Ventilator Valve Diaphragm Vibration Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ventilator systems experience vibrations in diaphragms during exhalation, leading to adverse effects on flow and pressure measurements and patient comfort, particularly at high positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) levels.
Innovation Solution
The development of an exhalation or inhalation valve with a diaphragm and valve seat crater configuration that allows for controlled opening and closing characteristics, including partial sealing and complete closure, using damping elements and defined contact points to stabilize the diaphragm position and reduce vibrations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the diaphragm completely closes the valve seat crater, then sealing performance is improved, but vibrations increase due to undefined closing and high local flow-induced forces
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies local quality by creating a defined contact surface between the diaphragm and valve seat crater instead of a point contact. This distributed contact area reduces local flow-induced forces and prevents undefined closing behavior, thereby reducing vibrations while maintaining sealing performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the geometric parameters of the valve seat crater and diaphragm contact interface to create a defined contact surface. This parameter modification alters the closing characteristics from undefined to controlled, reducing vibrations while preserving complete sealing capability.
2Ease of operation
If the diaphragm is reinforced on one side, then controllable partial closing is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The reinforcement element is applied locally to one side of the diaphragm rather than uniformly across the entire structure. This localized modification enables controllable partial closing behavior while minimizing additional complexity by concentrating the structural change in a specific region.
3Manufacturing precision
If defined contact point or limited contact surface is created, then opening and closing characteristics are predefined, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The defined contact surface geometry is built into the valve seat crater and diaphragm design from the outset, preliminarily establishing the opening and closing characteristics. This pre-defined geometric relationship simplifies assembly manufacturing by eliminating the need for precise post-assembly adjustments.
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 configuration enhances control over the flow of breathing gas, reducing diaphragm vibrations and improving patient comfort by allowing for a full range of controllable opening and closing, thereby stabilizing the diaphragm position and minimizing noise and discomfort.
Implementation Method 1
The valve (10) has an inlet (12) and an outlet (14) for the fluid. Between the inlet (12) and the outlet (14), the valve has further a crater (16) and a diaphragm (18) movable relative to the valve seat crater (16) for influencing the flow through the valve seat crater (16).
Implementation Method 2
The diaphragm (18) may have an elastic material and at least one damping element (32).
Data Source
AI summary
An exhalation valve, an inhalation valve, a ventilator and a method for controlling ventilation are provided. An exhalation valve (10) or inhalation valve (10) for a medical ventilator (30) for controlling a flow of a fluid, especially a breathing gas, has an inlet (12) and an outlet (14) for the fluid. Between the inlet (12) and the outlet (14), a valve seat crater (16) and a diaphragm (18) are provided. The diaphragm (18) is movable relative to the valve seat crater (16) for influencing the flow through the valve seat crater (16). The valve seat crater (16) and the diaphragm (18) are arranged such that the valve seat crater (16) can partially be sealed by means of the diaphragm (18), with the diaphragm (18) and the valve seat crater (16) not closing completely on initial contact of the diaphragm (18) and the valve seat crater (16).