Aircraft Oxygen Mask Diffuser Design for Pulse Impact Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current oxygen masks in aircraft emergency systems provide oxygen in unpleasant pulses, leading to discomfort and increased safety risks for passengers during prolonged emergency situations due to direct and high-speed oxygen impact on the wearer's face.
Innovation Solution
An oxygen mask design featuring a re-directing portion and lateral openings that diffuse and divert oxygen from the source, preventing direct hits and allowing for a more natural intake, thereby reducing discomfort and enhancing safety by ensuring a fail-proof oxygen delivery system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If oxygen is provided in pulses from the oxygen source, then oxygen delivery efficiency is improved, but wearer comfort deteriorates due to direct high-speed impact on the face
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a diffuser as an intermediary component between the oxygen source and the wearer's face. The diffuser includes a diffuser body with multiple diffuser holes that break up the direct oxygen pulse flow into multiple smaller streams, thereby maintaining oxygen delivery efficiency while eliminating the harmful direct impact on the wearer's face
Solution Approach 2:
The diffuser body is designed with multiple diffuser holes (at least three) that segment the single oxygen pulse flow into multiple separate streams. This segmentation distributes the oxygen delivery across multiple points, reducing the concentration of force at any single location on the wearer's face while maintaining overall oxygen supply effectiveness
2Ease of operation
If oxygen port is positioned directly facing the wearer's face, then oxygen intake is simplified, but wearer comfort deteriorates due to direct oxygen pulse impact
Solution Approach 1:
The diffuser serves as an intermediary structure positioned between the oxygen port and the wearer's face. It receives oxygen from the port and redistributes it through multiple holes, maintaining the simplicity of oxygen intake while eliminating direct impact. The diffuser body acts as a buffer zone that transforms the direct flow into a distributed pattern
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the oxygen flow from a one-dimensional direct stream into a multi-dimensional distributed pattern by introducing the diffuser with multiple holes. This dimensional transformation allows oxygen to reach the wearer from multiple angles and locations, simplifying intake while eliminating concentrated impact
3Ease of manufacture
If oxygen mask structure is kept simple, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but oxygen delivery reliability deteriorates due to potential nose obstruction of oxygen port
Solution Approach 1:
The diffuser body acts as an intermediary protective structure that shields the oxygen port from potential obstruction by the wearer's nose. This simple addition to the mask structure provides fail-proof operation by ensuring oxygen flow is not blocked, while maintaining ease of manufacture through a straightforward design that integrates seamlessly with existing mask components
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 diffused oxygen delivery reduces passenger discomfort and enhances safety by preventing direct oxygen impacts, ensuring a more pleasant and reliable oxygen supply during emergencies.
Implementation Method 1
The re-directing portion and the at least one lateral opening divert and diffuse the oxygen, as received from the oxygen source
Data Source
AI summary
An oxygen mask for use in an aircraft includes a base, the base having an oxygen port for an inflow of oxygen from an oxygen source; a face piece, protruding from a peripheral portion of the base and surrounding a breathing space; a re-directing portion, spaced from the base and arranged over the oxygen port within the breathing space; and at least one lateral opening between the base and the re-directing portion, the at least one lateral opening providing a fluid connection between the oxygen port and the breathing space.