Respiratory Mask Harness Coupling and Exhalation Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing breathing masks face issues such as acoustic impairment and cool drafts during exhalation, mechanical instability due to air passages, complex assembly, high material requirements, and difficulty in securing the mask to the patient's head due to intricate parts and lack of visible connecting mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A breathing mask design featuring a mask body with a spring plate and funnel-shaped recesses for secure harness clipping, integrated guide structures for strap coupling, and a modular structure combining forehead support, mask body, and exhalation gaps to minimize openings and enhance stability and ease of assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If air is channeled through openings in the mask body to exhalation slots, then exhalation function is achieved, but mechanical stability of the mask body is weakened
Solution Approach 1:
The exhalation function is extracted from the mask body by using the space between the mask body and retaining ring as the exhalation passage, eliminating the need for openings in the mask body and preserving its mechanical stability
Solution Approach 2:
The retaining ring serves as an intermediary structure that defines the exhalation passage alongside the mask body, allowing exhalation without compromising the mask body's integrity
2Adaptability or versatility
If the mask body encloses a larger volume for patient breathing openings, then breathing space is improved, but material requirement and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The breathing space is extended into the radial dimension by incorporating the space between the mask body and retaining ring, allowing adequate breathing volume without increasing the mask body's enclosed volume
3Shape
If the connecting parts for strapping are not visible during application, then aesthetic appearance is improved, but patient dexterity requirements increase and coupling becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
Visual cues are provided through contrasting colors or markings on the wing and clip components, making the coupling mechanism visible and identifiable despite the overall aesthetic design
Solution Approach 2:
The funnel-shaped recess automatically guides the clip to the correct position on the wing, providing self-alignment that reduces the dexterity required for proper coupling
4Ease of manufacture
If the ridge forms an elongated detent point allowing clip locking at any position, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but coupling precision and reliability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The funnel-shaped recess pre-positions the clip by guiding it to the correct location before engagement, ensuring precise coupling without requiring complex precision manufacturing of the detent point itself
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 solution provides a secure, stable, and cost-effective breathing mask with reduced acoustic disturbance, improved mechanical stability, simplified assembly, and enhanced patient comfort by guiding straps for secure fixation without visible connecting parts, while optimizing material usage and reducing drafts.
Implementation Method 1
a spring plate (18) which leans at least partially against the mask ridge
Implementation Method 2
the wing has a funnel-shaped recess and the clip locks in the area of a detent point of the recess
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a modular breathing mask. The essential components are reduced to four parts: the mask body, the forehead rest, the mask bead, and the connector. The inventive design of the outflow structure between the mask body and forehead rest eliminates the need for openings in the mask body for this purpose. The bead provides the majority of the space for enclosing the patient's breathing orifices, thus enabling a smaller mask body. The interface between the mask body and the mask bead can be used to adjust the mask bead. The strap coupling in the area of the mask body is simplified by a funnel-shaped guide structure, making it easy to attach even without visual contact. In the area of the forehead rest, the breathing mask according to the invention offers various strap coupling options, thereby increasing flexibility.