Nitinol Bellows Pump for Breathalyzer Size Reduction

Solution Overview

Problem

Current sobriety monitoring devices, particularly breathalyzer systems, face challenges with accuracy, power consumption, size, and reliability due to solenoid-based sample pumps, which are energy-intensive and bulky, making them unsuitable for portable, discrete, and tamper-proof applications.

Innovation Solution

A hand-held breath testing device equipped with a sample pump utilizing a bellows assembly and a bi-stable trigger spring made of shape memory alloy (nitinol) that eliminates the need for a reservoir capacitor, reducing volume, power consumption, and size, while providing reliable actuation and performance monitoring.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a solenoid-based sample pump is used in a breathalyzer device, then the device can perform alcohol testing, but the device becomes bulky and energy-intensive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealcohol testing capabilityVSAvoiddevice size

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the solenoid-based mechanical pump with a bellows-based pneumatic sampling system. The bellows expands and contracts to draw and expel breath samples through pressure differentials, eliminating the need for mechanical solenoid components. This substitution significantly reduces the device footprint while maintaining sampling functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention employs pneumatic principles by using a bellows to create pressure differentials for sample transport. The bellows expands to draw breath into the sensing chamber and contracts to expel the sample, utilizing gas pressure dynamics rather than mechanical pumping. This approach reduces component size while maintaining effective sampling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

2Reliability

If a solenoid-based sample pump is used in a breathalyzer device, then the device can perform alcohol testing, but the device consumes excessive electrical power

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealcohol testing capabilityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the solenoid-based mechanical pump with a bellows-based pneumatic sampling system. The bellows expands and contracts to draw and expel breath samples through pressure differentials, eliminating the need for mechanical solenoid components. This substitution significantly reduces the device footprint while maintaining sampling functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The bellows operates in a periodic manner, expanding to draw samples and contracting to expel them. This intermittent action reduces average power consumption compared to continuous solenoid operation, while still achieving effective sampling over time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

3Reliability

If a solenoid-based sample pump is used in a breathalyzer device, then the device can perform alcohol testing, but the device becomes complex and difficult to manufacture

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealcohol testing capabilityVSAvoiddevice structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the solenoid-based mechanical pump with a bellows-based pneumatic sampling system. The bellows expands and contracts to draw and expel breath samples through pressure differentials, eliminating the need for mechanical solenoid components. This substitution significantly reduces the device footprint while maintaining sampling functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 nitinol-based sample pump enables a compact, portable, and cost-effective sobriety monitoring system that reduces social stigma, improves accuracy, and extends battery life, allowing for remote and discreet monitoring of alcohol levels, enhancing user motivation and trust in sobriety programs.

Implementation Method 1

a bi-stable trigger spring made of shape memory alloy (nitinol)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectShape memory alloy: Shape Memory Alloy

Implementation Method 2

A hand-held breath testing device equipped with a sample pump utilizing a bellows assembly

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBellows mechanism:

Data Source

PatentUS20240306937A1Sobriety monitoring systems and features related thereto

Publication Date: 2024.09.19 SOBERLINK HEALTHCARE LLC

AI summary

Systems, methods and devices are disclosed for monitoring sobriety using a hand-held breath testing device. The hand-held breath testing device comprises a sample pump which utilizes a bellows assembly to draw an air sample through an inlet port and into the sample pump. The sample pump comprises a bi-stable spring and nitinol-based structures which cause the pump to actuate and allow the bellows to expand and compress. The sample pump can be utilized with other sampling devices, including but not limited to medical devices, wherein a sampling of a measured volume of gas is desired.