Portable Respirator with Sensorless DC Motor and Positive Pressure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional dust and surgical masks provide inadequate comfort due to high flow resistance and leakage, making them unsuitable for prolonged use, especially for individuals with weak respiratory systems, and there is a lack of accessible powered air purifying respirator solutions for efficient air protection in everyday environments.
Innovation Solution
A respirator system comprising an air filter, a sensorless DC motor, a mask, a processor, a sensor, an electric power source, and wireless transceivers that draws ambient air, increases pressure, gathers data on operation, and transmits it to a remote electronic device for processing and analysis, allowing for improved comfort and efficiency while reducing the need for complex components in the respirator itself.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If high efficiency filter media is used, then air filtration efficiency is improved, but flow resistance increases making the mask uncomfortable for prolonged use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical breathing effort required to overcome filter resistance with an electric motor-driven fan system. The motor generates positive pressure to push filtered air through the mask, eliminating the need for the user to breathe harder against high resistance while maintaining high efficiency filtration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the pressure parameter by using a motor to generate positive pressure inside the mask, transforming the breathing dynamics from negative pressure resistance to positive pressure delivery. This allows high efficiency filters to be used without compromising comfort, as the motor compensates for the increased flow resistance.
2Reliability
If filter media resistance is increased, then filtration efficiency is improved, but CO2 and moisture accumulation increases making the mask less comfortable
Solution Approach 1:
The motor-driven system replaces passive mechanical breathing with an active pressurized air delivery system. The motor maintains positive pressure that actively manages CO2 and moisture levels by ensuring continuous air flow, preventing accumulation even when high resistance filters are used.
3Ease of operation
If conventional dust and surgical masks are used, then ease of use is maintained, but protection against pollution and disease is inadequate due to leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces passive mask reliance with an active motor-driven pressurized system. The motor generates positive pressure that actively prevents leakage around the mask edges, maintaining protection effectiveness while keeping the mask simple and easy to use for ordinary people.
4Reliability
If powered air purifying respirator is used, then air protection efficiency is improved, but device complexity and size increase making it less accessible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the system into two main segments: a compact motor and filter assembly that can be integrated into or attached to the mask, and a separate power source. This segmentation allows the respirator to maintain high protection efficiency while reducing overall complexity and making it more accessible to ordinary users.
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 provides enhanced comfort and protection by reducing flow resistance, monitoring respiratory health, and transmitting data for remote analysis, making it suitable for prolonged use and improving air quality monitoring without the need for complex equipment on the user.
Implementation Method 1
a flow generator with a sensorless DC motor... increase the pressure of the air
Data Source
AI summary
A respirator system includes a respirator with an air filter, a flow generator with a sensorless DC motor, a mask, a processor, a sensor, an electric power source, and a wireless transceiver. The respirator filters air, increase the pressure of the air, delivers the air to the mask at a pressure above ambient, gathers data with the sensor about operation of the respirator, and transmits the data. An intermediate electronic device is separate and remote from the respirator, and is configured to receive the transmitted data process the data, and re-transmit the data. A computer receives the data, processes the data and generates at least one report regarding the respirator or a user of the respirator.