Portable Oxygen Concentrator Compressor Interconnects for Compact Reliability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Portable oxygen concentrators face challenges in achieving a balance between size, weight, efficiency, reliability, and cost, with existing designs often compromising on performance due to the limitations of individual components.
Innovation Solution
The development of a compact portable oxygen concentrator incorporating improved compressor control features, high-density gas-tight interconnects, integrated sensor blocks, space-efficient adsorber designs, enhanced airflow, and a battery retention system with a flexible stiffening mechanism to stabilize the battery and align electrical connectors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If the size and weight of individual components are reduced to make the portable oxygen concentrator more compact and lightweight, then portability is improved, but performance and reliability may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple components into integrated assemblies: the sensor block integrates oxygen sensors and flow sensors into a single unit, the adsorber assembly combines the adsorber vessel with mounting features and gas-tight interconnects, and the battery retention system integrates rails and stiffening mechanisms into a unified structure. This merging reduces the number of separate components and overall system weight while maintaining functional integrity and reliability through carefully designed integrated units.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs nested arrangements where components are placed within or around each other to maximize space utilization. The sensor block is positioned within the housing structure, the adsorber vessel is nested within the adsorber assembly with integrated mounting features, and the battery is retained within the channel formed by the rails. This nesting approach reduces the overall footprint and weight while ensuring proper positioning and connection of each component.
2Volume of moving object
If the portable oxygen concentrator is designed to be more compact, then portability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the portable oxygen concentrator into distinct modular assemblies: the sensor block as a separate integrated unit, the adsorber assembly as a removable cartridge, the battery retention system as a separate mechanism with rails and stiffening features, and the housing as a modular structure. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently for compactness while simplifying the overall design through standardized interfaces and assembly procedures, reducing the complexity of integrating multiple small components.
3Volume of moving object
If space-efficient designs are used for adsorbers and other components, then the concentrator size is reduced, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different quality and tolerance requirements to different regions of each component based on their specific functions. The sensor block requires high precision only at the sensor mounting interfaces and electrical connections, while other portions can use standard tolerances. The adsorber vessel requires precise sealing surfaces at the gas-tight interconnect interfaces but can use less stringent tolerances for the outer housing. This localized approach to quality control reduces overall manufacturing complexity while ensuring critical interfaces meet the necessary precision requirements for compact design.
Data Source
AI summary
A compressor assembly for a portable oxygen concentrator includes a first compressor chamber having a first connector, a second compressor chamber having a second connector, and a tube having a first end having a first connection interface configured to connect to the first connector and a second end having a second connection interface configured to connect to the second connector. The first connection interface is shaped to maintain the connection between the first connector and the first connection interface in a fixed orientation and the second connection interface is shaped to maintain the connection between the second connector and the second connection interface in a fixed orientation. One or more of the first connector, the second connector, and the tube are compliant.