Oxygen Mask Hose Assembly for Compact Aircraft Packaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing oxygen mask designs face challenges with voluminous hose packaging and loose clamps during deployment, particularly in compact aircraft spaces, leading to uncontrolled dispersion and inefficiencies in oxygen system installations.
Innovation Solution
The oxygen mask assembly features a hose with axially extending protrusions and slots that allow secure attachment of hose sections, enabling improved packaging and reduced overall dimensions by allowing sections to be connected and detached easily, facilitating compact storage and deployment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of stationary object
If traditional smooth hose is used for oxygen mask assembly, then the hose is easy to manufacture and install, but the packaged hose occupies large volume and forms voluminous ravel
Solution Approach 1:
The hose is divided into multiple modular sections, each with standardized connection features (protrusions and slots). This segmentation allows the hose to be packaged in a compact, organized manner rather than forming voluminous ravel, while maintaining ease of assembly through standardized interfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The hose sections are designed to nest within each other when packaged, with connection features allowing one section to be inserted into another. This nesting arrangement dramatically reduces the packaged volume compared to traditional loose coiling, while the sections can be easily separated during deployment.
2Reliability
If clamps are attached to fix hose segments, then the hose sections can be secured together, but the clamps become loose and fall to the ground or disperse in uncontrolled manner during deployment
Solution Approach 1:
The hose connection system is self-servicing through integrated protrusion-slot features that automatically engage when sections are connected. During deployment, the connection features self-release in a controlled manner as sections are pulled apart, eliminating the need for manual clamp removal and preventing uncontrolled dispersion of fastening elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection and retention functions are merged into a single integrated feature set (protrusions and slots) that serves both purposes. The same features that secure the sections together during storage also control the separation during deployment, eliminating the need for separate clamps that could become loose or uncontrolled.
3Volume of stationary object
If hose sections are designed with connection features, then the package size is reduced and storage flexibility is enhanced, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The hose is manufactured in standardized sections with consistent connection features. This segmentation allows for modular production where each section can be manufactured using the same processes and tools, reducing overall manufacturing complexity despite the added connection features. The standardized design enables efficient production through repetition.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection features (protrusions and slots) are designed as universal interfaces that can be applied to all hose sections. This universality means the same manufacturing processes and components are used throughout, simplifying production planning and reducing the need for specialized tooling for different hose types or configurations.
Data Source
AI summary
A hose that includes a main body portion that defines a lumen extending therethrough and includes an outer surface, at least a first axially extending protrusion extending outwardly from the main body portion, and at least a first axially extending slot defined in the outer surface of the main body portion. The hose defines a hose axis. A portion of the first axially extending protrusion is secured in a portion of the first axially extending slot.