Respiratory Valve Cover Segmentation for Resonance Noise Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Respiratory treatment apparatuses face challenges in controlling gas flow effectively, particularly in expiratory valves, which can produce undesirable noise due to resonance, affecting patient comfort and treatment efficacy.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a flexible gas passage cover with drop sections and a pressure chamber to control gas flow, reducing resonance by decoupling different spring-mass-damper systems and using coatings to minimize friction, thereby reducing noise and improving operational characteristics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If a conventional expiratory valve is used to control gas flow, then gas flow control is achieved, but undesirable noise due to resonance is produced
Solution Approach 1:
The valve cover is divided into multiple sections with different thicknesses (first section, second section, third section) rather than being uniform. This segmentation creates distinct spring-mass-damper systems with different natural frequencies, preventing resonance and reducing noise while maintaining effective gas flow control.
Solution Approach 2:
Different sections of the valve cover have different thicknesses to create local variations in mass and stiffness properties. The first section has a first thickness, the second section has a second thickness, and the third section has a third thickness, allowing each region to have optimized local characteristics that collectively reduce resonance.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If the valve cover is made thicker to reduce vibration, then resonance is reduced, but the valve response time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The valve cover is segmented into sections of different thicknesses, creating multiple independent vibration modes with different natural frequencies. This allows the valve to respond quickly to pressure changes while the segmented structure prevents resonant amplification of vibrations, solving both the vibration reduction and response time requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The thickness parameter of the valve cover is varied across different sections rather than being uniform. By changing the thickness parameter locally, the natural frequencies of different sections are detuned from each other, preventing resonance while maintaining overall structural integrity and responsive behavior.
3Ease of manufacture
If a simple uniform valve cover is used, then manufacturing is simple, but resonance occurs causing noise
Solution Approach 1:
The valve cover manufacturing process is simplified by forming different thickness sections as integral parts of a single molded component rather than assembling multiple separate parts. This segmentation approach reduces resonance noise while maintaining ease of manufacture through single-step molding or forming processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve cover incorporates local quality variations through different thickness regions that are formed during the manufacturing process itself. These local thickness variations are integrated into the manufacturing design, allowing the component to be produced in a single operation without complex assembly, thereby maintaining ease of manufacture while eliminating resonance noise.
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 solution effectively reduces noise levels and enhances the operational quietness of expiratory valves, improving patient comfort and treatment outcomes by decoupling resonant frequencies and minimizing friction, resulting in a quieter and more effective gas flow control mechanism.
Implementation Method 1
a flexible gas passage cover (118) The first side surface of the cover (118) may be configured as a valve element and may make a sealing contact with a valve seat (116)
Implementation Method 2
reducing resonance by decoupling different spring-mass-damper systems
Implementation Method 3
The cover (118) may include at least one drop section including a reduction in a thickness between the first side surface and the second side surface
Implementation Method 4
using coatings to minimize friction
Data Source
AI summary
A respiratory valve, such as a positive end expiratory pressure valve, permits pressure control for respiratory apparatus such as a ventilator or positive airway pressure device. The valve may include a flexible gas passage cover. The cover may be configured with a first side surface to operatively block and open an aperture of the gas passage at a valve seat to respectively prevent and permit gas flow through the aperture defined by the valve seat. The cover may include a second side surface opposite the first surface. The second surface may include at least one drop section forming a reduction in thickness of the cover between the first surface and the second surface. The first surface may include a coating to reduce friction of a membrane material of the first surface. The rim of the valve seat may comprise a variation in height relative the flexible cover.