Ventilation Conduit With Deflector for Accurate VO2 Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional oxygen consumption (VO2) monitoring devices are bulky, expensive, and uncomfortable due to their split design with a face mask and external box, requiring multiple parts and causing excessive vibration, weight, and noise.
Innovation Solution
A compact device design with a conduit system that includes an exhaled-air and inhaled-air receiving portion, pressure and oxygen sensor sampling ports, and a deflector to direct airflow away from sensors, reducing the need for a separate external box and minimizing noise and bulk.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a conventional VO2 monitor uses a pump and desiccation system with a separate external box, then accurate oxygen consumption measurements can be obtained, but the device becomes bulky, heavy, and noisy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the face mask and external box into a single integrated unit, eliminating the need for separate components connected by tubes. The conduit system is incorporated directly into the face mask structure, allowing the device to be worn as one unified unit rather than separate parts, thereby reducing overall weight and bulk while maintaining measurement accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the pump and desiccation system from the external box and integrates them directly into the face mask conduit system. This extraction and reintegration eliminates the need for the separate external box, reducing the number of components and overall device weight while preserving the necessary measurement functions.
2Weight of moving object
If a conventional VO2 monitor is split into a face mask and external box, then the face mask can be lighter, but the overall device complexity and number of parts increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the face mask and external box functions into a single integrated unit, eliminating the need for separate components. This merging reduces the total number of parts and simplifies the overall device structure while maintaining the weight benefits of having the sensing elements close to the user's face.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated face mask unit performs multiple functions that were previously distributed across separate components: it serves as the interface with the user, contains the conduit system for gas flow, houses the pump for air movement, and includes the desiccation system for humidity control. This multi-functionality reduces part count while maintaining all necessary capabilities.
3Ease of manufacture
If air flows directly to sensor ports in the conduit, then sensor sampling is simple, but exhaled air contaminates the sensor readings
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a deflector as an intermediary element within the conduit that redirects exhaled air flow away from the sensor ports. This deflector acts as a mediator between the exhaled air stream and the sensors, preventing contamination while allowing the sensors to accurately measure the intended gas composition without requiring complex additional sampling mechanisms.
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 device provides accurate oxygen consumption measurements with reduced bulk and discomfort, using a deflector to minimize noise and vibration, and a compact design that simplifies assembly and reduces costs.
Implementation Method 1
a deflector disposed within the conduit. The deflector is configured to deflect air exhaled into the exhaled-air receiving portion of the conduit away from the sensor ports
Implementation Method 2
pressure and oxygen sensor sampling ports. The sampling ports are in fluid communication with the conduit
Implementation Method 3
pressure and oxygen sensor sampling ports. The sampling ports are in fluid communication with the conduit
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a device for measuring a person's ventilation. The device includes a conduit with an exhaled-air receiving portion and an inhaled-air receiving portion. The device includes pressure and oxygen sensor sampling ports. The sampling ports are in fluid communication with the conduit. The device includes a deflector disposed within the conduit. The deflector is configured to deflect air exhaled into the exhaled-air receiving portion of the conduit away from the sensor ports.