Nasal Washing Device Vibration Damping and Leak Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Nasal washing devices with internal compressor units often experience vibrations and compressed-air leaks, making them unpleasant to use and reducing efficiency, especially when they require an intake valve for ambient air intake.
Innovation Solution
A nasal washing device with a damper member made of resilient material to absorb vibrations, an air entry system without a valve, an electrically-driven compressor unit, and a rechargeable battery-powered design that provides compressed air at a controlled pressure and flow rate, minimizing noise and improving gas tightness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If an internal compressor unit is incorporated into the nasal washing device, then the device architecture is simplified and portability is improved, but vibrations are generated that make the device unpleasant to use
Solution Approach 1:
A damper member is introduced as an intermediary element between the compressor unit and the device housing. This damper absorbs and attenuates the vibrations generated by the compressor, preventing them from being transmitted to the user's hand while maintaining the simplified internal architecture of the device.
Solution Approach 2:
The vibrations and noise generated by the compressor are converted into a benefit by using the damper member to absorb these harmful effects. The damper transforms the mechanical vibrations into minimal energy dissipation, turning the harmful vibration source into an acceptable level of operation that maintains portability while ensuring user comfort.
2Reliability
If an intake valve is added to the air passage for ambient air intake, then gas tightness is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The intake valve is extracted and removed from the device design. Instead of using a valve mechanism to control air intake, the system relies on the natural pressure differential created by the compressor operation. The compressor creates a pressure difference that automatically draws ambient air through the air passage without requiring any valve elements, thereby simplifying the device while maintaining adequate gas tightness for nebulization function.
3Productivity
If compressed air is provided at higher pressure for efficient nebulization, then atomization efficiency is improved, but compressed-air leaks become more prominent
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses dynamic pressure control where the compressor provides compressed air at variable pressure levels. The pressure is dynamically adjusted to maintain efficient nebulization while preventing excessive pressure that would cause leaks. The damper member also dynamically absorbs pressure fluctuations, maintaining stable operation within the optimal pressure range for nebulization without triggering leak conditions.
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 reduces vibrations and improves gas tightness, providing a more efficient and user-friendly nasal washing experience with reduced noise and extended battery life, suitable for pediatric use.
Implementation Method 1
a damper member (8) arranged in said main body (4) so as to cover the top part (13a) of the casing (13) of the compressor unit (5)... the damper member is made of resilient material, such as silicone or the like, that is able to absorb and attenuate vibrations
Implementation Method 2
an electrically-driven compressor unit (5) for providing compressed air... compression means are configured for compressing ambient air to a pressure above atmospheric pressure
Implementation Method 3
nebulization means (7) for aerosolizing the liquid solution... The jet of aerosolized washing solution is generated in the nasal washing device (1) by nebulization means (7), i.e. an aerosol-generating system, that blows the liquid solution into fine liquid particles
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 4
AI summary
The present invention concerns a nasal washing device (1) comprising a main body (4) comprising an electrically-driven compressor unit (5), a reservoir (3) for containing a liquid solution to be aerosolized, nebulization means (7) for aerosolizing the liquid solution, and a nasal interface (2) comprising an exit orifice (6) for delivering an aerosolized solution. It is further provided a damper member (8) arranged in the main body (4), said damper member (8) covering at least a part of the compressor unit (5). The damper member (8) is made of resilient material, such as silicone or the like. Thanks to the invention, it is possible to minimize the noise and to attenuate the vibrations resulting from the operation of the compressor unit (5). The invention further concerns a nasal cleaning set comprising a transport bag containing a nasal washing device (1) according to the invention and, preferably instructions for use