Paced Breathing Device Exhalation Time Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional paced breathing devices lack control over the exhalation time length due to uncontrollable air flow rates, leading to misalignment with users' breathing patterns, which affects user experience and compliance.
Innovation Solution
The method involves determining a compensation flow rate to control the air volume in the airbag during the exhalation phase, aligning the exhalation time length with the user's breathing pattern by pumping air into the airbag at a specific flow rate during exhalation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If air is released through a valve during the exhalation phase, then the airbag deflates to simulate exhalation, but the flow rate is uncontrollable and the exhalation time length cannot be precisely controlled
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the inhalation phase and exhalation phase into a single continuous breathing cycle, where air is pumped in during inhalation and simultaneously released during exhalation without stopping the pump. This merging of operations allows the pump to maintain continuous operation while achieving precise control over both inflation and deflation time lengths through coordinated control of the pump and valve.
Solution Approach 2:
The air pump operates continuously throughout both the inhalation and exhalation phases rather than stopping between phases. During the exhalation phase, the pump continues to deliver air at a controlled flow rate while the valve releases air, creating a continuous useful action that maintains system pressure and enables precise timing control without interruption.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the breathing parameters change to adapt to different users, then the device can accommodate various breathing patterns, but the surface undulation becomes misaligned with user breath
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adjustment of breathing parameters including breaths per minute, inhalation time length, and exhalation time length based on user characteristics. The system continuously adapts these parameters to match individual user breathing patterns while maintaining precise synchronization between surface undulation and user breath through real-time control of air flow rates during both inhalation and exhalation phases.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms to detect user breathing patterns and adjust the breathing parameters accordingly. By monitoring user breath characteristics and comparing them with the device's breathing cycle, the system dynamically adjusts the pump flow rate and valve timing to maintain alignment between surface undulation and user breathing, ensuring accurate adaptation to different users.
3Measurement precision
If air is pumped into the airbag during the inhalation phase only, then the inflation is simple, but the exhalation time length is uncontrollable and does not align with user breathing
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by pre-calculating and pre-positioning the air flow rates and valve timing parameters before each breathing cycle begins. The pump is pre-configured with the required flow rate based on the desired inhalation and exhalation time lengths, and the valve is pre-positioned to open at the precise moment needed to achieve the target exhalation duration, ensuring synchronized alignment with user breathing from the start of each cycle.
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
This approach allows for precise control of the exhalation time length, improving user experience and compliance by ensuring the breathing pattern aligns with the user's natural breathing rhythm.
Implementation Method 1
a valve is opened to release the air so as to deflate the airbag during an exhalation phase of a breathing cycle
Implementation Method 2
an actuator, such as an air pump, is used to pump air into the airbag to inflate the airbag during an inhalation phase of a breathing cycle
Data Source
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AI summary
Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a method for controlling paced breathing device. The method comprises determining a flow rate for pumping air into an airbag of the paced breathing device in an exhalation phase of the paced breathing device. The method further comprises pumping, at the determined flow rate, the air into the airbag in the exhalation phase during which the airbag releases the air. In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, the exhalation time length of exhalation phase can be controlled precisely to be aligned with the user's breathing pattern. This can improve user experience and compliance during a paced breathing exercise.