Respiration Mask Valve Control for Low-Resistance Exhalation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing respiration equipment for environments with reduced oxygen, such as high altitudes or underwater, is burdensome and leads to user exhaustion due to exhalation restrictions.
Innovation Solution
A respiration system with a face mask, exhalation system, valve, actuator, and computing device that controls fluidic communication based on chamber pressure and respiration parameters to facilitate unrestricted exhalation and reduce fatigue.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If exhalation is restricted to maintain positive pressure in reduced oxygen environments, then safety and oxygen delivery are improved, but user fatigue increases and exhalation becomes burdensome
Solution Approach 1:
The valve transitions from a static restricted state to a dynamic controlled state, adjusting exhalation resistance in real-time based on user needs and environmental conditions, thereby reducing fatigue while maintaining safety
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the pressure parameter dynamically by adjusting valve opening degree, allowing pressure to vary between restricted and free states to balance safety requirements with user comfort
2Ease of operation
If a valve is added to control fluidic communication based on chamber pressure, then exhalation restriction is reduced and user fatigue decreases, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The valve is designed to automatically respond to chamber pressure changes and respiration parameters without requiring manual operation, allowing the system to self-regulate exhalation freedom while minimizing user burden
Solution Approach 2:
The computing device receives respiration parameters from sensors and uses this feedback to control the valve actuator, creating a closed-loop system that automatically adjusts exhalation resistance based on real-time physiological data
3Ease of operation
If computing device controls actuator based on respiration parameters, then exhalation is optimized and user comfort improves, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The computing device controls the valve in periodic synchronization with the user's respiratory cycle rather than continuously, reducing energy consumption while maintaining exhalation comfort during each breath
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects relate to respiration system and a method of use. An exemplary system includes a face mask configured to substantially seal a chamber about a nose and mouth of a user, an exhalation system in fluidic communication with the face mask and configured to permit flow of expirate from the user, wherein the exhalation system additionally includes a valve selectively permitting fluidic communication with the chamber as a function of chamber pressure and an actuator operatively connected to the valve, a respiration sensor configured to detect a respiration parameter associated with a respiration phenomenon, and a computing device in communication with the actuator and the respiration sensor, wherein the computing device is configured to receive the respiration parameter and control the actuator.