Mask Vent Side Wall Design to Reduce Noise and Air Jetting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing respiratory disorder treatment devices, such as those for Obstructive Sleep Apnea, Cheyne-Stokes Respiration, Obesity Hyperventilation Syndrome, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, and Neuromuscular Diseases, face challenges with uncomfortable and poorly fitting patient interfaces, noisy vents, and disruptive airflow, which affect patient comfort and sleep quality.
Innovation Solution
The development of a patient interface system with a seal-forming structure that includes a flexible, resilient material for improved fit and comfort, and a vent arrangement with a side wall or hood to disperse exhaust vent flow, reducing noise and air jetting, and incorporating a decoupling structure for enhanced usability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a mask vent is provided without a side wall, then the structure is simple and manufacturing is easy, but the exhaust vent flow causes noise and air jetting disruption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a side wall dimension to the vent structure, transforming a simple circular opening into a three-dimensional feature with height and volume. This dimensional addition creates a hood-like structure that envelops the vent opening, allowing the exhaust flow to be contained and redirected along the side wall surface, thereby reducing noise and air jetting disruption without significantly complicating manufacturing
Solution Approach 2:
The side wall acts as an intermediary element between the exhaust vent opening and the surrounding environment. It mediates the exhaust flow by providing a surface for the air to follow, converting direct jetting into a more controlled flow pattern that reduces disruption and noise while maintaining the simple overall mask structure
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a mask vent with side wall is provided, then noise and air jetting disruption are reduced, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the vent opening and side wall into a single integrated molding operation. By combining these features into one continuous structural element rather than separate components, the design maintains ease of manufacture through standard injection molding techniques while achieving the noise reduction benefits of the side wall structure
Solution Approach 2:
The side wall is designed as a thin-walled feature that can be efficiently formed through standard plastic molding processes. The thin film approach allows the side wall to provide structural function for noise reduction while minimizing material usage and maintaining compatibility with conventional manufacturing methods
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 improved comfort and efficacy in treating respiratory disorders by enhancing the fit and reducing noise and disruption, leading to better patient compliance and treatment outcomes.
Implementation Method 1
The seal-forming structure is constructed from a flexible, resilient material
Implementation Method 2
a vent arrangement with a side wall or hood to disperse exhaust vent flow, reducing noise and air jetting
Data Source
AI summary
A vent arrangement for a mask system includes a mask component and a mask vent provided to the mask component. The mask vent includes a plurality of vent holes each extending through a thickness of the mask component and each including a vent exit, and a continuous side wall structured to surround the plurality of vent exits of the vent holes.