Oxygen Trainer Device With Rotatable Aperture Knob
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing trainer devices for increasing inspiratory muscular endurance lack portability, convenience in cleaning, affordability, and reliability, while also failing to provide a variable resistance for both oxygen intake and exhaust during athletic and aerobic training, particularly for individuals with conditions like asthma or COPD.
Innovation Solution
An oxygen trainer system with a circulation body, valve seat, and a rotatable knob with an array of apertures that controls air resistance, featuring a one-way valve to prevent inhalation through exhaust apertures and adjustable exhaust resistance via a nested valve cover, allowing for precise adjustment of air resistance during inhalation and exhalation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If prior art devices are used to simulate airflow restriction, then respiratory muscle endurance training can be achieved, but the devices lack portability, convenience in cleaning, affordability, and reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into separate components: a mouthpiece assembly, a circulation body, a valve cover with one-way valve, and a knob with apertures. This segmentation allows each component to be independently manufactured, cleaned, and replaced, improving reliability while simplifying the overall system architecture
Solution Approach 2:
The valve cover is nested within the circulation body, and the knob is inserted into the circulation body. This nested structure reduces the overall device footprint for portability while maintaining functional integrity, and allows for easy disassembly for cleaning purposes
2Adaptability or versatility
If fixed resistance devices are used, then training can be provided, but variable resistance for both oxygen intake and exhaust cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The device transitions from fixed resistance to variable resistance through the rotatable knob mechanism. The knob can be rotated to align different aperture configurations with the intake aperture, dynamically adjusting the resistance level for both inhalation and exhalation phases of breathing
Solution Approach 2:
The resistance parameter is changed by altering the aperture configuration. The knob contains multiple apertures of different sizes and positions that can be selectively aligned with the intake aperture, thereby changing the airflow resistance parameter without requiring complex electronic controls
3Ease of operation
If simple structures are used, then portability and ease of cleaning are improved, but reliable variable resistance control cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The mouthpiece is detachable from the circulation body, allowing it to be easily removed for cleaning. The valve cover can also be separated from the circulation body, enabling thorough cleaning of all internal surfaces without requiring disassembly of complex mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The one-way valve automatically prevents inhalation through exhaust apertures without requiring active control or complex mechanisms. The valve self-regulates airflow direction based on pressure differential, maintaining reliable resistance control while keeping the structure simple and easy to clean
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 system effectively increases inspiratory muscular endurance by providing variable resistance for both inhalation and exhalation, is portable, easy to clean, and cost-effective, making it suitable for various training activities and breathing exercises.
Implementation Method 1
The valve can be configured to seal against the valve seat to prevent intake of air during inhalation into the circulation body from the one or more exhaust apertures
Implementation Method 2
The knob can be rotatable so that at least one of the apertures of the array of apertures is alignable with an intake aperture of the system to control an air level resistance of the system
Data Source
AI summary
An oxygen trainer system that includes a circulation body attachable to and in fluid communication with a mouthpiece. A valve cover can be mounted over a valve seat and a one-way valve. The valve can be configured to seal against the valve seat to prevent intake of air during inhalation into the circulation body from one or more exhaust apertures. A knob can be rotatably coupled to a second end of the circulation body. The knob can include an open end with one or more walls extended to a second end opposite the first end and an array of apertures positioned on the one or more walls between the first and second ends. The knob can be rotatable so that at least one of the apertures is alignable with an intake aperture of the system to control an air level resistance of the system.