Modular CPAP Apparatus with Detachable Silencer Base
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Solution Overview
Problem
Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) apparatuses face challenges in achieving both quietness and portability due to the trade-off between noise reduction and size/weight, as silencers that enhance quietness typically increase the apparatus's volume and weight, hindering convenience.
Innovation Solution
The CPAP apparatus is designed with a modular structure, featuring a first unit with a silencer and a second unit that can be attached or detached, allowing for different operational states that optimize quietness and portability by varying the silencer's volume and presence of a humidifying mechanism, enabling efficient noise reduction and compactness depending on usage scenarios.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If a silencer is provided to reduce noise from the air blower, then quietness is improved, but the apparatus size and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The CPAP apparatus is divided into a main body unit and a detachable base unit. The silencer is specifically located in the base unit, which can be separated from the main body. This segmentation allows the noise-reducing function to be isolated in a separate component, enabling users to carry only the lightweight main body when portability is needed, while the heavier base unit with silencer remains stationary at home.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If a silencer is provided to reduce noise from the air blower, then quietness is improved, but the apparatus volume increases
Solution Approach 1:
The apparatus is segmented into two detachable units: a compact main body unit for portability and a larger base unit containing the silencer for stationary use. The silencer is specifically housed in the base unit, which has greater volume capacity. This spatial segmentation resolves the volume contradiction by placing the bulky noise-reduction component only where sufficient space is available (at home), while the main body remains compact for travel.
3Ease of operation
If the apparatus is reduced in size and weight for portability, then convenience is improved, but quietness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from a static single-unit design to a dynamic two-unit configuration where components can be attached or detached based on usage context. The base unit with silencer is attached when the apparatus is used at home (prioritizing quietness) and detached when portability is needed. This dynamic reconfiguration allows the same apparatus to optimize for different requirements in different situations.
Solution Approach 2:
By segmenting the apparatus into portable and stationary components, the invention enables users to selectively carry only the essential main body unit when traveling, significantly reducing weight and size. The silencer-containing base unit remains at home, eliminating the noise-reduction burden from the portable portion while maintaining full quietness functionality during stationary use.
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
This modular design provides a user-friendly CPAP apparatus that excels in both quietness and portability, allowing for high silencing effectiveness during use at home while minimizing size and weight for portable use, thus enhancing convenience for users.
Implementation Method 1
a first silencer provided in a portion of the first flow path that is located between the first inlet port and the air blower
Data Source
AI summary
A continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) apparatus includes: a first unit including a first housing provided with a first flow path that connects a first inlet port and a first outlet port and in which an air blower is provided; and a second unit including a second housing provided with a second flow path that connects a second inlet port and a second outlet port. The first flow path between the first inlet port and the air blower includes a first silencer. The second flow path includes a second silencer. In a first use state where the second unit is attached to the first unit, the second outlet port is connected to the first inlet port. In a second use state where the second unit is not attached to the first unit, the first inlet port is opened to the outside.