[Equipment] Has Your Philips Dreamstation Humidifier Lid Latch Failed?

[Hydrangea]

These companies don't care about the consumer.

Can you contact the DME that you got the DreamStation from?

[gludden]

I removed the back panel. The two poorly designed plastic tabs are on the back side of that. I removed the broken tabs and put two pieces of light insulating foam in their place. Very simple, as insulating tape has adhesive backing. That seems to have done the trick, and if they fail at some point, they can easily be replaced.

[KenSleep]

My Dreamstation is exactly 3 years and 4 months old. About 5 weeks ago I noticed that my AHI/PB numbers had started to climb. They increased so much that I upped the air pressure and humidity. But that had no effect on my high numbers. I had reached a point of getting ready to see the doctor.
Then three nights ago while sleeping I was awakened by a loud sound. The humidifier cover had popped open. Seeing the the latch was moving freely and not keeping the cover on tight, I attached some masking tape to keep it shut.
In the morning I noticed two things- one was that the Dreamstation was much quieter than before, and tw0- my AHI/PB numbers were back to normal. Seems there was an air leak, and I had simply gotten use to the sound.

Thanks to this thread I was able to take the Dremstation apart, take off the cover with a T10 torx driver on those 5 screws and examine the "springs:. They were both broken. I was able to effect a temporary repair using foal insulated tape, and will continue to figure out a more permanent fix.

It boggles my mind that Phillips uses such a weak plastic "spring system" that will bend twice a day, every day. And it further amazes me that a replacemebnt plastic back cover with those "springs" isn't available for purchase.

Anyway, thanks to apneaboard and this thread.

[BeachEd]

I removed the plate (5 screws) on the front of the humidifier and found where the two plastic pieces had broken off.  I cut two pieces of rubber gasket material (1.0" x 0.125" x 0.125") and used non-toxic glue to adhere them to the plate.  I reassembled the humidifier and, so far, no more lid popping up during the night.  It has made opening and closing the lid a little more difficult; however, it's not really too much of a problem.  HTH

[cparias]

My Respironics Humidifier has also broken. 
Same issue with the latch plastic springs. Just the left side in my case but I suspect the other side will fail sooner rather than later.
No doubt it is a poor design and poor quality to it, that doesnt even allow for a replacement part.
I will try to with if the Distributor can do something about it, since it was covered by my medical insurance.
Otherwise, I will have to try some of the solutions other users have used.
We should all report the issue to Philips anyway, since they seem to claim no other reports have been send to them.
I think this should be a recall issue. These devices are not cheap..
Thanks

[acarwile]

I had the same issue, and got tired of it. I elected to open the unit to see the springs myself. Not like any springs I've seen before. Plastic pieces attached. Mine were both bent so much that they don't spring back at all, and they're both cracked. Using the weathertripping suggestion, I bought "Door Corner Seals for $3.98l at Lowes and cut them carefully. Replaced the broken tabs and works well. I have pictures but don't know how to add them here

[AshSF]

My Dreamstation plastic latch "springs" broke too.

My current fix is to hold the latch in the closed position until the unit starts and then air pressure seems to keep pressure on the latch and therefore from sliding open.  I agree a bad design to have that type of spring.

Mine failed a year ago after around 3 years of service. I do the same thing. Manually hold the latch in closed position and once the machine starts, it stays put thru the night.

Looks like Philips went to a new design philosophy of making things fail soon after the warranty period ends (just like dell does with its laptops).

[TycBova]

Mine is broken as well....it has been on the verge of breaking over a year. Philips had to refurbish due to health warning of cancer risk. I don't know if what they replaced included this latch or not. I will be contacting my supplier tomorrow.

[TycBova]

My latch is broken.
We removed the broken one it now shuts with the one.
Hard to believe this is not a common problem.
This machine eas one of the recall machines. I don't know what part was refurbished whether it included the weak latch or not. I do know it has been slowly getting worse to the point it at first jammed shut then wouldn't shut. I am glad I read the difficulties you had before trying to contact Philips!!!!
 I have attached a photo showing the piece which snapped off. We took it out with tweezers. After following instructions on how to get the latch out, using s small screwdriver we pried the latch off, removed the broken piece then put the latch back.