Respiratory Mask Exhalation Valve With Nonlinear Flutter Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional respiratory masks experience excessive fluttering in the exhalation valve due to excitation at the natural frequency, leading to discomfort and non-compliance with safety standards, which existing solutions fail to adequately address without compromising breathing resistance or increasing valve size.
Innovation Solution
A valve design for respiratory masks featuring a single valve flap with a tubular projection and central limiter, where the valve flap transitions from a closed to a second open configuration via non-linear deformation, altering the excitation frequency and reducing fluttering without increasing valve size or adjusting biasing member strength.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional exhalation valve design is used, then the valve allows rapid purging of exhaled air, but excessive fluttering occurs due to excitation at natural frequency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a central limiter that modifies the motion characteristics of the valve flap, changing its excitation frequency from the natural frequency to a different frequency range. This parameter change in the dynamic behavior of the valve flap eliminates resonance conditions that cause excessive fluttering, while maintaining the rapid purging function.
Solution Approach 2:
The central limiter acts as an intermediary component between the valve flap and the valve seat. It introduces a non-linear deformation mechanism that mediates the motion of the valve flap, preventing direct excitation at the natural frequency and reducing fluttering while allowing efficient exhalation.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If existing solutions to reduce fluttering are implemented, then valve fluttering decreases, but breathing resistance increases or valve size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The central limiter changes the dynamic parameters of the valve flap by introducing non-linear deformation during operation. This modifies the excitation frequency without requiring changes to the biasing member strength or overall valve dimensions, thereby reducing fluttering while maintaining acceptable breathing resistance characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve flap is functionally segmented into different operational phases: linear movement phase and non-linear deformation phase. The central limiter enables this segmentation by engaging at a specific point during the valve opening cycle, allowing the flap to move linearly initially and then deform non-linearly to change frequency without increasing overall valve size or biasing force.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If existing solutions to reduce fluttering are implemented, then valve fluttering decreases, but valve size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The central limiter is nested within the existing valve structure, integrating into the valve housing without requiring significant external space. This nested design allows the fluttering reduction mechanism to be incorporated within the existing valve volume, avoiding increases in overall valve size while effectively reducing fluttering through non-linear deformation of the valve flap.
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 design effectively reduces valve fluttering, enhancing wearer comfort and compliance with safety standards by changing the excitation frequency, eliminating sharp pressure peaks, and maintaining acceptable breathing resistance.
Implementation Method 1
a biasing member configured to normally bias the valve flap to the closed configuration
Implementation Method 2
the valve flap transitions from the first open configuration to the second open configuration in order to remain disengaged from the valve seat. The valve flap at least partially deforms to transition from the first open configuration to the second open configuration
Implementation Method 3
In response to an inlet pressure applied at the inlet of the valve housing, the valve flap moves linearly, along the longitudinal axis, from the closed configuration to the first open configuration against the biasing of the biasing member
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a valve for a respiratory mask. The valve includes a valve housing including a valve seat and an inlet. The valve includes a valve flap at least partially received within the valve housing. The valve flap is sealingly engaged with the valve seat in a closed configuration and is disengaged from the valve seat in a plurality of open configurations. The valve flap includes a tubular projection extending away from the valve seat along a longitudinal axis. The plurality of open configurations includes a first open configuration and a second open configuration. The valve further includes a pin slidably received through the valve housing and coupled to the tubular projection. The pin and the valve flap are together movable along the longitudinal axis relative to the valve seat. The valve further includes a valve cage coupled to the valve housing.