Respiratory Mask Forehead Support Exhalation Guide
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Solution Overview
Problem
Respiratory masks face issues with acoustic disturbances and cold drafts due to exhalation through the mask body and breathing tube, and have complex designs with many parts that are costly and difficult to assemble, with the additional challenge of requiring high patient dexterity for strap coupling.
Innovation Solution
The design integrates cutouts in the space between the mask body and forehead support to guide exhaled gases, combining functions in a single forehead support part, reducing the number of components, and incorporating a modular structure with a bayonet catch for easier assembly and strap coupling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If apertures are made in the mask body to guide exhaled air, then the exhalation function is improved, but the mechanical stability of the mask body deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the exhalation guiding function from the mask body by introducing a separate forehead support component. The forehead support, rather than modifying the mask body with apertures, provides the exhalation guide structures through its own geometry and positioning, thereby preserving the integrity and mechanical stability of the mask body while still achieving effective exhalation guidance.
Solution Approach 2:
The forehead support acts as an intermediary component between the mask body and the exhalation path. It mediates the exhalation function by providing guide structures that direct exhaled air without requiring any modifications to the mask body itself, thus resolving the conflict between exhalation function and mask body stability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple individual parts are used in the mask design, then adaptability to the patient is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functions into the forehead support component, which combines the forehead support function, the exhalation guide structure, and the positioning element for the mask body into a single integrated part. This reduces the total number of individual parts while maintaining adaptability through the geometric design and positioning capabilities of the integrated component.
Solution Approach 2:
The forehead support is designed as a multi-functional component that simultaneously provides forehead support, guides exhaled air, and positions the mask body through its bayonet catch engagement. This multi-functionality reduces device complexity by eliminating the need for separate components for each function while maintaining patient adaptability.
3Ease of manufacture
If the forehead support is rigidly connected to the mask body, then assembly is simplified, but the exhalation gap is reduced by dimensional deviations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic bayonet catch connection that allows for self-adjustment and compensation of dimensional deviations. The rotational engagement mechanism provides a degree of freedom that enables the connection to accommodate manufacturing tolerances while maintaining a consistent exhalation gap, thus resolving the conflict between assembly simplicity and gap consistency.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a respiratory mask of modular construction. The main components are reduced to four parts and are provided by the mask body, the forehead support, the mask cushion and the attachment piece. The design, according to the invention, of the outflow structure between mask body and forehead support makes apertures in the mask body unnecessary for this purpose.