Respiratory Mask Venting Layout for Quiet, Draft-Free Exhalation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing respiratory masks cause unpleasant acoustic effects and cool drafts due to exhaled air, which are uncomfortable for patients and those nearby.
Innovation Solution
The respiratory mask features an exhalation gap positioned near the transition between the mask body and the articulated connector, bounded by outflow surfaces, and a ball-and-socket joint with pretensioning to minimize noise and draft, guided by flow channels angled away from the patient's eyes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the exhalation gap is positioned in the vicinity of the mask body and connector transition, then noise level is reduced and CO2 washout is improved, but the device complexity increases due to precise positioning requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The exhalation gap is extracted and positioned at the transition between the mask body and connector, separating the exhalation function from the main mask body. This positioning allows exhaled air to be directed away from the patient's face through the connector area, reducing noise and improving CO2 washout without significantly increasing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The transition area between the mask body and connector serves as an intermediary zone for the exhalation gap. This intermediate positioning allows the exhaled air stream to be redirected through the connector region, acting as a mediator that carries away CO2 and reduces acoustic effects near the patient's face.
2Productivity
If the exhalation gap is made large to improve CO2 washout, then gas flow efficiency is improved, but acoustic effects worsen due to increased noise from larger gap
Solution Approach 1:
The exhalation gap is designed with specific local characteristics at the connector transition area, where the gap dimensions and orientation are optimized to balance CO2 washout efficiency with noise reduction. The local geometry is tailored to direct flow efficiently while minimizing acoustic disturbances.
Solution Approach 2:
The exhalation gap is positioned in a different spatial dimension (at the connector transition rather than on the front mask surface), allowing larger gap dimensions to achieve better CO2 washout without proportionally increasing noise, as the gap is located away from the patient's face where acoustic effects are most problematic.
3Manufacturing precision
If the ball-and-socket joint is designed with pretensioning to eliminate play, then manufacturing precision is improved, but the ease of operation worsens due to increased friction
Solution Approach 1:
The ball-and-socket joint incorporates pretensioning that applies a controlled axial force to eliminate radial play. By changing the preloading parameter, the design achieves precise positioning and eliminates gaps without excessive friction, optimizing both manufacturing precision and operational ease.
Data Source
AI summary
A respiratory mask featuring a mask body and an articulated connection piece that can be connected to a respiratory tube. On the mask body, at least one exhalation gap is located in the vicinity of a connection that holds the articulated connection piece. Preferably, the exhalation gap terminates in an umbrella-shaped outflow channel that runs away from the patient. Preferably, at least two components of the respiratory mask are interconnected without play.