pressure inside the harness

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGas under pressure: Pressure Increase

Implementation Method 2

the guide device cooperates with the pulling device to guide the pulling device between the extended position and the folded position

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical guidance:

Data Source

PatentUS10905906B2Breathing mask for aircraft and method for putting a breathing mask in folded position for storage in a storage unit

Publication Date: 2021.02.02 SAFRAN AEROTECHNICS SAS

AI summary

Breathing mask comprising a shell and a harness, wherein:the breathing mask also comprises a folding system adapted to make the harness move from an extended position to a folded position,the folding system also comprises a pulling device and a guide device,the pulling device has a connecting portion connected to the harness and a gripping portion,the guide device is connected to the shell,the pulling device is free to move between a first position and a second position, andthe guide device cooperates with the pulling device to guide the pulling device between the extended position and the folded position.