Assembly for portable oxygen concentrator comprising an accumulator, and pressure, oxygen and breath sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Portable oxygen concentrators need to be compact, lightweight, reliable, and inexpensive while maintaining efficiency and effectiveness for therapeutic oxygen delivery, posing design challenges due to their small size and weight constraints.
Innovation Solution
The integration of a pressure-sensitive gas valve with a porous housing muffler, improved airflow management through compliant connectors, and an integrated sensor/accumulator assembly with a cooling system, along with a microcontroller for efficient oxygen production and delivery, addresses the design challenges by reducing noise, enhancing connectivity, and optimizing size and weight.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If the concentrator size and weight are reduced for portability, then portability is improved, but reliability and efficiency may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the accumulator and sensor assemblies into a single integrated unit, reducing the overall number of separate components and connections. This integration maintains full functionality while reducing size and weight, thereby improving portability without sacrificing reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensors are disposed within or alongside the accumulator structure, with the oxygen sensor sampling gas directed to the patient gas outlet and the pressure sensor sampling gas in the accumulator. This nested arrangement allows multiple functional elements to occupy overlapping spatial volumes, reducing the overall device footprint while maintaining all necessary functions.
2Volume of moving object
If the concentrator components are integrated to reduce size, then compactness is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated assembly is designed with distinct functional zones: the accumulator volume, the sensor sampling ports, and the gas flow pathways are clearly segmented. The inlet ports are connectable to the concentrator valve manifold system, and the assembly includes discrete connection points for gas ports to sensors and accumulator, simplifying the manufacturing process despite the integrated design.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If noise reduction features are added, then patient comfort is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The muffler housing is made from a porous material that allows gas flow while attenuating sound. The porous structure provides noise reduction through acoustic absorption as gas flows through the interconnected pores, reducing the noise level without requiring complex mechanical dampening mechanisms.
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 results in a compact, reliable, and cost-effective portable oxygen concentrator that efficiently produces therapeutic oxygen, minimizing noise and vibration while ensuring precise oxygen delivery and extended battery life, scalable for varying patient needs.
Implementation Method 1
a housing made from a porous material holding the valve; wherein in the open position gas flow is substantially through an open portion of the valve, and in the closed position gas flow is directed substantially through the porous housing, muffling the sound produced by the flowing gas
Implementation Method 2
a pressure sensitive gas valve; wherein in the open position gas flow is substantially through an open portion of the valve
Implementation Method 3
an oxygen sensor disposed to sample gas directed to the patient gas outlet of a gas concentrator; a pressure sensor disposed to sample gas in the accumulator; a temperature sensor disposed to sample gas in the accumulator; a breath sensor disposed to sample gas at a patient gas outlet
Data Source
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AI summary
Portable oxygen concentrator elements are described including integrated sensor/accumulator assemblies, new muffler designs, and improved airflow and internal gas connectivity. The result of the elements is an extremely compact, light reliable portable oxygen concentrator that is easy to assemble and relatively inexpensive.