Pretensioned Spring Assembly for Oxygen Self-Rescuer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing oxygen self-rescuers are difficult to use intuitively, especially in emergency situations, as they require initial exhalation to activate the chlorate candle, which can lead to user error and resistance during inhalation, and they lack a mechanism for automated transition from a packed to a use state after long periods of storage.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a pretensioned spring assembly within the breathing bag that automatically tilts it up when triggered, creating a vacuum to draw breathable gas into the bag, allowing for intuitive inhalation without initial exhalation and maintaining spring action over years, even after storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a chlorate candle is used to produce oxygen in the breathing bag, then oxygen is released through exothermic reaction, but the device requires initial exhalation by the user to activate, which complicates operation in emergency situations
Solution Approach 1:
The spring assembly is pre-loaded and positioned to automatically tilt the breathing bag into the correct orientation when the user removes the device from its carrying case or experiences an emergency. This preliminary mechanical action eliminates the need for the user to perform exhalation to activate the oxygen-generating chlorate candle, as the breathing bag is already properly positioned to receive and deliver oxygen.
2Volume of moving object
If the breathing bag is kept in a packed-up state for long periods, then the device remains compact for storage, but the spring assembly must maintain pretension over years, which increases stress on components
Solution Approach 1:
The breathing bag is nested within the carrying case in a compact configuration during storage, while the spring assembly is positioned to exert pretension against the case structure. This nesting arrangement allows the spring to maintain its pretensioned state without requiring additional space, keeping the device compact while preserving the mechanical energy storage needed for rapid deployment.
3Extent of automation
If the spring assembly is pretensioned to automatically tilt up the breathing bag, then the transition to use state is automated, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spring assembly is designed to automatically perform the tilting action that positions the breathing bag for use. When the user removes the device from its carrying case or triggers the emergency mechanism, the pre-loaded spring self-activates to tilt the breathing bag into the correct orientation, eliminating the need for manual adjustment or complex activation mechanisms. The spring's pretensioned state serves as the stored energy source that drives this self-service automation.
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 enables a robust, automated, and intuitive transition from a packed to a use state, ensuring reliable oxygen supply without user effort, reducing the risk of error and maintaining functionality after extended storage periods.
Implementation Method 1
The spring assembly is present in a pretensioned spring state in an unused packed-up state of the oxygen self-rescuer... the spring assembly leaves the pretensioned spring state during an externally triggered transition... such that the spring assembly tilts up (uplifts—erects) the breathing bag
Implementation Method 2
the spring assembly tilts up (uplifts—erects) the breathing bag and in the process generates a vacuum within the breathing bag, so that the vacuum guides (draws) breathable gas into the breathing bag
Implementation Method 3
the use of a chlorate candle that releases oxygen in an exothermic reaction is known, whereby this oxygen is likewise brought into the breathing bag
Data Source
AI summary
An oxygen self-rescuer (100) includes a gas cartridge (110), a mouthpiece (120), a tube (130) connecting the gas cartridge and the mouthpiece, a breathing bag (140) hydrodynamically connected to the gas cartridge and to the tube, and a spring assembly (150) within the breathing bag. The spring assembly includes a spring (153) fastened to the breathing bag and/or to the gas cartridge. The spring assembly has a pretensioned spring state in an unused packed-up state of the oxygen self-rescuer. The spring assembly leaves the pretensioned spring state with an externally triggered transition from the unused packed-up state into a use expanded state of the oxygen self-rescuer such that the spring assembly uplifts the breathing bag and generates a vacuum within the breathing bag. The vacuum draws breathable gas into the breathing bag and prepares the breathing bag for a ventilation of a user of the oxygen self-rescuer.