Respiratory Training Weight and Respiratory Training Device Incorporating Same

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of Chinese Patent Application No. 202422643354. X, filed on Oct. 31, 2024, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD

The present invention relates to respiratory training devices, and more particularly to a modular respiratory training weight and a respiratory training apparatus incorporating such weights for providing adjustable inspiratory resistance.

BACKGROUND

Respiratory pressure-load resistance training involves requiring a user to generate sufficient respiratory pressure to overcome a mechanical load during inhalation. Such training has been shown to improve respiratory muscle strength in healthy individuals and patients with chronic respiratory conditions.

Conventional respiratory training devices use weighted elements placed within a chamber. During inhalation, negative pressure lifts the weight when the pressure force exceeds its gravitational force. Resistance is adjusted by changing the total mass.

However, conventional weights are often monolithic and non-modular, limiting resistance customization. When multiple weights are stacked, manufacturing tolerances can cause gaps and air leakage, leading to unstable airflow and inconsistent resistance.

There is a need for a respiratory training weight that provides stable, reliable resistance, prevents inter-weight separation, and allows for easy manufacturing of various resistance levels.

SUMMARY

The present invention provides a respiratory training weight and a respiratory training device incorporating the same.

In one aspect, a respiratory training weight comprises: a body; a cap configured to mate with the body; a magnet; a mass block; and a ferromagnetic plate; wherein the ferromagnetic plate is disposed at a bottom portion of the body, the mass block is positioned on the ferromagnetic plate, and the magnet is disposed between the mass block and the cap.

Optionally, the weight further comprises a filler element disposed within the body to occupy unused internal volume, and the filler element may be positioned between the mass block and the magnet.

The cap may be closely fitted to the body. The body and the cap may be circular or rectangular in shape.

A plurality of respiratory training weights may be provided, each having a different total weight based on the weight of the mass block.

The cap and the body may be sealingly connected via a threaded engagement, a snap-fit, or an ultrasonic welding process.

In another aspect, a respiratory training device comprises: a chamber body defining an internal respiratory chamber; a top cap connected to an upper end of the chamber body and defining one or more air inlets for ambient air intake; a base connected to a lower end of the chamber body and defining a gas flow passage, one end of the gas flow passage being in fluid communication with the respiratory chamber; one or more respiratory training weights as recited in any one of claims 1-7, disposed within the respiratory chamber; a gas conduit connected to another end of the gas flow passage; and a mouthpiece connected to the gas conduit.

The device enables adjustable inspiratory resistance training by stacking or combining different weights.

Technical Effects and Advantages of the Present Invention

The present invention provides a respiratory training weight and a respiratory training device with the following technical advantages:

Improved Reliability and Stable Resistance:

During respiratory training, the magnetic attraction between the magnet (3) and the ferromagnetic plate (5) ensures that multiple weights remain securely coupled when stacked. This prevents separation of the weights under negative pressure, maintains stable airflow within the respiratory chamber (12), and ensures consistent pressure resistance. As a result, the training difficulty remains stable and predictable, enhancing training effectiveness.

Enhanced Manufacturing Efficiency and Scalability:

The respiratory training weight has a modular cavity structure. By varying the material (e. g., iron, steel, tungsten) or volume of the mass block (4), respiratory weights of different total masses can be produced without altering the outer dimensions of the body (1) or cap (2). This enables rapid and cost-effective manufacturing of a full range of resistance levels using standardized components.

Reduced Internal Vibration and Noise:

The inclusion of a filler element (6) between the mass block (4) and the magnet (3) fills unused internal volume, minimizing rattling and vibration during use, thereby improving user comfort and device durability.

Sealed and Durable Construction:

The cap (2) and body (1) are sealingly connected via threaded engagement, snap-fit, or ultrasonic welding, preventing moisture ingress and internal contamination, which is critical for hygiene and long-term performance.

Modular and Adjustable Training Resistance:

The respiratory training device allows users to adjust inspiratory resistance by adding or removing respiratory training weights (10) from the respiratory chamber (12), enabling personalized and progressive training regimens.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a respiratory training weight according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a respiratory training device incorporating the respiratory training weight of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments are shown. The invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.

Referring to FIG. 1, a respiratory training weight 10 comprises a body 1, a cap 2, a magnet 3, a mass block 4, and a ferromagnetic plate 5. The ferromagnetic plate 5 is fixed at the bottom interior of the body 1. The mass block 4 is placed on top of the ferromagnetic plate 5. The magnet 3 is positioned between the mass block 4 and the cap 2.

In operation, the magnetic attraction between the magnet 3 and the ferromagnetic plate 5 compresses the internal components (mass block 4 and optionally a filler) into a compact, stable stack. This ensures that the weight remains structurally consistent during use and prevents internal shifting that could affect performance.

The mass block 4 may be made of various materials such as iron, aluminum, lead, plastic, or alloys, allowing the total mass of the weight to be adjusted without changing the external dimensions of the body 1 and cap 2. This enables cost-effective manufacturing of a family of weights with different resistance levels.

In an optional embodiment, a filler element 6 is included within the body 1 to occupy any remaining internal volume. The filler element 6 may be disposed between the mass block 4 and the magnet 3. The filler 6 prevents rattling or movement of internal components, ensuring consistent mass distribution and improving durability.

The cap 2 and body 1 are closely fitted and may be sealed using a threaded connection, snap-fit mechanism, or ultrasonic welding to ensure a secure, tamper-resistant enclosure.

The body 1 and cap 2 may have a circular or rectangular cross-section, though other shapes are possible. The outer dimensions are designed to fit within a cylindrical or rectangular respiratory chamber with minimal clearance to prevent lateral movement.

Multiple respiratory training weights 10 of different masses can be manufactured by varying the material or volume of the mass block 4. For example, for a fixed height of 20 mm, weights of 10 g, 20 g, 30 g, 40 g, and 50 g can be produced using iron-based mass blocks of increasing volume.

Referring to FIG. 2, a respiratory training device 200 comprises a chamber body 7 defining an internal respiratory chamber 12, a top cap 8, a base 9, one or more respiratory training weights 10, a gas conduit (not shown), and a mouthpiece (not shown).

The respiratory chamber body 7 is cylindrical and vertically oriented. The top cap 8 is secured to the upper end of the chamber body 7 and includes one or more vent holes to allow ambient air intake. The base 9 is secured to the lower end of the chamber body 7 and includes a gas flow passage 11. One end of the gas flow passage 11 communicates with the respiratory chamber 12, and the other end connects to a gas conduit, which in turn connects to a mouthpiece.

During inhalation, the user draws air through the mouthpiece, creating negative pressure in the respiratory chamber 12. The respiratory training weights 10 rest on the base 9 under gravity. When the pressure differential generates a lifting force greater than the combined weight of the stacked weights, the entire stack lifts as a unit, allowing air to flow from the top cap 8, through the chamber, down the gas flow passage 11, through the gas conduit, and into the user's mouth.

When multiple weights are used, the magnetic attraction between adjacent weights (via magnet 3 of one weight and ferromagnetic plate 5 of the weight below) ensures that the stack remains intact during lifting, preventing premature separation and air leakage between weights.

Resistance levels can be adjusted by adding or removing weights or by selecting different combinations. For example:

Using six identical 20 g weights allows for six discrete resistance levels.

Using five different weights (10 g, 20 g, 30 g, 40 g, 50 g) enables up to 15 unique combinations, offering fine control over training intensity.

While particular embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the invention in its broader aspects. Therefore, the aim in the appended claims is to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.