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Publication Number
US-12023435-B2
Publication Date
2024-07-02
Expiration Date
Abstract
A nebulizer including a host having a head portion, a cup body having a nebulizing module disposed on a bottom thereof, an engaging member, a mouthpiece having a first opening, a second opening, and a tongue plate, and a sensor element is provided. The engaging member includes a first, a second, and a third engaging opening communicated with one another. The cup body is coupled to the engaging member through the first engaging opening. The engaging member, inside which a first partition wall is disposed, is coupled to the host through having the third engaging opening engaged with the head portion. The mouthpiece is coupled to the engaging member through having the second opening engaged with the second engaging opening. The tongue plate, disposed inside the mouthpiece and abuts against the first partition wall, divides an inner space of the mouthpiece into a first and a second channel.
Core Innovation
The nebulizer includes a host having a head portion, a cup body with a nebulizing module disposed on a bottom of the cup body, and an engaging member including a first engaging opening, a second engaging opening, and a third engaging opening communicated with one another. The cup body is coupled to the engaging member through the first engaging opening, and the engaging member is coupled to the host with the third engaging opening engaged with the head portion. A first partition wall is disposed in an inner space of the engaging member.
The nebulizer further includes a mouthpiece coupled to the engaging member, where the mouthpiece has a first opening and a second opening disposed corresponding to each other. The second opening of the mouthpiece is engaged with the second engaging opening of the engaging member, and a tongue plate disposed in an inner space of the mouthpiece abuts against the first partition wall. The tongue plate divides the inner space of the mouthpiece into a first channel and a second channel.
A sensor element is disposed in an inner space of the host, and the horizontal distance between the sensor element and the first opening is smaller than the horizontal distance between the nebulizing module and the first opening. The sensor element communicates with the second channel to detect pressure changes, and pressure signals associated with the second channel are used to control aerosol generation and stopping. The arrangement is configured to prevent nebulized gas/aerosol from entering the pressure detection channel to avoid measurement inaccuracy and to improve sensitivity.
Claims Coverage
The independent claim coverage includes three inventive features centered on channel separation at the mouthpiece, the engaging member coupling structure, and relative sensor placement for pressure detection.
Tongue plate dividing mouthpiece inner space into two channels
A mouthpiece having a first opening and a second opening disposed corresponding to each other, coupled to the engaging member through the second opening engaged with the second engaging opening, wherein the mouthpiece further includes a tongue plate disposed in an inner space of the mouthpiece and abutting against the first partition wall, dividing the inner space of the mouthpiece into a first channel and a second channel.
Engaging member with multiple openings and internal partition wall
An engaging member including a first engaging opening, a second engaging opening, and a third engaging opening communicated with one another, wherein the cup body is coupled to the engaging member through the first engaging opening, the engaging member is coupled to the host through the third engaging opening being engaged with the head portion, and a first partition wall is disposed in an inner space of the engaging member.
Sensor element positioned closer to the first opening than the nebulizing module
A sensor element disposed in an inner space of the host, a horizontal distance between the sensor element and the first opening being smaller than a horizontal distance between the nebulizing module and the first opening.
The independent coverage is directed to the mouthpiece tongue plate and first partition wall forming first and second channels, the multi-opening engaging member with an internal first partition wall, and the sensor element positioned closer to the first opening than the nebulizing module.
Stated Advantages
Prevents nebulized gas/aerosol from entering the pressure detection channel to avoid measurement inaccuracy.
Increases pressure detection sensitivity.
Documented Applications
Inhalation and exhalation operation in which sensor-detected pressure signals associated with the second channel are used to control aerosol generation and stopping.
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