Ventilator Display Arm Structure for Visibility and Shock Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing medical ventilators face challenges in facilitating clear information visualization for healthcare staff, particularly in cramped intensive care settings, while also ensuring robustness against structural damage and protecting fragile internal components from shocks.

Innovation Solution

The medical ventilator design includes a display screen mounted on a support arm projecting from a rigid internal frame, allowing orientation along multiple axes, with a protective casing and a robust metal chassis supporting the motorized blower and control means, enhancing visibility and structural integrity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the display screen is integrated directly into the ventilator casing, then the device size and compactness are improved, but the visibility of information for healthcare personnel deteriorates due to positioning constraints in intensive care settings

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice sizeVSAvoidvisibility of information
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The display screen is separated from the main ventilator casing and mounted on an independent support arm that can be positioned independently. This segmentation allows the screen to be located at an optimal viewing distance and angle for healthcare personnel while the main device remains compact.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The display screen is extended into a third dimension by projecting it outward on a support arm from the casing, rather than keeping it flat on the casing surface. This dimensional extension improves visibility without increasing the footprint of the main device.

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

2Device complexity

If the support arm is directly attached to the external casing, then the structural design is simplified, but the reliability deteriorates due to risk of arm breaking under the weight of the display screen

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural designVSAvoidstrength of support arm
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A rigid internal support frame is introduced as an intermediate structural element to counterbalance the weight of the display screen. This frame is anchored to the base of the ventilator and provides a stable mounting point for the support arm, preventing the arm from breaking under the screen's weight.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

Solution Approach 2:

The rigid internal support frame acts as an intermediary between the base and the support arm, providing structural reinforcement without requiring direct attachment of the arm to the external casing. This mediator element distributes the load and enhances reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Volume of moving object

If internal components are arranged directly within the casing, then the device compactness is improved, but the reliability deteriorates due to direct transmission of impacts from the casing to fragile internal components

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice compactnessVSAvoidprotection of internal components
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The internal components are segmented from the external casing by introducing an internal support frame structure. This frame creates a separate structural domain that protects sensitive components like the control means and motorized turbine from direct impact transmission from the casing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The internal support frame serves as a mediator between the external casing and fragile internal components. It absorbs and distributes impact forces, preventing direct transmission of shocks to sensitive electronics and mechanical parts while maintaining device compactness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP4043776B1Medical fan fitted on top of an adjustable display screen
Publication Date: 2026.03.11 AIR LIQUIDE MEDICAL
  • EP4043776B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4043776B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4043776B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a medical ventilator (1) comprising control means (2) driving a motorized blower (3) arranged inside an external casing (6) and a display screen (7). The control means (2) and the motorized blower (3) are arranged on a rigid support frame (4), preferably made of metal, arranged within the casing (6) of the ventilator (1). A support arm (9) projecting above the support frame (4) and outside the casing (6) of the ventilator (1) carries the display screen (7) and includes a display screen orientation system (11) arranged between the support arm (9) and the display screen (7). Lateral handles arranged on either side of the screen (7) facilitate its orientation along several axes.