Oxygen Trainer With Adjustable Endcap Inserts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for respiratory muscle endurance training lack the ability to provide variable resistance for both inhalation and exhalation, making it difficult to effectively simulate high-altitude training conditions for improved inspiratory muscular endurance.
Innovation Solution
An oxygen trainer assembly with a mouthpiece, circulation chamber, and adjustable endcap inserts that control air resistance, featuring a one-way valve to allow customizable resistance levels during inhalation and exhalation, enabling easy assembly, portability, and hygiene.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If prior art devices use fixed resistance mechanisms (duck-bill valves, slots, holes), then the device structure is simple, but the device cannot provide variable resistance for both inhalation and exhalation
Solution Approach 1:
The device divides the resistance control into separate components: a first endcap insert with opening for inhalation resistance control and a second endcap insert with opening for exhalation resistance control. This segmentation allows independent adjustment of resistance for each breathing phase, achieving variable resistance capability while maintaining relatively simple individual component structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The endcap inserts are designed with openings of varying dimensions that can be selectively positioned or adjusted, enabling dynamic resistance adjustment during inhalation and exhalation phases. This allows the device to adapt to different training requirements while maintaining a manageable structural complexity through modular design.
2Adaptability or versatility
If removable resilient inserts with varying opening dimensions are added to provide variable resistance, then the adaptability increases, but the device complexity and difficulty of assembly increase
Solution Approach 1:
The removable resilient inserts are segmented into separate endcap inserts that can be independently removed and replaced. Each insert has a simplified structure with a defined opening dimension, making them easy to handle, remove, and install without complex tools or procedures, thus maintaining ease of operation despite enhanced adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The endcap inserts are designed as simple, replaceable components that can be easily manufactured and replaced if needed. Their simple structure with varying opening dimensions allows for easy production and replacement, maintaining ease of operation while providing variable resistance options.
3Reliability
If multiple components (endcap inserts, one-way valves) are added to control resistance, then the functional reliability improves, but the ease of cleaning and maintenance decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The device segments the resistance control components into removable endcap inserts and one-way valves that can be separated from the main body. This segmentation allows each component to be independently removed for cleaning, maintaining ease of maintenance while ensuring reliable resistance control through dedicated functional components.
Solution Approach 2:
The endcap inserts and one-way valves are designed as extractable components that can be removed from the device housing for separate cleaning and maintenance. This extraction capability ensures that added functional components do not compromise ease of cleaning, as each component can be accessed and maintained independently.
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 oxygen trainer assembly effectively increases inspiratory muscular endurance by allowing adjustable resistance levels, simulating high-altitude training conditions, and is convenient to use and maintain, enhancing athletic performance.
Implementation Method 1
a one-way valve disposable in the second endcap. The one-way valve is sized and configured to allow the flow of air from the second circulation aperture and away from the circulation chamber during exhalation. The one-way valve blocks the flow of air from the second circulation aperture and into the circulation chamber during inhalation
Implementation Method 2
The first endcap insert opening is sized and configured to control the level of air resistance into the circulation chamber during inhalation and out of the circulation chamber during exhalation
Data Source
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AI summary
An oxygen trainer assembly for use in athletic activities to increase inspiratory muscular endurance, the assembly comprising: a mouthpiece having a mouthpiece opening; a circulation chamber housing having a circulation chamber in fluid communication with the mouthpiece opening; a first endcap having a first endcap aperture and a second endcap having a second endcap opening in fluid communication with the circulation chamber housing; a first endcap insert disposable in the first endcap operative to control the level of air resistance in the assembly during inhalation and exhalation; a one-way valve disposable in the second endcap sized and configured to allow the flow of air away from the circulation chamber during exhalation.