Rotating Module Fastening Unit for Secure Respirator Air Supply

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing respiratory protection systems for workers in paint booths face challenges in easy assembly and disassembly of air treatment modules, which complicates health protection and user-friendliness while also increasing production complexity for manufacturers.

Innovation Solution

A fastening unit with a modular design that allows for simple and reliable attachment and detachment of air treatment modules on a waist or hip belt, featuring a mechanism with rotating sub-components and locking grooves for secure positioning and easy module exchange.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If modules are made detachable for easy assembly and disassembly, then ease of operation and production simplicity improve, but connection reliability and security may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of assembly and disassemblyVSAvoidconnection reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The fastening unit employs a dynamic locking mechanism where the second sub-component can rotate relative to the first sub-component through a predetermined angle (less than 180 degrees). This rotation enables the locking pins to engage with different locking grooves, providing both easy attachment/detachment and secure connection. The dynamic movement allows the system to transition between locked and unlocked states reliably.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The fastening unit is divided into two separate sub-components: a first sub-component with locking grooves and a second sub-component with locking pins. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each part - the first sub-component provides stable mounting points while the second sub-component provides the locking mechanism. The modular design facilitates easy assembly and disassembly while maintaining connection reliability through the coordinated interaction of these segmented parts.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple locking positions are provided for adjustable positioning, then adaptability improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning adjustabilityVSAvoidfastening mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The fastening mechanism utilizes angular/rotational dimension to achieve multiple locking positions. Instead of adding multiple linear adjustment mechanisms, the second sub-component rotates around the central through hole, allowing locking pins to engage with locking grooves at different angular positions. This dimensional approach provides adjustable positioning (at least three different positions) while keeping the mechanism relatively simple.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The first sub-component serves multiple functions: it provides the central through hole for screw passage, contains multiple locking grooves for different positioning angles, and defines the rotational movement path. The second sub-component similarly serves multiple functions with its locking pins, rotation capability, and engagement mechanism. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components for each feature, thereby reducing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3185969B1Fastening unit and modules
Publication Date: 2023.07.26 SATA GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3185969B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP3185969B1 patent drawingFigure 2A
  • EP3185969B1 patent drawingFigure 2B

AI summary

The invention relates to a fastening unit (100), in particular a fastening unit for modules which are intended to supply a user of a breathing mask or breathing hood with breathable air, and to such modules. The fastening unit is characterised in that it is designed to secure one module relative to another module, and in that it has a first component part (1) for assembly with the other module and a second component part (2) for assembly with the module, wherein the second component part (2) is rotatable, by means of the first component part (1), about a predetermined angle relative to the first component part (1); and first and second subcomponents (10, 20) within the region of the defined angle can engage with each other in a plurality of positions.