Modular Portable Oxygen Generator Cartridge Trigger Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing portable oxygen generators are cumbersome, difficult to refill, and often produce inconsistent oxygen flow due to human error or reagent reaction issues, limiting their effectiveness in emergency situations where lightweight and continuous oxygen supply is crucial.
Innovation Solution
A modular portable oxygen generator with a reactor container having two vertical compartments, one for housing a cartridge and another for oxygen storage, featuring a mechanism to guide oxygen generation at a steady flow rate and pressure, including a cartridge trigger, one-way valve, and a refillable design with an oxygen level indicator.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a heavy oxygen cylinder is used to provide oxygen supply, then the oxygen storage capacity is sufficient, but the portability and ease of movement are severely limited
Solution Approach 1:
The oxygen generation system is divided into separate modular components: a reusable reactor unit and replaceable cartridges containing oxygen-generating chemicals. This segmentation allows the heavy oxygen storage function to be distributed across multiple lighter components, improving portability while maintaining adequate oxygen supply capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from storing compressed oxygen gas in heavy cylinders to using solid chemical reagents in cartridges that generate oxygen through chemical reactions. This parameter change from gaseous compressed storage to solid chemical storage dramatically reduces weight while maintaining oxygen delivery capability.
2Device complexity
If manual mixing of chemicals is used in oxygen generation, then the system can be simple in structure, but the oxygen flow consistency and reliability deteriorate due to human error
Solution Approach 1:
The oxygen-generating chemicals and water are pre-loaded into sealed cartridges during manufacturing with precise measurements. This preliminary action eliminates the need for manual mixing during use, ensuring consistent oxygen flow rates and eliminating human error in reagent preparation while keeping the device structure simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The cartridge design allows the system to automatically manage the chemical reaction conditions. The pre-measured chemicals in the cartridge self-regulate the reaction with water from the reactor, providing consistent oxygen generation without requiring user intervention or manual mixing, thus improving reliability while maintaining simplicity.
3Productivity
If known oxygen generating systems are used, then oxygen can be produced, but the system size and weight increase reducing portability
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses disposable cartridges containing oxygen-generating chemicals that are replaced rather than refilled. These lightweight, single-use cartridges eliminate the need for heavy, refillable oxygen cylinders while maintaining continuous oxygen production capability, significantly improving portability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from three-dimensional compressed gas storage in large cylinders to compact solid chemical cartridges that can be stored in a flat, space-efficient manner. This dimensional change allows the oxygen generation system to be much more compact and portable while maintaining adequate oxygen production capacity.
4Duration of action of stationary object
If refilling of oxygen cylinders is performed, then the oxygen supply can be renewed, but the process is tedious and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces the time-consuming refilling process with simple cartridge replacement. Pre-filled disposable cartridges are quickly swapped into the reactor unit, reducing the time required to renew oxygen supply from minutes to seconds while extending the overall duration of action through multiple cartridge changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The oxygen-generating chemicals and water are pre-loaded into cartridges during manufacturing before use. This preliminary preparation eliminates the time-consuming manual refilling process during emergency situations, allowing users to simply replace cartridges rather than perform complex refilling operations.
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, lightweight, and easy-to-use oxygen generator that maintains a steady oxygen supply during cartridge changes and refills, ensuring continuous administration even during reloading, addressing the limitations of existing systems.
Implementation Method 1
A chemical reaction takes place between water and one or more chemicals (sodium percarbonate, potassium superoxide, peroxide species (hydrogen peroxide), urea-hydrogen peroxide and percarbamide peroxide) to generate oxygen
Implementation Method 2
A pipe assembly connects the hollow connector (via one way valve) of the first vertical compartment and the storage tank
Implementation Method 3
A pressure regulator maintains steady pressure of oxygen to be released
Implementation Method 4
A flow meter controls flow of oxygen from the storage tank
Implementation Method 5
The second vertical compartment includes a storage tank to receive the oxygen released in the cartridge, a pressure gauge to maintain pressure of the oxygen to be released, a humidifier to humidify the oxygen to be released
Data Source
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AI summary
The various embodiments of the present invention disclose a modular portable oxygen generator including a reactor container having two vertical compartments, where one of the compartments houses a cartridge while another houses oxygen storage tank. The arrangement is provided with a mechanism to guide the oxygen generated in the cartridge after triggering to a defined outlet. The modular portable oxygen generator is light weight, easy to carry and easy to use with minimal maintenance as compared to heavy oxygen cylinders and generator.