Stretchable Bottom Mesh Nebulizer Pack for Hygienic Disposable Use

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional mesh nebulizers require troublesome maintenance, as the mesh cap needs to be washed, disinfected, and dried after use, and is prone to breakage, leading to hygiene issues and decreased nebulization efficiency if not cleaned correctly.

Innovation Solution

A mesh nebulizer design featuring a detachable medicinal liquid pack with a stretchable material bottom surface that allows the vibration surface to approach the mesh portion, eliminating the need for mesh cap maintenance by using a new pack each time, ensuring hygiene and maintaining nebulization efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the mesh cap is made detachable for cleaning, then ease of maintenance is improved, but device complexity increases and the mesh cap becomes more prone to breakage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of maintenanceVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the disposable principle by making the medicinal liquid pack (including the mesh portion) a single-use component that is discarded after one use, eliminating the need for cleaning and maintenance while avoiding the complexity and breakage risks of detachable reusable mesh caps

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Ease of operation

If the mesh cap is made detachable for cleaning, then ease of maintenance is improved, but reliability decreases due to breakage risk

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of maintenanceVSAvoidreliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Productivity

If the vibration surface approaches the mesh portion through stretchable material, then nebulization efficiency is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenebulization efficiencyVSAvoidmanufacturing precision

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by using stretchable material for the bottom surface of the medicinal liquid container, allowing the distance between the vibration surface and mesh portion to be dynamically adjusted through material deformation rather than precise manufacturing control

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies flexible shells and thin films by using stretchable material for the bottom surface of the medicinal liquid container, allowing the distance between the vibration surface and mesh portion to be dynamically adjusted through material deformation rather than precise manufacturing control

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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

This design simplifies user maintenance, maintains hygiene, and prevents a decrease in nebulization efficiency by using a new mesh portion each time, ensuring effective and efficient nebulization.

Implementation Method 1

at least a portion of a bottom surface of the recessed portion of the medicinal liquid container that is to oppose the vibration surface is made of a stretchable material, and when the medicinal liquid pack is mounted on the main body, the stretchable material of the bottom surface stretches, allowing the vibration surface to approach the mesh portion of the lid

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

a driving voltage is applied to the horn vibrator, whereby the vibration surface is vibrated. Accordingly, the medicinal liquid is nebulized and ejected through the mesh portion

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectUltrasonic Vibration: Ultrasonic Vibration

Data Source

PatentUS11318263B2Mesh nebulizer and medicinal liquid pack

Publication Date: 2022.05.03 OMRON HEALTHCARE CO LTD

AI summary

A mesh nebulizer that nebulizes and ejects a medicinal liquid through a mesh portion, includes a main body including a vibration portion including a vibration surface, and a medicinal liquid pack to be detachably mounted on the main body. The medicinal liquid pack includes a lid in which the mesh portion is provided, and a medicinal liquid container that includes a recessed portion that is open toward the mesh portion and is covered by the lid, the medicinal liquid being contained in the recessed portion. At least a portion of a bottom surface of the recessed portion of the medicinal liquid container that is to oppose the vibration surface is made of a stretchable material. When the medicinal liquid pack is mounted on the main body, the stretchable material of the bottom surface stretches, allowing the vibration surface to approach the mesh portion of the lid.